Advertisement

Nine major Mexican cartels are responsible for flooding US cities with fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, according to an annual report by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

The DEA's 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment, which was published Tuesday, shows how each of the key players exert their influence over different parts of the US.

A map shows how El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel and their rivals the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) were the dominant forces in funneling drugs over the Mexico-United States border in 2020.

The Sinaloa cartel was found to control Arizona and California area smuggling routes into the US, while the CJNG exerts control over Mexico's port of Manzanillo.

Other key players are the Cartel del Noreste [Northeast Cartel] and Los Zetas, Guerreros Unidos [United Warriors], Juarez Cartel and La Linea, and La Familia Michoacana.

'Mexican TCOs [transnational criminal organizations] are the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States,' the DEA declared in the report.

'They control most of the U.S. drug market and have established varied transportation routes, have advanced communications capabilities, and hold strong affiliations with criminal groups and gangs in the United States.'

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Sinaloa Cartel (in orange) and its rival, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (in yellow), have the largest presence in US cities

The report revealed that even with its co-founder Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman spending the rest of his life inside a Colorado super maximum security prison, the Sinaloa Cartel maintained a tight grip on the trafficking and sale of drugs across the United States, with a shocking influence in 24 states and Washington, D.C.

The report found: 'The cartel employs gatekeepers assigned to Ports Of Entry and controls Arizona and California area smuggling corridors into the United States.'

Its main rival, the CJNG managed to expand its business over the border to U.S. 11 states, including Hawaii, and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. The gang also has a presence in 23 of Mexico's 32 states.

The report found: 'The CJNG smuggles illicit drugs into the United States by accessing various trafficking corridors in northern Mexico along the southwest border including Tijuana, Juarez, and Nuevo Laredo. The CJNG also has influence over the busiest port in Mexico, the Port of Manzanillo, and utilizes that influence for the distribution of large quantities of drugs.'

The CGNC is led by Mexico's most-wanted man, Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera, who came up under the tutelage of El Chapo. The DEA is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to El Mencho's arrest and/or conviction.

The DEA said that the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel expanded 'their criminal influence by engaging in business alliances with other organizations, including independent DTOs [drug trafficking organizations], and working in conjunction with transnational gangs, U.S.-based street gangs, prison gangs, and Asian money laundering organizations [MLOs].'

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman is spending the rest of his life inside a U.S. prison, but the Sinaloa Cartel he helped create is considered by the Drug Enforcement Administration as one of the two Mexican cartels with the largest presence in the U.S.

Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera (pictured), the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful criminal groups

The DEA mentions the Beltran-Leyva Organization as having a presence in six states, while Los Rojos cartel has strong influence in the Oklahoma market and the Gulf Cartel moves its narcotics in the state of Illinois.

The report also revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic does not seem to have affected business for the drug cartels.

The Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel used the epidemic to their advantage by increasing the price of methamphetamine, which is produced in secret drug labs in Mexico.

Both drug cartels have been keeping back their normal deliveries of methamphetamine, helping to drive up the wholesale price.

However, the Mexican cartels did hit a bump in the road as the coronavirus pandemic hit 'both the global and domestic illicit financial networks that' they were relying on.

'These disruptions include the transportation of bulk currency, the processing performed by illicit money brokers, the operations of Asian MLOs, and trade-based money laundering,' the DEA said.

The DEA found that the majority of heroin and fentanyl available in the United States is smuggled overland across the southwest border. Lesser amounts are flown in by couriers on commercial airlines.

The report explains: 'Land transportation via the interstate system is the most predominant method of transporting illicit opioids, with personally-owned vehicles (POVs), rental vehicles, and trucks/tractor trailers identified as the most commonly used modes of transport. POVs are often retrofitted with concealed compartments that are used ... to hide heroin, fentanyl, bulk currency, and other contraband'.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which operates 23 of Mexico's 32 states and its capital, Mexico City, has expanded its drug trade operations into 11 states in the U.S., Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration

But drug dealers are also getting fentanyl shipped by mail directly from manufacturers in China.

'Fentanyl distributors in the United States also continue to order fentanyl, FRCs, and other synthetic opioids, such as U-47700, directly from manufacturers in China via the Internet including the dark web, with delivery accomplished by international mail and commercial parcel services,' the report states.

The DEA also warned that Mexican cartels - specifically the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG, are ramping up production of wholesale quantities of fentanyl in both powder and pill forms, as the US grapples with the opioid epidemic.

The cartels are also expanding their sources which supply chemicals involved in creating the drugs, and changing the chemicals they use in the synthesis process, in a bid to get around international chemical controls.

The report found: 'Mexican TCOs will almost certainly have the greatest direct impact on the fentanyl market in the United States for the near future because of these organizations increased capacity and capabilities for fentanyl production, adaptations to restrictions on precursor chemicals, and existing drug trafficking infrastructure in the United States.'

Speaking about the report, the DEA's Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan told DailyMail.com: 'It is evidently clear from this report and DEA investigations that fentanyl is the underlying reason for increased overdose deaths in the United States.

'Transnational criminal organizations are taking advantage of the ongoing pandemic by pushing synthetic drugs across the border.

'But, DEA, working hand in hand with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, continue to identify and counter drug threats while synthesizing demand reduction efforts to increase the publics awareness of these dangers.'

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration's 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment, Mexican cartels are the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States. Pictured above is a shipment of 5,779 kilos of marijuana that were shipped from Mexico and seized by U.S. Border and Protection agents in Laredo, Texas in June 2020

According to DEA data, agents seized 7,250 kilos of heroin in Fiscal Year 2020 compared to 8,053 kilos shipped by Mexican cartel the previous year.

The agency saw an increase in the amount of fentanyl that it confiscated, registering 2,914 kilos in Fiscal Year 2020 after recovering 2,773 in Fiscal Year 2019.

The agency did report a drop in the cocaine is seized in Fiscal Year 2020, totaling 212,860 kilos, compared to 252,824 kilos the previous year.

Agents seized 48,069 kilos of methamphetamine in Fiscal Year 2020 after DEA agents seized 39,995 in Fiscal Year 2020.

The DEA confiscated 645,333 kilos of marijuana in Fiscal Year 2020, a significant increase from the 351,658 that were seized in stings in Fiscal Year 2019.
The Palghar district rural police has seized banned gutka and other tobacco products worth Rs 8,83,500, an official said on Thursday.

A team of of Kasa police stopped a truck heading for Mumbai near Charoti check post on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway on Wednesday and seized the contraband, he said. The driver of the truck was arrested. Further probe was on.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Seeking to grow into a mid-tier producer of copper, gold, and silver

Intends to generate profits from three cash-flowing projects

Main focus on Farellon Copper-Gold mine near La Serena, Chile

What Altiplano Metals does:

Altiplano Metals Inc ( ) is a Canadian mining company focused on the acquisition and development of near-term, cash-flowing assets and exploration projects of significant scale. The Edmonton-based company is looking to grow into a mid-tier producer of copper, gold, and silver with its goal to have three cash-flowing assets by mid/late 2021.

In addition, the company is reviewing a number of opportunities within a 100 kilometre (km) radius of La Serena that fit its production, development and exploration criteria to leverage our revenue generator model.

The companys main focus is the Farellon Copper-Gold mine located near La Serena, Chile. The company acquired the project in 2017 and has been recovering copper/gold mineralized material from a series of underground workings at numerous levels.

To support the operations at Farellon, Altiplano is currently constructing a mill and processing facility located 15 km from the mine site capable of processing 250 tonnes/day.

Altiplano also recently renegotiated a profit-sharing agreement for Maria Luisa, a past-producing gold-copper asset located near the town of Incahuasi, Chile. Engineering studies are underway to potentially develop a decline system enabling the extraction of mineralized gold-copper material, targeted for Q2 2021.

Altiplano is also looking at a project in Nicaragua which is under application with the Central American country's government. The San Pedro mining concession is a high-quality, scalable gold exploration project that has previously yielded promising historical exploration results. The project is drill-ready with the potential to generate an early maiden resource estimate from defined mineralized gold-bearing epithermal quartz veins over an approximate 15 km strike length.

How is it doing:

In 2020, Altiplano raised nearly $3 million via three offerings to fund the acquisition of a mill and continue with the development of the Hugo Decline at Farellon and in late 2020 Altiplanos efforts began to pay off.

In May 2021, Altiplano released first-quarter production figures from its Farellon copper-gold project that showed the company generated US$544,000 in revenue from the sale of 257,500 pounds of copper.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, Altiplano extracted a total of 9,770 tons of copper-gold material at the Chilean operation and processed 8,055 of that material at an average grade of nearly 1.5% copper. The junior resource company said it had surpassed US$6 million in total revenue from Farellon since the first quarter of 2018.

The company says further development of the Hugo Decline includes extending the underground workings at depth to access the 370 metre (m) level to provide two additional development headings (eight all told when fully operational) to access the NE-SW trending vein system.

For Altiplano, the current work affords it the opportunity to increase the number of active development headings, maximize output, and improve grade control.

Continuing its focus in the Farellon concession, the company conducted an underground sampling program at the historic Rosario Copper-Gold mine located about 600m from Farellon. This project also has historical underground workings where Altiplano conducted a channel sampling program underground over a strike length of approximately 180m. Encouraging results were obtained including 5.22% copper and 1.4 grams per ton (g/t) gold over a 1.5m cross-section sampling of the vein structure.

And 100 kilometres to the north of the La Serena, Chile area, the company is still mulling plans for the Maria Luisa gold-copper mine. Selective mining from 2013 to 2015 generated over 600 tonnes yielding an average grade of about 6.85 g/t gold and 1.89% copper.

Altiplano undertook another fundraise in March 2021, arranging a non-brokered private placement of up to 10,000,000 units at C$0.25 per unit to raise up to C$2,500,000 in gross proceeds, with the proceeds of the offering to be used to fund the company's current and planned exploration and development programs, as well as for general working capital.

Inflection points:

Start Hugo Decline extension to the new 370m level by about 50m

Generate cash flow from the sale of gold-copper mineralized output to local processors at Maria Luisa

Finalize agreement on San Pedro development in Nicaragua

What the boss says:

"The work in 1Q 2021 reflects our ongoing focus on development and sustainability, Altiplano CEO Alastair McIntyre said in a statement accompanying its 1Q production numbers.

As we advance to additional headings at depth, and begin to mine within existing levels, this provides us the opportunity to improve output and increase efficiencies.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
As moviegoers in New York City get ready for theaters to re-open this weekend, they may be greeted by a familiar face: Liam Neeson.

The 68-year-old actor will be present to greet moviegoers at the AMC Lincoln Square in the Upper West Side of New York before Friday showings, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The actor has received his first vaccination shot and revealed in an interview that he's looking forward to the memorable experience.

Liam greets: As moviegoers in New York City get ready for theaters to re-open this weekend, they may be greeted by a familiar face: Liam Neeson

Re-opening: The 68-year-old actor will be present to greet moviegoers at the AMC Lincoln Square in the Upper West Side of New York before Friday showings, according to The Hollywood Reporter

'This is one for the diary. It will be nice to welcome people. I think going to the cinema is a bit of a sacred experience. I've felt that way since I was a kid,' he said.

New York City is the second largest movie market in the country, behind Los Angeles, where theaters have been closed for nearly a full year, since last March.

Neeson's new film The Marksman opened in mid-January, but it has only taken in $16.4 million worldwide since then.

Welcome: 'This is one for the diary. It will be nice to welcome people. I think going to the cinema is a bit of a sacred experience. I've felt that way since I was a kid,' he said

New film: Neeson's new film The Marksman opened in mid-January, but it has only taken in $16.4 million worldwide since then

Movie theaters in other major markets such as San Francisco have been given approval to re-open, with Los Angeles theaters said to be not far behind, 'in the next several weeks,' though no specific date has been given yet.

The opening of New York theaters is said to be 'key' in terms of generating buzz and publicity for upcoming movies.

'The reopening of New York is a strong symbolic gesture to the theater-going audience that it is okay to put your toe in the water,' said Tom Ortenberg, chief of Open Road/Briarcliff, which is distributing The Marksman in the United States.

Buzz: The opening of New York theaters is said to be 'key' in terms of generating buzz and publicity for upcoming movies

The National Research Group released a new poll on Thursday, which indicated moviegoer confidence is at the highest level since Tenet was released last summer.

The study also comes days after President Joe Biden announced that every American adult could be vaccinated by the end of May.

New York City theaters are limited to 25% capacity, or no more than 50 people per theater for each screening.

Research: The National Research Group released a new poll on Thursday, which indicated moviegoer confidence is at the highest level since Tenet was released last summer

AMC is opening all 13 of its New York City theaters, while IFC Center and Angelica are also opening on Friday.

The Regal theater chain, which is owned by Cineworld, is eyeing an April target for re-opening.

Joe Masher, who runs the greater New York chapter of the National Association of Theater Owners, will also head to an undisclosed NYC theater with mayoral candidate Andrew Yang.
The Cameron Peak and East Troublesome wildfires leave a heavy smoke plume over Fort Collins in Oct. 2020. Credit: CSU Photography

Smoke from local wildfires can affect the health of Colorado residents, in addition to smoke from fires in forests as far away as California and the Pacific Northwest.

Researchers at Colorado State University, curious about the health effects from smoke from large wildfires across the Western United States, analyzed six years of hospitalization data and death records for the cities along the Front Range, which reaches deep into central Colorado from southern Wyoming.

They found that wildfire smoke was associated with increased hospitalizations for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and some cardiovascular health outcomes. They also discovered that wildfire smoke was associated with deaths from asthma and cardiovascular disease, but that there was a difference in the effects of smoke from local fires and that from distant ones.

Long-range smoke was associated with expected increases in hospitalizations and increased risk of death from cardiovascular outcomes.

But when the research team separated out health effects of smoke from local wildfires in early summer 2012 from long-range smoke from late summer 2012 and summer 2015, they found that local wildfires were associated with meaningful decreases in hospitalizations, especially for asthma.

The study, "Differential Cardiopulmonary Health Impacts of Local and LongRange Transport of Wildfire Smoke," was recently published in GeoHealth, a journal from the American Geophysical Union.

Residents protect themselves from local fires

Sheryl Magzamen, lead author of the study and an associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences at CSU, said the team believes that evacuation efforts and related media coverage of local wildfires may have helped protect residents from adverse health effects of smoke exposure as well as direct impacts of the fires.

"There's a lack of communication about smoke from distant wildfires," said Magzamen. "Generally when there are local fires, there are advisories in the news that are associated with evacuations and local fire conditions. Due to the presence of the fire, people take measures to protect themselves. This could be why we see this lower risk of health effects from smoke associated with local fires."

Researchers described the long-range wildfire smoke as resembling fog, which is what Magzamen said she noticed in Fort Collins in August 2015. At the time, she was collaborating on a project with Jeff Pierce, associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science.

"I thought it was weird to see fog on that day," she explained. "Jeff said, "That's actually smoke." We all took a step back."

Smoke changes with age

Pierce, a co-author on this study, said researchers don't really know how harmful smoke is as it gets older, or becomes long-range smoke.

"In Fort Collins, about half the time we had smoke in late August or September 2020, this was smoke from the Cameron Peak Fire," he explained. "This smoke was only a couple hours old when it got here. At other times, we were getting smoke from California, and the smoke from the Cameron Peak Fire was either going over our heads or further south."

The Cameron Peak Fire was reported on Aug. 13, 2020, and burned into October, consuming 208,913 acres on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Larimer and Jackson Counties and Rocky Mountain National Park. It was the first wildfire in Colorado history to burn more than 200,000 acres.

The average person would not notice a difference in wildfire smoke, Pierce said.

"If the smoke is even two days old, things happen chemically, which changes the smoke a lot," he explained. "If it didn't smell like wood burning, it was long-range smoke from California."

Magzamen said that the team is working to better understand these chemical changes.

"As the small particles found in wildfire smoke age, they can cause more oxidative stress and more respiratory health effects," she said. "But wildfire smoke itself is a mixture of particles and gases. Teasing apart the effects of all the components of smoke and what happens to the mixture across space and timeand how those changes impact healthis an enormous scientific challenge."

Better air quality monitoring

Magzamen said the gap in understanding the source of wildfire smoke is because it historically has been measured by land-based sensors, which are primarily located in large urban areas and sparsely located in other regions, even along the Front Range.

"Even over the last five years, our air quality monitoring networks have been enhanced with new technologies and better measurements of real-time smoke effects," she said.

CSU researchers are now collaborating with local government officials on messaging related to the different types of wildfire smoke, with a specific aim to reach the most vulnerable populations. This includes caretakers of young children, people experiencing homelessness and others who can't shelter safely in place during wildfire season.

"We want people to be smoke-aware," she said. "On the Front Range, we have wildfire smoke every summer. We may not get Cameron Peak-size type of fires every year, but we are downwind for pretty much the entire Western United States," she said. "It's critical that we keep people healthy and safe."

Explore further Wildfire smoke poses special threat to people with asthma

More information: Sheryl Magzamen et al. Differential Cardiopulmonary Health Impacts of Local and LongRange Transport of Wildfire Smoke, GeoHealth (2021). Sheryl Magzamen et al. Differential Cardiopulmonary Health Impacts of Local and LongRange Transport of Wildfire Smoke,(2021). DOI: 10.1029/2020GH000330
Tesla's involvement is as a technical and industrial partner

( ) is to become a partner in a nickel mine in the French-controlled Pacific island of New Caledonia to ensure it has enough supplies.

Nickel is a key component in lithium-ion batteries, currently the main way to power electric cars.

Teslas chief executive Elon Musk has expressed concern about nickel supply previously with reports last year he was in talks with miner Vale about securing supplies.

Until yesterday, the Brazilian group owned the Goro mine in New Caledonia where Tesla is to become a partner, but control is to be split between the local community, regional governments and private mining group Trafigura after a new deal was agreed.

Tesla said its involvement is as a "technical and industrial partner" to help with product and sustainability standards, but it will not have a stake.

Nickel production is regarded as very environmentally damaging and Musk has offered to reward producers who can mine in a more sustainable way.

Last year he urged nickel miners to produce more but in a more environmentally friendly way, though one of the problems is finding enough refining capacity to produce the right quality.

Tesla will give you a giant contract for a long period of time if you mine nickel efficiently and in an environmentally sensitive way, he said in a press call after an earnings announcement.

The new agreement at Goro includes reinforced environmental standards and a target for the mining complex to be carbon neutral by 2040.

Russia, Indonesia, Canada and New Caledonia are the worlds main sources of nickel currently, with Goro having potential to increase.

Vale said the deal would "enable the operations to continue with a sustainable path for the future, preserving jobs and delivering economic value to the country".

Tesla has been ramping up its supply chain connections ahead of the shift towards mass adoption of electric cars with rumours it considering building a lithium-ion battery giga-factory in Somerset.
Eisai has committed the equivalent of $1 million in aid over the span of 1 year in order to support the controlling of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection in Africa

Japanese firm Eisai Co., Ltd. announced that it has decided to assent to and support a project led by CA Medlynks Kenya, Ltd., a subsidiary of the healthcare startup company engaged in improving healthcare access in Africa, Connect Afya Co., Ltd., which aims to build a new structure for the efficient testing framework for the novel coronavirus infection in Kenya. CA Medlynks Kenya, Ltd., in collaboration with the government of Meru County in Kenya, will support the setup of PCR testing laboratories, along with procurement of equipment necessary for testing and training of screening technicians.



Meru County, one of Kenya's 47 counties, is the most populous county in the Eastern Province of Kenya with approximately 1.35 million people. As the novel coronavirus infection spreads in Kenya, one issue in Meru County is the time required to receive screening results as samples must be sent across over 200 kilometers to the capital city of Nairobi for testing, a situation which is caused by a lack of equipment, facilities and technicians necessary for screening of the novel coronavirus. It is expected that support for this effort will contribute largely to the formation of accurate and rapid understanding of the infection situation as well as strategy that is based on that understanding by construction of PCR testing in Meru County.



Eisai has committed the equivalent of 1 million USD in aid over the span of 1 year in order to support the controlling of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection in Africa, along with prevention of delays of elimination activities for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). As part of this support, Eisai has begun provision of Personal Protection Equipment (masks, goggles, face shields, etc.) to core hospitals in Africa for research of and countermeasures against infectious diseases, as well as masks and sanitizer for the resuming of mass drug administrations in Kenya for the elimination of NTDs. In addition, Eisai is supporting Amref Health Africa in the development and popularization of its mobile health platform LEAP for healthcare workers in sub-Saharan countries.



Through this support, including the new support for Connect Afya, Eisai will continue in its contribution to mitigating the spread of the novel coronavirus infection in Kenya and other African countries.
SALEM, Ore.  Public schools in the state of Oregon will soon be returning to in-person learning, Gov. Kate Brown announced on Friday.

The governor plans on issuing an executive order to bring students back into the classroom.

All public schools will be required under this directive to offer access to full or hybrid in-person learning on or before the week of March 29 for kindergarten through fifth grade and the week of April 19 for students in sixth through 12th grades.

Officials with Eugene School District 4J and Springfield Public Schools said the timeline announced by the governor is similar to what they have already planned. Both districts are waiting for more detailed information and guidance before finalizing their schedule for a return to in-person learning.

"Thanks to the smart choices Oregonians have made, our COVID-19 numbers have declined, Brown said. All but six counties now meet or exceed Oregons advisory metrics for a return to in-person, hybrid learning for all K-12 grade levels. And, five of those counties meet the advisory metrics for a return to elementary school."

With the proper safety measures in place, Brown said there is a low risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools.

However, in order to reopen to in-person learning, counties must meet or exceed the current advisory metrics for reopening.

Also, students may continue with comprehensive distance learning if their parents so choose. And if community transmission rates spike, all students will return to remote learning.

Closing schools in Oregon is a decision I will never forget. Parents, educators, school staff, but especially students have come so far while navigating the challenges of this pandemic. Welcoming students back to every school across Oregon will be a milestone worth celebrating, Brown said.

KEZI 9 News talked to Anna Lidbeck, a mother with children in the Harrisburg School District.

I am very thankful and excited for our students across the state to be in classrooms again, Lidbeck said. Im very glad our governor is recognizing the need.

Sabrina Gordon, president of the Eugene Education Association, also shared her thoughts. She said the executive order doesnt change much for the 4J and Bethel school districts.

Teachers have been working with both 4J and Bethel school districts over the past several weeks to gear up for bringing students back in a larger capacity, Gordon said. Weve been meeting at all levels  elementary, middle school andhigh school making plans in earnest. I think that what we've been planning is pretty well in line with what the governor ordered this morning.

She said its important to create learning opportunities that are equitable for all students.

Weve got many students and families who are going to choose to remain learning virtually for lots of reasons, and we have to create a plan that meets the needs of the kids that will come back in person, as well as the needs who are going to stay home, Gordon said.

Gordon said this is going to be a gradual process.

We need to continue working together and being patient and just recognizing that in order to stay safe and to be equitable for all of our students  we just need to take this slowly and carefully. Were just excited that kids are coming back soon," she said.
A Civil Guard officer controlling access to the A-4 highway in Madrid in October. Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 / Europa Press / Europa Press

Spains regions and the central Health Ministry on Thursday decided to extend the current coronavirus restrictions on social activity over Easter week. The preliminary agreement was reached by the Public Health commission, which brings together health officials from the central and regional governments, who are in charge of their own healthcare systems as well as managing the pandemic in their territories.

Under the pact, regions will remain under a perimetral lockdown, meaning no one can enter or leave without a justified reason, such as to go to work. This measure is already in force in all of Spains 17 regions, with the exception of Madrid, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

If we ease the restrictions, we could have a spike and that would endanger the recovery of the second half of the year Alberto Infante, professor at Carlos III Health Institute

The regions also agreed to set a curfew between 10pm and 6am during Easter week and to ban large events where crowds form, meaning Spains world-famous Easter processions are likely to be canceled. Other measures include a four-person limit on social gatherings in both private and public spaces, regardless of whether they take place indoors or outdoors, and recommendations against members of different households gathering inside the home or other indoor spaces. The preliminary agreement must be ratified next week by the Inter-Territorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS), which is formed by the central Health Ministry and Spains regions.

The decision to maintain the restriction on social activity is due to the instability of the epidemiological situation in Spain: while the curve is on a downward trend, transmission levels remain dangerously high. According to the Health Ministry report released on Thursday, the 14-day cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants now stands at 153.

Speaking about the agreement at a press conference on Thursday, Spains secretary of state for health, Silvia Calzon, said: An important level of consensus has been achieved. One of the points the Health Ministry and regions agreed to was not to lower the level of alert the regions are in two weeks prior to Easter, even if the indicators are favorable, and consequently, maintain the measures established at that point in time.

The only region to oppose the measures was Madrid, which has the highest incidence rate in Spain among the regions, with a 14-day cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants of 253  above the threshold considered to indicate a situation of extreme risk. Only the North African cities of Melilla and Ceuta currently have worse data. We have voted against the proposal, said a spokesperson from the regional health department. We do not support either a perimetral lockdown, or bringing forward the curfew from 11pm to 10pm, or reducing the number of people at sidewalk cafes from six to four. The spokesperson added that the region did agree with the decision to recommend against meetings inside homes with members of other households, pointing out that this has been banned for weeks in Madrid, with some exceptions, such as people who live alone or couples who live in separate homes.

It would be a huge mistake to lift the restrictions over Easter week because that could lead to a new spike and a fourth wave Daniel Lopez-Acuna, former World Health Organization official

We know that not every week of the year is the same when it comes to mobility, said Calzon. We know from the experience of the past months how it has impacted the rise in transmission. We are at an absolutely critical moment: we are beginning to see the hope of the vaccine, but we have not achieved enough coverage and we also have the threat of other variants that may respond differently to the vaccine, she added, in reference to the more-infectious strains detected in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa. The Health Ministry also recommended against all non-essential travel, and to take note that events in closed spaces are following the rules on capacity, as outlined by the region in question.

Health experts who spoke to EL PAIS welcomed the decision to maintain the restrictions on social activity, but urged against easing measures ahead of Easter week. There is a lot at stake to risk another setback, said Alberto Infante, professor at the Carlos III Health Institute. The epidemiological situation has improved, but we are far from levels where we can relax. If we ease the restrictions, we could have a spike and that would endanger the recovery of the second half of the year.

Daniel Lopez-Acuna, a former official of the World Health Organization (WHO), agreed: It would be a huge mistake to lift the restrictions over Easter week because that could lead to a new spike and a fourth wave. The minimum we can do is to maintain the perimetral lockdown and curfew, but the restrictions in closed spaces must also be rigorously met.

Womens Day marches banned in Madrid The central governments delegate in Madrid, Jose Manuel Franco, on Thursday banned all events organized to celebrate International Womens Day on March 8. The decision was made on the grounds of protecting public health said Manuel Franco, given Madrid is the only region in Spain where the 14-day cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants is above 250  the threshold considered to indicate a situation of extreme risk.



The Madrid region had received 104 requests for different Womens Day events, from a 500-person march to the central Plaza del Sol public square, to a 250-strong demonstration in Callao in the center of Madrid. All these requests have been denied by the central governments delegate, making Madrid the only Spanish region so far to ban all Womens Day events. The Madrid region had received 104 requests for different Womens Day events, from a 500-person march to the central Plaza del Sol public square, to a 250-strong demonstration in Callao in the center of Madrid. All these requests have been denied by the central governments delegate, making Madrid the only Spanish region so far to ban all Womens Day events.

With reporting by Isabel Valdes, Pilar Alvarez and Emilio Sanchez Hidalgo.

English version by Melissa Kitson.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has requested a meeting with President Biden to discuss the rising numbers of unaccompanied migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border, in a letter sent on Friday.

Why it matters: Biden is facing criticism from the right and the left as agency actions and media reports reveal spiking numbers of migrant children overwhelming parts of the U.S. immigration system. Recent data shows an average of 321 kids being referred to migrant shelters each day, as Axios reported.

"I feel compelled to express great concern with the manner in which your administration is approaching this crisis, but with hope that we can work together to solve it," McCarthy wrote in the letter addressed to Biden.

What they're saying: The House minority leader criticizes Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for telling migrants earlier this week from the White House, "We are not saying don't come, we are saying don't come now."

"To be clear  there is never a 'right time' to enter the country illegally and violate the laws of the United States. Signaling otherwise is reckless and will make the situation worse," McCarthy writes, contrasting Mayorkas' words with those of the former DHS Secretary under Obama, Jeh Johnson, during the 2014 crisis.

The big picture: This comes as other congressional Republicans and some border Democrats are raising the alarm.

Ranking members of both the House Judiciary and Oversight committees sent letters this week with other Republican members demanding hearings about the border situation.

The latest: The White House confirmed Thursday evening that Biden has asked some of his top officials to visit the border "to provide a full briefing to him on the government response to the influx of unaccompanied minors."
By Mimi Dwyer

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Greyhound Lines, a bus company crucial to transporting newly arrived migrants in the United States, has asked the U.S. government for emergency funding to deal with an expected increase in migrant releases at the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

The letter, sent to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, is another sign of a potential rise in the number of migrants from Central America and elsewhere at the southern border. President Joe Biden's administration is already scrambling to deal with a growing influx of families and unaccompanied children.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seen more migrant crossings in recent weeks as new hope emerges among migrants that Biden will unravel the restrictive immigration policies of his predecessor, Donald Trump. It said it apprehended 4,500 migrants on Wednesday, about the same number as the daily average in May 2019, the peak of a previous surge in migration at the border.

The letter, signed by Greyhound CEO David S. Leach and provided to Reuters by Democratic Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, also asks that immigration authorities provide "100% assurance" that no migrant released who may ride a Greyhound bus have COVID-19, and asks that they arrive at bus terminals carrying proof of a negative test.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not currently test migrants before release. In recent weeks it has released thousands of migrant families from custody, Cuellar said, mostly in Texas' Rio Grande Valley.

Nonprofit shelters and some cities along the border have attempted to test arriving migrants, but the system is inconsistent and often dependent on donations.

Greyhound's service has been "decimated" by the coronavirus, the letter said, with furloughs cutting the number of available drivers, and the company's capacity reduced by 60% since the start of the pandemic.

Story continues

"This could have a very detrimental impact on our collective ability to transport migrants to their destinations in the U.S.," Leach wrote.

The letter asks that DHS provide emergency federal funding to the company for drivers and buses that will transport migrants, but does not specify the amount it is seeking.

Greyhound, the largest intercity bus operator in the United States, is owned by British transport operator FirstGroup Plc. Its buses have been essential to transporting migrants from the border to their destinations during previous periods of high migration releases.

In 2019, immigration authorities dropped migrants off at bus stations along the border without notice. Nonprofit organizations booked tickets for migrants to help them reach their destinations.

Greyhound, FirstGroup and DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Mimi Dwyer; Additional reporting by Ted Hesson; Editing by Ross Colvin and Daniel Wallis)
Commissioners, Vaux discuss shortage in affordable housing

Codington County commissioners and Mark Vaux, new executive director of the Watertown Development Company, discussed issues Tuesday.


Codec Modeling Architect - Platform Architecture Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Hardware Summary

Posted: Mar 3, 2021 Role Number: 200228237 Do you love crafting elegant solutions to highly complex challenges? Are you a big-picture visionary who understands how each element affects all the others? At Apple, our Architecture group is responsible for connecting our hardware and software into one unified system. Join this team, and you'll collaborate with engineers across Apple to design how all of our technologies work in unison. In this role, you will be part of the Media IP Architecture team to define, architect, design, implement and deploy models for HW media IP including video encoder, decoder, video and display processors. Key Qualifications 5+ years in developing models for HW validation

Domain expertise in hardware video IP including video codecs, video and image processing units

Experience developing C/C++ bit accurate models for hardware verification

Experience working in a chip development environment with RTL designers and verification engineers

Experience integrating IP models into chip simulation platforms

Experience debugging complex models

Experience working with C-modeling tools, including C/C++, SystemC and scripting languages such as Perl and/or Python

Knowledge of video coding standards including H.264, HEVC

Preferred knowledge of video processing algorithms Description As a Codec Modeling Architect, you will be responsible for developing, integrating and maintaining software models for various video encoder, decoder and display/video processing IPs. Responsibilities will include: - Define, document and implement C/C++ bit-accurate and transaction level models with chip and media IP architecture teams - Collaborate with design and verification teams to define C-model interfaces for validation and debug - Work with the SOC performance team to model memory latency and IP performance - Work with the SOC modeling team to integrate the IPs in full SOC models - Develop and maintain architecture test cases and automated workflows to verify the correct functionality of the models Education & Experience BS/BEng/MS is required.


Buckingham Palace has shared a touching 1976 photo of a young Queen and Prince Philip as he recovers from his heart surgery in hospital.

The photo, which was shared to the Royal Family Twitter account to mark World Book Day on Thursday, shows Her Majesty sitting at a desk in the library at Balmoral Caste, while the Duke of Edinburgh gazes into the distance next to her.

It comes as Prince Philip, 99, prepares to spend third weekend away from the monarch while he recovers from heart surgery in hospital.

Buckingham Palace revealed on Thursday that Philip had a 'successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition' and will remain in hospital for 'treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days.'

Buckingham Palace has shared a touching 1976 photo (pictured) of a young Queen and Prince Philip as he recovers from his heart surgery in hospital

The touching photo was shared as Prince Philip prepares to spend third weekend away from the Queen while he recovers from heart surgery in hospital. Pictured, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle

The Duke of Edinburgh was being treated for an infection at the private King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, before being transferred to St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London - Britain's top heart hospital - on Wednesday.

The Sussexes, whose tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey is due to air in the US on Sunday night, have been urged to postpone it after Prince Philip had major surgery after more than a fortnight in hospital.

The throwback snap of Queen and Philip in the library, was shared alongside a painting of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The Royal Family's Instagram account captioned the post: 'The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are pictured in the Library at Balmoral Castle in 1976.

'Swipe to see Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. The Royal Library is a treasure trove of more than 50,000 books and manuscripts collected by British monarchs over the centuries.

The post went on to share a video of the Duchess of Cornwall speaking about her love of owning books.

The Royal Family's Instagram account captioned the post: 'The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are pictured in the Library at Balmoral Castle in 1976' (pictured)

Buckingham Palace revealed on Thursday that Philip (pictured) had a 'successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition' and will remain in hospital for 'treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days'

Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848.

In the autumn of 1842, two and a half years after her marriage to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria paid her first visit to Scotland.

They were so struck with the Highlands that they resolved to return. A further visit to Perthshire and then Ardverikie encouraged them to seize the opportunity to purchase Balmoral.

After Queen Victoria bought the Castle in 1852, plans were made to build a new castle about 100 yards north-west of the old building designed by the city of Aberdeen architect William Smith.

On 28 September 1853 the foundation stone of the new Castle was laid by Queen Victoria. Prince Albert took a great interest in the design and construction which was completed by 1856, also in the Scottish Baronial style.

The Castle is constructed from local granite, which was precision cut using the modern machinery of the day, producing a much smoother finish to the building than usual.

Prince Albert set about landscaping the area, starting a programme of improvements lasting several years, which was done in accordance with a model he had constructed in sand. The main works were completed by 1859 and included new houses, stables, workshops and schools.

Royals continue to make improvements to the castle and the ruggedly beautiful surroundings have captivated generations of royals since.

The Queen has visited Balmoral almost every year of her reign and it holds a special place in her heart.
The annual budget of the is likely to be "the biggest so far" and have provisions to promote patriotism, sources said on Friday.

The Budget Session of Delhi Assembly, scheduled to begin from March 8, will have no question hour. The budget for financial year 2021-22 will be tabled in the House on March 9, they said.

"The annual budget for 2021-22 is going to be the biggest in the history of It is also likely to have provisions to promote patriotism," said a source in the government.

The AAP dispensation had presented Rs 65,000 crore budget for 2020-2021 fiscal that was around 10 per cent more than that of 2019-20.

Sources said the budget is also expected to have some new announcements besides measures to speed up various projects and schemes delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The government is likely to come up with announcements to celebrate the 75th Independence Day. The Kejriwal government is also likely to come up with its roadmap for Delhi by the time the country celebrates its 100th Independence Day," sources said.

Later this month, the government is likely to launch a 75-week long celebrations leading up to platinum jubilee of India's Independence, they said.

BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri alleged that the AAP government was "violating" rights of the legislators by not having question hour in the Budget Session.

"We have raised the matter with the Assembly Speaker and plan to meet the Lt Governor also to seek his intervention to restore question hour," he said and alleged that the AAP government was s running away from its responsibility of answering the MLAs' questions.

"All MLAs, including those of the ruling party, require answers to questions that people of their constituency have from different departments. We have not been given time to give notice for questions this time," Bidhuri claimed.

Sources said the question hour was shelved because the budget session was called with less than 15 days time available to inform the MLAs about it. "The members of the House need to file questions 12 days prior to tabling of the answer, which is not available this time," they said.

Bidhuri said, the MLAs are to be notified 15 days before calling of the session, but they were informed about the Budget session as late as Thursday, exactly four days before it begins.

The Leader of Opposition demanded that the government extends the session for a week to allow the MLAs get answers during the question hour.

The budget session will conclude on March 16.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China's premier Li Keqiang reiterated the government's stance on Hong Kong and Taiwan on Friday, in an address to the country's ceremonial legislature.

Li said Beijing would "improve the relevant systems" in Hong Kong to "safeguard national security," but gave no details.

China's ruling party has been tightening control in the city following pro-democracy protests.

The party used last year's legislative session to impose a national security law on Hong Kong under which dozens of activists have been arrested.

"We will resolutely guard against and deter external forces' interference in the affairs of Hong Kong," Li added.

He repeated official promises to promote a "peaceful growth of relations" with Taiwan but announced no new initiatives toward the self-ruled island that split with the mainland in 1949 following a civil war.

Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has threatened to invade if it tries to make its de facto independence official.

Li said the mainland will "resolutely deter" any activity "seeking 'Taiwan independence.'"

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Fridays positive jobs report might have been a day of exclamation points and all-caps self-congratulation for Donald J. Trump if he were A) still president, and B) still allowed to post on Twitter.

Instead, there was a somber tweet from the White House chief of staff, Ron Klain, who downplayed the 379,000 newly created jobs as not good enough, and Mr. Trump himself used a muted megaphone he once eschewed  email  to address an array of topics tailor-fit for social media.

Despite being delayed by years of litigation and politics by the Democrats, the wall is almost finished and can be quickly completed. Doing so will save thousands of lives, Mr. Trump wrote in an email on Friday, responding to recent White House moves to reverse his immigration and border wall policies.

Keep illegal immigration, crime, and the China Virus out of our country! he added in the email, sent by his post-presidential office.
The evacuation warning issued for coastal areas of New Zealand has been downgraded and people are able to return home.

GNS Science has advised that the largest waves have now passed, and therefore the threat level is now downgraded to a Beach and Marine threat for all areas which were previously under Land and Marine threat.

The advice remains, for all areas under Beach and Marine threat, to stay off beach and shore areas.

Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore, says a statement from the National Emergency Management Agency.

People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.

Areas under Beach and Marine Threat:

The West Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Ahipara,

The East Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Mahia including Whangarei, Great Barrier Island, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour, Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki and Gisborne.

The West Coast of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Milford Sound including Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika, and the Chatham Islands.

The updated emergency alert sent to mobile phones.

Summerhill in Papamoa was crowded with people but has cleared after the evacuation warning was lifted.

An 8.1M quake in the Kermadec Islands triggered a tsunami warning and the evacuation of the coastal area of Whakatane, including Matata.

Coastal areas west of Matata are being warned to expect strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges near the shore.

National Emergency Management Agencys (NEMA) previous advice was for people in the East Coast of the North Island from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay including Whakatane and Opotiki and Great Barrier Island to move immediately to higher ground.
7. Speaking of due credit: Flowing through the exhibit (in gentle, constructive ways) is the enduring argument of who created what at Marvel. This is probably the most sensitive question in superhero history. A decades-long saga made short: Though Lee is often thought to be the creator of Spider-Man, Hulk and the rest, Kirby (and others) had at least an equal hand. Kirbys family spent years in legal battles with Marvel, settling just before the case headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The exhibit ignores the lawsuits but does a nice job explaining the Marvel Method without stepping into ugly stuff. The Marvel Method, in short, begins with an idea, which goes to an artist, whose work then heads to a writer for dialogue. Thats not always true, of course. But the show does such a good job explaining the production cycle, the point is evident: No Marvel comic was ever created by one person. As Saunders said: Its such a unique form of making comics, it renders our understanding of authorship inadequate. It was a mash (of people). When these characters were created, I doubt anyone thought the question of credit would matter.
Not long ago, it was hard to imagine a time when Gov. Andrew Cuomo would no longer be governor, as the most powerful politician in the state barrelled towards reelection in 2022. Now, thats changed, after a top aide admitted the governors office withheld data on deaths from COVID-19 in nursing homes. And then, three women, including two that worked for Cuomo, accused the governor of sexual harassment, while others shared stories of verbal aggression and intimidation from Cuomo and his inner circle.

Now New Yorks political class  allies and enemies alike  can picture a time when Cuomo is no longer governor. But it isnt clear when that might come. Calls for his resignation, though bipartisan, have not yet reached a fever pitch, but state Attorney General Letitia James has opened an inquiry in the allegations.

Thus far, Cuomo has said he has no intention of resigning, but that could change if more allegations are made public. Impeachment also seems unlikely, but that too could change quickly. And there will also likely be renewed pressure once the investigation is concluded. If Cuomo holds on, there may be less enthusiasm in the Democratic Party for Cuomo to seek reelection in the primary scheduled for June 2022. If he does seek reelection, hes all but guaranteed to face even stronger opposition than he did in 2018, when Cynthia Nixon earned 34% of the vote, or 2014, when Zephyr Teachout got 33%. In an Emerson College/ WPIX-TV/ NewsNation poll conducted on Monday and Tuesday this week, 64% of New York voters said they wouldnt vote for Cuomo if the election were held today.

While the Republican Party has its own batch of potential candidates, Democrats from Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul to the quietest backbencher in the Assembly can now dream gubernatorial dreams. City & State spoke to half a dozen anonymous Democratic insiders with varying perspectives on Cuomo to get a sense of which Democrats may be considering running for governor, and where each of them stands in the states shifting political sands.

The incumbents

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul

Cuomo is stubborn, and it seems that nobody who knows him expects that he would resign, unless the political situation got much, much worse than it already is. The governor has nearly $17 million in his campaign account, plus the resources of the state Democratic Party at his disposal. Before the recent bad press, Cuomo was planning to run for reelection and theres a good chance that he still is.

But if Cuomo were to leave office, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul would take over until Dec. 31, 2022, the end of the term. If she were already governor, then she may run for reelection, arguing for continuity. But if Cuomo stays in office, and simply decides not to run for reelection, insiders would be surprised if Hochul entered an open field. Her relatively low name recognition and residency in Western New York would be obstacles, when so many Democrats live in and around New York City.

The statewides

Attorney General Letitia James and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli

Both Cuomo and former Gov. Eliot Spitzer before him were elected governor from the attorney generals office. Attorney General Letitia James, who first took office in 2019, would be in a good position to do the same if the governors office is open next year  especially if she raises her already-high profile even further by coming down hard on Cuomo. Whether shed run against Cuomo is an open question. While she has delivered some official criticism of him recently, the pair ran on a ticket in 2018, and it seems unlikely that James would want to give up her current powerful perch for what would surely be a difficult race.

Insiders were split on DiNapoli. While one said hes mentioned the possibility of running in the past, others could never picture the low-profile state comptroller in a bruising gubernatorial race. The state runs on big personality, an expert said. He is not that. But no one has ever accused former three-term Gov. George Pataki of having a big personality, so maybe the electorate will be ready for someone more low-key after Cuomo. DiNapoli may want to just stay in his current perch, but another Democratic insider raised the possibility that hed step aside and help another Democrat get the job if the state goes through a major political shakeup, calling DiNapoli an inside player to the bitter, bitter end.

The progressives

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, state Sens. Alessandra Biaggi, Jessica Ramos and Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member Ron Kim

Cuomo has always had critics on the left, and even before this month, there was some behind-the-scenes jockeying to see who would challenge him next year. Williams ran competitively against Hochul in the 2018 lieutenant governor primary, getting 47% of the vote. He might aim higher in 2022, and has been teasing a run. Biaggi, who toppled Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein in 2018, has had a publicly antagonistic relationship with Cuomo, and may jump at the chance to unseat another big name. Ramos, Gianaris and Kim also have increasingly high profiles and would love nothing more than to take down a fellow Queens kid. Whereas Nixon and Teachout were only able to beat Cuomo in areas dominated by white liberals, if Cuomo ran again, a progressive candidate of color like Williams may be able to expand their support.

The Cuomo allies

Steve Bellone and Byron Brown

Its widely known that Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone wants to be the next governor, but the moderate Democrat has hitched his wagon to Cuomo. Hed never run against the governor, but in an open race, hed almost surely jump in as a moderate, suburban alternative.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has also been a strong Cuomo ally, and could try to bring a Western New York perspective to the race, especially if Hochul isnt running. And the Queens-born Brown, who is Black, may be able to appeal to a wider swath of Democratic voters across the state than Hochul.

The congressional delegation

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Hakeem Jeffries, Tom Suozzi, Sean Patrick Maloney and Kathleen Rice

Gillibrands presidential campaign went nowhere, but shed be a top-tier contender in a gubernatorial race, thanks to her name recognition and fundraising potential. Ocasio-Cortez might be the most famous politician in America, and has kept her future options open. Governor is unlikely, but anythings possible, especially perhaps if Cuomo sticks around and the left drafts her to take him down. Jeffries seems set to become the next Democratic speaker of the House, but he had flirted with running for mayor before  so maybe governor is possible. Suozzi and Maloney are moderates who have unsuccessfully run statewide before. Rice seems more likely an attorney general candidate  and many saw her call for Cuomos resignation as an effort to create space for James to move up  but if James remains AG, governor could be an option.

The mayor and the wannabes

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Andrew Yang

De Blasio will be out of a job at the end of the year, with nothing to do. Would he try... and humiliate himself? one insider asked, I dont know, but he does have that kind of hubris. De Blasio did, after all, very unsuccessfully run for president. The man has been a consistent Cuomo critic, and the resilience of his popularity among Black voters is an asset  but his unpopularity among almost every other demographic is an albatross, as is his persistent role as the butt of media jokes.

Multiple experts also raised the possibility of a Yang candidacy, whether or not he wins his bid to become mayor of New York City. The state would provide an even larger platform to talk about his pet issue, a universal basic income. And nobody would mind that he spent time in New Paltz during the pandemic. For that matter, anybody who comes close to winning the mayoralty would have to be considered a potential gubernatorial candidate. After raising his profile in a losing effort in the 1977 mayoral race, Mario Cuomo ran for governor in 1982 and won  leading eventually to his sons governorship, and the political situation New York is in today.
A motorcade transporting President Joko Jokowi Widodo travels to East Kalimantan, where the Indonesian government plans to build its new capital city to replace Jakarta, Dec. 17, 2019.

The building of a new national capital on Borneo Island to replace Jakarta will move ahead with construction of a presidential palace beginning this year, the Indonesian leaders spokesman announced Friday, after the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 stalled the ambitious project.

The palace will be the first project to go up in Penajam Paser Utara, a regency in East Kalimantan province selected as the site for the future capital, said Fadjroel Rachman, spokesman for President Joko Jokowi Widodo.

The minister of the National Development Planning Agency said during a meeting with the president that the construction of the presidential palace will start this year, Fadjroel told an online news conference.

He said government officials were completing a set of regulations for construction, including a legislative bill for the new capital that is set to be passed this year.

In August 2019, Jokowi announced that the country would move its capital from traffic-choked and crowded Jakarta, on Java Island, to East Kalimantan, a densely forested and thinly populated province in Indonesian Borneo. The estimated cost to establish a new capital from the ground up was estimated at up to 466 trillion rupiah (U.S. $32.5 billion).

Last May, Suharso Monoarfa, the minister National Development Planning, announced that the project was postponed because the government had diverted resources to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February 2021, Suharso said construction of the new capital, which Jokowi has touted to be a smart and green city, could attract investment and create up to 1.3 million jobs in the area.

But, of course, this can only be achieved if we can control the pandemic, he told reporters.

He said under the current COVID-19 vaccination program, government officials were optimistic that herd immunity could be achieved by September.

A deputy for regional development at the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Rudy Soeprihadi Prawiradinata, said private companies would be invited to invest in the new capital.

Bappenas has said that traffic congestion, frequent floods and land subsidence caused by uncontrolled ground water extraction in Jakarta were the main considerations for the move.

About 40 percent of the current capital  which is home to about 30 million people  is below sea level and by 2050, the entire North Jakarta area will be submerged, according to experts.

In addition, economic losses caused by the citys traffic jams are estimated at 100 trillion rupiah ($7 billion) annually, Bappenas said.

Under the plan, a public-private partnership scheme would account for 54.6 percent of the funding to construct the new city, while a second private scheme would contribute 26.2 percent and the state budget would cover the remaining cost.

Forget about things that are not important

Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, an economist at the Institute for Development of Economic and Finance (INDEF), cast doubt on the governments plans to attract private investment for the new capital.

They are building government facilities, not commercial ones. How will this attract investment? This isnt making sense. Investors are looking for safe investment with high returns, Bhima told BenarNews.

China, Japan and the United States have offered to help build the new capital, the Public Works Ministry said last year.

China sought a role in designing urban landscapes and water management, while the U.S. wanted to help build infrastructure such as roads and bridges, the ministry said. Japan has expressed interest in building the future citys transportation and energy system.

Under the initial plan, Jokowi had hoped the government relocation to the new city could start in 2024.

Going ahead with the project at this time shows the government has no strong commitment to battling the viral outbreak, Bhima said.

All countries are now focusing on dealing with the pandemic, especially at a time when there is a new virus variant. Many countries are talking about allocating funding for research on vaccinations. But the government is having something else to focus on, he said.

Bhima said the governments priorities were apparent in the 2021 state budget, which allocates more funding for infrastructure, at 414 trillion rupiah ($28.9 billion), compared with 254 trillion rupiah ($17.7 billion) for the health sector.

Mardani Ali Sera, a lawmaker from the opposition the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), urged the government to focus on tackling the pandemic.

Forget about things that are not important for the next five years, Mardani said.

COVID-19 has made us realize that physical buildings are not a profitable investment. People have grown accustomed to doing things online, he told BenarNews. Human development is more important. Having a grand national capital means nothing if the people are vulnerable.

Indonesia has recorded nearly 1.4 million COVID-19 cases and more than 37,000 deaths from the pandemic, according to the Health Ministry, the worst such figures recorded among all countries in Southeast Asia.

A knife-wielding man has today been arrested by French police after being seen outside a Jewish school and a kosher market where pupils buy their lunch.

Security guards at the Yavne school in Marseille spotted the man brandishing the weapon on Friday and alerted police, who tackled him to the ground as he tried to enter the nearby market.

The children were all kept inside the school while officers searched the area for explosives or any accomplices, and no one was injured, a Marseille police spokeswoman said.

One witness claimed the man was also armed with a tear gas canister.

Police bundled the suspect to the ground (left) in Marseille on Friday before escorting him away in handcuffs (right). The man's motives remain unclear

His car was towed away and the spokeswoman added the man's motives remained unclear on Friday.

One witness said police responded very quickly and described the area as a gathering place for people in the local Jewish community.

The witness, who asked only to be identified by his first name, Laurent, said: 'When the students get out of school they buy sandwiches here, buy meals for the sabbath, and a lot of parents from the school get their coffee and croissants there and drink it outside.

'He saw this gathering of people.'

Police guard the Jewish school in Marseille. Security guards spotted a man brandishing a knife outside the Yavne school.

The man then tried to entered a kosher market before he was bundled to the ground by police

It comes just months after France's 'most wanted woman' whose husband killed five people as part of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks was sentenced to 30 years in jail on terrorism charges.

Police patrol the streets of Marseille following the incident on Friday. One witness said 'it was a rapid police operation'.

The suspect's car was towed away as he was arrested by police. The area is popular among students and parents from the school

Pictured: Windows of the suspect's car appear to have been smashed as it is towed away

Hayat Boumeddiene, wife of jihadi gunman Amedy Coulibaly, was among 14 people found guilty over the joint attacks on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket in January that year.

Boumeddiene, a member of ISIS who is now thought to be in Syria, was found guilty in absentia of financing terrorism and belonging to a criminal terrorist network.

Brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi opened fire in the offices of Charlie Hebdo killing 12 as 'revenge' for publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Twenty four hours later, Coulibaly - who was friends with the Kouachi brothers - launched his own attack targeting Paris's Jewish community.

After failing to attack his planned target - a Jewish community centre in the suburb of Montrouge - Coulibaly shot and killed policewoman Clarissa Jean-Philippe, 26.

He then stormed a Kosher supermarket in Porte de Vincennes where he shot another four dead and took 20 hostages.

In 2012, an attack left seven people dead, including three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse.
(@FahadShabbir)

NOVOSIBIRSK REGION (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin expressed the belief on Friday that the bulk of the national coronavirus immunization program should be implemented by the fall.

"I am confident that we should certainly complete the bulk of the mass vaccination by the fall," Mishustin said during his visit to the Vector research center, which developed the EpiVacCorona vaccine.

The prime minister pointed to the need to scale up vaccine production.

"It is highly important to do it quicker. People need this. I know that Vector has made much effort. I hope we will secure ... a significant level of industrial production in the near future in order to complete mass vaccination before the next wave, no matter when it comes," Mishustin went on to say.

Vector chief Rinat Maksyutov announced that the research center would soon present an updated development strategy.
London appeals most to those around the world that are highly educated and working in digital or professional roles. Photo: Getty Images

London was voted the most desirable city to work in, a title it has held for the last eight years, despite uncertainty around Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic, a survey revealed.

The Global Talent Survey, compiled by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Totaljobs and The Network, an alliance of recruitment websites, gathered the views of 209,000 participants in 190 countries.

The UK capital proved to be most popular for workers from a number of different types of countries: those with historic and language links such as South Africa and Nigeria, those with strong historic working links including Portugal and Romania, and also economic powerhouses such as China, the report found.

Additionally, despite Brexit, London remains the second most popular city for European workers, behind Berlin, it noted.

The study also shows that London appeals most to those around the world that are highly educated and working in digital or professional roles.

READ MORE: UK living standards to be hit as disposable income set to fall

The workers that most favour London include those in the legal (21%), insurance (21%), finance (20%), media (20%) and health and social care sectors (18%).

Jon Wilson, CEO of Totaljobs said: Its encouraging to see that British employers can continue to attract the best talent from the global workforce, in part due to Londons long-standing reputation as a multi-cultural hub for international trade and its strong employment offering."

"This said, theres still work to do in remedying labour shortages in key industries which are less conducive to remote working, particularly social care, logistics, and hospitality," he added.

Chart: The Global Talent Survey

Meanwhile, the UK as a whole has stayed in fifth position since 2018, after dropping from second between 2014 and 2018.

The US has fallen off the top spot of most desirable countries for the first time, being overtaken by Canada, which was up from third place in 2018.

Australia came in at number three, up from fourth place in 2018.

Story continues

Two other Asia-Pacific countries that have won praise for their public health response  Singapore and New Zealand  appear in the top ten for the first time.

In addition, attitudes toward some of the worlds most famous cities have changed, with New York falling from second spot to eighth.

Globally, fewer people are willing to move for work, potentially impacting availability of talent, the report said.

Nonetheless, many of the countries that have grown their appeal since 2018 are those with relatively low COVID-19 cases, or government responses that have largely been regarded as efficient and positive, it added.

While there is less appetite now to move to another country, the majority of workers globally (57%) would be open to stay in their home country while working for an employer abroad.

Around 57% of Brits said they are willing to do this. Companies based in the UK were ranked the fifth most popular for remote employment from abroad, while companies in the US take the top spot to work for remotely.

WATCH: How To Resign Without Burning Bridges
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  The Department of Health said it has detected more cases of the COVID-19 variants first discovered in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Health Secretary Francsico Duque III revealed during a briefing in Davao City on Friday that the DOH has discovered 52 additional cases of the B.1.351 variant, or the South Africa variant, and another 31 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant or the UK variant.

These bring total count of the South Africa variant to 58, and 118 for the UK variant.

In a statement, the department said samples came from Metro Manila, Central Visayas, and returning overseas Filipinos.

Of the South Africa variant cases, 41 are from the capital region, while 11 are still being verified if they are local cases or returning Filipinos, the Health department said. One patient has already recovered while 51 are still active cases, it added.

For the UK variant, 28 of the new cases are from Metro Manila, while three cases are still being verified. Latest detections are all active, the DOH said.

Duque said the technical working group on COVID-19 variants will meet with local chief executives of Metro Manila on Friday afternoon to discuss the increasing cases of the South Africa variant.

Earlier, the department said it is closely monitoring fast containment of the B.1.351 variant, which is considered to be more transmissible and appears to make some vaccines, like AstraZeneca, less effective.

The department also announced 42 more cases with mutations of potential clinical significance from the 9th batch of 350 samples sequenced by the Philippine Genome Center. These were found to have the N501Y and E484K mutations, it said.

These additional infections bring the tally to 76.

Of these cases, 34 are from Central Visayas, six from Metro Manila, and two still being verified. All were tagged as active cases, except for 22 patients from the Visayas who recovered.

The DOH and its concerned Centers for Health Development is coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Local Government Units in NCR and Region 7 to institute measures to contain further transmission of these variants and mutations, the agency said.
Everything is relative. Australia is extraordinarily privileged with a number of effective vaccine options at our disposal, enough to vaccinate every Australian three times over, and no COVID-19 in the entire Australian community. With the Pfizer vaccine rollout under way, the first doses of AstraZeneca administered on Friday, and Novavax to come soon, Australians are quite rightly asking: When do the COVID-zero brakes come off? And when will things go back to normal?

Frontline health worker Dr Caroline Phegan became the first Australian to receive the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday morning at Murray Bridge in South Australia. Credit:Nine News

A normal Australia is not just one free from any form of internal restriction of movement. It means a return to unfettered overseas travel  incoming and outgoing  and a revival of economically important international tourism and students coming from overseas. To get to normal is likely to take most of this year; there is no instant path.

We see two key stages in the return to normal: local recovery, a six- to nine-month period of continued COVID-zero but with a steady increase in local confidence as the vaccine rolls out and, following that, a period of COVID-zero release  that is, to no border quarantine and a true international opening.

As high-risk groups become increasingly vaccinated, the local recovery period should be characterised by an Australia that operates with less and less anxiety about local outbreaks. Confidence in border control is one key to this, reducing the frequency of virus escapes.
Assembly Elections 2021: Crucial BJP CEC meet put off

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 05: The meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Central Election Committee (CEC) scheduled to be held today to finalise the party's first list of candidates for the initial phases of assembly polls in West Bengal and Assam, has been cancelled, ANI reported.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President JP Nadda and other senior party leaders including Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh held the meeting at the party headquarters.

In the meeting which was held yesterday, the party leaders discussed the names of BJP candidates for the First Phase of the polls in Assam and West Bengal.

One of the high-profile contests in the high-stakes Bengal polls is likely to be a direct fight between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her former confidant and now BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram seat.

After attending Bharatiya Janata Party's Central Election Committee meeting in Delhi, party leader Mukul Roy on March 05 said the party workers want Suvendu Adhikari to contest the Nandigram seat in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections, but no decision has been taken on it yet.

Meanwhile, the Congress Central Election Committee will also meet today to clear the names of candidates for West Bengal and Assam Assembly elections.

PM Modi holds BJP election committee meeting to finalise candidates for Assam, Bengal

Polling in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will take place in a single phase on April 6.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

The BJP has high stakes in West Bengal and Assam. In Bengal, it has mounted an aggressive, all-out campaign, deploying a number of leaders drawn from various states and considered adept in poll campaigning, to end the 10-year-old reign of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In Assam, where the party came to power for the first time in 2016, the BJP has been pulling out all the stops to retain power, with the Congress joining hands with regional parties to capture its old bastion.

Before the CEC meeting, top BJP leaders like Shah and Nadda have held long deliberations with Assam party leaders, including Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, and those from Bengal, including state party chief Dilip Ghosh.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 40 Master's in Health Education Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 173 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 173 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 40 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Health Education Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-health-education-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Health Education Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Boise State University

Canisius College

City University of New York, Lehman College

Cleveland University

Columbia University

Concord University

East Carolina University

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Emporia State University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Georgia State University

Idaho State University

Kent State University

Loma Linda University

Maryland University of Integrative Health

Marymount University

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Mississippi State University

Nebraska Methodist College

New Jersey City University

Northwest Missouri State University

Nova Southeastern University

Oklahoma State University

Saint Francis University

Saint Joseph's University

Sam Houston State University

State University of New York College, Brockport

Texas A & M University, College Station

Texas State University

Touro University Worldwide

Trident University

University of Alabama

University of Arkansas, Little Rock

University of Florida

University of Memphis

University of South Carolina

University of Utah

Utah State University

Valdosta State University

Walden University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
Modi the person through which Balakot information went to Arnab: Rahul Gandhi

TRP case: Interim relief to Arnab to continue till March 16

India

pti-Deepika S

Mumbai, Mar 05: The Mumbai police on Friday told the Bombay High Court that its assurance of not taking any coercive action against journalist Arnab Goswami and other employees of ARG Outlier Media that runs Republic TV channels, in the TRP scam case, shall continue till March 16.

Senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Mumbai police, told a division bench of Justices S S Shinde and Manish Pitale that the police''s earlier statement of no coercive action against Goswami and other employees shall be extended till March 16.

The court was hearing a petition filed by ARG Outlier Media, challenging the FIR and the charge sheet filed by the city police for alleged manipulation of television rating points (TRP).

The court accepted Sibal''s statement and posted the matter for final hearing on March 16.

The bench will hear ARG''s main prayers challenging the police''s investigation and seeking the transfer of probe to the CBI or any other independent agency, on March 16 via physical hearing.

ARG media and Goswami approached the HC last year filing a bunch of petitions seeking several reliefs in the TRP scam.

They alleged that the whole case was malafide and that they had been targeted for Republic TV''s reportage in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and the Palghar lynching case, last year.

The Mumbai police had in January this year filed two affidavits in the case through the commissioner of police, Param Bir Singh, and ACP Shashank Sandbhor of the crime branch, saying it had not targeted Republic TV or its employees.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

The police had said its probe was not a result of any political vendetta and that there was evidence to show that Goswami had connived with senior officials of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to rig the TRP of Republic TV.
The URL has been copied to your clipboard

The code has been copied to your clipboard.

President Joe Biden visited the State Department Thursday, Feb. 4, and outlined his vision for U.S. foreign policy, ordering an end to U.S. support for offensive military operations in Yemen and an overall shift toward diplomacy. VOAs Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports. VOA Khmer's Vanrith Chrea narrates.
Ever since the Varun Dhawan - Natasha Dalal wedding, Bollywood has been abuzz with rumours about another star wedding that's supposedly in the works - that of actor Shraddha Kapoor and photographer Rohan Shrestha.

The two have reportedly been in a relationship for a while now and pictures of them getting cosy with each other during Shraddhas cousin Priyaank Sharmas wedding in the Maldives were also uploaded on social media.

Photographer Rakesh Shrestha who has shot every superstar in his time has now given his stamp of approval to this rumoured liaison between his son Rohan with Shraddha Kapoor.

As far as I was told, they were friends from their college days. Besides, they have many common friends in Juhu. They both are doing so well in their professional lives, so any decision they take about being together will also be a sensible and mature one," he said.

If they decide to marry each other, I will happily do everything for them. The word 'objection' does not exist in my dictionary. And let me tell you, I call Rohan as 'My Dream', I rarely address him as 'Rohan', he added.
By Leonardo Benassatto and Ueslei Marcelino

YAUARETE, Brazil (Reuters) - An army helicopter flew to two isolated indigenous villages in Brazil's Amazon jungle this week with a welcome cargo - coronavirus vaccines.

The Hupda communities lined up to get their shots.

Traditional medicine prescribed by a shaman is highly respected here, but there was no resistance to receiving the vaccine by China's Sinovac Biotech.

"We are grateful for the vaccination, so we will not catch the disease," said Hupda chieftain Jorge Pires in the village of Santo Antanasio, near the Colombian border and a 25-minute helicopter flight from the nearest military outpost.

Following criticism by indigenous leaders that echoed internationally last year that their vulnerable communities were being "decimated" by COVID-19, Brazil's Health and Defense ministries have mounted a vaccination campaign reaching remote reservations and villages.

So far 265,244 indigenous people have had a first dose, and 124,063 the second dose, of 400,000 covered by the ministry's indigenous health service Sesai.

According to the service, 50,000 indigenous people have been infected and 589 have died from COVID-19.

That does not include half of Brazil's 800,000 plus indigenous population not covered by Sesai because they have moved off traditional lands and reservations.

Brazil is battling a COVID-19 outbreak that is worsening, with record deaths reported in the last three days, reaching 1,910 dead in 24 hours on Wednesday. So far, 260,000 people have died and 10.8 million infected, the second-deadliest after the United States.

In the second village of Taracua Igarape, there have been no cases of COVID-19 thanks to its isolation, but preventing coronavirus from taking hold is paramount to protecting indigenous communities that live under one roof and cannot practice social distancing.

The challenge of reaching 20,000 indigenous people living in a jungle area the size of Portugal is enormous, and requires helicopter travel, because travel by meandering rivers takes days, said Army Colonel Sylvio Doktorczyk.

Story continues

"When we talk about Amazonia, everything is superlative, including the difficulties! Particularly the great distances and long rivers," the colonel heading the mission said.

It was a return visit to the two villages to inoculate those that missed the first dose because they were out hunting or fishing, and to gives other their second shot of CoronaVac.

"My people liked to have the vaccine. My community like the vaccine and like when medical people come here," said Jovino Pinoa, after getting his second shot.

(Reporting by Leonardo Benasatto and Ueslei Marcelino, writing by Anthony Boadle; editing by Diane Craft)
Remote Monitored Systems PLC - London-based survey and inspection services provider - Says its Pharm 2 Farm Ltd subsidiary nets order for 1.0 million of P2F's masks with Volz, and notes outsourcing manufacturing discussions in progress.

"Not only should this approach enable the expected demand for the mask to be met but it will also allow P2F to focus on its core strengths of developing and producing nanomaterials and associated innovative products," company adds.

Also says interest in the masks has been strong.

Enters into a distribution agreement with Francis McIntyre Ltd, an online garment retailer with the brand FM London, to make P2F's masks available to customers across the UK and Europe via Amazon. Under the terms of the agreement, Francis McIntyre has placed an initial order for 100,000 masks, with the exclusive right to sell via Amazon being conditional upon Francis McIntyre ordering a minimum of 1 million masks per month.

Finally, adds P2F is in discussions with Lemu Group, the manufacturer of its mask making machine, regarding mechanical issues that need to be resolved before the machine at BioCity can be considered to be fully commissioned.

Current stock price: 2.10 pence

Year-to-date change: up 51%

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

The Navy and Air Force's flight-demonstration squadrons gave a sneak peek at a brand-new formation the teams will debut when they perform together Memorial Day weekend.

Six F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Navy's Blue Angels and six F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Air Force's Thunderbirds flew together Tuesday in a formation dubbed "Super Delta." The six Hornets formed a tight triangle and were flanked by three Fighting Falcons on each side.

Photos of the aircraft flying in the new formation were shared by the teams. They flew over Naval Air Facility El Centro in California as they trained together.

Read Next: National Guard Won't Cut Ties with Contractor That Served Undercooked Food, Sickening Troops

The formation grew out of a series of joint training events between the two teams in support of flights honoring frontline workers, said Air Force Capt. Mesha "Flare" Nelson, a spokeswoman for the Thunderbirds.

The teams worked together to make sure the F/A-18s and F-16s were able to fly alongside one another at a safe distance while in close proximity, Nelson added.

"The teams created common terms that would allow the flight leaders to effectively communicate with each other and within their own formations," she said in an email. Common verbal commands and cues were needed because the teams use different lexicons when conducting day-to-day flight operations, she explained.

Working together also sharpens the pilots' flying skills prior to the start of the teams' monthslong show seasons, Nelson added.

Seeing the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds perform together is still a unique experience. The teams didn't perform together for more than a decade until they linked up for the 2019 "Legends in Flight'' air-and-space show at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Last year, the teams performed together during the "America Strong" flyover campaign in honor of workers responding to the global pandemic. The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels flew over thousands of hospitals in 31 cities around the U.S., Nelson said.

The "Super Delta" formation debut will be part of the National Memorial Day Parade: America Stands Tall, which Nelson said will be broadcast on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox affiliates May 29 through 31.

Members of the teams hope the new, joint formation will serve as a symbol of the teamwork, discipline and skill servicemen and women deployed across the globe display daily.

"We hope the display instills a sense of pride, confidence and support for those who have served past and present, honors those who have sacrificed for this country and reassures Americans that they have the greatest force on the planet," Nelson said.

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

Related: The Blue Angels Just Got Their 1st Super Hornet Jet in Aircraft Upgrade
Disturbing video shows two Canadian police officers laughing and posing for photos in front of a corpse in Vancouver.

The officers, whose names have not been released, were confined to desk duty after videographer Zachary Ratcliffe posted his clip online, CBC News reported.

The video shows the officers standing near the body of a dead man lying in the sand on a beach in Stanley Park last week.

One of the officers pulled out his camera and started snapping photos of the other as he struck various poses with the body in the background.

Disturbing video shows two Canadian police officers laughing and posing for photos in front of a corpse in Vancouver

The footage recorded by videographer Zachary Ratcliffe shows the officers standing near the body of a dead man lying in the sand on a beach in Stanley Park last week

'I can't really explain why these officers were doing this, but to see them laughing and clearly not understanding the gravity of the situation, and not providing the dignity and respect a deceased person would deserve, it struck me as an insensitive act,' Ratcliffe told CBC.

'I think that the VPD should be concerned that officers feel that emboldened to act in such a way that clearly shows no respect for whoever this was.'

The Vancouver Police Department said the officers had been called in to secure the scene before a coroner arrived on the morning of February 24.

The unidentified man's cause of death has not been released publicly but officials said it is not being treated as suspicious.

One of the officers pulled out his camera and started snapping photos of the other as he struck various poses with the body in the background.

The Vancouver Police Department said the officers had been called in to secure the scene before a coroner arrived on the morning of February 24.

VPD Director of Public Affairs Simi Heer confirmed on Wednesday that the department had opened an investigation into the incident.

'As of [Monday] morning, under Section 110 of the Police Act, the VPD has reassigned the two officers to non-deployable, administrative positions while the [Office of Police Complaint Commissioner] investigation is ongoing,' Heer told CBC.

'Any change in this status, will depend on the outcome of the OPCC investigation.'
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Welcome to MicroClimates, The Chronicles local climate change newsletter. If someone forwarded you this email, you can sign up here.

Not good enough, try again.

Thats what the United Nations told countries last week about updated pledges to cut emissions as part of the Paris Climate Agreement. Half of the countries party to the accords and many of the top polluting nations  including the U.S.  missed the deadline to submit tougher goals for 2030. The Biden administration says it will update Americas pledge by April  but the commitments on file right now are nowhere near whats required to limit warming.

Closer to home, California and Bay Area jurisdictions have their own pledges, and theyre among the most aggressive in the country. Pledging cuts and actually hitting them is another question. A recent state audit of the states air-quality agency found it overstated the extent to which some of its programs have reduced greenhouse-gas emissions. Its no secret that the state is not currently on target to meet its own goals.

But a corner of the Bay Area is upping the ante on local climate action. Earlier this year, San Mateo county passed a climate action plan to zero out emissions from government operations by 2035.

Its not a huge chunk of greenhouse gas emissions for the region  the plan covers only whats produced from the workings of the county government. Instead, San Mateo Countys plan stands out for its more aggressive timeline  80% reduction in less than 10 years with full carbon neutrality by 2035  faster than the state requires.

The reality of the climate crisis has become that much more clear in policymakers minds, San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine says. San Mateo is the most exposed county in the state for sea level rise, we will have our hands full if carbon emissions are not significantly reduced. The climate impacts here are coming fast and that motivates us to be ambitious.

The main drivers of emissions in county government are fairly split: 44.5% is from natural gas use in buildings and 41.8% from employee commutes. To get to carbon neutrality, the plan calls for eliminating all natural gas use in buildings, capturing and storing more carbon in countys parks and other lands, and cutting 95% of emissions from employee commutes.

Its that last part that is most out of San Mateos control, so how will they cut emissions there?

Thats a fair point, Pine says. Hes not going to stop trying to get more employees and residents out of traffic and into transit, but some of the action plan will have to bet on wider adoption of electric vehicles.

Gov. Newsoms order to end sales of gas-powered cars in the state will have to be part of the solution, he says. Perhaps the county can help by providing incentives to employees to buy EVs, he says. Im hoping we might be creative there.

Rachael Londer, senior sustainability specialist for the county, says theyre starting by expanding incentives for employees to take transit and use low-or no emission alternatives. Keeping some teleworking even after the pandemic is over will help, but theres limitations. Currently, more than half the employees on the countys payroll  many of them essential workers  need to report in person to work.

Its where the fundamentals of the current transit and housing situation in the Bay Area interact with even the most aggressive of climate action plans. So what about the wider greenhouse gas emissions from the rest of the county?

Both Pine and Londer see it as a lead-by-example situation. Theyre working with the 20 cities within the county on their own action plans and regionally, where building electrification will be a big next step. Pine also cites Peninsula Clean Energy, the countys community choice aggregator for electricity, ability to drive emissions cuts through getting as many residents using 100% renewable energy. (Hes a board member of PCE)

By starting with the county operations, its what we can control and where we can test out plans, Londer says. Theres this opportunity for the county to step up and have communities follow.

Climate Chronicles

 After California and Texas blackouts, environmentalists push for faster transition to renewable energy.

 California doing poor job tracking progress on climate change, auditor says.

 Petaluma bans all new gas stations in push to curb emissions.

 New satellite images show Northern California's kelp forest almost gone. Here's the reason.

 Wildfire smoke poses an existential threat to outdoor theaters in the Bay Area and beyond

 A disappointingly dry February is fanning fears of another severe drought in California.

 How a BART extension in San Jose became Nancy Pelosi's Silicon Valley subway  and funding axed from a federal stimulus bill.

COVID Resources Coronavirus Map Tracking COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area and California.

The big number

$51 per ton:

Thats the price the Biden administration has placed on the social cost of carbon  a measure that calculates the economic cost of the damage from continuing to produce greenhouse gas emissions: think long-term health care costs, property damage from extreme weather events and agricultural losses.

Thats a giant shift from the Trump administrations bargain bin price, but still far too low, according to a two recent papers by economists. The administration says the price is a temporary one, and has directed a working group to further study the costs and come up with a final figure by January 2022.

Its not a carbon tax  but the figure could make an impact on a whole range of federally funded projects, purchasing decisions and policy decisions.

Changing California

 We dont want to export our bad ideas: How far will Biden to fix the climate crisis? Pay attention to this California gas project. (L.A. Times).

 Already here: Wildfire smoke could be the main way Californians experience climate change (KQED).

 The Muni Death Spiral: San Franciscos transit agency rolling toward recovery  or ruin (Mission Local).

 Lithium valley: On the edge of the Salton Sea, state officials and investors are seeking to turn brine into white gold that can power electric cars. But will this help solve the Imperial Valleys troubles  or add to them? (CalMatters).

MicroClimates is The Chronicles climate change newsletter, written by Taylor Kate Brown and sent every other week. Email newsletters@sfchronicle.com or taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com.

During Black History month and beyond, PennLive is paying tribute to the people who are helping shape what will some day be the history of the Black community in Central Pennsylvania.

These are people who are examples of excellence, who inspire those around them for the work they do, the art they create, or the causes for which they fight.

This is one in an ongoing series of profiles that will be featured this month on PennLive and in The Patriot-News.

It was her parents legacy as civil rights activists that Dr. Armenta Hinton said led her down the path of advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion and access for marginalized communities.

Now, shes using what her parents taught her in her work as vice president of inclusion, diversity and belonging at Harrisburg Area Community College. That includes overseeing the HAAC communitys compliance with Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Both her parents were teachers and active in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, Hinton said. Her parents registered other Black Americans to vote, attended demonstrations and marched for equal rights in the south.

Her mother was a freedom rider who was at First Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., when a white mob surrounded the building in 1961. The National Guard was sent in to break up the mob.

I heard the stories and watched the impact of coalition building and civil discourse, Hinton said. My parents and their contemporaries changed the world and fought for those less fortunate. They believed in equality and fairness and taught us to champion the cause of those who need advocacy.

They were brilliant and generous people who deserved better than the world gave them, she continued. But they made sure that their children received better opportunities than they had.

Hinton started at HACC in 2020. She said the coronavirus pandemic hasnt stopped her from focusing on equity and access for students and employees.

Inclusion and diversity are important to the region and the country as we look to the changing demographics of the students we serve and the people we employ, Hinton told PennLive via email. The challenge is to ensure that we reflect our community demographics positively and encourage community participation in how we address issues of inclusion, education and belonging.

HACC President and CEO John J. Ski Sygielski recommended Hinton as an example of Black exccellence, calling her an extraordinary woman whose diversity, inclusion and belonging acumen, mentorship and expertise benefit HACC and Central Pennsylvania.

Now a year into her work at HACC. Hinton says shes is focused on broadening the understanding of inclusion beyond Black and white.

Celebrating all identities and understanding that uniqueness is good, helps us to be a more diverse and inclusive environment, she said.

READ MORE:
Turkey denies Arab League's claim of interference in region Egypt's criticism of Turkish army's actions 'stereotypes'

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, MARCH 5 - Turkey "completely rejects" accusations that it interferes in the domestic affairs of Arab countries, expressed during a meeting of foreign ministers of the Arab League held Wednesday in Cairo, the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday. The ministry accused some members of the organization of "insisting on stereotyped allegations that seek to hide their destructive activities".



During the meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry criticized "Turkish intervention in the region, including the deployment of Turkish forces in several Arab countries". Over the past few weeks, new tensions were reported in particular on Ankara's military operations in Iraqi territory against the Kurdish PKK.



"We urge the Arab League once again to give priority to peace, prosperity and the well-being of the Arab population and to contribute in a constructive way to security and stability in the region, instead of targeting our country with baseless allegations", the statement also said.



The reciprocal accusations came after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu opened to possible negotiations with Egypt on the demarcation of maritime borders to solve disputes on the eastern Mediterranean. (ANSAmed)
Senior representatives of the party led by Gagik Tsarukian said it has not yet discussed the proposal aimed at ending the political crisis in the country deepened by the Armenian militarys demands for Pashinians resignation.

We will refrain from voicing personal opinions about the issue until the [BHKs] Political Council headed by Gagik Tsarukian discusses the proposal and presents our political position on it, one of them, Iveta Tonoyan, told reporters. She did not say when the council could meet for that purpose.

Tonoyan also said that Tsarukian will not meet with Pashinian until the BHK leadership formulates its position. A meeting between Gagik Tsarukian and Nikol Pashinian is not planned now, she added.

Pashinian expressed readiness to organize fresh elections on Monday amid renewed anti-government protests staged by an alliance of opposition parties, including the BHK, trying to oust him over his handling of last years war with Azerbaijan. He said that their conduct is conditional on consensus among his My Step bloc, the BHK and the second opposition party represented in the parliament: Bright Armenia (LHK).

Pashinian and LHK leader Edmon Marukian met but failed to reach any election-related agreements on Thursday. Marukian said he insisted during the meeting that Pashinian must stop trying to sack the countrys top army general, Onik Gasparian. The prime minister rejected that condition, he said.

Unlike Tsarukians party, the LHK is not part of the opposition alliance that set up a tent camp outside the parliament building last week. The alliance called the Homeland Salvation Movement is scheduled to hold its next rally on Saturday.
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaido on Tuesday, spokesperson Ned Price said in a US State Department release. In the telephonic conversation, US Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of a return to democracy in Venezuela through free and fair elections. In the first-ever dialogue with the Venezuelan interim president under the Biden administration, Blinken stressed that the United States was making efforts to work with "like-minded allies" including the European Union, Lima Group, Organization of American States, and International Contact Group. He added that it was important for the US to increase multilateral pressure and press for a peaceful, democratic transition in countries that are an ally and a partner.

Secretary Blinken and Interim President Guaido discussed the urgent humanitarian needs in Venezuela that have forced nearly 5.5 million Venezuelans to flee Venezuela, the US State Department informed. It emphasized that Blinken also applauded Venezuelas efforts, saying that the US will be partisan in trying to find solutions to ease their suffering.

Moreover, Blinken appreciated Venezuelas commitment to continued US support. Blinken and Guaidos talks come in the backdrop of appeals by the Venezuelan president Maduro, who had urged his parliament to take initiatives towards a new beginning with Washington when Joe Biden assumed the office of the presidency. We must tell the United States: We want to improve our relations, to make it one of respect, of mutual acknowledgment, a relationship with a future, Maduro had said in a state televised address.

Today Venezuelan Interim President @jguaido and I discussed our unwavering support for democracy in Venezuela and our efforts to improve the lives of the Venezuelan people.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 3, 2021

Read: Biden Brings No Relief To Tensions Between US And China

Read: FBI Chief Warns Violent 'domestic Terrorism' Growing In US

President Nicolas Maduro widely 'criticized'

US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido, meanwhile, has often widely criticized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, internationally, as being fraudulent. He called the Venezuelan elections, wherein President Maduro championed a sweeping victory after a party alliance, a sham. Maduros United Socialist Party of Venezuela and allied parties have often been under the radar for being undemocratic and the US government has officially recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuelas interim president. Bidens secretary of state Blinken had called Maduro a brutal dictator during a Senate confirmation hearing.

The Trump administration, additionally, had slapped an oil embargo on Venezuela to escalate the campaign to remove President Nicolas Maduro from office and restore democracy. According to US executive orders against Venezuela, President Maduro was accused of human rights abuses, including arbitrary or unlawful arrest and detention of Venezuelan citizens, interference with freedom of expression, including for members of the media, and ongoing attempts to undermine Interim President Juan Guaido and the Venezuelan National Assemblys exercise of legitimate authority in Venezuela.

Read: US Sanctions Two Houthi Rebels In Yemen For Cross-border Attacks

Read: Justice Dept. Names Acting US Attorney In Nation's Capital
Kate Garraway has revealed her two children are not looking forward to going back to school after months of homeschooling.

The presenter, 53, was discussing schools reopening on March 8 on Good Morning Britain with Ben Shephard, 46, on Friday.

Ben said: 'It is the last day, Kate Garraway, of homeschooling.'

Update: Kate Garraway revealed on GMB on Friday her two children Darcey, 14 and William, 11 are not looking forward to going back to school after months of homeschooling

She responded: 'Theres a lot of people very excited about that - apart from my kids! [Darcey, 14 and William, 11], who are basically not being schooled by me!

'So therefore, are facing up to the reality of having to get their heads around some education!'

Ben added: 'There is definitely a benefit of having schooled your children to make them realise how brilliant their teachers are, and desperately want them to get back to school.'

Kate then said: 'Actually to be honest, they are very excited about seeing friends at school and getting back into the swing of it. But probably not as excited as mums and dads out there!"'

The new normal: Kate did say that while her children are going to have to wrap their heads around education again, they are looking forward to seeing their friends - but Kate has been homeschooling them alone while their father Derek remains in hospital

The beloved host has been raising her children alone during the pandemic

Kate has been raising her kids Darcey and William alone for almost a year after Derek, also 53, was rushed to hospital with Covid.

He remains the longest surviving patient in hospital in the UK and while he is now free of Covid - the virus has ravaged his body.

Kate is set to host an ITV special about her husband's battle with coronavirus.

Derek remains in intensive care suffering from multiple complications nearly a year after he was admitted to hospital with Covid.

Finding Derek, was announced as part of ITV's spring and summer schedule, and will show Kate giving an 'unflinching account' on the past 12 months.

Finding Derek: Kate is set to host an ITV special about her husband Derek's battle with coronavirus

In the special one-off film, Kate will offer an 'intimate insight' into coping with the impact of Covid-19 on her family, as well as meeting survivors of the disease.

ITV said in a statement: 'Kate offers an unflinching account of the profound effects on her family and on others as she opens up on camera for the first time on the reality of the past 12 months.

'As Kate lays bare in the film, her family, along with many others who have suffered the effects of the virus, is now facing the reality of adjusting to a very different way of life to the one they lived before the pandemic hit.'

Devastating: He remains in intensive care suffering from multiple complications nearly a year after he was admitted to hospital with Covid

While Derek no longer has coronavirus, the disease has left him suffering from multiple health conditions including diabetes and holes in his heart and lungs.

During one of her darkest moments Kate was told her husband may 'never come out of a coma' amid his ongoing battle.

Derek has regained minimal consciousness from his medically induced coma and while he has not been speaking, he heartbreakingly mouthed the word 'pain' in October last year.

Last week, the Smooth presenter shared her heartache about not being able to visit her husband due to coronavirus restrictions.

She said to her co-host Ben Shephard: 'Well, I haven't been able to see him, Ben. I haven't seen him since Christmas, which of course means he's back into a situation where he's looking at strangers in masks...

'And I think that's the situation for everybody, they've got somebody in the hospital at the moment, it's not unique. It's tough...

'It's also the same for people in care homes. And when you're someone like him who is dealing with a consciousness problem and trying to emerge, I can't help but fear it's not helpful.'

In September, Derek, passed the grim milestone of becoming the longest patient battling coronavirus in hospital in the UK, with doctors telling Kate that Derek's infection was the 'highest they had seen in a patient who had lived'.

Reflecting on her last hospital visit with their children in December, Kate admitted the family reunion was 'heightened with emotion' because they saw how Derek had been ravaged by the virus.

'It was very heightened with emotion, because he's very changed,' she told viewers.

'So all the routines that we'd normally do, it was one of those moments that it was so wonderful but also it amplified how sad everything was.

'And how different it is. But it was still fantastic, and we're very grateful to have had that opportunity.'

Strong: The GMB presenter has thrown herself into work but recently took some time off to reflect on the past year
By Nick Parker

pakerni2@grinnell.edu

Hope is on the horizon for Hotel Grinnell now that all of its rooms have been reserved ahead of Grinnell Colleges upcoming graduation, potentially signaling an end to a year that has been defined by anxiety, waiting and empty rooms.

In a normal year, Hotel Grinnell owner Angela Harrington would be counting on graduation to make up for slow business during the winter months. Demand for graduation has been so high in the past that some parents have asked to book their rooms two, three and even four years in advance.

When Hotel Grinnell opened reservations for graduation this year on Jan. 25, they sold out that same day  as usual  even though it was still unclear if parents would be allowed to attend 2021s ceremony.

Last week the College announced that it will be limiting participation in this years commencement ceremony due to the pandemic, part of which includes not inviting graduates family members or College faculty.

Despite the Colleges announcement, Harrington says that nobody has cancelled their reservations. She believes that some parents may have already had trips planned to drive their students home or help them move out, as has been the case in previous years.

Graduation will mark only the second time since the onset of the pandemic that Hotel Grinnell has welcomed any sizeable group of people. In late January, when first-years moved on campus, the hotel also sold out.

But you wouldnt know if you were around the hotel, said Harrington, because everyone was very safe and kept to themselves.

While Iowa didnt introduce a mask-mandate until November, and then repealed it in February, the College has maintained strict measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. The halt in many campus activities has opened Harringtons eyes to the importance of the College to Hotel Grinnells business.

Ive always said the College was about half of our business, she said, but now that the pandemic has been here, Id say its closer to 80 percent.

With graduation perhaps signaling the return to some level of normal function, and with fall move-in the next major event on the calendar, Harrington is hopeful that the hotel will be able to rebound after taking in just 10 percent of its projected annual revenue.

Ive always said the College was about half of our business, but now that the pandemic has been here, Id say its closer to 80 percent.  Angela Harrington

Financial matters were also complicated as Hotel Grinnell faced challenges in securing small-business loans from sources like the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) because of the unique nature of the hospitality industry. With property taxes accounting for a major portion of the hotels expenditures, not payroll expenditures, its access to many relief programs was limited.

There have been four times in the year when Ive been 45 days from running out of cash, said Harrington. I feel like I havent slept through the night since Mar. 12.

While many businesses have tried to pivot and reorganize their services, Hotel Grinnell has largely been unable to do so.

In addition to rooms, the hotel also hosts a restaurant and bar, but demand for those services has also been dented by the pandemic. Hotels are often used as event spaces, but few large-scale social gatherings are happening anywhere. And while in the past some hotels have converted their rooms into office buildings or apartments, the demand for physical office space has declined significantly in recent months as well, and the hotels rooms dont feature the kitchens necessary to be marketed as single-unit apartments.

One of the main reasons Harrington has been able to keep Hotel Grinnell open is because she owns another hotel in Iowa City, The Highlabder Hotel.

I would call Iowa City an extreme slowdown, she said. And Grinnell would be the zombie apocalypse.

I would call Iowa City an extreme slowdown. And Grinnell would be the zombie apocalypse.  Angela Harrington

Hotel Grinnell can go days at a time without welcoming a new guest, but customers are starting to return in Iowa City. Harrington said she believes Iowa Citys size and the lower statewide case count since the spike in October have contributed to the reemergence of customers. She also said she thinks the added dimension of leisure travel has helped. While business travel still remains low, many of Iowa Citys cultural and tourist attractions have begun to re-open.

When I looked at my February numbers for Iowa City, said Harrington, for the first time since Mar. 12, last year, I thought, You know what, it is gonna come back, and it is gonna work.

While the situation in Grinnell remains largely bleak, it could all change after graduation and in the months to follow. Harrington said she believes that the worst days of the pandemic are behind Hotel Grinnell, and that despite all the stress and sleepless nights the decline in business has caused her, the hotel could be back to operating at normal capacity by the time fall rolls around.

Were gonna live to see another day, but there were many, many, many moments in the last 362 days when I was doubtful of that.
Mathew George is Head of Petrochemicals Exports at Indian Oil Corporation in Mumbai. An Indian Oil veteran of 30 years, he is a mechanical engineer from the University of Kerala and has an MBA in finance from XLRI. He has a postgraduate diploma in brand management from Ashridge Business School in the UK. He is an alumnus of the Calvert School Baltimore in the US and Indias Lawrence School, and is a fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India) and a member of the Aeronautical Society of India.

Mathew has held a number of key assignments at Indian Oil, including heading the polymer marketing group, heading the lubricants group at subsidiary company Lanka IOC in Colombo, and assignments spread across many locations in the lubricants and aviation departments. In the field of Petrochemicals, he has handles polymers, PX, PTA, benzene, LAB, glycols, and butadiene business. A well-known supply chain and ERP/CRM expert and analyst, he also has core experience in ship chartering for chemicals and petroleum.

Mathew has been a regular speaker at international conferences in the areas of petrochemicals feedstocks, polymers, ERP, CRM, detergents and benzene. He has also been a guest faculty at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, taking the course Business in a World Without Borders  Bridging the Cultural and Linguistic Divide.
New Delhi:

Former US President Barack Obama's anti-racism tweet following the Charlottesville violence that took place on August 12 has become the most liked tweet ever with over 2.9 million likes.

Obama's tweet left behind Ariana Grande's tweet following the suicide bombing during her Manchester concert on May 22 which garnered 2.7 million likes.

Obama had quoted South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela after the racist clashes took place at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion," Obama tweeted along with a picture of himself looking up to a window of children of different ethnicities and races.

"This Tweet from @BarackObama just became the most Liked Tweet ever. It set the record at approximately 10:07 EST," news agency PTI quoted a Silicon Valley-based social media company as saying.

Apart from 2.9 million likes, the tweet has been retweeted over 1.2 million times and has received over 47 thousand comments.

"It is also currently the 5th most Retweeted Tweet ever," the company statement said.

The record of most retweeted tweet is held by Carter Wilkerson who tweeted earlier this year, "Help me please, a man needs his nuggs".

On Monday, Obama's tweet surpassed talk show host Ellen DeGeneres' 2014 Oscars selfie tweet, which stands at number 3 with 2.4 million likes.

Obama's tweet, which quotes a line from Mandela's autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom", came after a 32-year-old woman was killed and 19 others were injured when a car rammed into a crowd of counter-protesters at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville.

Two police officers also died on Saturday when their helicopter monitoring the rally crashed.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

DENVER  A Colorado man has pleaded guilty to federal charges of making and possessing pipe bombs.

The U.S. Attorneys Office says 55-year-old Bradley Bunn pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of making destructive devices and four possession counts. The Denver Post reports that Bunn was heading to a protest against coronavirus-related lockdown restrictions when FBI agents discovered the pipe bombs in his Loveland home May 1.

A sentencing hearing was set in federal court for June 3. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Bunn told investigators that he would fight to the death anyone who tried to disarm him, had started to gear up for a coming war and would be willing to take out a few officers to wake everyone up, a federal prosecutor said during a May court hearing.

A federal judge had ordered a mental health evaluation for Bunn as part of the case.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Many state health officials said they were focused on getting the vaccine to people who might be harder to reach for a second dose, such as those who are homeless or on the verge of release from prison. In North Carolina, this category includes the mobile agricultural communities in the state with three- or four-week work seasons. Mandy Cohen, the states health secretary, said that large meatpacking plants in the state such as Smithfield and Tyson Foods were interested in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and had been consulting with her department.


New Delhi:

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the government has full sympathy with the agitating Noida homebuyers and they can seek relief under the insolvency law.

Hundreds of home buyers had been left in the lurch after the Allahabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) last week admitted IDBIs plea for initiating insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech for defaulting on a Rs 526-crore loan.

The NCLT has also appointed Anuj Jain the interim resolution professional (IRP) to carry out the proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

Observing that all those who have paid money to developers should get their flats, Jaitley said our full sympathy is with the aggrieved home buyers.

The finance minister said there is a provision for running a company under insolvency proceedings.

Those who are aggrieved can get remedy under this law (the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code). If there is any such move, the governments full sympathy is with those who have paid money and have rights on the flats, the minister said in reply to a question on problems being faced by the Noida home buyers at a post-Cabinet briefing here.

Jaypee Infratech, part of the debt-ridden Jaypee group, has defaulted on Rs 526.11 crore outstanding loan to IDBI.

The company, which is into road construction and real estate business, has constructed the Yamuna Expressway, connecting Delhi and Agra.

The biggest incomplete project of Japyee is the Wish Town project in Noida on the outskirts of the national capital.

The company has reportedly handed over only 5,500 flats out of the proposed 32,000, and 3,000 plots across 800 acres along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. The project has 305 towers, of which 250 are incomplete.

Japyee Infratech is among the 12 big corporate loan defaulters against whom bankruptcy proceedings have been initiated under a new law. Other companies against whom such proceedings have been initiated include Bhushan Steel, Bhushan Steel and Power, Electrosteel Steels and Lanco Infratech, Alok Industries and Jyoti Structures.

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Brasilia, March 5 : Brazil has registered more than 1,600 Covid-19 deaths for a third consecutive day, following a record single-day count of 1,910 fatalities, according to the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry said that the new fatalities has increased the country's overall death toll to 260,970, Xinhua news agency reported.

In the previous 24 hours, the Ministry also registered 75,102 new cases, the second highest since the start of the pandemic.

The previous highest single-day cases was 87,743 recorded on January 7.

Brazil has thus reported a total of 10,793,732 cases so far.

Currently, Brazil has an average of 124 deaths and 5,136 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Brazil accounts for the world's second highest Covid-19 death toll, after the US, and the third largest caseload, after the US and India.

Also on Thursday, 14 of Brazil's 27 state Governors signed a letter to President Jair Bolsonaro, requesting greater efforts from the federal government to acquire vaccines.

The governors warned they were "on the brink" of a disaster, saying mass vaccination "is the most recommended alternative and, probably, the only alternative capable of stopping the pandemic".

Brazil is applying for the CoronaVac vaccine manufactured by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac, and the vaccine developed by the UK's AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
was downgraded to partly free for the first time since 1997 in an annual ranking of democracies by the U.S.-government funded research group Freedom House, which cited worsening civil rights under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



The worlds largest democracy slipped in rankings this year because of continuing against its Muslim citizens and increased harassment of government critics and journalists, according to the Freedom in the World report released by the Washington-based organization.

The report cited a multi-year pattern in which the Hindu nationalist government and its allies have presided over rising violence and discriminatory policies. It listed several events in 2020 like religious riots in Delhi, use of sedition laws against critics and hardships endured by migrant workers after Modi announced a sudden lockdown to control the coronavirus pandemic.

was among 73 nations downgraded for declines in political rights and civil liberties, affecting three-fourths of the worlds population. The report, which ranks 210 nations, found that states designated Not Free have reached the highest since 2006. Those affected included not just authoritarian states like China, Belarus, and Venezuela, but also troubled democracies like the U.S. and

Indias status change means that less than 20% of the worlds people now live in a free country -- the smallest proportion since 1995, the report said. The changes in India since Modi took charge in 2014 form part of a broader shift in the international balance between democracy and authoritarianism, with authoritarians generally enjoying impunity for their abuses and seizing new opportunities to consolidate power or crush dissent, the report said.

Freedom House was formally established in New York in 1941 to promote American involvement in World War II and the fight against fascism, according to its website.
The United States says it has banned powerful Ukrainian tycoon Ihor Kolomoyskiy from entering the country in another sign that President Joe Biden's new administration is taking a tougher stance on endemic corruption in Ukraine.

In a March 5 statement announcing the travel ban, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed "concern about [Kolomoyskiy's] current and ongoing efforts to undermine Ukraine's democratic processes and institutions, which pose a serious threat to its future."

Kolomoyskiy's critics in Ukraine accuse the tycoon of undermining efforts to implement political and economic changes -- including judicial, banking, and graft reform backed by Washington and Brussels -- with the help of dozens of loyalists in the parliament.



Lawmakers close to the tycoon are seeking to remove Artyom Sytnyk as the head of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which has been investigating cases tied to Kolomoyskiy. The magnate's media empire has also been critical of the work of NABU.



The State Department ban "is clearly a message to all these parliamentarians trying to protect Kolomoyskiy," Daria Kaleniuk, the executive director of the Kyiv-based Anti-Corruption Action Center, told RFE/RL.



The United States has already gone after at least one member of parliament close to Kolomoyskiy. In January, the Treasury Department sanctioned Oleksandr Dubinskiy for meddling in the 2020 U.S. elections. The move blocks any U.S. assets he possesses, including dollar-denominated accounts. Dubinskiy was subsequently kicked out of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party.



In a tweet, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk called the travel ban an "intermediate result," adding that Kolomoyskiy's "partners and minions will not escape responsibility" either.



The actions from the State Department make official what had been a years-long rumor that Kolomoyskiy was banned from traveling to the United States.



The magnate in 2017 even hired the Washington-based lobby firm Arent Fox for $50,000 to help him get an E-2 investor visa, a sign he was facing difficulties.



In addition to Kolomoyskiy, Blinken designated his wife, Iryna Kolomoyska; his daughter, Angelika Kolomoyska; and his son, Israel Zvi Kolomoyskiy, making them also ineligible for entry into the United States.



The State Department actions do not impose any financial sanctions on Kolomoyskiy, which is the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department. However, large U.S. banks are likely to avoid working with him, Sarah Felix, an anti-money-laundering expert and founder of Palerma Consulting, told RFE/RL.



Energy, Metals, Media



Kolomoyskiy is one of the most influential tycoons in Ukraine, owning assets ranging from media and airlines to energy and metals. He also briefly served as governor of Dnipropetrovsk, where many of his businesses are based, from 2014 to 2015.



Kolomoyskiy's media assets are credited with helping Zelenskiy, a former comic with no political experience, win the April 2019 presidential election in a landslide.



The tycoon is rumored to have influence in the administration while activists say he controls at least 30 parliament deputies in the president's party.



In his statement, Blinken accused Kolomoyskiy of being "involved in corrupt acts that undermined rule of law and the Ukrainian publics faith in their governments democratic institutions and public processes" while serving as governor. Kolomoyskiy used "his political influence and official power for his personal benefit," Blinkens statement said.



Separately, the FBI is investigating Kolomoyskiy and business partner Hennadiy Boholyubov in connection with the $5.5 billion bailout of PrivatBank, once Ukraine's largest lender.



The tycoons are accused of embezzling billions of dollars from the bank through fraudulent loans and using some of the proceeds to buy assets in the United States, including real estate and metals plants.



The United States is seeking the seizure of three commercial real estate properties owned by the tycoons and allegedly purchased with the embezzled funds. Kolomoyskiy and Boholyubov deny the accusations and last month filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government.



Ukraine's Reform Struggles



The United States and Europe have been supporting Kyiv with aid and political backing ever since Russia illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backed separatists in two provinces in eastern Ukraine.



However, Washington and Brussels attached strings to the aid, including demanding Ukraine carry out tough economic and political reforms that would weaken the enormous influence of a small group of tycoons like Kolomoyskiy who have impeded the nations development.



One of the bills demanded by the West was the so-called "Anti-Kolomoyskiy" bill designed to clean up the banking sector and prevent owners of nationalized lenders from regaining control.



While Ukraine has made much progress on economic and political reforms since 2014, the country has failed to live up to Washington's expectations, with some achievements like anti-corruption reform being partially rolled back.



The Biden administration has said it will make battling corruption and strengthening democratic institutions a key component of its foreign policy agenda.



In a move many viewed as a message by the new Biden administration to Kyiv about the centrality of reform to the bilateral relationship, Blinken last month named Zelenskiy's ousted prosecutor-general, Ruslan Ryaboshapka, an "anti-corruption champion."



Ryaboshapka, who briefly served from 2019 to 2020, reportedly angered tycoons with his investigations.



Blinken in January told the Senate during his confirmation hearing that even if the United States helped Ukraine contain Russian aggression, the country would fail to build a durable democracy if it did not tackle corruption.

With reporting by Liubomyra Remazhevsika in Kyiv
2021 has already become a significant year for gender equality. Estonia became the first country to have both a female elected head of state and a female elected head of government. This small Baltic country has somehow caught up with its neighbour Finland, which is considered a pioneer in female politics. In 1907, no fewer than 19 women were allowed into the first meeting of the Finnish parliament. Since then, Finland has never stopped progressing. Today the country has a young woman in the PM's chair; Sanna Mirella Marin was only 34 when she was elected in 2019. The newly elected Estonian Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, is 43. Both women are far from being "made of iron", and apparently represent a new generation of female politicians to which also Zuzana Caputova belongs. At 45 Zuzana was elected as president of the Slovak Republic, and is the youngest ever female president.

If we were to assume that such young female leaders are only possible in relatively small countries, then, we would expect other very small states to be also total matriarchies... But this is far from reality. For example, a couple of years ago, Gibraltar was ranked 154th of 191 countries in a study of women in power by the International Parliamentary Union. The Rock was compared even to Iran and Qatar for its lack of women in government. Over the last 50 years, there has only been a handful of women in the Gibraltar Parliament. Despite these past tendencies, in March 2018 a woman in Gibraltar was appointed Acting Chief Minister for the first time, while the CM was in London for Brexit talks. Ironically, that happened just before International Women's Day and the move could have been considered as a political token, or rather just a gift.

Another micro-neighbour of Spain, Andorra, has progressed significantly in recent years. Ten years ago, Andorran women won 15 seats during their country's parliamentary election. The country became the first nation in Europe to have elected a majority female parliament. Before, Andorra had belonged to those countries that were slow to give women legal rights. Women's suffrage was not achieved until 1970. Compare this to the aforementioned Finland, where women were already able to vote in 1906. Even so, Andorra beats wealthy Switzerland, where women did not obtain the right to vote in national elections until 1971.

A country's wealth and development do not always reflect a higher level in gender politics. Nowadays, while wealthy countries compete for the highest GDP, countries like Georgia, Moldova, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Barbados or Ethiopia elect women and give them significant powers. We should also be aware, though, that this might be a facade in countries where women's social standing lags behind men's.

For me, one significant question still remains. Can a woman be a prime minister or president in the giant and powerful USA, China, or Russia, or again, in Britain? And how long is it going to take? Spain seems to be going in the right direction. The recent Socialist governments have even had a majority of women ministers.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  A new monthly survey shows the economy in nine Midwest and Plains states remaining strong in the wake of a devastating global pandemic, but the survey's index gauging inflation soared to a record high.
Jean Kennedy Smiths grand Manhattan duplex overlooking the East River, where she played host to her large, prominent family, along with luminaries from political, art and showbiz circles, is being sold by her estate. The asking price is $6.45 million, with $19,975 in monthly maintenance.

Ms. Smith, who was the last surviving sibling of President John F. Kennedy and the second-youngest in the Kennedy clan, died last June at the age of 92. She served as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland in the 1990s and was credited for helping end decades of violence in Northern Ireland. In 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Her apartment is a combination of two units on the sixth and seventh floors of 4 Sutton Place, a 14-story co-op ensconced in a leafy enclave lined with 19th-century townhouses. The nine-unit, brick-and-limestone building, between East 57th and 58th Streets, was designed by the architect Rosario Candela and erected in 1928.

Image Jean Kennedy Smith, the U.S. ambassador to Ireland, at a peace rally in Dublin in 1996. Credit... AP Photo/Maxwells

Ms. Smith bought the duplex in 1997 and moved in a year later, after completing her diplomatic service, according to Amanda Smith Hood, one of her four children and the owner of a small equestrian-goods business in Washington. She acquired a two-bedroom adjoining residence on the seventh floor in 2001, she said, and used it mainly to house guests.
 Flash

China provided on Thursday a batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to the Arab League (AL) general secretariat in Cairo, the Chinese embassy in Egypt said in a statement.

"This is a vivid interpretation of the China-Arab community of health and wellness, and it marks another solid step towards building a China-Arab community with a shared future," Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang was quoted as saying in the statement.

"No matter how the international situation changes, China and Arab countries will always be true friends who unite and cooperate to overcome difficulties together," Liao continued, adding that China is willing to work with Arab countries to continue to uphold the spirit of solidarity and jointly advocate peace.

During the reception ceremony of the vaccines, AL Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki expressed his appreciation for China's medical assistance to the pan-Arab body.

"The Arab countries are willing to maintain long-term friendly cooperative relations with China and push the Arab-Chinese strategic partnership to a higher level," said the AL senior official.

Zaki emphasized that the friendship between the Arab people and the Chinese people has a long history and that China's medical support will effectively enhance Arab countries' anti-epidemic capabilities.

China has previously sent two batches of medical supplies to the pan-Arab organization.

Meanwhile, the vaccine-related cooperation is progressing smoothly between China and a number of Arab states including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Morocco.


UK Government Has to Deal With Genocide Amendment One Way or the Other: Duncan Smith

If the UK government wants its post-Brexit Trade Bill to become law, it has to deal with the genocide amendment one way or the other, former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said on Thursday.

The genocide amendment aims to stop bilateral trade with genocidal countries, and is the last remaining obstacle to the Trade Bill becoming law.

The amendment is stuck between the House of Lords, which supports it, and the House of Commons, where the Tory government is struggling to whip its backbench MPs into rejecting it.

Duncan Smith, one of the main proponents of the amendment in the Commons, told The Epoch Times on Thursday that the government wont be able to block MPs from voting on the amendment like it did last time.

The ministers have to come back to the House of Commons if they want to get their Trade Bill, and their Trade Bill is quite an important bill, Duncan Smith said.

If the bill fails, it will be harder for Britain to make international trade agreements post-Brexit.

So they have to deal with this amendment one way or the other, he said.

Lord Alton of Liverpool speaks to The Epoch Times during an online interview in England on Feb. 12, 2021. (The Epoch Times/Screenshot)

Lord David Alton of Liverpool initially authored the amendment to have UK domestic courts make deliberations on genocides, because of the UK governments long-standing position that only a competent court can make such judgements.

And as a result of that, they wont call it genocide even if they know that or believe it to be genocide, theyre not meant to call it genocide, Duncan Smith said.

Pretty much every genocide in the last 75 years, no one has ever during the course of the genocide, been allowed or able to call it genocide, he said.

And what weve got now in China going on is what many of us believe the data shows is, frankly, likely to be genocide, but we cant call it genocide.

After two rounds of compromises, the current version of the amendment seeks to establish an ad-hoc Parliamentary Judicial Committeecomposed of retired judges in the House of Lordsto make preliminary determinations on whether a partner in a relevant bilateral trade agreement with the UK has committed genocide, so the government can decide its actions accordingly.

The date of the vote is yet to be announced. Duncan Smith said he suspects it wont be back for another week.

The government doesnt seem to be in any hurry to bring it back. I think thats because they realise that  right now, our amendment is genuinely seen as a compromise, he said.

But it will give various groups, the Uyghur as well, a chance to make their case to this committee. And thats the important thing, but the government seems reluctant to agree there.

Duncan Smith said he thinks the government opposes the amendment because it wants to trade with China.

I think the truth of the reason why the government has resisted this endlesslyits almost illogical the way that theyve constantly resisted thisits because they genuinely behind the scenes do want to strike some kind of trade arrangement with the present Chinese government, he said.

Government ministers have repeatedly denied the UK has any plans to enter a bilateral trade agreement with China, while on other occasions called China an important trading partner with which the UK is pursuing increased bilateral trade.

Having been a cabinet minister himself, Duncan Smith said that its the oldest get-out card that you ever play as a minister: We have no plans.

He said that the UK government felt pressure after the European Union rushed what he called a terrible trade deal with China, and it would be a mistake for the UK to follow suit.

So I think the UK feels under pressure. Because having left the European Union, you know, we dont want them to have advantage, he said. Thats the thinking of the government. But its the wrong thinking.

The UK Needs To Lead

Currently, the international route to making determinations on genocide is effectively blocked.

According to Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws, who is also director of the International Bar Associations Human Rights Institute, there are two international courts that can potentially deal with genocide.

The International Court of Justice, which deals with state-sponsored genocide, cant deal with allegations of genocide in China because of the countrys veto power in the U.N. Security Council.

The International Criminal Court, where individuals are tried for grievous crimes, needs the nation in question to be a signatory to the Rome statute, which China is not.

However, one argument against the genocide amendment is that the UK acting unilaterally by passing this kind of amendment would hardly achieve anything.

Duncan Smith has the opposite view.

Whats the alternative? he said. Do nothing, because you have a very low regard for your own ability and capability?

The truth is the UK needs to lead, he said, adding that the UK has significant influence through its huge connections to the Commonwealth and alliances with the rest of the Five Eyes states, France, and some other European countries.

We have a real chance to lead. After all, if the UK starts to ask these questions, then I think others follow. Its very important for us to do this.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the title of Baroness Kennedys position at the International Bar Associations Human Rights Institute. She is director. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Rick reminds investors that rare earth elements and lithium are not rare. Where you want to position yourself is at the processing end of this sector.

Coffee with Samso Episode 70 is with Rick Rule, Senior Managing Director, Sprott Inc., and President & CEO, Sprott U.S. Holdings

Learning is best done when you actually listen. In this episode of Coffee with Samso, I recommend listening well.

Just over twelve months ago, I was browsing through LinkedIn and saw Rick Rule giving an interview and wondered if he would be interested to have a Coffee with Samso. I was thrilled he readily agreed.

Rick Rule is on his third Coffee with Samso and the timing is impeccable as this is almost twelve months since our first conversation. That was when the pandemic had just started and everyone was thinking it would perhaps be chaotic for a while. As most investors know, this was followed by an equity rise not seen for many decades. The chaos was far from short-term. It has already been a year. Check out our Insight on The Best Equity Investment Since the 1980s for more insights on this.

In this Coffee with Samso, Rick shares with us some pointed topics as we work through some of the issues that we have faced and will face in the coming months.

As precious metals take a step backward recently, the anticipation of the EV Revolution has sparked a race where investors were seen rushing to expose themselves to the Lithium market. We also discuss this rush as well as the recent interest in the REE and Silver.

Rick reminds investors that Rare Earths Elements (REE) and Lithium are not rare. Where you want to position yourself is at the processing end of this sector.

Do not chase the market noise/narrative but instead understand and believe the story of the company. And that's why Samso is proud to bring you stories direct from ASX companies!

The recent "hot news" on REE and Silver which have captivated the market sentiment is not really making Rick excited. Make sure you tune in to understand why this is the case.

Rick offers to review your resource share portfolio here

Look out for the part where Rick offers to review your resource share portfolio. All you need to do is go to the link below and list your resource stocks and he will personally rank them from 1 to 10 (1 = best and 10 = worst). He will personally make comments on stocks that he knows as well. If you include charts in the question line, he will include Barron's gold mining chart which is a 50-year gold equities chart and a 100-year chart on commodities chart.

https://sprottusa.com/brokerage-services/rankings/

PODCAST

About Rick Rule

Senior Managing Director, Sprott Inc.

President & CEO, Sprott U.S. Holdings

Rick Rule began his career in the securities business in 1974 and has been principally involved in natural resource security investments ever since. He is a leading resource investor specialising in mining, energy, water utilities, forest products and agriculture, and has originated and participated in hundreds of debt and equity transactions with private, pre-public and public companies. Mr. Rule is also the Founder of Global Resource Investments, President and CEO of Sprott U.S. Holdings, Inc. and a member of the Sprott Inc. Board of Directors. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has been interviewed for numerous radio, television, print and online media outlets concerning natural resource investment and industry topics. Mr. Rule is frequently quoted by prominent natural resource oriented newsletters and advisories.

About Sprott

Sprott is a global asset manager providing investors with access to highly-differentiated precious metals strategies.

Sprott's in-depth knowledge, experience and relationships separate them from the generalists. Sprotts specialised investment products include innovative physical bullion trusts, managed equities, mining ETFs, as well as private equity and debt strategies. They also partner with natural resource companies to help meet their capital needs through brokerage and resource lending activities. Sprott is a global asset manager with offices in Toronto, New York and London. Sprotts common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SII.

Sprott today serves over 200,000 global clients and has approximately $16.3 billion in assets under management.

A Rich History

The company was founded in 1981 by Eric Sprott, an early champion of precious metals investing. Sprott has grown steadily over the past four decades through organic initiatives and acquisitions and has expanded its role far beyond its original focus as an institutional brokerage serving mostly small- to mid-cap Canadian natural resources companies. Today, their reach is global, and they are proud of their deep roots in the sector.

Sprotts unique expertise benefits both the investors and issuers. Their disciplined approach to investing, their focus on risk management and their ability to quickly assess and complete projects is built on more than 35 years of experience working with management teams across different project types and geographies. Their unique capabilities allow them to provide flexible financing solutions across the mining life cycle and to match global investor demand with a strong pipeline of investment opportunities.

Contrarian

Sprott goes against the grain when investing. Precious metals offer low correlation to other assets and can serve as natural hedges. In a time of increasing uncertainty about global markets and geopolitics, they are committed to providing investors with access to these assets and supporting the companies that produce them.

Innovative

Although precious metals have been coveted for thousands of years, Sprott believes there are significant new opportunities for investors and issuers in the sector. They continue to demonstrate this through investment innovations such as physical bullion trusts, factor-based ETFs, managed equities, and private equity and debt strategies.

Aligned

Sprott is committed to aligning the interests of their clients, shareholders and employees. This is demonstrated by their high level of employee share ownership, as well as by significant participation by Sprott and employees in their strategies.

Please let Samso know your thoughts and send any comments to info@Samso.com.au. Remember to Subscribe to the YouTube Channel, Samso Media and the mail list to stay informed and make comments where appropriate. Other than that, also feel free to provide a Review on Google.

For further information about Coffee with Samso and Rooster Talks visit: www.samso.com.au

About Samso

Samso is a renowned resource among the investment community for keen market analysis and insights into the companies and business trends that matter.

Investors seek out Samso for knowledgeable evaluations of current industry developments across a variety of business sectors and considered forecasts of future performances.

With a compelling format of relaxed online video interviews, Samso provides clear answers to questions they may not have the opportunity to ask and lays out the big picture to help them complete their investment research.

And in doing so, Samso also enables companies featured in interviews to build valuable engagement with their investment communities and customers.

Headed by industry veteran Noel Ong and based in Perth, Western Australia, Samsos Coffee with Samso and Rooster Talk interviews both feature friendly conversations with business figures that give insights into Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) companies, related concepts and industry trends.

Noel Ong is a geologist with nearly 30 years of industry experience and a strong background in capital markets, corporate finance and the mineral resource sector. He was founder and managing director of ASX-listed company Siburan Resources Limited from 2009-2017 and has also been involved in several other ASX listings, providing advice, procuring projects and helping to raise capital.

He brings all this experience and expertise to the Samso interviews, where his engaging conversation style creates a relaxed dialogue, revealing insights that can pique investor interest.

Noel Ong travels across Australia to record the interviews, only requiring a coffee shop environment where they can be set up. The interviews are posted on Samsos website and podcasts, YouTube and other relevant online environments where they can be shared among investment communities.

Samso also has a track record of developing successful business concepts in the Australasia region and provides bespoke research and counsel to businesses seeking to raise capital and procuring projects for ASX listings.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this article is the writers personal opinion and is provided for information only and is not intended to or nor will it create/induce the creation of any binding legal relations. Read full disclaimer.
Ballet enthusiasts everywhere have swooned to the lushly romantic tale of Odette, Queen of the Swans, in the classic Swan Lake ever since its Moscow premiere in 1877.

Ballet enthusiasts everywhere have swooned to the lushly romantic tale of Odette, Queen of the Swans, in the classic Swan Lake ever since its Moscow premiere in 1877.

DANCE PREVIEW Click to Expand Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Visions of Swan Lake

 The Founders Studio via Livestream

 Runs through Sunday, March 14

But its Russian choreographers, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, could hardly have imagined their sumptuous "ballet blanc" would now be springing to life through computer screens and smart TVs, with the global pandemic having forced arts organizations, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, to pivot hard this season as a critical turning point in its own 81-year history.

"This latest production started by asking what can we do to keep the dancers dancing," RWB associate artistic director Tara Birtwhistle says during a recent phone interview. "Audiences will get a whole new perspective and a different way of enjoying the ballet, and were all thrilled with the results."

The six-show run that opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Sunday, March 14, includes three 2 p.m. weekend matinees, as well as pre-show artist interviews and an interactive post-show Q&A, hosted by RWB artistic director Andre Lewis and Birtwhistle, with featured company dancers.

The ethereal narrative ballet performed en pointe was last performed by the company in March 2015. Its regal protagonist lives under the spell of the evil sorcerer Baron von Rothbart, which sees her transformed into a swan by day. Only by finding true love  enter dashing Prince Siegfried  can Rothbarts dark curse be broken, and Odette and her flock of swans finally returned to their mortal form.

DAVID COOPER PHOTO Yayoi Ban and Chenxin Liu

Naturally, things look a little different this year. The RWB has pared down the original 150-minute show to create a more compact, 70-minute version, artfully filmed by local company Frank Digital last month in the RWBs Founders Studio theatre.

"Its a very up-close-and-personal look that you would never see from across an orchestra pit," Birtwhistle promises, adding that the dancers were kept on their toes with four watchful cameras following their every pirouette and grand jete. "We wanted to really go deeper inside the ballet and youll see things youve never seen before. Its really beautiful footage and made it very difficult to choose for the final cut."

Despite its scaled-down form, Birtwhistle says there are still plenty of feathers on this balletic bird; its narrative thread remains intact and only the larger ensemble numbers have been plucked for its latest incarnation.

DAVID COOPER PHOTO Yayoi Ban

Three COVID-19-friendly, physically distanced "cohorts" of dancers, wearing facemasks specially constructed to match Peter Farmer's original costumes, bring the classical choreography to life. Other design elements including lighting by Nicholas Cernovitch and sets also by Farmer have been modified for the smaller venue, with plenty of stage smoke used to create Act II's mystical lake scenes, the hallmark of the ballet.

The leading roles of Odette (also doubling as her doppelganger, Odile, the Black Swan) and Prince Siegfried will be shared by real-life couples Alanna McAdie and Yosuke Mino, and Chenxin Liu and Yue Shi, whose relationships mean they are able to perform physically close choreography. That also includes sky-high lifts during the heart-stopping White Swan Pas de Deux with its famous, mettle-testing 32 whipped fouettes  those are given to Liu  as well as the flipside, the Black Swan Pas de Deux.

Also still intact is one of the ballets most beloved scenes. The four baby swan cygnets, who normally perform in synchronized lockstep with arms entwined as a proud display of the ballets Russian roots, are back in the fold, albeit now performing several wingspans apart.

DAVID COOPER PHOTO Chenxin Liu has the challenging role of Odette.

"Its the socially distanced cygnets," Birtwhistle quips. "Theyre no longer holding hands, which actually makes the choreography a bit easier for them."

The company has already dipped its toes into digital dance with Decembers scaled-back Nutcracker. For that show, RWB principal pianist Donna Laube accomplished the Herculean task of performing the entire score on her solo keyboard.

This time around, after one full year of artistic separation, the company once again partners with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, with RWB principal conductor Julian Pellicano bringing Tchaikovskys soaring orchestral score to life.

This version of the score has its own interesting backstory: Given a heads-up by Lewis, who toured extensively with the troupe during his tenure as principal dancer, Pellicano discovered a treasure trove of chamber orchestra scores from past touring productions at the RWBs downtown studios last summer. They had been meticulously sorted and preserved for posterity by archivist Gayle DeGagne, saved from when the company used to travel coast-to-coast with a live, 25-piece chamber orchestra.

RYAN ROGOCKI PHOTO Married couple Chenxin Liu and Yue Shi are filmed by a crew from Frank Digital.

The full set of instrumental parts, dating back to the 1980s and 90s, coincidentally happens to be the precise number of players currently allowed onstage owing to COVID-19-related health and safety protocols.

"I personally couldnt be happier that we were able to make it work, and I know that the dancers are also very excited about it as well, and everybody at the RWB and the WSO, so Im not alone," says Pellicano, now in his second year with the RWB.

He also affirms that, despite the smaller-scaled orchestra, Tchaikovskys renowned lush orchestration will still "read," with its contingent of strings, winds, brass, percussion and even a harp making the music pre-recorded at the Centennial Concert Hall in January soar. The archives also include sets of parts for Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker ("we couldnt do Nutcracker in the same fashion in December just because everything was so new," Pellicano says of that shows tight turnaround), among others, leading to future possibilities for livestreamed ballets, as needed.

RYAN ROGOCKI PHOTO Chenxin Liu and Yue Shi rehearse with the Frank Digital crew.

In these uncertain times, its not a leap to assume the venerable company will offer more livestream ballets, not just to finish the challenged 2020/21 season, but possibly beyond. These online shows also allow viewers around the globe an opportunity to see the internationally acclaimed troupe, a kind of silver lining to the pandemic.

"I think its a good thing to do right now and it keeps everyone engaged, including our wonderful dancers and loyal audiences," Birtwhistle says.

"Another great thing is that we wouldnt have been collaborating with other artists, including new designers and filmmakers, until this year. Of course we want to be back onstage; however, this is an excellent way of continuing what we love to do and I know viewers are going to be absolutely amazed."

The production opens tonight via livestream at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Sunday, March 14, including weekend matinees. For digital ticket links or further information, visit rwb.org

holly.harris@shaw.ca

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Advertisement

She's set to pick up Thor's legendary hammer in Thor: Love and Thunder.

And Natalie Portman's transformation into the 'Goddess of Thunder' was revealed for the first time on Thursday, with the Oscar winning actress spotted on set as the pivotal scene was filmed in Sydney.

Movie magic was utilised to transform the 39-year-old from astrophysicist Jane Foster into the all-powerful female Thor.

Becoming Thor: Natalie Portman's transformation into the 'Goddess of Thunder' was revealed for the first time on Thursday, with the Oscar winning actress spotted on set as the pivotal scene was filmed in Sydney

Two men clad in head-to-toe blue lifted Portman, one literally holding her by the soles of her shoes, into the air as she raised her arms.

The men will be digitally removed in post-production, to leave the impression of Portman ascending into the air.

Thor's hammer Mjolnir, which Jane wields following her transformation in the comic book series upon which the film is based, could not be seen.

Not hammer time: Thor's hammer Mjolnir, which Jane wields following her transformation in the comic book series upon which the film is based, could not be seen

It's magic! Movie magic was utilised to transform the 39-year-old from astrophysicist Jane Foster into the all-powerful female Thor

On set: A huge crew surrounded the Oscar-winning actress as they filmed the scenes

Dressing down: The mother-of-two was decked out in casual attire for the scene in which she plays her pre-god character, Dr Foster

The mother-of-two was decked out in casual attire for the scene in which she plays her pre-god character, Dr Foster.

Portman sported dark jeans with Converse high top sneakers on her lower half.

On top she started out wearing gray hoodie over a burgundy T-shirt, and a denim jacket over that.

Gradually, as the shoot wore on, Natalie peeled off layers in a concession to the Sydney summer heat.

The look: On top she started out wearing gray hoodie over a burgundy T-shirt, and a denim jacket over that

Captain of the ship: Between takes, the Marvel movie's director Taika Waititi (pictured) stepped onto the set to give his star some direction

Hair-raising: She battled Sydney's coastal wind in an attempt to keep her straight, shoulder-length brunette tresses from obscuring her famous features

The Black Swan star accessorised with a canvas satchel over her left shoulder.

She battled Sydney's coastal wind in an attempt to keep her straight, shoulder-length brunette tresses from obscuring her famous features.

Eventually, Portman pulled her gray hood over her head to keep her hair in place.

Better: Eventually, Portman pulled her gray hood over her head to keep her hair in place

OG Thor: Chris Hemsworth is seen here in a scene from Avengers: Infinity War

She's back! Natalie was absent for 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, but was a key player in the first two Thor films in 2011 and 2013

Becoming Chris Hemsworth: The former child star of The Professional will assume Chris Hemsworth's Thor powers in the fourth installment of the blockbuster series

What a view! The elaborate set was built on a cliff overlooking the ocean

Director style: He was also dressed casually in a white T-shirt, colorful boardshorts and white sneakers worn without socks

Between takes, the Marvel movie's director Taika Waititi stepped onto the set to give his star some direction.

He was also dressed casually in a white T-shirt, colorful boardshorts and white sneakers worn without socks.

The lauded director donned a trucker cap and later on pulled on a long sleeve shirt as the East coast wind picked up.

Source material: According to Waititi, the film is largely based on Jason Aaron's comic run, with Jane taking up Thor's duties in the god's absence

Foe: In the film, she will face off against Gorr, the God-Butcher who killed the gods that he felt betrayed him during his life

Keeping cool: Natalie remained hydrated between takes, sipping from a water bottle

Cash injection: Thor: Love and Thunder is being filmed in Australia after receiving a $24.1million location incentive grant from the Federal Government

Boom: The film is expected to bring more than $178million to the local economy, create 2,500 jobs and enlist services from about 1,650 businesses

Also spotted on set was Natalie's co-star, Tessa Thompson, reprising her role of Valkyrie from the film series' third installment, Thor: Ragnarok.

The Creed actress looked sharp in a pinstripe suit as she waited between takes and made sure to keep hydrated with a bottle of water.

The Los Angeles, California native then mounted a horse for her scene.

Keeping cool: Gradually, as the shoot wore on, Natalie peeled off layers in a concession to the Sydney summer heat

Ta-ha! Natalie revealed her burgundy T-shirt beneath her many layers of clothing

Costume: Natalie seen here rugged up (left) and after peeling off her costume's various layers (right)

Natalie was absent for 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, but was a key player in the first two Thor films in 2011 and 2013.

The former child star of The Professional will assume Chris Hemsworth's Thor powers in the fourth installment of the blockbuster series.

According to Waititi, the film is largely based on Jason Aaron's comic run, with Jane taking up Thor's duties in the god's absence.

Look who's back: Also spotted on set was Natalie's co-star, Tessa Thompson, reprising her role of Valkyrie from the film series' third installment, Thor: Ragnarok

Saving the world in style: The Creed actress looked sharp in a pinstripe suit as she waited between takes

Sip: Tessa also made sure to keep hydrated with a bottle of water

Giddy up: The Los Angeles, California native then mounted a horse for her scene

In the film, she will face off against Gorr, the God-Butcher who killed the gods that he felt betrayed him during his life.

The role will be played by Portman's fellow Oscar winner, Christian Bale.

Thor: Love and Thunder is being filmed in Australia after receiving a $24.1million location incentive grant from the Federal Government.

The film is expected to bring more than $178million to the local economy, create 2,500 jobs and enlist services from about 1,650 businesses.

Friendly: Tessa and Taika shared a hug between takes on the blockbuster

Location, location: The film is largely being shot at Sydney's Fox Studios, but elaborate structures have been seen at nearby Centennial Park, as well as Little Bay

According to Screen NSW, it's part of a deal which will see several Marvel films made in Australia over the coming years.

The film is largely being shot at Sydney's Fox Studios, but elaborate structures have been seen at nearby Centennial Park, as well as Little Bay.

Thor: Love and Thunder is due for cinematic release in May 2022.
Egypt condemned on Friday a continued escalation of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia after the group claimed new drone attacks on the Gulf countrys southern region.

In an official statement, Egypts foreign ministry reiterated its complete rejection of the cowardly and terrorist hostilities that target civilian areas and civilians in Saudi Arabia.

Such hostilities represent a blatant violation to the rules of international law and a direct threat to regional stability and security, it said, reiterating its firm position of support to the kingdom.

Egypts condemnation came a few hours after a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen said it had intercepted six explosive drones fired towards Saudi Arabia.

The coalition said in statements reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Houthis had launched six intercepted drones towards Saudi Arabias Khamis Mushait, located near Yemeni borders, since dawn.

The groups Military Spokesman Yahya Sarea, said posted on Twitter that a total of eight drones have been launched at dawn and in afternoon. He claimed that the drones hit Abha International Airport and King Khaled Air Base.

The launched attacks come after the Houthis said on Thursday that they had fired a missile that struck an Aramco oil facility in Jeddah. There has been no such confirmation by authorities on the attack.ruck an Aramco oil facility in Jeddah. There was not confirmation by authorities on the attack.

Short link:


Martin Bashir faces being prosecuted privately after Scotland Yard refused to investigate claims of criminality over his 1995 Diana interview.

The BBC religious affairs editor could be sent to prison under the 1968 Theft Act after he was accused of faking bank statements to trick the princess into taking part in the infamous Panorama broadcast.

A lawyer for her brother Earl Spencer's ex-head of security, Alan Waller, made an official complaint to Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick in January alleging potential fraud by Mr Bashir.

He accused the former Panorama journalist of 'dishonest conduct' and said the BBC had 'benefited' while aware his actions were 'unlawful'.

But yesterday, after spending three months assessing the claims, police announced no further action.

Now, Mr Waller's lawyer Anton van Dellen vowed they would prosecute the journalist privately, claiming Mr Bashir's dealings meant Mr Waller suffered 'significant reputational and financial loss'.

Martin Bashir faces being prosecuted privately after Scotland Yard refused to investigate claims of criminality over his 1995 Diana interview (pictured)

The BBC religious affairs editor (pictured) could be sent to prison under the 1968 Theft Act after he was accused of faking bank statements to trick the princess into taking part in the infamous Panorama broadcast

He told The Daily Telegraph: 'We intend to commence a private prosecution and letters of interview will be sent to Matt Wiessler and Martin Bashir.'

Mr Bashir has previously admitted ordering Mr Wiessler - a freelance graphic artist paid by the BBC - to mock up bank statements ahead of a meeting with Earl Spencer.

The statements purported to show that Mr Waller was in the pay of tabloid journalists and a shadowy company linked to the security services.

Earl Spencer has said the documents were key in persuading him to provide an introduction between Mr Bashir and his sister, leading to the exclusive interview which caused shock waves around the world when Diana spoke about her husband's infidelity.

Mr Bashir and Mr Wiessler have 14 days to respond once the letters gets sent to them.

A lawyer for her brother Earl Spencer's ex-head of security, Alan Waller (pictured), made an official complaint to Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick in January alleging potential fraud by Mr Bashir

Scotland Yard faced fury yesterday after refusing to investigate claims of criminality over Martin Bashir's Diana interview (pictured) in 1995

Met Police's decision not to launch a criminal investigation was today described as a 'farce' by a former head of royal protection, who said many unanswered questions remain.

It can now be revealed the same senior officer involved in the decision announced yesterday also ruled out another controversial investigation relating to a royal.

Commander Alex Murray came under fire in 2019 for not pursuing Virginia Roberts' claims she was trafficked to Britain by Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Prince Andrew. The prince has denied Miss Roberts' claims.

Yesterday the commander said legal advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service and independent lawyers before it was decided not to launch an official probe.

Mr Bashir (pictured) allegedly faked bank statements to trick the princess into taking part in the infamous 1995 Panorama broadcast

The decision was described as a 'farce' by a former head of royal protection, who said many unanswered questions remain

In the letter of complaint sent to Scotland Yard last month, Mr Waller's barrister, Mr van Dellen, said: 'I write in relation to the actions of two BBC employees or agents for whom the BBC were vicariously liable, with very serious concerns that they have committed a criminal act, namely conspiracy to create an instrument of fraud.'

Yesterday ex-royal protection head Dai Davies said: 'I'm absolutely flabbergasted there was not enough basic evidence of forgery and fraud here. It beggars belief.'

The BBC has appointed retired judge Lord Dyson to lead an inquiry to discover what steps the BBC and Mr Bashir took to land the interview.

Last night it was unclear what impact the Met's decision will have on his probe and whether he has separately considered any evidence of criminality.

Yesterday Commander Murray said that following a detailed assessment 'we have determined it is not appropriate to begin a criminal investigation'.

Mr Bashir is off sick having had heart bypass surgery following a coronavirus diagnosis. His agent did not reply to a request for comment.
A man shot in the head and chest 11 years ago in an attempted gangland murder, has been jailed for four years, after admitting possessing a homemade gun and 88 rounds of ammunition, last year.

Daniel Philips, (30), with an address at Crecora Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, received a five and half year sentence with the final 18 months suspended, at Limerick Circuit Court, yesterday.

Philips pleaded guilty to possession of a home made .22 caliber homemade firearm and bullets, which were found in a bag he threw from a car that was being pursued by gardai along Shelbourne Road, Limerick, on March 26, 2020.

Uniform gardai attached to Mayorstone Park Garda Station were on patrol when they attempted to stop the car in the Ballynanty area of Limerick.

Philips sped off at high speed, driving on the wrong side of the road, through a number of housing estates, red lights and junctions, the court heard.

Philips was stopped in his tracks a few kilometres away, at Parteen in Co Clare, in a garda managed containment operation was carried out with the assistance of the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU).

A member of the public, who spotted an bag being thrown from the car alerted gardai who discovered it contained the homemade firearm and ammunition.

Immediately after his arrest Philips had told gardai he had fled because he was driving without insurance but he later admitted having the gun and ammunition.

Judge Tom ODonnell, presiding, said Philips had been aligned to a serious criminal element and was holding the gun and ammunition to repay a drugs debt.

The judge described Philips driving on the day as reckless in the extreme, and it was fortunate nobody was injured.

The court heard the homemade gun was viable and capable of shooting.

The judge said Philips had survived a gun attack in May 2010, in which he was shot in the head and body, and he had been left with serious cognitive issues with his short term memory.

Judge ODonnell imposed a concurrent six-month sentence on Philips for dangerous driving and ordered he engage with the probation service for 18 months after his release.

A few minutes after being sentenced at the Circuit Court, Philips was brought before the District Court and jailed for seven days for stealing two hot chicken rolls from a shop in Limerick city on June 18, 2019.

In 2012, thirty-year old Shane Mason of Sean Heuston Place, Limerick was jailed for 16 years after he was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of the attempted murder of Philips on May 24th, 2010.

An eye witness told the court they saw Mason dismount a bicycle in Johns Square, Limerick, and remove a black handgun from the waistband of his trousers and fire six shots at a car being driven by Philips.

Philips spent a month in a coma in hospital after bullet fragments were removed from his skull and chest.

He had to learn to walk again at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.

Philips has not been able to live independently since the gun attack for which no clear motive has ever been established.
The dismissal by five-star hotel Ashford Castle of a concierge after he had been off sick for three years has been deemed fair.

In a ruling by the Labour Court, Deputy Chairman, Louise ODonnell has thrown out the unfair dismissal claim by David McCormack against the luxury hotel firm.

Employed at the hotel since 2003 and promoted to the role of concierge in 2011, Mr McCormack went out sick on the November 5, 2014, and remained absent from work on sick leave until his dismissal on October 4, 2017.

In the Labour Courts findings, Ms ODonnell found that Ashford Castle Ltd honestly believed that Mr McCormack was incapable of carrying out the work he was employed to do as a result of his ill health.

Ms ODonnell said: The court therefore determines that his dismissal was fair.

The decision by the Labour Court upholds an earlier ruling by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) which also found that the decision to dismiss Mr McCormack was fair.

The case came before the Labour Court after Mr McCormacks decision to appeal the WRC ruling.

Mr McCormack submitted that when he went out sick in 2014 it was as a result of his work environment.

He argued that his continued absence was related to issues he had in respect of his work environment which he had tried to have resolved.

During his time off sick, Ashford Castle referred Mr McCormack on five occasions for occupational health assessments.

Following the last assessment in August 2017, the doctor advised given the profound sense of grievance reported and his protracted absence and ongoing symptoms, I do not believe a return to work would be successful at this time and this is not likely to change in the medium term i.e. three to six months at least.

Ms ODonnell records that in early 2016 there was an exchange of correspondence in respect of Mr McCormacks staff accommodation.

On September 2, 2016, Mr McCormack made an accusation of bullying against a member of staff.

General Manager at Ashford Castle, Niall Rochford met with Mr McCormack on December 7, 2016, to hear his grievances.

On January 10, 2017, Mr Rochford set out his findings in respect of the 48 grievances that Mr McCormack had articulated.

Mr McCormack submitted an appeal concerning Mr Rochford's findings but did not attend the meeting scheduled to hear his appeal.

Having received the final occupational health assessment in August 2017, Ashford Castle met with Mr McCormack and afforded him an opportunity to put forward proposals that would assist him to return to work.

The hotel firm put Mr McCormack on notice that the question of his dismissal for incapacity was being considered.

Ms ODonnell said that the only proposal put forward by Mr McCormack was that Ashford Castle have patience while he processed a claim through the WRC.

Ms ODonnell said that the court notes that Mr McCormacks complaint to the WRC was not actually lodged until April 2, 2018.





As business and property owners put safety measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, it might be easy to neglect other safety measures that have nothing to do with the pandemic. Business owners today have enough financial pressures resulting from the pandemic. Theres no reason to also have to face a potentially multimillion-dollar lawsuit.

While many employees of large and small businesses are working remotely due to COVID, some have returned to work full time or at least part time. Others are expected to return at some point later this year. As more and more return to the workplace, safety issues that may have been overlooked when all were working from home easily could become a significant issue.

There are endless risks for a property owner; some are obvious and some may not be. From poor maintenance of building balconies to lack of security to natural causes, such as fire and ice, the business owner is responsible.

This is no joke in Connecticut, where juries over the years have awarded millions against companies in premises liability cases. In one instance, a man won $10 million against a phone company because he became paralyzed after falling into a stairwell while making a call. The phone had been installed in a dangerous setting.

Another case involved a factory worker who won more than $5 million after he was hit and seriously injured by defective machinery.

Another issue of concern for property owners of large buildings: escalator and elevator accidents. These cause harm to 17,000 people each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

About half of the deaths from elevator accidents involve people working on or near the elevators, and half of those involve workers who fall into an elevator shaft, according to the statistics. Oftentimes, these accidents could have been avoided if property owners had adequately inspected and maintained the elevator. When it comes to escalators, sometimes simply having a warning sign can help.

It may be time for an independent risk assessment  before the workforce returns in full. That could provide sufficient time to make needed adjustments.

If an apartment building owner or a hotel has lax security, the owner could be subject to a premise liability case for a variety of reasons. Are security cameras installed in the right places? Are they being properly monitored?

Incidentally, while we remain in the cold season, it is important to note that swimming pools of all kinds are another concern for property owners.

Whether they are privately owned, owned by a nonprofit organization or by a municipality, obviously pools have inherent risks, especially when they arent properly secured or are not correctly maintained. Are there sufficient signs saying No Diving at shallow areas?

Pools also are child magnets, so adequate fencing is essential  and required. Pool chemicals can be extremely harmful, too, causing chemical burns or worse.

Owners of real estate have an obligation to keep their properties safe for employees and visitors. Failing to do so can result in significant financial liability. While its important to keep employees safe from COVID, you must not neglect other concerning issues. Employee safety is at stake  and the health of your business is on the line.

J. Craig Smith is a personal injury plaintiff attorney with Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder. He has argued before the Connecticut Supreme Court and, as co-counsel, brought a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Smith has tried dozens of cases to verdict, ranging from personal injury and product liability to antitrust, eminent domain and fraud. He can be reached through the firms website, www.koskoff.com, or at 203-336-4421.
Trade and balance of payments prospects in 2021 View(s):

The prospects for a favourable balance of payments outcome this year is bleak. While the trade deficit is likely to expand, the balance of payments deficit is likely to increase owing to lesser workers remittances, capital outflows, negligible FDIs and inadequate tourist earnings.

Overview

An improvement in the trade balance is of paramount importance for strengthening the balance of payments this year. However, there is little prospects of achieving it as import expenditure is likely to increase. Although exports are expected to increase this year, their increase will be inadequate to offset the increase in imports.

In addition to the larger trade deficit, workers remittances are likely to decrease from that of last year, foreign direct investments (FDI) are not likely to be significant, tourist earnings are likely to increase only in the latter part of the year by an inadequate amount. Consequently, the balance of payments deficit is likely to increase. Debt repayments and capital outflows are likely to increase the balance of payments deficit further and erode foreign reserves.

Trade deficit

The magnitude of the trade deficit is important for the balance of payments outcome. The trade deficit was reduced by US$ two billion last year from that of 2019 due to the significant decrease in imports. However, this years trade deficit is likely to widen due to an increase in imports, especially owing to the steep rise in oil prices.

Last years trade deficit of about US$ six billion was the lowest in recent years. It was achieved mainly by a drastic reduction of imports by 19.5 percent to US$ 16 billion, compared to US$ 19.94 billion in 2019.

Exports too were lower than in the previous three years. It was 15.6 percent less in 2020 at US$ 10.07 billion.

The trade deficit narrowed owing to the reduction in imports being larger than the reduction in exports. Such a favourable trade balance is unlikely this year for several reasons.

Imports are likely to be much higher than last years US$ 16 billion due to increased import costs of fuel, raw materials and possibly food. The increase in exports is not likely to compensate for the increase in import expenditure.

Imports

Fuel imports are likely to double this year owing to fuel prices nearly doubling from what it was last year. Fuel prices have already increased from about US$ 32 per barrel on average in 2020 to nearly US$ 60 per barrel so far this year.

Fuel imports that fell by 34.7 percent last year to US$ 2.54 billion, are likely to increase to US$ four billion or more this year, even without an increased volume of fuel imports. It was US$ 3.89 billion in 2019.

Food

The expenditure on basic food imports may increase. However, the situation with respect to paddy production is not clear. Unfavourable weather conditions were expected to reduce the Maha paddy crop, while pest damage was expected to reduce the maize harvest. Recent estimates of paddy production are in contradiction of this.

The Maha paddy harvest that was expected to decrease to 2.2 metric tons owing to climate related causes, is expected to exceed three billion metric tons according to the most recent estimate of the Department of Agriculture. If this be the case, there is no need to increase imports of rice. The maize crop is also expected to be high despite considerable pest damage.

However, reports of widespread damage to the harvest makes one sceptical of the official estimates. The Government has also permitted even the import of coconut kernel owing to shortages of coconut.

Raw Materials

In addition, there will be a need to Increase imports of raw materials for industries as they are likely to increase production and exports.

Exports

Much of the fortunes in the countrys external finances would depend on an expansion in exports. There is a prospect of increased exports, provided the dislocation to industrial production at the latter part of the year owing to the spread of COVID does not recur this year. The expected containment of the virus later this year may enable factory production at full capacity.

Global demand

There are initial signs of a revival of global demand owing to the gradual revival of the global economy. There are indications of increased orders for manufactured exports, especially apparel.

While international demand is likely to expand, it is important that the countrys export capacity is not hampered by non-availability of essential raw materials and the increasing spread of COVID.

It is noteworthy that manufactured exports increased to US$ 1.8 billion in December compared to US$ 1.1 billion in December 2019.

Expectations

It is important to achieve export earnings of US$ 18 billion or more to keep the trade deficit to around last years US$ six billion. This has to be achieved mainly by manufactured exports as agricultural exports are constrained by an inability to increase export surpluses.

Agricultural exports

Last year agricultural exports declined by 5.3 percent, with tea exports decreasing by 7.8 percent. The current disruption of estate tea production will further decrease tea exports that are of much significance for export earnings.

Services

Workers remittances are likely to reduce, tourist earnings, though much higher than that of last year, is not likely to be large and foreign direct investments (FDI) are unlikely to be significant. Increased earnings from ICT services are likely this year.

Workers remittances

Although workers remittances that are the highest contributor to the balance of payments, was expected to fall sharply last year, they in fact increased from US$ 6.8 billion in 2019 to US$ 7.1 billion in 2020. However, the Central Bank expects them to increase to US$ 7.5 billion in 2021. There is considerable scepticism that this would happen as large numbers of workers have returned and few would be leaving for employment abroad.

The increase in remittances last year may have been due to returning workers bringing their savings through official banking channels. Remittances are likely to fall rather than increase this year. This is a serious setback to the countrys external finances.

Tourist earnings

Tourist earnings took a huge blow last year owing to the COVID pandemic the world over restricting travel. Tourist earnings that had risen to US$ four billion fell to US$ 2.1 billion owing to the April 2017 Easter Sunday bombings. It fell precipitously last year to a paltry amount due to the global pandemic.

There is a prospect of revival in travel and tourism at the latter part of the year. However, such earnings are likely to be only about US$ 1.5 billion at best.

Summary

The trade deficit was reduced by as much as US$ two billion last year owing to a large decrease in imports that was higher than the decrease in exports. This reduction in the trade deficit by US$ two billion was due to a decrease in imports owing to import restrictions and the low international price of fuel. This years trade deficit is likely to increase owing to higher imports and export growth being inadequate to offset the increase in imports.

The increased trade deficit, lower workers remittances, negligible foreign direct investment (FDI), capital outflows and low tourist earnings are likely to create a further dent in the balance of payments. While earnings from tourism are likely to increase especially in the latter part of the year, workers remittance may dip and foreign direct investments are unlikely.

Central Bank forecast

However, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka forecasts a balance of payments surplus this year. Despite the increase in fuel prices, imports are not expected to increase and exports are expected to Increase to US$ 16 billion. Workers remittances are expected to be somewhat higher, while tourist earnings are forecast to rise substantially. Larger FDI and other capital inflows are expected to result in a balance of payments surplus.

Finally

All factors considered, the prospects of an improvement in the trade and balance of payments is remote. All factors point to an increase in the balance of payments deficit this year. Only bilateral and multilateral foreign assistance could buttress the countrys foreign reserves.
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence John Healey used a February 26 speech to Britains premier military think-tank to reposition the Labour Party as an unwavering advocate for the NATO alliance and nuclear weapons.

Healey spoke to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) regarding Labours response to the Conservative governments Integrated Review of the UKs Defence and Security Policy.

Announced last February by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the repeatedly delayed review is to set out a post-Brexit foreign and defence policy for the next five years. Its delays point to the difficulties facing British imperialism in fashioning a military strategy, when its use value for US imperialism was its position within the European Union (EU), as a counter to Germany and Frances plans for a European military policy more independent from NATO.

When the review was first announced, Professor Malcolm Chalmers from RUSI said of the UKs dilemma, What they have to deal with is an increased uncertainty about our long-term relationship with Europe on one hand, and whether we can rely on Donald Trumps United States on the other.

The election of the Democrats under President Joe Biden has done nothing to lessen this dilemma, given that they are far less keen than Trump for the UK to pursue a go-it-alone strategy and thereby lose a pro-NATO US ally within Europe.

Healey was tasked with advancing a strategic arc to bridge the gulf between the US and Europe. But before doing so he had to put to bed the false accusations that Labours loyalty to NATO, nuclear weapons and the strategic interests of British imperialism had been brought into question by the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

Corbyn had come to lead the party in September 2015 due to a dramatic leftward shift within the working class, which led hundreds of thousands to join the party and vote for him based on his long record as a left. This included his declared opposition to NATO, support for nuclear disarmament, criticism of British military interventions, his striking an anti-imperialist pose through relations with nationalist movements on Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Ireland, and his refusal to commit to launching a nuclear strike against Russia.

The campaign to oust Corbyn waged by the Blairite right-wing, the Conservatives, Zionists and the media centred on the claim that he could not be trusted on questions of national security, more even than his advocacy of minimal social reforms. The most sinister element of the anti-Corbyn campaign was when, in November 2015, the then head of the UKs armed forces, Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Nicholas Houghton, when asked by the BBCs Andrew Marr about Corbyns statement that he would never authorise the use of nuclear weapons, replied, Well, it would worry me if that thought was translated into power.

A spokeswoman for then Prime Minister David Cameron stated that as the principal military adviser to the Government, it was reasonable for Houghton to talk about how we maintain the credibility of one of the most important tools in our armoury.

In September, within days of Corbyn taking the leadership, the Sunday Times had carried comments from a senior serving general that, in the event of Corbyn becoming prime minister, there would be the very real prospect of a mutiny. Elements within the military would be prepared to use whatever means possible, fair or foul, the officer declared. He went on to say: You would see a major break in convention with senior generals directly and publicly challenging Corbyn over vital important policy decisions such as Trident, pulling out of NATO and any plans to emasculate and shrink the size of the armed forces.

In February 2017, RUSI reported that it was delighted to announce the appointment of His Grace the Duke of Wellington OBE DL and General Sir Nicholas Houghton GCB CBE ADC as new trustees.

Corbyns retreat in the face of this offensive was total and saw him give a free vote to Labour MPs on the bombing of Syria in December 2015 and reaffirming Labours commitment to NATO and the Trident nuclear submarine missile system, telling Labours conference, Were not going to divide and ruin ourselves as a party over this. He mounted the 2017 general election campaign on a manifesto committed to spending at least two percent of GDP on the military, NATO membership, and maintaining the UKs nuclear weapons arsenal.

Having refused to wage any struggle against the right-wing during his five years in office, Corbyn gifted leadership of the party to Sir Keir Starmer last April. He left Labour as he found it, a pro-capitalist, anti-working class and anti-socialist representative of British imperialism.

Nevertheless, Starmer is now expected to reassure the British ruling class, including the military, that Labour can be trusted to do as it is told without hesitation.

On June 27 last year, RUSI commissioned Mike Gapes, a former MP and anti-Corbyn plotter who quit the party in 2019 to write, The UKs Labour Party: The Long March to Regaining Trust and Electability on Security Policy.

Gapes instructed Starmer to end his muted beginnings to repositioning the party.

He complained that many people who supported Corbyns so-called anti-imperialist, pro-peace approach are still active in the Labour Party at all levels, including some on Starmers front bench. In Labours policy review consultation document, Championing internationalism in a Post-Coronavirus World, he added, There is, incredibly, no mention of NATO at all, no reference to levels of defence spending, no reference to Trident or nuclear deterrence, and no direct reference to the defence industry or to arms exports, apart from: we must find a way to better utilise... the expertise of our worker forces (sic), trades unions, and British defence manufacturers for the benefit of partners around the world.

Starmer must remedy these failings, including managing a transition to a more nuanced and balanced view of the world, i.e., withdrawing support from the Palestinians, supporting Israel, a continued military presence in Iraq and Bahrain, arms sales to Saudi Arabia, and support for hostilities against Iran led by the US.

Gapes told Starmer to recognise, Throughout its history, Labour always had tension between its trade union affiliates and left-wing anti-military activists. But the Attlee government established NATO and introduced nuclear weapons, which were maintained and updated under the governments of Labour prime ministers Wilson, Callaghan, Blair and Brown So, the new leadership will be expected to answer the question of the role of the UKs nuclear deterrent, as well as what should be the UKs stance towards the NPT [Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty] Review and in any future arms control process.

Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin (left) with Attlee in 1945 (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

He demanded to know how Labour will react to the Integrated [defence] Review, to maintaining a commitment to the two-percent of GDP NATO spending target, and the thorny questions about Labours support for the UKs post-Brexit foreign policy and defence and security cooperation with the EU It was relatively easy for Labour to take an anti-Trump position on foreign policy and to criticise Theresa May and Boris Johnson, but a Biden presidency could pose challenges for both government and opposition.

Gapes message to Starmer on behalf of the Generals provided the model for Healeys address to RUSI.

If further proof were needed of the impact of Corbyns political cowardice, this is provided by the choice of Healey as Starmers messenger. Healey, an adviser to former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, was brought into Corbyns shadow cabinet, from which he then resigned in June 2016 as part of the Blairite plot to remove Corbyn.

The shadow defence secretary gave a brief preamble citing the proliferating threats to national security, before restating Labours core principles on national defence and security, so that voters, service personnel and the defence industry can see where we, the new leadership of the Labour Party, are coming from.

These were:

Labours commitment to NATO is unshakeable. And mutual defence through Article V is the cornerstone of Labours commitment on Britains security, which Attlees foreign secretary Ernest Bevin fought for at NATOs foundation.





Labours support for nuclear deterrence is non-negotiable. The matter is settled. From Kinnock to Corbynwith Blair, Brown and Miliband in betweenthis has been, and will remain, Labour policy.





Labours commitment to international law, to universal human rights and to the multilateral treaties and organisations that uphold them is total.





Labours determination to see British investment directed first to British industry is fundamental, not just to our thinking on defence, but to our vision of the kind of society we want to build.

John Healey, Labours Shadow Defence Secretary, tells RUSI, Labours support for nuclear deterrence is non-negotiable. The matter is settled. From Kinnock to Corbyn  with Blair, Brown and Miliband in between  this has been, and will remain, Labour policy. (Credit: John Healey-Facebook)

A non-negotiable commitment to a nuclear deterrence marks a break with the pretence of multilateral disarmament strategies, and a profession that nuclear weapons are here to stay and there to be used. But Healey did not stop there. He positioned Labour to the right of the Tories on military aggression against China and especially Russia, saying the party had a more viable strategy for addressing potentially conflicting relations with the US and EU, and above all as a more consistent defender of imperialist national interests.

The COVID-19 pandemic, he insisted, has exposed a lack of homeland resilience, as well as the changing nature of the threats were facing, followed by the obligatory claim that Russian disinformation was responsible for sowing division into our communities.

Healey urged a strategy of full spectrum society resilience, a blueprint for the militarisation of all aspects of social life with the government working with private industry, local agencies and the public.

Russia represents the premier menace of state-based threats, but the threat from China had been ignored by the Tories who were busy glowing about economic collaboration with China, lauding Chinese investment in Hinkley Point [nuclear power plant] as part of the Governments new golden era. What was published said nothing about the national security risk arising from Chinas involvement in our 5G infrastructure and when it mentioned Xinjiang it spoke of Islamist terror, not the threat of mass persecution against the Uighur population.

The too heavy focus on economic ties to other countries must end, he said. National defence planning must in future be based 'on the threats were facing, not the economic interests were trying to pursue.

Global Britain was a beguiling phrase behind which the government opened our 5G infrastructure to Huawei, while the Chinese state was challenging maritime freedoms in the South China Seas.

Within a general escalation of militarism, Labour would focus attention on Europe, the North Atlantic and the high Northour NATO areawhere Russias growing arsenal of longer-range missiles, together with modernised land and sea forces and intensified greyzone activity, pose the greatest threats to our vital national interests.

This was a necessary division of labour, as the US focused on China, its principal strategic competitor in a big powers contest involving trade war, espionage, cyber operations and soft power being deployed with increasing intensity.

As the USA pivots to meet the long-term challenge of China, Britains military leadership in Europe will become more essential, Healey argued, even claiming that a central role of Russian disinformation was to undermine the political and public will to have British troops deployed in Estonia doing their duty in defence of our allies.

Healey reiterates complaints that Brexit has undermined not only relations with the EU, but the basis for Britains political and military alliance with Washington that depended on Londons ability to thwart the development of a European military capability independent of NATO.

Britains never been signed up to the more ambitious aims some allies have set for the EUs common security and defence policy but Brexit has also now ended our British veto over its development, he complained. His answer was to act as a partnernot a part, i.e., to police, the EU drive for greater defence cooperation, especially if we aim to remain the major bridge between Europe and the US.

Committing to NATOs two percent spending threshold is no longer enough. Cuts to Britains armed forces of almost 45,000 full-time soldiers must be reversed, as well as the outsourcing of our ability to monitor Russian submarines in our own coastal waters and other cuts that leave the UK without a minimum credible force and with new ships but no new sailors.

Size matters, he exclaimed.

Healey then points to the necessity for the Integrated Review to focus on growing our sovereign capacity to regenerate equipment and platforms if they are degraded in conflict, through a long-term plan to boost Britains foundation industries in steel, shipbuilding, aerospace and cyber security as national assets.

In his appeal for acceptance at RUSI, Healey gave naked expression to Labours insane warmongeringoutlining a de facto plan for military aggression against Russia and China, up to and including nuclear weapons. This is the true character of the party Corbyn led and the bureaucracy he shielded from a popular rebellion that should have swept them into the political gutter. His speech confirms the insistence of the Socialist Equality Party that Labour could never be refashioned as a vehicle for defending the working class, as was claimed by Corbyn and his cheerleaders in the Socialist Workers Party, Socialist Party and other pseudo-left groups.

The Socialist Equality Party warned on August 15, 2015, at the beginning of what some called the Corbyn insurgency, that no change of leader, nor even an influx of left-leaning members could change the historically and programmatically determined character of the Labour Party. We insisted that Labour is a right-wing bourgeois party. It is complicit in all the crimes of British imperialism and has functioned as the principal political opponent of socialism for more than a century.

When Starmer took over as leader last year, we wrote, on April 6, Almost five years after Corbyn was elected party leader in 2015 promising to end Labours pro-business, pro-austerity, pro-war agenda, the Blairites are back in the saddle and contemplating moves that even Tony Blair would have considered political suicide The Labour Party is dead as far as the working class is concerned. Workers and youth must now strike out on a new pathclass struggle and the fight for socialism.

Workers and young people who agree with this conclusion must now join the SEP.

ECLAC Caribbean is championing the call to elevate Caribbean voices who #choosetochallenge gender-based violence (GBV) and gender inequality, as well as limiting beliefs and attitudes about womens roles in the home, workplace, and society.

On 08 March each year, the global community celebrates womens social, economic, cultural, and political achievements with International Womens Day (IWD), with #choosetochallenge being this years theme. The day is also a call to action for accelerating progress towards gender equality.

In keeping with this years theme, ECLAC Caribbean recognizes Caribbean women as powerful changemakers and calls on individuals of all genders to #choosetochallenge harmful behaviors and practices against women and girls taking place in homes, workplaces, and communities.

Individually, we are responsible for our thoughts and actions each day and must choose to speak up in the face of gender inequality. Collectively, we can bring an end to GBV and create a more inclusive society for Caribbean women and girls.

Gender-based violence (GBV) has long been a serious issue in the Caribbean, but the public reaction to a recent spike in femicides in Trinidad and Tobago has demonstrated how Trinbagonians can collectively challenge GBV and fight discriminatory beliefs and attitudes that allow such violence to continue. ECLAC and other UN agencies offer their solidarity and support to the wave of marches, petitions, public discussions, and other advocacy efforts taking place to draw attention to and call for an end to GBV in Trinidad and Tobago.

Collective efforts of this nature come at a crucial time as the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a shadow pandemic of violence against women across the world. Emerging data demonstrate that Caribbean women have not been spared from this violence, with lockdowns and other confinement measures increasing pressures at home and limiting opportunities to escape abusers and access protection. ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean is working alongside other UN partners in the subregion to collect data on how Caribbean womens lives have been affected by the pandemic to ensure gender-responsive economic recovery and women's leadership and participation in COVID-19 responses at all levels.

While both women and men experience GBV, most GBV is inflicted on women and girls by men. As a result, men have an important role to play in challenging their friends and family members when they disrespect women and engage in discriminatory behaviors. Whether its catcalls or disparaging remarks, harmful attitudes against women are perpetuated and a fertile environment for more serious forms of GBV is created when individuals stand by as their peers act in disrespectful ways towards women and girls.

In light of the alarming levels of GBV taking place in the subregion, ECLAC also calls on Caribbean governments to uphold their mandate to protect women and girls fundamental right to live free of violence and to offer meaningful opportunities to seek redress for acts of violence. Across the subregion, the response of law enforcement and state institutions must be strengthened so that GBV survivors can access justice and appropriate support. When police, health, and justice officials operate in a culture where GBV is tolerated, women and girls are often denied their right to report abuses and access protection from their abusers.


Clashes erupted in Dakar on Thursday following the arrest of Senegals main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko a day earlier.

Protesters inside Cheikh Anta Diop University were seen setting barricades and throwing projectiles at riot police, who responded by shooting tear gas and other non-lethal ammunition.

It is the second consecutive day of protests in different Senegalese cities supporting Sonko and criticizing the government of President Macky Sall.

According to local media, at least one person died during the protests on Thursday in Bignona, a town in the Casamance region.

Sonko was arrested on Wednesday on charges of disturbing the public order after hundreds of his supporters clashed with police while he was heading to court to face rape accusations brought against him.

Sonko, who placed third in 2019 elections, was accused of rape last month by an employee at a beauty salon.

He was summoned by a judge to appear in court for questioning on Wednesday after his parliamentary immunity was lifted last week.

Sonko has been a strong opponent of Sall since 2012 and he and his supporters have said the charges are politically motivated.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Charleston County School District is partnering with the Medical University of South Carolina to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to school teachers and staff, starting March 9.

All in-school employees who opt to receive the vaccine likely will be inoculated with the first of two shots within three weeks, school officials said.

An annex of the former Garrett Academy of Technology in North Charleston will serve as a central vaccination site for the entire district. Officials expect to admit 18 people at a time and use three separate rooms in the annex, plus a waiting room where employees will wait for 15 minutes, under supervision, to ensure they do not experience any adverse reaction, Chief Operating Officer Jeff Borowy said.

About 800 people will get vaccinated each day of the operation. On the first day, Medical University personnel will take charge of the inoculations, with assistance from the school district's nurses. School nurses, all 120 of whom were vaccinated in December or January, could take the lead on subsequent days, Borowy said. The center will receive people on March 9, 10 and 12, and again on three days during the following week.

The district employs 3,500 classroom teachers, plus custodial staff, cafeteria workers and others. The goal is to get 2,000 people inoculated each week, and as many as 6,000 protected with the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine after three weeks. Borowy said the district will implement the same process for the second dose, and that the entire operation should be completed before the middle of April.

District officials are managing the process one school at a time. Teachers and staff at up to 50 district schools will receive the first dose during the first week. It's possible that employees at all remaining schools will have received the first dose by the end of the second week.

Each of the districts 87 schools and programs will have a vaccination day scheduled based on a selection process meant to ensure fairness, Borowy said. Those days will become eLearning days for students in order to provide the needed flexibility for mass inoculations. A rolling schedule will be in place so those seeking a vaccine at the former Garrett Academy can complete the process within about 30 minutes, with minimal wait time.

The announcement comes with short notice because school officials have been uncertain about when new doses of the vaccine would become available, and in what quantity. Scheduling generally has been on hold in the area because of shortages. The district has been planning its mass inoculation since the start of the school year, but could not finalize the process before knowing how many doses would be available per day.

MUSC will maintain a small freezer on site to protect each day's quantity of doses.

A few schools will be working with partners such as Fetter Healthcare and East Cooper Medical Center to administer the vaccine. Those schools will notify parents directly about scheduled eLearning days.
Photo: The Canadian Press Free Reformed Church in Chilliwack.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.

A lawyer for British Columbia's attorney general says provincial public health orders do not single out or ban all in-person religious services.

Jacqueline Hughes told the B.C. Supreme Court that individual worship and drive-in eventsare permitted, subject to certain conditions, while weddings, funerals and baptisms may include no more than 10 guests.

She says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has the statutory powers during an emergency to issue orders she reasonably believes are necessary to prevent and mitigate further harm from a health hazard.

Under B.C.'s Public Health Act, Hughes says, Henry can restrict or prevent entry to a place and she has made efforts to consult faith leaders while weighing their rights against COVID-19 health data.

Paul Jaffe, legal counsel for a group of petitioners that includes three Fraser Valley churches, has argued Henry's orders reflect a value judgment.

He told the court earlier this week his clients have adopted safety measures similar to those required in places that remain open and argued the health orders arbitrarily interfere with their charter right to freedom of religion.

Jaffe works with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a Calgary-based legal advocacy group that's also asking the court to dismiss tickets of up to $2,300 each for alleged violations of the public health orders.

ORIGINAL 6:55 a.m.

Lawyers for the province and the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms are back in B.C. Supreme Court today, squaring off over the legality of COVID-19 rules that prohibit in-person religious services.

Paul Jaffe, a lawyer for the group of petitioners that includes three Fraser Valley churches, has argued the health orders substantially and arbitrarily interfere with his clients' charter right to freedom of religion.

The group has also asked the court to dismiss tickets of up to $2,300 each for alleged violations of the orders first introduced last November.

Gareth Morley, a lawyer for the attorney general, told the court earlier this week that B.C.'s provincial health officer has the statutory power to ensure public health by proportionally and reasonably limiting certain freedoms.

He has argued that Dr. Bonnie Henry understands the importance of balancing restrictions against the right to freedom of religion and that she has outlined her reasoning both verbally in public briefings and in writing.

However, Morley acknowledged to Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson that it was not until the current order was amended last month that the document included specific reference to Henry's recognition of charter rights.
How ignoring the rise of Wahhabism in Kerala, Bengal put the nations security at risk

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 05: Last October, the National Investigation Agency arrested 7 Al-Qaeda operatives from West Bengal's Murshidabad.

During the course of the investigation, the NIA found that several Jihadist organisation had mushroomed over the years in the state and were recruiting people to radicalise them and prepare them for Jihad. It was also found that these youth were being taught the principles of Wahhabism.

The rise of Wahhabism has also been witnessed in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is the Wahhabi mindset that is being imbibed into the youth of these states is what has made them a den for Jihadist activities, a senior official tells OneIndia.

NIA charges 9 Al-Qaeda operatives from Bengal, Kerala who were planning attacks on 'kafirs

When it comes to West Bengal, an Intelligence Bureau official said that the change in demographics at the border districts of the state has become a major cause for concern. Further this also made it very easy for Wahhabi cleric to cross over to India from Bangladesh. Once they cross over they work with the local population to radicalise them.

Among the districts that have found major change in demographics are North 24 Paraganas, Malda and Murshidabad. The entry of the Wahhabis has led to the mushrooming of scores of illegal Madrasas that operate with foreign funding. The specific intention of the Wahhabis is to preach their thought to children and brain-wash them at a very young age.

If one looks at the scenario in Kerala and West Bengal they are no different. In Kerala welcoming the Wahhabis for years together dealt a blow to internal security. In Kerala there was a steady flow of funds to the tune of Rs 1,700 crore from the Gulf nations specifically to promote Wahhabi activities in the state.

Many in Kerala have welcomed with open arms the Wahhabi style of preaching and this has let them take control over several Mosques in the state.

It was in Kerala that one got to see posters mourning the death of Osama Bin Laden and also a prayer for Ajmal Kasab after he was hanged. Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that a large number of youth appear to be attracted to this radical style of Islam, but also add that there are some elders who are trying to oppose it.

In Bengal the Wahhabi take advantage of the unemployment in the rural areas to radicalise them. IB officials have repeatedly said that such cases get reported very late and it is also very difficult to function in such areas as the local administration turns a blind eye.

In Kerala, the issue is a ticking time bomb. It did not begin with the ISIS, but with the Wahhabi culture that spread like wild fire over the years. Officials cited above say that the key concern in Kerala remains radicalisation and Wahhabism. Allowing Wahhabism is a danger to the integrity as they tend to dominate pockets through radical thoughts and this in the long has contributed to the main problem in Kerala.

Further in Kerala, it is not a mindset that changed overnight. The radical mindset found among the extremist members dates back nearly 30 years back.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

The Jerusalem Post had an interesting article titled, " The Wahhabi threat that India is ignoring." The article points out that India is facing a grave threat of Wahhabi Islam and its spread. Several madrasas in Kerala are reported to be preaching Wahhabi Islam to kids. It was in the year 2014 that the Indian Intelligence had sounded a high alert regarding the Wahhabis, who were trying to impose their rigid ideology. It was also said that they had begun funding the Mosques in Kerala and over Rs 1,000 crore had been spent for the same.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
BISHKEK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) Kyrgyz Prime Minister Ulukbek Maripov has signed a decree to abolish the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes  also known as financial police  over the body's inefficiency, the press service of the Kyrgyz cabinet told Sputnik on Friday.

"The decision was made to abolish the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes under the Kyrgyz Republic government (financial police). The relevant decree was signed by Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Ulukbek Maripov," the press service said.

The latest official data indicates that Kyrgyzstan's shadow economy exceeded $1.5 billion, or 23.6 percent of GDP, while independent experts say it might range from 24 percent to 43 percent of GDP, according to the cabinet spokesperson.

Additionally, the spokesperson said that business representatives and independent experts have accused the financial police of corruption and illegal meddling.

"[This] indicates the improper performance of its functions by the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes," the spokesperson said.

While the official duties of the Kyrgyz financial police were to predict, prevent and fight economic and corruption crimes, as well as ensure the rights and interests of business entities, in practice, they degraded to mere punitive functions, according to the cabinet.
The Aboriginal people of Australia are divided into freshwater people and saltwater people and Ive often thought that we carry out the same ritual here in Ireland.

There are the coastal people who worship the sea with their swimming and surfing  they are the people who we see jumping into the Forty Foot in Dublin or out catching a wave in Sligo  but there is another water tribe: us freshwater mob.

We are the peoples of lakes and rivers. We fish, we sail, we relax on these great bodies of freshwater moving with the currents, flowing ever downstream to a new destination.

Many years ago my parents arranged such a freshwater journey for our then young family where we got the borrow of a friends barge and journeyed part of the great mother river of this island, the Shannon.

The Shannon is one of the earths great gifts to us in this nation. Running at some 360km, it divides the nation in two. Its an old river, too, forming in the last glacial period and being recorded as early as the time of Ptolemy (2nd century AD), the great writer and thinker.

The river running from the Shannon Pot down to Limerick holds its own legends and tales and it is said that the goddess Sionann, a granddaughter of Lir, lent her name to the river after she was washed out to sea.

I did not know all these facts and histories when I was a young boy on that river; rather I was a child who was falling in love with the water for the first time.

We set sail from Longford and journeyed down the great life force.

The barge, if memory serves, belonged to a family friend and after some short directions and piloting instructions was left in the power of my father after a few hours. He was, I should think, not much older than I am now.

The river was another world to me then, I had known only the Camlin  a tributary that feeds into the Shannon  and my knowledge of great waters was somewhat limited.

The Shannon had it all: there were birds such as swans and herons patrolling its waters, clouds of insects swarmed, butterflies climbed higher and higher and in the water itself we trailed out fishing rods and attempted to catch pike and trout.

The river was a cosmopolitan place and one was as likely to meet a German or French tourist as you were a famous face  my parish priest always recounts meeting Brian Friel on the banks of the Shannon in Leitrim.

In short, it was a new way of life and for those few days I shunned the way of the earth. I was a water baby and wanted only to stay in that world forever.

It was a trip  perhaps above all others around this great little island  that has profoundly shaped me. Ive loved nature and water ever since and in a way the rivers are the last wildernesses left on this island.

They are the places where a heron can still be a heron, where a fish might never meet the hook of a rod, where nature flows in plenty.

The river is a natural wonder and its one that perhaps we dont think of enough. Thats why it was with great delight I read of the Shannon Tourism Masterplan this week.

The new scheme could be a game-changer for the counties the river flows through and the greater Shannon region.

The creation of Waterways Ireland, Failte Ireland and the various local authorities along the course, the plan is not just a half-hearted attempt to get more people on the water, as some 70m or so will be invested over a 10-year period.

The plan will see investment along the length of the river, from boardwalks to glamping. It has the far-thinking ideas and ideals of the Wild Atlantic Way and will provide a unique tourism experience for the users.

What is interesting about the plan is its inclusion of areas near the Shannon and the plan takes in a 10km corridor for consideration. This will allow smaller towns and villages along the route to exploit the spoils of the travellers.

The number of tourists in the Hidden Heartlands region of the country have been low and the Shannon Masterplan rightly admits that in its report, but that may be a unique aspect for this new proposal because it is a new world to be explored for users.

The number of potential visitors is big, in the hundreds of thousands, and the plan is to get travellers to stop on their way from Dublin to the west coast.

Unlike lands that have to be annoyingly driven through, the Shannon region will become a place to stop and discover, a hidden wonder.

A river doesnt ask much of a person, it seeks to flow whether we are on it or not and maybe that is why I think this initiative could be a winner.

Rather than hanging off a cliff or catching a wave, we can simply be on the water; instead of racing by this waterway in our cars, we can move at a different pace and take in life from the slow lane.

Ive long wanted to journey the length of the Shannon again, to enjoy the wonder of it. If Covid lifts this summer, it is my hope to get on the river for a few days with friends.

It might be wishful thinking with the virus still at play, but perhaps some time in the water wilderness is the panacea that we all need.

We could all be Dick Warner for a few days and come back to the world remade as the freshwater people we were all supposed to be.
Everything is relative. Australia is extraordinarily privileged with a number of effective vaccine options at our disposal, enough to vaccinate every Australian three times over, and no COVID-19 in the entire Australian community. With the Pfizer vaccine rollout under way, the first doses of AstraZeneca administered on Friday, and Novavax to come soon, Australians are quite rightly asking: When do the COVID-zero brakes come off? And when will things go back to normal?

Frontline health worker Dr Caroline Phegan became the first Australian to receive the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday morning at Murray Bridge in South Australia. Credit:Nine News

A normal Australia is not just one free from any form of internal restriction of movement. It means a return to unfettered overseas travel  incoming and outgoing  and a revival of economically important international tourism and students coming from overseas. To get to normal is likely to take most of this year; there is no instant path.

We see two key stages in the return to normal: local recovery, a six- to nine-month period of continued COVID-zero but with a steady increase in local confidence as the vaccine rolls out and, following that, a period of COVID-zero release  that is, to no border quarantine and a true international opening.

As high-risk groups become increasingly vaccinated, the local recovery period should be characterised by an Australia that operates with less and less anxiety about local outbreaks. Confidence in border control is one key to this, reducing the frequency of virus escapes.
Its clear that the GOP is in disarray. The recent CPAC gathering only served to highlight that Republicans are groping for a winning strategy. The elephant in the room refuses to go away. Donald Trump remains a polarizing figure whose brash and crass demeanor retains a strange magnetism, even as his self-absorbed pettiness undermined what were often sensible policy instincts. Demographically, Republicans cater to an aging population. Progressives seem to have the momentum and the youth. They certainly control the key institutions and seem poised to make good on their promise to fundamentally change America. If conservatives want to be anything more than a speed bump on the way to a dreamy progressive future, they must creatively reimagine conservative principles for our rapidly changing circumstances: 2021 is not 1980.

A question rarely asked: Why do self-identified conservatives seem so uninterested in conserving? To ask the question is to probe the heart of the problem.

To be sure, some conservatives might claim that they are interested in conserving traditional values or American hegemony or perhaps some abstract notion of freedom. But even when these things are named, the language and the disposition are less about conserving and more about fighting. Saying, Were going to fight for family values is not the same thing as doing the hard work to cultivate the practices and institutions necessary for thriving families.

In short, the language of conserving  of stewardship  is foreign to many conservatives. Thus, we have a significant group of people who call themselves conservative but who have lost the inclination (as well as the practice) of conserving. Recovering this disposition is a key component to revitalizing American conservatism. Here are some specific suggestions.

1. Conservatives must accept the responsibility to care for the natural world. Years ago, the right ceded concern for the environment to the left, and anyone who expressed serious interest in preserving the natural world was deemed suspicious. But conservatives should be leaders in conserving natural resources and natural places. Callous disregard for the natural world represents a moral failing, and chanting drill, baby, drill suggests an appalling disregard for the natural world and a petulant demand for a way of life that is, in its present form, not sustainable.

2. Stewardship must extend beyond the natural world to include the preservation of culture, communities, and institutions. We have inherited many good things from prior generations who sacrificed much on our behalf. Part of stewarding an inheritance is to pass it on intact  and perhaps even improved  to the next generation. Stewardship, then, requires attentiveness to the past while conscientiously preparing for the future. Stewards think in terms of generations yet unborn, even as they care for things handed down from people long dead. What we have received is not perfect, but we can love it, care for it, and improve it nonetheless. To despise ones inheritance  as is the current fashion  is a profound act of hubris and ingratitude. One does not improve by destroying. The nihilism of repudiation will lead inevitably to destruction. Stewardship must begin with love born of gratitude.

3. Effective stewardship of a place or an institution requires that we learn to speak in terms of proper scale, for individual actions and public policies are effective only to the extent that we can comprehend problems in concrete terms. The superficial penchant to rail against big government is increasingly unpersuasive. Republicans, when in power, have not reduced the size of government, and they have done their share to expand the debt. They have, furthermore, enthusiastically championed the consolidation and expansion of corporate interests. They, like their Democratic foes, have become a party of Big Government and Big Business. A renewed conservatism will recognize that concentration of power in any form  political or economic  is dangerous. Conservatives must see how the two pathologies are connected and deal with both simultaneously. If not, both will continue to expand, and the lines separating them will become increasingly blurred.

4. Politically, conservatives must champion a recovery of federalism, which has been so badly damaged in recent decades. Socially and culturally, conservatives should explicitly reorient themselves toward stewarding local communities. Recent years have seen a renewed interest in local culture, local food, local democracy, and local economies, but these sensibilities have found far more traction on the left than on the right. In fact, many so-called conservatives denigrate these things as crunchy, hippie, lefty nonsense. This represents a serious failure to grasp how conservatism is necessarily tied to the local, to what Burke called the little platoons. A resurgence of localism presents conservatives with a tremendous opportunity.

5. Any credible and effective conservatism must make the expansion of middle-class property a priority. The growth of the welfare state is countered only by a critical mass of citizens who can do without government aid. Contrary to the purveyors of false dreams of a propertyless future, ownership is inseparable from genuine freedom. Despite accusations of racism, Trumps economic policies clearly benefited blacks: black household income rose, and poverty rates reached historic lows. As a result, Trump won more black and Hispanic support in 2020 than he did in 2016. This suggests a concrete strategy: reduce barriers and create opportunities for the working poor to acquire real property and enter the middle class. This brings us back to stewardship  for those who own and care for property will be less inclined to burn it down and more likely to develop virtues such as self-control, deferred gratification, personal responsibility, thrift, and an appreciation for limits. These are indispensable conservative virtues.

If self-professed conservatives learn to speak and act in terms of stewardship, healthy local communities, and middle-class property, they will find a constituency that is young, vibrant, multiracial  and profoundly conservative.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 4, said that sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) over the situation in Ukraine will not be left without a proportionate answer from Moscow. Speaking to media reporters, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that the European bloc had missed the opportunity of moving to an equal and mutually beneficial co-operation of relations with Russia. While Kyiv and Russia share a long history of animosity, the EUs frustration with the Putin administration is increasingly becoming evident, one sanction at a time.

Following the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014, the EU imposed international sanctions on Moscow, which were scheduled to end in December; however, they were extended till July 2020. Now, another six-month extension of the sanctions has been imposed on individuals and organisations for undermining the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine.

In addendum, Russia also witnessed some opposition from individual states. German bank Commerz bank reportedly closed some Russian RT-affiliated media companies operating in Germany. However, Russia warned that the same treatment could be meted out to German media working in the country if there are no reciprocating good conditions for journalists to work in both nations.

Read: OPEC, Russia Send Oil Price Up With Deal To Contain Output

Read: Russia's 'harshest' Jail: Navalny Transferred To IK-2 Penal Camp, Lawyer Says 'unbearable'

EU supports Ukraine

This comes as a top European Union official on March 3, promised to extend support for Ukraine. He said that there is no Europe without Ukraine. Speaking at Kyiv during his maiden visit to Ukraine, European Council President Charles Michel remarked that the EU-Ukraine association agreement is the most ambitious, comprehensive agreement the EU has with another country, he said, adding as part of this Agreement, Ukraine has agreed to serious commitments to sweeping reforms.

The EU has provided unprecedented support to Ukraine and its reform process  16 billion euros since 2014, Michel said. And we will continue to support your efforts.

Read: US Preparing To Impose Sanctions On Russia For Navalny Poisoning: Report

The EU stands with you, President Zelenskiy, in restoring the Ukrainian peoples trust in your judicial system and anti-corruption agenda, Michel said, wrapping up the two-day visit. It is essential to continue the fight against corruption, and to continue other reforms at full speed.

Read: Russia Opposes US Sanctions Over Navalny Poisoning, Tells Allies To 'not Play With Fire'
Massachusetts will delay administering the MCAS tests this spring as schools across the state move to in-person learning.

In an email to school officials sent from the state, it was announced that MCAS ELA, mathematics, and STE testing for grades 3, 4 and 5 were being moved to May 10 to June 11. Testing for grades 6, 7 and 8 is yet to be determined.

The decision to move MCAS testing comes as the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education considers granting Commissioner Jeffrey Riley the authority to determine when to take remote and hybrid learning options off the table for Massachusetts schools.

About 80% of schools in Massachusetts currently have some form of in-person learning, according to state education officials.

Riley said he would like to see Massachusetts youngest students return to five days a week in the classroom by April. The board is scheduled to vote on whether to grant Riley that authority on Friday afternoon.

In January, DESE announced some changes to MCAS tests this year due to the pandemic. The test would be shorter for students in grades 3 to 8 and the competency determination for seniors would be modified. The department also announced that it would not name any new schools or school districts as underperforming or chronically underperforming.

Liam Kerr, state director of Democrats for Education Reform released a statement approving of the decision to move MCAS but iterating a need that they still happen.

Postponing MCAS tests from early April to later in the spring provides flexibility on when to administer the tests to ensure a smooth reopening of schools, Kerr said. However, as the Biden administration has made clear, this should not be mistaken as an open door to canceling MCAS tests altogether.

We need reliable data from a common, objective assessment to measure whether or not students are on grade level, so that parents, teachers, schools, and districts can help students recover from the pandemics effects.
The election petition hearing has come to an end as the Supreme Court has delivered its verdict in favour of President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Electoral Commission (EC).



By default, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has lost his bid to nullify the declaration of the December 7 election for a re-run.





Reacting to the Supreme Court ruling, suspended former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anyidoho, defended the party and not Mr Mahama.



In series of tweets, Mr Anyidoho said the fight was not about the party, but not an individual [John Dramani Mahama] and the EC and charged Ghanaians to target their weapons at the appropriate person.



Mr Anyidoho suggested that Mr Mahama be left alone to fight his battles, independent from the party he serves.



But, some aggrieved stalwarts of the NDC challenged his notion and explained that their motto suggests unity and stability.



Let John Mahama fight his own battles and leave the NDC alone to exist.

 Samuel Koku Anyidoho (@KokuAnyidoho) March 4, 2021















John Manama is NOT the President of the Republic of Ghana. His Excellency President Akufo-Addo is the President of the Republic of Ghana.

 Samuel Koku Anyidoho (@KokuAnyidoho) March 4, 2021













People should pls remember that it is not the NDC which is in court ooo: it is an individual who is in court!

 Samuel Koku Anyidoho (@KokuAnyidoho) March 4, 2021







Source: twitter/adomonline









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Fourth World Conference on Women held in 1995 resulted in the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA) by 189 member states of the United Nations.

THEME: A Challenge to Revitalise the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action





On September 15, 1995, the Beijing Platform for the Advancement of Women was adopted by the United Nations. It was lauded as the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing womens rights. As a defining framework for change, the Platform for Action made comprehensive commitments under 12 critical areas of concern. It remains a powerful source of guidance and inspiration, and will greatly assist in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5  Gender Equality.





Yet, twenty-five years later, implementation of its Strategies and Actions proceeds at an alarmingly slow pace.

The first area for attention is education on its content. The resources for education outreach dwindled and became scarce following the passage of the Platform for Action, as if the work was done. As a result, the final content was not consistently passed on to the different sectors of the population as required by section 296 of the section, on national level institutional frameworks, which states, "A key activity should be to promote public awareness and support for the goals of the Platform for Action, inter alia, through mass media and public education. Therefore, it is new to members of the population born since 1995.





A determined plea for inclusion of a section on the Girl Child moved the critical areas of concern from 11 to 12. These are  Women and Poverty; Education and training of women; Women and Health; Violence against women; Women and Armed Conflict; Women and the economy, Women in power and decision-making; Institutional mechanism for the advancement of women; Human Rights of Women; Women and the Media; Women and the Environment; The Girl Child.





The twelve critical areas of concern deal with every aspect of womens lives and our role as contributors to the development of ourselves, our families, our communities and our countries. It deals with leadership roles, as well as our essential but under-valued roles as mothers, wives, and caregivers working in and outside of the home.





Section 39 of the global framework states that "The girl child of today is the woman of tomorrow. For the girl-child to develop her full potential she needs to be nurtured in an enabling environment, where her spiritual, intellectual and material needs for survival, protection and development are met.





Who is charged with this responsibility? Women and men. Beyond doubt, many of our girls are nurtured and supported through challenges, and are blooming. However, too many of our girls are hindered from developing to their full potential when Mother is battered and bruised, when this girl child is sexually initiated by strangers, as well as her father, male and female relatives. Where is the enabling environment when she then is likely to grow up believing this is the norm for women, and her brother grows up believing this is the norm for men and women? Education and Training to change such belief systems are limited and inadequate for some communities.





The key to equality, development and peace for women is to implement the Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Platform for Action in its entirety. The urgent task of NGOs and womens organisations is to challenge ourselves and our governments to move away from repeated calls for data on situations that have already manifested themselves in all the Conferences on women, ending with the Fourth World Conference on Women that produced the Beijing Platform for Action.





The Hon. Prime Minister has declared 2021 as the Year of the Domestic Worker, most of whom are women. The Beijing Platform also highlights both their contribution to the economy, and their exploitation, including minimal wages.





Here is one of the many areas in which insufficient work has been done. We need to move away from mediocre efforts where they exist, put our fingers in the soil, and revitalize the Beijing Platform for Action.





Nelcia Robinson

Coordinator
UEFA are considering cutting Dublin, Glasgow and Bilbao from their list of 12 host cities for Euro 2020 amid fears over the number of fans who could attend games.

The tournament, which has been delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, was originally scheduled to take place in 12 cities across 12 countries.

But talks are ongoing over changing the format, with UEFA keen to ensure that all stadiums are at least 25 per cent full despite games currently being played behind closed doors around Europe.

Dublin's Aviva Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow and Bilbao's Estadio San Mames are at risk of being dropped over the lack of guarantees fans that could be allowed into stadiums by June.

People with knowledge of the tournament planning told The Associated Press that was the case, ahead of a looming deadline for UEFA to receive revised plans from host countries.

UEFA are willing to take games away from cities that cannot guarantee a significant number of spectators based on an expected easing up of the pandemic by June.

Although Britain has had Europe's deadliest outbreak, its vaccination programme is the fastest in Europe which has raised UEFA's confidence in London's staging of seven games at Wembley Stadium, including the semi-finals and final in July.
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Dozens of mothers, some of whom have children with medical conditions, have gathered at Almaty's city hall days before International Women's Day to demand city officials increase support to families.

The women entered the building of the city administration on March 5, demanding that Mayor Baqytzhan Saghyntaev meet with them and chanting, "Saghyntaev, come out!"

The women complained that they had been added to the city administration's list for distribution of free apartments to families in need, but had failed to move up despite being on it for years.

The women also demanded more financial and social support for handicapped children.

Saghyntaev did not meet with the women, sending the chairwoman of the city administration's directorate on social issues, Nazira Toghyzbaeva, and the deputy chief of the housing directorate, Ermek Amirov, to talk to the women.

The two officials explained that the state program on the distribution of free apartments to families with lower incomes is being implemented and that all families included on the list can follow the process online. They added, however, that special programs for supporting families with several children, as well as those with handicapped children, have yet to be worked out.

In the capital, Nur-Sultan, dozens of mothers have been demanding increased social allowances since late February. Many have spent several nights camped inside the building of the city administration.

Earlier this week, 32 mothers in Nur-Sultan officially filed their demands with the Ministry of Social Support, which informed them that they will receive an official response in mid-April.

The women answered that they will not leave the city administration building until they receive the responses.


Companies in Japan are increasing their use of technology to reduce food waste and cut costs during the coronavirus health crisis.

They are using artificial intelligence, or AI, to help those efforts. The businesses are also looking to increase their sustainability efforts.

How big is Japans food waste problem?

Government information from Japan shows that it throws away more than 6 million tons of food waste each year.

The cost to handle this food waste is estimated at $19 billion. This means Japan wastes more food for each of its citizens than any other Asian country.

For this reason, the Japanese government has enacted a new law. Its goal is to cut the costs of food waste by 50 percent from levels in 2000. The government wants to reach this goal by 2030 and it is urging companies to find ways to solve the problem.

Convenience store operator Lawson is now using AI from the U.S. company DataRobot. DataRobot uses technology to find ways to make supply meet demand.

In places where this program has started, Lawson aims to reduce having too much of a product by 30 percent. The company has similar plans to the Japanese government. It wants to cut its food waste by 50 percent from 2018 levels by the year 2030. The second biggest cost for Lawsons store owners is disposal of food waste. Its highest cost is labor.

Drink maker Suntory Beverage & Food is experimenting with an AI product from another Japanese company, Fujitsu. Suntory wants to know if products such as bottles of tea and water have been damaged in shipping.

Until now, that has been done by human labor and takes a long time. With new AI technology, Suntory hopes to learn more about how its products get damaged while being sent to stores and how many will need to be returned for replacement.

Suntory aims to reduce the return of goods by 30 to 50 percent and cut the cost of food waste. The goal of these efforts is to develop a system that can be shared with other food makers and the companies that transport their products.

Sustainable development goals

Japans shoppers are known for being very fussy. But even they are showing signs of agreeing. This is especially true as the coronavirus health crisis hurts peoples incomes.

In 2014, Tatsuya Sekito launched Kuradashi, an internet-based business that sells surplus food at a discount. He started the company while working for a Japanese company that did business in China. There he saw huge amounts of waste from food producers.

With about 800 companies, the online network is doing very well. The reason is partly because of an increase in demand for low-priced foods. Shoppers are increasingly concerned about prices during the COVID-19 crisis.

Sekito told Reuters, Sales grew 2.5 times last year from a year before, while the amount of food waste has doubled since the coronavirus cut off [the] food supply chain.

The companies get shoppers by offering low prices and a chance to donate to worthwhile causes and social issues. That is not bad for business either. Membership numbers jumped to 180,000 in 2021 from 80,000 in 2019.

Other businesses have joined forces with food companies in developing new technologies to cut food waste. NEC Corporation is using AI that estimates demand based on several conditions, such as the weather, the time of year, and peoples buying behavior.

NEC has used AI with some major retailers and food makers. It has helped them reduce costs by 15 to 75 percent. But a top official at NEC told Reuters that reducing food waste is not the companys final goal.

Ryoichi Morita said he hopes reducing waste will help solve other business problems. These, Morita said, include reducing costs, increasing supply-and-demand efficiency, and fixing labor shortages.

Im Anna Matteo.

Tetsushi Kajimoto reported this story from Tokyo for Reuters news agency. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

artificial intelligence (AI) n. an area of computer science that deals with giving machines the ability to seem like they have human intelligence

sustainability n. involving methods that permit the use of resources without completely using them up or destroying them

convenience store n. a small store that is open many hours of the day and has many different products for sale

disposal n. the act of throwing something away

fussy adj. hard to please; very careful about choosing something

discount n. an amount by which the price of something is reduced to increase its chances of being sold

retailer n. a person or business that sells directly to people for their own personal use

efficiency n. the ability to produce something without wasting materials, time or energy
FILE PHOTO: Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny hearing to consider an appeal against an earlier court decision to change his suspended sentence to a real prison term

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Russian court on Friday ordered jailed dissident Alexei Navalny to pay 500,000 roubles ($6,700) in damages in a lawsuit filed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Kremlin-linked businessman, the court said.

Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, was jailed for two and a half years last month over alleged parole violations related to an embezzlement case he said was trumped up for political reasons, something the authorities deny.

Prigozhin's company, Konkord, said the court told Navalny to pay damages for comments he made that were deemed defamatory, inaccurate and offensive. It did not elaborate on what those comments were.

Konkord said in December that Prigozhin had filed lawsuits against Navalny and his allies worth a total of 77 million roubles, the Interfax news agency reported.

The Kremlin's critics have cast those lawsuits as well as the jailing of Navalny and prosecution of some of his allies as part of a coordinated campaign to cripple their activities. Russian authorities deny those charges.

Navalny surfaced in a jail in Russia's Vladimir region to the east of Moscow, his allies said this week.

Prigozhin has been accused by the United States of election meddling and has been sanctioned by the U.S. and European Union.

($1 = 74.4550 roubles)

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Maria Tsvetkova; editing by Larry King)
Irish trainer Gordon Elliott's reputation was in tatters after he was banned from the sport for six months over a shocking photograph of him sitting on a dead horse.

Elliott received a 12-month ban from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board but six months was suspended. He was also fined 15,000 (13,000).

In a strongly worded statement, the referrals committee of the IHRB said Elliott's actions had 'damaged the reputation of the Irish racing industry and the thoroughbred industry'.

They added that his actions had shown a 'complete lack of respect for the horse'. The IHRB accepted the three-time Grand National-winning trainer felt 'genuine remorse' for the incident, that he accepted his actions had offended many people and that what he had done was 'wrong and indefensible'.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has been punished after photo emerged of him sat on a dead horse

The IHRB referrals committee, who said their organisation had received an avalanche of complaints, concluded: 'We consider a suspension of Mr Elliott's training licence is merited.

'To reflect the seriousness of the offence and the damage to the Irish racing industry, to deter other offences of this nature and, having taken into account the mitigating factors we have heard, we consider the period should be 12 months. However the last six months of this will be suspended. The committee also notes that Mr Elliott has stated to the committee that he will not attend a race meeting or a point-to-point for six months and we accept that helpful course.'

There remains a question of who circulated the picture of Elliott on the dead gelding Morgan, and the IHRB noted there was a 'sinister aspect to this case'.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) held a disciplinary hearing into Elliott's actions

Their statement added: 'The committee are satisfied that the publication of this photograph is part of a concerted attack on Mr Elliott, the full circumstances of which are unknown.'

A week ago, Elliott had been preparing for the Cheltenham Festival with a number of favourites in his County Meath stable.

The 43-year-old signalled that he intended to return to the sport when his ban ends. A statement issued by his legal team said: 'I accept my situation and my sanction. I was dealt with fairly.

'I am in this situation by my own action and I am not going to dodge away from this. With my position in the sport, I have great privileges and great responsibility. I did not live up to that responsibility.

'I am no longer the teenage boy who first rode a horse at Tony Martin's 30 years ago. I am an adult with obligations and a position in a sport I have loved since I first saw horses race.

'I am paying a very heavy price for my error but I have no complaints. It breaks my heart to see the hurt I have caused my colleagues, family, friends and supporters. I have a long road ahead of me but I will serve my time and then build back better.

'I was disrespectful to a dead horse, an animal that had been a loyal servant to me and was loved by my staff. I will carry the burden of my transgressions for the rest of my career. I will never again disrespect a horse, living or dead, and I will not tolerate it in others.

'Finally, I want to thank my owners and my staff who, despite being let down by me, have been unstinting in their support. I will vindicate their faith in me.'

The IHRB committee took evidence from Dr Jennifer Pugh, the IHRB's senior medical officer, on Elliott's mental state and noted he was likely to suffer further reputational damage and economic loss through the loss of horses in his stable and business contacts.

Elliott has already received support from his main backer, the Gigginstown Stud of Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, who has around 40 per cent of the horses in Elliott's stable.

Philip Reynolds, whose eight horses in the Elliott stable include the talented chaser Presenting Percy, has also been supportive. Other owners had said they would wait until the IHRB investigation was resolved until deciding what to do. However, the British-based Cheveley Park Stud have already removed their eight horses from the stable, including unbeaten dual Cheltenham Festival winner Envoi Allen.

The BHA had already banned Elliott from having runners in Britain while the IHRB investigation was ongoing.

The plan is to allow a caretaker trainer to take the licence at Elliott's stable while his licence is suspended.

Elliott's main backer, Michael O'Leary's (right) Gigginstown Stud, stood by Elliott after apology

Owners Cheveley Park Stud moved all eight horses, including the unbeaten Envoi Allen (above), in Gordon Elliott's care to other trainers

There was speculation that the person soon to take over is Denise Foster. Someone new at the helm would allow owners with horses at Elliott's County Meath base to keep their entries at the Cheltenham Festival, which starts a week on Tuesday, without having to move them to new stables.

It would also mean Elliott's business stands a chance of remaining viable while he is suspended.

Responding to the ban, the BHA said: 'The suspension will be reciprocated here in Britain. The restriction on Mr Elliott having runners in Britain will stay in place until the suspension takes effect on March 9.

'The decision confirms that horses will not be able to run at the Cheltenham Festival or Grand National Festival in the name of Gordon Elliott.

'However, if horses are transferred directly to other licensed trainers prior to March 9  when the suspension is due to commence  they will be able to run.'

The picture shook the racing world with the Cheltenham Festival less than two weeks away

Speaking on Sunday, Elliott said the photo dated back to 'some time ago' and denied suggestions his actions had been 'callous', stressing that he was caught off-guard after receiving a phone call.

'I would like to address the speculation and rumours that have been rife since an old photo of me began circulating on social media yesterday afternoon,' he wrote in a statement.

'Firstly, I apologise profoundly for any offence that this photo has caused and can categorically state that the welfare of each and every horse under my care is paramount and has been central to the success that we have enjoyed here at Cullentra.

'The photo in question was taken some time ago and occurred after a horse had died of an apparent heart attack on the gallops. I appreciate that an initial viewing of this photo suggests it is a callous and staged photo but nothing could be further from the truth.

'At what was a sad time, which it is when any horse under my care passes away, my initial reaction was to get the body removed from where it was positioned.

'I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which, to my memory I received a call and, without thinking, I sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.'

Elliott hit out at 'falsehoods and misinformation' around the picture on social media but said he put horse welfare first and would continue to co-operate with the investigation.

'Such background information may seem trivial at this time and will not allay the concerns of many people both within and outside the world of horse racing,' he added.

'However, I feel it is important to provide people with some context surrounding this photo. To the racing community, to anyone who has worked with and loves horses and to anyone offended by this image I cannot apologise enough.

'Horse welfare and the care and attention to detail involved is absolutely at the core of everything we do here and both myself and all of my team pride ourselves on those standards.

'Again I apologise for any offence caused and ask people to consider this statement as opposed to the various falsehoods and misinformation being circulated on social media.'

Betting firm Betfair were the first to act on Monday, removing Elliott as an ambassador and Elliott's yard sponsor eCOMM Merchant Solutions moved to terminate their contract.

After the Elliott picture emerged, amateur jockey Rob James was forced to apologise for his 'wholly inappropriate and disrespectful' actions after a video of him sitting on a dead horse surfaced on social media.
In most years, throwing a St. Patricks Parade Day event in Syracuse is almost as simple as opening the doors and watching the crowds come in.

Not this year, of course. Theres no downtown parade, for one thing, and navigating the Covid-19 rules creates some difficulties.

That means fewer events, and mostly likely much quieter ones, for Saturday, March 13. That would have been parade day for 2021, usually one of the busiest days of the year in downtown and beyond.

In a normal year, of course, most of the parade-related action involves spillover into the nearby bars. But there have traditionally been regular, organized events, too.

Take the Marriott Syracuse Downtown (the former Hotel Syracuse). It typically hosts several parade-related events, capped off by the big after-parade bash, with music, dancing, food and, of course, drinks.

This year, owner Ed Riley said, the hotel is laying low. There will be no raucous parties.

Instead, the festivities will be limited to the Irish-themed atmosphere at Shaughnessys Pub, the bar in the hotels lower level.

We wont have the big celebrations in the lobby or ballrooms, no step-dancing, Riley said. It would be too big a challenge to pull anything like that off this year. So well do our best with Shaughnessys and that will have to be it.

But just up and across South Salina Street, itll be different.

Sky Armory will host a restricted version of its annual St. Patricks Parade Day Pub Party, where it converts its event space into an Irish pub for the day.

There will be live background music, but no dancing, said Nicole Samolis, who runs Sky Armory with her husband, Kevin.

Seating is by reservation only, for three separate times, 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Servers will bring food and beverages to the tables. Masks and distancing are required, and total seating capacity will be limited to 30% of the normal total. The space will be sanitized between seatings.

Theres not as much moving around as usual, but the idea is still to make it a pub atmosphere with food and music, Samolis said.

Sky Armory, whose entrance is at 351 S. Clinton St., was partly inspired to give it a try this year by Colemans Pub on Tipperary Hill, which used a similar concept last weekend for its annual Green Beer Sunday festivities. (That is continuing this Sunday, by the way).

For a long time this winter, Samolis wasnt sure they would be able to host a parade day event. But Gov. Andrew Cuomos lifting of the orange zone indoor dining ban in the city in January started them thinking.

Its a great day for downtown, and we just thought if we could do something, we would, she said.

Events that day are not limited to downtown, or even Tipperary Hill, where the bars typically welcome revelers during or after the parade in a less organized fashion.

Sharkeys Bar and Grill in Liverpool, for example, is hosting an outdoor event featuring a band, Scars & Stripes. The event is called Scars N Stripes St. Paddys Bash. Itll start at 4 p.m. March 13 under the pavilion behind Sharkeys, 7240 Oswego Road (Route 57).

Its getting around some of the state restrictions by having the band, and not the bar, promote it and collect the ticket money.

But Sharkeys owner Jim Nichols said attendees should expect all the proper precautions to be in place, including masks, crowds limits and distancing.

We have a big space, Nichols said, adding that it regular times the area could accommodate a few thousand people, but will be more limited on March 13. Everyone will be seated. We did events like this last year during the summer and it worked out.

Back in downtown Syracuse, David Hoyne of Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub knows it wont be anything like a typical parade day (or St. Patricks Day on March 17 either).

His pub at 301 W. Fayette St. typically hosts a lively crowd, with live music, singing, bagpipers and plenty of food (starting with the Irish Breakfast), beer and whiskey on parade day.

This year there will be masks, distancing and capacity limits. And that 11 p.m. curfew.

Well just open as normal, or as normal as we can under the circumstances, Hoyne said. Were trying to do reservations for seating and we may have a few food specials or features. Well just try to offer what a good Irish pub always offers.

And that is what the Irish call the craic.

Related: Whats the craic? Its an Irish word you should know if you celebrate St. Patricks Day

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.
In this image made from video taken on Feb. 27, 2021, Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw is arrested by police in Yangon, Myanmar. AP





This picture taken on February 26, 2021 shows Associated Press photographer Thein Zaw posing for a photo during his coverage of demonstrations by protesters against the military coup in Yangon, a day before he was arrested. AFP-Yonhap

The Biden administration stepped up its condemnation of the coup in Myanmar on Thursday, demanding that military authorities stop their brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and release demonstrators and journalists who have been detained.



The White House called the situation, including the arrest of an Associated Press journalist, ''troubling'' and of ''great concern.'' The State Department said it's working with other countries to send a unified message to the military that its actions are unacceptable and will be met with consequences.



The U.S. has already imposed sanctions on Myanmar's top military leaders since the Feb. 1 coup, but stepped up pressure after security forces killed as many as 38 people on Wednesday. The administration says it's in close touch with partners and allies, as well as with countries like China, to try to convince Myanmar officials to ease their heavy-handed response to the protests.



''The detainment of journalists, the targeting of journalists and dissidents is certainly something that is of great concern to the president, to the secretary of state and to every member of our administration,'' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.



At the State Department, spokesman Ned Price said the administration was ''deeply saddened'' by reports of deaths in the crackdown on protests. ''This latest escalation in violence demonstrates the fact of the junta's complete disregard for their own people, for the people of Burma,'' he said. ''It is unacceptable.''





Myanmar nationals hold photos of Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi during a ceremony to honor protesters, who died during clashes with the military in Myanmar, outside the United Nations building in Bangkok, Thailand, Mar. 4, 2021. EPA-Yonhap



''We are deeply concerned about the increasing attacks on and arrest of journalists,'' he said. ''We call on the military to immediately release these individuals and to cease their intimidation and harassment of the media and others who are unjustly detained for doing nothing more than their job, for doing nothing more than exercising their universal rights.''



Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw and several other members of the media were arrested last week while covering security forces charging at anti-coup protesters. They have been charged with violating a public order law that could see them imprisoned for up to three years. The AP and press freedom groups have called for Zaw's immediate release, but there has been no response from the authorities.



In a statement Thursday, National Press Club President Lisa Nicole Matthews, the AP's assignment manager for U.S. video, and National Press Club Journalism Institute President Angela Greiling Keane expressed concern for Zaw's safety.



''We believe he was simply doing his job as a journalist and look forward to his swift release,'' the statement said.





Chin refugees from Myanmar shout slogans as the mock coffins of Commander in chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set on fire during a protest against military coup in Myanmar, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. AP-Yonhap
Dr Peadar O Fionnain of Clinic Cois Abhann in Dingle. His clinic went nine months without having a patient test positive for Covid-19

A GP practice in the Dingle Peninsula went nine months without having a single patient test positive for Covid-19.

While isolation has been one of the most difficult aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic, rural areas have been reaping the rewards as the latest data from the HSE shows Granard in Co Longford and Corca Dhuibhne in Co Kerry are the only two electoral areas with no recorded cases in the two weeks up to February 22.

Doctors in the countrys most-infected and least-infected areas have painted very different pictures.

Dr Peadar O Fionnain, of Clinic Cois Abhann in Dingle, Co Kerry, is due to start the vaccination roll-out at his practice today. Despite the whole of the country travelling to Dingle for a staycation last summer, cases remained low.

Read More

Weve had a very low infection rate for 12 months, apart from a few weeks in March last year when people werent being diagnosed because of the way testing was, Dr O Fionnain said. We had no positive diagnosis in any of our patients until this January and we did well over 100 tests, and even though the whole of the country was here last August, the numbers remained low.

Were lucky because Dingle is a peninsula, its half an island basically. We dont have much traffic, so its like a cul de sac. Theres very little coming and going, we dont have clustered housing, we dont have too much heavy industry. I think its these sorts of things which have helped us.

Kerry currently has the second-lowest infection rate of all counties, with 60.9 cases per 100,000 of the population.

While Dr O Fionnains practice is late getting its vaccine doses, theres a feel-good factor about the place.

Weve a small number of over-85s. Although its been a very slow start, the urgency probably isnt there as its not so rampant here, he said.

Like all towns and cities, Dingle was affected by people travelling home for Christmas. There was a spike in cases and a number of people sadly passed away from the virus in January.

There were a good handful of cases here in January, we had a number of patients test positive. By the end of January, we were back on track and we havent had any cases since.

Like a lot of the smaller towns in the west of Ireland, we were affected by people coming back from abroad and from the cities.

Kenmare (35.9) and Killarney (47.3) also boast very low incidences of the virus, which have contributed to Kerry being bottom of the table. However, the midlands counties of Offaly, Longford and Westmeath are top of the pile. Longford has the second-highest infection rate with 376 cases per 100,000  but yet the semi-rural town of Granard went two weeks without a positive case.

Dr Niall Donohoe, a GP based in the area, said numbers had been very low because locals were complying with the regulations. However, the HSE data doesnt tell the full story.

I sadly had a patient who died from Covid-19 very recently, he said. He was in hospital. He was an elderly man with some underlying conditions. Ive had a couple of cases in the last two weeks, but the numbers have definitely gone way down. Ive had a couple of days when I didnt refer any patients, but there has been a surge in Longford in the last week.

The towns and cities which currently have the highest infection rates include the Galway City Central local electoral area, which has a rate more than five times the national average. There were 1,292 cases per 100,000 of the population recorded in the 14 days up to February 22, which equates to roughly one in every 80 people having tested positive.

Ballymun-Finglas had the highest rate in Dublin and ranked second highest in the country at 798 cases per 100,000.

Dr Aliya Rahim, of D9 Family Practice on the Ballymun Road, said around 70pc of her patients referred for testing had come back positive since Christmas. In Ballymun you have a generation of one family living under one roof and the families are all very close together. So if one person goes out and gets it, they are bringing it home. Housing is definitely an issue, she said.

Dr Rahims staff are still waiting to be vaccinated. Her patients aged in their early 80s will be inoculated at the Helix theatre at DCU tomorrow.

While the number of patients infected is falling, she still sees people becoming quite sick with Covid.

Some of my patients with underlying conditions have been very sick, some of them needed hospitalisation. A lot of my patients are also healthcare workers and healthcare providers. Ive some homecare workers too and its been very difficult for them as if they get Covid, they cant provide care, she said.

In Offaly  which currently has the highest incidence rate in the country  Tullamore (555.6) and Birr (471) have been affected the worst. The Irish Independent rang three GP practices in Tullamore, with all doctors revealing they were incredibly busy with Covid-19 cases at the moment.

Gatherings at funerals, weddings and house parties in the midlands have contributed to a spike in cases. Gardai issued a number of fines in February after crowds gathered in Tullamore for a sulky race.

In Longford, gardai had to intervene at a house party in the Palace Crescent area on Valentines weekend. Up to 70 people were in attendance and a number of fines were issued.

In Co Westmeath, gardai attended a large gathering at a wedding in Mullingar on February 15. It is understood up to 100 people were present.

A Garda spokesperson said: Gardai are aware of a wedding that took place. Gardai did attend the scene and engaged with those present.

Where gardai identify potential breaches of the public health regulations, a file is prepared for the DPP in each case or a fixed payment notice is issued where appropriate.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.




Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  More local government units in the regions have started vaccinating their health workers.

A number of top government officials were present during the ceremonial vaccination held at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City on Friday. Hospital chief Dr. Ricardo Audan was first to be inoculated.

Audan earlier said 75% of their 5,900 employees expressed their willingness to receive vaccines made by China's Sinovac. He also said they target to vaccinate 150 employees on the first day, but did not mention what their daily target is.

The rollout for the first dose will last for two weeks, which will be followed by the administration of the second dose after 28 days.

Davao City on Tuesday received 12,000 doses of Sinovac's CoronaVac that were earmarked for SPMC and the Davao Regional Medical Center in Davao del Norte, where 79% are willing to receive Sinovac. The hospital will start vaccinating personnel on Monday.

Bicol also started the rollout of 1,200 Sinovac vaccines at the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital in Legazpi City. More than 800 of the facility's 1,871 medical staff signed up to be inoculated, according to Dr. Anna Lynda Bellen, spokesperson of BRTTH.

Three hospital officials were the first ones to be inoculated: Dr. Edberto General, head of Internal Medicine department, Dr. Raoul Emmanuel Zantua, head of Outpatient department, and Dr. Anna Lynda Bellen from the Infectious Disease department.

Some 7,200 doses of CoronaVac were also brought to Tacloban City. A ceremonial vaccination was also held at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Cabalawan, where hospital head Dr. Salvador Evardone was first to receive the vaccine.

Department of Health Eastern Visayas said 714 of around 1,000 staff of EVRMC are willing to be inoculated.

The hospital targets to vaccinate around 211 health workers in the first day of rollout. The program is expected to be completed in a week.

Leyte's Schistosomiasis Hospital and Divine Word Hospital also received, and will start their vaccination program on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga Governor Maria Isabelle Climaco led the start of their vaccination program at the Zamboanga City Medical Center. Hospital chief Dr. Afdal Kunting, along with other department heads, were first the ones to be inoculated during the ceremony in the afternoon.

The city recently received 10,200 Sinovac vaccines that will be distributed to six COVID-19 referral hospitals in the region.

CNN Philippines correspondents Rosas Olarte and Wilmark Amazona contributed to this report.
Chinese lawmakers will congregate in Beijing later this week to review a key national plan that will guide policy through the next five years and beyond.

Officials from across the country will descend on the Great Hall of the People, a vast state palace on the western side of Tiananmen Square, to attend the annual political meetings known as the Two Sessions.
President Biden plans to meet this month with the leaders of Japan, Australia and India in a virtual summit of the so-called Quad, according to people familiar with the matter.

Why it matters: By putting a Quad meeting on the presidents schedule, the White House is signaling the importance of partnerships and alliances to counter Chinas growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Biden has spoken with each leader individually, but putting them together gives an early boost to the burgeoning group, which some have suggested could grow into an Asian version of NATO.

Last month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined a virtual summit of Quad foreign ministers.

They offered a veiled criticism of China by pledging to strongly oppose unilateral and forceful attempts to change the status quo in the context of the East and South China Sea.

The White House declined to confirm the upcoming meeting.

The big picture: The Quad, a security dialogue among four of the regions biggest democracies, was first established in 2007. It quickly lost its luster, in part because Australia and India were reluctant to take any action that might antagonize China.

The Trump administration embraced the Quad concept, as the four countries grew more comfortable coordinating their security postures and more concerned about Chinas rise.

One month before the 2020 election, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flew to a summit in South Korea to rail against Chinas exploitation, corruption and coercion.

Between the lines: President Obama implemented the "Pivot to Asia," complementing the United States' traditional focus on European alliances with new ones in the Pacific region.
An author from Michigan is about to try and dethrone the current Jeopardy champion in hopes of winning some big money on the long-running game of answers and questions. Laura Portwood-Stacer appears on the episode airing on Friday, March 5. UPDATE: See how Portwood-Stacer did on Jeopardy

Portwood-Stacer was born in Royal Oak and raised in Livonia. A graduate of Livonia Churchill High School, she received her undergrad degree from Michigan State University in Telecommunication Information Studies and Media. She then moved to Los Angeles where she got her masters and PhD from USC.

After USC, Portwood-Stacer taught Media Studies at New York University and actually taught the first course on social media in the department of Media, Culture and Communication.

She recently moved back to Los Angeles where shes a self-employed editor and consultant helping academics write and publish their books. She has a book coming out in July called The Book Proposal Book: A Guide for Scholarly Authors, which is a handbook that helps people write a book proposal.

While she no longer lives in Michigan, she still has a lot of family and friends who live here and says theres some foods she cant get out West that she really misses from back home.

You cant get pasties out here or anywhere else really, Portwood-Stacer told MLive. I also used to eat a lot of Hungry Howies while in school. Thats not out here, either. I havent been back to Michigan in a while because of the pandemic, but my parents still live in Livonia and I have a lot of friends that still live there.

Portwood-Stacer says she first auditioned for Jeopardy in 2007, but it didnt go anywhere. She says she kept taking the online test and finally got the call to do the second round test over Zoom. That lead to the Zoom audition before getting the call to be on the show.

Her host was the shows executive producer Mike Richards, who she didnt know, but says he did well.

I had never heard of him, although they told us he had hosted Beauty and the Geek. We met him for the first time at the taping and I thought he did a really good job running the show. He seemed genuinely pleased for us when we got questions right.

So, what was her toughest challenge while appearing on Jeopardy?

Timing the buzzer wasnt the toughest part for me. I just kind of got the hang of it. The toughest thing was just not knowing some of the answers. You always kick yourself later saying why didnt I just guess, I would have gotten that one right.

MORE FROM MLIVE:

College student from Michigan dominates Wheel of Fortune, winning $72K in cash and prizes, including a Mustang

City in Michigan ranked the No. 1 coolest place in U.S. with lowest cost of living

Entire Michigan lavender farm and tourist attraction hits market for $595K, comes with large ranch home
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
s ( ) (FRA:3A2) (OTCMKTS:AZZVF) Manono Lithium and Tin Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, is on the pathway towards construction with plans in place to submit one remaining ESIA proposal to the ACE in DRC for approval this quarter.

After awarding a 12-week front-end-engineering-design (FEED) contract to Melbourne-based company Mincore Pty Ltd, AVZs construction schedule for the remainder of the year includes submitting a PE application to CAMI in the DRC, making a final investment decision and processing the plant and HEPP EPC award in Q2.

Providing all goes to plan, the mineral exploration company expects to begin construction in August.

Product export routes

AVZ Minerals has selected two main routes:

The first being Manono to Kabondo Dianda Intermodal Staging Station by road, then onto SNCC to Tenke and Tazara Railway to the Port of Dar es Salaam;

The second route leaves Manono to Kabondo Dianda railhead by road then onto SNCC to Tenke and to Angolan Rail (CFB) to Port of Lobito; and

A future option for the company is also available to Walvis Bay in Namibia via the Walvis Bay Corridor.

The Angolan railway (CFB) has been recently updated and is currently transporting copper to Lobito port.

Full technical due diligence studies of railways to Lobito and Dar es Salaam have been conducted and both are considered as suitable for the product export with both ports having undergone upgrades in the last three years.

Negotiations are underway with:

Ports of Lobito and Port of Dar es Salaam;

NCC;

TAZARA; and

CFB.

Mineral resource drilling

AVZ completed diamond resource drilling at Manono in early February with intersections of up to 203.3 metres at 1.59% lithium and 1,014ppm tin recorded from the pit floor called Wedge at Roche Dure.

The assays were from the first four of nine planned diamond drill holes at Roche Dure in previously undrilled areas beneath the historical pit which were inaccessible and underwater during the earlier resource drilling programs.

Following this, in March the company received further strong results with intersections of up to 1.63% lithium and 1,134ppm tin returned from the pit floor 'wedge' at Roche Dure.

A nine-hole diamond drilling program for 1,654 metres is complete with sample preparation underway for transportation to Perth as soon as possible.

The strongest result was from hole MO20DD005 and the other hole, MO20DD009, returned 95 metres at 1.52% Li2O & 1,057ppm tin and 22.6 metres at 1.29% Li2O & 1,062ppm tin.

Pegmatite in these two holes was fresh from the pit floor and confirm strong spodumene mineralisation from the top of the holes.

The company is hoping to undertake a resource update, pending outstanding data being received, in the first quarter of 2021.

AVZ has earmarked the following improvements based on this drilling:

Back in January, the company completed a comprehensive independent greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment for the life of mine at Manono, which evaluated the estimated scope 1 and scope 2 emissions associated with all operations over the 20-year life of the Manono mine, processing facilities and road transportation of the products.

The greenhouse gases evaluated in the study include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane.

ERM employed a methodology consistent with the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines and findings showed the Manono Project could have one of the lowest carbon footprints of any global hard rock lithium miner.

This is primarily due to AVZs strategic location adjacent to the Mpiana Mwanga Hydro Electric Power Plant (HEPP) which, once refurbished, is anticipated to provide all the Manono Projects electricity requirements.

ERMs GHG assessment assumed the Manono Project will include an open-pit mining operation at the Roche Dure pegmatite deposit producing lithium, tin and tantalum and is inclusive of SC6 and PLS processing facilities

AVZ is investigating and planning substantial GHG mitigation measures which include:

Purchase of an electric mining fleet once commercially viable equipment is available;

Generation of Hydrogen (H2) from excess renewable electricity to enable use of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs); and

The establishment of a 5,000-hectare sequestration plantation.

Managing director Nigel Ferguson said at the time: We will continue to strive towards improving our greenhouse gas emissions profile as we develop the world-class Manono Project.

Ultimately, we want to see the electricity generated from the Mpiana Mwanga hydroelectric power plant used to operate all our mining equipment, making the Manono Project a 100% green mine.

Any surplus power may be provided into the national grid for use in the town of Manono.

Target catalysts for 2021 and onwards
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Anyhoo, Im going to have to politely ask President Biden to apologize to me, as the last remaining representative of my species. Does he really think we would be so dumb as to tell people to toss their face masks and head back to crowded bars and restaurants before everyone has gotten a vaccine?
Texas Lawmaker Proposes 1836 Project to Promote Education of Texas Values

A Texas lawmaker has unveiled plans for a committee that would promote education focusing on the history and values of the Lone Star Republic.

State Rep. Tan Parker, a Republican, on Monday introduced the bill (pdf) that would establish the 1836 Project, an advisory committee designed to promote patriotic education and increase awareness of the Texas values that continue to stimulate boundless prosperity across this state.

Specifically, the patriotic education includes the presentation of the history of the states founding and foundational principles, examination of how the state has grown closer to those principles throughout history, and explanation of why commitment to those principles is beneficial and justified.

According to the bill, the committee would also focus on raising awareness about major historical events that shaped the state, such as the Texas Revolution of 1836, the annexation of Texas by the United States, and Juneteenth, which marks the abolition of slavery across the state.

Throughout recent years, we have witnessed the destruction of historical monuments as many attempt to rewrite the past, Parker said in a press release. Many of our children are taught to denounce Texas history and do not understand what it means to be a virtuous citizen.

In addition, the 1836 Committee would also be tasked to advise state agencies on how to ensure patriotic education is provided to the public at state parks, museums, historical landmarks, and other places important to the founding of Republic of Texas, and later, the U.S. state of Texas.

Civic education should not be limited to the classroom, Parker told the Dallas Morning News.

Despite bearing a remarkably similar name, the 1836 Project is exclusively about celebrating Texas and has nothing to do with the New York Times 1619 Project or former President Donald Trumps 1776 Commission, Parker said.

Established near the end of Trumps first term as president, the 1776 Commission was commonly seen as a direct counter to the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1619 Project, which portrays the United States as an inherently racist nation. The Biden administration dissolved the commission and tossed their first and last report, saying that their work has sought to erase Americas history of racial injustice.

Parkers proposal echoed Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts 2021 State of the State address, which called for an education that teaches the next generation of Texans that their state is the best in the nation.

We must educate them what it means to be an American and what it means to be a Texan, said the Republican governor, who is not involved in the proposed 1836 Project. We must bolster civics education in our classrooms and ensure that every child learns the values of freedom, good governance, and patriotism.
Oil tanker owners and shipbrokers are set to suffer longer than expected from the massive OPEC+ production cuts after the coalition surprised the oil and tanker markets on Thursday by deciding to keep oil production flat in April.

The cuts from the OPEC+ group were already hurting the oil tanker market at the start of this year amid reduced availability of seaborne shipments from the worlds top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, and a rising number of oil tankers available on the market after months of serving as floating storage.

As early as in January, the cuts and the oversupply of tankers had hit the earnings of supertanker owners so much that some were losing money on shipping crude from the Arab Gulf to China, shipbrokers and analysts told Bloomberg at the time. Saudi Arabias surprise announcement in January that it would cut an additional 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from its crude oil production in February and March reduced crude shipments in the market for supertankers, vessels capable of carrying up to 2 million barrels of crude oil each.

Moreover, the recent significant decline in global floating oil storage has made more supertankers available on the market for shipping crude on the main oil trade routes. The rally in oil prices has deepened the backwardation, which has removed the contango play incentive for traders holding oil in floating storage, while demand in Asia provided an outlet for the stored oil.

This weeks decision from OPEC+ to keep Aprils production basically unchangedwith small exemptions for Russia and Kazakhstanand Saudi Arabia extending its extra 1-million-bpd cut through April further hurt tanker owners and delay the recovery of tanker rates.

Shares in major oil tanker owners slumped on Thursday, with Frontline losing 3.5%, International Seaways dropping nearly 5%, DHT Holdings down 3%.

The mood is depressed, Halvor Ellefsen, a tanker broker at Fearnleys, told Bloomberg, commenting on the surprise OPEC+ move. A continuation of the cuts is the last thing we needed.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

[March 04, 2021] VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings III, Inc. Announces Pricing of $225 Million Initial Public Offering

VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings III, Inc. (the "Company"), a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of entering into a combination with one or more businesses or entities, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 22,500,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit. The units will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, and trade under the ticker symbol "VPCCU" beginning March 5, 2021. Each unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-fourth of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A common stock and warrants are expected to be listed on the NYSE and trade under the symbols "VPCC" and "VPCCW," respectively. The Company intends to pursue a business combination with a high-growth business in the Fintech industry headquartered or with operations in the United States and an enterprise value of approximately $800 million to $3 billion. The company is led by Chairman John Martin, Co-Chief Executive Officers Brendan Carroll and Gordon Watson, and Chief Financial Officer Carly Altieri. The offering is expected to close on March 9, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Jefferies LLC are serving as the underwriters for the offering. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,375,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the prospectus may be obtained from: Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or bytelephone: 800-831-9146; or Jefferies, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (877) 821-7388 or by email at Prospectus_Department@Jefferies.com.



A registration statement relating to the securities became effective on March 4, 2021 in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," including with respect to the proposed initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement and preliminary prospectus for the Company's offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) "). Copies are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

About VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings III, Inc. VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings III, Inc.'s acquisition and value creation strategy is to identify, partner with and help grow a business in the Fintech industry headquartered or with operations in the United States. The Company's sponsor is an affiliate of Victory Park Capital, a global investment firm with a long track record of executing debt and equity financing transactions with some of the largest global Fintech companies. The firm was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Chicago with additional resources in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Victory Park Capital is privately held and a Registered Investment Advisor with the SEC. For more information, please visit: www.victoryparkcapital.com/vih/vpc-impact-acquisition-holdings-iii/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210304006181/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
The sizable suburban Washington, DC, campus that headquartered Chuck Colsons Prison Fellowship will soon belong to another evangelical nonprofit: the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). The ministries announced plans Friday to sell the 11.3-acre property in Lansdowne, Virginia.

Back in 2005, Colsons ministrywhich then included Prison Fellowship, BreakPoint, and the Colson Centerbuilt the campus for around $19 million, including a three-story office building, a two-story hospitality center for conference guests, recording studios, and event space.

Of Prison Fellowships 245-person staff, 70 percent worked remotely before the pandemic, a part of an organizational strategy to move its workforce into the field. During COVID-19, the rest adjusted to work from home, with just around a dozen coming into the 90,000-square-foot office.

Meanwhile, the Arizona-based religious liberty advocacy group ADF has been expanding and praying for years about adding another office, wanting to prioritize in-person collaboration for the sake of fellowship and the physical proximity required for its legal work.

When ADF came along, the heart of the board, if you will, leapt, said Prison Fellowship president and CEO James J. Ackerman. They thought, This would be so awesome if Gods work could continue on the land dedicated to the Lords work by Chuck Colson himself.

Ackerman declined to share the terms of the sale, but said that ADF made an offer within the range of the propertys appraisal value. Demand for commercial spaceparticularly for medical facilitiesis growing in the Lansdowne area, about an hour outside DC.

In advocating for conservative causes, ADF has achieved 11 Supreme Court victories and helped churches and ministries defend religious liberty claims during COVID-19. The organization will keep four other offices, including one on Capitol Hill, but move 5060 of its 200 employees to the third floor of the Prison Fellowship office building as early as fall 2021, after closing on the property and doing renovations this summer.

The group will include leaders of its litigation team, its communications team, and its legal training program as well as ADF president and CEO Michael P. Farris, who has lived in the same county as Lansdowne for 30 years.

Prison Fellowship is directly carrying on Chuck Colsons ministry, but we like to think that we remain standing in Chuck Colsons shadow, said Farris, who has visited the Prison Fellowship under Colsons leadership and since. He cast a big shadow across a lot of big issues, and weve been the beneficiary of that work, and were just honored to have any connection to him.

Ackerman said ADF will maintain elements of the campus that honor Colson, including a memorial plaque outside the hospitality center.

Prison Fellowship will lease a smaller space on the second floor of the office building after ADF moves in. Other tenants of the buildingthe pregnancy center network Care Net and the Loudon campus of McLean Bible Churchwill also remain.

Building sales during pandemic

Prison Fellowships move to sell its building is the latest example of how ministries are rethinking their long-term organizational strategies during the crunch of the pandemic and rising costs of big cities. The past year has accelerated trends toward remote work as well as cost-cutting for nonprofits.

In January, Lifeway Christian Resources announced it was under contract to sell its Nashville headquarters just two years after downsizing to the new facility. During the early months of the pandemic, the Southern Baptist affiliatestill reeling from closing its brick-and-mortar storescut its budget by $25 million to $30 million to offset sales declines.

Even before COVID-19 hit, daily occupancy in Lifeways new 277,000-square-foot office was 60 percent of capacity.

This has led us to think strategically about selling our large building downtown, fully embracing remote work as the norm, and moving into a new era of creative and collaborative work, said Lifeways president and CEO Ben Mandrell. We are moving away from the idea of a headquarters to a fully mobile and agile workforce that intentionally gathers to build strong relationships, celebrate what God is doing and share ideas.

The Best Christian Workplaces Institute said decentralized and hybrid workplaces are here to stay in its list of workplace trends for 2021, referencing estimates that the number of employees who work from home after the pandemic will be double from before COVID-19.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance listed its Colorado Springs headquarters for sale last year, citing affordability concerns as its reason for moving from its building of 31 years. The denomination plans to relocate to Columbus, Ohio, this summer.

We are pursuing a different concept of officing, with shared workspace options and greater interaction with the local community than weve been able to pursue at our current location here in the Springs, spokesman Peter Burgo told the Colorado Springs Gazette.

Ackerman at Prison Fellowship said the ministry has continued to add staff during the pandemic, praising God that its resources and prison access continued to grow. But over the past few years, the organization has found it could add better talent by a hiring remote staff, since fewer people were willing to make the move to Northern Virginia, where the cost of living keeps rising.

Financial stewardship

Despite uncertainty last spring, a majority of Christian organizations reported they did not see a significant decrease in income in 2020 and did not have to cut staff, according to a report out this week by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. However, some churches and ministries that already suffered financially prior to pandemic opted to sell their buildings to help make ends meet or better steward resources for future ministry.

The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago announced plans to do so last fall, saying the $750,000 spent maintaining its building is increasingly unsustainable and maintaining an underused diocesan headquarters in an expensive building on prime real estate is not good stewardship of diocesan assets.

Also in Chicago, the Evangelical Covenant Church put its headquarters up for sale last summer.

While there were many reasons for the decision, primarily it was due to the current COVID-19 situation, finances, structure, and a renewed focus on mission, the denomination wrote. Due to COVID-19, social distancing guidelines, and travel restrictions, Covenant Office staff have successfully been working virtually for most of the year. They will continue to do so while the sale of the Chicago facility is finalized.

As they wait for the building to sell, leaders are weighing options for fully virtual work or a possible future building.

CT reported in 2018 about how international missions organizations have been moving away from a single headquarters to a more decentralized model with hubs overseas, as Frontier Ventures did with the sale of the former US Center for World Mission in Pasadena, California.

It all revolves around ministry impact. If that parcel of land does not help us reach more people for the gospel, why do we own it? If its holding us back, why do we own it? said Paul Martin, at the time the president of Advocace, which offers consulting for Christian ministries. We should start treating real estate as something to support ministry, not as ministry.

Ackerman said the Lansdowne property was originally envisioned as a center for the Christian worldview, but when Colsons other ministries split off after his death in 2012, Prison Fellowship didnt have the same need for the expansive facilities. But ADF will.



The thing that Im most excited about for the Prison Fellowship building is the meeting space and hospitality space. The first name of our organization is Alliance. We do a whole lot of convening of other groups, said Farris. We have the capacity to convene people, and this just gives us a physical plant that is second to none.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
A technician checks power supply lines at a clean energy heating station designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Weihai, east China's Shandong province, Nov. 12, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

Carbon neutrality has become a buzzword in China at the just opened fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC). NPC deputies have prepared a range of measures to help China achieve its carbon reduction goal.

Li Shiping, an NPC deputy and president of China Baowu Steel Group Central South China Iron & Steel Co, has proposed that China's steel industry should make efforts to implement the commitment to achieve carbon neutrality and promote the industry's green development.

"As an energy-intensive industry, the iron and steel industry is the largest producer of carbon emissions among the 31 categories of manufacturing, accounting for around 15% of China's total carbon emissions," Li explained. "The green and low-carbon development of the iron and steel industry is essential for the country to achieve its goals of peak CO2 emissions and carbon neutrality."

Li proposed strictly controlling the total carbon emissions of energy-intensive enterprises and called for high-emitting industries to upgrade and transform. He also suggested vigorously developing industries and promoting clean and affordable energy sources, including wind and solar energy.

Last September, China vowed to achieve a peak in carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060, in what has been hailed as a significant step in the fight against climate change. On Dec. 12, 2020, it was announced that China will boost its installed capacity of wind and solar power to more than 1,200 gigawatts by 2030, and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 25% during the same period.

Corresponding arrangements to promote green and low-carbon development have been made at several important conferences. For example, the Central Economic Work Conference held in December 2020 listed the peaking of emissions as one of its key tasks for 2021, and called for accelerated efforts to improve industry and energy structures and enable the peaking of coal consumption at an early date while bolstering the development of new energy.

Liu Hanyuan, an NPC deputy and chairman of Tongwei Group Co, believed that accelerating the development of renewable energy represented by photovoltaic and wind energy is imperative to ensure national strategic security.

"Currently, solar photovoltaic power generation is considered the most economical method of generating power in many countries around the world, and the cost of its generation in China has also been greatly reduced, lower than that of most coal-fired power," Liu said. "Given the cost to the environment, there would be more competitive advantages for the generation of power via photovoltaics."

Liu called for clean electricity generation, vehicle electrification and speeding up the process of achieving carbon neutrality. In addition, he also suggested strictly implementing China's Renewable Energy Law and relevant guarantee policies, as well as accelerating construction of the spot energy market and its associated service market.

China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP fell by 18.2% between 2015 and the end of 2020, achieving the target set during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) period ahead of schedule, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Li Gao, head of the climate change department at China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said during a news briefing that China will propose a reduction target for carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP to be included in the outline of 14th Five-Year Plan objectives as a binding indicator. He added that an action plan for peaking carbon dioxide emissions will also be formulated and implemented during the 14th and 15th five-year plan periods.
ALLENDALE, MI  Grand Valley State University has issued an apology after students, faculty and staff were mistakenly told they could get a coronavirus vaccine regardless of their priority level on Wednesday.

The university cited a miscommunication about scheduling in a campus-wide apology, which came one day after the university community was sent an email invitation to sign up for extra COVID-19 vaccines reportedly available at the West Michigan large-scale vaccination clinic at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.

The vaccine opportunity was intended to be sent only to students and faculty in clinical roles, administrators wrote in an emailed apology Thursday, March 4. Instead, it went to all 25,000 students, faculty and staff at Grand Valley State.

We apologize for any frustration or confusion this may have caused for our community, but rest assured we were acting in good faith, said the email, which came from the GVSU Virus Action Team.

We are doing everything we can to get the vaccine to our entire campus community as soon as we can. Our hope is that vaccine supply increases in the coming weeks so more of our community can be vaccinated as soon as possible.

The GVSU Virus Action Team sent the vaccine invitation on Wednesday and said extra doses were available because of no-shows and cancellations at DeVos Place. Students and staff were told to bring a GVSU ID when they went to receive their vaccine.

Administrators reportedly received a robust response to the vaccine invitation, and some students and staff were able to get their vaccine before health officials realized the mix-up, according to the email.

The university said Thursday that anyone who received the first dose of the vaccine will get a second one, but any other GVSU appointments that were scheduled Wednesday will be canceled, unless they fit the prioritization guidelines for the vaccine.

Vaccines are currently limited in Michigan to health care workers, long-term care workers and residents, first responders, corrections workers, childcare and school staff, staff in congregate care facilities, mortuary service workers, workers in food processing and agricultural settings, and residents 65 years and older.

Spectrum Health spokesperson Rick Jensen said that while many people may be eager to get vaccinated, its important to follow eligibility guidelines for the COVID-19 vaccine.

We are aware that a miscommunication at Grand Valley State University encouraged some people in the university community who were not currently eligible for vaccine to register for an appointment, Jensen said in a prepared statement. Thankfully, team members at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic recognized the error in a timely fashion and corrected the communication.

We will continue to work with our community partners and follow State and CDC guidelines in providing vaccinations. We encourage everyone to continue wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and washing hands frequently.

More on MLive:

Michiganders 50 and older will soon be eligible for coronavirus vaccine

Michigan opens vaccines to more people, but frustration grows for those still struggling to book appointments

Nearly 1.5M Michiganders have received their first coronavirus vaccine dose
WASHINGTON  Democrats who represent communities along the border are ratcheting up the pressure on President Joe Biden to take action as a wave of migrants has started crossing into Texas.

We are weeks, maybe even days, away from a crisis on the southern border. Inaction is simply not an option, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar said Thursday. Our country is currently unprepared to handle a surge in migrants in the middle of the pandemic.

The Laredo Democrat released figures showing Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley had arrested 10,000 migrants in the last week  2,500 in the last two days alone. Experts said those figures offer only a limited snapshot, but fit with broader data trends that suggest the border could be on the verge of another migration surge  especially of unaccompanied minors  on par with those in 2019 and 2014.

We are approaching the numbers that have characterized past peaks or surges, said Jessica Bolter, an analyst at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. Whether or not its a crisis is determined by how the government manages it.

NEANDERTHAL THINKING: President Biden decries Gov. Abbotts decision to drop COVID restrictions

The Biden administration has said its focus is establishing an orderly and humane immigration system. The administration ended Trump-era policies requiring migrants to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed and is preparing to convert its immigrant family detention centers in South Texas into rapid-processing hubs to screen migrant parents and children with a goal of releasing them into the United States within 72 hours.

Republicans have slammed the shift in immigration policy and sought to cast the situation at the border as the first major crisis of Bidens term.

All of the signals the Biden administration is sending is that border security and enforcement of our immigration laws come second to their desire to see as many people who show up at the border make their way into the United States and then get lost in the backlog of asylum cases, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said.

At least one Democrat in a border district is now sounding similar warnings.

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen told CNN that if the administration follows through with its plan to quickly release migrants seeking asylum, it will send a message to Central Americans that tens of thousands of people can show up to the border. That would be catastrophic for our party, for our country, for my region, for my district, in the middle of a pandemic.

Cuellar, however, noted that even as hes warning the administration of rising apprehensions, those figures started growing during the final months of the Trump administration.

The Biden administration, too, has said it inherited the situation, which officials have said is a challenge and not yet a crisis.

What we are seeing now at the border is the immediate result of the dismantlement of the system and the time that it takes to rebuild it virtually from scratch, said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

This is a challenge that the border communities, the non-governmental organizations, the people who care for individuals seeking humanitarian relief all understand it is an imperative, Mayorkas said. Everyone understands what occurred before us, what we need to do now. And we are getting it done.

The bulk of the apprehensions in recent months have been single adults, though apprehensions of unaccompanied children are also on the rise and could be on the cusp of a surge, experts said.

Border Patrol apprehended 5,700 unaccompanied child migrants in January, the most recent data available, and anecdotal evidence suggests that number rose considerably in February, said Bolter of the Migration Policy Institute. The 2014 and 2019 surges saw between 7,000 and 9,000 apprehensions a month with peaks above 10,000, she said.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

But the number of families crossing the border appear to be far from the past surges, especially in 2019, which included several months when Border Patrol apprehended between 50,000 and 60,000 family members. The peak that year was 84,000. In January, there were just 7,300 apprehensions of family members, Bolter said.

And Bolter said it appears that the Biden administration is trying to manage this actively.

Cuellar, meanwhile, has called for Biden to continue using a Trump administration public health order to quickly expel migrants during the pandemic, a practice that immigration activists have urged the president to scrap.

COVID-19 concerns

Cuellar voiced concern that some of those entering the country may be bringing the coronavirus with them  echoing comments that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott made on Wednesday as he sought to deflect criticism from the White House over his decision to rescind the states COVID restrictions.

Migrants are illegally crossing, potentially exposing border communities to the coronavirus and putting us at risk, Cuellar said. I urge the Biden administration to listen and work with the communities on the southern border who are dealing with the surge of migrants.

While Cuellar said Border Patrol has not been testing for coronavirus, some border cities and shelters have been testing migrants once they are released. The city of Brownsville, for instance, had tested 1,267 migrants as of March 3 and 169 tested positive, a city spokesman said.

CNN reported Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security is planning to use Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to bolster community efforts to test, isolate and quarantine migrants released from Border Patrol custody. But the grant money needs to be approved by the state before it can be distributed to border communities.

Gov. Abbott has so far declined the FEMA aid.

Border security is strictly a federal responsibility. The federal government alone has the responsibility to test, screen and quarantine illegal immigrants crossing our border who may have COVID, Abbott said in a statement. Instead of doing their job, the Biden administration suggested it did not have the sufficient resources and, remarkably, asked Texas to assist them in aiding their illegal immigration program. Texas refused.

Instead, Abbott blames the White House.

The Biden Administration is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities. The Biden Admin. must IMMEDIATELY end this callous act that exposes Texans & Americans to COVID, Abbott tweeted on Wednesday, apparently ignoring the distinction between those who enter the country illegally and those seeking asylum.

Cuellar, meanwhile, said he has been stressing to the White House that federal officials need to engage more with local leaders on the border to get a better understanding of the situation and not only to the immigration activists where a lot of them live thousands of miles away.

I sincerely feel theyre not listening to the border communities, he said.

Jessica Cisneros, an immigration attorney who lost to Cuellar by 4 percentage points in the Democratic primary last year, accused him of trying to generate a fake crisis on the border for attention.

Of course the numbers are higher than previous months because our country was committing human rights violations by not following our own laws and treaties, Cisneros tweeted. This is a slap in the face to on-the-ground organizations which have been raising the issue of proper and safe processing for asylum seekers during the pandemic AT LEAST six months in advance.

ben.wermund@chron.com
Page Content

The City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Cllr Geoffrey Makhubo, has urged the newly appointed and retained entities non-executive directors, independent audit committee members and advisory committee members to put the dreams and aspirations of residents at the centre of their work.







Mayor Makhubo was virtually delivering the keynote address during the induction of the members under the theme: Service delivery  A constitutional right, a priority of the government of local unity on Thursday, 4 March 2021.





What you are tasked with is not a small feat. While residents face their daily challenges, you are tasked to make sure that communities are safe and their livelihood is protected. You are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the properties, assets of the City and money of people of Johannesburg are safe from the greedy and those who only think for themselves, he said.





The mayor said the entities are critical vehicles for service delivery in the City and their functioning is key to ensuring that the City achieves the objectives set out in the Growth and Development Strategy 2040 of the City.





National Assembly member and Inkatha Freedom Party founder Prince Mangosutho Buthelezi whose address was delivered by Mzamo Buthelezi said the members should take shared ownership of governance and responsibility for service delivery.





The municipal entities of the City are essential drivers of our success. Its through their efficient functioning that services are delivered to the standard that have been set. Your role in this is to ensure their sustainability to operate within the applicable laws and to fulfil the mandate of service delivery. In all of this responsibilities youre required to act honestly and with integrity, Buthelezi said.





He added that for the government of local unity to succeed, it must prioritise ethics and integrity at all level, including holding people accountable.





Entities operate under the ownership control of the municipality and are headed by a board of directors who exercise fiduciary duties with respect to the company. The boards of entities were announced during a two-day special general meeting of the City on 10-11 February 2021.





The induction was also attended by the Citys executives, political leadership, councillors, University of Johannesburg Vice-Councilor, Tshilidzi Marwala, members of the mayoral committee and stakeholders.





The newly appointed chairpersons are:





 City Power  Lindiwe Maseko

 Joburg Market  Dr Murunwa Makwarela (Rotation)

 Johannesburg Development Agency  Kevin Phaahla

 Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC)  Tshikani Colleen Makhubele

Retained Chairpersons:

 Johannesburg Property Company  Moeketsi Rabodila

 Johannesburg Social Housing Company  Zithulele Dlamini (Retained)

 Johannesburg Roads Agency  Dr Albert Mokoena

 Metrobus  Busisiwe Sibisi

 Johannesburg Water  Sibusiso Buthelezi

 Pikitup  Mr. William Mathamela (Rotation)

 Joburg City Theatres  Desmond Ndzipho

 Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo  Mahlubi Madela

 Johannesburg Tourism Company - Adv Cawekazi Mahlati

















Written by Takalani Sioga


China plans to increase the number of inclusive loans offered by its biggest banks to micro and small businesses by more than 30 per cent in 2021, even as it continues to enact new lending rules and increase its scrutiny of the nations financial technology (fintech) industry.

As part of the governments latest five-year plan, Premier Li Keqiang said banks would be encouraged to increase credit loans and first-time loans and would provide targeted support for companies and sectors that continue to be affected by the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Beijing will also expand its efforts to stop monopolistic behaviour in the tech industry and curtail the unregulated expansion of capital, Li said.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

We will strengthen regulation over financial holding companies and financial technology to ensure that financial innovations are made under prudent regulation, Li said as part of the government work report to the National Peoples Congress on Friday. We will improve the mechanism for managing financial risks, see responsibilities are fulfilled by all the stakeholders, and ensure that no systemic risks arise. Financial institutions must serve the real economy as they should do.

Chinas economy contracted sharply at the start of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic forced lockdowns and curbed global travel, but ended up being one of the few economies to grow last year. Its gross domestic product ultimately grew by 2.3 per cent for the year and Beijing is targeting growth above 6 per cent in 2021.

Small businesses were hit particularly hard by the pandemic and the government said on Friday it would continue to allow micro and small businesses to defer principal and interest repayments on inclusive-finance loans and offer increased support.

The governments push to offer more credit to small businesses comes as it moves to tighten its control over the nations fintech industry, which has served as a major funding source for micro and small businesses.

Story continues

The rising influence of online lenders outside the nations biggest state-controlled banks has raised concerns about potential risks to the countrys financial system. Lending by fintech firms topped US$516 billion in 2019, a 42 per cent rise over the prior year, according to the most recent figures from Chinas central bank.

Premier Li Keqiang (pictured) said Beijing would encourage more lending by its biggest banks to small businesses this year. Photo: Xinhua

On November 3, regulators abruptly shelved a mega US$34.5 billion dual listing by Ant Group in Shanghai and Hong Kong, over concerns that the Hangzhou-based firm was a potential systemic risk and in breach of consumers privacy. The government then unveiled a bevy of new fintech regulations and said it would conduct an antitrust inquiry into the countrys technology sector.

The state supports platform enterprises in pursuing innovative development and enhancing international competitiveness, while ensuring that their business operations are well regulated in accordance with the law, Li said on Friday. We will step up efforts against business monopolies and guard against unregulated expansion of capital, and ensure fair market competition.

Ant, which operates the Alipay mobile payments platform, is moving to overhaul its operations by shifting its major businesses into a financial holding company overseen by regulators in Beijing, according to people familiar with the matter. Ant is an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, the owner of the Post.

In February, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) said online lending platforms would be required to contribute at least 30 per cent of the funding they offer in partnership with traditional banks beginning on January 1, 2022.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Typically, online platforms such as those operated by Ant Group, JD Digits and Lufax, contribute about 20 to 40 yuan for every 1,000 yuan (US$155) of loans they make. Commercial banks assume most of the underlying credit risks.

On Tuesday, Guo Shuqing, the CBIRCs chairman, said online finance companies would be free to continue innovating but digital banks, such as Ants MyBank, would need to comply with the same regulatory scrutiny as traditional banks.

At the same time, Li said local governments would issue a smaller amount of special-purpose bonds this year as Beijing tries to keep a lid on debt.

Local governments would issue 3.65 trillion yuan of special-purpose bonds, a 2.7 per cent decrease from the prior year.

We will improve our policies for encouraging the participation of non-governmental capital, and do more to remove barriers impeding private investment, so that such investment can enter, develop and yield good returns in more fields, said Li.

More from South China Morning Post:

This article Two sessions 2021: Chinas banks to increase lending to small businesses by 30 per cent first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2021.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
A general view of the U.S. border fence, covered in concertina wire, separating the U.S. and Mexico, at the outskirts of Nogales, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2019. (Ariana Drehsler/AFP/Getty Images)

Border Sheriff Says Biden Halting Border Wall Construction Left Area Open for Cartels

An Arizona sheriff reported that the halting of wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border has left areas wide open for Mexican cartels to operate.

In January, President Joe Biden issued executive orders to pause the construction of the wall that was promoted heavily by the previous administration.

But that stopped resources and stopped construction on our border, Sheriff Mark Dannels of Cochise County, Arizona, told Fox News. As a result of that one area where the fence is not complete, we get five or six groups a day coming across there. In the interview, he said that cartels are aiding in ferrying across what he called a wide open border area.

Cochise County includes more than 80 miles of U.S.-Mexico border area.

He added: What its doing is, is forcing us back to 2019, when we had the largest, what I call, crime scene in the country to include the largest humanitarian situation going on.

Dannels noted that the border gap could lead to a rise in cases of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus that causes COVID-19, echoing warnings from members of Congress and other officials in Texas.

And then you look at the public safety aspect of this, its upsetting, he added. Its almost like were not part of this country, which is very upsetting.

This week, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), whose congressional district includes portions of the border, warned that Border Patrol agents are not testing migrants for the virus while warning that the situation at the border may become a full-fledged crisis if no action is taken by the White House. In a statement on Thursday, Cuellar called on the federal government to take action about how to deal with the surge in illegal migration.

And Felipe Romero, a spokesperson for Brownsville, Texas, told news outlets that 108 migrants tested positive for the CCP virus since Jan. 25when rapid testing began. That represents about 6.3 percent of the total undocumented migrants who were rapid-tested at Brownsvilles bus station, the official said.

The City of Brownsville continues to follow all guidelines provided by the CDC and [Department of State Health Services] for COVID-19. The migrants who test positive at the B-Metro facility are advised of quarantine procedures and are asked to socially distance, Romero also told Noticias Telemundo Investiga.

There are several NGOs providing resources to a positive case, he said to the outlet. For example, organizations help with quarantine either in a shelter or at a hotel. Since the City started testing the migrants on January 25, there has been 6.3 percent of positive cases. The Cameron County positivity rate is 13.8 percent.
NEW DELHI: The farmers' unions protesting against the Centres three controversial farm laws have announced a five-hour blockade of the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway on Saturday (March 6, 2021) to mark the 100th day of their ongoing agitation.

The announcement was made by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which said that the farmers will block the Western Peripheral Expressway or KundliManesarPalwal (KMP) Expressway on March 6 as their agitation against the farm laws completes 100 days.

According to a statement issued by the SKM, thousands of farmers will block the expressway for 5 hours between 11 AM and 4 PM.

"March 6 will mark the 100th day of the farmers' protest on the borders of Delhi. On that day, there will be a 5-hour blockade on the KMP Expressway connecting various protest sites. The blockade will be between 11 AM and 4 PM and no toll will be collected at the toll plazas during this time," farmer leader Balvir Singh Rajewal said.

"In the rest of the country, the day will be marked by hoisting black flags on houses and offices to support the movement. The SKM members will be wearing black bands on that day as a mark of protest," he added.

The SKM is also working on a strategy for the states where Assembly elections are scheduled. The members of the farmers' body will visit the states and participate in various programmes and campaign against the ruling BJP and its allies.

Besides, the SKM will also mark March 8 as Mahila Kisan Diwas. The SKM has invited women's organisations and others on that day to support the farmers' movement and highlight the contributions of women farmers to the country.

On March 15, the SKM along with the Central trade unions will mark the day as 'anti-privatisation' day. The SKM will support the call of trade unions by marking the day as 'anti-corporatisation' day and extend solidarity to the protests of trade unions across the country.

The farmer leaders added that the SKM will also launch a 'MSP Dilao Abhiyan' across the country. As part of the campaign, the actual price received by the farmers in different markets will be highlighted so as to show the government that the promises made about the MSP are false.

The campaign will be started from the southern states - Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Western Peripheral Expressway is a 6-lane (each direction) road. The 135-km expressway was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.

It provides a high-speed link between the northern and southern districts of Haryana. The road was built to decongest the roads of Delhi by reducing the number of trucks entering the national capital.

Live TV
Dawn Richard has seen the dangers of the coronavirus up close.

When the virus was sweeping through the state last spring, her son, who works as an ambulance first responder, was in the hospital for weeks after being infected. And recently, her mother was sickened by the virus but has since recovered.

Still, as a kindergarten teacher at Rosenwald Elementary school in New Roads, Richard, 45, has been pining for a return to normal and the ability to give students in-person attention or an occasional hug when they most need it.

On Thursday, she saw a glimpse of that post-pandemic future.

Richard was among nearly 200 teachers and staff at Pointe Coupee Parish schools who received Modernas coronavirus vaccine when traveling clinicians went school-to-school delivering the illness-preventing shots on Thursday.

I just hope to get back to some type of normalcy as more people start to get the vaccine, and people arent sick anymore, Richard said as she sat in the school gym while a 15-minute timer ticked down, before she was cleared to go back to work. Its been really just difficult.

The vaccine drive, which saw clinicians from Arbor Family Health fan out across the district to deliver the shots, is among the first of its kind in the Baton Rouge metro offering the vaccines at schools during the day.

Having the pop-up clinics at the schools and district offices allowed for teachers to get the shot and go back to work instead of having to take a day off and find a substitute if they got it elsewhere, Superintendent Kim Canezaro said.

I think the people who wanted to participate would have done it regardless of the location and made it happen, but it is more convenient, she said.

+4 As vaccine eligibility expands, teachers and others are hopeful: I'm tired of being scared Not long after state leaders announced school workers would be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine last week, Samantha Slim immediately fille

Public school employees in Pointe Coupee will also be getting their second dose of the vaccine before spring break. Canezaro said that was lucky timing because it potentially prevents the need to find substitute teachers if enough staff experience mild side effects that are sometimes associated with the shots.

For Harold Terrance, a 72-year-old bus driver living in New Roads, getting the shot after he dropped off students Thursday morning was much earlier than if he scheduled an appointment at a local pharmacy.

Hed been eligible for the shot since early January, when Gov. John Bel Edwards administration allowed people 70 and older to get the shots. But he couldn't get an appointment until April.

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Im just glad they allowed bus drivers the opportunity to do it here, Terrance said.

Even the initial increase of protection the first dose provides against the virus, before a booster shot, is reassuring, Terrance said.

For administrators and employees like Terrance who got the vaccine at the school board office, it was the first time many of them had been together in nearly a year, though they were physically spread out after getting the shots. The atmosphere inside the room was festive as administrators and workers laughed and joked while waiting to be cleared to leave.

More than a million doses have been injected into arms across Louisiana, according to the latest state Department of Health figures. But less than 10% of the state's population has been fully inoculated, since some of the vaccines require two doses.

+9 Louisiana to move to Phase 3 of coronavirus restrictions, bars allowed to open statewide After seeing the worst spike of the pandemic recede in recent weeks, Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday moved the state into the loosest phase o

The one-shot vaccine by Johnson & Johnson also began arriving in the state this week. That is expected to provide a significant jolt to the effort to curb severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Getting over the nerves of taking the vaccine was a tough decision for Daisy Maloid, a pre-Kindergarten teacher's aide at Rosenwald Elementary School, who said she ultimately opted to take it at the last minute.

After her grandmother received the shot with no ill effects recently, Maloid, 45, said she signed up to take the shot.

I felt if she can take it, then I can, she said, as her colleagues comforted her. I had my reservations, but I knew I wanted to get it out of the way.

Science teacher Taylor Iles is looking forward to not having to quarantine and test before visiting her family. And she said the vaccine is also going to ease the anxieties anytime shes questioned if shes getting sick, only to find it wasnt the coronavirus.

Keeping students safe from spreading the virus to their families is also something to look forward to.

Its some peace of mind, said Iles, 24. Every little twinge or cough or waking up with a dry throat, I dont have to feel Im spreading an epidemic to like 200 kids.



A Los Angeles Police Department officer displays recovered guns from residents turning in firearms at a "Gun Buy Back" event taking place in three locations across Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2020. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Gun-Related Crimes Are Rising in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELESIn the first two months of this year, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers fielded 570 reports of shots fired, up 88 percent from the 303 incidents during same time frame in 2020and 267 people were hit by gunfire, a 141 percent increase from the 111 people wounded in the time frame in 2020, it was reported today.

And homicides in Los Angeles are also up, according to Crosstown, a nonprofit news organization based out of the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, in partnership with the Integrated Media Systems Center at the Viterbi School of Engineering, which covers the neighborhoods of Los Angeles through data.

Through Feb. 27 of this year, 64 people had been killed in the city, an increase of 39 percent from the 46 homicides at the same time last year, Crosstown reported.

We continue to struggle with homicides and shooting violence, LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Los Angeles Police Commission on Feb. 23, adding, We have a concern about the level of violence that is still ahead of last year.

The shootings come as the city has experienced a nearly 26 percent drop in overall crime during the first two months of the year. But the rise in gun violence is causing concern among community members and police, especially in the South Bureau.

LAPD Deputy Chief Regina Scott, commanding officer of LAPD Operations-South Bureau, told the Police Commission that through Feb. 13, the bureau had recorded a 165 percent increase in shots fired and a 358 percent spike in victims shot while walking down the street or sitting in cars or homes.

If you compare South L.A. to the rest of the city, we represent 65 percent of the citys shooting victims, Scott said at the Feb. 23 meeting. In just six weeks, weve had 110 victims shot compared with just 24 last year. These are numbers we havent seen since the late nineties or early 2000s.

Community leaders are clamoring for assistance in combating the growing number of struggles, including everything from the need for food assistance, housing insecurity, and violence.

Andres Ruiz, an attorney and public safety chair for the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council, expressed concern over the 46 percent rise in shots fired in the area19 this year, up from 13 in 2020. He said he sees the increase in crime as a call for help.

We are living in an era where people dont know how they are going to pay their bills, facing eviction and hunger, and individuals resort to survival tactics, Ruiz said, stressing he was speaking for himself, and not the council.

We need to understand what is going on in neighborhoods to understand how to help heal the community so these issues arent happening.

Skipp Townsend, executive director of 2nd Call, a gang intervention nonprofit, told the Police Commission that intervention workers can facilitate meetings and allow people to discuss their grievances. He added that they also teach young people how to deal with their emotions so they dont respond to violence with more violence.

I believe it takes the community to save the community, Townsend said at the Police Commission meeting. I found that the healing process hasnt started, but its hard to heal when its constantly occurring every day.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
A Verdict Makes History in Cuba by Rejecting 'Contempt' as a Crime As a crime, 'contempt' is a kind of armor for the regime that the courts are beginning to pierce.

On May 1, 2020, the young Cuban Dairon Duque de Estrada Aguilera was arrested for shouting, on the street in front of his home: "Down with Fidel, down with Raul, down with the CDR and down with the Police." After being incarcerated for 13 days without charges being brought, the Prosecutor's Office prepared a case against him for the crime of contempt.

Events like this happen all too often in Cuba, but Dairon's case was extremely special. After the trial, held at the Municipal People's Court of Santiago de Cuba, judges Javier Mustelier Arminan, Consuelo Tamayo Mexi and Osvaldo Alvarez Perez decided to acquit him in Verdict No. 53 of February 8, 2021.

The acquittal constituted an unprecedented development given the arbitrary legal procedures of the Cuban judicial system, particularly with regards to political matters, but what was expressed in the ruling was even more surprising. According to the judicial argument issued by the judges to declare him innocent and included in the ruling, to which DIARIO DE CUBA had access, they stated: "The expressions of discontent that the accused shouted (...) did not constitute acts against authority, a public official or his agents, or assistants in the exercise of their functions  but rather form part of his convictions and political ideology."

What does the regime mean by 'contempt'?

The crime of contempt, specifically in the form presented in the previous case, is set down in Article 144, Sections 1 and 2 of the Cuban Penal Code (CP). In summary, the law considers contempt any oral or written expression by a citizen of an authority, public official, or their agents or assistants. Of course, the PC is interpreted liberally by authorities who deem any expression "against" the regime an offense or a direct insult.

The law also specifies that if the expression is directed at the president of the Council of State, the president of the National Assembly of Popular Power (ANPP), members of the Council of State, the Council of Ministers, or the deputies of the ANPP, the sanction may be more severe: up to three years of incarceration.

In its eagerness to cover up a totalitarian system with a veneer of the rule of law, the Cuban regime has flooded the set of laws that govern the country with ones that punish the slightest dissent. The logic is simple: the Government creates laws that shield it against any threat, including a simple phrase such as "Patria y Vida" (Homeland and Life). Contempt, as a crime, violates even the simplest forms of the freedom of expression, such as criticism. The sweeping purview of said law, as with others found in the PC, is only possible thanks to a deliberate ambiguity in its wording.

This is why the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in its Opinions 63/2019 and 4/2020 referring to Cuba, describes it as an "extremely vague" crime, because it "lacks the  precision sufficient to provide the population with legal certainty." In other words, the concept of contempt is so ambiguous that no one can be sure when they are committing it Then the authorities step in and grant themselves license to interpret the law however it behooves them.

What does the ruling regarding Dairon Duque de Estrada represent?

In practical terms, nothing; in symbolic terms, a lot.

In Cuba, precedent is not considered a source of law. Therefore, the sentence handed down by the Municipal People's Court of Santiago de Cuba will not serve for judges to act in the same way in similar cases. Nevertheless, the decision issued in Dairon Duque de Estradas case does mark a shift in the interpretation of the law that can be invoked by lawyers in subsequent cases.

Moreover, the fact that several judges agreed to reject the crime of contempt as it has been wielded by the regime ruptures the judicial coherence with which dissent is criminalized in Cuba. This, on a symbolic level, represents a great victory for those fighting for the right to freedom of expression on the island.

A medical worker receives the first shot of AstraZeneca's two-dose COVID-19 vaccine at Seoul National University Hospital, Thursday. Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye



Police have caught 279 people for spreading false information on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines both online and offline. The crackdown follows a government pledge to deal sternly with fake news that could undermine the country's antivirus efforts.



The National Police Agency (NPA) said Thursday that among those caught was a person who was nabbed recently by the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency for spreading claims online that "COVID-19 vaccines will alter your genes."



A woman in her 60s was also caught by Incheon police for posting dozens of flyers on information boards at bus stops and utility poles around the city. The flyers carried false information that "chips in vaccines will take your life away."




Editor-at-Large Gail Walker finds out views of five more commentators.

Eoghan Harris

Although I believe the Irish Sea Border poses no economic threat to Northern Ireland, it has dealt an enormous political and psychological blow to unionists by damaging their sense of security as part of the United Kingdom. Too many commentators have tried to play down that psychic shock. They dismissively blame unionists for  bringing it on themselves by supporting Brexit and trusting Boris Johnson. There is some truth in this charge, but it leaves out far too much context. Simon Coveney, who took over the Northern Ireland portfolio equipped with a megaphone, has typically told unionists to own it  as if the Republics rigid position on the backstop played no part in forcing Johnson into a political corner  from which he predictably extricated himself by sacrificing what unionists see as a core principle. Accordingly, its critical for political parties in the Republic to show the same sensitivity as Taoiseach Micheal Martin who, while urging unionists to work the Protocol, has always acknowledged the deep sense of hurt involved. Like other shrewd observers, he sees unionist anger is not abating and that all politicians, whether in the UK, NI, ROI or the EU, should be aware of a highly and volatile situation, which thankfully has so far been contained by a responsible unionist and loyalist reaction.

What should unionists do? Everything they can legally do to express their anger at a crude betrayal. It is better to vent these feelings openly and democratically than to let them fester. Although I am pessimistic about the prospects of the legal challenge, the fact that three unionist parties united to support it is a positive development. Until now a fragmented unionism has lacked a common lobbying voice to promote and protect the kind of core principles violated by the Protocol.

Eoghan Harris is a columnist in the Sunday Independent

Peter Shirlow

There are aspects of the Protocol that are unhelpful such as the Irish Sea border. The whole Brexit saga began with threats if there was a hard border and now threats as there is a sea border.

Read More

It is peculiar to have checks on the movement of goods within a nation. However, the Protocol is law and will not be removed. The best that unionism can affect is changes to Articles 5-10 via a majority in the Assembly. That is unlikely.

Brexit is effectively over beyond some tinkering around trade and movement issues. So the threat to unionism can only come from its reaction to the Protocol and any sense that it is merely reacting to a section of unionism that is traditional and intransigent.

Unionist political parties are losing votes to Alliance, not the TUV, and you would think energy for electoral renewal would be directed at winning over the majority of the pro-Union community who are socially liberal and who are not overly-exercised by the Protocol.

What unionism should do now is very simple. Stop behaving in a manner that will breathe life into the debate over a border poll.

Examine and promote the aspects of the Protocol that will lead to economic growth. Promote Northern Ireland as unique and with two customs territories.

Bargain with Downing Street to encourage GB-based companies who want unfettered access to the EU to locate here and not in the EU.

The Assembly has delivered Belfast as one of the fasting growing software economies in the EU so more politics of the pragmatic that promotes NI as a site of investment, educational advancement and opportunity.

Forego the politics of resistance and not an inch, that is long gone, and build a politics of inclusion and societal renewal.

Professor Peter Shirlow is the director at the University of Liverpool's Institute of Irish Studies and a founding member of the www.arinsproject.com

Sarah Creighton

The Irish Sea Border changes the dynamic between GB and NI. That's significant and it's the reason why people are so angry. But it will only pose a threat if unionism lets it pose a threat.

Unionism needs to be smart in how it addresses the problem.

Unionism now needs to make the Protocol work to their advantage. They should try and get it mitigated and, in the long-term, encourage GB to align more closely with the EU. If they want rid of the Protocol they need to come up with a viable alternative.

Any alternative must take account of nationalist and republican concerns around a hard border.

Sarah Creighton is a lawyer and commentator

Dr John Kyle

Expand Close Dr John Kyle / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Dr John Kyle

The careful equilibrium achieved by the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement has been disrupted by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Northern Ireland's integrated position in the United Kingdom has been fundamentally altered by the extensive restrictions on the movement of goods and services between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and therefore the Irish Sea border, and the implementation of these restrictions is a threat to Northern Ireland's position within the United Kingdom.

Unionists are unanimous in calling for the removal of the Northern Ireland Protocol which has given rise to the Irish Sea border.

Boris Johnson must recognise that he has placed a region of the United Kingdom under the governance of the European Union but without representation.

Taxation without representation was unacceptable to the early American colonies and remains so today for unionists.

The existence of the Irish Sea border is a product of Boris Johnson's duplicity and the European Union's inflexibility, intransigence and failure to understand the balance inherent in the GFA. It makes no allowance for Northern Ireland's unique position.

The movement of goods and components from Great Britain to Northern Ireland as their final destination presents no threat to the Customs Union or Single Market and therefore should not be subject to any restrictions or additional regulations. Frictionless movement is only a problem for the EU if the goods are in transit to the wider European market.

Biosecurity measures which have successfully protected the island of Ireland for decades are being unnecessarily strengthened, another example of the gratuitous implementation of unnecessary regulations embedded in a largely unnecessary Irish Sea border.

Dr John Kyle is a PUP councillor

Dr Graham Gudgin

The Northern Ireland Protocol is an unnecessary and undemocratic sledgehammer to crack a nut.

There are simpler ways to protect the EU from receiving illegal imports across an open land border without constructing a customs border in the Irish Sea between NI and GB for the first time in hundreds of years.

The Protocol states "a shared aim of avoiding controls at the ports and airports of Northern Ireland" and "of impacting as little as possible on the everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland".

It also "has regard to the importance of maintaining the integral place of Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom's internal market". Despite all of this it goes ahead and imposes customs controls on the sea border.

This has infuriated unionists who demand that Northern Ireland should be treated the same way as any other parts of the UK. While this demand is understandable it is also true that NI has never quite been the same as other parts of the UK and can live with light customs controls, but these need to completely avoid the current heavy handedness.

Will a sea border destroy the Union? The answer is no. There is a solid majority in support of remaining in the Union, and living standards are higher than in the Republic. The Union is safe.

What should unionism do now? The protocol was shamefully poorly drafted, and the EU is exploiting its advantage even though it faces absolutely no current problems with imports from the UK.

Unionists should support David Frost and employ all methods to insist on the lightest possible application of the rules. If the EU continues to insist on checks for goods that were until very recently no problem at all, then nuclear options may be needed. In extremis these include removing cooperation with the North-South Ministerial Council and cross-border bodies.

Dr Graham Gudgin is an honorary research associate at the Centre for Business Research, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. He was special adviser to the First Minister in Northern Ireland 1998-2002.

Philip Orr

The Irish Sea border is an unwanted tangle in the link between Northern Ireland and Britain - and those pro-Union citizens who voted to remain in the EU can't help but feel annoyed at this further consequence of Brexit.

In truth, Northern Ireland has often felt like a place apart within the UK, in terms of progressive legislation, options for party affiliation and standards of living. Unionists have often felt themselves clinging on (as the poet Tom Paulin phrased it) to "the window-ledge of the Union".

However, this place is still in the UK 100 years after its creation despite massive challenges. That is remarkable.

I think there is no great value in yet another attempt to create a successful protest movement. Previous attempts to overturn imposed change have not worked. Repeated failure demoralises.

Northern Ireland must instead take hold of the opportunities that are presented by having a foothold in the EU as well as being in the UK. With a smart young workforce, an English speaking population and advocates in Biden's America, this place is ideally placed to host global companies who want access to both the UK and EU.

The future beckons and it could actually be exciting.

The Illustrated History Of Flight by Philip Orr is published by Singular Publishing. To purchase a copy, go to www.ptorr.com

Read part one of this article.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked foreign diplomats serving in Kenya to continue partnering with the Government in advancing shared global aspirations.

Today we are meeting as partners in a common cause  to forge a shared vision as we advance progress in Kenya and globally.

As friends, partners and allies we are more successful when we understand each others vision and aspirations, and work together to fulfil it, the President said.

The President, who spoke Thursday morning at State House, Nairobi during this years annual Presidential briefing to the diplomatic corps, thanked the envoys for the support Kenya continues to receive from the international community in the fight against Covid-19.

On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank many of you for the support you extended to us in our effort to contain the Pandemic, the President said.

The Head of State appraised the envoys on key local and regional developments, and explained Kenyas position on several global issues saying the meeting was a demonstration of the countrys strong democratic credentials.

These interactions typify our commitment to foster greater understanding, deepen our partnerships and leverage opportunities for the common good, noted the President.

He said Kenya will continue working to secure its economic future, deepen democracy, ensure equitable distribution of national resources and manage its diversity by partnering with others.

On the economy, the President noted that Kenyas aspirations are succinctly outlined in the countrys Vision 2030 blueprint saying, his administrations focus is to build a united country with a fast-growing economy as captured in the Big 4 Agenda.

Seven years into my term as President, I have focused on an agenda to build a united country with a fast-growing economy; where wealth is created and prosperity shared fairly amongst all citizens.

This entails creating more and decent jobs, raising living standards of every Kenyan, ending inequality and lifting more Kenyans out of poverty, he said.

President Kenyatta regretted that Covid-19 had slowed down the implementation of Big 4 Agenda programmes by diverting resources.

Significant financial resources have had to be re-allocated to address the effects of the pandemic, amidst a slowdown in economic activity. The economic and social disruptions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic have eroded some of the progress we had made in recent years, the President said.

The Head of State told the diplomats that the ongoing BBI law reform process was aimed at addressing some of Kenyas longstanding challenges.

BBI is about perennial issues we need to address as a Nationparticularly political transitions, negative ethnicity; inclusion; equitable development and our fight against corruption, he said.

The President assured the envoys that Kenya will continue playing its leading role as an anchor for regional peace and security saying geopolitical conflicts, desert locust invasion, climate change, Covid-19 and terrorism are some of the recent challenges that have worsened the regions dire humanitarian situation.

However, President Kenyatta observed that there were positive developments in countries such as South Sudan and Sudan where peace and transitional processes remain on course.

The President also spoke about regional integration as an enabler for trade saying Kenya is fully committed to its regional and continental commitments.

We remain firmly committed to our obligations and responsibilities at the East African Community, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as well as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Kenya also believes in the promise of Africa; we are fully committed to building new frameworks and developing innovative solutions; that are African inspired, African led and that speak to Africas needs and priorities, he said.

At the meeting also attended by Cabinet Secretaries Dr Fred Matiangi (Interior), Monica Juma (Defence), Ukur Yatani (National Treasury) as well as Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua and Chief of the Defense Forces General Robert Kibochi among other senior Government officials, the President thanked the envoys for backing Kenyas successful UN Security Council bid.

He assured the diplomats that Kenya will continue working closely with UN Security Council member states to ensure that the organ discharges its mandate in an inclusive, responsive and consultative manner.

In her remarks, Foreign Affairs CS Amb Raychelle Omamo said Kenya was committed to multilateralism adding that the country appreciates the support it gets from the international community.
Advertisement

Friends of Meghan Markle say she would never ask to postpone Sunday's release of her tell-all interview with Oprah and claim the royal family is using Prince Philip's health as an excuse to keep her 'muzzled,' sources tell DailyMail.com.

Mounting pressure has been put on Meghan, Harry and CBS to push back the much-anticipated interview special out of respect for Harry's grandfather Prince Philip, who is recovering from heart surgery.

But a friend of the Sussexes tells DailyMail.com exclusively, 'Even if Meghan had the choice to postpone the Oprah special she said she wouldn't because it has absolutely nothing to do with Prince Philip and that this is just an excuse by the palace to keep her muzzled.'

'Prince Harry has no say on the matter. What's done is done. Meghan said now the whole world can see what she had to endure for months on end. No support whatsoever and now even across the pond, still no loyalty or support. '

A Hollywood insider with ties to the Sussexes tells DailyMail.com, 'Even if Meghan had the choice to postpone the Oprah special she said she wouldn't'

In a teaser released Wednesday, Meghan accused the Royal Family of 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Harry.

The clip was released the same day Buckingham Palace launched a probe into allegations that Meghan bullied her staff. The unprecedented inquiry came after Meghan was accused of inflicting 'emotional cruelty' on aides who said she is playing the victim.

Mounting pressure has been put on Meghan and Harry to push back the much-anticipated interview special out of respect for Prince Philip's health

Royal staff said they are members of the 'Sussex Survivors' Club' after working for the couple, with some claiming they have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety because of their treatment by Harry and Meghan.

But our source said, '[Meghan] said these outrageous allegations confirm why she and Harry had to part ways and make it their mission to be a voice for the underdog.

'Meghan said not once did anyone from the Palace come to her defense when she was being shredded by the tabloids, but now all of a sudden it's okay for those same people to talk to the media.

'She said it's a double standard and not in a million years would Kate ever be treated this way. Meghan said she was singled out from day one.

'Meghan said she is beyond relieved and grateful that she can enjoy her pregnancy surrounded by love and support, unlike what she experienced behind the walls of the Palace.'

On Friday another promo clip was released of the interview. In it, Meghan claimed royal aides blocked her from having a personal conversation with Oprah in the months leading up to her wedding to Prince Harry.

Oprah revealed she called Meghan in February or March 2018 - two or three months before her wedding at Windsor Castle in May that year - to ask for an interview, but she declined because it was not 'the right time'.

On Wednesday, the Palace confirmed that its HR team will 'look into' the allegations, saying it 'does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace'

The bullying claims emerged in a 2018 email sent by Harry and Meghan's press chief Jason Knauf, who now works for Prince William. This sparked an extraordinary chain of events where the Sussexes accused Buckingham Palace of smearing them. The Queen then launched an inquiry into the bullying claims

Meghan said she remembered that chat with Oprah 'very well' and 'wasn't even allowed to have this conversation with you personally' because there had to be other people in the room sitting in.

Asked why she was now speaking out, Meghan gave a long pause, before saying: 'Well, so many things. That we're on the other side of a lot of - a lot of life experience that's happened, and also that we have the ability to make our own choices in a way that I couldn't have said yes to you then.'

She added: 'That wasn't my choice to make. So as an adult who lived a really independent life to then go into this construct that is different than I think what people imagine it to be, it's really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege in some ways to be able to say yes, I'm ready to talk.'

Oprah said Meghan was now ready to 'say it for yourself', which the Duchess agreed with, adding that she now did 'not to have to consult with anybody at this point'. Meghan added: 'Yeah, to make a choice your own and be able to speak for yourself.'

Oprah raised eyebrows when she attended the wedding in May 2018 among many observers who had no idea the billionaire US chat show legend even knew the couple.

She is thought to have only met the Duchess once face-to-face before being invited to the star-studded nuptials and given a plum seat next to senior royals.

Their sit-down at Kensington Palace months before the ceremony was reportedly initiated by Gayle King, a mutual friend and presenter on CBS This Morning, who is said to have set up the initial phone call between the pair.

Oprah has also promoted the Duchess's range of vegan coffee to her 19million Instagram followers, visited her mother Doria for 'kumquats and yoga in the garden' and even teamed up with Harry to secure an Apple TV deal.

The tell-all chat with Oprah Winfrey was filmed at a location in California last month and will be shown in the US on Sunday

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018 (left), which Oprah Winfrey attended (right)

he first of two clips released on Monday saw Oprah ask Meghan: 'Were you silent or were you silenced?'. Oprah added: 'I just want to make it clear to everybody that there is no subject that is off limits'. Two further sections of that clip saw Oprah say the phrases 'almost unsurvivable' and 'sounds like there was a breaking point'.

That same clip also featured Harry saying: 'My biggest concern was history repeating itself'  and two further snippets of Oprah saying: 'You've said some pretty shocking things here', and 'Wait, hold, hold up, wait a minute.'

The second clip released on Monday saw Harry say: 'For me, I'm just really relieved and happy to be sitting here talking to you with my wife by my side, because I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like for her (my mother Princess Diana) going through this process by herself all those years ago, because it's been unbelievably tough for the two of us. But at least we have each other.'

The program will be broadcast in more than 70 countries - including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, about 40 nations in sub-Saharan Africa and even Iceland - in deals experts say will be worth 'a king's ransom'.

More countries will be announced in the coming days under arrangements that could earn tens of millions of pounds for CBS. The Sussexes are not being paid for the chat and will not receive a slice of the syndication profits.

CBS is said to be charging advertisers more than $150,000 for a 30-second slot. PR insider Mark Borkowski said: 'With 70 countries, a conservative estimate is that this is going to make tens of millions. I can't see anything less than that.

'You're looking at a king's ransom and it's going to be a massive payday for CBS. The last event on a scale like this was probably Meghan's own wedding. If it had been outside of Covid and the ravages of that on the ad industry it might have been a bigger deal, but it's still going to be a huge piece of content to have.'

A source close to the couple said of the timing: 'There are a lot of people who are going to talk about this until the program airs, but the programming and all the rest of it is ultimately up to CBS. We're not involved in that side of things. As it stands, I don't think there is any intention from the program maker to change its air date.'

Tory MP Bob Blackman said: 'To be doing a tell-all interview screened in the UK when Philip is in hospital they are badly advised, to put it mildly. None of these royal interviews have gone well and I can't see this going any better.'

Ahead of its release, CBS presenter Gayle King (left), who is good friends with Oprah, tweeted (right): 'Two days and counting till Oprah's interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry... This morning we have an EXCLUSIVE preview'

In another trailer, Meghan calls her husband's family 'The Firm' and blames them for her decision to speak out.

Oprah asks her: 'How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth today?'

An emotional Meghan replies: 'I don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us'.

The Duchess adds: 'And, if that comes with risk of losing things, there is a lot that has been lost already.'

It's not clear which 'falsehoods' Meghan is talking about because the interview was recorded before she was accused of 'driving out' two PAs and shattering the confidence of another member of Kensington Palace staff - with one former aide branding Prince Harry and his wife 'outrageous bullies.'

Hours after she made the claims, Buckingham Palace revealed the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, underwent a 'successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition' and will remain in hospital for 'treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days'.

Commonwealth Day in 2020 was the scene of Harry and Meghan's final official public engagement last year. The 2021 service was cancelled for the first time in nearly half a century, because of the pandemic

Meghan suggests she has no fears about losing her royal privileges by speaking out, claiming: 'If that comes with risk of losing things, there is a lot that has been lost already'

Buckingham Palace will braced for a weekend of potentially damaging revelations and will no doubt be nervously watching developments in the US to see what further claims are made in the interview.

Meanwhile other Royal Family members carried on with their engagements - including Prince William and Kate who had a videocall with the parents of a boy helped by a mental health text helpline that they are supporting.

While CBS was broadcasting, the @RoyalFamily Twitter account quoted a post about how the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had spoken to a family whose lives were changed by a message to a mental health support service.

The Queen has also continued working while her husband has been in hospital - including encouraging people to get the Covid-19 vaccine, holding phone calls with Armed Forces chiefs and virtually unveiling a new statue of herself in Australia.

The pair were both labeled 'outrageous bullies', according to sensational claims.

'Broken' royal aides told of feeling humiliated, 'sick', 'terrified', left 'shaking' with fear, and being reduced to tears by the duchess.

In an extraordinary statement, Buckingham Palace announced a formal probe into the allegations surrounding the Queen's grandson and his wife. Members of staff will be invited to contribute in confidence.

The Duchess of Sussex (pictured with the royal family) is accused of 'driving out' two PAs and shattering the confidence of another member of Kensington Palace staff - with one former aide branding Harry and his wife 'outrageous bullies' in The Times earlier this week

A photograph released by Kensington Palace today of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their videocall with the parents of a schoolboy who have praised the text helpline, Shout 85258, developed by the couple's Royal Foundation

The Palace said: 'We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Royal Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.

'The household has had a dignity at work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.'

It does not appear that the duke and duchess will be consulted at this stage. However, Harry and Meghan have strenuously denied any bullying.

In response to the reports, they accused the Queen's staff of orchestrating a 'calculated smear campaign'. But Palace sources slapped down the smear claim as utterly 'disingenuous'.

The allegations and resulting probe  as well as accusations by the duchess that Buckingham Palace, and therefore the Queen, are deliberately moving against her  sees a new low in relations between the two parties.

When the couple acrimoniously quit last year as working royals, the elderly monarch made clear her regret and made a point of saying they were still much loved members of her family.

Aides said the hope was that they could still return for family events such as Trooping the Colour, the official celebration of the Queen's birthday when royals gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and other important occasions.

'We can FINALLY tell the truth': Former Royal aide who claims she was 'bullied by Meghan Markle' welcomes Palace probe and hopes it will put pressure on her and Harry to provide evidence

By Martin Robinson, Chief Reporter For Mailonline and Rebecca English Royal Editor and Sam Greenhill Chief Reporter For The Daily Mail

An aide claiming to have been bullied by Meghan Markle welcomed the Queen's investigation into her and Harry's alleged mistreatment of staff and declared: 'We will finally be able to tell the truth'.

The unnamed palace worker's claim will pile even more pressure on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to give evidence to the probe after they were invited to take part by Buckingham Palace.

The Sussexes are accused of leaving behind a 'lot of broken people' with 'young women broken by their behaviour' and a source describing one member of their staff as 'completely destroyed' by the ordeal.

The Queen has now launched an unprecedented inquiry into allegations that Meghan and Harry bullied their staff - leaving royal employees 'shaken' by 'unhappy memories' being brought up about a 'toxic period' before the couple emigrated.

Devastating claims that the Duchess of Sussex inflicted 'emotional cruelty' on underlings and 'drove them out' were 'very' concerning, Buckingham Palace said.

The whistleblower told The Times: 'We will finally be able to tell the truth. It's not going to be easy, but this is very welcome and long overdue. We don't have to be silent any more'. Lawyers for the Sussexes have vehemently denied they have bullied or mistreated staff.

It came as Meghan Markle accused the Royal Family of 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Harry in their interview with Oprah Winfrey in a new teaser clip released just hours after Buckingham Palace launched a probe into her alleged bullying of staff.

Ramping up her war of words with the royals, the Duchess of Sussex calls her husband's family 'The Firm' in the 30-second trailer released by CBS yesterday and blames them for speaking out in a show set to be watched by millions around the globe.

Hours after she made the claims, Buckingham Palace revealed the Duke of Edinburgh has undergone a 'successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition' and will remain in hospital for 'treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days'.

Prince Philip, 99, had the operation at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London, where he was transferred to on Monday after spending 14 days at King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone due to an infection.

Harry's grandfather's ill health will again increase calls for the couple to postpone its broadcast on CBS in the US on Sunday and on ITV1 in the UK on Monday.

The Queen (pictured with the couple in 2018) launched an unprecedented inquiry last night into allegations that Meghan and Harry bullied their staff

It came as a royal outsider scotched hopes they could one day return for royal events such as Trooping the Colour, saying: 'I can't ever see those two back on the balcony.'

Harry and his wife were both labelled 'outrageous bullies', according to sensational claims.

'Broken' royal aides told of feeling humiliated, 'sick', 'terrified', left 'shaking' with fear, and being reduced to tears by the duchess.

In an extraordinary statement, Buckingham Palace announced a formal probe into the allegations surrounding the Queen's grandson and his wife. Members of staff will be invited to contribute in confidence.

The Palace said: 'We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Royal Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.

'The household has had a dignity at work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.'

It does not appear that the duke and duchess will be consulted at this stage. However, Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, have strenuously denied any bullying.

In response to the reports, they accused the Queen's staff of orchestrating a 'calculated smear campaign' ahead of their explosive two-hour 'tell-all' interview with Oprah Winfrey being broadcast this weekend.

But Palace sources last night slapped down the smear claim as utterly 'disingenuous'.

The allegations and resulting probe  as well as accusations by the duchess that Buckingham Palace, and therefore the Queen, are deliberately moving against her  sees a new low in relations between the two parties.

When the couple acrimoniously quit last year as working royals, the elderly monarch made clear her regret and made a point of saying they were still much loved members of her family.

Aides said the hope was that they could still return for family events such as Trooping the Colour, the official celebration of the Queen's birthday when royals gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and other important occasions.

Last night a royal insider commented: 'I can't ever see those two back on the balcony.'

There is no timetable to the investigation but it is understood that any changes in policies and procedures will be shared publicly in an annual review expected later in the year.

The royal aides at the centre of palace intrigue Melissa Touabti (right) is pictured with Robbie Williams' wife Ayda for whom she previously worked PA WHO QUIT AFTER WEDDING: Melissa Touabti, the duchess's former personal assistant, had previously worked for Robbie Williams and Madonna. She played a key role in preparations for Meghan and Harry's wedding in May 2018, but quit after just six months. The Frenchwoman, 41, took a job with the billionaire Livingstone family  owners of the stately home Cliveden. THE AMERICAN SPIN DOCTOR: Jason Knauf joined the royals in 2014, having acted as a 'crisis management expert' at the Royal Bank of Scotland. The 36- year-old American, who completed his master's at the London School of Economics, served as communications secretary to the 'Fab Four' of William, Kate, Harry and Meghan before the Cambridges and Sussexes created separate offices in March 2019. Mr Knauf now heads William and Kate's charitable foundation. THE AMERICAN SPIN DOCTOR: Jason Knauf (left) walks behind the couple at the Invictus Games in Toronto Simon Case in Dundee in 2019 THE WHIZ-KID WHO RUNS WHITEHALL: Simon Case became the youngest head of the civil service for over a century when he took the post at the tender age of 41. The Cambridge history graduate  a noted fan of tweed suits and Barbour jackets  had previously been the principal private secretary to successive Tory prime ministers, David Cameron and Theresa May. He also worked at spying centre GCHQ as a 'director of strategy'. His most recent role before becoming Cabinet Secretary last year was serving as private secretary to Prince William. THE TOUGH TALKING AUSTRALIAN: Formerly the Queen's assistant private secretary, Samantha Cohen had planned to quit Buckingham Palace in 2018. Instead, she agreed to stay on and help the duchess through her first months in the Royal Family. The well-liked but tough-talking Australian became the Sussexes' private secretary, but left in 2019 to work for the environmental charity Cool Earth. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II (accompanied by Samantha Cohen) attend a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in Widnes, England THE PRINCES' HR HEAD HONCHO: Experienced human resources director Samantha Carruthers worked for De Beers and investment bank Lazard before joining the royals. Head of HR for Prince Charles and Prince William until 2019, she is now deputy chairman of the board of trustees for child bereavement charity Winston's Wish. Samantha Carruthers worked for De Beers and investment bank Lazard before joining the royal Advertisement

Palace officials will be asked why the initial claims of bullying that were made in October 2018 were not acted on at the time.

A royal source told the Daily Mail last night that the emergence of the bullying claims had 'shaken' many staff, both past and present, and brought up 'many unhappy memories' about a particularly 'toxic period'.

The Times revealed allegations that the duchess bullied two assistants and shattered the confidence of another member of staff, and 'drove them out' of Kensington Palace. It published a litany of alleged bullying and 'emotional cruelty'.

A Palace source told the paper: 'There were a lot of broken people. Young women were broken by their behaviour.' The source described one member of staff as 'completely destroyed'.

A former aide branded both Harry and his wife 'outrageous bullies'. Another source claimed that Samantha Cohen, the couple's private secretary, had also been picked on.

In October 2018, an official complaint was lodged by Jason Knauf, himself one the couple's most senior advisers.

He wrote: 'I am very concerned that the duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year. The treatment of [X] was totally unacceptable.

'The duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights. She is bullying Y and seeking to undermine her confidence.

'We have had report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behaviour towards [Y].'

Harry and Meghan, whose 'no holds barred' CBS interview with Miss Winfrey will be broadcast on Sunday in America and in the UK on Monday at 9pm on ITV  which reportedly paid 1million  hit back at the allegations in The Times. A spokesman claimed the newspaper was being 'used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative' before the interview.

Yesterday a senior Palace source told the Mail: 'This is absolutely untrue. We haven't been 'peddling' anything. It's disingenuous [to suggest that]. There are far more important things going on in the world [a reference to the pandemic and Prince Philip's hospitalisation] that have been focusing our attention, rather than the circus around a media interview.'

Another source added: 'The Palace has 100 per cent refused to discuss in any way, shape or form the interview.

'Every journalist that has been asking them about it for the last week or so knows that.

'The view from the start is that nothing good is to be gained from doing that. Their view has not changed. The suggestion that this is a Palace-orchestrated smear campaign is deeply offensive and patently false.'

Mr Knauf, who worked as communications secretary to Harry and Meghan and now heads the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's charitable foundation, sent his 2018 email of complaint to Simon Case, then William's private secretary and now the Cabinet Secretary at Downing Street.

Mr Case, who is said to have had no managerial responsibility for Harry's staff but took a keen interest in what was happening, passed it to human resources director Samantha Carruthers.

According to the report in The Times, Mr Knauf, who had already consulted Miss Carruthers, said in his email that she 'agreed with me on all counts that the situation was very serious'.

Harry had 'pleaded' with Mr Knauf not to pursue the allegations, The Times claimed. Lawyers for the couple deny this happened.

The newspaper said it had been approached by former staff to tell their story before the couple's interview with Miss Winfrey. They claimed that when Meghan was urged to support Palace staff she replied: 'It's not my job to coddle people.'

Meghan's lawyers have vehemently denied she was a bully and claimed that one of the staff had left the job because of misconduct.

They said the former actress was 'saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma'. They added: 'Let's just call this what it is  a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation.'

Meghan and Harry have been accused of being disrespectful to the Queen and her husband after it emerged they won't delay the release of their Oprah Winfrey interview despite Prince Philip's health problems.

The couple are under huge pressure to ask Ms Winfrey to delay the broadcast in the US on Sunday night and across the world on Monday after it was revealed Harry's 99-year-old grandfather underwent heart surgery this week.

Critics including several MPs have warned them they are 'badly advised' to go along with the plan - but the couple insist that it is up to CBS, who don't have 'any intention' to delay the show set to make them millions of dollars in sales and advertising revenue.

A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex yesterday confirmed that the screening on Sunday night is still expected to go ahead, claiming the decision now lies with the broadcasters set to make millions from the two-hour show.

'There are a lot of people who are going to talk about this until the programme airs, but the programming and all the rest of it is ultimately up to CBS, we're not involved in that side of things', the source said, adding: 'As it stands, I don't think there is any intention from the programme maker to change its air date'.

And in a further indication that the programme will be going ahead in Britain, ITV yesterday shared the same clip that was released by CBS in the early hours of Thursday morning  but this time with the UK broadcaster's branding in the bottom corner.

There is growing anger over the broadcast going ahead, with royal experts, fans and MPs calling for its postponement.

Tory MP Bob Blackman told MailOnline: 'The reality is I don't think the interview is appropriate at all. The less they say the better, irrespective of the state of health of the Duke of Edinburgh. But to be doing a tell-all interview screened in the UK when he is in hospital  fortunately he appears to have had a successful operation  they are badly advised to put it mildly. None of these royal interviews have gone well... and I can't see this going any better.'

Mr Blackman said ITV has 'got a choice to make'. 'I don't think they should be showing it,' he said. 'Everyone's sympathies should be for the Queen, a remarkable lady who has given a lifetime of service.' Another Tory MP, who did not want to be named, said of Harry and Meghan: 'One day I hope those two discover what it is really like to have problems.'

Deals have been struck across the globe for the rights to broadcast the Sussexes' Oprah Winfrey interview, ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group said.

The show has been licensed to be shown in more than 17 countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and the UK, as well as in sub-Saharan Africa, following its US premiere on Sunday.

CBS Presents Oprah With Meghan And Harry will be screened on networks including Australia's Network 10 and Canada's Global TV.

Meghan's friends accuse Royal aides of painting Duchess as an 'angry woman of color' with 'bullying' allegations in an 'ugly' bid to 'destroy her character' ahead of tell-all Oprah interview

Meghan Markle's friends have rushed to her defence amid the Buckingham Palace 'bullying' row - with one claiming the dramatic fallout has been fuelled by racism.

Omid Scobie, author of the Finding Freedom biography of the Sussexes, quoted a series of Meghan's friends standing up for her in a report for Harper's Bazaar.

One friend said Meghan was another example of a 'woman of colour in a senior position accused of being too angry, too scary, too whatever in the workplace'.

The author was also told Meghan and her husband Prince Harry have found the claims 'distressing and upsetting', and that she is always 'kind and considerate'.

Omid Scobie, royal editor at large for Harper's Bazaar and author of the Finding Freedom biography of the Sussexes, quoted a series of Meghan's friends who have stood up for her

Meghan is pictured during her interview with Oprah Winfrey set to air on ITV next Monday

Omid Scobie: Harper's Bazaar royal editor who left Heat after allegedly being called a 'P**i' Omid Scobie started his career on the celebrity magazine Heat before moving on to cover the royals. He is now royal editor at large for Harper's Bazaar. Born to a Scottish father who runs a marketing agency and an Iranian mother who works in child welfare, he said he left Heat after an executive is alleged to have called him a 'P**i'. He is a royal contributor for Good Morning America and host of ABC's royal podcast, 'The Heir Pod'. Mr Scobie has boasted of his exclusive access to Prince Harry and Meghan. Mr Scobie is co-author of Finding Freedom, a biography about Harry and Meghan He is described in the blurb for the Sussexes biography Finding Freedom as 'an authoritative voice on the lives and philanthropic endeavors of the Royal Family's younger members and maintains strong access to the Sussexes' working world'. Advertisement

Mr Scobie, the royal editor of Harper's Bazaar, regularly stands up for Meghan on social media and last night retweeted a series of positive messages backing her.

In an article he also claims that the couple, who deny helping him with his book, 'knew that it would get ugly in the run up' before their Oprah Winfrey interview.

The 'tell-all' two-hour conversation will be broadcast in the US on CBS this Sunday night at 1am UK time, before being shown in Britain on ITV on Monday from 9pm.

Writing in Harper's Bazaar, Mr Scobie quotes a anonymous friend of Meghan saying: 'I hate to say it, but find me a woman of colour in a senior position who has not been accused of being too angry, too scary, too whatever in the workplace. It's sad that it's happening, but I'm not surprised. These claims are so far from the woman I know.'

Another said: 'Harry and Meghan knew that it would get ugly in the run up but seeing such an obvious attempt at destroying her character was distressing and upsetting.'

It comes as the Duchess said she could not be expected to stay silent if the royal family played a part in 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Harry.

A clip of Meghan making the remarks to Oprah Winfrey was released in the early hours of yesterday, in which the Duchess added 'a lot ... has been lost already'.

The couple's interview with the US chat show queen is expected to lift the lid on their short period as working royals before they stepped down for a life in America.

In the 30-second clip released on social media, Oprah asks the Duchess: 'How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth today?'

She replies: 'I don't know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.

'And, if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, I ... there is a lot that has been lost already.'

'The Firm' is widely considered to be shorthand for the institution of the royal family.

The clip was released just hours after Buckingham Palace said last night it had launched an investigation into claims that the Duchess bullied former royal staff.

Past and present employees are to be invited to speak in confidence about their experiences of working for Meghan, after it was alleged she drove out two personal assistants and that staff were 'humiliated' on several occasions.

The Times newspaper has reported that the duchess 'destroyed' one member of staff and another was left in tears before she departed. Meghan's lawyers have vehemently denied she is a bully.

Mr Scobie last night retweeted a series of positive messages backing the Duchess of Sussex

Kate Middleton's mother Carole asks publishers of Good Housekeeping not to promote her cover interview to avoid being 'insensitive' to Prince Philip, 99, Kate Middleton's mother Carole has asked the publishers of Good Housekeeping magazine not to promote a cover interview with her over fears it will look 'insensitive' while Prince Philip is battling ill-health in hospital. Carole Middleton, who runs party supply company Party Pieces, interviewed with the magazine in January but has reportedly asked its publishers not to promote it as Prince Philip, 99, is still in hospital. The news comes ahead of a 'tell-all' interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey which is set to air in the UK on Monday night, despite criticism of its timing. Kate Middleton's mother Carole turned down publicity for an interview in Good Housekeeping magazine because she did not want to be 'insensitive' while Prince Philip, 99, was in hospital Respectful: Carole Middleton, pictured on the cover of Good Housekeeping, discusses her business and family life in the interview which features in the April issue and is out now A source told the Sun: 'Carole is incredibly proud of her company and all the hard work that goes into it. 'But whilst backing the business, she didn't want to turn any news into a media circus because she is so respectful and sensitive to Catherine, and the royal family. 'She always gets William's go-ahead before any interview like this, and he is incredibly supportive. 'But the more the PR machine rolled out in Los Angeles with Meghan and Harry, the more sensitive Carole became. 'She decided she didn't want to do any PR for the interview - even if it cost her thousands in potential lost marketing.' In the interview, which features in the April issue and is out now, Carole shares insights into her company Party Pieces as well as her family life. She appears on the cover of the magazine wearing a 375 Seventies-inspired floral print dress from Wyse London, befitting the arrival of spring. Advertisement

Kate and William will join the Queen for special broadcast to celebrate the Commonwealth hours before Sussexes' bombshell Oprah interview airs

By Dan Sales For MailOnline

The Queen will appear on a television special featuring Prince William and Kate, Sophie as well as Charles and Camilla hours before Harry and Meghan's US interview criticising the Royal household.

Six senior Royals will be seen on A Celebration For Commonwealth Day which will be broadcast on BBC One on Sunday.

It will be seen by millions of Britons before Meghan's pre-recorded CBS sit-down with Oprah Winfrey which has already been trailed showing her hitting out at 'The Firm'.

In fact six of the eight senior Royal Family members widely said to make up The Firm will be seen speaking beforehand - with only Princess Anne and Edward not featured.

The Queen's annual Commonwealth Day message will pay tribute to communities across the family of nations have come together in response to the pandemic.

The Queen will be joined by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge William and Kate on TV

The Royal family broadcast will go out hours before Meghan and Harry are on US television

Later the Prince of Wales will addressing the universal devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic in a recorded message and wife Camilla will tell broadcaster Clare Balding about the importance of books.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also spoken to medical, charity and voluntary staff from across the Commonwealth to hear more about the work they have been carrying out to care for those within their communities.

Finally the Countess of Wessex has spoken to three women from around the Commonwealth, to hear about their experiences of supporting other women and their wider communities.

The 5pm programme steals a march on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to beat them to the airwaves by addressing the nation on TV first.

Her Majesty was due to attend the annual Commonwealth Service on March 8 - but this has been cancelled for the first time in nearly half a century due to Covid-19, Westminster Abbey announced this week.

The Queen will take to the airways without Meghan and Harry who have stepped down

Instead the Queen chose to share her annual message 24 hours earlier for A Celebration For Commonwealth Day.

This will be shown to millions a few hours before Harry and Meghan's intimate interview with Oprah Winfrey is being screened in a two-hour special on CBS at 8pm EST in the US - around 1am UK time on Monday.

A Westminster Abbey spokesman said: 'The decision was taken jointly by the Abbey, the BBC and the royal household about three weeks ago.'

The clash between the Queen's BBC statement and the Sussexes' multi-million dollar CBS interview has extra significance because last year's Commonwealth Service was when the couple bowed out as working royals, and when they were last seen in public with Harry's grandmother, father and brother.

Harry and Meghan are said to be in shock because the Queen stripped them of their royal and sporting patronages after they 'poured their hearts out' to Ms Winfrey during a two-day shoot in their 11million LA mansion last week.

The tell-all interview is due to air on Sunday March 7 with no topics off-limits with one source warning Harry's family the show would be a good 'time to hide behind the sofa at the palace'.

It has also emerged that Meghan is expected to speak about the feud with her family on her father Thomas' side after This Morning host Holly Willoughby said that Oprah Winfrey's team had been in contact with ITV for footage of an interview with her half-sister.

In the January 2020 broadcast Samantha Markle said the former Suits actress and Harry owed her and their father an apology for 'incredibly wrong, untoward, and shocking' behaviour after the royal wedding in 2018.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Amazon workers from anywhere in the world, please share your comments about this tragedy, provide more information about workplace conditions and get involved with the fight to build independent rank-and-file committees by contacting us here.

Around 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning, March 1, Amazon worker Paul Vilscek committed suicide while on his shift at the LAS7 fulfillment center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 48-year-old worker jumped to his death from the fourth-floor mezzanine inside the warehouse, as co-workers nearby watched in horror.

An Amazon fulfillment center (Wikimedia Commons)

After initial speculation in the media that the death might have been accidental, the Clark County Coroners Office on Tuesday confirmed that the death was a suicide.

After Vilsceks death, management kept workers on the job until 9:40 a.m. before sending them home with pay and offering grief counseling. One worker commented on Reddit, They took nearly three hours to make the common sense, literally bare minimum decision, not to have people working in the area that their co-worker just died in. Workers were expected to come to work the next morning as usual, and Amazon has said very little about the incident.

Two workers from the LAS7 and surrounding facilities spoke with the International Amazon Workers Voice (IAWV) to share their thoughts in the aftermath of the tragedy. They have requested to remain anonymous out of concern over retaliation.

One co-worker said Paul was really chatty and friendly. She explained he was also everywhere doing a variety of tasks, like running the damage department, problem solving, stowing and counting. He was a really dependable guy and very kind.

While it is unclear what complex set of issues drove Paul to take his own life or what role his position at Amazon may have played, many Amazon workers mentioned the high-stress work environment and lack of compassion on the part of management.

I will say management doesnt give a damn about mental health or so it seems, one co-worker told the IAWV. We are actively discouraged to interact with our fellow co-workers lest we be written up for time off task.

She continued, I have a history of severe depression and anxiety, along with a big ole dose of suicidal thoughts. And Ive cried at work before, in front of them even, and they dont care. There is not a single moment where we arent treated as numbers.

Another worker in Las Vegas explained to the IAWV, Never in my life have I heard of an employer being so unwilling to care for its employees. In my opinion, the poor man who died at LAS7 more than likely had these same issues with his situation. He had no support through his place of work, and what little time off we can take is held against us.

This event really hit home to me, he added, saying that he deals with severe anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. He also related to a bad divorce that Paul was allegedly going through, a factor that may have contributed to his suicide.

I am on a short-term disability leave due to my issues, but I was informed by a lead that the time Im taking off can cause me to be one of the first names on the list when layoffs come around. This gives me more anxiety. Its a vicious, unrelenting cycle.

When asked what is behind the lack of consideration for mental health issues, he replied, Amazon puts profits above all else. Im quite new there and can tell you this with 100% certainty.

Like those who spoke with the IAWV, workers in Las Vegas and across the United States have utilized social media channels as a way to grieve, send condolences to those affected, relate their own stories to the event and express anger at the way management has handled the situation.

On Reddit, a worker wrote: I worked in an Amazon warehouse for 3 years. There were definitely several times I contemplated it from the fourth floor. I was just afraid it wasnt high enough.

To which another responded: I dont know how you made it that long. I was there a couple weeks and it was so redundant it was sickening. It felt like jail or prison or something. Two fifteen-minute breaks but theyre really only ten minutes because you have to walk to the breakroom. Ten-hour days. Then Back to Work! Human beings arent meant to live like that.

Another worker wrote: Its honestly so sad how emotionally and physically draining this job is and no one listens to us, but were trapped working there cause hardly anyone pays around this much and we cant quit, its gotten to the point where people actually take their lives and its heartbreaking.

Mental health issues are commonplace in the 21st century, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented social crisis that has been triggered by it. On the same day of Pauls suicide in Las Vegas, a Chicago postal worker hanged herself in her delivery van.

According to a February report by Kaiser Family Foundation, During the pandemic, about 4 in 10 adults in the US have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, a share that has been largely consistent, up from one in ten adults who reported these symptoms from January to June 2019.

Even before the pandemic, mental health disorders and suicides were on the rise. A Washington Post article from January 2020, entitled More Americans are killing themselves at work, commented on data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of such suicides for 2018 was 304, the author wrote, which is an 11 percent increase from the year before and the highest number since the bureau began tracking the data 26 years ago.

The worsening social conditions and inequality that lay in the backdrop of these grotesque numbers are especially concentrated in Amazon, where workers are forced to push their physical and mental capacity over the edge in order to sustain the megaprofits of executives and financial investors. Many Amazon workers experience injuries, burnout and severe mental issues. In 2019, The Daily Beast calculated that within a five-year period between 2013 and 2018, there were at least 189 suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts and other mental health episodes at Amazon warehouses.

The tragedy in Las Vegas is reminiscent of the spate of suicides at Foxconn in China involving workers making iPhones and other electronics. At least 18 workers who faced brutal conditions took their own lives, prompting the company to put up suicide nets on its buildings.

These conditions can only be fought by uniting Amazon workers through the formation of independent rank-and-file committees to oppose the corporate dictatorship in the workplaces and fight for workers to exert their control over wages, working conditions, health and safety.
BERLIN (Reuters) - The Romanian director Radu Jude's "Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn", a sexually explicit dark comedy of the everyday aggression experienced by a teacher in contemporary Bucharest, won the Berlin Film Festival's Golden Bear award.

Judges hailed the film, starring Katia Pascariu as the teacher whose private sex tape is leaked, triggering a witch hunt by parents of the children at her school, as a "lasting art work" that "attacked" the viewer.

"It captures on screen the very content and essence, the mind and body, the values and raw flesh of our present moment in time," Israeli director and jury member Nadav Lapid said announcing the award.

Other prizewinners at this year's online Berlinale included German actress Maren Eggert, who played a woman resisting a perfect android's charms in "I'm Your Man" and Hungary's Denes Nagy, awarded best director for the war movie "Natural Light".

The overall winner opens with a lengthy shot of Pascariu having sex in porn style and continues showing the dozens of aggressive acts she deals with running errands in Romania's frenetic capital.

Irritable shopkeepers, swearing car drivers, strident advertising hoardings and the Romanian Orthodox Church all attract the film's gaze.

"I wanted to show as much as possible the values of the community through the tissues of the city," Jude told an online news conference - a chaotic 1920s cityscape by German expressionist painter Nikolaus Braun as his background image.

"How the buildings are, the culture of parking - all these things say a lot about the values," he added.

Shot in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the film shows almost every character wearing a mask, but the viewer is left with the sense that the poison people inject into their own environment is as destructive as any virus.

The film culminates in a grotesque tribunal composed of the middle-class parents of pupils at the elite school where Pascariu teaches. Paragons of virtue, they carefully scrutinise her sex tape before passing judgment.

Story continues

Producer Ada Solomon acknowledged the film would have to be censored for its most explicit scenes for wider distribution, but questioned the values that made this necessary.

"Violence is accepted, nudity not," she said. "I wonder why that is?"

Festival organisers hope to show this year's films in cinemas at a live follow-up event in June, pandemic permitting.

(Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Caroline Copley and Janet Lawrence)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 03:29:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIRUT, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon registered on Friday 3,202 new COVID-19 cases, raising the number of infections to 390,053, the Health Ministry said.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths from the virus went up by 52 to 4,971.

Firas Abiad, director of Rafic Hariri University Hospital (RHUH), said on Friday that the COVID-19 emergency department at RHUH was "exceptionally busy in the past few days with younger patients, many of them in critical condition."

Abiad reiterated his call for citizens to take proper precautionary measures against the virus. Enditem
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Aptamer Group, the developer of Optimer reagents and therapeutics, today announced the extension of their current agreement with AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company.

This agreement will build upon the existing collaboration to evaluate the potential of using Optimer-based strategies to target renal cells and explore the feasibility of developing next-generation drug delivery vehicles, Optimer-drug conjugates.

Optimers are optimized aptamer reagents. Based on oligonucleotide molecules Optimers can bind specifically to a target molecule to act as an antibody alternative. Their ability to fold into distinct secondary or tertiary structures gives them high affinity and specific binding toward cell-specific targets. They are emerging as promising alternatives in a range of applications.

This extension will further unite Aptamer Groups expertise and knowledge in the development of aptamer-based technologies with AstraZenecas leadership in Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM) therapy development.

Arron Tolley, CEO of Aptamer Group said We are really pleased to continue the collaboration with AstraZeneca. We believe that our platform technology could be transformational in the development of drug delivery vehicles. Through working with AstraZeneca, we can explore the potential of these new modalities in the early-stage drug development process.

Regina Fritsche Danielson, Senior Vice President and Head of Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca said Oligonucleotide conjugates offer the potential to reach a specific cell or tissue, and have the potential to have a real impact for new drug targets identified in renal disease. By working together with Aptamer Group and leveraging their Optimer-based strategies we aim to identify novel targeting aptamers to deliver drug molecules to the kidney.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

MINNEAPOLIS  As the trial approaches for a white Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd, prosecutors are putting the time Derek Chauvins knee was on the Black mans neck at about nine minutes.

The time has fluctuated before. It was recorded as 8 minutes, 46 seconds in an initial criminal complaint  a figure that became symbolic to many in the weeks after Floyds death  before a math error was corrected to make it 7:46. But filings since then, citing time-stamped police body-camera video, now make it at least nine minutes.

The fact that the figure has evolved probably wont matter at Chauvins trial, which begins Monday with jury selection. One former prosecutor says its common for such details to be fine-tuned as prosecutors build a case. A support group for victims of police violence says the discrepancies wont have any impact.

He was obviously on there enough time to think about what he was doing. He heard the man pleading that he couldnt breathe, said Toshira Garraway, founder of Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence. If it was two minutes or if it was five minutes or if it was 10 minutes, he was fully aware  Once he said, I cannot breathe  he was supposed to remove his knee.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Floyd died May 25. He had been handcuffed and was pleading that he couldnt breathe, but Chauvin kept his knee on Floyds neck even after he stopped moving and speaking.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers  Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao  are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter and are scheduled for trial in August.

The narrative in the initial complaint filed May 29 by the Hennepin County Attorneys Office says Chauvin held his knee to Floyds neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. But the time stamps cited in that charging document indicate it was actually 7 minutes, 46 seconds.

The Associated Press began asking about the error the day after the initial charges were filed, but prosecutors repeatedly declined to address it. The 8:46 detail was repeated in an amended complaint filed days later by the Attorney Generals Office.

In the weeks that followed Floyds death, some demonstrators staged die-ins that lasted 8 minutes, 46 seconds, some lawmakers knelt for that amount of time in the U.S. Senate, and mourners at a memorial service for Floyd stood in silence for 8:46 to reflect on the final moments of his life.

In mid-June, prosecutors acknowledged the one-minute error, but said it would have no impact on the case.

Documents filed by prosecutors in September and October changed the timing yet again. These documents contain the most detailed picture of what happened, citing time stamps from Lane, Keung and Thaos body camera videos.

The documents dont list an exact time for when Chauvin began kneeling on Floyd, but instead provide a narrative for when Floyd was first pressed to the ground. Time stamps on video from Lanes body camera  recorded in 24-hour-clock format  show that began at some point from 20:19:14 to 20:19:45, meaning from 14 to 45 seconds after 8:19 p.m.

But the documents cite a clear moment when Chauvin removed his knee, when a stretcher was ready to take Floyd away. Lanes body camera time-stamp read 20:28:45.

This means Chauvin had his knee on Floyds neck for at least nine minutes flat, but possibly for as long as 9 minutes, 31 seconds. Documents filed by prosecutors characterize the timing as approximately nine minutes, though in at least one document it is characterized as more than nine minutes and twenty seconds.

John Stiles, the spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office, said the length of time of Chauvins restraint will be evidence presented at trial. He declined further comment.

Tom Heffelfinger, a former U.S. attorney for Minnesota who is not connected to this case, said its normal for prosecutors to fine-tune details as they build a case and that the length of Chauvins restraint wont become essential until a prosecutor presents it to the jury.

But at trial, he said, the timing will become extremely relevant as both sides argue about Floyds cause of death. Heffelfinger also said it points to Chauvins state of mind and can be used by prosecutors to show willfulness, and that Chauvin had Floyd under his control and held his position for too long.

You can see from the bystander video, Chauvin had Floyd under control for that entire period, Heffelfinger said. He didnt need to have his knee to the neck in order to maintain that  control.

___

Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti

___

Find APs full coverage of the death of George Floyd at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd
*UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) The UN chief Anotnio Guterres appointed former US Acting Deputy Ambassador to the organization Cherith Norman Chalet to serve as new Assistant Secretary-General for General Assembly, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Thursday.

"United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today announced the appointment of Cherith Norman Chalet of the United States as Assistant Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management in the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management," Dujarric said.

Most recently, Chalet served as Ambassador for United Nations Management and Reform with Primary responsibility on United Nations reform issues.

Before her work at the US mission to the United Nations, Chalet served in Washington as the senior legislative liaison between the State Department and the congressional Appropriations and Budget Committees and members of Congress.

Chalet will succeed Movses Abelian of Armenia, who served in the role of UnderSecretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management since June 2019.
NEW BRITAIN  A local home health aide was arrested this week on a federal criminal complaint after stealing money from one of her clients, according to prosecutors.

Philliann Barnett, 42, of New Britain, was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with bank fraud stemming from the theft of money from a disabled client, prosecutors said.

If convicted, bank fraud carries a 30-year maximum prison term.

Barnett is free on $75,000 bond and is subject to GPS monitoring. The judge ordered Barnett, a citizen of Jamaica, to surrender her passport. She was also told to comply with her state probation conditions, which include not being allowed to work as a home health aide.

Authorities said Barnett has a history of using aliases, including Phillianne Barnett, Susie Barnett, Nikki Daley and Susie Susie.

In 2003, Barnett was convicted on a federal charge after officials said she defrauded an individual with cerebral palsy. In that case, authorities said Barnett opened credit cards in the victims name and used them for personal expenses.

Barnett was also convicted in Connecticut Superior Court on larceny and identity theft offenses after authorities said she defrauded an elderly woman with Alzheimers disease.

On Aug. 31, 2020, after serving five years in jail, Barnett was released from state custody.

While on probation, Barnett  under the name Philliann Burke  applied to be a home health aide for a company that serviced disabled veterans getting benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs, federal prosecutors said. When she applied, officials said she did not disclose her criminal history. She started the job on Sept. 11, 2020.

In November 2020, while caring for a disabled veteran, Barnett is accused of forging the veterans signature on a check she deposited into her account, prosecutors said.

In February, law enforcement investigating Barnett learned about a separate complaint from a resident of an assisted living facility in the Waterbury area where she worked, officials said. Police said Barnett was accused of stealing money from the persons checking account through a cellphone application.

Anyone who believes they could have been victimized by Barnett is urged to call 781-687-3417.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In 2009, the ABC foreign correspondent Sally Sara walked into the Role 3 hospital at Kandahar Air Base, in Afghanistan. Role 3 was one of the busiest combat hospitals in the world, treating a near constant stream of wounded soldiers, insurgents and women and children. A sign near the entrance read The best care anywhere, which was no idle boast: the hospital had a 97 per cent survival rate. Sara, who had been covering the war for a year, believed she would be filming a quick news story, but before long a surge of casualties arrived. There were 16 injured, among them an 11-year-old boy named Abdul. Abdul had been with his brother when the brother trod on a landmine. The blast killed the boy instantly and left Abdul horribly injured. Shrapnel had blown his jaw off, and the tissue on the right side of his face was largely exposed. Sara filmed the boy from a distance as the doctors worked to save his life. The footage from that day shows Abdul gritting his teeth behind the oxygen mask, his feet spasmed in agony, his voice a desperate keening so loud it almost took the roof off. A veteran foreign correspondent, Sara had reported on all manner of atrocities; rape, mass killings, murder, torture. But something about that day resonated more deeply than anything else in her career. The boy could see me filming him, she says. I remember thinking, There is something very wrong with the world when this can happen to a child. It is a failure on so many levels.  The doctors scanned Abduls head, looking for shrapnel and bleeding. His brain seemed okay, and his outlook was promising. Sara left the hospital in the early hours of the morning, after Abdul had gone into surgery. The next day she returned. Abdul was in ICU: he was in a serious but stable condition and was breathing on his own. She filmed him lying on a bed, his head bandaged up, his little face swollen and purple. After a time, she left. An hour later, Abdul suffered a massive brain haemorrhage and died: hospital staff found his father just in time so he could hold his sons hand. When Sara found out, she was stricken with grief and guilt. I should have stayed, she tells me. I wasnt especially tired, and it was the end of an embed, so I had nowhere else to be. But Id had enough. I couldnt watch it anymore. In war reporting, a central tenet is to honour the dead  to tell their story as well as you can. As far as Sara was concerned, she had failed to fulfil one of her primary responsibilities. Loading In 2012, she left Afghanistan and returned to Sydney, to take up a job as the ABCs regional and rural reporter. But the events in Kandahar stayed with her, like a tear in the fabric of her psyche that, in the coming months, grew deeper and wider. Emotionally speaking, you cant deal with anything over there, so if something is going to rupture, itll be back here, where you have time to think. In November, 2012, she suffered a breakdown. She is not willing to go into the details, saying only that it was a shattering experience and that she initially felt so ashamed and so stunned that it happened.

Advertisement

Sara, who is 50, has blonde shoulder-length hair, pale colouring and eyes the colour of a Nordic lake. She is taller than she appears on television, and more reserved. When I meet her early one evening for a drink near her home in Sydney, she gives off a certain reticence, as if shes not entirely thrilled with being the subject of a story rather than the reporter. She still suffers from symptoms of trauma, most notably a condition known as moral injury, when people witness or fail to prevent events or behaviour that go against their moral code. For me it was seeing kids getting hurt, kids going hungry when there is plenty in the world, and often just observing, not being able to stop it. The play wasnt so much therapy as a way of reclaiming the events, turning an awful experience into something positive. Coming to terms with her condition was a gradual process involving several years of psychotherapy. Then, in 2015, she hit on the idea of writing a play about her experiences, focusing on that day in Kandahar and her subsequent unravelling. The play wasnt so much therapy as a way of reclaiming the events, turning an awful experience into something positive, she says. Now, five years and more than a dozen drafts later, that play, Stop Girl, is premiering on March 20 at Sydneys Belvoir St Theatre. Its been a long road: Sara approached nine theatre companies before being taken on by Belvoir. Yet it still feels so new, as she puts it. Sometimes at rehearsals Sara feels like saying, It was only a joke! I didnt mean for it to actually get made! The whole experience is a mixture of doubt and belief, she says. Its like imposter syndrome on 20 Red Bulls. Sally Sara reporting from Afghanistan in 2011. When you come back, your compass is thrown out, she says. You realise what youd taken to be normal over there isnt in fact normal. Credit:Courtesy of Sally Sara Plenty of people say they have a book inside them: not so many claim to be lugging around a script. But before she was a journalist, Sara dreamt of being a playwright. I always loved the theatre, she tells me. Her grandmother, a talented singer, took part in school plays and district productions. Her mother also did amateur theatre. When Sara was growing up in the tiny town of Port Broughton, on South Australias Yorke Peninsula, her father would go camping with her two brothers, while her mother and Sally drove the 350-kilometre round trip to Adelaide to see a play.

Advertisement

At the time I thought it was so sexist, that I wasnt allowed to go camping with the boys, she says. So I tried to pretend that I wasnt enjoying the theatre, but I was. It was so special, a country kid coming to Adelaide, wearing your special clothes, being there when the lights come down. When she was eight, she saw the musical Annie at the Festival Theatre. When the show started, I was fascinated by every aspect of it. The musicians, the actors, the crew. The girls on stage were all my age, and I wanted to be in it, too. I wanted to be part of all of it. Later, she did screenwriting as a component of her degree at the University of South Australia. In 1991, when she was 20, she wrote to the producers of A Country Practice, the long-running TV series, and got a shot at writing a trial script for them. It was just a development thing, she says. I saved up my money and caught the bus from Adelaide to Sydney. I stayed in a youth hostel in Darlinghurst and only had a few bucks for food. I got to sit in on the writing room for a couple of days as they were brainstorming an episode. After a few days, she caught the bus back to Adelaide. I then wrote my own version of the script, and someone from the writing team provided feedback. It was a great experience, a total adventure. Sara was desperate to write, but she was also desperate to see the world. I thought, I dont want to sit at a desk writing yet. I didnt want that solitude. I wanted to see the world, to experience everything, go places, meet people, so I pursued journalism. And I wanted to go all the way, to become a foreign correspondent. Loading It was the early 1990s and the country was in a deep recession. Sara applied for 22 jobs before landing a gig at community station Outback Radio 2WEB, in Bourke. She won a few awards in her first year, then got a job as a rural reporter with the ABC in 1992. She worked in Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra, where she met Jane Wilson, then an executive assistant for ABC management. I remember Sally as a lanky, happy, friendly country girl who was fresh-faced, keen and ambitious, says Wilson, who became a lifelong friend. Like many people from the country, they always seem to have that independent, adventurous streak; that innate knowledge that there is something beyond the country gate.

Advertisement

In 2000, after a three-month stint in Jakarta, Sara became the ABCs Africa correspondent. She has since reported from 40 countries, including Iraq, Sierra Leone, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you are feeling down about your own professional achievements or lack thereof, its best not to read the Awards section of her CV. She is an eight-time Walkley Award finalist, as well as a winner, in 2017, for her reporting on the famine in Somaliland. Shes bagged four UN Media Awards, and at least a dozen international honours, including for TV and radio reporting. In 2011, she became a Member of the Order of Australia for service to journalism. Oh, and she speaks Zulu. Sally has a compulsion to tell the stories of people who the world often forgets about. Sara has a particular affinity for dangerous places. Sally has a compulsion to tell the stories of people who the world often forgets about, says friend and fellow journalist Leigh Sales. I was having dinner with her two years ago and I said, I dont know how you can do the reporting you do, and she said, I dont know how you can not.  But such work comes at a cost, especially in a place such as Afghanistan. Afghanistan was bigger and more dangerous than a lot of the other places shes been, says her younger brother, Tyson. I think she had a greater fear for her life there than in other places. Tyson, who is a defence industry strategist, happened to be in Afghanistan in 2011, at the same time as his sister, advising NATO commanders in the south of the country. He and Sally caught up a few times, including in the NATO base at Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport, where they enjoyed a surprisingly good Thai dinner. She was looking for her next story, and I was looking for how to help the NATO commander. There is a high-octane allure to Afghanistan, an air of energy about the place, as Tyson puts it. You are doing work you perceive as being exciting and important, and your senses are heightened all the time. Sally tells complex stories through the eyes of individuals. She also wants to understand peoples motivations ... [Writing a play] actually seemed almost natural. A hallmark of Saras reporting is that she doesnt talk about stories in a strategic sense, says Tyson. She tells complex stories through the eyes of individuals. She also wants to understand peoples motivations, which in itself is a creative thought. He wasnt entirely surprised, then, that she should write a play. It actually seemed almost natural.

Advertisement

Sally Sara during a rehearsal of Stop Girl with Sheridan Harbridge, who will play Suzie. Credit:Brett Boardman for Belvoir Theatre Stop Girl begins in Kabul, with lead character Suzie Broughton, a war correspondent, sitting underneath a doona in her room recording a piece for radio. (The doona, she explains, muffles the ambient noise.) With her is Bec, a journalist and old friend of Suzie, who has been sent to write a publicity profile of her. Bec is horrified by the pain and suffering she sees all around her; her shock is a foil to Suzie, who has become largely inured to it. At one stage, the two women visit the aftermath of a suicide bombing. When they return to their room, Bec is aghast to find human remains stuck to the sole of her shoe. Always change your shoes after a bombing, says Suzie. I should have told you that. The play then moves to Sydney, where Suzie is dazzled by the rude bounty of First World life: the fresh food, the sunshine, the safety. Suzie has flashbacks, one of which has her standing in a maternity ward in Kabul, where nurses are slapping the stomach of a pregnant woman to make the baby come out faster, because there arent enough beds. The father is outside: when he is told that his child is a girl  girls are considered a burden in Afghanistan  he starts crying: Bas bibi, bas bibi. Stop girl, stop girl. When you come back, your compass is thrown out, says Sara. You realise what youd taken to be normal over there isnt in fact normal. The apparent materialism and superficiality of Sydney was similarly disorienting. Sara remembers sitting in a cafe after her return when a man ran in and asked the person behind the bar if they had change for a $100 note because he had to pay for his dogs haircut. Life at home just didnt make sense to me, she says. For a while, all I wanted to do was go back. Like her on-stage avatar, Sara worked largely by herself in Afghanistan. That self-reliance and independence made it harder for her to ask for help upon her return, but it has also aided her as a playwright. Sally has a rich interior life, says Leigh Sales, and she is really observant and watchful, which is what makes her a good writer.

Advertisement
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do

ADVERTISEMENT

Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines is growing, with peoples willingness to have the shots increasing as they are rolled out across the world and concerns about possible side effects are fading, a 14-country survey showed on Friday.

Co-led by Imperial College Londons Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI) and the polling firm YouGov, the survey found trust in COVID-19 vaccines had risen in nine out of 14 countries covered, including France, Japan and Singapore, which had previously had low levels of confidence.

The latest update of the survey, which ran from February 8-21, found that people in Britain are the most willing, with 77 per cent saying they would take a vaccine designed to protect against COVID-19 if one was available that week.

This is up from 55 per cent in November, shortly before the first COVID-19 vaccine  co-developed by Pfizer- BioNTech  gained regulatory approval for use in Britain.

People in France, Singapore and Japan remained among the least willing to have a COVID-19 vaccine, at 40%, 48% and 48%, respectively, but all three have seen confidence rising since November when only 25%, 36% and 39% of people were positive.

The survey also found that worries over vaccine side effects have faded in the majority of countries, with fewer than half (45%) of all respondents currently reporting concern.

Again, people in France, Singapore and Japan are currently most worried about side effects, with around six in 10 feeling concerned (56%, 59%, 61%), while Britain is the least concerned.

The latest survey involved more than 13,500 people in Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and Sweden.

VOA is Premium Times syndication partner. We have permission to republish.
Locusts have returned to Kenya, prompting new fears for the maize and tea harvest in the country's bread-basket region. Farmers have been waking up to find the insects eating their way through the crops, which farmers rely on to feed their families and for export. One farmer, Jackline Wambui, said she had been trying to chase the locusts away by banging sticks on the lids of cooking pots.

"I did not want the locusts to destroy my maize and bananas because I do not have another source of food," she said. "I do not have another method of getting rid of them."

The Kenyan military has teamed up with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation in an attempt to stem the invasion. Teams have been spraying pesticides on some farms in order to try and control the situation. "When I saw these locusts swarming around my farm and my home, I was alarmed and concerned about what is going to happen to the tea harvest and our livelihood," said another farmer, Elizabeth Wangui.

She explained that her tea plantation was her only source of income and she was very relieved that the authorities had sent pesticide sprayers to help. But local officials say more needs to be done. "I am afraid that my people or rather the people of my community might run short of food," local county official Mary Mwatha told the Associated Press. "I am actually very afraid and am pleading for any assistance." It follows last year's locust outbreak in East Africa, which was the worst in the region for 70 years.

(Image Credits: AP)

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 09:53:17|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Brazil on Thursday registered more than 1,600 COVID-19 deaths for the third day in a row, following a record daily count of 1,910 deaths on Wednesday.

In the previous 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said, 75,102 new cases were reported, the second highest since the start of the pandemic, after the 87,743 new cases detected on Jan. 7.

Brazil has thus reported a total of 10,793,732 cases so far with 260,970 deaths. Currently, Brazil has an average of 124 deaths and 5,136 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Brazil has the world's second highest COVID-19 death toll, after the United States, and the third largest caseload, after the United States and India.

Also on Thursday, 14 of Brazil's 27 state governors signed a letter to President Jair Bolsonaro, requesting greater efforts from the federal government to acquire vaccines.

The governors warned they were "on the brink" of a disaster, saying mass vaccination "is the most recommended alternative and, probably, the only alternative capable of stopping the pandemic."

Brazil is applying for the CoronaVac vaccine manufactured by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac, and the vaccine developed by Britain's AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Enditem
The Howard School has been named a Silver-level RTI2-B (Response to Instruction and Intervention for Behavior) Model of Demonstration School selected by the Tennessee Behavior Supports Project at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The school previously won the Bronze-level award for the 2019-2020 school year. The state awarded a banner to The Howard School in commemoration of the accomplishment.

Funded by the Tennessee Department of Education, the TBSP program includes 1,800 schools across the state, and each year a small percentage of schools meet criteria to be selected as an RTI2-B Model of Demonstration School. The RTI2-B framework consists of identifying common behavioral expectations across campus, teaching, re-teaching and reinforcing. The staff and students at The Howard School have applied this framework to improve the climate, culture and proactive disciplinary practices, which directly seeks to improve student engagement and school connectedness.

Academic success in school and positive behavior are certainly connected and necessary for students to graduate prepared for success in a career or on a college campus, said Dr. Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. Howard is not just a model in this important effort for other local schools but also for schools across Tennessee.

The Howard Schools plan, titled The Tiger Way Initiative, balances teacher and student accountability with celebrating big and small victories. The program includes recognitions like Teacher of the Month, Student of the Month, Five Star Tiger, the Tiger Way from the Heart and the Five Star Experience. The Tiger Way Initiative also unites Howard's bilingual cultures into one Howard where every student has a voice and is valued.

This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and community in building a positive school climate, said Dr. Le Andrea Ware, executive principal of The Howard School. The Howard School is a place where all students are welcome and our daily goal is to position them for future success.

As a silver level RTI2-B Model of Demonstration School, The Howard School can now serve as a mentor to other schools across East Tennessee. TBSPs goal is for every school in Tennessee to be within 45 minutes of an exemplary school implementing RTI2-B.
More workers in Low Quality jobs who were laid off during the peak crisis months, returned to their jobs starting in mid-year and through the fall of 2020, were again laid off in November 2020 through January 2021. This trend dramatically reversed itself in February.

Following the release of the Employment Situation Report for February 2021 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. Private Sector Job Quality Index (JQI) has been revised to a level of 81.58, up by 0.67% from its revised level one month earlier and reflecting a lower proportion - relative to the prior month - of U.S. production and non-supervisory (P&NS) jobs paying less than the mean weekly income of all P&NS jobs (Low Quality Jobs), relative to those jobs paying above such mean. This rise is likely to reverse itself in the JQI for February 2021, given todays broader data. The JQI remains heavily impacted by the extraordinary disruption in the number and composition of private sector production and non-supervisory jobs since the beginning of the U.S. impact of the COVID19 global pandemic, with regard to which the following additional special factors should be noted:



the BLS Employment Situation Report for January reflects a net 465,000 increase in private sector payrolls, all of which can be tied to low-wage/low-hours sectors  as reflected in the JQInstant readout below.

More workers in Low Quality jobs who were laid off during the peak crisis months, returned to their jobs starting in mid-year and through the fall of 2020, were again laid off in November 2020 through January 2021. This trend dramatically reversed itself in February.

the JQI may rise or fall for a period of time to the extent that such large numbers of Low-Quality Jobs have been substantially eliminated or restored (temporarily or otherwise), as offset by the significantly higher benchmark mean weekly income used in computing the index since the elimination of large numbers of Low Quality Jobs.

The mean weekly wage income of all P&NS jobs as of the current reading (which reflects the level as of January 2021) increased to 862.28, a change of 0.69% from its revised level the month prior. This series continues to reflect the continued absence (as a result of the pandemic) of the low-wage/low-hours positions that had grown substantially in number over the course of the four years prior to the pandemic. The JQ-Instant preliminary read of the 465,000 gain in all private sector, non-farm payrolls for February 2021 shows that 100% of such gain in private sector jobs were in industry sectors offering P&NS jobs with an average weekly income below the mean weekly income of all P&NS jobs (i.e. Low Quality Jobs). This reading was due to the very substantial gain, in February, of jobs in the leisure and hospitality, retail, healthcare and social assistance, and administrative and waste management sectors  collectively adding 490,000 positions.

Daniel Alpert, co-creator of the U.S. Private Sector Job Quality Index, said More workers in Low Quality jobs who were laid off during the peak crisis months, returned to their jobs starting in mid-year and through the fall of 2020, were again laid off in November 2020 through January 2021. This trend dramatically reversed itself in February.

For an explanatory video on the JQI, please see: http://www.vimeo.com/jqi.

This news release presents data from the most recent JQI reading calculated through the month immediately prior to the month covered by this release. The JQI assesses job quality in the United States by measuring desirable higher-wage/higher-hour jobs versus lower-wage/lower-hour jobs. The JQI offers a near-real time analytical tool to policymakers, researchers and financial market participants with relevance to a variety of trends in the economy at large. The JQI analyzes a representative sample of the economy using production and non-supervisory job (P&NS) data from 180 different industry groups spanning across all 20 super-sectors into which the BLS groups establishments. The principal data utilized is contained in the Current Employment Survey (CES, also often referred to as the establishment survey) P&NS data on average weekly hours, average hourly wage and total employment for each given industry group (seasonally adjusted, in all cases). The JQI is updated on a monthly basis contemporaneously with the release of new CES data from the BLS.

The JQ-Instant reading is for the month covered by this release and has implications for the likely direction of the JQI itself in future months. As the JQI is reported as a three-month rolling average of actual monthly readings, significant imbalances (readings varying from an even distribution between high- and low-quality jobs) in the JQ-Instant results would suggest future JQI readings moving in the direction of the dominant side of such distribution.

The U.S. Private Sector Job Quality Index (patent pending) is a joint development of the Program on the Law and Regulation of Financial Institutions and Markets at the Jack G. Clarke Institute of Cornell Law School, the University of Missouri Kansas City Department of Economics, the Coalition for a Prosperous America, and the Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity.

For more information, and to read the full report, visit https://www.jobqualityindex.com/.

2021 JQI IP Holdings LLC. Private Sector Job Quality Index and JQI are registered trademarks of JQI IP Holdings LLC. The Private Sector Job Quality Index is patent pending, application number US 62/900,923. Cornell logo and Cornell Law School and Jack G. Clarke Program names and references used with permission.
Talias young mother, Elena, in particular, is presented as a saint, naive and eternally suffering  an exquisite new iteration of a noble savage in the hands of a writer who is not herself undocumented. When the white owner of the restaurant where Elena cleans bathrooms rapes her, she feels guilty for her infidelity. The narrator points out that until now, she has been with no man besides Mauro, a testament to her purity.

Elenas body, it seems, has integrity only when it is uncorrupted by knowledge and awareness. When she is in the hospital giving birth to her third child, a nurse tactlessly inquires how she plans to take care of three kids on one income. Elena thinks about forced sterilizations in Colombia, how they lured women to clinics offering free gynecological services and the women came out unaware they could no longer have children. To her, babies are not burdens. The scene implicitly links the American nurse with the centuries-old record of colonial eugenics imposed on Indigenous and Black women, and our brave Elena champions her reproductive rights.

But does she really know her reproductive rights? After her rape, she prays and panics until she gets her period. When my undocumented mother gave birth to my brother in this country, the nurses, always Afro-Latina or Mestiza, waited until my father was out of the room to discuss family planning  not to talk about children as a burden, but to suggest social services that could help my poor family. But they knew sex was taboo for my mom, and that this might be her only chance to make a choice. Elena quotes the Colombian saying that a baby arrives with a loaf of bread under its arm as a sort of rebuttal. Such earnest, romantic repetition of ancestral wisdom in Latino art is often done by American artists who have choices, privileges and resources that our subjects, fictional or not, do not have. Literature about undocumented people in this country is too rare  and too often written by writers whove never been undocumented  for the literary world to continue to act as if we all still lived in Macondo.

This is a compulsively readable novel that will make you feel the oxytocin of comfort and delusion. The ending reads like child-of-immigrant fan fiction. Id hire Engel to ghostwrite my nightmares. Mauros love for his daughter motivates him to overcome alcoholism and homelessness, cross the border safely and reunite with the partner he still loves. The siblings whove never met yet smell familiar to one another. The novel closes as mother and father are dancing, their bodies in perfect sync.
The URL has been copied to your clipboard

The code has been copied to your clipboard.

Russia continues its crackdown on religious liberty, especially targeting minority religious sects and organizations. Jehovah's Witnesses have been singled out for particular persecution by authorities.
When indented by a probe in darkness, wafers of some semiconductors are putty-like. When illuminated by light whose wavelength matches the band gap, they become hard, as electrons and holes freed by the light suppress the propagation of dislocations

Semiconductor materials play an indispensable role in our modern information-oriented society. For reliable performance of semiconductor devices, these materials need to have superior mechanical properties: they must be strong as well as resistant to fracture, despite being rich in nanoscale structures.

Recently, it has become increasingly clear that the optical environment affects the structural strength of semiconductor materials. The effect can be much more significant than expected, especially in light-sensitive semiconductors, and particularly since due to technological constraints or fabrication cost many semiconductors can only be mass-produced in very small and thin sizes. Moreover, laboratory testing of their strength has generally been performed on large samples. In the light of the recent explosion in emerging nanoscale applications, all of this suggests that there is an urgent need for the strength of semiconductor materials to be reappraised under controlled illumination conditions and thin sample sizes.

To this end, Professor Atsutomo Nakamura's group at Nagoya University, Japan, and Dr. Xufei Fang's group at the Technical University of Darmstadt have developed a technique for quantitatively studying the effect of light on nanoscale mechanical properties of thin wafers of semiconductors or any other crystalline material. They call it a "photoindentation" method. Essentially, a tiny, pointy probe indents the material while it is illuminated by light under controlled conditions, and the depth and rate at which the probe indents the surface can be measured. The probe creates dislocations - slippages of crystal planes - near the surface, and using a transmission electron microscope the researchers observe the effect of light at a range of wavelengths on dislocation nucleation (the birth of new dislocations) and dislocation mobility (the dislocations' gliding or sliding away from the point where they were created). The nucleation and mobility are measured separately for the first time and is one of the novelties of the photoindentation technique.

The researchers have discovered that while light has a marginal effect on the generation of dislocations under mechanical loading, it has a much stronger effect on the motion of dislocations. When a dislocation occurs, it is energetically favorable for it to expand and join up (nucleate) with others, and the imperfection gets bigger. Illumination by light does not affect this: the electrons and holes excited in the semiconductor by the light (the "photo-excited carriers") do not affect the strain energy of the dislocation, and it is this energy that determines the "line tension" of the dislocation that controls the nucleation process.

On the other hand, dislocations can also move in a so-called "glide motion", during which photo-excited carriers are dragged by dislocations via electrostatic interaction. The effect of photo-excited carriers on this dislocation motion is much more pronounced: if enough carriers are produced, the material becomes much stronger.

This effect is strikingly demonstrated when the same experiment is carried out in complete darkness and then under illumination with light at a wavelength that matches the semiconductor band gap (which produces an increased number of photo-excited carriers). When indented, any solid material initially undergoes "plastic deformation" - changing shape without springing back, somewhat like putty - until the load becomes too great, upon which it cracks. The Nagoya University research group demonstrated that the inorganic semiconductor zinc sulfide (ZnS) in total darkness behaves somewhat like putty, deforming by a huge 45% under shear strain without cracking or falling apart. However, when illuminated at the correct wavelength, it becomes quite hard. At other wavelengths it becomes not quite as hard.

The new findings demonstrate that purely plastic deformation without crack formation in semiconductor materials occurs at the nanoscale. With regards to mechanical behaviour, these semiconductors therefore resemble metallic materials. This newly established, robust experimental protocol makes it possible to evaluate the effect of light on the strength of even non-semiconducting materials that are very thin. Professor Nakamura notes: "One particularly important aspect is that non-semiconductors can exhibit semiconducting properties near the surface, due to oxidation, for instance, and since the starting point of deformation or fracture is often the surface, it is of great significance to establish a method for accurately measuring the strength of materials under controlled illumination conditions at the very surface, on a nanoscale."

The hardening effect that electron-hole pairs freed by light illumination have on material strength - by suppressing the propagation of dislocations, particularly near the surface - is part of a paradigm shift in the science of material strength. Conventionally, when considering the strength of a material, the atomic arrangement was the smallest unit. In other words, there was a premise that the strength of the material could be understood from the atomic arrangement and elasticity theory. However, recent studies have reported that the strength characteristics of materials change significantly due to external influences such as light and an electric field. Therefore, Professor Nakamura notes, "it is becoming more and more accepted that other viewpoints must be added to the theory of material strength which include the motion of electrons and holes that are smaller than atoms."

"This study reaffirms the quantum-level effect on the strength of such materials. In this respect, it can be said that this research has achieved one milestone in the paradigm shift in the field of material strength that is currently occurring."

Dr. Xufei Fang adds: "Now that the creation of devices on the true nanoscale is becoming a reality, the impact of light on the structural strength of various inorganic semiconductors is an issue to be considered."

###

Funding information: This study was mainly supported by JST PRESTO (Grant Number JPMJPR199A). A part of this study was financially supported by JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Numbers JP17H06094, JP18H03840, JP19H05786, JP19K22050) and Athene Young Investigator Programme from TU Darmstadt, Germany.
The first village election in Onondaga County is set for the third Tuesday in March. For 2021, that falls on March 16.

Most village elections are on a bi-yearly basis, so not all villages will be holding an election at the same time in any given year. And not all villages are on the same schedule.

Many have opted to go to a November election schedule and their candidates will be included on the county ballot. These elections are overseen by the Onondaga County Board of Elections.

If you are not registered to vote in a village election, you can still register with the County Board of Elections up to 10 days before the election takes place. This year, you must be registered by March 5 to be eligible to vote in the election. Click here for a link to the online registration form.

The villages of Fabius, Jordan, Manlius, and Skaneateles are holding their elections in March this year; Liverpool and North Syracuse will take place in June. Camillus, East Syracuse, Elbridge, Solvay and Tully will hold their elections in November. These villages dont have an election this year: Baldwinsville, Fayetteville, Marcellus and Minoa.

Heres a look at whos on the ballot on March 16 in Onondaga County.

Fabius

Trustee

Claude Morse

Jordan

Mayor

Casey Brim (current trustee)

Mark Gustafson (current deputy mayor)

Trustees (vote for 2)

Karen Simko (current trustee)

Timothy Stapleton (current trustee)

Manlius*

Mayor

Paul Whorrall (incumbent)

Justice (Vote for 1)

Joseph Greenman (appointee)

Trustees (vote for 2)

Janice H. Abdo-Rott (incumbent)

Thomas A. Pilewski (incumbent)

Skaneateles

Mayor

Mary Sennett

Zack Ford

Trustees (vote for 2)

Tara Lynn

Edward Evans

* Election run by the Board of Elections

For June Elections

The villages of Liverpool and North Syracuse will hold their elections on Tuesday, June 15. You may contact the Village of Liverpool about the Village of Liverpool election or the Onondaga County Board of Elections for information on the Village of North Syracuse.

Candidates may begin carrying petitions on March 30. Petitions must be filed no later than May 11.

Here are the positions that are tentatively up for election in June. There is still time to be a candidate.

Liverpool

Mayor

Trustee (2)

North Syracuse

Trustee (2)

Trustee (1) (to fill a vacancy)

In November, Camillus, East Syracuse, Elbridge, Solvay and Tully will have their election cycle. These elections will be run through the Onondaga County Board of Elections, with a combined ballot for federal, state, county, town and village candidates.

Here is a look at the positions that will tentatively be on the ballot.

Camillus

Trustee (2)

East Syracuse

Mayor

Village Justice (1)

Trustee (2)

Elbridge

Mayor

Trustee (2)

Solvay

Mayor

Village Justice (1)

Trustee (3)

Tully

Mayor

Trustee (2)

Contact Sharon Dellinger anytime by phone at 315-282-8675 or by email.
SPRINGFIELD  State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, helped shepherd 20 people into Caring Health Center in the South End Thursday afternoon for COVID-19 vaccines.

He led a group of volunteers who wrestled with walkers, oxygen tanks and language barriers at the scene and with paperwork and online appointment programs and a series of other stumbling blocks over the past few days.

Gonzalez acknowledged that the local volunteers, called The Bilingual Outreach Team, are doing all it can to get shots into the arms of folks from Springfields urban communities. There, he said people with low incomes, limited English skills, no transportation and few computer skills are getting shut out from life saving vaccines.

I was on a conference call with the governor this morning, Gonzalez said. I told him we need to do more to get these vaccines into the community. We need more neighborhood clinics, more mobile clinics. We need to bring these shots to the people.

Last month, the Springfield City Council learned that a state-sponsored mass vaccination clinic in the Eastfield Mall was, despite being located in Springfield, administering the majority of its doses to people living in the suburbs.

Thursdays group of 20 was the first group. Gonzalez said others he and the Outreach Team are working with have been able to get vaccine appointments at other clinics, including one in Holyoke.The people getting help are from Springfield and Holyoke.

But they shouldnt have to leave their neighborhoods at all, said volunteer Tobias Billups, owner of Springfield Pharmacy which has locations in the north end of Springfield in Holyoke with a third location in Springfields South End on the way.

Springfield Pharmacy was able to get doses only to administer vaccines at senior housing and congregant care sites,, Billups said. But he doesnt have doses for seniors and other eligible recipients living in the community and doesnt know when to expect them.

I could be a benefit to the community, he said. If I could get the vaccine. Id offer it in the North End, Id go to peoples houses if I needed to.

But he said hes competing for doses with bigger competitors.

They arent in the inner city, he said.

Gonzalez said others involved in the Outreach Team include the South End Community Center, the Italian Cultural Center, Caring Health and others.

Its not the only group working on the issue. In December, the city established a 15-member Vax Force Committee.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has asked for five neighborhood vaccination sites.

St. Johns Congregational Church

The Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center

Gerena Community School

Rebecca M. Johnson Middle School

South End Community Center

Gonzalez and state Se. Adam Gomez, D-Springfield, also said Thursday that they will host a virtual information session on COVID-19 with Caring Health 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday March 10 at a Facebook events page.

Gonzalez event Thursday came as America crossed an important threshold, averaging now 2 million vaccine doses a day.

But Massachusetts is trailing 15 other states when it comes to vaccinating those 65 and older with just 40.7% of Massachusetts seniors vaccinated.

Related content:
Make in India, make for the world, says PM Modi to industry

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 05: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met heads of India Inc to deliberate on various production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes. These schemes were announced with the intention to minimize the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and draw investments from large companies and boost manufacturing.

Addressing a webinar on the Production Linked Incentives scheme, PM said,''Union Budget & country's policy-making shouldn't just be restricted to a govt process. Every stakeholder associated with development of the country should have an effective engagement in it.''

PM Modi to deliver keynote address at CERAWeek

''We need to take big steps & increase our speed & scale (in manufacturing). After COVID's experience of past 1 year, I'm convinced that it's India's responsibility & not just an opportunity to move fast in this direction. Manufacturing transforms every segment of economy,'' PM Modi said.

''Our govt is bringing back-to-back reforms in this field. Our policy & strategy is clear. We believe in minimum govt, maximum governance. Our expectation is zero effect, zero defect. To make our companies & manufacturing globally competitive, we'd have to work day in, day out,'' he also said.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

As many as 42 industry heads were invited for this webinar with the Prime Minister. This virtual meeting will be attended by N Chandrasekaran (Tata Sons), RC Bhargava (Maruti Suzuki India), Sajjan Jindal (JSW Steel), TV Narendran (Tata Steel), Gopal Vittal (Bharti Airtel), Pawan Goenka (M&M) and Sangita Reddy (Apollo Hospitals), Satish reddy (Dr Reddy's), Manish Sharma (Panasonic India), Manoj Kohli (SoftBank India), Hemant malik (ITC) and RS Sodhi (Amul).
The most popular destinations for South Africans willing to work abroad include the United States, the UK, and Australia.

This is according to the Decoding Global Talent, Onsite and Virtual report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which encompassed almost 209,000 participants in 190 countries.

The study was conducted together with a network of partners of partners, including CareerJunction, and surveyed 1,421 respondents in South Africa.

One of the leading trends of the study was that people worldwide were less interested in working abroad, with more interested in working remotely for international countries.

Only 59% of South Africans are willing to move to another country for work, which is down from a 72% willingness level in 2018.

Young and highly educated South Africans arent willing to move abroad either  only 56% of young people and 61% of highly educated people in the country said they would be willing to relocate.

This is in line with the global trend of decreasing mobility  which is likely due to the pandemic, but also because of tighter immigration and less welcoming policies by some of the big destination markets, said BCG Johannesburg principal and recruiting director Rudi van Blerk.

South Africans in sought-after job roles are still keen to move abroad for work, however.

These sectors include digitalisation and automation (85%), science and research (78%), law (76%), and IT (74%).

This could indicate a risk of brain drain in these fields, where employers typically struggle to fill roles, van Blerk said.

Where South Africans want to work

The United States remains the number one destination where people from South Africa want to move to, but the next most popular destinations have changed over the past years.

The United Kingdom overtook Australia for second place, and New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates are also more popular targets than 2018, moving up a spot to fifth and sixth respectively.

This is also in line with global trends, with Asian and Middle East destinations growing in popularity, likely due to their comparably better management of COVID, van Blerk said.

The US, UK and Australia are also the top destinations where South Africans would look for remote employers.

South Africans interested in working overseas

The infographic below shows the most popular destinations for South Africans who want to work abroad, as well as which job roles are most interested in working overseas.
Robert Bea is a retired civil engineer and professor emeritus in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. He is a co-founder of the Center for Catastrophic Risk Management at Berkeley.

He has had a long and distinguished career in the fields of flood control and risk assessment and management, beginning in 1954 when he joined in the Army Corps of Engineers.

Robert Bea in his office at UC Berkeley

Bea was appointed chief offshore civil engineer at Shell Oil in 1965 and stationed in New Orleans. Four years later, he was moved by Shell to Houston. After helping to develop the international consulting engineering contractor that became PMB-Bechtel, he joined the faculty at UC Berkeley. There he worked on the analysis of major failures and disasters involving engineered systems, such as the BP Piper Alpha North Sea oil rig disaster in 1988, the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, the Petrobras 36 oil rig disaster (2001), the NASA Columbia Shuttle explosion (2003), Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans (2005), the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010), the PG&E San Bruno pipeline explosion, and the 2017 failures at the Oroville and Anderson dams in California.

In all, he has been involved in investigations of more than 630 major accidents and failures associated with complex engineered systems around the world. He is the author of three books and many articles.

The World Socialist Web Site interviewed Professor Bea in September 2017 during the mass flooding of Houston as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

Professor Bea spoke with the WSWS last week from his home in California.

***

Robert Bea: What has happened recently in Texas as the result of an intense cold spell has very many similarities to the Houston flooding from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the inundation of New Orleans in Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Complex systems that are subjected to intense demand suffer from neglecta very important wordand the story unfortunately goes on.

Barry Grey: The World Socialist Web Site wrote on February 22:

The latest disaster in Texas is the product of corporate greed and a decades-long conspiracy between state politicians and the energy conglomerates designed to squeeze the states population for as much profit as possible.

Could you respond to that statement?

RB: Those are pretty severe words, and they sting. Words like greed come into it, and youd say, No, this is one of the most advanced places in the world. And certainly were better than that. And the answer I would give personally after having worked on these challenges for a very long time is that Im afraid it is true.

I would quickly add an admission. I am one of those damned Texans, born in Mineral Wells, Texas, in 1937. I have been working on these kinds of things since my early years learning to be an engineer. One of the benefits I have had by this time in my life is that Ive worked in 26 different countries. It was as a result of those experiences that I came to understand that the United States is indeed unusual. So many good things, but there are a few thingswhen you look at it from the outside, those severe words like greed and corruption, they start to make sense.

In our recent history, one of the preventable disasters I worked on in Houston was the saga of BP, the Deepwater Horizon disaster. That was a big one. We sure caused a lot of trouble. After that happened, we made in the United States some very big improvements in what the industry could do and would do. Believe it or not, we put these things into improved regulations.

Then we got a new administration, and it said, wait a minute, we are spending a lot of money needlessly. What we need to do is walk back the regulations. And do you know what we did? We walked them back to before the disaster.

I am afraid the current history concerning the Texas power grid has many similarities to the BP disaster.

BG: What do you think accounts for the rolling back of regulations, the lack of preparation and the failure to do basic things like insulate natural gas production and pipes?

RB: After I shifted my career from the drill rig to academia, I went to the University of California at Berkeley, applied as a graduate student and a year later I was on the faculty. That started a 20-year struggle to understand what you were driving at with those words you used earlier.

The trail of tears I have witnessed, in light of this recent saga of failure of the power grid in Texas, it has got the same damn struggle behind it that I had learned about. I have been talking recently with colleagues who live in very cold countries, and saying, Do you guys have trouble with your power grids in cold weather?

A couple of them are from Norway. They smile at me and say, What do you think we are, idiots? Of course, we have learned. We have been having increasing incidences of these deep cold weather periods, but we have learned to make investments to prevent these things.

So their power grids do not fail. We suffer millions in catastrophic losses that ultimately have to be borne by the public, so I am on the side of prevention, not reactive managementwatch it failing, watch it collapse. Explain it away, fix it fast and return to business as usual.

BG: The general trend of deregulation in the United States has been going on for decades. It really started in the 1970s. So there must be something driving it besides the stupidity of this or that individual. The Hurricane Harvey disaster was under Trump, the BP oil spill was under Obama, Katrina was under Bush. Of course, Trump carried out a massive deregulation policy. But this is a longer and broader trend.

People wait in line to fill propane tanks Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

RB: You are exactly right. One of the things I have heard from industry is that there is a drive for short-term profitability. But there is also at least implicit a drive for long-term profitability. And it was when these companies began to recognize a need to recognize both that it started to make sense. To make investments, to prevent these disasters, because the long-term profitability was at stake.

I have started to dig back into earlier power grid failures. Currently there is a lot of discussion about the 2011 crisis and three years later in 2014. I found that the story actually starts back in the 1980s. We have had repeated failures of our power grid system in the wake of unusual cold snaps in hot areas like Houston. There is a history going back decades where cold snaps were happening in warm areas, pipes were not insulated, water froze, pipes ruptured, and the power grid has been having trouble since that time.

There have been several excellent analyses of what needs to be done to prevent them, but what have we done with them? We have ignored them. We will continue to have these disasters and costs until we operate on the basis of prevention and mitigation, not the reactive approach we have here in the United States.

BG: Do you think the frequency and severity of these cold snaps are impacted by climate change?

RB: Yes. Climate change is a natural thing, but recently there has been some unnatural things we have added to it like carbon fuel effects and greenhouse temperature effects, and human influences have merged with the natural influences to exacerbate some of the recent climate changes we have seen. Climate changes have to be properly understood and addressed or we are going to continue to get our ass kicked by our ignorance.

BG: Do we have the scientific knowledge and the technical wherewithal, if used properly, to anticipate, mitigate and respond in a rational way to events like what happened in Texas this month?

RB: Yes. The knowledge is there. That is how some poorer countries with very severe environmentsI am thinking about the Netherlandscame to understand that yes, the climate is changing. They got to react to it in a pro-active way. They cannot wait until the entire country is flooded before they recognize that the sea level is rising. They have got to keep that damn water out of the inside of the country, 80 percent of which is below sea level, or they are going to be out of business.

They have come to grips with this. They have put in this pro-active and mitigation element. And guess what? They are still making money and they are not having to swim to work.

BG: You have spoken repeatedly about the international experience, the experience of other countries around the world. It seems that with Texas you have an extreme example of provincialism and Texas nationalism. This question of an international approach to the development of electricity and infrastructure in general, how important is that?

Also, in relation to the pandemic, how important is an internationally coordinated, scientifically driven response?

RB: It is absolutely crucial that it be done, and from your very asking the key question I can tell you have learned a lot. Yes, we are the leading country in this world, but it is a big world, and there are sure a lot of smart people in this world. Why cannot we collaborate and learn to work with them?

Work I did in the greater New Orleans area after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita taught some lessons. One of the first things I was able to do from my position at the University of California at Berkeley was to bring some Dutch people here to the United States, to New Orleans. Looking, boots on the ground, at what had happened in Katrina and Rita, and the people from the Netherlands were shocked.

One of them looked at me from across the table when we were having dinner in New Orleans and said, Bob, when we came here, we thought the United States was a First World country. It is not.

International collaboration is critical in disaster prevention and mitigation. We can learn a lot if we turn to other countries and learn from them, without arrogance and those sorts of things.

BG: Do you see a parallel between what has been revealed in the disaster in Texas this month and the disastrous response, particularly in the US, to the pandemic?

RB: Yes. Our answer to the pandemic has been like our reaction to the cold weather affecting the power grid in Texas.

BG: What do you think has characterized that reaction?

RP: The response has been reactive, not pro-active, not preventing and mitigating. We watched the temperature indicators in the pandemic rise and fall. Politically, and this one really scares me, I have watched different places in the United States react to the temperature gauges for the pandemicthe number of dead, the number of people in the hospitaland it has been like watching stock market indicators.

And they say, OK, the death rate is going down, that means we can open up our businesses and turn back to our normal lives as quickly as possible. And so they do it, the death rate goes back up and so we have another bump in the pandemic.

BG: Biden is now demanding that the schools be reopened. So the question is, who benefits from this? In the course of the pandemic, the wealth of Elon Musk, the head of Tesla, has quintupled. There are figures showing that the wealth of US billionaires has gone up by more than $1 trillion. The stock market has gone to record highs, even as the death toll has increased. What is one to make of that?

RB: It is an example of what caused the pain in Texas in February. It is an example of what happened with Hurricane Harvey. The pandemic has given us examples of how this reactive approach can favor one economic component that enjoys short-term profitability and not benefit a whole lot of people.

I remember that the early projections for maximum deaths in the United States as a result of the pandemic were 200,000 to 300,000 people. Well, we have passed a half million and we are pushing, and we will probably go to 600,000 or 700,000 before this is over.

There are these components in our society that actually make money off of these activities. That early word you used when we started this discussion, about greed, well, yes, but it is part of the problem of how we deal with these things in the United States.
As coronavirus cases and deaths continue to fall in many states, political leaders are facing decisions on when to loosen restrictions meant to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said his state is reopening 100%, and as of next Wednesday people in the Lone Star State won't be required to wear a face covering. Mississippi, North Dakota, Iowa and Montana have also lifted, or will soon lift, mask mandates.

Some critics have said the moves are premature given the potential for more transmissible variants to prompt another surge and that the baseline number of coronavirus cases is still high.

California, home to some of the country's favorite amusement parks and sports teams, will allow parkgoers and fans to potentially go in beginning April 1.

'We feel like now is the appropriate time to begin to reintroduce these activities in some fashion, and in a guarded way, in a slow and steady way,' state Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said Friday in a teleconference.

Theme parks, sports and concert venues have been shuttered in California for nearly a year.

There will be capacity restrictions tied to Covid-19 numbers and places like Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Universal Studios can only let state residents reserve admission. And California still has a face covering requirement in public spaces.

Meanwhile, other states are extending mask mandates.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed an order Friday to extend his state's mandate for another 30 days. And Arizona and West Virginia are keeping theirs, too, even as the governors on Friday announced they will lift capacity limits at places like restaurants and bars.

'We've got over half, well over half, of our total population in this state that's above 65 years of age and older that have gotten shots and that are protected,' West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Friday defended his decision to reopen some businesses at full capacity with a mask mandate.

'So many of our people -- well over 20% -- have been vaccinated, the vast majority of whom are over 55, where you're most likely to suffer complications. Our hospitalization is down. So, we thought, this is something we know we can do safely,' Lamont said.

Though the rates of infections, hospitalizations and deaths have decreased in many states since January, tens of thousands of Americans are still being infected daily. There were more than 50,000 new cases and 2,200 deaths reported Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University.

CDC guidance coming soon for the vaccinated

Covid-19 cases and death rates slow down in counties where states require masks, according to data released Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in counties where states allow on-site restaurant dining, illness and death rates appear to speed up.

'This report is a critical reminder that with the current levels of Covid-19 in communities and the continued spread of more transmissible coronavirus variants -- which have now been detected in 48 states -- strictly following prevention measures remains essential for putting an end to this pandemic,' said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. 'It also serves as a warning about premature lifting of these prevention measures.'

Meantime, CDC guidance for people who have been vaccinated is coming soon, Walensky said. The guidance had been expected to release this week.

'Our goal and what is most important is that people who have been vaccinated and those not yet vaccinated are able to understand the steps they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones,' she said.

Fauci says it's still too soon

Dr. Anthony Fauci said the decision by some states to do away with mask mandates and allow businesses to open at full capacity was 'inexplicable.'

The US shouldn't ease restrictions in place to prevent Covid-19 before the number of new cases falls below 10,000 daily, 'and maybe even considerably less than that,' the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said Thursday.

The last time the US saw fewer than 10,000 new daily cases was almost a year ago, on March 22.

'We're now up to about 2 million vaccinations per day,' Fauci said. 'That means every day that goes by, every week that goes by, you have more and more people protected.'

Push to vaccinate teachers and reopen schools

Many states are putting a priority on vaccinating teachers and school staff to reopen campuses as soon as possible.

Thirty-eight states and Washington, DC, allow teachers to receive the vaccine. And two more may soon be added to the list.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said those who work in education and child care will be among the 300,000 to 400,000 additional residents eligible for the vaccine next week.

And Rhode Island officials likely will announce a plan next week to 'get shots in the arm of all teachers and school staff,' Gov. Daniel McKee said.

California, meanwhile, will invest billions of dollars in reopening schools, with Gov. Gavin Newsom signing the funding into law on Friday.

The state is home to more than 1,000 school districts that will be eligible to receive up to $2 billion in incentives if they reopen by the end of March. Another $4.6 billion will go toward addressing learning loss induced by a year of online learning.

The law, which garnered bipartisan support, will also fund personal protective equipment, ventilation improvements, testing and contact tracing.
We want more workers in Chicago and beyond to follow in our footsteps, because more and more people are going to start to have the opportunity to work at a dispensary as it continues to get legalized recreationally, Lytle said. They should feel like theyre entering into an industry where they can make a decent living, and dont just have to be working it as a side gig.
The Jewish Council of Amsterdam was a body set up by the Nazis to have Jews oversee preparations for the extermination of their own minority throughout the Netherlands during World War II.

AMSTERDAM (JTA) - Sonja Levy was a positive person who made an excellent first impression and whose important position exempted her from deportation, according to the personal card that the Jewish Council of Amsterdam made for her during the Nazi occupation.

But the accolades on the card weren't enough to save Levy, a kindergarten teacher who was in her early 20s when the Germans invaded.

Like more than 100,000 Dutch Jews, she was eventually put on a train to the death camps in occupied Poland and murdered there in a gas chamber.

On Monday, ownership of her personal card  it turned out t...
China's 2021 defence spending will rise 6.8% from 2020, up just slightly from last year's budget increase and broadly tracking the government's modest growth forecast, as the world's second-largest economy emerges from the pandemic's fallout.

Premier Li Keqiang pledged that efforts to strengthen the People's Liberation Army, which is developing an array of weapons from stealthy fighters to aircraft carriers, would continue apace in the face of what views as multiple security threats.

The spending figure, set at 1.35 trillion yuan ($208.47 billion) in the national budget released on Friday, is closely watched as a barometer of how aggressively the country will beef up its military.

Last year said the defence budget would rise just 6.6%, its slowest rate in three decades, as the economy wilted in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be the sixth year in a row for a single-digit increase.

Li, in his state-of-the-nation address to the largely rubber-stamp legislature, said this year the government would strengthen the armed forces "through reform, science and technology and the training of capable personnel".

"We will boost military training and preparedness across the board, make overall plans for responding to security risks in all areas and for all situations, and enhance the military's strategic capacity to protect the sovereignty, security and development interests of our country," Li said in a government translation of his remarks.

"We will improve the layout of the defence-related science, technology and industry, and enhance the defence mobilisation system," he added, without giving details.

Li set an annual economic growth target of more than 6%, significantly below the consensus of analysts, who expect growth could beat 8% this year. last year reduced the target after COVID-19 devastated its economy.

Yang Yujun, a former senior Chinese officer now at Communication University of China, said it was a natural rate of increase given the many problems facing the economy post-pandemic.

"China is facing a relatively complicated and regional security situation, and the tasks of advancing the military's modernisation, reform and building are also very arduous. It is very necessary to ensure sufficient defence expenditures," he added.

The country is nervous about challenges on several fronts, ranging from Taiwan to U.S. missions in the disputed South China Sea near Chinese-occupied islands, an ongoing border dispute with India, and unrest in Hong Kong.

The budget gives only a raw figure for military expenditure, with no breakdown. Many diplomats and foreign experts believe the country under-reports the real number.

China's reported defence budget in 2021 is about a quarter of U.S. defence spending, which amounted to $714 billion in fiscal year 2020 and is expected to increase to $733 billion in the 2021 fiscal year.

China has long argued that it needs to close the gap with the United States. China, for example, has two aircraft carriers, compared with 11 in active service for the United States.

China routinely says that spending for defensive purposes is a comparatively low percentage of its GDP and that critics want to demonize it as a threat to world peace.

Military spending accounts for around 1.3% of China's total GDP, far lower than the United States, Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the state-backed Global Times, tweeted.

"You will believe China is a peace-loving country as long as you are not biased," he said.

($1 = 6.4758 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Yew Lun Tian; Additional reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Gerry Doyle)
On January 15, 2021, following a week-long, live bench trial, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana entered final judgment in favor of the SEC against investment advisory firm, World Tree Financial, LLC and its co-owners Wesley Kyle Perkins and Priscilla Perkins. The SEC charged Wesley Perkins and World Tree on September 18, 2018 with perpetrating a fraudulent cherry-picking scheme. The SEC also charged Wesley Perkins, World Tree, and Priscilla Perkins for misrepresentations to investors regarding the firm's trading policies.

The court found that between July 2012 and July 2015, Wesley Perkins and World Tree engaged in a cherry-picking scheme in which Wesley Perkins intentionally allocated profitable trades to favored accounts, including his own, while allocating unprofitable trades to two accounts with substantial assets controlled by one client. In addition, the court found that Wesley Perkins, Priscilla Perkins, and World Tree falsely represented to clients that World Tree and the Perkinses were not trading in the same securities as World Tree's clients, and further found that the defendants' scheme violated the firm's stated trading policies.

Wesley Perkins and World Tree were found liable on all counts, including that they violated the antifraud provisions of Sections 17(a)(1) and (2) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Sections 206(1) and (2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The court ordered Wesley Perkins and World Tree to pay civil penalties of $160,000 and $300,000, respectively, ordered them to disgorge, $347,947 plus prejudgment interest jointly and severally, and enjoined them from future violations of the charged provisions. The court also found that Priscilla Perkins violated the anti-fraud provisions of Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and ordered her to pay civil penalties of $80,000.

The case was tried in-person in Lafayette by Joshua A. Mayes and Jason P. Reinsch, with remote assistance from Los Angeles by Lynn M. Dean and Michael Sew Hoy. The litigation was supervised by Amy Jane Longo. Paralegals Buffy Lochmandy and Sarah Mitchell supported the trial team. This action arose out of an enforcement initiative to combat cherry-picking led by the SEC's Los Angeles Regional Office and supported by the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis. The SEC appreciates the support provided by Karen J. King of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the W.D. of Louisiana, Lafayette Division, who served as local counsel to the SEC.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Eight people were arrested for the murder of a 31-year-old man at Orchard Towers on 2 July, 2019. (Screencaps of CCTV footage, social media)

SINGAPORE - The last man facing a non-capital charge in the fatal 2019 Orchard Towers brawl was jailed four years and nine months and given 12 strokes of the cane on Friday (5 March).

Apart from pleading guilty to a charge of consorting with a person armed with a weapon, Tan Hong Sheng, 23, had also admitted to charges of rioting and rioting with a deadly weapon in earlier incidents, which occurred on 18 November 2018 and 27 April 2019. Both charges involve him getting into fights at clubs after drinking.

Another five charges, two of which involve causing hurt to others after he was released on bail for the Orchard Towers incident, were taken into consideration for his sentencing.

Tan, 23, was one of the seven who were initially charged with murder with common intention of 31-year-old Satheesh Noel Gobidass at the entrance of Orchard Towers on 2 July 2019.

About a week later, his charge was downgraded to consorting with co-accused Tan Sen Yang, who was carrying a Karambit knife in a public place.

Only Tan Seng Yang still faces a murder charge. Besides Tan Hong Sheng, five others  Joel Tan Yun Sheng, Ang Da Yuan, Natalie Siow, Chan Jia Xing, and Loo Boon Chong  have been dealt with. All were given jail terms except Chan, who was given a conditional warning.

In a previous hearing, the prosecution sought 60 months jail and 12 strokes of the cane for Tan Hong Sheng, while his lawyers Josephus Tan and Cory Wong from Invictus Law, sought 45 to 50 months jail, along with nine to 12 strokes of the cane.

The defence lawyers cited closed-circuit television footage and stated that Tan was calm and had demonstrated both restraint and composure during the entire Naughty Girl Club incident unlike Sen Yang, Ang and Siow, whom had participated in the brawl.

However the prosecution pointed out that Tan had a criminal record involving the same nature of offences for which he was convicted for in 2011, 2014 and 2016. He was given probation and reformative training sentences for those offences.

Story continues

Background of Orchard Towers brawl and death

On the wee hours of 2 July 2019, Tan Hong Sheng went to several clubs to drink before ending up at Naughty Girl Club at the second floor of Orchard Towers. He was in the same group as Tan Sen Yang, whom he had known for only a month through a mutual friend.

In past drinking sessions, Tan had seen Sen Yang behaving aggressively while wielding a karambit knife. He had told his mutual friend that he did not want to meet when Sen Yang was present. However, he still went ahead with the outing on 2 July despite his friend inviting Sen Yang.

At about 6.20 am, as the group left the club, a dispute arose between them and another group of patrons at the club entrance. Tan saw that Tan Sen Yang was armed with the Karambit knife. In the resulting fray, two were injured by Tan Sen Yang, a security officer and a patron.

Tan did not attack anyone and had pulled Tan Sen Yang away from the other group to take the lift to the ground floor.

As Tan's group headed to the building entrance, Satheesh, who had also been present at the Naughty Girl Club during the dispute, confronted one member of the group. Others retaliated by attacking him. One of them was Tan Sen Yang, who punched Satheesh with the knife in his right hand and inflicted multiple injuries to his head and neck.

Tan did not join the attack and eventually pulled Sen Yang away to stop the fight. As Tan left, he saw Satheesh collapse at the entrance of Orchard Towers.

He took a cab with a few others, including Sen Yang, to Boon Lay Market and Food Centre, and later discussed the altercation there with the others.

During the exchange, Sen Yang told them not to worry as he would take responsibility. He then left with a friend while Tan remained at Boon Lay Market.

Separately, on 18 November 2018, Tan was at Club V5 at Ming Arcade with other friends when he attacked a man who had bumped into his shoulder and later stared at him. The group had assaulted the victim with a glass Martell bottle.

On 27 April 2019, at Club District 9 at Orchard Hotel, he joined his friends in assaulting another man. One of Tans friends had wanted to teach the victim a lesson for stealing his ex-girlfriend.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Related stories

Orchard Towers death: Last man facing non-capital charge pleads guilty

Orchard Towers death: Man jailed for dumping alleged killer's stained shirt

Orchard Towers death: Loo Boon Chong admits to dumping alleged killer's stained shirt

Orchard Towers death: Chan Jia Xing given conditional warning

Orchard Towers death: Natalie Siow gets 5 months' jail

Orchard Towers death: Natalie Siow claims trial to one charge

Orchard Towers murder case: Duo get charges reduced to assault

Orchard Towers murder case: Natalie Siow faces 2 new charges

Orchard Towers murder case: Natalie Siow faces reduced charge of causing hurt

Man who absconded Orchard Towers murder hearing re-arrested, faces fresh rioting charge

Orchard Towers death: Three suspects have murder charges withdrawn

Orchard Towers assault: 7 charged with murder of 31-year-old man

8 men, women arrested for murder after man collapsed at Orchard Towers and died
A dispute between the CEO of low-sugar drinks company VitHit and its majority shareholder is to go to mediation, the High Court heard.

Ian O'Rourke, CEO and 15pc shareholder in the Dublin-based firm, has brought proceedings against the company and the majority shareholder, Gary Lavin.

He claims shareholder oppression and also sought an injunction restraining the company from terminating his employment.

On Thursday, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds adjourned the matter to May after hearing mediation had been scheduled for April 12 next.

Earlier this week, Mr Justice David Barniville refused to admit the case, on the application of Mr O'Rourke, to the fast-track Commercial Court. The judge said it was not an appropriate case for the commercial list and could be dealt with just as quickly in the normal High Court list.

The company and Mr Lavin had opposed entry to the commercial list. Their lawyer said the trigger for the entire matter was Mr O'Rourke's concern about his employment and not an issue about shareholder oppression.

The court heard Mr O'Rourke was seeking an early hearing of the main proceedings if mediation fails.

Mr O'Rourke, who estimates the value of his shareholding is 1.4m, said in an affidavit he suffered exclusion and bullying in 2019 and early 2020 when Gary Lavin became determined to force him out and replace him with his brother, Troy Lavin.

He said the relationship between himself and Gary Lavin had irretrievably broken down.

It started after Gary Lavin returned from a three-month trip to Australia in November 2018. This was ostensibly to launch the company brand in Australia but Mr O'Rourke believed it was in fact "simply a family holiday, dressed up as a business trip".

He said: "I can see now, from the moment of Gary's return from Australia, he was determined to marginalise me in the company."

This was also when Gary first suggested that Mr O'Rourke divest himself of his shareholding, he said.

In early 2019, the office became a place where "I was pushed around, undermined and bullied, he said.

When he received what he described as a "shocking" letter notifying him of possible selection for redundancy, he brought legal proceedings.
Los Angeles, March 5 : Three-time Emmy award winning actress Edie Falco, of "The Sopranos" fame, will play former US First Lady Hillary Clinton in the upcoming series, "Impeachment: American Crime Story".

The third season of the popular series, created by Ryan Murphy, will focus on the impeachment of former American President Bill Clinton, following the affair between him and the then White House intern, Monica Lewinsky in the nineties.

British actor Clive Owen will portray the role of Clinton, while actress Beanie Feldstein will play the role of Monica Lewinsky. Sarah Paulson will play the role of US Civil servant, Linda Tripp, who worked with Lewinsky at Pentagon and recorded phone conversations with her, which were later submitted as evidence.
Mar. 4A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a South Thomaston man convicted of helping to run Maine's most sophisticated pot farm to return to prison.

Rodney Russell, 57, who helped manage the Washington County operation, had been free on bail for nearly a year as he awaited a ruling on his appeal, before the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld his conviction in October.

U.S. District Judge John Woodcock this week denied Russell's request to remain free on bail while he appealed his case to the U.S. Supreme Court and denied his motion for compassionate release due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russell had claimed that his health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol issues and a major depressive disorder, along with back and vision problems, put him at a greater risk of complications from the coronavirus than other inmates.

The judge rejected those arguments and ordered that Russell report by 2 p.m. Friday to the federal prison from which he was released in Devens, Massachusetts. He may renew his request for release later in his prison term. Russell was serving a sentence of 12 years and seven months when he was released. He has about five years left to serve, according to court documents.

Co-defendant Malcolm French, 59, of Enfield, who was convicted of running the Washington County marijuana operation using undocumented workers, remains free on bail.

Woodcock said in orders issued Wednesday that he is waiting for information on French's health from his physicians before deciding if he will remain free or must complete his sentence.

French, who suffers from asthma, was tested last month for lymphatic cancer, which attacks the white blood cells, but test results were negative, according to court documents. He has since been diagnosed with having chronic fluid buildup in his lungs causing pain and shortness of breath.

He wants to stay out of prison to receive medical treatment. He was serving a sentence of 14 years and seven months at the Federal Correctional Institution in Loretto, Pennsylvania, located about 75 miles east of Pittsburgh. He was due to be released in about six years.

Story continues

Both men were released from prison on April 1, 2020, according to court documents. They were released on $5,000 unsecured bail and agreed to be on supervised release, home confinement or electronic monitoring if allowed to remain outside prison.

Woodcock granted their motions for release because it appeared more likely than not that the appellate court would grant French and Russell a new trial. Lawyers for the duo argued their clients were entitled to a retrial because a juror lied on her questionnaire about a family member's 2003 conviction on marijuana possession and other charges.

But in an unexpected decision, a three-judge panel found that Woodcock's examination of the juror showed she had forgotten about or was unaware of the conviction, so it did not influence her during deliberations.

Attorneys for Russell and French argued in court documents that they qualify for "compassionate release" under the First Step Act passed by Congress in 2018. To qualify for compassionate release, a judge must find there are "extraordinary and compelling reasons" for it.

They include a terminal illness or serious medical condition and family circumstances. Compassionate release is also an option if an inmate is over the age of 65 with serious health deterioration and has served at least 10 years of his sentence.

French and Russell were convicted by a jury in January 2014 of operating an illegal pot plantation from which the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency seized 2,943 mature marijuana plants. The farm was discovered on Sept. 22, 2009, in a 10-acre swamp on 22,000 acres of land in Township 37 owned by Haynes Timberland Inc.

French was part owner of the company.

Township 37 is located in Washington County near Wesley.

Correction: An earlier version of this article mischaracterized Malcolm French's medical diagnosis.
Deaths increased by around half in the second quarter of last year (PA/PA)

Funeral provider Dignity is expected to reveal a drop in revenue and pre-tax profits despite deaths rising during the coronavirus, as restrictions prevented it from selling additions to its services.

Analysts expect revenue to dip around 2% to 295 million, and pre-tax profit to tumble from 37.7 million in 2019 to under 27.6 million last year.

Although demand for burials were high, figures from the first nine months of 2020, released in November, showed that people were moving away from the companys more expensive options.

Before the pandemic more than half of Dignity funerals were full service options. This fell as low as 26% in the second quarter of the year, and only rebounded to 40% in the third quarter, when the strictest restrictions on funeral gatherings had been lifted.

The price of a full service also dropped in the period, from 3,578 in 2019 to 3,080 in the second quarter of the year.

Dignity has also flagged that the excess deaths this year will likely mean fewer people will die in the coming few years, as Covid-19 overwhelmingly claimed victims who were old or had health conditions.

The group will not speculate on the most likely outcome for the remainder of the year, however it is possible that the tragic events of 2020 may mean 2021 and 2022 could experience a lower number of deaths than in 2019, it said in the November update.

Investors will also be looking for some news on what the company will do about the results of a critical Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) report into the funeral sector.

As the UKs only listed funeral provider, shares in Dignity have been at the mercy of the authority ever since it announced the probe in 2018.

They are currently trading more than four fifths down from a 2016 peak, even after doubling in price since reaching all-time lows last summer.

The rebound came in early August when the news that the CMA would not introduce price controls and other measures it had considered, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shares in Dignity rushed up by 60% in just one day following the news.

But what the CMA gave, the CMA took away just months later as shares fell again, although only by 16%, after the authority released its full report into the sector.

It concluded that the cost of funerals is more than 400 too high, while cremations are also too expensive.

The authority did not agree with the assertions of some providers, Dignity among them, that higher prices necessarily means a higher quality service.

At the time, the company said it would work with the regulator and the Government to ensure that remedies work for customers. Any steer on how this work is going will likely interest shareholders.
03/04/2021



The top student award went to JSU's own James Johnson for "Melanin Aesthetic," a book featuring black artists working in the design industry.

JSUs graphic design students dominated the 2021 ADDY competition hosted by the Birmingham chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF Birmingham). Gamecocks won nearly half of the awards presented to students at the 63rd annual celebration honoring excellence in advertising.

This competition is a valuable opportunity for our students to have their work evaluated by working industry professionals, said Seth Johnson, head of the Department of Art and Design.

Gamecocks won 9 of the 21 student awards, including Best in Show  which was presented to MFA student James Johnson for Melanin Aesthetic: Black in the Design Industry, a book spotlighting successful black graphic artists. Winners include:

James Johnson - Best in Show (Gold) for Book Design: Melanin Aesthetic

- Best in Show (Gold) for Book Design: Melanin Aesthetic Hannah Jones - Packaging Design (Gold) for The Footstool Co., App Design (Silver) for LEAVE App, Logo Design (Silver) for Natural History Museum Los Angeles

- Packaging Design (Gold) for The Footstool Co., App Design (Silver) for LEAVE App, Logo Design (Silver) for Natural History Museum Los Angeles Abby Deason - Package Design (Gold) for Titleist Packaging

- Package Design (Gold) for Titleist Packaging Rylee Gober - Magazine Advertising Campaign (Gold) for Be Careful What You Wash With

- Magazine Advertising Campaign (Gold) for Be Careful What You Wash With Savannah Meek - App Design (Gold) for Scout App

- App Design (Gold) for Scout App Savannah Meek , Wing Mo and Lulu Hamissou - Packaging Design (Silver) for Scale vs Steel

, and - Packaging Design (Silver) for Scale vs Steel Courtney Sheffield - Point of Purchase (Silver) for Swingos

To win nine different ADDY awards is a major accomplishment for our program and goes to show the quality of education we are offering at JSU, Johnson said. Our art and design faculty do an incredible job in preparing our students to be successful in the industry.

Gold level winners will advance to the district competition, where they will compete against winning work from artists in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee. District winners will advance to the national competition, ADMERICA, where JSU MFA graduate Stefanie Cobb won a national ADDY in 2020 for her thesis project.
Panaji, March 5 : The opposition in Goa has slammed the State Election Commissioner for rescheduling the dates for polls in five municipal council areas, even as the Supreme Court is expected to deliver its judgement on the matter on March 9.

The criticism came a day after the poll panel issued a fresh schedule for the elections to the five municipal councils, which will now be held on March 21.

"The Supreme Court has fixed the hearing on Tuesday (March 9). Heavens will not fall if the State Election Commission shows some patience and waits for the final order of the apex court," Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said on Friday.

"I demand that the SEC must wait till the final disposal of the matter by the apex court and should not act in haste under any pressure," Kamat added.

Polls to 11 municipal councils and one municipal corporation were scheduled to be held on March 20. However, amid accusations of haphazard reservation of wards for women and ST candidates, the Bombay High Court bench had postponed the elections to five municipal councils, namely Margao, Mapusa, Mormugao, Sanguem and Quepem, while directing the Goa government to conduct a fresh procedure for reservation of seats.

The Goa government had subsequently appealed against the HC order in the Supreme Court, which on Thursday stayed the HC order postponing the polls in the five municipalities until a final order is delivered on March 9.

Opposition Goa Forward Party president Vijay Sardesai also said that the SEC's decision to change the poll schedule at a time when the matter is being heard by the apex court amounted to overreach on part of the authority.

"The SC temporarily stayed the HC direction for completion of pleadings. The SEC could not have over-reached the SC order by announcing an altogether new schedule when the top court seized of the matter," Sardesai said.
Late one night, around Christmas, I got a message from someone Id long-worried about.

Opinion

Late one night, around Christmas, I got a message from someone Id long-worried about.

"Hey professor," it began, "How are u?"

It was Jeff (not his real name), my former student from Sagkeeng First Nation, who I wrote about in the Free Press a year ago. I hadnt seen him since, even after spending weeks looking for him after his home was removed by City of Winnipeg officials in last winters purge of downtown tent cities.

Jeff is addicted to meth and has been since 2018, after finishing his second year at university. What started out as a small, weekend habit turned into a daily, debilitating force he uses to cope with past (and present) trauma.

Virtually no one enters addiction without some sort of mental health issue. Drugs, alcohol, and gambling are coping mechanisms, self-medications.

Jeffs story is his to tell, but its got it all: abuse, violence, racism. Its a credit to his family and community he didnt use drugs until he was alone in the city.

"Professor, I want to get clean," Jeff wrote. "I want to be a student again."

"Where are you?" I responded. "I can help."

I found Jeff at Sscope, the non-profit organization that has taken over the 50,000-square-foot building at 865 Main St., formerly known as Neechi Commons. As requested, I brought him bedsheets, boots, and winter clothes.

"All of my stuff was stolen," he said. "I got beat up for my backpack."

On my third visit, Jeff introduced me to his girlfriend. He told me he is working, helping with odd jobs around the building. He said hes been clean for weeks.

"Im trying, professor. Im trying."

Ive seen Jeff four times since, bringing him food and toiletries. Last week, I told him I can bring some books when he feels ready to read again.

"Are you going to quiz me?" he said with a laugh.

While Jeff has many steps to go to get back to where he was, he is in a safe place, surrounded by people like him, who believe in him. He has direction, meaning, hope.

He has a community.

This is a story familiar to the Sscope Inc. (Self-Starting Creative Opportunities for People in Employment), the social enterprise organization headed by executive director Angela McCaughan.

Since 1991, Sscope has provided direct, front-line mental health support for individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as what it calls "purpose": training, jobs, and resources to build a healthy and positive well-being.

After the COVID-19 pandemic started, the organization transitioned into offering housing, converting its building into a temporary shelter.

Running out of space, McCaughan negotiated a one-year lease last August to take over the former co-operative grocery, art store, and restaurant which closed in 2018, after being unable to cover nearly $4 million in debt.

"We couldnt have found a more perfect home for what we are trying to do," McCaughan said.

Walking in, you cant tell the difference between the nearly 60 clients and staff in the building. They are one in the same. Most are Indigenous, around 80 per cent.

People shovel snow, work jobs, and clean the facility. In exchange, they have access to laundry facilities, computers, showers, and a bed to sleep in.

The feeling of community is deep. People share clothing, food, and look after one another. There are dorm rooms, a safe space for LGBTTQ+ people, and shared spaces to live, work, and eat together.

McCaughan is not Indigenous, but the chairperson of the Sscope board, Louise Rowlands, is. Because the staff are also clients, most are Indigenous and run Indigenous programming  sharing circles, smudging ceremonies, beadwork classes, and art and cooking lessons (following pandemic health protocols).

The building is visited by Indigenous-led organizations such the Mama Bear Clan. Culturally-aware mental health supports through the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority also operate in the building.

Sscope has even put its long-term plans to rent units on hold, due to the recent cold snap, which involved it going over its planned capacity.

"We had to," McCaughan said. "If we are going to create community here, we had better step up when they need us."

Taking up much of the first floor is the thrift store, located in the former grocery store and full to the brim with clothes and household materials for public shopping. (It takes donations, too.)

There are plans to open up the former second-floor restaurant, and even a bike shop in the summer, too.

"Wed like to buy this building, if we can," McCaughan said. "We just need some help."

It was a real tragedy to lose Neechi Commons, a former Indigenous success story.

Sscope, however, is a community success story unto itself.

Just ask Jeff.

niigaan.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca
On Tuesday, February 23, a Whole Foods location in the Midtown neighborhood of Detroit temporarily shut down and asked customers to leave. Shortly after, Detroits chief public health officer Denise Fair confirmed a massive outbreak at the store in a press release, urging residents who had visited the location between February 12 and 22 to quarantine and monitor symptoms. Twenty-three of 196 employees tested positive for COVID-19.

One worker told the local Metro Times that employees receive updates about co-workers positive tests via automated text message and that the previous weekend, [We] were getting so many text messages  that we thought it was spam, that they didnt know what it was. Before the Tuesday evening shutdown, management asked employees to get rapid COVID tests during store hours at a nearby testing location, and so many employees were sent home that the store was like a ghost town the next day.

Whole Foods Market in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

In a statement, Whole Foods, which is owned by online retail giant Amazon, said: The safety of our Team Members and customers remains our top priority, which is why we address any confirmed diagnosis in our stores with a comprehensive action plan that includes enhanced cleaning and contact tracing, as well as communicating directly with our Team Members. We support any Team Member who is diagnosed positive or placed in quarantine so they can prioritize their health and stay home. We have rolled out extensive measures to keep people safe in our stores and are diligently following all guidance from local health and food safety authorities.

In reality, employees are not compensated for taking time off to quarantine after being exposed to the virus or for testing positive. One employee told the World Socialist Web Site, More than 10 people were not symptomatic. ... Because of the contact rules there are people out of work that did not test positive but were in proximity that already have taken time off because of previous exposure and have been out of work for more than an accumulated month of the last six [months]. Some of them are single mothers.

Another employee told the WSWS, COVID is everywhere. I think they were letting too many customers in for a long time, and thats where it probably came from. It was overwhelming at times the amount of people that were in the store, customers and team members.

A former Whole Foods worker said that there is absolutely no way employees can distance themselves from one another in the back work areas, break room and offices, similar to conditions which exist in other workplaces, including the auto plants, which have become vectors for COVID transmission across metro Detroit.

Its very hard to stay six feet away from anyone at any time, much less for the whole eight hours that were there, a worker told the Metro Times.

Whole Foods pays a $15-per-hour wage to its employees, nowhere near enough to cover the basic cost of living for an individual, much less those caring for family members. Since workers are paid hourly, hours lost due to quarantine results in smaller paychecks, creating a situation where workers must choose between making money to stay afloat or potentially infecting themselves and their coworkers during an outbreak.

Whole Foods and Amazonowned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, whose wealth has increased by $70 billion during the pandemichave had at least 20,000 reported and confirmed COVID cases at their facilities.

The city of Detroit was one of the early epicenters of the pandemic. Wayne County has reported a total of 103,000 COVID-19 cases with 4,149 deaths as of this writing. After a six-week decline in positive cases, the drop in cases has ceased in the state of Michigan, and it is currently one of the leading states for the new variants of the COVID-19 virus with over 400 confirmed cases. While many of those cases have been spread in correctional facilities, there is also undetected spread in the community, according to Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The outbreaks in Detroit and elsewhere will continue to get worse, as a direct result of the partial reopening of businesses to 50 percent capacity this week and the reopening of schools for in-person learning over the coming weeks.

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union President Marc Perrone told the press that the Whole Foods outbreak was another wake-up call to grocery companies and elected leaders that these brave essential workers deserve and have earned more protections and must be immediately prioritized for vaccine access. The Whole Foods outbreak further proves what UFCW has warned the public about for monthsthat national grocery companies must stop making excuses and must immediately increase worker protection, enforce mask wearing in stores, provide hazard pay, and commit to disclosing when frontline workers have been infected and died.

In reality, the UFCW has played a leading role in helping companies across the food supply chain in enforcing unsafe working conditions. In the meatpacking industry alone, it has jointly overseen an almost uninterrupted maintenance of production which has led to over 57,000 infections and 284 deaths, according to the Food and Environment Reporting Network.

One of the most grotesque examples of this is in Waterloo, Iowa, where it negotiated perfect attendance bonuses at a Tyson pork plant even as management was taking bets about how many workers would eventually become infected. After this became a national scandal last fall, the union local hid behind its lawyers and dodged dozens of media inquiries by the local press, prompting denunciations even from the local sheriff of the unions pro-corporate policies.

The UFCW is also the parent union of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which is running a union recognition vote at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. President Biden, who is spearheading the unsafe return to schools and has not repealed Trumps use of the Defense Production Act to force meatpacking plants to remain open, all but endorsed a yes vote at the warehouse in an extraordinary statement published last weekend on Twitter. This demonstrates that the Democratic Party sees the unions not as potential adversaries, but as reliable enforcers of the dictates of the capitalist ruling class.

Regardless of how the vote in Alabama turns out, workers at Amazon and Whole Foods confront the task of organizing themselves independently of both management and the pro-capitalist trade unions. This means above all expanding the network of independent rank-and-file safety committees which has been founded in workplaces throughout the country over the last year. To get in touch with other committees, speak to the WSWS and get more information, visit wsws.org/workers.
A Springfield man was sentenced to serve two years in federal prison Friday afternoon for failing to register as a sex offender.

Ruben Pagan, 50, is currently serving a six-year state prison term after he was convicted of rape and abuse of a child. The new federal sentence will be served after he completes the current state term.

U.S. District Court Judge Mark Mastroianni levied the two-year term and ordered Pagan to complete 10 years of supervised release upon completion of the prison sentence.

According to court documents, Pagan was originally convicted of child sex abuse in 2002 in Springfield. He moved to Providence, Rhode Island in 2017, but was arrested on an outstanding Massachusetts court warrant charging him with subsequent child sex abuse. He was returned to Massachusetts in 2018 to stand trial.

During the time he lived in Rhode Island, Pagan did not register as a sex offender as mandated.
Nurses are threatening to strike over the Government's 'insulting' 1 per cent pay rise offer for the NHS.

The main nursing union rushed to agree a 35million industrial action support fund and is set to ballot its members on a walkout.

Meanwhile, Unison is urging the public to join a mass slow handclap on their doorsteps and balconies on Thursday at 8pm to protest against the planned 'derisory' increase.

Ministers say the 1 per cent rise for frontline health staff is better than the wage freeze other public sector workers are facing but critics claim it means just 3.50 a week extra in take home pay for nurses.

Intensive care nurse and Unite union rep Ameera Sheikh outside Downing Street in London protesting the Government's recommendation of a 1 per cent pay rise for NHS workers, Friday

... as taxpayer puts 15bn more into Test and Trace Taxpayers are to give the poorly-performing NHS Test and Trace service another 15billion. Small print from the Budget shows the systems total cost will soar to 37billion over two years. The extra cash is being handed out despite its persistent failure to find all contacts of Covid sufferers who need to isolate, issues with its smartphone app and controversy over its huge spending on consultants, nudging 1million a day. Ministers are now under pressure to ensure Test and Trace, run by Tory peer Baroness Harding, delivers value for money before spending more billions on it. Labour health spokesman Justin Madders said: Ministers need to be honest with themselves and with the public about whether these huge sums of money are delivering what is needed. And public accounts committee chairman Meg Hillier said: Its costing a lot of money and its unclear whether it is having more than a marginal impact on the pandemic. The Budget Red Book states that while the Government has provided around 22billion for NHS Test and Trace this year, it will pour in a further 15billion next year. Test and Trace was launched in May as a centralised way of identifying people who have contracted Covid, then finding people with whom they have been in contact and getting them to isolate. But it has been dogged by problems such as a failure to predict a surge in demand for tests when schools and universities returned in September; slow turnaround for test results; and low numbers of contacts being traced, leaving call centre staff with nothing to do. The Department of Health and Social Care said: As the virus becomes less prevalent, the test, trace and isolate system will become ever more important in identifying local outbreaks rapidly, enabling local and national teams to take swift action... Advertisement

Describing the pay rise recommendation as the 'ultimate insult', the Royal College of Nursing's general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair told the BBC: 'No nurse wants any form of strike action but we have to prepare.

'We have spoken to this Government continuously over ten years and it seems to have fallen on deaf ears.' The RCN council held an emergency meeting on Thursday night and unanimously agreed to set up a 35million industrial action fund that could be used to compensate workers who lose earnings while on strike.

The union wants a 12.5 per cent pay rise for nurses in England rather than the 1 per cent recommended by the Department of Health and Social Care to the NHS Pay Review Body.

The country's biggest trade union, Unite, is also considering a ballot on strike action after 'the kick-in-the-teeth announcement'.

Its national officer for health, Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe, said: 'It shows an unyielding contempt by ministers for those who have done so much to care for tens of thousands of Covid-19 patients in the last year.'

The public sector union Unison's call for a slow handclap against the 'derisory' offer is a twist on weekly applause given for the NHS during the crisis.

Its general secretary Christina McAnea said: 'Millions stood on doorsteps and clapped for health staff who've given their all. Let's now stand up for their right to fair wages.

'Give the Chancellor a slow handclap for his miserly 1 per cent.' Even Tory MPs have joined the backlash. Sir Roger Gale told Radio 4's Today programme: 'More is needed. The way that this has been presented and handled has been inept.

'We are facing exceptional circumstances and yes, I know that over a period of three years nurses have had a considerable pay increase, but that is not what I think the public wants in terms of recognition of a wholly exceptional situation.'

Former minister Andrew Percy said: 'Ministers must act to provide a more generous award.'

But health minister Nadine Dorries, a former nurse, told Sky News: 'We are coming out of a pandemic where we have seen huge borrowing and costs to the Government.

'We do not want nurses to go unrecognised, or doctors, and no other public sector employee is receiving a pay rise  there has been a pay freeze.

'But the 1 per cent offer is the most we think we can afford.'

She claimed nurses have received a 12 per cent increase in pay over the past three years and that the average salary is now 34,000.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night said the 1 per cent proposal 'reflects the difficult financial circumstances that the country is in'.

Nurse Ameera Sheikh (pictured). The Royal College of Nursing is to set up a 35m industrial action fund in response to Government's recommended 1 per cent pay rise for NHS workers

Ministers were put under fresh pressure last night to reconsider the offer by the revelation that a 2.1 per cent pay rise had been earmarked for 2021-22 in an NHS 'long-term plan' document published in 2019.

Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents trusts, said: 'It is very disappointing the Government has said that a 1 per cent pay rise is all that is affordable when they know that the assumption was that the 2021/22 NHS pay rise would be 2.1 per cent and that this was covered by the NHS revenue settlement announced by Theresa May in June 2018.'

Labour health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth said: 'It's clear beyond doubt that Rishi Sunak has snatched away the pay rise staff were promised in the NHS long-term funding plan.'
(JNS)  The self-proclaimed Jewish-American progressive organization IfNotNow hosted a discussion on Jan. 27 about how the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism has been destroying the progressive movement. The word discussion, may, in fact, be too generous a term for what was, in reality, a diatribe of misinformation.

An address by Taher Herzallah, associate director of outreach and grassroots organizing for American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), took up much of the event. It should be noted right away that AMPs platforms disseminate anti-Jewish propaganda. Articles...
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

One of the motivations for the recently published Journal of Accounting Research paper "Politically Connected Governments" was the daily experience with the subway system in New York City.

The author of the paper, SMU Assistant Professor of Accounting Kim Jungbae, told the Office of Research & Tech Transferthe research question for the paper which examines the consequences of powerful political connections for local governments, was inspired by the New York Times article "The Most Expensive Mile of Subway Track on Earth" (January 24, 2018).

"The article suggests that the NYC subway system is not fully efficient in part due to the political connection between labor unions and local politicians," Professor Kim explains. "They exchange benefits with each other and sacrifice the welfare of those who use the transportation system." Although this story does not directly speak to the main message of the published paper, it brought the researchers' initial attention to the possibility that the quality of public services might suffer when local governments have ties with powerful politicians.

Professor Kim's research interests lie in financial reporting, auditing, regulatory intervention, and the political economy. He is particularly interested in how financial reporting and auditing shape the incentives of economic entities, either corporations or governments, and lead to certain consequences.

Purpose and relevance

Professor Kim argues that as voters and taxpayers, we need to pay attention to how local governments spend public funds and be aware of factors that may lead to corruption or misappropriation of public resources. "This paper, based on the U.S. political system, focuses on the local governments' political connections as such a factor."

The study, he says, is relevant to the academic literature examining political connections for several reasons. First, the researchers show a cost of political connections, whereas prior studies generally show the benefits. Second, the study provides evidence about a largely unexplored type of "political connection" that manifests through the representation of shared constituents. In particular, local government officials and members of Congress each advance their political success by ensuring their shared constituents are satisfied.

Third, the paper draws attention to the idea that a range of organizations are affected by political connections. By contrast, prior studies have largely focused on the effects of political connections for corporations.

"The paper shares similarities with many other academic papers in that they examine the consequences of political connections. However, by examining the consequences on local governments, it differentiates itself from prior studies, which examine the consequences of political connections in the corporate sector," Professor Kim expounds.

"Also, most of prior studies document positive results, whereas our paper is one of only a few exceptions in the literature that document negative consequences of political connections."

Methodology

Local governments in the U.S. that receive more than $750,000 direct fund allocations are obliged to receive an audit each year. The researchers used the outcomes of these audits to construct a quantitative measure of stewardship.

"This measure is based on whether a local government has an unmodified audit opinion, no material weakness, no significant deficiency, no material noncompliance, and the timeliness of audit reports," explains Professor Kim. "We augment this main measure of stewardship with a news-based measure by counting the number of news articles that mention a local government's corruption each year." They found that their main measure was positively correlated with this news-based measure.

So how was the strength of members of Congress determined for comparison?

According to Professor Kim, the members of Congress yield their power by engaging in the legislative process at congressional committees. "Therefore, our basic notion of the strength of members of Congress is that they are more powerful if they serve on powerful congressional committees for a longer period of time."

To determine which committee is powerful, following prior studies, the researchers use the transfer of members of Congress. For example, if a politician moves from committee A to committee B, it suggests that the latter committee is considered more valuable and influential.

The above measure of strength is determined at politician-level. A city or county government in the U.S. has three politicians (i.e., two Senators and one House member) who represent its interest in Congress. Later, the strength of political connections at local government-level is aggregated by adding up each politician's strength in Congress.

Findings

The main finding of this paper is that local governments' ties with powerful congressional members lead to a decrease in stewardship over public resources. Ex ante, the researchers had two opposing predictions.

On the one hand, powerful politicians are subject to greater scrutiny in the form of government audits and media attention, Professor Kim avers. On the other hand, local governments may care less about how well they serve the public because powerful politicians provide preferential access to federal resources.

"Our finding is consistent with the latter prediction. Although local politicians care about reelection prospects, the increased resources brought by powerful congressional representation allow local governments officials to reduce stewardship."

In addition, the researchers were the first to provide evidence about the effects of powerful political connections in the context of U.S. local governments. Professor Kim writes: "Our study highlights room for improvement in the stewardship over public resources at the local government level, despite recent reports that show the United States is in the bottom 10 percent of corrupt countries. As such, the study is relevant to the literature examining state and local government reporting and governance choices such as those by Zimmerman [1977], Gore [2004], and Beck [2018]." The findings complement this literature by showing a distinct channelpowerful representation in Congressthat adversely affects local governments' governance efforts.

Universal application

Could this U.S.-based study help other countries especially those that are culturally different like those in Asia, where local governments and members of Congress interact differently?

Professor Kim says the study relies on several institutional features in the U.S. where local governments receive funds from the federal government and, in turn, local governments receive an audit to ensure that they use federal funds as intended. Also, members of Congress represent the population in a certain geographical region.

"I think these features are present in many countries including my home country, South Korea," observes Professor Kim. "The implication of our study may be different for some countries, depending on the extent to which local governments are financially reliant on federal governments and how autonomous local governments are."

He adds that although the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (2017) ranks the U.S. in the bottom 10 percent of corrupt countries, they still found that there is room for improvement in how well local governments serve their constituents. "In this sense, the extent to which political connections hurt the quality of public services may be greater in other countries."

Explore further Friends in high places can lead to questionable spending

More information: Christine Cuny et al. Politically Connected Governments, Journal of Accounting Research (2020). Christine Cuny et al. Politically Connected Governments,(2020). DOI: 10.1111/1475-679X.12325

Provided by Singapore Managment University
Local animal rights activists in collaboration with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) hold a coconut-dumping protest in front of Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



By Park Han-sol



A performer, dressed in a monkey costume with a chain around his neck, pushes a cart piled high with coconuts in front of the Royal Thai Embassy in Yongsan District, Seoul, Friday afternoon. After taking several steps forward, he suddenly empties the cart, leaving dozens of coconuts precariously tumbling down the road, before picking up a sign.



It reads, "THAILAND: Stop Coconut Industry Monkey Abuse."



The protest, performed by Korean animal rights activists in collaboration with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), is part of the international animal rights organization's campaign to denounce the abuse of monkeys committed by the coconut industry in Thailand. Similar protests have already been held in countries including the Philippines and Indonesia, as well as across the U.S.



A series of PETA investigations revealed that in many Thai farms, monkeys are confined in cages and are chained when they are used to pick coconuts for milk or oil products, which are then sold by big brands such as Chaokoh. Subject to cruel treatment, these monkeys show signs of extreme stress, some even chewing on their own limbs. When the animals try to defend themselves, their canine teeth may be pulled out to protect farmers, the organization said in a statement.







Although the coconut milk brands produced through monkey labor have been banned in international chains like Tesco and Costco, such products are readily available at large retail stores in Korea, including Lotte Mart, E-mart, and Homeplus, according to local activists.



They noted the recently rising demand for coconut products in the country and urged consumers to be aware of the fact that their purchases can further contribute to animal abuse.



"One thing we are certain of is that in Korea, the demand for coconut oil and milk, promoted as a vegan product, has been increasing at a rapid rate," Kim Young-wha, a representative for Friday's protest, said.



"Also, the cruelty-free coconuts we prepared for today's performance were extremely difficult to find  an indicator that the products using forced monkey labor are widespread in the market."



Nirali Shah, a senior campaigner at PETA Asia, told The Korea Times that Friday's protest in front of the Thai Embassy was to remind the ambassador of the animal abuse occurring in the Southeast Asian nation and to raise awareness among both officials and consumers to take action.



She added that other coconut-growing regions  India, Brazil, Colombia and Hawaii  have implemented humane methods to harvest coconuts as an alternative to monkey labor, by using tractor-mounted hydraulic elevators and willing human tree-climbers.



"PETA has written to every Thai embassy in the world appealing for help, but we have not received a meaningful response from any of them," Shah wrote in an e-mail to The Korea Times.



"Until monkey labor is banned in Thailand's coconut industry, PETA is calling for consumers to stop purchasing products whose coconut ingredients were sourced from Thailand, and for companies to replace Thai coconuts with coconuts from countries where monkeys are not used for picking the fruit."


Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Moscow will soon publish a blacklist in response to U.S. sanctions, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Channel Ones Vremya Pokazhet (or Time Will Tell) show on Friday.

"Given how they [the Americans] are acting, including the fact that they published all lists at once, I think that we will cheer them up soon. Work is underway. Dont think that noting is being done if we arent talking about it," she said when asked when Russia would respond to U.S. sanctions .
Two fishermen couldn't believe their luck when they caught a shark - only for it to be nabbed off the end of their line by a hungry crocodile.

Geoff Trutwein was 80km west of Wyndham, Western Australia, on his neighbour Nat Barnes' boat when they hooked a juvenile blacktip shark on February 21.

While trying to reel the fish in, Nat was quickly caught in a tug of war with a deadly rival as a 2.5m saltwater crocodile latched on to the prospective meal.

In incredible images captured by photographer Geoff, 62, Nat tried to reel the shark in further to the boat but the ravenous reptile refused to let go with its powerful jaws.

Geoff Trutwein was 80km west of Wyndham, Western Australia, on his neighbour Nat Barnes' boat when they hooked a juvenile blacktip shark on February 21

While trying to reel the fish in, Nat was quickly caught in a tug of war with a deadly rival as a 2.5m saltwater crocodile

Eventually Nat decided he wasn't going to win the battle and cut the line, allowing the crocodile to swim off with the fish to devour it on the riverbank.

Geoff, from Kununurra, WA, said: 'We had been out fishing for a few hours and Nat caught a juvenile blacktip shark and while he was reeling it in this saltwater croc decided he wanted that meal.

'He shot over really quickly and grabbed it. The crocs aren't timid around people, they're very happy to be around us.

'I've been photographing wildlife for 30 years and I've seen the crocs around here a lot in my life but I've never had an interaction like this. It was shocking. It was just incredible to see something so powerful up close.

The pair struggled to reel in the shark after a crocodile latched onto it and took it to shore

'He shot over really quickly and grabbed it. The crocs aren't timid around people, they're very happy to be around us,' Geoff said

Geoff said the crocodile took the shark 'straight back to the bank and wolfed it down'.

'This one was only young but it was still about 2.5 metres in length. I got as close to the side of the boat as I was willing to get as I didn't fancy losing my fingers.

'They can look pretty placid when they're lying on the mud flaps but once this one decided he was hungry there was no way he was letting it go.

'They're also lightning fast. Not only are they quick and powerful animals, they're also really smart.

'If you're a regular visitor to the same spot, they'll watch you closely and get closer and closer to you. One day they'll be just under the water next to you and you'll have no idea until they're biting your leg.'
Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda have begun coronavirus immunisation programmes under the Covax vaccine-sharing initiative, becoming the latest African countries to do so.



Health workers will be among the early beneficiaries of the AstraZeneca jab in all three.



In Nigeria, Cyprian Nyong - a doctor who has been taking care of Covid-19 patients since March last year - was the first to get the jab at a hospital in the capital, Abuja.



Some other 150 health workers were also injected.



Nigerian health officials say President Muhammadu Buhari and other senior figures will be immunised in public to help boost confidence in the programme.



In Kenya, ministry of health official Patrick Amoth was the first to get the jab.



Ghana and Ivory Coast started vaccination drives earlier this week.



Angola, DR Congo and Gambia have also received supplies under the international initiative.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
(Natural News) The latest Vegetation Index data from NASA shows that the Earth is getting progressively greener and lusher over time.

The planet is 10 percent greener today than it was in 2000, NASA says, which means better conditions for growing crops. Forests are also expanding while deserts are becoming more fertile and usable for agriculture.

All in all, the global Vegetation Index rose from 0.0936 to 0.1029 between 2000 and 2021, a 9.94 percent increase.

10 percent greening in 20 years! We are incredibly fortunate! announced Zoe Phin, a researcher who compiled the data into a chart for her blog.

I just wish everyone felt that way. But you know not everyone does. To the extent that humans enhance global greening is precisely what social parasites want to tax and regulate. No good deed goes unpunished.

A separate German study found that the globe has been greening for at least the past three decades. Satellite imagery suggests that vegetation has been expanding at a growing rate, contracting the gloom-and-doom narrative being spread by the climate alarmists.

Back in 2018, research found that the Sahara Desert, the largest in the world, had shrunk by more than 8 percent over the past three decades. This is truly profound as the Sahara covers an expansive 9.2 million square kilometers of territory.

Eight percent means more than 700,000 square kilometers more area thats become green  an area almost as big as Germany and France combined, reports P. Gosselin.

So in terms of vegetation, the planet probably hasnt had it this nice in about 1,000 years.

Global warming is a good thing  its healing the planet!

Most of this greening is caused by greenhouse gases  you know, those horrible emissions that the climate fanatics insist are going to kill us all. Truth be told, greenhouse gases are making the planet more habitable for humans and other life forms.

One study calls this phenomenon carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization, which is far more accurate than calling it CO2 pollution as many in the mainstream media continue to do.

By the year 2100, all this greening will offset 17 years worth of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, rendering all this pollution as if it never even happened. In other words, there will be only benefits and no drawbacks from all this global warming that is taking place.

There are many more studies underpinning the good news of the greening planet  thanks in large part to mankind, notes Gosselin. Its not as bad as the crybaby activists and media depict it to be. Not even close.

The problem is that there is no money to be made from telling everyone that the planet is just fine, and to continue living as normal. There would be no need for a green shift away from fossil fuels, and no need to stop eating meat, among other such nonsense.

The powers that be have to keep the climate change ruse going in order to advance their globalist agenda. Without climate change, there would be no excuse to steal peoples freedoms and liberties while imposing hell on earth as the solution to all of these manufactured climate woes.

Food security will always be a factor because as long as global population increases, so must global agricultural production increase. That said (the need for agricultural output to keep pace with population), by far the biggest threat to humanity, is NOT climate change, wrote one commenter at WattsUpWithThat.com.

The biggest threat to humanity and resulting environmental destruction that a global famine would bring is Climate Change policy  the UNs Socialist-Marxist climate policy to destroy access to affordable, abundant fossil fuels necessary to sustain global agricultural output.

More related news can be found at ClimateScienceNews.com.

Sources for this article include:

WattsUpWithThat.com

PhZoe.com

NaturalNews.com
Moreover, many people who are working part time would prefer full-time jobs.

Jamie Pontia, 44, was a bar manager at a major hotel chain in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh when the pandemic shut down operations last spring. Recently, a friend offered her a few hours of work a week at a nearby club.

At the hotel, she had worked five or six days a week, earning as much as $300 a day in wages and tips in addition to full benefits and a basketful of discounts. Now, she is averaging 12 hours a week, earning $8 an hour plus free fish sandwiches.

I got behind on my car payment because that one was just too big, Ms. Pontia said. I looked out the window every night worrying, Are they going to come get the car?

She was still eligible for unemployment insurance, but in December an unexplained glitch left her with no benefits for two months. Using an auto-redialer, she tried to call Pennsylvanias unemployment office 2,000 times to fix the problem, she said, but was never able to get through.
MIDDLETOWN  The former manager of a city car dealership was sentenced Thursday to 21 months in prison for his role in an auto loan fraud scheme, according to the acting U.S. attorney for Connecticut.

U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny also ordered Justin Williams, 42, of Rocky Hill to serve five years of supervised release after his prison time, with the first three months in home confinement, and to perform 200 hours of community service, according to a release from Leonard C. Boyle, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Williams worked as a salesman and de facto general manager at a used car dealership at 1075 Newfield St. in Middletown, known variously as Car Nation LLC, Car Nation CT LLC and Middletown Motorcars, which was owned and operated by George Hajati.

In connection with automobile loan applications for multiple borrowers, Williams, Hajati and others submitted documents and statements to lenders that falsely represented the borrowers employment, salary, sources of income and amount of a down payment, the release said. The false documents included fictitious, or altered, borrower pay stubs, and income verification letters purportedly from the Social Security Administration, Boyle said.

Williams submitted loan applications indicating borrowers drew salaries they did not make, worked jobs they did not have, received income from the Social Security Administration they did not receive, and made down payments they did not make, according to the release. In some instances, the borrower was not aware of, and did not authorize, Williams use of his or her personal identifying information to obtain automobile loans in these ways, Boyle said.

Between approximately November 2015 and June 2016, Williams defrauded lenders of $264,345.54, according to the release, and he was ordered to pay $251,267.08 in restitution.

Williams previously was convicted of federal fraud charges related to a Hartford-area scheme to defraud mortgage lenders, and he was on federal supervised release as the time of his participation in this car loan fraud scheme, the release said.

He was arrested on a criminal complaint Jan. 16, 2020. On Nov. 19, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Williams, free on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison July 5.

Hajati pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud stemming from this scheme. He previously was convicted of federal fraud charges related to the Hartford-area mortgage fraud scheme, and was serving a term of supervised release, according to the court. In June 2020, he was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $654,952.56 in restitution for his role in the auto loan fraud scheme, and was sentenced to an additional 21 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release, the release said.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the sentencing occurred via videoconference, the release said.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor M. Reardon and David T. Huang.
India expects to start full-scale operations at Irans Chabahar general cargo port it has built by the end of May, said Union ports and shipping minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in a boost for regional trade.

The country has been developing a part of the port on Irans south-eastern coast along the Gulf of Oman as a way to transport goods to Iran, but also Afghanistan and central Asian countries, and avoiding rival Pakistan.

But US sanctions on Iran slowed down the ports development and Indian officials are now counting on a thaw in relations between Washington and Tehran under President Joe Biden to move forward with near $500 million of investments.

I am expecting to visit Iran in April or May for the inauguration of full operations, Mandaviya told Reuters.
The remains of Father Emil Kapaun, a Kansas native and Catholic priest who died while a prisoner of war, have been identified by military officials.

Sen. Jerry Moran announced Thursday that the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency of the Department of Defense has identified Kapaun's remains. As of Thursday evening, Kapaun was not listed by the agency among the names of people who have recently been accounted for.

"This evening I was notified that the remains of Marion County-native Father Emil Kapaun, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, have been identified," Moran said in a statement. "Father Kapaun served as an Army Chaplain during WWII and the Korean War, and was taken as a Prisoner of War in 1951. He continued to minister to Americans as a POW before passing away on May 23, 1951.

"In 2011, I introduced legislation to bestow Father Kapaun with the Presidential Medal of Honor, which was awarded in 2013. In 1993, Pope John Paul II declared Father Kapaun a Servant of God, the first step toward sainthood. I am glad that his family has finally been granted closure after Father Kapaun's selfless service to our nation."

According to the U.S. Army, Kapaun was a chaplain with the rank of captain in the 8th Cavalry Regiment. During the Battle of Unsan, Kapaun ran from foxhole to foxhole while under fire to provide comfort to soldiers. He helped wounded soldiers to safety, but stayed behind himself in order to care for others. He was then captured by Chinese forces in November 1950.

While in captivity, Kapaun continued to care for his fellow soldiers while resisting his captors, including conducting a sunrise service on Easter morning, 1951. He died alone in a prison camp hospital about two months later.

An annual 60-mile pilgrimage honoring Kapaun, organized by the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, is scheduled for June 3-6 this year. He is the namesake of Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School in Wichita. The Diocese is championing Kapaun's cause for sainthood.

This article is written by Jason Tidd from The Wichita Eagle and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
This article, See the wildly bright fireball meteor that lit up the UK sky on Sunday, originally appeared on CNET.com.

Humans have spent centuries developing ever-more-spectacular fireworks, but it's still hard to compete with what space can throw at us. Observers in parts of the UK witnessed an eye-opening show when a massive, slow-moving fireball made its way across the night sky late Sunday.

The UK Meteor Observation Network (Ukmon), a citizen science group that tracks meteor sightings, said it received over 800 eyewitness reports and doorbell and dashcam videos of the fireball. "Surprisingly many people reported hearing either a sonic boom or a rumbling noise," the organization said in a statement on Monday.

A Ukmon camera in Wilcot, Wiltshire, captured the bright fireball in action as it shot across the sky.

The stunning meteor may have left some debris on the ground. The UK Fireball Alliance (UKFall), a group led by Natural History Museum staff, ran the numbers and mapped out where meteorites might have landed across England, and particularly near the Cheltenham area.

Google Earth/UK Fireball Alliance

Initial data suggests the fireball came from an asteroid. Ashley King of the Natural History Museum and UKFall calculated the object's speed at around 30,000 miles per hour, saying in a statement it was "too fast for it to be human-made 'space junk,' so it's not an old rocket or satellite."

In the UKFall statement, meteorite expert Katherine Joy of the University of Manchester delivered some tips for collecting meteorites: "If you do find a meteorite on the ground, ideally photograph it in place, note the location using your phone GPS, don't touch it with a magnet, and, if you can, avoid touching it with your hands." Joy recommends using a clean bag or aluminum foil for picking up a possible space rock.

UKFall has asked to be alerted if any suspected pieces of the fireball are found.

New footage of the #fireball tonight. Sent by Katie Parr pic.twitter.com/J4jmsM9tFj  UK Meteor Network (@UKMeteorNetwork) February 28, 2021

Fantastic footage of last night's #fireball from Ben Stanley's https://t.co/eAMviWBAAV / https://t.co/1wOo3FHJ2u meteor camera in Nuneaton. (People, buy this camera!) The fireball may have dropped meteorites in Gloucestershire. @amsmeteors @UKMeteorNetwork @trilby pic.twitter.com/Q8XqkeopDC  SCAMP - a component of the FRIPON network (@SCAMP_Meteors) March 1, 2021

Videos of the fireball appeared across social media and UKFall said it could break records as one of the most reported meteors on the International Meteor Organization's website. The meteor-tracking group has gathered over 950 reports of the event from as far away as the Netherlands and Ireland.

Meteors are common, but bright, slow fireballs like this one are a rarer sight. If meteorites are found, our visitor will have left behind some souvenirs of its spectacular demise.

Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
CBC

Michael Megenbir was someone who generally kept his personal life separate from work. That is, until one June day in 2017. Sitting among his fellow educators in the library of the Regina school where he worked at the time, the intensive support teacher rose at the year-end staff meeting to announce to his colleagues that he's transgender. "I really love and respect all of you, and I think you all feel the same way about me," Megenbir, now 37, remembered saying. He went on to tell them that when they return to work in the fall, he'd be changing his name to Michael and using he/him pronouns. Megenbir's palms were sweaty as he assessed the room. "I remember looking out and seeing the faces, focusing in on a couple of the staff who I had become really close with and just watching them smile," he said. Then came the applause. "It was honestly a little overwhelming, but in a good way," Megenbir said. "It gave me that little boost of confidence and it just let me know that I was doing the right thing." In 2018, Megenbir had his long-awaited top surgery, marking the first time in decades he says he felt 'comfortable in my own skin.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Allison Boulanger, who knew Megenbir as a friend and colleague for years before his transition, remembers smiling and clapping in the crowd. "When he got up to tell the staff, you could tell this was something that was right for him and it was how he needed to live his life  and live his life truthfully," she remembered thinking. Megenbir was reassured he had the support of his co-workers and school administration; what he couldn't predict was how his openness about his identity would inspire his students and colleagues to live their truths, and pave the way for more conversations around inclusion in schools. 'Business as usual' Fast forward to the new school year that fall, and Megenbir said it was a welcome surprise to notice there was "very little change" in how people treated him. He joked it was almost as though his colleagues practised over the summer. "It was kind of business as usual," he said with a chuckle. Megenbir noted that seemingly little things, like the use of his pronouns and new name, made the biggest impact on feeling accepted. And on the off-chance people messed up, they were quick to correct themselves and didn't draw attention to it. "It was the happiest he'd been," Boulanger remembered noticing. "You could tell that he felt like himself." The next year, Megenbir had long-awaited top surgery  a mastectomy and chest-sculpting procedure. "It was the first time in my life since I was probably nine or 10 years old that I felt comfortable in my own skin," he said. Megenbir dressed up as Kenny Rogers for Halloween in 2019 while his friend and colleague, Allison Boulanger, dressed up as Dolly Parton.(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Making students feel 'a little bit more understood' When the opportunity arose for Megenbir to help start a gay-straight alliance (GSA) at the school, it naturally sparked conversations about his gender identity with students. On the first day of the GSA, when he got everyone to introduce themselves, he said, "I'm excited to be here and to be a part of the GSA because I am transgender"  something that surprised a few students. All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are.  Michael Megenbir Some kids told Megenbir he was the first person in the LGBTQ community they had ever met. That's the moment he knew sharing a piece of who he was added a layer of support for those children who needed it. "All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are," he said. "As an educator, if that's the only thing I ever teach a student, I will have felt like I did my job." Megenbir and his former student, Rylan Moir, show off their matching moustaches at the Regina Pride festival in 2018. Megenbir said the support he received during his transition from his students and their parents was 'overwhelmingly positive.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) As a teacher outside the LGBTQ community, Boulanger said having Megenbir as a resource for students across the entire school proved invaluable. "I'd always tell students, 'I'm here if you want to talk to me,' but Mike was just the person they gravitated towards because he just knows what's going on and how they're feeling," she said. "He just has a way of making them feel a little bit more understood." Looking back on his childhood in rural Saskatchewan, Megenbir wonders how different his gender identity journey might have been had he had a teacher who was open about being queer, or resources like a GSA. He thinks it might not have taken him until he was 30 to live out his truth had he had those positive influences. "It was really hard to feel that you were different, and also be made to feel like there was something wrong with you because of that," he said. He points to a picture of himself in a dress at his parents' wedding as an example. When he looks at his childhood photos, Michael Megenbir says he doesn't recognize who he used to be on the outside; however, on the inside, he said he's 'the exact same now, just in different packaging.'(Jessie Anton/CBC) "As a kid, I never liked dressing up, especially in dresses," he said. "This picture is how my family explains who I am and have always been: a little goofy, dancing to my own drum and not caring what anyone else thinks about me. "I'm the exact same now, just in different packaging." LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom Talking about LGBTQ representation among teachers is important, too, said Raylee Perkins, a teacher-librarian at another Regina school. "Whatever a person's coming out story is, it's often sad and steeped in trauma," said Perkins. "Seeing someone like Mike, who's happy and radiates this love and joy, it demonstrates that you can also have that joy in your future  and you don't always see that in books or on TV." Raylee Perkins, a Regina teacher-librarian who openly identifies as queer at school, says it's important for teachers and students to see LGBTQ role models with positive experiences.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) That's in part why Perkins is open about identifying as queer at school. But that also means the advocacy work to promote LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom tends to fall on her shoulders, despite the best efforts of allies around her. "Sometimes, it's felt like I was the only queer voice in the room or queer voice in the conversation, and that can be really tiring," she said. According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education's website, the government "is committed to ensuring schools are safe and inclusive environments for all students, including those who identify as gender and/or sexually diverse." That includes encouraging school divisions to develop policies specifically to include groups, like GSAs, to create safe spaces for LGBTQ students and their allies. The province's Deepening the Discussion: Gender and Sexual Diversity framework from 2015 also contains curriculum for teachers and school administrators. Regina's public school board also recently unanimously approved training for teachers and staff about gender and sexual diversity. While LGBTQ inclusion exists under the curriculum, Boulanger said there are still some teachers who don't cover it in their classrooms. "If they can start talking about it and talk to people who identify as LGBTQ, that might help them to realize that it's not something to fear; it's something to learn about and to grow," she said. Creating more transgender inclusive spaces To make sure her classroom or library is visibly inclusive to transgender people, Perkins hangs posters that delineate the room as a safe space, and she wears rainbow pins and pronoun buttons. "For some kids, they'll never notice those little details, but for the kids who need it, they will notice even the smallest detail," she said. Perkins also makes a point of not shying away from answering tough questions and having more complex talks with her students. Allison Boulanger, Megenbir's friend and former colleague, says having openly LGBTQ teachers can give students a sense of belonging.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) Boulanger agreed, saying that on top of the curriculum around diversity and identity, she finds informal chats with her students to be the most impactful. Looking back on Megenbir's positive "coming out story" at work, Perkins said it has created a safe place for other LGBTQ people to do the same. "Both [students and teachers] can look to him as a role model or for hope  whatever that is for them," she said. "The more we can see it and talk about it and not be afraid of those conversations and face them head-on, I think the more progress we'll make."
Rodney Vicknair, 54, was arrested in September last year on a string of charges, including sexual battery, indecent behavior with a juvenile and malfeasance in office over the incident involving the 14-year-old girl

A New Orleans police officer allegedly groomed and raped a 14-year-old girl after he was dispatched to take her to a hospital for a rape kit exam for a different sexual assault, a lawsuit claims.

Rodney Vicknair, 54, was arrested in September last year on a string of charges, including sexual battery, indecent behavior with a juvenile and malfeasance in office over the incident involving the girl.

Vicknair, a 13-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, is accused of grooming the girl for several months before eventually raping her, according to a federal lawsuit filed by the girl's mother this week.

The lawsuit says Vicknair was among the officers dispatched to the girl's home over Memorial Day weekend last year in response to a rape allegation.

He drove the victim to the Children's Hospital New Orleans so she could undergo a rape kit as part of a forensic medical examination.

While they were in the waiting room, Vicknair allegedly showed the girl photos on his phone of who he claimed was his 16-year-old daughter posing in bikinis and lingerie.

Following the hospital visit, the lawsuit alleges that Vicknair - who portrayed himself as a mentor to the girl - called and texted her almost every day for the next four months.

He also regularly went to her home and asked her to meet him outside in his car.

The lawsuit alleges that Vicknair groped the girl on several occasions, including once when he came into her home at night, shined his flashlight in her face to wake her and then groped her breasts.

Vicknair, who had a history of behavioral complaints, was placed on leave following his arrest in September and was fired on January 13

Vicknair, a 13-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, is accused of grooming the girl for several months before eventually raping her, according to a federal lawsuit filed by the girl's mother this week

On two occasions, he allegedly raped her using his fingers while they were in his police vehicle. The lawsuit alleges he was armed both times and the doors were locked on one occasion.

Over the four months, Vicknair also allegedly solicited sexual acts, which the girl declined. He also asked her to send him nude photos and twice exposed his genitals to her on Facetime, according to the lawsuit.

He struck the girl on her arm with a police baton and forcefully twisted her arm while telling her how easily he could break it, the lawsuit says.

Vicknair also allegedly joked about killing the girl's loved ones.

He was investigated and then arrested last September after complaints were made with two law enforcement agencies.

Vicknair had the girl's underwear in his possession when he was taken into custody, the lawsuit says.

Under Louisiana law, Vicknair couldn't be charged with rape because he used his fingers to penetrate the girl. The lawsuit, however, says that the same act would be considered rape under federal law.

On two occasions, he allegedly raped her using his fingers while they were in his police vehicle. The lawsuit alleges he was armed both times and the doors were locked on one occasion (file photo)

Vicknair, who had a history of behavioral complaints, was placed on leave following his arrest and was fired on January 13.

The department said it subsequently contacted the FBI for 'potential civil rights violations'.

'As I stated from the moment this was brought to my attention, this type of alleged behavior will not be condoned or tolerated,' Superintendent of Police Shaun D. Ferguson said in the statement.

'These alleged actions are clear violations of the department's policies and contrary to everything that we require and expect of our police officers.'

The lawsuit says the police department should never have dispatched Vicknair to the girl's home last year in response to the sex assault because he wasn't a member of the special victims or child abuse units.

It also references his history of complaints, including predatory behavior toward women.

'Officer Vicknair was a singularly bad choice for this task,' the lawsuit says. 'He was not a member of NOPD's Special Victims or Child Abuse units, and he had a long list of citizen complaints of unprofessional and illegal conduct.'

The lawsuit details how Vicknair was once suspended for five days for using police equipment to obtain personal information on a woman from her license plate number. He then called out her name in the parking lot of a grocery store, the lawsuit says.

Gold Terra announces closing of c$2.88 million non-brokered private placement

Posted by Publisher Internet

Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V: YGT; Frankfurt: TX0; OTCQX: YGTFF) (?Gold Terra? or the ?Company?  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/gold-terra-resource-corp) is pleased to announce that it has completed the previously announced non-brokered private placement of 8,000,000 flow-through common shares of the Company (the ?FT Shares?) at a price of C$0.36 per FT Share for gross proceeds to Gold Terra of C$2,880,000 (the ?Offering?). ?

David Suda, President and CEO, stated, ?This financing allows us to double our current drilling program to over 20,000 meters from the original 10,000 meters on the Campbell Shear zone. Securing this funding puts Gold Terra in the desirable position of being able to deliver results to the market well into 2021. The Campbell Shear structure extends over a minimum of 20 kilometres south of the Con Mine and we have only started to drill a small portion of it.?

The gross proceeds from the issue and sale of the FT Shares will be used to extend the drilling program already in progress from 10,000 metres to over 20,000 metres on the Campbell Shear target south of the Con mine at the Company?s Yellowknife City Gold project (the ?YCG Project?), which will qualify as ?Canadian Exploration Expenses? and ?flow-through mining expenditures?, as those terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), which will be renounced to the purchasers of the FT Shares with an effective date no later than December 31, 2021.

The FT Shares are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the closing date of the Offering, being July 5, 2021.

About Gold Terra?s Yellowknife City Gold Project

The YCG Project encompasses 800 sq. kms. of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG Project is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power and skilled tradespeople.

The Company has started a 10,000 metre drilling program designed to test an underexplored section of the Campbell Shear, over a strike length of nearly 1.2 kilometres. The southern extension of the Campbell Shear is the primary host for gold mineralization at the former Con mine (past production of 5 million ounces on the Campbell Shear alone; see January 25, 2021 news release).

The YCG Project lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that host the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company?s exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company?s objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute ?forward-looking information? within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (?forward-looking information?). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as ?plans?, ?expects? or ?does not expect?, ?is expected?, ?budget?, ?scheduled?, ?estimates?, ?forecasts?, ?intends?, ?anticipates? or ?does not anticipate?, or ?believes?, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results ?will?, ?may?, ?could?, ?would?, ?might? or ?will be taken?, ?occur? or ?be achieved? or the negative connotations thereof.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the expected use of proceeds of the Offering and the Company?s objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company?s actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the ?Risk Factors? section in the Company?s most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company?s profile at www.sedar.com.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.

Research over the last decade has shown that loneliness is an important determinant of health. It is associated with considerable physical and mental health risks and increased mortality. Previous studies have also shown that wisdom could serve as a protective factor against loneliness. This inverse relationship between loneliness and wisdom may be based in different brain processes.

In a study published in the March 5, 2021 online edition of Cerebral Cortex, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that specific regions of the brain respond to emotional stimuli related to loneliness and wisdom in opposing ways.

"We were interested in how loneliness and wisdom relate to emotional biases, meaning how we respond to different positive and negative emotions," said Jyoti Mishra, PhD, senior author of the study, director of the NEATLabs and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

The study involved 147 participants, ages 18 to 85. The subjects performed a simple cognitive task of determining which direction an arrow was pointed while faces with different emotions were presented in the background.

"We found that when faces emoting anger were presented as distractors, they significantly slowed simple cognitive responses in lonelier individuals. This meant that lonelier individuals paid more attention to threatening stimuli, such as the angry faces."

"For wisdom, on the other hand, we found a significant positive relationship for response speeds when faces with happy emotions were shown, specifically individuals who displayed wiser traits, such as empathy, had speedier responses in the presence of happy stimuli."

Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain recordings showed that the part of the brain called the temporal-parietal junction (TPJ) was activating differently in lonelier versus wiser individuals. TPJ is important for processing theory of mind, or the degree of capacity for empathy and understanding of others. The study found it more active in the presence of angry emotions for lonelier people and more active in the presence of happy emotions for wiser people.

Researchers also noted greater activity to threatening stimuli for lonelier individuals in the left superior parietal cortex, the brain region important for allocating attention, while wisdom was significantly related to enhanced happy emotion-driven activity in the left insula of the brain, responsible for social characteristics like empathy.

"This study shows that the inverse relationship between loneliness and wisdom that we found in our previous clinical studies is at least partly embedded in neurobiology and is not merely a result of subjective biases," said study author Dilip V. Jeste, MD, senior associate dean for the Center of Healthy Aging and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

"These findings are relevant to the mental and physical health of individuals because they give us an objective neurobiological handle on how lonelier or wiser people process information," said Mishra. "Having biological markers that we can measure in the brain can help us develop effective treatments. Perhaps we can help answer the question, 'Can you make a person wiser or less lonely?' The answer could help mitigate the risk of loneliness."

The authors say next steps include a longitudinal study and an intervention study.

"Ultimately, we think these evidence-based cognitive brain markers are the key to developing better health care for the future that may address the loneliness epidemic," said Mishra.

###

Co-authors include: Gillian Grennan, Pragathi Priyadharsini Balasubramani, Fahad Alim, Mariam Zafar-Khan, UC San Diego; and Ellen Lee, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System.
USITC headquarters in Washington D.C. / Korea Times file



By Baek Byung-yeul



The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has reiterated that SK Innovation (SKI) has sold and imported electric vehicle (EV) batteries in the U.S. that were manufactured using industrial secrets misappropriated from LG Energy Solution (LGES).



In a 96-page document made public Thursday (local time), the USITC agreed with LGES's assertion that stated "it is clear that SKI, without the stolen LG Chem Trade Secrets, would not have been able to develop the information in the stolen trade secrets in anything less than ten years."



On Feb. 10, the USITC gave a final ruling in favor of LGES which had accused SKI of intellectual property theft related to electric vehicle (EV) battery technology. The commission also issued a 10-year exclusion order prohibiting SKI from importing some batteries into the U.S. However, the commission also permitted SKI to import components needed to produce EV batteries for Volkswagen for two years and for Ford for four years.





LG Energy Solution researchers pose with the company's battery cells at its R&D center in Daejeon, in this photo provided by the company, Friday. Courtesy of LG Energy Solution



In reaction to the USITC's final determination, LGES said the USITC's opinion showed "SK Innovation's deliberate, repeated illegal actions and extraordinary bad faith efforts to hinder the Commission's investigation."



"LG Energy Solution's multi-billion dollar investment in its lithium-ion battery business was a down payment on a carbon-free future and an investment we believed was safe from intellectual property thieves," Denise Gray, president of LG Energy Solution Michigan Tech Center, said. "SK Innovation stole a technology that required tens of thousands of hours of careful and costly engineering. The release of the ITC decision puts to rest any questions of whether SK Innovation did anything wrong  they did, repeatedly, and now they must be held accountable."





SK Innovation's battery plant, the construction of which will be completed in the first half of the year. Courtesy of SK Innovation
We couldnt find anything at this address. Please check the URL or go to the homepage
Burma Anger in Myanmar But Crisis Distant to Singaporeans

A protest near the Singaporean Embassy in February saying Myanmars generals keep their money in Singapores banks. / The Irrawaddy

Frustration, anger and desperation have been running high among Myanmars anti-coup protesters who want Singapore to cut business ties with the military regime but the countrys events remain distant for the average Singaporean.

For many in the city-state, the crisis in Myanmar is far removed from their daily lives.

Asked about their impressions of Myanmar, the replies of Singaporeans from different backgrounds included descriptions such as military state, unstable, poor and wasted opportunities.

Yet Singapore has been in the sights of the protests and civil disobedience movement for more than a month, whether online, at street rallies or in international campaigns by civil society groups.

Goodbye, Singapore, one Facebook user from Myanmar posted, sharing viral posters that listed Singapore brands they are boycotting, such as Tiger Beer and BreadTalk, to press the country to take tougher economic action against the military. Singapore isnt representing the voices of Myanmar people. Lets boycott Singapore products as SG is the largest investor in Myanmar, another wrote.

While some Singaporeans are aware of the boycott, they generally do not hold strong opinions about the country or its coup.

[It] does not concern me, said Ed Lim, a 39-year-old store manager.

Mrs Law, a 71-year-old, found the boycott calls too complicated to understand but said she knew any protest on Singapore soil will not be tolerated. The Singapore police issued a warning on February 5 against plans to hold protests in Singapore over Myanmar.

Clarise Ong, a 24-year-old researcher, explained the apathy she sees. Perhaps many Singaporeans feel detached and fail to sympathise because the events in Myanmar seem to them bizarre and alien, as compared to the politically stable climate that we are accustomed to, she said.

The supporters of the civil disobedience movement that emerged after the coup are demanding major economic partners of Myanmar, as well as their companies, sever all business ties that benefit the military, whose holding companies play a major part in investments and projects with foreign participation.

As Myanmars largest foreign investor, Singapores investments in 2020-21 amounted to US$161 billion, according to Myanmar. (Singapore has historically been used as a conduit by international investors to bypass sanctions against Naypyitaw).

In recent weeks, Singaporean businesses appear to have become warier of continuing business as usual, as the casualties in Myanmar have increased sharply since an intensified military crackdown in late February and have drawn international outrage. As of March 3, more than 50 people have been killed, according to the United Nations, and nearly 1,500 people have been detained, said the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

On March 2, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told the ASEAN ministerial meeting held to discuss Myanmar: Foreign investors, including in Singapore, are beginning to re-evaluate their investments in Myanmar.

This marked a shift from his February 16 remarks, where he said it was crucial to maintain a separation between politics and business, and let businesses make commercial and investment decisions on their own merits.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore reportedly alerted financial institutions to keep an eye out for suspicious fund flows involving Myanmar, given the city-states position as a global financial center and trade hub. It asked them to take appropriate measures to manage any risks arising from business involvement in Myanmar.

In February, Singaporean gaming company Razers director Lim Kaling announced he will be disposing of his one-third stake in a venture that has a military holding company as a partner in a tobacco firm in Myanmar.

TRD, a Singaporean firm specialising in drones, said it will halt all business dealings with Myanmar until a lawful society is re-established after groups like Justice for Myanmar circulated information about it supplying anti-drone equipment.

Justice for Myanmar has also questioned the raising of funds through the Singapore stock exchange for an investment benefitting Myanmars military in Yangon, which triggered a discussion in the stock exchange and the company involved, Emerging Towns and Cities Singapore Ltd.

Trade-wise, Singapore does not have as high a profile as its investments in Myanmar. Myanmar was Singapores 34th largest trading partner in 2018, with bilateral trade amounting to US$3.8 billion in 2017-18.

Given the open nature of Singapores economy and Myanmars position as a minor trading partner, the impact of the boycott on the economy is minimal, said a lawyer working for a government-linked entity, who asked not to be named.

Keeping in mind challenges posed from the COVID-19 situation, Singapore businesses must do whatever it takes for them to survive economically. A calibrated approach, as opposed to a sledgehammer approach of totally not doing business, would help, he said.

While Singapore may not be well-placed to unilaterally pressurise Myanmar, we can nonetheless be a catalyst in creating dialogue amongst ASEAN members to undertake a concerted mode of action, the lawyer said.

Calling for a stronger approach is prominent Singaporean writer Alfian Saat, who said on Facebook on February 21 that calling for a separation between politics and business would be the same as separating business and ethics. Youre essentially saying profit maximisation matters more than reducing human suffering.

Sometimes it feels like a problem of discourse, he said. Activists speak one language, and government and business speak another. Terms like human rights and civil liberties are lost in translation.

Sam Kang Li, 37, co-owner of a film production company with operations in Singapore and Vietnam, said: By hurting businesses, you ultimately hurt the ordinary Myanmar people who are employed by these businesses.

Some 200,000 citizens from Myanmar were living in Singapore last year, according to the embassy. They are often found in the construction and marine industries and domestic work.

While Singapores government has called for a de-escalation of the violence in Myanmar, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Balakrishnan have stated that they did not support widespread, generalised, indiscriminate sanctions, which would only bring the most suffering to ordinary people in Myanmar.

Reporting ASEAN

You may also like these stories:

More Than 600 Police Join Myanmars Anti-Regime Protest Movement

Myanmar Military Detains More Than 1,500 Since Coup

Myanmars CRPH Calls for Halt in Tax Collection
US President Joe Biden Tuesday formally renewed a declaration of a state of national emergency initiated by the Obama administration in 2015, branding Venezuela an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.

This declaration, maintained in effect under the Trump administration, is the legal foundation for a series of draconian and escalating unilateral US economic sanctions aimed at starving the Venezuelan population into submission and achieving regime change in Caracas.

US and Colombian paratroopers [Credit: Sgt. Andrea Salgado-Rivera]

Hopes expressed by the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that Washington would ease its policy with the election of BidenMaduro publicly claimed that he had read Bidens inauguration speech three times!have been quickly dashed.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who during his confirmation hearings rejected any possibility of negotiations with the Maduro government, spoke Tuesday with Washingtons right-wing puppet Juan Guaido, addressing him as interim president and declaring US intentions to work with likeminded allies  to increase multilateral pressure and press for a peaceful, democratic transition, i.e., carry out regime change.

Reuters, meanwhile, quoted an unnamed White House official as stating that the Biden administration is in no rush to ease the maximum pressure sanctions regime imposed under Trump with the aim of blocking Venezuelas oil exports and crippling its economy. The official claimed that the sanctions included exemptions for humanitarian supplies and that the suffering of the Venezuelan people was due to the Maduro government actively preventing the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

This lie was exposed by a United Nations envoy who issued a blistering denunciation of the impact of US and EU sanctions following a 12-day visit to the country last month.

Alena Douhan, a UN human rights special rapporteur, called for the immediate lifting of economic sanctions and for the governments of the US, the UK and Portugal to grant Caracas immediate access to billions of dollars in Venezuelan funds that are frozen in those countries so that they can be used to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe gripping the South American country.

In her preliminary findings, Douhan, a Belarusian lawyer, stated that both the US 2015 national emergency declaration and the subsequent rounds of escalating sanctions violate international law and the principle of sovereign equality of states, while constituting an intervention in the domestic affairs of Venezuela.

The UN official stated that the impact of the sanctions has created economic and humanitarian calamities, with a particularly devastating effect on the countrys poor.

The effect of the sanctions and freezing of assets on Venezuelas health care system had resulted in outbreaks of malaria, measles and yellow fever and opportunistic infections, she said, adding that lack of resources had prevented transplants of liver and bone marrow to 53 Venezuelan children.

This impact has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Repeated refusals of banks in the United States, the United Kingdom and Portugal to release Venezuelan assets even for buying medicine, vaccines and protective kits  impedes the ability of Venezuela to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. The country has thus far recorded more than 140,000 cases and 1,358 deaths, but with barely one-tenth of the testing compared to the US, the real figures are undoubtedly far higher.

Sanctions against the energy sector had resulted in gasoline shortages which exacerbates the challenges of delivering food and medical suppliesespecially in remote areas, Douhan reported, while exacerbating the food insecurity of the Venezuelan people.

She also pointed to the effect of secondary sanctions, which result in over-compliance by foreign companies and financial institutions refusing to deal with Venezuela, even for the purchase or funding of humanitarian supplies, for fear of incurring Washingtons retaliation. The result has been banks refusing to transfer funds or charging exorbitant fees that jack up the prices for all imported goods.

The sanctions regime, the UN official concluded, has had an enormous impact on access to the right to life, to education, to food, medicine, and in every other ambit of life.

US Ambassador to Venezuela James Story, who operates out of neighboring Colombia, a center of right-wing exile plots against the government in Caracas, dismissed the UN report, claiming that all of Venezuelas crises stemmed from the regimes corruption.

The Colombian government has been collaborating with Washington and its intelligence agencies, including the CIA, FBI and DEA, in an attempt to foment divisions and revolt within the Venezuelan military, Venezuelas Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino charged in a February 28 interview on the state-owned television network Venezolana de Television (VTV). Padrino said that over 600 members of the FANB, Venezuelas military, had been approached by Colombian and US agents seeking to turn them against the government.

Such efforts have so far proven a failure. The attempt by Guaido, with Washingtons backing, to spark a military coup in April 2019 resulted in a complete fiasco, leading to the evaporation of support for the interim president. Similarly, an invasion attempt launched from Colombia, supported by Guaido and led by US mercenaries in May of last year ended with the invaders either killed or captured as soon as they landed.

Nonetheless, in addition to sanctions, Washington is continuing its military threats against Venezuela, maintaining the deployment of the largest military force in the hemisphere since the 1989 invasion of Panama on the pretext of combatting drug trafficking. US SOUTHCOM, which oversees US military operations in the region, announced at the end of last month yet another set of joint US-Colombian military exercises.

While Guaido retains Washingtons sponsorship, with tens of millions of dollars being funneled through the hands of him and his cronies, he enjoys increasingly scant popular support in Venezuela itself, and a number of governments have dropped the fiction that he is the interim president of anything.

Large sections of the right-wing opposition have also rejected his leadership and, in defiance of Washingtons proscription, are planning to participate in gubernatorial and local elections being organized by the government later this year.

The Maduro government is seeking to curry favor with these elements of the Venezuelan right, together with Venezuelan and foreign capital. It has established a Dialogue, Peace and Reconciliation commission in the National Assembly for the purpose of reaching an accommodation with the big business lobby FEDECAMARAS.

While the Maduro government unfailingly meets its debt payments to foreign banks and provides full tax exemptions for foreign oil companies, the full burden of Venezuelas protracted and deepening economic crisis has been placed on the backs of the working class. Workers have been subjected to structural adjustment programs, the evisceration of labor rights and the suppression of their struggles against the destruction of living standards and employment.

Jettisoning the bourgeois nationalist policies upon which the pretensions of 21st century socialism were based under Maduros predecessor, Hugo Chavez, the Maduro government late last year rammed through its Anti-Blockade Law. This legislation, pitched as means of countering Washingtons sanctions regime, is aimed at providing the most attractive conditions for international capital, allowing private investors to take control of national industries and empowering the government to rescind previous restrictions on foreign ownership, including in the strategic energy sector, which was nationalized long before the advent of chavismo. As one clause in the law states, its aim is to stimulate or benefit the partial or complete participation, management and operation of the national and international private sector in the development of the national economy.

The Maduro governments accommodations to both the Venezuelan right and world imperialism are driven by its principal concern: a challenge from below to the wealth and privileges of the sectors of the Venezuelan bourgeoisie that constitute its main constituency.

Washington will not be satisfied, however, until it is able to install a US puppet regime in Caracas. Its aggression against Venezuela is driven by US imperialisms determination to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence in its backyard. Having opposed Trump from the right, as too soft on Moscow and Beijing, the Democrats in power in Washington will only escalate imperialist aggression in Latin America.

As Maduros right-wing policies and overtures to imperialism make clear, the defense of the Venezuelan masses against imperialist aggression and capitalist austerity can be successfully waged only by opposing all factions of the bourgeoisie and mobilizing the working class independently on the basis of an internationalist and socialist program.
While we would never say the political world has been quiet, one noticeable voice had been in recent weeks.

Former President Donald Trump was silent for more than a month, muted by social media platforms that banned him following his constant lies about election fraud.

The political landscape seemed a bit more normal, undisturbed by his toxic rhetoric. All that changed Sunday when he spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Unchastened by his defeat or the insurrection that followed, Trump was as brazen and hostile as ever, doubling down on the Big Lie that Joe Biden won the presidential election because of widespread cheating.

More stunning than the false statements was how enthusiastically the Republicans in the audience cheered him on, giving him a standing ovation as he bathed in the adulation.

They should be ashamed of themselves for what theyve done to our country, Trump said, blaming the U.S. Supreme Court for failing to undo the election result. (It) didnt have the guts or the courage to do anything about it.

And so the rhetorical assault on our democracy continues, foreshadowing high stakes in 2022 and possibly 2024.

What Trump refused to mention was the court refused to act because there was nothing to act on. The ex-president and his attorneys filed about 60 lawsuits claiming election fraud  claims shot down by judge after judge, including Trump appointees. No matter; the allegations continued, louder and shriller than ever.

Trump cannot undo his presidential defeat, but he is trying to make sure that subsequent elections provide more favorable results for his party. How? By undermining the very democracy he claims to uphold. Rhetoric that has inspired proposed voter restriction laws in many states, including Texas.

Calling it voter reform, Trump is trying to corrupt the voting process that booted him out of office. He seeks to make voting harder, not easier, by enacting strict registration procedures and vote-by-mail opportunities. These draconian measures would hit minority voters the hardest.

We must pass comprehensive election reforms, and we must do it now, he said. The Republicans have to do something about it. They better do something about it.

If the CPAC speech proved anything, it was that the Big Lie of voter fraud persists and the Republican Party very much remains the party of Trump.

The Supreme Court is hearing a case that will test the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most important civil rights laws in our history. The case originated in Arizona, where critics alleged that state officials perverted the act, weakened by the court in 2013, to limit minority voting. Officials claim the measures enhance voting rights by limiting multiple voters.

The court is expected to issue a ruling by the summer. With uncertainty surrounding the future of the Voting Rights Act, lawmakers must pass the For the People Act in the House and Senate, designed to protect voter rights. It would curb voting restrictions and mandate nonpartisan redistricting commissions.

The voting rights battle reflects the stranglehold Trump maintains on the party. We enjoyed a month of peace and silence, dominated by Bidens sound governance, unblemished by nativism and self-aggrandizement. The respite, it appears, was just that  a break, a recess, nothing more.

Trump hinted, strongly, at his intention to run again in 2024. He said he needed help from Republican colleagues. It was code for his agenda to destroy voter protections.

And then a Republican will make a triumphant return to the White House, he said at the conference. And I wonder who that will be.

If the voters choose to reinstall him, fine. But it would be a tragedy if he wins because voting rights were neutered. America would hardly be great again.
Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.

Not using AstraZeneca vaccine goes against the spirit of what the Health Department espoused

Every additional day of procrastination lends itself to much of the R75m used to procure the vaccine going to waste.

The past month has been a roller-coaster ride when it comes to the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in SA. The government has halted the distribution inside SA of one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and is poised to make a potentially historic mistake.

After much criticism early in January 2021 of the virtual absence of any strategy beyond procuring a limited quantity of Covid-19 vaccines through the Covax facility, the government successfully negotiated procurement of 1.5-million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine through a bilateral agreement with Serum Institute of India.

This was, however, at a price ($5.25) more than double what EU countries ($2.5) had negotiated to pay for the same vaccine (but from a European manufacturer). Within a week surrounding the fanfare of the arrival of one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine at a cost of R75m came the disappointing news from a study evaluating this vaccine in SA since June 2020 that the vaccine does not protect against mainly mild (usually limited to infection of the upper airways) Covid-19.

The telltale signs that the AstraZeneca (and probably all other) Covid-19 vaccines might be less efficacious in protecting against mild-moderate Covid-19 in SA was evident from reports that have emerged since mid-January 2021, from local scientists, which indicated that the ability of antibody induced by natural infection by the ancestry SARS-CoV-2 variant had greatly diminished activity against the B. 1.351 variant that emerged in SA late in October 2020.

This was a consequence of gene mutations that affected key epitopes of the spike-protein of the virus, which are the components of the protein that most of the current first generation Covid-19 vaccines induce functional antibody against. Consequently, it was expected that even antibody induced by the first-generation Covid-19 vaccines would have diminished activity against the B. 1.351 variant which had undergone substantive changes in key components of target of these vaccines.

Corroborating this were interim results from another study, also conducted in SA, on the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine which drew much less publicity than the results of the AstraZeneca vaccine study, despite it being the only vaccine then to show protection against the B. 1351 variant.

Notably in the Novavax study, the attack rate of mild-moderate Covid-19 (probably mainly due to the B. 1351) variant did not differ in the unvaccinated control group between those who had already been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 prototype virus compared to uninfected individuals at the time of study-enrolment.

This provided the first conclusive evidence that the mutations included in the B. 1.351 were clinically significant, and that despite 35-45% of South Africans (especially in densely populated urban areas) likely to have been infected during the course of the first wave by the prototype virus, such infection did not confer any protection against developing mild to moderate Covid-19 due to the B. 1351 variant.

The rude awakening of these results (for some) was that the notion of relying on herd immunity evolving by allowing people to be unabatedly naturally infected was doomed not to materialise. Instead, the high force of infection that occurred in SA (despite attempts at restrictive and economically devastating lockdowns) probably contributed to the problem of the evolution of a variant that was now resistant to antibody induced by past infection.

Furthermore, the Novavax vaccine results from the South African study showed lower efficacy (49%-60%) against mainly mild-moderate Covid-19 mainly due to the B. 1.351 variant compared with results of the same vaccine in the UK (89% efficacy), where the efficacy was not affected by another variant (B.1.1.7) circulating there.

In studies on other Covid-19 vaccines, including the mRNA vaccines of Biontech/Pfizer and Moderna, for which vaccine efficacy has been reported to be 95% against Covid-19 due to the ancestry virus, laboratory investigations have reported 6.5-8.5 fold reduction in the potency of the antibody induced by those vaccine against the B. 1351 variant relative to that observed for the prototype virus.

For the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine, which uses a similar technology for design of vaccine as the AstraZeneca vaccine and also induces almost identical functional antibody response after a single and two-dose schedule, the laboratory testing of the antibody activity against the B. 1351 variant have not yet been released. I expect they will be no different to that observed for the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In contrast to the lack of efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine against mild-moderate Covid-19 in SA, the J&J Covid-19 vaccine results from the South African arm of the study reported a 89% reduced risk of severe Covid-19, also mainly due to the B. 1.351.

Unlike the AstraZeneca vaccine trial in SA, which targeted a younger age-group demographic with low prevalence of co-morbidities, a high proportion of participants in the J&J study were individuals at high risk of severe disease  that is, older than 60 and with high prevalence of co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.

Hence, any direct comparison of the efficacy of these two vaccines is misguided and fundamentally flawed. Whether the J&J vaccine indeed protects against the same spectrum of mild illness that is caused by the B. 1.351 variant is yet to be reported or established for any such head-to-head comparison between these two vaccines (or other Covid-19 vaccines) to be meaningful.

So why might there be a difference in how well Covid-19 vaccines work against mild illness compared to severe disease. First, this would not be unique to Covid-19 vaccines. Vaccine against other respiratory pathogens, including seasonal influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus in infants born to vaccinated women, and pneumococcus consistently report that protection against mild illness (usually of the upper airways) is more challenging to accomplish than prevention of severe disease (usually lower airway disease  pneumonia for example).

The reasons for this may differ between vaccines, including possibly requiring lower concentrations of antibody to protect against severe than mild illness. In addition for Covid-19, challenge studies in vaccinated non-human primates indicate that protection against lower airway infection can be conferred largely independent of vaccine induced antibody, through the stimulation of natural killer cells (also referred to as part of T-cell immunity).

Fortunately, there is a broader repertoire of spike-protein peptides that induce T-cell immunity, most of which are unaffected by even the B. 1.351 spike protein mutations. For the AstraZeneca vaccine, almost none of the B. 1351 mutations are likely to compromise the killer cell responses induced by the vaccine.

Consequently, there remains a strong biologically plausible reason to expect the AstraZeneca vaccine will protect against severe disease due to the B. 1351 variant, likely to a similar magnitude as the J&J vaccine.

It is largely premised on this, that the World Health Organization in mid-February 2021 recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine still be rolled out even in countries where the B. 1.351 variant or other similar variants of concern are circulating.

The AstraZeneca vaccine, as well as many other first-generation Covid-19 vaccines, are unlikely to bring about interruption in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or protect against mild infection where these variants of concern such as the B. 1351 variant are circulating.

This would be compounded if there is sluggish rollout of the vaccine which is drawn out over a year, rather than within a few months. Nevertheless, these first-generation Covid-19 vaccines even in settings such as SA still provide the only sustainable option of preventing flooding of our hospitals with severe Covid-19 cases and mitigate Covid-19 deaths once the next resurgence is upon us.

Hence, the decision by SA not to deploy the vaccine goes against the spirit of what was previously espoused by the department of health  that it would take its lead from WHO recommendations.

Furthermore, this decision inadvertently leads itself to choosing between leaving high-risk individuals largely unprotected against being hospitalised and dying of Covid-19, as opposed to rolling out the available AstraZeneca vaccine to those who choose to take the chance of deriving potential protection by being immunised with a safe vaccine that has been established to reduce the risk of severe Covid-19 by 80% even among people older than 80 years in the UK.

The decision by SA would have less repercussion if high-risk individuals were likely to be vaccinated with other Covid-19 vaccines for which clinical (and not only extrapolation of laboratory-based data) protection is established against the B. 1351 variant before the next resurgence.

Unfortunately, based on the latest sharing of information on the pipeline of Covid-19 vaccines likely to become available to SA, other Covid-19 vaccines, all besides the J&J vaccine which will not have been evaluated clinically against the B. 1351 variant, are only likely to become available from mid-April onward, without any clear indication on what quantities and how soon these may be deployed into the arms of people.

Consequently, the current strategy to try to offload the AstraZeneca vaccine to other African countries where the variant might not have been identified (mostly due to there being little sequencing to actually identify its presence rather than its actual absence) is problematic. This is compounded by the current expiry date of the vaccine being April 30 2021.

Even were there to be reversal of the decision by government to take its chances with the AstraZeneca vaccine and target it to high-risk individuals who choose to take their chances of being vaccinated rather than remaining unprotected when the resurgence is upon us, getting a million people vaccinated before the end of April would be a mission.

Every additional day of procrastination lends itself to much of the R75m used to procure the vaccine going to waste, while the elderly and other high-risk individuals would certainly remain unprotected as opposed to being offered a fighting chance of being protected against Covid-19 severe disease and death.

Professor Shabir Madhi is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand and Director of the SA Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit.

Declaration of interests: National principal investigator of the University of Oxford (AstraZeneca vaccine) and Novavax Covid-19 vaccine trials. The AstraZeneca vaccine study was funded by BMGF and SAMRC, and the Novavax vaccine trail; by BMGF and Novavax. All funding for these studies goes to the Wits Health Consortium of the University of the Witwatersrand.
New York Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins speaks during an event at the Rockefeller Foundation on in New York City on Feb. 20, 2018. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

New York Senates Top Democrat: One More Accuser and Cuomo Should Resign

The top Democrat in New Yorks Legislature said Thursday that if a fourth woman comes forward to accuse Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, then he should step down from office.

Any further people coming forward, I would think it would be time for him to resign, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins told Spectrum News Capital Tonight.

Quite honestly, I am so, so disappointed that here we are in 2021 and we are having these conversations on the heels of #MeToo, she added.

Dozens of state lawmakers have called for Cuomo to resign, as well as several U.S. members of Congress who represent portions of New York.

The time has come. The Governor must resign, Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) said on March 1, after Anna Ruch accused Cuomo of asking for a kiss during a wedding in 2019. A photograph shows Ruch, 33, looking at Cuomo, 63, as he holds her head with both of his hands.

Ruchs allegations came after Lindsey Boylan, 36, and Charlotte Bennett, 25, both former Cuomo aides, said he harassed them at work.

Boylan said Cuomo actually kissed her during a meeting.

Bennett told CBS on Thursday that the governor asked her about sexual relationships and said he would be fine with dating 22-year-olds. He also allegedly said he was searching for a girlfriend because he was lonely.

I really was uncomfortable and understood that my boss was asking these questions, so I was trying to answer them, she said. I feel like people put the onus on the woman to shut that conversation down. And by answering, I was somehow engaging in that or enabling it, when in fact, I was just terrified.

Cuomos conduct is being investigated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat.

Asked if she would have her daughter working for Cuomo, Stewart-Cousins indicated she wasnt sure.

I am concerned. Thats what Im really, really clear about, she told Spectrum News. Because I was 25 at some point, too. And back when I was 25, things were quite different. People said anything. We cant go back, and the idea that a young woman would be subjected to sexual harassment in any workplace is just out of bounds.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference in Albany, N.Y., on March 3, 2021. (Office of the NY Governor via AP)

Cuomo in a written statement on Sunday said he spends most of his time at work and that colleagues are often also personal friends.

At work sometimes I think I am being playful and make jokes that I think are funny. I do, on occasion, tease people in what I think is a good natured way.

I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended. I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that.

Cuomo has said he never inappropriately touched anybody and I never propositioned anybody.

In his first public appearance in over a week on Wednesday, the Democrat defied the growing calls to resign.

I wasnt elected by politicians. I was elected by the people of the state of New York. Im not going to resign, he said.

Cuomo said he customarily kisses people as he greets them and doesnt intend to make them uncomfortable.

However, what I also understand is, it doesnt matter. It doesnt matter my intent. What it matters is if anybody was offended by it, and I could intend no offense, but if they were offended by it, then it was wrong. And if they were offended by it, I apologize. And if they were hurt by it, I apologize. And if they felt pain from it, I apologize. I apologize, he said.

Asked who he was apologizing to, he said, I was apologizing to the young woman who worked here who said that I made her feel uncomfortable, and in the workplace.

Bennett told CBS she didnt accept the apology.

Its not an apology. Its not an issue of my feelings. Its an issue of his actions. The fact is that he was sexually harassing me and he has not apologized for sexually harassing me and he cant even use my name, she said.
Whatever honeymoon period he may have briefly enjoyed, President Biden is now past it, according to the results of a Monmouth University poll released this week.

Mr. Bidens approval rating now stands at 51 percent nationwide, with 42 percent of the country disapproving, according to the poll, which was released on Wednesday. Thats a much narrower split than his 54 percent approval and 30 percent disapproval in another Monmouth survey that was conducted just after he took office.

His handling of the coronavirus appears to earn higher marks: Sixty-two percent of respondents to a nationwide Kaiser Family Foundation poll, also released Wednesday, said that they approved of how the president was confronting the Covid-19 crisis; just 30 percent disapproved.

More than nine in 10 Democrats said they liked how Mr. Biden was handling the pandemic, but just 22 percent of Republicans agreed, the Kaiser poll found. Notably, independents gave him positive marks on the issue by a two-to-one margin.
Karelian Diamond Resources plc

("Karelian Diamonds" or "the Company")

5 March 2021

LAHTOJOKI SOUTH EXPLORATION UPDATE

Additional Kimberlite Boulders recovered to South of Lahtojoki Diamond Deposit

Search area for the source of these Kimberlite Boulders narrowed down

Application submitted for new exploration permit licence area

Karelian Diamond Resources plc (AIM: KDR), the diamond exploration company focused on Finland, is pleased to announce results from its ongoing diamond exploration programme in the Lahtojoki South exploration area. Observations on till samples, together with glacial striation measurements from outcrops, suggest a narrowing down of the search area for the source of the kimberlite boulders previously discovered to the south of the Lahtojoki diamond deposit.

Results from the analysis at the Geological Survey of Finland Mintec Laboratory facility of twenty five 60kg till samples recovered south of the Lahtojoki diamond deposit, together with glacial striation measurements from outcrops in the Lahtojoki south exploration permit licence area, indicate an alternative glacial trend direction to the main regional glacial trend in the area of 335 degrees.

The information the Company has gained from this analysis has narrowed down the search area for the source of the kimberlite boulders previously discovered.

The Company has also recovered additional kimberlite boulder material from the original kimberlite boulder site for further analysis.

The discovery of the kimberlite boulders in the Lahtojoki south exploration permit licence area and the subsequent studies which proved the boulders to be altered hypabyssal kimberlite, a different form of kimberlite from that present in the Lahtojoki deposit, confirms that these boulders are not derived from the Lahtojoki diamondiferous kimberlite pipe.

As kimberlites tend to occur in clusters, the findings suggest the possibility of an additional, potentially diamondiferous, source in the vicinity to the southwest of the Lahtojoki deposit. The Company has therefore applied for an exploration permit over this area.

Kimberlite boulder discovered in Lahtojoki SouthExploration Permit

An image of the boulder which can be viewed on the Company website:

http://www.kareliandiamondresources.com/

This release has been approved by Kevin McNulty PGeo, who is a member of the Company's technical staff

and holds a BSc/MSc in Geology and Remote Sensing, in accordance with the guidance note for Mining, Oil

& Gas Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in respect of AIM Companies, which outlines

standards of disclosure for mineral projects.

Professor Richard Conroy, Chairman of Karelian Diamond Resources plc, commented:

"We are encouraged by the steps made towards potentially locating a new kimberlite source in the vicinity of the Lahtojoki diamond deposit. We have applied for an exploration permit over the area and look forward to receiving the results on the kimberlite material from the boulder site.

We are also looking forward to progress being made on the finalising of the Land Valuation Authority proceedings and in turn the granting of a full Mining Permit, which will allow the development of the Lahtojoki diamond deposit".

Further Information:

Karelian Diamond Resources plc

Professor Richard Conroy, Chairman

+353-1-479-6180 Allenby Capital Limited (Nomad)

Nick Athanas / Nick Harriss

+44-20-3328-5656 Brandon Hill Capital (Broker)

Jonathan Evans

+44-20-3463-5000 Lothbury Financial Services

Michael Padley

+44-20-3290-0707 Hall Communications

Don Hall

+353-1-660-9377

http://www.kareliandiamondresources.com
Mystery medieval tunnels near a 12th century abbey have been accidentally uncovered by workmen moving an electricity pole.

The team stumbled on the secret underground network - unseen for hundreds of years - in Tintern, Monmouthshire.

The tunnel site was found near Tintern Abbey, close to the England-Wales border, by engineers working for Western Power Distribution.

The company said the four-foot high tunnels were not on any previous Ordnance Survey map but work at the site was halted so heritage chiefs could inspect.

The tunnel site was found near to Tintern Abbey close to the England-Wales border in Tintern, Monmouthshire by engineers working for Western Power Distribution

The team stumbled on the secret underground network unseen for hundreds of years

Team leader Allyn Gore said they were excavating a trench on a customer's property when they came across the tunnels.

Mr Gore said: 'Nothing had shown up on any of our drawings or records to indicate there was anything unusual about the site.

'Shortly after the excavation work began, the digging team made the extraordinary discovery of what they initially thought to be a cave. Work stopped immediately.

'I have been involved in other excavations where we have discovered old wells and cellars not shown on any plans, but nothing as exciting and impressive as this.'

The company said the four-ft high tunnels were not on any previous Ordnance Survey map but work at the site was halted so heritage chiefs could inspect

Team leader Allyn Gore said they were excavating a trench in a customer's property when they came across the tunnels near the historic abbey (pictured)

Initial inspections suggest the tunnel runs parallel to the Angiddy Brook flowing through the Wye Valley.

Mr Gore says experts from heritage quango Cadw - Wales' equivilent of English Heritage - were 'very impressed' and 'quite fascinated' by his team's discovery.

Archeologists are set to launch a full exploration of the tunnels but Mr Gore believes it 'could take years' before they're able to complete their investigations.

There are suggestions the tunnels could be linked to the iron works that have previously been found in the area.

Tintern Abbey was founded in 1131 as Wales' first Cistercian abbey but fell into ruin in the 17th century.

The site has been famously visited by poets such as Thomas Grey, William Wordsworth, and Allen Ginsberg and painters Gainsborough, Girtin and Tuner.

The gothic-style abbey attracts around 70,000 visitors a year.
President Joe Biden backs an effort by senators in Congress to restrict presidential war powers by repealing two laws that have allowed US presidents to use military force around the globe, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Friday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) President Joe Biden backs an effort by senators in Congress to restrict presidential war powers by repealing two laws that have allowed US presidents to use military force around the globe, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Friday.

Biden intends to "ensure that the authorizations for the use of military force currently on the books are replaced with a narrow and specific framework that will ensure we can protect Americans from terrorist threats while ending the forever wars," Psaki said in a statement to Politico.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request from Sputnik to verify the comments.

On Wednesday, US Senators Tim Kaine and Todd Young re-introduced their bipartisan bill to repeal the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use military force (AUMFs) after Biden approved airstrikes against Iran-back militias in eastern Syria last week. Their bill has the backing of several senators from both parties.

The US Constitution gives only the US Congress the power to wage war.

But the Congress gave the president broad war powers with the two resolutions - the 1991 AUMF gave the president the power to use US military force in the Gulf War, while the 2001 AUMF approved using force against those responsible for the September 11 terror attacks of the same year.

Successive US presidents have broadly interpreted the AUMFs to send armed forces to countries around the world, including Afghanistan, Libya, Turkey, Georgia, Yemen, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, the Philippines and Cuba.

Biden's explanation that strike in Syria came in "self-defense" in response to attacks by Iran-backed groups did not satisfy top members of Congress such as Senator Kaine, who has demanded a briefing on the administration's legal justification for the attacks.

The repeal of the war powers resolutions would not impact ongoing US operations against the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia), Kaine said in a press release after re-introducing the bill.
[March 05, 2021] Generational Equity Advises Hart Advisors Group in Sale to Private Investor

Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of Hart Advisors Group, LLC to a Private Investor. The acquisition closed February 5, 2021. Hart Advisors Group, located in Dallas, Texas, was founded in 2008 and is a full-service loan advisory firm that specializes in restructuring, assuming, arranging, and purchasing and selling debt for commercial real estate transactions on behalf of developers, investors, and owners. Hart Advisors has a team of CMBS servicing and capital markets experts who have extensive experience with all forms of capital. The Company also operates Hart Commercial, which provides full service commercial brokerage service in Texas and Florida, and Hart Capital Partners, which places debt for commercial properties through investors using private placements. The Company's primary services are divided into four categories: Restructuring, debt financing, assumptions, and commercial brokerage. Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A - Central Region, Michael Goss and his team, led by Managing Director Mergers & Acquisitions, Cory Strickland, with support from Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions, Jacob Mangalath successfully closed the transaction. Executive Managing Director Randy Kamin established the initial relationship with Hart Advisors Group. "I am happy to have been part of a transaction that enabled an entrepreneur that has been an innovator in a successful iche advisory business transition the business to another successful entrepreneur, while having the ability to stay on as the President of the Company and work together to make the Company even more successful. I have no doubt that these entrepreneurs will take Hart Advisors to new heights and am looking forward to seeing where they take the Company," said Strickland.



About Generational Equity Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.

With over 250 professionals located throughout North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. Their six-step approach features strategic and tactical growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A transactional services, and wealth management. The M&A Advisor named the company the 2017 and 2018 Investment Banking Firm of the Year and Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020. For more information, visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005065/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Texas Refuses Bidens Request to Help With COVID-19 Testing at Border

'We will not aid a program that makes our country a magnet for illegal immigration'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced he is refusing a Biden administration request to help test and potentially quarantine illegal immigrants for the CCP virus at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a statement, the Republican governor said that border security is strictly a federal responsibility.

The federal government alone has the responsibility to test, screen, and quarantine illegal immigrants crossing our border who may have COVID, he said on Thursday.

The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as the novel coronavirus, causes the disease COVID-19.

Instead of doing their job, the Biden Administration suggested it did not have the sufficient resources and, remarkably, asked Texas to assist them in aiding their illegal immigration program, he added. Texas refused. We will not aid a program that makes our country a magnet for illegal immigration.

The unconscionable act by the Biden Administration of releasing COVID-positive illegal immigrants in our state puts the lives of Texans and Americans at risk, Abbott said.

Medics suit up in PPE before testing illegal immigrants for COVID-19 who had been released by the U.S. Border Patrol in Brownsville, Texas, on Feb. 25, 2021. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Prior to Abbotts statement, The Washington Post had reported, citing anonymous sources, that the Biden administration wanted to use the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in South Texas to manage the influx of illegal immigrantsto test and potentially quarantine them before they are released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection into the United States.

Abbott said in a separate statement that the Biden administration is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities, and called on the administration to stop.

The news comes as more than 100 illegal immigrants released into Texas tested positive for the CCP virus. Felipe Romero, a spokesperson for Brownsville, Texas, told Fox News that since Jan. 25, when rapid testing began, 108 migrants tested positive for the CCP virus. The figure represents about 6.3 percent of the total undocumented migrants who were rapid-tested at Brownsvilles bus station, the official said.

Romero added that the city doesnt have the authority to stop the immigrants who test positive for the CCP virus from traveling elsewhere in the United States, although the officials have provided them with advice including to quarantine and to follow federal health guidelines.

When asked about what the federal government is doing to test illegal immigrants coming from Mexico, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, When migrants are placed in alternatives to detention, their COVID-19 testingour policy is for COVID-19 testing to be done at the state and local level and with the help of NGOs and local governments  before they are even moved to go stay with family members or others they may know while their cases are being adjudicated.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks at the White House in Washington, on March 4, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

In general, our approach and our policy is to work with local governments, work with NGOs to ensureto have testingto ensure these migrants are tested. And that can take place, in that steps for isolation, quarantining, and medical care can be taken should that be needed, Psaki said.

The United States under the Biden administration is seeing a surge in illegal immigrants at the border in recent months. According to a recent report, more than 1,600 illegal immigrants were arrested in three days in just a single Texas border sector.

In another recent report, a large number of migrants seeking to cross the U.S.-Mexico border were photographed wearing Biden T-shirts and holding banners that call on President Joe Biden to allow them into the United States.

Migrants hold a demonstration demanding clearer United States migration policies, at San Ysidro crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on March 2, 2021. (Guillermo Arias/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden has undone a number of Trump-era immigration policies since taking office, including stopping the completion of the near-fully constructed U.S.-Mexico border wall and reversing Trumps ban on travel from seven terror-prone countries.

Biden also revived the catch-and-release process of letting illegal immigrants claiming asylum stay in the United States while they wait for their asylum cases to be adjudicated, however many years that may take. That process had been ended under the Trump administration.

Biden has also issued a sweeping immigration package to Congress that offers a legalization pathway to an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants already in the country. As of Thursday, Democrats postponed plans for a vote on Bidens immigration reform bill, reported Politico.

House Republicans on Thursday called for a hearing on the Biden administrations response to what they say is a sharp increase in unaccompanied alien children at the border.
When Bill and Sandy Swenson decided to build a house, it took the couple in a dramatically new design direction.

They already lived on the citys west side in Wilchester West and didnt want to move too far. They lived in a traditional style house that neighbors  interior designer Genna Weidner and building designer Deborah Hasou of Weidner Hasou & Co.  had helped them transform. Bill referred to that house as buying ugly.

They spent months in a gut job that dramatically transformed the 3,500-square-foot house into a place they could raise their two kids. But as years passed, Bill wanted to start from scratch on a home created just for him and Sandy. If would be a fresh start as he approached retirement.

I have always dreamed of building our own place and getting the layout we want. Two people ought to be able to live in 4,200 square feet, he said, waving his arm across the main floor of their new two-story home. It gives us our own space, especially now that Im retired. I loved working and had a fantastic job, but Im enjoying retirement, especially with the grandkids.

They planned their Yorkshire house  by architect Travis Mattingly of Architectural Solutions and Andy Abercrombie of Abercrombie Builders  as if they live completely on the first floor, with nearly 1,300 square feet of bedroom and bathroom space on the second floor.

The primary bedroom suite is downstairs, and theres a guest bedroom downstairs, too. Bills elderly aunt occasionally visits and their two young grandchildren spend the night.

Before the pandemic put limits on their social lives, the Swensons had friends over for dinner, hosted wedding and baby showers and occasionally invited the neighbors for potluck dinner. Those engagements are on hold for the most part, but they planned their home for easy entertaining  when the time is right.

The front of the house is filled with light. Weidner and Hasou included a steel-framed glass door and windows with fewer panes for a cleaner view on the homes exterior.

Inside, most of the rooms are lined with 9-inch-wide planks of fumed white French Oak flooring. Initially, Sandy and Bill thought they wanted darker floors, but after looking at a variety of wood samples they decided on a natural look.

Their dining room, like the rest of the home, is filled with an eclectic mix of old and new. The table is shaped like Eero Saarinens midcentury classic Tulip table, but with a hammered nickel base and a wood table top stained black.

The simple style of wood-framed chairs with upholstered seats blends beautifully into their new transitional style. Other antiques  a pair of Murano glass table lamps, a black-lacquered buffet and a rectangular starburst mirror finish the room.

Combined, these pieces satisfy the more traditional side of Sandy and Bills desire to mix a little old in with their midcentury modern and contemporary furnishings.

Bill enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, searching for perfect things for this home. He and Sandra found the French midcentury buffet on a trip to Austin, and when they sent a photo to Weidner for her blessing on the purchase, she just happened to be in Austin, too. She stopped in the shop, loved the piece, and now its in their dining room.

He found the Murano lamps online at Arkansas-based Swank Lighting, which claims to have the worlds largest inventory of vintage Murano lamps, Italian art glass coveted by interior designers and collectors.

Across from the dining room at the front of the house is their study, where the couple spends most of their time. Its a cozy TV room with bleached mahogany wood paneling running up one wall, across the ceiling and down the opposite wall. (The other walls have a diamond plaster finish by Segreto.)

They watch TV from a pair of chairs with matching ottomans, and a simple sofa sits behind a midcentury-style coffee table designed by Vladimir Kagan.

A painting of a bird dog and a Siberian mammoth tusk on display were found on a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Another trip to the Texas Hill Country netted a David Adickes painting they found in a Johnson City art gallery.

We didnt just want to go out and buy a bunch of stuff to put on the walls, Sandy said of another new piece, a drawing of longhorn cattle. We liked that its subtle and wouldnt fight with anything else in the room. (Yes, theyre both University of Texas fans.)

The Swensons are determined to not have clutter, so every potential purchase has Sandy asking Where will we put it? before Bill checks for Weidners blessing.

A bar between the dining room and kitchen  easily accessed from the living room and TV room  is small but distinctive with stacked slate tile running up the back wall and barware showcased in mahogany cabinets in front of it.

Weidner and Hasou spent a good deal of time planning the kitchen, and installed pecky cypress on the ceiling  dark crevices show through a whitewash treatment. That wood, Shaker-style cabinets, a farmhouse-style sink and soapstone counters give the room a comfortable and slightly rustic feel that adds coziness.

The ceiling treatment is one the Swensons saw in their travels and wanted to bring into their new home. Weidner and Hasou thought the kitchen would be the best place for it, with a finish that wouldnt darken the room.

The nearby breakfast area has a table brought from their previous home, where it was in their formal dining room.

Both Bill and Sandy have home offices, hidden in out-of-the-way places. Bills is accessed only through a secret door in the TV room. Sandys is near the back of the house so they each can have privacy and quiet when they need it.

Theres plenty of room for company in the living room, which has reclaimed beams on a V-groove wood paneled ceiling and a stone wall with a hand-carved limestone fireplace.

Instead of built-in cabinets on each side of the fireplace, they had cabinets built to mimic some antiques they saw. On one side, the cabinet has open shelves to display art and mementos. The other side has a cabinet with doors for hiding things away.

Theres a large Visual Comfort lantern chandelier with a gold-leaf finish in the center of the room, a larger version of a bronze pair that hangs nearby over the island in the kitchen.

The primary suite is roomy, with a generous bedroom that looks out into the backyard. The oversized bathroom has a huge bathtub, spacious shower and a long counter with quartzite counters, two sinks, a makeup vanity and cabinets on each end, too.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has warned Nigerians against playing politics with the COVID-19 vaccines delivered to the country.

Mr Gbajabiamila while speaking at the commencement of COVID-19 vaccination at the National hospital, Abuja, on Friday, said this is the time for Nigerians to be united.

We must not play politics with vaccines, we must not play politics with the health of our neighbours, we must be on the same page whilst we also, do what we need to do in terms of role in checking the government,  Mr Gbajabiamila said.

Nigeria commenced the COVID-19 vaccination of its citizens on Friday, three days after it received 3.94 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Assess Facility (COVAX).

The COVID-19 vaccines arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport at about 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday. Nigeria is the third Africa country to benefit from the COVAX facility after Ghana and Ivory Coast.

The COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria began with health workers, who are often at risk of exposure to infections, including COVID-19, as they are the first responders to patients.

In keeping with our promise, the PTF is prioritizing the frontline healthcare workers in the first batch of vaccines received, the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said at the flag-off of COVID-19 vaccination at the National hospital, Abuja, on Friday.

Health workers at the National Hospital in Abuja were the first to receive the vaccines.

They have fought hard to save us. They laid down their lives for us, and in the ICUs and treatment centres, they became our last line of defense, Mr Mustapha said.

The Nigerian government said it aims to vaccinate approximately 109 million people against the COVID-19 virus over a period of two years.

Health authorities said only eligible population from 18 years and above, including pregnant women, will be vaccinated.

The vaccine roll-out will be in four phases, starting with health workers, frontline workers, COVID-19 rapid response team, laboratory network, police officers, petrol station workers and strategic leaders, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, said.

Phase 2  Older adults aged 50 years and above. Those with co-morbidities aged 18  49 years of age.

Phase 3  Those in states/LGAs with high disease burden and who missed phases 1 and 2.

Phase 4  Other eligible population as vaccines become available.

Mr Shuaib explained that an e-registration link has been created to enable eligible Nigerians to register for the COVID-19 vaccination.

To register for COVID-19 vaccination, visit our website nphcda.gov.ng and click on COVID-19 Vaccination e-registration, Mr Shuaib said.
Other countries will use their supplies to vaccinate their own populations, the Taoiseach said (Brian Lawless/PA)

Other countries will use their vaccine supplies to protect their own populations, the Taoiseach said.

Micheal Martin downplayed suggestions Ireland could engage with individual states for unused Covid-19 jabs.

Germany has made it clear it would be using all of its doses.

#EUCO leaders today discussed vaccines, variants and investment in research.

General agreement that every possible effort must be explored to ramp up production of #COVID19 vaccines across Europe. pic.twitter.com/xcHSMD0bOn  MicheAl Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 25, 2021

France is planning to give Astra Zeneca vaccines to people over the age of 65.

Mr Martin said: Most countries are focused on getting their own vaccinations progressed.

The issue is really around supplies.

He said a firm stance was being taken at the European Commission level and the important factor was the arrival of the filled vials from manufacturers.

He said: AstraZeneca are saying that they will make up the shortfalls so far, but we will see as time goes on.

We are confident of significant additional supplies.

We are beginning to see the positive effects of vaccination, we are moving towards a much brighter place. Together weall get there.#COVID19 #holdfirm pic.twitter.com/bWymAWmhjH  Dr Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn) March 5, 2021

He expressed optimism on meeting inoculation targets over the next number of months.

The Taoiseach added: Europe is making additional efforts to increase capacity and supply.

All residents and staff in nursing homes and frontline healthcare workers have been vaccinated.

The inoculation of those aged over 85 will be completed within days.

Mr Martin added: The vaccination programme is having an impact.

Infection rates are coming down significantly in hospitals and nursing homes.

Next week, vaccinations will begin of those with underlying health conditions.

Maya Gumennik, a former EverQuote and Tripadvisor executive, has joined digital personal lines insurance broker Policygenius as the companys head of Marketing. Gumennik will oversee the companys marketing strategy and manage the marketing team.

Gumennik brings nearly a decade of marketing experience to Policygenius. Most recently, Gumennik was senior vice president of Performance Marketing at online insurance marketplace EverQuote, where she led growth teams across the companys auto, home, life, and health insurance verticals. Prior to that, Gumennik spent eight years at Tripadvisor, where she held various marketing positions, most recently serving as the head of Marketing for the eight consumer brands.

Gumennik joins Policygenius as the company continues to grow. The company recently reached a new milestone of 550 employees and expanded to a second office in Durham, North Carolina.

In 2020, Policygenius announced $100 million in Series D funding as well as an exclusive accelerated underwriting life insurance product in collaboration with Brighthouse Financial. The company also expanded beyond insurance for the first time to offer digital estate planning.

Policygenius, which is headquartered in New York City, sells home, auto, life disability, renters, pet and other insurance. It has placed more than $75 billion in coverage since launching in 2014 and is one of the early insurtech pioneers.
State Auto Mutual Elects New Board Member

Peter Migliorato has been elected to the board of directors of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005417/en/

Peter Migliorato (Photo: Business Wire)

Migliorato is a senior Deloitte (News - Alert) Consulting principal with over 35 years of experience advising major global insurers as they address their most critical strategic challenges and profitably grow their businesses. Throughout his career, Migliorato has worked with corporate leaders to shape and implement growth strategies, orchestrate turnarounds, improve profitability and capital productivity, lead successful enterprise-wide transformations, launch digital businesses and execute buy- and sell-side M&A transactions in the US and abroad. He'll retire on June 1 s a lead client service partner for Deloitte's largest, long-term insurance clients, focusing on innovation, data-driven analytics and the digital economy. Migliorato has advised insurance leaders on their innovation agendas, including the launch of a digital/direct commercial lines startup, formation of a captive FinTech VC portfolio company, the establishment of internal business/technology incubators and the end-to-end digitization of a top-five life insurer. He earned undergraduate degrees in history and geology from Oberlin College and continued his business education with coursework at INSEAD Business School, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and Deloitte University.







"Peter has an exceptional understanding of the insurance industry," said State Auto President and CEO Mike LaRocco. "The depth of his knowledge of our business and the opportunities that exist to drive innovation and profitable growth will be incredibly valuable as we continue our digital transformation."

About State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company

State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is a super regional property and casualty insurance holding company celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021. The company is primarily engaged in writing personal and business insurance products exclusively through independent insurance agencies in 33 states.

State Automobile Mutual is part of the State Auto Group, which is rated A- (Excellent) by the A.M. Best Company and includes State Automobile Mutual, State Auto Financial Corporation, State Auto Property & Casualty, State Auto Ohio, State Auto Wisconsin, Milbank, Meridian Security, Patrons Mutual, Rockhill Insurance, Plaza Insurance, American Compensation and Bloomington Compensation. Additional information can be found online at www.StateAuto.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005417/en/

A healthcare charity has been fined 40,000 after failing to protect a vulnerable teenager who took her own life whilst in their care.

Sophie Bennett, 19, was found hanged in a bathroom in Lancaster Lodge, a residential care home in Richmond, west London, in May 2016 - just over a year after she was admitted in April 2015.

Staffing changes saw a new 'boot camp' regime imposed at the facility - which replaced external therapies with morning exercise and yoga.

This dramatically impacted on Sophie's wellbeing and led her to be placed on 'close observations', an inquest into her death was told.

The teenager, from Tooting in south-west London - who had bipolar, atypical autism and social anxiety - died in Kingston Hospital two days after she was found hanged.

She was described by her family as 'bright, loving and caring'.

The Richmond Psychosocial Foundation International (RPFI), the charity which ran the facility, was fined 40,000 over a failure to provide safe care and treatment under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Sophie Bennett, 19, was found hanged in a bathroom in Lancaster Lodge, a residential care home in Richmond, west London, in May 2016

Peggy Jhugroo, 57, who was employed by RPFI as a co-ordinator and was the registered manager of the care home, has also been handed a 3,000 fine.

Sentencing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Friday afternoon, District Judge Deborah Wright said: 'The RPFI fell far short of the appropriate standard in that it failed to heed warnings and concerns raised by employees.

'They recruited inexperienced staff, failed to ensure proper training was given to newly appointed staff and failed to recognise the needs of Sophie.'

Ms Wright went on to say there was a 'serious and systemic failure within the organisation to recognise the risk to health and safety', meaning its culpability level was 'high'.

She continued: 'Her (Sophie's) vulnerability was self-evident [...] anyone reading her logs should have been aware the risks were significant.

Peggy Jhugroo, 57, (pictured) who was employed by RPFI as a co-ordinator and was the registered manager of the care home, has also been handed a 3,000 fine

Care home boss Peggy Jhugroo arrives at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in Uxbridge, Middlesex

'The risk to her was, in all circumstances, a high likelihood of death.'

Ms Wright said that Jhugroo 'willingly did the RPFI's bidding' and was 'wilfully blind to the risk of offending' despite Ms Bennett's vulnerability.

She added: 'The fine I give must take into account the seriousness of the offence.'

The home had seen a number of staff changes after Jhugroo and interim manager Duncan Lawrence took over, following the resignation of previous boss Vincent Hill over fears of cuts to therapy.

Mr Hill had more than 25 years of experience and had overseen the facility receiving 'good' ratings by regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

However, after Jhugroo took over, a number of 'inexperienced' staff were appointed and given 'inadequate' training, the court heard.

Ms Bennett had been a resident at Lancaster Lodge, pictured, for around a year at the time of her death

Craig Rush, prosecuting, told the court that under Jhugroo no attempts were made to form relationships between management and the residents, which had an 'effect' on the wellbeing of Ms Bennett.

Mr Rush said Jhugroo and the RPFI had been 'cost-cutting at the expense of safety' with the underlying motive behind removal of staff and therapy being 'increased profitability'.

Ms Bennett had said the changes made her feel like being in a 'boot camp', which had an 'adverse impact on her wellbeing', Mr Rush told the court.

At the inquest it was noted changes meant leadership and oversight was 'grossly inadequate' and that a new 'boot camp' regime was imposed replacing external therapies with morning exercise and yoga which dramatically impacted on Sophie's wellbeing and led her to be placed on 'close observations'.

Safety concerns were raised at the time about 'chaotic' staff who were described as being 'in the deep end' and 'learning on the job'.

On April 28, 2016, two care workers found a number of objects in Ms Bennett's room 'that she could have used to self harm'. Pictured: Ms Bennett

The changes had been brought in after a 'grossly-inadequate' one day audit by 'the founder,' who had never met the residents and knew nothing about them.

On April 28, 2016, two care workers found a number of objects in Ms Bennett's room 'that she could have used to self harm'.

They also noticed 'a burn-like mark' on the back of her neck, which 'should have given rise to very genuine, very serious concerns about the risks of her harming herself', the court heard.

However, the level of risk of Ms Bennett harming herself was only put to three out of 10 following the discovery, as staff were 'not qualified and untrained'.

Mr Rush added: 'There's no one individual thing, it's a combination of factors, here the combination of factors cumulatively is the removal of experienced staff, replaced with inexperienced staff.

'The inexperienced staff then don't receive adequate training, thereby they're not in a position to provide proper risk assessment.

'The risk assessment was then not followed'.

Shortly before her death, the CQC criticised the facility as 'inadequate' in a number of areas.

Mr Rush went on to say the RPFI 'fell far short of the appropriate standard' because it 'ignored concerns raised by several employees regarding the risk proposed about the residents'.

Paul Spencer, representing the RPFI, said: 'There have been very significant, long-lasting lesson learnt from the very tragic death of Sophie Bennett.'

He accepted that staff were recruited without 'an appropriate skillset', but denied that such steps were 'knowingly taken'.

The RPFI, which no longer oversees the care facility, accepted its high culpability in the incident, the court heard.

The court also heard that Jhugroo was the 'wrong person for the job' due to her background as a youth worker.

Alexander Dos Santos, defending, said: 'As her role progressed over time, she recognised that her skillset and background was not suitable for the role that she had, and she accepts responsibility for carrying on that post when it became apparent there was more required.'

Jhugroo remained in her position until 2017.

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details
A year ago this weekend, Bonnie Lippe picked up the telephone and broke down - again and again.

One by one, she called family members and friends, asking them to watch out for symptoms of the deadly coronavirus because she might have exposed them.

Lippe was the Washington region's first known case. Or, as she put it half-jokingly, "patient zero."

Looking back, after the region hit more than 1 million cases, Lippe, 56, marvels at the raw intensity of those early days - the fear of leaving her Maryland home, the scorn that greeted her and the nagging feeling that life would never again be the same.

"No. I can't believe it's been a year," said Lippe, who now lives in a suburb of Las Vegas with her husband, Michael. "It's unbelievable that we're still in this situation."

Lippe's diagnosis on March 5, 2020 - followed shortly by confirmation that a Bethesda, Md. couple she'd never met had also tested positive - was a watershed moment, the beginning of the pandemic's arc through the state.

Before Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan announced that the virus had made it into Montgomery County, the outbreak that was largely confined to China was still a remote threat to the region. Soon after came the mask mandates, the shutdown restrictions in Maryland, Virginia and the District that shuttered businesses and schools and upended normal life, the dissolved jobs and the searing pain of lost lives.

For Lippe, it was the start of a maddening new reality that unfolded when she returned home from a two-week Nile River cruise in Egypt.

By then, the stomachache and low-grade fever she had experienced during the trip had subsided; she and her fellow travelers who also became ill attributed their discomfort to something they ate or drank.

But one symptom stood out as particularly odd: Lippe couldn't understand why she had lost her sense of taste and smell. Still, she went about her life, visiting her elderly parents and some friends, and attending a crowded Jewish shiva gathering at the retirement community in Rockville where a recently deceased friend lived.

Then, on March 3, she got a call from a man who said he was with the Maryland Department of Health. He told Lippe that she had probably been exposed to the coronavirus.

"I thought it was a scam," said Lippe, who back then knew only vaguely about the virus. "But I couldn't figure out how they were trying to monetize it. I kept waiting for the guy to say, 'And if you send us this amount of money or give us your credit card . . .' "

The health department worker told Lippe she could get tested for the virus at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring. When she arrived, the nurse administering the test apologized for wearing gloves and a mask.

Two days later, two state health department supervisors called Lippe with the result. Positive.

"Well, what do we do now?'" she recalled asking. "And they said: 'We don't really know. You're the first one.' "

The following days were a blur.

Horrified by the thought that she might have unknowingly infected her family and friends, Lippe said she took it upon herself to inform them, even though health officials said they would do that. The hardest call was to the family of the former Rockville retirement community resident who recently died.

The still-grieving family was understanding. But Lippe stumbled over her words, stopping and starting again between tears while she suggested that they watch out for symptoms that could kill them.

"That whole conversation, I don't even remember all of it," Lippe said. "I know I had my husband on the other line, and at some point in the conversation I would just hang up the phone and my husband would say: 'Just wait. Let me go get her,' and talk me back off the ledge."

She didn't infect anybody that she knows of, including her husband, who didn't go with her to Egypt.

After her diagnosis, Lippe no longer left her home, especially during the day. Walking the family dog meant a trip around her property, at night and with a mask on.

Strangers on social media were nonetheless vicious, blaming Lippe and others who had brought home infections from trips for ushering death and disease into the region.

Against her better judgment, she became obsessed with what people said about her online, checking every hour she was awake.

"The cockroaches have come out," one post said. "They don't care about anyone else."

Her anxiety got so bad that when a friend called to check in, Lippe verbally attacked her, remembering that the friend's husband was a TV news broadcaster.

"You just want the story for your husband!" Lippe said to her friend, who continued to call and ask about her well-being in genuine concern.

"She was such a dear friend and I was so awful," Lippe said. "It probably took me a month until I apologized to her. Until I was back to being myself."

She began helping other people who had the virus, volunteering in late April to be a peer counselor as part of a pilot program created by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Maryland and the state health department to help recently recovered covid-19 patients navigate their lingering trauma.

In August, Lippe and her husband moved to Las Vegas, where nobody knew about her diagnosis. It felt like a liberation.

But she continued the virtual counseling sessions through what is now known as CovidConnect. From that vantage point, she saw how the knots of anxiety over a coronavirus diagnosis loosened over time, even as the region's numbers of new infections skyrocketed during the winter holidays.

In the beginning, the former patients who participated in the NAMI sessions shared tearful stories about how frightened they were and how death had seemed so certain.

"The experiences that these people went through," Lippe said. "The aloneness. Coming in to the hospital through the basement and everybody moving out of your way."

Today, she said, the stories are more about the stigmatization that comes with telling people they've been infected - where the typical response is "How'd you get it?" as if they did something wrong.

On Friday, Hogan planned to commemorate Maryland's first case by declaring a day of remembrance for the more than 7,700 Maryland residents who have died of covid-19 so far. A twilight ceremony will be held at the State House in Annapolis and, as the sun sets, government buildings across the state will be lit up in amber.

"One year ago at this time, we could not have fathomed the toll that the pandemic would take on each and every one of us," Hogan said in a statement, saluting the dead and giving thanks to "the health care heroes and front line workers whose many sacrifices have saved lives and kept us safe."

Lippe is unsure how she feels about such grand gestures.

With vaccinations picking up pace, she is eager to move back into normalcy. But, she said, "I don't know if I'm going to be comfortable going to a grocery store without a mask on, ever, or not the near future."

She and her husband are not yet eligible to receive a vaccine. So, she continues to wear her mask, quietly taking note of those who don't. She's less anxious about the virus, but worried that others will forget that it can still burn through their lives.

"Numbers are going up again," she said about a recent surge of infections in Nevada. "That's what scares me. The vaccine is coming, but it's not here for everybody yet. Don't relax."

As for her, she said: "I'm just patiently sitting in my house, with my mask on, waiting until I qualify."


Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Meghan Markle's gestures in the latest trailer from her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey hint at 'hidden anger and frustration' while her dramatic pauses signal she wants to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, a body language expert has claimed.

In the latest preview clip released by CBS today, the Duchess of Sussex claims royal aides blocked her from having a personal conversation with the chat show host in the months leading up to her wedding to Prince Harry, and makes it clear she's 'ready to talk'.

Asked why she was speaking out now, Meghan, 39, gave a long pause before saying: 'Well, so many things. That we're on the other side of a lot of - a lot of life experience that's happened, and also that we have the ability to make our own choices in a way that I couldn't have said yes to you then.'

Oprah described Meghan as being ready now to 'say it for yourself', adding that the Duchess did 'not to have to consult with anybody at this point'. Meghan added: 'Yeah, to be able to just make a choice on your own and be able to speak for yourself.'

Meghan Markle's gestures in the latest trailer from her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey hint at 'hidden anger and frustration', a body language expert has claimed

Body language expert Judi James said the former Suits star's head-shakes, raised brows and accelerated blink-rate all 'imply deeper inner emotions including anger or frustration' and 'a story as yet un-shared'.

'Her description of how her adult, independent life met with a "construct" that was "different" suggests she is using non-dramatic and non-accusatory words here, but the way she throws out her hands in what looks like a gesture of relief and a desire for agreement as she speaks about being able to speak for herself now is still a dramatic moment celebrating her current freedom,' she told FEMAIL.

'Meghan's small leg-rocking gesture suggests she is enjoying herself though, as does the smiles and giggles.

'Her words take a long time to come, there is even a six second pause before she tries to explain "Why now?"'

Body language expert Judi James says Meghan 'smiles knowingly' (left) and uses dramatic pauses to keep viewers on the edge of their seats (right)

Judi added that while the trailer suggests Meghan may be softening her wording as she drops hints about her problems with royal life, her body language and use of dramatic pauses imply 'enough rich narrative to keep everyone on the edges of their seat'.

Meghan and Oprah's discussion confirms that the host - who attended the Sussexes' wedding and now lives near their 11million mansion in Montecito, California - had been wooing the Duchess for a tell-all interview for at least three years.

Meghan said she remembered this talk with Oprah 'very well' and 'wasn't even allowed to have this conversation with you personally' because there had to be other people in the same room.

Judi said Meghan's pose in this snippet suggests more of a happy chat between friends than a formal interview.

'She sits back in her seat with both hands cradling her baby bump, smiling knowingly, nodding coyly, and even adding to that look of coyness by responding to Oprah's dramatic gesticulation by performing some hair-preen gestures, dipping her head, looking down and even giggling,' she observes.

Judi says Meghan 'sits back in her seat with both hands cradling her baby bump, smiling knowingly, nodding coyly, and even adding to that look of coyness by responding to Oprah's dramatic gesticulation by performing some hair-preen gestures, dipping her head, looking down and even giggling'

Judi said Meghan's pose in this snippet suggests more of a happy chat between friends than a formal interview

'The effect achieved is that it is Oprah egging her on to answer her "Why?" line of questioning while Meghan tip-toes her way haltingly through her narrative.'

After playing the latest clip today, CBS presenter Gayle King, who is good friends with Oprah, told the breakfast programme: 'Listen to those words. The right and the privilege to be able to speak.

'I heard Oprah say what was her intention in doing this interview? To give them the opportunity to say in their own words. Because a big question is how did they leave, why did they leave, what happened, did something happen, what is it all about? To give them the opportunity in their own words to speak their own truth about what went into their decision.

'I think by the time the interview is over, people will have a very clear understanding about what went into their thought process. I believe that that will be the case. And then people can make up their own minds.'

Earlier today a Hollywood insider told DailyMail.com that Meghan has now accused the Palace of using Prince Philip's ill-health as an excuse to 'muzzle' her, and insisted she would never ask to delay the release of the interview.

Earlier today a Hollywood insider told DailyMail.com that Meghan has now accused the Palace of using Prince Philip's ill-health as an excuse to 'muzzle' her ahead of the interview (pictured with Harry)

Harry's grandfather continues to recover from heart surgery at King Edward VII Hospital in London after being transferred there today following his operation at St Bartholomew's Hospital.

The Queen has continued working while her 99-year-old husband has been in hospital - including encouraging people to get the Covid-19 vaccine, holding phone calls with Armed Forces chiefs and virtually unveiling a new statue of herself in Australia.

And today it was reported Prince William and Kate had a videocall with the parents of a boy helped by a mental health text helpline that they are supporting.

It comes as a palace insider claimed last night that Meghan blamed the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles for leaking negative stories about her to the Press when she was a senior royal.

The Sussexes felt the stories - including Kate allegedly being left in tears after a bridesmaids' dress fitting before Meghan's wedding in 2018 - must have been briefed by Kate, Camilla or Charles's households, the source said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018 (left), which Oprah Winfrey attended (right) after approaching Meghan for an interview

These revelations came just days after Meghan was accused of 'driving out' two PAs and shattering the confidence of another member of palace staff - with one former aide branding Prince Harry and his wife 'outrageous bullies'.

Meghan has vehemently denied the claims, instead insisting The Times newspaper, which first ran the claims after reportedly being contacted by palace aides, was 'being used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative' about her.

The palace said it would launch an unprecedented inquiry into the allegations - calling claims that the Meghan inflicted 'emotional cruelty' on underlings 'very' concerning.

A group of at least 10 'hugely professional' royal aides who are 'proud of their efforts' are 'queuing up' to help the palace's probe, reports suggest.

A source told The Times that the palace were not 'peddling disinformation or conducting any kind of campaign ahead of the interview' - with the allegations 'clearly not [...] coming from us'.

CBS will show the full two-hour chat with Oprah on Sunday night at 1am UK time, before ITV broadcasts it the following evening, on Monday, from 9pm. It will come after the Royal Family in Britain take part in a show of unity for a Commonwealth Day service this Sunday, which will be shown at 5pm on BBC One.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla couldn't have dreamed he would play a lead role in Israels ongoing election drama. He was scheduled to conduct an official visit to Israel this month [March 2021] and celebrate with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the success of the vaccination campaign. But on March 4, the pharmaceutical giant announced that Bourlas visit had been postponed indefinitely. Someone had rained on Netanyahus parade.

Bourla was looking for somewhere to conduct a pilot of his companys experimental vaccine, a state-of-the-art laboratory from which to test Pfizers pioneering technology on millions of people as quickly and efficiently as possible. Israel was the ideal test site and the deal was equally advantageous for both sides. Pfizer would prove to the world that its inoculations were safe and effective, while Israel would become the first country in the world to have most of its population protected from the deadly coronavirus and emerge in weeks from the horrors of the past year.

The prime minister, who has boasted of holding 17 phone calls with the Greek-American executive to nudge him into agreeing to the deal, is taking all the credit for the project, designed to immunize him against failure in the March 23 elections.

In the three elections since April 2019, Netanyahu billed himself as being in a different league than his rivals. His billboards featured him shaking hands with then-US President Donald Trump. With Trump gone, Netanyahus prospects hinge on the vaccine. When he found out that Bourla was not coming to provide him with a photo op, Netanyahu rushed to recite his talking points on Fox News this week, declaring with great fanfare that Israel has triumphed over the pandemic.

Senior Health Ministry officials and most experts disagree, warning that Netanyahus declarations are premature and Israel has a way to go. Netanyahu, fighting for his political life after three inconclusive elections and for his personal freedom under indictment for corruption, dismissed the skeptics. A sizeable group of Israelis are buying enthusiastically into his sales pitch. Netanyahu, according to his devoted followers, is the only candidate who could have saved Israel from the pandemic.

The Likud Knesset members and government ministers are echoing this message with glee. The polls do not show it yet, giving the Likud 27 to 29 Knesset seats, but the vaccines are widely perceived as his only path to the 61-seat Knesset majority he needs to stay in power.

Netanyahus opponents, determined to block his path, mounted a furious campaign in recent weeks to prevent Bourlas visit. Thousands signed petitions and sent letters, arguing that the highly publicized visit would violate election propaganda restrictions. A petition was ready for filing with the Supreme Court when Bourla settled the controversy by postponing his trip. The official excuse was that Bourla and his entourage were not fully vaccinated  the CEO had said repeatedly he would not jump the queue and has so far received only one jab. Still, Israeli analysts believe the real reason for the postponement is clear: Pfizer has no intention of pulling Netanyahus chestnuts out of the fire. It has more important things to do.

Netanyahu was left with little choice but to replace the CEO at the last minute. On March 4 he hosted a brief visit by Austrian Chancellor Sabastian Kurz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen, during which a trilateral cooperation agreement was signed on a vaccine research, development and production initiative. As his two guests showered Netanyahu and Israel with praise for the nationwide vaccination campaign, Netanyahu beamed at the cameras.

The coronavirus will undoubtedly determine the results of Israels fourth elections in less than two years as well as Netanyahus personal fate. Netanyahu had a simple plan in mind: Announce the lifting of all business, culture and social restrictions a week or two prior to the voting and ride the resulting euphoria to a Knesset majority.

However, newly emerging virus variants  the British, South African, New York and other mutations  have reached Israel and now account for most of the new COVID-19 cases (especially the British), putting a wrench in Netanyahus plans. The reproduction number  the R  has been rising, though fatalities are plunging. Netanyahu, usually an alarmist who dislikes risk, is blatantly ignoring the warning bells, giving top Health Ministry experts a cold shoulder.

Israel plans to allow the resumption of flights (albeit only for Israelis) and the reopening of restaurants, performances, gyms and other events on March 7.

For his fans, Netanyahu is a messiah who saved the people of Israel from certain illness and death. His opponents, spanning the political spectrum from Gideon Saar and his New Hope party on the right to supporters of Meretz on the left, regard him as a dictator determined to turn Israel into a parliamentary monarchy. They point to his unauthorized and uncoordinated vaccine diplomacy of recent weeks entailing the transfer of hundreds of thousands of vaccines to various countries as another part of Israels slide toward authoritarianism. Netanyahu also reportedly sent the leaders of Sudan five top-of-the-line respirators on the plane that took Intelligence Affairs Minister Eli Cohen on a historic visit to that North African country a few weeks ago.

He decides everything on his own, does not update others, does not hold consultations, does not seek legal advice, its simply shocking, a senior Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. We have to be vigilant constantly to ensure he does not steal the horses behind our backs.

Netanyahus fate will be determined on March 23. Right now, he is two or three Knesset seats away from 61  if Yamina chair Naftali Bennett agrees to join him (which is hardly certain). However, the results may prove inconclusive yet again, forcing Israel into a fifth election. The option sounds both ridiculous and entirely logical, a reflection of the current state of affairs in Israel.
New Delhi:

Google has announced a new chat application to the web. Google chat app launched Allo for the web on Chrome, but if you want to use it, you need a smartphone to pair with it.This can be installed by scanning a QR code on your Android phone. Google first hinted at Allo coming to desktop soon back in February when, Nick Fox, Googles VP of Communications Products, tweeted a sneak peek photo of a desktop web app for Google Allo.

Allo is Googles smart messaging app with plenty of stickers, adjustable text sizes, and Gmail-style Smart Reply that lets you reply with a single tap. As the site explains, Allo learns if you're more of a haha or lol person so the more you use Google Allo, the more you the suggestions become. Other than the Allo app, Google also offers Hangouts, Duo and YouTube Chat for its users to communicate with close friends and family.Earlier it was expected to come in may but it comes now after months of testing that Allo for the web has gone live.

Unfortunately, its only available on Android and Chrome but Google promises iOS support is coming soon.Google Allo is a messaging app for Android and iPhone users.

You can chat, share photos and stickers, but the standout feature is its use of Google Assistant, the smart AI assistant. Itinclude smart replies, the ability to shout and whisper by changing the size of the font, photo editing, stickers and support for Google Assistant. A majority of these features are available on Allo for the web as well, but taking photos, deleting conversations or starting chats with someone who isnt in your contact list wont be.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
I have a long personal history with St Patricks Guild, the adoption agency at the centre of Wednesday nights RTE Investigates programme about traded babies and robbed identities.

One contributor spoke of the fortress mentality exhibited when he sought information about his personal history. I can testify myself that his choice of the word fortress was apt and accurate.

The programme devoted a whole 90 minutes to illegal adoptions, but never lost its hold. Aoife Hegartys research was exhaustive in scope and created a documentary that will cause as much of a stir as previous exposes of the shameful litany of abuses in our society.

I found it to be emotionally draining as an extraordinary bunch of men and women told their stories of personal identities thieved through cavalier and illegal alterations of birth certificates to facilitate private adoptions. The secrets, the lies, the abuse of truth, were laid bare. Kafka couldnt have scripted what was done to the babies as children and adults, the birth mothers, and the adoptive parents.

All of the stories were there. The ghost-like nun feeding the baby in an old film. The children who were sent to America. The baby whose parents had her before marriage but thanks to ancestry tracing (and not the nuns) found out her parents had married and gone on to have other children  her secret siblings. The adopted brothers and sisters where none of the children were ever told that they were adopted.

This programme will remain as a perfect example of oral history told with extraordinary eloquence. I was moved by how articulate each and every one of them was.

It cannot have been easy for the witnesses to relive their experiences for the camera and to tell us how they discovered, often late in life, that the parents they knew were not their biological parents at all.

They packed a powerful punch by their composed testimonies and must have left many viewers shattered by the revelations of how pillars of Church and State colluded without regard for either law or justice.

I have a long personal history with St Patricks Guild so a lot of the film was strangely familiar  the cold, forbidding institutional buildings and offices, the long corridors and tables, and the resolute No, go away from the nuns to entirely reasonable requests for information.

Later, as a TD, I came across some similar experiences to my own as individual constituents sought my assistance about adoption records, unaware that I had my own history so like their own. Like me, they also faced obstruction and downright lies.

I recall pleading the case of one woman to a disdainful monsignor of the Dublin Diocese who sneeringly remarked that I should keep well away from such people as they only wanted money.

I was fascinated by the revelation about money in one case on the programme. The sum of 85 was mentioned as the expected offering in the late 1940s.

In my own search I was told that 100 was the sum to be paid to the nuns. Statisticians calculate that this sum is equivalent to about 3,500 today.

The RTE investigation covers just one specific feature of Irelands adoption scandal and the persistent refusal, unique among modern societies, to accede to the requests of adopted people to full access to personal records.

Why does Ireland remain an outlier when so many other parliaments have passed information and tracing laws?

I prepared a bill two years ago to deal with the group of people affected by the egregious illegal adoptions covered in the programme.

It could readily be taken up now as a preliminary step to a wider tracing law.

Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman needs to be aware of the deep emotions that are awoken by this topic among tens of thousands of Irish people and that feeling will simply not go away.

It was revealing how the European GDPR law was used by Tusla to add another obstruction to tracing requests. Now Mr OGorman says that this interpretation of GDPR can be turned on its head and instead become the magic bullet that demolishes all obstructions. Hed better be right and right soon because the clamour for reform and action will not go away.

Political scientists now use a phrase State capture to describe how private interests can corrupt the States policymaking to advance their vested interests.

We could see that in operation in Wednesday nights programme as Church interests dominated  personified by a silent De Valera kissing the ring of the terrifying John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin.

The famous English novel Middlemarch ends with a remark that the greater good of the world is dependent on the deeds of people who faithfully lived good hidden lives.

The people who told their stories so well on Wednesday night added immensely to the public good of Ireland.

They can best be rewarded by a sea change in public policy that cannot now come too soon to rectify the deep-seated injustices revealed in this remarkable programme.

Joan Burton is a former TD and Tanaiste, and ex-leader of the Labour Party.

China has hit out at Lithuania's plans to set up a representative trade office in Taiwan, after it emerged that the Baltic nation was exploring broader ties with Taipei.

At a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin urged Vilnius to "refuse to be taken advantage of by Taiwan separatist forces, and avoid doing anything detrimental to bilateral political mutual trust".

"We are firmly against the mutual establishment of official agencies and official exchanges in all forms between the Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic relations with China including Lithuania," Wang said, after authorities in Lithuania confirmed a plan to establish an office by the end of the year.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

Lithuania's foreign ministry this week confirmed that it hoped to have an "enterprise office" established in Taiwan this year.

Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis also intimated that the country was edging closer to leaving the "17+1", an informal trade group of China and 17 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries founded in 2012.

He told local news outlet LRT.lt that Lithuania gets "almost no benefits" from the group and that it served to "divide" Europe.

Wang said China had "taken note of the news", adding that China has "every confidence in its prospects".

The group ran into trouble last month, after six members failed to send top-level representation for an online summit involving Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed Lithuania's plans to open a branch in Taipei.

"We have noticed the reports about this and we welcome any move or plan that would deepen our friendly relations with Lithuania," said Joanne Ou, the ministry's spokeswoman. "Regarding Lithuania's reported plan to establish a representative office in Taiwan, we do not have additional information at the moment."

Story continues

Lithuania has been steadily improving ties with Taiwan over the past couple of years, including lending support to the island's bid to be an observer at the World Health Organization, a move rejected by China.

Taiwan's former highest representative to the Balkans, Andy Chin, was invited to address the country's parliament on the same day as President Gitanas Nauseda's state-of-the-nation speech.

Chin told the South China Morning Post that he "was very happy to learn that Lithuania is interested in setting up trade office in Taipei", adding that it would "greatly enhance and advance bilateral ties".

Analysts thought Lithuania's overtures could encourage Taiwan to "to step up efforts to woo CEE countries to its side".

"Probably beginning with the recalcitrant Baltic states, perhaps by offering some financial incentives to cooperation," said Jeremy Garlick, director at the Jan Masaryk Centre for International Studies in Prague.

"Beijing will therefore need to demonstrate that it is offering more to CEE countries than empty words and a moribund 'cooperation platform' which produces little to no results in terms of Chinese investment and exports of CEE goods to China," he added.

ukasz Kobierski, chief executive of the Polish think tank Institute of New Europe, said that the arrival of the Joe Biden administration in Washington may also have played into Vilnius' thinking.

"Because they are not seeing a future in cooperation with China, Lithuania decided to cooperate with Taiwan, which is an ally of the United States, and similarly to Lithuania, is counting on an American security umbrella," he said.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2021 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2021. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
[March 04, 2021] STO Awarded Grand Prix at 14th A.N.D. Award 2020

Awarded with Korea's biggest digital media award for Travel/Leisure

Proved objective excellence of the Discover Seoul Pass website

STO will continue to enhance the convenience of individual tourists and support the travel industry through Discover Seoul Pass SEOUL, South Korea, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Seoul Tourism Organization (STO; President Jaesung Rhee) was awarded Grand Prix for Travel/Leisure at the 14th A.N.D Award 2020, Korea's biggest digital media award ceremony. The STO's Discover Seoul Pass website was awarded Grand Prix for Travel/Leisure at the 14th A.N.D. Award 2020 for enhancing the travel convenience of individual international tourists and supporting the travel industry. Previously, the STO was awarded Winner (Runner-p) for Travel/Leisure at the 11th A.N.D. Award 2017 in recognition of its contribution to the digital industry and excellence as the official brand of Seoul's experience tourism One More Trip (OMT).



Celebrating 14th anniversary this year, A.N.D Award is Korea's biggest digital media award ceremony organized by the Korea Digital Enterprise Association and sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation (KOBACO). At A.N.D. Award 2020, winners of 64 fields under 2 categories were selected through strict and fair screening by authoritative judges, including digital industry experts and industry heads.

The Grand Prix award is an acknowledgment for the excellence of the revamped Discover Seoul Pass website and the applied IT technologies while reinforcing the position of Discover Seoul Pass as the nation's archetypal tour pass. The Discover Seoul Pass website was revamped focusing on the enhancement of accessibility, easy delivery of information, application of intuitive UI/UX, smooth graphic design, and mobile services. Its design harmonizing traditional and modern images of Seoul also received favorable acclaim. The website also reflected the latest tour trends, including the often-changing operational statuses of tourist attractions due to COVID-19, Discover Seoul Pass-affiliated online/offline stores, and information on tourist destinations. Discover Seoul Pass is improving the convenience of both online and offline users through efforts such as its revamped website, a new card design, an expanded number of pass-accepted tourist attractions (152 spots as of 2021), and safe tour services in Seoul. Director PARK, Jin Hyeok of the STO's Tourism Services Team remarked, "We will expand various pass products and benefits to improve the tour convenience of domestic and international tourists of Seoul," and added, "We will make our website more convenient for using the pass with a digital interface suitable for the contact-free era." SOURCE Seoul Tourism Organization

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]


The Telegraph

Newly diagnosed cancer patients are being forced to speak to their specialist over the phone or via video call rather than in person, experts have warned. New findings show the proportion of those told they have prostate cancer who do not then get an initial face-to-face consultation has risen eight-fold since the start of the pandemic. In a survey by the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR), patients said they felt inhibited from asking all their questions by the remote format, and were worri
Theres no severe weather on the horizon for Alabama.

But that could change over the next few weeks.

Forecasters are geared up for what is typically Alabamas most active period for severe weather, which usually runs from March through May.

The number of tornadoes typically peaks during this time of year, and 2021 may be no exception.

In fact, there are some early signs that this spring severe weather season could be a busy one.

We always kind of look at the months of March, April and May with a little bit of dread and know that something is going to happen in that time period, said John De Block, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

The question is, how many and how bad is it going to be?

Alabama had a total of 73 confirmed tornadoes in 2020. Fifty-two of those came in March and April (May was unusually quiet with zero tornadoes).

There were 73 confirmed tornadoes in Alabama last year. March and April were the busiest months.

This year will also mark a solemn anniversary  a decade since the historic tornado outbreak on April 27, 2011. On that one day alone there were 62 tornadoes across Alabama.

De Block said forecasters are getting clues about what this season could bring in the form of analogs.

What analogs are is basically you look at the atmosphere across the globe, or the sea surface temperatures across the globe, and you compare it to past years, past events, he said.

And when we do that this year, looking at the sea surface temperatures specifically, some very notable years come up  like 1974, 2011.

Those were big severe weather years in this state.

Theres 2011, when more than 230 people died as 62 tornadoes  several of them catastrophic EF5s  touched down in the state in two waves.

1974 is remembered for the Super Outbreak of tornadoes on April 3 and 4, which the National Weather Service in Birmingham described as one of the darkest times in Alabama weather history. At least eight tornadoes killed 86 people, injured 949 and caused more than $50 million in damage.

So there are indications that the overall weather pattern is going to be similar to the years where we have had active severe weather seasons with some significant severe weather events, De Block said.

Is that a guarantee there will be severe weather? No. But it is something to watch.

So thats what kind of gives us pause to think that this could be an active, busy year for us, he said.

Hopefully its not going to be on the magnitude of April 27, 2011, but there are some indications to us that this could be a busy severe weather season.

What will they be looking for?

Severe weather in Alabama becomes more likely when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico clashes with cold continental air from the North. Throw in an active jet stream and things could get intense.

So looping back to those analogs, thats what were seeing. Were seeing a situation where we could have that active jet stream, warm, moist air coming out of the Gulf and some periodic incursions of cold air from the North, he said.

So thats what were going to look for. And just everybody be ready. Thats the best we can hope for.

Forecasters go into every spring, not just this one, prepared for the worst.

Were in the mentality that were almost going into battle. This is the time of the year where our jobs really matter a whole lot. Our job of protecting life and property comes to the forefront, De Block said.

So, yes, theres kind of just a background preparedness, readiness, focus that we have looking at the weather for the next three months.

With the exception of the deadly Fultondale tornado  an EF3 storm that struck northern Jefferson County on Jan. 25  its been a relatively quiet winter severe weather season for Alabama.

The people that were affected (in Fultondale)  the EF3 was quite substantial and it was a major impact to peoples lives, he said.

Hopefully that will serve as a reminder for people to get prepared. Have multiple ways to get weather information and to have a plan and a kit. You need to know what to do when that time comes.

With so many ways to get warnings there are fewer excuses to not be prepared.

Its astounding to me that with the technology we have today that people arent aware of threats of severe weather. To me theres no excuse. There are so many ways we can get the information, De Block said.

Youve got to pay attention in November through May especially in Alabama. Make a point to check the weather once or twice a day. Be on the lookout for a chance of severe weather.

Weve just got to do a better job of being aware of whats coming. I think if people are aware that its coming theyll do the right thing.

Get severe weather preparedness tips from the National Weather Service here.

Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 74F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.

Students from India and other countries will soon be able to stay in UK for work experience without any sponsor after completing their education in the country.

The country will open the post-study work visa for international students from July 1, news agency PTI quoted the UK Home Office as saying on Thursday.

To apply under the rule, students would need to have completed an eligible course from a recognised higher education provider in UK at an undergraduate or higher level. Students will be able to work for up to two years after completing their educational course, while in case of doctoral PhD students it will be up to three years.

The graduate route is unsponsored, which means that the students will not need a job offer to apply for it. There will also be no salary requirements or cap on the numbers. The Home Office said this would allow the graduates to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career as required.

Also read: US issued 64% less student visas to Indians in FY20, lowest in decade

The graduate route was announced last year as part of the new post-Brexit points-based immigration regime and was confirmed within the Immigration Rules tabled in the country's Parliament this week. It will be applicable for 2020-2021 academic cohort of international students.

"As we rebuild from the global pandemic we want the world's brightest talent, who aspire to a career at the highest levels of business, science, the arts and technology to see our United Kingdom as the natural place to fulfil their aspirations," Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster was quoted as saying.

The deadline for students, who couldn't travel to UK last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, to be present in the country has been extended to June 21 from April 6 to be eligible for the new visa programme.

"The UK is committed to supporting thousands of Indian students in their dreams to pursue a world class UK education and post study employment opportunities. Given the pandemic travel restrictions, these new timelines to reach the UK will help ensure international students are able to benefit from the Graduate Route and gain coveted international work experience," said Barbara Wickham, Director India, British Council.

(With inputs from PTI)

Also read: US senators urge Biden administration to implement H1B visa reforms; Indians likely to benefit
China on Friday unveiled the first in a slew of changes to Hong Kong's electoral system that will ensure that politics is only conducted by staunch supporters of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).



A 1,200-strong election committee that has previously elected the city's chief executive will now also be given the power to pick most members of the Legislative Council (LegCo), half of whom were previously returned by direct elections in geographical constituencies.



The committee will also get to pick who can stand as a candidate in the first place, Wang Chen, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) standing committee, told the first annual NPC session in Beijing on Friday.



"The Election Committee has been given the new function of electing a relatively large proportion of Legislative Council members and directly participating in the nomination of all candidates for the Legislative Council," Wang said.



Wang also signaled changes to the way in which the current election committee is formed, amid expectations that it will grow in size.



While the remaining seats in LegCo will likely still be returned by professional bodies and other "functional" constituencies, the election committee's veto on candidates essentially ensures that no pro-democracy candidate will be allowed to stand for election to LegCo from anywhere.



"Obvious loopholes and shortcomings" in Hong Kong's electoral system had allowed "anti-China forces" to threaten China's national sovereignty, security and economic interests in Hong Kong, Wang told assembled NPC delegates.



Premier Li Keqiang, who delivered his annual work report on Friday, also told the NPC: "We will resolutely guard against and deter external forces interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and Macau."



State news agency Xinhua said Beijing is taking steps to ensure that only "patriots" can be involved in running Hong Kong.



"After Hong Kong's return to the motherland, a group of disruptors who entered the governance architecture of Hong Kong under the pretense of public officers have in recent years been acting openly and unlawfully against China," the agency said in an editorial in English published on Friday.



"For years, anti-China forces seeking to disrupt Hong Kong have been colluding with external forces in an attempt to seize the jurisdiction over Hong Kong, with clear goals and concrete actions," it said.



"Effective measures must be taken to block these pawns of anti-China forces from being elected ... and knock them out once and for all," it said.

'There's really no hope'



Ivan Choy, senior lecturer in politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), said it will be nigh on impossible for pro-democracy candidates to run in any future elections in the city.



"There's really no hope of ever getting fully democratic elections now," Choy told RFA. "Even if we carried on with the system we currently have, there would be a huge loss of power [for the opposition]."



"Now it looks as if it will be very hard for pro-democracy candidates to stand in any future elections," he said.



Choy said it was significant that the move was going ahead despite low public opinion rankings for the administration of chief executive Carrie Lam.



"The greatest tragedy is that Beijing has made it clear that it is determined to ignore the views of the people of Hong Kong," he said.

The move comes after police in Hong Kong charged 47 pro-democracy figures with "subversion" for taking part in a democratic primary election in July 2020, with a view to winning a landslide victory in September 2020 LegCo elections and disrupting the government's budget.This was regarded as a plot to subvert the government, according to police.The government then postponed the elections, citing coronavirus concerns, and disqualified four opposition LegCo members, prompting the entire pro-democracy camp to resign en masse in December 2020.Former LegCo members and sitting members of the District Council -- which has been dominated by opposition councilors since a landslide victory at the height of the 2019 protest movement -- make up a high proportion of the 47 defendants.Four of the defendants were released on bail on Friday, amid stringent conditions requiring their public silence on political matters.Clarisse Yeung, Lawrence Lau, Hendrick Lui, and Mike Lam will be banned from doing or saying anything that "harms national security." They will also be required to keep a curfew, report to police several times a week, and surrender their travel documents.The remainder of the group are still behind bars, after 31 were denied bail and 15 were granted it, a decision that is subject to further legal challenge from the department of justice.
Subscriber content preview

BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The Environmental Protection Agency and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have each sued a phosphate mining company owned by Monsanto over toxic waste that experts believe has poisoned plants, water and animals in eastern Idaho.

The government entities filed the lawsuits against P4 Production LLC over waste at the Ballard Mine site near Soda Springs earlier this week, along with a proposed clean-up agreement that could settle the case.





. . .
Hyundai of Mankato pledges childhood cancer research donations through month of March.

The Hyundai of Mankato dealership has taken a pledge to donate $100 to the St. Jude Childrens Hospital for ever every vehicle purchased from the dealership through the month of March. Donations are aimed to help support the fight against childhood cancer and illness.

The Mankato dealership has a history of supporting the fight against childhood cancer and providing donations towards childhood cancer research. In September 2020 the dealership took part in Hyundai Hope On Wheels in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Hyundai of Mankato serves the greater Mankato community and surrounding areas, including Saint Peter, Nicollet, Waseca and New Ulm. The dealership currently has more than 50 new Hyundai vehicle models in stock and nearly 100 pre-owned vehicles available. Every vehicle purchased from the dealership during the month of March will provide a $100 donation to the St. Jude Childrens Hospital.

Anyone looking to get behind the wheel of their next vehicle can start their search at Hyundai of Mankato. The dealership has a variety of vehicle styles to choose from, including sedans, trucks, SUVs, vans and even hybrid options.

The entire lineup of new and used vehicles at Hyundai of Mankato can be viewed on the dealerships website, hyundaiofmankato.com. The Hyundai of Mankato dealership is located at 1281 Raintree Rd in Mankato, MN and is open six days a week. The showroom is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Members of the Hyundai of Mankato team can be contacted by phone, 507-550-1175, with any questions about available inventory or the dealerships donation promise.
In less than 50 days of his presidency, Biden has appointed at least 55 Indian-Americans to key leadership positions in his administration ranging from his speech writer to the National Aeronautic Space Administration, to almost every wing of the government.

New York : Indian-Americans are taking over the country, United States President Joe Biden said on Thursday, referring to the high number of people from the community getting a place in his administration.

"Indian-of-descent Americans (sic) are taking over the country. You (Swati Mohan), my Vice President (Kamala Harris), my speech writer (Vinay Reddy)," Biden said in a virtual interaction with NASA scientists who were involved in the historic landing of Perseverance landing at Mars.

Indian-American scientist Swati Mohan leads the guidance, navigation, and control operations of NASA's Mars 2020 mission.

Biden, who was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on January 20, has created history by appointing at least 55 Indian-Americans to key positions in his administration.

This does not include Vice President Kamala Harris, which is an elected position, and Neera Tanden, who a day earlier withdrew her nomination from the position of Director of White House Office of Management and Budget.

Nearly half of them are women and a sizable number of them are working in the White House.

So far, the Obama-Biden administration (2009-2017) has the distinction of appointing the largest number of Indian-Americans in any administration, the previous Donald Trump administration was not lagging far behind as it appointed the first ever Indian-

American with a cabinet rank and inside the National Security Council.

The Biden administration has for the first time appointed such a large number of Indian-Americans in the first 50 days of his administration.

This past week, Dr Vivek Murthy testified before a Senate Committee for US Surgeon General and Vanita Gupta is all set to appear for her confirmation hearing for Associate Attorney General Department of Justice.

"It is impressive to see how many Indian-Americans were ready to go into public service. There have been so many additions since we launched our Government Leaders list last month on Presidents' Day. I am so proud to see our community is going from strength to strength!" eminent Indian-American philanthropist and Indiaspora founder M Rangaswami told PTI.

While the community is disappointed that Tanden had to withdraw her nomination because of stiff opposition from the Republicans, Indian-American women have reached a new height in the Biden administration.

Biden sought to speak with Swati Mohan, Guidance and Controls Operations Lead, Mars 2020. She is not a political appointee though.

Indian-American women appointed by Biden include Uzra Zeya, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, State Department; Mala Adiga: Policy Director to Dr Jill Biden; Aisha Shah: Partnership Manager, White House Office of Digital Strategy; Sameera Fazili, Deputy Director, US National Economic Council (NEC); Sumona Guha: Senior Director for South Asia at the National Security Council, White House; and Sabrina Singh: Deputy Press Secretary, Vice President White House.

Shanthi Kalathil has been appointed as Coordinator for Democracy and Human Rights, National Security Council, White House; Garima Verma has been named as Digital Director of the Office of the First Lady; Sonia Aggarwal as Senior Advisor for Climate Policy and Innovation; Office of Domestic Climate Policy, White House; Neha Gupta: Associate Counsel, Office of White House Counsel; and Reema Shah as Deputy Associate Counsel, Office of White House Counsel.

Tanya Das has been appointed as Chief of Staff, Office of Science, Department of Energy; Shuchi Talati: Chief of Staff, Office of Fossil Energy, Department of Energy; Mini Timmaraju: Senior adviser to the director, Office of Personnel Management ; Sohini Chatterjee: Senior Policy Advisor US Mission to the United Nations, Aditi Gorur: Policy Advisor, US Mission to the United Nations; and Bhavya Lal is the Acting Chief of Staff, NASA.

Dimple Chaudhary has been appointed as Deputy General Counsel for Nationwide Resource Protection Programs, Environmental Protection Agency; Sharmistha Das is the Deputy General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security; Ruchi Jain is the Deputy Solicitor for General Law, Department of Interior; Meera Joshi is the Acting Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Administration, Department of Transportation; Aruna Kalyanam is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax and Budget, Department of the Treasury.

"We are thrilled that this administration reflects the diversity of America by including an unprecedented number of South Asians. The Biden-Harris administration's inclusion of South Asians in key senior staff roles will undoubtedly inspire countless South Asians to aspire to public service and run for public office. This is a proud moment for our community," Neha Dewan from South Asians for Biden told the media.

Gautam Raghavan, Deputy Director in Office of Presidential Personnel; Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of National Economic Council; Tarun Chhabra, Senior Director for Technology and National Security at National Security Council White House; Vedant Patel, Assistant Press Secretary President at the White House are among several other Indian-Americans who got key posts in the Biden administration.
Pope Francis starts a historic trip to war-battered Iraq on Friday, defying security fears and the pandemic to comfort one of the world's oldest and most persecuted Christian communities.

The 84-year-old, who said he would make the first-ever papal visit to Iraq as a "pilgrim of peace," will also reach out to Shiite Muslims when he meets Iraq's top cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.

The four-day journey is the pope's first abroad since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which left the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics saying he felt "caged" inside the Vatican.

While Francis has been vaccinated, Iraq has been gripped by a second wave with a record of over 5,000 new cases a day, prompting authorities to impose full lockdowns during the pontiff's visit.

Security will be tight in Iraq, which has endured years of war and insurgency, is still hunting for Islamic State sleeper cells, and days ago saw a barrage of rockets plough into a military base.

Francis will preside over a half-dozen services in ravaged churches, refurbished stadiums and remote desert locations, where attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing.

Inside the country, he will travel more than 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) by plane and helicopter, flying over areas where security forces are still battling IS remnants.

For shorter trips, Francis will take an armoured car on freshly paved roads that will be lined with flowers and posters welcoming the leader known here as "Baba Al-Vatican".

The pope's visit has deeply touched Iraq's Christians, whose numbers have collapsed over years of persecution and sectarian violence, from 1.5 million in 2003 to fewer than 400,000 today.

"We're hoping the pope will explain to the government that it needs to help its people," a Christian from Iraq's north, Saad al-Rassam, told AFP. "We have suffered so much, we need the support."

Story continues

- 'Too many martyrs' -

The first day of the pope's ambitious itinerary will see him meet government officials and clerics in the capital Baghdad, including at the Our Lady of Salvation church, where a jihadist attack left dozens dead in 2010.

He will also visit the northern province of Nineveh, where in 2014 IS jihadists forced minorities to either flee, convert to Islam or be put to death.

"People had only a few minutes to decide if they wanted to leave or be decapitated," recalled Karam Qacha, a Chaldean Catholic priest in Nineveh.

"We left everything -- except our faith."

Some 100,000 Christians -- around half of those who lived in the province -- fled, of whom just 36,000 have returned, according to Catholic charity "Aid to the Church in Need".

Among the returnees, a third have said they want to leave again in coming years, dismayed by Iraq's rampant corruption, persecution and poverty, which now affects 40 percent of the population.

The exodus is a loss for all of Iraq, said Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, who heads the Vatican's Congregation for the Oriental Churches and will accompany the pope to Iraq.

"A Middle East without Christians is like trying to make bread with flour, but no yeast or salt," he said.

The visit aims not only to encourage Christians to stay in their homeland, but even prompt some emigres to return from nearby Lebanon and Jordan, or further afield like Canada and Australia.

In a video address ahead of the trip, Francis evoked "the wounds of loved ones left behind and homes abandoned," saying there had been "too many martyrs" in Iraq.

"I come as a pilgrim, a penitent pilgrim to implore forgiveness and reconciliation from the Lord after years of war and terrorism."

- 'Minarets and church bells' -

The pope has insisted on the visit despite resurging violence.

Rocket attacks across the country have left three people dead in recent weeks, including a US contractor who died Wednesday.

Francis' determination to travel to areas long shunned by foreign dignitaries has impressed many in Iraq -- as has his planned meeting with Sistani, 90, the top authority for Iraq's Shiites.

A highly reclusive figure who rarely accepts visitors, Sistani will make an exception to host Francis at his humble home in the shrine city of Najaf on Saturday.

Banners all over Najaf have celebrated "the historic encounter, between the minarets and the church bells".

Francis, a major supporter of inter-religious dialogue, will afterwards head to the desert site of Ur, where Abraham is thought to have been born.

There, he will host an interfaith service that will bring together not only the Abrahamic religions but also include followers of other beliefs, including Yazidis and Sabeans.

cm-sbh/mjg/fz
SAN DIEGO, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "Cannabis you can trust." It's not just a tagline, it's the culture at Golden State Greens. Golden State Greens is now celebrating the launch of their newly redesigned website.

With a customer-first mentality, Golden State Greens budtenders develop one-on-one relationships with each customer, spending as much time with them as needed to elevate their experience. Golden State Green's cannabis staff provides exceptional service to patients by ensuring their questions are answered in a way that maintains the integrity of the brand.

Best Dispensary in San Diego

"It's about establishing trust with customers by having budtenders share their experience and knowledge," said Alex Leon, Chief Marketing Officer of Golden State Greens.

Golden State Greens in Point Loma was the second dispensary to open in San Diego County in 2015.

Centrally located near the San Diego airport and beaches, they continue to offer a quality and broad selection of cannabis and CBD products.

Whether customers are looking for something to help manage emotional, mental and physical conditions or just want to take the edge off the day, patients find a variety of products to improve their quality of life.

Golden State Greens prides itself on investing in the customer's cannabis journey by building relationships. "There's a responsibility in educating customers and assessing each customer individually," Leon said. "We ask about what they're looking for and what they want their desired outcome to be."

In addition to customizing interactions, Golden State Greens uses state-of-the-art software to create online personalized shopping experiences, such as its "nug" wallet loyalty program.

"It's all part of an effort to provide more time to build customer relationships, bringing cannabis and friends together," said Chief Technical Officer Gary Strahle.

Although challenged by the COVID-19 health crisis, Golden State Greens remained open as an essential service and continued providing safe and convenient access to its quality products.

"From the beginning [of the pandemic] we've tried to comply and operate in the safest manner as we possibly can," Leon said. "Our goal was to keep a variety of products on the shelf and maintain vendor relationships."

To further expedite patient purchases, Golden State Greens also offers contactless delivery and curbside pickup.

"We're trying to expand our business to provide better, more effective service to customers while remaining safe and family-oriented," Leon said.

That welcoming feeling is how Golden State Greens differentiates itself from other cannabis companies and provides more value to its customers.

"Golden State Greens is meant to be for everyone," Leon said. "We've always tried to make ourselves an inclusive brand. We treat all of our customers essentially like they're family," Leon said. "We try to make it so that when you walk out it feels like you got a hug from your grandma."

For more information visit: www.goldenstategreens.com or call 844-420-8387.

Related Images

golden-state-greens.jpg

Golden State Greens

Best Dispensary in San Diego

SOURCE Golden State Greens
Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy looked every inch the suave gangster as filming resumed for the sixth and final series in Liverpool on Thursday.

The actor, 44, donned a black evening suit and a white silk scarf as he joined co-star Paul Anderson to film the formal scenes.

It comes after producers confirmed Sam Claflin will make his return as moustached politician Oswald Mosley, after making his terrifying debut in series five in 2019.

Back to work: Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy (left) looked every inch the suave gangster as he joined Paul Anderson (right) to film the sixth and final series in Liverpool on Thursday

Cillian looked dapper in the smart black evening suit as he arrived at St George's Hall to film more scenes for the period drama.

Meanwhile Paul, who plays Tommy's brother Arthur, was dressed in a formal all-black ensemble as he headed into the historic building.

Later production was relocated to the streets of Liverpool's City Centre, with cameras filming a dramatic clash between anti-Fascism protesters and police.

The dimly-lit scenes saw demonstrators dressed in black lashing out at the authorities, no doubt linked to the rise of politician Oswald Mosley, who first appeared in series five.

Suave: The actor donned a black evening suit and a white silk scarf as he joined co-star Paul Anderson to film a scene inside the historic St George's Hall

Smart: Cillian looked dapper in the black suit as he arrived to film more scenes for the period drama, with series six set to take place in the 1930s

He's back! Given series five ended with Tommy placing a gun to his head, Cillian's presence on the set appeared to confirm he'd be back for the show's finale

Wrapped up: Due to the wet weather, Cillian covered up his suit in an oversized black rain jacket as he headed into the hall

Given series five ended with Tommy placing a gun to his head, Cillian's presence on the set appeared to confirm he'd be back for the show's final series.

The cast and crew have been busy filming scenes for series six in Manchester over the past few weeks, but production has now been moved north to Liverpool.

Last week, Peaky Blinders confirmed Sam would return as Oswald Mosley in a Tweet. They wrote: 'Sam Claflin returns as Oswald Mosley in #PeakyBlinders series 6'.

Simple: Meanwhile Paul, who plays Tommy's brother Arthur, was dressed in a formal all-black ensemble as he headed into the historic building

Sophisticated: It appeared he and Cillian were filming a ball or party of sorts given their formal attire for the scenes

Throwback: Outside the hall onlookers jumped at the chance to pose for snaps with the vintage cars brought on set

Sam played the politician, who rose to fame in the 1920s as a Member of Parliament and later in the 1930s, having become disillusioned with mainstream politics, became the leader of the British Union of Fascists.

The sixth series will pick up where the fifth series left off on 7 December 1929, the morning after a rally led by Oswald.

The final tweaks were made to the Manchester-based sets in February after the cast had been filming in Scotland.

The sets, however, are portraying Birmingham, the actual setting of the hit gangster drama.

Vintage: Extras donned face masks between scenes as they donned 1930s-inspired attire for filming

Tense: Later in the evening a slew of extras were seen filming an anti-Fascist protest, with demonstrators violently clashing with police in the rain

Hitting back: The dimly-lit scenes saw demonstrators dressed in black lashing out at the authorities, no doubt linked to the rise of politician Oswald Mosley

Coming soon: The sixth series will pick up where the fifth series left off on 7 December 1929, the morning after a rally led by Oswald

Peaky Blinders centres around its eponymous gang which is run by the ruthless Tommy Shelby [Cillian] and his family, and sees them build their power and influence over Birmingham and beyond.

The fifth season ended on a cliffhanger, with Tommy seeing visions of his late wife Grace and turning a gun on himself following his botched assassination attempt of British Union of Fascists leader Oswald Mosely (Sam Claflin) at a rally.

Production on the show was delayed last year by the Covid-19 crisis, but shooting was able to begin last month with cast and crew adhering to strict coronavirus restrictions.

Dramatic: Peaky Blinders centres around its eponymous gang which is run by the ruthless Tommy Shelby [Cillian] and his family

At last! Production on the show was delayed last year by the Covid-19 crisis, but shooting was able to begin last month with cast and crew adhering to strict coronavirus restrictions

He'll be back! Last week, Peaky Blinders confirmed Sam Claflin would return as Oswald Mosley in a Tweet. They wrote: 'Sam Claflin returns as Oswald Mosley in #PeakyBlinders series 6'

The BBC drama has been running for eight years and has enjoyed huge popularity but the sixth season has been confirmed as the final one, with creator Steven Knight confirming the story will return 'in another form'.

Steven believes the programme can be extended, possibly as a feature length spin-off, as he said in a statement: 'Peaky is back and with a bang. After the enforced production delay due to the Covid pandemic, we find the family in extreme jeopardy and the stakes have never been higher.

'We believe this will be the best series of all and are sure that our amazing fans will love it. While the TV series will be coming to an end, the story will continue in another form.'
Porterville, CA (93257)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. Record high temperatures expected. High near 105F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
IT has been well established that the countrys most effective mobilisation system is the election machinery based on political affiliation.

With this in mind, the current crisis in the country regarding the frightening spread of the coronavirus calls for a different kind of intervention. It is past time for the declaration of a political truce. We call on the countrys two major political machines, PNM and UNC, and all other existing political parties and groups, to come together in the national interest.
Economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have proposed a common digital COVID-19 vaccine certificate to speed up the re-opening of hardest-hit sectors as tourism, according to Malaysias state-run news agency Bernama.

The 6th meeting of the ACC Working Group on Public Health Emergencies is held in the form of video conferencing. -- Illustrative image.

Economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have proposed a common digital COVID-19 vaccine certificate to speed up the re-opening of hardest-hit sectors as tourism, according to Malaysias state-run news agency Bernama.



Bernama quoted Senior Minister cum International Trade and Industry Minister of Malaysia Mohamed Azmin Ali as saying that this is a new proposal informed by Brunei as Chairman of ASEAN this year.



Taking to reporters after the 27th ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat (AEM 27 Retreat) on March 3, Mohamed said that there was no specific timeline set when the common digital vaccine certificate would be introduced, as the matter would be brought up to a meeting of ASEAN health ministers.



He expressed his belief that the certificate will be finalised in the near future and will definitely help facilitate movements among ASEAN member states.



At the AEM 27 Retreat, ministers discussed the progress of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework implementation as the regions recovery tool, he said.



They also pledged to work intensively to explore all avenues to deepen and broaden regional integration in various areas of mutual interest that would contribute to the sustainability of livelihoods, as well as economic recovery in ASEAN and beyond, he added.



Previously, Malaysian Health Minister Adham Baba said the country would issue a certificate to those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the expectation that this certification will meet international standards. VNA

ASEAN countries agree to spend 10.5 million USD buying COVID-19 vaccines ASEAN member states, including Vietnam, have agreed to set aside $10.5 million from the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund to purchase vaccines for their citizens on the basis of equal distribution to all 10 countries.
The Laredo Sector Border Patrol Horse Patrol Unit apprehended 125 illegal immigrants throughout the Laredo Sector area of operations during a busy 12-hour period.

The unit working near the Hebbronville area apprehended 60 individuals. During one incident, 17 individuals were apprehended with the assistance of an unmanned aerial system. The unit assisted agents in apprehending eight individuals in a separate incident when they were detected on board a freight train, preventing them from traveling further into the United States.

In the Laredo South Station area of operations, horse patrol assisted agents on all-terrain vehicles by responding to reports of multiple individuals walking through different ranches near the river. The agents apprehended 57 individuals that were identified as being illegally present in the United States. During one incident, a juvenile brush guide who is a U.S. citizen was apprehended. Due to his age, he was turned over to the Laredo Police Department.

Horse patrol provided assistance to agents assigned to the Laredo West and Cotulla Stations. This resulted in the apprehension of eight individuals who were illegally present in the United States.

The Laredo Sector Horse Patrol Unit was re-established in November 2009, marking the first time since 1991 that mounted Border Patrol agents had been seen in the Sector.

The Horse Patrol Unit is comprised of 29 adopted Mustang horses acquired through the Bureau of Land Managements Wild Horse and Burro Program. These horses were trained by members of the Colorado Correctional Industries Wild Horse Inmate Program.

The outstanding work by our Horse Patrol Unit illustrates why their mounted operations continue to be an important tool in our border security operations. Even with todays technology, a Border Patrol agent on a horse remains an effective way to patrol remote areas of our border, said Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak.

The Laredo Sector Border Patrol is committed to the mission of the agency to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders and enhancing the nations economic prosperity.

Take a stand against these criminal organizations and potentially dangerous acts by reporting suspicious activity in our neighborhoods. To report suspicious activity such as human or drug smuggling, download the USBP Laredo Sector app or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994. If you see something, say something.
A woman was critically injured when a tree knocked down by powerful gusts fell on the vehicle, driving a tree limb through the windshield and dashboard and impaling her, officials said.

Theresa Roy, 79, was critically injured Tuesday in Sidney, Maine, as gusts topping 70 mph whipped across the region, according to Lt. Chris Read of Kennebec County Sheriffs Department.

Sidney Fire and Rescue used the jaws of life to reach her and then cut the tree limb with a hand saw so she could be transported to the hospital, said Sidney Fire Chief Richard Jandreau.

She remained hospitalized Wednesday in fair condition at Maine General hospital in Augusta, a spokesperson said. Her husband was also injured but his injuries werent as severe, officials said.

The storm wreaked havoc across the region, causing a power line to fall on a bus and destroying a tent for a vaccination clinic in New Hampshire and causing a pileup of more than a dozen vehicles in northern Maine.

The storm also knocked out power to more than 130,000 homes and businesses in New England and New York.

Utility crews were still mopping with several thousand customers still without electricity late Wednesday afternoon in Maine and New Hampshire.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Maine
NEW YORK, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A latest market research report titled "Business Travel Market by Expenditure (Travel Fare, Lodging, Dining, and Other Expenditure), Age (Above 40 Years and Below 40 Years), Application (Marketing, Internal Meeting, Trade Show, and Product Launch), and Geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America) - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024", published by Technavio forecasts the market to grow by USD 268.83 billion, at a CAGR of 3% during the forecast period.

To get detailed insights on key market growth opportunities, Download FREE Sample

Business Travel Market by Expenditure, Age, Application, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024

Rising availability of business services in hotels and growing demand for leisure travel catalyze market growth

Various hotels are attracting business segment customers by offering free business services such as free Wi-Fi, conference rooms, video conferencing and other facilities.

These services enable the guests to stay connected and up to date with their workload and offices, in turn, becoming one of the key drivers for the business travel market.

Growing demand for leisure travel is also expected to offer immense growth opportunities for the business travel market.

Leisure travel is enabling the employees and business travelers to hold meetings in the hotel premises while integrating leisure time into business trips, in turn, contributing to the business travel market growth.

Get Business Travel Market Overview

Travel fare accounted for the largest expenditure share in the business travel market in 2019.

Based on expenditure, the business travel market is segmented into travel fare, lodging, dining, and other expenditure.

In 2019, the travel fare expenditure segment accounted for the largest share of the global market due to the steady airfares for flights.

Flights have gained popularity among business segments as they offer faster and time-bound travel time for the business travelers.

Gain access to market research repository containing over 17,000+ reports using Technavio's Subscription Platform

Europe is expected to show the highest growth during forecast period.

Based on geography, the business travel market is segmented into APAC, Europe , MEA, North America , and South America .

, MEA, , and . By 2024, APAC will account for the 53% of the market growth due to the growing popularity of leisure travel in prominent markets of the region including China and Japan .

Schedule a Consultation Call to Speak to our Analysts and Industry experts

Prominent Player Analysis

The business travel market is fragmented with players categorized as pure-play and dominant players in this report.

Vendors in the market are focusing on growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

This market forecast provides information on the competencies and capacities of these companies such as ADTRAV Corp., Airbnb Inc., and BCD Group.

In addition, the business travel market report by Technavio provides information on the production, sustainability, and prospects of several leading companies, including Booking Holdings Inc., CWT Global BV, Egencia LLC, FROSCH International Travel Inc., GBT Travel Services UK Limited d/b/a/ American Express Global Business Travel, Ovation Travel Group, and Travel Leaders Group LLC.

Explore Related Markets:

Luxury Travel Market by Type (Adventure, Personalized, Cruising and Yachting, Culinary, and Others), Consumer (Domestic and International), Geography ( Europe , North America , APAC, MEA, and South America ) - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Report Link: https://www.technavio.com/report/luxury-travel-market-industry-analysis

, , APAC, MEA, and ) - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Report Link: https://www.technavio.com/report/luxury-travel-market-industry-analysis Sustainable Tourism Market Type (Domestic and International) and Geography ( Europe , North America , APAC, South America , and MEA) - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024

Report Link : https://www.technavio.com/report/sustainable-tourism-market-industry-analysis

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/business-travel-market-industry-analysis

SOURCE Technavio

Related Links

https://prnewswire2-a.akamaihd.net/p/1893751/sp/189375100/thumbnail/entry_id/1_4pnpb0kb/def_height/480/def_width/640/version/100011/type/1


Non-Citizens Could Soon Serve on Santa Anas Public Committees

Santa Ana will likely become the first city in Orange County to allow non-U.S. citizens without legal immigration status to serve on its commissions, boards, or committees.

During a March 2 city council meeting, the council voted unanimously to remove a restriction that required a person appointed to one of the citys boards, commissions, or committees to be an eligible voter.

The amendment could open the door to non-citizens wishing to participate in the citys municipal politics and decision-making processes.

The item will need to receive a second reading and during Santa Anas next council meeting before the ordinance will officially be amended.

According to a staff report on the subject, removing the requirement to be a legal U.S. citizen will help to encourage those living in the city to be more active in controlling how it is run.

Such changes to the [Santa Ana Municipal Code] would strengthen community engagement by eliminating barriers to participation and encouraging more residents to apply for boards, commissions, and committees, a report said.

The city has 10 existing boards, commissions, and committees. Two of themthe youth commission and Measure X citizens oversight committeedo not require appointees to be qualified electors of Santa Ana.

If the ordinance passes, it would eliminate the provision for the remaining eight advisory bodies, which include: the personnel board, community development commission, planning commission, environmental and transportation advisory commission, and others.

Not everyone supports the change. One Santa Ana resident voiced concerns that it could lead to nefarious actors becoming a part of the citys advisory boards.

These are critical bodies that represent the voice and needs of residents, Victor Payan wrote in an email to the city. By opening them up to non-Santa Ana residents, you open the door for lobbyists, special interest groups, developers, and representatives of deep-pocket business entities to usurp the rights of Santa Ana residents to participate in decisions that impact their lives, their families, their neighbors, and the future of their home city.

This rule was put in place for a sound reason, and I am asking the council to honor this safeguard and not remove the requirement for members of advisory bodies to be qualified electors and residents of Santa Ana. Members of these advisory bodies must be Santa Ana residents.

(@FahadShabbir)

TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced on Friday the extension of the state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area until March 21.

Earlier in the day, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that the government had decided to prolong the coronavirus-related state of emergency in the capital area.

"[The measure] necessary to protect lives and livelihoods," Suga said during a meeting of the government's COVID-19 task force, as cited by the Kyodo news agency.

The prime minister called this two-week extension a "crucial period" to prevent a resurgence in the number of infections.

The state of emergency in the sprawling capital region, the last region still under the order since early January, was set to expire this Sunday.

However, despite a downward trend in the number of new COVID-19 cases, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Tuesday expressed concerns about the lifting, arguing that the pace at which the number of new infections is falling may not be fast enough to lift the emergency for the area.

On Thursday, Suga proposed extending the emergency for 14 days but said that the final decision would be made after the consultations with virologists and governors of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama prefectures, composing the greater metropolitan area.
To call this past year and the current one unprecedented does not accurately capture the ups and downs we have experienced. COVID-19 has disrupted our lives for about a year, and now many Texans are also in recovery from the devastating winter storms.

These same issues continue to strain and stress public schools and students. Schools are juggling both in-person and virtual learners, as well as making repairs to facilities damaged by consecutive days of freezing temperatures.

State lawmakers face the additional financial, regulatory and policy challenges posed by the statewide power outages and accompanying health and humanitarian concerns of a storm that impacted all 254 Texas counties. They also face an educational crisis that must be addressed to ensure the long-term prosperity of the state.

Texas lawmakers must preserve the promise and funding of House Bill 3, a landmark public education and school finance reform bill passed in 2019 to better address the needs of teachers, students and public schools. However, simply reaffirming the commitment to House Bill 3 is not sufficient in light of COVID-19. House Bill 3 provides a normal budget for a normal school year, and we are far from normalcy.

The federal government is providing billions in COVID-19 relief funding to public schools, but here in North East ISD and all across Texas, our schools havent been able to access those funds to mitigate the pandemic-related burdens.

Texas initially received $1.3 billion in federal stimulus funding for public schools last spring. However, our district and schools across the state did not see any additional new money because Texas instead used those federal relief dollars to sustain its funding obligation to public education. It was a dollar-for-dollar trade-off of federal funds for state funds (known as supplanting).

In December, leaders in Washington approved $5.5 billion in federal funds for educational needs in Texas, but this money also promised to our schools hasnt materialized yet either.

In our community alone, we are missing opportunities to help students and families address challenges created by the pandemic. Our children need additional time and resources to close learning gaps brought on by the disruption. Our families need support with mental wellness, which has become more critical with rising stress and isolation.

Higher numbers of students are off-track to graduate, and we estimate our summer school costs will significantly increase as more students will require intervention. For example, we plan to expand our elementary summer school sites from four in 2020 to 21 sites this summer.

Our community has seen a significant increase in domestic violence calls  almost 14 percent  since the pandemic started, which means school staff are spending more time on wellness checks, behavior interventions and counseling without more resources. These needs are not unique to North East ISD. School districts across Texas need additional funding to improve broadband access, address learning loss, extend instructional time for students and support teachers with professional development.

We cannot afford to continue depriving our educators of what they need to effectively respond to this crisis and reach and serve all students. As the crisis mounts and the pandemic persists, we must ensure our state leaders invest in the youngest Texans and future workforce by providing resources now for their educational recovery.

Education Commissioner Mike Morath has publicly stated a three-month teacher strike in Argentina resulted in across-the-board declines in educational outcomes that reduced the countrys GDP for 20 years. Failure to act now will have long-term ramifications for our states prosperity.

It is abundantly clear to me our state cannot fully recover from the dual crises of COVID-19 and the winter storms without ensuring public schools, students, faculty and facilities fully recover, too. Lets stand together, Texas, and make sure our state leaders heed the call: Federal dollars intended for public schools should go to public schools. Invest in our future while addressing the immediate crisis we face today.

Sean A. Maika is superintendent of North East ISD, the second-largest school district in San Antonio and the 11th-largest in Texas.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 18:11:40|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China will speed up defense and military modernization and make an integrated effort to build a prosperous country and a strong military, according to the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development and the long-range objectives through the year 2035, which was unveiled on Friday. Enditem
We Have More Leverage in the Free World Than We Think Against Chinese Regime: Duncan Smith

Countries in the free world have more leverage than people may think against the Chinese regimes abusive behaviour, the UKs Sir Iain Duncan Smith said on Thursday.

Speaking with The Epoch Times about an amendment he supports which aims to stop bilateral trade with genocidal countries, the former Conservative Party leader said the Chinese regime has an appalling human rights record.

The present Chinese government has been pretty brutal, both to its neighbours and to its own people, whether its Hong Kong, Tibet, Uyghurs, inner Mongolians, the Falun Gong, the Christians, he said.

They have a very bad record now, both on appalling human rights, and alsoas we think likelygenocide.

The Chinese regimes relationship towards other countries has been a thoroughly bullying one, he added, citing its sanctions against Australia, aggressions at the border with India and in the South China Sea, and support for the military in Burma.

An aerial view of the uninhabited island of Spratlys in the disputed South China Sea, on April 21, 2017. (Erik De Castro/Reuters)

Dependency On China Has Got To End

Duncan Smith said that the Chinese regime has been able to get away with an awful lot of its behaviour because of the free worlds dependency on it.

Because so many people are dependent on China. They turn a blind eye, they turn away. They say  I think you oughtnt to do this, but they dont do anything about it, he added.

Duncan Smith said the Chinese regime over the last 10 years has rather cleverly opened their markets to the rest of the free world who have done a huge amount of business with China.

The Western investments in turn gave the regime ability to invest in and influence developing countries via the Belt and Road Initiative and other routes, he said.

This aerial photo shows shipping containers stacked at a port in Lianyungang, in Chinas eastern Jiangsu Province, on Jan. 14, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

He added that the carbon neutral aim has also given the Chinese regime a huge advantage.

The biggest producer of batteries in the world is China; the owner  [and] the producer of the most rare earth materials, the biggest producer by a long, long way, is China, he said.

These are the sort of materials that go into the making of this machine that were on at the moment. Batteries, telephones  all those sophisticated electronic equipments. Again, China dominates that market.

Duncan Smith said the Chinese regime has been quite clever in making sure that everybody is very dependent on them, and that the dependency on China has got to end, because this government, Chinese government is an intolerant, and I think dictatorial and abusive government.

More Leverage in the Free World Than We Think

The UK Parliaments National Security Strategy Committee on Monday heard that the UK needs more longer term strategic thinking in order to prepare for a potential crisis, Duncan Smith said he couldnt agree with it more.

We had to fight the government over Huawei, because the government was going to allow Huawei into the 5G system, he said.

The logo of Chinese company Huawei at their main UK offices in Reading, London, on Jan. 28, 2020. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images)

Besides that, we need to put aside this idea that somehow China is too big to deal with, the Chinese government, and actually ask ourselves the question: Surely, we would want things to change? Duncan Smith said.

So we should always be standing up to saying no to Chinese Regimes very dangerous behaviour, he said.

There was one lesson we learned from the 1930s. If you dont call this out early, it gets worse.

Duncan Smith said he doesnt think the Chinese aggression towards its neighbours will necessarily escalate into a hot war because we have more leverage in the free world than we think to prevent the escalation.

I think the truth is that China, the Chinese government knows one thing very important, they know that they need the free world to continue to trade with them, he said.

China knows that it has to grow at over five and a half percent a year to standstill, he said, adding that it has largely been trade and investment from the West that enabled the growth of the Chinese middle-class, and that an economic slowdown will exacerbate the regimes internal problems.

We have more leverage in the free world than we think, and those who dont think so, I think theyve got it wrong, he said.

We should use that leverage and explain to China: You cant take advantage of the free markets and everything else, and at the same time abuse the free markets, abuse the rules-based order and behave in a bullying manner regardless of public view.

Family Roots in China

Some of these characters who dont like what Im saying always says you dont know anything about China, youve nothing to do with China, Duncan Smith said.

But in reality, his interest in China partly came from his familys deep rooted ties with the country.

Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith leaves 10 Downing Street in central London, England, on October 22, 2019. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images)

My great grandfather set up a business in China, a trading business in China, he told The Epoch Times. My grandfather helped set the postal system up under Sun Yat-sen, and my grandmother was born and lived in China.

And my mother and my uncle were born and lived in China. My uncle spoke both Mandarin and Cantonese and worked with the allies in Chongqing during the war to defeat the Japanese and drive them out of China. So my family links go back a long way in China, he said.

Duncan Smith said he has huge respect and an enormous fondness for China.

My argument is with the behaviour of the present, rather arrogant, dictatorial Chinese government, certainly not with the Chinese people, he said.

Gone Are The Days Of Turning A Blind Eye

Duncan Smith said that the UK and the rest of the free world are awakening, and the days of turning a blind eye are gone.

I cant predict what the future holds, but I do know that there is a growing body of parliamentarians both in the [House of] Lords and in the House of Commons, who are very worried, he said, adding and were not alone.

Duncan Smith founded the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in June 2020.

After its newest members from Ireland joined on Feb. 27, IPAC now represents 20 legislatures from Japan right the way across to America, he said.

All these parliamentarians are worried about China at the moment.

Gone are the days of turning a blind eye, he said.
Graduates wearing masks hold an anti-government rally after their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong, China on Nov. 7, 2019. (Sung Pi Lung/The Epoch Times)

Student Union Leaders at Chinese University of Hong Kong Resign Due to Pressure, Threats

The members of the newly elected student union cabinet of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), known as Syzygia, declared their resignation on the same day that they were sworn in due to mounting pressure from university authorities.

Last month, CUHK condemned the cabinet, Syzygia, for their possibly unlawful remarks to media and political propaganda, according to a statement.

On Mar. 1, Lam Yui-hei, president of Syzygia, and his cabinet members held a press conference in the campus, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA). Lam cited reasons for their collective resignation, including political pressure from CUHK management, who repeatedly hinted that Syzygia should withdraw from the election before Feb. 28, and that its members would likely be expelled from CUHK and face up to more than ten years of imprisonment on national security grounds.

In its election manifesto, Syzygia accused CUHK of kowtowing to the regime. It also vowed to fight the unjust regime and said that the national security law, which was implemented by Beijing in June 2020, encroached on the citys basic human rights and freedom.

Lam also said at the press conference that several union members and their families claimed to have been harassed, intimidated, and received death threats.

We had no way but to withdraw our documents, the president explained. We would like to take this opportunity to make an apology to all our supporters and the public as well, for our weakness that we cannot bear those safety threats that involve our families.

On Feb. 24, the cabinet Syzygia won the election with 3,983 votes, indicating high approval among the students.

Just one day later, however, CUHK authorities informed the freshly elected group that they would stop collecting fees on behalf of the union and that the union needed to register as an independent body or company to assume legal responsibility for itself; and CUHK would stop providing venues for its activities and administrative support.

Ivan Choy, senior lecturer of CUHKs Department of Government and Public Administration, described the tension between CUHK management and Syzygia as the worst crisis in the universitys history, and that the election had ceased to be a campus event, according to Hong Kong-based Now News.

Choy once served as president of a student organization while studying in CUHK.

With the exception of CUHK and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), no student union has been elected in other local colleges or universities under the national security law, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Large housing development by Rhosrobin to be built over four years

This article is old - Published: Friday, Mar 5th, 2021

Almost 200 houses and a new roundabout on a main road in Wrexham could soon be developed.

Outline planning permission for up to 189 properties on land east of Tan y Bont, just off Llay New Road has already been approved.

The application for the development had initially been refused by councillors in March 2017 over concerns of the use of green barrier space and the coalescence of Rhosrobin and Pandy.

The plans were the second of their kind to be submitted for the site, with proposals put forward in 2014 to develop up to 400 homes on the entire stretch of land between the two villages above.





However the Welsh Town Planning and Housing Trust, which applied jointly with Liberty Properties, later launched an appeal in a bid to overturn their decision.

The appeal was granted in July 2019.

Now a reserved matters application, containing further details of the layout, style of the properties and access the site, has been provided by the applicants.

It shows that the development will consist of a mixture of terrace and detached properties, including:

25 no. 2-storey mid-terrace properties

22 no. 3-bed end-terraced properties

68 no. 3-bed detached properties

74 no. 4-bed detached properties

The applicants state that 47 of the homes  25 per cent  will be used as affordable housing.

It is estimated that the development of the full site will be delivered in a single phase over 48-54 months.

The plans also include a local play area centrally within the site.

A new access point will also be created for the development, with a new roundabout installed on Main Road.

Details provided within the application, explain: The internal road layout with the Site shall comprise a main spine road running from the access from the Main Road roundabout.

This will consist of a formal 5.5 metre wide access road and 2- metre wide footways on both sides.

A formal turning head will be provided at the eastern end of the spine road to allow delivery and refuse vehicles to manoeuvre safely.

A number of shorter cul-de-sacs are located off the main spine road. Some, but not all, of these have a reduced road width of 4.8m with a footway of 2 metres width on one side and a service strip on the other. These will serve to reduce vehicle speeds. A small number of shared surface drives will be used to connect some of these cul-de-sacs (with no more than six dwellings per private drive).

In line with the requirements of Application Ref. P/2016/0189, a footway/cycleway link across the site from Main Road to the junction of Plas Acton Road with Blue Bell Lane will be provided, as well as the provision of a traffic-controlled junction at the Llay New Road junction with Plas Acton Road.

The applicants add: As well as the development plan, the proposed development also complies with other material guidance contained in Wrexham Councils adopted Local Planning Guidance Notes, the relevant Technical Advice Notes, and PPW10.

It will deliver sustainable development consistent with paragraph of PPW10, delivering a range of social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being benefits accepted through the approval of Application Ref. P/2016/0189.

The proposed high-quality development will make a significant and positive contribution towards boosting Wrexhams housing needs (and the longstanding housing shortfall), delivering 47 no. affordable homes as part of a wider high-quality scheme which is deliverable within c. 48-54 months from the date of commencement. It is an immediately deliverable development.

In the overall planning balance, the proposed development is considered to be acceptable; the applicant therefore kindly requests that reserved matters approval be granted for this sustainable development.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 10:27:39|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's annual defense budget will maintain single-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year by increasing 6.8 percent in 2021, according to a draft budget report made public on Friday.

This year's planned defense spending will be about 1.35 trillion yuan (about 209 billion U.S. dollars), read the draft submitted to the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress for deliberation.

China's defense budget is about one quarter of the U.S. figure, which is 740.5 billion U.S. dollars for the 2021 fiscal year.

As the world' second largest economy and the most populous country, China's planned defense spending per capita in 2021 will be less than 1,000 yuan.

China applies strict mechanisms of fiscal allocation and budget management on its defense expenditure, which is mainly assigned to personnel, training and sustainment, and equipment.

China has voluntarily cut its armed forces by over 4 million troops since 1978, according to a white paper released in 2019. Enditem
FORT TICONDEROGA  Captain on the bridge!

In a sure sign that the coronavirus pandemic might be loosening its grip on summer arts planning, the Star Trek: Original Series Set Tour has announced that "Star Trek" stalwart William Shatner will visit Fort Ticonderoga for a July 23-24 event pegged to the actor's 90th birthday.

A Friday email announcing the visit touts a "VIP All-Inclusive Package" for $1,500 featuring a dinner gala, a tour of the facsimile set with Shatner, a "Bridge Chat," photo and autograph.

The email noted that "all events still fall under COVID restrictions. Masks, smaller groups, and distancing will be strictly enforced."

The Set Tour's website currently advertises an early bird general admission price of $49.99 (regular price $80) that includes a regular, Shatner-less tour and unlocks an "a la carte" set of options: $499 for the tour with the actor, $160 for a photo, $80 for an autograph.

The set tour is the brainchild of "Star Trek" superfan James Cawley, and grew from his work producing original episodes of the beloved 1960s series that extended the original show's mythos. The recreated sets have become a magnet for "Trek" fans. Shatner has visited the sets before, and appeared at Proctors in Schenectady in 2018 for a screening of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" after being interviewed by Times Union arts writer and noted "Star Trek" enthusiast Amy Biancolli.

July's birthday celebration will be belated: Shatner turns 90 on March 22.

Call 518-503-5497 for more information.
Don't ask me if Rishi Sunak has struck the right balance between borrowing lashings more money to keep the economy from total collapse and increasing taxes to pay some of it back in the far distant future.

I freely admit that Ive never begun to understand economics (which is one thing I seem to have in common with a great many professional economists, particularly on the Labour Left).

All I can say with any certainty is if Id been in charge of solving the horrific money problems posed by Covid and the lockdown, wed all be eating rats by now.

Isnt it a fact of human psychology that the easier and more painless it becomes to part with our money at the point of sale, the more recklessly were inclined to spend it?

But while I have great sympathy with the Chancellor, given the immense difficulty of his task, I reckon you dont have to know the first thing about economics to realise that one measure he announced on Wednesday is a seriously bad idea.

All you need is a smattering of insight into what the immortal Jeeves called the psychology of the individual.

Im thinking of Mr Sunaks foolhardy decision to increase the legal limit on single contactless payments from 45, as set by the European Commission, to as much as 100, now that were free of EU law.

Under this measure, which the Chancellor hopes the banks will implement later this year, well be able to spend up to 300 in cumulative payments, at the tap of a card or a smartphone, before were asked to enter our PIN.

Fraudsters

And not only us, of course. If we lose our cards, or theyre pinched, anyone who finds or steals them will have the easiest imaginable access to a hefty chunk from our accounts.

True, banks will remain liable to refund money spent by fraudsters in this way (unless they can prove we negligently failed to take proper care of our cards).

But though the big lenders are said to be nervous of increasing the limit so sharply, you can bet your last penny theyll devise ways of recouping any losses they incur by milking us with extra charges.

What worries me even more, however, is the effect this much higher limit is likely to have on our spending habits.

Im thinking of Mr Sunaks foolhardy decision to increase the legal limit on single contactless payments from 45, as set by the European Commission, to as much as 100, now that were free of EU law

For isnt it a fact of human psychology that the easier and more painless it becomes to part with our money at the point of sale, the more recklessly were inclined to spend it?

Now, Im quite old enough to recall a time, in the not-too-distant past, when almost all everyday transactions were conducted in cash. In those days, we were either paid in notes and coins or we had to queue for them at the bank.

Indeed, I remember that back in the 1970s, during my apprenticeship as a cub reporter on the Tavistock Times in Devon, I used to withdraw 6 in cash from the bank every Monday.

Though its incredible to think of it now, when money is worth so much less, this was my weekly budget to cover all the food, booze and cigarettes I needed.

Though I seldom went short of any of these essentials, believe me I took notice when my wallet and pockets were almost empty by the end of the week and reined in my spending accordingly.

I felt the pain, too, when I wrote out cheques for larger outgoings, such as my monthly rent.

What a very different world we inhabit today, in our increasingly cashless and chequeless society.

Standing orders, direct debits, one-click Amazon shopping, Apple Pay . . . Every innovation from the fintech companies has been designed to ensure we barely have to do anything to send large sums whooshing out of our accounts. The upshot is we dont really notice how much were spending  until its too late.

As for those ever-proliferating pieces of plastic, first they merely bore our signature and a number to be written on the back of a cheque, as a guarantee that the bank would honour it.

Swiped

But still it was thought that the business of paying for goods and services was too much bother. After all, we still had to write out those cheques, spelling out the sum involved in letters and numbers, and then we had to sign it.

So next came the payment card, which meant we could leave both our cash and our chequebooks at home. All we needed was that piece of plastic, to be swiped by one of those hand-held printing machines. The only thing required of us then was our signature.

But in the eyes of the banks, even this made payment too stressful. So along came chip and pin  which meant we had only to enter a four-digit number into a card-reader and the purchase was complete.

Scroll forward, now, to 2007 and the arrival of the tap and go contactless card, with an initial spending limit of 10. If our purchases came to less, we just had to wave our card in the general direction of a reader and  bingo!  job done.

Before we knew it, that limit was doubled to 20. Then, in 2015, it became 30 and, in April last year, it was up to 45, under that EU ruling which fixed the maximum contactless payment throughout member states at the equivalent of 50 euros.

Heaven knows, Ive never been a fan of EU directives  and generally speaking, I believe in light regulation and trusting the public to spend their money as they wish. Ive certainly seen enough of life to know that individuals spend their earnings a great deal more sensibly than governments (though thats hardly saying much).

But I cant help feeling that Mr Sunak is piling up all sorts of problems for the country by easing the brakes on contactless spending still further.

Already, says UK Finance, the banking and financial services sectors trade association, tap-and-go purchases account for a whopping 64 per cent of all debit card transactions, and 46 per cent of payments by credit card. How much higher does the Chancellor want those figures to climb before hes satisfied?

Wizards

Of course, its undoubtedly true the Covid pandemic has hastened the move towards a cashless society. Indeed, I cant remember the last time I signed a cheque  and Ive had the same 20 note in my wallet for a good three months since I started buying everything by card.

But dont tell me that Mr Sunak is lifting the contactless limit to 100 in order to reduce the minuscule risk of contracting Covid-19 by keying a PIN into an infected card-reader.

No, his intention is quite clearly to encourage the spending boom that he hopes will push the economy out of the doldrums of the pandemic.

For the truth is he realises as well as you and I that people tend to spend more the less trouble it takes to make a payment.

Only yesterday we saw the latest example, with the opening of the new Amazon store in Ealing, West London, where payment is fully automatic

Ive certainly found this from my own experience. I cant believe Im the only one who would have hesitated to foot the bill for his wifes latest home improvements if hed had to write out a cheque or dig into his wallet, instead of merely clicking a mouse or tapping a card.

How long before the fragile psychological link between money and the hours of work required to earn it is broken altogether  plunging families into the misery of debt they can never hope to repay? And who will pick up the pieces then?

But still the techno wizards are coming up with new ways to relieve us of our earnings with the minimum of fuss.

Only yesterday we saw the latest example, with the opening of the new Amazon store in Ealing, West London, where payment is fully automatic.

Thanks to cameras and sensors galore, shoppers simply have to walk in, take the goods they want and walk out, without going anywhere near a checkout.

But Ill leave the last word on that to a long-suffering local newsagent: At school chucking-out time, kids have been doing that for years!
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

FRUITLAND  Robbin Tanner carefully arranged supplies needed to administer the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines to David and Nina Mays at their home on the Navajo Nation.

Tanner, a public health nurse with Northern Navajo Medical Center, has been working with Maxine Tsosie, a community health representative with the Navajo Department of Health, to identify and vaccinate individuals who are unable to leave home, typically due to illness or age.

David Mays greeted Tanner and Tsosie on Feb. 24, then talked about his bout with COVID-19 last March and about his interest in getting the vaccine.

The couple tried to get vaccinated at drive-thru events in Nenahnezad and Upper Fruitland but were discouraged by long lines and hearing that supplies were limited.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Im glad we have people like yall to come around and help, David Mays, 67, said after receiving a shot of the Moderna vaccine.

Moderna is used for homebound individuals because the requirements for storage and handling are not as stringent as the Pfizer vaccine, Tanner explained.

Nina Mays, 50, squinted when the needle pricked her skin.

I feel a lot better. I wanted to get it and get it over, get it done, she said.

Tanner reminded the couple that they still need to wear masks and practice other safety measures to protect against the virus.

Public health nurses from the Indian Health Service and community health representatives from the tribes program have worked together to provide health care services to homebound individuals before COVID-19, but now their work has taken on greater meaning as vaccination efforts ramp up on tribal land.

Native American communities have been hit especially hard by the virus with higher rates of infection and death.

The Navajo Nation had the highest per-capita infection rate in the country in May 2020. As of Wednesday, the tribe had 29,794 cases and 1,187 deaths.

Vaccines began arriving to health care facilities on the Navajo Nation in December.

Since then the IHS and tribal organizations have been rigorously administering vaccines to members, surpassing a goal of giving 100,000 doses by the end of February.

Navajo Area IHS Chief Medical Officer Loretta Christensen told reporters Feb. 25 that the agency has taken a multi-pronged approach in vaccine education and distribution, as part of efforts to reach community immunity.

This includes building on the connection between public health nurses and community health representatives because they have boots on the ground and are familiar with communities.

We have the advantage in IHS, and I think one of the strongest aspects of IHS is our public health nursing and our relationship with the tribes in their community health representatives, Christensen said.

This collaboration has resulted in 4,000 to 5,000 individuals receiving vaccines at home, she added.
[March 05, 2021] Court Grants Preliminary Injunction Against Hayley Gutman

NEW YORK, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After carefully reviewing each parties' evidence and observing the demeanor and assessing the credibility of the witnesses, Manhattan Federal Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain granted JLM Couture's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction and enjoined Gutman from further use of the @misshayleypaige social media brand accounts and Hayley Paige trademarks. Judge Swain found that JLM demonstrated a clear likelihood of success in proving Hayley Paige Gutman breached her employment contract and infringed the company's trademarks. Judge Swain also held that "under the unambiguous terms of [the employment contract] Ms. Gutman has 'no right to the use of [@misshayleypaige] in trade or commerce during the Term or any time thereafter without JLM's consent'." The Court said, "the credible evidence tendered at the Preliminary Injunction Hearing established that Ms. Gutman used the Designer's Name in the form of the Account handle and otherwise in commerce for her own benefit during her employment, without the knowledge or permission of [JLM]". The Court found that Ms. Gutman "contracted away any right to monetize the [Hayley Paige trademarks]" and "voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently, in exchange for consideration, waived her rights to use the designer's name for commercial purposes without JLM's permission." The Court also found that Ms. Gutman's reading of her contract to try to narrow that prohibition "conveniently (but illogically) ignore[d]" other provisions and was "inconsistent with the plain language of" the relevant section of the contract. Judge Swain wrote, "Ms. Gutman developed the [@misshayleypaige] Account within the scope of her employment with [JLM]. Using the [@misshayleypaige] Account to promote JLM's goods was the kind of work she was employed to perform, as it was commensurate with her position as a lead designer." Ms. Gutman discussed a marketing strategy for the Hayley Paige brand of bridalwear with JLM's President and CEO Joe Murphy whereby thy would "combine the personality with the brand."



"Mr. Murphy testified credibly that this was the Hayley Paige brand's marketing strategy 'from day one'," Judge Swain wrote in her 57-page opinion. The "unique blend of product and personality was a big part of [JLM's] strategy because then brides feel closer to the brand," according to court testimony. JLM "has made a clear showing of likely success on its claim that Ms. Gutman's commercial and confusing use of the Account breached the Contract and that ongoing unauthorized "influencer" use of the Account would also breach the Contract."

The Court disagreed with Ms. Gutman's argument that the establishment and maintenance of the Account were unconnected with her employment duties in the Contract and disagreed that her refusal to post JLM content was not a breach. The Court held that the "express provisions of the Contract render Ms. Gutman's position untenable." Judge Swain wrote, "No reasonable, objective reading of [Ms. Gutman's employment contract] could logically exclude social media from the scope of Defendant's advertising assistance duties, particularly where JLM specifically asked Ms. Gutman to make social media posts of content on an account whose handle is the exclusive property of the company." In analyzing the trademark infringement claim, the Court found that Ms. Gutman's actions were "indicative of bad faith use of the marks that she had transferred to [JLM] under the Contract. "Ms. Gutman knew that her contract prohibited her from using the JLM trademarks in commerce" Furthermore, "Ms. Gutman's 'informal' agreement' with her fiance to use her trademarked name in a way that apparently sought to avoid explicitly contracting with a third party to use that name in commerce evidences an intent to trade on [JLM's] goodwill." The Judge found that Ms. Gutman "surreptitiously" approved third-party use of trademarks to which JLM has "permanent exclusive contractual rights" to, and that "Ms. Gutman used and wished to continue to exploit for her exclusive economic benefit." The Court held that JLM provided "persuasive evidence of Ms. Gutman's willingness to violate [JLM's] trademark rights and material provisions of the Contract that protect [JLM's] goodwill and investment in the Designer's Name by using the account to deliver posts promoting third-party products for direct and indirect compensation . . . and surreptitiously approving" third party's "use of her name and image as a designer and developer of JLM products in an endorsing influencer post" JLM took legal recourse against Ms. Gutman on December 15, 2020, after the designer locked the company out of the Instagram social medial account, refused to post any JLM branded wedding gown-related content, and posted third-party deals for Ms. Gutman's exclusive economic benefit without JLM's permission. The Court granted a temporary restraining order on December 16, 2020. Mr. Murphy continues to recognize and value Ms. Gutman's talent and remains hopeful that that JLM and Ms. Gutman can reconcile their differences. JLM is represented by Sarah M. Matz and Gary Adelman of Adelman Matz P.C. JLM owns Hayley Paige, Blush by Hayley Paige, Hayley Paige Athleisure, Jim Hjelm By Hayley Paige, Hayley Paige Occasions, La Petit by Hayley Paige, Lazaro, Tara Keely by Lazaro, Allison Webb, Alvina Valenta, Ti Adora by Allison Webb. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/court-grants-preliminary-injunction-against-hayley-gutman-301241615.html SOURCE JLM Couture

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
30 Years Later, Rodney King Beating Remains Seminal Part Of LA, US History

Thirty years ago, plumber George Holliday was asleep in his Lake View Terrace apartment when he was awakened by a commotion outside so loud it prompted him to grab his video camera and walk to his balcony to see what was amiss.

With a hovering Los Angeles Police Department helicopters spotlight providing the illumination, the scene Holliday captured with his Sony Handycam changed history.

It was March 3, 1991, and through the lens of his camera, Holliday recorded four white Los Angeles police officers using batons, Tasers and feet to subdue a Black man later identified as Rodney King, whose name quickly became globally synonymous with police brutality.

ADVERTISEMENT

King, an unemployed construction worker who had been drinking and was on probation for a robbery conviction, was instructed to pull over for speeding on a Los Angeles freeway. He eventually stopped his car in front of Hollidays apartment building, where Los Angeles police took charge of the traffic stop that devolved into a violent confrontation as officers trying to subdue King pounded on him repeatedly, as others looked on.

King was left with skull fractures, broken bones and teeth and permanent brain damage. Holliday, who recorded the beating just after midnight, contacted KTLA5 later that day. The station became the first to air the footage that would be seen across the globe, becoming what would today be considered a viral video.

The video led to upheaval within the Los Angeles Police Department, sparking calls for the ouster of then-Chief Daryl Gates and prompting the appointment of the Christopher Commission to examine the inner workings of the LAPD and allegations of excessive force and institutional racism.

When the four officers involved in the King beating were acquitted a year later of excessive use of force by a jury in Ventura County, five days of rioting ensued in Los Angeles, resulting in 54 deaths, some 2,400 injuries, scores of destroyed buildings and other property damage, and more than 12,000 arrests. The acquitted police officers were later convicted of violating Rodney

Kings civil rights in a federal court trial.

On Wednesday afternoon, the LAPD, acknowledging the 30-year anniversary of the King beating, released a video highlighting changes made in the department over the past three decades.

Capt. Stacy Spell narrates the video, which discusses revisions to the agencys use-of-force policies, the use of non-lethal weapons to subdue subjects, elimination of choke holds, changes requiring officers to intervene and report misconduct, the use of body cameras and intensive disciplinary process.

ADVERTISEMENT

Todays and tomorrows LAPD is vastly different as we reflect on the Rodney King incident 30 years later, Spell says in the video. One area where this is evident is the departments high use-of-force standards. Theres been a revamp of the how the department investigates, reviews and adjudicates use-of-force incidents.

The two-and-a-half-minute video concludes with the words, 30 years after the Rodney King incident, the Los Angeles Police Department is reimagined and dedicated to protect and to serve all Angelenos.

King, a Sacramento native, died in Rialto on June 17, 2012, of what was described as an accidental drowning. He was 47. Before his death, he authored The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption.

The grainy footage Holliday shot that night made the then-31-year-old plumber a pioneer of citizen journalism. The Sony video camera used to record the episode went up for auction last July, with bidding starting at $225,000, but it was unclear if it was ever sold.

In April 2019, Kings daughter, Lora King  who was 7 years old when her father was beaten, and 8 when the urban unrest started in L.A.  began the I Am A King scholarship to celebrate black fathers.

In 2016, she created an organization in his honor, The Rodney King Foundation. Lora King and other King family members commemorated the 30th anniversary of his beating by feeding over 500 low-income families in Watts on Wednesday.

Holliday told The New York Times last year that he still works as a plumber, never profiting from the video, which was still in the possession of federal authorities.

He told the paper he had purchased the video camera about a month before the King beating, and he grabbed it instinctively when he and his wife were awakened by the police ruckus outside his window.

You know how it is when you have a new piece of technology, he told the paper. You film anything and everything.
Tripoli, March 5 : The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it has deported 145 illegal migrants voluntarily from Libya to their home country Mali.

"Amid Covid-19, stranded migrants in Libya continued to register for IOM's Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) program. This week, 72 women and 73 men from Mali returned home through a VHR charter flight from Tripoli," the UN agency said in a statement on Thursday.

"Supported by an IOM medical escort, there were nine migrants with medical conditions on board. All migrants were tested for Covid-19 before departure.

"This flight was made possible with the support of the European Union Trust Fund," Xinhua news agency quoted the IOM statement as saying.

The VHR program, run by the IOM, arranges the return of illegal migrants stranded in Libya to their homeland.

According to the IOM, 11,891 illegal migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast in 2020, compared with 9,225 in 2019.

The UN agency also said that 316 migrants died and 417 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route last year, compared with 270 migrants dead and 992 missing in 2019.

Thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, chose to cross the Mediterranean from Libya towards Europe, due to the state of insecurity and chaos in the North African nation following the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Immigrant shelters in Libya are crowded with thousands of immigrants either rescued from the sea or arrested by the Libyan security forces, despite international calls to close those centres.

According to the UNHCR, there are currently 44,725 registered refugees and asylum-seekers in Libya.
A Humboldt County prison guard was arrested and charged by county sheriffs for allegedly sneaking methamphetamines and opioids into the prison.

Ricardo Aguirre, 27, was arrested Tuesday while he was working a shift at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. He resigned the same day.

The guard is being charged with the sale and possession of a controlled substance while armed and smuggling contraband into jail.

After his resignation and arrest, the county sheriffs office found that he had allegedly been transporting drugs into the prison for months. He started working for the prison in September 2019.

Ricardo Aguirres criminal and disgraceful conduct is the antithesis of the professional standards, ethics and organizational values of the Sheriffs Office, said William Honsal, the Humboldt County Sheriff, in a statement. Mr. Aguirres actions do not represent the principles that are the foundation of our organization.

Courtesy of Humboldt County Sheriff's Office

"He will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and I will be working with the District Attorney to ensure this case is fully prosecuted," Honsal added.

Honsal told the Times-Standard that multiple inmates were allegedly involved, but it remains unclear if Aguirre had any connection to them. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a similar case last year, a 35-year-old corrections officer smuggled methamphetamines into a prison in Milpitas.
San Antonio and Bexar County officials reported two new coronavirus deaths Thursday, along with 242 newly diagnosed cases.

The numbers of cases and patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have been falling steadily since a peak in mid-January.

Gov. Greg Abbott cited the trend in announcing earlier this week that Texans will no longer be required to wear masks starting next Wednesday and that businesses can resume operating at 100 percent capacity. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff both denounced the move as premature and risky.

On ExpressNews.com: COVID-19 by the numbers in San Antonio and Texas

Those numbers are moving in the right direction, but as weve reminded you throughout this week, especially with the orders from the state, please do not let your guard down, Nirenberg said Thursday during the coronavirus briefing he and Wolff hold each day. Keep your mask up and protect yourself and others from this virus.

The two latest COVID-19 deaths in Bexar County involved a white man in his 30s who died at home and a white woman in her 50s who died at Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, city officials said. Both died in the past two weeks.

Six other deaths were reported earlier this week, according to updated numbers posted by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District.

Since the start of the pandemic a year ago, at least 2,678 people have died from the virus in Bexar County. An additional 255 COVID deaths reported by the state are under investigation by Metro Health.

The citys coronavirus risk level is now classified as mild and improving. And its seven-day rolling average of new cases now stands at 329 per day. A month ago, the average was 1,463 per day.

On ExpressNews.com: A guide to getting vaccinated in San Antonio

The 242 newly diagnosed cases reported Thursday underscore the improvement. On Feb. 1, around the peak of the winter surge, public health officials reported nearly 10 times as many new cases  2,376.

On Thursday, San Antonio hospitals were treating 368 patients with COVID-19, the lowest number since early November. That is a fraction of the high reached on Jan. 18, when 1,520 patients were hospitalized with the disease. Its also a great improvement from two weeks ago, when 695 COVID patients were in area hospitals.

Among those hospitalized Thursday, 136 were in intensive care units and 72 were on ventilators to help them breathe.

Those numbers also have improved in the past two weeks. On Feb. 18, 257 COVID patients were in San Antonio ICUs and 149 were on ventilators.

Vaccinations are continuing, but the numbers are far below what is needed for herd immunity, which requires 75 to 85 percent of the population to be resistant to the virus.

As of Wednesday, 265,927 Bexar County residents had received their first dose of the COVID vaccine and 155,385 residents had been fully vaccinated, Nirenberg said.

The city expects to receive more shipments of vaccine next week, which will allow officials to continue the mass vaccination operation at the Alamodome, the mayor said.

WellMed, which operates vaccination sites at two senior centers, will reopen its phone hotline at 8 a.m. Friday to allow qualified people to make appointments. The number is 833-968-1745.

Since the pandemic began a year ago, 197,497 COVID cases have been reported among Bexar County residents.

On ExpressNews.com: The San Antonio Express-News Vaccine Tracker

Some 187,150 people had recovered as of Feb. 23, according to Metro Health data. That is a recovery rate of about 95 percent. As of the same date, an estimated 3,819 Bexar County residents were still ill.

In nearby Comal County, public health officials reported 17 newly diagnosed COVID cases and eight backlogged cases Thursday. No new deaths were reported.

Comal County has 343 active cases of the virus. Public health officials reported that 45 county residents sick with the virus were being cared for in hospitals Thursday.

Since the start of the pandemic, 9,246 Comal County residents have tested positive for the virus; 8,609 of them have recovered, a recovery rate of 93 percent.

Across Texas, nearly 7,000 newly confirmed cases of the virus were reported Thursday, along with 315 more deaths. During the pandemic, more than 2.6 million Texans have tested positive for the virus, while more than 362,000 others have contracted probable cases.

Almost 44,000 Texans have died of COVID.

pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: Peggy_OHare
The head of Manitoba's vaccine task force wants health-care workers to roll up their sleeves for a COVID-19 shot, but frustration is mounting over their access to it.

The head of Manitoba's vaccine task force wants health-care workers to roll up their sleeves for a COVID-19 shot, but frustration is mounting over their access to it.

During a news briefing Wednesday, Dr. Joss Reimer encouraged them to book appointments.

"People in these fields are often drawn to helping and 'healthing' others and might want to make sure that others who they perceive to be more at risk to be immunized first, but theres a reason why we put you at the front of the line," Reimer said.

"We need you to stay healthy, we need you to stay well, we need you to protect yourself and the people that you care for by getting the vaccine."

Reimer said her first dose is scheduled this week and wants to see other health care providers take the opportunity to get immunized.

Dr. Joss Reimer, head of Manitoba's vaccine task force, encouraged health-care workers to book appointments and get vaccinated. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

"A while ago, when vaccine supplies were even more limited, I had asked health-care providers to do an honest self-assessment of whether or not they met the intent of our eligibility criteria before making an appointment," she said.

"I also want to encourage health-care providers, home-care workers, lab staff, correctional officers, staff in congregate-living facilities  all of the groups who are now eligible  to do that assessment and then pick up the phone and make an appointment."

However, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 204 president Debbie Boissonneault said health-care workers are feeling frustrated and put out by their booking attempts thus far.

"People have tried, they thought it was their time then they were told 'no.' And they just havent bothered going back," the union president said. "It's been very frustrating to the people who work in the front line."

She said among the 14,000 health-care workers her local represents there is plenty of confusion about who can get the vaccine and uncertainty about the products, amplified by a lack of communication from employers and recent changes on how doses are scheduled.

"The mass confusion and frustration amongst the people who can and cannot get it is overwhelming to them," she said. "And I think some people say when (the province figures) it all out and they have a better process and its easier to get, Ill go get it."

Debbie Boissonneault, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 204 president, said among the 14,000 health-care workers her local represents there is plenty of confusion about who can get the vaccine and uncertainty about the products, amplified by a lack of communication from employers and recent changes on how doses are scheduled. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Officials have not disclosed how many eligible health-care workers have received a dose of the vaccine, despite moving into the second stage of the provinces priority populations for health-care staff.

The Free Press has, since late January, repeatedly asked the province to provide its estimates for each vaccine priority population, including health-care workers. A government spokesperson said Thursday the requested information could not be provided by deadline.

The province was also unable to say Thursday how many health-care workers in the first or second stages of the vaccine rollout have received a first dose. That information was still being analyzed, the spokesperson said.

Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said based on anecdotal reports, uptake of the vaccine among nurses has been strong, although the union has not collected data.

The MNU represents about 12,000 nurses.

"Overwhelmingly, Ive heard from nurses who want to be in line, who want to be in the group thats up next," Jackson said. "I really have not heard that theres been nurses who have declined or have deferred their COVID vaccine."

However, Jackson said she worries that some members may have come up against obstacles.

Health-care workers must book their shot at a mass vaccination clinic and, for nurses, that means going on a day off or using their income protection if the appointment occurs during a regularly scheduled shift, she said.

"Were in a critical nursing shortage. Days off are few and far between for nurses," she said.

Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson worries that worries that some members may have come up against obstacles including the need to book days off in the midst of a nursing shortage. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

And access is even more of an issue in rural areas, where many are required to travel hours to the nearest supersite clinic, Jackson said.

"For nurses, the biggest issue is theyre working flat-out, theyre skipping breaks, theyre eating on the run at work, the workload is heavier than its been, so a day off needs to be a day of rest," she said.

Jackson said the previous arrangement in December, of providing vaccines to health-care workers at the Health Sciences Centre, meant staff could visit during a break to get their shot.

She said similar options should be made available going forward, especially as more vaccines are approved.

"The more barriers that are in place, the more chance there is of nurses saying maybe Ill do it next week," she said. "If those barriers were reduced, wed see every nurse that could possibly be there, be there."

As of Thursday, more than 80,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered in Manitoba and 29,583 people had been fully immunized with two doses (including more than 7,800 personal-care home residents). Another 23,413 people have received one dose.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.


Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
We couldnt find anything at this address. Please check the URL or go to the homepage


I was definitely inspired by other people making their bread, said Ryan Norville, a Brooklyn-based florist. She was talking about the desire that seized her, over the last year, to start making things while stuck at home during the pandemic.

And while baking bread is not her thing, I was like, I can knit.

So Ms. Norville, 28, picked up a pair of needles and yarn and started a blanket for her baby, joining the many restless individuals who dove into hobbies to pass the time (and perhaps, incidentally, even lower their blood pressure and levels of stress and depression).

Even Michelle Obama has been stitching; she told Rachael Ray last fall that over the course of this quarantine, I have knitted a blanket, like five scarves, three halter tops, a couple hats for Barack, and I just finished my first pair of mittens for Malia.

For some Black women, though, knitting is more than a pandemic hobby; its a way to celebrate an often overlooked history. Black seamstresses have always been a crucial part of the clothing trade, and during slavery and into the Jim Crow era, many used their sewing and knitting skills to scrap together clothes for themselves and their families.


Location: Mayfield Heights - Ohio

Job Description Rockwell Automation is looking for a Project Level Quality Engineering to join our team focused on improving the quality of products with a focus on Embedded SW. The incumbent will have quality ownership of released product lines with success measured by reduced customer complaints, improved warranty, and time to issue resolution. The individual will leverage strong technical product knowledge, robust root cause failure analysis and systematic problem-solving skills to drive improvements for our customers. Speed, agility, and customer focused are key in this fast-paced environment where the individual will be working with marketing, design, and continuation engineering. This position has interactions with customers and relevant stakeholders to provide updates on progress. Develops, evaluates, revises, and applies technical quality assurance protocols/methods to inspect and test in-process raw materials, production equipment, and finished products. Ensures activities and items are in compliance with both company quality assurance standards and applicable government regulations. Performs analysis and identifies trends in the inspection of finished products, in-process materials and bulk raw materials, and recommends corrective actions when necessary. Ensures that established manufacturing inspection, sampling and statistical process control procedures are followed. Ensures compliance with internal and external specifications and standards such as ISO regulations. Evaluates and analyzes the efforts in organizing, documenting, and interpreting inspection support documents and records. Information Processing Capability: Read and interpret technical product documentation with understanding of product usage within customer application and environment

Performs risk assessment of field issues, establishes containment, corrective, and preventative actions.

Analytical and problem-solving competency to drive performance results

Uses dashboards and metrics to drive on-going continuous improvement

Leads Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) and ensures corrective and preventive action planning, addresses true and systemic root cause, and eliminates repeats

Able to navigate a complex matrix organization to influence partners to deliver product/process improvements.

Able to work with our continuation engineering teams to successfully deliver ESW updates to existing products by establishing robust quality planning, and execution. Temperament Pursues tasks with drive and a sense of urgency, and develops/implements timely actions

a sense of urgency, and develops/implements timely actions Focus on prevention, timely issue resolution and contributing to team

Demonstrates collaboration and partnership with peers, key stakeholders, and team

Works well in a matrix organization and accepts shared accountability

Balances priorities and communicates well to team, stakeholders, and management Accepts Role Requirements: Maintains accountability for high quality performance throughout product lifecycle

Presents and communicates quality readouts to appropriate leadership as required

Manages varying priorities and collaborates across multiple functions and disciplines, internal and external customers

Participate and support key employee initiatives including the employee engagement survey, culture of inclusion initiatives and ethics

Collaborates with stakeholders, business partners and internal and external customers MinimumEXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONrequirements: Bachelor of Science degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering, or equivalent

Legal authorization to work in the US is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

Up to 5% and may include global travel Desired Qualifications: Minimum of 8 years in quality, or SW/ESW product development.

Proven effective communication across all organizational levels

Ability to influence and drive results with cross-functional and global teams within a complex matrix organization

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to drive performance results

Strong experience in continuous improvement and QA tools and methodologies

Proficiency in Microsoft applications (Primarily Excel and PowerPoint, Power BI)

Ability to execute Enterprise Resource Planning system, preferably SAP.

Certification in LEAN, Six SIGMA tools and methodologies (i.e., Green Belt / Black Belt).

Effectively provide key inputs into product requirements by leveraging deep understanding of HW, SW/FW, and embedded Software integration at a product, application and system level

Sound technical understanding of the environment inclusive of products and infrastructure that must work together to achieve the desired customer outcome

Project Management or Project Management Professional certification

Master of Science or MBA is a plus #LI-MM1 We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. If you are an individual with a disability and you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our services team at +1 (see application details).


The only remaining childhood home of Malcolm X, a two-and-a-half-story home in the Roxbury section of Boston where he lived as a teenager in the early 1940s, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Malcolms sister Ella Little Collins purchased the house, at 72 Dale Street, in 1941, the year she became her brothers legal guardian, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, which nominated the house for inclusion, noted in a meeting last year. After Ms. Collins invited him to live with her, Malcolm arrived in the city on a Greyhound bus from Michigan, just shy of his 16th birthday.

He lived at the home sporadically, from 1941 through 1944, according to the commission, using rooms on the third floor that Ella fixed up for him, making changes that remain today, such as the bookshelves.

The Anhui delegation to the fourth session of the 13th National Peoples Congress (NPC) holds a plenary meeting in Beijing on March 4, 2021.(Photo by Xu Guokang)

The Anhui delegation to the fourth session of the 13th National Peoples Congress (NPC) was formed and held a plenary meeting in Beijing on Thursday afternoon.



Li Jinbin, Party chief of Anhui province, was elected head of the delegation at the meeting.

Governor Wang Qingxian and other senior officials including Deng Xiangyang, Liu Hui, Shen Suli, Xie Guangxiang and Wang Cuifeng were chosen as deputy heads.

At the meeting, the delegation deliberated a draft list of the presidium and secretary general of the fourth session of the 13th NPC and a draft agenda of the session.

In addition, 22 suggestions to be submitted in the name of the delegation were passed.

The fourth session of the 13th NPC is slated to be held from March 5 to 11.




Workplace Safety Review, global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLPs OSHA podcast, has released episode 11, Diversity in the Environmental, Health, & Safety Community  What Needs to Be Done? Greenberg Traurigs Michael T. Taylor speaks with Francene Diehl, Corporate Director of Safety for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. Diehl discusses her own experience as an environmental, healthy, and safety professional, and how to increase diversity in the industry.

Host of Workplace Safety Review and Chair of the firms OSHA Group, Taylor interviews influential environmental, health, and safety professionals across the country in a broad range of industries. Previous episodes include:



All episodes are available on the Greenberg Traurig website, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Taylor focuses his practice exclusively on representing employers regarding OSHA and Chemical Safety Board (CSB) matters across the country. Over the last 18 years, Taylor has defended scores of employers during enforcement litigation before federal OSHA, Cal-OSHA, SC-OSHA, WA-DOSH, as well as other state plan states. Many of these representations have involved a significant injury, fatality, or catastrophic event in the workplace.

Check out all of Greenberg Traurigs Podcasts.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT), has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.
The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), has urged the President to set-up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations levelled against Mr Daniel Yao Domelevo, Auditor General by the Board Chair of the Ghana Auditor Service.



Mrs Beauty Emefa Narteh, the Executive Secretary of the GACC said Ghanaians deserved to know what the issues were concerning the decision by the President to ask Mr Domelevo to retire based on allegations raised by the Board.



One of the allegations is that Mr Domelevo was supposed to have attained the retirement age(60 years) last year and not this year as he suggested.



There is more to this and that the citizens must know. We need to make every information public. It is not too late for the President to set-up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate this matter otherwise we have not being fare to Mr Domelevo, Mrs Narteh stated in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.



She said the report of the Commission of Inquiry would give Ghanaians the opportunity as a nation to know what the issues were.



She said aside Mr Domelevo being asked to proceed on leave last year, Ghanaians were now saddled with another nightmare; the Auditor General was now being accused of a few things including not being a Ghanaian and he having attained the retirement age last year, which the Auditor Service Board Chair came out to talk about.



The Executive Secretary said for the sake of the principles of transparency and accountability, Mr Domelevo must be given a fair hearing.



And weve not heard and we are yet to see if the Auditor General was given that fair hearing. Our expectation is that the President would even form a non-partisan Commission of Inquiry and task them with the responsibility of investigating the accusations levelled against the Auditor General from the Board Chair of the Ghana Auditor Service, Mrs Narteh said.



She said once the Commission comes out with its report, it would then be made public for Ghanaians to know the truth of the matter.



Mrs Narteh said, as an anti-corruption coalition, it was their expectation that due process would be followed, adding that even though they appreciated the work of the Auditor General, they would not be condoning him if he was in the wrong.



We believe that it is very important that the principle of transparency and accountability to be applied in this matter.



Citizens need to know exactly what the issue is. And also Mr Domelevo needs to be given a fair hearing to defend himself in terms of this issue. It should not be left to the President asking him to retire. It is a sad day for us. It is sad that somebody who is helping you to save money can just be disposed of like that, Mrs Narteh said.



How many people would be prepared to go to the extreme for Ghana? If they dont feel that the nation can protect them? If we dont do anything to bring this to light and give Mr Domelevo a fair hearing, this particular thing is going to dissuade people from going the extra mile to fight corruption in their respective institutions.



On his part, Mr Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President of IMANI Africa, told the Ghana News Agency that the truth be told, I am lost for words.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
In the run-up to International Women's Day there's always talk about wage gaps and glass ceilings. Just last week we reported in SUR in English that a study had found that women earned 24 per cent less than men in Andalucia.

Of course people are quick to point out that these figures do not mean that employers are paying a woman 24 per cent less than her male colleagues doing the same job. In fact the gap is there not because someone somewhere thinks that a woman's work is worth less than a man's, but because there are more women in lower-paid jobs than men. And of course more men than women in top executive roles.

So, why is this? Company bosses will quite rightly argue that it's not their fault if women employees choose to take a reduction in hours and salary to be able to spend more time with their children. They would love to have more female candidates for top jobs, but point out that in reality many women do not pursue promotion because of family commitments.

However, a father also has the right to reduce his hours and salary when he has small children, so why is it the mother who chooses this option in the majority of cases?

The first reason is that it's still what's expected in society, despite the presence of equality in school text books and government policy for years. Now women can do any job outside the home, but the responsibility of managing a household and bringing up children is also mainly on their shoulders. A man announcing that he's going to put the brakes on his career so that he can do the school run and have time to cook dinner for his family, is still rare, and making decisions that go against the grain of society requires that extra confidence and courage.

But there's another more practical reason: of course the mother should be the one to reduce her hours - she earns less than her husband. Exactly.

Not until we break this vicious circle, not until 'juggling' work and family is a task for both parents equally, will more women be able to crack that glass ceiling. It exists, but society as a whole, including the women in it, is responsible for keeping it there.
Senate President Karen Spilka downplayed the likelihood of new taxes to fill budget gaps. Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, has said the revenue working group he chairs will offer revenue recommendations in upcoming budget debates.
They started filming their show back in November.

And the stars of the revamped Gossip Girl were back in action again on Thursday in New York City.

Jordan Alexander, Emily Alyn Lind and Jason Gotay were all scene shooting scenes on location in Manhattan.

Back in action: Jordan Alexander was seen filming the HBO Max Gossip Girl reboot on Thursday on location in New York City

While the original series aired on The CW, from 2002 to 2012, the new version is on streaming service HBO Max.

The ensemble of mostly unknown young actors play students at an exclusive Manhattan prep school, just like the characters in the original.

The 10-episode season is set eight years after the original Gossip Girl finale and is narrated by original star Kristen Bell.

Preppy: The Canadian actress donned a cropped black sweater over a long white shirt which she wore with red, white and blue tracksuit bottoms and a blue tie knotted around her neck

Big break: Jordan added a long beige trench coat and carried a gray patterned purse. She is one of the mostly unknown actors cast in the new show based on The CW original

Teen drama: Jason Gotay was also seen in character on the location set which provides the exteriors of the characters' exclusive Manhattan prep school

It's billed as an exploration of how social media has transformed the social scene of New Yorks elites.

And while it's commonly referred to as a Gossip Girl 'reboot', showrunner Joshua Safran has been at pains to stress that it really isn't.

He has pointed out on his own social media that while it inhabits the same world as the original CW show, the cast are not playing original characters.

'I really wanted this to feel like an extension and in no way a reboot. So its an evolution of the story, not a retread,' he tweeted last year.

The rest of the cast is rounded out by Eli Brown, Adam Chanler-Berat, Whitney Peak, Evan Mock, Jonathan Fernandez, Thomas Doherty, Zion Moreno, Savannah Smith, Laura Benanti, Donna Murphy and Tavi Gevinson.

Pandemic protocols: Emily Alyn Lind was seen wearing a face mask as she waited between takes on the steps of the building that douvbles as the school

On trend: She had on a burgundy tank with blue plaid flannel shirt and beige jacket, paired with green pants and red bovver boots. She wore an orange beret over her blonde curls
Esca, an influential, seafood-focused Italian restaurant in Manhattans theater district, has permanently closed, its executive chef and co-owner, Dave Pasternack, said Friday.

Mr. Pasternack said that business was good last fall, when Esca reopened for indoor dining. But when the state banned indoor service in December, he closed the restaurant. He said he couldnt afford to reopen again after failing to renegotiate the lease with the buildings landlord.

Mr. Pasternack and his business partner, Victor Rallo, still operate two restaurants on Staten Island, and Mr. Pasternack said he hoped to find a new location for Esca. I built the restaurant based on people going to Broadway, tourists and people in offices, he said. At this particular moment, you dont have any of those three.

Mr. Pasternack, who grew up fishing on Long Island, opened Esca in 2000 with the celebrity chef Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich. It became a critically acclaimed part of Mr. Batali and Mr. Bastianichs then-growing restaurant empire, in large part because of Mr. Pasternacks expertise at cooking seafood. Mr. Pasternack and Mr. Rallo bought the restaurant in May 2019, after sexual-harassment allegations against Mr. Batali led to the end of his partnership with Mr. Bastianich.
On the weekend before Christmas in 1996, a shop owner was opening his check-cashing store in East Elmhurst, Queens, alongside an off-duty police officer who was working security, when the two were ambushed by a group of men, shot and killed.

The case touched off a ferocious manhunt, and within days, three men were arrested. They were convicted in separate trials and sentenced to between 50 years and life in prison for murder.

But more than two decades later, the case has collapsed.

On Friday, a state judge in Queens threw out the convictions of all three men and admonished prosecutors for withholding evidence that would have cast serious doubt on their guilt.

Prosecutors never turned over police reports showing that investigators had linked the killings to other men, the members of a local robbery ring. And five witness accounts  never seen by defense lawyers  contradicted the mens confessions, which were wrong on key details of the crime, and which lawyers say were coerced.
Russian President welcomes bill on use of geolocation data in search for missing persons

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

14:53 05/03/2021

MOSCOW, March 5 (RAPSI)  President Vladimir Putin has backed an initiative permitting the use of geolocation data in order to facilitate search for missing persons.

On Thursday, a coordinator of LizaAlert search and rescue team Oleg Leonov told the President about the bill. According to Leonov, the draft law is undergoing the second reading in the State Duma. If the initiative is adopted, about 6,000 human lives can be saved, he said.

Putin backed the initiative and expressed confidence that the document would be passed if there were no pitfalls in it.




KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)  Nepals government signed a peace agreement Thursday with a small communist rebel group widely feared because they were known for violent attacks, extortion and bombings.

The government agreed to lift a ban on the group, release all their party members and supporters in jail and drop all legal cases against them, while the group agreed to give up all violence and resolve any issues through peaceful dialogue, the government said in a statement after peace talks.

Details of the agreement would be made public at a joint ceremony Friday with Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli and the leader of the rebel group Netra Bikram Chand, who is better known by his guerrilla name, Biplav. The rebels also call themselves the Nepal Communist Party.

This group is known for violence, threats and enforcing general strikes.

It had split from the Maoist Communist party, which fought government troops between 1996 and 2006 when it gave up its armed revolt, agreed to U.N.-monitored peace talks and joined mainstream politics.

The Maoist fighting had left 17,000 people killed, hundreds missing and many more maimed.

The peace agreement with the rebel group comes at a time when the prime minister and his government are facing a political crisis since a split developed in his own ruling party and the Supreme Court reinstated the Parliament he had dissolved.
[March 05, 2021] Breaking Alert: Rosen Law Firm Encourages Leidos Holdings, Inc. Investors With Large Losses to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline - LDOS

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LDOS) between May 4, 2020 and February 23, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 3, 2021. SO WHAT: If you purchased Leidos securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Leidos class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2035.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 3, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever secrities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 3 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020 founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.



DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the purported benefits of the Company's acquisition of L3Harris' Security Detection & Automation businesses were significantly overstated; (2) Leidos' products suffered from numerous product defects, including faulty explosive detection systems at airports, ports, and borders; (3) as a result of the foregoing, the Company's financial results were significantly overstated; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. To join the Leidos class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2035.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn (News - Alert) : https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter (News - Alert) : https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook (News - Alert) : https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005406/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
This is the shocking moment a man is filmed risking his life while surfing on a Merseyrail service in Liverpool.

The footage was posted on YouTube by a man calling himself Kain Hogg, 21, which showed him standing on the coupler between two carriages.

He then clambers up a ladder onto the roof of the train which is speeding between stations.

This is the moment a man calling himself Kain Hogg, 21, clambered out between carriages of a Merseyrail service before climbing on the roof of the train to go 'surfing'

British Transport Police have described the stunt as reckless and are seeking information from members of the public, claiming Hogg was 'trespassing' on railway property

The young man, who is using a selfie stick claims the stunt is 'very dangerous'.

In one train surfing' attempt, Mr Hogg said things got 'sketchy' when he almost slipped.

He also admitted how at one point his coat got stuck to the gangway connector with a bridge only half a mile away.

He said: 'I train surfed on March 2. I've been doing climbing and adrenaline-based activities for almost four years.

'I do the train surfing because it gives me the right amount of adrenaline and not that many people can say they've been on top of a train while it's been in transit.

'It's a very dangerous thing to do, one slip and I'm gone, literally.'

Mr Hogg, who describes himself as an adrenaline addict, added: 'Train surfing in the UK is definitely not sustainable so I won't be carrying on doing it.

'I've had a few near misses when climbing and a few near falls when surfing vehicles.

'I've done this for a long time, I know what I'm doing but nobody can prepare for an accident to happen. That's why it's so dangerous.'

Greg Suligowski, Head of Communications at Merseyrail, said: 'It is extremely concerning to see this video which appears to show an individual trespassing on the railway, placing themselves and others at significant risk.

'We will be working closely with British Transport Police to identify those involved so that appropriate action can be taken.

Hogg, pictured, claimed he had been surfing on trains several times describing it as an adrenaline rush

'The non-public areas of the railway can be a very dangerous environment and I would urge people not to attempt to access them under any circumstances.'

British Transport Police have also condemned the video.

Chief Inspector Dave Rams said: 'Officers are aware of a video on social media showing a man "train-surfing" on a train in Merseyside and are currently investigating.

'So called "train-surfing" is incredibly dangerous and can very easily result in death or serious injury.

'It is beyond comprehension that someone would risk their life in this way for a social media video.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 344 of 04/03/21.
Concerns: The Chief Constable says numbers could fall to 6,719 over next 12 months from peak of 7,500 a decade ago

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne has warned he faces losing 300 officers because of cuts just as crime is set to rise with the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

He told the Policing Board a 23m funding gap would lead to police officer numbers falling to 6,719 over the next 12 months.

Mr Byrne said this would equate to "10 police support units, TSG type of things that we use in protests, parades and disorder, or 10 major incident teams that could be dealing with serious organised crime, terrorism and murders".

He noted a recent increase in anti-social behaviour and warned a fall in crime as a result of the pandemic would soon be reversed as lockdown eases.

"We are concerned that as we go into April we will face increasing pressure and demand, but realistically with a gradually declining workforce," he said.

Mr Byrne said the PSNI was getting further away from a peak workforce of 7,500 a decade ago, despite a commitment to return to that number in the New Decade, New Approach agreement.

He added police had expressed their concern to Justice Minister Naomi Long and Secretary of State Brandon Lewis and had asked the Department of Justice and NIO for more funding.

The Chief Constable said the NIO bid was related to "additional pressures around policing the EU exit and protocol and actually making sure we've got police officers available in some of those communities that clearly at the minute are most affected".

"The real life choice we face is that at some point there will be less detectives, less people policing the roads or less people available to respond to protests and disorder," he said.

"Service will look and feel differently, we cannot carry on with the same level of service with 300 less people. It's inevitable that something will have to change."

Mr Byrne said reducing police numbers would also "impede our efforts to become a more inclusive and representative workforce".

"If we recruit less police officers and police staff from wherever, that will play out in terms of a conversation in a couple of years of who our sergeants, first grade supervisors and police staff are," he said.

"It's not just in terms of putting more officers on the streets."

He revealed police were continuing to be busy dealing with Covid-19-related issues, handing out 20,000 in fines after parties in the Holyland area of Belfast this week.

He said January had seen a peak in terms of demand for police, as officers dealt with 3,639 Covid-related incidents.

He said 1,080 fixed-penalty notices of 200 were issued, with the majority related to gatherings in private dwellings.

Police were now preparing for St Patrick's Day, the Easter holidays and the Twelfth of July.

"As the restrictions change our plea is that we're given good notice of that and also appropriate guidance if the regulations change," he said. And Mr Byrne expressed concern about a 13.6% rise in assaults on police officers, which he described as "utterly unacceptable".

He noted there had been a 22% rise of grievous bodily harm with intent, which he said was related to spitting on officers, and "particularly concerning in the Covid environment".

"This is not an acceptable way of treating loyal public servants; neither police officers nor police staff come to work every day expecting to be assaulted, and nor should they be," he added.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Lebanon: U.S. considering sanctions against R. Salame, media 'Central Bank governor targeted by Washington', reports say

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, MARCH 5 - The United States are considering the imposition of sanctions against the governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, Riad Salame, who has been in power since 1993, following an ongoing investigation in Switzerland over alleged misappropriation and money laundering, connected to the start in 2019 of the worst financial crisis over the past 30 years.



As reported on Friday by local media in Beirut, quoting allegations published over the last few hours by US media outlets, officials in the administration of President Joe Biden have discussed the "possibility of coordinated measures with their European counterparts against Riad Salame".



If they were to be imposed, US sanctions against Salame would represent a U-turn from the stance expressed by the Trump administration. In May 2020, Washington's envoy to Lebanon instead expressed the confidence of the American government in the Lebanese Central Bank's governor.



Salame has been described by many sources, inside and outside Lebanon, as one of the main actors responsible for the country's financial crack. A year ago, then-premier Hassan Diab announced Lebanon's bankruptcy. (ANSAmed)
Bihar minister sends brother to govt function as representative: Nitish disapproves

India

pti-Deepika S

Patna, Mar 05: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday expressed displeasure over reports of one of his cabinet colleagues deputing a family member as his ''representative'' to a government function which the minister himself could not attend.

Kumar told the assembly that he read in newspapers about the incident that took place in Hajipur, the district headquarters of Vaishali, and ''if it is true, it should not have happened''.

The chief minister was intervening in reply to the issue being flagged by RJD MLA Bhai Virendra who questioned the ''propriety'' of Mukesh Sahni, a newly inducted minister, sending his brother as a representative to the function held on Wednesday by a government vehicle.

The function was held to disburse benefits under a scheme introduced by the government under which fishermen belonging to extremely backward classes or SC/ST groups will be getting heavy subsidies for purchase of motor vehicles.

Sahni, founder of the fledgling Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), holds the fisheries portfolio.

As per the scheme run by his department, the government will bear 90 per cent of the expenses incurred towards purchase of cars, three-wheelers or two-wheelers.

At Wednesdays function, more than 20 beneficiaries of the scheme were handed over keys of the vehicles purchased by them and the release issued by the district administration mentioned the presence of ''Santosh Sahni, the representative of honourable minister for fisheries and animal husbandry Mukesh Sahni''.

Media reports said that Sahni was a brother of the minister and video footage beamed by some local channels showed the ''representative'' fumbling when asked to name the scheme under which he was giving away the doles.

A former Bollywood set designer who took the political plunge less than three years ago, Mukesh Sahni floated VIP with a view to channelling the numerically strong but politically disorganised Nishad (fishermen) community.

He remained with the Grand Alliance helmed by the RJD- Congress combine for quite some time, quitting it just ahead of the assembly elections after the seat-sharing arrangements left him with a feeling of humiliation.

He was admitted to the NDA after a meeting with top BJP leaders in Delhi and the saffron party accommodated his party by giving it 11 seats out of its own quota.

Four seats were won by VIP, though Sahni himself lost from Simri Bakhtiyarpur.

He was, nonetheless, inducted into the state cabinet and the BJP helped him get elected to the legislative council from a seat vacated by its veteran leader Vinod Narayan Jha who is now an MLA.

Fellow MLC and BJP leader Nawal Kishore Yadav also reacted to the controversy surrounding the minister and told reporters ''it is unfortunate. He (Sahni) must avoid such mistakes''.

Sources close to Sahni said the minister could not attend the function himself since he was busy with the ongoing assembly session.

People in the know of things say that while a minister sending a ''representative'' to a function was not without precedent, Sahni had erred in choosing a person who was neither a government official nor an elected representative.
London: Italy has vowed to reject more vaccine exports and France has threatened to join the blockade, as European officials scramble to justify the decision to ban a shipment of 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Australia.

The Morrison government has claimed the export ban will not affect its immunisation rollout but behind the scenes, it is still working to have the 250,000 doses delivered.

Underscoring this point, Trade Minister Dan Tehan discussed the standoff with his Brussels counterpart Valdis Dombrovskis and with the World Trade Organisations new Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala overnight on Friday. The WTO chief said she shared Australias concern at the move by EU countries - particularly because of the need to ensure vaccines were distributed fairly across the globe.

World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala shares Australias concerns about the European blockade. Credit:Reuters

However, the European Commission has no plans to step back from its dispute with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

France has backed Italys block on exports of coronavirus vaccines outside the European Union if necessary to enforce the blocs contracts with drugs manufacturers.

The EU defended Italian authorities decision to stop a large shipment of doses destined for Australia as part of a longstanding feud with drug manufacturer AstraZeneca.

The European Commission said the decision was not targeting Australia but had been taken to ensure AstraZeneca delivers the number of doses it committed to dispatch to EU countries.

The fact is that the European Union is a major exporter of vaccine doses, commission chief spokesman Eric Mamer said.

(PA Graphics)

Faced with a shortage of doses during the early stages of the vaccine campaign that started in late December, the EU announced the export control system for jabs in late January, in a bid to force companies to respect their contractual obligations to the bloc first.

Since the mechanism entered into force on January 30, the commission said 174 authorisations of vaccine exports to 30 countries outside the EU have been approved.

But the EU has been particularly upset by AstraZeneca because the company is delivering far fewer doses to the bloc than it promised. Of the initial order for 80 million doses first quarter this year, the company will be struggling to deliver half that quantity.

We believe that this vaccine is an important element of our portfolio and we therefore are expecting the delivery of the agreed doses, Mr Mamer said.

We are working with the companies in order to ensure that they deliver the doses that are foreseen for the European Union. For all those companies that are doing that, there are no problem with exports.

(PA Graphics)

As supplies remain scarce in the 27-nation region amid delays in deliveries and production issues, European countries have shown signs of division recently, with several countries expressing frustration over the slow rollout of doses and looking for extra supplies outside the joint procurement set up by the EU,

But Italys decision to block the shipment of more than 250,000 AstraZeneca doses destined for Australia prompted member states to close ranks.

French health minister Olivier Veran said he understood the Italians government decision and indicated France could do the same.

Believe me, the more doses I have, the happier I am as health minister, he said, adding that France and its European partners are determined to have contracts with drugmakers enforced.

The EU thought it had made excellent preparations for the rollout of vaccines to its 450 million people. It has signed deals for six different vaccines, and ordered up to 400 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and sealed agreements with other companies for more than two billion.

But only 33 million doses have been given so far, and only 11 million Europeans have been fully vaccinated.

Despite the difficulties, the EUs goal remains to vaccinate 70% of the adult population in the bloc by the end of summer.

The world is in uncharted territory at present, its unsurprising that some countries would tear up the rule book, Australian finance minister Simon Birmingham told Sky News Australia on Friday.
Eight Democratic senators on Friday voted against Sen. Bernie Sanders' amendment to ignore a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian and add a $15 minimum wage provision to the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package.

The state of play: The vote was held open for hours on Friday afternoon  even after every senator had voted  due to a standoff in negotiations over the next amendments that the Senate will take up.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

Senate Democrats had struck an agreement on an amendment that would shrink supplemental unemployment benefits from $400 per week to $300, while extending the program until September and making $10,200 of the benefits non-taxable.

But Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) appeared to be undecided as of 2:30 p.m. and was considering voting for a dueling amendment by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), which would cut the benefit to $300 per week and see it expire in July. In a 50-50 Senate, the moderate Manchin's vote carries a lot more weight.

Why it matters: Sanders' $15 minimum wage amendment was virtually guaranteed to fail, as it would have required 60 votes. But the defection of eight Democrats shows that support for hiking the minimum wage to $15 an hour as part of COVID relief may be weaker in the Senate than many progressives believed.

Between the lines: The Senate parliamentarian ruled last week that the provision violated budget reconciliation rules, which allow major legislation to be passed with a simple majority if they affect the government's finances, and should be removed.

President Biden had supported raising the $15 minimum wage as part of COVID relief, but said he would accept the ruling of the parliamentarian. Sanders, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, pushed for the Senate to overrule the parliamentarian.

It's possible that the Democrats who rejected Sanders' amendment support a minimum wage hike, but voted "no" because they oppose it as part of COVID relief or respect the parliamentarian's ruling. Biden and other Democrats have expressed support for a standalone bill to raise the minimum wage.

Details ... Democratic senators who voted against the provision include:

Story continues

Joe Manchin (W.Va. )

Jon Tester (Mt.)

Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)

Angus King (Maine, independent who caucuses with Democrats)

Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.)

Tom Carper (Del.)

Chris Coons (Del.)

Maggie Hassan (N.H.)

What they're saying: "If any Senator believes this is the last time they will cast a vote on whether or not to give a raise to 32 million Americans, they are sorely mistaken. Were going to keep bringing it up, and were going to get it done because it is what the American people demand and need," Sanders tweeted after the vote.

The bottom line: Senators who didn't stand behind the increase on Friday are likely to be targeted by progressives.

More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.

The eight refugees have been placed in a community hall in Lungkawlh village, about 8 kilometres from the Indo-Myanmar border, where the district administration has provided them with food. The names of the refugees have not yet been released.

At Least 12 people from Myanmar have crossed the Indian border and taken refuge in Mizoram around a month after Myanmars military expelled Aung San Suu Kyis elected government, Officials said on Thursday.

Eight people have entered the Serchhip district, while four others made it to the Champhai district in the neighbouring province. However, their identity is yet to be ascertained, said a police officer. According to Serchhip Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek, Five people, comprising members of a family, crossed the international border and entered the district on Thursday, while three others did so on March 3.

The eight refugees have been placed in a community hall in Lungkawlh village, about 8 kilometres from the Indo-Myanmar border, where the district administration has provided them with food. The names of the refugees have not yet been released. Four citizens from Myanmar have recently crossed into Champhai, according to Deputy Commissioner Maria CT Zuali. The state Home Department has been informed of the influx of citizens from the neighbouring country, and Home Minister Lalchamliana will make a statement in the assembly on Monday, according to an official.

Also Read: India more developed than Pakistan, concedes Imran Khan

More than 100 people from Myanmar also attempted to cross the international border to seek refuge in Mizoram recently, the Champhai deputy commissioner told PTI. However, they were stopped by Assam Rifles personnel guarding the border, she said. Assam Rifles Deputy Inspector General Digvijay Singh said that the force was directed not to allow any illegal entry from the neighbouring country.

According to Zuali, the state government recently released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in anticipation of a potential influx of Myanmar refugees following the coup. As it is an international matter, the Mizoram government cant move on its own without the direction of the Centre, she said, despite the fact that civil society organisations are happy to harbour Myanmar refugees.
Australian fitness queen Kayla Itsines has opened up about her secret health battle with endometriosis as she recovers from her second surgery to ease the condition.

The 29-year-old trainer outlined the reality of living with the debilitating disorder which causes the tissue lining of the uterus to grow on other organs such as the ovaries, resulting in pain and irregular periods.

The mother-of-one, who shares daughter one-year-old daughter Arna Leia with her ex fiance, Tobi Pearce, shared a video of herself wincing while slowly walking on a treadmill with a patch over her bellybutton two days after her operation.

'On February 19 I had my second surgery for endometriosis. What you are watching is my very slow recovery,' Kayla wrote in a post to her 12.8million Instagram followers.

Scroll down for video

Australian fitness queen Kayla Itsines (pictured) has opened up about her secret health battle with endometriosis as she recovers from her second surgery to ease the condition

The 29-year-old shared a video of herself wincing while slowly walking on a treadmill with a patch over her bellybutton two days after her operation to ease the condition

What is endometriosis? Endometriosis is a common disease in which the tissue that is similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body. One in 10 women suffer from endometriosis at some point in their life with the disease often starting in teenagers. Symptoms are variable and this may contribute to the 7 to 12-year delay in diagnosis. Common symptoms include pelvic pain that puts life on hold around or during a woman's period. It can damage fertility. Source: Endometriosis Australia Advertisement

She said she was sharing her experience to raise awareness about the condition believed to affect roughly 700,000 Australian women, government health data shows.

'Endometriosis can take a long time to get diagnosed for lots of women as it's sadly brushed off as 'just your time of the month',' Kayla wrote.

'This is the reason I'm talking to you all about my experience and to try and encourage you to take action if you have very painful periods.

'One in 10 of us have it so you aren't abnormal or a special case and you won't be alone if you do get diagnosed like I did.'

While there is no cure for endometriosis, the severity of symptoms can be reduced with hormone therapy or the removal of tissue in laparoscopic surgery, which Kayla has now had twice.

However pain typically returns within one to two years after this treatment, meaning endometriosis a chronic - lifelong - condition.

The co-founder of world famous exercise app SWEAT said it took 'years of living with pain' before deciding that something wasn't right and eventually seeing a doctor to get a diagnosis and the treatment she needed.

She continued that she went for a follow-up surgery in February after 'suffering the worst pain' she has ever experienced.

'Since my surgery, some days have been really tough especially when you have a lively daughter on your hands (as you can see in my video) but I'm so grateful to have my family close by to help me,' Kayla revealed.

'I've been doing everything I can to make sure my body heals, such as light walking on the treadmill. I'm staying positive and hoping that the procedure helps me to continue managing my symptoms.'

She signed off by urging her female fans to see a doctor if something doesn't feel right, adding: 'Remember, no one knows your body better than you do.'

Kayla (pictured with one-year-old daughter Arna Leia) urged women not to normalise period pain

She outlined the reality of living with the debilitating disorder which causes the tissue lining of the uterus to grow on other organs such as the ovaries, resulting in pain and irregular periods

Kayla's post, which has amassed 147,658 likes since it was uploaded on Friday morning, has sparked an outpouring of support from followers, many of whom are living with the same condition.

'Thanks for sharing your story. I'm also suffering from endometriosis,' one woman wrote.

'My doctor always told me, my pain is there because my body isn't fully worked to capacity. It took me three years with incredible pain until I found a doctor who took my suffering serious.

'She sent me straight to an ambulance in a hospital and finally I got the help I needed. Please never let someone tell you that your pain isn't real!'

Others thanked Kayla for raising awareness about the disorder.

'I literally had no idea about it until my sister found out she had it,' Los Angeles fashion designer Gabriela Bandy replied.

'I've seen her go through a long painful journey and I'm so glad someone with a big platform like you is spreading more info on it.'
A logo of Exxon Mobil is displayed on a monitor above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in New York, U.S., December 5, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson - RC17B6EE3C30

Exxon and Macquarie in $11.7 Million US Lawsuit Over Broken Gas Contract During Texas Freeze

HOUSTONExxon Mobil Corp is suing Australias Macquarie Energy in a Texas court to avoid paying $11.7 million for missed deliveries during last months winter freeze in the central United States.

The lawsuit, filed by Exxons natural gas business, said the massive storm and state declarations of emergencies prevented it from fulfilling its supply commitment to Macquarie Energy, the second largest U.S. gas marketer.

Exxon is asking the Texas court to rule that the massive storm, caused when an arctic air mass swept the central United States, was a natural disaster.

Read More What Exactly Is the Polar Vortex?

Such a ruling would allow Exxon to break its contract with Macquarie without a penalty, overriding a demand from the Australian company that Exxon cover the wholesalers $11.7 million in damages for missed deliveries.

U.S. gas demand and prices soared last month when freezing temperatures hit as far south as Texas, where 4.3 million homes lost power.

A Macquarie spokesperson in Australia declined to comment on the lawsuit.

We are confident we complied with all our obligations under terms of the contract, Exxon spokesman Casey Norton said.

The cold sent spot gas at a west Texas hub to $203.50 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) on Feb. 16. It also prompted Texas and Louisiana to declare emergencies and direct gas supplies to the states power generators.

Australias Macquarie was one of the largest winners in the cold snap, benefiting from record U.S. natural gas prices. It could collect a $317 million profit from the weather-related gas binge, analysts said.

Macquarie had rejected Exxons own declaration of a natural disaster, the lawsuit said, but the Australian company later issued its own force majeure declaration over gas it had agreed to provide Exxon in Texas.

By Gary McWilliams

Hybrid and remote learning models that have been relied on by schools, particularly in urban districts, this year during the COVID-19 pandemic will be phased out as an option for schools in the coming weeks and months.

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Friday afternoon voted to give Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley the authority to determine when hybrid and remote learning no longer count.

Voting in favor were James Peyser, the state secretary of education, board chair Katherine Craven, vice chair James Morton, Amanda Fernandez, Matt Hills, Michael Moriarty, Paymon Rouhanifard and Martin West. Members who voted against the measure were Darlene Lombos, Mary Ann Stewart and Jasper Coughlin, a student member of the board from Billerica.

Last month, Riley first told the board that he would seek such authority, with a goal of getting elementary school students back into classrooms five days a week in April. Come the fall, Riley said the department is expecting a full return to in-person learning across all grade levels.

We think now is the time to begin to move our children back into school more robustly, Riley said, citing improved COVID-19 health metrics across Massachusetts and the educational and emotional needs of students.

A phased-in approach is planned, Riley said Friday. The commissioner said he hopes to see students through 5th grade back to traditional learning by April 5, to be followed by middle and high school students at a date to be determined.

While about 80% of districts in Massachusetts have at least some form of in-person learning as of February, about 300,000 students are enrolled in districts that are currently fully remote, education officials have said.

The push to return to traditional schooling is controversial. Education officials have urged districts to bring children back into classrooms as concerns about learning loss, isolation and deteriorating mental health have grown through the pandemic.

But for some educators and unions, there are concerns about health and safety. K-12 employees become eligible for COVID-19 vaccination next week, likely meaning a limited number of educators would be inoculated by April, as vaccine supply remains limited and in high demand. And for some districts, particularly in urban areas, the physical space available in buildings may limit the number of students who could fit into a classroom at the state minimum of 3 feet distancing, let alone the CDC recommendation of 6 feet where possible.

Parents would still have the option to keep children remote for the rest of the school year, however.

Riley said a waiver will be available for districts. For example, districts that are still currently remote may need to switch to a hybrid model before bringing all students back into buildings. Some schools have different configurations, like K-4 for elementary school and grades 5-8 in another building. Riley said in those districts, officials could ask for a waiver to just start with K-4 rather than making an adjustment for 5th graders who learn in a different building.

Emergency regulations are effective for three months and public comment will be accepted during that time. The board is expected to vote on the final adoption of these regulations in May, Riley wrote in a memo earlier this week.

A guidance document is expected to come out next week to assist school leaders, Riley said, adding that funding continues to come in that can help districts shift to in-person learning.

Stewart told Riley she felt the emergency was more with the availability of vaccinations, testing for students and staff and ventilation in buildings, rather than taking away remote learning as an option.

Safdar Medina, a pediatrician at the tri-river family health center in Uxbridge, was among physicians who spoke on a panel during the meeting to support Rileys recommendation.

School is essential and the harms to children without in-person learning will last a lifetime, Medina said, remaking that students are suffering from depression, new or worsening ADHD and are gaining weight while at home for hybrid or remote learning.

Coughlin said he had heard that teachers and school administrators were blindsided by Rileys proposal. Coughlin was worried about the logistics of all young students going back to class.

Riley said that the department did consult with stakeholders, including the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, which did have some concerns about the plan. However, Riley said the department is working with health officials to determine what is best for students.

During a public comment period at Fridays meeting, Somerville Teachers Association President Rami Bridge urged the board to reject Rileys request.

We know whats best for our community and commissioner Riley does not, Bridge said. We stand together for our students. It is your job to also stand together for our students.

Leslee Parker-Sproul, a parent in Boston, said she was concerned districts like the Boston Public Schools would ask for a waiver and prevent more kids from going back to school.

Theres no disputing the disturbing fact that remote learning is perpetuating inequities and leaving kids behind, Parker-Sproul said.

Teresa English, a teacher in Lawrence who has children who attend school in Billerica, said that she has suffered financially and professionally because of the pandemic, and her children have struggled with hybrid learning. Despite that, she wanted the board to vote against the measure.

In spite of my personal situation, I support both of these models [remote and hybrid] because they are tailored to their community, English said. Commissioner Riley seeks to undo the plans, progress and collaboration that has been created through so much trial and error.

Following the vote, Gov. Charlie Baker said data clearly shows students can learn safely in classrooms.

Learning in the classroom is the best and safest place for students to be with proper safety protocols, and our administration is pleased that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education took this step to get more kids back into the classroom, Baker said in a statement. The data is clear that students learning in the classroom can be done safely and it is vital to their emotional and intellectual health. We are grateful for the Boards support and look forward to getting all students back to in person learning soon.

Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy said in written testimony sent to the board Friday that learning in-person is the ultimate goal, but that it must be done correctly.

Our opposition is not to reopening schools. In fact, it is because of a full year of union advocacy by our educators across the state that we have made significant progress in the rigorous implementation of CDC guidelines in schools so that we could have in-person learning to the safest degree possible, Najimy wrote. Requiring schools to reopen faster than local communities have decided is safe will increase stress on already stressed students and staff, disrupt lesson plans and teaching models, throw bus schedules to the wind and blow a hole through CDC health and safety guidance.

A number of Massachusetts physicians support DESEs guidelines of a minimum of 3 feet distancing between students and have cited the effectiveness of mitigation efforts like mask-wearing and hand-washing. Dozens of physicians and public health experts sent a letter to Riley last month, urging DESE to adopt policies that will lead more children back to school.

Massachusetts private and public schools have opened with as little as 3 feet of distance between students and have proven that with these other mitigation measures, in-school transmission is exceedingly rare, the letter reads. Students are more isolated learning from home, and consequently suffer more mental health issues, as well as physical health concerns, increased rates of non-accidental trauma, and learning loss.

Riley on Friday said that a study has shown that there is not a higher rate of COVID-19 cases in districts that had 3 feet of distancing rather than 6 feet.

Across Massachusetts, COVID-19 metrics have been trending positively. Case counts have decreased since the winter peak, and the seven-day average positivity of tests is 1.75%, according to Department of Public Health data.

Cases of the virus among students and school staff members have also decreased in recent weeks. On Thursday, DESE reported 476 cases of the coronavirus in schools from Feb. 25 to March 3.

In addition to masking and distancing, Massachusetts has a pooled COVID testing program for students and staff. As of Monday, 171 schools and districts have signed up for the pooled testing program. DESE is covering the funding for the program until April 18.

Some parents and community members have been calling for in-person learning. An online petition from the group Bring Kids Back MA calling for a full return to in-person learning has garnered more than 8,000 signatures as of 11 a.m. Friday. The group said local districts have been inconsistent and inadequate despite calls from state and education officials to keep kids in school.

Far too many school districts have stalled in their planning, claim they cannot implement in-person learning under the current guidelines, and are under-resourced to make the necessary planning happen, the petition reads. Children in public schools across the country and the globe  as well as in Massachusetts private and parochial schools  have been inside classrooms for months now. We need Massachusetts state leadership to take action that requires local districts to provide a full-time in-person education to Massachusetts students.

In a letter to the education board dated Thursday, the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education along with other organizations, including the Springfield Regional Chamber and Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, supported Rileys goal, saying that returning to the classroom is needed to ensure equal educational opportunities.

The nearly $1 billion in federal education relief funding that has already been made available and the substantial additional funding likely to come with the next relief package will go a long way in both helping schools open and helping them put in place strategies to address student learning loss. Weve got to leverage every penny of that money to do what is best for students and that includes getting them back in school, the letter read.

Separately, DESE on Friday announced that MCAS tests this spring would be delayed as more students move to in-person learning.

Related Content:
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 45 Master's in Graphic Design Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 180 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 180 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 45 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Graphic Design Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-graphic-design-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Graphic Design Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Academy of Art University

Arizona State University

Art Center College of Design

Atlantic University College

Ball State University

Boston University

California College of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts

California State University, Fresno

Carnegie Mellon University

Harvard University

Iowa State University

Kent State University

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Kutztown University

Liberty University

Maryland Institute College of Art

Michigan State University

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

North Carolina State University

Otis College of Art and Design

Quinnipiac University

Rhode Island School of Design

Rochester Institute of Technology

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of Visual Arts

State University Of New York, Oswego

Suffolk University

Syracuse University

Temple University

The Art Institutes

The New School

University of Central Oklahoma

University of Florida

University of Houston

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Miami

University of Minnesota

University of Northern Iowa

University of Pennsylvania

University of Texas, Austin

University of Wisconsin, Stout

Vermont College of Fine Arts

Virginia Commonwealth University

Yale School of Fine Art

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
(CNN)  The Disney Store, once a mall mainstay, is drastically reducing the number of locations it has in the United States and Canada.

Disney said it's closing at least 60 stores in North America, amounting to about 35% of its locations in the region. Moving forward, Disney is placing a larger emphasis on its e-commerce business rather than its brick-and-mortar footprint.

"While consumer behavior has shifted toward online shopping, the global pandemic has changed what consumers expect from a retailer," said Stephanie Young, president of Disney's consumer products, games and publishing unit, in a press release.

Disney said that it's focusing on making its shopDisney platform a more "seamless" and "personalized" experience. That online revamp will be "complemented by greater integration with Disney Parks apps and social media platforms."

Covid-19 has spurred more people to move their shopping habits online. Research firm eMarketer recently said e-commerce sales across the world grew nearly 28% in 2020, surpassing $4 trillion.

Fans can still buy Mickey merchandise at theme park stores, third-party retailers and Disney shop-in-shops. In 2019, Target opened mini-Disney stores in 25 of its locations.

Disney, which didn't release a list of stores that will close, has about 300 locations worldwide. It had nearly 800 locations globally at its peak in 1999.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Disney is closing 60 stores in the US and Canada".
NATO's Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana discussed on Thursday the external policy dimension of artificial intelligence at a hearing in the European Parliament, according to a press statement posted on the NATO website, according to AGERPRES.

In a lively discussion with Members of the European Parliament from the Special Committee of Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age (AIDA), Mircea Geoana underscored NATO's importance as a transatlantic forum for collaboration and coordination on emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT) - as well as the potential of cooperation between NATO and the European Union (EU) in this area.

The deputy secretary general outlined NATO's ongoing work to understand and adopt new technologies and maintain its edge, including the comprehensive roadmap on EDT adopted by NATO leaders in December 2019, and the implementation strategy agreed by Defence Ministers in February 2021.

He also drew attention to the Secretary General's proposal for a NATO defence innovation push to promote better transatlantic cooperation on critical technologies, as part of the NATO 2030 initiative.

Artificial Intelligence brings about new opportunities for cooperation between NATO and the EU, Mr. Geoana emphasized. These include the exchange of best practices, but also coordinated efforts to develop the kind of regulation that can foster innovation and set global standards for the ethical use of AI.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Mainly clear. Low 47F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 47F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Topic 1: SMCC - Seniors citizens once more without timely payment of their old age pensions.

Topic 2: SMCC - Seniors receiving cut in AOV pension from former Netherlands Antilles entitled to refund!

Topic 3: SMAPP - Minister of Justice continues disrespecting workers rights of NAPB members in Justice!

Topic 4. SMAPP - CCSU members did not approve changes in function books proposed by the Minister of Justice

Topic 5: SMCC - Occupational Health and Safety Issues at Police Station Philipsburg still unresolved

Topic 1: Seniors citizens once more without timely payment of their old age pensions.

It was in January of this year that as co-coordinator of the anti-poverty platform representing the seniors and pensioners in the platform we denounced the fact, that since the old age pension maximum was increased as per July 1, 2020, the seniors did not get their pension increase.

Only after our cry out on behalf of the seniors SZV came out with an announcement that depending on the bank of the pensioner, payments could be expected as soon as the last week in January. As reason for the delay in processing of the pension increase, SZV said that this was due to the switch to the new pension registration system of SZV. The retroactive payment will consist of the difference between the old pension amount and the new pension amount as per July 1st, 2020. This is for the months of July 2020  December 2020, the Christmas Bonus of December 2020, and January 2021.

We are now at the beginning of March 2021.

Since last week Friday seniors started to complain at the local radio stations, that as was customary they went to the bank to collect their pension money two working days before month-end. Their pension money was not yet on their account. This week on Monday, March 1st seniors went to the bank and still did not have their pension money in their bank account! The security officers at the bank were sending seniors back with the message that SZV had not yet provided the money transfers.

I am not a representative from SZV, neither am I the public relations officer at SZV. But many seniors called me to find out what happened? Why they could not collect their pension money? They complained that they spent their last dollars to reach the bank, only to find out that their little pension money was still not deposited on their bank account! Whereas all workers from SZV already had received their salary according to the law two working days before month end!

Late Monday afternoon SZV sent out an announcement that the payroll since March 1 is being processed on the first of the month. The payment of the old-age pension AOV and the widow and orphan pensions this month had encountered a delay. What was the reason for the delay this time? In their Notice about March AOV and AWW Pension Payment SZV said and we quote: SZV would like to inform all AOV and AWW pension recipients that the monthly pension payments are now processed on the 1st of each month. For the pension month of March, we have encountered a delay in processing, with the result that the payout state will be as of March 2nd, 2021. Depending on the bank of the pensioner, payments can be expected as of Tuesday, March 2nd in the afternoon or on Wednesday, March 3rd. We recognize this as inconvenient to our pension recipient and would like to sincerely apologize for the delay.

Why SZV did not announce this change in the processing date before? Why seniors who were accustomed to receiving their money a few days before the 1st of the month, why SZV did not announce before that the processing of the pension payroll was not done anymore much earlier, but that it now was done on the first of the month? This could have saved the senior time and money to go to the bank in vain.

We hereby publicly demand from SZV to pay all the pension recipients a late payment fee, just as GEBE and TELEM charge us a late payment fee of 25 ANG when we pay our bill after the due date passed. At least monetary compensation is more rewarding than the apology offered!

Topic 2: Seniors receiving cut in AOV pension from former Netherlands Antilles entitled to refund!

On Monday, March 1, 2021, in a press release of the Joint Court of Justice as co-coordinator of the anti-poverty platform and board member of the seniors and pensioners association, we were informed that the Joint Court of Justice has ruled in the appeal of a test case filed by a group of 60 seniors citizens receiving a pension of the former Netherlands Antilles. The seniors since 2017 started a court case against the 10% cut on the old-age pension of seniors and the scrapping of their annual Christmas bonus legislated by the government and the parliament of Curacao because Curacao claimed that they were not residents of Curacao! The same goes for seniors who lived in the Netherlands Antilles when the country was dissolved on October 10, 2010. Also, those who lived within the former Netherlands Antilles when the changes were announced in the AOV legislation of Curacao on July 29, 2016, and those still living in one of the islands of the Netherlands Antilles!

According to the court making, a difference between residents and non-residents is a violation of the prohibition of discrimination. The government and the parliament of Curacao who introduced this discriminatory cut in the old-age pension benefit of all those recipients of an old-age pension from the Netherlands Antilles should not treat the recipients differently because they are no residents from Curacao! The court said there is no good reason for people who lived or still reside in St Maarten, Bonaire, St Eustatius, and Saba to be treated differently than people who lived in Curacao. After all they were all residents of the Netherlands Antilles and reside within the territory of the Netherlands Antilles. They did not choose to change their country of residence, the Joint court said.

This is a violation of the European Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Once more we can conclude how important it is that for politicians and high-ranking civil servants to be educated in human rights. Instead of respecting human rights they propose and cooperate with the passing of discriminatory legislation!

Topic 3. Minister of Justice continues disrespecting workers rights of NAPB members in Justice!

Minister of Justice the honorable MS Anna Richardson on Monday, March 1, 2021, hosted a Welcome Home party for the the Border Protection and Mobile Control Units which she called the missing links within the Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBP) Department. So when the Border Protection and Mobile Control Units went missing? When they got lost? When did the Lost and Found Department of the Minister found the lost Border Protection and Mobile Control Units? Where Minister Ana Richardson found them? How come they went missing?

NAPB members working for the Police Department never received notification that the employees of the Border Protection and Mobile Control Units went missing! NAPB members working for the Police Department never had to go and SEARCH for these missing employees! NAPB knows these immigration officers as colleagues who were working already with them from before 10-10-10 in the Netherlands Antillean Police Corpse (KPNA)!

The Minister said that the IBP Department Getting the three divisions Residence and Admittance, Border Protection and Mobile Control Unit under one umbrella will ensure Sint Maarten's border security is up to standards just like other country's borders are being secured.

The placement of employees and of immigration officers in the Immigration and Border Protection Services is not up to national and international labor standards, nor did placement happen according to the legislation adopted for the transition of employees from Country Netherlands Antilles to Country St Maarten.

The employees never went missing! As NAPB members these employees never went missing! Let us tell you what went missing. Let us tell you what the Minister of Justice still did not welcome to St Maarten! Let the employees tell you what is still missing for them to get what they are legally entitles to!

What went missing is legislation from the Netherlands Antilles relevant for the Justice Ministry which according to the Transfer Nation Ordinance (=Overdrachts Landsverordening) had to be decreed and consolidated in texts in legislation of St Maarten!!

What went missing are the decrees of honorary dismissal and the decrees which instated our members as employees of country St Maarten maintaining all their acquired rights!

What went missing are all the necessary steps according to the National Ordinance Social Charter to build up Country St Maarten and therefore the required decisions and decrees to arrange the legal transfer of the employees from the former Netherlands Antillean Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Justice of country St Maarten.

What went missing is the realization of their correct remunerations, the money to pay their correct salary due since 10-10-10, and the realization and continuation of their career perspectives.

The Minister in her speech on Monday thanked the officers for their commitment and diligence during the transition, while assuring them that all unresolved issues are being addressed and will be resolved. The Minister of Justice self has not been diligent with respecting the workers rights. The Minister has not observed the acquired rights of the employees working for immigration in KPNA from before 10-10-10. As a matter of fact, not only minister Ana Richardson, but also former Ministers of Justice have been taking decisions, have been hiring staff, placing staff, promoting staff without considering the rights of the employees from before 10-10-10. All these Justice Ministers have denied these employees the right to see the organization plan with the organogram, the formation plan, the function books, the vacancies in the new entity, etc.

NAPB has a long list of omissions and a list of corrections to be made for the Minister of Justice. If Minister Anna Richards really wants to address and resolve all unresolved issues of the workers, let her start to resolve this unresolved issue: NAPB has made several requests to meet with the Minister. Until now the Minister of Justice did not call a meeting for the NAPB to dialogue and reach to a consensus with the Minister on the outstanding issues to be resolved for our members in the Justice Ministry.

Topic 4. CCSU members did not approve changes in function books proposed by the Minister of Justice

Under the heading CCSU unions review Justice function books in the newspaper of yesterday, Wednesday, March 3rd 2021, the unions ABVO-SXM, WICSU-PSU, and WITU published the findings of their union representatives in the Committee of Civil Servants Unions.

NAPB officially has no representatives in the CCSU. But NAPB wants to thank the representatives of the three sister unions in the CCSU for their scrutiny of the function books and observations made. NAPB is grateful for their critical review of changes that the Minister of Justice has proposed in the documents presented to the CCSU.

What were the findings of the CCSU-members? What did the CCSU members propose?

CCSU members pointed out a number of decisions that are in conflict with established legislation

Minister of Justice has proposed to amend and to reduce full time equivalents previously decreed.

The Minister of Justice proposed to centralize Bedrijfsvoering of Justice and by doing so make 33 Justice employees boven formatief

Minister of Justice wants to retract the function book of the Police corpse and of immigration which will have repercussions for the legal position of civil servants.

The legal advice and other relevant documents which have to accompany proposals of change existing legislation were not provided.

The CCSU members advised the Minister to check out all the issues they have observed before resubmitting the function books and the information required.

The NAPB in letters to the Minister of Justice has requested the Minister to meet and negotiate with the unions representing workers in the Justice Ministry and especially in the Police Department. The Minister has answered the NAPB president (and all other presidents of unions representing workers in the Justice Ministry) that the LMA does not give any rights to a union an such but only to the Commission as a whole as a representative body of the unions.

The NAPB once more wants to make it very clear for the Minister of Justice:

According to ILO Convention 154 the NAPB has the right to collective bargaining, which means the right to represent and negotiate on behalf of her affiliated members in the Justice Minister.

Denying this right to the NAPB is a constitutional violation because the Minister does not uphold article 81b of the State Arrangement of St Maarten, which stipulates that international treaties ratified also for St Maarten are legislations in St Maarten which have to be respected.

According to the Civil Code unions are associations and in their bylaws is arranged which board members can represent the union in and out of court! The Committee of Civil Servants Unions is neither in court nor out of court the representative of none of the civil servant's unions. The members of unions placed in a committee which the government has installed cannot replace this legal stipulation of the civil code.

As a matter of fact, NAPB officially has no member appointed in the CCSU. Even though we appreciate the work of members of sister unions in the CCSU, these members of sister unions at no time legally can represent the NAPB!!

Now that even CCSU members have illustrated the shortcomings in the function books the Minister has presented to the CCSU, the NAPB is of the opinion as most representative union of the workers in the police force, that the Minister has to meet to dialogue and reach to an agreement with the NAPB. NAPB has booked another letter this week to follow up on our former request for a meeting that respects our right to collective bargaining. If the Minister of Justice and the Minister of General Affairs do not stop the disrespect for the right to collective bargaining of NAPB and its members, then NAPB will take the government to court!

Topic 5: Occupational Health and Safety Issues at Police Station Philipsburg still unresolved

NAPB had to intervene this week on behalf of several members working at the police station in Philipsburg, who reported occupational health and safety issues at the police station in Philipsburg. They were reporting that there are still signs of a mold infestation in the Philipsburg police station.

NAPB wants to reiterate that since 2019 on numerous occasions NAPB has tabled the unhealthy and unsafe working conditions in our police stations which arose since hurricane Irma. NAPB noted that the Simpson Bay station meanwhile has been repaired and is deemed mold-free, but repairs at the Philipsburg station still have to be finished and the mold infestation is still present. Different employees have already reported sick due to this unhealthy working condition.

NAPB plans to send an email to the Chief of Police to request a meeting for the chief of police to provide documentation, which proves that the Philipsburg station is mold-free and that there is no threat to the occupational health and safety of all employees at the Philipsburg station!

This is one of the issues we have encountered this week when we were available for members to address their issues with us, which issues we want to address with our chief of police in the coming week.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
The bakery was in the eye of a nationalistic storm after MNS protested against its name, claiming that it has a Pakistani ring to it

Claims that MNS was 'successful' in its campaign against Karachi Bakery, soon followed with its leader Haji Saif Shaikh, who led the stir, taking credit on Twitter for the closure of the bakery in Mumbai. (Twitter/@mnshajisaif)

HYDERABAD; Karachi Bakery, the citys iconic biscuit-maker, has shut its store in Mumbai.

Though it has brought the shutters down in the countrys financial capital, the managements Rajesh Ramnani points out they would reopen in Mumbai if suitable premises can be found, in place of the one in Bandra that has been closed.

It may be recalled that Karachi Bakery in Mumbai was in the eye of a nationalistic storm after Maharashtra Navanirmana Sena (MNS) protested against the name of the bakery demanding that it be changed as it had a Pakistani ring to it. The Ramnani family, which migrated to India during partition, and set up the bakery, originally belonged to Karachi.

However, the MNS would not hear anything of the emotional ties the family had with a city it left behind even as later generations of the Ramnanis began running the business. And the claims that it was 'successful' in its campaign against Karachi Bakery, soon followed with MNS leader Haji Saif Shaikh, who led the stir, taking credit on Twitter for the closure of the bakery in Mumbai.

"Nothing could be farther from the truth," Rajesh Ramnani told Deccan Chronicle here on Thursday. "The lease period was over and it could not be renewed due to cost factors. There is no other reason for Karachi Bakery closing its operations in Mumbai. We will continue looking for appropriate premises, and when it is found, we are willing to reopen there," Ramnani said.

Though the MNS leader tweeted about Karachi Bakery's closure in Mumbai, there were several others from that city who mourned the shutting down. Several Mumbaikars took to Twitter to express their grief at its closure and recalled how the outlet in Bandra remained an important part of their lives.



LIVINGSTON, Mont., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PFL , the pioneer and leader in tactile marketing automation, today announces the promotion of Nick Runyon to President. Runyon will lead the marketing technology business, including marketing, sales, product, and professional services.

Since taking over as CMO in November 2019, PFL's marketing team has surpassed its marketing goals and leveled-up its customer base, serving sophisticated marketing organizations , such as Salesforce, SAP and Zoom. This, along with enhancements to PFL's Tactile Marketing Automation product , has elevated PFL  evidenced by 40 percent year over year growth  as well as the entire direct mail and Tactile Marketing Automation category.

"A 'boomerang' employee, I knew Nick had the skills we needed to make the strongest marketing organization possible," said Andrew Field , founder and CEO of PFL. "While he started his journey as our CMO late in 2019, he didn't let a global pandemic stop him from meeting every goal set in front of him. Now as president, his wide-spread leadership will be felt at an even greater level as we seek to provide our customers with the best tactile marketing solutions and services."

Runyon has more than 20 years of experience developing revenue-driving marketing strategies. From 2008 through 2014, Runyon was the Chief Operating Officer of Global Media Outreach (GMO) where he focused on mobile advancement and marketing automation as well as defined performance metrics. Then, as Executive Director of CV North America, he provided strategic leadership to its global initiative and led the advancement of CVOutreach.com, growing the agency to serve over 1,200 non-profit clients. Finally, as the founder of digital agency, Media Tractor, Runyon specializes in consulting to drive growth for non-profit organizations.

"The value of tactile marketing automation can't be overstated in today's marketing climate," said Runyon. "While there are other organizations entering the category, PFL differentiates itself through unique products and building category-leading brand experiences for the biggest brands in the world. The PFL experts behind our software and service are unmatched. My priority is accelerating PFL's growth by making it easy for our customers to provide remarkable brand experiences driven by data.

This follows the announcement of PFL's enhancements to its TMA and Command Center products . To learn more about PFL, visit www.pfl.com .

About PFL:

PFL is a marketing technology company providing software solutions that help brands use digital intent signals to inform the content and timing of their tactile marketing to improve the ROI of their entire marketing spend. PFL connects sophisticated marketing professionals to the automation solutions that deliver remarkable brand experiences. The company is co-headquartered in Livingston, Montana and Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information, please visit www.pfl.com .

Media contact:

BLASTmedia for PFL

Ryan Hecker

[email protected]

SOURCE PFL

Related Links

https://www.pfl.com


(Natural News) The head of the United Nations has called to cancel all planned coal projects worldwide. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres exhorted nations to scrap their projects that use coal in order to end the deadly addiction to this fossil fuel. He emphasized that phasing out coal from the electricity sector is the single most important step to tackle the climate crisis.

Guterres said on March 2: Today, I am calling on all governments, private companies and local authorities to take three steps. First, cancel all global coal projects in the pipeline and end the deadly addiction to coal. Second, end the international financing of coal plants. [And] third, jump-start a global effort to finally organize a just transition [for coal industry workers]  going plant by plant if necessary.

Gutierres outlined the three steps at the commencement of a Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) virtual summit. Established by the U.K. and Canada in 2017, PPCA is a group of governments and businesses committed to ending the use of coal for power generation. However, both founding countries have faced issues regarding coal mines in their respective jurisdictions.

Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson said during the summit: By working together, we are creating a healthier future for our children and grandchildren. U.K Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth Anne-Marie Trevelyan also updated summit participants with the British effort to do away with coal. Having gone over 5,000 hours without using coal for electricity last year, the U.K. is powering forward with the transitions away from coal  [to] the enormous economic potential of clean technologies, she said.

While the U.K. is on schedule to end coal-fired power plants in 2024, it recently drew flak for allowing a new coal mine in Cumbria to open. The mine located in northwest England will produce 2.7 million tons of coal for steelmaking every year, with 85 percent to be allotted for export. Supporters of the Cumbria mine said it would provide 500 jobs in an area considered as among the poorest in the country.

Greenpeace UK Policy Director Doug Parr remarked that the Cumbria mine negatively impacts the U.K.s zero-emissions efforts. He warned that unless plans for this new mine are immediately scrapped, [Prime Minister] Boris Johnson will have damaged the credibility and moral authority needed to demand action from world leaders at host of this years global climate conference. The U.K. is set to host the COP26 climate summit in November of this year.

Scrapping coal entirely to focus on green energy is not exactly the most prudent idea

Coal is a more reliable and consistent source of power compared to renewable sources such as wind and solar energy. While renewable energy sources produce lower carbon emissions, they come with the bigger price of producing insufficient power to meet demand. Germany is one such country that quickly ditched fossil fuels for renewable sources. (Related: Research group blames wind power for Texas grid collapse.)

Because renewable energy sources cannot produce enough power to address consumption demand, Germany has resorted to implementing rotating blackouts just to stabilize the power grid. To bring this up a notch, a German official has proposed a law rationing electricity when supply is inefficient. (Related: Rolling blackouts in California show how reliance on solar and wind power can backfire.)

According to the German magazine Tichys Einblick, the countrys Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier proposed a peak smoothing law for electricity. The bill permits electricity providers to temporarily cut off power to controllable consumption facilities for up to two hours daily if supply is not enough. Electric vehicle charging stations and heat pumps could be disconnected from the power supply if there was a threat of overloading the grid. Altmaiers peak smoothing proposal has since been recalled.

The magazine continued: The German government has recognized that in the future electricity system, it will no longer be possible to satisfy every demand at all times. Therefore, the control of the consumer side should be put on legal feet. It insinuated that controllable consumers such as heat pumps, electric heaters and  charging stations for e-mobiles [being] switched off variably at times would become an everyday occurrence.

Back then, Germany once had one of the most stable and reliable power grids worldwide  until climate change activists and their political allies pushed for green energy. Thanks to the efforts of these activists, the German parliament passed the Renewable Energy Sources Act in 2000. But the law caused more harm than good to the German power grid. Worse, the Bundestag has doubled down on green energy despite insufficient power production by ordering the closure of coal and nuclear power plants that produce more energy.

Visit PowerGrid.news for more about the shift from more reliable fossil fuels to unstable green energy.

Sources include:

TheGuardian.com

WattsUpWithThat.com

NoTricksZone.com
The Government unlawfully failed to publish details of more than 500 coronavirus-related contracts on time, a High Court judge has today said.

Government officials have 30 days to publish online details of contracts for public goods or services worth more than 120,000.

But a High Court judge today said the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) 'acted unlawfully' by not publishing details of 504 of the 535 contracts awarded in the height of the Covid pandemic last year.

The court also heard 100 contracts had still yet to be revealed at the time Boris Johnson claimed to MPs that the details were 'on the record for everyone to see'.

All of the contracts were for 'Covid-related' good and services - such as PPE supplies.

Collectively the deals are thought to amount to billions of pounds of public spending, according to the Good Law Project - which brought the case against the Government.

Speaking after today's hearing, the campaign group said the delays in publishing the contracts had made 'proper and timely scrutiny of the deals impossible'.

However DHSC today defended the delays, saying the 'unprecedented' pressures of the Covid pandemic meant contracts were 'awarded at speed'.

A High Court judge today said the Department of Health and Social Care (pictured: Health Secretary Matt Hancock) had 'acted unlawfully' by not publishing details of 504 of the 535 contracts awarded in the height of the Covid pandemic last year

The High Court (pictured) also heard 100 contracts had still yet to be revealed, despite Boris Johnson 's claims to MPs that the details were 'on the record for everyone to see'

The Good Law Project took legal action against the department for what it described as its 'wholesale failure' to disclose details of contracts agreed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Matt Hancock defends 'fair' and 'affordable' 1% pay rise for medics which unions slammed as a 'slap in the face' Matt Hancock risked angering the NHS further tonight as he claimed a 1 per cent pay rise for frontline staff was 'fair' and insisted no-one cares about nurses more than him. The Health Secretary told the Downing Street press conference the offer, which medics have described as a 'slap in the face', was based on 'affordability' and that the pandemic had brought 'financial consequences'. Mr Hancock - who promised last year he would 'fight' to ensure the NHS was given a 'reward' in the aftermath of the pandemic - claimed he 'bowed to no-one in his admiration' for nurses, adding: 'I learnt that at the knee of my grandmother who was a nurse.' Furious unions who had demanded a 12.5 per cent pay hike have threatened to strike amid the bitter pay row, which could threaten the roll out of the Covid vaccines. The Royal College of Nursing today announced it is setting up a 35million fund for industrial action, while Unite said it is considering balloting members about striking. Unison has organised a mass 'slow clap' next Thursday - a spin on the clap for heroes campaign - to protest Number 10's 'derisory' offer. Mr Hancock said tonight: 'The evidence that was put forward yesterday was on the basis of affordability. We've proposed what we think is affordable to make sure that in the NHS people do get a pay rise. 'I think it is fair to take into account all the considerations, the incredible hard work of those in the NHS, which means they are not part of the overall public sector pay freeze and also what's affordable as a nation.' Mr Hancock added: 'I bow to no one in my admiration for nurses - I learnt that at the knee of my grandmother who was a nurse.' Health minister Nadine Dorries - a former nurse - earlier pointed out that the rest of the public sector is facing a complete freeze, warning that the government cannot 'afford' to be as generous as it would like with national debt soaring towards 2.8trillion. In a round of interviews, she said had been 'pleasantly surprised' that a 1 per cent offer had been possible - and dismissed the idea that staff will quit, stressing people work in roles such as nursing because they 'love the job'. Nurses described the planned pay rise as 'insulting', with many revealing the boost would not cover their weekly parking fees at NHS hospitals. Multiple healthcare staff said the proposal would see them take home around 3.50 extra per week. Advertisement

At a hearing last month, the Good Law Project argued there had been a 'dismal' failure by the DHSC to comply with the obligation.

It also claimed the Government was breaching its own transparency policy, which requires the publication of details of public contracts worth more than 10,000.

In a ruling in February, Mr Justice Chamberlain said that 'in a substantial number of cases, the Secretary of State (Health Secretary Matt Hancock) breached his legal obligation to publish contract award notices within 30 days of the award of contracts'.

He added: 'There is also no dispute that the Secretary of State failed to publish redacted contracts in accordance with the transparency policy.'

In a further ruling on Friday, the judge said the DHSC 'acted unlawfully by failing to publish contract award notices for relevant contracts for supplies and services relating to Covid-19 within the 30-day period required... in respect of 504 of the 535 contracts awarded on or before October 7 2020 - i.e. 94%'.

Mr Justice Chamberlain also said: 'The defendant has published 608 out of 708 relevant contracts for supplies and services relating to Covid-19 awarded on or before October 7 2020.

'In some or all of these cases, the defendant acted unlawfully by failing to publish the contracts within the period set out in the (transparency policy).

'The Secretary of State has now produced what he says are the correct figures showing the extent of compliance with (the 30-day requirement) but cannot produce equivalent figures for compliance with the transparency policy.

'This is because the date on which the contract is uploaded is not recorded on the Contracts Finder database, so it has not been possible to calculate how many were published within the timescales set out in the transparency policy.'

He said the Good Law Project 'complains about the omission of these latter figures and notes that 100 contracts still appear to be outstanding on Contracts Finder, nearly five months after the claim was issued'.

The judge said: 'It is unfortunate that the correct figures for compliance with the transparency policy are not available, but they are not - and there is nothing the court can do about it.'

Mr Justice Chamberlain also ordered the DHSC to pay 85,000 towards the Good Law Project's costs.

In his ruling last month, the judge said the obligations to publish details of such contracts 'serve a vital public function and that function was no less important during a pandemic'.

He added: 'The Secretary of State spent vast quantities of public money on pandemic-related procurements during 2020.

'The public were entitled to see who this money was going to, what it was being spent on and how the relevant contracts were awarded.

'This was important not only so that competitors of those awarded contracts could understand whether the obligations... had been breached, but also so that oversight bodies such as the National Audit Office, as well as Parliament and the public, could scrutinise and ask questions about this expenditure.'

Mr Justice Chamberlain said the situation the DHSC faced in the first months of the pandemic was 'unprecedented', when 'large quantities of goods and services had to be procured in very short timescales'.

All of the contracts were for 'Covid-related' good and services - such as PPE supplies (pictured: NHS staff put on PPE)

The judge said it was 'understandable that attention was focused on procuring what was thought necessary to save lives'.

But he added the DHSC's 'historic failure' to comply with the obligations to publish contracts because of the difficulties caused by the pandemic was 'an excuse, not a justification'.

Speaking after the case Gemma Abbott: Legal Director of the Good Law Project told MailOnline that the DHSC's failures were 'not a mere administrative hiccup'.

She said: 'This was no 'technical breach', it was a failure to disclose the existence of billions of pounds of public expenditure within the requisite timeframes, with the effect that proper and timely scrutiny of these Covid-related contracts was made impossible. The country deserves answers.'

Ms Abbot also accused the Prime Minister of misleading Parliament over his claim to MPs that all of the contracts were 'on record'.

The High Court today heard there were still 100 contracts left to be published when Mr Johnson made the speech to MPs in the House of Commons on February 22.

He was responding to an earlier High Court judgment which ruled the Government had 'acted unlawfully' over the publishing of the contracts.

Tonight, a government spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We have been working tirelessly to deliver what is needed to protect our health and social care staff throughout this pandemic, within very short timescales and against a backdrop of unparalleled global demand.

'This has often meant having to award contracts at speed to secure the vital supplies required to protect NHS workers and the public.

'We are committed to publishing all contracts and to date have published 99% of these in the Official Journal of the EU and we are working to publish outstanding contracts as soon as possible.

'As the 2020 NAO report recognised, all of the NHS providers audited were always able to get what they needed in time, thanks to the effort of government, the NHS, Armed Forces, civil servants and industry, who delivered over 8.8 billion items of PPE to the frontline at record speed.'
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar called Friday for urgent Security Council action to reverse Myanmars military coup, saying about 50 peaceful protesters were killed in the militarys worst crackdowns this week and scores more were seriously injured.

Christine Schraner Burgener said in her briefing to a closed council meeting released by the U.N. that council unity and robust action is critical in pushing for a stop to the violence and the restoration of Myanmars democratic institutions.

We must denounce the actions by the military, she said. It is critical that this council is resolute and coherent in putting the security forces on notice and standing with the people of Myanmar firmly, in support of the clear November election results.

The Feb. 1 military coup ousted the government of Aung San Suu Kyi after her National League for Democracy Party won 82% of the vote in November elections. The military contends there was ballot fraud, but the electoral commission upheld the results.

Schraner Burgener, a veteran Swiss diplomat, said she hopes to visit Myanmar and use her good offices to find a peaceful solution through dialogue. She announced that she plans to visit countries in the region to help promote greater international coherence if COVID-19 restrictions permit.

The Security Council took no immediate action. Council diplomats said Britain circulated a draft presidential statement for consideration, a step below a legally binding resolution.

The U.N. envoy stressed that a peaceful solution requires the immediate release of Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

Schraner Burgener reiterated an earlier appeal to the international community not to lend legitimacy or recognition to this regime that has been forcefully imposed, stressing that nothing but chaos has since followed.

The U.N. has received confirmed reports that many of those who died were killed by live ammunition, she said.

There are visual recordings of the military snipers in shooting positions aiming at unarmed protesters, as well as indiscriminate shooting into the crowds by military and police personnel, in various parts of Myanmar, she said.

Story continues

As of March 2, Schraner Burgener said the U.N. human rights office in Geneva is aware of around 1,000 people who are either known to be in detention or unaccounted for after having been arbitrarily detained since the coup.

Journalists are increasingly targeted, including specific assaults aimed at them at the protest scenes, she said. Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw, whose dramatic arrest by police using a chokehold before handcuffing him was captured on video, is among them.

Schraner Burgener urged council members to hear the voices of the people of Myanmar and support Kyaw Moe Tun, the countrys U.N. ambassador who was terminated by the military after denouncing the coup in a dramatic speech to the General Assembly. The military appointed his deputy, who resigned a day later and Tun has said he remains Myanmars permanent representative to the U.N.

Your unity is needed more than ever on Myanmar, Schraner Burgener told the often divided council, calling the people of Myanmar, including civil servants, the real heroes and protectors of the nations democratic progress.

But the hope they have placed in the United Nations and its membership is waning, she warned.

Schraner Burgener said the coup has affected the labor force, investment, stability, connectivity and security, and she added that the current situation is moving towards an acute humanitarian crisis which will first hit the poorest section of the country."

Schraner Burgener did not call for sanctions and they could only be imposed in a resolution supported by the councils five veto-wielding members, including Myanmars neighbor and friend China, which generally opposes sanctions.

Britains U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward said the situation has deteriorated since the council issued a press statement on Feb. 4 calling for a return to democracy and the release of Suu Kyi and other detainees. So members are now considering the next steps, she said.

Woodward stressed the importance of the council being able to speak with one voice in a new measure that can call for an end to violence, the release of those arbitrarily detained and a return to democracy.

Chinas U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun is following developments with great concern, Chinas U.N. Mission said, and is calling for differences to be resolved peacefully and continuing efforts to promote democratic transition in an orderly manner.

Under the current circumstances, all parties should exercise utmost calm and restraint, refrain from intensifying tensions or using violence, and prevent any incident of bloodshed, the mission quoted Zhang as elaborating on Chinas position.

Zhang said China supports the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations playing a bigger role and supports Shraner Burgeners mediation efforts with all parties in Myanmar for the de-escalation of the situation, Chinas U.N. Mission said.
With Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote to proceed, the U.S. Senate on Thursday began considering the $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill by listening to the clerk read every word in the 628-page measure.

At the end of the debate, which will include numerous amendments, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is expected to have the votes to pass the bill, the first major legislative initiative of President Joe Bidens administration, thanks to Harris ability to break ties in the 50-50 chamber.

No matter how long it takes, the Senate is going to stay in session to finish the bill  this week, Schumer said on the Senate floor. The American people deserve nothing less.

First, though, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., demanded that the entire bill be read on the Senate floor, delaying the start of the substantive debate for hours.

He complained about the bills $1.9 trillion price tag, which the Congressional Budget Office said would increase the deficit over 10 years by the same amount as the Republican tax law in 2017 the GOP passed through the same method, known as reconciliation, that Democrats are using now.

These are astonishing sums that were talking about and the majority party here wants to jam this through, through a reconciliation process, no consultation with our side, Johnson said Wednesday. Having no consideration whatsoever of that fact that we are mortgaging our childrens future. At some point and time there will be a day of reckoning, a debt crisis, and it wont be pretty.

The legislation includes $1,400 payments to those making up to $75,000, eliminating them entirely for those making more than $80,000, and $2,800 payments to couples making up to $150,000, ending them for those making more than $160.000.

Those thresholds are less than the $100,000 and $200,000 cutoffs in the House-passed bill, and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a progressive research group, said the lower income limits would mean thousands fewer Massachusetts residents would get stimulus checks.

The bill, though, keeps the entire $350 billion in state and local aid in the House bill, with more than $10 billion earmarked for Massachusetts and its localities.

The bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors on Thursday renewed its push for the package, including the assistance to state and local governments.

The crisis has taken a painful toll on local governments, municipal workers, and the millions of Americans who rely on essential city services, said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, president of the group. This bill is critical to being able to turn the page and move us forward, and we urge the Senate and House to move quickly to send it to the presidents desk.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, whose state received $63 billion more from Washington than its paid in federal taxes in 2019, objected to giving increasing Medicare money to rural hospitals.

Theres also $20 billion for emergency rental assistance.

Texas public schools will receive state funding at their pre-pandemic enrollment levels through the end of the school year to avoid financial damage caused by lost students, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday.

But the terms of the new funding extension added to the states pressure on superintendents to keep kids in classrooms.

Schools receive funding based on average daily attendance, which has taken a hit in the past year by the upheaval caused by the coronavirus, as thousands of students have been chronically absent from their classes.

The Texas Education Agency already had extended funding for the first 18 weeks of the current school year based on attendance in the previous year, through a provision called hold harmless.

But that guarantee expired around the start of the new year for most districts, leaving school leaders in the dark about how much funding they would continue to receive as they contended with unprecedented pandemic-related expenses.

On ExpressNews.com: A little nervous - Texas school districts, battered by pandemic, dont know if Legislature will protect them from funding cuts

As more districts return to in-person instruction, we are ensuring that schools are not financially penalized for declines in attendance due to COVID-19, Abbott said in a statement. Providing a hold harmless for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year is a crucial part of our states commitment to supporting our school systems and teachers and getting more students back in the classroom.

School districts will have to maintain or increase their on-campus attendance rates or keep them above 80 percent in order to receive the new funding, according to updated TEA guidance.

The emphasis is on on-campus instruction, Education Commissioner Mike Morath said in a call with superintendents Thursday. The best place for kids to be is in a school, learning with their teacher, with the loving educators that we employ. The goal is to support on-campus instruction over the course of the rest of the year.

School leaders had been pleading with lawmakers and the TEA to sustain their funding after the guarantee expired, worried about the possibility of having to lay off staff or cancel programming next year.

Bexar County school districts were at risk of missing out on an estimated $85 million in state money if the hold harmless provision was not extended, area superintendents said in a letter to Morath in December.

The state has required school districts to provide on-campus instruction to any student that wants it since the beginning of the school year. Some area school leaders have encouraged it, except for a brief period after coronavirus cases surged here in January, but even at their highest rates, classroom learners stayed below 80 percent of enrollment, and much lower at other districts.

On Tuesday, Abbott announced that his statewide mask mandate would end next week, and while many school districts have said they will continue requiring masks on campuses, health experts have predicted that a relaxation of safety protocols elsewhere will cause the number of coronavirus cases to jump in communities across Texas.

The Texas State Teachers Association criticized conditioning much-needed funding on boosting or maintaining on-campus attendance rates, saying districts that see drops in such rates because of local coronavirus outbreaks should not have the money revoked.

Superintendents praised Abbotts move. Northside Independent School Districts Brian Woods issued a statement saying the additional funding was an encouraging example of the state recognizing the incredible efforts of our educators over the past 12 months.

I appreciate the renewed focus on funding aimed directly at our most at-risk students who need extra care to ensure they do not fall further behind academically, socially or emotionally, he said.

North East ISD superintendent Sean Maika called the announcement good new but stopped short of a full celebration because of the strings attached.

We are thankful that the extension has been provided, but it is still too early to really see the full impact, he said. Some of the money is still tied to those benchmarks.  So, its not a guarantee.

Without the extension, his district could lose about $10 million in funding this year, Maika said. Less than an hour after Moraths announcement, he was somewhat optimistic that NEISD will qualify for it, but maintaining attendence in classrooms if now the big if, he said.

Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox

Since the district started in-person classes in October, the overall number of families who choose in-person learning has slightly increased, but it fluctuates with the spread of the virus out in the community, and it could drop again with a new surge, Maika said.

People vacillate in and out based on our (community pandemic) metrics, he said. TEA made it very clear that we can maintain (safety protocols). But the cases that end up in our schools really were not in our schools, they were from outside our schools.

Morath acknowledged the efforts school districts have made to get students who have not consistently been going to class  remotely or in person  to re-engage. In many districts, teachers and administrators have visited students at their homes to encourage them to return to school.

Lawmakers in Austin had considered making such efforts a condition of receiving the funding extension.

The Legislature still has a role to play, because TEA officials said they dont know how hold harmless will be funded. They said the money could come from state or federal funds, or both. In December, Congress approved a $900 billion stimulus package that included more than $5 billion for Texas public schools, but those funds have not yet been distributed.

Roland Toscano, superintendent at East Central ISD, said the funding extension will allow the district to bolster its efforts this summer to support students who have experienced learning loss in the past year.

Its definitely going to provide a degree of relief as we plan for finishing out the year, planning for all of the remediation efforts that were already doing  and continuing to meet the social and emotional needs of so many of our families and continuing to support our staff, he said.

For the stability it will bring, the governors announcement was fantastic news, said Julia Grizzard, executive director of the Bexar County Education Coalition, which advocates for more than a dozen local school districts.

This allows our school boards and our school leaders to have a better sense of what their budgets will be for the remainder of the school year as they start to plan recovery efforts moving forward and look ahead to next years budget, Grizzard said.

andy.picon@hearst.com | Twitter: @andpicon
Biden's election will not undo Trump interference in Huawei extradition case, lawyers say Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou leaves her home to attend a court hearing in Vancouver

By Sarah Berman and Moira Warburton

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Lawyers for Huawei's chief financial officer said on Wednesday that Joe Biden's election as U.S. president will not undo the political interference in her case, which they say stems from former President Donald Trump's pledge to intervene if it helped the United States extract a more favorable trade deal from China.

Lawyers for CFO Meng Wanzhou want her U.S. extradition case dismissed on grounds that Trump's comments soon after her 2018 arrest in Canada meant she would not get a fair trial in the United States. They further argued that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then-foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland had also waded into the debate, proving politicization of Meng's case.

Meng, 49, was arrested on a U.S. warrant for bank fraud at Vancouver International Airport in December 2018 and has since been living under house arrest while fighting extradition. She faces charges of bank fraud in the United States over misleading HSBC about Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's business dealings in Iran, causing the bank to violate U.S. sanctions. She has said she is innocent.

Ten days after Meng's arrest, then-President Trump told Reuters in an interview that he would intervene in the case if it would help get a better trade deal with China. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-huawei-tech-exclusive/exclusive-trump-says-he-could-intervene-in-u-s-case-against-huawei-cfo-idUSKBN1OA2PQ

"With that utterance Ms. Meng became a bargaining chip in this economic contest between these two superpowers," defence lawyer Richard Peck said. "Our contention is that his words amount to an abuse of process."

Canadian prosecutors have said Trump's statements are no longer relevant since he has left office and the trade deal has already been signed.

Defence lawyer Isabel Schurman said that position was untenable.

"There has been no change in circumstance," Schurman told the court, calling it "irrelevant" that the person who holds the office of U.S. president has changed.

Story continues

SOURED TIES

Diplomatic relations between Ottawa and Beijing broke down in the wake of Meng's 2018 arrest. Days later, China detained two Canadians on espionage charges, which Canada viewed as retaliation.

Biden said last month, in reference to the case and ensuing diplomatic conflict, "human beings are not bargaining chips."

Peck said the comment did not adequately repudiate the remarks of the previous president.

"It's too late," he said. "The harm has been done and has existed for two years."

Defence lawyer Mona Duckett cited comments by Freeland that the United States should not "seek to politicize the extradition process," following Trump's comments, to support the claim of political interference in the case.

Duckett also pointed to Trudeau's December 2019 comment that the United States should not sign a final trade agreement with China without resolving the dispute over the two Canadians detained by China after Meng's arrest.

Canadian prosecutor Robert Frater said the quotes referenced by the defence were out of context and that the defence had ignored the presumption of good faith and inferred the worst.

"That is not a fair way to look at this case," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, China's ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, said Canada should move quickly to release Meng to help restore relations between the two countries. "That will help to put our relationship back on the normal track," Cong said in a virtual news conference on Twitter, repeating that China's arrest of Canadians was not linked to the Meng case.

Trudeau told reporters on Wednesday that at the time, Chinese officials made it clear that the arrest of the two Canadians was in response to Meng.

"Nothing the ambassador can say now will dissuade me from understanding that is indeed the case," he said.

Meng's case is scheduled to finish hearings in May.

(Reporting by Sarah Berman and Moira Warburton in Vancouver; Additional reporting by Steve Scherer and David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Editing by Denny Thomas, Matthew Lewis and Rosalba O'Brien)
Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily has rejected any group called G-23, saying the party is united under Sonia Gandhi's leadership.

"The Congress is one," he said when asked about the G-23, a group of dissenters in the party who had sought a complete revamp of Congress in a letter to interim party president Sonia Gandhi in August last year.

Incidentally, former Karnataka Chief Minister Moily was one of the signatories of the letter written to Sonia Gandhi.

Speaking to reporters, Moily said, "There is no such thing called G-23. The Congress is united under Sonia Gandhi who always listens to people's grievances."

The Congress is facing a difficult time as the party seems to be divided after some prominent leaders wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi demanding sweeping reforms in the party.

Another Congress leader, Sandeep Dikshit, said, "There is no group in the party and I am not in touch with the leaders who had assembled in Jammu recently."

Many Congress leaders have said that their only motive is to strengthen the party in the country.

The Congress, which is gearing up to face elections in five states/UT, have advised these leaders to join hands to defeat the BJP and now all eyes are on the soon to be announced list of star campaigners of the party.

Many of the Congress leaders who had signed the letter in August last year have either been adjusted in the party or have been assigned some important task, such as Pritviraj Chavan getting appointed as screening committee chairman for Assam or Moily getting appointed as election management incharge for Tamil Nadu.

However, the situation is still far from normal in the party despite the Congress holding many rounds of meetings since August last year. The disgruntled leaders say that they want elections from the block to the CWC level.
 Flash

Another 6,573 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,201,358, according to official figures released Thursday.

The country also reported another 242 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 124,025. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

The latest figures were revealed as nearly 21 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine.

Earlier on Thursday, Downing Street urged the public to continue to abide by the lockdown restrictions after a survey showed more than four in 10 over-80s who received a vaccine appear to have since broken the rules by meeting up with someone indoors.

"It's important that people continue to follow the guidelines that are in place," a Downing Street spokesman said.

The research by the British Office for National Statistics (ONS) found 43 percent of over-80s said they had met up indoors with someone outside their household, support or care bubble after getting their first jab.

England is currently under the third national lockdown since outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On Feb. 22, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his long-anticipated "roadmap" exiting the lockdown. Schools in England will reopen from Monday next week as first part of the four-step plan, which Johnson said was designed to be "cautious but irreversible".

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.
Months after a Bay Area couple was charged with enslaving an immigrant and forcing him to work at their liquor store for more than a year, their liquor licenses have been revoked.

Amarjit and Balwinder Mann, the owners and proprietors of a Gilroy liquor store, were charged in November for human trafficking, wage theft and witness intimidation after an investigation found that the two were allegedly keeping a man in a room behind the liquor store.

The Manns reportedly threatened to report the victim to immigration authorities if he reported their horrific acts, which included subjecting him to 15-hour workdays and dehumanizing living conditions. The victim did not have a key to leave the storage room, and he only had access to a mop sink for bathing.

The couple also allegedly stole his money and passport.

The Santa Clara County District Attorneys office reported that the Manns reportedly lured in victims with promises of travel and financial independence, estimating that they stole more than $150,000 in wages among employees.

KSBW in Monterey said that at least three others were also allegedly subject to wage theft and long work hours by the Manns.

On Thursday, the state of California revoked two Alcoholic Beverage Control licenses, one for M&M Liquor, their liquor store, and another for Gavilan Market, another shop owned by the couple.

It is unclear if the Mann couple is still under house arrest, or if theyve since been released on bond. The couple has yet to stand trial for the November charges.

Representatives for the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.
After pressure from progressive groups, the head of student loans at the Education Department (ED) resigned from his position on Friday.

Mark Brown, who was the chief operating officer at ED's office of Federal Student Aid, oversaw a trillion-dollar student loan portfolio  making it equivalent to the nation's fifth-largest bank. He was appointed by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, after the resignation of his predecessor, A. Wayne Johnson.

Robin Minor, currently the deputy COO for Partner Participation and Oversight, will serve as interim COO.

Pressure for Brown to resign had been mounting, with progressives from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to advocacy groups such as the Americans for Financial Reform pushing for Brown to leave.

The resignation was announced by the newly-confirmed Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona. Advocates are now pressing for an old student loan hand to fill the position.

I accepted the resignation of Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer Gen. Mark Brown and thanked him for his service to the U.S. Department of Education," Cardona said in a statement. "As the nation continues grappling with economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to deliver relief and fortify pathways to the middle class is more urgent than ever."

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos (L) listens as Chief Operating Officer of Federal Student Aid Mark Brown (R) speaks during a hearing before House Education and Labor Committee December 12, 2019 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The office of FSA was "designed in an unusual way," Jason Delisle at the American Enterprise Institute, told Yahoo Finance.

"When this position was created, it was done so to try to attract people from the private sector... and that would insulate them from politics," Delisle explained. But "what you have [here] is essentially him resigning but you also have people exerting, ironically, political pressure to oust him."

Warren, one of Brown's critics, applauded the his resignation, calling it "good for American borrowers."

"Students deserve leadership at this office who will follow the law and make this program work for students and I look forward to working with Secretary Cardona to reform the FSA so that it works for student borrowers instead of big student loan servicing corporations," Warren said in a statement.

Story continues

Two names that are being floated as replacements are Mark Kaufman, who was a former banking regulator in the state of Maryland, and Abigail Seldin, according to Huffpost. While Seldin has been criticized by some progressives for working with Educational Credit Management Corporation, a private student loan guaranty agency, when it bought her company College Abacus, many others have come to her defense as a champion of students' needs and rights.

(Graphic: David Foster)

The change in leadership also has major implications for borrowers. For instance, the incoming COO will be in charge of massive student loan reform project called Next Gen FSA.

"Is that something that the the secretary and the political appointees should be involved with? Or is that something you want some [political] insulation on?" said Delisle.

Slew of lawsuits

Under Brown's leadership amid the pandemic, FSA  and the loan servicers it oversees  has run into a number of legal issues due to its slow-moving student loan machinery.

In May 2020, consumer advocates sued student loan servicer Great Lakes and credit reporting agencies for inaccurate reporting of student loan payments that were suspended under the CARES Act. DeVos was also sued the same month for her department's failure to stop garnishing defaulted student loan borrowers' wages, despite the CARES Act suspending debt collection activity.

She and former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin again were sued at the end of May for their failure to stop tax refunds from being seized by defaulted student loan borrowers.

Given the major hurdles the FSA faced during this period following the first time the payment pause was enacted by former President Donald Trump in March 2020, many advocates and government officials worry about how the process will unfold when the halt is lifted in October this year.

Meanwhile, the department also faces lawsuits over its management of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

The problems that millions of student loan borrowers are facing can be traced back to decisions made by the leadership in the office of Federal Student Aid. The systemic changes that need to happen were never going to be possible with Betsy DeVoss handpicked leaders still in charge, Mike Pierce, policy director at the Student Borrower Protection Center. Now is the time to put in someone who understands the enormity of this crisis and is committed to taking real action.

"FSA is deeply broken and is either unable or unwilling to prioritize students in its operations," Thomas Gokey, legal and policy organizer of the Debt Collective, an activist group. "The next head of FSA should have a proven tack record of fighting for students and cannot be anyone from the predatory for-profit sector."



Aarthi is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. She can be reached at aarthi@yahoofinance.com. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami.

Read more:

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Mining (CVE: HIGH- OTCQX: HGGOF) CEO Darwin Green joined Steve Darling from Proactive to bring news the company has released some drill holes from their Munro-Croesus Project in Timmins, Ontario.

The results were good, But Green says this story is really just beginning and he explains why.
Members of the National Guard patrol at the U.S. Capitol after police warned that a militia group might try to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., March 4, 2021. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

YouTube last night said former president Mr Trump will be allowed to return to the platform and post videos again once the risk of political violence in the US subsides.

Susan Wojcicki, YouTubes chief executive, confirmed yesterday the former president would be given a second chance to follow its rules, though she did not say when.

The Google-owned streaming service had previously given no indication whether it would ever lift Mr Trumps indefinite ban, imposed in the wake of the rioting at the US Capitol in January.

Ms Wojcickis statement sets YouTube firmly against rivals such as Twitter, which has vowed never to allow Mr Trump (right) back even if he runs for office again, and Facebook, which has referred the case to be decided by its independent oversight board.

It came as US officials yesterday once again put the Capitol on high alert due to warnings from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security that members of the QAnon movement might be plotting an attack.

The Capitol grounds were ringed with boosted security and defended by armed police officers, National Guard troops and bomb-sniffing dogs, while the House of Representatives cancelled its session and told staff to stay away.

The FBI warned in late February that some militant groups discussed plans to take control of the US Capitol and remove Democratic lawmakers on or about March 4.

Ms Wojcicki said: Given the warnings by the Capitol Police about a potential attack, I think its pretty clear that elevated violence risk still remains.

Read More

However, I do want to confirm that we will lift the suspension of the Donald Trump channel when we determine that the risk of violence has decreased.

When the channel is reinstated, it will be subject to the same policies that every other channel follows.

Having access to YouTube again could transform Mr Trumps chances of a political revival.

It will allow him to address his followers directly in a way he has struggled to do since his mass deplatforming in January.

It could also allow him to pump out misinformation, conspiracy theories and violent rhetoric to his supporters, who, polls suggest, largely still believe the election was stolen.

Ms Wojcicki aimed veiled criticism at Facebook and Twitter for their policy of exempting political leaders from some of their rules, with posts that would normally be removed only being labelled as they were deemed newsworthy or in the public interest.

[Our] policies apply to all global leaders consistently. There are no exceptions, she said.

The FBI warned in late February that some militant groups discussed plans to take control of the US Capitol and remove Democratic lawmakers on or about March 4.

On Wednesday there was no sign of protesters outside the high fences topped by razor wire that now surround the Capitol.

Meanwhile, leaked government documents show hundreds of unaccompanied migrant children are crossing into America every day, stretching border facilities to breaking point.

More than 300 a day are now making the crossing, compared with 47 before Joe Bidens inauguration in January.

During the Trump administration, the vast majority of migrants, including children, were returned to Mexico, while one of his most controversial policies saw parents who crossed illegally arrested and forcibly separated from their sons and daughters. Now, they are allowed to stay and have their claims processed in the US. ( Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2021)

Read More

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Meg Mott was the facilitator of the Putney Town Meeting on Zoom earlier this month. Mott, a professor emerita of politics at Emerson College, will be the moderator of a Zoom debate Tuesday on the value of Town Meeting.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
WASHINGTON - The federal government won't let Michigan shut down the Line 5 pipeline, Canada's natural resources minister said Thursday as he dismissed opposition comparisons to the thwarted Keystone XL project.

Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on February 17, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

WASHINGTON - The federal government won't let Michigan shut down the Line 5 pipeline, Canada's natural resources minister said Thursday as he dismissed opposition comparisons to the thwarted Keystone XL project.

Seamus O'Regan sounded almost combative as he vowed to defend the 1,000-kilometre line, which bridges an environmentally sensitive part of the Great Lakes to link Wisconsin with refineries in Sarnia, Ont.

"We are fighting for Line 5 on every front and we are confident in that fight," O'Regan told a special House of Commons committee on the relationship between Canada and the United States.

The Enbridge Inc. pipeline carries an estimated 540,000 daily barrels worth of oil and natural gas liquids, and is vital to the energy and employment needs of Ontario, Alberta and Quebec, as well as northern U.S. states, he added.

"We are fighting on a diplomatic front, and we are preparing to invoke whatever measures we need to in order to make sure that Line 5 remains operational. The operation of Line 5 is non-negotiable."

In November, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Line 5 to be shut down by May, accusing Calgary-based Enbridge of violating the terms of the deal that allows the line to traverse the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac.

The straits, which link Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, boast powerful, rapidly changing currents that experts have said make the area the worst possible place for an oil spill in the Great Lakes.

Pipeline opponents in the U.S.  many of the same voices who helped make TC Energy's proposed Keystone XL expansion an environmental rallying point over the last decade  have vowed to see it shut down.

Enbridge, which has plans to fortify the underwater segment of the line by routing it through a tunnel under the lake bed, is fighting Whitmer's order in court.

Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., said Michigan's concerns over Line 5 predate Whitmer and have been a topic of frequent discussion for embassy officials since 2017.

Diplomats and governments will play a role in finding a solution, but resolving the dispute will likely come down to the state government and Enbridge, she suggested.

"Line 5 is a crucial piece of energy infrastructure for Canada, but also for the United States  that is a core and principal message that we're giving," Hillman told the committee.

She echoed O'Regan's points about the potential impact not only on Canada, but on Michigan and Ohio as well, noting that the pipeline has been operating safely for more than half a century.

"We support, full-throatedly and very actively, the continuous safe operation of that pipeline," Hillman said.

"The solution to this will come about through diplomatic and advocacy means, but it will also come about through negotiations between the company and the governor of the territory through which it's going."

O'Regan was unequivocal Thursday when asked if he believes the governor's concerns have any merit.

"No I do not," he replied. "This is a safe pipeline, it has always been a safe pipeline, (and) the owner is taking further measures to make sure it has continued safe operation."

O'Regan also took pains to insist he remains "confident" that Enbridge and Michigan will reach an agreement to allow the line to continue to operate before Whitmer's drop-dead date in May.

Conservative MP Mark Strahl noted that the federal government had failed to prevent U.S. President Joe Biden from cancelling Keystone XL, and pressed O'Regan on how the plan for Line 5 was different.

"It sounds an awful lot like the plan to advocate for Line 5 is a carbon copy of the plan to advocate for Keystone XL," Strahl said. "Why are you expecting a different result?"

"These are very different," O'Regan said as he defended the federal Liberal efforts on Keystone XL, which Biden cancelled on his first day in the White House.

He also said he expressed Canada's defence of both pipelines to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm when the two spoke for the first time on Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2021.
NAVY

Navy chooses 11 for $249.7M cyber & ISR support contract

The Navy has awarded 11 companies positions on a potential five-year, $249.7 million contract for technical services to help the branch carry out operations in cybersecurity and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance..

A total of 22 contractors bid on the opportunity that will see them bid for task orders to perform work over a three-year base period and potentially a two-year option term afterward, the Pentagon said in its Thursday awards digest.

Work areas will include systems engineering, software and hardware development, training, program and configuration management, installation, sustainment and maintenance services.

Awardees are:

Booz Allen Hamilton

General Dynamics

Huntington Ingalls Industries

KAB Laboratories

Leidos

Northrop Grumman

Parsons

Peraton

Science Applications International Corp.

Solute

Trandes

This was a brand new requirement and thus there was no incumbent.
Our 2nd favorite blog offers a peek at suburban life in transition as local guv must accommodate more people amid rising American scarcity.

Here's the link tease and more info for subscribers . . .
This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong!
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!

Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Market Definition:

Thioglycolic Acid Market, as per the recently released study report by Market Research Future (MRFR), is expected to register a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% during the forecast period. The market is primarily driven by the rising demand for high purity grade TGA in leather processing chemicals, oilfield chemicals, and PVC heat stabilizer applications. Moreover, it is also reported that the market is gaining pressing demand from the personal care and cosmetics industry. This is most likely expected to support the growth of the market in the forthcoming years. The evolving consumer lifestyle and changing perspective towards their own personal health and wellbeing is projected to spike the demand graphs for thioglycolic acid. Lastly, the booming youth demographic and the high disposable income among these consumer group is also forecasted to be a key factor positively impacting the global thioglycolic acid market in the coming years.

Get a Free Sample of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6453

Market Overview and Growth Factors:

However, if exposed for long periods of time, certain thioglycolic acids can be fatal as they are carcinogenic in impact. The price of the product is inversely dependent upon the availability of raw materials. This is another key factor that can severely hamper the growth trajectory of the market during the forecast period.

Thioglycolic acid or TGA is an organic compound that is often referred to as mercaptoacetic acid. It is a colorless liquid with a highly unpleasant odor and comprises the functional groups of thiol and carboxylic acid.

Competitive Landscape:

The global COVID 19 Impact on Thioglycolic Acid Market is expanding with decent numbers. A major factor pushing the growth of the market is the presence of various prominent players. Some of the key players anticipated to boost the market positively are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Bruno Bock Chemische Fabrik GmbH & Co. KG, Arkema, Merck KGaA, Qingdao LNT Chemical Co. Ltd., Daicel Corporation, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., and others.

Market Segmentation:

The global Thioglycolic Acid Market segmentation is done on the basis of type and application.

By type, the market segments into low purity grade, high purity grade, and technical grade. The high purity grade segment holds the maximum potential and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.06% with a projected reach of USD 56,532.2 million by the end of the forecast period.

By application, the market includes PVC heat stabilizer, cosmetics, oilfield chemicals, leather processing chemicals, metals recovery, cleaning formulations, chain transfer agent, and others. The cosmetics segment is reported to garner a growth rate of 4.17% during the review period. Furthermore, the valuation of the market is expected to reach an approximate figure of USD 39,676 million by 2025.

Browse key industry insights spread across 144 pages with 166 market data tables & 19 figures & charts from the report, Thioglycolic Acid Market Research Report: Information by Type (High Purity Grade, Low Purity Grade and Technical Grade), Application (Cosmetics, PVC Heat-Stabilizer, Oilfield Chemicals, Cleaning Formulations, Leather Processing Chemicals, Chain Transfer Agent, Metals Recovery, Agrochemicals and others) and Region (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa) - Forecast till 2025 in detail along with the table of contents @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/thioglycolic-acid-market-6453

Regional Analysis:

The regional segmentation of the global thioglycolic acid market covers the following regions: Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

The Asia Pacific region holds the dominant share in the global market and is growing with each passing year. The region holds 42.49% market share and is expected to grow with the fastest CAGR of 4.24% during the forecast period. The region is further anticipated to reach a market valuation of USD 50,289.4 million by the end of the forecast period; strikingly higher than the other covered regions. The regional market is spearheaded by China, which contributes significantly to the overall growth and revenue generation of the Asia Pacific region.

North America holds the second largest share in the global market and is expected to grow significantly in the forthcoming years of the forecast period. The valuation of the market is calculated to touch USD 25,646.8 million by the end of 2025. A monumental share of the overall North American regional market can be attributed to the US, which holds a massive potential and is anticipated to achieve USD 19,956 million by the end of the forecast period.

The European market stands third in the global regional standings. However, the region is expected to significantly contribute to the overall welfare of the global market. The European region is primarily spearheaded by countries like the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and others. Among these pioneering nations, Germany hogs the spotlight with the largest market share and is forecasted to reach a valuation of USD 5,246.7 million by 2025.

Access Complete Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/thioglycolic-acid-market-6453
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has given its blessing to Microsoft's impending acquiring of Bethesda-parent ZeniMax Media, eliminating one more barrier to the deal's completion.

That approval comes in the form of a notice of effectiveness published earlier today, meaning the SEC has reviewed the acquisition and given its go ahead for the deal to move forward. However, the deal is unable to close until regulators in the EU similarly gives their approval.

Microsoft announced its intent to acquire ZeniMax Media in a $7.5 billion deal in September 2020. As of that initial announcement, that deal is expected to close in the second half of the 2021 fiscal year, which could be anywhere from now until June 30 depending on the timing of European Commission's impending decision. Once approved, this'll bring prolific studios like Bethesda, id Software, Arkane, and several others into Microsoft's growing Xbox Game Studios division.

Update 3/8/21: The European Commission has now followed suit and approved Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media.
NASA's Perseverance Rover is equipped with the most advanced science lab ever brought to another planet, so it will be able to thoroughly analyze any rocks and soil that it digs up. However, NASA also has something even more ambitious in mind: bringing Perseverance samples back to Earth via the Mars Sample Return mission. Now, NASA and its European Space Agency (ESA) partner have taken a big step in that mission, awarding the Mars Ascent Propulsion System (MAPS) contract to Northrop Grumman Systems.

Now that Perseverance has landed in the Jezero Crater, it will spend the next couple of years searching the area for signs of life. If it finds interesting rocks or dirt, it will cache them into "hyper-sterile" vessels that are uncontaminated from any Earthly organic materials. Those will then be place in tubes and stored inside the rover body.

The Mars Return Mission involves sending two spacecraft to Mars. One will land on the planet, meet up with the rover and grab the samples, then take off and orbit Mars (the "take off" part is where the MAPS contract comes in). The second spacecraft will rendezvous with that craft in Mars orbit and carry the samples back to Earth.

The original plan was to launch the sample return craft in 2026, land it in 2028 and return the Mars samples to Earth by 2031. Those dates are still up in the air, however, after an independent board recommended allowing more time (and cost) for the mission.

The Northrop Grumman contract is worth up to $84.5 million, which is a small part of the current $3.3 billion estimated mission budget. NASA sad it covers "support and products" for the MAPS ascent propulsion mission and "moves NASA and ESA one step closer to realizing Mars Sample Return." However, given the complexity of the project and the fact that it's never been tried, don't be surprised if those dates and budgets get pushed.
While masks will no longer be required by the state governments, students in public schools are still encouraged to wear them. (Go Nakamura/Reuters)

Students are headed back to class amid the coronavirus pandemic, and to keep you posted on whats unfolding throughout U.S. schools  K-12 as well as colleges  Yahoo Life is running a weekly wrap-up featuring news bites, interviews and updates on the ever-unfolding situation.

Despite removal of statewide mask mandates, Texas and Mississippi schools still encourage face coverings

Government officials in Texas and Mississippi received backlash this week after announcing the end of their respective statewide mask mandates. President Biden spoke out on the lifted mandates, calling the thought process behind them "Neanderthal."

But, while masks will no longer be required by the state governments, students in public schools are still encouraged to wear them. After Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's announcement, the Texas Education Agency updated its guidance to strongly encourage the continued use of masks in schools.

Every student, teacher, or staff member shall wear a mask over the nose and mouth when inside a school building, school facility, facility used for school activities, or when in an outdoor space on school property or used for school activities, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household, the guidance says. However, it also includes this caveat: The governing board of a school system may modify or eliminate by formal action the above mask-related requirements.

In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves announced the end of the states mask mandate, but included a provision for schools. In an order released on March 3, Reeves said that face masks would still be required in K-12 schools when social distancing isnt possible.

Experts including Dr. Steven Horwitz, assistant professor of pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, agree with that idea. Weve learned during the course of this pandemic that masks are an important tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Horwitz tells Yahoo Life. They allow us to keep more children in school than if they weren't masked.

Story continues

Dr. Danelle Fisher, pediatrician and chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., tells Yahoo Life that mask-wearing in schools is incredibly important, adding, we still have to be incredibly cautious when were in situations when were not with our typical cohort.

Joe Biden urges states to prioritize teachers and school staff in their COVID-19 vaccination schedule

On Tuesday, President Biden urged states to consider teachers and school staff as essential workers in their vaccination schedules. The goal, he said, is for every teacher, school staffer and childcare provider to get at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the month.

As yet another move to help accelerate the safe reopening of schools, lets treat in-person learning like an essential service that it is, he said. That means getting essential workers who provide that service  educators, school staff, child care workers  get them vaccinated immediately. Theyre essential workers.

A Los Angeles preschool teacher receives her first injection at a site set up for education workers. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images).

Teachers unions applauded the move. What a tremendous relief to have a president who is meeting this moment of crisis, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, tells Yahoo Life in a statement. Vaccinations are a key ingredient to reopening schools safely. Weingarten says that teachers have been working in ways that are heroic but unsustainable, noting that educators are exhausted.

By following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, and with the help of this federal commitment to prioritize teacher vaccinations, were confident that within the next weeks and months, well be able to be back in classrooms, enabling the academic, social and emotional learning that we know happens best in-person, Weingarten says.

Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, tells Yahoo Life in a statement that her organization applauds the move. With promises of a vaccine, we have a new opportunity to create safe and just schools for every student, she says.

Fisher says the administrations push to vaccinate teachers is wonderful, adding, its about time somebody stepped up to make sure our teachers are safe and vaccinated.

Some Los Angeles private schools helped staff get COVID-19 vaccinations early through the use of access codes meant for vulnerable populations

Several private schools in Los Angeles are under fire after a report published in the Los Angeles Times accused them of using workarounds to get teachers and staff vaccinated early. Three of the schools  Alverno Heights Academy, Westmark School and Mirman School  either used restricted access codes meant for vulnerable populations or certified that their staff were responsible for health care duties in order to get them vaccinated early, according to school emails, meeting minutes and letters obtained by the Times.

Julia Fanara, head of school at Alverno Heights Academy, tells Yahoo Life that her school was unaware the code we were provided was reserved for underserved individuals or that such a program existed. In hindsight, we should have more thoroughly vetted the origin of the code.

But, Fanara says, To the best of our knowledge, no one on our staff used the code to obtain a vaccine. Fanara says that her school continues to prioritize the health and safety of students, staff and the local community by working hard to adhere to all guidelines set by state and local health authorities. She adds, We believe vaccinating teachers is a critical element to ensure the wellbeing of our community and we have encouraged our employees to obtain a vaccine as soon as supplies and guidelines allow.

Fisher says she has mixed feelings about teachers getting vaccinated ahead of their scheduled allotment. I agree that we need to protect our most vulnerable, but its tricky because we want teachers to be safe, too, she says. Fisher also points out that teachers are currently being vaccinated in Los Angeles, and that these schools jumped ahead of line a few weeks.

While I dont necessarily think its great, Im not mad at anyone getting the vaccine, Fisher says.

Study finds 3 million marginalized students have been missing from school for a year

A disturbing study from Bellwether Education Partners, a nonprofit that focuses on underserved communities, estimates that about 3 million of the most educationally marginalized students in the country may have been missing from school since March 2020.

The organization says that the reasons are complex, but may be due to issues like lack of computers at home, no Wi-Fi access, instability at home and needing to care for or provide learning support for younger siblings. The report says that once a student leaves school, it is difficult to reenter and those that do try will likely face permanent setbacks.

Horwitz says that children being out of school is a massive problem and should be addressed soon after our focus on health care. The impact of children not being in school is incredibly detrimental for them educationally, socially and mentally, he says.

There are a lot of people out there who need school because its literally life-saving  their families are dealing with poverty, homelessness and food insecurity, Fisher says. We are failing children as a country now, but I have every hope that well be able to get back on track and get those children back where they need to be  in school.

Bellwether recommends that public leaders at every level of government develop, implement and enforce coherent, science-based strategies to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, stamp out community transmission and eventually enable safe community re-openings, prioritizing a safe return to school for all.

Los Angeles Unified School District will resume in-person learning in April

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week a multibillion-dollar deal to reopen schools to in-person learning by April 1. The deal has not received formal approval from the state Legislature but would create a $2 billion incentive pool that will give money to schools that reopen for kindergarten through second-grade students, along with students who have special needs.

Schools that dont resume in-person learning by April 1 will lose 1 percent of their part of the money for each day they stay closed. But while the Los Angeles Unified School District has agreed to resume in-person learning, it doesnt look like it will meet the deadline.

On track to reopen schools in April, superintendent Austin Beutner tweeted on March 1, including a graphic that said, the goal is mid-April.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Data provided by the state of California shows that select public school districts across the state have reopened to in-person learning, including Mariposa County Unified, Baker Valley Unified and Trona Joint Unified. Many private schools across the state have also reopened.

Fisher, who lives in the Los Angeles Unified School District, says she's thrilled that in-person learning will resume again. It's not a moment too soon, she says. The feeling in Los Angeles is general elation at the thought that our kids can go back to school. We are safely seeing other schools reopen and going well. I think it will be a wonderful thing for students.

Read more from Yahoo Life:

Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Amid soaring demand for the coronavirus vaccine, one Grand Rapids company is doing its part to put shots in arms.

On Friday morning, workers at Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing were suited up in personal protective gear, watching closely as thousands of vials swirled through a network of high-tech equipment on their way to be filled with Johnson and Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine.

It will save many lives, and thats truly the mission, said Tom Ross, president and CEO of Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM).

His company was hired to help produce J&Js COVID-19 vaccine, which was granted emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Feb. 27. J&J says it will deliver 100 million doses of the vaccine by the end of June.

Ross says its an honor and a privilege to be part of the effort.

GRAM, founded in 2010, was born out of a partnership between The Van Andel Institute and Grand Valley State University.

It manufactures clinical and commercial pharmaceutical products for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The company has about 350 employees, ranging from engineers to lab managers to quality control specialists, spread among five small- to mid-size buildings on Front Avenue SW near Grand Valley State Universitys PEW campus.

GRAM has been working on the J&J vaccine since at least August.

The company announced on Aug. 7 that it had been awarded a $160 million federal contract to help manufacture the vaccine. It signed a contract in September with J&J to manufacture its vaccine, Ross said, and that over the coming month its aiming to increase the number of vaccine doses its producing.

Ross said hes prohibited from disclosing the exact number of J&J vaccine doses GRAM has manufactured. But, to give an idea of the scale of his firms operations, he said production has stretched into the millions of doses.

Our team has just done a remarkable job, he said. Theyve worked tirelessly.

Related: 6 things you need to know about new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

J&Js CVOID-19 vaccine is the third such drug developed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

It differs from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines because it requires one, not two, doses of the vaccine.

An FDA analysis found the vaccine is about 66% effective overall at preventing moderate to severe COVID-19, and has a 86% efficacy rate against severe forms of Covid-19 in the United States, and 82% in South Africa.

Clinical trials showed the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were 95% effective once the vaccine fully kicked in. But experts note the Pfizer and Moderna clinical trials occurred over the summer and early fall, before the emergency of variants, while the J&J shot was tested later as those variants were emerging.

David Powell, vice president of business development at GRAM, said the pharmaceutical industry has never been known for super speed. But the sped-up fashion under which the COVID-19 vaccine was developed has represented a new paradigm for the industry.

Were accelerating everything, he said. Thats been the biggest change. Youre always thinking how can we make things quicker, but with the same quality standards and everything that were used to in the pharmaceutical world.

To meet demand for the vaccine, GRAM has added more employees.

Ross said his company has hired 125 people over the past six months, and that it plans to bring on another 75 people this year. He said those additional 75 workers are needed to continue to support our growth. They include entry-level science-based roles up to experienced management positions.

Its been incredible growth, Ross said. These are fantastic jobs. Theyre highly technical, high-paying jobs, which is great for our community.

At GRAM, the process of manufacturing the vaccine can take a matter of days.

The drug arrives at the company in a bulk form, Powell said. GRAMs job is to take the bulk vaccine and transform it into a final dosage form.

The final dosage form is then injected, using high-tech machinery, into glass vials under sterile conditions in a clean room. Any workers in the clean room must be outfitted with gloves, gowns, goggles, masks and other personal protective equipment.

Our line is a very highly automated line, Powell said, describing GRAMs production of the vaccine. The goal in sterile filling is the more you can remove the people from the process  thats better.

He added, The glass vials get washed, sterilized, filled and then put a stopper and cap in all under conditions that are removed from people.

Powell said he and his colleagues feel like theyre playing an important part in the fight against COVID-19.

Its a great feeling, he said. We have made a difference.

Read more:

Michigan State Police trooper charged with assault after leaving K-9 on suspect for more than 3 minutes

Rep. Dan Kildee says House will be ready once Senate acts on COVID-19 relief bill

Lane closures coming for Broadway bridges construction
In a heartbreaking and powerful letter to Gov. Greg Abbott, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser explains why face masks are necessary.

Leeser starts his letter with a painful memory of how he lost his mother in November to COVID-19. He explains his two sisters and brother visited her, not knowing she was COVID-19 positive. His brother didn't wear face masks, but his two sisters did.

Sadly, that visit resulted in Leeser losing his brother on Christmas Eve.

READ ALSO: Joaquin Castro pleads with Texas employers to allows employees to wear masks

"I share this very personal story not to seek sympathy, but to convey to you that when I speak about face masks, I do so not only in my role as Mayor leading our wondering City of El Paso, but as someone who is deeply aware of the power and protection that wearing face masks can provide an individual," Leeser stated in his letter to Abbott.

The March 4 letter comes after Abbott announced he will be lifting his face mask ordinance as of March 10. He also said he is opening Texas "100 percent," allowing businesses to run at full capacity. These actions, Abbott said, are to help small businesses bring in revenue it lost in the COVID-19 era. Leeser said he supports the plan for businesses, but encourages Abbott to allow local authority members to require face masks.

"Having seen our City come back from being one of the most infected cities in our nation in November, to the point where we are now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, it is my duty to encourage my community to wear face masks, and advocate to you for local authority to require them," Leeser wrote.

RELATED: Mask on: Restaurants and shops in San Antonio that are keeping mask requirements

Abbott's order is allowing local discretion if COVID-19 hospitalizations rise above 15 percent for seven straight days, which Leeser believes could potentially be devastating for businesses. Leeser said how "100% masks equal 100% business," explaining the more protected his citizens are, the safer and healthier the city will be. Leeser points to this as what will ensure businesses can remain open at 100 percent.

"There are 254 counties in your jurisdiction," Leeser wrote. "Each one is different. Each one faces different challenges, risk factors, geographical issues, and dynamics in underlying conditions of our populations that should be thoughtfully considered and uniquely addressed. That can only be done with local authority."

You can read Leeser's full letter below:

In an interview with CBS 11 News on Thursday, Abbott addressed the criticism for ending the face mask mandate, saying it is backed up by the state's COVID-19 hospitalizations and positivity rates. The governor also noted the rising number of people being vaccinated led to his decision, saying doctors believe that every Texan who wants a vaccine can get one by early May. To note, three of Abbott's COVID-19 advisory strike force said they weren't consulted about the mask mandate, and currently only 7.5 percent of the more than 28 million Texans have received both doses of the vaccine.

"All the metrics are moving in the right direction," Abbott said. "You cannot wait until you get to the very end until there are no more COVID cases, because we're never going to get to a position where there are no more COVID cases."

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre
New Delhi:

After the Kailash Mansarovar yatra was temporarily suspended, the pilgrims were airlifted on Wednesday. The route between Mangti and Malpa was damaged due to the recent cloudbursts in which 8 people were killed.

Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam officer from Nainital, D K Sharma said that 47 pilgrims of the 16th batch were airlifted to Dharchula by helicopters and 23 members of the 13th returning batch were airlifted to Pithoragarh from Gunji on Wednesday.

The remaining members of returning 13th batch will be airlifted tomorrow, the 16th batch will now be airlifted from Dharchula to Gunji, as the Nigam is committed to complete the Yatra this year, Sharma said.

ALSO READ | All Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims safe, secure: MEA

The action has been taken in view of broken roads at Malpa and Mangti where natural disaster struck two days ago, he said.

Meanwhile, the 40-member 17th batch who reached Almora from New Delhi on Wednesday will also be airlifted to Gunji.

We have made arrangements to complete the yatra even with the help of helicopters as only a small portion of the trek route has been damaged, he said.

The rest of the yatra route is in good shape, said the KMVN officer. A total of 13 batches, out of 18 planned, have completed the yatra this year till date.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra suspended due to damage of three bridges

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5) The Philippine National Police has sought the reopening of the probe on the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, citing new evidence and test results.

The PNP earlier this week filed a motion before the Makati City Prosecutors Office seeking to immediately reopen the case of the 23-year-old, who was found lifeless in a hotel following a New Year's Eve revelry with friends.

In the motion, police investigator-on-case PCpl Louie Lopez pointed out that he received copies of the toxicology and semen analysis exam results from the PNP Crime Laboratory on February 26, days after the city prosecutor already terminated the preliminary investigation on the case.

Considering that the above mentioned test results were not yet available when the Preliminary Investigation was terminated and when the present case was submitted for resolution the undersigned humbly requests that the present case be reopened and that the above-mentioned pieces of evidence be admitted as part of the records of this case, read the document obtained by CNN Philippines on Friday.

The PNP further argued there was no intention on its part to intentionally delay the release of the test results, stressing that this was beyond the control of any of the parties involved.

In order for justice to be completely served to all of the parties concerned, an immediate reopening of the case and complete admission of the attached pieces of evidence is just and lawful, it added.

Previous medico-legal reports showed that Dacera died of natural causes, with homicide ruled out. "Ruptured aortic aneurysm" was listed as her cause of death.

TIMELINE: The Christine Dacera case

Daceras family earlier sought another autopsy in a bid to dispute these initial findings, but the case respondents, who have asserted their innocence, appealed for the flight attendants kin to finally accept the ruling.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 23:32:33|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BANGKOK, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Thailand is considering COVID-19 vaccine passports and quarantine exemption amid efforts to boost the ailing tourism sector as inoculation rolled out worldwide.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the foreign ministry to conduct a study into the vaccine passports. "If we decide to unveil the plan, China will be among the first countries that we're going to negotiate with," Thai Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Preliminary plan will involve issuing certifications for inoculated visitors to Thailand, lifting them from the two-week mandatory quarantines and relaxing some restrictive measures, said Wissanu, adding that equal treatment will be required from other countries for inoculated Thai visitors.

However, he said the government still needs time to go through details and specific measures for implementation.

Thailand welcomed about 40 million foreign visitors in 2019, but only 6.7 million trickled in last year. The Southeast Asia's second-largest economy contracted 6.1 percent year on year last year in its sharpest decline since 1998.

The Bank of Thailand, the country's central bank, has seen tourism sector, which accounts for more than 15 percent of Thailand's economy, as a key to economic recovery. Enditem
St. Petersburg court seizes property of Transaero ex-CEO Burdin worth $3.3 billion

 flickr.com/ Artem Katranzhi

10:37 05/03/2021

MOSCOW, March 5 (RAPSI)  The Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region has satisfied a move of the bankruptcy receiver of Transaero air carrier seeking to seize funds and other property of the former general director of the company Alexander Burdin in the amount of 245 billion rubles ($3.3 billion), according to the court decision.

As receiver Alexey Belokopyt noted, the register of claims of the airline's creditors includes claims for more than 240 billion rubles (over $3.3 billion at the current exchange rate), and the amount of Transaero's debt on current payments exceeds 5 billion rubles ($67.4 million).

On October 2, 2020, the court satisfied the receiver's claim as to bringinging Burdin to subsidiary liability for the obligations of the air carrier. The amount of subsidiary liability is to be determined upon completion of settlements with the airline's creditors.

The decision states that from November 16, 2015 to September 13, 2017, Burdin committed actions that significantly worsened the financial situation of Transaero and created conditions for a further significant increase in the disproportion between the value of the debtor's assets and the size of his liabilities. The court also indicated that a causal relationship existed between Burdin's illegal actions to evade the transfer of documents, material assets of the debtor and the impossibility of satisfying the claims of creditors.

Moreover, the court is to decide on a statement by VTB bank seeking to recover 249.2 billion rubles ($3.4 billion) from the founder of the debtor Alexander Pleshakov, his mother, and ex-chairman of the board of directors Olga Pleshakova.

The Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region declared Transaero air carrier bankrupt in September 2017. The airline was unable to service its debts, which, according to some estimates, make about 250 billion rubles ($3.4 billion). The company has not operated flights since October 26, 2015.

Burdin acted as Transaero CEO from late 2015 to September 2017 and headed the company after revocation of the air carriers flying license.

On August 28, 2018, a Moscow court arrested Burdin in absentia, he was put on the international wanted list. Burdin stands charged with failure to pay wages, pensions, scholarships, benefits and other payments for more than two months, embezzlement committed by an organized group or in an especially large amount, and abuse of office, which entailed grave consequences.

According to investigators, ex-Transaero CEO has embezzled over 1.3 billion rubles (about $17.5 million) and has not paid wages to employees for well over two months. As a result, a salary debt to nearly 7,000 employees reached about 400 million rubles ($5.4 million). The defendant has pleaded not guilty.

Besides, in August 2020 a Moscow court sentenced former Transaero bankruptcy manager Mikhail Kotov to 5.5 years in a general regime colony in a criminal case over embezzlement of the airline's property in the amount of over 1 billion rubles ($13.5 million). The ex-manager was also found guilty of abuse of office.

Kotovs action resulted in embezzlement of the airlines property worth over 1 billion rubles ($15.3 million). Moreover, he forged some documents to suppress crimes allegedly committed in conspiracy with the former Transaero CEO Alexander Burdin, the statement reads.

In June 2020, the press service of the Russian Investigative Committee reported that the investigation of the criminal case against former chief accountant of Transaero Kovalev, charged with complicity in the embezzlement of more than 560 million rubles ($7.5 million) of the airline's property, had been completed.

The ex-chief accountant was charged with complicity in embezzlement and complicity in the concealment of funds of the organization serving as the base for collection of taxes and other fees.
The Junta de Andalucia has proposed vaccinating people up to 65 years of age with doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, something the region's Minister of Health, Jesus Aguirre, has called on Madrid to allow.

At present the national guidelines stipulate that the AstraZeneca formula should only be used to inject people under the age of 55.

According to Aguirre the objective is "to avoid leaving a large number of security forces and teachers, between 55 and 65 years old, without a vaccination.

Aguirre has also called on Madrid to make sure that people whose pathologies make them more vulnerable to Covid be considered "priority" in the vaccination queue, such as "people with Down's syndrome over the age of 40, immunosuppressed patients, those undergoing cancer treatment and those who have had transplants.

The minister also warned that the Plan 500,000 to vaccinate half a million people a week will not be activated until April or May since it is not expected that sufficient doses will arrive in the region to enable the mass vaccination until then.

Aguirre said he regretted the low volume of doses that continues to arrive in Andalucia and announced that during the month of March there will be no increase compared to February, so that with the current delivery of vaccines "it is difficult" to comply with the planned programme.

The health minister detailed that a total 1,022,130 vaccines have been received, so far, in Andalucia.

Some 179,300 doses arrived this week, of which 72,220 are Pfizer, 37,700 are from Moderna and 64,400 are from AstraZeneca, "much fewer" than announced by Spains Ministry of Health.

In addition, he said that 836,656 vaccines have been administered to date. In care homes, 99 per cent of residents have had the first dose and about 85 per cent have also had the second injection. In people over 80 years of age, the first dose has been administered to 43 per cent and the second dose to only 5.41 per cent. More than 50 per cent of teachers have already received the first dose.
A disabled man has hit back at strangers who assume his girlfriend is his carer.

Carl Thompson, 31 - who lives with cerebral palsy and uses a power wheelchair - and his girlfriend Kirsty Crosby, 24 from Melbourne, Australia, say they're are often met with confusion when people realise they are in fact in a relationship.

Kirsty, a Speech Language Pathologist, showcases public displays of affection when possible to try and stop the public assuming she's his carer.

Carl Thompson and partner Kirsty Crosby often shock people when they make it clear they're in a relationship and she's not his carer

Melbourne couple Kirsty Crosby and Carl Thompson pictured together on holiday in England before Covid struck

She said: 'People often think I'm Carl's support worker. Often at times, I have noticed people in different environments just watching us for a while, and I assume they're probably trying to work out what's going on between us two, as in what our relationship is.'

'So, I generally like to hold his hand to make it clear or give him a kiss to make it even clearer. It would be particularly weird if they thought I was his support worker when I start doing that, or I start eating his food!'

Carl says that on one occasion a flight attendant even assumed Kirsty was his mum.

He said: 'It happens a lot, often more implicit than explicit mentions, but most people don't think that we are actually together as a couple and can often be shocked to find out.'

'Not always shocked in a bad way, but it just goes to show how low community expectations are of people with disability.'

He added: 'I think sadly people still often think of people with disabilities as people who just go to a centre and do arts and crafts all day and couldn't imagine them doing other regular things like having relationships.'

The pair, who first met working at a disability support organisation five years ago, say they were able to eventually laugh at the incident on the plane but more needs to be done to show that people with disabilities live normal lives.

Carl Thompson (right), with his partner Kirsty Crosby, documents life living with cerebral palsy on Instagram, including trips to the bush, the beach, the snow, overseas holidays and playing with his dog Oscar

When asked what could help, Kirsty said: 'I think just remind people not to make assumptions, sometimes the person you are seeing might be a personal support worker, but also often it might be their friend or partner.'

Carl has even documented his own experiences living with CP, along with his and Kirsty's time as a couple on YouTube and Instagram.

He said: 'It's one of the reasons I started the YouTube channel, to get more realistic representations of people with disability out there.'
Washington:

The US said today that it wants India and China to engage in a direct dialogue to reduce tensions.The US' remarks came a day after Indian border guards foiled an attempt by Chinese soldiers to enter Indian territory along the banks of the famous Pangong lake in Ladakh.

The latest skirmish comes at a time when India and China are locked in a face-off in the Dokalam area of the Sikkim sector. The standoff has been ongoing for more than 50 days, after Indian troops stopped the Chinese Army from building a road in the area.

"We are encouraging both parties to sit down and have a direct dialogue," State Department Spokes ,person Heather Nauert told reporters at a news conference. Nauert was responding to questions on the skirmish between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh and continued standoff in the Dokalam area of the Sikkim sector.

Later, in an emailed statement, a State Department spokesperson said, "We refer you to the governments of India and China for further information. We encourage India andChina to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducingtensions.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
On February 1, the Burmese military staged a coup against the countrys civilian government. Prior to the scheduled seating of Burmas newly elected Parliament, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a written statement, the Burmese military detained a broad cross-section of civilian government leadership, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, civil society leaders, journalists, and human right activists. We have been clear: this was a coup, and we will not sit idly by. This coup attempts to reject the will of the people of Burma as expressed during the November 2020 election.

In response to the coup, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order Blocking Property With Respect to the Situation in Burma, authorizing sanctions in connection with the coup. The Treasury Department then imposed sanctions on several Burmese officials and entities.

Pursuant to the new Executive Order, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Department of State, designated 10 individuals involved in the coup and three entities supporting the military apparatus.

The designated individuals are Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese military forces Min Aung Hlaing, and his Deputy, Soe Win, First Vice President and retired Lieutenant General Myint Swe, Lieutenant General Sein Win, Lieutenant General Soe Htut, and Lieutenant General Ye Aung, all of whom led the coup.

General Mya Tun Oo, Admiral Tin Aung San, Lieutenant General Ye Win Oo, and Lieutenant General Aung Lin Dwe.

Myanmar Ruby Enterprise, Myanmar Imperial Jade Company, Limited, and the Cancri Company, LTD, were sanctioned for being wholly owned subsidiaries of a conglomerate controlled by Burmas military.

As a result of the designations, all property, and interests in property of the designated individuals and entities, that are within U.S. jurisdiction or in the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked, and U.S. persons may not engage in transactions with them.

These designations specifically target current or former members of the military who played a leading role in the overthrow of Burmas democratically-elected government, said Secretary of State Blinken.They do not target the economy or people of Burma, and we have gone to great lengths to ensure we do not add to the humanitarian plight of the Burmese people.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-04 21:10:56|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

LAGOS, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), one of Nigeria's agricultural research institutes on Thursday called on the government to scale up investment in irrigation farming to ramp up agricultural production and avert food crises.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna state, north Nigeria, Emmanuel Ikani, executive director for the institute responsible for the development, collation, evaluation and dissemination of proven agricultural innovations in the country, said the investment would increase production.

He said it has become imperative to abandon the idea of farming only during the rainy season which could not continue to avert the negative challenge.

The expert told reporters that elsewhere there was nothing like farming in the rainy season alone.

"Our agriculture is still rain-fed, but we have the facility and water resources all over the country for irrigation," he said.

Ikani appealed for a strong political will to move water from rivers and streams to farms.

He also regretted that many farmers in the northeast, parts of northwest and north-central could not go to their farms due to insecurity.

"Farmers are endangered at the moment which is a hint to a looming scarcity of food in Nigeria," Ikani warned.

Doyin Salami, chairman of the presidential Economic Advisory Council, told a virtual national economic outlook event in January that Nigeria's national import of food amounted to 1.85 trillion naira (about 4.9 billion U.S. dollars) between January and September in 2020, a 62 percent increase when compared to the same period in 2019. Enditem
Every photographer's journey is unique, but our destination is the same. PPA brings us all together.

Professional Photographers of America (PPA) welcomes Virginia photographer Mary Fisk-Taylor, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, ABI, API, EA-ASP, as its new President. Earlier this week, Fisk-Taylor began her year-long term that extends through the end of February 2022.

"I am incredibly proud to be the new PPA President and to serve our community," Fisk-Taylor said. "My heart bursts with gratitude for all those before me that have paved the way. I believe that successful organizations are never limited by opportunity but by their leadership. PPA continues to grow because of its leadership, from the board of directors, committees, and staff to each of our 30,0000 dedicated members."

Fisk-Taylor becomes the nonprofit's President after serving last year as the Vice President. The new Treasurer, Kira Derryberry, began her service today as well. The previous Treasurer, Jeff Dachowski, assumes the current role of Vice President. The previous President, Gregory Daniel, assumes the role of Chairman of the Board, with the previous Chairwoman, Audrey Wancket, rotating off the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directorsall PPA members themselveswill shape the association's vision until March 2022. The new board composition is as follows:

Chairman Gregory Daniel, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, F-ASP, from Titusville, FL

President Mary Fisk-Taylor, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, ABI, API, from Richmond, VA

Vice President Jeff Dachowski, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, from Bedford, NH

Treasurer Kira Derryberry, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, from Tallahassee, FL

Director Mark Campbell, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API from Wheeling, WV

Director Allison English Watkins, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, from Park City, UT

Director Pete Rezac, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, from Reno, NV, beginning his second term

Director Kesha Lambert from New Rochelle, NY, beginning her first term

Director Makayla Harris, CPP, from Saratoga Springs, NY, beginning her first term

Director Ronan Ryle from Clondalkin, Ireland, beginning his first term

Director Larry Lourcey, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr., CPP, from Plano, TX

Director Trish Gilmore Cr.Photog., CPP from Warwick, RI

Director George Joell III, Cr.Photog., from Fayetteville, NC

As a nonprofit, PPA's board is an essential component of the organization. It takes an active role in PPA's legal and financial responsibilities, visioning, and policy. Each member is an active professional photographer and brings a unique set of skills, talents, and experiences to their leadership role. They each serve three two-year terms and become eligible to run for the executive board after completing their first term.

"As small business creatives, we face many day-to-day challenges," Fisk-Taylor said. "Amid the uncertainty, PPA is a guiding light that helps us achieve sustainability, profitability, and success. Every photographer's journey is unique, but our destination is the same. PPA brings us all together."

About PPA:

Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest and longest-standing nonprofit photography trade association. Founded in 1868, PPA helps 30,000 creative professionals elevate their craft and grow their business with resources and education, all under PPA's core guiding principle of bridging the gap between photographers and consumers. To learn more, visit PPA.com.


PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne has said he does not believe there is currently a prospect of a return to violence after a group representing the views of loyalist paramilitaries withdrew its support for the Good Friday Agreement.

The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson telling him the main loyalist paramilitary groups are withdrawing support for the 1998 peace agreement.

The group said it was temporarily withdrawing its support for the accord amid deepening concerns over the post-Brexit Irish Sea trade border, which necessitates checks on goods arriving here from the rest of the UK.

DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on Thursday warned that unionist confidence and support for the 1998 Agreement "is diminishing rapidly".

But the Prime Minister said "good will and common sense" would help to solve the issues around post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland.

Speaking in Teesport, Middlesbrough, Mr Johnson said: "I haven't seen which groups you're talking about.

"But what I can say is we are taking some temporary and technical measures to ensure that there are no barriers in the Irish Sea, to make sure things flow freely between GB and NI and that's what you would expect.

"Obviously these are matters for continuing intensive discussions with our friends.

"I'm sure with a bit of good will and common sense all these technical problems are eminently solvable."

Expand Close Prime Minister Boris Johnson was sent the letter by the LCC PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Prime Minister Boris Johnson was sent the letter by the LCC

Mr Byrne, who admitted he hadn't yet seen the LCC letter due to being busy with Policing Board matters, told the watchdog on Thursday that police have initially assessed the letter as a "political move".

"We don't see the prospect of a return to protest or violence. We are prudently looking at an assessment of what that means in terms of a policing response or indeed any need to change our posture over the weeks ahead," he said.

Pressed by media, Mr Byrne said as a political move, the letter is "best dealt with by politicians".

"This is a political space and for politicians to determine who they need to speak to. We're here to police consequences and we'll keep an eye on any change in mood," he said.

"But as we sit here this afternoon, we don't see any immediate change in emotion or potential for disorder or violence coming from within the loyalist community and my appeal is for calm and to let the political processes take place."

Mr Byrne said there have been 200 incidents - such as criminal damage, graffiti and the erection of posters and banners - since the start of January related to opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

"We are keeping an eye on that," he said.

Sir Jeffrey said that unionism feels betrayed, and writing in Friday's Belfast Telegraph he insisted that "much effort has been expended recently to dismiss and diminish the views" of those represented by the LCC.

"Their views, however, were regarded as being of great importance within the Belfast Agreement and they too were signatories to it," he said.

"Ignoring unionist opposition to the Protocol clearly runs the risk of that translating into a withdrawal of support for the Agreement we are told it is designed to protect."

His party colleague, Ian Paisley MP, said he feared the letter sent by the LCC to Mr Johnson was a "genie getting out of its bottle", and the Tory leader now must respond swiftly and effectively.

"And the only way we can do that really is for the Prime Minister to stand up and make a statement about all of these things that are happening and how he intends to move beyond extending the grace period," he said.

The North Antrim MP was referring to the unilateral action taken by the Government on Wednesday to extend a grace period that has been limiting the volume of red tape associated with moving agri-food goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.

The EU has criticised the UK's move to extend the exemption period, which was due to run out at the end of the month, until October, claiming it risked breaching the terms of the protocol.

Meanwhile, First Minister Arlene Foster said at Thursday's weekly Press conference in Dungannon she was not surprised the LCC had sent the letter.

She stressed, however, that she welcomes the group's commitment that it will use "peaceful and democratic means" to protest the Protocol.

"They are saying that they are withdrawing their support until their rights are restored, so it's not something that is definitive," added the DUP leader.

Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that 23 years after the signing of the GFA "the question needs to be asked" why loyalist paramilitaries "still exist".

"I think everyone in political leadership has a responsibility to encourage, and tell these groups to leave the stage," she told media.

"There is no place for them in today's society."
Gardai have warned of the risk of thefts of sheep in the West Wicklow area.

Already in 2021, there has been one reported theft in the West Wicklow area.

Last year, 176 sheep were taken in a total of six different incidents.

Gardai have encouraged farmers to use heavy duty locks and chains on their gates which would make the theft of sheep more difficult.

Farmers should also count their flock as often as possible and immediately report any losses to gardai.

Superintendent Anthony Farrell of Baltinglass Garda Station is fully supportive of anti-theft measures proposed by Det Sergeant Barry Turner in Wicklow.

Supt Farrell said farmers can also do small things to make this type of theft more difficult, such as for example, branding each flock, with clearly identifiable markings.

He added: "People living in rural communities should be alert to this type of crime and if they see something unusual or suspicious, please advise the local farmer and indeed An Garda Siochana.

"Unusual or suspicious could be as simple as a trailer on farmland they dont recognise.

"This is a particular type of crime where the culprit has a specific knowledge of animals but also access to transport to move them from fields.

"An Garda Siochana in parts affected by these thefts in Co Wicklow are monitoring the movement of all animals, especially sheep."
The United Nations said Friday that as many as 23 people were killed in Irans impoverished Sistan-Baluchistan province when authorities opened fire on fuel porters and protesters last month.

In an effort to crack down on the cross-border fuel trade, Irans Revolutionary Guards reportedly use live ammunition on a group of people transporting fuel across the Iranian border with Pakistan. Citing local monitoring groups, Human Rights Watch said shooting on Feb. 22 left at 10 Baluchi people dead and five injured in the town of Saravan.

The shootings sparked protests across southeastern Iran, during which security forces reportedly fired on the crowds to disperse them. According to Baluchi human rights defenders, two people, including a child, were fatally shot during the protests.

The UNs human rights spokesman, Rupert Colville, told a news briefing in Geneva on Friday that as many as 23 fuel porters and protesters may have died, but the true number is difficult to verify.

The series of violent events and unrest began on 22 February, when Revolutionary Guards are alleged to have shot and killed at least 10 fuel couriers, known as sookhtbar, in Sistan and Baluchistan Province at the border with Pakistan, after a two-day stand-off triggered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps blocking the road to the city of Saravan, Colville said, according to Reuters.

Located along Irans border with Pakistan, Sistan-Baluchistan is among Irans poorest provinces and is rife with drug traffickers and separatist ethnic Baluch militants. The region is majority Sunni Muslim, whereas Irans population is majority Shiite.

Baluch rights activists organized a demonstration in the Pakistani port city of Karachi this week to protest the violence, RFE/RL reports.
In another step to reinstate environmental protections rolled back under former President Donald Trump, the Biden administration has told a court it will resume efforts to limit emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases and pollutants from the nations landfills.

Regulation of solid-waste landfills, significant sources of planet-heating gases and other pollutants, had been scheduled to take effect by the fall of 2017 under timetables issued by President Barack Obamas administration. But Trumps Environmental Protection Agency delayed action, giving states until November 2021 to submit their methane plans and postponing a nationwide rule for at least two additional years.

A federal appeals court in San Francisco upheld the delay in October, rejecting challenges by California, seven other states and environmental advocates. But another appeals court in Washington, D.C., reached a different conclusion in a broader ruling that overturned Trumps climate-related rules for power plants on Jan. 19, the former presidents last day in office.

That ruling said the outgoing EPA failed to justify substantially extending established compliance time frames and disregarded the added environmental and public health damage likely to result from slowing down the regulatory process.

On Thursday, President Bidens Justice Department told the court it was withdrawing its predecessors orders postponing methane regulation in response to the ruling.

The court filing said Biden, on his first day in office, had ordered the incoming EPA and other administration agencies to immediately review all Trump administration regulations and other actions that may affect health and the environment, in an order that expressly referred to the postponement of methane regulations. By this May, the Justice Department said, the EPA intends to issue a federal plan for any state that does not have a federally approved proposal to regulate the emissions.

We applaud the Biden administration for abandoning a Trump-era effort to delay the implementation of a critical regulation limiting methane emissions from landfills, said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Bidens nominee as U.S. secretary of health and human services. Landfills are the third-largest source of emissions of the super pollutant methane, and a significant emitter of carbon dioxide and other hazardous air pollutants.

The action helps further clear away the environmental regulatory wreckage left behind by the previous administration, said Richard Corey, executive officer of the California Air Resources Board.

COVID Resources Coronavirus Map Tracking COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area and California.

Biden has also restored U.S. participation in the 190-nation Paris Agreement on climate change, reversing Trumps withdrawal. The new president has halted oil and gas leasing on federal lands and announced reconsideration or reversal of Trumps easing of standards for water and air pollution.

And Bidens nominee to head the EPA, Michael Regan, is a former North Carolina environmental regulator whose background contrasts sharply with those of Trumps EPA administrators, Scott Pruitt, a longtime ally of the oil and gas industry, and Andrew Wheeler, a former coal industry lobbyist.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
(@FahadShabbir)

Early parliamentary elections will not be able to change the situation in Moldova, which has plunged into a political crisis, as the political parties will still need to be engaged in a dialogue to form the cabinet, former President Igor Dodon said on Friday

CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) Early parliamentary elections will not be able to change the situation in Moldova, which has plunged into a political crisis, as the political parties will still need to be engaged in a dialogue to form the cabinet, former President Igor Dodon said on Friday.

Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu resigned last December so that the country could hold early parliamentary elections. In accordance with Moldovan legislation, the president must nominate a candidate for the post of prime minister, but instead, President Maia Sandu went to the Constitutional Court to ask whether the parliament could announce its dissolution. The court declined such an option.

"Any way out of the political crisis can be found only through dialogue, as of now, there is no dialogue between the presidential administration and the parliament, thus, the president violates the orders of the Constitutional Court.

It seems to me that early parliamentary elections will not change the situation in the country, after that, we will have to conduct a dialogue again," Dodon said in a video message, broadcast on his Facebook account.

According to the ex-leader, the political instability in the country was triggered by the parties' reluctance to hold a dialogue within the parliament and other bodies. Following the span election, none of the parties will be able to secure a majority of the seats and have to reach an agreement, Dodon said, adding that this agreement can be reached now not to waste time and money for elections.

Moldova's next parliamentary elections must be held by 2023, although opposition lawmakers have expressed their desire to hold a snap vote to gain the mandate to pursue pro-EU policies.
Credit: CLAUDE BERNARD UNIVERSITY, LYON

At 480 million years old, this fossil is the oldest starfish-like creature ever discovered.

Scientists have discovered the world's oldest starfish-like fossil.

The ancient animalknown as Cantabrigiaster fezouataensis  is the ancestor of all living starfish and brittle stars on the planet.

UWA adjunct research fellow and Cambridge University visiting postdoctoral researcher Dr. Aaron Hunter led the research.

He says the specimen was first collected in the early 2000s by Berber farmers turned fossil hunters in the Moroccan desert.

"It's a fossil that's perplexed me for many years," Aaron says.

Starfish ancestor

The turning point came while Aaron was studying living specimens of sea lilies or crinoidsa close relative of starfish.

The specimens were collected off WA's northern coast and stored at the WA Museum.

"I looked at their arms and I thought, well, that looks familiar to this fossil that I have in my collection," he says.

"It was about the time I realised this fossil  could actually be the ancestor of all starfish-like animals."

To test the theory, Aaron and his team examined starfish fossils from 480 million years ago to 350 million years ago.

"The result was that, yes, it really is this missing link," he says.

Researchers scour the Fezouata fossil site in Morocco, where Cantabrigiaster fezouataensis was uncovered. Credit: UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

An alien ocean

If you had a time machine and went back to the period C. fezouataensis is from, there would be no life on land, Aaron says.

"On the land, it would be a dead continent," he says. "No plants, nothing there."

If you donned a snorkel and put your head underwater, the ocean would be filled with bizarre animals.

"You wouldn't recognise anything  it'd be like something out of an alien film. But in the middle of that, you would recognise your starfish," Aaron says. "They may well be one of the first modern animals ever to appear on our planet."

Starfish on a stick

Aaron says C. fezouataensis likely descended from crinoids, which resemble a starfish on a stick.

"Crinoids are like a starfish. They have arms, they have these little tube feet  but they have a stem," he says.

C. fezouataensis is the first animal to lose the stem, put its mouth on the surface and adopt a starfish body plan, Aaron says.

Cantabrigiaster fezouataensis. Credit: COLLECTIONS OF THE CLAUDE BERNARD UNIVERSITY LYON 1

"It's quite an amazing discovery," he says.

Aaron named Cantabrigiaster after the two cities of Cambridgeone in the UK and one in the US.

"We've acknowledged that all of these amazing scientists who worked in both cities over the last 100 years or so or more were involved in trying to resolve this problem," he says.

"We didn't know where starfish came from."

Fossils for sale

Aaron says the first C. fezouataensis fossil landed on his desk through a friend who had picked it up on a field expedition. Later, a series of specimens were put up for sale through an online auction website.

A Yale University professor recognised the importance of the fossils, bought them himself and donated them to Yale.

It allowed Aaron to access the fossils for his research.

"We rescued a huge chunk of the specimens," he says.

 the oldest starfish-like creature ever discovered. Credit: COLLECTION OF YALE UNIVERSITY

Despite studying fossils all over the world, Aaron believes some of the most beautiful brittle stars ever preserved are from WA's Gascoyne Junction.

"I'd call that iconic level," he says. "It really is beautiful because they're so big."

Explore further New starfish-like fossil reveals evolution in action

This article first appeared on Particle, a science news website based at Scitech, Perth, Australia. Read the original article.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 21:07:45|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

SHANGHAI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A Shanghai proton therapy center is expected to take the lead in providing treatment for Chinese children with cancer in about two years.

The center will be jointly established by the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai Fosun Healthcare (Group) Co., Ltd., and Mevion Medical Technology Group Limited, under an agreement signed this week.

About 22,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in China. Surgery and chemotherapy are the main treatments.

Proton therapy is a new type of radiation therapy that uses high-energy beams to treat tumors. Protons from hydrogen atoms are extracted and accelerated up to 70 percent of the speed of light. Its energy is concentrated directly on the tumors with minimal harm to surrounding healthy tissue. It causes fewer side effects on brain and spine growth in children compared with traditional treatments, said Dong Kuiran, a senior oncologist at the children's hospital.

"There are many proton therapy centers under construction in China, but most will provide treatment for adults only. A lack of doctors is another obstacle," Dong said.

Many families travel abroad for proton therapy, which costs millions of yuan in many cases.

The partners in the Shanghai center also plan to establish a training base and promote Sino-U.S. research-and-development cooperation.

Huang Guoying, president of the children's hospital, said his hospital was looking forward to improving the treatment of children's tumors in China and promoting the high-quality development of children's health through this multi-party strategic cooperation. Enditem
The Guardian has issued an apology to Mairia Cahill after a journalist who questioned a BBC Spotlight programme on her claim she was raped by an IRA member revealed he was a supporter of the terrorist group.

In a recent article former Daily Mirror editor Roy Greenslade said he had "come out of hiding" to explain why he believes the IRA bombing campaigns of the 1970s to 1990s were justified.

Read More

After Ms Cahill waived her anonymity and appeared in the 2014 programme, Mr Greenslade wrote an article for the London newspaper questioning her motives and said he felt the programme was one-sided.

Guardian Editor-In-Chief Katharine Viner has now issued an apology to Ms Cahill saying I can only apologise again that Roy Greenslade's article was not handled appropriately in the first place.

Ms Cahill has now called on Mr Greenslade and then Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger to come forward and offer a public apology to her.

She told the Belfast Telegraph that she had received a lengthy statement from the newspaper, much of which can not be disclosed for legal reasons.

The Guardian has also amended the original article on their website addressing Ms Cahill's complaint.

"The Guardians readers editor considered the complaint and concluded that the columnist ought to have been open about his position" the updated article says.

After it emerged that Mr Greenslade had written for Sinn Fein publication An Phoblacht during the 1980s, this information was later added to further articles on the topic.

Expand Close Journalist and commentator Roy Greenslade / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Journalist and commentator Roy Greenslade

The Guardian said "he now says he regrets that he did not add it retrospectively to this piece and offers his sincere apology for failing to disclose my own interests.

"The lack of disclosure was especially unfair to a vulnerable individual, and the Guardian has now apologised to Ms Cahill," the website update read.

However they also said Mr Greenslade "felt his piece was a fair reflection of concerns raised elsewhere in the media at the time".

Ms Cahill said that she believed she was owed a full public apology over the matter.

"I think at the very least he owes me a public apology and so does Alan Rusbridger, I want to hear that he profusely apologises for what he did" she said.

"He has apologised for not putting his full disclosure on the piece, not for writing it."

Ms Cahill said she felt the article was "very shabby treatment of an abuse victim."

"An abuse victim waived anonymity to speak out, he then tried to call into question my credibility and motivation for doing so," she said.

"What he wrote was not accurate, I didn't waive my anonymity because I had political opposition to Sinn Fein.

"I waived anonymity after the Aine Adams documentary because I was so horrified at what had happened to her and to try and ensure nobody else would be abused in the same way that I was.

"He then tried to turn it something else. It was Sinn Fein's refusal to admit what had happened to me that required me to keep going public with my case."

Ms Cahill claimed that the IRA conducted its own inquiry into her rape claim, subjecting her to interrogation and forcing her to confront her alleged attacker.

The man she accused of rape was later acquitted of criminal charges in court after Ms Cahill withdrew her evidence.
Security forces in Myanmar dramatically escalated their crackdown on demonstrations against last months coup, killing at least 34 protesters in several cities on Wednesday, according to accounts on social media and local news reports.

This is the highest daily death toll since the February 1 takeover, exceeding the 18 that the UN Human Rights Office said were killed on Sunday, and could galvanise the international community, which has responded fitfully thus far to the violence.

Videos from Wednesday also showed security forces firing catapults at demonstrators, chasing them down and in one instance beating an ambulance crew.

The toll could be higher, with the Democratic Voice of Burma, an independent television and online news service, tallying 38 deaths.

Expand Close Anti-coup school teachers in Mandalay (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Anti-coup school teachers in Mandalay (AP)

Demonstrators have regularly flooded the streets of cities across the country since the military seized power and ousted the elected government of leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Their numbers have remained high even as security forces have repeatedly fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds to disperse the crowds, and arrested protesters en masse.

The intensifying standoff is familiar in the country with a long history of peaceful resistance to military rule, and brutal crackdowns.

The coup reversed years of slow progress towards democracy in the Southeast Asian nation after five decades of military rule.

Wednesdays death toll was compiled by an unnamed data analyst, who also collected information where he could on the victims names, ages, hometowns, and where and how they were killed.

Expand Close Policemen armed with guns, catapults and shields advance towards anti-coup protesters in Mandalay (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Policemen armed with guns, catapults and shields advance towards anti-coup protesters in Mandalay (AP)

The Associated Press was unable to independently confirm most of the reported deaths, but several square with online postings.

The data analyst, who is in Yangon, the countrys biggest city, said he collected the information to honour those who were killed for their heroic resistance.

According to his list, the highest number of deaths were in Yangon, where the total was 18.

In the central city of Monywa, where huge crowds have turned out, eight deaths were reported.

Two deaths each were reported in Salin, a town in Magwe region, and in Mandalay, the countrys second-biggest city.

Mawlamyine, in the countrys southeast, and Myingyan and Kalay, both in central Myanmar, each recorded a single death.

As part of the crackdown, security forces have also arrested hundreds of people at protests, including journalists.

Expand Close Anti-coup protesters stand behind makeshift barricades made with bricks in Mandalay (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Anti-coup protesters stand behind makeshift barricades made with bricks in Mandalay (AP)

On Saturday, at least eight journalists, including Thein Zaw of The Associated Press, were detained.

A video shows he had moved out of the way as police charged down a street at protesters, but was then seized by officers, who handcuffed him and held him briefly in a chokehold before marching him away.

He has been charged with violating a public safety law that could see him imprisoned for up to three years.

The escalation of the crackdown has led to increased diplomatic efforts to resolve Myanmars political crisis, but there appear to be few viable options.

It is not yet clear if Wednesdays soaring death toll could change the dynamic.

The UN Security Council is expected to hold a closed meeting on the situation on Friday, council diplomats said.

They added that the United Kingdom had requested the meeting.

Still, any kind of co-ordinated action at the United Nations will be difficult as two permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia, would almost certainly veto it.

Some countries have imposed or are considering imposing their own sanctions.
Canberra, March 5 : The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) on Friday urged the federal government to set-up a dedicated hotel quarantine system for international students.

In a statement, the IEAA said it would "pay whatever it takes" to restart the lucrative international education industry, which has been crippled by the coronavirus pandemic, reports Xinhua news agency.

The number of international students studying in Australia has fallen by more than 200,000 since the country's borders were closed in March 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had previously declared that more than 40,000 Australians who remain stranded overseas would be given priority to return the country.

Under the IEAA proposal students would not take quarantine places from Australians.

"There's no reason why we can't have charter flights bringing these students in, walking them across the tarmac into separate quarantine facilities that are not going to be competing with the hotel quarantine for Australian returnees," IEAA Chief Executive Phil Honeywood told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

"The industry is prepared to pay whatever it takes for additional Australian Defence Force and for police to ensure that it all happens properly, with only one point of entry and one point of exit." Data released by Universities Australia in February revealed that the higher education sector lost A$1.8 billion in revenue in 2020 and cut more than 17,000 jobs.

Honeywood said that the longer Australia remained closed to international students the further it would fall behind other countries in a competitive industry.

"Canada and the UK, our two biggest competitors, have kept their borders open for a whole year and are flying international students in for face-to-face teaching in the universities," he said.

"We are really destroying an industry that's taken decades to build." In response to the IEAA, Education Minister Alan Tudge said that the government would consider any proposals from universities.

"But it must be quarantine beds above those already in existence and must be signed off by the state's chief medical officer," he said.
KYOTO, Japan, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japanese Culinary Academy Certification Association (436 Sasaya-cho, Oike-sagaru, Higashinotoin-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Representative Director: Yoshihiro Murata) is pleased to announce the launch of the English version of the "Japanese Culinary Academy Certification: Fundamental Certification" website for overseas chefs.

"The Japanese Culinary Academy's Complete Japanese Cuisine" series.

The certification exam for basic knowledge of Japanese cuisine, which is attracting attention outside of Japan, can now be taken in English using a smartphone or tablet, even from outside of Japan. Those who pass the exam can obtain an electronic certificate by registering for the exam.

Easily accessible by smartphone or tablet

The certification exam is an English version of the Japanese Culinary Academy Certification (Fundamental Certification) that was launched in 2019, with the same content as the Japanese version, and it can be taken from any place in the world with an internet connection.

No test fee

To allow examinees to take the test as many times as they want while studying, there is no test fee. Those who pass the exam can obtain an electronic certificate by registering for the exam.

* The registration fee is 3,000 yen (until the end of June 2021, a special price of 1,000 yen is being offered to commemorate the launch of the Fundamental Certification English version), plus consumption tax.

Textbook

"The Japanese Culinary Academy's Complete Japanese Cuisine: Introduction to Japanese Cuisine" is the textbook for this certification.

You can find the textbook at URL below:

https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Japanese-Cuisine-Culinary-Academys/dp/4908325006/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NSTZ3914T7GF0X41JVXJ

Overview of the Japanese Culinary Academy Certification

The Japanese Culinary Academy Certification assesses test takers' knowledge and skills in Japanese culinary techniques, and certifies those who pass as having acquired "Japanese culinary techniques". It is designed to evaluate acquisition of what professional chefs need to know, from basic knowledge of background information such as history, culture, and the geographical and climate-related characteristics of ingredients, to specialized knowledge and techniques such as how to grate, bake, and boil fish.

The certification is divided into two categories: the "Fundamental Certification" and the "Practical Certification" for advanced learners.

The Fundamental Certification covers basic knowledge, concepts, and culture, while the Practical Certification will cover specialized knowledge such as "dashi" and "fermented seasoning" as well as practical skills such as cutting techniques.

The Practical Certification will be offered for a fee.

The "Complete Japanese Cuisine" series is available at Amazon Japan, Amazon.com, and other retailers. If you have difficulty obtaining a copy, please contact the office of The Japanese Culinary Academy Certification Association.

Contact for inquiries regarding this press release

For inquiries about this press release, please contact:

Japanese Culinary Academy Certification Association

Tel: +81-90-1464-9035 (Contact: Tsukiji)

Email: [email protected]

Related Files

The Japanese Culinary Academy Certification Association_Pressrelease 20210305.pdf

Related Images

the-japanese-culinary-academys.png

The Japanese Culinary Academy's Complete Japanese Cuisine

"The Japanese Culinary Academy's Complete Japanese Cuisine" series.

Related Links

https://nihonryori-a-kentei.or.jp/en

SOURCE The Japanese Culinary Academy Certification Association
Alabama's statewide mask mandate to curb the coronavirus is being extended to April 9 -- but it won't be extended after that, Gov. Kay Ivey said Thursday.

Ivey's remark came as she announced that the state's broader "Safer at Home" order, which includes the mask mandate and other measures, would be extended until the evening of April 9 instead of expiring Monday, as previously scheduled.

Ivey said this will be the last time she's extending the masking portion of the order. After April 9, Alabama will join at least 16 other states in not having a statewide face-covering mandate.

"While I'm convinced that a mask mandate has been the right thing to do, I also respect those who object and believe this was a step too far in government overreach," Ivey said in a news conference in Montgomery on Thursday.

Alabama is just the latest state to make major announcements about masks this week. Texas and Mississippi announced Tuesday they were abandoning statewide or county-level mask mandates. Additionally, those states said they were allowing businesses to operate at 100% capacity.

Ivey said masks have been the greatest tool in combating the virus. However, she said it was time to make this a personal responsibility rather than a government mandate.

Ivey, who said she will continue to wear a mask in public, urged businesses to decide what their own masking policies will be after April 9.

Covid-19 case and hospitalization counts have dropped in Alabama and in the country as a whole since January. Alabama averaged 990 new cases a day over the last week -- down from a peak average of 4,280 on January 10, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

The state had 559 Covid-19 patients in hospitals on Wednesday -- well below its highest count of the pandemic -- 3,088 -- on January 11, according to data from the COVID Tracking Project.

But many public health leaders across the US have urged states to wait at least for more vaccinations and lower case levels before easing safety measures like mask mandates, pointing to an increasing spread of more-transmissible variants that could spark another surge in cases.

"If we can just hang on (while more people are vaccinated), it would make a huge difference. So it's very disappointing that we're just going to rip off masks at this point," Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, told CNN Thursday about Texas' moves, before Ivey made her announcement for Alabama.

Alabama's mask mandate generally requires people to wear face coverings in public when within 6 feet of another person not from the same household.

The broader "Safer at Home" order also subjects certain businesses to social distancing guidelines and generally encourages people to minimize travel. The latest extension eliminates party-size limits at restaurant tables, but mandates partitions or 6 feet of space between tables.
There was embarrassment for King Felipe this week when it emerged that his sisters had had a Covid-19 vaccination on a private visit to see their self-exiled father, ex-King Juan Carlos, in Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Infantas Elena, 57, and Cristina, 55, issued a statement denying that it was done to jump the queue in Spain. "They offered us the chance to get a vaccine and we took it," it said, adding that both hope to visit their father regularly and they needed to have a "health passport".

However, the UAE Embassy in Madrid said that vaccination there is for citizens and residents and only a negative PCR test is needed to enter.

A Royal statement said King Felipe "isn't responsible for his sisters' actions". Although the Infantas are nowadays not referred to as part of the core Royal Family it is awkward for the King who has called for the monarchy to set an example.

There has been widespread criticism from politicians of the Infantas' vaccination.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
A former State Department aide in president Donald Trumps administration has been charged with participating in the deadly siege at the Capitol and assaulting officers who were trying to guard the building, court papers show.

Its the first known case to be brought against a Trump appointee in the January 6 insurrection, which led to Trumps historic second impeachment.

Federico Klein, who also worked for Trumps 2016 campaign, was seen wearing a Make America Great Again hat amid the throng of people in a tunnel trying to force their way into the Capitol on January 6, the papers say. Klein pushed his way toward the doors, where, authorities say, he physically and verbally engaged with officers trying to keep the mob back.

Klein was seen on camera violently shoving a riot shield into an officer and inciting the crowd as it tried to storm past the police line, shouting, We need fresh people, we need fresh people, according to the charging documents.
In a near-unanimous vote, the Alabama Senate passed a ban on medicalized gender-transitioning of minors, outlawing the prescribing of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and performing genital mutilation and double mastectomies on youth younger than 19.

The bill, called the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, is sponsored by Republican state Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, and will soon head to the state House, which has already passed a companion bill. The final Senate vote was 23-4, according to multiple reports.

The passage comes after the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the southern states efforts last year.

Both versions of the bill make it a felony to use experimental drugs on youth younger than 19. Those who violate the law could face $15,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The bill also requires school staff in Alabama to disclose to parents that their childrens mental perception of their bodies  which is often referred to gender identity  is inconsistent with their biological sex.



"Children arent mature enough to make these decisions on surgeries and drugs. The whole point is to protect kids, said Shelnutt in an interview with The Associated Press.

Source:The Christian Post
Washington D.C., March 5, 2021 - The Securities and Exchange Commission charged seven individuals and a technology company in connection with a fraudulent scheme to gain control of Airborne Wireless Network, promote its stock, and defraud investors.

According to the SEC's complaint, Kalistratos "Kelly" Kabilafkas secretly purchased essentially all the outstanding stock of the shell company now known as Airborne, then distributed millions of shares among himself and his associates, including defendants Timoleon "Tim" Kabilafkas, Panagiotis Bolovis, Eric Scheffey, Chrysilios Chrysiliou, and Moshe Rabin. As alleged, Kelly Kabilafkas and his associates deceived Airborne's transfer agent and broker dealers in order to have the shares transferred into their names, deposited in brokerage accounts, and cleared for sale to the public. The complaint alleges that Kelly Kabilafkas, through defendant Jack Edward Daniels, Airborne, and other third parties, spent millions of dollars on advertisements that concealed that Airborne was a vehicle for Kabilafkas's fraudulent scheme. The complaint further alleges that, while the promotional campaign was underway, Kelly Kabilafkas and his associates sold approximately 11.8 million Airborne shares for proceeds of more than $22 million, much of which was kicked back to benefit the Kabilafkas family. As alleged, Airborne raised another approximately $22.8 million dollars from unsuspecting investors through public and private offerings while materially false and misleading statements about the company were publicly available. In total, the complaint alleges, the scheme raised nearly $45 million.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charges the defendants with violations of the antifraud provisions of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Sections 17(a)(1) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933. The complaint charges Airborne, Kelly Kabilafkas, Tim Kabilafkas, Chrysiliou, Bolovis, and Scheffey with violations of the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and further charges Kelly Kabilafkas with control person liability under Section 20(A) of the Exchange Act. The SEC seeks civil penalties, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus interest, and injunctive relief. Rabin has offered to consent, without admitting or denying the allegations in the SEC's complaint, to the entry of a final judgment ordering injunctive relief, a $125,000 civil penalty, and a penny stock bar. The proposed settlement with Rabin is subject to court approval.

The SEC's investigation, which is continuing, is being conducted by Jennie B. Krasner, Paul J. Bohr, Drew Dorman, Jeffrey Anderson, and Robert Nesbitt, with the assistance of the Enforcement Division's IT Forensics Lab, and supervised by Peter Rosario, George Bagnall, and Jennifer Leete. The litigation is being led by Daniel Maher and David Misler, and is being supervised by Stephan Schlegelmilch. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, British Columbia Securities Commission, Ontario Securities Commission, Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission, Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, Quebec Autorite des Marches Financiers, Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets, Hellenic Capital Market Commission, and United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The Federal Council

Bern, 05.03.2021 - Crime often crosses national borders, which is why international cooperation is key to combating it. The Prum Convention and Eurodac Protocol will strengthen international police cooperation by making the exchange of information between Swiss prosecution authorities and those of EU member states faster and more efficient. In its meeting on 5 March, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on this issue.

Nowadays, terrorists, criminal organisations and transnational gangs are networked and mobile. For example, DNA samples from the Switzerland-wide coordinated investigations into ATM explosions in several cantons led to arrests in Austria and Denmark. To combat such cross-border crime more effectively, closer international cooperation is needed. The Federal Council seeks to promote such cooperation through the Prum Convention and has submitted a dispatch to this effect to Parliament.

Police to obtain key information more swiftly

Information that is vital to police work, such as DNA profiles, fingerprints and vehicle registration data, is stored in national information systems. Currently, if Swiss investigating authorities find DNA traces at a crime scene, they are initially checked against the national DNA database. If there are no matches, the DNA samples can be checked against other countries' databases. This process is complicated and time-consuming as the request has to be sent to all countries individually via Interpol. The Prum Convention means that a single request will in future trigger an automated search in the databases of all participating EU countries. If a DNA sample throws up a match in another country's database, the Swiss prosecution authorities will receive a notification directly and can request further information from the country in question.

The Prum Convention therefore makes international requests simpler, faster and more efficient for Swiss law enforcement services. This will speed up investigations and allow links between offences in Switzerland and abroad to be established more quickly. Serial offences and the modus operandi of criminal organisations can also be detected and uncovered more rapidly. The Convention is an important instrument in combating organised and transnational crime and terrorism and will help make Switzerland safer.

The Prum Convention is not an extension of the Schengen Agreement and Switzerland's participation is therefore voluntary. However, virtually all European countries already exchange DNA profiles, fingerprints and vehicle registration data via Prum. If Switzerland were to stand on the sidelines in this area, this would likely have a negative impact on the future exchange of police information with EU member states.

Eurodac Protocol and PCSC Agreement to enter into force

Implementation of the Prum Convention is a prerequisite for the Eurodac Protocol to enter into force. Under the Protocol, law enforcement services can access the Eurodac database, which contains the fingerprints of persons who have applied for asylum in a Dublin member state and those caught attempting to enter the Dublin area illegally. Access to this database is only permitted for the prevention and detection of serious crimes and in cases where there is suspected terrorist involvement.

Alongside the technical implementation of Prum cooperation, the Preventing and Combating Serious Crime (PCSC) Agreement, concluded with the United States, is to enter into force. This agreement, which was approved by the Federal Council back in 2012, pursues the same goals as the Prum Convention but is limited to the exchange of DNA profiles and fingerprints.

Address for enquiries

fedpol communication, T +41 58 463 13 10, media@fedpol.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Justice and Police

http://www.ejpd.admin.ch



Federal Office of Police

http://www.fedpol.admin.ch/fedpol/en/home.html




Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.


Norwich student to climb Kilimanjaro for charity Norwich student to climb Kilimanjaro for charity

Julia Hull from St Georges parish in Sprowston, Norwich will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in summer 2022 to raise money for charity.

Julia is a mature student at UEA in her first year of a Psychology degree. A few weeks into starting her course she stumbled across an opportunity to support the National Autistic Society through climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, which had been on her list of places to get to one day.



As she was growing up, her family were members of the St Johns Cathedral parish. They were very much involved with Faith and Light, the network founded by Jean Vanier to support families where a member has a learning disability.



As an adult Julia has worked in schools with children with social, emotional and behavioural challenges, some of whom were autistic. It reinforced her opinion that awareness and understanding were key. The National Autistic Society provides support to individuals and their families, but also has an aim to raise awareness and campaign for change.



I am a little apprehensive, said Julia. This isnt like anything Ive ever done before. But the apprehension is totally outweighed by the excitement to get out there and push myself to achieve something amazing.



Julias fundraising target is 2,500. All sponsorship will go to the charity, as she is paying the cost of the trip herself. You can sponsor her via:



www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julia-hull



Pictured above is Julia Hull



Eldred Willey, 04/03/2021
There were no casualties in the past day.

The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported nine violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Thursday, March 4, against four incidences on March 3.

"In the past day, March 4, nine ceasefire violations were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) zone," the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on March 5, 2021.

In particular, the enemy troops fired a proscribed 120mm mortar toward Ukrainian positions near the village of Vodiane outside the occupied city of Donetsk. Also, they used the same type of weapons near the village of Vodiane in the Azov Sea littoral.

Read also"DPR" terrorists to introduce own "rules" for crossing contact line  Ukraine at TCGWhat is more, the Russian occupation troops fired automatic grenade launchers near the town of Avdiyivka, the same type of weapons and heavy machine guns near the village of Pisky, as well as a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher near the village of Pavlopil. In that sector, an enemy UAV was also spotted crossing the contact line before being jammed.

Furthermore, the Russia-led forces fired anti-tank grenade launchers near the village of Talakivka, grenade launchers of various systems, and heavy machine guns near the village of Zolote-4, while automatic rifles were used against Ukrainian servicemen near the village of Novozvanivka.

There were no casualties in the past day.

The violations were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire in Donbas.

Since Friday midnight, March 5, enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops.

The Ukrainian military say the situation is under full control.

Donbas ceasefire: Background

Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27, 2020.

On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period.

Reporting by UNIAN
NEW YORK, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Xperteks, announced today that CRN  , a brand of The Channel Company, has named Xperteks Computer Consultancy, Inc. to its 2021 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Pioneer 250 category. The list, released annually, recognizes the leading North American solution providers that have demonstrated innovative and forward-thinking approaches to managed services. These services help end users improve operational efficiencies and navigate the ongoing complexities of IT solutions, while maximizing their return on IT investments.

CRN

With cutting-edge approaches to delivering managed services, MSPs have become an integral part of the success of businesses worldwide. They help empower organizations to leverage complex technologies, keeping a strict focus on their core business without straining their budgets. CRN's 2021 MSP 500 list identifies the market's key managed services players who are setting themselves apart with best-of-breed solutions that provide the business outcomes customers need.

Xperteks has been a pioneer of the MSP industry for over 20 years and clients trust Xperteks to solve all their business technology-related problems. The clients know that they can focus on their core business activities while Xperteks manages their IT needs and services.

"Effective MSPs enable companies to focus on their core objectives while improving the quality and reliability of their cloud computing capabilities," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "The solution providers on CRN's 2021 MSP 500 list deserve recognition for their innovative and forward-thinking approaches to managed services, and the ability to optimize operational efficiencies and systems to maximize return on investments."

"We pride ourselves on having a continuous eye on technology innovations that benefits our clients," said Marcial Velez, CEO of Xperteks. "Together with our vast network of technology partners, we provide the stage where we elevate the levels of the client experience so businesses can achieve the results they seek to remain competitive. "

The MSP 500 list will be featured in the February 2021 issue of CRN and online at www.CRN.com/msp500.

About Xperteks

Xperteks Computer Consultancy, Inc. is a Master Technology Services Provider founded in 2001. We specialize in managed IT, network, cloud, windows virtual desktops and cybersecurity management solutions, including server management, technology procurement, and system integration. Xperteks is the ultimate source for any business to access teams of technology experts who will secure, implement, and manage the right technology to increase profitability and gain a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Follow Xperteks: Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact:

Xperteks Computer Consultancy, Inc.

Website: https://www.xperteks.com

Email: [email protected]

Call: 212-206-6262

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn , and Facebook.

 2021. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Channel Company Contact:

Jennifer Hogan

The Channel Company

[email protected]

SOURCE Xperteks

Related Links

https://www.xperteks.com


[March 05, 2021] Insurity's Fully Integrated MGA Software Now Powers Five of the Top 10 MGAs and Improves Productivity by Up to 30 Percent

Insurity, a leading provider of cloud-based software for insurance carriers, brokers, syndicates, and MGAs has created the market's only one-stop shop approach to technology for MGAs. Currently working with five of the top 10 US-based MGAs, Insurity's proven solutions cover all core business needs for MGAs, program administrators, and Lloyd's coverholders. Traditionally, MGAs have had to depend on fragmented technology solutions with few digital capabilities. This has led to operational issues for MGAs resulting in costly errors, missed opportunities, and fractured relationships with retailers and carriers. With Insurity's cloud-based MGA solutions, customers can now satisfy all technology and core business needs with one trusted partner. In Insurity's software, MGAs use a single user interface, enter data one time, into only one system, and it automatically integrates across multiple functional areas including rating, proposal generation, policy issuance, and reporting functions. This allows MGAs to trade in real-time for faster, more accurate quotes and transactions. As a result, customers are seeing improved productivity by up to 30 percent. Most MGAs operate in ighly competitive and constantly evolving markets. An integrated software suite that covers all aspects of rating, policy administration, claims, billing, and digital applications, empowers MGAs to quickly take advantage of emerging risks and bring new products to the market, across diverse areas, such as cyber, drones, co-working, gig-economy, and climate change, among others.



"For too long MGAs have felt stuck with legacy technology solutions. It's easy to get started with Insurity's MGA software because our team specializes in understanding an MGA's business needs and building a deployment plan that is simple, easy, and quick," said Jake Hampton, SVP, MGA Markets at Insurity. "Our platform is designed to be configured for any MGA's unique workflows, with permission levels and business rules. Both rating calculations and business rules may be applied so that multiple workflows including straight through processing and referrals can be supported. Then, policy issuance is dynamically created with data mapped from the rating and proposal generation functions. All this enables our MGA customers to respond faster, improve productivity, and build great relationships with carriers and retailers." "Insurity is the only provider that has a one-stop shop for all the core business needs of MGAs. Our software is flexible enough to manage both upstream and downstream businesses across commercial, personal, and specialty lines," said Kevin Grimes, SVP and General Manager for MGA solutions at Insurity. "We provide a cost-effective way to quickly deploy any MGAs' programs that ultimately helps to reduce the workload of underwriters."

To learn more about Insurity's MGA solutions please reach out to Courtney. Eaton (News - Alert) [at]Insurity.com About Insurity Insurity is a leading provider of cloud-based systems for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs. Through its best-in-class digital platform and with unrivaled industry experience and thought leadership, Insurity is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value, empowering customers to focus on their core businesses, optimize their operations, and provide superior policyholder experiences. With users worldwide and more cloud-based deployments than any other core system provider in the insurtech space, Insurity is trusted by 15 of the top 25 property and casualty carriers in the US. For more information, visit www.insurity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005349/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The Agege Local Government Area has renamed the Old Ipaja Road as Bola Tinubu Road in honour of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress and former governor of Lagos State.

Ganiyu Egunjobi, chairperson of the council, while delivering his message of goodwill, at the inauguration of the Agege-Pen Cinema flyover on Friday, thanked Mr Tinubu for laying the foundation for progress in the state.

Mr Egunjobi also renamed Dopemu Road as Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road, in gratitude to the governor for completing the bridge.

The council boss said the benefits of having the bridge constructed are enormous.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 1.4-kilometre bridge with ramps constructed from precast/pre-stressed reinforced materials was awarded in January 2018, during the administration of former governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

The Agege-Pen Cinema flyover was conceived to transmit vehicular traffic across intersections at Agege to tackle gridlock on the axis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as early as 9:00 a.m., various cultural groups, mostly youth in different clusters danced under the flyover and in various adjoining streets.

Tents were erected around the Iju bound lane under the bridge intersection bearing names of various lawmakers representing the area, council leaders and market groups with the supporters colourfully dressed.

Security was beefed up on the bridge where the governor was to perform the inauguration, however, the celebration spread there as visitors were screened in by security operatives.

The event was attended by the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who was escorted to the event by all the 40 lawmakers representing various constituencies.

Mr Obasa represents Agege Constituency at the House of Assembly.

The crowd went into a frenzy with the arrival of Mr Tinubu, as shouts of Jagaban rented the air.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye, while taking her opening speech, listed recently inaugurated projects which demonstrated the administrations commitment not to leave any division behind in its road construction and regeneration drive.

Mrs Adeyoye announced that by the grace of God we shall be inviting you soon to yet another commissioning of the completed Ariyo (Mile 10), Ira-MuwoIra-Muwo Bridge in Ojo Local Government Area.

She said the Agege flyover project would boost investment, support businesses, promote economic development and ultimately improve the socio-economic well-being of Lagos residents.

The Pen Cinema intersection as you all know is one of the busiest in Lagos, given its conflicts around the six major routes leading into it. namely Abule Egba, Ogba, Agege Oja, Iyana Ipaja, and Iju, she said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The special adviser said the project was embarked upon to tackle the daily gridlock in the Agege axis, with thousands of motorists spending hours with the accompanying travel inconvenience, loss of productive man-hours resulting in trauma and stress.

The solution to this traffic transportation problem was conceived in September 2017 in the construction of a Flyover across the Pen-Cinema intersection in addition to the spur linking Old Abeokuta Road.

This landmark project aside changing the skyline of the area would indeed ease traffic gridlock tremendously.

The project in its entirety consist of a dual carriageway 1.4km, Flyover Bridge component with 2 lanes of 3.65m width each in either direction with ramps, including the rehabilitation of five adjoining roads, she said.

Earlier, Mr Tinubu had praised Governor Sanwo-Olus administration for putting the state on the path to progress.

(NAN)

A Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, on Friday, struck out the appeal filed by a former lecturer of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor...

A Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, on Friday, struck out the appeal filed by a former lecturer of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Richard Akindele, against his conviction for demanding s3x for marks from a student, Monica Osagie.

Akindele had challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to try offences under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

He was convicted on 17th December, 2018, by the Federal High Court, Osogbo, for official corruption and abuse of office in respect.

Through his counsel, O. A. Ijatuyi, Akindele argued that since the alleged offence bothered on s3xual harassment in the workplace, only the National Industrial Court (NIC) that had exclusive jurisdiction to try the case. He cited section 254 of the constitution.

Akindele also argued that the ICPC failed to comply with its own Act which requires that cases of corruption be tried before a High Court designated by the Chief Judge of a state or the Federal Capital Territory.

Delivering judgment in appeal no: CA/AK/80c/2019 Prof Richard Akindele v FRN, the court agreed with E. A. Shogunle, counsel for the respondent that the jurisdiction of the NIC in criminal matters is not exclusive.

The court further held that S. 26(2) of the ICPC Act 2000 grants jurisdiction to any superior court of record to try offences under the Act.

The court affirmed the trial and conviction of the Appellant and dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.
The NSW government has granted a public health exemption for a Mardi Gras march that will take over Oxford Street in Sydneys CBD to protest against the mandatory detention of refugees, Aboriginal deaths in custody, and the criminalisation of sex work.

Police went to the NSW Supreme Court in an attempt to halt the Pride in Protest march, which is set to kick off at Taylor Square at 2pm on Saturday and head down Oxford Street and College Street before arriving in Hyde Park.

Participants in the 2021 Mardi Gras parade pose at the SCG on Friday. Credit:Louie Douvis

The official Mardi Gras parade has been moved to the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Protest organisers wrote on Facebook that more than two dozen COVID marshalls will attend the event to ensure the safety of everyone taking over Oxford Street and demanding our rights loudly and proudly.
Press Release

March 5, 2021 Bong Go says public vaccination of officials to boost public confidence on COVID-19 vaccines Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Thursday, March 4, expressed his support to suggestions to inoculate government officials in public in a bid to allay fears and boost public confidence on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Go, however, emphasized that this should be done without prejudice to the priority list of the government's national COVID-19 vaccination program which identified essential sectors as priorities, such as frontliners as well as poor and vulnerable sectors. During the launch of the Malasakit Center in Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City, Pampanga, Go was asked if he supports putting local officials in the priority list to get COVID-19 vaccine. The Senator responded favorably, saying, "Bakit hindi? Kumpiyansa po ang kinukuha natin dito. Eh, kung ibig sabihin nga nito, kung ang Mayor ninyo nagpabakuna nga, so ibig sabihin magtiwala kayo." If it will help allay the fears of the public on getting vaccinated, Go said that he will support such recommendation. "Ang importante nito, to get the confidence of your constituents po sa lugar. Kung mayor, to get the confidence of your constituents sa inyong lugar," Go said. "So, ako naman po pabor ako kung 'yon na po ang magiging desisyon ng ating IATF, na pangungunahan po ng mayor ay sang-ayon po ako, para makuha natin ang kumpiyansa," he added. While getting vaccinated is voluntary, Go stressed its vital role in attaining herd immunity in the country. "Wala naman po itong pilitan. Buhay po nila 'yan. So boluntaryo naman po ito. Kami naman po rito sa gobyerno ay pinapaintindi namin sa kanila na tanging bakuna lamang po ang susi o solusyon dito sa ating problema kontra COVID-19," Go said. "Importante po dito ay ma-attain natin 'yung herd immunity sa community. Ulitin ko, ang importante dito ma-attain natin 'yung herd immunity sa community. 'Pag 'yung komunidad ninyo ay na-attain na 'yung herd immunity, maiiwasan na ang pagkalat... kakayanin na po ng ating anti-bodies dahil po sa bakuna na ituturok sa tao," he added. Meanwhile, Go and President Rodrigo Duterte were set to witness the turnover ceremony for the AstraZeneca vaccines which are expected to arrive in the country at 7:30pm on March 4 based on a letter sent by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to the Department of Health. The AstraZeneca jabs, which will be the second batch of COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in the country, are from the World Health Organization-led Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, a global initiative that guarantees access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. The Senator said during the interview that a plan has already been laid out identifying the strategic locations where the vaccines are going to be stored to ensure equitable access throughout the country. "Nakaplano na 'yan sa mga strategic regions. Lahat po ay bibigyan, ang mga frontliners, i-priority muna natin ang mga frontliners," Go said. "Armasan natin ang ating mga frontliners, unahin natin ang ating mga frontliners. Sila ang isinabak natin dito sa giyerang ito. Dapat bigyan natin sila ng sapat na armas para labanan ang COVID-19," he added.

A logical fit

Communication is key

Staying on target

A common theme

Its no small feat to overhaul a major government system. And an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is at the heart of an organizations operations, fundamental to smooth day-to-day functioning. An ERP upgrade can take six months to a year, Oracle reports. It requires significant time and resources to modernize systems that bring together financial and human resources information from across disparate sources.COVID-19 makes it all the more difficult. Just at a time when it is essential to get functions such as finance and budgeting onto cloud-based platforms, government IT hasnt been able to collaborate shoulder to shoulder. Tech leaders have had to balance the urgent need for change against the constraints of remote work Despite the hurdles, some jurisdictions have succeeded in pushing through large-scale modernization programs, even in the midst of the pandemic. Theyve implemented creative new training programs; increased the quality and frequency of cross-team communications; and found ways to reallocate budgets to maintain momentum.Here, well take a look at how IT leaders in three jurisdictions were able to push through on major systems upgrades despite the impacts of COVID-19.Rolling into 2020, Maricopa County, Ariz. , CIO Ed Winfield had a major initiative on the way: a project with tech vendor CGI to upgrade the countys financial systems. As part of the upgrade, they were also refreshing all the hardware and databases on our behalf, along with the actual core software, he said.The program was slated to take nine months. Any time you touch the finance system it is a fairly big endeavor. You have to make sure all the functionality is correct and you have tested it thoroughly, Winfield said.When COVID-19 hit, project leadership immediately regrouped to assess the potential impact.The project team, the executive steering committee and the vendor representatives, we all had a number of conversations about how to keep the project moving, he said. Are we feeling comfortable? Are we able to move the project to a telework scenario and still continue forward, or should we stop?The team concluded that because the effort was already at a relatively advanced point, they would be able to continue moving ahead even in the absence of physical team meetings.We were at a stage in the project where we were focused on testing and final configuration, so we could convert to telework, he said. We switched over to a telework scenario and used the various platforms, [Microsoft] Teams and the document-sharing platforms, to support that work.While the pandemic could have potentially slowed the work, Winfield noted that the nature of modernized systems actually made telework a logical fit.In the past, a major systems upgrade would have required a lot of in-person time. These days, you are already doing a lot of the work online or remote, even without the COVID considerations, he said. With cloud-based systems it is easy to set up your test environments, your sandboxes. There are also good tools that allow us to collaborate online fairly easily.Shifting to remote communications demanded a more willful engagement effort, however.The project team  including the project manager, the technical team and the subject matter experts  would tele-meet routinely throughout the week. And a monthly executive steering committee meeting helped keep things aligned.With COVID, we had to be sure that everyone knew how to present their documents, how to collaborate in that virtual space, Winfield said. There was a higher level of preparedness needed to make those online meetings go seamlessly, so it could be less about using the collaboration technology and more about just having the meeting.With the project already relatively far along at the start of the pandemic, the IT team was able to leverage remote testing capabilities and frequent tele-meetings to bring it across the finish line on time. Even with many conventional government functions disrupted, the new system went live in July.In Tamarac, Fla. , technology leadership has been working for almost four years to upgrade key systems, including a vintage 1997 ERP running in the AS400 environment.Four years ago, a business process review examined every core function within city government. We thought about the feature sets we would expect in a new ERP solution. We set the baselines, the road map and the specifications for our next ERP solution, said Director of Information Technology Levent Sucuoglu.Initially planned on a two-year timeline, that project hit some roadblocks early on when the citys long-term technology partner  now called CentralSquare Technologies  replaced its original software offering with something more robust. Its good for us, because they acquired some best-of-breed products around certain city operations. But it meant we had to wait for some level of integration of these new products into the product line, he said.The lessons learned over the course of that process proved valuable when it came time to address the challenges of COVID-19.Specifically, the IT team has learned to put a heavy emphasis on communication. When the vendor announced its software changes, we made sure that our implementation team was completely aware of the challenges, the timelines, the expectations, Sucuoglu said.We put the facts on the table  so that each person who was impacted by this would be part of the bigger picture, would know exactly where things stood. We made them part of the project calls and project updates, so everything was clear to everybody, he said.When COVID-19 came on the scene, these habits proved helpful, especially as the IT team sought to rethink the need around end-user adoption of a system that by definition touches nearly all aspects of government operations.Our traditional method of implementation includes a lot of training, and our workforce is used to doing that in person, in class, Sucuoglu said. With COVID-19, the team has shifted to virtual training, leveraging its experience with multidisciplinary communication to ensure that all users are getting the information they need.Weve had to work to make people feel comfortable with virtual training, he said. To do that weve increased our training sessions tremendously. For our enterprise asset management tools, for example, we went from three training sessions to 10 sessions, working in smaller groups, trying to replicate as much of the traditional in-class training as possible.This strong communications strategy has helped keep the project on target. In the coming months, Sucuoglu plans to bring online a community applications module, a huge application that manages building permitting, code enforcement, business licenses, and planning and zoning. After that he expects to go live with the finance enterprise applications including general ledger and accounts payable.A stable budgeting process, meanwhile, has likewise helped to ensure the ERP upgrade crosses the finish line on time, despite the financial impacts of the pandemic.We knew this wasnt going to happen in a single fiscal year, so we budgeted these funds in capital accounts, so they were not tied to the fiscal year timeline, he said. Our finance team did a great job of providing us with that flexibility. They put the funding in the right place so we didnt have to worry about that at all.COVID-19 has likewise not impacted the pace of modernization in Suffolk County, N.Y. We have a number of major projects in the hopper, said IT Commissioner Scott Mastellon. Weve recently upgraded our budget planning toolset using [the cloud platform] OpenGov to support that. We are also in the process of implementing a human capital management [HCM] system from Workday  a new payroll, time and attendance, HR system.With 9,000 employees  including some 4,500 law enforcement personnel whose HR needs include lots of overtime and leave  the old HCM just wasnt cutting it. There was a significant amount of paper involved, not even spreadsheets but paper timesheets. The overtime and leave time scheduling and approval processes were also paper-based, he said.Top-level support has helped the IT team to swap out that clunky apparatus even in the midst of the pandemic.Executive leadership and sponsorship at the county executive level has been key, Matellon said. Steve Bellone, our county executive, has been a huge sponsor and proponent of modernization and of moving these things forward.It helped, too, that the IT shop had made some significant pre-pandemic personnel moves. Before COVID we had created a number of positions in the IT department at a senior level to support our modernization initiatives, Matellon said. So we already had a number of key people in place.When it came time to put the new systems in place, IT didnt have to go it alone. Because modernized systems are designed to empower the end user, the technologists were able to share the burden of standing up new tools. This helped to keep the process moving forward through COVID-19.I have a few users in our budget department, for example, who could take away significant portions of the activity because the software was so point-and-click in its nature, he said. Having non-IT people within the budget department who could help out with that transition meant the lift to implement wasnt nearly as heavy as we have seen in the past.The county signed a contract for its new HCM system in early March 2020, just as business-as-usual was shutting down, and as a result the team did lose some time. It cost us about two months, Matellon said. We needed time to get ourselves settled in the COVID setting, to get our bearings in terms of the processes we needed to support the shift to remote work.The Workday implementation began in May and by late fall, six months into a projected 12-month implementation, the effort was a mere two weeks off schedule, a relatively minor slip under the circumstances.In Suffolk County, as elsewhere, the tools of remote work have been key to keeping the upgrades moving along in a timely way.We are embracing Zoom and Teams as our communication platforms, and we have communicated effectively in that way, he said. We have 25 departments in the county and I have monthly briefings with all the department heads to keep them up to date on the HCM project, because it impacts all of them.If anything, the pandemic has made those outreach efforts even more effective. In the past, I couldnt have brought all those people together in a room, he said. With remote connectivity, theres actually been more input and more involvement in the process.Another COVID-enabled bonus: The county freed up half a million dollars in travel costs by not having the contractor onsite.That being said, the absence of in-person encounters can present new challenges. With remote interactions, people put you on mute, you dont always know if they are there. You are not always getting the appropriate feedback from everyone, Matellon said. But the fact is, if that person was sitting in the room, you might not be getting any more or better feedback.The bottom line: We are making the right decisions, we are on time and moving forward, so I have to assume its working well, he said.In terms of budgets, the county did reapportion some funding to support critical needs, especially in the early months of COVID-19, but the major modernization efforts were unscathed. There were other things that fell by the wayside as money got redirected to support COVID-related things, but we didnt take money away from these critical projects, he said.In Matellons experience  and it holds true across all the jurisdictions cited here  the sheer urgency of the need was perhaps the greatest factor helping to keep large-scale modernization efforts on track in the midst of the pandemic.While COVID-19 may present some logistical challenges to a major transformation effort, these IT leaders agree, those concerns are far outweighed by the urgent need for greater government efficiency through modernized tools.We have a lot of frustrated people who want something better, Matellon said. They are sick and tired of doing things the old way, and they are very much on board with doing something new.

BATAVIA  Nearly three weeks after a COVID-19 outbreak spread through the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not been able to respond to a court order for a plan to distribute vaccines to at-risk individuals detained at the facility.

The COVID-19 outbreak first started at the Batavia-located ICE detention facility on Feb. 11, and has since infected 51 detained immigrants across different cell blocks, our of more than 250 immigrants currently detained at the facility. This is the second COVID-19 outbreak to hit the facility since the pandemic first arrived to the U.S., and Batavia currently has the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country by far, according to a list provided on ICEs website.

While court-mandated health protocols have been in place at the facility since August, the New York Civil Liberties Union and Prisoner Legal Services of New York are again suing ICE to provide vaccines to detainees eligible for the vaccine per state guidelines.

Currently, it seems that nobody is taking responsibility for vaccinating both people who are incarcerated there and the people who work there, which is a huge problem because people in congregate settings like detention centers are especially vulnerable to virus outbreaks, said Amy Belsher, a staff attorney with NYCLU.

Desperate detainees

Raul has been on a hunger strike for 19 days, protesting conditions in the Batavia facility he says make him vulnerable to contracting COVID-19.

I am doing this because I suffer from depression, Raul, whose full name was not disclosed, said in Spanish during a press conference held by Justice for Migrant Families, a Buffalo-based immigrant advocacy group. I cannot hold on being here longer. Im afraid I will get infected with the virus Here, in the unit I am in only the guards use masks, the detained dont use masks.

Raul is one of two detainees who are on hunger strikes following the outbreak in the facility, however more detainees have been conducting hunger strikes since December due to the conditions at the facility. ICE did not respond to emailed requests for comment regarding the outbreak and conditions at the facility.

ICE and the Batavia facility were sued multiple times over the past year over reports of dangerous conditions in the facility for at-risk individuals  particularly after its first widespread COVID-19 outbreak in March and April of last year. The facility also came under fire last year for transferring detainees in and out of its building, leading to more individuals becoming infected with the virus as a result.

A settlement was reached in August, where U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo established that vulnerable individuals must receive individual cells without roommates, ability to eat their meals in those cells, biweekly COVID-19 testing, the option to shower in isolation and access to shower disinfectant, masks and soap. It was also ordered that Batavia staff and officers wear masks when interacting with those vulnerable individuals.

But since the second outbreak hit the facility, Vilardo said these measures have not worked well enough.

How can we say (its working) in a situation where there were 26 cases four days ago, and there were forty yesterday? Vilardo questioned Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Khalil, who represents ICE, during a court conference last week. I know I put them in place to try to make it work, and thats the best I could do, but how can we possibly say, when weve got a five-fold increase of people in the individual cell unit in four days its working?

A scramble for vaccines

On Feb. 17, less than a week after COVID-19 re-emerged in Batavia, NYCLU sent two letters inquiring about vaccine distribution to detainees: one to ICE and the Batavia facility director, and a second to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker.

Weve been trying to figure out who is responsible for making vaccines available at Batavia, and when those vaccines might be offered, Belsher said. It seems to have fallen through the cracks in that most of the vaccine efforts have been on the state and local level.

Following a separate lawsuit from NYCLU, the state announced in early February that they would begin vaccinating individuals aged 65 and older who were incarcerated in state prisons.

But for being in ICE detention, they would all have access to the vaccine, Belsher said.

Vilardo also recognized this disparity during court conferences, and last week ordered ICE to develop a vaccination plan for detainees who would otherwise be eligible for the vaccine per state guidelines. Batavia would have been the first ICE facility in the nation to conjure up such a plan.

Im not understanding the argument that even though we have these folks in detention, even though we are responsible for what they can and cannot do, we dont have some obligation to put them in line with everybody else, Vilardo said last week. That seems to me a fundamental violation of due process.

However, ICE did not report back to the court with a vaccination plan for its detainees Thursday, instead saying that they have not been able to get access to vaccine doses for their detainees despite four calls to government officials since January. However, Prisoner Legal Services of New York pointed out that other federal agencies have been able to obtain vaccines for incarcerated individuals.

Vilardo was understanding of ICEs argument during court Thursday, and ordered NYCLU and PLSNY to attempt to make vaccine appointments for qualified individuals detained at Batavia and submit a plan of their own by Monday. He also recommended they expand their lawsuit to include the state or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, entities which have access to vaccine doses.

Vilardo also urged ICE to be more aggressive in its attempt to secure vaccines for detainees.

If the way is threatening to release these folks unless they are vaccinated by a certain date, which would certainly I think light a fire under a whole lot of people to get the vaccines to Batavia, Ill do that if thats the only way we can do that, he said. I dont want to be heavy-handed On the other hand, these folks deserve a chance to get this vaccine. And Im not going to let the United States ignore them.
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
(Newser)  A man charged with breaking into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol exploded in anger during a hearing Thursday, forcing a recess. Richard Barnett, 60, was photographed at a desk in Pelosi's offce during the riot, a stun gun on his belt. The Arkansas man is also charged with stealing Pelosi's mail, the New York Times reports. Barnett, who wants to be released on bond, was appearing on video in Federal District Court in Washington. He began yelling as the judge set his next court date in May.

story continues below

"They're dragging this out!" Barnett shouted. "They're letting everybody else out!" He yelled at his lawyers, as well as the judge, that it wasn't fair and that he didn't want to stay behind bars for "another month." Judge Christopher Cooper called a recess for Barnett to cool down, then told him he'd consider a new request to be released on bond, once his lawyers filed it. Barnett has pleaded not guilty, per the Democrat Gazette. (Read more Capitol riot stories.)
A TRADESMAN injured a boy when he hit him over the head with a pliers when he saw a group of youths stealing his bike.

John Dunne (63) "reacted" to the theft by assaulting the boy, who was left with a "significant bump" on his head.

Judge Bryan Smyth adjourned the case for a victim impact statement after hearing Dunne accepted he should not have reacted the way he did.

Dunne, with an address at Summerhill, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to assault.

Dublin District Court heard the incident happened outside a pub in the north inner city on October 9, 2019.

The victim, who was a juvenile, was on the street when the accused hit him on the head with a pliers, resulting in a "significant bump", a garda said.

The court heard the accused had been doing some work in a friend's house and left his bicycle locked near the pub.

When he came back, his bike was being stolen and when he saw this he "reacted".

The victim "received a strike to the head," the court heard.

Defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury said her client "obviously shouldn't have reacted" this way.

The victim was not part of the group of people who were stealing the bike.

"Either way, it doesn't make any difference, he shouldn't have reacted the way he did," Ms Bambury said.

The accused apologised profusely and had lost sleep since the incident.

Dunne, who used to work in construction, had medical problems and was on disability benefit, his lawyer told the court.

The DPP consented to summary disposal of the case in the district court on a guilty plea only.

Judge Smyth accepted jurisdiction after Dunne entered his plea.

The judge adjourned the case to a date in April and suggested 300 compensation for the victim if he was prepared to receive that.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Japanese automaker Honda said it delivered 81,556 new vehicles in China last month, representing a month-over-month plunge of 48% primarily due to the Chinese New Year holiday.

Of the vehicles delivered in Feb., 36,586 units and 44,970 units were from GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda respectively.

In Feb., over 10,000 consumers took delivery of the CR-V SUVs. During the same period, the deliveries of the models equipped with the Sport Hybrid system amounted to 10,864 units.

The Japanese automaker saw its annual China deliveries hit a record high of 1,626,972 units in 2020. The rising momentum has been maintained in early 2021. For the first two months of 2021, Honda handed over a total of 239,013 new vehicles to consumers in the world's largest auto market, posting a vigorous growth of 48% from a year ago. The increase is credited to the upward movement in the deliveries of both joint ventures. GAC Honda saw its year-to-date. deliveries jump 23.5% to 103,907 units, while Dongfeng Honda recorded a year-on-year hike of 74.6% by delivering 135,106 new vehicles.



Honda CR-V e+; photo credit: Honda China



It is noteworthy that the CR-V e+, Honda's first PHEV model introduced to China, hit the market on Feb. 2 with guiding prices ranging from 273,800 yuan ($42,360) to 299,800 yuan ($46,385) after subsidies. The advent of the new model makes the CR-V come with three powertrain solutions, namely fuel-burning, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, for consumers with different needs.
EUGENE, Ore.  The City of Eugene is facing a June 2022 deadline to implement a 2019 law that requires larger cities in Oregon to allow more types of housing in residential areas.

Assistant City Planner Sophie McGinley said under House Bill 2001, duplexes, triplexes, cottage clusters and townhomes (collectively known as middle housing) will be allowed in many more areas of the city. In the past, many local governments only allowed for the development of large, single family homes typical of a suburb.

The challenge now, McGinley added, is engaging with the community and deciding exactly how to implement the rules because the law grants some flexibility to municipalities in how exactly to roll out the change.

Eugene is looking at three options, which range from the minimum of simply allowing developers to build more housing all the way to providing incentives for developers who choose middle housing.

We're trying to hear from the public to see what they want, McGinley said.

The law also instructs local government to look at ways to make such housing more affordable.

There's these two parts of the bill. They say that we must allow middle housing types to be built, and that we shall explore ways to make them affordable. So, the big thing ... is to increase the supply of housing, McGinley said.

However, because its up to individual developers to decide what to build, McGinley said theres no estimate of how many additional housing units might be built in the future.

McGinley is encouraging residents in the city to fill out a survey to help guide the code writing. That feedback will be presented to city councilors, who will ultimately vote on how to move forward.

Our job is to ask the community how we should comply with this. So we're waiting for those results. And then all we do is take those results, back them up and give them to council, McGinley said.

You can learn more about the citys middle housing plans here.
(Newser)  A powerful magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck in the ocean off the coast of New Zealand on Friday, prompting thousands of people to evacuate and triggering tsunami warnings across the South Pacific. The quake was the largest in a series of tremors that struck the region over several hours, including two earlier quakes that registered magnitude 7.4 and magnitude 7.3, the AP reports. While the quakes triggered warning systems and caused traffic jams and some chaos in New Zealand as people scrambled to get to higher ground, they did not appear to pose a widespread threat to lives or major infrastructure. That's because of the remoteness of where they hit. The largest struck about 620 miles off the coast of New Zealand. One of the earlier quakes hit much closer to New Zealand and awoke many people during the night as they felt a long, rumbling shaking.

story continues below

"Hope everyone is ok out there," New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wrote on Facebook. After the largest quake, civil defense authorities told people in certain areas on the East Coast of the North Island that they should move immediately to higher ground and not stay in their homes. They said a damaging tsunami was possible. The US Tsunami Warning System also cautioned that the larger quake could cause tsunami waves of 3 to 10 feet in French Polynesia and waves of up to 3 feet in Niue, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunamis could later strike Hawaii, but the warning later was canceled, per the AP. The US Geological Survey said the larger quake was centered in the remote Kermadec Islands at a depth of 12 miles. In 2011, a magnitude 6.3 quake hit the city of Christchurch, killing 185 people and destroying much of its downtown.

(Read more earthquake stories.)
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Master's in Healthcare Administration for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 159 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 159 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Healthcare Administration. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-healthcare-administration/

2021 Master's in Healthcare Administration featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Baylor University

Bellevue University

Boston University

California State University, East Bay

California State University, Long Beach

Clarkson College

Colorado State University, Global Campus

Florida International University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgia Southern University

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina

MIdwestern State University, Texas

Mississippi College

Ohio University

Oklahoma State University

Pennsylvania State University

Roberts Wesleyan College

Russell Sage College

Saint Joseph's University

Saint Louis University

Seton Hall University

Southern New Hampshire University

Texas A & M University, College Station

Texas State University

Texas Woman's University

Trinity University

Tulane University

University Of Alabama, Birmingham

University of Central Florida

University of Cincinnati

University of Florida

University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

University of Memphis

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota

University Of Nebraska, Omaha

University of New Haven

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

University of Saint Francis

University of Scranton

University of South Carolina

University of Southern California

University of Texas, Arlington

Virginia Commonwealth University

Winston-Salem State University

Xavier University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
Author Kim Soom / Courtesy of Hyundae Munhak



Novel depicting Japan's wartime sex slavery to be reprinted in US



By Park Han-sol



In recent months, Harvard Law School Professor John Mark Ramseyer's paper "Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War" has created an uproar in political and academic circles by challenging the dominant discourse of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.



In his article published in December, Ramseyer labelled World War II sex slaves as "voluntary prostitutes," not wartime victims who were taken to comfort stations against their will and forced to provide sexual services to Japanese soldiers.



As expected, his paper has been weathering a torrent of criticism from historians the world over.



The professor's controversial claims, which echoed the views of Japanese far-right activists, meanwhile, rekindled some U.S. readers' interest in Japan's wartime crimes. Those relatively unaware of the horrendous sex slavery during World War II, began to wonder about the truth behind these women's stories.



Kim Soom's first book of the "comfort women" series "One Left" is scheduled for its second printing in the U.S. against such a backdrop, according to its translators Bruce and Ju-chan Fulton.





Kim Soom's "One Left" (2020), translated by Bruce and Ju-chan Fulton / Courtesy of the University of Washington Press

Author Kim said there were plenty of unexpected turns and twists even before the decision to reprint "One Left" was made, although she was not aware of the exact details.



"I understand that Mr. and Ms. Fulton initially didn't think the publication would be that difficult," she said during a recent Korea Times interview.



In a media interview, the Fultons explained that more than 30 U.S. publishing houses refused to print the book without citing a specific reason.



"One Left" has not gained much attention from the media, either. After it was released under the University of Washington Press, few U.S. news outlets would report on the publication.



To promote the timely book, the couple went the extra mile by appearing at local book clubs and gave college lectures.



"The Fultons had a passion and a strong sense of duty to let the world know about the comfort women issue during and even after the translation process. They added a meaningful layer to my book, which made me rethink about the role of translators. I'm so thankful for their work," Kim said.



Her novel, published in 2016 and later translated into English in 2020, is an excruciatingly painful journey following a 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped and taken to Manchuria and placed into a "living hell" as a sex slave for Japanese soldiers. Even after Korea gains independence and she returns to her home country, she continues to live in isolation as an outcast, forever traumatized by her haunted past.



Based on painstaking historical research and hundreds of testimonies of comfort women, the author portrays what must have been the fate for nearly 200,000 women aged as young as 11 through to their mid-20s across Japanese-occupied territories. Raped by dozens of solider per day, these girls were subject to gut-wrenching suffering including beatings, stabbings, forced abortions, malnutrition and sexually transmitted diseases.



Kim urged those who were unfamiliar with wartime sexual slavery to become aware of the horrendous nature of this violation of human rights.



"This isn't just an event that once took place in the past but continues into the present through the lives of the survivors," Kim said. "And we continue to witness similar forms of sexual violence and gross violations of human rights. I wanted to stress that this issue is not just limited to Korean women in the past, but something we all need to be concerned with."



She added that the comfort women who gave their testimonies emphasized the solidarity with women of other race and nationalities. "The reason we take interest in wartime sexual slavery is because we are talking about the restoration of fundamental human rights and dignity. That's a universal necessity."



The 47-year-old author said that watching the dwindling number of surviving comfort women made her write the story where there is only one official  and more hidden  remaining survivor. Currently, the number of the officially registered victims is 15, making the novel not far from reality in the near future.



But Kim didn't stop writing about these women after "One Left." In fact, she went on to publish three more books that came to form her "comfort women" series. Compared to "One Left" whose story primarily came from direct quotations of survivors, with the author's own presence hidden as much as possible, "Flowing Letter" boldly adopts a first-person narrative of a 15-year-old girl mentally rotting away in a comfort station. It's much more direct, agonizing yet truthful.



The two subsequent novels  "Have You Ever Wished the Soldiers to be Angels" and "Listening to Your Inner Voices: Painful Yet Noble"  are based on her face-to-face interviews with two comfort women, the late Kim Bok-dong and Gil Won-ok. In writing such an amalgamation of testimonies and fiction, Kim wanted to portray the women not only as the victims, objects of pity, but also as dynamic individuals experiencing complicated layers of emotions.





From left, "Flowing Letter," "Have You Ever Wished the Soldiers to be Angels" and "Listening to Your Inner Voices: Painful Yet Noble," all written by Kim Soom / Courtesy of Hyundae Munhak
One of the most public rows over a top job offer at Spain's Santander is heading to court next Wednesday, pitting the bank against Andrea Orcel just weeks before the renowned dealmaker takes the helm at Italy's



The case stems from Santander's decision two years ago to suddenly drop plans to make Orcel its CEO after a disagreement over his pay package.



The dispute has raised much interest in the financial community, not least for how public it has been, but also for the rare step to move to court, when such rows are generally dealt with behind close doors.



The Spanish court hearing is expected to be wrapped up in a day but the outcome could come weeks or even months later, meaning Orcel may well be already running with the dispute still pending.



The disagreement is about whether a September, 2018 four-page offer letter was a binding job contract, as Orcel says, or a non-binding initial offer, as the bank says.



"It will be a trial where honour is expected to take centre stage," a source familiar with the case said.



There is, however, also money involved. Orcel is suing Santander, the euro zone's second-largest bank by market value for up to 112 million euros ($126 million).



The Italian, who was previously head of UBS Group's investment banking business, resigned from the Swiss bank when he was offered the Santander job.



NEW JOB



When Orcel's appointment was announced by Santander the bank promised to pay "up to" 35 million euros of a 55 million euro package that Orcel was due to receive in future years from UBS.



The offer letter said Orcel would make his "best efforts" to cap that cost by getting the Swiss bank to contribute, which according to Santander he did not do. UBS refused to pay and Orcel then told Santander he would not accept less than 35 million euros, eventually leading to the break-up.



Orcel demanded Santander honour its offer or pay compensation but he is expected to be appointed CEO at after mid-April so may decide to drop his claim.



The source who is familiar with the situation told Reuters at the end of January that Orcel was open to reaching a settlement with Santander and would be ready to cut his claim to 60 million euros.



An out-of-court settlement between both parties can still be agreed before the ruling. If there is no deal, the ruling itself could be appealed, potentially extending the legal battle for months or even years.



Even if Orcel ends up winning he could opt for the ruling not to be executed to let him move on with his professional career in Italy, forgoing any compensation, the source said.



TESTIMONIES



Santander Executive Chairman Ana Botin will testify in court on Wednesday. UBS Chairman Axel Weber has been called as a witness but the bank declined to comment or say if he might be in court in person.



A source from the Madrid court said that Weber had requested to testify remotely but the judge had not taken a decision yet.

Orcel has not been called to testify but could be present in court, the source with knowledge of the matter said.



Santander declined to make comments ahead of the court case while Orcel did not immediately reply to a request for comment that Reuters submitted through UniCredit.


Amid signs of a growing partnership between Beijing and Tehran, New Delhi has proposed the inclusion of the Chabahar Port on the southeastern coast of Iran in the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which is being seen as a counterweight to the Belt-and-Road Initiative (BRI) of China.

With China wooing Iran to take part in its ambitious but controversial cross-continental connectivity project, India has called for expansion of the INSTC to include Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said India welcomed the interest of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to join the INSTC. India has also proposed the inclusion of Chabahar in the INSTC route. I am hopeful that during the INSTC Coordination Council meeting, member states would agree to the expansion of the INSTC route to include the Chabahar Port and also agree on expanding the membership of this project, he said, addressing the Maritime India Summit hosted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modis government in New Delhi.

Read: India to supply four more mobile harbour cranes to Iran's Chabahar port

India, Russia and Iran had jointly conceived the INSTC in September 2000 as a multi-modal transportation corridor, which would link the India Ocean and the Persian Gulf with the Caspian Sea through Iran and move onward to North Europe via Russia. Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Oman, Armenia, Syria, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan joined the ambitious project later. Bulgaria joined the bloc as an observer.

Though the INSTC project has not made much progress on the ground over the past two decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government in New Delhi is learnt to have now decided to fast-track it, ostensibly to counter Chinas BRI, which has been mired in controversies due to the communist countrys predatory lending policies that lure smaller nations into debt-traps.

India remains opposed to the BRI, as its flagship project, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), runs through Jammu and Kashmir areas, which it claims to be its own, but accuses the neighbouring Islamic Republic of illegally occupying.

Read: India, Iran, Uzbekistan hold first trilateral meet on joint use of Chabahar port

Jaishankar on Thursday also suggested establishing an eastern corridor of the INSTC through Afghanistan in order to maximize its potential.

Beijings plan to ink a deal with Tehran for a whopping $ 400 billion investment by China in infrastructure and energy sectors in Iran over the next 25 years sent the alarm bells ringing in New Delhi a few months back. India is also worried over purported moves by China and its iron brother Pakistan to get a toehold in the Chabahar Port of Iran.

India is participating in the development of the first phase of Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar in cooperation with Iran. The port opens up sea-land connectivity between India and Afghanistan as well as Central Asia and beyond, bypassing Pakistan. The India Ports Global Limited took over port operations at the Shaheed Beheshti Port in Chabahar in December 2018 and has been handling cargo since then. Afghanistan also started using the port facility to send its first export consignment to India early last year.

New Delhi is concerned over the prospect of Islamabad and Beijing expanding footprints on Chabahar Port if it is connected with Gwadar Port in Pakistan as proposed by Iran. India perceives Chabahar Port in Iran as a counterweight to the Gwadar Port, which China developed as part of its String of Pearls policy to develop strategic assets encircling India. What also made New Delhi worried is the possibility of the Chabahar Port being linked to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China, if it is connected with the Gwadar Port  the endpoint of the CPEC.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
New program designed to enhance leading e-commerce platform's digital marketing and advertising support for brands and retailers

LONDON, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ChannelAdvisor Corporation (NYSE: ECOM), a leading provider of cloud-based e-commerce solutions that enable brands and retailers to increase global sales, has been selected by Google to join its exclusive Google Partners International Growth program, a network of best-in-class providers with a proven track record in helping brands and retailers expand their reach and capture new audiences globally.

As part of this unique partnership opportunity, ChannelAdvisor has enhanced its support for brands and retailers looking to expand into new international markets. With comprehensive insight into expanding abroad, ChannelAdvisor's long-standing alliance with Google can help serve as a key differentiator for brands and retailers seeking a competitive edge with additional assistance navigating potential operational challenges related to localisation, logistics, payments, and more.

"ChannelAdvisor is very excited to be named a Trusted International Growth Partner," said Link Walls, Vice President of Digital Marketing Strategy at ChannelAdvisor. "From strategic guidance on industry changes to training on the specifics of new products, this partnership enables us to support our clients navigating international growth with the goal of driving more success in their business. We look forward to continuing to work with Google as part of the new International Growth program."

ChannelAdvisor's designation as an International Growth Partner demonstrates the company's strong alliance with Google. In 2019, ChannelAdvisor received its first nomination for the distinguished Google Premier Partner Awards . The recognition marked ChannelAdvisor's first nomination in the Growing Business Online category and its second time as a finalist in the Shopping Excellence division.

For more details about ChannelAdvisor, visit our website , subscribe to our blog , follow us on Twitter @ChannelAdvisor , like us on Facebook and connect with us on LinkedIn .

About ChannelAdvisor

ChannelAdvisor (NYSE: ECOM) is a leading e-commerce cloud platform whose mission is to connect and optimise the world's commerce. For nearly two decades, ChannelAdvisor has helped brands and retailers worldwide improve their online performance by expanding sales channels, connecting with consumers, optimising their operations for peak performance, and providing actionable analytics to improve competitiveness. Thousands of customers depend on ChannelAdvisor to securely power their sales and optimise fulfilment on channels such as Amazon, eBay, Catch, Google, Facebook, Walmart, and hundreds more.

For more information, visit www.channeladvisor.co.uk .

ChannelAdvisor Media Contact:

Laura Hare

Marketing and Communications Manager EMEA

pr-uk@channeladvisor.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/787743/channel_advisor_Logo.jpg
The Pennsylvania Firefly Festival in Kelletville, which last year went virtual with just a few limited-participation fieldtrips in response to the pandemic, will make a limited return this year on Friday and Saturday, June 25-26.

Participation in the festival this year will be limited to 50 people per night at $30 per person, and the hours have been reduced to 7 p.m. to midnight each night.

The festival is focused on a unique species, the synchronous firefly (Photinus carolinus) in Allegheny National Forest. Synchronous fireflies flash in synchrony with one another, a behavior that has captured the imagination of the public and launched a tourism opportunity that was somewhat interrupted in 2020.

On the festival website the organizers explained, We tried to turn the challenge into a learning opportunity. Last years festival became a virtual stay-at-home festival that required us to learn new computer skills and adapt to the constraints of social distancing and the wearing of facemasks.

Now we know how to safely have an in-person festival and provide small intimate firefly tours. Above all, we learned that the demand to see fireflies is still great and that the public is willing to support a new approach to the Pennsylvania Firefly Festival.

In addition to the 2-day event, the festival this year will expand its Glow & Know Campout program to 4 sessions this year: at Scarlett Knob in Ohiopyle on Wednesday, June 9; Camp Lutherlyn in Butler County, Saturday, June 19; Kellettville Campground in Forest County, Wednesday, June 23; and Chapman Dam State Park in Warren County, Wednesday, June 30

Each campout will be limited to 15 campers, plus any children under 10, at $100 per camper. Registration includes campsite fees, firewood, meals, program materials, activities and firefly presentations.

There are more than 2,000 species of fireflies worldwide, including a couple dozen species in Pennsylvania. The species range from 0.2 to an inch in length. Not all species can generate light.
The prosecution drops appeal against bail, which was denied outright to 31 defendants. A number of conditions have been imposed, plus bail money.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews)  Four pro-democracy activists out of 47 arrested on "subversion" charges were granted bail after prosecutors dropped their appeal against them.

The four are Hendrick Lui Chi-hang and Clarisse Yeung Suet-ying, barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung, and Mike Lam King-nam, owner of a chain of Thai food stores.

Until yesterday, the prosecution had appealed against bail for 15 of the 47, which Chief Justice Victor So had granted under certain conditions.

For the other 31, the judge said he did not have sufficient grounds to believe that they would not "continue" to endanger national security.

Today the prosecution dropped its objections against the four who will be free in the evening after all release procedures are carried out.

The hearing for the other 11 is set for tomorrow. The bail applications for the whole group lasted four days, until late last night.

According to media reports, the conditions, set last night, include a ban on doing or saying anything that could harm national security, obeying a curfew, reporting to police several times a week, surrendering travel documents and avoiding any contact with foreign officials.

The cash bail amounts they were told to pay range from HK,000 (US$ 10,300) to HK million (US$ 130,000).

The 47 had organised a primary election in July 2020 for the pro-democracy camp ahead of Hong Kongs September parliamentary elections (later postponed).

According to prosecutors, by organising that vote, designed to secure 35 or more seats for pro-democracy candidates in the Hong Kongs Legislative Council (LegCo), the defendants had "plotted" to seize power from the current administration of Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Meanwhile, people gathered outside the West Kowloon courthouse to express solidarity with the defendants with banners saying Release all political prisoners (pictured).
Dr. Bonnie Henry talks about the next steps in B.C.'s COVID-19 Immunization Plan during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., Canada, on Jan. 22, 2021. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)

BC Judge Questions If Provincial Health Officer Appreciated Right to Religious Freedom When Issuing COVID Restrictions

A British Columbia judge questioned whether the provinces top doctor appreciated the right to religious freedom when she issued COVID-19 restrictions that banned in-person worship services.

In a hearing on March 3 over a petition challenging Dr. Bonnie Henrys COVID-19 orders, B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson questioned whether the provincial health officer took into account the right to religious freedom under Canadian law.

She talks about needs of persons to attend in-person religious services, but that really wouldnt capture the charter right thats asserted by the petitioners  would it? Hinkson asked.

What she was obliged to do, surely, was to weigh the rights of persons, not their needs.

Hinkson was referring to what Gareth Morley, a lawyer with the provinces attorney general ministry, had told him of Henrys statement related to the orders she first issued in November 2020 and subsequently updated a month later.

Henry statements described how the B.C.s health care system could have been overwhelmed with the quick surge in COVID-19 cases in the province last fall, which she said made it necessary to implement further restrictions to curb the spread while keeping schools and essential workplaces open, Morley told the court.

Informed by epidemiological data, Morley said Henry believed the accelerating cases posed significant risks to the province, and so issued the orders that she acknowledged may affect residents charters rights, but in a reasonable and appropriate way.

But Paul Jaffe, the lawyer who represents the petitioners, argued in court this week that Henrys orders substantially and unjustifiably interfered with his clients right to freedom of religion.

Jaffe was asked by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), a Canadian legal advocacy organization, to lead the legal case against the B.C. government.

On Jan. 7, the JCCF filed a petition representing individuals and three churchesRiverside Calvary Chapel in Langley, Immanuel Covenant Reformed Church in Abbotsford, and the Free Reformed Church of Chilliwackto the B.C. Supreme Court challenging Henrys orders.

In response, the B.C. government filed an injunction against the three churches, which was denied by Hinkson on Feb. 17.

To be clear, I am not condoning the [churches] conduct in contravention of the orders that they challenge, but find that the injunctive relief sought by the [province] should not be granted, Hinkson said at the time.

Morley defended Henry on Wednesday, telling Hinkson that the current orders which were amended in February, now include specific reference to the charter and freedom of religion.

He added prior to issuing the orders last year, Henry had sought consultation from faith leaders and had invited churches to submit their requests for exemptions with plans of how they would conduct their services that minimize the spread of COVID-19, which Jaffe had argued during a separate hearing in February that the three churches didnt receive a response from the provincial government even though they applied for the exemptions.

Morley also referred to an affidavit from Henrys deputy, Dr. Brian Emerson, which warns of higher COVID-19 transmission risks when people gather closely, especially when singing is involved.

But Jaffe had told Hinkson this week that the churches have been cautious in adopting the safety measures approved by Henry in places that remain open in B.C.

The BC government allows hundreds of people to gather at any given time in a single big box store. Liquor stores and marijuana stores remain open. The government allows residents to gather and seat six at a table at bars and restaurants, the JCCF said in a statement released on March 1.

But to members of the faith community, Dr. Bonnie Henry has stated: Do not attend a service at a church, synagogue, mosque, gurdwara, temple, or other places of worship.

Hinkson also asked Morley on March 4 whether the attorney general would concede to Alain Beaudoin, one of the petitioners, any of the relief he sought from the government.

Beaudoin was issued a $2,300 ticket by the RCMP when he organized a public protest on Dec. 12, 2020, against what he believes is an abuse of government power to impose COVID-19 restrictions on people, according to the petition to the court. He was also asked by police to hand over the personal information of every attendee at the protest, to which he replied wasnt possible given people were coming and going in an open area.

Beaudoin is petitioning the court to relieve him from the fines the RCMP had issued him, and to put a stop to Henrys orders prohibiting in-person gatherings and events.

Morley acknowledged that Henrys restrictive orders at the time read as though outdoor assemblies were not allowed. He said it was only when she updated the order on Feb. 10 that she clarified gathering outside over matters of public interest or controversy remains allowed, provided people adhere to COVID-19 health measures, such as physical distancing.

What we could say we would concede is a declaration that orders which prohibit outside gatherings for public protests are of no force and effect, he said.

That concession would exclude the order made on Feb. 10, he added.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on March 5.

With files from The Canadian Press
New Delhi, March 5 : Trifecta Capital on Friday announced that Trifecta Venture Debt Fund-II, its second venture debt fund, launched in March 2019 has been oversubscribed in its final closing.

The fund, with a target of Rs 1,000 crore ($137 million), including a green shoe option of Rs 250 crore, received investor commitments of Rs 1,025 crore ($ 140 million), said a company statement.

Trifecta Venture Debt Fund-II has already invested Rs 900 crore ($ 123 million) across 38 companies and with a provision to recycle capital, will have an investible corpus of up to Rs 2,560 crore ($ 350 million).

Trifecta Capitals' funds are predominantly backed by institutional investors including banks, insurance companies, development institutions, public sector entities, corporates and endowments , from India and offshore, as well as some of India's largest family offices.

Its portfolio companies include Big Basket, Pharmeasy, Cars24, Vedantu, Infra.Market, ShareChat, Dailyhunt, UrbanCompany among others.

Rahul Khanna, Managing Partner said: "Successfully closing Fund-II during these challenging times is evidence of the performance of our funds and the maturity of the asset class which we pioneered in 2014. Besides consistently beating the quarterly hurdle on returns for over five years across both funds, we have returned a significant portion of our first Fund to investors and are building a strong foundation for the future." It will be launching its third venture debt fund in Q3 2021. The size of this fund is likely to be in the range of Rs 1,200 crore - 1,500 crore.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Ontario has invited a total of 271 candidates through the Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream so far in 2021.

Ontario holds second PNP draw in two days Ontario has invited a total of 271 candidates through the Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream so far in 2021.

Ontario holds second PNP draw in two days Ontario has invited a total of 271 candidates through the Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream so far in 2021.

Ontario holds second PNP draw in two days Ontario has invited a total of 271 candidates through the Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream so far in 2021. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Ontario held a new draw on March 3, inviting French-speaking Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) invited 126 candidates through the French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) stream. Invited candidates needed to have a profile in the Express Entry system with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 455 and 467.

The province drew from the Express Entry pool of candidates who had created profiles between March 3, 2020, and March 3, 2021.

Invited candidates now have 45 calendar days to send in their application for a provincial nomination from Ontario.

This draw was slightly smaller than the previous FSSW draw on January 13, when the province issued 146 invitations. The new draw brings the total number of invited candidates to 271 in 2021.

Find out if youre eligible for Canadian immigration

Check if youre eligible for the program

The first step after receiving an invitation is to check your eligibility, as receiving an invitation does not guarantee that you will be nominated.

Generally speaking, you need to meet the eligibility requirements of the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program in order to get the nomination. The specific eligibility requirements will depend on whichever program the OINP assesses you against.

You will also need a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least 7 in French, and 6 in English. Among other eligibility criteria, the OINP will also want you to demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover settlement costs in Ontario.

What is the benefit of having a PNP?

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canadian provinces to invite immigration candidates who may be a good match for their regional labour markets. A recent study suggested that PNPs maybe somewhat responsible for the improved labour market performance of new immigrants.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are effectively guaranteed to get an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence in a subsequent draw at the federal level. With a provincial nomination, candidates get an automatic reward of 600 CRS points. More than enough to receive an ITA in the average all-program Express Entry draw, or a PNP-only draw.

What is Express Entry?

Canadas Express Entry system is not an immigration program, but an application management system for three Federal High Skilled programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Eligible foreign nationals who want to immigrate to Canada can enter their profile into the Express Entry system for a chance to get Canadian permanent residence. Their profiles are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System out of a possible 1,200 points. The majority of candidates fall between 300 and 500 points.

Points are based on human capital factors like age, skilled work experience, education, language ability in English or French, among other factors. Self-employed work does not count as skilled work experience.

The highest scoring candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry draws.

In the previous Express Entry draw on February 13, Canada invited every single candidate in the pool who was eligible for the Canadian Experience Class.

Find out if youre eligible for Canadian immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
by Francis Khoo Thwe

The young man was shot in the throat as he watched tens of thousands of protesters pass by against the coup. Today, rallies and marches in Mandalay, Yangon, Insein, Kata. Policemen and soldiers lay down their weapons against activists. The Myanmar ambassador to the UN, appointed by the junta, also resigns.

Yangon (AsiaNews) - A 20-year-old, Zaw Myo, was killed by police and army, while the young man was watching the passage of tens of thousands of demonstrators against the coup d'etat in civil disobedience. Zaw Myo, a carpenter, was shot in the throat at the intersection of 114th and 49th streets.

In recent days, the security forces, using lethal bullets, have killed dozens of people - about 50 - and injured over 100 demonstrators and democratic activists.

But the demonstrations calling for an end to the military coup and the release of political prisoners are unrelenting. Yesterday, after the killing of 38 people on March 3, there were sit-ins in Mandalay and Yangon with thousands of people.

Today there are rallies and marches in Mandalay, Yangon, Insein, Kata again with thousands of participants (photos 2 and 3). The country's economy is suffering, due to the civil disobedience that has brought banks, government offices, railways, ports to a standstill.

Social media is full of declarations by policemen who are laying down their w4eapons and joining the civil disobedience movement. These include police chiefs, such as Tun Tun Win, lieutenant major and Captain Kyaw Kyaw Oo both of Mandalay (photo 4).

The resignation of Tin Maung Naing from the UN is an even greater setback for the junta. He had been appointed to replace Kyaw Moe Tun, chosen by the democratic government. On Monday 1 March, at the United Nations General Assembly, he pushed the international community not to recognize the military junta. For this, the government of the generals had accused him of "treason" and replaced him with Tin Maung Naing.
PRIVATE landlords who own properties in the Castletroy area of the city are expected to come under pressure to control the behaviour of their tenants in the wake of what happened at College Court earlier this week.

Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche made his comments at a meeting of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee this Friday.

During the virtual meeting, he also confirmed that five individuals have been issued with "substantial fines" after they were identified as being the organisers of house parties on Tuesday night.

A further 16 fines were issued to individuals who attended the parties while more than 30 fines were issued to people who were "outside of their areas".

Gardai made five arrests on the night and five vehicles were seized. A significant quantity of cocaine was seized during a separate-but-related operation.

Chief Superintendent Roche said early indications suggest the scenes at Carysfort Avenue which were widely shared on social media were not pre-planned.

"We were actually out there in the UL campus dealing with stuff that was going on in the campus when we got the call that this had set up. They (students) were coming and going all day which they always do but they set up in about half an hour and then we got our resources there - and we put in a huge amount of resources - and they dispatched fairly quickly as you saw," he said.

Read also: Man charged following Castletroy street party ordered to stay out of Limerick

Dr Pat Daly, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, told the meeting its enforcement teams were deployed to College Court the following morning and that numerous fines were issued for littering and waste-related offences.

"We are hitting them on all sides. We issued fines for waste and litter offences, we issued warnings and we had our team in to clean up," he said.

"We have issued fines for illegal bin services and we continue to do a lot of spot checking in conjunction with An Garda Siochana. We are making sure that they are getting it from all sides so local residents can get some comfort from that," he added.

Chief Supt Roche said there have been a number drugs seizures in the College Court area over the past year and that individual landlords have to take some responsibility for what is happening in the estate.

"We will be making contact with every one of those owners with a view to putting pressure on them to regulate their own houses," he said.

"There are a number of houses there where we have got drugs over the last year and we will be putting the onus back on the owners of those houses for allowing them to be used like that and we will investigate them, under the criminal law, for allowing that to happening," added Chief Supt Roche.

Files may also be prepared to for the Director of Public Prosecutions in the case of landlords who are suspected of allowing house parties to take place in breach of the current Covid regulations.

Separately, efforts will be made to identify the landlords who have no registered their properties with the Residential Tenancies Board.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and House members about an infrastructure bill Thursday in the Oval Office. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)

When President Obama outlined plans to overhaul the nations infrastructure, Republicans blocked them. President Trump declared it to be infrastructure week so often that the phrase became a running joke, yet he failed to follow through with legislation.

Now President Biden, eager to act boldly, believes he can succeed where his predecessors did not.

Holding his second meeting in a month on the subject Thursday, Biden made clear that he intends to focus on another multitrillion-dollar legislative package after Congress sends the $1.9-trillion coronavirus relief plan to his desk this month  the next one a massive infrastructure initiative along the lines of FDR's federal works projects of the 1930s.

It not only creates jobs, but it makes us a hell of a lot more competitive around the world if we have the best infrastructure in the world, Biden said at the outset of the Oval Office meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

Leaving the White House afterward, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.), told reporters that the president wants to move as quickly as possible.

He wants it to be very big, and he feels that this is the key to the recovery package, DeFazio said.

As with the pandemic relief package, Biden plans to promote an infrastructure plan by emphasizing the urgent need for ambitious actions to help the country recover economically and compete with China.

For years, both major parties have called for modernizing the countrys highways, roads, airports, rail lines, broadband networks and power grids. Last months power crisis in Texas, which left millions of people in the cold without running water or electricity, underscored the need for action. And this week, the American Society of Civil Engineers released its analysis of the nations infrastructure, giving it a C-minus  an improvement, actually, from last years D  and signaling again that a major federal investment is long overdue.

Story continues

Were at a crossroads. Inaction will only worsen the suffering that working people have weathered over the past year, said Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO. But if we commit to rebuilding our communities on an unprecedented scale, we can get through this crisis stronger than before.

The infrastructure push, like the coronavirus relief package, has support not just from labor unions, traditionally a more Democratic constituency, but also the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is urging action by July 4 and stands ready to pressure both parties to unite around landmark legislation.

Were with organized labor on this. Were sick and tired of having things start and stop, said Ed Mortimer, the vice president of transportation and infrastructure at the Chamber of Commerce. Were ready to get to the solutions phase.

In Obamas time, congressional Republicans repeatedly objected that his proposals were too costly. Trump promised a $1-trillion proposal, but he never pressed the issue and Republicans all but ignored it year after year. Even Trumps infrastructure weeks were overshadowed by controversies, including his equivocating response to the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville, Va., in August 2017.

After Trump and congressional Democrats agreed in principle on a $2-trillion infrastructure proposal in early 2019, he torpedoed the talks and refused to work with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while the House Oversight Committee was investigating



him for pressuring Ukraines president to provide dirt on Biden.

Despite Bidens bold talk now, there is little evidence that Republicans will support his infrastructure initiative, especially one along the lines he proposed during his campaign, calling for huge investments in green energy projects and tax hikes on high earners and multinational companies to pay for the plans.

Democrats could follow their strategy on coronavirus relief and attempt to pass an infrastructure overhaul in the Senate using the process known as budget reconciliation, which would protect it from a Republican filibuster.

But reconciliation bills cannot include policy provisions that arent budget-related, so the scope of the package would be somewhat more limited.

To do the type of transformational infrastructure overhaul the president talks about, it really has to be done through a regular order, and that would require bipartisanship, Mortimer said. Theres no reason we shouldnt be able to come together and have broad support when this kind of package benefits every lawmaker in this country.

Kevin DeGood, the director of infrastructure policy at the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank in Washington, is pessimistic that Republicans, after sidelining infrastructure proposals in the Trump years, will work in good faith with Democrats to help Biden secure a policy accomplishment.

This is going to have to be driven by Democrats, he said. DeGood suggested the White House should repeat its approach with coronavirus relief  focusing on ensuring the infrastructure proposal is broadly popular, pressuring Republicans to support it and not allowing them to slow things down with dilatory negotiations.

This White House has been very smart in how its approached the COVID bill and gives me a lot of faith that theyre going to be successful, DeGood said.

In Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., and a 2020 presidential candidate, the administration will have one of its most skilled and broadly appealing communicators as the public face of the effort.

Ultimately, passing a multitrillion-dollar economic recovery package is about politics. This is about outlining a vision for what you want these dollars to achieve, and hes exceptional about that, DeGood said. Buttigieg could point to his work as mayor: The guy actually implemented projects and understands how infrastructure fits into economic redevelopment.

According to a Democrat familiar with the administrations thinking, the decision to move quickly to infrastructure reflects the hindsight of some Obama veterans, who came to believe that they erred politically early on, in the run-up to the 2010 midterm election, in giving priority to healthcare legislation over a job-creating package. Democrats lost their House majority in 2010, and they fear losing both chambers in next years midterm.

Democrats envision a plan that would not only create jobs but also address climate change through energy-efficient projects and racial equity issues by improving roads and other infrastructure in underserved areas.

Pivoting next to an infrastructure bill, which could take months to move through Congress, also might allow Senate Democrats to delay a showdown with the partys progressive base over its demand that they eliminate the filibuster.

In a Senate split 50 to 50 with Harris as the tiebreaker, filibusters  which require 60 votes to overcome  potentially stand in the way of several Democratic priorities.

It staves off that fight, is a huge accomplishment and is potentially more bipartisan than not. Right now, the entire world is seen through the lens of COVID relief and recovery, said Scott Mulhauser, a Democratic strategist. Infrastructure, he continued, is a logical way to keep the focus on that recovery.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Two sources at Healthcare Australia, the under-fire company that provides medical services at nine quarantine hotels, said staff had been told flights would probably resume on March 13.

Three hotel quarantine sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because their company policies do not permit them to speak publicly, said they had been informed that flights would resume imminently.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said other states were carrying an unfair burden because of Victorias halt on flights, said on Friday he expected the Andrews government would soon announce a date when approximately 10,000 stranded Victorians could start to return.

Victorias hotel quarantine workers have been told to prepare for international arrivals to resume as soon as next Saturday, a month after flights were paused during Februarys circuit-breaker lockdown.

Internal correspondence from senior Healthcare Australia staff, seen by The Age, confirms operational changes are being made to accommodate flights. Another senior hotel quarantine source said Health Department officials had been informing groups involved in the quarantine scheme that arrivals would probably begin within weeks.

Passenger flights have not arrived in Melbourne since February 14 when the Holiday Inn cluster that grew to almost 25 cases prompted a short lockdown.

Victoria had been preparing to increase its weekly intake by 200 to about 1300 but on February 12, when his government halted international flights, Premier Daniel Andrews said that when they resumed there could be a reduction in the number of returnees until COVID-19 vaccines were widely administered. He also questioned whether people should be allowed into the state for anything other than compassionate reasons.

The Premier said on Thursday he was not in a position to confirm when flights will begin arriving again in Melbourne. A government spokeswoman said on Friday a decision had not been made. No government agencies have provided official advice to staff of an imminent resumption of flights.

Weve asked our medical experts to look at what the impacts of variants of concern are on the risk profile in our hotels. When ... they can satisfy me that we can have a system where we have the lowest possible risk, then flights will start, Mr Andrews said on Thursday.
Colombia's public prosecutor said on Friday he would ask a judge to halt an investigation into former president Alvaro Uribe regarding alleged witness tampering and fraud.

Conservative Uribe, 68, is considered Colombia's most influential politician and is the mentor of current President Ivan Duque.

He served as president from 2002 to 2010 and was known for his tough stance on fighting the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas.

He also strongly opposed his successor Juan Manuel Santos's historic 2016 peace accord with FARC that ended a half century of armed conflict by the Marxist rebels.

The investigation surrounds a complaint filed by Uribe in 2012 against leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, whom he accused of hatching a plot to falsely link him to right-wing paramilitary groups.

But the Supreme Court decided against investigating Cepeda and in 2018 instead opened a witness tampering probe against Uribe.

"The case prosecutor has established that some of the behaviors" Uribe is accused of "are not crimes and others that are, cannot be attributed to him as author or participant," said the public prosecutor's office in a statement.

Prosecutor Gabriel Jaimes has requested a hearing to present his case to drop the investigation, which a judge may either grant or deny.

"Thank God for this positive step. Thank you to so many people for your prayers and solidarity," Uribe wrote on Twitter.

Uribe was placed under house arrest by the Supreme Court in August when serving as a senator, but he resigned and two months later was released by a lower court.

As a senator, Uribe's case would have been investigated by the Supreme Court, but his resignation meant the case passed into the jurisdiction of a lower court.

He was thus investigated by pubic prosecutor Francisco Barbosa, a former ally of his protege Duque.

Cepeda has accused investigators of lacking impartiality.

vel/bc/jm
The 16-year-old trans-Atlantic conflict over government aid to the firms saw Brussels and Washington each impose punitive tariffs, including US duties on a record $7.5 billion in European goods.

Washington and Brussels hailed an opportunity to restore frayed ties as US President Joe Biden and EU leader Ursula von der Leyen on Friday suspended tit-for-tat trade tariffs in a longstanding aircraft dispute.

The truce in the 16-year-old transatlantic dispute over subsidies for rival planemakers Boeing and Airbus represents a significant ratcheting back of the aggressive trade policies pursued by former US president Donald Trump.

Following a phone call on Friday, Biden and von der Leyen's announced a four-month suspension of billions of dollars in punitive import tariffs, in what the White House said was an opportunity "to repair and revitalize the US-EU partnership."

"I was glad to speak to President Biden this afternoonthe first of many exchanges and the start of a good personal partnership," von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said in a statement.

"President Biden and I agreed to suspend all our tariffs imposed in the context of the Airbus-Boeing disputes, both on aircraft and non-aircraft products, for an initial period of four months."

The call was the European Union chief's first with Biden since he came to office, although the pair spoke in November after he won the US presidential election.

Each side has won WTO rulings in the dispute which authorized the governments to impose punitive tariffs, including US duties on a record $7.5 billion in EU goods.

Washington has imposed tariffs on European products like wine, cheese and olive oil, and 15 percent tariffs on Airbus.

And the EU levied additional duties on $4 billion worth of American products including Boeing planes and farm produce such as wheat and tobacco, plus alcoholic spirits and chocolate.

Biden initially maintained the duties imposed by Trump, but von der Leyen said in her statement that she hoped the suspension signalled a "fresh start".

'Fresh start'

Biden initially maintained the duties imposed by his predecessor but also pledged to rebuild relations with American allies and trading partners that frayed over the past four years.

On Thursday the United States and Britainwhich hosts an Airbus plant and was part of the EU when the dispute startedalso agreed to suspend retaliatory tariffs for four months.

Von der Leyen said in her statement that she hoped the suspension signaled a "fresh start."

She said her call with Biden touched on many other aspects of trans-Atlantic relations.

"We both committed to focus on resolving our aircraft disputes, based on the work our respective trade representatives," she said.

"This is excellent news for businesses and industries on both sides of the Atlantic, and a very positive signal for our economic cooperation in the years to come."

A joint statement issued by both parties stressed their committed to finally resolving the dispute, which would lead to closer cooperation in other areas, and reinforce the allies as they review ties with a rising China.

"This will allow the EU and the US to ease the burden on their industries and workers and focus efforts towards resolving these long running disputes at the WTO," it said.

Resolving the Airbus-Boeing spat will include, "addressing the trade distortive practices of and challenges posed by new entrants to the sector from non-market economies, such as China."

EU member France, which hosts Airbus' biggest plant, hailed the truce as a "first step in a de-escalation process" but warned that it would approach talks on future rules for the trans-Atlantic aviation sector "without any naivety."

Boeing and Airbus welcomed the deal in separate statements, with the European company saying it would continue to press for a negotiated solution and an end to tariffs that it said only hurt both sides in the row.

Explore further US to suspend some Boeing-Airbus retaliatory UK tariffs

 2021 AFP
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Mathura court issues warrant to produce two terror accused PFI activists before it from Lucknow jail

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Mathura, Mar 05: A Mathura court on Thursday sought production of two PFI activists before it from a Lucknow jail where they have been lodged following their arrest last month for allegedly plotting to execute a series of blast in the state capital and elsewhere in Uttar Pradesh.

Additional Sessions Judge Anil Kumar Pandey issued the production warrant for producing accused PFI activists Anshad Badruddin and Firoz Khan, both Karala natives, in his court on March 8, District Government Counsel Shiv Ram Singh said.

Singh said ASJ Pandey issued the warrant against the duo on a plea by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force, which said the two had confessed to their involvement in the PFI funding to Delhi-based Kerala Siddique Kappan and his three accomplices to foment trouble after the death of a Hathras gangrape victim.

Bengaluru violence: NIA arrests 17 SDPI, PFI activists

Kappan and his alleged associates were arrested last year on October 5 by Mant police when they were on their way to the Hathras village. They were arrested earlier on the apprehension of causing a breach of peace but were later slapped with stringent charges of sedition and terror acts besides the breach of the Information Technology Act.

Anshad Badruddin and Firoz Khan were arrested in mid-February from Lucknow by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad and a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 16 explosive devices, batteries and detonators, a pistol and live cartridges, were recovered from their possession.

Following their arrest, UP ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar had dubbed Anshad as the national head of the PFI's 'Hit Squad' and Firoz as the PFI's national trainer for making bombs. Kumar had also accused the two of planning to execute multiple blasts across Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh to mark the ''Popular Front Day'' - the foundation day of their outfit which falls on February 17.

Mathura District Counsel Shiv Ram Singh said STF Deputy Superintendent of Police Vinod Sirohi told the court in his March 2 application that both accused had confessed to their involvement in funding journalist Kappan.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

STF had filed three applications seeking Mathura court's permission to record statements of accused Asand and Feroz in Lucknow jail and matching of voice and signature of journalist Siddique Kappan. Though Kappan's signature was taken in court, his voice sample was not taken as the STF later withdrew its application for taking his voice sample.

Meanwhile, the court on Thursday slated March 10 for hearing the bail plea of Rauf Sherif, a PFI youth wing leader, who was brought to Mathura from Kerala by the STF for his alleged role in the PFI funding to Kappan and his accomplices allegedly for fomenting trouble after the death of Hathras gangrape victim.

Artist's illustration of the proposed Cumberland Farms on Commercial Street in Adams.

Cumberland Farms Presents Plans for New Adams Location



The new proposal has a slightly small building. ADAMS, Mass.  The Conservation Commission applauded the plans done by Cumberland Farms so far and voted to reconvene on April 8 once its engineer has had a chance to review them.

The Westborough-based convenience store chain had proposed to place a new store on Commercial Street between Elm and Prospect streets several years ago. The company ran into opposition in its first attempts to get through the permitting stage and withdrew its application in 2018.

It has returned with a slightly smaller profile for the store and presented its plans on Thursday to the Conservation Commission, which has jurisdiction because of the proximity of the Hoosic River to the proposed site.

The convenience chain is still proposing to demolish Al's Service Center at 95 Commercial St. and two other structures, all owned by Carol Ostrowski, and build a gas station/convenience store just south of its older location that will be closed. There also have been changes in zoning since its initial proposal, when it had to appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance. This is considered a new application.

"This will be our first presentation this evening," said attorney Thomas Reidy of Bacon Wilson P.C.'s real estate and zoning team. "We still do need other approvals from municipal boards that we will go through, but we understand that it's typically prudent to go through the Conservation Commission first. ... We fully expect to have this hearing continued for a peer review, but we at least wanted to give you a presentation on what it is that we're looking to do at the site and any of the potential impacts and how we think that we're mitigating."

Luke Distefano of Bohler Engineering of West Albany, N.Y., said the proposal is not only good for the town but also for the property for which it is being proposed.

It will consist of a 4,384 square-foot convenience store, eight pumps on four stations under a 24-foot by 122-foot canopy, and 27 parking spots on the 65,000 square foot property. There will be two curb cuts, one on Commercial Street and one on Prospect Street.

"That's important to note because we will be reducing the number of curb cuts currently accessing the property now given that it's multiple properties, there are multiple curb cuts," Distefano said. "We feel that consolidating the curb cuts into two, one on Commercial and one on Prospect as noted is going to result in an improvement over existing conditions, in our opinion."

The plans try to maintain as much green space as possible, making it about a 50/50 proposition with the impermeable surfaces. There will also be improvements to stormwater management and other existing conditions.

"The site basically runs untreated and unchecked into the abutting rights of way into Prospect or Elm Street and ultimately into the city's drainage system, where it's gonna be, I believe, into the river," Distefano said. "But under our proposed conditions, if you've had an opportunity to review the notice of intent that was submitted for the drainage report, we are proposing to completely capture and infiltrate all runoff from this location."

He thought that treating the water before it went off site would be a major improvement and said, "we are aware of our neighbors to the north and to the northwest. So we've taken steps to provide landscape buffers, and to basically try and soften this site as much as we can."

"Cumberland Farms has a very nice looking gasoline facility," Distefano said. "Cumberland Farms, being a Massachusetts-based location, its always taken pride in their appearance and the type of building and design that they have throughout the entire facility."

The proposed building is similar to those constructed in recent years with white siding, sloped roofs and stone facades.

"This is a junkyard and a vacant gas station," he said. "I think you're gonna have, in my opinion, a much better property under the proposed conditions."

Peter Yesky, regional director for First Hartford Realty of Connecticut, said it was known at one time there were eight to nine underground tanks on the property for gasoline, kerosene and home heating fuel. It's believed that the tanks have since been removed but there are concerns about soil contamination and the company has done some borings on the site.

"But the bottom line is, we're planning a substantial remediation of the site. Right now our estimate .... is about $200,000, just in soil remediation work to make sure that any soil that is classified as above standard or something that needs to be treated is taken off that site," he said. "Right now we're planning to remove about 3,000 tons of soil."

That contaminated soil will be replaced with as "close to natural fill as they can get." Another $85,000 is estimated for asbestos remediation and to remove other hazardous materials.

"Cumberland Farms is going to do an extensive cleanup on this site," Yesky said. "We're anticipating it, we're budgeting for it, and we're ready to tackle that. They have their own internal environmental department in Westborough at their headquarters that does this all day every day."

The commissioners commended the plans, with Brian Bishop saying he had looked them over and "everything looks great" as long the standards are kept up and Thomas Robinson describing it as one of the finest proposals he'd seen.

"I think they'll definitely be an improvement to that area," said Commissioner Natasha Bordeaux. "They'll definitely have a lot more visual appeal, because right now it's just a mess out there and the greenery that they put around their stores will make it a lot cleaner looking."

The town has hired Hill Engineering to review the plans, which has been subcontracted to Emily Stockman of Stockman & Associates. Chairman James Fassell said Stockman would present her findings at the next meeting on April 8.

The commission voted to continue the hearing to that date.
Nigerian pastor freed by Boko Haram hours before execution: I thank God

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria freed a Christian pastor on Wednesday evening who had been held captive since Christmas Eve, just hours before the ransom deadline expired and he was to be executed.

Security sources told the Nigerian online newspaper Premium Times that Pastor Bulus Yikura, who was abducted during an attack in the Chibok local government area of the Borno state on Dec. 24, has been released. A Premium Times reporter claimed to have seen the pastor being transported to a state security office around 6:15 p.m. local time.

Boko Haram, one of the worlds deadliest extremist groups, released a video on Feb. 24 where Yikura pleaded with the Nigerian government and the Christian Association of Nigeria to rescue him before he was killed.

If you want me alive, I beg you in your capacity as president, the governor and our local government chairman to save me from this suffering, the pastor said in the Hausa language, according to HumAngle.

Today is the last day I will have the opportunity to call on you in your capacity as my parents and relatives in the country, Yikura said. Anyone who has the intention should help and save me. Please release me from this pain.

In one of the videos obtained by HumAngle, the pastor knelt as a knife-wielding man in a mask stood behind him. Yikrua, affiliated with the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, had appeared in three videos throughout his detainment. One was released in December, days after his abduction, and the others were released in January and February.

Security forces told Premium Times that Yikuras family and the EYN church had been negotiating his release since last week.

When asked to speak about his release, the pastor was quoted as saying, I thank God, I thank God.

Dede Laugesen, executive director of the United States-based advocacy group Save the Persecuted Christians, believes EYN church might have paid his ransom.

We celebrate his release and also the children from Zamfara being released, but the plague of kidnapping for ransom that has been rampant in Nigeria since 2019 has been unaddressed and [we are] now very concerned that we have seen the increase in the kidnapping of schoolchildren, Laugesen told the Christian Post in an interview Thursday.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative industry to fund Nigerian extremists and criminals. The West African country has experienced a wave of mass abductions in the past months.

Nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped in a raid last week by armed militants in northwest Nigeria and were safely released on Tuesday.

Its an unfortunate reality that is becoming more and more ingrained in Nigeria and a problem that is very difficult to resolve, especially when the government is likely also involved, Laugesen said.

Not long after the girls were freed on Wednesday, extremists reportedly burned much of a Zamfara state village in northwest Nigeria and abducted about 60 people, according to HumAngle. Many residents have fled to nearby areas for safety.

In January 2020, the Rev. Lawan Adnimi was beheaded in the Sambisa forest by Boko Haram militants because he refused to renounce his faith and money was not raised for his ransom.

Similar to Yikura, Boko Haram had previously released videos of Adnimi, who said, By the grace of God, I will be together with my wife and my children and all my colleagues. If the opportunity has not been granted, maybe it is the will of God.

Laugesen said the federal governments lack of accountability in the prevalence of persecution must be called out before it escalates further.

Its a very complex situation with lots of factors involved, but thus far, the international community has failed to address this growing calamity in Nigeria, Laugesen said. We are all very concerned that you will see the eruption of violence on the scale of what we saw in Rwanda should the international community not be able to bring the Nigerian federal government to account.

Laugesen told CP that some Christians are concerned the government enables militant organizations in order to receive funding for the military complex to fight terrorism.

Nigeria is essentially the new headquarters for the Islamic jihad seeking to establish a caliphate , Laugesen said. The Christians in Nigeria and others are very concerned that the government continues to give impunity to Islamic extremists in Nigeria.  So theres no real accountability coming from the Nigerian government.

The Global Terrorism Index ranks Nigeria as the third country most affected by terrorism in the world. From 2001 to 2019, it says there were over 22,000 terror-related deaths. Nigeria, Africas most populous nation, also leads the world in the number of Christians killed, according to Open Doors USA.

Christians in Nigeria are really without representation or a voice, Laugesen said. Many believe that Nigeria is headed toward a complete unraveling, which would be a disaster on par with what happened in the Middle East with ISIS. Our organization, along with others, believes that an act of genocide of Christians is happening in Nigeria, that it is supported top-down, bottom-up from the government, and from the extremist groups.

Open Doors 2021 World Watch List ranks Nigeria as the ninth-worst country for Christian persecution. The organization also reports an extreme level of Islamic oppression toward believers in Nigeria. Just under 50% of the country is Christian. According to Open Doors, there are over 95 million Christians in the country.

Nigeria was the first democratic nation to be added to the U.S. State Departments list of countries of particular concern for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.



New Delhi, March 5 : Student housing startup Ezstays has completed its seed round of funding raising $400,000 from Richard Rekhy, former CEO of KPMG India among other private investors.

A company statement said that keeping premium amenities at its core, Ezstays will allocate funds to further refine its customer experience.

Ezstays offers accommodation services and operates more than 1,200 beds in educational hubs such as Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, New Delhi and Bhopal.

The company expects to reach 5,000 beds by the start of the academic session of 2021-2022.

"Ezstays aims at curbing every type of ambiguity faced by students and their parents in terms of reallocation in tier 1 or 2 cities. Catering to the varied requirements of students, Ezstays is committed to making students feel at home," it said.

Vaibhav Khanna, Founder, Ezstays said: "This student housing company is tightly managed and operationally sound. We are thankful to Richard for placing his faith in us, and we are sure of achieving increased investor confidence which will enable us to reach new heights and gain more success." Noting that student housing is a "good business" across the world especially in UK and European Countries, Richard Rekhy said that in India too, with the increasing trend in student's mobility across states to move to bigger cities for higher education, the demand for quality and safe student housing is rapidly growing.
When Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds decided it was time to administer a shot in the arm to their personal finances, they explored a couple of options.

One, revealed by the Mail this week, was to create a new prime ministerial charity, which would help cover some costs that have left many modern occupants of Downing Street facing cashflow problems.

Donors would, among other things, help to foot the bill for doing up the PM's residential flat, which allegedly has just been given a makeover with some 200,000-worth of 'gold wall coverings', intricate textiles and items of chic rattan furniture inspired by a posh interior designer called Lulu Lytle.

Carrie Symonds is pictured waering a cheetah print headband last year with her new boss, the socialite Damian Aspinall

A second necessary step, given Johnson's hugely expensive divorce and the (temporary) abandonment of his lucrative careers in journalism and public speaking, was for No 10 to become a dual-income household. In other words, Carrie would be going back to work.

She would not, of course, be able to take any paid role in her old field of politics without sparking endless disputes about nepotism. And a move into either lobbying or commerce would create a conflict-of-interest minefield. But working for a well-meaning charity? That would certainly pass the smell test.

So it was that she decided to join the payroll of the Aspinall Foundation, a non-profit organisation that runs a couple of popular wildlife parks in Kent.

Her role, as communications director on what I am told is a 'medium to high five-figure' salary, was expected to focus on promoting the organisation's largely well-regarded conservation schemes.

Over the years, the foundation has become expert at reintroducing captive animals to wild ecosystems where they have become endangered.

Last year, it flew a pair of cheetahs, Saba and Nairo, from the UK to South Africa. Carrie knew the duo well, having been photographed meeting them with her new boss, the socialite Damian Aspinall, last year. She wore a cheetah-print headband.

Carrie decided to join the payroll of the Aspinall Foundation, a non-profit organisation that runs a couple of popular wildlife parks in Kent (pictured)

Yet the course of public life rarely runs smooth, especially for a PM's spouse.

Weeks after taking the job  her first since the birth of ten-month-old son Wilf  she finds herself bogged down in a toxic PR war of the sort you might expect to find on the grubby front line of politics.

Last month, the Mail revealed that her glamorous new employer is being investigated by the Charity Commission over what the regulator calls its 'financial management and wider governance'.

The news emerged after we shed light on a string of questionable monetary links between the charity and its chairman Mr Aspinall, whose late father John (an old gambling buddy of Lord Lucan's) was the organisation's founder.

Among other things, the foundation chooses to rent Damian his country home, a 30-room stately pile in rural Kent, for just 2,500 a month. It has also funnelled hundreds of thousands of pounds to his family.

Damian's wife, Victoria, was paid 62,000 for 'interior design services' by the charity in the past couple of years, while he appears to have been allowed to use its coffers as a sort of piggy-bank, running up an annual debt of 113,122 in 2019.

The previous year, his debt to the charity was 88,783; in 2017 the figure was 58,783; in 2016 it was 28,484. In 2015 he owed 19,208 and in 2014, 47,655. The charity has not said why it extended this credit to Mr Aspinall, or whether he was charged interest. Neither is it willing to comment on how the debts were built up, apart from insisting they are not 'loans' and have been completely paid off.

Damian's wife, Victoria (pictured), was paid 62,000 for 'interior design services' by the charity in the past couple of years

A sister organisation gives his wealthy stepmother a 'pension' of 30,000 a year.

These are, on the surface, odd practices, since charities, which receive extensive tax breaks, are required to be very careful indeed about who benefits from their activities and how much they are paid. What's more, trustees and their dependants are not normally allowed to benefit personally from their role.

With that in mind, the Charity Commission has launched what it calls a 'regulatory compliance case'. Today, I can reveal two more unusual developments.

First, it has emerged that fundraising for Carrie's free-spending employer is being run by a former gambling industry executive. His salary makes him quite the high roller: it appears to be roughly 230,000 a year. More on this later.

In a second piece of ominous news, I can disclose that the Charity Commission's compliance staff aren't the only ones now asking awkward questions about the Aspinall Foundation's unorthodox finances.

For they are now the subject of a second investigation, this time by a leading charity lawyer. Her name is Caroline Russell and she is an expert on 'trustee disputes and Charity Commission issues' at a firm called Girlings.

Ms Russell has been commissioned by the foundation's board of trustees to undertake an independent inquiry to establish whether its affairs are legal. It will focus on the issues raised in the Mail's recent coverage. 'No doubt there have been governance process shortcomings,' confirms one trustee. 'We have [therefore] engaged a serious lawyer to conduct a thorough review.'

Ms Russell's investigation will also seek to establish whether the charity's six-person board of trustees  which appointed Ms Symonds and includes several influential Tory donors  is fit for purpose.

She is expected to ask tough questions about whether current members of the board are capable of holding Mr Aspinall to account.

Interestingly, given Carrie's new role, several trustees happen to be patrons of the Prime Minister

In the years it has been acting as the wealthy socialite's landlord, the charity has also been entirely run by his family members and close friends.

Interestingly, given Carrie's new role, several trustees happen to be patrons of the Prime Minister.

At present, the board consists of Damian's daughter Tansy; his family friends Ben Goldsmith (the Tory donor and financier son of industrialist Sir James); and Ben's half-brother Robin Birley (a donor to Boris Johnson whose father, Mark, founded Mayfair nightclub Annabel's); Charles Filmer (a financial adviser who has looked after the wealth of the Goldsmith family); and hedge fund manager Maarten Petermann.

Former trustees include Ben's brother Lord (Zac) Goldsmith, a close chum of Carrie's who is rumoured to have been asked to help fund the recent Downing Street decoration with Boris's other great patron Lord Bamford.

It's all very cosy. Or, as one informed source puts it, 'a sort of family affair'. Friends of several trustees say they agreed to do the job as a 'favour' to Damian, thinking it would largely involve helping out with fundraisers.

In fact, a charity trustee has onerous legal responsibilities  including to properly scrutinise its financial affairs.

Failure to fulfil those responsibilities can have serious consequences. In a worst-case scenario, charities that break the rules can be struck off, while board members face the humiliation of being banned from serving as a trustee.

All this explains the board's decision to hire Ms Russell: trustees want to establish what, if any, laws might have been broken.

Former trustees include Lord (Zac) Goldsmith, a close chum of Carrie's who is rumoured to have been asked to help fund the recent Downing Street decoration

'They aren't publicly criticising Damian because they haven't fallen out with him,' says an insider. 'Before they do anything like that, they need to find out what has actually gone on. It's their fiduciary duty to know what is happening, and they don't want to come out and either attack or defend Damian without first getting to the absolute truth of what he's done on their watch and whether it is legal.

'There are always grey areas in the law and they need a specialist to tell them what the precedents are and where the charity stands. You could argue that they should have done this ages ago, and that's a fair point. But in asking a qualified person to look into this they are now doing exactly the right thing.'

The fallout of any investigation, however, could not only disrupt the cosy 'family' arrangements but also have serious political ramifications. For example, Ben Goldsmith is a board member of Defra, thanks largely to the patronage of Boris Johnson.

Somewhat controversially, he and brother Zac, who is a Defra minister and close ally of Carrie, now have an extraordinary influence over environmental policy.

At times, they have worked with the Prime Minister's consort to promote causes such as 're-wilding', a subject reportedly close to Carrie's heart. Carrie and Zac have also been instrumental in seeking to end the practice of culling badgers to control bovine tuberculosis. This has made enemies of the farming lobby and other noisy Tory factions.

'People are already out to get Ben,' points out one prominent rural lobbyist. 'Now, if he is found by the regulator to have failed to properly oversee a small animal charity, people will ask should he be trusted to oversee the British farming and food industries. It's a reasonable question and it will be impossible to answer.'

Dealing with incoming fire related to this potentially unedifying affair is surely not what Ms Symonds signed up to when she took on the role, which for now is being performed from a flat above Downing Street.

And, of course, there could be further ugly headlines to come.

Last year's audited accounts for the foundation are, I gather, about to be circulated to trustees.

In the meantime, questions are also being asked about the remuneration of the executive in charge of fundraising for the foundation.

Tony Kelly is a former gambling industry figure who until 2018 was running the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

He left that role suddenly for what were described as 'personal reasons' in early 2018, before returning to the UK.

A year later, he was unveiled as managing director of Howletts and Port Lympne Estates Limited, the company which runs the foundation's parks.

Although his predecessor earned 84,037 a year, accounts for 2019 show that Mr Kelly earned 152,110 in the remaining eight months of the year after he took office. That translates to a salary of 228,000 a year.

Asked to explain why the foundation appears to employ the best-paid zookeeper in Britain, a spokesman for Howletts and Port Lympne Estates said Mr Kelly was recruited by an external agency and that his salary was 'benchmarked' to reflect his 'calibre and proven track record heading up our commercial operations', which include running 'luxury 400-bed overnight accommodation' at the two wildlife parks.

The salary is not paid by the charity but by the company, the spokesman added.

Unusually, however, Mr Kelly has repeatedly been described as the Aspinall Foundation's 'managing director' in corporate communications. Including, last May, in a press release by Barclays bank, when it issued the charity with a 'business interruption loan' to help survive lockdown.

Around the same time, he appeared on LBC radio to solicit charitable donations from listeners. Again, he was described as the Aspinall Foundation's 'managing director' before going on to issue a heart-rending appeal for money.

'There's no shareholders in our organisation. Nobody makes any money out of it,' he declared.

Of course, that wasn't entirely true. For not one, but two ongoing inquiries are now taking a close look at the fact that a small number of people appear to be doing very well indeed out of the animal charity.

Would the Great British public be quite so inclined to dig deep if they knew that the man rattling the tin was earning 230,000?

Or that the charity they were supporting rents a Palladian mansion to its founder's son for the same rate that a terraced home fetches in nearby Canterbury?

It is, as they say, a hornet's nest. And as awkward questions pile up in her inbox, Ms Symonds could be forgiven for wondering if there might have been easier ways to pay for a Downing Street makeover.

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Patients' electronic health records convey crucial information. The application of natural language processing techniques to these records may be an effective means of extracting information that may improve clinical decision making, clinical documentation and billing, disease prediction and the detection of adverse drug reactions. Adverse drug reactions are a major health problem, resulting in hospital re-admissions and even the death of thousands of patients. An automatic detection system can highlight said reactions in a document, summarize them and automatically report them.

In this context, the Basurto University Hospital and the Galdakao Hospital "were interested in creating a system that would use natural language processing techniques to analyze patient health records in order to automatically identify any adverse effects," explains the engineer Sara Santiso, who also holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science. After the hospitals contacted the IXA group at the UPV/EHU, several researchers started working to build a robust model with which to extract adverse drug reactions from electronic health records written in Spanish, based on clinical text mining.

To this end, "not only have we used techniques based on traditional machine learning algorithms, we have also explored deep learning techniques, reaching the conclusion that these are better able to detect adverse reactions," explains Santiso, one of the authors of the study. Machine learning and deep learning imitate the way the human brain learns, although they use different types of algorithms to do so.

Difficulties finding a corpus in Spanish

Santiso underscores the difficulties the team encountered when trying to find a large enough corpus with which to work: "At first, we started with only a few health records, because they are difficult to obtain due to privacy issues; you have to sign confidentiality agreements in order to work with them," she explains. The research team has found that "having a larger corpus helps the system learn the examples contained in it more effectively, thereby giving rise to better results."

Through this study, which was carried out with health records written in Spanish, "we are contributing to closing the gap between clinical text mining in English and that carried out in other languages, which accounts for less than 5% of all papers published in the field. Indeed, the extraction of clinical information is not yet fully developed due (among other things) to the potential for extracting information from other hospitals and in other languages," claims the researcher.

Although natural language processing has been of inestimable help in the computer-aided detection of adverse drug reactions, there is still room for improvement: "To date, systems have tended to focus on detecting drug-disease pairs located in the same sentence. However, health records contain implicit information that might reveal underlying relations (for example, information about antecedents might be relevant for determining the causes of an adverse event). In other words, future research should strive to detect both explicitly and implicitly-stated inter-sentence relationships." Moreover, another issue that should be the subject of future research is the lack of electronic health records written in Spanish.

More information: Sara Santiso et al, Adverse Drug Reaction extraction: Tolerance to entity recognition errors and sub-domain variants, Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine (2020). Sara Santiso et al, Adverse Drug Reaction extraction: Tolerance to entity recognition errors and sub-domain variants,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2020.105891
A slim ballot will confront New Orleans-area voters when early voting kicks off on Saturday, but the headline race is a big one: an open seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early voting for the March 20 election will run from March 6 to March 13, except for Sunday, March 7, with polling locations open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

The race with the broadest implications in the New Orleans area is the election to replace former U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, who left Congress to take a position in President Joe Bidens White House.

There are 15 candidates running to replace Richmond in Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District, including veteran lawmakers Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson  both Democratic state senators from New Orleans  and Gary Chambers Jr., a community activist from Baton Rouge.

The district, which snakes up from New Orleans to East Baton Rouge Parish, covers portions of 10 parishes including Jefferson, St. John the Baptist and St. Charles. The contest is the only item on the Orleans Parish ballot.

New Orleans voters can cast their ballots early at City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., the Algiers Courthouse, 225 Morgan St., the Voting Machine Warehouse, 8870 Chef Menteur Highway, and at the Lake Vista Community Center, 6500 Spanish Fort Blvd.

If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote in the race, a run-off will be held in April.

Jefferson Parish voters will have an additional early voting location this election after West Bank voters had to wait in long lines during the presidential contest in the fall.

Voters can now cast ballots at the Westbank Regional Library at 2751 Manhattan Blvd. Thats in addition to sites at the Joseph S. Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., the Charles B. Odom Building, 5001 West Bank Expressway and the Kenner-Rivertown Registrar of Voters Office, 408 Minor St.

An early voting location will also be open at Grand Isle Multiplex, 3101 Highway 1, on Monday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

In Jefferson, voters in Kenner, Harahan, Lafitte, Grand Isle and unincorporated parts of the parish will also decide whether to renew property taxes for the water and sewer systems that officials say would allow the construction of a new treatment plant, install smart meters and make other infrastructure improvements.

The measures would extend the life of those taxes for 10 years and allow the parish to collect 5 mills for each tax, 2.7 mills more than are currently collected. A spokesperson for Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng said that while that option will be available to the administration, there are no plans to immediately boost the tax rate.

+9 Jefferson voters will consider millages to upgrade water and sewerage infrastucture on March 20 Nestled up against Jefferson Highway, just east of the Huey P. Long bridge, Jefferson Parish's first water treatment plant has been pumping, f

If both taxes are approved, they would cost a homeowner with a $100,000 home and a homestead exemption about $12.50 a year. A homeowner with a $300,000 home and a homestead exemption would pay about $112.50 a year.

Voters in some parts of the parish will also decide who should replace former State Rep. Charles Henry, who resigned in January citing a need to focus on his young son and the coronavirus pandemic. Republicans Edwin Eddie Connick and Laurie Schlegel and Democrat Raymond Delaney Jr. are running to replace him.

Westwego is also holding elections for its mayor, police chief and city council members.

St. Tammany Parish has three early voting locations: the St. Tammany Justice Center Parking Garage, 601 N. Jefferson Ave. in Covington; the Towers Building, 520 Old Spanish Trail in Slidell; and the St. Tammany Administrative Complex, 21490 Koop Drive in Mandeville.

Voters in St. Tammany will decide whether to renew a $3.9 million a year drainage tax. The 40-year-old tax has funded 70 drainage projects over the past decade, officials said.

Tax that covers $4M in annual drainage work coming before St. Tammany voters March 20 St. Tammany Parish voters will be asked March 20 to renew a 1.69-mill property tax for drainage that was first approved 40 years ago and that 

The 1.69-mill tax costs the owner of a $250,000 home about $29 a year.

Also on the ballot in St. Tammany Parish is the renewal of a 15-mill tax for a fire district in the Pearl River area, a 6-mill renewal for the recreation district that serves Bush and a $10.2 million bond issue for the recreation district that covers Coquille Park.

Voters in a stretch of rural St. Tammany will also decide who should fill the remaining term of St. Tammany Parish Council member Richard Tanner, who died in July. His wife, Cheryl Tanner, is running against Toby Cooper.
March 05, 2021 On 'Shia Backed', 'Iran Backed' Nonsense And Other Warmongering Journalism The recent U.S. airstrike at the Syrian-Iraqi border and the missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq were followed by many examples of bad journalism. U.S. media, as FAIR documents, have purged inconvenient facts from their coverage of Biden's 'first' airstrike: The less clear the US population is about the frequency and scale of murderous violence its government carries out, the easier it is for the US ruling class to go about its wars. Fortunately for the US state, corporate media help manufacture collective amnesia by expunging US aggression from the record.

...

Securing consent for running a lethal, worldwide empire requires unremitting propaganda: Redacting the historical record and playing the victim are two useful strategies. The dozens of examples in the FAIR piece are telling. FAIR gets one thing wrong though. The attack was not in Syria, as the U.S. claimed, but on the Iraqi side of the border. Elijah J. Magnier @ejmalrai - 6:01 UTC  Mar 3, 2021 Analysts keep making this mistake: 1st Biden's bombing was in #Iraq not #Syria. An Iraqi military delegation sent by @MAKadhimi verified & confirmed that the #US bombed Iraqi security forces on the Iraqi borders with #Syria and not on Syrian territory. Nearly all U.S. media use 'Iran-backed militia' when describing the groups that allegedly launched the missiles. The Pentagon now wants to change that. A press briefing with spokesman John F. Kirby had several exchanges about that: Q: Just going back to -- to the rocket attack, could you describe roughly the distance that the rockets were coming from? And what does that say about the tactics -- and how does that -- of the -- whoever fired those? And to what degree does this resemble previous attacks by the Iranian-backed militia? MR. KIRBY: I'm not qualified to do the forensics, Dan, on -- on -- on how this equates to previous attacks, other than obviously it's a rocket attack and we have seen rocket attacks come from Shia-backed militia groups in the past. So in that way, it certainly -- it certainly coincides with our past experience here. ... [lots of unrelated stuff] ... Q: OK. And yesterday we hear from the podium you expressed hope that the first strike on Abu Kamal will -- might deter any future attacks. MR. KIRBY: Yes. Q: And less than 24 hours later, this happened. In the airstrike, you targeted Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, two entities that are part of the PMF. MR. KIRBY: Yes.

... Q: How do you view the PMF now after targeting Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada? MR. KIRBY: We've long been open and honest about the threats that these -- that arise from these rocket attacks that are being perpetrated by some Shia-backed militia. And we've not been bashful about calling it out when we've seen it. And the only thing I'd add is, just like before we're going to act appropriately to defend our personnel, our interests and those of our Iraqi partners. Q: I'm asking about the PMF in general, since the group -- these groups are part of the PMF and they're actually the leaders of these groups are part of the leadership, like Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, the leader of -- MR. KIRBY: I understand -- wait, I understand where you're going. Again, we're focused on these -- the Shia-backed militias that continue to put at risk and to continue to threaten our people and our Iraqi partners. And I don't have any other additional conversations to read out today. Q: If I may? When you say Shia backed militias, do you mean Shia militias or Iran backed -- MR. KIRBY: I mean Shia-backed militias. Q: What does that mean? MR. KIRBY: Lara? Q: Thanks John. Q: No, no, seriously John. I'm -- MR. KIRBY: No seriously. I mean Shia-backed militia. Q: Like what does that mean, Shia-backed militia? You're backed by -- MR. KIRBY: I've answered your question sir.

...

Q: On the Shia-backed militias. Previously U.S. officials would say Iran backed militias, Shia is a sect, it's a large group of people. When you say Shia-backed what do you really mean? I was confused. MR. KIRBY: I've been using that phrase pretty much since I've been up here and we know that and I've said this that that some of the Shia-back militias have  Shia-based have Iranian backing. There is a certain point in Kirby's relabeling. The 'Iran backing' the 'Shia backed' militia get is much less than often assumed: Irans relationship with Iraqi militant groups in its sphere of influence is often more one of mentorship than of direct command and control. The Hashd al-Shaabi or PMU are paid by the Iraqi government which is based on a Shia majority. In that 'Shia backed' might make some sense but not in the sectarian way Kirby is using it. To use "Shia backed militia" for Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada has as much analytical a value as calling Al-Qaeda Sunni backed or the Irish Republican Army Catholic backed. Neither would be technical incorrect but all these designations are way to broad to be of any use. One wonders why the Pentagon is doing this? Does it want the 'Iran backed' out of the way to make it easier to talk with Iran? Or could there be some more nefarious reason: I believe that Washington could very well seek to push Iraq into a new civil war in a bid to eradicate the Hashd al-Shaabi. Many of the groups within the PMU have threatened to wage war on US forces if Washington refuses to withdraw. Unfortunately, this threat by the PMU can easily be exploited by the US, giving Washington a casus belli, as they intensify their defensive airstrikes while claiming to support Baghdads campaign to bring stability to Iraq. Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and the other Hashd al-Shaabi groups are by the way mixed groups and not exclusively Shia. The one KH member who was killed in the U.S. attack on Abu Kamal was Sunni. Elijah J. Magnier @ejmalrai - 10:21 UTC  Feb 26, 2021 First military victims of @JoeBiden:

The Sunni member of the Hashd al-Shaabi, Rahi Salam Zayd al-Sharifi, from Hillah, the ancient city of Babil (Babylon), killed by the #US air attack on the Iraqi- Syrian borders last night at 02:30 am local time. Some of the worst writing on the episode comes from the New York Times chief warmonger David Sanger. In an 'analysis' headlined For Biden, Deliberation and Caution, Maybe Overcaution, on the World Stage he writes: The goal was to send a signal to Iran without risking escalation. The Iraqi government was brought into the decision, and the strike was limited to a small cluster of buildings in Syria that was a gathering place for jihadis and smugglers. Even then, Mr. Sullivan and Pentagon officials took one target off the list at the last moment because of images showing there might be women and children present. Their response may have been overly cautious because another rocket attack followed, on Wednesday, when an American contractor died of a heart attack. But some leading Democrats still opposed the strike. To call the 'Shia backed' government paid militia "jihadis" as if they were ISIS or al-Qaeda is as wrong as one can get. To accept the evidence free claim, invented by 'officials' a week after the airstrike, that one target was taken off the list because women and children were there is dense. And to call a strike that hit Iraqi government forces 'overly cautious' because the seven 500 pound bombs that were dropped did not have the desired political effect is analytical stupidity. It is the whole idea that such strikes create 'deterrence' that is wrong. The missile attack after the airstrike proves that deterrence does not work. More strikes would not change that. Posted by b on March 5, 2021 at 18:47 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
Washingtons new system will give officials better data on how many people  and their many different needs  want the vaccine, giving the city more insight into how to best target those who are more reticent to take the shot. In fact, the next critical challenge, after getting a shot to everyone who wants one, will be to find ways to convince others less keen to do so.

Getting your name in the system and on a list is certainly a lot better than being told, as Washingtons chief technology officer said in a video for the public last week, to clear the webpage cache on your computers browser and try again. Washingtons new system will also yield important insights into where to open high-capacity vaccination sites, moving the city from a community-based approach to more of a wider effort in which anyone who wants a vaccine can get one.

That seems far away for most Americans, although President Biden promised this week that adults who want to be vaccinated will be able to get a shot by the end of May, moving up the timeline from July. Thats great but of little comfort to those whose faith in government  not only in the United States, but in places like Europe too  has been shaken by far too much chaos in this process, chaos that is often related to glitchy tech.

The frustration is made worse by the feeling that technology rarely seems to let us down in our daily lives. When was the last time you recall an Amazon, Google, Facebook or Twitter page not working seamlessly? Its rare  and great swaths of the public have become adept at using these tools with minimal effort. The pandemic has accelerated the development of those skills, too, with so much of work, social life and commerce moving online.

But sadly, that is not true for everyone, especially when the distribution systems feel jury-rigged and tend to favor the elite.

While I gripe about all of this, I do appreciate that Washingtons early efforts were aimed at trying to first reach those most in need. And the citys quick shift to a better plan is heartening.

There are still not enough vaccines to go around, so for now local governments continue to face a difficult decision: prioritize getting as many people as possible vaccinated or target the most vulnerable.
Law enforcement officers sort evidence and debris at the scene of a deadly crash in Holtville, California (Gregory Bull/AP)

Nine migrants in an SUV packed with 25 people suffered major injuries after their vehicle slammed into a lorry and killed 13 others inside, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said.

Seventeen occupants in the 1997 Ford Expedition were Mexican  10 who died and seven who were injured. Two Guatemalans had major injuries.

The driver was among the 13 killed in the SUV, from Tuesdays collision in Californias Imperial Valley, a farming region that produces many of the winter vegetables sold in US supermarkets. Three suffered moderate injuries.

The nationalities of three others who died and three who were injured were unknown or undisclosed.

Expand Close Photo showing a hole cut into Southern Californias border fence with Mexico (US Customs and Border Protection via AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Photo showing a hole cut into Southern Californias border fence with Mexico (US Customs and Border Protection via AP)

The Mexican government said 10 of its citizens died, but US authorities have not released the identities, ages or nationalities of the deceased.

The youngest injured was a 15-year-old girl whose name and nationality were undetermined, according to CHP. She had major injuries.

The oldest was a 46-year-old woman from Guatemala City, also with major injuries.

The injured are being treated at hospitals in San Diego, El Centro, Brawley and Palm Springs, California.

The Border Patrol said surveillance video showed the Expedition and a Chevrolet Suburban drive through an opening in the border wall about 30 miles east of the crash.

Expand Close The lorry driver also suffered major injuries (Gregory Bull/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The lorry driver also suffered major injuries (Gregory Bull/AP)

The Suburban carried 19 people, and it caught fire for unknown reasons on a nearby interstate after entering the US.

All escaped the vehicle and were taken into custody by the Border Patrol, which said it was not pursuing either SUV.

The Expedition soon struck the lorry, whose driver, a 68-year-old man from El Centro, suffered major injuries.

The breached barrier was made of steel bollards that were built before former President Donald Trump blanketed much of the border with taller barriers that go deeper into the ground.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

CARLSBAD  A New Mexico Senate bill to create a task force dedicated to diversifying the states economy away from its reliance on oil and gas passed on the Senate Floor on a 25-16 vote Wednesday after a debate from supporters who argued the state must expand its economy to survive.

Opponents argued that creating a task force they worried would favor the renewable energy sector over other industries, such as oil and gas, would further stymie economic development in a state already reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.

If ultimately passed into law, the bill would create a task force with up to 24 members, including representation from the Governors Office, State Land Office, state treasurer, secretary of finance and most other Cabinet-level positions.

From Fiscal Year 2022 to FY 2027, the task force would develop annual strategic plans to transition the state economy away from reliance on natural resource extraction, the bill read.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

The group would be required to issue a report on its strategic plans by October each year to the Legislative Finance and Revenue Stabilization committees.

In its strategic plans, the task force was required to draft policies promoting new jobs to replace those in the extraction industry and diversify the states tax base, replacing revenue generated by oil and gas, and identifying alternative funding sources for education and hospitals.

Sponsor Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said the bill was intended to protect New Mexico from the boom-and-bust cycle of the oil and gas industry, which left New Mexico in a $400 million deficit following the recent crash of fossil fuel markets created by the health crisis.

Everybody knows weve been in a boom-and-bust cycle with what we have right now, she said. I think the public is asking us to help them diversify our economy. I hear it every day. Theres nothing in this bill that says boo oil and gas. It says lets work together.

Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, said New Mexico should focus on mining rare Earth metals used in such technology as cellphones and introduced an amendment to include mining as a priority in the bill.

His amendment was ultimately defeated by a floor vote, mostly along party lines.

Mining, Sharer argued, could provide a baseline of economic impact that would support New Mexicos economy, even amid busts in the oil industry.

He said that if New Mexico opted to transition away from such extractive industries as oil and gas, and mining, the work would be done in other countries with less regulation to protect human health and the environment.

I think what were saying is, as long as they do it over there, its OK. We dont really care about the Chinese people, Sharer said. We just dont want to see it. Let them do it over there where they dont have  protections.
Gov. Charlie Baker traveled to Florida on Thursday night to join his wife, First Lady Lauren Baker, after a death in the family, according to his office.

The governor and his wife plan to return to Massachusetts on Monday after attending to family affairs, a spokeswoman said, and will follow all Massachusetts travel protocols.

Baker, who lives in Swampscott, held a press conference in Lawrence earlier in the day Thursday. The governors office did not disclose details of the death.

Lauren Bakers parents had lived in Florida as recently as 2018, and the governor and his family have visited there on several occasions during his time in office.

Massachusetts travel restrictions during the ongoing pandemic require anyone entering the state, including returning residents, to quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered within 72 hours of their arrival.

A test can also be taken after arrival in Massachusetts, but a traveler must begin to quarantine until a negative test result comes back, or face a fine of $500 a day.
Prince Philip has had a successful heart procedure at a London hospital and is expected to remain for several days of "rest and recuperation," Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

The palace said the 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II "underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew's Hospital." "His royal highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days,'' the palace said in a statement.

Philip, 99, has been hospitalized since being admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Feb. 16, where he was treated for an infection. On Monday he was transferred to a specialized cardiac care hospital, St. Bartholomew's.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said Wednesday that Philip's condition was "slightly improving." "We'll keep our fingers crossed," said Camilla, who is married to Prince Charles, eldest son of Philip and the queen.

Philip's illness is not believed to be related to the coronavirus. Both Philip and the monarch received COVID-19 vaccinations in January and chose to publicize the matter to encourage others to also take the vaccine.

Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, retired in 2017 and rarely appears in public. Before his hospitalization, Philip had been isolating at Windsor Castle, west of London, with the queen. Although he enjoyed good health well into old age, Philip has had heart issues in the past. In 2011, he was rushed to a hospital by helicopter after suffering chest pains and was treated for a blocked coronary artery.

The longest-serving royal consort in British history, Philip married the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947. He and the queen have four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
DETROIT  A Detroit Police officer shot a man Thursday after the suspect allegedly threatened people with an assault rifle at a gas station, ran from police, hid in house and then pointed the rifle at officers, police said.

The incident began around 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, when Detroit Police officers were called to an east side gas station where an intoxicated man allegedly brandished an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle, Detroit police Cmdr. Darin Szilagy told reporters. The man was agitated. He allegedly threatened customers and the store clerk with the weapon, and demanded the clerk let him behind the counter. The clerk refused.

Posted by Detroit Police Department on Thursday, March 4, 2021

The suspect fled the gas station before police arrived, he said. Officers canvassed the area and eventually found the man who was still armed with the rifle. The suspect ignored commands to stop and surrender. Instead, he ran into a house.

A supervisor then declared the scene a barricaded gunman situation, Szilagy said.

While officers awaited additional resources, the man darted out onto the porch  with the rifle in hand  several times, he said. Each time, officers gave commands to put the gun down and surrender. He did not.

The officers were very, very patient, Szilagy said. They were in a fatal-force situation at that time  almost from the beginning  but the officers tried the tactics that we use to de-escalate.

Eventually, the suspect  still armed  came off the porch and began walking down the middle of the street toward officers who were blocking traffic from the scene, he said. The suspect pointed the assault rifle at an officer, and one officer fired a single round, which struck the suspect and took him out of the fight, Szilagy said.

Officers could see the man was hurt badly and decided not to wait for EMS, he said. They loaded him into a police car and transported him to a local hospital. The man is in temporary serious condition.

Officers were faced with a very dangerous situation with an unstable individual, Szilagy said. Were very pleased with how they performed. Its unfortunate, but there was no other option  there was no pepper spray or taser option. The man had a long gun and could have been very dangerous.

While the department was still working to identify the suspect, Szilagy speculated that he could be suffering from substance abuse or mental illness.

No civilians or officers were injured in the incident.

The Detroit Police Department Homicide Task Force is investigating the incident. The officer who fired the shot is on administrative leave pending the investigation. Criminal charges against the suspect are pending.

READ MORE:

Detroit mayor turns down 6,200 Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines

Suspects charged with multiple felonies related to fake police gear, drugs, stolen goods

Michigan State Police trooper charged with assault after leaving K-9 on suspect for more than 3 minutes

No new trial for man convicted of murder for killing 2 teens on his Jackson County property

5-week-old girl missing from Albion, believed to be in danger, police say

Teen charged with murder of 3 Michigan men found dead in Indiana apartment

Accused Whitmer kidnapping plotters attended BLM rally to protect protesters from police, attorney says
Image via Getty/ClassicStock

A judge ruled on Tuesday that the state of Mississippi must pay the maximum compensation of $500,000 to Curtis Flowers, a Black man who was wrongfully convicted in the 1996 murder of four people, and spent nearly 23 behind bars, USA TODAY reports. Flowers will receive $50,000 over the next 10 years. An additional $50,000 will be given to cover lawyer fees.

Flowers was 26 years old when he was arrested for the fatal shooting of four people inside the Tardy Furniture Store in Winona, Mississippi. Flowers last worked at the store about two weeks prior to the slayings of shop owner Bertha Tardy, 59, and employees, Robert Golden, 42, Carmen Rigby, 45, and Derrick Stewart, 16.

Flowers was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to death in his first trial in 1997 despite a lack of evidence and a clear motive. District Attorney Doug Evans prosecuted that trial, as well as five others. The first three convictions were overturned by the Mississippi Supreme Court for prosecutorial misconduct. A fourth and fifth ended in mistrials, and the sixth was one of three cases taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court where the lower courts were asked to review instances of racial bias in the jury selection process, specifically whether Evans worked to prevent Black people from serving as jurors in Flowers trial.

Before trying Flowers for a seventh time, Evans recused himself. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced in 2020 that the state would not move forward with another trial against the man who had been held on death row for over 20 years. Flowers was released on bail in September, and the charges against him were dropped.

The Attala County branch of the NAACP filed a lawsuit against Evans for alleged discriminatory practices, but it was dismissed.

Related Articles

More Complex

Story continues

Sign up for the Complex Newsletter for breaking news, events, and unique stories.

Follow Complex on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok
The Supreme Court on Thursday told two witnesses of John Dramani Mahama, the petitioner in the 2020 election petition, Rojo Mettle Nunoo and Dr Michael Kpessa-Whyte to blame themselves for abandoning their duties in the strongroom of the Electoral Commission (EC).



In fact, regarding the testimonies of PW2 and PW3, if their evidence is to be believed then they had to blame themselves for abandoning their post at the national collation centre at the time the verification and certification of the results were ongoing and PW3 had then verified and certified the regional collation results out of the 16, Chief Justice Anin Yeboah said when delivering the judgement of the Supreme Court.



Chief Justice Anin Yeboah added, The testimonies would have carried some little weight if the purpose of the petition was to change entries made on the collation forms or summary sheets but that is not the case.



Their testimonies were therefore of no relevance to the said issues set out for determination and so we find them unworthy for consideration whatsoever, Chief Justice Anin Yeboah said.



Mahamas claims

John Mahama, the petitioner had claimed that none of the candidates who contested the polls obtained more than 50% of the votes cast.



Mahama alleged that the second respondent, President Akufo-Addo won the election through vote padding.



He also claimed the candidate benefitted from arithmetic and computational errors. He concludes that the ECs declaration of President Akufo-Addo is unconstitutional since he did not obtain more than 50% of the votes cast.





Source: asaaseradio









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Trump Criticizes Biden as Border Crisis Escalates

Former President Donald Trump excoriated President Joe Biden on Friday over the worsening crisis on the southern border, calling his successors leadership disastrous.

Our border is now totally out of control thanks to the disastrous leadership of Joe Biden, Trump wrote in a statement released on March 5 through an intermediary.

Our great Border Patrol and ICE agents have been disrespected, demeaned, and mocked by the Biden Administration, Trump added, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

A mass incursion into the country by people who should not be here is happening on an hourly basis, getting worse by the minute. Many have criminal records, and many others have and are spreading covid, he wrote, referring to COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Trump issued that statement as the Biden administration struggles to contain a deepening crisis on the border. The latest illegal alien influx was triggered by the undoing of several key Trump immigration policies designed to discourage border crossings.

We dont take our advice or counsel from former President Trump on immigration policy, which was not only inhumane but ineffective over the last four years. We will chart our own path forward including treating children with humanity and respect and ensuring their safety when they cross our borders, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday.

Biden told reporters on Tuesday that the border situation did not amount to a crisis.

Well be able to handle it, God willing, the president said.

The number of illegal crossings has steadily increased since the presidential election in November, particularly by unaccompanied minors. The Biden administration opened overflow shelters to handle the influx and has begun to release minors to relatives and sponsors in the United States to clear space.

The Trump administration used its public health authority to expel crossing minors, a policy that both stemmed the tide of illegal aliens and deterred further crossings. The Biden administration said it would discontinue the practice. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on March 1, questioning the rationale for axing the policy, citing recent reports about illegal aliens who tested positive for the CCP virus after crossing the border into the United States.

Refusing to use the authorities available to law enforcement during a global pandemic creates unsafe conditions for Border Patrol agents and the broader public, as well as for the children traveling to the border, Johnson wrote. Not surprisingly, it is also resulting in a surge at the southwest border that our facilities and infrastructure are not able to handle.

In the brief statement, Trump also decried the temporary enforcement freeze which has suspended nearly all deportation proceedings, including those for aliens with criminal records.

Interior enforcement has been shut downcriminals that were once promptly removed by our Administration are now being released back onto the street to commit heinous and violent crimes, Trump said. ICE officers are desperate to remove these convicted criminals, but Biden wont let them.
(CNN) - An international program set up to get coronavirus vaccines to the world delivered 20 million vaccine doses to 20 countries in the first week of distribution, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization's director-general, said Friday.

This was a landmark week for COVAX with the first vaccinations starting in Ghana and Cote dIvoire, Tedros told a news conference. In total, COVAX has delivered 20 million doses of vaccine to 20 countries.

Next week, COVAX will deliver 14.4 million vaccine doses to an additional 31 countries, Tedros said, bringing the total number of countries reached by COVAX to 51.

COVAX is a global vaccine initiative run by a coalition that includes the Vaccine Alliance known as Gavi and WHO, and is funded by donations from governments, multilateral institutions and foundations. Its mission is to buy coronavirus vaccines in bulk and send them to poorer nations that can't compete with wealthy countries in securing contracts with the major drug companies.

On Wednesday, Ghana became the first country to receive COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX. Ghana received 600,000 doses of AstraZenecas vaccine on Wednesday, according to CNN.

In addition to Ghana and Ivory Coast, Angola, Cambodia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Nigeria, Philippines, South Korea, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan and Uganda also received vaccine doses from COVAX this past week, Tedros said.

RELATED: PH receives nearly half a million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines

While the announcement is reason for some optimism, there is urgent need to increase production if COVAX is to meet its goal of delivering 2 billion vaccine doses by the end of 2021, Tedros said.

This is encouraging progress, Tedros said. But the volume of doses being distributed through COVAX is still relatively small. The first round of allocations covers between 2 and 3% of the population of countries receiving vaccinations through COVAX, even as other countries make more rapid progress toward vaccinating their entire population within the next few months. One of our main priorities now is to increase the ambition of COVAX now to help all countries end the pandemic. This means urgent action to ramp up production.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "COVAX delivered 20 million doses to worlds poor in first week of distribution, WHO director-general says"
The story follows Marco, a young boy on a walk home who, page after page, dreams up an increasingly elaborate account of the people and vehicles that he supposedly sees on his way home. He wants an impressive story to tell his father when he gets home. However  spoiler alert!  when he gets home he decides instead to tell his father what he actually saw: a simple everyday horse and wagon.
Also, theres always a lag between when people are infected and when they become ill, and longer to when they end up in the hospital and die. In the case of dining out, a delay in deaths can also be caused by the fact that the diners themselves may not die, but they could get infected and then spread it to others who get sick and die, Hanage said.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.

New Delhi, March 5 : The Supreme Court on Friday declined to grant anticipatory bail to a man, who has been accused of cruelty towards his wife. The man claimed his wife had made 300 obscene TikTok videos in his defence, which was rejected by the top court.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, at the outset, told the petitioner's counsel that her client was a cruel man and he should not expect any relief from the court.

Petitioner's counsel replied that her client was not cruel and he has not committed any cruelty.

The bench replied his wife has called him cruel in her complaint and the court was merely citing it. The Rajasthan-based man had moved the top court seeking anticipatory bail in an FIR lodged by his wife.

The petitioner's counsel claimed that the wife has allegedly made "300 tik-tok videos", which are obscene. The bench replied this does not mean that the man should commit any kind of cruelty on his wife. "If she has done that, still you do not mistreat her like that," said the Chief Justice.

The petitioner's counsel insisted for relief in the matter.

The Chief Justice replied: "You divorce her if you could not get along, there is no need for cruelty." The petitioner's counsel said there is no need for custodial interrogation in the matter.

However, the bench replied that it does not agree with this contention of the petitioner, and cited the FIR lodged by wife against the husband.

The petitioner's counsel contests that the FIR registered against her client was one-sided. The Chief Justice replied that FIRs are always one-sided and he has never seen a joint FIR filed by both sides.

The petitioner's counsel urged the court to consider granting anticipatory bail to her client in the matter. "Anticipatory bail plea is rejected," said the top court dismissing the case.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has expressed shock at what he describes as the mutilation of the testimony given by the NDCs General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah in the Supreme Court ruling.



He contends the testimony of his first witness, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah was taken out of context just to shoot down the petition.



The ruling I heard today actually makes our witness, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah appear as the star witness for the first and second respondents. Many of his answers in testimony during cross-examination were taken out of context to create the basis for the dismissal of our election petition, Mr. Mahama said in his post-verdict public address on Thursday, March 4, 2021.



Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah while reading the full judgment said General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Aseidu Nketiah who was the first witness of the petitioner was, however, the star witness as he aided the trial through his cross-examination.



The Supreme Court also described as fanciful the testimonies of Mr Rojo Mettle Nunoo and Dr, Kpessa Whyte who were witnesses of ex-President John Mahama in the 2020 Election petition hearing, saying the least said about their testimonies the better.



However, Mr Mahama in his address to the party folks said the partys legal team will come out with detailed comments on the Supreme Court ruling at the appropriate time.







Source: kasapafmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Presidential candidate aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon Joe Ghartey, has congratulated President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on the affirmation of their victory in December 7, 2020, general elections by the Supreme Court of Ghana.



Hon. Ghartey, a former Minister of Railways Development, has also congratulated the legal team of the NPP who worked diligently to ensure the President's victory in Court.



"Congratulations to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on the affirmation of their victory in the 2020 general elections by the Supreme Court.



To the industrious legal team who worked diligently to see this victory through, I say to you, Ayekoo", Hon. Ghartey who is the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan Constituency wrote on Facebook shortly after the Apex Court ruled in favour of Mr Akufo-Addo.



Ruling



The Supreme Court, the highest court of jurisdiction in Ghana, ruled on Thursday, March 4, 2021, that indeed, Mr Akufo-Addo won the December 7, 2020, Presidential Election.



The Court further ruled that results declared on December 9, 2020, despite the initial inadvertent error reflected the will of the people of Ghana and therefore could not be overturned simply on the basis of the error made by the Electoral Commission (EC) during the declaration.



In its ruling, the Supreme Court dismissed the Petitioner, 2020 Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama's " as without merit."



Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anim Yeboah, who presided over the seven-member panel of justices, pronouncing the Court's verdict in packed court, said the petitioner failed to demonstrate that the errors made by the first respondent, the EC, changed the results of the elections.



The Court in a unanimous decision, further held that Mr Mahama cannot demand it (Court) to rely on the error of using total votes cast instead of total valid votes as a basis for calling for a run-off election between him and President Nana Akufo-Addo.



It was the ruling of the Supreme Court that it was established during the trial that the total valid votes of the election is 13,121,111.



Going by the total valid votes as mentioned above, the Court said Mr Akufo-Addo obtained over 50% of the total valid votes as mandated by the Constitution, hence he was validly elected.



Furthermore, it was the ruling of the Supreme Court that Mr Mahama failed to substantiate his allegation of vote padding in favour of Mr Akufo-Addo.



According to the Apex Court of Ghana, although vote padding is a serious issue, the alleged figures of 4,693 did not affect the outcome of the election.



As a result, the Supreme Court ruled that it did not see the need to order a rerun as the petitioner, Mr Mahama pleaded.



The Court began proceedings at 10:00 am on Thursday morning, March 4, in the national capital, Accra.



During the hearing, Mr Mahama called three witnesses  Dr Michael Kpessa Whyte, Joseph Robert Mettle-Nunoo, both members of the National Democratic Congress, and Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the Party.



The Supreme Court determined among other things, whether there were any legal grounds for the petition and whether or not President Akufo-Addo met Article 63(3) threshold set out in the 1992 Constitution.



Article 63(3) stipulates that a presidential candidate must obtain 50 per cent of the total valid votes cast plus one vote before the candidate is declared president-elect.



The Supreme Court also determined whether or not the declaration by the EC on December 9, 2020, was in violation of Article 63(3) and also whether or not the alleged vote padding and other errors complained about by the Petitioner affected the outcome of the presidential election results of December 9, 2020.



Mr Mahama failed to have the Chairperson of the EC, Jean A. Mensa, mount the witness box. On a number of occasions, he had his applications dismissed by the Supreme Court.



Mr Mahamas dismissed applications include an application for interrogatories, application for stay of proceedings, application for the Petitioner to re-open his case and subpoena the EC Boss for cross-examination, and application for review of the Courts decisions.



The two respondents declined to testify after the Petitioner had closed his case.



Lawyer Akoto Ampaw, Lead Counsel for President Akufo-Addo, had told the apex court that: We do not intend to call any witnesses to satisfy the burden of proof.



The lead counsel of the EC, Justine Amenuvor, held that there was sufficient evidence before the Court after the Petitioner had called in three witnesses and closed his case.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
New Delhi: The speculation around actor Mithun Chakraborty joining BJP has gained momentum once again. It is being surmised that the veteran actor might share the dias with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his rally on March 7 at Brigade Parade ground in Kolkata.

Commenting on the development, West Bengal BJP Vice President Arjun Singh was quoted as saying by ANI, If Mithun Chakraborty comes it'll be good, both for Bengal as well as our party. If he comes on a stage where there is PM, the people of Bengal will be happier.

The 70-year-old actor had met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat in February in Mumbai stoking speculations that he might join BJP ahead of West Bengal polls. Mithun had however denied any political connotations of the meeting.

Many Bengali actors have been joining political parties in the wake of the upcoming state elections. Bengali actors Yash Dasgupta, Papiya Adhikari recently joined BJP along with several other celebrities.

BJP is yet to announce its candidate list for the polls. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced TMC candidates list for 291 seats. The incumbent CM will contest from Nandigram seat.

West Bengal is all set to go to polls in 8 phases - March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29. The results will be announced on May 2.
ROSEBURG, Ore.  Caseys Restaurant in Roseburg has decided to reopen for indoor dine-in, despite Douglas County being in extreme risk.

KEZI 9 News went inside the restaurant Thursday and saw multiple people dining in. We also reached out to the owners, Laurie and Lance Mounts, but they declined to comment.

RELATED: ROSEBURG RESTAURANT FINED NEARLY $14K FOR OPENING AGAINST ORDER

Customers said the restaurant has been open since last Friday when Douglas County went back to the extreme risk guidelines.

Some people told KEZI 9 News that restaurants like Caseys should have the right to be open right now, as long as theyre being safe.

As long as theyre somewhat following the guidelines, said Gerry Gerlach. You cant let people sit four feet from each other, you know what I mean.

He also said these guidelines are hurting small businesses more than anything.

Even though theyre classifying it as being extreme, I dont see the necessity for shutting down the restaurants, he said. Everyone has to make a living. They can always cut back how many people they have in the restaurant.

MORE: CASEY'S RESTAURANT APPEALS OSHA FINE

At Hacienda Vieja in Roseburg, the owners opened their business for the first time in December. They said starting a new business during the pandemic has been tough, but they said they wouldnt reopen against the state guidelines because they dont want to risk losing their business altogether.

I hope all of this passes soon, said Jose Uribe. Everyone needs to have a business, everyone needs to be okay in the business. If we keep this business closed, its going to be hard for everyone.

Last May, Caseys restaurant was fined nearly $14,000 by Oregon OSHA for reopening against Gov. Kate Browns first stay-at-home order. They have appealed that fine.

A spokesperson at Oregon OSHA said they do not have an open investigation on any businesses in Douglas County. However, they said they do have one open complaint against Caseys Restaurant at this time and they will be looking into it.
[March 05, 2021] 22nd Century Group to Participate in Investor Conferences in March 2021

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE American: XXII), a leading plant-based, biotechnology company focused on tobacco harm reduction, very low nicotine content tobacco, and hemp/cannabis research, today announced that members of its management team will participate in three investor conferences during March 2021.

Institutional investors and those invited to attend these virtual conference events may request one-on-one meetings with representatives of the Company through the respective conference hosts or by contacting 22nd Century Groups investor relations via mkuo@xxiicentury.com. Events 22nd Century Group will participate in include: The DA Davidson 4th Annual Consumer Growth Conference, March 11, 2021

One-on-one meetings will be available on the afternoon of Thursday, March 11. To request a meeting, please contact your DA Davidson sales representative. The 33rd Annual Roth Conference, March 15-17, 2021

One-on-one and small group meetings will be available on Tuesday, March 16. Additional times may be available to accommodate meeting requests as needed. To request a meeting, please contact your Roth sales representative. The Investor Summit Virtual Conference, March 23-25, 2021

James A. Mish, chief executive officer of 22nd Century, will provide an overview presentation of the Company. An audio webcast of the presentation will be available through 22nd Centurys Events web page in the Company's Investor Relations section of the website, at www.xxiicentury.com/investors/events. One-on-one meetings will be available on Tuesday, March 23. To request a meeting, please contact your Investor Summit Group representative.



About 22nd Century Group, Inc.

22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE American: XXII) is a leading plant biotechnology company focused on technologies that alter the level of nicotine in tobacco plants and the level of cannabinoids in hemp/cannabis plants through genetic engineering, gene-editing, and modern plant breeding. 22nd Centurys primary mission in tobacco is to reduce the harm caused by smoking through the Companys proprietary reduced nicotine content tobacco cigarettes  containing 95% less nicotine than conventional cigarettes. The Companys primary mission in hemp/cannabis is to develop and commercialize proprietary hemp/cannabis plants with valuable cannabinoid profiles and desirable agronomic traits. Learn more at xxiicentury.com, on Twitter @_xxiicentury, and on LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically contain terms such as anticipate, believe, consider, continue, could, estimate, expect, explore, foresee, goal, guidance, intend, likely, may, plan, potential, predict, preliminary, probable, project, promising, seek, should, will, would, and similar expressions. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are set forth in Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 11, 2020, and in its subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. All information provided in this release is as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investor Relations & Media Contact:

Mei Kuo

Director, Communications & Investor Relations

22nd Century Group, Inc.

(716) 300-1221

mkuo@xxiicentury.com



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
A picture of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi is seen as Myanmar migrants living in Thailand hold hands during a memorial in Bangkok on March 4, 2021 to honour those who died during demonstrations against the military coup in their homeland. (Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Shakespeares tragedies have heroes, but they are not heroic. As the plays unfold you witness their crumbling. In fact, they destroy themselves because the flaw is embedded deep in their character. Its an inevitable and irresistible process. Its an outcome that cannot be prevented. Thats why its tragic.

I think that could also be true of Aung San Suu Kyi. Ive known her since I was five. At the time, her mother was the Burmese ambassador in India, and Suu, as I have always called her, was an undergraduate at New Delhis Lady Shri Ram College. Our parents became friends and Suu and my sister Kiran would often drive together to college.

Even as a teenager, Suu was drawn to politics. She sensed her future would ultimately lie in ruling Burma (the name she prefers for Myanmar) and didnt hide it even if she only spoke jocularly. A pencil-drawn portrait that she made of my sister Kiran, dated October 11, 1962, has inscribed at the bottom: Kiran Thapar may be allowed entry into Burma at any time. Suu was only 17 at the time.

Years later her husband Michael told me at Oxford that when they married -- and Suu was 27 at the time -- she forewarned him that if Burma calls it would always be her priority. In fact, he sensed when she returned home in 1988 it was unlikely that she would come back. She didnt. They lived separately till he died. She was also cut off from her two young sons. Of the next 21 years, she spent 15 either in jail or under house arrest.

No doubt this hurt, and she suffered, but politics and the determination to come to power in Burma was more than a mission. It was a calling. It defined Suu. Perhaps it was also her way of fulfilling her fathers dream, which was cruelly aborted when he was assassinated months before Burmas independence.

When I last interviewed her, in September 2015, just before the election that brought her to power, the Rohingya issue was already a challenge she knew she would have to face if she won. At the time she was unable or unwilling to express concern and sympathy. I questioned her silence. Her explanation was that this was the only way of ensuring she would be seen as impartial by both sides. Silence would give her the opportunity and credibility to act impartially when she came to power. Her aim was to reconcile, and condemnation would get in the way. It would fan the flames, not douse them.

I had no reason to doubt her. It was also already clear she would never be President and internal security would lie with the Army, which had successfully thwarted her claim to the top job. Criticising them could endanger the limited power that she hoped to exercise. She had to tread carefully and speak cautiously. She had to compromise to survive. All of that was understandable.

What wasnt was how terrible that compromise turned out to be. It only became clear after she won. Not for a moment did I think it would be tilted in favour of retaining power and influence whilst forsaking her own principles. Yet that was the undeniable outcome.

As State Counsellor if she spoke about the Rohingyas it was only in terms of terrorism and the killing of security personnel. She had nothing to say of the innocent men, women and children, killed in their hundreds and rendered homeless in their hundreds of thousands. It seemed political expediency dominated her principles completely. She would not express compassion. I didnt expect her to defy the Army or endanger Burmas fledgling democracy, but I also did not expect her lips to remain so firmly sealed.

This raised a disturbing question -- was her silence on the Rohingya issue before the elections impartiality, as she had claimed, or seeking favour with the Burmese majority whose support she would need? Was it pragmatism or opportunism? Initially I thought it was both. Today I feel it was her instinctive response to an unforeseen hurdle that could have obstructed the fulfilment of her ambition to rule Burma. Just as separation from her husband and children and a decade and a half in detention did not deter her, nor would this.

The reaction happened internationally, not at home. The world viewed her attitude to the Rohingyas as a demeaning compromise. Her earlier reputation for valiant sacrifice was forgotten. That placed her on a high pedestal. This threw her down. Once admired, she was now reviled. Outside Burma she became a fallen angel.

At home it was very different. Reverentially called The Lady and Mother Suu, the majority she won in the 2020 elections was even greater than the landslide five years ago. And after the military threw out her government and put her under arrest, the admiration her people have for her seems to know no limits. But, alas, its also likely to ensure that the generals do not change their mind and restore her to power.

So, like Shakespeares tragic heroes, she may well ask if the price she paid for achieving her ambition was worth it? If it turns out to be only five years in power, with no credible possibility of restoration, did she compromise her principles and her international reputation for an office that was so easily snatched away and for authority that was never complete, often checked and so easily revoked?

Shakespeares tragic heroes face similar dilemmas. But rarely do they live to address or answer them. With their denouement there is also usually death. Suu, however, is alive to face hers, even if in incarceration. She will have all the time she needs to reflect, and it wont be easy.

In that interview in 2015 she described herself as a pragmatic leader. At the time, the adjective conveyed a sense of careful balance. Today it suggests a cover for unbecoming compromise. When I asked if she was ready for the challenge of ruling Burma, she answered: Its a daunting challenge I hope it brings out the best in me. Sadly, it did not. But as Shakespeare might add, that was inevitable. Suu would not be Suu if it could have been otherwise.
What's perhaps even more impressive is that, in addition to its unprecedented weekend sales, the art dealerknown for its popular live auctions on cruise shipsis now seeing year-over-year growth despite the ongoing pause in global cruise travel.

"When the pandemic began, we had a goal," said Albert Scaglione, Founder and CEO of Park West Gallery. "We wanted to emerge from the crisis stronger than before. I'm thrilled to announce that, as we approach the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, we're showing a 16% year-over-year increase in our bottom line for the month of January. With tens of millions of dollars of income missing this January from the sales on cruise ships and hotels, to have this happen is simply incredible."

Park West's weekly live online art auctions are now the company's mainstay. Collectors have embraced the program, which allows them to collect new works of art and watch live-streaming interviews with artists from the comfort of their own home. The London-based international insurance group Hiscox recently released a report citing a 524% increase in global online art auction sales from 2019 to 2020.

Park West's most recent online auction weekend on February 25-28which featured artists like Mark Kostabi, Nano Lopez, Autumn de Forest, and Yaacov Agamwas the highest grossing online weekend since Park West debuted its live online auctions in April 2020.

Another essential element of Park West's growing success over the past year has been the re-emergence of its auction weekends at luxury hotels across the United States. As COVID restrictions have lifted, Park West has worked diligently with some of the world's biggest hotel chains to hold select, in-person events for its top collectors.

"The safety of our clients is our number one priority," said John Block, Park West's Executive Vice President. "Thankfully, we've been able to produce some fantastic events that strictly adhere to COVID guidelines and also give our collectors the ability to finally come out of their homes and interact with our art and artists in person."

While Park West was breaking sales records online last weekend, they were also hosting a collectors' weekend in Las Vegas, which ended up being one of the most successful live events in the company's history. The event highlighted artists like Las Vegas legend Michael Godard, popular Detroit artist Tim Yanke, and the hugely talented Miami-based artist Kre8, who sold out every auction that weekend.

One particular highlight from the Las Vegas event was the sale of an original etching by the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, produced during the artist's lifetime, which sold for $530,000. Michael Godard and Rembrandt each reached over 1 million in sales. Nano Lopez and rising superstar Kre8 each reached over $500,000, while mainstays Yanke, Coleman, and Kostabi along with the young prodigy Autumn each sold over $200,000 in incredible new, original art.

The weekend also gave collectors the chance to explore the new 7,000-square-foot Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery in Las Vegas, which the art dealer opened at the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace in December.

"2020 was a very hard year," said Scaglione. "But I am endlessly proud that, as an organization, Park West was able to find a way to stay true to our mission and show that art is essential to both humanity and the global economy. The world needs art and I believe art will always be a growth industry if you can find the right way to share it with the public. Believe me, we have big plans for 2021 and beyond."

Scaglione notes that, in addition to continuing to grow its online and hotel events, Park West is also planning on opening more gallery locations across the nation and happily returning to its cruise ship galleries when cruise lines resume regular voyages.

About Park West Gallery

Park West Gallery is the world's largest art dealer, bringing the experience of collecting fine art to more than 3 million customers since 1969. You can learn more about Park West Gallery and its over 50-year history at http://www.parkwestgallery.com

Park West also hosts live-streaming online art auctions every weekend. To learn more about Park West's online collecting events, visit https://www.parkwestgallery.com/online/

CONTACT: Tom Burns

[email protected]

SOURCE Park West Gallery

Related Links

http://www.parkwestgallery.com


The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
Centrale Bergham has always been and continually strives to be an active member of its local communities.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Last year was a time of growth and expansion for Palmer Brewery and Cider House/Left Turn Distilling.

The brewery, cider house and distillery owners were busy working on a new taproom in Old Town and also opened Gate City Craft Bar in Raton a few days before the first shutdown due to the pandemic, a year ago. But the doors open again in Raton at limited capacity, and the taproom in Old Town is tentatively scheduled to open in April. The brewery and distillery acquired the Old Town space in April 2020, but the COVID pandemic put plans to open behind schedule.

Well have a beer and cider and New Mexico-made spirits, said Robert Palmer, owner and brewer at Palmer Brewery and Cider House and Left Turn Distilling partner. Itll be a full bar with our spirits. Were right on the corner of Mountain and Rio Grande in the old Candy Lady building.  Its cool because its got a large, spot for a patio out back.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

The Old Town taproom will feature a full restaurant. It will be run by friends of Palmers including staff from Kitsune Food Truck, Wine.Dive., and other eateries in town. The taproom will also feature about nine taps, including Palmer craft beer and possibly rotating craft beers from other New Mexico breweries.

Palmer Brewery and Cider House/Left Turn Distillings original location, 2926 Girard NE, will remain open. Its current hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. It recently put a roof on its patio and added outdoor heaters. Limited seating is available inside and outside in compliance with the current health order.

The distillery has bulked up its infused vodka offerings and is up to about a dozen choices. Left Turn also started packaging for bottle sales of its red and green chile vodkas.

The distillery took advantage of the shutdown to create a new gin, appropriately named The Gin Who Stole Christmas. The dry gin was released during Christmastime last year.

Chris (Medina), our distiller, that was one of his first projects, Palmer said. And its a dry gin.  So its a drier, more traditional-style gin. But he did a bunch of fun stuff in the botanicals, like cranberries and stuff like that. Its got a slight pink hue to it, and its awesome.

The pandemic shutdown also gave the brewery time to make three new lagers: a Mexican lager, German Fest lager and a Helles lager. The Mexican lager is now one of the brewerys house lager offerings, and the German Fest and Helles style are seasonal.

It is a really light lager, Palmer said of the Mexican lager.  Its not real hoppy. But we did we did add some corn to it, and thats how it makes it the Mexican lager. Thats what gives it the Mexican lager feel, is the corn. But its real nice.

Head bartender Miranda Chavez is the guru behind the cocktail kits offered at Palmer Brewery and Cider House/Left Turn Distilling. She created a michelada kit to complement the Mexican lager. Micheladas are usually made with beer, lime juice, assorted sauces, spices, tomato juice and chile peppers.

She decided that she was gonna take it upon herself to build these little michelada stars that basically comes with the beer and the glasses, Palmer said. (The kit has) everything you need. Basically, to make the michelada (theres) these little stars that you drop in and they dissolve in (the Mexican lager). And thats the actual michelada stuff thats added to the beer.

Chavez has also created many cocktail kits that customers can create at home including spicy Bloody Mary kits with Left Turns red or green chile vodkas, a Blue Corn Old Fashioned kit, a Mojito kit and more. Patrons interested in purchasing a cocktail kit can go on Left Turns social media pages at instagram.com/leftturnabq or facebook.com/LeftTurnDistilling and send a message regarding what type of kits they would like to order, and Chavez will respond. A list of Left Turns spirits can be found at leftturndistilling.com.

Palmer is excited to welcome guests back to Palmer Brewery and Cider House/Left Turn Distilling.

People have been amazing throughout this whole ordeal with the pandemic, he said. Everybodys been eager to support us and has been patient. So its been awesome.  We can (seat) 24 (people) outside and now 21 inside. Its not ideal, but its way better than its been. Were just happy to see all our friends again.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)  Local teachers are flocking to area pharmacies to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Teachers in Indiana have been pushing Gov. Eric Holcomb to prioritize them for the vaccine.

As News 18 previously reported, a new federal program bypasses those state guidelines and allocates doses reserved for educators directly to Walmart, Pay Less and Meijer pharmacies.

At least one local chain, Pay Less, is completely booked and is not accepting new appointments, according to its website.

"Almost on the verge of tears after hearing that we could get our vaccines on Wednesday," says Andi Hipsher, a teacher at West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School.

Hipsher called about a dozen times to get an appointment at the westside Meijer with about 50 other teachers.

"I know there was a mad dash to grab one of those vaccines on Wednesday and I know there were some teachers that just didn't get in on time," she says.

Hipsher is co-president of the West Lafayette teachers union. As News 18 previously reported, the union urged Holcomb last month to prioritize educators.

"We kind of felt like we weren't being given the priority that we thought we deserved," Hipsher says.

But there's still confusion about how to sign up, where to go and if higher education positions are eligible.

"There's not been a lot of information trickling down, the pharmacies aren't real clear on what's going on," says Anne Huber, whose husband is a professor at Purdue University.

"The Walmart in West Lafayette says they're not a federal location, Sam's Club says they don't know," she says.

Meijer is partnering with the Indiana State Teachers Assocation to provide vaccination clinics. The chain is directing teachers to sign up by visiting clinic.meijer.com or text ISTA to 75049.

Payless says teachers should visit pay-less.com/covidvaccine or call 1-866-211-5320, while Walmart is using the state's website, coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine. But teachers as of Friday can't register through website because they're still not considered eligible by the state.

West Lafayette Intermediate School Principal Margaret Psarros received her vaccine on Wednesday along with about 20 other staff members.

"Some people said between 15 to 25 times calling and calling and calling to get through," she says.

Psarros says administrators, substitutes and other staff covered for teachers who wanted to be vaccinated.

"Teachers have been anxiously waiting and wanting their turn and as soon as they opened that up, I know every one of us wanted to get an opportunity," she says.
DUBLIN, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Rugged Servers Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Type (Universal and Dedicated); End-User (Aerospace, Military, Industrial, Energy & Power, Others), and Geography" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Rugged Servers Market is projected to reach US$ 3856.9 million by 2027; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2020 to 2027.



Rising digitalization is one of the significant factors supporting the innovative customer-centric business frameworks, which further boost the adoption of cloud-based applications is one of the significant factors driving the global rugged servers market. The rapid interruption of cloud storage in data storage, faced by the cloud service providers globally, is robustly focusing on offering centralized computation through a data center.

The mounting investments in data center construction projects, specifically in cold or hot environments, extreme pressure conditions, or any other harsh environment in different regions, further fuels the growth of the rugged servers market. The need to meet the growing requirement of cloud computing across these projects propels the integration of these servers in different enterprises.



North America and APAC are currently dominating the rugged servers market, together accounting for ~60% of the global market. In North America, the US, Canada, and Mexico have highly developed aerospace manufacturing industry. For various industrial applications, the US government has laid down some specifications concerning different industries.

For example, the DO-160 certification by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics is used for environmental testing in the aerospace industry. Also, electromagnetic certification of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is significant to industrial applications. The FCC has categorized testing for different product categories, known as "parts," for defining the specific device's testing type.



The rugged servers market in Europe is witnessing growth owing to the rising adoption of IIoT across various industries. The oil & gas sector in the region is also undergoing some significant developments. A few of the recent or ongoing projects include Johan Sverdrup Development (Norway), Johan Castberg Field (Norway), Rosebank & Lochnagar Oil & Gas Fields (UK), and Aphrodite Gas Field (Cyprus).

Further, the presence of key aerospace industry players such as Airbus, Leonardo, BAE, Dassault, and Rolls Royce is stimulating the growth of the rugged servers market in Europe.



Impact of COVID-19 on Rugged Servers market



The COVID-19 outbreak has been affecting economies and industries in various countries due to lockdowns, travel bans, and business shutdowns. The global electronics and semiconductor sector is suffering serious disruptions such as supply chain breaks, technology events cancellations, and office shutdowns. China is the global hub of manufacturing and largest raw material supplier for various industries in the world; it was one of the worst-affected countries till Q1 of 2020.

The lockdown of various plants and factories in China has adversely affected the global supply chains, thereby hampering manufacturing, delivery schedules, and sales of various electronic goods. In addition to this, the global travel bans imposed by countries in Europe, Asia, and North America are affecting the business collaborations and partnerships opportunities.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction

1.1 Study Scope

1.2 Report Guidance

1.3 Market Segmentation



2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology



4. Rugged Servers Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 PEST Analysis

4.3 Ecosystem Analysis

4.4 Expert Opinion



5. Rugged Servers Market - Key Market Dynamics

5.1 Market Drivers

5.1.1 Significant Demand from Defense Forces

5.1.2 Stimulating Oil & Gas and Mining Sectors

5.2 Market Restraint

5.2.1 Higher Adoption of Consumer-Grade Servers among General Manufacturing Industries

5.2.2 Trade War among Manufacturers

5.3 Market Opportunity

5.3.1 Energy & Power Sector to Create Growth Opportunities in Market

5.4 Future Trend

5.4.1 Continuous Efforts in Developing Robust Rugged Servers

5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints



6. Rugged Servers Market - Global Analysis

6.1 Rugged Servers Market Global Overview

6.2 Rugged Servers Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2027 (US$ Million)

6.3 Market Positioning - Five Key Players



7. Rugged Servers Market Analysis - By Type

7.1 Overview

7.2 Rugged Servers Market, By Type (2019 and 2027)

7.3 Universal

7.4 Dedicated



8. Rugged Servers Market Analysis - By End-User

8.1 Overview

8.2 Rugged Servers Market, By End-User (2019 and 2027)

8.3 Aerospace

8.4 Military

8.5 Industrial

8.6 Energy & Power



9. Rugged Servers Market - Geographic Analysis

9.1 Overview



10. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Rugged Servers Market



11. Industry Landscape

11.1 Market Initiative

11.2 New Development



12. Company Profiles

Core Systems

Crystal Group, Inc.

Mercury Systems, Inc.

Systel, Inc.

Trenton Systems, Inc.

Dell Technologies Inc.

CP Technologies LLC

Emet OEM Solutions

Sparton Rugged Electronics

NCS Technologies, Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q4bnyh

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Quick Heal Technologies soared 5.4% to Rs 181.55 after the company said its board will consider a share buyback on 10 March 2021.

In a BSE filing made on Thursday (4 March), the company said that its board will meet on Wednesday, 10 March 2021, to consider the proposal for buyback of equity shares.

Shares of Quick Heal advanced 16.6% in last one month as compared to a 0.79% rise in Nifty IT index in the same period.

Quick Heal Technologies is one of the leading providers of IT security and data protection solutions with a strong footprint in India and an evolving global presence.

On a consolidated basis, the company reported a 24.3% fall in net profit to Rs 13.46 crore on a 6.35% rise in net sales to Rs 69.88 crore in Q3 FY21 over Q3 FY20.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In its nearly 90-year history as a continuously operating barbecue joint, Pizzitolas Bar-B-Cue has seen its share of changes, reinventions, successes and setbacks. This history was tragically borne out in January when owner Willie Madden died unexpectedly.

It was a sudden and heartbreaking loss for the restaurants staff and customers alike, as reflected in the announcement of his passing: Willie was a great man, a proud father and lived with a servants heart. He never went anywhere in Houston where he didnt run into a friend, because he had many.

A veteran Houston restaurateur, Madden had purchased the barbecue joint from previous owner Jerry Pizzitola in November 2019 and set about upgrading and reinventing the historical restaurant to reflect the changes brought about by the craft-barbecue movement of recent years.

Madden also became the welcoming face of the restaurant, greeting and seating customers and visiting with its many regulars. A native Houstonian, Maddens hospitality experience, business connections and friendships made him particularly well suited to continuing the long tradition of Pizzitolas Bar-B-Cue.

Pizzitolas Bar-B-Cue 1703 Shepherd, 713-227-2283 See More Collapse

And it is certainly a tradition like no other in Houston barbecue.

In 1934, John and Lela Davis opened Shepherd Drive Barbecue Stand in a small wooden structure on Long Street where Shepherd crosses Interstate 10 today.

At the time, the neighborhood was known as the West End and considered mixed in that African American business owners such as the Davises worked side by side with a diversity of immigrants for which Houston became known. Sicolas Food Market, owned by an Italian American family, was a prominent neighbor of the Davises.

In the early years, John and Lela started a family and accumulated property in the area, where they built houses and lived adjacent to their business.

One of the first big challenges occurred in the 1950s when the construction of Interstate 10 resulted in the razing of the original barbecue stand. Undeterred, John and Lela literally picked up the whole operation and moved it a few blocks south to its current location on Shepherd.

The move included disassembling and reassembling brick by brick the original barbecue pits that are still in use at the restaurant today.

The business was a family affair. John chopped the meat and tended the cash register, and Lela worked the pits. Son Lynwood and daughter Lois helped out any way they could. Another son, Melvin, died tragically in a drowning accident at the age of 12.

In the following years, Shepherd Drive Barbecue Stand became one of the most lauded and best-known barbecue joints in the city.

When John Davis died in 1983, longtime customer Jerry Pizzitola took over the business and renamed it Pizzitolas Bar-B-Cue with the familys blessing. To this day, the Davis family still owns the property where the restaurant is located and is involved in the business. And Jerry is still a frequent visitor.

Upon Maddens passing, longtime general manager Tim Taylor shepherded the restaurant through the inevitable changes over the past few months. Also, Maddens business partner and investor in the restaurant, James Maida, has committed to keeping the restaurant and tradition alive while continuing to honor the memory of Maddens tenure as owner and proprietor.

One of the most important changes Madden had implemented was hiring a new, up-and-coming pitmaster. Twenty-one-year-old Robert Quiroga, a veteran of Truth BBQ in Houston and Brenham, has taken the reins of the big brick pits and set about updating the smoked-meat offerings as well as adding menu items including a smoked fish po boy (Fridays only) introduced for the Lenten season.

He is joined in the pit room by chef Eudel Hernandez, previously of Last Concert Cafe, who is also helping to revamp the menu by adding items such as brisket enchiladas (also Fridays only).

On a recent visit, I sampled the upgraded, meatier pork ribs for which the restaurant has been known since its earliest days. I also sampled the enchiladas and po boy, which are welcome additions to the otherwise classic menu. It is a taste of the old and the new at one of Houstons most venerated barbecue institutions.

jcreid@jcreidtx.com

twitter.com/jcreidtx
New March 5 : Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has been given the important role of shortlisting the candidates for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry after being appointed as the Chairman of the screening committee of the party for the two poll-bound state/Ut.

This is the first important organisational work for which he has been appointed ever since the fall of the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh last year.

Once close to former party President Rahul Gandhi, Singh has been the generel secretary of the party and was in-charge of important states like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. If the party manages to put up a good show in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, some credit will go to Singh which may open the door for him to re-enter the AICC setup.

Since the demise of Ahmed Patel, the Congress is lacking an old hand to deal with intra-party affairs as the likes of Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma have raised a banner of revolt within the system. But Singh has not spoken on the issues yet.

Though slipping into Patel's shoes is not an easy task, sources said that he can be instrumental in filling the void.

"Patel operated in such a secret way that the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing," a Congress leader pointed out.

Other possible leaders who could fill the gap are Ashok Gehlot and Kamal Nath, but they dont want to come back to Delhi.

Two-time Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Singh can work as a bridge between the Gandhis and the other leaders of the party as he is known for his anti-RSS stand.

On Friday, Singh targeted the RSS and said, "We can't succeed till we hold elections using compromised EVMs. All those who are opposed to the RSS ideology have to come together to ensure that there is no chance of manipulating the EVMs. We must take it up with the ECI." The senior Congress leader was blamed for the exit of Jyotiraditya Scindia from the party by the supporters of the scion of the erstwhile Gwalior royal family.
AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine does protect against the feared Brazilian coronavirus variant, sources close to the matter said of unpublished data from an Oxford University trial.

Preliminary data from a study conducted at the university indicates that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca is effective against the P1, or Brazilian, variant, a source with knowledge of the study told Reuters on Friday.

The data indicates that the vaccine will not need to be modified in order to protect against the variant, which is believed to have originated in the Amazonian city of Manaus, said the source, who requested anonymity as the results have not yet been made public.

So far, there are at least 13 cases of the Brazilian variant in seven US states, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has dragged its feet on the authorization of the AstraZeneca shot, and is not expected to do so until at least next month.

A source familiar with AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine trials is Brazil told Reuters the shot was effective against the P1 variant that emerged there. The variant appears to weaken the efficacy of shots made by Pfizer and Moderna

So far, there are at least 13 cases of the Brazilian variant in seven US states

US trials for the AstraZeneca shot are ongoing, and the FDA typically does not accept results from other countries.

But results are in from other nations, including the UK, South Africa and Brazil - all of which have seen variants emerge, and spread across the globe, including to the the US.

In the aggregate of those countries, the AstraZeneca vaccine's efficacy rose to 82 percent after a second dose, given three months after the first.

Earlier data found that the vaccine reduced the risk of coronavirus infection by 78 percent.

That was markedly superior to the performance of the Chinese-made CoronaVac, which was only about 50 percent effective.

Importantly, the AstraZeneca vaccine was 100 percent effective at preventing severe disease and death from COVID-19, according to its data published February 3.

It's difficult to know how prevalent Brazil's P1 variant was in the country during earlier stages of the trial. Now, the variant is dominant there.

The Reuters report suggests that AstraZeneca may soon release data specific to how the vaccine performed in Brazil during the most recent round of trials.

The source did not provide the exact efficacy of the vaccine against the variant. They said the full results of the study should be released soon, possibly in March.

Early results indicated the AstraZeneca vaccine was less effective against the South African variant, which is similar to P1. South Africa subsequently paused the use of the vaccine in the country.

The information comes as a small-sample study suggested the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China's Sinovac may not work effectively against the Brazilian variant.

Responding to a request for comment, Fiocruz, which sent the samples that formed the basis of the study, told Reuters it did not have any information on the study, as it was being led by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.

Representatives for AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Brazil is currently confronting a brutal and long-lasting second wave of the coronavirus, hitting a daily record of 1,910 deaths on Wednesday.

The P1 variant is among the factors that epidemiologists believe is contributing to a rise in cases and deaths, and there has been concern in the scientific community about the variant's resistance to vaccines.

EVIDENCE GROWS BRAZILIAN VARIANT IS MORE CONTAGIOUS, MAY REINFECT COVID SURVIVORS AND WEAKEN VACCINES

The variant, which has now been found in at least 20 countries, can re-infect people who previously recovered from the disease, scientists said on Tuesday.

A second soon-to-be published study suggests that the variant may weaken the effectiveness of vaccines, too, just as virologists feared.

Brazil's P1 variant accounts for at least 10 cases of COVID-19 in at least five US states, according to the CDC. Houston Methodist scientists have also identified at least two cases of the Brazilian variant in Texas, but these are not yet confirmed by the CDC.

The CDC has dramatically stepped up its search for variants by sequencing the genomes of about 7,000 samples of coronavirus a week.

But it's widely assumed that the 2,500 cases of five variants detected in the U.S. are an undercount.

In a study of Brazilian mutant virus's emergence and its spread in the Amazon jungle city of Manaus, the scientists said the variant - known as P.1 - has a 'unique constellation of mutations' and had very rapidly become the dominant variant circulating there.

Out of 100 people in Manaus who had previously recovered from infection with the coronavirus, 'somewhere between 25 and 61 of them are susceptible to re-infection with P.1,' said Nuno Faria, a virus expert at Imperial College London, who co-led the research which has not yet been peer reviewed.

The scientists estimated that P.1 was 1.4 to 2.2 times more transmissible than the initial form of the virus.

Speaking about the findings in a media briefing, Nuno said it was too early to say whether the variant's ability to evade immunity from previous infections meant that vaccines also would offer reduced protection against it.

'There's no concluding evidence really to suggest at this point that the current vaccines won't work against P.1,' Faria said. 'I think (the vaccines) will at least protect us against disease, and possibly also against infection.'

Scientists around the world are on guard against new mutated forms of the coronavirus that could spread more easily, or be harder to fend off with existing vaccines.

The research, conducted with scientists at Brazil's Sao Paulo and Britain's Oxford universities, suggested that the P.1 variant had probably emerged in Manaus in early November 2020.

The first infection with it was identified on December 6, Faria said.

'We then looked at how rapidly P.1 overtook other lineages, and we found that the proportion of P.1 grew from zero to 87 percent in about eight weeks.'
Donald Trump issued a lengthy rant about veteran Republican Karl Rove after the strategist criticised him.

Mr Rove wrote about the muted enthusiasm for the ex-president in the Wall Street Journal after only 68 per cent of his supporters at CPAC said they wanted him to run again in 2024.

Now Mr Trump has blasted George W Bushs senior adviser and branded him a pompous fool who has been losing for years, except for himself.

Karl Roves voice on Fox is always negative for those who know how to win. He certainly hasnt helped Fox in the ratings department, has he? said Mr Trump in a 700 word statement.

Never had much of a feeling for Karl, in that I disagreed with so many of the things he says. Hes a pompous fool with bad advice and always has an agenda.

Mr Trump went on to blame Mr Rove for the defeat of Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in the Georgia special election for the US Senate in January.

Should have been an easy win but he and his friend Mitch blew it, added Mr Trump.

In his Wall Street Journal criticism of Mr Trump, Mr Rove explained why he thought there was a lack of enthusiasm from the former presidents most fervent fans.

The explanation may be in what the ex-president said and didnt say in his 15-minute definition of Trumpism, wrote Mr Rove.

There was no forward-looking agenda, simply a recitation of his greatest hits. People like fresh material. Repetition is useful to a point, but it grows stale.

While attacking Mr Rove, Mr Trump also found time to take a swipe at the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, which is reeling from a sex scandal.

Karl would be much more at home at the disastrous Lincoln Project, I heard they have numerous openings! he wrote gleefully.

And Mr Trump had a warning for Republicans over dealing with the likes of Mr Rove.

If the Republican Party is going to be successful, theyre going to have to stop dealing with the likes of Karl Rove and just let him float away, or retire, like Liddle Bob Corker, Jeff Flakey Flake, and others like Toomey of Pennsylvania, who will soon follow.

Lets see what happens to Liz Cheney of Wyoming.

It was the second statement of the day released by Mr Trump.

Earlier he had attacked Georgia Republican leaders and Mitch McConnell for the loss of the states two Senate seats, which effectively handed control of the high chamber over to the Democrats.

Then he turned his anger on Mr McConnell, who recently voted to acquit Mr Trump at the end of his historic second impeachment trial in the Senate  but then delivered a stunning rebuke of the former president saying there was no doubt he bore responsibility for the insurrection.

Second, Senator Mitch McConnells refusal to go above $600 per person on the stimulus check payments when the two Democrat opponents were touting $2,000 per person in ad after ad, wrote Mr Trump.

This latter point was used against our Senators and the $2,000 will be approved anyway by the Democrats who bought the Georgia election  and McConnell let them do it!

Even more stupidly, the (NRSC) spent millions of dollars on ineffective TV ads starring Mitch McConnell, the most unpopular politician in the country, who only won in Kentucky because President Trump endorsed him. He would have lost badly without this endorsement.
SAN DIEGO, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Forbes School of Business and Technology Center for Women's Leadership will celebrate International Women's Day with a Week of Resilience, March 512, 2021. All events will be hosted virtually and include a distinguished lineup of global women leaders. International Women's Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The Center for Women's Leadership 2021 celebration includes a week of events focusing on resilience and overcoming difficult situations.



Events include a Global Women Leaders Live Panel on Tuesday, March 9, 8 a.m. PST, with keynote panelist H. E. Madame President Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, a biodiversity scientist and former President of the Republic of Mauritius, who will be joined by Danela Arsovska, President of the Macedonian Chambers of Commerce; Dr. Hazel Herrington, Global Brand Ambassador for Zim Thrive, Jeuneese, and Zimbabwe; Lumbie Mlambo, UN Global Leader; and Senela Jayasuriya, Founder and CEO of Women Empowered Global and Diverse Consultants.

Dr. Jennie Walker, Center for Women's Leadership board member said, "The series of events this week are positive and powerful. We are celebrating women's resilience in a dynamic way by learning from diverse female leaders that include high profile leaders from various nations and representatives from field operations at the United Nations Office for Project Services. We have also made these events personal through networking sessions, an artistic expressions contest, and a workshop on living one's life with purpose and resilience. The message this week is that each individual's story of resilience matters."

Review the full schedule of events and register. Be one of the first 300 registrants to receive access to an on-demand screening of This Changes Everything (2019), available for viewing now, March 5-7.

About University of Arizona Global Campus

The University of Arizona Global Campus ("UAGC" or " Global Campus") is an independent university that is operated in affiliation with the University of Arizona. UAGC provides flexible opportunities for working students from diverse backgrounds who seek to gain knowledge and skills that will help them to achieve their life and career goals. UAGC builds on Ashford University's promise of high-quality online learning, access and inclusivity and the University of Arizona's mission as a land-grant institution focused on student success. UAGC is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is one of the nation's most innovative online universities with approximately 35,000 students. UAGC offers more than 50 degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. For more information, visit uagc.edu, www.facebook.com/UniversityOfArizonaGlobalCampus, or www.twitter.com/UAZGlobalCampus.

About the Center for Women's Leadership (CWL)

The CWL envisions a world in which all women are empowered as leaders. The Center's mission supports this by providing a community for networking and professional development and making recommendations to organizational practices through existing and novel research. The Center encompasses four distinct areas: events, education, mentorship, and research, each aimed at the empowerment of women leaders. For more information please see: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6925212/ and https://www.uagc.edu/forbes-school-of-business-and-technology/center-womens-leadership

Related Links

http://www.uagc.edu

https://www.uagc.edu/forbes-school-of-business-and-technology/center-womens-leadership

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6925212/

SOURCE University of Arizona Global Campus

Related Links

https://www.uagc.edu/


CLEVELAND, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans are calling on the Biden administration to help secure the release of two princesses confined for years by the billionaire ruler of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum, a daughter of the ruler of Dubai, has been held against her will since March 2018. Photo credit: Tiina Jauhiainen. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), via Wikimedia Commons. (PRNewsfoto/Friends of Latifa)

Today marks three years since March 4, 2018, when Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum, 35, was abducted from international waters and forcibly returned to Dubai. Earlier that year, she planned to escape Dubai with the help of friend Tiina Jauhiainen. They boarded a U.S.-flagged yacht and crossed the Indian Ocean, with plans for Latifa to fly to the U.S. and seek asylum. This plan came to a nightmarish end when Indian and Emirati military forces intercepted the boat. Despite her pleas for asylum, Latifa was tranquilized and flown back to Dubai by private jet. She has been confined ever since.

Recently, secret videos were released where Latifa described the brutal conditions of her captivity and isolation.

Her sister, Sheikha Shamsa Al Maktoum, 39, also unsuccessfully fled while visiting the U.K. nearly two decades earlier. She lived freely for one month in summer 2000 before being kidnapped from the streets and forced back to Dubai. She has not been seen publicly since.

"The UAE is a major military and economic partner," said Peter J. Fry, director of Friends of Latifa. "President Biden has made clear that our partnerships must reflect our values. When Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum imprisons innocent women for years, does this reflect our values? Biden must act now." Friends of Latifa is preparing sanction recommendations for the Biden administration.

"It is appalling but not shocking that the UAE government has failed to investigate the detention of the princesses or arrest and prosecute their father, who kidnapped these adult women and holds them captive in his private residence," said Sarah Leah Whitson. Whitson is executive director of Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), an organization founded by murdered Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi. "Their ongoing detention is not just a case of domestic violence, but state-supported persecution and arbitrary detention."

Toby Cadman, a U.K.-based international law expert, raised Latifa's case before the U.N. just days after she was kidnapped. "By confining Latifa and Shamsa, the UAE is violating multiple U.N. conventions," he said. "The U.S. must use its influence to push for their release."

For more information, visit friendsoflatifa.org or contact [email protected].

SOURCE Friends of Latifa

Related Links

https://www.friendsoflatifa.org


More than 600,000 vaccine doses have been delivered in Northern Ireland (Jane Barlow/PA).

More than 600,000 vaccine doses have been injected in Northern Ireland.

The total is significantly ahead of the schedule followed by planners of the massive logistics effort, Health Minister Robin Swann said.

Health trust Covid-19 vaccination centres have this week begun inoculating those aged 60 to 64, as well as carers.

Minister Swann has praised the work of all those involved in the NI vaccination programme as the number of doses delivered rose to more than 6a0a0a, 0a0a0a



609,798 vaccines have been administered with 568,011 of these first doses and 41,787 second doses.https://t.co/IteiQUNnMy pic.twitter.com/P0vttagLGm  Department of Health (@healthdpt) March 5, 2021

Mr Swann said: I know the huge amount of planning and hard work that has gone into delivering this highly complex programme and I want to thank all of our vaccinators, administrators and volunteers who are making this happen.

Every jab takes us further down the pathway towards a better and safer future.

We are on our way to a million doses and very soon we will be rolling out the programme to all adults through the mass vaccination phase of the programme.

The latest running total shows 609,798 vaccines administered. Of these, 568,011 are first doses and 41,787 second doses.

To date 44,000 people who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) have been jabbed.

GP practices are also vaccinating carers who are known to doctors and they are also making good progress in the vaccination of people on their patient lists who are either CEV or clinically vulnerable to the virus.

This has been another outstanding week for our vaccination teams and with a good supply of vaccine to hand, we are moving forward at pace Patricia Donnelly

Almost 123,000 health and social care staff have been vaccinated. This includes trust-employed staff and independent staff.

Patricia Donnelly, head of the vaccination programme, said: This has been another outstanding week for our vaccination teams and with a good supply of vaccine to hand, we are moving forward at pace.

I would urge all who are eligible but who have not stepped forward yet to make their appointments as soon as possible.

In the coming weeks community pharmacists will join the vaccination efforts, working in tandem with GPs and the regional vaccination centres to ensure the vaccine is even more accessible to people of all ages right across Northern Ireland.

In addition, we will receive a boost in supplies of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine which means we can use it in some of our regional vaccination centres, as well as in GP practices and pharmacies.

This is very welcome news.

In February 2020 we admitted our first patient with Covid-19.



Every staff member has played their part in this response and this video is intended to thank you for your dedication and to let us reflect on the past 12 months.



iWatch it here: https://t.co/to1zIEgvcB pic.twitter.com/g47qKY3ptx  Belfast Trust (@BelfastTrust) March 3, 2021

There have been two more Covid-19 fatalities, the Department of Health said.

Another 166 people have tested positive.

A total of 216 hospital beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients, 29 in intensive care.

The youngest children will return to primary schools across Northern Ireland on Monday but are set to go back to remote learning after two weeks.

Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill has said ministers hope the process of exiting lockdown will be well advanced by June 10.

First Minister Arlene Foster has said the R number lies between 0.65 and 0.75, and has hailed the fall in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19  down to 5%.
Initially deemed essential, grocery workers are still putting their lives on the line to restock pantries, but, one grinding year into the pandemic, now say they feel forgotten  by their employers and their customers.

I feel like theyre treating us like were expendable, said Kellie Ruzich, a 30-year-old mother of three and full-time meat stocker at a Walmart Supercenter near Duluth, Minnesota.

She and her husband dont make enough to afford day care. He watches the kids during the day, 5-month-old twins with weakened immune systems and a 3 year old. Then they swap and he works overnight at Walmart.

While customers are encouraged to wear masks by staffers known as "Health Ambassadors" who are stationed at the front door, many shoppers brush on by with no mask, said Ruzich, a member of United for Respect, a nonprofit that advocates for low-wage workers. This comes despite Walmart's policy that all associates and customers wear face coverings and Minnesota's mandate requiring one when indoors and not alone.

When reached for comment on Ruzichs issues, Walmart company spokesman Casey Staehli told NBC News in a statement: We are pleased that the vast majority of the 130 million customers who visit us each week are wearing masks. If a customer doesnt want to wear a face covering, our Health Ambassadors notify a member of management, who will talk to the customer and try to find a solution. We do not want our associates to do anything that could lead to a physical confrontation. We are also working with customers who are unable to wear a face covering due to medical reasons or religious beliefs.

Ruzich told NBC News that when co-workers tested positive, management did not inform her or her husband, even though one worked near her husband. Ruzich said shes worried about the risk of bringing home the virus.

Ive got medically fragile children at home, Ruzich said. With how tiny they are, they arent going to do well.

Story continues

NBC News asked Walmart about each of Ruzich's claims. Staheli said that Walmart follows "the evolving guidance of public health experts" and that the company's safety measures include "mandatory facial coverings for associates and customers, limiting the hours and number of customers in our stores and clubs, deep cleaning facilities, taking temperature checks and health screenings of associates, installing plastic guards and implementing social distancing measures in all of our facilities."

We will continue to be proactive in our approach to health and safety and have encouraged associates to do so when away from work, Staehli said.

Anti-mask views or laxity by some customers have placed workers in the difficult position of balancing personal and store safety with an ethos that "the customer is always right." Five states have already lifted their mask mandate, including Texas and Mississippi, which this week announced the expiration of state-imposed face covering rules. Some businesses in those states have said they will continue to require masks in their stores, ratcheting up the potential for further conflict for employees.

The Walmart in Hermantown, Minn. (Derek Montgomery / for NBC News)

Lives on the line

Despite corporate pledges, more than half of essential workers say they feel forced to sacrifice personal safety to remain employed, according to an online PwC survey in November.

In this uncertain economic climate, workers may be afraid to speak up about workplace conditions for fear of losing their jobs.

Ben Bonnema, a Trader Joes employee in New York City, was fired last week, shortly after writing to the company CEO about safety improvements the store could implement, including the installation of CO2 monitors. While Bonnema maintains that the disciplinary action was due to the letter, Trader Joes spokesperson Kenya Friend-Daniel told NBC News in an email that the employee's suggestions were previously addressed and that "store leadership terminated this Crew Members employment because of the disrespect he showed toward our customers."

We have never, and would never, terminate a Crew Members employment for raising safety concerns, Friend-Daniel wrote.

Bonnema's letter included citations from several scientists who had written to President Joe Biden last month to urge his administration to increase workplace and school safety measures against the aerosol-borne coronavirus.

Jose-Luis Jimenez, a University of Colorado professor of chemistry and one of the letter's signatories, told NBC News that Bonnemas letter was extremely well written and agreed that stores should install CO2 monitoring devices to analyze air quality and display the results.

Labor activists blasted the firing.

Trader Joes firing an essential grocery worker who bravely spoke out about Covid dangers in stores is a blatant example of corporate intimidation meant to silence workers across the country, Marc Perrone, international president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, said in a statement.

Every supermarket in the country must increase worker protections, enforce mask wearing in stores, and commit to disclosing when front-line workers have been infected and died, Perrone said.

Over 138 grocery workers have died from coronavirus and over 31,000 have been infected or exposed, according to the unions figures.

OSHA, the federal occupational safety agency in charge of conditions at grocery stores and other workplaces, received more safety complaints in 2020 than the previous year  despite performing significantly fewer inspections, according to a new report by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Grocers clean up

When lockdowns first hit, stores spent billions on safety measures and bonuses. While some stores permanently raised wages, others temporarily issued increased hazard pay that has since expired.

Amazon said it has invested over $4 billion in Personal Protective Equipment, facility cleaning and higher hourly wages for its warehouse and Whole Foods Market employees since the pandemic began. Albertsons put the total for Covid-related costs at over $885 million. Target increased its starting minimum wage to $15, issued bonuses on top of that, spending over $1 billion in 2020 on safety improvements and worker compensation. Kroger said it has invested over $1.5 billion in worker compensation and safety.

"Were super proud of the hourly rate of $15.50 an hour, plus the $5 per hour in benefits," Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen told CNBC in an interview on Thursday. "We continue to invest in our associates to keep them safe."

In late February, Costco said it would end hazard pay and increase its starting minimum wage to $16.

I want to note, this isnt altruism, Costco CEO Craig Jelinek said during a Senate Budget Committee hearing, led by $15 minimum wage proponent Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., where he announced the change. At Costco, we know that paying employees good wages and providing affordable benefits makes sense for our business and constitutes a significant competitive advantage for us.

In mid-February, Walmart announced it was increasing pay for 425,000 digital and stocking workers, increasing its hourly workforce average wage to $15.25. But minimum wage remains at $11 an hour for many other positions.

Windfall profits

Grocery stores have reaped windfall profits during the pandemic as customers stock up and cook more at home while avoiding restaurants, according to a report by the left-leaning Brookings Institution.

The grocery retail sector experienced a nearly 20 percent increase in profits while raising hazard pay an average of $1.10 per hour, according to analysis from Brookings. That hazard pay ended in June for most. Meanwhile, many of the companies have used the profits to engage in stock buybacks.

Stores say theyre committed to employee and customer safety while juggling increased operational costs, which can vary by region, and the challenges due to the pandemics impact on demand and disrupted supply chains.

After Seattle passed a law requiring supermarkets above a certain size to issue hazard pay, Kroger closed two underperforming stores there in mid-February.

"Those stores were marginal already. We thought that closing them was the best long-term decision," McMullen told CNBC. "We operate on razor-thin profits."

The company is instead focused on getting priority access to vaccines for its workers, Kristal Howard, a company spokesperson, told NBC News in a statement.

Grocery workers say they are left trying to muscle through, even when encountering anti-maskers'' and maskholes, said Kathleen Scott, a 55-year-old cashier at an Albertsons in Los Angeles. For many workers, their hours have been cut, reducing take-home pay; and any extra sick time has likely been used up already, she said.

If a worker knows or thinks theyve been exposed, they dont have many options.

Supermarkets are local, we know our customers' names. We don't want to risk their safety  but we simply can't afford to stay home, Scott said.

We have to feed ourselves and pay rent. So we don't get tested, and we pretend everything is OK.
Firefighters were left stunned when the cat they were called out to remove from a tree calmly walked down their ladder and rescued itself.

A London Fire Brigade crew from Norbury Fire Station was called in to help the RSPCA rescue the animal that was stuck around 25ft up a tree.

Firefighters pitched a ladder and were getting ready to climb up to the cat when it slowly made its own way down the rungs.

This is the moment a cat makes its own way down a London Fire Brigade ladder in Thornton Heath, south west London. The cat ran off after it made its way safely to the bottom

Station Commander Richard Hamilton, who was at the scene in Thornton Heath, south-west London, said: 'We couldn't believe it - I've been in [The Fire Service] more than 25 years and I've never seen a cat do that before.

'The poor cat had apparently been up there more than 48 hours, but seemed fine when it came down  it just ran off without so much as a thank you.

'Firefighters went to the aid of the cat after the RSPCA requested our assistance as they didn't have the equipment to reach it.

'Once they've pitched the ladder, crews would usually go up to try and retrieve the cat, but the RSPCA inspector advised us to stand back and sure enough, it made its own way down the ladder.

'The work of a firefighter is varied and involves all sorts of different incidents and we are ready, willing and able to assist distressed or injured animals.

'The last thing we want is for people to put themselves at risk rescuing an animal themselves  but we do encourage people to call the RSPCA in the first instance and we will assist if our specialist equipment is required, as in this case.'
Commissioners, Vaux discuss shortage in affordable housing

Codington County commissioners and Mark Vaux, new executive director of the Watertown Development Company, discussed issues Tuesday.
Chennai, March 5 : The ruling AIADMK has released the first list of its candidates for the assembly elections which has six senior leaders.

Chief minister of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK leader Edappady K. Palaniswamy will contest the assembly elections of April 6 from his home constituency Edappadi in Salem district.

Deputy Chief minister O. Paneerselvam will contest from Bodinayakanur constituency in Theni district of Tamil Nadu.

State fisheries minister D. Jayakumar will contest from Royapuram in Chennai district while senior leader CV Shanmugham wil contest from Villupuram constituency in Villupuram district.

S.P. Shanmughanandham will contest from Sree Vaikundam in Tuticorn district while Thenmudi will contest from Nilakottai in Dindugal district of Tamil Nadu The AIADMK leadership said that the party will be finalising the seat-sharing with the BJP and the PMK in the days to come and will release the next list of candidates immediately.
Moscow court upholds 15-day detention of journalist calling to take part in illegal rallies

 flickr.com/ quirischa

12:18 05/03/2021

MOSCOW, March 5 (RAPSI)  The Moscow City Court on Friday upheld the 15-day detention of journalist and municipal lawmaker Ilya Azar 150,000 rubles ($2,000) for calls to participate in unauthorized rallies, the courts press service told RAPSI.

Azar was detained for breaching the order of organizing a public rally. Earlier, he was fined 150,000 rubles ($2,000) for the similar violation.

According to the administrative protocols, in 2020, Azar wrote on his Facebook page a post calling to take part in an illegal action.
A review of 10,000 students found no evidence that men outperform women in some science courses - which could help end stereotypes that harm women in STEM.

A new data-driven study from Texas A&M University casts serious doubt on the stereotype that male students perform better than female students in science -- specifically, physics.

A team of researchers in the Department of Physics and Astronomy analyzed both the midterm exam scores and final grades of more than 10,000 Texas A&M students enrolled in four introductory physics courses across more than a decade, finding no evidence that male students consistently outperform female students in these courses.

The work was led by Texas A&M physicist and Presidential Professor for Teaching Excellence Tatiana Erukhimova.

With help of nearly two dozen departmental colleagues, the Texas A&M team built a database reflecting the complete introductory physics educational spectrum: the calculus-based course sequence primarily taken by engineering and physics majors as well as the algebra-based course sequence typically taken by life sciences and premed majors. Their final analysis shows that exam performance and final letter grades are largely independent of student gender -- results which Erukhimova says show promise in ending gender stereotypes that negatively impact so many female students in STEM.

"There is no consistent trend on male students outperforming female students," Erukhimova said. "Our study also provides new knowledge regarding whether statistically significant differences based on gender occurred on each exam for four introductory physics courses as the semesters were progressing -- an area that has not previously been studied, at least not for such a large data set and over a long period of time."

When differences in final letter grades for a course were observed, there were no persistent differences across that course's exams, she said. Conversely, when researchers found differences on exams within a course, they observed no differences for final letter grades in that course. In algebra-based mechanics, they found that female students outperformed male students by a small but statistically significant margin.

Their findings were published recently in the American Physical Society journal Physical Review Physics Education Research and highlighted in a related Physics Magazine News and Commentary feature.

Prior to the team's study and others similar to it, Erukhimova says it has been an open question as to whether significant differences between male and female students could show up on particular exams but remain slight enough so as not to affect final course grades. For the past 25 years, the physics education profession has relied on inventory tests -- optional surveys intended to assess conceptual understanding and retention of key physics concepts -- to answer that question, effectively substantiating the argument for gender differences in student performance by default because men tend to score higher on them.

"In the field of physics education research, the majority of existing studies report a persistent gender gap with males performing significantly better than females on introductory mechanics concept inventory assessments, such as the Force Concept Inventory," Erukhimova said. "The results of prior studies on the gendered differences in student performance based on course grades and examinations are less consistent. While a number of studies indicate that male students outperform female students on the exams and course grades, other groups found no significant gendered difference in student performance."

The team applied multiple statistical analyses to the course-level data they collected to study whether there were performance differences based on student gender. To see how their findings aligned with student perceptions, they also took a snapshot of the students' feelings about course performance, inclusion and contributions using a short anonymous questionnaire distributed to 1,600 students in fall 2019.

"Responses indicated that female students had lower perception of their performance than their male classmates," Erukhimova said. "The only class where female students perceived their performance as equal to their male classmates was algebra-based mechanics, in which females typically outperform males. Additionally, we found that although male and female students may feel differently regarding their performance and in-class contributions, they feel equally included in class."

Although the team's study represents clear progress to Erukhimova, she acknowledges it comes with its own limitations -- the most significant being that it relies solely on course-level data collected from faculty and does not analyze the possible impact of non-academic factors on student performance. In the future, she says the team would like to connect as much of their data set as possible to university-level records to see how prior preparation, such as SAT scores, affects these results.

"We believe that all students should have equal opportunities and chances for success in physics," Erukhimova said. "The results of this work may help with fighting the gender stereotype threat that negatively impacts so many female students. By contributing to the body of knowledge about how gender relates to student performance, we hope that our work, which would not have been possible without our colleagues' data, can be another step in dismantling the preconceived notion of a societal bias based on gender in physics."

###

The team's research was funded in part by the College of Science Diversity and Equity Small Grants Program.

The study features a Texas A&M physics undergraduate first author, Matthew A. Dew '20, who spent two years on the project prior to earning his degree in December. The team also included Texas A&M physicist and Presidential Professor for Teaching Excellence William Bassichis, Texas A&M physicist and associate head of Texas A&M Physics and Astronomy Lewis Ford and 2018 Texas A&M physics Ph.D. graduate and former Texas A&M physicist Jonathan Perry, currently an assistant professor of physics at The University of Texas at Austin.
Refinery29

June is a major astrological month filled with thrills, chills, drama, big love  and every feeling in between. Lovely Venus enters Cancer on June 2, softening up our hearts and tightening up our wallets. The solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 is a time of reflection, change, and implanting new desires into our lives. Action planet Mars enters Leo on June 11, motivating us to fight for what we love. Soon after, on June 14, austere Saturn and rebellious Uranus square off for the second of three times in 2021. (The first time was February 17 and the third connection will be December 24.) This is a very fraught and intense energy that will create shakeups, breakups, and breakdowns. We are knocking down old structures or beliefs and building new ones then. Be kind to others and yourselves around this time, as this energy can be argumentative. Lucky planet Jupiter commences its retrograde journey in Pisces and Aquarius from June 20 to October 18, urging us to reflect on our spiritual and philosophical development. The summer solstice begins on June 20, the same day Gemini season ends and Cancer season starts, kicking off our beachy plans and festivities. Also, making us more emotional and tender. Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 in Gemini (yay!). But dont take a sigh of relief quite yet. The retroshade period officially ends the retrograde on July 7. Then, all Mercurial mishaps such as technological meltdowns, miscommunications, and our pesky exes will be truly gone  until next time. The Capricorn full moon occurs on June 24, urging us work hard for attention and affection. Elusive Neptune begins its retrograde journey in Pisces from June 25 to December 1. This will allow us to align with our subconscious dreams. Romantic planet Venus enters Leo on June 27, adding passion to love and flamboyance to how we spend our money.AriesLately youve been feeling as though your friends and bosses have been acting kinda shady, which is impacting your romantic relationships. The solar eclipse on June 10 is making you wish that you didnt stir the pot with your squad by rehashing past drama. Marss movement into Leo on June 11 will push you to fight for the relationships that you want to keep in your life and the people that you love, but with a cost. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will end friendships, much to your sadness. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 can be a reset button at work; however, it's more likely a time for you to step away from a current professional partnership.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoTaurusJune is an intense month for you, Taurus. An argument stemming from a financial loss during the solar eclipse on June 10 will escalate on June 14 (when Saturn and Uranus square off). The following few days will require you to relax, which makes the summer solstice on June 20 a sweet time to simmer down. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 is a moment for you to find reprieve and think about the recent events from a higher minded perspective. Jupiter's and Neptunes planetary backstrokes on June 20 and 25, respectively, will help in healing and mending all the messy drama that began on June 14  but only if you tone down your frustrations and choose not to say unforgivable things that you will certainly regret.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoGeminiNormally, your attention is on point and youre able to take on all of the tasks that you have to do, Gemini. But Mercury retrograde is making you too exhausted to keep up with your workload. The low energy youre feeling, compounded with the solar eclipse on June 10, is going to make you want to curl up in bed and watch The Hills reruns nonstop. Lean in to that urge and take time to chill this month. Dont fight the cosmos and take on more than you can chew. Yes, youve had an amazing run recently, but that can change during Jupiter's and Neptunes retrogrades on June 20 and 25. To avoid issues that may be coming your way, dont try to push your luck before Mercury retrograde ends on June 22.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCancerFor the past few months, youve been in duck-and-cover mode when the monthly credit card statements arrive in your inbox. But the tides are changing for the better. Venuss ingress into Cancer on June 2 and Leo on June 27 will procure extra cash for your bank account. The infamous Saturn and Uranus square that occurs on June 14 will give you a windfall of money from an unexpected payback on a former creative venture too. The only setback is that Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which ends June 22) could delay the repayment of these funds. Be patient! The cash will come during June 24s Capricorn full moon, if dont stress it so hard.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLeoCommitment takes a lot of work and time  all of which youre happy to give to those you care about. You have become a creature or comfort, knowing that you can always rely on certain people. All of that is about to get shaken up. You will feel as though the foundation youve built with friends, a crush, or your SO is shifting on June 14 (an effect of the Saturn and Uranus square) and you dont like that. Remember: Relationships and situations cant stay the same forever. Everything is subject to evolution. Change is the one constant in life, and its something you need to get used to (especially when Venus enters Leo on June 27, setting off the fraught vibe from June 14).Illustration by Stefhany LozanoVirgoYouve recently spent a lot of time burning the midnight oil at work. Now, the time has come for you to ask for a raise. (Considering how much extra time you put in, you should!) Venuss movement into Cancer on June 2 is an auspicious time to get the ball rolling in accelerating your income. The caveat is that the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will scare you into not asserting your voice when it comes to asking for a raise, which means that youll opt to hold back. When Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 and Neptune begins its planetary moonwalk on June 25, youll begin to speak up and make sure you get paid what youre worth  and then some!Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLibraLets start with the positives of June: Work will be plentiful and fulfilling as the month starts off, especially when graceful Venus enters the career sector of your chart on June 2. The solar eclipse on June 10 in Gemini will make you stop and think about the next professional direction you want to take. You dont have to make decisions, as Mercury is retrograde. Therefore, plans can change. The downfall is that youll feel creatively blocked when Saturn and Uranus square off on June 14, as well as on June 24s Capricorn Full Moon. When Neptune turns retrograde on June 25 and Venus enters Leo on June 27, itll be wise to consider taking time off from work to rejuvenate your artistic talents.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoScorpioYour intuition is always lit. However, this month you will be second guessing your gut feelings during Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which started on May 29) and the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Reality will come crashing down hard on June 14 during the Saturn and Uranus square, making you wish that youd listened to the voice within the week before. The good news is that Jupiter and Neptunes backsplash will boost your confidence in listening to your inner sentiments. June 24s full moon will make you see that you should never doubt yourself again. This will allow you to head into July on a high note and feeling yourself. Words to the wise: Never doubt yourself again. You know the score, try to use it to your advantage.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoSagittariusYour wanderlust sentiments are making you thirst for adventure and excitement. While you may not feel like traveling far, youll be able to find thrills in your local neighborhood during June 14s Saturn and Uranus square. If youre wanting to head out of town, the full moon on June 24 is a great time for an economical mini road trip. The caveat is that you may get swept away in the moment and temporarily forget about your friends and family. Its okay to get lost in your own world, Sag. Just dont live too much with your head in the clouds. Come down for air every now and again  especially on June 20 and 25 when Jupiter and Neptune, respectively, begin their planetary retrogrades.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCapricornDont be afraid to walk away from a proposition that doesn't seem worth the trouble. A business arrangement may lose its appeal on June 2, when Venus enters Cancer. If youre not wanting to continue the partnership, then the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will set you free. TBH, you are seeing that the gig isnt offering up the cash that they promised, which is frustrating to you considering all the time and work youve put into it. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will remind you that its better to cut your losses ASAP before matters get worse. Youll be proud of yourself during June 24s full moon for letting go of the situation and moving onto the next project with ease and no additional drama.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoAquariusIts been a minute since youve spoken to old flames. But Mercurys backspin is bringing all of your exes out of the woodwork. Unlike past retrogrades, youre wanting to connect with them when Mars enters Leo on June 11. Although youre intrigued by what they have to say, the conversation may not go as planned on the 14th, when Saturn and Uranus square off, and youll be reminded as to why you broke up with them in the first place. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. Be sure that you're open and willing to hear their feedback before responding. If you take the conversations at face value, you can create a new foundation with them on June 27, during the Venusian shift into Leo.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoPiscesAll work and no play isnt good for your imagination, Pisces. In fact, it can make you feel as though youre stuck behind a desk and not integrating your soulful sentiments into the world. Junes celestial energies urge you to take a step back from your career and have fun. Venuss entrance into Cancer on June 2 and the summer solstice on June 20 offer you a chance to laugh off the stresses brought on by the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Just dont overdo the celebrating, as the Saturn and Uranus square on June 14, as well as Jupiter and Neptunes planetary moonwalk on your Sun which begin on June 20 and 25, respectively, can exhaust your spirited vibe while depleting your energies.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Is Jupiter In Pisces The Best Transit Of 2021?Black & Brown Women Are Reviving Tarot & AstrologyObsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok  & COVID
New Delhi:

On the 71st Independence Day, a Facebook post of an assistant teacher at an Assam school, his colleague and two students hoisting Indian flag in the flooded school premises in Dhubri district's Fakirganj has gone viral.



The photograp has been uploaded by Naskara LP School assistant teacher Mizanur Rahman where he has written, "We hoisted the tricolour and sang the national anthem as we are proud to observe the freedom of our nation," he said.

His post also added, "No need to tell how we are right now, picture will tell all the stories... I did not expect this kind of support... thank you all for sharing this picture."

This shows that flood did not deter people from taking part in the Independence Day celebrations. Despite water all over the place people took the risk and kept their spirit high and hoisted flag in the best way possible which cannot be ignored and go un-noticed.

Assam: Various schools unfurled the tricolor in flood-hit Morigaon district #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/S0RlgYja7g  ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2017

While there are also photos of students saluting the flags standing in boats doing rounds.

On Monday, PMr Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal for the second time and said all possible support is being provided to the state.

The Prime Minister said the Central government has been closely and constantly monitoring the flood situation in Assam.

"PM @narendramodi spoke to Assam CM @sarbanandsonwal on Sunday and Monday regarding the flood situation in the state," the PMO tweeted.

"All possible support is being provided to Assam for overcoming the flood situation prevailing in parts of the state," Modi said.







For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Master's in History Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 194 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 194 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in History Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-history-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in History Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Alabama State University

American Public University System

American University

Arizona State University

Ashland University

Chadron State College

Claremont Graduate University

Drew University

Duquesne University

Eastern Illinois University

Emporia State University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida International University

Fort Hays State University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia Southern University

Grand Canyon University

Harvard University

Indiana State University

Jackson State University

Liberty University

Louisiana Tech University

Loyola University Chicago

Missouri State University

New Mexico State University

Norwich University

Pittsburg State University

Sam Houston State University

Seton Hall University

Slippery Rock University

Southern New Hampshire University

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina

The New School

Tufts University

Union Institute & University

University of Louisiana, Lafayette

University of Louisiana, Monroe

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

University of Massachusetts, Boston

University of Memphis

University of Miami

University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska, Kearney

University of North Alabama

University Of North Carolina, Wilmington

Wayland Baptist University

Western Kentucky University

Youngstown State University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions
Basil Zempilas has come under fire over an on-air remark to a female journalist about her sitting down during a press conference - but the broadcaster-turned-politician says he has been taken out of context.

During his Triple M breakfast show on Thursday, the Perth Lord Mayor made reference to the fact his co-host Jenna Clarke found a seat on the carpet at Attorney-General Christian Porter's press conference the previous day.

'I've seen you in jeans and on your knees before,' Mr Zempilas said, according to a tweet published by local ABC broadcaster Emma Wynne. 'You like to get down on the floor don't you?'

Ms Wynne's tweet sparked controversy  causing Zempilas's remark to trend on social media and the media personality copping criticism on Twitter that the comment was 'disgusting'.

But Zempilas fired back, saying that his comment wasn't being presented in its full and apparently innocent context, and that was unfair.

Basil Zempilas (above, with his wife Amy) made the remark on Triple M's breakfast show this week - but says it hasn't been placed in its full context

A teary Attorney-General Christian Porter at a press conference this week. Zempilas's co-host is, on left, seated on the carpet

'If you heard that bit - you heard the rest,' the media personality said.

'I was clearly asking my co-host about sitting on the floor at the presser.

'We talk about seeing her in the cutaways and we then had a chat about how Jenna often sits on the floor when doing an interview.

'It's simply unfair to have used one line and then not the rest of the discussion.'

Zempilas's remark was cut out of the Basil, Xav and Jenna program's Full Show podcast for March 4.

Sources close to Zempilas said the tweet gave the wrong impression of the innocent conversation and said he stands by his tweets.

The podcast only features a brief reference to the fact that Clarke had attended Porter's press conference - before instantly throwing to callers for their thoughts on the political furore involving the Attorney-General, Mr Porter.

The on-air gaffe came about the same time photos circulated online of Zempilas and Porter debating each other when they were at high school. Both Zempilas and Mr Porter attended Perth's prestigious Hale School, with the future Attorney-General's leading his house to victory over Zempilas's during a school competition.

Christian Porter (main) debating against his schoolmate Basil Zempilas at the Hale School in 1987

However, Zempilas wasn't part of the team which travelled to Sydney, where the future Attorney-General, 17, is accused of raping a 16-year-old Adelaide student.

Mr Porter on Wednesday vehemently denied that allegation, which resurfaced after 33 years last week.

Daily Mail Australia approached Zempilas' office and Triple M's corporate parent Southern Cross Austereo for comment on Friday morning.

Zempilas, 49, was elected Lord Mayor of Perth City Council last October and took up a new media commitment hosting the Triple M breakfast show in January.

The network promoted their new hire with the slogan: 'The mayor is on air!'

Zempilas' ascension to office hasn't been without its controversies. He apologisied last October for remarks made on a separate radio station, 6PR, about transgender identities.
[March 05, 2021] United States Cards and Payments Market Opportunities and Risks to 2024 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The "United States of America (USA) Cards and Payments - Opportunities and Risks to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the US cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cards, cash, direct debits, cheques, and credit transfers during the review-period (2016-20e). The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2020e-24f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including market shares of issuers and schemes. The report brings together research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in regulatory structure. This report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the US cards and payments industry, including - Current and forecast values for each market in the US cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge.

Detailed insights into payment instruments including cards, cash, direct debits, cheques, and credit transfers. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.

E-commerce market analysis.

Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the US cards and payments industry.

Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards. <> Scope of the report:



To promote electronic payments in the country, on August 5, 2019 the Federal Reserve Board announced that the country's federal reserve banks will develop a new instant payment system called FedNow. The new payment system will have a wider presence than others and will allow banks of every size in the country to provide instant payment services to their customers. The service will be available to both individuals and businesses and will allow a range of payments, including person-to-person, business-to-business, business-to-customer, customer-to-business, and government-to-person. The new payment system will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and the maximum limit will be $25,000 per transaction. It is likely to be launched in 2023 or 2024. The US already has two instant payment solutions in place: Zelle and Real-Time Payments (RTP). However, neither has universal penetration in the market or interoperability with one another.

The proliferation of challenger banks will drive competition in the banking space, thus helping to boost debit card holding. In August 2019, new challenger bank Zenus Bank commenced its operations after receiving approval from the US regulatory authorities. Customers receive a digital version of a Visa or Mastercard debit card within 15 minutes of account opening. Germany-based digital bank N26 had 250,000 customers as of January 2020, after commencing its operations in the US from August 2019.

While US consumers have traditionally been credit card-reliant, the pandemic is changing consumer spending behavior as recession looms and unemployment grows. According to Visa, its credit card volumes declined by 21% in May 2020 year on year. The shift in consumer spending could drive away $100bn annually from credit cards to debit cards over time as per Visa. In May 2020, JPMorgan Chase revealed credit card spending fell by 40% during March and early April compared to 2019. Key Topics Covered: Payment Instruments

Card-based Payments

Merchant Acquiring

E-commerce Payments

Buy Now Pay Later

Mobile Proximity Payments

P2P Payments

Bill Payments

Alternative Payments

Payment Innovations

Payment Infrastructure & Regulation

Appendix Companies Mentioned

Federal Reserve

Bank of America

Citibank

JPMorgan Chase

Wells Fargo (News - Alert)

PNC

USAA

US Bank

FIS

Fiserv

Global Payments

Elavon

Vantiv

Square

Discover Financial Services

Visa

Mastercard

American Express

Discover

Star

Pulse

PayPal

Apple (News - Alert) Pay

Google Pay

Samsung Pay

Amazon Pay

Walmart Pay

Masterpass

Click to Pay For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4pf57z About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005305/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Advertisement

Famed New York City restaurants that have opened up in Miami despite the COVID-19 pandemic are reaping the benefits of lesser restrictions with business said to be 'booming' and overflowing with patrons and reservations.

While the once thriving hospitality scene in NYC has been largely been crippled due to the state's strict COVID-19 measures, some restaurant owners say Miami has opened up new opportunities to expand and survive amid the pandemic.

NYC's high-end sushi chain Kissaki is among the latest to open in Miami, with restaurateur and owner Garry Kafner preparing to open two new locations this year.

Celebrity favorites, such as Carbone, Cote and Sant Ambroeus, have already set up shop in Miami. Brooklyn's popular pizza joint Roberta's and Harlem hot spot Red Rooster have also recently opened.

Those restaurants are experiencing no shortage of patrons with Carbone, in particular, already seeing a three-month wait list after only opening just last month.

Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse Cote is nearly impossible to get a reservation at and those who do are limited to a 60-minute time limit to keep people moving in and out.

Famed New York City restaurants that have opened up in Miami despite the COVID-19 pandemic are reaping the benefits of lesser restrictions with business said to be 'booming'. Carbone, in particular, already has a three-month wait list after only opening just last month

Felix Bendersky (above), the owner of F+B Hospitality Leasing, told DailyMail.com that the business is 'booming' in Miami and that restaurants are continuing to flee New York City

Felix Bendersky, the owner of F+B Hospitality Leasing, told DailyMail.com that the business is 'booming' in Miami and that restaurants are continuing to flee New York City.

'There is, I would probably say, about 150 groups in the last 60 days that have reached out to us looking for restaurant space,' he said.

'Some who have abandoned their New York projects to come here. They figure by the time New York comes back, they can get further in Miami.

'I think it's been kind of insane.'

Bendersky said the harsher restrictions on the hospitality industry in New York was driving up demand in Miami.

'Unfortunately, the mayor and governor of New York have been my best promoters, they're sending all the people our way,' he said.

'After the first shut down, they had some hope that it wouldn't be long for things to rebound. But after the second shut down, it just really wiped out a lot of business owners.

'Knowing that Florida is not planning on shutting down... people are just pulling the trigger.'

In Miami, restaurants have been allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity all winter as long as social distancing is maintained.

Florida Governor Rick DeSantis dropped all COVID-19 related restrictions in September last year.

Harlem hot spot Red Rooster (pictured above) has also recently opened in Miami

Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse Cote is nearly impossible to get a reservation at and those who do are limited to a 60-minute time limit to keep people moving in and out

The Altamarea Group behind Manhattan's Michelin star-rated Marea and Ai Fiori opened its fifth, Osteria Morini, in Miami in early February

Under New York's current restrictions, indoor dining is now allowed in the city at 35 percent capacity.

The industry had to reckon with a harsh winter of only outdoor dining after indoor dining was banned in October when infections started to increase.

It mean indoor dining in New York was essentially banned for the majority of 2020.

Garry Kafner, the owner of NYC's Kissaki, is now planning to open two new restaurants in Miami this year.

When the pandemic broke out and NYC's restaurant scene crippled under restrictions, Kafner opened up in the Hamptons and Connecticut.

'I think lots of restaurants are really nervous with what has happened,' he told DailyMail.com.

'I think COVID took a lot away from people but it also created a lot of opportunity. I was always trying to move to Miami but I think COVID sped that up.

'It's an exciting situation in Miami. I feel really good about the growth.'

He is now focusing on Florida given how many people have fled New York City in favor of Miami amid the pandemic.

'Miami was always a good place for restaurants. I feel like now, since a lot of the sectors are moving over here... a lot of families are moving here... that gives a lot more opportunities for restaurateurs,' he said.

'Miami used to be a second home for a lot of people and now it's becoming a primary residence.'

Among them is 28-year-old Carlyn Shear, a New York City marketing consultant, who has been living in Miami since January.

Shear said that, while she still thinks NYC is the greatest city, she made the move because much of the things that made it great are not currently available.

She said all of her friends had also relocated to Florida during the pandemic.

'I recently signed a lease on an apartment here and I pay less than half my NY rent. My apartment here is probably twice the size,' she said.

'West Palm Beach and Palm Beach are this small town feel but you have a lot of similarities to New York, like similar types of restaurants and bars and people.'

Celebrity favorites, such as Carbone, Cote and Sant Ambroeus, have already set up shop in Miami

Garry Kafner (above), the owner of NYC's Kissaki, is now planning to open two new restaurants in Miami this year. He's focusing on Florida given how many people have fled New York City in favor of Miami amid the pandemic

Among those relocating to Miami is 28-year-old Carlyn Shear, a New York City marketing consultant, who has been living in Florida since January. Shear said that, while she still thinks NYC is the greatest city, she made the move because much of the things that made it great are not currently available

New coronavirus cases in Florida continue to plunge after hitting records highs during the holiday surge.

Hospitalizations and deaths have also been decreasing since the beginning of the year.

The state has now fully vaccinated nearly 9 percent of its population.

Cases, deaths and hospitalizations are also declining heavily in New York where about 8 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated.

It comes as research published last month by the New York City Hospitality Alliance showed the number of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and event venues in NYC that have not been able to pay their rent has increased since the start of the pandemic.

It reached a peak of 92 percent in December.

The research found that 45.2 percent of the businesses they surveyed paid no rent in December and 46.4 percent paid only some. Only 8.4 percent paid all of their rent.

Of those who were able to pay some of their rent, almost 50 percent paid for half their rent.

Among the 39.7 percent of businesses who have had their rent waived by landlords during the pandemic, 41.4 percent had to pay half their rent.

A further 41.5 percent had a waiver for less than half their rent and only 17.2 percent for more than half the rent.

In the survey, 24.3 percent revealed that they have not renegotiated their lease with the landlord but are in good faith negotiations.

New coronavirus cases in Florida continue to plunge after hitting records highs during the holiday surge

Cases, deaths and hospitalizations are also declining heavily in New York where about 8 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated
We owe a big thank you to our franchisees, employees, and especially our loyal guests who proved even during a devastating global pandemic, success is possible if you stay true to your core principles and keep offering the Wayback feel people crave.-- Patrick Conlin, President, Wayback Burgers

Wayback Burgers, one of the nations fastest-growing burger franchises, is celebrating 30 years of serving up deliciousness throughout 2021  but there is more to celebrate than a birthday!

The famed burger joint is already posting record-setting numbers for 2021 after turning in impressive growth numbers during 2020, as a global pandemic ravaged the restaurant industry. Restaurant sales and franchise growth at Wayback Burgers are both up, standing in stark contrast to the restaurant industry as a whole.

According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurant sales fell by $240 billion in 2020, more than 110,000 establishments closed, and there were nearly 2.5 million fewer restaurant jobs by the end of the year.

In contrast, here are some key 2020/2021 growth metrics that show Americas favorite hometown burger joint is defying the pandemic odds:

Wayback Burgers systemwide sales for 2020 were up 4.9 percent.



Four restaurants topped $1 million in sales in 2020 (Hinesville, Georgia, Hilton Head, South Carolina, Eugene, Oregon, and Olive Branch, Mississippi).

Seventeen restaurants are on track to hit $1 million in sales for 2021.

A restaurant in Woodbury, Minnesota, had a nearly 70 percent increase in systemwide sales over 2019.

Seventeen new franchises awarded since August 2020



Four new restaurants opened in 2020

Twenty-four new franchises are forecast to be awarded in 2021

Ten additional franchises are forecast to be awarded to existing franchisees through a new expansion program  Lets Get Growing!

Franchisees are hiring additional staff in Q1 2021 to keep up with increased business.

Wayback kicked off their yearlong 30th-anniversary celebration with a 30 percent surge in systemwide sales in January 2021.

Waybacks growing footprint now includes 166 restaurants!

Wayback Burgers Secret Sauce

Its not really a sauce, but Wayback Burgers success not in just surviving but thriving during the pandemic is due, in part, to its ability to adopt and maximize changing trends in fast-casual dining in 2020. Quick ramping up of online ordering and delivery kept Waybacks delicious handmade burgers and shakes easily and safely accessible throughout the pandemic.

However, upping the delivery and drive-thru game in 2020 wasnt enough. Guests really began to miss and crave the guest experience as 2020 dragged on, and Wayback Burgers business model was prepared to meet that need, too.

In early 2020  pre-pandemic  an updated design was offered as a renovation to existing restaurants. A new color scheme, new graphic design elements, exterior signage, and updated fixtures and ceiling tiles give the interiors a fresh, new look that elevates the feel of the restaurant to meet the superior quality of the burgers. Guests feel like they have had a great dining experience, and it translated into higher sales.

All of Waybacks remodeled locations generated 39 percent or better sales numbers in the backend of 2020, over the previous year, and the East Windsor, Connecticut restaurant saw a 68.7 percent jump in sales  during a global pandemic!

I think the remodel has had very a positive impact. Most importantly, it creates a better dining experience than before. We have multiple first-time guests coming in every day who tell us about the good things they have heard, in addition to our regulars who have noticed the difference. When you combine this new style with the substance of great food and service, everything works, said Pat Patel, franchise owner in Wadsworth, Ohio.

In addition to its fresh, updated look, Wayback Burgers offers franchisees a slimmer retail footprint (16001800 square feet) and lower initial investment than its competitors, which is especially appealing to new owners looking to invest during a pandemic.

As an extra incentive to grow the franchise family, Wayback has launched a creative program called Lets Get Growing! to help offset the cost for existing restaurant renovations. If any current owner signs on to build another restaurant, Wayback will use 100 percent of the reduced franchise fee to contribute to remodeling that owners existing restaurant(s). That way, more restaurants will experience the benefits of the updated design sooner.

The investments and the updates absolutely contribute to a great guest experience and increased sales; the numbers bear that out. But even in the worst of the pandemic, we saw older locations trending upward, and that is due to our great franchisees and their teams who are offering amazing products, excellent guest service, smooth operations, and getting out there in their communities lending a hand during this crisis, said Patrick Conlin, President of Wayback Burgers. We owe a big thank you to our franchisees, employees, and especially our loyal guests who have proved that even during a devastating global pandemic, success is possible if you stay true to your core principles and keep offering the Wayback feel people crave.

For more information on Wayback Burgers and all 2021 promotions/limited time offers, please visit their website (https://waybackburgers.com/) and social media profiles  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information on the Wayback Burgers franchise opportunity, please visit https://waybackburgers.com/franchising/.

About Wayback Burgers

Founded in 1991 in Newark, Delaware, Wayback Burgers is a Connecticut-based fast-casual franchise celebrating 30 years of serving up deliciousness. Its reputation for cooked-to-order burgers and thick, hand-dipped milkshakes, served in an environment that hearkens back to a simpler place and time  when guest service meant something and everyone felt the warmth of the community.

Wayback Burgers currently operates in 31 states with over 166 locations nationally and internationally in Brunei, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Pakistan, The Netherlands, Ireland, and Manitoba, Canada. Through its executed international franchise agreements, Wayback Burgers plans to open in 38 provinces/countries, including the Middle East, Northern Africa, South Africa, Bangladesh, Germany, and, in Canada, Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Currently, there is an LOI for Japan.

For more information about Wayback Burgers, please go to https://waybackburgers.com/.

For franchising information about Wayback Burgers, please go to https://waybackburgers.com/franchising.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Currently, there are over 100 political prisoners from Ukraine being held in Russia or occupied Crimea, while at least another 150 are being held by Russian proxies in Donbas.

Over a dozen former prisoners of Vladimir Putin's regime who were eventually released from Russian captivity are launching a platform aimed to help free the remaining political prisoners still held by Russia and its proxy forces.

The founders presented the Platform at the Theological Academy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Kyiv on March 4, 2021, Euromaidan Press reports.

The founders stress the platform will be engaged in fighting for the release of "all Ukrainian citizens held behind bars  political prisoners, hostages, and prisoners of war."

"The platform is a non-partisan association set up to protect the rights of and release all those imprisoned for political reasons in the occupied territories and in [Russia]. Our goal is to restore justice for everyone, have political prisoners released, and counter Russian aggression," said Pavlo Hryb, one of the platform's co-founders who is also an ex-Kremlin prisoner.

Read alsoMedvedchuk, Surkov talk power supplies to occupied Crimea, prisoner swap  leaked call from 2014Hryb, along with ten other political prisoners and 24 Ukrainian sailors, returned to Ukraine in September 2019 as part of a major swap deal with Russia, the last effort of such scale ever since.

The platform was founded by:

Stanislav Aseyev, a journalist imprisoned in the occupied Donbas for over two years;

Volodymyr Balukh, a Crimean farmer jailed for flying a Ukrainian flag over his home;

Edem Bekirov, a disabled Crimean Tatar activist the Russian occupation authorities of Crimea accused of plotting an attack he physically could not have pulled off;

Akhtem Chiygoz, a leader of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis earlier persecuted by Russian occupation authorities of Crimea;

Pavlo Hryb, a Ukrainian teenager the Russian FSB lured out to Belarus, kidnapped and transferred him to Russia where he was accused of a terror plot;

Mykola Karpiuk, a Ukrainian hostage Russia tortured into "confessing" of Chechnya crimes;

Oleksandr Kolchenko, a Crimean left-wing activist Russia charged with plotting terror attacks as part of a hardliner Ukrainian nationalist group;

Ihor Kozlovskyi, a religious scholar earlier held in Donbas dungeons for nearly two years;

Ihor Movenko, a Crimean imprisoned for his pro-Ukrainian views;

Yevhen Panov, a Ukrainian activist the Russian occupation forces framed as a "saboteur";

Ismail Ramazanov, a Crimean Tatar jailed on fake extremism charges;

Mykola Semena, a Crimean journalist prosecuted for protesting Russia's landgrab;

Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian filmmaker sentenced to 20 years for protesting the occupation of his native Crimea;

Roman Sushchenko, a Ukrainian journalist earlier jailed in Russia on trumped up "espionage" charges;

Oleksandr Shumkov, a Ukrainian serviceman kidnapped across the Russian border and convicted of being a member of the Ukrainian Right Sector organization;

Volodymyr Zhemchugov, a Donbas-born Ukrainian guerilla fighter who lost his arms in the clash against Russian proxies; and

The clergy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Mufti of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Deputy Speaker of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, Akhtem Chiygoz, says Russia will continue to illegally detain citizens of Ukraine as long as it continues its aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories.

Over the last year the list of Kremlin hostages grew by 24. At the end of 2020, a total of 69 Crimean Muslims, most of whom are representatives of the indigenous minority population of Crimean Tatars, were imprisoned for being members of a Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, which is banned in mainland Russia. On February 17, six more Crimean Tatars were detained.

Filmmaker Oleg Sentsov shared that the Platform will hold information campaigns raising awareness about Ukrainian prisoners  both in Ukraine and beyond  to create pressure on the Russian leadership.

"At the international level, meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin should begin with questions about the release of Ukrainian political prisoners," he said.

Read alsoUkrainian film director, ex-Kremlin prisoner Sentsov welcomes third baby (Photo)Former hostage Ihor Kozlovskyi said that each of the Platform's participants is reaching out to international partners. The Platform is open to cooperation.

Currently, there are over 100 political prisoners from Ukraine being held in Russia or occupied Crimea. At least 150 Ukrainian hostages are being held by the Russian puppet "Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics" in eastern Ukraine.

Reporting by UNIAN
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - An Australian court on Friday dismissed an appeal by Johnson & Johnson against a ruling that its subsidiary Ethicon had misled patients and surgeons about the risks of its pelvic mesh implants.

The full bench of the Federal Court of Australia upheld a November 2019 decision by a federal court judge which found that Ethicon had sold the implants, used to treat urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, without warning women about the serious risks and was negligent, rushing the products to market before proper testing.

J&J appealed the ruling last year after it was ordered to pay three women who led the class action a total of A$2.6 million ($2 million) plus legal costs as compensation. There are more than 1,350 women in the class action.

"The appeal decision paves the way to secure damages for all group members represented by the applicants in the coming months," Shine Justice, which ran the class action, said in a statement.

J&J said on Friday it was reviewing the decision and considering its options.

"Ethicon believes it acted ethically and responsibly in the research, development and supply of its transvaginal mesh products and appropriately and responsibly communicated the benefits and risks to doctors and patients in Australia," the company said in an emailed statement.

It has faced similar lawsuits in the United States, Canada and Europe. In October 2019 it agreed to pay nearly $117 million to resolve claims in 41 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

($1 = 1.2985 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Television | TV Channels

Pay-per-view takes off in India, but has a long way to go In September 2016, Anand Mahindra-owned television channel Epic roped in Pittie Group CEO Aditya Pittie as its managing director. Since then, the Anand Mahindra-and Pittie-promoted IN10 Media has expanded  from television (Epic TV), to OTT platforms (Epic On and Docubay), and even a production house (Juggernaut) in its kitty. Read More...

Television | TV Channels

The second film of the #AajTakSabseTez campaign is out As part of the on-going #AajTakSabseTez campaign, the nations undisputed No.1 news channel today launched the second film of the series. The film titled Achaar Gully highlights how Aaj Tak does not conform to the growing trend of spicing up news. Read More...

Regulators | I&B Ministry

Rules focus on self-classification, not censorship: Javadekar tells OTTs Minister of information and broadcasting Prakash Javadekar on Thursday held an interaction with representatives of various OTT platforms including from Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Jio, Zee5, Viacom18, Shemaroo, Mx Player, ALTBalaji. Read More...

iWorld | OTT

SC favours OTT guidelines, says screening needed The Supreme Court on Thursday remarked that there should be pre-censorship of OTT content like films while hearing a plea by Amazon Prime Video India originals head Aparna Purohit. She had moved the apex court challenging Allahabad high court order denying anticipatory bail to her in connection with the Tandav controversy. Read More...

iWorld | OTT

SonyLiv's Scam gets season two, will tell The Telgi Story After delivering a monster hit with Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, SonyLiv and Applause Entertainment are looking to recreate the magic with the second season of the Scam franchise. Read More...

iWorld | OTT

Bombay HC orders Amazon Prime Video to take down Telugu film 'V' The Bombay high court has directed OTT platform Amazon Prime Video to take down Telugu movie V following a defamation suit filed by a Mumbai-based actor. Sakshi Malik has sought the deletion of a scene in the film in which her portfolio picture was used without her permission. Read More...
[March 05, 2021] Citizen Developer Programs Take Center Stage

TrackVia, the most trusted low-code app-building solution for businesspeople, citizen developers, and IT professionals, is hosting a discussion on the growth of citizen developer programs. On March 17, 2021 at 1:00 PM EDT, Forrester (News - Alert) analyst John Bratincevic; PMI Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Dave Garret; and Stearns Lending SVP Operational Risk Joshua Yaklin will gather in an exclusive discussion on how low-code platforms have given rise to citizen developer programs. "Businesses are just beginning to understand the need for citizen developer programs led by IT professionals," says Matt Hubbard, Operational Excellence Manager at TrackVia. "Building apps in a fast and secure manner with low-code allows the people doing the work every day to make the business thrive." Industry leaders are pushing for companies to rethink how these applications are built and emphasizing citizen developer governance. Within this webinar presenters will be discussing: How organizations can work together with IT

Governance around citizen developer programs

Key ideas on how to think big, start small with low/no-code Register for the webinar titled, "Citizen Developer Movement: Rethinking "How" into "Who" with Low-Code".



About John Bratincevic John is the Senior Analyst serving application development and delivery professionals at Forrester. Prior to joining Forrester, John was co-founder and principal at Calabash, a Lean process consulting firm, where he used low-code development platforms to deliver transformational process improvement projects in over 20 industries and for some of the world's largest companies. John also served as program manager and solutions engineer for XPO Logistics, where he led projects for Fortune 500 clients applying best practices to the supply chain.

About Dave Garret As Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, Dave crafts and drives the execution of the PMI strategy to create a clear growth path. He works across the organization to define, test, and deliver "new products that matter," to deliver dramatic increases in value to our customers. He is charged with assisting PMI to build teams that are aligned and integrated seamlessly across the organization. About Joshua Yaklin As SVP of Operational Risk at Stearns Lending, a leading provider of mortgage lending services in the United States, Josh is responsible for reporting and workflow optimization in Servicing, Credit Risk, Compliance, Post Closing and Capital Markets at Stearns. Prior to joining Stearns, Josh played strategic roles in servicing, analytics, and digitization at HomeBridge Financial Services and GMAC Mortgage. Josh is based in Dallas, Texas. About TrackVia TrackVia offers the most trusted app-building platform for anyone looking for a better way to work. TrackVia gives businesspeople and IT experts the ability to easily build and integrate apps to track, manage, and automate processes in days, not weeks. People from Stearns Lending, Primo Water, and Honeywell (News - Alert) made substantial improvements to their business using TrackVia's bullet-proof cloud-based technology - and they love getting the industry's best customer experience every step of the way. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005426/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
It speaks volumes about New Yorks Joint Commission on Public Ethics that it cant get to the bottom of an ethical breach in its own ranks.

What a commentary on its investigative capability. Its independence. Its integrity. What a commentary, too, on the state of ethics in New York government. And among prosecutors in Albany and Manhattan who are looking the other way.

Whos left to look into this mess? One name comes to mind: Attorney General Letitia James.

The allegations go back to 2019, when JCOPEs board voted on whether to investigate the circumstances surrounding Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was convicted of corruption charges connected to the Buffalo Billion economic development effort. Republicans wanted JCOPE to look into whether Mr. Percoco misused state resources in continuing to work in the governors office on nongovernmental business while he was on leave and working for the governors 2014 reelection campaign, and whether Mr. Cuomo knew about it.

JCOPE, which has drawn much criticism for the degree to which Mr. Cuomo controls it, was forced by a court to vote on the complaint. Normally, how individual commissioners vote is secret. But former JCOPE commissioner Julie Garcia, an appointee of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, says Mr. Heasties top counsel, Howard Vargas, told her after the meeting that Mr. Cuomo had complained about how the speakers appointees had voted.

Ms. Garcia reported the matter. An investigation by the inspector general  which conspicuously did not include interviews with Mr. Cuomo or Mr. Heastie  failed, not surprisingly, to substantiate the leak.

Several Republican JCOPE commissioners have been pressing for an investigation of the leak and the inspector generals handling of it. But getting an investigation to happen is no easy thing  and it doesnt seem to help that all the relevant players are members of the same party, in this case, Democrats. Although the governor has an office in New York City, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. says the matter isnt in his jurisdiction. Albany County District Attorney David Soares says hes focused on gun violence.

If they wont investigate, there is still a credible possibility  the states attorney general. Though also a Democrat, Ms. James showed commendable independence in last months release of a report that concluded the Cuomo administration greatly underestimated the number of nursing home residents who had died of COVID-19, information the governors office had kept secret for months. Ms. James is now overseeing an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against the governor.

The hitch here is that Ms. James would need authorization from the governor to conduct a criminal probe in which he himself would be, at the very least, a person of interest.

And yet, as Mr. Cuomo acknowledged in the backlash over the nursing home data, creating a void only invites others to fill it with speculation. Thats not hard to do here: For all appearances, Mr. Cuomo has an unethical, possibly illegal, pipeline into a board whose operations are supposed to be largely secret.

Mr. Cuomo, then, has a choice: Let an independent investigation get to the truth, or let New Yorkers fill the void with the most likely conclusion his reluctance leaves.
WASHINGTON (JTA)  Four weeks into his presidency, Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the scandal over the new U.S. leaders failure to pick up the phone came to a quick and cheerful close.

The end of the will he call? controversy on Wednesday was evident in Netanyahus grin in the photo his office sent to the media to announce the phone call, which lasted an hour.

But the scrutiny of the Biden-Israel relationship is just beginning. How the two sides summarized the call was evidence of where they stand on critical issues, including Iran and...
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
(Photo : Best Solar Energy Websites & Top PV Industry News, Blogs)

The renewable energy sector develops very fast. The latest global trend of decarbonization forced the installation of PV sites worldwide in 2021. Green infrastructure development is built on the use of renewable energy resources like wind, water, solar energy. This the solution in the condition of the economic recession and highly-polluted environment. Solar energy generated by the PV panels is the way to get clean energy, free from carbon emissions, combustion products, and other harmful agents.

There is a range of reputable solar websites, info portals, and magazines to take into account. Let's take a closer look at the eight top-ranking media sources related to the solar energy trends, questions of decarbonization, solar software, and other renewable energy aspects.

8 Top-Ranking Solar Websites, Solar News Portal, and Magazines in 2021

The renewable energy sector focused heavily on solar emission. Today this sector is notable with further expansion into new technologies. The present-day media sources like news websites, magazines, and portals narrate about the solar software. Eight of the most reputable websites are presented below.

1 - List Solar

This the solar news website with different articles on the solar & PV industry. The homepage welcomes Internet surfers with the top panel for faster navigation. Users can find the content of their purpose sorted according to the topics Manufacture, News, Market Research, Inverters, and other categories with subcategories. For example, the Plants section contains the following subcategories:

Large-scale;

Residential;

Commercial;

Rooftop PV;

Floating PV;

Thermal;

List of the Largest Solar Plants.

The key benefit of the List Solar website is its focus on the latest technologies for renewable energy sector manufacturing and updates. Such exciting topics as green energy trends, solar energy storage, robot solar cleansing plants, and other subjects are presented here.

It is worth noting that the main page of the List Solar websites presents a wide range of lists to get acquainted with. The users can find the top solar software reviews and articles about top solar consumer-facing platforms. The newsfeed is always updated with new information. The solar energy news is added every day. The List Solar website provides actual data on the newest solar energy storage projects and future-proof solar startups (potential solar software developers, installers, etc.).

https://list.solar

2 - PV Magazine

This media source is devoted to the solar energy industry as well. It is worth noting that the Internet info project obtains many sister websites. The magazine posts different articles and news on the location-based digital resources:

PV Magazine USA;

PV Magazine Germany;

PV Magazine Mexico;

PV Magazine China, etc.

The publication provides tech-focused reports. The news feed is updated on the main website and sister resources simultaneously. Nevertheless, the content on PV Magazine USA and PV Magazine China can differ. It happens if some local news should be posted. For example, about local solar energy and PV industry webinars and conferences. The target audience of the solar magazine is solar software developers, potential customers, and commercial business representatives interested in the installation of PV panels and solar system integration.

pv-magazine.com

3 - Greentech Media

This is an international media source related to solar energy and the PV industry. Researchers and analysts from the USA and Germany provide their reports on the website. In comparison with List Solar and PV magazine, the main type of online content provided to readers is the articles with solar market analysis and research papers (White Papers, Webinars, Podcasts sections).

The newsfeed is not the most-visited section there. Nevertheless, the utility energy market players can find important information on new software and the latest solutions for the transformation of traditional energy sites into renewable energy plants. Besides the solar energy industry, Greentech Media informs about wind-generated facilities (BP, RWE, etc.).

greentechmedia.com

4 - Solar Power World

A helpful solar news website for installers and contractors of the present-day renewable energy market. The homepage includes seven sections for faster navigation. Besides Articles, Products, and Markets categories, there are the following content sections:

Top solar contractors - this is the announcement of the most future-promising projects and a newsfeed at the page bottom.

Policy - the latest snapshots are presented here in a readable format and imagery that complements texts.

Subscribe - an action button that flips users to the information about the benefits of the Solar Power World subscription.

It is worth noting that Solar Power World news website does not provide free access to all the webinars, tutorials, and other helpful material. Only subscribed users can watch videos, listen to podcasts, and get access to other exclusive content.

solarpowerworldonline.com

5 - SEIA

This is the abbreviation of the national trade association that makes a specialty out of the solar industry in the USA. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is not just an info website with news and articles about the solar energy industry and innovations in the renewable energy sector. This is the American organization that represents the interests of manufacturers, developers, installers, and other players of the present-day US solar industry.

Speaking about their newsfeed section, the most actual news about the American renewable energy market appears in the section Latest News and Upcoming Events. These articles are related to the American market only. That is why the news feed is updated once 1-2 times every other day.

seia.org

6 - Solar Industry Mag

This the solar news website with the latest news about trends and innovations in the solar energy industry. It is possible to sort all available articles according to their topic. For example, there are Balance of Systems, Business Operations, Commercial/Industrial, Community Solar, Development, Energy Storage categories. The list of planned events is presented in the separate-standing Events section.

It is worth noting that Solar Industry Mag focuses on urban-area solar systems. The community solar energy sector develops fast, so readers can find out more about the implementation of the community solar software.

solarindustrymag.com

7 - CleanTechnica

This is the digital platform focused on solar power news and carbon-free transportation units, other renewable energy resources, and solutions. Other renewable energy markets are also reported on the CleanTechnica website. There are articles about hydropower, nuclear power, climate change, new electro-generated technology (Tesla news, etc.). For better navigation, solar news is divided into several sections:

Clean Energy;

Batteries;

Vehicles;

Cars.

The Clean Energy section has subcategories such as Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Smart Grid, Energy Storage. To sum up, CleanTechnica is the new-era info public for readers interested in clean energy news. In comparison with other media sources, CleanTechnica posts solar energy news not as the main content. There are other articles related to different clean-energy topics.

cleantechnica.com

8 - Renewable Energy World

This is a reputable news website that highlights the latest updates in the solar energy, wind energy industries. Additional news sections are devoted to Baseload and Storage topics. The upper panel contains all news categories at ones with subsections for better navigation. Supplementary information on renewable energy like webcasts and videos are available on the Renewable Energy World websites. Readers can get acquainted with the articles related to the renewable energy sector monitoring and asset management. The solar energy news feed is updated regularly, 1-2 times a day.

renewableenergyworld.com

Conclusions

It goes without saying that the latest news in the solar industry should be highlighted and announced to society. This way people find out more about solar software, inverters, solar-to-fuel transformation, innovative solar-based technologies, news, reviews. This information is presented in special-purpose publications. Our review aims to tell more about the most reputable solar energy news websites.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Danish catalyst manufacturer Haldor Topsoe plans to build a large-scale facility to manufacture electrolyzers that would be used for green hydrogen production and potentially reduce the cost of green hydrogen by 20 percent.

Haldor Topsoe plans to have its new facility for producing highly efficient solid oxide electrolyzers (SOEC) operational by 2023, the company said this week, while the electrolyzers from the factory could cut the costs of green hydrogen production by as much as 20 percent, Recharge reported.

Haldor Topsoe said it would invest in the manufacturing facility producing highly efficient solid oxide electrolyzers with a total capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) per year, with the option to expand to 5 gigawatts (GW) per year.

The SOEC electrolyzers Haldor Topsoe has developed have efficiencies of more than 90 percent, which, the company says, offers superior performance in the electrolysis of water into hydrogen compared to standard alkaline or Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. The companys SOEC technology offers 30 percent larger hydrogen output compared to standard technology such as PEM and alkaline electrolysis, Haldor Topsoe says.

The decision to build this large-scale production of our SOEC technology shows that we are willing and able to translate our ambition into reality, Haldor Topsoes chief executive officer Roeland Baan said in a statement.

Hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, has become the latest fad among energy companies, including Big Oil, who see potential in developing and investing in technologies to produce green hydrogen.

French supermajor Total looks to become a large producer of clean hydrogen one day, chairman and chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said at an event last week.

Shell is also developing several projects for renewable hydrogen production, including a plan to build the largest European green hydrogen project in the Netherlands by 2040, NortH2. Last November, BP created a partnership with offshore wind giant rsted to develop an industrial-scale electrolyzer project for green hydrogen production in Germany. Italys oil and gas major Eni and utility giant Enel announced in December that they would work together to develop green hydrogen projects.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
US President has appointed two more Indian-Americans in key administrative positions, according to the latest list announced by the White House on Friday.

Chiraag Bains has been appointed as Special Assistant to the President for Criminal Justice and Pronita Gupta has been named Special Assistant to the President for Labour and Workers.

The announcement for appointing Bains and Gupta was part of more than 20 appointments of additional policy staff who will serve with the White House COVID Response Team, Domestic Climate Policy Office, Domestic Policy Council and National Economic Council.

These qualified, impressive, and dedicated individuals reflect the diversity and strength of America and will play critical roles advancing the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to tackling the crises we face and building back our country better, the White House said.

The Biden administration has so far appointed more than 55 Indian-Americans to key administrative position.

Born in Ottawa to Indian parents, Bains was the Director of Legal Strategies at Demos, a national public policy organisation where he led voting rights litigation and advocacy across the country. Before that, he was a senior fellow at Harvard Law School and at the Open Society Foundations.

He became a naturalised citizen in 2000. His mother currently resides in Massachusetts.

From 2010 to 2017, Bains served in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, first as a prosecutor of civil rights crimes and then as senior counsel to the Assistant Attorney General.

He was a member of the team that investigated and sued Ferguson, Missouri, for constitutional violations. Bains clerked for the Karen Nelson Moore on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and Judge Nancy Gertner in the District of Massachusetts.

He graduated from Yale College, the University of Cambridge, and Harvard Law School.

Gupta, who has been appointed as Special Assistant to the President for Labour and Workers, till most recently was the director of job quality for the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).

Prior to joining CLASP, she served as the deputy director of the Women's Bureau in the US Department of Labour under President Barack Obama.

She also previously served as senior director of programmes for the Women Donors Network (WDN) as well as research director for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy.

Gupta also served as research director for SCOPE/AGENDA in Los Angeles, and for the Living Wage Campaign at the LA Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE).

Early in her career she served as executive director of Institute for Southern Studies and legislative director for the US Student Association. Raised in Rochester, NY, Gupta holds an MPA from Columbia University and a BA in Government from Clark University.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- The Lane Board of County Commissioners discussed the possibility of pursuing a countywide ban on polystyrene food containers, commonly known as styrofoam, on Tuesday.

The use of the plastic, which is often used as single-use takeout containers at restaurants, has been criticized as a common source of litter that is long-lasting and difficult to recycle. Cities like Eugene, Florence and Portland have already banned food providers from using foam.

RELATED: EUGENE PASSES BAN ON STYROFOAM, SINGLE-USE BAGS FOR RESTAURANTS

During public comment on Tuesday, the board heard from numerous residents who would support a ban.

"I've received testimony from a lot of people, inside my office, inside the grocery store, wherever. It's really towards those clamshells that other cities have banned, and I think there's a strong mood afoot to ban them in Lane County," said Commissioner Pat Farr.

PASSION WITH A PURPOSE: COUNTY COMMISSIONER CRAFTS WOODEN PENS FOR A CAUSE

According to the county, the board could only ban foam in unincorporated parts of the county, but action from the county's Board of Public Health could force the hand of incorporated cities.

Officials said the public health impacts of foam are not clear. Still, some commissioners emphasized the importance of preventing litter and promoting recyclable and reusable materials.

"Reducing the amount of these kinds of products and our use of them is the ultimate and best goal. Products that can be reused and recycled should be the final option. Anything we can do to move us to that should be our goal," said Commissioner Laurie Trieger.

The costs of enforcing a foam ban haven't been calculated, and according to the county, it is likely that a ban would add financial costs to businesses. Commissioner Jay Bozievich expressed those concerns, as well as his belief that market forces could already lead to decreasing demand for foam food containers.

"We have no other county code that bans a consumer product, nor do we have any county divisions that are charged with enforcing bans of consumer products and we would have to invent one somewhere," said Bozievich.

Chair Joe Berney ended the discussion by suggesting that the board request a recommendation on the possibility of a ban from the county's Public Health Advisory Committee.
Here's some good news for all Rashmika Mandanna fans! The South beauty has kickstarted the shooting of her Bollywood debut, Sidharth Malhotra starrer Mission Majnu today (March 5, 2022) in Lucknow. While Sidharth has already been shooting for the film since past few weeks, Rashmika joined him on the sets today.

The Dear Comrade actress took to her Instagram page to give fans a sneak-peek into her first day of shoot. Rashmika shared a boomerang video in which she is seen holding the clapboard in front of her face. She captioned the video as, "#MissionMajnu Day 1.. ."

Have a look at her post.

Meanwhile, Rashmika is excited to join this new journey and was quoted as saying, "Mission Majnu has given me the opportunity of feeling the nervousness, excitement and butterflies of a debutante all over again. I am thrilled to be a part of such amazing content and I am really looking forward to this exciting journey with RSVP, Guilty By Association, Siddharth, Shantanu and the entire team."

Producer Ronnie Screwvala also welcomed Rashmika onboard and said, "I think the audience will be thrilled to watch her debut with an espionage thriller. It is a story set in an era that saw intriguing developments in the world of espionage and Rashmika will lend freshness to the story."

Well, we just can't wait to watch Rashmika in her big Bollywood debut!

Speaking about Mission Majnu, the espionage thriller has Sidharth Malhotra essaying the role of a spy. The film is inspired by real events set in the 1970s and revolves around a covert operation which changed the relationship between India and Pakistan. Sidharth had earlier said that Mission Majnu celebrates the hard work of RAW agents who go out of their way to protect the citizens of our country.

The film which marks the directorial debut of Shantanu Bagchi, also stars Kumud Mishra and Sharib Hashmi in pivotal roles.

ALSO READ: Rashmika Mandanna All Set To Start Shoot For Her Bollywood Debut, Mission Majnu On This Date

ALSO READ: Mission Majnu: Rashmika Mandanna Jets Off To Lucknow To Start Shooting For Siddharth Malhotra Starrer
CARLINVILLE  An appeals court decision means a company that had been told to dissolve under a lower court ruling can start providing water service for Carlinville and other municipalities.

In a ruling Tuesday, the Fourth District Appellate Court of Illinois reversed a decision by a lower court. It ordered the district court to issue a summary judgment that the Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co. can continue to operate as a valid corporation.

In a statement, the water companys board of directors said they now can move forward with the development of the project to provide high-quality potable water to their members at the lowest possible cost.

The city of Carlinville is delighted by the Fourth District Appellate Courts decisive and unanimous ruling in the citys favor, Carlinville Mayor Sarah Oswald said. We thank the court for its quick, decisive decision and look forward to delivering what the goal has been all along  providing clean, affordable drinking water to Carlinville residents, and the region.

Carlinville joined Dorchester, Bunker Hill and Jersey County Rural Water Co. in establishing Alluvial, a nonprofit corporation, to operate a $66 million aquifer-fed system.

On July 7, Circuit Judge April Troemper declared Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co.  a private company started by Carlinville and a handful of smaller communities  was created in violation of the law and is a void corporation.

On appeal, the higher court ruled in Carlinvilles favor in an original lawsuit filed by Carlinville residents Camille and Wayne Brotze. According to lawsuit documents, the couple sued the city for creating a private company the Brotzes argued was not subject to the states public information rules.

On July 22, the Illinois Secretary of State dissolved the corporation. Carlinville resisted and  under the leadership of former Mayor Deanna Demuzio, who died Oct. 22  requested a stay on the judges order. At that time the stay was denied by both the circuit and the appellate courts.

Oswald, an alderwoman at the time, succeeded Demuzio as mayor, and said her top priority was getting Carlinville fresh water.

In October 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a $24 million grant and $42 million loan to Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co. to fund the project. At the time, the projects cost was estimated at $66 million by the citys engineering company, MECO-Heneghan. The federal grants and loans will be used for the construction of a new water plant and more than 40 miles of pipe to transport the aquifer-fed water supply.

Carlinville Lake, the citys existing source of water, is highly silted and no longer permits boating. About eight years ago the city began searching for alternate water sources. The city of Litchfield, 12 miles away, offered to sell water to Carlinville for $2.73 per 1,000 gallons, less than rates estimated by the proposed private project.

The new treatment plant and aquifer supply are critical to addressing Carlinvilles water supply issues because of reduced capacity and water quality in its current lakes.

The Illinois Alluvial Regional Water project was developed to obtain alluvial water from wells proposed in Jerseyville.

Many residents, the Macoupin County Board and the citys largest water user, Prairie Farms Dairy, supported buying water through Litchfield as a much simpler, quicker and lower-cost answer to Carlinvilles water problems, said Carlinville resident Bill Armstrong, a critic of the private company plan.

The legal problems started when the city decided to pursue the water project through a private corporation instead of through a water district, a water commission or one of other entities the state constitution specifies.

Some Carlinville aldermen also said they felt excluded from information on the water project, since Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co. leadership prohibited the public from attending its meetings. Only one council member, Cindy Campbell  appointed to represent Carlinville on the companys board  was allowed.
Citing concerns for the safety of LGBTTQ+ Anglicans and others in Manitoba, Geoff Woodcroft, the Bishop of Ruperts Land, has written a letter of concern to Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the global Anglican Communion.

ANDREW RYAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Citing concerns for the safety of LGBTTQ+ Anglicans and others in Manitoba, Geoff Woodcroft, the Bishop of Ruperts Land, has written a letter of concern to Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the global Anglican Communion.

Citing concerns for the safety of LGBTTQ+ Anglicans and others in Manitoba, Geoff Woodcroft, the Bishop of Ruperts Land, has written a letter of concern to Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the global Anglican Communion.

The letter from Woodcroft, sent Thursday, was in response to one issued Feb. 26 by the Anglican Archbishop and Primate of All Nigeria Henry C. Ndukuba, in which he criticized Anglican bishops in the U.S. and Canada for the "toleration of same-sex persons within their fold."

In the letter, Ndukuba accuses them of allowing "the deadly 'virus' of homosexuality" to infiltrate the Anglican Church and LGBTTQ+ members should be "urgently and radically expunged."

Woodcroft called on the Archbishop of Canterbury to publicly respond, noting there is "continuing discernment regarding sexual expression within the Anglican Communion."

In an interview, Woodcroft said he was first alerted to the Archbishop of Nigeria's message Monday by clergy in the diocese who had viewed it on social media.

"I knew I couldnt let this go," he said. "If I didnt respond, I am basically saying we should close the church if we cant stand up for the dignity of every human being."

After consulting with Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and other members of the Diocese of Ruperts Land, Woodcroft sent his letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury  one of a number of Canadian Bishops to do so, he said, including the Bishop of the Diocese of Brandon.

Ndukuba's message can have terrible consequences for Anglican and other LGBTTQ+ people in Manitoba and around the world due to social media, Woodcroft said.

"Its a violent statement," he said, adding, "Words spoken in a different part of the world can have ripple effects... it can pave the way for others to enact violence against LGBTTQ+ people in Manitoba, who may fear for their safety, along with those who care for them, pray with them and walk with them."

Along with condemning the letter from Nigeria, Woodcroft said he wanted to indicate Christianity is "meaningless if we arent willing to be like Jesus and move in the circles he moved in, healing, reconciling and challenging unjust structures. If we dont do those things, people looking for God will not pay any attention to us."

On Friday, the Archbishop of Canterbury responded, releasing a statement criticizing the letter from the Archbishop of Nigeria.

"I completely disagree with and condemn this language," he stated, noting the worldwide Anglican Church is on record as condemning homophobic actions or words.

"It is unacceptable," he said. "It dehumanizes those human beings of whom the statement speaks.

"The mission of the church is the same in every culture and country: to demonstrate, through its actions and words, that Gods offer of unconditional love to every human being through Jesus Christ calls us to holiness and hope."

faith@freepress.mb.ca
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. lawmakers called on Bulgaria to respect democratic values and the rule of law as it prepares for national elections next month, warning the current state of its domestic affairs is posing serious challenges to the bilateral relationship.

In a statement issued late on March 4 -- a day before campaigning officially begins for Bulgarian parliamentary elections in early April -- the lawmakers said they would like to see stronger relations with the Eastern European nation, including on security and energy issues.

However, persistent corruption, declining media freedom, politicization of the judiciary, and other threats to the rule of law pose serious challenges to the U.S.-Bulgaria bilateral relationship, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey) and ranking member Jim Risch (Republican-Idaho) said in the statement.

"As the April parliamentary elections draw near, it is imperative that the government of Bulgaria protect these values," they said.

Bulgaria was rocked by demonstrations last summer as thousands of citizens took to the streets to protest against a growing perception of corruption under Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who has led the country for most of the past decade.

Bulgaria, a member of the European Union and NATO, scored lowest in the bloc on both Transparency Internationals 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index and Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index.

Delyan Peevski, a media mogul and lawmaker close to Borisov, accounts for some 80 percent of the print media in Bulgaria, as well as private television networks and websites, according to Reporters Without Borders, giving him enormous influence, especially during an election season.

These rankings underscore the breadth of the challenges facing Bulgaria. The Bulgarian government and judiciary must work to uphold the rule of law for all, not just some, and the media must have the freedom to report the truth without facing harassment, violence, or punishment, the lawmakers said.

Last years anti-government protests were driven in part by claims that Borisovs ruling GERB party is controlled from behind the scenes by Peevski and his Movement for Rights and Freedom.

President Rumen Radev, who supported the protesters, has charged that a "mafia" controls Borisov's government and the country's notoriously politicized Prosecutor-Generals Office.

Two wealthy Bulgarian families hired Washington-based lobby firm Alexandria Group International last year after the Borisov government opened criminal cases against them. The families claim the government is trying to illegally seize their assets.

In a report issued to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Alexandria Group described Peevski as one of the key architects of Bulgarias democratic decline and devolution into a criminal state, including the capture of privately held assets by extralegal means.

Peevski in December hired BGR Group, Washington's third-largest lobbying firm by revenue, to help him with issues in the U.S. Neither a Peevski representative nor BGR responded at the time to a request for comment.

Borisovs party is expected to come in first in the April elections, according to the latest polling data. His GERB is facing off against a host of parties, including several start-ups.

Borisovs failure to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law arent the only issues that have rankled the United States.

Bulgaria has continued to move ahead with its section of a pipeline that will carry natural gas from Russia to Serbia via Turkey and Bulgaria.

The pipeline enables Russia to reroute some natural gas exports destined for the Balkans and Central Europe around Ukraine.

Washington opposes the project and has threatened to sanction it on the grounds that it strengthens the Kremlins influence on Europes energy sector and deprives Kyiv of needed transit fees.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The largest wholesale insurance broker, Amwins Group, is getting even larger as it has agreed to acquire Worldwide Facilities, the fourth-largest wholesale insurance broker in the U.S.

The addition of Worldwide broadens Amwins specialty capabilities and expands its footprint, especially on the west coast.

The acquisition is Amwins 50th acquisition. The combined firm will have more than 6,151 employees in 155 offices across the U.S., and place in excess of $24 billion in premium annually.

The Worldwide team, led by Davis Moore, will join Amwins leadership team, according to the announcement.

The acquisition of Worldwide is a watershed moment not just for Amwins, but the specialty distribution space, said Scott M. Purviance, chief executive officer of Amwins. Since the beginning, weve believed that scale and specialization are key to delivering for our clients. Over the last 19 years, weve been able to build an organization that stands out amongst the competition. With the addition of Worldwide to the Amwins family we are partnering with a very talented group of brokers and underwriters.

Purviance said Worldwide has a very similar culture to Amwins including a significant employee ownership base. The combined firm will have more than 1,025 employee shareholders owning 43% of the business.

Moore said the two firms complement each other very well from a culture and business philosophy perspective.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The deal comes six months after two other large wholesalers completed their merger, uniting Chicago-based Ryan Specialty Group and its nearly $12 billion in premium, with All Risks, of Delray Beach, Florida, which has close to $2.6 billion in premium.

The two combined have roughly 3,300 employees and more than 70 offices. Only Amwins and CRC Insurance Services were larger than RSG and All Risks in the wholesale brokerage space.

Based in Charlotte, N.C., Amwins operates through more than 125 offices globally and handles premium placements in excess of $22 billion annually. Its acquisitions over decades have included Stewart Smith, Quaker Risk, American Equity Underwriters, Beacon Risk Strategies, Colemont, THB Group of London, Gresham & Associates, Bliss & Glennon, Insurance Innovators Group, Networked Insurance Agents, Seacoast Brokers, Trident Claims Management, The Flood Insurance Agency, International Specialty Brokers and Stealth Partner Group.

Based in Los Angeles, Worldwide Facilities is a national wholesale insurance broker, managing general agent and program underwriter that has been in business since 1970. It reported handling $1.8 billion in gross written premium in 2019 and reached $2 billion in 2020 with 720 associates in 35 offices. Like Amwins, it has also grown in part through acquisitions that have included RIC General Agency, Trinity Underwriting Managers, Tennant Risk Services, Sullivan Brokers, Kevin Davis Insurance Services, Benchmark Management Group and Risk Management Advisory Group.

Waller Helms Advisors acted as exclusive financial advisor to Worldwide Facilities in the transaction.

Topics Mergers Agencies
HOUSTON - (March 5, 2021) - Even a small effort up front can boost the abilities and confidence of girls as they anticipate taking challenging science courses.

A long-running summer program at Rice University and elsewhere that trains high school girls in basic physics concepts has proven successful in helping them thrive when they take on full courses the next year.

When leaders of Rice's two-week day camp looked at similar programs beyond Houston, they found participants scored 3% better in high school physics than their counterparts who did not have the equivalent summer experience.

"That doesn't seem like a lot, but it's really hard to move the needle on student outcomes, so 3% is significant," said Carolyn Nichol, an assistant research professor in the Department of Chemistry and director of the Rice Office of STEM Engagement (R-STEM).

The results are detailed in an open-access study by Nichol, lead author Ericka Lawton, and co-authors Carrie Obenland and Matthew Cushing of R-STEM and Christopher Barr of the Rice Office of Research in the American Physics Society journal Physical Review Physics Education Research.

The study is one of two led and recently released by Nichol. The other analyzes the effect of long-term professional development for teachers in engineering education. That study by Nichol, lead author Christina Crawford of R-STEM and co-author Obenland appears in the Journal of STEM Outreach.

The high school study collected years' worth of generalized data from participating districts for students who studied chemistry but did not participate in a camp, and the same data for those who did. That gave researchers a baseline to compare results for the same set of students after they all took high school physics.

"There wasn't a self-selection bias where people could say, 'Oh, girls who go to a physics camp in June already like physics,'" she said, noting Rice and its counterparts typically recruit students from underserved schools. "The girls who were part of the study were matched so their chemistry scores were the same. We didn't base this on girls who were already accelerating in science."

The study was based on a philanthropic effort by Rice alumna and trustee Wanda Gass '78, an engineer who helped develop the first commercially viable digital signal processor during her career at Texas Instruments. She subsequently founded the nonprofit Design Connect Create to encourage girls to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) studies.

Design Connect Create runs summer camps for multiple school districts across Texas. Nichol said the study is great validation for the physics program that will ideally lead to similar courses in other science-oriented topics.

"When I talk to these girls at Rice, and often they really don't want to be here," she said. "They're very quiet at the start because for the most part, they are being forced to come by their parents. But by the end, they form really wonderful bonds with the other girls. Within two weeks, they are sharing skills and become trusting of each other.

"I think that's the real reason they go back and are successful in physics," Nichol said. "They just get this confidence that they can do it."

The second study sought to show the value of professional development for teachers whose coursework touches on engineering topics but who are not, themselves, engineers. The researchers followed up with teachers who took the 45-hour graduate level course at Rice in 2018 and 2019 to see how they incorporated engineering into their classrooms.

The study found that, based on a set of attributes for adult self-motivation, teachers showed significant improvement in overall self-efficacy -- the belief in their own ability to succeed -- in engineering instruction.

"I'm an engineer because my dad was an engineer," said Nichol, who has a doctorate in chemical engineering. "We want engineering in K-12 classrooms because a lot of kids don't have role models, and we want them to understand that an engineer is somebody who designs and creates new things."

She said the program that best exemplifies what Rice offers is the NanoEnvironmental Engineering for Teachers course, which gives participants rigorous hands-on experience working on water sustainability projects. The course, a collaboration with the Rice-based and National Science Foundation-backed Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment Center, is also offered at Arizona State and the University of Texas at El Paso.

Lawton is associate director for educational leadership and STEM initiatives, Obenland is a lecturer and associate director for outreach and research, Crawford is associate director for science and engineering and Cushing is executive director of R-STEM. Barr is director of assessment and evaluation of STEM programs in the Office of Research.

###

Read "Improving high school physics outcomes for young women" at https:/ / journals. aps. org/ prper/ abstract/ 10. 1103/ PhysRevPhysEducRes. 17. 010111

Read "An analysis of the effect of long-term professional development on teacher engineering self-efficacy and its impact on classroom instruction" at https:/ / www. jstemoutreach. org/ article/ 19458-an-analysis-of-the-effect-of-long-term-professional-development-on-teacher-engineering-self-efficacy-and-its-impact-on-classroom-instruction

This news release can be found online at https:/ / news. rice. edu/ 2021/ 03/ 05/ physics-camp-has-proven-benefits-for-high-school-girls/

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Related materials:

Rice Office of STEM Engagement: https:/ / research. rice. edu/ rstem/

Rice Office of Research: https:/ / research. rice. edu

Design Connect Create: https:/ / designconnectcreate. org/

Images for download:

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 03/ 0308_GIRLS-1-WEB. jpg

Students enjoy learning in Rice University's version of the physics for girls program similar to those evaluated in a new study by STEM education professionals. The Rice study quantifies how high school girls benefit from a two-week summer physics camp before they begin formal study of the topic. (Credit: Office of STEM Engagement/Rice University)

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 03/ 0308_GIRLS-3-WEB. jpg

Teachers design an iron nanoparticle-based device for water filtration at the NanoEnvironmental Engineering for Teachers course offered by Rice University. A new study shows such courses help teachers gain confidence in relating engineering concepts to their K-12 students. (Credit: Office of STEM Engagement/Rice University)

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,978 undergraduates and 3,192 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Jeff Falk

713-348-6775

jfalk@rice.edu

Mike Williams

713-348-6728

mikewilliams@rice.edu
The author says that Charlie Baker, the nations most popular governor  at least, he was in the past  has been taking his lumps not only for mismanaging the coronavirus inoculation drive in Massachusetts, but also for relaxing restrictions on restaurants, other businesses and public gatherings too quickly.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
President Jair Bolsonaro told Brazilians to stop 'whining and crying' about coronavirus and move on after the country had two straight days of record deaths from the virus.

The Brazilian leader has openly attacked social distancing measures and downplayed the gravity of the pandemic, despite Brazil having the world's second-highest death toll over the past year, after the United States.

While the U.S. outbreak is ebbing, Brazil is facing its worst phase of the epidemic yet, pushing its hospital system to the brink of collapse.

'Enough fussing and whining. How much longer will the crying go on?' Bolsonaro told a crowd at an event.

Brazilian leader President Jair Bolsonaro (pictured) told people to stop 'whining and crying' about Covid following record death figures

Brazil has the world's second-highest death toll over the past year, after the United States. Yesterday a further 1,353 deaths were recorded. Pictured: Workers bury a Covid-19 victim at the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Cemetery in Manaus

'How much longer will you stay at home and close everything? No one can stand it anymore. We regret the deaths, again, but we need a solution.'

Yesterday's figures revealed the country had 57,610 confirmed cases of coronavirus and recorded 1,353 deaths.

Brazil's surging second wave has triggered new restrictions in its capital, Brasilia, and its largest city, Sao Paulo.

Tourist mecca Rio de Janeiro on Thursday announced a city-wide curfew and early closing time for restaurants.

Particularly worrying to health authorities is the emergence of a new coronavirus variant from the Amazon region that appears more contagious and more able to reinfect those who previously had COVID-19.

'We are experiencing the worst outlook for the pandemic since it started,' said Gonzalo Vecina Neto, a medical doctor and former head of Brazilian health regulator Anvisa.

'Mutations are the result of the increased reproduction of the virus. The greater the number of viruses, the faster the transmission, the more mutations we have,' he said.

State governors and doctors have complained that the federal government has mismanaged the coronavirus crisis, as Bolsonaro has downplayed its severity and opposed lockdowns.

Bolsonaro (pictured) has attacked social distancing measures and downplayed the gravity of the pandemic

The government's delay in acquiring and distributing vaccines means that less than 3.5% of the population have had at least one shot.

Nevertheless, Bolsonaro's popularity has been supported by 322 billion reais ($57.7 billion) in emergency aid payments to poorer Brazilians last year.

The Senate voted on Thursday to renew the aid program at a smaller scale, handing out 250 reais per month for four months, at a cost of up to 44 billion reais.

The proposal must still be approved by Brazil's lower house of Congress.
Top (left-right): SMU Professor of Information Systems David Lo; SMU Associate Professor of Information Systems Akshat Kumar. Bottom (left-right): SMU Vice Provost of Research and Professor of Information Systems Archan Misra; SMU Assistant Professor of Information Systems Sun Qianru. For practical problem-solving, AI researchers need to look beyond their field and collaborate with social scientists and other domain experts, SMU professors concurred at a GYSS 2021 panel. Credit: Singapore Management University

Even before countries began rolling out their vaccination campaigns, Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca's announcements had already proved fortifying shots. Stocks rallied and healthcare workers celebrated in the wake of the vaccine news late last year. But months on, that early euphoria has evaporated, replaced by uncertainty and debate over vaccine safety, possible side effects and varying degrees of citizen reluctance.

Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers and health experts modeling COVID-19's spread have warned that for vaccines to be useful in curbing the pandemic, a significant percentage of the population must be vaccinated to reach herd immunity. But, as SMU's Vice Provost of Research Professor Archan Misra pointed out at an AI-centered panel discussion, held in conjunction with the SMU- Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) on 15 January 2021, from a purely self-interested point of view, each person would be best served if all the others got vaccinated and they themselves did not have to vaccinatebecause that would stop the spread of the virus without their having to take on the possible risks of side effects.

To account for these considerations, Professor Misra explained, the most powerful AI-based epidemiology models actually need to incorporate concepts from the behavioral sciences and game theory. "To solve a practical problem, you can't just solve the computational piece, you have to incorporate the human behavioral piece," he said.

An interdisciplinary approach to AI

The vaccine conundrum effectively illustrates the difficulties involved when we bring machine learning and AI into the real world, where it meets our complex and messy human systems. Discussing the influence of social sciences such as economics and psychology on AI, the panel, comprising SMU School of Computing and Information Systems' Professor David Lo, Associate Professor Akshat Kumar and Assistant Professor Qianru Sun, concurred that AI researchers need to approach their work from an interdisciplinary angle and integrate knowledge from other fields to solve problems holistically.

"[AI researchers] can learn a lot from cognitive psychology, especially in explainable AI," Professor Lo said. Traditionally, AI systems have been thought of as black boxes, with data processes that have been difficult for researchers and programmers to interpret. Yet when these experts bring AI into the real world and use it to solve practical problems, they have to answer questions such as why the AI made a specific prediction or decision, and whether it gives enough confidence for us to act on it. Explainable AI therefore helps to make decisions actionable, Professor Lo pointed out, and established methods and principles of cognitive psychology can be applied to design solutions that can make AI black boxes more comprehensible.

For AI to be effective at real-world problem solving, domain knowledge is crucial, Professor Kumar added. When AI researchers work with domain experts, they can break through traditional constraints in the relevant fields, he said, raising the example of using AI to optimize decision-making in maritime transportation systems, which radically improved both productivity and safety instead of having to sacrifice one for the other.

Singapore's ports regularly experience heavy traffic, and sometimes it may result in unsafe navigation behavior, Professor Kumar explained. By modeling the maritime transportation system, he and his collaborators found that if they adjusted the vessels' schedules slightly using AI-based coordination algorithms, they could significantly reduce traffic hotspots while keeping the traffic throughput high. "We still maintain the productivity of the system, but we also increase the safety," he said.

An ecosystem of collaborators

Professor Kumar shared that while working on the maritime project, they have consulted domain experts, and government agencies were critical in facilitating such access.

Not only are local public institutions willing collaborators, they are also significant funders of AI projects, according to Professor Sun. "The government agencies are quite generous in terms of their support of AI research. Some of them even offer the full funding for the project. They're also quite willing to deploy the applications yielded from the research of the project for public use," she said.

This ample support has led to Singapore becoming a hotbed for AI technology and development. In 2019, the city-state topped the list of 105 cities most ready for AI disruption, beating places such as London, San Francisco and Beijingand attracting both researchers and companies hungry for talent from across the world. Explaining how industry partners could benefit from collaborations with researchers, Professor Lo said, "They have the data, they have the domain knowledge and they want to use AI. But industry players may not know how to put that data, domain knowledge and AI together to improve the quality of their products. That's where they may benefit from collaborating with AI researchers."

Professor Sun added that unlike their commercial counterparts, university researchers have the privilege of spending a longer amount of time building deep expertise in AI methodologies, but they may not have the computing resources and data to apply them. "[The companies] have more real data collected, so they can provide us with a more realistic testbed for our proposed methodology and theories," she said. In doing so, researchers and their industry partners will bring novel AI approaches developed in the lab one step closer into the real world.

Provided by Singapore Managment University
New Delhi:

China on Wednesday denied having any information about the PLA soldiers entering Indian territory along the banks of the Pangong lake in Ladakh on Tuesday and maintained that it was committed to peace and tranquillity along the border.

Indian troops on Tuesday foiled and incursion bid by Chinese soldiers in Ladakh near the banks of Pangong lake which was also followed by stone pelting that caused minor injuries to people on both sides.

However, Chinese Foreign Ministry said it has no information about Tuesday's skirmish between PLA and Indian troops in Ladakh.

"I am not aware of the information I can tell you that the Chinese border troops are always committed to maintain peace and tranquillity of the India-China border," news agency PTI quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hu Chunying as saying.

"We always patrol in the Chinese side along the Line of Actual Control. We urge the Indian side to abide by the LAC (Line of Actual Control) and relevant conventions between the two sides," Chunying added.

In the past too, whenever such incursions have taken place, China has always maintained that its troops were patrolling the Chinese side of the border.

When asked about the current Doklam standoff in the Sikkim sector, Hu Chunying repeated China's stand that Indian forces have illegally entred in the Chinese territory and the should unconditionally withdraw.

"This is pre-condition for any meaningful talks between the two sides," she said.

However, China has been acknowledging that the talks are on through the diplomatic channels to discuss the issue. Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.

(With PTI inputs)

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
(Newser)  Johnson and Johnson's newly approved coronavirus vaccine doesn't have to be kept in the same ultra-cold temps as the Pfizer and Moderna versions, and patients need only one shot, as opposed to the double dose required by the other companies. But this week, the city of Detroit declined 6,200 doses of the J&J vaccinemade in Grand Rapids, per CNNafter Mayor Mike Duggan said he preferred to "protect Detroiters with a 95% vaccine," reports the Detroit Free Press. What he meant specifically, per a Thursday briefing, was that he turned down the "very good" J&J vaccine to instead use "the best": vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. "I am going to do everything I can to make sure the residents of the city of Detroit get the best," he said. In clinical trials, Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines were shown to be 95% and 94% effective, respectively.

story continues below

Johnson & Johnson's, meanwhile, came in at 66% efficacy worldwide and 72% within US trials. But health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, are urging people not to "brand shop" for vaccines, especially as the J&J vaccine seems to prevent severe infection and reduce hospitalization at rates similar to Moderna's and Pfizer's. What's more, the J&J trials were conducted when COVID variants were spreading quickly, unlike the trials for the others, notes NPR. On Thursday, Duggan said if at some point there aren't enough Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to go around, the city would set up a J&J center, though he says for now that's not an issue, per Crain's Detroit Business. The HHS says Detroit didn't receive Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to compensate for the 6,200 declined J&J doses. (It's not just humans being vaccinated.)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 00:54:13|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MACAO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Friday voiced firm backing of the agenda concerning the Hong Kong SAR at the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

A draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR was submitted on Friday at the fourth annual session of the 13th NPC for deliberation.

The move is to provide solid institutional guarantee for fully implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," said a spokesperson of the office.

The existing electoral system in the HKSAR has obvious loopholes, which had been repeatedly taken advantage of by anti-China disruptors, instigators of Hong Kong unrest and local radical separatist forces, who were backed and instigated by external forces, to challenge the constitutional order of the HKSAR and seize jurisdiction over the HKSAR, noted the spokesperson.

Such acts and activities severely jeopardized national sovereignty and seriously undermined Hong Kong's social stability. The NPC's deliberation on the draft decision is is an exercise of the authority and duty of the central authorities within the framework of the Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law, which has won positive response and support from all walks of life in Hong Kong, said the spokesperson.

The central authorities have unswerving resolution and confidence in adhering to "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, the spokesperson said, adding that the NPC taking necessary measures to eradicate hidden dangers and risks regarding the systems and mechanisms will help genuinely implement the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body.

The spokesperson stressed that improving the electoral system in the HKSAR is entirely China's internal affair, which allows no interference from any foreign government, organization or individual.

All walks of life in the Macao SAR have deep roots in patriotic traditions with the core value of love for the country and the SAR taking the mainstay in Macao society, noted the spokesperson, voicing confidence that the principle of "patriots administering Macao" will definitely be fully implemented.

The office promised to persist in fully and accurately implementing the "one country, two systems" principle, strictly adhere to the Constitution and the Macao SAR Basic Law, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests and create a sound external environment for the enduring success of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics. Enditem
 "The Color of Collateral Damage: The Mutilating Impact of Collateral Consequences on the Black Community and the Myth of Informed Consent" | Main | "The Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Some Valedictory Reflections Twenty Years After Apprendi" 

The Sentencing Project has this new fact sheet titled simply "Private Prisons in the United States." The document has lots of data and helpful graphics in a short space, and here is how it gets started:

Private prisons in the United States incarcerated 115,954 people in 2019, representing 8% of the total state and federal prison population. Since 2000, the number of people housed in private prisons has increased 33% compared to an overall rise in the prison population of 3%.

However, the private prison population has declined 16% since reaching its peak in 2012 with 137,220. Declines in private prisons use make these latest overall population numbers the lowest since 2006 when the population was 113,791.

States show significant variation in their use of private correctional facilities. Indeed, Montana held 47% of its prison population in private facilities, while 19 states did not employ any for-profit prisons. Data compiled by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and interviews with corrections officials find that in 2019, 32 states and the federal government incarcerated people in private facilities run by corporations including GEO Group, Core Civic (formerly Corrections Corporation of America), LaSalle Corrections, and Management and Training Corporation.

Twenty-one states with private prison contracts incarcerate more than 500 people in for-profit prisons. Texas, the first state to adopt private prisons in 1985, incarcerated the largest number of people under state jurisdiction, 12,516.

Since 2000, the number of people in private prisons has increased 33%, compared to an overall rise in the prison population of 3.5%. In eight states the private prison population has more than doubled during this time period: Arizona (480%), Indiana (313%), Ohio (253%), North Dakota (221%), Florida (205%), Montana (125%), Tennessee (118%), and Georgia (110%).
(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 5 - Advantage GreenGate, a consulting firm specialised in the sustainable finance sector, and PwC Luxembourg have signed an agreement for a partnership with the aim of improving opportunities and benefits for the financial community.

Advantage GreenGate has elaborated a "proprietary scoring algorithm based on solid statistical methodologies, a complete, unique instrument that Advantage has applied to the analysis of companies in a variety of sectors, markets and geographical areas," said Advantage GreenGate CEO Francesco Confuorti.

"It is a powerful framework to analyse the strengths of companies and investment funds, linking their sustainability profile to their financial one.

"This is the outlook that the partnership with PwC Luxembourg stemmed from" PwC Luxembourg's Benjamin Gauthier's said that PwC saw the collaboration with Advantage GreenGate, part of its ESG (Environmental, Social, Corporate Governance) service offering, as " a great opportunity to widen our sources of ESG risk assessment and make our clients benefit from their experience" Francois Genaux, Advisory Leader at PwC Luxembourg, said "we believe that, with this new relationship, we are strengthening our ESG service offering to PwC clients and taking another step in the right direction of sustainable finance".. (ANSA).


IT MAY seem strange to those working at home on their own to hear of people coming together every day  and sometimes weekends  under the one roof.

It isnt a hospital, care facility, supermarket, manufacturing company or a meat factory  its your local courthouse. The wheels of justice have continued to turn throughout the pandemic in a very socially distanced and safe manner.

Ted McCarthy, solicitor, marked this on Monday in court number six on Mulgrave Street. In an address, he said the relevance of the date is that exactly 12 months ago the first case of Covid-19 was identified in Ireland.

The first cases in the Mid West were confirmed four days later.

The reason I want to mark it is because throughout the last 12 months the courts in this district have continued to run efficiently and administer justice as required without interruption.

That has occurred because of the professional approach of all persons associated with this court, all the stakeholders, said Mr McCarthy, who spoke of the judiciary, Courts Service staff, gardai, prison officers, Probation Service, the public, private security, cleaners, the media, and fellow solicitors and barristers.

While the sitting judge on the day  Patricia Harney  has been a recent appointment to Limerick, Mr McCarthy said she had presided over various district courts without interruption.

Special mention must be made of the Court Service staff and registrars. In ordinary times it is difficult enough  this court district is one of the busiest in the country but to do so in the past 12 months has been a massive effort. They have all stood up.

The gardai who again have a difficult enough job in normal times are at the frontline all the time. Irrespective of problems in the force in relation to sickness and such they have managed to double down and execute their duties in the high level of efficiency and professionalism we have come to expect.

Mr McCarthy said prison officers travel to court with prisoners, work in a confined space, have to deal with the various outbreaks of Covid that have occurred in the prison and yet carry on their duty without complaint.

The Probation and Welfare Service who under ordinary times are undermanned but in these times the reports that have been required have been reported in a timely and professional fashion.

Members of the public would normally have access to courts and they havent in the last 12 months. They have been very compliant and have not sought to insist on their attendance as such.

Those who have to attend have complied with all the regulations and all the requirements without fail and because of that this courthouse has not been subject to any form of Covid outbreak, said Mr McCarthy, who also thanked the staff who are constantly cleaning the building.

He praised the media for reporting on court proceedings so that the general public, who dont have access currently, have a channel of communication.

Lastly, I should recognise the professionalism of my colleagues  solicitors and barristers who attend this court. Each time they attend they have to be in position to have their cases prepared and ready to go whether they are going ahead or not, said Mr McCarthy, who talked about the difficulties of receiving instructions under the Covid regulations.

Like he has done on many occasions, the solicitor then summed up his case.

I felt the need to stand here this morning and commend all involved. It is good for people to hear they are doing a good job.

If we werent doing a good job this court wouldnt have continued as it has. There is a nine page list of cases today and we will get through them.

My hope is that this time next year we wont be under the cloud we presently are; that we can socially interact again like we used to and I look forward to that day with hope, anticipation and optimism, concluded Mr McCarthy.

Judge Harney thanked him for his kind words and said: I think they are very appropriate.

It has been a very long year for everybody. One of the things I am very aware of from my new role as a member of the judiciary, coming from working as a solicitor in a small country town is that the State services are a very considerable institutional support.

I have got a lot of sympathy for the small practitioner trying to run an office in the circumstances. They have to deal with the issue of infection, take care of their own staff, deal with staff shortages, deal with sometimes very difficult clients.

No doubt many people are irate and upset that their civil matters have not been brought to conclusion and matters cannot be dealt with in the high standard and timely fashion that they were heretofore, she continued.

So for that reason I want to offer my support and commiserations to those often forgotten members of the self employed who like the court staff, gardai, prison officers, security, Probation Service, keep the wheels of justice running smoothly, said Judge Harney.

On a brighter note she said it was important to recognise we are down the road, we turn our faces towards the sun on this beautiful spring morning, we hope the light will continue to shine and that we have a less daunting year ahead of us.

With that the first case of the day was called.
Pernod Ricard is pursuing its active portfolio management strategy, part of its "Transform Accelerate" strategic plan

Regulatory News:

Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI) is delighted to announce the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of a majority stake in La Hechicera, a Colombian ultra-premium rum launched in 2012 by Miguel and Laura, members of the long-established spirit-producing Riascos family, along with their friend Martamaria Carrillo. The family has been in the rum business for three generations with Casa Santana Ron y Licores.

La Hechicera ("The Enchantress") became a gold standard in upmarket rum, thanks to its multi-award winning La Hechicera Reserva Familiar, a blend of rums without added sugar, aged in former bourbon barrels made of American white oak. The brand's unique craftmanship makes La Hechicera one of the most exclusive high-end rums.

Two other experimental and innovative rums have since complemented the La Hechicera range: Serie Experimental 1, finished in Muscat casks and Serie Experimental 2, naturally infused with organic banana. The brand is already popular among rum enthusiasts, not only in its native Colombia, but also in several international markets such as Europe and the US, as well as in Global Travel Retail.

Miguel Riascos, the brand's co-founder and Managing Director, declares: "Due to its previous successful collaborations, Pernod Ricard has shown itself to be the partner of choice for La Hechicera. Pernod Ricard's passion for terroir and its extensive distribution network will ensure that our brand remains true to its Colombian roots and the vision of its creators, while reaching new consumers."

In recent years, Pernod Ricard has successfully strengthened its comprehensive portfolio of specialty brands from around the world, with partnerships and acquisitions such as German ultra-premium gin Monkey 47, American whiskeys Smooth Ambler, Jefferson's, TX and Rabbit Hole, Mexican mezcals Del Maguey and Ojo de Tigre or more recently Spanish vermouth St. Petroni, among others.

The closing of the transaction, expected in the coming weeks, is subject to certain customary conditions.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of 8,448 million in FY20. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes, as well Jacob's Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard's brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group's decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of "Createurs de Convivialite." As reaffirmed by the Group's strategic plan, "Transform and Accelerate," deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard's strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics, as illustrated by the 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Good times from a good place." In recognition of Pernod Ricard's strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nations' Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005451/en/

Contacts:

Pernod Ricard

Julia Massies VP, Financial Communications Investor Relations +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 03

Charly Montet Investor Relations Manager +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 13

Emmanuel Vouin Head of External Engagement +33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Santa Fe John C. Wester has entered the new debate among some Catholic leaders on the morality of getting vaccinated against COVID-19, in particular the use of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The new one-dose vaccine, delivered to New Mexico last week, is derived from cell lines from aborted fetuses, while the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines used such fetal cell lines in testing only.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

The FDA approval of the latest COVID-19 single-dose vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson is good news, Wester said in a statement issued Wednesday. This is especially so for those in rural parts of New Mexico where the requirement of two doses can be burdensome. Along with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines already in use, this latest vaccine moves us even closer to herd immunity and the protection of human life.

The archdiocese did not immediately respond to Journal questions as to why Wester issued the statement this week or whether he has himself been vaccinated.

In the statement, Wester acknowledged, there are some who may be worried that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not ethical.

I wish to assure all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe that in the current pandemic and given the limited vaccine options available to achieve healing for our nation and our world, it is entirely morally acceptable to receive this one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or either of the other two (Pfizer or Moderna). Indeed, Pope Francis has made it clear that by being vaccinated we are exhibiting a genuine love of our neighbor and a regard for the sanctity of human life.

When the ethical issues surrounding coronavirus vaccinations surfaced, Pope Francis signed off on a publication in late-December from the Offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that stated that the moral duty to avoid such passive material cooperation with abortions isnt obligatory if there is a grave danger, such as the otherwise uncontainable spread of a serious pathological agent[3]  in this case, the pandemic spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.

It must therefore be considered that, in such a case, all vaccinations recognized as clinically safe and effective can be used in good conscience with the certain knowledge that the use of such vaccines does not constitute formal cooperation with the abortion from which the cells used in the production of vaccines derive.

Yet, the Archdiocese of New Orleans urged its parishioners to avoid Johnson & Johnsons vaccine, calling it morally compromised.

The vaccine formula, however, includes no fetal tissue, but cells originally derived from fetal tissue that can be traced back to the 1980s.

This week, two Catholic bishops from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement saying the approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine again raises questions about the moral permissibility of the abortion-derived cell lines involved in its production.

Such use is morally acceptable, they stated, However, if one can choose among equally safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccine with the least connection to abortion-derived cells should be chosen.

Matt Bieber, spokesman for the New Mexico Department of Health, told the Journal on Thursday that notifications sent to those who have registered for a vaccine through the DOH website will soon indicate which vaccine of the three available is scheduled to be given to the recipient. That new feature is expected to be added to the notifications over the next few days, he added.

If they choose not to confirm the invitation, they will go back into the pool of eligible users and receive another invitation at a future date, he said.

Meanwhile, New Mexico isnt likely to receive any additional Johnson & Johnson vaccines for several weeks, Bieber said, after receiving its first shipment of 17,200 doses this week.
PM lauds MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan leadership on his 62nd birthday

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Mar 05: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on his 62nd birthday on Friday and lauded him for taking the state''s progress to "new heights".

"Best wishes to the BJP''s energetic leader and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He has taken the state to new heights of development under his leadership. I wish him a happy, healthy and long life," Modi said in a tweet.

PM Modi to deliver keynote address at CERAWeek

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

Chouhan has been the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh since 2005 except for over 15 months following the BJP''s defeat in the 2018 state Assembly polls. However, he returned to power after defections from the Congress and then led his party to a convincing victory in the bypolls necessitated by the resignation of Congress MLAs.
10 new COVID-19-related deaths reported since last week

Ten new COVID-19-related deaths were reported by the South Dakota Department of Health Tuesday and during the holiday weekend.
The recent circular on residency status does not provide any relief to NRIs stranded in India due to COVID-19, feel experts. They say the circular is worded in such a way that it feels like the government is more worried that NRIs do not go tax-free in their home country as well as in India.

According to them, the circular offers relief to only those who may be subject to double taxation -- which means income getting taxed in the country where they are working and also in India.

The circular issued by the Income Tax Department says that if any NRI is facing double taxation even after taking into account the relief provided by the relevant Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), he/she may furnish the specified information by March 31, 2021 in Form -NR. This form is to be submitted electronically to the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income-tax (International Taxation).

Also read: NRIs won't be double-taxed in FY21 for overstaying

However, it also says that since most countries have a condition of stay of 182 days for determining residency, there may be situations where a person may not become a tax resident of any country in 2020-21, which would lead to non-payment of taxes in either of the countries. Hence, they will analyse the issue of double taxation on a case-to-case basis.

Amit Maheshwari, Tax Partner, AKM Global, a consulting firm states, "As the Budget did not give any specific relief to the people stranded in India on account of tax residency, this clarification in residency rules was expected. 182 days condition is kept as it is."

Jiger Saiya, Partner and Leader - Tax & Regulatory Services, BDO India, says: "The circular has stated that a general relaxation for 182 days may result in dual non-residency and thereby double non-taxation for an individual. It fails to appreciate that several countries have additional criteria apart from the number of days of stay, like citizenship, domicile, etc. For example, US taxes the global income of its citizens.

Also read: I-T dept extends deadline for filing declarations under VsV scheme till March 31

He furthers says that the circular may not help individuals in case of genuine hardships such as countries with whom India does not have a DTAA or absence of short stay exemption.

Though the circular explains that persons who were forced to stay in India even if they become resident will not be required to pay tax on foreign income as status of such persons will be that of Resident but not Ordinary Resident (RNOR), experts say this status of RNOR may not be certain in all cases.

Ved Jain, a Delhi-based chartered accountant, explains: "An individual qualifies as a RNOR if he has been a non-resident in 9 out of 10 preceding years or if his stay in the preceding 7 years has been 729 days or less. Take the case wherein a person has shifted to another country, say UAE, in the last 4-5 years. Such a person will not be able to fulfill this condition and hence shall be liable to pay tax on global income."

As per the circular, individuals will need to determine their Indian tax residency as well as income being subjected to double taxation well before the submission of Form-NR. "This would need a detailed understanding of the tax laws (India and other countries) as well as the DTAAs," says Jiger Saiya of BDO India, adding that while there is a short and stringent timeline for submission of Form-NR, no timelines have been indicated for the tax authorities to respond to such applications.
Two firefighters loaned to Washington for the day were the only medics on the Capitol steps Jan. 6, trying to triage injured officers as they watched the angry mob swell and attack police working to protect Congress.

Law enforcement agents were being pulled into the crowd and trampled, assaulted with scaffolding materials, and/or bear maced by protesters, wrote Arlington County firefighter Taylor Blunt in an after-action memo. Some couldnt walk and had to be dragged to safety.

Even the attackers sought medical help, and Blunt and his colleague Nathan Waterfall treated those who were passing out or had been hit. But some feigned illness to remain behind police lines, Blunt wrote.

The memo is one of hundreds of emails, texts, photos and documents obtained by The Associated Press. Taken together, the materials shed new light on the sprawling patchwork of law enforcement agencies that tried to stop the siege and the lack of coordination and inadequate planning that stymied their efforts.

The AP obtained the materials through 35 Freedom of Information Act requests to law enforcement agencies that responded to the Capitol insurrection.

We were among the first mutual aid teams to arrive and were critical to begin the process of driving protestors off the Capitol, wrote Blunt.

Five people died in the attack, including a police officer. Two other officers killed themselves after. There were hundreds of injuries and more than 300 people, including members of extremist groups Proud Boys and Oathkeepers, have been charged with federal crimes. Federal agents are still investigating and hundreds more suspects are at large. Justice Department officials have said they may charge some with sedition.

The Arlington firefighters ended up at the Capitol because, two days earlier, Washington Metro Police Chief Robert J. Contee had formally asked the Arlington County Police Department, along with police departments from Montgomery and Prince Georges counties in Maryland, and Arlington County in Virginia, to lend them some officers trained for protests and riots, according to the documents.

In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.AP File Photo/John Minchillo

Arlingtons acting police chief Andy Penn said theyd send help for the planned and unplanned first amendment activities, according to emails.

At the time, the Capitol Police department had issued a security assessment warning that militia members, white supremacists and other extremists were heading to Washington to target Congress in what they saw as a last stand to support President Donald Trump.

Federal agencies not responding were also preparing for potential violence. On Jan. 4, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said staff should try to telework for the week.

Two days later, it was 3:39 p.m. when Penn emailed county officials that he had just been notified that Arlington officers were responding to the Capitol attack and had been absorbed into the overall response led by Capitol Police.

That was almost 90 minutes after the mob first busted into the Capitol and more than an hour after the medics began treating injured police on the steps.

Members of Congress, who were locked down or rushed to safety that day as the attackers approached the House and Senate chambers, are holding hearings this week to get to the bottom of what went wrong with the law enforcement response that allowed the crowd to enter and ransack the Capitol building.

One question they are looking to answer is why the Capitol Police didnt have more help on hand early in the day, before the rally near the White House devolved into insurrection at the Capitol.

The emails obtained by AP  hastily written and including misspellings and incomplete sentences  show that nearby police agencies were alerted two days earlier that there might be trouble and were prepared to help.

The night before the breach, after hours of rallies and speeches across the city, Federal Protective Service officers, who protect federal property, had noticed protesters trying to camp out on federal property and were being vigilant for any suspicious activity, according to an email from the agency.

They were expecting large crowds, and by the next morning they were monitoring them closely.

At 9:45 a.m. a protective service liaison to the Capitol Police wrote, Good morning Sir, what I have is the Ellipse is permitted for 30k but they expecting for there to be much more. Freedom Plaza original permit was 5k and it was raised to 30k, the permit outside Sylven Theater is permitted for 15K.

The agents were particularly interested in the right wing extremist group Proud Boys. They noted how many were in Washington, that they were staying at a downtown hotel, and what they planned.

In a briefing at noon on that day, just as Trump was encouraging supporters to " fight like hell, a Federal Protective Service email said about 300 Proud Boys were at the U.S. Capitol.

Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington.AP File Photo/Julio Cortez

No incidents at this time, the email said. But then it warned, The Proud Boys are threatening to shut down the water system in the downtown area, which includes government facilities.

The email noted there was a man in a tree with what appeared to be a rifle near the Ellipse, and about 25,000 people were around the White House, including some who were hiding bags in bushes outside the building.

Together we stand! the officer signed off.

About 20 minutes later, a protective service officer whose name was redacted sent an email that read, POTUS is encouraging the protesters to march to capitol grounds and continue protesting there. POTUS stands for president of the United States.

In a series of emails that followed, protective service officers messages offered a blow-by-blow account of the march to the Capitol from the rally where Trump spoke.

Protesters moving towards the capitol down Pennsylvania, Constitution and Madison in numbers estimated 10-15,000, read an email sent at 12:28 p.m.

The officers tracked them across the city and at 12:57 p.m. a message read, Large group just breached the USCP barricade on the West Front, referring to the Capitol Police barriers on west side of the Capitol Building.

About a half hour later, they reported several police officers were injured, and then at 2:14 a message screamed CAPITOL HAS BEEN BREACHED. PROTESTERS ARE NOW INSIDE THE CAPITOL. Two minutes later they reported the House and Senate chambers were being locked down.

Shots fired 2nd floor house side inside the capitol, read a message at 2:45, probably the moment when a Capitol Police officer fatally shot Ashli Babbitt, a Trump supporter who tried to hurl herself through a broken interior window into the Speakers Lobby just outside the House chamber where lawmakers were taking cover.

Intelligence agents used Facebook to monitor dozens of protests planned for Jan. 6 and beyond, according to emails. These rallies had names such as the Yugest Trump Parade of All (45 Exclamation Points)!, Fight for President Trump and Your Rights, and Wild Protest for Donald Trump (The Republican Mandate). Some events were permitted, others were not.

Officers in the Virginia suburb of Vienna were already on edge two days before the Capitol breach after a video of a small, half-hour protest at the home of Republican Sen. Josh Hawley __ a Trump supporter __ attracted more than 100,000 pageviews.

They claim they are coming back tonight, Vienna Deputy Chief Daniel Janickey said in Jan. 5 emails to Fairfax County officials.

WE will have some officers out there tonight monitoring in case (the) group shows up, Janickey wrote. Hawley and his staff have hired armed private security for (the) next 48 hours.

Those protesters didnt return. But within 24 hours, Fairfax County, Virginia, officials realized their Washington counterparts had much more trouble on their hands.

At 3:10 p.m. on Jan. 6, Fairfax Countys deputy county executive, Dave Rohrer, emailed more than 25 county officials: Subject: Awareness - Police Mutual Aid Request U.S. Capitol Police.

That was about two hours after the first windows had been broken.

The U.S. Capitol had been breached, he said.

It is obvious to me based on my experience and knowledge that an emergency exists, said Rohrer. He said he had authorized the Fairfax County Police Department to send Civil Disturbance Unit officers and commanders to assist gaining control for safety reasons.

He added that they were monitoring the deployment closely. The redacted email refers to an early June episode when police from several jurisdictions used tear gas to violently break up a peaceful and legal protest in Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House.

On Jan. 6, Rohrer said he reminded commanders on the scene that they are to cease operations if at any point they determine they are being used in an inappropriate, unethical, illegal manner, or are not under a competent authority... Maintaining life safety, regaining and establishing a safe perimeter, etc., should be the initial focus.

Just 12 minutes later, Rohrer had an update: They were suspending any fire, rescue or emergency service transportation to hospitals in the District of Columbia and upgrading response and command structure.

For hours, Fairfax Countys police monitored Metro stations and acted as back up to Washington police, according to the emails. They were also checking with hotels where some in the mob were staying. Rohrer noted that many had been staying in Alexandria and Arlington..

The hotels reported some problems with crowds and disorderly conduct the past few nights, he said.

That evening, at 8:31 p.m., a Federal Protective Service memo alerted there is a report of an armed militia group headed to dc from west Virginia. Query ongoing.

As midnight approached, Rohrer emailed again. Although the Capitol was quiet, Intel will be monitored throughout the night and, unfortunately, PD and US Capitol Police are investigating several threats targeting residences of Capitol VIPs or family members received late tonight.

By Jan. 7, Fairfax County Police Department Major Shawn Bennett was bristling at Capitol Police Chief Terry Gainers critique of the police response.

Gainer throws a lot of shame but he doesnt offer any answers to what specifically he would have done differently to keep the initial group from breaking down the barriers, emailed Bennett.

Also on Jan. 7, Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill was thanking his staff.

Our Police Departments Civil Disturbance Unit answered the call yesterday, and as much as I hated to activate you, it was an activation to preserve our republic, he wrote. I am hopeful we will never again see what we witnessed yesterday, but I am most hopeful that yesterdays events will galvanize our county and our nation as we do our best to vaccinate, maintain calm and create a sense of unity.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Just over a month into his presidency, President Biden is staring down a mounting crisis at the border that could be just as bad as the ones faced by Barack Obama and Donald Trump, if not worse.

Why it matters: Immigration is an issue that can consume a presidency. It's intensely and poisonously partisan. It's complicated. And the lives and welfare of vulnerable children hang in the balance.

The backstory: Biden came into office sounding a warmer, more welcoming policy that would treat migrants humanely. Desperate people have taken notice.

And Biden reversed Trumps COVID-era policy of turning away unaccompanied children  the very group that is now surging and being held for days in border stations unfit for children.

What's happening: Shelters are overflowing. Border crossings are rising. Border Patrol facilities are overwhelmed. And the new administration is taking fire from both the left and right as it grapples with the issue's harsh realities.

Where it stands: President Bidens advisers told him this past week that the number of migrant children crossing the U.S. border without their parents this year is likely to far exceed the previous record.

The federal government is taking custody of 321 migrant children per day, on average, and those numbers have been climbing rapidly all year.

As reported by Axios earlier this week, federal officials said they need 20,000 beds to house an expected surge in migrant children crossing the border. Theyve already opened new facilities and plan to adjust some protocols to accommodate more kids while keeping everyone safe from the coronavirus.

What theyre saying: Progressives look at the rising number of migrant kids in temporary overflow facilities, including tents, and see a betrayal of Bidens pledge to reverse Trumps immigration policies. Some also say officials are too quick to invoke the pandemic to quickly deport adults and some families.

Conservatives look at the crush of migrants and see the inevitable result of Biden ending too many Trump policies, including the practice of expelling unaccompanied children and canceling agreements that allowed the U.S. to send some asylum-seekers to Central America.

Between the lines: Families and children from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador often take the dangerous trip to the border to flee gang violence, natural disaster or severe poverty  only to arrive in a country that may not be equipped to quickly process and care for them.

Officials have to balance both real humanitarian needs against their duty to enforce immigration laws  and most laws haven't changed in decades. The pandemic has only made things harder.

Migration flows are difficult to predict, but systems and shelters at the border can't always adapt fast enough.

What to watch: There are still roughly three months left of what is usually the peak season for migrants coming to the U.S.-Mexico border. There is more that the Department of Health and Human Services can  and plans to  do to create space for more migrant children, but the projections are bleak.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Advertisement

As the royal war continues to rage, Prince William and Kate Middleton have remained dignified and are quietly continuing with their official duties.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to a suicidal 12-year-old boy who was helped by their text counselling service Shout in a moving video call, which was released today via Instagram.

The couple heard how the youngster, who is given the name Jack to protect his identity, was standing on a high bridge unbeknownst to his loving and supportive parents when he contacted Shout - a crisis line Cambridges launched as part of their Heads Together campaign with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May 2019.

Kate and William listened attentively as they heard from the boy and his family.

Meanwhile Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain locked in a war of words with Buckingham Palace after Ms Markle accused 'The Firm' of smearing them and peddling 'a wholly false narrative based on misleading and harmful misinformation'.

It followed Buckingham Palace's announcement that it is launching an inquiry into claims Meghan Markle bullied staff at Kensington Palace. Meghan has vehemently denied the claims, instead insisting the newspaper was 'being used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative' about her.

The drama comes ahead of Meghan and Harry's bombshell tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey airing in the US on Sunday and on Monday night in the UK - which ITV have insisted will go ahead despite Prince Philip recovering from heart surgery.

Prince William and Kate Middleton demonstrated it's business as usual today with a charity video call - after Buckingham Palace announced it is launching an inquiry into claims Meghan Markle bullied staff at Kensington Palace

Meghan has been accused of 'driving out' two PAs and shattering the confidence of another member of palace staff - with one former aide branding Prince Harry and his wife 'outrageous bullies' in The Times earlier this week (the couple are pictured during their upcoming interview with Oprah Winfrey)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have retained a dignified silence throughout the affair and are continuing their royal engagements, which included a video call this week to the family of a 12-year-old boy who came close to ending his own life after he began suffering severe anxiety during the pandemic.

The couple heard how the youngster, who is given the name Jack to protect his identity, was standing on a high bridge unbeknown to his loving and supportive parents when he contacted Shout - a crisis line Cambridges launched as part of their Heads Together campaign with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May 2019.

In a video clip of their conversation shared to the Shout Twitter page this morning, the father of the boy tells Kate and William they have 'no doubt' that Jack's conversation with a Shout volunteer that night when he was stood on that bridge was 'enough to save his life'.

The parents only discovered what had happened when they were contacted by the emergency services to inform them Jack was safe.

Kate, wearing a black and white polka dot shirt with her hair in a half-updo, said: 'I can't imagine, as parents ourselves, I can't imagine what it's been like for you, and it's every parent's worst nightmare is receiving the call that you did on that night.'

William added: 'Shout has effectively bridged that gap between a point of crisis and despair and brought him back to give him the peace and calm for a time to just work things out and find that support.'

During their private conversation, the Duke and Duchess talked to both Jack and his parents, who described how the experience had been for the family.

They talked about the close and loving relationships they have with all of their children, their ability to talk and listen as a family about difficult things, and their busy and fun household. Yet despite this, they hadnt realised the extent of the great distress their son Jack had found himself in during lockdown.

Kate, wearing a black and white polka dot dress with her hair in a half-updo, said: 'I can't imagine, as parents ourselves, I can't imagine what it's been like for you, and it's every parent's worst nightmare is receiving the call that you did on that night'

William added: 'Shout has effectively bridged that gap between a point of crisis and despair and brought him back to give him the peace and calm for a time to just work things out and find that support'

The Duke and Duchess heard how they had noticed that their once open, gregarious, fun loving and inquisitive son had become more introverted during the Covid-19 lockdown of spring and summer 2020.

Jack spent increasing amounts of time on his own, no longer connecting with his friends online or on the phone, and struggling with online school. Jack became increasingly anxious about the future, and whether life would ever get back to some sort of normality. His father described how there was no trigger point for Jacks anxiety which made it harder to understand how bad things had become.

The Duke and Duchess heard how, when Jack returned to school in autumn last year, his anxiety escalated. What Jacks family didnt know was that it had reached a dangerous level where the only solution he could see was to end his life. Jacks parents explained how he had reached out to Shout in a pivotal moment, and, during a text conversation, a volunteer had been able to prevent Jack from ending his life.

Jack agreed with the Duke that having a conversation with Shout over text, rather than talking out loud, made it easier to be open about difficult emotions. He told The Duke and Duchess that more children and young people should learn about mental health, and learn how to talk to others about their feelings.

The Duke and Duchess told Jack how incredibly brave he had been to share his story in order to raise awareness of mental health issues and the support that Shout 85258 provides.

Shout is a legacy of the Heads Together campaign launched by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after a 3million investment from The Royal Foundation. Meghan and Harry have since quit as senior members of the Royal Family and were stripped of their patronages by the Queen last month.

Meghan Markle blamed the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles for leaking stories about her to the Press when she was a senior royal, a source has claimed. Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex are seen in the Royal Box in Wimbledon in 2019

Meanwhile ITV has faced furious backlash at its decision to push ahead with broadcasting the bombshell Oprah interview while Harry's 99-year-old grandfather Prince Philip recovers from heart surgery in hospital - where he is set to remain 'for a number of days'.

The channel yesterday released its first branded clip of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Miss Winfrey which featured the same footage put out by CBS in the early hours of Thursday morning - but this time with ITV's branding in the corner.

The video clip from Meghan and Harry's interview - which has been licensed by CBS owner ViacomCBS to be shown in 66 countries in addition to Britain and the US - saw the Duchess say she could not be expected to stay silent if the royal family played a part in 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Prince Harry.

Yesterday's clip was in an updated press release - which had first been issued with words only at 12pm on Wednesday - with ITV confirming in a tweet: 'Oprah With Meghan and Harry broadcasts at 9pm on Monday, March 8 on ITV.'

The interview will first be shown by CBS in the US at 1am UK time on Sunday night. Meanwhile Buckingham Palace said at 1pm yesterday that a special Commonwealth programme would be aired just hours beforehand on the BBC.

The Queen and the royal family have turned their attention to the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic for the show which will be on BBC One in the UK and globally on the BBC's YouTube channel from 5pm on Sunday.
READING, Pa., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Perimeter Technologies, a world leader in pet containment and related products, announced it has completed its acquisition of F.A.S.T. Friendly Automated Software Tool, a next-generation CRM platform improving process management and communications from Geo Net Pages, a digital software design company in Randolph NJ. The acquisition will accelerate Perimeter Technologies' digitally connected future plans for the industry. Modern connected containment products have proven to be safer than stand-alone systems and industry leaders predict that all professional containment systems will be connected within 5 years.

"We are excited to introduce FAST to our national Pet Stop dealer team," said John Purtell, President and CEO of Perimeter Technologies. "With FAST's capabilities, we will provide the latest technology which accelerates the industry standard for providing premium support."

FAST uses cloud-based resources to provide lightning-fast responses. With the addition of FAST, Perimeter Technologies will offer an improved experience for Pet Stop, Perimeter brands, and team Extreme.

According to Rich Weinssen, President of Geo Net Pages and Hidden Fence Company, "FAST was designed to improve hidden fence industry customer service and response time while providing new users with a fast and easy acquisition period."



About Perimeter Technologies

Perimeter Technologies, the global pet fence leader, is shaping the cloud-centric pet containment future with technology that is transforming the way people within our organization operate. Our mission is to be the containment partner of choice, protecting pets with products that are safer by design.

For more information, visit PerimeterTechnologies.com

About Geo Net Pages

Geo Net Pages specializes in intuitive business software and mobile design and development. Geo Net builds future-proof whole business solutions in manageable increments.

Geo Net Pages is owned and managed by Richard and Becky Weinssen.

For more information, visit GeoNetPages.com

SOURCE Perimeter Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

https://petstop.com


New Delhi, March 5 : The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from M. Sivasankar, suspended principal secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on an appeal filed by the Enforcement Directorate challenging a High Court order granting the IAS officer bail in the gold smuggling case.

On January 25, the Kerala High Court had granted bail to Sivasankar, who was arrested by ED on October 28, in a money laundering case in connection with the gold-smuggling racket.

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED, contended before a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan that the money used was his when he was principal secretary.

The bench queried that gold was smuggled, but was he involved? Raju replied that he talked to the officials to get the gold released and urged the top court to stay the High Court order.

Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, representing Sivasankar, argued before the court that it was a false case against his client. "They have found nothing against him and they were still going after him. This is a strange situation," submitted Gupta.

The bench replied to Gupta that his client is already out on bail. Gupta acknowledged that.

The bench said it is not putting his client behind the bars, instead it is issuing a notice in the matter. Gupta said he will file a counter. The bench allowed Gupta to file a counter affidavit in the matter and listed the matter for further hearing after 6 weeks.

Raju insisted that the High Court judgement should be stayed. The bench replied, "He is already out on bail. We will not stay it." However, the bench said it will issue notice in the matter.

In December last year, the ED had filed a supplementary charge sheet in a court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases, alleging that Sivasankar knowingly assisted other key accused in the gold-smuggling through diplomatic channel in Kerala.

The ED had claimed that he indulged in criminal activities and committed scheduled offences.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Meanwhile, its been almost a year since the coronavirus pandemic shut down Illinois. We want to hear from you about your experiences, what you remember from the early days of the pandemic and your views on the future. Tell us here.

SALEM, Ore.  Governor Kate Brown is directing Oregon public schools to reopen for in-person instruction by a pair of deadlines in March and April. The Governor's office said on Friday that she will issue an executive order requiring schools to offer "universal access" for in-person learning by March 29 for K-5 students and April 19 for grade 6-12 students.

"Thanks to the smart choices Oregonians have made, our COVID-19 numbers have declined. All but six counties now meet or exceed Oregons advisory metrics for a return to in-person, hybrid learning for all K-12 grade levels, said Governor Brown. "And, five of those counties meet the advisory metrics for a return to elementary school."

RELATED: Gov. Brown says 'science is clear' on bringing students back into classrooms safely

While many districts have already approached in-person learning on their own internally devised schedules since Brown made her COVID-19 metrics "advisory" at the end of December, some districts have lagged behind. Reopening schools has become a refrain for Oregon Republican lawmakers, who released a letter on Thursday urging Brown to "utilize the full authority" of her office to immediately reopen schools.

"We have a collective responsibility to ensure vulnerable children receive high-quality instruction and a well-rounded educational experience," House and Senate Republicans wrote in the joint letter. "However, many students have not stepped into a classroom for nearly a year and they are feeling the academic, social, and emotional consequences. Students are falling behind academically, which is jeopardizing their futures."

With educators, in some cases, still in line for the COVID-19 vaccine, teacher's unions have resisted an abrupt return to full in-person learning. However, the Oregon Education Association and local unions indicated on Friday that they would support the Governor's timeline.

"We hear, understand, and share the frustration expressed by many in our communities about the uncertainty this pandemic has caused for our public education system, and the long-standing educational disparities that continue to be exacerbated by reopening plans that fail to truly center student equity," the OEA said in a statement. "We urge our local school districts to continue to work in good faith with local educators to craft plans that will truly serve all of our students, and we are committed to expanding in-person instruction at our schools this spring."

RELATED: Governor Brown okays outdoor contact sports for high schools and colleges

The science is very, very clear: with proper safety measures in place, there is a low risk of COVID-19 transmission in school," Governor Brown continued. "Oregon parents can be confident about sending their children back to a classroom learning environment.

Brown's office said that after the weeks of March 29 and April 19, all public schools in Oregon will be operating under a fully on-site or hybrid model, "when counties meet or exceed the state's advisory COVID-19 metrics." Students or parents who want to remain in comprehensive distance learning will be accommodated.

"Comprehensive distance learning for all will be an option for school districts when community transmission rates of COVID-19 warrant a transition, as determined by state or local public health directives," Brown's office said.

The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education will issue new guidance on the directives by March 19.

Closing schools in Oregon is a decision I will never forget," Brown said. "Parents, educators, school staff, but especially students have come so far while navigating the challenges of this pandemic. Welcoming students back to every school across Oregon will be a milestone worth celebrating."
NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Knights of Columbus joins Pope Francis in prayer and support as he makes his March 5-8 apostolic journey to Iraq  the first papal visit to that country. This historic encounter stands as a powerful sign of hope and solidarity with the persecuted Christians and other minorities of the war-torn region and as a demonstration of international religious unity.

"As the Holy Father has said, Iraq "has been a martyred land for too long,'" observed Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly. "Support of persecuted minorities in the Middle East has been a major initiative of the Knights of Columbus since 2014. We are proud to support the Holy Father's outreach to the people of Iraq, and I urge Catholics everywhere to continue to pray in solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters there and throughout the world."

Supreme Knight Kelly added, "These courageous souls have endured war, persecution and now a pandemic while keeping the light of the Christian faith alive in a community that traces its roots to St. Paul. They are a testimony to the world of the power of faith."

In assistance to the apostolic visit, the Knights of Columbus provided $100,000 USD to the Archdiocese of Erbil to support the organization of the Papal Mass at "Franso Hariri" stadium. The Knights also gave $18,900 to the Institute of Ancient and Threatened Christianity to support a documentary it will produce on the Papal Trip to Iraq. The one-hour film will be from the point of view of the Iraqi Christians themselves so that the full impact of the trip can be properly understood by the faithful around the world.

The Knights of Columbus has played a significant role in bringing relief to persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East, influencing international policies, prayer, advocacy and contributing more than $25 million to rebuild targeted communities. Significant projects have included assisting in the reconstruction of the Syriac Catholic Cathedral in Qaraqosh (Nineveh); reconstruction in the town of Karamles for the Chaldean Archdiocese of Mosul; restoration of Christian cemeteries destroyed by ISIS; and the construction of McGivney House, a 140-unit apartment building in Erbil that continues to provide housing for displaced Syriac and Chaldean families and individuals.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus

Related Links

www.kofc.org


The Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) has received a major boost in the fight against crime after Germany donated forensic laboratory equipment to enhance investigations.

German deputy ambassador Thomas Wimmer handed over the equipment to DCI boss George Kinoti at the DCI Offices on Thursday, March 4.

The equipment includes cameras and simulation crime scene tools which Wimmer said is bad news for criminals and good news for victims as the equipment will help in solving crimes.

Also present was ICT CS Joe Mucheru who said the donation is part of larger help from the German government which has seen major training institutions fitted with simulation rooms to help police with their training to manage crime scenes.

Kinoti said the equipment will help them solve many pending cases. He said crimes will soon be solved fast as the forensic laboratory which has been under construction is 98 percent complete with its inauguration set to be in weeks.

The laboratory is based at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.

Meanwhile, DCIs Crime Scene Investigation officers drawn from different parts of the country begun a two weeks training for trainers course Monday, February 22 at the DCI Academy.

The Federal Government of Germany through the German Development Cooperation is facilitating the course that seeks to equip the officers with modern-day forensic techniques, skills, and methods of investigation.
Libyas new interim Prime Minister, Abdelhamid Dbeiba, announced on Thursday March 4 that he had announced the names of the members of his government formation in Parliament. A special session is scheduled for March 8 in Sirte to approve the new executive.

But the obstacles that are hindering the path of this new authority are far from being dissipated. They are coming from all sides. Thus, on Wednesday, Fayez al Sarraj, the GNA Prime Minister at the end of his mandate, surprised everyone by forbidding contact with the elected executive to all his team.

It is in an official circular that Fayez al Sarraj banned, on Wednesday March 3, his team from any contact with the executive elected on February 5 by the Libyan Political Forum of Dialogue.

Since their appointment, the new head of the Presidential Council and his Prime Minister have spared no effort, increasing contacts with the various parties in Tripoli, Benghazi and southern Libya to accelerate the reunification process in preparation for the December 2021 elections.

It is a declaration of war announced an advisor to Abdelhamid Dbeiba. One wonders if Fayez Sarraj really wants the arrival of the new government, he exclaimed. This position of Fayez al Sarraj is all the more surprising since it comes after a face-to-face meeting with the new Prime Minister to discuss the modalities of a smooth transition.

According to the roadmap of the UN process that led to his appointment, A. Dbeiba has until March 19 to win the confidence of a deeply divided Parliament.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.

A powerful voice from the past

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Have you ever been reminded unexpectedly of a book from your past that influenced you enormously at an earlier time in your life? Earlier this week I was rearranging the books in my library in order to put some new volumes in their proper place on the shelf when a book caught my eye that has really ministered to me over the years. The book is Strength to Love by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I am not surprised that Mrs. King said that if theres one book that Martin . . . has written that people consistently tell me has changed their lives, it is Strength to Love. She explained that this book embodied the foundational force behind Dr. King and his ministry  the transcendent moral ethic of love.

As I leafed through the book earlier this week, my eyes fell upon one of many passages I had highlighted when I read the book when it was first published in 1963. One underlined passage reads, Few words in the New Testament more clearly and solemnly express the magnanimity of Jesus spirit than that sublime utterance from the cross, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. This is divine love at its best.

Dr. King points out it was precisely at this point where Jesus was suffering an unjustified, excruciating, agonizing death that he pleaded, Father, forgive them. Dr. King then expands on the subject (one notices that Dr. King wrote the way he spoke, with a melodic eloquence that lingers in your mind.) Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies and to pray for them that despitefully used them. This teaching fell upon the ears of many of His hearers like a strange music from a foreign land.

Yet when Jesus was crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love. The lesson was crystal clear: Only goodness can drive out evil and only love can conquer hate.

Dr. King, who we must always remember was a Baptist minister, declared,

We must see the cross as the magnificent symbol of love conquering hate and of light overcoming darkness. But in the midst of this glowing affirmation, let us never forget that our Lord and Master was nailed to that cross because of human blindness. Those who crucified him knew not what they did (Strength to Love, 46).

Strength to Love was published in 1963, the same tumultuous year that produced Letter from a Birmingham Jail (which should be required reading in order to graduate from every American High School) and the I Have a Dream speech at the Lincoln Memorial. I had the privilege of reading Strength to Love the year it was published. I was sixteen years old and had just surrendered my life to full-time Gospel ministry in the spring of that year. The book, his letter, and his speech all had an enormous impact on me. I realized at the outset of my call to ministry that it was my Christian duty to work, strive, and sacrifice for my beloved country to become what it was not, a society where people were not judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

I am still transfixed by that dream, and I will not let it go, for myself or for my country. I will not abandon the higher ground of Dr. Kings vision to descend into the fever swamp of division and hostility produced by Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality where everyone is judged by the two immutable characteristics that they cannot control (notwithstanding the claims of transgenderism)  their ethnicity and their sex, both of which were determined at the moment of their conception.

Since I have witnessed and experienced the transformative power of Christian love both personally and in American culture as a child of the Civil Rights Revolution, I am determined to love those who have abandoned, or who oppose, Dr. Kings vision, from the left or the right. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. I hope and believe they know not what they do and have no knowledge of the hatred and growing centrifugal forces of ethnic tribalism their philosophy and beliefs would generate if they were to come to dominate American society.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

The usage of Clinical Intelligence is becoming a common phenomenon in healthcare institutes worldwide and the Global Clinical Intelligence Market is poised to strike a splendid CAGR of 12.5% over the forecast period of 20172023, predicts Market Research Future (MRFR) in an exhaustive study. Clinical intelligence is a new learning paradigm for healthcare providers in which clinical data is analyzed with the use of modern data mining, data visualization, and predictive modeling tools to improve healthcare delivery.

The pressing need to curb healthcare costs has been the primary drive motivating the growth of the global clinical intelligence market. The growing burden of chronic diseases and increasing patient influx in hospitals has raised the adoption of software solutions for tedious process such as insurance claim processing and fraud detection. This results in improved healthcare outcomes and subsequently boosts the growth of the market.

Request Free Sample Report at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4478

Other factors stimulating the market growth include governments in multiple countries encouraging the adoption of clinical intelligence solutions. Furthermore, constant changes in regulations, increasing reporting mandates, and ever-increasing competition, healthcare organizations can no longer ignore the importance of clinical intelligence. Clinical intelligence aids healthcare sector to improve the quality of care by analyzing the gaps in their care, patient safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

On the other hand, a general lack of regulatory and clinical standards for predictive analytics is likely to hinder the growth of the market. The high cost of clinical intelligence software might restrain the growth of the market growth in developing countries.

Competitive Landscape

The notable players in the clinical intelligence market include General Electric Company (U.S.), QSI Management, LLC (U.S.), Allscripts (U.S.), Cerner Corporation (U.S.), IBM (U.S.), Epic Systems Corporation (U.S.), Greenway Health, LLC (U.S.), McKesson Corporation (U.S.), and eClinicalWorks (U.S.).

Browse Full Research Report at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/clinical-intelligence-market-4478

Segmentation

The global clinical intelligence market has been segmented based on component, type, end-user, and application.

By type, the global clinical intelligence market has been segmented into population health management, retrospective performance measures & predictive analytics, clinical benchmarking, clinical decision support (CDSS) system, quality improvement, performance measurement systems, and others. The quality improvement segment has been further segmented into six sigma. The population health management segment has been further segmented into under-utilization of health services and over-utilization of health services.

By component, the global clinical intelligence market has been segmented into hardware, software, and services.

By application, the global clinical intelligence market has been segmented into revenue cycle management (RCM) claims, fraud, supply chain, financial management, clinical, and others.

By end-users, the global clinical intelligence market has been segmented into clinics, hospitals, TPAs, and others.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global clinical intelligence market has been segmented into the Americas, Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA).

The Americas account for the maximum share of the global clinical intelligence market owing to high usage of software solutions for healthcare administration. The presence of healthcare IT companies in the region and high healthcare expenditure supports market growth in the region. Additionally, growing usage of Decision Support System among tertiary care centers in the US has proven to be beneficial for the growth of the market.

Europe follows the Americas closely and is the second largest market for clinical intelligence. Increase in a number of healthcare institutions who are leveraging clinical intelligence management softwares and expanding healthcare expenditure boosts the market growth in Europe.

APAC is poised to be the fastest growing market for clinical intelligence. Development of healthcare IT infrastructure, increasing healthcare expenditure and the growing presence of key players in the region can be credited for the growth of the market.

The MEA market is expected to showcase moderate growth. The Africa region, in particular, will exhibit limited growth due to low healthcare penetration and low healthcare expenditure.

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

The Socialist Equality Party (Australia) is holding an online public meeting on Sunday, March 14, at 2 p.m. (AEDT), to discuss the crucial political lessons of the protracted struggle by Coles workers at the companys Smeaton Grange warehouse in southwestern Sydney. To register for the event, which will be held on Zoom, click here.

On February 27, the United Workers Union (UWU) rammed through a sell-out agreement which provides for the closure of Smeaton Grange, the destruction of all of the jobs there, and the miserly wage and redundancy provisions that the company wanted. A majority of workers only voted yes after being forced to vote on the same agreement up to eleven times. Subjected to a more than three-month lockout by Coles, they were isolated by the UWU, and literally starved out by a union that boasts of more than $300 million in assets but refused to provide a cent in strike pay.

The struggle at Smeaton Grange, one of the longest disputes in recent decades, was a significant turning point in the class struggle in Australia. For some 14 weeks, the 350 workers there heroically held out against one of the largest companies in Australia, and registered their opposition to the attempts of the UWU to sabotage their struggle and to impose the company demands. This reflects a growing mood of opposition among workers, and anticipates a rebellion against the corrupt, corporatised entities that call themselves unions.

The forced return to work on management terms is undoubtedly a blow. But the struggle is far from over. The sell-out only brings to an end the first stage of the fight at Smeaton Grange, and more broadly, against a sweeping restructure by Coles involving plans to close five warehouses and destroy over 2,000 jobs. The corporate offensive, and the growing hostility to it, is not limited to one company. Woolworths, Coles chief competitor, is carrying out an identical overhaul involving the shutdown of three facilities and the axing of more than 1,300 positions.

The onslaught in the warehousing industry is the sharpest expression of a broader economic restructuring being imposed by the federal government with Labor Party and union support on behalf of the financial elite they all serve.

As is the case internationally, the ruling class wants to impose the cost of a deepening economic crisis onto the working class and seeks to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate longstanding plans for a sweeping, pro-business restructuring of workplace relations and economic life in the interests of the billionaires and the major corporations.

As workers are propelled into struggle against this agenda, it is essential that they draw the lessons of their past experiences, including what has taken place at Smeaton Grange.

At the meeting, SEP speakers will review the Smeaton Grange dispute and its broader context. They will raise the need for workers everywhere to begin developing their own organisations of struggle, including independent rank-and-file committees, to combat union attempts to impose further betrayals.

Speakers will also point to the need for a new political perspective, directed against the capitalist system, which offers workers only a future of mass unemployment, poverty, war and authoritarianism.

We invite all workers, young people and defenders of social and democratic rights to attend and participate in the discussion.

Details:

Sunday, March 14, 2 p.m. (AEDT), registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Kng632VtQYaLwH0FFkiSmA


In New Jersey, at a timber farm turned shelter for women who have suffered domestic violence, Gloria's struggles, like those of many abuse victims, have worsened with the coronavirus pandemic.

From Argentina to Singapore, virus-induced confinement has caused an increase in violence cases and their severity and made it more difficult to report abuses and help victims, activists say.

Gloria, a 56-year-old New Yorker who is too afraid to give her surname, arrived at the Strengthen Our Sisters shelter six months ago, several months into the pandemic.

Before joining the center, which houses about 80 women and children in seven houses, Gloria first had to quarantine for two weeks, completely alone.

Sitting in her pink- and red-painted bedroom, which is decorated with teddy bears, hearts, a Christmas tree, and a picture of Jesus, Gloria describes her ex-partner as "a monster" who beat her and forced her to work for him in exchange for drugs.

"He had me isolated with him, without my family. He spoke very badly to me, he abused me very badly, and yet I still loved him," says Gloria, tears streaming from her piercing blue eyes.

Gloria, who has grown children from another relationship and several grandchildren, said her abuser would remove the phone, rip her clothes, force her to eat food she didn't want and call her a prostitute.

"He said that I owed him my life and my body," said Gloria, the daughter of Puerto Rican parents, in Spanish.

She is a former cocaine paste addict, who for a time lived on the streets of Coney Island, in Brooklyn.

"The pandemic has exacerbated the ability of abusers to utilize power and control tactics over their intimate partners," said Connie Neal, executive director of the New York Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

- Virtual services -

Stay-at-home orders have caused household abuse to last longer and in many cases become more serious, said Cassie Mecklenburg executive director of Sheltering Wings, an organization that provides emergency housing to domestic violence survivors.

Story continues

The group is based in Danville, Indiana, a state where deaths caused by domestic violence surged 102 percent between the start of the pandemic in March and December.

"People are having a harder time seeking services, but when they do finally have the opportunity to reach out, they're more serious," she told AFP.

A rise in unemployment and increased consumption of alcohol and drugs have also aggravated the situation, Mecklenburg notes.

In April, the United Nations warned that violence against women during Covid-19 was a "shadow pandemic."

It said cases in United States, Canada, Argentina, France, Britain and Spain increased during the first month of lockdown.

"Numbers don't tell a whole story. Even with increases, we know that domestic violence is under-reported," said Tonya Harris, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition against Domestic Violence.

In her small state, calls for help have soared 90 percent since the start of the pandemic, fueling a demand for emergency shelter.

However, many American shelters had to limit occupants due to social distancing rules and quarantine rules.

"It was very difficult to add more people to the house," says Cheryl Bullock-Hannah, a volunteer with the Strengthen Our Sisters shelter, which is funded almost entirely by donations.

"You cannot go to social services. They are not open," she explains. "It's all done virtually, so it makes it very difficult."

To help address the crisis in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced an agreement with Airbnb to temporarily house victims in the city.

- 'Obstacles' -

But there are other problems.

Attorney Victoria Goodlof says that due to Covid closing courts, survivors are no longer able to walk in and sometimes can't obtain a temporary restraining order on the same day.

"(The delay) really could result in more danger," Goodlof, who works with the non-profit New York Legal Assistance Group told AFP.

Hearings for several of her clients trying to obtain permanent protection that were scheduled for March or April last year have not yet been given new dates.

For survivors, the pandemic is "a very large mountain to climb" on a road that was "already full of obstacles," said Goodlof.

"And that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon," she added.

lbc/pdh/dw
Roohi: Director Hardik Mehta Opens Up About The Film, Says "In Our Universe, The Chudail Is Filmy"

With gags, gasps and a shout-out to "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (DDLJ), "Roohi" aims to further generate curiosity about horror comedies, a genre which allows creators to subvert the folklore to present a contemporary story, says the film's director Hardik Mehta.

Starring Janhvi Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao and Varun Sharma, "Roohi" revolves around a singing ghost who puts grooms to sleep so it can possess their brides. The trailer of the movie, which is slated to be released theatrically on March 11, reinterprets the iconic scene from "DDLJ" where Shah Rukh Khan's Raj wills Simran (played by Kajol) to 'palat', that is to turn back if she loves him.

In "Roohi", the viewer sees the character played by Kapoor, who is possessed by the ghost, rotate her neck to 360 degree after Sharma says 'palat'. Mehta said the aim was to give a new twist to the memorable dialogue while honouring the classic horror trope with a bit of laughs.

"Horror films have always used this twisted neck or turning around the neck for horror effect but here we have subverted that and combined the 'DDLJ' mainstream memory of 'palat' and given a chudail (witch) 'palat' moment. It was something not done before. In our universe, the chudail is filmy," the director told PTI in an interview.

"Roohi" is the second film in producer Dinesh Vijan's horror comedy universe, which was envisioned following the success of "Stree", featuring Shraddha Kapoor and Rao. The 2018 movie also featured Abhishek Bannerjee, Aparshakti Khurana and Pankaj Tripathi. Mehta, who made his feature length directorial debut with the Sanjay Mishra-starrer drama "Kaamyaab", said there is a lot of interest around this genre, which is not completely discovered in India as yet.

"We all have grown up with so many folk tales and rumours about ghost and witch and each region has a specific folklore. That helps establish a folklore, create curiosity and subvert it in today's 21st century, where you can be rational about few things but you can also give up your rationality after few times," he said.

The concept of "Roohi", Mehta said, came from writer-director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba of "Fukrey" fame and Gautam Mehra and is based on a popular folklore of north India.

"There is a chudail (witch) called 'mudiyapairi', who targets grooms and as they fall asleep, she abducts the brides." The film is based in a fictitious town, he said, quipping they didn't name the place "because times are changing".

While "Stree" and "Roohi" come from the same stable and genre, they are "completely different films". "'Roohi' has its own individual identity. The film has nothing to do with 'Stree' except it is a horror comedy genre and it is coming from the same producers. Content wise it is not similar," Mehta said.

The filmmaker, who won the National Award for his 2015 short documentary in Gujarati titled "Amdavad Ma Famous", said the biggest challenge for the makers is to gain full engagement of the audience.

"Horror films have a typical trope like someone might appear in front of the door, keyhole or above the cupboard, etc. We have seen certain things in Ramsay Brothers movies or 'The Conjuring'. They have become part of our mainstream audience memory and subverting that makes the comedy. The most important thing is to not lose the concentration of horror, the moment you try to dilute horror it might become comedy-horror and not horror-comedy. And then it becomes spoof and more dangerous," he noted.

A graduate in Dairy and Food Technologies, Mehta initially worked at a leading company in Surat but his passion for storytelling led him into the film industry where he co-wrote movies like "Trapped" and web series "Paatal Lok". The director, who served as a script supervisor on films like "Lootera" and "Queen", said he is happy to be associated with diverse projects.

"I am glad I got the opportunity to do different kinds of things and I am not being put into a box for making certain kinds of films only. Bollywood, otherwise, is known for its stereotypes. In today's time a good film cannot be ignored irrespective of the genre," he added.

Also starring Manav Vij, Sarita Joshi, Anurag Arora, "Roohi" is one of the first Bollywood projects to arrive in theatres after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting allowed cinema halls to operate at full capacity with adherence to COVID-19 safety norms. Mehta said the team is under pressure to recreate the success of "Stree" with his film, besides getting people to visit cinema halls amid the pandemic.

"We have all kinds of pressure. There is a successful film in the same genre from the same producer and there is the pressure of getting people into cinema halls given there is a talk about second wave (of COVID-19)... We are hoping to get people back in cinema halls," he said.

"Roohi" is presented by Jio Studios and Vijan's Maddock Films.
CHICAGO, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hub International Limited (Hub), a leading full-service global insurance broker, announced today that it has acquired the assets of Incentive Systems, Inc. (ISI). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Located in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, ISI provides innovative employee benefit solutions, helping clients maximize the value of the health, life disability and voluntary programs. Michael Jacobson, President of ISI, will be joining Hub Northeast.

"With ISI, we continue our accelerated expansion in the Greater Philadelphia region," said Dennis O'Neill, President of Hub Greater Philadelphia. "The ISI team brings a wealth of experience that will enable us to further enhance our client offering. We look forward to having them on board!"

About Hub's M&A Activities

Hub International Limited is committed to growing organically and through acquisitions to expand its geographic footprint and strengthen industry and product expertise. For more information on the Hub M&A experience, visit WeAreHub.com.

About Hub International

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hub International Limited is a leading full-service global insurance broker providing risk management, insurance, employee benefits, retirement and wealth management products and services. With more than 13,000 employees in offices located throughout North America, Hub's vast network of specialists brings clarity to a changing world with tailored solutions and unrelenting advocacy, so clients are ready for tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.hubinternational.com.

CONTACT:

Media: Marni Gordon

Phone: 312-279-4601

[email protected]

M&A: Clark Wormer

Phone: 312.279.4848

[email protected]

SOURCE Hub International Limited

Related Links

www.hubinternational.com


Experts feared the Johnson & Johnson vaccine's slightly lower efficacy rate would lead to an impression of a two-tiered system. That has been exactly the case in Detroit, where the mayor just rejected a shipment of the company's vaccine.

CNN reports that Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan (D) declined an allocation of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week, saying the other available vaccines are better. "Johnson & Johnson is a very good vaccine. Moderna and Pfizer are the best," he said. "And I am going to do everything I can to make sure the residents of the City of Detroit get the best." Stat News' Matthew Herper called this a "bad plan."

It's true that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine trials showed a 72 percent efficacy rate, while Moderna and Pfizer, the two other approved coronavirus vaccines, have a rate of about 95 percent. But health experts say it's still an excellent option, and has other perks like only requiring a single shot and frequently leading to fewer side effects, reports The New York Times. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, said people shouldn't overthink which one to get, and explained the vaccines can't really be compared head-to-head because of different trial circumstances.

Besides, experts note, the raw numbers don't show the full picture. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine prevented all hospitalizations and deaths in its large clinical trial, meaning the slightly lower efficacy rate really only points to mild to moderate disease.

Detroit's mayor, however, said the city has been able to meet demand with just its supply of Pfizer and Moderna doses, but CNN notes Duggan's administration only expanded vaccine eligibility to residents ages 50 and older with chronic medical conditions on Thursday. Duggan said he would accept Johnson & Johnson doses later on if all other doses are distributed and there are remaining residents who want a vaccine.

More stories from theweek.com

At least 1,000 COVID-19 deaths linked to workplace transmission were reportedly never investigated

Britain's tabloids, vilified by Harry and Meghan, are all agog over the 'devastating' Oprah interview

What most shocked some Britons about the Harry and Meghan interview? U.S. drug ads.


DALLAS  A Dallas police officer was arrested Thursday on two counts of capital murder, more than a year and a half after a man told investigators that he kidnapped and killed two people at the officers instruction in 2017, authorities said.

Bryan Riser, a 13-year veteran of the force, was arrested Thursday morning and taken to the Dallas County jail for processing, according to a statement from the police department. Jail records show Riser is held without bond pending an appearance before a judge, but do not list an attorney for him.

Riser was arrested in the unconnected killings of Liza Saenz, 31, and Albert Douglas, 61, after a man came forward in August 2019 and told police he had kidnapped and killed them at Risers direction, police Chief Eddie Garcia said during a news conference. He said investigators dont know the motives for the killings, but that they were not related to Risers police work.

Garcia did not explain why Riser was arrested nearly 20 months after the witness came forward, and police declined to answer subsequent questions about the timing. Riser joined the department in 2008, and Garcia acknowledged that he had been patrolling Dallas while under investigation for the killings.

The chief stressed that his homicide division and the FBI were still investigating and said the department was reviewing Risers arrests.

Saenzs body was pulled from the Trinity River in southwest Dallas on March 10, 2017, with several bullet wounds, the chief said. Douglas was reported missing that year and his body hasnt been found.

Three men were charged with capital murder in the killing of Saenz: Kevin Kidd, Emmanuel Kilpatrick and Jermon Simmons. Kilpatrick is serving life in prison for the killings of a father and son. Kidd and Simmons remain in Dallas County jail on capital murder charges stemming from the killings of Saenz and the father and son. Simmons is also charged in another death.

One of the men charged with Saenzs killing told police that he and Riser were involved in burglaries when they were young, according to an affidavit for Risers arrest. It does not identify the man by name.

More recently, Riser and the man allegedly hatched a plan to rob drug stash houses, but they didnt follow through with it. Instead, according to the affidavit, the man told investigators that Riser offered to pay him a total of $9,500 to kidnap and kill Douglas and later Saenz.

Both were shot and their bodies were dumped in the river, the court states.

The affidavit states that Riser told the hired killer Saenz was an informant. The document does not elaborate, and police declined to answer questions about whether Saenz had some connection to the department.

The murder charges are not the officers first alleged crimes. In May 2017, Riser faced a domestic violence charge for allegedly assaulting and injuring an ex-girlfriend. It wasnt immediately clear how that case was resolved. Police said Riser received summary discipline for an incident.

Riser has been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation. Garcia said were going to expedite our process toward his firing.

We will not allow anyone to tarnish this badge, the chief said.

A spokeswoman for the Dallas County district attorney said her office didnt have information on the case.

___

Jake Bleiberg of The Associated Press wrote this story. AP writers Jamie Stengle in Dallas and Jill Bleed in Little Rock, Arkansas, contributed to this report.
It sounds like a typical movie storybook tale.

It is though not a typical Crocodile Dundee story nor a movie script along those lines as the victim came out with cruel markings that are bound to be a permanent feature on his body. It is an episode which began with excitement and laughter punctuated with boyhood bravado only to end in blood and tears. His life will never be the same again and 13-year-old Clayton Dube is lucky to have survived after literally encountering the jaws of a crocodile.

One fine sunny day on January the 29th, Clayton and his friends left their homestead bound for Kalope Dam. The expanse water body is less than 5km from the Dube homestead in Lukosi. On normal hot days, the boys even enjoy a swim in the dam though elders frown upon the practice due to the number of crocodiles that have been spotted.

So as the saying goes that boys will be boys, Clayton and his friends went on a fishing expedition disregarding the perennial cautions by the village elders not to ever try venturing inside the dam. It would be a day when tragedy would change Claytons life forever.

We threw our fish trap inside the water. As I monitored the situation, it began to sink. I thought a big fish had been caught hence it was going down, says Clayton.

Little did he know that far from being the usual fishermans sign of a big catch, danger awaited him under the still waters of Kalope Dam.

The young lad says he jumped into the water excited of a great prospect. A fishermans catch is usually his days moment of coronation if it is a record one. But to young Clayton, it would turn out to be his moment of pain.

I felt something grabbing my leg. I struggled and then felt a painful bite at that moment. Immediately I knew it was a crocodile and I had to fight for my life, he relates with a rare confidence for someone who survived such an ordeal.

As he imagined what he had to do in such a moment, Clayton says he remembered crocodile survival tales that have always been spoken about in the village.

One of those old time lessons is that when one is attacked by a crocodile, they should look for its soft nose or push through its tongue a long stick.

The only alternative the young victim had at that time were his God-given fingers which he had to make use of.

His father Mr Bernard Dube says young Clayton related how he survived while he was being ferried by an ambulance to the nearly Wankie Colliery Hospital after being rescued.

He told his mother while in the ambulance that he streched his hand and searched for a soft spot on the crocodiles upper part.

He was looking for the nose which he found and then inserted his fingers with vigour. It was then that the crocodile left him, says Claytons father.

However, the unpleasant scene was not yet over. After escaping the jaws of the cruel water monster, Clayton had lost his right leg.

He still had to find his way out of the dam and those watching from the shore were too scared to jump into the bloody water and rescue him. His grateful father however says they played a huge role in encouraging him to fight on till he got to safety on shallow water where he was then pulled out.

Standing by the shore, they kept screaming and making noise to try and scare the crocodile. They even threw stones in the direction of the reptile to just keep it away from its bleeding victim, he says.

A spirit of bravery and the will to survive must have taken hold of young Clayton who managed to swim minus the lower part of his right leg all the way to the shore. Those waiting by then pulled him out and called for an ambulance which took him to the Colliery Hospital for treatment.

Sadly, Clayton has lost a leg and he hobbles around the house and yard on crutches. When this news crew arrived at the Dube homestead in Lukosi his mother had just finished dressing his wounds.

The family is however positive that nothing will deter their son from going back to school when the new 2021 academic year re-opens. The young victim is going for his Grade 7 at Lwendulu Primary School and remains upbeat that he will rise to the challenge that has robbed him of his leg.

I want to go back to school and learn even harder. Yes I will have a problem with walking, but I cannot stop going to school, he beams with an ear to ear smile albeit telling a sad story.

To Claytons mother, this is nothing short of a miracle. It is a day that the family will always testify about as true testimony that the Almighty loves them dearly.

I want to thank God for my child. I am grateful he survived. Yes there will be challenges when he goes back to school because he needs an artificial leg now.

We pray to get it and are making frantic efforts though we hope well-wishers will assist us in that endeavour, she says.

Crocodile attacks are not a new phenomenon in Africa though they increase mainly due to how much rains are received in a season.

The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has constantly warned that water bodies are the natural habitat of these aquatic beasts.

We encourage communities to stay away from water bodies especially in a season where there have been incessant rains. May crocodiles come through water bodies and we urge people to stay away from any water sources, says Mr Tinashe Farawo, the authoritys spokesperson.

While this might be a lesson that came late for young Clayton and his friends, the outstanding bravery he tapped into in order to survive the attack at Kalope Dam might just fit in as one of the tales in the village for many years to come.-ZBC NEWS

Photo: Contributed

Though there is much work to be done to focus on economic recovery, there are also other bills being debated and voted on in Parliament.

Ill touch upon four pieces of legislation I was happy to support that were brought forth by Conservatives to support people and businesses in a number of ways, and which showed leadership on important issues.

First, it is imperative to support and recognize caregivers  who are often unsung heroes. Bill C-220 would extend compassionate care leave for caregivers up to three weeks after a loved ones passing. Currently, eight million Canadians act as informal caregivers to loved ones.

These caregivers often experience physical, emotional, and financial stress and need time to make appropriate arrangements and grieve.

Second, Bill C-204 seeks to take action and ban the export of non-recyclable plastic waste from Canada to foreign countries.

Since we have means to properly dispose of much of our plastic waste domestically, Canada has a responsibility to ensure its not exported where it is then often dumped, burned, or left in landfills. This is a practical measure that will protect the environment globally.

Third, from heating barns to farm equipment, farmers face steep energy costs, which have skyrocketed in many parts of the country due to the increasing federal carbon tax.

Bill C-206 would exempt farmers from paying the carbon tax on gasoline, propane, and natural gas.

It is a practical measure to help alleviate the financial strain on the agriculture sector. Supporting our food security is more important than ever.

Lastly, Bill C-208 would allow the transfer of a small business, family farm or fishing corporation at the same tax rate when selling to a family member as they would when selling to a third party.

I was happy to jointly second this bill in the first session of this parliament. This was a poor tax policy change brought in by the government.

This policy bothered me so much, it was one of the factors that led me to run to become an MP.

Succession planning is a challenge at the best of times for small businesses and farmers and it is unfair that it is more financially advantageous to sell to a stranger than to your children who often grow up around their family business and contribute over a long time.

I recently received an email from a local small business owner:

I am just writing to thank you for supporting Bill C-208, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (transfer of small business or family farm or fishing corporation). My wife and I are ready to hand over the reins of our business to our children.

These four bills above were all passed in the House of Commons recently, and at committee for study.

On another topic, the changes to the governments Bill C-71 on firearm legislation includes downloading the responsibility of handgun possession, storage, and transportation to by-laws within municipalities.

This will create a patchwork of rules across the country and with neighbouring communities.

This bill also includes changes that will dramatically affect airsoft and indoor paintball recreational usage and may negatively affect the Canadian film industry as well.

I recently participated in a few local virtual events including the Boys and Girls Upstream Kelownas launch ceremony. I was also a panellist on a local workshop, Expanding Awareness of Financial Abuse to Seniors.

This included great questions from participants about how to protect seniors from various types of fraud. Be sure to let me know if you are planning any local virtual events or would like to connect.

If you need any assistance with programs or have any thoughts to share, feel free to reach out. Stay well.

250-470-5075 or [email protected]. tracygraymp.ca


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
(TNS)  State lawmakers probing the massive data breach at state Auditor Pat McCarthy's office say they're frustrated with ongoing secrecy surrounding the incident, which exposed personal information of at least 1.3 million Washingtonians.Three state senators who have pressed for details about the breach say the auditor's office has conditioned private briefings on a confidentiality agreement, meaning they cannot share all they learn publicly. The auditor's office has justified holding briefings under so-called attorney-client privilege because the agency is being sued over the data breach, according to the lawmakers and internal emails describing the dispute.Lawmakers say that unusual restriction cuts against transparency and could impede public oversight of the auditor's office, run by McCarthy, an independently elected statewide official. State Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, said she is refusing to participate in a confidential briefing. Keiser, who chairs the state Senate's Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committee, plans to question auditor's staff about the hack at a committee hearing on Thursday."I could not abide by an attorney-client privilege conversation, and then hold oversight hearings," Keiser said. Trying to "keep a wall between what I know [from the briefing] and what I ask about [at a public hearing] doesn't work." Keiser, who has served in the legislature since 1996, said she could not recall receiving a similar request before from an agency.Two other state senators  Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, and Joe Nguyen, D-White Center  say they reluctantly agreed to the restrictions in order to get a fuller accounting of the Dec. 25 breach, which reportedly occurred when cybercriminals broke into a digital-file transfer service run by Accellion, a California software provider hired by the auditor's office."I am willing to participate. It's outrageous that this is their approach, but it's vital to understand what is going on," Carlyle said in a Feb. 25 email to Keiser, Nguyen and legislative attorneys. Nguyen, a Microsoft senior program manager, said he wanted to speak directly with the auditor's technical staff to better understand how the breach occurred, but was told the conversations could only happen if he agreed to keep them secret. "The fact that we both have lawyers talking to each other and not, you know, the technology experts is very telling," he said in an interview.McCarthy's office defended its approach, saying it is working with lawmakers to provide information they need. The auditor "is firmly committed to public oversight of and insight into the Accellion data incident and related investigation," said Kathleen Cooper, an auditor spokesperson, in an emailed statement. Cooper said the auditor "will not hide behind attorney-client privilege" and would only shield information "to the narrowest extent possible to balance transparency while protecting our ability to defend ourselves in court."The data breach occurred beginning late last year, when unknown cybercriminals hacked into a file-transfer service, known as FTA, sold by Accellion. That breach has swept up a growing number of companies and public institutions, including the Kroger grocery chain, the University of Colorado and a New Zealand bank.In the Washington's case, the compromised data had been collected as part of the auditor's investigations into how the state Employment Security Department (ESD) lost $600 million to fraudulent unemployment claims last year. In conducting its probe, the auditor gathered detailed records on more than 1 million unemployment claims filed in 2020, including legitimate applications and others filed by fraudsters in the names of Washingtonians.The records contained personal identifying information that could be used by criminals for identity theft or financial fraud, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, street and email addresses and bank-account numbers. Several lawsuits already have been filed over the data breach, most targeting Accellion, but at least one naming McCarthy's office as well. The auditor's office has started sending individual notifications to persons affected, with an offer of a year of free credit monitoring.Carlyle said in an interview he didn't think the auditor was trying to hide anything, but that its restrictions raise questions about the legislature's ability to oversee an independent agency with considerable authority to collect sensitive data."There's an incredibly serious ... issue on the table, which is who audits the auditor?" said Carlyle, who chairs the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee and is sponsoring legislation aimed at shoring up state cybersecurity practices. "We have a responsibility to the public to be transparent, and in my view the state Auditor's Office lawyered up quicker than a New York minute."Keiser said she plans to press McCarthy's staff on Thursday as to why they needed to collect so much highly sensitive data from ESD. "I wondered at the time whether they needed that much personal information and I still don't have an answer to that," she said.Toby Nixon, longtime president of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, said there are sometimes legitimate reasons to limit disclosure of sensitive government information, such as to protect private data or shield ongoing criminal investigations. But, Nixon said, public agencies too often overuse such excuses to hide important facts. "I think that their impulse is to circle the wagons, prevent people from holding them accountable in any way," he said.Thursday's hearing about the auditor data breach starts at 8 a.m. and will be streamed by TVW.org
France has threatened to use EU laws to stop vaccines being shipped abroad after Italy blocked 250,000 doses from being sent to Australia.

Olivier Veran, the French health minister, said on Friday that he 'could do the same' if ministers decide the jabs are needed to speed up the country's slow vaccine drive.

Mr Veran spoke after Italy became the first country to use new EU export laws to stop a shipment of AstraZeneca jabs from going to Australia - saying they are needed to help its own citizens.

The move raised eyebrows Down Under, as Australia's finance minister Simon Birmingham said it is 'a reminder of the desperation that exists in other parts of the world, compared with the very good position we found ourselves in here'.

'We are obviously disappointed and frustrated by this decision,' he added.

Australia is relying on vaccine imports to get its jab drive up and running, before domestically-produced doses become available.

Matthew Lesh, head of research at Australia's conservative Adam Smith Institute, also hit out - branding the EU a 'bully' and calling the move 'a very clear demonstration of closed, self-interested and nationalistic behaviour [that] the world should not tolerate.'

Olivier Veran, French health minister, has threatened to follow Italy's example by blocking vaccines from being shipped abroad

Italy blocked a shipment of 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccines bound for Australia from leaving the country using EU export laws - the first time they have been used. The laws were introduced in January in a desperate effort to speed up Europe's vaccine drive

EU accused of 'bullying' over vaccines Matthew Lesh, head of research at Australia's conservative Adam Smith Institute, has branded the EU a 'bully' after it blocked a shipment of vaccines from leaving Italy. 'A very clear demonstration of closed, self-interested and nationalistic behaviour. The world should not tolerate this bullying,' he said. 'Australia isn't responsible for the European Union's failure to secure enough doses or vaccinate across her population.' But Prime Minister Scott Morrison was quick to downplay the row, insisting that Australia was not relying on the blocked shipment to push ahead with its vaccine roll-out, an that Italy's actions were 'understandable' given how badly the country has suffered from Covid. 'In Italy, people are dying at the rate of 300 a day. And so I can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many countries across Europe.' 'They are in an unbridled crisis situation. That is not the situation in Australia,' he said. Australia's chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, added: 'My sister lives in Italy. They're at the moment having 18,000 cases a day.' Advertisement

But Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison struck a more measured tone, saying he could understand the reasons for Italy's objection.

'In Italy people are dying at the rate of 300 a day. And so I can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many countries across Europe,' Morrison told reporters in Sydney.

The shipment block was the first use of an export control system instituted by the EU to make sure big pharmaceutical companies respect their EU contracts.

The ban was requested by Italian authorities and approved by the EU in a move that frustrated the Australian government.

'The world is in uncharted territory at present, it's unsurprising that some countries would tear up the rule book,' Mr Birmingham told Sky News Australia.

He acknowledged, however, that Australia received 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine last week, and 'that will see our current distribution plan work'.

Australia's immunisation programme began last month and the government expects the vaccine will be made available to anyone who wants it by October.

The country has secured 53.8 million doses of the vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, 50 million of which will be made in Australia.

According to Australian media, Health Minister Greg Hunt has asked the European Commission to review the Italian decision.

Italy's prime minister has urged the EU to 'suffocate' vaccine makers who fail to deliver on their contractual obligations amid a row over supplies from AstraZeneca.

The export control mechanism was hastily pushed through by the EU in January after the bloc bitterly accused AstraZeneca of holding back doses meant for the EU and diverting them to newly-unshackled Brexit Britain.

Italy's new prime minister Mario Draghi told Ursula von der Leyen over the phone on Wednesday that it was necessary to 'suffocate' the pharmaceutical giants to force them to meet their contractual obligations, according to Italian daily La Republicca.

Italy's new prime minister Mario Draghi, pictured, told Ursula von der Leyen over the phone this week that it was necessary to 'suffocate' the pharmaceutical giants to ensure they meet their contractual obligations, according to Italian daily La Republicca

Austria and Denmark approve AstraZeneca jab for over-65s Austria and Denmark have become the latest EU countries to approve AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine for over-65s, after doubts were cast on its effectiveness. Health authorities from both countries said a real-world study published in Scotland and which featured data on older patients showed that the vaccine worked. 'The results from Scotland are pleasing. They show a strongly reduced risk of hospitalisation for Covid-19, also among the elderly,' Bolette Soborg, director of the Danish Health Authority, said in a statement. 'We could also see a tendency to this from the limited data we had from the approval studies for the vaccine. This is now confirmed on a large scale,' she added. European countries, led by France and Germany, had previously poured scorn on the jab, falsely claiming that it barely worked in older patients. Skepticism around the jab and delays in approving it have further hampered Europe's slow vaccine roll-out, which has also been hit by red tape and supply issues. Advertisement

Draghi did not elaborate on what he meant, but it is likely he was referring to stopping vaccine shipments since Italy requested permission to do so last week - meaning both leaders would have been aware of it during their call.

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis last night called the blockade 'disgraceful behaviour' which puts at risk, not just Britain's relationship with the EU, but the world's.

He told The Telegraph: 'Frankly, it amounts to disgraceful behaviour. It comes at the end of a period where it took them a long time to approve the vaccine, then some of their leaders questioned the value of the vaccine, and it looks likely they wasted the vaccine as a result of that because of an uptake shortfall.

'And now this. I'm afraid the EU is putting at risk the goodwill of the rest of the world. It is disgraceful behaviour and sad, really, because they are our friends and allies.'

David Jones, deputy chair of the European Research Group of euro-sceptic Tory MPs called it 'piratical' behaviour.

The EU has vaccinated just 8 per cent of its population, compared with nearly a third in Britain, which has a steady supply of AstraZeneca.

In January, AstraZeneca cut supplies to the EU in the first quarter from 90 million to 40 million, and later announced it would slash deliveries by another 50 per cent in the second quarter.

Despite its fury, the bloc has now finally recognised that the AstraZeneca jab will be crucial to their vaccine programmes after making incendiary claims that the Anglo-Swedish firm's medicine was ineffective in January.

Germany on Thursday approved the AstraZeneca vaccine for over-65s after ministers briefed journalists that it barely worked for older people.

And French PM Jean Castex admitted that the jab was 'very efficient' - flying in the face of Emmanuel Macron's claim at the height of the row that it was only 'quasi-effective' in elderly patients.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has presided over a shambolic vaccine roll-out which has lurched from crisis to crisis

Greece and Sweden have also announced they will drop age restrictions, following a similar move by Belgium, with Spain also considering a change to allow elderly patients to receive the AstraZeneca jab.

The EU's AstraZeneca dispute and slow vaccine programme The shipment ban was the latest development in the dispute between the EU and AstraZeneca over delays in deliveries. Faced with shortages of doses during the early stages of the vaccine campaign that started in late December in the bloc, the EU issued an export control system for Covid-19 vaccines in late January, forcing companies to respect their contractual obligations to the bloc before commercial exports can be approved. The EU has been specifically angry with AstraZeneca because it is delivering far fewer doses to the bloc than it had promised. Of the initial order for 80 million doses to the EU in the first quarter, the company will be struggling to deliver half that quantity. The EU thought it had made excellent preparations for the rollout of vaccines. With its 450 million people, the EU has signed deals for six different vaccines. In total, it has ordered up to 400 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and sealed agreements with other companies for more than two billion inoculations. But only 33 million doses have been given so far, and only 11 million Europeans have been fully vaccinated. Despite the current difficulties, the EU's goal remains to vaccinate 70% of the adult population in the bloc by the end of summer. Advertisement

The doses destined for Australia were stopped from leaving a plant in Anagni, in the province of Frosinone, an Italian government source told The Times.

They were being transferred into phials by Catalent, a US drug company, when they were barred from leaving Europe.

An EU diplomat said: 'Italy has sent a crystal clear message to AstraZeneca: contracts are to be honoured. AstraZeneca's vaccine delivery to the EU will fall short by millions of doses in the first quarter of 2021 alone, putting at risk the lives of 30 million EU citizens.

'Being in this situation, not making up for it, not even offering excuses to the people they have let down and then asking for an export authorisation is a very brazen move. Italy rightly stopped it.'

The tough gesture comes after Draghi, the 73-year-old former European central bank governor, took the helm of a national unity government last month.

He has appointed an army general, who once commanded Italy's troops in Afghanistan, to hasten the country's vaccine roll-out which he says is vital to reviving the economy.

The move by Italy comes as Thierry Breton, who has been put in charge of speeding up the EU's jab programme, bragged this week that not a single vaccine dose had left Europe since export controls were brought in.

Speaking in The Hague on Wednesday, Breton said he would ensure that AstraZeneca 'delivers what is promised' in the coming months.

Breton was in Italy on Thursday, when he boasted that Europe has 'plenty of vaccines available' and will be able to offer one to every adult before the end of summer.

Breton claimed that EU countries have received 43 million doses so far, but have not yet used about 30 per cent of them.

According to the commissioner, by the end of the year the EU will be able to manufacture 2-3 billion vaccine doses per year, beating the production capacity of the US, China and Russia.

The commissioner called for EU unity, after several members of the bloc, including Slovakia, Hungary, Denmark and Austria, broke ranks to source vaccines from Israel, China or Russia.

The news emerged just a day after Europe's new vaccine Tsar, Thierry Breton, bragged that not a single vaccine dose had left the continent since the rules were introduced

'No single country can have an autonomous vaccination strategy ... we all depend on one another,' Breton said.

Australia's slow jabs roll-out Australia has only just begun to roll-out Covid-19 jabs, with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine approved for use from Friday. The country received a delivery of 142,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on February 15, but the AstraZeneca jab is to be the predominant vaccine for Australians. Just 0.2 per 100 people have received a vaccine dose, compared to 31.82 in Britain, 24.33 in the U.S. and 8.71 in Europe. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca jab arrived in Sydney on Sunday and were to be administered to front-line medics in the south of the country from Friday. Another 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca jab are to be shipped in from overseas. Mr Morrison said that a further 50 million doses of the AstraZeneca jab will be made domestically in Melbourne to avoid relying on other countries and supply problems. The doses will be manufactured in monthly batches. The 53.8 million doses are enough to provide two doses to every person in the country, which has a population of around 25 million. Advertisement

German regulators submitted their revised verdict on AstraZeneca's vaccine on Thursday - a move which Angela Merkel's health minister Jens Spahn had pleaded for the day prior.

It came amid calls to use the Sputnik V to speed up a vaccine drive hampered by EU supply chaos and public doubts over the AstraZeneca shot, with one state premier saying the country should do 'everything possible' to quicken the pace.

Reiner Haseloff, the leader of Saxony-Anhalt, said he would 'take Sputnik V any time', having had a Soviet-made polio shot as a child in East Germany - adding that he was open to making vaccines compulsory like they were in the Communist-ruled state.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) today began a rolling review of Sputnik V but Hungary and Slovakia have already jumped ahead to buy their own shots while the Czech Republic is mulling a similar move.

It tees up a potential propaganda coup for Vladimir Putin, who was widely scorned for approving the vaccine last August before clinical trials were complete but may have the last laugh after testing showed it to be 91.6 per cent effective.

The EMA began its review today based on clinical studies and lab tests which 'indicate that Sputnik V triggers the production of antibodies and immune cells' that can protect against Covid-19.

Slovakia has already ordered two million doses of Sputnik V and received its first shipment of 200,000 shots on a military plane from Moscow.

The neighbouring Czech Republic could also press Sputnik V into service even without approval from the EMA, its prime minister has said.

And Hungary, which has broken away even further by bringing in the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine, has also received its first deliveries of Sputnik V.

Russia gloated today that it expected several EU countries to approve Sputnik V this month, saying it could provide 50million shots starting from June if required.

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, said the jab could act as a bridge between Russia and Europe and should not get bogged down in politics - just as Western countries clash with Moscow over the jailing of Alexei Navalny.

The RDIF sovereign wealth fund which helped finance the development of Sputnik V, said on Thursday that 42 countries have registered the vaccine so far.

The Kremlin says that Merkel herself has discussed the possibility of 'joint vaccine production' with Putin.

Covid cases rising in Europe after six-week decline, warns WHO The number of Covid-19 cases are rising in Europe after a six-week decline, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. New infections increased by nine per cent amid a 'resurgence' in central and Eastern Europe, said Hans Kluge. The agency's Europe regional director told a press briefing today: 'Last week, new cases of Covid-19 in Europe rose nine percent to just above one million. 'This brought a promising six-week decline in new cases to an end, with more than half of our region seeing increasing numbers of new infections. 'We are seeing a resurgence in central and Eastern Europe. New cases are also on the rise in several western European countries where rates were already high.' Mr Kluge added: 'We need to get back to the basics. We need to enlarge.' Advertisement

Merkel has come under fire at home for letting Brussels and her former cabinet colleague Ursula von der Leyen take charge of the vaccine programme.

The EU chaos has been made worse by public reluctance to take the AstraZeneca shot after several countries including Germany cast doubt on its efficacy by refusing to recommend it for over-65s.

Merkel's health minister Jens Spahn yesterday urged regulators to act on the real-world findings from the UK which prove that the jab is highly effective in older people.

'We now have very good data from England and Scotland showing that AstraZeneca works very, very well in over-65s,' Spahn told ARD television on Wednesday.

A separate University of Bristol study published on Wednesday found one shot of the AstraZeneca jab reducing severe cases of Covid-19 by 80.4 per cent.

The findings, which have yet to be peer-reviewed, also showed a single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech product cutting severe illness by 71.4 per cent.

Spahn has also called for Germany to delay second doses as far as regulators will allow - six weeks for the Pfizer jab and 12 weeks for AstraZeneca - in another move to emulate Britain's success in handing out millions of first doses.

Concerns about the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine have also hampered its rollout in Italy, with some refusing to have the jab as they believe the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines offer more protection.

Teachers and police officers under 50 have been bumped up the priority list, providing they accept the AstraZeneca vaccine. Police representatives have demanded they be given jabs by Pfizer or Moderna.

Angela Merkel, pictured, said last month that she was not eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine because she is 66 years old - a position which could be about to change

Vladimir Putin, pictured, has touted the success of the Sputnik V vaccine which was shown by trial results to be 91.6 per cent effective

Dr Paolo Mezzana told ITV that the doctors in Italy are also asking to be given different vaccine but this is because the AstraZeneca jab takes longer for immunisation to come into effect.

Mezzana said people had misinterpreted their stance and some now believe they should not have an AstraZeneca jab if doctors are refusing one.

Israel, Denmark, Austria agree deal for vaccine development Leaders from Israel, Austria and Denmark announced Thursday an alliance for the development and production of future generation coronavirus vaccines, at a press conference in Jerusalem. The three countries will launch 'a research and development fund' and begin 'joint efforts for common production of future vaccines', Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, alongside his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. 'We don't know how long... (current coronavirus) vaccines will hold up,' Netanyahu added. 'Is it half a year, is it a year, is it two years, is it more, is it less? We don't know. Therefore we have to protect our people against the reemergence of this pandemic, or mutations.' He did not specify the fund amount or the production capacity goal. Frederiksen said the three countries 'all have promising research that could pave the way for (a) next generation platform', adding they 'would like also to explore possible cooperation on clinical trials'. Denmark and Austria are European Union members, and the Israeli partnership has elicited criticism from fellow EU state France, which said the European system remained the best way to guarantee 'solidarity' within the bloc. Kurz had announced the alliance on Monday, saying the European Medicines Agency (EMA) was 'too slow in approving vaccines', leaving the bloc vulnerable to supply bottlenecks at pharmaceutical companies. Advertisement

It came as a survey by Kekst CNC found 77 per cent of Britons saying their country has handled the vaccine roll-out well - compared to 23 per cent in Germany, 19 per cent in Sweden and 18 per cent in France.

According to the poll, only 17 per cent in Germany and 24 per cent in France say the EU has done a good job of trying to immunise its 447million population.

The findings are unsurprising given the much faster pace of the roll-out in Britain, where more than 30 per cent of the entire population has had at least one dose.

The poll of 1,000 adults in each nation also found that Britons were the most likely to take the jab, with 89 per cent saying they would get one or had already done so.

That compared to 76 per cent in Sweden, 73 per cent in Germany and only 59 per cent in France where vaccine scepticism has long been a concern.

More than half of those surveyed in the three EU nations said vaccination progress was too slow in their country, a view shared by only 14 per cent of Britons.

The UK is moving at one of the fastest rates in the world after approving both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines before any other country.

By contrast, the EU did not get started at all until late December and did not approve the Oxford jab until the end of January after feuding with AstraZeneca over supplies.

Macron poured fuel on the fire by claiming the vaccine was 'quasi-ineffective' in older people following sensational but widely-debunked claims about its efficacy.

According to the poll, 23 per cent of Germans said their country had done a good job with vaccines while 46 per cent said it had done badly.

Merkel has been left pleading with people to take the AstraZeneca jab with many Germans preferring the Pfizer/BioNTech product co-developed in Germany.

The chancellor says she cannot set an example by taking the AstraZeneca jab herself because she is 66 years old and not currently eligible.

France's vaccine efforts were praised by 18 per cent and criticised by 39 per cent, after scientists said the roll-out was too slow to prevent a third wave of severe cases.

The slow progress has left France teetering on the bring of a third national lockdown which Macron has tried to prevent with a nationwide 6pm curfew.

German health minister Jens Spahn, pictured, has called for regulators to let over-65s take the AstraZeneca jab after real-world data from England and Scotland proved that it works

In Britain, 77 per cent of people praise their country's efforts in the vaccine roll-out (in green), but the figures are much lower in Germany (23 per cent), Sweden (19 per cent) and France (18 per cent) which are all lagging far behind the UK

The poll also found Britons (far left) the most likely to take a vaccine, with 89 per cent saying they would take a jab or have already done so. The figure is only 59 per cent in France

And in Sweden, 51 per cent said their country had handled the roll-out badly, compared to 19 per cent who said it had done well.

The findings are a blow to the Nordic country which has long cited the 'high level of trust in government agencies' as justification for its no-lockdown policies.

The survey shows a slump in approval ratings for Swedish PM Stefan Lofven, who is now 17 points underwater in the public's assessment of his virus response.

Macron is at minus 15 per cent, while Merkel is still up by 23 per cent but her ratings have dropped significantly since Germany's relative success in the first wave.

By contrast, Boris Johnson has enjoyed something of a revival after long being criticised for his handling of the crisis, although his rating is still minus 13 per cent.

The PM last week laid out detailed plans for lifting the lockdown which could see all limits on gatherings scrapped by June 21 in England.

All adults are expected to be given a first dose of the vaccine by July 31, while the EU has a more modest aim of vaccinating 70 per cent of adults by September.

The EU is blasted as a 'total DISGRACE' for blocking shipment of 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia - but the 'bullying' shows how we really are the lucky country

By TITA SMITH for Daily Mail Australia

The European Union has been accused of 'bullying' and blasted as a 'total disgrace' after blocking a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia.

Authorities in Italy have drawn on controversial export laws for the first time, refusing to grant a licence for 250,000 doses manufactured in the country to be exported.

Officials in Rome had informed the EU of its intention to act last week and Brussels did not object to the move.

The batch was halted because of 'continuing shortage of vaccines in the EU and in Italy and delays in supplies from AstraZeneca to the EU and Italy,' the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Italy also argued Australia is not a high-risk country, with low case and death numbers, in stark contrast to countries overwhelmed by the pandemic.

The EU blocked a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines from leaving Italy for Australia on Thursday, drawing on controversial export laws for the first time. Pictured: The first shipment of AstraZeneca arriving in Australia on February 28

The decision has sparked anger from commentators worldwide, with critics accusing the EU of punishing Australia due to their own management failures during the pandemic.

'The decision by Italy and the European Union to block vaccine exports to Australia is a total disgrace,' Matthew Lesh, the Head of Research at the conservative Adam Smith Institute,' told News.com.au.

'A very clear demonstration of closed, self-interested and nationalistic behaviour. The world should not tolerate this bullying.

'Australia isn't responsible for the European Union's failure to secure enough doses or vaccinate across her population  Australia's most vulnerable shouldn't have to bear the consequences.'

Mr Lesh's sentiments were echoed by several British commentators, including journalist Kelvin MacKenzie.

'The EU is a disgrace,' Mr MacKenzie tweeted.

'Europe is short of vaccine due to its own stupidity. France and Germany don't even believe in AZ but won't let anybody else have it. Shockers.'

The obstruction will leave Australia short thousands of vaccines, after the move prevented the batch from departing Europe on Thursday as planned.

Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng (pictured) said the situation reinforces how 'lucky' Australia is to have local vaccine production

But Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said the move demonstrates how lucky the nation is to have onshore vaccine production and he is not concerned it will disrupt Australia's rollout program.

'[This] just reinforces how lucky we are to have local production. It may not come in exactly when we expect it, but it is coming,' Professor Cheng told 3AW on Thursday.

Professor Cheng said 'we do not know' when more doses will arrive in the country but there are some Astrazenca doses in South Australia that will start being administered today.

Australia has secured 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with around 440,000 already in the country, and 54million AstraZeneca doses from overseas and local suppliers.

Asked why the majority of the orders are still yet to reach our shores, Professor Cheng said logistics were proving difficult.

'We have more vaccine than our capacity to deliver it at the moment,' he said

European leaders hastily passed new laws in January which require vaccine-makers to get permission from member states if they are planning to ship jabs manufactured in their countries overseas.

The 250,000 doses will reportedly now be distributed within the EU, whose member states are lagging behind other developed nations, including the United Kingdom.

Australia has ordered 150 million vaccines - meaning it can give enough jabs to every citizen twice (pictured, a scientist with the AstraZeneca vaccine)

A woman receives the AstraZeneca vaccine in Cornwall in the UK (pictured on February 1)

Australia began its vaccine campaign last week and had intended to use jabs shipped from abroad in the early part of the roll-out, before switching to domestically-produced ones.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the first of 50 million AstraZeneca doses to be produced locally would be ready within weeks.

'This 250,000-dose issue is not going to affect the rollout,' he told the Nine Network on Friday.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles welcomed the government's confidence the program would not be affected.

'We are far from leading the world in terms of vaccinating our population, but it's good news to hear from Peter this won't stall the rollout,' he told Nine.

Mr Dutton stressed there was no problem as he urged people to speak to their doctors to see when they could be vaccinated.

'We need to get to herd immunity that way we can get our borders open and get back to normal life,' he said.

The Australian Medical Association's Chris Moy said the government's decision to lock in local manufacturing would protect against 'vaccine nationalism'.

'It may have a slight delay because the first three or four million were destined to come from overseas,' he told Nine.

Health authorities say the move will not affect the vaccine rollout. Pictured: Prime Minister Scott Morrison walks past vials of AstraZeneca vaccine during a visit to the CSL serum lab to inspect Covid-19 Immunoglobulin being produced in Parkville, Melbourne last month

The EU has been frustrated with a slow vaccine rollout and criticised AstraZeneca for a shortfall in delivering millions of doses.

The export ban coincides with the first AstraZeneca jabs to be being administered in Australia on Friday after a shipment arrived on Sunday.

Frontline health workers at the Murray Bridge Hospital, east of Adelaide, will be the first to get the new jab, which is initially being rolled out to South Australia and Western Australia.

Vaccines will be a key topic for Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his state and territory counterparts at Friday's national cabinet meeting.

The leaders will also be briefed on the best way to respond to new coronavirus strains which have emerged around the world.

Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens' work with the states on improving consistency across the nation will be discussed.

The report has looked at coordinated approaches on health and the economy including restrictions.

National cabinet will also discuss international arrival caps, which have been flagged for change on April 30.
Utilties stocks were trading with gains, with the S&P BSE Utilities index increasing 15.93 points or 0.72% at 2214.44 at 09:48 IST.

Among the components of the S&P BSE Utilities index, Gujarat Industries Power Co Ltd (up 7.75%), Adani Power Ltd (up 4.97%),Reliance Power Ltd (up 4.89%),GAIL (India) Ltd (up 3.36%),Mahanagar Gas Ltd (up 3.32%), were the top gainers. Among the other gainers were Indian Energy Exchange Ltd (up 2.22%), BF Utilities Ltd (up 2.07%), Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (up 1.86%), Gujarat State Petronet Ltd (up 1.58%), and Indraprastha Gas Ltd (up 1.37%).

On the other hand, Torrent Power Ltd (down 2.34%), Nava Bharat Ventures Ltd (down 1.55%), and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (down 0.89%) turned lower.

At 09:48 IST, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 114.91 or 0.23% at 50731.17.

The Nifty 50 index was down 49.45 points or 0.33% at 15031.3.

The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 62.89 points or 0.3% at 21316.96.

The S&P BSE 150 Midcap Index index was down 14.37 points or 0.2% at 7048.83.

On BSE,1213 shares were trading in green, 981 were trading in red and 110 were unchanged.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
You are here: World

 Flash

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar from March 8 to 12, the ministry's spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

Lavrov will meet Middle Eastern leaders on a comprehensive range of issues within the scope of Russia's "multifaceted" relations with these countries, Zakharova said at a briefing.

They will focus on expanding business partnerships and discuss cooperation in the energy sector, she added.

They will also discuss the settlement of the crises in Syria, Libya, Yemen and the Gulf, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Turkey on Thursday reported 11,322 new coronavirus cases, including 685 symptomatic patients, according to the Turkish Health Ministry.

The country's case tally passed 2.74 million, while the nationwide death toll reached 28,839, with 68 fatalities over the past day.

As many as 7,873 more patients in the country won the battle against the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to over 2.6 million.

More than 33.71 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in Turkey to date, with 137,885 since Wednesday.

The latest figures show that the number of COVID-19 patients in critical condition stands at 1,220, Anadolu Agency reported.

On Jan. 14, Turkey began a mass COVID-vaccination campaign, starting with healthcare workers along with top officials to encourage public confidence in the vaccines.
'Misleading, incorrect': Govt's strong rebuttal on democracy report downgrading India to 'partly free'

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Anuj Cariappa

New Delhi, Mar 05: The government on Friday put out a strong rebuttal to a report that claimed India's status as a free country has declined to "partly free." The report titled "Freedom in the World 2021 - Democracy under Siege"is misleading, incorrect and misplaced, the government said.

This is evident from the fact that many states in India under its federal structure are ruled by parties other than the one at the national level, through an election process which is free and fair and which is conducted by an independent election body. This reflects the working of a vibrant democracy, which gives space to those who hold varying views.

In a point-by-point rebuttal, the government said that India treats all its citizens with equality as enshrined under the constitution of the country.

Discriminatory policies against Muslims in India and North East Delhi riots: Due process of law is followed in matters relating to law and order,irrespective of the identity of the alleged instigator. With specific reference to the North East Delhi riots in January 2019, the law enforcement machinery acted swiftly in an impartial and fair manner.

Proportionate and appropriate actions were taken to control the situation. Necessary legal and preventive actions were taken by the law enforcement machinery on all complaints/calls received, as per law and procedures.

Use of sedition law: "PublicOrder' and 'Police' are State subjects under India's federal structure of governance. The responsibility of maintaining law and order, including investigation, registration and prosecution of crimes, protection of life and property, etc., rests primarily with the concerned State governments. Therefore, measures as deemed fitare taken by law enforcement authorities to preserve public order.

Government response to COVID-19 through Lockdown: Between March 16 to 23, most State governments/Union Territories resorted to partial or full Lockdown in their respective State/ Union Territory based on their assessment of the COVID-19 situation. Any mass movement of people would have spread the disease rapidlythroughout the country.

Taking into consideration these facts, the global experience and need for consistency in the approach and implementation of various containment measures across the country, a nationwide lockdown was announced.

The government was fully conscious that during the period of an inevitable Lockdown, people should not face undue distress.

Aware of this, the government took various measures to address the situation such as;

Government of India allowed State governments to utilize State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for purpose of providing food, healthcare, shelter to homeless persons and migrant workers

The Government allowed the engagement of migrant workers in various activities outside containment zones which would allow them a livelihood

The Government also announced a relief package of Rs. 1.7 lakh crore which also covered migrant workers (3) the Government launched a mission to boost employment and livelihood opportunities for migrant workers returning to their villages

Approximately 80 crore beneficiaries were provided 5kg wheat or rice, 1 kg pulses free of cost every month till November 2020 under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)

Daily wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) were enhanced which also covered returning migrant workers.

The Lockdown period allowed the Government to ramp up production capacity of masks, ventilators, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits etc. and thereby effectively prevent the spread of the pandemic. India has, on per capita basis, registered one of the lowest rates of active COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 related deaths globally.

Government response on human rights organisations: The Indian Constitution provides for adequate safeguards under various statutes, including the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 for ensuring protection of human rights. This Act provides for the constitution of a National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commissions in the States for better protection of human rights and for matters connected to this subject.

The National Commission is headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and works as a mechanism to inquire, investigate and make recommendations in cases where it finds that there is a violation of human rights in the country.

Intimidation of academics and journalists and crackdown on expressions of dissent by media: The Indian Constitution provides for freedom of expression under Article 19. Discussion, debate and dissent is part of Indian democracy.

The Government of India attaches highest importance to the safety and security of all residents of the country, including journalists. The Government of India has issued a special advisory to States and Union Territories on safety of journalists requesting them to strictly enforce the law to ensure safety and security of media persons.

Internet shutdowns: Temporary suspension of the telecom services, including internet, are governed under the provisions of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, which are issued under the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 185.

These temporary suspensions need authorization of the Secretary to the Government of India, in the Ministry of Home Affairs, in the case of the Central Government; or of the Secretary, in-charge of the Home Department, in the case of a State Government.

Moreover, any such orders are reviewed by the Review Committee, constituted in the Central or State Government, under the chair of Cabinet Secretary of Government of India or Chief Secretary of the concerned State, respectively, within a specified time period. Hence, the temporary suspension of telecom/internet services is resorted to with the over-arching objective of maintaining law and order under strict safeguards.

FCRA amendment leading to freezing of Amnesty

International's assets has led to decline in ranking-Amnesty International had received permission under the FCRA Act only once and that too 20 years ago (19.12.2000).

Since then Amnesty International, despite its repeated applications, has been denied FCRA approval by successive governments since as per law it is not eligible to get such an approval. However, in order to circumvent the FCRA regulations, Amnesty U.K. remitted large amounts of money to four entities registered in India, by misclassifying the remittance as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

A significant amount of foreign money was also remitted to Amnesty India without MHA's approval under FCRA. This malafidererouting of money was in contravention of extant legal provisions. Owing to these illegal practices of Amnesty, the previous government had also rejected the repeated applications of Amnesty to receive funds from overseas.

This had led Amnesty to suspend its operations once during that period as well.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 5, 2021, 18:47 [IST]
OTTAWA - The approval of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine and news of accelerated deliveries for another had government officials taking an optimistic tone Friday about the path of the pandemic in Canada.

OTTAWA - The approval of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine and news of accelerated deliveries for another had government officials taking an optimistic tone Friday about the path of the pandemic in Canada.

"We can be really increasingly optimistic in our outlook and that is really great," said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, at a news conference in Ottawa.

Her excitement grew out of news that Health Canada has now authorized the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for use here. It joins vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Oxford-AstraZeneca among the offerings now available to Canadians.

It is the first and only vaccine Canada is buying that is a single dose, and is deemed safe and effective for all adults.

"Assessing all the data, we concluded that there was strong evidence that showed that the benefits of this vaccine outweigh the potential risks," said Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser at Health Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said Pfizer will ship 1.5 million more doses of its vaccine to Canada this month, and two million more in the spring. That means instead of getting 12.5 million doses from Pfizer between now and the end of June, Canada will get 15.5 million doses.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand said in total Canada now has confirmed deliveries of 36.5 million doses of vaccines by Canada Day, which would be more than enough to get a single dose to each adult Canadian by then.

That doesn't include any of the 10 million doses purchased from Johnson & Johnson, and includes none of the 20 million doses coming directly from AstraZeneca. Anand says some of those are to be delivered in the spring, and all of them by the end of September, but specific delivery dates aren't yet firm.

After being burned by production and delivery delays last month that saw Canada's vaccine rollout performance pale in comparison to most of its allies, the Liberals are reluctant to adjust their formal timeline of getting every Canadian the chance to be inoculated by the end of September.

"What we are hearing today is important news, but we need to ensure that those delivery schedules are firm before we can discuss changing that timeline," said Anand.

Still Tam said with most Canadians now likely to be vaccinated earlier than expected, at least with first doses, this winter should be the end of the worst the pandemic will offer.

"I think my optimism is that this following fall is going to look quite different to the preceding one," said Tam.

While every vaccine except Johnson & Johnson's is given in two doses, every province is moving to implement new guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization that those doses should be spaced out up to four months, rather than three or four weeks.

That is being done to get more people vaccinated with a first dose, after real-world evidence showed strong data that one dose is highly effective on its own.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses a modified common-cold virus to carry a piece of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 to convince the body to mount an immune response to prevent future COVID-19 infections.

Clinical trials found it to be 66 per cent effective against moderate illness from COVID-19, 85 per cent effective against severe illness, and 100 per cent effective against death.

Sharma stressed that all vaccines authorized in Canada will protect Canadians from severe illness and death, and won't be effective at all if Canadians don't get them.

"Our advice to Canadians is to get whichever vaccine is available to you," she said. "It's that simple. The longer you wait to get vaccinated, the longer the time goes by that you are not protected."

Dr. Ebele Ola, vice-president of medical affairs for Johnson & Johnson's pharmaceutical arm, Janssen, said data showed the vaccine to be effective against the viral variants of concern that appear to be more contagious.

Ola said the vaccine was tested in the United States, South America and South Africa, and it was extremely effective at preventing severe illness in places the variants were common.

She echoed Sharma's call for Canadians not to hold out for a specific vaccine, but rather to marvel in the "remarkable" achievement of so many effective vaccines being available.

"The best vaccine is the one that is offered," said Ola.

Nearly 1.7 million Canadians have now been vaccinated with at least one dose, and the pace of vaccinations has quickened in the last two weeks. In the last seven days, more than 457,000 people were vaccinated, 2 1/2 times as many as in a similar period two weeks before.

While all Canadian adults can now expect their turns to get vaccines will come in the next few months, children are going to wait a lot longer.Sharma said clinical trials are underway to see if any or all of the approved vaccines are safe and effective for children. Data for teenagers is going to come first, followed by that for children under 12.

"Potentially, by the end of the calendar year, we might have some answers for children," she said.There remains only one more vaccine currently under review by Health Canada, called Novavax, but it is still completing its clinical trials, and doesn't expect data any earlier than late March.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the U.S. was the first country to approve the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Feb. 26.
By Brandy Schillace

Simon & Schuster. 303 pp. $27

- - -

On Dec. 23, 1954, a surgical team led by Joseph E. Murray of the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston performed the first successful human organ transplant in history. The operation - in which a kidney was removed from the body of a healthy male patient and implanted into that of his ailing twin brother - was a milestone in the annals of modern medicine, an achievement that at the time seemed like something out of science fiction. But one of the young doctors witnessing the operation that day harbored dreams of an even more ambitious coup than Murray's. Robert J. White, a 28-year-old resident in general surgery at Brigham, didn't see why he should be content replacing individual organs when he could theoretically replace all the organs at once - by transplanting a sick patient's head onto an entirely different body. This notion, hardly less bizarre-sounding today than it was in 1954, would become the goal White aspired to for the rest of his life.

White's unorthodox quest made national news several times over the course of his long career, but in "Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher," Brandy Schillace finally gives it the thoughtful book-length treatment it deserves. I trust it won't be a spoiler to reveal that White died in 2010 without ever getting a chance to perform his much-desired head transplant - on humans, at least. But he did come remarkably close, at one point finding both a willing human volunteer (a quadriplegic with failing organs) and a medical establishment (Russia's) flexible or reckless enough to fast-track the surgery without endless review board approvals. In fact, were it not for its exorbitant cost, the "White Operation" (as the good doctor himself rather immodestly dubbed the procedure) might actually have gone forward.

The idea of transplanting human parts was hardly new even when White first came up with his wholesale version in the 1950s. Surgeons in Europe had been doing serious work on transplants since the late 19th century, perfecting techniques of integrating new limbs and organs into the bodies of various lab animals. But all of these surgeries had ended in failure, with the recipient's body interpreting the foreign tissue as a threat and creating a "destroying agent" to eliminate it. By the 1950s, this rejection issue led many to believe that human transplant surgery was hopeless, something that could succeed only in special circumstances (like those of Murray's 1954 kidney procedure, where rejection did not occur because the patients were genetically identical twins).

Notwithstanding this stubborn obstacle, surgeons continued experimenting with transplants, setting off a kind of Cold War competition similar to the space race ignited by the Sputnik launch. A Russian physiologist named Vladimir Demikhov - who operated without benefit of an MD or a PhD - gave the Soviets an early lead in this "inner space race." Film footage that leaked to the West in 1958 showed Demikhov ostensibly splicing together a mastiff and a much smaller dog to create a composite animal with eight legs and two fully functional heads. (Schillace, always alert to the queasy but alluring strangeness of her material, playfully notes that this "canine jigsaw" was named Cerberus, "after the three-headed hound of Hades.")

Not to be outdone, White, practicing now at the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, began conducting equally macabre experiments on primates. After perfecting the means by which a monkey's brain could be chilled, drastically reducing its need for oxygen, he performed experimental surgeries in which one animal's brain was removed from its body and attached to the circulatory system of a second. Ultimately, in March 1970, he was able to perform a true White Operation - a grueling 18-hour procedure in which he moved an entire head from Monkey A onto the decapitated body of Monkey B. The results were promising, if grotesque: The hybrid creature, though paralyzed from the neck down, lived for nine days before rejection set in.

It would take the development of immunosuppressant drugs to ultimately solve the rejection problem and make transplants an almost routine procedure. But although the technical hurdles to White's dream were being overcome, the moral impediments - not least the cruelty of causing so much animal suffering in the name of medical research - were another matter. White, as a devout Catholic who believed that nonhuman animals lacked an immortal soul, was firmly convinced that his ends justified his means and that his lab monkeys died for the greater good of saving human lives. Not everyone agreed, and throughout the 1960s, '70s and '80s, the surgeon found himself engaged in some high-profile debates with the likes of Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci and animal rights activist Ingrid Newkirk.

Even more intriguing, however, are the philosophical issues raised by White's work, and Schillace's book is most fascinating when discussing how he did and didn't address them. Moving a brain - and the consciousness that goes with it - from one body to another brings up fundamental questions about our notions of the self, the definition of death and even the ethics of immortality. "Could it really be 'okay,' " as Schillace pithily asks, "to take off someone's head?"

White, a man once characterized as "supremely untroubled by the implications of his work," never had any doubt that it was. But as advances in medical technology make a brain transplant increasingly feasible, the issue becomes more urgent. As this spirited and breezily provocative book makes clear, we'll have to grapple with the implications of a human White Operation much sooner than we think.

- - -

Gary Krist, whose most recent book is "The Mirage Factory: Illusion, Imagination, and the Invention of Los Angeles," is a National Endowment for the Humanities public scholar for 2020-21.
New Delhi, March 5 : The BJP on Friday announced the first list of 70 candidates for the Assembly elections in Assam.

The 126-member Assam Assembly will go to the polls in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6. The results will be declared on May 2.

The list includes the names of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the party's state unit chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass, who will contest from Patacharkuchi instead of Sorbhog from where he had won last time.

Notably, in the first list of 70 candidates, the BJP denied tickets to 11 sitting MLAs. Announcing the names of party candidates, BJP national General Secretary Arun Singh said that the party has given tickets to 11 new faces.

Chief Minister Sonowal will contest from Majuli (ST) while Sarma has been fielded from Jalukbari, the constituencies from where they had won the last time.

IANS had earlier reported that Sarma will be fielded by the BJP despite his desire not to contest the polls. After the announcement of his candidature, Sarma said that as a BJP worker, he will follow the party's direction.

While Majuli will go to the polls on March 27 in the first phase, polling in Jalukbari will be held in the third and last phase on April 6.

Singh said the list includes four SC and 11 ST candidates.

Among the 70 BJP candidates named in the first list, Angoorlata Deka from Batadroba, Ajanta Neog from Golaghat, Surabhi Rajkonwar from Sibsagar and Nandita Garlosa from Haflong (ST) are women.

Singh said that on Thursday, the BJP's Central Election Committee at its meeting chaired by BJP chief J.P. Nadda and held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, had finalised the names after a detailed discussion.

Meanwhile, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) President Atul Bora said that his party is part of the NDA and will contest the upcoming Assembly polls along with the BJP and other alliance partners.

When asked why Dass has been shifted to a new constituency, Sarma said that it has been done on the demand of the party workers.

"The party workers demanded that Dass should contest from Patacharkuchi," Sarma said.

Sonowal said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Assam government has worked for 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikash'.

"Justice and respect to all was ensured in the last five years. We are confident of serving the state for another term with the blessing and love of the people," Sonowal said.

Dass claimed that the BJP with its alliance partners will win over 100 seats in the Assembly polls.

In Assan, the BJP is contesting 92 seats while its alliance partners AGP is contesting 26 seats and the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) is contesting eight seats.
Farrington said another obstacle the staff took on was the challenge of learning the new educational standards the district has been using for subjects such as math, so they could help the children with their homework. She said staff members basically had to go from part-time after-school program employees to being classroom instructors.

Brandon Wakeham, BTW's program director, described the logistics of assisting students with their virtual education. The program is broken up into classrooms based on grade.

"Each classroom has kids from different schools (within Auburn,) and they all have different teachers, so besides just doing their work, you have to figure out every single kid's separate schedule, they're all on different schedules. They all have Zoom times at different times throughout the day," he said. "So it's not like you're teaching the same thing to every kid in the class. Every single kid has something different to do within that one class."

Wakeham said staff have also been helping students with mental health issues that come up and are in contact with parents, teachers and social workers.

Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing on Mar. 4, 2021, in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

White House Responds to Trump: We Dont Take Advice From Former President on Immigration

White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded to a critical statement issued by former President Donald Trump about the surge in illegal immigration along the Southern Border.

We dont take our advice or counsel from former President Trump on immigration policy, Psaki told reporters on Friday, claiming it was inhumane and ineffective.

Were going to chart our own path forward, and that includes treating children with humanity and respect, she said.

Psaki appeared to note that there will be more migrant children coming to the U.S.-Mexico border after Biden issued a slew of executive orders that did away with some of Trumps policies, including halting the construction of the border wall and the Remain in Mexico initiative.

Obviously were going to have more kids across thein the country since we have been letting unaccompanied minors stay. And the last administration immorally kicked them out, Psaki said Friday. When asked about whether the administration would reverse some of Trumps policies, she replied: No.

Some children will eventually be returned to their countries of origin, according to the press secretary.

But Trump, via is Save America PAC, said Friday that Bidens move to reverse several of his policies is what encouraged the current surge, triggering a humanitarian crisis.

The spiraling tsunami at the border is overwhelming local communities, depleting budgets, crowding hospitals, and taking jobs from legal American workers, Trump said in a statement. When I left office, we had achieved the most secure border in our countrys history. Under Biden, it will soon be worse, more dangerous, and more out of control than ever before. He has violated his oath of office to uphold our Constitution and enforce our laws.

Our great Border Patrol and ICE agents have been disrespected, demeaned, and mocked by the Biden Administration, Trump added, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

A mass incursion into the country by people who should not be here is happening on an hourly basis, getting worse by the minute. Many have criminal records, and many others have and are spreading covid, he wrote, referring to COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Biden and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whose administration oversees ICE and Customs and Border Protection, have both said they dont view the border situation as a crisis. However, one Democrat from Texas, Rep. Henry Cuellar, released a statement Thursday saying that around 10,000 illegal immigrants have been apprehended in the past week in the Del Rio border sector and warned of a looming humanitarian disaster.
When you download a dating app, fill out a profile with some of your most private information, and select allow app to access location to locate nearby potential love interests, you may feel a little exposed, but you proceed anyway, in order to find those dates. But there is reason to believe that by using these sites, you may be unknowingly submitting to government trackingand we cant know for sure because of all of the secrecy involved with deals that data brokers make with government agencies. Its yet another demonstration of the need to bring transparency to the data-collection industry.

Advertisement

Dating apps ask users for a variety of highly personal information and retain it indefinitely, potentially forever. This can include photos and videos, text conversations with other users, and information on gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religion, desire to have children, location, HIV status, and beyond. Many platforms also collect information regarding preferences in a partner (either through filters or using powerful algorithms that monitor users every swipe) and may therefore know about your preferences and deal-breakers with regard to ethnicity, religion, body type, and more. If you connect your dating app with any social media platformsFacebook and Instagram are common choicesthen the dating app company likely also has access to thousands of additional data points, including what kind of content youve liked on social media and who you are friends with.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

One of the most sensitive forms of information that these apps collect and have access to is location data. Typically, dating app services require users to share their location so that the platform can recommend individuals nearby as potential matches. The precision of this data varies from platform to platform. For example, on Bumble, users share their current city and country with the app. When users are swiping through potential matches, the app will display more precise location information on each user based on GPS data, such as 2.0 miles away. This location data is updated every time a user opens the app. Tinder offers a similar feature. Other dating apps, such as Grindr, show even more granular location information. When you open the nearby feature on Grindr, the app displays nearby user profiles along with how many feet away they are. Depending on where you are located, you might find people on the same floor of your apartment building or just in the same town. According to Grindr, the company approximates location using a geohash system, rather than pinpointing it. These approximations are still incredibly refined.

Advertisement

Although it is important for dating apps to have access to a users location data in order to make relevant recommendations, its collection and possession poses a particular concern if the information is not safeguarded. In 2018, Queer Europe outlined how Grindr was providing such precise location of their more than 3.6 million active users worldwide that their identities could easily be exposed by other users mapping out their whereabouts via external applications . Despite this, the company had not implemented any potential solutions.

Advertisement

That same year, BuzzFeed News revealed that Grindr had been sharing sensitive user information, including HIV status, with third-party analytics firms. This data was bundled with information that could easily allow a user to be identified, such as location information, phone ID, and email address. After significant controversy, Grindr announced it would stop sharing HIV status information with third-party analytics firms.

Advertisement

Analysis has shown that Grindr also shares other user information such as ethnicity, tribe (or which gay subculture a user identifies with), and sexuality with third-party advertising companies in plain-text format. This type of text formatting is easy to gain access to via hacking, raising further concerns about the safety of user data on such platforms.

There are legitimate concerns around third-party advertising companies and malicious hackers having access to such personal user data. But, given the nature of this precise data, it is also particularly concerning to think of how it can be used if it falls in the hands of government agencies. In some countries where LGBTQ individuals are persecuted, such as Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Zimbabwe, Grindr hides the users location by default. However, this feature is not widely applied in all countries where LGBTQ users may face retaliation for their sexual identity.

Advertisement

Advertisement

In the United States, user data collected by dating apps is also up for sale, via data brokers. Commercial data brokers are for-profit entities that aggregate private information by scraping the web and buying data from other companies (such as credit card companies). Although the data broker industry is booming, these companies often operate in the shadows. Today, they play a critical role in the data supply chain by compiling and selling our personal information, including our search histories, location data, and what businesses we visit the most, to anyone willing to pay for it. User location data is both among the most sensitive and most profitable data that data brokers compile and sell, leading to the growth of a new location data economy. Due to the lack of transparency surrounding these purchases, we largely do not yet know how many government entities are buying data from brokers, and which dating apps feed their data to those particular brokers. So unfortunately, it is not yet clear how pervasive this problem is, or which dating apps pose the most severe privacy risks.

Advertisement

In one example we do know about, Motherboard recently revealed that a data broker named X-Mode has been compiling geolocation data from popular Muslim dating app Muslim Mingle and selling this extremely private data to the U.S. military through defense contractors. The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the Internal Revenue Service have been caught using data brokers commercial databases with location information (though its unclear whether it was sourced from dating websites) to identify, track, arrest, and in ICEs case, potentially even deport immigrants. Motherboard also identified another network of dating apps that have been sharing user location data with X-Mode, including Iran Social, Egypt Social, and Colombia Social.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Certainly, while dating app users may share their sexual orientation and location in order to find dates, they dont intend to hand those details over to government and law enforcement agencies. And when the federal government purchases data from these brokers, its making an end run around the precedent set in Carpenter v. United States. The Supreme Court recognized in the 2018 Carpenter case that tracking the movements of a specific individual over time is extremely invasive, and individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy toward that information. Accordingly, the court held that law enforcement must have a warrant to obtain location information on a particular individual for a period of seven days or more. But when the government obtains databases of our personal information from dating apps (via data brokers) without warrants, they are making an end run around these Fourth Amendment requirements.

Advertisement

Policymakers are beginning to catch on to the key role that data brokers play in the ever-expanding surveillance ecosystem in the United States. There is growing consensus among Congress and other policymakers that a comprehensive federal data privacy law is direly needed, and this would be a necessary first step to protect Americans privacy, particularly from commercial data brokers, but alone may not be enough. On Feb. 18, a group of members of Congress led by Democratic Reps. Mark Pocan, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib sent a letter to the Department of Defense requesting further information on the governments purchase of data from X-Mode (and indirectly through Muslim Mingle and other dating apps). In 2020,Sen. Ron Wyden announced that, together with colleagues, he is planning to introduce legislation called the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale to tackle this specific issue and rein in the governments warrantless purchases.

Dating apps are privy to some of our most personal information, and we only share it for the purpose of finding romance. But a user should not have to expose their sensitive personal dataleast of all to the governmentin order to land a date. Users would most certainly swipe left on the government tracking them.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) yesterday (March 4) hosted the UAEs virtual business trip to the Republic of Korea, in which Adnoc and GS Energy agreed to explore opportunities to grow Abu Dhabis hydrogen economy and carrier fuel export position.

During the trip, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc Group Managing Director and CEO, and Yun-Mo Sung, Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, discussed new opportunities to expand upon the UAE and Koreas many years of strong bilateral ties.

The discussion focused on possible areas for further economic partnership, the global climate challenge, the promise of hydrogen and opportunities for greater UAE-Korea industrial cooperation, which had in attendance of Yongsoo Huh, the President and CEO of GS Energy.

On the deal, Dr Al Jaber said: "It not only reflects Adnocs longstanding partnership with GS Energy and its affiliates, but also the great importance the UAE places on its strategic relationship with the Republic of Korea across multiple sectors."

"Approximately ten percent of South Koreas crude oil is currently imported from the UAE, Korean companies are significant stakeholders in several of Abu Dhabis upstream concessions and Korean contractors today play critical roles on major projects across our oil and gas value chain," he stated.

"We look forward to building upon these successes as we seek to expand our existing relationship with GS Energy, identifying possible areas of investment in Abu Dhabis emerging blue hydrogen ecosystem as well as the Emirates world-scale refining and petrochemicals assets in Ruwais," he added.

The UAE virtual business trip is aimed at expanding bilateral economic and trade relations between both countries as they drive economic growth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trip included presentations from representatives of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Masdar, Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence and executives from Adnocs directorates.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber also met with Yongsoo Huh during a CEO roundtable to explore collaborating in areas of mutual interest across various sectors.

Yongsoo Huh said, "As a stakeholder and a partner of the Adnoc Upstream Concessions, we are excited to strengthen this partnership by jointly seeking opportunities within the blue hydrogen ecosystem."

Adnoc said it has enjoyed decades of mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with GS Energy and other leading companies from the Republic of Korea, including, most recently, GS Energys partnership with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) on the launch of ICE Futures Abu Dhabi (IFAD).

Adnocs latest agreement with GS Energy reinforces this foundation in low-carbon energy and innovation, through its focus on blue hydrogen and its carrier fuels as promising areas for development within the fast-evolving global energy mix, it added.-TradeArabia News Service

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 09:22:24|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TRIPOLI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The co-chairs of the International Follow-up Committee on Libya Economic Working Group, along with the UN Support Mission to Libya, on Thursday expressed concern over the deteriorating situation of the electricity sector in Libya.

"Without a swift allocation of funding to undertake urgent repairs, the electricity situation could worsen from early summer 2021," the UN mission warned in a statement.

The economic working group co-chairs, including the European Union, the United States and Egypt, noted that Libya direly needs funding for several causes, including combating COVID-19, paying salaries of public employees, and financing the operation of the Libyan National Oil Corporation, the statement said.

"We encourage all relevant Libyan decision-makers to collaborate in good faith to ensure that the necessary spending decisions can be taken urgently and effectively at this critical moment," the statement added.

After years of armed conflict and instability, Libyan authorities are struggling to provide basic services for the people. Enditem
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
on Friday announced TMC candidate list for 291 out of total 294 constituencies for the upcoming West Bengal polls, which will be held in eight phases between March 27 and April 29. Votes will be counted on May 2.

Three candidates of the Bimal Gurung faction of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), an ally of the TMC, will be contesting from the remaining three seats in Darjeeling.

"This time we have stressed on more youths and women candidates. Around 23-24 sitting MLAS have been dropped and there are names of about 50 women, 42 muslims, 79 SC and 17 ST candidates in the list," Banerjee said.

"I will contest from Nandigram, my party colleague Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay will be fighting from Bhawanipore seat. We have given assembly poll tickets to eminent personalities from the field of arts, sports, media and culture," the TMC supremo said.

23-24 existing TMC MLAs have been dropped due to age and other reasons, said the West Bengal CM.

"Have faith in me, only TMC can take Bengal to new heights. After we come to power we will create Vidhan Parishad to accomodate senior and experienced leaders," she said.

"I thank Tejashwi Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, Hemant Soren and Shiv Sena for extending their support to me. I am going to Nandigram on 9th March. On 10th March, I will file the nomination at Haldia," said Mamata while announcing candidate list.





Exuding confidence of returning to power for the third consecutive time, Banerjee termed it as the "easiest" election the TMC has ever faced.

Banerjee also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to deploy as much central force as it wants but the TMC will still emerge victorious.

With the BJP's strength increasing in the state in the last few years, its leaders are upbeat that the party will end Mamata Banerjee's 10-year rule in the assembly polls.
(Newser)  Italy, which has recorded 428,500 new COVID cases and almost 10,000 deaths over the last month, has balked at exporting doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Australia, which has recorded 190 cases and zero deaths in the same time period. Italy has blocked a shipment to Australia of 250,000 vaccine doses produced in the country under controversial new European Union regulations allowing EU countries to block vaccine exports if the companies have failed to fulfill contractual obligations to countries in the bloc, the BBC reports. The doses that were to have been sent to Australia will now become part of the EU stock being shared by the bloc's 27 countries, reports the New York Times. Officials say AstraZeneca has only supplied around 40% of the doses it promised to the EU.

story continues below

Australia has asked the EU to review the decision, though Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it would not have a major impact, the Guardian reports. "This particular shipment was not one wed counted on for the rollout, and so we will continue unabated," he said. "In Italy, people are dying at the rate of 300 a day. And so I can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many countries across Europe. They are in an unbridled crisis situation. That is not the situation in Australia." The move comes amid what the Times calls the "disastrously slow rollout" of vaccination programs in the EU. So far, the bloc has administered eight doses per 100 residents, compared to 24 in the US. (Read more coronavirus vaccine stories.)

Lincoln is, both as a citizen and as a president, a complicated figure, Green said. At the same time that Lincoln was engaged in the policies that he followed as president in relation to the institution of slavery and its eventual impact on African Americans, Lincoln was also someone who was very committed to the policy of Indian removal.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Gov. Greg Abbott still wants you to cover up.

After the Texas governor repealed the statewide mask mandate and declared Texas would "100 percent" open, perhaps one could assume Abbott is ready for all of us to openly breathe and cough on one another again.

'GET ME OUT': 'I hate it here' trends on social media as Texans react to lifted mask mandate

No, Abbott still wants you to wear a mask. He just won't uphold the statewide mandate that said so.

"We are still urging people to continue to wear the mask, to continue to use the safe practices that they have mastered over the past year," Abbott said in an interview with Houston's ABC13. "They know the right thing to do."

Abbott also told ABC13 that he does wear a mask and will continue to do so.

The Texas governor announced Tuesday that the statewide mask mandate would end March 10, Chron's Jay Jordan reported. Abbott declared that "state mandates are no longer needed" in a speech to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, citing recent encouraging COVID-19 data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (and Abbott, apparently) still recommends wearing masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19 as vaccines continue to be administered across the state.

MASKS IN H-E-B: President Scott McClelland spoke with Chron about the store's policy

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed frustration toward Abbott for lifting the mandate as Texas was making progress against the virus, Jordan reported.

"Every time we start moving in the right direction the Governor steps in and sets us back and makes all of our jobs harder," Turner wrote on Twitter. "He minimizes the sacrifices of people and businesses. I just dont get it."

Despite Abbott lifting the mandate, hundreds of businesses and numerous school districts have clarified that they will still enforce mask-wearing and social distancing. So will the municipal buildings in Texas' largest cities.

In summary: Ignore the mixed messaging and wear the mask.
Thane : , March 5 (IANS) In an intriguing development, police have recovered the body of a Thane-based businessman whose stolen SUV with 20 gelatin sticks was found parked near Antilia, the iconic home of Reliance Industries Ltd. Chairman Mukesh Ambani, officials said here on Friday.

The body of Mansukh Hiren -- who had reported his Scorpio SUV as stolen from north-east Mumbai earlier -- was fished out with the help of a crane by disaster management workers from the marshes adjacent to the Thane Creek near Mumbra town.

Reported missing by his family on Thursday, the police recovered his mud-caked body around 10.30 a.m. on Friday from Reti Bunder Road near Thane Creek.

Tentatively suspecting it to be a case of suicide, the Naupada Police has registered an accident death report and is investigating the matter, said officials.

Hiren's SUV was found on the afternoon of February 25, along with 20 gelatin sticks and a purported threat letter typewritten in broken English, sending shock waves through the country's corporate and political circles.

A day later, a letter claimed to be sent by a dreaded terror group threatening the Ambani family and demanding a ransom, was also detected and subsequently found to be fake.

Hiren's suspiciously parked SUV, was apparently driven to the spot near Antilia in the wee hours of February 25 but was detected only after around 12 hours by some locals who alerted the Police.

Raising the issue of security of corporate honchos living in the country's commercial capital, Bharatiya Janata Party's Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis demanded in the Maharashtra Assembly that the Maha Vikas Aghadi government should hand over the (Ambani) case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

"There are several strange coincidences in this case. The local police does not reach there, the Crime Branch does not go there, but (Assistant Police Inspector) Sachin Vaze reached there. He seized the car and the threat letter," Fadnavis said.

He pointed out that the SUV owner Hiren was reportedly acquainted with API Vaze, who is the Investigating Officer in the case.

He sought to know why, when earlier the government had announced that the matter would be probed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police rank officer, was the case handed over to Vaze.

Even as Fadnavis demanded security cover for Hiren, reports trickled in that his body was found in the wetlands near Mumbra in Thane.

The effort by employees of Amazons Bessemer fulfillment center to unionize got a dose of star power Thursday night.

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 actors and other media professionals, lent its support to the push by the Bessemer workers to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

Every worker deserves to have a voice and union membership ensures their voices will be heard, SAG-AFTRA said Thursday night.

SAG-AFTRA supports the Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama in their efforts to form a union with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). 1/3 pic.twitter.com/saryQQTzAk  SAG-AFTRA NEWS (@sagaftranews) March 5, 2021

The guild is the latest to endorse the Amazon workers effort, which if successful would be the first Amazon employees to join a union.

Last week, actor Danny Glover visited Bessemer to show his support, holding a sign encouraging workers to vote yes on forming a union.

While not giving a full-throated endorsement, President Joe Biden on Sunday said the Bessemer employees should be able to decide on whether to unionize without any interference from Amazon.

Every worker should have a free and fair choice to join a union, he said.
Mr Matthew, a registered nurse who has worked in detention centres treating asylum seekers, started in his role in December as an infection and prevention control nurse. He said he was asked to swab international travellers for COVID-19 despite receiving no training. He said he contacted his manager to raise concerns about the lack of training and to discuss why nursing staff were moving between quarantine hotels. Mr Matthew, who quit last week citing bullying and harassment after he questioned protocols in the quarantine program, said he wanted to speak out as it was the right thing to do. I feel seriously worried about the quarantine system in Victoria, Mr Matthew said.

I believe what is happening is not what is being presented to the public. Loading Last month the chief executive officer of Healthcare Australia resigned after one of the companys doctors gave two aged care residents four times the correct dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It was later revealed the doctor had not completed the compulsory vaccination training. At the time, COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria confirmed a small group of employees travel between the companys St Kilda Road headquarters and quarantine hotels. Leaked emails seen by The Age show that nurses were being asked to work at multiple hotels up until last month when the Premier Daniel Andrews requested all flights to Melbourne stop as the state battled a spike of coronavirus cases.

In one email, dated January 29, Healthcare Australia called for an extra set of hands at the Mercure Welcome on Little Bourke Street. Earlier, on January 13, nurses looking to do any additional shifts were asked to work at the Park Royal Melbourne Airport hotel. In a third email from on December 10, nursing staff were told of a shortfall in support at Tullamarine Airport. We are desperate to fill these shifts, the email said. Shift will be assisting in temperature checks and assisting the team through the day/evening. The email train shows that a nurse who had been working at a quarantine hotel housing returned travellers agree to work the airport shift. In a statement, Healthcare Australia said it abides by all the conditions of site exclusivity specified in its contract with CQV.

Our nursing staff work only at the hotel they are allocated to and requests for extra shifts are for existing staff at that particular hotel. We maintain the highest standards of training and all our staff must compete on-site, face to face practical competency training before treating residents. Site exclusivity has been maintained in accordance with the requirements of CQV. A spokesperson for COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria, tasked with operating hotel quarantine for the Andrews government, said the organisation had a clear site exclusivity policy and Healthcare Australia (HCA) staff are not permitted to work across different quarantine sites. HCA staff, including nurses, doctors and Allied Health and mental health clinicians, must undergo mandatory training prior to their first shift and also undertake on-site training, the spokesperson said.

Finny Matthew says he is speaking out to avoid another COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria. Credit:Justin McManus Their work is mostly done via telehealth, with face-to-face contact with residents confined to COVID-19 testing and essential physical assessments or treatment (for example in emergency situations). As with all on-site staff, they are required to undergo daily testing and follow the programs strict infection prevention and control measures. Under CQVs strengthened model, there are clear pathways for any issues or concerns to be raised and wed encourage any staff members to report matters directly to HCA or CQV. The Age has also seen position descriptions and contracts for both doctors and nurses hired as part of the hotel quarantine program. One position description for a doctor flagged that the candidate would be required to work at multiple hotels, in contradiction with a key recommendation of the Coate inquiry into hotel quarantine.

Loading The job ads were circulated via email to Melbourne doctors after many doctors working for the company quit in the first two months of the revamped quarantine program. The squeeze on the supply of doctors tightened further in February when, in response to the Holiday Inn outbreak, health networks said doctors could not work at hospitals if they were also working at hotels. One job ad states a doctor would work across both the Pullman and Mercure hotels. The ad also states that Healthcare Australia will accommodate doctors who are also working at other workplaces like private GP clinics. If you are working elsewhere, we will advocate for an exemption on your behalf (n/a for telehealth position), the email states.

Loading A separate nursing contract from Healthcare Australia, states: The company may require you to transfer to another location, or to perform work at other locations from time to time, or on a permanent basis, in accordance with the needs of the business, provided such a requirement is reasonable. Last month The Age revealed an anonymous quarantine worker had made a formal complaint to WorkSafe Victoria due to staff working at multiple sites. Mr Matthew has contacted both Work Safe and the Victorian Ombudsman with his concerns about the program. When the quarantine project came up, I thought that although it might be risky, it was a great opportunity to give back to the state which has given me so much, he told The Age. I thought I can do my best so that we dont go back into a lockdown.

During last year's lockdown in Melbourne, Mr Matthew worked as a community nurse visiting mainly older patients and assisting with medical tasks including wound care and blood sugar checks. He said many of his patients battled mental health issues as they were stuck in their homes and felt they had no quality of life. I wanted to help the fight so we didnt go into another lockdown. Mr Matthew, who was a member of the Liberal Party for 12 months about six years ago, said he wasnt politically motivated and believed the Victorian government may be unaware of what was happening inside the quarantine hotels. I am not Liberal and Im not Labor, but this system has to be right, he said. I am so concerning that this state will not cope with another lockdown.
In a Facebook post Hon. Boakye Agyarko , a former Energy Minister and Former Campaign Manager to His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo have congratulated the President after the Supreme Court verdict in favor of the defendants.



Today, the people of Ghana won yet another victory.

Electoral disputes that degenerate into a downward spiral of violence has been avoided in Ghana.



We the people of Ghana must thank our Judiciary for their diligence and fairness.

We thank all the political actors for allowing the law to take its course.



I congratulate President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the affirmation of his victory in the 2020 elections by the Supreme Court.



By the collective actions of all, we have allowed peace to reign.





Source: peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video

Angelina Jolie recently spoke about the confinement many have been feeling amid coronavirus lockdown as she continues to hunker down with her six kids in Los Angeles.

But the 45-year-old actress made an attempt at normalcy as she was spotted grabbing dinner with her eldest daughter Zahara Jolie-Pitt at Craig's in West Hollywood on Thursday.

After finishing their meal, the pair exited the celeb-friendly establishment surrounded by a barrage of security guards.

Mother-daughter dinner: Angelina Jolie was spotted grabbing dinner with her eldest daughter Zahara Jolie-Pitt at Craig's in West Hollywood on Thursday

Effortless: Jolie, known for her sleek style, kept her slender figure concealed beneath a belted double-breasted trench coat and a pair of flared black trousers

Jolie, known for her sleek style, kept her slender figure concealed beneath a belted double-breasted trench coat and a pair of flared black trousers.

Poking out from the beneath her trousers were a pair of black heeled boots.

The Maleficent star's brunette hair was neatly parted down the middle and styled in loose waves.

Angelina, adhering to COVID-19 protocols, concealed the majority of her face behind a face mask.

Security: After finishing their meal, the pair exited the celeb-friendly establishment surrounded by a barrage of security guards

Signature: The Maleficent star's brunette hair was neatly parted down the middle and styled in loose waves

The Academy Award-winner kept all of her essential belongings tucked away inside a YSL wristlet clutch.

Jolie held on tightly to her 16-year-old daughter's hand as they made their way from the restaurant's entrance to their parked SUV.

Zahara, whom Angelina and estranged husband Brad Pitt adopted in 2005, kept casual for the evening out with her mother.

Holding on tight: Jolie held on tightly to her 16-year-old daughter's hand as they made their way from the restaurant's entrance to their parked SUV

Calm: Despite all of the hoopla surrounding their arrival and departure from Craig's, the mother-daughter duo remained calm and comfortable with their security team present

She rocked a crewneck sweatshirt, skinny jeans, and a pair of comfy black and white trainers.

Zahara's lengthy brunette hair was styled in stunning variety of braids that she wore parted to one side.

Despite all of the hoopla surrounding their arrival and departure from Craig's, the mother-daughter duo remained calm and comfortable with their security team present.

Safety first: Angelina, adhering to COVID-19 protocols, concealed the majority of her face behind a face mask

Safe inside: Once they got to their vehicle, Angelina and Zahara made their way inside, buckled off, and drove out of the parking lot

Once they got to their vehicle, Angelina and Zahara made their way inside, buckled off, and drove out of the parking lot.

The night prior, Jolie was seen enjoying a dining with fellow actress at E Baldi in Beverly Hills.

Both Angelina and Ellen, 51, wore protective face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic as they stepped out after their meal.

Casual: Zahara, whom Angelina and estranged husband Brad Pitt adopted in 2005, kept casual for the evening out with her mother

Tucked away: The Academy Award-winner kept all of her essential belongings tucked away inside a YSL wristlet clutch

The two stars appeared to be joined by some of their children for the get together and appeared in great spirits during their outdoor meal.

Angelina has children Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14, and 12-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox, who she shares with ex Brad Pitt.

While Ellen has Stella, 11, Sienna, six, and Eli, four, with her music producer husband Chris Ivery.

Angelina, while promoting her recently released animated feature The One and Only Ivan, opened up about how lockdown has had an undeniable affect on children.

Actress pal: The night prior, Jolie was seen enjoying a dining with fellow actress at E Baldi in Beverly Hills

'There's something about the captivity of it too that I think was sadly speaking to children and helping each other through with feeling confined,' she told Variety of the film.

'I think it spoke to kids and touched at a good time.'

She has been living with all six of her kids in her Los Feliz, California mansion which is a five minute drive from ex Brad Pitt's mansion; he also spends time with the children but it is not clear how often.

The stars, who wed in 2014 and split in 2016 then became officially single in 2019, are still working out a custody agreement.
LOS ANGELESAVN Media Network is pleased to announce the launch of the Leather and Lace Contest on AVN Stars.

Make a fashion statement with leather and lace this weekend on AVN Starsand win cash.

What kind of leather and lace look is your favorite? Strike a pose in your sexiest leather and lace attire and share the photo with your fans. Please be sure that youre in the image that you submit.

This three-day, 72-hour, fan-voting contest starts at midnight PDT on Friday, March 5 and goes until 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday, March 7.

All AVN Stars are eligible to enter and the Top 10 vote-getters will each receive cash prizes with the winner getting $750! To enter, just go into your Settings, click on the Contests tab and upload your image.

Under contest rules, all uploaded images must feature the content creator; in addition, creators are required to post a tweet about their participation in the contest.

As a reminder, AVN Stars implemented new rules for the 2021 contests. The winner of the previous contest may join the following weeks contest, however for that week their fan votes will only count 50% toward their contest ranking. For example, every 2 votes would count as 1 toward the following weeks contest ranking. The payout amount for votes will remain unchanged.

Additionally, for every consecutive week that the same creator wins a contest, that following week their votes for ranking purposes will be reduced by 50%. For example, if the same creator wins two weeks in a row, their votes for the third week would accrue at 25% toward their contest rank for Week 3.

To join AVN Stars for free, visit stars.avn.com.

Built for adult entertainers, AVN Stars is a subscription-based community where creators can monetize their content without the worry of censorship, discrimination, shadow-banning or suspensions. Creators may charge a subscription fee or make their posts available for free.

Fox Business

It was really just a matter of time before Republicans tried to turn around President Joe Bidens Neanderthal thinking criticism and embrace it as an honorific.

During a Thursday morning appearance on the Fox Business Network, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) suggested the presidents recent commentsaimed at Texas and Mississippi for shedding their statewide mask mandatesshould be seen as a compliment.

Earlier this week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reevesboth Republicansannounced that besides repealing their statewide mask mandates, they would reopen their states 100 percent and lift all capacity limits.

We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way were able to get vaccines in peoples arms, Biden reacted on Wednesday. The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime everythings fine, take off your mask, forget it.

Airing a clip of Bidens remarks, Fox Business anchor Stuart Varney asked Blackburn to react, wondering aloud if she felt her home state was also guilty of Neanderthal thinking.

Perhaps in a nod to Trump supporters adopting Hillary Clintons deplorables knock during the 2016 campaign, Blackburn went all-in with embracing the title of an extinct human subspecies now often used colloquially to describe uncivilized or unintelligent behavior.

Stuart, we were called Neanderthals when I led the fight against the imposition of a state income tax in Tennessee, Blackburn said. Do you know what I did? I started the Neanderthal Caucus!

Neanderthals are hunter-gatherers, theyre protectors of their family, the pro-Trump senator continued, describing the extinct pre-Neolithic species in the present tense. They are resilient. They are resourceful. They tend to their own. So, I think Joe Biden needs to rethink what he is saying.

Oddly enough, and somewhat related to Blackburns embrace of the Neanderthal, the ultra-conservative lawmaker has also publicly stated that she does not believe in evolution.

Story continues

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!

Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It" is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net
The Guardian

The potential consequences of the origins of the virus are shattering  if they can be proved My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters There was a time when the Covid pandemic seemed to confirm so many of our assumptions. It cast down the people we regarded as villains. It raised up those we thought were heroes. It prospered people who could shift easily to working from home even as it problematized the lives of those Trump voters living in the old economy. Like all plagues, Covid often felt like the hand of God on earth, scourging the people for their sins against higher learning and visibly sorting the righteous from the unmasked wicked. Respect science, admonished our yard signs. And lo!, Covid came and forced us to do so, elevating our scientists to the highest seats of social authority, from where they banned assembly, commerce, and all the rest. We cast blame so innocently in those days. We scolded at will. We knew who was right and we shook our heads to behold those in the wrong playing in their swimming pools and on the beach. It made perfect sense to us that Donald Trump, a politician we despised, could not grasp the situation, that he suggested people inject bleach, and that he was personally responsible for more than one super-spreading event. Reality itself punished leaders like him who refused to bow to expertise. The prestige news media even figured out a way to blame the worst death tolls on a system of organized ignorance they called populism. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a cult out of the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general But these days the consensus doesnt consense quite as well as it used to. Now the media is filled with disturbing stories suggesting that Covid might have come  not from populism at all, but from a laboratory screw-up in Wuhan, China. You can feel the moral convulsions beginning as the question sets in: What if science itself is in some way culpable for all this? * I am no expert on epidemics. Like everyone else I know, I spent the pandemic doing as I was told. A few months ago I even tried to talk a Fox News viewer out of believing in the lab-leak theory of Covids origins. The reason I did that is because the newspapers I read and the TV shows I watched had assured me on many occasions that the lab-leak theory wasnt true, that it was a racist conspiracy theory, that only deluded Trumpists believed it, that it got infinite pants-on-fire ratings from the fact-checkers, and because (despite all my cynicism) I am the sort who has always trusted the mainstream news media. My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month; a few weeks later everyone from Doctor Fauci to President Biden is acknowledging that the lab-accident hypothesis might have some merit. We dont know the real answer yet, and we probably will never know, but this is the moment to anticipate what such a finding might ultimately mean. What if this crazy story turns out to be true? The answer is that this is the kind of thing that could obliterate the faith of millions. The last global disaster, the financial crisis of 2008, smashed peoples trust in the institutions of capitalism, in the myths of free trade and the New Economy, and eventually in the elites who ran both American political parties. In the years since (and for complicated reasons), liberal leaders have labored to remake themselves into defenders of professional rectitude and established legitimacy in nearly every field. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a sort of cult out of science, expertise, the university system, executive-branch norms, the intelligence community, the State Department, NGOs, the legacy news media, and the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general. Now here we are in the waning days of Disastrous Global Crisis #2. Covid is of course worse by many orders of magnitude than the mortgage meltdown  it has killed millions and ruined lives and disrupted the world economy far more extensively. Should it turn out that scientists and experts and NGOs, etc. are villains rather than heroes of this story, we may very well see the expert-worshiping values of modern liberalism go up in a fireball of public anger. Consider the details of the story as we have learned them in the last few weeks:  Lab leaks happen. They arent the result of conspiracies: a lab accident is an accident, as Nathan Robinson points out; they happen all the time, in this country and in others, and people die from them.  There is evidence that the lab in question, which studies bat coronaviruses, may have been conducting what is called gain of function research, a dangerous innovation in which diseases are deliberately made more virulent. By the way, right-wingers didnt dream up gain of function: all the cool virologists have been doing it (in this country and in others) even as the squares have been warning against it for years.  There are strong hints that some of the bat-virus research at the Wuhan lab was funded in part by the American national-medical establishment  which is to say, the lab-leak hypothesis doesnt implicate China alone.  There seem to have been astonishing conflicts of interest among the people assigned to get to the bottom of it all, and (as we know from Enron and the housing bubble) conflicts of interest are always what trip up the well-credentialed professionals whom liberals insist we must all heed, honor, and obey.  The news media, in its zealous policing of the boundaries of the permissible, insisted that Russiagate was ever so true but that the lab-leak hypothesis was false false false, and woe unto anyone who dared disagree. Reporters gulped down whatever line was most flattering to the experts they were quoting and then insisted that it was 100% right and absolutely incontrovertible  that anything else was only unhinged Trumpist folly, that democracy dies when unbelievers get to speak, and so on.  The social media monopolies actually censored posts about the lab-leak hypothesis. Of course they did! Because were at war with misinformation, you know, and people need to be brought back to the true and correct faith  as agreed upon by experts. * Let us pray, now, for science, intoned a New York Times columnist back at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. The title of his article laid down the foundational faith of Trump-era liberalism: Coronavirus is What You Get When You Ignore Science. Ten months later, at the end of a scary article about the history of gain of function research and its possible role in the still ongoing Covid pandemic, Nicholson Baker wrote as follows: This may be the great scientific meta-experiment of the 21st century. Could a world full of scientists do all kinds of reckless recombinant things with viral diseases for many years and successfully avoid a serious outbreak? The hypothesis was that, yes, it was doable. The risk was worth taking. There would be no pandemic. Except there was. If it does indeed turn out that the lab-leak hypothesis is the right explanation for how it began  that the common people of the world have been forced into a real-life lab experiment, at tremendous cost  there is a moral earthquake on the way. Because if the hypothesis is right, it will soon start to dawn on people that our mistake was not insufficient reverence for scientists, or inadequate respect for expertise, or not enough censorship on Facebook. It was a failure to think critically about all of the above, to understand that there is no such thing as absolute expertise. Think of all the disasters of recent years: economic neoliberalism, destructive trade policies, the Iraq War, the housing bubble, banks that are too big to fail, mortgage-backed securities, the Hillary Clinton campaign of 2016  all of these disasters brought to you by the total, self-assured unanimity of the highly educated people who are supposed to know what theyre doing, plus the total complacency of the highly educated people who are supposed to be supervising them. Then again, maybe I am wrong to roll out all this speculation. Maybe the lab-leak hypothesis will be convincingly disproven. I certainly hope it is. But even if it inches closer to being confirmed, we can guess what the next turn of the narrative will be. It was a perfect storm, the experts will say. Who coulda known? And besides (they will say), the origins of the pandemic dont matter any more. Go back to sleep. Thomas Frank is a Guardian US columnist. He is the author, most recently, of The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism


Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.




Southfield, Michigan, March 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) (the Company), a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates or has an interest in manufactured housing communities, recreational vehicle resorts and marinas, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of its common stock, consisting of 4,000,000 shares offered directly by the Company and 3,000,000 shares offered on a forward basis in connection with the forward sale agreement described below, at a public offering price of $140.00 per share. As part of the offering, the Company granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,050,000 shares of its common stock. The offering is expected to close on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

The Company has entered into a forward sale agreement with Citibank, N.A. (the Forward Purchaser) with respect to 3,000,000 shares of its common stock (and expects to enter into forward sale agreements with respect to an aggregate of 4,050,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). In connection with the forward sale agreement, the Forward Purchaser or its affiliates are expected to borrow and sell to the underwriters an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of the common stock that will be delivered in this offering (or an aggregate of 4,050,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). Subject to the Companys right to elect cash or net share settlement, which right is subject to certain conditions, the Company intends to deliver, upon physical settlement of such forward sale agreement on one or more dates specified by the Company occurring no later than March 9, 2022, an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of its common stock (or an aggregate of 4,050,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full) to the Forward Purchaser in exchange for cash proceeds per share equal to the applicable forward sale price, which will be the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, and will be subject to certain adjustments as provided in the forward sale agreement.

The Company will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of its common stock by the Forward Purchaser or its affiliates in the offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of 4,000,000 shares of common stock offered directly by the Company and the net proceeds, if any, received upon the future settlement of the forward sale agreement to repay borrowings outstanding under the revolving loan under the credit facility of its subsidiary Safe Harbor Marinas, LLC, to fund possible future acquisitions of properties and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Citigroup, BofA Securities, BMO Capital Markets, J.P. Morgan and RBC Capital Markets are acting as book-running managers for the offering.

The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 (Tel: 800-831-9146 or email to: Prospectus@citi.com ); by contacting BofA Securities, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd floor, Charlotte NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department or by email at dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com ; by contacting BMO Capital Markets, 3 Times Square, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10036, Attention: Syndicate Department, Telephone: (800) 414-3627, or by email at bmoprospectus@bmo.com ; by contacting J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, by telephone at (866) 803-9204 or by email at prospectus-eq_fin@jpmchase.com ; or by contacting RBC Capital Markets, LLC, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281-8098; Attention: Equity Syndicate; Phone: 877-822-4089; Email: equityprospectus@rbccm.com .

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

Sun Communities, Inc. is a REIT that, as of December 31, 2020, owned, operated, or had an interest in a portfolio of 552 developed manufactured housing, recreational vehicle and marina properties comprising over 188,000 developed sites in 39 states and Ontario, Canada.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Company intends that such forward-looking statements will be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as will, may, could, expect, anticipate, believes, intends, should, plans, estimates, approximate, guidance, and similar expressions in this press release that predict or indicate future events and trends and that do not report historical matters.

These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related stay-at-home orders, quarantine policies and restrictions on travel, trade and business operations; national, regional and local economic climates; difficulties in the Company's ability to evaluate, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions, developments and expansions successfully; the ability to maintain rental rates and occupancy levels; competitive market forces; the performance of recent acquisitions; changes in market rates of interest; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; the ability of purchasers of manufactured homes and boats to obtain financing; and the level of repossessions by manufactured home lenders. Further details of potential risks that may affect the Company are described in the Companys periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Risk Factors sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to provide public updates, revisions or amendments to any forward-looking statements made herein to reflect changes in the Company's assumptions, expectations of future events, or trends.

For Further Information at the Company:

Karen J. Dearing

Chief Financial Officer

(248) 208-2500

www.suncommunities.com




OAKVILLE, ON, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. ("AQN") (TSX: AQN) (NYSE: AQN) announced today that the Board of Directors has declared a dividend of U.S.$0.1551 per share on its common shares, payable on April 15, 2021, to the shareholders of record on March 31, 2021, for the period from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021. Shareholders receiving dividends in cash can elect to receive the dividend in Canadian dollars in the amount of C$0.1959.

The common share dividend will be paid in cash or, if a shareholder has enrolled in the shareholder dividend reinvestment plan (the "Plan"), dividends will be reinvested in additional common shares ("Plan Shares") of AQN as per the Plan. Plan Shares will be acquired by way of a Treasury Purchase at the average market price as defined in the Plan less a 5% discount.

Pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) and corresponding provincial legislation, AQN hereby notifies its common shareholders that such dividends declared qualify as eligible dividends.

The quarterly dividends payable on common shares are declared in U.S. dollars. Beneficial shareholders (those who hold common shares through a financial intermediary) who are resident in Canada or the United States may request to receive their dividends in either U.S. dollars or the Canadian dollar equivalent by contacting the financial intermediary with whom the common shares are held. Unless the Canadian dollar equivalent is requested, shareholders will receive dividends in U.S. dollars, which, as is often the case, the financial intermediary may convert to Canadian dollars. Registered shareholders receive dividend payments in the currency of residency. Registered shareholders may opt to change the payment currency by contacting AST Trust Company (Canada) at 1-800-387-0825 prior to the record date of the dividend.

The Canadian dollar equivalent of the quarterly dividend is based on the Bank of Canada daily average exchange rate on the day before the declaration date.

About Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and Liberty

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility with approximately $13 billion of total assets. Through its two business groups, the Regulated Services Group and the Renewable Energy Group, AQN is committed to providing safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy and water solutions through its portfolio of electric generation, transmission, and distribution utility investments to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada. AQN is a global leader in renewable energy through its portfolio of long-term contracted wind, solar, and hydroelectric generating facilities. AQN owns, operates, and/or has net interests in over 3 GW of installed capacity.

AQN is committed to delivering growth and the pursuit of operational excellence in a sustainable manner through an expanding global pipeline of renewable energy and electric transmission development projects, organic growth within its rate-regulated generation, distribution, and transmission businesses, and the pursuit of accretive acquisitions.

AQN's common shares, Series A preferred shares, and Series D preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQN.PR.A, and AQN.PR.D, respectively. AQN's common shares, Series 2018-A subordinated notes and Series 2019-A subordinated notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQNA and AQNB, respectively.

Visit AQN at www.algonquinpowerandutilities.com and follow us on Twitter @AQN_Utilities.

SOURCE Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.

Related Links

http://www.algonquinpower.com


MOSCOW - Three University of Idaho theatre students were honored with top awards during the recent virtual Region 7 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Andrew Yoder, Brindle Brundage and Hannah Verdi all received top festival awards for their work.

Senior Andrew Yoder, of Boise, won the National Award for Excellence in Sound Design in Region 7 for the third consecutive year for his work in U of Is production of The Moors.

Master of Fine Arts candidate Brindle Brundage, of St. George, Utah, won three awards:

the Barbizon National Award for Excellence in Scenic Design in Region 7 for her work on The Revolutionists;

the Randy Lutz Allied Design & Technology Award in Region 7 for her work on The Moors;

the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas Award in Region 7, which comes with a one-week internship at Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas.

Junior Hannah Verdi, of Hayden, won the Regional Musical Theatre Scholarship and was named the Region 7 Open Jar Scholarship recipient, receiving a $600 scholarship to Open Jar, a New York City Broadway-integrated actor training program.

I know I speak for all my colleagues in expressing our utter delight, pride and congratulations to our students who continue to dazzle and exceed our expectations, said Robert Caisley, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts. The recognition they received at this festival is not only a testament to their hard work, dedication and creative achievement, but also a signal affirmation of their standing in their respective fields within the community of their peers.

Yoder and Brundage will have their work showcased online, will have a national response to their work and are eligible to be awarded more honors at the national level. Both also receive full registration for the United States Institute of Theatre Technology Conference March 8-12. Additionally, Brundage has an opportunity to take master classes with Santa Fe Opera this summer.

The festival awards, presented during the groups Region 7 Conference, are part of a national theatre program involving more than 18,000 students from colleges and universities across the country and has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theatre in the United States. Region 7 includes Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Alaska, Northern Nevada and Northern California.

For information on U of I Theatre Arts, visit www.uidaho.edu/class/theatre.
Disney Plus' highly-anticipated Turner & Hooch series is bringing back an original character from the movie, with Reginald VelJohnson slated to return.

VelJohnson, 68, is returning to play David Sutton in the new series, according to a new report from Deadline.

He'll by joined by Josh Peck as Scott Turner Jr., the son of Tom Hanks' character from the 1989 movie, though there are no current plans for Hanks to return.

Return: Disney Plus' highly-anticipated Turner & Hooch series is bringing back an original character from the movie, with Reginald VelJohnson slated to return.

The show follows Peck's Scott Turner Jr., a U.S. Marshal who inherits the massive French Mastiff dog.

While he has no interest in the dog at first, he ultimately realizes, 'the dog he didn't want may be the partner he needs.'

VelJohnson's character Sutton was the elder Turner's partner in Cypress Beach, California, but in the series he has become the town's mayor.

Turner Jr. and Hooch: The show follows Peck's Scott Turner Jr., a U.S. Marshal who inherits the massive French Mastiff dog

Partner to mayor: VelJohnson's character Sutton was the elder Turner's partner in Cypress Beach, California, but in the series he has become the town's mayor

He is a close family friend to Scott Jr. and his animal-loving sister Laura (Lyndsy Fonseca), and there's said to be very little that happens in Cypress Beach without the mayor learning about it.

The series follows Scott Jr. and Laura who start investigating one of their father's old cases, with Sutton becoming involved shortly thereafter.

VelJohnson will recur on the series, joining a cast that also includes Carra Patterson as Jessica Baxter, Scott's brave, street-smart partner and Brandon Jay McLaren as Xavier Wilson, a cool, enigmatic marine-turned-US Marshal.

Close friend: He is a close family friend to Scott Jr. and his animal-loving sister Laura (Lyndsy Fonseca), and there's said to be very little that happens in Cypress Beach without the mayor learning about it.

The cast also includes Anthony Ruivivar as Chief James Mendez, Scott's boss with a secret soft spot for Scott's new dog, Hooch, Jeremy Maguire as Matthew Garland, Laura's dog-loving son and Vanessa Lengies as Erica Mouniere, the quirky head of the US Marshals dog training program.

There will also be five French Mastiffs who will portray Hooch, Scott's slobbery, loveable French Mastiff.

Matt Nix (Burn Notice) created the series, based on the 1989 film, and serves as a writer and executive producer.

Supporting cast: The cast also includes Anthony Ruivivar as Chief James Mendez, Scott's boss with a secret soft spot for Scott's new dog, Hooch, Jeremy Maguire as Matthew Garland, Laura's dog-loving son and Vanessa Lengies as Erica Mouniere, the quirky head of the US Marshals dog training program

McG (Charlie's Angels) directed the pilot episode and will also serve as an executive producer on there series, which is slated to debut July 16 on Disney Plus.

VelJohnson most recently starred in The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee and the TV movie The Christmas Lottery.

He also recently guest-starred on Mom, 3Below: Tales of Arcadia and Lazor Wulf.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Very hot. High around 105F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 74F. N winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.

As Republican Gov. Greg Abbott moved this week to rescind most of his COVID-19 executive orders, members of the Legislature have set their sights on ways to curb those powers in the future.

Throughout the pandemic, Democrats and even some conservatives have bemoaned their lack of input on restrictions that Abbott put in place through executive orders. Texas was one of just three states that went 10 months without convening their legislatures to help shape their pandemic response.

The Texas Legislature meets every two years and can meet in the interim only to address targeted issues during a special session. The catch: Only the governor can call a special session, and Abbott declined to do so.

Some of the legislation would require the governor to seek approval from the House and Senate to extend a 30-day disaster declaration or otherwise force the governor to call a special session after a month.

Yet the leading contender in the Texas House would not go quite that far. Instead of limiting the duration of executive orders without legislative approval, the sweeping reform bill parses out what kind of restrictions the governor can enact during a pandemic and clarifies his ability to suspend laws and rules if necessary.

Temporarily lifting vehicle registration requirements, for example, would be acceptable, while any orders that violate the states religious freedom act would not. The bill would also require local governments to ask for permission from the secretary of state before changing voting rules and would give essentially all businesses liability protection from civil lawsuits related to COVID-19.

Hes decided hes the king: Gov. Greg Abbotts COVID response leaves lawmakers on sidelines

House Bill 3s low number indicates its a priority for House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont. The bills author, state Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, said its still a work in progress.

Its very much a beginning point, Burrows said. It probably has a lot of things that were going to continue to add, but what I think this shows is a commitment to having a very serious conversation about pandemic powers.

Even with more changes to come, its clear that HB 3 does not soothe certain contingents of conservatives, including Texas GOP Chair Allen West, who has often found himself to the right of the partys majority and has repeatedly clashed with the governor over his pandemic-related orders. In an email to supporters this week, West wrote that bills like HB 3 should concern us all.

This week we remember, 185 years ago, how a few men stood up against dictatorial powers, West wrote Monday, which was Texas Independence Day. How is it that we are seeking to expand such powers?

Abbott had welcomed reforms and last month told the Texas Tribune that he was working with legislators to preplan how a response would be done, adding that it has to be done in a way that leaves flexibility to move swiftly. His spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment about HB 3.

IN-DEPTH: Buffeted by critics, Gov. Abbott moves to limit his own power in future disasters

Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, filed a bill that would give the Legislature the power to intervene midpandemic if voters approved a constitutional amendment. Toths bill, House Joint Resolution 42, was one of at least eight that have been filed by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle on the subject.

Last year, Toth and other conservative lawmakers were also party to lawsuits against the governor claiming Abbott abused his emergency powers when he extended the early voting period and when he signed off on a deal with a contact tracing company.

But Toth said Wednesday that he felt confident that Phelan and Burrows are listening to feedback and willing to make changes that other members deem necessary to strengthen the bill. Whether that will include a requirement for a special session, however, remains to be seen.

Id be seriously disappointed if they werent welcoming input, Toth said. Id be disappointed if they werent saying how can we change to make it better, but they are, enthusiastically.

Phelan, for his part, has supported Abbott taking charge during disasters, something hes said helped his community of Beaumont during Hurricane Harvey. In a statement Thursday, Phelan called HB 3 the Houses initial blueprint for our pandemic response.

Our chamber welcomes healthy debate over the best way to defend our liberties, create predictability in times of crisis and safeguard our economy, he said.

Rep. Chris Turner, House Democratic Caucus chair, said in a statement that while the bill will likely go through many changes as the session goes on, there is broad interest in addressing how future governors respond to future emergencies, given Gov. Abbotts confusing, slow and often inadequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic  not to mention last months winter storm.

He added that he hopes the legislation will give local leaders the chance to make rules for their own communities without being preempted by the governor. As of now, the law does the opposite, affirming a clause that most of Abbotts orders have included stating that a governors emergency orders supersede local ones.

Beyond that, we need to prioritize fixing our broken data reporting systems so we can make decisions based on science rather than politics, said Turner, D-Grand Prairie.

Putting checks on the governors emergency powers was not among Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks 31 legislative priorities for the session, though civil liability for businesses during the pandemic ranked high. His top bills also relate to electrical grid reform after last months winter storm. Patricks spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A group of senators has also filed Senate Bill 26, which goes further than HB 3 by preventing government agencies and public officials from issuing any order that would close or effectively close religious institutions during a disaster.

Several senators have filed bills similar to Toths. Senate Joint Resolution 45 by Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, would require the governor to convene a special session in order to extend a disaster declaration beyond 30 days or issue new orders if they affect a large portion of the population. If passed, it would require voter approval of a state constitutional amendment.

Another by Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the lieutenant governor and House speaker to call the Legislature into special session if at least two-thirds of the members of each chamber requested it.

PATRICKS PRIORITIES: Abortion restrictions, transgender issues, gun rights top Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks priority list

Yet another bill filed by Austin Democratic Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, SJR 33, would allow House and Senate leaders to decide on their own to call the Legislature into special session without a petition from other lawmakers and to decide what subjects can be discussed during that session.

My instinct on this is that there is bipartisan support for a methodology for calling a special session without the governor, said Eckhardt, the former county judge of Austins Travis County. I know I was frustrated as a county judge that we were going month after month after month into a pandemic without having a legislative way in.

When a county judge declares an emergency, she noted, they have to return to the commissioners court to explain their rationale and ask for approval to extend it within seven days; otherwise, it expires.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com

Prosecutors in Kentucky have moved to permanently drop charges against Breonna Taylor's boyfriend in connection with the bungled police raid that killed her.

The Commonwealth's Attorney for Jefferson County filed a motion this week seeking to dismiss with prejudice the criminal charges against Kenneth Walker.

A case dismissed with prejudice cannot be brought back before a court.

Prosecutors in Kentucky filed a motion this week seeking to dismiss with prejudice criminal charges against Kenneth Walker (right) in connection to the March 2020 raid that killed his girlfriend, Breonna Taylor (pictured together, left)

Walker had been charged with attempted murder of a police officer and assault

Walker had been charged with attempted murder of a police officer and assault for shooting at officers as they opened fire on the couple while serving a narcotics search warrant at Taylor's home on March 13, 2020.

Walker was not injured but Taylor, a 26-year-old black EMT without a criminal record, was shot eight times during the raid and died in the hallway. No drugs were found at the house.

During an interview with police, Walker said he was 'scared to death' that intruders were breaking into the house, so he grabbed his legally owned gun and when the door was knocked down, he fired a shot.

He said his intention was to fire a warning shot downward toward the ground. The bullet hit a police detective and prompted his colleagues to fire a barrage of at least 20 bullets into the house.

Taylor, who had no criminal record and no drugs, was shot by police eight times and died in a hallway

Police officers taking part in the drug raid fired at least 20 rounds into Taylor's home

Taylor's killing sparked widespread protests and led to the firings of two Louisville police detectives: Myles Cosgrove, who shot Taylor, and Joshua Jaynes, who sought the warrant for the botched drug raid.

The charges against Walker were dropped in May 2020 due to insufficient evidence, but Tom Wine, Louisvilles top prosecutor, at the time left the door open for the prospect of presenting the case before a grand jury again following a more thorough investigation.

In their latest motion, prosecutors conceded that state and federal investigations 'into this matter have concluded and no new information relevant to the charges against [Walker] in this matter has been brought to the Commonwealth's attention,' CBS News reported.

Louisville Sergeant Jonathan Mattingly in October of last year filed a lawsuit against Walker, accusing him of assault, battery and emotional distress.

Louisville's top prosecutor dropped the charges against Walker in May, but did not rule out filing them again

Mattingly has blamed Walker for Taylor's death because the officers 'returned fire' after he was shot in the leg.

A hearing concerning the prosecution's motion to dismiss charges against Walker with prejudice will take place on March 8.

'Every piece of evidence from when they falsely arrested and indicted him a year ago up till today prove that Kenny acted in self defense and was immune from prosecution,' Walkers attorney, Steve Romines, said in a statement. 'Yet he was framed and charged to cover up Breonnas killing. This is but a first step.'
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Now back in his powder blue void set after a long absence, John Olivers political half-hour Sunday night show on HBO is still laboring under a reduced energy outside the TV studio, just as Bill Mahers Real Time did when he taped his show from his home. Still, Olivers staff aggregates serious reporting and presents important issues in a way that drives home his messages in an engaging way. In his Feb. 28 show, he managed to weave clips from the goofy 1990 Cop Rock police procedural musical series with a very serious segment on police raids, how out of control they are and how to prevent raids gone wrong. Among the raids he focused on was the errant Chicago police raid on Anjanette Youngs home, which this month resulted in new proposals for search warrants. The week before it was dangerous practices in meat-packing plants, and the week before that it was laying out the likelihood of another pandemic. Im looking forward to him returning to the studio and reinvigorating the show, but Last Week Tonight nevertheless remains essential and topical. (HBO, HBO Max)  Scott L. Powers
(paragraphs 3-5 of news item issued on March 4 have been added)

KYIV. March 5 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Some 45.3% of the population of Ukraine consider it necessary for Ukraine to implement the Minsk agreements on the settlement of situation in Donbas, according to a poll conducted by the Social Monitoring Center from February 19 to 28.

According to the survey, the results of which were presented at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday, March 4, some 28.7% of respondents are in favor of Ukraine withdrawing from the negotiation process, 26% of respondents found it difficult to answer.

Among the solutions to the problem of the occupied territories, 32.6% of Ukrainians consider such an option as granting these territories a special status and autonomy within Ukraine, 27.2% recognize the need to isolate ORDLO, 22.1% consider it necessary to continue hostilities until Ukraine regains full control over the occupied territories, and 18.1% found it difficult to answer.

In overcoming the military conflict, 64.8% of Ukrainians see the need for Ukraine to continue direct talks with the Russian Federation, 25.6% do not see such a need, and 9.6% found it difficult to answer.

At the same time, 48.2% of Ukrainians stated the need to negotiate with ORDLO representatives in order to establish peace in Donbas, 41.7% do not see any sense in this, 10.1% found it difficult to answer.

The sociological survey was conducted by the Social Monitoring Center from February 19 to February 28 by the method of individual interviews at the place of residence among 3,017 respondents throughout Ukraine, excluding the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea.

The margin of error ranges from 1.1% to 1.9%.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)  An Iowa journalist faces trial Monday on charges stemming from her coverage of a protest against racial injustice, a case that prosecutors have pursued despite international condemnation from free press advocates who say she was just doing her job.

The case of Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri, who was pepper-sprayed and arrested while reporting on a clash between protesters and police, will highlight an aggressive response by Iowa authorities against those who organized and attended protests that erupted last summer and occasionally turned violent.

Sahouri and her former boyfriend are charged with failure to disperse and interference with official acts, misdemeanors that could bring fines and up to 30 days in jail. They face an estimated two-day trial at Drake University in what the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker says could be the first for a working journalist nationwide since 2018.

Sahouris newspaper, the Iowa Freedom of Information Council and Amnesty International are among press advocates that have demanded Polk County drop the charges, which they call an abuse of power that violate the Constitution's First Amendment.

This is outrageous. Reporting at a protest scene as a working member of the media is not a crime. It is a right that must be protected, Amnesty International said.

But Des Moines police and County Attorney John Sarcone's office argue that Sahouri wasn't wearing press credentials and appeared to be an active participant in an unlawful assembly, saying journalists do not have a free pass to ignore dispersal orders.

Sahouri, recently honored by the Iowa Newspaper Association as one of the states best young reporters, has continued to cover public safety while the charges have loomed.

While 126 journalists were arrested or detained during 2020s unrest, most either werent charged or had charges dropped, the Press Freedom Tracker says. Fourteen still face charges.

The determination to prosecute Sahouri has baffled observers, who note Iowa's courts have a backlog of felony cases due to the coronavirus pandemic. Critics say authorities seem to be seeking a conviction to justify an officers decision to unnecessarily use force against a reporter known for building trust with crime victims and underrepresented communities.

Its like somebody with their hand in the cookie jar: They cant admit that they made a mistake, said Des Moines civil rights attorney Glen Downey, who is not involved in Sahouri's case. The case is important because of the journalism aspect, but its also emblematic of how they are treating all the protesters.

Sahouri, 25, was covering a Black Lives Matter protest at Merle Hay mall when tensions escalated between participants and police. Her boyfriend, Spenser Robnett, accompanied her for safety reasons.

Protesters vandalized a Target store, broke windows, blocked an intersection and threw water bottles and rocks at officers in riot gear.

Sahouri covered the protest live on Twitter, reporting that officers charged into a shoe store with rifles and shot tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Sahouri said she was running from the gas when Robnett was hit with a projectile and she stopped to check on him. Thats when officer Luke Wilson approached, shot pepper spray into her face and restrained her with zip ties, she says.

Sahouri repeatedly identified herself as press but was nonetheless taken to jail. She reported her arrest live from the back of a police van.

Wilson has claimed he was unaware Sahouri was a reporter until he was detaining her. That's when Robnett intervened, saying she worked for the Register and tried to pull her away, according to Wilson, who says he failed to activate his body camera.

Des Moines Register executive editor Carol Hunter said Sahouri's lack of press credentials, which she left in her car, is a red herring because police knew immediately she was a journalist and a press badge isnt required to enjoy constitutional protections. Reporters must be free to witness protests and hold participants and police accountable, Hunter said.

Freedom of the press rests on newsgathering, she said. This really is an attack on a fundamental part of being able to bring people the news.

The newspaper is funding Sahouris defense, which is led by former U.S. Attorney Nick Klinefeldt.

Prosecutors intend to show jurors text messages between Sahouri and protest leader Mate Muhammad from a week after her arrest. Her lawyers say the texts show a reporter's routine contacts with a source, while prosecutors are expected to paint her as an ally.

Muhammad, who has been fighting charges stemming from protests, said he didn't know Sahouri when she was arrested but the two have since developed a professional relationship. He called her extremely diligent" in vetting information and gathering different perspectives.

We enjoy working with her not because we view her as an activist or on our side," he said, but because we view her as fair.
The Biden administration is set to send India help, including AstraZeneca shots (Photo: Reuters/Johan Nilsson)

Italy has used its European Union influence to block a shipment of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine to Australia.

The office of the Italian prime minister confirmed the move Friday, stating that it believes that its decision to halt the shipment during the previous day will be backed by the European Commission. The shipment was for 250,700 doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine.

The move is a dramatic escalation of the dispute between the trading bloc and the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company over its vaccine supply. The acrimonious fight between the two began in late January after AstraZeneca announced that it would not be able to meet its previously promised amount of vaccines to EU-member countries.

The European Commission responded by giving member states the power to stop AstraZeneca from exporting its vaccines outside the bloc in certain situations. The move was meant to ensure that AstraZeneca was able to meet its obligations to the bloc ahead of its other customers. The commission said that the rule should not affect COVAX, the global initiative to supply vaccines to poorer countries.

The vaccine programs of EU-member states have mostly faltered as they encountered supply and logistical problems. Some countries have chosen to rely on outside sources to offset AstraZeneca's shortfall. According to data from the World Health Organization, the EU has only been able to administer first doses to about 5.5% of its more than 447 million population.

Italy's Foreign Ministry said that blocking the shipment was justified given AstraZeneca's continued vaccine delivery delays. The ministry said that Australia was not considered a "vulnerable" country by the trading bloc.

The ministry said that AstraZeneca was permitted to export "modest quantities" of its vaccines for scientific research and other purposes. However, the latest shipment was flagged due to the high number of vaccine doses involved.

Under the newly imposed EU procedures, companies within member countries must notify authorities if they intend to export vaccines outside the bloc. Certain criteria must be met before the member state approves the export. After it is approved, the European Commission will have one working day to approve or reject the member state's decision.

Sources with knowledge in the matter said that the European Commission will likely not oppose Italy's decision to block the shipment. AstraZeneca has yet to release a statement in response to the export ban.
Its a powerful argument. Still, to many people, even those concerned about accountability for sexual misconduct, the notion that Frank has committed sexual assault remains deeply counterintuitive. How are we to reconcile these competing considerations?

I recently conducted a series of psychological studies that shed light on this debate. My research suggests that the reason people think Frank is not guilty of rape has less to do with their treating rape differently from other offenses and more to do with how they understand consent. Many people, it turns out, believe that an individual can give consent even though she was lied to by the person seeking her consent.

I asked hundreds of research participants to evaluate hypothetical situations in which a person is tricked into agreeing to something he would otherwise refuse. In one situation, a patient agrees to a medical procedure as a result of a doctors false representations. In another, a civilian allows police officers into his home because they lie about what they are searching for. In another, a research participant agrees to enroll in a study after the researcher lies about its purpose.

Surprisingly, I found that most people say that the victims in all these cases have consented. I also found that most people agree with the moral and legal implications of that view: For instance, they say that a doctor who performs a surgery after obtaining consent by lying deserves less punishment for medical battery than a doctor who simply performs the surgery without asking permission.

These findings fly in the face of the standard scholarly understanding of consent, which is that it is an expression of an individuals autonomous will  controlling ones life as one would like. Interestingly, my participants agreed with this standard legal understanding when presented with situations in which coercion or threats were used to achieve the same ends, such as when someone agreed to sex as a result of blackmail. It was only when the situations involved deception that respondents thought the victims yes counted as consent.
Illinois public health officials on Friday reported that 131,882 coronavirus vaccine doses  a new daily record  were administered Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 3,125,425. The number of Illinois residents who have been fully vaccinated reached a total of 1,019,685  8% of the states population.

Officials also reported 1,442 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 33 additional fatalities, bringing the total number of known infections in Illinois to 1,194,702 and the statewide death toll to 20,700 since the start of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Illinois first case of the COVID-19 variant from Brazil has been identified in Chicago, city and state public health officials confirmed Friday.

The variant was identified in an individual who did not report traveling outside Illinois, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Nor did anyone in the individuals household. A close contact of the individual also contracted COVID-19, but that person also did not report traveling outside the state, officials said.

Heres whats happening Friday with COVID-19 in the Chicago area and Illinois:

(Updated) 7:50 p.m.: Senate leaders, Manchin agree on virus bill jobless benefits

Senate leaders and moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin struck a deal late Friday over emergency jobless benefits, breaking a nine-hour logjam that had stalled the partys showpiece $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.

The compromise, announced by the West Virginia lawmaker and a Democratic aide, seemed to clear the way for the Senate to begin a climactic, marathon series of votes expected to lead to approval of the sweeping legislation.

The overall bill, President Joe Bidens top legislative priority, is aimed at battling the killer pandemic and nursing the staggered economy back to health. It would provide direct payments of up to $1,400 to most Americans and money for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, aid to state and local governments, help for schools and the airline industry and subsidies for health insurance.

With 10 million fewer jobs since the pandemic struck a year ago, aiding unemployed Americans is a top Democratic priority. But its also an issue that drove a divide between progressives seeking to help jobless constituents cope with the bleak economy and Manchin and other moderates who have wanted to trim some of the bills costs.

Read more here. Associated Press

7:35 p.m.: COVID-19 vaccines given to hundreds of University of Illinois employees who werent yet eligible, including coaches and instructors

County health officials who oversee the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign say they misunderstood state guidelines for vaccinating higher education employees and erroneously allowed hundreds of people who werent yet eligible  including coaches in the basketball program  to sign up for COVID-19 inoculations in early February.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District estimates that approximately 1,500 people received the COVID-19 vaccine out of turn between Feb. 1 and Feb. 4, according to Deputy Administrator and Epidemiologist Awais Vaid, who attributed the issue to ambiguity in the state vaccination guidelines.

At the time, however, only primary and high school educators were eligible under phase 1b of the states plan, which stresses equitable access, as supply remained scarce. In-person instructors at colleges in other counties were also denied vaccinations, despite lobbying from lawmakers and higher education leaders who understood the sector was excluded.

The state plan specifies that front-line essential workers in education  including those who work in congregate child care, preschool and kindergarten through eighth grade settings  are included in phase 1b but doesnt specifically mention higher education employees.

Vaid on Friday said the vaccines were given out due to a miscommunication and that there was ambiguity over when higher education employees were slated for vaccination.

In my personal opinion, higher ed should have been included under education. There is no difference between a high school teacher and a university teacher who is teaching in person, Vaid said. So why would we discriminate between that?

Vaid stressed the error was short-lived and said his office has since tightened protocols. The in-person instructors, athletic coaches and university workers who received the vaccine in error were allowed to get the second dose, Vaid said.

Read more here. Elyssa Cherney and Dan Petrella

7 p.m.: How does a mass vaccination site work? Heres a look inside one at a former K-Mart in Des Plaines.

Illinois has 18 mass vaccination sites running across the state. To see how they work, the Tribune visited a new site set up inside a vacant K-Mart in Des Plaines .

The vaccination site, on Oakton Street, opened Thursday, along with a site at the convention center in Quincy that together can give shots to up to 4,000 people a day once at full capacity.

Illinois passed a notable benchmark in its vaccination effort Friday, with more than 1 million people fully vaccinated  8% of the states overall population.

Residents at the Des Plaines site were administered the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Take a look inside here. Antonio Perez

5:45 p.m.: CPS students who opted out of in-person classes can return in April, while high school families get their first chance to opt in

Chicago Public Schools for the first time will ask families of high school students to decide whether they want to return to in-person learning this school year, and is giving younger students one final chance to opt in or out.

The district on Friday announced that all CPS families who havent already decided to return their children to school will have a two-week window, starting Monday, to choose in-person classes or remote learning for the remainder of the year.

Opt-in forms will be sent directly to parents, and this will be the final opportunity to choose in-person learning this school year, according to an email to CPS families Friday afternoon.

For elementary students and special education cluster programs, the next optional return date will be April 19, the beginning of fourth quarter.

CPS high schools, whose students have been learning remotely since the pandemic shut schools down a year ago, still dont have a reopening date, but CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union have been negotiating a plan.

The specific learning model used in high schools remains under discussion, but we hope students will be able to return to school as early as mid-April, according to the districts email. We are asking families to tell us their learning preference now so that we can ensure we have the necessary staffing and classroom models in place to safely support all interested high school students.

Preschool and some special education students whose families opted in returned to school in January, though their in-person classes were halted during a dispute between CPS and the teachers union over the terms of the reopening. The majority of elementary grades resumed in-person classes March 1, with sixth- and eighth-graders whove opted in returning Monday.

Hannah Leone

5:20 p.m.: Illinois first case of Brazilian coronavirus variant identified in Chicago

The states first case of the coronavirus variant from Brazil has been identified in Chicago, city and state public health officials confirmed Friday.

The variant was identified in an individual who did not report traveling outside Illinois, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Nor did anyone in the individuals household. A close contact of the individual also contracted COVID-19, but that person also did not report traveling outside the state, officials said.

CDPH is working to identify close contacts of the individual to reinforce the importance of adherence with quarantine and isolation measures, health officials said in a statement.

COVID-19 variants from Great Britain and South Africa have previously been identified in Illinois.

Scientists at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine identified the Brazilian variant through sequencing analysis of a COVID-19 specimen as part of a research program following mutations in the virus over time in the Chicago area.

The variant, called P.1., was first found early this year in travelers from Brazil during routine airport screening in Tokyo. The first identified case of the variant in the United States was found in Minnesota in late January, and the variant has since been identified in several other states.

Studies suggest this variant can spread more easily than other strains, and that it may affect the ability of antibodies to recognize and neutralize the virus, Chicago public health department officials said, but additional studies are needed.

Read more here. Jenny Whidden

5:05 p.m.: With 1 million Illinoisans now fully vaccinated for COVID-19, heres a look at what the data says about who those people are

On Dec. 15 at Loretto Hospital in Chicago and at OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria the first shots of the coronavirus vaccine were administered in Illinois.

Now 80 days later, more than 1 million people in Illinois have been fully vaccinated, in most cases meaning they have received two shots. More than 595,000 of those vaccinated are from Chicago and the suburban counties, nearly two-thirds of the states total.

So far in Illinois, more women than men have been fully vaccinated and more people ages 16 to 64 than those 65 and over. Despite the states efforts at equity in its vaccine rollout, 70% of the 1 million are white, 8% Black and 8% Hispanic. Of the states population overall, 61% are white, 14% Black and 17% Hispanic.

Here are a few ways to break down the 1 million total at this vaccination benchmark. Jonathan Berlin

4:45 p.m.: Schools cant skip standardized tests this spring, Biden administration says. But Illinois educators want a pass because of pandemic disruptions.

Nearly a year after schools shut down statewide because of the COVID-19 pandemic, School District U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said its been tough convincing many parents that the buildings are safe for their childrens return.

So when Sanders recently learned that the U.S. Department of Education still expects every public school system in the country to administer federally mandated standardized tests to their students this spring, he was shocked and disheartened.

I cant even get families to want to let their children come into the school building right now to learn, so how would we ask them to do that just to take a test? Sanders said. More than half of all students in Elgin-based U-46 are still in remote learning full time.

Nobodys listening, he said. It still begs the question, why is this a year we must test?

But federal education officials, saying data from assessments will be an important way to gauge the pandemics impact on student learning, issued a blanket denial of testing waivers in late February, shortly before the swearing-in Tuesday of President Joe Bidens new Sec. of Education Miguel Cardona. The announcement came despite pleas from school districts nationwide  including about 700 in Illinois, as well as the states superintendent of education  to give them a reprieve from testing.

Read more here. Karen Ann Cullotta

(Updated) 3:30 p.m.: Democrat split on jobless benefits slows $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill in Senate

Democrats laid aside one battle over boosting the minimum wage but promptly descended into another internal fight Friday as the party haltingly tried moving its $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill through the Senate.

Senators seemingly killed progressives last-ditch effort to include a federal minimum wage hike in the relief package, which embodies President Joe Bidens top legislative priority.

They voted 58-42 against the increase, though the vote wasnt yet formally gaveled to a close. Eight Democrats voted against the proposal, suggesting that Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and other progressives vowing to continue the effort in coming months will face a difficult fight.

But even as Democrats moved past that battle, they lurched into another as a deal they thought theyd reached between progressives and moderates over unemployment benefits threatened to crumble.

Republican senators  in accounts verified by a lobbyist  said Sen. Joe Manchin, Democrat of West Virginia, was no longer backing a Democratic proposal for a fresh round of emergency jobless benefits. Instead Manchin, probably the Senates most conservative Democrat and a potential deal breaker in the 50-50 chamber, was said to prefer a less-generous GOP alternative.

The Senates work, including formally ending the minimum wage roll call that started in the morning, jerked to a halt as party leaders mapped how they would move ahead.

Read more here. Associated Press

1:10 p.m.: Illinois launches $10 million campaign aimed at countering COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Black, Latino communities

In an effort to reach Black and Latino communities that have been hard hit by the coronavirus but have lagged behind the rest of the state on vaccinations, Illinois on Friday launched a $10 million public awareness campaign to combat vaccine hesitancy.

The multimedia campaign was announced as the total number of vaccinations administered in Illinois passed 3 million, with more than 1 million residents now fully immunized with two shots.

Speaking outside Family Christian Health Center in south suburban Harvey, Gov. J.B. Pritzker framed vaccine education as an issue of equity, a notion he and other state officials have hammered repeatedly amid early distribution data that showed significant disparities between white, and Black and Hispanic residents in vaccinations.

Among our most important goals is to get the vaccines to Black and brown people, and to more remote areas of our state  to those who have too often been denied access to health care, Pritzker said.

Read more here. Jenny Whidden

12:08 p.m.: 1,442 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases and 33 additional deaths reported

Illinois health officials on Friday announced 1,442 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 33 additional fatalities, bringing the total number of known infections in Illinois to 1,194,702 and the statewide death toll to 20,700 since the start of the pandemic.

Officials also reported 103,336 new tests in the last 24 hours. The seven-day statewide test positivity rate was 2.8% for the period ending Thursday.

The 7-day rolling daily average of administered vaccine doses is 83,115, with 131,882 doses given on Thursday, a new daily record. Officials also say a total of 3,125,425 vaccines have now been administered.

Chicago Tribune staff

12 p.m.: Boxes with more than 65,000 counterfeit N95 masks worth over $400,000 intercepted at OHare by border protection officers

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers Sunday seized 136 boxes of counterfeit medical masks at OHare International Airport after they noticed the masks were giving off a chemical smell and their boxes had grammatical errors, officials said.

The phony masks arrived from Colombia in South America and were similar to 3M N95 masks with a 3M trademark, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release.

A customs import specialist determined the shipment infringes on the 3M trademark and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH trademark, the release said.

Officers seized 65,280 masks. If the masks had been real, because of supply and demand, they would have had a domestic value of over $401,000, according to the release. All the masks were destined for a company in Virginia, according to the release.

Last year, criminal groups exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to sell counterfeit, unapproved, unsafe personal protective equipment and pharmaceuticals, according to the release.

These counterfeit masks are extremely dangerous and provide a false sense of security to American consumers, said Hans Leiterman, assistant area port director for Chicago. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of bad actors out there trying to take advantage of consumers during a global pandemic.

10:30 a.m.: Democrats trim emergency jobless benefits as Senate debates $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill

Democrats agreed Friday to pare back emergency jobless benefits but extend them for an extra month, bidding to solidify support as the Senate approached a voting marathon on a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.

The deal came as the chamber worked toward approving a final version of the massive package, probably over the weekend, of President Joe Bidens top legislative priority. That would give the House time to approve the legislation and whisk it to Biden for his signature.

First, the Senate was preparing to vote on a mountain of amendments, mostly by GOP opponents. Virtually all are destined to fail but are designed to force Democrats to take politically awkward votes.

Read more here. Associated Press

10:10 a.m.: City shuts down makeshift club in a home in Old Town, cites 6 businesses for COVID-19 violations

City investigators shut down a private club in an Old Town apartment building last weekend that violated COVID-19 restrictions.

Chicagos Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection said 97 people were on hand for the event at a residence at 333 W. North Ave. without social distancing or face coverings. The gathering included a cover charge, a DJ and food and drink for sale, a BACP spokesman said.

The operation was issued a cease-and-desist order for operating without required business licenses. The matter remains under investigation, BACP said.

BACP also cited six other businesses during 86 investigations between Feb. 25 and 28, the agency said.

Read more here. Josh Noel

6 a.m.: St. Clair County Jail inmates should have had masks before January, Gov. Pritzker, lawmakers say after newspaper investigation

Local lawmakers and Gov. J.B. Pritzker said inmates at the St. Clair County Jail should have been provided masks long before Jan. 13, the first time jail staff administered them to detainees.

Their reactions follow a Belleville News-Democrat report citing more than 30 current and former inmates and their loved ones who said the jail failed to take other precautions to slow the spread of coronavirus. At least three jail inmates have died of COVID-19.

Health experts recommended masks as early as last spring to slow the spread of COVID-19. While the jail required staff to wear masks, universal masking guidance from state and local public health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control doesnt directly say inmates should wear them too.

Sheriff Rick Watson cited that guidance in explaining why they didnt provide masks to inmates for more than nine months after they became readily available. He says staff did all they could to protect inmates through routine sanitization and screening techniques, and the jails public affairs officer said quarantining is difficult in a chronically overcrowded jail. Voters in 2017 rejected a tax increase proposal that would have paid for jail expansion and improvements.

Pritzker said the jail shouldnt have had a problem supplying masks to detainees because personal protective equipment has been easily accessible to any state agency since shortages eased last summer.

Its just not something that should be happening literally nine months after weve had a reasonably plentiful supply of PPE in the state of Illinois, Pritzker said.

While the governor said he wasnt sure what caused the problem in the St. Clair County Jail, local legislators say they plan to find out. State Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, and state Sen. Chris Belt, D-Cahokia, said they will contact the sheriffs office.

This shouldnt have happened. It was my understanding that there was plenty of PPE, Greenwood said. I was shocked.

 Kelsey Landis, Belleville News-Democrat, with DeAsia Paige and Carolyn Smith, via Tribune Content Agency

In case you missed it
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The warning of another potential attack on Thursday from a militia group prompted House leaders to move up a vote on policing legislation from Wednesday night so lawmakers could leave Washington earlier than planned. But the Senate proceeded with its legislative business on Thursday, as Democrats hoped to push President Bidens $1.9 trillion aid package through the chamber by the weekend.

A bulletin from the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security warned that extremists inspired by the pro-Trump conspiracy theory known as QAnon had discussed plans to target lawmakers on Thursday and take over the Capitol. Some of the theorys followers appeared to have latched onto March 4  the original inauguration date set in the Constitution  as the day Donald J. Trump would be restored to the presidency with the help of the military and renew his crusade against the countrys enemies.

The threat prompted the Capitol Police to increase the number of officers at the building, which had been ringed with new fencing, topped with razor wire, after the assault on Jan. 6.

Concern over another attack about two months after the Jan. 6 riot reflected the heightened anxiety about domestic terrorism, which the F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray, said Tuesday was metastasizing across the country.

The possible extension of the Guard was reported earlier by The Associated Press.

Representative Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat whose state has supplied some of the troops, said on Thursday that she had heard from her contacts within the Guard that the request was for a 60-day extension.

I am hearing from contacts at the National Guard that the U.S. Capitol Police have asked for a 60-day extension of the Guards mission in and around the Capitol, Ms. Slotkin said.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Attention subscribers

We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.

If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.

If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.

Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.


Over the past day, Russia-occupation forces in Donbas violated the ceasefire regime nine times in the area of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO), the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were not wounded, the press center of the JFO headquarters has said.

"Over the past day, on March 4, in the area of the Joint Forces Operation, nine ceasefire violations were recorded. There are no combat losses among the Ukrainian defenders," the headquarters said on Facebook as of Friday morning.

In particular, in the area of responsibility of the Skhid (East) task force near Vodiane not far from Donetsk, the enemy fired in the direction of the positions of the Ukrainian defenders, using a 120 mm mortar. From mortars of the same caliber, the mercenaries fired at Ukrainian positions near Vodiane in the Azov Sea region.

Near Avdiyivka, the enemy fired indirectly from automatic heavy grenade launchers, and near Pisky  from heavy machine guns. From a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, the enemy made several aimed shots towards the positions of the Ukrainian defenders near Pavlopil. In the same direction, an enemy UAV was seen crossing the line of demarcation. It is noted that the Ukrainian military, with the help of electronic warfare means, suppressed a hostile drone in time.

Near Talakivka, the enemy fired at the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with aimed fire from heavy anti-tank grenade launchers.

In the area of responsibility of the Pivnich (North) task force not far from settlement Zolotoe-4, the enemy fired from grenade launchers of various systems and heavy machine guns. Near Novozvanivka, the enemy fired at the positions of the Ukrainian military with aimed fire from small arms.

The OSCE representatives were notified about the facts of violation of the ceasefire regime through the Ukrainian side of the JCCC.

"As of 7:00 on March 5, no shelling was recorded in the area of the operation of the Joint Forces," the headquarters stressed.

(TNS)  Polar Communications this spring will begin the second phase of a project to bring high-speed broadband Internet to customers in northeast North Dakota who previously had insufficient access.The Park River-based company is using a $21.2 million loan and grant combination from the United States Agriculture Department's ReConnect program to provide broadband technology to rural households and businesses in North Dakota. The funding was announced in January 2020 during the first round of the USDA's ReConnect pilot program. Also during that round, Daktel Communications, of Jamestown, was awarded a $1.8 million grant to provide broadband service to about 400 households and three educational facilities located in an area of 354 square miles.The ReConnect pilot program offers federal financing and funding to expedite deployment of broadband in rural areas where Internet service is insufficient. The legal definition of insufficient access is 10 megabits per second downstream and 1 megabit per second upstream, according to USDA.Polar Communications customers will be able to choose packages that provide broadband speed from 50 megabit symmetrical up to one gigabit, said Karl Blake, Polar Communications CEO. If customers want high broadband speed, the company has the capability to provide up to 10 gigabits, he said. The high-speed broadband will give customers high-speed access to a variety of services, including telemedicine, e-commerce and video streaming.In 2020 the Park River-based company laid cable in Walsh County and part of western Grand Forks County for 859 customers. Broadband service to 134 of those customers is operational and the remainder will be connected this spring, Blake said.When the ground thaws, Polar Communications will lay another 500 miles of fiber optic cable in eastern Grand Forks County. The company hopes to have the cable in place by freeze-up.The broadband Polar Communications is providing through the ReConnect program is expected to reach more than 2,000 households, six educational centers, a health care center and one critical community in Grand Forks and Walsh counties.The coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in people working from their homes and students attending school virtually, has highlighted the importance of high-speed broadband Internet, Blake said. "It's a great thing for Polar, but it's an even greater thing for customers to be able to have that service," he said.In December 2019 former USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the agency would make available an additional $550 million in ReConnect funding for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 loan grant combinations and up to $200 million for low-interest loans during the second round of the ReConnect program.The Department of Agriculture announced in October 2020 that Reservation Telephone Cooperative was awarded a $6.9 million ReConnect grant to construct a fiber optic network. The network will provide access for people, businesses, a school and a fire station to broadband Internet in McKenzie County in North Dakota and Dawson, Richland and Wibaux counties in Montana.
Amid controversy over the new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the bishop for the Diocese of Scranton issued a statement urging people to get vaccinated.

Catholic leaders around the country are raising concerns about the newest COVID-19 vaccine, calling it morally compromised because it is produced using a cell line derived from an aborted fetus, according to the Associated Press.

On Thursday, the Diocese of Scranton issued a statement from Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, who noted the virus has left more than 500,000 people dead in the U.S. already.

Given the mortal danger this virus poses, it is morally acceptable to receive any of the current COVID-19 vaccines that have been determined to be clinically safe and effective, Bambera said in the statement. This position is supported by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

He urged people not to delay in getting a vaccine, as it not only protects an individuals health but also serves the common good by protecting the community  including the weak and vulnerable.

While fully recognizing the complex moral and ethical issues involved in vaccine development, at this time, people are not being given a true choice of which vaccine they receive, and likely wont be without a lengthy delay, Bambera continued. Given that risk to public health, the faithful can in good conscience receive any of the current vaccines.

 STAFF REPORT
New Delhi: Noting the urgency and desire on the part of India to extradite people accused of corruption, the UK on Friday said a "legal process" is on in Vijay Mallya's matter and it has to be followed through as there cannot be any shortcut.

In May last year, the fugitive businessman lost his appeals in the British Supreme Court against his extradition to India to face money laundering and fraud charges.

Asked when can Mallya be extradited to India and if some kind of legal issue is still pending in the matter, new British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, without pointing to any particular case, said he recognises the urgency, importance and the desire to get back people who are accused of corruption to India.

"Extradition is a mixture of an administrative and a judicial process, and so it goes to the courts. The home secretary has done what needs to be done from the executive's point of view in the case of Vijay Mallya. But it (the matter) is part of a judicial process and our courts work their way through those processes. It is something controlled by the judges," he said.

Asked about what kind of issue was holding up Mallya's extradition, the British envoy said, "There is a process going on. I think it is a legal process and has to be followed through, can't short cut that. That is why you have legal processes."

India has been pressing the UK to extradite Mallya after he lost his appeals in the British Supreme Court.

The UK top court's decision marked a major setback to the 64-year-old businessman as it came weeks after he lost his High Court appeal last April against an extradition order to India.

In June last year, India urged the UK not to consider any request for asylum by Mallya as there appeared to be no ground for his persecution in the country.

Mallya has been based in the UK since March 2016 and remains on bail on an extradition warrant executed three years ago by the Scotland Yard on April 18, 2017.

The High Court verdict in April upheld the 2018 ruling by Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot at the end of a year-long extradition trial in December 2018 that the former Kingfisher Airlines boss had a "case to answer" in the Indian courts.

Significantly, in another extradition case India is fighting in the UK, a UK judge ruled last week that fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi not only has a case to answer in Indian courts but that there is no evidence to suggest he would not receive a fair trial in India.

Asked about AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case accused British national Christian Michel, Ellis said, "There we do the things you do in a consular case like that. If it's a British national you support the person concerned. You also provide consular assistance to the family. We hope and want a swifter resolution of the case."

It is for the Indian judicial process to work out, what happens in the case, it is not the UK's business but obviously "we want things to move as quickly as they can", he said.

Ellis' remarks came days after media reports claimed that the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) found that Michel, who has been held in India since December 2018 after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates, was being "detained arbitrarily".

India had rejected the opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and said the conclusions drawn by the UN panel are based on limited information, biased allegations and an inaccurate understanding of its criminal justice system.
[March 05, 2021] Albertsons Companies Launches Pilot of Remote-Controlled Delivery Cart in Northern California

Albertsons Companies announced today that it has partnered with Tortoise, an automated logistics company focused on last-mile solutions, to pilot its remote-controlled zero-emission delivery cart in Northern California. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005061/en/ Albertsons Companies and Safeway are piloting a remote-controlled zero-emission delivery cart from Tortoise in Northern California. The cart can hold up to 120 pounds of groceries in four lockable containers for a contactless delivery experience. (Photo: Business Wire) "Our team is obsessed with trying new and disruptive technologies that can bring more convenience for our customers," said Chris Rupp, EVP and Chief Customer and Digital Officer. "We are willing to quickly test, learn, and implement winning innovations that ensure we are offering the easiest and most convenient shopping experience in the entire industry." The Safeway cart, powered by Tortoise, is equipped with a camera and a speaker and is guided through the neighborhood by a remote operator. The cart can hold up to 120 pounds of groceries in four lockable containers for a contactless delivery experience. /p>



Currently, the service is open for testing with Safeway associates in select Northern California neighborhoods. In these early stages, a friendly escort will accompany the cart as part of the pilot process (and getting their daily steps in at the same time!).

Albertsons Cos. continues to bring innovation and disruption to its growing e-Commerce business to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. In Chicago, the company recently announced that it is piloting pickup lockers and an automated pickup kiosk at select Jewel-Osco locations. About Albertsons Companies Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. Albertsons Cos. is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2019 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave $225 million in food and financial support. In 2020, Albertsons Cos. made a $53 million commitment to community hunger relief efforts and a $5 million commitment to organizations supporting social justice. These efforts have helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, social justice and programs for people with disabilities and veterans' outreach. About Tortoise Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Mountain View, CA (News - Alert) , Tortoise automates logistics for light electric vehicles like delivery bots & shared scooters, including their first-of-its kind remote-controlled grocery & parcel delivery bot, the Tortoise Cart. Tortoise works with partners worldwide to provide the most cost-effective, zero-emissions way to safely move anything from A to B. Visit their website at www.tortoise.dev. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005061/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Former Kaduna lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has cautioned governors seeking to run for presidency in 2023 after President Muhammadu Buharis tenur...

Former Kaduna lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has cautioned governors seeking to run for presidency in 2023 after President Muhammadu Buharis tenure.

Sani in a post on Friday warned interested governors to seek opinions of family members and predecessors before going into the race.

His tweet read: If you are a Governor in your second tenure, and some people are pushing you to contest for the presidency of this complicated country, seek the candid advice of your family who would bear the burden and consult your predecessors who were pushed by the same people.

Recently, banners and campaign posters of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State as a presidential aspirant for the 2023 election surfaced in Adamawa State.

The posters were seen on Thursday in some parts of Yola, the state capital.

One of the posters reads, For a Generational Change 2023; Yahaya Bello for President

However, It is not certain if the governor would run for teh said position in 2023.

Bello had said that only God would decide if he would contest in 2023 or not.
A kitchen fitter was left gobsmacked after unexpectedly discovering a secret message and present that had been hidden under the floorboards 20 years earlier.

Craig Harrigan, from Perthshire, Scotland, was tearing out a client's kitchen when he came across a small bottle of Glenkinchie whiskey and a note tucked beneath the floorboards.

The message read: 'Jack and May lived here - three kids and a dog. Kitchen done up during April/May 2001. All the best, have a drink on us.'

Craig Harrigan (left), from Perthshire, Scotland, was tearing out a client's kitchen when he came across a small bottle of Glenkinchie whisky and a note hidden under the floor (right)

The miniature bottle had been attached to the wall using a nail and a cable tie, while a sweet message from the previous tenants had been scribbled across the floor.

Sharing the unusual find to TikTok, Craig explained: 'So we're stripping out a kitchen and we found a message under the floor.'

Commenting alongside the clip, Craig admitted his initial thought was that 2001 wasn't 'that long ago', until his co-worker revealed that he wasn't even born then.

Despite the generous gesture from Jack and May, Craig said he wasn't sure if he'd brave drinking the whisky after it had lay underneath the floor for 20 years.

He captioned the post: 'Carrying out essential work! Great find. Not sure I would drink it tbh.'

The message, left by tenants 20 years earlier, read: 'Jack and May lived here - three kids and a dog. Kitchen done up during April/May 2001. All the best, have a drink on us'

His video racked up more than 11,000 views and floods of comments from TikTokers who were blown away by the tenants' kind gesture, saying it had 'restored' their faith in the world.

One person penned: 'How lovely is that. I might do that when mine eventually gets done!'

While another commented: 'That's actually so cute. Like that restores my faith in the world. Probably don't drink it if you're using power tools though.'

And a third said: 'class man. Only in Scotland eh'

Another person even urged Craig to drink the whisky, writing: 'It's fine! The seal hasn't been cracked'

But others did not seem as convinced by the find, as one person quipped that they hoped it was 'genuine and not a bottle of wee'.

Meanwhile, one person suggested Craig should leave the initial bottle and add his own message, providing another surprise for the next person to discover it.
YouTube logo at the YouTube Space LA in Playa Del Rey, Los Angeles, California, United States (Photo : REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)

Alphabet Inc's YouTube will lift its suspension on former U.S. President Donald Trump's channel when it determines the risk of real-world violence has decreased, the company's CEO, Susan Wojcicki, said on Thursday.



YouTube suspended Trump's channel for violating policies against inciting violence after the assault on the U.S. Capitol by the former president's supporters in January.



Advertisement

"The channel remains suspended due to the risk of incitement to violence," said Wojcicki, speaking in an interview with the head of the Atlantic Council think tank. She said recent warnings by the Capitol police about a potential new attack on Thursday showed that an "elevated violence risk still remains."



Wojcicki said that YouTube would determine the risk of violence by looking at signals such as government statements and warnings, increased law enforcement around the country and violent rhetoric on the platform itself.



In the aftermath of the Jan 6. riot, social media companies including Twitter Inc and Facebook Inc banned Trump's accounts on their platforms. Twitter's ban is permanent, while Facebook has sent the case to its independent oversight board to decide whether Trump's accounts should be unblocked.



"We will turn the account back on," Wojcicki said. "But it will be when we see the reduced law enforcement in capitals in the U.S, if we don't see different warnings coming out of government agencies, those would all be signals to us that it would be safe to turn the channel back on."



Trump spokesman Jason Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



Security around the Capitol was tight on Thursday after police warned that a militia group might try to attack it to mark a key date on the calendar of the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory.



Under YouTube's policies, if an account has three "strikes" in a 90 day period it will be terminated. The suspension of Trump's account, for a minimum of a week, was because it gained a first "strike." YouTube also indefinitely disabled comments under videos on the channel.



Major social media companies have been under pressure to curb conspiracy theories, violent rhetoric and other abuses on their sites.



A report from the Election Integrity Partnership, a coalition of misinformation researchers, said in a report this week that YouTube provided a space for video misinformation to be shared easily across multiple platforms and that this content functioned to provide "evidence" for misleading narratives.


Lenders of Bhushan Power Accept JSW Steels Proposal

To bookmark you need to sign in

Lenders of Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd have approved with most votes to close the company's deal with JSW Steel Ltd. According to reports, the resolution plan of JSW Steel received more than 65% votes. Lenders, including State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Canara Bank have voted in favour of the proposal to accept payment according to the resolution plan with an undertaking to refund the amount in the event the Supreme Court gives an adverse order.

SBI the largest lender to Bhushan Power and by accepting the resolution plan stands to recover over Rs4,000 crore. PNB would recover Rs4,399 crore while Canara Bank can get Rs2,244 crore from the plan. With this resolution plan, all creditors of Bhushan Steel would gain 41% (Rs19,500 crore) as against their claims of Rs48,000 crore.

As per the resolution plan, the Sajjan Jindal-led steelmaker will deposit Rs19,350 crore within two weeks in an escrow account. Banks expect to close the deal by this month end.

In September 2019, National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had approved JSW Steels Rs19,700 crore bid for Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd.

Later in February 2020, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) also approved JSW Steel's resolution plan. The NCLAT granted immunity to JSW Steel from litigations of Bhushan Power under Section 32A of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC). The Tribunal also directed investigative agencies to not seize assets of Bhushan Power.

BPSL, which has steelmaking capacity of around 2.75mtpa in Odisha state in eastern India, has been under insolvency proceedings since 2017.

JSW Steel had emerged as the preferred bidder in 2019 after raising its earlier bid higher than rivals such as Tata Steel Ltd. News reports indicated JSW Steels bid values BPSLs assets at around Rs19500 crore, and JSW Steel had indicated that it will assume a minority stake in BPSL post-acquisition after finding a partner.

Last year in September, SBI had invoked the personal guarantees of Sanjay Singal, former promoter of Bhushan Power and sent him a demand notice for recovery of Rs12,275.91 crore.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Nick Svenson is growing a supposed wonder crop that suffers from a major image problem.

But the part-time farmer has high hopes for his second hemp harvest after sowing the crop just three months ago at his Mirboo farm in South Gippsland.

Mirboo hemp grower Nick Svenson. Credit:Joe Armao

While the cultivation and production of hemp is big business in Europe, Canada and China  where its used for everything from breakfast cereal to construction materials  its potential is vastly unappreciated in Australia.

A lot of people dont believe its this miracle plant and you can do all this stuff with it, Mr Svenson said. Its hard to swallow, especially given it was illegal.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Trade Group Driving Chinas Belt and Road Initiative in Australia: Internal Documents

A pro-Beijing organization in Australia is a driving force behind a decade-long infiltration into the country, including promoting Chinas controversial Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese government documents reveal.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a transcontinental investment project aimed at expanding Chinas global influence through political, economic, or cultural cooperation, was first proposed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in 2013. In recent years, the Australia International Trade Association (AITA) has organized more than 70 visiting tours for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Australian officials.

As an Australian civil organization with close ties with the CCPs United Front Work and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AITA has launched extensive local events focusing on promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.

Forums to Promote BRI

Since the BRI officially began in 2015, AITA has held forums annually across Australia to promote the BRI, according to the CCPs foreign affairs documents obtained by The Epoch Times.

On Sept. 23, 2015, the Australasia China Cities Summit & Business Forum took place at Melbourne Town Hall. A member of the CCPs United Front organization, Wang Yanguo, gave a keynote speech on BRI policy.

Wang is the Executive Vice President of China International Chamber of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC).

ACFIC is run by the United Front Work Department and encourages businessmen to invest in China and further integrate into the United Front, according to a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

In the same year, AITA hosted another three sub-forums in New South Wales, Tasmania, and North Island, New Zealand.

From 2017 to 2019, AITA depicted the nature of the forum more straightforwardly.

In 2017, part of the original forum title was replaced by Belt and Road Urban Development and Sister Cities Forum, according to the official introduction. In 2018 and 2019, forums were defined as Belt and Road in Australia.

The BRI has come under scrutiny in Australia over the years and the 2020 forum was downgraded to a Belt and Road event hosted in Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the BRI was a propaganda exercise from China during an interview with 2GB radio on May 21, 2020.

AITA didnt respond immediately to a request by The Epoch Times for comment on its promotion of the BRI and its relationship with the United Front Work Department.

Intermediary Behind ChinaAustralia Partnership

The Epoch Times published exclusive reports last year revealing the head of AITA, Michael Guo, had been working on mutual communications between China and Australia.

Guo immigrated to Australia from Beijing in the 1980s, and was tailored specifically to work for the different programs under BRI, given titles such as the secretary of the Belt and Road Education Alliance and the secretary of the Belt and Road China-Australia Logistics Supply Chain e-commerce Alliance.

According to the AITA brochure, Guo has actively contributed to nearly 60 pairs of friendship cities, among over 100 in total, between China and Australia.

For the past six years, Guo has arranged for or accompanied Chinese and Australian officials to travel overseas, ranging from a few to more than a dozen times per year.

Australian PM to Call Off BRI, Cast Doubt on its Benefits

BRIs lack of transparency and history of leaving borrowing emerging countries such as Sri Lanka in a debt trap, have constantly been questioned. The multi-billion-dollar deal is facing another setback in Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently said he may rip up the agreement signed by the state government of Victoria, the Herald Sun reported on Feb. 15.

Victoria is one of the six states in Australia, with Melbourne as its capital. The Prime Minister said he saw no benefit to Victorias deal with Beijing.

If there are benefits, what are they and what was paid for them? I dont have the answers to those questions at this point, but the assessment of those arrangements will continue, Morrison said.

The statement is not the only pushback of Beijings retaliatory barley probe against Australia.

In May 2020, the CCP imposed high tariffs on Australian barley, the second-largest crop in Victoria, followed by suspending imports of Victorian logs in November 2020.

Early on June 11, 2020, Morrison urged the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, to abandon the deal which was inconsistent with the Australian governments policy, speaking with 3AWs Neil Mitchell.

On the other hand, the BRI did not prevent Beijings economic retaliation from spilling over to Victoria, since Morrisons calling for an investigation into the origins and handling of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.

Under the new Foreign Relations Billpassed on Dec. 3, 2020state governments have until March 10 to inform the Federal government of all deals with foreign powers.
We couldnt find anything at this address. Please check the URL or go to the homepage
Max Humphrey gets it. We dont want our do-it-yourself home projects to look less than professional, but we also dont want to live in a perfectly staged magazine spread. The Portland interior designers rooms are  you cant avoid the word  homey.

Humphreys frank, fun and uplifting voice can be found throughout the new book Modern Americana, which he wrote with author and editor Chase Reynolds Ewald.

He recommends inexpensive pine for furniture and wall cladding, and maple plywood for kitchen cabinetry and family room shelves.

He shows how to marry new items with inherited treasures or vintage finds from a thrift store (he mentions Dumpster diving).

And he offers guidelines  brass can be too bold while an unlacquered finish allows for a pleasing bluish-green patina to form  but he doesnt scold.

Make your home to your own satisfaction, he says, whether your taste leans toward traditional country or urban loft, nautical or industrial.

Theres a quote on my website, Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn, he writes in the book that will be released April 20 by Gibbs Smith ($30, preorder here to support independent booksellers).

Hes honest: The molded-plywood Eames lounge chair is an uncomfortable design icon.

Encouraging: Rules are there to be broken. If youve got style, you can pull anything off.

Practical: His clients can be a family of guitar-playing model-train enthusiasts, homebodies or big entertainers. They all need rooms where they can kick up their heels and relax on indestructible Sunbrella upholstery or find a spot to work.

Along with convincing can-do advice that gives us permission to experiment are 150 color photographs by Christopher Dibble of design objects that are so familiar you will think youre flipping through your family photo album:

Vintage Thermoses or potato chip tins, which can be displayed as a collection; cross-stitch samplers, which are all about friendship and feeling welcome; school wall clocks that are kinetic sculptures; and comfortable butterfly chairs that Humphrey compares to pliable, sling-like hammocks.

The book shows how fabric shirting yardage from the Pendleton Woolen Mill store can serve as draperies; old steamer trunks and camping ice chests make great low tables; and vintage quilts to grain sacks can look cool.

Nothing, it seems, is too tattered to hide. He includes character-rich rugs and scuffed leather in the more-beat-up, the-better category.

He selected a Moroccan rug of black and tan squares with loose red threads from Kat + Maouche in Northwest Portland for the living room of a 1920s house owned by new parents. He told them: Baby spit-up will only improve it.

Many of his materials come from Oregon  Aurora Mills architectural salvage, Ann Sacks tile, Salvage Works reclaimed wood  and look fresh in homes on the coast and in the city or mountains.

In Modern Americana, he asks us to take a detour from primary red, white and blue, and steer toward maroon, cream and navy or ruby, pearl and turquoise.

Quilts are not just for your grandparents' guest room anymore," states Max Humphrey with Chase Reynolds Ewald in Modern Americana (Gibbs Smith). Humphrey collaborated with a graphic designer to take bits and pieces from some of his vintage bandanas. Then he found a Chicago-based printer to manufacture the wallpaper.Christopher Dibble

Bandanas framed on the wall? Farrow & Ball De Nimes paint color inspired by denim workwear? Gingham in medium scale squares used as a neutral element? You got it.

Consider this book 208 pages of ideas to turn your attic and basement castoffs into a home that looks timeless with a bit of the Wild West, as if you shopped with one of Humphreys idols: Ralph Lauren.

Modern Americana was written by Max Humphrey (seen here).Christopher Dibble

You Can DIY

Humphrey was deemed a Next Wave designer in House Beautiful and one of Country Livings 100 Most Creative People. Long before he founded an interior design firm in Portland, however, he was a bass player in a punk band where the members did everything, including hand screen-printing T-shirts to sell at the shows they booked themselves.

Today, Humphrey says people need to have the courage to rewire a vintage lamp and do other DIY projects to better appreciate when they do hire a professional. Decorating on your own saves money and generates a sense of satisfaction, he says.

Painting a wall, an old dresser, cabinet or chair is the quickest, cheapest and most instantly gratifying DIY work, he says. And theres no long-term commitment. Paint over it if you dont like it.

Rely on a flat finish paint except use a satin finish on brick or wood trim, molding or furniture to give it a slight sheen, he says.

Painting kitchen cabinets is where Id draw the DIY line since it takes a ton of prep and generally is done with a paint sprayer to achieve a cohesive finish, he says.

Modern Americana by Max Humphrey with Chase Reynolds Ewald. Photographs by Christopher Dibble (Gibbs Smith)Christopher Dibble

5 Fast DIY Ideas

Here are a handful of DIY style tips among hundreds in Portland interior designer Max Humphreys Modern Americana book:

Pick a color palette by noticing what colors of clothes are in your closet. He says he wears blue jeans and army jackets every day, and often uses blue and green in his work.

Set a scene: Stripes recall leisure time at a beach, lake or cabin. A Saarinen tulip table is considered a floral element that evokes the outdoors. Rope detailing can be highly nautical, ultra-western or super rustic, he says.

Textiles provide pleasing patterns. Humphrey says its fine to mix florals with plaids, stripes and textures like corduroy, wool and denim. Decorative pillows look best when theyve literally been thrown on the sofa, he says. Just please dont karate chop them.

Decorate walls with conversation-starting old maps, which dont need frames, and classroom charts that depict botany, astronomy and biology, which can honor an artistic interest or a bucket-list destination, he says.

Good design is right outside your door, whether youre referencing the surroundings or supporting local businesses and makers, he says.

 Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman
NEW DELHI : International oil prices rose after OPEC and its allies ignored India's plea to ease production control, with Saudi Arabia asking New Delhi to instead use oil it bought at rock bottom rates last year.

Brent crude, the most widely used benchmark, on Friday rose nearly 1% to $67.44 a barrel after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, a group known as OPEC, agreed not to increase supplies in April awaiting more substantial recovery in demand.

India's Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had in the run-up to Thursday's OPEC meeting urged the producers' group to ease production curbs to fulfil their promise of stable oil prices.

He felt rising international oil prices were hurting economic recovery and demand.

Responding to a question on India's pleas, Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman at a press conference after the OPEC decision on Thursday said New Delhi should take some of the crude out of storage that they had purchased "very cheaply last year."

India had purchased 16.71 million barrels of crude in April-May, 2020 and filled all the three Strategic Petroleum Reserves created at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Mangalore and Padur in Karnataka. The average cost of that crude purchase was $19 per barrel, according to Pradhan's written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on September 21, 2020.

Retail petrol and diesel prices, which already are at historic highs, should rise if the oil companies decide to pass on the surge in international oil prices to consumers.

Petrol and diesel prices have remained unchanged for the last five years and oil companies have in past not revised prices in the run to crucial assembly elections in 2017 and 2018 ahead of elections in states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry and Assam go to the polls in the next few weeks.

Earlier this week, Pradhan had said India, where fuel demand is recovering to pre-pandemic levels, wants reasonable and responsible oil prices.

India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, had supported the decision of the oil producers' cartel OPEC and its allies to cut production last year in view of the oil demand collapsing due to the spread of COVID-19.

"At that point in time, the producers especially OPEC assured the global market, that by the beginning of the 2021 demand will be coming back and production will be as usual. But I am sorry to say the production is yet to be normal," he said. "If you do not supply properly if there is a gap in demand and supply artificially (created), there is a price rise."

The average price of crude oil India imports was less than USD 50 per barrel between April and December 2020 and comparable to 2019-20 average rate of USD 60.47 in months thereafter but petrol and diesel prices are at historic highs now as the government has so far not rolled back the taxes it levied when prices plummeted almost a year back.

The record taxes coupled with international rates returning to pre-COVID levels on resurrecting demand have meant that petrol has crossed 100 mark in some places in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Excise duty was raised by 13 and 16 per litre on petrol and diesel between March 2020 and May 2020 and now accounts for more than one-third of the 91.17 a litre price of petrol in Delhi and 40% of 81.47 per litre rate of diesel.

The basket of crude oil India imported in February averaged $61.22 per barrel and $54.79 in January this year. It had fallen to $19.90 in April last year and was between $40 and $49 during June and December.

India imports about 85% of its oil needs and local retail rates are benchmarked to international prices.

OPEC, which is currently reining in about 7 million barrels per day of production -- about 7% of pre-pandemic supply -- has helped engineer a nearly 80% rise in the Dated Brent benchmark since November. Saudi Arabia has taken a voluntary extra 1 million bpd production cut in February and March.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
SUV

At the end of last month, Chuck Hoskin Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, said in an interview that the use of the Cherokee name by Jeep was particularly upsetting, even if used in the guise of a tribute of some sorts. Hoskin cited recent examples of misappropriation and misusage of Native American names, noting that the year 2021 was maybe the one when the Jeep would drop the Cherokee name.In the same statement, Hoskin noted that no one expected Jeep to drop the moniker right away and suggested that the tribe would settle for due consideration for phasing it out. In response, Jeep said only that their decades-long use of the name was meant to honor and celebrate Native American people for their nobility, prowess, and pride.Shortly after that, word got out that Jeep was in talks with Cherokee Nation about the issue, but that, at the same time, Jeep had no intention of dropping the name. As it turns out, a change is likely, but only if this still-minor issue becomes a real problem.Speaking with the WSJ , Carlos Tavares, chief executive officer of the recently formed Stellantis NV, Jeep's parent company, says that of course themaker will drop the name if it absolutely has to. We are ready to go to any point, up to the point where we decide with the appropriate people and with no intermediaries, Tavares explains. That said, at this stage, I dont know if there is a real problem. But if there is one, well, of course we will solve it.Loose translation: well do itbut only if were left with no other option. Tavares also adds, almost as an afterthought, that he is not directly involved in the talks with Cherokee Nation.The Cherokee name's misuse was brought up before, but its the current context that gives it more weight in the eyes of the public. Several huge brands and sports teams have rebranded in the past couple of years, dropping Native American names and imagery following cultural appropriation backlash.

On March 20, voters in Louisianas Second Congressional District will choose a successor to former U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, who now works as a top aide to President Joe Biden. Voters in state House District 82, which encompasses Old Jefferson and other parts of Metairie, will likewise chose a new state representative. And in most parts of Jefferson Parish, voters will decide whether to renew a pair of property tax millages for improved water and sewer service.

Early voting in all those areas runs March 6-13. Turnout is expected to be low across the board, so we urge all our readers in those areas to make their voices heard. Sample ballot, polling locations and other voter information can be found at GeauxVote.com. We herewith offer our recommendations.

For Congress: Troy Carter

The Second Congressional District includes parts of 10 south Louisiana parishes, but almost 70% of its voters live in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Several of the 15 candidates in this race impressed us, most notably state Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson, activist Gary Chambers Jr., and business owner Desiree Ontiveros. We hope they all continue to serve their communities and will offer themselves for public service again. In this race, of course, voters can choose only one candidate. After examining their records and interviewing each of them on the issues, we recommend Troy Carter as Louisianas newest member of Congress.

Carter has served our area on several levels already  beginning in the state House of Representatives in the 1990s and then on the City Council. He lost a bid for mayor in 2002 and dropped out of public life, but he continued to serve the community in the private sector as a volunteer leader with several nonprofits and community groups. In 2016, he returned to the state Legislature as a senator representing both Orleans and Jefferson parishes on the West Bank.

As a senator, Carter has established a proven record of effectiveness by building coalitions to support (and in some cases, oppose) legislation affecting our region and its people. He has been on the forefront of advocating for a higher minimum wage, equal pay for women, ending wage discrimination and secrecy, LGBTQ rights, better health care for all (including mandatory insurance coverage for women recovering from breast cancer), criminal justice reform, expanded voting rights, affordable housing  and more. In Congress, he will work to pass President Bidens agenda for securing voting rights, addressing climate change, expanding and guaranteeing public health care, raising the minimum wage, and reforming the nations tax code.

Most important of all, Carter has shown that he can work with other lawmakers to move important legislation forward, particularly when it requires finding common ground with those who have opposing viewpoints. This is a critical skill set, one that Richmond displayed over the years. Louisiana needs someone with those skills more than ever. He is endorsed by the Alliance for Good Government, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng, New Orleans Councilmember Helena Moreno and more than 100 others  including Richmond. We add our name to that impressive list by urging our readers to elect Troy Carter as Louisianas next congressman.

House District 82: Eddie Connick

Voters in Old Jefferson and other parts of Metairie will choose a new state representative to replace former Rep. Charles Henry, who resigned after serving just one year in office. Three candidates are vying for the job. We recommend former medical and health services executive Eddie Connick.

Connick brings a strong business and medical background to the job. He spent more than two decades working for Medtronic, a leading medical technology firm. His experience there gives him uncommon insight into the challenges facing public health care, which he believes can be expanded via tightened audit procedures that will free up money for expanded care. He also will push for a top-to-bottom revision of Louisianas arcane tax code, including centralized sales tax collection, and for greater funding for early childhood education. He supports mandatory kindergarten and making it easier for citizens to vote legally, noting that fears of voter fraud are a red herring. He also will advocate for improved flood protection in his district. We recommend Eddie Connick for state representative in House District 82.

Jefferson Parish Tax Renewals: Yes

A pair of property tax renewals will appear on the ballot in parts of Jefferson Parish. These are existing taxes that support vital water and sewerage services in most but not all areas of the parish. Voters are being asked to renew them both for 10 years with a maximum millage (property tax) rate of 5 mills each. We recommend voters say YES to both propositions.

Both propositions are endorsed by the nonpartisan Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR), which examined them closely before making its recommendation. The taxes would provide revenue necessary to maintain and improve Jefferson Parishs water and sewer systems, BGR wrote in its analysis. The Parish has clear plans for implementing infrastructure projects that would address critical needs and reduce risks of system disruption and environmental hazards.

If approved by voters, the millage rates would increase nominally, but the total increase per $100,000 in a propertys value would be only about $33 a year  a paltry sum for improved water and sewer services. We urge our readers in the areas served by the water and sewer districts to vote YES on the two renewals.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Stories go and stories come about what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, a restaurateur paid his 20 employees in Argentina for 11 months and when it was time to return he realized that 14 of them already had another job.

Tito Loizeau , owner of a restaurant called " El Capitan ", expressed himself through Twitter where he stated that he had been paying the salary of 20 people for 11 months and when he called them to work 14 of them were already working elsewhere.

After 12 months closed due to quarantine, the government decided to enable cinemas. So we reopened El Capitan. 11 months paying salaries of 20 people. Now I call them to work and 14 of the 20 were working elsewhere. Asshole is little what I feel! - Tito Loizeau (@titoloizeau) March 2, 2021

Loizeau's restaurant is a movie-themed establishment inspired by the Hollywood of the 30s, it opened its doors for the first time in June 2019. However, when the COVID pandemic arrived in Argentina on March 3, 2020 had to close.

The establishment is located in a cinema area, so that most of its clients are people who go to or leave theaters, according to information collected by El Clarin .

Image: Depositphotos.com

The man thought that this was not going to extend much beyond 15 days, according to the media, but we have all witnessed the uncertain situation that is lived day after day.

"By decree the Government did not let us fire or suspend anyone and that is why we signed up for the ATP that covered 50 percent of our salaries, the other half was paid by me out of pocket, without having any income," he said. Loizeau to the Argentine media.

How did you find out that your employees already had another job?

After 11 months of confinement, the Argentine government decided to reopen the movie theaters and therefore it was the moment in which Loizeau would return to his business, but when he sent a message through the WhatsApp group, he received no response.

The restaurateur proceeded to write to his employees by private message and it was there that he learned that 14 of them already had another job.

The man showed his outrage through his tweet, which went viral and found supportive responses for him and his employees.

Having two jobs is not illegal. And just as the pandemic hit the employees too. If he doesn't like it, he fires them and puts on the taraska, as it should be. - Gringo (@___ElGringo_) March 2, 2021

I am not a lawyer but the LCT indicates the employee must be faithful to his work, if you can verify that he works elsewhere, it is a serious offense and justifies dismissal. You could claim what you paid. (Already more difficult). - Carlos Naccas (@cnaccas) March 2, 2021

And they refused you to return? Did they resign? Because just as you put it without clarifying those points, it is not understood what your outrage would be. - Leonel Belinche (@LBelinche)March 3, 2021

"It was a disappointment. It was thinking 'I banked you, I didn't leave you lying on the street and you screwed me up all the same.' response, "he told El Clarin .

You may be interested: Will it be possible to eradicate COVID-19?

Tito Loizeau made it clear to the Argentine media that he is not going to initiate legal action and that he is only waiting for the letter of resignation from these people. So far it has only the other six employees.

What would you have done as an employee or employer?

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved


Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

Home Regional News East
Former USAA CEO Stuart Parker had a cushy landing following his departure last year from the San Antonio insurance and financial services company.

Parker, who retired Jan. 31, 2020, after leading USAA for almost five years, received at least $6.5 million in severance payments.

The golden parachute accounted for more than half of the $11.3 million in total compensation five USAA insurance companies paid him last year.

Parker collected $4.8 million in compensation, excluding severance, or about $200,000 less than the roughly $5 million in total compensation he received from the companies in 2019.

His 2020 compensation included $336,473 in salaries and nearly $3.9 million in bonuses. By comparison, he received $536,016 in salaries and just under $4 million in bonuses in 2019.

On ExpressNews.com: USAAs annual employee bonus shrinks amid pandemic

Meanwhile, compensation from the insurers dropped considerably for Wayne Peacock, Parkers successor and former president of USAA Property and Casualty Insurance Group.

Peacock got about $1.9 million in total compensation last year versus $4.9 million in 2019. Its not clear why his compensation from the insurers dropped $3 million, or 61 percent.

The figures are disclosed to the Nebraska Department of Insurance, which requires insurers that do business in the state to report executive compensation.

The figures dont provide a complete picture of what the CEO and some other executives actually receive from USAA because the reports dont include compensation from the non-insurance parts of its business.

The privately held USAA doesnt relish addressing its executives compensation.

We consider compensation information to be competitive, confidential and proprietary, a USAA spokesman said in an email.

The five USAA companies that report compensation to Nebraska are United Automobile Association, USAA Casualty Insurance Co., USAA General Indemnity Co., Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance Co. and USAA Life Insurance Co.

Peacock received compensation from all but USAA Life.

The four other insurers paid Peacock a total of $414,897 in salaries, about $1.1 million in bonuses and about $341,000 in other compensation last year. He received salaries totaling $743,462 and bonuses of almost $3.2 million in 2019.

SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox

USAAs board retains an independent compensation adviser to ensure the companys programs align with competitive market levels and best practices found in publicly traded companies, the USAA spokesman said.

USAA recently awarded most of its employees a 2020 bonus equal to 10.1 percent of their annual salary, the lowest amount since at least 2007. It marked the sixth straight year the bonus had declined. About 19,000 of USAAs 35,000 employees are in San Antonio.

A USAA spokesman explained the drop in bonus to the company not meeting its goals in some areas. The bonus was 14.5 percent in 2019.

Heres the total compensation the insurers paid other executives:

James Syring, who succeeded Peacock at USAA Property and Casualty Insurance Group, got about $3.6 million last year. His compensation for 2019, when he served as USAAs chief administrative officer, wasnt reported to Nebraska.

Randy Temeer, insurance general manager, received almost $1.3 million last year, a slight increase from 2019.

Arthur David Cummings, chief property and casualty actuary, received just under $1.2 million. His 2019 compensation wasnt entirely reported.

Laura Bishop, who retired last year as USAAs chief financial officer, received more than $1.4 million last year, a slight drop from 2019.

Torben Ostergaard, who recently retired as USAAs chief risk officer, received nearly $1.2 million last year, slightly less than in 2019.

Michael Merwarth, former executive vice president of enterprise strategy and marketing, got just under $1.4 million. That included about $440,000 in severance. His 2019 compensation wasnt disclosed.

pdanner@express-news.net


Giant clam shells are seen in a remote village in the western Philippine island province of Palawan, in this photo provided by Philippine authorities, March 5, 2021.

The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday it had seized more than 80 tons of illegally harvested giant clam shells worth over U.S. $3 million dollars, in what is considered the largest haul of its type.

Local environmental authorities worked with the coast guard, the Philippine Marines and other authorities to raid a home on Johnson Island, in the remote island province of Palawan, where the 324 giant clam shells were found on Wednesday, officials said.

A local village chief faces arrest on suspicion of the illegal harvesting of the clams, which is the biggest haul of its kind in Palawan, the coast guard said in a statement.

The Philippine Coast Guard has seized a total of 324 pieces of giant clam shells weighing 80 tons, the coast guard said in a statement.

Harvesting endangered claims locally known as taklobo is prohibited under Republic Act No. 10654 of the Philippine fisheries code of 1998, the statement, noting that those convicted of violating the law could be sentences to eight years in prison.

The Philippine archipelago is home to many of the worlds giant clam species. They are frequently hunted illegally by both foreign and Filipino poachers, the coastal security agency said.

Clam shells are used to make products such as chandeliers or jewelry, and conservationists say they have been in high demand because of stricter enforcement of the illegal global trade in ivory.

Among the clam species found on Johnson Island was the Tridacna gigas, the worlds biggest clam, whose shell can grow up to five feet long, according to Agence France-Presse. They are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The coast guard said the local village chief would be charged for poaching.

Palawan, in the Philippines western flank, has long been considered the last frontier because of its lush mangroves, pristine beaches and jungle cover. But its rich biodiversity has attracted many wildlife poachers and hunters. Illegal traders have been caught selling endangered species, including giant turtles and pangolins.

The Palawan chain is the third largest island group in the Philippines, and is home to 49 animal and 56 plant species that are threatened with global extinction, according to the IUCN.
Regulatory News:

The Orano Group and the Daher Group have signed on Thursday March, 4th an agreement for the acquisition by Orano Nuclear Packages and Services ("Orano NPS") of Daher's German nuclear activities (Daher Nuclear Technologies Gmbh "DNT") and of its North American subsidiary (TLI Inc. "TLI").

This project is part of the Orano Group's strategy to strengthen its competencies in its core business. The entities involved in this transaction will benefit from additional know-how and an extended geographical footprint, in Germany and the United States. DNT and its subsidiary TLI, which have a proven expertise in the transport of nuclear materials and packaging engineering, employ together c. 100 employees based in Germany (Hanau and Leese) and in the United States (Fulton, Maryland and Kevil, Kentucky). In Germany, DNT's teams have specific skills in rail transport organization and waste storage.

Orano NPS will benefit from extended range of products and services in transport and engineering, particularly in the Front End of the nuclear fuel cycle. With c. 1,000 employees worldwide, it will be able to reinforce the relationship with its main customers.

With this second acquisition in less than a year, the Orano Group continues to make targeted acquisitions. It confirms its leading role with stakeholders in the nuclear industry, which remains the main source of low-carbon energy in Europe and the United States.

The completion of this transaction remains subject to the customary authorizations, in particular with regard to foreign investments and merger control/anti-trust laws.

Frederic de Agostini, President of Orano NPS said, "We are happy to start a new cycle of growth with our German and American colleagues from DNT and TLI. The joint mobilization of teams offers attractive prospects and these new establishments will enable us to strengthen our international presence, in particular with our European and American customers.

Olaf Oldiges, Managing Director of Daher Nuclear Technologies: "As a specialist in nuclear fuel logistics, we are delighted to be joining forces with a global player in the nuclear industry like Orano. The teams at DNT will now be able to leverage the experience and expertise developed in Europe and the US as part of Orano NPS."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210304006233/en/

Contacts:

Press Office

+33 (0)1 34 96 12 15

press@orano.group

Investor relations

Marc Quesnoy

investors@orano.group

By Bay City News

A Concord continuation high school is one of four in the Bay Area and 27 statewide to receive Model Continuation High School recognition for 2021, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Thursday.

Olympic Continuation High School on Salvio Street in Concord was among the four Bay Area schools to receive the honor. Delta Continuation High School in Richmond, Del Valle Continuation High School in Livermore, and San Andreas High School in Larkspur were the other three recognized in the region.

"Traditional school settings don't work for a lot of students and we pride ourselves on providing an alternative approach to school, focusing on relationships, mental health and flexible options," Olympic principal Lynsie Castellano said.

There are more than 400 continuation high schools serving about 50,000 students ages 16-18 statewide. The California Department of Education describes continuation education as a high school diploma program designed to meet the needs of students who "are not exempt from compulsory school attendance, and are deemed at risk of not completing their education."

Students who attend continuation high schools must spend at least 15 hours per week at school and also receive guidance and career counbseling, with some programs offering independent study, job placement services and concurrent enrollment in community college.

"Student attendance and engagement in distance learning during the school closures has been difficult - especially for students who struggled with attendance issues before the pandemic," Thurmond said. "These model schools have been able to keep at-risk students on track using social and emotional learning, mentorship programs, restorative justice practices, and other innovative methods."

Thurmond, who previously served on the Richmond City Council, West Contra Costa Unified School board and in the state Assembly, highlighted Delta Continuation High School for its programs, including a crisis intervention consultant and school psychologist.

According to the state Department of Education, the schools are selected for recognition based on data and assessments including a peer review panel and on-site visit, although this year's visits were done virtually due to the pandemic.

Copyright  2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 20:49:59|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close





-- China aims to expand its economy by over 6 percent in 2021, with goals to put the economy firmly back to pre-pandemic vibrancy.

-- The specific growth target reveals the country's confidence in achieving high-quality development.



-- China also has the confidence and ability to fulfill the goals and tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan.

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China aims to expand its economy by over 6 percent in 2021, building on strong tailwind from success in containing COVID-19, as lawmakers gather in Beijing to map out priorities for high-quality development.

The gross domestic product (GDP) target is one of the many key goals laid out in a government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang to the national legislature, which began its annual session Friday.

"In setting this target, we have taken into account the recovery of economic activity," Li said. "A target of over 6 percent will enable all of us to devote full energy to promoting reform, innovation, and high-quality development."

This year, the country aims to create more than 11 million new urban jobs, lower the deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3.2 percent, and expand domestic demand and effective investment, which are expected to put the economy firmly back to pre-pandemic vibrancy -- China's GDP growth rate was 6 percent in 2019.

In 2021, China will pursue high-quality development, advance supply-side structural reform, and consolidate and expand the achievements of the COVID-19 response and economic and social development, among other major tasks outlined in the report.

"These efforts will enable us to get off to a good start in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period and commemorate the centenary of the Communist Party of China with outstanding achievements in development," Li said in the report, amid rounds of applause in the Great Hall of the People.

Workers weld at a workshop of an automobile manufacturing enterprise in Qingzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 28, 2021. (Photo by Wang Jilin/Xinhua)

GOOD START IN NEW JOURNEY

China set no specific GDP target for 2020 due to huge uncertainties caused by COVID-19, and zeroed in on the elimination of absolute poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Effective virus control helped China emerge from the epidemic-induced slump with a 2.3-percent GDP growth in 2020, making it the world's only major economy to attain positive growth.

The specific growth target of over-6-percent this year reveals the country's confidence in achieving high-quality development and will play a positive role in stabilizing social expectations, said Nan Cunhui, a senior political advisor.

"Such a growth target will contribute to a solid start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, and is closely related to China's long-term goal of fully building a modern socialist country," said Nan, also vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.

Combo photo taken on July 15, 2020 shows villagers' smiles in Shenshan Village of Jinggangshan, east China's Jiangxi Province. Local authorities has been supporting poverty alleviation industries and rural tourism to help increase villagers' income. The village was lifted out of poverty in 2017. (Xinhua/Peng Zhaozhi)

The period covered by the 14th Five-Year Plan will be the first five years in which China embarks on a new journey to build itself into a modern socialist country in all respects.

The government work report also highlighted goals set in a draft outline of the five-year plan submitted to the ongoing annual session of the national legislature for review.

In terms of headline economic growth numbers, the report said China will strive to keep its economy running within an appropriate range and set annual economic targets in light of actual circumstances during the period.

As innovation remains at the heart of China's modernization drive, China will work faster to enhance strategic scientific and technological capability underpinned by the development of national laboratories, and strive to make major breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields.

Looking to the future, China has the confidence and ability to overcome all difficulties and obstacles on its road ahead and fulfill the goals and tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan, thus opening a new page in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, according to the government work report.

(Video reporters: Zhao Xu, Xia Zilin, and Wu Yimeng; Video editor: Wu Yao)
His role, with a focus on competition policy, will be a new one in the National Economic Council. Mr. Wu will also focus on competition in labor policy, such as noncompete clauses enforced by companies, and concentration in power in agriculture and the drug industry. The job does not require Senate approval.

Mr. Biden has not yet named nominees to officially lead the Justice Departments antitrust division and the Federal Trade Commission  the main agencies overseeing competition in commerce. Progressives have vociferously fought for the appointments of left-leaning advocates like Mr. Wu over individuals with histories of working for tech companies and law firms that represent them.

Tim has been a longtime antitrust advocate, and he has pushed public officials to break up and rein in Big Tech, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, said in a statement. Im glad to see him in this role.

Mr. Wu has left academia at various times to work in government. He was a special adviser to the Federal Trade Commission in 2011 and 2012 and then joined the National Economic Council to work on competition policy during the Obama administration, which was known for its kid-glove treatment of tech companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon. Mr. Wu has since expressed some regret.

I worked in the Obama administration, and I worked in antitrust, so I will take some personal blame here, but we have not provided the merger oversight we should have, Mr. Wu said in an interview at the Aspen Ideas festival in 2019. He added that maybe sometimes we had an overly rosy view of the tech sector.

Relatively unbridled by regulations, those companies greatly expanded through mergers and acquisitions during President Barack Obamas two terms. Mr. Wu has talked about the pivot of many Democrats since those days, with the realization that the tech giants have failed to live up to promises to protect user data, treat small competitors fairly and root out misinformation from their platforms.

Mr. Wu is best known for advocacy against powerful telecom companies and for coining the term net neutrality, the regulatory philosophy that consumers should get equal access to all content on the internet. More recently, he has turned his attention to the gatekeepers  like Facebook, Google and Amazon  that dominate speech, search and retail online.
DANBURY  As cars rolled into the Danbury Fair mall Thursday afternoon, nurses ducked out of gray trailers set up in the Lord & Taylor parking lot to administer COVID-19 vaccines to their drivers. The event marked the opening of the states newest mass vaccination site, run jointly by the Community Health Center Inc. and Nuvance Health.

In four hours, they vaccinated around 300 people, according to Amy Taylor, the health centers vice president for Connecticuts western region.

Once the site starts operating full time, they can vaccinate up to 600 people per day, with hopes to eventually increase that number to around 1,000 per day.

It worked systematically: Cars pulled up through one of the lanes, nurses administered the vaccine through open windows and doors, and the National Guard directed traffic. After the inoculation, cars drove straight ahead to park and wait the requisite 15 minutes to ensure no bad reactions to the vaccine. Two lanes were set aside for those who needed to complete a 30-minute oberservation due to their medical histories.

As the clinic continued, more cars trickled in from the parking garage, where they had been checked in for their appointments and completed a questionnaire. People came from all over  Danbury, Redding, Westport, Brookfield and New Milford  some with their spouses and friends.

Despite some initial disorganization at check-in that led to a Brookfield couple waiting more than an hour for their shots, the clinic appeared to run smoothly.

Pete and Kristi McPadden said all things considered, their vaccinations went well.

We know its day one, right, so its an organic thing. Theyre setting it up today, said Pete McPadden, a 56-year-old contractor.

Im sure theyll iron out the kinks in the beginning, but you know, we figure we got our shot from start to finish in an hour, so I dont think thats bad, said Kristi McPadden, 55, who works for the town of Brookfield.

Taylor said some issues arose at the start of the clinic due to some technical issues with check-in, but that the team is learning and adjusting to improve the process. She said since the Vaccine Administration Management System, doesnt allow them to test certain functions and procedures before going live, they were learning on the fly Thursday.

Most platforms have a test environment that VAMS does not, so you open and you hope that things work, Taylor said.

Other than minor glitches, no major issues were reported.

Every first day of anything theres some bumps in the road, but the team is really strong here and were learning through the day, Taylor said. All things considered it was a very, very good day.

Looking ahead

By adding weekends and possibly extending hours, staffing and car lanes, the mass vaccination site could ramp up the number of doses administered per day, and they will continue operating without any end date in sight, according to Taylor .

Nuvance has been vaccinating people at Danbury Hospital, and are manning the mall site in tandem. But after March 19, they will fully transition their operations to the mall, according to Dawn Myles, vice president of Population Health Operations for Nuvance Health.

Nuvance will continue with vaccination appointments at the hospital through March 19.

Since Dec. 15, Nuvance has administered about 25,000 vaccinations at the hospital, and more than 40,000 across all Nuvance facilities in the state, Myles said. She said theyve sometimes done more than700 vaccines per day at the hospital. Now, theyre bringing this manpower to the mall.

For a three-week period, about 200 patients who have received their first shot at Danbury Hospital will receive a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the mall, Myles said, but otherwise the site will only administer Moderna.

While Monday saw a rush to make vaccine appointments among those 55 and older in Connecticut, some remain vaccine-hesitant, said Myles.

In response, Nuvance is trying to educate the wary, posting information on its website, and reaching out to those uncertain about the shot.

These people are wanting it, she said of the cars in line Thursday, but theres still people that are not sure.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size On the morning of June 22, 2020, a friend texted me two words: pretty explosive. Below his message was a link to an online newspaper article. The Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, Susan Kiefel, had just issued a statement. In a few terse paragraphs, an unprecedented era of soul-searching by the legal profession was ushered in, beginning with: The High Court was advised last year of allegations of sexual harassment against a former Justice and we immediately acted to commission an independent investigation. The investigation had taken some months to complete, and the statement went on to confirm that its subject was the Honourable Dyson Heydon AC QC. The inquiry had found that six former Court staff members who were Judges Associates were harassed by the former Justice. The Chief Justices statement continued: The findings are of extreme concern to me, my fellow Justices, our Chief Executive and the staff of the Court. Were ashamed that this could have happened at the High Court of Australia. We have made a sincere apology to the six women whose complaints were borne out. We know it would have been difficult to come forward. Their accounts of their experiences at the time have been believed. I have appreciated the opportunity to talk with a number of the women about their experiences and to apologise to them in person. I am familiar with this economical judicial style of writing. Ive been a barrister for 25 years. I was an associate to a High Court judge from 1994 to 1995. Not one word is wasted; every phrase is infused with meaning.

Advertisement

I was rocked by the Chief Justices use of the phrase Were ashamed. The pronoun we, and the ownership that conveys. Then there was the reference to shame, a feeling often provoked in victims of sexual harassment. Yet here was the nations most senior law officer saying that she felt shame because of what had happened at her court. Then there was this: We have made a sincere apology - which, it is revealed later in the same passage, was (at least with respect to some of the women) an apology delivered to the complainants by the Chief Justice in person. And then the sleeper at the end of that sentence, which described the former associates as the six women whose complaints were borne out. Two sentences later, the statement says: Their accounts of their experiences at the time have been believed. There were no guarded references to allegations or to versions of events reported to management. No incantation of the refrain that it is not appropriate or possible to offer any commentary on the ongoing situation, because the matter is or might be before the courts. Both in substance and in form, the Chief Justices statement was an example of how to respond with candour and how to be accountable. At first, it seemed shocking that the investigation and its findings concerned six women. But again on reflection, perhaps this was perfectly explicable. No woman had felt able to come forward on her own, as a lone voice. But the six of them had found the courage to act as a group. This prompted many to describe the Heydon case as the laws #MeToo moment. Yet there is a crucial difference. The six associates did not go public with their allegations (which Dyson Heydon immediately denied, and continues to deny). They did not use social media to drop the story. Rather, they made their complaints to the High Court through a lawyer. They then maintained a careful silence throughout the course of the investigation. Following the investigation, it was the Chief Justice who broke the story.

Advertisement

By June 24, I had had an opinion piece published in the Herald and The Age. At the end of the article, I directly addressed the perpetrators: To the members of the legal profession who persist in perpetrating sexual harassment. Stop it. You ought to be ashamed. Rachel Doyle has worked in the law for more than 25 years. Almost immediately, my inbox began to fill with messages from barristers, solicitors, judges and legal academics. The emails came from men and women of all ages and levels of seniority within the profession. The prevailing theme was that the focus needs to be on the perpetrators. Many women wrote that they feel burdened and exhausted by the obligation to monitor and report sexual harassment. They feel crushed by the culture of silence. They just want it to stop. Now, lets get this bit out of the way. I know you want to know whether it has ever happened to me. I was an associate to a High Court judge in the 1990s. I have been in the law for over 25 years. It has happened to me. A couple of times. I did not make a formal complaint either time. Let me tell you why. The first time, I was in my early 20s. The incident occurred after the work Christmas party. It involved a request to sit on the lap of a male lawyer very senior to me. It was followed by an embarrassing declaration of a desire to kiss me, which I repelled.

Advertisement

An apology was delivered in person, the morning after the event. He came to the door of my office and said he had thought about his behaviour the previous night, realised he had done the wrong thing, and wanted to say he was embarrassed and sorry. On the second occasion, I was about 30, and a junior barrister. The incident occurred early one evening, in a lift in the barristers chambers. I was leaving a function. He stood very close to me, backing me against the wall, and got so near that I could smell the booze. He said: Look at you! I like your skin, Id love to touch it, so soft. The lift doors opened.I stayed in the lift and yelled at his back: I will call the Women Barristers Association about this tomorrow. You are a dead man! He picked up his pace slightly and ambled out of my sight. The next day I was contacted by a colleague, also a very senior male barrister. He said the man from the lift the previous evening had rung him. The intermediary had been asked to call me to see if I would be willing to meet so that the man could apologise to me personally, and failing that, he wanted to offer his apology through the intermediary. What is striking about my experience is that on both occasions the perpetrator sought me out and within 36 hours had offered an apology which did not attempt to diminish the conduct, nor question my role in the events or seek to attribute blame elsewhere. Crucially, I experienced no ramifications in relation to my work or professional life. I am lucky. I am also no fool. I know why both these events ended so well for me. I am confident, with an emphatic way of expressing myself. I also come from a legal family, and both men knew that. Each of the events I have just described could have gone another way. When faced with a formal process and public opprobrium, the men might have denied it. I might have been asked what was I doing at the party, how much had I drunk, where had I been, why did I step into the lift when a man was already inside it.Such an experience may have caused me to doubt myself, to lose faith in the process, to lose patience, to lose time, to lose my mental health.

Advertisement

Ive barely thought about either event since. I have not had to. Both men released me immediately from the burden of carrying the incident alone. They made the episode their problem, their burden. I have to wonder, though, if I had not possessed the confidence which comes from having grown up in the law, would things have gone the same way? I doubt it. The Chief Justice Susan Kiefels statement was an example of how to respond with candour and how to be accountable. Credit:Robert Shakespeare The Australian Human Rights Commissions (AHRC) 2020 Respect@Work report calls the current legal and regulatory system simply no longer fit for purpose. The report proposes a new model which needs to be evidence-based, victim-focused and framed through a gender and intersectional lens. Loading This all sounds very important. But it also leaves me a bit cold. I know that the desire to be victim-focused comes from a good place, but I cant help wondering why the response ought not be perpetrator-focused. Surely we want to stop them doing what they do? It may be too late to throw out the clunky definition of sexual harassment in the legislation, but it is not too late to overhaul the way we explain what is welcome conduct and what is not, and it is not too late to teach a new way of talking about consent.

Advertisement
Parsippany, New Jersey, USA, Feb. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wireless Telecom Group (NYSE American: WTT ) announced today that the 4G LTE Physical Layer and Protocol Stack software from its CommAgility brand were selected by a European telecommunications system developer for deployment in its LTE small cell products for public transportation applications. The developer selected the carrier-grade CommAgility software because it is proven with tier 1 vendors to deliver the performance, flexibility and reliability required for its LTE eNodeB / small cell solutions. The complete and tested solution provided by CommAgility reduces risk, accelerates time to market, and decreases development costs for the systems provider.

Public transportation has become an increasingly important market for wireless communications with passengers expecting to be able to reliably access Wi-Fi on their smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Being able to offer fast, dependable Wi-Fi to customers is a competitive advantage for transport operators and can also provide another revenue stream where fees are charged.

LTE provides the connectivity needed between the internet and a moving vehicle such as trains, subways, buses, and ships. The data connection can then be shared between passenger Wi-Fi and other services such as fleet management, driver/staff communication, and security systems.

CommAgility 4G PHY and Stack software is proven to deliver the performance, flexibility and reliability required for LTE eNodeB solutions, said Edward Young, Senior Vice President and General Manager at CommAgility. By choosing carrier-grade CommAgility software which has been proven in the field with multiple customers and various deployments, the developer can be confident that risk is minimized in its development process and a reliable solution can be deployed with an upgrade path to 5G in the future.

CommAgility's SmallCellPHY software is the industry-leading LTE physical layer for small cells, while SmallCellSTACK provides a complete LTE protocol stack. The software is portable to almost any baseband chip and operating system or can be supplied in a version specifically tailored to Texas Instruments Keystone II TCI6630 System on Chip (SoC). SmallCellPHY and SmallCellSTACK are integrated and validated on CommAgility AMC-D24A4-RF2/RF4, CA-K2L-RF2 and AMC-K2L-RF2 boards and are compliant with 3GPP Rel. 10. All CommAgility solutions are supported by a team of LTE experts, who can modify the PHY and Stack for customers specific application requirements. The PHY and Stack enable efficient spectrum usage and maximum data throughput for LTE applications.

CommAgility LTE PHY and Stack are part of the companys range of hardware, software, and reference designs for both LTE and 5G.

- END -

About Wireless Telecom Group

Wireless Telecom Group, Inc., comprised of Boonton , CommAgility , Holzworth , Microlab , and Noisecom , is a global designer and manufacturer of advanced RF and microwave components, modules, systems, and instruments. Serving the wireless, telecommunication, satellite, military, aerospace, semiconductor, and medical industries, Wireless Telecom Group products enable innovation across existing and emerging wireless technologies. With a product portfolio including peak power meters, signal generators, phase noise analyzers, signal processing modules, LTE PHY/stack software, power splitters and combiners, GPS repeaters, public safety components, noise sources, and programmable noise generators, Wireless Telecom Group supports the development, testing, and deployment of wireless technologies around the globe.



Wireless Telecom Group, Inc.s website address is wirelesstelecomgroup.com . Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. Such risks and uncertainties are identified in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Investor Contact

Andrew M. Berger

Managing Director

SM Berger & Company

(216) 464-6400

andrew@smberger.com



Marketing Contact

Nick Daines

nick@lumenpr.com

Tel: +44 (0) 115 8412109

Mobile: +44 (0) 7958 534731
As he accepted his second consecutive GayVN Award for Best Director in the non-feature category, Steve Cruz came full circle in January. His back-to-back wins came for a studio he had long called home, but Cruz had since moved from Raging Stallion to take on directing duties for brother brand Falcona label that holds a special place in his sexual awakening.

The first porn movie I watched had the Falcon brand on it. I dont remember the title or who was even in it, Cruz recalls. Falcon was edgier in the 1980s, or at least it seemed that way to me. It would be unethical to say how old I was. Falcon was kind of the gold standard for quality though the 90s: I remember Flashpoint was one of my favorite Falcon classic titles. Guys I liked? Al Parker, all the way. And Jake Andrews, Eric Stone, Aiden Shaw, Zak Spears. Hal Rockland sure was pretty. As a young adult I thought the movies were polished and the guysway out of my league.

Fast-forward to 2006, Cruz started filming in front of the camera in a long and illustrious career that garnered him two GayVN Awards and the respect of his peers. But he never appeared in a Falcon filmthe closest he got was an appearance in Limits on the studios scruffier Mustang offshoot label.

Honestly, seeing a really hairy guy succeed was kind of rare. It seemed almost everyone was manscaped or smooth. Maybe 90s Falcon left me with that impression, but as a result I never felt sexy until almost my 30th birthday, says Cruz. In my early 20s, I shaved my body to try to look like what I thought men wanted. 1990s porn had that effect on me. When I stopped trying, thats when I found my sex appeal. Aesthetics started changing, toowe got more diverse. As a model, I was recruited for Falcons Mustang linea rougher, hairier look and feel. I was told point blank as a model I wasnt Falcon material. But that didnt really phase me.

In fact, far from it: It was Mustang that gave Cruz another huge opportunity as co-director on what became The Color Box Trilogy of films (Blue Movie, Red Light and Green Door), setting in motion the next phase of his career.

Falcons Mustang approached me and offered my first directing job in 2008. We breathed new life into that line, and that caused a little stir. Im sure many expected me to fail. Jealous directors called the cops on my shoots, other producers tried to have me blacklisted. The industry was petty back then. You toughen up. My response to that hate was to succeed, and to create opportunities for people when I can.

Opportunity KnocksAgain

At the time, Cruz was pulling double-duty on both sides of the camera.

Falcon gave me my start. But at Raging Stallion I was an exclusive model. It was generous of Chris Wardthe executive at Raging Stallionto permit me to be a model for Raging Stallion while consecutively directing at Falcon. So, when the companies merged (in 2011), it was only natural that we share the workload.

Cruz notes that he joined Ward and Tony DiMarco in directing features for Falcon, Raging Stallion and Monster Bang (by then, Mustang was discontinued: That line became more or less redundant). Cruz also directed for his own company, Hard Friction, and soon had some 30 directing and editing credits to his nameincluding some Falcon titles along the way. But when Ward announced his retirement in December of 2015, Cruz found a new focus.

When Tim Valenti took over as executive producer, the studios felt each brand needed a distinct voice. I chose Raging Stallion at that time because I had specific ideas on how to give that brand a kick in the pants with edgier ideas and themes, and I preferred that brands casting diversity. In the past four years, Tim and I were very successful with our vision for Raging Stallion. So at the beginning of 2020, he approached me with an offer to shake things up with Falcon, shares Cruz.

As an executive producer, hes always pushing me to accept the next challenge. Ive been doing the same thing for the last 10-plus years, why not push myself harder? He felt that my talents would transcend my comfort zone. And I saw this as an opportunity to make some subtle changes to Falcon casting that were overdue.

The new opportunity also gave Cruz a chance to stretch himself creatively.

The Falcon of my era has always represented mainstream. The themes are generally happier, escapist, playful. Falcon is a gold standard of quality, yesbut its also an attitude. Where Raging Stallion was always alternative, edgier and a completely different attitude. Also, the models that work for Falcon are our top selling talent, and with that come bigger personalities. Theres an art to that as well.

Director, Interrupted

The transition was going to start with a bang, as Cruz crossed the Atlantic to Austria for The Chalet. The film blended Falcon exclusives with some European stars, including two BelAmi models, and paid homage to Falcons signature series The Other Side of Aspen.

Truthfully, this was Tims baby. He had the vision and made the arrangements, and I was only too happy to execute it. The original script was a proposed romantic romp through world-class ski country, the Alps! Id assisted or directed smaller budget Aspen series movies before. This was a far better location, shares Cruz.

We have a partnership with the great team at BelAmi. The guys that they sent over were amazing! So friendly, professional and genuinely sweet. Both were perfect for the film. The rest of the cast I found through being a fan of their work. Pietro Duarte, for example. He brought a different look and energy than what youd might expect, but no less Falcon. Dmitry (Osten) was also super sweethe brought me Russian chocolates as a gift. I was impressed by his thoughtfulness and his performance.

And the unique casting brought some new challenges that Cruz was happy to navigate.

Sex is an international language. You figure it out. I have shot a lot in Europe. Working with European talent, sure there is sometimes a language barrier. Leo Forte, my cameraman, speaks fluent Spanish, so that helped me with Pietrocommunicating nuances that drove a better performance in that scene, Cruz said. I hope the models all had fun, I know we did. We try to create that sexy environment that hopefully feels more like play than work, while still upholding to the quality you expect from Falcon Studios. I really enjoyed shooting the BelAmi guys [Peter Annaud and Jim Durden] in particular. They had a different approach to making scenes. I found them extremely professional young men. Motivated to delivering the best performances they could. That was so refreshing.

The film also starred Falcon Exclusives Josh Moore, Skyy Knox and Colton Reece, making it a rare film that blended popular exclusives from two huge labels.

It was pretty much all work; playtime was to come after. We stayed at Haus Romeo, a gay resort in Tyrol. They were very warm and hospitable, shares Cruz. I was looking forward to some rest and relaxationand more European travel to Spain once we wrapped in Austria, but that never happened.

2019 GayVN Performer of the Year Cade Maddox was also on a plane to join them, but that never happened either. He had to turn aroundand suddenly Cruzs exciting new project was temporarily derailed when the travel ban initiated by the sudden spread of the coronavirus went into effect on the third day of filming.

We had most of it in the can, but we had no outdoor B-roll featuring the entire castwe had that scheduled for the following day. On the fateful day, we had just wrapped on a massive double day of shooting from morning until midnight. I had just laid down to sleep when I get a call from headquarters: a travel ban was going into effect. We were instructed to pack everything and be on a plane the next morning. So, we got dressed and thats what we did. Insane! exclaims the director as he recalls the moment everything changed.

I was in a state of shock. Full-blown depression for weeks. Denial, really. But how I get through shit in my life is to trust Im on a path of discovery, and somehow, itll work outbecause it always does. What doesnt ruin you makes you stronger. I am so grateful to my company sparing no expense to keep the crew and talent safe. We got home before the travel ban went into full effect. But damneverything about COVID-19 has been a clusterfuck.

Luckily, they already had enough for a full release of four scenesbut it required some creativity.

Once my supporting editor, Bruno Bond, put together what we filmed, all we really needed was that connective tissue of story to tie the men together and give a reason to why they were there. So, we did that with confessionals directed remotely. Im no stranger to confessional narratives: Outta the Park!, Cake Shop, Masturbation Stationa lot of my current titles have utilized this screenwriting style. It totally worked. Plus, the drone footage and majestical outdoor shots tied in the location context we needed. Only the original screenwriter was devastated. I had to totally rework the original script. It happens.

After a delay, Falcon finally released the project in early Septemberwhen Cruzs new life as director of the grandaddy of all gay porn studios was in semi-limbo.

Everything about 2020 was frustrating. The positive spin I can put on last year is that we have been forced to slow down so we can look at whats really important about the work. And how to do it safely. Okay, so I didnt film in London and Spain this year as planned, but I was able to work the second half of the year with men I enjoy, and the first thing I could do is bring some different guys that you havent seen work at the Falcon brand before. My mindset is to remain open, remain grateful and learn from what is happening right now as we gradually flow into a new normal.

Paying it Forward

As a challenging 2020 came to a close, Cruz was quickly met with some good news when he won rare back-to-back Best Director GayVN Awards (this time for Raging Stallions Cake Shop).

As for the Best Director win, I was flooredI was absolutely not expecting anything after winning last year. Right before COVID, I was really hitting my stride creatively. GayYNs and Grabbys were pleasant surprisesa great way to close out my contributions to the Raging Stallion brand. The time off from directing during the worst of times gave me lots to reflect on. Id like to explore ways to use my knowledge to help others where I canmentoring, finding different storytellers and making those visions come to light. Im not quite sure yet how it will all unfold or whats even possibleIm just grateful for where I am right now in my life and my creative expression. Pay it forward if I can.

That includes his newest Falcon project, which debuted in late February

Its a co-directed project with Leo Forte. Tim Valenti titled it Born to Porn, and hes working on a series of other projects based on what Leo and I accomplished in this project, says Cruz. Leo and I have been in synch creatively since Timberwolves, and hes my dedicated second. I want to promote him and at this phase in my career start giving back the way my mentors did for me. Leo being a man of color, its even more important to me that he get these opportunities and help me at Falcon; hes been in the business almost as long as I have.

Born to Porn is a documentary-style film about the models lives on set and off. In it, they open up about themselves, the industry, public life and the reality of comment culture. Its just the start of many ideas Cruz hopes to bring to life.

In time, Id like to get back to scripted movies with bigger budgets and amazing locations, but thats really up to COVID-19. I keep a file of ideas that I play close to the vest to insure they remain my ideas. What I will say is, I fully intend to continue the creative path Ive been on the last 12 years, it just keeps getting better. If we adapt, stay humble and grow with the opportunities, the magic happens through us. Never rest on what I think I already know. Thats the life of an artist. The challenge is finding the talent who are willing to go on this journey with me. Will the Falcon customer accept the places we want to take the brand? I think its all possible.

And with an executive producer that is ready to take chances, Cruz anticipates that its just a matter of time

Tim Valenti has an adventurous spirit. Hes a creative partner. He doesnt want to see the same recycled ideas cross his desk. So, I can greenlight some of my wilder ideas, take risks. The one thing Falcon affords usin normal timesis the budget to go to better locations and make bigger projects. Right now, as things are dire in the world, maybe well concentrate on happier themes as an escape. I know tastes change, and right now many are satisfied with do-it-yourself clips shot with their phones. I think its great that fan sites are making it possible for people to earn their own revenue and produce their own content, but there will always be a customer for bigger productions. Im fortunate I get to work with some of the brightest talent doing what we do, and real actors.

And even though he filmed a handful of Falcon projects in the earlier half of the last decade, Cruz knows that this time is different.

I did a movie here and there for the company. This time, Im coming on as the director of the line and Im being asked to give it my vision. I accepted the job because I wanted to push my limits, but also it was something I could grow with. And with anything I do, Ill do it with my whole heart. Although this time I bring 12 years of directing experience to the table, he shares, adding that he takes the responsibility seriously.

Falcon is a legacy brand. A standard of excellence with a rich history I have inherited and Im now responsible for. Falcon endures; its resilient. It has outlasted so many brands, for decades and decades. Thats really quite remarkable for any business, especially porn. At times, its also been predictable and even limited in its conceptsand it hasnt fully represented everyone. That is a change I can make right away. That alone is a great reason to be here. Falcon is both something to live up to and its something I can guide, evolve and grow to embrace the times we are living in while staying true to the core reason we exist: the joyful celebration of gay men having sex together.

Photo 1 of Steve Cruz and Bruno Bond from 2021 GayVN Awards; Photos 2 & 3 from 2020 GayVN Awards


A link shared on Facebook allowed ineligible residents to make COVID vaccine appointments, officials confirmed.

We have learned that a dedicated link that was reserved solely for registering teachers was unfortunately shared online through a number of individual Facebook sites, said Yale New Haven Health spokesman Vincent Petrini. We immediately took action and shut down the link and we are reviewing the situation.

Though he could not say the exact number of appointments were made, Ohm Deshpande, Yale New Haven Healths vice president for population health and a physician leader for the providers vaccination efforts, said it was a small number.

I dont have a hard number yet  we are working on that, he said Thursday. The link was intended for educators and got abused. Needless to say it was deactivated rapidly.

Any appointments made by ineligible residents have been canceled, Petrini said.

Connecticut moved to an age-based vaccine rollout last month, with residents aged between 55 and 64 years old eligible to sign up on March 1. People between the ages of 45 and 54 become eligible on March 22, but teachers and other in-school workers of any age became eligible on March 1.

But the intention, according to a press release issued by the state last month, was to administer the vaccine to educators at dedicated clinics that will be set up specifically for those sectors.

We have teacher clinics in most places, said Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. The issue is that you also cant restrict teachers from going wherever to get their vaccines.

Petrini said most school districts are going through local health districts to plan vaccine clinics, but that Yale is working with some.

Yale New Haven is only working with school districts that have approached us directly and we have been working in full collaboration with local health departments and the state Department of Public Health, he said.

He did not say which school district or districts the link was intended for, but Greenwich is among those school districts that are working with Yale to distribute vaccines to school-based personnel, according to the school district.

We are currently running efficient and safe vaccination clinics that require extensive logistics, said Dana Marnane, vice president of public relations at Greenwich Hospital, which is part of th Yale-New Haven system To continue to best serve our entire community, this was the optimal way to proceed.

As for how to prevent such breaches in the future, Deshponde said Yale was working on the issue

We have deactivated the link, he said. We are working on other tech solutions to make it more stringent.

India has agreed to expand space cooperation with Italy by tapping opportunities in earth observation, space science, robotic and human exploration, the state-run Indian space agency said on Thursday.

"At a bilateral meeting in virtual mode with the Italian Space Agency (ISA) on Wednesday, we have agreed to form thematic working groups to work on earth observation, space science and robotic and human exploration, said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in a statement here.

The virtual meeting was presided over by ISRO Chairman K. Sivan and ISA President Giorgio Saccoccia.

Expanding space cooperation with Italy comes days after India launched 637kg Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 on board PSLV-C51 rocket from ISRO's spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 90km northeast of Chennai on February 28.

Brazil's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Marcos Pontes, who witnessed the launch at the spaceport, offered to step-up the space ties with India.

"Brazil has requested India's support in procurement of material and systems for its launch vehicle programme," said the statement.

Cooperation in space missions using ISRO's fourth stage of polar satellite launch vehicle's (PLSV) orbital platform for studying weather was discussed at the meeting with the Brazilian delegation.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Major League Soccer is investigating Inter Miami's signing of French international Blaise Matuidi last year for possible violations of league salary budget and roster rules, the league announced Friday.

Matuidi, a midfielder who turns 34 next month, helped France to a 2018 World Cup title in Russia.

The long-time Paris Saint-Germain standout spent three seasons with Italian giants Juventus before signing with the David-Beckham owned Inter Miami on a free transfer last August.

Matuidi scored one goal in 15 appearances last year for the MLS debutantes, who are set to begin the 2021 campaign next month under former England women's national team coach and Manchester United standout player Phil Neville.

Inter Miami said in a statement it looks forward to "fully engaging with the league's review process."

The club, bought at a discount as part of Beckham's deal when he left Real Madrid to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, made its long-awaited debut last year.

It landed Matuidi with allocation money rather than as a designated player, limiting his salary to $1.6 million.

Beckham serves as Inter's president of soccer operations with partner Jorge Mas as managing owner.

Inter Miami went 7-13 with three drawn in its inaugural campaign to finish 10th in the Eastern Conference. The club was eliminated in the play-in round of the MLS playoffs.

js/rcw
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.
A suspect who is accused of hitting a Japanese high school teacher in the face with a hard object inside a sock in Seattle Chinatown has been arrested.

Seattle police said Thursday that Sean Jeremy Holdip, 41, was arrested in connection with the assault and was being held at the King County Jail, KOMO News reported. Its unclear if bond has been set.

The incident, which was caught on surveillance video, happened while Noriko Nasu and her boyfriend, Michael Poffenbarger, were walking near 7th and King Streets around 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 25, NextShark previously reported.

The man then attacks Poffenbarger as Nasu falls to the ground.

"I truly believe he was trying to kill us," said Poffenbarger. He hit her so hard (and) he hit me really really hard. I was amazed at how hard he hit my head and it didnt knock me out. I thought for sure, I had a skull fracture.

Nasu suffered a fractured nose and chipped teeth.

While police have not yet found evidence indicating the February attack was racially-motivated, the Seattle Police Department Bias Crimes Unit is investigating the incident, the department said in an online post.

Poffenbarger also required eight stitches after being struck in the head.

Im very very happy the police made it happen, he said. I wont feel like its someone I pass or around the corner everywhere I go. I hope his arrest will help that stress fade.

Poffenbarger believes the assailant singled out his girlfriend.

It was very very deliberate and really focused on her, he said. He definitely targeted her (and) hit her first. She got the most injury out of it. It was a pointed attack on her.

Good Samaritans witnessed the incident and intervened.

If those people didnt come out of the restaurant, if he didnt feel the pressure of me calling for help, I dont think he would have given up until we were dead, said Poffenbarger.

Do you have a hate incident to report? Help us document the recent rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans by going to STOP AAPI HATE to report an incident. Please stay safe out there. Feature Image via Screenshots via KOMO News (right) and KIRO 7 News (left)

Story continues

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Death Toll From the New Year's Eve Jakarta Flooding Rises to 66

'Kind and Generous' Pizzeria Owner, 56, Brutally Beaten By Thieves in Pennsylvania

Andrew Yang May Run for NYC Mayor, Sources Say

9-Year-Old Texas Boy is the Highest-Paid YouTuber AGAIN After Making $30 Million in 2020
Startups expand with fresh funding and portfolios

In February, ELSA, a smartphone app that helps non-native English speakers develop grammar and speech skills, wrapped up a $15 million investment in financing rounds co-led by Vietnam Investments Group and SIG. Existing investors including Googles Gradient Ventures, SOSV, and Monks Hill Ventures AI-focused venture fund joined the companys Series B funding phase.

ELSA, which stands for English Language Speech Assistant, was co-founded in 2015 by Vietnamese entrepreneur Vu Van and engineer Xavier Anguera and focuses on the three markets of Vietnam, India, and Japan. With the fresh fund, the startup plans to penetrate Latin American countries as well as accelerate expansion across Asia this year.

Another million-dollar deal was secured by e-wallet MoMo in January, bagging over $100 million in its series D financing from leading global investors. The fund will be used to establish a new super-app platform, enhance MoMos ecosystem which serves millions of Vietnamese end users, and launch MoMo Innovation Ventures  an initiative to invest in Vietnamese companies with potential to be integrated into MoMos ecosystem for the benefits of access to a broader market and user base.

Also in January, live streaming platform GoStream announced that VinaCapital Ventures had invested $1 million into the company. Founded in 2017, GoStream is an easy-to-use platform that enables users to reach a larger audience from different platforms to increase visibility and get more views. Currently, the company is serving multiple corporate clients and facilitating over 100,000 live-streaming sessions daily.

Trung D. Hoang, partner at VinaCapital Ventures commented, We are excited to invest in GoStream, which has been leading the way in integrating live-streaming across a number of sectors. Their innovative streaming technology is helping more businesses reach more viewers and customers, and we look forward to working with them as they further expand their capabilities and play an even greater role in Vietnams growing digitalisation.

Meanwhile, startup e-wallet firm Gpay, a member of G-Group Technology Corporation, completed its Series A investment with the participation of KB Fina, which is a joint venture between G-Group and South Korean KB Financial Group. KB Financial Group invested VND425 billion ($18.4 million) in Gpay through KB Securities, its representative in Vietnam.

Elsewhere, other startups including Vietnam-based proptech startup Rever is reported to be raising $8-10 million in the new funding round. Meanwhile, South Koreas STIC Ventures-backed hotel booking platform Go2Joy Vietnam has raised $2.3 million in a Series A+ funding round led by HB Investments, as reported by newswire Dealstreet Asia.

Vietnamese startups such as VNPay, Tiki, Yeah1, and others began to rise in popularity in 2019, raising $1 billion that year. Investors have since returned to Vietnam in the second quarter of 2020 thanks to the recovery of the economy and positive GDP growth in the country.

Le Hoang Uyen Vy, CEO of Do Ventures, said this years investment prospects should be bright for Vietnamese startups, especially in healthcare and fintech.

She noted that Vietnamese startups mainly raise venture investment capital from South Korean, Japanese, and Singaporean funds, and there is a high potential to attract investment from American venture capital funds.

Hopefully, after the pandemic, Vietnamese startups will secure more deals from global funds, and Do Ventures is committed to supporting Vietnamese startups during this challenging time, Vy added.

In another case, domestic AI startup Palexy picked up $1 million in funding in December to help offline stores achieve e-commerce-like success through real-time consumer data. The round, co-led by Do Ventures and Access Ventures, will fuel Palexys expansion across Asia and the Middle East this year.

500 Startups, the most active venture capital investor in Vietnam, made 15 new investments in 2020, increasing its portfolio to more than 70 companies. 500 Startups aims to reach its target of 80 companies invested in cumulatively in 2021.

In the past five years, the tech entrepreneurial ecosystem has evolved even faster than we could have even imagined. And yet theres still a lot of room to run and grow, said Eddie Thai, general partner at 500 Startups. He cited a survey conducted in late 2020 about priority markets for venture capitalists in Southeast Asia. For the first time, Vietnam was ranked top, ahead of Indonesia.
EP Global Opportunities Trust plc (the "Company")

Total Voting Rights

As a result of the purchase of 55,000 Ordinary 1p shares placed into Treasury on 4 March 2021 and in conformity with Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 5.6.1A, the issued share capital and voting rights of the Company are as follows:

Class of share Total number of shares in circulation Number of voting rights attached to each share Total number of voting rights of shares in circulation Number of shares held in treasury (carrying no voting rights attached until issued) Total number of shares in issue Ordinary 1p Shares 37,942,725 1 37,942,725 26,566,917 64,509,642

The above total voting rights figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine whether they are required to notify their interest in EP Global Opportunities Trust plc under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

5 March 2021

LEI: 2138005T5CT5ITZ7ZX58

Enquiries:

Kenneth Greig

Edinburgh Partners AIFM Limited

Tel: 0131 270 3800

The Company's registered office address is:

27-31 Melville Street

Edinburgh

EH3 7JF
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressed a webinar on Production Linked Incentives scheme organized by Department of Industry and International Trade and NITI Aayog through video conference. Speaking on the steps taken to boost trade and industry in this year's Union Budget, the Prime Minister said that over the past 6-7 years, several successful efforts have been made to encourage Make in India at different levels. He stressed on the need to take a big leap, increase the speed and scale to boost manufacturing.

The Prime Minister said the Government's thinking is clear - Minimum Government, Maximum Governance and expects Zero Effect, Zero Defect. He said the Government is working at every level to promote the industry like Ease of Doing Business, reducing the compliance burden, creating multimodal infrastructure to reduce logistics costs, constructing district level export hubs.

The Prime Minister said 13 sectors have been brought under Production Linked Incentives for the first time. PLI benefits the entire ecosystem associated with the sector. With PLI in auto and pharma, there will be very less foreign dependence related to auto parts, medical equipment and raw materials of medicines.

The Prime Minister highlighted that in this year's budget, a provision of about 2 lakh crore rupees has been made for schemes related to the PLI scheme. An average of 5 % of production is given as incentive. This means that PLI schemes will lead to production worth $ 520 billion in India in the next five years. It is also estimated that sectors for which the PLI scheme has been created will witness doubling of the workforce.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Additional drilling has commenced at the Koting Deposit to better define the highly variable deposit while the Morila Pit 5 is anticipated to provide early feed as part of the ramp-up of production.

The geology of the Pit 5 is the same as the broader Morila mineral resource, with stacked shallow to flat lying mineralised lodes

( ) (OTCMKTS:EEYMF) (FRA:N9F) has recommenced work at the Koting Deposit and received gold results described as very positive from Pit 5 Prospect, both at the operational Morila Gold Project in Mali.

Additional drilling has commenced at Koting in a bid to better define this highly variable deposit while the Morila Pit 5 is anticipated to provide early feed as part of the ramp-up of production.

Life-of-mine plan

Firefinch executive chairman Dr Alistair Cowden said: We have recommenced work on our Koting Deposit with the view that Koting will provide future supplementary early feed to the nearby Morila mill.

With the same goal, we completed an infill program at the Pit 5 Prospect, which has yielded very positive results.

Once resource models have been completed and pit designs completed, both prospects will be incorporated in our life-of-mine plan and provide flexibility in the operational rampup.

We look forward to keeping our shareholders updated on further progress.

Koting drill results

All assay results have been received from the reverse circulation (RC) drill program and better results include:

8 metres at 8.25 g/t from 28 metres, including 3 metres at 17.30 g/t gold;

8 metres at 1.97 g/t from 101 metres; and

8 metres at 2.90 g/t from 26 metres.

Recently received results from the southern section of Koting suggest that the mineralised structures continue to the SSE, towards the K2 prospect where drilling is planned later in the year.

Most intersections are modest grade with sporadic high grades present.

Geostatistical evaluation of the distribution of gold indicates a highly variable deposit requiring infill drilling to better delineate nearsurface mineralisation, especially the high-grade zones, and to enable reliable estimation of mineral resources and subsequent ore reserves.

Infill drilling has commenced with two RC rigs working and the program is expected to take three weeks to complete.

Assay turnaround time from the independently operated onsite laboratory at Morila is about two to three weeks.

Morila Pit 5 results

The geology of the Pit 5 is the same as the broader Morila mineral resource, with stacked shallow to flat lying mineralised lodes.

All assay results have now been received from the short reverse circulation drilling program and better results include:

7 metres at 5.72 g/t from 15 metres, including 4 metres at 9.48g/t;

6 metres at 2.77 g/t from 1-metre, including 1-metre at 13.3g/t;

9 metres at 1.13 g/t from 25 metres; and

5 metres at 1.74 g/t from 6 metres, including 2 metres at 3.72g/t.

Pit 5 as a standalone project

The Pit 5 mineralisation was not included in the Morila mineral resource and a separate resource model is being prepared.

Due to the shallow nature of the mineralisation identified and the proximity to the processing plant, the Pit 5 Prospect will be evaluated as a standalone project independent of the main Morila resource and is anticipated to provide another source of early mill feed in the rampup of the Morila Project.
NEW DELHI: The Narcotics Control Bureau, which is probing the drug angle related to the death case of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, on Friday (March 5) filed its chargesheet in the Special NDPS court. Sushant's friend and actress Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty are prime accused in the case. According to reports, NCB chief Sameer Wankhede himself filed the chargesheet in the court that is said to be over 14,000-pages long.

The NCB had in August last year registered two cases related to drugs in connection with the death of Rajput. The NCB arrested Sushant's live-in partner and girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and his brother Showik in connection with the case, along with several other people in September last year. They are currently out on bail. According to reports, the federal agency has so far arrested a total of 34 people, also including Sushant's former manager and staff, and several drug peddlers, in connection with the case. At least five accused in the case are said to be on the run.

The NCB had in August last year registered two cases related to drugs in connection with the death of Sushant.

On February 2 this year, the NCB summoned Rishikesh Pawar, whose name had first figured during the investigation in September 2020 for allegedly acting as a drug conduit., said IANS. The agency sleuths raided Pawar's residence and seized some gadgets. He was also questioned about his role in the drugs nexus.

The NCB also questioned several celebrities, including Sara Ali Khan, Shraddha Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Rakul Preet Singh, Karishma Prakash and others in connection with the case. Besides NCB, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the ED are investigating the death and financial angle of the case.

The NCB, which has been probing the drugs angle in Sushant's death case, started the investigation after it received official communication from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in which there were various chats related to drug consumption, procurement, usage, and transportation.

Sushant, 34, was found hanging at his duplex rented flat in a posh building in Bandra on June 14, 2020, triggering a massive furore in Bollywood and political circles.
The democratic island of Taiwan on Friday vowed to defend its national sovereignty as China said it would step up exchanges in a bid to involve the nation of 23 million people -- most of whom have no wish to be ruled by Beijing -- in its plan for "national rejuvenation."



"We must stick to our key policies in our work with Taiwan," Chinese premier Li Keqiang told the National People's Congress (NPC) annual session in Beijing.



Li said the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has never ruled Taiwan, would "resolutely curb separatist activities" there, as well as "promoting cross-strait exchanges and cooperation and integrated development, and working together to create a bright future for national rejuvenation."



Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was perfectly happy with the status quo.



"The government has consistently promoted peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and will continue to firmly defend national sovereignty and Taiwans freedom and democracy," MAC spokesman Chiu Chui-cheng told reporters after Li's comments.



"[We] will continue to pay attention to Taiwan-related remarks and actions during the NPC annual session," he said.



Chiu said Taiwan would only accept talks with Beijing in an attitude of mutual respect. Beijing refuses to acknowledge Taiwan as a sovereign entity, and insists on referring to its government as the "local authorities."



He said the administration of DPP president Tsai Ing-wen "respects the opposition and doubts of the Taiwanese people to a regime that dwarfs Taiwan, and the constant negative pressure from the CCP's United Front [influence campaign]."



"Gradually resolving differences through communication will indeed protect the rights and interests of the people on both sides of the strait," Chiu said.



Wang Chih-sheng, secretary-general of Taiwan's Association of Chinese Elite Leadership, said Li's comments on Taiwan showed that Beijing's policy hasn't changed, although its language may have softened somewhat from the warlike rhetoric used during last year's presidential election campaign.



"There was more emphasis on campaigning against independence last year; when their entire Taiwan policy seemed to harden," Wang said, adding that Li had once more used the adjective "peaceful" in connection with Taiwan.

Cause for concern



He said the Chinese premier's use of the word "harmonious" gave cause for concern, however.



"Their so-called harmony means that they will try every avenue they can, but that their plans [to annex Taiwan] are still in progress," Wang said. "They want to employ coercive measures to achieve this peaceful 'unification'."



Wong Ming-hsien, professor of international affairs at Taiwan's Tamkang University, said Li's speech indicated that Beijing will be stepping up both carrot and stick approaches towards Taiwan.



"The soft part is that the State Council will strengthen measures to benefit Taiwan nationals at provincial and city level, while the hard part is stepping up military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, including [excluding it from] international organizations," Wong told RFA.



He said much of the tone of Li's remarks was intended for the United States.



"[When China talks about] trying to curb Taiwan independence, or separatist activities, that includes the need to limit [military] assistance from the U.S.," he said.



But he said there is a growing awareness in the international community of Taiwan's potential contribution -- as a liberal democracy -- to international agencies.

Conciliatory tone



Tamkang University international relations expert Chen Yi-hsin said President Tsai's administration had deliberately maintained a conciliatory tone in the face of Beijing's saber-rattling after her 2020 re-election.



"They couldn't be too tough because Tsai Ing-wen was quite conciliatory," Chen said. "It's possible that the CCP's Xi Jinping still plans to invade Taiwan using military force, but they're not saying this openly."



He said tensions had recently risen somewhat following a Chinese import ban on Taiwanese pineapples.



Li Keqiang also announced there was a 6.8 percent annual rise in military spending last year, compared with 2019.



But analysts said the figure likely excludes a good deal of funding that would be considered military, but which is camouflaged in other departments' budgets.



"Military expenditure in China isn't the same as in the rest of the world," analyst Zhou Di told RFA. "For example, certain technologies developed by Huawei could be counted as military spending, and yet it's not included in the figures."



Reported by Hwang Chun-mei and Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.




I came as a pilgrim for the peace and a repentant asking for forgiveness, Pope Francis told Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi after arriving in Baghdad on March 5 on the first-ever papal trip to Iraq.

Francis described his trip as long-awaited and desired visit to Iraq, the cradle of civilization closely linked through the Patriarch Abraham and a number of the prophets to the history of salvation and to the great religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Hundreds of Iraqis began lining up in the early morning to welcome the pope along the Airport Highway, where they held Iraqi and Vatican flags when his vehicle went by in the afternoon. The pontiff's vehicle slowed, and its window was rolled down so Francis could wave to the throng the entire length of the road.

In the presence of Iraq's president, prime minister, the head of the judiciary system, the parliament speaker and other Iraqi political and social leaders, Francis called upon governmental leaders and diplomats  to foster this spirit of fraternal solidarity. It is necessary, but not sufficient, to combat the scourge of corruption, misuse of power and disregard for law.

He called for justice and the fostering of honesty, transparency and the strengthening of the institutions responsible in this regard, adding, In this way, stability within society grows and a healthy politics arises, able to offer to all, especially the young of whom there are so many in this country, sure hope for a better future.

The pope's visit was an opportunity for Iraqis to unite during a difficult time where Iraq is suffering from multiple crises. Iraqi leaders from different political orientations gathered in welcoming the pope at the Baghdad Palace in the heart of the Green Zone; these included leaders of Islamic parties and the Popular Mobilization Units leaders and secular politicians from various groupings.

Iraq has suffered the disastrous effects of wars, the scourge of terrorism and sectarian conflicts often grounded in a fundamentalism, Francis said. Here, among so many who have suffered, my thoughts turn to the Yazidis, innocent victims of senseless and brutal atrocities, persecuted and killed for their religion, and whose very identity and survival was put at risk.

Iraq's parliament this week approved the Yazidi female survivors law, which is to provide support to survivors of Islamic State oppression. Last year's Sinjar agreement signed by the central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government provides a pathway toward stability in the Yazidi homeland, in three stages: security, administration and reconstruction.

Following the official meeting with Iraqi leaders, the pope went to Our Lady of Salvation Church, which was the scene of a 2010 massacre perpetrated by an al-Qaeda affiliate that killed 58 worshippers, priests and security forces and injured 78 others.

Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, the patriarch of Babylon and the head of Chaldean Catholic Church, told the pope his visit was a great support to all Iraqis, highlighting the historic meeting the pope will hold tomorrow in Najaf with the top Shiite cleric in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

The apostolic mission should not stop in these lands in which God blessed you, Francis said to the Iraqi Christians in the church. We know that it is easy for a person to be seized by frustration, but the kingdom of God, the kingdom of justice, accompanies you on your journey.

The pope thanked the Christians for staying in their homeland among other people who have suffered from wars and persecution and called on all believers to continue this mission.

Iraq had lost the majority of its Christian population, among other minorities, during the last few decades due to continuing wars and security crises  most recently the rise of Islamic State, which caused many to flee Iraq or to be displaced internally.

Francis wrote a letter to the Christians of the Middle East in 2014, demanding they resist the pressures pushing them to leave their countries.

Dear Christian brothers and sisters of the Middle East, you have an enormous responsibility and in meeting it you are not alone.  How precious your presence and your mission are in the land which the Lord has blessed, the pope said in his letter.

I do hope to have the chance to come to you in person and to visit and to comfort you, he said.

Nearly seven years later, Francis has fulfilled his promise, visiting one of the first early Christian communities in the region.

However, the first-ever papal trip to Iraq means much more than expressing spiritual support to Christians.

The pope's visit to Iraq is a significant initiative empowering the rise of moderation and civil movements in line with Sistani's call for a civil state and popular demonstrations that began in 2019 demanding a national and secular state after decades of dictatorship and extremism.

This site uses cookies to ensure the best experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Our cookie policy.
[March 04, 2021] Global Data Center Market In China- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., AT&T Inc., Baidu Inc., among others to contribute to the market growth |Industry Analysis, Market Trends, Opportunities and Forecast 2024

NEW YORK, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The data center market in China is poised to grow by USD 18.01 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 18% during the forecast period. Here is an Exclusive report talking about Market scenarios, Estimates, the impact of lockdown, and Customer Behaviour. Get FREE Sample Report in Minutes! The report on the data center market in china provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by demand for hyper-converged data centers. The data center market in china analysis includes component segment and geographic landscape. This study identifies the increasing investment in quantum computing as one of the prime reasons driving the data center market in china growth during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The data center market in China covers the following areas: Data Center Market In China Sizing

Data Center Market In China Forecast

Data Center Market In China Analysis



Companies Mentioned Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

AT&T Inc.

Baidu Inc.

China Mobile Ltd.

China Telecommunications Corp. Ltd.

China Unicom ( Hong Kong ) Ltd.

) Ltd. Digital Realty Trust Inc.

Equinix Inc.

Fujitsu Ltd.

and Tencent Holdings Ltd. Related Reports on Information Technology Inclde:



Farm Management Software Market by Application, Deployment, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025- The farm management software market size has the potential to grow by USD 2.88 billion during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period. To get extensive research insights: Get FREE sample report in minutes



The farm management software market size has the potential to grow by during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period. To get extensive research insights: Applicant Tracking Systems Market in Europe by End-user and Deployment - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025- The applicant tracking systems market size in Europe has the potential to grow by USD 110.32 million during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period. To get extensive research insights: Get FREE sample report in minutes Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary

Market Landscape Market Sizing Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Component Customer landscape Vendor Landscape Vendor Analysis Appendix Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.



Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-data-center-market-in-china--alibaba-group-holding-ltd--att-inc-baidu-inc-among-others-to-contribute-to-the-market-growth-industry-analysis-market-trends-opportunities-and-forecast-2024-301240350.html SOURCE Technavio

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.


We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
To subscribe to the TDOT-REGION-3-LANE-CLOSURES list, send an email to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.TN.GOV and type subscribe TDOT-REGION-3-LANE-CLOSURES in the message body.

To unsubscribe from the TDOT-REGION-3-LANE-CLOSURES list, send an email to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.TN.GOV and type unsubscribe TDOT-REGION-3-LANE-CLOSURES in the message body.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, ITS Maintenance

 Thursday, March 4 and Friday, March 5, 8PM-12AM, There will be a lane closure on I-440 westbound in the Nolensville Pike area for ITS maintenance.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, On-Call Concrete Repair

 Look Ahead - Thursday, March 10, 8PM-5AM, The westbound off-ramp from I-440 to Hillsboro Road will be closed to saw cut concrete pavement.

 Look Ahead  Friday, March 12 at 8PM through Monday, March 15 at 5AM, The ramp from I-440 eastbound to Hillsboro Road will be closed for concrete replacement.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Sign Installation on I-24

 Nightly, 8PM-5AM, There will be a lane closure on I-24 in both directions at MM 48 and partial exit ramp closure at exit 47/47A at MM 48 to for sign installation work.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Interchange Improvements on I-24 at Hickory Hollow Parkway

 Nightly, 8PM-5AM, There will be intermittent lane closures on I-24 in both directions for construction activities at MM 60.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Construction of Pedestrian Facilities on U.S. 70S (SR 1) from SR 251 (Old Hickory Boulevard) (LM 7.85) to Erin Lane (LM 8.30)

 Daily, 9AM-3PM, There will be a lane closure for construction work.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Widening SR 112 (Clarksville Highway) from SR 155 to SR 12

 Daily, 9AM-3PM, There will be lane closures for construction activities.

DAVIDSON and RUTHERFORD COUNTY, I-24 SMART Corridor

 Nightly 8PM-5AM, There will be intermittent lane closures on I-24 between MM 55-80 for construction activities.

 Saturday, March 6, 5AM-12PM, There will be a lane closure on I-24 at MM 53 for tree trimming.

HUMPHREYS COUNTY, Bridge Repairs on I-40 over the Buffalo River

 Nightly, 8PM-5AM, There will be intermittent lane closures in both directions for construction operations at MM 140-142.

 From now through Friday, March 5, One lane will be closed on I-40 eastbound at MM 141 for pavement repairs.

 Starting Friday, March 5 and continuing daily, There will be a lane closure on I-40 westbound at MM 141 for pavement repairs.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Sidewalk Construction on SR 13 (LM 23-26)

 Nightly, 12AM-11AM, There will be a lane closure for construction work.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Widening on SR 149 and SR 13/48

 Daily, 9AM-3PM, There will be intermittent road closures for blasting activities on SR 13 and 149 near the Cumberland River.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Resurfacing on I-840 Including Concrete Repairs

 Friday, March 5 at 8PM through Monday, March 8 at 5AM, There will be ramp closures on the on and off ramps at exit 47, the SR 102 Almaville Rd interchange, for concrete repair. Only one ramp will be closed at a time and signed detours will be in place.

 Starting Sunday, March 7 and continuing nightly, 7PM-5AM, There will be alternating lane closures on I-840 between MM45-53 for milling operations.

SMITH COUNTY, SR 25 Rockfall Mitigation

 From now through September 2021, SR 25 north of the SR 80 intersection is reduced to one lane for a rockfall mitigation project.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Resurfacing on US 31 (SR 6) from Hillview Lane to Country Road

 Daily, 8:30AM-3PM and Nightly, 8PM-5AM, There will be a lane closure for resurfacing work.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Construction of Mack Hatcher NW Quadrant

 Daily, 9AM-3PM, There will be a lane closure on SR 96 between Front Street and Boyd Mill Ave for road widening activities.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Widening SR 96 Between Arno Road and SR 252 (Wilson Pike)

 Daily, 9AM-3PM, There will be a lane closure on SR 96 for clearing and construction activities.

WILSON COUNTY, Installation of Overhead Sign on I-840

 Sunday, March 7, 6AM-12PM, Exit 76B will be temporarily closed for overhead sign installation.



WILSON COUNTY, The repair of the bridge over Jug Creek on SR 266

 Through June 2021, The roadway is reduced to one lane for bridge repair.

>>> MAINTENANCE & UTILITIES

DAVIDSON COUNTY

 Tuesday, March 9 through Thursday, March 11, 9AM-3PM, There will be lane closures on I-40 westbound at MM 205 (46th Ave) for pavement repair. Drivers should expect delays.

 Wednesday, March 10, through Wednesday, March 17, 8PM-5AM, There will be lane closures on I-65 at MM 84 for bridge deck inspection.

 Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6, 9PM-5AM, TVA will have a lane closure in both directions of I-24/I-65 at MM 87 for aerial crossing.

 From now through Wednesday, March 10, Metro Water will have lane closures at the intersection of 8th Ave and Division Street for emergency repairs. Metro Water Services on Twitter: "Traffic Advisory: 8th Avenue South closed to southbound traffic at Division https://t.co/7KU8KCkoz7" / Twitter

 Nightly, 8PM-5AM, NES will have lane closures on I-65 ramps at Rivergate Parkway to replace street lights.

 Nightly, 8PM-5AM, NES will have lane closures on Vietnam Veterans Blvd (SR 386) from I-65 to Conference Drive to replace street lights.

MARSHALL COUNTY

 Sunday, March 7, 6AM-11AM, Lewisburg Electric will have rolling roadblocks on I-65 at exit 32 to install new poles.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY

 Daily, 8:30AM-3PM, There will be intermittent lane closures on I-24 in both directions between MM 70-85 for pavement repairs.

 Tuesday, March 9, 7PM-4AM, There will be a lane closure on I-24 westbound at MM 85 for crash cleanup.

 Daily, 9AM-3PM, There will be alternating lane closures on I-840 for spot milling and paving between MM 53-61.

SUMNER COUNTY

 Daily, 9AM-3PM, There will be lane closures on Vietnam Veterans Blvd (SR 386) in both directions for pavement repair.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY

 Tuesday, March 2, 8PM-5AM, There will be a lane closure on I-40 at MM 183 to repair shoulder.

WILSON COUNTY

 Sunday, March 7, 6AM-8AM, Comcast will have rolling roadblocks on I-840 near exit 72 for aerial fiber crossing.

Motorists are encouraged to use caution and obey reduced speed limits in all TDOT work zones, regardless of lane closure activity. Information in this report is provided to the Department of Transportation by the contractors. Most work is weather dependent and subject to change due to inclement weather.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

###
US President Joe Biden has criticised the relaxation of Covid restrictions in Texas. Photo: Alex Brandon/ AP Photo

US President Joe Biden has described the decision to wind down virus restrictions in Texas  Americas second biggest state  as Neanderthal thinking.

Republican governor Greg Abbotts repeal of most Covid-19 restrictions  saying it was time to open Texas 100pc  reverberated across the state and to the White House, a day after one of the countrys most dramatic rollbacks of rules intended to slow the spread of the virus.

The end of Texass mask mandate is giving Lucy Alanis second thoughts about one of her occasional indulgences during the coronavirus pandemic: dining at restaurants.

I guess Im a little scared, said Ms Alanis (27), a florist in Dallas.

Businesses in Texas shed rules, city leaders plotted new safeguards and the states five million schoolchildren largely remained under orders to keep wearing masks, at least for now.

The pushback to Mr Abbotts decision included one of his own pandemic advisers, who said he was not consulted before the announcement.

Texas has another week before the mandates end, but what daily life will look like after that remains unsettled after Mr Abbott made the state the biggest in the US to no longer require masks, which health experts say is among the most effective ways to curb the spread of the virus.

The mask mandate, which has been in place since last July, and occupancy limits on restaurants and stores end next Wednesday.

Already, some stores announced they still will not allow maskless customers.

Read More

It is yet another test for businesses that have struggled to strike a balance between safety and survival over the past year.

Houston police chief Art Acevedo said his officers will continue wearing masks.

He criticised Mr Abbott over the repeal and worries about more aggressive encounters like one in December, when a customer confronted over a mask at a Houston bar smashed a glass over an employees head.

We can see conflict coming, sadly, Mr Acevedo said.

And I think that a lot of this is going to be self-inflicted.

Mr Abbott said personal vigilance among Texans remained essential but that mandates were no longer needed, emphasising the increasing availability of vaccines.

On Wednesday, Texas health officials announced that teachers and childcare workers were now eligible to be vaccinated.

The virus has killed more than 43,000 people in Texas. The only US states to have suffered more are California and New York.

Like most of the country, new cases statewide have fallen rapidly in recent weeks from record levels in January. But the toll still remains significant, including nearly 300 newly reported deaths on Wednesday.

Still, federal health officials warn that the pandemic is far from over and that states should not let their guard down. Even one of Mr Abbotts own pandemic advisers disagreed with the move.

I dont think this is the right time, said Dr Mark McClellan, former head of the Food and Drug Administration, who has revealed he was not consulted before the repeals were announced.

Texas has been making some real progress but its too soon for full reopening and to stop masking around others.
By Eli Walsh

Bay City News Foundation

Nearly three-quarters of Santa Cruz County's population of adults age 65 and older have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, county health officials said Thursday.

Some 73 percent of county residents 65 and older have received at least one dose while 82 percent of residents 75 and older have received at least one dose, according to Dr. David Ghilarducci, the county's EMS medical director and deputy health officer.

"We know that we still have some work to do in that group and we're going to continue to focus on that group," Ghilarducci said Thursday during a briefing on the pandemic. "But these are really remarkable numbers."

The county is now sixth in the state by vaccinations per capita, Ghilarducci added.

Santa Cruz County also received its first shipment Thursday morning of the coronavirus vaccine developed by Johnson and Johnson, which only requires one dose. The shipment added 1,300 doses to the county's stockpile, according to Ghilarducci.

With local vaccinations progressing and falling case rates, county Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said Santa Cruz County is likely to fall out of the most-restrictive purple tier of the state's pandemic reopening system as soon as next week.

"Nothing changes the fact that our disease trajectory is in a very positive mode," Newel said. "We continue in a very steep trajectory in terms of case rates, hospitalizations and deaths."

The move out of the purple tier and into the red tier will allow the county to reopen businesses and activities like indoor dining, indoor gyms and indoor movie theaters.

Newel also floated that state officials could soon announce new guidance allowing outdoor activities like professional sports, theater performances and amusement parks to reopen as soon as April 1.

Santa Cruz County is expected to join the state's MyTurn vaccination scheduling tool on March 15, county officials said. At that time, it will also come under the purview of Blue Shield of California, which has contracted with the state as a third-party administrator of the vaccination rollout.

On March 15, the county will also be able to make vaccines available to residents ages 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions, including cancer, obesity, pregnancy and heart disease.

Santa Cruz County residents can find more information on vaccine availability and eligibility at https://www.santacruzhealth.org.

Copyright  2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
On paper, the job of running the lesser-known Domestic Policy Council is a small role for someone who made the short list for vice president and later hoped for a top national security job.

It is still too early to judge how much clout she will have in an administration well-stocked with domestic policy experts. And it is not clear what role she might play in working through matters that will require some buy-in from Republicans on Capitol Hill, given her self-described role as recyclable boogeyman of the right.

But Ms. Rice, one of the few senior Black women officials in the West Wing, has been brought in with a mandate to elevate the council and to operate as part of a policy troika alongside Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, and Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council.

And colleagues say Ms. Rice, well known for her sharp edges, is not shy about asserting herself.

She has made it so that shes always going to have a seat at the table, or shes going to break in the door, said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary. People knew that when she came in.

This was not where she originally thought she would end up. But during the transition, when it was unclear whether Democrats would win control of the Senate, Ms. Rices conversations with the Biden team switched from cabinet positions, like defense secretary and secretary of state, to White House roles that would not require Senate confirmation. The inevitable relitigation by Republicans of Ms. Rices role in responding to the 2012 terrorist attack on the American mission in Benghazi, Libya, which left four Americans dead, was not what anyone believed would be a ticket to a speedy or successful confirmation.
The provinces auditor general says he is examining allegations involving Manitoba Hydro, although he wouldnt elaborate.

The provinces auditor general says he is "examining allegations" involving Manitoba Hydro, although he wouldnt elaborate.

Tyson Shtykalo confirmed the investigation after the provincial NDP caught wind of the probe and issued a news release on Thursday.

Brandon Sun Files Tyson Shtykalo, Manitoba's Auditor General.

The New Democrats also raised the issue in the legislature, claiming the investigation centred on government interference in Hydros affairs.

Shtykalo would not provide specifics about the nature of his offices investigation.

"I can confirm that we are examining allegations involving Manitoba Hydro," he said in a brief statement. "This includes conducting interviews, requesting evidence and other procedures. Due to confidentiality provisions within The Auditor General Act, I will not comment further on our ongoing work.

"Should I choose to issue a report on the findings, it will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly and also made available publicly at that time."

Manitoba Hydro said the corporation would co-operate fully with any investigation, and it had no further comment.

Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton said he would "welcome any report" by the auditor general. He wouldnt speculate on the nature of the investigation.

The Free Press reported last month that some Manitoba Hydro employees had begun discussions with the auditor generals office about what they felt was unfair treatment.

Staff members with Hydros subsidiary, Manitoba Hydro International, have worried about their employment future for a number of months. There were persistent rumours that parts of the company would be sold or wound down.

Hydro president and CEO Jay Grewal recently announced that all units of MHI would continue to operate, except for its international consultancy arm, which will be wound down when all existing contract obligations are met. All permanent MHI staff will be offered employment at Hydro, the corporation said.

In September, the NDP asked the auditor general to investigate alleged government interference in the operations of Manitoba Hydro International, citing instructions from a government bureaucrat forbidding the corporation from bidding on a provincial telecommunications contract.

NDP Hydro critic Adrien Sala confirmed Thursday the auditor generals investigation was not a response to the political partys complaint last fall.

Meanwhile, NDP Leader Wab Kinew welcomed the probe.

"If this government is going to unjustly undermine the success of MHI or of Hydro as a whole, then the people of Manitoba deserve to hear about it," he told reporters.

The NDP says the Pallister government broke provincial law last year when it instructed Hydro not to bid on the telecom contract without informing the public within three months of issuing the directive.

The NDP also raised concerns that former Treasury Board secretary Paul Beauregard, a former Bell and Manitoba Telecom Services executive, had issued the directive on behalf of the government.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
Virtual Vocations Employer Partners shared more than 700 job openings to the companys remote job board in 2020. We are proud to partner with these employers and help them reach qualified, experienced applicants suited for their remote job openings. Virtual Vocations CEO and co-founder Laura Spawn

A new report from one of the webs leading remote job boards shines a spotlight on some of the top employers for remote work in 2021.

Founded in 2007 by CEO Laura Spawn and CTO Adam Stevenson, Virtual Vocations has connected jobseekers with legitimate, hand-screened remote job openings for the last 14 years, and along the way, the company has teamed up with more than 4,000 remote-enabled employers as part of its growing Employer Partner program.

These businesses undergo a thorough vetting process before working directly with the Virtual Vocations team to amplify their work from home vacancies, including by appearing in email alerts that reach over 800,000 remote jobseekers and by contributing to Virtual Vocations massive, searchable remote jobs database.

In 2020, 178 Employer Partners shared a combined more than 700 remote job openings with the qualified professionals who use Virtual Vocations to find at-home workand in its latest report, Virtual Vocations is highlighting the top 25 employers that contributed the most to that number with their new listings.

Released Monday, Virtual Vocations second annual list ranking its Top 25 Employer Partners for Remote Work in 2021 features both new and long-standing members of the Virtual Vocations Employer Partner program that represent a variety of home-based career fields, including information technology (IT), healthcare, sales, and education.

The report also cites recent job data and statistics to break down how hiring by these Employer Partners was affected by COVID-19.

As more companies transitioned to virtual work models or expanded remote hiring strategies amid the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 also brought 96 new businesses and organizations to our Employer Partner program, said Virtual Vocations CEO Laura Spawn. We are proud to partner with these employers and help them reach qualified, experienced applicants suited for their remote job openings.

The top 10 businesses featured in Virtual Vocations list of best Employer Partners for remote work in 2021 are as follows:

1. Achieve Test Prep

2. Virbela

3. eXp Realty

4. Honey Bar Media, Inc.

5. Uscreen

6. Boldly

7. TTEC

8. PSG Global Solutions

9. Skybridge Americas

10. Study.com

To see the full list of Top 25 Employer Partners for Remote Work in 2021 or to learn more about Virtual Vocations Employer Partner program, visit: https://www.virtualvocations.com/blog/annual-statistical-remote-work-reports/top-25-employer-partners-for-remote-work-in-2021/

ABOUT VIRTUAL VOCATIONS

Founded in 2007 by CEO Laura Spawn and her brother, CTO Adam Stevenson, Virtual Vocations is a small company with a big mission: to connect jobseekers with legitimate remote job openings. To date, Virtual Vocations has helped more than two million jobseekers in their quests for flexible, remote work.

In addition to providing a database that houses more than 40,000 current, hand-screened remote job openings at any given time, Virtual Vocations offers jobseekers a number of tools to aid in their job searches, including exclusive e-courses and downloadable content, and resume writing services. Virtual Vocations also releases several data-driven reports each year on current trends in remote work.

Virtual Vocations, Inc. is a private, family-owned, and 100% virtual company incorporated in Tucson, Arizona.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Michelle Rawlings

michelle(at)virtualvocations(dot)com

1 (800) 379-5092 ext. 703

VirtualVocations.com
The police chief at the centre of the Nick scandal is under renewed pressure after an independent inquiry was launched into Scotland Yards failure to investigate two criminals who lied about a VIP paedophile ring.

Former deputy assistant commander Steve Rodhouse  gold commander of Operation Midland  and the Metropolitan Police were accused of failing to investigate the men known as A and B, who gave accounts that apparently backed up Carl Beech, aka Nick.

The allegation was among eight complaints made by former Tory MP Harvey Proctor over the Mets shambolic investigation into Beechs false claims of murder and abuse  accusations levelled at the entirely innocent Mr Proctor.

Former deputy assistant commander Steve Rodhouse  gold commander of Operation Midland  and the Metropolitan Police were accused of failing to investigate the men known as A and B

In a bombshell official review of Operation Midland in 2016, former High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques said that A and B had both deliberately lied.

He recommended that offences of attempting to pervert the course of justice be considered against them.

But despite Sir Richards report being fully accepted by the Met chief at the time, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the force did not probe them.

It has repeatedly refused to explain why the men, who have shocking criminal records and a history of making false allegations of abuse, were not investigated.

One of Mr Proctors complaints was passed on to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which recommended an outside force should investigate.

The police chief at the centre of the Nick scandal is under renewed pressure after an independent inquiry was launched into Scotland Yards failure to investigate two criminals who lied about a VIP paedophile ring. 'Nick', aka Carl Beech, is pictured above

Now, amid claims of a Scotland Yard cover-up over Operation Midland, Merseyside Police confirmed yesterday that officers were probing the forces failure to investigate A and B for criminal offences.

The inquiry would look at whether the Mets decision had been properly recorded, a statement said.

In an email seen by the Mail, an investigating officer told Mr Proctor: I have now prepared an investigation plan ... and I am in possession of a number of documents from Operation Midland that will assist me with my investigation.

The Met  which has fought a rearguard action to protect officers on Midland  said Mr Proctors complaint was assessed by its appropriate authority, which found it was not for Mr Rodhouse to decide to investigate A or B.

The Merseyside force is expected to investigate if he was consulted over the decision not to probe A and B, whose lies prolonged Operation Midland and wasted public money.

It is not clear whether investigators plan to interview Mr Rodhouse, who is now second-in-command at the National Crime Agency on a 300,000-a-year package.

In 2017, he was controversially cleared of alleged misconduct in Operation Midland after just three months and without being interviewed by watchdogs.

Sir Richard raised grave concerns about the failure to investigate A and B in his recent open letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel, which was published in the Mail last month. She subsequently told MPs that she intended to speak to Sir Richard about Operation Midland.

Sir Richard insists police led by Mr Rodhouse obtained search warrants to raid the homes of VIPs unlawfully, a claim supported by Howard Riddle, the former district judge who granted them.

As part of Operation Midland, Mr Proctors home was raided along with those of the former head of the Armed Forces Lord Bramall and former home secretary Lord Brittan.

It later emerged that all the claims were based on lies by Beech, who was jailed for 18 years in 2019 for perverting the course of justice and other offences.

Last night Mr Proctor said he hoped the investigation would be full, thorough and transparent.

He added: There should now be a full public inquiry to consider the judges comments on Operation Midland.
Minister-designate of Trade and Industry Alan Kyerematen could be delivering the 2021 government budget statement in Parliament on 12 March, sources at the Office of the President have told Asaase News.



Popularly known as Alan Cash, the minister-designate is expected to be sworn into office soon by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



Traditionally, it is the Minister for Finance who does the presentation of the annual budget statement on behalf of the government, however, Ken Ofori-Atta, who is the presidents representative at the ministry is yet to be vetted by Parliaments Appointments Committee due to ill-health.



Ofori-Atta is currently in Minnesota, USA, undergoing treatment for post-COVID-19 complications.



Longer stay in USA

Information available to Asaase News indicate that Ofori-Atta is responding to treatment. However, his doctors have requested to observe his recovery for another two weeks.



Our source also confirmed Ofori-Atta has been participating and contributing virtually in all the ongoing preparatory work ahead of the budget presentation to Parliament. Ahead of the budget presentation, Cabinet will meet to finalise it.



Ofori-Atta left Ghana for the United States on Sunday 14 February 2021. The Ministry of Finance in a press statement explained that he was traveling for treatment following complications after recovering from COVID-19.



He recovered from the virus last December and has since had some medical complications.



After recovering from COVID-19 last December, Ofori-Atta has had medical complications which doctors advise, require further interventions not currently available in Ghana, the statement from the Ministry said.



He was expected to be vetted by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday 8 March 2021. In light of his unavailability in the country, the date for his vetting is certainly going to be rescheduled.







Source: asaaseradio









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo delivers remarks after U.S. President-elect Joe Biden announced her as his Commerce Secretary nominee at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del., on Jan. 8, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Bidens Commerce Chief Gina Raimondo Praises Trumps China Tariffs as Effective

President Joe Bidens pick for Commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo, on Thursday acknowledged that the tariffs on China imposed by former President Donald Trump have been effective, in comments that signal the current administration wont soon roll back the highly contentious duties.

The data show that those tariffs have been effective, Raimondo, who was confirmed to her Cabinet role on Tuesday, told MSNBC. What President Biden has said is there will be a whole-of-government review of all of these policies and decide what it makes sense to maintain.

Trump imposed tariffs on billions of Chinese products in an effort to confront the Chinese Communist Partys unfair trade practices, including its massive government subsidies to Chinese companies.

His administration also placed tariffs on $360 billion worth of Chinese goods, including imported steel and aluminium, in response to the regimes expansive state-sanctioned campaign to steal U.S. intellectual property (IP).

It also entered into trade negotiations with the regime in an attempt to force Beijing to overhaul such practices, as well as currency manipulation.

China retaliated with tariffs on more than $110 billion in U.S. products.

Raimondo suggested that the Biden administration plans to take a hard line on Beijing, and would be tough on China in a whole of government response.

First, we have to be honest which is to say Chinas behavior is anti-competitive, coercivetheir human rights are horrific. And they need to be held account for that, she said, noting that she intends to hold Beijing accountable by using the Department of Commerces Entity List.

She described the list as a powerful tool that can be used to push back against the behavior of Chinese telecommunications companies.

Raimondo previously refused to commit to keeping Huawei Technologies on the list, which would stop it from acquiring American technology. That prompted Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to place a temporary hold on her confirmation.

Since then, she has said that the Biden administration sees no reason to remove Huawei from the list.

I understand that parties are placed on the Entity List and the Military End User List generally because they pose a risk to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, Raimondo said last month, Bloomberg reported. I currently have no reason to believe that entities on those lists should not be there. If confirmed, I look forward to a briefing on these entities and others of concern.

Chinese telecommunication companies, their behavior is a threat to American economic and national security. We are going to use the entities list to its full effect, she elaborated on Thursday.

Raimondo added: Theres no one tool in our toolbox, but we have to recognize the magnitude that Chinas behaviorthe threat that it poses.

Biden hasnt yet signaled whether he plans to abolish the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. His team has remained elusive on details despite projecting a tough-on-China image.

The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times.

Eva Fu contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON - Republican Senators John Cornyn, of Texas, and Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, criticized President Joe Biden's plans to scale back oil and gas drilling on federal lands Friday as threatening the nation's energy security while doing little to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Since taking office Biden has put a temporary pause on federal oil and gas leasing, which includes the Gulf of Mexico, while his administration considers longer-term measures to reduce the amount of fossil fuel production.

"The industry is under assault from people who claim to be all of the above," Cornyn said of the Biden administration, during a talk at the IHS Markit CERAWeek conference. "Really they want to eliminate or restrict the very (energy) we need to keep our economies moving."

Oil-rich states like Texas and Alaska are likely to be particularly hard hit by Biden's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And moderate Republicans like Murkowksi are considered critical to Biden's bid to enact legislation addressing climate change.

The pause in leasing has been particularly damaging on Alaska's North Slope, where drillers only have a short window each winter to conduct exploration, when snow and ice protect the delicate permafrost, Murkowski said.

"We are not a manufacturing state," she said. "You can do that in certain areas, but in order for manufacturing states to happen you need the case resource first and that's what states like Alaska and Texas provide."

Biden has proposed reducing U.S. dependence on fossil fuels by shifting the economy towards electric vehicles and renewable forms of power like wind turbines.

But in the meantime, there is concern among Republicans and some Democrats that by reducing oil and gas production on federal lands and waters the United States will be forced to import increasing amounts of those commodities from abroad.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, who was also speaking at CERAWeek, questioned where the United States would secure lithium and other rare earth minerals necessary to produce electric vehicles, of which it currently has little supplies of its own.

"Everyone says they want electric cars, but do you know where the batteries come from and the minerals," he asked. "It's being done by families and child labor (abroad). You;re going back to the times of kids going into coal mines."

Like Texas and Alaska, West Virginia stands to lose heavily under the transition away from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, both of which are produced in the state.

Biden has promised to take care of those workers who lose their jobs in the energy transition, something Manchin said he expected the president to carry through on.

"We've done everything this country asked. We produced the energy," he said of West Virginians. "And now we're not good enough, were not green enough, we're not smart enough. Don't tell me you're going to retrain them. You better get them some jobs."
"Lord, we pray for the Church to pursue a mighty movement that encourages Judeo-Christian values in the civil arena of our American culture."

That's the rallying cry of Intercessors for America (IFA), a ministry committed to the discipline of prayer and fasting over the state and concerns of the nation.

"Believers in Christ have to recognize that God did create government and we MUST be involved in praying for and encouraging godly government so "we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness," they said while quoting 2 Timothy 2:2-4 which states,

"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

The IFA encouraged believers to be persistent in their prayers and to not allow the incidents that happened in the past months to negatively affect them. In light of former President Trump's CPAC speech on Sunday evening, the organization elaborated the reasons why intercessors must support Donald Trump through prayers.

The Urgency and Need to Take a Stand on Godly Values in the Political Arena

The IFA noted the frequent mention of "movement" by Mr. Trump during his speech.

".. he mentioned the word movement nine different times, qualifying the movement as "our" movement."

Defining "movement" as "a group of people committed to a series of acts working toward a desired end and reform," the IFA affirmed that "reform" is at the core of every American regardless of religious affiliation.

"This large group of people - Christian or not - seemed connected with Romans 13:4, which describes the government as "agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."

The IFA further asserts that while justice is still a long way, there was still victory over the past four years of Trump's presidency through the "obvious exposure of the corruption and injustice in (the) government."

Since the "uprooting" of corruption in the government could not be done overnight, much less by only one person, the IFA urges believers in Christ to "take a stand" and to "fight for godly values."

The urgency springs from the recently signed Executive Orders from the White House that are anti-God which the IFA worded as "attempts to redefine God's created order." An example cited was the HR 5 - more known as the "Equality Act."

These orders that are being carried out under the Biden administration horrify believers that are subscribed to the Judeo-Christian values, thus, the organization hopes for state legislators to "place ironclad legislation to prevent (electoral) fraud in the future."

Until then, The IFA underscored the importance of prayer -being the Christians' civic duty- and to not neglect the sharing of the Gospel.

"Our ability to lead peaceful lives is directly connected to our ability to share the Gospel!"

Supporting Politicians that Uphold Biblical Values Does Not Necessarily Mean Endorsement

Again in his CPAC speech, Trump reiterated the need to uphold the Judeo-Christian values held by America's Founding Fathers from which the Constitution was based.

"We are committed to defending innocent life and upholding the Judeo-Christian values of our founding fathers...free thought," he said.

"We know the rule of law is the ultimate safeguard. And we affirm that the Constitution means exactly what it says..." Mr. Trump added.

The IFA noted that the following are consistent to Biblical values:

"Protection of the unborn."

"The values of the Bible."

"Freedom to express our beliefs."

"The rule of law."

"The Constitution as it was written."

These values, according to The IFA, are valid reasons for a believer to support "ANY elected official" be it now or in the future.

"God is neither a Republican or Democrat. God is God and He is above all party politics. He calls His Church to be engaged in culture today-sharing the Gospel, caring for the poor, AND being engaged in the political arena," it said.

"We pray for all politicians - current and future - to embrace the God of the Bible and seek to secure the freedom of the Church to follow Christ."

Naomi Rosenblum, who wrote about the history of photography and helped elevate it as an art form, died on Feb. 19 at her home in Long Island City, Queens. She was 96.

The cause was congestive heart failure, her family said.

Dr. Rosenblum was the author of seminal works that helped bring scholarship and recognition to photography as a creative art form after practitioners, notably Alfred Stieglitz, had revolutionized the field by defying the conventions of subject matter and composition  creating images in the rain and snow, for example, or of a pattern that the sea cut in the sand.

Histories of photography traditionally focused on England, France and the United States. But Dr. Rosenblums major contribution, A World History of Photography (1984), provided a true global perspective. The book was translated into several languages and remains a standard text in the field.
A LOVE of the Irish language and the country's history as well as a strong belief in the importance of education have shaped Carol Nolan's life since childhood.

Now a high-profile Independent TD, the primary school teacher and Cadamstown native was originally elected a Sinn Fein Dail Deputy for Offaly in 2016 but left the party after a very public falling out over the contentious issue of abortion in June 2018.

She was re-elected as an Independent member for the reconstituted Laois/ Offaly five-seater last year and sits in Dail Eireann as a member of the Rural Group of Independent TDs.

In her youth she was strongly influenced by three women - Ms Fitzgerald, a retired teacher her family lived beside in Portlaoise, Mrs Ryan, who taught her in 5th and 6th class in Kinnitty N.S. and Mrs Keogh, a brilliant and gifted Irish teacher in Kilcormac Vocational School.

In her careers both as a teacher and politician Deputy Nolan said she hasn't encountered any barriers which she believes were gender based.

And she disagrees with the assertion that politics is especially challenging for women.

I dont think politics is any different or any more challenging than the hard work that so many women do in terms of farming, nursing, teaching, Garda duties or shift work in factories, Deputy Nolan told the Tribune.

But, she added there is an issue in terms of women becoming involved in politics which may be attributed to men dominating this area for so long but I believe that is starting to change.

In order to encourage a greater number of women to be involved in poltics, the Offaly TD feels that younger women participating in debating and in campaigning at second and third level would possibly lead to greater participation.

While not going into detail into her resignation from Sinn Fein, she stated all I would say on that issue is that it has contributed significantly to reinforcing my belief in the importance of sticking to your principles in politics.

I remain a passionate Republican who cares deeply about our language, our rural culture and our history, she stressed.

What has deeply encouraged me, however, is that since then, almost three years ago now, my constituents have come to appreciate and endorse me as an Independent TD who will keep her word and work tirelessly for them, with or without a party. I have forged my own distinct identity and the people have been happy to elect me on that basis.

Deputy Nolan said that as an Independent TD it was easier to develop my own voice and have that heard.

She stressed she was able to offer a distinct, individual political view, unconstrained by a party whip system.

But, in terms of getting my message out there, she claimed it was more difficult accessing national or sometimes even local media platforms.

Asked if she would be amenable to serving in Government in future as part of a broad coalition Deputy Nolan said she would certanly be open to engaging as constructively as possible on this issue.

But what I would say is that I would never serve in Government merely for an opportunity to advance my own career. The only clear criteria that guides me is whether being in or out will improve the lives of my constituents. There is always a genuine need for a robust opposition just as there is always a need for strong stable governance.

She prediceted that the economic, social and health fall-out from Covid and Brexit will shape this country for the next few years.

So much of this will also involve tackling the massive problems that Government has allowed to build up, outlined Deputy Nolan stating that the waiting lists in all areas of health are going to be significant.

She added that the horticultural and forestry sectors are on the brink of complete destabilisation and the agriculture sector, especially beef and suckler farming, demands greater levels of price transparency.

The Offaly TD stressed that solutions to these problems will have to be delivered upon. She added that housing is and will also remain a clear priority that any future Government must get serious about tackling.

Deputy Nolan added that future policy priorities must also involve a complete reassessment of the Just Transition process and more broadly the entire decarbonisation agenda.

It is also vitally important that we engage with the issue of educational disadvantage and the need to properly resource education at all levels, said the former primary teacher.

She stressed the overarching policy priority [of Government] has to be about asking a simple and fundamental question; who is this policy really benefitting? If is not the people, then who?

 We must return the interests of ordinary people to the centre of all our policies, added Deputy Nolan claiming that at present there is far too much aspiration and far too little pragmatism within Government policy.
A failed economy will have just as much fallout and casualties as Covid-19. We are heading into total destruction as many citizens are on the breadline already and with this new lockdown enforcement by the Government, its the final nail in the coffin.
Butterflies are important pollinators for a host of important food crops and trees and are ephemerally attractive. And they're rapidly vanishing in the western United States.

According to a report published in the journal Science, climate change leads to extensive butterfly loss in the western United States. The authors discovered downward declines in a majority of butterflies, including typically common species like the west coast woman, using three separate long-term datasets from the western United States.

Related Article: Gray Whale and Monarch Butterfly Face Extinction with Dropping Population

Climate Change

Climate change was found to be the most important indicator of butterfly declines, particularly in areas that have experienced warming in the fall months, according to the report. Warming in the fall puts the butterflies under more tension as they prepare to overwinter. Increased precipitation elicited an optimistic response in butterflies, leading to the West's growing anxiety over climate change-induced drought.

More than 200 cities across the United States are seeing colder fall seasons, with the Southwest experiencing the largest temperature rises. Fall temperatures in Arizona, for example, have increased by 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1895. That may explain why the west coast lady, a bright orange-and-black butterfly, has been declining at a 3 percent annual pace in the state.

Population Decline

The western monarch butterfly's population has declined by 99.9%, and it was recently refused protection under the US Endangered Species Act. However, according to the study, lesser-known species such as the Boisduval's blue butterfly and California's state moth, the California dogface butterfly, are on the verge of extinction.

The authors found a 96 percent chance that butterfly abundance has declined by 1.6 percent each year over the past four decades in 72 locations and 262 species.

Dr. Tara Cornelisse, an entomologist and senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, said, "That so many of our butterflies are dwindling is rather troubling." "Such declines serve as a stark reminder that we must drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions to conserve these lovely and cherished butterflies, as well as our way of life."

This study's rate of decline follows other recent reports of overall insect mortality, with many scientists reporting that the planet is losing 1-2 percent of terrestrial insects per year, or 10% per decade. Up to 40% of insect species may become extinct in the near future.

Causes

Habitat destruction, pesticides, climate change, and other threats have been identified as causes of global insect declines. However, the extinction of once-common, wide-ranging species demonstrates that any one challenge is insufficient to justify overall declines.

"To conserve insects, we need a multi-pronged solution. This new study adds to the growing body of evidence that, in addition to habitat conservation and pesticide reform, a comprehensive approach to climate change policy is required," Cornelisse said.

Conservation

The study's mix of academic and community data was described as "elegant" by conservation biologist Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

"It contributes to our awareness of what's happening with insects and insect loss around the world," says Black, who was not interested in the research. "The important lesson from this article is the general finding that climate change is a significant cause of butterfly decline."

Individual people can also help protect butterflies and other insects at home by cultivating native plants and refraining from pesticides. He claims it doesn't matter whether you have a little backyard or run a national park.

People should also be curious about their surroundings and report what they see, leading to citizen science websites that have grown in popularity due to the pandemic.

"This research would not have been possible without all those people who are interested in taking photos, seeing butterflies, and enjoying time in nature," Prudic says.

ALSO READ: The Evolution of Glow-in-the-Dark Insects, Shows Study

For the most recent updates from the animal kingdom, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press conference before the opening of a mass Covid-19 vaccination site in the Queens borough of New York, on Feb. 24, 2021. (Seth Wenig/AFP via Getty Images)

Christine Blasey Fords Lawyer Is Representing One of Andrew Cuomos Accusers

The lawyer who represented Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs accuser is representing one of the women who has accused Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment.

Katz, Marshall, and Banks LLP issued a press release Wednesday announcing that attorney Debra Katz will represent Charlotte Bennett in her allegations against the governor.

Katz represented Christine Blasey Ford in September 2018 when Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in high school. The Senate Judiciary Committee ultimately found no evidence to corroborate Fords claims against him.

Bennett told the New York Times that Cuomo asked her about her sex life, asked her whether she practiced monogamy, whether she was interested in older men, and discussed her past sexual assault with her in an uncomfortable manner.

Bennett also said that Cuomo suggested he was open to dating women her age and that she believes he was grooming her.

Ms. Bennett will cooperate fully with the Attorney Generals investigation, Katz said in a Monday statement.

We are confident that no disinterested investigator who reviews this evidence would adopt the Governors self-serving characterization of his behavior as mentorship or, at worst, unwanted flirtation, Katz said. He was not acting as a mentor and his remarks were not misunderstood by Ms. Bennett. He was abusing his power over her for sex. This is textbook sexual harassment.

Exclusive video footage obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation in September 2019 showed Katz saying that putting an asterisk next to Kavanaughs name before he takes a scalpel to Roe v. Wade was part of what motivated Ford to speak out.

In the aftermath of these hearings, I believe that Christines testimony brought about more good than the harm misogynist Republicans caused by allowing Kavanaugh on the court, Katz said in April 2019, speaking at the University of Baltimores 11th Feminist Legal Theory Conference, Applied Feminism and #MeToo.

He will always have an asterisk next to his name, Katz continued. When he takes a scalpel to Roe v. Wade, we will know who he is, we know his character, and we know what motivates him, and that is important; it is important that we know, and that is part of what motivated Christine.

The video was first reported by Ryan Lovelace in his book, Search and Destroy: Inside the Campaign Against Brett Kavanaugh. Lovelace told the DCNF at the time that it calls into question everything that Ford and Katz have previously said  and that if this information was known during the September hearings, there might have been different questions and different results.

The Womens Bar Association awarded Katz with the Dare to Make an Impact award and the Victim Rights Law Center awarded her with the 2019 Leadership Award for her work on the Kavanaugh case. Shes been recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as one of Washingtons 150 Most Powerful Women, and is currently representing ousted Health and Human Services official Dr. Rick Bright.

President Joe Bidens accuser Tara Reade told the DCNF in April 2020 that she reached out to Katz and her fellow attorney Lisa Banks, who also represented Blasey Ford, for help with her allegations against Biden. The attorneys did not answer her or offer her help, Reade said.

Katz and Banks did not answer repeated requests for comment from the DCNF at the time as to why they represented ousted vaccine expert Bright and not Reade.

In a Sunday evening statement, Cuomo apologized if his actions were misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.

I never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm, he said. I spend most of my life at work and colleagues are often also personal friends.

I do, on occasion, tease people in what I think is a good natured way, Cuomo said. I do it in public and in private. You have seen me do it at briefings hundreds of times. I have teased people about their personal lives, their relationships, about getting married or not getting married. I mean no offense and only attempt to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business.

Katz suggested that Cuomos statement demonstrates that the problem is a systemic one.

The Attorney General must investigate whether other women were subjected to a sexually hostile work environment, Katz said. It is also critical for the Attorney General to determine if anyone in the Cuomo Administration enabled his behavior.

Katz did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF for this story.

By Mary Margaret Olohan

From The Daily Caller News Foundation
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As climate change continues to impact agriculture worldwide, a conference aimed at advancing technological cooperation in agriculture and water was held in Tel Aviv this week with senior government representatives from Israel and Africa along with investors from the United Arab Emirates and Israeli agricultural technology companies.

From left to right: Irina Nevzlin, Founder and Chairman of IMPROVATE, and Ronit Hasin Hochman, CEO of IMPROVATE (Photo: Yanni Yacial) (PRNewsfoto/IMPROVATE)

IMPROVATE Agriculture and Water discussed the challenges facing the UAE and African nations in ensuring food security in the face of adverse climate conditions, and the opportunities for Israeli companies in these countries.

To watch the full broadcast of Improvate Agriculture & Water In Arid Areas Conference Click Here.

IMPROVATE Founder and Chair Irina Nevzlin said the Abraham Accords, as well as bringing big changes in the Middle East and strengthening relationships, had brought about an opportunity for countries to cooperate and exchange knowledge and expertise. "As Israel's landscape is very similar to that of the UAE, including the desert areas, the innovative methods developed for agricultural technology in Israel can be a valuable asset and focal point for partnering with the UAE and other Middle East countries."

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alon Schuster said Israel's desert climate and limited natural resources had led it to develop advanced agricultural technologies that today are at the forefront of global development: "The Israeli agricultural sector offers agricultural technologies to increase efficiency and yields, while generating maximum returns in all fields of agriculture, in challenging climate and soil conditions... Fruitful collaboration will enable us to share our experiences with our partners to a desert climate and to a reality of increasing desertification, and to learn together and share our knowledge and experience to create more efficient and sustainable agriculture that will ensure global food security."

Yesh Atid Chairman and leader of the opposition, MK Yair Lapid addressed the global coronavirus crisis: "When the pandemic is finally over, we will be left with the global economic crisis. The solution to that crisis will be twofold: Technology and cooperation. The countries that innovate, that upgrade, that look forward, and that work together, will surge ahead. Israel is one of those countries, and so is the UAE."

Former Mossad deputy director, MK Ram Ben Barak said the world needs to look ahead and understand that in some 35 years' time its current population will double and there is an urgent need to make plans to feed those people: "We need to support agriculture, we need to develop new technologies to get more out of one acre than we do today, and we need to develop use of water, because in the future there could be a day when there is not enough food in the world."

Senior UAE officials, bankers and investors who participated in the conference said Israeli technologies had much to offer Gulf nations as they seek to increase local food production and ensure food security.

Dr. Kamel Abdallah, Senior managing director and executive board advisor at Vita F&B capital, said that national food security has been a long-term objective for the UAE for many years and that the government's focus has shifted from availability and affordability to self-sufficiency and local production: "We are investing in companies that can bring technology so that we can bypass the harsh environment so that we can produce food locally. We are looking at different technologies for production in our harsh climate, focusing on reducing water use and building an environment for high yields per hectare."

Sheikha Hend Faisal Al Qasimi, an Emirati royal, businesswoman and philanthropist, said the UAE is heavily invested in food security and is investing in agricultural and water technologies: "With technology you can grow everything. By investing water and time and technology we can really turn things around and make the desert bloom."

Rahul Kale, Founder and CEO, Sunpower Renewables said urban and vertical farming would play a huge role in making sustainable communities a reality: "With solar storage becoming commercially viable, you can have vertical farming 24/7. I think the advent of solar storage will see a huge uptake in vertical greenery. Our products can add a lot of value to this industry."

IMPROVATE CEO, Ronit Hasin-Hochman: "Israeli water management and agricultural technologies can provide outstanding solutions for countries around the world. We are very pleased that recent peace agreements enable us to facilitate collaborations across countries and continents."

Attending the conference from Africa were Mr. Joseph Antoine Kasonga Mukuta, Minister of Agriculture from The Democratic Republic of Congo; Dr Deo-Guide Rurema, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Environment of Burundi; Mrs. Hadija Jabiri, the Founder and managing director of GBRI business solutions, EATFRESH from Tanzania; Mr. Tom Sillayo, General Manager of Faida Market Link Company, also from Tanzania; Mr. Lazare Ossende-Essanga, Director of Partnerships Promotion and Rural Entrepreneurship at the Gabon National Agricultural Development Agency.

Speaking from the studio in Tel Aviv, His Excellency Job Masima, Ambassador of Tanzania to Israel called on Israeli companies to come to Africa, noting that the continent has a rapidly growing population, is more stable politically than in the past, and that its economy is on the rise, with five out of 10 of the world's fastest growing economies located in Africa: "Once you come to Africa, you are coming to a vast land that is like all of China, all of the United States and all of Europe, so this is where you should be looking. Thirty percent of the world's arable land is in Africa. With this arable land we are capable of feeding 9 billion people. Africa is the future global powerhouse, come to Africa."

Among the companies presenting at the conference was Netafim, which for over 50 years has been a global leader in the advanced agriculture sector, and provides innovative agriculture solutions to millions of farmers, focusing on maximizing yields while saving on water and resources.

Elad Levi, Vice President Middle East & Africa at Netafim, said: "I strongly believe that the Middle East presents substantial opportunities for collaborations, with the fundamental purpose to ensure a sustainable and sufficient supply of high-quality fresh food produced within the region. Netafim is an expert in desert farming in the neighborhood in the Middle East and is willing to leverage this knowledge for the prosperity of the entire region and all its people."

Agricultural technology and research companies presenting at the conference:

SupPlant is an Israeli Ag-Tech company that translates plants into actionable insights to assist farmers around the world in making the best use of resources, increasing yields and saving water in an unpredictable climate reality.

GES is a veteran player in the water and wastewater treatment market. In its 31 years of activity, GES has successfully completed more than 300 projects in Israel and abroad.

NRGene is a software company, using artificial intelligence to analyze genomic big data, to optimize and accelerate natural breeding of plants and animals used for agricultural uses.

AlgaHealth is an Israeli biotech company pioneering the development of smart, cost-effective applications of microalgae.

WFI Group transforms water challenges into opportunities, via fresh thinking, breakthrough technologies, profound know-how and a dedicated caring team of water experts. Promoting the circular economy and creating financial and environmental value from water, and shifting from savings to growth.

Ramat Negev Desert Agro Research Center is an Agricultural research and development center, specializing in agriculture under desert conditions for over 60 years, in the Ramat Hanegev Regional Council.

About IMPROVATE

IMPROVATE is a platform that makes technology and innovation accessible to countries worldwide, with an emphasis on advancing Israeli technologies. Launched in September 2020, IMPROVATE operates out of London and Tel Aviv and connects leaders and decision-makers, and companies and investors with technology and innovation companies. IMPROVATE works through international conferences and business delegations and promotes deals between governments, organizations, and investors with innovation companies. Among IMPROVATE's Board members are former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, President Rosen Plevneliev  President of Bulgaria from 2010-2017, and IDF Major Gen. (Ret.) Amos Gilad.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1448842/IMPROVATE.jpg

SOURCE IMPROVATE

Related Links

https://improvate.net


Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Louisiana State Police have identified the man killed in a Jan. 13 crash as 20-year-old Dajun Mosely, of New Orleans.

The crash that occurred on Interstate 10 near Louisiana Avenue, according to LSP spokesperson Trooper Thomas Gossen.

Gossen has confirmed the vehicle involved in the crash was a stolen vehicle out of New Orleans. It was recognized by Iberville Parish Sheriffs deputies who pursued the car.

Spike strips were set up near the Louisiana Avenue exit, but the vehicle did not stop after passing over them.

The stolen vehicle entered a construction zone and crashed into a construction vehicle.

Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The driver of that stolen car was pronounced dead at the scene, Gossen said.

Three construction workers were transported to a local hospital for their injuries.

DA moves to revoke murder suspects bond after hes accused of beating childs bus driver The 16th Judicial District Attorneys Office has requested a judge revoke the bond of murder suspect Travis Layne Jr. after Layne was accused 
Julie Bishop thrilled fans when she showed off her new long hair again on Instagram this week.

The 64-year-old former Australian foreign minister flaunted her shoulder length tresses in a series of glamorous photos on Thursday.

'Back in Sydney (1st time since #covid_19 disrupted our lives!) for series of International Women's Day events,' she captioned the post.

Stunning: Julie Bishop thrilled fans when she showed off her new long hair again on Instagram this week

Julie looked chic in a pair of high-waisted black pants, which she paired with a crisp white shirt.

She wore black pointy-toe stilettos, and accessorised with expensive-looking jewellery, while her blonde hair was worn loose around her shoulders.

Fans were quick to comment on the post, praising Julie's elegant sense of style and begging her to return to politics.

Power dressing: Julie looked chic in a pair of high-waisted black pants, which she paired with a crisp white shirt

Comeback queen? Fans were quick to comment on the post, praising Julie's elegant sense of style and begging her to return to politics

Julie retired from federal politics back in 2019, and was the first woman to hold the role of deputy leader of the Liberal Party.

'Her passion that she has always brought to her role, the dignity and grace that she has always demonstrated in every single role she has held,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Parliament in February 2019.

'She is an incredibly classy individual. Her successor will have big shoes to fill, and we know that Julie has the best shoes in Parliament.'

Julie retired from federal politics back in 2019, and was the first woman to hold the role of deputy leader of the Liberal Party. Pictured in Parliament in April 2019

Straight to the top: Others urged Julie to go for the top job: 'What a different time it would be with you as PM'

Morrison has come under intense criticism in recent weeks for his handling of former political staffer Brittany Higgins' rape allegations.

Since Ms Higgins first spoke out in February, more allegations have been exposed against other Australian politicians and political staffers.

'We need a strong and intelligent woman like you,' commented one fan on Julie's Instagram post, while another wrote, 'Might be time for a political comeback.'

'She is an incredibly classy individual. Her successor will have big shoes to fill, and we know that Julie has the best shoes in Parliament,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison (left) said of Julie. Pictured together in Perth in May 2019

Added another: 'Love your hair looks fabulous! More importantly, we need strong, intelligent women like you to lead this country desperately.'

Others urged Julie to go for the top job: 'What a different time it would be with you as PM.'

'You must be churning with all the mess of Canberra!!!' wrote one person, while another commented, 'Words cannot express how much I wish you were our PM.'
The on Friday said that it is fed up with cut, copy and paste business done in this computer age by the High Courts, which don't apply their independent minds in their orders.

The remarks by a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and M R Shah came while dealing with a plea of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) against the Orissa High Court order upholding a decision of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) asking it to look into the matter of granting IAS cadre to a person.

It restored a disposed of plea before the High Court and said cut, copy and paste of Tribunal's verdict only "adds to the volume of pages but does not answer the core issue of appeal".

One of the problems of the computer-age is copying and pasting of orders. I am fed up when I come across orders of High Courts in which I see cut, copy and paste. This problem has grown. They don't apply their independent minds for the reasons, Justice Chandrachud said.

Justice Chandrachud further said, Reasons have to be given when orders are being affirmed. There has to independent application of mind.

The UPSC has challenged the order as the person was denied a place in IAS cadre due to disciplinary action against him.

The bench said that it is the UPSC rules and Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines which will hold ground on the issue.

It set aside the order of the High Court and restored the plea of UPSC against one Bibhu Prasad Sarangi and others there.

Advocate Subhranshu Padhi, appearing for Sarangi, who has filed a caveat said that the person in question has retired and the question is of only notional promotion.

Justice Shah said, We are on non-application of mind by the High Court. The tribunal order has been copied.

Padhi submitted that the tribunal has directed the UPSC to reconsider the case of the respondent (Sarangi) for promotion to the IAS cadre by reconvening the meeting of the selection committee and said that consequential benefits if any be given, if found eligible.

The bench said that high court has simply extracted the judgement of tribunal and said that since tribunal has elaborately discussed the question of law, no interference is warranted.

The UPSC has contended that tribunal has committed error and gone beyond its jurisdiction by granting relief to the respondent and the DoPT guidelines are only applicable for promotion and not in the facts of present case.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Being diagnosed with endometriosis doesnt mean a womans pathway to pregnancy in unachievable, but rather she has a higher risk of requiring fertility treatment down the road."

Shady Grove Fertility (SGF), a national leader in infertility and IVF care, honors Endometriosis Awareness Month by providing free resources throughout the month of March to help women diagnosed with endometriosis become pregnant. Endometriosis is a condition in which cells that ordinarily line the uterine cavity reside in the pelvis leading to cyclic pelvic pain, inflammation, and sometimes scarring in and around the Fallopian tubes.

As many as one-third to one-half of women struggle with getting pregnant when diagnosed with endometriosis. Any degree of endometriosis can have a significant impact on fertility. Therefore, it is important that patients see a fertility specialist shortly after receiving a diagnosis to discuss pregnancy options.

Being diagnosed with endometriosis doesnt mean a womans pathway to pregnancy in unachievable, but rather she has a higher risk of requiring fertility treatment down the road, explains Anthony Imudia, M.D., who sees patients in SGFs Wesley Chapel and Tampa - Westshore, FL, locations. While we recommend that women should try conceiving on their own for 6 to 12 months before seeking fertility treatment, women with known or suspected endometriosis, especially those with what is called stage 3 or 4 endometriosis, should seek a fertility evaluation sooner.

Endometriosis Q&A with Dr. Anthony Imudia

In support on women and couples affected Dr. Imudia hosted a virtual Endometriosis webinar on Tuesday, March 2. Attendees were able to ask Dr. Imudia questions about endometriosis including the following.

Q: What are common endometriosis symptoms? Can you have endometriosis and not experience symptoms?

Dr. Imudia: For women suspecting they have endometriosis, common symptoms include abnormally painful menstrual cramps, back pain or rectal pain during menstruation, and pain resulting from intercourse. Women with endometriosis can also experience pelvic pain (can be one-sided) days prior to ovulation stemming from scar tissue buildup and inflammation. However, some women experience no symptoms at all, and are only diagnosed when they struggle with conception. The only way to confirm an endometriosis diagnosis is through surgical evaluation of the pelvis.

Q: How do you diagnose stages of endometriosis?

Dr. Imudia: Stages of endometriosis can only be diagnosed by completing a laparoscopy to better gain a comprehensive assessment of lesions the patient may have.

Q: Does the stage of endometriosis a woman has indicate levels of infertility?

Dr. Imudia: No, the stages depend on which organs are affected. If the Fallopian tube is affected because of severe adhesions and cysts in the ovaries, then that will have more impact on fertility.

Q: How difficult is it to carry a baby full term with stage 3 or 4 endometriosis?

Dr. Imudia: For women with endometriosis, the main challenge is difficulty getting pregnant. However, once pregnant, carrying the pregnancy full-term is not an issue, and the patients quality of life improves because pain from endometriosis will subside with pregnancy.

SGF offers an on-demand Endometriosis webinar hosted by Naveed Khan, M.D. Viewers will learn about the causes and symptoms of endometriosis, and the treatments that are now available to help women conceive. With proper counseling and care, the chances of getting pregnant with endometriosis are high for most women.

Download Free Getting Pregnant with Endometriosis Resources

In addition to the free Endometriosis webinar hosted by Dr. Imudia, SGF encourages people to download its complimentary Getting Pregnant with Endometriosis eBook to inform and educate, covering topics such as:



common endometriosis symptoms,

how endometriosis is diagnosed,

the impact the condition has on fertility,

treatment options, and

the success rates associated with fertility treatment.

Patient stories from couples who have overcome infertility are also included. While endometriosis treatment approaches fall on a range of simple to complex, the eBook covers the topic from the patients point of view  with guidance dependent on symptoms and whether the woman is trying to conceive or not.

SGF physicians Andrea Reh, M.D., and Shruti Malik, M.D., who both see patients at SGFs Arlington office, recently joined Fox 5 Washington DC to discuss endometriosis and what women need to know about the condition. Watch the complete interview to learn more.

In many cases, seeing a fertility specialist early on in the process to discuss options ranging from insemination to IVF or other treatments is a good way to start [addressing endometriosis-linked infertility], and what I would recommend to most women, shares Dr. Malik during the interview when asked how to approach endometriosis and fertility treatment options.

Advocacy is an important aspect of Endometriosis Awareness Month. Whether its by women sharing their individual fertility story or supporting others struggling with endometriosis, this month provides a platform to join the conversation. Become a part of SGFs active community on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to empower and uplift other women struggling with endometriosis.

For people struggling to conceive, it may be time to consult a fertility specialist. Contact the SGF New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or complete a brief online request form to schedule a virtual fertility consult with an SGF physician. A virtual consult is the first step toward pursuing a pregnancy with the help of SGF.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)

SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 85,000 babies born and 5,000+ 5-star patient reviews. With 37 locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, SGF offers patients virtual physician consults, deliver individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including 100% refund guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. SGF is among the founding partner practices of US Fertility, the largest physician-owned, physician-led partnership of top-tier fertility practices in the U.S. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.
ROXBURY  Nearly $12,000 worth of personal protective equipment has been donated to the Roxbury Fire Department after its stockpile was destroyed last week during an intentionally set fire at the facility.

Ocean State Job Lot, a discount retailer that operates in the Northeast, delivered boxes of KN95 and medical masks, hand sanitizer, protective gowns, face shields and more to the fire department Thursday  five days after a disgruntled emergency medical technician allegedly set fire to Roxburys firehouse, as well as emergency services facilities in Meriden and Old Saybrook.

The 37-year-old suspect was taken into custody late Saturday in Pennsylvania.

Police said Richard White, of Torrington, got into a fight with a fellow Hunters Ambulance Services employee earlier that day after being placed on administrative leave during a disciplinary hearing.

What happened at the Roxbury Fire Department was a despicable act against the entire community, said Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundations executive director, David Sarlitto.

Ocean State Job Lots PPE donation not only replaced all the equipment Roxbury Fire Department lost in the fire, but added new items to its supply, as well.

Our first responders are doing most of the heavy lifting in our communities, so anything we can do to support them, we are eager and happy to do, Sarlitto said.

Ocean State Job Lot started organizing the donation to Roxbury within 24 hours of the fire at the suggestion of Rich Stomski, a Torrington resident and team leader of Ocean States Seymour store.

According to a news release from the company, Stomski heard the news and knew that the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation had the resources to provide the needed supplies in a timely manner.

Its truly horrible what happened in Roxbury, but Im glad that we were able to provide relief so quickly, said Stomski, who will be transferring to Ocean State Job Lots new store in Danbury once it opens.

The charitable foundation has provided about $25 million in financial and product donations during the pandemic, including $15 million in PPP to schools, hospitals and health care facilities, the organization said. The chain has 142 stores and close to 5,600 employees.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 00:13:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese military officials Xu Qiliang and Zhang Youxia on Friday respectively joined group deliberations of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and armed police force at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature.

Both Xu and Zhang are members of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission.

Xu asked the armed forces to strengthen work in areas including military training and war preparedness, reform and innovation, as well as Party leadership and Party building.

Xu said the armed forces will resolutely support the important decision of the NPC to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with the Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law, and unswervingly safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests.

Zhang urged the armed forces to accelerate the modernization of national defense and the armed forces from a new starting point, promote military training transformation, and improve China's military strength. Enditem

DENVER, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthpeak Properties, Inc. (NYSE: PEAK) announced today that Tom Herzog, its Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to present at the Barclays 2021 Global Healthcare Conference.

The presentation is scheduled for 10:55 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 11, 2021. You can access the webcast by visiting our website at https://ir.healthpeak.com/webcasts. A replay of the webcast will be available on our website through March 11, 2022.

ABOUT HEALTHPEAK PROPERTIES

Healthpeak Properties, Inc. is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) and S&P 500 company. Healthpeak owns and develops high-quality real estate in the three private-pay healthcare asset classes of Life Science, Medical Office and CCRCs. At Healthpeak, we pair our deep understanding of the healthcare real estate market with a strong vision for long-term growth. For more information regarding Healthpeak, visit www.healthpeak.com.

CONTACT

Andrew Johns

Vice President  Corporate Finance and Investor Relations

720-428-5400

SOURCE Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.healthpeak.com



Ministers have accused the EU of stoking the row over the Northern Ireland protocol because they are jealous of the UK's vaccine rollout.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng linked the increasingly bitter row over the Brexit divorce terms to the contrasting performance on jabs.

He suggested that European politicians were 'playing politics' to distract attention from other problems, rather than being genuinely upset about Britain suspending parts of the protocol.

Meanwhile, DUP leader Arlene Foster has branded Brussels 'belligerent' and warned its treatment of Northern Ireland is putting peace at risk.

'What they're only interested in is protecting their bloc, they're not interested, as they claim to be, in protecting the Belfast agreement,' she said.

'If they were, they would not be taking the action that they're taking a present.'

The comments came as Brussels insisted it will launch legal action 'very soon' after the UK said it will unilaterally delay implementation of parts of the protocol.

Concerns have been rising about sectarian tensions in Northern Ireland amid the Brexit row

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng (right) linked the increasingly bitter row of the Brexit divorce terms to the contrasting performance on jabs. DUP leader Arlene Foster (left) has branded Brussels 'belligerent' and warned its treatment of Northern Ireland is putting peace at risk

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said the announcement by Government on Wednesday had come as a 'very negative surprise'.

The Cabinet Office Minister Lord Frost said the UK was extending a series of 'grace periods' designed to ease trade between Northern Ireland  which remains in the EU single market for goods  and Great Britain while permanent arrangements are worked out.

It provoked a furious response in Brussels, with the EU accusing Britain of going back on its treaty obligations in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement intended to ensure there is no return of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Sefcovic  who is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the agreement  said the European Commission was now working on 'infringement proceedings' against the UK.

'We are currently preparing it and it would be really something coming to our table very soon. The most precise term I can give you is really very soon,' he said.

But on BBC Question Time last night, Mr Kwarteng said the EU's attitude had been 'appallingly aggressive' and the contrast on vaccines had a 'lot of things to do with it'.

Asked whether the UK's behaviour had contributed to the issues, he said: 'I think the problems that the EU are having with the vaccine rollout where I think 40 per cent of adults in the UK have been vaccinated, whereas that figure in France is about 7 per cent - these are serious issues.'

Mr Kwarteng went on: 'I think a lot of this is about the fact that there are people when you read the papers in Europe, there's a lot of anger about the vaccine rollout, there was a headline in a German newspaper saying 'We envy you' - and the you was in English. there's a real agitation about this and I think that people are playing politics with this.

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said the announcement by Government on Wednesday had come as a 'very negative surprise'

Pushed by presenter Fiona Bruce on whether it was purely driven by domestic political concerns, Mr Kwarteng said: 'It's a bit of both, but I think there is a domestic context. You've got a French general election, a presidential election this year. You've got German elections later this year.'

Boris Johnson sought to play down the dispute yesterday, saying the Government was simply taking some 'temporary and technical measures' to ensure that trade kept flowing.

'I'm sure with a bit of goodwill and common sense all these technical problems are eminently solvable,' he said on Thursday.

However MEPs in the European Parliament have already taken steps to delay formal ratification of the wider trade and co-operation agreement between Britain and the EU pending the outcome of the latest row.

The Northern Ireland protocol in the Withdrawal Agreement was designed by the EU and UK to avoid a hardening of the border on the island of Ireland.

It means keeping Northern Ireland aligned to various EU rules, requiring checks on goods arriving into the region from Great Britain.

Meanwhile the White House has again stressed the support of new US President Joe Biden for the Good Friday Agreement which the protocol is intended to protect.

Press secretary Jen Psaki said: 'President Biden has been unequivocal about his support for the Good Friday Agreement.

'It has been the bedrock of peace, stability and prosperity for all the people of Northern Ireland.'

Prior to last year's election, Mr Biden  who is intensely proud of his Irish roots  warned the agreement must not become a casualty of Brexit.
Inline Design, one of the top rated stainless steel railing suppliers are thoroughly committed to excellence and eco-friendly products have recently chosen to migrate to the new platform. The decision was taken keeping several factors in mind.

The site will now have a more improved and simpler user interface. This is not all, as the shipping costs will be reduced significantly and the product documentation is going to receive a major update. The site will offer the modern formats of order tracking and even the customer support is better and simpler at the same time. This migration enables Inline Design to bring lean manufacturing techniques to hold costs while not affecting quality.

One of the key spokesmen of the company was quoted as saying, We are aware of how important it is for the customers to feel at home with a website when they are making a purchase. In the recent days of cut throat competition, we knew we had to do our bit to not lose the edge and so we decided to migrate to a new platform and give the user interface a major lift as well.

The company continues to make an impressive mark among its customers for sticking to the finest quality standards. They have been offering a wide array of products and have a dedicated sales, production and support team that can also guide in the best method of installation.

Along with this, the website features success stories from numerous clients who have bought their products as these are all a testament as to how amazing the products are that are offered on the site. With the best of revamping done at the website, customers have every reason to hop on to the new store front and seamlessly find exactly what they are looking for.

One thing that happens to set Inline Design apart from their competitors has to be the kind of stickler to quality that they have. The company never lets its customers down because they believe good quality products end up doing their own marketing.

Those who would like to check out the different products or even place an order should make it a point to visit https://inlinedesign.com/.

About Inline Design

From glass clamps to cable railings, handrail brackets, hardware and more, Inline Design offers all of it. Their products are known to be of one of the best quality and they also stick to an environmentally friendly standard. The company has managed to become one of the prime names among buyers looking for many stainless steel products.
-- In the face of production shortfalls across the world, some rich countries are hoarding vaccines, leaving poorer ones defenseless in the face of the deadly pathogen. As of mid-January, high-income countries, which represent only 16 percent of the world's population, had taken 60 percent of available doses.

-- Experts said closing the immunity gap is not only about morality and conscience, but also the key to stopping the pandemic by cutting risk of more new variants.

-- In the spirit of "working together as one global family," China is actively cooperating with other countries to speed up vaccine development and production, so as to help relieve the global shortfalls of life-saving vaccines and address disparities in vaccine distribution.

-- As of Feb. 25, China has provided vaccine assistance to 53 developing countries in need, and is exporting vaccines to 27 countries. It has also decided to provide 10 million vaccine doses to multilateral vaccine alliance COVAX to meet the urgent needs of developing countries.

HONG KONG, March 3 (Xinhua) -- "United we stand, divided we fall" -- the choice that was put in front of the international community time and again now popped up once more in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed more than 2 million lives worldwide.

Although the successful development of vaccines in less than a year has been a "stunning scientific achievement" that is giving the world hope to end the pandemic, it has at the same time added a "brick in the wall of inequality between the world's haves and have-nots," said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

To fight together with the international community in solidarity against the common health crisis, China has been making an all-out effort to promote the fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, honoring its commitment to making Chinese COVID-19 vaccines a "global public good" accessible and affordable to people around the world.

A medical worker prepares a dose of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at the Sabiha Uzun Maternal Child Health Center in Ankara, Turkey, on Jan. 15, 2021. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

EMERGING VACCINE NATIONALISM

Last month, Japan kicked off its vaccination campaign with imported vaccines. While healthcare workers and elderly citizens are put in the first place to be inoculated, others have to wait until summer, if only vaccine import could be stable.

According to a report in early February by Japanese news agency Kyodo News, Taro Kono, Japan's minister in charge of vaccination efforts, said the restriction the European Union (EU) put on vaccine export may delay Japan's vaccination plan.

Growing nationalism over supplies of COVID-19 vaccine shots could lead to retaliation and disruptions to global supplies, Kono said, adding if the public cannot receive the shots as planned, the Japanese government will face a great challenge on how to inaugurate the already delayed Tokyo Olympics in July.

A medical worker receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine as the country launches its inoculation campaign at Tokyo Medical Center in Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 17, 2021. (Behrouz Mehri/Pool via Xinhua)

Japan is not the only country struggling for a stable vaccine supply. In January, the EU said AstraZeneca's new schedule in which the British company's supply of COVID-19 vaccine would fall short of expectation was "not acceptable," and threatened to use legal actions to address the issue.

In the face of production shortfalls across the world, some rich countries are hoarding vaccines, leaving poorer ones defenseless in the face of the deadly pathogen. According to Duke University's Global Health Innovation Center, as of mid-January, high-income countries, which represent only 16 percent of the world's population, had taken 60 percent of available doses.

Vaccine nationalism and over-stocking of all sorts of necessary supplies to the disbenefit of others are among the clear weaknesses in how the international community has dealt with a range of important issues ever since the outbreak, said Anthony Zwi, a professor of global health and development at the University of New South Wales in Australia.

Some countries have demonstrated "a high degree of selfishness" in how they have used their power and resources, said Zwi, adding that pandemic control is a global public health issue that needs a shared responsibility and global cooperation at different levels and in different ways to achieve.

DEEPENING IMMUNITY GAP

Junaid Iqbal, a 29-year-old young doctor, joined a field hospital last year in northern Pakistan's Gilgit to fight the pandemic, and his battle has lasted for almost one year.

"Never in my life had I wished to be vaccinated and immune from the virus like I did in the hardest of those days," Iqbal told Xinhua, recalling the time when his mother was infected with the virus at home, but he could not go back to look after her.

However, when he realized that rich countries had started rolling out vaccinations for their citizens, he became concerned that it would take a long time for him, a frontline health worker in a third-world country, to be vaccinated.

A handover ceremony of a batch of China-donated COVID-19 vaccine is held at Noor Khan Air Base near Islamabad, Pakistan, Feb. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Tian)

What concerns Iqbal has also worried Tedros, who noted in January that the comparison between administered doses in higher-income countries and one of the lowest-income countries had been 39 million versus 25. "Not 25 million, not 25,000, just 25," he said.

"The world is on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure," and it will be paid "with lives and livelihoods in the world's poorest countries," he has warned. "We can't beat COVID without vaccine equity. Our world will not recover fast enough without vaccine equity."

"It's very surprising. It's very unjust that Western countries are having piles of vaccine which they don't require," said Talat Shabbir, a senior researcher at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Pakistan.

Experts said closing the immunity gap is not only about morality and conscience, but also the key to stopping the pandemic by cutting risk of more new variants.

"It's a moment of help, the moment that we need to help countries or those who cannot afford a vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine has to be inclusive. It's just humanistic to have it inclusive," said Shabbir.

Margaret Chan, a former WHO chief, said COVID-19 vaccines are in short supply, but equitable vaccine distribution, especially to developing countries, is critical as the pandemic will not be controlled until it is controlled everywhere.

"In a globalized world, our vulnerability is universal and the international community must work together in solidarity in the face of a common health crisis," she said.

PROMOTING FAIR DISTRIBUTION

A batch of the Sinovac vaccines donated by China arrived in the Philippines on Sunday, the first COVID-19 vaccine to reach the Southeast Asian country. President Rodrigo Duterte went to the airport to welcome the arrival of the vaccines.

Duterte said receiving the vaccines from China made another step forward in the Philippines' ongoing fight against COVID-19. "I convey my sincere gratitude to the Chinese people and the government of China for this gesture of friendship and solidarity -- the hallmark of the Philippines-China partnership."

A day before, Malaysia also received its first delivery of China's Sinovac vaccine, days after the country kicked off its inoculation program, which aims to inoculate at least 80 percent of the country's total population.

The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines made by the Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech is unloaded upon its arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia, Feb. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Zulkarnain Md Eusope, managing director of Malaysia's leading pharmaceutical company Pharmaniaga which inked a deal in January with Sinovac for delivery of its inactivated vaccine to the country, called the arrival "a historic moment for Malaysia and an important milestone for the company's venture into vaccine manufacturing."

Last month, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan approved the single-dose vaccine developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical company CanSino Biologics for emergency use. The third phase trials of the vaccine were carried out in Pakistan, which offered a new experience to many Pakistani doctors, and helped the country work on its vaccine development.

In fact, Pakistan already approved China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in January 2020 after evaluating its safety and quality. The country officially launched its vaccination drive on Feb. 3 after receiving China-donated COVID-19 vaccines.

In the spirit of "working together as one global family," China is actively cooperating with other countries to speed up vaccine development and production, so as to help relieve the global shortfalls of life-saving vaccines and address disparities in vaccine distribution.

As of Feb. 25, China has provided vaccine assistance to 53 developing countries in need, and is exporting vaccines to 27 countries. It has also decided to provide 10 million vaccine doses to multilateral vaccine alliance COVAX to meet the urgent needs of developing countries.

Regarding vaccine cooperation with other countries, mostly with developing ones, China has demonstrated an approach that acts on human development and the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, which is different from the zero-sum mentality of some countries, said Khalid Rehman, director-general of Islamabad-based think tank Institute of Policy Studies.
A University of Texas at Arlington civil engineering assistant professor has received two grants to evaluate and measure the resilience of highways, bridges and other critical transportation infrastructure networks.

In the first project, Sharareh (Sherri) Kermanshachi is leading a $112,236 grant funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Transportation Consortium of South-Central States (Tran-SET), headquartered at Louisiana State University. She will develop a multi-level dynamic model that measures the resilience level of transportation infrastructure networks in natural disasters.

Tran-SET is a collaborative partnership among 11 institutions, including UT Arlington, across five states. It was established in 2016 "to address the accelerated deterioration of transportation infrastructure through the development, evaluation and implementation of cutting-edge technologies, novel materials and innovative construction management processes."

Kermanshachi has teamed up with Jianling Li, professor of planning in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, on the U.S. Department of Transportation project.

In the second project, funded by a $50,000 grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), Kermanshachi will perform a vulnerability analysis on transportation infrastructure across the region and develop strategies to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure prior to the occurrence of natural and manmade disasters.

"Many public agencies do not have the decision-making framework in place to assess the resilience of their infrastructure and accurately evaluate the cost of damages due to disasters," Kermanshachi said. "This project will develop a decision-support tool and quantitative models that measure the resilience level of transportation infrastructure and recommend the optimum resilience enhancement strategies."

She will develop a decision-making tool based on the resilience measurement dimensions and identified strategies of the project. In addition, Kermanshachi will create a color-coded vulnerability analysis of transportation infrastructure in North Texas.

"The models and tool resulting from this project will significantly help and guide decision-makers," she said. "We aim to reduce future damage to transportation infrastructure through accurate measurement of their resilience levels prior to disasters, recommend cost-effective strategies and solutions, and save taxpayer money."

Ali Abolmaali, chair of the UTA Department of Civil Engineering, said Kermanshachi's work will lead to longer lasting and more durable infrastructure.

"Materials to rebuild infrastructure following a natural disaster can be astronomical," Abolmaali said. "This project could give public officials needed information to prioritize the infrastructure resilience enhancement needs."

Kermanshachi is a recipient of the 2020 Women in Technology Award from the Dallas Business Journal. She has been selected as a 2019 Rising Stars in Civil + Structural Engineering. She received the 2018 Design-Build Institute of America Distinguished Leadership Award in the faculty category and was the only faculty recipient of the award for 2018. Kermanshachi was also the only academic recipient of the 2017 Texas and Louisiana Engineering News Record Top 20 Under 40 Award.

Some of her other awards include the American Society of Civil Engineers, or ASCE, Professional Service Award; ASCE Excellence in Civil Engineering Education Fellowship; Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute Fellowship; ASCE Outstanding Reviewer; Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award; Open Educational Resources Research Fellowship; DBIA Owner Scholarship and the Graduate Climate Award.

###
The European Union warned China on Friday that it may take "additional steps" in response to Beijing's move to grant itself a veto over the selection of Hong Kong lawmakers.

Earlier Friday, China introduced legislation to allow the communist government to vet all election candidates in Hong Kong, the latest move to eliminate dissent and ensure a "patriotic" government in the city, which has had a degree of autonomy since reverting from British rule in 1997.

"The EU calls on the authorities in Beijing to carefully consider the political and economic implications of any decision to reform the electoral system of Hong Kong that would undermine fundamental freedoms, political pluralism and democratic principles," an EU spokesperson said.

Brussels has previously decided to limit exports of equipment that could be used for surveillance in Hong Kong and EU foreign ministers have discussed the possibility of broader sanctions if the situation worsens.

"As agreed by EU foreign ministers, the EU stands ready to take additional steps in response to any further serious deterioration of political freedoms and human rights in Hong Kong, which would be against China's domestic and international obligations," the spokesperson said.

"If enacted, such reform would have potentially far-reaching negative consequences for democratic principles and democratically elected-representatives in Hong Kong," the EU statement said.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

Prosecutors in Washington are opposing the pretrial release of an Arizona man who stormed the U.S. Capitol nearly two months ago while sporting face paint, no shirt and a furry hat with horns.

Prosecutors told a judge in a filing Monday that Jacob Chansley should remain jailed until trial because he is a danger to the community, explaining he held a weapon as he confronted officers inside the Capitol, wrote a threatening note to then-Vice President Mike Pence, and spoke about ridding the government of traitors.

He cannot be trusted now to suddenly change course, prosecutors said.

A judge in Washington is scheduled to hear arguments Friday over whether Chansley should be released.

While prosecutors say the spear attached to a flagpole carried by Chansley into the Capitol was a weapon, his attorney has characterized the spear as an ornament.

The defense lawyer also argued the message that Chansley penned to Pence wasnt intended to be threatening and said his client is suffering from digestive tract difficulties, even though he has been given him organic food, as he had requested.

Authorities say Chansley was among the first people to force their way into the Capitol building, disobeyed orders to leave, refused an officers request to use Chansleys bullhorn to tell rioters to leave the Senate chamber, called Pence a traitor and wrote a note to the then-vice president saying, Its only a matter of time, justice is coming.

Chansley, who calls himself the QAnon Shaman and has long been a fixture at Trump rallies, unsuccessfully sought a pardon from Trump. He has since apologized for his actions and has pleaded not guilty to two felony and four misdemeanor charges.

In an interview with 60 Minutes+ reporter reporter Laurie Segall, Chansley said he remains loyal to Trump.

I honestly believed and still believe that he cares about the Constitution, that he cares about the American people, and thats also why and you know it wounded me so deeply and why it disappointed me so greatly that I and others did not get a pardon, Chansley added.

The "QAnon Shaman" of the January 6th attack on the Capitol tells his story for the first time from jail, as he faces up to 20 years behind bars.



Jacob Chansley spoke with @60minutes+'s @LaurieSegall pic.twitter.com/uhUuFNHRvf  CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) March 4, 2021

Prosecutors said other people arrested in the Capitol riot have remained jailed for possessing nontraditional weapons, such as an axe handle or flagpole.

AL.com contributed to this report.
Nubia has come a long way since it first stuffed a cooling fan into its Red Magic gaming phones. Today, the Chinese brand is back with the Snapdragon 888-based Red Magic 6 series, which touts a faster internal fan, along with what the company says are two world firsts in the mobile market: a 165Hz display and up to 18GB of RAM. In addition, the phones offer up to 120W rapid charging (already used by Xiaomi and Vivo), 400Hz capacitive shoulder triggers and an optional dual-fan, dual-TEC (thermoelectric cooling) clip-on cooler.

Nubia

The Android 11-powered Red Magic 6 comes in three flavors, all of which share the same 6.8-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen, with 500Hz single-touch or 360Hz multi-touch sampling for better gaming response. Likewise, these devices pack identical cameras: a 64MP main shooter, an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro camera on the rear, plus an 8MP selfie camera on the other side. You'll also find a 3.5mm headphone jack across the series.

Nubia

The "basic" Red Magic 6 features a full glass rear body, and it comes in either "carbon fiber black" or a more flamboyant "cyber neon." It packs a 5,050mAh battery which supports up to 66W charging, along with an 18,000rpm  up from the earlier 15,000rpm  internal fan to assist the phone's vapor cooling chamber and graphene plate.

Nubia

Things get more interesting with the Red Magic 6 Pro which is available in "iron black" or "ice blade silver," and it adds a piece of aluminum plate across the back to boost heat dissipation. The single battery is replaced by two cells that add up to 4,500mAh. Despite the lower total capacity, this allows for a more rapid 120W charging  a mere five minutes brings a dead phone back up to 50 percent. Furthermore, the fan speed on the Pro goes up to a faster 20,000rpm.

Nubia

Finally, we have the "Dao" transparent special edition, which not only has a glowing fan but also up to 18GB of RAM.

The Tencent Games-optimized Red Magic 6 is already available for ordering in China, with the base model starting from 3,799 yuan (about $590), and the Pro model starting from 4,399 yuan (about $680). The premium "Dao" transparent edition is asking for 5,599 yuan (around $865; 16GB RAM + 256GB storage) and 6,599 yuan (around $1,120; 18GB RAM + 512GB storage).

Nubia

Looking further ahead, Nubia is also prepping a global launch for the Red Magic 6 series on March 16th, which will likely be preloaded with Google services. We shall hear more then.

Ukraine will open three new embassies and three consulates general in six countries this year, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

He said this during an online briefing on Friday, March 5, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The minister thanked the president for supporting the Foreign Ministry's proposals to open new diplomatic missions of Ukraine abroad.

Ukraine has already begun work on opening new embassies and consulates in the world. Ukraines Embassy in the Republic of Ghana will be created - this corresponds to the course of strengthening our positions in Africa; Ukraines Embassy in the Republic of the Philippines  a very difficult country, we need to work with it to make it more supportive of Ukrainian initiatives in international organizations, primarily in the UN... Ukraines Embassy in Chile will be transformed into a full-fledged embassy - now it is a branch of another embassy, Kuleba said.

He also noted that the Consulate General of Ukraine will open in the Indian city of Mumbai, which is a big business, as well as in the Polish city of Wroclaw and in the Romanian city of Sighetu-Marmatiei, which is the "capital" of Ukrainian heritage in this country.

These new missions are new additional opportunities to protect the interests of the Ukrainian state, Ukraine, Ukrainian business and Ukrainian citizens. I promise that these embassies and consulates will be quickly created, and we will appoint professional people there," the minister assured.

ish

We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
WORCESTER, Mass., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 800 nurses of St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester are prepared to conduct an open-ended strike beginning on Monday, March 8 at 6 a.m., with a Pre-Strike Community Rally planned for Sunday, March 7 at 4:30 p.m. The planning for the strike intensified following failed negotiations on Wednesday, when Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare walked away from the table, having once again refused to address the nurses' longstanding call for desperately needed staffing improvements to ensure safer patient care.

"It is clear from Tenet's hardline stance on staffing that they are intent on forcing nurses to strike," said Marlena Pellegrino, RN, co-chair of the bargaining unit. "We are sad to see that Tenet holds so little value for our patients, yet we are resolved to do whatever it takes for as long as it take to protect our patients, as it is safer to strike now than allow Tenet to continue endangering our patients every day on every shift. As we prepare for a strike, we are always ready to get back to the table to negotiate whenever Tenet is ready do the same."

Pre-Strike Community Rally

When: Sunday, March 7 from 4:30  5:30 p.m.

Where: Outside the St. Vincent Nurses Strike Headquarters at 11 E. Central St., Worcester (across the street from hospital)

What: SVH nurses, community and labor supporters, along with state and local public officials will gather in solidarity before the open-ended strike on Monday.

Open-Ended Strike Begins

When: Monday, March 8 at 6.a.m

Where: Outside the Summer Street Entrance to St. Vincent Hospital

What: SVH nurses who were not scheduled to work the night prior to the strike will gather outside the hospital to greet their colleagues working the night shift as they exit the hospital, pick up their signs and begin the open-ended strike. Nurses will be picketing every day from 6 a.m.  12 midnight until a settlement is reached.

The 800 SVH nurses, who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), voted overwhelmingly on Feb. 10 to authorize the strike, and last week issued the required notice to conduct an open-ended strike beginning at 6 a.m. on March 8. The decision to strike followed a concerted effort over the last two years by the nurses to convince Tenet to improve the patient care conditions at the facility, poor conditions that have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Adding insult to injury, the same day nurses voted to authorize the strike, Tenet announced annual profits of more than $400 million.

In the last year alone, nurses have filed more than 600 official "unsafe staffing" reports (more than 110 such reports have been filed since Jan. 1, 2021) in which nurses informed management in real time that patient care conditions jeopardized the safety of their patients. The nurses also report their patients in Worcester are experiencing an increase in patient falls, an increase in patients suffering from preventable bed sores, potentially dangerous delays in patients receiving needed medications and other treatments  all due to lack of appropriate staffing, excessive patient assignments, and cuts to valuable support staff.

While Tenet has refused to ensure safe care to patients in Worcester Adding insult to injury, that same day, Tenet announced annual profits of more than $400 million.

The strike will be the second strike by nurses at St Vincent Hospital against Tenet, as the nurses waged a successful 49-day strike in 2000 to achieve their first union contract. That strike ended with a settlement reached in the DC offices of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, where the nurses achieved landmark provisions to limit the use of mandatory overtime as a staffing tool, one of the first settlements in the nation to provide such a protection.

For a more detailed review of the staffing crisis, efforts by nurses to convince Tenet to address the crisis, as well as proposals nurses are seeking to improve patient care, click here to view a previous press release on the matter.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association

Related Links

http://www.massnurses.org


ITHACA, N.Y. - Public grants to build rural broadband networks may not be sufficient to close the digital divide, new Cornell University research finds.

High operations and maintenance costs and low population density in some rural areas result in prohibitively high service fees - even for a subscriber-owned cooperative structured to prioritize member needs over profits, the analysis found.

Decades ago, cooperatives were key to the expansion of electric and telephone service to underserved rural areas, spurred by New Deal legislation providing low-interest government grants and loans. Public funding for rural broadband access should similarly consider its critical role supporting economic development, health care and education, said Todd Schmit, associate professor in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.

"The New Deal of broadband has to incorporate more than building the systems," Schmit said. "We have to think more comprehensively about the importance of getting equal access to these technologies."

Schmit is the co-author with Roberta Severson, an extension associate in Dyson, of "Exploring the Feasibility of Rural Broadband Cooperatives in the United States: The New New Deal?" The research was published Feb. 13 in Telecommunications Policy.

More than 90% of Americans had broadband access in 2015, according to the study, but the total in rural areas was below 70%. Federal programs have sought to help close that gap, including a $20.4 billion Federal Communications Commission initiative announced last year to subsidize network construction in underserved areas.

Schmit and Severson studied the feasibility of establishing a rural broadband cooperative to improve access in Franklin County in northern New York state, which received funding for a feasibility study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Development Program.

The researchers partnered with Slic Network Solutions, a local internet service provider, to develop estimates of market prices, the cost to build a fiber-to-the-home network, operations and maintenance costs, and the potential subscriber base - about 1,600 residents - and model a cooperative that would break even over a 10-year cycle.

Federal and state grants and member investment would cover almost the entire estimated $8 million construction cost, so that wasn't a significant factor in the analysis, the researchers said.

But even with those subsidies, the study determined the co-op would need to charge $231 per month for its high-speed service option - 131% above market rates. At that price, it's unlikely 40% of year-round residents would opt for high-speed broadband as the model had assumed, casting further doubt on its feasibility.

The $231 fee included a surcharge to subsidize a lower-speed service option costing no more than $60 - a restriction the construction grants imposed to ensure affordability. Without that restriction, the high-speed price would drop to $175 and the low-speed climb to $105.

"In short," the authors wrote, "grants covering investment and capital construction alone do not solve the rural broadband problem, at least in our study area."

As an alternative - though not one available in Franklin County - Schmit and Severson examined the possibility of an existing rural electric or telecommunications co-op expanding into broadband. They would gain efficiencies from already operating infrastructure such as the poles that would carry fiber lines. In that scenario, the high-speed price improved to $144 a month - still 44% above market rates.

"These systems are very costly to operate and maintain," Schmit said, "particularly in areas like we looked at that are very low density."

The feasibility improves with growth in a coverage area's density and "take rate," or percentage of potential subscribers signing up at different speeds, according to the analysis. But in Franklin County, the researchers determined a startup co-op would need 14 potential subscribers per mile to break even over 10 years - more than twice the study area's actual density.

To better serve such areas, Schmit and Severson said, policymakers should explore eliminating property taxes on broadband infrastructure and payments to rent space on poles owned by regulated utilities, which respectively accounted for 16% and 18% of the proposed co-op's annual expenses. Those measures reduced an expanding rural utility co-op's high-speed fee to 25% above market rates, a level members might be willing to pay, the authors said.

"Consideration of the public benefits of broadband access arguably needs to be added to the equation," they wrote. "The case was made for electricity and telephone services in the 1930s and similar arguments would seem to hold for this technology today."

###

* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.

Submit
THE first lawsuits in what is expected to be a raft of claims against the State have been initiated in the wake of the damning Mother and Baby Homes Report.

Three women sent to give birth in such homes lodged damages claims in the High Court yesterday, alleging they were failed by the State.

Four further claims are expected to be initiated today.

The development comes just under two months after the publication of a Commission of Investigation report which examined 14 mother and baby homes and four county homes across Ireland between 1922 and 1998.

It detailed a shockingly high mortality rate among children and the infliction of emotional abuse on their mothers.

According to legal sources, the cases are the first in what could end up being over 100 lawsuits to be filed in the coming weeks.

The development will heap pressure on the State to set up a redress scheme for survivors.

In one of the claims, seen by the Irish Independent, a mother alleges she was coerced into giving up her son for adoption, forced to do menial work without pay, and caused severe stress and harm.

The woman was a resident of St Patricks Mother and Baby Home on the Navan Road, in Dublin.

Her lawyers say it is clear from the report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation that she was subjected to a cold, uncaring, regimented environment while resident there. They allege she had to endure emotional abuse, derogatory remarks and denigration.

The plaintiffs in the cases filed yesterday are represented by Dublin law firm Coleman Legal Partners, which specialises in historical abuse cases and multi-party actions.

The actions involve claims for damages for personal injury, loss and damage due to failings by statutory bodies.

They allege the State failed to uphold rights under Article 40.1 of the Constitution, which states all citizens shall be held equal before the law, and Article 41, which protects the rights of the family.

As well as suing the State, the religious orders which ran institutions are also being sued. It is understood the orders have already nominated representatives and solicitors for dealing with the lawsuits.

It is also understood that as part of the legal activity around the actions, a number of plaintiffs are seeking access to transcripts and audio recordings of their interviews with the Commission.

This is due to concerns they have that their personal accounts were not fully or accurately reflected.

The report found some 9,000 children died in the homes examined.

It also found that most unmarried women who were pregnant had no alternative but to go to these homes.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin poses for an undated booking photograph. (Minnesota Department of Corrections via Reuters)

Prosecutors: Officer Was on George Floyds Neck for About 9 Minutes

MINNEAPOLISAs the trial approaches for a Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd, prosecutors are putting the time Derek Chauvins knee was on Floyds neck at about nine minutes.

The time has fluctuated before. It was recorded as 8 minutes, 46 seconds in an initial criminal complaint before a math error was corrected to make it 7:46. But filings since then, citing time-stamped police body-camera video, now make it at least nine minutes.

The fact that the figure has evolved probably wont matter at Chauvins trial, which begins Monday with jury selection. One former prosecutor says its common for such details to be fine-tuned as prosecutors build a case. A support group for victims of police violence says the discrepancies wont have any impact.

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneels on the neck of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 25, 2020. (Darnella Frazier via AP)

Floyd died on May 25. He had been handcuffed and was pleading that he couldnt breathe, but Chauvin kept his knee on Floyds neck even after he stopped moving and speaking.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officersThomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thaoare charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter and are scheduled for trial in August.

From left, Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao. (Hennepin County Sheriffs Office via AP)

The initial complaint filed on May 29 by the Hennepin County Attorneys Office says Chauvin held his knee to Floyds neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. But the timestamps cited in that charging document indicate it was actually 7 minutes, 46 seconds.

In mid-June, prosecutors acknowledged the one-minute error, but said it would have no impact on the case.

Documents filed by prosecutors in September and October changed the timing yet again. These documents contain the most detailed picture of what happened, citing timestamps from Lane, Keung, and Thaos body camera videos.

The documents dont list an exact time for when Chauvin began kneeling on Floyd, but instead provide a narrative for when Floyd was first pressed to the ground. Timestamps on video from Lanes body camerarecorded in 24-hour-clock formatshow that began at some point from 20:19:14 to 20:19:45, meaning from 14 to 45 seconds after 8:19 p.m.

The documents cite a clear moment when Chauvin removed his knee, when a stretcher was ready to take Floyd away. Lanes body camera timestamp read 20:28:45.

This means Chauvin had his knee on Floyds neck for at least nine minutes flat, but possibly for as long as 9 minutes, 31 seconds. Documents filed by prosecutors characterize the timing as approximately nine minutes, though in at least one document it is characterized as more than nine minutes and twenty seconds.

John Stiles, the spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office, said the length of time of Chauvins restraint will be evidence presented at trial. He declined further comment.

Tom Heffelfinger, a former U.S. attorney for Minnesota who is not connected to this case, said its normal for prosecutors to fine-tune details as they build a case and that the length of Chauvins restraint wont become essential until a prosecutor presents it to the jury.

But at trial, he said, the timing will become extremely relevant as both sides argue about Floyds cause of death.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' clarion call struck a chord with Raebareli's Vijay Pal Singh. The 98-year old sells chana or boiled chickpeas to earn his living since he does not want to be a burden on his children and to avoid becoming physically weak.

In the one-minute-long viral video, Singh can be seen preparing a serving of chana while in a conversation with a customer. When asked about his family, Singh says it is a big one. He added his son lives in Delhi but the son's wife and daughter live in the village.

He also goes on to say that his son sends money but that's barely enough to make ends meet and that whatever he earns from the chana stall adds to the family income.





Watch | 98-year-old Vijay Pal Singh from Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli was honoured by the district administration for being self-reliant and independent at his age. He sells chana or boiled chickpeas on the streets pic.twitter.com/gNnf4jOgIV a Best Tweet (@BestTweet___) March 5, 2021

"Baba has a gram shop. He was called here. He already has a house under the PM Awas Yojana. Here the Patra Grahasti card and other support was provided to him. He is a source of inspiration for all of us. He hasn't set up a shop under any compulsion but because he remains self-reliant which is a good message. All of us aspire Baba's blessings," District magistrate Vaibhav Shrivastava told DNA.

The Uttar Pradesh government felicitated the man for his self-reliance at this age. The District Magistrate of Rae Bareli Vaibhav Shrivastava handed over Rs 11,000 cash, stick, shawl, and a ration card to the nonagenarian.

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death case: Rhea, Showik Chakraborty, 31 others named in NCB chargesheet

Also read: From #WomenInScience to #LockdownRecipes! Top topics women talked about on Twitter
Chinese tech major will soon introduce smart TVs under the 'Redmi' brand in India as it looks to further expand its position in the burgeoning smart TV segment in the country.

Speaking to PTI, India Category Lead (Smart TV) Eshwar Nilakantan said when the company had introduced its smart TVs in 2018, its aim was to increase the smart TV penetration in the country and "democratise" the segment.

"In 2018, the penetration was 18 per cent, less than one-fifth of the TVs sold were smart and we wanted to democratise the segment like we had done for smartphones. Since then, the 18 per cent has grown to a little over 55 per cent. We have grown with the market and sold over 5 million smart TVs," he said.

Nilakantan explained that India has over 200 million households, of which 170 million have a TV - 100 million of those are CRT TV and 70 million have a flat monitor.

"Smart TV penetration is only 20 million. So if you look at this overall market, there are 50 million people who would be coming and buying a smart TV, and even the 100 million households who have a CRT will be upgrading directly to a smart TV, that is a massive opportunity," he added.

A number of smartphone players such as Samsung, LG, Micromax, OnePlus, Infinix and Motorola have smart TVs in their product portfolio in India.

According to Counterpoint Research, shipments of TVs in India grew 15 per cent annually to reach the highest-ever 15 million units in 2019, and the growth was mainly driven by budget smart TVs, with 32-inch TVs the leading segment.

Industry watchers said the sales of smart TVs have seen strong growth amid the pandemic as people spent more time indoors, coupled with sharp rise in consumption of content on OTT platforms.

While Nilakantan did not comment on specifications and pricing of smart TVs that will be introduced under brand, he said the 'Made in India' devices would be rolled out soon.

had recently announced a partnership with Radiant to further augment its capacity of smart TVs in India. It also works with Dixon for local manufacturing of its smart TVs.

Nilakantan said of the five million TVs sold by Xiaomi, 3 million were Made in India TVs and added that TVs would be made by Dixon.

"The market is massive and there is space for a new brand to come in. We believe the new audience who are going to come in is going to be slightly different from let's say the audience that we are catering to currently, which means that there is a need to have a different positioning and that is why we are entering with the brand," he added.

Nilakantan said the target audience with Redmi's smart TV is "much younger" compared to that served by Xiaomi, and that the brand aims to make smart TVs accessible to more consumers.

Previously, Xiaomi had said its Redmi franchise will be a more mass market brand, while Mi devices will focus on a more premium lineup. Xiaomi has about 9 models of TVs in the Indian market priced between Rs 14,499 to Rs 54,999 in the 32-inch to 65-inch screen sizes.

The company has also unveiled its Redmi Note 10 series (Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10) smartphone in India that includes flagship features like 120Hz Super AMOLED display and 108MP camera, and is priced Rs 11,999 onwards.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lucknow, March 5 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is going to give a unique gift to Ram devotees across the world.

The first edition of the Global Encyclopaedia of the Ramayana is ready for publication.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath will release the historical edition on the occasion of Janaki Navami on Saturday.

The version of the Global Encyclopaedia of the Ramayana, prepared by the Ayodhya Research Institute, will also be launched as an e-book.

The first edition of the Encyclopaedia will be released in the English language. A month later, the first edition in Hindi and Tamil languages will be published.

The Uttar Pradesh Department of Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, is involved in this mega project by combining the tangible and intangible legacy of the Ramayana from 205 countries of the world.

For this, a workshop was organised by the department which included 70 scholars from West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Delhi.

According to Shishir, Director of Culture, Uttar Pradesh, there is a plan to publish the Ramayana Encyclopaedia in 200 volumes.

For this, the Ayodhya Research Institute has set up a board of editors and advisors around the country and the world. The first edition has been designed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

The publication of Ramayana will also be released in Oriya, Malayalam, Urdu and Assamese languages along with the first edition of the Global Ramayan Encyclopaedia.

Also, the oldest and authentic book about Ayodhya, 'Ayodhya Mahatma' will be released in the English language to expand it globally.

It was in May 2018, that the chief minister had directed to conduct a survey and publication of all the Ramayana sites of the world at the review meeting of Ayodhya Research Institute, Ayodhya.

Globally, evidence of the Ramayana's tangible heritage, architecture, sculpture and painting is found in countries around the world including Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Europe since about 5000 years ago.

According to the scholars, almost all countries of Europe accepted Ram as their first ancestor.

Scholars claim that 'Ram Takht' was received in Gandhara region in 2500 BC and many villages in Gandhar have their names on Ram and Sita.

Taxila is named after the elder son of Bharat, Taksh.

The entire Gandhara region of Pakistan is rich in Ramayana culture.

According to scholars, there is evidence of a Ramayana civilisation in Italy before the Roman civilization in Europe. Vatican City, France, Germany, Netherlands also have elements of this culture.
A look at Friday's major share movers on the London Stock Exchange

( ) leapt 7% to 143.6p before close after it was revealed that chairman Jan Du Plessiss retirement was down to pressure from chief executive Philip Jansen.

Du Plessis had been at the FTSE 100 telecoms group for around four years and took over as chairman in November 2017 but with multiple issues still facing the business, his departure was a surprise to many in the City.

However, Sky News reporter that Jansen had issued the board with an ultimatum that he would resign unless a chairman was appointed who would accelerate the pace of change at BT.

3pm: boohoo dips after MPs pressure to link management bonuses to ESG goals

boohoo Group PLC ( ) dipped 3% to 319.9p after being pressured by MPs to link bonuses for senior executives to meeting its pledges on workers' rights and environmental sustainability.

The Environmental Audit Committee has written to the fast-fashion retailer seeking updates on commitments made in a December meeting.

boohoo chairman Mahmud Kamani, who agreed to consider implementing these measures, is also being asked to update on plans to ensure minimum wage compliance within the online retailer's supply chain.

2.05pm: Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust and fellow US-focused investors suffer from Nasdaq weakness

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust plc (LON:USA) slipped 8% to 288p in the afternoon as investors are concerned by weakness in the tech-heavy Nasdaq index.

( ) and Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust (LON:EWI) lost 6% and 4% to 2,625p and 328.5p respectively.

Low confidence in the tech sector is also acting as a drag on ( ), which shed 2% to 1,063.81p, considering its relatively heavy weighting towards that sector. Its top holdings include Tesla, Amazon and Alibaba.

1pm: a touch higher after extending rent discount

PLC ( ) added 1% to 998.05p in the early afternoon after announcing an additional three-week extension to its 50% rent discount for students.

It takes the total discount period to 10 weeks, up to the end of the government's stay at home rule on March 29, which students not living in their accommodation can request.

The landlord said around 60% of checked-in students have now returned to its buildings and it has now collected 95% of rent due to date for the 2020/21 academic year.

11.30am: finnCap Group jumps after board members buy shares

finnCap Group PLC ( ) jumped 7% to 32.69p after two board members bought shares in the company.

Chief executive Sam Smith purchased 65,450 shares at 30.5p each and now has an interest in 16mln shares, representing 9.29% of the current total voting rights of the investment bank.

Chairman Robert Lister now has a beneficial interest over 65,450 shares in the AIM-listed firm, representing 0.04% of the total issued share capital.

10.15am: slips after raising 16mln via placing and subscription

Limited ( ) slipped 12% to 36p after announcing it has raised 16mln via a placing and subscription.

Some 35mln shares were priced 35p a pop, which is a 15% discount to Thursdays closing price.

The proceeds will mostly be used to develop the Empire Mine in Idaho, US, of which Phoenix owns 80%.

Elsewhere, ( ) shed 6% to 8,872p after admitting it is facing increasing competition from Europe.

In January, trading in Amsterdam in euro-denominated shares outstripped the UK for the first time.

The group said that, post-Brexit, it is still lobbying for a coherent financial structure between Britain and the EU to be established to avoid fragmentation of systems designed to make the financial markets efficient, stable and safe.

9.15am: Contango early riser after acquiring Mali gold project near existing property

PLC ( ) was an early riser on Friday, adding 5% to 7.75p after acquiring the Ntiela Gold Project in Mali.

The site is near the miners existing Garalo Gold Project, which recently got a 460% resource potential uplift to 1.8mln ounces.

Our decision to increase our mineralised footprint in this area marks an important step for Contango as we look to establish ourselves as an emerging development and production company in the area, with a pipeline of expansion opportunities, said chief executive Carl Esprey in a release.

Talking about acquisitions, PLC ( ) jumped 7% to 244p after snapping up octoScope, Inc for up to US$73mln (52mln).

Founded in 2006 in the US, octoScope uses patented technology to provide automated Wi-Fi and 5G testing in emulated real-world environments, including the latest Wi-Fi 6 and 6E technologies.

Its products are used by a blue-chip roster of communication service providers, chipset, device, network infrastructure and Wi-Fi equipment vendors, including Google, Facebook, Verizon, Qualcomm, Nokia, Amazon, Philips and .

Proactive news headlines

SDX Energy Plc ( ) has secured final approval from the Egyptian authorities to extend its Production Services Agreements for the Meseda and Rabul oil fields, both part of the West Gharib concession.

(LON:TXP, ) announced a jump crude oil and natural gas reserves at its Trinidad exploration properties.

Innovative money firm Tally Ltd has described a pivotal year in the companys development, as it releases a final results statement for the twelve months ended June 2020.

( ) is close to reaching an agreement with Riverfort Global Capital Ltd to receive up to US$2.5mln in funding.

FinnCap Group plc ( ) chief executive Sam Smith and chairman Robert Lister have purchased shares in the company. Smith splashed out 39,650 on 130,000 shares at a price of 30.5p per share, while Lister purchased 65,450 at the same price. Smith's beneficial interest over 16.14mln shares represents 9.29% and Lister 0.04%.

(LON:THR, ASX:THR) has hired WH Ireland as Nominated Adviser and joint broker to the company with immediate effect.

(LON:HZM, ) has appointed as joint broker alongside , with immediate effect. This week the company attended the virtual 30th BMO Global Metals and Mining Conference and has made a replay of its presentation available on its website.

( ) will announce its preliminary annual results for 2020 on Tuesday 23 March. Chief executive Deborah Frost and chief financial officer Sarah Mace will be hosting a webinar for private investors on Tuesday 30 March at 11.30am.

( ) will hold its annual general meeting at 10am on Tuesday 30 March at Craven House, 16 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AP, UK. The company will take questions and comments from shareholders submitted in advance of the AGM.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 20:17:05|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

LUSAKA -- Zambia is targeting to vaccinate nearly half of the country's estimated population of 18 million against COVID-19, Zambian Health Minister Jonas Chanda said on Thursday.

"This is a huge undertaking which has never happened before in the history of Zambia, and we want to get it right," Chanda said.

- - - -

HARARE -- Zimbabwe's manufacturing sector expects above 61 percent capacity utilization in 2021 after registering 10.6 percentage point growth to 47 percent in 2020, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has said.

"I would like to highlight that we are emerging but we are not yet there. We are still below 50 percent of capacity utilization, although capacity utilization improved from 36.4 percent in 2019 to 47 percent in 2020," CZI chief economist Tafadzwa Bandama said.

- - - -

ANKARA -- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Friday that the military helicopter crash that killed 11 soldiers may have been caused by adverse weather conditions.

"According to initial information and witnesses' statements, it is considered that the crash occurred due to suddenly changing adverse weather conditions," Akar said at the 8th Corps Command in Elazig Province.

- - - -

NAIROBI -- The quest to eradicate extreme hunger and malnutrition globally is in peril as 931 million tons, or 17 percent, of food available to consumers go to waste, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) has said in a new report.

"Reducing food waste would cut greenhouse gas emissions, slow the destruction of nature through land conversion and pollution, enhance the availability of food, and thus reduce hunger and save money at a time of global recession," said UNEP executive director Inger Andersen.

- - - -

SUVA -- The Fijian government pledged Friday continued support for the tourism industry which was the backbone of the island nation's economy in the pre-COVID-19 era.

"So, it is important we do what we can to support each other as we endeavor to reinvent our businesses, our communities, and of course, the industry and the economy at large," Fiji's Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya said at a tourism Talanoa (dialogue) session in Nadi, the nation's third-largest city.

- - - -

NEW YORK -- Buoyed by its robust economic growth and continuous efforts to improve business environment, China, a longtime popular destination for foreign investment, is becoming increasingly attractive, a senior executive from Honeywell has said.

"Along that path, it's also becoming a very, very attractive market to invest. It has been attractive for the past 30 years, and it becomes more and more attractive as China decides to open up its economy even more," said Shane Tedjarati, president of Global High Growth Regions of the U.S. industrial conglomerate, in a recent interview with Xinhua. Enditem
Lourdes Visitor Policy Changes Today

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospital has changed its visitor policy beginning today.The hospital says visitation hours in non-COVID 19 units will be 6 a.m.-7 p.m.Patients can only have one visitor at a time.Visitors must wear mask at all times while inside the hospital walls and perform hand hygiene frequently.They must also agree to symptom screening and agree not to visit if the screening finds symptoms of illness.Food purchased by visitors must be eaten in the patient's room. The only time a mask is not required is when a visitor is eating or drinking.Visitors wishing to see a patient who already has a visitor must wait in their vehicle. Waiting is not permitted in the plaza area.COVID-19 and Behavioral Health units are not accepting visitors at this time.Critical Care Units may have special restrictions in place. Please call before visiting.The hospital recommends that anyone at high risk for severe illness, such as older adults or those with serious underlying conditions not visit at this time.
After Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced earlier this week that the state would get a full reopening with no more mask mandate, education officials and union leaders showed their concern and looked toward the TEA for guidance.

Following the announcement on Wednesday, the TEA stated that school systems would be allowed to choose their own mask policy and all school workers would now be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. With the option at hand, school systems around Laredo have decided to continue with mask and safety protocols.

UISD announced that moving forward through March, the district will continue to follow the recommendations by the TEA, Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino and other health experts. For parents and students, they stated that the current remote and on-campus instruction will continue without disruptions.

We look forward to the day when we can welcome all students back to their classrooms, UISD stated. As part of the plan to achieve that goal, the district is working on a timetable to expedite the availability and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to all UISD employees.

The district is an approved vaccine provider and is currently waiting to receive its allotment of COVID-19 vaccines from the state. This step will help us further optimize protection and minimize the risk of infection for all students, teachers and other employees. UISD is eager to return to normalcy and will continue to enforce its COVID-19 precautions and practices accordingly.

LISD will also continue to follow the mask and safety guidelines moving forward with these next 12 weeks of school.

Laredo ISD remains committed to protocols that prevent and minimize the spread of the COVID-19, LISD said in a statement. With 12 weeks left in the current school year, face coverings and masks remain a requirement for access to LISD schools, facilities, activities and events.

LISD recognizes that our current practices have kept our school community safe and classrooms open for continuous instruction. Until a majority of our population can be vaccinated, wearing masks will be enforced at LISD. Students and staff must also heed social distancing and frequent hand washing, while custodial staff sanitizes facilities several times a day on a daily basis.

The federal government announced yesterday that educators are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. LISD was designated a provider for the vaccine and already has the trained health care professionals to administer the immunization. LISD has received the equipment to store the vaccines at the proper temperatures. The district will also continue partnering with the City of Laredo to host vaccination clinics for the benefit of the community. LISD staff is urged to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

LISD will continue to monitor the pandemics trends in our community and will enforce our practices in order to keep our children and employees safe. As we plan for the 2021-22 school year, we look forward to a rich educational experience for all students in all of our classrooms complete with award-winning extracurricular activities led by certified, professional teachers.

Charter and private schools also provided their input on the matter. They thanked the governor for the recent news of teachers being able to be vaccinated in Phase 1C.

The Diocese of Laredo Catholic Schools are thankful to Gov. Abbott and our State Department of Health for ensuring ALL school staff and personnel will now be able to acquire their COVID vaccinations, Diocese of Laredo Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Guadalupe Perez said. This is definitely a step in the right direction and will provide our school staff, students and parents with an added sense of relief, knowing that our school personnel are inoculated against this deadly virus. We look forward to normalizing campus activities with our students back in school and focus on the school learning environment.

The school system will continue to follow recommendations by Trevino, and staff and students will still be required to wear their masks, face shields and adhere to social distancing protocols. Additionally, Perez said that schools will continue to conduct COVID screening tests for students and staff, hygiene protocols will continue, and sanitation procedures for the campus will be maintained.

The Triumph Public School system also states that it will be following TEAs lead and continuing its current safety protocols.

As per the Texas Education Agencys updated public health guidance, our Charter Holder Board will have the authority to make mask determinations for our schools. As per Legal Counsel, the Boards authority and jurisdiction over this matter is confirmed by TEA, Triumph Public High School Superintendent Frances Berrones-Johnson said. Therefore, Triumph Public High Schools will continue to require masks and will continue to require that all established safety protocol be adhered to. Moreover, a week-by-week reassessment of any COVID-19 resurgence will take place, as this will allow Triumph Public High Schools to follow a sensible approach to this issue that places student and staff safety and health first.

He added that all Triumph school employees are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The Harmony Public Schools similarly stated that the campus will continue to follow current campus safety protocols, and it encourages its staff to get vaccinated when possible.

"Harmony Public Schools has always understood how essential school staff members are to both the education of our students and to the strength of our communities. We applaud any and all efforts to provide our educators further protection from the COVID-19 virus and, in doing so, to keep our schools and students safe.

Upon the state's reclassification of school staff members as eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, we immediately notified all of our Harmony employees of their eligibility and provided resources as to where they may find vaccine availability in their neighborhood, should they be interested in receiving it. At this time, we also will continue to follow all current campus safety protocols  including mask use for staff and in-person learners  and will inform our school community immediately if any changes are made."

The local Texas State Teachers Association stated that they support the mandatory mask wearing and adhering to CDC safety guidelines for school employees. They add that they insist that school employees get priority for the vaccine this month and continue the scheduling rotations until further notice.

cocampo@lmtonline.com

The Executive Office does not currently have the money to fund Troubles pensions, the Court of Appeal has heard.

Senior judges were told the department would foot the bill for the compensation scheme if its budget is increased.

But counsel for one of the so-called hooded men insisted that a mandatory order should be made for payments to begin. Barry Macdonald QC said: This is just further prevarication.

Last month, the court declared that the Executive Office was under a legal duty to fund the programme of pensions.

That followed a long-running dispute between Stormont and Westminster over who should pay for the 1.2bn scheme.

Parties were given a four-week deadline to find a solution.

In an update on Friday, the court was told the Secretary of State had met with Stormont ministers and officials have been involved in further discussions.

Due to the potential for a resolution, a three-week adjournment was sought.

Opposing the application, Mr Macdonald argued that a mandatory order should be made now requiring the Executive Office to do what they should have done this time last year.

He insisted: These discussions, in one form or another, have been going on since October 2019 when the legislation came into force.

The obligation to make the payments was in force last year.

However, a barrister representing the Executive Office said there was a misunderstanding about the extent of funding available to his client.

The position has always been that the Executive Office will fund the scheme when it has the money. It doesnt have the money, Philip McAteer said.

He described it as a small department, with a budget of around 118m to meet other commitments, including 50m ring-fenced for historical institutional abuse compensation.

The reality is there simply isnt any money, Mr McAteer submitted.

It will be our submission the court cannot order a party to do something which it cannot do.

During the hearing, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan pointed out that money for the scheme had to be obtained from the Department of Finance.

Adjourning the case, he directed that it is joined to proceedings as a notice party.

They should be aware that the court is examining whether to make a mandatory order in relation to that Department, Sir Declan said.

The court will sit again on March 26 to deal with the question of whether or not it should make mandatory orders in relation to any of the parties  that is, the Secretary of State, the Department of Finance or the Executive Office.

The legal battle has continued since the High Court ruled in August last year that the Executive Office deliberately stymied introduction of the scheme in a bid to force the Government into footing the bill.

With no order made to provide grant funding, Brian Turley appealed that outcome in a bid to ensure the necessary financial package was immediately put in place.

He was among 14 men detained, forced to wear hoods and subjected to special interrogation methods by the British military as the Troubles raged during the early 1970s.

Mr Turley took the original challenge to delays in implementing the pension scheme along with Jennifier McNern, who lost both legs in an IRA bomb attack in Belfast in 1972.

He has described the ongoing hold-up as another form of torture.

Rome, March 5 : Italy's overall coronavirus caseload has increased to 2,999,119 after the country registered 22,865 new cases in the last 24 hours, up from 20,884 reported a day earlier.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Health said that that another 339 people died of the disease, down from 347 on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The new figure pushed the death toll 98,974, the sixth highest in the world after the US, Brazil, Mexico, India and the UK.

Meanwhile, another 13,488 Covid-19 patients recovered, down from 14,068 on Wednesday and pushing overall recoveries to 2,453,706.

Of the total current infections, the vast majority, or 423,807 people, are isolated at home with mild or no symptoms, while 20,157 are hospitalised with symptoms.

Another 2,475 are being treated in intensive care units, up by 232 compared to Wednesday.

Also on Thursday, the Gimbe Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to disseminating scientific evidence and knowledge for better public health services, said that according to its independent monitoring report, new cases have jumped by 33 percent between February 24 and March 2.

The foundation said that the rise has "marked the start of the third wave" of the pandemic.

Italy is in the midst of a "vertiginous acceleration due to the variants" while "the mass vaccination campaign is failing to take off" due to "organisational difficulties" in many of the country's 20 regions, the foundation claimed.

Over 4.9 million people in Italy have been given at least the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and more than 1.5 million of them have received both shots, according to the Ministry of Health.

The recipients included health care staff, nursing home residents and staff, people aged over 80, the military, and school staff.


Australian cinematographer Lachlan Milne took a call from his American agent the day he finished shooting the Hollywood adventure movie Love and Monsters in Queensland two years ago.

The firm advice was whatever you do, dont go to the wrap party, dont go out to dinner with everybody, go home and read this script immediately because Ive set you up for an interview tomorrow morning with the director.

Id been desperate for a film like this: cinematographer Lachlan Milne on the set of Minari in Oklahoma. Credit: Melissa Lukenbaugh

Within weeks, Milne was shooting American writer-director Lee Isaac Chungs Minari in Oklahoma. The affecting drama about Korean immigrants making a new life on a farm won a Golden Globe this week and is considered a leading contender for multiple Academy Award nominations in just over a week.

Without becoming widely known, the cinematographer son of former ABC chairman Justin Milne has built an impressive resume including two films with Australian director Abe Forsythe, Down Under and Little Monsters, the hit American series Stranger Things and New Zealand director Taika Waititis films Hunt For The Wilderpeople and coming Next Goal Wins.
New Delhi, March 5 : To mark 100 days of farmers' agitation against the Centre's farm laws on Saturday, farmers will block the 135-km-long Western Peripheral Expressway, also known as Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway, from 11 am to till 4 pm.

Farmers's organisation Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which is leading the protests, has requested the protesters to wear black bands to register their protest on the day. The farmers have, however, contended that the five-hour blockade will be peaceful.

Those protesting at Singhu border will reach Kundli and block the toll plazas falling on the way. Besides this, farmers from Ghazipur and Tikri borders will block Dasna and Bahadurgarh toll plaza, respectively. Those sitting on the Shahjahanpur border will block the KMP Expressway touching Gurugram-Manesar.

Their plan of action includes freeing up the toll plazas from collecting fees. Farmers have also said that the toll plaza nearest to the border area will be blocked.

Rajvir Singh Jadaun, Uttar Pradesh President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union stationed at Ghazipur border told IANS, "These toll plazas will be blocked in a peaceful manner and passers-by will not be disturbed. We will keep water for the passers-by. They will also be apprised of our issues with the farm laws." He went on to say, "Emergency vehicles will not be stopped, whether it is an ambulance, a fire brigade vehicle or foreign tourists. Military vehicles will also not be stopped." The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has also requested the common people to wave black flags at homes and offices to support the movement, and protest against the government.

Jagtar Singh Bajwa, spokesperson of the protest committee at Ghazipur border told IANS, "Not many people will go from here. A few farmers will reach the Dasna toll. Water will be provided to those who are stopped at the border." People at Ghazipur border have been urged not to take their tractors to the protest area. The farmers have also been asked to reach there by their own vehicles. Besides this, people residing near the toll plazas will block the area.

Tens of thousands of farmers have been camping at the various borders of Delhi to protest against the three farm laws since November 26.

Over these 100 days, the farmers have braved harsh weather but remained firm on their demands. They want the repeal of the contentious laws and a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP).

The farmers claim that the laws will weaken the MSP system. The Centre, however, has described the laws as historic, long-needed reforms in the agriculture sector and said that they will bring investment to the market.

The agitated farmers, however, fear that the laws will leave them at the mercy of the big corporate houses and end the 'mandi system,' where farmers are assured of a minimum price for their produce.

Multiple rounds of talks between the government and the farm leaders have failed to end the deadlock so far.
As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content.

When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to.

After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS!

OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK

The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those.
Llamas admitted that because he has never been a pet owner, the issue is not as personal to him as it is to many Aurorans. Still, he said he was somewhat disappointed that people had a much higher interest in the issue of animal welfare than they seem to about crime and violence against people.
A Toney man has died after a Tuesday motorcycle crash.

Marcus Dewayne Taylor, 50, was fatally injured when the 2002 Honda motorcycle he was operating left the road and went airborne about 4:17 p.m., said Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Bailey said Taylor was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The crash occurred on Alabama 53 near Jeff Road, about three miles south of Toney.

The incident remains under investigation.
Dalton Utilities - OptiLink announces its partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia, and their efforts to bring relevance, authenticity and application into everyday learning to energize students around academics and their future possibilities. Dalton Utilities - OptiLink will support the development and implementation of JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, programs that will run within the first hybrid facility in the state and will impact 13,500 Northwest Georgia middle school students annually.

This facility will be the fourth JA Discovery Center in Georgia and will be located on the new Hammond Creek Middle School campus opening in Spring 2021. In partnership with the business and school communities, JA BizTown and JA Finance Park have impacted more than 400,000 students across the state in the past seven years.

We are thrilled to be able to deepen our impact in Northwest Georgia with this state-of-the-art center, said John Hancock, President and Chief Executive Officer, JA of Georgia. This project is a testament to the commitment the business and education communities in Dalton have to ensuring the next generation is prepared for their futures.

The 15,000 sq. ft. hybrid space will combine both JA BizTown and JA Finance Park to offer an experiential simulation to middle school students from Dalton Public Schools, Calhoun City Schools, Gordon County Schools, Murray County Schools and Whitfield County Schools.

JA BizTown creates a comprehensive experience where students are able to interact within a simulated economy and take on the challenge of fueling a business. Students not only discover the intricacies of being a professional and member of the community, but also realize the abundance of opportunities available within their city.

JA Finance Park provides students the rare opportunity to experience their personal financial futures first-hand. Students participate in an immersive simulation that enables them to develop skills to successfully navigate todays complex economic environment and discover how decisions today can impact tomorrow.

Dalton Utilities is excited and honored to be part of such a great endeavor as the JA Discovery Center, said Tom Bundros, CEO of Dalton Utilities. This facility will serve to educate students in Northwest Georgia on critical aspects of everyday life and the value of our economic system. Our community will continue to reap the rewards for many years to come.

With the opening of this facility, more than 100,000 students will participate in JA Finance Park and JA BizTown annually. This type of 360-degree, hands-on learning has led to 97 percent of teachers noting that participation in these programs helped their students understand the importance of setting real-world long-term goals.

We will be at the Grand Opening of the JA Discovery Center of Greater Dalton on March 4, 2021 at 4:00 PM at

328 Pleasant Grove Drive NE, Dalton, GA 30721.

About Junior Achievement of Georgia

Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia is dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make educated academic and economic choices. JA learning solutions are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences to students from kindergarten through high school. JA of Georgia offers multiple programs, including in-class programs, 3DE by Junior Achievement, JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, all of which focus on entrepreneurship, personal financial literacy and workforce readiness. JA of Georgia serves more than 175,000 students annually statewide, including 13,000 in the Dalton area. JA of Georgias headquarters is in Atlanta with regional offices in Dalton, Gainesville, and Savannah. For more information, visit georgia.ja.org.

About Dalton Utilities

Dalton Utilities has operated as a public utility since 1889. Dalton Utilities provides potable water, electrical, natural gas and wastewater treatment services to the City of Dalton and portions of Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, Catoosa and Floyd counties. Beginning in 1999, Dalton Utilities branched into telecommunications with broadband services to large industrial/commercial customers. In 2003, Dalton Utilities launched its OptiLink family of services and now provides broadband, cable TV, telephone and Internet services to area residents and businesses. Dalton Utilities serves approximately 50,000 customers and employs over 300 area residents.
PALERMO - After six months of administrative seizure at the port of Palermo, the Sea Watch 4 migrant-rescue ship operated by the German NGO in the Mediterranean left Sicily for the port of Burriana in Spain. In two weeks, one of the two vessels used for humanitarian operations will return to the Mediterranean. The release was possible thanks to an appeal filed by the lawyers of the NGO to an administrative court TAR in Palermo. "The administrative judges - explained the spokeswoman of Sea Watch Giorgia Linardi - have suspended the measure that blocked the vessel, ruling in favor of our request. While waiting for the European Court of Justice to rule on the case, both our ships can operate in the central Mediterranean".



"The sea Watch 4 arrived at the port of Palermo in September, we have been blocked for six months after which came the decision of TAR in Palermo to suspend preventive measures imposed by the Italian coast guard that kept the ship on hold for security reasons. In reality, this security so far is not even guaranteed by institutions. In fact, the Mediterranean remains empty, there isn't anybody at sea to rescue thousands of people who continue to cross it", said Linardi during operations that allowed the NGO's boat to leave the Sicilian port.



The ships were accused of transporting too many people. Between February 26 and 28, in its first mission after seven months of forced rest, the Sea Watch 3 rescued 363 people and stabilized a boat in danger with 90 people. The spokeswoman said that "a few hundreds of kilometers from here in Augusta" is the Sea Watch 3 "which arrived three days ago with 363 people on board rescued in five operations". "We still have 13 unaccompanied minors, a strongly disabled person and all people who have tested positive for Covid left on our ship in conditions of very high vulnerability".



"The European Union's approach surely remains to insist on the system of externalization of their responsibility, when instead the treaties of the union would impose to share responsibility between member states on immigration", continued Linardi. "In this, Italy continues to be left alone together with other Mediterranean countries", she said, calling the EU's attitude "deaf" and saying that it is "leaving these people unassisted". " The European Union's policies are implemented at the cost of human lives and these policies are not bringing any solution", continued the spokeswoman. "Four years have passed since the accords with Libya. People are continuing to die at sea, continuing to cross it".



Mayor Leoluca Orlando visited the port before the ship's departure for Spain. He recalled that the "Sea Watch 4 is returning at sea to save human lives one year after I gave the team, the NGO of this ship the honorary citizenship of Palermo".



"We should continue to be a point of reference for a culture that defends everybody's rights and, in particular, saves human lives in a genocide of the Mediterranean that continues with too much indifference", he said. "My presence is a form of confirmation of a shared vision, an engagement that is also expressed by Palermo's flag on this ship and on other ships".
Charleston County School District is partnering with the Medical University of South Carolina to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to school teachers and staff, starting March 9.

All in-school employees who opt to receive the vaccine likely will be inoculated with the first of two shots within three weeks, school officials said.

An annex of the former Garrett Academy of Technology in North Charleston will serve as a central vaccination site for the entire district. Officials expect to admit 18 people at a time and use three separate rooms in the annex, plus a waiting room where employees will wait for 15 minutes, under supervision, to ensure they do not experience any adverse reaction, Chief Operating Officer Jeff Borowy said.

About 800 people will get vaccinated each day of the operation. On the first day, Medical University personnel will take charge of the inoculations, with assistance from the school district's nurses. School nurses, all 120 of whom were vaccinated in December or January, could take the lead on subsequent days, Borowy said. The center will receive people on March 9, 10 and 12, and again on three days during the following week.

The district employs 3,500 classroom teachers, plus custodial staff, cafeteria workers and others. The goal is to get 2,000 people inoculated each week, and as many as 6,000 protected with the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine after three weeks. Borowy said the district will implement the same process for the second dose, and that the entire operation should be completed before the middle of April.

District officials are managing the process one school at a time. Teachers and staff at up to 50 district schools will receive the first dose during the first week. It's possible that employees at all remaining schools will have received the first dose by the end of the second week.

Each of the districts 87 schools and programs will have a vaccination day scheduled based on a selection process meant to ensure fairness, Borowy said. Those days will become eLearning days for students in order to provide the needed flexibility for mass inoculations. A rolling schedule will be in place so those seeking a vaccine at the former Garrett Academy can complete the process within about 30 minutes, with minimal wait time.

The announcement comes with short notice because school officials have been uncertain about when new doses of the vaccine would become available, and in what quantity. Scheduling generally has been on hold in the area because of shortages. The district has been planning its mass inoculation since the start of the school year, but could not finalize the process before knowing how many doses would be available per day.

MUSC will maintain a small freezer on site to protect each day's quantity of doses.

A few schools will be working with partners such as Fetter Healthcare and East Cooper Medical Center to administer the vaccine. Those schools will notify parents directly about scheduled eLearning days.
101st Airborne Getting New Commander

By The Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL - A new commander of the 101st Airborne Division is taking over at Fort Campbell.Maj. Gen. Brian Winski is relinquishing command of the division and Fort Campbell to Maj. Gen. JP McGee. A change of command ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday. It will be livestreamed online.Winski has been commanding general since February 2019.McGee was previously at Fort Campbell as commander of the Bastogne Brigade. He has recently been director of the Army Talent Management Task Force.
The petitioner in the just ended 2020 Election Petition, John Dramani Mahama, has reacted to the Supreme Court's ruling which dismissed his case.



The ruling which was read by Chief Justice Anin Yeboah stated that "the petitioner did not demonstrate how the alleged errors affected the validity of the declaration on the 9th. The petitioner has not produced any evidence . . . we have therefore no reason to order a re-run, we accordingly dismiss the petition"



Reacting to this decision, the former President said "much as I am aware that we are legally bound by the decision of the Supreme Court, I disagree with the process of trial and ruling of the court".



Below is the full text of what he said at a Press conference after the ruling





Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,



Earlier today, the Supreme Court of Ghana delivered its verdict on a petition we filed against the declaration made on the evening of 9th December 2020 by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Mrs. Jean Mensa, on the Presidential Elections of December 7, 2020.



My brothers and sisters, I did not take the decision to go to court lightly. In fact, many were those who expressed misgivings about my decision, not because we did not have a strong case, but because of the times we live in.



I still believe that no matter the circumstances, it was the right thing to do. It is gratifying that the courts proceedings were broadcast live. Ghanaians followed the hearings diligently. They understood what was happening even if the legal terminologies were not always easy to grasp.



Even though the petition to the Supreme Court stood in my name, it nonetheless represented the desire of an overwhelming number of Ghanaians, anxious for answers from the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission as the Returning Officer of the December 2020 Presidential Election.



Ghanaians were hoping to hear her testify and many are still baffled by the refusal of Mrs. Jean Mensa to be held to account by testifying in this case  unfortunately, with the unanimous agreement of the justices of the Supreme Court of Ghana. This vital part of the process to establish the truth and hold Mrs. Jean Mensa accountable was blocked time and again by a protective cordon and firewall that I am sure have confounded many Ghanaians.



The refusal of the Chairperson is in sharp contrast to the readiness with which Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, then Chairman of the Electoral Commission willingly testified in the 2013 Election petition filed by then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP.



Speaking as a Ghanaian, with no legal training, I believe that the refusal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson to testify in this election petition, leaves a bad precedent for the future. I disagree with the suggestion of our Justices that an election petition is akin to any other civil litigation and therefore an EC Chairperson, whose functions go to the heart of our democracy, can by a legal sleight of hand avoid accounting for her stewardship in an appropriate forum such as the highest court of the land.



Our legal team, led by Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, put together our case in a clear manner, which left no one in doubt about what the issues were. Apart from seeking to ensure compliance with the constitution and for the true choice of the people of Ghana to be respected, the Petition sought to provide opportunity for transparency and accountability in the management of our electoral processes. But no one who followed the proceedings in the Supreme Court will be surprised with the judgement pronounced some hours ago.



Much as I am aware that we are legally bound by the decision of the Supreme Court, I disagree with the process of trial and ruling of the court.



Ladies and Gentlemen, our 1992 Constitution says very directly in Article 125 Section 1 that: Justice emanates from the people and shall be administered in the name of the Republic by the Judiciary, which shall be independent and subject only to this constitution.



I believe that the law should not be an instrument for partisan purposes. I also believe that the rule of law should mean one rule for all. What anchors the rule of law is equality and fairness to all, irrespective of creed, background, or political coloration. Justice, we must remember, is rooted in moral foundations.



Ghanaians will always remember that moment when my lead counsel, Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, quoted from the Holy Bible urging the Justices of the Supreme Court to be faithful to their Judicial Oath and their conscience, only for the lawyer representing Nana Akufo-Addo, the 2nd Respondent, to argue for the exclusion of God in the matter. Yet, in the courts of Ghana, we swear on the Bible or the Cross, as we also do with the Holy Koran, to speak the truth and nothing but the truth.



Ghanaians will also remember this 2021 Election Petition for that profound moment when the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission opted to evade public scrutiny. Everything was done in this trial to prevent the Commission from accounting to the people in whose name they hold office.



Requests for Interrogatories were dismissed. A request to inspect documents in the possession of the Commission was turned down. The request for admission of facts was ignored.



Worse still, she was aided by her counsel and the court to avoid explaining to the good people of Ghana from her own testimony, under oath in a properly constituted court of law, the errors she herself admits to have committed in the declaration of the 2020 Presidential election results.



This is a clear stab in the heart of transparency and accountability to the sovereign people of Ghana. Whatever the reasons for not allowing Mrs. Jean Mensa to testify or answer any questions, it leaves an embarrassing stain, not only on our justice delivery system but also, on the nations electoral system, which has deepened the grave doubts harboured by many Ghanaians about the true outcome of the December 2020 Presidential Election.



The motto of Ghanas Electoral Commission is Transparency, Fairness and Integrity  principles the key actors clearly failed to live up to on this occasion. The refusal to account to Ghanaians, further, sets the worrying precedent  and I do really worry about this dangerous precedent  that may allow other heads of state institutions to adopt an approach of opacity and non-accountability in their work.



Just because they can rely on unconvincing interpretations of our laws to shield them from scrutiny in the near future. I hope and pray that time will prove me wrong.



There is a famous legal maxim brought into common use by Lord Chief Justice Hewart in 1924, that Justice must not only be done but should manifestly and undoubtedly seen to be done.



While judgement was given in this petition, it cannot be said by many to have been seen to be done by the constant unanimous strictures placed on the petitioner in laying out his case.



I have followed the proceedings of this petition and listened to the testimony of our General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketiah from beginning to end. I am quite alarmed at the mutilation of his testimony in the Supreme Court ruling.



Indeed, the ruling I heard today, virtually makes him the star witness of the 1st and 2nd Respondents. Many answers of his testimony in cross examination were taken out of context to create the basis for the dismissal of our election petition.



Ladies and Gentlemen, this case will go into the Ghana Law Reports for the future, and academics and students of law alike will clearly find befuddling, the internal contradictions in our jurisprudence. At the appropriate time, the legal team will come out with detailed comments on the judgment.



The Supreme Court has given its verdict, but the national debate on the dismal state of our democracy and the increasing weakness of its institutions has only just begun. It is time we all come together to confront those who seek to destroy the very democratic system that brought them into office. It is our patriotic duty to do so.



Ladies and Gentlemen, it bears reiterating that our grievances with the conduct of the 2020 elections was not limited to just the Presidential elections. Doubts about the Commissions commitment to fairness and transparency have lingered much longer than the duration of this Petition.



The doubts have attended their every action, and rightly so, because of their posturing and sometimes duplicitous conduct. As I have alluded to in the past, the current leadership of the Commission, was installed after the politically motivated removal of the previous leadership. Since then, every step they have taken has appeared to be calculated at ensuring the retention of the appointing authority in power.



Aside from the compilation of a new voter register in the midst of a pandemic, one that many Civil Society Organisations, political and governance experts insist was more procurement-induced than need-based, the time-tested process of consultation and dialogue among stakeholders through the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) was supplanted by unilateralism. This has not boded well for harmonious relations with stakeholders.



Compared to the two previous leaderships of the Commission, what we have now does not meet even the minimum requirements of neutrality and non-partisanship that are essential for consolidating our democracy. The much-touted independence of the Electoral Commission exists only in name now. This should give all Ghanaians cause to worry.



Today, we still have as a member of the Commission, someone who publicly stated that the political party, which I led into the December 2020 election is an existential threat to Ghanas democracy. And yet that same member presided over an election in which the same political party participated.



In the Parliamentary elections, the NDC won majority of seats. However, through devious manipulation by officials of the Electoral Commission, a number of these seats were illegally declared for the NPP.



In some instances, the manipulation was so glaring and brazen that simple intervention by the leadership of the Electoral Commission as has been done by previous Commissioners could have addressed the issues and righted the wrongs to make court actions completely unnecessary.



Therefore, it is not surprising that International Election Observers captured collation and tallying of results as one of the challenges of our 2020 elections. The posture and approach of this current Electoral Commission does not inspire the confidence needed to preside over any transparent, free and fair election.



They have absolutely no reason to remain in office. This is because the Electoral Commission must remain a neutral arbiter and the organizer of elections. They must not hold a vested interest in the dubious victory of one party over another.



The loyalty of the Electoral Commission must be to the people of Ghana and the Constitution from which it derives its mandate, and not the President or party under whose tenure the leadership is appointed. Immediate reforms, reflecting the long-standing image and reputation of our Electoral Commission as one of the finest and most credible on the continent and indeed the world, must be one of the focuses of public advocacy, if future elections are to be devoid of needless tensions and anxiety.



My brothers and sisters, we cannot forget the burning issue of the deliberate exclusion of the good people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe and Lolobi (SALL) from the Parliamentary election of 2020. This constitutes perhaps, the gravest injustice of the 2020 elections. It can easily fit into the worst forms of electoral trickery ever witnessed in our nations history.



Despite the shenanigans employed by the conspirators in this issue, it is abundantly clear that the rights of the people of SALL to vote, was intentionally violated as part of a move to ensure the predetermined election outcome of a particular Parliamentary constituency. This represents unparalleled abuse of power by both the government and its handmaiden, the Electoral Commission, to influence the outcome of the Parliamentary election in Hohoe.



It is even more staggering that no one has stepped forward to take responsibility for this unjustifiable action nor indicated any clear remedy for the harm caused. We cannot as a people countenance this kind of gerrymandering and chicanery in our politics. We must with one accord, demand immediate resolution of the impasse in the SALL area and take urgent steps to afford the people their right to vote and be represented.



My brothers and sisters, we entered the 2020 elections against an incumbent that was determined to abuse power and misuse state resources and institutions to achieve electoral victory. The run- up to the election and some of the processes involved were characterized by intimidation and harassment from state security agents and others loyal to the current regime.



Selective deployment of military personnel was used as a tool to instil fear in some of our citizens to dissuade them from taking part in the voter registration and other processes. Others were



falsely branded as foreigners and their citizenship called into question unjustly  an abhorrent nation-wrecking prejudice which has been directed especially against certain ethic groups of this country and has continued till date and has even recently been visited crudely on the Auditor General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo.



In the last election, unprecedented levels of state funds and resources were doled out by the ruling party, and unprovoked, deadly violence inflicted on our citizens in several cases. In the process, eight of our compatriots were murdered in cold blood and several others maimed during the process of the elections.



We have designated these compatriots, whose blood was shed just because they sought to participate in what was a purely civil exercise as MARTYRS OF DEMOCRACY to whom we shall dedicate an appropriate monument when the time comes.



I hope we can count on all well-meaning Ghanaians to support our efforts to bring the perpetrators of these murders to justice. Never must a government be allowed to turn the simple process of an election into a bloodbath. Never must impunity of this magnitude be allowed to fester in our democracy.



Our independence and the current democracy we enjoy were fought for and attained through the sacrifice and blood of our founding fathers, mothers and our compatriots. Never must we accept convenience over principle.



I take this opportunity to express my deep-seated appreciation to our lawyers, led by the colossus of a legal mind, Tsatsu Tsikata, for a valiant fight, which has won the admiration of many. Against considerable odds, they persisted and drove home our point in a manner that convinced all fair- minded observers about the just cause we had embarked on.



I express similar gratitude to all who played diverse roles in putting our case together. I salute our three key witnesses  our General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Dr. Michael Kpessah Whyte and Rojo Mettle-Nunoo for helping to unravel a part of the untold story of the flawed 2020 elections.



I also wish to place on record that the service rendered to me by my legal team in this petition was gratis  free. We may not have been successful. But your hard work and sacrifice will not go unheralded when the full story is told.



I am very much aware that there are millions watching and listening to me who are disappointed at the outcome of this case. For those millions, like myself, who held out hope that our democracy would be advanced by the process and outcome of this petition, you must be disappointed.



But I encourage you to hold your heads up high and channel your disappointment into hard work that will ensure that, come next election, we will achieve a truly transparent and fair election, which we all as Ghanaians can be proud of.



To all my compatriots and supporters, we may have lost the temporary battle of the 2020 election and the Petition that followed, but the larger struggle to create a society that lives up to our national motto of freedom and justice still rages on. It is a struggle, which requires even more commitment than before, and it is one that we will not shirk from until our patriotic aim is achieved.



To the millions of NDC supporters who have stood by me, my running mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, our National Chairman, General Secretary, Campaign Chairman, FEC, NEC, Parliamentary Candidates, Sponsors and all activists and supporters who gave their all in the hope that we will win and form the next government to save our nation and meet your aspirations, do not despair at this outcome. I repeat. Do not despair! Never, ever lose hope.



We achieved an impressive showing in the last election, and despite the intimidation, obscene abuse of incumbency advantage and the massive use of funds and resources we can be proud that we gave it our best. Our have become stepping-stones on which the NDC can build to secure victory in the next elections.



The NDC will survive and grow from strength to strength. The sun may have set on our hopes for the just ended election today, but it will rise tomorrow and illuminate our path to a better outcome next time around.



To the Council of Elders, members of the National Executive Committee of the NDC, the Functional Executive Committee, the Election 2020 Campaign team, my Staff, party executives at all levels, volunteers, polling agents and all who played roles in our campaign, no matter how small, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.



The NDC will always remain the party of the people. The party was established to empower the people of Ghana to be architects of our own destiny. We blazed the trail for participatory democracy. And I am confident that out of the ashes of this legal setback, we will mobilize and rekindle the struggle for a better democratic Ghana.



We will be law abiding and do nothing to compromise the stability of the country. We will however continue to be the voice of the voiceless and will not be distracted demanding justice and fairness at all times. Neither will we surrender or fail to champion the rights of all our people to enjoy the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under our constitution.



To the over six million Ghanaians who entrusted me with their votes, I cannot thank you enough for this honour. I value your votes so much. It reflects the confidence you have in the ideology, the ethos and importantly the 2020 Peoples Manifesto of the NDC. We have proven to be the most viable path to rapid socio-economic development.



I can assure you that even though this was not the outcome we expected, I am sure your votes will spur us on to victory in the future elections.



I also wish to acknowledge and commend the courage and commitment of Civil Society Organisations, journalists and individuals who have dedicated their lives to speak truth to power irrespective of which party sits at the Flagstaff House.



Whiles in office, my administration tolerated your views even when we disagreed. We did not hound your souls. In similar vein, we encourage you to continue to hold all governments accountable as you have done in the past for it is your right to do so.



My brothers and sisters, I have had a relatively long and fulfilling journey of public life and service during which I have had the privilege to serve in various capacities. I have had my ups and downs like all humans, but I have at all times promoted unity and inclusion and not division; and I have always placed the interest and well-being of Ghana first. I will continue to do same even at this moment and beyond.



We have only one nation, Ghana, and we must work together to ensure progress and growth of our dear nation. We can only do this, if we ensure equality, freedom and justice for all our citizens.



Long Live the NDC! Long Live Ghana!



I thank you all for your attention. May God bless our homeland Ghana.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
(paragraphs 3-9 of news item issued on March 4 have been added)

KYIV. March 5 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Some 48.4% of Ukrainians prefer speaking Ukrainian at home, according to the data of a sociological survey of respondents conducted by the Social Monitoring Center from February 19 to February 28 and presented at Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday, March 4.

At the same time, 23.9% of respondents speak two languages: Ukrainian and Russian. In turn, 27.3% of respondents tend to speak only Russian at home. Another 0.4% of respondents speak every other foreign language.

Also, 40.5% of respondents would like to read printed publications in Ukrainian, for 38.3% it does not matter if it is in Ukrainian or Russian, 19.4% would prefer to read in Russian.

As for watching TV programs, news releases, watching movies, concerts and live broadcasts, 40.5% would prefer to watch in Ukrainian, for 38.2% it does not matter if it is in Ukrainian or Russian, and 19.4% would watch in Russian.

In turn, 50.4% of respondents support the ban on Russian TV channels as necessary to protect the state, 41.5% consider the ban on TV channels a wrong step, 8.1% found it difficult to answer.

Some 44.1% of Ukrainians support the ban on Russian artists and some Russian films, 46.9% believe that such a ban restricts the rights of citizens, 9% found it difficult to answer.

A total of 47.2% of respondents support the ban on Russian social networks, 42.6% do not support it, and 10.2% of respondents found it difficult to answer.

Also, according to a poll, for 63.8% of Ukrainians the source of socio-political information is Ukrainian television channels, 56.8% receive information from social networks, 46.8% from Ukrainian online publications, 15% from Telegram channels, 11.3% from the radio, 11.1% from print newspapers and magazines, 8.6% from Russian television, 3% from European media, 1.6% from Russian social networks and other sources.

It is reported that in the eastern (61.4%), southern (56.6%) regions of Ukraine, as well as in the government-controlled part of Donbas (63.7%) people prefer to receive socio-political information from social networks, which is higher indicator than in other regions of Ukraine.

The sociological survey was conducted by the Social Monitoring Center from February 19 to February 28 by the method of individual interviews at the place of residence among 3,017 respondents throughout Ukraine, excluding the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea. The margin of error ranges from 1.1% to 1.9%.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
You dont have to be in Montana very long before you get to know the work of Gus Wolfe. The first time you stop in Augusta for a steak or maybe a cold beer, you will see his work hanging on the walls just about everywhere.

And he has a shop in the former Mels Diner in Augusta.

But good luck on finding him there. Most likely hes up in the hills, or at a lake, maybe getting in some hunting and fishing, or maybe just hunting for that perfect photo.

Gus has had a talent for photography from an early age, learning, and then honing his skills while growing up in the wildlands around his hometown of Augusta.

He was born in Wolf Creek, but graduated from Augusta High School in 1963. For his graduation present, Gus mom presented her son with her 7mm Mauser hunting rifle.

Gus first camera was an Argus C3, given to him by his boss for defending the logging camp where Gus worked at the time. Gus was hooked, and his next camera was a Kodak Retina.

He worked in the darkroom at The Hilltopper, the Carroll College yearbook while attending Carroll. He also took a job in the darkroom processing film at the Montana Fish and Game film office, and, after joining the Air National Guard in February 1965, he would end up in the darkroom there, I was living in three darkrooms, Gus told the Sun Times in a 2018 interview.

Gus exhibit will open this Saturday at 2:00 pm at Big Sky Pottery and Art Gallery. The gallery is located at 407 2nd. Avenue in Fairfield, and can be reached by phone at (406) 467-2067.
NEW YORK, NY, March 5, 2021  Hugh OKane Electric Company Inc., an industry leader in telecommunications installation & maintenance, and electrical contracting services in New York City since 1946, praised New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) Commissioner Jessica Tischs decision to open a new poletop reservation period.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Mobile Telecom Franchises (MTFs), and telecommunication contractors in New York City have been anticipating a reservation opening since Commissioner Tisch took the helm of DoITT in December of 2019. Poletop infrastructure is critical to the successful rollout of 5G infrastructure, playing a key role in helping close the digital divide and maintain economic competitiveness at a critical time in the Citys history.

The full implementation of 5G will bring faster and more reliable online service to all New Yorkers, expanding access to public health and medical services; improving education by keeping students connected; strengthening public safety tools for first responders; increasing telecommuting capabilities and more  all while generating good-paying jobs.

To take advantage of the promise of 5G, telecommunications networks need to be augmented with 5G radios, connected by fiber optic networks, to distributed data centers. These small cells need to be densely deployed because 5G leverages high frequencies which cannot travel far. To ensure all New Yorkers benefit from the deployment, Commissioner Tisch focused the reservation on areas outside of Manhattan, with 75% of pole picks in the outer boroughs.

Hugh OKane Electric is prepared to continue bringing 5G and small cell infrastructure to the New York City marketplace, said John OKane, executive vice president at Hugh OKane Electric Company. This new reservation opening will help make the City a national leader in 5G, be a step forward in bridging the digital divide - connecting the many New Yorkers who dont have access to broadband today - and it will also have a positive impact on near-term job creation in the telecommunications industry.

OKane noted that the company has worked closely with IBEW Local(3) over the past twenty years to help train, develop, and maintain skilled electricians who are qualified to deploy next generation mobile networks. It has been building telecommunications infrastructure in support of MNOs and MTFs since the early 90s.

We have been eagerly waiting this reservation opening as it will be the first reservation open since the approval of the 5G pole top shroud last year, OKane added. We applaud the move and ready to get to work

5G has the capacity to reach speeds up to 20 times faster than the current 4G LTE and has the ability to connect 100 times the number of devices. According to a study by Boston Consulting Group in partnership with wireless industry group CTIA, expanding 5G service in the New York metropolitan area will add up to 140,000 jobs and $77 billion in GDP within ten years.

Hugh OKane Electric is also a member of New Yorkers for 5G, a statewide coalition dedicated to educating elected officials, policy makers, and members of the public about the need for next-generation connectivity. The coalition includes members representing a wide array of industries, including healthcare, education, tech, economic development and more.

New Yorkers for 5G applauds DoITT Commissioner Tischs commitment to bring New Yorkers the next-generation connectivity they deserve and need to succeed, said coalition spokesperson Caitlin Brookner. The pandemic has proven that reliable online access is no longer a privilege but a necessity. This long overdue reservation period is a good step forward that will undeniably improve New York Citys economy and connectivity.

About Hugh OKane Electric

Hugh OKane Electric Company, Inc. (HOK) has been a leading provider of electrical & telecommunication construction and maintenance services to businesses in the Greater New York metropolitan area since 1946. HOK is licensed to provide services throughout New York City, Long Island and New Jersey. The company has installed power, lighting, fire alarm, security, data systems, specialty infrastructure systems, and specialty network systems for a wide range of industries and institutions.

The HOK telecommunications division provides leading-edge design, construction, installation and maintenance of state-of-the-art telecom networks for wireline, fiber optic, and wireless networks. With its staff of electricians and technicians available for immediate response, HOK specializes in high-quality, fast track jobs. The companys reputation is built upon attention to detail while meeting clients time frames and budgets.

For more information, please visit http://www.hokane.com/.

About New Yorkers For 5G

New Yorkers for 5G was formed to educate residents, businesses, and decision makers about the importance of next-generation connectivity and advocate for policies that facilitate its success around the state. Its members represent a diverse array of businesses, organizations and individuals from every corner of the Empire State.

Media Contact:

John O'Kane, jokane@hokane.com, (212) 431-6007

(Natural News) The winter storm that swept across Texas last month took power, cut water and claimed lives. It also led to fish kills along the entire Texas coast. But fish-killing events like this are nothing new in the Lone Star State.

In fact, historical records showed that Texas has had its fair share of these fish-killing events due to record-low temperatures. David Shormann, a marine chemist based in Magnolia, Texas, said as much in a recent article.

In his article, Shormann pointed out that last months freeze-kill event was similar to the devastating coastal freeze-kill events of 1983 and 1989, which resulted in the deaths of some six to 14 million fish. Shormann added that he expects the death toll of last months freeze to be within that range, if not just above it.

Shormann also cited the 1996 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) report, which had annotated over 20 freeze-kill events that occurred in Texas since 1527.

One conclusion of the report is that major freeze-kill events occurred every 1015 years since the 1800s. Minor freeze-kill events also occurred after 1989, but no major event occurred in the more than three decades leading up to the 2021 event. Shormann explained that this time interval is well above average.

Mark Fisher, the coastal fisheries science director at TPWD, also said that the freeze of 1983 and the freeze-kill events of February and December 1989 became the benchmarks for freeze-kills because they were far worse. They marred coastal fisheries and changed the way they were managed for years to come, added Fisher.

Since then, fishing in Texas has been exceptional for coastal fish species like speckled trout and redfish. Plus, sea turtle populations in the area have boomed ever since.

But the good news is, fisheries will recover. Fishermen can now use drones to gauge the damage of the event or take to social media platforms to encourage conservation techniques like catch-and-release fishing for the time being.

Another reason fisheries will recover is that Texas had a buffer going into the freeze-kill event, said Fisher. The waters relatively warm and stayed within 6070 degrees Fahrenheit in most areas. Plus, Texas did not see cold air until several days later. [We] had a relatively gradual cooldown, added Fisher.

Overall, Texas history of freeze-kill events could offer invaluable insight to scientists examining climate trends and predicting future climate outcomes. And according to Shormann, this history is one of the best pieces of evidence that climate change is not an imminent threat.

Shormann ended his article with a prediction that Texans will see another major freeze-kill event over the next 30 years. But climate catastrophe will not, he added.

So-called climate catastrophe is not taking place

In pointing out that freeze-kill events in Texas are not new, Shormann sought to make an argument against so-called climate change, which most climate alarmists argued was the reason for the cold snap in Texas. Some climate alarmists even blamed the alleged heating of the Arctic Circle for the winter weather in Texas.

Climate change is not an imminent threat, said Shormann. Some experts would agree. Fritz Vahrenholt, one of the founders of the German modern environmental movement, said that the so-called climate catastrophe that climate alarmists projected would peak in the 12 years is simply not taking place.

On the contrary, Vahrenholt said that humans still have about three generations time to push for clean energy sources. He also cited the fact that the sun has never before demonstrated such great activity over the past thousand years as it does today. The planet was also three degrees Celsius warmer when civilization began.

There was no tipping point then, and there is no clear sign there will be one in the future, he added. (Related: Climate change activist movement nothing more than rebranded 1970s myth.)

Go to FakeScience.news to read more articles about global warming and other hoaxes.

Sources include:

WattsUpWithThat.com 1

WattsUpWithThat.com 2

HoustonChronicle.com

TheGuardian.com
Was there ever a food as destructive of family harmony as the Kelloggs Variety Pack? There were eight tiny packets, ranging from the relatively healthy to virtual candy. In a fair and just world, the candy  the Coco Pops  would have been reserved for the youngest child. Often, however, that equitable outcome was not achieved.

Some of the brands that feature in the Kelloggs variety pack. Credit:Fairfax Media

And, so, the put-upon five-year-old would be left morosely chomping down on the Sultana Bran, solving a constipation problem which was still 50 years into his future. Meanwhile, his older, stronger and faster siblings would make merry with the good stuff.

The family holiday  the Kelloggs Variety Pack was only purchased during holidays  was already ruined, at least for the familys youngest member.

People often talk about food as an expression of love, but it can be weaponised as well.

Supporters of the United Malays National Organization hold signs during the partys 71st anniversary celebration at Bukit Jalil stadium in Kuala Lumpur, May 11, 2017.

Malaysias dominant political force, UMNO, will leave the ruling coalition in the next election, the party announced Thursday, leaving embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in search of new partners and possibly delaying polls, analysts told BenarNews.

The United Malays National Organization, the biggest party in the ruling bloc, will stay in the alliance until parliament is dissolved, Ahmad Maslan, UMNOs secretary-general said in a statement.

There will be no cooperation with PPBM in the 15th general election, Maslan said, using the Malay acronym for Muhyiddins Malaysian United Indigenous Party, or Bersatu. UMNO has always stuck to the concept of honesty and sincerity in a political alliance, Maslan said.

Therefore, this decision was arrived at after taking into account views of the grassroots and considering carefully the pros and cons of being in the government when the people are facing the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

After a high-level meeting attended by Muhyiddin, Bersatu responded to UMNOs announcement.

Bersatu takes seriously the letter sent by the UMNO president dated Feb. 26, 2021, as it has huge implications on the future cooperation between UMNO, Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional, Bersatu said in a statement.

About this matter, Bersatu has decided to keep focusing on developing cooperation with allies in Perikatan Nasional, which are PAS, STAR, SAPP and Gerakan, based on a struggle that is sincere and honest for the people in order to win the coming general elections.

The statement was alluding to other parties in the ruling Perikatan Nasional bloc, of which the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) is the third largest, after UMNO and Bersatu.

UMNO and Bersatu officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment from BenarNews.

Muhyiddin will delay election

UMNOs announcement was not a surprise given that its alliance with Bersatu has been rocky for months, according to observers.

UMNO feels it has not reaped the rewards of holding the most parliamentary seats in the ruling coalition, said political analyst Tunku Mohar Mokhtar. Still, Malaysias oldest political party may have erred in pulling out of the alliance with Muhyiddin for the next election.

I think Muhyiddin will delay the general election until he is assured that he can still become the PM, Mokhtar, who teaches at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, told BenarNews.

Muhyiddin has repeatedly said he would advise the king to dissolve parliament and hold elections when the pandemic ends.

Critics had slammed him for advising the king to declare a nationwide emergency in January. They said the PM merely wanted to cling to power amid infighting in his coalition.

Mokhtar said he wouldnt be surprised to see some horse-trading as Muhyiddin looks for ways to delay the polls.

In fact on Sunday, two MPs quit the opposition People's Justice Party and pledged support for Muhyiddin's Perikatan. Some UMNO lawmakers may follow suit as well, Mokhtar said.

MPs switching sides is a probable scenario. The two engineers  Azmin [Ali] and Hamzah [Zainudin]  seem to be good at this, the analyst said, referring to two key figures in Muhyiddins party.

So Muhyiddin will either extend the emergency, which seems unlikely, or by getting more MPs to switch to his side he will use the argument of a stable government to stay in power long enough  until he thinks that he can win the next election.

UMNO, Bersatu wooing PAS

Not everyone in UMNO is on board with its decision to split from Bersatu.

Annuar Musa, a minister and senior member of UMNO, told BenarNews this week that for the party to be in power it would need to ally itself with the Islamic party PAS and Bersatu.

It is simple. I am not convinced that we have other formulas to remain in power. In my opinion UMNO needs to be on a winning team and it has no other option. To lose or become the opposition is not an option for UMNO, Musa told BenarNews.

All three have to be together. That is what I have been trying to say. PAS has its own grassroots, UMNO too. Without PAS, UMNO cannot stand alone and be in power. Bersatu also has its own strength. So if all three combined, we could provide more stability then other political parties.

Musa expressed confidence that Muhyiddin would be true to his word and advise the king to call general elections when the pandemic is over.

However, by itself, Bersatu is a spent force, according to analyst Oh Ei Sun.

I have never believed that Muhyiddin would hold elections early, as his party Bersatu needs time to build up a support base, Oh, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, told BenarNews.

The Pakatan voters who voted for many Bersatu MPs would no longer support Bersatu, while UMNO and PAS retain ironclad holds on the conservative Malay vote. So, who are Bersatus niche voters?

Oh was referring to how Bersatu brought about the collapse of the earlier Pakatan Harapan government, which came to power after a stunning upset in 2018.

Meanwhile, the PAS party has been trying to play peacemaker between UNMO and Bersatu in recent months.

At the moment, it would appear that Bersatu has the upper hand in wooing PAS, as an avalanche of PAS-friendly policies have been either adopted or proposed in rapid succession. PAS has a single-minded ultimate goal of turning the country into a full-fledged theocracy, analyst Oh said.

As it [PAS] holds a significant number of MPs, it welcomes UMNO and Bersatu to vehemently compete with each other to push policies that are conducive to PASs unwavering theocratic goal. As the religious brinksmanships dust settles in the not so distant future, PAS will make its opportunistic choice between the two.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

To the leadership of Bethany Christian Services, I make this heartfelt appeal as a fellow-disciple of Jesus who also cares about the wellbeing of needy children. Please reconsider your decision to provide services for gay and lesbian couples wanting to adopt. Please ask yourselves again: Is this decision truly honoring to the Lord in whose name you work? Is it truly in the best interest of the children whose lives you seek to better?

I understand that you have wrestled with this question for many years now and that you did not make your decision lightly. I also understand you claim to be doing this in the name of compassion. As stated by president and CEO Chris Palusky, We will now offer services with the love and compassion of Jesus to the many types of families who exist in our world today. Were taking an all hands on deck approach where all are welcome.

But does the love and compassion of Jesus willfully place a child in an environment where he or she will be deprived of either a mother or a father? Does Jesus, in His love, want that child to be raised in an environment that, at best, is still deeply contrary to Gods design and order? And with ample studies indicating that children raised in same-sex homes tend to be much more open to sexual experimentation and gender confusion, are you ready to answer to the Lord for being the ones who placed them in this environment?

We all know that there are many, deeply devoted, caring same-sex couples. But that does not mean for a second that placing a child under their care is the best choice for that child, let alone what God would desire.

The New York Times article covering your decision quotes Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, a fellow with the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative at the Center for American Progress. He states, To use a Christian term, this is good news. For too long the public witness of Christianity has been anti-this or anti-that. Today the focus is on serving children in need.

To the contrary, this does anything but focus on serving children. Can you really say that the best you can do for a needy child is place them in a same-sex household?

It is only progressive Christianity that could affirm your new policy, a Christianity that flatly rejects the plain testimony of Scripture and the united testimony of the Church for two millennia.

God knows what is best for children and family, and He has plainly established the mother-father setting in the home. Or do you think that all your predecessors who held to these views were religious bigots and homophobes?

For good reason Southern Baptist Russell Moore characterized your decision as capitulating.

In the sight of God, can you really tell me it was anything less than that? Or was the conviction under which you operated for 77 years, never placing children in the homes of gay or lesbian couples, based on spiritual ignorance? Would your founders and historic supporters approve of your new move?

More importantly, has the Lord changed His mind since 2007, when your position statement read, Gods design for the family is a covenant and lifelong marriage of one man and one woman?

According to the Times, last year, you commissioned a survey from the evangelical pollster Barna that found 32 percent of self-identified Christians believed that sexual orientation should not determine who could foster or adopt.

But what does this have to do with God? Since when does a poll determine morality? Is abortion moral because a significant percentage of Americans believe it to be so? And since when did the viewpoint of self-identified Christians have any bearing on the truth of the Word?

Based on other Barna polls, most self-identified Christians today  even those who identify as born-again and/or evangelical  have woefully deficient worldviews and demonstrate tremendous ignorance of the Bible. Specifically, Although 7 out of 10 Americans consider themselves to be Christian, just 6% actually possess a biblical worldview.

Why on earth would you even want to know how these Christians feel about same-sex adoption, unless you were making decisions based on worldly pragmatism rather than biblical conviction. In that case, it would be good to change the name of your organization along with any Christian references in your vision statement.

Your policy change is not about what Jesus wants. It is about what people will accept.

Back in 2014, World Vision made the disastrous decision to allow same-sex marriage among its employees. Thankfully, that important organization had the integrity to repent and change course within 48 hours. Short of that, I doubt that the ministry would be anywhere near as strong as it is today. Will you also show Christian integrity and stand for what is right in Gods sight and what is best for the children?

According to the Times, your announcement is a significant departure for the 77-year-old organization, which is the largest Protestant adoption and foster agency in the United States. Bethany facilitated 3,406 foster placements and 1,123 adoptions in 2019, and has offices in 32 states.

That is a remarkable legacy, one for which all of us can be grateful. It is also a sacred entrustment. Will you discard that now by capitulating to the threat of lawsuits of bad press? Why cant you continue to refer LGBT couples to other organizations, as you have done in the past? Certainly, there is no shortage of children in need, sad to say.

And if it is a matter of not enough heterosexual homes for these children, then by all means, let Christian leaders around the country help make that known. The adoption movement continues to grow in evangelical circles across the nation. Surely, many more will step up when they hear the need.

Board member Susanne Jordan said, We recognize there are people who will not be happy. We may lose some donors. But the message were trying to give is inviting people alongside of us. Serving children should not be controversial.

With all respect, I urge you not to push the Lords blessing away, nor to push His people away, the very ones with whom you have worked for decades. By inviting new people to partner with you, you are driving many faithful, longtime partners away.

Serving children should not be controversial. We all agree on that. But it is controversial to scorn the wisdom of God, to willfully deprive children, who have no choice in the matter, of either a father or mother, and to place them in a household that violates Christian standards, no matter how loving it may be.

I beg of you, in the sight of the Lord to whom we will all give account, to reconsider, repent, and return to your foundations. Both God and history will ultimately honor you if you do. And many, many children will be grateful as well.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins will lead an investigation into the workplace culture at Parliament House and responses to sexual harassment and assault.

Special Minister of State Simon Birmingham said on Friday the inquiry would examine how to change the culture and practices and ensure Parliament had the best possible environment for the prevention of, and response to, incidents. The review will give an update in July and a final report in November, which will be made public.

The inquiry was prompted after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins went public last month with an allegation she was raped by a colleague in a ministers office in March 2019.

She has now brought a formal complaint to police and wants to see lasting change to the culture of Parliament and workplace protections afforded to staffers.
JOINT BASE CAPE COD  It was a harrowing Tuesday night with 35 mph winds and 15-foot seas when members of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod assisted in the rescue of 31 fishermen from a disabled vessel that sank off the coast of Nova Scotia.

"It was a very challenging affair," Lt. Travis Christy, commander on the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter that helped in the rescue, said during a press conference at Joint Base Cape Cod Wednesday afternoon.

At 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, the Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, was notified that the 143-foot Canadian vessel Atlantic Destiny was disabled with a fire on board and was taking on water.

A Coast Guard Air station Cape Cod HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing crew and two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters crews launched to the scene.

The two Jayhawk helicopters hoisted 21 fishermen between them. The fishermen were taken to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, where they were transferred for any medical treatment.

Another six members were hoisted from the vessel by a Royal Canadian Air Force CH-149 helicopter crew from 14 Wing Greenwood in Nova Scotia.

Four other crew members initially stayed on board the Atlantic Destiny to try to dewater the vessel, and the Royal Canadian helicopter dropped off two search and rescue technicians to assist in the dewatering efforts, according to the statement.

When it became clear the vessel could not be saved, the remaining four crew members and two technicians were transferred to the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Cape Roger, the statement said.

Having managed only a few hours sleep, Christy, while exhausted, said Wednesday he was proud of the mission.

"I would say this was the most challenging (hoisting) that I have seen in my entire career," he said. "But we train frequently and work hard, and the reason we do that is for nights like last night."

Christy said the vessel was at the mercy of the sea and was unable to move on its own.

"There is no margin for error," he said. "The sea is incredibly unforgiving. It doesn't suffer fools, and it has a low tolerance for mistakes."

Flight mechanic Phillip Morales was tasked with safely retrieving the survivors from a small back corner of the ship. At one point, he recalled, crew members were transported one by one 90 feet up to the helicopter in the incredibly high winds, he said.

"I kept thinking to myself, 'slow is smooth and smooth is fast,'" Morales said. "'So just take your time and just bring them in and send it back down.'

Morales said there were some technical issues where they lost the trail line three times. The helicopter was down to its last line, and was forced to drop in altitude to stop the line from being yanked off the deck.

"It was all timing," he said, adding that it took the entire crew to accomplish each rescue.

The Atlantic Destiny was eventually located about 130 miles south of Halifax.

At around noon in Newfoundland, Ocean Choice International, the company that owns and operates the Atlantic Destiny, learned the vessel had succumbed to damages sustained on Tuesday night and had sunk, the business said in a statement.

"While we are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our offshore fishing vessels, we are extremely relieved and thankful that all of our 31 crew members were safely transported ashore and are currently in the process of reuniting with their families and loved ones," Ocean Choice CEO Martin Sullivan said in a statement.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing, the company said.

The Atlantic Destiny, one of Ocean Choice's six offshore fishing vessels, harvests frozen-at-sea scallops. Its port of call is Riverport, Nova Scotia.

This article is written by Beth Treffeisen from Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass. and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
American Independent Party plans to nominate Donald Trump as their presidential candidate in 2024?if his Republican Party ditches him.



The American Independent Party has revealed plans to nominate Donald Trump as their presidential candidate in 2024 if his Republican Party ditches him.



AIP chairman, Markham Robinson made this known during a recent chat with TMZ.



He told the publications that the party leaders are set on nominating Trump to head up their ticket for the next presidential race if he decides to have another go at it.



Mr. Markham also noted that the AIP leaders were more than enthusiastic at Trump's apparent desire to stay in politics, which he strongly hinted at during his CPAC speech this past weekend.



According to him, Donald Trump is the perfect guy to lead their party, which is notoriously far-right and supports a limited role in government, tax cuts and are pro-life.

The American Independent Party's first presidential nominee was segregationist George Wallace. Another segregationist, Lester Maddox was also the party's standard-bearer in the '70s.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Syracuse, NY  A Syracuse man, accused of a stabbing death in March 2019, has for years refused to work with veteran lawyers once assigned to his case.

Now, Dwight Vaughan, 32, faces a jury trial March 22  the countys first murder trial during the pandemic. Hes accused of killing Shaladik Hadid, 39, after a car crash on South Salina Street. And Vaughan suddenly has decided he needs legal help.

So Vaughan is trying to convince defense lawyer Robert Baska to represent him at his upcoming trial -- for free.

Baska is facing a felony indictment himself, accused of conspiring with a client to lie to a judge and jury in 2015. Hes continued to practice law, accusing the district attorneys office of a malicious prosecution. The criminal case, and Baskas lawsuit, remain pending.

RELATED: Longtime Syracuse lawyer faces perjury in clients sloppy cover-up after DA wins appeal

On Friday, Baska told a judge that there was no way he could get ready for a homicide trial in two weeks. Still, Baska promised to meet with Vaughan this weekend to hear more about the case.

County Court Judge Stephen Dougherty, who picked Vaughan as the first trial after the pandemic shutdown, said there was no way he would delay Vaughans trial further.

Vaughan has a history of not getting along with lawyers who were assigned at taxpayer expense to help him. Veteran homicide lawyers Ed Klein and Nick DeMartino each told a judge in the summer of 2019 that they couldnt work with Vaughan.

Another homicide lawyer, Ken Christopher, took the case for awhile, but eventually had a falling out with Vaughan, too. The defendant fired Christopher in January 2020, vowing to act as his own lawyer at trial.

Vaughans case was the next up for trial when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the courthouse in March 2020. Weeks ago, his case was scheduled as the first trial once trials resume later this month.

But now, Vaughan wants a lawyer, Baska, to represent him free of charge.

Its not the only oddity in this case. Vaughan was not originally charged in Hadids death. But authorities later accused him of falsely implicating his cousin for the homicide.

While being questioned by police in the days after the homicide, Vaughan began eating his t-shirt, investigators have testified. They accused him of trying to destroy evidence.

Acting as his own lawyer, Vaughan once asked a judge if he could deputize his own family to act as investigators and interview witnesses. The judge said no.

So Vaughan will go to trial March 22 on a murder charge that carries a sentence of up to 25 years to life in prison, if proven.

It remains to be seen if hell stand before the jury alone or not.

RELATED: 3 years after arrest, oldest Syracuse murder case goes to a jury: how Covid trials will work

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
All things considered, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis looks to be the most successful governor in the United States. The Florida contingent of the garbage media is therefore determined to destroy him one way or another.

At RedState, Sister Toldjah patiently explicates the current media campaign in A Fed up Ron DeSantis Rips Miami Herald a New One Over Poorly Executed Hit Piece on Senior Vaccinations. Ms. Toldjahs post is full of the relevant links.

The video below conveys the heart of DeSantiss response. The enemies of DeSantis are going to have to do better. On a parochial note, I would add only that we could use a man like Ron DeSantis in Minnesota  both to liberate the state and talk back to the Star Tribune.

Ms. Toldjah concludes:

That a controversy has been made of DeSantis prioritizing the hardest-hit group of people for vaccinations is just amazing to me, even knowing how our duplicitous media operates. For purposes of discussion, lets say Gov. Andrew Cuomo prioritized the vaccine for women or in black or Hispanic communities, which are also key voting blocs. Do you think wed hear criticism from the New York media or national outlets over Cuomo making that key voting bloc a priority? Of course not. I mean, it took the media ten months to finally get around to noticing the nursing home controversy, which was and is an actual scandal. Predictably, this was yet another hit piece designed to dent DeSantis political armor, not just in an attempt to once again paint him as the coronavirus villain over governors who actually have done a bad job, like Cuomo, but also because of 2024 considerations. DeSantis has been touted as a possible top presidential contender, and as a result, the media and the left are responding accordingly. Its especially remarkable when you think about how they routinely accused Trump and DeSantis last year of being willing to sacrifice seniors in order to reopen the economy. Now, theyve almost quite literally done a full reversal from their previous we must protect seniors! stance. Sadly, for them, it all boils down to politics.

Whole thing here.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) filed a 12,000-page chargesheet at the NCB's NDPS court in connection with the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The chargesheet is about 40,000 pages long in digital format, which was submitted to the court on a CD. The central agency has named 33 people including Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty in the chargesheet.

The NCB named Sushant's house help and several drug peddlers in the chargesheet besides Rhea and Showik.

The voluminous document comprises 200 witness statements, which state that the drug tests of all the accused from whom drugs have been recovered came out as positive. The agency has also submitted evidence like digital evidence, WhatsApp chats, location tags, video, and voice recordings and call records.

As of now, the court is yet to take cognisance of the chargesheet. The chargesheet will also be given to the accused and the court is now expected to give a hearing date, following which the regular hearing will begin.

The NCB had arrested Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik, some staff members of the late Chhichhore actor and a few others under several sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The central agency started investigation in the Sushant Singh Rajput case after it received official information from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) about various chats related to drug procurement, consumption, usage, and transportation. Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment on June 14, 2020.

Also read: US decision to block raw material supply will hamper global efforts, warns Adar Poonawalla
A freight train derailed in the Southern California desert on Wednesday, sending more than 40 rail cars crashing into the sand, authorities said.

Nobody was hurt and there was no fire when the BNSF Railway train went off the tracks around midday near the remote Mojave community of Ludlow, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said on Twitter.

Photos and video tweeted by the fire department showed cars piled up along the tracks, some on their sides.

Initial reports indicate 44 cars derailed, and one car carrying ethanol alcohol is leaking, BNSF spokeswoman Lena Kent said in an email.

A hazardous materials spill was quickly mitigated, the fire department said.

The train was carrying mixed freight, Kent said.

Investigators will try to determine the cause of the crash some 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Trucking
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun bows after speaking to lawmakers at the National Assembly in Seoul's Yeouido, Mar. 5, pleading to pass a latest extra budget proposal worth $13.2 billion to finance the fourth round of COVID-19 relief for small businesses and vulnerable groups. Yonhap



Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged the National Assembly on Friday to swiftly pass the latest extra budget proposal, calling it "medicine" and a "vaccine" amid the coronavirus pandemic.



The government has submitted a 15 trillion won (US$13.2 billion) supplementary budget plan to finance the fourth round of COVID-19 relief for small businesses and vulnerable groups.



The new package is worth 19.5 trillion won, including 4.5 trillion won from this year's budget.



"This supplementary budget proposal is public welfare medicine aimed at easing the pain of desperate victim groups and a public welfare vaccine aimed at preventing further polarization," Chung said in a speech before the Assembly.



"It is time to build a model for K-recovery, in addition to K-antivirus measures," he said, referring to a government catchphrase used to describe the country's initial successes in containing the virus.



The fourth round of relief funds has been designed to support small businesses, the job market and the country's antivirus campaign, according to the finance ministry, which announced the plan on Tuesday.





Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun adjusts his microphone before presiding Friday's COVID-19 countermeasure meeting at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District. Yonhap
Having traveled to more than 30 countries till date, the lens woman spills magic through her pictures

There is no denying that Ishita is amongst those adventure photographers who have established their name through their astonishing pictures.

We recently caught hold of this social media influencer whose photography skills speak volumes about her outstanding talent. From capturing snow capped mountains to unexplored picturesque locations, ace photographer Ishita Dharnidharka is taking the trips of everyone's dreams and her social media is legit proof.

Based in Mumbai, Ishita Dharnidharka kickstarted her career back in 2014 out of a passion for travel and photography. Her first trek to Everest Base Camp was the turning point when Ishita found a professional photographer in her.

Having traveled to more than 30 countries till date, the lens woman spills magic through her pictures by capturing every moment from the places she visits. Be it Finland or Slovenia or South Africa or Estonia amongst many others, Ishita has taken travel photography a notch higher. Her pictures grab immense eyeballs on the internet and become viral within no time.

There is no denying that Ishita is amongst those adventure photographers who have established their name through their astonishing pictures. When it comes to travel Instagram influencers, they get to do what few can. They can jet off to new places, experience new cultures, taste new foods, and make new memories. Its the ultimate lifestyle experience that many people aspire to.

The dynamic photographer had gotten an opportunity to visit Peru for an assignment sponsored by the Peru Tourism Board. Besides being an excellent travel photographer, Ishita also shoots food and interior photography commercially. Her clientele includes prominent brands. Her photography skills have been recognized by giants like Canon, Nokia, Google, and Johnnie Walker.

She added feathers to her cap when she was featured in a TV commercial for Global Camera manufacturing giant Canon. She also did an ad shoot for international brand Johnnie Walker.

Disclaimer: No Asian Age journalist was involved in creating this content. The group also takes no responsibility for this content.
Blog Archive May 2021 (77) April 2021 (77) March 2021 (82) February 2021 (68) January 2021 (64) December 2020 (67) November 2020 (66) October 2020 (66) September 2020 (67) August 2020 (74) July 2020 (83) June 2020 (92) May 2020 (86) April 2020 (104) March 2020 (105) February 2020 (74) January 2020 (75) December 2019 (75) November 2019 (70) October 2019 (89) September 2019 (69) August 2019 (81) July 2019 (77) June 2019 (73) May 2019 (110) April 2019 (110) March 2019 (102) February 2019 (85) January 2019 (123) December 2018 (116) November 2018 (112) October 2018 (121) September 2018 (107) August 2018 (150) July 2018 (163) June 2018 (190) May 2018 (145) April 2018 (112) March 2018 (124) February 2018 (113) January 2018 (164) December 2017 (150) November 2017 (144) October 2017 (169) September 2017 (171) August 2017 (135) July 2017 (131) June 2017 (147) May 2017 (160) April 2017 (138) March 2017 (156) February 2017 (143) January 2017 (203) December 2016 (208) November 2016 (185) October 2016 (173) September 2016 (194) August 2016 (232) July 2016 (225) June 2016 (238) May 2016 (231) April 2016 (215) March 2016 (246) February 2016 (226) January 2016 (252) December 2015 (230) November 2015 (250) October 2015 (234) September 2015 (222) August 2015 (253) July 2015 (275) June 2015 (279) May 2015 (223) April 2015 (226) March 2015 (243) February 2015 (258) January 2015 (281) December 2014 (292) November 2014 (296) October 2014 (413) September 2014 (472) August 2014 (506) July 2014 (483) June 2014 (488) May 2014 (512) April 2014 (497) March 2014 (531) February 2014 (482) January 2014 (535) December 2013 (482) November 2013 (441) October 2013 (416) September 2013 (491) August 2013 (521) July 2013 (491) June 2013 (470) May 2013 (457) April 2013 (426) March 2013 (420) February 2013 (414) January 2013 (489) December 2012 (433) November 2012 (504) October 2012 (469) September 2012 (430) August 2012 (427) July 2012 (360) June 2012 (336) May 2012 (362) April 2012 (322) March 2012 (263) February 2012 (224) January 2012 (291) December 2011 (295) November 2011 (325) October 2011 (330) September 2011 (319) August 2011 (333) July 2011 (318) June 2011 (387) May 2011 (373) April 2011 (389) March 2011 (375) February 2011 (335) January 2011 (400) December 2010 (445) November 2010 (395) October 2010 (312) September 2010 (262) August 2010 (277) July 2010 (323) June 2010 (386) May 2010 (360) April 2010 (333) March 2010 (351) February 2010 (336) January 2010 (384) December 2009 (353) November 2009 (300) October 2009 (308) September 2009 (350) August 2009 (298) July 2009 (255) June 2009 (203) May 2009 (193) April 2009 (186) March 2009 (197) February 2009 (173) January 2009 (148) December 2008 (181) November 2008 (197) October 2008 (236) September 2008 (304) August 2008 (314) July 2008 (273) June 2008 (27) May 2008 (1) April 2008 (6) October 2007 (1) May 2007 (1) April 2007 (6) March 2007 (2) February 2007 (1) October 2006 (1) September 2006 (1) August 2006 (4) July 2006 (4) June 2006 (1) July 2005 (1) May 2005 (2) March 2005 (1) June 2004 (2) May 2004 (1) April 2004 (4) March 2004 (2) February 2004 (2) July 2003 (2) June 2003 (5)
This year, the expo covers the use of ganja (cannabis) and ganchong (hemp) in various industries, including textiles, food and cosmetics

A major objective is to promote cannabis and hemp as a major industry for Thailand, bringing huge medical and economic benefits to both Thai producers and consumers.

Thailands huge promotion drive for cannabis as used for medical purposes will be amply in force at the Cannabis and Hemp Expo in the northeastern town of Buriram, on March 5-7.

The three-day expo at the famous Buriram International Racing Circuit is supported by the public health ministry. On the opening day, it will be attended by the Thai health minister and the deputy prime minister.

Buriram is hosting this expo for the second time, after the first event in April 2019 attracted more than 1,50,000 visitors. It was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

This is one of the first expos to be held in the country this year. A major objective is to promote cannabis and hemp as a major industry for Thailand, bringing huge medical and economic benefits to both Thai producers and consumers.

This year, the expo covers the use of ganja (cannabis) and ganchong (hemp) in various industries, including textiles, food and cosmetics.

There will be seminars, exhibitions and workshops to explain the various benefits of the drug, including how food and other products can be made with cannabis leaves or oil.

There will be consultation sessions with the food and administration department for those who want to grow cannabis and hemp plants legally. Thailands department of traditional and alternative medicine will also be on hand to receive patients for consultations.

Thailand became the first country in southeast Asia to legalise cannabis in 2018. Certain parts of the cannabis plant were removed from Thailands narcotics list, leading to a medical cannabis business worth an estimated Bt8 billion by 2025. And so, large cannabis plantations came up in more than eight provinces of the country.

Two full-time cannabis clinics were started in 2019, and as many as 25 part-time clinics sprung up subsequently, with plenty more planned. Many of the clinics handed over free cannabis oil to numerous patients.

Cannabis oil is said to benefit patients with many diseases ranging from cancer to lupus and hypertension, and more than 50,000 patients have registered for the drug. But the ministry of health has made it clear that the distribution of medical marijuana would only go through licensed cannabis clinics and hospitals.

The government also plans for cannabis patients to fix medical appointments through a smartphone app.

But to prevent the abuse of the drug, the government has specified that medical marijuana would be available only to those with a prescription from a medical practitioner. Those who break the law would be penalised with jail terms or stiff fines.

Now the ministry of tourism is considering Cannabis Medical Tours, a first for any Asian country. The tours would aim to educate people about the use of cannabis for medical purposes.

Thailands tourism department is working with the Thai traditional and alternative medicine department to promote this as one more initiative towards expanding medical tourism.


With Merrick Garland poised to be confirmed as attorney general as early as next week, one of the first major questions he is likely to encounter is what to do about Rudy Giuliani.

A federal probe into the overseas and business dealings of the former New York City mayor and close ally of former President Donald Trump stalled last year over a dispute over investigative tactics as Trump unsuccessfully sought reelection and amid Giulianis prominent role in subsequently disputing the results of the contest on Trumps behalf.

But the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan has since returned to the question of bringing a criminal case against Giuliani, focusing at least in part on whether he broke U.S. lobbying laws by failing to register as a foreign agent related to his work, according to one current and one former law enforcement official familiar with the inquiry. The officials weren't authorized to discuss the ongoing case and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

A federal investigation of Donald Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani was put on hold in the run-up to the election. The U.S. Attorney is back to considering whether to bring a criminal case

The arrival of a new leadership team in Washington is likely to guarantee a fresh look at the investigation. No matter how it unfolds, the probe ensures that a Justice Department looking to move forward after a tumultuous four years will nonetheless have to confront unresolved, and politically charged, questions from the Trump era - not to mention calls from some Democrats to investigate Trump himself.

The full scope of the investigation is unclear, but it at least partly involves Giuliani's Ukraine dealings, the officials said.

Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer, was central to the then-president's efforts to dig up dirt against Democratic rival Joe Biden and to press Ukraine for an investigation into Biden and his son, Hunter - who himself now faces a criminal tax probe by the Justice Department. Giuliani also sought to undermine former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who was pushed out on Trump's orders, and met several times with a Ukrainian lawmaker who released edited recordings of Biden in an effort to smear him before the election.

Judge Merrick Garland will likely have to sign off on decisions on whether to proceed with prosecution of Giuliani, who acted as Donald Trump's personal lawyer

Giuliani took efforts to undermine former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. His efforts were a focus of the first Trump impeachment

Giuliani spoke at a rally on January 6th before the Capitol riot

He worked in Ukraine to dig up dirt on Joe Biden and Hunter Biden while Trump was seeking reelection

The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires people who lobby on behalf of a foreign government or entity to register with the Justice Department

Federal prosecutors are investigating former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, as part of a criminal case brought against his former associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, Soviet-born business partners from Florida who played key roles in Giuliani's efforts to launch the Ukrainian corruption investigation against the Bidens

The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires people who lobby on behalf of a foreign government or entity to register with the Justice Department. The once-obscure law, aimed at improving transparency, has received a burst of attention in recent years, particularly during an investigation by former special counsel Robert Mueller that revealed an array of foreign influence operations in the U.S.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan pushed last year for a search warrant for records, including some of Giuliani's communications, but officials in the Trump-era Justice Department would not sign off on the request, according to multiple people familiar with the investigation who insisted on anonymity to speak about an ongoing investigation.

Officials in the deputy attorney general's office raised concerns about both the scope of the request, which they thought would contain communications that could be covered by legal privilege between Giuliani and Trump, and the method of obtaining the records, three of the people said.

The Justice Department requires that applications for search warrants served on lawyers be approved by senior department officials.

'They decided it was prudent to put it off until the dust settled, and the dust has settled now,' said Kenneth F. McCallion, a former federal prosecutor who represents Ukrainian clients relevant to the inquiry and has been in contact with federal authorities about the investigation.

McCallion declined to identify his clients, saying he had not been authorized to do so. He previously has represented former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Giuliani's attorney Robert J. Costello told The Associated Press he has 'heard nothing' from federal prosecutors concerning Giuliani.

It is possible that Giuliani could try to argue that his actions were taken at the behest of the president, as his personal attorney, rather than a foreign country, and therefore registration would not be required under federal law.

Giuliani wrote in a text message Thursday to the AP that he 'never represented a foreign anything before the U.S. government.'

'Its pure political persecution,' he said of the investigation The U.S. attorneys office declined to comment.

McCallion said federal authorities were asking questions concerning a wide range of Giulianis international business dealings, and that 'everything was on the table' as it pertained to his work in Ukraine. He said the inquiry was not entirely focused on Ukraine, but declined to elaborate.

The investigation of Giuliani's lobbying first came to light in October 2019, when The New York Times reported that federal prosecutors were investigating Giuliani's efforts to oust Yovanovitch, who was recalled amid Trumps bid to solicit dirt from Ukraine to pressure Ukraine into helping his reelection prospects.

Federal prosecutors also have investigated Giuliani as part of a criminal case brought against his former associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, Soviet-born business partners from Florida who played key roles in Giulianis efforts to launch the Ukrainian corruption investigation against the Bidens.

Parnas and Fruman were charged in a scheme to make illegal campaign donations to local and federal politicians in New York, Nevada and other states to try to win support for a new recreational marijuana business.

Giuliani has said he had no knowledge of illegal donations and hadnt seen any evidence that Parnas and Fruman did anything wrong.
Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick called Joe Biden a 'hypocrite' after the president said that the state lifting its mask mandate equated to 'Neanderthal thinking.'

Biden had said during a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday that lifting mask restrictions in Mississippi and Texas is 'a big mistake,' The Hill reported.

'I hope everybody's realized by now these masks make a difference,' Biden said.

'We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way we're able to get vaccines in people's arms.'

He continued: 'The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime everything's fine, take off your mask, forget it.'

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, right, slammed Joe Biden, left, as a hypocrite after the president called it 'neanderthal thinking' to remove mask mandates

Migrants cross the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves in to U.S Border Patrol agents to request asylum in El Paso, Texas, on Thursday

Administration officials are traveling to the border to provide the president with a briefing on the influx of migrants trying to cross

His comments come as the Biden administration said it would shorten how long it detains migrant families and officials are scheduled to visit the southern border and assess a recent surge in migrants.

Patrick criticized Biden on Thursday in an interview with Fox News' show The Faulkner Focus.

'Of course that word 'Neanderthal' would come to the president very quickly because if you look up the definition of it, it says Neanderthals were hunter-gatherers, and of course, that would be the name of his son, who gathers millions for his family from countries around the world,' Patrick said.

He continued: 'How dare him attack Texas for our policies when he is allowing the border to be overrun by people coming here by the hundreds, by the thousands, and testing positive, and coming on a bus to your state wherever you happen to live in the United States of America? What a hypocrite!'

White House spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement obtained by The Hill that Biden asked the officials traveling to the border to provide him with a briefing about the government's response to a recent influx of migrants.

'Biden has asked senior members of his team to travel to the border region in order to provide a full briefing to him on the government response to the influx of unaccompanied minors and an assessment of additional steps that can be taken to ensure the safety and care of these children,' Patel said.

The White House did not say which officials would make the voyage or when it would take place, the outlet reported.

Thousands of migrants have been stopped by border agents within the president's first six weeks in office and many of them are unaccompanied minors.

The Biden administration has reopened a Texas facility for young migrants that had been built by the Obama administration and used by the Trump administration.

Officials are reportedly also seeking help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide resources.

The president has refrained from referring to the influx as a crisis, saying: 'Well be able to handle it, God willing.'

A hole cut is seen cut into Southern California's border fence with Mexico on Wednesday

A member of the Mexican National Guard patrols the border, in Ciudad Juarez, while migrants are seen along the banks of the Rio Bravo into the United States

Migrants are seen after crossing the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol agent

A member of the Mexican National Guard patrols on the banks of the Rio Bravo river as he tries to control the influx of migrants crossing toward the U.S., in Ciudad Juarez on Thursday
There are around 26 active monarchies across the world, yet theres only one that gets our undivided and devout attention.

From their humble perch at Buckingham Palace, the British royal family has brought us endless entertainment over the last number of decades, inspiring documentaries, books, rolling tabloid coverage, and one of Netflixs biggest series to date.

In honour of all the headlines the Windsors have inspired over the past year, weve rounded up the biggest scandals that Lizzie has had to put down her teacup for to date.

King Edward VIII abdicates

King Edward VIII became the first British king to abdicate the throne for his American divorcee bride Wallace Simpson. Picture: Getty Images

As it turns out, Queen Elizabeth II was never really meant to be queen at all, as it was her uncle Edward rather than her father who proceeded to the throne in 1936.

However, within a year Edward was making a public address to the nation to say he couldnt carry out his duties without the woman he loved, a divorced American named Wallis Simpson.

He became the first member of the family to voluntarily abdicate the throne, making himself a controversial figure both within his family and with the public. The couple spent much of their life in France, far from the duties his niece was carrying out following the death of his brother in 1952.

Its probable that Elizabeth would have ended up as queen either way, as Edward never had any children. The move was uncalled for all the same, especially since the former king found it hard to stay out of the spotlight, later being photographed with Adolf Hitler.

Poor Elizabeth.

Princess Margarets divorce and Mustique forays

Princess Margaret was known for her carefree ways. Picture: Getty Images

Before there were Diana and Charles, there was Margaret. Anyone who has watched The Crown has probably fallen in love with the queens little sister, who died in 2002.

Princess Margaret was known for glamour, humour, and extravagant party throwing skills, but it was more often matters of the heart that made her the first royal family member to really be attacked by the media.

She caused many headaches for her older sis, who had to turn down the request for Margaret to marry her first love, the divorced Peter Townshend. She later proceeded to get divorced herself, but not before photos of her frolicking the beaches of Mustique with a man 17 years her junior hit the shelves in 1976.

Both Margaret and Roddy Llewellyn, the man photographed, were married at the time, though Margarets marriage had been on the rocks for years. The public was still outraged, however, with some members of parliament even having a say on the private snaps.

The affair eventually fizzled out and Margaret and her husband, the Earl of Snowden, officially split two years later, making the princess the first member of the modern royal family to get divorced. A trend that would be seen to continue for her juniors.

Charles and Diana

Charles and Diana on their last official trip together. Picture: Getty Images

Seeing as the familys most famous scandals came from just one of its members and his young wife, its hard to package these two in any space smaller than a book.

The world quickly fell in love with Diana Spencer, who was only 20 when she married Prince Charles. However, its argued that her husband never really did - and the cracks in their marriage gained unprecedented coverage in the media.

Diana's interview with Martin Bashir for the BBC is one of the most-watched programmes in the history of British television.

Between Camilla Parker Bowles, 'Squidgygate' (the releasing of a private phone call between Diana and a reported lover), and the Panorama interview, there was an endless amount of gossip swirling around the future king and queen, so much so that Charles grandmother reportedly called the couple to officially split.

Shortly after Dianas famous BBC interview, where she revealed struggles with bulimia, depression, and confirmed both of their affairs, the divorce was finalised in 1996.

Dianas death and the missing flag

The queen came under fire following Diana's death. Picture: John Shelley Collection/Getty Images

Like few women who have affairs or divorce in the public eye, Diana remained mostly unscathed and the world continued to crave pictures of her life. The paparazzi followed her every move, putting incomparable pressure on the mother of two.

A year after her divorce, the same photographers were blamed by many for forcing the car she was in to crash in a tunnel in Paris, killing Diana and two others.

Shrouded in grief, the public began to turn its attention to the queen, more specifically the empty flagpole at Buckingham Palace.

Though flags were lowered at half-mast all over London, the practice at the time that the Royal Standard flag only flew over the palace when the queen was in residence. Since she was at her home in Balmoral, there was no flag present, and news outlets soon zoomed in.

The queens officials argument was that the flag represents the continuity of the monarchy and couldnt be lowered. Eventually, once she left for the funeral upon returning to London, a Union flag was strung up at half-mast in compromise.

Fergies famous foot

The Duchess of York made multiple headlines during and after her marriage to Prince Andrew. Picture: Keerle/Getty Images

Few could forget the infamous Sarah Ferguson toe-licking incident. Six years after she married Prince Andrew, the princess was photographed on holidays with another man, who was pictured apparently licking her foot.

It only went downhill for Fergie after that. The couple divorced the same year as Diana and Charles and Ferguson was later accused of accepting a 500,000 bribe to get access to her husband from an undercover journalist.

Prince Andrew

The Duke of York gave up official royal duties in 2019. Picture: Tim Goode.

Of course, her ex-husband was no saint in the media either, having to step down from his role as the UKs trade envoy in 2011 because of some sketchy friendships, namely with the disgraced Jeffrey Epstein.

His ties to the convicted sex trafficker continued to land him in hot water and after he was accused of sexual assault in 2014 and defended his friendship with Epstein in a 2019 interview, he stepped down from official royal duties.

When Harry met Meghan

Meghan Markle was the first real outsider to join the family.

As Dianas son, poor Prince Harry didnt stand a chance to live a life of privacy. With his older brother in line for the throne, Harry went off to try to lead a normal life and was skewed in the media.

He was soon apologising for an endless stream of unthoughtful activity, like attending a Halloween party in a Nazi costume at age 20, spending one day in rehab at the order of his father to learn about the dangers of cannabis at 17, and being pictured playing strip poker at a private party in Las Vegas before being deployed to Afghanistan.

The world never fell out of love with Harry, however, and many were thrilled when he finally found the love of his life - a divorced American woman. Ring any bells?

While many thought Diana to be the 'peoples princess', Meghan Markle was really the first outsider to join the family. Before she was a star on the hit television series Suits, Markle was brought up in a humble California home and worked odd acting jobs such as on Deal or No Deal before landing her break.

Soon, she would become the first US-born royal, much to the delight of Americans. Unlike his great-uncle, Harry was given his familys blessing to marry a divorced woman and proposed to Markle in 2017.

The world became obsessed with the young couple and tried to find scandal everywhere they could, often focusing on Markles strained relationship with her father. The endless hounding would eventually lead to the familys most recent PR nightmare to date.

Harry and Meghan jump ship

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arriving at the Royal Albert Hall in London to attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music, one of their final appearances as official royals.

At the start of 2020, it all became too much for the young couple and the Duke and Duchess announced that they would be stepping back as senior members of the royal family and would become financially independent.

The announcement was huge news all over the world, with reports saying that Buckingham Palace has been blindsided by the decision. One year on, the couple is starting to give interviews again from their new home in California where they have another baby on the way. Their long-awaited sit down with Oprah is airing in the US on March 7.

Oh to be the queens PR team next Monday.

Watch Oprah with Meghan and Harry on Monday, March 8: UTV at 9pm; RTE2, 9.30pm
The Red Cross is urging Myanmar authorities to protect its volunteers and health workers as the violence in the country continues.



In a statement Friday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed its deep concerns for recent loss of lives in Myanmar.



The IFRC urges restraint and a halt to violence across Myanmar, its Asia Pacific regional director, Alexander Matheou, said.



Amid the spiraling violence, the Myanmar Red Cross has confirmed that over recent days, there have been very serious incidents where Red Cross volunteers were injured and wrongfully arrested, he said.



They are providing first aid to wounded people, in line with fundamental principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality, Matheou said, adding that Red Cross volunteers should never be targeted.



Because of mass gatherings and violence in the recent weeks, the IFRC is also very concerned about the risk that COVID-19 is spreading unabated in parts of Myanmar, the statement said.



Demonstrations against Myanmars military junta took place across the country again Friday and there are reports of at least one protester having been killed.



Thursday, in the wake of what the United Nations described as the bloodiest day since the February 1 coup, security forces opened fire and hit protesters with tear gas to break up demonstrations in the main city of Yangon and the central town of Monywa, according to Reuters.



Protests took place in Mandalay, as well, where mourners also gathered for the funeral of Kyal Sin, a 19-year-old student who was fatally shot Wednesday during demonstrations in that city. Attendees held up pictures of Kyal Sin wearing a T-shirt with the phrase Everything will be OK written on the front.



Kyal Sin was one of at least 38 people the United Nations says were killed across Myanmar during Wednesdays protests. Witnesses said security forces used live ammunition, as well as rubber bullets and tear gas, to disperse the crowds.



Several people were reportedly injured, among them reporter Htet Aung Khant with VOAs Burmese Service, who was hit by rubber bullets under his arm as he covered the protests.



Today, it was the bloodiest day since the coup happened on the first of February, Christine Schraner Burgener, U.N. special envoy for Myanmar, told reporters in a video call from Switzerland.

Violence condemned



In a statement Thursday, VOA denounced the deadly violence in Mandalay that also left journalists injured.



Democracy depends on a free press and free flow of information, said Acting VOA Director Yolanda Lopez. These incidents underscore, once again, threats journalists face daily around the world. VOA condemns these and other attacks that put the lives of our very brave journalists at risk and undermine a free press.



In response to the violence, the Biden administration added two conglomerates and Myanmar ministries of defense and home affairs to a trade blacklist, meaning U.S. supplies will have to obtain hard-to-get licenses in order to ship certain items to Myanmar. The two companies are among those controlled by the military.



The volume of trade is small, so the impact wont be big, William Reinsch, a former Commerce Department official, told Reuters .



The U.S. could still place the leaders of the coup on the Treasury Department's specially designated nationals" list, which freezes assets and essentially kicks blacklisted individuals out of the U.S. banking system.



Thomas Andrews, the U.N. human rights investigator on Myanmar, said the Security Council, during its Friday meeting, needs to impose a global arms embargo. Already, 41 countries have some form of arms embargo, and that it should include surveillance equipment, he said in his report.



He also urged the Security Council to ask the International Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute atrocities committed since the coup on 1 February and those committed against ethnic groups in years prior.



States should impose targeted sanctions on members of the junta, including on the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, which is controlled by the military and its largest source of revenue, he said in the report.



The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) condemned the killings and injuries of children in the escalating violence Thursday, saying in a statement that at least five children reportedly had been killed and at least four others severely injured as of Wednesday.



UNICEF also said many children had been exposed to harm from tear gas and stun grenades, and that more than 500 children had been arbitrarily detained, many without the ability to communicate, in violation of their human rights.

Myanmars military overthrew the civilian government and the detentions of de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other high-ranking officials of her National League for Democracy (NLD) Party a month ago.



Schraner Burgener said she is in daily contact with Suu Kyi and the committee that represents NLD legislators, known as the CRPH (Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw). The envoy last spoke with Deputy Military Chief Soe Win on February 15 but said she sent him a long letter on Sunday. She has not received a direct response but said the military sends her information every day.

New elections

The military has claimed widespread fraud in last Novembers election, which the NLD won in a landslide. Myanmars electoral commission has denied the claims.

Military Chief Min Aung Hlaing declared a one-year state of emergency and said new elections will be held to bring about a "true and disciplined democracy. But he has not said when the vote would be held. Schraner Burgener said Soe Win told her those elections would happen in one year.



He said that it is due to the constitution, she said. We talked also to constitutional experts, and they said it doesnt have to be one year. But clearly, I think that was the real plan of the army.

Schraner Burgener expressed concern that the military would conduct sham investigations of the NLD that would lead to their being banned and then the army would illegitimately win the election and stay in power. But she said while this strategy may have worked in the past, it will not work now.



Today, we have young people who lived in freedom for 10 years. They have social media, and they are well-organized and very determined. They dont want to go back in a dictatorship and in isolation, she said. So, I think the army is surprised, and maybe we have to help them come out of this situation.

However, Schraner Burgener also said the junta is unconcerned about any response from the international community. When she warned the regime it would face huge, strong measures in the form of sanctions, the answer was, We are used to sanctions, and we survived those sanctions in the past, referring to the militarys previous five-decade rule.



The envoy also said when she warned the regime it would face isolation, it replied, We have to learn to walk with only a few friends.



Escalation fears



Schraner Burgener said the situation could escalate. She pointed to the declaration by 10 of the 21-armed ethnic groups in Myanmar that they would fight back if the army attacks civilians in their regions.



If both sides use violence, then we have a situation of a real war in Myanmar, which is in nobodys interest, she said.



She will brief the U.N. Security Council Friday in a closed-door meeting. She last briefed them February 2 at the first and only discussion on the situation.



In a separate development, Tin Maung Naing, who was appointed Sunday as Myanmars charge daffaires at the United Nations by the military regime, has reportedly resigned, according to a post on his Facebook page.



Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun was fired by the junta after denouncing the coup at a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly on Friday. He said he is still the ambassador because he was appointed by the democratically elected president.



The matter has now gone to the nine-member U.N. credentials committee for review.



Margaret Besheer contributed to this report.


Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
As the pro-democracy protests in continue to intensify despite the crackdown by the junta, the United States Commerce Department has included the Defense Ministry, Home Affairs Ministry and the conglomerate companies MEC ( Economic Corporation) and MEHL (Myanma Economic Holdings Public Company) in its trade blacklist.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has also added to the Entity List four entities -- two Burmese military and security services entities responsible for the and two commercial entities that are owned and operated by one of those entities.

"The BIS has added the Burmese Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs, the Myanmar Economic Corporation, and the Myanmar Economic Holding Limited to the Entity List. This action restricts the export and re-export of items subject to the EAR to the Burmese Ministry of Defence and the Burmese Ministry of Home Affairs, the entities responsible for the coup, and to two commercial entities owned and operated by the Ministry of Defence and that provide it revenue," the statement said.

This comes a day after the military fired upon the pro-democracy protesters, thus killing 38 people.

"The United States remains fully committed to the people of Burma and strongly condemns violence by the Burmese military against peaceful protesters. We will not allow the Burmese military to continue to benefit from access to items subject to the EAR. Commerce is reviewing potential additional measures as warranted by the military's actions. The US government will continue to hold perpetrators of the responsible for their actions," the Commerce Department said in its statement.

Condemning Wednesday's firing on the pro-democracy protesters by the Myanmar military, UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener has said that it was the "bloodiest day" since the February 1

"Today was the bloodiest day since the coup happened on the first of February. Only today, 38 people died...Now, more than 50 people died since the coup started," Schraner Burgener said during a press briefing.

She further said that the incidents in Myanmar are not an internal affair as they affect the stability of the region.

"We know that ethnic armed organisations are determined not to allow this to continue. They also said that they'd suspend the dialogue with the Tatmadaw [Myanmar military]. If both sides start to use violence, then we have a situation of a real war in Myanmar," she added.

The demonstration against the Myanmar Army, which ousted the democratically elected government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has entered its fourth week.

Security forces have begun a violent crackdown on protestors in towns and cities across the country.

At least 18 people were killed and more than 30 injured in Myanmar on Sunday, as police and military forces "confronted peaceful demonstrations," the UN Human Rights Office said.

The reported casualties marked Sunday as the deadliest day since the military seized power on February 1.

Despite increasing pressure to restore the democratically-elected government, the Myanmar junta have ignored the condemnation and has continued to violently suppress the protests against its unlawful takeover of the country. Several ousted lawmakers have even designated the military as a terrorist organisation.

On Saturday, Myanmar's military has fired the country's United Nations Ambassador after he appealed to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for help to overturn the coup.

Moreover, Myanmar's ousted civilian leader Kyi, who was detained following the coup, said that two more charges have been added to those filed against her since the coup.

Hundreds of people have been arrested since the coup, according to activists, the latest a journalist for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), who live-streamed security forces outside his apartment on Monday in the coastal town of Myeik, where he had been filming protests. DVB confirmed the arrest, Bangkok Post reported.

The military coup of February 1 halted Myanmar's tentative steps towards democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule and has drawn condemnation and sanctions from the United States and other Western countries, and growing concern among its neighbours.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Guardian

The potential consequences of the origins of the virus are shattering  if they can be proved My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters There was a time when the Covid pandemic seemed to confirm so many of our assumptions. It cast down the people we regarded as villains. It raised up those we thought were heroes. It prospered people who could shift easily to working from home even as it problematized the lives of those Trump voters living in the old economy. Like all plagues, Covid often felt like the hand of God on earth, scourging the people for their sins against higher learning and visibly sorting the righteous from the unmasked wicked. Respect science, admonished our yard signs. And lo!, Covid came and forced us to do so, elevating our scientists to the highest seats of social authority, from where they banned assembly, commerce, and all the rest. We cast blame so innocently in those days. We scolded at will. We knew who was right and we shook our heads to behold those in the wrong playing in their swimming pools and on the beach. It made perfect sense to us that Donald Trump, a politician we despised, could not grasp the situation, that he suggested people inject bleach, and that he was personally responsible for more than one super-spreading event. Reality itself punished leaders like him who refused to bow to expertise. The prestige news media even figured out a way to blame the worst death tolls on a system of organized ignorance they called populism. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a cult out of the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general But these days the consensus doesnt consense quite as well as it used to. Now the media is filled with disturbing stories suggesting that Covid might have come  not from populism at all, but from a laboratory screw-up in Wuhan, China. You can feel the moral convulsions beginning as the question sets in: What if science itself is in some way culpable for all this? * I am no expert on epidemics. Like everyone else I know, I spent the pandemic doing as I was told. A few months ago I even tried to talk a Fox News viewer out of believing in the lab-leak theory of Covids origins. The reason I did that is because the newspapers I read and the TV shows I watched had assured me on many occasions that the lab-leak theory wasnt true, that it was a racist conspiracy theory, that only deluded Trumpists believed it, that it got infinite pants-on-fire ratings from the fact-checkers, and because (despite all my cynicism) I am the sort who has always trusted the mainstream news media. My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month; a few weeks later everyone from Doctor Fauci to President Biden is acknowledging that the lab-accident hypothesis might have some merit. We dont know the real answer yet, and we probably will never know, but this is the moment to anticipate what such a finding might ultimately mean. What if this crazy story turns out to be true? The answer is that this is the kind of thing that could obliterate the faith of millions. The last global disaster, the financial crisis of 2008, smashed peoples trust in the institutions of capitalism, in the myths of free trade and the New Economy, and eventually in the elites who ran both American political parties. In the years since (and for complicated reasons), liberal leaders have labored to remake themselves into defenders of professional rectitude and established legitimacy in nearly every field. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a sort of cult out of science, expertise, the university system, executive-branch norms, the intelligence community, the State Department, NGOs, the legacy news media, and the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general. Now here we are in the waning days of Disastrous Global Crisis #2. Covid is of course worse by many orders of magnitude than the mortgage meltdown  it has killed millions and ruined lives and disrupted the world economy far more extensively. Should it turn out that scientists and experts and NGOs, etc. are villains rather than heroes of this story, we may very well see the expert-worshiping values of modern liberalism go up in a fireball of public anger. Consider the details of the story as we have learned them in the last few weeks:  Lab leaks happen. They arent the result of conspiracies: a lab accident is an accident, as Nathan Robinson points out; they happen all the time, in this country and in others, and people die from them.  There is evidence that the lab in question, which studies bat coronaviruses, may have been conducting what is called gain of function research, a dangerous innovation in which diseases are deliberately made more virulent. By the way, right-wingers didnt dream up gain of function: all the cool virologists have been doing it (in this country and in others) even as the squares have been warning against it for years.  There are strong hints that some of the bat-virus research at the Wuhan lab was funded in part by the American national-medical establishment  which is to say, the lab-leak hypothesis doesnt implicate China alone.  There seem to have been astonishing conflicts of interest among the people assigned to get to the bottom of it all, and (as we know from Enron and the housing bubble) conflicts of interest are always what trip up the well-credentialed professionals whom liberals insist we must all heed, honor, and obey.  The news media, in its zealous policing of the boundaries of the permissible, insisted that Russiagate was ever so true but that the lab-leak hypothesis was false false false, and woe unto anyone who dared disagree. Reporters gulped down whatever line was most flattering to the experts they were quoting and then insisted that it was 100% right and absolutely incontrovertible  that anything else was only unhinged Trumpist folly, that democracy dies when unbelievers get to speak, and so on.  The social media monopolies actually censored posts about the lab-leak hypothesis. Of course they did! Because were at war with misinformation, you know, and people need to be brought back to the true and correct faith  as agreed upon by experts. * Let us pray, now, for science, intoned a New York Times columnist back at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. The title of his article laid down the foundational faith of Trump-era liberalism: Coronavirus is What You Get When You Ignore Science. Ten months later, at the end of a scary article about the history of gain of function research and its possible role in the still ongoing Covid pandemic, Nicholson Baker wrote as follows: This may be the great scientific meta-experiment of the 21st century. Could a world full of scientists do all kinds of reckless recombinant things with viral diseases for many years and successfully avoid a serious outbreak? The hypothesis was that, yes, it was doable. The risk was worth taking. There would be no pandemic. Except there was. If it does indeed turn out that the lab-leak hypothesis is the right explanation for how it began  that the common people of the world have been forced into a real-life lab experiment, at tremendous cost  there is a moral earthquake on the way. Because if the hypothesis is right, it will soon start to dawn on people that our mistake was not insufficient reverence for scientists, or inadequate respect for expertise, or not enough censorship on Facebook. It was a failure to think critically about all of the above, to understand that there is no such thing as absolute expertise. Think of all the disasters of recent years: economic neoliberalism, destructive trade policies, the Iraq War, the housing bubble, banks that are too big to fail, mortgage-backed securities, the Hillary Clinton campaign of 2016  all of these disasters brought to you by the total, self-assured unanimity of the highly educated people who are supposed to know what theyre doing, plus the total complacency of the highly educated people who are supposed to be supervising them. Then again, maybe I am wrong to roll out all this speculation. Maybe the lab-leak hypothesis will be convincingly disproven. I certainly hope it is. But even if it inches closer to being confirmed, we can guess what the next turn of the narrative will be. It was a perfect storm, the experts will say. Who coulda known? And besides (they will say), the origins of the pandemic dont matter any more. Go back to sleep. Thomas Frank is a Guardian US columnist. He is the author, most recently, of The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian stocks dropped and the ringgit weakened after the government imposed a two-week nationwide lockdown to curb a relentless surge in Covid-19 infections.The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index fell as much as 1.6% on Monday, before paring losses to 0.7% at the close in Kuala Lumpur. The ringgit slid as much as 0.4% to 4.1480 per dollar, while 10-year bond yields rose three basis points to 3.25%. The government said on Friday that most businesses will be shut from June 1 except for essential economic and service sectors.The government is finally biting the bullet, said Alexander Chia, an analyst at RHB Investment Bank Bhd. Clearly, there are downside risks to FY21 earnings growth, even if it is essentially a postponement of growth to FY22.Malaysias return to a hard lockdown comes in the wake of record daily infections that saw cases top 9,000 on Saturday. A resurgence in virus outbreaks in Asia has spurred some countries including Vietnam and Singapore to tighten restrictions. A similar lockdown in Malaysia last year cost the country an estimated 63 billion ringgit ($15 billion).Vietnam tightened social distancing measures in Ho Chi Minh City for 15 days from May 31, while Singapore this month reissued some lockdown-like conditions that it put in place a year ago.Recovery DimsMalaysias lockdown will drag on the countrys recovery, with a good chance that 2Q GDP growth will contract on a sequential basis, said Khoon Goh, head of Asia research at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. We will likely see the ringgit continuing to underperform in the region, but its weakness is being put in check by a soft U.S. dollar.READ: Covid Zero Havens Find Reopening Harder Than Taming VirusPrime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is due to announce an aid package at 9 p.m. local time Monday, according to his Facebook post.Still, Mondays market drop pales in comparison with last year when the KLCI plunged as much as 5% a day after a nationwide lockdown was announced then.Expectations of a mild reaction is due to the availability of vaccines and a government plan to ramp up daily vaccination rates in the second half of 2021, Ivy Ng Lee Fang, an analyst at CGS-CIMB Securities, said in a report. Strong export sales, robust market liquidity, and low interest rates have also helped limit the market drop, she said.GDP OutlookMalaysias gross domestic product shrank 0.5% in the first quarter from a year earlier, the central bank said earlier in May, adding that it expects growth to remain within the 6% to 7.5% forecast range for the full year.Banks including Public Bank Bhd. and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. dropped, while Maxis Bhd. and Supermax Corp. were among the biggest decliners in the benchmark gauge, falling more than 2%. Top Glove Corp. was the top gainer in the key stock gauge, up 1.8%.The Malaysian stock benchmark is down 6% from a December high as investor concerns about the impact of stricter curbs on movement weigh on riskier assets.The recovery plays in the cyclical sectors will require a longer term investment perspective with a focus on achieving a favorable entry price, said Chia of RHB Investment. The trading angle will remain an enduring theme in the coming quarters that continues to focus on small-mid caps with resilient growth attributes.(Updates with PMs broadcast in seventh paragraph)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.

Halfway up a steep valley in Victorias Central Highlands, amid towering mountain ash and myrtle beech trees, a pristine creek pours over a boulder and plunges 100 metres, creating one of the tallest waterfalls in the state.

Most Victorians have never heard of Snobs Creek Falls, a 20-minute drive south of Lake Eildon, but in the past week this waterway and the surrounding forest has become a flashpoint for concerns over logging in the states Central Highlands.

Geoff Hall, a former recreational angling guide, and local Rod Falconer at Snobs Creek Falls. Credit:Joe Armao

Local residents and the Murrindindi Shire Council are urging VicForests, the state governments logging agency, to reconsider its plans to log more than 20 timber coupes in close proximity to the creek and environmental activists have blocked the road in protest.

The council has voted to urgently contact the agency and ask that any logging at Snobs Creek cease immediately, due to concerns about the effects on the environment and local tourism. It made a similar request in 2017.
The Queen has been gifted with two new corgi puppies to help her through the royal crisis with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Prince Philip's hospital treatment, it has been reported.

The new dogs have joined Her Majesty, 94, at Windsor Castle as Prince Philip, 99, remains at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London following a 'successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition'.

The new additions to the royal household come as Buckingham Palace prepares itself for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's two-hour CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey next Monday.

It also comes just months after the monarch was said to be mourning the loss of her loyal companion Vulcan, a dachshund-corgi cross who had been the Queen's pet since at least 2007, after he died a few weeks before Christmas.

The Queen (pictured with one of her corgis last year) has been gifted with two new corgi puppies to help her through the royal crisis

It comes after Her Majesty's loyal companion Vulcan, a dachshund-corgi cross, died a few weeks before Christmas last year

In 2015 Monty Roberts, an informal adviser to the Queen, said she would no longer be replacing her corgis as she did not want to leave any behind when she dies.

He told Vanity Fair magazine: 'She didn't want any more young dogs. She didn't want to leave any young dog behind. She wanted to put an end to it.'

But, reporting the news Her Majesty has been gifted with more, a source told The Sun: 'The Queen is delighted. It's unthinkable that the Queen wouldn't have any corgis.

'It's like the Tower of London not having any ravens. They have only been there a couple of weeks but are said to be adorable and made the castle their home.

'Both are said to be bringing in a lot of noise and energy into the castle while Philip is in hospital.'

While the names and the genders of the dogs are unknown, it is believed the canines were a gift.

They are also the first corgis Her Majesty has owned that are not direct descendants of her very first corgi Susan - which she was given in 1944 by her parents for her 18th birthday.

The Queen has always been synonymous with pets, particularly her Corgis, and has owned more than 30 during her reign.

In 2018, her corgi Willow, who was the 14th generation descended from Susan, was put down after suffering from cancer.

Meanwhile in 2012, the Queen's 13-year-old corgi Monty was seen in a segment for the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games alongside James Bond star Daniel Craig.

However later that year the palace confirmed that Monty, who was previously owned by the Queen Mother, had died.

The latest arrivals come as it was revealed yesterday that the Duke of Edinburgh would remain in hospital for 'treatment, rest and recuperation' after undergoing a 'successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition'.

In 2012 her dog Monty appeared alongside James Bond's Daniel Craig in a clip for the opening ceremony of the London Olympics

The Queen with some of her corgis at the Windsor Horse Trials (left) and walking with two of the dogs in the the grounds of Windsor Castle (right)

The royal has always been synonymous with pets and has owned more than 30 during her reign. Pictured: The Queen with her dog Monty

The Sussexes have been urged to postpone their tell-all interview with Oprah on Sunday night after Prince Philip had major surgery after more than a fortnight in hospital.

Harry's grandfather had the operation at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London - Britain's top heart hospital - after being transferred there on Monday from the private King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone where he was being treated for an infection.

Yesterday, Philip's daughter-in-law Camilla revealed while visiting a vaccination centre in Croydon that the Duke was 'slightly improving' and that everyone in the Royal Family was 'keeping our fingers crossed'

Giving an update on his condition yesterday, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew's Hospital.

'His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days.'

The royal's treatment comes amid a growing backlash against the Sussexes after sources close to the couple said that the Oprah interview would go ahead regardless, claiming it was down to the broadcasters not them.

Prince Philip, 99, remains at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London following a 'successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition'

It comes as Buckingham Palace prepares itself for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's two-hour interview with Oprah Winfrey

It came as a new clip released ahead of Harry and Meghan's interview showed the Duchess of Sussex accusing The Firm of 'perpetuating falsehoods about us.'

She said: 'I don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.'

The Duchess added: 'And, if that comes with risk of losing things, there is a lot that has been lost already.'

This week the Queen launched an unprecedented inquiry into allegations that Meghan and Harry bullied their staff - leaving royal employees 'shaken' by 'unhappy memories' being brought up about a 'toxic period' before the couple emigrated.

A spokesperson for the palace said: 'We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article.

'Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.

'The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.'
A Brooklyn teen charged with raping a victim on campus at a New York college may have more victims, officials said Friday.

Mount Saint Mary College student Anthony Pennachio, 19, was arrested on a first-degree rape charge Wednesday after a complaint was filed with the Newburgh Police Department.

The alleged rape took place just after midnight on Feb. 26, said officials.

During the course of the investigation, Newburgh police learned the potential of additional victims that may have been sexually assaulted by Anthony Pennachio, a department spokesman said.

College administrators were cooperating with police and condemned the alleged attack.

Violence and sexual assault are completely at odds with the values of Mount Saint Mary College, and will not be tolerated on this campus, the college said in a statement.

Anyone who has been victimized by Pennachio or has information about additional sex assaults can call Newburgh Police Detective Eirk Eltz at (845) 569-7560.
Prabhas' Kannada debut film Salaar is one of the most anticipated films in the Indian film industry. Ever since KGF director Prashanth Neel roped in the Baahubali star for his next venture, Rebel Star fans can't keep calm to witness the biggest dhamaka on the silver screen. When the director cast Prabhas for his next, Sandalwood fans had expressed their disappointment for not choosing a Kannada actor for the film. And now, the latest piece of information might surprise you.

A report published in a leading portal suggests that Prashanth Neel had narrated Salaar and KGF scripts to Yash at the same time. But Yash chose KGF over Salaar. Hence, Prashanth made a few changes in the script and narrated the same script to Prabhas. After his narration, the Baahubali star gave his nod to the project. However, there is no official confirmation about the same.

Meanwhile, Salaar also stars Shruti Haasan as the female lead. The makers have already finished the first schedule of the film, and are prepping for the next one. Interestingly, they have given the opportunity to commoners with acting talent to be a part of the project. Moreover, they have already conducted auditions in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and other cities.

Produced by KGF producer Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films, Salaar is scheduled to release on April 14, 2022, in Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam.

Also Read : Prabhas' Salaar Comes To Yash's Rescue As KGF Chapter 2's Distribution Rights Trouble The Makers

Also Read : KGF Chapter 2 Release Date: Yash Starrer To Break All Records With Its Massive Release On July 16
(@FahadShabbir)

Yaound, March 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Mar, 2021 ) :Cameroon, one of the countries in Africa worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic, is set to receive "very shortly" more than one million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute said on Friday.

Pointing to "a deterioration in the epidemiological situation" in the country, Dion Ngute told state radio that "more than one million vaccine doses will be available very shortly".

He did not specify which vaccines they were.

Dion Ngute called on the population to get inoculated, but said the vaccination programme would be on a voluntary basis.

"In the space of one week, more than 3,000 new cases have been recorded, bringing the total number of people who have tested positive to Covid-19 to 38,988," he said.

Cameroon, with a population of 26 million, has registered 588 deaths from coronavirus so far.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Paris Hilton is ready to start as Sarah Silverman apologized to her for the joke she made at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.

Paris Hilton accepted Sarah Silverman's apology

On Thursday's episode of The Sarah Silverman podcast, the comedian apologized to Paris Hilton for the jokes she made in 2007 about Hilton's 45-day jail sentence the night before she turned herself in on an impromptu episode of Hilton's podcast, "This is Paris" she accepted Sarah's apology.

"Then, I went and listened to her podcast, and she basically made an eight and a half minute apology to me," Hilton continued. Upon accepting Silverman's apology, Paris Hilton thanked the comedian and said she appreciated doing it, PEOPLE via MSN reported. "I know it's difficult for anyone to apologize, and for someone to do that really means a lot," she said.

@Instagram

The comedian's apology came just days after Paris Hilton and her girlfriend, Nicky Hilton, addressed their podcast's joke. "Imagine that it was now," Nicky, 37, said of Silverman's 'disgusting, vile, perverted comments.'

Read also: Prince Philip Recovering After Surgery, Spending More Days in Hospital as Interview Looms

Paris Hilton says Sarah Silverman's apology 'really means a lot'

Despite being 14 years late, Paris Hilton says Sarah Silverman's apology for the insensitive jokes she made about her at the 2007 MTV Awards means a lot to her. According to Daily Mail, Paris Hilton said Sarah Silverman was so genuine and so sweet and that it moved her. The DJ admitted that she was emotional after hearing Silverman's apology and could determine that she really did mean what she said.

After hearing Silverman remember having eye contact with her at the MTV Movie Awards in 2007, after rattling off the now ill-fated jokes, Paris admitted that she 'felt a bit teary eyed.' She then proceeded to read the entirety of Silverman's apologies aloud to her audience, later clarifying that she had neither expected nor requested an apology. Paris linked her sister Nicky Hilton's passionate 'demand' for an apology from Silverman to her just 'being really over protective.'

Read also: Golden Globes 2021: Complete List of Nominees and Winners per Category

On stage at the MTV Movie Awards in 2007, the fragrance aficionado revealed that 'Sarah is hilarious' and that she had 'listened to her comedy and had already been a great fan, prior to that time.' It's encouraging to learn that Silverman has taken the time to consider how her actions affect others, according to Paris.

In 2007, Silverman went after Paris when she was facing a jail term for violating her probation in a school-related reckless driving case, as per Toronto Sun. Silverman acknowledged that she felt bad about the jokes at the time, but not years later. "Here I am, 14 years back, saying to you that I am very sorry, Paris Hilton. I was then, and I am now, far more fully and with much greater awareness, I think."

Read also: Emma Watson Allegedly Steps Back From Acting Career, Focusing on Rumored Fiance

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

A conscientious whistleblower, who is also a caregiver at the nursing facility where the incident happened, stepped forward to expose what transpired behind the scenes of the COVID-19 vaccines rollout, a report says.

Attorneys and founding members of the German Corona Investigative Committee Reiner Fuellmich and Viviane Fischer interviewed the caregiver to flesh out the details, LifeSite News reported. The interview was recorded but with the whistleblower's identity and voice masked for security purposes.

A video footage secretly filmed inside the nursing home showed how about four people including a soldier forcibly vaccinated the elderly residents. Their resistance was evident but they were clearly strong-armed into receiving the Pfizer shots against their will. The caregiver expressed disappointment at the intimidation against the elderly residents considering that they're already suffering from dementia.

Seven out of 31 people living in the nursing home died after getting injected with their first dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. The whistleblower added that after the second dose was administered, one died and eleven more got seriously sick.

This means that out of the 31 elderly people that got vaccinated in that nursing home, 25% of them shortly died while the lives of 36% were jeopardized.

Atty. Fischer filed the charges on behalf of the whistleblower. A thorough investigation was also sought following the complaint, along with the agreed publicity of the interview to prevent more vaccine-related deaths.

The German Corona Investigative Committee has partnered with the Children's Health Defense to work on the case.

The investigation in this care facility will not be the first case as there had been similar reports from other countries of elderly people dying after receiving the COVID vaccines.

In Norway, officials are investigating the deaths of patients after their vaccination in January.

In a statement, Pfizer said, "Pfizer and BioNTech are aware of reported deaths following administration of BNT162b2. We are working with the Norwegian Medicines Agency (NOMA) to gather all the relevant information," reports The BMJ.

In Spain, forty six elderly people in a nursing home died following their vaccination. This prompted the officials to temporarily stop the vaccine rollout last month.

In Switzerland, sixteen elderly people also died after getting shots of the vaccine.

The Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic) reported that about "364 suspected adverse drug reactions were linked to the vaccines developed by Pfizer and BioNTech and 154 more to Moderna's drug."

Chinese state propaganda media outlet Global Times covered the news last week. In their report, they appealed for the West to fairly present data in their news broadcast and print media.

"Major Western media outlets have been downplaying the deaths relating to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and also the 16 deaths in Switzerland."

In the U.S., latest data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) also showed that the elderly are highly susceptible to immediate deaths after receiving COVID vaccines.

Following all these death tolls among old people, a Chinese immunologist suggested that it's best to exempt the elderly from these vaccination initiatives given their frail health.

The news comes amid other reports of COVID-19 vaccines causing more injuries and deaths than natural infections.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Sajjala condemned the news in a section of the media that YSRC men were threatening candidates to withdraw from the civic polls and said the YSRC would proceed legally against those spreading such canards.  Facebook

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy personally presented B-Forms to the MLC candidates of YSR Congress at the CMs camp office at Tadepalli on Thursday.

The party nominees are Challa Bhagiratha Reddy, Balli Kalyana Chakravarthi, C Ramachandraiah, Mohammad Iqbal, Duvvada Srinivas and Md Karimunnisa. The candidates along with their family members thanked Jagan and felicitated him.

Adviser to the government on public affairs, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, said the Telugu Desam created a lot of hurdles in the conduct of government procedures in the AP Legislative Council but all these hurdles will be cleared in the coming days. The YSRC is set to win a majority in the council, he said.

He said the selection of MLC candidates showed the importance the YSRC attached to the backward communities in the party and the government.

Condemning the news in a section of the media that YSRC men were threatening candidates to withdraw from the civic polls, Ramakrishna Reddy said the YSRC would proceed legally against those spreading such canards.

He said it was not possible to force someone to withdraw from the elections in these times when technology is put to good use by the election authorities. Candidate should go in person or send his authorised agent for withdrawal; and any candidate can proceed legally by following due procedures if any threat was held out, the adviser said.

Ramakrishna Reddy asserted that the pro-YSR trend in the gram panchayat elections will be repeated in the municipal elections, and noted that the urban local body elections will be held for 12 corporations and 75 municipalities. Of these, three corporations and 12 municipalities saw unanimous election. The YSRC would sweep the civic polls as they are being held on party symbol, he said.

The adviser said Chandrababu Naidu is habituated to telling lies and its proven once again through the false promises he made in the TD manifesto for the municipal elections.

Ramakrishna Reddy released a pamphlet with details of the welfare schemes implemented since the YSRC came to power and said these should be widely publicized in towns and cities. The YSRC is going for civic polls with the slogan, Support good governance.

He said the YSRC government has plans to build townships and supply safe drinking water in towns and cities.
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
In an atypical development, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit was voted in for a second term by Arab foreign ministers, rather than at the summit level, as had been the tradition since the launch of the organisation in 1948.

Normally, the vote would have taken place at the regular Arab summit, which was set to convene in late March. However, for the second year in a row, the summit will be skipped due to the pandemic.

According to diplomatic and Arab League sources, however, COVID-19 is not the only reason Arab leaders are cancelling their annual congregation. The frail health of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the next rotated chair of the Arab summit, is also a reason.

The main reason, however, is the lack of interest by most Arab states in holding the summit.

What would they have the summit for? What would they discuss? What would they agree on, in terms of pressing issues? said one Arab League source.

According to the source, over the past few years it has become difficult for the secretariat to secure consensus on any of the key issues that would have traditionally been subject to Arab agreement, if only for the sake of lip service.

Certainly, during the autumn of 2019, the secretariat had to drop an official request by Palestine for an Arab meeting to discuss the launch of fast-tracked Arab-Israeli normalisation. The fact of the matter, according to Arab League and diplomatic sources, is that there is very little appetite for any type of joint Arab work.

Whether in relation to the founding rasion detre, the Palestinian cause, or in relation to the basic concept of an Arab regime, most Arab states have been losing interest to say the least.

This is not something of which the head of the Arab organisation is unaware. Accordingly, sources in the League say he has been reluctant to start any initiatives. He knows that most initiatives will not be picked up.

This, they add, is not just about the political matters in which the Arab organisation should have been a lot more involved, including the civil conflicts that have hit several Arab countries. This also applies to socio-economic or cultural cooperation.

In the five years during which he chaired the Arab organisation, starting May 2016, Aboul-Gheit, a career Egyptian diplomat who served as foreign minister during the last seven years of Hosni Mubaraks reign, had secured very little intervention by the pan-Arab organisation in the crises in Libya, Syria or Yemen.

The organisation has also hardly played a role in mediating inter-Arab squabbles, including those in the Gulf and the Maghreb.

Still, according to an Egyptian diplomat, it was important for Egypt to nominate him for a second term in office, which will start in mid-May this year. The reason, the Egyptian diplomat explains, is about making sure Egypt does not lose its de facto right, as the venue of the headquarters of the Arab League, to have the seat of the secretary-general of the Arab Organisation for one of its top diplomats.

Prior to Aboul-Gheit, Nabil El-Arabi, Amr Moussa and Essmat Abdel-Meguid, all former foreign ministers of Egypt, had kept the job. Prior to these three, Al-Chazli Al-Klaiby, a Tunisian diplomat, was secretary-general when the headquarters was moved from Cairo to Tunis during the years of the Arab boycott of Egypt in the wake of its signing of a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. The first three secretary generals of the Arab League, since its launch until the Arab boycott, were all Egyptian diplomats: Abdel-Rahman Azzam, Abdel-Khalek Hassouna and Mahmoud Riyad.

This is not about monopoly, it is about status, the Egyptian diplomat said. He added that criticism, or praise for that matter, of the performance of the Arab League secretary-general should not be put at the doorstep of his country of origin, but rather should be shared by all member states for failing to come together to get the best thing possible out of their Arab organisation.

Arab League sources and Arab diplomats agree that it is highly unlikely that in his second term in office that Aboul-Gheit, irrespective of his plans or his ability, would be empowered to do much more than he did in the first term.

In the words of one former Arab League diplomat, I think he knows that for most Arab capitals, the Arab League is something of the past; he is smart enough to wish to just keep it alive rather than to push too hard and have the whole thing crumble. According to this diplomat, some Arab states would not hesitate to suspend their membership in the Arab organisation if pushed too far.

For his second term, the same diplomat said, Aboul-Gheits toughest job will be to make sure that all member states continue to acknowledge the minimum role of the Arab organisation as a forum to consult over at least some key issues.

Gone are the times when the Arab League was a place for Arab countries to agree on resolutions. The Arab League has become too fragmented for this to happen, he argued. He added that it would be interesting for example to see if the Arab summit would convene again next year or the year after when the pandemic recedes.

According to political analyst Amr El-Shobaky, however, given the decline of Arab tensions, at least in some areas, it is the Arab League secretary-general who should take the initiative to push things at least a bit.

It does not make sense that there should be no Arab League envoy to the Arab countries that are facing serious crisis like Libya and Yemen for example, El-Shobaky said. He argued that Aboul-Gheit needs to prompt the leading Arab countries involved in managing these and other Arab conflicts to consider nominating envoys if only to secure a minimum of Arab agreement on the management and resolution of these conflicts.

Obviously, choosing an envoy and giving him a decent level of independence from the political agendas of the Arab capitals is never going to be easy, but Aboul-Gheit can try for sure, El-Shobaky said.

He added that it is also mandatory for the secretary-general of the Arab organisation, in his second term, to pursue structural reform of the organisation to make sure that it acts more efficiently, not just on the political front but also on socio-economic and cultural issues.

Ultimately, the member states of this organisation do share a lot in terms of language, culture and heritage; and there is a lot to be done in this respect, because if politics divide Arab countries, maybe culture could bring them together, he added.

El-Shobaky argued that with the growing debate over the rotation of the seat of the Arab League secretary-general, which had been initiated in the 1990s, Aboul-Gheit could end up being the last Egyptian diplomat to secure the top job of the Arab organisation as a matter of fact.

I think that rotation will eventually come, though I do not think it would be adopted without the consent of Egypt, El-Shobaky argued. However, he added, for Egypt to be able to choose the timing of the introduction of rotation, it needs to lend Aboul-Gheit maximum support for him to do a good job at a very difficult time.

Upon his election at the Arab League regular spring meeting on Tuesday, Aboul-Gheit expressed gratitude to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for nominating him for a second term in office. However, the re-elected secretary-general has yet to speak about his plan for his second term in office.

Short link:



To women swiping through profiles on dating apps, the smiling, handsome lance corporal in uniform seemed a dream match. But Angela Whitbread, 45, from London, knows how appearances can be misleading.

She is still counting the cost after being wooed by army guardsman Nathan Walker, 29, who protected the Queen at Buckingham Palace while duping Ms Whitbread and two other women into paying him 33,000 to feed his gambling addiction.

Although he was jailed this week for fraud for two years and eight months, she will still be paying debts he incurred long after he is released from prison.

She told FEMAIL: 'I wish I had never met him. If I saw him again, I would say, "Thanks for ruining the rest of my life".

Angela Whitbread, 45, from London, was wooed and conned out of 15,000 by army guardsman Nathan Walker, who was jailed this week for fraud for two years and eight months

Walker protected the Queen at Buckingham Palace while duping Ms Whitbread and two other women into paying him 33,000 to feed his gambling addiction

'I can't see myself ever being able to afford to have children, save for a deposit on a house or go on holiday.

'Police have said it is doubtful I will get my money back so I will be paying off loans he took out in my name for another three years.'

Ms Whitbread first came across Walker on the dating app Happn in April 2017. His profile included a picture of him in uniform and he boasted of being a soldier for the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the army and responsible for protecting royal palaces.

Walker messaged Ms Whitbread via the app, complimenting her on her appearance. 'I'm shy but chat to me and we'll see how shy I am,' he wrote.

Ms Whitbread, who was newly single after a seven-year relationship had ended, was intrigued enough to reply and the pair began text messaging one another.

Ms Whitbread, who was newly single after a seven-year relationship had ended, met Walker on the dating app Happn in April 2017

Walker bragged of being decorated during tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and, with his green eyes and dark hair, convinced Ms Whitbread he was a romantic prospect.

She said: 'I had downloaded the app out of curiosity as I was in the process of splitting up with my partner.

'The fact Nathan was in the Grenadier Guards made me think he was trustworthy. Soldiers are supposed to be protecting the country and Queen, so I thought he would be honest and someone to get to know.'

Walker continued plying Ms Whitbread, an admin worker in the construction industry, with compliments. About a week after they began messaging, the tone changed.

The lance corporal said his phone line was about to be cut off and he wouldn't be able to stay in touch with his five-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

In his dating app profile, Walker boasted of being a soldier for the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the army and responsible for protecting royal palaces

He pleaded with Ms Whitbread to lend him 50 so he could maintain contact.

She said: 'I told him, "You need to speak to your family" but he said he didn't have any. He was trying to make me feel really bad for him and said he wouldn't be able to speak to his daughter.

'He kept texting me constantly with compliments. I was dubious but thought, he's a soldier and will be able to give me the money back at some point.'

Ms Whitbread reluctantly agreed to loan him the money and met him near Victoria train station to hand over the cash in the street.

Their 10-minute 'date' was one of just three brief times she met him - yet he managed to persuade her to be a guarantor for loans totalling 15,000 and fraudulently took out another 5,000 loan in her name.

Walker bombarded her with text messages, showering her with flattery and sexually explicit messages and pictures.

Walker bombarded Ms Whitbread with text messages, showering her with flattery and sexually explicit messages and pictures, but began asking her for money - claiming first that his phone line was about to be cut off and he wouldn't be able to stay in touch with his five-year-old daughter from a previous relationship

He repeatedly asked Ms Whitbread to send him naked pictures of herself, but always claimed he was too busy with work to meet and was subject to curfew at Lille Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Ms Whitbread said: 'He seemed sweet and genuine, and quite upset that he wouldn't be able to have his phone if he couldn't get the money.

'He was messaging me later in the evening after I gave him 50. From the start he was quite blatant about sex. I did send him naked pictures because he kept harassing me.'

Within a couple of weeks, Walker was claiming his ex-girlfriend had saddled him with multiple debts and begged Ms Whitbread to be his guarantor for two high-interest loans of 10,000 and 5,000.

She said: 'I was pretty reluctant but he kept badgering me and said things would be better once he had them. He was always using his daughter as emotional blackmail.

'I agreed to be a guarantor but told him he had to keep up payments.'

Walker begged Ms Whitbread to be his guarantor for two high-interest loans of 10,000 and 5,000

Walker paid a few installments but then lapsed - and by September 2017, Ms Whitbread was being chased for payments for the original 15,000 and another 11,000 in interest.

When she lost her job at Christmas, she took out a loan from her own bank to pay off the debt and consolidate what she now owed. She has been paying 400 per month to clear the loan ever since.

Walker rang up an additional 3,000 in mobile phone charges after Ms Whitbread agreed to sign up to a second number on her phone contract. Unbeknownst to her, he was using the phone to gamble online.

When she discovered she was liable for his deception, she had the phone line cut off in 2018 - and Walker then became abusive.

She said: 'He kept trying to video call me and left aggressive messages. Then in October 2018 he said he wanted to give me some money to pay me back.'

Ms Whitbread saw 5,000 appear in her bank account. When she investigated further, she found it was actually a loan that had been taken out in her name.

She returned the money and reported the matter to police, who began a two-year probe into Walker's activities. They found he had persuaded several women to part with thousands of pounds in loans and duped them into paying for items like tickets and phone top-ups.

Nathan Walker was jailed for two years and eight months at Winchester Crown Court, pictured, on Tuesday

He promised his victims a romantic future while trading off his 'military glamour' - but was actually feeding an 8,000 a month gambling addiction.

One victim said her ability to own a home and her credit rating had been wrecked by Walker. Another said she was racked with guilt after putting him before her child's needs.

Although Walker has apologised to that victim, he has never said sorry to Ms Whitbread, whose victim impact statement was read out in Winchester Crown Court, where Walker was sent to prison yesterday after pleading guilty to 10 counts of fraud.

She said he was trying to dupe new victims as recently as December last year.

In the past year Walker had been in London supporting Covid testing sites. He suffered from poor mental health.

Judge Jane Miller told the conman his offending had been 'systematic, calculated and despicable'.

Ms Whitbread, who has been in a relationship for two years with a man she met on the app Hinge, said the experience had made her wary of dating apps.

She is still paying the price. As well as her savings being decimated, she has stopped shopping at Sainsbury's and now can only afford budget brands in Aldi.

'It was a lesson learned,' she said. 'I think I was naive at the time. Now I would never lend money to anyone again, even family.

'I would say to anyone on dating apps to be very careful and check who you are speaking to. Don't fall for a pretty face like I did.'
Amid a COVID-19 outbreak at a Pennsylvania prison, the union representing about the states corrections officers workers is urging the state to prioritize the COVID-19 vaccination program for prison staff.

John Eckenrode, president of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, on Thursday said it was time for the state to move corrections workers to the front of the line, along with teachers, but also smokers and individuals with other health risks. The union represents 11,000 members, including maintenance and food services staff..

Weve been working this pandemic in institutions that are super spreaders, Eckenrode said. Its time to prioritize corrections employees to be vaccinated.

Eckenrode is particularly troubled in the wake of the reports of a COVID-19 outbreak at the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill.

State Corrections Secretary John Wetzel last week confirmed with ABC-27 the outbreak at the prison in Lower Allen Township, including 208 COVID-positive cases. In the span of three days last week, SCI-Camp Hills infection tally shot up to nearly 400, the union said.

PennLive made repeated attempts to speak with officials at the corrections department but calls were not returned.

The latest tally of COVID-19 cases by ZIP code show that Camp Hill ZIP code 17011 leads all Pennsylvania ZIP codes in new cases this week, with 357 reported new cases.

Eckenrode said the state corrections system needs a consistent plan to vaccinate staff.

This could be done in only a few short days if officers were a priority, he said. Instead, they are overworked, exhausted and are working massive amounts of overtime due to COVID-19 illnesses. The mental anguish of passing the virus from prisons to their loved ones also takes a tremendous toll. Its time for this administration to use common sense in its vaccination plan.

Eckenrode said a DOC official informed the union that that a full roll out of vaccines to prison staff should be fully functional by May.

Thats the only word I have gotten from someone with the state of Pennsylvania, he said.

Since the start of the pandemic almost a year ago, the union has seen 2,000 members test positive for the coronavirus, and has lost four members to the virus.

According to the Pennsylvania Prison Society, 116 prison inmates in Pennsylvania have died since the start of the pandemic, along with 10 staff members.

Claire Shubik-Richards, executive director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, supports the call from the union to get priority for vaccination.

They are right in that correctional staff need to be prioritized just as staff in other in congregant settings such as hospitals and nursing homes, she said. Its the same issues. These are staff working in congregant settings where the virus spreads like wildfire.

Recently, another Pennsylvania prison, SCI Forest, had a similar outbreak that temporarily catapulted the county to the highest per capita outbreak in the country.

Its not a ticking time bomb, Shubik-Richards said. Its an explosion that is happening.

Shubik-Richards said she is concerned about reports showing that a substantial number of corrections staff do not want to get vaccinated.

Thats very worrisome, she said.

Reports out of Cambria County, for instance, show that two-thirds of corrections staff declined to be vaccinated.

Shubik-Richards stressed the importance beyond the prison setting.

If you are in a community with a prison, they are a danger to you, she said. They are a serious vector for amplifying the virus spread. Regardless of whether you care about the lives of people who are in custody, even if you dont, even if you just care about people on the street, you really need to care about correctional staff being vaccinated.

Camp Hill inmates are being offered a $25 incentive to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The monetary incentive is not currently being offered to staff.

The state corrections department has rolled out vaccine programs at three facilities.
The government is not doing enough on the issue of hotel quarantining, Deputy Ruairi O Murchu has told the Dail.

The Dundalk TD was speaking during a debate on the Health Amendment Bill.

During the debate, Deputy O Murchu said: "People are worried and disgruntled and wish to see a plan and a way through this.

"They do not believe a sufficient amount is being done with regard to the particular issue of hotel quarantining.

"Sinn Fein welcomes the fact that the Government has got to the point of discussing quarantining people coming in from 20 countries.

"We know of the Californian, Brazilian and South African strains, but we do not know from where the next strain will come or where the real difficulty may be.

"What we need to do is to ensure the ultimate protection we can give our people is in place and that means quarantining across the board in respect of flights into Ireland.

"I accept that those who are involved in freight and supply chains are an absolutely necessary part of the workforce to ensure we maintain an element of connectivity.

"We cannot do absolutely everything, but we can do a hell of a lot more and we need to ensure it is done as soon as possible.

"Many Deputies have recently expressed concerns in the House regarding problems that are obviously very distressing, particularly for some older citizens, such as people showing up to be vaccinated but the vaccines not being available.

"We need those problems to be dealt with as quickly as possible."

The Sinn Fein deputy also raised the issue of capacity-building in the health service in order to properly roll out vaccines.

He said: "An issue that frightens me is that it is expected that 100,000 vaccines will be delivered this week, while in April, May and June there could be at least 250,000 vaccines a week.

"We need to ensure that we have the infrastructure and capacity to deliver that.

"We need not only to deal with these individual issues but also to ensure that the system is absolutely streamlined.

"I am worried about is delivery with regard to the sharing of information North and South on people travelling into this country from the point of view of ensuring that we do what we can in the context of mandatory quarantine.

"We need to protect people and the vaccination programme and we need to deal with the issues.

"We need an all-Ireland response and, if that cannot be delivered, we need a two-island response. It is as simple as that."
Reeling from multiple scandals and faced with crescendoing calls for his resignation, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York has managed to retain the support of most voters in his state. But that support appears to come with a time limit attached.

Fifty-five percent of the participants in a Quinnipiac University poll of registered New York State voters said they didnt think Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, should resign from office. Just 40 percent said that he should.

But by an even wider margin, the states voters said they didnt want the governor to run for re-election next year, according to the poll, which was released on Thursday. Fifty-nine percent said they would not like to see him run again, while just 36 percent said they would.

Democrats were rather split, with 50 percent saying theyd like him to run again and 44 percent saying they wouldnt.
On Tuesday, March 9, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a roundtable conference entitled "Corruption in Interior Ministry's Service Centers, Disbandment of National Police Licensing Service." Participants include Former Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Anatoliy Mohyliov; Former Head of Kyiv District Police Department Denys Yaroslavsky; former prosecutor of the Military Prosecutor's Office Ihor Serkov; journalist Ihor Lesiev (8/5a Reitarska Street). The press conference will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
A 25-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman face serious drug charges after a five-week investigation and a raid Tuesday that recovered 1,613 wax folds of suspected heroin and 47 small bags of suspected cocaine in a home, Hackettstown police and the Warren County Prosecutors Office report.

Maximilian Mueller, of the first block of Laurie Terrace in town, is charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin (first degree), possession with intent to deliver cocaine (second degree), conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (second degree), distribution of heroin (two counts; third degree) and possession with intent to deliver heroin (two counts; third degree), police said. He was held in Warren County jail pending a detention hearing, police said.

Heather Hadgkiss, of the same address, is charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver heroin (first degree), one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine (second degree), one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (second degree), two counts of distribution of heroin (third degree), two counts of possession with intent to deliver heroin (third degree), possession of methadone (third degree) and tampering with physical evidence (fourth degree), police said. She too was held pending a detention hearing.

Two others in the home were charged with drug possession -- one was released, the other was turned over to the Morris County Sheriffs Department on outstanding charges, police said.

Town police, along with town K9 Edo, New Jersey State Police, Mansfield Township police, Pohatcong Township police, Washington Township police, the Warren County Prosecutors Offices Narcotics Task Force and the countys Tactical Response Team served the search warrant at the home on Laurie Terrace, the news release said.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting lehighvalleylive.com with a subscription.

Tony Rhodin can be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com.
Zhang Yesui, spokesperson for the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference via video link in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2021. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Thursday night, ahead of the opening of its annual session. Zhang Yesui took questions from Chinese and foreign reporters on the agenda of the session and the work of the NPC via video link. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China will consider measures to improve the electoral system of Hong Kong to ensure that the Asian financial hub is governed by patriots, as the most important annual event on the country's political calendar kicks off.

The 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will deliberate a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) during its fourth annual session running from March 5 to 11, according to the agenda unveiled Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference, Zhang Yesui, the session's spokesperson, said the NPC has both the power and the responsibility to make the decision at the constitutional level to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR.

Calling the electoral system of the HKSAR an important part of its political structure, Zhang said what happened in recent years has proven the need to improve the system in steps with the times in order to provide a sound institutional guarantee for fully and faithfully implementing "one country, two systems" and fully implementing the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong."

Over the past weeks, legal experts and policy advisors have ramped up calls for changes to Hong Kong's electoral system to plug its loopholes.

Addressing a high-level symposium in late February, senior official on Hong Kong affairs Xia Baolong said that Hong Kong must be governed by "staunch patriots," warning of the risk of anti-China disruptors, "Hong Kong independence" elements and other radical separatists entering into the governance architecture of the HKSAR through elections.

"Members of the executive, legislative and judicial organs of the HKSAR and chief officials of its major statutory bodies must be genuine patriots," said Xia, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

The principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" was first laid down by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s.

One of the root causes of the chaos afflicting the social and political arenas of Hong Kong is the fact that the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" has yet to be fully implemented, said attendees to a recent symposium held by the central authorities to hear opinions on improving systems related to the principle.

In last year's NPC annual session held in May, the legislature adopted a decision on "establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security," after months of unrest and street violence originated from an ordinance amendment bill plunged Hong Kong into the "gravest" situation since its return to the motherland in 1997.

On June 30, 2020, the NPC Standing Committee adopted the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR before it was promulgated and enacted locally by the HKSAR government.

Lawmakers from Hong Kong attending the upcoming NPC annual session have lauded the national security law for safeguarding prosperity and stability in the city.

Condemning the violent activities in 2019 that brought "disastrous damages" to Hong Kong, Tam Yiu-chung, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, said since the enforcement of the national security law, the Hong Kong society has gradually restored peace and stability.

The change has proven the necessity and significance of the law, Tam said. Enditem

5

1

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
Carl Kerwick doesnt expect his life to change overnight once hes fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but hes anticipating a few small steps toward resuming pre-pandemic life: sharing meals with neighbors, riding public transit, giving a friend a hug.

I might actually put my hand on someones shoulder and say, Hey, how are you doing today? said Kerwick, who is a resident of Rhoda Goldman Plaza, an assisted living facility in San Francisco where most residents have received their first dose of vaccine.

Once were all vaccinated it will open that door of reestablishing humanity, said Kerwick, who at 60 is among the youngest residents. But there are still enough unknowns about the virus that opening the door completely  Im not quite there yet.

As California ramps up its massive vaccination campaign, a growing number of people are preparing for their second dose and the prospect of substantial immunity. But theres very little guidance from public health authorities on what they can and cannot do once theyre fully vaccinated.

The official message so far has been that nothing changes: People still need to wear masks and practice all the same social distancing measures. But increasingly, infectious disease experts say the guidance should be more nuanced. And the need to give informed, useful recommendations is becoming more urgent as more people get vaccinated and start making decisions for themselves.

This is an area where were really eager for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to be clear in terms of what does it mean for someone whos been vaccinated, and how do we behave in terms of groups, travel, that kind of thing, said Dr. Matt Willis, the Marin County health officer.

He and others noted that 7,500 vaccinated health care workers attended the Super Bowl in Florida, and though they all wore masks, it raised questions about what is appropriate behavior. Conversations have started in some countries around the idea of vaccine passports to ease travel restrictions for people who are immune.

Theres a lot of signaling happening where vaccine status determines what people can and cannot do, Willis said. But its happening outside of clear public health guidance.

Kerwick isnt planning to fully stretch his vaccinated legs just yet. But many people, especially older adults who may have been isolated from friends and family for nearly a year now, are eagerly anticipating hugging grandchildren or sitting down to a meal with neighbors once theyre vaccinated.

Those activities arent endorsed by public health groups at the moment, and if they happen indoors they are not allowed under state stay-at-home orders in most of California. But are they safe for the fully vaccinated  who must wait up to two weeks after the second shot for maximum protection  and under what conditions? Its complicated.

Im concerned that people who are vaccinated will believe theyve been given the golden ticket to immediately return to their pre-pandemic way of life. And I think people should be cautious until we know more, said Dr. George Lemp, an infectious disease expert and epidemiologist who is retired from the University of California.

The vaccines being given to people are highly effective  about 95%  at preventing illness. In multiple, large-scale trials, there were only a handful of hospitalizations among those who were vaccinated and no deaths. And the vaccines appear to be equally effective across age groups, so older adults are just as protected as those who are younger.

But important questions remain, most notably whether people who have been vaccinated can be infected and transmit the virus to others. If thats the case, then vaccinated people could still be carriers even if they wont get sick or die themselves.

In addition, variants of the virus could diminish immunity for those who are already vaccinated. Two variants identified in South Africa and Brazil appear to reduce vaccine effectiveness to some degree, but neither of those variants has been found in the Bay Area. Other variants that have been found in the region seem to be fully covered by vaccines, but infectious disease experts worry that other troublesome variants could emerge.

Public health officials are reluctant to endorse certain behaviors among the vaccinated, especially when it comes to interactions with non-vaccinated people. For example, a few months ago, grandparents and grandchildren were kept apart because of the risk of kids infecting older adults. Now the situation is reversed.

And if two vaccinated people spend time together unmasked and indoors, they may not get each other sick. But if one of them is infected, she or he could pass it to the other, who could in turn spread it to unvaccinated people.

Theres the possibility of creating superspreader events, said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, an infectious disease expert at Stanford. The point is you just dont know.

Other infectious disease experts say, though, that the risk of that kind of transmission appears to be small  and not worth the negative effects of long-term isolation and the heartbreak families are enduring being kept apart for so long.

A vaccinated person is very safe from the scary manifestations of COVID-19. They can absolutely travel and see others, said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.

She has posted on social media that two people who are fully vaccinated can be as close to one another as spoons in a drawer. And though she believes the risk of them being infected and passing the virus to others is low, they can offset that by wearing masks around people who arent vaccinated.

In her own family, Gandhi, who is vaccinated, said once her parents are fully vaccinated she is comfortable having them fly cross-country for a visit. They will hug and kiss and share meals. They cant wait and its all we talk about, Gandhi said.

She said shed like to see public health guidance thats stratified based on whether people are vaccinated. She imagines a three-point message: how to behave when all people are vaccinated, when some are vaccinated, and when none are vaccinated.

For the first group, she thinks they can drop masks and interact freely. The second group needs to exercise some restraint based on their personal level of concern. And the third needs to keep following the strict public health guidelines around mask wearing and social distancing.

But for now Gandhi does not have the support of public health officials or many of her infectious disease peers. Though Lemp said hed also like to see a tiered message from public health authorities, hes worried that people have a hard time evaluating their own risk sometimes and may make decisions that could endanger themselves or others.

These individual decisions could be reasonable, but how do you put in caveats? Lemp said. Like yes, you can see your grandchildren and give them a hug, but what if your daughter has an underlying condition and is at risk? Are you able to make that determination?

As an epidemiologist, I can be careful about knowing how viruses spread, I can make those specific risk determinations, he said. Its not easy for everybody to do that.

Dr. Robert Wachter, chair of the Department of Medicine at UCSF, similarly is worried about people deciding for themselves that they can drop behaviors that have proved to be effective at stopping disease transmission once theyre vaccinated. Hes not ready to endorse that, he said  either in his own behavior, as someone whos now fully vaccinated, or in others actions.

He notes that there are plenty of advantages to being among the vaccinated, even if people cant stop wearing masks or hug friends and family. Now that California is starting to reopen its economy, people who are vaccinated should feel comfortable dining outdoors or visiting a dentist if thats something theyve been avoiding, he said.

Wachter got his first professional haircut in a year  his wife had been trimming his hair since the first shutdown in March. It was remarkably pleasant, he said. It was just a feeling of, I feel comfortable doing this. I think there will be a lot of that, just dialing down the level of anxiety.

Beyond the activities that are already allowed under public health orders, Wachter says its not reasonable to expect people to figure it all out on their own. I do this for a living and its hard enough, he said.

I hear from people all the time: They are vaccinated and the child is not  can I hug them? Can we all get together and if so do we need to wear masks? he said. It would be worthwhile for some trusted entity to go through these scenarios and give some advice, because people are going to be making these decisions anyway. Everybody is going to be grappling with this

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
(Photo : Screenshot From ByteDance YouTube) TikTok Creator Chinese Company 'ByteDance' is Now Looking to Create a Clubhouse Clone Despite State Censorship

China's very own ByteDance is now planning to launch it's very own version of the popular audio chat app Clubhouse to release for the Chinese market. Although this could potentially be a hit, one of the biggest problems with this is what and how people would talk to each other given the strict state censorship.

China Clubhouse app

This news was reported by Reuters and for those that aren't too familiar, Clubhouse is a certain app that would allow its users to set up some sort of audio chat room. This is now getting even more popular among the Silicon Valley people. It was also reportedly available for a brief time in China.

However, after users had dared to bring up certain topics regarding anathema towards the Chinese government, and even talking about the concentration camps for the Uighur Muslims over in the Xinjiang province, and even the current relations with Taiwan, and the particular crackdowns made on Hong Kong's independence, state censorship has officially banned the app some time early February.

Clubhouse can be used through VPNs

A lot of people over in China still nonetheless remain able to access the given app through VPNs or Virtual Private Networks which would allow them to initially bypass the government's national firewalls. According to Bloomberg, however, there might still be some remains concerning Clubhouse's very own infrastructure operators in China that could still hand the user data over.

Reuters then stated that there are about at least a dozen apps cloning the popular Clubhouse's functionality that have recently launched in China ever since. Generally, however, they launch with the expectation that they will be able to employ even more stringent moderation techniques in order to make sure that users won't be able to buck the party line.

ByteDance Chinese company'

There is already a particularly established market for the said apps over in China like the Zhiya, a particular music and video gaming-centric app that got really popular with some young people and that also employs moderators to be able to listen in on every particular conversation.

According to Reuter's sources, ByteDance's plans are still in its very early stages. A recent South China Morning Post report noted that Bytedance is also moving rather aggressively into the field of mobile gaming which is currently a space dominated by its rival firm known as Tencent Holdings.

Read Also: TikTok-Oracle Deal Update: ByteDance Asks for Extension to Divest Assets in CFUIS November 12 Deadline

Plans to make a Clubhouse clone

Marco Lai Jinnan, the recent founder of the popular China-based audio chat app known as Lizhi, noted to SCMP that any particular effort in order to replace the popular Clubhouse's freewheeling environment by any sort of Chinese firm would somehow be most likely doomed to fail. It was also noted that any prospective developers would need to be able to make massive concessions towards speech regulations in order for this to work.

A certain firm called Inke was able to build and launch a recent Clubhouse clone known as Duihuaba in just a little over a week. The app enlisted chic celebrities like other venture capitalists as well as fashion critics to promote it. However, it was still quickly retracted with just little explanation coming from the media except that it was incomplete.

Related Article: This Man Wants to Buy TikTok from China; Guess How Much it Costs?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian Buenconsejo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Silver Elephant Mining (TSE: ELEF- OTCQX: SILEF) Executive Chairman John Lee joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has recently released positive drill results from their two projects in Bolivia, Sunawayo and Pulacayo.

Lee talks about those results and what work they are still doing. He also talked about a new acquisition for the company, the Minago Nickel Sulphide Project in Manitoba.
The fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report at the opening of this year's session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing on Friday. Here are some highlights.

Main targets for 2021

- China sets its GDP growth target for 2021 at above 6 percent (Read more)

- China plans to create more than 11 million new jobs in 2021

- China to maintain its CPI at around 3 percent in 2021

- China plans to cut the ratio of its deficit to GDP to around 3.2 percent for the year of 2021

- China to cut energy consumption per unit of GDP by around 3 percent in 2021

- China to expand effective investment this year, with a central investment budget of 610 billion yuan (about $94 billion)

- China to hold key exhibitions including the China International Import Expo, the China Import and Export Fair, and the China International Fair for Trade in Services

- China to make meticulous preparations for Beijing Winter Olympics
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Mumbai, March 5 : The first charge sheet filed in the drugs case probe into the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput has mentioned briefly about the role of his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty for being instrumental in procuring and financing the drugs.

A senior NCB official related to the probe wishing anonymity told IANS: "There has been instances in which the role of Rhea has been mentioned briefly in the charge sheet filed by the NCB in a court here." The NCB filed a 11,700 pages charge sheet in the court here earlier in the day.

The official said: "Rhea was instrumental in procuring and financing drugs." He said that Rhea's financial transactions have been corroborated in the case.

The official pointed out that the cash transactions of Rhea and then digital transfers have been mentioned in the charge sheet corroborating the use of the money for procuring and financing drugs.

The official also said that Rhea's brother, Showik Chakraborty has also been named in the charge sheet and his relations with drug peddlers Basit Parihar and Zayed along with the drug delivering incidents have been collaborated with Whatsapp chats and financial transactions.

To a question if the drug-law enforcement agency has named Bollywood biggies like Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Kha, Shradhha Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh, the official said that they have not been named in the charge sheet.

Citing the reason for not mentioning their names in the charge sheet, the official explained that as their statement was "disclosure based".

Besides Rhea and Showik, the NCB has named 31 more people in its first charge sheet that it filed in the court. The official said that the late actor's ex-manager Samuel Miranda, his house help Dipesh Sawant, drug peddler Anuj Keshwani, from whom commercial quantity of drugs (LSD sheets and marijuana) were first recovered, figure in the charge sheet.

There are two foreign nationals Agisilaos Demetriades, the brother of actor Arjun Rampal's South African girlfriend and model Gabriella Demetriades, besides Kshitij Prasad, a former executive producer connected with Dharma Productions and two college students who are said to be the last mile peddlers, have also been named.

The siblings. Rhea and Showik, have not reacted to the new development in the case.

In August last year, the NCB Mumbai had registered two cases related to the drugs angle which emerged in the investigations into Sushant's death.

Moving swiftly, the NCB had arrested Rhea and Showik, and several other persons in September last year, creating an upheaval in Bollywood circles.

The Chakraborty siblings and another 23 other arrested-accused are currently out on bail, while 8 remain in custody.

"Out of these 33 persons, 25 have been granted bail by court and 8 remain in judicial custody. Further investigations are on against known-unknown persons and a supplementary charge sheet will be filed as per laws," NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede said in a statement.

Wankhede said that the NCB has seized various narcotic drugs (Charas, Ganja, LSD, Ecstasy) and psychotropic substances (Alprazolam and Clonazepam), Indian and foreign currencies, electronic gadgets and mobiles which were analysed to reveal incriminating evidences pertaining to sale, purchase, procurement, consumption, possession of narcotic drugs.

"The drugs seized were sent for chemical examination, and the case was thoroughly investigated on the basis of seizures effected from the accused, voluntary disclosure (confessions), technical evidences like connectivity through call details, WhatsApp chats, bank accounts, financial transactions and other forms of evidences," Wankhede explained.

On the morning of June 14, 2020, Sushant, 34, was found hanging at his rented duplex flat in a posh building in Bandra, triggering a massive furore in Bollywood and political circles.

Subsequently, the NCB spread its net wide and questioned several celebrities, including Sara Ali Khan, Shraddha Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Rakul Preet Singh, Karishma Prakash, and nabbed comedian couple Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, who are now bailed out.

Simultaneously, the NCB has gone hammer and tongs after the drugs mafia in Mumbai with a series of seizures and arrests from the city and surroundings in the past six months.

The Maharashtra government has repeatedly demanded that the CBI should make public the findings of the probe into Sushant's death -- whether it was suicide or murder -- in the public interest.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in and Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chanel Contos was in the back room of the converted London warehouse she lives in, her phone buzzing every few seconds with new social media notifications, when she decided to go public with her story of teenage sexual assault.

Her petition for earlier sex education in schools, which began as an Instagram poll, was just beginning to reveal hundreds of testimonies from former Sydney schoolgirls about sexual assaults they had experienced at the hands of their male peers. And it was showing no signs of slowing.

Chanel Contos has spent most of the last two weeks in her room in London, watching events in Sydney play out on her laptop. Credit:Liliana Zaharia

Running on adrenaline, Ms Contos made the call to put her face to the story. She rang her father first, to give him a heads up. He was at a party, and I said: I have to tell you something. Im about to do an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald. By the way, I got sexually assaulted when I was 13. Bye! He was like: What? It was confronting for dad at first.

Ms Contos didnt sleep that night. She stayed up until 11am, working on Sydney time, and had four hours rest before doing it all again. Hundreds more Instagram messages were rolling in and television stations were requesting live interviews. I did that for three or four days until I completely crashed, the 23-year-old says.
A firm set up by public health expert Dr Gabriel Scally has been paid 1.13m for work on the Cervical Check screening programme scandal.

That is according to new figures provided by the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.

In a written Dail reply to Labour leader Alan Kelly, Mr Donnelly confirmed that last year the Department of Health paid Dr Scallys Gabriel Scally Consultants Ltd 159,129.

This followed payments totalling 445,843 made to the Scally firm in 2019 and payments of 529,157 in 2018.

Dr Scally  who currently enjoys a high media profile in his commentary on the Government response to Covid-19  only established Gabriel Scally Consultants Ltd in June 2018. The accounts for 2019 show that the company recorded a profit of 136,788 for the year and had accumulated profits of 203,681 at the end of December 2019.

Dr Scally is the author of the States report into the CervicalCheck controversy and the report reviewed revelations that hundreds of women had not been informed of an audit of their cervical smear tests after being diagnosed with cancer.

The inquiry was set up in May 2018 after terminally ill Limerick woman, Vicky Phelan settled her High Court case for 2.5m over being given incorrect smear test results.

Read More

However, Dr Scallys work didnt stop at the publication of the report.

The Government accepted all 50 recommendations made in Dr Scally's Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Programme, which was published on September 12, 2018.

An implementation plan was published in December 2018 and the then Health Minister Simon Harris requested Dr Scally to undertake an independent review of the Implementation Plan.

Dr Scally was requested to undertake a further implementation review, and this took place in late 2019. The report of this review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry into CervicalCheck was received by the department in April 2020.

The review was published last December and Mr Donnelly stated: In this review report, Dr Scally says that substantial progress has been made, the vast majority of actions were on track or were completed, and he is satisfied with the approach and structures in place for implementation.

Mr Donnelly told Mr Kelly: Dr Scally suggested, in his second review report, that he conduct one final progress review at a suitable point sometime after the coronavirus crisis has abated.

Mr Donnelly said that he is supportive of this and will raise it with the CervicalCheck Steering Committee at the appropriate time.

He said that Dr Scally is also a member of the Crowe Consultancy team in place to provide an evidence review and to make recommendations for a Policy Framework for Open Disclosure in Healthcare in Ireland.

Crowe has completed its work after submitting their report in January and the report is to be published on the department website, said Mr Donnelly.

Clarification: We are happy to clarify that Dr Scally has not personally received any payment for his work on the Cervical Check Inquiry. The payments to Gabriel Scally Consultants Limited were made by the Department of Health to discharge the administrative costs of running the Inquiry including support staff, office accommodation, external expertise and travel costs. We apologise to Dr Scally for any confusion
Bullying burns down good times, like a candle slowly sweating under the unwavering heat. Rivkah Reyes was just like most kids their age. Having the chance to be in a Jack Black movie was the opportunity of a lifetime.

Reyes, who uses they/them pronouns, would later find out that movie bliss can have teeth and bite back at a young, unassuming kid just wanting to have fun. In a long-form discussion about life after stardom with the New York Post, Reyes talked about the trials and tribulations of being famous, even for a short time.

The 2003 film was a smash hit, officially elevating Black to movie star status and grossing $131 million dollars on a small budget. The film resonated so deeply, a rock musical and television series were formed from its popularity. Reyes thought it would make life more fun and interesting at school; it was anything but pleasant.

People were either really nice, or really mean, Reyes said after they returned to school following the films release. It got so bad that she hoped another big part would come their way, so Katie (their characters name in the film) could be forgotten. Imagine that. You are 11 years old, and were just in one of the years most successful and enjoyable movies-and the kids at your school decide to bully you.

Instead of asking about their time on set or working with Black, Reyes classmates gave them flack no matter how they reacted. Reyes could accept the accolades, and think people would look at them as bragging about it. But if they tossed it off as nothing, the kids would hone in closer and be much meaner. One time, Reyes signed a card for another classmate, and the girl just tore it up in front of them and tossed it in the trash. To say it affected them would be like picking up a dry paper towel and gently wiping a dirty table. The backlash broke them, sending Reyes on a spiral that would frighten any parent to their bones. Drugs, alcohol, self-harm, and various addictions took over their life.

Lets bypass the part where people assume their troubles shouldnt have resulted in personal abuse and addiction. If you havent walked in someones shoes, the ability to speak for them becomes futile. As a kid and young man, I had a painful stutter that made most days a struggle in grade school, middle school, and high school. Kids bullied me to pieces, and it never stopped. Every day, it began and ceased at the bell, at least to the perpetrators. The victim feels that all night, and the next day. There is no remedy or medicine available for extreme bullying. The moment people understand that concept, the way to helping and stopping it will increase. You cant just place kids are resilient, itll be alright on every encounter between 5 years old and 20. Reyes felt the blunt of everything at an age where joy should be the only goal. For them, it got real bad as years piled up.

In a blog posted on Medium a year ago, Reyes wrote about using the drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, and that it all led to three suicide attempts. They wouldnt work in film or television for 11 years later-and it was in a short film called Cool Nerds. Three years later, in 2017, they had a small role in a series called Easy. It was only recently that an identity change, both in name and body, seemed to replenish Reyes and place them on a new path.

Last August, they officially announced the name switch, from Rebecca Brown to her current name, which according to Reyes, honors their Filipino-Jewish heritage as well as their fluid gender. Reyes has a podcast in the works, and four film/television roles that are completed or in post-production. The podcast will focus on where child actors are now, and its hard at a time like this not to think about Britney Spears and her struggles inside the world of fame. While Reyes only tasted a small piece of the pie that the pop star endured, it was enough to leave a large dent in their life.

Its something many take for granted, because the whole process can be so machine-like in that profession. Child actors and the extra focus and attention that such a job brings. Sometimes, you just go with it and see where the stardom goes. But it can be punishing. The one thing that never wavered over the years was their connection with Black and the cast. Reyes said there is a group text and that Black remains close, even giving backstage passes to his gigs.

After living in the backstage for so long due to hateful abuse, Rivkah Reyes is ready to take the center stage back. Bullying has zero rewards, but it does have many survivors.
[March 05, 2021] Entravision Announces Participation in the Deutsche Bank 29th Annual Media, Internet & Telecom Conference

Entravision Communications Corporation (NYSE: EVC), a leading global media and marketing technology company, today announced that Walter Ulloa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Christopher Young, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, will present at the Deutsche Bank 29th Annual Media, Internet & Telecom Conference on Monday, March 8, 2021. The Company's presentation will begin at 12 pm PT. The presentation will be made available to the public via live audio webcast, which can be accessed by visiting Entravision's Investor Relations website at investor.entravision.com. For more information on the conference please visit conferences.db.com/americas/.



About Entravision Communications Corporation Entravision is a diversified global media, marketing and technology company serving clients throughout the United States and in more than 20 countries across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Entravision has 54 television stations and is the largest affiliate group of the Univision and UniMas television networks, and 48 Spanish-language radio stations that feature nationally recognized, award-winning talent. Our dynamic digital portfolio includes Entravision Digital, which serves SMBs in high-density U.S. Latino markets and provides cutting-edge mobile programmatic solutions and demand-side platforms that allow advertisers to execute performance campaigns using machine-learned bidding algorithms, along with Cisneros Interactive, a leader in digital advertising solutions in the Latin American and U.S. Hispanic markets representing major technology platforms. Shares of Entravision Class A Common Stock trade on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol: EVC. Learn more about all of our media, marketing and technology offerings at entravision.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005602/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - BELGRAVIA HARTFORD CAPITAL INC. (CSE: BLGV) ("Belgravia Hartford", "Belgravia" or the "Company") announces that the Board has authorized the implementation of a consolidation (the "Consolidation") of the Company's common shares ("Shares") on the basis of one (1) post-Consolidation Share for every ten (10) pre-Consolidation Shares, effective March 8, 2021 (the "Effective Date").

The Consolidation will result in the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Company being reduced from 401,792,516 common shares to approximately 40,179,252 common shares on a non-diluted basis, and each shareholder will hold the same percentage of common shares outstanding immediately after the Consolidation as such shareholder held immediately prior to the Consolidation. The exercise price and number of common shares of the Company issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, warrants or other convertible securities will be proportionately adjusted to reflect the Consolidation in accordance with the terms of such securities.

No fractional shares will be issued pursuant to the Consolidation. Any fractional shares equal to or greater than one-half resulting from the Consolidation will be rounded up to the next whole number of common shares, and any fractional shares less than one-half resulting from the Consolidation will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. The Company's name and trading symbol will remain unchanged.

Registered shareholders will be required to exchange their share certificates representing pre-Consolidation common shares for new share certificates representing post-Consolidation common shares. Shareholders of record as at the Effective Date will receive a letter of transmittal from the Company's transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc., as soon as practicable after the Effective Date of the Consolidation. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how certificate(s) representing pre-Consolidation shares may be surrendered to Computershare Investor Services Inc. The transfer agent will forward to each registered shareholder who has provided the required documents a new share certificate representing the number of post-Consolidation common shares to which the shareholder is entitled. Non-registered shareholders holding common shares through an intermediary (a securities broker, dealer, bank or financial institution) should be aware that the intermediary may have different procedures for processing the Consolidation than those that will be put in place by the Company for registered shareholders. If shareholders hold their common shares through intermediaries and have questions in this regard, they are encouraged to contact their intermediaries.

About Belgravia Hartford

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. is a Canadian publically traded investment holding company which invests in public and private companies in legal jurisdictions and under the rule of law. Belgravia and its investments are high risk business ventures and expose shareholders to financial risks.

For more information, please visit www.belgraviahartford.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding planned investment activities & related returns, the timing for completion of research and development activities, the potential value of royalties, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, changes in market trends, the completion, results and timing of research undertaken by the Company, risks associated with resource assets, the impact of general economic conditions, commodity prices, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory, environmental, and governmental approvals, and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact:

Mehdi Azodi, President & CEO

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc.

(250) 763-5533

mazodi@blgv.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76206
WHAT: The Brain Prize has been awarded to Michael A. Moskowitz, M.D., a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, who also is supported by an NIH grant. The Brain Prize is "the world's most prestigious award for brain research" and is awarded by the Lundbeck Foundation, Denmark. Dr. Moskowitz will receive the prize along with three other scientists for their pathbreaking contributions that led to novel migraine therapies.

The Lundbeck Foundation said, "Moskowitz showed in experimental models that a migraine attack is triggered when trigeminal nerve fibres release neuropeptides that lead to dilated (opened up) blood vessels of the meninges, inflammation, and pain.... He was the first to propose that blocking the action of released neuropeptides could be a new approach to treating migraine."

Dr. Moskowitz has received support since 1985 from the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The other recipients of The Brain Prize 2021 are Lars Edvinsson, M.D., Ph.D., professor of internal medicine at Lund University, Sweden; Peter Goadsby, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc. director of the NIHR-Wellcome Trust King's clinical research facility at King's College London, UK, and professor of neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; and Jes Olesen, M.D. clinical professor in the department of clinical neurology, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.

For more on the Brain Prize recipients pioneering work on migraine visit the Lundbeck Foundation site: http://www. lundbeckfonden. com/ en

WHO: Walter J. Koroshetz, M.D., Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

###

NINDS is the nation's leading funder of research on the brain and nervous system. The mission of NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease.

She made the surprise announcement that she is six months pregnant with her first child with husband Alex Pettyfer with Vogue Germany on Friday.

And Toni Garrn displayed her growing bump before her baby news as she stepped out in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg, Germany, last month.

The supermodel, 28, wrapped up warm in a lilac North Face padded jacket as she ran errands in the city with her husband Alex, 30.

Baby news: Toni Garrn displayed her growing bump before her baby news as she stepped out in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg, Germany, last month

Toni teamed the item of outwear with a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms and Timberland boots.

The catwalk star wore her blonde locks in loose natural waves and appeared to be sporting no make-up, while shielding her eyes with sunglasses.

She accessorised with a purple scarf and carried her belongings in a black handbag, while covering her face with a coronavirus mask.

Glowing: The supermodel, 28, wrapped up warm in a lilac North Face padded jacket as she ran errands in the city with her husband Alex, 30

Details: Toni teamed the item of outwear with a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms and Timberland boots

The German model made the surprise announcement on Friday that she is expecting her first child with husband Alex.

Toni shared the news via Vogue Germany on Instagram with a series of stunning clips displaying her growing bump.

She wrote: 'I've been keeping this secret for.. pretty much 6 months exactly. FINALLY I can share my biggest news with you all. Let the journey begin!'

During the clip, Toni said: 'I guess what it means for me is that my life is definitely changing forever. What was my first reaction when I found out? I think my first thought was "finally".

Gorgeous: The catwalk star wore her blonde locks in loose natural waves and appeared to be sporting no make-up, while shielding her eyes with sunglasses

Exciting! The German model made the surprise announcement on Friday that she is expecting her first child with husband Alex

'I was very excited. The best thing about being pregnant is definitely waking up every day and knowing I'm pregnant.

'It's such a happy feeling. I touch my belly and I'm just super excited to have my little one inside me.

'I think my life already changed but it's a good year for me to have a baby because everything else already slowed down so much.

'My brain has the patience and the time to be very fulfilled and present to be a parent. Which I would love to be.

Sending love! Jourdan Dunn, Blanca Padilla and her husband Alex were among well-wishers sending their love following Toni's announcement on Friday that she is six months pregnant

'I dream of the way his or her face is going to look, the way it's going to be and smell. I just can't wait to meet my baby!'

The comments section of Toni's post was flooded with congratulatory messages from her fellow models and pals.

Jourdan Dunn, Blanca Padilla and her husband Alex were among well-wishers sending their love following her announcement.

Toni and Alex tied the knot in her hometown of Hamburg last October, ten months after their Christmas engagement in 2019.
Michigan has suspended liquor licenses at a second restaurant for not following the states capacity limits.

Greek Islands Eatery in Plymouth is the latest business in trouble with the state. The Plymouth Police Department discovered various COVID-19 health order violations, leading to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission suspending the liquor licenses.

Plymouth police were first tipped off Feb. 26. Officers investigated and found 50 people inside  even though only 30 people were legally allowed in because of the 25% capacity limit in effect at the time. A representative of the business admitted it was over capacity, police said.

The next day, Plymouth police received a call that a party bus arrived at Greek Islands Eatery. They went back to investigate.

Upon entering the establishment, the officers observed approximately 100 people, which is approximately 70 people over the 25% limit, per the MLCC suspension order. The officers reported that the majority of the people were standing and not wearing face masks, and the people were not social distancing.

The MLCC suspended the restaurants liquor licenses Tuesday, March 2, due to violating the capacity limit, not requiring masks, ignoring social distancing guidelines and allowing customers to stand and intermingle. There is a hearing with an administrative law judge March 10 to determine the suspension length and any fines.

The harshest fine issued so far was for $4,200. Suspensions have ranged from zero to 90 days.

So far, 41 businesses have had their licenses suspended by the MLCC since September, however, the majority were because of businesses violating the dine-in ban  which was in place from Nov. 18 through Jan. 31.

The other business busted for violating the 25% capacity limit was Wooden Nickel in Marquette.

Click here to see the other businesses with liquor license suspensions since the dine-in ban started.

Michigans capacity limits have been relaxed to 50%, starting Friday, March 5. The curfew has also been extended from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. All other rules for restaurants  like social distancing and mask wearing  remain in place.

RELATED STORIES

Restaurants, casinos, gyms, nursing homes: All the changes Michigan made to COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday

Holland restaurant owner vows to stay open even after bench warrant issued for COVID-19 violations

These 682 Michigan businesses won grants in first-come, first-served virtual scramble

Extending office ban 6 months would be bad for Michigan, business leaders say

Michigan tops 1 million unemployment claims for first time since October
A pair of anti-abortion activists who have gained notoriety by picketing outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Manhattan and defacing Black Lives Matter murals have boasted about relying on the far-right group Proud Boys for security.

Edmee Chavannes, 39, and Bevelyn Beatty, 29, have been traveling around the country promoting the pro-life cause, and were in Washington DC, on January 6 but denied entering the US Capitol building, or resorting to violence.

In early February, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a federal lawsuit against the duo, accusing them of harassing and intimidating women seeking to enter Planned Parenthood of Greater New Yorks Manhattan Health Center on Bleecker Street.

Scroll down for video

Christian anti-abortion activists Edmee Chavannes, 39 (right), and Bevelyn Beatty, 29 (left), have reportedly relied on right-wing Proud Boys for security

Chavannes and Beatty were sued last month by New York Attorney General Letitia James for allegedly harassing people outside this Planned Parenthood clinic in Manhattan

Beatty and Chavannes have been picketing abortion clinics around the US since 2018

'For almost 50 years, Roe v Wade has made clear the right of women to control their own bodies,' James stated at the time. 'Despite the clear protections under the law, these individuals used violent and illegal tactics to harass, threaten, and block women from entering Planned Parenthood.

'Let me be very clear: no person, no business, and no government body has the right to deny or limit a womans access to an abortion, and I will continue to do everything within my legal power to support the reproductive rights of women.'

The lawsuit seeks to bar Beatty, Chavannes and their supporters from protesting directly outside the clinic, and to stop them from using 'threats, intimidation, or physical tactics' against patients.

An unnamed source close to the two activists has alleged to the New York Daily News that they have been targeting Planned Parenthood locations around the US since 2018.

During some of the protests, Chavannes and Beatty were protected by Proud Boys - a far-right, male chauvinist extremist group that seized on Donald Trump administrations policies and was a major agitator during earlier protests and the Capitol riot on January 6.

Beatty bragged in this June 2020 that Proud Boys took her and Chavannes under their protection during protests in Seattle

Beatty and Chavannes were with Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio (pictured) in DC on Election Day when Beatty was stabbed during a robbery

'Those young men, every time I needed a security detail, they were there for me,' Beatty confirmed to the news outlet.

Proud Boys have been sighted at anti-abortion protests at Planned Parenthood clinics around the US since 2017.

In June 2020, Beatty and Chavannes bragged in a YouTube video that members of the group, which is classified by the FBI as an extremist organization, protected them while they were 'ministering the gospel' in Seattle's Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) during last year's Black Lives Matter protests.

'Proud Boys, we want to thank you guys! The same ones people call Nazis  them Nazis came and they stood.... them guys came strapped up, wrapped up, exercising their 2nd Amendment, holding it down for us, making sure we were safe. So kudos, God bless Proud Boys,' Beatty said in the video.

Chavannes added: 'they came, provided security...they were the ones to say: "you need to preach"...they set us aside to make sure that we had a spot to still preach.'

Beatty made headlines last June when she was photographed vandalizing the Black Lives Matter mural on Fifth Avenue in New York City

Just hours later, she poured paint on another BLM mural in Brooklyn

Just days later, Beatty and Chavannes, dressed in 'Jesus Matters' T-shirts, were arrested for pouring black paint on the Black Lives Matter mural outside of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue while yelling 're-fund the police.'

Both of the women were charged with criminal mischief and later released.

But within hours, Beatty filmed herself conducting a 'drive-by painting' in Harlem and later in Brooklyn, where two more BLM murals were vandalized with black paint.

Beatty and Chavannes say they disagree with Black Lives Matter because the racial justice protesters do not necessarily oppose abortion.

'They're fraudulent hypocrites  and I believe all lives matter because God created them,' Beatty told Fox News last year.

Beatty (pictured left with Donald Trump supporter Mike Lindell) and Chavannes (pictured far right) were both in Dc during the January 6 riots

On Election Day, Beatty, who is an avid Trump supporters, said she was with Proud Boys leader Henry 'Enrique' Tarrio and his cohorts in Washington DC when they tried to thwart a robbery in progress, and the 29-year-old anti-abortion activist was stabbed three times.

Beatty recovered from her injuries and was back in DC on January 6, when supporters of Donald Trump attacked the US Capitol in a bid to overturn the results of the election and keep him in power.

'Me and Edmee went to the Capitol yesterday,' Beatty said the day after the riot, which left five people dead. 'Did Trump people storm the Capitol? Yes. But did we break into the Capitol? No.'
The United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to reporters after arriving on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, at sea. AP-Yonhap



U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are expected to visit South Korea this month, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday, amid growing hope for a long-delayed defense cost-sharing deal.



If made, it will be the first visit to South Korea by senior officials of the Biden administration.



"We are working on their possible two-day visit starting on March 17, though the exact schedule is yet to be confirmed," a source said.



Another source said that consultations are under way between Seoul and Washington for high-level meetings, and the two governments will make an announcement after details are fixed.









Japan's Kyodo News reported on the day that Blinken and Austin are preparing for a three-day visit to Japan starting on March 15 for security talks with their Japanese counterparts.





U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks about priorities for administration of U.S. President Joe Biden in the Ben Franklin room at the State Department in Washington, U.S. March 3, 2021. REUTERS-Yonhap
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  The Supreme Court said it deferred a decision on petitioners' plea for a temporary restraining order against the Anti-Terrorism Act without a comment from the government's top lawyer on the alleged intimidation and red-tagging of the law's critics.

According to a March 2 resolution obtained by the media on Friday, the Supreme Court en banc "resolved to await the comment of the Office of the Solicitor General" before acting on the joint motion for TRO filed by the counsels for petitioners.

In the same resolution, the high court granted Solicitor General Jose Calida's bid for another 15-day extension, from February 18 until March 5 within which to submit his comment. It's still not clear if Calida has already filed his comment.

In January, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio led petitioners in bringing to the tribunal's attention the social media post of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade. The military official is commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Southern Luzon Command and the spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

On January 16, ahead of oral arguments on petitions seeking to junk the anti-terrorism law, Parlade's Facebook post urged the public to "be watchful of these individuals, groups, and organizations opposing a law that will protect our citizens from terrorists." He named some opposition lawmakers "and the rest of these CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) representatives and colleagues."

The CPP and its armed wing New People's Army have been designated as terrorist organizations by the executive Anti-Terrorism Council, in line with the controversial law.

The petitioners asked the Supreme Court to seek confirmation from the Office of the Solicitor General on whether or not Parlade's Facebook post is "an official communication from the government or a public officer thereof, including details on the source, circumstances behind and, the intent."

In another manifestation in February, the petitioners raised more online comments from Parlade, this time calling a journalist a "propagandist" for an article she wrote on the two Aetas bid to join the petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act. Parlade said the reporter may be held liable under the law for "aiding the terrorists by spreading lies," something petitioners called a "clear threat." This is now being investigated by the Armed Forces.

On Thursday, petitioners reiterated their call for a TRO following the attack on one of their counsels, human rights lawyer Angelo Karlo Guillen, who was stabbed by two unidentified men in Iloilo City.

"The issuance of a TRO on the enforcement of the ATA (Anti-Terrorism Act) pending the final adjudication of the 37 petitions could help address the worsening situation," read the statement signed by nine of the counsels and petitioners. They urged the high court to take action to prevent another attack on lawyers, noting that 54 lawyers and judges have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016.

READ: Supreme Court told: Dont wait for another lawyers killing
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
International Women's Day takes place this week on March 8 and is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality. Marked annually, International Women's Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year when we celebrate women's achievements; raise awareness about women's equality; lobby for accelerated gender parity and fundraise for female-focused charities. This week the Leitrim Observer is acknowledging Leitrim women who have made an impact on life in our county whether that be through volunteer work, promoting the county, through music and inspiring us during Covid. It is a way of thanking and acknowledging them for all they do to enhance life for the better for their county men and women. Here they outline their early life, their influences and why promoting women is so important...

Reared in Mohill, Blaithin Gallagher left for education and work reasons, returning to rear her two children, Fiachra and Caoimhe, with their father, artist Johnnie Lawson. Living north of Drumkeerin, in Creevelea, she says she inherited her love of rural Ireland, in particular, all things Leitrim, from her parents.

Both my parents were blow-ins to Leitrim, but raised us with such a love of Leitrim, we felt it in our genes. Sunday family drives allowed us to explore and experience the beauty of this county. From a young age we were enchanted as we traversed the length and breadth of the county viewing rivers, lakes, hills, mountains, stone walls, hedges and unspoiled wilderness. There was a predominance of heather covered hills with gently meandering streams, not the widespread Sitka spruce plantations that now obscure the landscape.

Blaithin continues.

There is something very special, warm and welcoming about the people. I think that was what my father realised very quickly when he adopted here as his homeplace. He, in turn, was adopted by the people, as one of their own. Leitrim represents a microcosm of life in Ireland from the very rural to the cosmopolitan. Populated by a friendly, giving people, who thankfully, not yet too wrapped up in the speed of life, are generally full of hospitality.

The middle child of what were nine opinionated siblings, her late father, Pat Gallagher was a vet and a farmer, a man who taught her the importance of ethics.

From an early age I learned through my parents to stand up for what is right. My role as middle child helped develop skills as both a negotiator and a mediator.

Blaithins education comprised of undergraduate studies in Communications (Film and Media Studies), an MPhil degree in Womens studies and a PhD in Medicine - Vision Science! A broad education, which facilitates many different perspectives.

The Leitrim Guardian



The Leitrim Guardian is unique, Irelands oldest and only county journal produced and published by voluntary effort since 1968, it provides an archive of life and culture in Leitrim.

With my long interest in writing, my mother Anna convinced me to join the Leitrim Guardian committee, shortly after I moved back to Leitrim. Little did I think I would become editor one day. It has been both an honour and a privilege to serve as editor for the past eleven years.

Blaithin is also Chair of The Model, home of the Niland Collection, Art gallery and venue in Sligo.

Passionate about getting things done, Blaithin says: Active citizenship is important to me. Thankfully, there are many others with the energy, sense of initiative, enthusiasm and commitment to serve the needs and interests of communities. It is on the backs of active citizens that our county and country is built. It is not about the individual, rather its about working in partnership with likeminded people to get things done. I am blessed with a sense of optimism and the ambition to work through any obstacle and to find and implement a workable solution.

The Green Party



Having worked all her adult life in the not for profit sector, moving between NGOs and academia, her career spans the field of the arts, education, disability, and ageing. More recently, Blaithin has become involved in politics adding the roles of Chair of the National Executive of the Green Party Ireland and National Coordinator to her voluntary resume.

It was time to take a step forward, to be an actor in making lasting change. Like most parents I wanted to help shape a future for my children, improve the world where they would grow up and grow old; help find a voice for those who have been silenced and secure a sustainable society based on climate and social justice.

Blaithin goes on to say, We need to work towards making politics more family friendly, to encourage much needed diversity. Do you know that there is no maternity leave for elected representatives? Just 24% of all elected councillors are female, with the lowest figures predominantly in rural areas. Across the political spectrum, the unique perspective of the female outlook is not reflected in equal measure to that of the male. Increasing female participation is the only way we are going to effect change in society and create equality and equity.

Representation of womens voices



The Green Partys commitment to gender equity, the continuous carving of space to ensure representation of womens voices is very attractive. I am proud to be one of the four females out of six members at the Leaders table. 56% of our councillors and 31% of our Senators and TDs are female. Equal access for females to leadership roles is essential. Our patriarchal world of glass ceilings, gender pay gaps, a world where women still hold the primary responsibility for domestic and caring duties, has been evidenced during the current pandemic. Should we accept a society where we means-test family carers, people who provide the state with a valuable service and financial savings? If this role fell primarily to men, there would be no means test. The work would be valued and properly priced.

Blaithin finishes, Mary Robinson got it right when she said, It's only when you have a critical mass of women in politics that you get women's issues attacked.

For as long as I feel I can make a difference, I will continue to be active in society. It is imperative that those of us with a voice keep shouting out for those who are silenced, until they too can be heard above the din.
Syrias prime minister has pledged to bolster economic activity by stimulating expatriate investment, reports SANA.

Prime Minister, Eng. Hussein Arnous has underlined the importance of full coordination and intensifying joint efforts between the executive and legislative authorities to follow up the implementation of the service and developmental projects and to cooperate in overcoming the obstacles facing them and finding suitable solutions to them in a way that would achieve the public interest and contribute to facing the economic siege imposed on Syria.

Arnouss remarks came during a meeting held on Thursday with MPs representing Suweida Province.

The premier said that the governments efforts focus on implementing the plans and programs mentioned in the ministerial statement and continuing to carry out the projects which would contribute to improving the living and service conditions of the citizens and alleviating the burdens of the current conditions which have resulted from the unjust siege imposed on the Syrian people.

He added that the required amounts of flour have been ensured so as to meet the needs of citizens, and work is underway to secure the local need for oil derivatives.

Arnous asserted that the government is ready to provide facilitation for investors and to attract expatriate investors with the aim of restoring the economic activity and bettering the situations in Suweida Province in different domains.

The MPs interventions focused on continuing the work at the Tamiko project in the industrial zone in Umm al-Zeitoun, accelerating the implementation of the railway linking Damascus and Suweida, and resuming the work on the completion of the al-Mushannaf power transmission station.

The discussions also tackled means of securing more engineering machinery for the reclamation of arable lands and creating a laboratory for chemical analysis to examine fruit samples, especially apples as well as the establishment of a factory for dairy and cheese.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
It is a measure of the success of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement (GFA) that the North and its interminable conflicts have moved from the everyday, blood-spattered consciousness, and occasional presence, in the lives of nearly everyone on this island to some sort of remote conundrum that may or may not be resolved in the fullness of time.

By its very success, the GFA has marginalised that unsettled, simmering question.

It has worked and must be sustained, despite the British governments unilateral decision this week to extend the Irish Sea border grace period for eight months, in defiance of earlier agreements.

This move, not the first of its kind, provoked Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney to say that the EU is negotiating with a partner it simply cannot trust ... That is why the EU is now looking at legal options and legal actions ... this is really unwelcome.

For a politician usually so diplomatic, this reaction should sound alarm bells.

That the crisis the Norths conflict sustained for too long has been usurped by a global health crisis pushes simmering issues to the margins too.

Time and changing generations play their part. Without figures as charismatic, as loud, as persistent as John Hume or Ian Paisley holding centre stage, it is all too easy to doze off, to pretend to read the programme notes while thinking of something entirely different.

Stormonts regular, self-inflicted suspensions deepen that feeling.

That siesta may be about to end more abruptly than anyone might have expected.

Brexit a catalyst

Brexit is the catalyst, the indifference of the weakest-link British administration and the old, unwavering tribalisms the kinetic energy behind the loudest cage-rattling in years.

Those forces will  because they always do  blame someone else for resurgent tensions.

It is as if they imagined that the EU might turn a blind eye to the risks posed by a post-Brexit backdoor border on this island.

Difficulties have arisen and must be resolved  which they can be, if there is a real will to do so.

Not doing so would invite political and social chaos.

That the organisation representing loyalist paramilitaries has told British prime minister Boris Johnson that they are withdrawing support for the GFA until the Irish Sea border is removed underlines the difficulties in realising that objective.

The Loyalist Communities Council letter, despite its insistence that opposition be peaceful and democratic raises fears about the loyalist ceasefire which has, more or less, held since 1994.

That of course is the intention. Imagine, for a moment, the reaction if that threat came from republicans.

Threat to relationships

Relationships that have seemed stable since the GFA would be jeopardised.

That Johnson did not raise the prospect of breaching the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol  though he insists he did  when he spoke to Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Tuesday, a day before the announcement, can only add to that impression.

This very difficult situation will not be resolved without trust, a state all the harder to achieve by the strong impression that one side does not know or understand  or care  what it is doing.

We are, suddenly, closer to a dangerous unravelling than is comfortable.
KALAMAZOO, MI  The total shocked Stephen Hamilton.

Hamilton, an aquatic ecology professor at Michigan State University, had seen the Kalamazoo River sediment deposits that developed after a hydroelectric dam operator unexpectedly drained its impoundment.

He had seen the turbidity in the water, which was so dark with fine sediment particles last year that objects disappeared from view immediately upon immersion.

He had paddled through the reservoir behind Morrow Dam, which is owned by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation of Canada.

But Hamilton was still floored by the total volume of sediment his measurements say has come through the dam  about 369,000 cubic yards. For context, that amount of sediment could fill 36,900 standard 10-yard dump trucks or about 113 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Thats enough sediment to cover the river bottom with one foot for 12-and-a-half miles, said Hamilton, who has studied the Kalamazoo River watershed for more than 25 years and is considered to be the states foremost expert on the river.

Its a lot of sediment, he said.

Hamiltons assessment has been shared with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), which is negotiating with Eagle Creek on a potential consent agreement to resolve state law violations EGLE says happened when the company unexpectedly drew down Morrow Lake in late 2019 for spillway gate repairs.

The river has become a muddy mess since then, with the impoundment sludge smothering fish spawning habitat and recontouring bends in the river. Long-term impact on the fish and mussel populations are expected and local officials are worried about how the excess material might change flood risks as temperatures warm and snowmelt accelerates.

River advocates are upset, perceiving minor dredging efforts and no attempt to control downstream migration as showing a lack of urgency on the company and the states part.

This week, Eagle Creek began its first attempt to remove some of sediment by staging excavation equipment at Wenke Park. The company will dredge about 3,000 cubic yards from a side channel in Comstock Township during a six-week project that wont make much dent in the overall problem.

Investigation maps and aerial photos show the bulk of deposits are located well downstream of the Wenke Park project, which was supposed to begin last month.

Regulators at EGLE say more dredging should follow.

Kyle Alexander, head of EGLEs local water resources division office, said Eagle Creek has shared some preliminary plans to dredge a second nearby area around Merrill Park. The state hasnt received any detail about additional dredging.

Theres kind of a desire among all parties that we scale up the effort and start thinking bigger picture, said Alexander. I suspect some of these conversations are starting.

In February, Eagle Creek submitted a field investigation report that estimated 114,000 cubic yards of sediment was coating about seven to eight miles of river downstream of Morrow Dam.

Bathymetric surveys and core sampling found sediment deposits more than an acre in size, ranging from two to 10 feet thick in some areas. Maps show deposits more than 9-feet thick near downtown Kalamazoo and more than 11 feet thick next to the city wastewater plant. One deposit stretches nearly 2,500 feet from the wastewater plant to Mosel Avenue.

The state says Eagle Creeks estimate does not portray the full impact scope because consultants did not include deposits less than one foot deep and stopped taking samples and measurements at the northern border of Parchment.

Hamiltons sediment estimate is based on regular total suspended solid (TSS) measurements taken from the river and Morrow Lake before and after the November 2019 drawdown. That data was then compared with past sediment density measurements taken in Morrow Lake.

Hamilton said some sampling was missed in late May due to COVID-19 restrictions, but given the overall wetness of that month in Michigan, a data gap there would be more likely to bias it low than high.

This is the best information that we have available, he said. Nobody else was monitoring anything until August when the company started measuring turbidity.

He said the 1,000-acre Morrow Lake impoundment may have been collecting sediment since the dam was built in 1941, about 80 years before the drawdown.

As far as we know, this reservoir hasnt been drained since it was created. It was probably filled about 1940, Hamilton said. Thats a lot of accumulation.

David Fox, Eagle Creek licensing and compliance director, said the company has reviewed Dr. Hamiltons analysis and we appreciate his good work.

Our understanding is that Dr. Hamilton estimated the total volume of sediment that moved through the dam during the drawdown period by analyzing the sediment load in a relatively limited number of water quality samples, Fox said, compared that to the field measurements taken by Eagle Creek consultants. As one would expect, the different methodologies produced different estimates results.

Meanwhile, fishermen with the Kalamazoo River Alliance are concerned about sediment migrating into more communities. They say new sediment deposits are becoming evident around the D Avenue Bridge in Cooper Township.

Clearly, this sediment is moving further downstream, said Ryan Baker, president of the Kalamazoo River Alliance angler group, who said he sunk into one deposit up to his knees while taking photos around D Ave. We checked this area out last year and there wasnt anything to take pictures of.

Baker, whose group has been trying to raise alarm about the situation among the public and local governments, said there is evidence of accumulating sediment around the former paper mill complex in Plainwell and behind the Otsego city dam near the Bittersweet Ski Resort.

Members of the Kalamazoo River Superfund Community Advisory Group (CAG) say theyve noticed sediment accumulation in Lake Allegan over the past year.

All of a sudden at the end of the summer last year, the cranes didnt have to land on the water. They could land on big piles of mud in the middle of the lake, said Coco Soodek, a Chicago attorney with a home on Lake Allegan, at the Feb. 25 CAG meeting. Now, I dont have any evidence thats from Morrow Dam, but we never had it before.

Fox, who was presenting to the CAG about Eagle Creeks field investigation results, told Soodek that he had no idea when the company might examine Lake Allegan,

The lake is approximately 40 river miles downstream of Morrow Dam. Absent removal, it would be the last deposition point for most of the Morrow Lake sediment because further advance downriver would be inhibited by Calkins Dam, which is owned by Consumers Energy.

I expect the hydrodynamic modeling that were in the process of doing will shed some light on that question, Fox said, adding later that Eagle Creeks is looking for places to landfill dredged material and reducing that cost means Ill have more ability to remove material from the river.

Im hoping within the next couple months well have a much better idea where we can put this, Fox said.

Hamilton said there are methods the company or agencies could employ to remove sediment in a strategic manner. A temporary dam structure could be installed in the river to trap and continually remove sediment, but it would be an expensive undertaking. He floated the idea in a recent stakeholder meeting, but it was not met with enthusiasm.

I was arguing that it should be on the table as a possibility, because it would actually be less environmentally harmful to stick a dam in and capture the sediments as they arrive, he said, compared to spot dredging numerous locations along the river with heavy equipment.

Hamilton said he was told that Eagle Creeks consultant AECOM is evaluating several options for sediment removal. He hopes a temporary dam is considered. He thinks the river flow is too strong to install something less expensive with the same goal, like turbidity curtains.

It may be possible to recover most of it, but its tricky because its going to keep moving every time theres a change in flow, Hamilton said. Its going to be a moving target that theyre chasing just like it was for oil recovery after the Enbridge spill.

Hamilton said phosphorus dispersal along with the sediment portends algae problems later this summer in downstream impoundments like Lake Allegan where water flow reduces.

Baker said river advocates are worried that as more time passes, the sediment deposits will disperse to the point that meaningful recovery becomes practically impossible.

A lot of this stuff is along the shoreline a foot or two deep and all of it is going to keep blowing downstream with high water events, Baker said. Eventually, its going to become virtually impossible to clean this out of the river.

Were still waiting for the first project to start.

Related stories:

11,400 dumps trucks worth of sludge befouls river

Morrow Lake refill begins after dam repair

Kalamazoo River to be lowered twice for dam repair

County board upset by Kalamazoo River mud mess

PCB cleanup begins on river stretch choked by lake mud

Kalamazoo River looks like a mudhole amid drawdown

Michigan hazard dams something were going to wrestle with

A grave situation awaits Michigan without dam safety fixes
Rep. Eric Swalwell became the second lawmaker to sue former President Donald Trump, blaming him for the January 6 insurrection.

Swalwell, who was one of the House's impeachment managers, filed the suit Friday in D.C. federal court and named Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Mo Brooks, an Alabama Republican, who spoke at the 'stop the steal' rally on the ellipse, as co-conspirators.

Swalwell follows Rep. Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, in suing Trump in the ex-president's personal capacity for his role in the insurrection.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, one of the House Democrats' impeachment managers, became the second members of Congress to sue former President Donald Trump and his associates over their roles in the January 6 insurrection

The lawsuit points to former President Donald Trump's appearance Sunday at the Conservative Political Action Conference and warns he 'poses a risk of inciting future political violence' since he spent 10 minutes of his 90-minute speech repeating the so-called 'big lie'

The lawsuit names Donald Trump Jr. (left) as a co-conspirator, as well as the president's former personal attorney Rudy Giuliani (right). Both men spokes at the 'Save America' rally on January 6, which preceded the insurrection

The lawsuit is also aimed at Rep. Mo Brooks, an Alabama Republican who spoke at the 'Save America Rally' on January 6. The lawsuit alleges that Brooks 'conspired with the other Defendants to undermine the election results'

WHAT DOES THE KU KLUX KLAN ACT SAY? 'If two or more persons in any State or Territory conspire to prevent, by force, intimidation, or threat, any person from accepting or holding any office, trust, or place of confidence under the United States, or from discharging any duties thereof; or to induce by like means any officer of the United States to leave any State, district, or place, where his duties as an officer are required to be performed, or to injure him in his person or property on account of his lawful discharge of the duties of his office, or while engaged in the lawful discharge thereof, or to injure his property so as to molest, interrupt, hinder, or impede him in the discharge of his official duties.' Advertisement

The House had promptly impeached Trump in the aftermath of January 6, but the Senate was 10 Republican votes shy of convicting the former president on the charge of inciting an insurrection.

Both Thompson and Swalwell used the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act as part of the legal basis for their lawsuits.

Swalwell's court filing points to the 1985 revisions to the law, which says that it is a violation when two or more persons conspire to 'prevent by force, intimidation, or threat, any person from accepting or holding any office, trust or place of confidence in the U.S.'

The law also says it's illegal to injure a person on account of them discharging their duties for office.

The KKK act was a Reconstruction-era law that was passed in response to the Klan's violence and prohibits violence or intimidation against elected officials from carrying out their constitutional duties.

Other counts listed in the lawsuit include negligence, inciting a riot and inflicting emotional distress.

Presidents are historically afforded broad immunity from lawsuits for actions they take in their role as commander in chief.

But the lawsuit, like the one by Thompson, was brought against Trump in his personal, not official, capacity.

Unlike Thompson's lawsuit - filed against Trump, Giuliani and some far-right extremist groups whose members are alleged to have participated in the insurrection - Swalwell's did not specify whether he was filing in his personal capacity or official, which would require additional approvals from the House and involve House attorneys.

Trump's spokesman Jason Miller told the Associated Press that Swalwell was a 'low-life' with 'no credibility.'

'Now, after failing miserably with two impeachment hoaxes,' Swalwell is attacking 'our greatest President with yet another witch hunt,' Miller said. 'Its a disgrace that a compromised Member of Congress like Swalwell still sits on the House Intelligence Committee.'

Swalwell's lawsuit uses the same narrative to point a finger at Trump as the Democrats' impeachment case.

It spells out in detail how both Trumps, Giuliani and Brooks spread baseless claims of election fraud, both before and after the 2020 presidential election was declared and charges that they helped to spin up the thousands of rioters before they stormed the Capitol.

Five people died as a result of the violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer.

The lawsuit, through Trumps own words, accuses the former president of inciting the riot.

It alleges that his lies over the election results stirred supporters into the false belief the 2020 election had been stolen, that he egged the angry mob on through his rally speech and that he did nothing when faced with the images of throngs of his supporters smashing windows at the U.S. Capitol and sending lawmakers fleeing.

Swalwell also describes in detail being trapped in the House chamber with many other members of Congress as plainclothes Capitol Police officers barricaded the doors and tried to fend off the mob at gunpoint.

'Fearing for their lives, the Plaintiff and others masked their identities as members of Congress, texted loved ones in case the worst happened, and took shelter throughout the Capitol complex,' the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit alleges that Brooks 'conspired with the other Defendants to undermine the election results by alleging, without evidence, that the election had been rigged and by pressuring elected officials, courts, and ultimately Congress to reject the results.'

It notes that the Alabama Republican spoke at a rally supporting Trump at the Ellipse, near the White House, shortly before thousands of pro-Trump rioters made their way to the Capitol and overwhelmed police officers to shove their way inside the building.

Swalwell's lawsuit also warns the court that President Trump has continued to 'spread dangerous lies.'

The California Democrat points to the ex-president's speech Sunday at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

'[H]e spent 10 minutes of a 90-minute speech claiming the election was stolen and saying what should be done to make sure it doesn't happen again,' the lawsuit says.

The suit says that Trump's CPAC speech makes clear that 'he intends to continue insisting that the 2020 election was a massive fraud that requires widespread reform.'

'In doing all of that, President Trump made clear he poses a risk of inciting future political violence,' the lawsuit reads.

The suit seeks a financial sum from Trump and his associates, while also asking a judge to make it more difficult for the ex-president to hold rallies.

It asks the judge to order the defendants to 'provide written notice to the plaintiff no less than seven days before any rally or public event in Washington, D.C., on a day when significant election or election certification activity is taking place, and when the rally is planned to have more than 50 people in attendance, to allow the plaintiff to determine whether to seek relief from the court to prevent further violence or disruption to the proper functioning of the federal government.'
10 new COVID-19-related deaths reported since last week

Ten new COVID-19-related deaths were reported by the South Dakota Department of Health Tuesday and during the holiday weekend.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
North Carolina church building amphitheater in preparation for future pandemics

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A North Carolina church that already boasts a 6-acre lake on their property announced Sunday that they will add an amphitheater to their sprawling 75-acre campus in Gastonia this summer to be ready for future pandemics that could prevent them from worshiping indoors.

Nothing we can do about this virus. This virus is probably not going to go anywhere. Theres going to be a COVID-32, a COVID-45; thats just the way it works. Its called a virus, Dickie Spargo, lead pastor of City Church, told his congregation during a Facebook Live broadcast Sunday about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For the next one, however, according to Spargo, his church can be better prepared.

Its going to happen, but we can ... adjust. One of the things as a church that weve chosen to do is, we say, OK, weve got 75 acres here, lets worship outdoors. Weve got a beautiful lake, you may or may not even know that. Weve got a 6-acre lake. Lets take it outside, he said before announcing the project.

Spargo was not immediately available to discuss the amphitheater when The Christian Post contacted his church Thursday, but he told WCNC that they are working on engineering plans and are in the process of fundraising $500,000 to cover the estimated construction costs.

He said the facility will be something unique for Gaston County because they do not currently have an amphitheater in the area. Spargo also suggested that it could be used as a community resource for the school system or hospital for training.

We want to be used for our community because this land doesnt belong to us. This land belongs to God. This building doesnt belong to us; it belongs to God. And so were excited about the opportunities well have even this summer, he told his congregation about worshiping outdoors, especially for those who are not yet comfortable with worshiping indoors.

He said even when the threat of the coronavirus is gone, the amphitheater will continue to be an option to take their worship services outdoors.

The only problem being outdoors is the birds sometimes, you know what Im saying? They got to go. ... You got to be careful. We might want to bring back those Sunday hats we use to wear, he quipped.

Everything is better when its outdoors. Its hard to believe that in five weeks, its going to be Easter, he added, recalling how they couldnt have church last Easter because of the pandemic.

City Church, which has two campuses, was among several churches in North Carolina that quickly shifted to online services as soon as the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020.

Spargo said in an interview with the Gaston Gazette at the time that he wanted people to be patient and not become stressed.

What we want people to do is to choose what your attitude is going to be toward this, he said. Were going to make it, so dont panic or get anxious. Thats what the Bible tells us: Dont live in fear or worry.




By Yi Whan-woo







The government will charter a special flight, Saturday, to bring home Korean citizens from Myanmar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday.







This will be the first chartered flight connecting the two countries as a brutal crackdown intensifies on protests against the military coup there. The ministry did not specify the airline, time or other details.







"The Korean Embassy in Myanmar has notified us of plans to operate a charter flight departing from Yangon, March 6, for Incheon," the ministry said. "The embassy is cooperating with the Korean community to figure out the estimated number of our nationals who wish to return, while also consulting with relevant Myanmar agencies over the matter."







It added the government "will do its best to protect our citizens and help them return safely."







Flag carrier Korean Air had operated emergency flights between the two countries three times a week for COVID-19 relief purposes. However, the carrier temporarily suspended the flights from Feb. 9.







Myanmar Airways International (MAI) runs relief flights once or twice a week.







At least 38 people were killed in Myanmar, Wednesday, after the military and police opened fire on peaceful protesters.







The death toll, according to the United Nations, makes Wednesday the deadliest since the coup broke out Feb. 1.







No Korean casualties have been reported.



Just when you think youve heard it all the stuff never ends. Now people are complaining about Dr. Seuss books, really. This is a guy who has always been very liberal and anti-racist and all that stuff. So theyre talking about getting rid of a couple of his books, his publishing company wont print them anymore because they see people on there, Asian people, holding chopsticks and eating from a bowl. News flash, they still do that. White people do that. All races eat with chopsticks and eat out of bowls. Its crazy. Or African people in grass skirts. Do you realize there are still African tribes and tribes all over South America that actually still do that today. Come on people, grow some thick skin.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North Constituency in the Eastern Region, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah Adjei says its time for Ghana to focus on its developments after the Supreme Courts verdict on the election petition.



She called for all to work towards the development of the country for the well-being of the people.



Her plea comes after the Supreme Court on Thursday, 4th March 2021 upheld the results of last years presidential election, saying the petitioner failed to prove that the winner did not cross the constitutionally required threshold of more than 50 per cent of the valid votes cast.



The ruling means President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will continue in office as President until his second term is over.



Nana Akufo-Addo polled 51.3 per cent of the valid votes, according to figures from the Electoral Commission while the petitioner, who was the 2020 flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Mahama, polled 47 per cent.



Delivering the judgment, Chief Justice Anin Yeboah concluded that; we accordingly dismiss the Petition as having no merit."



But the leadership of the largest opposition party, NDC says they do not agree with the rulings and procedure of the petition.



Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah Adjei however, took to social media to call for unity.



The immediate past Deputy Information Minister in a Facebook post reiterated the need to maintain Ghana as the gateway to Africa  despite individuals political affiliations.



The petition is over, it is time to focus on Ghana and our collective development. An all-inclusive Ghana, geared towards national development.



The Ghana project, where all hands are on deck. A Ghana that will continue to champion the well-being of the people. A Ghana, which is the Gateway to Africa, she advised.



Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Republican state representatives C.D. Davidsmeyer of Jacksonville and Amy Elik of Alton will host an online town hall-style meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Registration is required by going to cddavidsmeyer.org or repelik.com to register. A confirmation email will contain details on how to take part.
Brussels, 5 March 2021 (SPS) - The Polisario Front is optimistic about the new verdict of the European Court of Justice concerning the motion for annulment of the agreement on the extension of the EU/Morocco free trade and association agreements in the territory of Western Sahara, the representative of the Polisario Front in Europe and EU Oubi Bouchraya Bachir said on Thursday.



We are optimistic about the fact that the judges will decide in the same way as the previous decisions those of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) of 2016 and 2018, affirmed Oubi Bouchraya in statement to APS, underlining that it will be a very important event for the Polisario Front.



Following the court orders made by the Court in 2016 and 2018, the crucial issue is to know if the European Union has obtained or not the Sahrawi peoples consent before concluding the agreements, which is a necessity from the moment the scope of EU/Morocco agreements was extended to include the Sahrawi territory, he said.



In law, the Polisario Front, legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, is the only one capable of giving this consent, yet it didnt make it and besides EU didnt ask it, preferring to negotiate the agreement with the occupying power Morocco, he stressed.



He underlined that the European Court of Justice held two public hearings to examine the appeals lodged in April and June 2019 by the Polisario Front against the agriculture and fishing agreements concluded between the European Union and Morocco, as well as the regulation implementing the fisheries agreement, as long as these agreements were extended to Western Sahara. (SPS)



062/090/700
Down in the dark, deserted water I dived very deep, not knowing or caring where I would come up, Fanne Foxe would later say. My long, expensive evening dress lapped around my legs, but I felt nothing.

Fanne Foxe wasnt actually her name. It was Annabel Battistella. In October 1974, she had jumped into the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., in an attempt to avoid the police.

Soon after surfacing, she was notorious.

Battistella, who died last month in Florida at 84, had been in a weaving Lincoln Continental with a congressman that night. That was why the divorced mother of three dodged officers and tried to swim away from the scene when police pulled over the car. She wasnt Rep. Wilbur Mills wife. She was a stripper.

Fanne Foxe at Boston Burlesque Theater in 1974. (AP Photo)AP

Mills, then the 65-year-old chairman of the budget-writing House Ways and Means Committee, believed he was bulletproof. For months he had been introducing Battistella around town as his nurse, notwithstanding her always-revealing garb.

But now everyone knew her by her longtime stage nickname, the Argentine Firecracker. Newspapers also dropped a new moniker on her: The Tidal Basin Bombshell.

Mills laughed it all off, and his constituents let him. Known as the most powerful man in Washington, he won reelection in his Arkansas district a month after the incident.

The problem was, he couldnt quit Battistella. He showed up at one of her shows, drunk. Oh, Anna, I love you, he told her backstage.

Wilbur Mills and Fanne Foxe onstage together.

He then followed her into the spotlight, declaring to the nightclub audience, Here I am!

Once again, his antics hit newspaper front pages, and again he waved it all off.

This wont ruin me, he said  Nothing can.

But Mills was wrong. His fellow House Democrats finally had had enough. They forced him out as Ways and Means chairman, and then started to pressure him to end his political career altogether.

The congressman soon checked himself into an alcohol-rehab facility, and he quietly left office at the close of his term. He died in 1992.

The episode humiliated Mills and turned Battistella into one of the first modern scandal celebrities, Princeton University historian Julian Zelizer wrote this week. Zelizer views the whole thing as an example of the good old days, when political scandals had consequences.

Annabella Battistella, a.k.a., "Fanne Foxe," arrives in Buenos Aires in 1975. (AP Photo)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nearly 50 years later, more flexible mores and the ability of partisan media to spin anything and everything have left the public numb to the behavior of our leaders and lacking a sense that change is possible, the historian laments. He calls this situation profoundly dangerous for our democracy.

As for Battistella, the Argentina native appeared on talk shows and wrote a salacious memoir. But she eventually abandoned stripping and her high profile, and built a new life for herself.

In 1980, she married a contractor, becoming Annabel Montgomery. She went on to earn a bachelors degree in communications and masters degrees in marine science and business administration.

-- Douglas Perry

dperry@oregonian.com

@douglasmperry
In a pandemic, uncertainty is salient, especially concerning the effectiveness of treatments, policies, and outcomes. This is especially evident during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To date, SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 115 million individuals and caused over 2.5 million deaths worldwide. The importance of communication around healthcare issues under such circumstances cannot be overemphasized.

All healthcare decisions come with uncertainty. In addition to the general risks that a healthcare professional is aware of, there is also uncertainty surrounding the associated probabilities, called ambiguity or radical uncertainties. These uncertainties grow as vaccines generated at an unprecedented pace are administered across the world.

Uncertainties can be 1) imprecision (e.g., 10-30% chance of benefit from treatment), 2) conflict (e.g., experts disagreeing), and 3) lack of information (e.g., insufficient evidence); all of which are present during a pandemic. In the case of vaccines, there is imprecision relating to their effectiveness and a lack of information on how they will affect transmission and restrictions, conflicting opinions may also accompany.

In addition to the prevalence of uncertainty, there is also a lack of consensus on the best ways to communicate with the people for the best possible outcomes. Studies have investigated how patients respond to communications of uncertainty, how they understand it and how it affects their decision-making.

In a different approach, researchers from University College London and the University of Warwick investigated the negative consequences of failing to communicate uncertainties. In the context of the COVID-19 vaccines, the researchers have addressed these questions in their study: Are there times where, however difficult it may be to communicate uncertainties, doing so is better than hiding them? Does failing to communicate uncertainties backfire if people find out they exist and are exposed to conflicting information? This study on how people respond to conflicting vaccine communications is recently posted on the preprint server medRxiv*.

Trust and confidence in the government official who made the vaccine announcement before receiving conflicting information (i.e. after the vaccine announcement) and after receiving conflicting information by announcement certainty.

"Our findings show that being upfront about uncertainties can maintain public trust in the long run. During a crisis like Covid-19, with so much we don't know, we are confronted with information that is constantly changing and sometimes contradictory. Anticipating this by communicating uncertainties can prevent interventions like the vaccination programme from backfiring further down the line," said Dr Eleonore Batteux, Honorary Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of Decision-Making Uncertainty  UCL, and co-author in this study.

The researchers conducted an online study with UK participants on hypothetical communications relating to the COVID-19 vaccines. The researchers conducted this survey last November 2020, before any COVID-19 vaccine announcement and its effectiveness was widely communicated.

Vaccination intention and perceived vaccine effectiveness before receiving conflicting information (i.e. after the vaccine announcement) and after receiving conflicting information by announcement certainty.

The participants (n=328) first read a vaccine announcement, which either communicated with certainty or uncertainty; followed by another information that conflicted with the initial announcement. The participants were randomly allocated to certain or uncertain communication. The hypotheses in this study were preregistered on the Open Science Framework (OSF; https://osf.io/c73px/).

The researchers found that those who were exposed to certain announcements reported a more significant loss of trust and vaccination intention than those who were exposed to uncertain announcements.

In this study, the researchers discussed their results in detail on the vaccinations, the government, the predictors of vaccination intention and the emotions involved. Participants who received the certain announcement perceived it as less effective after reading conflicting information.

Interestingly, the certain announcement led to a greater decline in trust and confidence in government officials after exposure to conflicting information.

It has been noted that perceived vaccine effectiveness mediated the relationship between communicated uncertainty and vaccination intention. With this in mind, the researchers explored if it was the case in this study too. They found that both the trust in the government official and the perceived effectiveness mediated the relationship between announcement certainty and vaccination intention.

"Although the pattern of findings on emotions is similar, the differences between those receiving the certain and uncertain announcement were less clear, perhaps due to the hypothetical nature of the study."

The researchers observed that their findings support calls for greater transparency and acknowledgments of uncertainty in communications relating to COVID-19. They highlight the advantages of communicating uncertainty, which we hope will further motivate research on doing so effectively.

In a section title, "What if uncertainties are not communicated?" the researchers investigated a novel angle for the first time. While studies indicate advantages to not communicating uncertainties, it is found that communicating with unwarranted certainty damages trust.

The participants were exposed to one instance of conflicting information. In contrast, there are likely to be many instances throughout a pandemic, the researchers warned, while discussing the limitations in this study.

In this study, the researchers examined how uncertain communications affect the trust and the vaccination intention over time, the perceived vaccine effectiveness and affective reactions after receiving the announcement to, after receiving conflicting information.

This study established that communicating with unwarranted certainty can backfire in the long-term, whereas communicating uncertainties can protect people from the negative impact of exposure to conflicting information, the researchers write.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

Larry Crabb, a popular Christian counselor who went looking for a deeper approach to spiritual care, died on February 28 at the age of 77.

Crabb was a clinical psychologist who turned to biblical counseling and then to spiritual direction. He authored more than 25 books in the process, writing the popular textbook Effective Biblical Counseling and then more than a dozen titles, including Inside Out, Shattered Dreams, Pressures Off, and SoulTalk, teaching people to see their own brokenness as a longing for God and new creation.

An aching soul is evidence not of neurosis or spiritual immaturity but of realism, Crabb wrote. Beneath the surface of everyones life, especially the more mature, is an ache that will not go away. It can be ignored, disguised, mislabeled, or submerged by a torrent of activity, but it will not disappear. And for good reason. We were designed to enjoy a better world than this.

Crabb popularized biblical counseling and then introduced many evangelicals to spiritual direction through his organization NewWay Ministries, weeklong summer seminars, and his extensive tenure at Colorado Christian University (CCU).

To know Larry Crabb was to know a man who wrestled honestly and often in messy ways with his interior world, and the world around him, wrote Jim Cress, a Christian counselor mentored by Crabb. He never knew what it meant to merely settle personally and professionally.  His calling, passion, integrity, and vision would not tolerate a shampoo bottle philosophy of Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

In the early 1970s, Crabb had a crisis of faithspiritual and professional. He was an evangelical Presbyterian and a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Boca Raton, Florida, but he couldnt see how his Christianity and counseling were compatible.

Biblical teaching seemed irrelevant to the real-world problems of his patients: sexual abuse, anxiety, dissociation, and depression. And psychology didnt acknowledge anything about sin or the human need for salvation.

The truths of Christianity seemed to have little bearing on my  professionally orthodox behavior. And that disturbed me, Crabb wrote. I could not make the psychological thinking in which I had been trained dovetail with biblical beliefs like the fall of man, his separation from God, his desperate need for divine assistance, [and] the promise of love, joy, and peace to those who accept the free gift of eternal life through Jesus substitutionary death.

Crabb, born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1944, had wanted to be psychologist for a long time. Perhaps even since he was six years old, when he saw Larry Crabb Sr. tell a joke and wondered what made his father so insecure. But after the younger Crabb earned a BA in psychology from Ursinus College, an MA and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois, spent a few years teaching at Florida Atlantic University, and then opened his own counseling practices in Boca Raton, it all stopped making sense.

He found the answer at 2 a.m., while reading Francis Schaeffers He Is There and He Is Not Silent on his back porch. He woke up his wife exclaiming, as he later recounted to Christianity Today, The deepest longings for significance and security going on inside my clients are needs that God actually intended to meet through the community of believers!

Crabb discovered biblical counseling, though he wasnt the first. The Christian Counseling and Education Center was founded in 1968, and Jay Adams published Competent to Counsel, promoting the nouthetic approach in 1970. But Crabb, moved by his revelation while reading Schaeffer and supported with a years stipend arranged by his pastor, soon became one of the most successful popularizers of the idea of biblical counseling.

He published Basic Principles of Biblical Counseling in 1975 and Effective Biblical Counseling in 1977. The latter, widely adopted as a textbook, sold more than 200,000 copies.

He argued that Christians could take their thoughts captive. People sought counseling because of bad feelings, he said, which were the result of sin in their lives. But where psychologists had previously told people to express all their bad feelings to get them out, and Christians had traditionally told people to stop doing bad things, the Christian counselor could help people get to the root of the issue: a lack of trust in God. The beginning of healing, according to Crabb, was learning to depend on God.

Either God has failed me or he hasnt, Crabb wrote. Either he is meeting my needs right now or he isnt. Christianity demands that I trust God to be faithful.

By faith and through the work the Holy Spirit, Crabb said, Christians are empowered to stop thinking the thoughts that were damaging their lives: When I am faced with a sinful pattern of thinking, and I therefore am prompted to behave sinfully, I am to die to that sinful pattern experientially just as I already am dead to it positionally. I am to actualize in my immediate experience that which God says is true: I am dead to sin. In other words, I am to identify with Christ in his death by doing with sin exactly what he did with sin.

In 1982, Crabb left his practice in Florida and went to Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, to teach biblical counseling. He was made the chair of the graduate department of biblical counseling, but he started to push his ideas further and come into conflict with the Grace administration.

Some felt that he wasnt clear enough in condemning bad actions and pointing out behavior the Bible condemns. According to Crabb, Grace leadership decided that his version of biblical counseling wasnt biblical enough, and he was forced to leave in 1988.

Crabb, for his part, was also starting to think biblical counseling wasnt biblical enough. His first two books described biblical counseling as something pretty similar to cognitive behavioral therapy.

And where was the Trinity? He read Australian Anglican theologian David Broughton Knoxs work on the centrality of the Trinity to Christian doctrine and was convinced that had to be at the heart of any therapy that was really Christian.

We were designed to exist in community, and there has to be a Trinitarian kind of relating possible, he said.

Crabb started to think that when therapy workedregardless of the psychological theories of the therapistit was because of the relationship established in vulnerability. That, he decided, needed to be central.

He also increasingly thought that relationship should be grounded in the church, not professional clinical psychology. In 1989, Crabb started to receive spiritual direction from the laicized Catholic priest Brennan Manning, best known as the author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and thinking that counseling should be like spiritual direction.

There will always be a place for good therapists. But what they are doing is closer to what the Bible calls shepherding than what our culture calls therapy, Crabb said.

Spiritual direction is focused less on solving a problem and more on continual growth and formation. Crabb said it was a cycle, starting with recognition of hurt and brokenness, moving to repentance. Repentance leads people to abandon themselves to God and trust God, who is trustworthy, and instills confidence, which finally leads to the release of Gods new creation within the believer.

But that process can only begin with a trusting relationship between therapist and client or, better, between Christian mentor and mentee. Crabb sometimes told students about an early conversation with Manning, where Manning saw past the sin Crabb was describing, past the painful experience that occasioned the sin, deeper, to Crabbs heart.

Crabb confessed feelings of deep bitterness, and Manning started to cry.

Why are you crying? Crabb said.

Oh, Larry, every time Im with you, Im so drawn to Jesus.

Why?

You just hate everything that gets between you and your Lord.

That experience helped Crabb, he would explain to students, recognize that beneath his own ugliness was the deeper truth of his love for Jesus. He described it as a process of learning to live in Gods larger story, recognizing that creation is broken but that the Christian can be connected to God in a way that energizes them to love.

Crabb took a position at Colorado Christian University in 1989 and remained at the school until his retirement. In 2018, the school established Larry J. Crabb Center for University Counseling, which provides counseling services to the universitys students. Crabb also started NewWay Ministries and a school of spiritual direction, equipping about 120 people a year to engage in soul-shaping conversations and help them listen to God.

Our lives are small, human lives, Crabb wrote. But in the eyes of the one who calls us beloved, we are greatgreater than the years we have.

He is survived by his wife, Rachael, and two sons, Kep and Ken. Two memorial services are being planned. Both will be livestreamed at LargerStory.com.
Hong Kong: CE respects NPC's deliberation

Chief Executive Carrie Lam

During my annual reporting of work for the year of 2020 on January 27 this year, President Xi Jinping unequivocally indicated that in order to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", we must always adhere to the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong. This principle is fundamental to national sovereignty, security, development interests, as well as the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. President Xi further pointed out that only through patriots administering Hong Kong can the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region be effectively implemented, the constitutional order as set out in the Constitution and the Basic Law be effectively safeguarded, various deep-seated problems be effectively resolved, and the long-term stability and safety of Hong Kong be achieved.

Patriots administering Hong Kong is definitely not a newly created concept. Tracing to its source, the chief architect of "one country, two systems", Deng Xiaoping, clearly stated in 1984 that the idea of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" has its scope and criteria, that is to say Hong Kong should be managed by Hong Kong people, with patriots forming the mainstay. The criteria for a patriot are to respect one's own nation, sincerely support the resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the motherland, and not to impair Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Patriots administering Hong Kong is also completely in line with the constitutional requirement of the Hong Kong SAR. Article 1 of the Basic Law states that the Hong Kong SAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China; Article 12 of the Basic Law clearly stipulates that the Hong Kong SAR shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People's Government; and the Chief Executive has dual responsibility under the Basic Law - being responsible to both the Hong Kong SAR and the Central Peoples Government. Under this constitutional order and political system, it is a natural requirement that Hong Kong must be governed by patriots. There cannot be any ambiguity that patriots administering Hong Kong is the critical and necessary requirement to the successful and robust implementation of "one country, two systems". In addition to the Chief Executive and officials in the administration, persons administering Hong Kong include members of the legislature, judges in the Judiciary, members of district organisations which are not organs of political power, ie District Councils, as well as civil servants.

In recent years, Hong Kong has indeed faced circumstances that are not conducive to the thorough implementation of "one country, two systems". There are groups advocating Hong Kong independence, organising resistance against the governance of the central authorities, and even colluding with external elements to stir up disorders in the society. If such acts are not suppressed in time, parties which oppose the central authorities and cause disturbance to the law and order of Hong Kong may enter the political system of the Hong Kong SAR through elections. This will harm Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and place "one country, two systems" in jeopardy.

Just as the decision passed during the third session of the 13th National People's Congress last year to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security, and delegate authority to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to enact the National Security Law of the Hong Kong SAR, the deliberation of the National People's Congress at the present meeting that the central authorities should take the lead to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR has faithfully exercised the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong SAR. Such a deliberation will help buttress the efforts of the Hong Kong SAR Government to restore the Hong Kong SARs law and order, govern in strict accordance with the law, and protect the well-being of over seven million citizens of the Hong Kong SAR. The Hong Kong SAR Government and I fully respect that the central government takes the lead to improve the electoral system. We also support the five principles enunciated by Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Wang Chen, ie upholding and implementing the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy; firmly safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests; administering the Hong Kong SAR according to the rule of law, in accordance with the actual situation in Hong Kong and enhancing the governance capability of the Hong Kong SAR Government. We will fully co-operate with the central authorities by enacting local legislation to implement the improvement measures, with a view to faithfully putting the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong into practice.

As there will be a number of elections in the coming 12 months, there is a pressing need for us to complete the necessary legislative work. The Hong Kong SAR Government will spare no efforts in reflecting the views of different sectors of the Hong Kong community, with a view to assisting the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to amend Annex I to the Basic Law which concerns the method for the selection of the Chief Executive and Annex II which concerns the method for the formation of the Legislative Council and its voting procedures. We will prepare the necessary legislative amendments to the relevant local legislation in accordance with the revised annexes to the Basic Law for the scrutiny of the Legislative Council.

In the past two years, Hong Kong has faced unprecedented challenges. The central authorities have always spared no efforts in resolving the imminent problems faced by Hong Kong at the national level, and demonstrated their adherence to the principle of "one country, two systems" and care for citizens of Hong Kong. From the formulation and implementation of the National Security Law of the Hong Kong SAR, which halted chaos and restored order in Hong Kong, to the improvement of the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR to ensure patriots administering Hong Kong, our motherland will forever provide staunch support to Hong Kong. I will lead the governing team of the Hong Kong SAR Government to fulfil the mission of safeguarding the fundamental interests of the country and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam made this statement on March 5 in response to the National People's Congress deliberation at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress on a decision to improve the electoral system to implement patriots administering Hong Kong.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
It's a question on everyone's minds: What can you do once you're vaccinated?

Dr. Bob Wachter, the chair of UCSF's department of medicine who has become among the most widely quoted coronavirus experts in the country, shared his response to this question.

Wachter wrote on Twitter that after getting vaccinated, he flew to Florida to visit his parents, ages 85 and 90, and wore two masks (not N95) but no face shield on the plane. He hugged his mother, who is vaccinated, but not his father, who is not.

Wachter's response suggests that the vaccine offers new freedom to do things that have been deemed unsafe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but precautions should still be taken.

If you've recently received a jab or two in your arm, you're probably starting to think about what activities you'd like to do as you return to a less-restricted everyday life. To help you navigate your new life with a vaccination, we've looked to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and experts, including Wachter, for their advice on what you can do safely if you're vaccinated.

One important point to keep in mind when you get vaccinated: Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, and they're not fully effective, reaching 95% efficacy against illness, until two weeks after the second dose. The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine reaches 85% efficacy against severe disease after two weeks.

On to the questions ...

Q: Can you throw caution to the wind when vaccinated?

A: "No, not caution to the wind," Wachter wrote in an email. "The chances of you getting really sick and dying are essentially zero. But there is still a small chance of getting mild COVID, and some chance (odds still not known) of catching asymptomtic COVID and giving it to someone else. My preference is not to get it period, and definitely not to spread it  particularly if Im around someone who is vulnerable (like someone over 70). So I am more comfortable doing things (like getting a haircut and flying) but still doing masks and distancing, trying my best to avoid being exposed."

Wachter's stance that you still need to be careful if you're vaccinated is the consensus among experts, and Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at UCSF, said this is especially important in an "unregulated environment," such as inside a grocery store, on a bus or in any group situation.

Youre in a mixed crowd, and we dont know who has been vaccinated and who is not," said Chin-Hong.

Q: Do I still need to wear a mask in public if Im vaccinated?

A: The CDC advises that people continue to wear a mask and so do the experts.

"I think you should be wearing a mask in public since you dont know the immunity status of the people youll be in contact with," Wachter advised.

"Yes, you still need to wear a mask," concurred Chin-Hong. "I dont know if I have protection myself in a large unregulated setting and I still could potentially transmit it to others.

Q: Do I still need to wear a mask on a run if Im vaccinated?

A: "Depends how close youll come to people, and what the local rules say," Wachter wrote. "But the chances that youll catch COVID and that youll spread it to others have gone down substantially. So if the rules allow you to run without a mask, and you wont be coming close to people, I think its fine not to wear a mask."

Yes, you should wear a mask in crowded places," explained Chin-Hong. "If youre running in Golden Gate Park in an area where there's not a lot of people, you probably dont need it.

Q: Can I travel on a plane safely?

A: Vaccinated or not, the CDC still recommends essential travel only, but health officials say that if you do fly, you're much safer with a vaccine than without one.

Wachter said that while he just flew to visit his elderly parents in Florida, he wouldnt have done it last month. "I wore a double mask and when people around me took off their masks to eat, I kept mine on," he wrote in an email. "The air is filtered on the plane quite well, so I felt that after 10-15 minutes after people had their masks back on, it was safe for me to remove mine to (quickly) grab a bite to eat. I ate and drank very quickly and immediately put back the mask when done."

Chin-Hong agreed that the risk is low on a plane if you're vaccinated and sporting a face covering.

"The vaccine should give you peace of mind that at least you wouldnt get severe disease and you have a very low chance of getting infected," Chin-Hong said. "I would definitely have a soda on the plane. I might even go into the bathroom but I would keep my mask on.

Q: If parents are vaccinated and children are not, can the family fly to international destinations?

A: International is trickier due to the concern about carrying worrisome mutations from one country to another  and especially with unvaccinated children.

"The kids are safer than adults (particularly if under 12) but the risk to them isnt zero, and some of the new variants appear to be harder on kids than the old virus," Wachter said. "Id wait until everybody is vaccinated  vaccine for kids will probably be ready in the fall."

While Hawaii isn't an overseas destination, it offers a getaway and, Chin-Hong said, "Hawaii is very safe right now." He also advised against countries where variants are a concern. "I probably wouldnt take the family to South Africa on a safari," he said.

If you do choose to travel abroad, you can expect countries with quarantine and test requirements to likely add post-vaccination guidelines.

Q: Can I visit my elderly parents who are vaccinated?

A: "Yes, in a small group of vaccinated people its going to be fine," said Chin-Hong. "You can give them a hug and have dinner with them."

As noted earlier, Wachter just visited his parents in Florida and his mom was vaccinated, but his father was not. "So Im hugging her and not him  with him, Im staying more than 6 feet away, keeping fans on, and wearing mask if I have to be closer," he shared.

Wachter explained on Twitter his father wasn't vaccinated as he's mostly confined to bed. His mother waited three and a half hours in a parking lot site, which his father couldn't have done. His father is a veteran and is signed up for a shot at a nearby Veterans Affairs location soon.

Q: Can I eat indoors at a restaurant?

A: "I wouldnt," Wachter shared. "Theres still a lot of virus around and Im going to wait until case rates are lower. If you do, make sure waiter is wearing mask, and wear yours until you eat."

You will have more security in these places with a vaccinated individual and your individual chance of getting infected is very low, but I would still use protection, wear a mask," said Chin-Hong. "Youre protecting the staff. Wait staff are only starting to get vaccinated. The chances are very low. You want to give them the benefit of the doubt. I still personally feel better outdoors, but if there was a big snowstorm and I had to eat indoors I would be OK with it."

Q: Can I have other vaccinated people over for an indoor dinner and sit close and not wear masks?

A: "Yes, a small group of vaccinated people getting together should be safe," said Wachter.

Yes for a modest crowd, five or six max," specified Chin-Hong. "You want to make sure you know where they are in their vaccination. Generally two weeks after the second dose is the mantra for being safe."

Q: Can I have unvaccinated people over for an indoor dinner and sit close and not wear masks?

A: "I would not," Wachter said. "Again, there is a small but real chance that you can be infected and spread it to one of them  particularly if theyre high risk (older age, maybe they have a pre-existing condition you dont know about), it could be a problem. Also, if theyre unvaccinated they could infect you  you wont get super sick but Id still rather not have COVID, since were not sure about the possibility of long-term problems from even asymptomatic infection (though it seems unlikely). Anyway, I wouldnt risk it. Outdoors should be fine."

Chin-Hong agree it's wise to skip indoor gatherings, no matter how small, with unvaccinated friends.

If unvaccinated people are visiting me, Id still want to do it outside and be safe," he said. "Not only might I give it to them, I would worry they might give it to each other."

Q: Can I throw a birthday party at my house with a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people?

A: The CDC advises against gathering in large groups event if you're vaccinated, and so do both Chin-Hong and Wachter. "Birthday parties are exciting, and youd be singing, yelping in joy and having a lot of aerosols in an indoor place," Chin-Hong said. "That would be scary. Keep it outside and do social distance and have the extra protection of a mask.

Wachter added that if everyone at the party were fully vaccinated, it should be OK, but "mixture is risky if youre inside, less so if outside."
Shes been shown at fashion weeks both domestically and internationally, and her designs have been worn by big names such as Lady Gaga, Michelle Obama and our very own Lorde.

And later this year, Karen Walker will be spending some time here in the Bay of Plenty to talk about her business.

The Kiwi household name will be attending the upcoming Business Womens Network Speaker Series on Thursday, May 27, at an event hosted by Tauranga Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Craigs Investment Partners and Cooney Lees Morgan.

The theme  The Changing Face of Business  is something that suits the Karen Walker brand down to the ground. With a huge focus on social responsibility, ethical production and diversity, her brand is a frontrunner in ethical business practices.

Our core values are responsibility, uniqueness, quality and connection, says Karen.

Responsibility is about engaging with every stage of our product creation. Uniqueness is about creative authenticity. Quality is about our make, right through to our retail experience and back of house operations. Connection is about strong, open, honest connections with our entire community: customers, staff, brand partners, manufacturing partners and the public.

Karen says theres a focus on staying current and adapting her business to suit the ever-changing landscape.

Our business adapts every day and every day we ask ourselves how we should do things differently in the new landscape were gifted with and all the many changes we create or have thrust upon us. Agility has always been core for us, and its certainly worked for us in the last 12 months.

Karen Walker fashion is designed to last, rather than the trendy fast fashion made to get shoppers through one season, and thats something Karen herself thinks consumers are changing their minds on.

Fast fashions moment has definitely passed, and I dont think many people are in that place any more. Most people understand that the real cost of any item, clothing or otherwise, is greater than whats on its price tag and, with regard to very cheap items, theres potentially a different cost behind that thats not desirable.

With regard to any purchase, the most sustainable version is the one you already have in your wardrobe or cupboard, and I think that people have a very clear understanding of that concept now. If people are choosing to buy something, they know the ways in which they can do that well.

Karen says shes looking forward to taking to the soapbox to share some of her passions with interested women.

I do look forward to sharing with all those who want to join me. There will be plenty of information around my motivations and passions as well as what I find works versus doesnt work in life and business.

I always set myself the brief that anyone attending will learn something they couldnt just by getting on Google.

For more information on the upcoming Business Womens Network Speaker Series, visit: www.tauranga.org.nz/bwn/bwn-speaker-series-2021
As Marwan Haddad unwittingly sold more than five grams of cocaine to an undercover police officer at Mrs Macquaries Chair, he told him supplying drugs was his bread and butter and he was one of about 600 customers.

The 46-year-old former brother-in-law of Kings Cross club identity John Ibrahim recruited his second wife, Catherine Le Brocq, into the business, which netted the couple $46,360. He pleaded guilty to supplying a prohibited drug, directing a criminal group and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Marwan Haddad and Catherine Le Brocq arrive at Downing Centre court in Sydney ahead of sentencing on Friday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

In the NSW District Court on Friday, Haddad was jailed for a maximum of five years, with a non-parole period half that length. His wife, who pleaded guilty to taking part in the supply of prohibited drugs and dealing with the proceeds of crime, avoided jail and will instead serve a three-year community corrections order for her role.

Judge Dina Yehia told the court Haddad was not the kingpin of a highly sophisticated drug supply enterprise, but he was the principal of this particular drug supply enterprise.
Several Middle Eastern and North African states scored badly in Freedom Houses rankings for 2021.

The think tank, which receives the bulk of its funding from the US government, released its findings on the state of democracy around the world Wednesday. Freedom House ranked Syria as the country with the least political rights in the world, followed by Western Sahara.

Syria has been mired in a harrowing civil war since 2011. There have been numerous reports of human rights violations in government, rebel and Kurdish territory. President Bashar al-Assad has been in office since 2000, having succeeded his late father, Hafez.

Western Sahara is considered a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations. It has been controlled by Morocco since 1975. In 2020, the United States recognized Moroccos claims to sovereignty there. Many people in Western Sahara reject Moroccan rule. The wider region is divided on the issue. Algeria, for example, supports the pro-independence Polisario Front. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, backs Moroccos position.

Freedom House considers both state and nonstate actors in formulating its rankings.

Other countries in the region also became less free last year, according to Freedom House. Algeria received a lower score this year due to the governments campaign against prodemocracy protesters. The country is classified as not free by Freedom House.

Freedom House also downgraded Jordan from partly free to not free. Jordan is a constitutional monarchy and key US ally. Freedom House cited the government's crackdown on the teachers union and the poor quality of the country's November elections, which had historically low turnout amid the pandemic, among the reasons for the lower grade.

Freedom House has been criticized by some observers for subjectivity. Russia in particular has spoken out against the think tanks rankings.
Between feasible and necessary

Fortsetzung des Artikels von Teil 2

In Martin Moser's team, Lisa Ebner has been involved in the integration of the robots into the automated wafer production process from the very beginning. She has been part of the company for seven years and is the expert responsible for the placement systems. Lisa Ebner is a real fan of the mobile robots: "When I saw the LBR iiwa for the first time, back then as an operator, I was immediately totally fascinated: I could have watched the smooth, harmonious movements for hours - a pure pleasure of technology."

Ebner, an automation expert, is also studying mechatronics, systems engineering and management. She is constantly on the move in the production aisles, checking the systems at the control station and looking for further ways to perfect production. "When optimising, we have to find the right balance between what is technically and physically possible and what makes sense for our production purposes. The closer we get to 100 % perfection, the higher the complexity and the number of interfaces. We always have to find the right balance for economic production."

Learning progress for the future of semiconductors

The automation team in Villach is clearly on the right track. "Everything we are learning now is taking us further - to the next level of automation in semiconductor manufacturing," says Bernd Steiner, production manager at Infineon Austria in Villach.

Kuka automates Infineon clean room

Alle Bilder anzeigen (7)

And time is pressing in Carinthia, because the shell of a new, fully automated chip factory is already standing next to the existing production halls. Infineon has big plans: the company is investing 1.6 billion euros in its Villach site, making it the largest private investment in Austria. By the end of 2021, power semiconductors are to be produced here in a fully automated process. "Our goal is to bring power precisely to where it is needed in the Smart Factory," explains Steiner. "For tomorrow's energy-saving chips, as they will be used in many everyday applications such as smartphones, household appliances and cars, but also in data servers, medical technology devices, solar and industrial systems. So that they make our lives easier, safer and more environmentally friendly."

Seite 3 von 3

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

1. Cobots automate clean room 2. Mobile robots in semiconductor manufacturing 3.

Das konnte Sie auch interessieren

Verwandte Artikel

Kuka Roboter GmbH Global Sales Center, Infineon Technologies AG, KUKA Systems GmbH
The decision by a group of loyalist paramilitaries to withdraw support for the Good Friday Agreement is a mistake and should not prompt a return to violence, Jonathan Powell a chief negotiator for the British Government in 1998 has warned.

Tony Blair's former chief of staff was speaking after the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) said if it were not for the Covid-19 pandemic, there would be protests on the streets over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

He supported the formation of the group in 2015.

The LCC has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson telling him the main loyalist paramilitary groups are withdrawing support for the 1998 peace agreement over the Irish Sea border checks imposed for post-Brexit trade.

Read More

LCC chairman David Campbell told BBCs Newsnight on Thursday that opposition to the Brexit deal should be "peaceful, democratic and constitutional".

"We are looking to the Prime Minister to use every effort he can to rectify the problems with the Protocol. Lets hope that those issues are resolved," he said.

"I have no doubt that but for the present pandemic you would have already seen street protests and demonstrations. Our history shows that street protests and demonstrations are very difficult to control and maintain peacefully."

Mr Campbell also said Mr Johnson has "reneged on the clear promises he made to the people of Northern Ireland that there would be unfettered access" to Britain.

"We are asking him and holding him to account and through this letter showing him that it is not just rhetoric from our parliamentary spokespersons that he has to be mindful of, but the strong grassroots anger that is palpable throughout the ground in Northern Ireland."

But Mr Powell told BBC's Good Morning Ulster that any threat of violence would be very dangerous and he warned that "people would be playing with fire".

"In my view it's not in anyone's interest to try and raise the temperature on this. It's sensible to try and find a solution and make sure these practical difficulties that people in Northern Ireland are experiencing are sorted out and not to go back to the ghosts of the past," he added.

Mr Powell said withdrawing support for the Good Friday Agreement has absolutely no practical effect, adding: "I regret the use of that kind of language. I think it's a mistake but I do pin my hopes on the promise that they will not go back to violence and that there's no intention of returning to the old days. I think we should deal with this as a political issue to which people object strongly and find the solution that way."

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne has said he does not believe there is currently a prospect of a return to violence.

Mr Johnson added that "good will and common sense" would help to solve the issues around post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland.

European Commission vice president said legal action is imminent over the UKs move to unilaterally extend grace periods on Irish Sea border checks.

Maros Sefcovic, who is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the agreement, said the announcement by Government on Wednesday had come as a "very negative surprise".

DUP leader Arlene Foster said the EU had taken a "very belligerent approach" to the difficulties caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

She also said "something had to give", and the UK had to take action and extend a grace period limiting red tape associated with the movement of goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.

The first minister added she was "not entirely surprised" by the EU's threat to take legal action over the matter.

Read More

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the Governments move on grace periods was an attempt to dial down tensions and address associated unionist concerns that the Belfast Agreement was being undermined.

He also defended a recent meeting between his officials and the LCC.

"Ive got no problem with my officials meeting people across society," he said.

"I think weve got to get away from this sometimes what Ive got to say I think is an unhelpful and inaccurate representation.

"If officials and people were not talking - and actually Northern Ireland politicians as well - to people across society, we would have never got an agreement like the Good Friday Agreement.

He added: "If theyre (particular groups) taking a path that is against violence and towards and for democracy, I think it is important that theyre properly engaged across communities."
New Delhi: As many as 16,838 new COVID-19 cases and 113 deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed on Friday.



With 13,819 new discharges, the cumulative recoveries reached 1,08,39,894.

The country's coronavirus tally has reached 1,11,73,761 including 1,76,319 active infections while the death toll has mounted to 1,57,548.

According to the health ministry, a total of 1,80,05,503 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 so far.

Maharashtra continues to remain the most affected COVID-19 state in India with 86,359 active cases, followed by Kerala with 44,734 active infections.

A total of 21,99,40,742 samples tested for COVID-19 up to March 4, 2021, of these, 7,61,834 samples were tested yesterday, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Yountvilles restaurant scene is dominated by French-leaning California cuisine thanks to the enduring influence of Thomas Keller. But the latest restaurant aiming to be an upscale destination is bringing an Asian flair to the small Napa Valley town, with an executive chef hailing from celebrity chef David Changs Momofuku empire in New York.

The new restaurant, North Block, opened this week in the former Redd Wood space  the casual sister spot to one of Napa Valleys most influential restaurants  in the North Block Hotel. The chef, Nick Tamburo, worked for six years at Momofuku, including as the executive chef at creative Korean-Italian spot Momofuku Nishi and sous chef at two Michelin-starred Momofuku Ko. Also joining from Momofuku is general manager Andy Wedge, who is emphasizing local wine and classic cocktails. The opening was first reported by Hoodline.

The restaurant is open for dinner on its leafy 50-seat patio, with breakfast and lunch starting on Monday. Redd Woods dark, moody interior is still in the middle of a redesign, with indoor dining expected to start in late March.

As with many other Wine Country restaurants, North Block is billing its food as California cuisine, with a constantly changing a la carte menu focused on local ingredients. Tamburo is aiming to make good use of a wood-fired oven and a Japanese grill with Binchotan charcoal, which is favored at high-end yakitori restaurants in Japan. The goal is to imbue smoke into ingredients like cabbage, paired with enoki mushrooms and chile ($26), and whole fish, wrapped and roasted in kombu ($68).

Mariana Calderon Photography

Tamburos former boss Chang famously dismissed Bay Area dining for its focus on simplicity and ingredients, and its not common to see Momofuku alumni open splashy restaurants here. But Tamburo is not steering away from the California philosophy. While frequenting the Marin Farmers Market, hes been most blown away by winter fruit like kiwis, white guavas and oro blanco. The latter, similar to a white grapefruit, is getting sliced with shaved kohlrabi, shiso, citrusy sansho pepper and sweet white vinegar ($16).

Its a little understated; its very raw, he said. We didnt do a whole lot to it. Its like taking a couple of ingredients and juxtaposing them.

Mariana Calderon Photography

Seafood such as Petrale sole and abalone will be on the menu, as will pizza  something he started experimenting with while at Nishi. At North Block, he ferments his naturally leavened dough for 48 hours, imbuing it with some whole wheat for an earthier flavor. He describes the result as a nontraditional Neapolitan pie with a distinct sourdough tang, topped simply with aged cheddar and spring onions ($19) or potatoes, ranch and caviar ($62).

The Momofuku group has earned an international reputation for its inventive, playful restaurants that put Asian ingredients into the spotlight, though theyre not necessarily tied to one cuisine. Similarly, Tamburo is quick to say hes not making pan-Asian food at North Block; rather, hes employing Asian ingredients that play a supporting role. He might use fish sauce or tamari instead of salt, or give a dressing an umami boost from miso.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

At Momofuku, we didnt make Asian food. We made American food, he said. I think were doing the same thing: Were using that pantry.

North Block. Outdoor dining. 6757 Washington St., Yountville. www.northblockyountville.com/dining

Update: A previous version of this story misstated the restaurant that used to occupy the North Block space. It is Redd Wood.

Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com
Having expressed its displeasure over the way objectionable content, including pornography was being shown on OTT platforms without prior screening, the court asked Mr Mehta to place before it the recently notified Information Technology Rules, which provide for regulation of content on OTT platforms.  PTI file photo

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday favoured the screening of programmes on over-the-top (OTT) platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix while expressing concern over pornographic content.

We are of the view that there should be some screening of such programs. At times they are showing pornography too, said a bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice R. Subhash Reddy.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre told the court, They are showing filthy things with abuses, too.

The top courts observation came in the course of the hearing of a plea by Aparna Purohit, the commercial head of Amazon Prime Video in India, seeking anticipatory bail in a case filed by the Uttar Pradesh government against the web series Tandav.



Ms Purohit has moved the top court against Allahabad high courts order refusing her the anticipatory bail in the case.

Having expressed its displeasure over the way objectionable content, including pornography was being shown on OTT platforms without prior screening, the court asked Mr Mehta to place before it the recently notified Information Technology Rules, which provide for regulation of content on OTT platforms.

While senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Ms Purohit, argued that it was about freedom of speech and expression, the bench countered that it was about creating balance.

Tandav, a political thriller starring Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia and Zeeshan Ayyub, was launched as an Amazon exclusive in January and a few days after there was outrage, mainly in right-leaning states, about the story it told. Objections were also raised about some scenes that some alleged were hurting religious sentiments and that it was derogatory towards Dalits. Some cuts were demanded and those were made.

Unlike movies, which require the censor board's clearance before release in the theatres, there is no control on the content of OTT platforms. It was in the wake of this that the government framed stringent rules to regulate them and control content.
Astronomers from the CARMENES (Calar Alto high-Resolution search for M dwarfs with Exoearths with Near-infrared and optical Echelle Spectrographs) consortium have detected a short-period rocky planet orbiting the red dwarf Gliese 486.

Gliese 486 is an M-dwarf star located 26.3 light-years away in the constellation of Virgo.

Also known as GJ 486, Wolf 437, LHS 341, and HIC 62452, the star is much fainter and cooler than the Sun.

The newfound planet orbits the star once every 1.5 days at a distance of 2.5 million km.

Designated Gliese 486b, it belongs to a class of exoplanets called super-Earths.

It has a radius of 1.31 Earth radii, a mass 2.8 times that of our home planet, but has a similar density.

Its composition is not its only distinguishing feature  its relative closeness to Earth makes it an ideal candidate for observations with the next generation of astronomical technology.

The proximity of this exoplanet is exciting because it will be possible to study it in more detail with powerful telescopes such as the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope and the various Extremely Large Telescopes such as the GMT and TMT, said Dr. Trifon Trifonov, an astronomer at the Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie.

Within the next few years, we hope to use transit spectroscopy to search for signs of an atmosphere and possibly determine this planets surface composition.

With an equilibrium surface temperature of 700 K (427 degrees Celsius, 801 degrees Fahrenheit), Gliese 486b is too hot to support life as we know it.

You wouldnt be able to go outside without some kind of spacesuit, said Dr. Ben Montet, an astronomer in the School of Physics at the University of New South Wales.

The gravity is also 70% stronger than on Earth, making it harder to walk and jump. Someone who weighed 50 kg on Earth would feel like they weighed 85 kg on Gliese 486b.

If it had been around a hundred degrees hotter all its surface would be lava, and its atmosphere would be vaporized rock, said Dr. Jose Antonio Caballero, an astronomer at the Astrobiology Centre (CAB, CSIC-INTA).

On the other hand, if Gliese 486b had been around a hundred degrees cooler, it would not have been suitable for the follow-up observations.

The astronomers detected Gliese 486b using data from NASAs Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and ground-based telescopes in Spain, the United States, Chile and Hawaii.

This is the kind of planet weve been dreaming about for decades, Dr. Montet said.

Weve known for a long time that rocky super-Earths must exist around the nearby stars, but we havent had the technology to search for them until recently.

The discovery is reported in a paper published this week in the journal Science.

_____

T. Trifonov et al. 2021. A nearby transiting rocky exoplanet that is suitable for atmospheric investigation. Science 371 (6533): 1038-1041; doi: 10.1126/science.abd7645
EUGENE, Ore. -- Daily, nonstop American Airlines flights from Eugene to the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport took off Thursday for the first time.

This comes after a low average of passengers during the pandemic at the Eugene Airport.

The first flight to DFW left around noon PST.

RELATED: NONSTOP FLIGHTS TO TEXAS START TOMORROW AT EUGENE AIRPORT

While this may seem like a normal traveling connection between two cities, it comes at a time where both states are on two opposite ends of the spectrum regarding COVID-19 safety protocols.

Oregon has been operating on a largely consistent ranking of risk levels which ultimately determines what sort of activities people can participate in. Conversely, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced earlier this week that he is removing all state mandate restrictions, which essentially means the state is wide open to the discretion of individual cities.

We spoke with both passengers and residents of Lane County to see how they feel about their county welcoming consistent travel between the two cities in the midst of a pandemic. The results were mixed.

Roseburg resident Joyce Redcay boarded the flight to Dallas, and she said as long as people do what theyre supposed to do in terms of masking up and practicing social distancing, shes not particularly worried about people spreading the virus.

I think if everyone just uses common sense and stays safe  as safe as they can, I think its going to be ok," Redcay said.

While the restrictions vary from city to city, and state to state, the airlines and airports themselves established a strict set of guidelines that passengers must abide by in order to prevent the spread.

Eugene resident Gall Shonfeld said hed rather wait to see what happens as opposed to passing judgement too early.

The aircrafts began their daily two-class service today, with larger aircrafts scheduled to begin use in June.
For decades, Democratic candidates worked with the assumption that if Latinos voted in higher numbers, the party was more likely to win. But interviews with dozens of Hispanic men from across the country who voted Republican last year showed deep frustration with such presumptions, and rejected the idea that Latino men would instinctively support liberal candidates. These men challenged the notion that they were part of a minority ethnic group or demographic reliant on Democrats; many of them grew up in areas where Hispanics are the majority and are represented in government. And they said many Democrats did not understand how much Latino men identified with being a provider  earning enough money to support their families is central to the way they view both themselves and the political world.

Like any voter, these men are also driven by their opinions on a variety of issues: Many mention their anti-abortion views, support for gun rights and strict immigration policies. They have watched their friends and relatives go to western Texas to work the oil fields, and worry that new environmental regulations will wipe out the industry there. Still, most say their favorable view of Republicans stems from economic concerns, a desire for low taxes and few regulations. They say they want to support the party they believe will allow them to work and become wealthy.

Public polling has long showed political divides within the Latino electorate  Cuban-Americans have favored Republicans far more than have Mexican-Americans, for example. During the 2020 election, precincts with large numbers of Colombian and Venezuelan immigrants swung considerably toward Mr. Trump. Surveys conducted last year by Equis Research, which studies Latino voters, showed a striking gender gap, with Latino men far more inclined than Latina women to support Republicans.

And researchers believe that Mexican-American men under the age of 50 are perhaps the demographic that should most concern Democrats, because they are more likely to drift toward conservative candidates. According to a precinct-level analysis by OpenLabs, a liberal research group, Hispanic support for Democrats dropped by as much as 9 percent in last years election, and far more in parts of Florida and South Texas.

Winning over Latino men is in some ways a decades-old challenge for Democrats  a nagging reminder that the party has never had a forceful grip on this demographic. Still, some strategists on the left are increasingly alarmed that the party is not doing enough to reach men whose top priorities are based on economics, rather than racial justice or equality. And they warn that Hispanic men are likely to provide crucial swing votes in future races for control of Congress in the midterm elections, as well as who governs from the White House.

Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Published March 4, 2021

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Emergency Department.

Johns Hopkins Medicine is committed to providing equitable care to all, while improving the health and wellness of our patients, personnel and residents in all our neighboring communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made existing health disparities even more apparent. In light of this concern, Johns Hopkins Medicine will continue to develop new ways to reach all populations  with specific consideration for vulnerable ones  to provide access to essential COVID-19 information and services. These include testing, care options, potential therapies, best practices to prevent the spread of illness, emotional support resources, language access options, and much more.

With highly effective vaccines now available to us in accordance with government supply distribution, we are focused on ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for eligible populations. To help achieve this, Johns Hopkins Medicine has mobilized a multidisciplinary task force specifically focused on vaccine distribution, with equity and inclusion built into its foundation.

Through this task force, we continue to reach out to all of our patients, our neighboring communities and our personnel in many ways:

MyChart (available in English and Spanish.) is a secure website that provides your up-to-date medical information available to you about your care and your health care team.

Efforts to Reach Our Patients

As government agencies continue to open vaccine eligibility to certain demographic groups, Johns Hopkins Medicine offers our patients information and access to resources through the MyChart electronic health record system, direct emails, our website, video content, social media, as well as through our health care providers and other referring physicians. Importantly, we ensure that we can reach our patients who may have limited computer or broadband access by providing a dedicated telephone call center that notifies patients of vaccine appointment availability. We also share information through local news and media outlets, as well as by sharing resources through community partner programs. We are committed to ensuring that our patients who want to be vaccinated receive the information they need  and, ultimately, the vaccine, as our supply allocations allow.

Read more about efforts to reach our patients

Outreach to Our Neighboring Communities

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center opened a drive-through testing site for COVID-19 patient referrals and other identified priority groups.

Johns Hopkins Medicine also has various partnerships and programs in place to reach our neighbors in nearby communities. For example, our Maryland and Washington, D.C., providers continue to collaborate with local governments to help vaccinate specific groups, such as public school employees. In addition, we are going onsite to various senior housing facilities to vaccinate these highly vulnerable residents where they live. We are also working closely with the University of Maryland Medical System to operate the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital, which offers COVID-19 testing, monoclonal antibody infusion therapy, vaccinations, as well as clinical care.

In addition, we have mobilized teams that are going out into the community to provide services, including testing and vaccinations within neighborhoods that have had high numbers of COVID-19 illnesses. In a collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity, Johns Hopkins Medicine Language Services, and Centro Sol, a new pilot program  called Juntos  has helped to provide equitable resources to our Spanish-speaking inpatients with COVID-19. We are also leveraging well-established relationships with community and faith-based organizations to disseminate information about the vaccine.

Read more about our outreach to neighboring communities

Connecting with Our Personnel

Incident Command Center

Additionally, our health care systemwide Incident Command Center and our diversity councils are collaborating to reach our personnel across their various roles within the health care system to ensure that they have all the vaccine information and access they need. Just as with our patients, we are leveraging MyChart for vaccine appointment scheduling and notifications. To further enable this, we have established MyChart activation and support stations in our hospitals to ensure that those personnel whose work is not computer-based will receive assistance with securing appointments.

We have also established a special telephone line for personnel who lack computer access or who may experience technology challenges with accessing a vaccine appointment. Knowing that different personnel receive information in different ways, we have developed multiple means of communication  including signs, videos, infographics and a dedicated internal website, among other things  to help provide critical information to our staff.

At Johns Hopkins Medicine, we remain focused on creating effective and meaningful programs to ensure that our personnel, patients and neighboring communities feel they have the information and access they need to COVID-19 resources to remain informed and healthy.

For more information about COVID-19 and important resources. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Read more about efforts to engage with our personnel
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday condemned the voting rights bill that the U.S. House passed this week, saying the issue should be left to the states and calling it one of the worst pieces of legislation, maybe the worst, Ive ever seen.

Paxton in December tried to overturn the election results in four battleground states where President Joe Biden had won because he took issue with those states election practices. The case was almost immediately tossed by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that Texas did not have standing to challenge elections held in other states.

Our Founding Fathers intentionally excluded Congress and gave state legislatures the authority to run state elections. Instead, this Act flips the Constitutional script and empowers the federal government to act as the election regulator for states, Paxton said in a statement.

Democrats were quick to point out the conflict between Paxtons 2020 lawsuit and his take on the new federal legislation.

MORE ON THE BILL: Federal voting law aimed at Texas is early test of Democrats power in D.C.

Its ironic that indicted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is pushing states rights when he wasted Texans taxpayer dollars to attempt to overturn the results of the election in four states, said Texas Democratic Party chair Gilberto Hinojosa. There is no rhyme or reason with Paxton. The only thing we know about Paxton is he will disenfranchise millions of voters through his frivolous attempts to overthrow an election or through opposing common-sense reforms like HR 1.

The For the People Act, also known as HR 1, approved by the House on Wednesday, would prevent states from restricting access to mail-ballots and require them to use independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional districts, among other measures. It contains a multitude of ethics provisions, including requiring super PACs and dark money groups to publicly release donation information and the president to disclose his or her tax returns.

Paxton was among 20 Republican attorneys general who signed onto a letter on Wednesday denouncing the bill.

As introduced, the Act betrays several Constitutional deficiencies and alarming mandates that, if passed, would federalize state elections and impose burdensome costs and regulations on state and local officials, they wrote, saying under the Constitution, states have principaland with presidential elections, exclusive responsibility to safeguard the manner of holding elections.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
Boarding school pupils coming from red-list countries will be allowed to swerve hotel quarantine and instead self-isolate on campus.

Following pressure from parents and head teachers, they can quarantine at their school if they travel from the airport in pre-arranged private transport.

The children arriving from countries on the Government's red list to return to school in England had faced quarantining in a hotel for ten days, according to Department for Education guidance.

But the department now says the pupils can quarantine in 'physically self-contained' accommodation at the school.

The change to the rules came after the Boarding Schools' Association wrote to the Government.

Boarding school pupils (pictured: Library iamge) coming from abroad will no longer have to isolate in hotels following pressure from parents and head teachers

They warned that hotel quarantine arrangements pose 'a significant safeguarding risk' with minors isolated and alone in hotel rooms.

The letter warned rules around self-isolation for travellers - which came into effect on February 15 - could lead to minors quarantining in hotel rooms alone, or with adults they do not know.

Last month, parents of children travelling back to school in the UK pleaded with the Government to rethink the rules.

Independent Schools Council chief executive Julie Robinson said: 'We are delighted that this guidance enables all international boarders to return to school if they are able to.

'And we appreciate the strict conditions imposed on boarding houses to make it possible.'

The new DfE guidance, published just days before schools reopen in England, says that students must travel to the schools in a motor vehicle, and not public transport, and that it must be pre-arranged by the school.

The guidance adds: 'The Secretary of State has determined that in the case of boarding school students, the quarantine is to take place in accommodation that comprises of residential facilities organised by the school or college in England that the pupil or student (as the case may be) is due to attend as a pupil or student on their arrival in England.

The letter warned rules around self-isolation for travellers (pictured: Arrivals at Heathrow: Library image) - which came into effect on February 15 - could lead to minors quarantining in hotel rooms alone, or with adults they do not know.

'The accommodation must constitute separate accommodation, meaning it must be accommodation that is physically self-contained.'

Robin Fletcher, chief executive of the BSA, which represents 500 schools across the UK, said: 'This is excellent news for our member schools and we're grateful to the Department for Education for its support.

'Boarding schools are self-contained bubbles - our experience of the previous lockdown tells us that any Covid cases can be managed carefully, limiting the risk of cases spreading to an absolute minimum.

'It also means students are being cared for and supported by schools' pastoral staff, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

'We hope the same arrangements can be put in place for students in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and we will be continuing our efforts for this to happen.'
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

San Francisco, 5 March 2021: The Report Ecotoxicological Studies Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Service (Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Sediment Ecotoxicology), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, LATAM, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2027

The global ecotoxicological studies market size is expected to reach USD 1.3 billion by 2027, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2021 to 2027. Ecotoxicological studies are conducted to estimate the effects of toxic substances on an ecosystem and are based on scientific research by both laboratory and field methods. The growth of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries is likely to drive the market. Stringent regulatory requirements and favorable government support are further contributing to market growth. Most regulatory authorities require ecotoxicity testing using various organisms. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends specific tests, organisms, and toxicity endpoints to calculate the risk from Plant Protection Products (PPPs), such as pesticides, and has developed guidelines for ecological risk assessments to assess the likelihood of plant and wildlife toxicity as well as environmental fate.

The increasing number of chemicals such as synthetic hormones and pharmaceuticals are used on a daily basis all over the world. In Europe, approximately 100,000 chemicals are currently used during the manufacturing of drugs. With the exception of pesticides that are released into the environment purposely, many chemicals enter the environment due to their use through different paths. Hence, to assess risks from chemicals to the ecosystem, toxicity data on chemicals is required.

Ecotoxicological studies are conducted and reported as per the globally validated standard test guiding principles and Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs). For instance, GPLs provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are required by many regulatory frameworks for environmental or ecological hazard and risk assessment of chemicals. There are various documents that include requirements of environmental safety, such as the Biocidal Product Directive (BPR), OSPAR, and European REACH regulation.

Access Research Report of Ecotoxicological Studies Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/ecotoxicological-studies-market

Ecotoxicological Studies Market Report Highlights

Based on service, the aquatic ecotoxicology segment dominated the market with a share of 43.6% in 2020 as major regulatory bodies across the globe mandate evidence of the potential hazard of drugs to aquatic organisms and ecosystems

The sediment ecotoxicology service segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR of 3.9% over the forecast period as sediment ecotoxicology studies are conducted on a large scale by pharmaceutical companies. Sediments can adsorb persistent pollutants and thereby act as a long-term source of pollution for surface water

Europe dominated the market in 2020 with a share of 34.0% due to the favorable government support and the presence of various regulatory bodies, such as the European Chemical Agency (ECHA); Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH); and the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) Polymers Task Force

Asia Pacific is anticipated to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period owing to the improved regulatory frameworks, the high scope for cost savings, and growing industrialization leading to the establishment of pharmaceutical companies in the region

List of Key Players of Ecotoxicological Studies Market

Smithers

SGS SA

Covance, Inc.

INTOX Pvt. Ltd.

Fera Science Limited

Charles River Laboratories

Noack Laboratorien GmbH

Eurofins Agroscience Services Group

Access Press Release of Ecotoxicological Studies Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-ecotoxicological-studies-market
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
It uses a school-ranking system in its recruitment of college students for its programs, but HBCUs arent included in Googles lists.

A new bombshell report detailing how tech giant Google ranks engineering students at historically Black colleges and universities may shed some light on why Blacks are so underrepresented at the company and in the field of coding.

According to The Washington Post, Google uses a ranking system in its recruitment of college students. Schools like Stanford University and MIT are ranked as elite, given their specialty in technical engineering. State schools or high-ranking private schools with strong engineering programs like Georgia Tech are assigned to either Tier 1 or Tier 2.

A Washington Post report on how tech giant Google ranks engineering students at HBCUS may shed some light on why Blacks are so underrepresented there. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

There is no ranking for HBCUs.

April Christina Curley, an African American recruiter for Google who led the companys HBCU outreach, was fired last year because she continually raised her concerns about bias in the recruitment process toward HBCU students.

Google allocated resources so disparagingly because of how they tiered  and thought of  our schools, Curley told The Washington Post.

Read More: GOP Sen. Johnson makes Dems read all 628 pages of virus relief bill

The Post report notes that Google undervalued and underinvested in Black engineering students at HBCUs, according to interviews with Curley and seven current and former Google workers, HBCU graduates, former faculty members, emails, planning documents and performance reviews.

In December 2020, Curley listed a lengthy Twitter rant that detailed her time at Google and her departure, a thread that has more than 150,000 likes. In one post, she wrote, The reason Google never hired an HBCU student straight out of undergrad into one of their key engineering roles is because they didnt believe talent existed at these institutions- until I showed up.

Read More: Evanston, Illinois to begin distribution of up to $25K in reparations to Black residents

Critics are now encouraging Google to live up to its promise to diversify its ranks and re-examine its pipeline for employment.

Story continues

We have a large team of recruiters who work incredibly hard to increase the hiring of Black+ and other underrepresented talent at Google, said Google spokeswoman Jennifer Rodstrom in a statement, including a dedicated team that partners and strengthens our relationships with HBCUs.

But administrators at HBCUs have contradicted Rodstroms assertions, noting that Google has provided an increase in internships, not in job offers.

Read More: Feds investigating communications between members of Congress, Capitol rioters

Google entered into a partnership at Howard University in 2017. Alonia Thomas, a spokesperson from the university, describes it as successful. She says Google has hired 119 interns and 30 Howard grads since the program launch.

Read More: Andra Day discusses transformation into Billie Holiday on Super Soul: She freed a lot of things in me

The conflicting accounts highlight the fact that tech companies will have to continue to make specific investments in diversity through collaboration at HBCUs if they want to see that diversity reflected in their companies.

Any suggestion that we have scaled back or cut our diversity efforts is entirely false, Rodstrom said. Diversity, equity and inclusion remain a company-wide commitment, and our programs are continuing to scale up.

Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Download theGrio.com today!

The post Google accused of undervaluing HBCU engineering students appeared first on TheGrio.
TRUMBULL  Matt Bracksieck flinched for a moment as he received his COVID-19 vaccination, then broke into a grin even his face mask couldnt contain.

This is a great day, the Trumbull High English teacher said at Fridays vaccination clinic for school staff. Theres been a lot of pressure to reopen the schools, and weve seen the impact that having schools closed has had on things like the economy. Its really exciting to see teachers finally treated like the essential workers theyve always been.

Bracksieck was one of about 800 people to receive a Johnson and Johnson vaccine Friday at the clinic held at Trumbull High. The clinic was staffed by the Health Department and school nurses, plus numerous volunteers from the town EMS and Community Emergency Response Team.

The school superintendent called a special remote learning day today so we were able to use the building, said Nursing Director Lynn Steinbrick. We have 16 school nurses in the Trumbull school system, and every one of them is here today because the students are home.

Steinbrick said school nurses had taken on many additional duties in the past year, like contact tracing and enforcing social guidelines. Delivering vaccines was the logical extension, she said.

We knew there was going to be a vaccine at some point, and we always wanted to to be part of distributing it, she said. Today were helping educators get back in the classroom and hopefully that builds a little herd immunity to protect the children too.

The clinic was set up in the senior lounge area of the school cafeteria, with 22 vaccination stations. A small group of workers at a separate table spent the day drawing doses from sealed bottles into syringes, five at a time. Each dose is .5mL or just over a tenth of a teaspoon.

Even as the group prepared to hand out 800 doses, nurse Victoria Benoit lamented that it couldnt be more.

You draw five doses out of each bottle, she said holding a vaccine bottle smaller than a AA battery. But each bottle actually contains 2.75mLs, which is 5.5 doses, so you dont come up short in case you accidentally draw a tiny bit too much into the syringe.

She calculated that combining the remnants of each bottle would have allowed to clinic to vaccinate an extra 80 people, but such actions are strictly against protocols.

Working in 22 two-person teams, each nurse and assistant was averaging about one vaccination every five minutes. Once they received their shot, the staffers moved back into the main cafeteria for the mandatory 15-minute post vaccination observation period.

As they waited to check out, a party-like atmosphere reigned in the waiting area, with relieved laughter and occasional high-fives among the newly vaccinated.

I cant wait until we get back to food parties in the teachers lounge, said Michelle Slais, a Spanish teacher at Trumbull High who had taken a short break from teaching remotely from her classroom while her students worked on individual projects.

Pam Berlekovic, an agri-science teacher, said she had to hurry back to her remote class to lead a discussion in bio-tech careers. For her Friday was also special because it would mark the first time she has seen her mother since New York closed nursing homes to outside visitors a year ago.

Weve been Zooming, but this is the first time Ive been able to see her, she said. But they told me everyone that visits has to take a COVID test, so I got vaccinated this morning and Im going to have to take a test this afternoon.

Health Director Lucienne Bango said the Trumbull High clinic wasnt the only vaccinating happening in Trumbull Friday.

Were starting to vaccinate the homebound, she said.

Combined personnel from four town departments  EMS, nursing, social services and the Health Dept.  had scheduled 20 at-home vaccinations for Friday afternoon, Bango said.

Steinbrick said the cooperation was inspiring.

Its amazing to me to see all these people come together and get this done, she said.

deng@trumbulltimes.com
Chad's Supreme Court has cleared President Idris Deby, who has been in power for 30 years, to seek a sixth term in office in the 11 April presidential election.



He faces nine other candidates who were qualified by the supreme court, including his main and historical rival, Saleh Kebzabo.



The inclusion of Mr Kebzabo, who had on Monday withdrawn his candidacy, has raised questions.



The opposition leader had cited the "obvious militarisation of the political climate" following the deadly attempt by security forces to arrest another opposition candidate, Yaya Dillo, at his home in the capital, N'Djamena.



The 28 February attack left five members of Mr Dillos family dead, according to his party, although the government says three people were killed, including the mother of the opposition leader.



The court rejected the candidacy of seven other aspirants including Mr Dillo and Succes Masra on grounds that their parties were not "legally constituted".



With the crackdown on a fractured opposition, the incumbent is now seen as the favourite to win re-election for a sixth term.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
In Ghana, buying a new mobile device from top shops is expensive. As a result, most Ghanaians choose to buy the home used edition from the street hawkers.



One of the main reasons why this happens in Ghana is the lack of a credit system for people to buy products and pay later. Sadly, even acquiring a loan in Ghana for non-public sectors is very difficult and even if possible, demands a lot of going back and forth to the bank.



As a way of reducing the burden on their customers, Vodafone Cash has a system called Vodafone Cash Pay Small Small. This was launched to help their customers to acquire their dream mobile device by paying in monthly installments.

What is Vodafone Cash Pay Small Small?



Vodafone Cash Pay Small Small is a convenient payment from Vodafone Cash that allows subscribed customers to acquire products and services from a registered partner by paying in agreed monthly installments.



In simple terms, once you register for Vodafone Cash Pay Small Small, you will be able to acquire products (mobile phones, tablets, laptops) from a registered shop and pay in monthly installments.



How does Vodafone Cash Pay Small Small Work?



First of all, you will visit the Vodafone Cash website to see the product ID and prices for each shop. Afterward, you will make the first payment on the day you decide to register for the Vodafone Cash Pay Small Small Service.



Once the payment is successful, you will be given a unique reference code that you will use to check how much you have paid so far and also for subsequent payments. After that, you will be required to pay the agreed monthly charge the next month.



For example, if you made your first payment on 1st December, you would be required to make your next payment on 1st January. The subscriber will be responsible for making the agreed payments from their Vodafone Cash Wallet for their monthly payments to the partner.



On the last day you make your payment based on the agreed monthly installment, a pick-up code will be sent to you by Vodafone Cash. You will then present the code together with a national ID for your product.



You will only be given the device after you have made full payment. In case you choose to cancel the purchase, 10% of the amount paid so far will be deducted and the remaining 90% will be available to your through Vodafone Cash in 5 working days.



Finally, the tenor of each item is determined by the partner shop on the signed-up platform. Therefore, once the tenor is chosen it can never be changed.



How to register for Vodafone Cash Pay Small Small



Dial *110#



Select option 4 (Make Payments)



Choose option 6 (Pay Small Small-PaySS)



Selection option1 (Subscribe)



Enter the PaySS Code of the item from the vendor shop



Choose the period you wish to use to pay for the full amount (3 months, 6 months,9 months or 12 months)



A brief of the product will be given with the agreed monthly installment fee, press 1 to confirm



Press 1 to pay your first monthly charge



Enter your Vodafone Cash pin to confirm payment



Upon successful completion, the product brief and reference code will be sent to you via



How to Pay off Your Installment before the Agreed Last Day



Dial *110#



Select option 4 (Make Payments)



Choose option 6 (Pay Small Small-PaySS)



Selection option 2 (Check Subscription and Pay Off)



Enter the payment reference code



A detailed piece of information will be given and then you will be given the option to pay off the remaining amount.



Who are the partner shops?



Electroland

iPlace

Novotech

Sunseekers Tours

Appliance Republic

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his country will never allow Iran to get nuclear weapons, even if it has to act alone.

Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly that Israels future is threatened by a "nuclear-armed" Iran seeking its destruction and urged the international community to keep up pressure on Tehran through sanctions.

He said the greater the pressure, the greater the chance for diplomacy to succeed, Arab News reported.

"The most important thing that I think Joe Biden understands is that my commitment to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons is absolute," the prime minister stressed.
Police officers block a street as city crews dismantle the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) area outside of the Seattle Police Department's vacated East Precinct, in Seattle, Wash., on July 1, 2020. (David Ryder/Getty Images)

Man Arrested After False 911 Call, Allegedly Trying to Spark George Floyd Type Incident

A Seattle man is facing potential charges after he allegedly falsely reported to 911, claiming a young black male was brandishing a gun near a bus stop, authorities said.

Well, Im at the bus stop, and theres a colored young man and I can see a pistol right there, the caller, identified as Tamon Leverette, told the 911 operator, according to talk radio host Jason Rantz of MyNorthwest.

I saw him fidgeting with a pistol at the bus stop, so its kind of scared me, he continued, noting the person only looks 16 to 17 years old and too young for holding a firearm.

Arlington Police in the Seattle metropolitan area responded to the call on Feb. 22 and it turned out Leverette actually called 911 himself, identifying himself as someone else named Stacy Williams.

Officials at the scene located Leverette and have confirmed they havent found he carried a weapon following a brief search.

Tamon pulled up his left pant leg, showing me a Department of Corrections (DOC) GPS tracking ankle band, the officer wrote in an incident report, according to MyNorthwest.

He informed me that he was not doing anything wrong, just waiting for the bus to come so he could go to his DOC check in with his assigned DOC Officer, the report continues.

The next day, Leverette claimed he became the victim of racial profiling, telling his DOC officer the police stopped him for no reason because hes black.

After Leverettes claims, the DOC officer reached out to the individual named Stacy Williams to follow up on the incident, unraveling the scam.

I noted that the voice mail was set up by a mail with a voice that seemed very similar to that of Tamon, the officer wrote in the report obtained by MyNorthwest.

I asked Dispatch if this phone number had been previously used for any calls to 911 Dispatch. The Dispatcher notified me shortly after that the phone number had called 911 on five separate occasions in December of 2020 for Civil calls at an address of 520 Commercial Ave, Darrington, WA. Dispatch advised me that the only name used to call into 911 on those incidents was Tamon L.'

Leverette was arrested after detectives confirmed that the phone number belonged to him. He could face two counts of false reporting, though no charges have been announced yet.

The suspects motive in the false 911 report is still unclear, though detectives investigating the incident have discovered that Leverette allegedly mentioned that he could see himself in a similar situation as George Floyd.'

Arlington Police Chief Jonathan Ventura told the Washington Examiner the false report unnecessarily placed our officers, our community, and the subject making the false call at risk.

This call highlights the training and professionalism of our officers despite the apparent attempt to goad law enforcement into some type of negative response or altercation, he said. These type[s] of calls only serve to create division at a time when we need unity.

From NTD News
Yves here. Its a sad testament to the state of our society that economists have to study the question of whether sick leaves work. It ought to be obvious that having sick people come to work is unlikely to be a plus for the enterprise. The not-well person wont be fully productive and has good odds of passing his ailment on to others. And its a loss society-wide, since the sick worker who is nevertheless required to turn up at his place of employment wont just expose co-workers, but also people on his commute, and at places he visits, like a coffee shop.

So why do employers insist sick workers turn up? The obvious reasons reflect badly on the bosses (quelle surprise!):

Theyd actually have to manage if an employee or two didnt turn up due to illness, like figure out what tasks might be postponed or call in someone to substitute or (horrors!) roll up their sleeves and pitch in. So much easier to play Lord of the Manor They believe they own employees, so employees staying home is insubordination They believe employees are conniving, so if they are taking a sick day, its really so they can go engage in a nefarious activity, like drive out to the nearby Indian reservation and gambleor even vote! This sort of supervisor would regard using a banked sick day to go to the dentist or doctor or the DMV as an abuse

In other words, the resistance to providing for sick days has little to do with the economics of the business and everything to do with the view of the top brass that only employees of at least the managerial level get to exercise control over their time.

By Stefan Pichler, Postdoc, ETH Zurich, KOF Swiss Economic Institute, Katherine Wen, PhD candidate, Department of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, and Nicolas Robert Ziebarth, Associate Professor, Cornell College of Human Ecology. Originally published at VoxEU

By now, it should be clear that presenteeism (going into work when sick) contributes significantly to the transmission of diseases. This column summarises current evidence on sick-pay mandates in the US and the spread of flu-like illnesses and COVID-19. Over the last ten years, states that introduced sick-pay mandates saw a decrease in seasonal flu activity by up to 30% in the first years compared to states that didnt introduce such mandates. Introducing sick-pay mandates did not result in significant employment or wages decreases. Mandating COVID-19-related emergency sick leave also significantly reduced COVID-19 infection rates in states previously without sick-pay mandates, especially affecting low-income and service-sector employees.

The US is one of the few OECD countries that does not guarantee universal access to paid sick leave. Europeans, by contrast, take this benefit for granted. Nevertheless, more than a third of all European employees go into work when sick at least once a year (European Working Conditions Survey 2015). Moreover, also in Europe, lower sick-pay generosity can increase presenteeism behaviour and trigger relapses of illness, as shown for Spain (Marie and Castello 2020).

Our research shows that presenteeism behaviour, especially during the flu season, increases the spread of diseases. In the current pandemic, the spread of COVID-19 could be reduced if more employees had access to paid sick leave and stayed home when showing symptoms of sickness. The pandemic has highlighted the need to bolster sick leave systems and led to increases in access to paid leave in many countries (OECD 2020, Thewissen et al. 2020).

Reforms in the US

Even in the US, the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged US policymakers to reconsider their positions on paid sick leave. For the first time ever, effective from April 2020, a bipartisan majority enacted a sick-leave mandate at the federal level, as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Among other benefits, the FFCRA included up to two weeks of Covid-related emergency sick leave. Although the pandemic continues, the main FFCRA sick leave provisions expired at the end of 2020 as Democrats and Republicans could not agree on an extension.

But does paid sick leave really make a difference to the transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses such as the flu? We studied this question in several peer-reviewed research articles (we discussed previous findings in an earlier Vox column; Pichler and Ziebarth 2018). Specifically, we studied the effects of introducing sick-pay mandates in dozens of US states and cities over the past ten years. Using state-of-the-art statistical methods, we estimated the causal effect of improved access to paid sick leave  especially for employees in the service sector and lower-paid occupations  on influenza activity in the population. Most recently, we evaluated whether the FFCRA emergency sick-leave provision was effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the US.

Causal Effects of Better Access to Paid Sick Leave for Low-Income Employees

First, when states mandate employers to provide paid sick leave, employees access to paid sick leave significantly improves. Second, because of improved access, sick workers use the new benefit and are more likely to stay home (Maclean et al. 2020). This reduction in presenteeism behaviour lowers the spread of contagious diseases, as reduced social contact reduces transmissions to co-workers, customers and other people, for example, on the way to work (Pichler and Ziebarth 2017).

The findings are consistent when we study influenza-like illnesses, where we find a decrease in seasonal flu activity by up to 30% in the first years after state governments mandate sick-pay access (Pichler and Ziebarth 2017, Pichler et al. 2021). Moreover, we find that COVID-19 infection rates were significantly reduced, with an estimated decrease of 56% in the weeks following the introduction of FFCRA emergency sick leave (Pichler et al. 2020).

Figure 1 illustrates the decline in influenza (Pichler et al. 2021). The figure plots differences in rates of influenza-like illnesses between states that introduced sick-pay mandates (treatment group) and states without sick-pay mandates (control group) in the US. To illustrate the effect of increased access to paid sick leave, the figure normalises the introduction of sick-pay mandates at time 0 on the horizontal axis. This mapping is also normalised so that at time -1, this proportion corresponds exactly to 0. The vertical axis shows the differences in flu cases between states with and without a mandate. We observe flu dynamics in the 36 months before and after the introduction of the mandate.

Figure 1 Mandate effects on influenza

Figure 1 shows that in the 36 months before the introduction of sick-pay mandates, the flu rate differential between the two groups of states is roughly zero. However, after the mandates are enacted, we observe a decrease in the proportion of flu cases, which averages slightly more than five influenza cases per 1,000 doctor visits. As the overall flu case average is 18 cases per 1,000 doctor visits, this represents a decrease of one-third over the 36 post-mandate months, where the public health benefit increases over time. In the first 12 months, we observe an 11% decrease in flu cases.

Figure 2 shows the effects of the FFCRA emergency sick-leave provision on COVID-19 infection rates, following a similar model described in Pichler et al. (2020). As FFCRA was introduced for all states at the same time, we needed a different statistical identification strategy to isolate the causal effect of the emergency sick-leave provision. We compare states with existing sick-leave mandates (control group) to states where workers gained access to paid sick leave for the first time thanks to FFCRA (treatment group).

The FFCRA was signed into law on 18 March 2020 (first vertical line) and became effective on 1 April (second vertical line). Here, too, we find a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases as a result of improved access to paid sick leave for low-income and service-sector employees. The decrease is about 400 cases per state and day, which sums to about 15,000 prevented cases per day for the entire US.

Figure 2 Mandate effects on COVID-19

Do Sick-Pay Mandates Harm the Economy?

There will always be critics of sick-pay mandates. Their main arguments are that such mandates harm the economy because they drive up wage costs and incentivise shirking behaviour. We investigated this argument in another research study  again for the US using the introduction of state and city-level mandates. Specifically, we compared wage and employment dynamics in cities and states that introduced mandates to comparable cities and states without a change in the law. The result: we did not find any evidence for significant employment or wages decreases (Pichler and Ziebarth 2020a).

Outlook

Unfortunately, the evidence presented here was not sufficient to convince the US Congress to mandate sick pay beyond 31 December 2020. However, the new Biden administration is likely to consider such a nationwide law, and the majority of voters (also Republicans) have long supported a federal sick-pay mandate (Pichler and Ziebarth 2020b).

In Europe, there exists basically universal coverage of paid sick leave. However, in Europe as well, to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, employees should more often use sick leave and work-from-home options, especially when they have cold and flu symptoms. Needless to say, this is particularly true during the current pandemic. One of the few positive side effects of this pandemic is that flu cases have plummeted to a level that is not statistically significant from zero (Hills et al. 2020)  which also impressively demonstrates how carelessly we once dragged ourselves to work with symptoms of sickness. Thus, the next time our throats scratch or we sense a fever emerging, we should stay home with a good conscience. It helps us all.

See original post for references




A fire gutted the main hall of Naejang Temple, one of South Korea's oldest Buddhist temples, on Friday in a suspected arson attack, firefighting authorities said.







Firefighters received the initial report of the fire at the temple in the southwestern city of Jeongeup at around 6:30 p.m.







The blaze burned down the wooden Daewungjeon building, while firefighters were trying to stop the fire from spreading to other structures, the authorities said. No casualties were reported.







Police later arrested a suspected arsonist, a 53-year-old monk.







First built in 636 during the reign of King Mu of the Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-668 AD), the temple burned down in 1951 during the Korean War (1950-53) and was restored in 1958.







Another fire caused by a short circuit destroyed Daewungjeon in October 2012, along with all its Buddhist statues and paintings inside, before the building was restored in 2015. (Yonhap)


The regulatory and compliance case is understood to be looking at concerns about the charity before the royal couple decided to shut it down last July after their move to America.

Well-placed sources said that the watchdog was examining how Sussex Royal was run and whether it complied with charity law.

It came as the latest teaser clip from the couples Oprah Winfrey interview was released, in which the Duchess said it felt liberating to be able to speak and accused the Royal family of effectively gagging her and taking away that choice.

She claimed that when Winfrey had first approached her before her wedding, they had not even been allowed to have the conversation without Kensington Palace aides listening in.

The Duchess, 39, suggested that now the couple had stepped away from the construct of royal life they were free to make their own decisions.

Its really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege in some ways to be able to say yes, Im ready to talk, to be able to make a choice on your own and to be able to speak for yourself, she said in the interview, to be broadcast in the US Sunday night (Monday at noon AEDT).
A starry revival of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson is heading to Broadway in 2022, reports columnist Baz Bamigboye of London's Daily Mail.

The drama is expected to be staged by Tony nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson (To Kill a Mockingbird), marking her Broadway directorial debut, with a cast led by her husband, Samuel L. Jackson, as Doaker, John David Washington as Boy Willie, and Danielle Brooks as Berenice. It is planned that this company will then star in a film adaptation of the play, with a director still to be named.

Denzel Washington, Todd Black, and Scott Rudin will produce the film, which will be the third of Wilson's plays Washington has helped shepherd to the screen, a list that also includes Fences and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Reports of a new Piano Lesson film, with Jackson and Washington, first surfaced in the fall of 2020.

Set in the 1930s, The Piano Lesson is the story of two siblings and their struggle to come to terms with their inheritance and the ghosts of their past. Jackson originated the role of Boy Willie at Yale Rep in 1987. It was previously adapted for the screen in 1995, with a cast led by Charles S. Dutton.
The whole shemozzle brought out Police Commissioner Chris Dawson, who went on a mini-media blitz on Wednesday to try to distance the force from politicisation during an election. He told 6PR about how regardless of who won the election he wanted to introduce a legislative reform package, through the minister for police and the attorney general, after March 13 to try to remove some of the red tape around stop-and-search laws for declared drug routes. Im not saying we stop absolutely every vehicle, what Im saying is if we can refine the powers similar to what we do to protect the states biodiversity  meth is actually just as, or even more destructive for our community, he said. Mr Dawsons ultimate goal is to be able to carry on the same stop-and-search powers provided in an the current state of emergency beyond the pandemic at drug entry points to WA. Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup, whose party came up with stop-and-search laws in 2009 which it wanted to employ in areas such as Northbridge and Fremantle, has continued to blast the Premier for trying to overreach despite the similarities to old Liberal policy.

Mr McGowan screwed up his nose at suggestions Labor was trying to enable stop-and-search and spun the Liberal messaging to accuse the opposition of not wanting to have more police to prevent drug trafficking. The Premier also bypassed traditional media on Wednesday to take his own message to the masses on Facebook to talk about how his comments had been misrepresented. When asked on Thursday if this misrepresentation was by traditional media, Mr McGowan pointed the finger at the opposition rather than news outlets. Its the Liberal Party, the Liberal Party misrepresents, thats what they do, he said.

He further tried to explain his flip-flopping by stating he tries not to rule things in or out when Im asked questions at press conferences. Loading The Liberals are continuing to run with attack ads on the border issue to try to stop its base from voting Labor but theyll have to shout a bit louder. The general trust in Mr McGowan does not appear to have faltered because unlike any of his predecessors he has the reach to share his thoughts directly with a massive chunk of WA. Mr McGowans social media post about being misrepresented, which we were talking about a few paragraphs up, had the potential to be viewed by his now more than 361,000 followers on Facebook.

Those same followers have been lapping up the Premiers premium content with a combined 739,800 views for just three recent videos in late February. How good are the WA Liberals? That was the question WA Senator Michaelia Cash asked on Monday at the Liberal campaign launch as her opener to try and electrify the party faithful. She got a pretty decent cheer from the more than 200-strong crowd. Ask the same question five days later, however, and you wonder what WA Liberals state and federally will soon be left.

WA Senator Michaelia Cash at state Opposition Leader Zak Kirkups campaign launch on Monday. Credit:Peter de Kruijff Outside of the potential Labor landslide Mr Kirkup says could be coming, which would wipe out the state Liberals, the federal side of the party has found itself at the centre of two alleged rapes. Defence Minister and WA Senator Linda Reynolds checked herself into hospital after the stresses of facing up to how she responded to the alleged rape in her own office of staffer Brittany Higgins. Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter publicly revealed he was the cabinet minister who was the subject of an alleged historical rape. Mr Kirkup, who also gave his support to Mr Porter, could have done with Mr Morrison coming west earlier on the campaign trail but would be glad the Prime Minister isnt in WA this week given all thats going on.

Online ads adapt to evolving election narrative Labors online advertising spend keeps rising as votes continue to roll in over an unprecedented early voting period where West Australians have been able to go to the polls most days of the week. On one hand Mr McGowan had $34,446 pumped through his Facebook page on positive ads where he features heavily in photos with a rotating gallery of candidates. The Premiers party also spent $17,477 on attack ads from February 20 to 26 featuring Liberals and Clive Palmer. Another block of ads in Riverton, Mount Lawley, and Bateman turn the oppositions own campaign language of asking punters to vote Liberal locally against them.

The ads, which feature opposition candidates next to Pauline Hanson, criticises local Liberals for preferencing racist One Nation over McGowan Labor. Labor attack ads featuring Liberal candidates Matthew Woodall and Liza Harvey with Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer. Credit:Facebook Meanwhile the Liberals, who were chirping on Monday about trying to win electorates seat by seat, are using the rhetoric of dont give Labor too much power which takes them back to white-flag language that lends itself to the Democrats kind of keep the buggers honest catch cry. Labor is once again flipping the Liberal messaging by accusing the opposition of just wanting the power to block Mark McGowan. There have also been attack ads from Labor targeting the Nationals over a $75,000 donation from Mr Palmers company Mineralogy to the party.

Only the money in question went to the organisations federal branch in 2019-20 rather than the state division. The Nationals have been running their own variation of the Liberal total control message and have been doing so for months. The regionally orientated party has been warning bush voters in its ads that Labor getting majority control would lead to one vote, one value  a concept of providing equal voting weight between city and country seats  being introduced to the upper house and less country representation as a result. Mr McGowan has stated such a move is not on his agenda but the Greens remain open to the possibility.

The promises you might have missed this week Labor has made $250 million in promises since last Friday with its total commitments this election, not including recently announced initiatives already in the budget, close to $3 billion. The impact on the budget over the next four years for these pledges is about $2.2 billion as of last week. There wont be any more big pledges from Labor after Friday as it will make its last submission to the Treasury as part of the election costings process. The Liberals meanwhile got a bit quiet with their biggest announcement of the week in Malaga for an $85 million expansion of the North Wanneroo horticulture precinct.

As a side note, the Liberal candidate for that area, Dave Nesbit, was nowhere in sight despite Mr Kirkup asking voters at the press conference to back their local Liberal. Might have had something to do with Mr Nesbit promoting an unproved anti-parasite drug as a cure for COVID-19. The total Liberal spend is uncertain as announcements are made through media releases but also the social media of individual candidates. Labor claims the Liberals and Nationals would have a budget impact of $11 billion, but also say the total commitment from those two parties is closer to $16.5 billion. Mr McGowans party is also running online ads saying the Liberals and Nationals have $26 billion of uncosted promises.
Here's another huzzah for delicious, cheap wine in the environmentally friendly box format - in this case, a tasty barbera from Piedmont in northern Italy that wants to be your "house red." We also have a savory syrah from the Pacific Northwest and two fun wines from California: an unusual and enticing gewurztraminer and a great value red blend. Top it off with an affordable, top-quality bubbly from the Loire.

- - -

Bergevin Lane Vineyards She-Devil Syrah 2016

Three stars (Extraordinary)

Columbia Valley, $26

Rich, savory and plush in texture, this is ripe New World syrah with an earthy focus. Flavors of dark fruits yield to mushrooms and cocoa on a sweet-ripe finish with soft tannins. Alcohol by volume: 14.6 percent.

- - -

Union Sacre Belle de Nuit Gewurztraminer 2019

Three stars (Extraordinary)

Arroyo Seco, Calif., $20

This is not your grandma's gewurz. Winemaker Xavier Arnaudin harvests early to avoid the flabby, high-alcohol-style wine the grape can yield when too ripe, then he adds a little texture by fermenting the grapes on their skins. The result is a refreshing dry wine that resembles a pale rose in color with restrained floral aromas of rose hips and litchis. ABV: 12.8 percent.

- - -

Langlois Brut Cremant de Loire

Two and one-half stars (Excellent/Extraordinary)

Loire Valley, France, $22

From the same owners as the famed Bollinger champagne house, the Langlois Chateau produces fine bubbly that approaches champagne quality. This is not the rich style Bolly fans might recognize, but it's a crisp, refreshing bubbly with impressive depth. ABV: 12.5 percent.

- - -

GREAT VALUE

Paris Valley Road Founder's Blend 2018

Two and one-half stars (Excellent/Extraordinary)

California, $15

Paris Valley Road winery is in Paso Robles, and this wine has some of the rough-and-tumble frontier Paso character, even if the California designation suggests at least some of the wine comes from elsewhere in the state. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, plums and black pepper linger through a strong finish. There is an appealing earthy element as well, though the wine remains oriented toward its fruit. ABV: 14.5 percent.

- - -

GREAT VALUE

Fred Barbera

Two stars (Excellent)

Piedmont, Italy, $30 for a three-liter box

Here's another terrific value everyday wine in the box format. This is the equivalent of four bottles at $7.50. The wine is medium-bodied, with tart cherry fruit and an appealing floral aspect we don't normally expect at this price. It is quite dry and refreshing, characteristic of the food-friendly barbera grape. Bravo! (Reminder: When you've finished the wine, tear the bag from inside the box, discard it in the trash and recycle the cardboard box. Then go buy some more.) ABV: 13.5 percent.

- - -

Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
I never offered anything to a public official or a government official  never anything in exchange for anything, he told the Tribune. Danny Solis was a friend of mine for 40 years. If he asked me for something I would try to do it for him. I attended every fundraiser he ever held. I raised $100,000 to $200,000 for him. None of that was a bribe.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY  Two Georgetown County men have been arrested and charged in connection with the February murder of an Andrews man, the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office announced on March 4.

Both Joshua Dylan Leday, 24, of Andrews, and Phillip Thomas Powers, 49, of Georgetown, were taken into custody on March 4 by the GCSO and charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, burglary and grand larceny related to the death of 69-year-old William Butler, Jr.

On Feb. 10, GCSO deputies responded to 7852 Gapway Rd. where the body of Butler was found by family members arriving home from church, according to authorities.

Police said that Butlers truck was stolen during the incident and later recovered in the Big Dam Swamp neighborhood of Andrews, burned to the frame.

Sign up for our Myrtle Beach weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Myrtle Beach area. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Myrtle Beach news staff. Email

Sign Up!

Guns and jewelry stolen during the murder, along with other evidence, were recovered from both suspects homes, according to authorities.

Both Leday and Powers are being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver said the investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are possible.
Oakland could take the first step this month in allowing fourplexes throughout the city, including in areas now designated for single-family homes.

Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan introduced a resolution Thursday that directs the city administration and planning department to study allowing fourplexes throughout the city. Kaplan also noted that the study should include anti-displacement protections.

The City Council will vote on the directive on March 16.

This will allow more units of housing to be built in certain areas and will prioritize areas near resources and BART stations and thus, support access to jobs and transit-oriented development as well, Kaplan told The Chronicle in a text message.

The directive comes a week after Berkeley voted unanimously to end single-family zoning by the end of 2022. Berkeley is also considering allowing fourplexes in exclusive neighborhoods.

Oakland and Berkeley are the latest cities looking at generating more housing by opening up neighborhoods as the region struggles with high rents and increasing homelessness. Oaklands homeless population soared from 2017 to 2019  increasing by nearly 47% to 4,071 people. Sacramento recently voted to endorse the idea of fourplexes, and one San Francisco politician is pushing a similar plan. San Jose and South San Francisco are also considering the issue.

Laws that allow only single-family houses in certain areas hurt housing supply, worsen the housing crisis and perpetuate racial disparities, Kaplan wrote in a memo to the City Council.

This is one piece of how we both remedy historical exclusions and increase housing availability to help solve our housing crisis, Kaplan said.

Councilman Dan Kalb said prior to the pandemic that he was working with city staff to modify zoning in Rockridge  specifically increasing density along the College Avenue corridor and allowing fourplexes within a half mile of the Rockridge BART Station.

He said he supports Kaplans resolution for city staff to do an analysis and wants to ensure tenant protections.

The idea is to get more units; the idea is not to displace people who are already living here, Kalb said. More density near BART stations, including Rockridge Station, makes sense. How we do it needs to be done thoughtfully and with community input.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil prices rose sharply on Friday, extending recent gains, reacting to the decision of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to maintain output reduction agreement through end of April. Saudi Arabia said it will retain its 1 million barrel-a-day voluntary production cut in order to support crude prices. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who cautioned about raising production, said cuts will be withdrawn over the next few months depending upon the market conditions. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for April ended higher by $2.26 or about 3.5% at $66.09 a barrel, the highest settlement since June 2019. WTI crude oil futures gained more than 7% in the week. Brent crude oil futures were up $2.63 or 3.91% at $69.37 a barrel a little while ago. With the economy showing signs of a quick recovery, it is widely expected that energy demand will see a significant jump across the world. According to the report released by Baker Hughes Friday afternoon, U.S. energy firms added oil and natural gas rigs for a second week in a row amid rising crude prices. The oil and gas rig count in the U.S. rose to 403 this week, an addition of one rig from a week earlier. The total rig count has increased for the past seven months after dropping to a record low of 244 in August, the data showed. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
(Newser)  In 2017, a 30-year-old Texas woman was murdered, as was, in a separate incident, a 60-year-old man from the state. Four years later, a Dallas police officer has been arrested, accused of ordering hits on the two victims. Police say Bryan Riser, 36, paid other men $3,500 to kill the man, Albert Douglas, who was reported missing in Feb. 2017 and whose body has never been found, and $6,000 to kill the woman, Liza Saenz, whose body was found in the Trinity River shortly after gunshots were heard March 10 of that year. An anonymous tipster ultimately led police to three men who were arrested in Sept. 2017 for Saenz's murder. In 2019, one of those men came forward to accuse Riser, who joined the police department in 2008, of ordering the hits, the Dallas News reports. Cellphone and squad car location data corroborated that account, police say.

story continues below

The man says Riser told him Saenz was an informant, but not much more is clear on why he would allegedly want the two people dead. Saenz's mother says her daughter knew Riser, but she didn't know the extent of their relationship. "More and more will come out," says the lawyer of one of the three men arrested in Saenz's murder (none of whom have yet stood trial, NBC DFW reports). "I'm not even sure Hollywood would buy the script to this whole thing." Riser, who was arrested Thursday, faces two counts of capital murder. He was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, but the police chief says the department is working quickly to terminate him. Prior to his arrest, he had been investigated by internal affairs multiple times for policy violations, and he was arrested in May 2017 on a misdemeanor count of family violence assault causing bodily injury involving his girlfriend. (Read more Texas stories.)
HAMMOND, Ind. (AP)  Indiana's wildlife and environmental agencies are investigating the deaths of numerous ducks, geese and other waterfowl recently found dead around a northwestern Indiana lake.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources began receiving reports in mid-February of dead or dying waterfowl around the northern portion of Wolf Lake in Hammond, said James Brindle, the DNR's director of communications.

The agency has received calls as recently as Wednesday about dead Canada geese, mallards, coots and other waterfowl at the lake, said Lt. Shawn D. Brown, of DNR Law Enforcement.

The birds deaths are being investigated by the DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management with help from a federal laboratory, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported.

Officials were unable to say how many dead waterfowl have been found at the lake, but Hammond resident Leo Mores said he found more than 20 dead geese there Monday.

Its really sad, he said. I saw a couple today that looked half dead.

A lab at the U.S.G.S. National Wildlife Health Center is performing tests to determine if the dead birds suffered any diseases or if chemicals are present in their remains. Brindle said it's unknown when those results will be received.

Although the lake's northern area does have industrial sites, officials said natural causes are also a possibility.

The DNR announced Tuesday that avian cholera had been confirmed among geese in southwestern Indiana's Gibson County, where 176 snow geese have been found dead since early January.
STAMFORD  An apartment building in the fast-growing Harbor Point section of the citys South End has sold for $105 million, Stamfords largest property sale of 2021.

The sale price for 101 Washington Blvd., which is also known as 101 Park Place, compared with an appraised value of nearly $126 million, according to property-transfer records filed this week with the Stamford Town Clerks Office.

Built in 2009, the 15-story building includes about 340 units, according to the Vision Appraisal database. It changed hands in 2013 for $135 million, according to property records.

The seller was TR Park Place Corp. It listed C/O Barings LLC, at One Financial Place in Hartford, as its business address. Global investment manager Barings has an office at that location, whose official name is One Financial Plaza, but is more commonly known as the Gold Building.

An entry in the grantee/buyer category in the property-transfer records was left blank, but a special warranty deed included in the sales documentation references Lakewood, N.J.-based AJH Management.

In late 2019, the neighboring Infinity apartment tower, at 201 Commons Park South, was bought for $90 million by two limited liability companies that listed their business address with AJH Management.

Messages left this week for Barings and AJH Management were not immediately returned.

The sale generated $787,500 in conveyance taxes for the state and $523,500 in conveyance taxes for the city.

Investors have long eyed Harbor Point, a mixed-use development where several thousand apartments have been built in the past decade. In 2016, Harbor Points developer, Stamford-based Building and Land Technology, sold five apartment buildings for a total of nearly $400 million, to the Manhattan-based Gaia Real Estate.

During the past few years in Stamford, apartment building sales have tended to not result in major day-to-day changes for residents, but new owners often look to improve those properties.

Were going to upgrade the amenities and make them more functional, Gaia Managing Partner Danny Fishman said at the time of his firms Harbor Point acquisition. Those types of services add a lot to the lifestyle and overall experience of living in these buildings.

Harbor Point has maintained its momentum amid the coronavirus pandemic, as the surge of people relocating to Connecticut from New York City and other areas has fueled demand for housing. In addition to the building accommodations, Harbor Points waterfront setting and proximity to the downtown Metro-North Railroad station and Interstate 95 are significant draws.

Last month, BLT officially opened the newest apartment tower in Harbor Point, the 435-unit Escape building. Several neighboring buildings are under construction.

Theres always been good demand, and I think that the demand has gotten better and better every year, BLT Co-President Ted Ferrarone told Hearst Connecticut Media in January. We saw really strong demand over the summer, especially with people coming out of New York City, and I think theyre coming because you just get good value. You can rent a two-bedroom apartment here for less than you can rent a one-bedroom in the city.

Busy market

Stamford has seen a number of other major commercial property sales in the past few months.

A few weeks ago, a two-building site at 1111-1177 Summer St., sold for about $12 million.

In the citys largest real estate deal of 2020, telecommunications giant Charter Communications bought for $100 million the downtown office building at 400 Atlantic St., which has served as its headquarters since 2012. The company still plans to open a new headquarters later this year a few blocks away, in a new 500,000-square-foot building at 406 Washington Blvd., next to the downtown Metro-North station. BLT owns 406 Washington.

A few blocks from 400 Atlantic, the office tower at 1055 Washington Blvd., sold late last year for $24 million in a leasehold deal. The approximately 183,000-square-foot property stands next to the Parc condominium building and across the street from Mill River Park.

Also last fall, the site of the former Stamford Sheraton hotel, which closed last October, sold for $6 million. The property appears to have been considered for uses such as military veterans housing, but the buyers have not publicly disclosed their plans.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
The Chimayo floor plan at De La Reina by LGI Homes

LGI Homes offers new, single family homes and townhomes in Albuquerque.

LGI Homes offers new, single family homes and townhomes in Albuquerque.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LGI Homes, Inc. today announced the opening of two communities in the greater Albuquerque area, Volterra Village and De La Reina.



The real estate market is booming across the country, and real estate in Albuquerque is no exception, said Chris Kelly, division president of the companys West division. We are excited to help meet the demand of customers looking to own a new home with a brand-new community in Belen, De La Reina, and a return to the thriving community of Volterra Village in east Albuquerque.

LGI Homes recently reopened for sales at Volterra Village, a townhome community just ten minutes east of downtown in the Sandia Foothills. After experiencing success by selling out of all available inventory, LGI Homes purchased the remaining 46 lots and commenced sales in early February. Townhomes at Volterra Village offer low-maintenance style living and a host of perks not found in your average townhome. Two-car garages, private yards and second-story balconies are included with every home. Also found at Volterra Village is a brand-new city park that includes a childrens playground, picnic area, swing set and more. New homes at Volterra Village start in the $250s.

De La Reina is LGIs newest Albuquerque community and is located near Los Lunas in Belen. With convenient access to I-25, residents will enjoy peaceful, relaxed living in this quiet community. Within minutes of the community are several parks and amenities for the whole family such as Eagle Park, Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area and more. At De La Reina, single family homes with three and four bedrooms are available for purchase. Each home includes an open-concept layout, private master suite and chef-ready kitchen. New homes at De La Reina start in the $200s.

Both communities offer LGI Homes CompleteHome package. This suite of upgrades offers enhanced style, energy efficiency and convenience that todays homebuyers appreciate. Kitchens include stainless steel, Whirlpool appliances, LED flush mount ENERGY STAR lighting, and Moen faucets. Also included in the kitchen are glimmering granite countertops, beautiful wood cabinetry with crown molding and a USB charging outlet for easy charging of your devices. Other high-tech features include programmable thermostats and Wi-Fi-enabled garage door openers.

Story continues

Quick move-in opportunities are available at both Volterra Village and De La Reina. For additional information or to schedule a tour, interested homebuyers are encouraged to visit LGIHomes.com/Albuquerque. To accommodate homebuyers during this time, information centers are open for tours by appointment only and are in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local safety guidelines.

About LGI Homes, Inc.

Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, LGI Homes, Inc. engages in the design, construction and sale of homes in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Tennessee, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Alabama, California, Oregon, Nevada, West Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Since 2018, LGI Homes has been ranked as the 10th largest residential builder in the United States based on units closed. The Company has a notable legacy of more than 17 years of homebuilding operations, over which time it has closed more than 45,000 homes. For more information about the Company and its new home developments, please visit the Companys website at www.lgihomes.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Eaton

(281) 362-8998 ext. 2560

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/102bccc0-70cc-48a8-bc3f-1c89c4e4b83d






remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
In this episode of Good Weekend Talks, we look at the divide that has opened up over the best way to teach our children that most important of life skills  how to read  and how the choice between a phonics-led approach or balanced literacy approach in the classroom has become not only a brawl in education, but yet another front in the culture wars.

Joining us on the podcast is literacy expert Professor Anne Castles, scientific director of the Macquarie Centre for Reading, and The Sydney Morning Herald education editor Jordan Baker, who wrote this weeks cover story, Life lessons: How learning to read became a new battleground in the culture wars  and the kids caught in the crossfire.

Loading

Moderated by Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland, the conversation dives into not just the divided politics of the issue, but how Australian children are faring with reading in general, where dyslexia fits in the discussion, and tips on what parents can do to help their children read well.
Bahrain urged to take extra precautions in light of highly contagious COVID-19 strain

Bahrain urged to take extra precautions in light of highly contagious COVID-19 strain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Follow health guidelines strictly to protect ourselves, loved ones and the entire community from the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Health authorities made this appeal once again yesterday to citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the face of rising active cases, including those caused by the highly contagious variant first detected in the UK.

Dr Waleed Khalifa Al Manea, the undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, called on everybody to follow all precautionary measures, particularly social distancing, to prevent the spread of the virus.

Also a member of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus, Dr Al Manea noted that despite relentless contact tracing efforts, there has been a rapid rise in the rate of infections.

On 12 February, in particular, an alarming 896 cases were recorded.

Based on analysis from contact tracing operations involving 300,000 individuals, Dr Al Manea explained that complacency and large family gatherings had led to an increase in positive cases and a number of deaths.

He stressed the importance of adhering to all social distancing guidelines by limiting interactions to those living in the same household and avoiding large family gatherings.

The Kingdom remains committed to safeguarding the health and safety of all in the community.

Dr Al Manea said new screening measures for travellers entering the Kingdom will be implemented, which includes an additional Polymerase Chain Reaction test to be conducted on the fifth day after arrival, totaling three PCR tests, for a reduced total fee of BD36.

On occupancy at treatment centres, the capacity of isolation and treatment centres is 5,499 beds, of which 1,750 are occupied, representing 30.2% of capacity.

The number of asymptomatic active cases under optional home isolation is 5,789 and the percentage of patients recovered out of total cases has reached 93.05%, while the death rate is 0.55% of total cases.

Lt. Col. Manaf Al Qahtani, also a task force member, called on the people 18 years and above to register and get vaccinated.

He assured that all four vaccines approved by the National Health Regulatory Authority for emergency use  Sinopharm, Pfizer/BioNTech, Covishield AstraZeneca and Sputnik V  are safe and effective to fight the virus.

Dr Al Qahtani, however, emphasised that vaccinated individuals should continue following all precautionary measures, as vaccinations do not stop infections, but limit their symptoms.

Another task force member, Dr Jameela Al Salman, highlighted the importance of contacting the hotline no 444, and following the guidelines provided, if any COVID-19 symptoms are experienced.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - BELGRAVIA HARTFORD CAPITAL INC. (CSE: BLGV) ("Belgravia Hartford", "Belgravia" or the "Company") provides the following corporate update.

Core Holding Highlights:Belgravia Hartford continues to hold a series of investments both public and private. Below are the core public holdings and private investments.

Belgravia Hartford core public holdings:

Blackrock Gold Corp (TSXV: BRC) 9,192,000 common shares 1,000,000 warrants at $.30 expiring January 20, 2022

Imperial Mining Group (TSXV: IPG) 14,180,00 common shares 4,000,000 warrants at $.11 expiring September 10, 2022

Nexus Gold Corp. (TSXV: NXS) 11,509,091 common shares 1,895,653 warrants at $.10 expiring February 26, 2022 (warrants amended by NXS) 1,500,000 warrants at $.15 expiring October 7, 2022 1,863,637 warrants at $.075 expiring November 30, 2022 2,890,909 warrants at $.075 expiring December 31, 2022 360,000 warrants at $.07 expiring July 3, 2023 8,000,000 warrants at $.07 expiring January 31, 2025

Azincourt Energy Corp. (TSXV: AAZ) 6,100,000 common shares 2,500,000 warrants at $.07 expiring March 20, 2024 8,000,000 warrants at $.07 expiring May 20, 2025 6,000,000 warrants at $.07 expiring March 3, 2026

Copperbank Resources Corp. (TSXV: CBK) 1,000,000 common shares



Belgravia Hartford private holdings:

Autumn Resources Inc. 5,008,100 common shares Detailed corporate update will be announced in early Q2 2021



Coinstrike Inc. 2,000,000 common shares

Belgravia is awaiting an update on valuation of this holding which was an initial investment of $200,000 in Q1 2018



Reciprocity Corp. ((CSE: GSQ) ref: news releases dated Jan. 12 and Feb. 23, 2021) 779,590 common shares





Uni-Scan Global Inc. 500,000 common shares

Belgravia is awaiting a corporate update on this holding which was an initial investment of $60,000 in Q3 2018



CX One Inc. ((TSXV: WOLF) ref: news release dated Feb. 17, 2021) 2,680,000 common shares

Belgravia invested a total $131,000 in Q4 2018



Legal Matters:

Belgravia Hartford continues to earn interest at a rate of 18% on $325,000 which is owed by Zonetail (TSXV: ZONE). One full year of interest has been paid through to November 2019 by Zonetail and interest continues to accumulate on this outstanding loan. Belgravia is very confident in collecting the outstanding debt owed including the interest. The outstanding amount is currently at $403,000. In addition, Belgravia holds 1,425,000 common shares of Zonetail.

Belgravia Hartford is contractually entitled to one board seat of Tartisan Nickel Corp. (CSE: TN) the contract dispute remains at large which Belgravia has attempted to resolve on numerous occasions.

NCIB:

In accordance with the Company's Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB") announced on February 18, 2021, Belgravia may acquire up to 20,089,626 of its common shares, representing 5% of its issued and outstanding common shares. Such common shares will be purchased only when and if the Company considers it advisable. The Company has appointed Leede Jones Gable to coordinate and facilitate its NCIB purchases. The NCIB will terminate on the earlier of February 23, 2022 and the date on which the maximum number of Common Shares that can be acquired pursuant to the NCIB have been purchased. Any common shares purchased pursuant to the NCIB will be cancelled by the Company.

About Belgravia Hartford

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. is a Canadian publically traded investment holding company which invests in public and private companies in legal jurisdictions and under the rule of law. Belgravia Hartford and its investment holdings are high risk business ventures and expose shareholders to financial risks.

For more information, please visit www.belgraviahartford.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding planned investment activities & related returns, the timing for completion of research and development activities, the potential value of royalties, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, changes in market trends, the completion, results and timing of research undertaken by the Company, risks associated with resource assets, the impact of general economic conditions, commodity prices, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory, environmental, and governmental approvals, and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact:

Mehdi Azodi, President & CEO

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc.

(250) 763-5533

mazodi@blgv.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76208
Angelica Riabusko had to have stitches to her forehead after the fall. (Stock image)

A teenage girl who required stitches to her forehead after a goalpost on which she was swinging fell on her has secured some 52,000 under a settlement of her High Court action.

Angelica Riabusko, suing by her mother Marina, of Charlesland Park, Greystones, Co Wicklow, sued Wicklow County Council over the accident which happened on the pitch at Arklow Leisure Centre on August 27, 2016.

Mr Justice Garrett Simons was told the girl, now aged 17, then aged 13, was out for a walk with her mother. The gate of the centres pitch, where they had not been before, was unlocked and they went in.

Angelica started to swing from the goal post, it fell on her, she hit her head off the ground and had to have stitches to her forehead.

Counsel for Ms Riabusko said a full defence had been filed in the Circuit Court and it was decided to bring the case to the High Court because of the possibility his client may decide to have cosmetic surgery in the future on her forehead.

He said the defence had pleaded contributory negligence and raised issues whether Ms Riabusko and her mother should have been in that section of the centre that day.

That impacted on the size of the settlement offer but his side considered there was a significant risk in proceeding to trial and was seeking approval of the offer, counsel said.

The judge said the girl had fallen while swinging from a goalpost in the presence of her mother and serious issues were raised concerning liability and contributory negligence.

The 50,000, plus special damages of 2,091, was close to the full value of the case, with a discount for contributory negligence, he said.

There was a likelihood she would have done worse if the case went to trial and, in the circumstances, he would rule this a very good settlement.





Washington: Myanmars military rulers attempted to move about $US1 billion ($1.3 billion) held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York days after seizing power on February 1, prompting US officials to put a freeze on the funds, according to three people familiar with the matter, including one American government official.

The transaction on February 4 in the name of the Central Bank of Myanmar was first blocked by the banks safeguards. US government officials then stalled on approving the transfer until an executive order issued by President Joe Biden gave them legal authority to block it indefinitely, the sources said.

A protester holds a placard with the face of Myanmars commander in chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during an anti-coup rally in front of the Myanmar Economic Bank in Mandalay. Credit:AP

A spokesman for the bank declined to comment on specific account holders. The US Treasury and State Departments also declined to comment.

The attempt, which has not been previously reported, came after the Myanmar military installed a new central bank governor and detained reformist officials during the coup.
The on Friday launched a 'Speak Up Against Price Rise' online campaign with former party chief accusing the central government of pushing people in the swamp of price rise just to earn taxes.

The Congress, from its official Twitter handle, urged people to participate in the online campaign by speaking out against price rise.

"BJP = Burden the Janta, Party; the sooner we speak up against their loot, the better for the nation. Come, join our movement. Come, #SpeakUpAgainstPriceRise," the party said.

In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, "Price rise is a curse. The central government is pushing people in the swamp of price rise just to earn taxes."



"Raise your voice against the destruction of the country," he said, using the hashtag 'SpeakUpAgainstPriceRise'.

He also tagged a video on rising prices of essential commodities such as petroleum, diesel and cooking gas.

Senior leader Shashi Tharoor also posted a video, speaking out against price rise, and said every single step that the Modi government has taken has been to empty the pockets of the common citizen to fill its coffers.

"India will not tolerate this anymore.India will rise up, India will #SpeakUpAgainstPriceRise," he said.

The has been attacking the government over the rise in fuel and gas prices and has demanded that the prices be brought back to the level at which they existed at the time of the UPA government.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Serum Institute of India (SII) chief executive Adar Poonawalla has stirred a serious debate on how the US decision to curb raw material export could put global vaccine efforts in jeopardy. In a World Bank panel discussion on Wednesday, Adar said the sharing of critical raw materials is going to be a critical and limiting factor in global vaccination efforts.

But why did the US block exports of the critical material? The vaccine supply chain and raw material issues have posed global challenges, with companies struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for vaccines.

In November last year, US pharma major Pfizer Inc cut short its Covid-19 production target by half, citing raw material crunch. The company had earlier planned to roll out over 1.2 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines in 2021 and 100 million doses by 2020-end. Both these targets were later reduced to half due to raw material shortage in the US and Europe.

Vaccines typically contain antiviral agents, antiseptic liquids, sterile water and some elements of virus DNA that are important to create antibodies.

Under normal circumstances, the manufacturing process is smooth as companies first get final approval, following which it buys raw material and sets up supply chains.

Also Read: 'India, top priority': Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla on COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan

However, given the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis, governments are facing challenges in vaccinating their people.

Biden has promised to administer 100 million vaccination shots in his first 100 days in office. The government aims to buy 600 million vaccines for its 300 million population, which has put stress on the American raw material companies given the demand from all across the world. It recently decided to buy an additional 100 million doses of each of the two - Pfizer and Moderna. This has increased the total vaccine order for the US by 50 per cent, from 400 million to 600 million.

Also read: Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine approved by US CDC

To accelerate vaccine production for the US population, President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act and curbed the export of raw material.

The Biden administration granted emergency approval to Johnson & Johnson's vaccine last month. After Pfizer and Moderna, J&J will also help achieve the vaccine production target by adding 100 million vaccines by summer. However, as the company is behind on manufacturing and would not be able to fulfill its promise to deliver 100 million doses by June, the Biden administration -- by invoking the Defense Production Act -- brokered a partnership between J&J and its arch-rival pharma company Merck & Co to safely manufacture the J&J vaccine. This rare partnership is expected to bolster the vaccine manufacturing capabilities of the US. Under the new arrangement, Johnson & Johnson's vaccine manufacturing facilities will now begin to operate 24/7. Using two Merk facilities, J&J will fulfill production and packaging needs.

"We'll continue to use the Defense Production Act to expedite critical materials in vaccine production, such as equipment, machinery, and supplies," Biden has said.

Biden also directed his COVID-19 Response Coordinator to work with the Health and Human Services Department to increase the total vaccine supply for Americans.

Also read: US decision to block raw material supply will hamper global efforts, warns Adar Poonawalla
(Natural News) There are more than 200 million numb and dumb American consumers, whove watched TV their whole lives and believed that food advertised as healthy actually is. This two-thirds portion of all American adults have no clue that most food is literally designed to cause your body to develop diabetes, cancer, heart disease and dementia. Then, they also have no clue whatsoever that medical doctors and the hospitals they report to only serve up four forms of medicine and theyre all corrupt to the core: Lab-concocted prescription medications, vaccines, surgery and chemotherapy.

These are the Insidious Four that make Big Food and Big Pharma the richest industries in the world. They script and fund 99 percent of the advertising you see, and oversee 99 percent of the FDA/CDC regulatory agency decisions. Now, get ready for some mind-blowing statistics.

HALF of all Americans are on prescription drugs right now

Yes, every other American is sucking down chemical medications daily, and one in five of those are under age 12. More than 85 percent of seniors are being dosed with laboratory experimentation known in this country as prescription medication. (And thats whos running our country!) Youre probably guessing right now that many of those people take only one drug, but you would be way off. The average American takes 4 different prescriptions daily. It gets worse.

The total number of prescriptions filled for the numb and dumb skyrocketed 90 percent in the last 20 years, approaching 5 billion per year. Take one guess which country in the world pays the most for lab-made drugs that, for the most part, dont really work? Yes, the US pays more than FOUR TIMES the average price in other developed countries, and thats surpassing $1,200 per person per year.

Prescription drugs cloud and warp your judgment, reason, emotions and the ability to rationalize

Why are we saying that Americans are hypnotized and lobotomized, you may still be wondering (especially if youre on meds, no offense). Thats okay. Let us explain. The most abused drugs are opiates (think morphine and oxycontin), depressants, and of course stimulants (think ADD & ADHD meds for kids ages 6  18). Are you suffering from confusion and mental cloudiness? Are you slow to perform tasks or answer questions? Thats the drugs  the prescription quack meds. This confusion is a short-term side effect that increases with more frequent drug use. Did your doctor just ramp up that devilish pharma-concoction for you?

Bouts of insomnia are common among the mass-medicated. Those victims are further medicated to combat the side effects of all the other medications. Thats when anxiety kicks into full gear. Even while taking the medications as directed by the chemical drug slinger (MD), the abused patient becomes very uneasy, worried and constantly nervous about anything and everything.

These lobotomized zombies have no ability to rationalize whats going on around them. They become hypnotized by the mass media, which turns them into depressed zombies, criminals, drug users or suicidal maniacs. Suicidal feelings increase if you abruptly stop taking the drugs, so that becomes a catch-22 nightmare in itself.

Guess where it all starts? Processed food. GMO food. Sugar and gluten. MSG and aspartame. Bleached foods and tap water. Hormones and antibiotics in milk and meat. Thats how Big Food and Big Pharma collaborate on your health destruction for profit.

The INSIDIOUS FOUR and the history of corruption at the core

Mainstream medicine has been distilled down to just four offerings:

#1. Lab-concocted prescription medications

Many Americans will go to multiple doctors, multiple pharmacies, and even forge prescriptions once they become addicted. Some people are buying and selling pharmaceuticals illegally online. Others will rob hospitals (often where they work), pharmacies and even other peoples homes.

#2. Vaccines

You probably heard that the first vaccine invented saved the world from polio, but that was a lie. Thats how the whole insidious vaccine industry built their fortune, with the help of propaganda spread by none other than the CDC (Center for Disease Creation).

#3. Surgery

Without running ultra-expensive diagnostic tests and then operating on 1/2 of America to remove non-vital organs, skin, animal fat (clogged arteries), and stones (kidney and gall stones), the American medical industrial complex might collapse. Black Americans are finally speaking out against Black population genocide by the vaccine industry.

#4. Chemotherapy

Straight from the gas used to kill millions of Jews in the Holocaust, comes the formula for chemotherapy. The creators of chemotherapy were German scientists who watched as cancerous tumors receded temporarily, then came back with a vengeance. Chemotherapy has a 96 percent failure rate, and thats why 75 percent of all doctors in America refuse it for themselves and their own family members. They know.

Read StopEatingPoison.com for more stories on the toxins in the food supply.

Sources for this article include:

TruthWiki.org

FoodSupply.news

NaturalNews.com

AARP.org
THE consumer protection agency has warned people not to engage with a potential pyramid scheme that is circulating on social media.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it has been contacted by consumers who have been invited to take part in what they suspect is a pyramid scheme.

Consumers reported they were encouraged to make an initial investment of 150 and then recruit others to invest.

Students and younger people are being targeted, with the scheme using the image of a flower, and may refer to flowers or petals.

Read More

They were told that once they recruited more people they would move to the next tier of the model.

This supposedly continues until the participant reaches the centre of the model and makes a return on their investment, the CCPC said.

Pyramid schemes work by offering individuals the opportunity to buy into a scheme.

This money goes to those above the individual in the pyramid.

Participants can recoup their original investments and qualify for a payout by recruiting new members who join below them.

"As is the case in all pyramid schemes, inevitably the supply of potential investors runs out and the pyramid scheme collapses, leading to the majority of those involved losing their money," the CCPC said.

Pyramid schemes are illegal and those who knowingly participate in them are liable for prosecution, the consumer body said.

Anyone approached to join any kind of pyramid promotional scheme should contact the CCPC immediately through their helpline on 01 402 5555 or by visiting ccpc.ie.




Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.
In 1979, John H. Bunzel penned a piece in Newsweek titled "The Badge of 'Elitism.'" Bunzel was president of a state university in California from 1970 to 1978. Here's what he had to say

Thus I am an elitist if what is meant and understood is that I recognize there are differences in individual talent and capacity. Further, it is silly to pretend that anyone who acknowledges these differences is somehow an 'anti-democrat.' And it is just as foolish to claim that anyone who recognizes there are different physical and behavioral traits among various groups is a racist.

He further asserted that "one can oppose racism without believing that people are equal in abilities. Put another way, there is a world of difference between 'discriminatory practices' and 'discriminating standards.'"

Today Mr. Bunzel would be hounded for his perfectly logical ideas.

Now under the domination of Marxists, progressives and Communists, people must "assume that the existence of any differences constitutes prima facie evidence of inequality  and since in a democracy 'all men are created equal' these differences are presumed to be a self-evident indictment of democracy."

Colleges boast of programs dealing with diversity, inclusion and equity. Here is a sampling.

"Reimagining Higher Education in Times of Change." The twin pandemics of our time--Covid-19 on the one hand and, on the other, structural racism that is giving rise to ascendant acknowledgment  are compelling a rethinking of higher education's pedagogy and mission."

"Join the Social Justice Committee for a conversation with Gwen Carr, mother of the late Eric Garner, who was killed by a New York Police Department officer. Carr is a member of the Mothers of the Movement and a voice in the Black Lives Matter movement."

"Save on the book AngryNomics by Eric Lonergan and Mark Blyth who 'rightly call for a reset of our current model of capitalism' and 'channeling the righteous anger of the moment into lasting economic change.'"

"Join these leaders as they 'encourage diversity and inclusion on your campus.'"

and, finally, the utterly vague drivel below

We are pleased to invite you to a workshop where teachers 'will differentiate between authentic assessments and traditional assessments, [and] observe how assessments can be modified to increase authenticity and real world application.'

Each has the goal of destroying free market capitalism, pushing a decidedly anti-American curriculum and pitting racial groups against each other. It cannot be emphasized enough that equity is not equality. In actuality, equity is one of the fundamental tenets of the critical race theory training that is rampant in schools and businesses --- even in COVID treatment. In reality "equity is the pretext for racial discrimination." It goes completely counter to the ideas of equality as expressed in our foundational documents. Yet, Stanford University is one of many leading the pack. Even the "United States Navy's official curriculum will include books on 'anti-racism' and 'gender politics' that will further push the message of social justice in the military."

John Bunzel emphasized that "[i]f the university were to follow the democratic principle of treating students and faculty alike ... the students would have a greater voice in determining who should be hired and what should be studied."

How far American education has fallen. In fact, administrators have all but defaulted on maintaining high academic standards and students do have much greater control regarding who should be permitted to teach.

How prescient Mr. Bunzel was when he wrote "I have heard it said that if students majoring in English voted to remove Shakespeare from the curriculum because he is no longer relevant, . . . the faculty should concur."

Indeed, almost five decades later "[f]or the new breed of teachers, Shakespeare is seen less as an icon of literature and more as a tool of imperial oppression, an author who should be dissected in class or banished from the curriculum entirely."

'This is about white supremacy and colonization,' declared the teachers who founded #DisruptTexts, a group that wants staples of Western literature removed or subjected to withering criticism. The anti-Shakespeare teachers . . . say readers of Shakespeare should be required to address the 'whiteness' of their thinking. If Shakespeare must be taught, these educators say, then it should be presented with watered-down versions of the original or supplemental texts focused on equality issues. Elizabeth Nelson, who teaches English at Twin Cities Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota, told School Library Journal that she gives her students Marxist theory when reading Shakespeare's tragedy 'Coriolanus' about the Roman leader. Sarah Mulhern Gross told the journal that she delivered 'toxic masculinity analysis' to her students reading 'Romeo and Juliet' at High Technology High School in Lincroft, New Jersey.

But the radical left-wing ideas begin even earlier. Hence, "your first grader will be learning about 'injustice at the institutional or systemic level' and 'your middle-schooler will be drilled in how his identity is a function of his skin color.'"

They will be well prepped by the time they reach college.

Schools should be places of learning, not propaganda. Yet, in the fall of 2016, California's then "Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a mandate to develop an ethnic studies program for high schools in California. This, despite that California's public schools have the most ethnically diverse student body in the nation, with three-quarters of students belonging to minorities and speaking over 90 languages. Luis Alejo, Assembly member . . . , hailed the law, the first in the nation, as an opportunity to 'give all students the opportunity to prepare for a diverse global economy, diverse university campuses and diverse workplaces [.]'" In fact, "Elina Kaplan, a former high-tech manager who had just stepped down as senior VP of one of California's largest affordable housing nonprofits, believed that this 'offered students the chance to learn about the accomplishments of ethnic minorities, as well as to address issues of inequality and bigotry.'"

But three years later, when the first draft of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC) was released, Kaplan couldn't believe what she was reading. In one sample lesson, she saw that a list of historic U.S. social movementsones like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, Criminal Justice Reformalso included the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement for Palestine (BDS) [.] She was shocked that in a curriculum that would be taught to millions of students, BDS's primary goal  the elimination of Israel  was not mentioned. Kaplan also saw . . . Arabic verses included in the sample lessons [that] were insulting and provocative to Jews.

Hypocrisy abounds. So while claiming concern for all groups, anti-Semitic left-wing ideology is now foisted onto American students under the guise of "addressing bigotry."

Bunzel understood that the Left despises Jefferson's belief that education should encourage and cultivate leaders of "virtue and talent." In fact, "in today's terms, Jefferson believed in equality of opportunity based on personal effort, but not in an equality of results." Jefferson would have "dissented vigorously from any suggestion that individual merit should be sacrificed for a quota system or its functional equivalent."

Moreover, Bunzel's concern about the "rise of vulgarity disguised as freedom" and the "contempt for grammar" highlights what has happened to schools. Far too many students are functionally illiterate and remediation programs exist in most institutions of higher learning. In fact, the chair of the English Department at Rutgers University believes that the failure to master English grammar should not be held against students "so as not to put students from multilingual, non-standard 'academic' English backgrounds at a disadvantage."

Nothing is more important than resisting the continuing dumbing down and radicalization of American students if we are to have an honorable future in these United States.

Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com.

Image via Pexels.
Stormont leaders have clashed over claims by Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney the UK Government can't be trusted on Brexit.

Mr Coveney yesterday lashed out at London's unilateral decision to extend a grace period on border checks for goods moving from Britain to Northern Ireland until October.

"This is not the first time this has happened, that they (the EU) are negotiating with a partner that they simply cannot trust," he told RTE.

The European Commission is considering legal action against the UK.

First Minister Arlene Foster accused Mr Coveney of "ignoring" unionist concerns, while Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said London had acted in "bad faith".

Secretary of State Brandon Lewis said the move had been taken to avoid empty supermarket shelves, and that it was intended to strengthen the NI Protocol rather than undermine it.

Mrs Foster said: "If the UK Government hadn't taken action that would have caused untold difficulties for our ports, and indeed, you will have heard from the chief vet today that (it) would have led to up to 36,000 checks in relation to the port of Larne.

"He (Mr Coveney) should reflect on that because he's not listening to the unionist people of Northern Ireland, the entirety of unionist people of Northern Ireland. He's ignoring them and thinking that they'll just go away. Well, we'll not go away and we need to be listened to in relation to our very deep concerns about trade diversion, which of course is covered in the protocol as well."

Mrs O'Neill said: "The British Government acted in bad faith and they have demonstrated by their very deed that they are untrustworthy, that they're not reliable, that they're not true to their word when it comes to a negotiation.

"That's form which the British Government have demonstrated time and time again."

Defending the move, Mr Lewis said if the decision hadn't been taken "there was a very real risk that, actually, what we've had in a few weeks would have been back to the issues with empty shelves".

Downing Street rejected Mr Coveney's comments. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We have worked closely with the EU throughout the Brexit period, not just in terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol but with regards to the TCA (trade and co-operation agreement) that we agreed at Christmastime.

"We continue to work closely with them through the Joint Committee process and remain committed to the Northern Ireland Protocol, but we want to address those areas where there are issues that have arisen."
After the shooting, the drivers of the two cars went to a nearby police station to report the attack and three males who were in the vehicles, 29 and 31, were taken to an area hospital for treatment, with one, an 18-year-old man from Harvey, later dying from his injuries, according to state police. A 26-year-old female passenger in one of the vehicles was not injured, police said.

To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!

The B.1.1.7 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant was initially found in England last fall and has quickly overtaken to become the dominant coronavirus strain in the United Kingdom (UK).

The variants ability to increase transmission and severe infections has proven to be a challenge for public health officials looking to limit the spread.

New research led by Thushan I. de Silva from the University of Sheffield proposes that increases in subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) expression cause increased viral transmissibility and subsequent infection. They suggest the ORF9 protein, found in high amounts of sgRNA, could be regulating interferon responses.

Identifying B.1.1.7s mechanism of action for increased transmission could help with developing or updating coronavirus treatments.

The study Altered Sub-Genomic RNA Expression in SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Infections is available as a preprint on the bioRxiv* server, while the article undergoes peer review.

How they did it

The researchers used the periscope tool and ARTIC Network Oxford Nanopore genomic sequencing data to analyze 4,400 positive SARS-CoV-2 nose-throat samples from healthcare workers and patients in hospitals. They also sequenced a portion of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples from the local community.

Their analysis on the B.1.1.7 variant was compared to the previously dominant variant from Spain called B.1.177.

They hypothesized that the B.1.1.7 variant had increased sgRNA expression, causing more significant phenotypic changes than other SARS-CoV-2 strains.

Subgenomic RNA Expression is Increased in B.1.1.7 infections. A. Pillar 1 SARS-CoV-2 lineages over time (B.1.1.7n = 729, B.1.177n =764). B. Representation of lineage composition of pillar 2 data (B.1.1.7n = 150, B.1.177n = 179). C. sgRNA expression in samples of lineages B.1.177 and B.1.1.7 in pillar 1 samples from the most highly expressed ORFs. D. sgRNA expression in samples of lineages B.1.177 and B.1.1.7 in pillar 2 samples from the most highly expressed ORFs. E. E gene cycle threshold (ECT) for B.1.177 (n=257) and B.1.1.7 (n=185) lineages. F. Relative light units (RLU) for B.1.177 (n=626) and B.1.1.7 (n=626) lineages. G. E gene cycle threshold compared to total raw sgRNA counts (High and Low Quality) for B.1.177 and B.1.1.7. Correlation coefficient and p value using Pearson. H. E gene cycle threshold compared to total raw genomic RNA counts for B.1.177 and B.1.1.7. Correlation coefficient and p value using Pearson. I. Raw sgRNA counts normalised to E gene cycle threshold (sgRNA*ECT). All p-values (except G & H) calculated using an unpaired Wilcoxon signed rank test, and adjusted for multiple testing with the Holm method (**** < 0.0001, *** < 0.001, ** < 0.01, * < 0.05)

Changes observed in subgenomic RNA expression

The results confirmed the teams hypothesis as they observed increased expression of subgenomic RNA of S, N, E, ORF6, and M proteins in patients with B.1.1.7 infection.

Evidence confirming previous findings of decreased E gene Ct (ECT) and increased relative light units (RLT) in patients infected with the B.1.1.7 variant were also noted.

There was also a weak but significant negative correlation between sgRNA reads and ECT. Also, there was a greater negative association between genomic reads and ECT.

ECT may have acted as a surrogate of viral load, explaining the rise in sgRNA expression in the B.1.1.7 variant. However, when the researchers reanalyzed the data while controlling for sgRNA to ECT, they found the changes were independent of ECT. They observed differences for S, N, and M sgRNA between the B.1.1.7 and B.1.177 variant.

Ruling out confounds

A potential explanation regarding sgRNA changes during infection could be because of symptom differences.

It is possible that the days since symptom onset at sampling may vary between lineages in our dataset, either due to changes in sampling practice over time or presentation of individuals to healthcare services, which in turn could confound our sgRNA findings.

To rule this out, the researchers collected symptom information from 2,327 positive SARS-CoV-2 samples. They found small differences when symptoms appeared for a B.1.177 infection and a B.1.1.7 infection. However, symptom duration was unlikely to affect the overall results. When controlling for these differences, the elevated subgenomic RNA levels for S, N, M, and E persisted.

The team also used a pseudo-infection to look at the timing of genetic changes days after symptom onset for both variants. They found infections with the B.1.1.7 variant showed increased sgRNA expression with an early peak on the first day of symptom onset. The researchers suggest ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression may have expedited sgRNA kinetics, enhancing sgRNA expression early on in the infection.

When the team analyzed noncanonical sgRNA expression, they found decreases in the templates for all samples. Samples containing the B.1.1.7 variant showed greater reads, which the researchers suggest supports the production of noncanonical sgRNA from the genomic position 28282.

The B.1.1.7 variant has a triple nucleotide sequence containing 28282 in their genomic sequence, causing the D3L amino acid substitution in the nucleocapsid protein.

The researchers suggest the N D3L mutation may have been caused by recombination between noncanonical sgRNA and the genome. The result could have produced significant enrichment of sgRNA containing ORF9b.

This coincides with the 16-fold expression of ORF9b sgRNA observed in B.1.1.7 samples. In contrast, sgRNA-containing ORF9b was found in only 13.8% of non-B.1.1.7 samples. Additionally, non-B.1.1.7 samples did not contain ORF9b sgRNA with the N D3L mutation.

Understanding variants of concern

Based on the findings, the team proposes that sgRNA-containing ORF9b could be mediating interferon responses exhibited during SARS-CoV-2 infections. This suggests the sgRNA containing ORF9 could be causing greater infectiousness in the B.1.17 variant, but this should be explored further in future SARS-CoV-2 experiments.

They recommend using data on sgRNA for all genomic surveillance efforts to analyze the effects of SARS-CoV-2 variation and it affects the viral genome.

*Important Notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Egypts Minister of Education Tarek Shawki has retracted statements made on Wednesday on "abandoning" the bifurcated education system traditionally used in the general secondary education track Thanaweya Amma, saying no decision on the matter has been taken yet.

Shawki had said yesterday that the bifurcated system, which allows students to choose between three curricular pathways (literature, science, or science/mathematics) would be abandoned for a new system to be implemented next year, essentially removing the science/mathematics pathway.

According to statements on his Facebook page, Shawki said that the issue of the bifurcated education system is still being examined by the Supreme Council for Pre-University Education and the Supreme Council of Universities, adding that a decision has not yet been taken.

Shawki stressed that the electronic exams for students who are in the first and second grade of Thanaweya Amma are not a "rehearsal" for the university entrance exams taken in the third and final year of secondary school.

He added that students will be required to take the electronic exams at schools under the monitoring of an electronic committee.

He also explained that the committees monitoring the exams will be secured by multiple security institutions (under the auspices of the Ministry of Interior), employing smart technical solutions to overcome any challenges and three levels of safety, costing nearly EGP 1 billion, to ensure that the exam reaches every student in Egypt (approx. 650,000 students).

There will be experimental secondary exams, which will be held in the months of April and June, he said, noting that the real rehearsals will allow the ministry to evaluate technical solutions and introduce students to the electronic form of the exams.

Shawki explained that the end of first and second year exams, based on a pass/fail grading system, are not competitive and that those who cheat will suffer in university entrance exams.

Whoever deceives and cheats on his/her exams is the only loser, and they will be missing the opportunity to learn and train for the end of third-year exam.

The vast majority of students who depend on themselves are the winners in all respects because they have realised the purpose of the exam, said Shawki, explaining how the exams, taken and evaluated electronically, are designed to circumvent human intervention, guaranteeing equal opportunities and absolute transparency.

"The concept of equal opportunity does not mean that the exams must be standardised... the exams will be different but have the same level of difficulty," he pointed out.

Thanaweya Amma examinations will not begin before the month of July, and there will be no deletions from the curricula, said Shawki.

The exams will be based on multiple-choice questions and students will know their results as soon as they conclude the exam, he noted.

The ministry will issue four versions of the exam at the same difficulty level, with students allowed to retake tests in any subject in a second round without any deductions in grades, which revives the improvement exam system that was in place until the 1990s.

In the past few years, Thanaweya Amma exams have been repeatedly leaked and shared on Facebook and WhatsApp.

The minister assured that the new electronic system would reward the diligent student, putting an end to exam leaks and cheating.

Short link:


Rating: Solid neighborhood option

In San Antonio, were mostly used to gorditas with a deep fried corn tortilla pulled apart and stuffed like a Hot Pocket. The Happy Gordita does not serve those.

Here the large, thick fried tortillas are almost the size of small dinner plate and are treated more like a tostada. The tortillas are crispy on the outside and pillow-soft on the inside, with their topping spread from edge to edge.

Owner Hope De La Fuente was ready to roll with her food truck in March 2020, but due to COVID-19, she really didnt get the truck going until October as more of the genesis of her business. De La Fuente has roots in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, and uses family recipes for her menu.

Chuck Blount /Staff

The Happy Gordita keeps a simple menu with five different gordita options, birrea tacos, corn in a cup and chips and queso. That allowed De La Fuente to manage everything from taking the orders to cooking the food during our visit at StreetFare SA on Austin Highway, with a minimal wait time of about 15 minutes.

On ExpressNews.com: Schertz's Purple Pig BBQ excels at Midwest barbecue's rib tips and is heavy on the sauce

Chuck Blount /Staff

Best dish: The Guacamole Only ($5.50) gordita was one of the best things I have tasted in more than 20 years of living here. Fresh avocado with a perfect citrus hit of acid, a creaminess from crema and a zing from queso fresco. Order two, thank me later,.

Other dishes: The El Classico ($4.50) was another testament to simplicity executed perfectly. The creamy refried beans were loaded with seasonings and smoky, bacon fat flavor and topped with a thick blanket of melted queso menonita that overhung the tortilla with charred bits of cheesy heaven.

Chuck Blount /Staff

Dont skip the corn in a cup ($3.50 for a small). Unlike some places that stack the cup with the sweet corn and mayonnaise mixture and simply top it with cheese and seasonings, the version here is put together more like a lasagna, so every bite has the cotija and spices.

On ExpressNews.com: Naco Mexican Eatery food truck has some of San Antonio's best chilaquiles, Keto-friendly cheese-crust tacos

Birria tacos ($7.50 for two) have been having a moment that doesnt appear to be subsiding anytime soon. The Happy Gordita uses beef with a mixture of cilantro, onions and melted cheese. There just wasnt quite enough birria in each taco, and it barely occupied half of the tortillas. But the dipping broth that makes birria a star dish was good enough to enjoy on its own as a soup.

Chuck Blount /Staff

The Viva La Gordita ($6) is the fanciest menu item, with ground beef, beans, cabbage, tomatoes and a thick dousing of crema and queso fresco, but lacked the flavor intensity of the simpler items. When you took a bite, there was nothing offensive, but there wasnt a single ingredient that stood out in the mix.

cblount@express-news.net | Twitter: @chuck_blount | Instagram: @bbqdiver
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 10:22:48|Editor: Xiaoxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers began deliberating draft amendments to the organic law and procedural rules of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Friday at the NPC's annual session.

Wang Chen, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, read explanatory documents on the drafts to deputies attending the fourth session of the 13th NPC. Enditem
The Department of Energys award of a $1 billion paramilitary security contract at the Savannah River Site has been protested, slamming the brakes on the prospective transition process.

SOC LLC on Feb. 22 filed a bid protest with the Government Accountability Office, a spending and policy watchdog. A bid protest challenges the assigning of a federal contract, like those at the Savannah River Site.

An inquiry made to SOC LLC on Friday morning was not immediately answered. SOC's mission, according to its website, is to be a trusted partner in providing mission support solutions for critical U.S. national security interests.

The accountability offices docket does not describe why the protest was filed but confirms it is tied to the Energy Department. No ruling had been made as of Friday morning. The status was listed as currently open.

The department on Feb. 12 named Virginia-based SRS Critical Infrastructure Security LLC as the next Savannah River Site paramilitary protection force, effectively ousting an established incumbent, Centerra. The new contract could last 10 years at a total value of $1 billion.

The Energy Departments nuclear cleanup office, Environmental Management, received proposals from three teams; SCIS offered the best value to the government, according to an announcement.

Members of SRS Critical Infrastructure Security include Securitas CIS, K2 Solutions, Spectra Tech and System Studies & Simulation.

Centerras contract is scheduled to expire in early June. SOCs protest complicates things, as the formal airing of grievances could result in a reevaluation or reset of the bidding process. A decision is expected by June 2.

The paramilitary security contractor at the Savannah River Site is a critical player. On top of protecting the sites boundaries, nuclear facilities, sensitive materials and employees, the selected team also conducts law enforcement operations and related investigations.

An inquiry made to Centerra on Friday morning was not immediately answered.
Mumbai: The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) will hear on 23 March a case filed by Srei groups bondholders challenging an order by the Kolkata bench of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) allowing Srei to skip repayments between 1 January and 30 June.

Learned senior counsel for the respondent submits that due to some difficulty, they could not file the documents. Let the matter be fixed for admission (after notice) on 23 March 2021," the NCLAT said in its order on Wednesday.

Debenture trustees Axis Trustee Services Ltd and Catalyst Trusteeship Ltd, which represent bondholders, have jointly moved the tribunal against the NCLT order, which has impacted retail and institutional investors alike.

Retail investors were particularly hit by the halt to repayments, which the company said was meant to deal with the asset liability mismatches that occurred as a consequence of covid-19. So far, the Kolkata-based non-bank financier missed repayments on eight instances between 11 January and 15 February, showed data.

Apart from bank loans, Srei is estimated to have outstanding market-linked debt instruments worth 499 crore, including the money put in by retail investors. Under the scheme of arrangement, Srei proposed to make repayments to several categories of debenture holders over an extended period. Retail investors will get their interest accrued during the moratorium period within 15 days after it ends.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

(Article by John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead republished from Rutherford.org)

Americans are not safe in their homes.

Not anymore, at least.

This present menace comes from the government and its army of bureaucratized, corporatized, militarized mercenaries who are waging war on the last stronghold left to us as a free people: the sanctity of our homes.

The weapons of this particular war on our personal security and our freedoms include an abundance of laws that criminalize almost everything we do, a government that views our private property as its own, militarized police who have been brainwashed into believing that they operate above the law, courts that insulate police from charges of wrongdoing, legislatures that legitimize the governments usurpations of our rights, and a populace that is so ignorant of their rights and distracted by partisan politics as to be utterly incapable of standing up to the governments overreaches, incursions and power grabs.

This is how far the mighty have fallen.

Government agentswith or without a warrant, with or without probable cause that criminal activity is afoot, and with or without the consent of the homeownerare now justified in mounting home invasions in order to pursue traffic violators, seize lawfully-owned weapons, carry out knock-and-talk chats with homeowners in the dead of night, prevent individuals from harming themselves, provide emergency aid, intervene in the face of imminent danger, serve as community caretakers, chase down individuals suspected of committing misdemeanor crimes, and anything else they can get away with.

This doesnt even begin to touch on the many ways the government and its corporate partners-in-crime may be using surveillance technologywith or without the blessing of the courtsto invade ones home: with wiretaps, thermal imaging, surveillance cameras, and other monitoring devices.

However, while the courts and legislatures have yet to fully address the implications of such virtual intrusions on our Fourth Amendment, there is no mistaking the physical intrusions by police into the privacy of ones home: the toehold entry, the battering ram, the SWAT raid, the knock-and-talk conversation, etc.

Whether such intrusions, warranted or otherwise, are unconstitutional continues to be litigated, legislated and debated.

The spirit of the Constitution, drafted by men who chafed against the heavy-handed tyranny of an imperial ruler, would suggest that ones home is a fortress, safe from almost every kind of intrusion. Unfortunately, a collective assault by the governments cabal of legislators, litigators, judges and militarized police has all but succeeded in reducing that fortressand the Fourth Amendment alongside itto a crumbling pile of rubble.

Two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court this term, Caniglia v. Strom and Lange v. California, are particularly noteworthy.

In Caniglia v. Strom, police want to be able to carry out warrantless home invasions in order to seize lawfully-owned guns under the pretext of their so-called community caretaking duties. Under the community caretaking exception to the Fourth Amendment, police can conduct warrantless searches of vehicles relating to accident investigations and provide aid to citizens who are ill or in distress.

At a time when red flag gun laws are gaining traction as a legislative means by which to allow police to remove guns from people suspected of being threats, it wouldnt take much to expand the Fourth Amendments community caretaking exception to allow police to enter a home without a warrant and seize lawfully-possessed firearms based on concerns that the guns might pose a danger.

What we do not need is yet another pretext by which government officials can violate the Fourth Amendment at will under the pretext of public health and safety.

In Lange v. California, police want to be able to enter homes without warrants as long as they can claim to be in pursuit of someone they suspect may have committed a crime. Yet as Justice Neil Gorsuch points out, in an age in which everything has been criminalized, that leaves the door wide open for police to enter ones home in pursuit of any and all misdemeanor crimes.

At issue in Lange is whether police can justify entering homes without a warrant under the hot pursuit exception to the Fourth Amendment.

The case arose after a California cop followed a driver, Arthur Lange, who was honking his horn while listening to music. The officer followed Lange, supposedly to cite him for violating a local noise ordinance, but didnt actually activate the police cruisers emergency lights until Lange had already arrived home and entered his garage. Sticking his foot under the garage door just as it was about to close, the cop confronted Lange, smelled alcohol on his breath, ordered him to take a sobriety test, and then charged him with a DUI and a noise infraction.

Lange is just chock full of troubling indicators of a greater tyranny at work.

Overcriminalization: That you can now get pulled over and cited for honking your horn while driving and listening to music illustrates just how uptight and over-regulated life in the American police state has become.

Make-work policing: At a time when crime remains at an all-time low, its telling that a police officer has nothing better to do than follow a driver seemingly guilty of nothing more than enjoying loud music.

Warrantless entry: That foot in the door is a tactic that, while technically illegal, is used frequently by police attempting to finagle their way into a home and sidestep the Fourth Amendments warrant requirement.

The definition of reasonable: Although the Fourth Amendment prohibits warrantless and unreasonable searches and seizures of persons, houses, papers, and effects, where we run into real trouble is when the government starts dancing around what constitutes a reasonable search. Of course, that all depends on who gets to decide what is reasonable. Theres even a balancing test that weighs the intrusion on a persons right to privacy against the governments interests, which include public safety.

Too often, the scales weigh in the governments favor.

End runs around the law: The courts, seemingly more concerned with marching in lockstep with the police state than upholding the rights of the people, have provided police with a long list of exceptions that have gutted the Fourth Amendments once-robust privacy protections.

Exceptions to the Fourth Amendments warrant requirement allow the police to carry out warrantless searches: if someone agrees to the search; in order to ferret out weapons or evidence during the course of an arrest; if police think someone is acting suspiciously and may be armed; during a brief investigatory stop; if a cop sees something connected to a crime in plain view; if police are in hot pursuit of a suspect who flees into a building; if they believe a vehicle has contraband; in an emergency where there may not be time to procure a warrant; and at national borders and in airports.

In other words, almost anything goes when it comes to all the ways in which the government can now invade your home and lay siege to your property.

Thus we tumble down that slippery slope which might have started out with a genuine concern for public safety and the well-being of the citizenry only to end up as a self-serving expansion of the governments powers that makes a mockery of the Fourth Amendment while utterly disregarding the rights of we the people.

Frankly, its a wonder we have any property interests, let alone property rights, left to protect.

Think about it.

That house you live in, the car you drive, the small (or not so small) acreage of land that has been passed down through your family or that you scrimped and saved to acquire, whatever money you manage to keep in your bank account after the government and its cronies have taken their first and second and third cutnone of it is safe from the governments greedy grasp.

At no point do you ever have any real ownership in anything other than the clothes on your back.

Everything else can be seized by the government under one pretext or another (civil asset forfeiture, unpaid taxes, eminent domain, public interest, etc.).

The American Dream has been reduced to a lease arrangement in which we are granted the privilege of endlessly paying out the nose for assets that are only ours so long as it suits the governments purposes.

And when it doesnt suit the governments purposes? Watch out.

This is not a government that respects the rights of its citizenry or the law. Rather, this is a government that sells its citizens to the highest bidder and speaks to them in a language of force.

Under such a fascist regime, the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which declares that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation, has become yet another broken shield, incapable of rendering any protection against corporate greed while allowing the government to justify all manner of takings in the name of the public good.

What we are grappling with is a government that has forfeited its purpose for existing.

Philosophers dating back to John Locke have long asserted that the true purpose of government is to protect our rights, not just our collective rights as a people, but our individual rights, specifically our rights to life, liberty and property. As James Madison concluded in the Federalist Papers, Government is instituted no less for the protection of the property than of the persons of individuals.

What we have been saddled with is a government that has not only lost sight of its primary reason for beingto protect the peoples rightsbut has also re-written the script and cast itself as an imperial overlord with all of the neo-feudal authority such a position entails.

Let me put it another way.

If the government can tell you what you can and cannot do within the privacy of your home, whether it relates to what you eat, what you smoke or whom you love, you no longer have any rights whatsoever within your home.

If government officials can fine and arrest you for growing vegetables in your front yard, gathering with friends to worship in your living room, installing solar panels on your roof, and raising chickens in your backyard, youre no longer the owner of your property.

If school officials can punish your children for what they do or say while at home or in your care, your children are not your ownthey are the property of the state.

If government agents can invade your home, break down your doors, kill your dog, damage your furnishings and terrorize your family, your property is no longer private and secureit belongs to the government.

If police can forcefully draw your blood, strip search you, probe you intimately, or force you to submit to vaccinations or lose your so-called privileges to move about and interact freely with your fellow citizens, your body is no longer your ownit is the governments to do with as it deems best.

Likewise, if the government can lockdown whole communities and by extension the nation, quarantine whole segments of the population, outlaw religious gatherings and assemblies of more than a few people, shut down entire industries and manipulate the economy, muzzle dissidents, and stop and seize any plane, train or automobile to stymie the spread of contagious disease, then you no longer have a property interest as master of your own life, either.

This is what a world without the Fourth Amendment looks like, where the lines between private and public property have been so blurred that private property is reduced to little more than something the government can use to control, manipulate and harass you to suit its own purposes, and you the homeowner and citizen have been reduced to little more than a tenant or serf in bondage to an inflexible landlord.

If we continue down this road, the analogy shifts from property owners to prisoners in a government-run prison with local and federal police acting as prison guards. In such an environment, you have no rights.

So what can we do, short of scrapping this whole experiment in self-government and starting over?

At a minimum, we need to rebuild the foundations of our freedoms.

What this will mean is adopting an apolitical, nonpartisan, zero tolerance attitude towards the government when it oversteps its bounds and infringes on our rights.

We need courts that prioritize the rights of the citizenry over the governments insatiable hunger for power at all costs.

We need people in the governmentrepresentatives, bureaucrats, etc.who honor the public service oath to uphold and defend the Constitution.

Most of all, we need to reclaim control over our runaway government and restore our freedoms.

After all, we are the government. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, we the people are supposed to be the ones calling the shots. As John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States, rightly observed: No power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our consent.

WC: 2215

Read more at: Rutherford.org and BigGovernment.news.
A proposed pay rise of just 1 per cent for doctors, nurses and more than a million other NHS staff has been branded pitiful and the worst kind of insult by health unions.

The Department of Health and Social Care has revealed its plans for increasing the pay of 1.4 million NHS staff on Thursday, arguing paying more could lead to trade-offs in other areas of NHS spending  including efforts to recruit more staff to fill shortages.

The announcement comes in a year when hundreds of thousands of nurses and doctors have been pushed to the limits caring for coronavirus patients. Staff have been redeployed and asked to work extra shifts, with more than 900 frontline staff dying as a result of Covid.

Research has suggested as many as 40 per cent of critical care nurses could have symptoms of post traumatic stress.

Health unions were demanding a 12.5 per cent uplift in pay in recognition of the efforts of staff during the coronavirus pandemic and as a counter to years of austerity that has seen the value of NHS salaries fall in real terms.

But despite the chancellor spending an extra 65bn on Covid support measures in Wednesdays Budget, the government appears determined to stick to its pre-Covid Budget for day to day NHS spending.

While the government has earmarked over 400bn in spending to respond to coronavirus, the Budget revealed NHS Englands budget would drop by 9bn next financial year as emergency spending stopped.

Under the DHSCs proposals most NHS staff would receive an extra 1 per cent pay rise from April, on top of a planned 0.7 per cent rise which was part of a deal agreed back in 2018. Doctors, who have a separate pay process, will receive a flat 1 per cent.

In its evidence to the NHS pay review bodies, which recommend pay rises for staff, the DHSC said: The NHS budget is set for 2019-20 to 2023-24 and this budget includes money for planned workforce growth. This is why, as set out in our remit, there are trade-offs if money above affordability assumptions is spent on pay.

It added there was a balance between pay and staff numbers adding: Staff tell us that they want to know they will have the right number of colleagues working alongside them in hospital or in the community. Our focus is on ensuring the overall package of reward helps to recruit and retain the staff we need whilst maintaining affordability.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth MP said the pay proposal was a pay cut and the ultimate kick in the teeth to our NHS heroes.

He added: Rishi Sunak promised to be open and honest with the public yet shamefully insults every single member of NHS staff sneaking out this announcement and failing to include any mention of NHS pay in the Budget.

Unions reacted angrily to the proposed pay rise with the Royal College of Nursings chief executive Dame Donna Kinnair labelling it pitiful and bitterly disappointing adding that she thought the government is dangerously out of touch with nursing staff, NHS workers and the public.

She said: The government can expect a backlash from a million NHS workers. Taxpayers are supportive of a significant and fair pay rise for NHS workers  this year of all years.

If the increase went through she said it would amount to only an extra 3.50 a week after tax for an experienced nurse.

Nobody would think that is fair in the middle of a pandemic and it will do nothing to prevent the exodus from nursing, she warned.

Unisons head of health Sara Gorton, who leads negotiations with the government on behalf of NHS staff unions, said: No wonder the chancellor had nothing to say about the NHS yesterday. A 1 per cent pay rise is the worst kind of insult the government could give health workers whove given their absolute everything over the past year.

Ministers should hang their heads in shame, go back to the drawing board and come up with the kind of pay rise that matches the astounding efforts staff have gone to in the past year.

The entire NHS workforce will now expect to see the pay review body come up with a much more sensible and realistic recommendation than this laughable suggestion from the government.

The British Medical Associations Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: This is a total dereliction of the governments moral duty and obligation to a workforce that is keeping the NHS on its feet and patients alive.

He said doctors had experienced real-world pay cuts of 30 per cent after a decade of austerity and were facing higher increases in tax after pension allowances were frozen by the chancellor on Wednesday.
The EU and US are resetting their relationship under US President Joe Biden, the Tanaiste said (Niall Carson/PA)

The EU and US are resetting their trading relationship under US President Joe Biden, the Tanaiste said.

They have agreed to mutually suspend their respective tariffs over an aircraft trade dispute to allow talks to happen.

It will provide great relief to exporters and importers that have been negatively impacted by the levies, particularly exporters of quality goods such as Irish cream liqueur, butter and cheese and importers of animal feedstuff, Leo Varadkar said.

Weekly update from me. Today Iad like to talk to you about importance of trade. pic.twitter.com/ak4dwJcORG  Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 5, 2021

He added: This de-escalation is something that I have advocated strongly for in the EU Council of Trade Ministers.

Ireland is committed to free and open trade. It is what allowed us to rebuild after the financial crisis and it will be crucial as we recover from the pandemic.

The tariffs were imposed as punishment for subsidies provided to rival aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing.

Their suspension came a day after the US agreed a moratorium on tariffs on UK imports as part of the dispute.

Trade Minister Mr Varadkar said: Ireland has always maintained a very strong and warm relationship with the United States and that includes the trade relationship.

This decision is an early sign of both the EU and US hitting the reset button on their trade relationship.

I hope both parties use this time now to meaningfully engage with each other so that we can resolve this dispute once and for all.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said it was a great opportunity for constructive dialogue to find a permanent resolution.

I was delighted to meet @TimmermansEU along with my colleague @pippa_hackett on a range of climate and environmental measures. Farmers continue to play their part in meeting our climate ambitions.https://t.co/BG4WLnU2Ty pic.twitter.com/xXRcN4oKmI  Charlie McConalogue (@McConalogue) March 3, 2021

The value of Irish agri-food exports impacted by US tariffs, in 2019 figures, is approximately 422 million euros, attracting an additional 105 million euros in tariffs in a full year.

This 25% tariff was applied to Irish exports to the US on butter (190.2 million euros) and cheese (43.7 million euros).

IFA president Tim Cullinan said the resumption of normal trade between the EU and the US is an important development for some premium food exports.

He said: As an export-oriented sector, its vital that barriers are removed from some of our most valuable markets.

We send over 400 million euros worth of butter, cheese and liqueurs to the US market, where they command a strong price based on consumer demand for quality products.

Irish farmers rely on these markets to underpin the price they receive for their work and investment.

He said he hoped this signalled a new relationship between the two trading blocs, and looked forward to increasing the opportunities for Irish food exports.
An acid attack survivor who was left with burns to her face and only 20 per cent of her eyesight at just 15 years old following a 'rejected married proposal' has tied the knot with the man she met in hospital while recovering.

Pramodini Roul, 28, found love 13 years later and married Saroj Sahoo, 29, on March 1 in her hometown Jagatsinhpur, Odisha, after first meeting in 2018.

Saroj's friend was a nurse and would regularly visit the hospital that brave Pramodini was being treated and the pair quickly fell in love.

Pramodini Roul, 28, and Saroj Sahoo, 29, tied the knot on March 1 in Pramodini's hometown Jagatsinhpur, Odisha

The couple (pictured) first met in 2018 at the hospital where Pramodini was being treated and Saroj's friend was a nurse

Pramodini was just 15 years old (pictured left before the attack) when she was doused in acid, leaving her with horrific facial burns and completely bald. Pictured right: Pramodini today

As well as the facial burns and loss of eyesight, Pramodini was also left bald by the attack.

But that didn't stop her from enjoying the best day of her life this month with more than 1,000 guests, including other acid attack survivors.

Pramodini, who wore a wig on her wedding day, said: 'I feel so blessed to be married to Saroj, it's an amazing feeling.

'We had so many guests at our wedding to celebrate our special day with us.'

The couple were engaged in 2018 and had plans to marry in April 2020 but the pandemic outbreak last year delayed their plans.

Pramodini said: 'After visiting the hospital on and off during my recovery in 2018 we fell in love and he gave up his job to help care for me.

The couple got married on March 1 and had more than 1,000 guests attend, including some fellow acid attack survivors. Pictured: Pramodini on her wedding day

The pair had planned to get married in April 2020, after getting engaged in 2018, but the pandemic outbreak delayed their plans

After meeting at the hospital and falling in love, Saroj gave up his job to help take care of Pramodini

'A lot of people were surprised that he would want to marry me but we fell in love and our families did come around to the idea.'

Pramodini was just 15 years old when she was doused in acid - something she claims happened due to a rejected marriage proposal.

The attack caused severe burns to her face and blinded her in both eyes.

But after suffering with pain for almost a decade and undergoing five reconstructive surgeries including one to correct the vision in her left eye, she met the love of her life in hospital.

Pramodini claims many people were surprised Saroj wanted to marry her and that their families 'came around to the idea'

The newlywed claims she was doused in acid due to a rejected marriage proposal. Pictured: Pramodini and Saroj together

While undergoing years of painful reconstruction surgeries she met the love of her life in the hospital. Pictured: The newlyweds together

Pramodini added: 'After meeting in hospital we lived together in New Delhi at first before contemplating on getting married in two years.

'The first time I'd seen Saroj was this September when I had undergone the first surgery in left eye but I had fallen for his charms.

'He loves me like the way I am. He always encourages me to live life happily.'

The two now work for rehabilitation of acid attack survivors in Odisha through Chaanv Foundation, an NGO that works for acid attack survivors in the country.
Highlights Xiaomi to bring the first smartphone with Snapdragon Sound support.

Audio-Technica also confirmed to bring products featuring new Qualcomm tech.

Qualcomm has confirmed a collaboration with Amazon Music as well.

Qualcomm has unveiled its latest Snapdragon Sound technology which plans to improve audio quality delivered via wireless earphones and other devices. The company says that the Snapdragon Sound will deliver high-quality music, crystal-clear calls, and a lag-free gaming experience. Qualcomm says that the Snapdragon Sound has been designed to deliver a robust and seamless wireless listening experience by supporting high-resolution 24-bit 96kHz audio, ultra-low latency, improved pairing, and crystal-clear voice quality.

Giving an example of how the company plans to fix end-to-end latency challenges, Qualcomm says Snapdragon Sound can support Bluetooth latencies as low as 89 milliseconds (45% lower than a leading competitor) for more immersive gaming and a better video watching experience.

The company adds that Snapdragon Sound incorporates the Qualcomm Aqstic DAC, which is designed to support formats of up to 384kHz 32-bit PCM and DSD with ultra-low THD+N.

Qualcomm's latest attempt to fix the wireless audio experience comes at a time when Spotify is also planning to bring a Hi-Fi audio experience later this year for its members. It's worth mentioning that Amazon Music already offers HD streaming quality.

Qualcomm lists that the new Snapdragon Sound will be available for flagship Snapdragon 8-series processors. The Snapdragon Sound will offer multiple features from Qualcomm suite of audio features including FastConnect 6900 mobile connectivity system, Qualcomm QCC514x, QCC515x and QCC3056 series Bluetooth Audio SoCs, Qualcomm Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology, Qualcomm aptX Adaptive, Qualcomm aptX voice super wideband voice, Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec and smart speaker amplifier WCD938x and WSA883x.

Xiaomi has already confirmed that it will be one of the first smartphone manufacturers to bring the Snapdragon Sound to its devices. Similarly, Audio-Technica has also confirmed upcoming products featuring the new audio tech from Qualcomm.

Announcing the new Snapdragon Sound, James Chapman, vice president and general manager, Voice, Music and Wearables, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd said, "Qualcomm Technologies is uniquely positioned to provide tremendous value to customers with Snapdragon Sound and help them quickly commercialize products differentiated by great sound quality. Our system-level approach aggregates multiple technologies and the latest products from across our mobile and audio platform portfolios to achieve our vision of delivering high-resolution, wired quality audio wirelessly."
You are the owner of this article.
New Delhi:

In a surprise development, the Afghan Taliban on Tuesday released an "open letter" to US President Donald Trump, reiterating their call for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan after 16 years of war and review the American strategy in Afghanistan.



The 1,600-word letter, written in rather incoherent English, was sent to journalists by Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman. The Taliban said Trump has recognized the errors of his predecessors by seeking a review of the US Afghanistan policy.



The Taliban also asked Trump to hold peaceful dialogue directly with Afghans instead of "corrupt" politicians.



Mujahid said Trump should not hand control of the US Afghan policy to the military but rather announce the withdrawal of US forces - and not an increase in troops as the administration has planned.



The letter urged the United States to interact with Afghans "generously" instead of imposing war.



"It seems to be a historical mistake on the part of the previous administrations to have dispatched American youth for the slaughter of Afghans. However, as a responsible American president, you need to study the mistakes of your predecessors and prevent death and injury to American forces in Afghanistan," the letter said.



"American youth are not born to be killed in the deserts and mountains of Afghanistan in order to establish the writ of thieves and corrupt officials and neither would their parents approve of them killing civilians in Afghanistan," the letter further said.



"A number of warmongering congressmen and generals in Afghanistan are pressing you to protract the war in Afghanistan because they seek to preserve their military privileges, but instead you must act responsibly as the fate of many Americans and Afghans alike is tied to this issue."



US Defense Secretary James Mattis has on Monday said all options for Afghanistan remained on the table, and a full withdrawal of troops is one of them. Trump is yet to announce a strategy for Afghanistan, but Mattis said one is "very, very close".

If the war can't be won with "professional US and NATO troops ... you shall never be able to win it with mercenaries, notorious contractor firms, and immoral stooges", the letter said.

Also read: Donald Trump will no longer tolerate Pakistan's support to militants

Afghanistan blast: Taliban Suicide bomber kills NATO soldier, 6 personnel injured

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
An Indian citizen has been killed in the Nepal Police firing in Pilibhit, UP. Pilibhit Superintendent of Police Jai Prakash informed the case that 3 Indians had gone to Nepal, they had a dispute with the Nepal Police and the Nepal Police started firing on Indian civilians, in which one Indian was killed.

It is learned that Govinda, a resident of Nepal Border Tilla No. 4 village located in Pilibhit, had gone to Nepal with his friends Pappu Singh and Gurmeet Singh. Govinda was killed in the encounter by Nepali police in the evening. After this news, there was a stir in the village. At the same time, it is being said that the search for the other two friends of Govinda started, but he is still missing. The SSB has been alerted on the Indo-Nepal border since the incident. In this case, Pilibhit Superintendent of Police Jai Prakash said that three Indian nationals had gone to Nepal, there was a confrontation with the Nepali police, in this encounter a young man was killed by a Nepali police shot.

According to the information so far, one of the two companions of the deceased is in Nepal, while the other has arrived in India, but both are missing, police station with SDM, CO are present at the incident site and no problem with the border. However, the force is fully alert and we are in touch with the Nepali police and administration.

Also Read:

Govt Plans To Create top-notch Storage System To Strengthen Post-Harvest Supply Chain

Income Tax raid in Tamil Nadu, 175 cr. unaccounted cash detected

Fisheries: CMFRI develops hatchery technology for high-value marine fish
New Delhi: The farmers protesting against the three Central laws at Delhi borders are also making strategies for future. They have announced series of Mahapanchayats to be held across the country including poll-bound states as one of the strategies to spread awareness about the protest.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader Rakesh Tikait will be visiting West Bengal and attend one of the Mahapanchayats there on March 13, just 14 days ahead of the polls.

Polling to 294 Assembly seats will be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29.

Source said that other farmers' leaders including Dr Darshan Pal, Yogendra Yadav and Balbir Singh Rajewal will also attend the Mahanpanchayat on March 12 while Tikait will address it on March 13.

Tikait's visit to West Bengal holds significance as the SKM recently announced that it will appeal to the people of the poll bound states to teach a lesson to the BJP against its anti-farmer and anti-poor policies.

A new review of existing evidence proposes eight hallmarks of environmental exposures that chart the biological pathways through which pollutants contribute to disease: oxidative stress and inflammation, genomic alterations and mutations, epigenetic alterations, mitochondrial dysfunction, endocrine disruption, altered intercellular communication, altered microbiome communities, and impaired nervous system function.

The study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Ludwig Maximilian University, and Hasselt University is published in the journal Cell.

"Every day we learn more about how exposure to pollutants in air, water, soil, and food is harmful to human health," says senior author Andrea Baccarelli, MD, PhD, chair of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia Mailman School. "Less understood, however, are the specific biological pathways through which these chemicals inflict damage on our bodies. In this paper, we provide a framework to understand why complex mixtures of environmental exposures bring about serious illness even at relatively modest concentrations."

We are continually exposed to a mixture of pollutants, which lead to changes in our bodies in multiple domains, from conception to old age. They govern gene expression, train and shape our immune systems, trigger physiological responses, and determine wellbeing and disease.

The paper summarizes evidence for eight hallmarks of environmental insults:

1. Oxidative stress and inflammation: When antioxidant defenses are depleted, inflammation, cell death, and organ damage occur.

2. Genomic alterations and mutations: An accumulation of DNA errors can trigger cancer and other chronic diseases.

3. Epigenetic alterations: Epigenetic changes alter the synthesis of proteins responsible for childhood development and regular function of the body.

4. Mitochondrial dysfunction: A breakdown in the cellular powerplant may interfere with human development and contribute to chronic disease.

5. Endocrine disruption: Chemicals found in our environment, food, and consumer products disrupt the regulation of hormones and contribute to disease.

6. Altered intercellular communication: Signaling receptors and other means by which cells communicate with each other, including neurotransmission, are affected.

7. Altered microbiome communities: An imbalance in the population of bacteria and other microorganisms in our body can make us susceptible to allergies and infections.

8. Impaired nervous system function. Microscopic particles in air pollution reach the brain through the olfactory nerve, and can interfere with cognition.

Not all environmental exposures are harmful. The researchers note that exposure to nature has been reported to have beneficial impacts on mental health.

These eight hallmarks are by no means comprehensive and do not capture the full complexity of the chemical and physical properties of environmental exposures, including mixtures of exposures over the short and long-term. Further research is needed to understand the complex mechanisms by which exposures affect human biology, and how altered processes interact and contribute to disease or confer health benefits, across the life course.

"We need research to expand our knowledge of disease mechanisms going beyond genetics.

Advances in biomedical technologies and data science will allow us to delineate the complex interplay of environmental insults down to the single-cell level," says Baccarelli. "This knowledge will help us develop ways to prevent and treat illness. With the serious environmental challenges like air pollution and climate change, most of all, we need strong local, national, and inter-governmental policies to ensure healthy environments."

###

The study's corresponding author is Annette Peters, PhD, director of the Institute of Epidemiology at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, and chair of epidemiology, Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Tim S. Nawrot, PhD, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium, is a co-author.

Support for the research was provided by a grant from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (874627), the Flemish Research Fund, Belgium (G048420N), and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30009089, ES025225, ES032638).
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 20:29:32|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

RIYADH, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-led coalition involved in a war in Yemen foiled on Friday an attack by Houthi militia toward the kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing a coalition spokesman.

Turki Al Maliki, the coalition spokesman, said the coalition intercepted a bomb-laden drone launched toward Khamis Mushait city in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

He revealed that the coalition destroyed at dawn four drones that targeted civilians and civilian sites.

The spokesman accused Houthis of committing war crimes.

The coalition will complete this month its sixth year of war in Yemen against the Houthi militia in support of the government of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Enditem
A former Red Oak, Iowa, insurance agent is facing felony charges related to alleged insurance fraud.

The Iowa Insurance Division said Dustin French has been charged with one count of Insurance Fraud  Presenting False Information (Class D Felony) and one count of Theft in the 2nd Degree (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Divisions Fraud Bureau.

The charges against French, a former licensed insurance producer, stem from an investigation which began in April of 2020. According to criminal complaints filed by the fraud bureau, French provided false information to his insurance company in order to obtain insurance benefits to which he was not entitled.

On March 2, 2021, French answered to the charges in Montgomery County District Court and was released on his own recognizance.

Trial will be set for a future date. No additional information will be provided at this time, the Division said. It noted that a criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Source: Iowa Insurance Division

Topics Agencies Fraud Abuse Molestation Iowa
Northern Irelands right-wing unionist parties and hardline Tory Brexiteers, with the support of loyalist paramilitary groups, are intent on breaking the Northern Ireland Protocol component of Britains European Union (EU) withdrawal agreement.

The protocol is a ramshackle and fragile compromise devised to avoid any return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It became necessary because Northern Ireland, which remains part of the UK, has left the EU. But neither the UK, the EU or the Irish government want to be seen to reimpose politically and economically ruinous border checks on the island of Ireland.

Vehicles at the port of Larne, Northern Ireland, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

A hard border risks fatally undermining the 1998 Good Friday, or Belfast, Agreement, which brought Northern Irelands decades-long Troubles to an end. Over the years since the agreement established the power-sharing arrangement between the pro-British Unionist and Irish Republican parties, led by Sinn Fein, in the Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont, the border has been transformed. The heavily militarised frontier has become near invisible, crossed thousands of times each day without impediment, reflecting the high level of integration of the economy and working population across the island.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the largest unionist party, under leader and First Minister Arlene Foster, supported and campaigned for a hard Brexit and propped up Theresa Mays Conservative government in return for cash and concessions. Boris Johnson attended the DUP conference of 2018, denouncing Mays backstop compromise with the EU, which Johnson said turned Northern Ireland into a semi-colony of the EU.

After the 2019 UK general election returned Johnson as prime minister with an increased majority, he had no need to rely on the DUP, who were unceremoniously dumped. In October 2019, Johnson made an agreement with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar behind the back of his unionist allies, to allow the minimal Brexit deal, including the protocol, a variant on Mays backstop, to be struck.

The protocol displaces external EU customs checks on trade from the North/South border into the Irish Sea, with ports in Northern Ireland and the UK functioning as the EUs external trade boundary. Johnson and Varadkar ignored the Northern Ireland Assembly, only allowing Stormont the opportunity to reverse the protocol after four years. Even this would be dependent on a simple majority, rather than the cross-community vote that would have guaranteed a DUP veto. Unionists lost their absolute majority in the assembly in 2017.

Immediately on introduction, January 1 this year, the new arrangements required complex, time-consuming and expensive checks on commerce, particularly goods vehicles, between Britain and Northern Ireland. Moreover, the checks are now the norm, rather than merely teething troubles, and impact many aspects of the Northern economy, threatening thousands of businesses and jobs.

Late January, the vaccine wars between the UK and EU prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, centred on a conflict over which contracts took precedence, saw Brussels invoke the protocols Article 16 allowing either party to bar trade in the face of serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties that are liable to persist. The EU briefly blocked vaccine exports from the continent to Northern Ireland, enraging the British and Irish governments and underscoring Northern Irelands vulnerability under the new arrangements.

The unionist parties were apoplectic. Ian Paisley Jr., DUP member of parliament for North Antrim, wailed at British government minister Michael Gove in Westminster, What did we do, to members of the benches over there, to be screwed over by this protocol?

In a letter, late last month, to Johnson, leaders of the DUP, the pro-Remain (in the EU) Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), and the Traditional Unionist Voice warned, Our unified and unalterable position is that the protocol is incapable of being reformed and must be repudiated and superseded by arrangements which fully respect Northern Irelands position as a constituent and integral part of the United Kingdom.

The unionists warned Johnson that his government would face a legal challenge unless he took immediate action to settle a new arrangement ... consistent with the Act of Union 1800, the Northern Ireland Act of 1998 and the Belfast Agreement.

That the 1800 Act of Union, still in force in Northern Ireland, should be invoked reveals the extent to which the contradictions between the modern world economy and the outmoded nation-state system are tearing at the foundations of even the most longstanding political arrangements.

The Act of Union was the British governments response to the 1798 United Irishmen rebellion, inspired by the American and French revolutions, led by Wolfe Tone. The rebellion, seeking civil, political, and religious liberty and an end to the British domination of Ireland, suffered from poor organisation and the absence of promised support from revolutionary France. It was brutally put down by British forces.

The Act of Union abolished Irelands existing parliament and cemented the rule of the wealthy Protestant Ascendancy, of which todays vastly weakened unionists are the heirs. It created the political framework for Ireland to be forcibly economically retarded over the next century, its nascent industry destroyed and the country reduced to colonial status as a source of agriculture, cheap labour, and cannon fodder for British imperialism.

That the act is still in force today points to the character of the six-county Ulster statelet that emerged from Irelands partition by Britain in 1921, after the 1916 Easter Rising and the Anglo-Irish war. Ulster, based on the six most Protestant dominated counties, was founded to maintain British control of the island and defend the interests of the Ulster capitalist class, whose then-powerful industry was closely to tied to Britain. British imperialism went to war again in 1969, fighting a decades-long dirty war against Irish republicans, on behalf of the unionist bourgeoisie, before arriving at the power-sharing Belfast Agreement, designed to create sufficient stability and cross-border connections to attract investment.

Both acts, bookending nearly two centuries of British domination of Ireland, are unraveling, a fact that is dawning belatedly on the unionists.

Other actions to follow include steps to actively oppose at every opportunity measures which undermine Northern Irelands place in the UK internal market. A petition demanding the removal of barriers to unfettered trade within the United Kingdom drew 140,000 signatures and resulted in a Westminster debate. The letter warned that the DUP would withdraw from bodies such as the North-South Ministerial Council, the main body organising cross-border co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The unionists have been supported by the European Research Group of 50 hardline Tory Brexiteer MPs in Westminster. ERG members all voted for Johnsons withdrawal agreement, but now see the EU decision to invoke Article 16 as a unique political opportunity. The ERG are calling for Johnson to trigger Article 16 and prepare legislation to ensure free trade within the UK.

An article in the Irish Times by former UUP First Minister, and one of the Belfast Agreements architects, David Trimble, stressed that, rather than protect the Belfast Agreement, the protocol, with its petty rules enforced by European Union inspectors who oversee the work of UK officials at Northern Ireland ports was pulling it apart. Trimble threatened that if the genuine grievances and resentments caused by the protocol are not addressed politically, then there is real potential for those who have engaged in past violence to take action again into their own hands.

Trimbles euphemism to past violence was a reference to the state-infiltrated loyalist paramilitary groups, responsible for hundreds of murders during the Troubles, which retain a controlling influence in some of the most oppressed working-class Protestant areas. According to the most recent Independent Reporting Commission, set up in 2017, paramilitarism on both sides of Northern Irelands political and religious divide retains thousands of signed-up members, although only a relatively small proportion of those were active.

The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC), a legal face for the banned Ulster Volunteer Force, the Ulster Defence Association, and the Red Hand Commandos, has told the Johnson government that its affiliates were temporarily withdrawing their backing for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

First Minister Foster and her deputy Nigel Dodds played the same card as Trimble. The pair met with the Loyalist Communities Council before its announcement, with Foster describing the fascistic gangs, mostly involved in drug sales and thuggery against each other and working class youth, as part of the loyalist and unionist community.

Last week, the DUPs Brexit spokesperson, Sammy Wilson, Westminster MP for East Antrim, threatened guerrilla warfare against the protocol, until the big battle opportunity comes. Northern Ireland agriculture minister, the DUPs Gordon Lyons, ordered a halt to the construction of permanent customs-checking posts in Northern Irelands ports, stopped recruiting customs staff and refused to levy charges on traders bringing goods into Northern Ireland.

The Irish bourgeois parties of Sinn Fein, the Social Democratic and Labour Party, and the Irish government have promoted the business opportunities, exploiting easy access to the EU and Britain, that the Northern Ireland Protocol offers potential investors. Neither side proposes anything to the working class other than vicious austerity and the consequence of the pandemic, equally badly handled North and South.

Loyalism and unionism are much reduced forces today. An entire generation has grown up in Northern Ireland used to free movement across the island, and across Europe. Ireland itself is riven with class divisions and with a large and cosmopolitan working population. Nevertheless, sectarian conflicts threaten to re-emerge until the working class, seeking the dismantling of British imperialisms remaining apparatus in the North and the abolition of capitalist rule across the island, as part of the struggle for the United Socialist States of Europe, comes forward to prevent it.
Despite the frowning and criticism of President Joe Biden against the no mask mandate of Texas, the local government of the state is still pushing through with their plans to allow their people not to wear a mask. But with the push of the Texas government in being 100% open once again, several businesses in the state are still going to require the wearing of a mask.

Experts have repeatedly highlighted that masks mitigate the spread and contraction of every individual from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. But the data of Texas that shows a significant decrease in the daily positive cases of COVID-19, hospitalization, and even mortality rate convinced the local government to implement the no mask mandate.

ALSO READ: No Mask Texas: Biden Blasts Abbott for 'Neanderthal Thinking' and 'Big Mistake' in Ending Mask Mandate

Texas Business

Known companies and brands will not dive into the no mask mandate, as the Texas government gave them the free will to enforce safety precautions as they see fit. Starbucks is one of the business establishments that will continue to require their customers' facemask. Yahoo! Finance mentioned a spokesperson of the coffee giant said that "Starbucks will continue to require all partners and customers to wear a mask while inside our stores - continuing with the requirement we instituted in July 2020," adding that the decision is based on the guidance from the CDC as well as other public health experts. The brand furthered that their company "will continue to make decision rooted in facts and science" as they live up to their commitment to "meeting or exceeding our public health mandate."

The Denver Channel mentioned a spokesperson from Target saying that their company is still requiring their employees and guests with masks with an exception for young children, or adults with an underlying condition. The spokesperson added that they are still going to require people who are already vaccinated to wear their masks and follow the social distancing protocols.

USA Today mentioned Dr. David Abrams, a professor of social and behavioral science from New York University, who highlighted that the right of retail stores to ask customers to leave if they are not wearing mask.

"This is a life-and-death issue. Masks, physical distance, and hand-washing are the three things we have to reduce the spread of the virus in the absence of a vaccine," Dr. Abrams said.

Other businesses require masks

Apart from Target and Starbucks, more business establishments are still requiring masks, despite the permission of the Texan government not to wear masks. According to the Denver Channel, the country's largest grocery chain, Krogers will require to wear masks until all of their frontline grocery associates will be inoculated by the COVID-19 vaccine. CVS will also join in as they said in a statement that they will be encouraging the customers without masks to wear one because they help protect themselves and those around them when they wear their masks.

USA Today added that other Texas businesses like Kohl's, Ulta, Walgreens pharmacies, Best Buy, and Macy's will also join the movement and require masks to their customers despite the no mask mandate of the State.

RELATED ARTICLE: No Mask: Texas and Mississippi Plan to Lift COVID-19 Restrictions

WATCH: Target to still require masks; HEB to 'urge' customers to wear masks - from KHOU 11
(JTA) - The heartwarming story has been hard to miss: A law professor is shopping at his local grocery store when he sees an elderly woman struggling to get her favorite jam from a high shelf. Why is it her favorite? "I am a Holocaust survivor," she says. "During the war, the family that owns the company hid my family in Paris."

Tens of thousands of people - at least - have shared the story since it began circulating on social media this weekend. It has prompted countless people to vow to buy only Bonne Maman-brand jam, whose 26 varieties are almost all kosher, in the future.

But is Bonn...
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 22:08:22|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam attends the question and answer session in the Legislative Council (LegCo) in Hong Kong, south China, Feb. 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Friday started deliberating a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The draft decision was submitted to the fourth annual session of the 13th NPC. Wang Chen, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, delivered an explanatory speech on the draft at the opening meeting of the session.





IMPERATIVE, IMPORTANCE

As an important part of the political structure of the HKSAR, its electoral system should conform to "one country, two systems," meet the realities in the HKSAR and serve to ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong," Wang said.

However, in recent years, especially after the turbulence over the amendment bill in 2019, anti-China, destabilizing forces and radical localists in Hong Kong have openly called for "Hong Kong independence." They used the electoral platforms of the HKSAR and the deliberation platforms of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and the District Councils or their position as public servants to blatantly carry out anti-China and destabilizing activities, he said.

The rioting and turbulence that occurred in the Hong Kong society reveals that the existing electoral system in the HKSAR has clear loopholes and deficiencies, which the anti-China, destabilizing elements jumped on to take into their hands the power to administer the HKSAR, he added.

Necessary measures must be taken to improve the electoral system and remove existing institutional risks to ensure the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body, Wang noted.

Only when the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" is observed can the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR be effectively implemented, the constitutional order as established by the Constitution and the Basic Law be effectively maintained, and the various deep-seated problems be effectively resolved. Only in this way can Hong Kong achieve durable stability and make its due contributions to realizing national rejuvenation, according to the senior lawmaker.

The electoral system of the HKSAR, including the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive and for the formation of the LegCo, must strictly follow and fully reflect the political principle and criterion of the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body, and provide institutional safeguards for this purpose, he said.

Hong Kong residents celebrate the passage of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Causeway Bay of south China's Hong Kong, June 30, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

OVERARCHING APPROACH

Explaining the overarching approach for improving the electoral system, Wang said the overall design of the system will be centered around the reformation and greater empowerment of the Election Committee of the HKSAR.

The size, composition and formation method of the Election Committee will be adjusted and improved. The Chief Executive will continue to be elected by the Election Committee. The Election Committee will be entrusted with the new function of electing a relatively large share of LegCo members and directly participating in the nomination of all candidates for the LegCo, he said.

Through the Election Committee, the balanced and orderly political participation will be expanded and broader representation ensured in the Hong Kong society. Relevant elements of the election will be adjusted as appropriate, and a mechanism of qualification review will be established throughout the entire process, he added.

This design is aimed to form a new democratic electoral system suited to Hong Kong's realities and with Hong Kong characteristics, Wang noted.

In order to maintain continuity and stability of relevant systems of the HKSAR, the revisions to be made this time in improving the electoral system may be limited to Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law, without revising the main body of the Basic Law.

"DECISION PLUS AMENDMENT"

After serious consideration of various factors and discussions with relevant parties, central and state authorities propose a two-step approach, namely, "decision plus amendment," according to Wang.

In the first step, the NPC, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, makes the decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, which lays out the basic principles for revising and improving the electoral system of the HKSAR as well as the core elements of such revision and improvement. Meanwhile, the NPC authorizes its standing committee to amend Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law in accordance with the decision, Wang said.

In the second step, in accordance with the Constitution, the Basic Law, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, and the NPC decision, the NPC Standing Committee amends Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, he said.

The amended Annex I and Annex II will contain specific and express provisions on the new democratic electoral system of the HKSAR. After the amendment of Annex I and Annex II at the state level is completed, the HKSAR will amend relevant local laws accordingly, he added. 
"We are truly honored to receive this recognition from the APCEA. Shanghai Electric will continue to promote the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in the future and strive to ensure the smooth construction and operation of the Thar Block-1 Integrated Mining-Power project. At the same time, we remain steadfastly committed to promoting the advancement of Pakistan's energy projects, in order to benefit more people in the local community," said Meng Donghai, CEO of Thar Coal Block-1 Power Generation Company.

The Thar Block-1 Integrated Mining-Power project ("the Project") was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic last year, which in turn affected the local community in Mithi City and the wider Sindh Province. As the project developer, Shanghai Electric swiftly responded when the Pakistani government implemented lockdown measures in March 2020, working closely with the Sindh Government to assist locals during the challenging period.

In April, the Company donated essential supplies to Pakistan's 441 Infantry Brigade to ensure the safety of the army. Shanghai Electric also donated supplies to Mithi City, and distributed protective materials, grain and oil to help local teams address food and clothing shortages in impoverished villages. Later in July, Thar Coal Block-1 Power Generation Company together with the Sino Sindh Resources Company on behalf of Shanghai Electric donated 6 million rupees to Sindh Province to found Corona Virus Emergency Fund, which aims to help the local government and community tackle the epidemic challenges.

At the same time, the Project is trying to overcome numerous difficulties and accelerated implementation, whilst ensuring compliance with pandemic prevention and control measures. The entry and opening of the main plant's steel structure was completed in July 2020, laying a solid foundation for the on-time completion of subsequent project nodes.

The national lockdown and travel restriction slowed down the construction progress of the project at the height of the pandemic in Pakistan last year. To swiftly respond to the emergency, Shanghai Electric arranged charter flights to dispatch engineers and workers to accelerate the project progress, alongside 4 tonnes of personal protective equipment, essential supplies, office supplies and emergency medicine also to on-site employees.

Over the past year, Shanghai Electric has made continuous efforts to promote local employment in Sindh Province. As of January 2021, the Project had more than 5,000 employees working on the site  over 75% of whom are local staff. Shanghai Electric organized dedicated pre-job training to help workers improve their working skills, and brought senior Chinese technicians on board to pass on their skills, knowledge and experience to locally hired workers. In October 2020, the power company held a soldering competition to encourage local welders to demonstrate their professional expertise in the spirit of pursuing perfection.

The Thar Block-1 Integrated Mining-Power Project was developed by Shanghai Electric under the Belt and Road Initiative and a priority energy cooperation project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It is also part of an effort by the Government of Pakistan to improve energy security and reduce the average cost of power generation by moving from imported fuel to local coal.

The Project is developed with an annual production capacity of 7.8 million tons of coal and features two 660-megawatt coal-fired power plants that can deliver affordable and reliable electricity for approximately 4 million Pakistani households with environment-friendly technology.

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1448851/video.mp4

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1190744/Logo.jpg

Related Links

www.shanghai-electric.com



SOURCE Shanghai Electric



Mastercard Relationship Extended to United Kingdom

Melbourne, Mar 5, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - iSignthis Ltd ( ASX:ISX ) ( FRA:TA8 ), is pleased to announce that its wholly owned UK authorised electronic money institution has been notified of a Principal Membership agreement with Mastercard International Inc ("Mastercard"), for the United Kingdom.The iSignthis group now has principal agreements with Mastercard in the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia and the United Kingdom.The extension of the relationship will allow flykk(R) branded debit Mastercards to be linked to our electronic money services, providing ATM and point of sale access for flykk(R) members.The MoneySend agreement will further allow funds to be sent to any Mastercard globally from a flykk(R) account, providing flykk(R) members a means to remit funds conveniently, quickly, and cost effectively.The Mastercard card acquiring service will complement flykk(R) and ISXPay(R) offerings to merchants in UK and will allow ISXPay(R) to provide Mastercard acquiring (authorisation and settlement) services to merchants directly.The Company is planning to rollout card Issuing and Moneysend during 2021.Materiality of the UK and Australian agreements cannot be assessed at this point in time, pending final rollouts.About iSignthis Ltd

iSignthis Ltd (ASX:ISX) (FRA:TA8) is a hybrid monetary financial institution and also a RegTech leader in remote identity verification, payment authentication with deposit taking, transactional banking and payment processing capability. iSignthis provides an end-to-end on-boarding service for merchants, with a unified payment, electronic money and identity service via our Paydentity(TM) and ISXPay(R) solutions.

By converging payments and identity, iSignthis delivers regulatory compliance to an enhanced customer due diligence standard, offering global reach to any of the world's 4.2Bn 'bank verified' card or account holders, that can be remotely on-boarded to meet the Customer Due Diligence requirements of AML regulated merchants in as little as 3 to 5 minutes. Paydentity(TM) has now onboarded and verified more than 1.5m persons to an AML KYC standard.

iSignthis Paydentity(TM) service is the trusted back office solution for regulated entities, allowing merchants to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, and focus on growing their core business. iSignthis' subsidiary, iSignthis eMoney Ltd, trades as ISXPay(R), and is an EEA authorised eMoney Monetary Financial Institution, offering card acquiring in the EEA, and Australia.

ISXPay(R) is a principal member of Mastercard Inc, Diners, Discover, (China) Union Pay International and JCB International, an American Express aggregator, and provides merchants with access to payments via alternative methods including SEPA, Poli Payments, Sofort, PRZ24 and others.

Probanx Solutions Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of iSignthis Ltd, provides API based access to CORE Banking solutions, SEPA Core, SEPA Instant and SEPA business scheme, for neobanks, banks, credit unions and emoney institutions, and provides a bridge to the Eurosystem's Central Bank of Lithuania's CENTROLink service.
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions
A court case in Spain will decide the fate of seven individuals accused of sending support to ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra, writes SANA.

The Supreme National Court in the Spanish capital, Madrid, has begun the trial of a terrorist network composed of seven individuals involved in sending weapons, military uniforms, explosives, and money to Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq.

Spanish Newspaper EL PAIS sources indicated that the leader of the terrorist network, a Syrian with Dutch nationality, used his company named Black Tiger for the trade of second-hand clothing based in the Spanish coastal city of Alicante in order to export materials to terrorists through the Turkish port of Mersin in containers camouflaged with second-hand clothes and shoes meant to be sent to refugee camps.

Security investigation sources revealed the existence of at least five shipments and dispatches to terrorist organizations with containers containing more than 20,000 military uniforms from the British army, including biological suits. The last shipment was intercepted in the port city of Valencia on Mar. 1, 2016, after the arrest of the leader of the network.

The Spanish Public Prosecution demanded prison sentences ranging from 18 to 23 years for the leader of the network and the rest of its members for committing the crimes of belonging to a terrorist organization, financing terrorism, and money laundering, among other crimes.

The Public Prosecution added to the list of accusations related to the leader of the terrorist network that by searching his tools and electronic devices, pictures were found in which he was shown in Syria carrying weapons of war with other armed individuals. He also published messages on Facebook calling for extremist ideology and support for terrorist organizations.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday (March 5) said that she will contest from Nandigram seat while releasing a list of 291 candidates that includes 50 women, 42 Muslim candidates. Mamata, however, did not decide the names on three seats of north Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee told reporters, "We have focussed on young people this time, and 27-28 seats will be given to youngsters," adding "Those above 80 years of age have been dropped in the wake of COVID-19 situation and in view Election Commission norms."

She said, "Today, we are releasing a list of 291 candidates which includes 50 women, 42 Muslim candidates. On 3 seats of north Bengal, we not putting up our candidates."

"I will contest from Nandigram, my party colleague Sovandeb Chattopadhyay will be fighting from Bhawanipore seat," she said, adding "We have given assembly poll tickets to eminent personalities From the field of arts, sports, media and culture."

The TMC supremo further said, "23-24 existing TMC MLAs have been dropped due to age and other reasons," adding "Have faith in me, only TMC can take Bengal to new heights."

Mamata also said, "After we come to power we will create Vidhan Parishad to accommodate senior and experienced leaders."

"This election is very important. Please bless me and keep faith in us. It will be my intent to make the state number 1. We have worked during Amphan too. The TMC govt will continue free food grains, free Kanyashree and Swasthya Sathi," she said.

Live TV

The ratio of seat distribution in West Bengal is Women - 50; Minority - 42; SC - 79; and ST - 17.

Earlier, TMC Election Committee held its meeting at the Kalighat residence of the Chief Minister, where top party leaders congregated to decide the names of candidates for the upcoming Assembly election.
Vehicle Sought in Mayfield Hit and Run Crash

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MAYFIELD - Authorities are asking for the public's help locating a vehicle that was involved in a hit and run Thursday that left a woman injured.The Mayfield Police Department says officers responded to a report of a crash at the intersection of West Broadway and North 15th Street.Police said a vehicle driven by 75-year-old Peggy Doran was stopped on Broadway waiting to turn onto North 15th Street when a small, white car hit the rear of her vehicle.The white vehicle then turned left onto North 15th Street and fled the scene.A passenger in Doran's vehicle, 57-year-old Susan Travis, complained of neck pain and was taken to Jackson Purchase Medical Center for treatment.Officers were unable to find the other vehicle involved in the crash. Anyone with information concerning the identity of the driver of the white vehicle is encouraged to contact the Mayfield Police Department at 270-247-1621.
We are not opposed to accountability ... in normal times, but these are anything but normal. Rather, like our colleagues across the nation, we are working diligently to get a larger portion of students back into schools for in-person instruction, working to address the social and emotional, and academic, needs of our students which includes plans to address lost opportunities, getting staff and community members vaccinated, and serving as a lifeline for so many members of our communities, the letter states. Let us focus on those priorities rather than on the logistics of testing kids.
[March 05, 2021] Promoting Win-Win-Win Collaboration, H3C Initiates Channel Kickoff 2021 in Russia

MOSCOW, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- H3C, a leader in digital solutions, held the third leg of the annual H3C Channel Kickoff 2021 in Russia, under the theme of Moving your business forward. Hundreds of local partners and industry representatives joined the virtual event. Living in an age dominated by technology, H3C takes full advantage of its digital infrastructure ability in compute, storage, networking, and security to help worldwide customers and partners drive digital transformation across diverse industries. In Russia, H3C has cooperated with nearly 100 H3C Certified Partners and Service Partners, conducted more than 100 tests, and developed over half-hundred of successful cases. "Russia is a key strategic market for us with many promising prospects. Today, Russia is in a critical period of vigorously promoting digital transformation. We look forward to bringing H3C's profound industry insights and rich experience to Russia," said Gary Huang, President of InternationalBusiness and Senior Vice President of H3C.



"Together with its partners, H3C will work to facilitate the development and interconnection of telecom, public sector, energy, transportation and other sectors, which will help boost the construction of 'Smart Cities' and 'Smart Villages' across Russia. In the next three to five years, we will continue to commit ourselves to providing higher-level digital infrastructure, overall solutions and end-to-end services for the Russian market." Russia, with its vast territory and volatile climate, has more stringent performance and reliability requirements for ICT construction. "Leveraging our continuous technological breakthroughs and well-tested experience in China, H3C looks forward to empowering carriers, government, energy, transportation, finance and other sectors to accelerate digital transformation in Russia," said Yan Kuo, Country Manager of H3C Russia.

"Since entering the Russian market in 2019, H3C has quickly established a large-scale professional local team, and reached extensive cooperation with nearly 100 well-established partners for a complete channel network. It's glad to see that we've been winning a number of projects from some top-level Russian customers, marking that we rise up into the ranks of the leading ICT companies in Russia," said Yan Kuo. "We will continue to optimize our channel strategy and strengthen relations with our partners. With the enablement of an extensive partner ecosystem, H3C will strive to unleash the full potential of intelligent digital technologies to help our partners achieve the maximum business growth." At the Channel Kickoff event, H3C also honored the 2020 Partners Awards to its Russian partners, in recognition of their innovative spirit and in-depth insights into the local market, which greatly promoted the digital transformation of the industry. Five of H3C's Russia partners received the Top Sales Elite Award, Industrial Market Development Award, Solution Sales Elite Award, Top Service Sales and Delivery Award, and lastly, the Best Collaboration Award. Upholding a "Partner First" strategy, H3C has always been striving to building an open, collaborative, and win-win-win partner ecosystem in international markets. Since the setoff in Malaysia this February, H3C Channel Kickoff 2021 has been launched in Pakistan and now "landed" in Russia. H3C will work together with overseas partners to build comprehensive digital solutions to help customers tap into the best value of digital transformation and embrace the digital future About H3C H3C is an industry leader in the provision of Digital Solutions and is committed to becoming the most trusted partner to the customers in their quest for business innovation and digital transformation. H3C offers a full portfolio of Digital Infrastructure products, spanning across compute, storage, networking, security and related domains, and provides a comprehensive one-stop digital platform that includes cloud computing, big data, interconnectivity, information security, new safety, Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G solutions, as well as end-to-end technical services. For more information about H3C, please visit http://www.h3c.com/en/ SOURCE H3C

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Mumbai, March 5 : India's key equity indices traded in the red during Friday's mid-afternoon session on the back of weak global cues which emanated from rising global bond yields.

Accordingly,the two indices had a gap down opening on account of weak global cues and high volatility.

The India VIX spiked above 25 zones signalling shakiness.

Besides, the advance decline ratio slightly tilts towards declining counters.

All sectors barring media stocks were seen trading in the negative territory. Among which, banking and metals stocks were the worst hit.

Consequently, at around 2.45 p.m. the S&P BSE Sensex fell 510.84 points, or 1 per cent, to 50,335.24 points from the previous close of 50,846.08.

The NSE Nifty50 on the National Stock Exchange closed at 14,905.00, lower by 175.75 points, or 1.17 per cent, from its previous close.

"Nifty is hovering around 15000 zone and a pause can be witnessed in the overall trend," said Jay Purohit, Technical and Derivatives Analyst, MOFSL.

"Volatile global movements have disturbed the sentiments of the market." According to Likhita Chepa, Senior Research Analyst at CapitalVia: "Markets were under the pressure due to the surge in bond yields overseas." "On the global front, Asian markets were trading mostly in red after the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell repeated his pledge to keep credit flowing until Americans are back to work." -IANS

rv/sn/ash

In recent years, therapeutic antibodies have transformed the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Now, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have developed a new, efficient method based on the genetic scissors CRISPR-Cas9, that facilitates antibody development. The discovery is published in Nature Communications.

Antibody drugs are the fastest growing class of drug, and several therapeutic antibodies are used to treat cancer. They are effective, often have few side effects and benefit from the body's own immune system by identifying foreign substances in the body. By binding to a specific target molecule on a cell, the antibody can either activate the immune system, or cause the cell to self-destruct.

However, most antibody drugs used today have been developed against an antibody target chosen beforehand. This approach is limited by the knowledge of cancer we have today and restricts the discovery of new medicines to currently known targets.

"Many antibody drugs currently target the same molecule, which is a bit limiting. Antibodies targeting new molecules could give more patients access to effective treatment", says Jenny Mattsson, doctoral student at the Department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine at Lund University.

Another route - that pharmaceutical companies would like to go down - would be to search for antibodies against cancer cells without being limited to a pre-specified target molecule. In this way, new, unexpected target molecules could be identified. The problem is that this method (so-called "phenotypic antibody development") requires that the target molecule be identified at a later stage, which has so far been technically difficult and time-consuming.

"Using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene scissors, we were able to quickly identify the target molecules for 38 of 39 test antibodies. Although we were certain that the method would be effective, we were surprised that the results would be this precise. With previous methods, it has been difficult to find the target molecule even for a single antibody", says Jenny Mattsson.

The research project is a collaboration between Lund University, BioInvent International and the Foundation for Strategic Research. The researchers' method has already been put into practical use in BioInvent's ongoing research projects.

"We believe the method can help antibody developers and hopefully contribute to the development of new antibody-based drugs in the future", concludes Professor Bjorn Nilsson, who led the project.

###
Le cabinet a pris la decision de promulguer la Contribution Sociale Generalisee (Amendment) Regulations 2021 afin de permettre les contributions des membres du parlement, des conseillers de villes et village entre autres.

Cabinet has agreed to the promulgation of the Contribution Sociale Generalisee (Amendment) Regulations 2021 which make provision for:

(a) Ministers, the Speaker and other Members of Parliament to contribute their share of Contribution Sociale Generalisee (CSG) at the rate of 3 percent of their allowances and Government at the rate of 6 percent;

(b) Councillors to a Municipal City Council, a Municipal Town Council, a District Council or a Village Council to contribute their share of CSG at the rate of

1.5 percent and their Council at the rate of 3 percent;

(c) broadening the definition of public sector employee (i.e. where the CSG contribution is borne in full by the employer) to include employees of companies specified in the First Schedule to the Statutory Bodies Pension Funds Act and employees of the Roman Catholic Education Authority (RCEA Schools); and

(d) CSG not to be payable in respect of a non-citizen employee who is not a resident under the Income Tax Act.
Just yesterday we came across a listing for Samsungs upcoming Galaxy A52 5G from a Saudi Arabia retailer. Today we have more confirmation for its imminent launch as the phones official support page is live on Samsung UAE. In addition, the Galaxy A72s support page has also gone up.



Samsung Galaxy A52 5G and A72 4G support pages

Apart from the two images, we dont get any specs of the devices. We do know from rumors that the A52 5G will offer a 6.5 Super AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 750G is touted to sit at the helm alongside 8GB RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.



Samsung Galaxy A52 5G (right) and A72 4G (left)

Other specs include a 64MP main camera alongside a 12MP ultra wide and two 5MP modules for macro shots and depth data. 4,500 mAh battery with 25W charging. Yesterdays UAE retailer listing showed a SAR 1,650 price tag for the Galaxy A52 5G, which converts to $440/365.

The Galaxy A72, which will also be available in a 5G version should offer a larger 6.7-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate (120Hz on the 5G version). The 4G model is expected to release with the Snapdragon 720G chipset while the 5G model should get an upgrade to the 750G like on the A52 5G.

Both the Galaxy A52 and A72 4G variants are expected to launch in India soon.

Source 1  Source 2 (both in Arabic) | Via (in Dutch)
Former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss says Americans are being silenced for fear of being publicly shamed or canceled.

Weiss, who departed the newspaper last year after serving as opinion staff editor and writer for three years as she accused them of bowing to criticism in Twitter, said that liberals and conservatives alike who speak out against the majority are attacked and threatened.

In an op-ed for Deseret News, Weiss said that many young writers want to publish their pieces or write their own thoughts on exams, but fear departing from the ideology of 'wokeness' pushed by a 'zealous cabal'.

'Today's taboos...are often fringe ideas pushed by a zealous cabal trying to redefine what is acceptable and what should be shunned,' Weiss wrote.

'It is a group that has control of nearly all of the institutions that produce American cultural and intellectual life: media, to be sure, but also higher education, museums, publishing houses, marketing and advertising outfits, Hollywood, K-12 education, technology companies and, increasingly, corporate human resource departments.'

In a recent op-ed, Bari Weiss criticized American culture for self-silencing young writers due to fear of being shamed if they are not 'woke enough.' She shared two emails she received, from one journalist who said she self-censors when pitching and a law student who said he censors exam answers

In her lengthy resignation later in July 2020, Weiss isaid she was departing the newspaper for capitulating to criticism and for not doing enough when she was bullied

'There are two illiberal cultures swallowing up the country,' Weiss, 36, wrote in the op-ed.

'I know because I live in blue America, in a world awash in NPR tote bags and front lawn signs proclaiming the social justice bonafides of the family inside.

'In my America, the people who keep quiet don't fear the wrath of Trump supporters. They fear the illiberal left.'

Weiss said she began to hear from people complaining about being silenced on almost daily basis after leaving The New York Times.

In her resignation letter, she said the paper did not support her when she was bullied by her colleagues.

Her letter received praise from all sides of the political spectrum includes Republican U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio; Donald Trump Jr; and former Democratic presidential candidates Andrew Yang and Marianne Williamson.

In the op-ed, Weiss sai she made the decisison to resign due to the Times' 'hostility to free speech and open inquiry'.

She also shared two emails she received from others bemoaning self-censorship.

One young journalist wrote that she was 'practicing self-censorship' when pitching to editors.

'For woke-skeptical young writers, banishment and rejection awaits if you attempt to depart, even in minor ways, from the sacred ideology of wokeness.'

Another email, from a student a law school, wrote an email to Weiss from his personal email because he was afraid of doing so from his work email.

Weiss, who joined the Times in 2017, said the paper of record was among the media institutions now betraying their standards and losing sight of their principles as she accused them of only publishing stories that 'satisfy the narrowest of audiences'

Weiss likened the U.S. to austere regimes such as the former Soviet Union and today's China

'Self-censorship is the norm, not the exception,' he wrote.

'I try to write exam answers that mirror their world view rather than presenting the best arguments I see.'

Weiss later cites a study from Cato Institute that found that up to 62 percent of Americans self-censor, with Republicans more likely than Democrats to do so - by 77 percent to 52 percent.

'Of course they are afraid. In an era when people are smeared for petty things, small grievances and differences of opinion in a supposedly liberal and tolerant environment, who would dare share that they voted for a Republican?' she asks.

Scandals that rocked the New York Times in 2020 June 7: New York Times' opinion editor, James Bennet, resigned following a controversial op-ed from Senator Tom Cotton. The opinion piece, entitled Send in the Troops, advocated using federal troops to quell unrest across the US caused by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Bennet, who had revealed in a meeting that he had not read Cotton's piece before it was posted online, had defended it following the initial protests, saying it was important to hear from all points of view. Yet more than 800 staff members signed a letter protesting its publication. Bennet then resigned from his position after the Times disowned the incendiary opinion piece. Following a review, the newspaper said Cotton's piece should not have been published, at least not without substantial revisions. July 14: One of Bennett's hires, conservative opinion editor writer Bari Weiss, announced she had quit in a scathing letter that slammed the newspaper for fostering an 'illiberal environment' that allowed her to be bullied by coworkers. Weiss, who joined the Times in 2017, said the paper of record was among the media institutions now betraying their standards and losing sight of their principles as she accused them of only publishing stories that 'satisfy the narrowest of audiences'. In her lengthy resignation letter addressed to publisher A.G. Sulzberger, Weiss claimed that intellectual curiosity and risk-taking was now a 'liability' at the Times. The controversial editor and writer said the opinions of those on Twitter had become the newspaper's 'ultimate editor'. Weiss also accused the outlet of creating a 'hostile work environment' for employees that essentially had anything other than left-of-center views. She says this mentality resulted in her being constantly bullied by coworkers who have called her a 'Nazi and a racist' because of her 'own forays into wrongthink'. Staffers had previously called for Weiss to be fired after her tweets regarding the Tom Cotton scandal. September: Trump repeatedly criticized the New York Times 1619 Project claiming it seeks to 'change our history'. Trump was asked about instructors using the project, named after the year the first ship with African slaves arrived in the U.S., to teach slavery in America and whether he wanted the subject to be taught. 'We grew up with a certain history and now they're trying to change our history. Revisionist history,' Trump claimed. Senator Cotton was also caught up in this incident, introducing legislation that would ban schools from teaching the curriculum through the Saving American History Act of 2020. Advertisement

Weiss said that from reading these emails, she likened the U.S. to austere regimes such as the former Soviet Union and today's China.

'And yet the words that we associate with closed societies - dissidents, double thinkers, blacklists - are exactly the ones that come to mind when I read the notes above,' she wrote.

'The liberal worldview that we took for granted in the West from the end of the Cold War until only a few years ago is under siege.'

Weiss said this worldview is under seige from both the far right and the far left.

On the far right, she said, there are internet conspiracy theories and politicians like newly-elected Congresswoman Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Meanwhile, on the far left, there is so-called cancel culture and asserting power by toeing the party lines.

She notes that having being born in 1984, she is of the last generation to be born before the phrase 'cancel culture' existed.

Weiss claims that at that time, the U.S. was based on a 'few foundational truths' including the belief that 'biology, birthplace, class, rank, gender, race' are not a person's 'destiny'.

'It was possible for Supreme Court justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg to be the best of friends, because, as Scalia once said, some things are more important than votes,' she writes.

'Most importantly, this worldview insisted that what bound us together was not blood or soil, but a commitment to a shared set of ideas.'

However, she claims that this 'old consensus' has no been 'run over by the new illiberal orthodoxy'.

Weiss accuses the new regime of cloaking itself in the 'language of progress' but warns others not to fall for 'its self-branding'.

'It promises revolutionary justice, but it threatens to drag us back into the mean of history, in which we are pitted against one another according to tribe,' she claims.

The writer also accuse this new movement of 'tearing down' others through 'public shaming', 'punishment', 'vengeance' and 'conformity' with no forgiveness or mercy.

'According to the new illiberalism, the past cannot be understood on its own terms, but must be judged through the morals and mores of the present.' she writes, as she blasts the cancelation of historical authors and the tearing down of statues of Presidents Lincoln and Washington.

'In this ideology, if you do not tweet the right tweet or share the right slogan or post the right motto and visual on Instagram, your whole life can be ruined,' Weiss also claims, citing examples of people being fired and suspended when bosses surrendered to 'lunacy' around complaints about them.

'In this ideology, you are guilty for the sins of your father. In other words: you are not you. You are only a mere avatar of your race or your religion,' she adds.

'Perhaps most importantly, in this ideology, speech  the way that we resolve conflict in a civilized society  can be violence, yet violence, when carried out by the right people in pursuit of a just cause, is not violence at all.'

Weiss then returns to the lead up to her resignation from the Times last summer weeks after the paper was criticized for publishing an op-ed from Senator Tom Cotton that called for the Nation Guard to be used against violent rioting sparked by the Black Lives Matter protests.

She hits out at the Times and claims that it cannot call itself the 'paper of record and ignore the views of half of the country'.

Continuing, she says that she does not believe the people who join this 'illiberal' idealogy 'lack intellect' or are 'snowflakes' but that 'people join things that make them feel good, that give them meaning, that provide them with a sense of belonging'.

'The rise of this movement has taken place against the backdrop of major changes in American life,' Weiss admits, placing blame with the likes of the loss of religion, opioid crisis, and the rise of Big Tech.

'It has taken place against the backdrop in which the American dream has felt like a punchline, the inequalities of our supposedly fair, liberal meritocracy are clearly rigged in favor of some people and against others.'

Weiss resigned from the Times following a controversial op-ed from Senator Tom Cotton (pictured) last June. She supported the publication of the article but the Times pulled it back

She claims that all these problems and more must be faced if 'we want our bright young minds to reject this worldview'.

'It is our duty to resist the crowd in this age of mob thinking. It is our duty to speak truth in an age of lies. It is our duty to think freely in an age of conformity,' she concludes.

'Keeping the spirit of liberty alive in an age of creeping illiberalism is nothing less than our moral obligation. Everything depends on it.'

Weiss resigned from the New York Times on July 14 last year, annoucing that she had quit in a scathing letter that slammed the newspaper for fostering an 'illiberal environment' that allowed her to be bullied by coworkers.

The conservative, who joined the Times in 2017, said the paper of record was among the media institutions now betraying their standards and losing sight of their principles as she accused them of only publishing stories that 'satisfy the narrowest of audiences'.

In her lengthy resignation letter addressed to publisher A.G. Sulzberger, Weiss claimed that intellectual curiosity and risk-taking was now a 'liability' at the Times.

The controversial editor and writer said the opinions of those on Twitter had become the newspaper's 'ultimate editor'.

Weiss also accused the outlet of creating a 'hostile work environment' for employees that essentially had anything other than left-of-center views.

She says this mentality resulted in her being constantly bullied by coworkers who have called her a 'Nazi and a racist' because of her 'own forays into wrongthink'.

Staffers had previously called for Weiss to be fired after her tweets regarding the Tom Cotton scandal.

Her resignation came just over a month after New York Times' opinion editor, James Bennet, resigned over the Cotton op-ed.

The opinion piece, entitled Send in the Troops, advocated using federal troops to quell unrest across the US caused by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

Bennet, who had revealed in a meeting that he had not read Cotton's piece before it was posted online, had defended it following the initial protests, saying it was important to hear from all points of view.

Yet more than 800 staff members signed a letter protesting its publication.

Bennet then resigned from his position after the Times disowned the incendiary opinion piece.

Following a review, the newspaper said Cotton's piece should not have been published, at least not without substantial revisions.

Earlier this year, the newspaper was also forced to admit that its hit podcast Caliphate had fallen far short of its editorial standards after the production team was duped by a fantasist.

It was forced to pull back a main storyline from the podcast after it emerged the subject had been lying about being an ISI executioner in Syria.
China will suffer repercussions for its human rights abuses, President Biden warned at a CNN town hall event last month. But beyond pledging public rebukes, he said little on what repercussions he means.

Bidens reticence might be nothing more than the difficulty of talk[ing] China policy in 10 minutes on television, as he joked at the town hall. Or it might be the fact that the United States has very few realistic options here. Yet there is one option Biden can and should pursue immediately: welcoming the Uighurs, Hong Kongers, and others fleeing Beijings oppression to America as asylum seekers and refugees.

The president has undoubtedly considered this option. In a statement for World Refugee Day last summer, he promised to work with our allies and partners to stand against Chinas assault on Hong Kongs freedoms and mass detention and repression of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities and support a pathway for those persecuted to find safe haven in the United States and other nations. That sounds like openness to imitating the United Kingdoms citizenship program for select Hong Kongers, which is expected to bring about 300,000 people from the former British colony to the UK in the next five years. Yet in the CNN town hall, Biden explicitly delineated the China conversation from an immediately preceding discussion of refugee admissions. Hed spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the Uighurs, Biden said, which is not so much [about] refugee[s].

But it could be, and Christians should hope Biden will select safe haven as a unique tool for responding to Beijings abuses. Its a wise choice in terms of practical politics and scriptural principles alike.

The political reality is this: It is easy to speak of repercussions for Chinas general authoritarianism, its crackdowns in Hong Kong, and its genocidal treatment of the Uighur people, reportedly including forced abortions, rape, brainwashing, concentration camps, and more. It is far harder to devise US-imposed repercussions that meet three vital criteria: (1) not harming innocents; (2) not generating unacceptable risk of great power conflict extending, in the improbable but not impossible worst-case scenario, to nuclear war; and (3) actually changing the Chinese governments behavior.

Offering refuge to people fleeing Beijings brutality is quite different. Its a repercussion without confrontation.

Consider the usual options. Diplomatic pressure and the rebukes Biden mentioned are good, but theyll probably change fairly little. Thats not because diplomacy is ineffective but because in Beijings perspective, authoritarianism is a core national interest. Sanctions usually meet criteria 2, but they often do great harm to civilians who cant affect their governments actions. Moreover, sanctions record of changing targets behavior is stunningly poor. (One significant study of 85 sanctions on regimes found just four successes and concluded they are not likely to achieve major foreign policy goals.) Escalate economic punishment enough or threaten military repercussions, and wed court catastrophic war between the worlds two most powerful militaries. War would neither reduce suffering nor tone down Beijing.

Offering refuge to people fleeing Beijings brutality is quite different. Its a repercussion without confrontation. It doesnt harm innocents or threaten war. If the outflow of citizens were great enough, especially from Hong Kongs finance community, it might eventually induce Beijing to reduce its subjects impetus to flee. The US almost certainly cant coerce Chinas domestic policy. But we can give Hong Kongers, Uighurs, and other victims of the Chinese government a haven here if they want it. (We may even be able to do it with comparative political ease. A bill for a small-scale version of this idea nearly passed last year with broad bipartisan support.)

Article continues below

There is a wealth of scriptural support for welcoming the oppressed and persecuted to come make a new life for themselves in peace, security, and freedom. Giving sanctuary to Uighurs and Hong Kongers is a way to love those who are foreigners (Deut. 10:19), invite in the stranger and care for the least of these (Matt. 25:35, 40), look after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27), and love our neighbors as ourselves. (If Washington governed like Beijing, we too might want someplace to run!)

For regular CT readers, these biblical arguments will be familiar. But theres another scriptural congruity I see that comes less from commands of hospitality and more from our general call as Christians to follow Jesus in self-sacrificial love (Eph. 5:12).

There are good reasons to think welcoming Chinese refugees would benefit the United States, including economic ones. Yet settling refugees can be difficult and costly. It might seem like this proposal requires us to deal with something thats not our problem. But to the extent it gives us an opportunity to imitate Christ by putting others interests ahead of our own, in making their problems ours (Phil. 2:34), we can exude the very characteristic of Christlike love. As we read in 1 John 3:16, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Then theres the Good Samaritan. Our focus when reading this parable (Luke 10:3037) tends toward crossing lines of national animosity, but the Samaritan also helped with a problem hed neither caused nor suffered and couldnt, in a larger sense, hope to solve. He had no way to make the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho a safer place. He couldnt ensure no one would be robbed and beaten there again. He did have a way to help the injured man he encountered, though, and he did so at cost to himself.

We can do the same here. There is no clear path to ending the Chinese governments abuses, certainly not at US behest. But Washington can open US doors to Hong Kongers, Uighurs, and other persecuted people in China, and the American church can stand ready to welcome and serve them when they come.

Bonnie Kristian is a columnist at Christianity Today.

[ This article is also available in espanol, , and . ]

Ireland's economy boomed in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic, with the country seeing growth off the back of increased pharmaceutical and IT exports.

Ireland bucked the trend of global coronavirus-driven downturns, as the eurozone member enjoyed a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.4 percent in 2020, finance minister Paschal Donohoe revealed.

The country fared better than bigger eurozone economies Germany and France, which plunged into recessions last year as Covid shut down the global economy.

Donohoe described the GDP growth as 'remarkable', adding it 'is entirely a result of the growth in exports' that were boosted by the pandemic.

Despite a slowdown in global demand, Irish exports grew 6.25 percent last year, according to figures from the country's finance ministry.

Ireland's finance minister Paschal Donohoe (pictured on February 22) said the country bucked the trend of global coronavirus-driven downturns, as the eurozone member enjoyed a Gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.4 percent in 2020

'The pharma and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) sectors recorded extraordinary export growth, driven by blockbuster immunological drugs, Covid-related products, and the shift to home-working,' Donohoe said.

Ireland's multinational export sector has a warping effect on the headline GDP figure of the nation - home to five million people.

Modified domestic demand - a figure that strips out the effects of multinationals - registered a 5.4-percent slump in 2020.

Donohoe said it is 'a figure much closer to the typical fall across advanced economies'.

The Irish finance ministry said there had been a 'two-speed impact of the pandemic' on the economy as multinational corporations drove the highest level of exports on record.

Meanwhile domestic activities are 'bearing the brunt' and 'indigenous exports' of food and drink slumped, according to Donohoe.

Despite a slowdown in global demand, Irish exports grew 6.25 percent last year, according to figures from the country's finance ministry. Pictured: Freight and HGV trucks, including Amazon-branded ones, are pictured on the quayside at the port of Rosslare Harbour in Rosslare, southeast Ireland in January 2021

He pledged the government will 'continue to cushion, in as much as possible, the contraction in private-sector demand' before attempting 'to balance the books'.

The minister said more than one million people in Ireland are receiving state-income supports as 'the labour market has been turned on its head'.

In a speech, Donohoe said job losses had been concentrated in public-facing sectors with the harshest levels of unemployment among young workers.

Ireland has unveiled a 2021 budget package with additional spending of more than 17.75 billion euros, as the nation deals also with fallout from Brexit.

Ireland has suffered 4,396 deaths from the coronavirus, according to latest official figures, and its third lockdown is due to last until at least next month.

After navigating two previous waves of the pandemic with low case and death figures, the virus surged at the start of the year.

In early January, the nation had the highest infection rate per capita in the world, according to Oxford University data.

But Ireland's multinational export sector has a warping effect on the headline GDP figure of the nation - home to five million people. Modified domestic demand - a figure that strips out the effects of multinationals - registered a 5.4-percent slump in 2020. Pictured: A woman walks past a boarded up bar in Dublin amid the coronavirus pandemic

Ireland has said it is to administer some 84,000 Covid-19 vaccines next week, falling short of its weekly target because of ongoing supply issues.

The health service has struggled to ramp up its rollout of the vaccine after manufacturer AstraZeneca said there will be a shortfall of 75,000 doses of the vaccine over two weeks.

The company told HSE bosses that supplies will be made up by the end of the month.

The Government said that 100,000 vaccines would be delivered each week but those figures have been revised downwards to around 82,000 weekly.

HSE Chief Clinical Officer Colm Henry said that the vast majority of over 85-year-olds will be vaccinated by Sunday.

He said between 600 and 800 will be completed next week.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
MEDINA, Ohio -- One hundred and thirteen years ago, on March 4, 1908, a tragic fire consumed the Lakeview School in Collinwood Village, now a part of the city of Cleveland.

In what is often referred to as the Collinwood school fire, 172 children, two teachers and one rescuer were killed. At least one of the children had close ties to family in Medina.

Nine-year-old Dorothy Lillian Hart was the daughter of Bessie Depew Hart and Rollin Hart. In 1908, the family lived in Collinwood, where Mr. Hart worked for the YWCA and Dorothy attended the Lakeview School.

Dorothys maternal grandparents were Abram and Angie Depew of Medina. Following her death, Dorothy was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Medina.

Ann Wise of Wadsworth sorts through some of the little-girl treasures once owned by Dorothy Hart, who died in the Collinwood school fire in 1908. Wise's father, Roger Graham, has donated the box of treasures to the Medina County Historical Society. (Mary Jane Brewer, special to cleveland.com)

Recently, Ann Wise of Wadsworth contacted the Medina County Historical Society to ask if the society would be interested in preserving and displaying a small treasure box that had belonged to Dorothy.

Wises father, Roger Graham, had been given the box by his mother, Velma Graham, more than 50 years ago. Velma Graham had acted as caregiver to Dorothys mother when she became an invalid.

Roger Graham carefully stored the treasure box, but felt it had historical significance and should go to a group that would help to preserve the history of the fire and the Hart family. The historical society gladly accepted the responsibility.

The fabric-covered box -- an approximately 18-inch cube -- holds a variety of young girls treasures: doll clothes, leather gloves, two pairs of shoes, rulers, two small doll chairs, a sewing kit, crayons, a cloth doily, a doll blanket and quilt, and scraps of fabric.

This is one of more than 100 sympathy notes that were kept in Dorothy Hart's treasure box after her death in the Collinwood school fire in 1908. (Mary Jane Brewer, special to cleveland.com)

After Dorothys death, someone placed more than 100 sympathy notes in the box. One of the notes said that Rollin Hart was the first person to look for a child among the dead and that he searched through 133 bodies before he identified Dorothy by her clothing.

According to the Medina Gazette on March 6, 1908: One of the victims of the horrible Collinwood school fire was Dorothy Hart, the 9-year-old daughter and only child of Mr. and Mrs. Rollin Hart. Mrs. Hart, formerly Miss Bessie Depew of York, has many friends and relatives in this community who deeply mourn with her in her terrible affliction.

Just how the little Hart girl came to her pitiful end will probably never be known to her heart-broken parents. The little body, cold in death, was found and recognized by the parents Wednesday afternoon among the long rows of dead laid out in the railroad shops near the burned school building.

The funeral will be held today in Collinwood, after which the body will be brought to Medina and brief services held at the vault in Spring Grove Cemetery.

Nine-year-old Dorothy Lillian Hart is buried in Medina's Spring Grove Cemetery. (Mary Jane Brewer, special to cleveland.com)

The following Friday, the Gazette reported on safety changes made by the Medina Board of Education following the fire: The board has made a thorough inspection of Medinas public school buildings and has decided to make some very material changes to eliminate the possibility of a repetition of such a terrible loss of life in case either of the school buildings of this village should catch fire.

The two buildings the newspaper was referring to were the Medina Primary School, which stood on North Broadway Street where the Medina County administration building now stands, and Lincoln High School on the corner of Broadway and Smith Road.

These alterations are to be begun at once and, when completed, will result in every room in both buildings having an exit other than through the hallways. In every one of the first-floor rooms, a window is to be cut to the floor and iron steps built from the window to the ground. A fire escape will be erected on the south side of the high school and two on the north side, thus affording a means of exit for all the second-story rooms, the article noted.

The furnace room is to be ceiled with metal lath and metal doors into this room will be substituted for those now in use, thus rendering the furnace room practically fire proof. The basement doors at the new school building were found to open inward and these will at once be changed to open outward. New fire extinguishers have been ordered, as it was found that the ones now in the buildings are no good.

The board also recommended that fire drills be held on an average of at least twice a month and, until the pupils become accustomed to getting out of the building, even oftener. These drills will be given at irregular intervals and the pupils will not know they are coming until the fire gong is sounded.

The Medina County Historical Society will display the Dorothy Hart artifacts in either the John Smart House or the McDowell-Phillips house for the public to view.

Read more from the Medina Sun.
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Nomar Mazara has been cleared and is almost ready to play.

The free-agent outfielder signed by the Detroit Tigers three weeks ago is one of several players whose arrival in camp has been delayed by travel and visa issues or the stricter requirements of the medical intake process.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Mazara took live batting practice and worked out on the backfields on Thursday; he could play in a Grapefruit League game this weekend.

Hes in great shape, Hinch said.

Mazara is coming off a bumpy 2020 campaign with the Sox after hitting at least 19 home runs in each of his first four seasons in the big leagues with the Rangers.

The 25-year-old left-hander is expected to play on a semi-regular basis in the Tigers outfield.

A handful of other significant players are in the United States but have yet to complete the intake process, including first baseman Renato Nunez and outfielder Victor Reyes.

At last report, second baseman Jonathan Schoop had not even arrived in the country.

Hes one of two prominent players from Curacao tied up with visa issues. (The other is Twins shortstop Andrelton Simmons).

Finally, the arrival of reliever Wily Peralta, a non-roster invitee, is also being significantly delayed in the Dominican Republic.

There are two other players who havent participated in games to this point: Starting pitcher Michael Fulmer returned home to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. That means he must go through the intake process again upon returning. If he does so successfully, he will pitch on Saturday.

Rony Garcia, a Rule 5 Draft pick in 2020, is recovering after undergoing an appendectomy and is expected to pitch very little if at all this spring.

Tigers minor-league shortstop Zack Short was hit by a pitch in the helmet on Thursday. He was checked for concussion symptoms by the teams medical staff and was given a clean bill of health.
DUBLIN, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "2021 Organic Seed Market - Size, Share, COVID Impact Analysis and Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides comprehensive research with in-depth data and contemporary analysis of Organic Seed Market at a global, regional and key country level, split by different sub-segments of the industry. The report presents growth projections in the Organic Seed Market between 2021 and 2027 for companies operating across different types, applications, and end-user verticals.



Organic Seed Market is quickly reaching its pre-COVID levels and a healthy growth rate is expected over the forecast period driven by the V-shaped recovery in most of the developing nations.



Key strategies of companies operating in Organic Seed Market Industry are identified as showcasing their contactless manufacturing and delivery methods, highlighting USP statements, focus on product packaging, and increased the presence of products on online platforms.



The food industry is set to experience a few changes in 2021 due to the increased consciousness of consumers in selecting food. This inclination towards sustainable, regenerative, plant-based food and demand for foods and beverages with immunity-boosting ingredients is driving the demand for these products and their constituents. Do It Yourself (DIY) trend has seen huge momentum during Corona times and is expected to continue in 2021.



Considering the rapidly changing market landscape, companies are changing their perspectives on expanding beyond traditional markets. In addition to focusing on widening applications, introducing new product portfolios, most food and beverage companies are planning to capture domestic and international markets.



Fast pace recovery of developing economies leading to increased disposable income will support the Organic Seed Market demand between 2021 and 2027.



Lockdowns across the globe in 2020 and continuing restrictions in 2021 disrupted the supply chain posing challenges for manufactures in the Organic Seed Market. Intense competition, pricing issues, and shifting consumer preferences will continue to put pressure on vendors' profit margins.



Short-term and long-term trends affecting the market landscape are included in the research. Further, market drivers, restraints, and potential opportunities are also provided in the report.



The Organic Seed report computes the 2020 market value in revenue terms based on the average Organic Seed prices and sales/revenue models of key companies operating in the Organic Seed Market Industry. The study forecasts the market size to 2027 for different types of Organic Seed and provides respective market share and growth rates.



The study discusses technological innovations and the potential shift in demand among various products in the Organic Seed Market, over the forecast period. The leading five companies in the Organic Seed Market Industry together with their products, key strategies, and comparisons are provided.



The Organic Seed Market size, share, and outlook across different types and applications are provided at geographic levels of North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East Africa, South and Central America. Further, country-level Organic Seed Market value is also provided.



All recent developments in Organic Seed Market Industry including mergers, acquisitions, contract awards, licenses, product launches, and expansion plans are included in the report.

Base Year - 2020; Forecast period: 2021 - 2027

Publication frequency - Every six months

Research Methodology - Data triangulation with top-down and Bottom-up approach are used for market size

Scope of the Report

Global Organic Seed Market Industry size, 2020-2027

Market trends, drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Porter's Five forces analysis

Types of Organic Seed, 2020-2027

Organic Seed applications and end-user verticals market size, 2020-2027

Organic Seed Market size across countries, 2020-2027

5 leading companies in the industry - overview, key strategies, financials, and products

Latest market news and developments

Key Topics Covered:



1. Table of Contents



2. Organic Seed Market Latest Trends, Drivers and Challenges, 2020 -2027

2.1 Organic Seed Market Overview

2.2 Post COVID Strategies of Leading Organic Seed Companies

2.3 Organic Seed Market Insights, 2021-2027

2.3.1 Leading Organic Seed types, 2021-2027

2.3.2 Leading Organic Seed End-User industries, 2021-2027

2.3.3 Fast-Growing countries for Organic Seed sales, 2021-2027

2.4 Organic Seed Market Drivers and Restraints

2.4.1 Organic Seed Demand Drivers to 2027

2.4.2 Organic Seed Challenges to 2027

2.5 Organic Seed Market-Five Forces Analysis

2.5.1 Organic Seed Industry Attractiveness Index, 2020

2.5.2 Threat of New Entrants

2.5.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

2.5.4 Bargaining Power of Buyers

2.5.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

2.5.6 Threat of Substitutes



3. Global Organic Seed Market Value, Market Share, and Forecast to 2027

3.1 Global Organic Seed Market Overview, 2020

3.2 Global Organic Seed Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

3.3 Global Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

3.4 Global Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

3.5 Global Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Region, 2021-2027



4. Asia Pacific Organic Seed Market Value, Market Share and Forecast to 2027

4.1 Asia Pacific Organic Seed Market Overview, 2020

4.2 Asia Pacific Organic Seed Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

4.3 Asia Pacific Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

4.4 Asia Pacific Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

4.5 Asia Pacific Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

4.6 Key Companies in Asia Pacific Organic Seed Market



5. Europe Organic Seed Market Value, Market Share, and Forecast to 2027

5.1 Europe Organic Seed Market Overview, 2020

5.2 Europe Organic Seed Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

5.3 Europe Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

5.4 Europe Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

5.5 Europe Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

5.6 Key Companies in Europe Organic Seed Market



6. North America Organic Seed Market Value, Market Share and Forecast to 2027

6.1 North America Organic Seed Market Overview, 2020

6.2 North America Organic Seed Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

6.3 North America Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

6.4 North America Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

6.5 North America Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

6.6 Key Companies in North America Organic Seed Market



7. South and Central America Organic Seed Market Value, Market Share and Forecast to 2027

7.1 South and Central America Organic Seed Market Overview, 2020

7.2 South and Central America Organic Seed Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

7.3 South and Central America Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

7.4 South and Central America Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

7.5 South and Central America Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

7.6 Key Companies in South and Central America Organic Seed Market



8. Middle East Africa Organic Seed Market Value, Market Share and Forecast to 2027

8.1 Middle East Africa Organic Seed Market Overview, 2020

8.2 Middle East and Africa Organic Seed Market Revenue and Forecast, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

8.3 Middle East Africa Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Type, 2021-2027

8.4 Middle East Africa Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by End-User, 2021-2027

8.5 Middle East Africa Organic Seed Market Size and Share Outlook by Country, 2021-2027

8.6 Key Companies in Middle East Africa Organic Seed Market



9. Organic Seed Market Structure

9.1 Key Players

9.2 Organic Seed Companies - Key Strategies and Financial Analysis

9.2.1 Snapshot

9.2.2 Business Description

9.2.3 Products and Services

9.2.4 Financial Analysis



10. Organic Seed Industry Recent Developments



11 Appendix

11.1 Publisher Expertise

11.2 Research Methodology

11.3 Annual Subscription Plans

11.4 Contact Information

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lq35lx



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com



Stormont lit up in red overnight to mark Remembrance Sunday in 2017, Unionist parties have been calling for the building to be similarly lit up for European Victims of Terrorism Day on March 11.

Sinn Fein have been criticised after vetoing an application to light up Parliament Buildings in memory of terror victims.

Calls had been made for the building to be illuminated for European Victims of Terrorism Day on March 11.

But Sinn Fein said the proposal fell outside current guidelines.

The plan was put forward by victims group the South-East Fermanagh Foundation and sponsored by TUV MLA Jim Allister, but was rejected by the Assembly Commission after Sinn Fein objected.

TUV leader Jim Allister hit out at the appalling decision to block the lighting of Stormont.

This persistence in again slighting the innocent victims of terrorism is appalling.

Having failed to deliver on a pension for victims Stormont has now failed to deliver so much as a simple lighting of the building for one day, he said.

The simple act of acknowledging, at no cost to the public, the hurt and sacrifice of countless victims in Northern Ireland and further afield was too much to ask.

DUP MLA Mervyn Storey said the decision was narrow-minded and disgraceful

Victims come from all faiths and none and deserve to be respected. For Sinn Fein to veto this act of respect and acknowledgement of suffering in inhumane, ill-mannered and downright ignorant, he said.

We support the application to light the building on 11th March and trust other parties will join with us in standing up to this narrow-minded and disgraceful approach by republicans.

It is this kind of behaviour which also required the courts to force the SF Deputy First Minister to put in place a pension for innocent victims.

Responding, South Down Sinn Fein MLA Sinead Ennis said: The Assembly Building is currently lit up on four occasions a year.

Other requests are processed in line with an Assembly Commission criteria agreed 20 years ago. That criteria is outdated and outmoded.

Sinn Fein has proposed an inclusive lighting policy reflective of the wide diversity of our society, which would be open to health and charity campaigns which have sadly fallen outside the current criteria.

An Assembly spokesperson said: The Assembly Commission considered the request and was unable to reach a consensus decision as required by the Commissions special lighting policy.




When people go in for their flu shots, they dont normally know which company made the vaccine. But these days it is hard to find anyone who is not familiar with the brand name of their Covid-19 jabs. In fact, some individuals even have strong preferences about which one theyd like to get.

For them, there is some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that they dont get to choose. The vaccination process is not so much an individual act as a collective strategy to protect the entire population  particularly its most vulnerable members.

The good news is that, out of the currently available vaccines  in Europe and Canada these are Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca, while the United States is administering the first two and has recently authorized the Janssen shots from Johnson & Johnson  it is not possible to say that one is clearly better than the other. At least not at this point in time. As the epidemiologist Carlos Alvarez puts it: The best vaccine is the one that reaches my arm first.

Experts insist that the most sensible thing to do, for personal and collective protection, is for everyone to take whichever vaccine they are assigned, as soon as possible

First of all, its important to define what we mean by better. A one-dose vaccine would be better than a two-dose treatment. A vaccine that could be taken orally would be better than one requiring a jab. Doses that could be kept at room temperature would be better than those requiring ultra-cold conditions. A vaccine that prevented infection of any kind would be better than one that only prevents symptoms, but then again it is more practical to have a vaccine that eliminates the possibility of severe illness and death than one that is just highly efficient against mild forms of Covid-19. A vaccine tested on people of all ages would be preferable to one that has only been tried with certain groups, although for the latter both might be just as good.

For now, there is no vaccine that gets top scores in all of these categories. Each one has its own set of characteristics that have been assessed at different clinical trials, making them difficult to compare.

Perhaps one day, one vaccine will prove to be much better than all the rest. And perhaps there will be enough doses for everyone. But that is not the case today. And so experts insist that the most sensible thing to do, for personal and collective protection, is for everyone to take whichever vaccine they are assigned, as soon as possible.

A health worker holds up a box of the Moderna vaccine in a hospital in Palma de Mallorca. CATI CLADERA / EFE

We dont have enough data to establish that the three vaccines we have  or four, including Janssen  are any different in terms of efficacy, says Federico Martiron, head of pediatrics at Clinico Universitario Hospital in Santiago de Compostela, in Spains northwestern region of Galicia. Not only is each study different  these are still underway. The results were frozen in time in order to send the data to the regulatory agencies [once the vaccines were proven to be safe and effective], but the studies are ongoing.

Martiron uses the AstraZeneca vaccine as an example: a month after sending in the data to the European Medicines Agency, the vaccines efficacy had risen from 59% to 70%. But even these figures are not so easy to interpret. Thats what the headlines say, but if we take a closer look at the confidence intervals, we see that efficacy is really quite similar for all the vaccines, he says. In other words, because of the statistical margins, if clinical trials were done all over again, these efficacy rates could easily coincide across all available treatments.

Public Health Scotland conducted a study based on 1.1 million people, half of whom received the AstraZeneca vaccine while the other half got the Pfizer shots, and concluded that protection levels were similar in both cases. Five weeks after receiving the first dose, the risk of hospitalization dropped 94% with the AstraZeneca vaccine and 85% with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, compared with unvaccinated people. In people 80 and over, the risk dropped by 95% with the AstraZeneca shots and 81% with Pfizer-BioNTech. These figures have yet to be peer reviewed and published in a scientific journal.

Isabel Sola, a virologist at the National Biotechnology Center of Spains National Research Council (CSIC), believes that during Phase 4 of massive vaccine distribution it will be possible to obtain much more realistic results, and adjust the vaccination campaign accordingly to assign the most appropriate doses to each target group.

But in the meantime, we cannot give up on administering the vaccines that have already been authorized, all of which have an efficacy of more than 60%, she notes. Right now the priority is to extend vaccination as quickly as possible to stop the virus in its tracks. The more it circulates, the more opportunities it has to morph and evade vaccine immunity.

Health workers administering the Pfizer vaccine at CAP d'Horta Hospital in Barcelona. Enric Fontcuberta / EFE

Some better than others

So is it possible that some vaccines are indeed better than others? Yes, of course, because they use very different systems, but we still cant know for sure because there isnt enough data. The important thing is that all approved vaccines are safe and work very satisfactorily, says Jose Jimenez, a researcher at the Department of Infectious Diseases at Kings College London.

The thing is that people are used to shopping around for the best: for instance theyll want a cellphone with a screen thats half an inch bigger or a battery that lasts a little longer, he adds. But thats not the way it works with vaccines, among other things because there arent enough for everyone. Besides, its been shown that all the approved ones are safe and efficient at preventing severe forms of the disease and deaths, which is really the main thing.

Yet personal preferences are turning into something of a problem in some countries. In Germany, widespread rejection among the public of the AstraZeneca vaccine means that thousands of vials are sitting unused, and only a quarter of available doses have been administered. In Spain, administration of this particular vaccine is also lagging behind the other two, but thats mainly due to organizational problems.

In Spain, only 2% of people who were offered a vaccine have rejected it, according to figures provided last week by Silvia Calzon, the secretary of state for health. This percentage also includes individuals who could not be vaccinated for medical reasons.

The problem is that some people look at vaccination from an individual viewpoint. But you have no right to demand maximum certainty if you are not in a maximum-risk group Josep Lobera, expert advising the government on vaccination protocols

Still, there are a few minority groups who prefer the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines over AstraZeneca. This is partly because early studies showed lower efficacy, and partly because of a clinical trial in South Africa that was halted due to its poor performance against the variant first detected in that country. The messenger RNA vaccines [Pfizer and Moderna] showed a much smaller drop in efficacy, but that was in in vitro trials  we havent seen how they behave in the real world, notes Martiron.

In any case, the World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending the AstraZeneca vaccine in all contexts and for all age groups. Alejandro Cravioto, president of an expert committee advising the WHO on Covid-19 vaccines, said that there is indirect evidence that it prevents the most severe forms of the disease regardless of the variant. But this cannot yet be positively stated, as samples are too small to provide solid evidence.

It also doesnt help that many European countries, Spain included, are not recommending the AstraZeneca vaccine for people over 55 years of age, despite statements to the contrary by the WHO, the European Medicines Agency and the UK. The decision to restrict its use to the younger population was based on the fact that there is insufficient data to determine with certainty that it would be effective on the older population. But more recent numbers are seeing Spain and other European countries reconsider their position. France and Germany have already gone back on their initial stance, although Thomas Mertens, president of Germanys advisory committee, last week admitted that the countrys original decision contributed to giving the AstraZeneca vaccine a bad image. Elvis Garcia, who holds a PhD in epidemiology from Harvard University, agrees: Introducing messages of doubt about a vaccine that has been shown to be effective is incomprehensible. It is another major mistake in the political  not medical  management of this pandemic, he says.

The problem is that some people look at vaccination from an individual viewpoint, says Josep Lobera, a sociologist who is part of a group that advises the Spanish government on the national vaccination protocol. But you have no right to demand maximum certainty if you are not in a maximum-risk group.

This view is shared by Ignacio Rosell, member of the expert coronavirus committee for the regional government of Castilla y Leon: The goal is for all of us to be vaccinated as soon as possible, which means quickly using all the vaccines reaching the priority groups in the correct order.

The internist Miguel Marcos illustrates the difference between existing vaccines with the following story: Lets imagine that were in a horror movie and we are being chased by a bunch of zombies. We reach a village where theres bicycles and cars, but not enough for everyone. If we manage to do things in an orderly manner, then the most reasonable thing to do is for the cars to be used by those who cannot walk fast (the elderly), those who can drive (logical) or those who can bring more cars to aid this group or other groups. And the logical thing would be for the bikes to be used by those who can pedal and escape from the zombies. This would be the AstraZeneca vaccine: less effective against Covid-19, but without severe cases in clinical trials.

Rosell adds some nuance to this story: Perhaps what we take to be bikes are in fact motorcycles.

English version by Susana Urra.
The FBI arrested a former Trump political appointee Thursday, charging the former State Department aide with multiple felony counts for participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. The 42-year-old Federico Klein was still an employee of the U.S. government and a part of the Trump administration when he joined the mob attacking the Capitol, where, the FBI alleges, he physically and verbally engaged with the officers holding the line, assaulting officers with their own riot shield that had been taken from police and using it to prop open a door to the Capitol.

Advertisement

While essentially all of the participants on Jan. 6 are Donald Trump supporters in some fashion, Klein is the most direct link so far to the former presidenthe was a member of the Trump administration. Klein was also a Trump campaign employee during the 2016 race and, the FBI says, joined the State Department days after Trump took office in January 2017. Klein said on his LinkedIn page that he had top-secret security clearance that predated his joining the Trump administration but that was renewed as recently as 2019. In fact, even after storming the Capitol, an attack on the government itself, Klein continued to work at the State Department for nearly two weeks, resigning on the eve of Joe Bidens inauguration.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

Kleins mother told Politico that her son had served in the Marines in Iraq and worked in run-of-the-mill Republican political circles before joining the Trump campaign as a tech analyst and later the administration as a Schedule C political appointee earning $66,510 a year, according to financial disclosure forms. Klein worked for a time in the State Departments Office of Brazilian and Southern Cone Affairs before being transferred to the office that handles Freedom of Information Act requests, a former colleague told Politico.

The FBI says Klein was taken into custody Thursday in Virginia. Freds politics burn a little hot, Kleins mother told Politico, but Ive never known him to violate the law.
By Ritah Kemigisa

The initial batch of 864,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID 19 vaccine are expected to arrive in the country today, March 5th 2021.

According to the health ministry , they expect the vaccines to arrive in the country at around 2:55 PM.

Uganda expected to start vaccination against COVID-19 on 10 March 2021.

The health ministry has since maintained that the vaccine exercise will be free of charge in a phased manner starting with the most at risk groups including the elderly, persons with underlying health conditions, health workers, security and media personnel.

Only persons aged between 18 and 50 years will be vaccinated.

Governments around the world have approved the vaccines and encouraged their citizens to get vaccinated.

So far, more than 50 million people in the United States have received at least one dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
A woman receives the COVID-19 vaccine in Ankara, Turkey, on Feb. 22, 2021. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

ANKARA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Turkey announced on Wednesday that the China-developed Sinovac vaccine has an efficacy of 83.5 percent against COVID-19, furthering the country's confidence in winning the fight against the pandemic.

The CoronaVac shot developed by Sinovac Biotech was 100 percent effective in preventing hospitalization, according to the Phase-3 trials by the Hacettepe University in Ankara, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

No major side effects have been reported, professor Murat Akova from the university who led the trials, told reporters during a press conference.

He added that the antibody levels were predicted to reach their maximum between 14 and 28 days after the second dose.

According to the university, no deaths were reported during the trials and common side effects include fatigue, headache or muscle pain.

Turkey has been running trials for the vaccine since last September.

Professor Serhat Unal, a prominent specialist of infectious diseases at Hacettepe Medical University, told Xinhua that he was confident about such an outcome from the start.

"I am happy about the outcome. Phase I and Phase II of the study were also very successful," said Unal, who contracted the virus last March and recovered.

Unal, also a member of the Health Ministry's Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board, said that the vaccine's efficacy in people aged 65 and above is likely to be similar.

Turkey started its vaccination drive on Jan. 14 and has given out over 9.5 million doses. The vaccine requires two shots with 28 days apart.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that Turkey aims to vaccinate 52.5 million people by the end of May. To date, more than 10 percent of Turkey's 83 million population has received at least the first dose.

Healthcare workers, elderly people and people with serious medical conditions were among the first to receive the jab. The drive has been extended to teachers with the gradual reopening of schools along with the easing of restrictions.

"I got my two shots and felt minor side effects such as a headache. It is a big relief to know that this vaccine will eventually prevent me from being hospitalized and even death," Ayser Akinci, a pensioner aged 83, told Xinhua.

"All of my friends got this vaccine which is for us a real life saver at this point, we are grateful to those who have developed it," she said.

The Ankara government on Monday loosened restrictions that have been in place for months, restarting in-person education, lifting weekend lockdowns, and allowing restaurant dining with a limited capacity and wedding ceremonies with max attendance in line with the situations in individual provinces.

However, the country's nationwide curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on weekdays will continue.

"I'm eagerly waiting for my turn to get inoculated. It seems that the Chinese vaccine is very effective and I don't have any hesitation to have it when my time comes," said Halil Kaplan, manager of a thrift store in downtown Ankara's Kizilay district.

The 47-year-old man added that his 74-year-old mother received two doses of Sinovac vaccine and was feeling well.

"Some people who are not scientists seemed doubtful about this vaccine, but tests proved them wrong," he added.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
With four Bollywood projects  Salaar, Adipurush, Radhye Shyam and an untitled film with Deepika Padukone  in the kitty, Prabhas has his task cut out.

The strapping actor has been living out of his suitcase, travelling frequently to Mumbai for look tests and other pre-production activities for these films. Since he will have to spend the majority of the next two years in Mumbai shooting for the films, Prabhas now wants a permanent residence in that city.

The Saaho star has apparently asked his close aides in Mumbai to look out for a good house in a posh area. This will help him to cut down on travelling time and also expenses.

Prabhas has already asked his friends in Mumbai to keep their eyes open for a house for him. He has also approached a broker. The search is in progress, says an informed source. the actor wants to move into a house there as soon as possible.
The "Europe Online Food Delivery Market User, Country, Company Analysis Forecast" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Europe Online Food Delivery Market is anticipated to be valued US$ 20.27 Billion by 2026, growing with a 5.83% CAGR from 2020 to 2026.

Online food ordering market in Europe has grown multiple folds in the last five years. Europe online food delivery facility is growing year on year due to the escalating utility of smartphone phone users and the internet penetration rate; it contributes to the enormous growth of this market. Besides, COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way to order online food in Europe. As people are advised to remain at home and hotels are closed, so online food ordering has shown tremendous growth in this period.

Due to this unprecedented growth, Europe online food industry is attracting a lot of investors. European venture capitalists maintained a healthy appetite for online food delivery sector: over 1.6 Billion have been invested in food logistics and delivery sector in the year 2019. In the year 2020 Europe Online Food Delivery Market was US$ 13.8 Billion. Online food delivery expands choice and availability, allowing consumers to order from various food delivery platforms and restaurants with a single click on their mobile phone.

The expansion of the overall online food delivery business that allows customers to order food from restaurants plays a fundamental role in deriving market growth. The development of food delivery aggregators' like Grubhub, Uber Eats and Doordash in the Europe market has further contributed to the market growth.

In 2020, Uber Eat, Glovo, delivery Club, Just Eat and Deliveroo are the top five highest installed food delivery apps across Europe.

In Europe, Online Food Deliveries are operated with two Business Models: New Delivery Players Aggregators

New Delivery Players platform is the new entrant in which they build their logistic networks providing delivery for restaurants that don't have their drivers.

In contrast, the aggregators, which are part of the traditional-delivery category, take orders from customers and route them to restaurants, which handle the delivery themselves.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenges

5. Europe Online Food Delivery Market

6. Share Analysis

6.1 Market Share by Country

6.2 Market Share by Platform Type

6.3 User share by Platform Type

7. Europe Online Food Delivery Market

7.1 Platform to Consumer Delivery

7.2 Restaurant to Consumer Delivery

8. Europe Online Food Delivery User

8.1 Platform to Consumer Delivery

8.2 Restaurant to Consumer Delivery

9. Country Analysis

9.1 Germany

9.1.1 Market

9.1.1.1 Platform to consumer delivery

9.1.1.2 Restaurant to consumer delivery

9.1.2 User

9.1.2.1 Platform to consumer delivery

9.1.2.2 Restaurant to consumer delivery

9.1.3 Penetration Rate

9.1.3.1 Platform to consumer delivery

9.1.3.2 Restaurant to consumer delivery

9.1.4 Share Analysis

9.1.4.1 Key Players Share, 2018

9.1.4.2 User Share by Age Group, 2019

9.1.4.3 User Share by Gender, 2019

9.1.4.4 User Share by Income Group, 2019

9.2 United Kingdom

9.3 France

9.4 Italy

9.5 Russia

10. Company Analysis

10.1 Takeaway

10.1.1 Overview

10.1.2 Recent Developments

10.1.3 Revenue Analysis

10.2 Dominos

10.3 Deliveroo

10.4 Just Eat

10.5 Uber Eats

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q29h47

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005398/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 18:16:32|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China will stay vigilant against and resolutely deter separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence," according to the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development and the long-range objectives through the year 2035, which was unveiled on Friday. Enditem
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday said hospital chiefs volunteering to get vaccinated first are enough to push more health workers to do the same.

"Hindi na muna natin kailangan ng maraming influencers outside of the sector. It's enough that the hospital chiefs have themselves vaccinated," Duque said when asked how the department can encourage more healthcare workers to be inoculated.

[Translation: There is currently no need to look for influencers outside of the health sector.]

Prior to the arrival of China's Sinovac vaccine, many have expressed concern given its low efficacy rate at around 50.4%, which will be used first on health workers being the priority sector in the vaccine rollout. The Food and Drug Administration also said this may not be the best vaccine for health workers, especially those exposed to COVID-19 patients.

After further examination, health experts recommended its use for the group as an immediate means to protect their lives.

The government earlier rejected prioritizing "influencers," which will include government officials, media personalities, and celebrities to improve vaccine confidence among Filipinos.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who was included in the list, said the national task force had proposed to reserve some 50 doses for them, but the interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group rejected this, pointing out that the vaccines should be used to protect health workers instead.

Duque also mentioned that of around 13,000 medical workers already vaccinated since day 1, only few have experienced minor side effects like nausea, weakness, and fever, while cases of possible adverse effects are still being verified.

The Philippines currently has around 1 million vaccine doses from Sinovac and the UK's AstraZeneca, which is still not enough to immunize around 1.7 million health workers across the country.

BOSTON  More than a year after a sweeping federal round-up of Latin King street gang members, Springfields own Michael Cecchetelli has signaled his intent to plead guilty to racketeering-related charges.

A change of plea hearing is set for April 6 in U.S. District Court.

Cecchetelli, 41, also known as King Merlin or King M, was charged along with dozens of Latin Kings and associates in December 2019 with racketeering, drug and illegal gun charges in Operation Throne Down, a sweep carried out by the FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office.

Having already served a four-year prison sentence for gang-related crimes after being sentenced in Springfields federal court in 2005, Cecchetelli ascended from statewide leader for the Latin Kings to loftier titles including Supreme East Coast Regional Overseer.

According to a lengthy FBI affidavit filed in the case, Cecchetelli lorded over trials for members who flouted gang rules, identified targets of hits and assaults on rivals, and mediated disputes. The Latin Kings are a Chicago-based gang that has long had footholds in urban centers in Massachusetts. Arrests were made from Springfield to Worcester, Boston and New Bedford. There is even a chapter devoted to the Massachusetts corrections system.

The round-up also ensnared former Boston high school dean Shaun Harrison, convicted of shooting a student and working with gang leaders to expose law enforcement informants.

FBI Informants told investigators Cecchetelli instructed underlings to smash and kill those he regarded as snitches and enemies, court records show.

Some of those meetings were held at the Mount Carmel Society Club in Springfields South End, according to the FBI. The cameos landed the century-old, historically Italian-centric in hot water with the city, which shut the club down for a time.

This is not the place where I used to bring my grandfather after Sunday family dinner in order that he might socialize with his friends. It is certainly not the society where I volunteered as a young man years ago to assist with the once-popular Italian Festivals, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said following the arrests.

The club remains shut down during the pandemic, but is slated to reopen once restrictions are lifted, according to an attorney for the club.

The terms of Cecchetellis plea have not yet been made public. Racketeering conspiracy alone carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. He is among the last defendants set to plead guilty.

Related content:
Angry unionism is nothing new. It was born in anger in the 1880s  when it recognised the threat posed to it by the Home Rule crisis  and it has remained angry ever since. Angry in 1972, when the Stormont parliament was closed. Angry in 1974, when power-sharing arrived. Angry in 1985, when the Anglo-Irish Agreement was foisted upon it. Angry in 1993, when the Downing Street Declaration stated the British government had no selfish strategic or economic interest in Northern Ireland. Angry right now, because the Northern Ireland Protocol, by leaving NI in the EU, has pushed it into the constitutional equivalent of a granny flat.

Adding to this latest outburst of anger is the fact it was Boris Johnson who agreed the bespoke arrangement with the EU which has pushed Northern Ireland much further away from the rest of the United Kingdom. The same Boris Johnson who was roared to the rafters at a DUP conference in November 2018 when he promised he would never allow Northern Ireland to be reduced to semi-colonial status.

The same Boris Johnson who told an election meeting in Belfast in November 2019 there would never be a border in the Irish Sea  and who insisted he was the sort of unionist who would protect Northern Irelands constitutional position.

Yet unionism now finds itself, in Northern Irelands centenary year, starting an e-petition to force a parliamentary debate in the House of Commons on the consequences of the protocol (which turned out to be a damp squib and delivered no change in position from the government).

Last Friday it launched a judicial review claiming the protocol, by changing Northern Irelands constitutional status, breached the 1800 Act of Union and 1998 Belfast Agreement. Even if successful  which seems unlikely  the UK government would introduce legislation to allow it to continue with the protocol.

The irony is that one of the reasons the DUP gave for supporting the Leave campaign in the Brexit referendum was it would restore sovereignty to the UK parliament: yet it was a majority vote in that parliament which endorsed the protocol which has so unsettled the DUP and the entire pro-Union community.

As I noted above, unionism has been angry before. But this is a different kind of anger because this is the first time in Northern Irelands history it has been in a different political, economic, trading and constitutional jurisdiction to Great Britain. The existing land border separated the UK from the Republic, the one in the Irish Sea separates Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

The problem for unionism is how it now overturns this constitutional calamity. Over a century ago, when the Third Home Rule bill was before parliament, Conservative leader Bonar Law said he could imagine no length of resistance to which Ulster can go in which I would not be prepared to support them. Many unionists believe there are probably no lengths at all to which Johnson would go to help them right now. The consensus is that he deliberately dumped them in the mess and has no intention of extracting them from it. There are no votes for him in Northern Ireland and any rescue package would require concessions to the EU and risk his Brexit base in Westminster.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis announced the UK government would take a series of temporary operational steps to give more time to implement the protocol. That doesnt suggest the government has any interest in dumping the protocol. But even if it does manage to reach a sort of side deal with the EU which gets rid of or reduces some of the trading complications accompanying the new border, it still leaves Northern Ireland in the granny flat.

So, if it cant win in Westminster where can unionism win? There have been suggestions it should abandon the Northern Ireland Assembly, maybe even bring it down altogether. But that would be a Pyrrhic victory, surely, because a return to direct rule from London, with input from Dublin, is hardly likely to do unionism any favours. Rallies and disruptions by a united unionism will be difficult with Covid restrictions, and anyway there is little evidence to suggest that tactic has worked in the past 50 years.

While there have been rumblings of concern from those linked to loyalist paramilitarism I dont sense any desire for armed conflict: not least because taking on your own government at the same time as youre supposed to be celebrating the unions anniversary would be, to put it kindly, a remarkably complicated sell.

That said, it is worrying that the Loyalist Communities Council (an umbrella group representing a number of loyalist paramilitary organisations) has now written to the British and Irish governments, withdrawing their support for the Belfast Agreement and its institutions until our rights under the Agreement are restored and the protocol amended.

With each betrayal heaped upon it, unionism will find it increasingly difficult to make a case for UK membership in the event of a Border poll  its hard to sell a marriage when it looks like your spouse is treating you with utter contempt.

Unionism/loyalism must tread with great care because there is no easy or obvious route to victory.

Indeed, it may still have to learn to live with the worst of both worlds  not fully in the UK, stuck with the protocol, but not in a United Ireland either.
Mr. Frank Davies, a member of President Nana Akufo-Addos Legal team, has called on Ghanaians to abide by the decision of the Supreme Court.



He entreated Ghanaians to give the President, together with all Ministers and his appointees the needed support to run the machinery of State.



Mr Davies made the call after the Supreme dismissed the Petitioners Petitioner, describing it as not having merit.



He said, We thank our good friends on the other side for their bravery in mounting this Petition, all be it, we all found that the Petition indeed contained nothing but factual errors and inaccuracies, " he said.



He said litigation must always come to an end and he wanted to believe that" this was the end of the 2021 election Petition."



Mr Davies said while the 2013 Election Petition mounted the challenge of validity of the elections and called for the annulment of 4 million votes, due to over voting, irregularities, lack of biometric verification machines among others, the 2020 Petition was basically a challenge against the declaration of the results and not the validity.



It was the declaration of the results the Petitioner sort to challenge but the Court held that the declaration of the results was done in connection with the data provided by the Electoral Commission.



The Court in its ruling read by Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah said the Petitioner did not demonstrate how the errors affected the declaration of the 2020 Presidential Election results.



The Court also indicated that the declaration of the results did not violate Article 63 (3) of the 1992 Constitution and that the Electoral Commissions errors could not take away the will of the people.



The Chief Justice said the accounts of Mr Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo and Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte were immaterial to the case since the issue in contention had nothing to do with how the results were collated at the Electoral Commissions national collation centre popularly known as the Strongroom.



Their testimonies were unworthy in the settlement of the issues, he said.



The Court said we, therefore, have no reason to order a re-run as sort by the petitioner, so we accordingly dismiss the Petition.



Former President Mahama filed a Petition at the Supreme Court seeking an annulment of the Presidential election results and a re-run of the election between him and Nana Akufo-Addo who is the second Respondent in the petition.



The Petition was also seeking an iorder directing the 1st Respondent, the Electoral Commission, to proceed to conduct a second election between the petitioner and the 2nd respondent as candidates, as required under Articles 63 (4) and (5) of the 1992 constitution.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
LOS ANGELESThe Fox News network this week filed a scathing response to a lawsuit by the embattled attorney Michael Avenatti, who in 2018 represented AVN Hall of Famer Stormy Daniels in her two lawsuits against Donald Trump. Avenatti filed the suit on november 12 of last year, alleging that the popular cable news network and several Fox News on-air personalities defamed him in its reporting of his November 2018 arrest on allegations of domestic violence.

Ultimately, the arrest resulted in no charges being filed against Avenatti  who since went on to face a slew of other legal troubles over alleged financial misdeeds, including prosecutors charges that he embezzled approximately $300,000 from Daniels.

Avenattis lawsuit, which was initially filed Delaware State Superior Court, claims that Fox News and its on-air talent  including top-rated evening hosts Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, along with eight others  engaged in purposeful and misleading efforts to malign and defame him, as well as to destroy his reputation and his livelihood, and eliminate him as an adversary and threat to President Donald J. Trump.

The lawsuit has since been moved to a federal court in Delaware, where Fox News asked a judge to throw out Avenattis lawsuit, in its Wednesday filing.

In the suit, Avenatti notes that Fox News wrongly identified the alleged victim in the incident for which he was arrested as his estranged wife, when in reality she was his girlfriend, and also that he was charged with assault when in fact he was never charged. Fox also reported, according to the complaint, that the alleged victims "face was swollen and bruised," and that Avenatti had declared to police, "She hit me first!. His lawsuit says that both allegations are false.

According to UCLA legal scholar Eugene Volokh, Avenattis lawsuit bears little hope of succeeding, because while Fox may have made some errors in its reporting, its coverage meets the standards of being substantially true, which is generally an accepted defense against defamation lawsuits. Also, at the time of the arrest and news reports, Avenatti had already become a prominent public figure, Volokh noted, making almost daily media appearances to discuss the Daniels lawsuit, and to criticize Trump.

The legal standard for defamation against a public figure is higher. Avenatti would be required to prove that Fox News knew that its statements about Avenatti were false, or that they displayed reckless disregard for the truth in broadcasting them. Both appear unlikely to be proven in court, according to the UCLA legal expert.

In its response to Avenattis lawsuit, Fox News accuses Avenatti of forum shopping and libel tourism by filing his lawsuit in Delaware, which Fox says has no connection to the case. Avenatti was arrested in Los Angeles, but according to the Fox court filing, the one-year deadline for filing a defamation suit had expired, leading Avenatti to seek another venue.

The Fox response also states that its reporting on Avenattis arrest was substantially true, and says that Avenatti nitpicks legal technicalities in the Fox reporting of his arrest. Fox also noted that even though Avenatti was never charged in the case, courts have repeatedly rejected his claim that a report that an arrested individual was 'charged' with a crime is defamatory.

Avenatti seeks punitive damages in excess of $200 million against Fox News, and demands in his suit that the case be tried by a jury.

Photo By mroach / Wikimedia Commons
Blinken: Path of Diplomacy is open

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this week that the decision is Tehrans whether to reengage on the Iran nuclear deal.

The path of diplomacy is open, he told Judy Woodruff March 3.

The European Union invited all of the parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran nuclear deal  the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Iran, Russia and China  to resume talks.

The United States said yes. Iran said no this time, but it may be reconsidering (see below).

Weve been very clear that Iran has to come back into compliance with its obligations under the nuclear agreement, and if it does, well do the same thing, Blinken continued. And  that would involve, if they do it, some sanctions relief.

In other words, the United States is ready, in the context of the JCPOA group, to discuss compliance for compliance  sanctions relief for Iran, once Iran returns to uranium enrichment levels and other protocols as agreed in the JCPOA.

US President Joe Bidens approach to Iran has been consistent and straightforward, and so far by the diplomatic book. And it's paying off.

The first US priority has been to rebuild trust and consensus with its EU partners. The Trump administration, in breaking from the JCPOA, had gone it alone on Iran, alienating European allies.

The Biden administration has taken a few shots from critics on both sides on the issue. Some have argued that the administration should have immediately jumped back into the nuclear deal, ending the Trump administrations sanctions, with Iran immediately getting back into compliance.

A more hawkish take has been that the Biden team, many of whom are Iran deal veterans, may be too quick to cut a deal with Iran, to the detriment of US interests.

Neither criticism hits the mark.

True, those in this administration who were involved in the 2015 Iran deal consider it a signal achievement and stand by it as foundational in addressing Irans nuclear weapons potential.

While that view holds, among the new/old officials who will be dealing again with Iran, there is also an awareness of the many changes over the past six years.

Wendy Sherman, Biden's nominee to be deputy secretary of state, who as undersecretary of state for political affairs was the lead US negotiator on the nuclear deal, said at her nomination hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 3 that 2021 is not 2015, when the deal was agreed, nor 2016, when it was implemented. The facts on the ground have changed, the geopolitics of the region have changed, and the way forward must similarly change.

Colin Kahl, Bidens nominee for undersecretary of defense for political affairs, similarly said during his nomination hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 4, "I think dynamics in the Middle East have changed. I support the Abraham Accords and I wouldnt move the embassy  away from Jerusalem, adding that he backs Israels airstrikes against Iranian and Iranian-backed forces in Syria, as Jared Szuba reports.

The US-brokered normalization agreements (Abraham Accords) between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan  in the context of more open Israel-Gulf alignment over a shared concern of Iranian intentions  further strengthen the administrations diplomatic hand.

Anticipating these changes, Biden said during his presidential campaign that he will consult US regional partners this time on diplomacy with Iran. Hard-liners in Israel had been concerned that Biden would rush back into the Iran deal. At least so far, those concerns seem overblown. The US-Israel relationship under Biden is rock solid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far steered a more pragmatic approach in dealing with both the United States and Iran, including in his measured response to an attack on an Israeli tanker in the Gulf of Oman, which Israel has blamed on Iran, as Ben Caspit reports.

Deterrence also part of the plan

The Biden administration itself has also not shied away from confronting Iran with force, and will likely continue to do so if nuclear diplomacy stalls, and probably even as it resumes.

Iran doesnt take a holiday from its policies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the Gulf. The Islamic Republic is likely to continue to challenge and probe the resolve of the United States and its partners. And the United States will respond.

This week, US warplanes struck Iran-backed targets in Syria on the Iraq-Syria border, in retaliation for rocket attacks presumed to have been carried out by Iran-backed militias on al-Asad air base and Erbil International Airport in Iraq, as Szuba reports here.

The attacks in Syria were criticized by some members of Congress and by Donald Trump Jr., the son of former US President Donald Trump, as Adam Lucente reports.

Despite a recalibration of US policy toward Saudi Arabia, including sanctions against Saudis implicated in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as Elizabeth Hagedorn reports, the United States remains committed to the US-Saudi military-military relationship in dealing with the threat from Iran and the Ansar Allah (Houthi) forces in Yemen.

The Biden administration has made ending the war in Yemen a top priority.

Rezai: Clear signal can lead to talks

In a potential opening for renewed nuclear diplomacy, Mohsen Rezai, head of Irans Expediency Council and former head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said Iran may be willing to reengage on talks if the US sends a "clear signal" that US sanctions "would be lifted in less than one year."

In an interview with the Financial Times, Rezai added that "we have to see every month during the talks that some sanctions which are of urgency to us are being liftedfor instance, sanctions on financial transactions and restrictions that European banks have imposed should be lifted in the first month. Oil exports are also among our top priorities.

2020 was Irans third straight year of negative economic growth.

Rezais message is a diplomatic flare and gives some cover for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who told the Economic Cooperation Organization that "Iran will reciprocate action by actionthe return path to the JCPOA is straightforward, and if the US government is determined to return, there is no need for negotiations," in addition to noting that "nothing will be added or removed from the JCPOA; it is a fixed text and we will not have a new negotiation within the framework of the JCPOA."

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, responding to Rezais comments, tweeted that he will "shortly present our constructive plan of action  through proper diplomatic channels."

Rouhanis missing coattails in Irans elections

Rezais statement could give Rouhani space to broker an interim deal as a kind of bridge to keep diplomacy going during the election season and when a new government takes over after the June elections.

Rouhani cant run for a second term, and his political legacy is complicated. The Iran nuclear deal was considered a success for him and for Iran, until the Trump administration withdrew in May 2018 and imposed sanctions that have devastated Irans economy at a time of falling oil prices and subsequently the coronavirus pandemic.

The economic problems, compounded by systemic corruption, have been blamed on Rouhani, and have been used by hard-liners to undermine Rouhani and his Reformist coalition and retake Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly, or Majles, as the parliament there is known. Parliamentary elections last year were a disaster for Rouhani and Reformists. Hard-liners  or Principlists  now control 220 of the 290 seats; Reformists hold only 22 seats.

Sabaz Nazari explains that the Rouhani-Reformist coalition was never a perfect fit.

Widely believed to be a pragmatic, moderate figure, Rouhani has never called himself a member of the Reformist camp, Nazari writes. And despite the unequivocal support he received from Reformists, the Iranian president appears to have all but disappointed them by his refusal to grant them top ministerial positions.

The challenges faced by the Reformists are many, from diminishing popularity to the suppression at the hands of powerful hard-liners, Nazari adds. Amid all that, the Reform movement has yet to come up with a name that could truly represent it and hold a chance to push aside the powerful hard-liners.

Rezai's diplomatic flare, and Zarifs intention to shortly submit a "plan of action," signals there still may be room for some creative choreography or interim steps for nuclear diplomacy with Rouhani, as we described here in January. The fate of the JCPOA, and the potential for more expansive negotiations with Iran, will ultimately depend, however, on who replaces Rouhani. The United States cant dictate or foresee the outcome of those elections. By reinforcing the US-EU alignment on Iran, and engaging US regional partners, the US diplomatic hand is only getting stronger.
Sheronda Valentine spends her days walking the streets of Birminghams Wylam community in search of her missing daughter, and she spends her nights crying.

Thats life these days for the Hoover mother, whose 18-year-old daughter Jordian, vanished on Saturday night. The entire ordeal, she said, is surreal.

My baby is on a flyer  this is just crazy to me,' she said. I cant sleep at night. I cry myself worrying about her. Is she hurt? Is she hungry? Its not like her to be gone and not call. No one has heard from her and thats not like her.

Jordian was last seen Saturday night when she, her on-again, off-again boyfriend and other friends had a couples night excursion to get tattoos in Wylam. Her family said they were told she got out of her boyfriends car and was last known to be walking down the street alone. Birmingham police said she was last at 510 Frisco Street.

Her sister, Amber Porter, said their mom received a phone call Sunday morning from the ex-boyfriend or someone in his family saying Valentine had not been seen since about 9:30 p.m. Saturday. One neighbor said they heard screaming (that night) but didnt think anything of it,' Porter said.

Jordian Valentine, 18, of Hoover, was last seen in Birmingham's Wylam community on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. (Contributed)

Since then, family and friends have canvassed the area but to no avail. On Thursday they returned to Wylam, splitting up into groups and fanning out over the neighborhood.

Were hoping to get some results, hoping to get some leads, hoping to find some indication that she is alive and well, perhaps needing assistance to get back home,' said Jordians aunt, LaDonna Jackson. Were just looking to unearth and uncover whatever we can.

Were knocking on doors, going in abandoned houses, going in abandoned cars, searching the thicket, speaking to as many people that will speak to us, and even those that wont,' Jackson said. Were ringing doorbells, were stopping traffic, were desperately seeking for our baby to be home.

Jordian Valentine, 18, disappeared from Birmingham's Wylam community Feb. 27, 2021. Family and friends continue the search for her.

Jackson said worry is indescribable. To think that you have a loved one that may be hungry, they may be in the rain late at night, may be hurt, may be lost, and your hands are tied,' she said. Theres no way for you to help. Its heart-wrenching. It is so unfair when we consider the evils that lurk in our streets and among us.

As a family were trusting in our faith. We know that God has a purpose and a reason for everything he does and were leaning strong on our faith and on our love for each other,' Jackson said. Love will bring us to a place where we come through this.

Jordians mother said she is taking it one day at a time. I just want to find my baby. I just want peace for her,' Valentine said. Im going to walk until I find her.

Its really hard. Your child is out here, and you dont know where she is. I truly believe shes closer than we think. Somebody needs to tell us something, she said. My mothers instinct tells me shes still here, still alive and that she might be somewhere hurt. Well be out here every day until we find her.

Jordian was wearing a black short romper and white shoes. She is described at a Black female, 5-foot, 3-inches tall and weighing 120 pounds. She is also known to wear wigs.

If theres anyone who knows anything, it is my prayer that they will be convicted in their conscience to speak truth, to give our family a place of peace,' her aunt said. If theres any love and consideration or compassion, come forth now.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-297-8413 or 911. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Interest in supporting nonprofit groups that help women and girls has grown in the last year, the groups leaders and philanthropic advisers say, some of it the result of a younger generations push for parents to focus on the cause.

But because the biggest charities often use their money to help many interests, it can be hard to find which ones can best accomplish what you want.

So ahead of International Womens Day on Monday, I spoke with donors, advisers and organizations about the factors that go into deciding which groups to support. And the common advice was to give to small nonprofit organizations that work directly with women or girls or to look for ways to make sure bigger organizations spend the money in the ways you intended.

Theres a lot of pressure from the next generation to have a mission and to be intentional about where your funds are going, said Kathryn George, chairwoman of the Center for Women & Wealth at the private bank Brown Brothers Harriman. You can give to your alma mater, but instead of giving to the general use fund, set up a scholarship for women. If youre giving to a museum, why not give money to curate an exhibition on women or diversity?
Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan takes part in a year-end interview with The Canadian Press at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa on Dec. 17, 2020. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Sajjan Aide Emailed Military Ombudsman About Allegations Days After Meeting in 2018

OTTAWAA newly released email appears to support former military ombudsman Gary Walbournes assertion that he told Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan about an allegation of sexual misconduct against then-defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance three years ago.

The brief email was sent by Zita Astravas, who at the time was Sajjans chief of staff, to Walbourne on March 5, 2018. That was four days after Walbourne says he notified the defence minister of the allegation against the militarys top commander during a hostile meeting.

Referring to a conversation between Walbourne and an official at the Privy Council Office, Astravas wrote: I trust that you raised the allegations relating to the GIC appointment that you raised with the minister.

Governor-in-council appointments, or GICs, are senior appointments made by the federal cabinet. While Astravas did not include any other details about the nature of the allegation or whom it concerned, the chief of the defence staff is such an appointment.

The email was obtained by The Canadian Press through access-to-information law.

Asked Thursday whether the allegation in question was against Vance, or whether he raised allegations against any other GIC appointee to the minister, Walbourne would only say: I believe this was covered in my testimony.

Walbourne testified to the House of Commons defence committee Wednesday about his closed-door meeting with Sajjan on March 1, 2018. The former ombudsman said he told Sajjan about an allegation that had been made against Vance.

Walbourne told the committee Sajjan declined to look at supporting evidence and instead referred the matter to the Privy Council Office, the department that supports the prime minister and cabinet.

The former ombudsman said Sajjan referred the issue to the PCO despite his request to the minister to keep the matter confidential.

Walbourne refused to give the committee any details about the allegation he raised in the meeting, citing his duty to preserve confidences. But Global News has reported that it was about a sexually suggestive email Vance allegedly sent to a much more junior military member in 2012, before he became defence chief.

Sajjan refused to confirm to the committee last month when he first became aware of potential misconduct by Vance, and said he was as surprised as anyone when Global first reported in February allegations against the former chief of defence staff.

The civil servant with whom Astravass 2018 email said Walbourne should raise the allegation testified immediately after Sajjan last month. Janine Sherman, deputy secretary to the cabinet, also declined to speak to the allegations and how they were handled.

However, she did tell the committee that the PCO did not have information at that time that would have allowed us to take any action.

The Global report alleges Vance had an ongoing relationship with a subordinate that started more than a decade ago and continued after he was named chief of the defence staff in 2015when he promised to root sexual misconduct from the Armed Forces.

It has also reported on the allegations about Vance sending an email to a much younger female officer in 2012 suggesting they go to a clothing-optional vacation resort.

Vance has not responded to repeated requests for comment from The Canadian Press, and the allegations against him have not been independently verified. Global has reported that Vance has denied any wrongdoing.

Military police have launched an investigation. Sajjan has also promised a separate, independent investigation, but it has yet to begin.

Sajjans spokesman Todd Lane declined to comment Thursday on Astravass email, and instead provided a written statement repeating the ministers previous assertion that he disagrees with parts of (Walbournes) testimony that occurred in committee.

He has always been truthful with committee while respecting the need to protect the privacy of any individuals involved, Lane added. Any allegations that were brought forward were quickly put forward to the proper authorities.

The official Opposition Conservatives are pushing to expand the defence committees probe into the Liberal governments handling of alleged sexual misconduct by the militarys top brass.

In a letter to the committee clerk on Thursday, Conservative committee members described Walbournes testimony as troubling, adding that it contradicts that of previous witnesses, including the minister of national defence.

The Conservatives want the committee to reconvene to discuss the matter of witnesses and expand the committees study to include the governments handling of allegations of misconduct against Vances successor, Admiral Art McDonald.

McDonald temporarily stepped aside as chief of the defence staff late last month, only weeks after taking over the position from Vance.

Sajjans office has said the minister did not know about the allegation against McDonald when he was tapped to succeed Vance.

By Lee Berthiaume


A glance at some of the day's headlines from the Proactive Investors newswire

SDX Energy PLC ( ) has secured final approval from the Egyptian authorities to extend its Production Services Agreements for the Meseda and Rabul oil fields, both part of the West Gharib concession.

(LON:TXP, ) announced a jump crude oil and natural gas reserves at its Trinidad exploration properties.

Innovative money firm Tally Ltd has described a pivotal year in the companys development, as it releases a final results statement for the twelve months ended June 2020.

( ) is close to reaching an agreement with Riverfort Global Capital Ltd to receive up to US$2.5mln in funding.

FinnCap Group plc ( ) chief executive Sam Smith and chairman Robert Lister have purchased shares in the company. Smith splashed out 39,650 on 130,000 shares at a price of 30.5p per share, while Lister purchased 65,450 at the same price. Smith's beneficial interest over 16.14mln shares represents 9.29% and Lister 0.04%.

( ) said a mining contractor was killed yesterday in an incident at its Kapan mine in Armenia, adding that an internal investigation has started and steps taken related to safety at the site. "We truly regret this tragic loss of life, and we offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased," said Chaarat chief executive Artem Volynets.

(LON:THR, ) has hired WH Ireland as Nominated Adviser and joint broker to the company with immediate effect.

(LON:HZM, ) has appointed as joint broker alongside , with immediate effect. This week the company attended the virtual 30th BMO Global Metals and Mining Conference and has made a replay of its presentation available on its website, www.horizonteminerals.com/uk/en/videos_and_audio/.

( ) will announce its preliminary annual results for 2020 on Tuesday 23 March. Chief executive Deborah Frost and chief financial officer Sarah Mace will be hosting a webinar for private investors on Tuesday 30 March at 11.30am with registration available at this link: http://bit.ly/PGH_Preliminary_Results.

( ) will hold its annual general meeting at 10am on Tuesday 30 March at Craven House, 16 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AP, UK. The company will take questions and comments from shareholders submitted in advance of the AGM via email on agm@guildesports.com, with responses to be posted on the company's website, www.guildesports.com.
ROME, MAR 5 - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday that he understands Italy after Rome halted the export of a batch of 250,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. In halting the departure of the jabs, which came from a plant near Rome, Italy became the first EU country to use a new European mechanism on export controls. The European Commission authorised the move in light of AstraZeneca's failure to supply the vaccines it had pledged to deliver in Europe and the fact that Australia is not a vulnerable country. "In Italy, people are dying at the rate of 300 a day. So I can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many countries across Europe," AFP quoted Morrison as saying. "They are in an unbridled crisis situation. That is not the situation in Australia". Reuters, however, reported that Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt has asked the European Commission to revise the decision. (ANSA).
A year after COVID-19 began its terrible rampage through New Jerseys nursing homes, the first legislative examination into why the states long-term care facilities were so vulnerable is set to begin on Friday.

Its not going to be a bipartisan effort.

The crisis in the states nursing homes is turning into a political issue, with the minority Republicans holding their own virtual hearings, months after the Democratic-controlled Legislature promised to hold a post-mortem on what happened.

Sen. Kristin Corrado, R-Passaic, who sits on the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens committee, said the Republican caucus decided to press ahead with their hearings after being rebuffed on special committee hearings to examine the nursing home crisis, as well as other issues related to the states pandemic response.

It has gone nowhere. Unfortunately, preventable deaths are going to continue to happen, she said. In the states own veterans homes, which were especially hard hit by the deadly outbreak, Corrado said the administration has never taken responsibility for many of the hardships the veterans have faced.

They have invited Murphy administration officials from the departments of Health and Military and Veterans Affairs to testify, and their Democratic colleagues in the Senate to join them, according to emails obtained by NJ Advance Media. The Senate Minority office has not yet received a response, a spokesman said.

Administration officials disparaged the Republican effort, saying that calling their meeting a hearing is factually inaccurate.

These so-called hearings, featuring only Republican members, are a nakedly political stunt, said Alyana Alfaro Post, a spokeswoman for Gov. Phil Murphy. In contrast to these efforts to score political points, the administration will continue to work with its partners in the Legislature to protect the health and safety of all New Jersey residents. The pandemic has presented the state with a rapidly evolving set of challenges.

She said the governor has repeatedly stated that New Jersey will conduct a full review on the response to COVID-19.

Republican state Sen. Kristin Corrado, who pushed for hearings into New Jersey's long-term care crisis.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med

Susan Ivanitski  whose husband Joseph died in April at the Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park at the age of 69 after a 20-year battle with Parkinsons Disease  said she did not know if COVID was a factor in his death. But she wants answers. She said family members like herself have been calling lawmakers offices asking them to come to the hearings. They are not responding at all, she said.

How come they dont want to come and listen to what we have to say? Ivanitski asked. Even if you agree or disagree, you should still listen to the families.

Last May, as the scope of the nursing home crisis grew and the death toll mounted, both Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Senate Minority Tom Kean Jr, R-Union promised an examination, as questions grew over the states failures and missteps in stemming the deadly spread of the coronavirus.

This is a human tragedy that becomes even more disturbing as we learn about the apparent failure to respond quickly or to take preventive steps, declared Sweeney last May, following a NJ Advance Media investigation into the states response to an outbreak that by then had taken 5,410 lives. He added: we have a moral obligation as a society and a responsibility as a government to determine what went wrong and make sure it never happens again. That is why a Senate committee will be conducting hearings to look into this.

But hearings by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee that were supposed to be fast-tracked have not occurred and the plan for a special committee fell apart, Statehouse insiders said several months ago. Several members of the Democratic caucus refused to sit on the committee over the perception that it was intended as a political attack on the administration by Sweeney  a political rival of Gov. Phil Murphy  rather than any effort at reform, the sources said at the time.

Murphy and the entire state Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, are up for election in November.

Meanwhile, a criminal investigation continues by the Attorney Generals office, which last year launched a wide-ranging probe into the states long-term care facilities.

Investigators have declined to comment on the specifics of what they are examining, but emails obtained by NJ Advance Media through public records requests show that there have been subpoenas for records ranging from facility inspections and infection control measures to data on reportable events, such as accidents and allegations of abuse and neglect, cost reports and Medicare billing.

Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, said he is proud of the package of bills that he and his colleagues worked to enact last year that responded to problems in long-term care. He questioned why Republicans did not get more involved with finding solutions back then.

If they came to me with an idea they wanted to discuss I would have listened, Vitale said. They know that my agenda (on the health committee) has always had Democratic and Republican bills on it.

The legislation Murphy signed into law includes raising Medicaid rates and front-line worker pay and setting minimum staffing ratios, all of what improves working and living conditions inside the facilities. Another new law requires long-term care facilities as a condition of their license to develop policies that prevent isolation among residents during an outbreak.

He and Sen. Patrick Diegnan, D-Middlesex, also called on the CEO at Menlo Park to be fired and she was, he said.

We are have done our work legislatively and once the investigations are concluded, we will learn more and be able to respond, Vitale said.

Lisa Tonery of Edison, whose 88-year-old father contracted the virus as a resident of the Menlo Park veterans home and died in April, said the actions lawmakers have taken do not go far enough. Its time that someone be held accountable for the loss of life at the veterans homes, she said.

The Attorney General is looking into it, but do I have any faith in that? I hope so, Tonery said. If this was an animal shelter, there would be an uproar.

Tonery said she started to worry in early April when her father, John J. Verducci Jr. called in a panic to say an aide had come into his room without wearing a mask. Later, families would learn the CEO had sent an email to employees saying she didnt want employees to wear masks and frighten residents.

Early morning on April 15, Tonery got the call that her 88-year-old father, an Army Korean War veteran, was sick with the virus and was being transported to JFK Medical Center in Edison. Her 91-year-old uncle, Joseph L. Papa followed three hours later.

My heart sank, she said.

Her father died April 22. Her uncle survived COVID-19 and returned to the veterans home.

Eleven months later, if they cant get together on this, we are doomed. Its useless, Tonery said. The obligation is to figure out what went wrong so you can fix it so it never happens again.

__

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL.
With UK's MPs set to debate next week the safety of farmer protesters, the British government on Friday said what happens in India has ripples in the United Kingdom and gets debated as there is a large Indian diaspora, but asserted that the farmers' protest was India's "internal issue" and it was for it to resolve.

British lawmakers will debate the issue of press freedom and safety of protesters in India next Monday in response to an e-petition which had crossed the 1,00,000-signature threshold required for such a debate, the House of Commons Petitions Committee had confirmed earlier this week.

Asked how he looks at the concerns in the over the farmers' protest and if it could impact ties, the new British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, said, "Your verb is the correct one. I look at it. This is an internal issue for India."



"I think the foreign secretary (Dominic Raab) said it when he was here 'your politics is our politics' in other words things that happen in India have ripples in the partly because you have such a big diaspora community in the UK, so these things get debated. Our prime minister (Boris Johnson) was asked about it actually in the Prime Minister's Question Time," he said at a media interaction with journalists here.

"This is something we look at but it is something for India to resolve," said Ellis, a British strategic expert, who presented his credentials to President Ram Nath Kovind in February to take formal charge as the new High Commissioner to India.

Asked about the debate in the UK Parliament on Monday and if the issue has been raised by India with the UK side, the British High Commissioner said the reason these things get discussed is because of the process of petition to which if there are a sufficient number of signatures, an issue can be debated in Parliament and issues related to India are quite regularly debated.

"This is something that is done by Parliament, the government has to participate, it has to answer but it is the parliamentarians, as you expect, raising issues that are a concern to them in their constituencies," the UK envoy here said.

"Coming back to the point about your politics is our politics to an extent. My observation more generally is that as the Indian diaspora grows and is very successful in many countries of the world you are going to see more of this. I think that as India grows and becomes more international and ever more significant in the world, there will be more debate about Indian issues," he said.

Ellis, however, asserted that the UK government's view on something like the farmers' protest is that it is an internal matter of India and "we observe it, but it is for India to resolve".

Specifically asked if the Indian side has raised this issue with the UK, he did not give a direct answer and said if the UK would be debated in the Indian Parliament, "I would be interested in it".

"So If the Indian government is interested in issues like farmers' protest being discussed in the UK Parliament, I am not surprised if there is an interest," he said.

The 90-minute debate on Monday will be held at the Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament complex in London and will be opened by Scottish Party (SNP) MP and member of the Petitions Committee Martyn Day, and a minister will be deputed to respond on behalf of the UK government.

The debate relates to the petition entitled Urge the Indian Government to ensure safety of protesters & press freedom', which called on the British government to make a public statement on the #kissanprotests & press freedoms.

Farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several Delhi border points, including Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur, since November 28, demanding a complete repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.

The government has denied allegations that it was trying to put an end to the MSP and the mandi system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also assured farmers that the MSP would continue.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The lone Democrat, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), told the press why he was against the H. R. 1 Bill. He had misgiving about parts of the bill that did not sit right.

Lone Democrat Explains Vote Against Bill

H. R. 1 Bill is called the "For the People Act of 2021" authored by Rep. John P. Sarbanes (D-MD-3) on January 4, 2021. This bill aims to modernize elections from the registration of voters up until the election proper.

In March, Rep. Bennie Thompson decided the bill sponsored by his fellow Democrat was ill wrought. Many of the GOP scoured the bill for how it was made to ensure democrats will have a sure shot at winning during the midterms.

In a surprise turn of events, Thompson decided that voting for the bill was not appropriate. This was another case that the DEMs are ramrodding changes to prevent the rout of Senate, and House seats like last elections, reported the Epoch Times.

According to Thompson, many of his constituents were aware of the impact of parts in the H.R. 1 bill. One of the unacceptable parts is how it would affect the cost of public finances. It seems there would-be unnecessary spending to comply with the alleged voter reform; he cited in an email.

Democrats are forgoing the public's interest by forcing the states to comply, which is not meant for them.

The H.R. 1 Bill indicates it will need congressional redistricting done and conducted through independent commissions, a three-way judge court. This looks on the shady side with elements like independent commissions or even three judges that Democrats can influence.

Also read: Schumer Callously Mocks Texas over Energy Crisis, Says They Ignored Climate Change

Next is the provision that membership application processes for any citizen of the state are not Democratic. It is mentioned that anyone who has been involved in political offices, candidates, and those who have been involved in political campaigns are not allowed. This allows the DEMS to limit the participation of those involved with the GOP.

The bill says that a non-partisan agency chooses six members, but this process only complicates the process. It should be composed of two Republicans and two Democrats chosen from a random pool.

Next, they place members from their parties, but the process is too complicated and takes too many resources. Overall, the commission members are not allowed to be partisan to any affiliation and details that make no sense. For the GOP, these parts of the bill are not acceptable.

One more blatant part is the campaign finances and how to go about it. One recent report about dark money and the campaign of Joe Biden comes to mind if this would prevent getting finances that way. However, the DEMS have always set a double standard.

The H.R. 1 bill is against the Citizens' United Supreme Court decision and wants to change the constitution. There are enough laws in the present constitution to do that. This is similar to the DEMS wanting to take out the Filibuster, but they can get away with partisan votes on favorable bills.

Now, the DEMs, through their bill, want to limit the raising and spending of money to influence elections as part of their bill. The GOP charges the DEMs are making have arbitrary changes that will need unnecessary funds. This is why lone Democrat Thompson voted against it.

Related article: Migrants at the US-Mexico Border Wear Shirts Pleading Biden to Allow Entry into US

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The first meeting of the peat consultation working group  which is examining a review on the use of peat moss in the horticulture industry  has taken place.

It is understood that the legislative provisions in relation to peat extraction for horticulture were discussed at the meeting, however, it is not year clear whether harvesting will be able to resume in time for the upcoming harvest season.

Speaking ahead of the meeting IFA horticulture chairman Paul Brophy said the priority of the consultation group must be the resumption of the harvesting of horticultural peat immediately.

He outlined that the Irish horticulture sector is a significant contributor to the Irish economy, with a farm gate value of 437 million. It employs an estimated 6,600 people, while a further 11,000 are employed in downstream businesses.

Recently addressing the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture Mr Brophy  the largest broccoli grower in the country  called for the "urgent introduction of new legislation to allow horticultural peat harvesting to resume."Its very contradictory of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action to recommend the expansion of the horticulture sector to avail of opportunities for import substitution and farm diversification, while the native raw material is being reduced.

There is no viable alternative to peat in sections of the commercial horticulture sector.

As a major segment of the Irish horticulture sector relies on peat, particularly the mushroom and ornamental sectors, the ending of peat harvesting will have a negative impact.

Producers will either have to close their business or import peat, which would add extra cost to their business. In the current market environment, it would be impossible to retrieve these costs from the market. This would also have adverse knock-on effects for the tillage, poultry and forestry sectors, resulting in a considerable blow to the rural economy.

In a statement a spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said that invitations had been issued to Government Departments, state agencies, industry stakeholders and environmental non-government organisations to nominate representatives to the working group.

"The working group will examine the issues which were identified during the review of the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry.

"The first meeting of the working group will discuss legislative provisions in relation to peat extraction for horticulture will be discussed at this meeting.

Rewetting contradiction

Meanwhile, speaking after a meeting with Bord na Mona (BNM) on the reasons and procedures around the proposed BNM rewetting project at this weeks Agriculture Committee meeting, ICMSA president, Pat McCormack, said that a lot of matters had been clarified as far as his association is concerned.

While the farm leader acknowledged the semi-state companys commitment to work with adjoining landowners, he also pointed to what he said was an inescapable contradiction in BNM's position.

We accept that Bord na Mona think that theyre wont be a problem with adjoining lands and that they sincerely want us all to proceed on that basis.

"But the inescapable contradiction in their position is this - if there isnt going to be a problem at some future stage, and if Bord na Mona are certain that there isnt going to be a problem, then they wont mind putting that certainty in writing along with a commitment to make good any damage that will result if they are proved wrong.

Nobodys doubting their good faith here or indeed their expertise. All ICMSA and its members are saying is that, if Bord na Mona is so certain about their project then they wont, they cant object to signing an agreement based on that certainty.

"Thats needed because Im going to repeat what we said the very first day this was mooted: the day is long gone when farmers are going to take someones word on something as potentially significant as this project.

"Im afraid were well past that now. Were not going to be fools for anyone anymore. If Bord na Mona is as certain as they say, then they wont mind putting their opinion in writing.

The ICMSA president described the BNM project is a hugely significant change of land in the midlands and he said that a flagship project like this deserves clear written commitments to adjoining landowners that will stand the test of time and that will protect future generations of farmers.

He welcomed the commitment from the BNM delegation to consider this matter internally and he expressed hope that BNM will react positively to this proposal.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU) has registered its concern that local education officials have accepted the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) schedule for the 2021 the CSEC and CAPE exams, and the Councils reversion to the pre-2020 format, without involving the Teachers Union in that decision-making process.





President of the SVGTU Oswald Robinson made the concern known during a press conference hosted by his Union last Friday, during which he also chided the CXC for being overly taken up with getting the exams done.





The SVGTU President is alarmed that negotiations are conducted "behind the back of the Union. As far as Robinson is concerned, "children are being short-changed.





For Robinson, one of the Unions greatest strength is "silence. He chastised the Education Ministry for its refusal to talk with the Union.





"Time longer than twine, Robinson asserted. He outlined that when "push come to shove, that is the time you will understand the need for the Teachers Union, Robinson predicted.





The 2021 CSEC exams will take place from June 14 to July 16, and will consist of Papers 1, 2 and 3/School Based Assessment (SBA) as per the original format of CXC examinations. Results are expected to be released by 2021.





The exams are to be conducted in a face-to-face manner and Robinson did not refrain from making known his Unions concerned about the health and safety issues surrounding the procedure.

The SVGTUs concern about the 2021 CXC exams comes on the heels of similar expression by the Group of Concerned Parents of Barbados and students in that country. Concern has also been expressed in Jamaica.





Graduate Teachers

Other concerns raised by the Union included the non-appointment of graduate teachers.





In Robinsons assessment, nothing has been done in relation to the appointment of those teachers, even after pre-Budget consultation with government officials.





The President lamented the situation of Teachers non-appointment after 25 years in some instances and pointed, not for the first time, to the governments failure to honour a Collective Agreement agreed in 2005.





Robinson was vehement in his condemnation of what he described as a government policy of appointing teachers who are not affiliated to the Union.

Online classes

Attention was also drawn to the online classes and the difficulties teachers have with reaching students during this crisis situation, especially given that most teachers conduct their lessons from their homes.





Robinson cited the facts that some students are not on-line, an internet service that is prone to breakdowns and electricity outages and in some cases no access to electricity; as worsening the situation.





The extra demands placed on teachers as a result of the new situation, did not escape the Presidents attention.





He noted that members have to use more electricity, not to mention the cost of basic food items cutting into their earnings. "Nobody has come to the assistance of teachers, he pointed out.





He is asking that the authorities provide teachers with help to build platforms at their homes, to aid with the provision of lessons on-line.





Robinson was supported at the press conference by Public Relations Officer Fiona Charles and Industrial Relations and Research Officer Andrew John.




System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951

/var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbfee3331c8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfee332e50)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbfee3331c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfee332e50)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbfee204350)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfee332e50)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfee332e50)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfeda0a280)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbfee2d5d70)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbfee2d5d70)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China's "two sessions" are slated to convene this week, returning to the regular March schedule after last year's postponement to May due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The arrangement reconfirms that China's political, economic and social life is returning to normal, injecting confidence into the world amid the fight against the virus.

China decided the opening dates of the two sessions -- the fourth sessions of the 13th National People's Congress and the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, on Dec. 26, 2020.

The decisive move of setting the time comes against the backdrop of Chinese society remaining on high alert over the pandemic, taking every precaution to ensure public health. Meanwhile, it shows China's determination to pool wisdom to sustain sound economic and social development and exercise governance in response to the people's expectations.

The arrangement has stood the test of time and practice. This week, thousands of national lawmakers and political advisors will gather in Beijing for the important political meeting that covers every aspect of China's development and the people's well-being.

Daunting development tasks lie ahead, and time is short. The country needs to work quickly to formulate development guidelines and decide how to implement them effectively.

China's all legislative decisions are made after going through procedures and democratic deliberations to make sure the decision-making is sound and democratic. Its efforts to develop a socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics are a people-centered approach with a resolution to transform the people's aspirations into concrete plans and actions.

For the outside world, the two sessions are an important window to understand China. It will be an inspiration to see how China ensures the smooth operation of the meetings with precise epidemic control and prevention measures. It will help the world better seize the opportunities in the post-epidemic era by learning the latest trends of the second-largest economy and the background of its policies.

For China, sending signals to the world through the two sessions about how it will cooperate with the international community on key issues such as reducing carbon emissions is not only an effective way to stabilize expectations on China, but also a powerful response to certain fallacies and rumors created by some Western politicians with the intention to stop China's progress.

While COVID-19 vaccines have lit the light at the end of the tunnel, growing worldwide cases of variants coupled with uneven distribution of vaccines have complicated the situation.

On a broader level, global cooperation in many aspects is facing severe stress tests as the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, which are being accelerated by the pandemic.

Whether it is the fight against the pandemic or domains beyond that, the world should join hands to turn the challenges into opportunities. China's two sessions will provide a strong spiritual force for the world to face hardships head-on and move forward. Enditem

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]

[March 05, 2021] Smart Gas Meter Market Worth $2.5 Billion by 2026 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets

CHICAGO, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Smart Gas Meter Market by technology (AMR and AMI), Type (Smart Ultrasonic Gas Meter and Smart Diaphragm Gas Meter), Component (Hardware and Software), End User (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Smart Gas Meter Market size is expected to grow from an estimated USD 2.0 billion in 2021 to USD 2.5 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 4.7%, during the forecast period. The key drivers for the Smart Gas Meter Market include digitalization of distribution grids and optimization of network operations; asset management of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI); and increasing investment in smart grid technologies to measure and analyze data. Growing emphasis on smart grid initiatives and modernization of gas networks, and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into smart gas meter operations offer high-growth opportunities for the Smart Gas Meter Market. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=25634163 By end user, the residential segment is the largest contributor in the Smart Gas Meter Market during the forecast period. The residential segment is estimated to lead the Smart Gas Meter Market. Asia Pacific was the largest market for residential end user segment in 2020. Increasing focus on energy efficiency is expected to drive the Smart Gas Meter Market. The other key drivers for the growth of the Smart Gas Meter Market for the residential sector are the introduction of mandates and regulations in support of smart gas meters at residential facilities. Countries such as Australia, China, Japan, the UK, France, and Italy have mandated the installation of smart gas meters at residential buildings. Browse in-depth TOC on "Smart Gas Meter Market" 136  Tables

52  Figures

207  Pages View Detailed Table of Content Here: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/smart-gas-meter-market-256341634.html By technology, the automated meter reading (AMR) segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. The automated meter reading (AMR) segment accounted for the highest share of the Smart Gas Meter Market, by technology during the forecast period. The market for gas smart gas meter is driven by the growing demand for cost-effective smart gas meters and the need for automated collection of meter readings without physical inspection. By type, the smart diaphragm gas meter segment is expected to be the largest contributor during the forecast period. The smart diaphragm gas meter held the lagest share of the Smart Gas Meter Market, by type in 2020. The growth of the smart diaphragm gas meter segment is driven by the increasing number of residential & light commercial buildings to propel demand for smart diaphragm gas meter. The market for the smart diaphragm gas meter segment in Europe is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. To cater to the increasing demand for gas in residential and commercial areas and to provide gas supply with high reliability, is expected to drive the smart diaphragm gas meter market.



Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=256341634 Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest and fastest-growing market during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of the global Smart Gas Meter Market in 2020. The region has been segmented, by country, into China, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Rest of Asia Pacific. China is the largest and fastest-growing market in the region. The country currently leads the table for new investments in smart grid technologies. China managed to become the major consumer of smart grid technology because of the massive transformation taking place in the country's energy landscape. The country's ambitious renewable energy program will generate a tremendous need for smart grid technologies. The requirement for the smart grid market is further supported by China's focus on embracing energy efficiency, thus, increasing demand for Smart Gas Meter Market. Major players operating in the Smart Gas Meter Market include companies such as Landis + Gyr (Switzerland), Itron (US), Honeywell International (US), Apator Group (Poland), and Diehl Metering (Germany). Browse Adjacent Markets: Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting Browse Related Reports: Smart Meters Market by Type (Electric, Gas, Water), Communication Type (RF, PLC, Cellular), Component (Hardware, Software), Technology (AMR, AMI), End-user (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/smart-meter-366.html Smart Water Metering Market by Meter Type (Electromagnetic, Ultrasonic, Mechanical), Technology (AMI, AMR), Component (Meters & Accessories, IT Solutions, Communications), Application (Water Utilities, Industries), and Region - Global Forecast to 2024 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/smart-water-metering-market-250996975.html Meter Data Management System Market by Component (Hardware, Software), Utility (Electricity, Gas, Water), Application (Smart Grid, Micro Grid, Energy Storage, EV Charging), End-User (Residential, Commercial & Industrial), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/meter-data-management-system-market-144621226.html Smart Electric Meter Market by Communication Technology Type (Radio Frequency, Power Line Communication, and Cellular), End-User (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), Phase (Single Phase, and Three Phase), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/smart-electric-meter-market-244481146.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets' flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com

Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/smart-gas-meter-market.asp

Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/smart-gas-meter.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]

The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
If anyone has the ability to surprise the world with his ambitious projects, it is Elon Musk . The billionaire announced that he is building a new city in Texas to be called Starbase , around the rocket launch site of his company SpaceX .

Used to causing a stir by typing just a few words, Musk posted on Twitter that he is "creating the city of Starbase , Texas ."

FAA INVESTIGATES: Elon Musk's SpaceX in hot water for reportedly violating FAA license

Later, he alluded to his project to colonize the red planet, hinting that Starbase would be just the beginning to go further. From there to Mars. And hence the Stars  , detailed the CEO of Tesla .

From thence to Mars,

And hence the Stars. - Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 2, 2021

The tycoon, who is currently the second richest person in the world , said that his city will occupy an area "much larger" than Boca Chica , a place that houses a launch site for SpaceX and where the company is building its Starship rocket.

Elon Musk shared some characteristics that his new city would have, such as that it will be friendly to dogs. He also hinted that it would be directed by "the Doge" , which can be interpreted in two ways.

On the one hand, it is a reference to the Doges, former rulers of Venice and Genoa. He could also be talking about Dogecoin , the cryptocurrency inspired by the 'Cheems' meme that Musk has long endorsed, which would be more interesting.

TIME TO TEX UP: If Elon Musk wants to be a Texans, it's time he embrace our ways

Eddie Trevino, judge for Cameron County, Texas, confirmed that SpaceX informed the authorities of Elon Musk's intention: to incorporate Boca Chica into the city of Starbase . The official noted that the mogul and his company must comply with all state statutes of incorporation and clarified that the county will process any petition in accordance with the law.

The 49-year-old billionaire is determined to make Texas his main base of operations. In addition to its launch center in Boca Chica, SpaceX has a rocket test facility in the town of McGregor and they plan to build a manufacturing plant in Austin. In July 2020, it was announced that Tesla's next gigafactory would be built outside of Austin.

Last December, Musk confirmed that he would be moving from California to Texas and, at the same time, auctioned all his properties in Los Angeles to finance his Mars colonization project .

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com
JACKSON COUNTY, MI  A man convicted of murder for fatally shooting two teenagers on his property in 2016 will not have his case heard by the Michigan Supreme Court.

Tracy Lawrence, now 58, was convicted and sentenced, three years ago, to serve 19 to 40 years for the murder of Hunter Lentz and Matthew McMillen, both 18, who were shot and killed on June 8, 2016 on his property off Town Road in Springport Township in Jackson County.

Appeal denied for man convicted of killing teens trespassing on property

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled last April that Lawrence would not get a new trial. His appeal of that decision was denied by the Michigan Supreme Court on March 2.

Lentz and McMillen were shot while they were allegedly breaking into a vehicle at Lawrences home.

According to documents obtained by the MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot through a Freedom of Information Act request, police suspect McMillen and Lentz were in the middle of a string of break-ins and larcenies, starting in Napoleon Township and ending at Lawrences home.

Throughout his trial, defense attorneys argued Lawrence was within his rights to defend himself, as the teens were on a crime spree the morning of their deaths.

The prosecution has said that about 6:30 a.m., Lawrence saw the two teens in his backyard, retrieved his .22-caliber long rifle, stepped out on the back porch, yelled at them to get off his property and opened fire.

Lawrence told police he felt his life was being threatened and believed the two were running toward him. He only wanted to scare them off, he said.

Based on testimony from investigators at Lawrences preliminary examination, a judge found it was reasonable to believe the two were fleeing Lawrence at the time of the shooting, allowing the second-degree murder case to proceed.

In his appeal, defense attorneys argued Lawrence was not given a fair trial as jurors were barred from hearing testimony about the pairs crime spree at trial, a decision which was made by the appellate court itself in 2018, and that the evidence supported he was justified in shooting the pair.

A jury found Lawrence guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of felony firearms after seven hours of deliberation.

Lawrence is imprisoned at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia. His earliest release date is July 20, 2039, while his latest release date is July 20, 2060, per Michigan Department of Corrections records.

Read more stories about this here.

Read more from MLive:

Jackson County jury trials set to resume May 1

5-week-old girl missing from Albion, believed to be in danger, police say

How Michigan courts determine when to hold jury trials again after pandemic shutdown

Free dinners from 11 more restaurants available in Jackson, Consumers Energy meal program
Scientists at the University of Tsukuba and the Institute of High Pressure Physics fabricate a novel molybdenum disulfide transistor and create an image of the spins of the electrons passing through which may open the way for new spintronic computers

Tsukuba, Japan and Warsaw, Poland - Scientists from the University of Tsukuba and a scientist from the Institute of High Pressure Physics detected and mapped the electronic spins moving in a working transistor made of molybdenum disulfide. This research may lead to much faster computers that take advantage of the natural magnetism of electrons, as opposed to just their charge.

Spintronics is a new area of condensed matter physics that attempts to use the intrinsic magnetic moment of electrons, called "spins," to perform calculations. This would be a major advance over all existing electronics that rely solely on the electron charge. However, it is difficult to detect these spins, and there are many unknowns regarding materials that can support the transport of spin-polarized electrons.

Now, an international research team led by the Division of Materials Science at the University of Tsukuba has successfully used electron spin resonance (ESR) to monitor the number and location of unpaired spins coursing through a molybdenum disulfide transistor. ESR uses the same physical principle as the MRI machines that create medical images. The spins are subject to a very strong magnetic field, which creates an energy difference between electrons with spins aligned and anti-aligned with the field. The absorbance of photons that match this energy gap can be measured to determine the presence of unpaired electron spins.

The experiment required the sample to be cooled to just four degrees above absolute zero, and the transistor to be in operation while the spins are being measured. "The ESR signals were measured simultaneously with the drain and gate currents," corresponding author Professor Kazuhiro Marumoto says. "Theoretical calculations further identified the origins of the spins," coauthor Professor Magorzata Wierzbowska says. Molybdenum disulfide was used because its atoms naturally form a nearly flat two-dimensional structure. The molybdenum atoms form a plane with a layer of sulfide ions above and below.

The team found that charging the system with the additional electrons in a process called n-type doping was important for creating the spins. "In contrast with previous work on other 2D materials, the n-type doping allowed us to achieve better control of the electronic spins," Professors Marumoto and Wierzbowska explain. The scientists believe that molybdenum disulfide will prove to be an important testbed for spintronic devices as the technology advances towards future consumer products.

###
A national holiday can be a welcome restorative pause during the winter season, such as Presidents Day.

Most, at different moments during this day, can have reflective thoughts about the presidents of the United States. This day, originally, was set aside for recognition of George Washingtons birthday, who was born in February.

In 1971, the United States Congress established the third Monday of February as Presidents Day through the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. A time was chosen between George Washingtons and Abraham Lincolns birthdays. Subsequently, this day is considered a day to recognize and celebrate the birthdays and lives of all former presidents.

Citizens of Illinois, understandably, have a tendency to give more thought to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln with his image coming to mind most readily since he is portrayed on the penny and five-dollar bill. Other images can be invoked, when thinking of Lincoln, due to that he was the first sitting president to be photographed.

In 1860, Matthew B. Brady, one of Americas earliest photographers was asked by Lincoln, in conjunction with his now-famous Cooper Union Speech to be photographed. Lincoln wanted Brady to help give him a more substantial image. With a refitting of his clothes and a thoughtful poise, Brady removed Lincolns gangly appearance. There are broad beliefs that this photograph, which came to be known as the Cooper Union Photograph and the speech itself propelled Lincoln to national attention. Lincoln stated, Brady and the Cooper Union Speech made me President of the United States.

In the same year as the Cooper Union Photograph, a painting was executed/identified as the first painted portrait of Lincoln, by Alban Jasper Conant, for the purpose of his presidential campaign. The representation is of a thin and youthfully comely Lincoln. The temperament recorded by Conant is of a relaxed, open and agreeable Lincoln. Mary Todd Lincoln reflecting upon the painting stated, This is excellent. That is the way he looks when he has friends about him. Artistic legend has it that when this portrait was being painted, benches were placed in the room to allow Lincolns friends to visit.

These two images of Lincoln present a source of thought about portraitures of photographers and painters. Given that a photographer does the immediate, that is a click of a shutter, and a painter contends with extended periods of time with a poised individual. Both, however, are capable of elevated purposes of portraiture. Each can, not just record a superficial representation of an individual, but more significantly, can present an expression of character, continence and disposition. Matthew B. Bradys photograph gave a national audience an image of a mature and manly speech maker. Alban Jasper Conant gave the nation an image of a genuinely, humane and companionable soul.

The Smiling Lincoln by Alban Jasper Conant is owned by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and will be proudly exhibited in the Lovejoy Library at the years end, or the beginning of next year.

Robert Maguire holds a BA degree from SIUE and a MA from University of Illinois in Art. He currently serves on the boards of the Illinois Arts Council, Madison County Regional Office of Education and the SIUE Friends of Art. An ISBE Teacher of the Year, he has taught over 40 years and continues to practice art production.
As the nation adopted unprecedented lockdown measures during the pandemic and followed the stay-at-home directives for safety, many women experiencing violence found themselves trapped with their abusers, worsening the impact of their abuse. Domestic violence cases saw a dramatic rise in the past year. The violence continues unabated and a substantial number of cases are going unreported either to safeguard familys reputation or due to fear of shame to identify oneself as a victim. To curb the menace of domestic violence and encourage people to take responsibility by reporting such incidents, the second edition of #MeraFarzHai was launched by Viviana Mall in partnership with Thane Police, ahead of International Womens Day.

Although #MeraFarzHai began as a campaign in 2020 to safeguard women against those who violate their rights and space, the DNA of the campaign is to equip each one and all with the armour one needs, to carry out their Farz, and push them to take the very first step of reporting any incidents of violence against women.

#YOUTUBE-mWl43ybHaZc#

As part of the campaign, a short film conceptualised by Viviana Mall and supported by Thane police will be showcased across 150 screens in the Mumbai Metropolitan region on the occasion of womens day. The film urges people to not be mute spectators and call on them to think of it as their Farz (responsibility) to speak up against domestic violence. The core idea of the video is that one voice against domestic violence can change someone's life, so don't hold back, and #AwaazUthao against the act of abuse to create a safer space for women all around. The film has been released on YouTube and amplified on other social media platforms to ensure it reaches the right target audience, calling more people to join the movement against domestic violence.

The association with Thane Police aims to draw attention and make victims and people aware of the helpline number 103 available for womens safety, thereby encouraging individuals to take action for every cause possible.

Further, to lend voice to the victims of domestic violence and call for national action to ensure a safe environment, Viviana Mall together with NatConnect Foundation has created an online petition seeking community support that victims desperately need. The petition addressed to the Union Ministry of Women & Child Development, makes an appeal for policy changes to protect whistleblowers who come forward to report such incidents, create safe shelter homes for victims and their children and the need to create counselling centres for couples and family members. The petition has been supported by various activists, NGOs and celebrities.

Speaking about this initiative Ms. Rima Kirtikar, Chief Marketing Officer, Viviana Mall said, Over the years, our social initiatives have focused on the welfare of women because we firmly believe that any social, political and economic development we seek centers around empowering women. Through our unique property ExtraordiNAARI we have launched some ground-breaking campaigns like Stop Acid Sale, Women on Wheelchairs, #MeraFarzHai, that have been lauded, helped provoke change and resonated with women from all walks of life. Domestic violence has been a serious issue faced by women in India and the recent figures suggesting the pandemic has worsened it further highlights the need that it is our responsibility as a society to find a solution together. Violence faced by women can affect every aspect of their lives, from their mental health, social life, financial security, relationship with their children and work life. Many women continue to live with the perpetrator, mostly their partners to safeguard the reputation, due to fear of shame or pressure from family. Through the campaign and support from Thane Police, we have created a film that will be rolled across 150 screens urging people to not ignore the woes of victims they may know in their vicinity, and report such incidents on the emergency help line number 103. The severity of domestic violence impacting the mental and physical health of women also stresses the need for policy changes concerning safety of the complainant, counselling measures to alleviate victims trauma and temporary protection and shelter homes for women. An online petition has been launched requesting for measures to create a safe environment for the victims of domestic violence.

Launched in 2015, Viviana Mall through its flagship campaign - ExtraordiNAARI aims to take up various women centric social causes and aims for the betterment of women in society by creating awareness and a long-lasting impact on society.

In 2018 Viviana Mall launched #STOPACIDSALE campaign where they highlighted unheard and untold stories of acid attack survivors in India. The entire concept was taken a notch ahead, where the acid attack survivors walked the ramped at a leading Fashion Week. Viviana Mall was lauded for its innovative and socially relevant campaign against the sale of Acid aimed at prevention of an ever prevalent social malaise of scarring caused by Acid Attacks at the ICSC Gold Asia Pacific Shopping center awards 2018, followed by ICSC VIVA Best of Best Award at Las Vegas in May 2019 for the same initiative.

In 2019, the Mall applauded Women on Wheelchair through their campaign #RespectWomenOnWheelchair. This campaign was in association with the NINA foundation, which aimed to portray women who have broken through the shackles of disability and achieved success in their respective fields despite facing challenges. Through ExtraordiNAARI Viviana Mall aims to facilitate changes in the society in the coming years.

In 2020, MeraFarzHai, (it is my responsibility), was launched that focused on gender sensitisation and creating awareness among the people to stand against sexual harassment faced by women, especially in public places. To reach a larger audience, a video was created and released across 150 cinema halls in the MMR. The campaign received over 18 million views across different social media platforms. The campaign was recognised in India and abroad that led to similar campaigns being launched by Ontarion government and LOreal Paris. Inspired by Viviana Malls initiative, Ontarion government launched #WhoWillYouHelp in September 2020 followed by #StandUpAgainstStreetHarassment by LOreal Paris, in November 2020.The campaign film was also reposted by Telangana State Police on their social media handles.
Emily Mieure covers criminal justice and emergency news. She also leads the News&Guides investigative efforts. She has reported for WDRB TV in Louisville, Ky., WFIE TV in Evansville, Ind., and WEIU TV in Charleston, Ill.
For more than 20 years Kansas City has hoped to turn the swath of land at Barney Allis Plaza into a downtown tourist attraction, this week there still isn't much progress other than more money dedicated to the idea that's still in the planning stages.



Here's the aftermath of this week's vote . . .

"The council voted 11-2 in favor of the plan that will take $1.3 million supplied by the Kansas City Area Transit Authority and with that money, pay McCownGordon Construction to come up with a project design . . .



"The main replacement project, estimated by different councilmembers to be somewhere between $75 million and a high estimate of $110 million, are still discussions and somewhat in the distance for the Barney Allis Plaza project."

Even better . . .

KANSAS CITY INSIDERS SHARE DEETS ON THE BARNEY ALLIS PLAZA SCHEME THAT HOLDS MORE CASH THAN HOPE OF DRAWING A CROWD ANY TIME SOON!!!

Yesterday during council there were just a bit of fireworks but this inside word offers a clearer picture of what's happening behind the scenes . . .



"We have been paying some jerk for almost 3 years for work the city should have been doing. Doing public meetings, putting an RFP together and I have no idea what else. Anyway $3M worth!!! So now we are to the preliminary design phase . . . Now they have picked another company to do the design but they still need to be paid another $1.3 MILLION.

Kathryn Shields couldnt find the $$$ anywhere in the budget so she borrowed it from the frickin ATA - you know the outfit that does such wonderful bus service citywide - NOT!!!!

Anyway they cough up the $1.3 MILLION for the design of the garage - thanks to sweet connection with the ATA!!!

The ATA spokesperson claims they have capital to spare!!! Well if that's the case why have requests for the past 3 years for benches and shelters at bus stops been ignored due to the fact they have no funds. Wouldnt the benches and shelters be capital???"

It gets worse . . .

This was sold as an infrastructure and safety action when it's really just another money grab from developers who are still pushing a downtown tourism agenda after the pandemic.

For now, here's glimpse at the plan that will cost MILLIONS more of taxpayer cash that could be spent on COVID relief . . . Or maybe fixing streets, picking up trash and paying more first responders.



Barney Allis Redevelopment Project

Developing . . .
Mansukh Hiran, a resident of Thane whose vehicle with gelatin sticks was found parked on Carmichael Road near Mukesh Ambani's residence Antilia earlier last week has been found dead.

Earlier on Friday, Maharashtra Police said an unknown male corpse was found in Retibunder Creek on Retibunder road in Mumbra (w). Later the corpse was identified as Hiran. Police said the prima facia shows Hiran died by suicide.

BCCL

According to reports, he was missing since last night and could have jumped to death from the creak.

Following his death, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis demanded a probe by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the matter.

Fadnavis said, "I had demanded the security for Hiran in the Legislative Assembly today along with the NIA probe in the matter. Now after the suicide of Hiran, the suspicion intensifies. I demand an NIA probe in the matter."

Earlier in the day, Fadnavis had raised suspicion in the case and said "there are a number of coincidences in the matter".

"The owner of the car was at Mumbai's Crawford market for shopping but his car was stolen. Assistant Police Inspector (API) Sachin Waze who found the car,and the owner of the car Hiren were in talks, He was from thane and this car also came from thane. All this is suspicious so the owner of the car must be given protection," Fadnavis had said.

ANI

A car carrying unassembled explosive materials was found abandoned at Carmichael Road in South Mumbai last week, near the house of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. The bomb squad and police teams are conducting a probe.

ANI

According to the Mumbai Police, a Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) examined the vehicle and found gelatin, a substance often used to make explosives.

According to reports the handwritten "threat letter" in "broken English" was addressed to Mukesh Ambani and his wife Neeta Ambani.
CHARLESTON, S.C., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jason Mitchell Real Estate, the Nations #1 Real Estate Team has officially opened its doors for business in Charleston, South Carolina, Led by Broker Debbie Curry. The Jason Mitchell Group will look to duplicate its efforts as it has throughout all markets they service.

By being the leader of B2B services, the JMG model is to support mortgage lenders and networks alike to service their clients who are in search of an agent. From buy side representation to listing support, the JMG brand has become synonymous with referral services.

"Our goal as a company is to support our partners by providing a superior process and a world class real estate experience to each of the clients we serve. By leveraging our technology, we seamlessly support our agents and provide them an opportunity to grow their business that is unmatched in the industry," says Jason Mitchell, President and CEO of Jason Mitchell Real Estate.

Now located in 16 states, The Jason Mitchell Group model has proven to be a unique niche for real estate business. Some of the national brands they service include, Rocket Homes/Rocket Mortgage, Zillow Group, Opendoor, New American Funding, Veterans United, Axos Bank, Cardinal Financial, Celebrity Home Loans , Realtor.com, and more.

To learn more about the Jason Mitchell Group visit thejasonmitchellgroup.com or email [email protected]

Instagram - @jasonmitchellgroup

Facebook - The Jason Mitchell Group

LinkedIn - Jason Mitchell Real Estate

Twitter - @JMG_realestate

SOURCE Jason Mitchell Real Estate

Related Links

thejasonmitchellgroup.com


The Syrian National Coalition has shocked displaced individuals from Afrin living in Qamishli, writes North Press.

The visit of the delegation of the Syrian opposition bloc known as the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on Tuesday was a shock for the displaced from Syrias Afrin, who live in the city of Qamishli, after they themselves were displaced by the Syrian opposition.

The delegation, headed by Nasr al-Hariri, arrived in Erbil in the Kurdistan region on Tuesday on an official visit that will last for three days.

On Wednesday, Hariri published a picture of him with Masoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and former president of the Kurdistan region, on his Twitter account.

Mahmoud Chaqmaq, a writer living in Qamishli after his displacement from Afrin, said that the scenes and pictures of the visit were shocking and painful, considering it a stab for them.

He added in an interview with North Press that I wish I saw Nasr al-Hariri and other Muslim Brotherhood [figures] and warlords before the international justice courts for the crimes they committed.

On Wednesday, the Violations Documentation Center in North Syria (VDC-NSY) documented the kidnapping of 77 civilians from Afrin by the opposition groups in February.

We see that the Kurdish House opens its door wide to receive such criminal people, Chaqmaq added.

A few days ago, Hariri appeared in pictures from Afrin accompanied by leaders of opposition groups accused of war crimes, before heading to Erbil.

Whenever we are optimistic about the steps of the intra- Kurdish talks, we are surprised and shocked by scenes, pictures, and statements from both sides of the talks that try to undermine all the steps taken on the ground, the displaced said.

It is regrettable that the occupied Afrin, Sere Kaniye, and Tel Abyad turned from an issue into a bargaining card and the political bazaar between the Kurdish parties, he added.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
404

  

              
Say it aint Joe. Photo: Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

Barring a medical emergency or sudden outbreak of austerity fever, Joe Bidens nearly $2 trillion COVID relief bill will be law by mid-March. After that, congressional Democrats plan to turn their attention to a climate-friendly infrastructure package. Like the presidents relief bill, this recovery program will consist primarily of spending measures, and almost certainly be passed via a budget-reconciliation bill  a special category of legislation that can pass the Senate on a party-line vote, so long as all its provisions primarily impact the federal budget.

But once reconciliation is done, acrimony may follow.

Through the opening weeks of the Biden presidency, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have held the line against altering the legislative filibuster. To progressives dismay, these Democratic senators have forced their party to advance relief through a byzantine process that has delayed the bills passage and narrowed its scope. Nevertheless, since the bulk of Bidens first big bill was reconciliation eligible, the moderates fetishization of the filibuster has condemned their party to headaches  but not yet to paralysis. Soon, that will change.

On Wednesday, House Democrats passed the For the People Act, the package of anti-corruption and voting-rights reforms that Nancy Pelosis caucus has treated as its top priority since taking control of the House in 2019. Among the 800-page bills myriad provisions are a national system for automatic voter registration, a ban on partisan redistricting, and the establishment of public financing for federal campaigns. Congressional Democrats are nearly unanimous in their support for the legislation, and a supermajority of the U.S. public has endorsed its core provisions in opinion polls. More critically, since the House map already has a roughly three-point bias toward Republicans  and since the GOP controls 30 state legislatures to the Democrats 18, and will therefore dominate the redistricting process after the 2020 census  if Democrats dont ban partisan redistricting in the next few months, their odds of retaining the House in 2020 will fall swiftly toward zero.

Meanwhile, in states across the country, Republicans are doing their darndest to lend further urgency to the cause of federal voting reform. At least 33 states have introduced, prefiled, or extended bills to make voting harder since the start of this year. In Georgia  ground zero for Donald Trumps stop the steal campaign  Republicans have taken direct aim at the Black electorate by proposing a law against early voting on Sundays, when African-American churches have historically led their congregations to the ballot box, in a tradition known as souls to the polls.

None of this is lost on the Democratic leadership. Last year, in his eulogy for John Lewis, Barack Obama argued that honoring the civil-rights heros legacy required his party to pass sweeping voting-rights reforms  and stipulated that if it takes eliminating the filibuster, another Jim Crow relic, in order to secure the God-given rights of every American, then thats what we should do.

In recent days, House Democrat John Sarbanes echoed Obamas argument, telling Vox, If Mitch McConnell is not willing to provide 10 Republicans to support [the For the People Act], I think Democrats are going to step back and reevaluate the situation. Theres all manner of ways you could redesign the filibuster so [the bill] would have a path forward.

In the Senate, Minnesotas Amy Klobuchar  no ones idea of a progressive firebrand  vowed to send the bill to the Senate floor. If Republican support is founding wanting, Klobuchar said that her committee will ask itself, Is there [a] filibuster reform that could be done generally or specifically?

To some ears, Joe Manchin appeared to answer this question in the negative on Monday. Asked by the Hills Jordain Carney whether there is any scenario in which he might change his mind about the filibuster, Manchin replied, Never! Jesus Christ! What dont you understand about never?

But Manchin also recognizes the necessity of voting-rights reform; or at least, he recognized it as of last August.

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, the law that secured the right to vote for every American. We must continue that legacy by ensuring every American can vote in 2020 by passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore the Voting Rights Act.  Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) August 6, 2020

And there is some ambiguity in what Manchin meant when he said hell never change his mind on the filibuster. Perhaps the West Virginian will never condone killing the rule outright, but would consider reforming it, given the right circumstances.

In truth, the filibuster is not actually a malign tradition that subverts the Constitution, erodes democratic accountability, and forces the global hegemon to pass all its major laws through a process more riddled with insane and arbitrary rules than a game of Kings Cup played by teens tripping on psilocybin  because it isnt actually a tradition. The filibuster has existed in its contemporary form  as a default 60-vote requirement for all major legislation  for less than two decades. The period of the automatic 60-vote threshold has not been characterized by bipartisan comity (as the filibusters defenders routinely imply), but by its very opposite.

Therefore, if Manchin is earnestly concerned with defending long-standing Senate traditions and promoting bipartisan debate, then Democrats could simply restore the more rigorous requirements for sustaining a filibuster that prevailed through most of the 20th century. As Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute writes:

Currently, it takes 60 senators to reach cloture  to end debate and move to a vote on final passage of a bill. The burden is on the majority, a consequence of filibuster reform in 1975, which moved the standard from two-thirds of senators present and voting to three-fifths of the entire Senate. Before that change, if the Senate went around-the-clock, filibustering senators would have to be present in force. If, for example, only 75 senators showed up for a cloture vote, 50 of them could invoke cloture and move to a final vote. After the reform, only a few senators in the minority needed to be present to a request for unanimous consent and to keep the majority from closing debate by forcing a quorum call. The around-the-clock approach riveted the public, putting a genuine spotlight on the issues. Without it, the minoritys delaying tactics go largely unnoticed, with little or no penalty for obstruction, and no requirement actually to debate the issue.

One way to restore the filibusters original intent would be requiring at least two-fifths of the full Senate, or 40 senators, to keep debating instead requiring 60 to end debate. The burden would fall to the minority, whod have to be prepared for several votes, potentially over several days and nights, including weekends and all-night sessions, and if only once they couldnt muster 40  the equivalent of cloture  debate would end, making way for a vote on final passage of the bill in question.

Alternatively, Democrats could bring back the present and voting standard, which would similarly require the minority party to maintain constant vigilance in order to obstruct pending legislation. Under such a standard, three-fifths of the senators present in the chamber at any given time can vote to end debate and proceed to a vote on a given bill (once debate is ended, only a majority is required to pass a bill). In concrete terms, this means that if Democrats keep their caucus united and in the building, if Republicans ever let 17 of their members go home at the same time, then Chuck Schumers caucus would suddenly comprise a three-fifths majority and be able to end debate.

Georgia senator Raphael Warnock has floated a less elaborate path forward: If the Senate has a special filibuster exemption for budgetary bills, why shouldnt it also have one for democracy reforms? Protecting the rights of the Senate minority might be a worthy aim, but surely, protecting the voting rights of Americas racial minorities is even worthier. Could Joe Manchin really deny that allowing a group of lawmakers who represent a small (overwhelmingly white) minority of U.S. voters to fortify their own partys overrepresentation, by safeguarding its power to gerrymander the House and suppress the vote, is a greater affront to our republics highest ideals than ending a tradition that was born this century?

Maybe. Joe Manchin believes some pretty dumb stuff.

But even if so, a basic fact remains: Within the next few months, prioritizing the filibuster over the Democratic agenda is going to become a lot more uncomfortable for Manchin and Sinema than it is today. It is one thing to defend the filibuster when doing so makes your partys current legislative priority more arduous to pass; its another when doing so makes that priority impossible to advance. Notably, voting-rights and democracy-reform bills arent the only forthcoming legislative fights that could test the moderates resolve.

The pending $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill would establish a nearly universal child benefit that would provide U.S. families with $3,600 for each child under the age of 6, and $3,000 for those up to age 17. This benefit would be dispersed in periodic installments, such that households would begin to factor the payments into their routine budgeting.

But the benefit is only slated to last a single year: In order to keep the price tag of the relief package under $2 trillion, Democrats put an expiration date on the provision.

All this means that there is going to come a point in 2022 when Democrats will need to either extend the child benefit, or allow just about every middle-class family in the U.S. to see its disposable income shrink, shortly before a midterm election.

The party might be able to slip an extension into a reconciliation bill. And its conceivable that effectively repealing an existing social benefit would be so politically toxic, ten Republican senators will be willing to vote to make the measure permanent.

But if the GOP declines to play ball, and Democrats use up their reconciliation bills, then Manchin and Sinema could end up in a place where gutting the filibuster is the least controversial of their options. Partisan hardball may run counter to the senators personal brands. But better to be seen as a partisan than as a person who took food out of the mouths of children all across your state.

Its entirely possible that Democratic leaders will spare Manchin and Sinema from having to choose between extending the child benefit and weakening the filibuster. And its equally plausible that the senators will feel comfortable letting the For the People Act die to keep their own bipartisan bona fides alive.

But progressives can find some hope in the possibility that moderates resistance to filibuster reform will weaken as the costs of protecting Mitch McConnells power rise.
Joe Biden maintains unequivocal support for the Good Friday Agreement, a White House spokeswoman said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney earlier said the UK cannot be trusted over the Northern Ireland Protocol, which ensures the Irish border remains open and free-flowing.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: President Biden has been unequivocal about his support for the Good Friday Agreement.

It has been the bedrock of peace, stability and prosperity for all the people of Northern Ireland.

The UK has unilaterally extended some grace periods of light-touch regulation on goods crossing the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland following lobbying by businesses.

Ms Psaki added: We also welcome cooperation between our British and Irish partners on the Northern Irish protocol and the recent strong statements on these governments full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement.

Before his election, the US president said the Agreement cannot become a casualty of Brexit.

The UK is presently seeking a bilateral trade deal with the US.

The US has agreed to suspend millions of pounds worth of tariffs on UK exports as part of an effort to resolve a transatlantic trade dispute over aerospace subsidies.

Washington will temporarily suspend tariffs on a range of goods, cutting the 25% tariff rate on Scotch whisky to zero percent for four months, according to the Department for International Trade.

Following a conversation last month, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson sought to reassure Mr Biden  who is fiercely proud of his Irish roots  that he remained firmly committed to the Northern Ireland peace process.

Mr Johnson said then: This is fundamental for us, the Anglo-Irish Agreement, the peace agreement, the Good Friday process, the Belfast Agreement, these agreements are absolutely crucial.

Pressed on his support for the Northern Ireland protocol in the Brexit Withdrawal agreement following the recent row with the EU over vaccines, he replied: We want to make sure that theres free movement, north-south, free movement east-west, and we guarantee the rights of the people of Northern Ireland, of course.

President Bidens ancestral homes in Ballina in Mayo and the Cooley Peninsula in Louth celebrated his inauguration earlier this year with champagne and cake while waving Irish and American flags.

The US presidents proud links to Ireland are well known and often spoken about by the Democrat.

He is seen by many as the most Irish-American president to date.
Patna, March 6 : Additional District and Sessions Judge Luv Kush Kumar of Gopalganj district court in Bihar sentenced death penalty to nine persons and life imprisonment to four women in poisonous liquor case on Friday.

Poisonous liquor case appeared in Khurjbani village on August 16, 2016 that had taken the lives of 19 persons and six others had lost their eyesight. The Nitish Kumar government had imposed liquor ban in Bihar in April 2016.

Gopalganj Police had registered FIRs against 14 persons in this case. The police said in the chargesheet that the accused have used methyl alcohol in the country made liquor. One person has been acquitted in this case.

Defence lawyer Ved Prakash Tiwari said: "The court has convicted 13 persons out of 14. Nine of them have been awarded death penalty while four have been sentenced life imprisonment. I will appeal in the High Court to challenge the judgement of lower court." Priyanka Kumar, wife of one of the convicts named Rajesh Choudhary claimed that her husband has nothing to do with the poisonous liquor case and he has been falsely framed.
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said it had located a previously-unidentified person who tested positive for a highly transmissible variant of coronavirus first found in northern Brazil, and that there was no evidence the person had spread the virus.

"We've successfully identified the person in question," health minister Matt Hancock said. "The best evidence is that this person in question stayed at home and there's no sign that there's been any onward transmission."

(Reporting by Alistair Smout, writing by William James)

School districts across North Alabama soon will have to decide how they will react to the end of the statewide mask mandate on Apr. 9.

"I think they should keep wearing masks in school," said Leanne Perry.

Perry is the grandparent of a Huntsville City Schools student. She says masking should continue at least until the start of the next school year.

Not everyone agreed, though. Some parents say they want the decision to be left up to each family, not the school districts.

School districts across North Alabama say they don't yet have decisions made for the post-mask mandate future. Scottsboro City Schools plans to discuss what it should do at its next work session.

"Following Thursdays announcement by Gov. Ivey, Florence City Schools is developing our plan for the expiration of the mask order. We hope to have that plan finalized next week, and at that time, we will make a formal announcement," Carter Watkins, a spokesperson for Florence City Schools, said.

"We are working that issue, and we will share our decision well in advance," Tim Hall, a spokesperson for Madison County Schools, said.

"Decatur City Schools has just finished our second dose of vaccinations for the majority of our teachers. We are in the process of developing our operational plan for the next phase/close of the school year. When we make our decision on how the lifting of the mask ordinance (April 9) and how we will handle the remainder of the school year as related to safety protocols (PPE), it will be announced to the public," Dwight Satterfield, the Deputy Superintendent of School Safety/Student Services for Decatur City Schools, said.

Even parents who say they want masking for now said they're hopeful that by next August, masks won't be needed.

"I think by the time we start the next school year, I'm assuming it will be better," said Ashley Pallotta.

We reached out to the Alabama Department of Education to find out what guidance it is giving school districts:

We are grateful to Governor Ivey and her leadership as she extends the mask mandate until April 9. Concerning what school systems should do after that time, there are many variables that go into making that decision. We believe local systems need to take into consideration the circumstances on the ground and make a determination based on their individual needs," Michael Sibley, Communication Director, said.
WASHINGTON, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Foundation of America's 2021 Digital Lupus Advocacy Summit brought together thousands of lupus advocates from across the country to participate in educational and networking opportunities, while also advocating for funding of critical lupus programs. The Summit, which took place March 2  4, was the largest advocacy gathering of people with lupus ever, and included hundreds of virtual and phone meetings between members of Congress and lupus advocates asking their elected officials to support policies that will improve the quality of life for everyone affected by the disease.

Advocates urged members of Congress to support:

$10.5 million for the National Lupus Registry at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC);

for the National Lupus Registry at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); $15 million for the Lupus Research Program at the Department of Defense (DoD);

for the Lupus Research Program at the Department of Defense (DoD); $2 million for the lupus program at the Office of Minority Health (OMH); and

for the lupus program at the Office of Minority Health (OMH); and $46.1 billion for the National Institutes of Health, which provided an estimated $127 million for lupus research last year.

These programs are critical to advancing lupus research. They are designed to increase the understanding of lupus, its causes and how it can be treated, including in children and teenagers; speed time to diagnosis and ensure people with lupus are receiving the care they need as soon as possible; and increase enrollment in clinical trials, particularly among minority communities, which can accelerate the development of new, safe and effective treatments for lupus. In addition to research and program funding, advocates shared with their members of Congress about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic to help them understand the needs of the lupus community, including access to care, health equity and social determinants of health.

During the first two days of the event, attendees gathered virtually to participate in panel sessions with lupus experts. Panels focused on the latest in lupus research, highlighting newly approved lupus nephritis therapies and other potential treatments currently in clinical trials. A panel of experts also discussed COVID-19, including the most important issues for people living with lupus, the latest information on vaccines, and specific resources for the lupus community. There were also panels focused on access to care, with a deep dive discussion on insurance coverage, cost and programs to help people with lupus navigate their journey with the disease. In addition, the Summit featured a virtual Youth Congress with specific programming for young people with lupus and their families.

"This is my second year attending the Lupus Foundation of America's Digital Lupus Advocacy Summit. My husband and I had an amazing experience attending panel discussions, connecting with others in the lupus community, and joining virtual meetings with our members of Congress. Also, since the Summit was a digital experience, more of my friends and family were able to participatemaking it such a wonderful and memorable experience overall," shared Valori Corral-Nava, Lupus Foundation of America Advocate, Florida. "I know that our advocacy efforts made a lasting impression. Our members of Congress heard our stories and why supporting funding for lupus research and education programs is so critical. It was clear from our conversations that we made an impact!"

"Year after year we see the dedication and passion from thousands of our lupus advocates making their voices heard with our nation's leaders  and this year's Digital Lupus Advocacy Summit was no different," said Stevan W. Gibson, president and CEO, Lupus Foundation of America. "Hosting in a digital format again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a silver lining  we've been able to bring together even more lupus advocates with important education panels and our advocates have amplified their voices with their members of Congress. We are encouraged by the response from Congress who listened to the personal stories of our lupus advocates and we look forward to working with them to ensure funding for critical lupus research and education programs as well as access to care."

In addition to the support of our donors and Board members for helping to make the 2021 Digital Lupus Advocacy Summit possible, we greatly appreciate the unrestricted grants from the following organizations: AstraZeneca, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and PhRMA.

About the Lupus Foundation of America

The Lupus Foundation of America is the national force devoted to solving the mystery of lupus, one of the world's cruelest, most unpredictable and devastating diseases, while giving caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact. Through a comprehensive program of research, education, and advocacy, we lead the fight to improve the quality of life for all people affected by lupus. Learn more about the Lupus Foundation of America at lupus.org.

Contact:

Mike Donnelly

[email protected]

(202) 349-1162

SOURCE Lupus Foundation of America

Related Links

www.lupus.org


The body of a critically endangered elephant killed by a hunting trap was found in Indonesia on Friday, local officials said.

Shocking images of the Sumatran elephant show the animal's decomposing body lying on its side, with a cut on its leg from where it was caught by the trap.

The male elephant, who is believed to have been around ten years old, died after his front leg was gripped by the hunting trap.

Judging by its injuries the condition of its body - which had started to rot - officers believe the elephant had been lying dead for around four weeks before it was found.

The body of a critically endangered elephant killed by a hunting trap was found in Indonesia on Friday (pictured) local officials said

Shocking images of the Sumatran elephant show the animal's decomposing body lying on its side, with marks on its leg from where it was gripped by the trap

The male elephant, who is believed to have been around ten years old, died after his front leg was caught in the hunting trap. Pictured: A local points to the elephant's leg, showing the damage caused by the trap

The creature was found in Alue Meuraksa Village in the Aceh Province on Friday.

Aceh is a semi-autonomous Indonesian province on the northwest tip of Sumatra Island, and is home to Sumatran elephants - one of three recognised subspecies of the Asian elephant.

Sumatran elephants, native to Sumatra Island, are threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, as well as poaching.

In 2011, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the conservation status of the Sumatran elephant from endangered to critically endangered in its 'Red List'.

This came after the population had declined by 80 per cent during the past three generations, estimated to cover around 75 years.

Between 1985 and 2007 alone, 50 per cent of Sumatran elephants died.

Pictured: A man holds up the tusk of the deceased elephant to the camera. Sumatran elephants, native to Sumatra Island, are preeminently threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, as well as poaching. Officers believe the elephant had been lying dead for around four weeks before it was found

Locals were pictured investigating the scene of the elephant's death and holding up its tusk, suggesting it had not been killed for its ivory. Pictured: The elephant's body, around which tape has been set up as someone works on the body

It is more likely the traps were placed to keep elephants and other creatures away from crops

Locals were pictured investigating the scene of the elephant's death and holding up its tusk, suggesting it had not been killed for its ivory.

It is more likely the traps were placed to keep elephants and other creatures away from crops.

Between 2012 and 2015, 36 elephants were found dead in Aceh Province due to poisoning, electrocution and traps - the majority of which near palm oil plantations.

Conservationists that Sumatran elephants could become extinct in less than a decade if poaching is not stopped.

In 2011, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the conservation status of the Sumatran elephant from endangered to critically endangered in its 'Red List'

Sumatran elephants, native to Sumatra Island, are preeminently threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, as well as poaching

Over 69 per cent of potential elephant habitat has been lost within the last 25 years, with much of the remaining forest that makes up the elephant's habitat now smaller than 97 square miles, which are too small to sustain elephant populations.

There is evidence in two Indonesian provinces - Riau and Lampung - that entire elephant populations have disappeared after their habitat was lost.

Despite this, the driving forces behind the loss of habit remain unchecked, and the reduction of elephants' habitat for illegal conversion of agriculture still continues.

Over 69 per cent of potential elephant habitat has been lost within the last 25 years, with much of the remaining forest that makes up the elephant's habitat now too small to sustain elephant populations. Pictured: A farm in Sumatra, Indonesia on March 3, 2021

Between 2012 and 2015, 36 elephants were found dead in Aceh Province due to poisoning, electrocution and traps - the majority of which near palm oil plantations. Pictured: An elephant calf is seen with her mom in Tangkahan Sumatran Elephant Special Animal Training Center

Asian elephants are generally distinguishable from their African cousins by their small body size and smaller ears.

Sumatran elephants reach a shoulder height of between 6.6 and 10.5 feet and weight between 4,400 and 8,800 lbs, with males being larger than females.

Their life expectancy in captivity ranges from 60 to 75 years.
The Kremlin is obliged to instruct Moscow-controlled armed formations to observe ceasefire and to unblock the work of the Trilateral Contact Group, diplomats say.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has called on the Russian Federation to stop shifting responsibility for the implementation of the Minsk agreements onto others.

"Russia must finally stop shifting responsibility onto others and begin to fulfill its obligations toward peaceful settlement. The rhetoric about approaching a 'dangerous line' fits into the logic of war, on which the Kremlin still can't give up," the spokesman for MFA Ukraine, Oleh Nikolenko, has told UNIAN.

Read alsoKravchuk: Success of Donbas peace process depends on implementation of Normandy Four decisions by RussiaRather than encouraging Germany and France to apply their influence, they should instruct the Moscow-controlled armed groups to observe ceasefire, to unblock the Trilateral Contact Group's work, and to finalize the long-awaited decisions to improve people's lives on both sides of the contact line. This is about the launch of the checkpoint, humanitarian demining, designation of new disengagement areas, and progress towards the release of held persons," Nikolenko stressed.

He added that Ukraine is fully committed to achieving progress on the said issues, while seeing no readiness on the part of Russia for any constructive work.

Background

Earlier this week, Russian puppet authorities in the occupied part of Donetsk region gave permission to Moscow's proxy forces to open "pre-emptive fire" to suppress and destroy Ukrainian firing points.

The Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group saw the statement as a threat of Russia's unilateral withdrawal from the ceasefire deal and a threat to disrupt the implementation of Minsk agreements.

Today, March 4, Russian president's spox Dmitry Peskov claimed the Ukrainian side should remain a supporter of the Minsk agreements, and expressed "concern" about the rising tension on the contact line in Donbas.

Reporting by UNIAN

DALLAS (AP)  A Dallas police officer has been arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder, authorities said Thursday.

Bryan Riser, a 13-year police veteran, was taken into custody Thursday morning and brought to the Dallas County Jail, according to a statement from the police department. Police did not immediately provide further details about the case against Riser, and a spokeswoman for the Dallas County district attorney's office said her office didn't have information on the case.
2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning --

4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS.

We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover.

We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come.
New Delhi:

The US Department of State on Wednesday designated Hizbul Mujahideen as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation. The US had earlier declared the outfit's Pakistan-based chief Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist.

The designation, which slaps a series of American sanctions on the militant group, came against the backdrop of upsurge in its terror activities in Kashmir in recent months.

These designations seek to deny Hizbul Mujahideen the resources it needs to carry out terrorist attacks, the State Department said in a statement.

Among other consequences, all of Hizbul Mujahideens property and interests in property subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the group.

Earlier on June 26, the US State Department designated Syed Salahuddin, the head of Kashmiri militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, as a specially designated global terrorist.

The move came just hours before the first meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House.

As a consequence of this designation, US persons were generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with Salahuddin and all of Salahuddin?s property and interests in property subject to the United States jurisdiction were blocked.

With PTI inputs

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The sanctions imposed by the United States against businessman Ihor Kolomoisky are an extraordinary political decision that could have serious consequences for his assets, deputy head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities Services, MP Oleksiy Kucherenko said.

"When the United States imposes sanctions, these are, in fact, serious things, and in accordance with their legislation, they can further apply to assets. Especially, when it comes to corruption. I do not want to rush to conclusions, but it is already clear that this is an extraordinary political decision, which will definitely not go positively to the one in respect of whom it is being made," he told Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.

As reported, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced sanctions against oligarch and former Ukrainian official Ihor Kolomoisky in connection with his involvement in major corruption.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Governor Tim Walz has signed a bill to get more COVID-19 vaccines into arms.

The plan gives qualified dentists the ability to administer the shot.

The Governor's new legislation, put into place on Wednesday, is in preparation of more vaccines being available.

The Minnesota Dental Association's Executive Director Carmelo Cinqueonce says they are excited about this opportunity.

At this time, Cinqueonce says there are a lot of unknowns.

Minnesota Dental Association members will be presented with the opportunity to start the training process and get registered with the state, as more information is released from the Department of Health in the coming weeks.

Cinqueonce says once dentists have completed the training process, they hope to administer shots at public health clinics and potentially at individual dental offices.

"It's really hard to determine how many people would be available to participate. We did a brief survey and over 60% of those who responded said they would be very much interested in participating in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine," says Cinqueonce.

For right now, there is an expiration date on this bill.

Dentists will not be allowed to give the COVID-19 vaccine after June 1, 2022.

The Minnesota Dental Association will meet with the Minnesota Department of Health in the coming weeks to formulate a plan.
Along with creating a new police accountability and oversight system, the police reform law Gov. Charlie Baker signed on Dec. 31 set limits on law enforcement's use of face-recognition technology and did away with a statewide requirement that districts have at least one school resource officer, making that a local call.

Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
Theyre going to fold in, the federal government will fold in their doses, their appointment regimen and scheduling process at Meijer, at Kroger, at Walmart, Holcomb said. So, when you think about the federal pharmacy program there are those options as well for teachers of all ages.
Numerous businesses have already agreed to pay back their amounts, including Toyota, Iluka, Super Retail Group and Nine (the publisher of this masthead). Mr Strong applauded those who repaid for setting the example and defended the scheme overall as a crucial emergency measure in a time of crisis, but said it had been abused by too many self-interested corporates. Loading My members are livid. Its not Australian. They belong in their own world, Mr Strong said. This is some big businesses, not all of them. If theyre taking a profit, theyre not honouring the intent of the scheme... Its giving the rest of the business community a bad name. Publicly listed companies represent just a fraction of the businesses who participated in the $83 billion scheme, with 99 per cent of the payments going to private companies who do not receive the same level of scrutiny over their accounts. Mr Strong acknowledged many small businesses had received the payments, but said they were more likely to have smaller cash buffers and profits. Australian Shareholders Association policy and advocacy manager Fiona Balzer said there were difficulties judging whether a profit figure was significant and it should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

We support companies repaying the wage subsidy if they are financially comfortable to do so, Ms Balzer said. The grey area is the judgment about significant profit ... There are a number of businesses with weird and wonderful outcomes [because of COVID], she said. Governance Institute of Australia chief executive Megan Motto said directors needed to consider more than just reputational risks in the JobKeeper debate. They should weigh the pressure to be a good corporate citizen alongside their fiduciary duty to shareholders, keeping staff employed, and the role of companies in stimulating the economy, Ms Motto said.

If boards return these payments and there is another economic shock, there may be more worker lay-offs, a greater destruction of shareholder value, and the need for more government stimulus, she said. The pandemic simply isnt over yet and the future is highly uncertain. She said profitable companies could show good governance and corporate citizenship by choosing to invest in innovation and job-creating projects rather than simply repaying the wage subsidy. Every dollar that flows into the economy during this crisis could mean more Australians stay employed. Australian Centre for Corporate Responsibility director of workers rights Katie Hepworth said she was concerned about the way some companies appeared to be using JobKeeper funds. Loading
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Optimizely co-founder Dan Siroker said the idea for his new startup Scribe goes back to a couple of personal experiences  and although Scribe's first product is focused on Zoom, those experiences weren't Zoom-related at all.

Instead, Siroker recalled starting to go deaf and then having an "epiphany" the first time he put in a hearing aid, as he recovered a sense he thought he'd lost.

"That really was the spark that got me thinking about other opportunities to augment things your body naturally fails at," he said.

Siroker added that memory was an obvious candidate, particularly since he also has aphantasia  the inability to visualize mental images, which made it "hard to remember certain things."

It may jog your own memory if I note that Siroker founded Optimizely with Pete Koomen in 2010, then stepped down from the CEO role in 2017, with the testing and personalization startup acquired by Episerver last year. (And now Episerver itself is rebranding as Optimizely.)

Fast-forward to the present day and Siroker is now CEO at Scribe, which is taking signups for its first product. That product integrates into Zoom meetings and transforms them into searchable, shareable transcripts.

Siroker demonstrated it for me during our Zoom call. Scribe appears in the meeting as an additional participant, recording video and audio while creating a real-time transcript. During or after the meeting, users can edit the transcript, watch or listen to the associated moment in the recording and highlight important points.

From a technological perspective, none of this feels like a huge breakthrough, but I was impressed by the seamlessness of the experience  just by adding an additional participant, I had a full recording and searchable transcript of our conversation that I could consult later, including while I was writing this story.

Scribe screenshot

Image Credits: Scribe

Although Scribe is recording the meeting, Siroker said he wants this to be more like a note-taking replacement than a tape recorder.

Story continues

"Let's say you and I were meeting and I came to that meeting with a pen and paper and I'm writing down what you're saying," he said. "That's totally socially acceptable  in some ways, it's flattering ... If instead, I brought a tape recorder and plopped in front of you and hit record  you might actually have this experience  with some folks, that feels very different."

The key, he argued, is that Scribe recordings and transcripts can be edited, and you can also turn individual components on and off at any time.

"This is not a permanent record," he said. "This is a shared artifact that we all create as we have a meeting that  just like a Google Doc  you can go back and make changes."

That said, it's still possible that Scribe could record some embarrassing comments, and the recordings could eventually get meeting participants in trouble. (After all, leaked company meeting recordings have already prompted a number of news stories.) Siroker said he hopes that's "not common," but he also argued that it could create an increased sense of transparency and accountability if it happens occasionally.

Scribe has raised around $5 million in funding, across a round led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and another led by First Round Capital.

Scribe screenshot

Image Credits: Scribe

Siroker told me he sees Zoom as just the "beachhead" for Scribe's ambitions. Next up, the company will be adding support for products like Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. Eventually, he hopes to build a new "hive mind" for organizations, where everyone is "smarter and better" because so many of their conversations and knowledge are now searchable.

"Where we go after that really depends on where we think we can have the biggest positive impact on people's lives," he said. "It's harder to make a case for personal conversations you have with a spouse but  I think if you strike the right balance between value and privacy and control, you could really get people to adopt this in a way that actually is a win-win."

And if Scribe actually achieves its mission of helping us to record and recall information in a wide variety of contexts, could that have an impact on our natural ability to remember things?

"Yes is the answer, and I think that's okay," he responded. "Your brain has limited energy ... Remembering the things somebody said a few weeks ago is something a computer can do amazingly. Why waste your precious brain cycles doing that?"

Early Stage is the premier how-to event for startup entrepreneurs and investors. Youll hear first-hand how some of the most successful founders and VCs build their businesses, raise money and manage their portfolios. Well cover every aspect of company-building: Fundraising, recruiting, sales, product market fit, PR, marketing and brand building. Each session also has audience participation built-in  theres ample time included for audience questions and discussion.

( function() { var func = function() { var iframe = document.getElementById('wpcom-iframe-dde292b93a5f3017145419dd51bb9fce') if ( iframe ) { iframe.onload = function() { iframe.contentWindow.postMessage( { 'msg_type': 'poll_size', 'frame_id': 'wpcom-iframe-dde292b93a5f3017145419dd51bb9fce' }, "https:\/\/tcprotectedembed.com" ); } } // Autosize iframe var funcSizeResponse = function( e ) { var origin = document.createElement( 'a' ); origin.href = e.origin; // Verify message origin if ( 'tcprotectedembed.com' !== origin.host ) return; // Verify message is in a format we expect if ( 'object' !== typeof e.data || undefined === e.data.msg_type ) return; switch ( e.data.msg_type ) { case 'poll_size:response': var iframe = document.getElementById( e.data._request.frame_id ); if ( iframe && '' === iframe.width ) iframe.width = '100%'; if ( iframe && '' === iframe.height ) iframe.height = parseInt( e.data.height ); return; default: return; } } if ( 'function' === typeof window.addEventListener ) { window.addEventListener( 'message', funcSizeResponse, false ); } else if ( 'function' === typeof window.attachEvent ) { window.attachEvent( 'onmessage', funcSizeResponse ); } } if (document.readyState === 'complete') { func.apply(); /* compat for infinite scroll */ } else if ( document.addEventListener ) { document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', func, false ); } else if ( document.attachEvent ) { document.attachEvent( 'onreadystatechange', func ); } } )();
Thiruvananthapuram: Ahead of the Kerala Assembly polls, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala on Friday (March 5) said that the seat-sharing agreement between the parties in the United Democratic Front (UDF) will be finalised within a day.

"Seat sharing talks are progressing. We are on the last lap. We will finalise the list by today or tomorrow," he said.

"For candidates list, the screening committee will meet and go to Delhi for the Central Election Committee (meet)," he said on seat sharing and candidates announcement for the State Assembly polls.

UDF led by Congress comprises of Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Congress (Joseph), Revolutionary Socialist Party, and a variety of other smaller parties. The front is a part of the United Progressive Alliance at the national level.

On Kerala gold smuggling accused-Swapna Sureshs purported allegations against Chief Minister of Kerala, Chenithala said, "Whatever the Opposition has said previously has proved to be right. The Chief Minister is the real culprit. His office has taken part in this murky deal with his knowledge"

"The Chief Minister made his Principal Secretary a scapegoat and tried to escape," he further said. "Now revelations are before the High Court and also in the public domain which makes me wonder why central agencies are not probing into these angles," he added.

"They have been sleeping on this investigation for 2 months. I believe the understanding between CPI(M) and BJP may be the reason for this slow pace of the investigation," he said.

On the recent row concerning a series of resignations of Wayanad Congress leaders, Chennithala said, "Congress is intact in Wayanad. Two lower-level office bearers have left and one of them has come back. One is an INTUC state secretary and the other is a Mahila Congress secretary".

Ahead of the assembly polls in Kerala, four Congress Party leaders have resigned from the Congress party within the last four days alleging negligence of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership in the state.

Live TV
The people were never given the opportunity to speak their concerns about the coronavirus before Gov. Holcomb issued his executive orders and mandates, Dyer said. The first thing he should have done is call an emergency session of the General Assembly to see what the will of the citizens of Indiana was regarding the coronavirus.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form


Srinagar, March 5 : Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition in the Mahore area of Reasi district in Jammu, officials said.

Police in its continuous anti militancy operations in Mahore, on the basis of specific information, apprehended a person named Reyaz Ahmed. Police said that on sustained interrogation in presence of Executive Magistrate Mahore, he disclosed that he has hidden a cache of arms and ammunition in a hideout located between Makhidhar and upper Shikari ridge in Mahore.

"A joint search operation of Jammu Kashmir Police and the army was launched in the area and during search, UBGL/ MGL gren (2), Chinese grenade (1), No 36 gren (2), RPG Amn (1), Mor Bomb (3), Gun powder (2 Kg), Explosive (250gm), Insas rds (30), Sniper rds (20), AK 47 Rds (30) was recovered from the hideout," police said.

Police said it has been revealed that this consignment was sent by LeT commander Khobaib who is originally a resident of Doda district of J&K and now based in Pakistan. Khobaib has been continuously trying to send in money and arms in the Jammu region and has also been trying to revive terror activities in the Chenab valley by recruiting young boys for LeT.

This is the third big recovery within week in the area.
A massive asteroid named Apophis after the Egyptian god of chaos will safely pass Earth - but experts warn it could still collide with Earth in 2068.

The 1,115ft (340 metre) wide space rock will be 9.9 million miles (16 million km) from Earth when it makes its closest approach at about 01:15 GMT on Saturday March 6.

Apophis was discovered on June 19, 2004 by astronomers at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona and since then it has been tracked as it orbits the sun.

If the massive space rock were to hit the Earth in 2068 the impact would be equivalent to 880 million tons of trinitrotoluene (TNT) exploding all at once.

This year astronomers say there is no chance of it colliding with the Earth as its closest approach will be 44 times further out than the moon is to the planet.

A massive asteroid named Apophis after the Egyptian god of chaos will safely pass Earth - but experts warn it could still collide with Earth in 2068

If the massive space rock were to hit the Earth in 2068 the impact would be equivalent to 880 million tons of trinitrotoluene (TNT) exploding all at once

AT A GLANCE: 'GOD OF CHAOS' ASTEROID Official name: 99942 Apophis Next flyby: April 13, 2029 (closest approach 6 p.m. EDT) Orbital period: 329 days Distance at closest approach: 22,990 miles (37,000 km) Size: 1,115ft (340 meters) Risk of impact: Researchers all but ruled out the possibility of the object slamming into Earth before 2068. Initial calculations put the chances of a 2029 collision at less than 1%. Advertisement

It won't be visible to the naked eye but those with a telescope should be able to spot the peanut shaped rock as it passes by the Earth on its orbit of the sun.

Apophis travels around the sun just inside the orbit of the Earth, taking 324 days to make a full trip around the star compared to Earth's 365-day orbit.

While some distance away, this year's 'close' approach will allow scientists to learn about spotting potential hazardous rocks in future, with more information coming from Apophis even closer approach due in 2029.

'The goal is to basically wrangle all the scientists from around the world, kind of the coalition of the willing,' planetary defence expert Vishnu Reddy told Space.

'Then we go on this months-long campaign, trying to observe this object.'

In 2029 Apophis will come close enough that it will between the Earth and high orbiting satellites - 22,990 miles (37,000 km) - or 10% of the distance to the moon.

'The Apophis close approach in 2029 will be an incredible opportunity for science,' said Marina Brozovic of NASA JPL.

'We'll observe the asteroid with both optical and radar telescopes. With radar observations, we might be able to see surface details that are only a few metres in size.'

The Virtual Telescope project will be live streaming its observations of Apophis from midnight tonight for anyone without a telescope to see the flyby. The small red dot is Apophis - its orbit intersects that of the Earth making a collision possible in the future

At its farthest, Apophis can reach a distance of about 2 astronomical units - one astronomical unit, abbreviated as AU, is the distance from the Sun to Earth - away from Earth, NASA confirmed.

It's expected to pass close to Earth - 22,900 miles (37,000 km) - on April 13, 2029.

'This is the closest approach by an asteroid of this size that scientists have known about in advance,' NASA said.

The risk of Apophis hitting the Earth during the approach this year, in 2029 or in 2036 has been ruled out by astronomers, but the flyby in 2068 has been given a one in 380,000 chance of hitting the Earth.

However, its orbit is shifted slightly with every close approach to Earth, so astronomers have it under constant watch for any change.

It won't be visible to the naked eye but those with a telescope should be able to spot the peanut shaped rock as it passes by the Earth on its orbit of the sun

APOPHIS: THE EGYPTIAN GOD OF CHAOS In Egyptian mythology, Apophis, also known as Apep was the spirit of evil, darkness and destruction. Apophis is pictured as a serpent He was an enemy of the sun god Ra and a force never to be vanquished. Apophis was not mentioned by name until the rise of the Middle Kingdom but was said to have existed since primeval times by Egyptian scholars. He was hated and feared by Egyptians and was said to lead an army of demons that preyed on the living and the dead. Apep battled with Ra and regularly appeared in writings as a snake, although other texts describe him as a crocodile. Advertisement

Some observations in October 2020 showed there was a higher risk of it hitting the Earth that year due to an affect that saw energy from sunlight cause it to re-radiate energy away as heat - which acts as tiny thrusters shifting its orbit.

But the latest observations from February showed a decreasing risk as the orbit was shifting further from the Earth, making it less likely to hit the planet in 2068.

Dave Tholen, who helped discover Apophis in 2004, said new observations from the Subaru telescope in 2020 show it is drifting from its orbit by 557ft (170 metres) per year.

'This is enough to keep the 2068 impact scenario in play,' he said in a statement.

The asteroid is an 'S-type' or stony space rock, meaning it is made of silicate materials including a mix of nickel and iron, according to NASA.

'Like all asteroids, Apophis is a remnant from the early formation of our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago,' according to NASA.

'It originated in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Over millions of years, its orbit was changed primarily by the gravitational influence of large planets like Jupiter so that it now orbits the Sun closer to Earth.'

There are no images of its surface, but NASA predicts it will be similar to the surface of other stony-type asteroids like Itokawa - this was the first asteroid where samples were captured and returned to Earth for analysis.

A recent study of those asteroid samples, returned by the Japanese space agency, found that S-type space rocks contain the raw materials required for life, including water and organic matter - found natively on their surface.

Those without a telescope will be able to view the asteroid as it makes its flyby via the Virtual Telescope Project, which is live streaming the event from midnight.
The Committee to Protect Journalists criticized the Cambodian governments decision to deport and ban the re-entry of a Chinese journalist who reported on claims that the COVID-19 vaccine was for sale.

The Cambodian government deported Shen Kaidong, the editor of Angkor Today since 2015, after posting a February 23 story about Chinese nationals in Cambodia receiving anonymous text messages offering a COVID-19 vaccine for $120. Police arrested Shen Kaidong on February 24 in Siem Reap province and deported him shortly after.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based organization, said Cambodia should allow Shen Kaidong to return and continue his work as a journalist. It added that journalists should be allowed to work freely and they should not be deported for their work.

Cambodias deportation of journalist Shen Kaidong and the suppressing of his Angkor Today news outlet is a severe overreaction to a dispute over the outlets coverage, said Shawn Crispin, CPJs senior Southeast Asia representative.

Crispin said the government should not use flimsy allegations of fake news to suppress reporting on COVID-19.

The article, which was posted to Angkor Todays WeChat account, reported that many Chinese nationals had received anonymous text messages promising a shot of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for $120.

A reporter with Angkor Today called a number listed with the text message and the person who answered said the $120 was not for the vaccine but for a shuttle service to Phnom Penh, where the vaccine was available at the time.

Angkor Today also posted messages on its Facebook page, saying they are preparing to clarify its story to Cambodian authorities.

Government authorities were quick to reject Angkor Todays report, the Health Ministry denied the vaccine for sale story, the Immigration Department called the article fake news and the Information Ministry revoked its online publications license.

The Cambodian government has yet to reveal if an investigation was conducted to ascertain whether Angkor Todays claims were legitimate or not.

Kirth Chantharith, the head of the General Department of Immigration, did not want to comment on Shen Kaidongs deportation and said the investigation had been carried out by Cambodia's National Police.

The National Police team investigated this. You can ask them, he said.

Chhay Kimkhoeun, a spokesperson for the National Police, said Shen Kaidong could approach the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh and file a complaint if he was not satisfied with the deportation order.

If he wants to protest, he can follow legal procedures by having a lawyer or he can complain to his embassy, Chhay Kimkhoeun said.

The spokesperson took offense when asked whether an investigation had been conducted into whether the COVID-19 vaccine was being sold in the country.

You are not the prosecutor who can ask me this question, he said.

VOA Khmer could not reach Information Ministry spokespersons, Meas Sophorn and Phos Sovann, for comment on Friday.

Ith Sothoeuth, a media director at the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, urged authorities to allow Shen Kaidong to defend the story and to conduct their own investigation.

I hope the government will investigate more to find the truth to give justice to him, he said.

I dont know how the authorities investigated the case. But the time frame seems too short to have done a thorough investigation.
COSTA MESA, Calif., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: CETY), a clean energy company focusing on products and solutions in the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability market, announced today CETY has received subscriptions under its offering under Regulation A+ in the aggregate amount of $2,570,000 at a price of $.08 per share.

Chief Executive Officer of CETY Kam Mahdi said "We are grateful for the trust our new investors have in CETY. The new capital infusion should better enable us to execute our previously announced plans and goals for 2021 by accelerating key projects, enhancing supply chain, more rapidly fulfilling existing orders and building infrastructure for higher production volume.

These improvements are critical aspects of our roll out into new markets and to take full advantage of the new available tax incentives for clean energy project development in the United States. We also expect the additional capital to fuel our projected growth in key clean energy markets in China and Europe."

About Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY)

Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, Clean Energy Technologies (CETY) delivers power from heat and biomass with zero emission and low cost. CETY designs, produces and markets clean energy products & solutions focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Company's principal product is the Clean Cycle magnetic bearing heat recovery generator, offered by CETY's subsidiary Clean Energy HRS, or Heat Recovery Solutions.

The Clean Cycle system captures waste heat from a variety of sources and turns it into electricity that can be used or sold back to the grid. CETY's proven, reliable technology allows municipal, commercial, and industrial users with heat sources, such as from biomass, industrial processes, or energy production, to boost their overall energy efficiency with no additional fuel, no pollutants, and little ongoing maintenance. CETY's common stock is currently traded on the OTC Market under the symbol CETY.

For more information, visit www.cetyinc.com or www.heatrecoverysolutions.com.

DISCLAIMER

This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to achieving corporate objectives, developing additional project interests, the company's analysis of opportunities in the acquisition and development of various project interests and certain other matters. These statements are made under the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein.

Contact:

Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

Kam Mahdi, CEO

949-273-4990 x814

[email protected]



Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

2990 Redhill Avenue

Costa Mesa , CA 92626

949.273.4990 main

949.273.4990 fax

www.cetyinc.com

SOURCE Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cetyinc.com


In a relief for Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on the eve of a vote of confidence on his government, the Opposition alliance on Friday announced that they will boycott the floor test, claiming that their candidate's victory in the Senate election was itself a "no-confidence motion" against the premier.

Pakistan Democratic Movement chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said no Opposition member will attend the National Assembly session scheduled for Saturday, in which Prime Minister Khan will seek a vote of confidence.

The announcement from the chief of the PDM, a 10-party Opposition alliance, comes after Khan delivered an address to the nation, explaining why he was seeking a vote of confidence in the wake of the Senate elections in which the opposition managed to stage an upset.

PDM candidate and former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani defeated ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Wednesday, in a major blow to Khan, who had personally campaigned for his Cabinet colleague.

Rehman said Gilani's "victory was itself a no-confidence motion against Khan".

He claimed that President Arif Alvi in his notification to summon Saturday's session had essentially stated that Prime Minister Khan had "lost the trust of the majority" and he, therefore, needed to seek a vote of confidence.

"So when the president talks about losing trust to call the session of the National Assembly, then this further strengthens the stance of the Opposition," he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

Prime Minister Khan has convened a meeting of his allies on Friday to firm up his strategy, a day ahead of seeking a vote of confidence from the National Assembly following a key defeat in this week's closely-contested Senate elections.

Khan needs the support of 171 lawmakers in the National Assembly, currently having 341 members out of total 342, as one seat is vacant.

Khan's PTI has 157 lawmakers. The Opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has 83 member and the Pakistan Peoples Party has 55 lawmakers. PTI leaders have said they are confident that Khan will overcome the floor test.

Minister for Science Fawad Chaudhry said that Khan will easily win the confidence vote as PTI's woman candidate for Senate, Fouzia Arshad, got 174 votes on Wednesday and won in the house where Shaikh got 164 votes and was defeated.

"The requisite support is available and Khan will easily win, he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's election commission on Friday expressed shock and disappointment over Prime Minister Khan's allegations against it, asserting that the Senate elections were held as per the Constitution and it has "never come under any sort of pressure and God willing, will not in future as well."

The strong comments were made by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a statement following a crucial meeting of its members to review Prime Minister Khan's statements against it on Thursday in an address to the nation.

The meeting was summoned by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.

Prime Minister Khan lashed out at the election commission which he said failed to stop corruption in Wednesday's closely-contested Senate elections.

"You (ECP) discredited democracyyou damaged the morality of the nation by doing nothing to stop vote-buying," he alleged.

In its response, the ECP said, "this is the beauty of democracy and independent elections and the secret ballot which the entire nation witnessed, which was according to the Constitution."

Rejecting Khan's allegations, the commission said it has "never come under any sort of pressure and God willing, will not in future as well".

"We cannot ignore the law and the Constitution to please anyone," said the ECP in its statement.

Urging its critics to bring forward evidence of the ECP's wrongdoing, it asked them to not indulge in mudslinging on national institutions.
My nightmare starts, I think, in 2019, at a dinner party in D.C., where prominent members of the Swamp have gathered to socialize and scheme including Obama, the Clintons, McConnell and other Never Trumpers, Pelosi, and Schumer. The mood is festive as the featured guests lob verbal grenades at President Trump. Laughter erupts as the insulters land their blows against the Orange Man. The insulting takes on a competitive nature as the insulters try to kill President Trump with their words.

Obama rises and the room quiets down. Obama then laments that all their efforts to derail Trump have failed. He admits the economy is doing well and he expresses doubt that Trump can be defeated in 2020. As Obama is still standing, he notices a raised hand from a member of Chinas Diplomatic delegation. Obama invites the diplomat to speak.

In near-perfect English, the diplomat sympathizes with the anti-Trump atmosphere in the room. He reminds the attendees of Trumps actions to take away Chinas trading advantages. He reminds the crowd of how Trump is strengthening the U.S. military and challenging Chinese expansionism. We want him gone as much as you do, says the diplomat. The diplomat then suggests that he knows of a way to defeat Trump, but claims it will take a coalition of parties to bring down the Orange Man.

Obama invites the diplomat to elaborate on his scheme. The diplomat declines to lay out the scheme in such a large gathering but offers to discuss it in a smaller meeting of leaders. Obama accepts the offer and raises his glass to the diplomat inviting the attendees to drink to the diplomat and his scheme.

In the next part of my nightmare, it is the summer of 2020. Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Kenosha are burning. Americans are locked in their homes because of a mysterious flu from China. Antifa terrorists are besieging cities but the mainstream media call it mostly peaceful protesting. While Biden is hiding in his basement, mayors of the burning cities refuse Trumps offers to restore order.

Several months have passed as my dream continues. The FBI, the DOJ, and the Supreme Court all refuse to examine claims that the 2020 election was rigged against Trump. Biden is declared the President-elect. Anyone questioning the election outcome is called seditious.

As my dream ends, Biden is now President. In cocktail parties across Washington, the Swamp and China are celebrating their new leader and enabler.

When I share this dream with friends, they try to comfort me saying, It was just a dream. I am living in a nightmare.

IMAGE: Nightmare collage by Andrea Widburg
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
By Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - London Stock Exchange shares tumbled on Friday with analysts saying markets were "spooked" by costs for integrating data and analytics company Refinitiv, which it acquired in January for $27 billion.

The 300 year old bourse will transform into a one-stop shop for data, trading and analytics with the Refinitiv takeover and offered shareholders a final dividend of 51.7 pence a share as a reflection of the "good performance and confident outlook" for the new group.

But after a conference call with analysts, its stock fell 13% to 8,237 pence, its biggest one-day fall in a year.

Credit Suisse said the results, which included a 3% rise in revenue driven by growth in the FTSE Russell and clearing businesses and a 5% jump in adjusted operating profit, were broadly in line with expectations but guidance for mid-single digit cost growth for 2021 had "spooked the market".

The bank said there were concerns that the overall long-term growth outlook for the enlarged exchange could be lower than previously anticipated, raising questions about what is an appropriate valuation.

Citi cut its rating on the stock to neutral from buy, also citing heavier than expected costs from the Refinitiv takeover.

"A need to improve the resilience of the legacy Refinitiv tech platform, suggests the bulk of the incremental 150 million euros operational expenditure investment will recur in 2022 and beyond," Citi said in a note, adding that an earnings-per-share accretion target for this year now "looks very difficult to achieve".

The exchange said that its FTSE Russell stock indexes business in Britain and most of its other information services will be slotted into a newly formed data and analytics division, as data now eclipses the group's trading operations since the Refinitiv acquisition.

"While early days, the work we have done so far confirms the quality of the business and the extent of the opportunities across the group as we focus on integration and delivering the strategic and financial benefits of the transaction," LSEG CEO David Schwimmer said in a statement.

Story continues

Thomson Reuters, the parent company of Reuters News, now holds a 15% stake in the exchange following the Refinitiv deal.

Schwimmer declined to put a figure on job cuts, but said there will be a reduction in "overlapping senior leadership" this year. Savings will also come from rooting out overlapping locations, efficiencies across vendors and at some data centres.

The group will keep its offices in London's Canary Wharf, where Refinitiv is based, and the exchange's head office in the City of London.

EURO CLEARING

Following the end of the Brexit transition period, the European Union is piling pressure on banks to shift euro derivatives clearing from LSEG's LCH arm in London to Frankfurt.

Credit Suisse quoted Schwimmer as saying that only 6% of LCH euro clearing volumes are for swaps traded by EU-based customers and that it was unclear how the EU could mandate the relocation of derivatives in other currencies.

Schwimmer said the booming U.S. market for special purpose acquisition vehicles (SPACs) could see investors coming off "poorly", just after a government-backed review this week proposed loosening Britain's SPAC listing rules.

Listings of the so-called "blank cheque" companies which use the proceeds to take private firms public through a reverse takeover, have rocketed in New York and exchanges elsewhere are keen to jump on the bandwagon. That has raised concerns about inflated valuations.

"There is clearly some froth in the U.S. market for SPACs," Schwimmer told reporters. "Some of that could end poorly for some of either those opportunities or some of those investors."

Schwimmer said he was confident that London will remain a global financial centre and that a shift in 8 billion euros of daily share trading from the City to Amsterdam in January due to Brexit had been anticipated.

($1 = 0.7201 pounds)

(Reporting by Huw Jones; editing by Rachel Armstrong and Elaine Hardcastle and Kirsten Donovan)
This is something that I have to do, not just for myself but for humanity. This little bug is out to get you, Blue, a former HIV case manager at Provident Hospital in Chicago, says in the ad. Right now, you have to do what it is you have to do to survive. And what we have available now in our war chest, is getting vaccinated.
Gardai are investigating the unexplained circumstances surrounding the death of a man after his body was discovered in a house in Co Dublin.

Gardai attended a house in the Ballastown area and discovered the deceased, a polish national in his 50s, in the bedroom on Wednesday.

The body was transported to Dublin City Morgue where a post-mortem took place yesterday.

Details of the post mortem results are not being released for operational reasons.

The scene continues to be preserved and examinations are ongoing by the Garda Technical Bureau and Divisional Scenes of Crime personnel.

An incident room has been established at Balbriggan Garda station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed.

A garda spokesperson said CCTV enquiries are ongoing and a number of witness statements have already been taken.

"The last known movements of the deceased are on the evening of Monday 1st March 2021. A family liaison officer has been appointed to establish contact and liaise with the family of the deceased male," gardai said.

An investigation into "unexplained circumstances" of the death is ongoing.

"An Garda Siochana are looking to speak with any person with any information in relation to this ongoing investigation.

"Gardai at Balbriggan Garda Station are appealing for motorists with dashcam footage who were in or around the area of Ballastown, Lusk, Co. Dublin between Monday 1st March and 5pm Wednesday 3rd March 2021.

"Of particular interest to Gardai is the sighting of a male pedestrian on the Skerries Road, Commons Lane or Hill Lane, Lusk between the hours of 6pm and 8pm on the 1st March 2021. This male was wearing navy blue track suit bottoms and a black zip up bomber jacket and was carrying a distinctive Lidl Deluxe shopping bag (black with white writing).

"Any person with any information is asked to contact Balbriggan Garda Station 01-6664500 , the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station."





BAY CITY, MI - The Bay County health department is continuing to disperse the COVID-19 vaccination but it is asking for help from those who have registered.

Those who registered with the Bay County Health Department but have already received a vaccine somewhere else are being asked to let the the department know.

According to Bay County health officer Joel Strasz, the department is seeing a lot of individuals in the 65+ age category that have gotten the vaccines elsewhere but are not notifying the department, leaving extra work for the health department as they try to track down those who still need to get the shot.

We have spent an enormous amount of time contacting people that have already gotten their vaccine, said Strasz.

To remove your name from the health departments registration list, please email BCHD@baycounty.net with the subject line Cancel my Appointment or Registration.

The health department is asking that residents add their name, phone number and birthdate to the body of the email. Those without email are asked to call the registration hotline at 989-308-1828.

Strasz and his department are also battling what he calls a decentralized system.

If we could go back and do everything over again I would highly recommend that there would be a centralized registration and scheduling system at the state level. That way you would get counties working together and all providers, Strasz said.

Michigan residents 50 years and older who have preexisting conditions, disabilities and other medical vulnerabilities will become eligible for the vaccine on Monday, March 8. Strasz is expecting this to change the situation.

We anticipate with the expansion that that will change for a few weeks and the demand is going to increase dramatically as well, he said.

Bay County is currently accepting registrations for the vaccine via an online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bchd-c19vx. Residents without internet access may call 989-308-1828 to register through the Bay County Health Department and Department on Aging.

More from MLive

Michigan residents can schedule COVID-19 vaccinations at local Rite-Aid stores

Nearly 1.5M Michiganders have received their first coronavirus vaccine dose

Disabled Michiganders, caretakers and advocates take issue with low vaccine priority

6 things you need to know about new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Gov. Whitmer balks at notion severance pay to former health director was hush money

By Michael OConnor

Im a small business owner, and I strongly support raising the minimum wage to $15. Paying employees wages they can live on is good business.

I own La Barberia, a full-service barbershop with locations in Philadelphia and Jenkintown. I know that if my employees arent happy, my customers wont be happy.

Its very important for us to have a stable staff without a lot of turnover. Customers count on seeing their barber when they come in. We dont want barbers leaving to make 50 cents or $1 an hour more elsewhere.

The Pennsylvania and federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour comes to $15,000 a year for full-time work. I cant imagine paying anyone $7.25 an hour. It would send the message to employees that I dont care about you  or our customers.

At La Barberia, employees are our most important asset. We pay a decent salary that respects the craftsmanship and work ethic of our staff. Many of our employees have been with us for years  some for 40 years.

Some small business owners might call me lucky. But I call it smart business.

Employee turnover is disruptive, expensive and inefficient. Constantly hiring and training new staff slows down your business and costs time and money. It undercuts customer service.

With better pay, our employees stay with us, providing the great service that keeps our customers coming back and recommending us to others.

When the minimum wage goes up, businesses will see costly turnover go down.

Raising the minimum wage will also put more money in the pockets of local people, who spend it at local businesses like mine.

As I like to say, you cant spend it if you dont have it. If you work full-time and cant afford basic necessities like food and rent, youre probably going to skip your haircut.

I support legislation being debated in Congress that would incrementally raise the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025. In fact, Im one of hundreds of business owners in Pennsylvania and across the country who has signed a Business for a Fair Minimum Wage statement supporting an increase to $15.

The minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009  the longest period without a raise since the minimum wage was first enacted to help workers, businesses and the economy recover from the Great Depression.

Pennsylvanias neighbors all have minimum wages higher than $7.25. Maryland, New Jersey and New York are on their way to a $15 minimum wage already.

Before the pandemic hit, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York compared counties along both sides of the New York-Pennsylvania border to see the impact of New York raising its minimum wage while Pennsylvania stayed stuck at $7.25. They looked at two industries with many lower-wage workers: retail trade and leisure & hospitality.

Contrary to what opponents of raising the minimum wage claim would happen, they found that wages went up in New York without negative effects on employment compared to Pennsylvania.

Raising the minimum wage will increase wages for many essential workers who arent paid enough to cover their essentials. It will boost the customer spending we need at businesses like mine.

Raising the minimum wage will help us recover from the pandemic and strengthen our economy and our Commonwealth.

Michael OConnor is co-owner of La Barberia, with locations in Philadelphia and Jenkintown, and a member of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. This article previously appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer.


The Health Department report revived questions about how New York was counting such deaths. At the time, the states tally only included residents who had died inside a nursing home; it excluded those who died at a hospital or other facility.

The policy, which differed from those followed in other states, effectively hid the total number of nursing home residents who had died of the virus. State lawmakers called for hearings and requested complete data. Public health officials criticized the administrations approach. Eventually, the Justice Department opened an inquiry.

Throughout the summer and fall, Mr. Cuomo dismissed the criticism by citing to the Health Department report. Around the same time, he was celebrating the states initial success in controlling the viruss spread after a devastating spring during which tens of thousands of people died.

After his televised briefings catapulted him into the national spotlight, Mr. Cuomo wrote a book about what he viewed as his achievements during the still-raging pandemic. In light of the recent controversies, the books publisher has said it would no longer promote the title and that it would not issue a paperback version.

Aides rewrote a report to hide a higher death toll

Behind the scenes, some of Mr. Cuomos advisers were battling top state health officials over the nursing home death count in the Health Department report, according to interviews and documents reviewed by The Times.

As the report was being written, the departments data put the number of fatalities about 50 percent higher than the figure the Cuomo administration was citing publicly at the time. (The difference was estimated to be as much as 3,000 deaths.)

State health officials could see from the data that a significant number of nursing home residents had died after being transferred to hospitals. Some of them thought those deaths should be included in the overall tally. But when Mr. Cuomos most senior aides saw the report, they rewrote it to eliminate the higher count.

With most European countries lurching between lockdowns and reopenings over the last year, it has been a disruptive time for the continents many theater fans.

When theaters open up across Europe, likely in the coming months, they will do so in an increasingly digital world (theaters in a few countries, like Spain, are already open). Deutsches Theater in Berlin, La Scala in Milan and the Schauspielhaus Zurich, among others, have streamed performances during the pandemic, and fans have had access to virtual theater from all over the world. Some venues have expanded their audiences far beyond whats possible in their physical spaces. Around 160,000 viewers watched a streamed performance of Carmen last year by the Berlin State Opera, whose auditorium seats 1,300.

The shift has raised questions about whether audiences will return to theaters in the same numbers as before, and whether a blend of online and in-person viewing will become the new norm. The answers could have broad repercussions for the European cultural landscape. As the critic George Hunka once put it in The Guardian, theater, as an art form, is not as deeply embedded in the history of Americas modern culture as it is in Europes.

To find out how the pandemic might affect Europes theater scenes, both large and small, we spoke with theatergoers in seven different countries. These are edited excerpts from those conversations.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 15:09:56|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit (L) and Charge d' Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Dominica Luo Songtao show the handover certificates of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines in Roseau, Dominica, March 4, 2021. A handover ceremony for the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines donated by China to Dominica was held in Dominica's capital Roseau on Thursday, after the vaccines arrived in the Caribbean country late Wednesday, according to reports reaching here. (Chinese Embassy in Dominica/Handout via Xinhua)

MEXICO CITY, March 4 (Xinhua) -- A handover ceremony for the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines donated by China to Dominica was held in Dominica's capital Roseau on Thursday, after the vaccines arrived in the Caribbean country late Wednesday, according to reports reaching here.

Since Dominica and China established diplomatic relations 17 years ago, the two countries have always been true friends, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said during the ceremony, adding that today, the precious gifts from Chinese friends once again confirm that China is a reliable and sincere partner of Dominica.

He praised China's contributions to making Chinese COVID-19 vaccines a global public good accessible and affordable to developing countries.

China's vaccine technology is mature and stable, and its safety and effectiveness have been widely confirmed, he added.

Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Dominica Luo Songtao said that facing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government has always upheld the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and has been dedicated to making vaccines accessible and affordable to developing countries.

China and Dominica have always been supporting each other to overcome difficulties together in the fight against the pandemic, Luo said, adding that China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Dominica. Enditem
PORTLAND  The former Portland Restaurant, long a Main Street landmark, is scheduled to reopen early this summer with a new look and a new name.

The two-story brick building at 188 Main St. will become the Portland Ale House.

The new business plans to be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and will have 20 beer taps, the new owners said.

The building, which dates to 1884, is being leased by Paul and Jennifer Olson, who have been working in restaurants all our lives, Jennifer Olson said.

In fact, she said, she and Paul Olson met in a New Haven restaurant where they both worked to put ourselves through college.

They subsequently married and now are the parents of three children, two in college and one in high school.

They were involved in Steamers Bar and Grill in Guilford, and later opened a Steamers in Hamden.

When they first saw the Portland Restaurant, Olson said she immediately thought, Theres a real need for great neighborhood place here.

The PR, as Portland Restaurants longtime customers called it, was an Italian restaurant that closed in August 2020.

Portland Economic Development Planner Mary D. Dickerson said the site originally was a general store and liquor dealership for 20 years when a fire destroyed the building in June 1884.

The building was owned by James Laverty, an Irish immigrant, Dickerson said.

Within a week of the fire, Laverty had quickly constructed a wooden building on the property and a brick building was rebuilt on the existing foundation by November 1884.

Jennifer Olson, who earned a degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of New Haven, said she and her husband were excited by the real neighborhood feel of the PR.

They are equally excited, too, by the buzz that is building around Brainerd Place, the mixed-use development scheduled to be constructed across Main Street on the former Elmcrest property.

The soon-to-be ale houses location is blessed by the intersection on which it sits, at Main and Marlborough streets, Jennifer Olson said Wednesday.

Its got high visibility, she said, noting its proximity to the Arrigoni Bridge and, beyond that, to Middletown.

Whats more, the Olsons hope to draw customers from the popular Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park, the water park that occupies the Brownstone Quarry.

Located between Brainerd Place and the quarry will definitely be a plus, she said.

She anticipates offering a menu that begins with lots of good appetizers, salads, oversized sandwiches and interesting entrees.

Jennifer Olson said town officials have been very helpful and very welcoming.

The Economic Development Commission has been tremendously helpful, as has the (Middlesex County) Chamber of Commerce, she said.

The Olsons hope to open the restaurant in mid to late June.

First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield is pleased the restaurant is being revived and welcomed the Olsons to town.

They are taking over an historic building and now we will have the opportunity to create a history of their own, she said.

jmill@middletownpress.com
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
A Missouri woman likely sneaked a gun into jail by hiding it inside her body, authorities say.

The Boone County Sheriffs Office says the woman underwent three searches on her way into jail and the firearm was never detected.

Amy Natasha Wilhite, 39, was arrested on Valentines Day and searched by law enforcement after she was taken into custody, authorities say. But no gun was discovered.

At the jail, a sergeant conducted a thorough pat search when she arrived.

Lastly, an officer performed a strip search of Wilhites before she was released into the jails general population.

It wasnt until Wednesday  over two weeks after Wilhite entered the jail  that jail employees discovered a .22 caliber revolver in her belongings, authorities say.

The sheriffs office says its 4 inches long and about 2 1/2 inches wide and weighs about 4.6 ounces.

It is believed Wilhite had the very small revolver concealed within a body cavity when she was brought into the Boone County Jail on (Feb. 14), the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Wilhite is now charged with delivery or possession of a weapon at a jail in addition to other felony charges.

Boone County is in central Missouri.

Pastor tells women to look pretty or husbands will stray in sermon to Missouri church
Before the pandemic, 44-year-old Sheri Brown of Florence was working and on track to graduate college. Then the virus hit and schools shut down, forcing the single mother to quit work and care for her children.

Since then, she has struggled to find a full-time job in her field, despite completing an undergraduate degree in juvenile justice. Unemployment benefits, the SNAP program for food assistance and stimulus payments have barely kept her afloat.

Stimulus money was spent on rent, and bills, and clothes for my daughter and some car repairs, Brown said. I have been late on rent probably six times and of course I have a late fee. I can say I handle stress well, but my kids can see when I am stressed, and they are stressed.

Brown is not alone. According to some experts, the recession caused by the pandemic has erased more than a decade of progress in adding women to the workforce. Alabama has the second-lowest rate of workforce participation by women, according to the Womens Fund of Greater Birmingham. Those rates could fall even further if state leaders dont address obstacles that prevent women from earning a living, said Womens Fund President Melanie Bridgeforth.

Many of the issues that keep women from working, such as a lack of affordable childcare and access to paid leave, have been aggravated by COVID-19 and closures enacted to curb the spread of the virus.

I think one of the things that has been striking to me is economists have dubbed this recession that were in a she-cession because so many of the job losses have been among women, Bridgeforth said.

In January in Alabama, 56 percent of unemployment claims came from women. A January report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that nearly four times more women than men dropped out of the workforce that month. The report said 275,000 women nationwide stopped looking for work, compared to 71,000 men.

The pandemic created a perfect storm for women, said Melissa Blair, a womens history professor at Auburn University. The spring shut down hit many female-dominated fields hardest, including hospitality and service fields. School closures also forced many women out of the workplace as families struggled to balance childcare and employment.

The lack of affordable childcare has long prevented women from working, but the closures of schools and childcare centers brought the crisis home to middle and upper-class families. Even in two parent households, women were more likely to leave the workforce for childcare, Blair said, either because they earn less than their spouse or due to beliefs that theyre better suited to the role.

I think its really hard to say how the numbers are going to rebound, Blair said. It has shown how our lack of support for working families has hit women. If you dont have access to paid childcare that is affordable. If you dont have paid family leave, then a lot of women feel like they dont have a choice.

The Womens Fund has released a legislative agenda to address some of the problems exposed by the pandemic. In addition to support for childcare, the organization is calling for Medicaid expansion to help low-income women have access to health care and support for educational and training programs.

During 2020, Bridgeforth said the Womens Fund received several requests for assistance with childcare. The organization funded more than 20 childcare centers and saved them from closing, Bridgeforth said. This year, The Womens Fund hopes to rally more support from lawmakers for accessible and safe childcare.

The bottom line is without access to affordable quality childcare, parents cant earn a living, said Kim Cochran, vice president for external affairs.

Blair, who specializes in womens political history, said women have been pushing for paid family leave and childcare assistance for 50 years in the U.S. President Joe Biden and Sen. Mitt Romney have floated proposals that could help women workers, but that would require reversing a decades-long trend to shrink government and reduce assistance programs. Childcare has long been too expensive for many women in traditionally female jobs.

Jobs that tend to skew female, when you pair that with how expensive childcare is, the math just doesnt work, Blair said.

Blair said womens issues havent usually been prioritized in Alabama. But Bridgeforth said state leaders have made major investments in the states First-Class Pre-K program and improved the licensing process for childcare centers. She believes the state can build on that progress by investing more in early childhood education.

The last year has been difficult for Brown, but she hopes sharing her story will help other women feel less alone. Many have suffered through joblessness, but Brown believes they will rebound with the right support.

I cant believe how this all affects us mentally, Brown said. Covid-19, no work, worry about our children getting sick, the setbacks, stress, and no medical insurance for mental health care, I am so glad I have learned coping skills and my education has helped also with mental health. I have to keep it together for my children.

SAGINAW TWP, MI - A group of protestors rallied behind a local music producer after claims of racist abuse by a now-former Good Times Pizza restaurant manager were brought to the community.

RushDee Williams, a producer and business owner said a manager weaponized their words after he tried to get his order corrected Saturday, Feb. 27. Their disagreement escalated into the man calling Williams an expletive and later the N-word, he claims.

Saginaw producers racist harassment claims prompt protest outside Good Times Pizza

I dont know if he was having a bad day or if his true colors was just showing, but he kind of lashed out at me, Williams said. I want to set the record straight. Like Ive been saying over and over, I didnt leave because I feared the police. Im not trying to paint the narrative that the police are just these big monsters, you know what Im saying? I left because I feared the narrative that he painted, that I was a monster.

About 25 people demonstrated in a line in front of the business at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4. In response to the protest, co-owner Lori Franks said they have a right to do so.

I was the vessel for planting the seed in change and not necessarily just change but keeping it goingthe unity in the Saginaw community. Williams said. Everybody came together so thats what Saginaw is typically about. So Im just happy I was able to remind people that this is what Saginaw is about.

Good Times Pizza has since fired the manager, according to Mid-Michigan Now, but Williams takes issue with co-owner Brian Franks statement on the matter. Despite firing the manager and condemning his actions, Franks statement to Mid-Michigan Now insists Williams provoked the former employee.

If you want to live your American dream off of our dollars, then you have a great responsibility that you should be upholding and if not, you know, as youve seen, the community is not going for it, At this point, its not even in my hands, its out of our hands at this point. Im here for the community.

22 Saginaw producer's racist harassment claims spark protest at Good Time's Pizza

Read more on MLive:

Over 50,000 COVID-19 vaccines distributed in Saginaw County so far

Got the COVID-19 vaccine somewhere else? Remove your name from the registration list, says Bay County Health Department

Saginaw district unveils first renderings of new schools

As Black History Month ends, community staples continue to pour love into Saginaw
(Natural News) In the rush to vaccinate every man, woman and child against a year-old coronavirus strain, sacrifices are being made. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is now reporting thirty-four cases of miscarriage and stillbirth associated with the experimental COVID-19 vaccinations. The initial guidelines warn pregnant women not to partake in these real-world vaccine trials, but the experiment is taking place regardless, as healthcare workers are pressured to take the shots, pregnant or not.

VAERS is a passive vaccine injury surveillance system run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many vaccine injuries are not recorded because healthcare officials do not want to be held accountable for administering something that did harm to a healthy patient. Because vaccine injury reporting is often discouraged, VAERS only captures less than one percent of all adverse events observed after vaccination. This means that there could already be 3,400 or more cases of miscarriage or stillbirth. A silent epidemic of infertility could be upon us.

Previously healthy healthcare workers suffer miscarriage, stillbirth after experimental vaccine

Most of the miscarriages occurred in the first trimester, when prenatal development is most tedious. Twenty-five of the miscarriages occurred within two weeks after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was administered, with some miscarriage symptoms beginning within 48 hours after the shot was administered. Even more shocking, there were four stillborn babies after vaccination, all occurring in the second and third trimester.

One of the cases involves a 31-year-old physician from Tennessee. At five weeks pregnant, she suffered a miscarriage thirteen days after taking Pfizers mRNA shot. A 33-year-old nurse from Indiana suffered a miscarriage just five days after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer shot. She had no previous allergies to vaccines. A 32-year-old Virginia woman suffered a miscarriage just five days after receiving the Moderna shot. Prior to receiving the vaccine, she was checked over and cleared as healthy by two OBGYNs. The adverse event began just two days after the shot, starting with abdominal cramping, vaginal bleeding and then she suffered a miscarriage.

A 35-year-old Michigan woman monitored her babys movements after she was vaccinated with Pfizers experimental mRNA. She got the vaccine at 28 weeks and five days pregnant, and only two days later, she noticed her babys movements had slowed inside of her. Soon after, she gave birth at 29 weeks to a stillborn baby who weighed two pounds and seven ounces.

These serious issues have not stopped Pfizer from authorizing a new trial on 4,000 pregnant women who will be administered the experimental shots in the second and third trimester. After initially advising against vaccination of pregnant women, the World Health Organization is now giving doctors the green light to do so. The regulatory agencies concur that any pregnant woman is at greater risk of complications from a COVID-19 infection, as if their pregnancy is some kind of underlying condition, as if proper prenatal nutrition is not good enough. (Related: Why is the CDC withholding critical COVID-19 vaccine safety data from the public?)

Doctors warn that pregnant women are unnecessarily coerced, misled and used as guinea pigs

Dr. Shelley Cole, MD, OB-GYN is troubled that pregnant women are being lied to and coerced to take an experimental vaccine that involves deliberate risks to their body and their babys life. It concerns me that the CDC says that there are no studies, but its okay to get it and you dont even need to discuss it with your doctor, Cole said in an interview with the Epoch Times. I mean this is the opposite of everything that the scientific models and methods, and standard of care has been for a century. Doctors have previously warned that new mRNA coronavirus vaccines will likely cause immune cells to attack placenta cells, causing female infertility, miscarriage or birth defects.

Dr. Cole has successfully treated over 550 patients with COVID-19 and understands that women dont want to labor through an infection while they are pregnant. However, Dr. Cole knows from first-hand experience that COVID-19 doesnt have to be a horrifying experience. She says pregnant women should be given the option to have hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and other immune enhancements, so they dont suffer if an infection does arise. Dr. Cole recommends her patients take 1000 milligrams of whole food vitamin C twice a day and up to 5000 iu of vitamin D.

If medical authorities gave true informed consent, then pregnant women would be encouraged to adopt strategies that help them cope with all the immune and developmental challenges throughout their pregnancy. Minerals such as magnesium, calcium, selenium and chromium play a healthy role in pregnancy. Scaring women to take experimental vaccines is coercion. Giving them false assurance that the vaccines block all infections is misguided, especially when the mortality rate for a potential COVID-19 infection is practically nonexistent for women of this age group.

So it is scary, it is scary, but the vast majority of women that are pregnant are under the age of 40, the death rate is extremely low, said Dr. Cole. And people do not have to go to the hospital if theyre treated early, or if they use early prevention.

Learn more about the ill effects of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines at VaccineDamage.news.

Sources include:

EpochTimes.com

DigitalAHRQ.gov[PDF]

EpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Denis Tangney Jr. /Getty Images

The city of Midland will receive $24.2 million, and Midland County will receive $34.3 million if the U.S. Senate passes the American Rescue Plan Act.

The House passed the $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid and stimulus package on Feb. 27, and the Senate began debating the plan this week. The state of Texas will receive $16.8 billion if the Senate approves the bill.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

While smart cities and smart homes have become mainstream buzzwords, few people outside the IT and machine learning communities know about TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Theano. These are the open-source machine learning (ML) frameworks on which smart systems are built to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) devices among other things.

ML algorithms and code are often found in publically available repositories, or data stores, that draw heavily on the aforementioned frameworks. In a December 2019 analysis of code hosting site GitHub, SMU Professor of Information Systems David Lo found over 46,000 repositories that were dependent on TensorFlow, and over 15,000 used PyTorch. Because of these frameworks' popularity, any vulnerability in them can be exposed to cause widespread damage.

"ML frameworks are used to create and run trained ML models," explains Professor Lo, who is also the Director of SMU's Research Lab for Intelligent Software Engineering. "A vulnerability in ML frameworks can potentially translate to vulnerabilities in all trained ML models that are created by it or run on top of it. As an analogy, one can imagine a vulnerability in an operating system; this vulnerability can impact all software that is run on top of the operating system."

Uncovering framework vulnerabilities

Professor Lo's latest research project titled "Uncovering Vulnerabilities in Machine Learning Frameworks via Software Composition Analysis and Directed Grammar-Based Fuzzing"seeks to address that issue. The project, which is supported by the National Research Foundation Singapore, under the National University of Singapore's National Satellite of Excellence in Trustworthy Software Systems, seeks to fill a gap in identifying vulnerabilities in ML frameworks.

Research in this field is often focused on trained ML models rather than the underlying frameworks, and existing research on ML frameworks deal more with bugs (when a system does not behave the way it should) rather than vulnerabilities (that can be exploited). But what is Software Composition Analysis and Directed Grammar-Based Fuzzing? And how does it uncover vulnerabilities?

"Software Composition Analysis (SCA) refers to a toolset that identifies software vulnerabilities in a target project by analyzing its dependencies," writes Professor Lo. A direct 'dependency' is when a software system uses a third-party library"a collection of source code that is developed by a third-party, e.g., a software foundation, and shared for reuse to many people"which may, in turn, be dependent on another third party library. For such a case, the software has one direct dependency and one transitive dependency.

"SCA automatically reports vulnerabilities in the open-source libraries that an application directly or transitively dependent on, so that they can be addressed by the application's developers," explains Professor Lo. "Some of the warnings highlighted by an SCA tool can be false positives. These false positives can correspond to a piece of vulnerable code that can never be executed, and thus is non-exploitable.

"Directed Grammar-Based Fuzzing is a method to generate valid test cases (following predefined grammars) and drive test executions to vulnerable code. If such test executions can be derived, it will provide evidence that a highlighted vulnerability is executable and likely to be exploitable by attackers."

Effectively, Professor Lo's project seeks to differentiate between vulnerabilities that cannot be used by hackers to attack a software system (false positives) from those that can be. In that way, cybersecurity experts can avoid wasting time on the false positives and instead focus on fixing vulnerabilities that are executable. Additionally, it seeks to "automatically identify vulnerable dependencies in a project so that developers can continue using third-party libraries with peace of mind".

Creating success

With the active participation of industry partner Veracode, the project will seek to develop deep learning solutions to uncover vulnerability repair activities in open source projects. In doing so, the versions of the third-party libraries in which vulnerabilities exist can be identified. Also, they plan to link third-party libraries to entries in databases such as the U.S. National Vulnerability Database (NVD). Overall, Professor Lo and his collaborators aim to better curate the list of ML framework vulnerabilities and develop a more effective SCA process.

Professor Lo elaborates: "If we know that a version N of a third-party library includes fixes to a vulnerability, we can then identify that version N-1 contains the vulnerability (that remains unfixed). We can then use this information to identify all code that makes use of version N-1, warning developers of this potential security issue."

The project, which will run for two and a half years, is one of four externally-funded projects that Professor Lo is currently working on as a Principal Investigator. What is his secret for successfully securing research grants?

"I find it very helpful to keep myself up-to-date about various grant opportunities and align my research to those opportunities," he observes. "Good collaborations with colleagues at SMU, industry, and other universities in Singapore and beyond are also important.

"Also, as the saying goes: 'The road to success is paved with failure.' I learn from the unsuccessful proposals that I wrote, which helps me in writing successful ones."

Explore further Using machine learning to detect software vulnerabilities

Provided by Singapore Managment University
South Africa: Mkhize reflects on one year of COVID-19

It has been a very rough journey, one might say and in that process, we learnt a lot and made many mistakes, but we also achieved a lot, says Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

As South Africa marks a year since the first case of COVID-19 was reported on 5 March 2020, the Minister paid a visit to Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, where the first patient who suffered from the virus was admitted.

On this day one year ago, we received the shocking news and we look back at the year and thank South Africans for the fearless manner in which they approached the fight against the virus, Mkhize said as he addressed staff at the KwaZulu-Natal hospital.

He recalled how he made a phone call to President Cyril Rampahosa confirming the news of the countrys first case, saying the day was filled with trepidation and anxiety.

... This is the call I wish to have never had to make, he said.

Mkhize, who visited "patient zero", said that in hindsight, the man was doing so well".

The Minister paid tribute to the role played by healthcare workers across the country, while also thanking South Africans for adhering to lockdown regulations.

[The lockdown] had to be done and we thank South Africans for cooperating, he said in his address.

Prior to delivering his remarks, a moment of silence was observed in remembrance of all those who have lost their lives to the virus.

Also going down memory lane was Dr Bradley Naidoo, who recalled a phone call in which he learnt of the admission of the first COVID-19 patient not only in the province, but in the country.

Naidoo had been on his last night shift before he was due to go on leave.

I received a call around midnight and a million thoughts ran through my mind, said the doctor.

He said the patients needs were placed first and that there was great relief when he was discharged.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala, who accompanied the Minister at the commemoration, thanked healthcare workers for their dedication.

As a province, we were the first to experience the first case, he said, recalling the shock and anxiety.

While new COVID-19 cases are falling, the Premier warned against complacency.

We are not out of the woods yet; we must be responsible. We are not out of this pandemic. We must ensure we fight fake news and disinformation, said the Premier.

Reflecting on the path travelled, Mkhize urged South Africans to be patient as the country obtains vaccines. This as healthcare workers are currently being inoculated.

We were always clear that we needed a vaccine, vaccination doses for everyone will come, he said.

In his address to the nation on Sunday, President Ramaphosa said once the vaccination of healthcare workers has been completed, phase two of the vaccination rollout will begin in late April or early May.

Phase two will include the elderly, essential workers, persons living or working in institutional settings and those with comorbidities.

For the second phase, more sites for vaccination in the public and private healthcare sector will be activated.

We have recently signed an agreement with Johnson & Johnson to secure 11 million doses. Of these doses, 2.8 million doses will be delivered in the second quarter and the rest spread throughout the year, said the President.

Government has also secured 20 million doses from Pfizer, which will be delivered from the second quarter. In addition, 12 million vaccine doses from the COVAX facility have been secured, and South Africa is in the process of finalising dose allocation from the African Union.

Mkhize assured the public that the country is on course.

We want to say to South Africans, the country is on course. We dont have the same fear we had a year ago. Our health workers are currently receiving vaccines, said the Minister.

To date, over 90 000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated. South Africa is targeting to vaccinate 40 million citizens in order to achieve heard immunity.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Islamabad, March 5 : After witnessing the shocking defeat of a ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate in this week's Senate polls, Prime Minister Imran Khan has sought a vote of confidence from Parliament on Saturday, which is being seen a symbolic move to ensure his standing as the country's premier.

Addressing the nation on Thursday, Khan announced the decision after some of his party members in the Senate voted for Yousaf Raza Gilani, the joint opposition's nominee for Islamabad, over the PTI's Abdul Hafeez Sheikh in a secret balloting.

Gilani'S victory came as a shock to Khan, who was quick to join heads to assess and absorb the blow.

Opposition parties have said that the PTI candidate's defeat has symbolically proven that the Prime Minister doesn't command confidence of the Upper House anymore.

In his address, the Prime Minister offered to go into opposition if PTI MPs thought he was incompetent.

"The opposition had a plan to use money in the Gilani-Sheikh contest. They spared no effort to break away our lawmakers and offered them money. Their plan was to defeat Hafeez Sheikh to prove that Imran Khan has lost majority in Parliament," he said.

"I will take a vote of confidence from the National Assembly on Saturday and am ready to sit on the opposition benches than giving amnesty to the opposition," he added.

Khan slammed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for failing to hold fair and transparent Senate elections, accusing them for allegedly protecting those who made money by holding Senate elections through secret ballot.

"ECP's failure to hold fair and transparent elections had damaged the country's morality and democracy," he said.

The premier also called on his party members, who voted against his candidate in the secret balloting, to come out in the open and vote against him if they felt he was incompetent during the parliament session, summoned by President Arif Alvi.

According to the tally, out of 341 votes, 341 were polled.

Gilani, also a former Prime Minister, bagged 169 votes, while the PTI's Sheikh bagged 164 ballots.

Seven votes were rejected.

This has rung alarm bells in the ruling party's ranks that members within its party of the elected have ruled against its candidate through secret balloting.

Experts have said that Khan would be able to see through the session as he still holds greater numbers of votes.

On the other hand, the military establishment was quick to reach out to the Prime Minister as Army chief and the spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief met him on Thursday evening.

Even though official word highlighted that matters related to the country's security were discussed in the meeting, analysts believe that the Senate setback and ways to tackle the situation were also part of their talks.

Pakistan's military establishment has backed Khan throughout his tenure and it seems that it still remains as his saviour in times of political crisis.

Opposition parties have raised eyebrows over the meeting, stating that it should not have taken place at a time when the PTI has lost to the opposition alliance in a major high-stakes seat of the Senate.

Maryam Nawaz, leader of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), has questioned the time of the meeting, stating that the establishment should not mingle in political affairs and "stop being the support of this incompetent and selected government".

Even though the Khan government has had its fair share of criticism over its performance, policy making and overall governance capabilities, analysts believe that it enjoys the support of the military establishment, who has been calling the shots and taking the Prime Minister out of difficult situations in the past.

And with the ongoing support to the ruling government, analysts do not see any drastic change in the political setup of the country.

Moreover, some analysts also believe that Khan would retain his government for the next tenure also.

The Opposition alliance however, are gearing up to insert more pressure on the government in the coming days as they plan on a long march from all parts of the country towards Islamabad, vowing to stage a sit-in till the time the incumbent government is ousted out of power.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
A Texas high school has been slammed for distributing a 'chivalry' assignment to female students, asking them to dress in a feminine manner 'to please men' and 'walk daintily behind their male peers as if their feet were bound'.

The bizarre list of tasks was assigned to girls in a history class at Shallowater High School last month, before irate parents shared photos of the assignment's outline to the internet.

Titled 'Rules for Chivalry', the assignment asks 'ladies to demonstrate to the school how the code of chivalry and standards set in the medieval concept of courtly love carries over into the modern day.'

According to the outline, female students 'deemed worthy' of behaving in the appropriate way are able to have a male witness sign off on their assignment sheet in exchange for 10 points.

The list of 11 tasks instructed female students 'dress in a feminine manner to please men', 'address all men respectfully by title' and 'obey any reasonable request by a male'.

Additionally, the assignment ordered girls not to 'criticize men' or 'complain or whine'. The task similarly prohibited them from 'initiating conversation with men'.

The bizarre assignment was distributed to girls in a history class at Shallowater High School last month, before irate parents shared photos of its outline to the internet. Female students were judged by a male peer who signed off their assignment sheet in exchange for 10 points

Outside of the classroom, the female students were asked not to 'show intellectual superiority if it would offend men around them'.

They were also tasked with 'cleaning up after men' and cooking something for male students in their class, 'preferably sweet baked goods'.

The female students would also be able to receive 10 points towards completion of the assignment if they bought a 'root beer, ginger ale or sparking cider' to class for their male peers.

According to CBS, male students were also handed an assignment which asked them to treat their female peers with respect. They were instructed to have their acts witnessed by a female who would sign off on the deed in exchange for 10 points.

A copy of that assignment has also made its way on to social media, but it has not sparked the same outrage.

The boys were instructed to 'speak genteelly', 'dress appropriately in jackets and ties or suits' and 'assist ladies to arise from their seats'.

Officials at Shallowater High School, located northwest of Dallas, have scrapped the assignment in the wake of widespread outrage

Male students were also handed an assignment which asked them to treat their female peers with respect

The task similarly asks the male students not to complain and to bring to class 'a yummy treat of friendship'.

The students are also asked to 'pay all expenses' if they chaperoned a female out on a date during the evening.

Critics, however, have seized on the assignment for female students, with a copy of the tasks going viral on social media.

'Something like this is better to just be explained. Not demonstrated. WTH is wrong with people. Give examples of being chivalrous in the modern world, not require students to relive old times,' one raged on Twitter.

The backlash prompted the school to speak with the teacher who distributed the task before announcing that they had scrapped the assignment.

A statement from the school released Friday reads: 'This assignment has been reviewed, and despite its historical context, it does not reflect our district and community values. The matter has been addressed with the teacher, and the assignment was removed.'

However, not everybody was opposed to the assignment, with some saying it was an engaging way of having students understand gender roles in the medieval era.

'What is wrong with this?! Its explicitly to show the students what it was like back in medieval times  theyre not saying this is how we should live today. Im certain the teacher would then have the kids compare and contrast to present day. Its fun. Chill out cancel mob!'

This release was removed on 8 March 2021. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Grisham at egrisham@gmu.edu .

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
New York Times columnist Elizabeth Bruenig, in a moving and personal column on coming to terms with her epilepsy, tells the story of her daughter inquiring about why chopping onions burns her eyes. This is how onions protect themselves, Bruenig explained. Every living thing wants most of all to live.

Opinion

New York Times columnist Elizabeth Bruenig, in a moving and personal column on coming to terms with her epilepsy, tells the story of her daughter inquiring about why chopping onions burns her eyes. This is how onions protect themselves, Bruenig explained. "Every living thing wants most of all to live."

This view does not appear to be shared by the current federal government, which has recently passed amendments to its medical assistance in dying (MAiD) program that will substantially increase the number of Canadians eligible for MAiD.

Since 2016, Canadians have had access to MAiD, but only when their conditions were "serious and incurable" and death was "reasonably foreseeable." These provisions were safeguards designed to limit access to people with terminal illness, rather than expanding this right to all Canadians struggling with illness or disability.

This was a conscious, reasonable and thoughtful compromise reached by our elected officials. It assured us that Canadians could "die with dignity," which was the rallying cry of pro-euthanasia activists for decades, while also addressing ethical concerns about expanding access too far.

Despite this, in 2019, the Quebec Superior Court found that this requirement for MAiD was discriminatory against people who wished to end their own lives but who were not facing imminent death. Using the courts ruling as justification, the Trudeau government introduced Bill C-7, which removed this requirement for MAiD.

One can hardly imagine a better example of judicial activism, the tendency of judges to engage in writing rather than simply adjudicating laws. The government of the day addressed a contentious moral issue thoughtfully and, in so doing, struck a reasonable compromise by limiting access to MAiD. Quebecs unelected and unaccountable judges used the hammer of judicial nullification to strike this compromise down.

Further, there was no need for the government to have responded to the ruling so slavishly or with such haste. But they did, and the government was strikingly resistant to critiques. This is surprising, in part because criticisms of C-7 came from a range of stakeholders on both the left and the right. Its rare to see some of the opponents of C-7 come together to agree on anything.

The most compelling critiques of C-7 have focused on the potential consequences of C-7 for some of the most vulnerable Canadians, those living with disabilities. In short, the proposed amendments present MAiD as an alternative to suffering and a lack of autonomy when there are myriad other options to address these issues for Canadians with disabilities.

The challenge of how to address the suffering of people with disabilities in our communities and allow them to lead lives characterized by dignity is a societal challenge, and one we are simply failing to meet. Canadians with disabilities often survive on meagre benefits and their housing conditions are therefore often poor. The programs that assist and allow them to connect with others are often sized-up for cuts by cost-conscious governments. Disabled Canadians suffer from loneliness more often than other Canadians.

Catherine Frazee, who herself has a disability, summarized this broad concern when she testified before the parliamentary justice committee. "Its cold comfort to be offered the choice to die when you are not offered the choice to live a dignified life," Frazee argued. "When you are not offered the basic supports and the basic dignity that we as Canadians would consider minimal for all members of our community."

This issue was taken up by the UN Human Rights Councils special rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Gerald Quinn. Expanding MAiD to those not facing imminent death, Quinn argued, would exercise a chilling influence on Canadians with disabilities by "undermining their autonomy and their capacity to make the right decisions."

Quinn linked MAiD explicitly to a lack of services and support for Canadians with disabilities, noting the "subtle pressure being brought to bear by, for example, lack of services or lack of community living options."

This brings us back to Bruenigs conclusion of her essay on epilepsy: "Every living thing wants most of all to live. And I am no different." But Bruenig is not talking about life in the strict sense of just breathing. Instead, her observation comes at the end of a long list of the things she is willing to sacrifice sleep for, even if the result is heightened risk of a seizure: staying up late with her sick daughter, watching her children open presents early on Christmas morning, or visiting with old friends who arrive to visit after midnight.

These are, in Bruenigs words, "the conduits through which love flows into our lives."

Every living thing wants most of all to live, but Bruenig reminds us that to truly live we humans need dignity, connections and community. To deprive Canadians with disabilities of these while also extending the opportunity to end their suffering via MAiD is cruel.

Royce Koop is an associate professor in the department of political studies and co-ordinator of the Canadian studies program at the University of Manitoba.
Princess Diana arrives at the Royal Geographical Society in London for a speech on the dangers of landmines throughout the world (Photo : REUTERS/Ian Waldie (UNITED KINGDOM - Tags: ROYALS))

British police said on Thursday they had ruled out a criminal investigation into the famous 1995 BBC interview with the late Princess Diana, after complaints from her brother that she had been tricked into taking part with the use of forged documents.



Diana's interview with journalist Martin Bashir, watched by more than 20 million viewers in Britain, shocked the nation when she admitted to an affair and gave other intimate details of her failed marriage to heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles.



Advertisement

Last November, her brother Charles Spencer said the BBC had failed to apologise for what he said were forged documents and "other deceit" which led him to introduce Diana to Bashir.



"In recent months the Metropolitan Police Service received correspondence alleging unlawful activity in connection with a documentary broadcast in 1995," Commander Alex Murray said in a statement.



He said the issue had been assessed by specialist officers and they had been given extensive legal advice.



"Following this detailed assessment and in view of the advice we received, we have determined that it is not appropriate to begin a criminal investigation into these allegations. No further action will be taken," Murray said.



The police decision comes days before an interview between Diana's youngest son, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan with U.S. talk show host Oprah Winfrey is due to be broadcast.



That interview has already caused a crisis in the royal family before it has been aired, amid allegations of bullying against Meghan and her counter claims Buckingham Palace has been "perpetuating falsehoods".



Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997, made her first public comments about her doomed marriage in the 1995 interview, but her brother said it had been secured after he was shown false bank statements amid other dishonest practices.



His comments prompted the BBC to announce a former UK Supreme Court judge would lead an inquiry into how the broadcaster secured the interview and whether executives covered up any wrongdoing, a move welcomed by Harry and his elder brother Prince William.


Patna, March 5 : The Liquor Prohibition Department of the Bihar police has shifted the Bypass police station here to a warehouse, which was once used for storage of illicit liquor, in violation of the prohibition laws.

The LPD seized a huge cache of liquor worth Rs 2 crore from the warehouse situated on the Patna bypass road, a fortnight ago. Since then, it has been confiscated and is in the department's possession.

The Bihar government on February 5, decided to confiscate and auction properties, which were being used for liquor storage in the state.

Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Divisional Commissioner of Patna, had directed all the District Magistrates , Senior Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police to take action against the liquor mafias and seal those properties used for illicit liquor trade, which will go under the hammer soon.

"We have taken the decision to shift the Bypass police station to this warehouse following an order. For a common man, possession of properties could be a difficult task, despite cancellations and registry followed by auction of properties. Keeping this in mind, we have moved the police station to this warehouse to give a strong message to the mafias," Agarwal said.

Earlier, the Bypass police station was operational from a temple. The police personnel have lauded the new development. Many of them even claimed that it is a far better barrack than the temple.

"The motive of such a move is to penalise illegal traders and mafias involved in liquor smuggling, storage and sale in Bihar," officials added.

Bihar has witnessed an unprecedented spike in the liquor trade over the past few months. After the formation of the new state government, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been drawing flak over his failure to curb the liquor trade.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Bhopal, March 5 : The exam held recently for the recruitment of Agriculture Extension Officers and Senior Agriculture Officers in Madhya Pradesh has become mired in controversy. This is because the marks secured by the 10 toppers in this exam are nearly the same. Following this, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered an inquiry into it.

This examination was conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB). It was held on February 11 and 12 and when its results were declared, the marks of the 10 toppers were found to be the same.

Sources claim that in the answer sheets issued for this exam, the marks secured by the successful candidates were found to be almost the same. Also, all these toppers were found to have committed the same errors in their exam.

It was also found that the candidates who qualified this examination had not completed the three-year Bachelor Of Science (B.Sc) in Agriculture in the stipulated time and had failed several times while pursuing their graduation degree.

Apart from this, the responsibility of conducting this examination was given by MPPEB to a private institution which has already been mired in controversies due to the discrepancies in the 'Vyapam' case and the Uttar Pradesh government had blacklisted the institution.

The Congress has also taken an aggressive stand on the matter and questioned the fairness and transparency of the exam.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered an inquiry into this examination. He said, "It has come to my notice that the top 10 students are found having secured the same marks in the examination taken by the Professional Examination Board for the post of Agriculture Development Officer. I have directed the authorities to conduct a detailed inquiry into this matter." After Chouhan ordered an inquiry, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said, "Coincidence or fraud: All 10 toppers in Vyapam exam are students of the same college and their marks secured are also equal!! Shivraj came to power and the Vyapam scam has resurfaced with him, we will demand an investigation into this, along with this V.D. Sharma, who is from the Morena district and is himself a Bsc (Ag), suspicion looms large over his involvement as well."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
High notes

Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence Charter School art teacher Melissa Cruise was recognized for her commitment to art education and desire to continue to exercise her students creativity under extraordinary circumstances.

Cruise was recognized by Artsonia.com  the worlds largest collection of online student art portfolios  which she uses in her classes.

Howard Gardner Multiple students attend either a hybrid or full virtual program.

The biggest struggle this year is the planning and trying to adjust for people that do not have the right supplies, Cruise said. We have been doing a lot of substitution of media and even allowing students to do free create assignments.

Cruise, forced to reinvent how she manages her art room, turned to technology to communicate with remote learners and stay organized.

She used Zoom in tandem with Artsonia to collect assignments, find art lesson plans, raise funds for the art room and maintain digital student art portfolios.

Artsonia has helped me immensely, because I would never be able to do portfolio reviews and grading without the students having digital portfolios, said Cruise. Especially for all our remote learners. There is no way I would ever remember all of the students work without this technology.

Super students Mid Valley High School student Callum deQuevedo was inducted into the Tourette Association of Americas Youth Ambassador Program.

Callum, of Olyphant, completed a comprehensive training to equip ambassadors with the tools they need to speak publicly about the often-misunderstood disorder, according to the organization.

Its estimated that one in 100 school-aged children in the United States has TS or a related tic disorder, according to the association. The wide range of symptoms that include both motor and vocal tics can lead to bullying, isolation and lifelong learning or emotional issues. Because of the training, Callum will be prepared to educate his peers and local community on how to promote understanding and social acceptance of TS and its symptoms, by presenting to schools, clubs and community centers.

I applied to become a youth ambassador with the Tourette Association of America because I feel there is a lack of knowledge about Tourette Syndrome and tic disorders, Callum said. I want to help educate our community and take away the myths and misunderstandings about Tourette Syndrome.

The Tourette Associations Youth Ambassador Program empowers youth to improve public speaking skills while spreading awareness and acceptance for TS and is a crucial part of the associations mission. The association launched the Youth Ambassador program in 2002, which has now grown to nearly 500 dedicated teens, which now includes Callum, who have completed more than 1,000 activities including presentations, print and TV media interviews and training other youth ambassadors to reach more than 5.5 million people through their combined efforts.

The association is proud to celebrate 14 years of bringing together and mentoring an ever-expanding network of teens, all committed to raising local and national awareness for the complexities of living with Tourette Syndrome and related tic disorders, said Amanda Talty, president and CEO. Each of our youth ambassadors has a unique story to share that brings to light the need to advocate for change and to educate communities about ways they can support the TS community.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 23:46:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Li Zhanshu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, joins deputies from Jiangxi Province in group deliberation at the fourth session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leaders on Friday attended deliberations at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC).

Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, and Han Zheng -- members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee -- all gave their full support for the government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang at the session.

When joining NPC deputies from Jiangxi Province in a group deliberation, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said that out of the 100-year history of the CPC, the time since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 is one of the most remarkable periods in Chinese history.

It is the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core that has played a decisive role in leading the country forward when storms struck, Li said.

Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, told deputies from Sichuan Province that over the past year, China's strategic achievements in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and the country's complete victory in poverty eradication are fundamentally attributed to Xi's leadership.

These achievements have displayed the political advantages of the CPC's leadership and the institutional strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Wang said.

Speaking to the deputies from Hebei Province, Wang Huning, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, underscored efforts to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, boost the planning and construction of the Xiong'an New Area and make sound preparations for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

He also urged efforts to promote rural vitalization while consolidating poverty eradication results and strengthen the protection and improvement of people's livelihood.

While deliberating with Heilongjiang Province deputies, Zhao Leji, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, stressed full and faithful implementation of the new development philosophy, urging the province to foster competitive strengths by leveraging the advantages in policy, resources, and ecology to make new progress in revitalizing the province.

Zhao also called on commissions for discipline inspection and supervisory agencies at all levels to focus on the big picture of the country's modernization drive to perform their supervisory duties.

Deliberating with Shaanxi Province deputies, Vice Premier Han Zheng stressed that macro policies should be implemented scientifically and precisely to promote sustained economic recovery and high-quality development while ensuring social harmony and stability.

Han also called for efforts to deepen institutional reform on science and technology, give more fiscal support to the grass-roots level, and continue real-estate market regulation. Enditem
People wearing masks walk on the street in Paris, France, March 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

"Next weekends, even if you don't have to stay at home, limit your social interaction. We have to hold on together," said Prime Minister Jean Castex.

Castex said that vaccine deliveries "will increase in the coming weeks" to 22 million doses over the March-April period, compared with 7 million shots received during the first two months of the year.

PARIS, March 4 (Xinhua) -- To contain the spread of new coronavirus variants in France, Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday announced weekend lockdown in more areas, tougher rules against social mixing in high-risk regions and faster vaccination rollout.

The northern department of Pas-de-Calais will move into lockdown starting this weekend. The incidence rate there hit 400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, double the national average. The number of new infections surged by 23 percent in the last five days.

As in Alpes-Maritimes and Dunkirk, people in Pas-de-Calais have to stay at home from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday, announced Castex at the weekly press conference on the sanitary situation.

He said that three departments -- Hautes-Alpes, Aisne and Aube -- are added to the list of high-alert zones, where large malls will close and mask-wearing will be reinforced in all urban areas starting from Friday midnight.

People wearing masks walk on the street in Paris, France, March 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Local authorities will have the power to impose a ban on public gatherings on weekends in most crowded areas in these departments "under reinforced surveillance," Castex said, calling on inhabitants to limit their travel as much as possible.

"Next weekends, even if you don't have to stay at home, limit your social interaction. We have to hold on together," said the prime minister.

"In one year, a lot has changed. We learned about the impact of lockdown, its social, economic, and human impact," he said, adding that another lockdown is "not impossible but it is not inevitable."

Viral circulation in France increased over a couple of weeks mainly due to the virus variant first spotted in Britain, which "now represents over 60 percent of infections," said Castex.

On Thursday, a further 25, 279 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the country's cumulative cases to over 3.8 million. The overall death toll reached 87,835 after 293 patients died over the past day, according to health authorities.

Currently, 24,891 patients are hospitalized, 3,633 of them in intensive care -- down by 220 and 4 respectively.

The virus continued to circulate, but it was not rising exponentially as some experts predicted, said Castex.

"The fastest and most targeted vaccine rollout will allow us to get out of the tunnel," he added.

To that end, France plans to inoculate 10 million citizens by mid-April, 20 million by mid-May and a total of 30 million, or two-thirds of the adults, by summer. So far, 3,235,684 people have received at least the first jab, and 1,781,750 of them have got both doses, according to the prime minister.

A man looks at giant teddy bears outside a restaurant in Paris, France, March 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

He added that vaccine deliveries "will increase in the coming weeks" to 22 million doses over the March-April period, compared with 7 million shots received during the first two months of the year.

An Elabe poll released on Wednesday found that 75 percent of French people believed that the government's vaccination rollout is very slow. The figure is 7 percentage points higher than the pollster's January survey.

Meanwhile, the share of respondents who want to be inoculated increased by two points to 50 percent, according to the poll.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in an increasing number of countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 258 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 76 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain, and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on March 2.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego examining 14 years of hospital admissions data conclude that the fine particles in wildfire smoke can be several times more harmful to human respiratory health than particulate matter from other sources such as car exhaust. While this distinction has been previously identified in laboratory experiments, the new study confirms it at the population level.

This new research work, focused on Southern California, reveals the risks of tiny airborne particles with diameters of up to 2.5 microns, about one-twentieth that of a human hair. These particles - termed PM2.5 - are the main component of wildfire smoke and can penetrate the human respiratory tract, enter the bloodstream and impair vital organs.

The study appears March 5 in the journal Nature Communications by researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego. It was funded by the University of California Office of the President, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center for Advancing Minority Aging Research at UC San Diego and theOffice of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

To isolate wildfire-produced PM2.5 from other sources of particulate pollution, the researchers defined exposure to wildfire PM2.5 as exposure to strong Santa Ana winds with fire upwind. A second measure of exposure involved smoke plume data from NOAA's Hazard Mapping System.

A 10 microgram-per-cubic meter increase in PM2.5 attributed to sources other than wildfire smoke was estimated to increase respiratory hospital admissions by 1 percent. The same increase, when attributed to wildfire smoke, caused between a 1.3 to 10 percent increase in respiratory admissions.

Corresponding author Rosana Aguilera said the research suggests that assuming all particles of a certain size are equally toxic may be inaccurate and that the effects of wildfires - even at a distance - represent a pressing human health concern.

"There is a daily threshold for the amount of PM2.5 in the air that is considered acceptable by the county and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)," said Aguilera, a postdoctoral scholar at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. "The problem with this standard is that it doesn't account for different sources of emission of PM2.5."

As of now, there is not a consensus as to why wildfire PM2.5 is more harmful to humans than other sources of particulate pollution. If PM2.5 from wildfires is more dangerous to human lungs than that of ambient air pollution, the threshold for what are considered safe levels of PM2.5 should reflect the source of the particles, especially during the expanding wildfire season. This is especially relevant in California and other regions where most PM2.5 is expected to come from wildfires.

In Southern California, the Santa Ana winds drive the most severe wildfires and tend to blow wildfire smoke towards populated coastal regions. Climate change delays the start of the region's rainy season, which pushes wildfire season closer to the peak of the Santa Ana winds in early winter. Additionally, as populations grow in wildland urban interface areas, the risks of ignitions and impacts of wildfire and smoke increase for those who live inland and downwind.

Coauthor Tom Corringham points to the implications for climate change: "As conditions in Southern California become hotter and drier, we expect to see increased wildfire activity. This study demonstrates that the harm due to wildfire smoke may be greater than previously thought, bolstering the argument for early wildfire detection systems and efforts to mitigate climate change."

###

The federal government will no longer allocate additional COVID-19 vaccines to Manitoba because of its higher proportion of Indigenous people, who are statistically more vulnerable to serious outcomes.

The federal government will no longer allocate additional COVID-19 vaccines to Manitoba because of its higher proportion of Indigenous people, who are statistically more vulnerable to serious outcomes.

The provincial health minister made the announcement Wednesday.

Heather Stefanson told reporters she learned Tuesday that Manitoba will be allotted its share of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines on a per capita basis as of the next quarter.

"We have some serious problems with how they went about doing this and how much Manitoba is going to be getting," Stefanson said. "We didnt have an opportunity to have a say on that," she said.

Under the per capita option, Manitoba would receive 832,820 doses. That compares to 960,959 doses for a per capita allocation adjusted for a large elderly and Indigenous population.

"We have indicated to the federal government this has serious implications for Manitobans," said Stefanson. The province doesnt yet know how the reduced allocation will affect Manitobas vaccine rollout.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew said the government should deal directly with Ottawa.

"These types of debates shouldnt be carried out in public like this," Kinew told reporters. "I would hope the health minister and the premier would get on the phone with the prime minister and the federal government and get more vaccines here to Manitobans," he said. "The bickering that goes on between various levels of government does a disservice to most folks."
Amanda Holden has hit out at the government after they announced they would be giving frontline nurses a one per cent pay rise amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The TV and radio personality, 50, shared a series of old photographs of herself in scrubs as she shared a supportive message to frontline medical workers.

Amanda wrote: 'We clapped them, we praised them, we thanked them. Now let's bloody show them... the money! B******s to a 1% pay rise!'

Not standing for it! Amanda Holden has hit out at the government after they announced they would be giving frontline nurses a one per cent pay rise amid the coronavirus pandemic

Amanda's comments come amid mounting fury over the announcement, with many suggesting the pay rise is an insult to those who have risked their lives throughout the Covid pandemic.

On Friday ministers defended a headline one per cent pay rise for NHS staff, while furious union bosses threatened strikes.

Unions branded the offer from the government a 'callous and an enormous slap in the face' after a year on the front line of the coronavirus crisis - with demands for a 12.5 per cent increase.

Amanda's post joined the rally cry across the country, as many demand more money for nurses in line with the suggested 12.5 per cent increase.

'Show them the money!' The TV and radio personality, 50, shared a series of old photographs of herself in scrubs as she shared a supportive message to frontline medical workers

The Royal College of Nursing announced it is setting up a 35million fighting fund for industrial action, while Unite said it is considering balloting members. Unison is urging the public to join a mass slow handclap next Thursday.

Sir Keir Starmer seized on the announcement to insist that 'Covid heroes' deserve more, while Tory MPs voiced disquiet.

Health minister Nadine Dorries - a former nurse - pointed out the rest of the public sector is facing a complete freeze, warning that the government cannot 'afford' to be as generous as it would like with national debt soaring towards 2.8trillion.

Amanda wrote: 'We clapped them, we praised them, we thanked them. Now let's bloody show them... the money! B******s to a 1% pay rise!'

In a round of interviews, she said had been 'pleasantly surprised' that a 1 per cent offer had been possible - and dismissed the idea that staff will quit, stressing people work in roles such as nursing because they 'love the job'.

In a round of interviews, she said had been 'pleasantly surprised' that a 1 per cent offer had been possible - and dismissed the idea that staff will quit, stressing people work in roles such as nursing because they 'love the job'.

The submission from the government to the NHS pay body is for a headline 1 per cent rise, meaning that some types of staff are likely to get more and others less.

It also notes that a further 0.7 per cent hike to the pay envelope planned under the wider health service modernisation will still go ahead.

The RCN said in a statement: 'A strike fund is an amount of money that can be used to support workers, who are members of a trade union, to provide some compensation for loss of earnings and campaigning during industrial action.

'RCN council are determined to have the finances available to our members should they wish to take action.

Unite union rep Ameera Sheikh is pictured outside Downing Street in London

'In setting up this fund, the RCN will create the UK's largest union strike fund overnight. The next steps will be decided in conjunction with our members.'

Unite national officer for health, Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe, said: 'Following yesterday's kick-in-the-teeth announcement that the Government wants to peg NHS pay at 1 per cent for 2021-22, Unite will be considering all its options, including the holding of an industrial action ballot, as our pay campaign mounts in the coming weeks.'

'Our members and all NHS staff deserve a fair and decent pay rise and a meagre 1 per cent will not cut it.'

The Royal College of Nursing said their members 'deserve a 12.5 per cent increase'.
Researcher Rediscovers Rare Australian Bee That Science Thought Was Extinct

A rare species of bee unique to Australia has been rediscovered by a researcher in Queensland. The species has not been seen since 1923 and was thought to be extinct.

Known as Pharohylaeus lactiferous, the bee is the only species in the genus Pharohylaeus. A total of only six have been spotted before in Australia, and nothing was known about its biology.

James Dorey, a doctoral candidate at Flinders University, recently rediscovered it after an extensive sampling of 225 general and 20 targeted sampling sites in New South Wales and Queensland.

Doreys survey identified three geographically isolated populations of the bees along the eastern coast of Australia; all live in tropical and subtropical rainforest. He also indicated that the bees are strongly dependent on two plants, Firewheel trees (Stenocarpus sinuatus) and Illawarra flame trees (Brachychiton acerifolius).

An A oblique and B dorsal photo of a female and an C oblique photo of a male Pharohylaeus lactiferus. (Image credit: James Dorey)

Despite the rediscovery, the conservation of Pharohylaeus lactiferous habitat remains key for the bees survival. The research indicated that among the reasons for the rarity of the species are habitat destruction and fragmentation, as well as the bees floral-and-habitat-specialization.

Where these bees have been found, that rainforest type has undergone habitat destruction and fragmentation, Dorey told Live Science. This means that there is less of this habitat available, and its harder for [the bees] to move between whats left.

The study pointed out that future research about Pharohylaeus lactiferous should focus on increasing peoples understanding of the species biology, ecology, and population genetics.

Before going to Flinders University, James Dorey finished a bachelor of science in ecology and zoology at The University of Queensland.

Im driven by my love of nature, he said on his personal website. I believe that this love was first instilled in me when growing up surrounded by the rainforest that my father planted around our house.

Although not particularly interested in insects initially, Doreys perspective completely changed after he bought a second hand 100mm macro lens for his camera.

So this is my mission, I want to be able to provide you with the means to share your passion for nature. Particularly, yet no limited to the tiny and unseen. I want to share my passion for nature.
Russia looks forward to deepening dialogue with the United States on a number of regional topics, including Afghanistan, North Korea, Syria, and the Iranian nuclear deal, the Russian ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said.

He noted that the Russian side is also in favor of deepening the dialogue on the situation in the Middle East, problems in Latin America, Asia, and Africa."

According to Antonov, it would be in the interests of Moscow and Washington to join efforts in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, terrorism, the proliferation of WMD (weapons of mass destruction), and climate change, as well as joint space exploration and the protection of the Arctic ecology.

Antonov also said that one should think about holding a joint meeting of the foreign ministers and defense ministers of Russia and the United States.
Watch: Meghan says its liberating being able to speak for herself in new Oprah interview clip

Meghan Markle has said it is liberating to talk for herself as she reveals why she is choosing to do an interview now, a year after stepping back from royal duties.

In the latest clip ahead of the interview on Sunday, Winfrey revealed she called Meghan in early 2018 asking for an interview - but Meghan said it was not the right time.

But Meghan said of Winfrey's request: "I wasn't even allowed to have that conversation with you personally."

Asked what is right about this time, she said: "We are on the other side of a lot of life experience that's happened and we have the ability to make out own choices, in a way that I couldn't have said yes to you then, that wasn't my choice to make.

"As an adult who lived a really independent life and to go into this construct that is different that I think what people imagine it to be.

"It's really liberating to have the right and the privilege in some ways to be able to say yes."

She added: "Im ready to talk"

Winfrey replied: "And not to have to consult with anybody at this point. Yes."

Meghan responded: "Yeah. To be able to just make a choice on your own. And to be able to speak for yourself."

It comes after the release of a segment in which the duchess accused "The Firm" of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her.

The first part of the interview will be Meghan one on one with Winfrey. (CBS)

In a clip released on Thursday, hours after the palace confirmed it would be investigating allegations the duchess bullied two people out of their jobs while a senior royal, Meghan said: "I dont know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.

And, if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, Ithere is a lot that has been lost already.

The interview with Winfrey was filmed around two weeks ago, which means the comments were made before the allegations of bullying involving Meghan.

Story continues

The Duchess denied claims of bullying and said they are a "smear campaign".

It's not clear what she is referring to in the clip, but the remark came after Winfrey asked: "How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth today?"

The term 'the Firm' is usually used to refer to the members of the Royal Family themselves.

But Omid Scobie, who wrote the unauthorised biography of Harry and Meghan, told Good Morning Britain: "When Harry and Megan talk about the firm or the institution, theyre not attacking the royal family.

Theyre talking about the machine of the monarchy, thats what goes on behind the scenes, and I think any royal family member is able to distinguish the two.

Watch: Meghan Markle interview: Duchess of Sussex accuses palace of 'perpetuating falsehoods' in new Oprah clip

Read more: Why Meghan's use of 'The Firm' is causing such controversy

Relations between the palace and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear to be at their worst, with some commentators suggesting the current situation is reminiscent of the War of the Waleses in the early 1990s.

Royal author Penny Junor said: Its just such a mess. I dont think there are going to be any winners in it.

She told the PA news agency: In a way it is another War of the Waleses.

It is another example of this fractured family. They do seem to have a history of falling out.

The War of the Waleses was obviously a marriage, but again its a member of the family feeling aggrieved and going public.

Prince Charles' marriage to Princess Diana began to break down early in the relationship as Diana struggled to adapt to her new royal role.

Charles restarted an affair with his now wife Camilla, while Diana had an affair with cavalry officer James Hewitt.

Meghan told Oprah she found it liberating to talk to her without asking the palace first. (Harpo/CBS)

Read more: How can I watch Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview in the UK?

A series of royal bombshells was started by the publication of the 1992 book Diana: Her True Story, by Andrew Morton, which she had secretly helped him write.

But then in 1993, after the royal separation, the Camillagate tape was leaked in which the prince was heard speaking intimately to Camilla.

Charles admitted adultery in an interview in 1994, and then Diana gave her own shock interview in 1995 with Martin Bashir, where she made the comment "there were three of us in the marriage".

The fallout from the interview, which airs late on Sunday evening in the US, is expected to continue into the week.

Oprah with Meghan and Harry is on CBS in the US on 7 March and on ITV on 8 March at 9pm in the UK.
(Natural News) A man in Buffalo, New York, was held at gunpoint by bounty hunters from out-of-state who raided his home without a warrant and his consent. This situation was made worse by the fact that several members of the Buffalo Police Department were allegedly idly standing by and allowing the illegal raid to happen.

In January of this year, Jake Reinhardt, his fiancee and their three-year-old daughter were woken up in the middle of the night when they heard somebody banging on their front door. When Reinhardt got to the door, he saw a man with a long firearm by his front door.

Open it up or well kick it in, the man yelled. Reinhardt asked the man at the door to identify himself, but the man responded by demanding once again that Reinhardt open the door.

Reinhardt spotted two Buffalo police officers on the sidewalk, which gave him enough enough courage to open the door, believing that the officers just have the wrong house.

But when Reinhardt opened the door, two men  not the police officers  with long firearms immediately pointed their guns at his chest and entered his home.

The two men were bounty hunters. They asked Reinhardt about his brother, who jumped a $5,000 bail bond for three misdemeanors in Pennsylvania.

According to Reinhardt, the bounty hunters searched his home as well as the home of his tenant who lives in the upstairs apartment. He asked them if they had a warrant. One of the bounty hunters claimed to have a warrant, but it was never produced. Furthermore, Reinhardt never gave his consent for a home search.

At least one of the two bounty hunters pointed a gun at Reinhardts fiancee, Taylor Schmieder. She was eight months pregnant and holding on to her three-year-old daughter.

The bounty hunter told Schmieder to free her hands by releasing her crying daughter.

I was terrified, said Schmieder. Neither of us had any idea what was going on.

As the raid was occurring, his surveillance camera at the front of the house recorded a short conversation between two police officers observing the event.

I dont know what agency that is either, said one of the officers.

Me either, answered the other. Theyre from PA, I think he said.

After a moment of searching, the bounty hunters left empty-handed along with the Buffalo officers that accompanied them. Fortunately for Reinhardt, his family and his tenants, nobody was hurt.

These are people who took an oath to serve and protect the community, said Reinhardt. And in my eyes, they aided in nothing short of an armed home invasion. They were all responsible. It was an egregious attack on my home and my family and my civil rights.

After reviewing the surveillance footage, Buffalo Captain Jeff Rinaldo said his officers did not do anything illegal.

Based on my initial review of this, the officers did not knock on the door, they did not request the homeowner let these individuals into their home and from that point on the only question left in terms of a criminal matter is whether or not [the bounty hunters] entrance and means of gaining entry in that residence was appropriate, said Rinaldo.

However, one supervisor initially told Reinhardt that this was a failure on the part of the department.

I dont know if its not enough training or what with our guys, said the supervisor. They should have clarified any type of entry into a home. Its very serious in nature.

Reinhardt suing Buffalo, city officials investigating incident

Reinhardt has filed a civil lawsuit in a federal court against the City of Buffalo, the police officers in the scene, the bounty hunters and the company one of them works for  Bail Shop LLC, based out of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Reinhardt asked everybody he could ask to see the warrant, said Anthony Rupp, the attorney representing Reinhardts family, his mother  whose home was also searched by the same two bounty hunters  and the family in the upstairs room. (Related: Some Democrats are beginning to admit that lockdowns have turned the US into a totalitarian police state.)

The entire home was searched at gunpoint without the warrant being produced.

Rupp claims the Buffalo police failed in its basic mission to protect and serve the community and instead stood by and allowed the most illegal search of a home that Ive ever seen.

They participated in gunpoint armed search, a midnight rousting of two young families with screaming babies, and its utterly outrageous, said Rupp.

Rupp further claimed Reinhardt and his other clients felt terrorized by the event and that the police department should reassess its own protocols.

I cant believe that trained officers from a professional police agency would conduct and assist in helping other people conduct an armed intrusion into a home without checking to see if thats okay, said Rupp.

Buffalo Common Council President Darius Pridgen presented a resolution to the Common Council requesting information regarding the legal framework that bounty hunters are allowed to operate within when they are inside city limits.

The resolution would ask the citys law department to provide a complete rundown of every single state and federal law regarding the regulation of bounty hunters, as well as any policies the city, county, state or federal law enforcement might have that deals with how officers should interact with bounty hunters.

Pridgen hopes to find answers regarding how this industry operates and what its rulebook looks like. Once he knows what hes dealing with, he would use the power of the Common Council to lobby federal legislators to conduct a review of the industry if necessary.

I understand bounty hunters have a job to do but I want to make sure that we are not in a position, and this is just generally, in which bounty hunters come into town and can knock down doors if it is illegal, said Pridgen. I am concerned, and I do want to know the answers.

Learn more about incidents involving police officers by reading the latest articles at PoliceViolence.news.

Sources include:

WesternJournal.com

WIVB.com 1

WIVB.com 2
DUBLIN, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Mining Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Major companies in the mining market include BHP Billiton Ltd; Glencore Plc; Vale SA; Rio Tinto Group and CRH Plc.



The global mining market is expected to grow from $1641.67 billion in 2020 to $1845.55 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%.

The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $2427.85 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 7%.



The mining market consists of sales of minerals, metals and other valuable materials such as sand and gravel, coal and stone extracted from the earth crust by entities (organizations, sole traders and partnerships) that undertake the process of extraction. The mining market is segmented into mining services; general minerals; stones; copper, nickel, lead and zinc; metal ore and coal, lignite, and anthracite.



Asia Pacific was the largest region in the global mining market, accounting for 71% of the market in 2020. North America was the second largest region accounting for 9% of the global mining market. Middle East was the smallest region in the global mining market.



The use of renewable energy is helping mining companies reduce power costs and control emissions in the mines. As the solar or wind projects are built close to the mine sites, the cost of connecting to the power grid is also reduced. Site-appropriate renewable energy sources are reliable, consistent and also economical. BHP and RioTinto have started using renewable energy sources in their mines.

The solar plant will be one of Australia's largest photovoltaic installations at a mining site once completed. According to a report by Fitch Solutions, renewable energy used by mining companies from various sources include 57% of solar thermal, 37% of solar PV, and 4% of wind energy.



Power generation companies are increasingly using alternate sources of energy such as natural gas, nuclear power and renewable to produce clean and sustainable electricity. The decreasing cost of installation of renewable sources of energy is also driving the use of these sources for power generation. This is expected to act as a restraint on the demand for coal in power generation.

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the coal's share of the total world energy consumption is expected to decline from 25% in 2015 to 22% in 2040. Renewable are expected to be the fastest growing energy source, with their consumption increasing at an average rate of 2.3% per year between 2015 and 2040. The continuous shift to alternative sources for power generation will restrain the mining market.



Government policies to support the mining industry is expected to drive the mining market. Governments are providing subsidies and encouraging foreign direct investments (FDI) in the mining industry. The amount of government support includes the support through governments' public finance institutions such as bilateral development banks and export credit agencies investing in mining projects, fiscal support through budget allocations and tax exemptions, and investments through majority state-owned mining and utility companies.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Report Structure



3. Mining Market Characteristics

3.1. Market Definition

3.2. Key Segmentations



4. Mining Market Product Analysis

4.1. Leading Products/ Services

4.2. Key Features and Differentiators

4.3. Development Products



5. Mining Market Supply Chain

5.1. Supply Chain

5.2. Distribution

5.3. End Customers



6. Mining Market Customer Information

6.1. Customer Preferences

6.2. End Use Market Size and Growth



7. Mining Market Trends And Strategies



8. Impact Of COVID-19 On Mining



9. Mining Market Size And Growth

9.1. Market Size

9.2. Historic Market Growth, Value ($ Billion)

9.3. Forecast Market Growth, Value ($ Billion)



10. Mining Market Regional Analysis

10.1. Global Mining Market, 2020, By Region, Value ($ Billion)

10.2. Global Mining Market, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Historic And Forecast, By Region

10.3. Global Mining Market, Growth And Market Share Comparison, By Region



11. Mining Market Segmentation

11.1. Global Mining Market, Segmentation By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Mining Support Activities

General Minerals

Stones

Copper, Nickel, Lead, And Zinc

Metal Ore

Coal, Lignite, And Anthracite

12. Mining Market Segments

12.1. Global Mining Support Activities Market, Segmentation By Type, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Value ($ Billion) - Coal Mining Support Activities; Metal Mining Support Activities; Nonmetallic Minerals Mining Support Activities

12.2. Global General Minerals Market, Segmentation By Type, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Value ($ Billion) - Other General Minerals; Potash; Salt; Magnesite; Sulfur; Kaolin; Asbestos; Feldspar; Boron; Gypsum; Talc; Graphite; Baryte; Bentonite; Diatomite; Lithium; Selenium; Perlite; Vermiculite; Arsenic; Diamond;

12.3. Global Stones Market, Segmentation By Type, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Value ($ Billion) - Dimension Stones; Crushed Stones

12.4. Global Copper, Nickel, Lead, And Zinc Market, Segmentation By Type, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Value ($ Billion) - Copper; Zinc; Lead; Nickel

12.5. Global Metal Ore Market, Segmentation By Type, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Value ($ Billion) - Gold Ore; Iron Ore; All Other Metal Ores; Silver Ore; Uranium Ore; Vanadium Ore

12.6. Global Coal, Lignite, And Anthracite Market, Segmentation By Type, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, Value ($ Billion) - Coal; Lignite; Anthracite



13. Mining Market Metrics

13.1. Mining Market Size, Percentage Of GDP, 2015-2025, Global

13.2. Per Capita Average Mining Market Expenditure, 2015-2025, Global

Companies Mentioned

BHP Billiton Ltd

Glencore Plc

Vale SA

Rio Tinto Group

CRH Plc

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ijedtj



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Although Governor Walz continues to exercise one-man rule and we continue to suffer the effects, the local news on the epidemic has reduced to vaccines and vaccinations. When will Governor Walz give it up and restore regular order? When is the public health emergency over? I appear to be alone among the local media in asking the question.

I submitted the three questions below on February 21. Legally obligated to answer the questions in the same fashion the department responds to other reporters, the department responded yesterday afternoon, 11 days later. Its a good thing I wasnt holding my breath or even expecting a forthright response. MDH reformulates my prime question and declines to articulate any public health benchmarks that would suggest the emergency is over. Its a long time to temporary:

1. Question: In the view of MDH, please state what criteria or benchmarks would suggest that the emergency under which Governor Walz continues one-man rule is over?

Answer: It appears that you are asking when the governors peacetime emergency authority would no longer be needed: The Governor has clearly stated his intentions as to when he would consider peacetime emergency authority no longer needed in letters to the Legislature in January, both of which are attached. MDH supports the Governors efforts to work with the Legislature to protect the health of Minnesotans without having to rely on a peacetime emergency. We are committed to providing the Governor with the best, most complete information about the pandemic to help him continue to lead our state safely.

2. Question: On the daily MDH Situation Report under hospitalizations, it says in the note that in most cases, the original admission was for COVID. This indicates that you are aware of data on patients who either come to the hospital for another reason and happen to test positive for COVID or who actually get the virus in the hospital. Studies have found relatively high numbers of both these occurrences in hospitals. Please provide the Minnesota data you have on this subject.

Answer: We are aware of patients who come to the hospital for another reason and happen to test positive and that is why the statement you reference is on the website. However we have not done an analysis and do not have a public report related to our COVID-NET hospitalization data, which does include a field for reason for admission that splits it up into COVID-related illness and other illness options.

3. Question: A Power Line reader writes that she tried to register in the vaccine connecter website that you publicized in your February 18 press briefing. She gave up filling it out as she found the questions therein to be the epitome of wokeness. She writes: Im 62, retired and have significant health issues that make getting Covid a bad gamble for me. There were no questions about my health, only age. Im retired, but I couldnt progress in the lengthy questionnaire without stating my industry, employer and position. How is that relevant? While theyd manage to miss a significant chunk of the population with those omissions, they found time to insert all manner of options about my race, gender, sexual preference and desired pronouns. Im unabashedly a heterosexual woman, but why are those race, gender, pronouns and sexual preference questions even germane? Would you please respond?

Answer: The State of Minnesota is committed to the equitable distribution of safe and effective vaccines for protection against COVID-19. Questions about race, gender identity and sexual orientation will help us track and measure our goals for equity and fairness. These questions have the option to select prefer not to answer or none of the above, and selecting these answers will not prevent you from signing up for the Vaccine Connector. The information we are asking you to provide about yourself is private data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. It will be used to notify you about COVID-19 vaccination updates or opportunities that are relevant to you. We do ask about your medical history. In some cases, an individuals job or medical history may determine their eligibility status in future phases of vaccine distribution, such as is the case for some essential workers. Answers to questions about your job and medical history may be used to inform you of COVID-19 vaccination updates or opportunities that are relevant to you, and to identify when you are eligible to get your vaccine. The Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector asks users if they have medical conditions that put them in the highest-risk category if they contract COVID-19, based on current CDC research. This is to ensure we are connecting all Minnesotans to vaccine opportunities most relevant to them. The attached image [omitted] shows the page from the Connector.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - Bam Bam Resources Corp. (CSE: BBR) (OTC Pink: NPEZF) (FSE: 4NPB) ("Bam Bam" or the "Company") is pleased to report that logging and interpretation of copper mineralogy and assays in recent and historic core at Majuba Hill indicates enrichment of copper grades below the known zones of copper oxidation.





Cross section showing copper oxide zones and postulated enrichment zones

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6332/76243_fa3ecf3e043c08b5_002full.jpg

Some recent and historic drill holes at Majuba bottomed in significant copper grades below the copper oxide zones, including:

MMX-24 (1,100 ft deep hole): 370 ft (112.8m) @0.45% Cu from 730-1100 ft (222.5-335.3m) in enrichment zone.

MHB-6 (800 ft deep hole): bottom 50 feet (15.2 meters) @ 0.72% Cu and 19.8 ppm Ag from 750-800 (228.6-243.8 meters), including the bottom 20 feet (6.1 meters) @ 1.31% Cu from 780-800 feet (237.7-243.8 meters).





Map showing Majuba Hill Project Drilling to Date



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6332/76243_fa3ecf3e043c08b5_004full.jpg

Larry Segerstrom, Geologist and member of the Advisory Board commented: "I am very excited about the newly-recognized zones of copper enrichment below the oxide zones. There are significant enrichment zones in many porphyry copper deposits in the southwest U.S., like those in the large Pima mining district in Arizona, and the giant mines in Chile, Escondida and Chuquicamata. The enrichment zones in these mines are of high economic importance and one of the reasons that they are so rich and economically viable. I look forward to further drilling the copper enriched zones at Majuba Hill and deeper into the primary copper mineralization below. I think that we will significantly expand the known Majuba mineralization. This is a tremendous opportunity to develop a large copper deposit."

About Majuba Hill Property

Majuba Hill is a large contiguous land position controlling the emerging Majuba Hill Copper District, located northeast of Reno, Nevada. The project is comprised of extensive mineral and surface rights held by private ownership, patented mining claims, and Federal Lode Mining claims that are 100% controlled by Bam Bam Resources Corp.

The property is easily accessed via 23 miles of well-maintained dirt roads leading from U.S. Interstate 80. Reno and Elko are the major supply centers for exploration and mining activities in Nevada. The existing highways are sufficient for transportation of exploration-size heavy equipment. Development logistics would use the 4 lane Interstate 80 highway, Union Pacific railroad tracks and adjacent power, natural gas, and fiber optic transmission lines in the rail - highway corridor.

Mining is a common occupation in the area with several small to world class mines operating in the Winnemucca - Lovelock area over the past several decades. A well-trained and experienced mining workforce pool is available in Nevada when labor and expertise are required.

The excellent location of Bam Bam's Majuba Hill property, with already existing mining friendly infrastructure, will significantly reduce costs for exploration programs and future mining activities.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Larry Segerstrom, M.Sc. (Geology), P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Mr. Segerstrom is on the Advisory Board of the Company.

About Bam Bam Resources Corp.

Bam Bam Resources Corp. (CSE: BBR) (OTC Pink: NPEZF) (FSE: 4NPB) is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of later stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity.

The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold project located 156 miles outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions and government regulations supportive of mining operations.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

On Behalf of the Board of Bam Bam Resources Corp.

"David Greenway"

David C. Greenway

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Joel Warawa

VP of Corporate Communications

E: jw@bambamresources.com

P: 1 (855) 475-0745

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Bam Bam Resources Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Bam Bam Resources Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Bam Bam Resources Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76243
The newly sworn-in U.S. Commerce secretary defended the entity list, which prohibits U.S. companies from doing business with certain foreign businesses including Chinas Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., and vowed to use the list to its full effect.

The tough stance outlined by Gina Raimondo sends a strong signal that the Biden Administration has yet to ease pressure on China. The Senate voted 84-15 Tuesday to confirm the former Rhode Island governors appointment to President Joe Bidens cabinet.

In an interview with MSNBC Thursday after she was sworn in as commerce secretary Wednesday night, Raimondo also pledged that the Biden administration will hold China to account for anti-competitive behavior and horrific human-rights abuses and will use all tools at its disposal to counter the threat that Beijings behavior poses.

The entity list is a powerful tool, she said. Chinese telecommunications companies are a threat to American economic and national security. Were going to use [the list] to its full effect.

The entity list currently contains more than 300 Chinese enterprises, including large semiconductor and drone manufacturers and companies engaged in alleged human rights violations against ethnic minorities in Chinas Xinjiang region.

When asked during her Senate confirmation hearing Jan. 26 whether Huawei and other Chinese companies should remain on the restricted trade list, Raimondo didnt specifically say yes or no. That prompted several House Republicans to ask their Senate counterparts to delay her confirmation.

Republican Representative Mark Green of Tennessee joined House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul of Texas in calling on the Senate to hold Raimondos confirmation until the Biden Administration gives a clear and direct answer on whether it planned to keep Huawei on the entity list.

Since then, Raimondos stance has toughened. In a written response to questions from Senate Republicans, she said she has no reason to believe that entities on the list should not be there.

If confirmed, I look forward to a briefing on these entities and others of concern, she said.

In the Thursday interview, Raimondo repeated her remarks from the Senate hearing that she would take an interagency and whole-of-government approach to holding a tough line with China, and she criticized Chinas trade and human rights practices.

Chinas behavior is anti-competitive, coercive, Raimondo said. Their human rights abuses are horrific, and they need to be held to account for that as well as for dumping excessive amounts of cheap steel and aluminum into America, she said.

She also indicated the Commerce Department has multiple tools. The entity list and tariffs are both defensive tools, she said, and the U.S. needs to play offense by investing in research and development, manufacturing semiconductors domestically and having access to the best-trained workforce in the world.

In a speech Wednesday laying out the Biden administrations foreign policy, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered an even stronger stance on the China threat. Blinken said China is the only country with the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to challenge the United States.

Contact reporter Denise Jia (huijuanjia@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (bobsimison@caixin.com).

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Advertisement

The good news is that thanks to a strengthening pound, seven out of ten traditional summer holiday hotspots are cheaper this year than they were 12 months ago.

Thats according to the Post Office Travel Moneys annual report, revealed exclusively today in the Mail.

The report compares the prices of eight staples tourists spend their cash on  including a meal for two, cup of coffee, bottle of beer and suncream. Heres how it pans out...

A table showing how seven out of ten traditional summer holiday hotspots are cheaper this year than they were 12 months ago

THRIFTY TURKEY

Local prices in the lively beach resort of Marmaris on Turkeys Turquoise Coast have actually risen, but a year-on-year fall in the value of the Turkish lira of almost 29 per cent against sterling will make it cheaper for UK visitors this year.

Will it be open this summer? The government believes tourism will resume in April. As part of a national Safe Tourism initiative, hotels must have temperature checks for guests and staff, new hygiene standards and better ventilation.

Highlight: Marmariss pretty harbour, crowned by a castle. And dont leave without experiencing a hammam treatment.

BARGAIN BULGARIA

Sunny Beach, pictured, is Bulgaria's biggest purpose-built seaside resort and has been rated as the cheapest place for a holiday in Europe

Topping the list once again as the cheapest place for a holiday in Europe, Sunny Beach, Bulgarias biggest purpose-built seaside resort, offers sunshine, sandy coves and vibrant beachfront bars, with a bottle of beer costing just 47p.

Will it be open this summer? Tourism will resume in time for summer, according to the Bulgarian government. EasyJet will begin flights from Gatwick to Sunny Beach on July 2, with return fares from 59.

Highlight: A catamaran cruise for dolphin-spotting, swimming and sunbathing.

COSTA DEL SALE

Spains famous 93-mile sun coast is one of three destinations to show a rise in prices, but its still a steal. A three-course meal for two will set you back 41.10, while a bottle of beer is just 2.12. The Costa del Sol has something for everyone  theme parks, glamorous nights out and white town charm. Ryanair has return flights from Stansted to Malaga for as little as 39.

Will it be open this summer? Spain is keen to develop a travel link with the UK even if the EU vaccine passport fails.

Highlight: Espetos, a local delicacy of skewered sardines roasted over wood fires.

PENNY-WISE PORTUGAL

The Algarve coast in Portugal, pictured, saw price falls of 13 per cent year on year. It is the best-value Eurozone destination

The best-value Eurozone destination, Portugals Algarve coast, saw the biggest fall in prices of 13 per cent this year. Many of the regions four million annual visitors, who come to explore the cliffs, bays and sandy islands, are set to return this year.

Will it be open this summer? Despite currently being on the Red List, Portugals secretary of state for tourism said yesterday that they hoped to welcome British tourists from 17 May.

Highlight: Faro, the Algarves capital, with its Old Town ringed by medieval walls.

COST-EFFECTIVE CYPRUS

Paphos on the south-west coast of this sun-soaked Mediterranean island offers dazzling beaches and shimmering blue sea at bargain prices. Enjoy a three-course meal for two and bottle of wine for 42.69.

Will it be open this summer? Its highly likely. The Cypriot government is planning to open its borders to fully vaccinated British tourists from May 1.

Highlight: A bottle or two of the islands sweet amber-coloured wine.

MARKED-DOWN MALTA

The beautiful Sliema on the island of Malta. Its waterfront promenade has boutiques, bars and cafes

On Maltas east coast, Sliemas waterfront promenade is packed full of boutiques, bars and cafes, as well as natural rock-cut pools equipped with swimming ladders.

Will it be open this summer? Tourism association says its too early to say.

Highlight: Take a dip in Balluta Bay, with its backdrop of Art Nouveau buildings.

CUT-PRICE CANARIES

The Canary Islands have maintained the lowest infection rates in Spain. Lanzarote is the cheapest and packs a punch with its beaches, natural pools and water sports.

Will it be open this summer? The Canaries are set to be one of the first Spanish regions to open, as early as May.

Highlight: The indelible touch of artist Cesar Manrique on the islands villages.

COMPETITIVE CROATIA

Croatia's ancient town of Porec draws tens of thousands of holidaymakers. Prices here are down 2.5 per cent on last year

The ancient town of Porec draws tens of thousands of holidaymakers who come for the vibrant nightlife, Romanesque and baroque architecture and glittering waters.

Will it be open this summer? Croatia is eager to welcome international tourists making it a good bet for a summer break.

Highlight: The 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica in the historic centre of Porec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

GREECE IS THE WORD

Corfu, pictured, has vertiginous villages, ancient ruins and sandy coves. Tui will resume holidays here as soon as international tourism is permitted

All eyes are on Greece this summer. And Corfu, with its vertiginous villages, ancient ruins and sandy coves, is the place to go for an affordable break. Tui will resume holidays to Corfu as soon as international tourism is permitted, possibly from May 17.

Will it be open this summer? Highly likely. Greece is keen to open to British tourists as soon as possible.

Highlight: Corfu Town for its glorious Venetian architecture.

ITALY'S HEEL STEAL

Puglia, the heel on Italys boot, offers rocky coves, sandy bays and a coastline peppered with medieval towns.

Will it be open this summer? Its unclear. The Italian government has said very little.

Highlight: The little town of Polignano a Mare, perched atop a craggy limestone cliff.
The governor of Uzbekistan's eastern Namangan Province will temporarily move into an underdeveloped village to see firsthand what problems the people face before initiating projects aimed at improving people's daily lives.



It appears to be a very noble action.



But looking at the accommodations being put together for Shavkat Abdurazzakov while he lives in the destitute village of Bunyodkor, it seems the governor might find it difficult to experience the hardships that the people there endure.



It's also unlikely that this grand idea came from Abdurazzakov.



Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev visited Namangan Province on February 19 and made what was reported to be a surprise stop at rundown Bunyodkor -- about 18 kilometers from the provincial capital of Namangan -- to inspect the living conditions.



After walking through the village and talking to locals, Mirziyoev said "the situation here is deplorable, there's no drinking water, the roads are in bad shape[and] trash is dumped behind the building where the mahalla (neighborhood) citizens meet."



Mirziyoev gave Namangan Mayor Olimjon Isaev and city Prosecutor- General Bahromjon Yuldashev a tongue-lashing, the sort of criticism Mirziyoev often displays in front of state TV cameras during his regional visits.



The outbursts are no doubt meant to show the president is fighting on the side of the common people against ineffective local officials.



But Mirziyoev's frequent public rebukes on state TV during his more than four years in office have not halted the abuses by officials in the provinces.



After Mirziyoev's departure, Abdurazzakov met with some of the approximately 12,000 people who live in Bunyodkor and announced he was going to live with them in their village for a short time.



New electricity power lines to Bunyodkor are already being built.

According to an activist from the area who spoke on condition of anonymity to RFE/RL's Uzbek Service -- known locally as Ozodlik -- Bunyodkor is badly in need of other amenities.



"There has not been running water in our mahalla for years, people drink from the canals," the activist said. "There was never any natural gas. But now they say they will put in plumbing and later will connect us to gas."



The Governor's Traveling Mansion



But the governor will not be renting an apartment or staying in a family's extra bedroom while he is in Bunyodkor. He is bringing his own abode with him.



Abdurazzakov will be staying in three large "containers," prefabricated rooms usually used as offices or storage areas at large construction sites or for small kiosks or cafes in town and cities.

But before the governor can move into the village to get a firsthand look at the problems in Bunyodkor, the Namangan activist said hundreds of people have been conscripted to work to improve conditions ahead of the governor's arrival.



The local activist said state employees and soldiers "are sweeping the streets, putting down new asphalt, and making flower beds along the roadside."



Work is reportedly going on around-the-clock and is considered as being "hashar," which loosely translates into voluntary community work -- though the "voluntary" part is often debatable.

On February 23, an Ozodlik journalist went to Bunyodkor and took some photos of the work being done in the village.



The governor's new temporary home is nearly ready and will be very easy for locals to find as it already has a new wooden gate and a concrete wall around the courtyard with a sign reading "Namangan Province Governor's House."

Behind the concrete walls is a newly built courtyard with a terrace where the governor can sit for tea with guests or relax by himself.

Many are questioning how much money is being spent on the governor's new home before any is used to fix up Bunyodkor for the village's permanent residents.



According to the Namangan provincial administration's press secretary, Aziz Abdullaev, no money is being spent on the governor's home in Bunyodkor.



Abdullaev said the metal used comes from old containers and the portable concrete walls had been somewhere else and were brought to Bunyodkor just for the time the governor will live there.



One photo of Abdurazzakov's new home does appear to show that the building material came from old containers.

The Outhouse Experience



The Facebook page for MobileHome Uz advertises such mobile homes and shows what some look like.



Several have multiple electric sockets supplied with electricity from a generator, ensuring light as well as heating and potentially air-conditioning.



Abdurazzakov's three-container home in Bunyodkor means one will be where the governor lives and sleeps, a second will be his office, and a third for "a shower and toilet."



It will be quite different from his neighbors, who have no indoor plumbing and get their drinking water from the canals.



Without a sewage system, the residents of Bunyodkor have to use the classic outhouse of the Central Asian village, a structure built a decent distance from the house and featuring a hole in the ground surrounded by a small, usually wooden structure.



If Mirziyoev and Abdurazzakov are serious about learning the problems faced by the villagers, a good place to start would be by committing to use an outhouse.



Because if the many officials that have been sent to these poor areas want to truly understand the low standard of living and associated problems in these locales, it would be better if -- like everyone else in the villages -- they had to put on their overcoats and shoes in the middle of a cold wintry night for a trip to the outhouse -- or stand outside one with the door open for a minute to allow the cloud of flies to dissipate on a hot summer afternoon before entering.



If they did, it's very likely that the first order of business for every visiting official would be to install a sewer system and indoor plumbing for every villager's home.

Mirziyoev promised to make surprise visits to some of the country's poorest villages on future regional trips, so it is not only officials in Namangan who will have to live in such places.



In fact, Bukhara Governor Botir Zaripov is also moving to some of the poorest villages in his province, but whether he enjoys less of the president's favor than Abdurazzakov or perhaps because he believes it is necessary to keep things modest, he will be living in a Soviet-era "vagon" -- the train cars on wheels that are common dwellings for construction workers in many former Soviet republics.



The plan is for governors and district chiefs around Uzbekistan to use such mobile homes so they can move from poor village to poor village to assess and correct deficiencies.



But given Abdurazzakov's example, it is difficult to believe many of the officials will get a better understanding of village life while living with "luxuries" that none of the other villagers can enjoy.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 5, 2021

2021/03/05

CCTV: The Brookings Institution, an American think tank, published an article the other day, calling for US-China cooperation in the fight against the pandemic. The urgent task of bringing the pandemic under control can only be accomplished through global coordination, which requires the active engagement of the two largest economies in the world, the article said. What is China's comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: I've noted relevant reports on this article. Also, at an exchange event recently held between Chinese and American experts on epidemic prevention and control, they agreed that defeating COVID-19 requires global efforts in the spirit of unity and cooperation. The international community appeals for solidarity in the fight against the pandemic, and clear-sighted people want to see better cooperation between China and the US on this front.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic and after the Chinese government has taken the lead in effectively curbing the virus, we have been actively promoting international anti-epidemic cooperation, including in ensuring the production and supply of global anti-epidemic materials. As far as I know, from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021, China has exported to the United States about 43.85 billion masks, 1.19 billion pairs of surgical gloves, 950 million sets of protective clothing, 54.03 million pairs of goggles and 17,585 ventilators. Many provinces, cities, enterprises and organizations in China have also offered medical supplies to the United States. Chinese experts, medical workers and non-governmental organizations shared their prevention and treatment experience with their counterparts in the United States. Chinese and American pharmaceutical companies and people from the scientific and technological community have also maintained communication and cooperation on vaccine and drug research and development.

At present, the pandemic is yet to be contained. As two major countries in the world, China and the United States should join hands to meet the common challenges of mankind. China will continue to work with other countries, including the United States, to support WHO in further playing its role to further advance international cooperation for an early victory in the fight against the epidemic.

Bloomberg: A follow-up on COVID-related issues. A group of scientists have called for an "independent probe" into the origins of COVID-19. The group of scientists said in an open letter published by the WSJ that the existing WHO mission isn't independent enough, and that half of the team are Chinese citizens whose scientific independence might be limited. I'd like to ask for the foreign ministry's comment on this.

Wang Wenbin: First I need to correct you on one point. What China and the WHO conducted was not a probe, but joint research on origin-tracing, which forms part of a global plan. The joint team of experts gave detailed information on their cooperation in origin-tracing at a press conference held on February 9. If any country or media failed to grasp the details accurately, I refer them once again to the information released at that press conference. I'd like to stress the following:

First, the list of international experts on the WHO mission was formulated solely by the WHO. They are independent as scientists and highly representative as they are from more than ten countries and international institutions such as the WHO, the World Organization for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Second, the Chinese government has done a lot of administrative, technical, logistic and supporting work. In support of this joint research, the Chinese side, at the request of the WHO and the international team, arranged top Chinese experts in relevant fields to take part, and assembled a large number of technical personnel to support the joint mission in collecting data and documents. The experts on the mission made their own decisions independently as to where they would like to visit, who they would like to talk to and what they would like to talk about as the field work proceeded. The report is also drafted by the mission independently.

Third, the cooperation on origin-tracing is a scientific task carried out by the joint mission of both Chinese and foreign experts based on scientific research and facts. The experts of the two sides had full and candid exchanges, and the conclusion reflected the consensus of both sides, which is objective, scientific and authoritative. In disregard of scientific facts, some people have politicized the issue of origin-tracing, misinterpreted the scientific conclusion and report of the joint mission, and kept instigating an investigation with presumption of guilt against a specific country. Such a behavior is not conducive to international anti-epidemic cooperation. These signatories can deceive no one, including themselves, as to whether their so-called "open letter of scientists" is a true proposal for scientific and professional origin-tracing or pursuit of political agenda with presumption of guilt.

Fourth, since there have been more reports worldwide on the coronavirus appearing in various places around the world in the latter half of 2019, it is getting increasingly urgent and necessary to conduct similar visits to other countries and regions. We hope that relevant parties will demonstrate the same science-based and cooperative attitude as China does in coordinating with WHO on origin-tracing work. China will continue to work with the WHO and the international community on origin-tracing in an open and transparent manner, so that humanity can achieve an early victory over the pandemic and be better prepared to future public health emergencies.

Beijing Daily: The 155th session of the League of Arab States Council at the level of foreign ministers adopted a China-related resolution on March 3, which reiterated the importance to strengthen China-Arab ties, their welcome to Saudi Arabia's hosting of the first Arab-China summit, and appreciation to the two sides' anti-epidemic cooperation. They also stressed the need to hold institutional events under the framework of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF). Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: China highly appreciates the resolutions adopted by successive meetings of the League of Arab States Council at the level of foreign ministers on strengthening relations with China for many years. This fully demonstrates the firm determination of Arab states to develop relations with China and the high level of China-Arab traditional friendship and strategic partnership.

China attaches great importance to developing relations with Arab states and sees the League of Arab States as an important partner in advancing China-Arab relations. In recent years, China and Arab states have deepened strategic mutual trust and achieved fruitful results in cooperation across the board. In particular, in the fight against COVID-19, the two sides have worked together and helped each other, setting an exemplar of solidarity in fighting the epidemics. Going forward, China is ready to step up communication and coordination with Arab states and the League of Arab States, make good preparations for the China-Arab Summit, join hands to build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era, and aim for new stride forward in the China-Arab strategic partnership for the benefit of our two peoples.

Global Times: It is reported that UN human rights experts said that the United States' unilateral sanctions on countries including China, Russia, Cuba, Iran and Venezuela severely violate these countries' human rights. They called on the United States to fully comply with the international human rights treaty and prevent any negative impact such sanctions may have on those countries' human rights. What's your comment?

Wang Wenbin: China noticed the statement made by UN human right experts. In disregard of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and norms governing international law, certain country launched unilateral sanctions against other countries by wantonly citing human rights as an excuse. Such moves are widely criticized by the international community. Facts abound to prove that unilateral sanctions gravely impact the international political and economic order and the global governance system, severely undermine thee sanctioned countries' efforts to mobilize resources, grow their economy and improve people's well-being, threaten their rights to life, self-determination and development, and constitute continuous, systemic and large-scale violation of human rights. What's more, with the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, unilateral sanctions have led to shortages of food and medicines for tens of millions of people, endangered the health and life of numerous people, especially the vulnerable groups, and exacerbated poverty, hunger and inequality.

China is consistently opposed to unilateral sanctions. We urge the relevant country to heed the just voice of the international community and immediately stop imposing unilateral coercive measures.

Bloomberg: A couple of questions about Hong Kong. My first question is, why does Beijing feel the need to change the Hong Kong electoral system and what specific elements does Beijing want to change about the elections? Critics are saying that both Beijing and Hong Kong governments are using these election changes to disadvantage political opposition in Hong Kong. What are your responses?

Wang Wenbin: This morning, Wang Chen, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, delivered an explanatory speech on a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Last night, Zhang Yesui, spokesperson of the fourth annual session of the 13th NPC, also answered a relevant question at his press conference. I suggest you refer to their statements.

I must point out that Hong Kong's electoral system is part of China's sub-national electoral systems, as Hong Kong is China's special administrative region. Thus, its design, development and improvement is totally China's internal affairs. In a unitary state, the central government makes decisions for sub-national units regarding their electoral systems, a political practice commonly enshrined in their constitutions. China's position on Hong Kong-related issues has been understood and supported by most members of the international community.

The Chinese side is firmly determined in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, in implementing "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, in safeguarding Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and in opposing foreign interference in Hong Kong's affairs. No one will stand the slightest chance in meddling in Hong Kong affairs and exerting pressure on China.

********************

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to meet the press on the afternoon of March 7 on the margins of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress, where he will take questions from the press on China's diplomacy and foreign relations. Please stay tuned.

It is nearly 30 years since he was at the centre of one of Scotland Yards most notorious operations, yet strangers still recognise him  although usually they cant quite recall why.

Colin Stagg is now 57, greying and portlier than when he hit the headlines in the early 1990s, but there is no mistaking his features as he heads to his local Tesco Express for his checkout shift.

He was the innocent loner targeted in a police honey trap involving a blonde undercover officer whose mission was to get him to confess to a murder he did not commit.

Colin Stagg received 706,000 in compensation from the Home Office for the stigma of still being wrongly considered the prime suspect

Mr Stagg never admitted killing Rachel Nickell, 23  stabbed 49 times in front of her young son Alex on Wimbledon Common in July 1992  and there was no worthwhile evidence against him, but police still charged him with her murder.

He spent a year in custody awaiting trial before a furious Old Bailey judge threw out the case, branding the undercover operation reprehensible.

Later, after a double killer locked up in Broadmoor emerged as Miss Nickells real murderer, Mr Stagg received 706,000 in compensation from the Home Office for the stigma of still being wrongly considered the prime suspect in the case and therefore unemployable, years after he had been cleared.

Now his story features in a four-part Channel 4 drama about how the undercover Met officer codenamed Lizzie James tried to entice him into a confession in 1993.

Photos from the set of the forthcoming series My Name is Lizzie show the undercover officer stumbling into the sea, her face etched with despair as the emotional strain of the investigation takes its toll.

Mr Stagg, 57, was seen entering his local Tesco for the start of his shift on the checkouts

While it is unclear what stage of the inquiry the scenes from the drama reflect, the real life honey trap officer did pay a heavy price for her involvement.

For five months Lizzie, played by Irish actress Niamh Algar, 28, called and wrote to Mr Stagg, even dangling the possibility of sex as bait.

In 1998 she took early retirement aged 33 and three years later was awarded 125,000 compensation after claiming Scotland Yard failed to support her adequately. She has built a new life and her true identity cannot be revealed for legal reasons.

In 2008 serial rapist and double killer Robert Napper  who at the time of the case bore a striking resemblance to Mr Stagg  was convicted of the manslaughter of Miss Nickell after a DNA breakthrough.

Rachel Nickell (pictured) was stabbed 49 times in front of her young son Alex on Wimbledon Common in July 1992

Mr Stagg had walked free in September 1994 after a judge refused to allow Lizzies evidence to be put before a jury. The view at the top of the Met was that he had got away with it  a key factor in his record 706,000 compensation payout later.

Four years ago he said he had blown much of the money on cars, holidays, clothing  he even paid 850 for a Darth Vader costume  charity donations and flawed business investments. I spent like there was no tomorrow and I was earning two or three grand a month in interest, he added. I was making up for lost time doing the things I shouldve done in my youth if it hadnt been blighted by Rachels murder.

Today he lives in a semi-detached house in a town in the South East with his wife, a mother of four grown-up children. It is a three-minute drive from the Tesco Express store where he works on the tills and as a warehouseman.

His colleagues are aware of his history with the Nickell investigation. A friend said: Sometimes customers recognise him and cant figure out where theyve seen him.

Serial rapist Robert Napper (pictured) was convicted of the crime in 2008 thanks to forensic evidence

Colin and his wife went on holiday to Wales a year ago. A farmer said, I recognise you and he just said, Ive got one of those faces.

Approached for comment by the Mail, Mr Stagg politely declined to answer questions. It is understood he has a contract with the makers of the Channel 4 drama who interviewed him as research about the honey-trap operation. It forbids him from speaking without their permission.

But it seems likely he will speak publicly about his police ordeal and dealings with Lizzie James when the drama is screened later this year. Channel 4 has not yet revealed who is playing Mr Stagg.

For now, friends say he is simply getting on with his life after being the victim of one of Scotland Yards most disgraceful investigations in which  as in the more recent shambolic VIP child abuse inquiry Operation Midland  the presumption of innocence was not adhered to by police.

Some of what remains of his payout is invested in ISAs, a friend said.

And his views on Lizzie James and the force that tried to frame him? He doesnt think much about her, the friend said. He recovered a long time ago. Hes one of those people who doesnt look back.
New EU rules will force large companies to publish annual statistics on the pay differences between women and men and be open about pay scales when recruiting new staff.

In a draft law published yesterday, the European Commission said firms with more than 250 workers should publish annual, anonymised figures on the gender pay gap, including bonuses and benefits.

They should also reveal the proportion of men and women in each pay band.

Read More

Smaller companies will also be obliged to provide the same information to employees, but only on request. They will not be required to make it public.

Women must know whether their employers treat them fairly. And when this is not the case, they must have the power to fight back and get what they deserve, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The EU says entrenched gender bias around pay is one of the main reasons women in the EU earn 14pc less than men, on average.

In Ireland, the pay gap was 14.4pc in 2018, according to Eurostat, but rose to over 20pc in Estonia and Germany. The EU believes the figures would be even higher if public sector workers were stripped out.

Commission vice-president Vera Jourova said the rules are heavily needed because there has been very little progress on closing the gender pay gap, with only a 2pc improvement over the last five years. The proposal aims to tackle the systemic undervaluation of womens work which has persisted despite the right to equal pay being laid down in EU law for more than 60 years.

Under the rules, employers will be prevented from asking interviewees about their pay history and must inform applicants about pay ranges prior to any job interview.

They wont be able to include pay confidentiality clauses in employment contracts.

Average pay differences of 5pc or more will trigger a company-wide pay assessment and could lead to compensation claims being taken through the courts.

However, all fines and penalties would be left up to national authorities to decide, with equality bodies and employee organisations closely involved.

Siptu said the rules will not help eliminate pay differences and must be changed to remove the 250-employee threshold.

While the directive aims to reduce secrecy on pay, it does not provide the practical tools necessary to negotiate and address the glaring pay inequalities that exist for women workers, said Siptu deputy general secretary Ethel Buckle.

"If recent rates of progress are anything to go by the women of Europe and Ireland will have to wait another four generations for equal pay. That is not acceptable.

Currently, 13 EU countries have binding pay transparency rules in place.

Leo Varadkars government published a Gender Pay Gap Information Bill in 2019, which was recently reintroduced and is currently awaiting Government amendments.

The EU pay transparency measures will be reviewed in the context of the bill and existing policy on addressing the gender pay gap, said a spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald urged the government to act promptly, so that Ireland can lead the EU in this field. The imperative lies with the government.

The EU draft will have to be agreed by the blocs 27 governments and a majority of the European Parliaments 705 MEPs before it can become law.

EU countries would then get two years to translate it into national law.

However, a nine-year-old proposal to have a minimum of 40pc women on company boards has been blocked because of opposition from a slew of countries  including Nordic states that have their own binding rules in place.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
A Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate sued Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli, the pharmaceutical industrys imprisoned enfant terrible, in a Manhattan federal court Thursday, alleging a scheme to monopolize the market for Daraprim, the gold-standard treatment for the parasitic infection toxoplasmosis.

Shkrelis companies raised the drugs price by more than 4,000% after acquiring the rights in 2015, then conspired to thwart generic competition through deception and fraud while claiming their scheme was necessary to serve patients, the complaint says. None of their claims were truthful.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, echoes the claims from an ongoing case brought by the government, which Shkreli is fighting from the prison where hes been locked up since 2017 on an unrelated fraud conviction. Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of securities fraud and conspiracy for lying to hedge-fund investors and manipulating shares in a biotech company he founded, Retrophin Inc.

Toxoplasmosiscaused by a parasite found most often in cat fecesnormally involves only mild symptoms, if any, but the disease can be life-threatening in immune-compromised people, such as pregnant women or those with HIV/AIDS.

In addition to Shkreli, the 128-page suit by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota targets Vyera Pharmaceuticals LLC, Phoenixus AG, and Phoenixus CEO Kevin Mulleady. Vyera is the former Turing Pharmaceuticals.

The proposed class action accuses them of preventing rivals from capitalizing on the astronomical Daraprim price hikefrom $17.50 to $750 per tabletthrough resale restrictions in the contracts between Vyera, Phoenixus, and the specialty manufacturers that made the drugs key ingredients.

Those agreements also allegedly included data blocking provisions that prohibited the specialty suppliers from providing Daraprim sales information to the companies that normally aggregate drug market data.

The contract terms effectively blocked competitors from obtaining necessary ingredients, accessing the samples they needed to test the bioequivalence of their proposed generics, or accurately assessing, and thus pursuing, the market opportunity, according to the complaint.

Absent defendants anti-competitive and deceptive conduct, multiple generic competitors would have entered the Daraprim market sooner and at lower prices, rendering defendants price hike unsustainablesuch that they would not have pursued it in the first place, the suit says.

Instead, determined to impose monopoly prices and reap significant profits, Shkrelis companies allegedly set out to block generic entry from the start. Those profits came at the expense of insurers and other Daraprim purchasers, according to the complaint.

Cause of Action: Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act; state antitrust laws; state consumer protection statutes; unjust enrichment.

Relief: Treble damages, an injunction, costs, and fees.

Potential Class Size: All third-party payers that have covered Daraprim since August 2015.

Response: Vyera and Phoenixus didnt immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Attorneys: BCBS is represented by Robins Kaplan LLP.

The case is BCBSM Inc. v. Vyera Pharms. LLC, S.D.N.Y., No. 21-cv-1884, 3/4/21.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
QUEENS, N.Y., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- George Bell, Rohan Bolt and Gary Johnson, who were wrongfully convicted of a double murder in Queens and incarcerated for the last 24 years, will be released from prison today. Their release will follow an expected decision of The Hon. Judge Joseph A. Zayas of the Queens County Supreme Court, on a joint motion by the Queens District Attorney and lawyers for the three men vacating the three men's convictions.

The joint motion requests that the Court vacate all three convictions and release Bell, Bolt and Johnson on their own recognizance following the revelation that prosecutors wrongfully withheld evidence from the defense lawyers for the three men. The defense motion also argues that the totality of the evidence establishes that the three men are innocent. The Queens DA will advise the Court in 90 days whether she will consent to a finding that the convictions should be vacated on grounds of actual innocence.

Background to the Cases

On December 21, 1996, armed robbers attempted to hold up a check-cashing store owned by Ira "Mike" Epstein on Astoria Boulevard in Queens as he was opening for business. Epstein was accompanied by his security guard, Charles Davis, an off-duty New York Police Department officer. In the course of the failed robbery, Epstein and Davis were shot and murdered.

In the days that followed, then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani put expediency and a PR win over the pursuit of justice. On Christmas Eve 1996, just three days after the murders, police arrested Bell and Johnson, then 19 and 22 years old, respectively, on the word of a small-time drug dealer who had been caught selling marijuana to an undercover officer.

Bell and Johnson, who had no criminal history, were then taken to a precinct that was not their local precinct; the police told their parents they did not know where the two men were being held. Bell and Johnson were subjected to coercive interrogations that stretched all night long. Bell's interrogator physically assaulted and psychologically terrorized him, telling him he would never see his family again and would get the death penalty. Mayor Giuliani held a Christmas Day press conference to announce Bell and Johnson's arrests on the basis of their false confessions despite the NYPD's request for more time to question the suspects and investigate the murders.

As the press conference was going forward on Christmas Day, Bolt, then a 35-year-old married father of four who owned a local Caribbean restaurant, was arrested following the false identification of him by a drug user who had no known connection to the crime. Bolt never confessed, and he testified in his own defense to proclaim his innocence at his trial.

No physical evidence connected any of the three men to the crime, not at the time of their arrests nor at any time since. For the last 24 years, Bell, Bolt and Johnson have maintained their innocence. When Bell's jury convicted him as being the shooter in the double homicide, Bell rejected the DA's plea offer and took the risk that a jury would sentence him to death rather than plead guilty to a crime that he did not commit. To compound this tragedy, the Queens DA cut a plea deal with a jailhouse informant in exchange for his perjured testimony implicating Bell and Johnson in the murders. Following his early release, the informant, Reginald Gousse, went on to murder a father of three in a robbery attempt.

Evidence existed at the time that pointed to other suspects, but prosecutors suppressed that evidence and withheld it from the defense teams and from the court. The evidence first started to come to light in October 2019, when defense attorneys for Bell, Bolt and Johnson learned that the Queens DA had concealed official police reports tying a criminal gang that committed several armed robberies in Queens to the Epstein/Davis murders. The suppressed reports came to light as part of the successful challenge by Robert Majors to his wrongful conviction as an accomplice in the May 9, 1997 armed robbery committed by the same Queens gang. Majors' post-conviction lawyer, Thomas Hoffman, won Majors' release when he proved that the prior Queens DA had wrongfully withheld evidence from Majors' defense attorneys establishing his innocence.

The most significant document, DD5 288, dated May 16, 1997, memorializes an NYPD interview of a member of the Queens armed robbery gang during which the gang member told officers that another member of the gang, Jamal Clark, had confessed to committing the Astoria Boulevard check-cashing robbery that resulted in the Epstein/Davis murders along with other gang members.

The Queens DA's Office was fully aware of this information before Bell, Bolt and Johnson's trials began, believed the information was credible and, despite this knowledge, tried the cases anyway, seeking the death penalty against Bell, and resulting in the wrongful convictions of these three innocent men.

Armed with the long-suppressed DD5 288, defense lawyers for Bell, Bolt and Johnson approached the newly formed Queens District Attorney Conviction Integrity Unit (the "CIU"), headed by Bryce Benjet, which began its own investigation. A flood of additional documentsall of which were wrongfully withheld from defense lawyersemerged from Benjet's investigation. On March 1, 2021, the CIU located handwritten notes prepared by the lead prosecutor on the Epstein/Davis murders confirming that the lead prosecutor was told by the NYPD detective leading the May 9 armed robbery case that Jamal Clark was involved in the Davis murder.

On the basis of this evidence, the Queens DA and defense counsel for the three men filed a joint motion asking the Court to vacate all three men's convictions and set them free.

Commentary from Bell, Bolt and Johnson

George Bell said, "For the past 24 years, I rose each day to the view of prison cell bars and would say to myself: 'Today is the day I will find the key. Today is the day I am going home!' I never gave up on my dream that one day I would be reunited with my loved ones, and I never gave up on my dream that the justice system would recognize that I was wrongfully accused. And today, by the Power of the Creator and His will, with the aid of my attorneys, I am free and say thank you. Thank you for putting into action what the justice system stands for: righteousness and truth. I also want to thank my entire family for never giving up and standing alongside me for 24 years."

Rohan Bolt said, "I am looking forward to this next chapter of my life. For 24 years, I always held onto the belief that this was possible, even when others said it wasn't. My children have been my source of hope through all of this, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make up for the time I lost with them. My experience, along with those of George Bell and Gary Johnson, is both terrible and too common. However, the unwavering faith of our supporters shows how important it is to have people on your side who believe in truth and justice."

Gary Johnson said, "I have spent more than half of my life in prison for a crime I did not commit, and I am no longer the young man with a bright future I once was. But this is the first step in making things right. I re-enter the world with gratitude for those who stood by me and never doubted my innocence. While there is so much we have lost, we can finally move forward with our families and loved ones. Still, we can never forget what has happened. Even with progress, we can't stop fighting to change things for the better."

Commentary from Defense Attorneys for Bell, Bolt and Johnson

Rita Dave Esq., attorney for Bolt and Johnson, said, "Today marks an important first step in resolving a clear miscarriage of justice that led to three innocent men spending a quarter century in prison. My clients suffered mistreatment by the police and were denied by the prosecution the fair trial that is their constitutional right. This long-awaited outcome is the result of a concerted group effort to doggedly pursue justice. Though we are all relieved that our clients are finally free, let us not forget the years of pain and enormous efforts that led to this moment, and that the work is not done. We will continue to advocate for the Queens DA to acknowledge the totality of the evidence in these cases and recognize our clients' innocence over the next 90 days."

Marc Wolinsky, Partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and attorney for Bell, said, "The prosecution of George, Rohan and Gary shocks the conscience. Our client, George, was just 19 years old when he was coerced into confessing to a crime he did not commit. Even more disturbing is the fact that the prosecutors sought the death penalty against George at the same time they were withholding evidence showing that he was innocent. We will continue to press for the complete exoneration of all three men. We appreciate the Conviction Integrity Unit's transparency and openness in reviewing these serious charges. The CIU has much more work to do. "

Scott Stevenson, Senior Vice President at Aon plc and attorney for Bell, said, "The behavior of the police, prosecutors and politicians at the time is a tragedy of epic proportions and an affront to the pursuit of justice. While we are grateful and relieved that, after being imprisoned for more than 24 years for a crime they did not commit, these three men can finally walk out of prison today, there is more work to do over the next 90 days to ensure the indictments against these men are dismissed and that their innocence is proclaimed."

David Crow Esq., Associate Appellate Counsel at Legal Aid Society and attorney for Bell, said, "George, Rohan and Gary were not only victims of police and prosecutorial misconduct, but also of systems of oppression that presupposed their guilt based on the color of their skin. While we celebrate the victory their release represents, the fact remains that three innocent men spent so much of their lives behind bars. For all who want a free and fair society, we must challenge ourselves to examine the unseen but hugely impactful forces that shape our suppositions of what guilt looks like and who is deserving of fair treatment in the eyes of the law."

Representatives for Bell, Bolt and Johnson have set up a fund to help support Bell, Bolt and Johnson in their reintroduction to society. More information about the fund and how to make a donation can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/exoneration-george-bell-rohan-bolt-gary-johnson.

Gary Johnson and Rohan Bolt are represented by Rita Dave, Esq. George Bell is represented by Marc Wolinsky, Anna Schwarz and Amanda Lee of Wachtell, Lipton Rosen & Katz; Scott Stevenson, Esq. of Aon plc; and David Crow, The Legal Aid Society. The investigators working on the case were Luke Brindle-Khym and Charles Linehan of QRI (Quest Research and Investigations) and Kevin Hinkson. Copies of any of the motion papers and decisions referenced above are available upon request.

Media inquiries should be referred to Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher:

SOURCE Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

Related Links

www.joelefrank.com


Diageo Vietnam, a British multinational beverage company, has donated VND3 billion (US$129,600) to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers crowdfunding campaign for COVID-19 vaccination.

During a presentation ceremony at Tuoi Tres headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday, Le The Chu, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, expressed his deep appreciation toward Diageo Vietnams community spirit.

We initiated the crowdfunding campaign to gather possible resources and build up a large COVID-19 vaccine stock in Vietnam, aimed at protecting the publics health and securing equitable vaccination in the society," said Chu.

Diageo Vietnam has responded to our call, making it among the foreign-invested enterprises that have a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility and charitable spirits.

Titled 'Making COVID-19 Vaccine Contributions with Tuoi Tre,' the campaigns goal is to help Vietnam acquire a sufficient number of COVID-19 vaccine doses for the entire population.

Speaking at the ceremony, Jos Duursema, COO of Diageo Vietnam, expressed his gratitude for being able to stay in one of the safest countries in the world thanks to the Vietnamese governments effective measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Its an honor to partner with Tuoi Tre and help Vietnam enter the next stage of the COVID-19 fight," Duursema emphasized.

"Given the close collaboration between the government and its citizens all over the country, Vietnam has done an amazing job so far in containing the outbreaks.

Aside from the remarkable success in combating COVID-19, Vietnam has curbed its adversities in every socio-economic aspect, which is attributable to the effective mobilization of resources in its society and the connection of individuals, organizations, and unions to act for a common goal of stamping out the pandemic and protecting the safety and health of the community.

Diageo Vietnam also dedicated its donation specifically to buying vaccines for frontline workers, who work at medical centers, hospitals or centralized quarantine centers, to combat COVID-19," according to a statement of the company.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Super-fast cycle for commodity currencies, stronger initial gains, but Australian and New Zealand dollars to peak in Q3 2021

Credit Agricole looks at the potential performance of the Australian and New Zealand dollars over the next few months.

The bank expects that the Australian and New Zealand Dollars will post further gains over the next few months amid a global recovery and strong demand for commodities.

The bank does, however, also expect that there will be a quicker return to more normal conditions than was seen after the 2008 crisis. Commodity currencies will, therefore, tend to peak more quickly and the Fed is likely to tighten in 2022.

Although near-term forecasts have been revised higher, it expects that there will be a peak this year.

The bank expects the Australian Dollar-to-US Dollar (AUD/USD) exchange rate to peak at 0.82 in the third quarter of 2021 with a New Zealand Dollar-to-US Dollar peak at 0.78.

Comparisons with the post-2008 crisis recovery

In particular, it looks to make a comparison with developments after the 2008 financial crisis.

AUD/USD peaked at 1.1000 in July 2011, 34 months after the cyclical low point in 2008 with NZD/USD peaking at 0.8730 in August 2011.

The bank looks at the similarities and notable differences between the two cycles.

The global recovery will help boost demand for commodity currencies in the short term. The bank expects that there will be strong demand for commodity currencies on dips as the global recovery strengthens.

The Australian and New Zealand central banks have both introduced asset-purchase programmes to curb upward pressure on yields. Nevertheless, Credit Agricole does not expect the measures will be strong enough to prevent further upward pressure on currencies.

We continue to note, however, the RBA and RBNZs QE programmes are small relative the sizes of their economies and the programmes of the major central banks. So the RBA and RBNZ can only restrict upside in their currencies rather than turn them around.

Fed to start tightening in 2022

Although the Federal Reserve remains committed to a very expansionary policy, Credit Agricole does expect pressure for a tightening will develop relatively quickly as the economy rebound strongly.

In this context, it expects that the Fed could tighten in 2022. The market will not have to wait several years for the FOMC to taper its asset purchases.

In this context, it expects that commodity currencies will peak more quickly than was the case after 2008.

The Antipodean currencies will experience a super-fast cycle rather than a super- long cycle, which means they are unlikely to reach the heights of the post-GFC era.

Chinese growth to slow, green policies in focus

Credit Agricole notes we expect Chinas stimulus to slow in H221 as it tries to rein in leverage, especially in the residential property market which will reduce Chinese demand for commodities.

A slowdown in demand for commodities would limit support for the Australian and New Zealand currencies.

The bank does, however, note that a strong US push towards the green agenda would maintain strong demand for metals.

Better value in buying against the Euro and yen

Credit Agricole now expects AUD/USD to finish 2021 at 0.80 and NZD/USD at 0.76 up from 0.78 and 0.74, respectively.

The bank is wary of buying the commodity currencies against the US dollar given the strong US recovery.

The already fast recovering US economy, which will be given a further boost by fiscal stimulus, makes the USD an unsuitable funding currency.

The bank, therefore, recommends buying Australian and New Zealand dollars against the Euro and Japanese yen rather than the US currency.
The litany of complaints that female colleagues had filed against North Dakota state Rep. Luke Simons, R, filled out a 14-page report released last week: Constant unwanted advances. Requests to run his hand through an intern's hair. Harassing a pregnant Republican House member so often that she covertly changed desks.

In response, the state's House of Representatives took the unprecedented step on Thursday of expelling Simons - the first time in its history the procedure has ever been used, the Bismark Tribune reported.

The chamber voted 69-25 to boot Simons, meeting the two-thirds majority needed. Rep. Emily O'Brien, Simons's Republican colleague who moved desks after what she described as a pattern of "disturbing" harassment, urged the chamber to listen to the women who spoke out.

"Women should not have to endure such behavior, period, but especially when working for the people of North Dakota," she said on the floor.

Simons, who argued that the vote failed to give him due process, said he would consider challenging his expulsion to the state's Supreme Court.

"Well that's it, no hearing, no trial and no evidence," Simons posted on Facebook. "Just based off of accusations that were made, I was expelled from the house and now I'm out of the legislature."

The historic vote marked the end of a contentious battle over Simons behavior, which was detailed in a report released last week by the legislature's nonpartisan research agency after Simons used profanity to berate a pair of Democrats in the House cafeteria.

O'Brien last weekend also publicly described her own allegations of harassment against Simons. Whenever he walked nearby, she said she pretended to talk on the phone to avoid him. That didn't stop him from repeatedly making inappropriate comments about her clothes and personal life, she said.

Reporting his unprofessional behavior to the House leadership didn't help either, she said, nor did ceasing to wear a dress that frequently drew his attention. Finally, O'Brien, who was pregnant, had to ask for a new seat as far away as possible from Simons, she said in a statement.

"My colleagues helped me relocate to a desk further away from him under the pretense that my pregnancy required closer proximity to a restroom rather than addressing his harassing behavior," O'Brien said on Thursday. "Mine is just one of many instances that were handled by avoiding the real issue."

The report documents the accounts of numerous staff members and interns who similarly reported Simons for what one staffer described as "really creepy" behavior, including allegedly giving a colleague an unsolicited shoulder massage during a hearing and recounting a "long story about shopping for thongs."

Simons was defiant last week, saying that he planned to sue over the "unfounded" claims and comparing himself to Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, who faced allegations of sexual assault in his confirmation hearings. Simons declined to comment on the allegations to The Washington Post, deferring questions to his attorney.

"The truth will all come out," Simons told The Post on Sunday. "I can't wait for the truth to come out."

Simons, 43, who represents Dickinson, his hometown, first won office in 2016. The barber, rancher and father of five is also a member of the Bastiat Caucus, a state group of Trump-aligned legislators.

O'Brien said Simons began harassing her soon after her election to the state House in 2016, the Grand Forks Herald reported.

"Every couple of days he'd walk by and give me the up-down," O'Brien said, referencing the way Simons looked at her.

Other days, O'Brien said Simons would ask her about her personal life, questioning who was home doing the dishes and laundry when she was at work. "He would say that I must be a 'good secretary for your boss,' " she told the Herald. "He would say 'you're lucky your boss lets you come out here to work.' "

She eventually reported the behavior to the legislative leadership, but she said no one ever informed her of any actions taken against Simons.

Lawyers for the legislative leaders, meanwhile, began compiling their own report on his behavior. Legislative Council Director John Bjornson told the Associated Press last week that he decided to release the documents after Simons used profanity in a tirade aimed at two Democratic lawmakers in the Capitol's cafeteria who had asked him to wear a mask. Simons has since publicly apologized for that incident.

In the report released Thursday, one woman reported that the first time Simons visited her office during the 2017 legislative session, he "leaned over [the] desk and made a remark about her eyelashes being very beautiful sort of like his wife's."

A staff member in 2018 said they would no longer continue working with Simons after feeling "extremely uncomfortable" when the lawmaker arrived at their office to discuss a legal matter.

"What does immune from liability mean, like if you were in a car accident and I came upon the scene and you were lying on the side of the road," Simons allegedly said. "If I took your shirt off to administer aid to a wound, I wouldn't be guilty of sexual harassment."

The staffer replied, "That is an inappropriate example."

To what Simons allegedly said, "Oh ya, I took it too far."

By 2019, according to the report, Simons was only allowed to speak with male administrative staff, unless female staff members consented to speak with him.

Earlier this year, a staffer reported Simons for allegedly telling an intern, "I would like to put my hands in your hair." Another intern this year said Simons allegedly told her that he "had seen a photo of her when she had bangs, and she looked like a schoolgirl."

The report prompted several lawmakers, including Republicans, to call for Simons to step down. In a joint statement released Friday, House Majority Leader Chet Pollert (R), Assistant Majority Leader Scott Louser (R) and House Caucus Chair Rep. Glenn Bosch (R) urged Simons "to resign from his seat."

"Should he refuse, the legislature will weigh all the information and options, including expulsion," Pollert said. "We want to make clear that this behavior will not be accepted at the Legislature."

But Simons refused to leave the House, instead threatening in live-streamed news conference with the Dickinson Press to file a defamation lawsuits over the "unfounded" allegations.

"I know exactly how Judge Kavanaugh feels now," Simons said. "[They] have come against my character, and these allegations are simply not true." He added he has more than two years of recordings of past conversations that disprove the accusations.

On Thursday, the House moved to expel him. The two-hour debate largely centered on procedure, the Tribune reported, with Simons's defenders arguing that he wasn't getting a fair trial.

"If we don't follow our own rules, then we are adding misconduct on top of misconduct," said Rep. Terry Jones, R, the Tribune reported.

But Pollert argued that Simons behavior was so egregious that he couldn't be allowed to stay in the House.

"This is about a pattern of inappropriate behavior and about someone who was given multiple chances to avoid being in this situation," he said.
As the trial approaches for a white Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd, prosecutors are putting the time Derek Chauvins knee was on the Black mans neck at about nine minutes.

The time has fluctuated before. It was recorded as 8 minutes, 46 seconds in an initial criminal complaint  a figure that became symbolic to many in the weeks after Floyds death  before a math error was corrected to make it 7:46. But filings since then, citing time-stamped police body-camera video, now make it at least nine minutes.

The fact that the figure has evolved probably wont matter at Chauvins trial, which begins Monday with jury selection. One former prosecutor says its common for such details to be fine-tuned as prosecutors build a case. A support group for victims of police violence says the discrepancies wont have any impact.

He was obviously on there enough time to think about what he was doing. He heard the man pleading that he couldnt breathe, said Toshira Garraway, founder of Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence. If it was two minutes or if it was five minutes or if it was 10 minutes, he was fully aware  Once he said, I cannot breathe  he was supposed to remove his knee.

Floyd died May 25. He had been handcuffed and was pleading that he couldnt breathe, but Chauvin kept his knee on Floyds neck even after he stopped moving and speaking.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers  Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao  are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter and are scheduled for trial in August.

The narrative in the initial complaint filed May 29 by the Hennepin County Attorneys Office says Chauvin held his knee to Floyds neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. But the time stamps cited in that charging document indicate it was actually 7 minutes, 46 seconds.

The Associated Press began asking about the error the day after the initial charges were filed, but prosecutors repeatedly declined to address it. The 8:46 detail was repeated in an amended complaint filed days later by the Attorney Generals Office.

In the weeks that followed Floyds death, some demonstrators staged die-ins that lasted 8 minutes, 46 seconds, some lawmakers knelt for that amount of time in the U.S. Senate, and mourners at a memorial service for Floyd stood in silence for 8:46 to reflect on the final moments of his life.

In mid-June, prosecutors acknowledged the one-minute error, but said it would have no impact on the case.

Documents filed by prosecutors in September and October changed the timing yet again. These documents contain the most detailed picture of what happened, citing time stamps from Lane, Keung and Thaos body camera videos.

The documents dont list an exact time for when Chauvin began kneeling on Floyd, but instead provide a narrative for when Floyd was first pressed to the ground. Time stamps on video from Lanes body camera  recorded in 24-hour-clock format  show that began at some point from 20:19:14 to 20:19:45, meaning from 14 to 45 seconds after 8:19 p.m.

But the documents cite a clear moment when Chauvin removed his knee, when a stretcher was ready to take Floyd away. Lanes body camera time-stamp read 20:28:45.

This means Chauvin had his knee on Floyds neck for at least nine minutes flat, but possibly for as long as 9 minutes, 31 seconds. Documents filed by prosecutors characterize the timing as approximately nine minutes, though in at least one document it is characterized as more than nine minutes and twenty seconds.

Stiles, the spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office, said the length of time of Chauvins restraint will be evidence presented at trial. He declined further comment.

Tom Heffelfinger, a former U.S. attorney for Minnesota who is not connected to this case, said its normal for prosecutors to fine-tune details as they build a case and that the length of Chauvins restraint wont become essential until a prosecutor presents it to the jury.

But at trial, he said, the timing will become extremely relevant as both sides argue about Floyds cause of death. Heffelfinger also said it points to Chauvins state of mind and can be used by prosecutors to show willfulness, and that Chauvin had Floyd under his control and held his position for too long.

You can see from the bystander video, Chauvin had Floyd under control for that entire period, Heffelfinger said. He didnt need to have his knee to the neck in order to maintain that  control.
Social media  love it or hate it, there is no denying it plays a huge role in our lives. As we recently had another lockdown, I thought I would bring to your attention some New Zealand-based research into social media use and mental health.

When we are stuck at home, we may be tempted to reach for our phones and log onto Facebook or Instagram. Or maybe our teenagers are spending more time in their bedrooms on their laptops? Please be mindful of how much time you and your family are spending on these platforms, as there is some concerning data which suggests social media may be harmful to our mental health.

As an immigrant, I occasionally use social media to stay in touch with family and friends. Social media, however, is a double-edged sword.

Both of the papers from which I quote below are taken from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study, a large New Zealand-based longitudinal study that looks at the social attitudes and health outcomes of over 60,000 New Zealanders.

Firstly, cyberbullying  defined as intentionally aggressive behaviour that is implemented via digital communication such as email, text messages, or mobile phone. In a sample of over 20,000 participants Andrews et al showed that 14.9 percent of the sample experienced this form of bullying, and that it was particularly prevalent within the younger, female groups, and more common among Pacific and Maori populations. This paper was published in 2020 in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking.

Social media provides a perfect platform for cyberbullying.

In another paper, published by Stronge et al in the journal Sex Roles, it was shown that having and using a Facebook profile was associated with poorer body satisfaction for both men and women. This association was strongest among middle-aged women. We are perhaps comparing ourselves to our airbrushed and photo-shopped younger peers.

Pay attention to how much time you are spending on social media. I encourage patients to, at the very least, avoid taking phones into the bedroom or using them at the dinner table. It is inevitable that our children will be exposed to social media but as with many aspects of parenting, try to maintain open communication channels. Check-in with them regularly and make yourself available if any problems arise.

If you or a loved one has a problem, please make an appointment with your doctor to discuss this further.
Bhubaneswar, March 5 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday inaugurated the World Skill Centre (WSC), a premier advanced skill training institute, here.

It has been set up at a budget of nearly Rs 1,342.2 crore.

World Skill Centre is being modelled around leading TVET Institute, ITE (Institute of Technical Education) Singapore and seeks inspiration from World Skills, Russia and GIFTS (Global Institute for Transferring Skills), South Korea, said a statement.

WSC is established under the Odisha Skill Development Project assisted by the Asian Development Bank with ITE Education Services (ITEES), Singapore as knowledge partner.

Inaugurating the centre, the Chief Minister said, "Odisha has made rapid strides in skill development in the last five years. We have created new avenues for our youth to compete with their counterparts anywhere. Our aim is to meet their aspirations, to make them globally employable." He also said that the state government is intensely investing in the future of youth by creating infrastructure and mechanism for making them future ready.

"WSC will significantly accelerate this endeavour by providing advance skill training to our youth and prepare them for competing at global level," he added.

Subroto Bagchi, Chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) highlighted the achievements of "Skilled-in-Odisha" during the last five years and emphasized the need to expand skill development efforts to the next level, reaching every village.

He emphasised the need for a holistic approach in providing better opportunities for skill development to make the children aware of career choices and youth globally employable.

He also said that the state will create Odisha Skill Vision 2030 and the same will guide future efforts of all implementing departments.

World Skill Centre would run long-term manufacturing and services programmes as a finishing school for the best among the ITI and Polytechnic students as well as serve as a centre for capacity building for ITI and Polytechnic teachers.

The World Skill Centre is going to be the nodal agency for preparing Odisha's youth for the World Skills Competition. The other key role for WSC will be to act as centre for industry partnership and landing point for industries in Odisha for their employment needs.

Finally, the World Skill Centre will be nodal agency of the state for state chapter of world skills and will prepare Odisha's youth for global glory.
Alieu Kosiah has demanded the Swiss Federal Criminal Court pay him 1,356,000 Swiss Francs (US$1.458 million) for compensation for the six years he has spent in detention awaiting this trial and for the emotional and reputational toll the charges have taken.

The long, unjustified detention to which he was subjected demands compensation, Dmitri Gianoli, Kosiahs lawyer, told judges on Thursday in his second day of closing arguments.

Mr Gianoli said the money would go toward reparation for moral injury, serious injury to [Kosiahs] personality due to the disclosure of his identity in the press, because of his harsh conditions of detention having induced back pain.

He put the cost of his defence of the war crimes suspect at 300 Swiss Francs per hour for 6 years, or over $US1m.

On Tuesday, the seven Liberians who are Mr Kossiahs accusers in this case also asked for more than $US8500 (LD1.5 million) each in compensation but their request is only for legal formalities.

Plaintiffs are required to claim compensation in a civil action in Switzerland whether or not the accused can pay.

Mr Kosiah does not have any money to give them. However, Mr Kosiahs claim is against the Swiss State and he will receive the money if he wins the case. The trial ends on Friday and the verdict expected to be announced later this month.

Mr Kosiah, 45, faces 25 counts of murder, cannibalism, rape, sexual enslavement, forced transport, looting and recruitment of a child-soldier.

He denies the accusations, saying he was not in Lofa County between 1993 and 1995 when the alleged offences were committed even though two of his own witnesses put him in the area at the time.

Mr Kosiah faces a maximum 20-year term in a Swiss prison.

Mr Kosiah has been vocal about his lengthy pretrial detentionhighly unusual in jurisdictions that protect the rights of accused to be treated as innocent until they are proven guilty.

He was remanded in November 2014 and has been detained ever since. Mr Kosiah yelled in court on a number of occasions. Human Rights Watch and other groups have also criticized Swiss authorities over the long detention.

Kosiah must be freed

Mr Gianoli was optimistic in his proceedings, telling the court he would only take 30 seconds to respond to all four lawyers representing the plaintiffs when they conclude their arguments on Friday.

Neither the prosecution nor the proceedings have provided proof of Kosiahs guilt, Mr Gianoli said. We are in a word-for-word situation as far as I have shown he is not there, he said. And even if he had been there, how could he be guilty of the continually changing versions of the plaintiffs? He must be freed from all penalties.

Mr Gianoli reemphasized that Mr Kosiah was not in Lofa between 1993 and 1994, Kosiahs key defence in this trial and that the plaintiffs are mistaking him for another person.

Alieu Kosiah must be acquitted of all charges because he was not there, he told the three-judge panel hearing the case. The Liberians (plaintiffs) have lived everything without being present, have known everything without knowing. Kosiah is not the ULIMO group. He can only speak as a person.

Mr Gianoli continued pointing out contradictions in the plaintiffs complaints and testimonies as he had done the day before. This time he was even more pointed, listing the inconsistencies with all the plaintiffs and the prosecution witnesses.

During their testimonies, the plaintiffs and prosecution witnesses admitted to changing details in their initial complaint or pretrial investigation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Some of the contradictions include descriptions of Mr Kosiahs gun, the complainants dates of birth and the exact towns where some of the alleged offences occurred.

Alain Werner, the lawyer of four of the plaintiffs, told New Narratives in an interview outside the court the inconsistencies Mr Gianoli points out were because of human errors and do not hurt their case.

In our view, on the contrary, it is proof that their testimonies were very genuine, they did not fabricate stories, he said, adding that the contradictions were also due to language and cultural differences. In our view, Mr Kosiah and his lawyer did not explain what could be the motive [of the plaintiffs lying against Kosiah].

Judge Jean-Luc Bacher will announce the date of the verdict following the conclusion of the legal argument in the case.

This report was produced in collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.
Astronomers have discovered a new alien world that could help them study the atmosphere of rocky planets.

The exoplanet Gliese 486 b was found circling a dim red dwarf star 26 light-years from Earth. It's about 30 percent the size of our sun, according to Mike Wall with Space.com.

'SPACE HURRICANES': Yes, 'space hurricanes' are a thing, according to a new study

Gliese 486 b hurtles around its host star once every 1.47 Earth days, according to Wall.

The exoplanet is "the third-closest such "transiting" alien world known  and the closest one that orbits a red dwarf with a measured mass," Wall wrote.

According to a new study by Trifon Trifonov of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, the atmosphere of the exoplanet is hot enough to be studied from Earth.

"This combination "of physical and orbital characteristics of Gliese 486 b makes it the 'Rosetta Stone' for atmospheric investigations of rocky exoplanets," Trifonov told Wall.

The Rosetta Stone is a discovery made in 1799 that aided scientists in translating Egyptian hieroglyphics, according to Owen Jarus with Live Science.

Trifonov and his colleagues discovered the Gliese 486 b at the Calar Alto Observatory in Spain, according to Wall. The astronomers used a CARMENES spectrograph instrument placed on a 3.5-meter telescope to find the exoplanet.

The astronomers and NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) studied the Gliese 486 for signs of being an alien planet in the system. Data collected from CARMENES and the spectrograph MAROON-X confirmed it was, according to Wall.

The composition of Gliese 486 b is described in more detail by the astronomers in their new study published on March 4 in the journal Science.

"Future observations of Gliese 486 b will help us understand how well rocky planets can hold their atmospheres, what they are made of" and how they're influenced by stellar radiation," Trifonov said.
[March 05, 2021] Ault Global Holdings Resumes Bitcoin Mining

Ault Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: DPW) a diversified holding company (the "Company"), announced today that it has resumed bitcoin mining through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ault Alliance, Inc., at its 617,000 square foot energy-efficient facility in Michigan. The Company also announced that it has begun the initial 30,000 square foot data center buildout at the Michigan facility. The Company plans to ramp up its bitcoin mining operations after the initial buildout is completed during the quarter ending June 30, 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005152/en/ The Michigan facility provides up to 300MWs of critical power capacity under a perennial energy abatement agreement with guaranteed pricing at relatively low energy rates for the next five years. Securing a low-cost source of energy is a critical component of profitable cryptocurrency mining operations. While the Company believes the Michigan facility and its anticipated future operations will be successful, the Company cannot assure you that its expectations will materialize in a timely manner, if at all. "Since we abandoned our bitcoin mining activities approximately a year ago, much has changed for the Company," said Milton "Todd" Ault, III, the Company's Executive Chairman. "We have significantly strengthened our balance sheet, which allows us to invest in growing our cryptocurrency mining operations. We believe that we are now in a position to better withstand the volatility associated with cryptocurrency mining, as we have secured a low-cost energy source that we control. We believe our improved capital structure combined with low energy costs at a facility we own positions the Company for success." For more information on Ault Global Holdings and its subsidiaries, the Company recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read the Company's publicfilings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at www.AultGlobal.com or available at www.sec.gov.



About Ault Global Holdings, Inc. Ault Global Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact. Through its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, the Company provides mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, telecommunications, medical/biopharma, and textiles. In addition, the Company extends credit to select entrepreneurial businesses through a licensed lending subsidiary. Ault Global Holding's headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 240, Las Vegas, NV 89141; www.AultGlobal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "projects," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "may," "will," "should," "could," "potential," or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company's business and financial results are included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website at www.AultGlobal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005152/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 12:04:38|Editor: ZD

Video Player Close

He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, gives an interview via video link after the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)
New York, March 5 : A day after US President Joe Biden joked that Indian-Americans were taking over the US, he appointed two of them as special assistants for advising him on domestic policies.

The White House on Friday released the announcement by Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris appointing Chiraag Bains and Pronita Gupta to those positions on the Domestic Policy Council. Both of them had served in the administration of former President Barack Obama, when Biden was the Vice President.

Bains will deal with criminal justice while Gupta will deal with labour and workers.

The duo joins more than 20 Indian-Americans who have been appointed by Biden to senior positions in his administration. They will not require Senate confirmation as they will be on the President's staff.

Bains worked in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, first as a prosecutor of civil rights crimes and then as senior counsel to the assistant attorney general.

He was one of the investigators and prosecutors in the federal case against the city of Ferguson for civil rights violations over the shooting of an African American teenager by a white police officer in 2014 that led to nationwide protests and riots.

He was recently the director of legal strategies at Demos, a national public policy organisation, where he led voting rights litigation. Before that, he was a senior fellow at the Harvard Law School and a clerk for a federal judge.

A key component of Biden's election manifesto is criminal justice reform to ensure that minorities are not treated unfairly by laws and law enforcement agencies.

Gupta was the deputy director of the Labour Department's Women's Bureau in the Obama administration.

She was recently the director of job quality for the Center for Law and Social Policy.

Her previous jobs included stints as research director for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy and for the Living Wage Campaign at the LA Alliance for a New Economy.

While congratulating Swati Mohan, the NASA engineer who guided the Mars rover Perseverance to a soft landing on the planet, Biden had said on Thursday, "Indian-descent Americans are taking over this country -- you, my vice president, my speechwriter Vinay (Reddy). But I tell you what, thanks. You guys are incredible." On Wednesday, Biden had announced the appointment of a Pakistani American, Dilwar Syed, to be the deputy director of the Small Business Administration.

Biden has a track record of working with Indian-Americans and other Asians to promote their participation in US politics.

He is the co-founder with Shekhar Narasimhan of the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Victory Fund, which is a political action committee that encourages and helps Asian Americans to run in elections, besides raising funds and mobilising voters.

He is the president and CEO at Lumiata, an Artificial Intelligence company in the healthcare field.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis)
A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to divert to Sacramento on Thursday evening after a passenger died during the trip.

The flight was en route to Seattle after taking off from Cabo, Mexico when it was forced to land in Sacramento around 7pm.

The unidentified individual became unresponsive on the flight and was pronounced dead at the scene by airport fire personnel.

The Sacramento County coroner's office told CBS Sacramento that the individual appeared to die from natural causes.

A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to divert for a medical emergency Thursday (stock image)

Sacramento International Airport was likely chosen as the landing spot due to where the flight was in its trip.

There is no indication the passenger had COVID-19 symptoms.

In December, a United Airlines flight was diverted to New Orleans after a man had an emergency on a flight and later died.

The New York Times reports the man's wife told emergency personnel that the man had COVID-19 symptoms.

The flight attendants from the plane were forced to go into 14-day quarantines, while United Airlines worked with the CDC to contact passengers who may have been exposed.

The plane landed at Sacramento International Airport, where the passenger was pronounced dead from natural causes (stock image)

This is the flight path the plane was on when it was diverted to Sacramento

According to Newsweek, a coroner listed COVID-19 as a cause of death for the 69-year-old man.

International airline travelers who are at least two years old need to have a negative COVID-19 test within three days of a flight before entering the United States.

Joe Biden's administration is considering adding similar rules to airline travel for domestic flights, which Delta's CEO Ed Bastian has pushed against.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian previously argued against a COVID-19 requirement for domestic flight travelers, though something similar is already in place for international flights

'It will not keep domestic flyers safer,' Bastian told CNN in February. 'It would set us back another year in the recovery.'

Transmission of COVID-19 on planes is not high despite the tight space, as planes have air quality filters on par with hospitals.

Nevertheless, Delta will not book passengers in the middle seats of flights until at least April, the only United States airline maintaining that restriction from earlier in the pandemic.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
A man arrested in the Creggan area of Derry yesterday has been released.

A PSNI spokesman said detectives from its Terrorism Investigation Unit arrested the 30-year-old man during an operation in Creggan as part of an investigation into violent dissident republican activity.

"The man, arrested under the Terrorism Act, has since been released following questioning. The investigation continues," the spokesperson added.
BAY CITY, MI  Months after a minivan-motorcycle collision on M-13 left two people hospitalized, a man has been charged with two felonies for allegedly causing the wreck while being intoxicated.

The crash itself occurred shortly before 6:30 p.m. on June 25 at the intersection of South Huron Road (M-13) and East Parish Road in Kawkawlin Township. Responding Bay County sheriffs deputies arrived to find a white Honda Odyssey minivan and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, both having sustained extensive front-end damage.

The motorcycles two occupants, a man and a woman, were lying near the Odyssey. The man was able to speak and told deputies he had been heading north on M-13 when the westbound minivan turned south onto M-13, running a stop sign on Parish Road in the process and crashing into the motorcycle.

The woman was unable to be interviewed by deputies, they wrote in their reports.

Deputies were soon approached by Dennis R. Taylor, who said he had been driving the Odyssey. Taylor alternately said he did not see the motorcycle and that it had been speeding, deputies wrote in their reports.

Taylor said he was uninjured, though he had difficulty standing without swaying, deputies wrote. Taylor also said he had just purchased the minivan and was very upset over it being damaged.

Taylor further said he should be taken to jail for hurting two people, adding it was all his fault, deputies reports state.

Asked by deputies if he had been drinking, Taylor said he had four beers that day, drinking the last one at about 4 p.m. Taylor submitted to a preliminary Breathalyzer test, which yielded a result of 0.127, reports show.

In Michigan, a person is legally intoxicated when their blood alcohol level hits 0.08. Deputies arrested Taylor.

At the Bay County Jail, Taylor breathed into a Datamaster alcohol-testing device at 7:42 and 7:44 p.m., the respective results indicating his blood alcohol level was 0.10 and 0.09, deputies reports show.

The two injured people were taken to a Saginaw emergency room for treatment. It was later determined the woman suffered a skull fracture and a brain bleed in the crash, reports state.

In a later interview with deputies, the man who has been driving the motorcycle said he had consumed one mixed drink with dinner. His blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was lower than 0.03, deputies wrote.

Taylor was released from jail without being arraigned. On Feb. 26, though, Taylor appeared in Bay County District Court for arraignment on two counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury. The charge is a five-year felony.

The arraigning judge freed Taylor on a personal recognizance bond, a condition of which is that he not own or consume alcohol.

Taylor is represented by Bay City defense attorney Matthew L. Reyes.

Were still in the investigative stage, Reyes said when contacted by The Bay City Times-MLive. Weve received some of the discovery materials and I know more is on its way. Mr. Taylor is very sorry that the circumstances are what they are and that people were hurt. His heart goes out to them.

Taylor is to appear for a preliminary examination at 3 p.m. on March 17.

Read more:

Employee charged with setting Bay County gas station on fire while working his shift

Man accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from dementia-afflicted sister
Taoiseach Micheal Martin and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson greet each other with an elbow bump at Hillsborough Castle, Belfast, last August. Photo: Brian Lawless/ Reuters

It seems morbidly appropriate in the torturous history of relations between the UK, this country and the EU, that the latest row should be about, of all things, the extension of a grace period.

Grace is not something readily associated with the brinkmanship and cliff edges that have dogged every bad-humoured step along the road to Brexit. Levels of exasperation in Brussels and Dublin at the latest showdown over the Northern Ireland Protocol do not bode well for the future.

As governments struggle around the world to protect themselves and seek deepened co-operation to get through the pandemic, energies do not need to be diverted into another fractious and distracting campaign to undermine an international sovereign agreement.

Brexit was always fraught with difficulties and dangers; the whole purpose of the protocol was to limit them. Several versions were drafted, but the one insisted upon by Prime Minister Boris Johnson is the one his government is now undermining.

If the UK could not be trusted to stick to an agreement, then the EU would be left with no option but to take legal action, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar pointed out it was the second time in just a few months the British government has threatened to breach international law.

But in the North, things have taken an even more sinister twist. The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC)  which represents the views of loyalist paramilitary groups  has declared in a letter to Downing Street that it is pulling its support for the Good Friday Agreement until the Irish Sea border is removed. This will be seen as a direct threat. The DUPs Ian Paisley said he feared the letter was a genie getting out of the bottle.

But as Alliance MP Stephen Farry noted: The [Good Friday] Agreement gets its legitimacy from the dual referendums north and south in 1998, they are not dependent on any loyalist, paramilitary or terrorist organisation.

Nonetheless, all those who uphold and support democratic politics will be alarmed at the turn of events. Respect for international agreements is key to political and trade relationships.

Threats, ultimatums or unilateral action in the middle of negotiations aimed at finding common ground are no way to secure resolution.

Londons decision to leave the North aligned with the EUs single market for goods  requiring checks on some items arriving there from elsewhere in the UK  was a bitter pill for unionists.

However, the notion loyalists, or any other paramilitaries, can set the terms for how future relationships evolve, or any step that indulges such a notion, must not be countenanced.

As former UK prime minister Tony Blair, a signatory of the Good Friday Agreement, warned unionist leaders recently, their campaign against the protocol is futile because it could only be replaced by a similar set of arrangements.

These are early days. With good faith, difficulties can be worked out, not forced through.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The Warriors will be without three starters  Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Kelly Oubre Jr.  for Thursday nights game against the Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena.

Curry is getting a rest day ahead of All-Star Weekend in Atlanta, where hell participate in the 3-Point Contest and the All-Star Game on Sunday. Green is getting the day off to recover from lingering soreness from the rolled left ankle he suffered in Sundays loss to the Lakers. Oubre is missing his second straight game with a sprained left wrist.

Draymond, we definitely didnt want him playing a back-to-back on the ankle from the other night, and Steph just needed to rest, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. This is a brutal, brutal back-to-back. We got to the hotel at about 3:30 in the morning. And, I think given the fact that the All-Star break is here and Steph otherwise isnt getting much of one, given that hes playing in the game, I think it made a lot of sense to send him home, and just get him an extra day to rest and prepare for the second half of the season.

Kerr added that he decided about a week ago that Curry would sit out the Phoenix game. The decision to hold out Green against the Suns was made after he got injured in the loss to the Lakers.

The absences of Curry, Green and Oubre are a major blow to the Warriors, who are hoping to bounce back from two straight losses  including Wednesdays 108-106 defeat in Portland  with a win on the rough end of a back-to-back over a good Suns team. Phoenix owns the leagues second-best record at 23-11 after winning its last three in a row.

Interactive How Curry's 3-point shooting changed the game Stephen Curry has not only led a Warriors resurgence since entering the league, he has changed the game with his long-distance shooting.

Golden State will be without two of its three top scorers. Kerr said he plans to start Nico Mannion at point guard, Andrew Wiggins at shooting guard, Damion Lee at small forward, Juan Toscano-Anderson at power forward and James Wiseman at center.

Connor Letourneau covers the Warriors for The San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @Con_Chron
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
A shipment of more than 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccines destined for Australia has been blocked from leaving the EU, in the first use of an plan by Brussels to make sure big drug companies stick to their contracts.

The move, affecting only a small number of vaccines, underscores a growing frustration within the EU about the slow roll-out of its vaccine drive and the shortfall of promised vaccine deliveries, especially by Anglo-Swedish company AstraZeneca.

The ban came after a request by Italy, and the EU did not raise objections to the tougher line Rome has adopted in dealing with vaccine shortages in the bloc.

Italys objections centred both on the general shortage of supplies in the EU and on the delays in the supply of vaccines by AstraZeneca to the EU and Italy, a foreign ministry statement said.

Read More

It said it also intervened because of the size of the shipment, more than 250,700 doses that would go to Australia, which it did not consider a vulnerable nation.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi was described as defending Italys national interests. The Italian foreign ministry said it objected to the very high number of doses that AstraZeneca wanted to export and pointed to delays on the part of AstraZeneca in the supply of vaccines for the export ban.

It said Australia had registered very few Covid-19 cases and deaths compared with Europe and noted the dearth of jabs in Italy and other EU countries.

Faced with shortages of doses during the early stages of the vaccine campaign that started in late December, the EU issued an export control system for Covid-19 vaccines in late January, forcing companies to respect their contractual obligations to the bloc before commercial exports could be approved.

The EU has been specifically angry with AstraZeneca because it is delivering far fewer doses to the bloc than it had promised. Of the initial order for 80 million doses to the EU in the first quarter, the company will be struggling to deliver just half that quantity.

There were rumours the company was siphoning off from EU production plants to other nations, but CEO Pascal Soriot said that any shortfall was to be blamed on technical production issues only.

The EU has vaccinated only 8pc of its population compared with more than 30pc in the UK. Australia is still at the start of its vaccine drive. With such an action, the EU is caught in a bind. It is under intense pressure to ramp up the production of vaccines in the bloc, but it also wants to remain an attractive hub for pharmaceutical giants and a fair trading partner to third countries.

The EU thought it had made perfect preparations for the roll-out of vaccinations, heavily funding research and production capacity over the past year. With its 450 million people, the EU has signed deals for six different vaccines suppliers. In total, it has ordered up to 400 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and sealed agreements with other companies for more than two billion shots.

It says that despite the current difficulties it is still convinced it can vaccinate 70pc of the adult population by the end of summer.
THE UNITED STATES vs BILLIE HOLIDAY UNEVEN BUT WORTH SEEING, THANK YOU LEE DANIELS

Director Lee Daniels (Precious) has taken the audience into his imagined world of the late, great, and deeply complicated Billie Holiday aka Lady Day, in The United States vs. Billie Holiday, with a screenplay written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog).

Stepping into the role of Billie is Andra Day who delivers a performance filled with power and dignity. From the start of the movie, with Holiday being slapped by her spouse (Rob Morgan)) for speaking her mind, you understand this movie is going to be raw, and perhaps hard to watch. You cant arrest a Nigger for singing, says one of the White politicians who were deciding her fate, for singing Strange Fruit, a song about the lynching of African-Amerian women and men, in the deep, racist and dangerous south.

Holiday had issues, she was a drug addict, her choice of poison was heroin. Addiction is an illness, she should have been approached with kindness, understanding, and rehabilitation but they threw her in prison. This was the United States of Americas punishment for her daring to bring light to the murders of innocents, left hanging from trees, burned, mutilated her punishment for singing a song (Strange Fruit).

ADVERTISEMENT

This is an uneven film and I think, its because of the screenplay. But what they got right, which was a lot, was in showing the determination of the lady herself. Holiday willed herself back to work, clawing her way through the ruins of her life.

She refused to give up no matter what the setback, and there were many. Her grit got her a concert tour of Europe, a tremendous accomplishment. Remember, Holiday was being targeted by the United States of America, a dangerous enemy to have. One of the key characters asked an important question, why is the government always after you? and she replies, its my song, it reminds them [government] that they are always killing us. Too true then. Sadly, too true, now.

I dont think anyone thinks of Holiday as a revolutionary artist but she was. Think about it, do you? I didnt. I didnt understand the impact her song, Strange Fruit had on her life, and our country. In the 1972 film about her life, Lady Sings the Blues actress Diana Ross didnt take a deep-dive into politics. That film focused on her addiction and the impact it played in her demise.

The screenplay, by Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog), pushes a lot of information through in act one. The year, 1947, and Holiday is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics head, Harry Anslinger (Garrett Hedlund), a racist. Knowing about Holidays heroin addict, he decides to convict her based on this known fact.

It was such common knowledge, that Billie was hooting up, in her dressing room, that the film made it a very matter-of-fact act. Holiday does try to hide her track marks to the world, to her fans, feeling that she performs beautifully when high.

Times were hard. Holiday married her manager (Erik LaRay Harvey), who treated her like property. In a surprise twist, one of her adversaries, Jimmy Fletcher (Trevante Rhodes), becomes a close and trusted friend. We first meet Jimmy, backstage, dressed in his military uniform. A man with a warm, supportive smile and a secret agenda. A handsome double-whammy for Holidays life.

Eventually, Holiday is arrested for using drugs, and spends a year behind bars, and gets sober. You would hope that the dynamic performer would look at her sobriety as an opportunity, a fresh start, an opportunity to turn her life around, right? Wrong. Holiday chooses to stay on drugs, sliding the needle into her veins, no doubt, as a way to remove her howling demons.

ADVERTISEMENT

Holiday sells out Carnegie Hall and delivers a legendary performance, despite being denied her cabaret card, so outside of Philly and Washington, D.C., she couldnt play in any club, which effectively kills off her career. All these vindictive moves were the United States of Americas attempt to punish Holiday for having the conviction to keep singing Strange Fruit. The theme of the film  The United States vs. Billie Holiday is disloyalty, something she experienced on every level of her life.

I cant say enough about the performance of Andra Day, in the role. She grows bolder in every scene. Shes made The United States vs. Billie Holiday, a must-see film. Its interesting that as the story continues her signature voice becomes, raspier as Holiday continues to party enjoying cigarettes, alcohol, and of course, drugs.

Billie Holiday with her signature, white orchids, her hair pulled back, in a simple bun, her blood-red lipstick, and matching fingernails, her svelte figure  all wrapped up to look beautiful but inside she was in pain. Excruciating pain and surrounded by enemies. One of the key characters answered why a group of white federal officers were so determined to tear her down to the bolts, he says its because shes strong, beautiful, and Black, and I will add, also, because shes was a woman.

What I appreciate is that director, Daniels never lets anyone forget the horrors of racism. To help set the mood and help the viewer understand these horrors that Holiday was singing about, he opens the film with a deeply disturbing image of a lynched African-American man.

Strange Fruit, again, the reason the Federal government of the United States wanted her silenced, is a poetic statement of the horrors of life, the injustice of life, for us, then and now.

There is no getting around it, Strange Fruit is at the heart of the movie. The way Billie sang it, from her broken heart, baring her immortal soul is a fierce piece of political art, and a show of such inner fortitude, that even with all of J. Edgar Hoovers hateful vengeance, they did not silence her, cirrhosis of the liver did.

At one point, gaunt and close to death, she informs one of the nastiest of the Federal employees, the man instrumental in crafting her demise, that his grandkids will be singing Strange Fruit  and she was right. Billie Holiday passed away on July 17, 1959, at the age of 44. She was handcuffed to her hospital bed.

Stay and watch the end credits, its inspirational and eye-opening. The United States vs. Billie Holiday  now playing on Hulu. Directed by Lee Daniels. Screenplay by Suzan-Lori Parks. Starring Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, Leslie Jordan, Miss Lawrence, Adriane Lenox, Rob Morgan, Natasha Lyonne, Davine Joy Randolph, Tone Bell, Evan Ross, Tyler James Williams, Blake DeLong, Dana Gourrier, Melvin Gregg. The United States vs. Billie Holiday now playing on Hulu.
A Texas SWAT team destroyed a woman's home during a standoff with a suspect, causing some $50,000 in damages and leaving her daughter's dog deaf and blind, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

Vicki Baker's McKinney, Texas, home was practically demolished on July 25, 2020, after she called 911 to tell them of the armed fugitive who was waiting out at her property, and now she is suing the city of McKinney.

In a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas federal court, Baker argues that the City of McKinney's refusal to pay for the damage violates the Takings clauses of both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.

'I appreciate that the police did what they thought was necessary to protect the community,' Vicki said in a press release announcing the suit. 'But it's unfair to place the costsreplacing or redoing all of my flooring, the burst pipes, the damaged roof, the blown-out garage door, the broken doors, the toppled fenceon me, just because the guy happened to pick my house and not someone else's.'

Scroll down for video

Vicki Baker's McKinney, Texas, home was practically demolished on July 25, 2020, after she called 911 to tell them of the armed fugitive

Baker (pictured) argues in her suit that the City of McKinney's refusal to pay for the damage violates that Takings clauses of both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions

'In America, 'if you break it, you buy it,' attorney Jeff Redfern with the Institute of Justice, who is representing Baker in the suit, added. 'The McKinney SWAT team didn't just break Vicki's homethey destroyed it. Now it is time for them to pay for the damage they caused.'

Baker had owned the at 3600 Vista Verde Trail in McKinney since 2007 but was in the process of selling the property in a bid to finance her retirement. The potential buyer walked away from the deal following the destruction.

On July 25, 2020, a man who had done some work on her home - Wesley Little - showed up to her door with a teenage girl.

Baker's daughter, Deanna Cook, was the only person at the home at the time but knew that Little was on the run with the girl after seeing information from the teen's mother on Facebook.

Allowing the pair in the house, Cook claimed that she needed to go to the store and left. It was then that she called her mother and authorities, according to the suit.

'Eventually, the McKinney police decided to storm the house, using highly destructive tactics,' the suit reads. 'They knocked down the backyard fence with a BearCat (essentially a tank). They fired approximately 30 tear gas canisters through the windows of the house. They knocked down the front door and the garage door'

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in the Eastern District of Texas federal court

Baker, Cook and the police met at a local WalMart where the homeowner passed along the code for the authorities to gain access to her house.

Police arrived at the home and surrounded it, working to negotiate the release of the teenage girl. Eventually the teen was able to exit the property, alerting authorities that Little had seven firearms inside.

'Eventually, the McKinney police decided to storm the house, using highly destructive tactics,' the suit reads. 'They knocked down the backyard fence with a BearCat (essentially a tank). They fired approximately 30 tear gas canisters through the windows of the house. They knocked down the front door and the garage door.'

'The damage to the house was extensive. Every window needed to be replaced. A hazmat remediation team needed to clean the entire house because of the tear gas. Appliances were destroyed.

The suit comtinues: 'The damage to the house was extensive. Every window needed to be replaced. A hazmat remediation team needed to clean the entire house because of the tear gas. Appliances were destroyed.' Wreckage from the raid seen

In total, repairs to the home cost $50,000

'The front door and garage needed to be replaced. Tear gas canisters had smashed through the drywall. Carpets, blinds, and ceiling fans needed to be replaced. The damage totaled at least $50,000.'

The suit states that Little was found dead from suicide inside the home.

Vicki was left in a state of shock after the entire ordeal, J. Justin Wilson -Senior Director of Communications at IJ - wrote in the press release for the suit. The home was described as being 'uninhabitable' and Cook's dog was left blind and deaf from the explosives.

The city of McKinney and Baker's homeowner's insurance company told her that police had 'immunity' from having to pay for the carnage they left behind.

Baker eventually sold the home and moved to Montana

The city of McKinney and Baker's homeowner's insurance company told her that police had 'immunity' from having to pay for the carnage they left behind

'All told, Vicki spent more than $50,000 and months of time to repair her home,' Wilson said in the release. 'She ran up debt on her credit cards, and when those ran out, she had to withdraw funds from her retirement account to afford the repairs. When she finally sold the home this winter, it was for substantially less than before the raid.'

Baker eventually sold the home and moved to Montana.

The lawsuit is seeking 'compensatory damages' and 'all further legal and equitable relief.'

'The United States and Texas Constitutions make it clear that when the government takes property, whether it's for a road or in capturing a suspect on behalf of the public, the government must compensate the owner,' Suranjan Sen, a Liberty and Law Fellow at the Institute for Justice, said in the release. 'Taking a fugitive off the streets benefits everyone, so the cost of the damages caused by the SWAT team should be borne by everyone, not Vicki alone.'
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine cited masks and vaccinations as two reasons Cleveland Metropolitan School District teachers should feel safe returning to classrooms, two points hes made repeatedly in his push to get students in districts that received coronavirus vaccines back in buildings by March 1.

Kids have been out for a year now. Its time for the Cleveland children to go back to school in-person, DeWine said in a press conference to announce a Cleveland mass vaccination center on Friday.

The Cleveland Teachers Union, which has nearly 5,000 members, has voted to continue teaching remotely instead of going into buildings to teach on Monday, despite the districts plan. The district sent out a statement on Friday afternoon saying the district will continue to work with the union on Friday and over the weekend to fix specific concerns in buildings and classrooms, but is confident that the district is safe and ready for learning.

The District believes teachers and other professionals have an ethical responsibility to return to their classrooms on Monday; however, we will not lock teachers out of their digital classrooms, the statement needs. While doing so may be an effective negotiating tactic to place pressure on teachers and the Cleveland Teachers Union, it would also be done at the expense of our students, and that is something the District will not do.

The districts statement lists some of the precautions the district has put into place, including providing personal protective equipment, reconfiguring classrooms and installing signage in schools.

Union President Shari Obrenski, in an interview on Thursday evening, said the district and the union were working on a plan, but the district moved up the timeline to the point where the union felt the plan was not feasible.

The district and union put together teams to make sure buildings met a list of safety requirements, but that work has not been completed. Obrenski also brought up a logistics issue, where the deadline to opt out of remote learning is March 19, after some students have already returned to buildings. Without knowing which students are going to be there, she said, its impossible to properly organize teachers. Some teachers will already need to be shuffled around.

The districts statement notes that its three-week plan to phase in learning has not changed, despite the unions vote.

CMSD will continue our current efforts to prepare our students and parents for the phased-in return to school we previously announced, with the full expectation that any specifically identified concerns of the Cleveland Teachers Union can and will be effectively addressed.

Obrenski, in a Friday interview, said ongoing conversations were productive.

We continued talking today, we tried to be as clear as we possibly could that our outstanding concerns are around ventilation and school and classroom safety through the building safety team checklist and the issue of an appropriate timeline. We discussed precisely what each of those things meant and we are going to continue through the weekend to make progress.

Lt. Gov Jon Husted, in a Saturday morning interview, echoed the governors sentiment, saying that the Cleveland teachers had accepted vaccines and state research had showed masks were effective in limiting the spread in classrooms.

The position weve taken on this is that we upheld our end of the deal, now its time for you to uphold yours.

This story has been updated to add a comment from Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.

Previous coverage:

-- Ohio mass coronavirus vaccination center will open March 17 at Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland

-- Cleveland teachers union votes to keep working remotely, despite districts call to return to buildings

-- A look inside a Cleveland high school before reopening (photos)

-- University of Akron announces in-person commencement for 2020 and 2021 graduates
Advance Local, the parent company of The Oregonian/OregonLive, said Friday that it is seeking federal support through a new round of Paycheck Protection Program loans that Congress authorized in December.

Congress established the original Paycheck Protection Program in March 2020 to help keep small businesses, churches and nonprofits afloat during the sharp economic downturn triggered by the Great Recession. The loans become outright grants if recipients maintained hiring levels and other targets.

The program distributed $525 billion to 5.2 million organizations in five months last summer, including $7 billion to 66,000 businesses and nonprofits in Oregon. Many of the states best-known businesses and nonprofits received aid, among them the Old Spaghetti Factory, Pendleton Woolen Mills, Mercy Corps, Salt & Straw, Powells Books and Voodoo Doughnut.

Advance Local wasnt eligible for the first round of grants because Congress limited the money to organizations employing fewer than 500 people. Companywide, Advance Local exceeds that threshold.

The latest version of the PPP specifically expanded eligibility criteria to newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters.

Newspapers that Advance Local owns in Ohio, Massachusetts and New Jersey have already won approval for a total of $6.7 million in federal funds. Applications that cover other parts of the business, including the Oregonian Media Group, are pending.

Some smaller news organizations did qualify for the first round of PPP money, though. Willamette Weeks parent company, for example, received $448,000 in loans and the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association received $69,000.

News publishers in Oregon and across the country struggled in the early days of the pandemic amid a steep decline in ad revenue. The Oregonian Media Group furloughed employees for one or two weeks, depending on job category, and temporarily cut wages and stopped making contributions to employee retirement plans.

Those cutbacks ended last year, though, and the Oregonian Media Group had no layoffs. Advance Local said Friday it doesnt plan layoffs now and will use any federal funds it receives for payroll and other eligible costs.

It has been a difficult year for our community, state, and certainly the Oregonian Media Group and we continue to work through these tough times, John Maher, the news organizations president, said in a written statement. Thanks to all of our subscribers, advertisers, and business partners for supporting our organization and we look forward to working with each and every one of them as we go forward.

-- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway |
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
AMSTERDAM (JTA) - A Torah scroll that disappeared from a Dutch synagogue following the Nazi invasion into the Netherlands has been rediscovered 80 years later and returned to the Jewish community.

The scroll, which appears to be intact and has been kept in excellent condition since World War II, belonged to a synagogue in the southern city of Dordrecht, according to Chris den Hoedt, chairman of the Jewish Community of Rotterdam, or NIG.

The Pennings family from Dordrecht kept it in storage for many years until one of the family members mentioned to a local historian, Kees Weltevrede, that s...

Disney Stores across North America will be closing but thus far the company has not said where those stores are located.

According to the New York Times, the Walt Disney Company revealed on Wednesday that it would dramatically downsize its chain of Disney Stores, which have struggled amid the pandemic and a broader consumer shift to online shopping. At least 60 locations in North America  30 percent of the Disney Store footprint in the region  will close this year.

The New York Times reported that Disney said the store closings are the beginning of an effort to downsize.

ShopDisney, the companys online store, will expand over the next year and become more integrated with Disneys theme park apps and social media platforms, according to Stephanie Young, president of Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, the newspaper reported.

The Walt Disney Company said it would dramatically downsize its chain of Disney Stores, which once numbered more than 1,000. https://t.co/0xtJjCJJCt  NYT Media (@nytmedia) March 4, 2021

According to USA Today, Disney has about 300 stores worldwide. The paper reported that Young said, Over the past few years, weve been focused on meeting consumers where they are already spending their time, such as the expansion of Disney store shop-in-shops around the world.

We now plan to create a more flexible, interconnected e-commerce experience that gives consumers easy access to unique, high-quality products across all our franchises.

READ MORE
More behind the cutThe House passed H.R.1 to expand voting rights, with no GQP support. The GQP has filed 253 restrictive voting bills across 43 states because they cant win without lying, cheating, and suppressing the vote. GQP has voted against every Democratic initiative so far. The AZ oral argument before SCOTUS said out loud that the GQP is at a disadvantage if voting rights are not restricted. The GQP state bills also include ridiculous elements, like not being allowed to give water to people standing in line to vote, or orange juice to diabetics in line, or theyll accept a gun license as id but not voter id card. Last election saw 66.3% voter turnout, during a pandemic, it is a failure of democracy to roll back voting rights. The most secure election ever. Popular turnout always benefits Democrats. May the GQP implode.Sara was disappointed, didnt feel it met the need. Joy thinks politician egos are ridiculous. Sunny notes that Cuomo did apologize, while GQP never have, including the most recent w/Madison Cawthorn. Feels there is also a political element because NY AG and SDNY are investigating T45 for crimes while a NY Governor may have ability to pardon any convictions. Whoopi wants to see balanced, equal, and objective approach from both sides instead of pitchforking only some.The Palace is investigating if Meghan mistreated her staff but the real mistreatment is how the Palace treats Meghan /see what I did there MAM thinks its an oppo dump prior to Oprahs interview and racially motivated on top of that. Sunny feels the allegations are petty at best, and if they had merit, then why did it take 2  years for it to be considered serious enough to report on. Also why has the Royal Family done such a poor job supporting and defending her against the onslaught of racist attacks. Joy likens it to Henry VIII and in modern culture John Grishams, they wont kill her but will make her life miserable. Why is anyone believing anything coming out of the Rupert Murdoch machine. Sara doesnt want to hear anything about investigations unless its Prince Andrew.Brad Paisley talks about his wife, a beer game to, doing birthday videos, jumping into happy hours from fans, donating 50K meals on behalf of Joy for her birthday, his charity grocery store (this is amazing!).Then he sings his singleSource links are below each video or section
ROSTOCK, Germany, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AIDA Cruises today announced it is extending its cruise season around the Canary Islands with AIDAperla until the middle of May 2021. The start and destination port of the seven-day voyages is Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain.

AIDA Cruises has implemented a comprehensive set of enhanced health and safety protocols for guests and crew members utilized on several AIDA cruises in fall 2020. In recent months, the islands of "eternal spring" have been a holiday destination in Europe with consistently low incidence rates. As a result of the Spanish government's regulations for safe travel, which coincide with AIDA's enhanced health and safety protocols, the cruise line's guests have been able to enjoy relaxing holidays in the Canary Islands.

The enhanced health and safety protocols -- tested by SGS Institut Fresenius and confirmed by the classification society DNV GL -- includes a mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for detecting viruses and bacteria before traveling, as well as regular health checks, extensive distance and hygiene rules, medical care including test capacities on board and other measures.

Cruise vacations in other AIDA destinations are currently not possible. However, with the extension of its cruise season around the Canary Islands with AIDAperla, AIDA Cruises will be able to offer all guests an attractive holiday option. This applies to guests who originally booked a cruise in the Mediterranean on AIDAstella with departure dates from March 20 up to and including May 11, 2021; on AIDAperla with departure dates up to and including May 14, 2021; on AIDAblu between April 04 up to and including April 25, 2021; and on AIDAmar between March 21 up to and including April 18, 2021.

The same applies to all guests who were originally scheduled to depart with AIDAsol from Hamburg and Rotterdam to Northern Europe and Norway between March 20 and April 3, 2021, or with AIDAluna from Hamburg on March 31 and April 04, 2021.

The positioning cruises with AIDAmira scheduled to depart on April 16, 2021, and with AIDAvita on April 20, 2021, have to be canceled as well.

All guests whose voyage cannot take place as originally scheduled will be informed immediately. AIDA Cruises appreciates all guests affected for their understanding.

With the "AIDA promise," the cruise company offers guests more flexibility and security in planning. Generous booking options are part of AIDA's commitment to its guests, ranging from small down payments to free rebooking. The "AIDA promise" is included in the travel price for new bookings up to May 31, 2021, and applies to departures up to Oct. 1, 2021.

All cruises are carried out in compliance with AIDA's extensive health and safety protocols, as well as national and local laws and regulations for infection protection. More information is available at www.aida.de/sichererurlaub.

All trips from the AIDA cruise program can be booked through summer 2022 with a local travel professional, online at www.aida.de or through the AIDA customer center.

SOURCE AIDA Cruises

Related Links

http://www.aida.de







Haiti - FLASH : The future of Haitians under TPS, the State Department remains cautious





Earlier this week, US State Department Spokesman Edward "Ned" Price at a press briefing answered two questions on Haiti, among others.



Question : Given the current political instability in Haiti, would the State Department recommend the Biden administration to continue giving TPS, temporary protected status, to Haitians who have been seeking refuge in the U.S. since the 2010 earthquake ?



Ned Price : Well, by law, TPS designations are made by the Department of Homeland Security after consultation with the appropriate agencies. So we wouldn't want to comment on any sort of internal deliberations when it comes to TPS.



Question : Can you comment on the political instability there currently ? Do you think there will be more asylum seekers ?



Ned Price : Well, on - with the situation broadly, what I would say is that it is the responsibility of Haiti's government to organize elections in 2021 that are free, that are fair, that are credible. We join the international community in calling Haitian stakeholders to come together to find a way forward. What we have said is that the Haitian people deserve the opportunity to elect their leaders and to restore Haiti's democratic institutions. If we have more on TPS, we'll be certain to let you know.



Let's recall that in an interview on the Spanish American network Univision, Vice President Kamala Harris declared "[...] We have a bill on immigration that we will propose as part of our priorities so that people become American citizens. [...] People living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) including nearly 60,000 Haitians and those under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) will have a direct pass for permanent residence legal [...]"



Should be noted that the caution of the State Department to respond specifically to the future of Haitians under TPS can be explained by the fact that the law on the major reform of immigration in the USA, must be voted by 60 votes in the Senate, whose the Democrats only hold 50 seats like the Republicans. A vote that is far from certain given the opposition of Republicans to this project, but also the opposition of some moderate Democratic senators.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32799-haiti-flash-tps-and-daca-access-to-permanent-residence-under-joe-biden.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32485-haiti-flash-joe-biden-wants-to-reform-immigration-in-his-first-100-days.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Locally reported news and sports

Stay Current with What's Happening

Get the most of NNY360, register today!

By providing your email address, you consent to receive emails and special offers from NNY360.com
(Newser)  It's been nearly seven years since the jarring Slender Man stabbing, and now one of the two teens involved is about to ask for her release from a mental health facility. Anissa Weier, now 19, was 12 at the time she hatched a murder plot with a friend against a third girl to appease the fictional horror character, reports the AP. Victim Payton Leutner survived the attack, during which Morgan Geyser stabbed her 19 times in the woods. Leutner and Geyser also were 12 at the time. Weier has spent more than three years at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Wisconsin after pleading guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. On Wednesday, she will ask a judge for conditional release from her 25-year sentence.

story continues below

On the night of the attack, the girls pinned Leutner to the ground in the woods during what was supposed to be a game of hide-and-seek. Weier has admitted that she gave the knife to Geyser and said, "Go ballistic, go crazy." The pair left Leutner to die in the woods, but she made it out and was found by a passing bicyclist. Guyser, who has since been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is serving a 40-year sentence in a mental health facility. In order for Weier to be released, a judge will have to conclude that she poses no risk to herself or others, per the Journal Sentinel. If released, she will be monitored until age 37. She can make a new request for release every six months if denied. (Leutner has spoken publicly about her ordeal.)
G etting kids to wear something they dont like can be tough to say the least, but with children returning to classrooms from March 8, its time to coax them into the habit taking a non-medical covering to school.

Along with rapid Covid testing, its vital that children take the good hygiene lessons from the last months with them, from washing hands, carrying sanitiser and wearing masks where possible.

While very young children are exempt from mask-wearing, the government has stated secondary school-children must wear them indoors, including classrooms, unless they can maintain social distancing (two metres).

If you can, get your little ones into the habit of wearing a face covering as extra insurance.

If your kids are headed back to school this spring, now is the time to ensure they have enough masks to see them through the week, including spares and extra filters to change through the day if necessary.

It has been mandatory to wear masks on public transport since June 15, 2020, and in all shops including non-essential ones. Only people with certain disabilities and very young kids (under two years-old) are exempt from wearing masks completely.

Why wear a non-medical face covering?

Wearing a reusable face covering helps catch the millions of tiny water droplets that are released in speech, coughing and sneezing, usually unseen by the naked eye. They hugely curb the chances of others catching coronavirus.

Remember, even if someone isnt displaying symptoms, they could still be a spreader - and that includes infants, children and teenagers.

An additional protective measure

Frequent hand-washing and the use of hand sanitiser should still continue, but adding a mask to childrens outdoor wear is one more thing parents and guardians can do to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

Where do kids need to wear a mask?

Masks are compulsory on public transport, so bear this in mind if your children take the bus, train or tube to school. If theyre allowed out at lunch, they will have to wear one in stores although not while they are eating. When in school, they may have to wear a mask in corridors, classrooms and spaces where its hard to maintain a distance from others.

Face coverings vs PPE

NHS staff and other frontline workers still need clinical medical-grade PPE, which is why the government is advocating the use of reusable face coverings.

Typically made from strong, breathable cloth, they come with elastic ear loops and sometimes have a wire across the nose bridge to ensure a better fit. Some have a filter to keep it working effectively. You should wash them after every outing.

While adults understand why masks need to be integrated into everyday life, trying to get little ones to wear them without fiddling with them or whining can be tough. Thankfully, a number of brands have launched reusable fun, colourful designs to encourage children to wear face coverings.

From bright rainbow designs to Disney-themed styles, here are the best face coverings for children and teens.

M&S 5 Pack Reusable & Adjustable Kids' Face Coverings

Made from two-ply cotton, this face pack of face masks have been designed for children's faces. Ensure they fit properly by covering the whole lower face - that's nostrils, mouth and over the chin, sitting flush against the skin. Use the toggles on the ear loops to tighten the fit.

M&S

NotJust Clothing Face Masks

If you're looking for masks for your teens to wear with their school uniform, head to NotJust Clothing. The brand is offering monogrammed masks, so kids can have their initials or names embroidered on - perfect for ensuring they don't lose or mix them up with their friends.

Half of the profits from every sale will be donated to the Masks For NHS Heroes initiative, who are still purchasing essential PPE for frontline workers.

NotJust

ISKO Vital facial coverings for teens

Available in sizes small, medium and large, ISKO is offering a range of organic cotton masks that are reusable up to 30 times and fitted with a nose wire for a secure fit. While the small should fit kids well, opt for medium if you're shopping for mask for your teenager.

Star Wars Cloth Face Coverings, Pack of 4

Available in four sizes from S to XL, this four pack of washable face coverings from the Disney Store are covered in much-loved Star Wars characters. The pleated masks come with elastic ear loops and are good for four hours wear at a time, so ideal for short trips.

Whats more, Disney will donate all the proceeds from the sales of its family-friendly cloth face coverings (up to 500,000) to Europes Red Cross organisations to support vulnerable people.

Disney Store

Vistaprint Childrens Face Masks

The photo printing store has pivoted its business to offer stretchy face masks for adults and children. There are plain block colours but for little ones we like the graphic prints of hearts, planets and dinosaurs. Theyre shaped to fit over the nose and under the chin and come with an inside sleeve for filters (sold separately).

You can also design your own, a great way to persuade stubborn offspring into wearing one.

MaskClub Harry Potter Hand Drawn Icons Pattern

MaskClub offers thousands of officially licensed designs, from Adventure Time and comic book heroes to Harry Potter. Printed on soft fabric, this one is patterned with famous HP designs and icons, finished with a white, polyester microfibre lining.

You can make the reusable mask more effective by slipping in a filter, sold separately.

MaskClub has promised to donate 10 per cent of sales to NHS Charities Together. Theyre typically 13.99 for an individual mask, but if you set up a monthly subscription you can save up to 30 per cent off.

MaskClub

Claires Reusable Face Coverings

Claires, the accessories destination for children and tweens, has launched a collection of cool and fun face coverings specifically for their target audience: think tie-dye, rainbows and unicorn motifs. The masks are made from two layers of cotton, and come in three sizes so they should fit your little one properly. Individual masks are 8 but multipacks offer the best value for money, with three for 20.

Claires

Tiger Face Mask by Wild Things Funky Little Dresses

The key to getting really young kids to wearing masks is to present it like a game. Help them play with animal face masks; these come complete with a headband headress. Fun as well as functional, the two-layer cotton masks are breathable and come in two sizes: the kids one fits ages 3 -10, with elastic ear loops to help you tie the masks securely. Bunny, bear and shark designs also available. Fully machine washable.

Wild Things Funky Little Dresses

Rachel Riley Face Masks

Buy a mask from childrens brand Rachel Riley and 10 per cent of the sales will go to Best Beginnings, an organisation supporting parents in pregnancy and the first, uncertain stages of parenthood.

Fashioned from cute pastel gingham, heart patterns and floral print fabric, the masks are made from a close-weave 100 per cent cotton outer layer, backed by a 100 per cent polyester middle layer and finally, a tightly-woven soft cotton satin lining that sits comfortably against the face.

Theyre a flat 19 for men, women and kids individual masks.

Rachel Riley

Gap Multipack Face Masks

Protect your brood with multipack masks from GAP, where you can pick up three colourful washable designs for just shy of 3 thanks to the sale. There are a choice of colours and styles to pick from, and each non-medical mask is made from three layers of soft, breathable cotton. The nose section is adjustable so you can secure the mask firmly against the face.

GAP

Just Hype Kids Masks

Shop masks for all the family at Hype. There are knitted, shaped and pleated masks for kids, as singles and multipacks of three. Many of the funky designs look inspired by graffiti, making hypes reusable masks a winning choice for older children.

There are lots of designs on sale right now, so you can stock up and save yourself quite a few pounds.

Just Hype

Thumsie Multi-Pack Face Masks

Shop child-friendly face coverings at Thumsie. Available in a choice of three sizes for kids aged 3 to 16, the cotton masks come in sets of four and should be washed after every outing, so a multi-pack is a great investment to ensure you have a clean one to hand. The elastic ear loops have toggles on too, so you can make sure they are on securely. Available in a selection of cheerful prints.

Thumsie

Selfie Craft Co Whimsical Pack Of Five Children's Face Masks

Invest in a set that kids will want to wear with all their outfits. While bright colours are fun, for day-to-day wear we like this set of five masks in muted shades.

Made with three layers of fabric, they come with a removable PM 2.5 activated carbon filter that offers protection against dust, smog, pollen and pollution. They feature a bendy nose section which helps prevent glasses from steaming up when theyre worn.

Selfie Craft Co.

Plumo Organic Linen Kids Masks

Shop organic linen masks for adults and children at Plumo. The company handcrafts each mask from four layers for ultimate breathability, while elastic ear loops give you a secure fit. Plumo is lending a helping hand to the coronavirus fight by donating to the 'Masks 4 Heroes' crowdfunding campaign, which aims to provide PPE to NHS frontline staff.

Plumo

Kids Face Mask 100% Cotton Protection Reusable - Homemade Washable

Kids wild about Elsa? The good news is that there are childrens fabric face masks in all sorts of designs - Frozen included. Stitched with a double layer of cotton, there are three sizes available to ensure the mask will fit all small faces. Finished with stretchy ear loops to help keep the mask snug against the skin.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Pan-American Life Insurance Group suffered a cyberattack in February and has been without much of its communications since, leaving customers with only an emergency email and an overloaded phone service to get in touch about health and other benefits.

The New Orleans-based insurer, which serves a large client base across the U.S. and in Latin America from its headquarters on Poydras Street in the Central Business District, could not be reached directly through its phone system on Thursday or Friday.

Through an external public relations firm, the company said it took its systems offline after detecting "suspicious activity" and that it has engaged outside experts to investigate the attack and get back up and running.

"We take the security of the data we maintain with the utmost degree of seriousness and our investigation is ongoing," the company said in a prepared statement provided by Isabel Abislaiman of public relations firm Fleishman Hillard. "We will take appropriate steps once we have sufficient and meaningful information to enable those steps," the statement added.

Pan-American Life declined to say specifically when the attack occurred and how long customers have been unable to reach it through its email or phone systems. The company also declined to say whether any customer data had been compromised.

According to a Pan Am Life manager who didn't want to be quoted because he wasn't authorized to speak for the company, employees were notified by cellphones on the morning of Feb. 19 about the security breach and told they had to immediately disconnect all computers from the network.

"Every day since they've been saying that it is an evolving situation, but they have not been giving any information as to what happened or when it will be back up," the manager said.

Pan-American Life's website wasn't working Friday apart from the homepage, where a message advised that the company "is currently experiencing a disruption," and provided emergency email addresses.

The offices in the 28-story Pan-American Life Center have been listed as "temporarily closed" since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

The manager said that customer emails to the emergency addresses have been irate at the disruption and lack of information, with many of them facing delays to things like health benefits and prescription processing.

"The lack of transparency has been the biggest issue for us as employees," he said. "Those of us dealing with clients know theyre extremely frustrated because were getting the brunt of the complaints."

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The company plans to provide more detail about the attack and its consequences next week, Abislaiman said.

The Pan-American Life cyber breach is the latest in a series of attacks suffered by New Orleans organizations in the past 18 months, the most serious of which was a ransomware attack a little over a year ago on City Hall itself, which has cost millions of dollars.

Others that were hit include the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the company that runs the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center.

Pan-American Life has 1.5 million life insurance customers in the U.S. and 22 foreign countries. It's not clear how many of those customers are based in Louisiana.

Under a law passed by the Louisiana Legislature last year, insurance companies are required to inform the Louisiana Department of Insurance of a security breach within three days of it occurring.

Last August, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said that protecting consumer information "has become a top priority for us as regulators."

Donelon pointed out that the medical information that can be stolen from a variety of insurance records was particularly sought after by cyber thieves as they can fetch $1,000 per person on the black market.

On Friday, Donelon said via email: "Were aware of the event youre referring to. Its under investigation and we cant discuss details because of confidentiality requirements.

"Any Pan-American Life policyholder who is having trouble reaching the company should file a complaint with the Louisiana Department of Insurance so we can investigate," Donelon's email added.

Pan-American Life was founded in New Orleans in 1911 and it remains privately owned. In 2019, the company reported pre-tax earnings of $109 million on revenue of about $1.2 billion. It employs about 2,100 globally.

In additions to the U.S., the company operates mostly in Latin American and Caribbean countries. It is, according to a report by Fitch Ratings agency last month, "a strong niche player targeting certain markets in the U.S., including the Hispanic and wealthy U.S. foreign national markets."
Myanmar police break up protests again after bloodiest day since coup

Protesters hide behind a barricade as the tear gas and smoke rise amongst them during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, (Photo : KHIT THIT MEDIA via REUTERS)

Police broke up demonstrations with tear gas and gunfire in several cities across Myanmar on Thursday, as protesters returned to the streets undeterred by the bloodiest day yet in a crackdown on opponents of last month's military coup.



The United Nations said 38 people had been killed during Wednesday's demonstrations, far more in a single day than the 23 believed to have been killed up until March 1.



Advertisement

The military seized power on Feb. 1, alleging fraud in an election won by Aung San Suu Kyi's party last November. The army has defended measures to quell protests and said it will not let Myanmar's stability be threatened.



Activists said they refused to accept military rule and new elections promised by the junta, voicing determination to press for the release of the detained Suu Kyi, 75, and recognition of her election victory.



"We know that we can always get shot and killed with live bullets but there is no meaning to staying alive under the junta," activist Maung Saungkha told Reuters.



Police opened fire and used tear gas to break up protests in Yangon and the central town of Monywa, witnesses said. Police also opened fire in the town of Pathein, west of Yangon, and used tear gas in Taunggyi in the east, media reported.



Big crowds gathered peacefully for rallies elsewhere, including the second city of Mandalay and in the historic temple town of Bagan, where hundreds marched carrying pictures of Suu Kyi and a banner saying: "Free our leader", witnesses said.



A spokesman for the ruling military council did not answer telephone calls seeking comment.



The U.N. human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, called on the security forces to halt what she called their "vicious crackdown on peaceful protesters".



She said more than 1,700 people had been arrested, including 29 journalists.



"Myanmar's military must stop murdering and jailing protesters," Bachelet said in a statement.



U.N. investigator Thomas Andrews urged the Security Council - which meets on Myanmar on Friday - to impose a global arms embargo and economic sanctions, and to refer alleged atrocities to the International Criminal Court for prosecution.



States should impose sanctions on the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, now controlled by the military and its largest source of revenue, he said in a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.



'EVERYTHING WILL BE OK' PROTESTER MOURNED



Hundreds of people attended the funeral of a 19-year-old woman shot dead in Mandalay on Wednesday, who was photographed wearing a T-shirt that read "Everything will be OK". After her death, the slogan went viral as a symbol of defiance..



On Wednesday, police and soldiers opened fire with live rounds with little warning in several cities and towns, witnesses said.



"Myanmar's security forces now seem intent on breaking the back of the anti-coup movement through wanton violence and sheer brutality," said Richard Weir, a researcher at Human Rights Watch.



Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party said in a statement that flags would fly at half staff at its offices to commemorate the dead.



The U.N. Security Council is due to discuss the situation on Friday in a closed meeting, diplomats said.



The U.S. State Department said Washington was "appalled" by the violence and was evaluating how to respond. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday he was horrified by the escalation of violence and killing of protesters.



The European Union suspended support for development projects to avoid providing financial assistance to the military, officials said on Thursday. The support in past years has involved more than 200 million euros ($240.7 million) in separate programmes often running for four years.



Myanmar's generals have long shrugged off outside pressure.



The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, said on Wednesday she had warned deputy military chief Soe Win that the army was likely to face strong measures from some countries over the coup.



"The answer was: 'We are used to sanctions, and we survived'," she told reporters in New York. "When I also warned they will go (into) isolation, the answer was: 'We have to learn to walk with only few friends'."



The United States has told China, which has declined to condemn the coup, that it expects it to play a constructive role. China has said stability is a top priority in its strategic neighbour.



At least 19 Myanmar police officers have crossed over into India, fearing persecution for disobeying orders, a senior Indian police official told Reuters.



A clash over who represents Myanmar at the United Nations in New York was averted - for now - after the junta's replacement quit and the Myanmar U.N. mission confirmed that Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun remained in the job.


Gardai in Sligo are investigating the 'disturbing' slaughter of a lamb in a field last night.

A farmer found the remains of the butchered animal on land just off the Bundoran Road in Sligo this morning.

Gardai said the incident in which somebody slaughtered a lamb in a field last night  appears to be a theft.

This disturbing act was carried out by someone who has some expertise in butchering animals, Gardai said.

We are appealing to the farming community to be aware, and to report any suspicious activity on their lands.

We are also appealing to anyone who has any information to this particular crime to make contact with your local Gardai.

Read More

This latest incident comes as Gardai in Wicklow issued an appeal for people living in rural communities to be on the alert for suspicious movements after new figures reveal the shocking scale of sheep stealing.

The Gardai revealed that they have reports of thefts of 176 sheep in Co Wicklow for 2020, which were all taken in six different incidents. There has already been one reported theft this year in West Wicklow.
South Africa is likely to miss its target of inoculating as many as 1.5 million people against the coronavirus by the end of this month because sufficient shots aren't available, the nation's deputy health minister said.

The country began dispensing Johnson & Johnson vaccines on Feb. 17 as part of a clinical trial that enabled it to bypass normal regulatory procedures. While the government has secured 11 million of the single-dose J&J shots, 20 million vaccines from Pfizer and additional supplies through the Covax facility and the African Union, they aren't due to arrive as soon as the government had hoped.

"We expect now only to complete 700,000 vaccines by the end of March," Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla said in an online briefing to lawmakers on Friday. "We are expecting more Johnson & Johnson vaccines and some from Pfizer, but we will still be behind target. However, we hope to be back on track once production of the various vaccines ramps up."

Vaccine shortages are a global issue, and are particularly acute across Africa, because wealthy nations pre-paid to secure early deliveries.

South Africa has inoculated about 92,000 people so far, and aims to reach two-thirds of its population of 60 million by year-end. It pivoted to using the J&J shots after a small study indicated that a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford has little impact on mild infections with a variant of the virus that's most dominant in South Africa. Once additional shots become available, the government aims to administer as many as 250,000 a day.

The inoculation of health-care workers should be completed around mid-April, while others in high-risk categories are due to begin receiving shots in May, Anban Pillay, a deputy director-general in the health department said in a separate online briefing. Vaccines will be dispensed through mobile units, pharmacies and workplaces as dispensing steps up, he said.

"The pace at what we are vaccinating now is at the pace of what can be allowed in terms of the study," Pillay said. "Once we get out of the study we can open up many more sites and things can move much faster."

Stavros Nicolaou, head of the health-work unit at lobbying group Business for South Africa, said sufficient vaccines had been secured to cover 6 million people by the end of June, but as many as 8 million are needed for essential workers and the most vulnerable.

"We are all in talks, with government, on how to get more vaccines in quarter two," he said. "We need to close the gap as much as we can before the dreaded third wave, before Easter holidays when people move around, and before winter."

Glenda Gray, the president of the South African Medical Research Council who is overseeing the J&J vaccine study, said systems were being continually improved and the initial roll out had provided insights into how best to scale up the program. The J&J and Pfizer shots are likely to be approved for general usage soon, she said.
MANISTEE  Hospice of Michigan, the states original and largest not-for-profit hospice provider, has received a $2,500 grant from the Manistee County Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Manistee County region.

The grant is supported by the Community Response Fund, which provides support to area nonprofit organizations, schools and governments on the front lines serving those most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The grant will benefit Hospice of Michigans upstart wE-Connect telehealth tool.

wE-Connect was launched in March 2020 as a direct response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic  eliminating any gaps in care due to visitor restrictions at hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities. The virtual wE-Connect program allows caregivers to facilitate video visits between patients and their loved ones on tablets equipped with existing data plans, ensuring access to Hospice of Michigans care to anyone who needs it, without the added barrier of limited internet availability.

Although wE-Connect does not replace Hospice of Michigans high-touch, in-person bedside primary model of care, it does add another dimension to provide patients and families the ability to receive and deliver quality and timely hospice and end-of-life care, as well as additional services such as complementary therapies and grief support services.

This gift from the Manistee County Community Foundation will make a large and immediate impact on how Hospice of Michigan rolls out its wE-Connect telehealth tool, said Roxanne Kiesling, philanthropy manager for Hospice of Michigan. COVID-19 has completely changed perceptions about healthcare delivery, and notably, the pandemic has accelerated the acceptance and utilization of telehealth as patients and families seek alternatives to address safety concerns and minimize exposure for loved ones with compromised immune systems who are most vulnerable to falling ill.

The CRF was established through a cooperative effort between the Manistee County Community Foundation, United Way of Manistee County and the Manistee County Human Services Collaborative Body to provide a collective vehicle for charitable giving and to support collaborative grantmaking in response to COVID-19.

Hospice of Michigan served 121 patients in Manistee County in 2020 through its Open Access Program, which provides exceptional end-of-life care and support for anyone with a terminal illness, regardless of their age, diagnosis or ability to pay. For more information about the services Hospice of Michigan offers in Manistee County and throughout the state, visit www.hom.org.
2020 was a difficult and uncertain year for Canadian consumers, and this uncertainty caused us to increasingly turn to our homes as places of refuge. As a result, Canadians invested in small appliances at record breaking levels, said Pam Wood, home industry analyst at The NPD Group.

The Canadian small appliance industry grew by $486M or 23% to $2.58B in 2020, according to The NPD Group. Sales of personal care and home environment appliances increased by 13% and 22% respectively while sales of kitchen appliances, which grew by $290 Million in 2020, were responsible for nearly 60% of the gains in the total small appliance market. Unit sales of kitchen appliances also increased, reaching over 23 million units on the year, which is especially impressive when you consider Canada has approximately 12.4 million households.

When it comes to the total small appliance market, 74 out of 89 subcategories tracked by NPD experienced growth in 2020. The top growth appliance category based on dollar growth was hand-held massagers, followed closely by air fryers, and bread makers.

2020 was a difficult and uncertain year for Canadian consumers, and this uncertainty caused us to increasingly turn to our homes as places of refuge. As a result, Canadians invested in small appliances at record breaking levels, said Pam Wood, home industry analyst at The NPD Group. While vaccinations have begun in many parts of the country it has become apparent that a return to a life with reduced restrictions is still many months away. As a result, 2021 will still provide plenty of opportunities for growth.

Kitchen appliances showed very comprehensive growth with 50 out of 53 subcategories tracked by NPD showing gains vs. 2019. Air Fryers, single serve brewing systems, and espresso makers were among the top contributing categories in terms of incremental dollar gains, with air fryers contributing nearly $32 Million in gains, single serve brewing contributing $27 Million in gains and espresso makers contributing $18 Million in gains on the year. Stand mixers also performed well as Canadians embraced culinary creativity as a means to combat the monotony of the pandemic. Personal care appliances also performed well on the year as consumers looked for ways to replicate traditional out of home services such as grooming and haircuts. Overall, personal care appliances experienced incremental gains of $38M in 2020 and growth of 13%. As consumers spent more time in their homes over the past year, they needed to keep those homes clean and comfortable. That need drove sales of home environment appliances this year, with incremental gains of $159M or growth of 22%.

Source: The NPD Group/ Retail Tracking Service, January-December 2020
VICTORIA - Tax changes targeting sugary drinks and e-commerce services based outside of B.C. will come into effect on April 1 after being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A person browses an e-commerce site on a computer in a photo illustration in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. Tax changes targeting e-commerce services based outside of B.C. and sugary drinks will come into effect on April 1, after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

VICTORIA - Tax changes targeting sugary drinks and e-commerce services based outside of B.C. will come into effect on April 1 after being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The B.C. government says the changes include the elimination of the provincial sales tax exemption for carbonated beverages that contain sugar, natural sweeteners or artificial sweeteners.

The tax will apply to all beverages dispensed through soda fountains or similar equipment, along with all beverages dispensed through vending machines.

The government says the move is supported by health professionals.

The second tax change will apply to those selling digital software and telecommunication services, who will be required to collect the PST on sales to B.C. customers if they have revenue in the province of more than $10,000.

All Canadian sellers of vapour products, such as vape pens, will be required to register to collect the sales tax on all online or mail-order sales to B.C. customers as part of the new measure.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2021.
WASHINGTON  A Democratic congressman who helped argue the House impeachment case against former President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against him in federal court Friday, seeking to turn those allegations into a civil case.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, accused Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Rudolph Giuliani, and Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., of violating federal civil rights laws and local incitement laws. All spoke at a rally near the White House on January 6 before members of the crowd moved on to the Capitol.

The mob attack was "a direct and foreseeable consequence of the defendants' false and incendiary allegations of fraud and theft, and in direct response to the defendants' express calls for violence," the suit said.

Swalwell said he was among members of Congress who were trapped in the House chamber as the rioters approached. They feared for their lives and "texted loved ones in case the worst happened," it said.

Like a similar lawsuit filed last month by Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and the NAACP, this case invokes the Civil Rights Act of 1871, commonly known as the Ku Klux Klan act, which allows lawsuits against government officials for claims that they conspired to violate civil rights.

The earlier suit contended that Trump and Giuliani conspired with two extremist groups, the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Swalwell focused on the former president and speakers at the rally and said they "directly incited the violence at the Capitol."

Like the House impeachment articles, the new lawsuit said the former president began accusing Democrats of trying to steal the election well before the voting began. After the votes were tabulated, he and the others named in the suit conspired to undermine confidence in the results, Swalwell said.

When the siege at the Capitol began, the former president "had the power to stop the rioters but refused and instead encouraged them," he said.

Story continues

Jason Miller, a Trump spokesman, said in a statement that Swalwell is "a low-life with no credibility" who is engaged in "a witch hunt." In response to the earlier suit, he said, "President Trump did not plan, produce or organize the Jan. 6 rally on the Ellipse. President Trump did not incite or conspire to incite any violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6."

Swalwell's lawsuit quoted Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who said after the vote acquitting the former president that President Trump is still liable for everything he did while in office. "We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being held accountable by either one," McConnell said.

"This suit follows," Swalwell's lawsuit said.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
State health officials confirmed another 1,410 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, which is based on 102,362 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Officials also announced another 42 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the death toll from the pandemic to 15,967.

As of Thursday, there are roughly 27,763 active infections statewide. Since the pandemic began, officials have confirmed 554,630 total COVID-19 cases across the state. COVID hospitalizations continued to drop and are now at 741 people across the state.

Last week saw the first uptick in new COVID cases following six straight weeks of declining numbers. Additional cases from last week reported today tipped it slightly over the previous week. The state saw 10,424 new cases last week after the previous weeks 10,380. Those numbers are subject to slight changes as additional tests are reported.

New cases continue to be highest among the 0-19 age group, with 5,464 cases reported over the last two weeks, according to the Department of Public Health. Twenty-somethings makeup the second largest age bracket, with 4,570 reported over those two weeks.

To date, roughly 19% of Massachusetts  1,306,343 people  has received at least one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 1.8 million shots have been administered.

Thursdays data comes as Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the mass vaccination site at Fenway Park will move to Hynes Convention Center.

CIC Health, the vendor running the Fenway Park site, will work with the state to open Hynes for vaccine appointments as early as March 18, a Thursday, Baker said. The vaccine site at Fenway Park will take patients until March 27, a Saturday, before shutting down altogether.

The latest numbers also come as some Massachusetts began administering the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Tufts Medical Center and Boston Medical Center confirmed they each received 2,000 doses of the J&J shot earlier this week after the vaccine was given the emergency green-light over the weekend.

Earlier on Wednesday, Baker announced that Massachusetts teachers can begin booking appointments to get the COVID vaccine next week. The appointments will be available for K-12 employees, early childcare and school staff starting March 11.

The announcement comes a day after President Joe Biden said he was directing all states to prioritize teachers for vaccinations.

Total COVID cases by county:

Barnstable County: 10,208

Berkshire County: 4,883

Bristol County: 56,045

Dukes County: 871

Essex County: 84,220

Franklin County: 1,996

Hampden County: 42,209

Hampshire County: 7,525

Middlesex County: 112,643

Nantucket County: 1,170

Norfolk County: 45,914

Plymouth County: 40,600

Suffolk County: 78,922

Worcester County: 65,967

Related Content:
BEIJING, Mar.4 -- The fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) kicked off at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the afternoon of March 4, officially convening China's annual "two sessions", namely the National Peoples Congress (NPC) and the CPPCC. The military deputies to the NPC and members of the CPPCC will put forward opinions and suggestions on a number of issues about national defense and army building that have drawn wide attention from the service members.

To improve relevant policies and systems for the transfer and resettlement of wounded, sick and disabled service members

NPC Deputy Major Sha Zixia, a battalion commander of an engineering brigade under the PLA Rocket Force, said that his troops work all year round in the plateau, Gobi and remote mountain areas where dangerous situations happen from time to time. Improving systems for the transfer and resettlement of injured and disabled service members has therefore been a topic of his long-term concern. He believes that the policies and systems still need to be improved on the current handover works. So he visited local ethnic minority groups and various locations and sorted out the suggestions to submit.

To improve the joint military-civilian pandemic prevention and control mechanism

The military has actively participated in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year, jointly working with people across the country to overcome difficulties.

NPC Deputy Colonel Liang Jiantao, a senior engineer at a brigade under the PLA Rocket Force, made the development of the military-civilian pandemic prevention and control mechanism as the main content of her speech this year. She said that the military and local governments should regularly carry out the protection technology exchanges and cooperation, so as to ensure the capability to respond to emergencies.

To perfect the preferential education system for military children

The difficulty for children of military personnel stationed in remote and underdeveloped areas to receive high-quality education has always been prominent.

NPC Deputy Gu Qingyue, a teacher at the PLA Air Force Engineering University, suggested coordinating military and civilian resources to accommodate education fairness, improving the preferential treatment system for military childrens education and ensuring the implementation of the preferential policy.

CPPCC Member Man Kaihong, a professor at the PLA Army Armored Forces Academy, suggested in the proposal that the advantages of local educational resources should be used to enroll qualified children of military personnel stationed in remote and underdeveloped areas through the establishment of customized schools or classes for them.

To incite rural revitalization in ethnic areas through military-civilian cooperation

During years of military-civilian cooperation in poverty alleviation, NPC Deputy Master Sergeant Zhou Fenglin assigned to a regiment under the PLA Rocket Force found that the development of characteristic agricultural and sideline products by local residents was restricted by factors such as information sources and sales channels.

He has accumulated a large amount of first-hand information, revised and improved suggestions on strengthening military-civilian cooperation to promote rural revitalization in ethnic areas.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Mainly clear. Low 47F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 47F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Calls for an amnesty on undocumented farm workers received a boost on Friday when a federal government advisory panel said granting visas would encourage them to come forward for COVID vaccinations.

The National Agricultural Labour Advisory Committee said the coronavirus pandemic provided a unique chance to grant undocumented migrants visas giving them access to workplace rights.

A report commissioned by the federal Agriculture Department is calling for an amnesty on undocumented farm workers to encourage them to come forward for COVID vaccination. Credit:Max Mason-Hubers

Undocumented migrant labourers, most of whom labour in the fruit and vegetables industry, were likely to avoid contact with government, including at vaccination clinics, due to fears they could be identified for deportation, the committee said in a report released on Friday.

It is a potentially dangerous situation for the Australian public to have 60,000 to 100,000 overseas workers avoiding contact with clinics and hospital, it said.

The Times-Tribune announces the winners of its "Art for All Seasons" competition, spotlighting 12 of the region's most outstanding student artists with a virtual exhibit.

Times-Shamrock Communications, Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit and Powell Law present the 14th annual Student Artist of the Month exhibit on thetimes-tribune.com and facebook.com/thetimestribune, where it will stay up for the remainder of the year.

Weather permitting, the artwork also will be on display outside in The Times-Tribune Newseum, adjacent to the Scranton Times Building, 149 Penn Ave.

Art for All Seasons is an art competition for area high school students sponsored by The Sunday Times and NEIU. Each year, students in grades nine through 12 are encouraged to submit a piece of artwork that captures the spirit of either winter, spring, summer or fall. Each art teacher can submit one student piece per season, and a team of judges then selects the 12 best pieces to feature on the monthly calendar page in The Sunday Times Life&Times section on the last week of each month. They also are displayed on thetimes-tribune.com and AccessNEPA.com.

Typically, the newspaper also hosts an exhibit of all submitted pieces to coincides with Marchs First Friday Art Walk in downtown Scranton as part of Arts in Education month. By adapting the contest to a virtual format this year out of COVID-19 concerts, organizers were able to continue the tradition of recognizing young regional artists work.

This year, students from 12 area schools across Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wayne, Luzerne and Wyoming counties submitted work. Take a look at the photo gallery to see the winning pieces and watch the video to hear from the winning students and the program's sponsors.
She went from the red carpet to the red bullseye.

Regina King, 50, was very much the everywoman as she was spotted shopping for housewares at Target on Thursday just days after appearing at the virtual Golden Globes.

The Watchman star made history recently as one of three females nominated in the best directing category at the 2021 Globes.

Off-camera chic: Regina King, 50, was very much the everywoman as she was spotted shopping for housewares at Target on Thursday just days after appearing at the virtual Golden Globes

On a casual day running errands, King still managed to look super chic in a military inspired Nike Air Jordan boiler suit.

The army green and black ensemble is inspired by a flight suit and tied around Regina's trim waist.

While in the store, King was seen pushing her shopping cart while scoping out items for her home including a large curtain rod.

The A-lister was nearly incognito with her hair tucked under a knit beanie and a plaid facemask.

Trendsetter: On a casual day running errands, King still managed to look super chic in a military inspired Nike Air Jordan boiler suit

Too cool: The army green and black ensemble is inspired by a flight suit and tied around Regina's trim waist

For the home: While in the store, King was seen pushing her shopping cart while scoping out items for her home including a large curtain rod

She paired the jumpsuit with a pair of high top sneakers and Louis Vuitton crossbody bag.

Louis Vuitton seems to be the actress and director's designer of choice these days.

On Sunday she landed on nearly every single best dressed list at the virtual Golden Globes ceremony sporting a black and silver column gown by the luxury label embroidered with 40,000 sequins.

'Having taken 350 hours to complete, the embroidery is composed of black, golden and silver sequins, as well as crystals carefully positioned to create a shimmering gradation,' a representative from Louis Vuitton told People.

Keeping it casual: She paired the jumpsuit with a pair of high top sneakers and Louis Vuitton crossbody bag

Safety first: King made sure to keep her plaid facemask firmly over her nose and mouth to ward off transmission of the coronavirus

Kudos! The Watchman star made history recently as one of three females nominated in the best directing category at the 2021 Globes

The dazzling look was made complete with $2 million worth of Forevermark jewelry.

King was nominated for Best Director for a Motion Picture for her movie One Night In Miami.

Chloe Zhao was the eventual winner of Best Director for her movie Nomadland. Zhao, King and Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) made history being nominated in the category.

With Oscar nominations around the corner later this month, there is buzz surrounding King who is expected to, once again, score a nod in the directing category.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In 2009, the ABC foreign correspondent Sally Sara walked into the Role 3 hospital at Kandahar Air Base, in Afghanistan. Role 3 was one of the busiest combat hospitals in the world, treating a near constant stream of wounded soldiers, insurgents and women and children. A sign near the entrance read The best care anywhere, which was no idle boast: the hospital had a 97 per cent survival rate. Sara, who had been covering the war for a year, believed she would be filming a quick news story, but before long a surge of casualties arrived. There were 16 injured, among them an 11-year-old boy named Abdul. Abdul had been with his brother when the brother trod on a landmine. The blast killed the boy instantly and left Abdul horribly injured. Shrapnel had blown his jaw off, and the tissue on the right side of his face was largely exposed. Sara filmed the boy from a distance as the doctors worked to save his life. The footage from that day shows Abdul gritting his teeth behind the oxygen mask, his feet spasmed in agony, his voice a desperate keening so loud it almost took the roof off. A veteran foreign correspondent, Sara had reported on all manner of atrocities; rape, mass killings, murder, torture. But something about that day resonated more deeply than anything else in her career. The boy could see me filming him, she says. I remember thinking, There is something very wrong with the world when this can happen to a child. It is a failure on so many levels.  The doctors scanned Abduls head, looking for shrapnel and bleeding. His brain seemed okay, and his outlook was promising. Sara left the hospital in the early hours of the morning, after Abdul had gone into surgery. The next day she returned. Abdul was in ICU: he was in a serious but stable condition and was breathing on his own. She filmed him lying on a bed, his head bandaged up, his little face swollen and purple. After a time, she left. An hour later, Abdul suffered a massive brain haemorrhage and died: hospital staff found his father just in time so he could hold his sons hand. When Sara found out, she was stricken with grief and guilt. I should have stayed, she tells me. I wasnt especially tired, and it was the end of an embed, so I had nowhere else to be. But Id had enough. I couldnt watch it anymore. In war reporting, a central tenet is to honour the dead  to tell their story as well as you can. As far as Sara was concerned, she had failed to fulfil one of her primary responsibilities. Loading In 2012, she left Afghanistan and returned to Sydney, to take up a job as the ABCs regional and rural reporter. But the events in Kandahar stayed with her, like a tear in the fabric of her psyche that, in the coming months, grew deeper and wider. Emotionally speaking, you cant deal with anything over there, so if something is going to rupture, itll be back here, where you have time to think. In November, 2012, she suffered a breakdown. She is not willing to go into the details, saying only that it was a shattering experience and that she initially felt so ashamed and so stunned that it happened.

Advertisement

Sara, who is 50, has blonde shoulder-length hair, pale colouring and eyes the colour of a Nordic lake. She is taller than she appears on television, and more reserved. When I meet her early one evening for a drink near her home in Sydney, she gives off a certain reticence, as if shes not entirely thrilled with being the subject of a story rather than the reporter. She still suffers from symptoms of trauma, most notably a condition known as moral injury, when people witness or fail to prevent events or behaviour that go against their moral code. For me it was seeing kids getting hurt, kids going hungry when there is plenty in the world, and often just observing, not being able to stop it. The play wasnt so much therapy as a way of reclaiming the events, turning an awful experience into something positive. Coming to terms with her condition was a gradual process involving several years of psychotherapy. Then, in 2015, she hit on the idea of writing a play about her experiences, focusing on that day in Kandahar and her subsequent unravelling. The play wasnt so much therapy as a way of reclaiming the events, turning an awful experience into something positive, she says. Now, five years and more than a dozen drafts later, that play, Stop Girl, is premiering on March 20 at Sydneys Belvoir St Theatre. Its been a long road: Sara approached nine theatre companies before being taken on by Belvoir. Yet it still feels so new, as she puts it. Sometimes at rehearsals Sara feels like saying, It was only a joke! I didnt mean for it to actually get made! The whole experience is a mixture of doubt and belief, she says. Its like imposter syndrome on 20 Red Bulls. Sally Sara reporting from Afghanistan in 2011. When you come back, your compass is thrown out, she says. You realise what youd taken to be normal over there isnt in fact normal. Credit:Courtesy of Sally Sara Plenty of people say they have a book inside them: not so many claim to be lugging around a script. But before she was a journalist, Sara dreamt of being a playwright. I always loved the theatre, she tells me. Her grandmother, a talented singer, took part in school plays and district productions. Her mother also did amateur theatre. When Sara was growing up in the tiny town of Port Broughton, on South Australias Yorke Peninsula, her father would go camping with her two brothers, while her mother and Sally drove the 350-kilometre round trip to Adelaide to see a play.

Advertisement

At the time I thought it was so sexist, that I wasnt allowed to go camping with the boys, she says. So I tried to pretend that I wasnt enjoying the theatre, but I was. It was so special, a country kid coming to Adelaide, wearing your special clothes, being there when the lights come down. When she was eight, she saw the musical Annie at the Festival Theatre. When the show started, I was fascinated by every aspect of it. The musicians, the actors, the crew. The girls on stage were all my age, and I wanted to be in it, too. I wanted to be part of all of it. Later, she did screenwriting as a component of her degree at the University of South Australia. In 1991, when she was 20, she wrote to the producers of A Country Practice, the long-running TV series, and got a shot at writing a trial script for them. It was just a development thing, she says. I saved up my money and caught the bus from Adelaide to Sydney. I stayed in a youth hostel in Darlinghurst and only had a few bucks for food. I got to sit in on the writing room for a couple of days as they were brainstorming an episode. After a few days, she caught the bus back to Adelaide. I then wrote my own version of the script, and someone from the writing team provided feedback. It was a great experience, a total adventure. Sara was desperate to write, but she was also desperate to see the world. I thought, I dont want to sit at a desk writing yet. I didnt want that solitude. I wanted to see the world, to experience everything, go places, meet people, so I pursued journalism. And I wanted to go all the way, to become a foreign correspondent. Loading It was the early 1990s and the country was in a deep recession. Sara applied for 22 jobs before landing a gig at community station Outback Radio 2WEB, in Bourke. She won a few awards in her first year, then got a job as a rural reporter with the ABC in 1992. She worked in Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra, where she met Jane Wilson, then an executive assistant for ABC management. I remember Sally as a lanky, happy, friendly country girl who was fresh-faced, keen and ambitious, says Wilson, who became a lifelong friend. Like many people from the country, they always seem to have that independent, adventurous streak; that innate knowledge that there is something beyond the country gate.

Advertisement

In 2000, after a three-month stint in Jakarta, Sara became the ABCs Africa correspondent. She has since reported from 40 countries, including Iraq, Sierra Leone, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you are feeling down about your own professional achievements or lack thereof, its best not to read the Awards section of her CV. She is an eight-time Walkley Award finalist, as well as a winner, in 2017, for her reporting on the famine in Somaliland. Shes bagged four UN Media Awards, and at least a dozen international honours, including for TV and radio reporting. In 2011, she became a Member of the Order of Australia for service to journalism. Oh, and she speaks Zulu. Sally has a compulsion to tell the stories of people who the world often forgets about. Sara has a particular affinity for dangerous places. Sally has a compulsion to tell the stories of people who the world often forgets about, says friend and fellow journalist Leigh Sales. I was having dinner with her two years ago and I said, I dont know how you can do the reporting you do, and she said, I dont know how you can not.  But such work comes at a cost, especially in a place such as Afghanistan. Afghanistan was bigger and more dangerous than a lot of the other places shes been, says her younger brother, Tyson. I think she had a greater fear for her life there than in other places. Tyson, who is a defence industry strategist, happened to be in Afghanistan in 2011, at the same time as his sister, advising NATO commanders in the south of the country. He and Sally caught up a few times, including in the NATO base at Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport, where they enjoyed a surprisingly good Thai dinner. She was looking for her next story, and I was looking for how to help the NATO commander. There is a high-octane allure to Afghanistan, an air of energy about the place, as Tyson puts it. You are doing work you perceive as being exciting and important, and your senses are heightened all the time. Sally tells complex stories through the eyes of individuals. She also wants to understand peoples motivations ... [Writing a play] actually seemed almost natural. A hallmark of Saras reporting is that she doesnt talk about stories in a strategic sense, says Tyson. She tells complex stories through the eyes of individuals. She also wants to understand peoples motivations, which in itself is a creative thought. He wasnt entirely surprised, then, that she should write a play. It actually seemed almost natural.

Advertisement

Sally Sara during a rehearsal of Stop Girl with Sheridan Harbridge, who will play Suzie. Credit:Brett Boardman for Belvoir Theatre Stop Girl begins in Kabul, with lead character Suzie Broughton, a war correspondent, sitting underneath a doona in her room recording a piece for radio. (The doona, she explains, muffles the ambient noise.) With her is Bec, a journalist and old friend of Suzie, who has been sent to write a publicity profile of her. Bec is horrified by the pain and suffering she sees all around her; her shock is a foil to Suzie, who has become largely inured to it. At one stage, the two women visit the aftermath of a suicide bombing. When they return to their room, Bec is aghast to find human remains stuck to the sole of her shoe. Always change your shoes after a bombing, says Suzie. I should have told you that. The play then moves to Sydney, where Suzie is dazzled by the rude bounty of First World life: the fresh food, the sunshine, the safety. Suzie has flashbacks, one of which has her standing in a maternity ward in Kabul, where nurses are slapping the stomach of a pregnant woman to make the baby come out faster, because there arent enough beds. The father is outside: when he is told that his child is a girl  girls are considered a burden in Afghanistan  he starts crying: Bas bibi, bas bibi. Stop girl, stop girl. When you come back, your compass is thrown out, says Sara. You realise what youd taken to be normal over there isnt in fact normal. The apparent materialism and superficiality of Sydney was similarly disorienting. Sara remembers sitting in a cafe after her return when a man ran in and asked the person behind the bar if they had change for a $100 note because he had to pay for his dogs haircut. Life at home just didnt make sense to me, she says. For a while, all I wanted to do was go back. Like her on-stage avatar, Sara worked largely by herself in Afghanistan. That self-reliance and independence made it harder for her to ask for help upon her return, but it has also aided her as a playwright. Sally has a rich interior life, says Leigh Sales, and she is really observant and watchful, which is what makes her a good writer.

Advertisement
President Joe Biden speaks to the press before a bipartisan meeting on cancer legislation in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on March 3, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool via Reuters)

Biden to Hold 1st Press Conference by End of Month: White House

President Joe Biden will hold his first press briefing as president by the end of March, the White House said Friday.

Pressed on why Biden has not held a press conference yet, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said he does answer questions several times a week.

He took questions actually twice yesterday, which is an opportunity for people covering the White House to ask him about whatever news is happening on any given day. We look forward to holding a full press conference in the coming weeks before the end of the month, and we are working on setting a final date for that. As soon as we do, we will let you know, she told reporters in Washington.

This president came in during a historic crisis, two historic crises, a pandemic like the country had not seen in decades, and an economic downturn that left 10 million people out of work. So I think the American people would understand if his focus and his energy and his attention has been ensuring we secure enough vaccines to vaccinate all Americans, which we will do by the end of May, and then pushing for a rescue plan that will provide direct checks to almost 160 million Americans. That is where his time and energy and focus has been, she added.

A reporter noted that in most cases that Psaki is referring to, Biden takes only one or two questionsa big difference from former President Donald Trump, who was known to take a dozen or more during interactions with the press outside formal press conferences.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington on March 5, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Those sprays though, are not an ideal form for us to be asking questions. He cant hear us at the time. We get maybe two questions and get shuffled out. Why hasnt he answered questions from the press at this point, is it just that hes too busy? the reporter asked.

He has answered questions, I believe the count is almost 40 times, and his focus, again, is on getting recovery and relief to the American people. He looks forward to continuing to engage with all of you and to other members of the media who arent here today, and will look forward to letting you know as soon as that press conference is set, Psaki said.

On Wednesday, the press secretary had declined to set an exact date for Bidens first press conference.

Bidens 15 predecessors held solo press briefings within 33 days of their respective presidencies.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Isatoic acid anhydride also known as o-amino-benzoic acid, 2-aminobenzoic acid, N-carboxylic acid anhydride, and anthranilic acid, is the organic compound with the linear formula C6H4(NH2)CO2H. In appearance, Isatoic acid anhydride is a white solid when pure, although commercial samples may appear yellow. By the structure, isatoic acid anhydride contains a benzene ring with two adjacent functional groups, a carboxylic acid and an amine. Industrially, Isatoic acid anhydride is used as an intermediate for production of dyes chemicals and in medical product. Isatoic acid anhydride and its esters are used in preparing perfumes to imitate jasmine and orange, pharmaceuticals, and UV-absorber as well as corrosion inhibitors for metals and mold inhibitors in soy sauce. In addition, isatoic acid anhydride can be used in organic synthesis to generate the benzyne intermediate. It is sometimes considered as vitamin L1.





Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific is the largest market of isatoic acid anhydride due to huge consumption in dye & pigments, and agrochemicals-market-1267'>agrochemical-market-749'>agrochemical industry, in China region followed by India, Thailand, and Japan. Increasing demand for agrochemical industry in China, India, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea has made Asia Pacific largest consumer of the global Isatoic acid anhydride market followed by increasing in the consumption of Isatoic acid anhydride market in Europe region. In Europe region, Isatoic acid anhydride market is drive by perfume, pharmaceutical, and food & beverages industry. In addition, the third largest market of Isatoic acid anhydride is North America region due to large consumption in agricultural, pharmaceutical, and others industry. Moreover, Latin America and Middle East also observed in growth of Isatoic acid anhydride market due to various application such as pharmaceutical, dye & pigments, perfume, agrochemicals, and others.

Segmentation

The global isatoic acid anhydride market is majorly segmented on the basis of application, end use and region. Based on application of isatoic acid anhydride the market is segmented into dye & pigments, pesticides, herbicides, saccharin, flavors, and others. On the other hand, Based on end use industry of isatoic acid anhydride the market is segmented into pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, perfume, food & beverages, and others. Furthermore, based on region global isatoic acid anhydride market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Key Players

Key players of the global Isatoic acid anhydride market are BASF SE (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (US), Alfa Aesar (India), Crystal Quinone Pvt. Ltd. (India), Taj Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients (India), Wujiang New Sunlion Chemical Co., Ltd. (China), HIMALAYA CHEMICALS (India), ISHITA INDUSTRIES (India), KESHAR EMULSION PVT LTD (India), TCI (Shanghai) Development Co., Ltd (China), and others.





Geographic Analysis

The report covers brief analysis of geographical region such as North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW.

The report about Global Isatoic acid anhydride Market by Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with detail analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts and key opinion leaders to gain a deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives a clear picture of the current market scenario which includes past and estimated future market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report further provides detail information about strategies used by top key players in the industry. It also gives a broad study about different market segments and regions.

ACCESS REPORT DETAILS @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/isatoic-acid-anhydride-market-3325

Study Objectives of Isatoic acid anhydride Market:

To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 7 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Isatoic acid anhydride Market

To understand the supply and demand dynamics including supply and consumption concentration mapping

To provide region level market analysis and future outlook for North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) and their countries

To provide competitor positioning of the market

To provide company profiling of major players in the market along with their production and capacity

To provide regional trade analysis

To evaluate historical market trends, patents and technologies, and current government regulatory requirements that are relevant to the market

Intended Audience

Isatoic acid anhydride manufacturers

Traders and distributors of Isatoic acid anhydride

Production Process industries

Potential investors

Raw material suppliers

Nationalized laboratory
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German city Osnabrueck fears it will lose 14 million euros ($17 million) invested with Greensill Bank after the country's financial regulator warned this week of "an imminent risk" to the lender.

Osnabrueck is the third German municipal authority to disclose this week that it faced possible losses from the bank based in Bremen and a local finance official demanded the German government step in.

"I call on the federal government to assume these losses incurred by the municipalities," the official, Thomas Fillep, said in a statement.

A Greensill Capital spokesman declined to comment on Osnabrueck and similar investors with Greensill Bank, or the amount of unsecured funds the lender holds.

German regulator BaFin warned on Wednesday of the risk that Greensill Bank would become over-indebted and imposed a moratorium on it making disposals or payments.

BaFin's move was another blow to the bank's owner, Greensill Capital, which said on Tuesday it was in talks to sell large parts of its business after losing the backing of two Swiss asset managers.

Founded by Lex Greensill, a former Citigroup and Morgan Stanley banker, Greensill Capital is the largest non-bank provider of supply chain finance. It says its technology-driven approach provided $143 billion of financing in 2019 across 10 million customers and suppliers.

Germany's deposit protection scheme protects individuals but not institutional investors. Greensill Bank has about 500 million euros in unsecured funds, such as those from Osnabrueck and other towns, a person familiar with the matter said.

Like the German towns of Monheim am Rhein and Bad Duerrheim that have announced similar concerns about Greensill Bank, Osnabrueck was attracted to the lender because it helped them avoid paying negative interest rates on deposits elsewhere.

Osnabrueck, which has a population of 170,000, opted for Greensill Bank because its very good credit rating meant the city could assume it was a very safe investment, local official Fillep said.

Story continues

He criticised BaFin for not informing towns when concerns about the bank emerged last year, saying Osnabrueck would have scaled back its involvement if it had been aware.

BaFin said in a statement that it acted decisively in 2020 on Greensill Bank, taking various enforcement actions including the installation of a special monitor. However, BaFin said informing the public would have broken confidentiality laws.

Germany's finance ministry declined to comment. German credit ratings agency Scope did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Parliament's finance committee has put the Greensill Bank case on the agenda of a meeting later this month.

Osnabrueck began investing in time deposits with Greensill Bank last year and currently has nearly 14 million euros with maturities of between April 2021 and March 2022. Its most recent investment was 11.5 million euros in November.

Osnabrueck tried to withdraw the funds after a credit downgrade but was unable to, the city said.

($1 = 0.8382 euros)

(Reporting by Tom Sims and Christian Kraemer; Editing by Hans Seidenstuecker and David Clarke)
In the wake of the killing of George Floyd last year and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Portland Trader Joes employee Sydney Satre said she wanted to make the grocery store a better place to work and shop.

I felt that Trader Joes was creating a hostile work environment for Black employees, and I wanted Trader Joes to change. Satre said Friday. I wanted Trader Joes to behave consistently with their public messages of support for Black Lives Matter and Black employees.

In October, after Trader Joes told employees they couldnt wear messages of any kind while on the job, Satre decided to write a letter to the corporate office, expressing her concern. In response to the letter, Satres suit said, she was fired from her job at the store on Southeast Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

Satre filed suit against the company Wednesday, saying her firing was whistle blower retaliation and associational race discrimination.

Tim Martin, a regional manager, and Sarah Wilson, a supervisor, are also named in the suit.

In the suit, filed in Oregon circuit court in Multnomah County, Satres attorney asked for $350,000, along with her costs and attorneys fees.

Trader Joes did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

According to the filing, Satre was terminated from her job after sending a letter to Martin titled A Letter to Trader Joes Corporate from a White Crew Member.

In the letter, Satre criticized the companys delayed statement after Floyds death, as well as the decision not to display the phrase Black Lives Matter in stores.

In October, according to Satres letter, employees were told they couldnt wear pins with logos, symbols or statements. The reason given was the contentious election, Satre said in her letter to the corporate office, but Satre said she believed it was an attempt to stop people from wearing Black Lives Matter pins.

Satres termination notice from Trader Joes doesnt appear to dispute that Satre was fired because of the letter.

According to the termination notice, provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive by Satres attorney, Satres performance was found unsatisfactory or unacceptable because of her letter.

Within the letter, you share that you are disheartened and judge our actions related to social justice inadequate, the termination letter reads. You state we dont practice what we preach in our Values and taking a neutral stance on Black Lives Matter. Trader Joes strongly disagrees with your statements. It is clear from your letter that you do not support Trader Joes nor like working for the company. For this reason, we will be processing your separation from Trader Joes effective immediately.

Satre said she was shocked to be fired after sending the letter.

There was no indication that sharing the letter would lead to me being fired, she said. I was encouraged to bring my feedback to Trader Joes management and I was told it was a safe space to share my concerns.

Even our employee handbook says that Trader Joes will not retaliate against employees who bring their concerns to management. Unfortunately, that wasnt true.

In February, Trader Joes fired an employee in New York after he sent a letter to the corporate office asking for better safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The employee was reinstated earlier this month.

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker

Oil was the main talking point after Opec decided against ramping up production in April.

The surprise decision taken by the organisation, which includes Saudi Arabia, Iran and a host of African countries, sent Brent crude prices almost 5 per cent higher to $67.20 per barrel  its highest level since January 2020.

Analysts said Saudi Arabia and its partners are trying to drain inventories and push up prices to near $80 per barrel before the pandemic subsides and economic activity returns to some normality.

Crude price: Opec, which includes Saudi Arabia, Iran and a host of African countries, has decided against ramping up production in April

The oil price rise was good news for the UKs largest oilers BP, up 2.7 per cent, or 8.2p, at 313.1p, and Shell, which gained 2.6 per cent, or 37.6p, to 1466.6p. BP said in October last year it can break even with Brent at $42 per barrel, while Shell is even lower at $36.

Neil Wilson, analyst at Markets, said: Happy days for UK oil, theyll hope the supply cuts keep on coming.

It is well known Saudi Arabia wants oil priced at $80 to $85 a barrel so the country can balance its country budget. Aside from Opec, the budget hangover also dominated proceedings.

Stock Watch - Proton Motor Power Systems Proton Motor Power Systems delivered a near-sixfold increase in orders last year. The AIM-listed firm, which designs, develops and produces hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen fuel cell electric hybrid systems, said its order intake hit 7.3million in 2020. That was up from 1.3million in 2019. At the same time, sales rose 138 per cent to 1.9million. Shares in the company  which peaked at 125p in January having been trading around 6p two years earlier  fell 7.2 per cent, or 5.5p, to 71p.

While many viewed the budget as anti-business, Goldman Sachs believe Chancellor Rishi Sunak  an ex-hedge fund manager  wont ever push through the corporation tax hike, adding that it is electioneering posturing.

Alain Durre, analyst at Goldman Sachs, said: We think there is more political strategy at play with the announced corporation tax hike.

The implementation is a year out from the next general election. We think the tax rise could well be cancelled as part of a pre-election sweetener campaign. The super-deduction over the next two years was greeted warmly in the City as it will boost listed companies with grand capital expenditure plans. These include the utility firms which spend heavily on pipes and machinery.

Electricity provider National Grid was up 2.4 per cent, or 19p ,at 829,2p and water supplier Pennon gained 2.3 per cent, or 20.4p, to 928p.

Other notable risers on the blue-chip index included Melrose Industries which posted a 120million profit, allowing the industrials buy out firm to restart dividend payments. Shares were up 3.7 per cent, or 6.55p, at 183.5p.

Aviva gained 1.2 per cent, or 4.70p, at 387.9p after the insurer completed its sell-off of international divisions to focus on the UK, Ireland and Canada. It also reported a profit of 2.9billion in 2020, compared with 2.7billion the previous year.

But overall the FTSE 100 fell 0.4 per cent, or 24.59 points, to 6650.88 as miners dragged the blue-chip index lower.

Analysts said the commodity super cycle had begun to ease and copper prices fell 4 per cent while nickel was down 7 per cent. This left Glencore down 4.5 per cent, or 13.4p, at 286.3p and Rio Tinto off by 4.4 per cent, or 268.37p, at 5878p.

The FTSE 250 fell 0.7 per cent, or 140.09 points, to 21,296.23 points.

And staying outside the top flight, housebuilder Vistry became the latest to reveal a further hit for cladding safety works in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

The group, which fell 3.5pc, or 32p, to 943p, is putting aside 20.9million after uncovering another ten buildings more than 59 ft high where it acted as developer and remediation work on cladding may be needed.

Details of the impact came as full-year results showed pre-tax profits dropped 43.5 per cent to 98.7million after the spring lockdown affected its first half.

But it cheered a strong second-half performance and said profits will bounce back sharply in 2021, with at least 310million expected on an underlying basis.

The group also resumed dividend payouts with a 20p final divi for 2020.
Nita M Ambani, philanthropist, chairperson and founder of the Reliance Foundation, has sent a mail to all Reliance employees and their family members, urging them to register for the government of India's COVID-19 vaccination programme, and the company would bear the full cost of the vaccination for the employee, spouse, parents and children.

In the mail, the non-executive director of said cherishing the health and happiness of our family is what it means to be part of a family--the Reliance family.

She said: "With your support, we will soon be able to put the pandemic behind us. Until then do not let your guard down. Continue to take the utmost safety and hygiene precautions. We are in the last stages of the collective battle. Together we must win and we will win."

Earlier, in the Reliance Family Day 2020 message, chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani had given assurances that as soon as any approved vaccine is available in India, Reliance would plan early vaccination for all employees and family members.

The government has now started the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination programme.

She concluded the letter, "Corona haarega, India Jeetega.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi: The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the BJP will deliberate on Friday to finalise party candidates for the first two phases of the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam.

The members of the CEC, which included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Sinh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, senior leader BL Santosh, also met on Thursday evening to discuss the names of probable candidates.

Among others who attended the meeting held at the party headquarters were Thawar Chand Gehlot, Jual Oram, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Bihar minister Shahnawaz Hussain.

Sources said the CEC is likely to finalise candidates for the seats that will go to the polls in the first two phases  (60) in West Bengal and (86) in Assam - of Assembly elections on March 27 and April 1.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonawal, party state in-charge Baijayant Panda and other senior leaders were present at the meeting, besides Assam poll in-charge Narendra Singh Tomar and co-incharge Jitendra Singh.

From West Bengal, party state in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya, state unit chief Dilip Ghosh, Union Ministers Babul Supriyo and Debasree Chaudhary, national Vice President Mukul Roy, Suvendu Adhikari and Rajib Banerjee were present at the meeting.

It has also emerged that ahead of the Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address 20 rallies in poll-bound West Bengal, responding to the huge demand of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders of these two states.

According to sources, the rallies are planned in such a way that all the 23 districts of West Bengal will be covered in these rallies. BJP functionaries including Kailash Vijayvargiya, national General Secretary, Mukul Roy, national Vice-President, Sanjay Singh, General Secretary and Swapan Dasgupta, MP, Rajya Sabha are looking into the preparations at Brigade Parade Ground, where PM Modi will address a public meeting on March 7 at Brigade Ground, Kolkata.

This will be PM Modi's first rally in West Bengal post the announcement of election dates by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also expected to release the first list of TMC candidates for the upcoming assembly polls today.

Ahead of the West Bengal assembly election, Trinamool Congress leaders held a meeting with ward presidents and coordinators in Kolkata on Thursday. Party leaders Abhishek Banerjee, Partha Chatterjee were among those present in the meeting at TMC Bhawan in Kolkata. The agenda of the meeting was to make the wards stronger. The party decided to put more flags and hoardings in the areas.

West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

West Bengal is likely to witness a triangular contest this time with TMC, Congress-Left alliance and BJP in the fray. While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking her third consecutive term, BJP has set a target of winning 200 seats in the 294-member state Assembly.

Congress and the Left have stitched the alliance for the polls and had already finalised the seat-sharing agreement. They are also in touch with the Indian Secular Front (ISF), recently floated by influential minority leader Abbas Siddique.

In the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections, out of the 294 seats, Congress had managed to win 44 seats while the Left Front bagged 33 seats. The ruling TMC secured 211 seats and the BJP had won 3 seats.

The BJP made deep inroads in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections winning 18 seats and reducing TMC's tally to 22. Out of the total 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal, Congress won two seats, the Left drew a blank.

After BJP's performance in the 2019 polls, several TMC leaders have joined the party led by JP Nadda.

Live TV
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 00:29:58|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JERUSALEM, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Ministry of Health reported 3,779 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, raising the total tally in the country to 796,465.

The death toll from the COVID-19 in Israel reached 5,834 after 13 new fatalities were added, while the number of patients in serious condition decreased from 699 to 690, out of 1,091 hospitalized patients.

The total recoveries in Israel rose to 750,661, with 4,930 newly recovered cases, while the number of active cases decreased to 39,970.

The number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Israel have surpassed 4.9 million, or 52.7 percent of its total population, since the vaccination campaign began on Dec. 20, 2020.

The country's COVID-19 reproduction number, also known as the R number, rose to 1.01, surpassing 1 for the first time since Jan. 20.

The R number is an indicator used to determine how fast the COVID-19 is spreading, as an R number greater than 1 means that the number of patients increases at an exponential rate and multiplies from time to time.

Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces said the number of active COVID-19 patients among its soldiers dropped to 411, the lowest figure in the Israeli army since Dec. 22, 2020. Enditem
by Sumon Corraya

Christians prepare for Easter in a Muslim-majority country. From my sincere service people recognise that I am Christian, says one Christian. Lent offerings fund new church construction for new Christians in remote areas.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - In Bangladesh Catholics live Lent with great solemnity, prayers, sacrifices and good deeds.

As a disciple of Christ, I try deeply to realise the meaning of Lent. In this period every week I attend the Way of the Cross and Sunday Mass, practising fasting and sacrifices, said Margarate Gomes, a Catholic nurse who works in a public hospital.

In this Muslim-majority country, Christians make up only 0.4 pe cent of the population.

Gomes says that she comes from a devoted Catholic family and learnt from her parents the importance of Lent; for this reason, she lives this time of purification with great intensity.

In childhood, I saw my parents fasting, praying and helping those in need. Now I do it too and from this I draw spiritual strength, Gomes explained.

As a nurse Margarate has the opportunity to bear witness to her faith through love and care. I do my best at my work with smiles, helping patients become stronger, she noted. From my sincere service people recognise that I am Christian.

Aknon Rozario also shares his story about Lent. I like the sermons of priests and I want to follow their teachings, said the young man who works as an electrician in a factory.

Once I was too busy playing with my mobile phone instead of praying or talking to my parents and siblings, said the 22-year-old, but now I pray and dedicate time to my relatives. I was encouraged to do so listening to sermons in church during Lent.

Paul Palma is a retiree. He gave up drinking during Lent. I earned a lot in my life, he explained. I had a good time. Now I feel that I should do something for others.

 instead of having fun, I like to give. I Give money to needy people who need treatment. I get pleasure from giving to others and Lent helps me do so, he added.

In this period, with fasting, giving up one meal, thousands of Catholics donate offerings to the Church, which are used to build new churches for new worshippers in remote areas. Every year hundreds of people become Christian.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Mumbai, March 5 : English actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who currently awaits the release of his upcoming film The Courier, says spies are interesting meat and drink for actors because there's always mask play and role play, and the shifts are very sudden and quick.

The Courier casts the Oscar nominee as Greville Wynne, a British Businessman who is recruited by MI-6 during the Cold War.

"This guy goes on an extraordinary journey. From being an ordinary businessman, one who is quite severely dyslexic, almost to the point of illiteracy, to being a conduit for the West to get the most important bit of secret information during the Cold War and The Cuban Missile Crisis!" he said.

The British star has always been intrigued by tales of secret agents.

Cumberbatch said: "Spies are interesting meat and drink for actors because there's always mask play and role play and the shifts are very sudden and quick." Directed by Dominic Cooke, The Courier is the incredible story of how an ordinary British civilian helps save the world. The film also features Rachel Brosnahan as well as Merab Ninidze and Jessie Buckley among others.

PVR Pictures is all set to release the film in theatres on March 19.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Rye Brook, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - Here To Serve Holding Corp. (OTC Pink: HTSC) is pleased to announce its wholly owned subsidiary, Fortune Nickel and Gold Inc. ("Fortune") has engaged Sharp Geophysical Solutions to review, reprocess, and identify potential drill targets over its newly acquired Beck-Ottaway Nickel Sulphide Project, located about 6 miles north of Canada Nickel Company's world-class Crawford Ni-Co-PGM deposit.

The Beck-Ottaway Project comprises 75 unpatented mining claims (3,750 acres) containing prospective nickel and gold. The data review reinforces the selection of targets for the upcoming drilling campaign. Fortune also controls the Gowan land package in the area for a total of approximately 9,000 acres in an established mining district adjacent to existing infrastructures north of Timmins, Ontario, Canada.

Paul Riss, CEO, said, "The commencement of the airborne survey review at our Beck-Ottaway Property is a vital step in unlocking the nickel sulphides, base metal and gold potential on our landholdings, which sits on the same geological setting as the Crawford deposit. Drilling assessment reports within the property has highlighted 3 drill holes in 1965 that intersected multiple anomalous nickel bearing zones up to 118 feet thick. Like the Crawford deposit, the nickel sulphide mineralization is also hosted in serpentinized-altered, dunite-peridotite rocks, in the form of fine-grained, disseminations of pentlandite-millerite-chalcopyrite-pyrite, with grades ranging from 0.10 up to 0.30% nickel. Historical drill holes at the north and west portion of the property have underlined anomalous copper and gold associated with massive sulphides, and shear-controlled quartz-carbonate veins."

"Our management is exceptionally excited about completing the airborne geophysical survey review, as the work from the geophysicist will directly assist our technical team to select priority drill targets at our Beck-Ottaway Nickel Sulphide Project," Paul Riss added.

The final overview, interpretation maps and technical report on the property, including softcopy deliverables from Sharp Geophysical Solutions are scheduled to be completed within the next four weeks.

About Here To Serve Holding Corp.

Here to Serve Holding Corp. is a holding company that hunts for undervalued assets in the mining, real estate, and securities industries. Run by an experienced team of professionals with diverse backgrounds, HTSC formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Fortune Nickel and Gold Inc. Fortune is dedicated to the global acquisition, exploration, and development of mining properties in prolific jurisdictions. Fortune recently acquired mining projects known as the Gowan and Beck- Ottaway properties located in the prolific Timmins Mining Camp in Ontario, Canada. The Gowan and Beck-Ottaway Projects are exciting mineral-rich properties in which company management and experienced mining professionals are moving quickly through the exploration stage. Through technology, science and the experts at Prairie Fire Enterprises, Fortune believes its flagship projects have substantial gold, base-metals and nickel sulphide potential. Please visit our web sites at www.heretoserve.tech and www.fortunenickelandgold.com.

For more information

Please call Investor Relations with any questions at 855-4NICKEL (855-464-2535) extension 1.

The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76179
The YSRC is facing the rebels problem in 14, 40, 44 divisions of Kadapa municipal corporation.  DC Image

Kadapa: Telugu Desam politburo member Reddeppagari Srinivasa Reddy has alleged that Kadapa MLA and deputy CM Amzath Basha is ignoring pleas to develop the city and remained busy with inauguration and dinner events.

Reddy demanded that the deputy CM tell the people what has developed in the city in the past two years. While campaigning in support of the 26th Division Telugu Desam candidate Chavalamudi Maunika here, the TD leader alleged that YSRC leaders have been going overboard. They were accused of intimidating candidates in municipal elections and committing atrocities by holding unanimous elections, he said.

The TD leader said Kadapa was developed during the terms of the Telugu Desam government. The YSRC government in power for two years initiated no development anywhere. The city would prosper if the Telugu Desam returned to power, he said.

On this occasion, some Muslim youths joined the TD under the leadership of Male Shiva. Srinivasa Reddy welcomed them into the party.

Rebel problem in YSRC

The YSR Congress has expelled ten local leaders from the party for violating organisational rules in the Kadapa municipal corporation elections. The party high command cancelled their basic membership and positions in the party.

The YSRC leadership has warned that legal action would be taken against them if it was proven that they used the names of YSR Congress leaders or the partys name in the current elections to their personal advantage.

The YSRC is facing the rebels problem in 14, 40, 44 divisions. Party seniors sought to convince the rebels to withdraw from the contest but they refused to do so. Following this, the partys city wing president Puli Sunil Kumar suspended them as per the orders from the high command.

The local leaders B. Vijay Kumar, G. Sudhakar, MD Alfons, Shivsankar (Chittibabu), Varadi Josef, Uppalapati Bhaskar, Obul Reddy, K. Chandra Obul Reddy, Illuri Jayaraju and Vellala Ramakrishna were suspended from the party.
Twelve people, including nine children, have been injured after a Florida middle school's roof partially collapsed on Friday morning.

The incident occurred at James S Rickards Middle School, in Oakland Park, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, around 10am.

Authorities told Local 10 News that the school principal heard two loud bangs before discovering that the roof above the media center had partially caved in.

According to Oakland Park spokeswoman Shannon Vezina, a water leak at the school caused the collapsed and has left behind extensive damage.

On Friday, around 10am, the roof of the media center at James S Rickards Middle School, in Oakland Park, Florida, partially collapsed (left and right). Officials say 12 people, including nine children, were rushed to the hospital

The media center's roof was undergoing construction at time, but no one was in the center when it collapsed

Dramatic cellphone footage showed the roof caved in with electrical wires and pipes scattered all over the floor.

A room painted bright blue with flowers is completed surrounded by rubble.

The school district told WSVN that the roof of the school's media center was under construction when it collapsed.

Although no students or staff were inside the media center at the time, 12 people complained of ailments such as nausea, headaches or anxiety, the station reported.

At least five were taken to Holy Cross Hospital for observation.

'Before 10 o' clock this morning, the principal of Rickards Middle was in his office when he heard a noise which was followed by a subsequent noise,' Keyla Concepcion with Broward County Public Schools, said in a statement.

'When he went out to investigate and see where the noise was coming from, that's where he realized that the media center, which is currently under construction, the roof collapsed.

'Fortunately, no student or faculty members were inside the media center. Everyone has been evacuated to Northeast High School next door.'

At the time of the collapse, there were 184 students and 55 faculty members inside the school, reported WSVN.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Chief Stephen Krivjanik said his team sent dogs inside the building to ensure no one was trapped under the rubble.

'Luckily, through our search and our primaries and the great attentiveness of the school principal and their staff, they were able to evacuate everybody, get all the construction people out, so everyone was accounted for,' he told WSVN.

'But just to be sure, we always do routinely another secondary search, we also brought a dog in to search the entire school to make sure no one was in there and also a drone to check to make sure there was no one on the roof that maybe got hurt during the collapse.'

Fort Lauderdale Fire Chief Stephen Krivjanik said his team sent dogs inside the building to ensure no one was trapped under the rubble

Oakland Park spokeswoman Shannon Vezina said a water leak at the school caused the collapsed and has left behind extensive damage

Parents were told that they could pick up their children from if they wish.

One mother expressed their fear to WSVN.'

'My son called me and said that the roof had collapsed at the school and he was scared, so he said he had to crawl through some hole to get to the roof to be able to leave the school, so I'm not sure what's going on,' one parent said.

'I panicked. I left the house right away with no purse, no nothing. I'm just hoping that everything's okay.'

An investigation is currently underway and all utilities have been shut off so investigators can determine the extent of the damage, reported CBS Miami.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Broward County Public Schools for a request for comment .
The worlds largest scientific society has named a Xavier University graduate who was raised in New Orleans as its president-elect. Gilda Barabino began her one-year term with the American Association for the Advancement of Science last week, a prelude to a year as president then a year as chairwoman.

The association is the worlds leading scientific professional organization and publishes the journal Science.

Science has the power to change the world, said Barabino, a biomedical engineering professor and president of Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Massachusetts. Harnessing that power requires science for all in service of humanity. I am excited to join the leadership of AAAS and contribute to the advancement of its mission in new and transformative ways.

In July, Barabino became the second president of Olin College, established in 1997. Noted for her work on sickle cell disease and cellular and tissue engineering, she also is a biomedical engineering professor at the college. Previously she was dean at City College of New York.

She founded the National Institute for Faculty Equity and is a member of the National Academies Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women in Science, Engineering and Medicine.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Gilda Barabino Gilda Barabino, a Xavier University graduate raised in New Orleans, is the new president-elect of American Association for the Advancement of 

An Olin College spokeswoman said Barabino's parents were originally from New Orleans but that her father served in the military and she was born in Alaska. She was raised in New Orleans, attended Benjamin Franklin High School and stayed for her undergraduate studies at Xavier, the spokeswoman said. She said Barabinos mother still lives in New Orleans.

Don Boesch, another renowned scientist from New Orleans and the former president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, called Barabinos selection a major achievement, not only for her but for New Orleans in general.

The president of the AAAS is one of the most prestigious positions in all of science, Boesch said. That Dr. Barabino could achieve this distinction should encourage all children in New Orleans that through hard work and determination they too can achieve great things.

Before becoming an award-winning scientist and member of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, Barabino obtained her bachelors degree in chemistry at Xavier. She acquired a doctorate at Rice University and in 2016 was awarded an honorary degree by Xavier. She now sits on Xaviers board of directors.

Q. Your father, James, and mother, Lillie, were in the RAF, and as a boy you travelled extensively as they moved to different postings.

A. We lived around the UK and, for three years, lived in Singapore where Id a dingo, an Australian dog, and a spider monkey called Suki. When I was nine, my dad was sent back to Bishopscourt in Northern Ireland and we lived in Newcastle. From there we moved to Wales.

Q. Youve never spoken publicly about getting a juvenile caution... what happened?

A. I dont know whether I should be quoted about this... okay, I got into a bit of trouble with the law in Wales. I was 14 and continually being provoked and bullied by young people on my way home from school about what was happening in Belfast. That led to a confrontation. I was foolish to respond. I received a juvenile caution and part of the condition of that was that Id leave Wales and stay with my aunt in east Belfast. Later, working in law enforcement, Id tell the story and joke: So you take a child with some aggressive tendencies and anger issues and send them back to 1970s Belfast. Mum, dad and my sister, Dawn, moved back six months later when they got their transfers sorted out. We settled in a council estate in Bangor, where I was very happy. I went to Bangor Boys Secondary School. As a young police inspector handing out my first juvenile caution, I told the culprit: Its not what youve done that matters, its what you do next. Everyone is entitled to make mistakes and everyone is entitled to a second chance.

Q. Despite that brush with the law, you joined the Army.

A. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I was on a train to Belfast with my best friend, Marty Rodgers, a Catholic. Suddenly, we decided to go to the Army recruiting office at Palace Barracks. That was a Wednesday, and the following Sunday night we were on the boat to England, over to Sutton Coldfield. Marty joined the Parachute Regiment but suffered an injury during training, went home and was tragically killed in a motorbike accident when he was just 19. At Sutton Coldfield, they put you through psychometric tests. My aptitude tilted towards policing, so I joined the Royal Corps of Military Police. After six months training in Chichester, I was posted to West Berlin. The wall was still there, so it was an ideal place to do your apprenticeship in policing a divided society.

Q. Two years later, you asked to be transferred to Northern Ireland. Why?

A. I wanted to be nearer family. I was attached to a unit that worked with the bomb squad. I was engaged to Jean, and it seemed a natural progression to join the RUC.

Q. You began your policing career as a uniformed constable in Andersonstown, before moving to Londonderry, first as a sergeant with the Mobile Support Unit and then in the Strand Road barracks. After a stint as an instructor in the training centre, you were an inspector in Fermanagh before becoming head of Special Branch in Belfast, latterly with the PSNI. Did you fear for your life?

A. Everyone thinks it will never be them, but you worry about your family. Youd a mirror to check under your car for booby-trap bombs. It was surreal. As an instructor at the end of new recruits first week, youd show them a video called The Next Target. It included footage of families whose lives had been destroyed after a loved one was killed. In some instances, young children too. One story on The Next Target that resonated with everyone was that of the policeman who got into the car with his young, blond-haired son. As they drove off, the car bomb exploded. The child was killed and thrown hundreds of yards from the vehicle, and in the video you could see where that had happened. Usually, four or five recruits didnt return the following week. Those who stayed shared a close bond. In an organisation under siege, whose members were being hunted down and killed because of the uniform they wore, there was a great comradeship.

Q. Did you lose close friends?

A. You couldnt be in the RUC and not do so. On the night of the IRA mortar attack on Newry RUC station (in 1985), when seven men and two women went to work and never went home, I was on patrol in west Belfast. We were called back to the station to be briefed about it by a senior officer. The sense of loss was awful. We were told not to stop anyone or engage with street disorder in case our emotion was such that we over-reacted and let down colleagues. After horrible events, people did awful things. Youd get vicious, cruel, malign phone calls into the station and yet youd go out in the heart of west Belfast, where people, when they felt no one was looking, would say: That was terrible. Look after yourself, son. We live in a country where nothing is black and white.

Q. Working in Special Branch must have brought huge pressures.

A. It was difficult, complex and very, very complicated. You were combating what was one of the most ruthless terrorist organisations in the world, the IRA, and one of the most bloody-minded outfits, loyalist terrorists. You had a number of assets: technical and human surveillance  either police or Army street patrols  and informers. Analysis of the information they provided would indicate what might happen. Ronnie Flanagan said that we were stopping four out of every five terrorist incidents, but when you got it wrong, the results could be devastating. Often those who worked in Special Branch got no credit for saving Catholic and Protestant lives because you wouldnt want to draw attention as to how that information came into your hands.

Q. Do you think the Troubles will ever give up much of its secrets?

A. We need a process where the truth is told, whereby Catholic or Protestant families, families of security force members or others are able to access as much of the truth as they can about what happened to their loved ones. Should files be released? Yes. You can redact details that would identify a human source, but theres also lots of intelligence that came from other means, where its the horses mouth that damns the individual that committed the act. The only people with anything to fear should the Government press play on those transcripts would be some of those who pontificate today about human rights and wrongs but whod be blushing if the things they said or did were exposed. Lets have an honest reflection on who did what, where and when, and then draw some kind of line and move on. Until then, well have different factions wanting to rewrite the part that they played because, when they look at themselves in the mirror, they cant face the horrible reality of who they are and what they did.

Q. After being promoted to Assistant Chief Constable, you became deputy director general of the National Crime Squad, where you oversaw Operation Ore, a review into the distribution of online child abuse images, then were appointed first chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre.

A. The experience I had in Special Branch locating missing terrorists paid dividends in CEOP. Our precursor, the UK Serious Sexual Offenders Unit, had a 7% success rate locating missing high-risk sex offenders. When I finished in CEOP, we had an 87% success rate.

Q. Seeing how some abused children must have felt like staring into the heart of darkness

A. Its difficult. When you viewed those images, you looked beyond the brutalisation to the furniture in the room to try and get a clue to help you to locate where that child was so that you could rescue them. We used counter-terrorist methodology. Ive seen mans inhumanity to man, what organised gangsters will do to others in pursuit of money, what terrorists will do to one another and to innocent civilians, but Ive never seen anything as brutal, as inhumane, as the images I was exposed to when I was in CEOP.

Q. Of course, the most high-profile missing child case youve been involved in is that of Madeleine McCann (3), who went missing in Praia da Luz in Portugal in 2007.

A. During the Operation Ore prosecutions, Id experienced trolling. Someone asked me what kind of person was I to name my two daughters, Holly and Jessica, after the murder victims of Ian Huntley. My girls had been born long before those children perished. But the trolling with the McCann case is on a different scale. All those people pouring bile onto the internet about Kate and Gerry are creating a digital swamp that Sean and Amelie, Madeleines brother and sister, will have to wade through as they become digital citizens.

Q. What do you think of the German suspect, Christian Brueckner?

A. Hes the best suspect in the 13 years that Ive been involved. The circumstantial evidence gives him opportunities, and his previous history provides evidence that hed be motivated. Only time will tell, but I believe the case will be solved in my lifetime.

Q. You lost your sister, Dawn Coulter, last August to lung cancer.

A. Dawn was the salt of the earth. Shed have done anything for anyone. She married a guy from Bangor. They got married, had their family and built their lives in the town. My dad died at 64 from stomach cancer and mum died at 62 from a cardiac arrest, so there was just the two of us. We didnt need to see each other every day, but there was a huge bond. Death during the pandemic was particularly challenging. Dawns family and I will be forever grateful for every act of kindness the nursing staff at the Ulster Hospital showed us. She was diagnosed at stage three but moved rapidly to stage four. Fortunately, her husband and I could wear PPE and be with her at the end. We were allowed around 30 at Roselawn, though much of that is a blur.

Q. Are you religious?

A. At different times in my life, Id have given you different answers. Am I a church-going person? No. Do I believe in God? Yes. Like everybody else, when something goes badly wrong, I want someone to blame. If theres no one else, God will do. Faith is about hope things can improve for the better. Ive seen awful things but also amazing things, like people on both sides who suffered in the Troubles but who have forgiven one another and formed friendships. That speaks to the real nature of humanity.

Q. You were one of three candidates short-listed for the job of Chief Constable in 2009, when Matt Baggott was appointed. Hows current incumbent Simon Byrne doing?

A. People say to me Youd a close call, but I really wanted it. I worked with very strong Chief Constables, like Jack Hermon and Ronnie Flanagan. Without him, the peace process couldnt have been delivered in the way it was. Hugh Orde knew what needed to be fixed. George Hamilton understood politics but also the fundamental independence needed to navigate policing in Northern Ireland. Simon has come in at a difficult time and I dont think hed in-depth experience of Northern Ireland. He came in to modernise policing, which is always difficult, but I dont see clarity of leadership or the consistency thats needed in Northern Ireland. Mind you, whod want his job in the current environment?

Q. You run the INEQE Safeguarding Group, which works to make the online world safer for children.

A. This business started as two retired people talking about what they might do in someones kitchen. We began with two staff and now have 34. Were the largest independent safeguarding company in the UK and Ireland. Weve contracts with the biggest education providers in the country, are delivering the Safer Schools app across Northern Ireland and are signing up a major sporting body. We carried out the review of Oxfam Great Britain and have just finished a review of the Princes Trust.

Q. Tell us something surprising about yourself?

A. Ive a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. I dont like TV detective shows like Line of Duty  Im always complaining that would never happen in real life  but I like Jimmy Nesbitt and am recording Bloodlands, so Ill give it a go. Im a big Downton Abbey fan and have watched it three times. I also have a Crossmaglen all-Ireland GAA shirt signed by the team on my office wall. I was a guest at the club and was welcomed with open arms. I learnt a lot too. Its an environment primarily about family and community. More recently, they asked me to support a bid for European funding to transition the old security force base into something new, and I was happy to do that.

Q. Do you feel hopeful for Northern Ireland?

A. Weve got to get past where we are. Politics has got to move more to the centre ground. I see myself as a small-U unionist, and I cringe at some DUP politicians, I wish theyd park the unhelpful, provocative rhetoric. I also find it very difficult to listen to the rhetoric from some Sinn Fein politicians that rewrites a narrative. You simply cannot justify the unjustifiable, no matter how hard you try. We all need to do what we can to leave the past behind us. Were facing a more tense period than we have in a long time and I hear lots of people calling for calm heads and for appropriate language, yet in the same sentence theyll point the finger of blame and provoke. But things have been worse, much worse. We will get through this, too.




ROME, MAR 5 - Italy's average COVID-19 Rt reproduction number has risen to 1.06 and the general risk level has increased for the fifth consecutive week, according to the weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS). The Rt has gone back above the crucial threshold of 1 one after seven weeks. The Rt was 0.99 in last week's monitoring report. COVID-19 contagion has been rising sharply in Italy after the arrival of new, more contagious variants of the virus, including the British one, which has become the predominant form. The report said 10 regions/autonomous provinces had a Rt over 1 and in Molise it was over 1.25 It said five regions/autonomous provinces were over the mark of 250 cases in a week for every 100,000 inhabitants - a threshold above which it is necessary to impose the most stringent mitigation measures - the province of Trento (385.02 cases for every 100.000 inhabitants), the province of Bolzano (376.99), Emilia-Romagna (342.08), Marche (265.16) and Lombardy (254.44). It said only two regions, Sardinia and Umbria, had not reported alert signals, while Campania and Lombardy had reported multiple alarm signals, ISS chief Silvio Brusaferro told a press conference that outbreaks were down in care homes but some new ones had appeared in hospitals, while contagion was now "above all at a family level". He said the contagion curve was showing a new growth in cases. Brusaferro said there was a rapid progression in the spread of the virus. He called for "radical and prompt" moves to stem the spread of virus variants. health ministry prevention chief Gianni Rezza called for "stringent" measures against the Brazilian variant, saying it was a "critical moment" for Italy's virus fight. A separate report on the impact of the pandemic complied by the ISS and statistics agency ISTAT said that Italy registered 108,178 more deaths between March and December 2020 than it did on average in the same period in the years 2015-2019. Italy's COVID mortality rates were 14.5% in the north, 6.8% in the centre, and 5.2% in the south of the country last year, that report said. By age group, the rates were 4.6% in the 0-49 bracket, 9.2% in the 50-64 one, 12.4% in the 65-79 group and 9.6% in the over 80s. ISS and ISTAT added that there were 52,000 more deaths in the second COVID wave from October to December, with respect to previous years. The most deaths were in the over-80s, 486,255, up 76,708 on the previous five-year period. Deaths in Lombardy, the region most affected by the coronavirus, were up 11.8% from March to May 2020, while deaths in Marche were up 27.7% (ANSA).
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is pleading with former President Donald Trump not to take revenge on Republicans who have crossed him.

Politico Playbook reported Friday that McCarthy has specifically asked Trump not to go after the 10 House Republicans who voted in favor of his second impeachment in January.

Trump called them all out by name during his Sunday appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference, telling the audience, 'Get rid of them all!'

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has been pleading with former President Donald Trump, asking him not to go after the 10 House Republicans who voted in favor of his January impeachment

Former President Donald Trump (left) is photographed with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (right) when the two Republicans met in late January. Politico Playbook reported Friday that McCarthy is trying to convince Trump not to engage in a GOP civil war

The ex-president's threat will likely lead to a series of MAGA-versus-moderate GOP primaries, and could cost McCarthy the chance to retake the House, which historically is in his grasp.

On Thursday Trump signaled that he's going to go forward with the so-called GOP civil war, as he issued another statement from Mar-a-Lago blasting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Trump accused McConnell of blowing two elections in Georgia that cost Republicans the Senate majority.

The two incumbent Republican candidates, Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, lost their run-off races on January 5 as Trump was attacking Georgia's state election officials and sending out a confused message to potential GOP voters on whether their votes would actually count.

Many GOP strategists blamed the losses on Trump's refusal to concede the presidential election.

McConnell had given Trump breathing room to air out his election grievances in the run-up to the run-offs, as he pushed the then-president to campaign for Perdue and Loeffler.

Trump campaigned with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler the day before her loss. He blamed McConnell, but not his own role contesting election results

McConnell denounced Trump and said he 'provoked' the riot in a speech after he voted to acquit Trump in inciting insurrection

But on January 6, even before the Capitol riot, McConnell said on the floor the 2020 presidential election was over.

After the attack, McConnell denounced Trump.

Later, after Trump was acquitted on impeachment charges, the GOP Senate leader delivered a blistering speech where he said Trump 'provoked' the insurrection.

In his statement, Trump slammed McConnell for yielding to his caucus and supporting $600 checks for Americans, rather than the $2,000 Trump backed late in negotiations of the December COVID stimulus bill  and ripped a Senate GOP group for its Georgia effort.

'Even more stupidly, the National Republican Senatorial Committee spent millions of dollars on ineffective TV ads starring Mitch McConnell, the most unpopular politician in the country, who only won in Kentucky because President Trump endorsed him. He would have lost badly without this endorsement,' Trump claimed.

At CPAC, Trump also went after McConnell - and every senator to vote for his conviction.

On Sunday, former President Donald Trump went after, by name, every Republican who was pro-impeachment during his appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida

'The Democrats don't have grandstanders like Mitt Romney, Little Ben Sasse, Richard Burr, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Pat Toomey. And in the House, Tom Rice, South Carolina, Adam Kinzinger, Dan Newhouse, Anthony Gonzalez, that's another beauty. Fred Upton, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Peter Meijer, John Katko, David Valadao and of course, the warmonger, the person that loves seeing our troops fighting, Liz Cheney. How about that?' Trump said.

The ex-president floated that the only reason why McConnell still had a job was because of the Trump endorsement.

'My endorsement of Mitch McConnll, at his request ... brought him from one point down to 20 points up and he won his race,' Trump said.

Prior to McCarthy getting involved, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, a top Trump ally, warned of the risks of a civil war in the party, and like McCarthy, flew to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump.

'Mitch McConnell working with Donald Trump did a hell of a job. They are now at each other's throat. I'm more worried about 2022 than I've ever been. I don't want to eat our own,' Graham cautioned.

Politico's Playbook also reported that Trump is cracking down on which Republicans can use his name as they vie for re-election.

Trump's team has told Republican candidates and committees that they need explicit approval before using Trump in their branding.

The ex-president has famously made millions on the Trump name.

Pipeline

5 March 2021

The Ultra-Luxury Brand Unveils the Design Team and 2024 Opening Date for the Highly Anticipated London Hotel.

Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, in partnership with renowned real estate developer Qatari Diar, is pleased to announce the latest plans for the brand's second London property, set to open in 2024 in the city's distinguished Mayfair district. Officially named The Chancery Rosewood, the new hotel will realize Rosewood Hotels & Resorts' signature A Sense of Place philosophy, which takes the local sensibilities of a destination to inform the property experience provided there, in myriad ways, including expert-led design and decor. Balancing the rich history of the iconic building with contemporary comforts prioritized by today's luxury traveler, the hotel will showcase architecture restoration by British architect Sir David Chipperfield of David Chipperfield Architects and interiors by French architect Joseph Dirand.

The Chancery Rosewood's name graciously pays homage to the building's storied past and lasting legacy. Originally built by architect Eero Saarinen in 1960, the mid-twentieth century Mayfair landmark previously housed the United States embassy and was the first purpose-built chancery in London. Saarinen's grand facade commanded attention over the western border of Grosvenor Square, with the building becoming tantamount with the United Kingdom's diplomatic relationship with the United States.

The building's original features and mid-century design details, including the iconic Grade II facade and diagrid ceiling, will be retained through a meticulous preservation process undertaken by David Chipperfield Architects, with a mission to reinforce and enhance Saarinen's original vision of a 'palace on the park.' This exercise will extend into the interiors, the design of which will be led by the globally renowned Joseph Dirand, a longtime admirer of Saarinen. Dirand will honor the legacy of the celebrated Saarinen while simultaneously infusing his own signature style of art de vivre, ensuring each individual space is intimate and glamorous. Taking inspiration from the sophistication of the 1920s and the creativity and glamour of the 1960s, the design scheme will draw from a warm, rich color palette and feature refined, Art Deco-style detailing, walnut paneling and marble and brass accents, altogether channeling the ambiance of a traditional British gentlemen's club. Slated to be both the first five-star hotel and first U.K. hotel to ever receive a BREEAM outstanding rating for sustainable development, the property truly showcases the powers of sustainability.

Upon completion, The Chancery Rosewood will deliver Rosewood's iconic residential atmosphere through 139 thoughtfully designed guestrooms and suites, as well as revitalized public spaces and dining venues designed by Tristan Auer and Bar Studio. Additional amenities and facilities consist of a Yabu Pushelberg designed Asaya integrative wellness facility, five retail outlets and a selection of meeting and events spaces including a 750-guest ballroom. The hotel will mark Rosewood Hotels & Resorts' second property in London and sixth in Europe.
Shanahan Family Law is a Sunshine Coast based family law practice that can assist with stressful family law matters Australia wide (excluding WA). Our FREE Consultation service involves us carefully assessing your individual requirements and offering you effective solutions to save you time and money. We are committed to helping you amicably resolve any dispute related to family concerns, from Divorce applications, Child/Parenting applications, to Property settlements of financial matters and 
A new report from The Intercept presents strong evidence that Mitch McConnell is preparing to leave office before his Senate term expires. Coincidentally or not, this report closely follows release of a report by the Department of Transportations Inspector General stating that McConnels wife, Elaine Chao, used her office staff to promote her wealthy familys shipping interests, and could face federal prosecution.

Currently, if Senate Minority Leader McConnell were to leave his Senate seat, his successor would be named by Kentuckys Governor Andrew Beshear, a Democrat, leaving wide open the possibility of handing an actual 51-49 Senate majority to Chuck Schumer, and liberating Kamala Harris from her role as a tiebreaker and freeing her to take over more duties from fading Joe Biden. According to The Intercept, McConnell is working closely with the Kentucky legislature to change the manner in which a successor is chosen.

[N]ew legislation McConnell is pushing in the Kentucky General Assembly would strip the governor of that power and put it into the hands of the state GOP. (snip) The new legislation, Senate Bill 228  dubbed by some inside the state Legislature as the Daniel Cameron [McConnells protege] Election Bill  was filed on February 10, 2021, during the Kentucky General Assemblys 30-day short session. The bill alters current state statute that allows the governor to appoint a replacement in the event of a vacancy to the U.S. Senate. If the bill becomes law, the appointment to fill a vacancy will be selected from a list of three names submitted by the state executive committee of the same political party as the senator who held the vacant seat. According to the bill, the appointee from that list will then serve until a successor has been elected by voters. The legislation goes on to list instructions on when elections take place in the event of a vacancy.

According to some sources, this is nothing new:

Republican state Sen. Tom Buford, the single co-sponsor on the bill brought by Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, said there has been a discussion for several years about changing the way Kentucky replaces U.S. senators.

Maybe so. After all, McConnell is 79 years old, and his Senate term lasts until 2026. But how many members of the Beltway aristocracy want to hand over the reins of power before they have to? There is zero evidence that McConnell is impaired in the way that President Biden sems to be.

According to the Intercept, successors are already lined up:

Inside a small two-story house that carries McConnells name, the leadership of the Republican Party of Kentucky is monitoring plans, and according to some, there are already discussions on who could replace him in the event of a vacancy for his seat. There are already three names that consistently come up on the potential list. (snip) It was McConnell who ensured an endorsement for Daniel Cameron from Trump; McConnell also secured a speaking role at the Republican National Convention and an Oval Office meeting for Cameron, who served as McConnells general counsel and has a father-son relationship with the senator. Likewise, when many expressed doubts over Kelly Crafts lack of experience and continual absence from her previous post, it was McConnell who shepherded the megadonor through the Senate confirmation process for the U.N. ambassadorship. His ties to Craft date back to 2004. Michael Adams is not as close to the minority leader as the others on the list, but he does run in the same circles as those in McConnells inner circle, like Scott Jennings, who ran a super PAC that spent millions to bolster McConnells reelection efforts in the bluegrass state.

Incidentally, The GOP majority in both houses of the Kentucky Legislature is large enough to override a veto by the Democrat governor.

Meanwhile, McConnells wife, Elaine Chao, who comes from a very wealthy family in the shipping business that does massive business with China, may be facing a world of hurt. The New York Times reports:

While serving as transportation secretary during the Trump administration, Elaine Chao repeatedly used her office staff to help family members who run a shipping business with extensive ties to China, a report released Wednesday by the Transportation Departments inspector general concluded. The inspector general referred the matter to the Justice Department in December for possible criminal investigation. But in the weeks before the end of Trump administration, two Justice Department divisions declined to do so.

Am I being too cynical if I wonder about a possible deal to spare the Mrs from DOJ prosecution if her hubby gets out of Dodge?

Or am I too naive and trusting, at least compared to Sundance of The Last Refuge, who sees a far darker plot:

McConnell is fully exposed now; people can finally see through his schemes and understand his motives and maneuvers. (snip) As we noted following the election, the business model of selling votes is no longer as lucrative. McConnell and Harry Reid created and then held the UniParty power system as a system for affluence and influence. However, McConnells signature legacy item will be his role in eliminating the filibuster and turning the senate into a simple majority system. In order to give the appearance of his opposition to this move, despite his years of working earnestly toward it, McConnell will exit very soon after the filibuster is eliminated. He will then blame the elimination of the filibuster as the excuse for his departure. This is the Machiavellian way he operates.

Or maybe it is simply the wrath of Trump, following McConnells denunciation of him over January 6.

Despite his many faults, McConnell has an incredibly valuable skill set. His mastery of the Senates arcane rules has enabled him to seed the federal judiciary with a boatload of conservative judges. I cant really hold him responsible for the disappointments rendered byt the Supreme Court justices he shepherded into power. He can play an important role in slowing down and even stopping the worst of the Biden agenda from becoming law.

I dont honor McConnell as a conservative dreamboat, but I do appreciate the man for what he can do, if he uses his power to advance the conservative agenda, even if he is far from perfect.

Caricature by Donkey Hotey (cropped) CC BY-2.0 license
Fluctuations in net proton production hint at a possible 'critical point' marking a change in the way nuclear matter transforms from one phase to another

UPTON, NYPhysicists studying collisions of gold ions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science user facility for nuclear physics research at DOEs Brookhaven National Laboratory, are embarking on a journey through the phases of nuclear matterthe stuff that makes up the nuclei of all the visible matter in our universe. A new analysis of collisions conducted at different energies shows tantalizing signs of a critical pointa change in the way that quarks and gluons, the building blocks of protons and neutrons, transform from one phase to another. The findings, just published by RHICs STAR Collaboration in the journal Physical Review Letters, will help physicists map out details of these nuclear phase changes to better understand the evolution of the universe and the conditions in the cores of neutron stars.

If we are able to discover this critical point, then our map of nuclear phasesthe nuclear phase diagrammay find a place in the textbooks, alongside that of water, said Bedanga Mohanty of Indias National Institute of Science and Research, one of hundreds of physicists collaborating on research at RHIC using the sophisticated STAR detector.

As Mohanty noted, studying nuclear phases is somewhat like learning about the solid, liquid, and gaseous forms of water, and mapping out how the transitions take place depending on conditions like temperature and pressure. But with nuclear matter, you cant just set a pot on the stove and watch it boil. You need powerful particle accelerators like RHIC to turn up the heat.

RHICs highest collision energies melt ordinary nuclear matter (atomic nuclei made of protons and neutrons) to create an exotic phase called a quark-gluon plasma (QGP). Scientists believe the entire universe existed as QGP a fraction of a second after the Big Bangbefore it cooled and the quarks bound together (glued by gluons) to form protons, neutrons, and eventually, atomic nuclei. But the tiny drops of QGP created at RHIC measure a mere 10-13 centimeters across (thats 0.0000000000001 cm) and they last for only 10-23 seconds! That makes it incredibly challenging to map out the melting and freezing of the matter that makes up our world.

Strictly speaking if we dont identify either the phase boundary or the critical point, we really cant put this [QGP phase] into the textbooks and say that we have a new state of matter, said Nu Xu, a STAR physicist at DOEs Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

To track the transitions, STAR physicists took advantage of the incredible versatility of RHIC to collide gold ions (the nuclei of gold atoms) across a wide range of energies.

RHIC is the only facility that can do this, providing beams from 200 billion electron volts (GeV) all the way down to 3 GeV. Nobody can dream of such an excellent machine, Xu said.

The changes in energy turn the collision temperature up and down and also vary a quantity known as net baryon density that is somewhat analogous to pressure. Looking at data collected during the first phase of RHICs beam energy scan from 2010 to 2017, STAR physicists tracked particles streaming out at each collision energy. They performed a detailed statistical analysis of the net number of protons produced. A number of theorists had predicted that this quantity would show large event-by-event fluctuations as the critical point is approached.

The reason for the expected fluctuations comes from a theoretical understanding of the force that governs quarks and gluons. That theory, known as quantum chromodynamics, suggests that the transition from normal nuclear matter (hadronic protons and neutrons) to QGP can take place in two different ways. At high temperatures, where protons and anti-protons are produced in pairs and the net baryon density is close to zero, physicists have evidence of a smooth crossover between the phases. Its as if protons gradually melt to form QGP, like butter gradually melting on a counter on a warm day. But at lower energies, they expect whats called a first-order phase transitionan abrupt change like water boiling at a set temperature as individual molecules escape the pot to become steam. Nuclear theorists predict that in the QGP-to-hadronic-matter phase transition, net proton production should vary dramatically as collisions approach this switchover point.

At high energy, there is only one phase. The system is more or less invariant, normal, Xu said. But when we change from high energy to low energy, you also increase the net baryon density, and the structure of matter may change as you are going through the phase transition area.

Its just like when you ride an airplane and you get into turbulence, he added. You see the fluctuationboom, boom, boom. Then, when you pass the turbulencethe phase of structural changesyou are back to normal into the one-phase structure.

In the RHIC collision data, the signs of this turbulence are not as apparent as food and drinks bouncing off tray tables in an airplane. STAR physicists had to perform whats known as higher order correlation function statistical analysis of the distributions of particleslooking for more than just the mean and width of the curve representing the data to things like how asymmetrical and skewed that distribution is.

The oscillations they see in these higher orders, particularly the skew (or kurtosis), are reminiscent of another famous phase change observed when transparent liquid carbon dioxide suddenly becomes cloudy when heated, the scientists say. This critical opalescence comes from dramatic fluctuations in the density of the CO2variations in how tightly packed the molecules are.

In our data, the oscillations signify that something interesting is happening, like the opalescence, Mohanty said.

Yet despite the tantalizing hints, the STAR scientists acknowledge that the range of uncertainty in their measurements is still large. The team hopes to narrow that uncertainty to nail their critical point discovery by analyzing a second set of measurements made from many more collisions during phase II of RHICs beam energy scan, from 2019 through 2021.

The entire STAR collaboration was involved in the analysis, Xu notes, with a particular group of physicistsincluding Xiaofeng Luo (and his student, Yu Zhang), Ashish Pandav, and Toshihiro Nonaka, from China, India, and Japan, respectivelymeeting weekly with the U.S. scientists (over many time zones and virtual networks) to discuss and refine the results. The work is also a true collaboration of the experimentalists with nuclear theorists around the world and the accelerator physicists at RHIC. The latter group, in Brookhaven Labs Collider-Accelerator Department, devised ways to run RHIC far below its design energy while also maximizing collision rates to enable the collection of the necessary data at low collision energies.

We are exploring uncharted territory, Xu said. This has never been done before. We made lots of efforts to control the environment and make corrections, and we are eagerly awaiting the next round of higher statistical data, he said.

###

This study was supported by the DOE Office of Science, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and a wide range of international funding agencies listed in the paper. RHIC operations are funded by the DOE Office of Science. Data analysis was performed using computing resources at the RHIC and ATLAS Computing Facility (RACF) at Brookhaven Lab, the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and via the Open Science Grid consortium.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Science. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https:/ / energy. gov/ science .

Follow @BrookhavenLab on Twitter or find us on Facebook.

2021-17357 | INT/EXT | Newsroom

Media contacts
Houghton Lake Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Crime Charges

Houghton Lake Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Crime Charges

Kelly Rossman-McKinney 517-512-9342 Attorney General

March 5, 2021

LANSING  A Roscommon County man pleaded guilty to child sex crime charges Thursday in Shiawassee County Circuit Court, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today.

Michael Clune, 50, of Houghton Lake, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under age 13, and one count of aggravated child sexually abusive activity. He will be sentenced as a habitual second offender. He entered the plea before 35th Circuit Court Judge Matthew Stewart.

Clune used the internet to communicate with a 12-year-old boy and coerced the boy into meeting him. After picking the boy up from his home, Clune took him to a hotel and engaged in sexual activity with the minor in Shiawassee County. The Attorney Generals office announced several charges against Clune in October.

Clune was arrested for similar activity in Clare County. After the Michigan State Police forensically analyzed his computer devices, they became aware of other victims. Detectives determined a child sexually abusive video on Clunes phone was created in Shiawassee County. After further investigation, a victim was identified and Clune was charged.

My office stands ready to aggressively enforce the laws that protect our children from harm, and anyone who violates those rules will see justice served, Nessel said. I appreciate the efforts of Clare County Prosecutor Michelle Ambrozaitis, the Clare Police Department, Michigan State Police and the prosecutors in my office for all their work on this case.

Additional charges against Clune remain in Clare County for third-degree criminal sexual conduct, sodomy, accosting a minor for immoral purpose and using a computer to commit a crime. Clune has similar charges in Roscommon County including four counts of aggravated child sexually abusive activity and four counts of using a computer to commit a crime. Clune was previously convicted of two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Wayne County in 2004.

Clune will spend a minimum of 25 years in prison for the charges in Shiawassee County.
Jammu, March 5 : Young activists from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday held a conference to revive Sufism and promote peace and coexistence in the Union Territory.

The event which took place in North Kashmir's Ganderbal district, was conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Youth Development Forum (JKYDF), an organisation comprising young activists from Kashmir. Hundreds of people from all sections of the society attended the event, including writers, journalists, scholars, lawyers and several other Kashmiri activists.

One of the scholars in the audience said, "People of Kashmir, whether Muslims, Pandits and Sikhs or of any other religion, believe in coexistence. This was the reason that Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs would visit Muslim shrines, and similarly Muslims would throng shrines like Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal." The JKYDF plans to reach out to the people at Muslim shrines, and are expected to cover several Hindu and Sikh places of worship as well, calling it a need and a subsequent attempt to re-establish a common syncretic society, where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and all others can again thrive, just as it was before the advent of Pakistan's proxy war in Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion, JKYDF Chairman, Farooq Ganderbali said, "We plan to hold such conferences in other parts of Kashmir in the coming months. Like today's conference, we will rope in Sufi preachers in future conferences as our aim is to reach out to as many people as possible, especially youth, with the message of peace and coexistence." Peace in Jammu and Kashmir has been a top priority for successive Indian governments, however, Pakistan's repeated attempts to disturb peace efforts have kept both the countries at loggerheads since decades.

Last week, in a ceasefire agreement, the armies of India and Pakistan both announced that they would stop the cross border firing from February 24 midnight in order to bring peace along the border areas. The announcement was made by the Defence Ministry.

"Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24-25 Feb 2021," the ministry said in a statement.

SAO PAULO, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CCR S.A. (CCR), one of Latin America's largest infrastructure concession groups, discloses its results for the 4 th quarter of 2020.

Highlights 4Q20 vs. 4Q19

Consolidated traffic increased by 4.6%. Excluding ViaSul, it fell by 0.1% in the period.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 29.1%, with a margin of 41.6% (-15.1 p.p.). Same-basis adjusted EBITDA fell by 30.0%, with a margin of 41.2% (-15.6 p.p.).

Net Loss totaled R$74.8 million , against a Net Income of R$392.6 million . On the same basis, net loss totaled R$78.2 million , versus net income of R$395.4 million .

, against a Net Income of . On the same basis, net loss totaled , versus net income of . There were non-recurring effects explained during the release that impacted the results for the quarter, we would like to highlight the provision for loss, in MSVia, due to the asset return process, in the amount of R$ 305.9 million .

. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, state and municipal governments have imposed several measures including social isolation and restrictions on the movement of people, which impacted demand and, consequently, CCR's 4Q20 results. For more details, please refer to the "COVID-19" section of this earnings release and notes 1.1 and 28 of the Annual Financial Statements.

1 - Adjustments on the same basis are described on the same basis section of the companys earnings release, available at www.ccr.com, br/ri.



IFRS Proforma Financial Indicators (R$ MM) 4Q19 4Q20 Chg % 4Q19 4Q20 Chg % Net Revenues1 2,645.0 2,557.3 -3.3% 2,793.6 2,671.4 -4.4% Adjusted Net Revenues on the same basis2 2,601.2 2,507.9 -3.6% 2,749.8 2,622.1 -4.6% Adjusted EBIT3 903.6 425.0 -53.0% 975.1 474.2 -51.4% Adjusted EBIT Mg.4 34.2% 16.6% -17.5 p.p. 34.9% 17.8% -17.2 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA5 1,500.8 1,064.0 -29.1% 1,605.2 1,137.1 -29.2% Adjusted EBITDA Mg.4 56.7% 41.6% -15.1 p.p. 57.5% 42.6% -14.9 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA on the same basis2 1,477.0 1,033.2 -30.0% 1,581.4 1,106.3 -30.0% Adjusted EBITDA Mg. on the same basis2 56.8% 41.2% -15.6 p.p. 57.5% 42.2% -15.3 p.p. Net Income 392.6 (74.8) n.m. 392.6 (74.8) n.m. Net Income on the same basis 2 7 395.4 (78.2) n.m. 395.4 (78.2) n.m. Net Income on the same basis (ex-MSVia) 8 395.4 176.1 -55.5% 395.4 176.1 -55.5% Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA LTM (x)6 2.4 2.9

2.4 3.0

Adjusted EBITDA5 / Interest and Monetary Variation (x) 5.2 3.5

5.0 3.4





IFRS Proforma Financial Indicators (R$ MM) 2019 2020 Chg % 2019 2020 Chg % Net Revenues1 9,494.4 8,941.1 -5.8% 10,140.2 9,356.0 -7.7% Adjusted Net Revenues on the same basis2 9,450.6 8,765.2 -7.3% 10,044.8 9,180.1 -8.6% Adjusted EBIT3 3,453.4 2,071.1 -40.0% 3,736.1 2,216.1 -40.7% Adjusted EBIT Mg.4 36.4% 23.2% -13.2 p.p. 36.8% 23.7% -13.2 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA5 5,790.4 4,715.8 -18.6% 6,206.8 4,996.9 -19.5% Adjusted EBITDA Mg.4 61.0% 52.7% -8.2 p.p. 61.2% 53.4% -7.8 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA on the same basis2 5,766.6 4,628.5 -19.7% 6,151.9 4,909.7 -20.2% Adjusted EBITDA Mg. on the same basis2 61.0% 52.8% -8.2 p.p. 61.2% 53.5% -7.8 p.p. Net Income 1,438.3 191.0 -86.7% 1,438.3 191.0 -86.7% Net Income on the same basis 2 7 1,446.1 203.6 -85.9% 1,446.1 203.6 -85.9% Net Income on the same basis (ex-MSVia) 8 1,446.1 457.9 -68.3% 1,446.1 457.9 -68.3% Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA LTM (x)6 2.4 2.9

2.4 3.0

Adjusted EBITDA5 / Interest and Monetary Variation (x) 4.8 3.9

4.6 3.7



 Net revenues exclude construction revenues.

 The same-basis effects are described in the same-basis comparison section.

3 Calculated by adding net revenues, construction revenues, cost of services and administrative expenses.

4 The adjusted EBIT and EBITDA margins were calculated by dividing adjusted EBIT and EBITDA by net revenues, excluding construction revenues.

5 Calculated excluding non-cash expenses: depreciation and amortization, provision for maintenance and the recognition of prepaid concession expenses.

6 Adjusted EBITDA has been used in the calculation of the net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio since 1Q20, whereas operating adjusted EBITDA was used for the other periods (as announced in previous releases).

7 2Q20 same-basis net income was rectified, generating an increase of R$ 21.6 million in the total accumulated amount.

8 Disregarding the effect of setting up the provision for impairment of MSVia, in view of the advanced stage of the friendly return process of this asset.

Conference Calls/Webcast

Access to the conference calls/webcasts:

Portuguese conference call with simultaneous translation into English:

Friday, March 5, 2021

1:00 p.m. (Sao Paulo) / 11:00 a.m. (New York)

Participants calling from Brazil: (11) 3181-8565 or (11) 4210-1803

Participants calling from the U.S.: (+1) 412 717-9627 or (+1) 844 204-8942

Access Code: CCR

Replay: (11) 3193 1012 or (11) 2820-4012

Code: 8366456# or 5097751#

The instructions to participate in these events are available on CCR's website: www.ccr.com.br/ri.

IR Contacts

Marcus Macedo: (+55 11) 3048-5941

Flavia Godoy: (+55 11) 3048-5955

Douglas Ribeiro: (+55 11) 3048-6353

Natalia Fialho: (+55 11) 94386-1495

Caique Moraes: (+55 11) 3048-2108

SOURCE CCR S.A.

Related Links

http://www.ccr.com.br/ri


La vacunacion contra la COVID-19 para los adultos mayores de 60 anos empezara este lunes 8 de marzo inmunizando a diversos grupos en simultaneo para poder avanzar lo mas rapido posible, informo el ministro Oscar Ugarte.
Hyderabad, March 6 : Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has paid salaries to its employees with the state government's budgetary support.

TSRTC Managing Director Sunil Sharma stated that on the direction of the Transport Minister P. Ajay Kumar proper planning was done and enough savings were done and along with government budgetary support salaries were given to all the RTC employees.

He said TSRTC has improved its revenues to Rs 11 crore per day from Rs 2 crore during Covid time. Regular meetings were conducted and RTC staff was motivated to take up measures to improve the revenues of the corporation.

"Today on an average, we are earning around 11 crore revenue per day. During the Covid time the revenue had fallen to a low of around Rs.2 crore per day. A lot of measures were taken up like adopting new job security guidelines and continuous monitoring of the RTC, which has resulted in better position," the MD said.

Sunil Sharma said adequate safety measures were taken to ensure that both passengers and staff were protected from coronavirus.

He said regular video conferences were conducted with RTC staff and directions were given thus improving the financial health. Around 32 crore was recently deposited in the GPF account of the employees.

Sharma said more such measures were being taken up to ensure that the RTC improves further.

The state government had last month finalized guidelines providing job security to TSRTC employees. The RTC employees, in the past, had brought to the notice of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao that the employees are being subjected to unnecessary harassment while discharging their duties on several occasions and they are also losing jobs.

Responding to this, the Chief Minister assured them that job security would be provided to the TSRTC employees without any harassment at work. As per the instructions from the CM, the RTC officials committee prepared the guidelines, which were accepted by the chief minister.

Tim Wu, a sharp critic of big tech who has argued for using antitrust laws against tech behemoths is joining the White House as a special assistant on the National Economic Council.

Wu, who taught at Columbia University and served on the Federal Trade Commission and worked for the New York Attorney General, wrote the book The Curse of Bigness: Antitrust in the New Gilded Age.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the hire Wednesday, but insisted the move did not convey new White House policy.

Big tech critic Tim Wu is joining the the White House as a special assistant on the National Economic Council

'We dont have new policy to announce,' she said. 'The president believes  that its important to promote competition and address monopoly and market power issues,' she said.

Wu has a 'wealth of knowledge and experience about technology and competition policy that will help ensure President Biden's agenda supports working families, strengthens the middle class and protects consumers.

He helped develop the concept of 'net neutrality' to keep service providers from discriminating against types of communications.

His appointment is backed by progressive groups and those who want to break up large tech 'monopolies.'

'The president believes  that its important to promote competition and address monopoly and market power issues,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed reports that Wu will join the White House National Economic Council

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos contended with repeated criticism from President Trump during Trump's term

Wu taught at Columbia University and wrote about the dangers of extreme concentration of wealth

Biden's predecessor Donald Trump repeatedly railed against Amazon and tech firms like Facebook and Twitter while in office.

Following the 2016 elections, lawmakers grilled tech CEOs on their business practices, with lawmakers from both parties joining in with tough questions and speeches denouncing some of their conduct.

Biden himself said last January that he favored revoking Section 230, which provides liability protection for online media companies for information third parties put on their sites. Trump has also repeatedly blasted the provision.

Wu wrote in his antitrust book: 'Extreme economic concentration yields gross inequality and material suffering, feeding the appetite for nationalistic and extremist leadership.'

'You cannot simply buy your way out of competition,' he wrote in a 2020 New York Times op-ed after the FTC and states filed a lawsuit against Facebook.

'Facebooks strategy was similar to John D. Rockefellers at Standard Oil during the 1880s. Both companies scanned the horizon of the marketplace, searching for potential competitors, and then bought them or buried them,' he wrote.
Energy Fuels announced on March 2 that it would sell mixed rare earth carbonite produced from US monazite to Canadas Neo-Performance Materials, for processing at its Silmet light rare earth separation plant in Estonia.

This product will meet a shortfall for SIlmet, which is currently operating below...
Most major veterans service organizations are urging Congress to support a provision in the COVID-relief package to terminate a GI Bill loophole they say encourages for-profit schools to scam and recruit veterans with predatory tactics.

But getting rid of the loophole faces a last-minute challenge. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., is fighting the provision, sources with direct knowledge said. He is going to introduce Amendment 941, which would strip the provision out of the package, his office confirmed.

On Friday, the Senate starts a series of tough amendment votes on the $1.9 trillion relief bill that could extend late into the night. The long stretch of votes is known as a vote-a-rama, during which senators will introduce many amendments to the relief package to add or eliminate elements such as the 90/10 provision.

Read Next: Service Dogs Better Than Emotional Support Dogs at Reducing PTSD Symptoms, Study Finds

Democratic Sens. Kirsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia are wild cards with the 90/10 vote, a source with direct knowledge said. Neither senator's office responded to a request for comment.

On Friday, 31 veterans advocate groups and military organizations penned a letter to the Senators stressing the need to close the so-called 90/10 loophole. Currently, for-profit schools must collect at least 10% of their revenue from non-federal sources.

"Closing the 90/10 loophole has long been a top priority for military and veteran serving organizations," the letter states. "This is even more imperative now as COVID has increased predatory colleges' targeting of military-connected students."

The letter was signed by most major veteran and military groups such as AMVETS, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and the Military Officers Association of America.

After more than a decade of some lawmakers and advocates pushing to gut the loophole out of law, Democrats attached the provision to the massive COVID-relief package. As with a lot of bills passed through Congress, unrelated measures are often attached for easier passing into law.

To make the 90/10 provision easier to pass, a deal was brokered Thursday night between Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor and Pensions, and Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, the top Republican on the committee. It would delay implementation of the loophole closure by six months, a source with direct knowledge of the situation said.

The 90/10 rule doesn't count the GI Bill as federal revenue despite being earned on duty and paid out by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This gives for-profit colleges an incentive to recruit veterans to stay in business, veterans advocates have argued.

The for-profit school industry rejects that characterization, saying some institutions might have to raise prices and it could be more difficult to accept new student veterans if the 90/10 rule is gone.

"It is unconscionable to exploit the COVID-19 relief bill as a vehicle to deny veterans and active-duty service members the right to use their earned benefits on the career school of their choice," said Jason Altmire, CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an industry group that represents for-profit institutions. "Congress should focus on stimulating the economy instead of including provisions that will be harmful to veterans, active-duty service members, and low-income students."

In 2018, the VA inspector general warned that the agency could waste $2.3 billion in payments to "ineligible colleges" over the next five years. In the majority of cases, the wasted payments would go to for-profit universities.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: VA Is Asking DOJ for Help Getting Back GIBill.com After Losing Domain Rights
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
Political parties and civil society groups in Sissala East have called for moderation in jubilation in the Supreme Court declaration.



Reverend James Awuni of the Assemblies of God Church and Chair of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) of the Sissala East appealed to all to remain calm as victory belonged to Ghana.



The Committee resolved to continue with education among its members to ensure sustained peace with the pronouncement of the verdict.



This came to light when Mr Hussein Elyasu, the Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education held an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) meeting to drum home the need for peace.



Mr Elyasu thanked members of the Committee for their invaluable contribution that led to the free and fair elections held in the Constituency last year.



Mr Kofi Benin on behalf of the NPP said as far as the NPP was concerned they will tell their communicators to be decorous in the way they speak, and assured that they will advised the supporters accordingly.



Madam Bedeiwu Mohammed, the Municipal Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, cautioned the political parties to be modest in jubilation.





Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video

The New Patriotic Party's (NPP) National Youth Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye says former President John Dramani Mahama's behaviour in recent times is worrying and does not befit his personality as a former President.



This follows John Mahamas 'refusal to accept' the Supreme Courts verdict on the 2020 election petition after insisting that the NDC won a majority in parliament but the Electoral Commission through dubious means stole some seats for the NPP.



The 2020 NDC flagbearer in a speech after the ruling indicated that, "I disagree with the process of the trial and the ruling of the court".



He said the court was biased to him and his legal team despite running to them for clarification after accusing the Electoral Commission of rigging the 2020 presidential election.



But Nana B as affectionately called in politics in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie said the former president is gradually losing his credibility.



He should be careful or soon Ghanaians will not respect him, he told host Mac Jerry Osei Agyemang.



He [Mahama] went to the Supreme Court first, so why this behaviour? The court gave a comprehensive judge and we must all accept it, he added.





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
New Delhi: The ruling AIADMK has released its first list of six candidates for the upcoming April 6 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami will contest from Edappadi constituency in his home district of Salem, while Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will fight from his native place Bodinayakanur in Theni district.

Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar has been fielded from Royapuram and Law minister C Ve Shanmugam will contest from Villupuram. While MLAs S P Shanmuganathan and S Thenmozhi would face the polls from Srivaigundam and Nilakottai (Reserved) segments.

The assembly elections for 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be conducted in one phase on April 6. The counting of votes is slated for May 2.

(With PTI inputs)
A judge has decided to throw out one of two charges against Colorado-based Christian baker Jack Phillips over his refusal to make a transgender-themed cake.

A trans-identified man who goes by the name Autumn Scardina filed a lawsuit against Masterpiece Cakeshop in June 2019 after the baker refused to make a cake celebrating Scardinas gender transition.

The suit claimed that Phillips violated two state laws, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, when refusing to create the cake.

However, in a ruling released Thursday, Denver District Court Judge A. Bruce Jones granted the defendants motion to drop the charge of violating the CCPA by allegedly engaging in an unfair or deceptive trade practice.

Source:The Christian Post
New office space and more employees are expected to reduce processing time for family class applications.

Canada expanding processing capacity to expedite family reunion New office space and more employees are expected to reduce processing time for family class applications.

Canada expanding processing capacity to expedite family reunion New office space and more employees are expected to reduce processing time for family class applications.

Canada expanding processing capacity to expedite family reunion New office space and more employees are expected to reduce processing time for family class applications. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Canada is expanding the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia in an effort to process more applications and reunite families faster.

IRCC will get new office space and be able to hire 62 additional employees, according to a media release. These new employees will primarily work on family class overseas applications. With these new resources, IRCC expects to process more applications and shorten the processing times that have been extended during the pandemic.

The Case Processing Centre in Sydney is currently limited to 30 per cent occupancy, due to coronavirus-related restrictions. The new office space will allow IRCC to increase this capacity, and it will allow more employees who are working remotely to return to the office.

The lease on this new office space is for one year, which will allow the immigration department the flexibility to re-evaluate its needs in the years ahead.

Check if youre eligible to sponsor your family for Canadian immigration

Canadas immigration minister, Marco Mendicino, said the increased capacity will help the department return to the one-year standard for spousal applications. He also tweeted about the new measures, nodding to the expected benefits that the new measures will have for families as well as Cape Breton residents.

Im proud of the work of our Sydney office, which will continue to play a vital role in our efforts to strengthen Canada through immigration. (Photo pre-covid) pic.twitter.com/JjTPTG2HC8  Marco Mendicino (@marcomendicino) March 5, 2021



Local Members of Parliament also welcome the news.

Expanding the Sydney Case Processing Centre will create meaningful employment for 62 people here in SydneyVictoria, while helping our region continue to grow and prosper through immigration, Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for SydneyVictoria said in the release. Im excited to see the difference it will make in our community.

Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Cape BretonCanso, also expressed support.

Cape Bretoners play a vital role in our immigration system, Kelloway said in the release. Public servants at our local Case Processing Centre work hard every day to welcome new Canadians, many of whom now call Cape Breton home. This announcement will help us build on that proud tradition, increasing our capacity so we can welcome even more new Canadians.

The Sydney Case Processing Centre handles a number of different types of immigration applications. Under family class immigration they process applications for outland spousal, common-law, and conjugal sponsorship, dependent children, adopted children, and other relatives.

Check if youre eligible to sponsor your family for Canadian immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
A desperate search was on today to find a 33-year-old woman who went missing in south London two days ago.

Sarah Everard was last seen walking between Clapham Junction and Brixton at 9pm on Wednesday.

Her family and friends released a plea for her return, saying: 'Sarah, we are here for whenever you are ready.'

Sarah Everard (pictured, 33, was last seen walking between Clapham Junction and Brixton at 9pm on Wednesday

Her family and friends released a plea for her return, saying: 'Sarah, we are here for whenever you are ready'

She was thought to be wearing a green waterproof jacket, navy trousers with a white diamond pattern and a pair of white trainers.

Ms Everard, from Lambeth, is 5ft 4 with blonde hair and was carrying a transparent case with green in-ear Bluetooth headphones.

Her loved ones added: 'We can listen, talk you through what help you need, pass a message for you and help you to be safe.'

If you have any information please call the Missing People charity on 116 000 or police, on 101 quoting the reference CAD107 05/03
The Telegraph

Newly diagnosed cancer patients are being forced to speak to their specialist over the phone or via video call rather than in person, experts have warned. New findings show the proportion of those told they have prostate cancer who do not then get an initial face-to-face consultation has risen eight-fold since the start of the pandemic. In a survey by the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR), patients said they felt inhibited from asking all their questions by the remote format, and were worri
Police have been filmed mercilessly beating a volunteer ambulance crew in one of many social media videos documenting a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Myanmar.

CCTV footage filmed in the commercial city of Yangon on Wednesday showed armed police stopping an ambulance at gunpoint in the citys north Okkakapa township and forcing three medics out of the vehicle before repeatedly hitting them in the head with rifle butts and kicking them.

Six officers are seen attacking the crew members as they try to protect their heads.

The officers then shoot out the windows of the ambulance.

According to Radio Free Asia, the three medics were detained and sent to the notorious Insein prison.

Footage of the barbaric treatment went viral on social media on the deadliest day of anti-coup protests in Myanmar since the February 1 military takeover.

More than 50 civilians have been killed by police and soldiers since then, and four children are among the latest to die, according to humanitarian group Save the Children.

Despite the risks, protesters took to the streets again yesterday to oppose military rule and demand the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders.

The formal health system has been hit by the Civil Disobedience Movement, spearheaded by medics who are refusing to work for the junta. Instead, healthcare providers are offering services voluntarily outside of government facilities.

But as a result, medical staff are facing increasing risks from the security forces, especially as they offer first aid to protesters. Boris Johnson yesterday condemned the violence.

Im horrified by the escalation of violence in Myanmar and the killing of pro-democracy protesters, the British Prime Minister said.

We stand with the people of Myanmar in calling for an immediate end to military repression, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and others, and the restoration of democracy.

As the UN Security Council, chaired by Britain, gears up for an emergency closed-door session on the coup today, Tom Andrews, the UN envoy for human rights in Myanmar, urged it to first view the photos [and] videos of the shocking violence being unleashed on peaceful protesters.

The 15-member body was previously unable to condemn the coup because of objections from China and Russia.

Whether the images  most too graphic to print  will now move it to act beyond issuing a compromise statement remains to be seen.

Christine Schraner Burgener, the UNs top official for Myanmar, said she had warned the military it was likely to face strong measures in retaliation for the overthrow of the elected government.

The volatile situation has left experts unsure about which direction events are likely to take.
He's everyone's favourite funny man from Little Britain.

And Matt Lucas looked like his jolly self as he celebrated his 47th birthday at home in his slippers on Friday while holding some giant balloons.

Fans and friends flooded to his social media accounts to wish The Great British Bake Off star a happy birthday.

Birthday boy! Little Britain star Matt Lucas looked like his jolly self as he celebrated his 47th birthday at home in his slippers while holding some giant balloons on Friday

The star relaxed in navy joggers and a wine coloured jumper which he paired with his cosy grey footwear.

In the caption he thanked fans for the birthday messages, writing: 'Thank you for your birthday wishes. I am old.'

Friends of the popular comedian took to social media to wish him a happy birthday.

Happy time: He wrote that he is now 'old' and thanked fans for all their lovely messages

Ex Bake Off contestant Laura Adlington wrote: ' Happy birthday Matt! Hope you have a lovely lockdown birthday. Sending lots of love xxx'

Another wrote: 'Yes, that's pretty old. Have a good day.'

A third penned: 'Happy birhday best human.' #

His good friend and Little Britain co-star David Walliams is yet to pen a message but may have done privately.

England is still in a national lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic which explains Matt's quiet affair.

Lockdown birthday! England is still in a national lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic which explains Matt's quiet affair

Last month Matt used England's third national lockdown to grow his 'first ever moustache'.

He took to Instagram to debut his new look, admitting his facial fuzz looked 'a bit weird' due to his lack of eyebrows.

In the caption, he joked: 'In lockdown 3 I grew my first ever moustache. I dont have eyebrows so it looks a bit weird.'

Moustache: Last month Matt used England's third national lockdown to grow his 'first ever moustache'

The comedian has alopecia - a condition that causes your hair to fall out - which he has had nearly all his life and spokenly openly about.

The Little Britain star lost his hair at the age of six following a traumatic accident when he was hit by a car while on holidays in Portugal, aged four.

Two years later, aged six, he started losing his hair in a delayed response to the shock.

In a column for the Guardian in 2017, Matt penned that losing his hair 'shaped his childhood' and also his career later on.

'I woke up one morning to find several hairs on my pillow,' he wrote. 'The next day the same thing happened, only this time there were a lot more. By the end of that summer all my hair had fallen out.'

Although the actor said that his childhood was 'tough' and that he was 'mocked and bullied' because of his baldness, he said it has ultimately helped him in his career.

'Would I have had my big break as a baby in Shooting Stars if I had had a full head of hair?' he wrote.

'My baldness has made me distinctive, yet also allowed me to transform myself. Stick a wig on and Im someone else. Swap the wig and Im now another person.'

Matt briefly returned to London's West End in December for a few concert performances of Les Miserables before the UK was plunged down into another lockdown.

He portrayed the innkeeper Monsieur Thenardier alongside Katy Secombe, who played Madame Thenardier.
Photo: Glacier Media

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.

The man who flashed a Nazi salute at a group of Indigenous youth involved in a protest in Vancouver earlier this week has been identified as a local contractor.

The New Westminster resident says his use of the offensive gesture was a knee-jerk reaction to what he describes as a traffic tie-up.

The incident was captured on film by Vancouver Is Awesome at roughly 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3, when protestors had blocked the intersection to vehicle traffic.

The protestors were calling for the release of Indigenous elder Stacy Gallagher who was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating an injunction that bars people from protests at Trans Mountain sites in Burnaby.

In the clip, the man in question can be seen driving through the intersection of Clark and Hastings uttering profanities, flashing his middle finger out the window of his vehicle, then making three consecutive Sieg Heil motions - it is the gesture that the Nazis used at rallies in Germany.

We are not revealing the identity of the man in order to protect his personal safety, and we are not revealing the name of his employer.

The man in the video is an employee of a contracting company whose current client list includes Trans Mountain, the crown corporation working on the pipeline expansion in Burnaby.

Trans Mountain tells us that the company is indeed a contractor of theirs, but that the man "has not been on a... worksite for Trans Mountain."

In an emailed statement sent to V.I.A., the president of the company says they were appalled and extremely disappointed when they saw the video and that the employee is now on personal leave. They tell us they want to investigate [the incident] thoroughly and weigh all options prior to making any final decision regarding actions to be taken.

The man himself also provided V.IA. with an emailed response to inquiries about the incident. In his statement, he denies being a member of any white nationalist organizations such as the Proud Boys.

Explaining why he threw a Nazi salute, he says: I lost my mind in the moment and did what I did in a knee-jerk, stupid way to express my frustration over the traffic tie up.

He says he regrets what he did more than anyone can ever know, does not explain why his immediate instinct was to turn to racism, but that he will work hard on myself to become a better person, partially by taking counselling.

Michelle Silongan is a lawyer at ST Law and a steering committee member of the Law Union of BC, who provided legal support to the arrestees and organizers. She wasnt surprised to see the man acting the way he did.

In an email, Silongan tells VI.A. that White supremacy is endemic to the response of counterprotesters and institutions towards Indigenous land defenders and people of colour. A white man giving a Nazi salute is just an overt example of this, and a form of violence which is already commonplace for my clients.

Further, she notes that Unless we name and confront systemic racism in all its forms, overt and covert, reconciliation and racial justice will continue to be unrealized.

The Vancouver Police Department arrested four protesters at the scene on Wednesday evening. They have not yet confirmed if the man is the subject of any investigation connected to the incident.

ORIGINAL 9:35 a.m.

A Glacier Media journalist captured unsettling footage this week in which a man gave a Nazi-style white power salute from a passing truck as First Nation demonstrators staged a protest in Vancouver calling for the release of Indigenous elder Stacy Gallagher.

The Braided Warriors protest began Tuesday and went into Wednesday. After roughly 24 hours, the demonstration was broken up by police, and four people were arrested.

Gallagher was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating an injunction that bars people from protests at Trans Mountain sites in Burnaby. It was at the Burnaby tank farm where Gallagher took part in a smudging ceremony and was subsequently apprehended and charged.

Reporter Thor Diakow captured video footage of the protest on Wednesday morning, and of a man driving by, first throwing up a middle finger then giving three white power salutes.

The man yelled profanities at the group from a block away before driving off.

The group responded with peace signs back at the man, but did not otherwise engage him.

The man was driving a black Ram 1500 pickup and was wearing what looked like a Seattle Kraken ball cap.
Paducah Murder Suspect Makes Court Appearance

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - A Cairo man charged with murder after an August shooting in Paducah was in court on Friday.According to the McCracken Circuit Court Clerk, 24-year-old Jermaine Harris appeared for a motion hour. A motion was made for a bond reduction, but the motion was denied. His cash bond remains at $357,500. A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 21.Harris was arrested September 25 by the Illinois State Police and US Marshals following an August 8 shooting that killed one man and injured four others. The shooting was reportedly the result of an ongoing feud between two groups of people from Mounds and Cairo.Police said members of the two groups were in Paducah that evening to attend Emancipation Day festivities.Harris faces charges of murder, wanton endangerment, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and four counts of assault.

New Delhi/Jammu: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed for questioning on March 15 in connection with a money laundering case.

Talking about the development, Mehbooba Mufti`s daughter Sana Mufti told IANS, "The ED officials came to our residence to deliver a summon, but my mother was not present at home at the time."

Sana said that she has informed the officials to come to their home when her mother is there and deliver the summon to her physically.

"The ED has asked her to be present at the agency headquarters in Delhi on March 15. I dont have any details about the case," she said.

Reacting to the ED summon to her mother, Sana Mufti said, "It is a clear case of political vendetta. This is being done to intimidate my mother as she has been very vocal and critical of the government after the revocation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. But we are not scared, as we have nothing to hide."

She further said that the ED officials only showed her the notice, but did not share it with her.
REDLANDS, Calif., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Redlands is pleased to announce today that it plans to return to in-person instruction in fall 2021. This includes courses at the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business, Education, Theology, and Continuing Studies. The College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Theology will also return to normal residential housing occupancy levels for their students.

This return to in-person opportunities has been accelerated by the U of R vaccination clinic on the Redlands campus, launched in partnership with Redlands Community Hospital and other local organizations. The clinic is currently facilitating COVID vaccinations for U of R faculty, staff, and administrators, as well as others in the Redlands community, in accordance with the State's phase system. Our vaccination campaign is a critical step in keeping our entire community safe and emerging on the other side of the pandemic. Of course, the University will continue to follow health and safety guidance from the County of San Bernardino, the State of California, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the fall semester, and will be ready to pivot should any change occur.

As we look to the future, the faculty and deans of each School continue to assess the best balance of traditional campus-based courses and those that can be delivered in hybrid/online modalities. Curricular updates will be forthcoming throughout the spring and summer. Online graduate programs and degrees at Redlands that pre-dated COVID 19 adaptations will continue to be offered online.

SOURCE University of Redlands
Independence Realty Trust to Present at Citi's 2021 Virtual Global Property CEO Conference

Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: IRT) ("IRT") today announced that Scott Schaeffer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Jim Sebra, Chief Financial Officer, will be participating in a roundtable presentation at Citi's 2021 Virtual Global Property CEO Conference. The Company plans to publish its updated Investor Presentation in the investor relations section of the IRT website, after market close on Monday, March 8, 2021.

When: 7:30 AM EST, Tuesday March 9, 2021

Live Webcast: The webcast is available through following this link, Citi Global Property CEO Presentation, and is alo available in the investor relations section of the IRT website at investors.irtliving.com.







About Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

Independence Realty Trust (NYSE: IRT) is a real estate investment trust that owns and operates multifamily apartment properties across non-gateway U.S. markets, including Atlanta, Dallas, Louisville, Memphis, Raleigh and Tampa. IRT's investment strategy is focused on gaining scale within key amenity rich submarkets that offer good school districts, high-quality retail and major employment centers. IRT aims to provide stockholders attractive risk-adjusted returns through diligent portfolio management, strong operational performance, and a consistent return on capital through distributions and capital appreciation. More information may be found on the Company's website www.irtliving.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005328/en/
A former Governor of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson, says he has no rift with his successor, Douye Diri, who took over from him on February 14, 2020.

Mr Dickson said his noticeable absence from government functions was deliberate and in consonance with his values and principles of non interference.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Mr Dickson, who is now a senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District of the state, said he remained supportive of Mr Diris administration.

He said he had no hand in the media attacks against Mr Diris administration by some of his former aides.

Mr Dicksons explanation came on the heels of claims by John Idumange, a former general manager of the Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation, alleging diversion of N3 billion agricultural loan obtained by Mr Dicksons administration.

Mr Idumange, who was an aide on research and documentation to Mr Dickson, governor from 2012 to 2020, claimed the present administration was diminishing the efforts of the Dickson government.

He claimed that he had so far, recorded 17 cases of diversion of the N3 billion loan obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Mr Idumange said he would report the alleged fraud to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when the count reaches 25.

Mr Dickson, who washed his hands off the allegations, urged his supporters to close ranks and work for the success of the Diri administration.

I want to advise that no one who is supportive of me, a member of our party or who claims to be, should be publicly critical of our government. This is unacceptable.

I am aware that some of our party stalwarts and members that I led in these unprecedented battles and victories, have one complaint of non-inclusion or the other which is normal.

The governor and the party are available to address these issues and as such, do not call for a public attack on our government because an attack on the governor and his government is an attack on our party and I do not approve of such.

My role and my duty as former governor and the first governor to have done eight years, who midwifed the process of reelection, is to advise, support and pray for the success of this administration.

My take is that every person in the current administration at all levels, beginning with the governor is part of our team, he said.

The senator however, urged the governor, members of his team and the party leadership to take steps to unify and create an atmosphere of inclusiveness and togetherness.

Mr Dickson maintained that as a political family, the governor remained the leader of the party.

The governor is head of both the party and the government and he has my support and I urge all stakeholders to stop the divisive politics and give him their support, he said.

He said whenever the governor consider it necessary, he could consult stakeholders for their inputs and advice.

Mr Diri was sworn in on February. 14, 2020 following a Supreme Court Judgment of February. 13 which sacked the erstwhile governor-elect, David Lyon.

ADVERTISEMENT

(NAN)
Canada posted a Can$1.4 billion (US$1.1 billion) trade surplus in January -- its largest in seven years as exports rose sharply, the national statistical agency said Friday.

The data defied expectations of ongoing deficits as the pandemic continues to ravage parts of the economy.

A spike in exports of aircraft, gold bars, crude oil and lumber -- "largely due to stronger trade with the United States," according to Statistics Canada -- was behind the surprise turnaround.

Following steep declines at the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak last year, exports to its southern neighbor were for the first time in January higher than February 2020 levels.

As a result, Canada's trade surplus with the United States more than doubled to Can$6.2 billion (US$4.9 billion).

Total exports rose 8.1 percent in January to Can$51.2 billion, said Statistics Canada. One third of this increase was driven by price growth.

Exports of aircraft more than doubled, attributable to a Canadian airline retiring a large number of planes from its fleet and sending them to the United States.

Individual retail investors in the United States scooped up a batch of Canadian gold bars.

Crude oil exports also rose, and lumber exports hit a record high.

Following two consecutive months of decline, total imports, meanwhile, increased 0.9 percent in January to Can$49.8 billion.

Imports of diesel fuel as well as electronics, computers and peripherals were also up.

amc/jm
Mar. 4A Massachusetts Superior Court judge has dismissed a Norwich woman's lawsuit against Harvard University seeking release of photos of what she says are two of her enslaved ancestors, ruling that Tamara Lanier failed to file suit in a timely manner and was not herself wronged by the "horrific circumstances" in which the photos were taken.

Lanier filed suit in March 2019 against Harvard and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology after she said she made repeated unsuccessful requests to Harvard to turn over the 1850 daguerreotype images of a man named Congo "Papa" Renty and his daughter, Delia, both slaves in South Carolina. Lanier says she is a direct descendant of Renty and Delia.

The photos were commissioned by famed Harvard scientist Louis Agassiz in 1850 of several slaves from a South Carolina plantation as part of his research to show that Africans were inferior to whites.

In his ruling dated March 1 and posted Wednesday, Judge Camille F. Sarrouf Jr. agreed with Harvard's attorneys in the university's motion to dismiss that Lanier did not meet the three-year time limitation on filing her claims and that there is a long-standing precedent that the subjects of photographs do not own the images or negatives produced.

"Lanier asks the court to recognize a possessory interest in light of the horrific circumstances in which the photographs of Renty and Delia were taken," Sarrouf wrote. "Fully acknowledging the continuing impact slavery has had in the United States, the law, as it currently stands, does not confer a property interest to the subject of a photograph regardless of how objectionable the photograph's origins may be."

Sarrouf also ruled that Lanier cannot claim that her civil rights were violated by the violations against Renty and Delia. First, Sarrouf wrote that civil rights claims are governed by a three-year statute of limitations and "the alleged conduct took place in the nineteenth century, which is well beyond the three-hear statute of limitations period."

Story continues

Sarrouf also agreed with Harvard that Lanier cannot claim a civil rights violation "on behalf of Renty and Delia," because her own civil rights were not violated.

Lanier said Wednesday evening that she had not yet read the 15-page ruling thoroughly, but she was heartened by her attorneys' immediate commitment to appeal the ruling to higher court. Lanier objected to the concept that Harvard should retain ownership of the photos even though Renty and Delia did not consent to being ordered to strip for intimate, closeup photographs of their naked bodies.

"You don't give child pornography photos back to the pedophile photographer," Lanier said. "They were forced to pose against their will."

Lanier said she felt the judge entered the Oct. 20 hearing on the motion to dismiss with a "closed mind," hearing only limited arguments.

Joshua Koskoff, one of Lanier's attorneys, said the dismissal ruling was not surprising, because "groundbreaking" cases mostly are decided by higher courts. The attorneys will file an appeal in the Massachusetts Appellate Court. Koskoff said eventually, he expects the case to be decided by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Noted civil rights attorney Ben Crump, also representing Lanier, issued a statement Wednesday vowing to appeal to a higher court.

"We remain convinced of the correctness of Ms. Lanier's claim to these images of her slave ancestors and that she will be on the right side of history when this case is finally settled," Crump said in the statement. "Like the historic Brown v. Board of Education case, which was not ultimately decided by the lower court but by the high court, this proper dispute is not over yet. It is past time for Harvard to atone for its past ties to slavery and white supremacy research and stop profiting from slave images. African American slave descendants were robbed of their family histories. This is an opportunity to put that right for one family."

A statement by Harvard Wednesday called the daguerreotypes "powerful visual indictments of the horrific institution of slavery" and acknowledged Renty and Delia were photographed against their will.

"We are hopeful the Court's ruling will allow Harvard to explore an appropriate home for the daguerreotypes moving forward that allows them to be more accessible to a broader segment of the public and to tell the stories of the enslaved people that they depict," the Harvard statement said.

c.bessette@theday.com

Editor's Note: This version clarifies that the statement by Harvard was issued by the university.
Though she noted that she was unaware of the station receiving any threats specific to the murdered women or female employees generally, Being a journalist in Afghanistan is a risk. Theres no other way to put it, she said. Even just going to work or walking home from work, as we saw happen yesterday, can pose a risk.

Since 2018, more than 30 media employees and journalists have been killed in Afghanistan, according to a recent United Nations report. It has been particularly bad for them, and for other civil society figures, during an increase in targeted killings documented by The New York Times since peace negotiations started in September 2020.

I feel like were living in a horror movie these days, said Rada Akbar, a Kabul-based photojournalist and artist. So many people left the country. A lot of people got killed. And everyone else who is in the city is just  she trailed off, then continued. Everyone is so silent. Its very scary.

A Warning to Me

Mariam Alimi, a Kabul-based photojournalist, remembers the precise moment she heard that the three media workers in Jalalabad had been killed. I was at my brothers house, she said. I heard that three journalists had been killed, so I switched on the TV, and saw the story.

The news, she said, was a warning to me. She travels throughout the country for her work, often alone. For years, she said, she felt safe enough doing so that she preferred to drive to assignments across the country rather than fly, which she considered a hassle. More recently, however, she has been threatened and followed by unknown men while on assignment. Her clients have canceled assignments and warned her not to travel.

And then came the killings on Tuesday, which felt like a message she couldnt ignore.

The New York Times documented the deaths of at least 136 civilians and 168 security force members in such targeted killings and assassinations in 2020, more than nearly any other year of the war.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
A nightclub DJ hanged himself after phoning his girlfriend to tell her that taking his own life was 'the only way out', an inquest heard.

Guy Alderton, 33, died on May 18 last year after leaving his home in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire to go to work at the Interchange Business Park in Newport Pagnell.

Mr Alderton, who worked as a carpenter, had called his girlfriend Sarah Farrell at around 5.30pm that day to tell her he wanted to end his life.

The inquest in Milton Keynes heard Ms Farrell immediately called emergency services, and police rushed to Mr Alderton's workshop after tracking his van.

Guy Alderton (pictured), 33, died on May 18 last year after leaving his home in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire to go to work at the Interchange Business Park in Newport Pagnell

Officers noticed a light was on and forced their way inside the building, where they found Mr Alderton who had hung himself.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, Mr Alderton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Coroner Tom Osborne heard the DJ, who had performed at several nightclubs across the UK, had a long history of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

He was also told Mr Alderton had been left in debt due to a past gambling habit.

Ms Farrell said: 'He had a history of anxiety and depression but was not taking medication for years.

'Guy had made comments that he would take his own life in the past but people managed to get hold of him and avoid this.

'He self-harmed two years ago and stated that if he were to hang himself it would be in his workshop.'

Mr Alderton had called his girlfriend Sarah Farrell to tell her he wanted to end his life as it was 'the only way out'

A doctor from the Whaddon Health Centre, where Mr Alderton had been registered since May 2011, said: 'He had a history of depression and anxiety which originated in 2015 when he started medication for his low mood and anxiety.'

The inquest also heard Mr Alderton had changed his career to become a carpenter in 2015 after revealing 'extreme dissatisfaction' with his work which had resulted in suicidal planning.

A post-mortem examination found his death was due to hanging.

The coroner concluded that Mr Alderton died as a result of suicide.

Following his death last May, the Revolution bar in Milton Keynes - where Mr Alderton often DJed - hosted an event in celebration of his life.

A post on Facebook read: 'Join us for our all day live stream in celebration of Guy Alderton's life!

'We are coming live this hour from Revs Milton Keynes & the resident DJs Luke, Kid J Jr & Zak are spinning a two hour tribute set!

'We are running this event with PAPYRUS, a national suicide awareness charity. Any donations will be greatly appreciated!'
MILWAUKEE, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE: MTG) today issued an Operational Summary of the primary mortgage insurance of its insurance subsidiaries for the month of February 2021. The summary is also available on the company's investor website under Newsroom, Press Releases.

The information concerning new delinquency notices and cures is compiled from reports received from loan servicers. The level of new notice and cure activity reported in a particular month can be influenced by, among other things, the date on which a servicer generates its report, the accuracy of the data provided by servicers, the number of business days in a month, transfers of servicing between loan servicers, and whether all servicers have provided the reports in a given month. Notices of delinquency are typically reported to us when loans are two payments past due (for example, for February we report as a new delinquency any delinquent loan that missed its January 1st (or earlier) payment that was not previously reported to us). We expect the number of delinquencies will continue to be influenced by various factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its length and severity, the length of time that measures intended to reduce its transmission remain in place, the resulting level of unemployment, the impact of various government initiatives to mitigate the resulting economic harm and efforts to reduce its transmission.

The information concerning the percentage of loans in forbearance is based on the most recent information provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs), as well as loan servicers, and we believe substantially all reported forbearances are related to COVID-19. While the forbearance information provided by the GSEs refers to delinquent loans in forbearance as of the prior month-end, the information provided by loan servicers may be more current.



December January February Beginning Primary Delinquent Inventory (# of loans) 59,236 57,710 56,315 Plus: New Delinquency Notices 4,941 4,810 4,330 Less: Cures 6,352 6,094 5,446 Less: Paid Claims 112 108 95 Less: Rescissions and Denials 3 3 1 Ending Primary Delinquent Inventory (# of loans) 57,710 56,315 55,103 % of New Delinquency Notices in Forbearance 46% 47% 46% % of Primary Delinquency Inventory in Forbearance 62% 60% 61%

About MGIC

Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation "MGIC" ( www.mgic.com ), the principal subsidiary of MGIC Investment Corporation, serves lenders throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and other locations helping families achieve homeownership sooner by making affordable low-down-payment mortgages a reality through the use of private mortgage insurance.

From time to time MGIC Investment Corporation releases important information via postings on its corporate website, and via postings on MGIC's website for information related to underwriting and pricing, and intends to continue to do so in the future. Such postings include corrections of previous disclosures, and may be made without any other disclosure. Investors and other interested parties are encouraged to enroll to receive automatic email alerts and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds regarding new postings. Enrollment information for MGIC Investment Corporation alerts can be found at https://mtg.mgic.com/shareholder-services/email-alerts . For information about our underwriting and rates, see https://www.mgic.com/underwriting .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward looking statements. Forward looking statements consist of statements which relate to matters other than historical fact, including matters that inherently refer to future events and involve certain important risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. More information about the risks, uncertainties and assumptions affecting the company can be found in the risk factors included as Exhibit 99 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and in other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. No investor should rely on the fact that such statements are current at any time other than the time at which this press release was issued.

SOURCE MGIC Investment Corporation

Related Links

https://www.mgic.com


Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 00:08:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, takes part in a deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed full and faithful comprehension and implementation of the new development philosophy when joining a deliberation during the annual session of the National People's Congress, the top legislature.

Joining discussions with fellow lawmakers from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on the region to serve and integrate into the country's new development paradigm.

Urging Inner Mongolia to cherish and uphold its fine tradition of ethnic unity, Xi stressed cementing the sense of community for the Chinese nation.

Xi, an NPC deputy himself, exchanged views with other deputies on a wide range of topics including modern agriculture and rural vitalization.

Xi called for efforts to build Inner Mongolia into a national base for key energy and strategic resources, a production base for agriculture and animal husbandry, and a gateway for northward opening up.

Xi said Inner Mongolia should find its role in the country's establishment of the new development paradigm of "dual circulation," in which the domestic and overseas markets reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

He urged efforts to promote the smart and green development of related sectors toward the higher end.

Xi called on the region to continuously enhance sci-tech capabilities, deepen reform and opening up, improve its business environment and actively participate in the joint building of the Belt and Road.

Congratulating Inner Mongolia on accomplishing the poverty elimination target as scheduled, Xi said there are still arduous tasks ahead in the pursuit of common prosperity, adding that resolute efforts must be made to prevent any large-scale relapse into poverty.

Xi also underlined the development of distinctive industries with competitive edges and appropriately scaled agricultural and animal husbandry operations as part of efforts to increase the incomes of farmers and herdsmen.

Efforts should be made to step up green transformation of key industries and areas, foster cleaner production and accelerate green and low-carbon development, he said.

As the first ethnic minority autonomous region in China, Inner Mongolia should make solid and meticulous efforts in promoting ethnic unity, Xi said.

He also called for promoting standard spoken and written Chinese language and the use of state-compiled textbooks.

Efforts should be made to facilitate more comprehensive understanding of the Party's policies concerning ethnic groups, especially among young people, Xi said.

Xi highlighted a Party-wide campaign on CPC history learning and education, urging Inner Mongolia to make good use of its rich revolutionary legacy in the campaign.

Party members of the region should continuously improve themselves both in their thinking and work on major issues such as ethnic unity, he said. Enditem
A charity set up in memory of murdered Tyrone woman Michaela McAreavey is ceasing activities after ten years.

The Michaela Foundation was set up in 2011 following the death of the 27-year-old while on her honeymoon in Mauritius.

Today, her husband John, Chairman of the foundation, released a statement saying that The activities of Michaela Foundation will cease from this year.

Mr McAreavey, who recently welcomed his first child with his second wife Tara, said the charity had achieved an enormous amount in the past 10 years and that it is time to bring a close to this wonderful chapter in our lives.

He said the focus will now shift to a new initiative, which will create a tangible and permanent memory to Michaelas spirit and to the incredible spirit of Michaela Foundation.

Expand Close John and Michaela McAreavey at the Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp John and Michaela McAreavey at the Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim

The foundation was set up to commemorate the values that Michaela held dear in her life, he added.

It was clear that the simple way in which Michaela lived her life resonated with many people. Michaela was fun, confident and had an enriching relationship with God. She led a Life Without Limits.

In 10 years, the Foundation hosted almost 120 summer camps throughout every province in Ireland and worked with 10,000 young people, promoting its values. Last years summer camps were cancelled due to Covid-19.

Mrs McAreavey, the daughter of former Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled in the bath of her hotel suite after returning alone to her room at the former Legends Hotel in Grand Gaube, Mauritius.

Two hotel workers, Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea, were charged with the murder but were later acquitted.

In December last year, it was revealed that Mauritian police have officially closed the latest probe into the murder.

An investigation into the killing announced in August 2020 found no fresh evidence to warrant a new trial or a retrial before a jury, the Mauritian Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Office told the publication.

"We have been informed by the Commissioner of Police that the police has closed its inquiry into the killing of Michaela Harte as no fresh evidence has been detected by the new inquiry which could have warranted a reopening/retrial of the case before a jury," said Mehdi Manrakhan, a senior assistant to the DPP.

Read More

Mr Manrakhan was the solicitor who represented the Mauritian state in the 2012 trial of two hotel workers who were charged and later acquitted of the murder.

"The DPP has no further comments to make in the circumstances," he added.

Kathmandu, March 5 : The rival faction of the ruling Nepal Communist Party led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka 'Prachanda' on Friday demanded the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli from the post latest by Sunday or get ready to face a no-confidence motion in the Parliament.

Nepal's ruling Communist party has politically split into two factions after Prime Minister Oli dissolved the House on December 20 and announced snap polls. Later, the Supreme Court overturned Oli's decision on February 24 and instructed the government to summon the House within 13 days of its verdict.

The two factions led by Oli and Prachanda have been staking claims to the Nepal Communist Party, with both saying they have a majority of members in the Central Committee as well as in the Parliamentary Party.

The infighting between the two factions of the Nepal Communist Party turned nasty after both sides removed top leaders from each other's factions, thus splitting the party politically.

Later on January 24, Prachanda faction ousted Oli as a general member of the party. On Thursday, the Prachanda faction wrote to the Parliament Secretariat, urging it not to recognise Oli as the Parliamentary party leader.

As per the directive of the Supreme Court, the government has summoned the House session for Sunday.

A Parliamentary party meeting of the Prachanda-led faction on Friday decided to seek Oli's resignation or face a no-confidence motion, Prachanda said after the meeting.

"If Oli does not resign from the post, the coming days will be difficult for him. We demanded his resignation as soon as the Supreme Court reinstated the House, but he refused to step down. Today, the majority of the parliamentarians have elected me as the parliamentary party leader. This means Oli is in minority in the party. If he does not resign, we will bring the no-confidence motion against him. We are forced to bring the no-confidence motion due to Oli's behaviour," said Prachanda.

But the Prachanda camp does not have the required numbers -- 173 -- to oust Oli through a no-confidence motion. The faction needs support from other parties like the Nepali Congress, the primary opposition in the house.

Nepali Congress has received offer for the post of Prime Minister from both the Oli and the Prachanda faction, but it has not yet decided as to whom to support.

The Prachanda-led faction has already offered the post of Prime Minister to Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. But Deuba has been insisting that his party will not support any faction until the ruling party technically splits and divides into two political outfits.

The parliamentary party meeting also removed Oli and installed Prachanda as the party's parliamentary party leader. However, Oli has been claiming that he will face the Parliament and the no-confidence motion.

Oli lacks the quorum in the party, Prachanda said in the meeting, adding that they have majority parliamentarians against Oli in the party.

Both sides of the NCP, which has 173 lawmakers in the House of Representatives, are claiming that they have more than 100 lawmakers on their side.
A rights activist in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong has called off her bid to stand in local elections for the next village chief after intimidation from the authorities, she told RFA.



Tian Ruidi, who has been active in helping residents of Shangdong village near Guangdong's Huizhou city defend their land rights, said she is now staying away from home amid a slew of threats and repeated interrogations by local police.



Her husband Tian Xinhua told RFA: "The village secretary asked her to withdraw from the election."



"People came from the police station and the city government, and told people not to vote for my wife," he said. "My wife refused [to withdraw], and now she is in hiding."



Local rights activist Chen Tian confirmed Tian's story.



"A lady whose surname is Tian is now being threatened by [government-backed thugs]," Chen said. "The local police station wants to arrest her, and she has gone into hiding."



"The local government sent large numbers of workers to the village to go from house to house, telling people that they shouldn't vote for her."



Tian has spoken out about the pressure being put on her online, posting a video clip of a Feb. 19 village committee meeting during which the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) village secretary asked her to withdraw her candidacy.



"Secretary Zhang Xinhua asked me to withdraw from the village leader election qualification round," she said in that video. "This is an illegal act that undermines the election system and subverts the system of governance."



"He is illegally depriving citizens of their right to run for election," she said.



Tian's candidacy could potentially have toppled incumbent Tian Xinwu from the top job in the village of 300 residents, where 200 have the right to vote in local elections.



She has previously worked to expose local corruption linked to government compensation for land lost to development that was sent to the village, but never passed on to those eligible for it.



Voting went ahead on Tuesday, but another resident of Tianwu said villagers were unable to witness the ballot papers being counted on Wednesday.



"The general public wasn't allowed to get anywhere near the big screens in the hall," he said. "The police were blocking the doors and wouldn't let us through, although we had been allowed through on polling day."



Tianwu is the site of a long-running dispute between local officials and residents over rental income nearby Hualong quarry, which had been paid out to the registered lease-holders of the land used for the business.



Repeated calls to local CCP secretary Zhang Xinhua and incumbent village chief Tian Xinwu rang unanswered on Wednesday.



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Regardless of your political affiliation, Pennsylvanians take their elections very seriously and they are very passionate about them. This is a good thing and we, as elected officials, must complete our due diligence to provide residents with the best election process which conforms to our constitutional requirements, is transparent, has integrity and is accessible.

All legal votes should be counted, and the Pennsylvania General Assembly has a constitutional duty to prescribe the legal process of all elections within the commonwealth. Serious and valid concerns have been raised, and we need to review them to ensure they do not happen again.

Dont be a sore winner and publish messages in the paper or social media stating that Republicans are questioning the results of the presidential election. I acknowledge that Joe Biden won the presidential election. However, the goal now is to move forward to address the difficult issues that lie ahead for the nation and our commonwealth. Our House State Government Committee was assembled to review how the election was conducted, not to interfere with the results. Pennsylvanians and Americans deserve an Election Code that rids us of fraud, provides for election security and is respectful of the needs of the counties.

Our constituents have told us that we must make changes to the election laws. My colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, have introduced legislation with more forthcoming every day. It is a fact; change in our current election law and process is a bipartisan request and is a necessity. The alternative, doing nothing, is revisiting the same issues every election and that is unacceptable for our voters, election volunteers, county election employees and the Pennsylvania Department of State.

I have an idea. Lets work together to gain the desired results instead of trying to divide. For example, I will be reintroducing legislation that will assist in addressing the decrease in both recruitment and retention of our volunteers and emergency medical services personnel and the struggles they face in participating in necessary and timely training. The bill passed the Houses last session with bipartisan support, but was not taken up in the Senate by the end of the legislative session.

We know that no election is perfect, and that some problems will inevitably arise. The fact that this election was not stolen does not mean there are not problems to fix. Identifying what they are is a necessary precondition to bipartisan efforts to fix them. Thats an admirable and important task for our Legislature to take on.

The best action would be to return to the historically proven practice of in-person voting (with required identification) for all who can possibly do so. Mail-in voting should be limited to the military and others who absolutely require it.

For more information about this legislation, or any other legislative topic, contact my district office in Tamaqua at 570-668-1240, or in Hamburg at 610-562-3411. Information can also be found online at RepKnowles.com or Facebook.com/RepKnowles.

(Knowles represents

the state Houses

124th District)

Got some scoop for our reporters or editors? Click on the link below to send us your information.

Send your news
Charlotte Bennett, one of the women accusing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, on Thursday detailed multiple instances in which the governor allegedly made inappropriate comments, including asking her if her experience with sexual assault had impacted her sex life. Cuomo allegedly told Bennett he was comfortable dating 22-year-olds and was looking for a girlfriend, and asked her about her sexual relationships.

Bennett, who was the governor's executive assistant and a health policy adviser, told "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell that during a one-on-one meeting on June 5, 2020, Cuomo asked multiple questions that led her to the conclusion that "The governor's trying to sleep with me."

"Without explicitly saying it, he implied to me that I was old enough for him and he was lonely," she said.

When asked by CBS News to respond to Bennett's claims, Cuomo's office pointed to the governor's Wednesday apology, in which he said he "never, ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone pain," and urged the public to wait for the results of an investigation from the state's attorney general.

In a Saturday statement to The New York Times, which first published Bennett's allegations, Cuomo said he "never made advances toward Ms. Bennett, nor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate." In a longer statement on Sunday, Cuomo said he acknowledged that "some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation," adding, "To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Charlotte Bennett. / Credit: Courtesy of Charlotte Bennett

During the June 5 encounter in the governor's office, Cuomo allegedly asked Bennett if she had trouble in her romantic relationships because she had been sexually assaulted in the past.

"He asked if I had trouble enjoying being with someone because of my trauma," she said.

Story continues

"The governor asked me if I was sensitive to intimacy," she said, adding, "He asked if it made it hard to really be with someone physically."

Bennett, 25, said Cuomo, 63, also asked her if she was ever intimate with an older man and said he was comfortable dating women decades younger than him.

"He also explained that he was fine with anyone over 22," she said.

Cuomo mentioned he wanted a girlfriend and was lonely, Bennett said.

Text messages sent by Bennett to a friend and reviewed by CBS News memorialize her encounter with Cuomo immediately after the alleged conversation. In the messages, Bennett told a friend that Cuomo "talked about age differences in relationships."

Her friend, who verified the messages, asked: "Wait what," and "Did he do something."

"No," Bennett responded. "But it was like the most explicit it could be."

Bennett said she felt forced to answer the intimate questions from her boss because of his power as a governor. She believes his position made him feel "like he was untouchable in a lot of ways."

"I really was uncomfortable and understood that my boss was asking these questions, so I was trying to answer them," she said. "I feel like people put the onus on the woman to shut that conversation down. And by answering, I was somehow engaging in that or enabling it, when in fact, I was just terrified."

In response to Cuomo's claims that he was misinterpreted, Bennett said "I understood him loud and clear. It just didn't go the way he planned."

Charlotte Bennett and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo / Credit: Courtesy of Charlotte Bennett

Cuomo is facing similar allegations from two other women, Lindsey Boylan and Anna Ruch. Boylan, the former chief of staff at New York's state economic agency, alleged Cuomo sexually harassed her for years at work and kissed her during a one-on-one meeting, which Cuomo denies. Ruch, the only accuser who did not work for the governor, accused Cuomo of putting his hands on her lower back and face and asking if he could kiss her at a wedding reception in 2019. When asked about Ruch's allegation by The New York Times, which first reported the story, a spokesperson for the governor pointed to his Sunday statement.

Cuomo spoke publicly about the allegations for the first time on Wednesday. "I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable," he said. "I never, ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone pain. I feel terrible that these people felt uncomfortable, felt hurt, felt pain from the interactions, and I'm embarrassed by it, and I feel bad from it."

Cuomo, who said he will not resign, reiterated his claim that he never "touched anyone inappropriately."

Bennett said she did not believe Cuomo's Wednesday statement was an apology. "It's not an issue of my feelings ... It's an issue of his actions," she said.

"The fact is that he was sexually harassing me and he has not apologized for sexually harassing me. And he can't even use my name," she added.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said Monday that she was launching an investigation into the allegations and would make the results public after its conclusion. Cuomo's office said it will comply with the investigation.

"All members of the Governor's office will cooperate fully. We will have no further comment until the report is issued," said Beth Garvey, special counsel and senior advisor to Cuomo.

Some lawmakers, including Republican Representative Elise Stefanik and Democratic Representative Kathleen Rice, have called on Cuomo to resign. Others have condemned the alleged actions, but said they will wait to see the results of the investigation before determining whether the governor should resign.

Cuomo's administration is also being investigated for how it handled nursing home deaths in the state during the pandemic, and he is facing separate calls to resign over that controversy.

Doctors warn homemade baby formula can be dangerous

Crypto enthusiasts burn and digitize Banksy artwork

Global warming led to ancient mass extinction event, scientists say
On March 2, Virginia's Democratic Governor Ralph Northam signed into law the nation's second major piece of state legislation that governs consumer data privacy and protection. Virginia's Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA) follows the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which went into effect on January 1, 2020. In a referendum last fall, California citizens voted to amend the CCPA by approving the California Privacy Rights and Enforcement Act (CPRA), which will mostly go into effect on January 1, 2023.

All three laws follow the European Union's landmark data protection law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented on May 25, 2018. Although the CCPA, CPRA and CDPA borrow heavily from the GDPR, each data privacy vehicle contains provisions that vary from the other laws.

CDPA mandates how larger companies control or process data

Virginia's CDPA, also set to go into effect January 2023, spells out a complex framework for how businesses or "persons conducting business in the Commonwealth" control or process data. The bill's provisions apply only to businesses that control or process personal information of at least 100,000 consumers, defined as Virginia residents, or companies that control or process the data of at least 25,000 Virginia residents that also derive 50% or more of their gross revenue from the sale of personal data.

The legislation spells out that some organizations and data are exempt from the bill's requirements. Among the exemptions in the CDPA are state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and higher education institutions. Information subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and personal data processed in employment contexts are also exempt. The bill further exempts institutions subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The CDPA gives Virginia consumers the right to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of the personal information that covered businesses hold about them. The legislation also gives consumers the right to opt out of personal data processing for targeted advertising purposes, which will likely require companies to issue the kind of cookie use notices that have proliferated following the GDPR. Covered businesses must make additional disclosure around this data processing and are obligated to tell consumers how they may exercise their rights.

Businesses, who are referred to as controllers, are also required to perform impact assessments to ensure they are not infringing on consumers' rights when processing their data. Controllers must further implement appropriate technical and security controls and have appropriate agreements in place with vendors, referred to as processors.

The bill authorizes only the attorney general to bring legal actions against both controllers and processors. It also gives violators 30 days to "cure" their problems before they start incurring penalties up to $7,500 per violation.

CDPA combines CCPA, CPRA and GDPR

"The CDPA is basically a combination of the CCPA, CPRA, and GDPR," Kristen Mathews, partner at law firm Morrison and Foerster, tells CSO. But there are many apparent differences between the Virginia bill and its California counterparts too.

For example, "the definition of personal information in the CDPA is narrow because it only includes data that is identifiable to a natural person, as opposed to data that is identifiable to a device or a household," Mathews says.

Another difference deals with the de-identification of data, which businesses often implement to avoid privacy laws' burdens. "The CDPA has conditions on de-identification that are beyond the conditions that are present in the CCPA and the CPRA. There are more hurdles to successfully de-identifying data under the Virginia law," she says.

One significant difference between the CDPA and the California law, or perhaps most consumer protection laws in general, is that if the consumer makes the request and the business declines the request, the consumer has to be given an appeals process. "This is not present in the California law. And if the business at the end of the appeals process still declines the request, the business has to give the consumer contact information for the attorney general to make a complaint," Mathew says. "What this means is that businesses are not going to reject these complaints unless they really have to because they don't want to send the person to the AG."

"On a high level, the most important thing about the Virginia law is that it was passed and signed by the governor," Michael Vatis, partner at law firm Steptoe LLP tells CSO. "I think those of us who practice in this field have been watching as half dozen or more other states have proposed legislation similar to the CCPA but didn't get anywhere in 2020."

Vatis thinks the CDPA owes a lot to the framework adopted in the GDPR. "I think one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Virginia legislation, which makes it more similar to the GDPR, is that it imposes [data collection obligations] on companies as data controllers, which is itself is a GDPR term. But more fundamental than that is the obligation to limit the collection of personal data to that which is adequate, relevant, and reasonably necessary for the purpose for which the data is processed. In GDPR parlance, they talk about proportionality and necessity."

Other states may quickly adopt data protection laws

The Virginia legislation could spur other states, including New York and Washington, that have introduced similar laws to take quicker action. "The fact that Virginia is now number two will start the ball rolling a little more quickly in other States," Vatis says.

Mathews agrees. I would not be surprised if a few or a handful of other states enact similar laws this year, she says.

"It's almost a deja vu moment for anyone who lived through the 20 years or so watching, states pass data breach notification laws," Vatis says. "First California, then they're in a couple more states, then in a couple more, until we finally got all 50 states plus four territories. I think what we are likely to see is a very similar scenario in which more and more states enact laws that are derived from and similar to the California CCPA, but are just different enough to make compliance a nightmare for businesses."

As each state passes its own unique set of laws, the pressure will mount for a federal law that preempts the turmoil of the differing state requirements. "Every year, each of these companies would have to Institute a new silo," Vatis says. "That won't work. I think where companies will probably end up is having to have one compliance regime, one privacy policy that deals with all of them."

Morrison and Foerster's Mathews thinks federal data privacy legislation could be an uphill battle in Congress. "The problem is that, regardless of whether you're a Democrat or Republican in Congress, you represent a state. Every person in Congress represents the state, and the states want to be able to continue to legislate in this area. They don't want a federal law that preempts their laws."
(@fidahassanain)

Fawad Chaudhary clarifies that PM Imran Khan and PTI respect ECP and they all want to see it more strong, saying that he [the PM] just wants that the government and ECP should go together to development a mechanism to get rid of rigging and to ensure fair and free elections.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-March 5th, 2021) Federal Ministers on Friday expressed annoyance over Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for issuing press release against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary and Senator elect-Barrister Ali Zafar said that they did not like press release of Election Commission against the PM.

Fawad Chaudhary said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and PTI respect ECP and all other state institutions.

There is no reality that PTI will stage protest in front of ECP by tomorrow. ECP is a state institution while PM and PTI both revere all the state institutions, said Chaudhary while defending position of his leader and the party.

But he told the ECP that the state institutions should show independence rather than issuing press releases.

Issuing a press release against PMs stance is nothing but irresponsible, he added.

The Minister for Science and Technology said that PM just said that the responsibility to make elections free and fair was not fulfilled in the Senate elections held on Wednesday.

I think nothing is there to be worried about and measures need to be taken, he added.

PM just meant that the government and ECP should work together to development mechanism to get rid of rigging and ensure free and fair elections and thats all, said Chaudhary.

I assure CEC and members that we all want to see you strong, he clarified.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Syed Shibli Faraz has said Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party want transparent elections to strengthen democracy in the country.

Syed Shibli Faraz said it is unfortunate that Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz nurtured the politics of money and corruption in Pakistan, which adversely affected morality of the nation. He said recent Senate elections have vindicated our stance that horse-trading is undertaken in the polling process.
WE are now reading that the Minister of Sport has come out with a statement regarding our participation in the Tokyo Olympics.

As with the usual run-of-the-mill political type, the statement vacillates, kicks the can down the road and seeks to avoid the issue. Let us be clear on what the situation is regarding these Olympics.

Police conduct an ID check on a man (C) before a planned protest for press freedom in Hong Kong on Aug. 11, 2020, a day after authorities conducted a search of the Apple Daily newspaper's headquarters after the company's founder Jimmy Lai was arrested under the new national security law. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images)

Beijing Declines to Say How It Will Guarantee Press Freedom During 2022 Winter Olympics

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs failed to provide specifics during its regular press briefing on March 2 about its promise of complete media freedom for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

Following a report released by the Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC), which indicated a rapid decline in media freedom in China, based on 150 responses to a survey of correspondents and interviews with bureau chiefs, a reporter from ZDF television at the briefing asked: How do you respond to that [FCCC report]?

For example, when we talk about the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, where there will be a lot of international journalists coming to China, in which way can they get the possibility to report objectively and with the freedom of media?

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin mostly defended the regimes media environment against unfair, biased reports, and rejected the FCCC report as paranoid ideas of a handful of Western journalists, while largely sidestepping the second question.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) expelled more than a dozen foreign journalists at U.S.-based media organizations in 2020, and zeroed out accredited Australian journalists in China.

While foreign reporters based in China typically receive one-year visas and must renew them annually, at least 13 correspondents were given press credentials valid for six months or less, the FCCC said. Meanwhile, the CCP utilized state power, including surveillance systems, to harass and intimidate journalists, their Chinese colleagues, and even interviewees during the CCP virus pandemic.

Wang described restrictions on journalists as Chinas goodwill to help journalists and their families return to China.

Foreign journalists have reportedly been used as pawns in Chinas diplomatic disputes.

Amid tension between China and Australia, Chinese Australian journalist Cheng Lei was formally arrested in China on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas on Feb. 5, after being detained for six months without charge.

According to a Committee to Protect Journalists special report by Elana Beiser on Dec. 15, 2020, China was found to be the worlds worst jailer for the second consecutive year in a row, including 47 journalists imprisoned, many of whom are serving long sentences, or jailed in the Xinjiang region without any charge disclosed.

And yet still, no solid commitment to free reporting was made when spokesman Wang mentioned the 2022 Olympic Games.

As for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, it is another important contribution China will make to the international Olympic movement.  We firmly believe that the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games will be a simple, safe, and splendid Olympic gathering, Wang said.
Kantar Names Rana South Asia Insights GM

Kantar has promoted Deepender Rana to the role of General Manager of its Insights division (formerly Kantar IMRB, TNS and Millward Brown) in the South Asia region. He takes over from Preeti Reddy, who has been named Chairwoman of Kantar South Asia.



Rana began his MR career at IMRB in Bangalore in 1994, before moving to Millward Brown, initially in Shanghai, spending nearly seventeen years with the company and latterly serving as Head of Greater China, having earlier been Chief Client Officer, for Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. Most recently, he served as Kantar CEO Insights, responsible for managing the firm's Insights division in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.



In his new role, Rana replaces Reddy, who has a 30+ year career spanning consumer marketing, research and consulting. Previously she has been CEO of Kantar's Sri Lanka business, before returning to Delhi to lead Kantar IMRB and then Kantar in the South Asia region. In her new position, she will support Rana with growing the business in the region, while also focussing on I&D (innovation and development) initiatives.



Wayne Levings, APAC Regional President for the Insights division, comments: 'In Rana we have an outstanding successor to Preeti, able to build on her many significant achievements and to continue growing Kantar's success in the region. Preeti is a result-oriented leader with a strong track record for growing the Kantar business in a highly competitive environment. She is rightly recognised in the industry for building strong client relationships, nurturing and growing talent and for strategic thinking that yields a stronger bottom line.'



Web site: www.kantar.com .




Leaked audio has emerged of the moment Channel Seven media personality and Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas commented about a female colleague sitting 'on her knees' at a press conference in an on-air moment that sparked outrage.

The Triple M breakfast host and Perth politician was attacked online for the allegedly 'disgusting' comment made on Thursday morning leading him to furiously claim on Twitter that his remarks had been taken out of context.

In the audio - which was cut from Triple M's 'full show' podcast of Breakfast with Basil, Xav and Jenna but obtained by Daily Mail Australia, Zempilas came to realise that his words about Jenna Clarke sitting on the floor during Christian Porter's press conference could be interpreted the wrong way.

Zempilas noted Clarke was sitting 'on your knees' at Wednesday's event, to which she said she was crouching down as she was 'in front of the cameras' as it was an 'intense' media scrum.

Leaked audio has emerged of the moment long time Channel Seven media personality and lord mayor Basil Zempilas (pictured with wife Amy) commented about a female colleague sitting 'on her knees' at a press conference

Zempilas continued: 'I've seen you in your jeans and on your knees before, like .... you like to get down on the floor don't you.'

As she slowly said 'sure', Zempilas went on to say he meant 'no innuendo whatsoever, some people would not be sit on the floor people', adding that she was comfortable interviewing people 'on the ground, that sort of thing'.

The male hosts agreed he had cleared his gaffe up and moved on.

The radio station cut the moment from their morning podcast but the remarks were quoted on Twitter by ABC broadcaster Emma Wynne, sparking a torrent of criticism online where Zempilas' comment was branded 'disgraceful'.

'Did he realise what he said  that is so bad,' one Twitter user said.

Zempilas fired back on Twitter: 'I was clearly asking my co-host about sitting on the floor at the presser.

'We talk about seeing her in the cutaways and we then had a chat about how Jenna often sits on the floor when doing an interview.

'It's simply unfair to have used one line and then not the rest of the discussion.'

THE TRANSCRIPT Basil Zempilas: Were there any press conferences yesterday? Xav: I didn't see I was out busy doing things. Jenna what were you doing? Jenna: I was at a press conference Z: On your knees I noticed. Is that -? J: I was just crouching down because I was in front of the cameras X: OK right, OK J: It was (a) very intense scrum. Z: I've seen you in your jeans and on your knees before like, that's your casual - you like to get down on the floor don't you. J: ...Sure Z: No no I'm being absolutely serious - no, you are - some people wouldn't sit on the floor. I mean this, I'm being serious, no innuendo whatsoever, some people would not be sit on the floor people. Z: I've seen you can be comfortable interviewing somebody on the ground that sort of thing, right? J: Yes, it was good to be  in the view of the cameras X: Yep. I'm being clear on that one Z: I'm being clear on that one. X: And I think we've cleared it up Advertisement



Sources close to Zempilas said he stood by his tweets.

The on-air gaffe came about the same time photos circulated online of Zempilas and Mr Porter debating each other when they were at high school.

Both Zempilas and Mr Porter attended Perth's prestigious Hale School, with the future Attorney-General leading his house to victory over Zempilas's during a school competition.

A teary Attorney-General Christian Porter at a press conference this week. Zempilas's co-host is, on left, seated on the carpet

However, Zempilas wasn't part of the team which travelled to Sydney, where the future Attorney-General, 17, is accused of raping a 16-year-old Adelaide student.

Mr Porter on Wednesday vehemently denied that allegation, which resurfaced after 33 years last week.

Zempilas, 49, was elected Lord Mayor of Perth City Council last October and took up a new media commitment hosting the Triple M breakfast show in January.

The network promoted their new hire with the slogan: 'The mayor is on air!'
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
I dont blindly accept that the pipeline is the problem. We had to think differently. We had to behave differently. So what weve tried to show with our transparency is the deliberate steps you can take to get better.

What have the conversations been like with white men?

When we looked at the teams inside PwC that were servicing our top clients six years ago, they were done by white men. We made the decision that we were going to change that. So we invested more in our pipeline. We did more around sponsorship. We worked with our clients. And weve made massive progress there. But as we did that, many of our white men were like, I get it intellectually. But God, Ive been working for 20 years to be that guy in that job. And I feel cheated. Ive had 50 steak dinners in the last four years with incredibly talented white men who say to me, Tim, I get it. I see what were doing. Our clients demand it. Its the right thing to do. Im all in. But what about me?

So weve tried to redefine success. You may not be the lead partner, but how about helping that person get the role? What would you rather be remembered for? What do you want to be inspired by? And the reason why growth is so important is that its not a zero-sum game. When youre growing, youre creating more opportunities. It becomes less about these 20 clients. Now weve grown, and theres 30 clients to share the wealth.

Are there people who just feel like they got cheated? Yes, there are. And what I say to those people is, Im asking you to respect what we are trying to do. Im asking you to respect our colleagues. Im asking you to have compassion. And if you dont agree, thats OK. You dont have to agree with me. But I do need you to live our values.

How did the pandemic unfold at PwC?

Our people are all over the world in different countries. When the pandemic hit, as borders shut down, as transportation shut down, the first thing it was all about was just getting people safe, getting them home.

Then, in the later part of March, think about the equity markets. Think about the uncertainty. People were worried about their health and worried about their financial security. My leadership team, my board and I, we talked about the fact that were not a health-care provider. Were not a health-care company. So we talked about economic certainty for our people, and we said we would use layoffs only as a last resort. We did that having no idea where our business was going to go.

Our business took a dip and, and we sat down every week and looked at the numbers, asking ourselves along, Can we do this? Have we made the right decision? And we held on. Outside of performance-based layoffs, which is a traditional part of business, we got through it.
WASHINGTON  A new strain of the coronavirus, known as B.1.526, is proliferating vigorously across New York City, after having originated in February in a part of upper Manhattan known as Washington Heights.

I am concerned about its immune escape, Dr. Eric Topol told Yahoo News, a reference to the strains heightened ability to evade the bodys antiviral armaments, including a vaccine. Vaccines remain broadly effective against the coronavirus, including B.1.526, but the emergence of new varieties will require constant vigilance from virologists.

The eventual goal is a universal coronavirus vaccine that could defang any and all versions of the spiky pathogen.

The new variants arrival comes along exactly a year after New York City began reporting coronavirus cases. The city became the epicenter of the nations fight against the pandemic, and it has only recently begun to emerge from months of life under lockdown. Restaurants have been allowed to seat diners inside only since February.

The variants are the X factor here, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday, even as he warned that people should not attribute mythological powers to the new coronavirus variants. Public health officials have maintained that proper face coverings and social distancing remain effective in preventing transmission.

Theres nothing different that we need people to do in New York, said Dr. Jay Varma, an adviser to the mayor on the pandemic. For emphasis, he held up his face covering: a magenta cloth mask and, underneath it, an ordinary surgical mask. Public health officials now believe that double masking should be the norm.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, raised concerns about the new variant during a Monday briefing by the White House coronavirus task force. The Brooklyn-born immunologist said that the strain was now gaining and the Biden administration was taking it very seriously.

Story continues

Dr. Anthony Fauci. (Patrick Semansky/Pool via AP)

As the arrival of the new variant shows, the pandemic is far from over. Some half-dozen strains of the coronavirus are now spreading across the United States. Topol, a native of Queens, said that far more worrisome than B.1.526 is B.1.1.7, known as the British variant, because it appears to be much more transmissible than other strains.

The New York City variant is problematic because of a mutation known as E484K, which researchers have found allows it to evade antibodies and makes it more likely the virus will successfully infect people.

Still, vaccines appear to be broadly effective against the new variant. The New York variant, Penn State microbiologist Andrew Read told the New York Times, is less well controlled by vaccine, but its not orders of magnitude down, which would terrify me.

A spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted to Yahoo News in an email that the New York strain is a variant of interest, but that the overall prevalence of this variant in the U.S. is estimated to be less than 1%.

In a city where more than 29,000 have died from COVID-19, any new variant of the virus is an unwelcome development, especially as New Yorkers are eager to reclaim their city in the warm-weather months.

This is happening as we are attempting to open up, noted U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday. As the CDC has warned, opening up while new strains of the coronavirus are gaining force may ultimately prolong the pandemic.

People line up to get the COVID-19 vaccine outside a NYC Health Department clinic on Feb. 9. (Mary Altaffer/AP)

Fatigue is winning, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky cautioned on Wednesday.

Espaillat said on Tuesday that according to Columbia University virologist Dr. David Ho, who has been tracking the new variant, 26 percent of the coronavirus cases identified last week were of the B.1.526 variant. Throughout February, it represented 12 percent of cases.

Its really all over the city, Espaillat told reporters. Ho later amended that assertion, telling Yahoo News that the New York City variant had, in fact, slipped the bounds of the five boroughs and was now spreading along the Eastern Seaboard and to many other regions, including Chicago, Wyoming and Oregon. Several other countries as well.

New Yorks density presents a particular challenge, since the coronavirus spreads most easily in close quarters. Another challenge is its complex demography, requiring public health officials to be fluent in cultural and linguistic differences.

Espaillats district, for example, is a thriving community where Holocaust survivors, immigrants from the Dominican Republic and transplants from the Midwest may all find themselves in the same elevator. There are many essential workers, as well as the kinds of multigenerational households in which the virus is highly likely to spread.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., speaks at New York's City Hall in January. (Ron Adar/SOPA Images via ZUMA Wire)

Espaillat said he had written to the Biden administration asking for help in vaccinating the population. He said he wanted local physicians who had established relationships with residents to be given the authority to administer the vaccine. He has also asked the White House to provide substantial amounts of the antibody cocktail made by Regeneron to treat those severely sickened by the B.1.526 variant.

The status of Espaillats request was not clear as of Thursday morning.

For now, Washington Heights residents can get vaccinated at the Fort Washington Armory. It is important that people vaccinate themselves immediately, Espaillat said Tuesday.

City Councilman Mark Levine, who represents a swath of upper Manhattan, wondered why the city was lifting restrictions with the new variant looming.

Its not quite safe yet to reopen, he said during Tuesdays call with reporters.

Both he and Espaillat criticized the reopening of movie theaters as an especially misguided move. Levine thought that given the precarious situation, it was only right to keep things really tight.

____

Read more from Yahoo News:

Groundbreaking

5 March 2021

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) - the world's largest hotel franchising company with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries and territories - announced today the first groundbreaking of its new La Quinta and Hawthorn Suites dual-brand hotel concept in Pflugerville, Texas. This marks the first-ever pairing of these two flags under the same roof and enables owners to target both the business transient and extended-stay demand within any given market. The company has 36 La Quinta and Hawthorn dual-branded hotels in its development pipeline in markets such as San Antonio and El Paso, Texas; Yuma, Ariz.; Wichita, Kan.; Charlotte, N.C.

The property is slated to open in March 2022 with a combined 100 guestrooms - 30 of which will feature the recently updated Hawthorn room design that includes modern, well-equipped kitchens for extended-stay guests. This hotel will also feature the newly refreshed room design from La Quinta's sought-after Del Sol prototype in 70 rooms. This new dual-brand hotel concept is designed to streamline development and operational costs. The concept includes a shared lobby, spacious modern great room, fitness center, bar, amenities, and back of the house all while appealing to the multiple types of travelers that have an affinity for these brands. The combination enhances Wyndham's suite of offerings for developers by coupling its leading upper-midscale brand, La Quinta, with its benchmark, extended-stay Hawthorn Suites brand that reported a 44 percent year-over-year increase in domestic contract executions during 2020.

Conveniently located at Pflugerville's Stone Hill Town Center, just 15 miles northeast of Austin, the hotel provides easy access to the area's more than 1,000 acres of scenic parks, trails and open spaces. The growing suburb of Pflugerville has seen significant business and residential growth, with a nearly 40 percent population increase in the past 10 years.

With La Quinta and Hawthorn Suites targeting different types of travelers, this brand pairing offers a unique opportunity to introduce a new subset of consumers to Wyndham's strong upper-midscale and midscale portfolio. By bringing select-service and long-term lodging together under one roof, Wyndham is tapping into the steady and strong appetite developers and travelers have for extended-stay, especially in the midscale space which is expected to continue the high growth that it is seeing today.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
A 27-year-old fugitive who fled after being involved in a fatal crash in New Jersey on Christmas Eve was arrested Wednesday at a Texas town along the U.S. border with Mexico, officials said .

Roberto Alcazar-Sanchez, of Jackson, ran off after a vehicle he was driving collided with a car around 6 p.m. on Dec. 24, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said Friday.

The driver of the other car  an 83-year-old Howell man  was exiting Interstate 195 at exit 21 and trying to make a left on Cedar Swamp Road when the crash took place. The mans passenger  Phyllis Shtab, 81, of Howell, died of her injuries two days later at Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune. The Howell man was treated and released from the hospital.

Alcazar-Sanchezs passenger, a 30-year-old Wrightstown man, was treated for injuries not considered life-threatening.

Prosecutors issued a warrant for Alcazar-Sanchezs arrest on Dec. 30 and he was taken into custody by United States Customs and Border Protection agents in Laredo, Texas as he returned to the U.S. from Mexico. He is being held at the Webb County Detention Center in Laredo, where he will quarantine for up to 10 days before being returned to New Jersey.

Alcazar-Sanchez is charged with knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, operating a vehicle with a suspended drivers license while being involved in an accident resulting in death.

His girlfriend, Reyna Mendez, 27, of Jackson, lied during the investigation and was charged with hindering apprehension, authorities said.

Knowing full well that he was being relentlessly pursued by multiple law enforcement agencies for more than two months, Alcazar-Sanchez really had no alternative but to surrender himself to the authorities, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradly Billhimer said. Soon, he will be returned to Ocean County where he will face justice.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
She dipped her toes into making adult content last year.

And now Australian model Sahara Ray is ramping up her very own website.

On Thursday, the 27-year-old and a female pal performed a number of raunchy moves in front of the camera while asking fans 'to talk to her'.

Swipe to talk! Lottie Moss' best friend Aussie model Sahara Ray stripped down to racy lingerie and enjoyed a playful romp with another female pal to promote her adult site on Thursday

In the clip, the blonde bombshell wore a very short rara skirt and skimpy top.

Her female pal came and tenderly touched her as she danced seductively while squatting on the floor.

The two women pawed over each other's chests before bursting out into fits of laughter.

Sahara asked fans to 'talk' to her with her promoting her page on adult website, Glow. In her Instagram bio she has published a phone number to allowed fans to 'text' her.

Call me! On Thursday, the 27-year-old and a female pal performed a number of raunchy moves in front of the camera while asking fans 'to talk to her'

Last July, Sahara made headlines when she promised to release a sex tape if she reached enough subscribers on similar adult site OnlyFans.

OnlyFans is a subscription-based social media platform that allows users to sell adult content for a monthly fee.

Sahara charges AUD$20 per month for unlimited access to her OnlyFans account.

Meanwhile, her best friend and Kate Moss' half-sister Lottie recently admitted that her decision to sell racy snaps and videos of herself on adult platform Glow has caused a rift in her family.

BFFs: Sahara is best friends with Kate Moss' half-sister Lottie Moss. The pair are pictured here on a recent trip to Cabo, Mexico

But this hasn't stopped her teasing glimpses of what her fans can expect to see should they pay for her hidden images.

She has been uploading snaps of herself posing in scantily-clad looks on Instagram, and then sells erotic photos of herself on Glow.

Sahara was famously caught by the paparazzi enjoying a skinny dipping session with Justin, 26, in Hawaii in August 2016.

He went on to marry model and socialite Hailey Baldwin, 24, in 2018.

Throwback: Sahara was famously caught by the paparazzi enjoying a skinny dipping session with Justin, 26, in Hawaii in August 2016

That's bold! Last July, Sahara made headlines when she promised to release a sex tape if she reached enough subscribers on OnlyFans

Like her famous father, Sahara was an avid surfer, but she put down the surfboard at the age of 16 to pursue a career in modelling and fashion.

The blonde beauty then moved to the bright lights of Los Angeles, where she enrolled in The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM).

Sahara forged a successful career as a swimsuit model and launched her own of swimwear line, Sahara Ray Swim.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-04 23:39:11|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

People talk outside an NHS COVID-19 vaccination center in London, Britain, on March 4, 2021. Future vaccines that have been tweaked to deal with new coronavirus variants will be fast-tracked for authorization, Britain's medicines and health care regulator announced Thursday. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Future vaccines that have been tweaked to deal with new coronavirus variants will be fast-tracked for authorization, Britain's medicines and health care regulator announced Thursday.

"We have a clear goal that future vaccine modifications that respond to new variants of coronavirus can be made in the shortest possible time without compromising safety, quality or effectiveness," June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said in a statement.

According to new guidance, the three-phase safety trials required for the original coronavirus vaccines won't be needed but manufacturers must provide robust evidence that the modified vaccine triggers an immune response.

Christian Schneider, chief scientific officer at the MHRA, said: "The public should be confident that no vaccine would be approved unless the expected high standards of safety, quality and effectiveness are met."

Currently, both the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines have reportedly shown to be effective against the variant that first emerged in Britain late last year.

However, experts have raised concerns over the efficacy of current vaccines in the variants first found in South Africa and Brazil, which have both been detected in Britain.

Six cases of P1 variant related to Brazil have been found in Britain, including three in England and three in Scotland.

More than 20.7 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.

At present, England is under the third national lockdown since outbreak of the pandemic in the country. Similar restriction measures are also in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On Feb. 22, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his long-anticipated "roadmap" exiting the lockdown. Schools in England will reopen from Monday next week as first part of the four-step plan, which Johnson said was designed to be "cautious but irreversible".

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Enditem
New Delhi:

On the orders of the Supreme Court, Pakistans top anti-graft organisation summoned ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his two sons in money laundering and corruption cases on Friday.

Summons were issued to Nawaz Sharif and his sons Hussain and Hasan by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), to interrogate them in its Lahore office in connection with their offshore properties revealed by the Panama Papers case.

Earlier, the five-member bench of the Supreme Court had disqualified Sharif for possessing a work permit in the firm of his son in the UAE on July 28.

NAB was also directed by the apex court to investigate money laundering and other corruption charges against Sharif and his children, son-in-law Safdar and relative federal finance minister Ishaq Dar in view of the report by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

ALSO READ: Pakistan court issues notice to ousted PM Nawaz Sharif and 13 senior leaders for insulting SC judge

Sharif and his sons have been directed to appear before NABs Lahore office on August 18, the NAB confirmed. The NAB said that it will take up the reference against Ishaq Dar on August 23 and summons has been issued to him in its respect.

Sharif, however, has not yet decided to appear before the NAB. While speaking to PTI, a PML-N senior leader said Nawaz Sharif is considering boycotting the NAB proceedings because he thinks it is very much likely that like the Panama Papers case he may not get justice in its case as well.

He said Sharif has already expressed his concern over a Supreme Court judge who is supervising the NABs investigation against him, fearing that he (judge) will ensure adverse verdict against him in the accountability court.

Sharif will discuss the NAB summons with his confidants on Thursday before making a final decision about his appearance in NAB, he added.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Sharif files three appeals in SC to review its Panama verdict

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Malaysia Airlines frequent flyers will be missing the inflight experience during travel restrictions. However, they can have a little of the experience delivered to their homes by buying the airlines inflight products via the Temptations e-retail store. An upgrade is even possible, as signature items such as pyjama sets, amenity kits and duvets, usually only available to premium passengers, are available for sale.

') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // -->

The Business Suite amenity kit is made in partnership with London-based luxury leather goods brand, Aspinal of London, and contains travel essentials such as Payots skin and body range, with lip balm and hand and body lotion, specially designed to pamper customers throughout their journey. The iconic amenity kit is now available on sale for RM99 (US$24).

The dual-tone business class duvet, selling at RM110 (US$27), is made from a blend of cotton and polyester featuring the airlines Wau Bulan motif, making it a perfect snuggle buddy as customers dream of their next travels with Malaysia Airlines. The airlines premium limited-edition Business Suite pyjamas set is also available for purchase, for RM119 (US$29), complete with a zip-up top, pants, eye mask, as well as socks and slippers, all packed in a reusable tote bag. Items can be posted anywhere in the world.

Malaysia Airlines Berhads group chief marketing and customer experience officer, Lau Yin May, said, Everyone from all walks of life who misses flying with us will now have a chance to recreate their flying experience with our best cabin merchandise at home. Rest assured that these items are all new and ready stocks. We hope that by making these signature items available, our customers can reminisce their happy memories of flying with us as we look forward to welcoming them onboard for their Fly Malaysia experience again soon.
Violence in the inner-suburbs heats up as the temperatures rise.



Here's the best report so far . . .

RAYTOWN, MO (KCTV) -- The police are investigating after a man was shot on Thursday evening. According to the police department, officers were called 6:14 p.m. to the area of 81st Street and Elm due to the sound of gunshots. Officers arrived in the area and then found a man who had been shot in the 9400 block of E.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
Hyderabad: Constant irritation, rubbing and redness in eyes are complaints of students from primary schools coping with the online classes and summer heat. The condition has aggravated as the shift in temperatures is resulting in a dehydration of the body.

Several parents are taking to hospitals their children complaining of redness in eyes and blurred vision and showing behavioural irritation as these are affecting their concentration during the classes.

Rupali Mehta, a mother of three girls says, "My two younger daughters in primary section were taking the mobile phones closer to them to read whats on the screen. This got me worried as the gadget light is harmful. An eye-check with a doctor revealed that they developed sight problems and were suffering from dry eyes."

As the dry eyes syndrome is not known to many families, it required a lot of counselling to convince them that it was due to overuse of gadgets. The dryness is caused as the blinking of eyes is reduced to 10 times from 40 times per minute.

Dr Atul Gupta, ophthalmologist with the government medical college explains, "The dry eyes problem has multiplied ten times during the pandemic and many of them are reaching out to doctors for help. In the past, only IT staff suffered from it. Now a lot of staff from banks, insurance, realty sector as also students are coming with complaints.

Many conclude this to be a problem with their sight and insist on having eye-check-up. It is actually their continuous work and less exposure to oxygen in the outside environment that aggravate the condition."

Eye lubricants take atmospheric oxygen to revive. For 10 months, there was restricted movement outside, and now too people are careful. To add to it, summer heat dehydration is setting in which is also affecting the eyes.

Dr Vijay Kiran, senior ophthalmologist, says, "Preventive measures involve that one must look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes and then resume work. It is important for eyes to blink every minute as this is a healthy trend."

Parents and schools are counselled to use these preventive measures to help their children cope with the use of gadgets till the educational institutions resume full-time classes.

Queensland has recorded one new COVID-19 case on Friday as the state prepares to receive its first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Health Minister Yvette DAth said the new case was a returned worker from Papua New Guineas Ok Tedi copper mine who tested positive in hotel quarantine.

Another five workers who arrived in Cairns on a charter flight from the mine tested positive on Thursday.

There are 21 active cases of coronavirus remaining in the state, and more than 7500 tests in the past 24 hours. Friday marks 57 days since the last locally acquired case was infectious in the Queensland community.
[March 04, 2021] Martello Announces Private Placement Concurrent with Bought Deal

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES./ OTTAWA, ON, March 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Martello Technologies Group Inc., ("Martello" or the "Company") (TSXV: MTLO) today announced that in addition to the bought deal offering previously announced on February 25, 2021 and March 3, 2021 (the "Bought Deal Offering"), the Company intends to complete a concurrent non-brokered private placement of up to 2,310,502 units at an offering price of $0.19 per unit (the "Private Placement Units") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately $439,000 (the "Concurrent Private Placement"). Each Private Placement Unit shall consist of one common share of the Company, and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.30 per Warrant Share for a period of two years following the closing of the Concurrent Private Placement. The Concurrent Private Placement is being conducted pursuant to the exercise by HO Industries SAS of its pre-emptive right granted by the Company pursuant to the Company's agreement dated April 28, 2020 to acquire 100% of the shares of GSX Participations SA. The Concurrent Private Placement and the sale and purchase of the Private Placement Units will be completed on a non-brokered private placement basis, pursuant to exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws. The Bought Deal Offering will be completed pursuant to the terms of an underwriting agreement between the Company and Paradigm Capital Inc., acting as sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (collectively, the "Underwriters"). The Underwriters are not acting in connection with, and no fee or commission will be paid to the Underwriters in respect of, the Private Placement Units issued under the Concurrent Private Placement. Closing of the Concurrent Private Placement is subject to a number of conditions, including without limitation, receipt of all regulatory approvals. The proceeds raised from the Bought Deal Offering and the Concurrent Pivate Placement are expected to be used by the Company for research and development activities, scaling sales and delivery capacity, working capital and general corporate purposes.



The Concurrent Private Placement is expected to close on or about March 18, 2021. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under United States federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such United States registration requirements.

About Martello Technologies Group Martello Technologies Group Inc. (TSXV: MTLO) is a technology company that provides digital experience monitoring (DEM) solutions. The company's products provide monitoring and analytics on the performance and user experience of critical cloud business applications, while giving IT teams and service providers control and visibility of their entire IT infrastructure. Martello's software products include Microsoft 365 end user experience monitoring, unified communications performance analytics, and IT service analytics. Martello is a public company headquartered in Ottawa, Canada with employees in Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region. Learn more at http://www.martellotech.com Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements or information typically contain statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "project" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release include, but are not limited to, the expected closing date of the Offering, Martello's intended use of the net proceeds of the Offering, trends in the markets in which Martello operates and the potential exercise by the Underwriters of the Over-Allotment Option. Forward-looking statements or information is based on several factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Martello believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, as Martello can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified in this news release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, Martello's ability to obtain all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals for the Offering, Martello's ability to identify and acquire suitable acquisition targets, the accuracy of Martello's expectations with respect to industry and market trends and global economic conditions including the continuing effects of COVID-19. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions that have been used. Forward-looking statements or information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve several risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by Martello and described in the forward-looking statements or information, including the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in Martello's Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2020, filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under Martello's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com . These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements or information. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, Martello undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Martello Technologies Group

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
TUNIS - LGBTQ activist Rania Amdouni on Friday was sentenced to six months in jail (with immediate effect) by a court in Tunis for "offending a public official on duty", according to the Tunisian association for justice and legality "Damj". The organization, together with other groups of civil society, expressed strong concern for the ruling.



Amdouni was arrested on February 27 after she went to a police station to report a campaign of threats and defamation against her by "unions representing security forces and by right-wing extremists".



According to Damj and the NGO "Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms" that organized on Monday a sit-in in front of the court of Beb Bnet in Tunis to demand the release of the activist, Ambouni was allegedly accused at the beginning of "attacking public morals", a crime for which the prosecutor on Friday confirmed her detention.



Groups representing civil society also said that many members of the Tunisian LGBTQ community were allegedly targeted by police during protests at the beginning of the year.
A former public schoolgirl who lunged at a police officer and called her a 'Welsh dyke' before yelling 'I'm surrounded by Muslims' while being handcuffed has avoided jail.

Hanita Dadswell, 28, attacked PC Larner after officers were called out to investigate a report she had been assaulted by her boyfriend at his Chelsea flat.

Dadswell - who has schizoid and bipolar disorder - called the officer a 'Welsh dyke' and shouted 'I'm surrounded by Muslims' before she was arrested.

She was on a suspended prison sentence at the time for an earlier offence of arson -where she set a pile of clothes on fire while in the psychiatric of a hospital.

Hanita Dadswell, 28, (pictured) attacked PC Larner after officers were called out to investigate a report she had been assaulted by her boyfriend at his Chelsea flat

And another incident in 2019 saw Dadswell - who has been sectioned several times - fined 185 and ordered to pay 1,000 in costs after she lunged at police officers with a wine bottle after an alcohol-fuelled date with her boyfriend on Valentines' Day.

District Judge Karim Ezzat told Westminster Magistrates Court that Dadswell had breached the terms of her suspended sentence in the latest incident.

Dadswell admitted assault by beating of an emergency worker, racially religiously aggravated intentional harassment and breaching her suspended sentence order for arson and was ordered to complete a 12-month community order.

Dadswell (pictured) - who has schizoid and bipolar disorder - called the officer a 'Welsh dyke' and shouted 'I'm surrounded by Muslims' before she was arrested

Prosecutor Arfan Ahmed said: said 'Police responded to a report that a victim was injured.

'She changed her account when challenged, she hit out at PC Larner and was subsequently arrested and brought to the police station.

'The defendant called the other officer a Welsh dyke. The officer was distressed, she kept on using the word dyke.

'She was on a suspended prison sentence, she is in breach of that.

'The Crown would be asking for costs in addition you may want to offer compensation.'

Defending, Malcolm Heider defending said: 'She has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

'She is 28 years of age, she is in a stable relationship with Mr Sam Greywood who sits at the back of the court.

'It was my client who had called the police on him. Hence their attendance at his address.

Mr Heider argued Dadswell suffered from mental health problems including schizoid and bipolar disorder.

'It is a very complex disorder.

'The offence occurred as a lack of consequential thinking and her emotional state at the time.

'She has been sectioned quite a number of times in the past. She informs me she had stopped taking her medication at this time.

'The body-worn footage captures the officer at the time and it is safe to conclude that the police officer in question did not receive any sustained injuries.'

Interjecting, District Judge Karim Ezzat said: 'Does that therefore give her a pass to do whatever she likes?

'What message does it send if I don't activate the suspended sentence order?

'You commit an offence by assaulting a police officer and racially abusing her, you can't simply come to court and say I'm unwell.

'The suspended sentence order was Arson. She set fire to her possessions whilst in the psychiatric ward.'

Dadswell (pictured) was on a suspended prison sentence at the time for an earlier offence of arson -where she set a pile of clothes on fire while in the psychiatric of a hospital

Another incident in 2019 saw Dadswell (pictured) - who has been sectioned several times - fined 185 and ordered to pay 1,000 in costs after she lunged at police officers with a wine bottle after an alcohol-fuelled date with her boyfriend on Valentines' Day

The judge told Dadswell: 'I accept that you have not been well and when that order was imposed you might have not been well but it does not give you a get-out-of-jail free card.

'I'm going to take into account the progress you have made with probation.

'If you come back to court you will be going to jail, that's exactly where you're going to go'

Dadswell, of Earls Court, London, admitted assault by beating of an emergency worker, racially religiously aggravated intentional harassment and breaching her suspended sentence order for arson.

She was handed a 12-month community order with a 25-day rehabilitation requirement and ordered to pay 100 for breaching her suspended sentence, 85 in court costs and a 95 victim surcharge.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
From city streets to country roads, Turtle Wax has been an integral part of American culture for the last 75 years and has solidified its place in the hearts and minds of car enthusiasts as the No. 1 brand across multiple categories including carpet/fabric care, spray wax, lens restoration kits, compounds/polishes, scratch removers and bug/tar/sticker removers.*

To kick-off car care season, Turtle Wax is celebrating its past while laying the groundwork for the next 75 years with the announcement of The Healy Family Scholarship Program and Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Graphene Paste Wax, a new paste wax featuring the brand's patent pending graphene technology, one of the top, new ingredient trends in car care.

"It's been an incredible journey over the last 75 years, and I'm so lucky to have had a front-row seat to it all," said Denis John Healy, executive chairman, Turtle Wax. "The fact that we continue to expand to new channels and territories - yet stay true to our values - and make sure our products continue to be easy to use, are grounded in technology, and always come at a great price, is a testament to the foundation built by my grandparents and parents. I'm honored to continue their legacy and excited for what we have in store for 2021 and beyond."

TRAINING THE FUTURE

Setting the industry standard for superiority in car care is what Turtle Wax has and will continue to do. An important part of that commitment is supporting the future generation of car detailers and giving them ample resources to succeed, and that starts with training, which is paramount to growing this industry.

The Healy Family Scholarship Program will support training and educational opportunities for future detailers and chemists. To start, the brand is donating $75,000 worth of trainings led by a Turtle Wax International Detailing Association (IDA) Recognized Trainer over the next three years to support and further their careers without the worry of financial investments.

INDUSTRY-LEADING INGREDIENTS

With innovation at its core, it wouldn't be a 75th anniversary celebration without new products. Beginning today, Turtle Wax is offering fans the opportunity to purchase the commemorative 75th anniversary Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Graphene Paste Wax available in the US at TurtleWax.com or AutoGeek.com and is coming soon to Amazon.com  retailing for $35 while supplies last.

The commemorative paste wax features a unique blend of 10 waxes that are infused with silicon dioxide (SiO2) ceramic and graphene technology. The combined key benefits of this limited-edition wax include incredible gloss, slickness, water repellency, chemical resistance along with heat dissipation for increased UV protection, and helps keep water and contaminants from sticking to the vehicle resulting in a clean, protected and easier-to-maintain finish.

Graphene technology within the paste wax has been an industry game-changer and a key factor in the early successes of the brand's Hybrid Solutions Pro line. Having launched in December 2020 with Turtle Wax's proprietary patent pending graphene technology, the Hybrid Solutions Pro line was one of the first graphene-infused products available at mass retail. The product line  which includes 1 & Done Compound Correct & Finish To the Max Wax and Pro Flex Wax  holds a No. 1 Amazon New Release Badge and has Turtle Wax as relevant as ever in the car care industry.

COMMEMORATIVE BIRTHDAY KIT

Fans can also get their hands on a birthday kit which includes the 75th anniversary Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Graphene Paste Wax, professional-grade car care accessories and a modern-vintage style capsule apparel collection, available for purchase now at TurtleWax.com. Current members of the Chicago-based car detailing subscription service GloveBox will be receiving the entire kit as part of their April box. For fans not already subscribed, those who sign up before April at GloveBoxDetail.com can use the code 'TURTLEWAX75' when checking out to receive 30 percent off a monthly subscription package.

For more details on Turtle Wax's 75th anniversary and to learn more about the brand's history, visit www.turtlewax.com and follow the brand on social at @TurtleWax and #TurtleWax75 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

*NPD units 12 months ending Dec. 2020

About Turtle Wax

The Turtle Wax story started with the launch of the first-ever bottled car wax in 1944. More than 75 years later, the 'Most Innovative Brand in Car Care' is still capturing the attention of the auto appearance industry with a cross-category assortment of No. 1 selling products. With product distribution in more than 120 countries, the Turtle Wax brand resonates around the globe, but the brand's heart remains in its hometown of Chicago, where award-winning innovation is developed to this day. For an inside look at the brand's breakthrough product development process or how Turtle Wax supports car culture worldwide, visit TurtleWax.com.

Media Contact: John Manzo, Zeno Group, [email protected]

SOURCE Turtle Wax

Related Links

http://www.turtlewax.com


New York governor Andrew Cuomos health department has confirmed members of his Covid-19 taskforce altered a state Health Department report to omit the full number of nursing home patients killed by coronavirus, but insisted the changes were made because of concerns about the datas accuracy.

The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, citing documents and sources, reported that aides including secretary to the governor Melissa DeRosa pushed state health officials to edit the July report so only residents who died inside long-term care facilities, and not those who became ill there and later died at a hospital, were counted.

It is the latest blow for Mr Cuomo, who has also been besieged by accusations that he made lewd comments and inappropriately touched two former aides and a woman he met at a wedding.

He apologised on Wednesday for acting in a way that made people feel uncomfortable but rejected calls for his resignation and said he would fully co-operate with the state attorney generals investigation into the sexual harassment allegations.

Expand Close Andrew Cuomo at a Covid-19 vaccination site in Brooklyn (Seth Wenig/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Andrew Cuomo at a Covid-19 vaccination site in Brooklyn (Seth Wenig/AP)

Federal investigators are scrutinising his administrations handling of nursing home data.

After Thursday nights report, some state legislators  including fellow Democrats like Assembly members Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Yuh-Line Niou  called for his impeachment.

15,000 nursing home residents died. 15,000 of our loved ones died. And Cuomo hid the numbers. Impeach, tweeted Assembly member Ron Kim, who said Mr Cuomo bullied him over the nursing home response.

The July nursing home report was released to rebut criticism of Mr Cuomo over a March 25 directive that barred nursing homes from rejecting recovering coronavirus patients being discharged from hospitals.

Some nursing homes complained at the time that the policy could help spread the virus. The report concluded it played no role in spreading infection.

The states analysis was based partly on what officials acknowledged at the time was an imprecise statistic. The report said 6,432 people had died in the states nursing homes.

State officials acknowledged that the true number was higher because of the exclusion of patients who died in hospitals, but they declined at the time to give any estimate of that larger number of deaths, saying the numbers still needed to be verified.

The Times and Journal reported that the original drafts of the report had included that number, then more than 9,200 deaths, until Mr Cuomos aides said it should be taken out.

State officials insisted on Thursday that the edits were made because of concerns about accuracy, not to protect Mr Cuomos reputation.

Scientists, health care professionals and elected officials criticised the report at the time for flawed methodology and selective stats that sidestepped the impact of the directive.

Expand Close Demonstrators in front of Mr Cuomos Manhattan office (Brittainy Newman/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Demonstrators in front of Mr Cuomos Manhattan office (Brittainy Newman/AP)

It comes after one of the women who accused Mr Cuomo of sexual harassment said she was motivated to come forward after seeing his name mentioned as a potential cabinet nominee for President Joe Biden.

Lindsey Boylan, 36, worked for Mr Cuomos team from March 2015 to October 2018 and recounted her story of sexual harassment in the series of Twitter posts.

She elaborated on her accusations in a February 24 Medium post in which she said Mr Cuomo once suggested a game of strip poker and on another occasion kissed her without her consent.

Charlotte Bennett, 25, a former low-level aide, said he quizzed her about her sex life and told her he would consider dating anyone above the age of 22.

Anna Ruch, 33, said Mr Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her after meeting her at a wedding in September 2019.
Slovakia will ask its European Union neighbors for an advanced delivery of COVID-19 vaccines amid soaring infection and death rates, Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok said Monday.

"We have the world's highest death rate at the moment," said Korcok, ahead of a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

I will explore opportunities with my colleagues whether they could provide an advanced delivery of vaccines to Slovakia, he added, noting his country's "difficult moment."

Last week, Slovakia became the nation with most COVID-19 deaths by size of population in the world amid a surge of cases from a highly contagious coronavirus variant.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Who is that masked man?

A person wearing a TV-shaped mask left old TVs on more than 50 doorsteps in 2019



When residents of Henrico County, Va., woke up on Sunday morning, a number of them were greeted with the sight of vintage television sets sitting on their doorsteps. But it wasnt until a few of the recipients checked their doorbell cameras that they discovered the mysterious deliverymen made the drops while wearing what looked like old TVs of their own on their heads.



Henrico Police Lieutenant Matt Pecka told WTVR-TV that more than 50 TVs were left at homes throughout the neighborhood by more than one person wearing a mask resembling a television.



We determined there was no credible threat to residents and that this was strictly an inconvenience. It wasunique, Pecka said, adding that police were able to round up the TVs in just over an hour on Sunday. The county plans to recycle them.



The general sentiment among residents who were gifted with the old box sets seems to be that the nighttime deliveries were part of a prank. Especially considering that the same thing happened in a nearby Glen Allen neighborhood last August.



Everyone started coming out of their houses, walking around the neighborhood looking at the TVs there on the doorstep, Jeanne Brooksbank, one of the recipients, told the Washington Post of Sundays incident. It was very Twilight Zone.



He wants to be known as the TV Santa Claus, I dont know, Jeannes husband, Jim Brooksbank, added. I cant think of any technology or political point that would be valid here. Its just a senseless prank.



https://nowthisnews.com/videos/news/person-leaves-old-tvs-on-50-doorsteps-in-henrico-county-va

Read more here
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Reflecting a significant rebound in employment in the leisure and hospitality industry, the Labor Department released a report on Friday showing much stronger than expected U.S. job growth in the month of February. The Labor Department said non-farm payroll employment jumped by 379,000 jobs in February after climbing by an upwardly revised 166,000 jobs in January. Economists had expected employment to increase by 182,000 jobs compared to the uptick of 49,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month. With the stronger than expected job growth, the unemployment rate unexpectedly edged down to 6.2 percent in February from 6.3 percent in January. Economists had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Jetboaters on the Tarawera River have left some angry parents in their wake.

Parents of children swimming in the river have taken issue with Northern District Jet Boating New Zealand Association members also using the river last weekend, claiming the jetboaters put their children at risk.

The matter has become a storm on social media with many parents saying their children could have been hit as boats came around blind corners.

However, chairman of the Northern Districts branch Jeff Berkers says members are playing it safe, following all the rules, and the association received no complaints about the weekend.

Despite this, he has taken the feedback on board and says the group will plan runs up the Tarawera River in winter in future to reduce the risk of encountering swimmers.

Berkers says the group used to have a run up the Tarawera River at least once a year, although that hasnt happened in recent years.

He speculates that it might have been surprising to Kawerau residents to see 16 jetboats coming up the river.

It could be that the river has become more popular with swimmers during those years, so yes, we will possibly plan to have it in April in the future, he says.

The group launched from the Tarawera River mouth near Matata and then travelled up the river and past Kawerau town before stopping for a BBQ.

Berkers says in the future, the group could stop before they reached Kawerau.

He says the group is attracted to the river because it's a beautiful trip with stunning scenery and a weir that the group enjoyed.

It was a scenic trip; it wasnt a race or anything, so we were travelling around 30kmh at most. It was quite windy and were not hoons.

When passing people, we slow right down to five knots and we can stop pretty quickly if need be.

Generally, people can hear them coming and we did pass a group of kids on the side of the river who we think may have gotten out before we got there. We passed some kayakers and stopped with them for a chat; we didnt actually see anyone swimming.

When the group returns to the river, Berkers will be happy to speak to anyone who might have issues.

They can come talk to us. We are responsible guys and we do everything by the rules, he says.

Kawerau mayor Malcolm Campbell, himself a keen jetboater, agrees the event could have happened during cooler months.

It is quite popular with swimmers and the danger there is kids jumping out in front of the boat, he says.

But they would have needed to get a resource consent and everything to do it. In this case, perhaps, they shouldve waited until it got a bit colder.

Campbell says he has been up the river in his jetboat and had upset some fisherman in the past.

Although he agrees with comments about the timing of the run, he doesnt agree with some of the more violent posts.

Some had suggested throwing rocks at the boaties on their next trip.

Throwing rocks and that; thats just dumb. Thats just as dangerous as throwing rocks at a motorbike, he says.

Jet Boating New Zealand is the biggest boating body in New Zealand, and I believe its the most responsible boating body in the country. I think its a storm in a teacup.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council harbourmaster Jon Peters says on the Tarawera River upstream of State Highway 2 Bridge, vessels could exceed five knots, although they must slow down when passing swimmers or other water users.

He says the regional council did receive one complaint about the event but unfortunately it was two days after the fact.

We always encourage people to phone the harbourmaster call centre at the time of any incident if they have concerns, so that they can be followed up in a timely manner, Peters says.

The harbourmaster phone number is 0800 5 KNOTS (556687).

Any group wanting to have exclusive use of a waterway must complete an event application form and have this approved before the event takes place. This is available on the regional council website.

The Whakatane-based senior maritime officer from the regional council is more than happy to engage with the public if there are areas of ongoing concern, Peters says.

Public safety of people on and around the water is our top priority.
The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Two Latin Kings gang members have been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a 16-year-old rival in Chicago on Friday night.

Latin King gang members Jesus Moro, 21, and Sergio Rodriguez, 20, were charged with first-degree murder on Monday in connection with Julian Castillo's death, Chicago police said as Fox23 reported.

According to Assistant State's Attorney Angel Eggleston, Julian Castillo was cutting the hair of a fellow member of the Two-Six gang in a lower-floor apartment Friday night when Moro and Rodriguez noticed it was a "Two-Six cut."

When Rodriguez recognized the man's haircut from Latin Kings' rival gang, he became enraged and began to yell that he hates Two-Six and pulled out a gun inside the building in the 6300 block of South Richmond Street.

Rodriguez, together with Moro, then chased Castillo, who ran out of the apartment. Prosecutors said that Rodriguez asked Castillo about his gang affiliation. When Julian Castillo identified himself as a member of Two-Six, Rodriguez started punching him.

Julian Castillo managed to get about a block-and-a-half down the street before Moro emerged and fired multiple rounds at Castillo, hitting the teenager several times, according to a Chicago Sun Times report.

On the other hand, Rodriguez punched Julian Castillo a few more times before leaving him. Castillo's friend was able to run to the back door where he saw Moro wearing a distinctive white hoodie and was holding the gun that Rodriguez held earlier, prosecutors said.

The prosecutors added that when someone asked Moro what he had just done, he just laughed. Castillo's friend ran to him and stayed with him until the police arrived. The 16-year-old victim was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead.

Rodriguez was apprehended after officers found him hiding in the trunk of a parked Chevy Malibu, while Moro was arrested after he came out of a restroom in the second-floor apartment.

A surveillance video showed Moro shooting Julian Castillo while wearing the said white hoodie. Investigators found 10 shell casings and two fired bullets at the scene.

READ NEXT: 62 Suspected Members of the Latin Kings Arrested on Thursday

Latin Kings Gang

Latin Kings was already established in Chicago, Illinois in 1954. The gang, known as the Imperials then, was founded by Roman Santos, a young Cuban youth raised in Puerto Rico. Santos started putting a club of three boys that included his stepbrother, "Fast Eddie," also a Puerto Rican.

Reports said more than 60 members and associates of the notorious Latin Kings gang have already been arrested in major East Coast.

"Law enforcement developed evidence that the Latin Kings trafficked drugs, conspired to murder more than 10 victims, and committed violent crimes including numerous incidents of robbery, shootings, stabbings and witness intimidation," federal authorities earlier said as New York Daily News reported.

Among those arrested is Michael Cecchetelli, a Massachusetts resident with ties to the Genovese crime family. He oversaw the gang's operations from Massachusetts to Florida.

Joseph Bonavolonta, head of Boston's FBI office, said that anyone who tries to fill the void left by those apprehensions should know that they will not tolerate those who terrorize their neighborhoods and put the public at risk.

READ MORE: Spotify Immediately Regrets Calling Justin Bieber "Latin King" In Ad

WATCH: Dozens of Latin Kings Arrested in Federal Sweep - From WCVB Channel 5 Boston
With the blessing of the Liberal provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador, local authorities have recklessly started reopening schools amid a major outbreak of the highly-contagious B117 variant of the coronavirus. Like governments across Canada, their priority is safeguarding the profits of big business, not the health and lives of students and teachers.

All schools in Newfoundland and Labrador were closed on Feb. 12 due to the rapid spread of the B117 variant, first identified in the UK, in metro St. Johns, the provinces capital and largest city. The rapid spread of the variant was made possible by large outbreaks in schools and workplaces, and exacerbated by widespread poverty and cramped living conditions.

145 students and staff at Mount Pearl Senior High have been stricken with COVID-19 (Photo Credit: Twitter/MPSH Student Council)

In the past week, the province has recorded 40 new cases. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 989 COVID-19 infections have been recorded in a population of 520,000. Of those cases, 565 are associated with the current St. Johns area outbreak. Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, chief medical officer of health, said 88 of the samples tested have been identified as the B117 strain. Everything weve sent up related to this recent cluster  has come back positive for B117, she said. Our assumption now is that anything that is coming from a community-related case is due to this variant.

Eastern Health confirmed that 145 students and/or staff at Mount Pearl Senior High had been infected with COVID-19. That accounts for the largest portion of the approximately 185 students and/or staff infected at 22 schools around the Eastern Health region. Overall, there have been cases at five high schools, four junior high schools, and 13 elementary schools in St. Johns and its environs

The recent resurgence of the pandemic in Newfoundland has once again demonstrated the central role that schools and young people, including children, can and are playing in the spread of COVID-19. Yet governments across Canada and internationally have time and again sought to downplay, if not outright dismiss, the dangers associated with school reopenings so as not to undercut their drive to reopen the economy.

Authorities in Newfoundland know full well that schools are a major vector of COVID-19 transmission, yet they are doubling down on the lie that schools are safe.

Students in the central, western and northern parts of the province were ordered to return to in-class instruction Wednesday. Most of the province has moved to Alert Level 4, meaning some non-essential businesses and schools can reopen.

On March 1, the Department of Education lifted restrictions on regulated child-care facilities on the Avalon Peninsula, where St. Johns is located and more than half of the province lives. In a press release, the department said that the move would relieve some of the burden on essential workers. Centres must operate at 50 percent capacity, with preference given to parents who must leave their homes for work or families in which one or more parent is working from home, the department advised.

Schools on the Avalon Peninsula will continue to give classes online until March 12, when a final decision will be made on when students will be returned to in-school teaching.

Students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 are not required to wear a mask during the school day, but will be required to wear one while travelling on school buses. All students from Grade 4 to Grade 12 will be required to wear masks all day, whether in class or on the bus. Students can take off the mask when theyre eating or taking part in physical education classes. Students in Grade 7 to Grade 12 are required to keep a distance of two metres between them at all times. School staff will be required to wear a Level 1 medical mask and a face shield at all times while teaching, and at any other time when a two-metre distance cannot be maintained. The province said personal protective equipment will be provided by the district school board.

In interviews with the WSWS, teachers from other provinces have stressed that enforcing such regulations in crowded classrooms and buildings is impossible. Scientific studies from across the world, including one from Montreal conducted last fall, have demonstrated that schools act as vectors for the transmission of the virus, helping it spread throughout the local community.

Thousands of teachers, parents and students across the province are well aware of the fact that they are being sacrificed on the altar of corporate profit. In an expression of the lack of confidence in the governments public health measures, authorities were forced to postpone all in-person voting in the provincial election that was to be held February 13, less than 24 hours before polls were to open, after large numbers of election workers resigned their posts out of fear of being infected.

Sisters Kaitlin and Sarah Healey, who attend Gonzaga High School in St. Johns, told CBC that they worry about COVID-19 transmission. Neither was planning to go to school. I dont think thats an unreasonable ask, to be protected, said Sarah. I dont feel safe going into a classroom with like 30 to 40 other children, and about 20 to 30 the kids arent wearing their masks properly.

Ella Niblock, a high school student from Conception Bay South, says she and a lot of her friends are dealing with anxiety and fear over the outbreak and a potential return to school. As much as I love the social aspects of everything  some things are just not worth the risk of it, she said. Youre just waiting for the call. Like you never know if youre going to be the next one, and it feels like youre walking on thin ice.

She added, Its hard to keep your bubble to 20 people when theyre going to school with like 600 people. I just think that being in school right now is just one of the worst possible things, because every couple of minutes someone else is texting, being like, I have to isolate. If we were all in school right now, wed have so many more cases.

As the deadly threat posed to working people by the reopening of schools becomes ever clearer to workers and youth, the opposition to the ruling elites reckless agenda must find political expression. The World Socialist Web Site is fighting to establish a cross-Canada educators rank-and-file committee, independent of the pro-capitalist trade unions, which have supported the capitalist elites back-to-work/back-to-school drive. This committee will fight for an end to all in-person learning until the pandemic is brought under control, the closure of all nonessential businesses, and the provision of full wages to all workers and parents so they can shelter at home. We encourage all of our readers who agree with these demands in Newfoundland and across Canada to contact us today to participate in this fight.
Leaders of India, Australia, Japan and the United States are likely to hold a virtual meeting soon to elevate the Quad -- a coalition forged by the four nations -- to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, United States President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will take part in the virtual meeting which will mark the elevation of the Quad to the level of the Heads of Governments.

It was during a news conference in Sydney on Friday that the Australian Prime Minister confirmed that he was looking forward to the first virtual meeting of the leaders of the Quad. He also said that the leaders of the four nations would also hold follow-up face-to-face meetings later.

And of course were looking forward to those discussions and follow-up face-to-face meetings as well. This will become a feature of Indo-Pacific engagement, Morrison said, adding that he already had a bilateral discussion with Biden, Suga and Modi on the role of Quad in the Indo-Pacific.

Read: Biden looks forward to engage with Quad partners in Indo-Pacific soon

But it's not going to be a big bureaucracy with a big secretariat and those sorts of things, Morrison said. It will be four leaders, four countries, working together constructively for the peace, prosperity and stability of the Indo-Pacific, which is good for everyone in the Indo-Pacific, he added.

The proposal for a virtual meeting of the leaders of the four nations was mooted by the Biden administration last month.

India, Australia, Japan and the US had first launched the Quad in 2007 but the initiative had fizzled out very soon. The four nations, however, re-launched the Quad in Manila in November 2017, ostensibly to create a bulwark of democratic nations to counter expansionist moves of China in the Indo-Pacific region.

The senior diplomats of the four nations had several meetings ever since it was re-launched. It was elevated to the level of Foreign Ministers with a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2019. The second ministerial meeting was held in Tokyo on October 6 last year and the third one was held virtually on February 18, 2021.

The one Biden, Morrison, Modi and Suga are likely to hold will be the first-ever meeting at the level of the leaders of the four nations.

Read: Quad nations emphasise on respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty

It is, however, unlikely to transform the Quad to a NATO-like entity for the Indo-Pacific region as the erstwhile US administration led by Bidens predecessor Donald Trump wanted.

The meeting of the Quad Foreign Ministers in Tokyo took place amid Chinas growing belligerence, not only along its Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India in eastern Ladakh but also elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region  the disputed waters of the South China Sea and East China Sea as well as in Taiwan Strait being some examples.

Trumps Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wanted to turn the coalition into a formal organization. However, the Trump Administrations move to formalize and expand the Quad and turn it into a NATO-like bloc for the Indo-Pacific region did not succeed as New Delhi was in favour of moving cautiously and was hesitant to join a security architecture that would appear to be overtly adversarial to China.

India was worried about the implication of such a move on its long-standing strategic partnership with Russia which earlier denounced the Quad as a divisive and exclusivist tool being used by the US to implement its devious policy of engaging New Delhi in games against China as well as to undermine Moscows close partnership with India.

Read: Biden-Modi phone call a sign of renewed solidarity in Indo-US ties

Besides, the Modi government in New Delhi was also apprehensive about the implication of formalizing Quad on its own negotiation with Beijing to resolve the military stand-off along the LAC. Australia and Japan too were not yet ready to go the whole hog and gang up with the US against China.

The Biden administration too has been focussing on strengthening the Quad but apparently agreed with New Delhi, Canberra and Tokyo on treading cautiously, instead of moving expeditiously.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.
After Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) stipulate the legal status of the HKSAR; without the Constitution and the Basic Law, a high degree of autonomy in the HKSAR would be out of the question; without recognition of China, how could one recognize the HKSAR which exists on the basis of the Constitution and the Basic Law? As a Chinese proverb goes, "With the skin gone, what can the hair adhere to?" "Patriots governing Hong Kong" follows a natural political logic and needs no further explanation.

However, some people in Hong Kong collude with international anti-China forces to propagate that "Hong Kong only belongs to the Hong Kong people" and attempt to disrupt the unequivocal logical relationship between "loving the country" and "loving Hong Kong." Some radical Hong Kong separatists even expect to win seats at the District Council and Legislative Council (LegCo) elections, and "legally" challenge the central authorities using their District Council and LegCo memberships, so as to break away from the administration of the Central People's Government and betray the country. Such acts are intolerable in any country of the world.

"Patriots governing Hong Kong" follows the basic operating logic of any political system, and governing by patriots is not unique to China. Election candidates in Western countries including the United States compete with each other on the basis of their patriotic ethos. Those who don't love their country are unlikely to gain support from voters, qualify as candidates, let alone win elections.

In the 1980s, in the process of formulating the "one country, two systems" policy and making the Basic Law, Mr. Deng Xiaoping repeatedly said that "some requirements or qualifications should be established with regard to the administration of Hong Kong affairs by the people of Hong Kong. It must be required that patriots form the main body of administrators, that is, of the future government of the Hong Kong special region." This January, when hearing a work report by Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam, President Xi Jinping said that the steady and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems" can only be achieved by always ensuring "patriots governing Hong Kong." The principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" based on more than 20 years of practice does not deny "one country, two systems," but rather represents continuation, development and enrichment of the policy. It is a fundamental principle that concerns national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as Hong Kong's prosperity and stability in the long run.

In recent years, many people making no contribution to Hong Kong have won elections by advocating "Hong Kong independence" and practicing "burn with us" tactics. Those people don't compete with each other on their love for the country and Hong Kong, nor their contribution to and plans for Hong Hong's development. On the contrary, they try to be more separatist, radical and destructive than the others. This reveals that Hong Kong's current systems and mechanisms tend to pose major security risks. Therefore, efforts must be made to plug the loopholes in the systems to make it impossible for unpatriotic opportunists or separatists to snatch power by applying "burn with us" tactics, while letting those who truly love the country and the HKSAR become representatives of Hong Kong residents and speak for Hong Kong through legal and democratic procedures and mechanisms. Only in this way can Hong Kong maintain its long-term stability, prosperity and development.

China Mosaic

http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm

"Patriots governing Hong Kong": Logical and legitimate

http://www.china.org.cn/video/2021-03/05/content_77276957.htm

SOURCE China.org.cn

Related Links

http://www.china.org.cn


Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

24 Hour Access
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
File / Hearst Connecticut Media

GREENWICH  Officers arrested a local man on charges of selling a mind-altering drug to young teenagers in the community, which resulted in medical emergencies, according to police.

The police departments narcotics unit developed information that Farhaan Rajput, 20, of Brookside Drive, was selling ecstasy pills to young people, according to the arrest report, and some of his customers were as young as 14 years old.

She is a busy news-reader and journalist.

And Charlotte Hawkins caught the eye in vibrant fuchsia trousers and a pale pink puff sleeve top as she arrived at Global Studios in London to present her Classic FM show, on Friday.

The presenter, 45, looked sensational in the bold summery colours as she strutted down the street to work.

Style: Charlotte Hawkins caught the eye in vibrant fuchsia trousers and a pale pink puff sleeve top as she arrived at Global Studios in London to present her Classic FM show, on Friday

Her pale pink ribbed top was embellished with puff sleeves, lace detailing around the wrists and cute buttons on the sleeve.

The mother-of-one wore tailored fuchsia trousers which complemented her matching stilettos.

The broadcaster's blonde locks were styled in loose curls and parted in the centre and Charlotte carried her belongings in a large black leather handbag.

Beauty: The presenter, 45, looked sensational in the bright colours as she strutted down the street

Fierce: The mother-of-one wore tailored fuchsia trousers which complemented her matching stilettos

Last month, Charlotte stunned her Good Morning Britain co-stars by twerking to the show's theme tune.

Introducing the show, Piers Morgan was visible unimpressed over TikTok videos circulating online, of people dancing to the theme.

The host said: 'I don't think any video has excited the team more, or made something in me slightly die.'

Charlotte then insisted: 'We're going to do this! We're going to recreate this!'

Work it! Last month, Charlotte stunned her Good Morning Britain co-stars by twerking to the show's theme tune

And, as the GMB theme tune began playing, Piers could be heard gasping 'oh my god' as Charlotte confidently strolled onto the floor and started to dance.

Piers joked: 'The things that people will do to try and get a bit more airtime... It's baffling why Brendan Cole got kicked off Strictly after that,' in a nod to her turn on the BBC competition with the professional dancer in 2017.

Piers then added: 'Actually your dancing skills have improved a bit.'

But Charlotte was already ready for another go, which saw her attempting to twerk, which was met with audible approval from her co-stars.

Charlotte pointed out: 'And a twerk at the end!' while Piers yelled out: 'Work it baby, work it baby.'
A reporter with One America News Network at a campaign rally with President Donald Trump at Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, Va., on Sept. 25, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

OAN Demands House Democrats Retract Letters Pressuring TV Carriers

One America News Network (OAN) is demanding two House Democrat lawmakers retract letters that it says sought to pressure television carriers into taking action against OAN and two other conservative- to right-leaning news channels.

OANs attorney Eric Early wrote to Reps. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.) and Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) on Thursday demanding that they publicly retract their letters by March 11. He warned that the network could pursue legal action if the lawmakers refuse to do so.

McNerney and Eshoo, both members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent letters to 12 cable, satellite, and streaming companies last month, accusing the companies of not taking steps to combat the spread of what the Democrats say is misinformation.

The lawmakers claimed that OAN, Fox, and Newsmax had spread misinformation after the November 2020 elections and about COVID-19, and demanded carriers explain why they are offering their services to these television outlets. One of the questions the lawmakers posed asked the carriers to explain the moral or ethical principles behind the decision for carrying the news channels. They also asked the companies whether they were planning to continue carrying the news networks.

Early argued that the lawmakers questions were thinly veiled threats in disguise aimed at pressuring carriers with OAN contracts to de-platform or otherwise take action against the news network. The lawmakers wording also puts pressure on potential carriers from entering into further contracts with the networks, he argued.

As government officials, you are interfering with the national cable news marketplace by dictating winners and losers. You are encouraging viewpoint discrimination designed to harm national media news voices that report unfavorably on your agendas and that may oppose you and your political beliefs, Early alleged in the letter. You are effectively demanding that three center-to-right national media outlets be removed to suit your own political desires.

The lawyer also accused the lawmakers of infringing on OANs First Amendment right to free speech and free press by attempting to silence news organizations that present dissenting views to the Democrats.

The authors of the letters have apparently forgotten the bedrock principles of our nation while taking positions to cancel OANs rights in a manner that would delight some of the most brutal dictators in world history. All of this on the letterhead of the Congress of the greatest Republic in human history, Early said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.

He also alleged that the lawmakers letters are effectively interfering with OANs contractual relationships with the carriers, and argues that such conduct could expose them to potential tort liability.

OAN will not sit idly by and watch as these elected officials and those acting in concert with them, trample all over the U.S. Constitution and OANs rights, he added.

McNerney and Eshoos offices did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times request for comment on OANs letter.

The House Democrats have since received backlash for sending the letters. During a hearing on Feb. 24, the top Republican House member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee criticized her colleagues for their attempt to censor media companies, likening their conduct to actions by Chinas ruling communist party.

Elected officials using their platform to pressure private companies to censor media outlets they disagree withthat sounds a lot like actions from the Chinese Communist Party, not duly-elected representatives of the United States Congress, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said during that hearing.

Here, we cherish free speech and a free independent press. We believe in dialogue and in the battle of ideas. Rather than censor and silence constitutionally protected speech, the answer is more speech. Thats the American way.

Similarly, two FCC Commissioners, Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington, in separate statements characterized the Democrats pressure as troubling because it seeks to stifle political speech and independent news judgment.

This is a chilling transgression of the free speech rights that every media outlet in this country enjoys, Carr said in his statement.

McNerney and Eshoo have both defended their letters. Eshoo pushed back on claims that they had violated the First Amendment.

She said she had asked First Amendment experts at the Congressional Research Service to review their letters for violations, and that the experts informed her their preliminary analysis did not find any First Amendment red flags.

Id like this to be understood, the idea that members asking questions violates the First Amendment is absolutely absurd. Its our job to ask questions, Eshoo said during the Feb. 24 hearing.

Similarly, McNerney said the letters sought to understand how disinformation spreads and the role of various companies in enabling that spread.
Kevadia: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday (March 5) saluted the selfless courage of the soldiers during the Eastern Ladakh standoff with China. The Defence Minister addressed the Combined Commanders Conference today at Kevadia.

Singh later took it to his official Twitter handle to express himself. He wrote, "Indias resolute response on the borders has helped in a positive and peaceful resolution of certain significant issues. I salute the selfless courage displayed by the soldiers during the recent Eastern Ladakh standoff."

Indias resolute response on the borders has helped in positive and peaceful resolution of certain significant issues. I salute the selfless courage displayed by the soldiers during the recent Eastern Ladakh standoff.  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 5, 2021

It has been almost a year since India and China are in a standoff in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The standoff was a result of aggressive border skirmishes by the Chinese army. During the standoff, twenty Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese soldiers lost their lives.

"I spoke (with commanders) on a wide range of issues pertaining to the defence and security of the nation, the emerging nature of military threats, the critical role of the Armed Forces in meeting these challenges and the nature of warfare in future," he said in another tweet.

"Our ability to secure India's territorial integrity and sovereignty from external threats and internal challenges have been strengthened in the recent years. Our forces today are proactive and more resolute in their response," Singh further said.

Our ability to secure Indias territorial integrity and sovereignty from external threats and internal challenges have been strengthened in the recent years. Our forces today are proactive and more resolute in their response.  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 5, 2021

We are working towards increasing jointness in the armed forces. The optimal utilisation of our resources and rationalisation of manpower holds the key to jointness and better coordination between the forces," the Minister added.

The Defence Minister emphasised upon the fact that our armed forces are capable to protect the nation's interests. Singh also added that the nation will nurture close relations and partnerships with like-minded countries.

"Our national interests are defined by the elements of National integration, sovereignty, sociology-economic development, conservation of our values and peaceful and harmonious region and world. We are committed to protect territorial integrity and ensure peace in the region," he said in the following tweet.

"We as a country are looking to strengthen our ability to create a secure and stable environment that can facilitate India's economic growth. Our enhanced defence capabilities will allow us to be better prepared for contingencies," the Defence Minister added.

In the latest developments, on February 21, the defence ministry asserted that the disengagement process by India and China in eastern Ladakh has been completed after nine rounds of diplomatic and military level talks.

Additionally, the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hit out at Congress for questioning the bravery and valour of Indian soldiers. "He spoke on the emerging nature of military threats, the critical role of the Armed Forces in meeting threats and anticipated changes in the nature of warfare in future. He expressed heartfelt appreciation and respect to the courage displayed by jawans during the Eastern Ladakh standoff with PLA", said a statement by the Indian Army.

Live TV
The charges alleged Acevedo attempted to evade paying taxes he owed, including by depositing cash payments into his bank account to conceal the source of income. He was also charged with four misdemeanor counts of failing to file a tax return from 2015 to 2018. Acevedo faces up to five years in prison on the most serious counts.
Survivance: the ongoing survival; the continual reclaiming of ones presence and voice; a collective renunciation of systemic oppression and intentional harm on a person and/or a people. This is a moment for the culture, for ALAANA to share what our experiences have been like living one year in the pandemic, said Letitia V. Fowler, Co-Creator/Founder of Survivance.

The Henry Williams Love Foundation in partnership with The Pisces Life Podcast and Network announce the storytelling project: Survivance: Life One Year in the Pandemic: A Digital Time Capsule for greater Chicago ALAANA.

Survivance is a preservation of stories from the ALAANA* community in the greater Chicago area. The pandemic is a once-in-a-century human event and the stories of how ALAANA have been affected by Covid are important, said Kyla Williams, Co-Creator/Founder of Survivance.

The storytelling and media project is a digital time capsule, a space created to facilitate agency, to preserve the experiences of individuals and families from ALAANA communities in the greater Chicago area, living through the pandemic due to Covid-19.

This is a moment for the culture, for ALAANA to share what our experiences have been like living one year in the pandemic, said Letitia V. Fowler, Co-Creator/Founder of Survivance. The stories of survival that testify to the resilience, brilliance, and reliance of ALAANA on self, community and Faith will inspire, offer hope, and remind the world, we were here and this is what happened to us.

Survivance is the first storytelling and media grant in partnership between the Henry Williams Love Foundation and The Pisces Life Podcast and Network. Survivance stories from ALAANA in and around greater Chicago is the first City of entries for the digital time capsule. Funding for the greater Chicagoland Survivance story submissions is generously supported by the Field Foundation of Illinois.

Survivance is our branded storytelling project for The Pisces Life Podcast and Network. We chose the pandemic as the first topic of focus with Chicago as the first city to share stories from ALAANA , as I live here and am embedded in Chicago through the work we do at HWLF, said Williams. Were fortunate The Field Foundation of Illinois saw the merit and worthiness of the Survivance brand and this specific project. Chicago ALAANA today and more stories from ALAANA across the US tomorrow.

For more information about Survivance, to submit stories, see the collection unfold, or donate to expand the project, please visit Survivance.io

*ALAANA:African-African American, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and/or Native American; as defined by The Field Foundation of Illinois.
People take part in a rally against anti-Asian hate crimes in San Mateo, California, the United States, on Feb. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

The Committee of 100 calls on all law enforcement agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance stance toward acts of bigotry, racism and hate inflicted on Asian Americans, whether verbal, physical or psychological.

NEW YORK, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Committee of 100, a non-profit U.S. leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans, on Thursday unveiled a seven-point plan calling on officials and law enforcement to focus on concrete actions to stop the incidents of hate, violence and racism directed toward Chinese Americans and the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community.

Many people from the AAPI community have continued to be subjected to unrelenting intimidation, discrimination, and violence despite President Joe Biden's executive memorandum disavowing discrimination against the AAPI community, said a release by Committee of 100.

"We at the Committee of 100 are extremely saddened to witness the increased attacks against Chinese Americans and the Asian American community overall... These acts of hate have no place in America, whether directed against Asian Americans or anyone else," said Zhengyu Huang, president of the Committee of 100.

The Committee of 100 calls on all elected officials - including governors, mayors, and members of Congress - to forcefully denounce all acts of anti-Asian racism and bigotry.

Any public official, government employee, or law enforcement officer found to be stoking hate or discriminating against people of Asian descent should be expulsed, according to the seven-point plan.

People take part in a rally against anti-Asian hate crimes in San Mateo, California, the United States, on Feb. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

The U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice are urged to set up a task force to specifically investigate and combat increased violence directed toward the AAPI community.

The U.S. Department of Justice is also urged to revamp its China Initiative, which has involved the racial profiling of Chinese scientists and researchers.

The Committee of 100 calls on all law enforcement agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance stance toward acts of bigotry, racism and hate inflicted on Asian Americans, whether verbal, physical or psychological.

The federal government should provide funding to local governments and law enforcement for education, training and community outreach, according to the plan.

Moreover, survivors of hate crimes shall be ensured to have access to language support.

In 2020, close to 3,000 incidents of hate were reported against the AAPI community in the United States, said the Committee of 100.
A section of the persons who turned out at Victoria Park on Wednesday for Day One of the roll out of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Deployment.

The Ministry of Health launched its COVID-19 National Vaccination Deployment Programme on Wednesday at the Victoria Park.





This followed on the arrival of 40,000 doses of the Covishield AstraZeneca vaccine on March 1 as a gift from the Government of India.





Speaking on the issue on February 28 on radio, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that the arrival of the quantity of vaccines meant that the Health Ministry was in a good position to unveil a national vaccination drive, which included the availability of the AstraZeneca vaccine at health centres throughout the country.





The national vaccination roll out is expected to include target groups, example the police, teachers and government departments, the prime minister said.





Gonsalves said then that he had spoken to the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Simone Keizer-Beache who had indicated that health officials met to plan for the national vaccination roll out.





The arrival of the 40,000 doses adds to the 5,000 doses this country received from Dominica in February with Gonsalves saying that the country is expected to receive another 45,600 doses under the COVAX arrangement by the end of May.





Minus the 5,000 doses that this country has agreed to give to Grenada to aid that countrys vaccination programme, Gonsalves said that the country may need an additional 50,000 doses in order to ensure that the required number of persons are vaccinated, in order to achieve population immunity- which is about 70 percent of the population or higher.





Nevertheless, Gonsalves said that it was quite an achievement for the country to have received the number of vaccines at this stage as it did.





"So, we hope we do not have the vaccines and people refuse to take it, Gonsalves said.





The decision to get vaccinated was a personal one, however Gonsalves said that it was unbelievable that some people opted to listen to those not trained in the health profession and refuse to get the vaccine.





However, the prime minister said that the sooner and the greater the number of those taking the vaccine, then the quicker the country would be able to return to normal.





He added that there was also some talk internationally about making it mandatory to be vaccinated in order to facilitate entry into some countries.





Persons were being encouraged to get vaccinated and they were able to do so by visiting the nearest health clinic to them or they can be vaccinated up until today March 5 at the Victoria Park.
The EU Council has excluded from the list of former high-ranking Ukrainian officials during the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych, on whom the EU imposed sanctions in the form of an asset freeze for misappropriation of public funds, ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Arbuzov and ex-Minister of Education Dmytro Tabachnyk.

Such a decision, according to which the sanctions for the rest were extended for another year - until March 6, 2022, was published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Thus, ex-president Yanukovych, his son Oleksandr, ex-minister of internal affairs Vitaliy Zakharchenko, his deputy Viktor Ratushniak, ex-prosecutor Viktor Pshonka and his son Artem, Serhiy Kurchenko and former Minister of Tax and Income Oleksandr Klymenko remain on the list.

As reported, on March 4, the EU Council decided to extend the sanctions.

For the first time, the decision to freeze the assets of senior officials was made on March 5, 2014 in response to events in Ukraine. Initially, there were 18 people on the list. Many of them have challenged the EU's decision on sanctions in the European Court of Justice, winning cases.
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP)  Urgent calls for COVID-19 vaccine fairness rang through African countries on Friday as more welcomed or rolled out doses from the global COVAX initiative, with officials acutely aware their continent needs much more.

Rich countries should not be so selfish, Pontiano Kaleebu, head of the Uganda Virus Research Institute, said as his country received its first doses. Its a concern, and everyone is talking about it.

The East African nation of 45 million people was receiving under 1 million vaccine doses  864,000. Its the first batch of a total of 18 million COVAX doses for Uganda, but when all will arrive is not known.

That number is not going to do much, said Monica Musenero, an epidemiologist and presidential adviser, though she added that we can advocate for more vaccines, but we should also appreciate what weve got.

The foundation of Nobel Peace Prize winner and former South African archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife, Leah, on Friday issued a statement saying that more must be done, immediately, to ensure lower-income countries have faster access to COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatments.

The foundation said a small number of rich countries hold the majority of vaccine doses.

This is not a time for selfishness, its statement said, and it noted growing calls for a waiver of intellectual property rights to COVID-19 vaccines to allow for faster, wider production  a proposal opposed by the European Union and countries including the United States, Britain and Canada.

While the COVAX initiative was created to ensure that low- and middle-income countries receive COVID-19 vaccines, it has faced delays and limited supply.

Even as the World Health Organizations Africa chief, Matshidiso Moeti, on Thursday noted that almost 10 million COVAX doses had been delivered to 11 African countries, she could not resist adding, finally.

She added, we expect about half of African countries will receive COVAX deliveries in the coming week and that most countries will have vaccination programs under way by end of March.

Story continues

Mali on Friday received 396,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. And Nigeria began its vaccination campaign after Africas most populous country received almost 4 million doses.

In Kenya, vaccinations with 1 million doses began a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta declared that vaccine nationalism is something that we should all abhor.

The president encouraged citizens of East Africa's economic hub to keep up virus prevention measures, even as many Kenyans are weary of a curfew they say is hurting the economy. This pandemic has inconvenienced our livelihoods, but while we can recover this, we cannot get back lost lives, Kenyatta said.

Kenyan authorities also pushed back against vaccine skepticism, a growing concern, after the local Catholic Doctors Association called on its 300 members to refuse the shots, calling them totally unnecessary." The group's stance differs from that of the church.

I can assure the safety of this vaccine as it has gone through a rigorous process, said Patrick Amoth, the director general at the ministry of health and the first to receive a shot. As you can see, I have taken it. No one should fear.

The goal in Africa is that countries will be able to vaccinate 20% of their population with the COVAX doses by the end of this year  far from the goal of 60% or more to achieve so-called herd immunity when enough people are protected through infection or vaccination to make it difficult for a virus to continue to spread.

You expect that at this point we should be getting the initial 9 million doses from COVAX instead of less than 1 million, said Misaki Wayengera, head of a technical committee advising Ugandas response. He worries that delays in vaccine procurement mean several months could pass before some people receive the second required shot.

Uganda aims to vaccinate 20% of its population with doses from COVAX, with 40% vaccinated via government and private-sector funding.

The COVAX delays have pushed other African countries to seek more doses elsewhere, including via bilateral deals that can be unfavorable.

Uganda has announced plans to buy 18 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India, but the country faces cash shortages.

And it is not clear how much the doses will cost. Some critics have been appalled by lower-income countries paying more per COVID-19 vaccine dose than rich ones.

One WHO official in Africa, Richard Mihigo, on Thursday discouraged African countries from bilateral deals because of the risk of paying a high price. The African Union instead is pursuing bulk deals for the continent, but that also has faced delays.

___

Tom Odula in Nairobi, Kenya contributed.

___

Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Creative, data and technology agency Wunderman Thompson APAC scooped 2 Grand Prix, 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 10 Bronze awards at Spikes Asia 2021, with Wunderman Thompson Thailand named the Thailand Country Agency of the Year.

In an unprecedented year when a pandemic has turned the world upside down, Wunderman Thompson Thailand rose to the challenge of helping airline client Thai Airways pivot with the Stay Home Miles Exchange platform, an app that used geolocation to reward users for not travelling. The campaign was a favourite among judges, winning a Grand Prix in Brand Experience & Activation and a Grand Prix Mobile category. It also won a Gold in Direct and multiple metals in Health Care and PR.

Other Wunderman Thompson agencies were recognised at this years show including Thailands Thai Airways Destination Menu, India's Unilever Lux Soap with a Lump, Turtle The Lynching and Celica Automobile Jeep Iconography, Taiwans work for Taiwan Cancer Tumour Patients Aid Association 15 cm Hair Donation, the KIOXIA AI Manga Tezuka 2020 work from Japan and finally, the I Touch Myself Project The Woman Behind the Voice, from Australia. The wins span Creative E-commerce, Digital, PR, Media and Film Craft.

Mayan Lo, Chief Creative Officer of Wunderman Thompson APAC reflected, This years event was special because it recognized bold ideas and the spirit to take on challenges surrounding the pandemic that turned the past year into a tough time for all industries, including advertising. We are proud to have delivered top quality creative works in such a difficult situation. It proves that, with consumers in mind and empowered by data and technology, we can bring greater impact, and better effectiveness to our clients. I am immensely proud of our teams creative bravery and collaborative spirit.

Maureen Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Wunderman Thompson Thailand, commented on winning Country Agency of the Year  Thailand, Our presence at Spikes Asia 2021 was a big success. These prestigious awards reaffirm our leading position as one of the strongest and the best equipped agencies in Thailand. Moreover, they are solid proof of our young blood as the forerunners in creative scene for their ingenuity to create fresh ideas that move modern-day consumers with great impact.

Wunderman Thompson also walked away with two Tangram awards, the festival which honors excellence in Strategy and Effectiveness. Globe Telecom A Star Wars Experience for All by Wunderman Thompson Manila had won Gold in Digital Strategy (video) and Nestle Kit Kat KITKAT4TAKJIL, a Ramadan Campaign by Wunderman Thompson Jakarta had won Bronze in Digital Strategy (Social).
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

In an effort to curb residents use of tobacco products, New Mexico lawmakers are considering a bill that, unfortunately, wont achieve that outcome but will hurt responsible businesses, their customers and the state. As a company that takes great pride in supporting N.M. families with good jobs and safe, clean places to work and shop, we want to work with lawmakers and make New Mexico even stronger. We are on the same side as officials with preventing and reducing youth access to tobacco products. Since December 2019, Allsups stores in New Mexico have failed zero out of 16 inspections: a 100% compliance rate with state age-verification laws.

We take carding seriously. We cant afford not to. Thats because we employ 1,783 hard-working New Mexicans whose livelihoods depend on our stores staying open for business. Convenience stores, like Allsups, are genuinely neighborhood markets. Ninety-three percent of Americans currently live within 10 minutes of one of Americas 152,720 convenience stores. The industry serves 165 million customers per day, sells 80% of the fuel purchased in the country, and donates more than $1 billion a year to charitable causes.

Here in New Mexico, we operate 117 stores and provide essential goods to New Mexico around the clock, even during a pandemic and severe weather. Allsups has been a cornerstone in each of its local communities for over 60 years. The companys founders were true pioneers, innovators and visionaries of convenience store retailing. They were the first to offer customers hot, cooked foods, self-serve gasoline and 24-hour service.

Despite being deemed an essential business just a few short months ago by N.M. lawmakers, they are now considering Senate Bill 197 that would hike taxes on tobacco products. To keep people employed and gas and grocery items available and affordable, we must maintain a certain level of revenue, and tobacco represents about 23% of the companys inside sales. This bill would double the excise tax on a pack of cigarettes from $2 to $4 and raise the tax rate on products like chewing tobacco from 25% to 83%. Vapor taxes would go from $.50 to $3.32 a cartridge, most certainly driving users of less-harmful vape products back to combustible cigarettes.

While lawmakers rightfully look for ways to curb tobacco-product consumption, they just passed a $.34-a-pack tax increase on cigarettes last session. We encourage them to consider that new, drastic tax hikes will put excessive strain on low-income consumers. Keep in mind 21% of New Mexicans already participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), receiving $632 million in benefits in 2019. The average monthly SNAP benefit for each household member is $127. Research finds a $2 cigarette tax hike leads to a 42% increase in participation in SNAP, which offsets roughly 8% of any additional tax revenue. A tax increase like the one in SB 197 would make an unenrolled household 10 times as likely to sign up for SNAP than to have a member quit smoking. Convenience stores represent 45% of outlets serving SNAP recipients.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

In an effort to save money, individuals will turn to smugglers who purchase tobacco products in states with lower taxes, then sell them on the black market, reaping huge profits and robbing states of legitimate tax revenues. Monies that should go to support critical state services will instead go into the deep pockets of criminals. These gangsters are not carding young people, and theyre certainly not sending taxes to the state.

The 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with states directed $33.9 million to New Mexico in 2020. Lets invest that money in smoking cessation and education programs we know are working to bring smoking to all-time historic lows. SB 197 is bad for N.M. businesses, customers and the state.
Mummy blogger Constance Hall has revealed the surprising reason she has asked her gay male friends to moderate her Facebook page.

The 37-year-old West Australian writer told her 1.3million followers she had employed them in response to being swamped with unwanted d**k pics.

The mother-of-seven said it was 'gross' and lambasted men for sending the poorly photographed 'sausage selfies' without her consent.

Mummy blogger Constance Hall (pictured) has revealed the surprising reason she has asked her gay male friends to moderate her Facebook page

The 37-year-old West Australian writer told her 1.3million followers she had employed them in response to being battered with unwanted d*** pics

'To the men who think its acceptable to send me graphic photographs of their erections without my permission purely because they believe their c**** have an entitled space in my mind and memory without consent,' Constance wrote.

'I have sought the assistance of some homosexual male friends of mine to read my messages with just the task of seeing your d*** pics before I have to so they can be removed.'

She called the unsolicited junk mail 'revolting' and warned her team of 'homosexual men' would be having a good laugh.

'And before you have a little tantrum thinking your erection is everyones new grinder profile picture, relax,' she said.

The mother-of-seven (pictured right with husband Denim) described the pictures as 'gross' and lambasted men for sending the poorly photographed 'sausage selfies' without her consent

The decision comes only months after Constance tattooed her head to support her husband Denim Cooke, 45, (pictured) as he recovered from a 'catastrophic' motorcycle accident

The decision comes only months after Constance tattooed her head to support her husband Denim Cooke as he recovered from a 'catastrophic' motorcycle accident.

She got the ink in November last year to remind her 'everything will be OK'.

The horror motorbike crash in August 2020 left Denim with seven broken ribs, punctured lungs and multiple infections.

'There was a time where the hope of me ever being the man I am today, able to communicate like I do and maintain these relationships was minimal,' he said in October last year.

Denim said his wife Constance was repeatedly warned that it would be a 'miracle' for him to make a full recovery, but he was mostly in a coma 'dreaming' while she stood by his side.

'I credit her influence on my fragile state to loving me back to myself. It took a few weeks and an amazing amount of her love, compassion and patience on all fronts,' he said.

'I am only now understanding the relentless hard, repetitive, heartbreaking and exhausting work that was involved in bringing me back.'

Constance (pictured) got a crown tattooed on her forehead to remind her that 'everything is going to be OK' after her husband Denim's motorcycle accident

Denim said he was grateful to be left without any lasting disabilities and will only need to manage chronic pain as a result of the fall.

He spent more than six weeks in the hospital before being discharged into Constance's care on October 2.

Influencer Constance admitted the pair were still intimate while Denim was in hospital.

'The OT asked me if I had any questions about intimacy post traumatic injury,' she wrote last year.

'I was like "actually we've already crossed that bridge, by drawing the curtains, not because we were looking for an exciting public place to f**k, but because the only time Denz has been aloud out of his carers sight is when I'm there".'

'He couldn't even shower alone so I knew he hadn't even been able to have a cheeky masti and obviously I missed his... Sorry that's probably a little...,' she wrote.

The pair's brood consists of Constance's four children Billie-Violet, Arlo Love, twins Rumi and Snow from her previous marriage, and Denim's two sons Zeyke and Sunny. The couple also share toddler son Raja, two (pictured)

After the injury Denim (left) had a collapsed lung, a crushed spine and a brain injury after the horror accident earlier in the year

Constance split from her former husband of six years Bill Mahon in April 2017 and was engaged to Denim two months later.

In October 2017 the couple announced they they were expecting their first child together.

The pair tied the knot in a bohemian forest ceremony at Karriview Lodge near Margaret River, Western Australia, in January 2018 following a whirlwind romance.

Their brood consists of Constance's four children Billie-Violet, Arlo Love, twins Rumi and Snow from her previous marriage, and Denim's two sons Zeyke and Sunny.

The couple also share toddler son Raja, two.
A shipment of a quarter-of-a-million AstraZeneca vaccines destined for Australia has been blocked from leaving the European Union in the first use of an export control system instituted by the bloc more than a month ago.

An unnamed EU official confirmed a report that first appeared in the Financial Times.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
Rise in Gaps Digital Sales Cant Overcome In-Store Drop

Gap sales highlight divergence between stores and the internet in the pandemic. The Gap Store at 1212 Avenue of the Americas near Rockefeller Center. Credit... Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Gap, one of the countrys biggest operators of mall stores, had a very online holiday season, according to its earnings report on Thursday, highlighting the toll that the pandemic has taken on physical retail space. The company, which posted a 5 percent sales decline to $4.4 billion in the fourth quarter, said online sales grew 49 percent in the period from a year earlier while store sales dropped by 28 percent. Store revenue tumbled because of mandated closings internationally, stay-at-home restrictions in the United States and strategically planned permanent store closures, Gap said in a statement. Gap, which owns its namesake chain, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta, oversees thousands of stores in North America, and the companys performance is a gauge of consumer spending and trends at malls. The company has seen its family-friendly Old Navy brand and the pricier athleisure line Athleta perform better than Gap and Banana Republic in the past year  a trend that persisted in the fourth quarter. The company, based in San Francisco, signaled a note of optimism for the back half of the year, however. It forecast mid- to high-teens growth from the past year, a prediction that assumed pandemic impacts persisting in the first half of 2021 and a return to a more normalized, pre-pandemic level of net sales in the second half of 2021.

Tribune Publishing, facing an acquisition, adds to cash holdings and digital revenue. Tribune Publishings papers include The Chicago Tribune, The Daily News, The Hartford Courant and The Orlando Sentinel. Credit... Scott Olson/Getty Images Tribune Publishing, which owns The Chicago Tribune, The Daily News and seven other metropolitan dailies, added substantially to its digital subscribers and digital revenue last year, the newspaper chain said on Thursday in its first earnings release since it announced a deal last month to be purchased by the hedge fund Alden Global Capital. Tribune also said that it had increased its cash holdings over the year by $36.7 million, to nearly $100 million, and lowered its total operating expenses by more than $138 million. In the fourth quarter, Tribunes advertising revenue dipped more than $32 million compared with the same quarter of 2019, a stark decline partly attributable to the coronavirus pandemic, while its overall subscription revenue fell $3.1 million even as revenue from digital subscriptions grew by $5.4 million. Last month, Tribune and Alden announced that Alden would buy the 68 percent of the companys shares it did not already own at a valuation of $630 million, assuming two-thirds of Tribunes remaining shareholders approve the deal. Alden already owns dozens of papers across the country through a subsidiary, MediaNews Group. Terry Jimenez, who was named Tribunes chief executive in February 2020, pointed in a news release to the companys digital gains as part of its effort to mitigate the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and position Tribune for a successful future. Tribune gained approximately 102,000 digital subscribers in 2020, a 30.5 percent rise, bringing its total to 436,000, the company said. Digital revenue, including both digital advertising and subscriptions, grew by $16.5 million, or 57 percent. The steps we took over the course of the year to rationalize our cost structure, significantly reduce future obligations, pursue digital growth and invest in high-quality content enabled Tribune to create a platform to succeed for years to come, Mr. Jimenez said. Alden already owns a 32 percent stake in Tribune, which it acquired in late 2019. The hedge fund, which is based in Manhattan, is known for cutting costs at newspapers it owns in order to increase profit margins. In January 2020, Tribune offered buyouts widely. After the pandemic arrived in the United States, it permanently cut some employees pay, instituted furloughs and also shuttered several of its papers offices. Tribune said that, in deference to the Alden deal, it would not hold a conference call to discuss the earnings announcement.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Stocks drop for a third day as the Fed chair fails to soothe the bond market. Stocks slid on Thursday after Jerome H. Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, declined to outline specific measures he would use to push back against the recent rise in long-term interest rates that has unnerved investors over the last week. While Mr. Powell spoke in an online interview with The Wall Street Journal, the S&P 500 index, which had been up more than half a percent, fell into negative territory. It closed down 1.3 percent, its third consecutive decline. As has been the case recently, the decline in the stock index was the result of action in the government bond market. Throughout Mr. Powells speech, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, an important benchmark that influences the cost of borrowing for companies and households alike, crept higher. It ended the day at 1.55 percent, its highest closing level since the middle of February 2020, right before the pandemic struck, according to data from information provider Tradeweb. The market was hoping for something more concrete in terms of commentary on, you know, These are steps we will take or could possibly take if we need to exercise more control over the long end, said Chris Jacobson, a Susquehanna Financial Group strategist. He added that the market seemed to be disappointed that we didnt get anything to that effect. Rising bond yields hurt stocks in part because higher returns on bonds make them a more compelling place for investors to put their money. Stocks with high prices and low profits  such as many of the smaller technology stocks that have been huge winners over the last year  fare the worst when rates rise. That was the case on Thursday. The Nasdaq composite index was down more than 3 percent at its lowest point, briefly pushing the tech-heavy benchmark 10 percent off the record high it reached in February. Sell-offs that large are known as corrections, a Wall Street term of art that indicates something more serious than a garden-variety downturn. The index ended the day down 2.1 percent, narrowly missing that threshold. When asked if the bond market was wrong to push rates higher, Mr. Powell seemed to sidestep the question, emphasizing that he would be worried if he saw markets getting out of control or if rates climbed to levels that hurt economic growth. I would be concerned by disorderly conditions in markets or a persistent tightening of financial conditions that threatens the achievement of our goals, Mr. Powell said. I would be concerned if those things were to happen. Bond yields reflect what investors think about the economy. When the economy is strong, yields tend to be high. When its weak, they tend to be low. Investors have pushed yields higher in recent weeks as updates on retail sales and industrial production have shown the economy to be on increasingly solid footing and as the rate of Covid-19 vaccinations has increased. The Biden administrations $1.9 trillion economic stimulus plan is also expected to be enacted shortly. All that is good news for the economy. Wall Street economists now expect American gross domestic product to grow at its fastest pace since 1984. But strong growth is historically linked to higher inflation, the mere risk of which has traditionally pushed the Fed to raise the interest rates it sets  the main tool it uses to try to manage economic growth. The near-zero interest rates set by the Fed in March 2020 were a large part of the reason stocks performed so well last year despite the death and economic devastation of the pandemic. Matt Phillips and

Tech stocks are close to correction territory. Heres what that means. The Nasdaq composite index fell 2.1 percent on Thursday, a drop that left the tech-heavy benchmark down 9.7 percent from the record it reached in February. A drop of 10 percent from a high is known as a correction, a Wall Street term that indicates something more serious than a garden-variety downturn. Stocks that soared during the pandemic last year were slammed on Thursday. Shopify, which helps retailers develop e-commerce operations and saw its shares rise nearly 200 percent last year, was down nearly 6 percent. The tech security firm CrowdStrike, up more than 300 percent last year, was down more than 8 percent on Thursday. Some of the largest stocks were also lower, weighing on both the Nasdaq and the broader S&P 500 index. Apple dropped more than 1.5 percent and is down 16 percent since Jan. 25. Tesla dropped nearly 5 percent, bringing its losses from its January high to 29 percent. The 10 percent threshold for a correction is arbitrary, but it is often an indication that investors have turned more pessimistic about the markets. The decline in the stock markets was set off as investors, concerned that an economic recovery would mean the Federal Reserve would pull back on its easy-money policies, poured money into government bonds, which are considered more secure.

Its going to take some time before the Fed reduces its cheap money policies, Jerome Powell says. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:25 - 0:00 transcript Federal Reserve Chair Delivers Cautious Economic Analysis On Thursday, Jerome H. Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, delivered a promising outlook on unemployment numbers, despite the current volatile economic market. Weve got rising vaccination, weve got cases at lower levels, weve got strong support from fiscal and monetary policy, and while there are still risks, theres good reason to expect job creation to pick up in coming months. And we need that because were still 10 million jobs short of where we were. Ten million fewer people are working  than were working when the pandemic hit. So its a lot of ground we have to cover. And those people are mostly in areas that are directly affected by the pandemic  thats service industries, public-facing jobs. So were committed to using our tools and, you know, staying on the playing field with our tools until the job is really done. Were committed to that. And Congress, of course, has come with quite strong fiscal policy. And so I think, you know, were in, you know, if you look around, were in  the place were in now, theres still a lot of pain out there. And more than a half a million people have lost their lives to the pandemic. But compared to the economic scenarios that we were contemplating a year ago, this is, you know, its good to be where we are and particularly with the vaccines now, no one thought wed have vaccines within a year, less than a year. And now, with vaccination is moving at a good pace, we really are looking, if we can just decisively end the pandemic, we could get back to normal and avoid a lot of the longer-term damage that we were concerned about happening. But we havent done it yet. On Thursday, Jerome H. Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, delivered a promising outlook on unemployment numbers, despite the current volatile economic market. Jerome H. Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, said he and his colleagues had a high standard for what full employment meant, underscoring that the central bank is likely to be very patient in removing monetary support for the economy. Four percent would be a nice unemployment rate to get to, but it will take more than that to get to maximum employment, Mr. Powell said, adding that it is unlikely that the job market will return to full speed this year. Mr. Powell, speaking in an online question-and-answer session hosted by The Wall Street Journal, laid out the high hurdles the economy needed to meet before the Fed would pull back its cheap money policies, which include rock-bottom interest rates and large-scale bond purchases. Its going to take some time, he said. Mr. Powell was speaking at a time when investors had begun to pencil in higher inflation and the prospect that interest rate moves will come sooner than expected. The Fed is trying to guide the economy toward both full employment and stable inflation that averages 2 percent over time. Longer-term bond yields have moved up since the start of the year as investors grow optimistic about an economic rebound and antsy about how that will change the Feds stance. Mr. Powell acknowledged on Thursday that the Fed was watching the fluctuation in markets, saying that he would be concerned by disorderly conditions in bond markets or a substantial rise that makes credit expensive and threatens the Feds goals. But he pushed back on the idea that the central bank was going to remove help rapidly. Thats going to depend entirely upon the path of the economy, Mr. Powell said of rate increases. He said the country had to get to maximum employment, inflation must sustainably reach 2 percent, and those price gains must be on track to exceed 2 percent for a period before the Fed would contemplate lifting interest rates.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

A struggling nursing home giant effectively goes private after a cash infusion. Genesis Healthcare, one of the nations largest nursing home companies, said this week that it was getting a badly needed cash infusion from a private equity firm and planned to delist its publicly traded stock and in effect go private. The cash infusion of at least $50 million will stabilize Genesis, which had raised the prospect of filing for bankruptcy protection. Last year, the company received more than $300 million in federal government grants and loans to help it grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. The company said in a release on Wednesday that a newly formed private equity firm called RenGen Healthcare would provide it with $50 million in cash and might provide up to $25 million in additional financing. RenGen is affiliated with Pinta Capital Partners, a New York investment firm that specializes in health care. The company said it anticipated that the last day its shares, which currently trade for well under $1, would trade on the New York Stock Exchange would be March 25. Once its shares are delisted, Genesis said, it will no longer be required to file periodic financial reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shares will continue to trade on the less-regulated over-the-counter market. Genesis, based in Pennsylvania, operates more than 325 nursing homes and assisted-living centers in 24 states. It had been owned by another private equity firm before going public in 2015. The company has been saddled with hefty debt obligations because it rents most of its facilities from corporate health care landlords. As part of the restructuring, Genesis said it had struck a deal with one of its biggest landlords, Welltower, to give up 51 facilities it leases from the real estate investment trust. The deal will also enable Genesis to reduce some of the $423 million in debt it owes to Welltower. Decades of private ownership of nursing homes, including by private equity firms, have left many facilities with razor-thin margins. For-profit nursing homes  roughly 70 percent of the countrys 15,400 nursing homes  disproportionately lag behind their nonprofit counterparts across a broad array of measures for quality, according to a New York Times analysis.

Mounting federal debt puts the U.S. at risk of a fiscal crisis, Congressional Budget Office warns. The Congressional Budget Office projected on Thursday that the federal budget deficit will begin to decline in the coming years as the United States economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic but will rise again during the second half of the decade and climb steadily over the following 20 years.By 2051, the federal debt is expected to double as a share of the economy. The projections offer near-term hope for the nations fiscal situation, which is expected to improve as government spending on the pandemic subsides when normal business activity resumes as more Americans get vaccinated and find employment. But the nonpartisan office forecast a more challenging long-term outlook, as interest costs rise and federal spending on health programs swells along with an aging population. A growing debt burden could increase the risk of a fiscal crisis and higher inflation as well as undermine confidence in the U.S. dollar, making it more costly to finance public and private activity in international markets, the C.B.O. report said. The outlook also does not reflect the additional spending that Congress is expected to approve this year, which will likely include a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill and a large infrastructure package. That package, which will be financed with borrowed money, is expected to exacerbate the budget deficit in the near-term, according to previous C.B.O. estimates. The C.B.O. said that the federal budget deficit  the gap between what the U.S. spends and what it takes in taxes and other revenue  is expected to be 10.3 percent of gross domestic product this year, the second-highest level since 1945. The deficit is expected to decline to 5.7 percent of G.D.P. by the end of the decade as spending to combat the pandemic eases and growth picks up. But in the following two decades the budget gap will again widen, climbing to 13.3 percent by 2051, it said. Federal debt held by the public is expected to be 102 percent of G.D.P. by the end of this year and nearly double that  202 percent  in 30 years. The C.B.O. warned that such high debt levels will lift borrowing costs, slow economic output and raise the risk of a fiscal crisis. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a fiscal watchdog group, warned after a preliminary forecast was released last month that the nations long-term outlook was an air raid siren that can be heard for miles. It said the mounting debt would make it harder to address income inequality and to make needed infrastructure improvements. Other fiscal warning signs also abound. The Peterson Foundation noted that net interest on the national debt will total $61 trillion over the next 30 years, growing to 47 percent of federal revenues by 2051. These payments obviously do nothing to help address the many important challenges we face, such as climate change, infrastructure, economic justice and national security, said Michael Peterson, chief executive of the foundation. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen pointed to the interest burden as a metric to watch at her confirmation hearing in January, noting that when tax revenue is needed to pay the interest it could lead to other necessary services or spending being curtailed.

The United States suspends tariffs on Scotch whisky and other British products. The United States will suspend retaliatory tariffs of up to 25 percent on Scotch whisky while British and U.S.officials seek to resolve a trade dispute. Credit... Denis Balibouse/Reuters The United States will suspend retaliatory tariffs against Britain for four months, including on Scotch whisky, arising from the longstanding trade dispute about subsidies for Boeing and Airbus. The two governments said they would use the time to try to come up with a long-term solution to the trade disagreement. Since Britain left the European Union, it has sought to forge its own trade policy and secure a free-trade deal with the United States. On Jan. 1, the British government ended its retaliatory tariffs on Boeing and other goods, which were imposed by the European Union, in an effort to smooth over its relationship with the Biden administration. The decision essentially separated Britain from the dispute about aircraft subsidies between the European Union and United States. (That said, the U.S. trade representative argued Britain did not have the legal standing to keep imposing these tariffs outside the bloc.) The tariff suspension is expected to help several types of British exporters, especially the Scotch whisky industry. In October 2019, a 25 percent tariff was placed on Scotch whisky and exports to the United States have since dropped 35 percent, costing companies more than 500 million (about $700 million), the industrys trade group said. Cashmere and Stilton cheese producers will also benefit, the government said. The decision shows what the U.K. can do as an independent trading nation, striking deals that back our businesses and support free and fair trade, Boris Johnson, Britains prime minister, said in a statement. The suspension will allow time to focus on negotiating a balanced settlement to the disputes, and begin seriously addressing the challenges posed by new entrants to the civil aviation market from nonmarket economies, such as China, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and British Department of International Trade said in a joint statement.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story
 Close Joe Biden says hell run for a second term in 2024

On the 65th day of his presidency, Joe Biden held his first formal press conference since entering the White House on 20 January.

In the hour-long Q&A, Biden courted controversy on migration at the Mexico border, the US relationship with China, and the potential to face off against Trump in 2024 in a rematch that see two oldest presidential candidates in US history (Biden 82 v Trump 78).

Of the 15 presidents of the past 100 years, all but for Biden have held a press conference within 33 days of being sworn into office. Donald Trump did it 27 days in, while Barack Obama outdid Trump by a week at 20 days.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg dismissed the company's role in polarising the US, blaming the "political and media environment" for promoting extremism and misinformation. His opening statement in the Senate big tech hearing came after a cutout of the Facebook boss dressed as the QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley appeared on Capitol Hill before Congress began grilling the social media platforms.

Kayleigh McEnany, former White House press secretary to Mr Trump, has meanwhile appeared on Fox News to claim Joe Biden is in badly declining health and is concealing his condition behind a Covid face mask, a baseless smear intended to undermine his first press conference as president, where questions on immigration, the coronavirus vaccine rollout, infrastructure and gun control are likely to be forthcoming.

His vice president, Kamala Harris, is also already facing criticism from Republicans Ted Cruz and Doug Ducey, Arizonas governor, after being appointed to lead the countrys response to the latest surge in asylum seekers arriving at the US border with Mexico as the administration struggles to find temporary housing for hundreds of unaccompanied children.

Read more:
A migrant is feared dead after a boat he was in trying to reach the UK capsized in the English Channel, charity officials say.

The search for the man has been called off while three others were rescued and taken to hospital, according to Care4Calais.

They were trying to make the 21-mile journey across the Dover Strait to Britain when their vessel tipped over near Calais.

Search and rescue teams have now called off the hunt for the fourth person, who has not been accounted for.

The search for the man has been called off while three others were rescued and taken to hospital, according to Care4Calais. Pictured: Migrants in Dover yesterday

Search and rescue teams have now called off the hunt for the fourth person, who has not been accounted for. Pictured: One man was given a pair of crutches to help him walk as he hobbled off the boat. He appeared to have an ankle splint on his left leg

Care4Calais said their 'hearts could not be heavier' and described the tragedy as 'entirely preventable'.

A spokesman for the refugee charity said: 'We are devastated to report that [a] man is missing after a boat capsized near Calais this week.

'We understand three people were rescued and taken to hospital but the fourth man was not found and the search has now been called off.

'Our hearts could not be heavier. This is entirely preventable.

'The people we know in Calais are desperately calling on the U.K. for help but their voices are never heard.

'They have suffered the world's most bloody conflicts, horrors, persecution and torture.

'All they want is to finally be safe. We should be exceptionally proud that Britain is seen as a place of democracy and hope.'

A total of 631 migrants have made the dangerous English Channel crossing so far this year.

A total of 631 migrants have made the dangerous English Channel crossing so far this year. Pictured: Yesterday morning

Last month 308 migrants were intercepted in 18 incidents, surpassing January's figures of 223 in 15 incidents.

It compares to just 87 migrants in at least six boats in January 2020 while in February 2020 there were 192 in 12 boats.

Fears were sparked as a man on board one of four small boats intercepted on Tuesday had to be stretchered on to UK shores as he was suffering from exhaustion.

He was carefully lifted on to the mooring of Dover Marina from the back of a Border Force vessel.

The male migrant did not appear to be moving and had an oxygen tank between his legs.

Medics were among staff who helped carry him up the gangway at around 10am.

But he was checked over and later declared medically fit, according to a Home Office spokesman.

In 2020 a record 8,410 arrived last year - dwarfing 2019's total of 1,850.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.




On March 4, Gov. Ned Lamont announced the easing of some COVID restrictions in Connecticut.

Lamonts announcement comes as the state tracks low COVID-19 infections and a steady decrease in hospitalizations amid progress with the sweeping vaccination program. While some restrictions regarding occupancy caps will be lifted, state officials stressed that people will still be required to wear masks and social distancing guidelines will remain in place.

Luum CEO Sohier Hall If one thing is becoming increasingly clear, most companies are not returning to the office 5 days a week any time soon. That means employers need to quickly adapt, shedding now-outdated policies and benefits and embracing ones that improve their employees commute experiences.

Luum and Arrive today announced a partnership where Arrives Smart Parking service is made available to employers through Luums Commute Management Platform. Together, they serve leading corporations, universities, and hospitals throughout North America.

Arrive powers parking for hundreds of brands across a variety of businesses and verticals, making it simpler and more efficient for customers to find and pay for parking. Together, Luum and Arrive provide an employee-first, flexible commute experience. Arrives Smart Parking system enhances Luums best-in-class suite of enterprise commute tools that currently give employees access to transit, carpool, vanpool, shuttle, and pre-tax benefits, while also managing parking and administering charges. The combination of the markets leading enterprise parking solution with the pioneer in holistic commute management gives commuters more flexibility when commuting to their workplace through parking reservations that allow employees to commute with confidence knowing a space is waiting for them.

Luums customers and partners are either operating at full scale with their front-line essential workforce, or they are planning a phased return to the workplace throughout 2021, said Sohier Hall, Luums President and CEO. In all cases they demand the same thing: to assure a commute experience for their employees that is safe and flexible, and that gives employees complete confidence that they will have easy access to their workplace, without question. This is exactly what Luum is bringing to the market through its partnership with Arrive.

Luums mission is to help employers provide flexible, sustainable, and safe mobility options to their employees. To date, Luum has helped companies across North America reduce their carbon footprint, decrease parking demand, and boost employee satisfaction. Luums commute software helps employers drive sustainable modes such as carpooling, public transportation, and walking or biking. Together with Arrive, Luum hopes to break employers from monthly parking permits to allow daily flexibility and choice to employeeswhether they are driving or opting for a more sustainable modebecause this flexibility is the groundwork for business resilience.

Despite the reality that remote and hybrid working is here to stay, workers will be returning to the office at least part of the time in the not so distant future. In fact, according to a PWC survey, 87 percent of employees say the office is important for collaborating with team members and building relationships. This underscores the need for employers to plan for flexibility.

Arrive powers the kind of increased daily flexibility and choice that employees need in this hybrid working experience, while Luum automates the administration of all benefits, subsidies, and parking payments, making this partnership a powerful combination, said Ed Lewis, SVP of Business Development for Arrive. If one thing is becoming increasingly clear, most companies are not returning to the office 5 days a week any time soon. That means employers need to quickly adapt, shedding now-outdated policies and benefits and embracing ones that improve their employees commute experiences.

Through the partnership, Luum can power:

Employee Parking Reservations: Want the ultimate flexibility? Give employees peace of mind that a spot will be waiting for them when they arrive to work, including garages with access-control systems. Employees can make a reservation at their companys owned and leased garages, use their phone to open the gate, and pay seamlessly via automatic charges to their payroll. Employers have the ability to add a parking subsidy.

Third Party Garage Reservations: Need more parking space? Employees can now reserve a parking spot at nearby garages for a guaranteed low rateno lease required. Reserve, scan, pay--all from their phones. Payments and/or reimbursements are processed through payroll, making parking seamless even on the busiest days.

Visitor & Public Parking Reservations: Have extra parking space? Allow the public to book open parking spaces through Arrive in your owned lots to maximize your asset utilization and generate additional revenue. For hospitals and universities, this is a great way to open up a portion of your parking to visitors.

About Luum

Luum is a commute management platform that scales with organizations as their programs and policies evolve. Built to elevate policy-driven commute programs, Luums software unifies benefits administration, parking management, and mobility options for employees. Luum provides employers with a suite of commute tools as well as real-time data to drive behavior change, inform policy, boost employee engagement and augment corporate sustainability. With a current focus on providing safe, trusted and flexible commute options for frontline workers and those preparing for a return to the workplace, Luum understands that commute success looks different for every employer. Check-out our flexible commute toolsbuilt for simplicity no matter how complex your parking challengeat luum.com. Lets Get There. Together.

About Arrive

Arrive powers the last mile of mobility through smart parking solutions. It offers the only seamless mobility experience that predicts and recommends the best parking solution for any journey. Arrive powers smart parking and other connected mobility services through apps, websites, voice platforms, and in-dash integrations to hundreds of clients including smart cities, automakers, fleets, venues, navigation and voice platforms, as well as to its own ParkWhiz and BestParking consumer brands. For more information, visit http://www.Arrive.com.
The Cherry Hill school district is updating its graduation requirements in response to ongoing conversations about Americas reckoning with race. And its largely thanks to an initiative spurred by some teenagers who attend high school there.

Last week, the Cherry Hill school board overwhelmingly voted to make an African-American studies course part of the school districts graduation requirements.

The initiative was sparked by a half dozen students, some of whom were already part of Cherry Hill High School Easts African-American Culture Club. After weeks of protests last summer following the death of George Floyd, the students met with school administrators about their idea in June, said Machayla Randall, one of the involved students.

After the protests we gained a lot more courage, because we kind of saw the reaction of the community and it was pretty much positive, Randall told NJ Advance Media. Thats kind of what gave us more confidence.

Throughout the rest of the year, their idea began to garner more and more support, all the way up through last Tuesdays vote where eight board members voted yes and one abstained.

To now think this actually passed and its a huge part of history and it never really dawned on me until people kept telling me... Randall said. I just kind of was always pushing to make sure that the other perspective was advocated for and heard, and its exciting.

Now administrators are tasked with creating the curriculum, which may not be finalized until July, they said. Topics will include African-Americans in the arts, blackface, hair and more. The district has been working with professors from several area universities to help develop it.

Its a process thats full circle for Assistant Superintendent Farrah Mahan. She taught Randall in elementary school and has known the high school senior since she was five-years-old. She called Randalls personal growth fascinating and acknowledged the perseverance of all of the students involved.

The word that I would use to describe (the students) is steadfast in their vision and what they wanted to accomplish, and their specific direction for administrators, Mahan said. They did not waver in what they were asking for.

The change will cost at least $160,000, as the district will look to hire two new teachers, one for each high school. Individual salaries would begin at $80,000, according to Superintendent Joseph Meloche.

We believe in student voices, something that we have dedicated ourselves and prided ourselves on nurturing and encouraging, Meloche said.

Randall, though, wont be around to see the new course in action. She graduates this year, but says its rewarding to know her brother, an incoming high school freshman, will be able to reap the benefits of her hard work. The requirement will begin next school year with the class of 2025.

Its not necessarily about just me and my class. I really want to focus on the younger generations and make sure that they develop better perspectives and have a better education than us, Randall said. I want to make sure that we change the traditional thinking of just standing on the sidelines...when we see racial tensions, Randall said.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Tennyson Donyea may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com.
MEDFORD, Ore.  An Ashland woman was ordered to pay nearly $500 in restitution for using spray chalk on the sidewalk outside of then-Representative Greg Walden's Medford office during a protest in October of 2019, according to court documents.

Messages of "Impeach" or "Impeach Trump" were sprayed on the sidewalk outside of Walden's office on October 8 by a group of people, Medford Police said at the time, though the agency could not immediately identify those responsible. The agency knew that the messages were done in spray chalk and not paint, and estimated that cleanup would be less costly as a result, but not without cost.

Later that month, Teresa Safay of Ashland received a citation for "defacing streets and sidewalks" from Medford Police with a presumptive fine of $250. She was ordered to appear at the Medford Municipal Court on November 20.

Court records indicate that Safay was ordered to pay both the $250 fine and $494.03 in restitution to Larry Bradley  a contractor who worked for the law firm Hornecker Cowling, which adjoined Walden's office. Safay appealed the ruling to Jackson County Circuit Court.

Judge Lorenzo Mejia later upheld the lower court's decision, reasoning that Bradley was paid $50 per hour and worked for seven hours to clean up the spray chalk. According to the Judge's opinion, Bradley thought that the protesters had used paint instead of spray chalk, and tried to clean the sidewalk accordingly.

"While it is true that Bradley did not read the instructions on the cleaning product he bought, there was no evidence that this error made the cleaning job longer or harder," Judge Mejia wrote. "Neither Defendant or her co-offenders communicated with the firm or Bradley what was used or how to clean it."

It's unclear if any of the other protesters involved in the display were identified or cited, but Judge Mejia rejected arguments that Safay could not be held responsible for the entirety of the cleanup.

Mejia also rejected the idea that a product designed to be temporary, lasting "up to 7 days," did not constitute defacement.

"I find that seven days is semi-permanent enough to come under the prohibition of the code," the Judge wrote. "Regardless of the content of the colorful protest, Defendant's actions detracted from the intended state of the sidewalk. The sidewalk was defaced."

At the end of February, Judge Mejia declined any attempts to reduce the amount of restitution and held Safay fully liable for covering the fines.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is warning consumers not to engage with a potential pyramid scheme that is circulating on social media channels in Ireland.

The CCPC has been contacted by consumers who have been invited to take part in what they suspect is a pyramid scheme.

Consumers have reported that they were encouraged to make an initial investment of 150 and then recruit others to invest. They were told that once they recruited more people they would move to the next tier of the model. This supposedly continues until the participant reaches the centre of the model and makes a return on their investment. The particular scheme currently being reported uses the image of a flower and may refer to flowers or petals (see below). It appears that this scheme is targeting students and young people.

Pyramid schemes generally work by offering individuals the opportunity to buy into a scheme. This money goes to those above the individual in the pyramid. Participants in the scheme can recoup their original investments and qualify for a pay-out by recruiting new members who join the pyramid below them. In theory, the further up the pyramid a participant is, the more money they get.

As is the case in all pyramid schemes, inevitably the supply of potential investors runs out and the pyramid scheme collapses leading to the majority of those involved losing their money. Pyramid schemes are illegal and those who knowingly participate in them are liable for prosecution.

Under the Consumer Protection Act 2007, it is an offence for anyone to establish, operate, promote or knowingly participate in such a scheme. The CCPC investigates potential breaches of consumer protection law by Irish registered businesses.

The CCPC is currently investigating this scheme and are warning consumers not to engage with it. If you are approached to join any kind of pyramid promotional scheme, please contact the CCPC immediately through our helpline on 01 402 5555 or by clicking here.
I felt like taking such precautions in public was more of a civic duty than for my personal protection. If I cared only about my own health, I would never have left home. Getting this vaccine has similar reasoning behind it for me. If it makes people around me feel more comfortable, thats great. If it makes my elderly mother feel more at ease when Im standing in her garage six feet away, thats wonderful. If it prevents me from possibly infecting others, Im happy to roll up my sleeve, twice.
The streets of Baldwinsville were tense on March 3, 1911.

Two-thirds of the high school student body were on strike and were mobilizing for a military-type procession, with drums and trumpets, through the village. Many of its prominent citizens were at each others throats and heated arguments between them in the streets threatened to turn violent.

The schools popular principal, Frederick Webster had resigned and two of its teachers, Edna Noyes and Marnie Voorhees, were hiding in their homes, only coming out to quickly walk to school and back.

The Syracuse Herald called what was happening Baldwinsvilles greatest sensation for more than a generation, and wrote that nothing in years has so stirred this town.

What happened there left a newspaper in far off Cortland shaking its head.

It is difficult to understand the state of public feeling and the action that has manifested by the citizens of Baldwinsville in the last few weeks, an editorial in the Cortland Standard said on April 6, 1911. The standard of honesty and morality in that town must be at a low ebb.

The student strike beginning on March 3, 1911 divided Baldwinsville and threatened at times to become violent according to the Syracuse Herald. Courtesy of World ArchivesCourtesy of World Archives

***

Professor Frederick Webster seemed like an ideal principal when he was hired in 1910.

He came to Baldwinsville Academy after serving as a principal at Friendship, N.Y., in Alleghany County, for four years.

Married and with two young sons, Webster was adored by the student body at Baldwinsville.

He could speak six languages and was described as uncommonly bright.

The students, among whom he was very popular, speaks highly of his services as an educator, the Syracuse Herald reported, and say that the school has never done better than under his administration.

He started a debate club at the school and was helpful to the students needs.

Some tell of his working hours before school time and until midnight with them so that they might get along. He apparently has won all of the students over by his endeavors.

These outside study sessions might be how he came to tutor Clinton Frawley, son of Postmaster M.G. Frawley, a former County School Commissioner, and one of the villages most prominent citizens.

Webster had been prepping Frawley for the students Jan. 18 trigonometry Regents exam. He also personally graded the boys exam.

Frawley got a 76, one point above a passing grade. The test was sent to Albany with the rest of the schools exams.

But when two teachers, Marnie Voorhees and Edna Noyes, who had coveted the principal job before it was given to Webster, discovered Frawleys torn up test in the principals waste paper basket, they thought something was up.

The teachers patched the test back together and sent it to State Education authorities in Albany, telling no one in Baldwinsville what they had discovered.

- Headlines in the March 1, 1911 Syracuse Herald recount the resignation of Baldwinsville Principal Frederick Webster. Courtesy of World ArchivesCourtesy of World Archives

Webster was summoned to the state capital for questioning. Had he filled out the test for Frawley?

Yes, he had, he admitted.

He said he had copied Frawleys exam because the paper had a large blot on it and did not want it to adversely affect the students grade. When the original, patched up exam was produced, without a blot, Webster broke down and confessed.

On March 1, Webster resigned as principal.

Students were outraged and took to the streets on March 3, tramping through the mud and slush, banging drums, blowing trumpets, and carrying signs. Their fury was directed at the two teachers who had ratted out the popular Webster.

The students demanded that the teachers be fired.

The Syracuse Herald reported:

At 9 oclock this morning, with military flourish of trumpet and drums, the boys and girls formed in front of the school. Several rough riders on horseback led the procession. The students bore aloft the following placards: Members Wanted for the Nosy Club, Shall Professor Webster Stay With Us?  Yes, No More Women Teachers For Us.

Students pose in front of Baldwinsville Academy before marching through the village in March 1911. Christopher Collection at the Baldwinsville Public LibraryChristopher Collection at the Ba

As the procession moved through the villages streets, many adults joined with the students, also angry at Noyes and Voorhees for taking their complaints to directly to Albany rather than the village school board.

When the two teachers appeared outside of the school that afternoon for their walk home, the mob of students followed behind, banging their drums and shouting at them.

A reporter for the Baldwinsville Gazette and Farmers Journal was appalled at the spectacle.

This public insulting of two ladies on our streets was also an insult to the borrowed national flag carried by the crowd, he wrote. The writer publicly told a group of students that it was the most disgraceful sight ever witnessed by him in Baldwinsville.

The whole affair had divided the village.

So bitter has become the feeling, the Herald reported, that many leading residents and businessmen will not discuss the subject except with their intimate friends, and then guardedly.

Some heated arguments threatened to explode into fistfights.

A school board member had to be pulled away from another man before striking him and the father of Marnie Voorhees nearly fought with a member of the village water board.

Student Clinton Frawley was whisked out of town. Miss Voorhees refused to be seen.

When asked if she had anything to say, Noyes, with a worried look, dashed away, exclaiming, No, there has been too much said already.

Both teachers rarely ventured out in public during the days of the student strike and both suffered from the emotional strain.

Former Principal Webster, on the other hand, was everywhere.

He was mobbed by his former students when a newspaper photographer tried to take his picture and members of the debate club presented him with a stickpin as a present.

In an interview with the Herald on March 6, he asked students to return to class, blamed the State Regents exams for being unfair and predicted that the state would eventually eliminate them.

While not addressing the small matter of filling out a students Regents exam, Webster blamed the two teachers.

The people are indignant and sympathize with me, Webster said. The teachers snooped yes, thats what they did; did just the same as if they had snooped in a mans private trunk.

(About the closest Webster came to publicly admitting to what he had done was symbolically. At a town meeting during the strike, he compared himself to a symmetrical tree. You have seen me living up to a strict sense of duty, he said, and from all appearances to you like a symmetrical tree; then you have come so close into my life as to see the barren side of it.)

At an extraordinary mass meeting on the night of March 6, attended by nearly every taxpayer in the village, a resolution was passed which called for the Board of Education to remove Noyes and Voorhees.

Let us get rid of these teachers, pay them off, said George Donovan. Hire new ones in their place and for Gods sake start anew.

On March 8, public opinion began to flip.

Edna Noyes had missed a couple days of work, apparently suffering under the nervous strain. When she was seen, the teacher said she had only done her duty.

This result has aroused many to sympathetic expressions of disapproval of the popular attitude, the Herald reported.

Striking Baldwinsville Academy students parade down the sidewalk on East Genesee Street in front of Morris Machine Works in March 1911. Christopher Collection at the Baldwinsville Public LibraryChristopher Collection at the Ba

On March 13, ten days after the strike had begun, all but 35 students returned to class. That same day, the State of New York revoked the teaching license of Frederick Webster.

Commissioner of Education Andrew Draper vindicated Noyes and Voorhees.

The teachers who detected the fraud are entitled to my word of commendation, Draper said, for they have but kept their self-respect and proved loyal to the trust which the public has reposed in them.

Unfortunately, their victory was short-lived.

Neither of the teachers were hired back for the following school year, the only two members of the Baldwinsville Academy staff not to be given a new contract.

On April 14, Marnie Voorhees announced her resignation from the school:

In self-respect, I cannot longer continue business relations with, nor run any farther risk of indignities from a board which has shown itself so constituted that the members who have endeavored to stand for right are unable to cope with those governed by personal and partisan interests, and which has indicated its unwillingness to give support to its teachers. In any crisis where Justice and uncompromising adherence to principles of honesty are most needed.

Read more

1921: The day Syracuse took a stand against dancing by banning the camel walk, the toddle and the shimmy

1911: To make city safer, Syracuse considers taking on a public menace: bristling hat pins

Upstates forgotten abolitionists: The noble life of Calvin Fairbank included rescuing 47 slaves

Stuck inside? Check out our true-crime podcast

An invention from Upstate NY soon became the preferred method of execution across the United States -- the electric chair. In The Condemned, we trace the history of the chair through the stories of five men who were sentenced to death for their crimes. Explore our series here.

This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle at jcroyle@syracuse.com or call 315-427-3958.
Commando police arrest Phuket construction worker for stealing gun from policeman 15 years ago

PHUKET: A construction worker in Koh Kaew has been arrested by officers from the Royal Thai Police Special Service Division, which calls itself the Commando division, for a gun he stole from a police officers house in Nakhon Ratchasima 15 years ago.

Friday 5 March 2021, 11:15AM

Jamkat Sriwawong, 57, was arrested at a construction site in Koh Kaew on Wednesday (Mar 3). Photo: Royal Thai Police Special Service Division

Jamkat Sriwawong, 57, was arrested at a construction site in Koh Kaew on Wednesday (Mar 3). Photo: Royal Thai Police Special Service Division

Jamkat Sriwawong, 57, was arrested at a construction site in Koh Kaew on Wednesday (Mar 3). Photo: Royal Thai Police Special Service Division

The commandos arrested 57-year-old Jamkat Sriwawong on Wednesday (Mar 3), one of the arresting officers told The Phuket News.

Jamkat was wanted on arrest warrant No. 52/249 issued by Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court on Sept 8, 2006, for the charge of theft from an accommodation in the nighttime, said the officer.

The arrest was conducted by officers under the command of Lt Gen Torsak Sukvimol, the officer added.

The officer explained that Jamkat and his three friends entered a house owned by a police officer and stole a revolver on July 25, 2006.

Police had already arrested two of Jamkats accomplices and recovered the stolen firearm, he said.

Police kept investigating until they eventually learned that Jamkat had fled to Phuket and worked as a construction worker at a site in Koh Kaew, the officer explained.

Jamkat was arrested and taken to Chumphuang Police Station in Nakhon Ratchasima to be charged. His arrest came four months before the warrant for his arrest was to expire, the officer noted.

The officer did not explain who the gun was stolen from or whether it was used in committing any other crimes.
After a car crashed into the front door of a home in Boston two people were left injured, according to WCVB.

The crash occurred at 11 p.m. on Poplar Street in Roslindale and the car flipped over causing heavy damage to the front of the home, the report said.

While no one in the car was injured, two people who were inside the car were taken to an area hospital, the report said.

Photos from the scene show protective boarding encased around the front door of the home.

A car hit a home in Roslindale. It flipped through the front yard and slammed into the house. It hit cars & fencing along the way. Debris everywhere. Boston Fire says 2 people were taken to the hospital. Everyone in the house is ok. @7News pic.twitter.com/rUupJkKfjh  Kerri Corrado (@KerriCorrado) March 5, 2021

The resident of the home told WBZ, this isnt the first crash at her home. The report said the family has lost six cars that were safely parked in the driveway. This was the first time a car crashed into the home, though.

The crash remains under investigation.
JACKSON, MI  Jackson Countys docket for jury trials, currently on hold because of COVID-19 safety concerns, features about three times as many homicide cases as usual.

When jury trials do resume, the 18 defendants charged in those homicide cases will be among the large backlog of cases Jackson County -- along with the rest of Michigan -- will need to prioritize and work through.

Between the backlog of murder cases and other serious felonies, along with new cases, Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson estimates itll take a year and a half to catch up on trials.

A lot of them, their timing couldnt have been worse in the sense that they get arrested five, six, seven, eight months before (the pandemic) and were coming up and were looking at getting the trials rolling and then all the sudden COVID hit, Wilson said. Youve got that backup from those and then all the stuff thats happened in the last year.

The coronavirus pandemic stopped jury trials March 17 in Jackson County. Michigan courts, including those in Jackson County, are making preparations and setting up additional coronavirus-safety precautions inside courtrooms in hopes of holding jury trials again relatively soon.

RELATED: Michigan courts brace for jury trials to start again after pandemic creates massive backlog

Jury trials in Jackson County are tentatively scheduled to finally resume May 1, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Jackson County Chief Circuit Judge Susan Jordan said. Jackson Countys courts are currently listed in Phase Two, meaning limited public access, of the return to activity guide established by the Michigan Supreme Court.

Cant see the map? Click here.

When trials resume, they wont start at the Jackson County Courthouse. Instead, jury selection will happen on the second floor of the Commonwealth Commerce Center, 209 E. Washington Ave. Trials, including testimony, will happen in courtrooms rearranged for social distancing.

That gives us a facility to safely choose jurors, Jordan said of using the Commonwealth Commerce Center. We all have some work to do to individually to get our courtrooms ready and reconfigured, so a socially distanced jury is able to get the maximum effect of every presentation.

RELATED: Plastic sheeting and hockey-style penalty boxes: What jury trials will look like in Michigan courtrooms

The first plan was to use the American 1 Event Center, at the Jackson County Fairgrounds/Keeley Park, 200 W. Ganson St., but they needed access from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday so they can select juries as the need arises. The event center didnt have that availability because they had revenue events that would restrict the open times, Jordan said.

The Commonwealth Center allows the court full access during business hours, which is what the court needs.

The court is expecting to delay jury service for some people if they have verification from a doctor that theyre at high risk for COVID-19, Jordan said. Theres also the concern of making sure the jury represents the community, Judge Wilson said.

RELATED: How Michigan courts determine when to hold jury trials again after pandemic shutdown

The question also, Do you get a cross section of people that you want? Wilson said. Or are you just getting the ones that say, Oh I dont care about that virus. Im not worried about it. I havent been taking many precautions. Then theyre coming in and mixing with the pool.

Cases will go to trial in order of the people who are in jail the longest and then by the oldest cases of people out on bond, Jordan said.

Wilson is planning to schedule two to five trials for each trial date, knowing that some will be delayed.

Thats going to require a lot of prep and its going to be nonstop for the prosecutors office, Wilson said. Then youve got defense attorneys. You tend to see a lot of the same guys and ladies that do a lot of the criminal work on these cases. Theyll find themselves  its not going to be just my courtroom. 

Its not going to be pretty for the next year once we start doing them. Therell be all kinds of fits and starts.

Read more:

Healthy spirit, mind and body for all honored as Jackson YMCA celebrates 125th anniversary

In-person inauguration, commencement ceremonies being planned at Albion College in May

County GOP groups feel betrayed by Michigan Republicans who went against grain

ARCHIVED - Update for British nationals returning to Spain in the process of residencia applications



The British Gov. has updated its webpage with further information

Since Brexit UK nationals have lost their automatic right to live in Spain as EU residents and anyone intending to stay in the country on a permanent basis must register for residency.

There are British nationals who were undergoing this process when the coronavirus pandemic began and since then the various retsrictions have made travel between the two countries difficult to say the least.

Entry requirements have continued to change and the UK Foreign office has amended the information about "Entry requirements for Spain" pointing out that Spanish border control staff will refuse entry to anyone who in their opinion does not demonstrate sufficient proof that they are residents in Spain and those who fail to do so will be sent back to the UK on the next available plane.

The agreement by which those in the process of obtaining residency may provide documentation to prove this is NOT a means by which those owning holiday homes can enter Spain!

This is the amended text:

Additional requirements for UK nationals resident in Spain



The Spanish government has formally confirmed to the UK government that UK nationals who were legally residing in Spain before 1 January 2021, and as such are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement, can use any of the following documents to prove their residence status when entering Spain:



Residence card issued under Article 18.4 of the Withdrawal Agreement (the TIE  Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)

Temporary or permanent EU residence certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadanos de la Union)

Receipt of application for the TIE (Resgaurdo de presentacion de la solicitud de la tarjeta de residencia)

Confirmation of the positive outcome of your residence application (Resolucion favorable por la que se concede la tarjeta de residencia)

In the absence of any of the above, other documents that credibly evidence your legal residence in Spain before 1 January 2021, such as a padron certificate (issued by your town hall), a work contract, a rental contract, or proof of property purchase may be presented. However, due to current travel restrictions, be aware that you may be questioned on arrival by Spanish border authorities to ensure you meet the legal entry requirements. Spanish border authorities will only grant entry if they are satisfied that you are returning to Spain to your habitual place of residence, and reserve the right to deny passage.



In the case of students, documentation must be presented that demonstrates enrolment in an on-site or in-person course that started prior to 1 January 2021 and proof of accommodation.



The Spanish government has confirmed that students enrolled in on-site or in-person courses starting after 1 January 2021 will not be permitted entry while the current restrictions on passenger travel from the UK by air and sea are in force. Once these restrictions are lifted, regular entry requirements will apply.

As always, check this page before travelling to Spain at the moment as there are constant changes to the travel information.
Buckingham Palace is yet to contact the Duke and Duchess of Sussex about the bullying probe that they had earlier said they will launch to determine the veracity of allegations against Meghan Markle, sources of Guardian learn. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will no longer be a part of the investigation since they had stepped down from their royal duties and broke ties with the Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family responded to the allegations on The Duchess of Sussex that she bullied two royal staff and undermined the confidence of a third staff member at Kensington Palace and made them cry saying that they were "clearly very concerned". In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, the royal family said, "Our human resources team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article".

"Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned," the statement from the Royal family read. "The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace, it added.

Read: Meghan Markle Knew Situation Would Get "ugly" Ahead Of Oprah's Interview: Report

Read: Meghan Markle 'saddened' Over Bullying Allegations Made By Palace Staffers

Sussexes former press secretary brings complaint

A formal complaint was filed against Prince Harrys wife Meghan, according to various sources accounts to the British media outlets, alleging that she had harassed and bullied the royal staff to the point where they quit. The complaint was brought in by a former staff member named Jason Knauf in 2018. Knauf was employed as the communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex then. "Senior people in the household, Buckingham Palace and Clarence House knew that they had a situation where members of staff, particularly young women, were being bullied to the point of tears, The Times report in the UK cited Knaufs statement.

A spokesperson for Meghan and Harry denied the allegations published by the newspaper saying that it was an attempt of a smear campaign against the Duchess of Sussex. This spokesperson told UKs ET that the timing of the controversy was well placed when Meghan and Harry's tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey is scheduled to premiere Sunday on CBS. The Duchess of Sussex, the spokesperson said, was grieved and traumatized by the latest allegation, and being a target herself of bullying, she believes in building compassion around the world.

Read: Buckingham Palace To Investigate Bullying Allegations Against Meghan Markle

Read: Chance The Rapper Defends Megan Markle As She Gets Trolled Over Royal Family Feud



Hexagon Purus HK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hexagon Purus AS (" Hexagon Purus ", stock ticker: HPUR), a provider of world class Type 4 (" T4 ") hydrogen cylinder and systems technologies and design.*

Cooperation structure

The cooperation will be based on a balanced ownership structure. It will be organized using dedicated operating entities:

A cylinder JV majority owned by Hexagon Purus HK (Hexagon Purus HK will own 51% and CIMC Hydrogen Energy will own 49%); and

A system JV majority owned by CIMC Hydrogen Energy (CIMC Hydrogen Energy will own 51% and Hexagon Purus HK will own 49%).

The JVs will form a joint sales and marketing team.

Production line

The JVs plan to build production lines of approximately 100,000 cylinders per annum, and the actual output is expected to gradually increase to reach higher capacity.

Type 3 ("T3") hydrogen cylinder capacity will be built through upgrading of existing production facilities. The JVs expect revenues from high-pressure T3 hydrogen cylinder in 2021. The construction of T4 facilities are expected to commence as early as the second quarter 2021.

Market prospects

CIMC Enric and Hexagon Purus have joined forces in the hydrogen sector with the goal of becoming the leading supplier of comprehensive hydrogen storage and distribution solutions in China and Southeast Asia.

According to Trend Bank Consulting, China's hydrogen cylinder market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 47.7% in the next 10 years. The number of FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) is estimated to reach 100,000 units and 1 million units in 2025 and 2030 respectively, and the hydrogen cylinders market value will reach approximately RMB 3.9 billion and RMB 20 billion respectively.

Mr. Yang Xiaohu, Executive Director and General Manager of CIMC Enric, commented, "The hydrogen industry has attracted unprecedented attention in China in recent years. Currently, China has announced more than 37 national, provincial and municipal hydrogen related policies. With the support of various policies, China is expected to become the world's largest FCEV market in the future. The future themes of on-vehicle hydrogen systems are lightweight, low cost, and low weight-to-volume ratio. Therefore, the transition from T3 hydrogen cylinders to T4 hydrogen cylinders fits the future development trend. The establishment of the JVs leverage CIMC Enric's geographical advantages and rich market experience with Hexagon's strong technical strength, forming competitive synergy effects and laying a solid foundation for the JVs to capitalize on China's vast hydrogen energy market."

Mr. Morten Holum, CEO of Hexagon Purus, said, "China is on the rise to become the most significant global market for FCEV. Its successful energy transition to hydrogen requires safe, advanced and cost-efficient high-pressure T4 fuel storage solutions that are proven in the global market. By joining forces in China, CIMC Enric and Hexagon Purus together contribute state-of-the-art T4 know-how, as well as the market presence of a top, trusted Chinese brand. Both companies have proud heritages of providing world class products and solutions to their customers."

SOURCE CIMC
(Alliance News) - The annual decline in UK retail footfall eased in February, numbers on Friday showed, though the drop was still steep as the country remained in lockdown.

According to the latest British Retail Consortium-Sensormatic monitor, UK retail footfall dropped 74% in February. This was a lesser decline than January's 82% drop, but was the second-worst fall since May.

In high streets, footfall dropped 68% year-on-year in February. This was a worse showing than the average three-month decline of 61%.

In retail parks, footfall dropped 35% annually in February, compared to the three-month average drop of 29%.

While at shopping centres, footfall tumbled 76% in February, steeper than the three-month average drop of 64%.

"Footfall remained down by three quarters during the second full month of lockdown. Shopping centres continued to suffer the most due to their high proportion of 'non-essential' retailing, whereas retail parks benefitted from the presence of large essential retailers such as supermarkets and health stores," BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson commented.

"While footfall improved slightly due to slowing Covid infections boosting consumer confidence, it will be a difficult time for retail until businesses are permitted to reopen in April."

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak in Wednesday's budget statement said the business rates holiday for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will continue until the end of June.

Sunak also set out a new Recovery Loan Scheme to replace previous coronavirus financing packages, allowing businesses of any size to apply for loans from GBP25,000 up to GBP10 million through to the end of the year, with the UK government providing lenders with an 80% guarantee.

Dickinson added: "Retailers welcomed the chancellor's extension of key business funding schemes in Wednesday's budget. Nonetheless, the real challenge will arise in April, as tens of thousands of 'non-essential' retailers hold their breath to see if demand returns to stores."

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
CLEVELAND  Josh Mandel, a Republican candidate for the Senate in Ohio, is waging an unadulterated campaign to pull his party further to the right, in part by trashing the state's Republican governor.

A day after governors in Mississippi and Texas lifted mask mandates and other guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Mandel on Wednesday called on Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to do the same.

"I think Mike DeWine is a squishy establishment politician who went along with the peer pressure and the groupthink of liberal media and other squishy governors around the country when he should have been a leader," Mandel, a former two-term state treasurer, said in an interview.

Mandel's remarks escalate his bid to position himself as the Republican most in sync with former President Donald Trump in the race to succeed GOP Sen. Rob Portman, who will not seek another term next year.

Mandel has amplified the lie that the election was stolen from Trump. He has relentlessly attacked an opponent, former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken, for the nice things she said about a Republican House member who voted to impeach Trump. And since he appeared last week at the CPAC conference for conservative activists in Florida, Mandel has branded DeWine  whose career in Republican politics goes back to 1977, when Mandel was born  with words like "squishy" and "RINO," meaning Republican In Name Only.

In another sign that he wants to carve out his own far-right lane in a primary campaign that could soon be crowded with other pro-Trump conservatives, Mandel asserted Wednesday that masks are not effective against the coronavirus.

"There's no science or math that shows that it's been helpful," he said, overlooking data and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other experts that confirms that properly covering your mouth and nose helps prevent the spread of viral particles.

Story continues

"No," Mandel replied when asked whether he would continue wearing a mask in public if DeWine lifts the mandate. "We need to stop the mask mandates immediately. And I will stop wearing a mask. I have the freedom to make decisions based on what's best for me and my family. And this has gone way overboard."

A spokesperson for DeWine, Dan Tierney, said it was too soon to ease off all mandates and restrictions. He did not respond to Mandel's attacks on DeWine.

"We still have a pandemic. We still do not have herd immunity," Tierney said. "The good news is we're getting an increased supply" of vaccines, and "there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Mandel's latest moves illustrate how he is trying to set a Trumpian tone and rules of engagement in the early stages of the primary campaign. Timken, the former state party chair, has been a close Trump ally, but early efforts on her behalf to secure Trump's endorsement have been unsuccessful. After days of pressure from Mandel on Twitter, Timken this week backtracked from her praise for Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in January.

Timken also has been an ally of DeWine's. As state party chair, she discouraged calls for a primary challenge that grew out of conservative frustrations  which Mandel is using his Senate campaign's bully pulpit to air  with DeWine's continued insistence on masks and other social distancing guidelines.

DeWine's relatively cautious approach to the pandemic, especially compared with the approaches of other Republican governors, earned him bipartisan praise early in the crisis. A Baldwin Wallace University poll of likely voters last fall found that nearly 72 percent of respondents approved of how DeWine was handling the pandemic.

"Ohio has led the way and done better than many other states in tackling the pandemic," Timken said in an emailed statement, opening with implicit praise for DeWine. "With declining Covid-19 cases, the increasing availability of vaccines and the coming arrival of spring, now is the time to fully reopen Ohio's economy and ensure every child can attend school in-person."

Timken, unlike Mandel, said she "will continue to wear a mask personally when I think it's appropriate, but that is a personal choice that every Ohioan should have the liberty to make, which is why we must also end government mask mandates."

Another major factor in deciphering Mandel's anti-DeWine message is whom he might face in the general election if he wins the nomination.

Dr. Amy Acton, who was DeWine's first health director and became a household name in Ohio last year during televised briefings about the state's pandemic response, is considering running as a Democrat. Every time Mandel criticizes DeWine, he blasts Acton by name, too. Mandel said Wednesday that he would "cherish" the opportunity to run against her because "she was a complete failure."

A spokesperson for Acton declined to comment Wednesday.
Charging customers more to pay the taxman

Google has told customers that it will raise the rates for advertisements on its French and Spanish platforms by two percent from May to help offset the impact of a digital tax on profits.

France has collected the levy since 2019, and Spain since this year, under pressure from voters to make US tech giants pay a greater share of taxes in countries where they operate.

The ad rate increase is to "cover a part of the cost of conforming to laws concerning taxes on digital services in France and Spain," the internet giant said in an e-mail seen by AFP.

In France, internet companies with more than 750 million euros ($895 million) in worldwide sales, and 25 million in France, must pay a three percent tax on their French operations, notably advertising sales and marketplace operations.

Spain also charges a three-percent tax on some of their businesses.

Jean-Luc Chetrit, head of the Union des Marques, an alliance of major brands, said Google's decision would "amputate the investment capacity of brands at a time when all companies are going through an unprecedented crisis."

Google did not respond to AFP's requests for comment, but Karan Bhatia, its head of government affairs, warned in February that "Taxes on digital services complicate efforts to reach a balanced agreement that works for all countries."

"We urge these governments to reconsider what are essentially tariffs, or at least suspend them while negotiations continue," he said.

Google as well as Apple, Facebook and Amazongrouped together as "GAFA"are in the crosshairs of European governments that accuse them of exploiting common market rules to declare all profits in the bloc in low-tax jurisdictions such as Ireland or Luxembourg.

Critics say they are depriving national tax authorities of millions of euros even as they profit from a surge in online activities because of home-working and social distancing rules during the Covid-19 crisis.

The companies counter that they are being unfairly targeted by discriminatory levies.

Global deal?

Amazon had already responded to the French tax last October by raising the rates it charges France-based marketplace sellers by three percent.

Apple followed suit by raising the commission it charges developers who sell apps on its platform not only in France, but also in Italy and Britain.

The French tax move on global digital companies made it a pioneer in the struggle to find a fair fiscal system for internet multinationals whose tax bill is often tiny compared to their income.

Contacted by AFP, Facebook said it had no plans to raise prices for ads in France or Spain for now as it waited for a global accord on fiscal rules.

The French tax brought in 400 million euros to government coffers in 2019, and the government applied the levy again last year despite pressure from the Trump administration to drop it.

With President Joe Biden in the White House, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)which is overseeing negotiations on a digital taxhas said it hopes a G20 finance ministers' meeting in July will hammer out an agreement on the issue.

Last month, the new US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, said Washington would no longer insist on a "safe harbour" clause that would effectively make participation in a global tax scheme optional, removing a key sticking point with EU officials.

Explore further France risks US ire with vow to impose digital tax this year

 2021 AFP
An illegally harvested haul of more than 300 giant clam shells with a value of around $3.3 million has been found in the Philippines

Philippine authorities have seized illegally harvested giant clam shells worth $3.3 million as smugglers turn to the endangered creatures as a substitute for the illicit ivory trade.

In one of the biggest operations of its kind in the country, 80 tonnes of the tropical species were discovered in a village on a remote island in the western archipelago of Palawan, officials said Friday.

The Philippines is home to most of the world's giant tropical clam species, which are considered threatened in the country as poaching surges.

Conservationists say their shells are used as an alternative material for products ranging from earrings to chandeliers as ivory becomes scarce amid a global crackdown on the illegal trade in elephant tusks.

Marine troops, the coastguard and local conservation officials raided local homes on Johnson Island on Wednesday, unearthing more than 300 clam shells with a value of around $3.3 million on the black market.

Among them was the Tridacna gigas, the world's largest clam, which can grow a shell up to 1.4 metres (4.6 feet) long.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers Tridacna gigas a "vulnerable" species.

The island's village chief will be charged with poaching for supervising the illegal collection, said Jovic Fabello, spokesman for the Palawan government's conservation council.

"This has been our biggest haul so far," he said.

It likely took the locals between six months and a year to amass the 80-tonne pile, a coastguard spokeswoman told AFP.

Palawan is considered the last frontier of the Philippines' rich biodiversity, but is also a hotspot for the illegal wildlife trade, with pangolins, marine turtles and wild birds poached and sold illicitly.

The country's fisheries code bans the collection of giant clams that are considered endangered, with prison terms for offenders of up to eight years and fines of up to three million pesos ($61,000).

Giant clams are important ecological components of coral reefs, which are nurseries for many fish species consumed by humans.

Explore further Philippine police arrest rare sea turtle poachers

 2021 AFP
[March 04, 2021] PerkinElmer Prices Offering of Senior Notes

PerkinElmer, Inc. (NYSE: PKI), a global leader committed to innovating for a healthier world, announced today that it has priced an offering of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.550% Senior Notes due 2031 at an issue price of 99.965% of the principal amount and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.625% Senior Notes due 2051 at an issue price of 99.999% of the principal amount. The issuance of the notes is expected to close on March 8, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. The notes will pay interest on a semi-annual basis. PerkinElmer plans to use approximately $561 million of the net proceeds of the offering to repay amounts borrowed under its senior unsecured revolving credit facility to fund a portion of the purchase price for its acquisition of Oxford Immunotec Global PLC. PerkinElmer expects to use the remaining net proceeds of the offering to repay at maturity a portion of its outstanding 300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 0.600% senior notes due 2021. The joint book-running managers for the offering are J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., and Wells Fargo (News - Alert) Securities, LLC. The offering is being made pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-3 (including a prospectus) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) "). Prospective investors should read the prospectus forming a par of that registration statement and the prospectus supplement related to the offering and the other documents that PerkinElmer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the company and this offering. These documents are available at no charge by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering can be obtained by calling one of the joint book-running managers at the following: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC collect at 1-212-834-4533 or BofA Securities, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-294-1322.



This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About PerkinElmer

PerkinElmer, Inc. is a global leader focused on innovating for a healthier world. The Company reported revenue of approximately $3.8 billion in 2020, has about 14,000 employees serving customers in more than 190 countries, and is a component of the S&P 500 Index. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements about PerkinElmer's intended use of proceeds, including its acquisition of Oxford Immunotec Global PLC. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from currently anticipated results, including risks and uncertainties relating to capital markets conditions and completion of the offering. Additional important factors and information regarding PerkinElmer's business that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are set forth in the prospectus and preliminary prospectus supplement dated March 4, 2021 related to the offering, which is on file with the SEC and available in the "Investors" section of the Company's website under the heading "SEC Filings," and the documents incorporated by reference into the prospectus and prospectus supplement. While PerkinElmer may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, even if circumstances change and, therefore, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to today. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210304006173/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]

Former President John Dramani Mahama will comment on the judgement by the Supreme Court that dismissed his election petition at 5 pm today.

A member of the legal team of the National Democratic Congress, Abraham Amaliba made this known after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on Thursday.



We are unable to address you now, however, our flagbearer will address you in his office at 5 pm today", Mr Amaliba said when journalists approached the legal team and spokespersons for a comment after the court ruling on Thursday.



Judgement



The Supreme Court per a unanimous decision delivered Thursday affirmed Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a validly elected President of Ghana.



The court said the petitioner, Mr John Dramani Mahama did not demonstrate in any way how the alleged errors made by the Electoral Commission (EC) in the declaration of the presidential election results by the chairperson of the EC, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa affected the outcome of the election.





"The petitioner has not produced any evidence to re-butt the presumption created by the publication of the C.I. 135", for which the court said the petitioner wanted a re-run to be made.



In effect, the Supreme Court said there is no reason to order a re-run, as one of the reliefs by the petitioner and dismiss the petition as having no merit.



The Supreme Court therefore dismissed the petition filed by former President John Dramani Mahama which challenged the declaration of President Akufo-Addo as the winner of the 2020 presidential poll by the Electoral Commission.



Graphic Online's court reporter, Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson who was in the courtroom said the Supreme Court in its seven-member unanimous decision dismissed the petition as without merit.





The court held that the figures as contained in the declaration made by the EC clearly showed that President Akufo-Addo obtained more than 50 percent of the total valid votes cast to be the validly elected President of Ghana.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
An aspiring actor looking to enter the television industry with the help of professional actor G Selvananthan went to the police early this morning to accuse the latter of sending him lewd text messages.

The accuser, a man identified on Facebook as Dev Muthu, said this morning that he filed a police complaint against the Vasantham channel star over text exchanges that went back over two months. Reached for comment this morning, the 53-year-old TV actor, who also goes by the name Selva, referred questions to a statement he posted last night that his account may have been hacked.

I simply wish to say, I did not send any inappropriate message via Facebook, Selvananthan wrote last night. I believe my account was hacked before this incident, which I was not aware [of]. I am currently seeking legal advice on the next appropriate course of actions.

Two days ago, Dev, 26, had posted screenshots of WhatsApp and Facebook messenger exchanges between him and Selvananthans account that began with Selvananthan seeming to recruit Dev for a show that Dev said he was too busy for.

The messages then took a creepy turn with comments on Devs shirtless photos, describing his body as smooth, hairless, and having a great cut.

Saw your recent body shot nice n sexy, one of the messages sent from Selvananthans Facebook account said, later adding: Whats with this partial nudity .very intrigued.

Before i start with this i wanna say that i had upmost respect for this sick feller here since my childhood days,and the Posted by Dev Muthu on Tuesday, 2 March 2021

Dev was then asked to give a private show, offered a celebrity blow job, and told that he would need to sleep with anybody [and] everybody to appear on Vasantham channel, owned by Mediacorp. Dev didnt appear to engage Selvananthans sexual advances but let the conversations continue.

According to unredacted portions of a Yishun police complaint in a photo posted by Dev, the incidents began Jan. 29 and continued through yesterday.

Story continues

Selvananthan owns the Avant Theatre & Language company and works freelance for Mediacorp. The broadcasting company has denied that he has anything to do with the companys casting decisions.

Mediacorp would like to state categorically that G Selvananthan and his theatre company do not have any influence  direct or indirect  on the casting for any production for Vasantham, a statement to Coconuts said yesterday. The company also noted that it was aware of the social media posts about Selvananthan.

Dev had described Selvananthan as his childhood idol and said he was excited when he was offered a role in a theatre show. But after receiving those messages, Dev said he decided to go public to alert other budding artists.

Before [I] start with this [I] wanna say that [I] had [utmost] respect for this sick feller here since my childhood days, and the moment [I] received a msg from him asking me whether am [I] interested to join him in his theatre drama, [I] was [a bit] excited cause he brought up many people, Dev wrote Tuesday.

He added: This is [an] alarm to upcoming artists who have dreams to make it to the media line. Cause [its] still happening everywhere around the world, not only in SINGAPORE. I [may be] totally banned from appearing again on tv again just when [I] had the opportunity again to reappear on tv after a few months, he added.

Selvananthan has appeared in television dramas such as Truth Prevails and talk show Anthanaal Nyabagam on the Vasantham channel. According to his LinkedIn account, he has been in theatre for two decades.

Editors note: The headline of this story has been updated to better reflect Selvananthans job.

Other stories you should check out:

Comedian says she wants off ex-parliament members talk show over sexist remark

This article, My account was hacked, says actor reported for sexual messages, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

(@FahadShabbir)

Less than three percent of Latvia's adult population have so far received the first shots of a coronavirus vaccine, making it the country with the lowest number of inoculated people in the European Union, the Delfi internet portal reported, citing the data by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

RIGA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) Less than three percent of Latvia's adult population have so far received the first shots of a coronavirus vaccine, making it the country with the lowest number of inoculated people in the European Union, the Delfi internet portal reported, citing the data by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

According to the reports, only 2.

9 percent of adults in Latvia got the first dose - this is the lowest number in the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). Speaking about other Baltic states, in Estonia, 4.1 percent of adults got the first inoculation, in Lithuania - 7.1 percent. The highest European figures are in Malta where 12.6 percent of adults were vaccinated with the first dose.

The average number of adults in the EU/the EEA who got the first inoculation is 6.4 percent, with just 3 percent of them having already received the second dose.
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
Chanel Contos (pictured) started a petition calling for action to sexual assault at schools

NSW police and education leaders have promised to address sexual violence in the state's schools after thousands of women and girls shared stories of their assaults as students.

Representatives from the NSW Department of Education, Association of Independent Schools and Catholic Schools NSW sat down with police on Friday to discuss the issue, brought to light by a petition for schools to teach students about consent earlier.

The petition of nearly 28,000 signatures was started by former Kambala School student Chanel Contos, and is accompanied by thousands of harrowing stories of sexual assault suffered by students - mostly from private, single-sex schools across Sydney.

Ms Contos, who graduated in 2015 and is now studying in London, says she started the campaign because she 'was sick of constantly hearing my friends' experience of sexual abuse'.

'I have lived in three different countries and I have never spoken to anyone who has experienced rape culture the way me and my friends had growing up in Sydney amongst private schools,' she said.

Among the high-profile schools implicated by the testimonies are Sydney Grammar School, Knox Grammar School, The King's School, Barker College, Waverley College, Kincoppal-Rose Bay School, Cranbrook School, Loreto Kirribilli and Scots College.

A group of high school students walk together during a school excursion in Brisbane (stock)

In a statement released after Friday's meeting, NSW Police said a commitment was made to establish a statement of intent to address the issue of sexual violence within NSW schools.

'Some of the key elements that will be considered during this process include but are not limited to: consent education, protocols on reporting, and most importantly the safety, welfare and wellbeing of young people,' the statement read.

Principals of nine prestigious Sydney private schools earlier this week spoke with Ms Contos via Zoom.

'It was a valuable and productive meeting, giving us the opportunity to talk candidly about the scale of the problem, what we have done so far to address it and what we will do from here,' a joint letter to alumnae said.

'Our meeting with Chanel helped reinforce the fact that there is much more we can do, and do earlier.'

The schools, which include Kambala, Sydney Grammar and Cranbrook, have promised to audit their sexual consent programs, and to create more opportunities for male and female students to interact in a safe school setting.

'The testimonies have lifted the lid on a toxic culture that has shocked us all; we are determined to work together, with our communities, to challenge and dismantle that culture.'


Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 53F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 53F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Watch: Mystery sixth case of Brazilian variant identified, says Matt Hancock

There is no sign the Brazil coronavirus variant of concern has been transmitted further in the UK, Matt Hancock has said after the mystery person infected with it was found.

Health secretary Hancock said at a Downing Street press conference on Friday that there was no evidence of onward transmission.

Officials had been searching for the mystery person  one of six cases identified in England and Scotland  all week, after they had taken a test in February but left no contact details.

The person was finally reached in Croydon, south London, on Friday, while their contacts were also traced.

Hancock said there was 'no evidence of onward transmission'. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Hancock said: The best evidence is that this person stayed at home and there is no evidence of onward transmission.

But as a precaution we are putting more testing in in Croydon, where they live, to minimise the possibility of spread.

The Brazil variant, also known as the P1 variant, was associated with a surge of cases in Manaus late last year. It is one of four variants of concern being tracked by scientists in the UK.

A study this week suggested that between 25% and 61% of people in Manaus who had previously had COVID-19 were susceptible to reinfection with the concerning P1 variant.

The variant carries a mutation in the spike protein called E484K, raising concerns that vaccines may not be as effective against it.

Public Health Englands Dr Susan Hopkins, appearing alongside Hancock at the press conference, said the mystery person had been interviewed extensively after being found.

Read more:

'Everyone's frightened': Life on the remote UK islands with just 70 COVID cases

WHO warns that ignoring COVID rules could lead to third and fourth waves

She explained: On Wednesday at 3pm, an individual phoned the 119 service. They were able to give the missing barcode number that they had held securely for the whole time.

This individual has been interviewed extensively and lives within a household that had recently returned from Brazil and all had quarantined at home.

Story continues

Further precautionary testing will occur in the neighbourhood and we have already started testing all of the samples from the neighbourhood through whole genome sequencing to ensure there is no further distribution of cases in the community.

Watch: How England will leave lockdown

For starters, the rendering we have here brings together the second-generation Focus RS (as with the original, it wasn't offered in the US, while the Gen III saw the hot hatch becoming a global car) and an early incarnation of the still-reigning S550-gen Mustang GT.So yes, this means that the engine compartment of the compact now accommodates a Coyote V8, with the 5.0 badges even being displayed on the side of the vehicle.Of course, such a proposal would make for a wacky build, and if you think the mix would be strange, please keep in mind that the said Gen III Focus RS and the EcoBoost incarnation of the S550 'Stang share the 2.3-liter turbo-four. Interestingly, when it comes to the performance, the hot hatch should be compared to the V8 incarnation of the Mustang, but that is another story for another time Ford has eliminated the Focus from its American lineup in its efforts to focus on crossovers (no pun intended), so why not celebrate the good old days with such a muscle hatchback?Sure, the costs of such a conversion would be considerable, but we've seen wilder Fords out there. In fact, here's an Mk III Focus RS Cabriolet and an Mk II Focus monster truck we featured two years ago.And if we are to talk about the creations of digital artist Jon Pumfrey, the Aussie aficionado sitting behind this rendering, this is far from the wackiest Blue Oval work he's introduced.
Mothers do not need more advice on how to manage their anger. They need to be funneling their anger at the institutions that have so thoroughly failed them. And we should be asking ourselves what we can do to support them. We need to prioritize safely reopening schools over bars and restaurants. Congress needs to fund new sources of paid leave so that parents, fathers and mothers, can perform the essential social function of raising children.

American mothers are angry for good reason, and we should be angry on their behalf.

Marie-Amelie George

Meghan Boone

Jane Aiken

Winston-Salem, N.C.

The writers are professors at Wake Forest Law School.

To the Editor:

Ellen Galinsky, the president of the Families and Work Institute, told Jennifer Senior that parents and children seldom view situations the same way. I discovered exactly that when I spoke with each of my children, now both in their 30s, about what I felt guilty about during their childhoods and teenage years.

To each incident that I mentioned, they invariably responded, I dont remember that. They then told me about the times they thought I hadnt been exactly the ideal mother. I didnt remember any of those incidents.

My children both have graduate degrees, good jobs and happy marriages. We see each other at least once a week, and I think they would agree that we have a close and warm relationship. So to the mothers who are now raising their children, I would say: Dont sweat it. Do the best you can. Your childrens happy adult lives will be good enough evidence that you did just fine.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

A former board member of the Public Employees Retirement Association has filed a complaint with the state Ethics Commission alleging she was pressured by her boss in state government at the time  at the direction of a senior member of the governors staff  to support a PERA solvency bill being pushed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Claudia Armijo, an attorney who was a member of the PERA board when Lujan Grisham appointed her deputy superintendent of the Regulation and Licensing Department in 2019, filed the complaint against Teresa Casados, Lujan Grishams chief of operations. As deputy director of Regulation and Licensing, Armijo served at the pleasure of the governor.

Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett said Armijo has invented a story that is completely divorced from reality. The allegations are thoroughly unsubstantiated, and the state has no further comment.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Armijo says she was at a special PERA board meeting to consider whether the board would endorse legislation for the 2020 legislative session when she began receiving telephone calls and a text from her boss Marguerite Salazar, who was superintendent of the Regulation and Licensing Department.

Armijo said in her complaint that she left the board meeting to call Salazar, who she said sounded frantic.

Salazar, who is not named as a respondent in the complaint, then relayed a message from Casados that Armijo was to stay at the meeting and vote and this is a priority for the Governor, according to the complaint filed on Dec. 30.

The solvency legislation came from a group appointed by the governor and it was considered her bill.

Armijo understood the message from Salazar to mean that she was to vote in favor of endorsing Lujan Grishams bill, which was designed to address some long-debated issues involving the future solvency of the state pension fund.

In her complaint, Armijo said the message was an ethical violation because she was acting as an elected board member during the meeting and not a state employee serving at the governors pleasure.

Armijo made her complaint public in the last few weeks after the governor endorsed legislation in this years session that would make PERA board members political appointees instead of being elected by retirees and government employees. Armijos term on the PERA board expired in December 2020 and she did not seek reelection as a representative of state government workers. Local government employees also had elected representatives.

Salazar, in a telephone interview, said she did remember calling Armijo to make sure she was at the meeting.

Teresa had called saying it was important that she (Armijo) be at the meeting but there was no pressure as to how she (Armijo) should vote, Salazar said. Teresa (Casados) wouldnt do that.

Salazar retired from state government late last year.

Legacy bill

In a telephone interview, Armijo said that sometime prior to the telephone call she met with another member of Lujan Grishams staff who told her how important the bill was to Lujan Grisham.

I was told it was a legacy issue and very important to the governor, Armijo said. Then I was asked how I liked my job at RDL.

She declined to name the staffer and said she didnt file a complaint about that meeting because she didnt have any evidence to support her claim.

In her ethics complaint, she attached a text and phone records showing the time and date of the calls from Salazar.

Armijo said in the interview that she and other members of the board agreed to endorse the bill if certain amendments were added to make the changes to the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) fair for retirees.

Board minutes and a recording of the meeting show that Armijo with the support of several other board members pushed for the changes.

The board approved the endorsement on an 8 to 3 vote.

The PERA boards endorsement is important for legislators who dont have the time to examine a complex bill too closely, Armijo said. My complaint isnt about the merits of the bill but about the tactics used in securing the endorsement from the board.

She said she was the only board member whose state job was at the pleasure of the governor and that no other board member, to her knowledge, received pressure to support the bill.

She said the amendments the board asked for were included in the final version of the bill, which was signed into law last year.

Armijo said she believes her insistence on the amendments angered the governors office and she was terminated from her job at the Regulation and Licensing Department in July.

Armijo, who has worked as an attorney in state government for 15 years, said she was lucky to get a job at the State Treasurers Office during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is still employed there as an attorney.

I didnt file the complaint after the meeting because I was afraid of losing my job, she said.

She said that even after she was fired from Regulation and Licensing and found another job it took her another several months to work up the courage to file the complaint.

As a board member my duty was as a fiduciary responsible to the retirees and people paying into the pension fund, not the governor, Armijo said in an interview.
Summer holiday breaks are seeing a surge in prices as Britain emerges from lockdown, with some trips to the seaside double the cost this year.

Euphoria around the rollout of vaccinations has triggered a staycation rush, which means letting websites and property owners are cashing in.

Yesterday Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he is more optimistic than ever for a 'great British summer'.

On a visit to a laboratory in Glasgow, Mr Hancock said: 'I very much hope that as we are able to lift restrictions, then we are all able to travel across the UK.

'I'm confident, because of the vaccine, we will be able to make that progress and then be able to, all of us, to travel freely wherever we are within these islands.

'I've said before that I'm optimistic for a great British summer and I'm now more optimistic about having a great British summer than I have been at any time, thanks to the speed and the effectiveness of the vaccine rollout.

'By great British summer, I absolutely mean people being able to enjoy travel across the whole of the UK.'

It also found a 70 per cent increase in price for a one-bedroom property in the centre of Eastbourne (stock image) on Airbnb

Mr Hancock has already booked a summer holiday in Cornwall.

Research by Which? looking at popular destinations, from St Ives to Whitby, Llandudno and Brighton, found prices in the summer are an average 35 per cent higher.

Based on prices listed with the letting sites Airbnb and Vrbo, it found one example that was 70 per cent more expensive and another was some 140per cent higher this year.

The Which? research echoes evidence of price rises of 25 to 100per cent being imposed by specialist holiday cottage websites published by the Daily Mail last week.

A Which? snapshot investigation compared summer prices for 15 properties listed between Airbnb and Vrbo in St Ives, Whitby, Llandudno, Brighton, Weymouth, Swanage, Scarborough, Southwold, Eastbourne, Bournemouth.

The largest mark-up was for a one-bedroom maisonette in Brighton on Airbnb, which has gone up from 53 a night to 127 - a rise of 140 per cent.

The largest mark-up was for a one-bedroom maisonette in Brighton (stock image) on Airbnb, which has gone up from 53 a night to 127 - a rise of 140per cent

On Vrbo, a one-bedroom property in Bournemouth (stock image) rose from 722 for the first week of August last year to 958 this year - an increase of 33 per cent

It also found a 70 per cent increase in price for a one-bedroom property in the centre of Eastbourne on Airbnb. Last year, a one-week holiday in the first week of August would have cost 409, but this year the same week is 696.

On Vrbo, a one-bedroom property in Bournemouth rose from 722 for the first week of August last year to 958 this year - an increase of 33 per cent.

Other price rises were more modest, for example, a one-bedroom cottage on Airbnb in Scarborough increased by seven per cent for similar August dates this year.

The phased end to lockdown means a household will be able to book a self-catering staycation from April 12. However, no booking that involves more than one household, for example a family plus grandparents, will be allowed until May 17.

The editor of Which? Travel, Rory Boland, said: 'Many holidaymakers are looking forward to finally going to the seaside this summer, so it's perhaps not a surprise that high demand has seen prices for some destinations shoot up too.

Yesterday Health Secretary Matt Hancock (pictured), on a visit to a laboratory in Glasgow, said he is more optimistic than ever for a 'great British summer'

'If people are prepared to pay more for their summer holidays this year, it's essential that they know their money will be protected or returned to them without hassle in the event they cannot travel.'

Both Airbnb and Vrbo said property owners or their agents set prices. Airbnb said the Which? research was 'misleading' and was 'not representative' of prices.

It added: 'More than half of UK guests choose Airbnb because it is more affordable than a hotel or other options. With the Great British staycation back on the horizon, hosts are ready to provide clean and private accommodation to help families and loved ones safely reconnect, and around half say they rely on the additional income from hosting.'

Vrbo said: 'We are operating as a two-sided marketplace, connecting holidaymakers and holiday-home hosts, without being part of any contractual agreements between those parties at any time.

'Vrbo does not set, change or influence the property prices a host chooses.'

Sykes Cottages, which is one of the biggest accommodation providers with over 15,000 properties, has been accused of imposing punishing increases in prices this year.

Criticism came from the chairman of the South West Tourism Alliance, Alistair Handyside, who said the firm appears to be trying to make 'a quick buck'.

One woman based in mid Wales, who has rented her property to holidaymakers through Sykes and is in the process of leaving, insisted she has no control over the prices.

She wrote on Facebook: 'I'm an owner - have just checked my prices and they've gone from 459 to 1,145 !! I've questioned this and they have said it's due to demand. Quite frankly I'm embarrassed.'

Sykes denied any wrongdoing, adding: 'Our holiday prices are and will always be competitive. Like lots of other businesses throughout the travel industry, we operate a pricing system that automatically sets prices based on availability and demand.'
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The chant at Worcester City Hall was loud and consistent: Negotiate. Vaccinate. Educate.

Dozens of members of the Educational Association of Worcester rallied Thursday afternoon, saying they wanted to bring the negotiating table to city hall after working through the COVID-19 pandemic for months with expired contracts.

More than just wanting a fair contract, the educators were calling on officials for vaccinations. Though Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday that K-12 employees, early childcare workers and school staff will be eligible for vaccine appointments on March 11, there will be competition to get in line for a shot because of a limited vaccine supply. It means that many Worcester teachers and school staff will have to head back into classrooms for hybrid learning without inoculation.

EAW President Roger Nugent stood at a microphone and asked union members to keep up the momentum.

Weve just got to keep it up, he said. Keep fighting forward to get all the benefits and the safety and all that we deserve in the schools.

Contracts expired over the summer. The union claims that the Worcester School Committee has walked away from the bargaining table.

The Worcester School Committee, Superintendent Maureen Binienda and their bargaining representative have caused unnecessary delays in bargaining successor contracts with EAW members, the union wrote in a statement Wednesday. At a scheduled bargaining session on Jan. 26, the School Committees bargaining team simply refused to show up. This is both disrespectful to hard-working educators and harmful to students.

Binienda has not returned calls from MassLive this week.

Worcester has had remote learning since the pandemic erupted last year, but plans are to bring students back into classrooms this month. Students with high needs and New Citizens Center Program students are scheduled to start hybrid learning on March 15. Then on March 29, all other students who want to start hybrid learning will be able to return to classrooms.

Melissa Verdier, a special educator at North High School, EAW executive board member and member of the negotiating team for unit AB, noted that educators have been working without a contract since August despite trying to work with the district.

In a time that we would never expect, we have continued to go above and beyond on a daily basis to make sure that our students are provided the best education possible during a pandemic, she said. Weve been to mediation, we have not finished at this point still.

As speakers took to the microphone, a line of cars circled city hall honking.

Weve asked tirelessly to be a part of [the] decision-making process, Verdier said. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience, which is why we were hired in by the Worcester Public Schools. Talk to us. Make our opinions a priority.

Verdier called on Binienda, Mayor Joseph Petty and elected officials to work with educators on a vaccination plan.

Previously, Binienda had said she wanted all educators vaccinated before hybrid learning began. That proposal changed in February as the administration and school committee discussed hybrid learning start dates for March, which was before educators knew when they may be able to get immunized.

Betty Santiago, a member of the unions transportation team, noted that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has updated its guidance on school bus transportation, to allow more students on the bus. Santiago said having more students on the bus can create unsafe conditions, especially if people are not vaccinated.

Saul Ramos, the first vice president of the EAW and an education support professional in the public schools, stood at the microphone and told fellow members that he is at high risk for the virus.

I am returning to our building on Monday. I am high risk. I am not vaccinated and I have not been able to get an appointment and I am scared, just like many of our members are, Ramos said. If we would have returned in November or in January as previously planned, I will tell you, I probably would have died already and I know this because the building I work in has had multiple cases of COVID.

Ramos said that if teachers with health concerns are denied accommodations for COVID-related health concerns, some may need to take unpaid leave.

Tina Mansfield, a bus driver in Worcester, said she came out to city hall because negotiations have not been done in good faith and because she hopes to be vaccinated soon.

These are our lives, Mansfield said. These are our students lives.

Though Worcester schools have been remote thus far, Worcester bus drivers have been at work, transporting students to parochial and collaborative schools.

We have been working since August and weve done everything above and beyond, Mansfield said. We have our MOA. Its ready to be voted on, but the day its going to be voted on is the day it expires.

Related Content:
Advertisement

Pope Francis made a rousing call for peace on the first day of his historic visit to war-battered Iraq today, pleading with his hosts for an 'end to acts of violence and extremism, factions and intolerance'.

The 84-year-old, who defied security fears and the pandemic to become the first pontiff to travel to Iraq, urged religious faiths to 'look beyond our differences' in a country ravaged by ISIS that is home to one of the world's most persecuted Christian communities.

Delivering a message of hope to worshippers in Iraq, he paid tribute to the 'age-old presence of Christians in this land, and their contributions to the life of the nation'.

But he also reached out to Yazidis who were killed and tormented by ISIS, saying that 'here, among so many who have suffered, my thoughts turn to the Yazidis, innocent victims of senseless and brutal atrocities'.

Francis, who said he was travelling to Iraq as a 'pilgrim of peace' on his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic, will also extend a hand to Shiite Muslims when he meets Iraq's top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.

'Only if we learn to look beyond our differences and see each other as members of the same human family will we be able to begin an effective process of rebuilding and leave to future generations a better, more just and more humane world,' he said, describing religious minorities as a 'precious resource' to be protected.

He also urged Iraqi officials to 'combat the scourge of corruption, misuse of power and disregard for law,' in a country consistently ranked one of the most graft-tainted by global watchdogs.

Iraq's President Barham Salih welcomes Pope Francis during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Baghdad, where the pontiff made a rousing call for peace and urged an end to religious factionalism

A child gives a bouquet of flowers to Pope Francis during the official welcome ceremony at the presidential palace in Baghdad on Friday

The papal mantle is blown into Francis's face by a gust of wind as he stands by Iraq's prime minister at Baghdad airport today

Pope Francis walks on a red carpet with Iraqi premier Mustafa al-Kadhimi as he arrives in Iraq on Friday for the start of a four-day visit to the country - the first ever by a pontiff

Francis meets bishops, priests, seminarians and catechists at a cathedral in Baghdad decorated with posters of him

Pope Francis arrives at the Sayidat al-Nejat (Our Lady of Salvation) cathedral in Baghdad today on the first day of his historic visit to Iraq where he began with a rousing call for peace

Francis gives his address at the presidential palace inside Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone

Francis waves as he arrives to hold his first mass in Iraq at the Our Lady of Deliverance church in Baghdad today

Pope Francis and the President of Iraq Barham Salih attend a meeting with authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps in the hall of the Presidential palace in Baghdad

Pope Francis attends a meeting with authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps in the hall of the Presidential palace in Baghdad

Francis meets Christian clergymen, teachers and seminarians in a Syro-Catholic cathedral in Baghdad on Friday

Francis receives an ornamental gift after his sermon at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in the Iraqi capital today

Francis delivers his speech during a meeting with Christian clergymen at the Our Lady of Salvation cathedral in Baghdad

The pope left Rome early Friday for the four-day trip, his first abroad since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which left the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics saying he felt 'caged' inside the Vatican.

'I'm happy to resume travel, and this symbolic trip is also a duty to a land that has been martyred for years,' he told journalists aboard his plane.

His plane landed at 1.55pm, flying the flags of both Vatican City and Iraq as it taxied on the tarmac at Baghdad International Airport, where Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi greeted him.

'With love and peace, Iraq's people and government are welcoming His Holiness Pope Francis and reaffirming the depths of this humanitarian bond,' Kadhemi said ahead of the pope's arrival.

Francis subsequently met Iraqi president Barham Salih and other authorities gathered at the Baghdad palace inside the heavily fortified Green Zone, telling them that no one should be considered a second-class citizen.

He said Iraqis of all faiths deserve to have the same rights and protections as the Shiite Muslim majority, in a country facing turmoil beset by both political violence and the effects of the pandemic.

While Francis has been vaccinated, Iraq has been gripped by a second wave of infection with 5,000 plus new cases a day, prompting authorities to impose a full lockdown during the pontiff's visit.

'I'll try to follow directions and not shake hands with everyone, but I don't want to stay too far,' Francis said ahead of his arrival.

Francis speaks at the presidential palace on Friday where he gave a rousing call for peace following years of political strife

Pope Francis attends a meeting with authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps in the hall of the Presidential palace in Baghdad

Francis was met at the airport by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi (right) who delivered a greeting of 'love and peace'

Francis waved as he and the prime minister left the airport flanked by Iraqi and Vatican flags waved by young children

Armed Iraqi security personnel supervise children entering the vicinity of the cathedral where Francis was visiting on Friday

Francis has pushed ahead with the trip despite fears for his safety amid a deteriorating security situation in Iraq which saw an American contractor die in an attack on a military base this week

Francis's visit is the first to Iraq by a Pope, after John Paul II was forced to call off a journey in 1999 amid fears for his safety and political pressure on the Saddam regime

Francis is greeted by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi as he lands at Baghdad airport on Friday afternoon local time

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi speaks with Pope Francis after the pontiff arrived at Baghdad airport

Francis is due to spend four days in Iraq where he will visit Christian sites attacked by Islamic extremists, offer prayers for the victims of war, and meet with the country's top Shiite cleric

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi welcomes Pope Francis at Baghdad Airport in a picture released on his official Twitter account on Friday

President Barham Salih speaks with Pope Francis after his arrival at the Presidential palace

Iraqi children dressed in traditional outfits join a protocol member wearing a protective mask at Baghdad airport

Iraqi honor guards stand in front of the presidential Palace before Pope Francis' arrival in Baghdad, Iraq

Iraqi honour guards stand in line at the presidential palace in Baghdad as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis

The plane carrying Pope Francis flies the Iraqi and Vatican City flags from its cockpit as it lands in Baghdad on Friday

People attend a celebration in a public square in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh

Security will be tight in Iraq, which has endured years of war and insurgency, is still hunting for Islamic State sleeper cells, and days ago saw a barrage of rockets plough into a military base.

Francis will preside over a half-dozen services in ravaged churches, refurbished stadiums and remote desert locations, where attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing.

Inside the country, he will travel more than 870 miles by plane and helicopter, flying over areas where security forces are still battling IS remnants.

For shorter trips, Francis will take an armoured car on freshly paved roads that will be lined with flowers and posters welcoming the leader known here as 'Baba Al-Vatican'.

The pope's visit has deeply touched Iraq's Christians, whose numbers have collapsed over years of persecution and sectarian violence, from 1.5 million in 2003 to fewer than 400,000 today.

'We're hoping the pope will explain to the government that it needs to help its people,' a Christian from Iraq's north, Saad al-Rassam, told AFP. 'We have suffered so much, we need the support.'

Francis meets people from the Scholas Occurrentes, an educational network backed by the Vatican, in Baghdad on Friday

Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi (right) meeting with Pope Francis at Baghdad Airport's VIP Lounge

A grab from the official Iraqiya TV footage shows Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi welcoming Pope Francis

Pope Francis arrives at Baghdad International Airport where a welcoming ceremony is held to start his historic tour

A Vatican flag was flying by the steps of the plane as Francis walked onto Iraqi soil earlier on Friday

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi welcomes Pope Francis at Baghdad International Airport

Pope Francis waves to the crowd upon his arrival in Baghdad, Iraq

A motorcade escorts Pope Francis during his historic tour in Baghdad

Motorcycle outriders, part of Francis's security detail while he is in Iraq, accompany his car after he arrived in Baghdad

An armoured police truck drives past crowds waiting to see Pope Francis as he arrives in Baghdad on Friday

People stand by the road as they wait for Pope Francis to arrive in Baghdad, Iraq, during his historic first visit to the country

Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard his airplane as he head from Rome to Iraq, telling journalists that he is 'happy' to be travelling again after a year being 'caged' at the Vatican

Francis also told reporters that he sees the trip as 'a duty to a land that has been martyred for years'

The first day of the pope's ambitious itinerary will see him meet government officials and clerics in the capital Baghdad, including at the Our Lady of Salvation church, where a jihadist attack left dozens dead in 2010.

He will also visit the northern province of Nineveh, where in 2014 IS jihadists forced minorities to either flee, convert to Islam or be put to death.

'People had only a few minutes to decide if they wanted to leave or be decapitated,' recalled Karam Qacha, a Chaldean Catholic priest in Nineveh.

Some 100,000 Christians - around half of those who lived in the province - fled, of whom just 36,000 have returned, according to Catholic charity 'Aid to the Church in Need'.

Among the returnees, a third have said they want to leave again in coming years, dismayed by Iraq's rampant corruption, persecution and poverty, which now affects 40 percent of the population.

The exodus is a loss for all of Iraq, said Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, who heads the Vatican's Congregation for the Oriental Churches and will accompany the pope to Iraq.

'A Middle East without Christians is like trying to make bread with flour, but no yeast or salt,' he said.

The visit aims not only to encourage Christians to stay in their homeland, but even prompt some emigres to return from nearby Lebanon and Jordan, or further afield like Canada and Australia.

Pope Francis boarded an Alitalia flight from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport on Friday bound for the Iraqi capital Baghdad - where he will complete a four-day tour

Francis vowed that the journey would go ahead despite concerns for his safety after a rocket attack on a US airbase on Wednesday killed one person

Early on Friday the Pope boarded a plane for his four-day journey to Iraq, his first abroad since the Covid-19 pandemic first took a hold last year

In his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic Pope Francis will visit Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and the cities of Qaraqosh and Mosul, which were heavily destroyed by ISIS

A member of Rome's police force in full dress uniform salutes Pope Francis as he climbs aboard the Alitalia flight to Baghdad at Leonardo da Vinci Airport on Friday

Pope Francis shook hands with Alitalia's Special Commissioner Giuseppe Leogrande (pictured) when he arrived to board the plane to Baghdad at Rome's Fiumicino international airport this morning

Security will be tight in Iraq, which has endured years of war and insurgency and is still hunting for Islamic State sleeper cells

Francis greets officials at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport on Friday as he boards a plane for his flight to Iraq

Pope Francis prepares to leave from Fiumicino's International airport Leonardo da Vinci, near Rome, for Baghdad, Iraq

Pope Francis is seen through the plane window as he departs for his trip to Iraq from Leonardo Da Vinci airport

Francis will spend four days in Iraq, holding prayer services around the country and is due to return to Rome on Monday

Italian and Vatican City flags are seen on the front of the aircraft as it departs from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport

The four-day visit is designed to provide hope to Iraq's Christians after years of persecution and increase the Vatican's outreach to Islam

The Alitalia plane carrying Pope Francis takes off from Rome's Fiumicino airport for his trip to Iraq

In a video address ahead of the trip, Francis evoked 'the wounds of loved ones left behind and homes abandoned,' saying there had been 'too many martyrs' in Iraq.

'I come as a pilgrim, a penitent pilgrim to implore forgiveness and reconciliation from the Lord after years of war and terrorism.'

The pope has insisted on the visit despite resurging violence.

Rocket attacks across the country have left three people dead in recent weeks, including a US contractor who died Wednesday.

Francis' determination to travel to areas long shunned by foreign dignitaries has impressed many in Iraq - as has his planned meeting with Sistani, 90, the top authority for Iraq's Shiites.

A highly reclusive figure who rarely accepts visitors, Sistani will make an exception to host Francis at his humble home in the shrine city of Najaf on Saturday.

Banners all over Najaf have celebrated 'the historic encounter, between the minarets and the church bells'.

Francis, a major supporter of inter-religious dialogue, will afterwards head to the desert site of Ur, where Abraham is thought to have been born.

There, he will host an interfaith service that will bring together not only the Abrahamic religions but also include followers of other beliefs, including Yazidis and Sabeans.

Banners with pictures of Pope Francis on them hang from lampposts in the Iraqi capital ahead of his arrival today

Security will be tight during Francis's visit, with crowds largely absent from the streets and limits placed on prayer services

Security members of a special division stand guard at a street in Baghdad's Karada district

An Iraqi security guard stands in front of a huge billboard bearing portraits of Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani who will meet on Saturday as part of the pontiff's visit

Christian families gather outside St. George Chaldean Church, as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis, in Baghdad, Iraq

Iraqi Christians gather at the Church of the Virgin Mary before going to the airport to welcome Pope Francis in Baghdad, Iraq

Buses were put on in Iraq to take residents to the airport to await the Pope's arrival today in Baghdad

A mural depicting Pope Francis was placed on a concrete wall by Iraqi security forces to surround the Our Lady of Salvation Church during preparations for the Pope's visit

Iraq Christians have prepared posters welcoming Pope Francis to St. Joseph's Chaldean Church
Former House impeachment manager Eric Swalwell has sued Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks, former President Donald Trump and others over their roles in the deadly U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6.

The lawsuit, reported by CNN, alleges Brooks and Trump, as well as Donald Trump Jr. and adviser Rudy Giuliani, incited rioting, as well as broke Washington D.C. laws, aided and abetted violent rioters and inflicted emotional distress on the members of Congress.

The Defendants, in short, convinced the mob that something was occurring that - if actually true - might indeed justify violence, and then sent that mob to the Capitol with violence-laced calls for immediate action, the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington D.C., alleges. The horrific events of January 6 were a direct and foreseeable consequence of the Defendants unlawful actions. As such, the Defendants are responsible for the injury and destruction that followed.

You can read the suit here.

Brooks called the lawsuit frivolous.

Socialist Eric Swalwells frivolous lawsuit is a meritless ploy by a man who betrayed his county by bedding a Communist Chinese spy while serving on the Intelligence Committee that hears Americas highest classified security secrets. Brooks said. I make no apologies whatsoever for fighting for accurate and honest elections. In sum, I wear Communist-sympathizer Swalwells scurrilous and malicious lawsuit like a badge of courage.

Under no circumstances will Swalwell, or any other Socialist, stop me from fighting for America, he added.

Brooks, a Republican from Huntsville, was among the speakers at a pro-Trump rally on Jan. 6 that took place as Congress was readying to certify the election results showing Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden. During the impassioned speech, Brooks said it was the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.

He later defended himself against claims he incited violence.

The radical lefts absurd claim that I called for violence is pure bunk, Brooks said. I called for exercise of freedom of protest at the Capitol and for fighting for our cause at the ballot box in the 2022 and 2024.

Swalwell, D-California, was among those locked down at the Capitol as rioters broke into the building. Five people, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer, died during the rioting.
Like every other chef we know, David Fritsche has had one hell of a year. Luckily for Fritsche, though, hes had some pretty major superpowers tucked into his culinary arsenal at Stable: cheese and alcohol.

Both Fritsche and his business partner, general manager Silvan Kraemer, hail from the idyllic motherland of Switzerland. After meeting nearly 17 years ago and working side-by-side in numerous kitchens, the two had enough  not of each other, of course, but of working for someone else.

We said, Why dont we do our own thing? The first thing we thought about was what we missed the most, and both of us said We miss Swiss comfort food, Fritsche tells us. We had been cooking it at home once in a while, but it was very seldom that we got to eat it. So, we said, Well, we both are Swiss  why dont we stay true to that, and try to get as many products as we can from Switzerland? Its sometimes a little bit harder to do, but we still stay very, very true to our roots and where we come from.

David Fritsche Stable

With that mission in mind, Fritsche and Kraemer opened up Stable DC on H Street corridor, eventually opening the doors to DCs first-ever Swiss restaurant, where they remain the only ones in the city serving some of Switzerlands most indulgent comfort classics: cheese fondue, raclette and Fritsches favorite, veal Zurich-style with potato rosti, mushrooms and a cream sauce.

Though their location in a narrow townhome doesnt lend itself to pandemic dining, the pair devised an innovative solution to the space-intensive needs of the day: five individual Swiss chalets in their back dining room, which offer diners both privacy and peace of mind. There, or on the outdoor patio, hungry patrons can dig into a hot pot of cheese fondue, clink glasses of warm glogg wine, or request a raclette experience 24 hours in advance.

Another pandemic-driven innovation is an extension of Stables take-home menu, which now includes the ability to put a deposit down on tricked-out fondue and raclette kits, complete with all the fixings and even Swiss cocktails if youre in the mood to imbibe. Both options give at-home diners an avenue to experiment and have fun with the process of making their meal, not just drool over the end results.

Raclette originated in the Valais region of Switzerland, in the southern part of the country by the Italian border. There, Fritsche tells us, dairy farmers would make journeys up to the Alps  always with cheese in hand. The cheese would be melted by the farmers by placing it next to a roaring fire before getting scraped on a piece of bread and quickly consumed. Its probably the best method for staying warm that youll ever encounter.

Here, he shows us how to recreate that experience from the comfort of your home.

Raclette at home Stable

Swiss Cheese Raclette



What you need:

A tabletop raclette grill like this one from Swissmar, this one from Sur La Table or this one from Williams Sonoma will help get you started (if you arent close enough to Stable to rent one from them). The granite stone top is perfect for roasting veggies like pearl onions, olives or mushrooms, and cheese gets melted on the coupelles, or small trays, below.

A good-sized hunk of raclette cheese, which Washingtonians can get from Stable (or check places like Whole Foods). Fritsche tells us that raclette cheese is a semi-soft cows milk cheese with a high fat content that makes for easy, high-quality meltability.

A base for your cheese, like simple boiled potatoes or crusty slices of bread. At Stable, raclette is served in the traditional way, with boiled new potatoes, pickles, an onion salad, green salad and homemade wurzelbrot (bread).

Optional: The classic alcoholic pairing for raclette is actually a bottle of dry, Swiss white wine called Fendant, which is produced in the same region from which raclette originated. The dry quality of the wine helps to balance the richness of the melted cheese. If no Fendant is available for purchase in your area, Fritsche recommends a dry Riesling or Gruner Veltliner instead.

How to raclette:

Boil a pot of new potatoes until fork tender while you prep your vegetables to grill. Zucchini, bell peppers and onions are all good choices. While Fritsche says meat is not traditionally served with raclette, he says meat lovers can add charcuterie items to their dish such as prosciutto, ham or air-dried beef.



Cut slices of your raclette cheese to fit the individual coupelles, and place your choices of vegetables to grill on top of the granite stone after giving it a light oiling. Cut your potatoes right before serving, then use the provided scrapers to slide the melted raclette cheese on top. Serve with pickled gherkins on the side and a green salad.

The post Embrace Your Inner Cheesemonger and Make Stable DCs Raclette at Home appeared first on InsideHook.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland on Thursday moved a step closer to taking a spot in the presidents inner circle.

Haaland was favorably recommended to be the next secretary of the Interior by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and her historic nomination will now be voted on by the entire Senate.

The committee voted 11-9 in support of Haaland, a Democrat who is set to become the first Native American Cabinet secretary. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, joined all the committees Democrats during the vote on Thursday morning.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

I have decided to support this nomination today, to support the first Native American who will hold this position, with the expectation that Rep. Haaland will be true to her word, Murkowski said. Not just on issues related to Native peoples but also responsible resource development.

Murkowski was the second Republican this week to come out in support of Haaland. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine also publicly said she would vote to confirm Haaland.

That support puts Haaland on the brink of shattering another glass ceiling. She and Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, in 2018 became the first Native American women elected to Congress.

My life experiences give me hope for the future. If an Indigenous woman from humble beginnings can be confirmed as Secretary of the Interior, our country and its promise still holds true for everyone, Haaland, who is a member of the Laguna Pueblo, tweeted after the vote.

Haaland has been a staunch defender of the environment, both in Congress and before she was elected. She was co-sponsor of the Green New Deal, and she attended protests against the Keystone XL Pipeline. Fossil fuel industry advocates and several Republicans have opposed her nomination.

Last month, Haaland was introduced to the Senate committee by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who spoke about Haalands willingness to reach across the aisle on certain issues. During her confirmation hearing, Haaland touted her bipartisan work, and she said oil and gas would be part of the countrys energy portfolio for years to come.

Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond who studies nominations, said that Haalands ability to appeal to conservatives and moderate Democrats has put her on the cusp of confirmation.

The fact that shell listen and she tries to work across the aisle, I think thats all very positive and allows Murkowski and (other lawmakers) to vote for her, Tobias said. Haaland was very good about saying, Look, I might have said things and taken positions, but Im going to be secretary for the whole country. 

Some remain unconvinced.

I, along with other Western senators, have consistently opposed nominees who hold such radical views, said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, who called Haalands views extreme and voted against her nomination. Rep. Haalands positions are squarely at odds with the mission of the Department of the Interior and outside of the mainstream.

Committee Chairman, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, said he, too, had concerns about Haalands prior statements concerning the fossil fuel industry, but that she addressed those concerns during her hearing.

President Biden is also trying to assemble a Cabinet that reflects the rich diversity of our nation. One that looks like America, Manchin said. Two hundred and thirty years after Washington called his first Cabinet meeting, it is long past time to give a Native American woman a seat at the table.

Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., during Thursdays meeting expressed disappointment in his Republican colleagues who described Haalands views as extreme and radical. Heinrich pointed out that Haaland is his representative in the House, and that she keeps an open mind on issues.

I voted for two interior nominees whose views may have been considered quite radical by many of my constituents. I never used those terms. Because we have to get a lot of work done on this committee, he said. She has always shown an ability to work with people with very different views.

If confirmed, Haaland will have to resign from her position in the House representing most of Albuquerque and surrounding areas. That would trigger a special election, which the New Mexico secretary of state would have to call between 77 and 91 days of the seat being vacated. About a dozen people, Republicans and Democrats and an independent, have declared their intent to seek Haalands seat.
Cairn Oil & Gas is looking to complete the process of ramping up its crude oil and gas production by March-end. These projects were hit by the lockdown last year. Two or two and a half years ago, we started a major expansion process, which was curtailed to an extent by Covid-19.

But, we managed to overcome that and we are finishing most of these projects. We have completed some of them in the past couple of months and we will be done with most of them by the end of March, Prachur Sah, deputy chief executive officer (CEO) of Cairn Oil & Gas told Business ...
Many states are open to the idea of petrol and diesel being brought under the goods and services tax (GST) regime  contrary to the perception that they are averse to it  but they want a concrete proposal, including a compensation mechanism, from the Centre. West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra says while the issue can be discussed, the Centre may not be keen to bring the change because it earns much more from taxes on petrol and diesel. (The peak rate of) GST is 28 per cent.

Under the regime, the Centre would only get 14 per cent. So, ...
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-bloc producers agreed to allow Russia and Kazakhstan to raise in April.

According to a press release following the 14th "OPEC+" ministerial meeting via video link on Thursday, Russia can increase its output by 130,000 barrels per day (bpd) in April from the March level of 9,249,000 bpd, Xinhua news agency reported.

Kazakhstan can boost its production by 20,000 bpd in April from the March level of 1,437,000 bpd.

The two countries are allowed to do so "due to continued seasonal consumption patterns," the statement said.

All the remaining participants in the OPEC+ mechanism will keep their April output unchanged from March.

The OPEC+ has introduced caps on production to stabilize global oil prices.

--IANS

int/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Not for distribution in the U.S. or to U.S. newswire services.

TORONTO, March 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Further to the press release dated December 21, 2020, Next Hydrogen Corporation (Next Hydrogen or the "Company") and BioHep Technologies Ltd. (BioHep), are pleased to announce that, further to their letter of intent dated December 21, 2020, Next Hydrogen and BioHep have entered into a definitive amalgamation agreement dated March 3, 2021 (the Amalgamation Agreement), pursuant to which Next Hydrogen and a newly-formed subsidiary of BioHep will amalgamate to form a subsidiary of BioHep (Amalco) and the shareholders of Next Hydrogen will receive common shares of BioHep (the Transaction). Upon completion of the Transaction, it is the intention of the parties that BioHep (the Resulting Issuer) will continue on the business of Next Hydrogen. Closing of the Transaction is conditional on, among other things, BioHep completing the Arrangement (as defined below), the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange) approving the listing of the common shares of the Resulting Issuer (Resulting Issuer Shares) and other customary conditions.

In connection with the Transaction, Next Hydrogen has engaged National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF) and TD Securities Inc. (TD, together with NBF, the Active Bookrunners) as active bookrunners on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. as a passive bookrunner (collectively, the "Agents"), to act as agent on a best efforts basis in connection with a brokered private placement offering of subscription receipts ("Subscription Receipts") of Finco for gross proceeds of up to $50,000,000 (the "Concurrent Financing"). The Concurrent Financing will be priced in the context of the market. The net proceeds of the Concurrent Financing will be used to further develop the Companys products, hire additional team members, conduct research and development, repay certain indebtedness of the Company and for general corporate purposes. Under the terms of the Concurrent Financing, the Agents will be granted an over-allotment option to place up to an additional 15% of the number of Subscription Receipts issuable under the Concurrent Financing.

Raveel Afzaal, President & CEO stated, Next Hydrogens large IP portfolio was developed by proven experts in water electrolysis. Water electrolysis is the only way to generate green hydrogen which is expected to represent 25% of all energy consumption by 2050. This is a significant market opportunity that will continue to grow globally and there are less than ten notable water electrolysis companies to service this need. Our revolutionary electrolyzer design is purpose built for integration with renewable energy sources and allows for higher current densities, dynamic response and scalability. This financing is expected to accelerate our product development and help drive wide-scale adoption of our green hydrogen solutions to cost-effectively decarbonize the very large industrial and transportation sectors.

Summary of the Transaction and Concurrent Financing

The Amalgamation Agreement provides for, among other things, a three cornered amalgamation (the Amalgamation) pursuant to which (i) Next Hydrogen and a newly-formed subsidiary of BioHep (Finco) will amalgamate pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) to form Amalco; (ii) all of the outstanding common shares of Next Hydrogen (Next Hydrogen Shares) will be cancelled and in consideration therefore holders thereof will receive Resulting Issuer Shares on the basis of one Resulting Issuer Share for every one common share of Next Hydrogen (the Exchange Ratio); (iii) all of the outstanding common shares of Finco (Finco Shares) will be cancelled and in consideration therefore holders thereof will receive Resulting Issuer Shares based on the Exchange Ratio; and (iv) Amalco will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Resulting Issuer. After giving effect to the Amalgamation, the prior shareholders of Next Hydrogen will collectively exercise control over the Resulting Issuer. Pursuant to the Amalgamation, all securities of Next Hydrogen convertible into Next Hydrogen Shares will cease to represent a right to acquire Next Hydrogen Shares and will provide for the right to acquire the same number of Resulting Issuer Shares at the same exercise price per share, reflecting the Exchange Ratio.

The gross proceeds (less 50% of the agents commissions and any expenses incurred by the agents at closing of the Concurrent Financing) (the Escrowed Proceeds) from the Concurrent Financing will be held in escrow pending the completion of the Transaction which is expected to close on or about April 15, 2021. If all conditions to the completion of the Transaction are satisfied on or before the date that is 90 days from the closing of the Concurrent Financing or such later date as may be agreed to by the Agents and the Company (the Escrow Deadline), the net proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts will be released from escrow to the Resulting Issuer and each Subscription Receipt will be exchanged through a series of steps under the Amalgamation for one Resulting Issuer Share. If the Transaction is not completed on or before the Escrow Deadline or is terminated at an earlier time, then the Escrowed Proceeds (plus accrued interest) for the Subscription Receipts will be returned to subscribers on a pro rata basis. To the extent that the Escrowed Proceeds (plus accrued interest) are not sufficient to satisfy the subscription price paid each subscriber, the Company will contribute such amounts as are necessary to satisfy the shortfall.

Closing of the Concurrent Financing is expected to occur during the week of April 5, 2021 and is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals.

Prior to completion of the Amalgamation, it is intended that BioHep will complete an arrangement pursuant to Section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the Arrangement), which will result in the spin-out of certain assets and liabilities of BioHep into a newly incorporated subsidiary of BioHep. Completion of the Amalgamation is also subject to BioHep consolidating its outstanding common shares on the basis of one post-consolidation share (BioHep Post-Consolidation Shares) for every 13.3 pre-consolidation shares (the Consolidation) and to BioHep changing its name to Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc. or such other name as BioHep and Next Hydrogen may determine (the Name Change).

The parties to the Transaction act at arms length and therefore the approval of the shareholders of BioHep in respect of the Transaction will not be required. However, BioHep will hold an annual general and special meeting of its shareholders on April 12, 2021, whereat, among other things, the shareholders of BioHep will be asked to approve (i) the Arrangement; (ii) the Consolidation; (iii) the change of name of BioHep to Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc. (the Name Change) or such other name as BioHep and Next Hydrogen may determine; (iv) the appointment of a new slate of directors, conditional upon completion of the Transaction; and (v) the approval of BioHeps fixed 20% stock option plan (collectively, the BioHep Meeting Matters).

The completion of the Transaction is subject to, among others, the following conditions: (a) a special majority of the shareholders of Next Hydrogen shall have approved the Amalgamation Agreement; (b) BioHep shall have received all of the necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals, as applicable, to complete the BioHep Meeting Matters; (c) BioHep shall have completed the Consolidation, the Name Change and the Arrangement; (d) the Resulting Issuer Shares shall have been conditionally approved for listing on the Exchange; (e) all other consents, orders and approvals relating to the Amalgamation shall have been obtained; (f) the Amalgamation Agreement shall not have been terminated; (g) dissent rights shall not have been exercised with respect to the Amalgamation by the shareholders of Next Hydrogen; (h) the Exchange shall have granted an exemption from the Exchanges sponsorship requirement or a sponsor shall have filed an acceptable sponsors report with the exchange; (i) there shall be prospectus exemptions available for the Amalgamation under applicable securities laws of the United States for any BioHep Post-Consolidation Shares to be issued in the United States; and (j) there shall not be in force any order restraining or enjoining the transactions contemplated by the Amalgamation Agreement. The terms and conditions of the Transaction may be based on the Companys due diligence and the receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice for both the Company and BioHep.

Other Significant Conditions to Closing

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange requirements, approval by a majority of the minority shareholders. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or listing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a non-listed issuer should be considered highly speculative. The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Next Hydrogen

Next Hydrogen's principal business is in the development of water electrolysis technology targeted at significantly reducing the cost of hydrogen generation from electricity sources, including renewable energy at scale. Next Hydrogen has been awarded more than 30 patents in connection with its designs/products as well as third-party validation of its intellectual property.

Next Hydrogens head office is located in Ontario and is a corporation existing under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario).

Resulting Issuer

Following completion of the Transaction, the Resulting Issuer will carry on the business currently carried on by Next Hydrogen. The Resulting Issuer will be an Industrial or Technology issuer under the policies of the Exchange.

It is expected that immediately following completion of the Transaction before giving effect to the Concurrent Financing, there will be an aggregate of 17,328,932 Resulting Issuer Shares outstanding. It is expected that following completion of the Transaction before giving effect to the Concurrent Financing, the current holders of BioHep Shares will hold approximately 4.32% of the outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares, and the holders of Next Hydrogen Shares will collectively hold approximately 95.68% of the outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares, all as calculated on a non-diluted basis immediately following the closing of the Transaction.

To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of Next Hydrogen and BioHep, the only person who is expected to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over more than 10% of the Resulting Issuer Shares is Disruptive Ventures Inc., who will hold approximately 20.29% of the Resulting Issuer Shares.

Summary Financial Information of Next Hydrogen

The following table presents selected financial statement information on the financial condition and results of operations for Next Hydrogen. Such information is derived from the unaudited financial statements of Next Hydrogen for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The information provided herein should be read in conjunction with Next Hydrogens audited financial statements, which will be filed on SEDAR in connection with the Transaction.

For December 31, 2020

(unaudited) For December 31, 2019

(unaudited) Current assets $3,004,827 $1,958,395 Other assets $849,857 $802,297 Total assets: $3,854,684(1) $2,760,692 Current liabilities $4,029,231 $585,409 Other liabilities $6,410,757 $5,278,230 Total liabilities: $10,439,988 $5,863,639 Total shareholders equity: $(6,585,304) $(3,102,947) Total liabilities and equity: $3,854,684 $2,760,692

Note:

(1) Subsequent to the end of the reporting period, the Company completed a $6.0 million equity financing.

Management of the Resulting Issuer

Subject to Exchange approval, upon completion of the Transaction, it is expected that the board of directors and the senior officers of the Resulting Issuer will be the following proposed individuals. Please see below for a brief biography for each proposed individual:

Raveel Afzaal  proposed President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Afzaal brings deep capital markets expertise through a distinguished career in equity research over the past decade with a focus on Sustainability and Industrial Technologies. Prior to joining Next Hydrogen, he was an equity research analyst covering the Canadian Sustainability and Special Situations verticals for Canaccord Genuity. During his equity research career, Raveel was ranked in Brendan Wood surveys based on Buy Side nominations as well as by Thomson Reuters for estimates accuracy. Prior to joining equity research, Raveel worked in venture capital with XPV Capital. He graduated with a Bachelor of Mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from the University of Waterloo. He is also a CFA charterholder.

Kasia Malz  proposed Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Malz brings over 10 years of diverse financial leadership experience working in start-up and high-growth environments. Previously CFO of Titanium Transportation Group Inc., Kasia took the company public and grew the business from $40 million to $200 million in annual revenues. Kasia has her CPA, Chartered Accountant designation and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Illinois. She holds a Masters of Accounting and an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo.

Jim Hinatsu  proposed Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Hinatsu has more than 20 years of experience designing and developing electrochemical and hydrogen systems. Jim was the VP of Advanced Engineering for Stuart Energy Systems, where he led both R&D and IP development. Jim has also worked in the areas of fuel cells, electrochemical synthesis and corrosion protection. He holds a Ph.D, an M.A.Sc, and a B.A.Sc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Michael Stemp  proposed Chief Technology Officer

Mr. Stemp has more than 20 years of experience designing and developing hydrogen systems, including as Director of Advanced Engineering for Stuart Energy Systems. Mike holds a Ph.D in Materials Science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland, and an M.A.Sc and B.A.Sc in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Walter Howard  proposed Director

Mr. Howard brings extensive experience in operations, business development, finance, and M&A in the utility industry. He has held CEO, EVP and SVP positions with innovators in related syngas, wind energy, and cogeneration firms including Westinghouse Plasma Corp, Zegen, Noble Environmental Power (developer/owner of 486 wind turbines), General Electric Capital, and US Generating, as well as the water industry. Mr. Howards career spans more than 35 years of successfully executed technology development and implementation, project development and execution, and project finance. His projects have won multiple industry awards. He holds a Masters degree in Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard University.

Matthew Fairlie  proposed Director

Mr. Fairlie is the former CTO and Executive VP of Stuart Energy Systems where he pioneered new concepts in water electrolyzer systems. He is also a former Vice Chair of the National Hydrogen Association in Washington, the former Chairman of the Hydrogen Business Council of Canada and is a Director of the California Hydrogen Business Council. Matthew holds an MSc in Physics from the University of Toronto and a DBA from Queens Business School in Kingston, Ontario.

Allan MacKenzie  proposed Director

Mr. MacKenzie is the owner and principal of Disruptive Ventures, a technology private equity fund. Previously, Mr. MacKenzie was a partner of Octane Venture Partners, an oil and gas technology venture capital fund. With over 15 years of total investing experience, Mr. MacKenzie has also served as Chairman of two software technology companies, Tynt and Optessa. Mr. MacKenzie was the CFO of Quack.com, which was acquired at a significant premium by AOL. Mr. MacKenzie holds a BSc in Engineering and a BA in Economics from Stanford University. He also holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario.

Sponsorship

Under the policies of the Exchange, the parties to the Transaction will be required to engage a sponsor for the Transaction unless an exemption or waiver from this requirement can be obtained. The Company expects that the Transaction will be exempt from the sponsorship requirement of the Exchange as a result of a concurrent offering to be undertaken in connection with the Transaction. There is no assurance that an exemption or waiver from this requirement can or will be obtained.

Additional Information

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Company, and Goodmans LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Agents.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or listing statement to be prepared in connection with Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a non-listed issuer should be considered highly speculative.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) has in any way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and associated transactions and neither of the foregoing entities accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release or has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.

For further information, please contact:

Next Hydrogen Corporation

Raveel Afzaal, President and Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: (647) 961-6620

Email: rafzaal@nexthydrogen.com BioHep Technologies Ltd.

Donald Gordon, Director

Telephone: (604) 617-7221

Email: dgordon@thegcorp.com

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the proposal to complete the Transaction and associated transactions (including the Concurrent Financing), including statements regarding the terms and conditions of the Transaction and the Concurrent Financing, the business plans and objectives of Next Hydrogen and the Resulting Issuer, expectations for other economic, business and competitive factors and approval of regulatory bodies. Although the Company believes in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the parties will not proceed with the Transaction or the Concurrent Financing; the Transaction and associated transactions (including the Concurrent Financing) will differ from those that currently are contemplated; and that the Transaction and associated transactions (including the Concurrent Financing) will not be successfully completed for any reason (including the failure to obtain the required approvals or clearances from regulatory authorities). The terms and conditions of the Transaction or the Concurrent Financing may change based on the Companys due diligence and the receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice for Next Hydrogen and BioHep. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release.

The common shares have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
The government of Chile has provided hundreds of thousands of defective birth control pills to women that resulted in at least 140 unplanned pregnancies.

The birth control pill packs, which went by the name of Anulette CD, were packaged incorrectly, with the sugar pills or placebo, in the place of the active pills.

The issue of defective birth control pills has stirred up interest from reproductive health advocates in Chile, prompting them to do some investigation, according to a We are Mitu report.

Corporacion Miles, a reproductive rights organization, requested a formal inquiry into the matter that led to the recall of 276,890 packets of birth control pills last August.

READ NEXT: Argentina Legalizes Abortion, Marking a Historic Move in the Country

Women's Stories on Defective Birth Control Pills

Melanie Riffo was one of the many women taking the defective birth control pills without fail, saying that she and her boyfriend were careful as they don't feel ready to have a child. Doctors even told her boyfriend that a childhood ailment could have made him infertile.

"I don't have a career, I don't have anything stable, I don't have a home where he can be safe," Riffo said in a report.

Riffo is working as a cashier in a sushi restaurant in Chillan and had heard nothing about the defective pills. She lives with her mother, who has cancer, and has been with her partner for six months.

Marlisett Guisel Rain Rain was also among the women who took the defective pills. She learned that she was pregnant in a challenging time as she was breaking up with her husband and starting her third year in college, according to The One World News report.

Rain Rain said it was hard to come to terms with the said pregnancy as she was still studying and did not have a stable place to live.

"We've never seen such a systemic failure, that lasted as long as the case in Chile, with such severe consequences," Paula avila-Guillen, the executive director of Women's Equality Center, said in a The New York Times report. The said center is one of the reproductive rights organizations that monitor reproductive rights in Latin America.

Aside from unplanned pregnancies, the issue on defective birth control pills in Chile has also opened a debate on women's reproductive rights and access to abortion. Reports said the Corporacion Miles would take legal action on behalf of women who unintendedly became pregnant while taking the defective birth control pills.

This April, a Constitutional Convention election is set to be held in Chile to select members of an assembly that would draft a new constitution. In November, Chileans will vote in a new Congress and a president, replacing Sebastian Pinera, who is known to be a conservative.

Claudia Mix, an opposition lawmaker, said the Chilean state is primarily responsible for distributing the faulty birth control pills, adding that the government cannot wash its hands on this.

Abortion Stance in Chile

Female lawmakers in Chile introduced a bill to decriminalize the procedure after fellow Latin American country Argentina legalized abortion in January.

In a 2018 Guttmacher Institute's fact sheet on abortion in the Latin American region and the Caribbean, it found that more than 97 percent of women of reproductive age in Latin America and the Caribbean live with restrictive abortion laws. Also, around 760,000 women in the region are treated per year for complications from unsafe abortion.

In 2014, at least 10 percent of all maternal deaths from the region were because of unsafe abortions. Unplanned pregnancies are especially challenging in Chile and other Latin American countries because they have very restrictive abortion laws.

READ MORE: Argentina's Lower House Approves Bill to Legalize Abortion

There are a lot of construction projects going on in Harrisburg at the moment, from older properties being converted into apartments to larger residential projects to a seven-story mixed-use building that will include a 500-space parking garage.

It really is an amazing amount of development thats going on here in the city of Harrisburg -- unprecedented, Brad Jones, CEO of Harristown Enterprises said on Mayor Eric Papenfuses weekly program last month. Ive been doing this for about 20 years now [with] Harristown and I havent seen this much development in my entire career here.
Climate change a priority; Provided 'Made in India' vaccines to 50 countries: PM Modi tells Swedish PM

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Mar 05: India and Sweden can deepen their partnership in several sectors, including smart cities, e-mobility, smart grids and waste management, as also on key priority areas like the important issue of climate change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

In his opening remarks at a virtual summit with Swedish premier Stefan Lofven, Modi said, "We can further our relationship in innovation, technology, investment, start-ups and research."

The prime minister said shared values such as democracy, human rights, rule of law, equality, freedom and justice strengthen the relations and mutual cooperation between India and Sweden.

"Smart cities, water treatment, waste management, circular economy, smart grids, e-mobility, digital transformation and several other sectors have potential where we can deepen our partnership," he added.

The prime minister also expressed solidarity with the people of Sweden on behalf of all Indian citizens for the recent violent attacks in Sweden and wished for a speedy recovery of those injured.

He also expressed condolences for the loss of lives in Sweden due to COVID-19.

Modi further said the important issue of climate change is a priority for both the countries and the two can work together on this.

"India''s culture has always stressed the importance of living in harmony with nature. we are moving ahead on our commitments made under the Paris Agreement.

"We will not just achieve these targets, but even exceed them. Amongst G20 countries, India has progressed well on its targets. In the last five years, our renewable power capacity has increased by 162 per cent," he said.

Modi said India provided medicines and other essential items to more than 150 countries while the world was fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

"Till now, we have delivered Made-in-India vaccine to nearly 50 countries across the globe and in the next few days, we are committed to delivering it to several more," he added.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Chua Chu Kang Cemetery during the Qing Ming Festival in Singapore. (PHOTO: Maverick Asio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE  Families visiting Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government-managed columbaria during the Qing Ming period from 20 March to 18 April will have to limit their group size to not more than eight, with a maximum of two members per household.

This is part of stricter crowd control measures to limit crowds amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic announced by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a media release on Friday (5 March).

Besides the family size limit, NEA also urges the public to exercise socially responsible behaviour. For instance, those feeling unwell or are sick should stay at home, see a doctor and avoid the visits.

Visitors to the cemetery and columbaria are requested to:

Not bring elderly family members and young children;

Not eat and drink, or prolong their stay at the facilities;

Avoid crowding around the prayer and joss paper burning areas at the columbaria;

Keep a safe distance of at least 1 metre from other visitors, and wear a mask at all times;

Carpool and register their vehicles if they intend to drive and park at Mandai Columbarium on peak days.

Opening hours, crowd control, joss-paper collection

To cater for the anticipated increase in visitors during the annual Qing Ming period, NEA will extend the opening hours for government-managed columbaria (Choa Chu Kang, Mandai and Yishun Columbaria) to 24 hours daily, with effect from 20 March until 18 April.

Safe-distancing ambassadors will be deployed for crowd control, and traffic management arrangements will be put in place to help ease expected congestion.

NEA will set up joss-paper collection booths to provide the collection and burning of joss paper service on selected days. Visitors are reminded not to give red packets to staff working at the collection booths and within the government columbaria and cemetery.

E-appointment booking system during peak days

Crowds are expected to peak at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government-managed columbaria during the Qing Ming festival (4 April); Good Friday (2 April); and at the weekends within the period from 20 March to 18 April.

Story continues

Members of the public who wish to avoid crowd and traffic congestion are encouraged to avoid visiting during these periods.

To improve the traffic flow within Mandai Columbarium, NEA will implement an e-appointment booking system for visitors driving to the columbarium during these peak days: 20, 21, 27 and 28 March, as well as 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 April.

Appointment slots will be released two weeks before the peak days, starting on Saturday (6 March), and visitors who wish to drive or carpool to Mandai Columbarium are advised to book an appointment early.

The key details are as follow:

For visitors taking public transport, appointment booking is not required.

For visitors driving to Mandai Columbarium during peak days, only vehicles registered with valid e-appointments will be allowed to enter and park at the premises. Non-registered vehicles intending to drop off passengers may use the designated drop-off/pick-up point near the pedestrian gate along Mandai Avenue.

Vehicles that arrive outside the appointment time may be denied entry. Visitors with valid vehicle appointments will be required to show the confirmation email or SMS upon entry.

Information on real-time traffic conditions outside Mandai Columbarium and Choa Chu Kang Columbarium are available at the NEA website.

Shuttle services during peak days

To minimise traffic congestion, visitors are advised to take the shuttle buses provided during peak days.

For the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Columbarium Complex, a shuttle bus service will be provided at a fee of $1 per trip, between NEAs Claims & Registration Office (2 Christian Cemetery Path 2) and Choa Chu Kang Columbarium (51 Chinese Cemetery Path 4), at 15-minute intervals from 7am to 5pm on these dates: 20, 21, 27 and 28 March, as well as 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 April.

For the Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex, a similar shuttle bus service will be provided at a fee of $1 per trip, between Khatib MRT Station (Exit A pick-up point) and the rear entrance of Mandai Columbarium along Mandai Avenue. The dates and shuttle intervals are the same as the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery shuttle service.

INFOGRAPHIC: National Environment Agency

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Other Singapore stories:

Orchard Towers death: 4 years 9 months' jail for last man facing non-capital charge

Woman, 73, jailed 7 months for repeatedly helping scammers receive money

Singapore to launch studies on protection of its coastlines

Singapore advises citizens to consider leaving Myanmar
The new vehicle is supposed to comply with NATO standards.

The Defense Ministry of Ukraine has issued a request for proposals (RfP) to develop a new off-road light utility vehicle for the country's Armed Forces, which have long been using Soviet-era UAZ-469s.

The new vehicle is supposed to comply with NATO standards, Defense Express reports.

The competition is open to domestic companies with the only formal restriction for bidders being the need to have "clearance" to work with classified information.

All bids must be filed before March 5.

"The prototypes must conform to requirements in terms of robustness, reliability, power output, fuel efficiency, load capacity, ease of maintenance and repair. The vehicle must ensure that tasks are accomplished in all terrains or climates. The utility vehicle that will be most acceptable in terms of physical and performance characteristics will be selected based on the results of official qualification trials," Minister of Defense, Andrii Taran said while announcing the RfP.

The demand for this type of light utility vehicles by Ukraine's military is roughly estimated in thousands.

Read alsoUkrainian Army gets five upgraded T-72 tanks (Photos, video)"The first such vehicles will be fielded to elements of the Ukrainian Land Forces deployed in the Joint Forces Operation zone in Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Reporting by UNIAN
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Myanmar authorities have charged six journalists for their coverage of anti-coup protests in Myanmar. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls for the immediate release of all detained journalists and reminds the military of its obligations to respect media freedom.

Associated Press (AP) photographer Thein Zaw posing for a photo during his coverage of demonstrations, a day before he was arrested. Credit: STR/AFP

This week, six journalists were charged under the countrys public order law for allegedly causing fear, spreading false news or agitating directly or indirectly a government employee. All were arrested by Myanmar authorities at protests on February 27 and 28, when at least ten journalists detained.

Those charged include Thein Zaw, a photographer for Associated Press (AP) who was taken into custody in Yangon on February 27. The five other journalists are from a range of local media outlets including Myanmar Now, 7Day News, Myanmar Photo Agency, Zee Kwet and a freelancer. AP has released a video since Zaws arrest showing him being held in a chokehold while being arrested. Zaws lawyer said he could be detained until March 12 without another hearing or further action.

Myanmars public order law was hastily amended last month, when the military junta broadened its scope and increasing the maximum sentence from two to three years jail.

The media arrests follow a week of increased violence across Myanmar at protest sites. February 3 was described as the bloodiest day since protests began, with 38 people killed.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said in a statement: "Myanmar's military must stop murdering and jailing protesters. The commission said more than 1,700 people had been arbitrarily detained in the recent protests, including at least 29 journalists.

The IFJ said: The arrests of journalists as they report in the field across Myanmar is deeply troubling. What is worse is what is not seen when they are taken into detention. The IFJ stands in solidarity with its media workers in Myanmar and calls for the military to respect the publics fundamental right to information and immediately release all journalist currently in detention.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
The head of a Christian organization has uncovered three areas in the church wherein morality is in decline, and has provided ways to address the issues.

A study by Barna Group has found that, "Belief in absolute moral truth rooted in God's Word is rapidly eroding among all American adults."

To address this issue, Stand Strong Ministries President Jason Jimenez revealed three areas in the church where he believes that God's truth has eroded, resulting to moral decline. He also provided ways to battle these areas, through his article in The Christian Post.

First, is the church's weakening theology. He said that the church has become secularized and progressive which led its leaders to deny that the Bible is the Word of God. He cited Josh Scott of a progressive Tennessee church, who claimed that the Bible is not the Word of God but just "a human response to God."

Jimenez said that staying "grounded in the Bible as the infallible Word of God," stated in 2 Tim. 3:16-17, is the most effective strategy to confront weak theology. Digging deeper into the Word of God results in "boldness and discernment" to fight false teachings. He then mentioned Apostle Paul's words in Colossians 2:8, saying that Christians should not be captives of "philosophy and empty deceit" which are not from God. In addition, the Bible should be taught to others more frequently.

Second is "worshipping of self." Quoting the Puritan Stephen Charnock's statement about glorifying oneself rather than God, Jimenez provided "three biblical mandates" to fight idolatry in the church.

Humbling before God. As James 4:7 says, Christians should submit themselves before God. He said that the word "submit" in the verse means surrendering to the will of God.

Serving others above oneself. Philippians 2:3 says that Christians must humbly "count others more significant than" themselves.

Using spiritual gifts to build up the church. Romans 12:5-6 commands Christians to use the gifts they are given as members of the church.

Finally, Jimenez said that Christians should fight the "notion that sin is subjective." He said that there is an increasing number of evangelicals who are attending church but are justifying their sins, as well as the sins of others.

He added that even pastors have given in to the pressures and crafted "eloquent sermons," justifying moral sins such as abortion, transgenderism and marriage with the same gender.

Jimenez further said that sin can be fought in three ways.

First, by "living a life worthy of the Gospel" as stated in Ephesians 4:1-2.

Second by calling out sin, like what Paul has done in Galatians 5:19-21.

And finally, by repenting sins. He recalled Apostle John's words in 1 John 1:9, saying that if Christians confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse them from all unrighteousness.

"It's time, dear Christian, to stand for the truth of God's Word without compromise and allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to bring restoration to the body of Christ," Jimenez concluded.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Supporters of the Healthy Workplaces Act argue it would reduce the spread of illness in the workplace while protecting employees who otherwise face the non-choice of working sick to pay bills or staying home with the wolf at the door.

Its a laudable goal. The pandemic has put front-and-center the risks not only of community spread but of income insecurity. Much of our business community agrees some paid time off is important for a healthy workforce and private sector.

Unfortunately, lawmakers have thus far ignored business owners pleas for common-sense compromises; the House approved the Healthy Workplaces Act on Sunday by a slim vote, sending it over to the Senate.

As written, House Bill 20 goes far beyond the paid leave policies considered and/or adopted by most other states, cities and counties, including the paid-time off ordinance passed by the Bernalillo County Commission in August 2019. It makes no exceptions for small businesses. According to the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce, it would apply to babysitters, a leaf-raker hired for a single days work or a mom-and-pop shop with one part-time employee. All employees would accrue at least one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, capping at 64 hours annually.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Our business leaders have warned of the bills overreach, without affect. They have asked for middle-ground approaches such as staggering implementation to give businesses of different sizes time to prepare, tax credits to offset the costs of providing paid leave, a fair process for resolving disputes that doesnt burden businesses and enrich attorneys with frivolous claims, recognition of existing leave policies as an adequate substitute, a statewide preemption of local paid leave ordinances to avoid a patchwork of differing laws, and most importantly, exempting the very smallest of businesses.

HB 20 also includes a large dose of hypocrisy  no public employers. Its hard to fathom why the state shouldnt subject government to the same requirements it imposes on businesses. Co-sponsor Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, says she and others determined governments generally offer benefits exceeding whats in HB 20, so it was unnecessary. Really? Do all summer lifeguards, substitute teachers and others get these benefits?

The fiscal impact report doesnt even try to calculate the costs it would impose on state agencies or private businesses. As Dana Carveys Church Lady would say: How convenient.

The Bernalillo County ordinance (which as a PTO program would not qualify under HB 20 as sufficient) shows compromise can work for all: It is phased in, applies only to businesses in unincorporated areas with at least two employees, requires employers to provide workers with at least one hour of paid time off for every 32 hours worked, and exempts new businesses for 12 months. Meanwhile, the full weight of HB 20 would kick in 90 days after its signed into law, with fines up to $1,000 or three times the wages they should have been paid, whichever is greater, plus damages. Thats hardly a jump-start for a state economy that shed 140,000 jobs last year.

Theres no reason a paid leave bill cant protect workers while accommodating the concerns of small businesses struggling to stay open or reopen. We can and should do both.

Its up to the Senate to fix this flawed legislation. Getting the business community involved is crucial to a fair bill that gives workers the peace of mind knowing they can take a paid sick day while not over-burdening struggling N.M. businesses.

NM businesses need Senate to amend the flawed paid-leave bill

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
His stone face in the photo on the front page of the Tribune the next morning reflected the gravity of the moment, the pressure he had been under from both sides and his own ambivalence. Hed campaigned and won the governors race the previous fall as both a supporter of capital punishment (for particularly heinous crimes) and a supporter of the moratorium on executions that had been put in place in 2000 by Republican Gov. George Ryan over concerns about the frequency of wrongful convictions.
[March 04, 2021] Lost Money in XL Fleet Corp.?

XL Fleet Corp. shares dropped substantially after Muddy Waters Research reported that XL Fleet has exaggerated its business prospects, inflates its sales pipeline, exaggerates its client base, and overstates its technological capabilities. Following the report, XL stock dropped more than 13% on March 3, 2021, and continued to plummet to close at $12 per share on March 4th, causing significant harm to investors. Gibbs Law Group is investigating a potential XL Securities Class Action Lawsuit on behalf of investors who lost money in XL Fleet Corp. (NYSE: XL). To speak with an attorney regarding this class action lawsuit investigation, click here, or call (888) 410-2925. On March 3, 2021, Muddy Waters Research reported that XL Fleet Corp. has misled investors about its sales pipeline and customerbase. Specifically, the report cited interviews with former employees who claim that "at least 18 of 33 customers XL featured were inactive." According to the report, the former employees were pressured to exaggerate their sales pipelines. Additionally, Muddy Waters Research claims that XL misleads customers about its performance, and that "customer reorder rates are in reality quite low."



The report also questioned XL's technological capacity, alleging that the company generally has "weak technology" and is likely unable to follow through on its "announcement of future class 7-8 upfits." Following this news, XL's stock dropped more than 13% at close of market on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, causing significant harm to investors.

What Should XL Fleet Corp. Investors Do? If you invested in XL Fleet Corp, visit our website or contact our securities team directly at (888) 410-2925 to discuss how you may be able to recover your losses. Our investigation concerns whether XL Fleet Corp. has violated federal securities laws and failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. About Gibbs Law Group Gibbs Law Group represents individual and institutional investors throughout the country in securities litigation to correct abusive corporate governance practices, breaches of fiduciary duty, and proxy violations. The firm has recovered over a billion dollars for its clients against some of the world's largest corporations, and our attorneys have received numerous honors for their work, including "Best Lawyers in America," "Top Plaintiff Lawyers in California," "California Lawyer Attorney of the Year," "Top Class Action Attorneys Under 40," "Consumer Protection MVP," and "Top Cybersecurity/ Privacy Attorneys Under 40." This press release may constitute Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210304006184/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Thefts of cargo in transit remains the highest proportion of total thefts, all though the 71% share is a decrease from 2019 (87%).

The most significant trend highlighted by the report was the relative shift in the location of thefts, with in-transit incidents and those involving vehicles showing a decline, though remaining the most dominant threat, and theft from storage facilities increasing, a TT Club report said.

The extent of the rise in the latter was variable from region to region however this trend was reflective of the disruption to supply chains brought about by radical changes to consumer buying patterns as a consequence of the pandemic.

TT Clubs Managing Director, Loss Prevention, Mike Yarwood explains: The effects throughout 2020 of the Covid crisis threatened supply chain security, continuity and resilience. Not only did newly created high-value commodities such as PPE become targets for theft but bottle-necks in the logistics infrastructure at ports and warehouses brought increased potential risks. Temporary overflow storage facilities added to the dangers in loosening the grip of existing security systems.

Although specific incidents have not yet occurred, unless distribution plans for vaccines are perfectly executed within the expectations of any given population, challenges will arise in protecting the single most valuable cargo of all in the coming months.

In Europe, the stockpiling of goods meant these inventories came under particular threat with 48% of 2020 reported thefts coming from warehouses and production facilities. This was in contrast with 2019 when only 18% came at such locations. On the other hand, 54% of incidents occurred in rest areas and parking sites in 2019 -- the 2020 figure was 19%.

In Asia, the countries with the highest risk remain India, Indonesia, China and Bangladesh. The proportion of storage-based risk remains around 50% in Asia as a whole but in Southeast Asia the in-transit risk indicates the prevalence of bribery and corruption with a high percentage of thefts being facilitated by employees and customs or other officials.

North America continues to see theft coming almost exclusively in-transit via hijackings or directly from a parked vehicle. The risk of social unrest, particularly in Mexico, arguably impacted the risk of cargo loss through most of last year. Significant disruption to the Mexican rail freight industry, with protesters setting up blockades on train tracks, created a backup of cargo across the country. This disruption led to estimated losses of close to $4.4 billion

In South America, Brazil was a hotspot last year. A key driver of the high rates of cargo theft here remains the presence of major illegal drug smuggling gangs that need to fund their trafficking efforts. Again, the dominant risks were from hijacking and theft from or of vehicles. These theft types accounted for 78% of the total losses reported. The extreme rate of cargo theft, however, did drop for the first time in several years, as continued efforts by police and industry contributed to a slight decline in incidents in 2020.

In the coming year disruption and the uneven resumption of international trade resulting from the spread of Covid will continue with imbalances in shipping container distribution that are likely to impact maritime, and through a knock-on effect air cargo capacity throughout 2021. The added vulnerability of cargo will therefore continue.

The key to mitigating threats in 2021 is to stay ahead of the risk. BSI and TT Club have once more collaborated to analyse the detail of these risks. In the report, the authors furthermore offer mitigation techniques so organisations can proactively understand their risk and build a supply chain that is ahead of the criminal tactics and emerging threats.-- Tradearabia News Service
Canada invited them to immigrate during the pandemic, but is not letting them in.

Why not us?: Many approved permanent residents still not allowed to travel to Canada Canada invited them to immigrate during the pandemic, but is not letting them in.

Why not us?: Many approved permanent residents still not allowed to travel to Canada Canada invited them to immigrate during the pandemic, but is not letting them in.

Why not us?: Many approved permanent residents still not allowed to travel to Canada Canada invited them to immigrate during the pandemic, but is not letting them in. Shelby Thevenot Mohanad Moetaz Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Permanent residency applicants, who were approved on or after March 18, 2020, are calling for answers as to when they will be able to start their new lives in Canada.

Approved permanent residents hold a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), which means they passed the entire permanent residency process and were approved by IRCC. They passed medical exams, as well as federal government security and safety checks. The last remaining step is for them to physically enter Canada and officially become permanent residents.

With the current travel restrictions, foreigners holding a COPR are not allowed into the country if their documents were issued after Canada closed its border. They must be exempt under some other condition, like coming to reunite with family, or they must be residents of the U.S.

As a result, people around the world who are one step away from being Canadian permanent residents are stuck in their home countries.

We are just sitting at home with no clear plan in sight, Abdul Akarigidi from Nigeria told CIC News.

Learn about Canadas immigration system

Akarigidi and his family were approved for permanent residence in early February, but they were turned away at the airport shortly after. The rejection came after a long two-year application process for permanent residency, and amid buzz that people with families in Canada were allowed to fly.

I find that a tad unfair to segregate people on the basis of having a family in Canada, Akarigidi said. We all have equal roles to play in the economic growth of Canada and its rather unfair to be treated this way.

Under the current travel restrictions, family members of Canadians are allowed to enter the country. Some other groups who are exempt from travel restrictions include work permit holders, students at certain institutions, and COPR holders who were approved before the border closed, among others.

If they can open doors to students and temporary workers, why not us? asked Deepa Joy from India, another approved permanent resident. I dont get their point as to why we were issued [COPRs] if they wanted to ban [us] in this way.

The border has been closed to post-March-18 COPR holders for almost a full year. Initially, it was closed until June 30, but since then the restrictions have been extended on a more-or-less monthly basis. The rules were more strict in the beginning, but by the fall IRCC made exemptions for extended family members of Canadians, and students who were attending Designated Learning Institutions that had approved COVID-19 readiness plans, among others but not the people whom the immigration department had approved for permanent residence.

After receiving the approval, many people started making arrangements to uproot their lives to come to Canada. They quit their jobs, sold their homes, and pulled their kids out of school. With the new quarantine and COVID-19 test requirements, some even tried to board the plane with their non-refundable hotels already booked.

Ibukun Ashiru, a post-March-18 COPR holder in Nigeria, told CIC News that her family had been turned away when they were about to board their flight. Although they had a place to go back to, they had sold all their belongings including their furniture. Ashiru said they have been sleeping on the floor.

You can imagine having a four-year-old child, my husband, and myself coming back to an empty house, Ashiru said. Its crazy. Its not something I would wish on an enemy.

IRCC confirmed in a statement that these COPR holders will not have to restart the full permanent residency process over again if their documents expire while travel restrictions are in place:

If [post-March-18 permanent residency applicants] documents expire, they may eventually be able to have their COPRs extended, but only once they are allowed to come to Canada. Information on what they will need to do to get this extension will be available when the time comes. These applicants are reminded they should not book flights or attempt to travel until the restrictions are lifted and IRCC extends the validity of their documents. They will not have to start the full PR application process over again if their COPR expires while travel restrictions are in place and they still want to come to Canada once the restrictions are lifted.

This news does not come as surprising to Ashiru.

I know that IRCC usually has a way of renewing or extending those visas such that when they expire they issue you an authorization letter to travel, Ashiru told CIC News. The issue we have is that the timeline within which such letters are issued or the visas are extended is very long.

It also doesnt help Joy, whose family has been without income since November, unable to make new plans with such an uncertain future ahead.

Even though they say we dont have to start the application process all over again, only if they remove the ban can we move to Canada to start our new life, Joy said. Presently, we are out of [the] job here as we are waiting to travel to Canada anytime they open. Else our visas will expire and that will be another long wait for the IRCC to issue us authorization to travel.







IRCC had to extend an influx of expired COPRs in 2020, after coronavirus caused the world to shut down and people were not able to travel to Canada before their documents expired. They needed an authorization letter from IRCC in order to board their flight. Many pre-March-18 approved permanent residents ended up waiting many months for this letter, not knowing when they would be able to come to Canada.

Canadas travel restrictions for non-U.S. residents are currently in place until April 21, but the government does not have a plan on how nor when to reopen the border.

Theres no guarantee, theres no promise nothing, Ashiru said. People are living in limbo, thats why people are so scared.

Learn about Canadas immigration system

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
6x6

OHV

We could talk all day about 6x6 trucks from Hennessey , but did you know that a relatively small British company offeredconversions of the Land Rover back in the 1980s? Townley Cross-Country Vehicles is the name of that company, and the pickup before your eyes is one of their creations.Listed for sale by the Land Rover Centre in Huddersfield, the 1981 Land Rover 109 Series 3 Stage 1 V8 was registered for road use in May 1986. One-of-two Townley 6x6 conversions, the sport utility truck was first owned by a gentleman who used it for towing a concrete pump and carrying pipes.The second owner acquired it sometime in 1995, sold it, then repurchased the SUT in 2005. From 2016 to 2018, the pickup underwent a restoration that saw almost everything rebuilt or replaced, including the bulkhead and rear wings. Now riding on a galvanized chassis, the Landy features 30 more inches of wheelbase over the standard 109 inches (76.2 and 276.8 centimeters).Rated at 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds) in terms of payload capacity, the Townley 6x6 can be switched from 4x6 to 6x6 on the fly. This capable workhorse is rocking analuminum V8 with 3.5 liters of displacement, the venerable Rover V8 with 91 horsepower and 166 pound-feet (225 Nm).Fed by twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors and an electric fuel pump, the motor is connected to a four-speed manual transmission. A pair of transfer boxes, 3.54 gearing for all three axles, and servo-assisted drum brakes on all six corners also need to be mentioned, along with a ground clearance of 8.25 inches (20.95 centimeters). For reference, the all-new Defender with air suspension and a unibody chassis offers 11.5 inches (29.21 centimeters).If you intend to make this six-wheeled blast from the past your own, prepare to pony up 39,995 pounds sterling or $55,340 at current exchange rates.

TAMPA  Land that now houses an abandoned warehouse could be the home to an ambitious project that would move the new police headquarters and an array of city services to East Tampa, opening up prime parcels of downtown and West Tampa real estate that could fetch millions.

The $100 million plan, unveiled to council members for the first time Thursday, envisions energy-efficient buildings that would house 500 city employees and revitalize struggling neighborhoods.

The proposal involves selling the current police headquarters at 411 N. Franklin St. downtown and a 17-acre city-owned lot housing Solid Waste, Fleet Management and other services on 4010 W. Spruce St. Those sales could generate tens of millions, said city chief financial officer Dennis Rogero.

This touches almost every single aspect of our strategic plan, said John Bennett, chief of staff for Mayor Jane Castor.

Partially because leases on some of the buildings currently housing city staff are coming due in the next few years, the city needs to move fast, said Bennett. The first phase of the project is slated to be ready by March 2023, according to city officials.

That pace led to the desire for the administration to move quickly, Bennett said.

We like to move nimble and agile, Bennett said, responding to questions from council members about why they were only briefed on the massive project in the past week.

Council members, though, especially Bill Carlson, John Dingfelder and Orlando Gudes, said there hadnt been enough time to digest the proposal, especially one so far-reaching.

Their concerns, in a motion made by Dingfelder, led the effort to postpone a vote on the initial outlay of $6.2 million until their next meeting on March 18.

The $6.2 million would cover design and demolition costs for the property at 2515 E. Hanna, a 13-acre parcel currently occupied by an empty warehouse.

The first phase of the project would involve building a three-story building to house an array of city services. Nearby, a new police headquarters would be built. The property is bisected by the CSX rail line, which could be used for light rail in the future, city officials said.

Story continues

The city would also save up to $35 million in maintenance costs, especially at the downtown police headquarters, which is more than 60 years old. An employee health clinic at the site would also save the city at least $15,000 a month in rent that is being paid at the two current locations, officials said.

Bonds would likely be used to pay for some of the costs, said Rogero, although the city would pursue grants, especially since the citys emergency management operations would be housed there. And the land sales of Big Blue and the Spruce property could also pay for a chunk, he said.

We think it embodies the goals the mayor has promised to develop neighborhoods, said Sal Ruggiero, the citys deputy administrator of infrastructure services.

Council members praised the projects potential.

This is a fantastic plan, said Chairman Guido Maniscalco, who said the downtown and West Tampa land sales could fetch big bucks. I like the fact that we have so much hot real estate.

But Gudes, who represents East Tampa, said he was concerned about more high-end development pushing out residents in West Tampa. And he said the administration has a tendency to spring projects on the public at the 9th hour.

That concern was echoed by Carlson, who said he only learned of the mayors plan on Wednesday.

I feel blindsided by it. Im sure the public feels blindsided by bit, he said.

In the end, council members voted unanimously to delay a vote on the initial development costs for two weeks to give Castors administration a chance to engage the public and answer some of their questions.

Dingfelder said it would be in the mayors interest to have unanimous support for her transformation of the city governments physical assets rather than a hesitant vote.

The city needs to move fast, Bennett said, but he conceded that the administration wanted council members unqualified support.

If that is what it takes to deal with this in a collaborative way, then we yield to the councils request, Bennett said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  More and more people are planning domestic road trips during the COVID-19 pandemic, cautiously avoiding international travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One weekend road trip idea is Philadelphia. No quarantining mandates to and from NYC, and only a two-hour drive from Staten Island to Independence Hall, the birthplace of America, where the both the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed.

Attractions include the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia Zoo, and Philadelphia Museum of Art (queue Eye of the Tiger), whose 72 stone steps leading up to the entrance have become known as the Rocky Steps as a result of a scene from the film Rocky. Tourists often mimic Rockys famous climb, a metaphor for an underdog or an everyman rising to a challenge. And you can, too. Check out the hotels below and plan your stay on Hotels.com.

The Sofitel Philadelphia Hotel at Rittenhouse Square. (Courtesy Hotels.com)

1. Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square  There are 306 smoke-free guest rooms, a restaurant and bar/lounge, available breakfast available, valet parking, business center, and internet in the lobby. One reviewer said, We had a lovely and safe, getaway! The hotel took every precaution to keep us safe during this pandemic. The king size bed was soft and we loved our stay. Stays average $125/night. To learn more and book a room, click here.

The Warwick Hotel at Rittenhouse Square. (Courtesy Hotels.com)

2. Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square  A four-star hotel near Rittenhouse Square in Center City is just a 15-20 minute walk to Liberty Bell Center, Reading Terminal Market, and University of Pennsylvania. Rittenhouse Square is only five minutes away. Theres a fitness center and two restaurants/bars. One reviewer said, Great location, great property, beautiful lobby and clean spacious rooms. Stays average $116/night. To learn more and book your room, click here.

The Logan Philapdelphia, a Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton. (Courtesy Hotels.com)

3. The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton  The 4.5-star hotel will cost you about $139/night and the reviews are excellent. One said, I booked a room for my husbands birthday and was thrilled to find a wrap-around balcony and fantastic view of the Oval. We also brought our 5-lb (Pomeranian), who was greeted warmly by the very friendly woman at the front desk. The fitness center was open by reservation only. I felt like the staff took COVID precautions seriously. To learn more and nook your room, click here.

The exterior of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA. (Courtesy Michael Scholl)
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :At least 20 people have drowned after smugglers threw dozens of migrants overboard as they sailed from Djibouti to Yemen, the UN migration agency said Thursday.

This is the third such incident in the Gulf of Aden in the last six months, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which said that survivors are receiving medical treatment in the port town of Obock, Djibouti.

"Wednesday's tragedy is further proof that criminals continue to exploit people desperate to improve their lives for profit regardless of the consequences", IOM Djibouti Chief of Mission, Stephanie Daviot, said in a statement.

She called for smugglers and human traffickers to be prosecuted, before appealing for the creation of legal migration pathways, "to allow people to pursue work opportunities abroad" without having to risk their lives.

At least 200 migrants including children were crowded onto the vessel when it departed, according to reports.

Thirty minutes into the journey, smugglers forced around 80 people into the sea. Five bodies have already been recovered.

Every year, tens of thousands of mainly young east African migrants make the dangerous journey from countries such as Somalia and Ethiopia to Djibouti and on to war-torn Yemen, in search of work in the Gulf countries further north.

In 2019, IOM said that roughly 138,000 people made the journey in 2019, compared with 37,500 in 2020  evidence of the impact of movement restrictions prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January this year, more than 2,500 migrants reached Yemen from Djibouti, and the UN agency has expressed concerns that more migrants will cross when coronavirus transmission measures are lifted, raising the prospect of future tragedies.

In Yemen, thousands of migrants are believed to be stranded and many face "extreme danger, exploitation and abuse in both Djibouti and Yemen", according to IOM.

It noted that staff continue to provide emergency medical care, food, water and counselling to stranded migrants.

In August 2020, IOM launched a $84 million appeal to respond to the needs of migrants on the Horn of Africa and Yemen, including Djibouti.
Louth County Council are to write to the Minister for Finance, AIB headquarters and Brink's to have the ATM in Carlingford reinstated.

Councillor Andrea McKevitt said: I feel very strongly about the removal of the ATM in Carlingford and it is a relief that talks are progressing since this motion was lodged with a local business in the village to reinstate the ATM.

The ATM was a lifeline in our rural community, and I believe its removal will have an adverse effect on the local economy.

It is important Louth County Council sends correspondence to AIB and the Minster for Finance supporting the reinstatement of the ATM standing in solidarity with the people of the village who depend on it.

Cllr McKevitt and Cllr John Reilly put forward the motion at the Dundalk Municipal District monthly meeting on Tuesday.

Cllr Reilly said: Carlingford is a very busy village at normal times with tourists and it is badly needed for the tourist population and the economic life of the village.

Councillors Sean Kelly, Maeve Yore, Antoin Watters and Emma Coffey all supported the motion.

Cllr Kelly said: When the two ATMs were stolen in Dundalk and we were cut down to two ATMs in town it caused problems, so I can imagine what it is like for the sole ATM in the village to be taken away.

Cllr Yore added: This is another attack on rural Ireland.

We the taxpayers bailed out the banks and now the banks are bailing out on us.

We have to send a strong message that we are not accepting this.

The AIB ATM service was removed from Carlingford around January.
Cookies op Tweakers

Tweakers maakt gebruik van cookies

Tweakers is onderdeel van DPG Media en maakt gebruik van cookies, JavaScript en vergelijkbare technologie om je onder andere een optimale gebruikerservaring te bieden. Functionele en analytische cookies die door Tweakers zelf geplaatst worden, worden gebruikt om de website goed te laten functioneren, bezoekersstatistieken bij te houden en a/b-testen uit te voeren. Ook kan Tweakers hiermee het gedrag van bezoekers vastleggen en analyseren.

Cookies kunnen daarnaast worden gebruikt om op Tweakers advertenties te tonen die aansluiten bij je interesses. Daarbij kan gebruikgemaakt worden van bezoekersprofielen die door derden zijn opgesteld. Ook kunnen derden je internetgedrag volgen, zoals bijvoorbeeld het geval is bij embedded videos van YouTube. Tot slot kunnen cookies worden gebruikt om op sites van derden relevante advertenties te tonen.

Content van derde partijen, zoals embedded videos van YouTube, wordt met een trackingvrij abonnement standaard uitgeschakeld. Indien je deze content wilt zien, kun je hier expliciet toestemming voor geven.

Wil je meer informatie over cookies en hoe ze worden gebruikt? Bekijk dan ons cookiebeleid.

Accepteer cookies ... Om deze pagina op Tweakers te kunnen bekijken, moet je cookies accepteren. Cookies accepteren

Heb je al een account? Dan kun je hier inloggen!

Leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Public Security as well as the State Bank of Vietnam have concurred that operations of foreign exchange (forex) platforms are illegitimate, while cryptocurrencies are not methods of payment compliant with law in the nation.

The statements were made during a regular government press meeting on Tuesday.

According to Dao Minh Tu, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, foreign currency trading and derivative services can only be provided by licensed credit institutions and commercial banks.

The central bank has not licensed any organization to run these services, Tu asserted.

The establishment of forex trading platforms is against the law and should be penalized accordingly, he stated.

In reality, these forex schemes are tempting new investors with promises of profit rates reaching as high as three digits.

Due to the illegitimate nature of these platforms, investors will not be protected by law, Tu warned.

Also commenting on the phenomenon, To An Xo, chief of the Ministry of Public Security Office, said the agency has urged the national government to order a thorough review of forex investment from the Ministry of Justice.

The review will inform Vietnams effort to harness the forex market, plus helping investors making the right choice and avoiding scams, Xo added.

Ministries should tackle issues of illegitimate forex schemes by issuing detailed guidance on the implementation of current regulations related to forex, said Do Thang Hai, Deputy Minister of Trade and Trade.

Dao Minh Tu, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, speaks during a regular government press meeting on March 2, 2021. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Cryptocurrency ban

E-commerce regulators in Vietnam are struggling to detect illegal transactions, which in turn hinders the sector's development, Deputy Governor Tu said.

For that reason, the State Bank of Vietnam has required that e-commerce platforms reinforce security measures for their payment systems, while credit institutions and payment intermediaries must also alert customers to fraud risks on a regular basis.

Tu added that cryptocurrency should not be used in lieu of fiat money which is recognized as a means of transaction by Vietnamese law.

Relevant agencies are working on issues of legitimacy and management for cryptocurrency trading, as well as providing an official definition of crypto-assets, Tu revealed.

As per Vietnamese law, bitcoin and other similar types of cryptocurrency are not considered legitimate modes of payment.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Mexico City Implements Ban on Single-Use Plastic  But People Who Menstruate Face the Consequences

People who have periods will keep tampons hidden meticulously: being stranded without period products means uncomfortably, embarrassment, and ruined clothes. For people in Mexico City who use tampons with plastic applicators, however, they no longer have the option to hide them. They dont even have the option to buy and use them.

Mexicos population of 126 million produces 6,000 tons of plastic waste yearly. To minimize their impact on the planet, Mexico City passed legislation banning single-use plastic in 2019. As of Jan. 1, the commercialization, distribution, and delivery of plastic products are now illegal. The law is now impacting those who menstruate and rely on tampons with plastic applicators.

ADVERTISEMENT

A person who menstruates will spend around six and a half years of their life on their period and use between five thousand and 15 thousand pads and tampons. Those thousands of tampon applicators can take up to 150 years to decompose. And while plastic applicators can be recycled they are usually not accepted due to sanctuary concerns. The environmental impact of plastic is significant, but the impact of losing an inexpensive and trusted menstruation product may impact the lives and wellbeing of countless people in Mexico City.

While there are sustainable options for some people who menstruate, they come with a price tag. With 40% of Mexicos population living below the poverty line, according to data from the Mexican government, higher-end menstruation products are not feasible for all who need them.

A pack of 36 non-reusable pads from Walmart in Mexico cost $319 pesos or $14.99 in USD. Reusable options are a much higher up-front cost, though they dont require frequent repurchasing. Menstrual cups cost 650 pesos or $30.55 in USD, and a 10-pack of reusable pads cost $809 pesos or 38.02 USD.

Not only are hygiene products expensive, but consumers are taxed on top of the high sticker price. Mexico has the sixth highest period tax, with a 16% charge on period products. A movement has been rising in Mexico to lower or even remove the tax completely, but no legislation has yet to be passed ending the tax.

Direct labor employees in Mexico make on average between $2.40 USD and $6 USD. An unskilled direct laborer making $2.40 USD a day would have to work over 18 days before they could afford to buy a 10-pack of reusable pads with tax. And thats with 100% of their wages going towards period products, ignoring the other costs that occur with menstruation.

ADVERTISEMENT

When those who menstruate do not have access to period products they are unable to function in daily life. Children fall behind in school because they are unable to attend and adults are unable to work while remaining sanitary.

As menstrual activist Sally Santiago told Reuters, this measure might sound very progressive and well-intentioned with an environmental commitment. However, she continued, its neglecting the needs of women."

Photo credit: Unsplash/Josefin

More From Bust

Only Buying From Sustainable Fashion Brands Is Not Going To Save Us, The Solution Is Already In Your Closet

For Vegans, The Birth Control Pill Can Be Hard To Swallow

Kotex New Ads To Depict Period Blood As It Really Is: Red

Olivia McCormack is a senior at American University studying journalism. She's an avid fan of movies and TV and is currently the Managing Editor of The Rival American. Follow her on Twitter, @wonk_ur_world, and on Lettterboxd, @Ob_LIV_ious.
Soon after the Food and Drug Administration approved Johnson & Johnsons one-shot COVID vaccine this week, leaders of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a warning: The approval  again raises questions about the moral permissibility of using vaccines developed, tested, and/or produced with the help of abortion-derived cell lines.

Some officials made even stronger pronouncements. The archdiocese of New Orleans described the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as morally compromised. The deeply conservative bishop of the diocese of Tyler, Texas, in November called on Catholics to reject all three approved vaccines as not morally produced.

Advertisement

Why are Catholic bishops speaking publicly about the vaccines? Here is what you need to know about the religious objection and its impact.

Why are some Catholics opposed to the J&J vaccine?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Human fetal cells are commonly used in medical research, including in the development and production of vaccines. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have all used cell lines (known as HEK293 and PER.C6) taken from the tissue of aborted fetuses from the 70s and 80s. The cells used in the testing and production of these vaccines are clones, not directly from the original fetal tissue.

While Moderna and Pfizer used the cells in the testing of their vaccines, Johnson & Johnson used the PER.C6 cellsor, as the bishops termed them, abortion-derived cell linesin the development and production of its vaccine.

Advertisement

In December, the USCCB said that the two RNA vaccines were remote from the initial evil of the abortion. But that isnt the case for Johnson & Johnson, according to the bishops: If one can choose among equally safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccine with the least connection to abortion-derived cell lines should be chosen, the bishops said in their statement this week. Johnson & Johnson, along with other medical ethicists and medical experts, emphasized that the cells are not fetal material themselves.

Will this statement change how Catholics behave?

Its unlikely. The USCCB can often be far more bullish on the issue of abortion than the Vatican. Pope Francis, for example, has spoken about the urgent need to get vaccinated to save lives without dwelling on the issue of the cell lines; in fact, the Vatican has offered the Pfizer vaccine to all of its citizens and made it a requirement for employees. Francis himself was vaccinated in January.

Advertisement

Advertisement

J. Patrick Hornbeck, a professor of theology at Fordham University, said that in Catholic moral theology, the issue with medical research using fetal cells is the idea of cooperating with evil. But the church can look at these questions with nuance, and most liberal and moderate thinkers in the church have agreed that concerns about the pharmaceutical companies profiting from the product of abortions are outweighed by the need to save lives.

A small number of more traditionally minded American Catholics who pay attention to what the USCCB says might decide to hold off on receiving the vaccine, despite the Vatican statements. Its also possible that individual bishops who come out against the vaccine could influence some Catholics. But a huge number of Catholics do not agree with the U.S. bishops on politically charged issues, such as LGBT rights and even abortion. (A 2016 Pew Research Center report found that only 8 percent of U.S. Catholics said contraception was morally wrong, even as the church was unequivocally opposed to it.) They are in no means in lockstep with bishops, Hornbeck said. The practical impact will be minimal.

Advertisement

The only significance Hornbeck sees in the statement is as a data point for the conservative turn of the American bishops. It seems to me that the USCCB has chosen to embrace a culture war mentality, Hornbeck said. Its a shame that this pretty easy call in Catholic moral theology is being leveraged in a way that might turn people off from getting the vaccine they need.

Advertisement

Will this affect how Catholic institutions distribute the vaccines?

Catholic churches, schools, elder care facilities, and hospitals are a significant part of vaccine distribution around the country. Its possible that the USCCBs statement will affect how churches and schools choose to act and whether they will agree to distribute the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Archdiocese of New Orleans told the Religion News Service that it was asking all Catholic entities to distribute vaccines according to the ethical guidelines we have released.

Advertisement

But it does appear that Catholic hospitals are committed to continuing to prioritize medical needs. The Catholic Health Association, which represents thousands of hospitals and other health facilities, asserted last month that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was morally acceptable and told RNS this week that the USCCBs statement would not affect its decision to distribute it.

Will Catholics be able to cite their religious objection to avoid the J&J vaccine?

The statement from the bishops was clear that Catholics should only avoid the Johnson & Johnson vaccine if they have the option of choosing another. But experts say that such a statement is pointless: We dont have the luxury of choice in the midst of a pandemic.

Advertisement

Most pharmacies and other vaccination sites will not tell you which vaccine youll receive ahead of time. But there are ways that an individual with religious concerns can increase their chances of getting the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The most obvious way is to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The J&J vaccine is just being rolled out, so most places currently distributing vaccines likely have one of the two RNA ones. One of the great benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is that it can be stored more easily. So if a state has to allocate its vaccine supply, its more likely to direct its finicky Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to hospitals and other medical settings more likely to have the freezers those vaccines need. And its more likely to employ the J&J vaccine in temporary locations, such as parking lots and churches and schools, that dont have access to heavy-duty medical equipment.

Advertisement

Itll be a number of months before the crisis is managed to the point where health experts expect to start thinking about a more targeted use of the vaccines. But experts and Catholic theologians are united in urging people not to wait that long. Even the USCCB made it clear in its December statement that getting a vaccine whenever it is recommended by health officials is a moral imperative: Receiving one of the COVID-19 vaccines ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community. In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.

Thanks to Antonio Alonso at Emory University, Noel Brewer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bernard Nahlen at the University of Notre Dame, Jonathan Temte at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and Bruce Y. Lee at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Vodafone Fiji, the dominant mobile operator in the country, has announced two firsts: one involving digital SIMs, the other concerning the arrival of Wi-Fi in a remote area of Fiji.

Claimed as a first, not only in Fiji but in the region, is Vodafone Fijis launch of eSIM (embedded subscriber identity module) support for its prepay and post-paid customers.

The eSIM is a digital SIM that allows Vodafone Fiji customers to use their phone number without a physical SIM. Supported devices, at the moment, mainly include handsets  and some tablets  from Huawei, Samsung and Apple.

The Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) eSIM Air On Platform has provided customers in the Pacific region with their first taste of eSIM technology, says Vodafone Fiji. The key benefits of this offering being promoted by Vodafone Fiji are that eSIM-capable devices allow for quicker and simpler connection to the network and that customers can have one device with two numbers by using a physical SIM at the same time as an eSIM.

It adds that eSIMS are also an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional SIMs (the country has a tax on plastic in order to discourage its use).

While eSIM profiles are available at Vodafone Fiji outlets across the country, Vodafone Fijis launch of the countrys inaugural Satellite Community Wi-Fi service has so far only reached Nakavika village, in the Central Divisions Namosi province.

The Fiji Broadcasting news site says Vodafones Satellite Community Wi-Fi platform has connected 61 households in the village, which lies about 57km west of the capital, Suva.

This, however, may be the start of something much bigger. Vodafone Fiji says it has received requests from other communities for the platforms installation.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

SANTA FE  The New Mexico Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would require public schools to extend the school year to help students catch up on the loss of learning during the pandemic.

The measure would stretch the next school year by 25 days for K-5 students and 10 days for most 6-12 schools by requiring them to participate in already funded extended learning programs.

Schools were slow to embrace the programs, citing staffing issues, despite the fact that more work would increase teacher take-home pay by 6% to 14% depending on the grade level. The programs were eventually canceled because of the pandemic.

Extending the school year is shown to be one of the best things you can do for student achievement, said bill sponsor Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, citing legislative research that drove the passage of the programs in 2019.

The mandate for next year would take effect only if Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams current health order curbing in-person schooling is lifted, and would last only for the 2021-22 school year.

Because the programs havent been used, about $200 million in funding has piled up. Thats more than enough to cover the cost of the proposal, according to a legislative analysis.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

In the House, lawmakers are considering a measure that would tap the funds for longer school days instead of extending the school calendar. That bill, sponsored by House Education Committee Rep. Andres Romero, has Republican support.

It is highly unlikely that both bills make it through the two chambers, said Dennis Roch, president of the New Mexico School Superintendents Association. The group supports the House bill for its flexibility and is backing the Senate bill after Stewart made tweaks to accommodate four-day schools.

While the state Public Education Department wants more schools to embrace the programs, it hasnt weighed in on a particular approach.

The PED supports expanding instructional time as a strategy to improve academic outcomes, and we will continue to work with legislators who are currently exploring the best way to achieve that goal, department spokeswoman Judy Robinson said
A month after reports surfaced regarding a person who falsely claimed to be associated with renowned production company T-series, the police has now confirmed the arrest of the wrongdoer. The 24-year-old was arrested for allegedly duping many in the name of auditions for Prabhas' Radhe Shyam.

Confirming the arrest of the accused Harshad Anand Sakpal alias Pritesh Jain, the police stated that the person took money from aspiring actors and convinced them by using fake identity card and letterhead of the company. An officer from Amboli Police Station was quoted by Mid-day as saying, "We have arrested the accused Pritesh Jain, whose real name is Harshad Anand Sakpal. We took his custody from Nashik. He is a history-sheeter and was arrested in another case. He had created a fake letterhead of T-series movie studio to lure struggling actors with the role of Prabhas' brother in Radhe Shyam."

He further said that even an advertisement was shared on Instagram through which many struggling actors contacted him. Harshad allegedly demanded photographs and visas of the aspirants informing them that the shoot will take place abroad and therefore, they will have to keep their passports ready. In order to convince them, the imposer also asked for the aspirants' COVID-19 status.

The officer added, "A number of aspiring actors contacted him. He then even sent them a QR code and asked them to send money for the audition. Once the money reached his account, he would block their mobile numbers."

Harshad has been booked under cheating and forgery and is currently taken into custody to investigate further and also to probe the involvement of others in the case.

Reportedly, T-series came to know about the fraudulent activity after a few people approached their office in Andheri West.

Also Read: Radhe Shyam: Man Dupes Aspiring Actors In The Name Of Auditions To Act With Prabhas

Also Read: Prabhas' Salaar Comes To Yash's Rescue As KGF Chapter 2's Distribution Rights Trouble The Makers
About Bavarian Nordic Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated vaccines company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of life-saving vaccines. We are a global leader in smallpox vaccines and have been a long-term supplier to the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile of a non-replicating smallpox vaccine, which has been approved by the FDA under the trade name JYNNEOS, also for the protection against monkeypox. The vaccine is approved as a smallpox vaccine in Europe under the trade name IMVANEX and in Canada under the trade name IMVAMUNE. Our commercial product portfolio furthermore contains the market-leading vaccine Rabipur/RabAvert against rabies and Encepur against tick-borne encephalitis. Using our live virus vaccine platform technology, MVA-BN, we have created a diverse portfolio of proprietary and partnered product candidates designed to save and improve lives by unlocking the power of the immune system, including an Ebola vaccine, MVABEA, which is licensed to Janssen. For more information visit www.bavarian-nordic.com .

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TORONTO - Frustrations stemming from COVID-19 travel restrictions boiled over during a conference call Thursday when top executives at auto parts manufacturer Martinrea derided the health measures, saying it's "time to move on" and recognize the "good things happening," despite employee deaths from the novel coronavirus.

An Air Canada flight flies in over hotels by the Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ont. by the Pearson International Airport on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 as new air travel rules come into effect in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

TORONTO - Frustrations stemming from COVID-19 travel restrictions boiled over during a conference call Thursday when top executives at auto parts manufacturer Martinrea derided the health measures, saying it's "time to move on" and recognize the "good things happening," despite employee deaths from the novel coronavirus.

"Everything is getting better, except for the government policy that we're seeing. It is just absolutely outrageous," said chief financial officer Fred Di Tosto, on the call.

"We're seeing tremendous opening in the United States, in a lot of different places...it's time to move on. There are good things happening, and we've got to recognize that."

When asked by an analyst about the "drag" on business caused by the acquisition of a company called Metalsa in March 2020, chief financial officer Fred Di Tosto said travel restrictions and "chaos at the border" have limited the work that Martinrea could do on the plants abroad, calling the 14-day quarantines and hotel quarantine policies "an incredible pain for our industry."

At the time of the acquisition, Metalsa had locations in the United States, Mexico, Germany, South Africa and China.

Martinrea's executive chairman, Rob Wildeboer, said earlier in the call that there has been no in-plant transmission of COVID-19 within the company, although some employees in Mexico died from community transmission of the novel coronavirus, and that other employees had lost loved ones.

"Not only must our people be safe, but they must feel safe. They must know that we have their interest at heart," said Wildeboer on the conference call, adding that the company made 70,000 ventilator stands during the pandemic.

"Many of our people have stated they feel safer at work than any place other than home."

Deanna Lorincz, global director of communications and marketing at Martinrea, said Friday that Di Tosto meant "it is time to move on, lessen the restrictions on the border and continue to open up the economy."

Lorincz also clarified comments from chief executive Pat DEramo, who said on the call it has been a "headache" getting employees back and forth to Germany, saying that the hotel quarantines cause workers "stress" and "anxiety." Lorincz said DEramo was referencing the need to "travel internationally to get the new plant in Germany online to the way we run things."

"Its been a challenge with the pandemic but we are hopeful we will start seeing progress," said Lorincz in a statement. "We have the right people lined up and some are there now. It is just getting them back and forth has been a challenge with the restrictions and not knowing if employees will have to quarantine in a hotel away from their families."

Martinrea's home base of Ontario has been slowly loosening COVID-19 restrictions over the past month, with 1,250 new COVID-19 cases reported on Friday, down from more than 3,000 per day reported in mid January.

In late January the federal government announced it would suspend all flights to and from Mexico until April 30, and would require a three-night hotel quarantine for travellers arriving in Canada, "to prevent further introduction and transmission of COVID-19 and new variants of the virus into Canada."

"With the challenges we currently face with COVID-19, both here at home and abroad, we all agree that now is just not the time to be flying," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in January when announcing the new restrictions.

After the government announced the new travel restrictions, the National Airlines Council of Canada noted that international arrivals were already down between 90 per cent and 95 per cent in January, compared with the previous year.

"Countries that successfully implement a science-based and data-based testing and quarantine policy will not only protect public health but also drive their overall domestic recovery, and take market share, investment and jobs from those countries that do not," the NACC said in a February statement.

The comments from Martinrea executives come after Linda Hasenfratz, chief executive of rival parts maker Linamar, resigned as a member of Ontarios COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Task Force in late January, after it was brought to Premier Doug Ford's attention that she travelled outside the country in December.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:MRE)
An innovative cell-based treatment for cancer has been found promising for the control of infections caused by fungi. A study published in the journal Cytotherapy reports that the use of CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cells programmed to "recognize" Cryptococcus spp. fungi was effective in combating infection in vitro and in mice.

C. gattii and C. neoformans are present in soil with dead organic matter and places contaminated by the droppings of pigeons and other birds. They cause systemic mycoses in the human organism. They can infect the lungs and central nervous system, causing meningitis or meningoencephalitis. The symptoms vary according to the site of the infection, which can be fatal. Transmission occurs by inhalation of the fungi.

About 1 million cases of Cryptococcus infection are reported worldwide every year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The mortality rate ranges from 20% to 70%, and 220,000 cases of cryptococcal meningitis occur annually, affecting mainly people living with HIV-AIDS.

To escape the host's immune response, Cryptococcus covers itself in a capsule made up primarily of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), a polysaccharide considered its main virulence factor. It is difficult for the human immune system, especially T CD4+ and T CD8+ cells, to recognize and prevent the infection.

In the study, the group redirected T CD8+ cells to target the GXM in the capsule via expression of a GXM-specific CAR, in order to have the cells recognize the pathogen directly and contain its growth.

"The findings show that GXMR-CAR T-cells can be redirected to recognize C. neoformans. Future studies will focus on determining the therapeutic efficacy of such cells in an animal model of cryptococcosis," the authors conclude in the article.

The first author is Thiago Aparecido da Silva, a Brazilian researcher affiliated with the University of Sao Paulo's Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP). In an interview given to Agencia FAPESP, Silva explained that the infusion of GXMR-CAR T-cells not only contained the fungus's growth but also reduced the number of so-called titan cells that make the infection more virulent. These are abnormally large yeast cells with a diameter of more than 45 micrometers.

Silva is a researcher in FMRP-USP's Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents (Biocel) and is supported by FAPESP via a postdoctoral fellowship and a research internship abroad.

This reduction in titan cells points to a good prognosis for new treatments for cryptococcosis. CAR T-cells can be used to treat other fungal infections and can be associated with conventional drugs to reduce their side-effects. CAR T-cells can establish immune memory and protect the patient against reinfection by invasive fungi." Thiago Aparecido da Silva, Brazilian Researcher, University of Sao Paulo's Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP)

Silva is now working on ways to optimize the protective response of CAR T-cells to fungal disease, including infections caused by Candida albicans and Histoplasma capsulatum, with support from FAPESP via a Young Investigator Grant.

Direct death of fungi

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas (USA) who collaborate with Silva were the first to explore the direct death of fungi from redirected T CD8+ cells with a CAR targeting a carbohydrate found in the cell wall of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Interest in the use of CAR T-cells to treat cancer and other diseases has increased in several countries. In most studies involving the technique, the researchers targeted the antigen CD19 to contain multiplication of abnormal B-cells causing lymphoma or other kinds of severe disease (read more at: agencia.fapesp.br/31675).

CAR T-cell therapy in various forms has been approved since 2017 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), especially to treat leukemia and lymphoma.

In Brazil, a group of researchers at the Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), hosted by FMRP-USP, tested this innovative cancer treatment with reprogrammed cells from the patient for the first time in 2019. CTC is a Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (RIDC) supported by FAPESP.

The technique was used to treat an advanced case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (read more at: agencia.fapesp.br/31675). In February 2020, CDC launched a book with practical information on the production of CAR T-cells.

Target recognition

Silva and the other authors of the latest study raise the hypothesis that redirecting GXMR-CAR T-cells induces cytotoxic activity against fungi that express GXM in the cell wall. The study shows that modified human T-cells expressing GXMR-CAR were capable of binding to GXM in vitro and interacting with the yeast form of C. neoformans.

"The most critical part of the construction of a CAR is the target recognition portion, in which we use monoclonal antibodies that interact with Cryptococcus," Silva said. "We use the DNA sequence that encodes the part of the antibody that recognizes the fungus and combine it with the DNA sequence that encodes the other portions of the CAR."
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Read more about Pope Francis visiting Iraq and the debate in Washington over the COVID relief bill, check in on the latest coronavirus and stimulus news and see more stories trending online today.

Top stories

Pope arrives in Iraq to rally Christians despite pandemic (AP)

Senate takes first step toward passing $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill  heres what happens next (CNBC)

How much money will your state get if Bidens COVID-19 relief bill passes? (USA Today)

Senate clerks read entire Covid relief bill in 10 hours, 43 minutes, 9 seconds (NBC News)

Supreme Court drops sanctuary city cases following Biden DOJ request (Fox News)

Is Trump going to make Ivanka his 2024 running mate? (Variety)

FBI arrests Trump appointee Federico Klein in connection with Capitol riot (ABC News)

Officers maced, trampled: Docs expose depth of Jan. 6 chaos (AP)

Coronavirus news

Why People Are Eager for Johnson & Johnsons Vaccine (NY Times)

Top Cuomo aides said to have altered report on nursing home deaths totals (CBS)

One group that wont entirely benefit from going back to normal: Grocery stores (CNN)

Pharmacy deserts are new front in the race to vaccinate for COVID-19 (ABC)

Largest Vaccine Maker Warns of Delays as U.S. Prioritizes Pfizer (Bloomberg)

Italy blocks export of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to Australia, amid E.U. anger over delivery shortfalls (Washington Post)

Other trending headlines

Asteroid as Big as Golden Gate Bridge Will Fly Past Earth on First Full Day of Spring (People)

Dr. Seuss books top Amazon bestseller list (CBS)

Tiger Woods told police responding to crash he couldnt recall driving (NY Post)

Timeline: Prince Harry and Meghan - and Megxit (Yahoo)

New Zealand earthquakes: Tsunami warnings lifted after evacuations (BBC)

What Paramount+ launch means for CBS All Access subscribers (AP)
An art exhibition featuring narratives of nature and love by cross-cultural women was unveiled in Sydney on Thursday evening.

The exhibition, held by the China Cultural Center in Sydney, presents 15 contemporary art works about water, air and love by eight Australian and Chinese Australian female artists. In the form of painting, photography, video or sculpture, the artists share their understandings about the world and the importance of environmental sustainability.

"It's wonderful to come together with other artists from different cultural backgrounds. My own background is from a migrant family, refugee family. And it often impacts and informs the way I think about my place here," one of the artists Anne Zahalka told Xinhua.

As a photo media artist, Zahalka has exhibited extensively in Australia and internationally for over 30 years and has held over 40 solo exhibitions.

She brought three pictures to the Sydney show combining the images of industrialized cities and wild animals, displaying her reflections on the changing relationship between people and the nature.

"These works were developed during a visit to Mumbai, to look at dioramas in natural history museums and look at the record that's been made about places that now have largely disappeared, or been affected by human development and so on," she said.

The art exhibition held in Sydney is also an event to mark the upcoming International Women's Day on March 8.

"This exhibition is about creating invaluable dialogues between women of different cultures, empowering women to voice their concerns in relations to the environment and to think differently in offering different solutions," said curator Nicolas Tsoutas.

Xiao Xiayong, director of the China Cultural Center in Sydney, said the center hopes the exhibition can remind people of the importance of ecosystems and how much people rely on them while helping deepen cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia.
Melville D. Miller Jr., founder of Legal Services of New Jersey, a nonprofit organization that has represented impoverished residents in 2.6 million housing, employment, welfare and other civil court cases over the last 50 years, died Wednesday. He was 76.

The Harvard Law School graduate was one of Legal Services incorporators in 1971. Today it employs a staff of about 600 from its headquarters in Edison and its five satellite offices that serves indigent clients in all 21 counties.

There are no words that will adequately describe the pain and profound sorrow we are all feeling, said Dawn K. Miller, who succeeded him as Legal Services president last year. He has been the backbone of our organization since its inception, and he certainly has left a remarkable legacy of helping the poor in our state. It was his lifelong focus.

He had a passion for fighting against injustice that was incomparable, she said. The whole justice community just lost a tremendous advocate.

Miller also helped launch the LSNJ Poverty Research Institute, which publishes data to illustrate the prevalence and persistence of poverty in one of the nations most affluent states. In 2015, the institute published a report saying there were more New Jersey residents living in true poverty, based on the states cost of living, than at any other time in the past five decades.

By the institutes definition of poverty, 2.8 million adults and 800,000 children were poor, attributed to the shrinking middle class and the high cost of living in a state where the richest 20 percent of the residents hold half of all the income, the report said.

The institutes work was especially important to him because it educated the public about what poverty actually meant to real people, and what people in poverty are going through, said Claudine Langrin, LSNJs executive vice president.

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner praised Miller for dedicating his life to helping people who desperately needed legal assistance they could not afford.

Through his professionalism, passion, insight, and integrity, he made a meaningful difference in countless lives, Rabner said. He inspired us all.

People sharing their memories over the last day described Miller as brilliant and passionate, demanding of his staff, and disagreeable when he was debating a point with an adversary, Dawn Miller said. But people came away feeling like he was a friend.

He demanded and expected excellence, said his successor. And we are all the better for it.

Known to everyone as De, an abbreviation of his mothers surname, DeSoto, in tribute to his Cuban heritage, Miller announced in late 2019 he intended to step aside. He never used the word, retire, Dawn Miller said.

He remained involved in the research institutes work, as well as a project that represents families who are referred by the child welfare system to prevent children from entering foster care, Miller said. The family stability and preservation work, was very dear to his heart. Going forward, we will be making insure we honor his legacy and those projects continue.

Miller, a Tewksbury resident, was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Louise. He is survived by three children, Tristan, Koren, and Kendra, and eight grandchildren, according to the obituary LSNJ released on Thursday. Funeral arrangements are not yet complete.

A proud family man, Miller said he intended to devote himself to spending more time with his children and grandchildren and studying his familys lineage, Dawn Miller said.

He made New Jerseyans far better understand the depth and consequences to the poor of our state. And he was a dogged fighter to that end, said Cynthia M. Jacob, chairperson of LSNJ board of directors. He cared. His passion for Legal Services and its clients was all consuming, second only for his love for family.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.



Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.
Good news: You will not have to visit the RTO office for these 18 services, including renewal of DL

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 05: In a notification, the Ministry of Road and Transport Highways said that people will not need to visit the RTO for as many as 18 services including renewal of driver's licence.

"Certain services regarding Driving License and Certificate of Registration have been made completely online. Now these services can be availed without going to RTO. With Aadhaar authentication, on voluntary basis, anyone can get the benefit of these contactless services," MORTH said in a tweet.

Certain services regarding Driving License and Certificate of Registration have been made completely online. Now these services can be availed without going to RTO. With Aadhaar authentication, on voluntary basis, anyone can get the benefit of these contactless services. pic.twitter.com/UBBvbbsGfG  MORTHINDIA (@MORTHIndia) March 4, 2021

This move comes in the wake of the government issuing a draft notification to link the driving licence and RC with he 12 digit unique identity number assigned to every Indian citizen.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

In another post the ministry said this will reduce the compliance burden on citizens, helping them to avail these services in a hassle free, contact less manner. This will also reduce the footfall in the RTO office, which will further increase efficiency of the RTO offices as well.
April 22, 2021

Regulatory News:

The shareholders of Gecina (Paris:GFC) (the "Company") are invited to attend the Ordinary General Meeting to be held on:

Thursday April 22, 2021 from 3pm,

at Pavillon Cambon, 46 rue Cambon, 75001 Paris, France.

A meeting notice containing the agenda, the full text for the proposed resolutions and the main conditions for attending and voting at the Ordinary General Meeting on April 22, 2021 has been published in the French official gazette (Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires) today. This meeting notice and the Board of Directors' report on the proposed resolutions can be consulted on Gecina's website at www.gecina.fr.

The meeting notice will be followed by an invitation to attend, which will be published in the French official gazette (BALO) and a French legal announcement journal within the legal and regulatory timeframes.

The preparatory documents for this General Meeting will be made available to the Company's shareholders in accordance with the regulatory conditions and timeframes applicable.

All shareholders may ask the Company to send them these documents with written requests to be sent to the Company's registered office or faxed to +33 (0)1 40 40 64 81 up until the fifth day (inclusive) before the Ordinary General Meeting on April 22, 2021, i.e. April 17, 2021. For bearer shareholders, they will need to be accompanied by a certificate of registration in the securities accounts held by an intermediary mentioned in Article L. 211-3 of the French monetary and financial code (Code monetaire et financier).

They may also be consulted at the Company's registered office and will be available on the Company's website (www.gecina.fr).

On account of the health crisis context linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conditions for holding and taking part in this General Meeting may evolve depending on changes in the health and/or regulatory situation. Shareholders are invited to regularly consult the dedicated section for the 2021 General Meeting on the Company's website: www.gecina.fr.

The Board of Directors

Gecina

French limited company (societe anonyme) with capital of 573,949,530

Registered office: 14-16, rue des Capucines 75002 Paris France

Paris trade and companies register: 592 014 476

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005186/en/

Contacts:

Gecina
ADVERTISEMENT

The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the sacking of Igo Aguma as the chairman of the caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

The apex courts decision concurred with the Court of Appeal in Abuja which had sacked Mr Aguma and recognised the Isaac Ogbobula-led caretaker committee as the authentic leadership structure of the party in the state.

It also, like the Court of Appeal, overturned the June 10, 2020 judgment of the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, which installed Mr Aguma as the leader of APC in the state and sacked the Ogbobula-led committee which was constituted by the partys National Working Committee (NWC).

Mr Aguma had appealed against the December 29, 2020 judgment of the Court of Appeal and urged the apex court to restore the High Courts judgment.

The appeal was unanimously dismissed by a five-man panel of the apex court led by Amina Augie on Friday.

Court lacks jurisdiction

A member of the panel, Adamu Jauro, who prepared the lead judgment, but which was read on his behalf by Ms Augie, dismissed Mr Agumas appeal on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction.

He ruled that with the appeal afflicted by jurisdictional issues as the Court of Appeal had similarly ruled the case has no chance of survival and is bound to face the consequence of this by being dismissed.

He went on to affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal and set aside the High Court judgment that was favourable to Mr Aguma.

Partys internal affair

The Supreme Court similarly resolved the issue in three other related appeals, with Ms Augie elaborating in one of them that the court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the leadership dispute being an internal affair of the party.

She explained that the setting up of the Ogbobula-led caretaker committee by the APCs NWC was such an internal affair of the party that the court could not interfere in.

Ms Augie said the decision of the party, which she said was a voluntary organisation like a club, was binding on every member.

She added that the court could only interfere in such matters if the party has violated its own rules.

Proxy war

The suit was a proxy political battle the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and former senator, Magnus Abe, for the control of the party in the state.

While Mr Amaechi was in support of the Ogbobula-led caretaker committee favoured by the Supreme Courts verdict, Mr Abe backed the Aguma-led committee that has now lost out.
A struggling Melbourne business owner who claimed Australians would rather receive benefits on the dole than go to work says he has received death threats for 'speaking honestly'.

Match & Co Cafe owner Adrian Rigotto told Today on Wednesday morning he can't find employees willing to work for his business - and he blames the Government's financial incentives for the lack of staff.

'You can't get staff in hospitality,' Mr Rigotto said.

'You know what they say to me on the first line, ''Hey, we don't want your job. We're doing this for Centrelink purposes only''.'

The Dingley Village cafe owner even decided to add a $5,000 cash incentive on his job advertisements in the hope he would be able to snap up a worker.

Mr Rigotto has now revealed to Daily Mail Australia that he was slammed for his candid comments about the hospitality industry.

'I just had the honesty to say what how it is,' he said.

'When that went to air on Channel 9, I had so many death threats.

'Why? Because I don't want everyone to live off Centrelink.'

Mr Rigotto said his cafe was even graffitied.

He also claimed 'smart a*** blokes' were applying for the cafe work simply to snap up his $5,000 cash offer.

But despite the negativity, Mr Rigotto said he has also had some success stories with fresh job applicants in recent days.

A man from Brisbane contacted Mr Rigotto on Wednesday and said: 'If you can give me a full-time job, I'll fly down and come and meet you.'

Mr Rigotto said the Queenslander stuck to his word and arrived in the Victorian capital on Thursday.

Match & Co Cafe owner Adrian Rigotto told Today on Wednesday morning he has struggled to find employees willing to work for his business - and he blames the government's financial incentives for the lack of staff

The cafe owner said he would happily pay the man the $5,000 after he volunteered to relocate for the job.

'Just because it's hospitality or a cafe, doesn't mean you don't invest in your staff,' he said.

'I always invest in my staff and that's what it's all about.'

During his interview with Today, Mr Rigotto said he could email Premier Daniel Andrews and Prime Minister Scott Morrison the contact details of at least 50 applicants who are just after Centrelink payments.

'I have got names, numbers, addresses of these people. They don't want a job, they don't want to work,' he said.

Match & Co Cafe advertised for workers on Facebook as recently as Saturday

Unemployed workers will be given an extra $50 a fortnight from April once coronavirus supplements are scrapped.

The federal government is boosting the permanent base of the dole to $620.80 a fortnight. The increase works out to be an extra $3.57 a day.

Match & Co Cafe advertised for workers on Facebook as recently as Saturday.

'We're looking for experienced wait staff, baristas and cafe all-rounders,' the Facebook post read.

'Does this sound like you or someone you know? You could win $5,000 cash if you're successful or forward a successful referral.'

Mr Rigotto (pictured on Today on Wednesday) has now revealed to Daily Mail Australia that he was slammed for his candid comments about the hospitality industry

Graham Wynn, Founder and Director of Superior People Recruitment, agreed with Mr Rigotto's claim that some Australians seemingly don't want to work.

'In the past two weeks, from those registered with Centrelink agencies, we have received 1,850 resumes. Of those, we have contacted only 22, as they are the only ones with any relevant experience or skills for the jobs they are applying for,' he said.

'Clearly, this is just people making sure they apply for any job, to continue receiving benefits.

'We have even had resumes from job seekers, advising they are not looking work, and simply apologising for wasting my time having to read their resume, as they are only applying for jobs to continue to receive their benefits.'

'We can't keep paying people to play Xbox': Senator slams 'dole bludgers' as Scott Morrison refuses to increase 'take it or leave it' $25 a week JobSeeker boost By Charlie Moore A senator has accused unemployed people of 'playing Xbox on the couch' instead of wanting to work for a living. Matt Canavan praised the government's new rules for JobSeekers to make sure they accept a job if they are offered one. 'There are people out there who are bludging on the dole. I don't mind saying frankly. There are lots of people,' the Nationals politician told ABC News. 'We have seen them in the last year that people taking JobKeeper and JobSeeker and not taking work. Now, we can't just keep doing that. We can't keep paying people to sit on the couch and play the Xbox.' Matt Canavan (pictured) has slammed 'dole bludgers' for playing Xbox instead of working for a living Scott Morrison last Tuesday announced unemployed Australians will receive an extra $50 a fortnight when the coronavirus boost expires next month. However, they will have to attend face-to-face appointments with officials, make 20 job searches a month and take a short training course or do work experience after six months on welfare. Welfare groups and the Greens wanted a much greater increase to the dole - but the Prime Minister has ruled out a higher amount. A source told the Sydney Morning Herald the $50 increase was a 'take it or leave it' offer. Labor has said they will not stand in the way of the increase. Senator Canavan said he supported the increase, which will cost $9billion over four years, but resisted any higher payment to avoid the government getting into more debt. As part of the welfare reforms, the government will also set up a hotline for employers to dob in someone who rejects a job they are qualified for. 'Every person we get back into a job means a lower cost to the taxpayer. That's why the mutual obligation is so important,' Mr Morrison said. The new rate, which will kick in when the $150 JobSeeker supplement runs out at the end of March, will provide an extra $3.57 a day. The increase lifts JobSeeker to 41.2 per cent of the national minimum wage and will cost $9billion over four years. Pictured: People are seen in Centrelink queues in Gold Coast back in April 2020 Advertisement

Mr Rigotto choked back tears as he appeared on the Today show back in October.

He said he had not served a customer for nine months and the state's crippling lockdown had been incredibly 'tough'.

'And not only here in Melbourne but all over Victoria. You know, we don't feel there is any confidence in the government, his contact tracing, everything is breaking down,' he said at the time.

Mr Rigotto said he had been waiting nine months to reopen his cafe and has 25 full time and casual staff on his payroll.

'You don't understand, I'm only a small little fish,' he said.

Mr Rigotto choked back tears as he appeared on Today back in October (pictured)
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  New Mexico is racing to update its child support laws to avoid the loss of $148 million in federal funding.

Bipartisan legislation now advancing through the Roundhouse would revise how child support is calculated, limit how many years of overdue payments a parent would owe and make a host of other changes intended to bring New Mexico into compliance with federal law.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Two similar bills are under consideration in the House  one of which has already cleared the Senate, putting it in strong position to win full approval in time to reach the governors desk.

In addition to avoiding the loss of federal funds, supporters say, the legislation is designed to get more money to kids and their custodial parents.

The chance to bring in more money for kids  so they can be kids  is whats fundamentally at the heart of the bill, Human Services Deputy Secretary Kari Armijo said in an interview Thursday.

But passage is also critical, supporters say, to maintain about $123 million in annual federal grant funding for a cash-assistance program that helps low-income families with children, called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF.

On top of that, the state could lose $25 million in federal matching funds for child support programs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has repeatedly warned New Mexico about the possibility of losing federal funds. A letter issued in November said the states TANF and child support funding is at risk if legislative and policy changes are not made during the states 2021 legislative session.

The 60-day legislative session now underway is set to end at noon March 20, giving lawmakers just over two weeks to reach agreement on a bill and send it to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Sen. Gay Kernan, a Hobbs Republican and sponsor of one of the bills, said the proposal makes broad changes intended to improve the child support system, including revisions intended to help parents who fall behind on payments come back into compliance.

Non-custodial parents can now rack up 12 years in retroactive arrears, a time frame Kernan said is unrealistic and results in even less money reaching the child. The legislation would narrow the past-due payments to three years in most circumstances.

Moving to that, you have a better chance of actually getting money to the child, Kernan said in an interview Thursday.

Jeremy Toulouse, New Mexicos child support director, said debt older than three years usually becomes uncollectable and can become a barrier to the parent paying back a more-manageable amount. It can also lead to tension between the parents and have other unintended consequences.

Its counter-productive, Toulouse said. The proposed legislation ensures a child support order is based on ability to pay.

The bill would make changes to how child support is calculated. Generally, lower-income parents would face more-affordable payments under the new guidelines  part of a strategy to increase voluntary compliance  though higher-income parents might pay more.

Taken together, the changes in the bill are projected to result in an extra $284 in annual collections per child, or almost $31 million statewide.

Armijo said the money will be a benefit to kids, of course, but the increased payments are expected also to result in stronger relationships between the non-custodial parent and his or her children.

National studies show that when the non-custodial parent is able to make payments on their current order, Armijo said, theyre more likely to have a relationship with their child.

One of the child support proposals, Senate Bill 140, won Senate approval earlier this week on a 40-0 vote. Its now in the House, where it will have to clear one committee before reaching the full chamber for consideration.

A similar proposal, House Bill 190, is also pending in the House, though it hasnt advanced as quickly.

Rep. Daymon Ely, a Corrales Democrat and sponsor of the House version, said the legislation strikes a good balance in updating the law while also leaving judges some discretion in setting child support orders.

Were going to lose a lot of federal money if we dont do this, Ely said, and the idea is to set up things that will make the process more effective in terms of actually helping kids.
Maryland is among about 20 states that prohibit the release of police disciplinary records, meaning the public cannot find out whether an officer has been the subject of complaints or faced punishment for misconduct.

Such records are easily available in Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin and many other states, allowing watchdog groups, journalists and others to identify officers with troubling records and assess whether departments are adequately policing their own.

For years, some Maryland legislators have pushed bills to grant the public more access. They have been stymied largely because of opposition from police unions, which say disclosing such records would invade officers' privacy, impede their employment opportunities and invite unfair smears or harassment against them.

This year, after George Floyd's killing sparked national demands to overhaul policing, Maryland legislators who would like to see more transparency appear to have the wind at their backs.

A Goucher College poll released in October found that 87% of Maryland residents support creating a record of police misconduct cases that would be available to the public. And measures that would make a wide swath of internal disciplinary records available to the public gained momentum in both chambers of the state legislature this week.

A bill passed by the Maryland Senate would make completed investigations of officer misconduct releasable in many cases, whether or not they resulted in discipline. Officials could still withhold records by deeming their disclosure "contrary to the public interest."

The bill is named "Anton's Law" for a young man who died after an encounter with police. It has the support of a coalition of about 90 advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause and the Public Justice Center, as well as the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association, which represents news media including The Washington Post.

Late Friday, the Maryland House Judiciary Committee amended an omnibus police overhaul bill sponsored by House Speaker Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore County, to include similar provisions. The amendment was proposed by Del. Erek Barron, D-Prince George's, who with Del. Gabriel Acevero, D-Montgomery, had sponsored a House version of Anton's Law. The omnibus bill is likely to be considered by the full House next week.

That Judiciary Committee action essentially kills, for now, a less expansive public-records bill Jones had proposed that was supported by the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and the Maryland Sheriffs' Associations. That bill would have allowed release of sustained findings of sexual assault, dishonesty, discrimination or excessive force, along with investigations of police shootings.

Advocates of the narrower approach say it would be unfair to officers in most cases to allow public access to complaints that departments ultimately dismissed.

"We have to balance the public's right to know if there are questionable officers serving their community with the needs of and fundamental fairness to our officers," Bowie Police Chief John Nesky, president of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, said in an interview, adding, "Do you really want somebody who has a family to have to go around and go: 'No, no, no, I was cleared. No, that was unfounded.' "

Advocates of a broader approach to transparency say it is imperative to see all disciplinary records so the public can understand which officers are frequently accused and judge whether police agencies are conducting investigations appropriately.

Only a "tiny fraction" of complaints are sustained, noted David Rocah, the senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Maryland. That raises questions for some advocates about the rigor of internal probes.

"Someone might say, 'Well, that's because all of those complaints by members of the public are false, frivolous, or rest on a misunderstanding of the proper role of police,' " Rocah said. "Maybe. But nobody has any factual basis on which to say that, because they haven't seen those complaints."

He and others point to a 2016 report by the U.S. Justice Department finding that the Baltimore Police Department regularly violated residents' civil rights and that it lacked an adequate system for investigating complaints and imposing discipline.

Several years after that investigation, federal monitors found that the department still struggled to fully investigate complaints and that the problem was particularly acute when complaints originated with members of the public.

"Every time there has been a systematic outside review, it reveals systemic problems," Rocah said.

Last month in Prince George's County, a judge unsealed an expert report alleging that complaints against officers involving racial harassment and discrimination are often "not investigated, not investigated appropriately, or not disciplined appropriately."

The report, commissioned by the plaintiffs in a federal discrimination lawsuit against the county, relied on disciplinary records that were turned over to the plaintiffs under seal during court proceedings - but that the public is not generally allowed to see.

In one of many cases cited in the report, prosecutors complained to police officials that a lieutenant tried to intimidate an officer who witnessed a colleague using excessive force into changing her account. The police internal affairs division did not sustain the allegation, but the county's Citizen Complaint Oversight Panel disagreed, saying there was sufficient proof of misconduct.

The complaint against the lieutenant is among the vast majority that would remain undisclosable to the public under the narrower versions of the public-records legislation.

"If we only focus on sustained complaints, we really won't get to the meat of what is going on with these internal processes," Sen. Jill Carter, D-Baltimore City, sponsor of the more expansive Senate bill, said during a committee work-group meeting ahead of its passage.

Even the Senatebill would not throw open the door for all police disciplinary records to become public. It would simply remove the blanket protection from disclosure provided by classifying them as public employee personnel records, which state law deems confidential.

Police officials could still withhold such records in many situations, including if disclosure would interfere with an ongoing investigation, deprive someone of the right to a fair trial or create an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Maryland's Fraternal Order of Police has opposed all the versions of the legislation submitted to the General Assembly, including the measure backed by the associations of police chiefs and sheriffs. "We don't believe that any non-sustained or unsustained cases should be disclosed to the public," said Michael Davey, representing the FOP at a legislative committee hearing last month.

Carter questioned the idea that releasing records would lead to smear campaigns and harassment of officers, pointing to the more than a dozen states that already allow most complaints to become public, along with other states that allow more-limited disclosures.

"Are you actually aware of any of the problems that you've brought out - your hypothetical problems that you foresee potentially - that have been the case in other states?" she asked Riverdale Park Police Chief David Morris during a committee hearing in January.

He did not offer any examples, nor has anyone else during various committee hearings since then.

New York recently repealed its law shielding disciplinary records from disclosure, and New York City police this week made public a searchable database of records that had been secret for decades.

Several unions had fought vigorously to prevent the disclosure, but a federal appeals court rejected their arguments, writing that "despite evidence that numerous other States make similar records available to the public, the Unions have pointed to no evidence from any jurisdiction that the availability of such records resulted in harm to employment opportunities."

Other states, such as Oregon, are also weighing whether to grant the public more access to such records.

For decades in Florida, investigations of alleged police misconduct have been deemed public once they are closed. Lisa Henning, legislative liaison for the Florida Fraternal Order of Police, said in an interview that she could not offer examples of officers getting smeared or harassed because such records are available.

"I've sat around and heard conversations that law enforcement officers hold in regards to when they have issues," she said. "There's a lot of extreme bullying on social media. But that is just part and parcel of where we're at as a society right now."

Does Florida's open-records law - which sprang from a traditionally conservative distrust of government - make it harder to attract officers to the state?

"No, I would not say that," she said. Officers there are more concerned about benefits, salary and other proposed police reform efforts, Henning said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.

New Delhi, March 5 : As the real estate sector emerges out of pandemic, the market for luxury smart homes and villas in India is thriving and demand has improved in the past three-four months, said Aditya Kushwaha, CEO & Director of Axis Ecorp.

He also noted that non-resident Indians (NRI) are looking forward to investing in the Indian real estate market.

"The market for luxury smart homes and villas is constantly thriving in the country. While in the year 2020, people were showing some resistance, but things have started getting better in the past three-four months," Kushwaha said.

He further noted that these properties can be rented out to homestays and tourism businesses, which is another booming market that promises an assured and stable source of income to investors.

Axis Ecorp recently announced the launch of its luxury smart service villa project, Axis Yog Villas, located in the Dodamarg taluka of North of Goa. The CEO noted that the company has witnessed "unprecedented interest" for the Axis Yog Villas.

"The project is pegged at the value of Rs 250 crore and we have set ourselves a target of garnering sales to the tunes of Rs 100 crores in the next six months. Given the response we are getting, it will not be surprising if we achieve this target sooner." He, further said that the company major project will be Axis Lake City, which will mark our entry into the eco-luxury space.

"In addition to this, we are gearing to launch Axis KNCJ (in Darjeeling) which will be our first project beyond the realms of Goa." He noted that the company plans to invest Rs 500 crore in the coming three years in these projects its major spending will be focused on this year.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Management has strong track record in discovery and M&A

Properties are 100% owned to leverage discovery upside

Mining friendly jurisdictions

What VR Resources does:

( ) (OTCMKTS:VRRCF) is a junior explorer, which is advancing assets in Nevada and Ontario - both mining-friendly jurisdictions. Notably, VR owns 100% of its properties.

The group's focus is to uncover, using new techniques, large copper-gold mineral systems, and the firm is continuing on from what was over four years of exploration in Nevada by a Vancouver-based private exploration company.

The firm's Big Ten epithermal gold property in the Walker Lane belt of Nevada comprises seven properties along a district-scale 20 kilometer (km) trend and multiple claims. The properties are the Hat Peak, Kano, Amsel, Danbo, Little Joe, Clipper and Fischer properties. There is easy access to power and rail and an international airport in Reno.

The focus has been on the hill at Amsel, which is a large topographical feature at the asset with a surface footprint defined by this 2 km x 2 km gold-silver soil anomaly.

After an increase, the Amsel property now consists of 66 claims covering 1,363 acres.

Elsewhere, the Bonita project in Nevada is a large porphyry copper-gold system discovered by VR with a 5 km by 7 km footprint and five to six specific targets. It covers 7,872 acres and has 381 claims. The firm believes the Bonita system to be similar to the nearby Yerington mine deposits, which have generated 162 million tonnes of 0.55% copper.

In Ontario, VR owns the previously unexplored Ranoke copper, gold project, which was staked by the firm in 2019 and is a large-scale iron oxide copper-gold target. Ranoke is a greenfield, blue-sky opportunity, the company says.The Hecla-Kilmer project, 35km away, is a direct extension of the ongoing exploration strategy at the Ranoke property towards a blue-sky discovery of a large footprint iron oxide - copper-gold hydrothermal breccia system.

Consisting of 360 contiguous claims covering 7,400 hectares, the Ranoke project lies15 km west of a CNR railway spur and is 25 km north of road access to Otter Rapids, an Ontario hydro-electric facility serviced by Highway 634.

How is it doing:

On March 2 this year, VR Resources said the first phase of a planned two-stage reverse circulation (RC) drill program was now underway at its Reveille silver-copper property in Nevada.

It comes as the junior awaits a permit for the nearby Amsel gold project to the north where it continues to plan for a drill program this summer.

Reveille lies along the same trend as Big Ten and the Amsel project.

VR's CEO Michael Gunning said the goal for Reveille was "simple", namely a greenfields discovery which identifies for the first time silver and copper mineralization "proximal to the source and driver to the overall CRD mineral system".

An induced polarization (IP) study at the property has been completed and inversion models and 3D voxels derived from the survey are expected in April this year.

Targets have been attained from detailed sampling and surveying and lie on the western side of this district-scale property for both silver-copper CRD mineralization, and for gold related to late, Carlin-style fluids, the firm has said.

On February 15, the firm announced the launch of a non-brokered flow-through (FT) private placement to raise a C$150,000 gross. VR said it will use the gross proceeds of the financing for exploration on its properties in Ontario, and more specifically for a detailed ground-based gravity geophysical survey at the Hecla-Kilmer (H-K) property near its Ranoke property in Ontario planned for March.

Also to follow-up to the results of the first pass drilling completed last fall, with the specific goal of identifying high-density copper sulfide concentrations within the newly discovered hydrothermal breccia system at H-K to target in the next phase of drilling.

Last year, the company sank four holes on the northern magnetic anomaly at the property for 1,971 metres (m) before the onset of winter.

A hydrothermal breccia and sulfide alteration system which comes to surface and has more than 600m of continuous vertical extent was seen in two drill holes.

In April 15 last year, the group told investors it had discovered new high-grade silver and gold mineralization at Amsel via a surface grab sample. The group found 4.1 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 311 g/t silver in the sample.

The sample was one of 135 grid samples collected systematically for alteration mineral mapping, as opposed to visible mineralization.

VR Resources has filed an NI 43-101 technical report on Amsel, including all data collected during 2018 and 2019, and recommends first-pass drilling of the untested target.

Inflection points:

Reveille exploration results

Permit for Amsel drilling

Precious metals moves

What the boss says:

In its most recent update to the market, CEO Michael Gunning told investors: "The targets are ready, the permit is in hand, the drill crew and rig are on site and the weather is terrific. Our strategy is simple: to provide our shareholders with the near-term upside potential of a copper silver discovery at Reveille this winter as we await the permit for our nearby Amsel gold project to the north where we continue to plan for a drill program this summer."

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
600,000 doses of Russian made Sputnik V vaccine arrived in Hungary on March 4 as the administration tightened restrictions to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The new vaccine is expected to speed up the countrys inoculation process and the administration has already claimed that it would rise to be the continents fastest by next week. Hungary, with a population of over 9.8 million, was the first country on the European continent to have approved the vaccine.

The new rules require all businesses to shut down for two weeks starting Monday, March 8. The new lockdown measure, however, exempts grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stores. The new regulations also affect the education sector, with primary schools remaining shut till April 7. The new restrictions come as the number of cases and deaths in Hungary approach their previous peaks set in December. On Thursday, 6,278 new infections were reported alongside 152 deaths.

Read: Slovakia Signs Deal To Acquire 2 Million Doses Of Sputnik V

Read: 'Most COVID-19 Deaths': Slovakia Coronavirus Deaths Surge Rapidly Due To UK Variant

Sputnik V in Slovakia

Slovakia, a member of the European Union started innovating its population in late December. However, the PM, in an attempt to speed up the process inked a deal with Russian authorities to secure 2 million doses of the vaccine. However, his move faced resistance from Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok who said that it was a tool in Russias hybrid war against the West. While Sputnik V has not applied for EUs approval, Slovakias deputy PM Veronika Remisova said that any vaccine to be used in the country would require approval by the bloc.

Read: Slovakia's Political Crisis Deepens As Coalition Partners Demand Cabinet Reconstruction

The Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine is based on a modified version of adenovirus, a common cold virus. The vector stripped of its disease-causing genes and modified to carry genetic instructions for making the coronavirus spike protein. This prompts the cells to cause an immune response which eventually protects against the SARS-CoV-2. Slovakia is the second European Union country to use the vaccine, which hasn't been approved by the European Medicines Agency, after Hungary.

Read: Slovakia Signs Deal To Acquire 2 Million Doses Of Sputnik V

Image: AP
[March 05, 2021] Davenport University Stages Second Drive-Through Commencement to Honor 2021 Graduates

Following a successful fall event, Davenport University is preparing to host its second drive-through commencement celebration, this time to recognize its 2021 graduates, on May 2. The commencement will be held at Davenport University's W.A. Lettinga Campus, located just outside of downtown Grand Rapids. Once again, students will be encouraged to bring their families and friends, wear their graduation cap and gown, hear commencement speeches, walk across the stage, receive their diploma cover and stand for a photo. "Student and community safety remains a top priority for all of us at Davenport," said Dr. Richard J. Pappas, president of Davenport University. "As we found in the fall, a drive-through ceremony is a creative way to honor our students for their hard work and success, while also allowing families and friends to celebrate our graduates' incredible achievements in person." Davenport University will recognize more than 1,400 graduates in 2021. This year's Davenport University graduates range in age between 17 and 71. Students will be earning degrees spanning from accounting to cybersecurity to occupational therapy, urban education and nursing with nearly 30 percent earning a graduate degree and anothe 70 percent earning an undergraduate degree.



"We're thrilled to recognize our graduates in an inclusive, safe, creative way," said Dr. Gilda Gely, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. "Our students have expressed their desire to gather in person to be recognized. While as a community we're making strides, we all agreed a drive-through commencement is once again the best approach to honor our graduates in person, while also protecting our Davenport community, friends and family, some of whom may be medically high-risk." On Sunday, May 2, students will line-up in their vehicles within the campus parking lot according to their colleges and, following commencement speeches, will join a processional and be called forward for recognition one at a time to ensure a safe and organized experience for all who attend.

Davenport is reaching out to each of its graduates to collect RSVPs for the event. Families are encouraged to ride along for the celebration or watch the event through a livestream at davenport.edu/commencement. Additional details will be available on davenport.edu/commencement in the next few weeks. About Davenport University: Founded in 1866, Davenport is a private, non-profit university serving about 7,500 students at campuses across Michigan and online. With tuition among the lowest of all private universities in the state, Davenport provides high academic quality, small class sizes, conveniently located campuses, faculty with real-world experience and more than 60 dynamic undergraduate and graduate programs addressing in-demand careers in business, technology, health professions and urban education. To learn more visit www.davenport.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005545/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Our team has many years of experience welcoming new employees from acquisitions. Their satisfaction during the process is our top priority.

Tucker Hill Air, Plumbing, & Electric, a leading provider of home services in the Phoenix, Arizona market, announced today the company's focus for 2021 on acquiring local companies providing plumbing, HVAC, and electrical home services.

The Tucker Hill executive team is actively seeking to connect with owners of home services companies with annual revenues from $1M to $20M to discuss acquisition opportunities.

Speaking about the company's new focus, Tucker Hill CEO Jeremy Prevost says, "The company has grown at a healthy rate over the past few years, enabling us to consider other avenues of expansion, such as an acquisition."

Prevost continues, "We are interested in companies that don't offer any new construction or home warranty services, to keep in line with Tucker Hill's current service offerings and business goals."

During an acquisition, the Tucker Hill management team strives to make a smooth transition in ownership and maintains a strong relationship with the previous owners once the transaction has been completed. New Tucker Hill employees receive a warm welcome and are oftentimes promoted to senior positions, depending on their experience and the availability of new positions.

Tucker Hill General Manager Ian Williams says, "Our team has many years of experience welcoming new employees from acquisitions. Their satisfaction during the process is our top priority."

Tucker Hill is an industry-leading home service provider with the experience and resources necessary to acquire other home service businesses. With every acquisition, Prevost and Williams support the growth of healthy businesses and ensure local customers receive the highest quality of service at competitive prices.

To learn more about Tucker Hill or to speak to Jeremy Prevost about selling your business, visit http://www.TuckerHillAZ.com.

About Tucker Hill: Tucker Hill is the industry leader in the Phoenix market for light commercial and residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services. Tucker Hill employs licensed, bonded and insured technicians are available 24/7 and are highly trained, background checked and experienced. Tucker Hill specializes in residential and commercial maintenance, repairs, and installation for all of your air conditioning, heating, plumbing and electrical systems. Tucker Hill is committed to industry leading customer service with daily training for both technicians and office staff. Tucker Hill Air, Plumbing & Electric protects and serves the seniors in all the areas it services.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La) speaks during the Senate Judiciary Committee on the fourth day of hearings on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, on Oct. 15, 2020. (Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump Endorses Louisiana Senator John Kennedy for Reelection

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) received a complete and total endorsement from former President Donald Trump on Thursday for his bid for reelection in 2022.

John Kennedy of the Great State of Louisiana is a spectacular Senator and person. He is a tireless advocate for the people of his state, and stands strongly with the forgotten men and women of our Country. Strong on energy independence, the military, our great vets, and the border, John has my Complete and Total Endorsement! Trump said in a statement distributed by the Save America political action committee.

Kennedy, a first-term senator, has expressed policy views that have aligned with Trumps agenda in many areas such as in immigration, health, and China. The Lousiana senator is also a strong pro-life advocate, where he has sponsored a handful of bills protecting unborn children in the first few weeks of the 117th Congress. He also joined 42 senators to vote to acquit Trump in the former presidents second impeachment trial.

He has also introduced legislation to address concerns about Beijing-supported Confucius Institutes that he characterized as propaganda centers that threaten academic liberty and free speech. The bill grants full control of what a Confucius Institute teaches, the activities it can do, research grants it can receive, and individuals it can employ to the universities that host them.

The Senate unanimously passed the bill on Thursday.

Im thankful for President Trumps endorsement of my re-election next year to the U.S. Senate. God bless our country! Kennedy said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

Since leaving office, Trump has issued a number of endorsements for several Republicans, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).

Trumps endorsements come as the GOP assesses its path forward post-Trump presidency.

While some Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have called for the party to move away from Trump, others argue that embracing the former president and his policies such as his America First agenda is the way forward.

The former president previously said he is currently dedicating his time to helping Republicans pave a path to victory in the 2022 and 2024 elections. He has been critical of McConnells leadership and has argued that the Republican Party wont be successful in the future with McConnell at the helm.

In a statement in February, Trump said he would back primary rivals who espouse Making America Great Again and our policy of America First.

Article updated to include a statement from Sen. John Kennedy.
Detroits marijuana ordinance took a long time to create and could take less time to undo, if a lawsuit challenging it succeeds.

The lawsuit seeks to invalidate Detroits carefully constructed retail marijuana licensing program designed to ensure city residents arent shut out by deep-pocketed outsiders before any recreational cannabis business opens its doors.

Prospective marijuana business owner Crystal Lowe in a civil lawsuit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court on Tuesday, March 2 claims the programs preferential residency requirements are illegal, a violation of both the state and federal constitutions.

If successful, Detroit leaders, whove already received criticism for being late to the recreational marijuana game, may be forced to start from scratch.

While Detroits recreational marijuana market works toward opening this summer or fall, other communities, like Ann Arbor, have a significant head start, with dozens of licensed businesses already in operation.

Related: Michigan communities to split $10 million in tax revenue

As if prepared for the possibility of a legal challenge, Detroits 48-page licensing ordinance passed unanimously by City Council in November states no license will be issued or renewed if any portion of the law is struck down or deemed unconstitutional.

Rather than open the city to recreational marijuana business out of the gate in December 2019, Detroit lawmakers spent nearly a year creating a framework that benefits Detroit legacy applicants.

Legacy applicants are those who have lived in the city for 15 of the last 30 years; have lived in the city for 13 of the last 30 years and are low income; or have lived in the city for 10 of the last 30 years and have a marijuana conviction or a parent with a marijuana conviction.

The intent of the ordinance aligns with the state marijuana law that voters passed in 2018. The law includes support for the concept of social equity, with the intention of supporting or at least to avoid penalizing anyone whos been negatively impacted by prior marijuana prohibition.

Lowe, according to the lawsuit filed on her behalf by attorney Kevin M. Blair of the Lansing-based Honigman law firm, doesnt qualify as a Detroit legacy resident despite living in the city for 11 of the last 30 years.

Lowe, 33, hopes to open a marijuana store in the city but will almost certainly be denied that opportunity based on the framework that gives preferential treatment to legacy Detroiters and existing medical marijuana businesses, the lawsuit said.

Detroit is allowing up to 75 retailers to open in the city, but half must be owned by qualifying legacy residents.

Legacy residents also receive a 99% discount on licensing fees in 2021, a 75% discount on licensing fees in 2022, and the opportunity to purchase city-owned land for 25% of the market value.

The city plans to review legacy business applications between May 1 and June 15, existing medical businesses applications between June 16 and July 31; and the rest of the applications, including Lowes, beginning in August.

According to the lawsuit, its almost certain the city will award all 75 licenses to legacy applicants before it even considers any non-legacy applicants.

For the first five years, any legacy resident awarded a license may only transfer or sell to another qualified legacy resident.

This creates a significant and long-lasting hurdle preventing non-Detroit legacy applicants from obtaining a license, the complaint said.

The lawsuit alleges the ordinance violates the Michigan Constitution, which ensures no person shall be denied the equal protections of laws and the U.S. Constitution Commerce Clause, which blocks states from creating laws infringing on interstate commerce.

The lawsuit asks a judge to conduct a speedy hearing to stop Detroits licensing process and declare the ordinance invalid. However, the first hearing, a status conference, is currently scheduled June 1, nearly 15 days after the review process will have already begun.

MLive is hosting a series of Michigan-focused, online Cannabis Industry Insights events in 2021. The first of three is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on March 11, featuring Marijuana Regulatory Agency Director Andrew Brisbo and discussion about raising capital and securing assets to join the growing industry. More information and tickets are available here.

More on MLive:

Michigan communities to split $10 million in tax revenue

Glimpse inside recreational retail experience

Marijuana stock market may be coming to Michigan

New taxes, stock market proposed to boost minority investment

Michigan to increase access to marijuana market

Michigan businesses licensed tow grow over 500,000 plants

Marijuana thrives in market changed by the coronavirus

Spouses of licensees may be able to work for government

A prior marijuana conviction could be a good thing
Andrew Cakebread, 36, from Maidstone in Kent, was jailed yesterday

A porn-addicted school IT technician has been jailed for nearly three years for setting up spyware on laptops given to staff and pupils.

Andrew Cakebread, 36, from Maidstone in Kent, amassed almost 7,000 videos of colleagues and their families both at work and at home during his ten years in employment.

The surreptitious footage captured three female members of staff in a state of undress, and also filmed their family members, including children.

Pupils were only recorded in the school environment, however, and only when using a laptop in the classroom.

Cakebread also set up a covert camera in a school toilet, recording eight female staff members and one male, a court heard on Thursday

His deviant behaviour at the unnamed school was discovered after police raided his home in February 2019 in connection to the downloading of images showing the abuse of children as young as 12 months old.

Analysis of his computer devices revealed 6,724 videos of 25 members of staff, past and present, and 79 webcam videos. Twelve were filmed in their homes and three videos of three women contained nudity.

Cakebread could even be seen setting up the covert camera in the school toilet.

Police also found 2,506 indecent images, both stills and movies depicting all levels of abuse against children aged between one year and 14 years of age, which he had downloaded from the internet.

Cakebread pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent images, one of voyeurism and one of computer misuse allowing unauthorised access.

Jailing him at Maidstone Crown Court Judge Stephen Thomas said had the law allowed, the sentence would have been greater to mark the 'disgraceful privacy breach' and harm caused.

He told Cakebread: 'Your colleagues trusted you all the time you were betraying that trust and planning to betray that trust.

'The maximum sentence does skant justice to the extent of what you did and the harm that you caused.

'It was planned, it was persistent, and involved multiple victims over a prolonged period of time.

Jailing him at Maidstone Crown Court (pictured) Judge Stephen Thomas said had the law allowed, the sentence would have been greater to mark the 'disgraceful privacy breach' and harm caused

'You did it for the purpose of sexual gratification and, I've no doubt, in the hope of viewing them in compromising situations.

'It does not require a great deal of imagination to know how they feel, as every right-thinking member of the public would feel if they had been spied on and their privacy and that of their families so disgracefully breached.'

The maximum sentences for offences of both voyeurism and installing of spyware is two years' imprisonment.

Cakebread was given sentences of four months and 10 months respectively, plus 16 months for the indecent images offences, with all to run consecutively.

Prosecutor Jonathan Edwards told the court that Cakebread's home was raided by police on February 6, 2019, and he immediately confessed to viewing child abuse images online.

Analysis also uncovered both encryption and deletion software in a bid to conceal his sick interest.

But Mr Edwards said the investigation went on to reveal the numerous secret school recordings, mainly of adult females, but also some children, working on laptops and unaware they were being filmed.

He told the court: 'Staff were allocated laptops as part of their employment which they were able to use both at work and home.

'This defendant installed software onto these laptops that was able to record video footage through the built-in webcam on the laptop itself.

'Consequently, they were completely unaware of its existence prior to the police investigation.

'He misused the control and trust he was given in the school IT system and installed that software for his own use and without permission.'

It was also discovered that despite leaving his job following his arrest, the spyware continued to film on one laptop.

Although all the victims captured by the covert camera toilet footage could be clearly seen and identifiable by their faces, there was no evidence that the recordings or any of the material filmed by Cakebread was shared with others, said the prosecutor.

Analysis of his computer devices revealed 6,724 videos of 25 members of staff, past and present, and 79 webcam videos. Twelve were filmed in their homes and three videos of three women contained nudity (file image)

He was again arrested in March last year and admitted having a sexual interest in female children, particularly when urinating, and that he found adult pornography 'boring'.

Cakebread said having installed the spyware, he recorded continuously. He would then copy the footage onto a work laptop and then a USB stick.

He also revealed he would perform a sex act on himself when watching the footage of people getting undressed.

Victim impact statements from the principal, a teaching assistant and other staff members at the school, said to cater for pupils aged five to 19, were provided to the court but not read out loud.

Craig Evans, defending, said Cakebread was a 'socially awkward and isolated' man with an entrenched interest in adult pornography from the age of 10, and then child abuse images while still in his early teens.

He told the court he had turned to downloading and voyeurism 'to almost fill a void in his life', but said Cakebread had not sought employment at the school to bring him into contact with children.

'The offending was prolonged but it didn't progress beyond that distanced voyeurism,' said Mr Evans.

'He had no intention to harm or hurt others...but accepts harm has flowed from his actions and is sorry.'

Cakebread, who has no previous convictions, will have to sign on the sex offender register for life on his release from prison.
With the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) sunsetting this year, many credit unions are looking to transition their suite of financial products away from the LIBOR index and to a new index. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is still in the process of implementing new rules to assist credit unions in the LIBOR transition. Because credit unions are expected to transition all LIBOR-based products to a new index, some credit unions are using this as an opportunity to transfer even non-LIBOR based products to a different index to standardize the index used across the range of the credit unions products. This blog specifically addresses obstacles a credit union may have in transitioning non-LIBOR indexes.

For non-home secured open-end lines of credit, such as credit cards, section 1026.9(c)requires 45 days advance notice for changes to significant account terms, which includes how the rate is determined. The regulation would allow the credit union to change the index for non-home secured open-end lines of credit through a change-in-terms notice. However, for HELOCs, section 1026.40(f)(3) prohibits the credit union from changing any term of the HELOC agreement (including the index) except in specific situations.

Section 1026.40(f)(3)(ii) states that a credit union may not change any term of a HELOC except to change the index and margin used under the plan if the original index is no longer available, the new index has an historical movement substantially similar to that of the original index, and the new index and margin would have resulted in an annual percentage rate substantially similar to the rate in effect at the time the original index became unavailable. The regulation would only allow the credit union to change the index when the original index is no longer available. If the credit union is looking to change the current index to a new index to match the rest of the credit unions products, the regulation would prohibit this change because the original index is still available.
ALBANY  A handful of Gov. Cuomos fellow Democrats have called on him to step down amid mounting sexual harassment allegations.

New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) said Thursday shes poised to join in the chorus should another woman come forward with claims against the governor.

Any further people coming forward, I would think it would be time for him to resign, she told Spectrums Capital Tonight. Quite honestly, I am so, so disappointed that here we are in 2021 and we are having these conversations on the heels of #MeToo.

Dozens of Dems have already said Cuomo should resign in recent days as three women have come forward and detailed allegations of sexual harassment against the governor.

Stewart-Cousins, who revealed she has not spoken with the governor since the allegations were made public, had previously said whether Cuomo steps down should depend upon the results of a probe being conducted by Attorney General Letitia James office.

Cuomo said Wednesday during a press conference that he is sorry for whatever pain Ive caused anyone. I never intended it. And I will be better for this experience.

The governor, who has denied physically assaulting anyone, said he felt embarrassed, but has no plans to resign.

Asked about her relationship with the governor as the Legislature prepares to negotiate the state budget ahead of the April 1 deadline, Stewart-Cousins said she struggles with the fact that allegations of harassment are an issue in 2021.

I am at a place, and we are all at this place, where its always hard when you think something is resolved, and find that there is still so much work to do, she said. I applaud women who have been through this for coming forward.

It wasnt clear how Stewart-Cousins determined that four accusers would be a turning point, which was noted by Sen. Thomas OMara (R-Chemung County) during a floor discussion Friday on a measure rolling back Cuomos pandemic authority.

Since when does zero-tolerance require four victims? OMara said.
Mar. 4ENID, Okla.  As Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 895 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, a new study ranked Oklahoma the 35th safest state during the pandemic and showed the state is 6th in vaccination rank.

The WalletHub study compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across five key metrics graded on a 100-point scale, including vaccination rate, positive testing rate, hospitalization rate, death rate and transmission rate.

The positive testing rate, hospitalization rate and death rate all refer to rates in the state between Feb. 24 and March 2. The vaccination rate refers to those 16 and older initiating vaccination, and estimated transmission rate refers to the current COVID-19 reproduction number, which is an "estimate of the average number of people to whom an infected person will transmit the COVID-19 virus," the study said.

According to the study, the Sooner State scored 54.02 points, and although it ranked 50th in highest death rate, it ranked fourth in lowest transmission rate.

WalletHub divided the states and D.C. into four categories: high COVID-19 death rate and low vaccination rate; low COVID-19 death rate and low vaccination rate; low COVID-19 death rate and high vaccination rank; and high COVID-19 death rate and high vaccination rank.

The Sooner State falls into the high COVID-19 death rate and high vaccination rank, coming in at 6th in vaccination rank behind Alaska, New Mexico, South Dakota, North Dakota and Connecticut. Last week,

The safest state, according to the study, is Alaska, and the least safest is Virginia. The study also showed that red states (more Republican) are safer than blue states (more Democratic) during COVID-19.

Matthew Boulton, a panel expert from the study, said a few measures people can take to ensure safety in their communities and contribute to the overall path of recovery in their state include continuing to social distance, wear masks and avoid congregate setting to the extent possible.

Story continues

"We are approaching the end game for control of the pandemic now that a vaccine is available, but it is critically important that people do not drop their guard; they need to continue doing what they have been doing to protect themself and their families," Boulton said in the study. "They also should sign up for COVID vaccination and have it administered as soon as it becomes available to them."

According to OSDH's Weekly Epidemiology and Surveillance Report, which is released every Friday, from Feb. 19-25, 17.9% of people 16 and older and 55.2% of people 65 and older have received the first dose of the vaccination in Garfield County.

OSDH also showed last week that 9.7% of people 16 and older and 31.9% of people 65 and older have completed the vaccine administrations series.

Daily update

Oklahoma reported 895 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday. The 0.2% increase brought the cumulative total of positive cases to 426,641, with 12,379 active, a single-day increase of 131, and 409,728 recovered, including 765 since Wednesday's report, according to OSDH.

The total number of deaths on oklahoma.gov/covid19 remained at 4,534 as OSDH switched to a new way of reporting the state deaths on Wednesday in order to provide a more timely picture of the disease's impact in the state.

According to the CDC/NCHS's Provisional Death Count, which is based on death certificates, the count was at 7,122 on Thursday. The CDC shows that Oklahoma has 3,983 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 561 probable deaths, bringing the total to 4,544.

OSDH's previous methodology counted deaths after an epidemiological investigation in Acute Disease Service, and both systems are correct, but each has its own pros and cons, said Jared Taylor, interim state epidemiologist in a statement.

"As cases increased toward the end of 2020, our investigating epidemiologists began encountering larger numbers of incomplete records requiring in-depth investigation," Taylor said. "This has resulted in an increasing difference between the OSDH death count and the one reported by CDC."

Taylor said both the CDC and ADS numbers will still be available, but the CDC number will be OSDH's primary reported number. OSDH will also continue its case investigation process through ADS and state epidemiologists, but the change will provide the most up-to-date and transparent information and will align with the CDC.

"Transparency and access to data is the priority here, and we feel this change is best to keep our state accountable to all Oklahomans during the ongoing fight against COVID-19," Taylor said. "Every single death in Oklahoma is a tragedy, and every single life has been and will be counted and remembered as we endure this pandemic."

The ADS disease investigation data is sill available on the dashboard, but the deaths count will only be updated every Tuesday. OSDH is working on adding the CDC/NCHS Provisional Death Data to the dashboard.

Cumulative COVID-19-positive hospitalizations in Oklahoma stood at 24,103 Thursday, according to OSDH. Of that number, 366 currently are hospitalized, with 109 in ICU, according to OSDH's Executive Report released Thursday evening.

In Enid, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center reported it was treating one COVID-19 patient and had no new deaths. Integris Bass Baptist Health Center reported Thursday it had three patients and also had no deaths.

Cases in Garfield County increased by four Thursday for a total of 7,593, with 189 active and 7,326, or 96.5%, recovered, according to OSDH. The majority of the cases  6,712, or 88.4%  have been in Enid, which reported 178 active cases and 6,464 recovered.

Of the county's 78 deaths, 70 have been in Enid, according to OSDH city data. Five have been in Lahoma and one each in Fairmont, Garber and Covington. Deaths listed by ZIP code on the OSDH website has Enid with 69 deaths.

There have been 2,938 cases, with 2,812 recovered and 37 deaths, from the 73701 ZIP code, primarily the eastern half of Enid, and 3,684 cases, with 3,568 recovered and 32 deaths, from 73703, or the western half, according to OSDH data on Thursday. There were 39 cases with 38 recovered in the 73705 ZIP code, listed as Vance Air Force Base.

Other Northwest Oklahoma county case increases Thursday included four each in Kingfisher and Woodward, two each in Blaine and Grant and one each in Noble and Woods. No cases were reported in Alfalfa and Major counties.

Northwest Oklahoma

COVID-19 data per other Northwest Oklahoma counties released Thursday by OSDH:

Woodward with 3,091 cases, 3,000 recovered, 73 active and 18 deaths, 12 from Woodward, three from Mooreland, two from Fort Supply and one from Sharon.

Kingfisher with 1,993 cases, 1,924 recovered, 45 active and 24 deaths, 11 from Kingfisher, seven from Hennessey, four from Okarche and two from Dover.

Noble with 1,351 cases, 1,289 recovered, 49 active and 13 deaths, including eight from Perry, two from Red Rock and one each from Billings, Marland and Morrison.

Woods with 1,186 cases, 1,157 recovered, 18 active and 11 deaths, nine from Alva and two not listed by town.

Alfalfa with 1,149 cases, 1,134 recovered, 10 active and five deaths, though city data shows seven: two each from Aline, Carmen and Helena and one from Cherokee.

Blaine with 1,000 cases, 955 recovered, 37 active and eight deaths, two from Canton and one from Watonga. Five are listed in Hydro, which Blaine shares with Caddo County, and one in Geary, which Blaine shares with Canadian.

Major with 939 cases, 910 recovered, 17 active and 12 deaths, eight from Fairview, one each from Cleo Springs and Ringwood and two not listed by town.

Grant with 538 cases, 521 recovered, 10 active and seven deaths, three from Wakita and one each from Deer Creek, Lamont, Medford and Nash.

BREAKING NEWS on the COVID-19 threat and its impact is available at https://www.enidnews.com/virus and is free for all readers. That includes information on closings and cancellations.

All breaking news is fully accessible on the Enid News & Eagle website.

Get full-access breaking news via text alerts at https://enidnews.com/textalerts.

For more local, state, national and global COVID-19 pandemic news, go to https://enidnews.com/news/covid19.

Information also can be found at https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/ and https://www.cdc.gov/.

Kelci McKendrick is police and court reporter for the Enid News & Eagle.

Have a question about this story? Do you see something we missed? Do you have a story idea for Kelci? Send an email to kelcim@enidnews.com.
President Biden plans to meet this month with the leaders of Japan, Australia and India in a virtual summit of the so-called Quad, according to people familiar with the matter.

Why it matters: By putting a Quad meeting on the presidents schedule, the White House is signaling the importance of partnerships and alliances to counter Chinas growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

Biden has spoken with each leader individually, but putting them together gives an early boost to the burgeoning group, which some have suggested could grow into an Asian version of NATO.

Last month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined a virtual summit of Quad foreign ministers.

They offered a veiled criticism of China by pledging to strongly oppose unilateral and forceful attempts to change the status quo in the context of the East and South China Sea.

The White House declined to confirm the upcoming meeting.

The big picture: The Quad, a security dialogue among four of the regions biggest democracies, was first established in 2007. It quickly lost its luster, in part because Australia and India were reluctant to take any action that might antagonize China.

The Trump administration embraced the Quad concept, as the four countries grew more comfortable coordinating their security postures and more concerned about Chinas rise.

One month before the 2020 election, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flew to a summit in South Korea to rail against Chinas exploitation, corruption and coercion.

Between the lines: President Obama implemented the "Pivot to Asia," complementing the United States' traditional focus on European alliances with new ones in the Pacific region.

President Trump abandoned his predecessor's Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal but embraced the Quad.

Now, Biden is carrying on. After he spoke with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February, the White House said the leaders would work toward a stronger regional architecture through the Quad.

More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
[March 05, 2021] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces Investigation of Washington Prime Group, Inc. (WPG) on Behalf of Investors

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behalf of Washington Prime Group, Inc. ("WPG" or the "Company") (NYSE: WPG) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of the federal securities laws. If you suffered a loss on your WPG investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at https://www.glancylaw.com/cases/washington-prime-group-inc/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On February 16, 2021, WPG disclosed that its operating partnership, Washington Prime Group, L.P. ("WPG L.P."), had "elected to withhold an interest payment of $23.2 million due on February 15, 2021 with respect to WPG L.P.'s outstanding Senior Notes due 2024," and that "WPG L.P. has a 30-day grace period to make the interest payment before such non-payment constitutes an 'event of default.'" The Company further advised that, in an event of default, certain counterparties to th senior notes "could accelerate the outstanding indebtedness due . . . making such indebtedness due and payable, which would result in a cross-default with respect to some of WPG L.P.'s or the Company's other indebtedness."



On this news, the Company's stock price fell $4.59, or 38%, to close at $7.49 per share on February 16, 2021, thereby injuring investors. Then, on March 4, 2021, Bloomberg (News - Alert) reported that WPG "is preparing a potential bankruptcy filing as time runs out to avert default after it skipped an interest payment on its debt, according to people with knowledge of the plans."

On this news, the Company's stock price fell $3.77, or 60%, to close at $2.51 per share on March 4, 2021, thereby injuring investors further. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Whistleblower Notice: Persons with non-public information regarding WPG should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC (News - Alert) Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email shareholders@glancylaw.com. About GPM Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP is a premier law firm representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. ISS Securities Class Action Services has consistently ranked GPM in its annual SCAS Top 50 Report. In 2018, GPM was ranked a top five law firm in number of securities class action settlements, and a top six law firm for total dollar size of settlements. With four offices across the country, GPM's nearly 40 attorneys have won groundbreaking rulings and recovered billions of dollars for investors and consumers in securities, antitrust, consumer, and employment class actions. GPM's lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct including cases involving financial restatements, internal control weaknesses, earnings management, fraudulent earnings guidance and forward looking statements, auditor misconduct, insider trading, violations of FDA regulations, actions resulting in FDA and DOJ investigations, and many other forms of corporate misconduct. GPM's attorneys have worked on securities cases relating to nearly all industries and sectors in the financial markets, including, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, real estate and REITs, financial, insurance, information technology, health care, biotech, cryptocurrency, medical devices, and many more. GPM's past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times (News - Alert), Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters, the Associated Press, Barron's, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, and Money. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005063/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
With a background in real estate and the building sector, I am not new to standardization and have seen the great benefits it can bring. I have also seen how much can be gained from applying standards like the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 series. Over the years, I have seen first-hand that ISO adopters have higher rates of corporate survival, sales, employment growth and wage increases, than non-adopters. The transparency that results from good management practices provides value in three ways. It allows customers to see what is happening so they have the confidence to make purchasing decisions, it allows organizations to confirm that what they intend to do is being done, and it allows stakeholders to know what is expected of them and what they need to do.

We need to understand and appreciate the value of International Standards not only for the building sector, which I know inside out, but also for the global economy as a whole. Without standards to support our society, the world the way we know it would no longer exist. Among so many other things, standards are a passport to trade, enabling better business practice while affording consumer protection.

Regarding my new role as ISO President, some of the most valuable insights I can bring will be those gained as Chair of different Boards and organizations. They have taught me the strategic value of standards and the importance of reaching a common ground. As I have become immersed in standards management, I have broadened my awareness of how a national standards body works and how it collaborates with its peers at the international, European and national level. With over 35 years of professional experience, I hope to use this knowledge to its full potential in my new role.
He thinks that if individuals get COVID-19 after being vaccinated, the level of virus in their system likely will be substantially lower than it would be in a person who hasnt been vaccinated. Theres a study from Israel that strongly suggests that. But were doing a study now to try and nail that down, and if in fact we find that out, then youre going to see a pulling back on some of the restrictions, but were not there yet.
Its tough to take Premier Brian Pallister seriously when he complains about being shortchanged by Ottawa on health-care funding.

Its tough to take Premier Brian Pallister seriously when he complains about being shortchanged by Ottawa on health-care funding.

Manitoba receives the highest per capita share of federal transfer payments west of New Brunswick, and has for some time.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Without those generous payouts, Pallister would not have come close to balancing the books in 2019-20.

It has little reason to protest. Without those generous payouts, Pallister would not have come close to balancing the books in 2019-20.

Manitoba is set to receive $4.839 billion from Ottawa in total transfer payments in 2021-22. Thats up $264 million from last year, a 5.8 per cent increase. Its a significant jump.

It also doesnt include the hundreds of millions Ottawa has poured into the province for pandemic relief over the past year through direct payments to individuals, businesses, not-for-profits, and municipalities.

Federal transfers are made up of three major payments: equalization, Canada Health Transfer, and Canada Social Transfer. While only the CHT is earmarked specifically for health care, the reality is all three go into the provinces general revenues and can be spent on whatever it wishes.

Add them all up, and Manitoba gets more than almost any other province.

Its per capita allocation this year is $3,477, well above the national average of $2,181, and behind only New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Equalization makes up the bulk of those transfers. Its constitutionally guaranteed for provinces with less economic capacity. For Manitoba, it's been a windfall.

The province now gets almost $1 billion more a year in equalization than it did when the Progressive Conservative party came to power in 2016.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The province now gets almost $1 billion more a year in equalization than it did when the Progressive Conservative party came to power in 2016.

Its an amount Pallister rarely makes reference to  because it undermines his argument Ottawa is not paying its share of health-care costs. The reality is, much of the $2.7 billion Manitoba will receive in equalization this year will be used to fund health care.

Even CHT payments have increased at a reasonable rate since the Tories came to power. The annual payment jumped to $1.56 billion this year from $1.31 billion in 2016  an average increase of 3.5 per cent.

Pallister says Ottawas share of what the provinces spend on heath care has been falling. That may be true over time, if only CHT payments are included in the calculation. Even then, the CHT has increased slightly from 19.7 per cent of Manitoba's health-care spending in 2015-16 to 21.4 per cent in 2019-20.

When equalization is added to the mix, Ottawa is paying a far greater share of the provinces health-care bill than Pallister is willing to admit.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz On Thursday, Canadas premiers continued to demand more health-care dollars from Ottawa.

On Thursday, Canadas premiers continued to demand more health-care dollars from Ottawa.

They make the same complaint every year: the federal government is supposed to be an equal partner in Canadas universal health-care system, yet it's not paying its fair share. It doesnt matter how much more Ottawa doles out, its never enough.

Provinces such as Saskatchewan that dont receive equalization payments may have more to complain about (although presumably they have the fiscal capacity to pay more of their health-care costs on their own).

As for Manitoba, its been getting more than its share from Ottawa over the past five years.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld It doesnt matter how much more Ottawa doles out, its never enough.

In 2015-16, when the Tories took office, the province received $3.346 billion in total transfer payments from Ottawa. That's projected to jump to $4.839 billion in 2021-22, an average annual increase of 6.3 per cent.

The federal cash has gone a long way to help fund Manitobas $7.46-billion health-care budget. It also made it possible for the Pallister government to cut the PST and some other taxes.

Without it, the provincial government would be announcing a far bigger deficit at the end of this fiscal year (which ends March 31) than expected.

If anything, Pallister should be thanking Ottawa.

tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca
This file photo shows a hole cut into Southern California's border fence with Mexico on March 3, 2021. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP)

10,000 Illegal Immigrants Apprehended in 1 Week in Single Border Sector: Texas Congressman

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), whose Congressional district lies near the U.S.-Mexico border, warned that more than 10,000 illegal immigrants have been apprehended in a single border sector in Texas in about a week.

We are weeks, maybe even days, away from a crisis on the southern border. Inaction is simply not an option, the Texas Democrat said in a news release on Thursday. Our country is currently unprepared to handle a surge in migrants in the middle of the pandemic.

In recent days, Cuellar has issued warnings about what appears to be a looming humanitarian crisis at the border, adding that it will spread COVID-19 in southern Texas and other border communities. But now, his office has released figures showing Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley arrested about 10,000 illegal immigrants in the past week alone, according to the release, while adding that some 2,500 illegal immigrants have been apprehended in the past two days since the press statement was released.

According to Border Patrol data, agents also apprehended 5,700 unaccompanied child illegal immigrants in January.

Illegal immigrants are potentially exposing border communities to the coronavirus and putting us at risk, Cuellar said. Right now, none of the migrants are being tested for COVID-19 by Border Patrol.

As a border representative, I will continue to fight in Washington for my community to ensure they have the necessary funding and resources to properly care for these migrants and to keep American families safe. I urge the Biden administration to listen and work with the communities on the southern border who are dealing with the surge of migrants, he added.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Cuellars office for comment on whether President Joe Bidens administration has responded to his calls for action.

Cuellar isnt the only Texas member of Congress who is sounding the alarm. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, another Democrat, did not mince words in how he described the current White Houses immigration policy and said a proposed bill is catastrophic.

I can assure you, it wont be long before we have tens of thousands of people showing up to our border, and itll be catastrophic for our country, for my region, for my district, he told CNN. In the middle of a pandemic, in an area where weve lost over 3,000 people in my small congressional district  I think we need to have a better plan in place.

Biden administration officials have said that the border situation is not yet a crisis but is rather a challenge.

What we are seeing now at the border is the immediate result of the dismantlement of the system and the time that it takes to rebuild it virtually from scratch, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters, suggesting that the previous administration was at fault.
Flashback Friday is here, and we are all set to take you down memory lane. In today's flashback feature, we bring an interview of Aamir Khan, wherein he had narrated a sweet incident related to the legendary Jackie Chan, and how the latter helped him during his China visit.

In 2015, Aamir visited China to promote his film PK and got a chance to meet Jackie at the Indo-China convention. In conversation with Rediff, when Aamir was asked to share his experience about meeting the popular martial artist, he had said that he had a lovely time interacting with him.

Recalling his meet with him, the 3 Idiots actor said, "I met him at the Indo China convention. In fact, he became my interpreter and explained what the other gentlemen were saying as my interpreter ran away (laughs). He invited me for dinner later so I spent the entire evening with him. He was warm and cordial and we discussed our films."

In the same interview, Aamir also revealed that he has been a big fan of Jackie Chan since 1988.

ALSO READ: Aamir Khan Shelves His Dream Project Mahabharat? Read On

"When Jackie's film Police Story 2 released in India, I had gone to see it in New Talkies in Bandra. That theatre no longer exists. I liked it so much that I bought another ticket and saw it back to back! He is not only an action hero but is good at comedy too. As a performer, he is simply brilliant," averred the Dil Chahta Hai actor.

Cut to present, with respect to work, Aamir will next be seen in Laal Singh Chaddha. The film is a Hindi remake of Hollywood classic Forrest Gump. Directed by Advait Chauhan, the film also casts Kareena Kapoor Khan in a key role and is slated to hit the theatres by the end of 2021.

ALSO READ: Aamir Khan To Be Seen In A Super Chill, Casual, Hipster Look In This Upcoming Song; Read Here For More Details


Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.

Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Legal Counsel for President Donald Trump, Alan Dershowitz speaks during impeachment proceedings against U.S. President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 27, 2020. (Senate Television via Getty Images)

Alan Dershowitz: All Americans Need to Fight Cancel Culture

Harvard Law professor emeritus said that cancel culture needs to be fought by all Americans, after a House subcommittee last week held a hearing to discuss disinformation and extremism in the media.

Dershowitz, who notably defended former President Donald Trump during his first impeachment trial last year, said that Americans who subscribe to all political viewpointsincluding liberalsshould be pushing back. The House subcommittee specifically aimed at cable and satellite carriers that give a voice to conservative-leaning networks.

I hope all Americans wake up to this, Dershowitz told Newsmax on Thursday. I hope its not just the shoe is on the other foot test. Now, the conservatives are the victims of cancel culture so theyre big supporters of the Constitution and constitutional rights. During McCarthyism, it was the left that were the victims, and the right were the oppressors.

Going further, he stated that we need both the right, the left, and also the center to stand united against censorship, against cancel culture, and in favor of the marketplace of ideas.

We have the right to flip the channel if we dont like whats on Newsmax. Change the channel, but dont tell the carriers, the satellite carriers, and the cable carriers, to deny us the right to watch Newsmax. That is wrong, he remarked.

Last month, Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Jerry McEnerney (D-Calif.) sent letters in which they asked whether cable providers should carry Newsmax, Fox News, or One America News Network. The letter was panned by Republicans, who argued that the question suggested that some Democratic lawmakers are seeking to impose authoritarian means on what can and cannot be published. This comes on the heels of a rash of censorship and deplatforming of prominent conservatives by Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Amazon.

A recent poll from Harvard CAPS-Harris found that about 64 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of cancel culture, which is a form of ostracism in which someone is removed from social circles or their job. The concept has also increasingly been applied to books and movies.

This week, the organization that oversees childrens book author Dr. Seusss legacy moved to stop publishing six of his books due to allegedly racist or offensive imagery and depictions. The move drew widespread backlash online.

Americans are showing increased and substantial concern about the growth of cancel culture, said Mark Penn, the director of the Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey, reported The Hill. Tech companies beware that the public sees them of acting out of bias tilted towards the Democrats and voters are calling for new regulations to ensure fairness and openness. Amazon, in particular, still has a strong image compared to Facebook and Twitter, but that image may start to erode if they expand the banning of books on their platform.
LA City Council Finalizes $5 Hero Pay Emergency Ordinance

The Los Angeles City Council today finalized an emergency ordinance to require large grocery and pharmacy retailers to offer employees an additional $5 per hour in hazard pay amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council members last week approved the ordinance on a 14-1 vote  but a unanimous vote was needed for passage on first reading. During the second reading, a dozen yes votes were required for approval and the measure was again approved 14-1, with Councilman John Lee reaffirming his dissent.

The $5 hazard pay will be required for all non-managerial employees at grocery or drug retail stores with more than 300 employees nationwide, or more than 10 employees on-site, as well as retail stores, such as Walmart and Target, that dedicate 10% of their sales floor to groceries or drug retail.

ADVERTISEMENT

The hazard pay will be given in addition to employees base wages for the next 120 days. According to a report by Los Angeles chief legislative analyst, which cited ZipRecruiter, the average grocery store worker in Los Angeles earns $17.51 an hour.Fair compensation is the very least that our grocery store workers deserve after all they have done for us, Council President Nury Martinez, who introduced the original motion with Councilman Mitch OFarrell, said during the councils discussion of the ordinance last week.

Cashiers, stockers, baggers and so many more have risked their lives every day since March making minimum wage to make sure we have everything we need to stay safely at home to get through this crisis, she said. While these companies have seen massive profits, it has not trickled down to their employees. These companies can afford to pay the hazard pay, they just dont

want to.

During Mayor Eric Garcettis COVID-19 briefing last week, he affirmed his support for the ordinance.

I absolutely 100% support the hero pay for our grocery workers, and with any good conscience, it shouldnt raise food prices because grocery stores are one area that have record profits, more money than theyve had before, Garcetti said. I hope they will see this and maybe be inspired by it instead of being threatened by it.

The Board of Supervisors on Feb. 23 adopted an urgency ordinance to require $5 additional pay for national grocery and drug retail employers in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Long Beach also enacted a $4 hazard pay ordinance, which was challenged in court. Kroger announced last month that it would close two of its Long Beach stores  a Ralphs location and a Food4Less store  in response to the ordinance.

The California Grocers Association filed federal lawsuits against Long Beach, West Hollywood and Montebello, seeking to declare hazard pay mandated by those cities as invalid and unconstitutional, contending that grocers will not be able to absorb the additional pay without raising prices, closing stores, reducing hours or laying off employees. A federal judge denied the associations bid to temporarily overturn the Long Beach ordinance.

Los Angeles chief legislative analyst determined that potential economic impacts of the ordinance include temporary increases of labor costs as a percentage of the companys sales, potential higher prices for consumers, potentially delayed store openings, renovations and wage increases or promotions for employees, potential pressure on struggling stores that could lead to stores closing and reduced hours for some employees.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, the chief legislative analyst also determined that the higher wages could also benefit other city businesses, as more people would have extra money to buy additional goods. It could also help people pay down their debts and increase their savings.

As the CLA (chief legislative analyst) report makes clear, this ordinance comes with trade-offs for both retailers and employees, pros and cons with anything we do, but it should be appreciated that this effort is a temporary measure that increases wages of our grocery and retail workers, Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas said before the measures first reading. I want to underscore that it is a matter of justice.

OFarrell agreed, saying, Grocery store workers continue to show up every day, serving customers and providing the essentials that residents across the city need to stay safer at home. Their greater risk of exposure to COVID-19 is by definition hazardous work, and the money they earn should be commensurate with those risks associated on the job.

Councilman Curren Price said the CLA report found that the mortality rate for Latino workers in food and agriculture has gone up by 59% because of this pandemic and for Black workers in retail at 36%. Those are not small numbers. Providing these workers with $5 hazard pay for the next 120 days is the least we can do.

Kathy Finn, secretary-treasurer for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770, which represents 25,000 grocery and drug retail workers in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, said in a statement after last weeks vote that daily conditions have drastically changed for the industrys employees.

The reality of being a grocery or drug store worker in 2020 and still in 2021 is that your job has fundamentally changed, the risk has increased exponentially, but the pay has stayed the same, she said. Lee, the lone dissenter, said he hoped the council could come up with a different solution than what he called a gross overreach of government into business and what they should be paying their employees.

At the end, I dont want to affect the people who are going to be hurt the most by this, and that is the people who live in the poorest communities of the city of Los Angeles, the people who live in my district  my biggest fear is for the hard-working families in those areas, Lee said.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Ramadan this year will last for a period of 30 days or 720 hours, during which Bahrainis will observe 432 to 441 hours of fasting, said a top astronomer.

Astronomer researcher Ali Al-Hajri said the first day of Ramadan is most likely to fall on 13 April 2021 as per the astronomical calendar. Based on moon sighting, the first day, most likely, will be on 14 April 2021.

He added: Bahrainis will have the shortest fasting period at the beginning of the month and the longest towards the end. Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires Muslims to abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. Sunni community will have 432 hours and 56 minutes of fasting and 287 hours and 4 minutes for Iftar, while for Shia community this will be 441 hours and 12 minutes, and 278 hours and 48 minutes, respectively, explained Al Hajri.

For the most part, Sunnis and Shias observe Ramadan the same way, but there are some differences.

For one, Sunnis break their fast at sunset, once the sun is no longer visible, but there is still light in the sky.

However, for Shias, they wait to break after it gets completely dark. So, the Sunni community, at the beginning of the month, will have 14 hours and 3 minutes of fasting and 9 hours and 57 minutes for Iftar.

These calculations change by the end of the holy month, where the fasting period will be 14 hours and 47 minutes, and Iftar will be 9 hours and 13 minutes. For the Shia community, the fasting period, at the beginning of the holy month, will be 14 hours and 20 minutes. Iftar will be 9 hours and 40 minutes.

Towards the end of the month, the fasting period increases to 15 hours and 4 minutes, and Iftar to 8 hours and 56 minutes.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends wreath laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam March 2, 2019. REUTERS-Yonhap



U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday included North Korea in only a handful of countries that pose threats to the United States and its allies.



It marked the first time the U.S. defense chief addressed the North Korean issue since taking office in late January.



"Even as we address accelerating competition by China, we will ensure that we remain fully ready to respond to and effectively deter nation-state threats emanating from Russia, Iran, and North Korea," Austin said in a message to U.S. forces, released by his department.



"We will continue to maintain credible deterrence against advanced threats, and we will right-size our missions around the world in a transparent and principled manner," he added.









The remarks come amid an ongoing review of U.S. global defense posture that will determine in which parts of the world the country may require an increased military presence or less.



The U.S. currently keeps some 28,500 troops in South Korea.





In this Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, file photo, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon, in Washington. AP
The Guardian

The potential consequences of the origins of the virus are shattering  if they can be proved My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters There was a time when the Covid pandemic seemed to confirm so many of our assumptions. It cast down the people we regarded as villains. It raised up those we thought were heroes. It prospered people who could shift easily to working from home even as it problematized the lives of those Trump voters living in the old economy. Like all plagues, Covid often felt like the hand of God on earth, scourging the people for their sins against higher learning and visibly sorting the righteous from the unmasked wicked. Respect science, admonished our yard signs. And lo!, Covid came and forced us to do so, elevating our scientists to the highest seats of social authority, from where they banned assembly, commerce, and all the rest. We cast blame so innocently in those days. We scolded at will. We knew who was right and we shook our heads to behold those in the wrong playing in their swimming pools and on the beach. It made perfect sense to us that Donald Trump, a politician we despised, could not grasp the situation, that he suggested people inject bleach, and that he was personally responsible for more than one super-spreading event. Reality itself punished leaders like him who refused to bow to expertise. The prestige news media even figured out a way to blame the worst death tolls on a system of organized ignorance they called populism. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a cult out of the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general But these days the consensus doesnt consense quite as well as it used to. Now the media is filled with disturbing stories suggesting that Covid might have come  not from populism at all, but from a laboratory screw-up in Wuhan, China. You can feel the moral convulsions beginning as the question sets in: What if science itself is in some way culpable for all this? * I am no expert on epidemics. Like everyone else I know, I spent the pandemic doing as I was told. A few months ago I even tried to talk a Fox News viewer out of believing in the lab-leak theory of Covids origins. The reason I did that is because the newspapers I read and the TV shows I watched had assured me on many occasions that the lab-leak theory wasnt true, that it was a racist conspiracy theory, that only deluded Trumpists believed it, that it got infinite pants-on-fire ratings from the fact-checkers, and because (despite all my cynicism) I am the sort who has always trusted the mainstream news media. My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month; a few weeks later everyone from Doctor Fauci to President Biden is acknowledging that the lab-accident hypothesis might have some merit. We dont know the real answer yet, and we probably will never know, but this is the moment to anticipate what such a finding might ultimately mean. What if this crazy story turns out to be true? The answer is that this is the kind of thing that could obliterate the faith of millions. The last global disaster, the financial crisis of 2008, smashed peoples trust in the institutions of capitalism, in the myths of free trade and the New Economy, and eventually in the elites who ran both American political parties. In the years since (and for complicated reasons), liberal leaders have labored to remake themselves into defenders of professional rectitude and established legitimacy in nearly every field. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a sort of cult out of science, expertise, the university system, executive-branch norms, the intelligence community, the State Department, NGOs, the legacy news media, and the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general. Now here we are in the waning days of Disastrous Global Crisis #2. Covid is of course worse by many orders of magnitude than the mortgage meltdown  it has killed millions and ruined lives and disrupted the world economy far more extensively. Should it turn out that scientists and experts and NGOs, etc. are villains rather than heroes of this story, we may very well see the expert-worshiping values of modern liberalism go up in a fireball of public anger. Consider the details of the story as we have learned them in the last few weeks:  Lab leaks happen. They arent the result of conspiracies: a lab accident is an accident, as Nathan Robinson points out; they happen all the time, in this country and in others, and people die from them.  There is evidence that the lab in question, which studies bat coronaviruses, may have been conducting what is called gain of function research, a dangerous innovation in which diseases are deliberately made more virulent. By the way, right-wingers didnt dream up gain of function: all the cool virologists have been doing it (in this country and in others) even as the squares have been warning against it for years.  There are strong hints that some of the bat-virus research at the Wuhan lab was funded in part by the American national-medical establishment  which is to say, the lab-leak hypothesis doesnt implicate China alone.  There seem to have been astonishing conflicts of interest among the people assigned to get to the bottom of it all, and (as we know from Enron and the housing bubble) conflicts of interest are always what trip up the well-credentialed professionals whom liberals insist we must all heed, honor, and obey.  The news media, in its zealous policing of the boundaries of the permissible, insisted that Russiagate was ever so true but that the lab-leak hypothesis was false false false, and woe unto anyone who dared disagree. Reporters gulped down whatever line was most flattering to the experts they were quoting and then insisted that it was 100% right and absolutely incontrovertible  that anything else was only unhinged Trumpist folly, that democracy dies when unbelievers get to speak, and so on.  The social media monopolies actually censored posts about the lab-leak hypothesis. Of course they did! Because were at war with misinformation, you know, and people need to be brought back to the true and correct faith  as agreed upon by experts. * Let us pray, now, for science, intoned a New York Times columnist back at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. The title of his article laid down the foundational faith of Trump-era liberalism: Coronavirus is What You Get When You Ignore Science. Ten months later, at the end of a scary article about the history of gain of function research and its possible role in the still ongoing Covid pandemic, Nicholson Baker wrote as follows: This may be the great scientific meta-experiment of the 21st century. Could a world full of scientists do all kinds of reckless recombinant things with viral diseases for many years and successfully avoid a serious outbreak? The hypothesis was that, yes, it was doable. The risk was worth taking. There would be no pandemic. Except there was. If it does indeed turn out that the lab-leak hypothesis is the right explanation for how it began  that the common people of the world have been forced into a real-life lab experiment, at tremendous cost  there is a moral earthquake on the way. Because if the hypothesis is right, it will soon start to dawn on people that our mistake was not insufficient reverence for scientists, or inadequate respect for expertise, or not enough censorship on Facebook. It was a failure to think critically about all of the above, to understand that there is no such thing as absolute expertise. Think of all the disasters of recent years: economic neoliberalism, destructive trade policies, the Iraq War, the housing bubble, banks that are too big to fail, mortgage-backed securities, the Hillary Clinton campaign of 2016  all of these disasters brought to you by the total, self-assured unanimity of the highly educated people who are supposed to know what theyre doing, plus the total complacency of the highly educated people who are supposed to be supervising them. Then again, maybe I am wrong to roll out all this speculation. Maybe the lab-leak hypothesis will be convincingly disproven. I certainly hope it is. But even if it inches closer to being confirmed, we can guess what the next turn of the narrative will be. It was a perfect storm, the experts will say. Who coulda known? And besides (they will say), the origins of the pandemic dont matter any more. Go back to sleep. Thomas Frank is a Guardian US columnist. He is the author, most recently, of The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism
ENTERS DISCUSSION TO DIVEST EXEMPT MARKET DEALER

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2021 / DigiCrypts Blockchain Solutions Inc. o/a DIGIMAX GLOBAL SOLUTIONS (the "Company" or "DigiMax") (CSE:DIGI) is pleased to report its Crypto Price Trend Indicator App is performing well and ahead of expectation on most metrics.

HIGHLIGHTS

Soft Launch continues through March 15

Allows for user trials, bug-fixes, and upgrades to the system

Hard Launch to occur the week of March 15 - Market Target is novice crypto users

Application Improvements to continue through May 31

Final Product offering June 1 with ongoing improvements thereafter

EMD divestiture will clear path for new partnerships in the crypto industry

A "soft launch" of CryptoDivine.ai was commenced on February 24, 2021, consisting of only of a press release stating that the App was now available for public use on a free-trial use. This soft launch was planned to last approximately 2 weeks with the "hard launch" planned for March 15, when a global marketing campaign would commence.

The company had three objectives to achieve during the soft launch: allow new users to trial the system and obtain as much feedback from them as possible; find and fix as many bugs in the system as could be found; initiate planned improvements prior to the hard launch, and where possible, adopt suggestions from users.

A significant global marketing campaign will be launched the week of March 15 targeting millions of investors globally who have avoided including crypto currencies in their portfolios but who are interested in starting but are nervous to do so. CryptoDivine has been designed to help these people better understand the market and to offer insight about when the crypto prices change direction. This campaign will include, but not be limited to:

Expand the current social media marketing commenced on February 22 that purposely targeted just the DigiMax name - this effort was designed to slowly penetrate the social media space and to increase each day to create awareness of the DigiMax brand and company; During the week of March 15, CryptoDivine will be introduced to "start" attracting more users - DigiMax did not want a rush of new users during the soft-launch period, instead seeking to make real-time improvements during that period; Introduce Crypto Divine through millennial-targeted investor platforms; Launch a highly targeted sales campaign aimed at first-time traders of crypto currencies on various trading platforms; Seek to announce new CryptoDivine Partnerships in coming weeks.

During the three months of March through the end of May, there are many improvements already planned to both the Machine Learning capabilities of CryptoDivine, and to the entire User experience including better and more logical graphics, better training videos, and a substantial amount of in-application tutorial offerings.

As of June 1, 2021 DigiMax is confident it will have one of the world's most comprehensive, AI-based, crypto-price predicting resources in the world made available for novice crypto investors, and only at that time will the Company charge its full price of US$99.95 per month for the Application.

DIVESTITURE OF EXEMPT MARKET DEALER

The Company has entered into discussions with third parties to potentially divest its wholly owned Exempt Market Dealer subsidiary, DigiMax Capital Corp (the "EMD"). The EMD does not contribute a material amount to the EBITDA of DigiMax, but as a registered dealer, it does prevent DigiMax from entering into partnerships or ownership of companies that manage or control crypto currencies in any manner. Accordingly, DigiMax is better able to form long term, high-value partnerships without the restrictions currently demanded by also owning a registered market dealer.

Contacts DigiMax:

Martti Kangas

Investor Communications

647-521-9261

mkangas@digimax-global.com

Chris Carl

President & CEO

416-312-9698

ccarl@digimax-global.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: anticipate, intend, plan, goal, seek, believe, project, estimate, expect, strategy, future, likely, may, should, will and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements we make regarding the Company closing one or more additional tranches of the Offering.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning the use of net proceeds of the Offering. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the adequacy of our cash flow and earnings, the availability of future financing and/or credit, and other conditions which may affect our ability to expand the App Platform described herein, the level of demand and financial performance of the cryptocurrency industry, developments and changes in laws and regulations, including increased regulation of the cryptocurrency industry through legislative action and revised rules and standards applied by the Canadian Securities Administrators, Ontario Securities Commission, and/or other similar regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions, disruptions to our technology network including computer systems, software and cloud data, or other disruptions of our operating systems, structures or equipment, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in disclosure documents filed by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

SOURCE: DigiMax Global Solutions

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/633673/DigiMax-Updates-Successful-CryptoDivineai-Progress
Katherine Guevara and David Guevara Rosillo walk toward the accessory dwelling unit being built behind their L.A. house as part of the Backyard Homes Project. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

In the University Park neighborhood just north of USC, Katherine Guevara and her husband, David Guevara Rosillo, are building a home that will subtly evoke a California Craftsman, with a pitched roof, porch posts and light ornamentation.

Inside, a burst of colors and patterns reflects the textiles and murals of Guevara Rosillos roots in Guayaquil, Ecuador, as well as inspirations such as Frida Kahlos La Casa Azul in Mexico City. Green, red, orange, blue and yellow walls and floors will be complemented by a modern Ikea kitchen and bold touches like multichrome Cirque pendant lamps by Louis Poulsen.

We think life should be full of color, Guevara said. It will be stunning.

The home also will carry symbolic significance: It's the launch of a project addressing L.A.'s affordable housing crisis. The couple are participants in the Backyard Homes Project, which hopes to bring innovation to a field where its often hard to come by.

Thanks to recent state measures easing regulations on accessory dwelling units  a.k.a. ADUs, or granny flats  Los Angeles has been in the throes of an ADU mania. Thousands of applications have poured in from homeowners across the city, and the ADU has proved to be a lab for housing experiment.

Some companies, like L.A.-based United Dwelling, have offered free ADUs in homeowners backyards in exchange for a share of rent. (United Dwelling has since ended that program.) Others are offering modern design or modular construction. An Oakland-based company called Mighty Buildings is even creating 3D-printed ADUs.

The premise of the Backyard Homes Project is to create a one-stop shop: Homeowners like Guevara and her husband promise to rent their ADU to a Section 8 voucher holder for a minimum of five years. In exchange, the homeowners receive affordable design and construction, free project management and favorable financing.

The project is led by LA Mas, a nonprofit run by architects, designers and planners who specialize in urban design innovation and aim to blaze a path for more cautious government and industry to follow. The group helped Los Angeles demonstrate the potential for ADUs in 2017 with a pilot project, building a Craftsman-inspired dwelling in Highland Park with a group that included Mayor Eric Garcettis Innovation Team and Habitat for Humanity.

Story continues

For the Backyard Homes Project, they are joined by others, including nonprofit builder Restore Neighborhoods L.A., nonprofit lender Self-Help Credit Union and the community development investment company Genesis L.A. Funding for the project comes from the Wells Fargo Foundations, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, among others, as well as the nonprofit Los Angeles Local Initiatives Support Corp.

The Backyard Homes Project rendering for the ADU on Katherine Guevara and David Guevara Rosillo's property near USC. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The goal of the program, said LA Mas Co-Executive Director Elizabeth Timme, is to confront high housing prices, displacement and lack of economic diversity, not just by making ADU rentals affordable but also by lowering the barriers for low- or moderate-income owners to become landlords, generating long-term income.

What does economic resilience look like? Timme asked. What does it mean to make residents developers?

Timme and her co-director, Helen Leung, grew up in areas  Los Feliz and Elysian Valley  that have dramatically gentrified since their childhoods, displacing middle- and low-income residents with more affluent homeowners and renters. The duo want to expand the citys affordable housing options while helping to break through walls of a notoriously insular and specialized field. Leung spent part of her childhood in a public housing project, the William Mead Homes in Chinatown, so shes intimately familiar with this sphere.

The Backyard Homes Project kicked off in 2019 and has five properties across the city. Each is being built differently, with homeowners choosing from a kit of sizes (studio, one- or two-bedroom) and locally driven styles (including Craftsman, Modern and Spanish). The kit was largely inspired by user-friendly homebuilding catalogs created at the turn of the 20th century, most famously by Sears. (Timme said she spent about $100 buying catalogs on EBay.)

Design and construction of homes start at $100,000 for garage conversions or $130,000 for new construction. LA Mas charges a flat fee of $8,000 for design. Through the program, homeowners can qualify to refinance through the Self-Help Federal Credit Union. The credit union estimates the value of the property after the ADU is built, increasing the equity available to borrowers. The new loan adds ADU construction costs to homeowners' existing mortgage balance. Later, homeowners pay the higher mortgage with the rental income that is subsidized by the Section 8 program. So, for example, the monthly mortgage payment might jump by $800, but the rental income is, say, $1,200.

LA Mas interviewed close to 200 potential landlords citywide, eventually winnowing the list to about a dozen, focusing on those who could pay and who fit their goals of serving the lower and middle classes. Timme and Leung said the group has not received any pushback from neighbors. Construction notices are being posted, but until the work actually begins, neighbors might not realize that an ADU is what's being built or that it will be rented via a Section 8 voucher.

Timme and Leung said a few potential landlords were scared off by the stigma of Section 8 or by the goal of setting rent at a level thats affordable for a low-income tenant.

Its a values alignment type of thing, says LA Mas Program Manager Alexandra Ramirez. Are you willing to consistently not get what the market value is on this piece of your property? Most people are not.

David Guevara Rosillo and Katherine Guevara were drawn to the social goals of the Backyard Homes Project. "We think it's the starting point of a solution," Guevara said of the project's goal to create more affordable, livable housing for low-income people. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Guevara and Guevara Rosillo, who are building their ADU behind the existing Queen Anne cottage where they will continue to live, broke ground Dec. 7 and are scheduled to wrap construction this summer. Guevara said she's excited by the social goals of the project.

We think its the starting point of a solution, she said. Its the part we could do. Its everyones responsibility.

The remaining four Backyard Homes are set to begin construction by summer. The good news, Timme and Leung said, is that even though the COVID-19 pandemic and typically painful bureaucratic delays may have slowed the construction schedule, the ADUs are moving forward.

The bad news is that as costs have creeped up, LA Mas has been unable to include any low-income homeowners (defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as anyone making less than 80% median income in Los Angeles) as landlords. For that scenario to work, Timme and Leung said, homeowners would need more local, state or corporate support in the form of funding, tax breaks and longer term or forgivable loans.

Our hope is that other entities will see this as a model and solve how to fund it, Leung said.

The program, she added, is really about learning what works and what doesnt so others can follow. Among the lessons: Many potential landlords want to rent to family members, which Section 8 prohibits. Teaching homeowners why carefully considered design is worth the expense is a constant battle. Interviewing dozens of homeowners can take hundreds of hours because the finances of many ultimately dont pencil out. You must stick to the kit-of-parts approach rather than allow homeowners to keep customizing. Perhaps the hardest part of the process is familiarizing homeowners with the challenges (and messiness) of construction management.

The Backyard Homes Project has developed a kit-of-parts to give homeowners design direction while keeping costs down. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Were not doing this so we can be industry dominators of ADUs, said Jason Neville, deputy director with the projects nonprofit builder, RNLA. We want governments and foundations and companies to know how to do this.

Adds Mott Smith, adjunct professor of real estate development at USC and a board member with both RNLA and LA Mas: Theyre putting in an irrational level of attention to get these projects through. The payoff is a city bureaucracy that now is a little bit better at dealing with these small-scale solutions.

Governments across California and beyond are working on similar programs to help solve the affordability crisis. Several  including Oakland, Los Angeles County and the Southern California Assn. of Governments  have looked to backyard homes as a potential model.

The city of L.A. recently launched its ADU Accelerator Program, which pairs ADU landlords with older adults in search of affordable housing. Landlords get tenant referrals and tenant case management. Los Angeles County is planning to develop ADUs for the formerly homeless. Other cities launching affordable ADU programs include Pasadena, Oakland, Boston and Washington, D.C., offering varying incentives like project management, zoning relief, tax incentives and public financing.

Pasadenas Second Unit ADU Program, which offers project management and reduced interest loans for new construction and garage conversions in exchange for being a Section 8 landlord, launched in November. Its first homes will break ground early next year. Pasadena Housing Director William Huang said that his city has been developing its program for years and that its bumping up against similar challenges. Of the seven new-construction units it is planning, only two have lower- or middle-class landlords. (The Pasadena program for garage conversions focuses on lower-income owners.)

Were all learning here, Huang said. Someone has to come up with better long-term financing solutions. That, he said, could come from the state level, just as the state has helped clear the way for the ADU in general by minimizing regulations.

Meanwhile, LA Mas, as it has done before, is pivoting to try to better serve the broader challenges of affordable housing and neighborhood redevelopment. It wants to expand its approach to resident-led affordability into new building scales and types, funding models, permitting models (including pre-approved permitting) and even across lot lines. Focusing on its neighborhood, Northeast L.A., it also plans to create a more holistic model that incorporates housing, small business support and community-led design programs.

People dont live their lives in a single-issue way, Leung said. She added that they also want their programs to be more explicitly run by local residents. To leave room for the grass roots. Its about the community, not the individual, she said.

Timme cited a UCLA CityLAB study suggesting that ADUs are feasible for 5% to 10% of the 500,000 single-family lots in Los Angeles, evidence that theres plenty of room for programs to innovate without bumping up against the limits of supply. A 2019 study by the California Housing Partnership found that Los Angeles has an affordable housing shortage of more than 500,000 units.

Chazandra Kern, a program manager and the design lead for LA Mas, and Elizabeth Timme, co-executive director of the group. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)

We are nowhere near running out of space for housing in most American cities, including L.A., said Vinit Mukhija, professor of urban planning at UCLAs Luskin School of Public Affairs and a board member at LA Mas.

Mukhija credits LA Mas  along with other designers, housing activists, academics and creative homeowners  with helping to incubate new housing innovation in a city thats long been known for advances in residential design. He expects that ADU innovations like Backyard Homes will have ripple effects on single-family housing, multifamily housing and beyond.

For the record:

11:28 AM, Mar. 05, 2021: An earlier version of this article said United Dwelling is offering free ADUs in exchange for a share of the rental income. The company has ended that offer. The article also said Backyard Homes Projects co-executive director, Helen Leung, grew up in Elysian Heights; she grew up in Elysian Valley.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The first doses of the more easily administered AstraZeneca vaccine will be fast-tracked to the Torres Strait this weekend, as fears grow that COVID-19 could spread south from Papua New Guinea, where there has been a recent surge in cases.

The announcement came as the Queensland government confirmed wedding and funeral restrictions would be lifted and that all known contacts to a feared super-spreader in a Brisbane hotel had been located.

Queenslands Chief Health Officer said vaccinations in the Torres Strait were above the 95 per cent target that we aim for with the children. Credit:Alamy

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said she was concerned COVID-19 would spread from PNG into far north Queensland, which is why we are rolling out the vaccine as fast as we possibly can up there.

Saibai is the closest populated island in the Torres Strait, just four kilometres from the PNG mainland.
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
ADVERTISEMENT

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has praised the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for putting the state on the path to progress.

Mr Tinubu spoke Friday during the commissioning of the Agege-Pen Cinema flyover bridge. The 1.4km bridge connects Agege to Iju-Ishaga and Lagos-Ota road.

The APC leader thanked the Sanwo-Olu-led administration for delivering a landmark project and the leadership of the Lagos House of Assembly for approving the budget for the construction of the bridge.

We thank this administration for not letting us down, we thank you for being who you are and who we think you are even before the election, said Mr Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State.

Ever since Babajide Sanwo-Olu became the captain of the ship of our state, he has turned it right for the progress and development of the state. Those of you at the cabinet have developed an equal determination to develop and rebuild for the people of Lagos state, he added.

Mr Tinubu added that the current administration is a team of great performers and doers, who are capable of building Lagos back to progress.

The construction of the Agege-Pen Cinema bridge commenced in 2017, during the administration of the former governor Akinwumi Ambode.

Speaking at the event, Mr Sanwo-Olu said the commissioning of the bridge coincided with his 648 days in office, saying it is a big achievement for his administration.

The governor said the completion of the bridge was a promise fulfilled to Lagosians as it will bring more economic benefits and faster travel time for the Agege environment and the state at large.

We stand here with a lot of positive memories because we are here to deliver a landmark project. The Agege Pen cinema bridge will bring growth to businesses and activities in the area will lead to progress and development of the state, he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu appreciated the contractors that handled the project, the Lagos State House of Assembly for cooperating with the government and other parties that saw to the completion of the bridge.

When the bridge was under construction, it provided employment for 350 engineers, and thousands of artisans and high number of unskilled labourers.

The state governor said the flyover bridge would bridge more opportunities to Agege and environs and enhance further growth of the state.

Agege deserves more, we will go back and see how all of the infrastructure from Ojodu Berger, the road brings relief and bring positive development to this neighbourhood, Mr Sanwo-Olu added.

Also speaking at the commissioning, Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, said the project shows the level of collaboration between the House of Assembly and the executive.

He said the budget for the construction of the bridge was introduced and approved under his leadership, adding that they are ready to support the executive for the progress of Lagos state.
Shannon Klinger, Chief Legal Officer, to leave Novartis on March 15, 2021





Thomas Kendris appointed Chief Legal Officer ad interim

Basel, March 5, 2021  Novartis announced today that Shannon Thyme Klinger, Chief Legal Officer, has decided to resign from Novartis and return to the US to take an executive role at a biotechnology company. Ms. Klinger will step down from the Executive Committee of Novartis (ECN), effective March 15, 2021.

Thomas N. Kendris, currently Global Head Litigation and US Country President, will be appointed Chief Legal Officer ad interim and attendee to the ECN in this capacity. Novartis has started an executive search process to evaluate internal and external candidates for the role of its Chief Legal Officer.

As Global Head of Litigation, Mr. Kendris has been accountable for leading Novartis Group material litigations and investigations globally. In his more than 25 years with Novartis, he was Novartis US Country Head of Legal, and held country-level responsibility for Legal across all Novartis US Divisions. He also served as Vice President and General Counsel of US Pharma at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, as well as Global General Counsel for Novartis Oncology and for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.

Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis said: I thank Shannon for her leadership, counsel, and impact on our businesses over 10 years with our company. She has created one of the most respected legal departments within the industry, including for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. I wish her the very best for her future. We are pleased that Tom Kendris, with his 25 years of experience across Novartis businesses, will serve ad-interim as Chief Legal Officer.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as to leave, ad interim, started, potential, will, may, could, would, expect, wish, commitment, or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding the appointment of Mr. Kendris as Chief Legal Officer ad interim and attendee to the ECN in this capacity, and regarding the executive search process to evaluate candidates for the role of Novartis Chief Legal Officer. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the executive search process to evaluate candidates for the role of Chief Legal Officer will achieve the desired outcome, or that it will do so in any particular time frame. In particular, our expectations regarding the outcome of the forward looking statements in this press release could be affected by, among other things, the availability of qualified and interested candidates for the role of Novartis Chief Legal Officer; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AGs current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend peoples lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the worlds top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 110,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com

# # #

Novartis Media Relations

E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com

Richard Jarvis

Novartis Strategy & Financial

Communications

+41 79 584 23 26

richard.jarvis@novartis.com



Julie Masow

Novartis US External Engagement

+1 862 579 8456

julie.masow@novartis.com

Novartis Investor Relations

Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944

E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com

Central North America Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Sloan Simpson +1 862 778 5052 Thomas Hungerbuehler

Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 8425

+41 61 324 7188




Syracuse, N.Y. -- Sen. Rachel May said today that anyone in state government who hid the truth about Covid-19 nursing home deaths must resign immediately. And that includes the governor.

Mays statement comes after the latest revelation about how Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his staff reported nursing home deaths related to Covid-19. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported late Thursday that top Cuomo aides altered a state Health Department report to obscure the true number of people killed by COVID-19 in the states nursing homes.

That, May said, has angered me beyond measure.

May, D-Syracuse, chairs the state Senates Aging Committee. In that role, shes held public hearings and pushed for law changes that would require more oversight at nursing homes, improve staffing and allow designated visitors to spend time with residents during pandemics such as the coronavirus.

Her statement released today is the strongest criticism yet of the Democratic governor by May. Heres her full statement:

The latest NYT report on machinations within the Cuomo Administration to hide the truth about nursing home deaths has angered me beyond measure. If true, everyone involved in lying to the public and to the Legislature must resign immediately. And that includes the Governor.

Even though he is not named in this specific article, it was done in his name. It stemmed from his overweening need to burnish his public image, and it was made possible, if not inevitable, by the culture he created of secrecy and fear of retribution that has been amply documented in recent days.

I am especially angry that the devastating tragedy that unfolded in our nursing homes over the past year has been twisted up in lies and political scandal. The controversy over how deaths were counted has made it much harder for us to focus on the cause of the deaths and the best path forward to protecting vulnerable nursing home residents.

Excellent investigative reporting by Tim Knauss in syracuse.com this week confirms that it was, above all, staffing shortages and a general lack of infection control and communication at nursing homes that led to the high mortality rate. It seems to me the real culprit is the Governors pursuit of extreme austerity measures in the Medicaid budget over the past decade. The next administration must turn immediately to addressing the crisis in long-term care that plagues this state.

The report at issue was released in July by the Cuomo administration. It was meant to refute criticism about a March 25 directive from Cuomo, which barred nursing homes from rejecting residents with Covid-19 who were returning home from hospitals.

Some have alleged that March order spread the virus and caused many of the deaths at nursing homes. That claim has been vastly overstated, according to the Cuomo administration, many industry experts and syracuse.coms own reporting.

At the same time, the Cuomo administration for months did not provide data to accurately account for how many nursing home residents died because of the coronavirus. That, too, has prompted sharp criticism from May and other state lawmakers from both parties.

A state lawyer who works for Cuomo, Beth Garvey, said in a statement Thursday night that data was omitted from the July report after the states Department of Health could not confirm it had been adequately verified.

That did not change the conclusion of the report, Garvey said in a prepared statement, which was and is that the March 25 order was not a driver of nursing home infections or fatalities.

Still, the true picture of the loss at nursing homes went untold for months by Cuomos administration.

After losing a legal fight to withhold the data, Cuomos staff released more information about nursing home deaths in late January. That showed that the deaths among nursing home residents was 43% higher than previously known.

Got a story idea or news tip youd like to share with a Syracuse-area reporter? Please contact me through email, Twitter, Facebook or at 315-470-2274.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

The Bucharest Court has ordered the preventive custody of three of the policemen from the 16th Police Station in Bucharest accused of beating two young people in September last year, according to AGERPRES.

Three other policemen were placed under judicial control for a period of 60 days, and no precautionary measures were taken against one.

In this case, the prosecutors of Bucharest Prosecutor's Office charged 9 police officers with the crimes of illegal deprivation of liberty and torture.

In September 2020, two young people reported that they had been beaten by police in the Eroii Revolutiei (Revolution Heroes) area in Bucharest, after telling the policemen that they were not wearing a protective mask and were giving unjustified fines. One of the young men said that the policemen put handcuffs on his hands and hit him with batons, with fists and legs, after which they put him in a police van and took him to a field near Jilava, where he was allegedly tortured.

Prosecutors say that, on September 1, 2020, around 1.45 am, the 16th Police Station officers organized a filter in the area of Calea Serban Voda Street in Bucharest, a context in which they were approached by the two young men, who addressed them reproaches for not wearing protective masks.

"Under these circumstances, in order to punish one of the injured persons for the reproaches addressed, 7 of the defendants, having on them the armament provided, illegally deprived him of liberty, handcuffing him and took him against his will on a plot of land located on the outskirts of Bucharest, Sector 4, where 5 of them exercised for about 30 minutes physical violence on the victim, applying repeated blows (...) during which time the other two police officers passively witnessed the violence perpetrated on the injured person. After these violence deeds, the victim was abandoned on the vacant land," say the prosecutors.

At the same time, two other policemen handcuffed the other young man and locked him in a police van and then transported him to the Zetari area of Bucharest, Sector 5, where they abandoned him on a dark street.

A key part of the oversight system that will take charge of San Antonios four-year, $154 million workforce development plan has been settled  mostly.

By a 10-1 vote Thursday, the City Council named a nine-member panel to guide the Ready to Work program  approved by voters in November  and advise Mayor Ron Nirenberg and council members on vital matters when it comes to helping some 40,000 residents enroll in job training and college degree programs.

The panel will weigh in on what skills are in demand from employers, how the city should determine the number of slots for training certificates and college degrees and how to support participants outside the classroom. City Council will have the final say.

But council members tussled over whether to expand the number of people on the board from nine to 11 to allow more room for employers and labor representatives. By a split 6-5 vote, council members tabled the idea for further discussion.

Thats not the only way the panel could expand. District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia pitched the idea of boosting representation from training providers or educational institutions  or adding a slot to represent workers with disabilities.

We have great candidates, Garcia said. But if we had the opportunity to add two more, can we consider adding some additional slots that I think are greatly missing from representation right now?

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio City Council takes first step in implementing $154 million workforce development program

Others questioned whether the board needed more members. After all, the panel could put together subcommittees to provide advice to the larger board, District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran said.

We do not have to stop the process, Viagran said. We can move forward with that today and then at a later time have a conversation about expanding the slots.

District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry, who opposed the Nov. 3 sales tax measure that created the program, once more pushed for more geographic representation on the board. He argues that each council district could have its own representative and still have the qualifications the city is seeking.

The Northeast Side councilman also lamented what he saw was a lack of small business owners on the list.

Were totally ignoring our small business community here, Perry said.

The advisory board has four representatives from local employers who have openings for high-paying jobs: Peter J. Holt of Holt Cat, Sonia Garza of WellMed Medical Management, Benjamin Peavey of Accenture Federal Services and Rosa Santana, a staffing expert who heads Forma Automotive, a Toyota supplier. Those members can tell the city whether the program is equipping participants with the skills needed to get the kind of jobs their companies have available.

Council members also named Cynthia Teniente-Matson, president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio, to represent higher education institutions on the board. Doug McMurry, executive vice president of the San Antonio chapter of the Associated General Contractors, will be the panels trade or labor representative. Daphene Carson, risk manager for Edgewood ISD, will be the boards representative from a community organization.

The council also named two people who either enrolled in or have completed job training programs: Jerry Graeber and Emily Spurlock.

On ExpressNews.com: Assistant city manager who oversees Ready to Work, airport is leaving to take charge of Goodwill San Antonio

Sandoval, the lone council member to vote against the slate of panelists, raised concerns that three board members  Holt, McMurry and Peavy  live outside city limits despite the fact that theyll oversee a program implemented with city sales tax dollars.

Council members often appoint people who dont live in city limits to city boards and commissions, Sandoval noted, but she felt that the proportion of non-residents on the workforce panel is a little high.

I know some members of the public think, well, that shouldnt matter if they have a business in San Antonio, Sandoval said. I just want to make sure that were aware that 33 percent of this advisory board for a tax that was approved by the residents of San Antonio would be represented by individuals who may have businesses but do not reside here.

The mayors office said that board members dont have to live in San Antonio; ideally, the members should represent businesses and organizations based in the city.

San Antonio voters approved the four-year, $154 million workforce development plan by more than a 3-to-1 margin in the Nov. 3 election. The ballot proposition called for using revenue from a 1/8-cent sales tax to help 40,000 people enroll in job training or college degree programs.

jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFReports
A man who shot two brothers, killing one and injuring the other, has been acquitted of criminal charges after a jury found he acted in self-defence.

Ahmad El-Chakik was found not guilty of manslaughter and recklessly causing seriously injury by a Supreme Court jury on Friday after he shot Edmund and Elvis Shabani outside a tyre shop in Ravenhall on October 20, 2017.

Police at the scene of the shooting in Ravenhall in 2017. Credit:Seven News

Edmund Shabani died from wounds to the chest and abdomen while Elvis was shot in both legs but survived.

Mr El-Chakik was tried on charges of murder, attempted murder and intentionally causing serious injury last year and again earlier this year, but the juries in both trials were discharged when they were unable to reach a verdict.
Oh yes, Houston barely emerged from the winter hellscape to experience yet another catastrophe looming. The iconic H-town landmark, River Oaks Theater, faces a real threat with its lease ending at the end of March, and Weingarten and Landmark Theatres have failed to come to an agreement about its fate.

Houston, this is not who we are. We can't throw away one of the cherished iconic venues in town like it's just some disposable structure on the landscape. River Oaks Theater (ROT) should never be in jeopardy or suffer a fate with a wrecking ball. Even though the historic theater has been given landmark status by the city of Houston, the defining home of art house films in Houston might vanish.

LIFTOFF: What drives Elon Musk? 'Liftoff' author reveals more about magnate's early days of SpaceX

"The River Oaks Theater is a city of Houston landmark," Preservation Houston's David Bush told KHOU's Jason Miles. "Its been designated a landmark. However under our preservation ordinance, landmarks can be demolished."

The thought of the theater turning into a Texas-sized parking lot on steroids or another condo project is like ripping away the chapters of our city's history. It's not just about the nuances of Houston history in this cool art-deco theater freshly minted in 1939. It's more about our shared history and ethereal, heartfelt moments spent together in one beautiful space, in that theater. Whether it was Houstonians laughing at the irreverent "Rocky Horror Picture Show" or Wes Anderson's "Grand Budapest Hotel," the River Oaks Theater was the quintessential spot for Houstonians to share some of the most enduring film moments.

There was something sublime about sitting in Houston's River Oaks Theater, just as the newly-released 2014 Richard Linklater film "Boyhood" rolled out its opening credits. Further into this honest film, it became more of this transcendent experience. Cut to Patricia Arquette in her poignant scene with her son, Mason, who's leaving the nest for college. She breaks down and cries as she's packing the boxes for her son's trip to collegeand says something deeply resonant.

"This is the worst day of my life." Olivia tells her son candidly. She then talks about all the milestones that have punctuated her life, and her son doesn't quite know what to say. "I just thought there would be more," she said at the end of the scene. Yes, I got it, like a bullet in the heart. Tears started to flow. But it wasn't just me who got it. This moment was shared with others in the space, with my friends who sat right next to me, brushing back the tears.

Texas filmmaker Richard Linklater described his days viewing screenings at River Oaks Theater as more of a spiritual experience. People won't soon forget their big-screen experiences, Linklater told Sight & Sound.

"Sometimes its hard to articulate [what makes cinemas special] but I always tell people its about life experience," Linklater said. "You have those great experiences with movies, and its the place, its the community around you, or even if it was a sparsely attended movie, its remembering the whole experience of watching it in a theatre. Ask people about their top movie-going experiences and no ones going to say 'Oh, that afternoon I sat on this side of my couch''We're communal beings."

Don't go, River Oaks Theater. As Linklater once said about movies and the special moments created in one theater, "These are the markers in your life, and they are tied to a space."
Antivirus software entrepreneur John McAfee was indicted on fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges alleging that he and cohorts made over $13 million by fooling investors zealous over the emerging cryptocurrency market, authorities said Friday.

McAfee, 75, was charged in a newly unsealed indictment in Manhattan federal court along with Jimmy Gale Watson Jr., who served as an executive adviser on what prosecutors described as McAfees so-called cryptocurrency team.

Prosecutors said Watson, 40, was arrested Thursday night in Texas and would make an initial appearance Friday before a federal magistrate judge in Dallas. McAfee, authorities said, is detained in Spain on separate criminal charges filed by the U.S. Justice Departments tax division.

It was not immediately clear who would represent the men.

McAfee and Watson exploited a widely used social media platform and enthusiasm among investors in the emerging cryptocurrency market to make millions through lies and deception, U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement describing crimes in 2017 and 2018.

The defendants allegedly used McAfees Twitter account to publish messages to hundreds of thousands of his Twitter followers touting various cryptocurrencies through false and misleading statements to conceal their true, self-interested motives, she added.

In October, McAfee was charged in federal court in Memphis, Tennessee, with evading taxes after failing to report income made from promoting cryptocurrencies while he did consulting work, made speaking engagements and sold the rights to his life story for a documentary.

McAfee developed early internet security software and has been sought by authorities in the U.S. and Belize in the past.

The indictment out of Tennessee said McAfee failed to file tax returns from 2014 to 2018, despite receiving considerable income from several sources.

In July 2019, McAfee was released from detention in the Dominican Republic after he and five others were suspected of traveling on a yacht carrying high-caliber weapons, ammunition and military-style gear, officials on the Caribbean island said at the time.

McAfee, a self-described eccentric millionaire, launched a bid to run for president of the United States and set up an Opelika campaign headquarters, which also served as a tech incubator that he ran.

Anybody who tells you they have answers now is lying to you. You may get into the Oval Office and realize you have no power. The first thing is maybe a wizard comes out, McAfee told AL.com in 2016 from The Round House in Opelika, where an outdoor sign urged passersby to welcome the presidential candidate.

Youre asking me whats behind the curtain. It could be a brand new automobile or it can be an outbreak of measles, I dont know. Let me open the curtain and deal with it.

McAfee was also linked to Kyle Geoffrey Sandler, an Auburn man who in 2018 pleaded guilty to accepting more than $1.8 million from more than 50 investors in a scheme to defraud them.

Sandler aligned himself with McAfee and landed national media coverage for an Opelika teenager with an idea for a new kind of vending machine said to be worth millions.

McAfee noticed Sandler driving a Jaguar and the two struck up a relationship.

He was displaying ostentatious wealth. It didnt seem like you needed to delve too deeply into it, McAfee told The Associated Press in 2019.

McAfee said he didnt invest money in the Round House, a launching pad for new tech companies launched in October 2014, but spent millions of dollars worth of time with Sandler.

A Bitcoin-mining company with ties to McAfee at the time, MGT Capital Investments, acquired a membership interest in the Round House in May 2016; Sandler said the company invested $125,000 and provided another $250,000 in stock bonuses.

AL.com contributed to this report.
A judge has said there is no place for mob rule in Drogheda as he jailed a gang member who was involved in the abduction and gruesome torture of a man in the town in 2018.

Armed gardai likely saved Aaron Rochfords life when they stormed a house in the Moneymore estate in the Louth town November 2018 and found him stripped naked and heavily bleeding in a bath after being stabbed, sliced and beaten.

They subsequently arrested a number men in a neighbouring property including Dean Thornton (23) Beechwood Drive, Marley's Lane who was today sentenced to three years behind bars after pleading guilty to his involvement in the incident linked to the Drogheda feud.

Mob rule and mob law has no place in Drogheda or anywhere else in this country, Judge Martin Nolan said as he handed down a three year sentence for assault today.

Convicted drug dealer Thornton has links to the anti-Maguire faction of the feud but in a letter of apology handed in at his sentencing hearing in Dublin District Court today Thornton claimed he has turned his back on a life of crime and will go straight when he gets out of jail.

In a victim impact statement Rochfords grandmother Mary said her grandson, who subsequently died in non-suspicious circumstances in 2019, never really got over the attack and went off the rails on drugs afterwards.

On the day of the incident Rochford had been abducted by the anti-Maguire faction after a car was driven into the area with gas cylinders in it and subsequently set alight.

Rochford was abducted and put in a VW car before being taken to a house in Moneymore.

CCTV footage showed Thornton punch Rochford in the face as he brought him into the property.

Expand Close Victim Aaron Rochford / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Victim Aaron Rochford

When inside the house he was stripped naked and viciously tortured by the gang. He was sliced multiple times with a knife and brutally beaten leaving him with multiple injuries including a broken jaw.

Gardai had received information Rochford was being held the in house and the Armed Support Unit were brought in to breach the property.

The court heard that when they entered the property they found Rochford unclothed, covered in blood and in a state of shock.

Gardai found the washing machine was on hadnt entered a cycle phase. Inside the machine they found black Nike tracksuit bottoms belonging to Dean Thornton which were covered in Rochfords blood.

They also found a hard-drive in a bucket of water. The hard drive was from the CCTV system on the home and gardai were able to recover footage from it showing the gang bringing Rochford into the house.

By the time gardai had breached the property the abduction gang were in a neighbouring home.

They eventually came out with their hands up after gardai surrounded the second property.

Superintendent Andrew Watters told the court that Thornton was initially uncooperative with gardai when arrested.

He was interviewed on several occasions and declined to answer any questions.

However, his DNA and Rochfords blood were found on the tracksuit bottoms discovered in the washing machine and the CCTV evidence showed him entering the property.

He was seen outside the home when Aaron Rochford was taken from the VW and he punched Aaron in the head.

Gardai also recovered weapons including knives and crossbow from the house.

Thornton subsequently pleaded guilty to his involvement.

In her victim impact statement Aarons grandmother Mary who he lived with for many years described him as a lovable rogue.

She said she was distraught when she went to visit Aaron in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital after he was rescued by gardai.

When I got to the hospital and saw Aaron I thought my heart stopped beating. I was so upset at what he looked like.

There were bruises, cuts, blood; he could barely talk; there were wires around his neck. It was an awful sight.

She said Aaron was transferred to St James Hospital in Dublin as there were fears he would be attacked again

She said she was terrified at that time that the gang would come after her family.

At this time I was worried about the rest of the family. I got CCTV cameras in the house and had so much fear for my family. Even now I see strange cars in my estate and I worry are they here for me and my family.

She said Aaron spent a week in hospital and suffered headaches after the attack but didnt return for further treatment.

He went off the rails on drugs.

She said she didnt think Aaron had ever emotionally recovered from the attack and that he had changed from being the happy go-lucky lad he was before.

He died in September 2019 and the court heard while drugs were not the direct cause of his death heroin was found in his system.

Thornton wrote a letter of apology which was handed up in court today.

His defence counsel said Thornton was from a broken home, exposed to criminality from a young age and led down the wrong path.

He promises when this is over hes leave the life of crime behind. He apologises to anyone affected. He knows what he did was wrong. He sincerely apologises to the family. He cant take back what he done and his actions are an embarrassment to him and his family.

The court heard he was a father to a three-year-old child and was involved in a number of courses in prison.

Judge Nolan said the maximum sentence was five years but there were a number of mitigating circumstances including his guilty plea and sentenced him to three years.

The anti-Maguire faction of the feud have been involved in numerous violent incidents including gun attacks and murder including the vicious killing and dismemberment of a teenager last year.

They had links to violent Dublin hitman Robbie Lawlor who was shot dead in Belfast last year.

Two leading members of the anti-Maguire faction have been on the run since last year and are wanted by gardai.
BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A two-step approach, namely, "decision plus amendment" was proposed to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), senior lawmaker Wang Chen said on Friday.

Wang, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks when explaining a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR to national lawmakers.

In the first step, the NPC, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, makes the decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR.

In the second step, in accordance with the Constitution, the Basic Law, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR, and the NPC decision, the NPC Standing Committee amends "Annex I: Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" and "Annex II: Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures" of the Basic Law, according to Wang.

After the amendment of Annex I and Annex II at the state level is completed, the HKSAR will amend relevant local laws accordingly, Wang said.

The draft decision was submitted for review to the lawmakers during the annual session of the NPC, which runs from March 5 to 11.
YouTube best practices for 2021

With 2020s pandemic induced migration to online, having a strong YouTube presence is more important for artists than ever before. Here, we dive into the best YouTube practices for 2021.

Guest post by Rebecca Rodriguez of The Orchards The Daily Rind

As in-person quickly shifted to online in 2020, the importance of video and overall need for human interaction rose. Its no secret how important YouTube is during these unprecedented times. From live news updates to concerts in the comfort of your living room, YouTube has proved just how powerful the platform still is.

With two billion registered monthly users, YouTube is beyond a video platform  its a space for community, a place to discover (second largest search engine right after Google), and one of the greatest marketing tools.

Ensuring your YouTube channel is optimized in every aspect is critical to its overall growth. To make sure you have all the tools necessary, The Orchard has this years YouTube Best Practices so youre equipped for success!

Channel Features & Optimizations

What you see doesnt mean its what youll always get. Thats why its crucial to have your channel aligned, well branded and organized to captivate the attention of a potential subscriber.

Official Artist Channel vs. Verified

To start, its important to let viewers know your channel is the real deal. This can be denoted as either an Official Artist Channel (OAC) or Verification.

OACs (marked with a music note) are recommended for artists and consolidate the artists content & subscriber count from various YouTube artist channels (official YouTube channel, Vevo channel, and Topic channel) into one place .

. Verifications (marked with a check) are for labels and non-artist channels. Once a non-artist channel reaches 100K subscribers, there is the ability to request verification for the channel. This is a good way to let the YouTube world know your content is official.

Branding

Its all about the visuals. Create customized, visually compelling, and relevant channel art to establish the brand. The banner is YouTubes billboard for information. It should reflect recent release(s), upcoming tours, etc. and make the audience feel like theyre connecting with a personality, not just a brand. The banner should be updated often and be compatible on both desktop and mobile. The profile icon should also be aligned with the banner and be clear. In addition to the visuals, its imperative to include up to five links on the channel. These links can point to an official website, social media profiles, etc. Any other links should be added to the channel description.

Here are the recommended formats for the icon and banner:

Icon: JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG file (no animated GIFs); 800 x 800 px image (recommended); Square or round image that renders at 98 x 98 px

JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG file (no animated GIFs); 800 x 800 px image (recommended); Square or round image that renders at 98 x 98 px Banner: Channel art looks different on desktop, mobile, and TV displays  larger images may be cropped. For the best results on all devices, one 2560 x 1440 px image is recommended. File size should be 6MB or smaller.

Curated Channel Layout

Just like the branding, the overall organization and layout aids in solidifying the channel.

The channel trailer is an elevator pitch to potential subscribers. Its featured first on the channel and auto-plays, so it needs to hook the viewer.

There are two customizable views:

Subscribed view is for returning and already subscribed users. (A new release or playlist, or a top playlist is recommended.)

is for returning and already subscribed users. (A new release or playlist, or a top playlist is recommended.) Unsubscribed view is for new users. (An intro to the channel or the most popular video is recommended.)

Once the trailer video is set, its time to focus on the main attraction: the videos.

Channel sections function as the main organizational tool for channel homepages.

They make the channel page easy to browse and can be created dynamically from playlists.

Consider curating from other channels content, organizing content into different groups (i.e. Official Videos, Official Lyric Videos, etc), and organizing videos (e.g. popular uploads), playlists (My Albums) or Channels (more from my network).

Playlists

Playlists are a great way to keep the audience within the channel. On top of organizing the content, playlists increase watch-time and creates another opportunity to appear in search results and Suggested Videos. Its a no-brainer: playlists should be an essential part of your channels strategy. You can create playlists using the channels videos, videos from other channels, or a combination of both. Ideas of playlists include series, mood playlists, albums, interviews, etc.

To get the best results , optimize the playlists metadata, and direct viewers to these playlists via cards, end screens, community posts, and links.

, optimize the playlists metadata, and direct viewers to these playlists via cards, end screens, community posts, and links. Make the metadata work for the channel; a strong title and description will help people find the playlist.

Channel Descriptions

Who runs the world? SEO. As youre navigating channel optimization, keep in mind the power of YouTubes search.

Channel descriptions should be added in two places: the About tab and Artist Center in the creator studio.

YouTube uses the About tab to populate SEO; adding a detailed bio and description with key terms assists YouTube in surfacing the channel higher in search. Remember to include the artists most popular songs, album names, genres, labels, locations, milestones, and any other search terms relevant to the artist or channel.

In the Artist Center tab in Creator Studio, add pictures and a biography to the About tab as well as the YouTube Music app. Its important to keep the branding across platforms consistent for familiarity, and ensure the channel comes across to fans as the official source of the artists content on YouTube.

Additional Features

Its all in the details. Essential features to keep tabs on are channel tags, featured channels and custom url.

Similar to video tags, channel tags help surface the channel in YouTube search and in other algorithms, such as Google. For example, add the year, common misspellings of popular song titles or albums or names, genres, song titles, albums, geography. The more, the better, as long as theyre relevant.

To promote other content and drive traffic between two channels, link featured channels in the Channels tab.

Creating a custom URL allows fans to easily find and remember your channel. It should be something clear and memorable such as ArtistName /ArtistOfficial /LabelRecords /LabelMusic, etc. We recommend using the same handle as other social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. to keep uniformity.

Video Optimizations & Features

Video Titles, Descriptions and Tags

Each video has its own SEO opportunity outside of the actual channel. Through proper video titles, descriptions, and tags, you can ensure that the right audience is being targeted.

Video titles give viewers a sense of what to expect from a video whether it be an Official Audio, Music Video, Lyric Video, Behind The Scenes, Live Interview, etc. For artists, be sure to include the name of the artist and the title of the track. If there are multiple or featured artists, you can also mention them with @ symbol.

Video descriptions are another way YouTube is able to utilize SEO. In short, the descriptions really help viewers find your videos. Make sure all of the important information is showcased in the first two sentences of the description  its what shows in search and on the video page.

Within the description, include links to subscribe, point to all social platforms, link to other videos or playlists, any purchase links (merch/song/album) and lyrics. This comes into play when users cant remember the title of the song so they search by lyric.

Include appropriate hashtags without spaces; the first three hashtags appear below the video and above the video title. Use hashtags that are a part of a larger searches, such as #NewMusic, #Artist, #Album, #Genre, #Event

Just like the channel tags, video tags help in targeting the right audience. In this case, the more the merrier.

Add more tags to videos as long as they remain relevant to the video (500 character limit). You can include a mix of general and specific tags to accurately describe each video.

This can be the artist name or different variations of it, title of the song, easily misspelled words that people may be searching for, lyrics of the song, the year, albums, genre, geography, new music tags, the type of video, and more.

Video Features

Beyond the SEO optimizations, there are also features within the video that generate more engagement within the channel. The additional features available are cards, end screens, watermarks, subtitles, and merch shelf.

Cards allow you to link up to five different card types  this can include other videos, merch, streaming, donation sites, tour tickets, playlists, and more. Whats great about this function is that it allows viewers to follow through on another call-to-action without having to stop the video. The card button appears as the i in the top right hand corner throughout the video.

allow you to link up to five different card types  this can include other videos, merch, streaming, donation sites, tour tickets, playlists, and more. The card button appears as the i in the top right hand corner throughout the video. Adding end-screens to videos helps curate and lengthen a viewers watch session. End-screens, as the name suggests, are elements that pop up on the screen once the video is coming to an end. Here you can add a subscribe link or link to other videos and playlists. Make sure to keep these updated to push to relevant and/or priority content.

Another important watch session feature to add is the branding watermark button. It sits on the lower right hand corner of each video and when scrolled over, allows the user to subscribe to the channel without leaving the video.

Your channel doesnt have to be limited to one language. Enabling subtitles/(CC)/translations opens the content to a larger audience  including those who dont speak the language or would prefer to have the lyrics on the screen. Translations contribute to the overall metadata of the video.

One of the newest features is the merch shelf. Now eligible channels can promote their merch right below the description of videos and on the Store tab of the main channel.

Thumbnails

Thumbnails are the job interviews of YouTube  you want to make the BEST first impression the moment they see your video, so make them count! Thumbnails should be bright and easy to see (not dark or blurry), with a clear picture of the artist or a striking image thats on-brand to grab the attention of potential fans. Change up the thumbnails within your channel! Heres your space to get creative within the brand by using distinct thumbnails for each video to aid user experience.

And most importantly, always optimize for mobile  more than 70% of views come from mobile.

Engaging

Beyond its abilities to host content, YouTube has become a space for community and engaging with the audience. Like other social platforms, artists and labels alike can communicate directly with the fans in chats, the community tab, and more.

Community

Community is YouTubes social feed. With the ability to post photos, GIFs, polls and text updates, its a great way to directly engage with fans by giving them unique content and general updates. To foster a more connected fanbase, we recommend liking/replying to comments. Posting on Community keeps the channel active in YouTubes algorithm, especially when the artist goes a length of time without posting, or before uploading new content.

Premiere

YouTube Premiere gives fans the opportunity to virtually gather together for a watch party at the time of launch. You can schedule a video upload and create a shareable watch page; stirring up buzz around the release with a countdown.

Super Chat & Super Stickers

Calling all super fans. YouTube recently launched Super Chat  a feature that allows viewers to voluntarily pay for their messages to be highlighted and pinned to the top of the live chat box on a livestream or Premiere video. The more they spend, the longer their comments stay and their chat color changes.

Viewers can also purchase Super Stickers  digital or animated images that pop up in the live chat feed and can be pinned to the top of the chat box. The features will automatically be enabled on all future livestreams and Premiere.

YouTube Live

Now more than ever, its important to stay connected and engaged with fanbases.

YouTube Live gives you a way to connect with new and old fans, creating a real time experience to engage with viewers directly (+ you can monetize your stream.)

YouTube Stories

Give fans a moment by moment update with YouTube stories! Think Instagram Stories  but the video segments can be 15 seconds long and expire after 7 days.

_____

For more details on the 2021 YouTube Best Practices, check out the presentation below!

Share on:
An ownership change triggers the need for a new beer license from the city of Chattanooga. In the one and a half years it has been open, ownership continues to change at Exile off Main Street, the small bar at 1634 Rossville Ave. It was opened in the fall of 2019 by Brian Hennen and Martin Bohannon. Mr. Hennens share was sold to Ryan Rothermel in the summer of 2020 and ownership has since changed again. Mr. Bohannon has left and now Mr. Rothermel owns 87.5 percent of the business, while Rashelle McKee owns 12.5 percent. At the Thursday morning meeting, a permit application was again brought to the Chattanooga Beer Board due to the most recent ownership change.

Approval for a new beer permit was delayed because the Secretary of State has not yet registered the new ownership. The application was rescheduled before the board for the next meeting on March 18 when the owners will have to provide proof that the business is in compliance with the state. Until then, Exile off Main Street can continue to sell beer under the old beer license.

George Matter, a resident of the community around the bar, spoke to the beer board on Thursday, saying that he represented the neighborhood in asking that a permit be denied. He said he has concerns about the ethics and morals of it operating in their community, claiming, among other things, that building permits had not been obtained and that the business had underpaid employees.

Beer Board member Brooke King responded that the board does not judge peoples morals, or if they take advantage of their employees, but it follows a cut and dried process, such as making sure that city inspections have been passed and that there is a landline. This is harassment, said Mr. Rothermel, while denying the claims. He said all employees are on the payroll and all taxes are paid, and that a permit had been obtained when an awning was built over the patio. Were completely legal, he said.

Businesses that sell beer are required to have a landline phone before receiving a beer permit but recently there has been concern that new applicants are using personal cell phones instead. Chattanooga Police Officer John Collins said landlines give an address when 911 is called for emergencies. A cell phone only gives an approximate location and there are delays in tracking down the address. A new policy will require that an applicant will have to attach documentation that there is active service at an address, which will be verified with a phone call to the number from the regulatory bureau.

At the last meeting of the beer board, penalties for violations at several businesses gave them an option for either a suspended license or to pay a fine. An update was given for those fines. Ladell Careathers paid $50 for failing to get a special gathering permit for a party at an event hall and $25 for a second event at a different event hall. Brew and Cue chose to pay $1,000 fine rather than have the license suspended for seven days because the bar did not report a disorder to the police which sent a customer to the hospital. A $50 fine for Executive Director Elenora Woods for not getting a special gathering permit at the Piney Woods Family Resource Center is still outstanding. We might have to send her a friendly reminder, said Chairman of the Board Dan Mayfield.

The members of the beer board also function as the citys wrecker board. On Thursday morning they discussed regulations of the wrecker industry, which business owners have claimed are not up to date. "It should be up to them to initiate changes on what they believe is needed," said board member Vince Butler. Two issues that have been raised are that some penalties are too harsh. The board has no choice of deciding on a lesser penalty for certain violations, and has expressed that a tiered level of punishment should be available. Another question is if the rates that wrecker companies in Chattanooga are allowed to charge are lower than what is allowed in other cities in Tennessee. More discussion will take place at the next meeting. The board can make recommendations which would be drafted as amendments to the ordinance and voted on by the Chattanooga City Council, said Assistant City Attorney Melinda Foster.
Carlisle Events has announced a new auto expo, though it will be a bit of a wait for those eager to participate.

The Carlisle Winter Auto Expo will launch early next year, with dates scheduled for Jan. 28 and 29 of 2022. The move comes following the success of the previous Auto Mania event held in January, and discussion with vendors and guests, according to a press release.

While Auto Mania will return to Allentown for 2022, the Carlisle Expo Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania will still bring car enthusiasts together with this brand-new event, the press release reads. With a spacious parking lot for car corral and outdoor vending, mixed with a 30,000 square foot indoor footprint, the two-day showcase should prove to be a great way for central PA locals as well as regional car buffs to get out during an otherwise dull time of year to have some fun.

The new show will take place soon after next years Auto Mania, which is scheduled to return at the Allentown Fairgrounds on Jan. 14-16. Vendors interested in booking spaces at the Winter Auto Expo can do so beginning on May 4, either online or by phone. Advance ticket options and other details will also be available through the Carlisle Events website.
We have a flu with out-of-the-ordinary marketing that has created a planetary psychosis. I wrote in detail about the phenomenon in my book Viral Times.

We are in a unique period in human history, when a disease with low mortality has destroyed our way of life, through quarantines and blockades of human activities, an inefficient path in combating the disease and extremely effective in impoverishing the population and reducing civil liberties. .

Lately, a strange thing is happening, difficult to understand. Public attention has shifted to vaccinations against Covid-19, leaving the search for effective drugs to treat the disease in second place. And vaccines do not guarantee immunity, they are experimental, even a kind of Russian roulette with enough dead so far.

What are we actually facing? With a hysteria perpetuated for a year by politicians, catastrophic, with covido-stupidity, as we called it in the volume, for which they will have to answer criminally again and again and with the attempt to turn the abnormality of compulsory vaccination into normal. By this our bodies will be at the discretion of the state. As it was in Nazi times.

Freedom over ones own body is the most intimate form of freedom. Without it, animality, the dictates of force, arbitrariness have to stop. Forced enforcement of medical labor is dementia. There is no justification. If we accept, we can say goodbye to democracy, it means we agree with the dictatorship. Human society takes the form of the stable with people.

Alexandru Petria
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on March 4, said the special friendship between New Delhi and Bridgetown has helped omit the geographical distances between the two nations. In a Twitter post, PM Modi thanked Barbados counterpart Mia Amor Mottley, who previously appreciated him for a demonstration of generosity by providing vaccines to the Caribbean island nation. In addendum, he also asserted that the country was proud to expedite inoculation efforts in CARICOM states.

Thank you PM @miaamormottley. Special friendship between our nations has always helped us bridge geographic distances. #VaccineMaitri is proud to support vaccination efforts of Barbados and other CARICOM countries. https://t.co/8w3KytQpqu  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2021

In a Twitter post earlier, Mottley lauded PM Modi highlighting that he, through his 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative, the Indian leader made possible "for more than 40K persons in Barbados and tens of thousands elsewhere", to receive their 1st dose of COVISHIELD, before he himself did. A genuine demonstration of generosity,  she wrote.

PM Modi @narendramodi made it possible for more than 40K persons in Barbados and tens of thousands elsewhere, to receive their 1st dose of COVISHIELD via #VaccineMaitri before receiving his. A genuine demonstration of generosity. Thank you and we wish you continued good health. https://t.co/1z1QGo6xQf  Mia Amor Mottley (@miaamormottley) March 3, 2021

In January, Mottley had written a letter to PM Modi requesting him for the supply of vaccines to counter the threat of the pandemic in the island nation. In response, India supplied 100,000 doses of Serum Institute manufactured Covishield to Barbados. As a part of the global cooperation to counter the Covid-19 pandemic, India has supplied Coronavirus vaccines to a number of countries starting from neighbours - Nepal, Bhutan, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh among others. This global assistance comes simultaneously with the ongoing vaccination drives across the country.

Read: Amid Rihanna Tweet Row, Barbados PM Thanks Counterpart Modi For COVID-19 Vaccine Donation

Read: CARICOM Insists On Equitable Distribution Of Vaccines, Thanks India For COVID Jabs

'Vaccine maitri'

India provided over 229 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccines to various countries out of which 64 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance and 165 lakh on a commercial basis, the External Affairs Ministry said on February 12. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had said consignments of coronavirus vaccine doses were supplies as gifts to Bangladesh (20 lakh), Myanmar (17 lakh), Nepal (10 lakh), Bhutan (1.5 lakh), the Maldives (1 lakh), Mauritius (1 lakh), Seychelles (50,000), Sri Lanka (5 lakh), Bahrain (1 lakh), Oman (1 lakh), Afghanistan (5 Lakhs), Barbados (1 Lakh) and Dominica (70,000).

He said countries which received vaccines on a commercial basis are Brazil (20 lakh), Morocco (60 lakh), Bangladesh (50 lakh), Myanmar (20 lakh), Egypt (50,000), Algeria (50,000), South Africa (10 lakh), Kuwait (2 lakh) and UAE (2 lakh).

Read: Washington State To Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Access

Read: Britain Will Receive 10 Mln Doses Of AstraZeneca Vaccine From Serum Institute Of India

Two more cases of a new coronavirus variant of potential concern have been detected, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has confirmed.

The B1525 strain, which was previously found in Nigeria and the UK, has now been identified in a total of three cases here recently.

The variant is of concern because it could reduce the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines.

It comes as Dr Breda Smyth, public health specialist in HSE West, told last nights Covid-19 briefing how a large outbreak of Covid-19 among students in the west has resulted in 442 cases among 224 households.

Read More

She revealed details of the outbreak, which began on February 9 and is mostly among adults aged 18 to 24.

Twenty clusters are currently linked to the cases, ranging from two to 42 cases.

She said that 145 cases were linked to single household outbreaks, while 179 cases are linked to multiple household clusters.

The outbreak also seeded cases among two restaurants and a hotel, as well as the retail sector.

It also led to a cluster in another part of the country.

Health officials believe students moving between their homes and student accommodation, inter-household mixing and socialising, as well as a number of house parties are some of the ways in which the virus spread.

It comes as 39 additional deaths related to Covid-19 were reported, and 462 new cases.

Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, Professor Philip Nolan, said: The R number has at least remained stable and may even have decreased slightly, this is reflected in the week-on-week decline in cases that has been reported recently.

This represents an extraordinary effort over a very challenging nine-week period that has brought us from 6,500 cases to under 600. The number of Covid patients in hospital has fallen to 460, of whom 107 are in intensive care.

Prof Nolan said there was emerging evidence of the impact of vaccinations in long-term care facilities where infections and deaths have fallen. There has also been a very sharp reduction in deaths in older people.

Meanwhile, new expert advice has stated that primary schoolchildren should not be made wear face masks in the classroom.

The benefit of children under 13 using a face mask was likely to be small and may be affected by their reduced ability to wear it, a new report from the patient watchdog Hiqa said.

In advice to Nphet, it said any decision to require or recommend face-mask use in children must be balanced against perceived disadvantages associated with their use, for example, potential effects on communication.

Dr Mairin Ryan, Hiqas deputy chief executive and director of health technology assessment, said: It is important that schools remain open to support childrens educational, social, and emotional development.

The best way to ensure that schools remain a low-risk environment is by the continued use of a combination of public health measures, such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, increased ventilation and by not attending when you have symptoms of Covid-19.

Hiqa was asked to assess if the minimum age of mask-wearing be reduced.

The advice was informed by the latest international practice as well as input from its Covid-19 Expert Advisory Group.

Measures previously employed in schools have successfully mitigated the spread of the virus.

Dr Ryan said public health measures such as physical distance, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and better ventilation should not be limited to the classroom.
For months now, the Covid vaccine story has been largely about scarcitywho is eligible for the limited supply; who qualifies as an essential worker, or for which tier or age bracket; and how soon can we get more. Given President Bidens recent announcement accelerating the timeline for broad vaccine supply, that storyline is about to evolve as availability grows and eligibility expands to the general population. American newsrooms will be tested as the narrative moves from who cant get the shot to who wont get the shot.

Poll after poll shows a stubbornly large percentage of Americans who say they will not get the vaccine when its available. In some communities, such as the military, a majority of respondents say they will resist. The reasons for such opposition are complicated and diverse, and highly correlated to individual exposure to information found online.

Over the past three months, Aspen Digitalthe Aspen Institutes media and technology programhosted multiple gatherings of experts and news executives at the national and local levels to help newsrooms explore how to responsibly report on the vaccine. Joining our briefings were disinformation researchers including Claire Wardle, founder of First Draft, and Renee DiResta, of the Stanford Internet Observatory; public-health experts such as Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the Center for Disease Control, and Rick Bright, former head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority during the early stage of pandemic; and thoughtful observers of community dynamics, including Helene Gayle, the chief executive of Chicago Community Trust, and Jonathan Jackson, founding director of CARE Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Drawing on their expertise, and input from journalists all over the country, we extracted lessons whose seeming simplicity gives way to massive complications: Words and story framing matter greatly.

Vaccine resistance is a challenging story for news organizations. Ordinary journalistic practices can unintentionally exacerbate the public health crisis by amplifying the very mis- and disinformation it seeks to counter.

Heres what weve learned about the keys to reporting this critical story:

Its critical to address the unfounded public concern that the speedy development of Covid vaccines means theyre not safe. One of the great global achievements of the last year has been the rapid development, production, and release of multiple highly effective Covid vaccines. Yet that speed has enabled false narrativesfor instance, that critical safety steps were skipped to meet the audacious timeline of the unfortunately named Operation Warp Speed. Taken together, decades of research informed the development of these breakthrough gene-based vaccines, which have been shown to be remarkably effective, and come with comparatively low levels of risk. Varying vaccine-effectiveness data is causing mistrust. Context makes all the difference. Drug companies are reporting efficacy rates ranging from the 60-percent range into the 90-percent range, causing confusion and concern that some vaccines might be less effective than others. However, as the New York Times recently noted, just because one vaccine ends up with a higher efficacy estimate than another in trials doesnt necessarily mean its superior. Precise comparisons between vaccines arent possible, due in part to differences in tests, which have measured different groups of people at places in different stages of the pandemic for different outcomes. Experts agree that all three vaccines currently in the market are effective at protecting the public against infections, and especially serious illness. While the fine print is important, overemphasis on the minutiae can undermine trust unnecessarily. Overemphasizing the rare instances of adverse reaction undermines trust. Every vaccine, even those that have eradicated diseases such as smallpox, can result in adverse reactions in a vanishingly small percentage of the population. The temptation to blare headlines based on rare instances of fainting, anaphylaxis, or death is irresponsible and provides fodder for those who seek to undermine trust. (As an analogy, look at how bad-faith actors weaponized the rare reports of limited, identified voter fraud in the recent presidential election to undermine legitimacy of the entire election, which government leaders concluded actually was the safest and most secure in US history.) Even among the rare cases of recipients who face adverse reactions, the side effects are minor, temporary, and easily addressed by health officials at vaccine sites. Reporting on possible side effects is a public service, but its imperative to provide context to show how rare they really are, report on possible underlying conditions of the vaccine recipient, and balance those side effects against the overwhelming benefits that individuals and communities receive as a result. Vaccine hesitancy is normal and natural. Respond with compassion and information. After a year of mixed messagesmany of which came from the highest levels of government and were amplified through social mediaits entirely reasonable for people to have legitimate questions and concerns about the Covid vaccine. The key is to debunk claims without repeating them. As Wardle, of First Draft News puts it, The first rule of reporting on mis/disinformation: dont talk about the mis/disinformation. Avoid headline questions like Do vaccines cause miscarriages? which entertain hypotheses that can reinforce falsehoods. Dont conflate vaccine hesitancy with anti-vaxxers. One is a reasonable emotion; the other is a harmful ideology. The anti-vaxx movement, decades in the making, takes advantage of the attention given to vaccine science and confusion over messaging from officials. Anti-vaxx narratives introduce bogus conspiracy theoriesranging from chip implants to permanent gene alterations and beyondinto communities with other valid medical concerns, which may increase hesitancy. Coverage of such conspiracy theories should focus on debunking their false claims without giving them oxygen. Be wary of letting your coverage of vaccine hesitancy amid populations be weaponized to further the corrosive ideology of anti-vaxxers. When it comes to marginalized communities, look at the culpability of systems, not people. Polling consistently indicates higher levels of vaccine hesitancy among communities of color than in the general population. That hesitancy exists for good reason: The American government and the medical community has a shameful history of medically abusing racial and ethnic minorities. When reporting on such hesitancy, it is critical not to inadvertently blame the affected population. For instance, a lede about high levels of vaccine hesitancy in the Black community should be framed with the historical context that the health-care system has consistently violated the trust of Black and Indigenous people. If the goal of journalism is to dispel vaccine misinformation and guide audiences through hesitancy, then it is important for journalists to acknowledge historical injustices while reporting on current science. Its important to put extra effort in these stories to ensure theyre framed correctly, respect that minority populations arent monoliths, and that they dont exacerbate community fears or prejudices. Leverage trusted, local voices. Americans trust their neighbors and their local leaders more than national sources of news when it comes to the pandemic, according to the Pew Research Center. This is especially so for Black Americans, who were more likely than other adults to trust local news outlets. All news outlets should consider voices beyond national public health experts who can build trust and acceptance of the vaccine, such as clergy members, veteran groups, service clubs, and other community leaders. Varying your sources of reliable information can be more persuasive for wary populations. Building vaccine trust with audiences means trying and sharing new ways to engage. Beware false equivalence when reporting on popular alternative treatments. While vitamins, minerals, and other medicines have been used as therapies to treat symptoms of Covid-19, these treatments will notand cannotdo what a vaccine can do. Ensure that your news coverage features perspectives that follow and respect the science and avoid those that try to equate vaccine science with holistic alternatives. Highlighting medical experts with untested alternative views can have serious public health consequences. Addressing concerns, confusion, and misconceptions with a variety of informed sources is possible without amplifying harmful information. Dont accidentally undersell the vaccines effectiveness. Warnings from public health officials that vaccinated individuals shouldnt alter their pandemic routinessocial distancing, wearing masks, avoiding indoor spaces may inadvertently encourage vaccine hesitancy, as the advice appears to conflict with the benefits touted around the vaccine. . There are, in fact, different reasons for the seemingly conflicting advice: The science is still unsettled on whether vaccinated people can transmit the disease to the unvaccinated, which is why scientists are encouraging people not to immediately return post-vaccine to their pre-pandemic lifestyle. The message needs to be: Get the vaccine for your own protectionand the sooner enough of us make that critical, individual decision, the sooner all of us can go back to something approximating our pre-pandemic lives. Fill the data voids. News organizations might consider the practice of pre-bunkingthat is, actively debunking or anticipating public questions and concerns rather than only reacting once false narratives have been popularized. Publish explainers in advance to protect against misinformation; explain the safety of the vaccine for children or pregnant women; share the commonality of side effects that most people experience, especially after a second dose. There is a growing body of evidence that it works. In addition to providing a reliable source, these prebunks have a secondary benefit: they give Googles search engines something to populate when people enter more obscure queries into a search bar, solving for data deficits. One advantage conspiracy theories have online is that if respected news outlets and websites avoid writing about a subject, then people reading about that off-the-wall subject will only be led down dark rabbit holes. Filling those voids will provide critical public services while driving traffic.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

ICYMI: Is the press too pessimistic about the pandemic?

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Vivian Schiller is executive director of Aspen Digital, a program of the Aspen Institute.

Authorities have released the name of a young man fatally shot on the front porch of a Bessemer home.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office Friday identified the victim as Carlos Dewayne Wells Jr. He was 21 and lived in Bessemer.

Bessemer police Lt. Christian Clemons said they received a call of shots fired in the 2100 block of Berkley Avenue about 12:40 p.m. Thursday. When officers responded to the area, they were flagged down by residents and directed to the home.

Wells was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:50 p.m. A second person arrived at UAB West a short time later with a gunshot wound. Investigators believe the two shootings could be linked.

No arrests have yet been announced.

Wells is Bessemers fifth homicide this year. In all of Jefferson County there have been 26 homicides, including the five in Bessemer.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bessemer police at 425-2411, the Tip Line at 205- 428-3541 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Emerging criticism of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomos transparency in his handling of the early days of the coronavirus pandemic grew louder Thursday when it was reported that Cuomos staff took out the true nursing home death toll in a July 2020 report, a move that significantly underplayed the viruss impact on nursing home residents. The state health department report, which specifically examined the spread of the virus in nursing homes, omitted, at the Cuomo administrations behest, the deaths of nursing home residents who fell sick at their care home but died in the hospital, lowering the death toll at long-term-care facilities by a third, from more than 9,000 to 6,432.

Advertisement

The overall death toll in New York remained the same, so why would this subset of the data matter so much to Cuomo and his team? The nursing home death toll in New York was a sore spot for Cuomo, in part because it was indeed high: More than 50 percent greater than the next highest state, neighboring New Jersey, which had recorded 6,150 nursing home facility deaths. The bigger internal problem at the time, however, was concern that the number of deaths was the direct result of an early Cuomo policy. The tension over the death count dated to the early weeks of the pandemic when Mr. Cuomo issued an order preventing nursing homes from turning away people discharged from the hospital after being treated for Covid-19, the New York Times notes. The order was similar to ones issued in other states aimed at preventing hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

Cuomos team has claimed that the numbers werent verified, but that seems convenient. Theyve also responded to criticism of his administrations lack of transparency, saying it was concerned that the Trump administration would use any misstepsor even the appearance of a misstepwas a political weapon against Cuomo, who was at the time garnering praise for his straight-talking pandemic press conferences. The Times, however, notes that Cuomo and his team tightly guarded the states data almost from the outset. When it comes to nursing home fatalities, by late spring, Republicans were suggesting that the order had caused a deadly spread of the virus in nursing homes, the Times reports. Mr. Cuomo disputed that it had. Still, critics and others seized on the way the state was publicly reporting deaths: Unlike other states, New York excluded residents who had been transferred to hospitals and died there, effectively cloaking how many nursing home residents had died of Covid-19.

Advertisement

The likely answer to why Cuomo cared so much about what amounted to a mere subset of the mound of data, was that he popular at the time, uniquely so, for the three-term governor that has never been a fan favorite even among his own party. Suddenly, Cuomo was a straight-talking truth-teller at the very moment that thats exactly what the countryor much of itwas searching for. Cuomo was making tough calls and relaying hard truths, or at least thats how it appeared, and people responded. Out of nowhere, on the back of his blunt coronavirus fireside chats, pundits were musing about how he should join the presidential race. Cuomo, the Times, notes was already at work on a book, just months into the pandemic and before the nursing home report dropped, about his coronavirus achievements. So, lets be honest about what looks to have happened here: Cuomo liked being popular! For, of all things, being himself. Or, as it turned out, a lightly edited version of himselfand reality. A small distinction, a numbers fudge, but one that makes all the difference.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Three years ago Oakland sounded an alarm when we learned of a secret operation by President Donald Trump to attempt mass deportations of immigrants from our community. I knew the impending ICE raid on our city would have undoubtedly torn parents away from children, husbands away from wives.

Instead of standing down, we chose to speak up.

Its hard to look back and make sense of the despotic, tyrannical cloud we all lived under. Immediately after our warning in Oakland, the U.S. attorney general attempted to ban federal aid to Oakland and all sanctuary cities. The president of the United States called for my imprisonment  a punishment I said I would accept  and then moved to hold immigrant children in cages. A Republican congressman from Iowa wrote federal legislation called the Libby Schaaf Act that promised to jail elected officials who alert their residents to ICE operations.

Today, we mayors can breathe a little easier. But more importantly, so too can the millions of immigrant families and residents we proudly represent and live with side by side. Gov. Gavin Newsom just appointed Alex Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants, to be the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate, and a daughter of Oakland and of immigrant parents, Kamala Harris, is our vice president.

The sweeping immigration reform we have needed for so long  that keeps families together, centers our shared humanity and compassion, and bolsters our economies  finally feels within our grasp. The Biden-proposed U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 would help 11 million undocumented individuals become citizens and create new funding for local governments like Oakland to assist and support residents on their path to citizenship. It would also fund $4 billion toward a federal inter-agency program to address the underlying root causes the create migration from Central America in the first place.

Sen. Padillas Citizenship for Essential Workers Act would give our undocumented essential workers  whove literally saved our lives during the pandemic at great risk to their own  a fast, accessible, path to citizenship. The Dream Act of 2021, which would allow 2.1 million eligible people to fulfill their potential through education, work, or service in the military, would generate an estimated $22.7 billion each year to our GDP; some estimates show that allowing Dreamers to work and obtain citizenship can yield economic contributions of up to $728.4 billion over the next decade alone.

Taken together, these bold actions at the federal level begin to compose the kind of immigration reform that will lift up our residents and will ultimately make all cities  not just sanctuary cities  safer, more prosperous and more just.

After four dark and degrading years, we are now clawing our way back to an America who embraces her immigrant families rather than vilifies them.

It will take a relentless effort and more acts of defiance to get there. For my actions, I was branded a traitor and gang lookout by our president and caught the wrath of his followers at rallies and on social media and Fox News. Ive never regretted our decision, and Ive never been more proud to stand up for, and with, Oakland.

Heres three things learned from the experience that can help guide us as we fight against other oppressive clouds  like the systemic racism that continues to infect our country.

One: Move with your community before you move on behalf of it. Before I made my decision, I reached out and consulted with those on the ground. I shared my information in confidence with representatives from ACILEP, a coalition and rapid response network for those facing imminent deportation. I relied on advice from its legal services director, two longtime community organizers and a Catholic priest. It was a difficult conversation and there was not unanimous consensus that it was the right thing to do. But, overall, their guidance gave me confidence I was speaking up for my community. They helped me craft what to say and how to say it, so that it would empower  rather than further traumatize  the very community we most wanted to help.

Two: Im a mother first and a mayor second. I could not sleep at night knowing that the next day a family in my community could be torn apart. The lack of compassion and shame of Donald Trump was a threat to all of us. His divisive rhetoric contaminated our entire society, and I do worry that those who attempted to match his hateful tactics on social media only wound up contributing to the othering among us. Ultimately, it is the stories of mothers and fathers  like Maria Mendoza and Eusebio Sanchez  who will remind us of our shared humanity and become the most powerful drivers of any policy reform.

Three: The arc of history bends toward justice  but you can push it there faster. As a mayor each day presents a list of unsexy decisions that keep the city running and the storm drains flowing. The details can consume you. If youre not careful, the real work we are elected to do  dismantle systemic racism and the vast inequities caused by generations of governmental malpractice  can go overshadowed. The work must be intentional.

In Oakland, weve started the hard work of undoing those injustices department by department, service by service, employing guidance from our Department of Race & Equity  from prioritizing low-income neighborhoods of color for more road repairs, to abolishing library fines, to piloting a Guaranteed Income, we are changing how government does business by centering the voices of those whove gone unserved and unheard for far too long.

Like all government agencies, we can do more. It all starts with speaking up.

Libby Schaaf is mayor of Oakland.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As America emerges from the throes of the coronavirus pandemic, we will very soon need to reckon with a radically new jobs landscape, in part because of COVID-19, but primarily due to the accelerating pace of emerging technology and automation. In response to this challenge, Ohio -- which has earned its place over the last century as an icon of American innovation -- is being presented with a unique opportunity to once again lead the way.

Even before the pandemic, Ohio was already grappling with a decadeslong transition away from traditional industries towards services in an increasingly technology-centric economy. Artificial intelligence (AI) will accelerate this trend and threaten many jobs that were previously resilient to traditional automation.

Its hard to overstate how profound and impactful AI will be on Ohios economy. An Oxford study from 2018 predicted nearly half of all jobs are at risk of being automated within the next decade. Those most at risk include food-service workers, retail salespeople, and customer-service staff  top careers for Ohioans today.

Chris Berry is president of OhioX, a nonprofit technology and innovation partnership dedicated to helping make Ohio a leading tech hub.

To respond, we need to swiftly transform our workforce to enable economic resilience and prosperity.

We believe Ohio is uniquely positioned to succeed in this endeavor if we pursue two key solutions to meet this moment.

First and foremost, we must ensure our students have the basic knowledge required to navigate the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Today, there are no broadly available curricula about AI. This means that, in just a few months, 100,000 Ohioans will graduate high school (along with 3.7 million other seniors across the United States) having never learned about how AI might alter their career paths. If economists are correct, as many as half of these students will pursue jobs that are about to disappear.

To respond, Ohio is already off to a promising start pioneering AI literacy in partnership with The AI Education Project, a national nonprofit which piloted one of the first kindergarten-to-12th-grade curriculums about AI. The program has grown by more than 2,000 percent to reach thousands of students, and it demonstrates that we can inspire students to imagine how they might harness technology to advance their careers. If Ohio is able to scale accessible AI education, it would be the first state in the country to do so, and it would set an important new standard for workforce readiness across the United States.

Alex Kotran is co-founder and president of The AI Education Project. (Photo by Thomas George)

In tandem with advancing innovation in education, we must work to cultivate a vibrant technology ecosystem across Ohio. This work is also well underway. Among the most promising projects are the recently announced innovation districts in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Created under the leadership of Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, JobsOhio, and numerous other partners, these districts will solidify Ohio as a leading innovation hub.

There are also projects like General Motors $2 billion joint venture with LG Chem in Lordstown to create a battery cell factory, which will play a pivotal role in GMs shift to electric vehicles. The work happening in the Youngstown area, which also includes electric vehicle manufacturer Lordstown Motors, has resulted in the region being dubbed Voltage Valley. In Central Ohio, Beta Districts 33 Smart Mobility Corridor has become a hub for testing of connected vehicle technology.

Our state provides a versatile playground full of ambition, cutting-edge research, and brilliant collaborations for the projects at the beginning of this Age of Artificial Intelligence.

The World Economic Forum calls this fast-approaching era of automated technology the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Ohios own historical reputation as a global economic powerhouse came to fruition during the Third Industrial Revolution of the early 20th century, so it is fitting for Ohio to step into this new era as a leader. By preparing our workforce and fostering an innovation-based economy, Ohio has a chance to once again lead America as we navigate this brave new world.

Chris Berry is the president of OhioX, a statewide technology and innovation nonprofit partnership. Alex Kotran is the co-founder and president of The AI Education Project.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
Pancreatitis drug Camostat inhibits new SARS-CoV-2 activators identified in the upper respiratory tract.

There are no therapeutics available that have been developed for COVID-19 treatment. Repurposing already available medication for COVID-19 therapy is an attractive option to shorten the road to treatment development.

The drug Camostat could be suitable. Camostat exerts antiviral activity by blocking the protease TMPRSS2, which is used by SARS-CoV-2 for entry into cells.

However, it was previously unknown whether SARS-CoV-2 can use TMPRSS2-related proteases for cell entry and whether these proteases can be blocked by Camostat. Moreover, it was unclear whether the metabolization of Camostat interferes with antiviral activity.

An international team of researchers around Markus Hoffmann and Stefan Pohlmann from the German Primate Center (DPZ) - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research has now shown that SARS-CoV-2 can use several TMPRSS2-related proteases for its activation.

These proteases are expressed in the upper respiratory tract and are blocked by Camostat. In addition, the researchers found that Camostat and its major metabolite GBPA inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection of primary human lung tissue.

These findings support the further development of Camostat and related compounds for COVID-19 therapy (EBioMedicine).

SARS-CoV-2 depends on activation by the cellular protease TMPRSS2 for infection of lung cells. The researchers of the Infection Biology Unit of DPZ previously documented that the drugs camostat and nafamostat, which are used in Japan to treat inflammation of the pancreas, block SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting TMPRSS2.

However, it was unknown whether Camostat metabolites also block SARS-CoV-2 and whether the virus may use TMPRSS2-related proteases for an infection that may be Camostat-insensitive.

An international team of researchers around Markus Hoffmann and Stefan Pohlmann from the Infection Biology Unit of the DPZ has now shown that SARS-CoV-2 can use several TMPRSS2-related proteases for infection, among them TMPRSS11D and TMPRSS13.

These proteases may support viral spread in the upper respiratory tract and are blocked by Camostat. This finding indicates that switching to activators other than TMPRSS2 might not allow the virus to replicate in the presence of Camostat.

The researchers could show that not only Camostat but also a major Camostat-metabolite, GBPA, block TMPRSS2 and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

"In the human body, Camostat is rapidly converted to GBPA. Therefore, it was crucial to demonstrate that not only Camostat but also GBPA exert antiviral activity", says Stefan Pohlmann, the head of the Infection Biology Unit of DPZ. Markus Hoffmann, the first author of the study adds: "Our results suggest that Camostat/GBPA may unfold antiviral activity in patients. However, for effective treatment of COVID-19, a higher Camostat dose might be required as compared to pancreatitis treatment."

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by Camostat was initially shown using the lung cell line Calu-3. The participation of Armin Braun, Fraunhofer ITEM, Hannover, and Danny Jonigk, Institute of Pathology at the MHH, in the consortium allowed analysis of Camostat antiviral activity in primary human lung tissue ex vivo.

Camostat and GBPA blocked SARS-CoV-2 infection of lung tissue and Nafamostat had increased antiviral activity.

Therefore, the team of the Infection Biology Unit and the laboratory of Armin Braun are investigating how Nafamostat can be directly delivered into the human lung for increased antiviral activity. This project receives financial support from the Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) (project RENACO, Repurposing of Nafamostatmesylat for treatment of COVID-19).

Our results on the antiviral activity of Camostat and GBPA are relevant beyond the treatment of COVID-19. TMPRSS2 also plays an important role in other respiratory infections. Thus, Camostat could also be successfully used to treat influenza." Markus Hoffmann, Study First Author, German Primate Center (DPZ) - Leibniz Institute

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila continue to go up, with the OCTA Research Group identifying one barangay in Pasay City as a virus hotspot.

The independent research team on Friday said Barangay 76 in Pasay City is considered a hotspot since it was identified as having the "main cluster" of COVID-19 infections after recording 128 new cases from Feb. 26 to March 4.

OCTA said this is the highest average daily cases reported in the city  even higher compared to the number of infections during the surge in August 2020.

It also said nearby Barangays 59, 70, and 36 in Pasay and Barangays Baclaran and Tambo in Paranaque City also registered high number of cases.

Due to the porous borders of Metro Manila, OCTA also reported that barangays in nearby cities are recording over 36 new cases weekly, namely Barangay Pio del Pilar in Makati City and Barangays 704 and 719 in Manila City.

"The objective is to prevent the spread of the virus from these clusters of barangays to the rest of the NCR in order to quickly reverse the pandemic surge that is happening now in parts of NCR," the group said in its report.

OCTA said the coronavirus cases in Metro Manila continue to climb, averaging more than 900 new cases over the past week. This is an increase of 50% from the previous week and 119% compared to two weeks ago.

It previously warned that it could balloon to 2,000 daily cases by the end of the month if the variants that reached the country are not contained immediately. It also said the surge could be driven by the presence of the variants first detected in South Africa and United Kingdom,

The country now has 58 cases of the variant first found in South Africa after 52 new cases were announced on Friday. Meanwhile, there are a total of 118 cases of the variant linked to the UK.

Cases in the regions

OCTA reported a drop in new COVID-19 cases in Cebu City, saying the upward trend was "reversed" in the area. However, slight increases were reported in Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue City.

It also said there is a "renewed uptick" in cases in Baguio City, warning there may be a possible infection spike in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

The country saw on Thursday another surge in COVID-19 infections with 2,452 new cases, raising the total number to 584,667.
As a recent Texas ex-pat who moved to San Francisco in 2019, I was surprised to learn about the Bay Areas Austin fetish. Most people I met expressed confusion about my arrival, thinking of Austin as a greener grass paradise of three figure rent. That fascination has only increased during the pandemic, with Texass lack of state income tax serving as a beacon for those no longer bound by a commute.

A larger story I was writing about this phenomenon was derailed by the natural disaster that struck Texas last month, in which people spent a week without power battling temperatures that I hadnt experienced in my two decades living there (climate change!). But a mega-viral Reddit thread which has earned nearly 10,000 upvotes warns people to think twice before exploring Texas, prompting me to weigh in on the things this transplant got criminally wrong about the Lone Star State.

The six-point argument in the post goes like this:

1) Property taxes are bad.

2) No day trips.

3) Texas wages dont compare to California.

4) Allergies are bad.

5) Food is bad.

6) Texas politics are bad.

As a renter, Im not in a position to pontificate on property taxes, but I can say my rent rose by 33% when moving to San Francisco while adding four roommates. To me, whining about doubled property taxes sounds moot when you can own a home there without being a millionaire. Leave those complaints to the Austinites who are being gentrified out of their neighborhoods. Despite how people in Austin will bemoan the rising cost of living, you will literally save enough money in your first year to buy a small boat to go with your large house.

Texas beaches make you reconsider whether you actually enjoy laying on sand. And Texas lacks the majesty of Lake Tahoe, just a relaxing five-hour gridlocked drive from San Francisco. But within an hour of Austin, theres ten swimming holes worth exploring. San Antonio is 90 minutes away, Dallas and Houston three hours give or take. Plus there are infinity tiny Texas towns worth traveling to for the barbecue alone (real talk, Horn is good, but nothing in the Bay Area would crack the Texas Monthly Top 50). Big Bend down along the border is a trek, but deserves to be in the same conversation as Yosemite in terms of grandeur (although admittedly far less green).

Texas wages dont compare to California, this is true, but let me introduce you to my four new roommates.

Allergies, well, no argument there. Cedar fever is real. While were talking about nature, to be fair, a commenter who mentioned bugs is quite accurate. Prepare yourself for cockroaches the size of your wallet, which will indeed be fatter.

Fifteen years ago, dunking on Texass culinary scene as just barbecue and enchiladas would be reasonable, but there's a strong argument for Tex-Mex as a very important regional cuisine. Austin in particular does have a serious diversity problem, which is reflected in myriad ways including lack of enclaves of ethnic food. There are blind spots, for instance the first time I had Burmese food was in San Francisco. But some of the most forward-thinking cooking in the country is happening in Texas, and to reiterate, you will not spend $17 on a loaf of bread.

Politics? Well, my mom always said you cant count on Texas to do the right thing. You will not find compost bins at every restaurant, and plastic straws exist in the wild. I agree that Governor Greg Abbott deserves a visit from the ghosts of the thousands of people that have died during the pandemic due to his prejudice against cloth face coverings. However, from decades living there, I can tell you that Texans are not Texas. With its status as only one of six majority-minority states in the country, political sea-change is on the horizon.

So if youre considering that fabled move to Texas, you might calculate the property taxes before dropping a cash offer on a quite spacious home. And expect to always have a box of tissues nearby during the winter for those allergies.

But dont trust the advice of someone who hasnt given the state a chance. I personally dont regret my decision to leave Texas, but those who are curious should visit to see for themselves if the streets are truly paved with brisket (they are).
10 new COVID-19-related deaths reported since last week

Ten new COVID-19-related deaths were reported by the South Dakota Department of Health Tuesday and during the holiday weekend.
Following Prince Philip's 15th night at the hospital, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said the royal family keeps their "fingers crossed" for the Duke of Edinburgh. Camilla, 73, said Prince Philip, 99, is "slightly improving" but "hurts at times" during a visit to a COVID-19 vaccine center in Croydon, South London, on Wednesday, ITV news reported.

Prince Philip is slightly recovering

After spending almost two weeks at the nearby King Edward VII Hospital, Prince Philip was transferred to St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London on Monday for "tests and observation" for a pre-existing heart condition and further care for an infection.

According to Buckingham Palace, Prince Philp was "responding to treatment" at the high-tech teaching hospital, which houses one of Europe's biggest specialist heart care centers. The Buckingham Palace statement said that the doctors would continue monitoring him for an illness and examining and observing him for pre-existing heart disease.

Read also: Jill Biden Shares Nightly Dates with President Joe, Gives Advice to Clarkson on Getting Over a Painful Divorce

The day before, Prince William spoke openly about his grandfather's health as he exchanged a few words with longtime royal photographer Arthur Edwards, who inquired about Philip's health. Prince Charles has been the only royal family member to see Philip in the hospital so far.

On February 20, Charles, 72, was spotted arriving at the King Edward VII Hospital dressed in a grey suit and sporting a face mask to protect himself from the COVID-19 pandemic. The successor to the throne was seen entering the facility from the back door, accompanied by security forces, PEOPLE on MSN reported.

Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth has kept busy during her husband's hospitalization, following the famous royal mantra of "Keep Calm and Carry On." The British monarch had a video meeting with His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le, the Governor of South Australia, and the Hon. Last week, Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia, heard how the country dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. In early 2020, the Queen learned of South Australia's recovery from drought and bushfires.

Sculptor Robert Hannaford accompanied them on the call to unveil a new statue of the monarch recently placed on Government House grounds. The Queen, 94, said after seeing the statue that it must be very alarming to see it out of the window immediately - "you'd say, gracious, has she arrived abruptly!"

Read also: Golden Globes 2021: Complete List of Nominees and Winners per Category

Harry, Meghan's interview looms amid Prince Philip's recovery

The Queen's husband will need "care, recovery, and recuperation," raising the possibility that he will be in the hospital while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's candid interview airs on Sunday. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to accuse the royal family of "perpetuating falsehoods about us." According to Newsweek, commentators in the United Kingdom have asked for the broadcast to be delayed until Philip has recovered.

The Duke of Edinburgh has been in the hospital for 16 days after being driven to King Edward VII's in London as a precaution. He was treated for an illness at a fertility hospital before being transferred to St. Bartholomew's, a specialist heart hospital run by the National Health Service.

Read also: Prince Harry Is Advised To Go Back Home To Say 'Goodbye' To Prince Philip Amid Hospitalization

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Queens official fleet of planes is to be sold off as part of defence cuts in a move that will force her to borrow Boris Johnsons Union Flag jet.

Airliners used by the Royal Family since the 1980s will be withdrawn from service next year to save money  leaving the sovereign without a dedicated aircraft for the first time in her reign.

With no plans for a replacement for the four BAE-146 passenger jets, the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have to share the Prime Ministers RAF Voyager plane, which received a controversial 900,000 makeover last year.

The Queen gives a wave as the plane prepares to depart from a royal tour of Fiji

The four BAE-146 passenger jets will be taken out of service next year, meaning the royals will have to borrow the Prime Minister's plane

British Aerospace BAE 125 jet 32 Squadron - the Queen's Royal flight - lines up for take off at Waddington Airshow, Lincolnshire, last year

The move is part of the Ministry of Defences Integrated Review which has already caused controversy due to plans to reduce the Army by 10,000 soldiers and for important ships and frontline aircraft to be withdrawn from service.

The results of the review are due to be formally revealed in two stages later this month, but the Mail can reveal that one of the key announcements will be the grounding of the Queens planes.

The four BAE-146 regional airliners are part of the RAFs historic 32 (Royal) Squadron, previously known as The Queens Flight. It means the squadron, which is based at RAF Northolt on the outskirts of London, will be left with just one AW-109 helicopter, which is suitable for only short flights in Britain.

With no plans for a replacement for the four BAE-146 passenger jets, the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have to share the Prime Ministers RAF Voyager plane, which received a controversial 900,000 makeover last year. Pictured: One of the Queen's planes

The loss of the Queens fleet of aircraft echoes the decommissioning of her personal yacht, HMS Britannia. In 1994, then prime minister John Major decided the costs of refitting her were too great, and the Queen famously shed a tear when the yacht was taken out of service in 1997.

Last night Tobias Ellwood, chairmain of the Commons defence committee, said: The selling off of the BAE-146s will leave a gaping void in the RAFs ability to meet military and civil taskings.

The BAE-146 is a highly valued versatile aircraft that has served senior members of the Royal Family, military commanders and prime ministers with distinction for decades.

Prince Charles cradles a young Prince William as they arrive at Aberdeen Airport en route to Balmoral Castle

The Queen's corgis depart the plane after a journey in 1998 and arrive at Heathrow Airport

Labour MP Gareth Thomas, whose Harrow West constituency is close to RAF Northolt, said: Ministers need to explain as a matter of urgency how the Queen and Royal Family will be transported to fill crucial royal and Commonwealth responsibilities. They continue to deserve proper support not least as they are one of Britains most popular and visible international assets.

Mr Johnson provoked anger in June last year when he rebranded his official Voyager jet so it resembled the planes flown by the US and Russian presidents.

On his instructions, a gun-metal grey Voyager was repainted in bright red, white and blue and with a Union Flag design emblazoned on its tailfin.

At the time, even Conservative MPs expressed disbelief that the Prime Minister would spend so much money on a vanity project at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and when public finances were so stretched.

Yesterday, Downing Street announced that the results of the Integrated Review of foreign, defence, development and security policy will be set out by the Prime Minister on March 16. It will be followed by a Defence Command Paper on March 22 which will set out the MoDs plans for modernising the Armed Forces.

The inside of the plane, showing the Queen and Prince Philip, featured in the 1969 production the Royal Family

Only last week, the Mail revealed that the review will see the entire fleet of the transporter plane favoured by the SAS grounded  despite fears the cost-cutting move will put soldiers lives at risk.

Retiring all 14 of the Super Hercules C-130J  used on Special Forces operations against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria  will also jeopardise hundreds of UK defence jobs as the aircraft are maintained by British engineering companies. The RAF is also reducing its order of spy aircraft used to provide early warning of approaching Russian jets, the E-7 Wedgetail, and is expected to slash its order of F-35 fighter jets from 138 to just 48.

According to defence experts, this would not be enough to protect both of the Navys new 3.3 billion aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. But the royal flights of the Royal Air Force have a particularly unique place in aviation history. The 32 (Royal) Squadron won its first battle honours on the Western Front and the Somme in 1916 and most recently its planes contributed to operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

Established at RAF Hendon in 1936 during the reign of King Edward VIII, The Kings Flight was charged with the duty of transporting members of the Royal Family by air on short-haul and long-haul flights. Some members of the Royal Family were also taught to fly.

Renamed The Queens Flight in 1952, the unit continued its duties until its disbandment in 1995  when 32 (Royal) Squadron came into being.

Until 2004, planes used by the Royal Family were liveried in distinctive red, white and blue markings  not dissimilar to Mr Johnsons makeover of his Voyager aircraft  but these were removed in 2004 for security reasons. Amid fears that senior Royals could be targeted by jihadis, the MoD ordered that the planes should look more like civilian jets.

The RAF is under pressure to save money and selling off the BAE-146s is considered a step towards balancing the books. The planes are more than three times as expensive to fly as the Voyagers  at 6,700 per flying hour against 2,000 for the Voyager.

The sell-off of the four BAE-146s almost certainly secures the future of the RAFs Red Arrows display team. A source said: With every major spending review it is a case of axe the Red Arrows or make savings with the Royal Flight.

Last night the MoD said: We will continue to offer suitable air transport for VIPs and commanders, however we will not shy away from difficult decisions and will always seek to deliver maximum value for money in our procurement programmes.
(Newser)  Photos of an enslaved father and daughter taken for a racist project at Harvard belong to the school, not the slaves' direct descendant, a Massachusetts judge has ruled. Tamara Lanier, who grew up hearing about great-great-great grandfather Renty, only learned about the 1850 daguerreotypes of himself and daughter Delia in 2010. The photos, showing the subjects naked from the waist up, were taken by Joseph T. Zealy as part of a project commissioned by Harvard zoologist Louis Agassiz, who posited that Black people were inferior, reports the New York Times. The project, rediscovered in 1976, included photos of seven subjects and represent "the earliest known photographs of enslaved people," per Harvard Magazine. Lanier, who filed suit in 2019, argued Harvard had no right to hold them or use them for financial gain.

story continues below

Judge Camille Sarrouf of Middlesex County Superior Court disagreed Tuesday. "Fully acknowledging the continuing impact slavery has had in the United States, the law, as it currently stands, does not confer a property interest to the subject of a photograph regardless of how objectionable the photographs origins may be," she wrote in dismissing the suit. She also noted the issue of commercial use was moot following the deaths of the subjects. Lanierwho recently testified before a House committee looking into slavery reparations, per WTNHplans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. "I will never let this rest as it is because it is a grave injustice," she tells Harvard Crimson. She has the support of dozens of Agassiz's descendants, USA Today reported in 2019. Harvard now says it plans to increase access to the "powerful visual indictments of ... slavery" and tell the stories of those depicted. (Read more Harvard stories.)
New Delhi, March 5 : Vivo on Friday launched VISION+, a global initiative reaffirming its long-term commitment to leadership in mobile photography technology in India.

The initiative aims to build a visual content ecosystem for mobile photography enthusiasts through initiatives, including content co-creation, education, and cultural exchanges.

''It is our vision for humanity as a technology brand, and our cultural responsibility as a consumer brand to share Vivo's mobile imaging culture. With VISION+ we want to showcase how images carry emotions. We hope to inspire more imaging possibilities and create a vivo VISION+ era,'' Nipun Marya, Director Brand Strategy, Vivo India, said in a statement.

Dedicated to providing users better tools to express and constantly improve the imaging experience, Vivo's VISION+ centers around "JOY IMAGE" as its core spirit.

Standing on the four pillars namely Vivo VISION+ Mobile Photography Awards, Vivo VISION+ Mobile Photography Academy, the Vivo VISION+ Master Class, and the vivo VISION+ Photographers Federation; the brand strengthens its position as a consumer-oriented brand with this initiative. Vivo will be announcing initiatives under these four pillars in the future.

VISION+ will be launched globally, with vivo VISION+ Mobile Photography Awards, where the brand plans to invite smartphone users to showcase their photography skills. Details regarding these will be shared in the coming months.

On the other hand, Vivo VISION+ Mobile Photography Academy, a photography education initiative, focuses on bringing an artistic and cultural exchange platform closer to the users. The Academy will soon invite world-class photographers to conduct Masterclasses to inspire people to transcend from clicking images to capturing moments filled with emotions and feelings.

Lastly, through the Vivo VISION+ Photographers Federation, the smartphone maker plans to collaborate with more creators to explore the limitless possibilities of mobile photography, which will ultimately contribute to advancements and developments in Vivo products.
(Newser)  Fallout from the attack at the US Capitol continues, this time with a new lawsuit against Donald Trump from another Democratic congressman. Last month, a complaint was filed by the NAACP on behalf of Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, claiming the former presidentas well as lawyer Rudy Giuliani and far-right groups the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepersconspired to incite the riot to stop the certification of electoral votes by Congress. Now, California Rep. Eric Swalwell, who served as one of the House managers during Trump's second impeachment trial, has filed his own suit, per the Hill. In a statement, Swalwell accused Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Giuliani, and GOP Rep. Mo Brooks of "inciting an attack against the Capitol that terrorized lawmakers and prevented us from certifying the votes of the American people."

story continues below

What those parties had in common, per the suit: They all gave incendiary speeches at a pro-Trump rally before the attack on the Capitol. "The horrific events of January 6 were a direct and foreseeable consequence of the Defendants' unlawful actions," the complaint says. "As such, the Defendants are responsible for the injury and destruction that followed." The suit adds that Trump and the other parties had watched on live TV the chaos unfolding that day, with sources saying Trump had been "delighted," "borderline enthusiastic" about the violence as it ramped up, and "confused about why other people on his team weren't as excited as he was." In a statement, Trump spokesman Jason Miller responded to the suit with: "Eric Swalwell is a low-life with no credibility," per the Washington Post. Swalwell's complaint seeks unspecified damages and at least a week's notice from the defendants if they plan on holding any more rallies in DC while election activities are taking place. (Read more Eric Swalwell stories.)

(Right to Left): Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Minister of Health St. Clair Prince and SVGIHF Rep. Dr. Arnold Thomas were on hand to receive and check the goods/vaccines. (Photo Credit: API SVG)

This country, last Sunday, took possession of 40,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine Covishield (Indian) AstraZeneca.





The vaccines are part of a shipment of 175,000 vaccines which landed in Antigua earlier on Sunday via chartered aircraft from Mumbai, for distribution to St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and are a donation made by Indias government to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Suriname.





The shipment follows a previous shipment received less than two weeks ago by Barbados and Dominica (who received 70,000 doses, a significant portion of which was shared with other OECS Member States).





India has been one of the first G20 countries to donate vaccines to developing countries and it now has a list of over 100 countries awaiting supplies provided by India.





A Regional Security System (RSS) aircraft landed the vaccines at the Argyle International Airport where they were received by a party of government officials including Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Minister of Health St. Clair Prince, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Cuthbert Knights, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Simone Beache, along with a representative from the Indian High Commission and Dr. Arnold Thomas of the SVG Indian Heritage Foundation.





Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines for Barbados and countries in the Eastern Caribbean, which will represent a population vaccination coverage of 16 to 20 percent by the end of March.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
Tammy Hembrow is perhaps as famous for her Instagram celebrity as she is for her gym-honed derriere.

The Australian model was showing off that infamous figure in a series of Instagram photos on Friday.

The 26-year-old posed for three images, which appeared to have been taken in her front yard.

Back up: Tammy Hembrow (pictured) is perhaps as famous for her Instagram celebrity as she is for her gym-honed derriere. The Australian model was showing off that infamous figure in a series of Instagram photos on Friday

Turning her back to the camera, the blonde beauty showed off her behind in a pair of blue jeans so tight they looked spray-painted on.

In further images, Tammy enjoyed the sunshine while wearing a white cropped t-shirt.

Opting for glowing, bronzed makeup, the beauty looked refreshed and happy as she beamed for the camera.

Looking good! The blonde beauty showed off her figure in a pair of blue jeans so tight they looked spray-painted on

Sunny: In further images, Tammy enjoyed the sunshine while wearing a white cropped t-shirt

Recently, the mother-of-two and fitness buff left little to the imagination when she posed in a pink bra and matching briefs, which was a little sheer over the bust.

Her lingerie, from the brand Lounge Underwear, featured a lace material and logo detailing on the straps.

Tammy looked incredible as she showed off her fit physique and showed off a deep golden tan.

Stunner: Recently, the mother-of-two and fitness buff left little to the imagination when she posed in a pink bra and matching briefs, which was a little sheer over the bust

Wow! She captioned the post with love heart emojis and a dragon emoji, which matches her thigh tattoo

The blonde wore her long locks out and over her shoulders and makeup including dewy foundation and a nude lip.

She captioned the post with love heart emojis and a dragon emoji, which matches her thigh tattoo.

Tammy is currently dating Ironman Matt Poole, 32. The pair met at an event in Bali in 2019.
Pro-life fashion designer Carla D'Addesi defends the value of human life from celebrities advertising abortion rights by means of her own fashion brand COL 1972, "the only trademarked fashion brand that supports a culture of life."

Culture of Life 1972 or COL 1972 is a fashion company founded by D'Addesi in 2019. The brand aims to promote the value of life and lead "a fashion movement that protects and values human life."

But why the year 1972?

The year 1972 is the last year before the U.S. Supreme Court decided to legalize the abortion process in the United States, making it a very significant year for pro-lifers as it was the final moments of America celebrating the "culture of life".

The court legalized access to abortion in 1973, making it a constitutional right for every woman to choose whether they want to keep their unborn babies or kill them via abortions.

In an episode of Abby Johnson's Politely Rude podcast entitled "Pro-Life Fashion Designer Carla D'Addesi Is Fighting Back Against the 'Culture of Death'," D'Addesi talked about how she started her pro-life fashion company "out of necessity" to promote Christian organizations and fight back against huge fashion companies after she and her daughter discovered that a lot of these brands support pro-abortion organizations, The Christian Post wrote.

"We discovered that there were over 70 brands that gave back to a culture of death," which includes Gap, Tory Burch, Nike, and more, according to D'Addesi.

Aside from items of clothing, COL 1972 also offers fashion pieces of jewelry in which one of their pieces features a necklace with the number "1972" on it. D'Addessi explained that she chose to make this 1972 necklace in response to a trend by some of the famous celebrities.

The trend, being said, is a "1973" necklace that was seen worn by celebrities in recent years to celebrate the controversial Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion in that year.

"They're hanging this tombstone of 60 million children around their necks [who] never had the right to life," D'Addesi explained to Johnson.

She also mentioned that in their two years of being in business, they have "done a lot of work for those who feel the same way as my family," and supported multiple Christian and pro-life organizations.

According to D'Addesi, the 1972 necklace symbolizes all the lives of more than 60 million unborn babies who were killed by abortion and honors them by continuously fighting for the rights of human life.

"Our fashion brand honors those 60 million lives that were denied the right to life. Our brand celebrates a culture that values all life, from the moment of conception to life's final breath. Our Life Tribe includes risk-takers, dream catchers, prayer warriors, faith igniters, and glass ceiling breakers. We are united by the belief that every life, without exception, has immense value and purpose," D'Addesi said in a previous article of The Christian Post.

D'Addesi asked believers to continue supporting COL 1972 to further spread their campaign on the culture of life.
Weve only been together for two years, Anne Edmonds says of her relationship with fellow comedian, Lloyd Langford. But after the lockdowns in Melbourne, it feels as though were about to celebrate our golden anniversary. Its like weve compacted 20 years into four months.

Speaking via Zoom from their one-bedroom unit, the couple explains the origin of their new live show, Business with Pleasure. Opening in Melbourne on Tuesday  ahead of the launch of the 2021 Melbourne International Comedy Festival on March 24  its a not-too-serious examination of the past 12 months.

You do love each other more after youve been through something like this: Anne Edmonds on her relationship with fellow comic Lloyd Langford. Credit:Simon Schluter

We basically went a full year without doing very much [after COVID-19 restrictions came into force], says Langford, who established his comedy career in Wales before moving to Australia. Stuck in a small apartment in the depths of a Melbourne winter, he and Edmonds  both regulars on Network Tens Have You Been Paying Attention?  decided to make the most of their confinement. The result is an on-stage dissection of their relationship, including questions from the audience.

Theres always a question about our sex life, says Edmonds, who has performed the show in Sydney and Adelaide. People also want to know what well do if we break up before the tour has finished.
ST. PAUL, Minn.  $10,000 grants have gone to over 6,000 small business thanks to a new state program.

The Small Business Relief Grants program was created in June 2020 by the Minnesota Legislature in response to financial hardship caused by the COVID-pandemic and related government restrictions. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced Friday that a total of $61.51 million has now been awarded to 6,151 small businesses.

We know that small businesses have suffered the most during this pandemic, so this program was designed to help them, said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. These dollars helped thousands of businesses weather some of the worst months of the pandemic, and we look forward to better days ahead for the states business community.

In southeastern Minnesota, grants went to:

222 businesses in Olmsted County

23 businesses in Dodge County

41 businesses in Fillmore County

43 businesses in Freeborn County

37 businesses in Mower County

DEED says over 27,400 businesses applied for the grants during the application period last summer.

A searchable map of grants awarded can be found by clicking here.
GODFREY  The Madison County Health Department will offer COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday and Sunday in Godfrey.

On Friday afternoon, appointment times remained available for March 6-7 at Lewis & Clark Community Colleges Commons Building, 5800 Godfrey Road, for COVID-19 vaccinations through the health department.

To register for an appointment, people can visit https://events.juvare.com/IL-IDPH/eb043333-b68e-4b60-81c6-86d3b2c3c07e/198126/. People without access to a computer may call 618-692-8954.

All vaccinations are by appointment only. Recipients must be an Illinois resident who lives or works in Madison County and must be eligible to receive the vaccine under Illinois Phase 1a, Phase 1b, or Phase 1b+.

Those eligible include:

 Phase 1A  Individuals who are healthcare providers

 Phase 1B  Individuals aged 65 or older; law enforcement or other emergency responders; educators in public or private K-12 schools, licensed daycare providers, public transit workers, U.S. Postal employees, agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store or supply employees, shelter and adult daycare workers or participants.

 Phase 1B+  Individuals 16-64 years old with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of COVID-19.

More Information Vaccinations 1st Dose: 48,376 (18.25%) 2nd Dose: 13,538 (4.85%) Source: IDPH COVID-19 cases by county Madison - 27,685 (461 deaths) Jersey - 2,496 (47 deaths) Calhoun - 494 (5 deaths) Greene - 1,317 (47 deaths) Macoupin - 4,522 (108 deaths) Montgomery - 3,536 (70 deaths) St. Clair - 25,649 (469 deaths) Clinton - 5,582 (89 deaths) Bond - 1,916 (24 deaths) Monroe - 4,084 (86 deaths) Randolph - 3,980 (79 deaths) Washington - 1,587 (24 deaths) Source: IDPH & Madison, Greene, Macoupin, Jersey and Calhoun county health departments COVID-19 cases by ZIP code 62002 (Alton) - 3,209 62010 (Bethalto) - 1,267 62067 (Moro) - 290 62035 (Godfrey) - 1,918 62037 (Grafton) - 190 62012 (Brighton) - 702 62014 (Bunker Hill) - 328 62052 (Jerseyville) - 1,579 62095 (Wood River) - 1,160 62084 (Roxana) - 150 62048 (Hartford) - 128 62087 (South Roxana) - 164 62018 (Cottage Hills) - 279 62024 (East Alton) - 854 62025 (Edwardsville) - 3,502 62034 (Glen Carbon) - 1,383 62062 (Maryville) - 939 62294 (Troy) - 1,843 62040 (Granite City/Pontoon Beach) - 3,981 62234 (Collinsville) - 3,376 62249 (Highland) -2,045 62281 (St. Jacob) - 395 62097 (Worden) - 282 62088 (Staunton) - 681 62069 (Mt. Olive) - 297 62033 (Gillespie) -515 62626 (Carlinville) - 905 62016 (Carrollton) - 414 62044 (Greenfield) - 172 62092 (White Hall) - 383 62082 (Roodhouse) - 259 62047 (Hardin) - 169 62022 (Dow) - 121 The Telegraph has reduced the number of zip codes reported daily. For a more complete list of cases by ZIP code, visit https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics. Source: Illinois Department of Public Health See More Collapse

People who have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any injectable medication or vaccine are not eligible to register for these clinics; contact COVIDVax@co.madison.il.us for further instructions.

People cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine within 14 days of any other vaccines. People sick or COVID-19 positive are asked to contact the health department to reschedule appointments.

On the day of a vaccination appointment, people should arrive at their appointment time but not come early. They should have a photo ID and proof of employment, if applicable.

Facial masks are required and people should wear proper attire to receive an injection in the upper arm. Minors must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian at all times.

On Thursday, the Illinois Department of Public Health was reporting 61,914 COVID-19 vaccinations in Madison County so far. That included 48,376 first vaccine doses  or 18.25% of the population  given and 13,538 residents, or 5.12% of the population, fully vaccinated.

The Madison County Health Department has said the actual number of both vaccinations is higher than the IDPH figures.

The IDPH on Friday also reported that 11.05% of Macoupin County had received both doses of the vaccine. Other fully vaccinated rates included Calhoun County at 13.14%, Jersey County at 14.53% and Greene County at 12.43%.

On Friday the IDPH reported 3,780,305 doses of vaccine had been delivered to providers in Illinois. About 443,700 doses have been allocated to the federal governments Pharmacy Partnership Program for long-term care facilities. This brings the total Illinois doses to 4,224,005.

A total of 3,125,425 vaccines have been administered, including 336,911 for long-term care facilities. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 83,115 doses. On Thursday, a record 131,882 doses were administered in Illinois.

The IDPH on Friday reported 1,442 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, as well as 33 additional related deaths, including a Madison County woman in her 80s.

Late Thursday the Madison County Health Department was reporting no additional COVID-19 related deaths, leaving the countys death toll at 461.

There are sometimes discrepancies in the number of cases and deaths reported at the state and local levels, in part because of the volume of cases, and also as each local department forwards the information and it is verified. Local health officials have said the cases eventually reconcile as the reporting catches up.

The county health department reported 45 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases on Thursday, along with 1,096 tests. To date the county has reported 27,685 cases within the county and a total of 264,707 tests.

There were 24 COVID-19 patients reported in Madison County hospitals Thursday, one on a ventilator. The three-day positivity rate on Thursday was 5.45%. The seven-day rate was 5.29% and the 10-day rate was 5.46%.

The IDPH reported Friday that the preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests Feb. 26 to March 4 was 2.2%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity for the same period was 2.8%.

To date, the IDPH has reported 1,194,702 cases, including 20,700 deaths. As of Thursday night, 1,166 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 263 were intensive care unit patients and 121 were on ventilators.

For move COVID-19 information, visit https://coronavirus-response-madcoil.hub.arcgis.com/, www.madisonchd.org or Facebook @madisonchd. Also visit www.co.madison.il.us or Facebook @madisoncountyil for more vaccination news and daily updates.

For The Telegraphs online vaccine tracker, visit https://www.thetelegraph.com/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-alton-illinois/. For additional vaccine locations visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/vaccination-location.

Local and statewide information also is available at www.dph.illinois.gov. Click the coronavirus banner.

For health-related questions about COVID-19, people also can call the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
A new AP-NORC poll finds that 6 in 10 Americans approve of President Joe Biden, bolstered by high ratings on COVID-19, including among many Republicans. Slightly fewer approve of Biden's handling of the economy.

Joe Biden is enjoying an early presidential honeymoon, with 60% of Americans approving of his job performance thus far and even more backing his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

At a moment of deep political polarization in America, support for Biden's pandemic response extends across party lines. Overall, 70% of Americans back the Democratic president's handling of the virus response, including 44% of Republicans.

Still, Biden faces more skepticism from Americans on the economy, which has been battered by the pandemic. Fifty-five percent of Americans approve of Biden's approach to the economy thus far, and 63% say the U.S. economy is in poor shape, the AP-NORC survey shows. Republicans are also less likely to back Biden on the economy than they are on the pandemic, with just 17% supporting his fiscal stewardship.

Less than two months into his presidency, Biden has made the pandemic his central focus, urging Americans to follow stringent social distancing and mask guidelines and vowing to speed up distribution of critical vaccines. He's also argued that until the spread of the virus is under control, the economy won't fully recover.

To address financial shortfalls in the meantime, he's asking Congress to pass a $1.9 trillion pandemic rescue plan that would provide direct payments to millions of Americans and surge funds into state and local governments.

The measure has already passed the House. But Biden is having to make compromises to keep all Democratic senators in support of the measure, including agreeing this week to narrow eligibility for $1,400 stimulus checks. In a concession to moderate Democratic senators, Biden agreed that individuals making more than $80,000 annually and couples making more than $160,000 won't receive any benefits. Biden's original proposal extended the stimulus funds to Americans with higher annual wages.

The administration estimates that 158.5 million households will still receive checks under the Senate compromise.

President Joe Biden congratulates NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mars 2020 Perseverance team for successfully landing on Mars during a virtual call in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The prospect of a pandemic relief bill is welcome news to John Villegas, 58, an Illinois Democrat who supports Biden's handling of both the virus response and the economy.

"With the closure of so many businesses, there are a lot of people suffering," said Villegas, who called Biden's approach a "180 degree shift" from his predecessor, Donald Trump.

Trump argued that the U.S. economy couldn't afford the hit that came from enacting restrictions on business and travel. The worst fears of economists were averted as Republican-led states followed Trump's lead and resisted restrictions, but COVID-19 cases skyrocketed. More than 520,000 people have died in the United States from the virus over the past year.

Despite their differing approaches to managing the economy during the pandemic, Biden's approval ratings on the economy are similar to Trump's, whose handling of the economy since the virus took hold was consistently backed by about half of Americans. The key difference: That level of support made the economy Trump's strongest issue, while it's a relative weakness for Biden compared with Americans' views of his handling of the pandemic and other issues.

In a reflection of the partisanship that continues to rage in the U.S., many Americans' views of the economy have flipped since the new president was inaugurated. In December, 67% of Republicans and just 15% of Democrats described the economy as good. Now, 35% of Republicans and 41% of Democrats describe the economy positively. There's been little change in overall growth or unemployment over that time.

Biden's handling of the pandemic may well determine the course of his presidency and the political capital he has to pursue significant legislation on other matters. Democrats are working urgently to tee up bills addressing infrastructure investment, policing reforms and voting rights. Biden has also vowed to tackle climate change and build on the sprawling health insurance measure signed into law when he served as Barack Obama's vice president.

His promises of action have garnered him solid approval ratings on some of those fronts. For example, about 6 in 10 Americans say they approve of Biden's handling of health care and race relations.

President Joe Biden congratulates NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mars 2020 Perseverance team for successfully landing on Mars during a virtual call in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Overall, 48% of Americans say the country is headed in the right direction, compared with 37% who said that in December. The poll also shows that 43% of Americans expect things in the country overall to get better in the next year, while 34% think things will get worse and 23% think they will remain about the same.

Biden himself has been purposefully cautious in predicting when life in the U.S. will return to a pre-pandemic normal. Even as he promises that the U.S. will have enough vaccine supply for all Americans by the end of May, he's said it could be the end of the year or early 2022 before Americans can stop wearing masks or fully return to normal activities.

His team's goal in setting expectations? Underpromise, then overdeliver.

___

The AP-NORC poll of 1,434 adults was conducted Feb. 23-March 1 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Blinken vows US will stand up to China

Blinken vows US will stand up to China

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that the United States was ready to confront China where need be, calling the Asian power the "biggest geopolitical test" of the century.



In his first major speech, Blinken vowed that President Joe Biden's administration will emphasise diplomacy over military action and build cooperation with the world on global challenges such as climate change and Covid-19.



"We will manage the biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century: our relationship with China," Blinken said at the State Department.



"China is the only country with the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to seriously challenge the stable and open international system - all the rules, values and relationships that make the world work the way we want it to," he said.



"Our relationship with China will be competitive when it should be, collaborative when it can be and adversarial when it must be. And we will engage China from a position of strength."



Blinken indicated that Biden would be sparing in military action despite ordering an air strike last week in Syria against Iranian-linked Iraqi Shi'ite paramilitaries.



He did not mention a fresh attack on Wednesday on a base in Iraq in which a US contractor died from a cardiac episode.



"In future cases when we must take military action, we will do so only when the objectives and mission are clear and achievable, consistent with our values and laws and with the informed consent of the American people," Blinken said.



"And we'll do it together with diplomacy."



Blinken voiced alarm over an "erosion of democracy" worldwide that includes the United States, pointing to the January 6 siege of the Capitol by supporters of defeated president Donald Trump.



Unless the United States promotes democracy, "we play right into the hands of adversaries and competitors like Russia and China who seize every opportunity to sow doubts about the strength of our democracy," Blinken said.



But he said Biden had no interest in bringing democracy to the world "through costly military interventions or by attempting to overthrow authoritarian regimes by force."



"We have tried these tactics in the past. However well intentioned, they haven't worked."



He was likely alluding to the war in Iraq as well as the 2011 operation, which he supported, that backed an uprising that overthrow dictator Moamer Kadhafi in Libya, ushering in a decade of chaos. (AFP)
Egypt and Sudan have called on Ethiopia to resume negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as soon as possible to reach an agreement that would end years of conflict between the three countries.

On March 2, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with his Sudanese counterpart Mariam al-Sadiq in Cairo and issued a joint statement calling on Ethiopia to show good faith and engage in an effective negotiation process to reach a legal and binding agreement that achieves the interests of the three countries, preserves the water rights of Egypt and Sudan, and limits damages.

Shoukry and Sadiq stressed their adherence to the proposal made by Sudan and later supported by Egypt on developing the negotiation mechanism by forming an international quartet that includes the United States, United Nations, European Union and African Union (AU), led and managed by the Democratic Republic of Congo in its capacity as the current AU head, to mediate in negotiations.

However, on March 3, Addis Ababa rejected the internationalization of the crisis and adhered to AU-brokered negotiations only. In a weekly press briefing, Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dina Mufti said that calling on different parties to mediate while the AU-led negotiations have not been completed is demeaning to the AUs efforts.

Mufti noted that Ethiopia believes the negotiations supervised by the AU will achieve a win-win solution.

Months of endless attempts by South Africa, as AU head in 2020, to broker a deal to end the negotiation stalemate, have failed. Since Jan. 10, negotiations have been suspended due to Khartoum's withdrawal from the meetings, in protest to what it called a useless methodology on which the talks were held. The Democratic Republic of Congo hopes it can bring all parties to the negotiation table again since it assumed the presidency of the AU in February.

Ethiopia hopes the GERD will turn it into the largest supplier of hydropower in Africa. However, Egypt and Sudan fear that their share of water will be greatly reduced, which will affect their development prospects.

Egypt and Sudan believe that Ethiopia's implementation of the second phase of filling the dam reservoir unilaterally would constitute a direct threat to their water security and a violation of the Declaration of Principles agreement concluded between the three countries in Khartoum on March 23, 2015.

Egypt says that the Declaration of Principles obliges the three countries to agree on guidelines and rules for operating the dam before the filling process.

In 2020, Addis Ababa announced completing the first phase of filling the dam, amounting to 4.9 billion cubic meters, thanks to the rainy season, a step that angered Egypt and Sudan. Addis Ababa plans to move onto the second phase in July with an additional 13.5 billion cubic meters, whether an agreement is reached or not.

Abbas Sharaqi, a professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, warned against deepening the crisis if Ethiopia moves forward with the second phase without reaching an agreement. The two downstream countries can bear the impact of the volume of water that will be deducted from them, Sharaqi told Al-Monitor. But the real crisis is with Ethiopia imposing a fait accompli policy.

He said that Egypt and Sudan are looking forward to an agreement on the rules of filling and operating the GERD. The amount of water will decrease in all cases due to filling, but if there is an agreement, the effects of this process on the two downstream countries can be reduced through coordination, he added.

He questioned the possibility of resuming negotiations, noting that the current dispute is over Egypt and Sudan wanting an international quartet to assume the role of mediators rather than observers, which Ethiopia rejects.

Egypt and Sudan will only accept international participation in the negotiations alongside the AU; otherwise, negotiations will not be resumed, Sharaqi noted.

Egyptian observers who spoke with Al-Monitor praised the Egyptian-Sudanese rapprochement diplomatically and militarily in order to pressure Ethiopia to resume negotiations, and said that the Egyptian administration wanted to support Sudan's proposal regarding the quartet mediation and that it seeks to resort to the UN Security Council in the future if the negotiation stalemate continues.

Egypt resorted to the UN Security Council after the negotiations reached a dead end in July 2020, after which the council called on the three countries to resume AU-sponsored negotiations.

Naglaa Merhi, assistant professor of political science at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, who specializes in African affairs, told Al-Monitor that the ongoing coordination between Egypt and Sudan will pressure Ethiopia into resuming negotiations.

Sadiqs visit to Cairo March 2 coincided with the visit of an Egyptian military delegation to Khartoum, on March 1, headed by the chief of staff of the Egyptian armed forces, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Farid, during which he signed a military cooperation agreement with Khartoum in the fields of training and border security, as the border conflict escalates between Sudan and Ethiopia.

Merhi noted that the AU is unable to resolve the crisis alone; it was necessary to invite international bodies to make a breakthrough, but the success of this proposal relies on Ethiopia changing positions.

Besides the negotiation mechanism, there is still a list of pending technical issues, including the way the dam operates during the dry years when there is less rainfall, and thus the amount of water that Addis Ababa will release to the two downstream countries will decrease. Not to mention legal issues related to whether the agreement and its mechanism for resolving disputes should be binding, which is what Egypt and Sudan are demanding.

On Feb. 20, the US administration announced revoking former President Donald Trumps decision to suspend some aid to Ethiopia against the backdrop of the GERD. State Department spokesman Ned Price said that the Joe Biden administration will review the US policy on the GERD and assess the role it can play to facilitate a solution between the three countries.

In September 2020, the Trump administration had announced the suspension of $272 million in aid intended for Ethiopia, which was accused of being reluctant to adhere to the Washington-sponsored talks on the GERD, and the talks failed when Addis Ababa refused to sign a draft agreement to end the conflict and accused Trump of siding with Egypt.

Merhi concluded that Egypt wants to exhaust all possible negotiation scenarios before resorting once again to the UN Security Council.
Former Scoil Mhuire student and current Trinity College student, Ellen Kenny has always been very invested in the disparity of access to education globally, which has resulted in her taking advantage of whatever opportunities have come her way so far.

Also read: Celebrating Longford's Inspiring Women #IWD2021 - Shirley Maloney: It is important female voices are heard and respected

I was also lucky enough to grow up with parents that let me explore my love of learning and always made sure I knew my gender should have no impact on what Im capable of achieving, she said.

Im proud to see my dedication manifest into academic success in the past year, especially considering the pressure all students were under due to lockdown restrictions and the cancellation of the Leaving Cert, and I plan to keep that dedication alive as I enter college to study politics, philosophy, sociology and economics so I can work towards a future where I have the chance to make a difference in the world."

How will you mark International Womens Day on Monday, March 8?

I am currently living in student accommodation for college, so my International Womens Day will consist of myself and my female roommates forcing our only male roommate to complete all domestic tasks while also waiting on us hand and foot as we most likely watch Bridget Jones Diary. If he doesnt agree with this, we will be labelling him a misogynist, of course. This is what I like to imagine, anyway; thanks to restrictions, Ill most likely spend International Womens Day the same I have every other day this year so far- completing online lectures and avoiding deadlines- while also keeping in mind the advocacy and activism from women in history that has allowed me to be where I am today.

What does International Womens Day mean to you? Both personally and as a student?

Personally, International Womens Day is a valuable opportunity to remember how far womens rights have already come in certain parts of the world and to examine how we reached this point. I think its incredibly important to recognise our past in order to consider where our future lies, especially when it comes to countries that have not been as lucky as the Western World where activists are still fighting for rights and opportunities we have for nearly decades at this stage.

As a student, I still take the approach of considering the history and future of womens rights - in my own college, women werent even admitted until 1904, but now three women are running for the position of Provost. Its both a fascinating historical journey and useful tool to consider all the steps that had to be taken and boundaries that had to be broken to get to this point. Its crucial for young female students to look to our past to ensure our future is bright.

#ChooseToChallenge is the theme for International Womens Day - applying the theme to your own life and career, what might it mean to you and what is your view or interpretation on the theme?

The history of womens rights has always been a story of challenge- challenging the laws that denied certain political and economic freedoms, challenging the status quo and gender norms that prevented women from becoming their true, authentic selves, and challenging the institutions that have always been male-dominated in an effort to show women they can always achieve their dreams and aspirations. In that way, for me #ChooseToChallenge means honouring the challenges women have persevered through in the past and choosing to carry that legacy today. Young women in Ireland today have ever-increasing opportunities to strive towards our goals, do what we choose to do and be who we want to be- with these rights, I believe we also have a responsibility to fight for equality across the globe and ensure our daughters and granddaughters have even more opportunities than we did.

According to the World Economic Forum, gender parity will not be attained for almost a century. Do you agree? Could it be attained sooner? Have you ever suffered at the hands of or know of a family member or friend that has suffered due gender bias?

On a global scale, Im sad to say that Im not surprised by these projections whatsoever. As an Irish woman, I am proud to say that womens rights have come on leaps and bounds both here and in many other countries. However, we live in a world of mass communication we live where one can find out what is happening on the other side of the hemisphere at the swipe of a finger. Because of this, and because of the rights and resources afforded to women in developed countries, we cannot let our activism stop at our front door. There is still monumental gender disparity across the world; 132 million girls are uneducated due to obstructions to equality like child-marriage and poverty, inhibiting womens freedom and preventing them reaching their full potential. Of course, every country still has a long way to go when it comes to equity and culture- Ireland still must work towards equality through gender quotas in the Dail, and one of my own friends who studies Computer Science actually received higher marks on homework she submitted under a male name than on the very same homework she submitted under her own name- but we have to raise awareness for women everywhere to see real change.

Two ladies that have inspired you in your own life and explain why ?

Ive always been interested in access to education- who gets it, who doesnt, why this happens- so Im sure it comes as now surprise that one of the most inspiring women in my own life is Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for womens education. I was eleven years old when she was shot for speaking against the Taliban and advocating for universal education. This was one of the first times I felt like history was happening before me and it was one of the first times I understood the sacrifices people are willing to make for what they believe in, and how these actions can have a huge impact on the world at large. Following her work in the subsequent definitely coloured my own views on the importance of education as a launch pad for development and prosperity.

Today, a woman I have recently admire is Senator Lynn Ruane. I had the opportunity to hear her story at a college society event, and I was deeply inspired by her commitment to expanding the reach of education and breaking down the elitist barriers of the academic world. Ruane established her initiative Philosophy for the Community as a way to ignite peoples passion for learning in an accessible way. As a former president for Trinitys Student Union, I also have a lot of respect for how she used her position to fight for pressing matters such as fossil fuel divestment and Repealing the Eighth Amendment. People like Yousafzai and Ruane taught me how political education is and they both taught to seize every opportunity I can if I want to create a more inclusive world.

You've achieved a lot in the past few years, from your amazing Leaving Cert results to the scholarship award at Trinity. How do you feel about all that and the fact you've achieved so much at such a young age?

As Ive already said, Ive always been someone very invested in the disparity of access to education globally, and that made me very conscious to take advantages of the opportunities before me. I was also lucky enough to grow up with parents that let me explore my love of learning and always made sure I knew my gender should have no impact on what Im capable of achieving. Im proud to see my dedication manifest into academic success in the past year, especially considering the pressure all students were under due to lockdown restrictions and the cancellation of the Leaving Cert, and I plan to keep that dedication alive as I enter college to study politics, philosophy, sociology and economics so I can work towards a future where I have the chance to make a difference in the world.

Covid-19 pandemic - how has it affected you and how are you and your family coping?

Im fortunate enough to live in student accommodation this year, so despite my first year in college taking place over video calls and online exams, I have been able to meet some amazing people and have as much as a normal college experience one can have when most of the friends you make simply live within your laptop screen. Of course, this means I cant see my friends and family in Longford as much as Id like to, but we make do with Zoom calls and distract ourselves with plans we can make for when this is all over.

Plans for when lockdown restrictions are lifted?

Ive spent a lot of time fantasising about taking the first post-lockdown flight out of Ireland to wherever the pilot will take me to travel the world and live a very cinematic life, but honestly Im just excited for when the bookshops open again and I can be found roaming every shelf in the country. Im also never saying no to a night-out ever again!
San Francisco moved a step closer to passing a hazard pay ordinance on Thursday that could add an extra $5 per hour to the paychecks of city grocery and drugstore workers, in line with steps taken by other Bay Area cities and counties during the pandemic.

The city Board of Supervisors Government Audit and Oversight Committee cleared the way for the ordinance to go before the full board next week.

The proposed temporary pay increases  in recompense for working during a deadly pandemic  would apply to San Francisco grocery stores and drugstores with 500 or more employees across all stores, including at least 20 employees in the city. Janitors and security contractors at those stores would also see their pay increased.

The changes would take effect for 60 days and apply to workers making less than $35 per hour or $75,000 annually.

While the changes would not affect smaller businesses, larger local chains like Mollie Stones, which has less than 700 employees, would be included. Owner Mike Stone said during the committee meeting Thursday that the increases would come on top of bonuses and pay bumps he has already provided to his workers during the pandemic.

We have done the right thing for our employees, customers and community over the last year, Stone said. He added that since food industry workers have become eligible to get vaccinated against the virus, 60% of workers at his three San Francisco stores have received a shot or have an appointment to get one, and he expects that number to increase to 90% by next week.

Some chains instituted voluntary hazard or hero pay last year for essential workers, like those in the grocery industry, but ended the increases last summer. The proposed pay hikes would be compensation, but also recognition of the risks those workers have taken on the job through the past year, according to Dan Larson, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 648 union chapter.

Our members have been on the front line of this pandemic when it began nearly a year ago, Larson said. If passed by the board, the changes would mean dignity and appreciation for the dangers of the jobs they do every day, Larson said.

The changes could have unintended consequences, according to Ron Fong, president and CEO of the California Grocers Association. Those could include increased prices for consumers and fewer hours for employees, Fong said.

Some stores could close if faced with what he estimated could be a 30% salary increase for some workers. National chain Kroger recently said it would close some stores after Long Beach passed a hazard pay ordinance.

Other cities across the Bay Area and the state have already tacked on pay increases for grocery workers and others doing essential, in-person work.

The San Mateo City Council signed off on its own pay increases for grocery and drugstores that employ more than 750 people nationwide, in part to avoid including regional grocers, similar to Mollie Stones, who have been providing increased pay and benefits to workers during the pandemic.

The Oakland City Council voted unanimously last month to require large grocery stores to add $5 an hour to worker wages. Fongs group sued over the changes and he said if the San Francisco ordinance takes effect the grocers association would consider taking further legal action.

Last month, the San Jose City Council also passed a law temporarily giving workers at large grocery stores an extra $3 per hour to compensate them for running the risk of getting the coronavirus. In late February the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors also passed a temporary $5 per hour bump in pay for workers at large grocery stores and pharmacies. The City of Berkeley also recently approved a similar temporary increase. South San Francisco passed a hazard pay ordinance of its own in February.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
The inquest into the death of Liam Adams is to be heard by a jury.

The brother of former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams died in 2019 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Liam Adams, 63, had been resident in Maghaberry Prison, Co Antrim, serving a 16-year sentence for the rape and sexual assault of his daughter, Aine Dahlstrom, who waived her right to privacy.

He died at a hospice.

Expand Close Liam Adams (Paul Faith/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Liam Adams (Paul Faith/PA)

The first preliminary hearing took place at Belfast Coroners Court on Friday.

Coroner Paddy McGurgan heard there are three properly interested parties in the inquest  the next of kin, the South Eastern health trust and the Prison Service.

He said it will be a jury inquest, but no date has been set.

A report into Mr Adams death by the Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has not been released.

The coroner said the inquest cannot proceed until the ombudsman has completed their role.

As I have understood it the family were very anxious to have this inquest progressed  obviously I cant do that until PONI have completed their role, he said.

A lawyer representing Mr Adams family said he expects that to take place in the very near future.
H

aloed by the lights from their mobile phones, the medical staff at St George University Hospital picked through the dead to carry injured patients and colleagues on bed sheets through the ravaged remains of the nine-storey building.

Outside, a tidal wave of wounded coming out of the building crashed into the wave of wounded coming in from the surrounding neighbourhoods.

In the middle, dazed medics, still stained with blood, set up a makeshift triage centre in the car park to treat both.

Just moments beforehand on that night exactly six months ago one of the largest non-nuclear explosions of our time raged through central Beirut. Several thousand tonnes of poorly-stored explosives in the citys port had ignited, sending a ring of pressure across the city that clawed fronts off buildings, ripped open roofs, and in the hospital, destroyed operating theatres, wards and intensive care units.

In the middle of the nightmare, Rolla Farah, a chief nurse at St George, was given the impossible task of trying to safely evacuate the wounded coronavirus patients without infecting everyone around them.

We had to wait for special ambulances to transfer them in the middle of that. You cant imagine, she says.

Half a year on from the devastating explosion which killed more than 200 people, injured several thousand more and destroyed nearly a quarter of a million homes, St George hospital, and its staff like Farah, are once again on the frontline of the latest mess of disasters to confront Lebanon.

The country is careering towards total collapse as it buckles under the weight of a tripled-headed crisis: the aftermath of the blast which has left swathes of the capital in rubble, an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases overwhelming the healthcare system and a financial crash that has pushed more than half the country of 7 million people under the poverty line.

The international community has promised to support Lebanon whose rupture could ignite the tinderbox region. The tiny Mediterranean country is also home to nearly 2 million vulnerable Syrians and Palestinian refugees who are already struggling in extreme poverty.

Its economy is inextricably intertwined tied to the economy of neighbouring war-torn Syria, which heavily relies on the Lebanese banking sector.

And there are no signs of any of the extreme pressures easing up for Lebanon.

The country's caretaker government has had to impose a three and half week round-the-clock curfew  one of the worlds toughest lockdowns  to try and stem the spread of Covid-19. But the absence of robust financial support programmes has sparked nationwide hunger demonstrations and in Lebanons poorest city, Tripoli, there have been bloody clashes between protesters and security forces.

 On the brink: Inside Lebanons battle to survive

Furious citizens are also still demanding answers about the causes of the blast. An investigation into the explosion which changed and shattered so many lives has stalled since the countrys prime minister was charged with criminal negligence in December.

With no end to the relentless misery in sight, the country has been pushed to the very brink.

And so those at St George say they are once again left to bear the burden as the country lurches from crisis to crisis.

Despite only being partially repaired from the explosion and struggling amid shortages of foreign currency needed to purchase supplies, the hospital is now a main coronavirus treatment facility. It is overflowing.

Since lockdown measures were controversially lifted during the Christmas season, Lebanons daily Covid-19 caseload has broken the countrys records. Now 300,000 people have been infected and more than 3,000 have died. The mortality rate from virus cases is climbing.

The staff of St George describe treating Covid-19 patients in their cars, on chairs in the waiting room and even on the pavements as they lack space to give people beds.

The Red Cross said on Wednesday that Lebanons Covid-bed occupancy rate was more than 100 per cent.

We are at full capacity at the moment. Our non-Covid emergency room is now taking Covid-patients that are critical since there is nowhere else to put them, says Farah while bits of the ceiling damaged in the explosion hang limp above her.

A third of the nursing staff are Covid-positive. We are really understaffed, working overtime and exhausted.

A sick patient in Beirut's overflowing coronavirus wards (Bel Trew )

Little hope of justice

Heavily pregnant, Sarah Copland was feeding her two-year-old son Isaac in his high chair, when at a few minutes past 6pm on 4 August she heard an unusual boom coming from the direction of Beirut port.

The United Nations officer from Australia, rushed to the window to check what was going on outside but saw nothing.

She was walking back to her son, when the explosion ripped her off her feet and threw her to the ground.

My husband came running in, we grabbed Isaac from his high chair. We didnt know if it was a terrorist attack, or if the city was being bombed, she says.

It was then they realised their son had been speared in the chest by a piece of shattered glass from their sliding door.

When we got to the bathroom, we saw how injured he was and ran outside to find help. It was unreal. There were people lying in the street, there was glass and devastation everywhere, she adds.

From that minute on she says it didnt feel real, it felt like a movie.

Relatives in Beirut hold portraits of the victims six months on from the blast (AP)

Isaac, a bubbly and much-beloved toddler, died hours later, becoming one of the youngest of 211 victims of the Beirut explosion.

Copland, herself injured, would spend days in hospital in Beirut before being evacuated home to Perth.

She later miraculously gave birth to her second son, Ethan. But six months on the family is still struggling to come to terms with their grief and fears the disaster will be forgotten by the world.

It is the hardest thing that I have ever gone through in my life, I know I will never get over what happened, she says, her voice cracking with emotion.

I just feel for so many people stuck in Lebanon. They dont even get a chance to recover from one crisis before facing another crisis.

She said she is concerned that attention turned quickly away from the Lebanese capital, despite the fact that so many people, including her own baby, died.

It is important the world continues to remember what happened in Beirut.

That feeling of grief is keenly felt across the devastated capital where many are also angry at the lack of answers and justice.

Afif Merhej, 41, says his brother Kaiser, 36, a security officer in the port had no idea what he was walking into when he started his night shift that fateful evening.

The father-of-twos last message was to a friend to say he had been called to investigate a fire which had broken out on hangar 12, a warehouse the authorities knew held thousands of tonnes of dangerous explosive materials.

However, Kaiser had no idea and said he thought it housed fireworks.

Six months on, the grieving family are bitterly disappointed in the progress of the investigation and fear politics may hinder any attempts to reach the truth.

I want everyone responsible to be charged and for the judge not to miss out on a single person, Afif tells The Independent on the verge of tears.

Fury at the lack of answers, and the governments poor response to the aftermath of the explosion, which saw citizens man the clean-up operation, led to nationwide protests last year that resulted in the entire cabinet resigning.

Six months on, Lebanons ruling parties still cannot agree on the formation of a new government, which has left the country in political limbo and hindered the delivery of foreign aid. The investigation into the blast has been stalled since 17 December.

On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch called for an independent international investigation into the blast warning the domestic probe has been hampered by serious process violations and attempts by political leaders to stop it.

A beached cruise liner lies on its side in Beiruts destroyed port (EPA)

According to testimonies and documents seen by The Independent, port and customs officials, senior members of the security services, the prime minister, several current and former ministers and the president of the country knew about the dangerous stockpile of ammonium nitrate in the port but did nothing about it.

The paper trail stretches back to 2014 when the materials, which are used to make fertilisers and bombs, first arrived in Beirut aboard a Moldavian-flagged ship. It shows Lebanese officials repeatedly warning about the dangers of the explosive materials.

Up until two months ago only 37 low-to mid-level security, port and customs officials had been charged, sparking mounting criticism of investigating judge, Fadi Sawwan, for not holding senior political figures to account.

But then on 11 December Sawwan took the extraordinary step of charging caretaker prime minister Diab, former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil, as well as Ghazi Zeiter and Youssef Fenianos, both former ministers of public works.

The move to charge the ministers sparked fury from the countrys myriad and powerful political factions including condemnation from Hezbollah.

Since then all of the three have refused to appear for questioning and maintain their innocence. Diab has called it diabolical to single him out for charges. The caretaker interior minister said that he would not ask the security forces to arrest them, even if the judiciary issued arrest warrants.

In January the court of cassation ruled Sawwan can resume his investigation while it reviews calls to replace him.

For the victims of the blast, the paused investigation just means more heartbreaking questions left unanswered.

Total descent into the abyss

Omar Tayba, 29 was not exactly destitute. But after failing to hold onto several part-time jobs and following an unsuccessful stint trying to find work in Turkey, he snapped.

The tidal wave of rage that boiled in Beirut rolled out of the capital across the country taking hold in Lebanons poorest city Tripoli, 80km to the north, where Tayba lived.

For the last few weeks, a haze of teargas and the stutter of gunfire has covered Tripolis main protest square, as rallies have descended into clashes between protesters and phalanxes of soldiers.

Last Wednesday Omar headed out to join them and never came back.

My son got involved in the protests because he was angry, his father Farouk tells The Independent from his impoverished Tripoli neighbourhood.

A nurse tends to her sick father in a coronavirus ward at the Rafic Hariri University Hospital (Bel Trew )

He had tried to find a way to sustain himself but with the economic situation it's hard to find a future.

Lebanon has long been in the grips of an unprecedented financial crisis anchored in decades of chronic mismanagement and corruption.

That reached a crescendo in the pandemic and after the August blast which left billions of dollars in damage and, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council, caused 70,000 people to lose their jobs. Over the last year, the Lebanese lira has lost 80 per cent of its value and some food prices have more than quadrupled. According to the United Nations at least 55 per cent of the country now live under the poverty line, meaning they live off just a few dollars a day. The economy has shrunk by 20 per cent over the last year.

In real terms that means many can no longer feed their families and even the middle class are relying on charity handouts to survive.

That is most keenly felt in Tripoli, where poverty and unemployment rates have always been high.

The northern city is no stranger to protests, and was central to an uprising which first erupted in 2019. But a wave of unrest re-erupted last month after the government enforced a three and half week round-the-clock curfew because of coronavirus  effectively locking in families at home and cutting financial lifelines.

Roughly half of Lebanons workforce relies on daily wages mostly paid in local currency.

The caretaker government acknowledged the financial pressure and said last week it was giving 230,000 of the poorest families 400,000 lira a month, or less than $50 at the market rate, to help them make ends meet.

But many of Lebanons population  like Omar  are still falling through the cracks. And so he decided to join the protests.

At some point on the night of Wednesday 27 January he was hospitalised with a bullet wound to his back. He did not make it, his father says on the verge of tears.

We just want justice for our son, he adds. The security forces admitted they had used live rounds but said it was in self defence after rioters had become violent.

Armed security forces during one of the demonstrations (Bel Trew )

His death has only fuelled more rage in Tripoli where protests have continued and a municipal building was even set on fire.

There are no jobs, we have nothing, no food. The government is using violence, we are starving to death, shouts Sara, a protester who joined the rallies on Friday.

All we want is to find something to eat, thats all.

But there is little hope on the horizon.

Omar Nader, an economist and director Beiruts Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs, predicts that Lebanons Central Bank will within weeks run out of its foreign currency reserves needed to sustain an expensive subsidies programme for key staples like wheat, medicines and fuel.

Prime Minister Diab told Reuters in December that Lebanon can ration $2bn left of reserves for subsidies and make it last at least six more months.

Nader thinks Mr Diabs prediction is overly optimistic.

The Independent reached out to the prime ministers office for comment about the situation in Lebanon and received no immediate reply.

When the subsidies are cut the prices will skyrocket. This will be the beginning of the full collapse, Nader tells The Independent.

He said the inability to form a government is also preventing the unlocking of foreign aid sorely needed to help Lebanon out of this mess.

Nader said there were other problems too. He believes the country will soon be unable to purchase much-needed fuel meaning the country will lose power in the grip of winter. There were already 20-hour blackouts in some areas of Lebanon immediately before the blast last summer.

And so Nader concludes that the wave of protests in Tripoli are a rehearsal of what is coming next.

Multiply that across the regions in the country. Multiply that when the Covid-19 is over and more people will take to the street.

When all of this happens it will be a total descent into the abyss.

Police officers are seen during a Beirut protest days after the blast (Reuters)

In the Covid-19 ICU ward in Beiruts Rafic Hariri University Hospital, medics battle to keep alive a colleague, a nurse, who is unconscious and on a ventilator. The 39-year-olds baby was born dangerously prematurely by caesarean because she was so sick with the virus.

The newborn is intubated. There are fears the nurse, whose name has been withheld for privacy reasons, might not make it.

Outside the coronavirus entrance to the government medical centre, anxious families gather for news of their loved ones. A young man in a mask openly sobs with his head in hand.

The day The Independent visited was the worst ever day for fatalities, the hospitals director Dr Firass Abiad later told us. Seven people were dead by the afternoon.

Despite the pleas for the lockdown to be lifted because of poverty and hunger, in the Covid-19 wards the exhausted medics say the measures are the only line of defence they have against the deadly virus.

Im so tired, sometimes I want to cry, says one red-eyed nurse whose father is currently hospitalised with coronavirus in the hospitals ER.

Another male nurse adds: We just want people to stay home for just one month.

If we can keep the lockdown we might have a chance.

Dr Abiad acknowledges that amid the financial pressures the strict curfews are not sustainable and says the vaccine rollout may be the only way out of the crisis.

Soldiers on the streets of Tripoli (Bel Trew )

But even that may be a pipe dream in Lebanon. The authorities confirmed it will receive its first batch of vaccines later this month, but there are questions over how the entire programme will be funded given shortages of foreign currency.

The only hope for Lebanon might once again be a bailout from foreign nations. French president Emmanuel Macron, who had been spearheading international efforts to rescue Lebanon, has said this week he will visit the nation for a third time since the August blast.

But without a government in place, it is hard to see how money will flow in given that most foreign countries have vowed to condition aid on reforms that cannot be delivered by a caretaker cabinet.

Meanwhile, protesters are prepping for more protests in the coming weeks.

Those still grieving from the blast hope the world will not forget what happened all those months ago or the crisis taking hold in Lebanon right now.

It is just such a travesty for the world to just move on, says Copland, her voice edged with tears.

Isaac deserved a chance of life and that was taken from him. That is the same for everyone who was killed in the blast. That chance was taken from them.

We cant forget that.
Franklin Templeton MF: SC Reserves Order after Completing 1st Phase; Next Hearing in July

The Supreme Court completed hearing arguments from all sides in the Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund (FTMF) matter. However, while reserving its order, the apex court decided to hold the next hearing in July when market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will complete its investigation into allegations of wrongdoing against FTMF. Separately, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered an enforcement case information report (ECIR) against FTMF on which the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) has raised objections. AMFI wants SEBI and not the ED to investigate FTMF matter.

A bench comprising justices S Abdul Nazeer and Sanjiv Khanna, made it clear that it will pronounce its order on the legal status of MF Regulation 18(15)(c), which mandates consent of unitholder for the winding up of a scheme.

Supreme Court today completed hearing in 1st phase of Franklin Templeton MF matter. Order reserved.

Adv Madhumita prayed for, among others, [email protected]% p.a. be paid to unit holders for delay in payment ; and NAV not less than NAV on 23rd April 2020-date of winding up-be paid.  virendra jain (@virendrajain15) March 4, 2021

According to reports, the apex court may pass the order over the next 10 days.

Quoting Paritosh Gupta of Gupta Law Associates, who is counsel for Areez and Persis Khambatta, the earliest unitholders to have petitioned before a court, a report from Moneycontrol says , It appears that the Supreme Court would prefer an expert regulatory body like SEBI to first investigate and adjudicate the various allegations against Franklin Templeton and its officials, before hearing the case further. When SEBI passes an adjudication order, there will be much more clarity and SC can then pass appropriate orders in the matter."

report from Mint says , AMFI has reiterated its stand that the FTMF matter should be investigated by SEBI only and not by ED or police.

Last year in October, AMFI has raised an objection upon a first information report (FIR) registered by Chennai Financial Markets and Accountability (CFMA), with the economic offences wing (EOW) of Chennai police. At that time, the investor group had accused the Association of protecting FTMF and its senior management against the FIR.

NS Venkatesh, chief executive (CEO) of AMFI, told the newspaper that There is no change in AMFIs stand in the matter. We firmly believe that the matter is entirely within SEBIs purview. SEBI has adequate powers to take appropriate action against anyone found to be in contravention of the SEBI Act or the rules and regulations."

AMFI had urged the market regulator to intervene in the matter since it has 'vast jurisdiction containing administrative, civil and penal domains' and prevent the case from 'getting translated into a criminal investigation'. Notably, it had further requested the SEBI to exercise its statutory powers to shield one of its membersFTMFand to insulate the MF industry from any undesirable and unwarranted precedent.

By covering up the misdeeds of FTMF's and not saying even a word in favour of the unitholders, the CFMA had said, AMFI failed to address the grievances of investors aggrieved by the freezing of six of the debt schemes of FTMF.

Read: Chennai Investor Group CFMA Accuses AMFI of Protecting Franklin Templeton MF against EOW FIR ) According to the CFMA, the AMFI was undermining a lawfully registered FIR against FTMF when it is not even privy to either the forensic audit report or the internal management of FTMF unless its president Sanjay Sapre, who is on the board of Association of National Exchanges of Members of India, has briefed the AMFI with sketchy details. (

Last month, the Supreme Court had directed FTMF to distribute Rs9,122 crore among unit-holders of the six schemes that were shut by the mutual fund house in April last year and said the distribution of funds needs to be undertaken by the SBI Fund Management and completed within 20 days.

The apex court had said the unit-holders should be repaid in proportion to their respective share in assets of the scheme and the distribution of funds would be undertaken by SBI Fund Management as agreed by both Franklin Templeton Trust and SEBI.

Later the apex court upheld the validity and results of e-voting of unit-holders of six mutual schemes of Franklin Templeton and said Rs9,122 crore will be disbursed as per its earlier order. The top court noted that the consent of unit-holders means consent of majority of unit holders and not just party to the scheme.

Earlier in November, Franklin Templeton Trustee Services, which initially had argued that mutual funds are empowered to wind up schemes without unit-holders' consent, sought permission from SEBI to hold a vote on the issue on 8th November.

The Karnataka High Court, in its judgement in October 2020, had said the decision of FTMF to wind up the six schemes cannot be implemented unless the consent of the unit-holders is obtained.

Read: Rs30,000 Crore Stuck in Franklin India Proves Why Debt MF Scheme Categories Are Not Worth the Risk ) Earlier, on 23 April 2020, FTMF had announced shutting down six debt fund schemes due to poor and illiquid investments amid the coronavirus crisis, leaving lakhs of investors in a lurch. The total assets under management (AUM) of the six schemes were over Rs25,000 crore, spread across Franklin India Low Duration Fund, Franklin India Dynamic Accrual Fund, Franklin India Credit Risk Fund, Franklin India Short Term Income Plan, Franklin India Ultra Short Bond Fund and Franklin India Income Opportunities Fund. (

Meanwhile, an analysis of the final forensic audit report by Moneycontrol revealed interference in risk management, liquidity issues, deficient investment policy, use of inter scheme transfers (ISTs) for managing the liquidity, neglect towards early warning and miscalculation of Macaulay duration of portfolios among others. (Macaulay duration basically measures how long it takes for the price of a bond to be repaid by the cash flows from it.)

According to the report, in July 2019, the head of risk management at FTMF sent a presentation, which incorporated concerns with respect to holding in debt securities of certain issuers such as YES Bank, DHFL, and Vodafone in the debt schemes. However, following concerns raised by chief investment officer (CIO) of FTMF, and nod from the seniors, the initial concerns raised on the debt securities of these certain issuers were excluded from the presentation sent by the head of risk management.
There was little follow up, apart from some mentions on obscure websites. There was no demand for Shorten to out himself or to step aside while the matter was investigated. Nine months later, after Victoria Police informed him that no charges would be laid, Shorten identified himself as the Labor figure and said the allegations had been vigorously investigated and that there was absolutely no basis to them. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the matter had been dealt with and I dont think theres really anything more to say about it. Shorten led Labor to the next election. That response bears no resemblance to the convulsion in national affairs in the week since the ABC reported a cabinet minister was accused of a rape in an anonymous letter referred to the Australian Federal Police. When Porter called a press conference on Wednesday to out himself as the cabinet minister, he compared his treatment with that of Shorten and vehemently denied the allegation against him. There werent any calls for him [Shorten] to stand down or public reporting of anonymous, unsourced, untested material designed to try somebody in public while they are duty-bound to remain silent, Porter said.

Indeed, when something similar happened to the former leader of the opposition, everyone followed the accepted process. The stories of these two women have similarities and differences. Both centre on allegations of crimes from more than 30 years ago, when they were 16 and those accused still teenagers. Both women, for most of their lives, carried the burden of what they say was done to them while their alleged assailants went on to have prominent careers in politics. Attorney General Christian Porter denies allegations he raped a member of his high school debating team when he was 17 years old. Credit:Trevor Collens Porters accuser last year took her life without providing a statement to NSW Police. Sherriff provided multiple statements to police and now questions why she bothered. She survives on a disability pension.

Loading There are important differences. Sherriffs claims were investigated by police. While Porters accuser met with police, she never made a formal statement which meant that a formal investigation could not proceed. The media coverage of Porter and Shorten, and the political response, could not have been more different. Greg Barns, a barrister who advocates for the rights of asylum seekers, is no friend of Christian Porter. He is alarmed, however, at what he describes as a mindset that has taken hold in recent years which assumes all victims of sexual assault are telling the truth and of the zeal with which some journalists and lawyers are prosecuting their cases. In the Shorten case it was a very restrained atmosphere, Barns says. There was a reluctance to report it and the media was rightly circumspect, as one should be whenever serious criminal allegations are levelled against anyone. The difference now, in the case of Porter, it has been a relatively unrestrained attack on him with an implied reversal of the onus of proof. Greg Barns SC says a dangerous mindset has emerged which threatens the fundamental rights of people accused of a sex crime. Credit:Eve Fisher

The #MeToo movement has done a very good job of making sure the legal system is more receptive of victims of sexual abuse. However, we must be careful that in doing that, we do not jettison very important protections that a person who is accused must have, should have and in any civilised legal system, does have. Barns asks whether, in the summary justice meted out on social media, Porter is being condemned as much for who he represents  born-to-rule Tories who populate high school debating teams and government front benches  as what he did or didnt do 33 years ago. In this, Barns sees traces of the campaign run against George Pell who was ultimately acquitted of historical sex offences. Loading Michael Gawenda, a respected former editor of The Age, is also troubled. He says there is a lack of care in much of the reporting about Porter and questions why important facts, such as Porter being only 17 at the time of the alleged rape, were downplayed or omitted. The reporting keeps referring to her being 16 and him being a cabinet minister. The fact is they were two school kids. Isnt that relevant information? Why hasnt that been made clear throughout all the reporting?

Everyone, not just journalists, have accepted this mantra that victims have to be believed. Once you cross that Rubicon, there doesnt even need to be a court case; the decision has been made. I think that is a huge problem. What has happened with Porter shows this is not where we can stay. Michael Bradley, the lawyer who helped Porters accuser in the months leading up to her death, sees things differently. He says the restraint adopted by the media and political class towards the Shorten allegations was part of the problem faced by sexual assault complainants. Things have changed dramatically since then, he says. There is the social media dynamic in that and the gloves coming off. There is very little restraint. The bigger shift is what used to underline most of that restraint; the victimisation and silencing of women. That is increasingly no longer being accepted, particularly by women and by society as a whole which is losing its tolerance for brushing these things under the carpet. Michael Bradley of Marque Lawyers helped the woman who accused Christian Porter of rape bring forward her allegation. Credit:Michele Mossop

The #MeToo push for all victims of sexual assault to be believed has been broadly adopted by all sides of politics. Scott Morrisons use of it in 2019 has been played on a loop for the past three days. Its important that their stories are believed and that they that if they come forward their stories will be believed, the Prime Minister said. Bradley says if the notion was taken literally, the presumption of innocence would cease to exist and the onus of proof would be reversed in sex crimes. That is not a tenable legal position and not really what anyone is sensibly advocating, he says. We have to remember where it is coming from, which is essentially a reaction to the systemic obstacles that victims have always faced and still face in bringing their complaint forward and trying to get justice. When we say I believe you, it is not literally I believe a crime has been committed and the person you say did it should go to jail. It is respecting the experience that this human person has had and what they feel or believe about it and starting from that standpoint rather than the one that says well, prove it. Porter is refusing to quit as Attorney-General and Morrison is refusing to commission an independent inquiry into his fitness to remain in the post on the grounds that to do so would undermine the rule of law.

Bradley, the managing partner of Marque Lawyers, says this conflates criminal law concepts with a matter that, following this weeks decision by NSW Police to close its investigation into Porter, no longer has any bearing on the criminal justice system. For Kathy Sherriff, such arguments feel arcane and distant. She trusted the justice system. She told her story to Victoria Police before it was reported in the media. She provided them with names of other witnesses who she said could support elements of her story. Her hopes rose when detectives interviewed Bill Shorten, then crashed when the Office of Public Prosecutions reviewed the evidence gathered by police and assessed it as unlikely to secure a conviction. That decision was painful for her. Police have closed their investigation and refused a Freedom of Information request by Sherriff to access her file so she can prepare a civil claim. When the story of Brittany Higgins broke two weeks ago, Sherriff was inspired to put her allegations forward again. She had previously petitioned senior Labor and Greens politicians. This time, she wrote to Liberal MP Sarah Henderson, recounting the harrowing details of what she says happened to her at a Young Labor camp in Portarlington a lifetime ago.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

24 Hour Access

Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 74F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas made a $16 billion error in pricing during the week of the winter storm that caused power outages across the state, according to a filing by its market monitor.

Potomac Economics, the independent market monitor for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which oversees ERCOT, wrote in a letter to the Public Utility Commission that ERCOT kept market prices for power too high for nearly two more days after widespread outages ended late Feb. 17. It should have reset the prices the following day.

That decision to keep prices high, the market monitor described, resulted in $16 billion in additional costs to Texas power companies. The news of the overcharging was first reported by Bloomberg.

In Texas, wholesale power prices are determined by supply and demand: When demand is high, ERCOT allows prices to go up. The grid operator was directed by the PUC during the storm to set wholesale power prices at $9,000 per megawatt hour  the maximum price. Raising prices is intended to incentivize power generators in the state to add more power to the grid. Companies then buy power from the wholesale market to deliver to consumers, which they are contractually obligated to do.

Because ERCOT failed to bring prices back down on time, companies had to buy power in the market at inflated prices.

RELATED: CenterPoint looking into billing issue that alerted customers they owe over $200K

The error will likely result in higher levels of defaults, wrote Carrie Bivens, a vice president of Potomac Economics, the firm that monitors the grid operator. She said the PUC should direct ERCOT to remove the pricing intervention that occurred after outages ended, and allowing them to remain would result in substantial and unjustified economic harm.

Retail power providers have been in financial distress across Texas since the storm, as many were forced to buy power on the wholesale market at extremely high prices.

Brazos Electric Power Cooperative Inc., Texas largest power cooperative, has already filed for bankruptcy protection after incurring $2.1 billion in combined charges owed to ERCOT, according to court documents filed on Monday.

Many retail power providers complained in filings to regulators that generators of electricity, which were unable to produce enough power during the storm, profited and left retail companies scrambling.

The ERCOT market was not designed to deal with an emergency of this scale, wrote Patrick Woodson, CEO of ATG Clean Energy Holdings, a retail power provider based in Austin, to the Public Utility Commission. The pricing failure, he wrote, has pushed the entire market to the brink of collapse."

RELATED: The heads of ERCOT's board of directors don't even live in Texas

Bivens wrote that while she recognizes that retroactively revising the prices is not ideal, correcting the error will reflect the accurate supply and demand for power during the period after the outages.

The recommendation will not result [in] any revenue shortfalls for ERCOTs generation as the corrected prices will cover the generators as-offered costs, she wrote. We recognize that revising the prices retroactively is not ideal.

A spokesperson for ERCOT was not immediately available to comment.

Kenan Ogelman, the ERCOT vice president of commercial operations who testified during a Texas Senate committee hearing on Thursday, was not asked by state senators about ERCOTs $16 billion mistake. Sen. Kelly Hancock, Republican of North Richland Hills who chairs the Business and Commerce committee, did not indicate what action he or senators would take on the various financial ripple effects following the winter storm.

There are financial concerns  lets put it that way  that we have to address, Hancock said.

Reese Oxner, Mitchell Ferman and Shannon Najmabadi contributed to this report.
The House passed Democrats' massive election reform bill, the "For the People Act" on Wednesday in wake of lingering bitterness over the 2020 election and Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Republicans warned that the legislation amounts to a federal takeover of the election system that will create opportunities for fraud, while Democrats say that the longtime wishlist of reforms would expand voting access and reduce the influence of money in elections.

Democrats previously passed a version of H.R. 1  the bill number saved to signify a top priority of the majority party  in the last Congress in 2019, but it never got a vote in the Republican-controlled Senate. This time, every single House Democrat has signed on to the bill, and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is poised to bring the legislation up in the Senate, though he only has a slim, non-filibuster-proof 50-50 majority.

LINGERING 2020 BITTERNESS INFLAMES DEBATE AS DEMOCRATS PUSH MASSIVE ELECTION REFORM BILL

Measures in the massive bill, passed 220-210 Wednesday, include:

A new program providing for public financing of federal elections, matching small-dollar donations 6 to 1.

Creating nationwide automatic voter registration.

Reducing the number of members on the Federal Election Commission from 6 to 5. Democrats say will allow the commission to do its job rather than be deadlocked, but Republicans say that would make the FEC a "partisan weapon."

Require certain politically active groups, including 401(c)3 "dark money" nonprofit organizations, to disclose donors who give $10,000 or more, and expand the definition of election-related communication and reduce the influence of independent expenditure-only "super PACs," among other measures.

Require states to allow any eligible voter to vote by mail in federal elections.

Require states to allow any eligible voter to use ballot drop-boxes.

Allows felons who have completed their incarceration to vote.

Democrats celebrated impending passage of the bill with a press conference on the Capitol steps on Wednesday, during which Democrats held up small American flags.

Pelosi said that across the country, over 200 measures are being put together "to suppress the vote."

"How could it be? How do we pledge allegiance to the flag, in the Capitol, this temple of Democracy, while at the same time supporting voter suppression across the country?" Pelosi asked.

Not all of the far-left's priorities made it into the bill, though. An measure to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 from "Squad" member Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat from Massachusetts, failed on the House floor on Wednesday.

Republicans sharply criticized the bill. In an op-ed, Republican Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Ted Budd of North Carolina, and Jody Hice of Georgia argued that the bill is a ploy by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Pelosi to "cancel your choice at the ballot box."

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Republicans in the House and Senate have signed on to an alternative to the Democrats' bill with the "Save Democracy Act," a proposal crafted in the House Republican Study Committee that has versions introduced in both the House and the Senate.

That bill would tighten, rather than loosen, requirements to vote, largely proposing the opposite of measures in Democrats' H.R. 1: It would require people who register to vote to provide their social security number and to have identification when voting, and it would prohibit automatic voter registration.

Source: House Democrats pass H.R. 1 election overhaul bill with public financing, automatic voter registration (msn.com)
On Guam, there are three hospitals. Two of them, Guam Regional Medical City and Naval Hospital Guam, have the Gold Seal of Approval from The J Read more
New research reveals story of Penguins work to bring Russian classics to English readers in the 20th century

New research reveals for the first time the personal efforts and innovations behind major efforts in the 20th century to publish classic Russian literature in accessible and affordable English translations.

From 1950, Penguin brought great works by golden-age Russian writers to general readers in Britain and beyond. The legacy of this work still influences Russian translators  and reading tastes  today.

Dr Cathy McAteer, from the University of Exeter, is the first scholar to analyse the people and processes behind the Penguin Russian Classics series. She has researched the individuals involved, their agendas and working habits, as well as decisions made by Penguin staff about which texts to translate and publish.

Following the turn-of-the-century efforts of Constance Garnett and William Heinemann, Penguin came to be regarded as the de facto post-war provider of Russian literature in modern English translation.

Dr McAteers close analysis of archived correspondence between translators and editors, found in the Penguin archive at the University of Bristol and in individual collections at the Leeds Russian archive, has revealed the personal motivations and achievements of these figures. The research also shows the challenges they struggled with while working in isolation, including translators block, depression, bereavement, health and financial difficulties. The letters also show the autonomy Penguin gave them over their working methods.

Dr McAteer, whose research is published in a freely downloadable new book Translating Great Russian Literature: The Penguin Russian Classics, said: This series played a hugely significant role in how Russian literature was produced and marketed in English, and its influence can still be seen.

The Penguin Classics series editor E.V. Rieu wanted to produce great writers works in good modern English; translators made a concerted effort, therefore, to help readers cope with tricky Russian names and culture-specific objects, and to bring texts to life by lending characters different voices. The success of these translations paved the way for peoples interest in the Soviet literature from the mid-1960s.

I hope this book shows the legacy of everything Penguin achieved. I wanted to remind people of the importance of translators, and to show the huge amount of work which had to happen  has to happen  to bring these classic books to an Anglophone audience, not just in the UK, but in the US, Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Canada too.

Letters analysed show Penguin commissioned talented freelance translators, paying them fair rates with negotiable deadlines and offering the prospect of repeat business and royalties on high-volume print-runs. This arrangement proved mutually-beneficial, resulting in high-quality work and punctual delivery. In the early years, translation commissions kept coming, often faster than the Penguin team could process them.

Most of the Penguin Russian classics have since been retranslated in ways which acknowledge the achievements, but depart from the style, of those working in the 1950s, sometimes to restore the texts original, stylistic features, to refresh the language, or to take into account the changing needs and preferences of a modern audience.

Dr McAteers research unexpectedly revealed letters and previously unpublished papers on translation theory by Penguins notable Dostoevsky translator, David Magarshack. Her book explains how Magarshack wanted those in his profession to recognise their own worth. Not shy of asserting himself, Magarshack urged literary translators to promote themselves, to demand both financial and reputational recognition. Dr McAteers research also identified an unsung heroine behind Magarshacks success: his wife Elsie, who loyally proofread and corrected his work. She continued to promote her husbands translations and to campaign for a blue plaque in his honour long after Magarshacks death in 1977.

Dr McAteer, who interviewed Mr Magarshacks daughter during her research, said: David Magarshack should be celebrated for contributing to our modern appreciation of translators, key practitioners who are often overlooked. Magarshack was a man of complexity, of competing and conflicting personal influences, but also a man of intense self-belief. This blend of attributes did not always make it easy for him to follow prescriptive rules and formulae in practice but his legacy  both literary and professional  merits our recognition.

Translating Great Russian Literature: The Penguin Russian Classics is published by Routledge. The research was funded by the ERCs Horizon 2020, RusTrans project (Grant Agreement No.: 802437) and the Open Access team at the University of Exeter.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close

For years, a debate has been raging regarding the role Big Tech companies like Facebook and Google play in the newspaper industrys decline and what responsibility these platforms have in ensuring journalisms survival in the digital age.

The U.S. newspaper sector in 2021 is effectively on life support, with more than a decade of newsroom closures and layoffs as a result of disappearing advertising revenues now hastened by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A January Challenger, Gray & Christmas study found that U.S. newsrooms shed a record 16,000 jobs in 2020, a gain of nearly 200 percent from the year prior. In the last year alone, more than 300 U.S. newspapers shuttered, according to a Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill report. As a result, news deserts have spread across the U.S., leaving more than 1,800 communities around the country without access to local reporting.

Many blame the news industrys endangered status on the practices and market dominance of tech behemoths Facebook and Google, platforms that thrive by sharing the content created by local news organizations while sharing none of the ad revenue resulting from the clicks that content generates. Now, in the wake of a recent legislative stare-down between Big Tech and Australian lawmakers, a debate has arisen regarding whether these companies should begin effectively subsidizing news coverage in the U.S.

In case you didnt know: Australias Parliament in February passed a controversial media bargaining law that forces the dominant tech companies like Google and Facebook to negotiate with Australian news publishers and compensate them for the content shared by its users on their platforms.

Supporters say the move lends much-needed aid to Australias embattled news industry, where smaller, local media outlets have been unable to compete in a digital media ecosystem where Google, Facebook and other tech platforms have used their market dominance to essentially siphon news organizations web traffic and digital advertising revenues by linking to the content those third-party publishers create. Big Techs monopolistic power, they argue, has essentially rendered them information gatekeepers with the power to lock local newsrooms out of the advertising marketplace, crippling these outlets ability to deliver the trustworthy investigative journalism thats critical to any democracy.

Critics say the law unfairly penalizes Google and Facebook, sites that constantly direct massive amounts of reader traffic to news outlets websites, which allows these publishers to widen their audiences, sell more subscriptions and boost ad revenues. The law also mandates tech platforms to independently bargain with publishers individually for licensing agreements, requiring binding arbitration in cases where an agreement isnt met, a process they say unfairly favors publishers.

Facebook initially responded to the laws passage by saying it would block Australian users from accessing Australian news items on its platform, but quickly reversed that decision. Google, meanwhile, acquiesced and unveiled a plan to begin arranging ad-sharing deals with publishers, including a multi-year partnership with Rupert Murdochs News Corp. But arguably, the most significant development has been the global repercussions this precedent sets, as other countries now consider following the Australian governments lead and adopting similar legislation that could allow local publishers to collectively bargain with Big Tech over the news content thats distributed across their platforms.

These efforts have been gaining strength in the United States, where lawmakers for several years have wrangled over whether Facebook and Google stifle competition in the digital economy. A forthcoming series of House Judiciary Committee hearings to begin in March will see lawmakers debate proposals to update U.S. antitrust laws in response to Big Techs immense market power.

Several U.S. lawmakers are also at work drafting legislation that emulates the Australian plan in many ways. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), chairman of the House Antitrust Subcommittee, is reintroducing a 2019 bipartisan bill, the Journalism Competition and Protection Act, which would give news publishers a safe harbor from antitrust laws and allow them to negotiate with Big Tech companies on payment for news content. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) are expected to introduce a similar bill in the Senate.

David Chavern, president and CEO of newspaper trade group the News Media Alliance, told ODwyers that his organization was very supportive of the Australian bargaining laws passage, likening in to the creation of music licensing in the late nineteenth century, and considers media outlets newfound ability to collectively negotiate a historic moment and a significant victory for news publishers everywhere.

There is now a lot of bipartisan support for that core idea in Congress and at a hearing in the House Antitrust Subcommittee next week we hope to outline ways to build upon that idea, Chavern said. Most particularly, we are going to talk about how we could create a formal system for negotiation and dispute resolution.
(@FahadShabbir)

MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) Paraguay's health minister Julio Mazzoleni on Friday yielded to the Senate's pressure to resign after a controversy surrounding medicine shortages.

"We agreed that I will leave the post of the minister of public health in order to let a calm set in that we need to deal with this challenge," he told the state television.

Mazzoleni came under a barrage of criticism from doctors and relatives of patients hospitalized with the coronavirus infection over lack of medicines, medical supplies and insufficient vaccines.

The Senate reached a non-binding decision on Thursday to call for the minister's resignation. Mazzoleni initially refused and accused lawmakers of having no grasp of the precarious situation in the health sector.
The study assessed the social and economic situation of the local community and the potential impact of the mine, concluding it could significantly boost the economies of rural communities by generating employment and indirect business opportunities.

The study made recommendations on maximising positive impacts of the Muga Mine to contribute to sustainable development in the area.

( ) (FRA:23H) has welcomed the independent Social Baseline Study of the Muga Potash Mine from the Government of Navarra in Spain which has concluded that the mine represents a significant positive socioeconomic potential for the local region.

The Observatorio de la Realidad Social, a social department of the Government of Navarra, released the study on March 4, 2021, determining that the mine will be able to reverse local depopulation which is severely affecting the local communities.

It also concluded that it could reverse the higher rates of local unemployment and that Muga could significantly boost the economies of the rural Navarran communities with indirect business opportunities.

The report also outlines eight collaborative strategies for the regional government, authorities and the company to follow in order to achieve a sustainable implementation and growth.

Positive social impact

The study reviewed a wide range of econometric data and includes analysis and findings resulting from the direct engagement with local authorities, government officials, relevant public institutions and other Muga Mine stakeholders.

Highfield Resources chief executive officer Ignacio Salazar said: We are delighted to read this independent report published by the Government of Navarra and its conclusions about the positive social impact of the Muga Project.

We welcome the rigour and energy that went into producing this study and the proactiveness of the Government of Navarra in undertaking this task early in the process.

At the same time, we appreciate the endorsement of the Government of Navarra to the contributions of Muga and look forward to working together with the Government, local communities and all interested parties to get the Muga Mine into production for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Location of Highfields Muga-Vipasca, Pintanos and Sierra del Perdon Tenement Areas in Northern Spain.

Muga Potash Project potential

Highfield is focused on moving its flagship low-cost, low-capex Muga Project in Spain into the construction phase.

The tenements (Muga-Vipasca, Pintanos, and Sierra del Perdon) are in the Ebro potash producing basin in Northern Spain, covering an area of around 276 square kilometres.

Once in production, the project is forecast to be one of the highest margin potash mines in the world.

The engineering and design work is ready and the company is currently progressing the last stage of the Mining Concession.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed and interacted with the captains of India Inc. on Friday (March 5). PM Narendra Modi deliberated on various production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes. PM Narendra Modi said that the government has taken various steps to boost trade and industry in the Union Budget for FY 2021.

PM Narendra Modi said that the increased manufacturing capacity results in increased job opportunities and the government has taken reforming measures to boost manufacturing. He stressed the fact that speed and scale have to be increased in order to boost manufacturing. While talking about domestic manufacturing he said "We need to work together to bring production cost, quality and efficiency at par with international benchmarks''.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid emphasis on working hard to make manufacturing in India globally competitive and said that the government`s thinking is "minimum government, maximum governance". "Manufacturing transforms every aspect of the economy, creating an ecosystem. Increasing manufacturing capabilities increases employment generation. We have examples from all over the world where countries have accelerated the development of the country by increasing their manufacturing capacities," he added.

He added by saying that "India wants to work with the same approach. Thus, our government has brought one reform after another in this sector. Our policy and strategy are clear in every way. Our thinking is - 'minimum government, maximum governance'. And we expect 'zero effect, zero defect".

PM Narendra Modi talked about the need for effective engagement of all the stakeholders of development, he said that the budget and policymaking should not remain only a government process. "Union Budget and country's policy-making shouldn't just be restricted to a government process. Every stakeholder associated with the development of the country should have an effective engagement in it," he said.

"We need to take big steps and increase our speed and scale (in manufacturing). After COVID's experience of the last one year, I am convinced that it's India's responsibility and not just an opportunity to move fast in this direction. Manufacturing transforms every segment of the economy," he said.

"If Production Linked Incentives is for a sector, it will benefit the entire ecosystem associated with that sector. From Production Linked Incentives in auto and pharma, there will be very less foreign dependence related to auto parts, medical equipment and raw materials of medicines," the Prime Minister said.

PM Narendra Modi said that the energy sector will be modernised with the help of advanced cell batteries, steel and solar PV modules. "In the past, industrial incentives were in the form of an open-ended input-based subsidy. Now, it has been transformed to a targeted, performance-based competitive process," he added.

Live TV


LONDON (dpa-AFX) - AstraZeneca's efforts to supply Covid-19 vaccine doses from its Italian unit to Australia has been blocked by the European Union and the Italian Government, citing Australia being non-vulnerable region and delays in domestic supply, among others.



In a statement, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Italy's proposal to deny AstraZeneca's request for authorization to export COVID-19 vaccines was subsequently approved by the European Commission. The Ministry then formally issued the export denial order.



It was on February 24 that the Italian Ministry received AstraZeneca's request for export authorization concerning 250,700 doses of vaccine.



The Ministry noted that it has approved AstraZeneca's previous authorization requests for small quantities of samples intended for scientific research activities, in agreement with the Commission. However, the latest request was for comparably higher doses.



According to the Italian Ministry, Australia, the country of destination of the supply, is considered 'non-vulnerable', within the meaning of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/111.



The ongoing shortage of vaccines in the EU and Italy and the delays in the supply of vaccines by AstraZeneca to the EU and Italy was particularly the reason for the denial of permission.



The Ministry also noted that the large number of vaccine doses referred to in the request for export authorization compared to the quantity of doses so far supplied to Italy and, more generally, to EU countries.



It said, 'Therefore, the Foreign Ministry, after consulting with the other competent Italian Authorities - all of which expressed a negative opinion - sent a non-authorisation proposal to the European Commission, on 26 February, which, according to the Regulation, has the final say given that the Member State decides in accordance with the Commission's opinion.'



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

ASTRAZENECA-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de

MONTREAL, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Valsoft Corporation Inc. ("Valsoft"), a Montreal-based company specializing in the acquisition and development of vertical market software businesses, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Datastor Systems Ltd ("Datastor") on February 1, 2021.

"Datastor Systems has many years of experience in supplying Process Control Solutions (PCS). Utilising leading edge technology, we provide systems that control the process more efficiently and effectively. Providing real-time data allows for management and operators to make informed decisions on process changes. We cover a wide area of the manufacturing process sector including Food & Drink, Animal Feed, Feed & Food Pre-Mixes, Surface Coatings, Building Products, Pharmaceutical to name but a few". 24/7 Worldwide support provided giving our customers peace of mind that we are always available when needed to assist in keeping their manufacturing facility functioning.

"We are extremely proud to welcome Datastor to our growing portfolio of process control software companies. Datastor has built a stellar reputation in the industry and we look forward to supporting their long-term growth. We believe the acquisition will bring long-term benefits to both its customers and team. We look forward to innovating together to create world class process control solutions." said Joseph Khoubbieh, Head of M&A at Valsoft.

Datastor will continue to operate independently with its existing management from its Congleton office. This acquisition will have minimal impact on its day-to-day operations, if any.

"Having been a successful independent company for over 40 years, providing 'mission critical' software solutions to the manufacturing sector, it was time to consider a succession plan. We were delighted when Valsoft Corporation approached us to become part of their family of companies. Collectively we can make the Process Control division a real success." said Bill Wright, CEO  Datastor Systems Ltd.

About Datastor Systems Ltd

Datastor integrate the best in proprietary equipment and software products to provide not only the optimum solutions to our clients individual needs but also one which communicates seamlessly with other key applications. Indeed Datastor Systems Ltd can boast premier partner status with many of the industry's leading suppliers such as Rockwell, Siemens, Wonderware, Cognex, Mitsubishi and Advantech.

Datastor has delivered hundreds of systems in the UK and to export locations in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, Korea, Poland, R.O.I, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and U.S.A. for customers who are frequently leading suppliers in their field, Animal Feed, Building Products, Food & Drink, Lubrication Oils, Pharmaceutical and Supplements to name but a few.

About Valsoft Corporation

Valsoft acquires and develops vertical market software companies, enabling each business to deliver the best mission-critical solutions for customers in their respective industry or niche. A key tenet of Valsoft's philosophy is to invest in well-established businesses and foster an entrepreneurial environment that molds companies into leaders in their respective industries. Unlike private equity and venture capital firms, Valsoft does not have a pre-defined investment horizon and looks to buy, hold and create value through long-term partnerships with existing management.

Datastor was represented by Paul Tyrer of SAS Daniels LLP (Congleton). Valsoft was represented by Richard Wrigley of Shakespeare Martineau LLP (Birmingham).

For more information about the companies, please visit: https://www.datastorsystems.com/ and https://www.valsoftcorp.com/

SOURCE Valsoft Corporation Inc.

Related Links

https://www.valsoftcorp.com/


A successful test on Friday of the technologies that go into a solid fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) has propelled the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) into an exclusive group of manufacturers that can build long-range air-to-air missiles (AAM) capable of shooting down enemy aircraft hundreds of kilometres away.

The has already impressed the (IAF) with its home-grown Astra medium-range AAM. The IAF is planning to equip the Mark 1A fighter with the Astra Mark 1, enabling it to strike airborne targets at ranges of 60-70 km.

The Mark 2 fighter will field the Astra Mark 2, which sources say will have a range of 150-160 km, making it the Indian equivalent of the Meteor AAM that equips the Rafale fighter. But the real capability leap will come with the SFDR-based AAM, which top officials say will have a range of 350 km.

Fighter aircraft grab attention with their aerodynamic performance, but their combat capability depends more on the range of their AAMs. When the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down an Indian MiG-21 fighter the day after the Balakot strike in February 2019, it was because the AMRAAM missiles carried by the PAFs F-16 fighters outranged the IAF MiG-21s missiles. Since then, the IAF has tried to ensure their fighters enjoy a missile advantage.

The (MoD) announced that the flight demonstration, carried out off the coast of Odisha on Friday, validated key missile subsystems, including the booster motor, nozzle-less motor and the basic SFDR technology.

Successful demonstration of SFDR technology has provided DRDO with a technological advantage which will enable it to develop long-range AAMs. At present, such technology is available only with a handful of countries, said the MoD.

Briefing Business Standard on the potential of the SFDR technology-based AAM, officials involved in its development said that the missile, just like the Meteor, always flew at supersonic speeds. High speeds enable high manoeuvrability and ensure the target aircraft cannot get away.

The SFDR flies at supersonic Mach numbers that are higher than current aircraft, so even tail chase is possible. This widens the missiles no escape zone, which is the envelope within which the missile, once it locks onto the target, does not let its target get away.

The SFDRs propulsion system is designed to provide high specific impulse beyond 1,000 seconds, which will enable us to get longer ranges, said a senior DRDO official.

The high velocity of the SFDR-based AAM also increases its range, explained the official. Suppose I have detected a target 200 km away and Ive launched my missile. Its incredibly high velocity generates a lot of kinetic energy. Even after the missiles propellant is consumed, it still has enough momentum to keep travelling towards the target and to explode the warhead in his vicinity.

The DRDO intends to develop SFDR as a technology with multiple applications, including air-to-air; and tactical surface-to-air against enemy aircraft.

The DRDO initially began developing SFDR technologies as a joint development project with Russias defence export agency, Rosoboronexport. After jointly developing state-of-the-art propulsion technology, and high-tech sub-systems such as a nozzle-less booster, fuel flow controller and boron-based sustainer, the DRDO is now going it alone.
president on Friday said the arrogance of power has made the government sitting in New Delhi "blind and deaf" to the suffering of millions of farmers in the country and it is treating them as "enemies".

The government doesn't realise that these humble farmers also have the power to oust arrogant rulers, he said.

Yadav was addressing a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' organised by his party at Tappal here in support of the ongoing farmers' agitation against the Centre's three new agricultural laws.

The arrogance of power has made the government sitting in New Delhi "blind and deaf" to the suffering of millions of farmers in the country, the SP leader told the gathering.

"More than 200 farmers have lost their lives during the agitation but the Modi government is still treating the farmers as if they are enemies at the borders of the country and building barriers," Yadav said.

"The government is oblivious to the fact that these humble farmers have the power to remove arrogant rulers from the seat of power," he added.

Farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at three border points of Delhi since November 28 last year, demanding the repeal of the farm laws and a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.

The government has said the new farm laws will benefit farmers by freeing them from the clutches of the middlemen and ushering in new technology in the sector.

However, farmers say these legislations will remove the safety net of MSP and leave them at the mercy of big corporates.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Toronto, March 5 : Technology services firm Vee Technologies and Sona Group of educational institutions have signed an agreement with Toronto-based University Health Network (UHN) to develop smart fabric-based wearables.

The aim is to improve the lives of people living with health-related challenges.

As part of the agreement, Bengaluru and New York co-headquartered Vee Technologies will make significant cash contributions to the current and future research projects to be undertaken by the collaborating institutions, universities and hospitals in Canada.

Vee Technologies and Sona group of institutions will be the only partners outside North America.

The collaboration will contribute to FIBRE, a research initiative that will be fuelled by the UHN hospital network, which includes Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and The Michener Institute of Education.

"This initiative will help bring together multidisciplinary expertise in order to develop textiles and garments that can support the growing needs of the healthcare sector for people in Canada, India and beyond. The health benefits are far-reaching," said Dr Bradly G Wouters, Executive Vice President, Science and Research, University Health Network.

Tamil Nadu-based Sona Group of education institutions will contribute to the FIBRE project through their faculty, laboratories and facilities.

"We hope that the application of this long-term research will bring much needed relief to millions facing health challenges. When some of these products get to the market, those of us in India will be the big beneficiaries," said C Valliappa, Chairman, Sona Group of Education Institutions.

Counsel General of India, Apoorva Srivastava, said that the coming together of the best scientific minds from India and Canada would lead to new breakthroughs to meet the healthcare needs of people in India, Canada and across the world.

"Looking at the path-breaking research to be carried out by FIBRE network that ranges from nano-technology embedded fibre and fabric to smart wearables that will help healthcare professionals to deliver a better life for patients and elderly, Vee Technologies and Sona group of institutions is committing multi-million-dollar investment and the best brains to the initiative," noted Chocko Valliappa, CEO, Vee Technologies.

This investment will be used to fund several research and development projects in the wearable technology space.
It has now become vital for travel service providers to take note of emerging trends and needs of travelers to clearly understand future developments and changes in the tourism industry. Currently, there are four significant emerging trends that the travel industry will be taking note of in modes of travel, planning and booking, technology, and destinations.

Emerging trends

Travelers are now expecting tour operators to take into consideration many factors to help curb their basic fear and concern of the coronavirus pandemic. Firstly, tourists want to use only those modes of transport and sight-seeing of places that comply with safe social distancing rules. Previously, Vietnamese visitors were quite interested in packing into cars to explore crowded and bustling cities, strolling through busy markets or visiting popular tourist attractions. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has made them wary of safe healthy habits. This is why observing strict social distancing rules is a new emerging trend in 2021. Tourists now prefer scant populated destinations, calling for tour operators to innovate and make appropriate arrangements to meet their needs.

Secondly, tourists now much prefer to travel in smaller groups. Unlike earlier tours which often saw large groups of twenty to thirty tourists previous to 2020, tourists will from now on only choose to travel in small groups to avoid getting infected from the disease. This trend has made tour operators create and design products that will replace earlier travel packages to avoid crowded and heavily populated destinations.

Thirdly, a new segment of more responsible tourists have emerged. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a serious recession in the market and travel companies are having to drastically innovate and bring in changes that will be most favorable with future travelers. This new segment of tourists wants to explore the world, see new and interesting places, have wonderful experiences but at the same time conserve and protect the tourist destination and the surrounding environment. Therefore, travel companies are now gearing to adjust and make all the necessary changes to satisfy their customers and create a new lucrative market.

Fourthly, the importance of medical tourism has now emerged in a big way. This is not exactly a new trend in the tourist industry, but when the pandemic causes intense stress, then many people want to look for medical tours to take after the virus is finally contained.

Planning and bookings

Since the current and ongoing pandemic is still very unpredictable, reservations made by travelers, such as for accommodation, is for much shorter period, so as to minimize risk of sudden policy change or other unforeseen occurrences. One survey done by Sky scanner last year in 2020 indicated that tourists tend to make bookings for accommodation at the very end of their travel plans. Hence, in response to a growing trend among tourists, travel companies have now begun to make several changes in their booking policy to make it far more flexible and attractive to travelers.

Tour agents have now suddenly become quite indispensable. At a time when life can be suddenly disrupted, and tours can also be cancelled abruptly, tourists want reliable information from a credible source on the latest situation of the pandemic. The unrelenting Covid-19 pandemic has made the role of travel agents much more significant in offering support to travelers. Previously, travel agents only sold tickets and arranged tours, but now their role has changed to providing accurate and reassuring information about a travel destination. The travel agent is now called upon by tourists to answer a multitude of questions from suggested tours, availability of cheaper tickets, update on health and safety, room reservations to cancellation of air tickets.

This is also a time for tourism destinations, airlines, hotels and car rental companies to cooperate and come together to work with travel agents to ensure they have all the information necessary for tourists for their travel comforts as well as any possible catastrophic disruptions.

Technology in tourism industry

Digital technology has been used in Vietnam by the tourist industry for several years. The sudden eruption of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 made the switch and universal adaptation of digital technology even faster than ever before. Many countries have promoted the application of digital technology in this sector in the belief that it is an effective measure to tackle the consequences of policies that limit the spread of the disease, such as limited contact or social distancing.

Online travel and virtual tours of global tourist attractions have become increasingly popular. In the future, virtual experiences may become essential criteria for travel companies, because they will provide visitors with an opportunity to connect with tour guides and experience the destinations before they book an actual tour. Designing such virtual experiences will help travel companies attract customers and introduce their products in a very direct way.

New and lesser-known travel destinations have recently become quite popular. The trend for tourists to seek quiet pristine and unspoiled travel spots will continue, and the need to go to such spots will be even greater in 2021. The new psychology of the traveler is to seek a safe and less crowded destination. Such places allow for natural social distancing, while the traveler can enjoy a stress free holiday and also stay connected with nature.

This growing need for exploration and avoiding popular travel spots, will be the new trend in Vietnam, and the travel companies will have the need to identify such locales for tourists who want to avoid crowds. However, without a doubt Vietnam will have to work at reviving the domestic tourist market first, as the recovery in international tourism will depend heavily on the success of global vaccination programs.

The recovery of the tourism industry in Vietnam will depend in its ability to contain and control the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the country, and declare safe zones for travel. Besides vaccination programs, tourism recovery will also depend on efforts to keep tourist attractions safe. Currently there is a reasonable plan for recovery of the tourism industry in ASEAN countries in the first quarter of 2021. By the third quarter, positive effects of the vaccine will further promote normalization that will then pave the way for a full recovery of the tourism industry in the entire region.

Dang Manh Phuoc, Director of Outbox Consulting
A Skoda logo is pictured during the Volkswagen Group's annual general meeting in Berlin, Germany on May 3, 2018. (Axel Schmidt/Reuters)

Volkswagens Skoda Says to Cut 2% of Admin Jobs in 2021

PRAGUEVolkswagens Skoda Auto aims to cut 2 percent of administrative jobs in the Czech Republic in 2021 by not replacing staff who leave rather than through redundancies, the countrys largest carmaker said on Thursday.

Skoda, the Czech Republics biggest exporter, employs around 42,000 people globally. While most of these staff are employed locally, the company declined to give details on the local workforce or how many positions are administrative.

CTK news agency estimated the number of Skoda employees in the Czech Republic to be 34,000.

This year, we will be able to lower our administrative staff by 2 percent thanks to the demographic curve development and natural fluctuation, Skodas spokesman Tomas Kotera said in a response to emailed questions.

We aim to achieve this without laying people off for organisational reasons, he added.

Earlier on Thursday, unions at Skoda said that the company planned to reduce indirect staffmeaning those not involved in actual productionby 5 percent each year over the period of three years ending in 2023.

Skoda declined to comment on that figure.

By Robert Muller
Public health experts are reviewing whether pregnant teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) should be returning to the classroom in light of concerns raised about a possible link between Covid and stillbirths.

The agreement on partial reopening of mainstream schools from last Monday allowed pregnant staff to work from home on a temporary basis, for the initial two-week period.

However, pregnant staff are expected to be back in the classroom when schools fully reopen  March 15 in the case of the primary sector.

Since the pandemic started, public health advice for pregnant teachers  excluding those with certain, serious underlying health conditions  has been to attend work, while adhering to risk-mitigation measures.

Read More

However, the temporary working from home arrangements were agreed in the discussions with teacher unions on partial reopening.

Arising from the latest concerns, the Department of Education told Independent.ie that pending further clarification, pregnant education sector staff should continue to work from home.

The department referred to recently published guidance from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on pregnant staff in the education sector and said it would engage further with the team of medical experts who assisted in developing the guidelines in light of concerns expressed in recent days.

It is not known when the clarification will come but, the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) says that it expects an update as early as possible next week.

Concerns about an association between Covid and stillbirth and arrangements for pregnant education staff were raised as talks got underway today on the proposed full reopening of primary schools.

INTO was among the education partners discussing school reopening with the Department of Education today.

The union said it raised member concerns regarding yesterdays comments by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn in respect of preliminary reports of Covid placentitis in Ireland.

There are four reports of stillbirths potentially associated with the condition, which is an infection of the placenta in pregnant women who have Covid-19, although coroners have not concluded their findings.

According to HSE data, updated on February 2, since the start of the pandemic, there have been 60 cases of Covid reported in pregnant teachers and two cases in pregnant SNAs.

However, the HSE urges caution in interpreting the data as it may not include all cases. Of 55, 679 Covid cases in females aged 15-45, pregnancy status was provided for only 35pc of cases  19,423.

Of 967 pregnant cases, occupation was provided for only 40pc of case  386.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 45 Master's in Emergency Management Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 154 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 154 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 45 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Emergency Management Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-emergency-management-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Emergency Management Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Adelphi University

American Public University System

Anna Maria College

Arizona State University

Arkansas State University

Arkansas Tech University

Bellevue University

Boston University

California State University, Long Beach

Clemson University

Columbia Southern University

Crown College

Eastern Kentucky University

Florida International University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Grand Canyon University

Jacksonville State University

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Lander University

Liberty University

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Metropolitan College Of New York

Millersville University

National University

New England College

Northeastern University

Nova Southeastern University

Pace University

Pennsylvania State University

Regent University

Saint Leo University

Southern New Hampshire University

Thomas Jefferson University

University of Alaska, Fairbanks

University of Central Florida

University of Florida

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University of Nebraska

University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

University Of New Haven

University of South Florida

Virginia Commonwealth University

Walden University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
EgyptAir suspended its flights to Moroccos Casablanca "until further notice" starting Friday after an announcement by Moroccan authorities to temporarily suspend flights to and from both Egypt and Algeria to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

According to an official statement, EgyptAir has called on passengers who have booked flights to Casablanca to contact the airliners call centre to modify their bookings.

Earlier this week, Morocco also suspended flights to and from 18 other countries, mainly the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and some others.

It has extended its state of emergency to combat COVID-19 for an additional month until April 10. A night curfew and other virus-related measures have also been extended for two weeks starting 2 March.

Morocco, which began its immunisation campaign at the end of January, has recorded 885,000 coronavirus infections since the outbreak last year, including 8,653 deaths.

Short link:


Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Market Reports on Saudi Arabia Provides the Trending Market Research Report on "Breakfast Cereals in Saudi Arabia" under Food category. The Breakfast Cereals in Saudi Arabia is projected to exhibit highest growth rate over report offers a collection of superior market research, market analysis, and competitive intelligence and industry reports.

Changing lifestyles due to the outbreak of COVID-19 are expected to have a considerable impact on breakfast cereals in 2020. The category as a whole is expected to exhibit strong retail current value and retail volume growth in 2020 as foodservice, workplace and school closures increase the amount of food being prepared and consumed in homes around Saudi Arabia.

Breakfast Cereals in Saudi Arabia report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2015-2019, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2024 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Product coverage: Hot Cereals, RTE Cereals.

Request a free sample copy of Saudi Arabia Breakfast Cereals Market Report @

http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/sample/reports/289403

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?

* Get a detailed picture of the Breakfast Cereals market;

* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;

* Understand the competitive environment, the markets major players and leading brands;

* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.

Table of Contents

Breakfast Cereals in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

2020 IMPACT

Home seclusion, stockpiling and school closures all contribute to growth of breakfast cereals in 2020

Hypermarkets and supermarkets limit promotions as rise in VAT hits consumers in Saudi Arabia

The Quaker Oats Co looks set to retain leadership thanks to consumer loyalty

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Private label to benefit as price becomes key factor in consumer decision making processes

Convenience to support growth in category whilst population changes could constrain growth

Hot cereals to benefit from health and wellness trends

CATEGORY DATA

Table 1 Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: Volume 2015-2020

Table 2 Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: Value 2015-2020

Table 3 Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category:% Volume Growth 2015-2020

Table 4 Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category:% Value Growth 2015-2020

Table 5 NBO Company Shares of Breakfast Cereals:% Value 2016-2020

Table 6 LBN Brand Shares of Breakfast Cereals:% Value 2017-2020

Table 7 Distribution of Breakfast Cereals by Format:% Value 2015-2020

Table 8 Forecast Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: Volume 2020-2025

Table 9 Forecast Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category: Value 2020-2025

Table 10 Forecast Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category:% Volume Growth 2020-2025

Table 11 Forecast Sales of Breakfast Cereals by Category:% Value Growth 2020-2025

Browse our full report with Table of Contents: http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/breakfast-cereals-in-saudi-arabia/289403

About Us

Market Reports on Saudi Arabia provides you with an in-depth industry reports focusing on various economic, political and operational risk environment, complemented by detailed sector analysis. We have an exhaustive coverage on variety of industries - ranging from energy and chemicals to transportation, communications, constructions and mining to Food and Beverage and education. Our collection includes over 3000 up-to-date reports all researched, analyzed and published by top-notch international research firms.

Contact us at:

Market Reports On Saudi Arabia

Tel: +91 22 27810772/27810773

Email: info@marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com

Website: http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com

Follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Hours after the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced that MCAS tests would be postponed this year, the Massachusetts Teachers Association said that measure is not enough during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MCAS tests for students in grades 3 to 5 were scheduled to begin on April 5 and are now postponed until May 10, educational officials announced Friday.

We are strongly opposed to MCAS tests being administered this spring in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe the state should be pressing the federal government for a waiver from having to administer these tests  not simply postponing them, MTA President Merrie Najimy said in a statement. High-stakes standardized tests are problematic in the best of times, and they would be especially damaging right now.

Najimy argued that the testing will add stress to an unbelievably stressful year and will not provide valid, reliable or useful results.

They would simply tell us what we already know: that low-income students and students of color have been impacted the most by the disruptions, Najimy said. If state officials want to know what students need in order to recover from the pandemic, they should ask students, teachers and parents themselves  not rely on a test that cant possibly assess their most important needs for human connection, creativity, friendship and emotional support.

In an email to school officials sent from the state, it was announced that MCAS ELA, mathematics, and STE testing for grades 3, 4 and 5 were being moved to May 10 to June 11. Testing for grades 6, 7 and 8 is yet to be determined.

The decision came as the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education gave Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley the authority to determine when to take remote and hybrid learning options off the table for Massachusetts schools.

Liam Kerr, state director of Democrats for Education Reform released a statement approving of the decision to move MCAS but iterating a need that they still happen.

Postponing MCAS tests from early April to later in the spring provides flexibility on when to administer the tests to ensure a smooth reopening of schools, Kerr said. However, as the Biden administration has made clear, this should not be mistaken as an open door to canceling MCAS tests altogether.

Related Content:
An attorney for a Meredosia man facing murder charges has filed a motion demanding a trial by jury on the issue of fitness, though the courts are questioning whether that is appropriate at this time.

Attorney Tom Piper filed a motion Feb. 26 with the Morgan County courts, demanding a trial by jury on fitness for Dustin A. Finlaw, 20, of Meredosia, who was found unfit for trial in October 2018.

During a status hearing Thursday, Judge Chris Reif asked States Attorney Gray Noll and Piper if that course of action is the correct one right now and whether Finlaw can decide for himself if he would like a jury or bench trial on the matter.

Attorney Piper filed the motion on his own, not at the request of his client, for the demand for a jury trial, Noll said. Weve been given until Tuesday to see if at this stage: A, he is entitled to a jury trial, and B, whether, if he was found unfit previously, if he has the ability to waive that right and demand a bench trial.

Reif expressed his wish to move the trial forward.

Finlaw was found fit in October 2019 by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Piper since has said he believes  based on conversations with his client  that Finlaw remains unfit.

A psychiatrist hired through Piper evaluated Finlaw and found that he remains unfit.

Finlaw also has been reevaluated by a state-hired psychiatrist.

Finlaw faces first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of Robert L. Utter, 42, of Rushville, who was found dead May 24, 2018, in a car in Meredosia. Finlaw also is facing charges of aggravated assault on two police officers, resisting arrest and obstructing justice/destroying evidence.

A status hearing has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, when it will be determined if fitness will be determined by a bench trial or a jury trial. If it is to be determined by a bench trial, a fitness hearing will be March 25. If a jury trial is scheduled, it will be in April.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list


[March 05, 2021] Bigo Live, ANTRA and The Equality Project celebrate Mardi Gras and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ communities in Australia

SYDNEY, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the Mardi Gras celebrations in Australia and in partnership with ANTRA and The Equality Project, livestreaming app Bigo Live hosted "Together We Rise", a panel discussion echoing the theme of this year's event, "RISE" and focusing on the platform's diverse community. Held on Friday, 26 February, "Together We Rise" brought together five thought leaders and active members of the LGBTQIA+ community to discuss how Mardi Gras may look and feel different this year, the opportunities and challenges they face and how the community has stayed connected and motivated during the pandemic through technology. The session featured Cedric Yin-Cheng, founder of ANTRA; Jason Tuazon-McCheyne, founder and CEO, The Equality Project; Adrian Tuazon-McCheyne, CTO, The Equality Project; Canadian-based bisexual Bigo Live broadcaster KirraZomby and was moderated by Perth-based transgender Bigo Live broadcaster, Dolly (BratzDoll). The discussion was supported by Bigo Live ANZ's Multi-People Room feature, a function that will enable panel participants to engage with viewers, answer questions and connect over shared experiences. In honour of the event, Bigo Live is also donating USD2,000 to support the work of ANTRA and The Equality Project. "Bigo Live broadcasters and users always demonstrate the Australian values of encouraging multiculturalism and egalitarianism. Our audiences' gender identity, sexual identity and cultural diversity reflect a modern Australia, so we're very pleased to have kicked off Mardi Gras celebrations with such an insightful 'Together We Rise' panel discussion," said a Bigo Live ANZ spokesperson. "We are invested in ensuring that Bigo Live is one of the most diverse and inclusive social networking platforms and a safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community as we all work together towards a better, more inclusive future for current and future generations of Australians." The Equality Project is a national health promotion charity bringing together LGBTIQ+ people and allies to promote a better, more just, and fairer society for all Australians. By creating a truly intersectional discussion, they aim for LGBTIQ+ voices to be heard.



"At the end of the day, your sexuality and your gender are just what they are.The sooner you can be your authentic self the better, and certainly find support networks to help keep you psychologically and physically safe," commented Jason Tuazon-McCheyne, founder and CEO of the Equality Project.

"In Australia we've only just recently had marriage equality which has changed a lot of things for us. I think being visible is being part of the solution; the more visible we are, showing that we are a diverse community, and telling our stories really helps move the conversation forward. It's really important for us to tell our own stories because it humanises this LGBTQ+ acronym that's often quite alienating for some people outside of the community," said Adrian Tuazon-McCheyne, CTO of the Equality Project. The Australia & New Zealand Tongzhi Rainbow Alliance Inc.(ANTRA) is a community-based not-for-profit advocacy group, founded to celebrate and embrace diversity, but most importantly, to become a point-of-contact and support for Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking LGBTQIA+ community members, particularly migrants, international students and other newly arrived diasporas. "Your sexuality and your gender identity are formed inside of you and you have to be comfortable in order to tell others who you are. Australia is a diverse society, but if you're not in a safe environment or have open-minded friends, if you don't have open-minded workplaces or schools, you risk putting yourself into a dangerous and unsafe position when coming out. So I would think about your safety first and secondly, think about whether you know yourself well enough to explain to other people, who might not be as smart or as fabulous as you are, who you are," said Cedric Yin-Cheng, founder of ANTRA, offering advice to the LGBTQ+ community about their journey to shaping their identity. "It has been such a pleasure being invited by Bigo Live, the channel that has worked so much to make sure LGBTQI+ people are visible and well valued. I am proud and fortunate to have spoken with Dolly, Jason and many more other interactors in their comments and understand a lot more about how our community is on this lovely platform. I truly wish the best to Bigo Live and I am hoping Bigo Live continues with their excellent work in making sure the voices of LGBTQIA+ people are well heard and seen!" Yin-Cheng continued. The panel was moderated by Dolly (known to her two thousand Bigo Live followers as BratzDoll, Bigo ID: Dooly19), a transgender woman and Bigo Live broadcaster who moved to Australia when she was nine years old and has been open with her personal experiences identifying as gay male before her transition and her journey to realising her true identity and finding her support network online. With over 1.3 million subscribers across the ANZ region and a 20% sign-broadcaster increase month-on-month, Bigo Live is one of the world's fastest-growing, community-first social networking platforms that uses livestreaming technology to bring people together. Globally, the platform connects over 400 million users worldwide. This is the most recent livestreaming event hosted by Bigo Live dedicated to LGBTQIA+ users and allies. Prior to this, Bigo Live has announced a series of LGBTQIA+ initiatives globally, including an official corporate partnership with The Trevor Project and a #WeStandTogether event series in celebration of Pride Week in 2020. The panel discussion was livestreamed at 6:00pm AEDT on Friday, 26 February on Bigo Live ANZ (ID: 80019), and the panel discussion is available to view here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_LTb4w5Im8WIgoJw-bf2STSWyLN0Bmyf/view For enquiries on CSR partnerships: Bigo Live ANZ is constantly looking for and eager to hear from CSR partners. Should your organisation be interested, please contact: Erin Dong

Email: donglijuan@bigo.sg For further media information or interview requests, contact: Haystac for BIGO

Email: bigo@haystac.com.au About Bigo Live

Bigo Live is one of the world's fastest-growing live streaming social communities where users broadcast in real-time to share life moments, showcase their talents, and interact with people from around the world. Bigo Live has around 400 million users in over 150 countries and is currently the market leader in the live streaming industry. Launched in March 2016, Bigo Live is owned by Bigo Technology, which is based in Singapore. For more information on Bigo Live, please visit www.bigo.tv/ . SOURCE Bigo Live

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Samsung announced that it will collaborate with Mastercard in order to develop a biometric scanning payment card that has a built-in fingerprint reader.

Samsung and Mastercard to create fingerprint payment card

The planned technology to be used for the fingerprint payment card is similar to that of Mastercard's biometric payment cards were launched back in 2017.

The biometric payment cards let you authenticate your purchases without you having to touch a keypad, according to Engadget.

As per Samsung's announcement, the new cards will adopt a new security chipset from Samsung's System LSI Business that integrates numerous key discrete chips instead of just using Mastercard's technology for their biometric payment cards.

Also Read: Apple Card March Customer Bonus: 6% Daily Cash for New Applicants and Purchases-Here's How

This new technology aims to increase and strengthen security while reducing physical contact, especially since the coronavirus pandemic has required people to social distance and not touch any surface as possible.

Fingerprints will be scanned directly from the user's own card and not through an external point-of-sale or POS device. However, the payment card is compatible with Mastercard's authentication tech because it can be used at any Mastercard chip or at any POS terminal.

The card will use Mastercard during the clearing of the purchase and the POS side, but it will still be backed financially by Samsung Card, which is owned by Samsung Life Insurance and is the biggest credit card company in South Korea.

The card will then roll out in South Korea before the year ends, but Samsung did not say if they will release it globally.

Apple Card's newest mode of payment

Samsung and Mastercard's upcoming technology can be compared to Apple Card, which was launched back in 2019. However, Apple Card is designed to be used on a smartphone, but Apple does release a physical card, but you will need to enter a code into a POS device because there is no built-in fingerprint reader.

Apple users can apply for Apple Card on their iPhone. Users can open the Wallet app and tap on the Add button, select Apple Card and tap Continue to complete the application, according to Apple.

Make sure to review and agree to the Apple Card Terms & Conditions. Accept your offered credit limit and your APR.3. After you've accepted the offer, Apple Card is then added to the Wallet app, and you can request titanium Apple Card.

Applying for an Apple Card and upgrading it to a titanium Apple Card is easy, but the technology does not come without any issues. Just recently, a developer and designer from California named Dustin Curtis posted online about his experience with the product.

On his blog, Curtis stated that Apple disabled his Apple ID accounts, App Store, and iCloud. He added that it happened after he encountered an error while updating apps in his App Store on his Mac.

Apple immediately released a statement about the ordeal. As reported by 9to5Mac, Apple stated that the issue in question involved a restriction on the Apple ID of the customer that disabled App Store and iTunes purchases and subscription services, excluding iCloud.

Apple also said that Curtis was instructed to return the MacBook Pro because Apple could not collect funds from the customers, so the Apple ID was disabled. But Apple assured that what happened to Curtis was unrelated to Apple Card.

Related Article: Delayed Apple Card Payment Will Not Disable Your Apple ID, Says Company

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sieeka Khan

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Suniel Shetty Files A Police Complaint Against Production Company For Using His Photo On A Fake Film Poster

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has filed a police complaint against a production company for circulating a fake film poster featuring him, an official said on Thursday. Shetty, who filed the complaint at the Versova police station on Wednesday, accused the production company of using his photo without permission and lying about him playing the lead role in the film, he said. No FIR has been registered yet.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Suniel Shetty (@suniel.shetty)

According to the official, the 59-year-old actor has alleged that producers at the company have shared a fake poster of the movie with which he is not associated. The incident came to light after the poster found its way on social media platforms. Shetty has alleged the company is also contacting people and asking for money in his name, the official said, citing the complaint. The actor has termed the production house's act as a "complete fraud".

Senior inspector at the Versova police station, Siraj Inamdar, said We have received the complaint, but no FIR has been filed yet and no one has been called for recording statement. We are conducting our investigation.
A witness testifying on Thursday in the Finnish war crimes trial of Gibril Massaquoi in Liberia described harrowing details when he said, Angel Gabriel beheaded a man after telling his captives this plate is about to turn red.

The witness said that Angel Gabriel ordered his soldiers to bring a plate and a stool. They laid the mans neck on the stool and the plate beneath his head.

He said, Yall see  I am about to do the same thing I did to the other bodies, the witness told a silent courtroom. I closed my eyes, when I opened my eyes, he had cut the guys neck and I only saw him jerking.

According to the witness, the incident occurred sometime in 2001. He had gone to the Waterside Market in Monrovia in search of food to buy.

Fighting between the forces of LURD and the government of President Charles Taylor had shut down the city and food had become scarce.

The witness and some other sellers met a group of soldiers at a checkpoint in front of the LBDI Bank on Randall Street.

The soldiers asked the group to pay them money in return for bursting open one of the stores so they could take out whatever goods they may find. The sellers paid the money and the soldiers shot at one of the stores until it opened.

The witness told the four-judge panel that he and the others moved in and began to pack goods. Suddenly, the soldiers began to shoot. He and the others ran in all directions. Some people died, he said.

The witness said he and six others were caught, tied and thrown at the back of a pickup truck and were taken under the Waterside bridge where he saw dead bodies all around and some floating over the Mesurado River.

While we were running they grabbed us and took us to their bosses. They tied us and they were standing on us, he recalled. They showed us a plate and said this plate is about to turn red because what can make it red is in you guys.

The witness told the Finnish Judges that Angel Gabriel sent for his captives one after another throughout the day and executed them.

He explained that the soldier who was tasked with keeping guard of them said that If the boss comes and say Go to God, it means hes coming to kill you.

Mr Massaquoi, a former top commander of the Sierra Leonean ex-rebel group the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), is on trial in the European country of Finland where he had been granted asylum, for war crimes and crimes against humanity that he allegedly committed in Liberia.

In an unusual step, the presiding judge decided the court of 12 people would travel to Liberia and Sierra Leone to hear from more than 80 witnesses rather than making the witnesses travel to Finland.

Mr Massaquoi, widely known as Angel Gabriel, who had played a leading role in the rebellion in Sierra Leone, joined the Liberian civil war because of the RUFs connection to former Liberian President Charles Taylor whose close ally was Foday Sankoh, the founder and leader of the RUF.

The court has ordered journalists to conceal the identities of witnesses and the location of the hearings because of credible fears of retaliation or intimidation.

Mr Massaquoi remained in Finland but is watching the proceedings via videolink. He appears on a monitor in the courtroom that the witnesses can see if they choose to.

Thursdays witness told the court the captives were later transported to a house in the 12 Houses community in Paynesville where they met other captives. The men were separated from the women. Fortunately for him, one of the soldiers there knew him and helped him to escape.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thursdays second witness, a woman, partially corroborated the first witness testimony. She had also gone in search of goods to buy when she met people breaking into a store in Waterside Market. She said it was a biscuit store and they were all buying biscuits to sell.

She suddenly saw a pickup truck full of soldiers with guns. The soldiers fired several rounds at the store and several people died inside. Some of those who tried running away were captured, she recalled. She and her business partner were captured, too.

They took us and we were crying. We were afraid, she told the court. They took a lot of people. We did not have slippers on. They took us to Waterside under the bridge. They were taking people under the bridge. We were there crying and the soldiers will knock us with the gun butt and ask, Why are you crying?

The witness said two things happened under the bridge: When youre fortunate, they only rape you. When youre not, theyll kill you.

The man who used to do the killing will say, Im Angel Gabriel, Im the one who can pass you through to heaven, she said.

The witness recalled that an elderly man was mercilessly beaten with the butt of the gun. He was crying, asking for help, she said.

In our presence, they killed three people. The man who gave the instruction was speaking Sierra Leonean English.

Angel Gabriel got furious when you look at him in the face. He would order your execution or allow his men to rape you.

The trial continues on Friday (today).

This story is a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.
Turkmenistan Special Forces begins combat free fall training at Indian SF Training School

New Delhi,Mar 4 (UNI) The Turkmenistan Special Forces began combat free fall training at Indian Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Himachal Pradesh ,a Defence Ministry release said here on Thursday.

This specialized training began following a request from the Turkmenistan Special Forces especially for training of paratroopers from the Turkmenistans Special Forces in Combat Free Fall as a precursor to a series of other customised professional courses which will assist in capability enhancement of Turkmenistan Special Forces.

The Indian Special Forces (SF) have over a period earned immense respect and reputation of being one of the finest Special Forces in the world due to its professionalism, operational expertise, and sacrifice.
Many vaccines have been developed to boost immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). However, a major concern during vaccine rollout is storage, especially in countries where specialized freezers are scarce.

A new study reports positive outcomes from two new vaccine candidates. The research, led by Axel T. Lehrer from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, studied mice's immune response when administered the CoVaccine HT adjuvant with an insect-cell expressed SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ectodomain.

"The vaccine candidates elicit both neutralizing antibody and cellular immunity with a balanced T helper (Th) type 1 and 2 response in an outbred mouse model. The results obtained in this model may thus inform future vaccine development in animal models more closely related to humans."

Future studies in humans could help in developing a durable coronavirus vaccine that does not require refrigeration. This could potentially increase mass vaccination efforts and provide greater immunity to a virus that has mutated in several countries worldwide.

The study "Recombinant protein subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccines formulated with CoVaccine HT adjuvant induce broad, Th1 biased, humoral and cellular immune responses in mice" is available as a preprint on the bioRxiv* server, while the article undergoes peer review.

Optimizing vaccine dosages

Researchers tested vaccine immunity in 7- to 10-week old male and female Swiss Webster mice. They were given through the muscle, SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins ectodomain SdTM or SdTM2P alone or in combination with 1 mg of CoVaccine HT adjuvant treatment starting on day 0 and day 21. The control received only the adjuvant treatment.

To determine which dose provided the most significant immunity boost, they administered 5, 2.5, or 1.5 micrograms of the spike protein ectodomain and 1 milligram of the adjuvant treatment. One group received 5 micrograms of SdTM2P with 0.3 milligrams of the adjuvant treatment.

The researchers investigated antibody levels in serum samples on the 7th, 14th, 28th, and 35th day after vaccination.

IgG antibody responses to recombinant SARS-CoV-2 S proteins. (A) Groups of Swiss Webster mice (n=7 or 15) were immunized with one or two doses of recombinant S proteins with or without CoVaccine HT (CoVac) adjuvant at a 3-week interval. Sera were collected 1 and 2 weeks after each immunization (days 7, 14, 28, and 35), and spleens were harvested 1 week (day 7 and 28) after each immunization. SARS-CoV-2 S-specific IgG titers were measured by a multiplex microsphere immunoassay (MIA) using SdTM2P and RBD-F coupled beads. (B) The purified anti-S antibody was diluted to concentrations in the range of 4.8 to 5000 ng/mL and analyzed by MIA as a standard (as described in the Materials and Methods). Mouse sera were assayed along with the antibody standard and the IgG concentrations was interpolated from the standard curves using a sigmoidal dose-response computer model (GraphPad Prism). The dotted lines denote the top and bottom of linear range that were used to interpolate antibody concentration (C) The anti-S and (D) anti-RBD antibody titers in sera from mice immunized with SdTM or SdTM2P (purified by hACE2 AC) with or without adjuvants or (E) anti-S antibody in sera of mice administered different dosages (5, 2.5, or 1.25 g) of SdTM2P (purified by mAb IAC) with adjuvant (1 or 0.3 mg) are expressed as IgG concentrations (ng/mL). The dotted lines in panels C to E indicate the bottom of linear range of the standard curve.

Immunity observed in all mice administered the combination treatment

Immunoglobulin antibodies specific to the spike protein were observed in the mice's serum after vaccination with the CoVaccine HT adjuvant and the spike protein ectoderm. Antibody levels were higher with the spike protein ectoderm/adjuvant treatment compared to the spike protein ectoderm by itself.

Administering two doses of the combination treatment elevated immunoglobulin antibodies were also specific to the spike protein's receptor-binding domain, which is the target for neutralizing antibodies.

Vaccine-induced antibody levels were not altered by lower doses of either the spike protein ectoderm (2.5 or 1.25 micrograms) and the CoVaccine HT adjuvant (0.3 milligrams).

Neutralizing antibody titers were also measured and were higher in mice that received the combination vaccine.

Antibody titers were dose-dependent. There was an observable trend of decreased neutralization titers when mice were given lower dosages of SdTM2P proteins.

However, overall effectiveness doesn't appear to be changed by a lower dose.

The researchers write:

"Of note, the serum PRNT50 titers of mice receiving a lower amount (0.3 mg) of CoVaccine HT were comparable or even higher than those of mice given 1 mg of adjuvant, indicating that the optimal vaccine formulation may be achieved using lower dosages of adjuvant. The results indicate that as little as 2.5 mg of S protein antigen with 0.3 mg of adjuvant might be sufficient to induce potent neutralizing antibody responses."

Vaccine promotes different immune responses

The researchers evaluated the balance of Th1 and Th2 immune responses because an imbalance of Th2 has been associated with vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease. They compared the levels of S-specific IgG2a/b and IgG1 to assess the ratio between Th1 and Th2.

Results showed higher ratios of IgG2a/IgG2b in mice given the combination vaccine, suggesting the presence of Th1 immune responses.

They also evaluated the number of IFN-g-secreting cells to assess T cell responses. One and doses of the combination vaccine induced production of IFN-g-secreting cells.

Although, decreasing the amount of adjuvanted SdTM2P proteins or a lower amount of 0.3 milligrams of CoVaccine HT appeared to lower the amount of IFN-g secreting cells. However, the researchers say this finding was not statistically significant.

*Important Notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

VIENNA (Reuters) - A panel of experts that advises Austria's government on vaccines recommended on Friday that AstraZeneca's coronavirus jab be given to people over 65, Austrian news agency APA said.

The panel recommended in January that the vaccine only be given to people aged 18 to 64.

(Reporting by Francois Murphy; editing by John Stonestreet)
[March 04, 2021] ConvergeOne and Evolve IP Enter Strategic Hospitality Partnership WAYNE, Pa., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolve IP, a leading international service provider of Work Anywhere solutions, and one of the world's largest providers of enterprise-quality hosted communications for the hospitality industry, today announced that it has entered into a hospitality white label partnership with ConvergeOne. ConvergeOne is a proven, services led, cloud solution provider that utilizes intellectual property and unique methodologies to create customer value and develop progressive solutions that connect people with purpose. As part of the hospitality program, ConvergeOne will deliver solutions to their hospitality clients and the market in general based on Evolve IP's solution, which is purpose-built for hotels. Major components of the Evolve IP hospitality solution that ConvergeOne will deliver include: World-class voice platform  Evolve IP's hospitality solution is built on the world's largest, most reliable, voice platform from Cisco

Evolve IP's hospitality solution is built on the world's largest, most reliable, voice platform from Cisco Guest phones  Evolve IP's crystal-clear quality is delivered via the most advanced handsets available from Polycom, Yealink, Cisco and other hospitality phone providers. Hotels can re-use, on nearly all occasions, existing guest room phones; significantly reducing costs and easing migration to a fully hosted PBC solution.

Evolve IP's crystal-clear quality is delivered via the most advanced handsets available from Polycom, Yealink, Cisco and other hospitality phone providers. Hotels can re-use, on nearly all occasions, existing guest room phones; significantly reducing costs and easing migration to a fully hosted PBC solution. Interactive room features  Guests enjoy advanced features like call accounting, superior voicemail functions, wake-up services and much more.

Guests enjoy advanced features like call accounting, superior voicemail functions, wake-up services and much more. Staff calling  from the front desk to management offices to mobile phones, calls are delivered wherever staff members are, and regardless of conditions on site.

from the front desk to management offices to mobile phones, calls are delivered wherever staff members are, and regardless of conditions on site. Contact center  fully-integrated with the Evolve IP phone system, the Evolve IP contact center solution delivers a great experience for guests an delivers key business insights and reports for hotel management.

fully-integrated with the Evolve IP phone system, the Evolve IP contact center solution delivers a great experience for guests an delivers key business insights and reports for hotel management. Collaboration  today's hotel groups understand the need for staff collaboration that extends from the corporate office to franchise locations. Leveraging Microsoft Teams, WebEx, and Cisco voice services, Evolve IP and ConvergeOne deliver unmatched collaboration solutions for hotel groups.

Paul Harrison , Managing Director for Evolve IP. "We are the experts in this industry and understand every detail that's required to deliver a world-class guest experience. Combining our expertise with ConvergeOne's success in the hospitality market will enable us to expand our services into new hotel groups and venues and deliver a superior experience for their clients as life and travel returns to normal. We're looking forward to growing our relationship and driving revenue for both of our firms." "Evolve IP is clearly a leading provider to the hospitality market with their ability to deliver the world's leading VoIP platform from Cisco, plus unmatched hospitality features and Microsoft Teams integration," said Bret Lathrop, Senior Director  Offer Management and International Alliance Practice of ConvergeOne. "While the pandemic has impacted all markets, it has hit the hospitality industry especially hard. Evolve IP and the ConvergeOne team have come up with several programs to help those businesses make an easy transition from their on-premises solution to a cloud solution; a request they have been asking for over recent years. We're looking forward to working closely with our clients on solutions like the ones from Evolve IP has for the hospitality market." Why Clients Choose Evolve IP Evolve IP enables employees to Work Anywhere productively and securely. Our enterprise solutions seamlessly integrate collaboration & communications, digital workspaces and contact center  all delivered from a browser on any connected device. Evolve IP's technologies free IT to focus on business innovation, not systems and infrastructure, and enable their employees to contribute even more to the enterprise -- no matter where or when they are working. Businesses that choose Evolve IP have selected a true technology partner. A company that becomes an expert extension of their IT team, an organization that listens to their needs to tailor solutions just for their business, and is responsive and engaged in every interaction. Follow Evolve IP on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12860605 Press release distributed by PRLog View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/convergeone-and-evolve-ip-enter-strategic-hospitality-partnership-301240974.html SOURCE Evolve IP

[ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ]
The American Petroleum Institute (API) now advocates a carbon tax? We had to read the APIs press release twice to make sure we were reading correctly. Whatever else this accomplished we believe at the very least they pulled off a public relations coup designed to delay carbon suppression behind a smokescreen of reasonableness. There is no shortage of informed opinion on this issue. Like any broad public policy it has advocates and detractors. Proponents hail its economic efficiency and that it pushes the government further away from the energy industrys decision making. Detractors, which interestingly hail from both sides of the US political aisle, claim this policy only leads to incremental, non-systemic decisions and a piecemeal approach to a serious environmental issue. Rather than get embroiled in this debate, we would rather acknowledge it as an issue but instead look at two key bread and butter issues.

First, energy demand is price inelastic. This is a fancy way of saying that demand for the product does not react much to change in price. In the case of energy, price elasticity is estimated at roughly -0.2 short term and -0.6 long term. In other words a 10% price increase in energy will only reduce demand for energy by 2% in the short term. In the long haul trucking business, for example drivers dont simply walk off the job if gasoline or diesel prices shoot up dramatically. Although they might cut speeds a bit to reduce fuel consumption. Over the long term, however, a 10% price increase reduces demand by 6%. Staying with our present example, this suggests that longer term drivers and their industry may respond to higher prices by purchasing more fuel efficient vehicles once the present rig wears out. Thus it will take a big carbon tax to reduce consumer and industrial demand by a significant amount. And the likelihood that Congress will impose a big tax seems remote.

Related: India: OPEC+ Decision Could Derail Oil Demand Recovery

Second, energy consumers may regard a prospective carbon tax simply as payment for a license to pollute especially if the tax starts out as a small one. As our example above shows this is not likely to meaningfully reduce energy demand or reduce the accompanying pollution. We can analogize to parking tickets that routinely appear on delivery van windshields in a busy urban area. The tickets may be a nuisance but in the end they are simply a cost of doing business. Warnings against penalties (such as taxation) as a form of behavioral regulation date back to Adam Smith. Basically, once people start to pay a regular penalty to do something deemed anti-social or immoral, they tend not to feel obligated to consider revising their behaviors.

The oil industry, like any industry facing some existential threat to consumer demand for its products, wants to avoid controls or timetables from the government that dictate to consumers specifically how much or what sort of energy they can use. (Our readers know that certain municipalities in California have already banned the installation of natural gas appliances in new construction.) At the same time, the oil companies, at least some of them, no longer want to be seen as climate change deniers. The industrys goal here it seems is to portray itself in a favorable light, sounding reasonable while delaying activities that significantly reduce energy demand.

Related: Oil Flirts With $70 After The OPEC+ Surprise



We expect in its defense the oil industry will claim, with much evidence, that governments make inefficient choices when directing technology like that of carbon attenuation. In addition, since the free market is a better resource allocator than an intrusive government, why not depend on the market? That will no doubt resonate with more conservative legislators. Institute a tax, but one thats not too big because that would have negative economic consequences.

But there is a policy conflict here. We also expect the same energy companies whose business is being adversely affected by potential taxation and very uncertain demand trends, to happily invest to accelerate a carbon-free future. The optimal result for the oil industry at this juncture we believe would be a minimal tax, a small reduction in demand, and plenty of time to keep drilling. Which brings up the cautionary comment by the late Saudi oil minister, Sheikh Yamani, that the stone age did not end because of a shortage of stones. To sum up, The APIs recent statement in favor of a modest carbon tax is a brilliant move. It at once shifts the discussion, and makes the industry appear reasonable but we suspect will ultimately fail to sway many policy makers.

By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The world emitted 37 Gt of CO2 in 2018. If other greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane are included, it emitted 53 Gt of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) that year. According to a 2018 IPCC report on global warming, to keep global temperature rise since the beginning of the industrial revolution below 1.5C, the world must become a net zero carbon emitter by 2050. After reaching Net Zero, the world would need to move to a carbon negative trajectory by taking out more carbon each year from the atmosphere than it puts in. But, every country cannot wait till 2050 for this.

Reaching net zero needs two types of action: (i) reducing emissions fast so as to stay within 1.5C, by completely stop using coal by 2050, and shifting most electricity generation to renewables and gas; (ii) removing large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere through natural or technological solutions.

The hashtag #RaceToZero is the clarion call given by the COP26 organisers.

The race is on.
 Lots of SCOTUS talk and debate over the "categorial approach" and ACCA proof burdens in immigration decision | Main | New Sentencing Project fact sheet provides updated data on private prison populations in US 

The title of this post is the title of this new paper authored by Trevor Shoels and recently made available on SSRN. Here is its abstract:

The rights of the convicted have long been constrained by the relentless imposition of collateral consequences of criminal convictions. More specifically, collateral consequences of drug convictions have a disparate impact on the Black community due to over-policing of Black neighborhoods. Consequently, Black people are over-prosecuted, leading to more convictions and ultimately making them the primary victim of collateral consequences. Certain collateral consequences almost exclusively affect Black people and are strikingly similar to Jim Crow laws. Similar to Jim Crow laws, these collateral consequences almost exclusively prohibit the Black convicted from public housing, welfare assistance, financial aid, the ability to vote, the ability to receive certain jobs and licenses, and more.

Collateral consequences are considered categorically different from forms of direct punishment like fines, jail time, and probation. Due to this deceptive distinction, there is no notice requirement for collateral consequences at the plea stage. Thus, many defendants will accept deals for guilty pleas, completely unaware that collateral consequences will affect them for what could be the rest of their lives. In regard to this mockery of justice, this Article implores the argument that the informed consent requirement, as it stands, is a myth.

This article discusses the constitutional implications surrounding the prejudicial imposition of collateral consequences and the blurred distinction made between collateral consequences and direct punishment. In doing so, this article proposes (1) Congress employ a legislative overhaul to remove prejudicial collateral consequences (2) Supreme Court change the standard of judicial review from the rational basis test to strict scrutiny and extend their holding in Padilla v. Kentucky to apply to all collateral consequences, and (3) Federal and State legislators enact legislation aimed at placing procedural safeguards  like a notice requirement  at the plea stage.
Belarusian authorities have officially requested that Lithuania extradite opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who has been living in the Baltic country since leaving amid safety fears following a disputed presidential election that sparked mass protests that have been put down violently by authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

The Prosecutor-General's Office of Belarus said on March 5 that Tsikhanouskaya is wanted by Minsk for "crimes committed against public order, public safety, and the state."

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis issued a statement soon after the request was made public, saying Vilnius will ignore it.

"Lithuania was, is, and will be a stone wall behind which all democratic forces persecuted by regimes can find asylum. Therefore, all those who obtained asylum in Lithuania can feel themselves safe -- they will not be handed to regimes for being persecuted for their fight for democracy, freedom of speech or religion. Our answer to the Belarusian regime is -- We will not look into your request," Lansdbergis said in the statement.

Tsikhanouskaya, who along with her supporters say she won the presidential poll, took part in the August 2020 election as a candidate after her husband was jailed while trying to mount a candidacy of his own.

She left the country along with her children for Lithuania due to security concerns shortly after the vote, which election officials said Lukashenka won by a landslide.

Thousands of Belarusians, including dozens of journalists covering the protests, have been detained by authorities, some handed prison terms, and hundreds beaten in detention and on the streets.

Several protesters have been killed in the violence, and some rights organizations say there is credible evidence of torture being used by security officials against some detainees.

The latest sentence against a protester was pronounced by a Minsk court on March 5. Alyaksandr Trotski, a 45-year-old businessman, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. He denies the charge and many activists say the case was politically motivated.

The 66-year-old Lukashenka, who has run the country since 1994, has denied any wrongdoing with regard to the election and has refused to negotiate with the opposition over stepping down and holding new elections.

The European Union, United States, Canada, and other countries have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have slapped him and senior Belarusian officials with sanctions in response to the falsification of the vote and postelection crackdown.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service and BelTA

Bilia is the first service and damage workshop to have signed an agreement with

Lynk & Co about providing workshop services for their car fleet in Sweden.

Per Avander, Managing Director and CEO, comments:

"I am very happy that Bilia will cooperate with Lynk & Co in the future. They have an interesting business model based on month-to-month membership. This cooperation is completely in line with our strategic investment to grow within our important Service Business. We are convinced that our high competence when it comes to their products and our established network of service workshops across the country will contribute to a high service level."

Lynk & Co launched its model 01 and so-called mobility membership in Sweden at the end of September 2020. In the near future, Bilia will complete the first cars for delivery to the customer.

Gothenburg, March 5, 2021

Bilia AB (publ)

For information please contact:

Per Avander, Managing Director and CEO, +46

Kristina Franzen, CFO, +46

Anders Rydheimer, Director Communication & Business Development,

+46

Facts about the Bilia Group

Bilia is one of Europe's largest car dealers with a leading position within service and sales of cars and transport vehicles. Bilia has about 140 facilities in Sweden, Norway, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. Bilia sells cars of the brand Volvo, BMW, Toyota, Renault, Lexus, MINI, Dacia, Alpine and transport vehicles of the brand Renault, Toyota and Dacia.

Bilia offers new and used cars, e-commerce, spare parts and store sales, service and repair workshops, tyres and car glass and financing, insurance, car washes, fuel stations and car dismantling under the same roof, which gives a unique customer offer.

Bilia reported a turnover of about SEK 30 Bn in 2020 and had about 4,700 employees.

Attachment


Machine Learning Engineer - Fraud Engineering, Algorithms, and Risk Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Software and Services Summary

Posted: Mar 2, 2021 Role Number: 200225731 Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Internet Software and Services is responsible for delivering cutting edge Internet applications like the App Store, Apple Music and iCloud that are used by hundreds of millions of users every day across the globe. Our team protects Apple services and customers from abuse through a combination of threat modeling, data analysis, and machine learning. We are seeking a machine learning engineer with a drive to turn the huge amounts of data generated by these applications into feature improvements that enhance customer experience. A successful candidate will have a bent for applied research with expertise in anomaly detection, predictive modeling, classification and optimization. Successful candidates will take pride in designing, developing, and deploying algorithms that have direct impact on services that Apple provides to customers. The role requires broad knowledge of machine learning and the software engineering expertise to develop and deploy highly scalable algorithms. We encourage engineers to stay abreast of machine learning research by attending conferences. We cultivate a collaborative work environment, but allow solution autonomy on projects. Key Qualifications - Strong working knowledge of machine learning algorithms including classifiers, clustering algorithms, and anomaly detection

- Strong programming skills in Scala, Java, Python, or similar language

- Working knowledge of SQL, Spark, or Hive preferred

Excellent social, written, and verbal communication skills

Confidence working independently and making key decisions on projects

Industry experience preferred but exceptional fresh graduates may also apply Description We are responsible for tackling account trust, safety and abuse problems across Apple's Internet Software and Services. You will work hand-in-hand with other engineers, program managers and business partners to identify problems, define solutions, execute plans, measure and communicate results on a regular basis. Apple's most important resource, our soul, is our people. Apple benefits help further the well-being of our employees and their families in significant ways. No matter where you work at Apple, you can take advantage of our health and wellness resources and time-away programmes. We're proud to provide stock grants to employees at all levels of the company, and we also give employees the option to buy Apple stock at a discount - both offer everyone at Apple the chance to share in the company's success. You'll discover many more benefits of working at Apple, such as programmes that match your charitable contributions, reimburse you for continuing your education and give you special employee pricing on Apple products. Apple benefits programmes vary by country and are subject to eligibility requirements. Education & Experience BS Computer Science


More than a year after Italy endured Europes first coronavirus outbreak, the nation is still besieged by the virus.

Another 1696 people died last week, tipping the nations toll past 98,000  second only to Britain in Europe. Its epidemiologists have called on its latest government coalition to introduce another hard nationwide lockdown to stem yet another wave of infections.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi has been in the job for three weeks, taking control after Giuseppe Conti resigned when his coalition collapsed in a dispute over COVID-19 response.

The hard-headed former boss of the European Central Bank, Super Mario as he is known on the Continent has staked his reputation on fixing his nations vaccination crisis, recruiting an army general field-tested in Afghanistan to shake up a sclerotic rollout of doses to the nations regions. Only 70 per cent of the vaccines distributed so far have been administered, and in impoverished Calabria and hardest hit Lombardy, its even worse. More than two months after the first jab on December 27, only 2.48 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.
Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 74F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) John Boadu says the witnesses lined up by John Dramani Mahama in the just-ended election petition hearing made the case quite easier for the Supreme Court to determine.



He observed that the Court became only charitable with two of the witnesses as some of the things they said were fanciful.



JB, as he is affectionately called, was addressing journalists and supporters of the party after the Supreme Court dismissed the petition filed by Mr Mahama.



In its judgement on Thursday, March 4, the Court said the petitioner did not produce enough evidence to rebut the presumptions created by the publication of CI 135.



We are therefore of no reason to order a rerun. We accordingly dismiss the petition, Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah said in the judgment.



Mr Boadu said Mr Mahama was only forced to go to court because he knew from scratch that he had lost the elections.





We are happy that they chose the option of seeking redress in court because that clearly brought out the misinformation and mischief that they want to sow among their supporters.



He said from the three witnesses  Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Dr Michael Kpessah-Whyte and Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo  it was the first witness who made the case easier.



For the so-called star witness, he really made our case for us because through the cross examinations, he accepted that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo whether Techiman South votes were given to them or the valid votes gotten by each candidate were correctly given to them, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo got not only more than 50 per cent [but] got 51 percent plus of the elections.



For us, it is a vindication of the confidence that the people of this country repose once again in the New Patriotic Party.







Source: 3news.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Advertisement

An upside-down orangutan, a gigantic-looking bird and a flexible feathered friend performing the splits are among awe-inspiring photos honoured in this year's World Nature Photography Awards.

The contest has announced its winners from an incredible pool of entries that flooded in from all over the globe.

A stunning image of an endangered Bornean orangutan staring knowingly into a camera while clambering down a tree has been named the overall winner.

Thomas Vijayan, from Canada, spent hours up a tree hoping an orangutan would swing by before he captured this brilliant photo.

Canada's Thomas Vijayan received a 700 cash prize for his superb shot of a Bornean orangutan in 'The World is Going Upside Down'. Mr Vijayan was crowned the overall winner of The World Nature Photography Awards

Harry Skeggs captured this impressive shot of Ulysses, one of the last remaining great tuskers, in Kenya. African elephants are commonly referred to as 'tuskers' because their tusks reach the ground

Photographer Vittorio Ricci caught the moment two European common brown frogs 'kissed' in Aveto Regional Natural Park in Genoa, northern Italy

Andre Fajardo was pictured freediving early one summer morning as the fish circled him in the clear blue waters off the coast of the Hawaiian Islands

Robert Nowak captured this eerie-looking black and white shot of whitebark pine trees in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area in Oregon, USA

This northern giant petrel definitely needs a bigger boat as it appears to tower the vessel. The photograph taken by Naomi Rose came runner-up in the People and Nature category

Heiko Mennigen photographed the moment a cape buffalo spied over a rampart at a waterhole in Hoedspruit, South Africa

Vladimir Cech, of the Czech Republic, captured a cunning red fox walking over a log during a bitterly cold night

A great horned owl appears to have morphed into a flying saucer in this shot from Alberta, Canada. The photograph was taken by Dale Paul and emerged victorious in the Animals in their Habitat category

Gunther de Bruyne, of Belgium, shot the moment hunters dehorned a white rhino at the Thanda Safari Game Reserve, South Africa. Thanda means 'love' in Zulu and the reserve covers 14,000 hectares

Janus Olajuan Boediman of Indonesia was awarded a Bronze for this shot of two weaver ants. Weaver ants live in trees and are renowned for their nest building skills. The ants construct nests by weaving leaves using larval silk

Joseph Shaffery got up close and personal with a small skipper butterfly in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Small skippers spend the majority of their time resting among vegetation

Endy from Singapore caught this hilarious moment of a green crested lizard burping in a Singapore. This shot came in the top three of the Behaviour Amphibians and Reptiles category

Darren Donovan captured this image of a muddy white rhino bull in South Africa. It's feared that there are only 20,000 white rhinos remaining on Earth

Dipanjan Pal's 'Glacial Veins' and Dr Tze Siong Tan's 'Heart Wheel' came top in the Nature Art and Behaviour Invertebrate categories. Entries flooded in from all across the globe

A Bengal tigress was snapped prowling in a water hole at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in India

Femke Van Willigen's 'The Inside Joke', which showcased an excitable-looking Eurasian red squirrel, was among the winners in the Bronze in Animal Portrait category

Nabarun Majumdar, of India, took this shot of a trio of sub-adult tiger cubs cooling off and splashing in the water

Alessandro Gruzza's vivid shot of a snow-covered Mount Cavallazza. The peak is part of the Fiemme Mountain range located in Trentino-South Tyrol, Italy

Jasper Goodall captured this shot of scorched pines in the aftermath of a forest fire in Surrey

This photograph showcases a forest in the Gutai Mountains, Romania during late autumn. Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees but a few remain in the shot named 'The Last Leaves'

Pavlos Evangelidis, of Greece, came third in the Nature Art category with his colourful shot of a parrotfish while in the Maldives

Graham Moon's effort Toad in the Road came in second place among an array of stunning snaps of reptiles and amphibians. The photo was taken by the River Orchy, Tyndrum, Scotland

Andy Pollard, of the Falkland Islands, catches the moment a sedge wren seemed to perform the splits. Sedge wrens are often found in grasslands and meadows where they nest in the tall grasses.

Lisa Roeder was awarded a 'Bronze' for this effort 'You are My Sunshine'. Pictured: a Clark's grebe with her newborn chick on the water in San Luis Obispo County, California

Melissa Robertson's incredible shot of a sea slug in Colorado, USA. The photograph came second in the Behaviour Invertebrates category

Patrick Nowotny snapped the moment two lions were caught fighting in Serengeti, Tanzania. Mr Nowotny was victorious in the Behaviour Mammals category

Adriana Rivas snapped an 'addicted' coati rummaging around the bushes in the Foz do Iguasu national park in the state of Parana, southern Brazil

A storm appeared to be on the horizon as Mustafa Demiros captured the waves hitting a gloomy-looking Tenerife coast

Jocelyn Chng snapped two smooth-coated pups minding their own business in Punggol, Singapore. This snap came second in the Urban Wildlife category

A kongori pictured galloping through the grassy plains of the Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda. Kongoris are a type of African antelope and their life expectancy is between 11 and 20 years in the wild.

Doron Talmi, of Israel, emerged victorious in the Plants and Fungi category with this stunning shot of bald cypress in a swamp. The plant is hardy and tough and is native to the southeastern United States

Mark McInnis photographed this surfer looking for a wave but instead they found a landscape as stunning Alaskan peaks dominate the background

Danielle Siobhan, of the Netherlands, was runner-up in the Plants and Fungi category for this foggy-looking shot of the northern Andes in Columbia
Bengaluru, March 6 : The Opposition Congress legislators, under its leader Sidddaramaiah, disrupted the proceedings of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly for the second consecutive day on Friday , over the special discussion on ''One Nation, One Election''.

The Congress party members trooped into Well demanding revocation of suspension to its member, B.K. Sangamesh, who had removed his shirt inside the House, during a protest by his party against Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri's decision to hold a special discussion on One Nation, One Election, on Thursday.

The din in the Assembly forced speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kaageri to adjourn the House twice.

Sticking to his guns, Leader of the Opposition, Siddaramaiah alleged that One Nation One Election is Sanghaparvar's agenda and his party cannot allow this debate on the floor of the House.

He announced that the party would continue to protest until the suspension of Sangamesh was revoked.

"We are fighting for justice. Why would he protest in such manner if he and his family was not harassed to that extent. As speaker you should have heard him patiently before pronouncing your ruling," he said.

In a strong rebuttal, Kaageri asserted that his ruling was appropriate as the member misbehaved and showed disrespect to the Assembly.

Congress members-led by Siddaramiah created a ruckus by entering into lengthy arguments with Marshals who prevented Bhadravathi MLA Sangamesh from entering the Assembly premises.

The discussion on One Nation, One Election was scheduled for March 4 and 5 at the beginning of the Budget session, following advice by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting of Speakers of Legislative Assemblies held in Gujarat.
Service dogs trained to support veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder can decrease the severity of their symptoms better than companion dogs classified as emotional support animals, according to the results of a long-awaited study by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Research involving 227 veterans -- 153 of whom remained with their paired dogs for the entire study -- showed that both types of animals helped decrease PTSD symptoms in their owners. But results were more significant in participants paired with a service dog.

In addition, veterans paired with service dogs had fewer suicidal behaviors and less ideation at the 18-month point, while both groups displayed a decrease in other symptoms such as anger and disrupted sleep.

Read Next: Guard Members Who Deployed for the Inauguration Are Getting a Brand-New Award

However, the research found that, while both groups showed slight improvements in their mental health, there was no change in their levels of disability and no difference in physical health by the study's completion.

"While both groups appeared to have experienced some benefit, an improvement in overall disability and quality of life among veteran participants with PTSD was not observed with the provision of a service dog relative to provision of an emotional support dog," wrote the authors of the study, "A Randomized Trial of Differential Effectiveness of Service Dog Pairing Versus Emotional Support Dog Pairing to Improve Quality of Life for Veterans with PTSD."

The research, a copy of which was obtained by Military.com, was a decade in the making. In 2010, Congress ordered the VA to study the impact service dogs may have on veterans with PTSD. At the time, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were being diagnosed with PTSD at alarming rates, and suicide among veterans was skyrocketing. So veterans advocates and members of Congress began exploring alternative and complementary therapies to treat veterans' mental health disorders.

The fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act required the VA to embark on research to determine whether trained service dogs could help veterans with PTSD. The department initiated a small study in Florida, but the research had significant flaws, including an original design in which the control group was made up of veterans who weren't paired with animals -- all but one of whom dropped out when they learned they would not get a dog.

Then, two children were bitten by dogs in the study, and issues arose with the nonprofits that provided the service dogs, including one found to have unsanitary and cramped living conditions that affected the dogs' health. Other organizations provided multiple service dogs with hip dysplasia -- a genetic condition that responsible breeders screen for and try to eliminate through careful breeding techniques. Two dogs died, one from an undisclosed but known blood disorder, the other from a brain tumor.

With lessons learned, the VA restructured the research, bringing in experts on PTSD, as well as emotional support dogs to serve veterans in the control group.

Service dogs trained to assist people with PTSD learn a range of tasks, such as standing in front of or behind their handler to fend off crowds or approaching people. They also may wake a person from a nightmare, "sweep" a room before their handler enters, or turn on lights.

The emotional support dogs in the study all met a high level of obedience standards, having earned what is known as their Canine Good Citizen designations, and provide love and companionship. But unlike service dogs, they are not trained to handle tasks for a person with a disability, including PTSD.

Service dogs and emotional support animals are accommodated under federal housing guidelines under the Fair Housing Act, but only service dogs are protected at places of employment and in public spaces. Both types of dogs are allowed on airlines, but the Transportation Department moved in December to greatly restrict the presence of emotional support animals on aircraft.

For the study, the VA paired veterans with dogs including Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Labrador retriever-golden retriever mixes, and German shepherds. Roughly the same number of veterans were assigned a service dog, 114, or an emotional support dog, 113, but some dropped out of the study before they received an animal. In the end, 97 participants were paired with a service dog and 84 with an emotional support dog.

The participants were mostly male, 80%; white, 66.3%; and had an average age of nearly 51, with the majority being combat veterans from Vietnam, the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War and Iraq.

At the start of the study, the participants did not know the type of dog with which they would be paired. They found out at the three-month mark and then were followed over an 18-month period; they were assessed throughout the duration of the study on their physical and mental health.

According to the results, both groups "appeared to have experienced some benefit" to their mental health, although an improvement in overall disability and quality of life was not observed.

The most significant finding was a 3.7-point drop in PTSD symptom scores among those with a service dog, "along with sleep improvements in both groups and declines in suicidality and anger over the 18-month period in the group with service dogs."

PTSD and combat-related depression are thought to affect up to 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Roughly 30% of post-9/11 veterans treated at VA medical facilities have screened positive for PTSD, according to the department.

Earlier this week, members of Congress reintroduced a bill that would require the VA to cover the cost of service dogs for mental health issues and facilitate their placement with veterans. The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers, or PAWS, Act, introduced by Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., would require the VA to create a grant program to pay for service dogs for veterans with PTSD.

The VA currently covers only the veterinary costs of service dogs that support veterans with physical disabilities, including blindness and mobility issues.

The PAWS Act, which would give grants of up to $25,000 to eligible organizations to provide service dogs for veterans, has been introduced in some form at least four times since 2016. It passed the House last year, but the VA has consistently opposed it, saying it would "undermine statutorily required VA functions."

Responding to questions about the study, which the VA has not yet formally released, department officials said the results show service dogs can be an "effective adjunct to usual care for veterans with PTSD."

"The study does not support the use of service dogs as an alternative to mental health treatment, and VA continues to recommend that veterans be offered evidence-based care for PTSD," a department official said.

VA doctors can designate a veteran's pet as a support animal, allowing patients to live in locations where pets are not allowed or that have breed restrictions. But VA officials say they do not "actively encourage or discourage doctors to designate veterans' pets as emotional support animals."

"There is currently a lack of evidence for the effectiveness of emotional support animals," they added.

VA officials said the service dog study had a number of limitations, including the fact that it was nearly impossible to keep veterans from knowing what type of dog -- service or emotional support -- they were paired with, since getting a service dog requires weeks of instruction, usually on site with the dog provider.

The study also lacked a true control group because all veterans were paired with dogs.

"It is important to keep in mind that a placebo-controlled design not only would have created ethical challenges but could potentially have raised problems with an appropriate analysis as it introduces other biases that cannot be readily mitigated," the authors wrote.

Results of the VA's service dog study, which were to be reviewed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine before their release, may provide momentum for passage of the PAWS Act.

From 2005 to 2018, 89,160 veterans died by suicide, according to the most recent data from the VA -- more than the number of Americans killed in each major U.S. conflict except World War II and the Civil War.

"Frankly, it's comical except it's not funny that the VA has been studying this issue, thinking about it, pondering over it for a decade," said Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla. "Veterans should have a full menu of options and different types of therapies, whether that's service dogs, hyperbaric chambers, or other alternative therapy. We have to get out of this paradigm of just providing drugs to vets."

-- Military.com reporter Steve Beynon contributed to this report.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: New VA Secretary Vows to 'Redouble' Efforts to Help Military Sexual Trauma Survivors
A court in the Russian city of Vladimir has sentenced a man to three years in prison on a criminal charge of attacking a police officer during January 23 rallies in support of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.

The Lenin district court in Vladimir, 200 kilometers east of Moscow, on March 5 found Vitaly Timofeyenko guilty of using pepper spray against a police officer during the dispersal of the demonstrators.

Timofeyenko admitted to using the spray, but said he did so to help another protester who was being held on the ground by the police.

Prosecutors had sought a prison term of five years for the defendant, in what is the second known criminal conviction for a participant in the January 23 pro-Navalny rallies across Russia.

On March 2, a 26-year-old resident of the Volga River city of Kostroma was sentenced to 18 months of forced labor for attacking a police officer in a similar rally on January 23.

The nationwide demonstrations held on January 23 and January 31 were against the arrest of the Kremlin critic, who was detained at a Moscow airport on January 17 upon his arrival from Germany, where he was recovering from a poison attack, which several European laboratories concluded was a military-grade chemical nerve agent, in Siberia in August 2020.

Navalny has insisted that his poisoning was ordered directly by President Vladimir Putin, which the Kremlin has denied.

Last month, a Moscow court ruled that while in Germany, Navalny had violated the terms of parole from an old embezzlement case that is widely considered as being politically motivated. Navalny's 3 1/2 year suspended sentence from the case was converted to a jail term, though the court said he will serve 2 1/2 years in prison given time he had been held in detention.

More than 10,000 supporters of Navalny have been detained across Russia during and after the January rallies. Many of the detained men and women were either fined or handed several-day jail terms At least 90 were charged with criminal misdeeds and several have been fired by their employers.

With reporting by MBKh Media and Mediazona
Destinations



The Incredible Maple Forest of Talpa de Allende, Jalisco



La Cumbre can be found in the El Refugio arroyo, deeply veiled by the growth around it. This is an adventure for medium to serious hikers. Long pants and sleeves are advised, as well as sturdy shoes. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The lovely village of Talpa de Allende, east of Puerto Vallarta, is a wonderful getaway for a weekend or midweek for those of us without constraints. Though we have driven through, stopped for meals, shopped and even spent a night or two, it was a great surprise to learn about La Cumbre, a forest that is only a short distance above Talpa.



Unexpectedly, we came across a fir, maple, conifer wooded area that has puzzled botanists for some time, due to their strength of survival, and mysterious location. Trees and plants in this setting have been traced back to the Pleistocene and Tertiary eras. This flora has survived and integrated itself into its surroundings for millions of years.



La Cumbre can be found in the El Refugio arroyo, deeply veiled by the growth around it. This is an adventure for medium to serious hikers. Long pants and sleeves are advised, as well as sturdy shoes. Autumn is the ideal time to visit because the rains will have washed away dust and fed new growth.



To get to there from Puerto Vallarta, travel from Mascota, then southwest through the town of Talpa, and follow the paved road to TomatlAn. Keep track on your odometer and when you are approximately 27 kilometers up, look for a sign; not highly visible, that says "Bosque de Maple." From there take the dirt road and proceed for about five kilometers until you see the trailhead, which has no evident markings but you'll know it when you see it.







Autumn is the ideal time of year to visit the La Cumbre maple forest in Talpa, Jalisco.



You are now in the cloud forest; carry on in a northeast direction. If you do some scouting around you'll easily find the camping area. It's a dreamy space with evidence of previous visitors. Remember to not leave a trace. Whatever you pack in, you pack out. Respect the wildlife. Be considerate of other visitors, but this is Mexico, so you can expect most people to be friendly.



We can't stress enough how unusual it is to find Sugar Maples in a Cloud Forest in Mexico! Botanists have ventured into the region since this discovery in the late 1990's to marvel at what is ordinary in Vermont, Wisconsin and Ontario, but seemingly miraculous such a short distance from Puerto Vallarta in the mountains of Jalisco.



It is unfortunate that the area remains unprotected by the government and some activism could help to change this. At this time it is victim to everyone from the CFE (Federal Electric Commission) to wandering cattle, illicit marijuana farmers, vandals and loggers. There is really nothing the likes of this enchanted hiker/botanist's dream. It has survived mother nature and human ignorance, but we recommend planning a trip soon, before someone decides it's off limits.



Que es cAmo es.

The number one selling and listing agency in the greater Bay of Banderas region since 2011, Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the city's Romantic Zone. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate and, with 5 sales offices around the bay, we know our communities well. If you are looking to sell or purchase a property in the Banderas Bay area, download their



Click HERE to learn more about Timothy Real Estate Group - The lovely village of Talpa de Allende, east of Puerto Vallarta, is a wonderful getaway for a weekend or midweek for those of us without constraints. Though we have driven through, stopped for meals, shopped and even spent a night or two, it was a great surprise to learn abouta forest that is only a short distance above Talpa.Unexpectedly, we came across a fir, maple, conifer wooded area that has puzzled botanists for some time, due to their strength of survival, and mysterious location. Trees and plants in this setting have been traced back to the Pleistocene and Tertiary eras. This flora has survived and integrated itself into its surroundings for millions of years.La Cumbre can be found in thearroyo, deeply veiled by the growth around it. This is an adventure for medium to serious hikers. Long pants and sleeves are advised, as well as sturdy shoes. Autumn is the ideal time to visit because the rains will have washed away dust and fed new growth.To get to there from Puerto Vallarta, travel from Mascota, then southwest through the town of Talpa, and follow the paved road to TomatlAn. Keep track on your odometer and when you are approximately 27 kilometers up, look for a sign; not highly visible, that saysFrom there take the dirt road and proceed for about five kilometers until you see the trailhead, which has no evident markings but you'll know it when you see it.You are now in the cloud forest; carry on in a northeast direction. If you do some scouting around you'll easily find the camping area. It's a dreamy space with evidence of previous visitors. Remember to not leave a trace. Whatever you pack in, you pack out. Respect the wildlife. Be considerate of other visitors, but this is Mexico, so you can expect most people to be friendly.We can't stress enough how unusual it is to find Sugar Maples in a Cloud Forest in Mexico! Botanists have ventured into the region since this discovery in the late 1990's to marvel at what is ordinary in Vermont, Wisconsin and Ontario, but seemingly miraculous such a short distance from Puerto Vallarta in the mountains of Jalisco.It is unfortunate that the area remains unprotected by the government and some activism could help to change this. At this time it is victim to everyone from the CFE (Federal Electric Commission) to wandering cattle, illicit marijuana farmers, vandals and loggers. There is really nothing the likes of this enchanted hiker/botanist's dream. It has survived mother nature and human ignorance, but we recommend planning a trip soon, before someone decides it's off limits.The number one selling and listing agency in the greater Bay of Banderas region since 2011, Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the city's Romantic Zone. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate and, with 5 sales offices around the bay, we know our communities well. If you are looking to sell or purchase a property in the Banderas Bay area, download their Free Real Estate Buyer and Seller's Guides to learn more, then contact one of the Timothy Real Estate Group agents for the best experience in Puerto Vallarta real estate. For more information, visit TimothyRealEstateGroup.com.



Site Map  Print this Page  Email Us  Top



South Africa: Mpumalanga focuses on reviving economy

Mpumalanga Premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, has committed to prioritising economic transformation and mass job creation by aligning the provinces plans to the national Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.

The recovery plan was unveiled by the President in October 2020, in an effort to assist the countrys economy recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delivering the State of the Province Address on Friday, the Premier said the province will intensify the roll out of the Mpumalanga Industrial Development Plan, the Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market.

The Nkomazi SEZ and Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market have the potential to place the agricultural sector on a growth trajectory, create massive job opportunities and investments for the province.

These initiatives will open opportunities for value chains development, agro-processing, trade and export, including the agricultural development of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

We are beginning to see progress in the construction of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market. As we speak, we anticipate the finalisation of the main market by the end of the upcoming financial year, the Premier said.

The province is working together with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the Nkomazi Local Municipality, the Ehlanzeni District Municipality and traditional authorities to finalise all the statutory requirements needed to ensure that the SEZ site is legally compliant.

The province is also working on concluding all the planning and design work, so that the development of the site can commence in the upcoming financial year, and on strengthening the investment pipeline.

The Nkomazi SEZ has received a boost following a very ambitious investment proposal by a Mpumalanga based property development company. As a province, we have been actively engaging private sector partners, who wish to work with us in creating an agri-processing facility around the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA).

These discussions are at an advanced stage and include proposals that encompass a wide range of investment initiatives, anchored on a regional beneficiation hub and trade port, Mtshweni-Tsipane said.

The province will ensure that the development of small businesses is prioritised in the projects, especially enterprises owned by young people, women and people with disabilities.

District Development Model

The province has introduced a new integrated district-based approach to address service delivery challenges, prioritise procuring locally and create jobs within communities

Embedded within the implementation of the District Development Model are individualised Economic Recovery Plans per district, which will direct the economic potential of the Districts by leveraging local resources across the three spheres of government, business and communities in order to address the economic challenges confronting each district.

The public-private partnership component within the District Development Model is beginning to bear fruit. In Steve Tshwete local municipality, we will be working together with private sector partners to build a R350 million four-star hotel, the Premeir said.

This public-private partnership project has Akani Properties, a black-owned property development company, as a partner, along with the internationally renowned Raddison Hotel Group.

The hotel will have a capacity of 150 beds and a convention centre of 1 000 seats. Part of the conditions of the award is that 10% ownership should be local and 30% of the construction work should be sub-contracted to local businesses. This project will create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase and permanent jobs once operational, the Premier said.

The sod-turning ceremony for this project is expected to take place by the end of the month.

The province has also identified other important economic measures as part of its drive to create more jobs and fight the scourge of poverty and inequality.

These include, but are not limited to:

Ensuring that all departments eliminate bottlenecks and pay valid invoices within 30 days;

Providing relief funding to small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs);

Implementing the Mpumalanga Tourism Recovery Plan;

Fast-tracking support to Highveld Steel in order to promote the establishment of the Mining and Metal Industrial Technology Park, and

Also fast-tracking the establishment of the Petro-chemical Industrial Technology Park and Forestry Industrial Technology Park.

Fighting corruption

The Premier expressed the provinces commitment to fight corruption.

We will fight corruption in government whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head. I have instructed Provincial Treasury to collaborate with the Office of the Auditor-General to vigorously implement the provisions of the Audit Amendment Act to ensure that perpetrators of financial misconduct not only incur criminal prosecution but are also held personally liable for the mismanagement of public resources, she said.

Mtshweni-Tsipane said the province will continue to petition the Special Investigating Unit to probe instances of prima-facie financial mismanagement.

This administration will strive to give our people the confidence they are looking for in the management of public funds, she said. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Details still pending on third agreement between Emmet and Bay Bluffs
New Delhi: The Congress on Friday launched a 'Speak Up Against Price Rise' online campaign with former party chief Rahul Gandhi accusing the central government of pushing people in the swamp of price rise just to earn taxes.

The Congress, from its official Twitter handle, urged people to participate in the online campaign by speaking out against price rise.

"BJP = Burden the Janta, Party; the sooner we speak up against their loot, the better for the nation. Come, join our movement. Come, #SpeakUpAgainstPriceRise," the party said.

In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, "Price rise is a curse. The central government is pushing people in the swamp of price rise just to earn taxes."

"Raise your voice against the destruction of the country," he said, using the hashtag 'SpeakUpAgainstPriceRise'.

He also tagged a video on rising prices of essential commodities such as petroleum, diesel and cooking gas.

The Congress has been attacking the government over the rise in fuel and gas prices and has demanded that the prices be brought back to the level at which they existed at the time of the UPA government.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 36% of veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from severe migraine or cluster headaches.

While doctors can prescribe different drugs, one of America's leading pain management physicians has developed another type of treatment.

Dr. Peter Staats is the cofounder and chief medical officer of electroCore the medical device company that makes gammaCore, a patented device that electrically stimulates the vagus nerve to block the pain signals causing debilitating headaches.

The apparatus is called gammaCore Sapphire.

"The vagus nerve is the cranial radial nerve in the body," Staats told Military.com. "I started this company searching for a solution for airway reactivity and anaphylaxis in an animal model. When we started studying humans, patients were saying, 'My headaches went away.'"

Dr. Peter Staats is the founder of the Division of Pain Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the President of the World Institute of Pain and has won numerous awards for his work in pain intervention. (Courtesy of gammaCore)

Knowing there was a huge need for study in headache disorders, Staats and his team conducted 60 studies in five years on vagus nerve stimulation. In 2017, their work led to the first Food and Drug Administration approval for acute treatment of episodic cluster headaches. They later got approval for acute treatment of migraines and now for the prevention of each.

"It's a highly effective, non-drug approach, with minimal side effects," Staats said. "The veteran has control over it. The doctor doesn't put a wire in the person's neck. The patient puts a little gel on a device, about the size of a small cellphone, and uses it on the neck. They stimulate for two minutes, and you repeat a few times."

The treatment is usually effective within 15 minutes.

Staats said a non-invasive, non-drug treatment can be very important for veterans and military personnel. He notes that 92% of military personnel who sustained a very minor traumatic brain injury suffer from chronic daily headaches or significant headache problems.

(Courtesy of gammaCore)

"Drugs can be associated with all kinds of side effects,'' Staats said. "Some drugs can cause heart problems; others have problems associated with addiction or abuse. They can cause continental cloudiness and unclarity. The vagus nerve stimulation is very target-specific in that it doesn't cause a lot of these unanticipated side effects."

The gammaCore Sapphire nerve stimulator is an FDA-cleared, safe and effective at-home treatment available to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is fully covered by the VA; just ask your VA health-care provider.

"I consider myself a patriot, and I look at everybody who's returning from military service as a brethren of some kind that needs quality care,'' Staats said. "I want people to know this is an option for them, because even some doctors don't know this highly effective therapy exists, and all they have to do is ask for it."

To learn more about how gammaCore Sapphire works, visit its website.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

Want to Learn More About Military Life?

Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox.
New Delhi, March 5 : People have started buying their dream home again after the Covid-19 induced lockdown and economic disruptions completely dried out new purchases.

Such has been the renewed customer interest in housing that builders are selling even tough-to-sell, non-'vastu' houses without offering much discount.

And the numbers are showing that the housing activity is again picking up momentum. According to a report by Emkay Global Financial Services, systemic monthly mortgage disbursement in February has been at a high of Rs 75,000 crore as against Rs 40,000 crore average. This is mainly due to pent-up demand driven by benign rates, attractive property prices, low stamp duty (temporary though in Maharashtra) and change in customer behaviour to house ownership/bigger house size.

Financial distributor Andromeda has clocked nearly Rs 2,100 crore in disbursement in February (up 20 per cent YoY) with home loans at Rs 1,250 crore (60 per cent of disbursement).

After a dip in H1FY21, systemic retail loan growth trend remained healthy in H2FY21 (up 9 per cent YoY/7 per cent YTD) with mortgage growing 8 per cent YoY/6 per cent YTD amid the festive cheer, the brokerage said in its report.

Among large players, SBI leads the pack with nearly 31 per cent market share in recent disbursements made in the mortgage segment, followed by the HDFC group at 19 per cent , ICICI at 13 per cent , BOB at 9 per cent and Axis at 7 per cent . Kotak has shown fresh aggression in line with management's guidance, with 3 per cent market share in home loan disbursements in February.

"We expect overall retail credit growth to accelerate further (currently 9 per cent YoY vs 15 per cent last year), led by mortgages (contributing 51 per cent of retail loans) and back-end support by unsecured (Cards/PL) and vehicle loans," the brokerage said.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

A person is seen in a room at a government-authorized COVID-19 quarantine hotel in Richmond, B.C., Canada, on Feb. 28, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Ontario Family Vows to Fight $3,458 Bill for One Night at Mandatory Quarantine Hotel

An Ontario family has vowed to fight the $3,458 bill that a 4-star hotel in Toronto charged them for their temporary stay for mandatory quarantine.

Under Canadas travel restrictions, starting Feb. 21, travellers, unless exempted, are required to reserve a government-authorized hotel for 3 nights to quarantine before boarding a flight to the country.

Cristine Teixeira arrived in Canada with her brother and daughter on Feb. 27, after attending her fathers funeral in Portugal.

Teixeira said it was impossible to get any information about the mandatory hotel program while overseas, and officials in Toronto later denied her request to be exempted from the program for compassionate reasons.

Teixeira said she was unable to make reservations before landing in Toronto, and she was told to book a room at the nearby Crowne Plaza Hotel upon arrival.

She said, during her call to the hotel, she was told the price would be $369 per night for a room with two queen beds.

When we got there to check in, all of a sudden our price went up from $369 per night to $769 per night plus tax, Teixeira told CTV News. They knew there were three of us. They didnt give us the right information.

However, roughly 15 hours later, the family received negative COVID-19 test results, which would allow them to complete the remaining quarantine period at home.

But Teixeira said when they were leaving, the family was denied a refund for the remaining two nights they did not spend at the hotel. Her credit card was ultimately charged $3,458 for their reservation from Feb. 27 and March 1, with taxes and other fees included.

Teixeira told CTV News that the rate for three people staying in the same room would have been $179 if they had walked in off the street, and they are now prepared to do everything they can to fight the charges.

Were fighting the charges because its price gouging at its best, she said. Its ludicrous.

She said they plan to file a complaint to the Ontario governments Report price gouging related to COVID-19 webpage.

Teixeira said she has also reached out to her local Conservative MPP Lindsey Park, who referred them to their MP Erin OToole, but has not yet received a response.

The family has also received another bill from the hotel, stating that the total charge for their stay was $2,453, rather than the $3,458 shown on Teixeiras credit card.

My brother has tried to work out the whole situation with the hotel, she said. The person that he was talking to couldnt explain the difference of between the bill and what was charged.

Teixeira was told that a hotel manager would call them, but they still have not been contacted.

A spokesperson for IHG Hotels and Resorts, which owns the Crowne Plaza Hotel, told CTV News that they are aware of this matter and have been addressing with the hotel, but couldnt comment further on individual bookings.

Crowne Plaza Hotel and IHG Hotels and Resorts didnt respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times.
A team of scientists from Italy and the USA has recently explored the maturation pattern of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Their findings reveal that the virus efficiently escapes host immune responses by directly interacting with cDCs and disrupting T cell activation. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

Background

Since its emergence in December 2019 in China, SARS-CoV-2, the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has infected 114 million people and claimed 2.5 million lives worldwide. In its milder form, COVID-19 is mainly associated with fever, dry cough, sore throat etc. However, a severe form of the disease often leads to serious health complications characterized by cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disorders. In general, COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms exhibit severe immune impairment characterized by aberrant production of proinflammatory mediators and alteration in dendritic cell populations in the peripheral blood.

In the context of any microbial infection, dendritic cells (DCs) are particularly important because of their significant involvement in T cell activation and antigen presentation. These cells directly sense pathogens and induce the production of proinflammatory mediators necessary for the initiation of adaptive immune responses. There are two subtypes of conventional DCs, namely cDC1 and cDC2. The cDC2 subtype is further divided into two subsets, namely DC2 and DC3. While cDC1s are specialized for antigen cross-presentation, cDC2s can induce a wide-range of immune responses by expressing different types of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). There is evidence suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes a reduction in both the number and functionality of cDCs in the blood.

In the current study, scientists have explored the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the maturation pattern of different cDC subtypes. They have specifically analyzed the peripheral blood cDCs isolated from mild and severe COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals.

Important observations

The scientists observed a reduction in cDC subtypes (cDC1s, DC2s, and DC3s) in the peripheral blood of COVID-19 patients compared to that in healthy individuals. Interestingly, the findings revealed that although the total population of DC3s showed a decreasing trend, an increasing trend in the proportion of inflammatory DC3s was observed in COVID-19 patients.

To determine the transcriptional response of different cDC subtypes to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the scientists thoroughly analyzed three different single-cell transcriptomics datasets. Their analysis revealed an upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes in all cDC subtypes isolated from COVID-19 patients.

Furthermore, they conducted a Principal Component Analysis using the single-cell dataset for an in-depth characterization of interferon-stimulated genes and inflammatory molecule-encoding genes in cDC subtypes. Their findings revealed significantly increased and decreased expressions of interferon-stimulated genes in cDCs from severe and mild COVID-19 patients, respectively. In contrast, a progressive reduction in the expressions of inflammatory molecule-encoding genes was observed with disease severity. These observations indicate an inverse correlation between the expression patterns of interferon-stimulated genes and inflammatory molecule-encoding genes. With further analysis, the scientists observed that type I interferon response stimulated by SARS-CoV-2 infection could equally affect the DC2 and DC3 subsets.

Besides interferon signaling pathways, an induction in PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and a reduction in expressions of genes encoding major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules were observed in COVID-19 patients.

SARS-CoV-2 directly induces down-regulation of HLA-DR and production of IL- 6 in DC2s and DC3s. (A) Violin plots showing the expression levels of HLA-DRA, HLA-DPB1 and HLA-DPA1 in cDC1s, DC2s and DC3s of healthy controls and COVID-19 patients from dataset 1. Healthy samples are colored in blue and COVID-19 patients in red. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed-rank test. (B, upper panel) Representative histograms showing HLA-DR expression in cDC2s from HDs infected or not (NT) with 0.4 MOI of SARS-CoV-2 for 18 hours. DC2s and DC3s were identified as CD5+ CD1c+ and CD5- CD1c+ respectively over the CD11+LIN- (CD88, CD89, CD3 and CD19) and FceRIa+. (B lower panel) Quantitative analysis of mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of HLA-DR in DC2s and DC3s. Statistical significance was determined with unpaired students t-test. *p < 0.005, n=4 NT and n=7 Sars-CoV-2 infected cells. (C, left panel) Representative dot plots showing the percentage of IL-6 producing DC2 and DC3 after viral infection as described in B. (C, right panel) Quantitative analysis of the percent of IL-6 producing cells. Statistical significance was determined with unpaired students t-test. *p < 0.005, n=4 NT and n=7 SARS-CoV-2 infected cells.

To explore the mechanistic details of SARS-CoV-2-induced alteration in immune signatures of cDCs, they isolated cDC2s from healthy individuals and assessed their response to the virus. The findings revealed that SARS-CoV-2 significantly reduced the expression of MHC class II molecules and increased the expression of IL-6 in both DC2 and DC3 subsets.

This indicates that the virus directly modulates the maturation process of cDCs to escape host immune responses. With further analysis, the scientists identified a set of 52 genes that were differentially expressed in DC3s compared to DC2s in response to SARS-CoV-2. By conducting a separate set of experiments using transcriptomics data of patients with bacterial sepsis, they identified a set of 203 genes that were differentially expressed in DC3s in response to bacterial infection.

These observations indicate that the prominent differences between DC2s and DC3s observed during bacterial infection are highly attenuated during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The similarity in responses of DC2s and DC3s in COVID-19 patients further indicates that a direct viral interaction rather than an exposure to infection-induced inflammatory mediators is responsible for the observed maturation patterns of these cells. Because of the variation in expressions of receptors like CD14 in DC2s and DC3, these two subsets could have responded differentially in response to exposure to inflammatory mediators.

Study significance

Overall, the study findings reveal that SARS-CoV-2 directly interacts with conventional DCs and suppresses the signaling cascade necessary for T cell activation. Such modifications at the genetic and molecular level subsequently facilitate the virus to evade host immune responses.

*Important Notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
The American Library Association (ALA) this week welcomed the bipartisan introduction in the House of a bill that would provide $5 billion to support long-term improvements to library facilities, including addressing needs that have arisen due to COVID19.

The Build Americas Libraries Act was introduced by in the House of Representatives by Reps. Andy Levin (D-MI-9) and Don Young (R-AK-at large) along with 52 cosponsors. The bill seeks to provide funds to address decades of needed repairs, updates, as well as the construction of modern library facilities in underserved and disadvantaged communities. The bills Senate counterpart (S. 127) was introduced on January 29.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of community placesphysical spaces, like libraries, where we can meet, read, and learn together, said ALA President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., in a statement of support. We must ensure that libraries are safe, healthy, and accessible to everyone, not only today, but for decades to come. At the same time, the pandemic has exposed the depths of the digital divide. Libraries work on the front lines of digital inclusion, but many of them are doing so with twentieth-century facilities. To solve twenty-first-century problems, libraries need twenty-first-century infrastructure.

ALA officials say that the pandemic has cast a bright light on Americas aging library infrastructure. The average U.S. public library building is more than 40 years old, ALA officials point out, adding that Congress has not provided dedicated funding for library facilities since 1997.

In an alert to members this week, ALA urged members to encourage their representatives to take action, either reaching out their House Representatives to support the measure, or if their rep is already a sponsor to issue a note of thanks.

ALA has created a resource on the ALA website to provide more details on the legislation, including a downloadable one-pager, and an opportunity for librarians to share stories of their library facility needs and how dedicated federal funding could make a critical difference.
Appointment

5 March 2021

Sandy Minskoff has been appointed National Sales Manager of Lansdowne Resort located in Leesburg, Virginia. With more than twenty years of hospitality and management experience, Minskoff is positioned to cultivate relationships that introduce new business as the resort moves through post pandemic recovery.

Minskoff joins the resort team most recently from neighboring National Conference Center where she successfully grew the Corporate, Federal and State Government markets. Her experience expands from well-known Virginia destinations such as Airlie Resort, The Boar's Head Inn, the Homestead Resort and Belmont Country Club. Minskoff will be responsible for national key accounts as well as government contractors in the Washington DC metro area. She is an active member of MPI, Northern Virginia Chamber, VSAE, and SGMP.
A Dallas police officer has been arrested in connection with two murders in 2017. Another man confessed to kidnapping and murdering the two people at the officer's direction.

Video Transcript

NORAH O'DONNELL: Well tonight the arrest of a Dallas police officer on murder charges is sending shockwaves through the law enforcement community.

Fellow officers took Bryan Riser into custody today for two murders in 2017, unrelated to his police work. A man came forward and confessed to kidnapping and murdering two people at Riser's direction.

Well, he is now on administrative leave, and the FBI is on the case.
OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- The mother of 3-year-old Carmen Haggard, who drowned in an Olmsted Township pond, described her daughter as her whole world.

Miranda Haggard said she remains numb after Carmen, who lived with autism, wandered onto a pond Wednesday afternoon at her fathers Bagley Road home and fell through the ice. Haggard was at work when the incident happened.

I have never driven so fast, she said, choking back tears in an interview Friday.

Carmens father, Josh, chased after her and fell into a hole in the ice.

When officers arrived, they found him struggling to get out of the pond, police said. He told police he was trying to save his daughter who fell through the ice in a separate part of the pond.

Olmsted Township firefighters responded and pulled the unresponsive girl out of the water.

Paramedics took her to Southwest General Health Center where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Haggard is asking parents to remember to hug their children and love them.

They mean more than anything, she said. My baby is gone and I cant get her back. So if I can save someone from feeling this way, I will.

Carmen loved watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, The Princess and the Frog and Lilo and Stitch. She loved playing in her princess castle and even ate inside of it, Haggard said.

She just learned how to say banana, she cried. I just made her flashcards with words on them. She was like any normal 3-year-old. Her autism made her so she couldnt talk that well.

Carmen attended speech therapy and would often have dance parties with a friend of Haggards who watched her.

Whenever she would throw a tantrum, he would throw one (a dance party) with her to make her feel normal, Haggard said.

The Olmsted Township Board of Trustees wrote in a statement that they are saddened by the drowning of Carmen.

We want to extend our sympathy to the family and the emotional heartbreak her parents and extended family feel now, the board said in a statement. We also want to extend a note of thanks to all first responders handling this tragedy, from dispatchers to the police and fire personnel of Olmsted Township, Southwest Dispatch, and Olmsted Falls safety forces. We appreciate the swift response by all first responders and that our safety forces worked desperately to rescue the child and her father.

Olmsted Township Fire Chief Patrick Kelly said he and the departments thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. Officials say the incident is a tragic accident.

On behalf of the members of the Olmsted Township Fire Department, we are so sorry for the loss of the young girl, Kelly said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to pay for Carmens funeral expenses, a spokeswoman with GoFundMe confirmed.

She was my whole world. She was my pumpkin, Haggard cried. I dont know what to do. Breathing hurts. Talking hurts.

Read more stories on cleveland.com:

Officials identify 3-year-old girl who drowned in Olmsted Township pond

3-year-old girl with autism drowns in Olmsted Township pond, police say

Ohio mass coronavirus vaccination center will open March 17 at Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland

Just when can Ohio expect a lifting of state-ordered coronavirus restrictions? Gov. DeWines goal shows he isnt rushing it

Woman who criticized Brook Park nursing home official on Facebook faces jail time in case that tests First Amendment
President Uhuru Kenyatta has cautioned Kenyans including the media against peddling falsehoods on Covid-19 national vaccination exercise saying health workers and frontline service providers will be the first in line to receive the injection.

The President said the government has put in place robust policy measures on how the vaccination campaign will be conducted and advised the media to seek information from the right sources.

Our policy and it has been clearly stated that we will start with frontline workers. I would appeal to members of the fourth estate to stop disseminating rumours.

We met as Cabinet and made it very clear that the first persons to be administered with this vaccine shall be our frontline health workers. That is category number one.

They (health workers) will be followed by our category number 2, who will be our security forces, who also due to the nature of their work are equally frontline workers, the President stated.

The Head of State spoke Thursday at the Central Vaccine Depot in Kitengela, Kajiado County where he flagged off the countrywide distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The President said other groups of people that will be given priority during the vaccination campaign are teachers and defined emergency service providers.

Included also will be our teachers because as you know we have resumed learning and our teachers are equally just as exposed.

We will then move to those with co-mobilities and those above the age of 58 as we move to the rest of the population, the President outlined.

President Kenyatta reiterated Governments unflinching resolve to ensure the success of the vaccination exercise and urged Kenyans to continue observing Covid-19 containment protocols.

I want to tell Kenyans that this disease is still in our midst. The vaccines do not mean that we are through. We must continue to protect ourselves. Put on masks, wash hands, sanitize and keep social distance, the President said.

He urged Kenyans to continue supporting frontline health workers especially in the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine saying the Government will provide the logistical support needed to ensure the national exercise succeeds.

This is the time to come together and ensure that we are able to provide this much needed service to our people. As far as we are concerned in Government our role is to help these wonderful people who work day and night with logistics, President Kenyatta said.

The Head of State said experts will continue giving progress updates on the vaccination campaign and expressed confidence that the country will emerge stronger from the ravages of the deadly disease.

Going forward, the President said the country will continue procuring more doses of the life saving vaccines noting that the second consignment will arrive in the country at the end of this month.

In his remarks, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said Kenya is among the first countries in Africa to receive the vaccine and thanked President Kenyatta for the support his Ministry continues to receive from Government.

Mr Kagwe assured Kenyans that his Ministry was adequately prepared to oversee a successful national Covid-19 vaccination campaign.

While responding to a journalists question, Ag.Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said the first phase of the vaccination campaign will run until end of June this year and benefit 1.2 million Kenyans. The second phase to benefit 9.6 million people will start thereafter.
Luxembourg and Belgium have agreed to extend the tax provision for cross-border employees working from home until 30 June 2021.

This marks the third extension for the accords, which allow cross-border workers from Belgium, employed in Luxembourg, to continue working from home without being subjected to the usual tax limit.

In normal times, cross-border workers are entitled to work from home up to 24 days per year, after which they must pay tax in Belgium. This limit has been suspended due to the extraordinary circumstances introduced by the pandemic.

Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna praised the extension, thanking his Belgian counterparts for their cooperation. He called the agreement an "essential device" in the fight against the pandemic, and said the extension will guarantee "maximum legal security" for tens of thousands of Belgian cross-border workers and their employers alike.
Going forward with the modernisation process of the armed forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday discussed the creation of integrated theatre commands and infusion of modern technology at the Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat. (Twit Image Source: IANS News

Going forward with the modernisation process of the armed forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday discussed the creation of integrated theatre commands and infusion of modern technology at the Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat. (Twit Image Source: IANS News

Going forward with the modernisation process of the armed forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday discussed the creation of integrated theatre commands and infusion of modern technology at the Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat. (Twit Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 5 : Going forward with the modernisation process of the armed forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday discussed the creation of integrated theatre commands and infusion of modern technology at the Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat.

The three-day Combined Commanders Conference 2021 started on Thursday at Kevadia. It is a key brain-storming event of the Military Commanders from all three services -- army, navy, and air force.

The conference have the combined apex-level military leadership of the country reviewing the security situation and defence preparedness, and deliberating pertinent organisational issues for evolving a joint military vision for the future.

The Defence Minister took off sometime to visit the Statue of Unity to pay his homage to Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, after he arrived on Friday.

Delivering the inaugural address, Singh dwelled on a wide spectrum of issues affecting the defence and security of the nation. He spoke at length on the emerging nature of military threats, the critical role of the Armed Forces in meeting these threats and the anticipated changes in the nature of warfare in future.

He expressed his heartfelt appreciation and respect to the selfless courage displayed by the soldiers during the Eastern Ladakh standoff with People's Liberation Army Secretaries of Department of Defence, Defence Production, Department of Research and Development and Financial Advisor Defence Services also shared their thoughts on various relevant aspects with the Combined Commanders.

There were two 'Vivechana Sessions' held over the day in the presence of the Defence Minister, some part of them were held behind closed doors.

These deliberations addressed the ongoing modernisation of Armed Forces especially focussing on creation of integrated theatre commands and infusion of modern technology.

Issues like morale and motivation and promotion of spirit of innovation in the Armed Forces witnessed enthusiastic participation with useful feedback and suggestions from the soldiers and younger officers of the three Services.

In a major change from the past, the scope of the conference this year has been expanded to make it a multi-layered, interactive, informal and informed event with the added participation of about 30 officers and soldiers of various ranks from the three Services.

The conference in 2014 was held at Delhi. Since then it has been moved out to different venues across the country. The conference was held on board INS Vikramaditya in 2015 and in 2017 at the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun.

The last edition of CCC was held in 2018 over a period of two days at Air Force Station, Jodhpur. There have been several major developments in the Higher Defence Organisation since, including appointment of first ever Chief of Defence Staff and setting up of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), and several important & multifarious issues affecting modernisation & transformation of the Armed Forces are currently under active consideration/ implementation, according to the Indian Army.
Alec Baldwin's defamation allegations against a man who alleged the actor hit him can go forward to trial.

The Saturday Night Live star got caught up in a row over a parking space with Wojciech Cieszkowski in New York in November 2018, and subsequently insisted the man lied when he claimed the 62-year-old actor had punched him in the face.

And now Manhattan Supreme Court Justice David Cohen has denied Wojciech's bid to have the defamation claim thrown out.

Going to court: Alec Baldwin gets to take his defamation case against Wojciech Cieszkowski to trial after a judge refused to throw it out

According to the New York Post newspaper, the ruling stated: 'The plaintiff must meet a high bar of proof on his motion to dismiss and, since he fails to definitively prove the truthfulness of his interpretation of the incident, he does not meet his burden.'

However, the judge granted a request to have Alec's allegation that the man's lies led to his false imprisonment dismissed because the man hadn't imprisoned the Boss Baby star himself.

He also found Wojciech couldn't be held liable for defamation for any statements he made to the Manhattan District Attorney's office, which ultimately prosecuted Alec over the incident.

Trouble: The SNL star got caught up in a row over a parking space with the man in New York in November 2018, and subsequently insisted the man lied when he claimed the 62-year-old actor had punched him in the face

Alex's representative, Luke Nikas, said: 'We're very pleased with the decision. From the beginning, Alec has maintained that these charges were frivolous.'

Lawyers for both men were pleased with the ruling on Thursday.

Alex's representative, Luke Nikas, said: 'We're very pleased with the decision. From the beginning, Alec has maintained that these charges were frivolous.'

And Wojciech's lawyer, Douglas Lieb, said: 'We are pleased that the court found Mr. Baldwin's false imprisonment claim to be baseless.

'Since Mr. Baldwin seems determined to put his reputation at issue in this case, we look forward to exploring that reputation at trial.'

The legal battle between the two men began in April 2019 when Wojciech sued Alec for assault and slander after the parking space row. He then claimed the 30 Rock star had lied when he told interviewers Ellen DeGeneres and Howard Stern that he thought the man was going to run over his wife, Hilaria Baldwin.

Long-running case:The legal battle between the two men began in April 2019 when Wojciech sued Alec for assault and slander after the parking space row

But the judge dismissed the slander claim, ruling that Alec's statements in public were exaggerations and opinions, which do not rise to the level of defamation.

Alec then filed his counterclaims, alleging Wojciech had defamed him when speaking to police, medical staff at the hospital where he was treated, the media, and a court room and telling them all he had been punched in the face.

Following the original dispute, the Motherless Brooklyn actor pleaded guilty to harassment and was sentenced to anger management classes and ordered to pay a $120 fine.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 06:02:53|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

QUITO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador registered 1,335 new cases of the novel coronavirus disease and 33 more patient deaths in the past 24 hours, raising the total caseload to 291,070 and the death toll to 11,225, the Ministry of Health said Friday.

Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno announced the government developed a website called planvacunarse.ec, which means "vaccination plan", with "the necessary information on vaccination against COVID-19 in the country."

"#EcuadorSeVacuna (Ecuador is getting vaccinated) and we want to share the process with you!" the president posted on Twitter.

The website, which is already up and running, is part of a government strategy to vaccinate between 60 percent and 70 percent of the population, more than 9 million people, starting in April, depending on the international supply of vaccines.

Minister of Health Rodolfo Farfan on Thursday called on Ecuadorians to trust the vaccination process, which is currently attending to high-risk groups and older adults.

"Ecuadorians must feel confident that we are prepared, from a healthcare standpoint ... we are making progress in immunizing an entire country and in that way winning the battle against COVID-19," Farfan said in a video released by the Ministry of Health. Enditem
A link shared on Facebook allowed ineligible residents to make COVID vaccine appointments, officials confirmed.

We have learned that a dedicated link that was reserved solely for registering teachers was unfortunately shared online through a number of individual Facebook sites, said Yale New Haven Health spokesman Vincent Petrini. We immediately took action and shut down the link and we are reviewing the situation.

Though he could not say the exact number of appointments were made, Ohm Deshpande, Yale New Haven Healths vice president for population health and a physician leader for the providers vaccination efforts, said it was a small number.

I dont have a hard number yet  we are working on that, he said Thursday. The link was intended for educators and got abused. Needless to say it was deactivated rapidly.

Any appointments made by ineligible residents have been canceled, Petrini said.

Connecticut moved to an age-based vaccine rollout last month, with residents aged between 55 and 64 years old eligible to sign up on March 1. People between the ages of 45 and 54 become eligible on March 22, but teachers and other in-school workers of any age became eligible on March 1.

But the intention, according to a press release issued by the state last month, was to administer the vaccine to educators at dedicated clinics that will be set up specifically for those sectors.

We have teacher clinics in most places, said Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. The issue is that you also cant restrict teachers from going wherever to get their vaccines.

Petrini said most school districts are going through local health districts to plan vaccine clinics, but that Yale is working with some.

Yale New Haven is only working with school districts that have approached us directly and we have been working in full collaboration with local health departments and the state Department of Public Health, he said.

He did not say which school district or districts the link was intended for, but Greenwich is among those school districts that are working with Yale to distribute vaccines to school-based personnel, according to the school district.

We are currently running efficient and safe vaccination clinics that require extensive logistics, said Dana Marnane, vice president of public relations at Greenwich Hospital, which is part of th Yale-New Haven system To continue to best serve our entire community, this was the optimal way to proceed.

As for how to prevent such breaches in the future, Deshponde said Yale was working on the issue

We have deactivated the link, he said. We are working on other tech solutions to make it more stringent.
The Energy Ministers of Lithuania and Ukraine have agreed to create a working group that will exchange information on the security situation at the Belarusian NPP (BelNPP), electricity imports from Russia, and the observed and analyzed electricity supply flows.

The agreements were reached at a meeting of acting Minister of Energy Yuriy Vitrenko with Minister of Energy of Lithuania Dainius Kreivis in Ukraine, the Ministry of Energy of Lithuania reported.

"BelNPP is a geopolitical project: it is a common threat to Lithuania and Ukraine, so we should solidarize in blocking its further development," the ministry's press service said, citing Kreivis.

He said that it is important not to trade in unsafe electricity from Belarus, so that it is a necessary condition for stopping the construction of the second power unit of the BelNPP.

Earlier this week, the head of the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy also announced negotiations with Poland and Latvia on blocking the Belarusian nuclear power plant.
India on track to achieving climate goals: PM Modi at CERAWeek 2021

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Mar 05: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the country is on track to achieving its climate goals well before the target date as it switches over to energy-efficient mediums and uses waste to generate energy.

Speaking after accepting the 2021 CERAWeek Global Energy & Environment Leadership Award for his commitment to energy sustainability and the environment, Modi said climate change and calamity are major challenges facing the world.

Both are interlinked, and one way to fight them is through policies, laws, rules and orders, and the other is bringing behavioural change, he said, listing measures taken by his government for sustainable energy usage.

While the target of mixing 20 per cent ethanol has been advanced to 2025, 5,000 compressed bio-gas plants will be set up to turn municipal and agriculture waste into energy, he said.

'Climate change a priority; Provided 'Made in India' vaccines to 50 countries: PM Modi tells Swedish PM

While switch over to energy-efficient LED bulbs has helped save 38 million tonnes of carbon emission, modern techniques of irrigation as well as reducing the use of pesticides with greater awareness of improving soil health has greatly helped, he said.

The share of non-fossil sources in India''s installed capacity of electricity has grown to 38 per cent and the nation adopted Bharat-VI emission norms in April last year to cut vehicular pollution.

India, he said, is working to increase the share of natural gas, which is environment friendly and less polluting, in the energy basket from the current 6 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030.

Also, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being promoted as a fuel.

He also mentioned of recently launched National Hydrogen Mission and equitable and decentralized model of solar energy generation.

"India is well on track to achieve its Paris agreement targets well before the target date of 2030," he said.

India has maintained that it is not a polluter and cause of climate change and has voluntarily committed to reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

On behavioural changes, Modi cited examples such as people embracing LED bulbs, voluntarily giving up LPG subsidy, increased cooking gas coverage and affordable transportation initiatives.

The Prime Minister noted that over the last seven years, India''s forest cover has grown significantly, the population of lions, tigers, leopards and waterfowls has grown.

These, he said, are great indicators of positive behavioural changes.

Accepting the award, he said, "It is with great humility that I accept the CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award. I dedicate this award to the people of our great Motherland, India. I dedicate this award to the glorious tradition of our land that has shown the way when it comes to caring for the environment."

He added that Indians are leaders when it comes to caring for the environment for centuries and the nation''s culture, nature and divinity are closely linked.

The Prime Minister said that Mahatma Gandhi is one of the greatest environment champions to have ever lived. "If humanity had followed the path laid down by him, we would not face many of the problems we do today."

He concluded "now is the time to think logically and ecologically. After all this is not about me or you. It is about our planet''s future. We owe this to our coming generations."

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 5, 2021, 20:57 [IST]
IN the space of one month, the families of 326 people were left in shock and heartbreak after losing their loved ones to the Covid-19 virus.

May 2021 was the deadliest month of the pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago and the month with the highest number of Covid-19 cases.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.

Romania's exports to Japan increased by 62% in November 2020 y-o-y thanks to the European Union-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which entered into force on February 1, 2019, Chairman of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIR) Mihai Daraban said at a meeting with Director General of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Romania Keisuke Mizuno, according to AGERPRES.

According to a CCIR press statement released on Friday, the meeting of the two officials, which took place on Thursday, March 4, marked the end of the term off office of the JETRO Romania leader. At the same meeting, the new director general of the organization, Shigeyo Nishizawa, was introduced.

"Japan is an essential economic partner to Romania, being one of the few G20 countries that is not a member of the European Union with which we managed to have a surplus in our trade balance. Thus, following the entry into force on February 1, 2019, of the European Union - Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Romania's exports increased by 62% in November 2020, as against November 2019. An eloquent example of very the good economic relations between the two countries is the recent establishment of a Japanese branch for logistics operations in the Port of Constanta, as well as the fact that the container terminal of the same port was built on funding coming from the Bank of Japan," Daraban is quoted as saying in the statement.

In his turn, Keisuke Mizuno, at the end of his term, voiced particular praise of the partnership with CCIR carried out for over five years, emphasising the professionalism, seriousness and involvement of the institution in promoting the interests of the Romanian business environment.

At the same time, the new General Manager of JETRO Romania, Shigeyo Nishizawa, assured the Romanian officials that he will act intensely for a continuous development of the commercial relations between the two countries, capitalising on the CCIR position of top representative of the business community in Romania.

CCIR and JETRO Romania have developed, in the last five years, a very active inter-institutional relationship, materialised in a series of joint event, such as: the 2017 and 2020 editions of the "Parts Components Procurement Exhibition," Japanese trade missions to Romania in 2018 and a CCIR trade mission to Tokyo and Osaka in November 2019.
ADVERTISEMENT

It will take enormous effort, resources, and dedication from everyone  both in Africa and around the world  to scale up vaccine delivery to the levels that are needed. Getting vaccines to Accra, Abidjan, and cities all over the planet is a vital first step in defeating this pandemic. Now the real test of whether we can achieve vaccine equity begins.

On February 24, 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Accra, Ghana. Two days later, another 504,000 doses arrived in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire. On Tuesday, 3.92 million vaccine doses arrived in Abuja, Nigeria and a further 324,000 arrived in Dakar, Senegal the following day. These were the first international deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX Facility, and  with the first doses administered in both countries just days later  the first steps in what will be the largest immunisation campaign in world history. Hopefully, these milestones represent a turning point in the worlds response to the pandemic.

A wide-ranging coalition of international public health organisations and other partners, COVAX aims to ensure that every nation, regardless of resources, gets the vaccines needed to protect its people from this devastating virus. A large part of the developing world, including most of Africa, has too often been forced to wait for lifesaving innovations and treatments. Because of this chronic lack of equitable access, disease and poverty linger. COVAX was created at the start of the pandemic to mitigate these inequities. It plans to deliver 2 billion vaccine doses all over the world in 2021, including 1.3 billion to low- and middle-income countries.

This ambitious international campaign is especially crucial given the deep disparities that have marked COVID-19 vaccine distribution so far. Until very recently, the worlds richest nations had received almost all of the vaccine supply. As a result, even as some high-income nations have already immunised more than 20 per cent of their populations with at least one dose, only a few African countries have reached even 1 in 1,000 people. It is frankly impossible to defeat the virus if these disparities persist. If everyone doesnt have the chance to get immunised, the world economy could lose as much as US$9.2 trillion and twice as many people could perish needlessly.

these first introductions in Accra, Abidjan, Abuja and Dakar, coming less than three months after COVID-19 vaccines were first introduced in high-income nations, represent proof that pooling resources can help shorten the time it takes to get vaccines to lower-income countries after they are developed.

Nonetheless, these first introductions in Accra, Abidjan, Abuja and Dakar, coming less than three months after COVID-19 vaccines were first introduced in high-income nations, represent proof that pooling resources can help shorten the time it takes to get vaccines to lower-income countries after they are developed. Before Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance launched the Pneumococcal Advance Market Commitment in 2009, for example, it could take up to 15 years for life-saving vaccines to reach lower-income countries. Through donor commitments, this innovative funding mechanism has dramatically increased the speed with which vaccines reached lower-income countries and has helped 60 lower-income countries introduce pneumonia vaccines at more affordable prices.

Collaborations like COVAX and its Advance Market Commitment build on these successes and are similarly helping to narrow the gap in access to COVID-19 vaccines. To keep closing this deadly gap, however, additional resources from governments, donors, and the private sector will be needed. The commitment by G7 nations in mid-February to double COVAX funding is an excellent start, but more will be required to immunise everyone.

With that in mind, we must recognise that vaccines arriving at international airports  while an important and laudable logistical feat  is only the first step. The job will not be done until these vaccines get into peoples arms. Even some of the worlds wealthiest nations, with access to substantially more doses and with expensive health systems, have struggled with their vaccination campaigns, and the job could be exponentially harder in countries with far fewer doses and public health resources. That is why governments and public health organisations across Africa are working overtime to make sure their health care systems and workers are ready to get these vaccines moving.

These countries and many others in Africa already know firsthand what a successful mass vaccination campaign takes and have invested in many of the essential components, including detailed planning, real-time communication, building health worker capacity, and, critically, developing public trust in vaccines.

Many African countries have expertise in conducting rapid and effective mass vaccination campaigns, often immunising millions of people in a single week. In 2016, for example, 41,000 health workers and volunteers were recruited and trained to administer yellow fever vaccines to 14 million people in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in just 10 days. The following year, Nigeria  despite political conflict  was able to immunise 4.7 million children against measles in only two weeks. And even amid the pandemic, Ethiopia was able to vaccinate 13 million children against measles and nearly 2 million people against cholera, thus averting the catastrophic consequences of missed vaccination campaigns.

These countries and many others in Africa already know firsthand what a successful mass vaccination campaign takes and have invested in many of the essential components, including detailed planning, real-time communication, building health worker capacity, and, critically, developing public trust in vaccines. Some nations, such as the DRC, even have experience with the ultracold temperatures needed for some COVID-19 vaccines, due to their efforts to inoculate more than 300,000 people against Ebola.

These experiences offer key lessons for vaccine delivery that the rest of the world can benefit from and will assuredly be helpful as African nations work to immunise their citizens against COVID-19. It will take enormous effort, resources, and dedication from everyone  both in Africa and around the world  to scale up vaccine delivery to the levels that are needed. Getting vaccines to Accra, Abidjan, and cities all over the planet is a vital first step in defeating this pandemic. Now the real test of whether we can achieve vaccine equity begins.

Solomon Zewdu is the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations deputy director for health in Africa and its Africa COVID-19 response coordinator.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  Detained Senator Leila de Limas drug case with co-accused Ronnie Dayan stays as a Muntinlupa court stood by its order denying their appeal to have it thrown out.

De Lima and Dayan, her former driver and bodyguard, separately filed a demurrer to evidence  a motion to dismiss a case for insufficiency of evidence, as well as a petition for bail. Branch 205 of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court denied their pleas on February 17, while De Lima and Dayan filed their motions for reconsideration five days later.

In an omnibus order on Friday, the court reaffirmed its earlier decision, adding that De Lima and Dayan must present their evidence to prove their innocence of the crime charged.

The opposition senator and former head of the independent Commission on Human Rights is charged with conspiring and confederating with Dayan to abet the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison while she was Justice Secretary in 2012.

Dayan earlier testified that he accepted money from suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa on De Limas order. The senator, however, said her accusers turned Dayan against her.

She has maintained her innocence, calling evidence presented against her "fabricated" and her arrest a punishment for questioning the Duterte administration's war on drugs that has left thousands dead.

De Lima is facing two other drug cases, one of which was earlier dismissed by the Muntinlupa court. The demurrer to evidence of her co-accused Jose Adrian Dera was junked but he was allowed to post bail. Dera allegedly helped solicit money from convicted criminals for De Limas election campaign in 2016, but the court ruled that no link between the two accused was proven.
Paris Hilton says it 'really means a lot' to her that Sarah Silverman has apologized for the callous jokes she made about her at the 2007 MTV Awards, despite being 14-years late.

The 39-year-old socialite reacted to Silverman's apology, which was issued out on Thursday, during an impromptu episode of her This Is Paris podcast, also posted Thursday.

'[Sarah] was so genuine and so sweet and it really moved me. I felt emotional hearing it and I could tell that she really did mean what she said as she was apologizing,' remarked Hilton.

Means a lot: Paris Hilton says it 'really means a lot' to her that Sarah Silverman apologized for the callous jokes she made about her at the 2007 MTV Awards, despite being 14-years late

'I was shocked when I read it at first and pleasantly surprised,' admitted the socialite, 39, after she was made aware of Silverman's sorrowful words in an article sent to her by a friend.

'And I just wanna just leave a message to her. To say something back: Thank you. I really, really appreciate you doing that.

'I know it is difficult for anyone to apologize and for someone to do that really means a lot,' said Paris.

Paris revealed that she 'got a little teary eyed' listening to Silverman recall making eye contact with her at the MTV Movie Awards in 2007, after rattling off the now ill fated jokes.

'[Sarah] saw my face and she said that her "heart dropped" and that made me a little emotional because that is actually really sweet because I did not know.

Is it too late now to say sorry? Sarah Silverman issued a long and heartfelt public apology to Paris Hilton on the latest episode of The Sarah Silverman Podcast for cruelly mocking her to her face at the 2007 MTV Awards (Pictured at the 2007 show)

Reacting: The 39-year-old socialite reacted to Silverman's apology, which was issued out on Thursday, during an impromptu episode of her This Is Paris podcast, also posted Thursday

'When she was up there [on stage performing her monologue at the award show] it just did not seem that way, but obviously when you are up doing a comedy sketch it's not like you're going to be how you truly feel inside,' Paris acknowledged.

She went on to read the entirety of Silverman's apology aloud for her listeners, later adding that she 'was not expecting an apology' nor was she 'asking for one.'

Referencing to her sister Nicky Hilton's passionate 'demand' for an apology from Silverman, Paris chopped it up to her just 'being very over protective.'

'I was very shocked when I got it and I really just appreciate it so much. And I am glad her comedy has grown and it she realizes that it is not nice to make fun of people. And I think everyone learns that in life,' she continued.

Genuine: '[Sarah] was so genuine and so sweet and it really moved me. I felt emotional hearing it and I could tell that she really did mean what she said as she was apologizing,' remarked Hilton

The fragrance aficionado admitted that 'Sarah is hilarious' and that she has 'listened to her comedy and had always been a big fan, prior to that moment' on stage at the MTV Movie Awards in 2007.

'I always just though that she was so funny, but not when she is making fun of people. I think she is funny when she is just being her funny self.

Paris stressed that it is 'nice to hear that [Sarah] has had a lot of time to reflect' on how her words can impact others.

'Not just my situation with her, but other situations. It seemed like, just from listening to her podcast right now about it, that she sees and she has really grown as a person.

Emotional: Paris revealed that she 'got a little teary eyed' listening to Silverman recall making eye contact with her at the MTV Movie Awards in 2007, after rattling off the now ill fated jokes

Shocked: 'I was very shocked when I got it and I really just appreciate it so much. And I am glad her comedy has grown and it she realizes that it is not nice to make fun of people. And I think everyone learns that in life,' she continued

'I know where she is coming from because, just like everyone, we have all said things in our past that we felt bad about and we later regretted.

'I think everyone is guilty of doing that. It's human nature, but it is important that people can learn from their mistakes and what they've said

'Just hearing that, the way she was speaking, is just so genuine and sweet. I am just so used to hearing her be funny and make her jokes. So, to hear that kind of vulnerable side to her and showing that she has a heart,' she gushed.

Paris also reiterated that she 'never got' the apology letter that Sarah claimed she sent to the heiress, following her MTV Movie Awards hosting gig.

Clean slate: Paris concluded her nearly 11-minute response by, once again, thanking her for admitting her wrongdoings, before voicing that she hopes they can start a 'clean, fresh slate' with one another

'I was just listing about how you sent me a letter a couple of days later and I don't know who you gave it to, so I am curious as to who did not pass me on that letter because I would have LOVED to have read it many years ago.

'That night at the MTV Movie Awards has haunted me for a very long time, so apologies are never late so it is ok.

'But, yeah, I do wish that who ever you gave [the letter] to did give it to me because that would have meant a lot back then, especially back then, when I was going through so much.

Paris concluded her nearly 11-minute response by, once again, thanking her for admitting her wrongdoings, before voicing that she hopes they can start a 'clean, fresh slate' with one another.

Paris's impromptu response came just hours after Silverman, 50, issued her lengthy mea culpa to the socialite on the latest episode of The Sarah Silverman Podcast where she admitted she would 'never do those jokes today.'

Changed: Paris's impromptu response came just hours after Silverman, 50, issued her lengthy mea culpa to the socialite on the latest episode of The Sarah Silverman Podcast where she admitted she would 'never do those jokes today'

Paris revealed on her This Is Paris podcast on Monday, that she was still angry with the comedian calling her jokes 'disgusting and cruel and mean.'

'You know, as she said herself on the podcast, this would never happen today and she's right, I wouldn't. I would never do those jokes today,' Silverman began.

'I came up in a time when talk show hosts and comedians hired to make fun of pop culture were roasting the biggest celebrities and pop culture icons at the time and nobody was bigger than Paris Hilton,' she continued by way of explanation.

'So here we are in an awakened world and I am totally into it, it's how we grow, it's how we change,' Silverman said before launching into a full blown apology to Paris.

'I'm super down with reflecting on the past and my part in perpetuating real ugly s**t,' she said. 'And yes, we can continue to litigate the past, but I do believe that maybe that should be coupled with taking into account any growth that has come with those passing years.'

Cruel: Earlier this week Nicky Hilton demanded that comedian Sarah Silverman apologize to her sister Paris (pictured) for verbally eviscerating her at the 2007 MTV Awards while Paris sat in the audience trying not to cry

As a refresher, Paris had been due to check into prison hours after the 2007 awards ceremony for violating her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case and was mocked by Sarah during the show as she sat in the crowd.

Silverman recollected: 'While I was thrilled at the success of my monologue, I remember spotting her in the audience, I really do, and I remember seeing that look on her face and my heart sank. There was a person under there. A couple days later I wrote her a letter apologizing, felt awful and I never heard back, I certainly wouldn't expect to anyways.'

As it turned out, Hilton never received the apology letter and harbored major resentment for the comics cruel and callous jokes for well over a decade.

'I regretted the jokes not years later, but kind of immediately,' she admitted. 'Here I am, 14 years later, telling you, Paris, that I am really sorry. I was then and I am, much more completely and with far more understanding I think, now.'

'I can't imagine what you were going through at the time. My understanding of humanity through the lens of my work as a comedian had not yet merged and I'm sorry I hurt you. Comedy is not evergreen. We can't change the past, so what's crucial is that we change with the times.'

She added: 'I felt it the second I saw your face that night. It feels terrible to know you have hurt someone and it's important to make it right. I hope this does that.'

During her podcast this week, Hilton revealed that at the time she had been nervous to go to the event, so when she was the butt of Silverman's jokes it was intolerable.

'While I was thrilled at the success of my monologue, I remember spotting her in the audience, I really do, and I remember seeing that look on her face and my heart sank. There was a person under there. A couple days later I wrote her a letter apologizing, felt awful and I never heard back, I certainly wouldn't expect to anyways.'

Detailing her version of events, Paris said: 'I was so shocked and surprised because I had actually met her a few years before at an event and she was sweet.

'I was obviously very nervous and knew I was about to check into a jail a few hours later, I put on a brave face and she literally pummeled me, so mean so cruel.

'I was sitting there, wanting to die, I was holding back tears, I had tears in my eyes... I literally wanted to run out of the entire room. The whole audience was laughing and she would not stop.

'I regretted the jokes not years later, but kind of immediately,' she admitted. 'Here I am, 14 years later, telling you, Paris, that I am really sorry. I was then and I am, much more completely and with far more understanding I think, now.'

'It was so painful especially with what I was going through in my life, it was really hard.'

Sarah had said. 'I heard to make her feel more comfortable in prison the guards are going to paint the bars to look like penises, I am just afraid she is going to break her teeth on those things.

Paris served three days of her 45-day prison sentence.

Nicky said: 'Mom always told us you don't know someone until you have walked a mile in their she's and here Sarah was.... saying the most disgusting, vile, awful hurtful things.'

'I was sitting there, wanting to die, I was holding back tears, I had tears in my eyes... I literally wanted to run out of the entire room. The whole audience was laughing and she would not stop,' Paris recalled earlier this week

'It's abuse,' Paris added of what Sarah did.

Nicky said because Sarah apologized to Britney after she similarly slammed her, she now needs to apologize to Paris.

'The sexual, disgusting remarks were so horrific, very, very, very disappointing, that should never of happened to a young girl sitting in the audience or anyone, you should not let a person be humiliated.'
SkyUp (Kyiv) will operate a flight from Tel Aviv (Israel) to Kyiv on March 8.

According to the company's press service on Friday, the departure from Tel Aviv is scheduled for 15:25 local time. The flight arrives at Boryspil International Airport at 18:45.

Tickets are available only for citizens of Ukraine.

Currently, Israel, in accordance with the list of countries with a significant spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), compiled by the Health Ministry of Ukraine, is assigned to the "red" zone. This means that after arriving from this country, observation or self-isolation for 14 days or a negative PCR test is required.

In addition to SkyUp, Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plans to operate evacuation flights on the Kyiv-Tel Aviv-Kyiv route on March 8 and March 10.
TOKYO, Mar 5, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has determined the recipients of its 2020 "Best Innovation" awards, an in-house program to recognize activities that contribute to the conservation and protection of the global environment, and the lowering of environmental loads. The aim is to raise environmental awareness among corporate group employees and encourage further innovation.MHI Group has adopted the mission: "Integrate cutting-edge technology into expertise built up over many years to provide solutions to some of the world's most pressing issues and provide better lives." Going forward, through its business activities MHI aims to contribute to the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)(1), and the resolution of social issues(2).M501JAC series gas turbines with world-leading efficiency, enabling hydrogen utilizationMitsubishi Power, Ltd.The M501JAC series gas turbines have been developed based on the M501J gas turbine with the turbine inlet temperature of 1,600degC, world-first at the time, and the reliability of 99.5% after over one million hours of cumulative operating hours. M501JAC is a cutting-edge 1,650degC class large gas turbine that incorporates an enhanced air-cooled combustor--a world-first technology with outstanding performance and operability--as well as thicker thermal barrier coating (TBC), and a compressor with a 25:1 high pressure ratio. The M501JAC series has achieved the world-leading efficiency over 64% while providing a flexible operability such as a shorter start-up time. Gas turbine combined cycle power generation systems with M501JAC contribute to the stable power generation which is essential to global economic growth, and are also capable to meet global demands for decarbonization.Compact fuel gas supply module for environment-friendly LNG fuel shipsMitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.These modules are a key component of the system that supplies liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel gas for marine gas fuel engines, developed utilizing LNG and vaporized gas handling technologies accumulated from construction of LNG carriers. The modules comprise an LNG fuel tank and control system. The core components (such as the LNG vaporizer and gas compressor) are incorporated in a compact module with excellent operability and easy maintenance, contributing to optimal cargo space design and shortening the shipyard process, while also supporting safe navigation by allowing the control system to be customized to fit operation needs. Compared to conventional heavy oil, LNG allows for reductions in emissions of sulfur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), and particulate matter (PM). A module and LNG fuel tank built by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has been installed in SAKURA LEADER, Japan's first LNG-fueled car carrier ship, currently in operation.MSV2 series of heat pump chillers with top-level energy efficiency and refrigerant with a lower environmental loadMitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd.The MSV2 series of air-cooled heat pump chillers utilize a refrigerant that helps curb global warming, while offering high efficiency and an industry-leading 70 horsepower (HP) model. This series incorporates the new "e-3D" scroll compressor with an improved scroll shape for the 3D scroll compressor--which compresses both vertically and horizontally--to achieve a significant reduction in leakage loss, and markedly improved efficiency at low loads. In addition, the adoption of a large fan, long bell mouth, and small-diameter hairpin in the air heat exchanger has achieved industry-leading energy-saving performance. Further, the use of the R32 refrigerant as an alternative to conventional refrigerants has reduced the unit's global warming potential (GWP) to approximately one-third from previous model, which combined with a 28% reduction in refrigerant charge volume results in a 77% lower CO2 conversion factor, contributing to reduction of the environmental load.Completion of first toroidal field coil for ITER (experimental fusion reactor)Nuclear Energy SystemsMHI have completed manufacture of the first toroidal field (TF) coil -the world's largest superconducting coil ever built for ITER (experimental fusion reactor) currently under construction in France. Nuclear fusion energy emits zero carbon dioxide (CO2), and because the lithium resource that provides the raw material for fusion fuels (deuterium and tritium) are virtually inexhaustible - they can be found or distilled from seawater, fusion energy is expected to be a sustainable energy source that will provide a ultimate solution to the world's environmental problem. The completion of the first TF coil is a major milestone forward for the start of ITER operation in 2025.Development and implementation of Eco-point System to encourage environmental practices- Received 2020 "Climate Change Action Environment Minister's Award" -MHI Power Engineering Co., Ltd.Reforestation project supported by donations from accumulated pointsThis in-house system converts environmental actions into points, assessed as the amount of CO2 reduction. Points are accumulated over a certain period through individual action and by department, providing a structure to compare and review the status of an environmental activity. Donations to environmental groups are made based on the number of points accumulated, and points are contributed back to individual employees. Employees stay motivated to continue environmental actions, and the company is able to assess and review activities in a visible way. This program conforms to the corporate philosophy of MHI Power Engineering and MHI Group seeking to achieve the UN SDGs.The "Best Innovation" program, held annually since fiscal 2003, is an internal program to recognize innovative new products, services, technologies, businesses, and environmental activities within MHI Group. A total of 16 awards were given this year, including the five environment-related projects presented here.Going forward, MHI Group will continue to pursue further technical innovations aimed at achieving the SDGs and resolving social issues, and by providing the world with better products and technologies, contribute to the realization of a more sustainable society.1The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals and 169 targets adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015, intended to be achieved by the year 2030.2MHI Group designated five new items of materiality in 2020 as measures aimed at enhancing its enterprise value through resolution of social issues, and achieving growth over the longer term. Details of MHI Group's materiality issues are available at https://www.mhi.com/csr/management/materiality.htmlAbout MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, logistics & infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on www.spectra.mhi.com.Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
By Rosalind Miles

William Morrow. 413 pp. $16.99 paperback

- - -

Gather 'round, sisters, to read tales of female rebels and pioneers from earliest days to Stormy Daniels. Our leader (leadress? I think not), Rosalind Miles, a woke 78-year-old British novelist and historian, takes us through tranches of lessons about our forebears in a brisk, almost impatient way - she has a lot of material to get through and only so many pages in "The Women's History of the Modern World: How Radicals, Rebels, and Everywomen Revolutionized the Last 200 Years." The tranches have sparky titles - "Turning the Wheel," "One-Way Pendulum," "Some Like It Cold" and "The Longest March" - and they are organized chronologically, mostly, and by category.

We begin with quick histories of women you haven't heard of, even if you have been paying attention and have read Simone de Beauvoir. On the first page we are introduced to the vivacious Olympe de Gouges, who was brought to the Paris guillotine in November 1793. A self-invented larger-than-life figure, she was a bold progressive and a public intellectual. De Gouges attended the salons of the day, where she argued for enhanced rights for women (she may have coined the term "citoyenne"; even in revolutionary France there was no such thing as a female citizen). She also wrote articles, pamphlets, books and plays. One play was about the evils of slavery and the slave trade. Mostly, she was an advocate for women's rights. "Women, wake up . . . recognize your rights! Oh women, women, when will you cease to be blind?" she wrote in 1791. "What advantages have you gathered in the Revolution? A scorn more marked, a disdain more conspicuous. . . . Whatever the barriers set up against you, it is in your power to overcome them; you only have to want it!" When she was jailed for her radical views, she refused to walk them back or apologize for her principles. A newspaper article in 1793 said, "She wanted to be a statesman; it would seem that the law has punished this plotter for having forgotten the virtues suitable for her own sex."

Faster they accumulate, these women warriors Miles pulls out of obscurity. Have you heard of Patyegarang? Approximately the same vintage as de Gouges, this one-named Indigenous Australian girl of the Eora nation is credited with being the interpreter of her native tongue to English through a relationship with a lieutenant with Britain's First Fleet. Don't forget Barangaroo (who like Patyegarang and Cher went by a single name), another powerful woman at the time of colonization, who was such a tough broad that a part of Sydney is named for her. How about the Grimke sisters - Sarah and Angelina, abolitionists who were outspoken South Carolinians and, remarkably, White. Back to England we go to meet the "wicked Lady Amberley," so called because she believed in education for girls, and the rights of women to own property, vote and get equal pay for equal work. This was 1871, friends! Her queen, Victoria, was not a fan.

Before the 19th century, it was generally agreed upon that an education was a waste for a girl or a woman. She would be married off after learning the basics of homemaking - and perhaps how to play the pianoforte - and learning to please her boss, I mean husband. A fear that studying (ancient languages, among other fields) would cause a young woman to lose her femininity and her fertility "has bedeviled the education of girls since the Middle Ages."

Thus the German-born astronomer Caroline Herschel, uneducated but working with her brother, discovered eight comets as well as other bodies in the skies, and was eventually paid 50 pounds a year by King George III, making her the first woman in Britain to draw a salary for being a scientist. Mary Anning discovered her first prehistoric skeleton in Dorset when she was 12 years old. Mary Fairfax Somerville, who was deliberately kept out of the schoolroom by her practical parents, discovered Euclid in her family's library and moved on from geometry to trigonometry and astronomy. She was brilliant and, though forbidden from studying, somehow knew there was something up in the heavens, which turned out to be Neptune, for whose discovery she received no credit. In addition to working as a scientist, Somerville found time to be married twice, have four children, teach and be a socially vibrant member of Edinburgh society, living to the age of 91.

When it comes to certain institutions, Miles doesn't spare her ire. "Oxford and Cambridge, true to their monastic and priestly origins, clung to their proud and ancient traditions of fearing, despising, and excluding female students for as long as they could." Eventually, Cambridge felt pressured to open a college for women, Girton College, in 1869, and Oxford resisted until 1878, when Lady Margaret Hall was founded. At last women could attend England's storied universities - except they could not receive degrees.

Miles's tone swings all this speed-herstory along, with a giant helping of feminist theory. On the book goes, finding daring women of all kinds. Miles takes on not just the patriarchy but the phallusy as well. (Charles Darwin was a loving father to his daughters but didn't appreciate women's brains. Go figure.) She introduces us to explorers, pilots, warriors, spies, writers, queens, traitors, courtesans, athletes and politicians we've not heard of before. And some we have.

Alongside their brief biographies are frequent asides about the lack of recognition these ladies endured, or something about how if men had to menstruate it would become a sacred act. In other words, Miles is pissed off. Here she is talking about prewar Vietnam: "The social structure . . . had evolved from the writings of the great sage Confucius, who mansplained in all his teachings that women owed total obedience to every man in their lives, from the local lord to their youngest son." Here she is in an American laboratory: "When those heroic gender warriors, the Cambridge scientists James Watson and Francis Crick, used the crucial work of Rosalind Franklin in the discovery of DNA in 1953, she got the el-bow and they got the Nob-el." (The late Franklin wasn't eligible for the prize, awarded several years later, but history could have at least given her more credit.)

Woven throughout "The Women's History of the Modern World" are little pauses - almost like cul de sacs - in which Miles (who is married and has grown children) hints that conventional women's lives centered on a husband and family are not always the most satisfying or enriching. She quotes Vita Sackville-West in 1931: "Your children, your husband, your splendour, were nothing but obstacles that kept you from yourself. They were what you chose to substitute for your real vocation. . . . The woman protests, 'But you mustn't blame my husband.' 'I don't,' her accuser replies. . . . 'He merely killed you, that's all. Men do kill women. Most women enjoy being killed; so I am told.' "

Just like all the trailblazers in this book, we 21st-century women have been oppressed for so long that we don't even recognize it. Women have been yearning for equality since time itself, and it shakes me that the terms and the stakes (notwithstanding our right to vote) have remained the same through the centuries. We may be feminists, but we still drive our children to the orthodontist after school (in the before times, when this was written) and barely ask our husbands to pick up a bottle of wine on the way home (would that be so hard?). (Sorry, that slipped.)So we should not just read this book, we should take it to heart. Miles skips many damning stories of women who were the true stars behind their men, but then that could fill volumes.

As she reaches modern times, the catalogue becomes less compelling. (I was surprised, though, by the glaring absence of Golda Meir in the accounts of first female presidents and prime ministers.) I did not know that actress Grace Kelly's father was required to pay Prince Rainier $2 million for her hand in marriage. Call it a dowry or don't; think twice before you marry.

- - -

Lisa Birnbach is a writer who lives in New York. She hosts the "Five Things That Make Life Better" podcast.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
The Nigerian Senate on February 24 confirmed President Muhammadu Buharis appointment of Abdulrasheed Bawa as the new chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC), marking the beginning of a new era for an organisation that has gone through nearly five years of leadership uncertainties and months of a probe that smeared its integrity.

Mr Bawa, a pioneer EFCC cadet officer from Course One of 2005, rose through the ranks to head the Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Lagos zonal offices of the commission at various times.

A graduate of Economics from the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, and holder of a Masters degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the same university, Mr Bawa has garnered vast investigation experience since joining the EFCC in 2004.

His appointment comes with historic distinctions which he is expected to leverage on in steering the organisation in the right direction.

The Kebbi State-born chair, who is the fifth person to hold the position, will be the first non-police officer, and at 40, the youngest person to head the agency since its establishment by former President Olusegun Obasanjos administration in 2003.

During his screening by the Senate, Mr Bawa told the lawmakers about his credentials and achievements in his 16 years of working at the EFCC, and promised to rebrand the commission.

He also assured the lawmakers that the EFCC under his watch would work closely with strategic partners around the world, particularly in the recovery of looted asset, and ensure more transparency and accountability in its activities.

Beyond Mr Bawas promises, PREMIUM TIMES has gathered the views of a cross-section of Nigerians, expressed in the media and in interviews with our reporter, about what they expect of him in his new role.

Below are 10 of the key expectations that Mr Bawa is expected to meet.

Independent working relationship with AGF, others

Of all the misgivings many Nigerians have expressed about Mr Bawas appointment as the new EFCC chair, none of them is as widespread and strongly held as the belief that the commissions independence, under his watch, will be totally submitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

The view is rooted in the chain of events triggered by the enduring subtle hostility that existed between Mr Malami and the former acting chairman of the agency, Ibrahim Magu, which in turn led to the exit of Mr Magu and paved the way for Mr Bawas appointment.

The hostility between the two men reached its peak last year when Mr Malami levelled allegations of corruption and insubordination against Mr Magu, and the Ayo Salami panel was set up by the president to conduct a probe of the charges that put EFCCs integrity to test.

The probe brought about an upheaval that sent Mr Magu and other top officials of the commission on a suspension. Mr Magu, who was appointed by Mr Buhari in acting capacity on November 9, 2015, never returned from the suspension slammed on him on July 7, 2020.

Both Mr Magu and Mr Bawa are believed to have enjoyed a good relationship up till 2019 when a crisis which ensued between them saw Mr Bawa redeployed as the head of the Port Harcourt zonal office to the EFCC training academy in Abuja, a posting many considered a punishment.

It is believed that Mr Bawa started getting closer to Mr Malami from that time up till when the probe by Mr Salamis panel sparked by the AGFs allegations led to Mr Magus sudden exit.

Many Nigerians fear that with the role Mr Malami played in Mr Magus exit, and in the choice of Mr Bawa to lead the EFCC, coupled with the fact that the AGF and the new chair are both from Kebbi State, the agency will likely operate as a mere appendage of the AGF office.

Interestingly, a top anti-corruption adviser of Mr Buhari, Itse Sagay, shares this fear.

Mr Sagay, who is the chair of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), cited Mr Malamis alleged previous attempts to control the EFCC and interfere in the activities of anti-corruption agencies, as well as the fact that Mr Bawa shared the same state of origin with the AGF, as the basis for his fear.

ADVERTISEMENT

In September last year, Mr Sagay, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, alleged that a bill which was largely credited to Mr Malami in the media, was scheming to weaken the EFCC and turn it into an annex of the AGF office.

A member of Mr Sagay-led PACAC, Femi Odekunle, a professor of criminology who died of COVID-19 complications last December, had also blamed Mr Magus ordeal leading to his suspension on Mr Malami.

While the Magu-Malami crisis may have its peculiar features, it fits into the same pattern of turf wars between successive EFCC chairpersons and AGFs.

Nigerians now expect Mr Bawa to walk the talk of his promise to run an independent EFCC and strike the much needed balance of ensuring a sound work relationship with the AGF office and other relevant institutions.

I expect him to be sensitive to the unceremonious exits of his predecessors. If you look at the chairmanship of the EFCC from Ribadu to Magu, they all allowed themselves to be used at some point by the government and politicians.

So, if Bawa is going to succeed, he should live up to the oath of his office, he should carry out the mandate of the oath of his office dispassionately, said Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer and anti-corruption crusader.

Impartial anti-corruption crusade

President Buhari rode to power on three key promises to address the insecurity in the country, redeem the economy and lead a never-seen-before anti-corruption war.

But almost six years down the line, President Buharis anti-corruption war is generally believed to be ineffective and one-sided over the years.

Many Nigerians believe that EFCC is generally by default, not inclined towards prosecuting powerful members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) accused of infractions, but is eager to serve to be a witch-hunt tool against the opposition and critics of the current government.

For instance, PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the EFCC, in July 2019, withdrew the corruption charges against a former Gombe State governor, Danjuma Goje, who had been on trial for nearly eight years.

Mr Goje, then a senator who was aspiring to become the President of the 9th Senate, was being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly misappropriating N25 billion while in office as governor.

But in a dramatic twist, Mr Goje after a meeting with Mr Buhari, dumped his aspiration to become the Senate President, to support Mr Buharis favourite candidate for the position, Ahmad Lawan.

The subsequent withdrawal of the corruption case after it was taken over from the EFCC by the AGFs office was generally seen as part of the deal struck at the presidential meeting.

Nigerians expect Mr Bawa to reverse public perception that powerful APC members enjoy immunity from probe and prosecution while unevenly on the hot chase of perceived enemies of Mr Buharis administration.

Nigerians want an anti-graft agency that is confident and non-partisan in its fight against corruption.

The state of the fight against corruption in Nigeria requires a boost. It needs someone who can be daring and without any recourse to any political meaning or affiliation. I expect that he is impartial and good, Samson Itodo, a lawyer and Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, said in reference to Mr Bawas appointment.

Respect human rights, stop parade of arrested suspects

The EFCC under its former acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, was often accused of disregard for human rights, by indulging in indiscriminate arrest of suspects and parading them publicly as criminals when they had not been convicted.

PREMIUM TIMES in January last year, reported how Nigerians on social media berated EFCC over its arrests of 89 Yahoo-Boys in a night club in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Only recently, the Federal High Court in Abuja also awarded a whopping N50 million damages against the commission for the indiscriminate arrest and detention of a defendant.

However, with the emergence of Mr Bawa, many Nigerians expect that the era of disregard for the rights of suspects should be done away with by the commission.

Nigerians expect Mr Bawa to live true to the provision of Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution which stipulates that a person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until proven in a competent court.

For me, I think it is forced imprisonment if people are invited for questioning and honour EFCC invitation, detained and then asked to produce a surety to be released on bail. I think that infringes on the right of freedom of movement, Mr Itodo also said.

Extradition of corruption suspects at large

Another concern raised against the agency in the past is its failure to extradite corruption suspects who fled abroad to evade prosecution or stall investigation.

The most prominent person in this class of suspects is a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who left the country for the U.K. shortly after leaving office in 2015.

Despite the criminal charges pending against her in Nigeria and series of court orders obtained by the EFCC for the forfeiture of her asset suspected to be proceeds of crime, bringing her to face trial in Nigeria has remained a mirage.

Mr Magu had accused Mr Malami, whose office is indispensable in matters of extradition, of frustrating the former ministers extradition to Nigeria.

Incidentally, Mr Bawa has headed the investigations of Mrs Alison-Madueke and her allies since 2015 and had previously traveled to the U.K. over the matter.

Extraditing her and other suspects abroad is an area where Mr Bawa is expected to collaborate effectively with Mr Malami.

Reversing the trend of losing anti-corruption cases

Many Nigerians also expect Mr Bawa to step up the commissions investigations to ensure water-tight cases that can earn conviction and recovery of looted asset.

Although the loss of some of the corruption cases in court by the EFCC, such as the one involving an ex-spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, are not attributable to shoddy investigations, many others such as the one involving an ex-presidential aide, Warimapo-Owei Dudafa, were dismissed by courts on grounds of insufficient evidence.

Stabilising and addressing internal lopsidedness

After his nomination as substantive chair of EFCC was twice rejected by the Senate, Mr Magu was allowed by the president to lead the organisation in acting capacity for nearly five years.

This brought about leadership uncertainties in the system with Mr Magu entangled in the politics of securing Senate confirmation, especially after the new National Assembly came on board in June 2019.

This was still the situation when the turbulence of the Salami Panels probe came in July 2020, causing the suspension of Mr Magu and other top officials of the agency.

The ripples of the probe have yet to disappear and Nigerians expect Mr Bawa to quickly restore stability, resolve the issues concerning the suspended officials and unify the organisations workforce that was divided along the line of who was for or against Mr Magu.

Nigerians also expect him to address internal lopsidedness in the agency among which is appointment of zonal heads with officials of higher grade levels made to report to them.

More accountable EFCC

A spectrum of Nigerians spoken to by our reporter also wants the EFCC under Mr Bawa to be more accountable in management of recovered asset to avert suspicion that led to the establishment of the Ayo Salami panel to probe Mr Magu and the EFCC.

Over the years, there have been public suspicions about poor management and diversion of recovered asset by the EFCC officials.

Mr Bawa is expected by Nigerians to put in place measures to address the lapses, issues of internal corruption, incompetence, and other sharp practices within EFCC that often lead to public outcry bordering on the integrity of the commission.

Interagency collaboration, asset recovery

Mr Bawa is also expected by Nigerians to collaborate effectively with other law enforcement and relevant agencies to ensure effective investigations, water-tight prosecution, and recovery of looted asset.

Recovery of asset was scaled up under the leadership of Mr Magu as acting chair. Nigerians expect Mr Bawa to do more in identifying, tracing and recovering more of the looted assets.

Making the public own the anti-corruption war

Mr Bawa has also been advised to prosecute the anti-corruption war with the support of the Nigerian public.

Instead of making the war against graft appear to the public like a fight between the elites, Nigerians expect Mr Bawa to integrate the public into the project and give them reasons to see it as something their survival depends on.

He can achieve this by running the agency transparently and professionally, not being blinded by loyalty to the ruling class, and engaging robustly with the public.

Be a hope for the youth

The emergence of the 40-year-old has been lauded by advocates of youth in government.

Mr Bawa himself admitted he would be carrying the badge of the youth in his position as the EFCC chair.

Im not unaware of the fact that my nomination caused a lot of hope for the teeming youth around the country, he said during his senate screening.

Promising to be a good ambassador for the youth, he said, I want to state that I will give the youth a very good representation so that at the end of the day more youth will be given huge responsibility in the country. Mr Bawa said this last week at the Senate during his pre-confirmation screening.

It is expected that Mr Bawa will wage a successful anti-corruption war to help validate the competence of young Nigerians to hold important leadership positions.

He represents the generation of young people who have clamoured for not just representation but an opportunity to show that we (youth) can lead.

So, I hate to say this but the fight against corruption is now in the hands of young people and he knows that he represents that.

He bears that burden and I do expect him to perform more than his predecessors, Mr Itodo said.
The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
Story

It was on that unforgettable day that the boys found themselves changed. In front of them were ordinary high school students just like them. There were no flashy costumes or musical instruments. But the moment they began to sing a surreal harmony filled the air and the crowd went wild.

"We want to sing like that. We want to shine, too."

High school students captivated by the art of a cappella aim for the top in the exclusive high school a cappella contest, "Aoppella". They try to perfect their pitch as the show is about to begin.

Official Website:

https://www.aoppella.com/

Official Twitter:

@aoppella

Official YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosIfP7AX7yAPV-wEDz5m4Q

Cast and Characters Revealed

The main characters are an eclectic group of high school students who attend Otowa Public High School and Kanadezaka Private High School. The following voice actors will bring these characters to life.

Otowa Public High School

Hajime Suzumiya CV: Ryohei Kimura

Rin Tanba CV: Ryota Osaka

Michitaka Kariyazono CV: KENN

Luka Shihou CV: Tetsuya Kakihara

Sayo Soenji CV: Tomoaki Maeno

Kanadezaka Private High School

Maito Coresawa CV: Yuki Ono

Mitsuo Ayase CV: Toshiyuki Toyonaga

Akira Shigaki CV: Wataru Urata

Asaharu Soenji CV: Takuya Sato

Yui Nekoyashiki CV: Daiki Hamano

Fukami Shinkai CV: Shugo Nakamura

Official J-Pop Music Video Covers Released

The "aoppella?!" project's first music video has been released. The two high school groups cover popular Japanese songs in a cappella, and you can enjoy two songs as a medley.

Kanadezaka Private High School members covered "Hakujitsu" by King Gnu, and members of Otowa Public High School covered "Pretender" of Official HIGE DANdism. Check it out now on the official YouTube channel now.

About Future Development for "aoppella!?"

The "aoppella?!" project plans to release various content that allows fans to enjoy the new world of music and characters in the future. Please check out the official Twitter account ( @aoppella ) for further details and announcements. See the original press release for full details.

KLab

SOURCE KLab Inc.

Related Links

https://www.klab.com


Jeremiahs Italian Ice to Open First Houston Area Location

Favorite Florida frozen treats brand opening in Katy

March 04, 2021 // Franchising.com // Katy, TX - Orlando-based Jeremiahs Italian Ice is bringing its beloved brand to suburban Houston. The new location at 4030 FM 1463 #101 in Katy is set to open March 9th. Jeremiahs has Texas locations in Temple and McKinney and is planning to open additional locations across the Houston area in the coming years.

The Jeremiahs location in Katy will have indoor and outdoor seating for guests to enjoy their frozen creations, as well as a drive-thru to provide everyone with friendly and efficient service. Third party delivery services will also be offered so Katy residents can get the tasty Italian ice at their convenience.

We are so excited to be opening in Katy and bringing Jeremiahs vibrant energy to the area, stated CEO and Founder of Jeremiahs Italian Ice Jeremy Litwack. Katy is the perfect community for Jeremiahs because it is one of the fastest growing communities in Texas and we cant wait to share our treats with everyone.

Each Jeremiahs location boasts an upbeat atmosphere full of vibrant colors and offers over 40 flavors of indulgent high-quality Italian Ice, as well as rich and creamy Soft Ice Cream. The Jeremiahs Gelati, which features layers of Italian Ice swirled with thick, homemade Soft Ice Cream offers nearly limitless flavor combinations and is the star of their menu. This location will follow stringent safety protocols and implement additional operational procedures to ensure social distancing and the safety of its staff and guests.

Jeremiahs Italian Ice is committed to partnering with the Katy community in the future, said Director of Brand Development Devin Schneider. Our Katy location is already coming up with a multitude of ways they want to help area high schools and other organizations to showcase our desire to give back.

The new Katy location is the first step in Jeremiahs Italian Ices continued expansion in Houston.

SOURCE Jeremiahs Italian Ice

###

Comments:

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Disqus
NASA's Perseverance Rover is equipped with the most advanced science lab ever brought to another planet, so it will be able to thoroughly analyze any rocks and soil that it digs up. However, NASA also has something even more ambitious in mind: bringing Perseverance samples back to Earth via the Mars Sample Return mission. Now, NASA and its European Space Agency (ESA) partner have taken a big step in that mission, awarding the Mars Ascent Propulsion System (MAPS) contract to Northrop Grumman Systems.

Now that Perseverance has landed in the Jezero Crater, it will spend the next couple of years searching the area for signs of life. If it finds interesting rocks or dirt, it will cache them into "hyper-sterile" vessels that are uncontaminated from any Earthly organic materials. Those will then be place in tubes and stored inside the rover body.

The Mars Return Mission involves sending two spacecraft to Mars. One will land on the planet, meet up with the rover and grab the samples, then take off and orbit Mars (the "take off" part is where the MAPS contract comes in). The second spacecraft will rendezvous with that craft in Mars orbit and carry the samples back to Earth.

The original plan was to launch the sample return craft in 2026, land it in 2028 and return the Mars samples to Earth by 2031. Those dates are still up in the air, however, after an independent board recommended allowing more time (and cost) for the mission.

The Northrop Grumman contract is worth up to $84.5 million, which is a small part of the current $3.3 billion estimated mission budget. NASA sad it covers "support and products" for the MAPS ascent propulsion mission and "moves NASA and ESA one step closer to realizing Mars Sample Return." However, given the complexity of the project and the fact that it's never been tried, don't be surprised if those dates and budgets get pushed.
Sui is a modern-day pioneer recognized as one of the top Asian models to gain global recognition on and off the runways. After working locally in China, she broke onto the international scene as the first Asian model ever to open an American designer's show, for Ralph Lauren's Fall/Winter 2011 collection, and the second model of Chinese descent to appear in a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Recently, Sui has also made appearances in many top films and TV shows, including Legend Of The Naga Pearls, Pegasus , Silent Separation and more. In her role with Elizabeth Arden, Sui will have a strong global presence while bringing awareness and relevancy to the brand's skincare franchises through several brand campaigns with a strong focus on Elizabeth Arden's strategy within the Asia market.

Like Elizabeth Arden, Sui embodies classic beauty and elegance while maintaining a strong passion towards her endeavors. Her determination and natural alignment with the brand make her the perfect partner to push the brand to new heights and continue Ms. Arden's legacy of empowering women everywhere.

"I am a beauty lover at heart and have always been a fan of the Elizabeth Arden brand," said Sui He. "The brand resembles a grace and timeless style that I have always admired along with high-quality and beautiful products that make women feel empowered. I am proud to partner with such a heritage brand and am excited to share their innovations and rich history with women everywhere."

"Sui's effortless sophistication and natural beauty leaves the world enamored," said Ava Huang, Global General Manager, Elizabeth Arden. "Her confidence and drive coupled with her warmth and intelligence align seamlessly with Elizabeth Arden's brand values, making her the perfect woman to represent the brand, continuing to uphold our founder's legacy of empowering women and providing them with luxurious, high-performing innovation."

As Global Brand Ambassador, Sui He will act as the face of Elizabeth Arden in a series of upcoming campaigns as she connects with women across the world, encouraging them to discover the brand and its timeless values.

About Elizabeth Arden:

Elizabeth Arden has been empowering women with a diverse portfolio of science-based skincare, signature fragrances and multi-tasking makeup since 1910. As an entrepreneur and the founder of her own company before even having the right to vote, Ms. Arden was an ardent supporter of women and famously provided red lipstick to suffragettes as they marched past her Red Door Spa on Fifth Avenue. Today the iconic brand is sold in more than 120 countries and prides itself on upholding the founder's legacy of empowering women and providing them with luxurious, high performing skincare that leverages over 100 years of hands-on spa expertise.

About Sui He:

Hailing from Zhejiang, China, Sui He was a 12 year-old swimmer when she was approached to model and at 17 won a local modeling contest and began her modeling career in earnest. Since then, she has evolved from aspiring upstart to emerge as a cultural trailblazer. From the moment she opened Ralph Lauren's 2011 Fall/Winter fashion show, becoming the first Asian model to ever open a major American designer's runway show, the almond eyed beauty sent the fashion industry into overdrive. Through her approachable regal beauty, Sui has become a beloved staple on the runways of New York, London, Paris and Milan, having walked in shows as diverse as Chanel, Tom Ford, Dior, Hermes, Lanvin, Alexander McQueen, Kenzo, Michael Kors, Missoni, Oscar de la Renta, Helmut Lang, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jason Wu, Mugler, Altuzzara, Donna Karan, Loewe and Dolce & Gabbana, among many others.

Sui He became an instant favorite of many of the world's foremost photographers including Patrick Demarchelier, Inez Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, Nick Knight, Solve Sundsbo, Dan Jackson, Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, and Mario Testino and she has appeared on the pages and covers of most of the world's most respected fashion tomes, including US Vogue, Vogue China, Chic, Allure, most editions of Harper's Bazaar & Elle Magazines, Numero, Pop, Vogue Japan, 10 Magazine, Marie Claire's around the world, T-Magazine China, i-D Magazine, and Another Magazine, as well as the covers of W Magazine and V Magazinemaking her the first and only Chinese model to appear on the cover of both magazines simultaneously. Additionally, Sui He has starred in advertising campaigns for Ralph Lauren, KARL by Karl Lagerfeld,Tom Ford,Roberto Cavalli, Banana Republic, Bloomingdales, and H&M, in addition to being tapped by legendary editor, Carine Roitfeld, for the cover of the inaugural issue of CR Fashion Book: China.

On the international stage, Sui He represented lingerie behemoth Victoria's Secret through her eight appearances on the runway of the brand's iconic Victoria's Secret Fashion Show being the only Chinese model to do so, and has served as a beauty ambassador for the beauty brands Shiseido and Tom Ford Beauty. Most recently, she was named global ambassador for Elizabeth Arden.

When not working, Sui stays busy by supporting several China based charities, and lending her celebrity to support causes in her adopted second home of New York City, such as the "Stop Asian Hate" social media campaign.

SOURCE Elizabeth Arden

Details still pending on third agreement between Emmet and Bay Bluffs
Right now we're inspired by hottie Abby wielding her influence as we check pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Take a peek . . .



Sounds Like Classy Downtown Kansas City Real Estate Deal

Kansas City Symphony taking over Webster House after restaurant closes during COVID restrictions KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Symphony has planted new roots in an old building in the Crossroads District, bringing life back into the walls that were silenced amid the coronavirus pandemic. The symphony's new headquarters will be in the Webster School building at 1644 Wyandotte Street, according to a statement from the KCS.

Local Reflow

KC Water begins construction on new facility KANSAS CITY, Mo. - KC Water announced the construction of a new renewable resource facility, costing $150 million. That price tag, according to KC Water, won't increase rates. The Blue River Biosolids Improvements Facility will implement new cost-effective and environmentally friendly processes for removing solid waste.

Cowtown Runaround

Two in custody after early morning police chase on east side of KCMO Hide Transcript Show Transcript SCIENCE ITSELF. WE ABSOLUTELY WELL. HEY, LISTEN, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CAR CHASE HERE. IT'S ON TRUMAN ROAD. JUST PAST I-70 NOW COMING UP TO I BELIEVE CLEVELAND. WE SAW THIS COMING OUT OF THE EAST SIDE OF DOWNTOWN LOOKS LIKE THEY MAY HAVE BEEN CHASING THIS FOR A WHILE.

Another Lawsuit Confronts Former Prez Trump

Swalwell sues Trump over alleged role in Capitol assault The Democratic congressman alleges that he directly incited the violence. In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., Friday, Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell has sued former President Donald Trump and some of his allies, including his son, Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani and GOP Rep.

Free Money Debate Starts

$1.9T Covid aid bill heads for agonizing Senate 'vote-a-rama' "It would be so much better if we could in a bipartisan way, but we need to get it done," he said on the floor. "We're not going to make the same mistake we made after the last economic downturn, when Congress did too little."

New York State Of Mind

Cuomo accuser Charlotte Bennett calls governor 'textbook abuser' in interview A 25-year-old former aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has accused him of sexual harassment, called the Democrat a "textbook abuser" in a new interview that aired Friday. "He is a textbook abuser," former aide Charlotte Bennett told CBS' Norah O'Donnell.

Prez Shuts Out Press

Joe Biden has not yet held a press conference as president. Does that matter? Nearly halfway into his first 100 days, President Joe Biden has yet to personally hold a press briefing, the longest any president has waited to make himself broadly accessible to the media in decades. Presidential press briefings have historically been one of the few forums where the commander-in-chief is open to direct questioning and scrutiny, shedding light on an administration's thoughts outside official public statements.

El Papa Crusades

'I Come As A Pilgrim': Pope Francis Begins Historic Visit To Iraq IRBIL, Iraq - Pope Francis has touched down in Iraq for the first-ever papal visit to the predominantly Muslim country, beginning a four-day visit in Baghdad, where yellow and white Vatican flags and likenesses of the pontiff flutter above hastily weeded traffic circles. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi welcomed Francis at Baghdad International Airport.

Begging Friday Forgiveness

Sarah Silverman apologizes to Paris Hilton 14 years after making jokes about her jail sentence at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards Sarah Silverman apologized to Paris Hilton on Thursday for joking about her jail sentence in 2007. "Here I am, 14 years later, telling you, Paris, that I am really sorry," the comedian said. She said she immediately regretted the roast and wrote Hilton a letter saying she was sorry.

Another Kansas City Scheme Starts Down By The River

11-story apartment high-rise proposed for River Market at 3rd and Oak KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The River Market could be the home to yet another large apartment building, this time an 11-story apartment high-rise with around 235 apartments at the southeast corner of Oak Street and 3rd Street. Tentatively dubbed Defeo, the $45 million tower proposal includes nine stories of construction atop a two-story concrete parking podium.

Serving KC Creatively

Kansas City catering business forced to pivot when COVID-19 hit One year later, business owners are still finding ways to stay open in the pandemic. One company handled backstage catering for big shows and concerts in Kansas City and it all went away when COVID-19 hit.A year ago, Jeff Berges and business partner, Cody Wyatt, thought they had it pretty good.

Cloudy Kansas City Friday

A cloudy & cool day followed by sunshine & warmth this weekend A cloudy start with a stray shower possible south of I-70. Late day sunshine and staying windy. Wind: E 10-20 mph. High: 56.

Lil Baby - Real As It Gets is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Red Fox Partners, LLC, owner and operator of Wholesome Food Services (wholesomefoodservices.com), North Americas leading provider of turn-key meal programs for private and charter schools, is excited to announce their certification by the US Small Business Administration as a Woman-Owned Small Business. Carolyn ONeill Griffin, CEO at Wholesome Food Services said, Our recent designation as a certified Woman-Owned Small Business will provide a significant advantage as we continue to expand our school lunch offerings to the public school sector. A partnership with Wholesome Food Services will not only provide public schools with the premier hot lunch pre-order program for their students, but will also help them meet their supplier diversity requirements.

I am so proud that Wholesome Food Services has been woman-owned and woman-run since our inception 12 years ago. Now that we are officially certified as a Woman-Owned Small Business, I look forward to our expansion opportunities in the public sector, Susan Beane, founder of Wholesome Food Services stated.

Visit https://www.wholesomefoodservices.com/about-us/ to learn more about the women who own and run Wholesome Food Services.

About Wholesome Food Services

Founded in 2010, Wholesome Food Services (wholesomefoodservices.com) began as a grassroots effort by volunteer parents who spent years advocating for nutritious school lunches. Through its online platform Wholesome Food Services enables customers to order, schedule, and pay for their portion of group meal deliveries from select local restaurants and custom caterers. As North Americas leading provider of turn-key meal programs for schools and other organizations, Wholesome Food Services provides customers with high quality, healthy meals, and enables schools to effortlessly offer top-notch lunch programs.
This is an excerpt from Chris Churchill's weekly newsletter. Sign up here, and it will arrive in your inbox every Friday .

Hello everybody. How was your week? Mine was good. Busy. There have been a few things going on in the news, including, of course, the collapse of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's political career.

Well, maybe "collapse" is going too far. We don't know  can't know  how the dueling scandals and investigations Cuomo now faces will ultimately play out. Nor can we know how voters in New York will respond to the drumbeat of bad news.

I'm on record as believing that it's extremely unlikely this governor would ever resign but that it's also increasingly difficult to see him winning a fourth term. Really, his future hinges on three things: the investigation by Attorney General Tish James into the sexual harassment allegations; the FBI investigation into the administration's hiding of truthful data on nursing home deaths; and whether additional women come forward with new harassment claims.

If both investigations clear him and no other women emerge, the governor could very well get through this. But that is one huge IF, and it has to be unsettling to Cuomo that he now has so little control over his future. The Democrat is, as you might have heard, a man who likes to control things, including who gets to ask him questions.

And that brings us to the press conference on Wednesday, the one in which the reporters most likely to ask tough questions were ignored. The one in which the governor emerged from hiding and ... apologized. Can you believe it? The apology even seemed sincere. For the governor and other graduates of the Donald J. Trump School of Public Relations, where "never ever say you're sorry" is the mantra, that's remarkable enough.

"I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable," Cuomo said. "It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it and, frankly, I am embarrassed. And that's not easy to say."

I now understand. That's an interesting phrase. I mean, why does Cuomo realize now that he made women uncomfortable? Wasn't it obvious, back in June, when Charlotte Bennett complained about the governor's behavior to his chief of staff and general counsel, that his behavior had upset her? It should have.

Of course, it also should have been obvious that a 63-year-old governor asking a 25-year-old subordinate whether she has been with older men, among other gross questions, is the very definition of uncomfortable. Cuomo didn't understand that until now? Really?

Likewise, it should have been obvious, especially in a state that mandates sexual harassment training for just about every person who has a job, that it's inappropriate for bosses to talk to employees that way. Cuomo says he took the training, we're told, so why is he now coming to understand that he acted poorly?

And why was Bennett simply transferred to another job away from the governor, in apparent violation of state rules?

On Wednesday, Cuomo also suggested his behavior will change going forward. But how much of his behavior will change? While sexual harassment is distinctly awful, it is also terribly consistent with other abuses of power of which the governor has been accused.

In recent weeks, for example, Assemblyman Ron Kim said that the governor threatened to destroy him for critical comments about Cuomo's handling of nursing homes. In a recent Times Union article, we learned that Team Cuomo threatened Judith Enck, then a regional administrator for the EPA, because she demanded that the state stop telling residents of Hoosick Falls that their poisoned water was safe to drink.

Will Cuomo stop doing that stuff, too? Or do the lessons of recent days apply only to sexual harassment?

(Update: This newsletter item was written prior to the latest Cuomo scandal: Reports from the Wall Street Journal and New York Times detailing how top Cuomo officials doctored a state Department of Health report as part of an ongoing effort to hide the number of nursing home COVID-19 deaths.)

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Like you, Im sure, I love America, but the love has changed. I started out with the child version: America is the greatest and most powerful country on earth.

That emotion doesnt generally survive into adulthood, especially in times like these. That kind of patriotism tends to play down shameful truths. It tends to bloat into touchy and overweening pride.

These days its hard to be blithely confident in the core American creed we used to be so proud about  e pluribus unum. Out of many one. We dont seem like one today if you look at the facts.

This general disillusion with e pluribus unum has caused many people to give up on patriotism altogether. On the right, people who often call themselves patriots are actually nationalists, a chauvinism that is an entirely different emotion. Nationalists believe that America is bitterly divided between themselves and internal enemies who betray it. Nationalists base their loyalty not on our common creed but on common clan, in which youre either in or out.
John Deiter was chosen by the District 27 Board of Education, and his contract was officially approved at a special meeting March 3. Deiter spent six years teaching in a classroom, followed by nearly 20 years of administrative work. He most recently served as the superintendent of DeWitt Public Schools in DeWitt, Michigan, for the last decade.
An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Kildare County Council's decision to grant planning permission for a telecoms structure in Newbridge.

The Walshestown area is the proposed location for the 24m high "multi-operator telecommunications support structure" which would carry antennas and dishes.

There would also be ground-level equipment cabinets as well as security fencing.

Drawings of the structure show it would be higher than the level of surrounding trees.

The estimated construction value of the project is 40,000, according to Construction Information Services.

The promoter of the project is CK Hutchison Networks (Ireland) Limited based in Dublin.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Market Research Future has published a Cooked Research Report on the Diphenylamine Industry Trends Research Report - Global Forecast till 2025

Market Definition and Growth Factors:

Also, the increasing application of DPA in nitrocellulose-based explosives pertaining to its antioxidizing property is also expected to fuel the growth of the global market. Lubricants are produced with the help of advanced additives that enhance the efficiency of the engine and exhibit properties such as high durability, cleanliness, and strength. The moving components are always in contact with air (oxygen), which results in degradation of the lubricants. Oxidation is a common process and arises when the lubricating oil chemically reacts with oxygen to form oxidized products, which result in sludge and deposit formation, corrosion of engine parts, and wear and tear of moving parts. To ensure easy functioning of vehicles and inhibit oxidation of lubrication oils, a class of chemicals known as antioxidants are used. Antioxidants control oxidation by preventing oil breakdown and thickening, which helps the engine to run smoothly for a long period. The most commonly used antioxidant is diphenylamine (DPA), which reacts with the free radicals generated by oxidation and prevents oxidative decomposition of the lubricating oil. Diphenylamine falls under a class of radical scavengers that stop chain propagation by blocking or reacting with free radicals created in the initiation step of oxidation. Diphenylamine is a viscous, lightweight hydrocarbon that is soluble in oil. Diphenylamine antioxidants are produced by reacting DPA with an olefin of the desired functional group. These antioxidants have low vapor pressure and water solubility, which are essential in protecting engines. Due to the superior antioxidant synergism of the antioxidants in the oil system, DPA and alkylated DPAs are considered as ideal solutions to enhance the durability and performance of engines. Also, they enhance the antioxidant efficiency and offer the required alkalinity.

Diphenylamine Industry Trends is estimated to be valued at USD 527.7 Million by 2025 and record a CAGR of over 4.06% during the forecast period. The growing demand for DPA as an antioxidant in lubricants is expected to be the primary factor driving the growth of the global Diphenylamine Industry Trends.

Furthermore, the antioxidant properties help to increase the shelf life of engine oils and provide maximum oil compatibility. Thus, the increasing demand for DPA in the lubricants used in automobiles owing its excellent antioxidant property is expected to boost the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Furthermore, single-base nitrocellulose propellants are hygroscopic in nature and are most susceptible to degradation. To avoid the accumulation of degradation products, stabilizers such as DPA are most commonly used in nitrocellulose-containing propellant powders and explosives. Due to the excellent antioxidizing property of DPA, it is used as a stabilizing compound in mono-, di-, and tri-base propellants of missiles and explosives. It has the potential to bind with the degradation products, which develop during long-term storage such as NO, NO2, and HNO3 to extend the storage time. Thus, due to the antioxidizing property of DPA and highly unstable nature of nitrocellulose-based materials, the demand for DPA to inhibit the degradation of explosives is increasing, which is projected to boost the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Watch Video @https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/videos

Get a Free Sample of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4550

However, diphenylamine is a chemical compound from the third European Union (EU) list of priority pollutants. In studies carried out on laboratory animals, DPA has proved to be slightly toxic by the dermal, oral, and inhalation routes and has been registered under the Toxicity Category III (second lowest of four categories). It can cause severe irritation to the eyes and affect the liver and kidneys on long exposure. It targets the red blood cells and can result in abnormal erythropoiesis in the spleen, and thus congestion of the spleen and hemosiderosis. It is not likely carcinogenic based on the evidence. However, an impurity of technical grade DPA, diphenyl nitrosamine is regarded as a probable human carcinogen. Diphenyl nitrosamine is produced when DPA comes in contact with high temperature. Moreover, there is a tolerance level set by the US EPA10 ppm for apples and 0 ppm for milk and meat. The DPA residue levels obtained were far below 10 ppm, and thus in 1997, the EPA approved the reregistration of DPA and determined that the assessed tolerances met the safety standards under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). However, in 2012, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that the study has not provided authentic information to ensure safe consumption of DPA in apples and pears. Thus, the European Commission restricted the usage of DPA in the European Union. In March 2014, the European Commission reduced the allowable tolerance level of DPA on imports to 0.1 ppm. Thus, the health risks and stringent EPA regulations pertaining to DPA are likely to hamper the global market growth during the assessment period.

Kay Players:

Market Research Future (MRFR) recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global Diphenylamine Industry Trends:

BASF SE (Germany),

Huntsman International LLC (US),

LANXESS (Germany),

The Lubrizol Corporation (US),

Merck KGaA (Germany),

Seiko Chemical Co. Ltd (Tokyo),

Eastman Chemical Company (US),

Duslo a.s. (Slovakia),

SONGWON (South Korea),

Nantong Xinbang Chemical Technology Chemical Co, Ltd (China),

Jiangsu Feiya Chemical Industry Co. Ltd (Austria).

Key Findings of the Study:

The Global Diphenylamine Industry Trends was valued at USD 397.6 million in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of 4.06% to reach around USD 527.7 Million by the end of 2025 .

was valued at and is expected to register a to reach around . Based on application, the antioxidant segment held the largest share of 2% by value in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of over 4.5% during the forecast period.

and is expected to register a during the forecast period. By end use, the automotive segment is estimated to be the largest segment of the global aluminum oxide market, which accounted for 7% value share in 2018.

value share in 2018. The Asia Pacific market accounted for the largest share of 2% by value in 2018.

Segmental Analysis:

According to MRFR analysis, the global Diphenylamine Industry Trends has been segmented based on application, end use, and region.

Study Infographics @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/infographics

By application, the global Diphenylamine Industry Trends has been categorized into antioxidants, fungicide, and chemical intermediates, and others. Among these, the antioxidant segment accounted for the largest share of over 59.2% by value in 2018, predominantly due to the large-scale adoption in nitrocellulose-based propellants, explosives, and gun powders, which are essentially unstable materials that decompose on aging with the evolution of oxides of nitrogen. The decomposition is autocatalytic and can lead to failure of the ammunition or untimed explosions. Antioxidants control the oxidation of lubricants and ensure smooth functioning of engines for a long period. The antioxidant property of DPA increases the operational life of engine oil by reducing breakdown that can result from the formation of sludge. The chemical intermediate segment is expected to register a CAGR of over 3.5% during the forecast period.

On the basis of end use, the global Diphenylamine Industry Trends has been classified into automotive, agriculture, cosmetics & personal care, general industry, plastics and rubber, and others. The automotive segment accounted for the largest share by value in 2018 due to the use of DPA as an antioxidant in lubricants, and other functional fluids such as engine oil, hydraulic fluids, metalworking fluids, compressor oil, gear oil, refrigeration oil, transmission fluids, and turbine oil, among others. The growing production of automobiles is propelling the demand for lubricants for the efficient functioning of engines, which consequently is expected to drive the demand for DPA as an antioxidant.

Regional Analysis:

Geographically, the global Diphenylamine Industry Trends has been segmented into Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. As per MRFR analysis, Asia-Pacific was the dominant regional market, accounting for the largest share of over 55% in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of over 4.5% during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is followed by North America, which accounted for the second-largest share of the global foundry coke market in 2018. The North American market is expected to exhibit a share of around 20% in 2018. The Latin America and the Middle East & Africa markets are also likely to witness moderate growth during the forecast period, 20192025.

Browse key industry insights spread across 449 pages with 177 market data tables & 24 figures & charts from the report, Diphenylamine Industry Trends: Information by Application (Antioxidants, Chemical Intermediate, Fungicide and Others), End-Use (Automotive, General Industry, Agriculture, Plastics & Rubber, Cosmetics & Personal Care and others) and Region - Forecast till 2025 in detail along with the table of contents @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/diphenylamine-market-4550
(Natural News) Just days after getting injected with a Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine, Dr. Witold Rogiewicz, a Polish physician who openly mocked vaccine skeptics, died from the jab.

The official story is that Dr. Rogiewicz died of heart failure, but it is painfully obvious that he suffered the most serious adverse event of all associated with the vaccine: death.

While he was getting injected, a masked Dr. Rogiewicz arrogantly told the camera:

Vaccinate yourself to protect yourself, your loved ones, friends and also patients.

He went on to make fun of anti-vaxxers and anti-coviders who take issue with the fact that Chinese virus vaccines have never been long-term safety tested, nor are their manufacturers liable in the event of injury or death.

And to mention quickly, I have info for anti-vaxxers and anti-coviders, he stated in Polish. If you want to contact Bill Gates, you can do this through me. I can also provide for you from my organism the 5G network. I am sorry I hadnt spoke for a bit but I was just getting autism.

Dr. Rogiewicz thought he was being funny with these cringeworthy comments, but little did he know that the joke would be ultimately on him. Within just a few short days, Bill Gates experimental gene therapy injection ended Dr. Rogiewiczs life.

At night, our Friend and Collaborator, Dr. Witold Rogiewicz, suddenly passed away, reads a post from the VIP Clinic where this pro-vaxxer worked.

We are devastated by this news. We send our deepest sympathy to the family he loved very much. We cannot believe  Witek, we will miss you very much.

The clinics post went on to explain that all of Dr. Rogiewiczs patients will be contacted immediately so as to not leave them without help.

And who said God doesnt have a sense of humor?

Much like how every death in 2020 was blamed on Covid-19, Dr. Rogiewiczs death will be blamed on anything other than the vaccine. The same is true of all other deaths caused by Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines, which the mainstream media and the establishment will probably blame on anti-maskers.

As it turns out, far more people are being killed by the vaccine than from the virus itself, and yet such details are receiving zero media coverage because they break apart the entire phony plandemic narrative.

Hopefully Dr. Rogiewiczs loved ones will connect the dots concerning his fate and skip the jab themselves, assuming they have not already received it. Perhaps his former patients will do the same so as to avoid potentially also dying from the injection.

All across social media, people from around the world are reporting similar patterns of post-vaccination death among their family members, most of whom probably did not mock others like Dr. Rogiewicz did, but who still bought into the plandemic lies due to fear and hysteria.

Whether coincidence or divine providence, Dr. Rogiewiczs jesting serves as yet another lesson in that old biblical adage about pride coming before a fall. God is allowing those who are watching to see what this is all really about through incidents like this so they can make better choices than the one Dr. Rogiewicz made.

Why do I oppose the vaccine so much? Because my uncle died at a young age when he was injected, one person on Twitter wrote about why she opposes the Chinese virus vaccine. His body could not take the vaccines side effects and passed away by cardiac arrest.

If it was so safe, my grandpa (who was healthy) wouldnt have died immediately after getting the vaccine, wrote another about how the WuFlu jab killed her grandfather.

More of the latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine deaths can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheWashingtonStandard.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
THE number of fines issued for breaches of Covid-19 regulations in Limerick continues to rise and is approaching 1,000 gardai have confirmed.

According to data, published this Friday evening, members of An Garda Siochana in the Limerick division, have issued a total of 993 Fixed Charge Notices - up from 827 last week.

The figure is the third highest for any division in the country.

At a meeting of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee earlier this Friday, Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche added that a further 52 alleged breaches of the public health regulations in Limerick are under investigation.

These, he said, relate to "more serious" breaches which require the preparation of a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Fixed Charged Penalty regime was introduced late last year and as of Thursday evening, a total of 11,607 fines had been issued and processed nationwide.

9,021 for leaving home without a reasonable excuse

404 for organising an unauthorised event/gathering (including house parties)

1,416 for attending unauthorised event/gathering (including house parties)

218 for the non-wearing of face coverings in designated premises

445 for non-essential travel to airports or ports

A further 103 fines have been issued to individuals who are not ordinarily resident in the country.

According to An Garda Siochana almost half of all fines, issued to date, related to breaches which were detected at weekends (22% on Saturdays and 23% on Sundays) with 75% of all fines being issued to men.

Just over half (54%) of all fines have been issued to individuals aged between 18 and 25 and while 24% have been issued to peopled aged between 26 and 35.

Gardai say they will be continuing to mount checkpoints and high visibility patrols across Limerick at public amenities, parks and beauty spots across this weekend and they are appealing to people to stay within their 5km - despite the expected good weather.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Deputy Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon said: "The vast majority of people are compiling with the public health regulations. In doing so, they have made major sacrifices. This effort has saved many lives. We thank them for that. To continue to save lives and eventually return to some level of normality we need to further reduce the numbers of people getting Covid-19. Everyone has a role to play in this. Everyone has a responsibility to themselves, those they love, and those they come into contact with to adhere to the public health advice. The best way of keeping safe this weekend is to stay home."

A number of Covid-related prosecutions are expected to come before the courts in Limerick over the coming weeks.
Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media file

NEW HAVEN  Police are investigating a double-shooting that took place Thursday in the Dixwell neighborhood, according to the department.

Officers and firefighters responded to multiple 911 calls of two people shot on Townsend Street between Henry Street and Charles Street in the Dixwell neighborhood around 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Capt. Anthony Duff said in an email.
South Africa: Government launches Human Rights Month

Transforming the countrys heritage landscape is part of governments efforts to restore human rights, says Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa.

The transformation of the heritage landscape is part of the process of restoring the human rights to our people. The renaming of the East London Airport to King Phalo Airport is part of those efforts, Mthethwa said on Friday.

He was addressing the launch of Human Rights Month at the Moses Tswede Community hall in Dimbaza, East London in the Eastern Cape.

The Minister launched Human Rights Month with Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola under the theme: The year of Charlotte Maxeke: Promoting Human Rights in the Age of COVID-19.

This years theme pays tribute to the 150th anniversary of the liberation struggle heroin and human rights campaigner, Charlotte Maxeke.

She witnessed in her lifetime events that had an impact on her live, the lives of others and Africans across the globe. It is these events which made Maxeke a heroic we celebrate today, the Minister said.

She witnessed the 1878-1879 last Frontier war, the battle of Isandlwana in 1879, the battle of Adwa in Ethiopia, 1896, the Pan African Congress and the Bhambatha Rebellion of 1906.

These battles and many others left us with a heritage whose spirit of no surrender, of sacrifice and discipline, inspires and guides the African determination in the battles to come, a heritage which is a challenge to all of us.

The struggles of Maxeke has left us a legacy of never allow your circumstances to determine your destiny. Throughout her life, she has fought for the restoration of human rights to Africans both at home and across the globe. She understood the nexus of race, class and gender in our struggles both at home and elsewhere in the world, the Minister said.

He said when there was no government for the people, Maxeke and others were able to fight for human rights.

She is an important historical figure in that she seemed well ahead of her generation. She is the first woman of African descent to be conferred with the degree for science from the United States.

"Celebrating Maxeke is also part of our liberation heritage, transformation agenda, noting that the narrative remains patriarchal and male dominated. Therefore, this honour is in sync with our transformation agenda, thereby ensuring that the liberation heritage narrative is all inclusive and that women who have earned their titles become front and centre of this narrative, Mthethwa said.

Minister Lamola said the nation needs to work together to fight any form of racism, tribalism and xenophobia.

It is within our collective responsibility to do so that we can build a better future for our children, for one nation united in our diversity.

"In our democracy, there are still rogue elements hell-bent on undermining the struggles of Maxeke and her heroic generations. These acts are done through acts of domestic violence and femicideof violating the rights of women and children, Lamola said.

Minister Lamola also spoke of the need to defeat domestic violence and femicide.

As we launch the Human Rights Month 2021, let every citizen be concerned about entrenching human rights in the country. Let each of us say as long there are still those rights are violated and undermined the struggle continues, Lamola said. SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
After a turbulent election season, fueled by unfounded allegations of voter fraud, Republican lawmakers are laboring to rewrite voting laws in ways that would restrict access to the polls. Though House Democrats pushed through a voting rights bill Wednesday that would make voting more accessible, critics worry about GOP tactics could suppress the vote in ways that hearken back to Reconstruction.

"On one side, you have concerns about fraud prompting restrictions on voting, and on the other side, you have concerns about turnout prompting a focus on greater access to the polls," said Rebecca Green, a law professor and co-director of William and Mary Law School's Election Law Program.

Since the beginning of the year, Republican-controlled legislatures have introduced a cascade of restrictive voting measures:

An Arizona Republican legislator introduced a bill Feb. 2 that would mandate everyone vote in person who is physically able and severely reduce the number of voting centers in some counties.

A New Hampshire bill introduced Jan. 18 would permit election officials to remove voters from rolls based on data provided by other states, a practice federal courts ruled violates the National Voter Registration Act.

A Mississippi bill would purge voters from the rolls if they failed to respond to a notice within 30 days with proof of citizenship.

In Georgia, a longtime Republican stronghold that went blue in November's presidential election, House representatives approved a sweeping measure Monday that would restrict the use of ballot drop boxes, make ID requirements for absentee voting more stringent and prohibit the distribution of food and water to people waiting in line to vote.

The bill, which heads to the state Senate, aims to limit early voting on weekends, which would stifle "Souls to the Polls," a widespread voter mobilization campaign among the state's Black churches.

A Black Lives Matter supporter encourages people to vote Jan. 4 in Atlanta.

State Rep. Barry Fleming, who sponsored the bill, said its purpose is to ensure that someone's vote cannot be stolen. "It is our due diligence in this legislature to constantly update our laws to try to protect the sanctity of the vote," the Republican said during a meeting on election integrity last month.

Story continues

To critics, the barrage of legislation harks back to the post-Reconstruction era when white lawmakers, threatened by a shift in political power, tried to stymie the Black vote with new laws designed to restrict access to the polls.

"When you have a huge turnout, as we had in this last election, the question becomes how do you suppress that turnout," said Marion Orr, a public policy professor at Brown University.

The language in these new voting laws does not openly target a specific group of people, but the laws' implications disproportionately impact people of color, Orr said.

Voter suppression after Reconstruction

After the Civil War, Black men emerged from shackles and slavery with an unprecedented amount of political freedom.

The passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870, which gave Black men the right to vote, ushered in a wave of Black politicians. Over the next two decades, roughly 20 Black men served in the U.S. Congress  all in Southern states.

More: The House passed a sweeping voting rights act. What's in it?

More: The Equality Act with protections for LGBTQ Americans is up for a vote in the House. What is it?

This foray into national politics came with a steep price. White supremacy groups responded with violence and intimidation to keep Black people from the polls.

This newfound political participation and activism sparked a series of laws that stripped away African Americans' ability to vote for decades to come. "They saw all of these Black politicians and moved quickly to suppress this new voting force," Orr said.

During his opening address at the 1890 Mississippi state convention, where restrictions to Black voting rights were first discussed, President Solomon S. Calhoun did not mince words about the gathering's purpose.

"We came here to exclude the Negro," he said. "Nothing short of this will answer."

Mississippi passed laws that required a poll tax and mandated literacy tests. The state's voter suppression strategy became the playbook for other Southern states. Arkansas, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana and others followed its lead.

Several states instituted a grandfather clause as a loophole for white men who could not afford the poll tax or pass a literacy test. Under this clause, men whose fathers or grandfathers could vote before the Civil War were exempt from the stricter voting requirements. These new voting requirements made it nearly impossible for Black lawmakers to be elected, even in Southern states with dense African American populations.

George White of North Carolina, the last Black congressman of this era, saw the writing on the wall before he left office in 1901.

"This, Mr. Chairman, is perhaps the negroes temporary farewell to the American Congress, but let me say, phoenix-like, he will rise up someday and come again," White said in his final months in Congress. "These parting words are in behalf of an outraged, heart-broken, bruised and bleeding, but God-fearing people, faithful, industrious, loyal people  rising people, full of potential force."

After White's departure, it was nearly 30 years before another Black congressman stepped foot in the U.S. Capitol. And 70 years before a Black congressman from a Southern state was elected.

These new laws all but eradicated the Black politician, disenfranchised Black citizens and required a federal voting law in 1965 to address the rampant racism and voter suppression.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed literacy tests and provided federal oversight of voter registration in areas where less than 50% of nonwhite people were registered to vote. The attack on voting rights protesters marching across Selma's Edmund Pettis Bridge in Alabama on March 7, 1965, was a factor in passage of the act.

A state trooper swings a billy club at John Lewis, right foreground, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, to break up a civil rights voting march in Selma, Ala. on March 7, 1965.

Election experts say a Supreme Court decision in 2013, Shelby County v. Holder, gutted the act by freeing states and municipalities with a history of racial discrimination from being required to seek the federal government's approval to change their voting laws.

The backlash from that Supreme Court decision was immediate and predictable, said Bobby Hoffman, the American Civil Liberties Union democracy division's deputy director.

States quickly tightened voter identification requirements, curtailed early voting, purged voters from voting rolls and shuttered hundreds of polling locations.

Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas introduced stricter voter ID requirements. Florida and Virginia attempted to purge thousands of people from their voter rolls.

Within hours of the Shelby v. Holder decision, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who was the state attorney general at the time, announced stricter voting requirements.

"With today's decision, the state's voter ID law will take effect immediately," Abbott said in a statement. "Redistricting maps passed by the Legislature may also take effect without approval from the federal government."

Abbott's actions and the surge of voting law proposals worry lawmakers such as Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

"I think what we're seeing is the most serious attempt across the country to restrict the rights of certain Americans to vote since the days of Jim Crow," Allred said.

Reach Javonte Anderson at janderson1@usatoday.com. Twitter: @JavonteA

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Challenges to Black voting rights rooted in Reconstruction, Jim Crow
GREENWICH  The public school district is reporting just 10 new cases of COVID-19 in the past week.

The number of new cases reported has continued to slow recently in Greenwich schools and around the state.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday new reopening plans that would ease capacity restrictions for restaurants and other businesses and allow larger gatherings later this month. The town of Greenwich said it would allow fireworks to go forward his summer.

And vaccination efforts are continuing throughout Connecticut. Educators are among the group that became eligible as of March 1 for the vaccine along with residents age 55 to 64. Also, Greenwich Hospital is slated to receive a shipment of the recently approved one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Superintendent of Schools Toni Jones said as of Wednesday that 91 percent of staff were either already vaccinated, had appointments scheduled for the vaccine or had opted out of receiving a vaccine. Greenwich Hospital estimated that all Greenwich educators would receive at least their first dose of the vaccine by the end of the month.

A list of the remaining 9 percent of staffers was sent to Greenwich Hospital  a member of the Yale New Haven Health System network, which is helping the Greenwich Public Schools organize the vaccinations.

We prioritized Greenwich teachers for upcoming clinic days by opening up exclusive, teacher-only appointments and allowed more than 48 hours for those slots to be filled, said Dana Marnane, vice president of public relations at Greenwich Hospital. Every patient who receives a first dose is guaranteed a second dose which is scheduled before they leave their first dose appointment.

The total number of cases in the district since the start of school is now at 447. There are nine active cases and five schools currently affected. There are zero new in-school transmissions.

In Greenwich, students in kindergarten through eighth grade have in-school instruction every day. At Greenwich High, students are divided into two cohorts, with two days of in-person instruction and two days of remote learning each week. And GHS students will begin attending class in person this month on alternating Wednesdays.

justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Accounting firms are using up-and-coming technologies with the potential to change the business landscape forever. One technology gaining interest is robotic process automation (RPA), a tool that computerizes mundane, repetitive tasks and completes them far faster than humans could do manually.

Greg Fritsky, practice director  intelligent automation solutions at EisnerAmper LLP, spends much of his time evaluating clients processes and introducing them to emerging technologies, including RPA, which is already used extensively by his firm. In one case, he said, RPA automated a client's process that previously took 160 human hours a month to achieve but now takes minutes to complete.

Other large public accounting firms have also adopted RPA. Deloitte and PwC, for instance, use RPA software internally and within clients' organizations.

RPA "is something people should be learning and teaching," said Fritsky, who is based in New Jersey. "Accounting is changing and it is changing fast, and this is a tool worth more than a conversation."

Accounting faculty have taken notice, and many now believe that students should learn RPA, or at the very least, be familiar with what the technology can do. Students adept at RPA get "special opportunities to work in special groups" within accounting firms, particularly the Big Four, said David Wood, Ph.D., an accounting professor at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. "Firms want technical skills, and RPA right now is one that is in particular demand."

BYU's School of Accountancy advisory board, made up of representatives from large public accounting firms, "encouraged us to put RPA into the curriculum," he added.

Get to know RPA

By handling boring, repetitive tasks once conducted by people, RPA allows staff to work on tasks that require higher-level critical thinking and analysis. While there's always the fear that technology will replace humans, RPA frees up time for more challenging work for intelligent professionals, especially new recruits, who are often asked to carry out more humdrum duties.

RPA also eliminates manual errors and offers faster, more accurate outcomes. "RPA is absolutely going to change the role of accountants for the better," Fritsky said.

RPA tools like UiPath, Blue Prism, and Automation Anywhere also allow CPAs and accounting students with little to no coding knowledge to build bots, using a drag-and-drop process. A "bot, a set of instructions one can build within an RPA software program, tells a computer system to perform various tasks, usually in response to certain triggers. For instance, bots can be created to reformat data or copy data from one computer system to another, Wood said.

RPA can also help with onboarding by sending automated yet sophisticated replies to job seekers, noted Asher Curtis, Ph.D., associate professor and faculty director of the Master of Professional Accounting Program at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Bots can be programmed to gather tax data from clients and move that data into spreadsheets, said Richard Walstra, CPA (inactive), DBA, assistant professor of accounting at Dominican University in River Forest, Ill.

And, as Fritsky explained, RPA can help with audits by extracting data from client systems and then performing tests on 100% of the population of that data, making it an invaluable, accurate tool.

Walstra, who learned about RPA on YouTube, noted that other data analytics programs, such as Alteryx, Tableau, and Power BI, analyze data, whereas RPA mechanizes a routine task. The term robotic process automation may sound futuristic, bringing up visions of robots, he said, but its really just a machine function.

So far only a handful of software producers sell RPA licenses. These companies, including UiPath and Blue Prism, often provide online tutorials, training, certifications, and free software to universities, making it fairly easy for faculty to get up to speed. EisnerAmper uses UiPath for its easy-to-learn aspect, Fritsky said, and the accounting departments at BYU, the University of Washington, and Dominican University chose UiPath as well for similar reasons.

Fritsky, Curtis, Wood, and Walstra offer the following advice for incorporating RPA into your classes:

Keep it simple. When Fritsky tries to explain RPA to people and goes "too technical, they lose interest, he said. He advised starting with this clear-cut description: RPA is simply a tool that can eliminate manual activities currently performed by people. "

Students will find it easier to comprehend RPA if they have some foundational knowledge first, he said. "If the students are really good at Excel and have some advanced understanding, they will understand RPA a lot faster, he said.

Dive in. The best way to get up to speed with RPA is to simply find the time to learn about it. Jump in with both feet," Wood said. "You've got to start somewhere and students will respect you for trying."

To get started, view tutorials on various vendor sites, or join sites such as UiPath's Academic Alliance, or watch videos online. Just start to explore some videos, and become familiar with the basic structure and flow of RPA, Walstra advised. This video, for example, offers a clear overview of RPA. Another provides a simple example of RPA. And this one, from KPMG, shows a quick walk-through of a full business process," he said.

Review some RPA cases in the EY Academic Resource Center (EYARC), stated Curtis, who has helped lead an RPA workshop for faculty at the EYARC Colloquium.

Learn from more experienced faculty. Many accounting professors, such as Walstra, Curtis, and Wood, are ahead of the curve in teaching students about RPA, so learn from their expertise or the knowledge of other academics who are immersed in this technology. "Don't re-create the wheel," Wood said. "Talk with faculty who have done this before, by piggybacking on what they do."

Divide and conquer. Its impossible to become proficient in every emerging technology, but across a department, different faculty members can choose to specialize in different ones, giving students access to faculty members with a broad range of knowledge. "Every faculty member does not need to teach RPA," Wood said. "Others need to teach visualization or computer programming. Others need to teach how to use specialty tools for audit and tax. It's important that every faculty member is learning something and continuing to update the curriculum in the current world."

Show enthusiasm. Engage students in RPA by making the topic enjoyable and even competitive. In his course, Curtis asked each student to create a working bot within six weeks, and then brought in outside judges to declare a winner in his RPA Tournament.

Wood has created a bot for grading and has found the technology useful for himself, in addition to students. "Have fun" with RPA, he advised.

If you are teaching RPA, do it with zest. "If you are going to teach it, you need to understand it and be passionate about it," said Fritsky, who has spoken at events about RPA. "It's that kind of technology.

The AICPA offers certificates in RPA and other topics, available at a discounted rate for faculty and students.

Cheryl Meyer is a freelance writer based in California. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Courtney Vien, a JofA senior editor, at Courtney.Vien@aicpa-cima.com.
Mr. President,

I'd like to thank Ms Nakamitsu for her briefing. China is always opposed to use of chemical weapons by any state, organization or individual under any circumstances for any purposes. China hopes that OPCW can observe the principles of independence, impartiality and objectivity, and act strictly within the framework of CWC while investigating alleged use of chemical weapons and attributing responsibility. Today, I wish to emphasize four points.

First, efforts to resolve the issue of Syrian chemical weapons must proceed from facts. Investigations of alleged use of chemical weapons should be science-based and comply with relevant rules and standards. Reliability of the information source, integrity of evidence chain, robustness of the analysis all affect the credibility and authority of the report. States Parties have the right to question the investigation report. The OPCW Technical Secretariat should present conclusive evidence, so as to convince people.

Secondly, to resolve the Syrian chemical weapons issue, there should be no double standard. Technical Secretariat should not selectively adopt intelligence and information on alleged use of chemical weapons by parties. The Syrian government has, on various occasions, provided information on fabrication of incidents of chemical weapons by terrorist organizations and armed groups. The Technical Secretariat should attach importance to such information and include it in the monthly report.

Thirdly, to resolve the Syrian chemical weapons issue, there should be no political motivation at play. In the past few years, some countries repeatedly pushed OPCW to take action despite lack of conclusive evidence, numerous doubts about the report, and huge differences among parties. Decisions forced through in this way are often full of controversy and hard to implement. They have not only eroded mutual trust among States Parties, but also hampered the resolution of this issue.

Fourthly, to resolve Syrian chemical weapons issue, we must rely on dialogue and cooperation. For some time, the Syrian government has actively collaborated with OPCW. The two sides have maintained sound communication and cooperation, and in principle agreed to extend relevant cooperation agreement by six months. From 7 to 25 February, the two sides held the 24th round of technical consultation. The international community should acknowledge the constructive attitude of the Syrian government, and encourage OPCW and the Syrian government to continue dialogue and consultation and to work together to resolve outstanding issues.

Thank you, Mr. President.
Two families stand smiling around a birthday cake in a touching photograph - but now one of the fathers is accused of murdering the happy couple and child on the other side of the table.

Mehmet Serif Boga, 29, a married father of two, allegedly murdered his ex-business partner Ilkay Tokkal, 42, his wife Emel Tokkal, 41, and their four-year-old son, Ali Doruk at their apartment in Eskisehir, Turkey, on February 15.

Forensic evidence reportedly placed Boga, 29, at the scene of the crime, leading to his arrest.

Bloody socks and shoes matching DNA samples taken from the crime scene were found at Boga's house, officials said.

The Tokkal (left) and Boga (right) families together at a birthday party. Mehmet Serif Boga (second right) is accused of murdering his former business partner, along with his wife and son

Mehmet Serif Boga (right) is accused of stabbing Ilkay Tokkal his four-year-old son Ali Doruk (left) to death on February 15

CCTV footage allegedly showed Boga going to the family's apartment on the night of the crime wearing work gloves and boots.

He was also said to be sporting a hoodie and face mask to try to obscure his identity.

According to the authorities, he had dinner with the family and spent a total of 73 minutes at the flat before leaving.

He was reportedly wearing Ilkay's clothes while carrying his own bloodied clothes in a bag when he left the property.

The suspect Mehmet Serif Boga (left) together with his former business partner Ilkay Tokkal, who was stabbed to death in Eskisehir, Turkey on February 15

He took a convoluted route home in a supposed attempt to avoid being detected by CCTV.

The motive for the alleged crime has not been revealed, and Boga awaits trial. He denies all charges against him.

Local media reported that Tokkal's daughter Beyzanur Kayaalp, who lives in the city of Izmir, called the police for help in February when she was unable to reach her mother over the phone.

When authorities found the family slain in their apartment, they said Ilkay had been stabbed seven times, while Emel and Doruk were stabbed three times, according to the Turkish newspaper Posta.

The daily added that the suspect turned the apartment lights off before leaving the scene of the crime and taking off in a taxi.
"Vanessa is an amazing leader and a great addition to our DDB family," says Audrey Melofchik, President of DDB New York. "She brings a digital-first mindset and entrepreneurial, action-oriented enthusiasm to every business problem she attacks. On top of driving great business impact for our clients, she will be a strong role model and mentor to our teams which is so important in the next leg of our journey."

Reyes brings over 15 years of experience in integrated marketing to her role and has partnered with brand powerhouses like MetLife, Instagram, LEGO, ESPN and Verizon. Her time in both in-house and agency settings will allow her to maximize connectivity with clients and create more opportunity for DDB New York.

"The addition of the Vanessa to the DDB New York leadership team is the perfect manifestation of creativity and connection  both needed to drive business growth today," says DDB North America CEO Justin Thomas-Copeland. "Vanessa is a truly integrated thinker and business leader. She brings progressive digital-first experience, and we will marry this to the progressive business questions and expectations our clients are engaging us in. Vanessa represents the new direction and skill base of DDB NAM."

Previous to this role, Reyes held the position of group managing director at R/GA. Reyes is responsible for a number of Cannes and CLIO award-winning work and has serviced clients across industries and markets. Her use of a mix of tools and insights has led to success through a variety of brand exercises and metrics. From outstanding brand initiatives to innovative connected solutions from live streams and branded content strategies to chat bots, Reyes brings with her an arsenal of experiences that will continue to revolutionize DDB New York's work.

ABOUT DDB

DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world's largest and most influential advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry's leading advertising publications and awards shows. The WARC has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency's clients include Volkswagen, McDonald's, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and the U.S. Army, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.

ABOUT OMNICOM

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE  OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

CONTACT: Xavier Totor, [email protected]

SOURCE DDB North America

Related Links

www.ddb.com


The Charger Blog

As part of a Public Health and Law class, guest speakers such as Connecticuts governor and attorney general have shared their stories, experiences, and wisdom with students, inspiring the next generation of public health leaders. By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and other guest speakers discussed leadership during a public health crisis.

Magda Wysocki 22 MPH and her classmates have had the chance recently to interact with state leaders, including Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, during many of their recent virtual classes. These prominent guest speakers have shared their real-world leadership experiences during the coronavirus global pandemic.

In his recent talk, Tong discussed the states response to COVID-19 and, specifically, his role, offering Wysocki and her classmates an opportunity to learn what it has been like to be an elected official on the frontline of the pandemic.

Attorney General Tong provided an interesting viewpoint on how public health needs to be creative, flexible, and constantly reassessing what works and what does not, said Wysocki. It helped me understand the importance of being an effective leader with strong communication skills and the ability to think outside of the box.

Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz was a recent Public Health and Law class guest speaker.

Be a part of the solution as public health professionals

Tong was one of many lawmakers and state leaders  including Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, U.S. Congressman Jim Himes, and Governor Ned Lamont  who have spoken recently to a Law and Public Health class taught by Audrey Blondin, J.D., MPH, as well as to MPH students in a course taught by Karl Minges, Ph.D., MPH.

The states first Asian American attorney general, Tong described his work representing the state in all legal matters. He discussed his own career path, describing one of his great professors in law school, a man by the name of Barack Obama. He also told students about his role in addressing the pandemic, which included organizing a large shipment of personal protective equipment last year, and the state governments efforts to keep everyone safe.

Any matter or decision of consequence is never made in a vacuum, he said. Its all done in the intersection of law and public health, and it involves the input of a lot of decision makers.

To help them maintain perspective, Tong encouraged the students to reflect on how difficult the pandemic has been in other parts of the world. Acknowledging that making decisions during a public health crisis has not been easy, he challenged students to step up to be tomorrows leaders.

Were going to make a lot of mistakes, he said. I expect all of you to go on and be a part of the solution as public health professionals. You will make mistakes, but you will also make a lot of judgment calls that are right.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong recently interacted with graduate students via Zoom.

Exemplifies the American dream

Prof. Blondin, who has worked with Tong on many statewide initiatives in the years she has known him, wanted to help her students broaden their understanding of leadership during a public health crisis. An attorney with years of political experience, including a decade as a selectman for the town of Litchfield, Conn., Prof. Blondin serves as secretary of the Connecticut Democratic Party.

He shared his belief in the importance of service above self in order to achieve great things, Prof. Blondin continued. He truly serves as an inspiration, not only with his commitment to preserving and protecting justice in our state and our nation, but in his willingness to take time from his busy schedule to speak with our students and encourage them to succeed and give back some of what they have been given.

I really appreciate his lesson

Guest speakers have been interacting with students who are candidates in the Universitys Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Public Health programs in class discussions via Zoom. Dr. Minges says this has been a wonderful opportunity for students to learn from leaders with meaningful real-world experience.

In the midst of a pandemic, it is an auspicious time to engage students in discussion about law and public health, said Dr. Minges. Our students have been so fortunate to learn from the elected leaders of our state about the response to COVID-19 and how public health law is formulated and tested. Speaker series opportunities, such as this one, helps our students to apply what they learn in class or in their readings to the real world.

Yanice Mendez-Fernandez '21 MPH, who also listened to Tongs talk, says she is grateful for the opportunities that she and her classmates have had to learn about managing public health and law during the pandemic.

To hear about how federal and state laws guide a public health response from the state attorney general was an invaluable learning experience, said Mendez-Fernandez, who is also a biology instructor at the University. Attorney General Tong explained that we are under a civil preparedness emergency due to the pandemic, and that the state governor has powers protected under the constitution to enforce mandates to protect public health. As someone who still has much to learn about law, I really appreciate his lesson on how the system works in a public health emergency.
In an attempt to prevent the detention of migrant families for weeks or months at a time, the Biden administration plans to release parents and children within 72 hours of their arrival in the United States, a new policy that already is being carried out along the Texas border.

The plan, confirmed on Thursday by three Homeland Security officials, marks a significant departure from the handling of migrant families under the Trump and Obama administrations, when children often showed symptoms of depression and trauma after spending long periods in custody with their parents.

The decision to avoid lengthy detention of families comes amid a significant spike in the number arriving at the southwestern border in recent months that has posed an early test of President Bidens pledge to create a more humanitarian approach to immigration.

Former President Donald J. Trump had vowed to end what he called the catch and release policies of his predecessors and significantly increased the number of asylum-seekers who were held in detention facilities, rather than being allowed to settle around the country as they waited for the immigration courts to decide whether they could stay.

The European Union, which is guilty of overfishing yellowfin tuna in the Indian Ocean, has called for reductions to conserve the population of the fish species. According to The Guardian, smaller nations in the Indian Ocean have accused the EU of "hypocrisy and neocolonialism" for suggesting conservation measures despite being the largest fisher of yellowfin in the region. European nations, largely France and Spain, operate fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean to catch yellowfin tuna.

Read: Brexit: EU Warns It Will Launch Legal Proceedings Against UK

Ahead of the emergency meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) to discuss conservation of the overfished species, the Maldives and the EU proposed measures to reduce overfishing and increase the population. However, the EU's proposal does not include measures to cut the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs), which scientists believe is the single biggest contributor to the decline of the yellowfin population. FADs are mostly used by European vessels to attract schools of fish, making the process easy for fishermen.

Read: Australia Slams Italy For Blocking COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment Using New EU Law

EU's proposal inadequate

Maldives has called the EU's proposal "woefully inadequate" for not suggesting appropriate measures that will seriously help in better conservation. A former Seychelles fishery official has accused the EU of "hypocrisy". EU is the largest fisher in the Indian Ocean of yellowfin, catching 70,000 tonnes in 2019, well ahead of Iran's 58,000 tonnes, and Maldives' 44,000 tonnes. A Maldives fishery ministry official has said the EU is "not serious" about the conservation otherwise it would have proposed reductions required to save the population.

Read: EU, Italy Stop AstraZeneca Vaccine Exports To Australia

According to the Global Tuna Alliance, Maldives' proposal would see 14% less catch in 2021 if compared to 2014 levels, while the EU's proposal would see 6% less catch. Environmentalists say Maldives' proposal is much closer to the reduction target set by the coastal nation, calling it a "bare minimum" if nations are serious about conserving the fish species.

Read: EU Regulator Starts A Review Of Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine
Toronto and Peel Will Begin Reopening Next Week, Stay-at-Home Order to be Lifted

The Ontario government announced on Mar. 5 that Toronto and the Peel Region will transit into the grey zone of the provinces COVID-19 reopening framework on next Monday, with the stay-at-home order lifted as well.

Our government is taking a safe and cautious approach to returning to the Framework and due to our progress, all regions of the province will soon be out of the provincewide shutdown, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott said in a news release.

Despite this positive step forward, a return to the Framework is not a return to normal.

Starting March 8 at 12.01 a.m, the stay-at-home order in Toronto and Peel will be lifted and residents can gather outdoors again in groups of up to 10 people.

All retail stores will be allowed to be opened at 25 percent of their indoor capacity. Supermarkets and other stores that mainly sell groceries, convenience stores, and pharmacies are allowed to open at 50 percent capacity.

North Bay Parry Sound will move to the red zone, the second most restrictive level of pandemic measures after the grey zone.

Seven other regions will also transit to different restriction levels of the framework on Mar. 8.

Peterborough, Sudbury, and Simcoe-Muskoka will go into the red zone while Haldimand-Norfolk and Temiskaming will go into orange. Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, and Renfrew County will go into yellow, according to the government.

While all regions have returned to the Framework, everyone must remain vigilant to help prevent any further increases in transmission, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said in the release.

The best defense against the virus and all of its variants of concern remains continuing to stay at home, avoiding social gatherings, only travelling outside of your community for essential purposes, and limiting close contacts to your household or those you live with.
Iraqi elite security forces were deployed on the streets of Baghdad on Friday, hours before the arrival of Pope Francis for a visit to the country. Counter-terrorist forces set up checkpoints in Baghdad's main streets as a curfew was put in place by the Iraq government.

Pope Francis heads to Iraq to urge the countrys dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns. It's his first-ever visit to Iraq. Iraqis are keen to welcome him and the global attention his visit will bring, with banners and posters hanging high in central Baghdad, and billboards depicting Francis with the slogan We are all Brothers decorating the main thoroughfare.

During his three-day visit, the Pope will meet Iraqi officials and will visit the holy Shiite city of Najaf where he will meet the top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani. The Pope will also visit the ancient city of Ur, the birthplace of the bibllical patriarch Abraham. The government is eager to show off the relative security it has achieved after years of wars and militant attacks that nevertheless continue even today. Francis and the Vatican delegation are relying on Iraqi security forces to protect them, including with the expected first use of an armored car for the popemobile-loving pontiff.

Francis is breaking his year-long COVID-19 lockdown to refocus the worlds attention on a largely neglected people whose northern Christian communities, which date from the time of Christ, were largely emptied during the violent Islamic State reign from 2014-2017. For the pope, who has often traveled to places where Christians are a persecuted minority, Iraq's beleaguered Christians are the epitome of the martyred church" that he has admired ever since he was a young Jesuit seeking to be a missionary in Asia.

(Image Credits: AP)

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Aviva Plc is searching for a new City of London headquarters as the UK insurer prepares to slash its office footprint.

The firm started looking for new offices in the financial district early last year, but shelved its plans once the pandemic hit, according to people familiar with the matter. It will now resume the search, but seek a smaller building than originally envisaged, the people said, asking not to be identified as the plans are private.

The office hunt coincides with Avivas plans to cut up to 30% of its 1.7 million square feet (158,000 square meters) of office space across the UK as more employees work from home, according to an analyst presentation Thursday. The cuts are roughly equivalent to the entire office space in Londons Gherkin skyscraper, and should be made by the end of this year.

Aviva is looking to move its City of London base ahead of its lease expiry at St. Helens, the 23-story tower it partly occupies between the iconic Cheesegrater and Gherkin towers, the people said.

We remain committed to St. Helens, it is our headquarters and we have a lease on the building until 2024, a spokeswoman said by email, declining to comment on the potential office move.

The insurer joins several other large UK firms planning to cut office space as they anticipate a long-term shift toward more home working, even after the pandemic subsides. HSBC Holdings Plc is eyeing cuts of up to 40% and Lloyds Banking Group Plc is also rethinking its requirements.

Aviva plans to maintain a presence in each of the 14 UK cities and towns where it currently has offices, but will combine or shrink some locations, the spokeswoman said. The changes do not involve job cuts and will purely reflect the increase in home working.

We will use our office space very differently in the future to the way we use it today, Chief Executive Officer Amanda Blanc said on an earnings call with reporters Thursday. It is going to be a lot more about collaboration rather than it is about rows of desks.

Blanc, who took over as Aviva CEO last July, has wasted no time in streamlining the insurer. The firm on Thursday announced sales of its Italian units, the latest in a series of divestments that have generated more than 5 billion pounds ($7 billion) in cash proceeds.

Photograph: Avivas head office in London. Photo credit: Aviva

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

Topics COVID-19 Carriers London
Manitobas highest court has rejected a legal challenge to the provinces traffic laws that allow the owner of a vehicle to be ticketed for offences captured on photo radar, regardless of who was driving.

Manitobas highest court has rejected a legal challenge to the provinces traffic laws that allow the owner of a vehicle to be ticketed for offences captured on photo radar, regardless of who was driving.

"To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement," Raymond Bernier, 72, said Thursday.

Bernier  whose vehicle was caught speeding by a photo radar camera in 2016 and 2017  had argued that a 30-year-old provision of the Highway Traffic Act allowing him to be ticketed as the owner of the vehicle violated his right to be presumed innocent.

Under the provision, which was put in place before photo radar cameras were installed in Manitoba, the registered owner of a vehicle can be held responsible for offences of another person who is driving the vehicle.

The Manitoba Court of Appeal five-judge panel ruled on Wednesday the facts of the case did not merit interfering with the act, after listening to arguments during a 2-hour hearing

"There have to be exceptional circumstances for us to overturn a precedent of some 30 years," said Justice Freda Steel.

Detailed written reasons for the courts decision will be released at a later date, Steel said.

Bernier, whose court challenge was funded by traffic enforcement watchdog Wise Up Winnipeg, said he will decide his next move, if there is one, when the written decision is released.

A split decision would pave the way for a possible run to the Supreme Court of Canada, Bernier said.

"The Supreme Court would still have to agree to hear it," he said. "They may still reject our application to even hear it."

Wise Ups Todd Dube was disappointed with the decision.

"Id like to think the province reviews the legislation that allows them to do it," he said.

Dube said Manitoba should follow the model of U.S. states such as California and Texas where photo radar tickets include pictures of both the vehicles licence plate and the driver.

"They need to serve that ticket to the driver," he said.

"To give (a ticket) to an inanimate object wouldnt have been argued before photo radar."

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca

BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tensions between the United States and Iran simmered on Wednesday after a new rocket attack against Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base that hosts U.S. forces, which U.S. officials told Reuters fit the profile of a strike by Iran-backed militia.

There were no reports of injuries among U.S. service personnel but an American civilian contractor died after suffering a "cardiac episode" while sheltering from the rockets, the Pentagon said.

President Joe Biden said U.S. officials were examining the incident closely.

"Thank God no one was killed by the rocket ... We're identifying whose responsible and we'll make judgments at that point," Biden told reporters before a meeting with lawmakers in the Oval Office.

Iraqi officials said 10 rockets landed at the base but the Pentagon was more guarded, saying there were 10 "impacts." It said the rockets appeared to have been fired from multiple sites east of the Iraqi base, which was targeted last year by a ballistic missile attack directly from Iran.

In February, there were three rocket attacks https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2AM2F3 in Iraq in just over a week that targeted areas that host U.S. troops, diplomats or contractors. One attack on Feb. 16 on U.S.-led forces killed a civilian contractor and injured a U.S. service member.

U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the latest strike fit the profile of an attack by Iran-backed militia but the Pentagon said it was too soon to come to any conclusions.

"We cannot attribute responsibility at this time, and we do not have a complete picture of the extent of the damage," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby added. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The United States is assessing the impact of the attack and whoever was responsible, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

"If we assess that further response is warranted, we will take action again in a manner and time of our choosing," she told a news briefing.

Story continues

"What we won't do is make a hasty or ill-informed decision that further escalates the decision or plays into the hands of our adversaries."

Last Thursday, U.S. forces carried out air strikes against facilities at a border control point in Syria used by Iranian-backed militias including Kata'ib Hezbollah and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

A Baghdad Operations Command official said Wednesday's attack was launched from a location about eight km (five miles) from the base, which is in the westerly Anbar province.

Another Iraqi security source and a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the rockets had been launched from a point west of the nearby town of Baghdadi.

Despite a deterioration in security in some parts of the country, Pope Francis is due to begin a four-day visit to Iraq on Friday.

(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; additional reporting by Kamal Namaa and Reporting by Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, Andrea Shalal Jonathan Landay in in Washington; Writing by Amina Ismail and Phil Stewart; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Sonya Hepinstall and Grant McCool)
Newsom Signs $6.6 Billion School-Reopening Bill, School Year Could Be Extended

LOS ANGELES (CNS)Gov. Gavin Newsom March 5 signed a $6.6 billion legislative package that offers incentives for schools to resume in-person instruction for students up to second grade by April 1 and provides funds to help recoup learning lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly by extending

the school year.

But whether Los Angeles Unified School District campuses will reopen for students remains unclear, with the results of a poll among members of the powerful United Teachers Los Angeles union expected to be released late March 5, gauging teachers willingness to return to in-person instruction.

Newsom signed the school-reopening legislation in a Zoom ceremony attended by a host of legislative and education leaders. He pointed to achievements being made in the fight against the virus, including the now 2.1 percent testing-positivity rate in the state, and the newly surpassed milestone of 10

million vaccinations administered, more than all but five nations in the world.

To be where we are today, a week or so away, or less than a week away, with many more counties moving into less restrictive tiers, this is the right time to sign this bill, Newsom said. Its the right time to safely reopen for in-person instruction our schools, focusing on those cohorts that are most impacted by this pandemic.

The legislation creates a $2 billion incentive pool, with money doled out to schools that reopen campuses for students in pre-kindergarten through second grade, as well as high-need students of all ages. The money will go toward safety improvements, such as ventilation systems and protective equipment.

The proposal does not order schools to reopen, but those that fail to do so by April 1 will lose 1 percent of their share of the funds for every day they miss the deadline.

The money will be available to schools in counties that have an average daily new COVID case rate of less than 25 per 100,000 residents, which covers the vast majority of the state, including all of Los Angeles County.

Under state guidelines, schools in counties that meet the 25 cases per 100,000 residents threshold are authorizedbut not requiredto resume in-person classes for students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.

Under the new legislation, schools in counties that advance out of the most restrictive purple tier of the states four-level Blueprint for a Safer Economy and into the less-restrictive red tier would be required to open all elementary grades and at least one middle or high school grade to qualify for the incentive funds.

Los Angeles and Orange counties could both move into the red tier by late March by meeting the required case rate of no more than seven new daily COVID cases per 100,000 residents.

The legislative package signed by Newsom includes another $4.6 billion in general funding for all schools to help districts make up for learning time lost during the pandemic, possibly by extending the school year into the summer.

LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner previously set a target date of April 9 for reopening elementary schools for in-person instruction, but the UTLA union has not agreed to that date, which it says is subject to labor talks.

The union is demanding that all teachers and school staff be vaccinated before they return to in-person instruction. It also does not want campuses to reopen until Los Angeles County moves out of the purple tier. Union officials argue that while the countywide transmission rate has dropped below the 25 per 100,000 residents threshold, many neighborhoods the LAUSD serves are lower-income, and have rates that are three times as high as more affluent communities.

UTLAs membership is voting this week on a proposed statement of opposition to reopening campuses, saying in-person instruction cannot resume until the county is in the red tier; all school staff returning to in-person work are either fully vaccinated or provided access to full vaccination; and safety measures are in place at schools such as protective equipment, social distancing, ventilation and a cleaning regimen.

The results of that vote will be released March 5 at 6:30 p.m.

All of UTLAs demands, however, could potentially be met by the end of March or early April. The countys COVID new case rate dropped to 7.2 per 100,000 residents this week, and barring a sudden surge, will likely meet the threshold to move into the red tier of the state economic-recovery matrix by next week. The county will have to maintain the low case rate for at least two weeks to actually advance into the red tier.

The state, meanwhile, has allotted 25,000 vaccine doses to the LAUSDthe amount Beutner has said would be needed to vaccinate the staff needed to reopen elementary schools. Teachers became eligible for vaccines this week, and the district is operating a large-scale vaccine site dedicated to school workers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

This plan will allow us to complete during the next two weeks the vaccinations for school staff who are already working at school sites, staff who are working with our youngest learners and those working with students with learning differences and disabilities, Beutner said March 1.

Beutner has previously touted the safety modifications already in place at schools, including state-of-the-art ventilation systems.

Newsom has insisted that vaccinations should not be a pre-requisite for schools to reopen. But he has ordered that 10 percent of all doses received by the state, a minimum of 75,000 doses per week, be set aside for teachers and school staff.

More than two dozen school districts and hundreds of private schools in the county have already had COVID Safety Plans approved by the county Department of Public Health, clearing them to resume in-person instruction for students up to sixth grade. Some school districts have already resumed such

instruction.

LAUSD is among the districts with an approved safety plan, meaning it is cleared to reopen as soon as an agreement is reached with teachers.sc
Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

In February, 2020, the coronavirus was still an abstract idea on this side of the globe. It was a major public health crisis centered in Wuhan, China, though.

And by the beginning of March, the first few fatalities hit Washington State nursing homes, in a hint that the nations seniors, the Greatest Generation that survived World War II and the Great Depression, were vulnerable.
German sportswear brand Adidas is among those that have offered to start vaccinating its own employees to speed up the rollout - DANIEL KARMANN /DPA

German big business has offered to step in and salvage the countrys ailing coronavirus vaccination roll-out  for free.

With Germany lagging far behind the UK and US, some of its biggest companies including Deutsche Bank, Allianz, Adidas and Siemens are set to offer their services at talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday.

They say they could help accelerate the roll-out and clear a backlog that has left Germany unable to use 3.4 million jabs that remain sitting in storage.

They have proposed putting Germanys 12,000 company doctors to work and say their empty office buildings could be used as vaccination centres.

Mrs Merkels government is said to be reluctant to accept their help over fears company employees would be able to jump the queue ahead of priority groups, but businesses say they would stick to the government's priority categories.

Companies including sportswear brand Adidas, manufacturing giant Siemens and insurance company Allianz are offering to give the jab to their employees  and in some cases to their immediate family members.

We want to make our contribution. Thats why we brought this idea to politicians weeks ago, said Mathias Dopfner, chief executive of Axel Springer, Germanys largest media group.

Our company doctors could vaccinate both our employees and, in the future, their family members, in accordance with the official vaccination schedule.

FILE PHOTO: Christian Sewing, CEO of Deutsche Bank AG, speaks during the bank's annual news conference in Frankfurt, Germany January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo - RALPH ORLOWSKI/REUTERS

Deutsche Bank, Germanys biggest bank, said it was even prepared to help vaccinate the general population.

Like other companies, Deutsche Bank wants to do its part to solve the vaccination backlog in Germany and to use excess vaccine soon, Christian Sewing, the chief executive of Deustche Bank, told Welt newspaper.

Germany should achieve herd immunity as soon as possible. So we are ready in principle to vaccinate people even if they do not work for us.

Germany has been struggling with its vaccine roll-out. Only 5.4 per cent of Germans have received their first jab so far, compared to 30.9 per cent in the UK.

Story continues

Despite initially pinning the blame on the EUs vaccine order shambles, Germany is struggling to use the stocks it has, and more than a third of its 10.4 million jabs remain in storage.

Heinrich Atoni receives a vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from Saskia Brinkmann, a German soldier authorized to vaccinate, at the vaccination centre set up at the fairground in Bremen, northwestern Germany, on February 26, 2021. (Photo by Hauke-Christian Dittrich / POOL / AFP) (Photo by HAUKE-CHRISTIAN DITTRICH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) - HAUKE-CHRISTIAN DITTRICH/AFP

While some of the backlog is down to public reluctance to take the AstraZeneca vaccine, Germanys vaccination programme is also mired in bureaucracy and inefficiency.

In several regions it is not digitised and people are forced to wait hours on a telephone hotline to get an appointment. There are reports of people in their nineties still unable to get vaccination appointments even though the roll-out has officially moved on to the over-70s.

German businesses argue they could help alleviate the pressure on the system.

We are already doing it with flu vaccination, Kasper Rorsted, the chief executive of Adidas, told Welt. We can also imagine helping other companies to vaccinte their employees, provided that this is logistically feasible."

We said at the beginning of the year that if there was sufficient availability we would buy vaccines for our employees and administer them, though what we do can only complement the work of the government, said Frank Appel, chief executive of Deustche Post.
LONDON, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/-- Several national development projects are currently underway or recently completed in the Commonwealth of Dominica. This week, two new health centres that cost almost $2 million were commissioned by the island's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Currently, 12 health centres are expected to be constructed. These projects herald in a new era for the Nature Isle.

Healthcare has been high on the government agenda over the last year as part of its aim to provide easy access to medical services for all community sectors. Next week, the country plans to open its state-of-the-art Marigot Hospital. The hospital, also funded by the CBI Programme, will have a 75-bed capacity with high-quality services, including emergency care and a trauma centre.

Along with reforming its healthcare sector, Dominica is also on the cusp of transforming other island sectors. The country recently revealed that construction on its first geothermal plant would be finished in 2022. Additionally, Dominica is constructing over 5,000 weather-resistant homes for its citizens, aligning with efforts to become the world's first climate-resilient nation, of which 25% have already been completed.

Ian Douglas, an MP for the Portsmouth constituency spoke on the number of projects taking place on the island contributing to its transformation: "From houses to hotels to health and wellness centres, road and bridges, sea and river defences. This country is being transformed one community at a time," he said.

"And we, in Dominica, will be one of the sought-after destinations to visit in the world, I'm sure," he concluded.

All of this is made possible by Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Programme, an initiative that aims to attract wealthy foreign individuals to invest in either a government fund or a purchase of selected real estate property in exchange for citizenship. Established in 1993, Dominica's programme is one of the oldest in the investment migration realm. The Financial Times' PWM magazine has ranked it as the world's best offering for second citizenship for the last four years.

Investors who choose Dominica unlock access to visa-free travel to over 140 countries and territories, the right to live, work and study in the nation and a second home for themselves and their family. Furthermore, investors can pass down citizenship for generations to come, ensuring that their future legacy is secured. Lastly, applicants can rest assured knowing that their investment will better their adoptive home, benefiting both native and economic citizens.

+447867942505, [email protected], www.csglobalpartners.com

SOURCE CS Global Partners
South Side Residents Meet with City Leaders

By Bill Hughes

PADUCAH - City leaders and south side residents met Thursday night to discuss concerns, along with ideas for beautification and growth.The meeting was held at Soirees Events & Catering on Irvin Cobb Drive, and over 100 residents and business owners attended.Neil Ward, owner of Bob's Drive-in for 42 years, helped get the ball rolling on these meetings. His conversation with Commissioner Sandra Wilson led to a longer talk with Mayor George Bray and other officials, culminating in this first meeting, with another one scheduled for next Thursday.Those who spoke brought several issues to the table, including: Empty motels, nursing homes, businesses and homes that may require code enforcement or demolition. Increased crime, and a desire for increased enforcement or a stronger police presence as a deterrent. Better infrastructure like storm drainage, sidewalks and parks. Helping solve problems that relate to homelessness and people in transition, such as lack of shelter, food insecurity, etc. Beautification ideas like sidewalk maintenance and sweeping the streets. Research and the possible establishment of micro-loans for business and economic growth.Claudia Washburn suggested an idea she thought up several years ago - a south side retailers association that could encourage and promote businesses and increase their clientele.Bray complimented the idea, saying, "I think there's certain things the city can do, there's certain things that the city can stimulate, we can be a convener, we can be a cornerstone to do things, but I think real progress is going to come from people who want to be energized and help."Regarding some of these projects, and based on the success and revitalization of Lowertown and the Fountain Avenue areas, Emerson Goodwin said, "Let's find the political will, and then we'll find the money."Chris Poindexter asked city officials to avoid going silent on the issues that are mentioned at the meetings, saying, "We all have concerns and I think everybody wants to affect this side of town in a positive way. Please, respectfully, tell us what you want whenever that time comes."While Mayor Bray said he couldn't make any promises in response to any specific issues, he hopes to put together at least one citizen committee moving forward. Bray indicated that he wants to meet with the city commissioners to find a way to combine current projects with the new energy generated at these meetings.Bray said, "I would say within 90 days we want to come back with a suggested plan," for a way for the city and residents can further address topics that have been discussed.Another meeting is set for Thursday, March 11 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. It will also be held at Soirees Events & Catering, 2069 Irvin Cobb Drive.On the Net:
Zimbabwe says it has started preparing for a bumper harvest, the countrys first in two decades. But aid agencies say they still need to ensure about four million people have enough food, especially in urban areas where business has been hurt by the COVID-19 lockdown.



Zimbabwes government says above average rainfall levels and conservation agriculture are bearing fruits for the country, which for many years has largely depended on humanitarian aid.



Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said this week that according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Zimbabwe will produce 2.8 million tons of corn, the countrys staple crop, against a target of 1.8 million tons needed for consumption.

She said the government is getting equipment in place to handle the harvest.



Regarding timeous harvesting of grain, an additional 72 and 21 combined harvesters from the John Deere Facility and the Belarus Programme will be mobilized. [The] government is also mobilizing internal capacity for combine harvesting through the repair of 25 non-functional combines which are owned by institutions and individuals. In the same vein, the ministry is importing an additional 13 mobile grain dryers from Italy, Mutsvangwa said.



When the harvest comes in, it should drive down the cost of food around the country.



But that does not fix everything for Zimbabweans in urban areas struggling to making a living.

About 40 kilometers away from where Mutsvangwa spoke is Epworth, one of the poorest townships in Zimbabwe. There, 48-year-old widow Caroline Chanyaruka is enrolled in the World Food Programs urban resilience program, which helps people launch income-generating projects. She now makes mushrooms from biowaste. She eats them and sells the surplus to look after her seven children.



Hunger is such a terrible thing. Its worse for a widow like me. For school fees, food and everything the children look up to me, Chanyaruka said. So, its difficult for a woman to do it alone. This [WFP] program has helped me during these lockdown periods. It also helped my children as they somewhat get occupied with watering the mushrooms. They now have something to do even in their future.

Claire Nevill, the spokeswoman of the WFP in Zimbabwe, says Chanyaruka is one of more than half a million urbanites the U.N. agency is trying to help be food secure in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdowns and Zimbabwes moribund economy.



Others, Nevill says, receive cash handouts of $12 each.



This cash assistance has proved to be a lifeline for thousands of Zimbabweans right now and has allowed WFP to remain agile to the changing context in Zimbabwe. The outbreak of the COVID-19 has exacerbated Zimbabwes economic instability and has had a devastating effect on urban residents, many of whom were living hand to mouth working multiple jobs in the urban sector, she said.



Still, Nevill added the WFP is facing a funding gap of around $45 million.



She said with more funding, the WFP can reach millions of Zimbabweans affected by the pandemic and the lagging economy.


Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
The Great Lakes arent in just a normal water decline mode. They are now going down faster than usual and putting some distance between current water levels and last years record water levels.

February saw water levels decline on all of the Great Lakes. This is a normal seasonal decline, plus more decline. Due to the lack of precipitation and lack of ice cover, some of the Great Lakes dropped even more than is usually expected in February. The forecast for March is also to continue the water level decline on each Great Lake.

Lake Superiors water level fell 3 inches in February and is now 7 inches below this time last year. Going into summer, Lake Superior is expected to be 3 to 6 inches below last year and 9 inches below record water levels.

Lake Superior water level forecast shows levels easily staying below record levels into this coming summer.

Lakes Michigan and Huron also went down 3 inches in February on dry weather and increasing evaporation due to lack of ice. The water is still 27 inches above average, but 10 inches below last year- when it was at record levels. Lake Michigan-Huron is forecast to be nowhere near record levels this summer, remaining nine to 11 inches below last summers record water levels.

Lake Michigan-Huron water level forecast shows levels staying well below last summer's record levels into this coming summer.

Lake Erie dropped 5 inches in February. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers thinks part of the large water level decline was due to ice jams on the St. Clair River upstream of Lake Erie. The ice jams restricted water flow into Lake Erie. There was also very dry conditions in February. Lake Erie continues to decline at a faster than average pace, with a forecast of staying at least one foot below record water levels this summer.

Lake Erie water level forecast shows levels staying well below record levels into this coming summer.

Lake Ontario dropped 3 inches in February and is now almost 2 feet lower than this time last year. Lake Ontario is predicted to be six inches to up to two feet lower than last year into this summer. Lake Ontarios water levels are now dropping below the long-term average water level.

Lake Ontario water level forecast shows water levels actually dropping below the long-term average water level.

So it looks like the devastating water damage problems of last years record water levels wont be as substantial this summer.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
Dubois is at home in documentary. He burst onto the scene with the Oscar-nominated short Madagascar, a Journey Diary (2009), an animated account of his travels in the country, which he later adapted into the travelog series Faces from Places (2013). His second short Cargo Cult (2013), while not exactly a documentary, is a naturalistic study of Papua New Guineas experience of colonialism in World War 2.

Souvenir Souvenir, however, didnt start out as a documentary. Dubois initially set out to create a fictional re-enactment of what he imagined his grandfather might have experienced in the war. He spent years trying to develop the film, changing tack several times. Souvenir Souvenir is about that, too: it is an account of its own creation, the moral dilemmas Dubois faced along the way, and the role of filmmaking in his life.

The film combines two distinct graphic approaches. Crude cartoonish scenes represent the earliest version of the film. These were animated by Gilles Cuvelier at Studio Train-Train in Lille, France. The frame narrative, which follows Duboiss quest for the truth, is rendered in more fragmentary, almost art brut-like segments, animated in 3d but rendered in 2d. The director developed this style with Argentine illustrator Jorge Gonzalez.

Below, Dubois expands on the unusual development of Souvenir Souvenir, name-checks some of his influences, and tells us how the film went down with his family

Cartoon Brew: Souvenir Souvenir started out as a reimagining of your grandfathers time in Algeria. At what point did you decide to place your own relationship with him at the heart of the film? Once youd decided on this approach, how did the scripting process unfold?

Bastien Dubois: I was thinking about this movie already in 200405  before Madagascar, a Journey Diary. I started with a cartoony version. For years, I tried to find others ways to tell this story. I was approached by [film director] Rachid Bouchareb, who I met at the Oscars in 2011, to make a movie for the 50th anniversary of Algerian independence in 2012.

Telling my grandfathers story was the very first step. But I was facing a wall and I struggled with silence and my own denial for years. I was used to telling people about my attempts: I was pretending to make a movie about that. But when I realized I was part of the problem  that I was in denial too  I had a discussion with a friend or my producer (I cant quite remember which) who told me: you should talk about your attempts rather than about your grandpa. Thats when it clicked.

And so I started to write it exactly as I was telling the story to people in bars, at the gym, or on public transportation. The whole story of my journey through my denial was already there, in my head, and I was used to narrating it. So the first draft was easy to write.

The first version of the script was written in less than a day. Thats basically the version that was used to get most of the funding and the co-production with [French channel] Arte. Then I was rejected by the CNC [Frances national film board], so I had to re-write. They gave me very powerful, deep feedback, and pushed me to dig deeper. And I think that paid off. It took me a year to re-write. The new version was way more satisfying.

How did you develop the films two visual styles? What were the contributions of Jorge Gonzalez and Gilles Cuveliers team?

My first approach was to have a very simple design for this film. Black lines, one layer of gray ink. Almost no background. I wanted to stay away from heavy, complicated, ornamental style I had in my two previous projects, Madagascar and Cargo Cult. I didnt want the graphic aspect to overcome the story.

But before I returned to my Algerian project for good in 2016, I was working on the development of a feature film with Jorge Gonzalez and I was very satisfied with what we got. When I paused the feature film for Souvenir Souvenir, I didnt want to pause the work with Jorge! So we decided to keep going with Jorge for Souvenir. It was also a way to reassure myself: as I wasnt 100% sure about my script, at least with Jorge I was sure Id have something strong on the visual side.

I realized Jorges own books deal with similar issues: transgenerational trauma, civil wars  The layered, scratchy aspect perfectly matched the topic of my film. In the end, Im happy we didnt jump into a feature production with this style, because it was a nightmare to create animation the way I did for Souvenir.

Why was it a nightmare?

Jorges style really comes through in the backgrounds and general mood. But the characters are more my own. They arent animated in Jorges style, as that would have meant animating in 2d. My background is in 3d  thats where I feel more at ease, even for 2d rendering.

So these segments were, in effect, a risky undertaking: I thought Id prepared several clever tools to make the work easier, but I got caught up in trying to always push it further. Thats the risk when youre able to do that. Each shot was unique: no reuse, no production pipeline. Real old-school artisanal stuff  I was involved in all the compositing. Nobody could make sense of it but me. So there are many lessons to bear in mind for future productions, especially features

How close are the more cartoonish sequences to the designs you created for your original film?

See the image below! In the very beginning I was thinking about something more punk and hardcore: I was looking in the direction of Olivia Clavel (a.k.a. Electric Clito) Mattt Konture, Jean Rustin, Mike Diana. I also talked with IMOV Studios [in Brussels, Belgium] about this part of the film.

Then I slowly transitioned to something more cartoony  Dave Cooper, Yvan Duque, Josie Portillo  and then to something definitely more childish like Israel Sanchez. Actually, I wasnt sure what I really wanted!

The collaboration with Studio Train-Train and especially Gilles Cuvelier pulled me toward a darker, more adult style, which went well with Jorges work. I gave them a lot of freedom to deal with the three minutes of cartoonish segments, and that was really restful for me.

Recent years have seen a number of animated films about war and memory, like Waltz with Bashir, Chris the Swiss, or Saigon on Marne, which is also structured as a conversation between the filmmaker and her grandparents. Did you draw inspiration from films similar to yours?

Waltz with Bashir definitely opened the way for films like Souvenir Souvenir or the others you quoted. Madagascar was released almost at the same time as Bashir, and for the next ten years I had offers to direct/co-direct/be an art director on reality-based adult animated features. Always with strong topics.

I thought I was really original with this making-of approach. Later I realized that wasnt really the case: Adaptation, 8 1/2, Life Without Death, Les Films reves  Actually, I feel like I was more inspired by live-action movies than animation. But yeah, Bashir was there also! I dont know Saigon on Marne yet! Love the title!

Is it easier to draw yourself and your relatives than strangers? Or maybe harder?

Easier to draw myself, funnier to draw others.

How did your family react to the finished film?

No reactions. When I asked why, I realized it was hidden, like we used to be in our family and how we were raised: do not show your emotions.

More generally, has it led to any discussions with people who share your experience? Or with veterans of the war?

I received a lot of messages on Facebook from people who have had the same experience. I also try to screen the film in schools. Getting feedback from teens is priceless. I also had a lot of correspondence with an NGO set up by veterans who decided to give their veterans pensions to human rights projects in Algeria. I never tried to get in touch with regular veterans associations  Im a bit scared, I have to admit.
Announcement on the Scheme of Repurchase of a Portion of A-Share Public Shares

Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt, 05 March 2021 - Pursuant to the Company Law of the PRC (the "PRC Company Law"), Securities Law of the PRC, Listing Rules on Listing of Shares on Shanghai Stock Exchange, Implementation Rules on Repurchase of Shares by Listing Companies on Shanghai Stock Exchange, Opinions on Supporting the Repurchase of Shares by Listed Companies and other legal rules and regulations and the provisions prescribed under the Articles of Association of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (D-Share 690D.DE, A-Share 600690.SH, H-Share 06690.HK, the "Company"), the Company held the 16th Meeting of 10th Session of the Board on 05 March 2021, considered and approved the Resolution of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd relating to the Scheme of Repurchase of a Portion of A-Share Public Shares. We hereby announce the relevant information as follows:



I. PURPOSE OF REPURCHASE OF A-SHARES

With our confidence in the future development prospects of the Company and the recognition of the values of the Company, after considering the Company's operating conditions, development prospects, financial conditions and future profitability and other factors, the Company intends to use its own funds to repurchase a portion of A-Share public shares by way of centralized bidding, for the purpose of implementing the Company's employee share ownership plans or equity incentive, so that we can further improve the Company's governance practice and establish the long-term incentive mechanism, so as to ensure the implementation of our long-term strategies and facilitate the conformity of interests and sharing of benefits of all shareholders and enhance the overall values of the Company.



II. SCHEME OF REPURCHASE OF A-SHARES



1. Method and usage of repurchase of A-Shares

The method of this repurchase of shares of the Company is to repurchase the A-Shares of the Company by way of centralized bidding on the Trading System of Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The repurchased shares shall be used in entirety to implement the Company's equity incentive scheme and/or employee share ownership plans. In the event that the Company is unable to fulfill the above-mentioned purpose within 36 months upon the completion of share repurchase, the unused portion shall be cancelled upon performing the relevant procedures.



2. Price or price range and pricing principles of repurchase of A-Shares

According to the Detailed Rules for Implementation of Share Repurchase by Listed Companies promulgated by the Shanghai Stock Exchange, such repurchase price must not exceed 150% of the average trading price of shares within 30 trading days prior to approval of this repurchase resolution by the Board, therefore, it is determined that the repurchase price will not be more than RMB46 per share. The exact repurchase price will be determined subject to factors such as stock price in the secondary market, the financial and operational situation of the Company.

From the date of approving the resolution by the Board until the completion of the repurchase, in the event that the Company implements dividend distribution, bonus shares, capital reserve fund conversion into additional capital, share sub-division, share reduction, allotment and other matters such as ex-right and ex-dividend related matters, the upper limit of the repurchase price will be correspondingly adjusted according to the relevant requirements of China Securities Regulatory Commission and Shanghai Stock Exchange from the date of the ex-right and ex-dividend of share price.



3. Total capital and source of capital intended for the purpose of repurchase of A-Shares

The repurchase amount shall not exceed RMB4.0 billion and not less than RMB2.0 billion, the source of capital is from the Company's own funds.



4. Category, quantity and percentage of total share capital for the shares proposed to be repurchased

The category of the shares to be repurchased is the A-Shares issued by the Company. Based on the calculation for the upper limit of repurchase amount and the upper limit of repurchase price, the upper limit of the number of shares intended for repurchase is 86.96 million shares, amounting to approximately 0.94% of the total share capital of the Company. The specific number of shares to be repurchased is to be determined upon the expiry of repurchase period.

From the date of approving the resolution by the Board until the completion of the repurchase, in the event that the Company implemented dividend distribution, bonus shares, capital reserve fund conversion into additional capital increase, share sub-division, share reduction, allotment and other matters such as ex-right and ex-dividend, the number of shares repurchased will be correspondingly adjusted according to the relevant requirements of China Securities Regulatory Commission and Shanghai Stock Exchange from the date of ex-right and ex-dividend of share price.



5. Period of repurchase of shares

The period of this repurchase is within 12 months from the date the board approved the resolution of repurchase of shares.

If the following conditions are triggered during the repurchase period, the repurchase period shall expire early in advance, that is, the implementation of repurchasing scheme is completed:



(1) If the amounts of shares repurchased during the aforesaid period reached the upper limit of RMB4.0 billion, then the implementation of the scheme of repurchase of shares is completed, the period of repurchase shall expire earlier from that date.



(2) In the event that the amounts of shares repurchased reached the lower limit of RMB2.0 billion, if according to the needs of the market conditions and equity incentive/employee share ownership plans, the board of the Company has decided to terminate this scheme of repurchase of shares earlier, then the period of repurchase shall expire earlier from the date the board approved the resolution.

The Company shall make decision on the repurchase according to the market conditions during the period of repurchase and implements it according to law.



6. Expected changes of the Company's shareholding structure upon the completion of the repurchase

According to the upper limit at an amount of RMB4.0 billion and lower limit at an amount of RMB2.0 billion for the share repurchase, as well as the upper limit of repurchase price at RMB46 per share, the corresponding upper limit and lower limit of repurchase share number are 86,956,522 shares and 43,478,261 shares, respectively. Based on the latest shareholding structure on 28 February 2021, assuming the repurchased shares shall be fully used for equity incentive and/or employee share ownership plans and are fully targeted, then it is estimated that the Company's total share capital and changes in share capital structure after the repurchase and share transfer are as follows:



Estimation based on the upper limit of the number of repurchased shares of 86,956,522 shares:

Share category Nature of shares Before repurchase After repurchase Number of shares (shares) Percentage (%) Number of shares (shares) Percentage (%) Domestically listed



domestic shares

(A-Shares) Tradable shares with restricted

conditions ? 0.00 86,956,522 0.94 Unrestricted tradable shares 6,308,552,654 67.94 6,221,596,132 67.01 Total 6,308,552,654 67.94 6,308,552,654 67.94 Overseas listed foreign shares

(D-Shares) Total 271,013,973 2.92 271,013,973 2.92 Overseas listed foreign shares

(H-Shares) Total 2,705,328,441 29.14 2,705,328,441 29.14 Total shares 9,284,895,068 100.00 9,284,895,068 100.00

Estimation based on the lower limit of the number of repurchased shares of 43,478,261 shares:

Share category Nature of shares Before repurchase After repurchase Number of shares (shares) Percentage (%) Quantity of shares (shares) Percentage (%) Domestically listed

domestic shares

(A-Shares) Tradable shares with restricted

conditions ? 0.00 43,478,261 0.47 Unrestricted tradable shares 6,308,552,654 67.94 6,265,074,393 67.48 Total 6,308,552,654 67.94 6,308,552,654 67.94 Overseas listed foreign shares



(D-Shares) Total 271,013,973 2.92 271,013,973 2.92 Overseas listed foreign shares

(H-Shares) Total 2,705,328,441 29.14 2,705,328,441 29.14 Total shares 9,284,895,068 100.00 9,284,895,068 100.00

Upon the completion of implementing the share repurchase scheme, the percentage of shares held by the public over the Company's total number of shares is still over 10% and it will not lead to the result that the Company's shareholding is not conformed with the listing conditions, hence this repurchase will not affect the listing status of the Company and will not lead to a change of the controlling right of the Company.

III. DELIBERATION ON REPURCHASE SCHEME AND AUTHORIZATION ON HANDLING MATTERS RELATED TO REPURCHASE OF SHARES

Pursuant to the relevant requirements under the PRC Company Law and the Articles of Association, as the repurchase of A-Shares shall be used for the purpose of equity incentive/employee share ownership plans, the repurchase of A-Shares is within the scope of authority for consideration of the board and is not subject to deliberation at its general meeting.

To ensure the smooth implementation of this repurchasing of shares, the Company's board of directors authorizes the Company's management to handle matters related to the share repurchase within the scope of laws and regulations and in accordance with the principle of maximum protection of the interests of the Company and shareholders. The content and scope of authorization include but are not limited to:



(1) To authorize the management of the Company to set up a special securities account for repurchase and other related matters;



(2) To authorize the Company's management to select an opportunity to repurchase the Company's shares in accordance with relevant regulations, including the specific time, price, quantity of repurchasing etc.;



(3) To authorize the Company's management to make, modify, supplement, sign, submit, report, and execute the agreements, contracts and documents that occurred in the process of repurchasing of the Company's shares, and make relevant reporting;



(4) To authorize the Company's management to adjust the specific scheme of implementation according to the relevant laws and regulations and the requirements issued by the regulatory authorities and deal with the other matters related to share repurchase.



(5) In accordance with relevant regulations (that is applicable laws, regulations, and relevant regulations of regulatory authorities), to deal with other matters not listed above but necessary for this share repurchase are handled.

The authorization period commences from the date when the board approved this repurchase scheme and ends on the date when the aforesaid authorization matters are completed.



IV. MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS REGARDING THE IMPACT OF THIS REPURCHASE OF SHARES ON THE COMPANY'S OPERATION, FINANCE AND FUTURE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT AND THE UNDERTAKING OF ALL DIRECTORS ON THIS REPURCHASE OF SHARES WHICH WILL NOT PREJUDICE THE DEBT PERFORMANCE ABILITY AND GOING CONCERN OF THE COMPANY

As of 30 September 2020, total assets of the Company were RMB200.207 billion and monetary capital reached RMB43.972 billion, net assets attributable to the shareholders of the listed company were approximately RMB50.439 billion and the gearing ratio of the Company is 65.85%. Assuming that the upper limit of this repurchase amount is RMB4.0 billion, and based on the financial estimation on 30 September 2020, the percentage of repurchased capital over the Company's total assets is 2.0%, representing a 7.9% of net assets attributable to the shareholders of the listed company.

Based on the operation, financial and future development conditions of the Company, the Company is of the view that the upper limit amount of the repurchase of shares of RMB4.0 billion shall not have any material impact on the Company's operation, financial and future development.

All directors undertake that all directors shall be honest and act in good faith with dedication and responsibility to protect the interests of the Company and the legal interests of the shareholders and this repurchase shall not prejudice the debt performance ability and going concern of the Company.



V. EXPLANATION ON WHETHER THE CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS, ACTUAL CONTROLLER, DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY ARE INVOLVED IN TRADING OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY WITHIN 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE BOARD APPROVING THE RESOLUTION ON THE REPURCHASE OF SHARES AND WHETHER THERE WERE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WITH THE REPURCHASE SCHEME, WHETHER THEY ACT SEPARATELY OR IN COLLUSION WITH OTHERS IN CONDUCTING INSIDER TRADING AND MANIPULATE THE MARKET AND PLANS TO INCREASE OR REDUCE THEIR SHAREHOLDINGS DURING THE REPURCHASE PERIOD

In January 2021, according to the resolution on the employee share ownership plans of the management committee, the Company handled the transfer of the employee share ownership plans. LIANG Haishan, TAN Lixia, WANG Peihua, MING Guoqing, GONG Wei and MING Guozhen who currently serves as a director, supervisor and senior management were vested 647,127 shares, 517,702 shares, 21,334 shares, 13,938 shares, 88,180 shares and 51,202 shares, respectively (please refer to the announcement of the Company dated 28 January 2021). Such transfer has no conflicts of interest with the repurchase plan, nor has any insider trading and market manipulation act. On 28 January 2021, Haier International Co., Limited, being a subsidiary of Haier Group Corporation, purchased 992,337 shares of D-Shares of the Company. Save as disclosed, there was no trading of shares of the Company by the controlling shareholders, actual controller, directors, supervisors and senior management of the Company within 6 months prior to the board approving the resolution on the repurchase of shares (If the terms of office of the directors, supervisors and/or the senior management of the Company is less than 6 months, then the trading of shares disclosed herein refers to the conditions from the date when their terms of office become effective until the date when the Board approved the resolution on the repurchase of shares). There were no conflicts of interest with the repurchase plan or any separate act or in collusion with others in conducting insider trading and manipulate the markets by the controlling shareholders, actual controller, directors, supervisors and senior management of the Company.

The controlling shareholders, actual controller, directors, supervisors and senior management of the Company do not have any plans to increase or reduce their shareholdings for the time being during the repurchase period. If they intend to implement any plans in future to increase or reduce their shareholdings, the Company shall perform its information disclosure obligations in a timely manner according to the relevant requirements in due course.



VI. THE COMPANY HAS MADE INQUIRIES OF THE SPECIFIC SITUATION WHETHER THE DIRECTORS, CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS, ACTUAL CONTROLLERS, SHAREHOLDER HOLDING MORE THAN 5% OF THE SHARES HAVE PLANS TO REDUCE THEIR HOLDINGS OF SHARES IN NEXT 3 MONTHS AND NEXT 6 MONTHS.

The Company has issued enquiry letters to the directors, supervisors, senior management, controlling shareholders, actual controllers, shareholders holding more than 5% of the shares to check whether they have plans to reduce their holding of shares in next 3 months and next 6 months. All directors, supervisors, senior management, controlling shareholders, actual controllers, shareholders holding more than 5% of the shares have replied to the Company that as at the date when the board adopted the resolution on the scheme of share repurchase, they had no plans to reduce their holdings of shares in next 3 months and next 6 months. If they have relevant plans, the disclosure procedures will be conducted according to the regulations.



VII. RELEVANT ARRANGEMENTS TO CANCEL OR TRANSFER REPURCHASED SHARES ACCORDING TO LAW

The shares of this repurchase shall be fully used for the purpose of implementing the Company's equity incentive scheme and/or employee share ownership plans. If the Company is unable to fulfill the abovementioned purposes within 36 months upon the completion of the repurchase of shares, the unused portion shall be cancelled by performing relevant procedures. The Company will then perform its information disclosure obligations in a timely manner according to the specific implementation status.



VIII. RELEVANT ARRANGEMENTS TO PREVENT JEOPARDISING CREDITORS' INTERESTS

If this repurchase of shares is unable to be fully used for the purpose of equity incentive scheme and/or employee share ownership plans within 36 months upon the completion of the repurchase of shares, then the unused portion shall be cancelled by performing relevant procedures and the registered capital of the Company shall be reduced. the Company shall then perform creditors' notification and other procedures according to the requirements under the Company Law and other rules and regulations.



IX. OPINIONS OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS IN RELATION TO ISSUES SUCH AS THE COMPLIANCE, NECESSITY, JUSTIFICATION AND FEASIBILITY OF THE SCHEME OF REPURCHASE OF A-SHARES



1. This repurchase of the Company is legal and in compliance with the regulations. The scheme of repurchase of a portion of A-Share public shares of the Company is in compliance with the relevant requirements under the PRC Company Law, Circular on Diligent Study and Implementation of the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Amendments to the Company Law of People's Republic of China, Implementation Rules on Repurchasing of Shares by Listed Companies on Shanghai Stock Exchange and Opinions on Supporting Listed Companies to Repurchase Shares and other legal regulations. The voting procedures of the board are complied with the legal regulations and the relevant requirements of the Articles of Association of the Company.



2. The Company continues to finance the repurchase of shares of the Company from its own funds, and shall constantly be used for the purpose of implementing the Company's equity incentive scheme and/or employee share ownership plans in a bid to further improve the Company's governance structure and build innovative long-term incentive and binding mechanism of management stock-holding in order to ensure the achievement of our long-term business target and advancement of conformity of interests and sharing of benefits for the shareholders in general and enhancement of the overall values of the Company.



3. The maximum amount of capital intended to be used for this repurchase shall not exceed RMB4.0 billion, the source of capital is financed by the Company's own funds. This repurchase will not have any significant impact the operation, financial and future development of the Company and will not affect the listing status of the Company.

In summary, the independent directors of the Company are of the view that this repurchase of public shares is legal and in compliance with the relevant regulations and not only is it necessary, but also feasible and is in line with the interests of the Company and the shareholders as a whole, without prejudice to the interest of minority shareholders.



X. SITUATIONS AND RELATED ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPENING A SPECIAL ACCOUNT FOR REPURCHASE

According to the requirements prescribed under the Detailed Rules for Implementation of Share Repurchase by Listed Companies on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Company will open a special securities account for repurchase with Shanghai Branch of China Securities Depository and Clearing Co., Ltd. The special securities account for repurchase will be used only for the purpose of repurchasing shares of the Company.



XI. UNCERTAINTY RISK OF REPURCHASE SCHEME



1. After being approved by the Board of the Company upon consideration, this repurchase is still subject to the risk that the repurchase scheme is unable to implement due to the share price of the Company continuously exceeding the upper price limit as disclosed under the repurchase scheme.



2. If there are major events that have significant impacts on the Company's stock trading price or the board decides to terminate the repurchase plan and other matters, the repurchase plan will not be implemented smoothly.



3. This repurchase is subject to the risk that the repurchased shares may be unable to be fully transferred as a result of the equity incentive scheme or employee share ownership plans failing to be adopted upon consideration at the board meeting and general meeting of the Company and other decision-making authorities and reasons for giving up the subscription of equity incentive items. Hence it is subject to the risk that the repurchased shares may be unable to be transferred into equity incentive scheme or employee share ownership plans upon the expiration of validity period for treasury stock in special accounts for repurchase.



4. This repurchase is subject to the risk that the repurchase scheme may be altered or terminated in accordance with the rules owning to material changes of the Company's production operation, financial situation, external objective circumstance and other reasons.

All investors are cordially reminded to perform rational investment and pay attention to investment risks.

The Board of Directors

Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.
West Bengal Election 2021: BJP's Babul Supriyo likely to contest against CM Mamata From Bhowanipore

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Mar 05: Union Minister Babul Supriyo is likely to contest against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Bhowanipore Assembly constituency in the forthcoming Bengal elections, if she decides to contest from there.

"With strong candidates like Supriyo from Bhowanipore or Suvendu Adhikari from Nandigram, we are going to defeat her in both the seats," news agency quoted a senior BJP leader as saying.

He said that it was discussed in the BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) that if she contests from two constituencies then Supriyo might be fielded against her. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and party president JP Nadda.

Coronavirus cases: With 16,838 fresh cases, India's COVID-19 infection tally over 11.17 million

Notably, Mamata had earlier announced that she might contest from Nandigram. "Names of candidates for almost all the seats going for poll in first two phases has been finalised and names will be announced most likely by Friday evening," BJP West Bengal unit chief Dilip Ghosh said, adding that the party will field a strong candidate against Mamata whether she contests from one or two seats.

Meanwhile, a leading news portal has confirmed that Mamata's former aide Suvendu Adhikari will be fighting polls against her from the Nandigram seat. Speaking at a public gathering, the former TMC loyalist had earlier stated that he will defeat the CM Mamata by "at least 50,000 votes" if fielded from the Nandigram constituency.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

The election in West Bengal will be held in 8 phases, starting from March 27. The state will witness a tough contest between TMC and the BJP. The counting of votes and results will be declared on May 2, Sunday.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
An Oasis of Hope in the United States of Lunacy

Commentary

From the canceling of Dr. Seussif Theodor Geisel was a racist, Im a Martianto the president of the United States calling the governors of Texas and Mississippi Neanderthal for wanting to open their states and allow their increasingly depressed, suicidal children to go back to school, to the House of Representatives shutting down for fear of something or someone called an MVE, we no longer live in a democratic republic.

We live in something closer to a giant lunatic asylum.

Whats an MVE, you may ask? I didnt know myself until a couple of days ago.

Well, apparently those are militant violent extremists.

Are there a lot of them? Since in recent Senate testimony it was admitted that not a single person in the supposed Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol had a gun or any other serious weapon, the flying fire extinguisher having been debunked, Im betting on something more like three guys and a pickup.

This hasnt deterred the usual propagandistic suspects at The New York Times and The Washington Post, as conservative Byron York notes in his useful daily email, who trumpet headlines from the same hearing such as the Posts FBI director says domestic terrorism metastasizing throughout U.S. as cases soar, and the NY Times Domestic terrorism threat is metastasizing in U.S., FBI director says.

What really is metastasizing is (justifiable) paranoia and craziness in a country where something approximating half the populace no longer believes they have anything close to free and fair elections and the other half wants to suppress everything that half has to say, or said long ago (cf. Dr. Seuss, or even Martin Luther King).

And dont look for our elected officials to solve this, even less appointees like stonewaller-in-chief FBI Director Christopher Wray, who gives out less information than a particularly obstinate clerk at the motor vehicle bureau. The press will continue to lie, for the most part.

So what are we to do to get out of this lunatic asylum before we all suffer from what used to be called dementia praecox, if we arent already?

Well, its up to us. That may sound bad, but its actually good, especially in the long run. There are more of us than there are of them.

Look to ourselves and look to positive changes taking place on the ground, try to emulate them in your own way.

King Randall (C) with participants in The X for Boys. (The X for Boys)

An extremely heartening (and surprising) example was called to my attention today, under the headline 21-year-old to open a new school in Albany, will teach boys about life.

The X for Boys founder, King Randall, will transform the former Isabella School into the New Life Preparatory School for Boys.

Randall told WALB News 10s Gabrielle Ware that he hopes the Georgia school will give Albany boys more opportunities for success.

At the school, theyll teach traditional academics as well as trade skills such as welding and auto repair. Some other options will include the science of family and manhood, and there will also be firearms training.

Randall said hes been wanting to open a school since he began The X for Boys program two years ago when he was only 19 years old.

Doing different workshops teaching young men how to do different skill trades, were also doing a book club and teaching them how to read, because 93 percent of the children I come into contact with cant read. But now we have an 86 percent reading comprehension rate, Randall told the station.

Young Mr. Randall (African American, if that matters,) is making a solid contribution in the area that is unquestionably the most significant to our future while being infected by the most extreme bias, education.

What a hero. Its hard to believe there are 21-year-olds like that in America anymore. But there are. And there may be more than we think.

More even than our favorite politicians, these are the people we must support, nurture, and, as I said before, emulate.

If theres a way out of the asylum, they are it.

Roger L. Simon is an award-winning novelist, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, co-founder of PJMedia, and now, editor-at-large for The Epoch Times. His most recent books are The GOAT (fiction) and I Know Best: How Moral Narcissism Is Destroying Our Republic, If It Hasnt Already (nonfiction). He can be found on Parler as @rogerlsimon.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
New Delhi, March 5 : A 29-year-old gym trainer and his 23-year-old female friend have been found dead in a room in Tilak Nagar in West Delhi. Police said that the bodies were highly decomposed.

The man identified as Pawan Paliwal, a resident of Meerut was a gym trainer and a model while the girl identified as Priyanka Bist, a resident of Nainital, worked in a consultancy in Gurugram.

The police received a PCR call on Friday regarding a foul smell coming from a house in old Mahabir Nagar in West Delhi.

Inquiries from the people living there revealed that the girl was residing in this house and two days earlier a man also came to this house.

The ground floor room of the house was found to be bolted from inside which was broken open.

"One almost empty liquor bottle and some supplement tablets wrappers were also lying at the spot. The postmortem has been conducted and the viscera has been preserved for further proceedings. No foul play has been seen and no suicide note has been found till now," a senior police officer said.

The parents of the dead couple said both were friends. The police said there were no marks of any external injury.
Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.

The Senate vote-a-rama became a vote-a-drama on Friday when Democrats put voting on hold for more than four hours as they worked to persuade their colleague Joe Manchin to join them on unemployment benefits.

'I feel bad for Joe Manchin. I hope the hope the Geneva Convention applies to him,' joked Republican Senator John Thune to reporters on Capitol Hill.

Lawmakers are stuck in a holding pattern while Democrats put the pressure on the Democrat from West Virginia.

'I just think that the Democrats right now are in a bit of a quandary,' Thune said. 'I mean, they've essentially stopped action on the floor so that they can try and persuade, I think, all their members to stay together on some of these votes.'

Moderate Democrats, led by Sen. Tom Carper, are offering an amendment to lower federal unemployment benefits to $300 from $400 per week but to then extend the payments from August until October.

Given the 50-50 evenly divided Senate, they need every Democratic vote and Manchin is reportedly balking at it. He favors a Republican amendment that would have the $300 weekly payments run through July.

Democratic Senators Krysten Sinema, Jon Tester and Catherine Cortez Masto cornered Manchin on the Senate floor after senators rejected an effort by Bernie Sanders to include a $15 an hour minimum wage in the package.

When the lawmakers realized their efforts to persuade Manchin were being watched by reporters, they moved back into one of cloakrooms of the Senate floor to speak more privately.

'A couple members, I don't know what they've done to him.' Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said of Manchin. 'I don't know where they're at. The public needs to know. Save Joe Manchin!'

Amid all the drama, the White House wouldn't say whether President Biden had personally called the West Virginia senator to try to get him on board.

'The President supports a compromise so that we can pass the Rescue Plan and get relief out, and he and his team are staying in close contact with Senators to find a resolution that will deliver for Americans who need help the most,' a White House official told DailyMail.com.

Meanwhile, Democratic leadership held open the vote on Sanders' wage proposal for more than six hours even though all 100 senators have voted - a sign they are working on some kind of backroom deal and trying to buy themselves some time.

By holding open the vote, they are preventing any senator from addressing the floor or making a motion. The vote on Sanders' amendment began at 11:03 a.m. ET.

'I think they're trying to wear down Joe Manchin, who is intent on making sure we don't spend more than we have to. This is on unemployment insurance,' Republican Sen. Mitt Romney told reporters of the hold up.

The Senate vote-a-rama became the vote-a-drama on Friday when Democrats put voting on hold for more than three hours

Democrats put a pause on voting for more than three hours to try and persuade their colleague Joe Manchin to vote with them on unemployment benefits

'I feel bad for Joe Manchin. I hope the hope the Geneva Convention applies to him,' joked Republican Senator John Thune (left) to reporters as GOP Senator Lindsey Graham (right) said: 'Save Joe Manchin!'

The Senate on Friday began a massive vote-a-rama on amendments to President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan.

The vote on Sanders' amendment was the first on 422 amendments filed. Not every amendment will get a vote and some will be voted on in blocks to try and speed up the process.

But right now the Senate is stalled with no end in sight.

'There'll be a lengthy amendment process, as the rules of the Senate require. The Senate is going to take a lot of votes. But we are going to power through and finish this bill, however long it takes,' Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Friday morning.

Republican senators are offering multiple amendments to the bill, which Democrats claim is necessary to help the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The GOP protests the bill's cost and claim it's filled with progressive priorities.

'Votearama is upon us,' said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham before the day's action started. 'Stay hydrated. Try to keep good cheer. We're going to have lots of amendments today and kind of talk about where we differ on certain things, which will be good for the country.

'Its going to be a long day,' he added.

Sen. Bernie Sanders shot back: 'Bring it on. We're ready.'

A final vote on the relief measure is likely to come this weekend.

As part of Republican objections they are using the legislative process to delay a final vote as long as possible. On Thursday, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin demanded clerks read the entire 628 page bill aloud.

Schumer thanked the clerks and staff for working such long hours to read the bill.

And, he added, of Johnson: 'As for our friend from Wisconsin, I hope he enjoyed his Thursday night.'

The process - in which three clerks took turns reading the text aloud in a monotone that threatened to put lawmakers to sleep - took 10 hours and 44 minutes. It began at 3:20 p.m. on Thursday and ended at 2:04 a.m. in the early hours of Friday morning.

Now senators can proceed to debating the legislation, which includes the vote-a-rama, a series of votes on blocks of amendments that could last well into Friday night.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of 'ramming through an ideological spending spree packed with non COVID related policies.'

The Senate on Friday will begin a massive vote-a-rama on amendments from Republicans, led by GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell that will challenge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's to keep Democrats together

Amendments come after Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin demanded clerks read the entire 628 page bill aloud - it took them 10 hours and 44 minutes, beginning at 3:20 p.m. on Thursday and ended at 2:04 a.m. early Friday morning

Republicans plan to use their amendments to put Democrats in a tough spot, forcing them to vote on-the-record on a series of issues and challenging the party to stay united throughout the votes.

Asked how long the vote-a-rama could take, Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota said: 'It's indefinite. You've got lots of people who want to offer lots of amendments.'

And it's not just Republicans who will test Democratic unity.

Sanders began the vote-a-rama with an amendment to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour over the next five years. It's an issue that's a priority for progressives but a no-go for moderates.

The wage hike is in the House version of the legislation but it had to be taken out of the Senate version.

The Senate is using a legislative process called reconciliation to pass the legislation, which keeps Republicans from filibustering it but opens it up to a long amendment process and narrows the scope of what can be included. The Senate parliamentarian ruled the $15 wage hike doesn't meet the thresh hold for inclusion as it must have a budgetary effect.

Sanders' effort failed but in pushing the amendment, Sanders forced his fellow Democrats to take a stand on the issue, which has divided the moderate and progressive wings of the party.

The Democrats going against Sanders were moderates, many from swing states: Jon Tester, Joe Manchin, Jeanne Shaheen, Angus King, Kyrsten Sinema, Tom Carper, Chris Coons, and Maggie Hassan.

The vote-a-rama is the last hurdle lawmakers face before a final vote on Biden's sweeping legislation. The final vote is likely to occur sometime this weekend.

Democrats are under pressure to stick together in the evenly-divided 50-50 Senate, where the party cannot afford to lose a single vote and Vice President Kamala Harris will have to break any tie. Harris had to rush up to the Capitol on Thursday afternoon to break a tie vote to allow the Senate to start debate on the relief package.

After she cast her vote, Johnson made his motion to have the bill read aloud.

Bill readings are almost always dispensed with at the start to allow for debate, but Johnson saw it as way to register his frustration over the massive outlay of federal spending.

'I feel bad for the clerks that are going to have to read it, but it's just important,' said Johnson, who has already faced criticism this week for suggesting the deadly January 6 US Capitol riot was not an 'armed insurrection.'

'Why are we authorizing another $1.9 trillion when we still have a trillion dollars sitting on the sidelines' unspent from the previous pandemic relief bills? he told reporters.

'It's actually hard to spend this much money.'

Sen. Bernie Sanders' began the vote-a-rama with an amendment to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour

VP Harris' vote may be needed several more times as senators debate amendments and then hold a final vote on the relief package, which is not expected to get any Republican support

The final version of the $1.9 trillion plan could look different after the amendment process wraps up - or not. In a legislative catch, Schumer, at the end of the amendment vote, can offer an amendment that would revert the bill back to its original form.

There have already been some changes, which President Biden agreed to, including cutting off stimulus checks to Americans who make more than $80,000 a year.

He told reporters in the White House on Thursday he was comfortable with his decision cap the limit on those receiving checks.

Biden made the move to sooth Senate moderates, who worried about the cost of the legislation. But the change infuriated progressives - although they are expected to still support the bill.

The compromise means that 9 million fewer households would receive a stimulus payment than in the last tranche of payouts, which came out from President Donald Trump. It also lowers the cost of the legislation by $12 billion, according to Senate Democrats.

Democrats also increased minimum payments to states with smaller rural populations to match the $1.25 billion minimum contained in last year's CARES Act.

And they added $10 billion for infrastructure, $8.5 billion for health providers and expanded health-care subsidies for those who lose their jobs.

The relief package contains several provisions that have made it popular in opinion polls, even while attracting virtually no Republican support in Congress.

The House passed the COVID relief bill last week with no GOP support. Senate Republicans also are not expected to vote for it. Not a single Republican senator voted to proceed to debate on the legislation Thursday, indicating Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is keeping his senators in line in objecting to the legislation.

After the Senate passes its final, amended version of the legislation, the House will have to vote on it before Biden can sign it into law.
Its Mamata Banerjee vs Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal; PM Modi likely to take a call

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Kolkata, Mar 05: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to face a do-or-die contest in the state election with Suvendu Adhikari, her former top aide who ditched the Trinamool Congress and defected to the BJP in December. During a strategy meeting last evening featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP discussed fielding Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram, one of the two seats Mamata Banerjee has pledged to contest.

The other candidate discussed in the meeting to finalise names for the Bengal election was Babul Supriyo, the BJP's Asansol MP.

According to reports, the Union Minister volunteered his name for Bhawanipore, Mamata Banerjee's constituency and the second seat she is likely to contest in the assembly election that will stretch over eight rounds and 33 days.

West Bengal Election 2021: BJP's Babul Supriyo likely to contest against CM Mamata From Bhowanipore

It is also said that the decision on both candidates has been left to PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda. The Big 3 of the BJP will decide on Nandigram, Bhawanipore and 13 other key constituencies of Bengal.

The Central Election Committee held discussions till late evening at the BJP headquarters in Delhi. Suvendu Adhikari, who was present, told his new bosses that he was confident of defeating former mentor Mamata Banerjee by at least 50,000 votes in Nandigram - the constituency he nurtured for years and shaped as a Trinamool Congress stronghold.

A Mamata Banerjee versus Suvendu Adhikari confrontation has been in the making ever since the Chief Minister announced in January at a rally in Nandigram - her first in five years -- that she would contest from there.

Nandigram was the epicenter of a farmers' movement that propelled Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress to power in Bengal 10 years ago. But the man who worked to build the party's base in Nandigram was Suvendu Adhikari, who represented the constituency.

PM Modi reportedly advised Bengal leaders in yesterday's meeting against getting provoked or speaking out of turn and urged them to maintain decorum in their public statements.

Mamata Banerjee 'real Bengal tigress': Shiv Sena

According to reports, the Prime Minister also asked the leaders, including Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh, Suvendu Adhikari and Rajib Banerjee about the "mood" in Bengal. Another meeting on Bengal may be held on March 9.

BJP chief Nadda has been authorized to decide on candidates for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry will start voting on March 27 for state elections. The results will be announced on May 2.
Donald Trump attacked veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove on Thursday, describing the man who advised his 2020 campaign as a traitor to his party and 'a pompous fool'.

Rove. who served as George W. Bush's chief strategist, wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, criticizing Trump's CPAC performance on Sunday and calling on him not to run in 2024.

Trump hit back the next day, calling Rove a 'RINO' - Republican In Name Only.

'Karl Rove has been losing for years now, except for himself,' Trump wrote. 'He's a RINO of the highest order.'

Rove, widely seen as the architect of George W. Bush's two victories, was attacked by Trump

Trump lashed out at Rove on Thursday, describing him as a 'pompous fool' and a loser

Trump claimed that Rove rang him on election night to congratulate him for his victory.

He also said that Rove 'came to the Oval Office lobbying for 5G'.

Rove, 70, frequently appears on Fox News - often with a whiteboard covered in hand drawn statistics, facts and figures to prove his point.

Trump urged the network to drop him.

'Karl Rove's voice on Fox is always negative for those who know how to win,' the former president said.

'He certainly hasn't helped Fox in the ratings department, has he? Never had much of a feeling for Karl. He's a pompous fool.'

He accused Rove of being responsible for the Republican Party's defeat in the January Senate runoff election and said the party should 'just let him float away.'

Rove, in a statement to Reuters, dismissed Trump's criticism.

'I've been called a lot of things in my career, but never a RINO,' he said.

'I've voted for every Republican presidential candidate since I turned 18 and have labored only for GOP candidates since then.

'I have a different recollection of Mr Trump's views on 5G and our conversation election night.

'I'll continue to use my whiteboard and voice to call balls and strikes.'

Rove laughed off Trump's criticism, and said he would not be giving up his whiteboard

Rove, in his Wall Street Journal article, noted that in a straw poll of CPAC participants, only 68 per cent wanted Trump to run for president again in 2024, while 32 per cent did not want him to run or had no opinion.

Trump's CPAC speech was noteworthy for rehashing his unfounded claims of election fraud in his November loss to Democrat Joe Biden, despite advice from his team not to do so.

Rove wrote of the 90-minute speech: 'There was no forward-looking agenda, simply a recitation of his greatest hits.

'People like fresh material. Repetition is useful to a point, but it grows stale.'

The spat was the latest round in the civil war that has erupted within the Republican Party, with establishment figures such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell eager to put Trump in the rearview mirror, and others, like Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham, believing the party's future depends on the energy of the pro-Trump base.

But Trump retains strong influence within the party.

McConnell voted to acquit Trump on impeachment charges, then turned around and called Trump 'practically and morally responsible' for his supporters' deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol last month, only to then say he would vote for Trump if he is the Republican nominee in 2024.
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - A gendarme died of his injuries following an attack by unidentified armed individuals on Tuesday against the Territorial Brigade of the National Gendarmerie of San, in central Mali, the Malian News Agency (AMAP) reported on Friday
Beijing is optimizing health screening procedures at public places, such as hospitals, supermarkets, parks and transportation hubs, allowing citizens without smartphones or health QR codes to enter with their ID cards or other such documents, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology announced on Thursday.

Since last December, the Chinese capital has piloted a program to allow the elderly to enter public places with their senior citizen cards. So far, terminal devices for verifying health code by scanning ID cards, senior citizen cards, and social security cards have been set up in over 170 public places including the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yuyuantan Park, and Shuntianfu supermarket, receiving over 400,000 enquiries.

Beijing also plans to add disability ID card to the health screening system in more public places. According to a person in charge at the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, scanning a card is more convenient and in line with people's habits, especially in heavily populated public places such as airports, train stations and factories. Currently, Beijing is working on expanding the pilot program to more areas. Such card-scanning devices are expected to be set up at the Beijing Daxing International Airport and the Beijing Capital International Airport this year.

In addition, the city is actively promoting the universal recognition of health code nationwide. After integrating into relevant national platforms, health codes will be accepted by all regional authorities, so as to provide greater convenience for travelers. Passengers who have previously registered for the health code can enter train stations and airports in Beijing by scanning their ID cards. And for passengers who have not previously registered, their registration and verification of health codes will be processed through the relevant national platforms.
It was the end of an era Tuesday when Bunny Wailer, the last of the original Wailing Wailers passed away, aged 73.

Bunny Wailer (original name Neville ORilley Livingston) completed the trio that formed the reggae music group, Bob Marley and the Wailing Wailers, alongside Marley and Peter Tosh in the 1960s.

They recorded hit albums like Simmer Down, Stir it Up, and many others, before Bunny went solo around 1973. His reason was simple. He didnt like extensive touring that the band did, saying it clashed with his Rastafarian beliefs, citing the pressure to eat processed foods and play in freak clubs.

He added: Music is based on inspiration and if youre in an environment where you are up and down, here and there, thats how your music is going to sound.

Bunny Wailer made a success of his solo career, just as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh did of their own. He won three Grammy Awards.

Bob Marley, easily the biggest and most successful of the Wailing Wailers, was the first to die of cancer on May 11, 1981. He was aged 36.

On September 11, 1987, Peter Tosh was shot dead by some gunmen, who had attempted to rob him at his Jamaican home. He was aged 42.

Bunny Wailer lived longest, but had been in and out of hospital for a couple of years, before he died this week. He stopped wailing at age 73. He was a cultural icon in Jamaica.

Bob Marley had said they picked the expression Wailing Wailers for the band, because we started out crying against different ills of society. But now, the wailing has turned full circle, as the original members of the reggae group are all dead.

In June 2015, just about a month into the Muhammadu Buhari administration, it was crystal clear that some people would not let well be. At the slightest drop of a hat, they began to ululate, wail and cry as if pepper had been put in their sensitive parts.

They shouted themselves hoarse, particularly on social media, as if it was the beginning and end of the world, and as if it was the best way to distract the President from doing anything. Almost six years later, they are still at it.

The negative chorus was led by Olisa Metuh, the then spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). If the President coughed, he would say he didnt cough well, and issue a press statement. If he smiled, he would say what was there to smile about in the Nigerian situation, and follow up with a press statement.

If it rained, Buhari ooo, it didnt rain at all, Buhari ooo. If a man was like a stud with his wife, Buhari ooo, he suffered power failure at night, still Buhari. Press statements became a dime a dozen.

One day, Metuh had issued one of his yeye press statements, and I decided to respond via a Tweet. I said those who shout endlessly about the President should realize that power had slipped inexorably out of their hands, at least for the next four years. I ended it with the expression; Wailing Wailers.

It caught on like harmattan wildfire. He has abused us o. He called us wailers. Yes, what were they? Wailers. Wailing wailers, no apologies. The battle line was drawn.

They came after me like wild coyotes, but to me, it was just like water off the ducks back. If the woman cooking egusi soup sees a toad hopping by, she can only hiss, and turn her face away. The toad cannot end in her soup pot.

They screamed, shouted, wailed, and at the end of the day, they decided to adopt the appellation. They began to call themselves wailing wailers.

Now that Bunny, the last of the Wailing Wailers, is dead, can we see it as an allegory? Is it not also time for the wailing wailers here to keep their peace?

ADVERTISEMENT

Instead of grumbling, murmuring and complaining about everything, can they rather begin to wish the government well, pray for those in authority, and give constructive advice? Instead of caviling about our military and the security challenges, can they begin to applaud them for their exploits, and say God bless our troops? Can they see the many good works that President Buhari is doing for the country, and not just wail about the shortcomings? Heck! Theres no perfect administration anywhere, not in the Americas, Europe, Asia, not anywhere in the world. And there wont be.

Bunny Wailer is dead. It draws the curtains on the group called Bob Marley and the Wailing Wailers. Let our own local wailers understand that the wailing market is over. Its now time to go home.

*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
DALLAS (AP)  A Dallas police officer was arrested Thursday on two counts of capital murder, more than a year and a half after a man told investigators that he kidnapped and killed two people at the officer's instruction in 2017, authorities said.

Bryan Riser, a 13-year veteran of the force, was arrested Thursday morning and taken to the Dallas County jail for processing, according to a statement from the police department. Jail records show Riser is held without bond pending an appearance before a judge, but do not list an attorney for him.

CUT OFF: Fired ERCOT leader refuses $800,000 severance

Riser was arrested in the unconnected killings of Liza Saenz, 31, and Albert Douglas, 61, after a man came forward in August 2019 and told police he had kidnapped and killed them at Riser's direction, police Chief Eddie Garcia said during a news conference. He said investigators don't know the motives for the killings, but that they were not related to Riser's police work.

Garcia did not explain why Riser was arrested nearly 20 months after the witness came forward, and police declined to answer subsequent questions about the timing. Riser joined the department in 2008, and Garcia acknowledged that he had been patrolling Dallas while under investigation for the killings.

The chief stressed that his homicide division and the FBI were still investigating and said the department was reviewing Riser's arrests.

Saenzs body was pulled from the Trinity River in southwest Dallas on March 10, 2017, with several bullet wounds, the chief said. Douglas was reported missing that year and his body hasnt been found.

Three men were charged with capital murder in the killing of Saenz: Kevin Kidd, Emmanuel Kilpatrick and Jermon Simmons. Kilpatrick is serving life in prison for the killings of a father and son. Kidd and Simmons remain in Dallas County jail on capital murder charges stemming from the killings of Saenz and the father and son. Simmons is also charged in another death.

One of the men charged with Saenzs killing told police that he and Riser were involved in burglaries when they were young, according to an affidavit for Risers arrest. It does not identify the man by name.

PPP SCAM: Houston woman accused of spending $3.6 million in PPP loans on houses, Land Rover

More recently, Riser and the man allegedly hatched a plan to rob drug stash houses, but they didn't follow through with it. Instead, according to the affidavit, the man told investigators that Riser offered to pay him a total of $9,500 to kidnap and kill Douglas and later Saenz.

Both were shot and their bodies were dumped in the river, the court states.

The affidavit states that Riser told the hired killer Saenz was an informant. The document does not elaborate, and police declined to answer questions about whether Saenz had some connection to the department.

The murder charges are not the officer's first alleged crimes. In May 2017, Riser faced a domestic violence charge for allegedly assaulting and injuring an ex-girlfriend. It wasn't immediately clear how that case was resolved. Police said Riser received summary discipline for an incident.

Riser has been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation. Garcia said were going to expedite our process toward his firing.

We will not allow anyone to tarnish this badge, the chief said.

A spokeswoman for the Dallas County district attorney said her office didnt have information on the case.

___

Associated Press writers Jamie Stengle in Dallas and Jill Bleed in Little Rock, Arkansas, contributed to this report.
Finnegan Lee Elder, from the United States, walks past Rosa Maria Esilio, widow of slain Carabinieri military police officer Mario Cerciello Rega and his brother, prior to a hearing where he is accused of slaying a plainclothes Carabinieri officer in June 2019 while on vacation in Rome, Italy, on March 1, 2021. (Alberto Pizzoli/Pool Photo via AP)

US Youth Testifies He Stabbed Italian Officer in Defense

ROMEA young American on trial in Rome for the slaying of an Italian police officer has told the court that he stabbed the victim because he feared he was being strangled by a thug.

Finnegan Lee Elder, 21, and a friend from California, Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, 20, are charged in the murder of a Carabinieri paramilitary officer Vice Brigadier Mario Cerciello Rega on a street near their hotel while vacationing in Rome in 2019.

In the wee hours of July 26, 2019, Elder and Natale-Hjorth were confronted by a pair of plainclothes Carabinieri officers who showed up at what the Americans thought was going to be a rendezvous with the go-between in a cocaine deal gone bad a few hours earlier in a different Rome neighborhood.

Posters portraying the Italian Carabinieri paramilitary police officer Mario Cerciello Rega, are displayed in the square where he was stabbed to death last year in Rome, Italy, on July 14, 2020. (Domenico Stinellis/AP Photo)

Cerciello Rega, 35, and his partner were assigned to respond to what prosecutors allege was a small-scale extortion attempt by the Americans after the defendants had paid for cocaine they didnt receive and snatched the go-betweens knapsack with his phone inside.

The American have said they expected to see the go-between, an Italian man, come to retrieve the backpack in exchange for refunding the 80 euros ($96) they paid for the drug but didnt receive.

Instead, two men they had never seen before showed up instead.

Elder told the court that Cerciello had his hands pressing on Elders neck. So, the defendant contended, he reached for his knife and stabbed Cerciello, whom he said he mistook for a thug, in self-defense.

In a blink of the eye, they came around and rushed us without saying a word, Elder told the court. Likening the stocky figure of Cerciello Rega to a mountain of a man, Elder added: He tackled me to the ground and put all his weight on me.

Gabriel Natale-Hjorth (R), and Finnegan Lee Elder, from California, arrive in court for a hearing in their trial where they are accused of slaying a plainclothes Carabinieri officer while on vacation in Italy last summer, in Rome, on, Sept. 16, 2020. (Remo Casilli/Pool Photo via AP)

Elder recounted that he remembered little of the next few moments except the shock and terror. I do remember, however, that I could feel his hands first on my chest and then on my neck, with pressure, as if he was trying to strangle or choke me.

As soon as I felt his hands squeezing my neck, I instinctively took my knife and hit him a few times in an effort to get him off me, Elder continued in his spontaneous statement to the court, which is permitted under Italian trial proceedings. Neither prosecutors nor the defense followed up with questioning.

Elder said that, at the last minute before leaving the hotel room with Natale-Hjorth, he took his knife as a foolish caution. Prosecutors described it as an 18-centimeter (8-inch) long attack knife.

Referring to stabbing the officer, Elder said that after several hits, he grabbed my hand, the one I was holding the knife with, and tried to turn it against me. Elder testified that he managed to switch hands and hit him again on the side.

Police officer Mario Cerciello Rega (R), 35, who was stabbed to death in Rome, Italy. (Screenshot via Reuters)

Cerciello Regas partner, Andrea Varriale, had told the court earlier in the trial that he tried to stop blood pouring out like a fountain from his partner. The slain officer, who was unarmed, was stabbed 11 times.

Varriale has also testified that he heard his partner cry out Carabinieri as Elder and the slain officer struggled in the street.

But Elder told the court he heard no such cry of identification.

Varriale and Natale-Hjorth have each testified that the two of them scuffled with each other.

Prosecutors alleged that after the stabbing, Natale-Hjorth hid the murder weapon in their hotel room. Natale-Hjorth has said he didnt realize the police officer had been stabbed while the scuffles were happening. Under Italian law, defendants having a role in a murder case can also be charged with homicide.

By Frances Demilio
A Youth Organizer aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Prince-Kamal Gumah has congratulated President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on the affirmation of their victory in December 7, 2020, presidential elections by the Supreme Court of Ghana.



Congratulation to the president and vice president for this victory. I pray and hope their good leadership will see Ghana where it supposed to be, he said



The Supreme Court on Thursday, 4 March 2021 upheld the results of last years presidential election, saying the petitioner failed to prove that the winner did not cross the constitutionally required threshold of more than 50 per cent of the votes cast.



The ruling means President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will continue in office as President until his second term is over.



Nana Akufo-Addo polled 51.3 per cent of the valid votes, according to figures from the Electoral Commission while the petitioner, who was the 2020 flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Mahama, polled 47 per cent.



Delivering the judgment, Chief Justice Anin-Yeboah said: the petition is dismissed as without merit.



Prince-Kamal Gumah who is eying a national position in the ruling party said he is impressed with the sterling performance of his partys Nana Addos legal team.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Other countries will use their supplies to vaccinate their own populations, the Taoiseach said (Brian Lawless/PA)

Other countries will use their vaccine supplies to protect their own populations, the Taoiseach said.

Micheal Martin downplayed suggestions Ireland could engage with individual states for unused Covid-19 jabs.

Germany has made it clear it would be using all of its doses.

#EUCO leaders today discussed vaccines, variants and investment in research.

General agreement that every possible effort must be explored to ramp up production of #COVID19 vaccines across Europe. pic.twitter.com/xcHSMD0bOn  MicheAl Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 25, 2021

France is planning to give Astra Zeneca vaccines to people over the age of 65.

Mr Martin said: Most countries are focused on getting their own vaccinations progressed.

The issue is really around supplies.

He said a firm stance was being taken at the European Commission level and the important factor was the arrival of the filled vials from manufacturers.

He said: AstraZeneca are saying that they will make up the shortfalls so far, but we will see as time goes on.

We are confident of significant additional supplies.

We are beginning to see the positive effects of vaccination, we are moving towards a much brighter place. Together weall get there.#COVID19 #holdfirm pic.twitter.com/bWymAWmhjH  Dr Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn) March 5, 2021

He expressed optimism on meeting inoculation targets over the next number of months.

The Taoiseach added: Europe is making additional efforts to increase capacity and supply.

All residents and staff in nursing homes and frontline healthcare workers have been vaccinated.

The inoculation of those aged over 85 will be completed within days.

Mr Martin added: The vaccination programme is having an impact.

Infection rates are coming down significantly in hospitals and nursing homes.

Next week, vaccinations will begin of those with underlying health conditions.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced Alabama's mask mandate will be extended until April 9.

Following that date, the mandate will be lifted across the state. Restaurants now have the choice of whether or not they will require customers to wear masks when up from their seats.

Bee Zr's, a coffee shop and Gastropub, said it'll continue to have tables distanced apart. It will also require that you wear a mask when up from your table.

Abigail Alter, the Cultural Coordinator at Bee Zr's, said, "I think we all kind of agree it's better to do something rather than nothing...You know, we don't want to pretend like there's no problem."

Restrictions will continue to loosen as more vaccines are administered and coronavirus numbers continue to decrease, but ultimately, it's up to the small businesses on what they'll require of customers.

Wearing a mask is just one step that can be taken to keep customers and employees safe.

"That's really what it's all about for us," said Alter. "Keeping our staff safe and our customers safe, while being able to operate."

Huntsville resident, Nick Lasater, was excited when he heard about the mask mandate being lifted in April. He said businesses that have been hit hard need to bounce back.



"For the restaurant industry and everyone that's been hit hard, who had the most restrictions against them, I'm excited for them to be making money," said Lasater.

Alter said it's necessary to keep coronavirus safety precautions in place, regardless of the state ending the mask mandate on Apr. 9.

"Until we feel confident this pandemic is under control, we're going to keep doing what we can to keep everyone safe," said Alter.

Bee Zr's is one of the few restaurants in downtown to open during the coronavirus pandemic.
Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.
A 33-year-old man accused of decapitating his mother at her home has been deemed fit to stand trial by a judge at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Justice Michael White said today he was satisfied that the Polish man could find his way around navigating a plea, follow the evidence and make a proper defence after two consultant psychiatrists had disagreed on whether the defendant was fit to stand trial.

Referring to the defendant, the judge said he was "highly sceptical" that he had planned his mother's death two years in advance or was "faking a psychiatric illness".

Tomasz Krzysztof Piotrowski, originally from Poland but with an address at Cherrybrook, Ardee, Co Louth, is charged with murdering his mother Elzbieta Piotrowska (57) on January 8, 2019 at her home in Clonmore, Ardee.

Expand Close Tomasz Piotrowski has been charged with the murder of his mother, Elzbieta Piotrowska / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Tomasz Piotrowski has been charged with the murder of his mother, Elzbieta Piotrowska

Ms Piotrowska's decapitated body was found in her home that morning. She had suffered a significant number of stab wounds, and an axe and stanley knives were found close to her body.

Mr Piotrowski, of Cherrybrook, Ardee, was arrested on the same day and was subsequently deemed unfit to be tried having been assessed by psychiatrists at the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) in Dundrum, Dublin.

Last December, Dominic McGinn SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions told Mr Justice White that Dr Mary Davoren had decided that Mr Piotrowski was now fit to stand trial. He said this came about following a consultation in November during which Mr Piotrowski accepted that he had lied to psychiatrists in order to get a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a lesser sentence.

In her evidence, Dr Davoren said she was satisfied that the accused was able to describe the various plea options available to him and had a good understanding of them. The doctor said Mr Piotrowski had told her that he had considered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity but said he did not want to spend a long time in the CMH and was instead considering a plea of diminished responsibility. In her view, Dr Davoren said this was a careful approach taken by the accused and demonstrated that he had not chosen a plea impulsively.

Furthermore, the witness said that the accused had maintained good concentration and attention during their three interviews with no sign of any thought disorder. In her opinion, she said the accused met the criteria for fitness to stand trial.

However, consultant psychiatrist at the CMH Dr Conor O'Neill disagreed. He told counsel for Mr Piotrowski, Roisin Lacey SC, that he believed Mr Piotrowski was still suffering from delusional beliefs, that his symptoms are most likely the result of paranoid schizophrenia and that he was not fit to plead at his trial. He said the accused had an extensive history of multiple substance misuse, particularly cannabis and cocaine, and had tested positive when he was admitted to Cloverhill Prison in January 2019.

Dr O'Neill said the accused man continued to hold a range of delusional beliefs including that the deceased is not his real mother but a witch who used black magic to harm him. He addressed a suggestion that the psychotic symptoms could have been the result of drug use by saying that the symptoms persisted when Mr Piotrowski was treated for lengthy periods in different hospitals, including the CMH, where he did not have access to illegal drugs.

In cross-examination, Dr O'Neill agreed with Mr McGinn that the accused recognised that a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity would not be in his interest as it would delay his return to Poland, which the accused was anxious to avoid.

The doctor said he assessed Mr Piotrowski in September last year as being unfit to plead and having seen him several times since then and having viewed reports by other psychiatrists, his opinion had not changed. He said that while Mr Piotrowski had recently denied being mentally unwell, he continued to describe beliefs that are delusional. In his opinion, Dr O'Neill said the accused was actively psychotic, did not have the capacity to instruct counsel and was not fit to be tried.

Delivering judgment today, Mr Justice White said this was a "complex" case and an issue had arisen concerning the accused's fitness to be tried under the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006.

There was a "strong prima facie case" that Mr Piotrowski had caused the death of his mother, said the judge, stressing that the court was "highly sceptical" that the defendant had been planning her death two years in advance or was "faking a psychiatric illness". Undoubtedly, the accused's mental health had improved and stabilised during his stay in the CMH but he had never abandoned his delusional beliefs about his mother, even in his improved and stabilised state, said the judge.

Mr Justice White said that the man's consistent diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia seemed "very sound" to the court but this was ultimately a matter for the jury. He said that while it may be difficult he was satisfied that the accused could find his way around navigating a plea, follow the evidence and make a proper defence. "This can be kept under review by the trial judge and can be revisited if necessary," he added.

The defendant was remanded in custody to March 11, when his case is listed for mention.
Russia officially announced on Feb. 25 that Egypt had received five Sukhoi Su-35 advanced combat aircraft. The Russian Khabarovsk Krai regions official media agency stated that the most important achievement of the military factory in the region was delivering the five Su-35 fighter jets to Egypt, out of the 24 jets that were agreed upon, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Al-Monitor informs.

On July 23, 2020, the first photos of the new Egyptian upgraded Su-35SE fighter jets were taken by journalist Andrey Neyman when five fighter jets, which represented the first batch of an Egyptian-Russian arms deal, arrived in the Russian city of Novosibirsk for refueling, according to The Drive.

Speaking at the Dubai Airshow on Nov. 18, 2019, R. Clarke Cooper, then-assistant secretary of state for political and military affairs, said the US government, represented by then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and then-Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, has sent an official letter to Egypt warning it of possible sanctions if it goes ahead with plans to purchase Russian aircraft.

Cooper said Egypt is aware of the risks it would be taking by purchasing Russian aircraft because this exposes it to possible US sanctions and threatens its future purchases of US equipment, noting Pompeo and Esper stressed that any major new arms deal with Russia would complicate US defense and security assistance to Egypt.

Esper and Pompeo had addressed their letter to Egyptian Defense Minister Mohamed Ahmed Zaki. Meanwhile, Washington had warned the commander of the Egyptian air force, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Abbas, of the consequences of the Russian arms deal and asked Cairo to review its military and intelligence relations with Russia.

Maj. Gen. Khaled Okasha, director of the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor that after Egypt's success in purchasing 24 Rafale aircraft from France in February 2015, Cairo ordered the upgraded Sukhoi 35 fighter jets so that it can diversify its weapons sources, especially for its air force, and not rely on US weapons only. He said the United States has supplied Israel with the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, and thus Washington has guaranteed Tel Avivs military supremacy and sovereignty over the region with this type of aircraft. The acquisition of this type of aircraft could threaten the balance of power in the Middle East, especially after the United States refused to sell F-35 fighter jets to Egypt at the same time, he added.

Okasha stressed that the main goal of Egypt in acquiring the Sukhoi 35 aircraft is that this type of aircraft can match the Israeli and US warplanes, and thus the Egyptian army guarantees superiority in regional skies. This is why the United States strongly opposed this deal and threatened sanctions against Egypt. Okasha stressed that Egypt has the full right to diversify its weapons sources without relying on the United States alone, rejecting US threats to suspend military aid because Egypt has a right to make independent decisions. He added that Cairo already received 40 Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters in November 2019, which is what may have angered the United States, since Egypt insists on completing its military deals with Russia without submitting to the dictates and threats of the United States.

On Feb. 23, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed to his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, his concern about Egypt's purchase of the Russian Sukhoi 35 planes. The former Donald Trump administration had previously warned against this deal, saying it would expose Cairo to the risk of US sanctions under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. Blinken also expressed concerns about the human rights situation in Egypt, stressing that it will be pivotal in the bilateral relations between the United States and Egypt.

Ammar Ali Hassan, a professor of political science at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor that US-Egyptian relations have gone through many stages and tensions in recent years, to the point that US aid to Egypt was suspended in 2013 when former President Mohammed Morsi was ousted and a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood supporters was launched. He added, Even after aid resumed [in 2015], relations between the two countries remained unstable. Egypt heavily relied on the United States to secure weapons, but [after aid was cut], Cairo realized the importance of not relying on Washington alone. Besides, the United States refused to supply Egypt with the F-35 planes that it had provided to Israel to ensure its military superiority.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Maintenance at three oil sands upgraders in Canada will take off some 500,000 bpd in production offline, helping tighten supply amid a price rally, Bloomberg reports.

Canadian Natural Resources, Suncor Energy, and Syncrude will all idle an upgrader each, taking off 250,000 bpd, 130,000 bpd, and 70,000 bpd, respectively, from total oil sands production.

The maintenance coincides with OPEC+s decision to leave its production level almost unchanged, save for a concession of 130,000 bpd for Russia and 20,000 bpd for Kazakhstan.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, said it will continue cutting 1 million bpd unilaterally this month as well, even though earlier there were reports it was going to end it as planned. Now, the Kingdom said it will keep cutting this month and next.

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, I would once again urge caution and vigilance, the Saudi Energy Minister told media at the meeting.

Before we take our next step forward, let us be certain the glimmer we see ahead is not the headlight of an oncoming express train, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said.

Yet the official also noted the oil cartel is keeping an eye on non-members too.

The U.S., Saudi Arabia, Russia, Canada, Brazil and other well endowed countries with hydrocarbon reserves -- we need to work with each other, collaboratively, he said, as quotes by Bloomberg.

Russias Deputy Prime Minister and OPEC+ negotiator Alexander Novak said the oil market was in much better shape, as per a Financial Times report, but noted that the pandemic still presented a big uncertainty.

The oil sands cut will be temporary but, according to the industry itself, even when the three companies resume operations at their upgraders, there is little upward production growth pressure in Canadian oil sands. It seems emission reduction is a bigger priority for oil sands operators than production growth.

I cant see much growth in the oil sands happening because there is going to be less demand in the future, Canadian Natural Resources chief executive Tim McKay told Bloomberg. The first step is we have to get our carbon footprint down.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

ROME, MAR 5 - Italian fashion businessman Renzo Rosso's Only the Brave (OTB) holding company, which owns the Diesel brand, has reached an agreement to buy the Jil Sander fashion house from Japan's Onward Holdings. The details of the operation, which is set to be finalized by the end of the month, have not been revealed. (ANSA).
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain yesterday strongly condemned the launch of a ballistic missile by Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia as a cowardly terrorist attack targeting civilians. In a statement condemning the attack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the Saudi Royal Air Defence Forces and coalition forces, for their readiness and vigilance, in intercepting and destroying the missiles and drones before hitting civilian targets.

Bahrain expressed its full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the security measures it takes to deter the Houthi terrorist attacks and protect citizens and residents on its territories.

Arab coalition yesterday thwarted attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militia targeting civilian objects, which Iran-backed Houthi militia claimed as Aramco facilities in the port city of Jeddah.

Media reports said that a missile launched by the Houthis towards the southern city of Jazan was intercepted and destroyed.

The Royal Saudi Air Force has intercepted and destroyed this morning (Thursday) a ballistic missile launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in Jazan, Saudi Press Agency said, quoting an Arab coalition statement. The terrorist Houthi militia is purposely escalating the deliberate, hostile, terrorist targeting of civilians and civilian objects using ballistic missiles and bomb-laden UAVs.

These terrorist acts amount to war crimes. Aramcos oil production and export facilities are mostly in Saudi Arabias Eastern Province, more than 1,000 km (620 miles) across the country from Jeddah.

The Arab Coalition announced overnight that it had intercepted two explosives-laden drones launched toward Khamis Mushait, a southwestern city home to the King Khalid Air Base.

Yemens Houthi movement regularly launches drones and missiles into Saudi Arabia, many of which Riyadh says it intercepts.

San Francisco resident Brad Tardy was preparing for an interview with KPIX-TV news reporter Don Ford on Wednesday for a story on crime in his Twin Peaks neighborhood when they were robbed at gunpoint.

As they were standing at Twin Peaks Boulevard and Burnett Avenue in the middle of the afternoon, a white luxury car with four men pulled up next to them and three men hopped out, one of them holding a gun, KPIX reported.

"He points it right at Don," Tardy said. "He says, 'Im taking this camera.' We all stood there, frozen for a little bit. One of the other guys grabbed the camera. He starts heading back to the car, while the guy with the gun is still pointing it at all of us. The third guy gets into the back seat first, the other guy gets into the back seat and then tries to put the camera and the tripod in the back seat. Its so big he cant get the door closed. Hes still pointing the gun at me."

Tardy added, "Isnt that ironic? Of all the things, literally, were doing a report on a crime in neighborhood and we get held up at gunpoint."

Ford recounted the incident in a KPIX report. My whole thought at the moment was be calm," he said. "Lets not get this guy excited. Hes got the gun. I dont. So you take you the camera. Its yours, buddy.

The robbery happened at about 12:35 p.m., police said. The police department said the camera was later recovered. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains active, police said.

The incident occurred after the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors voted Tuesday to compromise on proposed changes to the traffic flow on Twin Peaks Boulevard, settling on a partially car-free option.

The Burnett Avenue gate will remain closed to traffic except for emergency vehicles, bicycles, walkers and skaters, while the Portola Drive access will reopen for all-day use by motor vehicles. Car travelers will be able to again use the Christmas Tree Road parking lot and viewing area. The eastern side of the figure-eight road will remain car-free, which it was even before the pandemic.

The roads have been mostly closed to traffic since March 2020, including to tour buses, which frequently utilized the area for its scenic views.

READ MORE: Twin Peaks won't go entirely car-free, SFMTA opts for compromise instead

Tardy lives near the gate and he is part of a group of neighbors in favor of opening the gate as crime has increased in the neighborhood since its closure. He explained that tourists are parking below the gate, leaving laptops and bags in their cars, and criminals are seizing on the opportunity and breaking into the cars in smash-and-grabs.

"These rings of car break-ins have been going on for months," he said. "They break into cars in front of us all day long and steal the stuff."

Tardy spoke at the meeting where he said 55 others spoke. "Seventy percent of them said they wanted to see the Burnett gate open," he said. "I told them during my 90 seconds of speaking: We live in fear every time we walk out our door. And today, I get held up at gunpoint right outside my house. This is all because they closed the road and forced the parking lot to be in front of my house.

District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman called the robbery "ridiculous and unacceptable" on Twitter.

"We need to adequately resource public safety agencies, adopt better strategies to stop repeat offenders and make clear that San Francisco is not a place that you can commit crimes and put people's lives at risk with impunity," Mandelman wrote.

Bay City News and SFGATE reporter Tessa McLean contributed to this story.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
[March 05, 2021] Milton Security Hires Cowperthwaite As Chief Operating Officer

BREA, Calif., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Milton Security, a leading provider of Threat Hunting as a Service, XDR & MDR (MxDR) SOC Services, announced today that it has hired well-known industry veteran Eric Cowperthwaite as Chief Operating Officer. The move will greatly strengthen Milton Security's ability to deliver great services to clients. Cowperthwaite's focus in this new role will be driving value for clients through operational delivery and excellence. Previously, Cowperthwaite worked for Herjavec Group, as a VP, running their Professional Services organization. He has been a system engineer, consultant, Chief Information Security Officer, and led strategy and executive consulting teams in his more than 30 years in the security industry. As a veteran of the US Army, with service in West Germany and the Middle East, including Operation Desert Storm, Cowperthwaite deepens the bench of veteran leadership at Milton Security. He has worked for such organizations as EDS, Core Security, Providence Health & Services, and Esterline Technologies prior to his role at Herjavec Group. This wide and varied experience will be key to Milton moving to the next level. "Eric and I have known each other for many years and I consider him a friend and colleague. Eric is truly a seasoned and trusted leader who consistently delivers results. He understands global sales, go-to-market strategy, and customer satisfaction in a way that few information security executives can hope to, and he's got a proven track record of maximizing the growth potential of a range of businesses," said James McMurry, Founder and CEO of Milton Security. "Eric is joining an energetic team at the erfect time to light the engine of scale and growth. In the past, I've had the opportunity to be a trusted security provider for Eric when he was a CISO. Now I have the opportunity to have Eric working with me so that we can make Milton Security the premier trusted provider of Threat Hunting, XDR and MDR Services."



Cowperthwaite joins Milton Security at a time when nation-state activity, ransomware attacks, and malware reports have increased more than 127%. With his wide breadth of knowledge, Cowperthwaite will be able to quickly onboard and start making a difference for clients. His respect and trust in the Infosec industry will help Milton increase their service offerings as well as differentiated customer experience. "I am so excited to come onboard with Milton Security Group," said Eric Cowperthwaite. "Jim, Ethan Coulter (President of Milton) and the rest of the Milton crew are a fantastic group of people and great security practitioners. I truly appreciate the opportunity to be part of this special group of people focused on taking cyber security to the next level. Milton's proprietary tools and platforms bring great value to their clients in ways that just can't be matched with traditional, legacy security tools. My focus has always been to make security work, protecting the enterprise from all the challenges and risks we see in the cyber landscape today. This is a place that takes that mission seriously."

About Milton Security Milton Security operates a 24*7*365 unique Extended Detection & Response/Managed Detection & Response (MxDR) service that provides Threat Hunting As A Service using customers' existing security infrastructure. For 14 years, Milton's team of Threat Hunters have stopped thousands of threats and assisted organizations in protecting themselves around the clock. Milton focuses on the best combination of AI, ML, and Human Correlation, to scout for threats, assist with incident response activities and protect hundreds of customers around the clock. It's Milton Security. Obviously, We Protect Your Brand. www.miltonsecurity.com | +1.888.674.9001 | info@miltonsecurity.com

Milton Security, Inc. a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Media Contact:

Lydia Coulter

304558@email4pr.com

714-515-4011 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/milton-security-hires-cowperthwaite-as-chief-operating-officer-301241507.html SOURCE Milton Security

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
When Alyaksandr Lukashenka met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on February 22 to discuss financial and integration issues, there was one political card noticeably absent from the Belarusian leader's hand: China.



During his 26 years in power, Lukashenka balanced and exploited differences between the West and Russia to strengthen his position at home.



In recent years, China has become another key element -- and an increasingly important economic player -- of the Belarusian leader's geopolitical equation, navigating between Brussels, Moscow, and Beijing to leverage strategic gains and secure much needed loans and investment.



But the ongoing human rights crisis in Belarus, set off by Lukashenka's brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters following the August presidential election that the opposition and international observers have deemed fraudulent, has left Minsk sanctioned by the West and the country's economy increasingly weakened.

Far Less Appealing



Cut off politically from Europe and embattled at home, the strongman has become a far less appealing partner for Beijing.



"Belarus could previously get some money from the West and Russia, and then pivot to China," Katia Glod, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, told RFE/RL. "But waning Chinese support means that Minsk has far less space to maneuver, especially with Russia."



Despite the ongoing protests and mass arrests in Belarus that have further tattered Lukashenka's legitimacy at home and abroad, his hold on power remains firm.



In the face of continued calls to step down from opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya -- who lives outside the country but is viewed by many as the actual winner of the presidential election -- Lukashenka said on March 2 that there will be "no transfer of power" in Belarus.

And China's interest in backing the autocrat continues to cool.



While Chinese President Xi Jinping was the first foreign leader to congratulate Lukashenka as the winner of the presidential election in August, Beijing has held back strong economic or political support for Minsk.



China -- which had been a very active investor in Belarus -- has not offered a new project or loan to Minsk since 2019 and is seemingly stepping away from the country's domestic crisis.



That has hurt Lukashenka's leverage as he looks to secure a financial lifeline from Moscow in the face of mounting geopolitical pressure.



China's Testing Ground



China sharply increased its foreign economic footprint around the world in the last decade through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Xi's signature project.



And as the BRI steadily built influence for Beijing through infrastructure, energy, and technology investments, the countries of the former Soviet Union became a testing ground for Chinese policies.

In many ways, Minsk courted Beijing, especially as it faced the pressure of European Union sanctions and tensions with Moscow over control of oil supplies in the 2000s.



But it wasn't until Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014 that Belarus became a focal point for China.



Prior to that, Beijing viewed Ukraine as a strategic stepping stone for China to connect itself to the EU. Prior to Russia's illegal annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula, China was engaged in a $10 billion project to build a deep-water port in Crimea that would seek to redistribute cargo flows from Asia to Europe.



Protests in the winter of 2014 that eventually saw the ouster of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the outbreak of war in eastern Ukraine, led to China turning its attention more firmly toward Belarus, which positioned itself as an important launching pad on the EU's doorstep for BRI.



In recent years, Chinese money has financed new roads, factories, and rail links with Europe, along with a sprawling industrial park on the outskirts of Minsk that has drawn more than $1 billion in investment from 56 foreign companies, including Chinese technology giants Huawei and ZTE.



Beijing also opened up a $15 billion line of credit to the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus in 2019 and offered a $500 million loan that same year after Moscow withdrew a similar offer amid tense integration talks.



"China wants stability, that's always the most important thing for Beijing," Peter Braga, an expert on Belarus-China relations at University College London, told RFE/RL.

Strategic Value?



But Minsk's growing international isolation, especially Lukashenka's falling out with the West, has limited Belarus's strategic value to China.



Braga said Beijing has always viewed Belarus as a risky investment and while China has grown its presence significantly over the years, it has moved cautiously in structuring its loans and deals in the country to limit its own exposure.



Beijing has offered conditional investments with Minsk, pushing Belarus to pour its own money into developments, and also often issued "tied" loans that require Belarusian companies to buy Chinese supplies and tech for Beijing-funded projects in the country.



Moreover, many ventures that China has invested in and issued loans for remain incomplete and behind schedule, making it hesitant to keep adding to Belarus's balance sheet.



Amid the country's ongoing domestic crisis, those concerns have only been amplified and left Beijing to reassess the depth of its commitment to Minsk.

"China will keep up appearances, but that deep relationship is currently on ice," said Braga. "Beijing will only start putting money back in Belarus on a scale like before if Minsk can normalize its relations with Europe."



All Roads Lead To Moscow



Despite Chinese uncertainty, Lukashenka has continued to try to attract more Chinese funds into his country.



Speaking at the Belarusian People's Congress in Minsk on February 11, the Belarusian leader pressed for more Chinese companies and banks to become involved in the country, while praising Chinese policy and support.



But with few opportunities for international borrowing and an economy hit by sanctions, the Kremlin -- long Minsk's largest creditor -- remains one of Belarus's few remaining lifelines.

In September, Putin pledged a $1.5 billion loan to Belarus, although the majority of that money will go toward refinancing Minsk's existing debt to Moscow.



Ahead of the February meeting in Sochi, the Russian newspaper Kommersant cited government sources saying that a $3 billion loan would be discussed during Lukashenka's meeting with Putin, although the Belarusian leader later denied this.



Russia has previously made it clear that further economic aid to Belarus is contingent on Minsk accepting greater political integration between the two countries -- a prospect he has long resisted -- and what sort of concessions the Kremlin will push now that Lukashenka has limited outside leverage remains to be seen.



"Belarus would have liked it to be different," said Glod. "But the current political crisis means that Lukashenka no longer has this China card to play."
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
(Alliance News) -A Parsley Box Group PLC and Caerus Mineral Resources PLC on Friday became the latest companies to reveal plans to list in London as a strong start to the year for UK IPOs continues.

Parsley Box plans to list on London's junior AIM market and is a provider of ambient ready meals which do not need to be stored in a fridge or freezer. Parsley Box said it delivers around 900,000 products per month to its "loyal and growing Baby Boomer+ consumers", broadly defined as those aged 60 and over.

The company said three new non-executive board members, Chris Britton, Hazel Cameron and Ana Stewart, will join ahead of admission. Britton has experience in a number of food and drink companies, and until recently sat on the board of packaging firm DS Smith PLC. Cameron has non-executive director experience across a range of sectors and Stewart is a "creative entrepreneur" with quoted board experience as chief executive of i-design Group PLC.

"An IPO provides us with an attractive platform to realise our growth ambition, whilst also enabling our loyal customers and valued employees to share in our future success. We are proud of our track record to date, excited about the next phase in Parsley Box's development and the opportunity to deliver significant value for all of our shareholders," said Chief Executive Kevin Dorren.

Meanwhile, Caerus Mineral Resources PLC intends to list on the London Stock Exchange Main Market. It is a London-based exploration and resource development company focused on developing mineral resources in Europe to supply the global 'Clean Energy' drive.

Caerus said it has acquired New Cyprus Copper PA Ltd, providing the company with access to a suite of copper-gold exploration licences in Cyprus.

The company said it has completed a fundraise through Novum Securities Ltd via a placing of 21.0 million shares at 10 pence each, raising GBP2.1 million. In parallel, Caerus has entered into two subscription agreements for a total of 1.5 million shares to raise GBP150,000.

The placing and the subscriptions are conditional upon admission, and it is expected that dealings will commence on March 19.

"We are pleased to announce our intention to list on the London Stock Exchange. Caerus will provide the market with access to the re-emergence of Cyprus as a key producer of copper and a contributor towards the growing Clean Energy-based Economy," said Chief Executive Martyn Churchouse.

The news on Friday from Parsley Box and Caerus come amid a stellar start to the year for IPOs in London.

Takeaway delivery company Deliveroo on Thursday confirmed it had picked London for a potential listing. It was reported last month the company hired six investment banks to work on the floatation, which could value it at up to GBP7.5 billion.

So far this year London has seen big names such as online greeting cards retailer Moonpig Group PLC and boot maker Dr Martens PLC list.

By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's independently developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft has entered a new flight test phase targeting its firefighting capacities, announced its developer on Thursday.

The AG600 aircraft on Thursday completed the first flight test of its aerial water-dropping functions in Jingmen, central China's Hubei Province, said the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

It marked a major step forward for the development of the large amphibious aircraft model, which is of great importance to the country in strengthening its natural disaster prevention and emergency rescue capacities.

The aircraft performed well during the test of its water-dropping capabilities, which is one of the key functions of the amphibious aircraft model.

It is expected that the AG600 aircraft will proceed to conduct flight tests dropping water over fire sites before the end of the year, the AVIC said.

During Thursday's flight test, the AG600 development team also conducted a preliminary evaluation of the procedure for the aircraft's water-dropping task.

It will provide a basis for the improvement of the aircraft's firefighting capacities and better serve the country's demand for enhanced, comprehensive natural disaster prevention and emergency rescue capabilities.

MULTI-DUTY LARGE AIRCRAFT

The AG600, together with the Y-20 large transporter and the C919 single-aisle passenger airplane, is part of China's key project to independently develop a "large aircraft family."

Codenamed Kunlong, the AG600 is a key piece of aeronautical equipment in China's emergency rescue system. It is intended to meet the needs of firefighting and marine rescue missions, as well as other critical emergency rescue operations.

The large amphibious aircraft is designed to operate in complex weather and environmental conditions. During rescue missions, it can conduct low-altitude water surface searches and can act as an anchor during water and maritime rescue missions. The aircraft is capable of rescuing up to 50 people per mission.

The AG600 successfully completed its maiden flight in 2017, its first takeoff from a water reservoir in 2018, and its maiden flight over sea in 2020.

During its maiden flight over sea, the AG600 aircraft further verified its marine-related performance, which laid the foundations for its future work in specific environments during missions such as emergency rescue operations, according to the AVIC.
Govt's drive likely to kick off with profit-making PSUs





The Centre is likely to privatise profit-making enterprises, reversing its previous position of first closing or merging loss-making state-run units. The NITI Aayog, which is in the process of selecting public sector units for privatisation, is likely to put out its first list, focusing on companies in non-strategic sectors, along with those that have got Cabinet approval for stake sale, or are in final stage of due diligence. Read more

Wipro, in its biggest acquisition so far, has signed an agreement to buy London-based Capco, a global management and technology consultancy, for $1.45 billion. The deal is an all-cash one and will be funded through internal accruals and debt. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the June quarter. Read more



States open to GST on fuel, want Centre to come up with clear plan



Many states are open to the idea of petrol and diesel being brought under the goods and services tax (GST) regime  contrary to the perception that they are averse to it  but they want a concrete proposal, including a compensation mechanism, from the Centre. Read more

Haryana job reservation law to shrink talent pool, says industry





The recent job reservation law in Haryana will not just bring in unrealistic goals for organisational hiring, but will also reduce the overall productivity with the talent pool limited to those within the state, according to top company executives and experts. Also, many multinationals and domestic companies, with their offices in Gurugram, fear their ongoing recovery from Covid-linked restrictions may slow down because of the law. Read more





Atmanirbhar and PLI: Why the industry is sceptical of ambitious targets





On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet over 40 CEOs across broad swathes of industry, ranging from makers of mobile devices, auto components, food products to telecom networking equipment and pharmaceuticals. The agenda: To discuss how to make India an integral part of the global supply chain.

The focus of the discussion would be the much touted yet not so well understood production-linked incentive scheme (PLI), the centrepiece of the governments drive to massively boost the manufacturing sector. Read more





Decoded: How Covid-19 vaccine efficacy helps to get an idea of protection



What is the meaning of vaccine efficacy? Vaccinology talks about minimum essential function or the MEF of a vaccine, which includes safety and efficacy. Efficacy of a vaccine means its ability to stimulate immunity in a person who has received the shot. Read more





India's FDI inflows up 37% in October-December to $26.16 billion

Foreign direct investments (FDI) into the country increased 37 per cent in October-December to $26.16 billion, compared to $19.09 billion of inflows in the corresponding period a year ago. Despite the pandemic devastating economies, FDI inflows have risen, indicating the confidence of global investors in India. Read more



Ease of Living Index: Bengaluru pips Pune, emerges as most liveable city

Bengaluru was ranked the most liveable among 111 cities in the government's 'Ease of Living Index'. It was followed by Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Surat. Among the 49 cities ranked in the 'million-plus population' category, Delhi figures in the 13th spot and Srinagar at the bottom. Read more
New Zealand was hit by three powerful earthquakes, triggering tsunami warnings on Friday. The Kermadec islands region which is around 1,000km from New Zealand was hit by an 8.1 magnitude earthquake.

Reuters

Warning sirens sounded across Noumea as authorities ordered evacuations amid fears that waves of up three metres (10 feet) were headed towards the French territory.

Also Read: Jacinda Ardern Wants To Change New Zealand's Policy Of Five Sick Leaves To 10

"People must leave beach areas and stop all water activities, and should not pick their children up at schools to avoid creating traffic jams," emergency services spokesman Alexandre Rosignol told public radio.

3 very strong earthquakes have struck near New Zealand within 6 hours of one another. The 8.1 #earthquake has prompted a #Tsunami watch for Hawaii. The potential threat is still being evaluated there and for the west coast of North America by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. pic.twitter.com/yaaanJLw2M  Ed Piotrowski (@EdPiotrowski) March 4, 2021

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand was among those given an early morning wake-up.

"Hope everyone is ok out there -- especially on the East Coast who would have felt the full force of that earthquake," she posted on Instagram after the initial shake at 2:27 am.

Also Read: Himachal Pradesh Man Who Moved To New Zealand 20 Years Ago Is Now An MP In Jacinda Ardern's Cabinet

+  Sirens start to sound in New Zealand coasts warning the tsunami alert issued after more than 8 magnitude earthquake in the area few minutes agopic.twitter.com/ARs6ZHOD9g  igandean (@igandean) March 4, 2021

New Zealand experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity but Emergency Services Minister Kiri Allan said she had never before experienced such a strong sequence of earthquakes.

The US Geological Survey initially pegged the quake at 7.3, then revised it down to 6.9. It said that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 km (6 miles).

Tsunami waves were possible within 300 km of the quake's epicentre, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said.

Authorities have advised people in coastal areas to move immediately to high ground. "Anyone near the coast who felt a LONG or STRONG quake should MOVE IMMEDIATELY to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can," it further said.



There was no immediate report of damages. Meanwhile, New Zealand government's seismic monitor Geonet pegged the quake at a magnitude of 7.2 with a depth of 94 km (58 miles).
It is exactly the kind of scenario the architects of Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccine task force were trying to avoid.

It is exactly the kind of scenario the architects of Manitoba's COVID-19 vaccine task force were trying to avoid.

John and Mary live in southern Manitoba and both are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. However, because Mary is 90, she was able to make an appointment earlier than John, who is 89.

The result is that Mary has an appointment on March 10, but John, who could not book an appointment at the same time, has to wait until March 12 to get his shot. A request to get approval for both to be vaccinated on the same day was denied.

They will have to drive an hour to Winnipeg  twice  to get vaccinated at the downtown clinic at the RBC Convention Centre.

"I inquired about whether we could get them on the same day, but was told they couldn't accommodate that," John said. "My main gripe is that they have known for months that vaccinations are coming but they couldn't open the (immunization) site in Morden. Not everyone in this age group is comfortable driving into the centre of Winnipeg and having to deal with traffic and parking."

A provincial spokesman confirmed that right now, only one appointment can be booked during a single call into the vaccine call centre, although there will be changes to "allow eligible individuals to book same-day appointments for their eligible spouse or partner."

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS If a 90-year-old needs to travel to Winnipeg to get a shot, and the person who will bring them is a partner or spouse of advanced age, both should be vaccinated at the same time. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)

We should have some sympathy for the people overseeing Manitoba's vaccine rollout. This is the single greatest public health challenge in more than a century and, given the world's collective failure to prepare for a pandemic, we've been forced to wander somewhat blindly through this crisis.

It's a big challenge with grave consequences and no playbook.

However, even with all of the immense logistical challenges and the frightening novelty of pandemic conditions, we're doing a pretty bad job of anticipating problems such as those faced by John and Mary.

This week, the Free Press has been jammed with stories about senior Manitobans being forced to drive for hours to get a vaccination because they don't live in a community with a clinic. The province has, so far, been tardy in establishing pop-up clinics in smaller communities.

Other elderly Manitobans who are strong enough to live on their own, but too weak to make the arduous trip to a vaccination clinic in another community, are left to wonder when, or if, they will be vaccinated.

The lack of vaccine supply is certainly part of the problem. More doses would likely allow for a broader and more flexible approach to distribution. But a lack of supply does not explain all of the problems we've seen this week.

If a 90-year-old Manitoban needs to travel to Winnipeg to get a shot, and the person who will bring them is a partner or spouse of advanced age, it's pretty obvious both should be vaccinated. Public health officials need to immediately grant call-centre workers a modicum of discretion  anchored to well-defined criterion  to recognize obvious opportunities to meet obvious needs.

KEVIN KING/WINNIPEG SUN Stories abound about senior Manitobans being forced to drive for hours to get a vaccination because they don't live in a community with a clinic. (Kevin King / Pool file photo)

It's really as simple as asking where the eligible person lives, who will be taking them to the clinic, how old that person is and whether they have already been vaccinated. With a few parameters in place to prevent abuses, John could have  really should have  been offered an appointment.

It should be noted that problems like this are hardly a Manitoba phenomenon. All over the world, even in countries with access to larger supplies of vaccines, there has been a failure to get people to the vaccines, or vaccines to the people who need them.

Across Canada, few provinces have established functioning online booking systems and those that have are suffering a variety of bugs. In Montreal, a web-based booking system has been beset by technical problems, including a chronic tendency for the site to time out before people complete their online forms.

In New York City, where there is really no shortage of vaccines, residents have been forced to play a game of immunization whack-a-mole to get appointments for first or second doses.

Vaccinations are available through a broad array of public and private clinics but a lack of co-ordination means New Yorkers are left to search multiple websites in the hopes of finding an open appointment. Things have gotten so bad that community organizations like Epicenter NYC have started mobilizing volunteers to do nothing else but scan for open immunization appointments for people who have been shut out.

All that said, any large-scale public health initiative can and should be judged by its ability to anticipate challenges and provide solutions in a timely fashion. This isn't about being perfect. But Manitoba's immunization task force needs to adopt a fail-fast mindset where problems are identified and solutions are provided in real time.

Right now, there seems to be a maddeningly high tolerance for problems, and not enough urgency when it comes to providing solutions. And you can't blame that on a shortage of vaccine.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Networking & Wireless

Lincoln U Deploys WiFi 6 to Support Remote Learning

Pennsylvania's Lincoln University has boosted wireless connectivity in all its campus spaces with a network rollout designed to meet the demands of both in-person and remote instruction. The historically Black institution deployed high-density WiFi 6 access points from Extreme Networks at its 422-acre main campus and off-campus graduate center, as well as the company's cloud network management solution.

The new network can support 3,000 users and 5,000 devices daily, according to a news announcement. Students can access livestreamed courses and recorded lectures both indoors and outdoors without connectivity issues, and because the coverage extends across the entire campus, they can study without congregating in large groups around a WiFi signal. The network is secured with WPA2 authentication for an additional layer of data security and protection from cybersecurity threats.

On the back end, Extreme Networks' ExtremeCloud IQ network management platform allows Lincoln's IT team to manage the wireless network through the cloud, remotely access and control all wireless APs and gain visibility into all connected Internet of Things devices.

"Our mission at Lincoln University is to educate and empower students to lead their communities and change the world  technology should never be a barrier to success, commented Justin McKenzie, chief information officer for Lincoln University, in a statement. With Extreme's high-density WiFi 6 access points, single-pane-of-glass cloud management, and credential-based access capabilities, our IT team can offer a vastly improved user experience while supporting new flexible learning requirements. Further, simplified management and maintenance has reduced their workload, resulting in a reduction in operating costs of more than 30 percent and allowing us to focus more effort on security and other projects."
Good morning, its Friday, March 5, 2021, the day of the week when I reprise a quotation meant to be inspiring. Today, I have two -- both concerning pioneer Geraldyn Jerrie Cobb, who was born this day in 1931. The first line comes from Cobbs own 1962 congressional testimony in which she made the case for including women astronauts in this countrys space program.

The second comes from a later NASA astronaut who paid homage to Cobb and her sisters of the sky.

First, Id point you to RCPs front page, which presents our poll averages, videos, breaking news stories, and aggregated opinion pieces spanning the political spectrum. Todays lineup features Susan Glasser on national security (New Yorker); Evan Halper and Seema Mehta on the fading fortunes of Gavin Newsom and Andrew Cuomo (Los Angeles Times); and Joe Concha on President Bidens lack of public visibility (the Hill). We also offer original material from our own reporters, columnists, and contributors:

* * *

Why Senators Should Vote Down the $1.9T COVID Relief Bill. Alfredo Ortiz highlights pet causes unrelated to the pandemic that the legislation funds.

Everythings Coming Up COVID. At RealClearInvestigations, Steve Miller reports that unions and others have achieved, or are close to realizing, long-sought goals using the rationale of pandemic relief -- even as the virus fades.

Can the U.S. Economy Grow Without Immigration? RealClearMarkets editor John Tamny makes a case for interconnectivity being the biggest driver of productivity.

Five Steps for Revitalizing Conservatism. Mark T. Mitchell argues that too many self-identified conservatives are uninterested in whats at the heart of the political philosophy.

How the Texas Power Catastrophe Could Have Been Avoided. At RealClearPolicy, Ray Gifford traces the problem to deregulatory efforts that began decades ago.

#WasteOfTheDay: VA Spends $25 Million on Guns & Ammo. Also at RCPolicy, Adam Andrzejewski of OpenTheBooks spotlights the Department of Veterans Affairs purchases despite scant evidence of need.

Why Californias Energy Policies Hurt Minorities the Most. RealClearEnergy editor Jude Clemente points out that the states carbon-free efforts have resulted in a residential electricity price thats 55% higher than the national average.

New Air Force Chief Aims to Change the Status Quo. At RealClearDefense, Mackenzie Eaglen interviews Gen. Charles Brown about his efforts to undo bureaucratic hurdles.

* * *

Jerrie Cobb was born and raised in Oklahoma, the daughter of a U.S. Army officer and a granddaughter of Ulysses S. Stone, a one-time Republican member of Congress. From the time she was a girl until her death two years ago, Jerrie Cobb had two passions: God and flying. She would combine those dual callings in a career as a bush pilot and Christian missionary who flew food and medicine on humanitarian sojourns in the Amazon and other inaccessible regions of the world. In 1981, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

When she died on March 18, 2019, her family released the following statement: After living sixty-six adventure filled years as a pilot and advocate for female pilots, and sharing over fifty years of her life with the indigenous Indian tribes of the Amazon, Jerrie's humble smile and sky-blue eyes live on in our hearts. It is fitting that Jerrie was born in, and would leave us in, Woman's History Month.

Her life might have taken a different turn had Cobb not learned that, for her generation, the glass ceiling extended into the heavens. At the outset of the U.S. space program, Dwight Eisenhower, an Army lifer, thought combat pilots and test pilots were the logical pool for astronaut candidates. That ruled out Jerrie Cobb and every other American female aviator, even though Cobb had flown dozens of different aircraft, possessed undeniable talent, and was eager to explore space.

Its true she hadnt flown jets or been in combat, but that was just another Catch-22: women werent allowed to fly combat missions -- and military fliers were first in line as test pilots. In 1959 and 1960, however, the husband of famed aviatrix Jacqueline Cochrane financed tests overseen by respected flight surgeon William R. Lovelace II and invited a select group of women to take it. Cobb aced them all, but it wasnt enough, even after she appeared before a 1962 congressional subcommittee.

We women pilots who want to be part of the research and participation in space exploration are not trying to join a battle of the sexes, she said. As pilots, we fly and share mutual respect with male pilots in the primarily mans world of aviation. We very well know how to live together in our profession. We see, only, a place in our nations space future without discrimination.

It wasnt to be, at least not in the United States. In 1963, the Soviet Union sent cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova into orbit. (A future member of the Duma, the Russian parliament, Tereshkova botched the USSRs propaganda advantage by not only criticizing America for its sexism, but ridiculing Cobb for her Christian faith.)

Eventually American women, led by Sally Ride, did make it into space -- and then some. As the Houston Chronicle noted, news of Jerrie Cobbs death came just one day after NASA announced that astronaut Christina Koch would make the longest female spaceflight in history, at 328 days. Anna Fisher, one of the first six women tapped by NASA in 1978 to join the astronaut corps, spoke for many of his sisters when she told the newspaper she was keenly aware of the contributions made by Cobb and her compatriots who were denied their chance to soar.

They worked so hard, and they wanted it so badly, and then we came along and caught the wave at just the right time when society was changing, said Fisher, who flew on the space shuttle in a 1984 mission. I felt so grateful to them and sad, in a way, that they werent able to achieve their dream. But they did, in a way, by opening the door for us.

And those are our quotes of the day.

Carl M. Cannon

Washington Bureau chief, RealClearPolitics

@CarlCannon (Twitter)

ccannon@realclearpolitics.com
He is treating Christian Porter with kid gloves. He doesnt want to risk losing him; his government is teetering on the brink. If Porter should quit Parliament, it would force a by-election in his West Australian seat of Pearce. He held it by a 7.5 per cent margin at the 2019 election. This is probably beyond Labors reach but the seat would be vulnerable to an independent. Loading The Morrison government lost its working majority when the populist fantasist Craig Kelly quit the Liberal Party a couple of weeks ago. One more loss and its absolute majority would be lost too. If Porter doesnt want to be subject to an independent inquiry, Morrison isnt going to force him to face one. This leaves us with a very serious problem, writes University of NSW law professor Rosalind Dixon. How can we expect the public to have trust and confidence in our legal or political system while these allegations remain in circulation and untested? We cannot. We need the Prime Minister properly to test these allegations by initiating the kind of investigation conducted by Vivienne Thom at the request of the High Court, when faced with credible allegations of sexual harassment against Justice Dyson Heydon. Professional bodies including the Women Lawyers Association as well as Labor, the Greens and some independent MPs, agree.

Morrisons differs. His argument is that only the police legitimately can investigate, and anything else is an assault on the rule of law. Move on. Zap. Forget. Morrisons second incentive to protect Porter is to insure against future leadership challenges. He is determined to demonstrate loyalty to his ministers, however hopeless or beleaguered they may be. In a government with any real standards the Aged Care Minister, Richard Colbeck, would have been sacked for presiding over the COVID-19 catastrophe in Victorian aged-care homes, for starters. Loading But prime ministers of the past decade have learned that the biggest threats to their tenure are not the opposition or the electorate but their own colleagues. Palace coups have come thick and fast. Morrison hopes that by showing eye-wateringly implausible levels of denial to protect his colleagues, they will stick with him in the event of any future coup attempt. No minister is responsible for anything. Move on. Zap. Forget. Morrisons third motivation is that so long as the news is dominated by the governments problems with women, Labor is winning. The Coalition desperately wants to get the political debate back onto its winning grounds of economic management, national security and virus management. Anything to do with women is a quagmire for the Coalition; it cant find its footing and it just keeps sinking. So move on. Zap. Forget.

Can he get away with it? Youd see why he thinks so. The intensity of the internal jousting during the Peter Dutton challenge to Malcolm Turnbull  the one that ultimately delivered the prime ministership to Morrison  shocked and dismayed quite a few Liberal women. Loading Liberal MP Julia Banks quit the party. Banks said shed been badly bullied by male colleagues. Her resignation moved Kelly ODwyer, then minister for jobs and industrial relations, to tell her colleagues that the widespread view of the Liberals was that the party was homophobic, anti-women, climate-change deniers. She announced her resignation from Parliament two months later. Liberal senator Lucy Gichuhi took her concerns to the new Prime Minister: I told him everything, Gichuhi said. After the leadership spill, I was ready to say everything that had happened. I saw adult women crying, even ministers. It was very, very tense. Scott said, Leave it with me. They were the last words as I left him. That was the last she heard of it. She lost her seat at the 2019 election. But it was the treatment of the most popular and high-profile Liberal woman that caused the biggest sensation. Julie Bishop, the first woman to be elected deputy leader of the Liberals, was humiliated in her tilt at the top job when a group calling themselves swinging dicks mobilised against her. She confirmed the blindingly obvious  that the Liberal Party had a women problem.

A women problem ... former Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen In spite of all of this, Morrison led the Coalition to win the 2019 election only a few months later. Nothing had changed. The Liberals still had a women problem. But they managed to scrape back into power regardless. They got away with it, and keep getting away with it. Loading If you conducted a vox pop on any street in Australia today, how many people would be able to tell you the name of Australias Minister for Women? Just about nobody. Because Marise Payne has done just about nothing. Move on. Zap. Forget. Even after these torrid and shocking weeks with accusations of rape against a Liberal staff member and a Liberal cabinet minister, senior Liberal men do not think their grip on power is under threat. These controversies might increase the Labor Partys winning margins in seats they already hold, but are not powerful enough to cost the Coalition any of their seats, they assert.

This has the whiff of hubris. Its true that Scott Morrisons approval rating is strong, in the 60s. This is a result of his handling of the pandemic and the recession. But its also true that nothing has budged the critical measure  voting intentions. Loading All the polls have the two main parties evenly matched, within their margins of error. There is no surge of voting support for the Coalition. In other words, people appreciate what Morrison has achieved but are suspending judgment on which party to vote for. The pollster Peter Lewis, director of Essential polling, says the electorate is waiting to see which of Morrisons two personas emerges as dominant: The I dont hold a hose persona of dodging, or the PM who leans in on the vaccine and gets things done. His performance on the rape accusations so far seems to be a relapse to dodging. But surely Morrison gets credit for appointing the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, to review Parliament Houses workplace culture? That depends. The Jenkins review was announced on Friday, exactly a year since she delivered her landmark Respect at Work report into sexual harassment in the workplace. Same woman, reporting on a very similar issue. The government has given her last report and its 55 recommendations only scant attention. Move on. Zap. Forget.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Hungarys television watchdog is launching a legal attack against a a TV network for airing a pro-LGBT+ advertisement.

The advert, according to the National Media and Infocommunications Authority, is not suitable for children because it featured same-sex families  clashing with the countrys strict media codes, Euractiv reported.

First airing across Radio Television Luxembourg (RTL) channels, the advert was part of a national campaign spearheaded by the national LGBT+ rights advocacy group Hatter Tarsasag.

It featured various LGBT+ people and experts, from educators to doctors to therapists, debunking myths about queer families.

Now Hungarys broadcast regulators have taken aim at RTL for airing the ad on its channels.

In doing so, regulators said, RTL went against a controversial media law that says broadcasters must respect for the institution of marriage and family values.

Hungary media regulator is trying to silence LGBT+ rights

Hatter Tarsasag made the advert in response to the government curtailing LGBT+ rights last year. Among a raft of sweeping measures, one amendment strictly defined a family including a man as the father and a woman as the mother.

This effectively barred same-sex couples from adopting, the latest salvo against the LGBT+ community by prime minister Viktor Orban.

Hatter Tarsasags managing director told RTL News: The purpose of the Media Authority is to silence LGBT+ organisations so that there can be no meaningful social debate on this issue.

We think this campaign video was an important part of social dialogue. It does not contain items that would cause any disadvantage or harm to minors.

The prime minister of Hungary Viktor Orban has launched salvos after salvos against the LGBT+ community. (Omar Marques/Getty Images)

Obran has sought to position LGBT+ people as enemies of the state and has left Hungarys pro-LGBT+ media browbeaten. The increasingly autocratic and populist leader has starved publishers and broadcasters which are not supportive of his government of state advertising revenues.

Some LGBT+ Hungarians with the means to do so have already fled to neighbouring countries where they can dream of having a better season.

In 2015, the number of outlets that took a pro-government tilt was 31  now it is more than 500, according to research by Atlatszo, one of the countrys few independently-owned news websites.
Rudyard Kipling, the great English poet of the first part of the 20th century, considered the strengths and influence of the British Empire but warned his fellow subjects of the crown that empires are fleeting. He mentions one in particular:

Far-called, our navies melt away;

On dune and headland sinks the fire:

Lo, all our pomp of yesterday

Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!

Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,

Lest we forgetlest we forget!

"Lest we forget  lest we forget!"

God does not want us to forget the lessons of the book of Jonah, nor the destiny of the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. The minor prophet, Jonah, takes place when Nineveh, that great city, was the largest city on the face of the earth. So great was this monumental world capital that considerable remnants of Nineveh remain to this day. In the north of modern-day Iraq, next to the city of Mosul, the remains of Nineveh, stand as testimony to the historicity of the story in Jonah.

What do we know about the book of Jonah?

The book of Jonah is often characterized by liberal theologians as a metaphorical story to teach Israel to be more open to others. Those who hold Jonah as a mythological yarn seek to strengthen their unbelieving position by adding disbelief in a fish swallowing Jonah and, then, spitting the reluctant revivalist onto the shore. Liberal scholars might dismiss the story of Jonahs prayer time in a fish belly as riotous rabbinical storytelling, but Jonah would surely protest. He would have very likely carried PTSD and claustrophobia with him for the rest of his life. Long strands of briny seaweed wrapped around Jonahs neck and the distinct rankness of a creatures stomach acid digesting the prophet would remain with Jonah for the rest of his life. Since we interpret Scripture by other Scriptures, and since our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told the book of Jonah as history (Matthew 12:39-41), so must we.

The book of Jonah is remarkable for several reasons. One of those is the way the historical account is conceived and recorded. Rather than the story being only about Nineveh, or about God's message, all of the lessons seem to be centered in the person of Jonah. Jonah was called to go and to preach to Nineveh. He was to call Nineveh to repentance. The mandate to preach repentance is inexorably linked to the announcement of Gods grace and forgiveness. It is clear that Jonah believed in the efficacy of God's message. It is not that Jonah hesitated and, then, refused to go to Nineveh because the task would be difficult (although that is an argument from silence). Rather Jonah became a reluctant prophet because he knew God's grace would overwhelm Israel's enemy. We know as a fact for Jonah records his prayer, not a petition that flatters its supplicant:

So he prayed to the LORD, and said, Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm (Jonah 4:2 NKJV).

The word for the English, loving kindness in the text is the Hebrew,  hesed. Hesed is the word used repeatedly throughout the Old Testament to describe Gods loyal love, His self-sworn obligation to love Israel, and to provide what Israel lacked (viz., sacrifice for sin and a holy life). This is covenantal language of the highest order. Jonah is saying in his prayer, that he knows that God will bring Nineveh into that covenantal relationship. It is an astounding admission of the true nature of Gods covenant given to Abraham. God would use Israel to reach the entire world with His love and grace and forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. Jonah 4:2 is remarkable, also, in that it demonstrates that when God shifts His affection on the people we should expect conversion. The essential nature of God and His mission in the world should be a powerful motivation as well as a source of confidence as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission.

Covenantal-snobbery was, and can still be, a serious problem with Gods people. We can come to think that we are blessed to be in the family of God because of something of value or usefulness that impresses God. Indeed, the Bible is clear:

The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples (Deuteronomy 7:7 NIV).

Jesus echoed this truth:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you (John 15:16 ESV).

While the theme of Gods sovereignty and Gods grace is, indeed, the predominant storyline of Jonah, the book is certainly not merely metaphorical. The book is historical and refers to what became one of the greatest revivals in the history of humankind. The pagan city of Nineveh, the capital of an Ancient Near Eastern Empire, Assyria, was the epicenter of antagonism toward Israel, and yet, this enemy of God became the object of God's love and grace. Jonah was called to go and preach the repentance to the Ninevites (And by natural inference, to receive the forgiveness of God). The story of Jonah demonstrates how Almighty God has sovereign control over every creature on earth. From the wind to the fishes of the sea, and even pagan sailors, all respond to God in obedience. A gourd, an easterly winder, and even a worm, all over the Lord without any protests. The only disobedient figure in the book of Jonah is Jonah. He must learn that God's love is greater and wider than he had ever imagined.

So what are the lessons we can learn from the book of Jonah?

1. Jonah teaches us that God's mercy is wider and Gods grace is greater than all of our sins.

The book of Jonah begins with these words:

"Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Ammittai, saying, arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me."

God comes to us while we are still sinners, and still, the Lord does not wait for us to clean up our act before He comes into our lives. If that were so we would never be saved. God begins to have mercy upon us while we are still in willful disobedience; and, like Nineveh, characterized by infamous sin and evil. The Bible says that God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). This is an essential characteristic of God. The lesson that God loves us while we are living in rebellion is of great hope to our nation today.

2. Jonah shows us that God's love is greater than our self-interest.

Jonah was quite content with God's grace and God's love over Israel and over his own life. But when God called him to go to Nineveh, we read that Jonah went in the opposite direction. He ran from God not merely because he was afraid of God, but because he really did not want to bring the good news of God's grace to his enemies. The issue in the book of Jonah causes each of us to reflect on this truth: those who curse Christ today could be those who preach Christ tomorrow. Don't just take the Ninevites words for it; listen to the Apostle Paul:

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hathenabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 1:12-14).

3. Jonah teaches us that God uses all means to extend his grace to all kinds of people.

In the book of Jonah God uses a roaring sea, wayward pagan sailors  who, by the way, were saved by God during their experience with the renegade prophet  as well as, a pagan king, a weed, a worm, and even a hardheaded preacher. The mission of God is a guaranteed success because of the sovereignty of God. Jonah demonstrates how God uses all of His creation to bring about the salvation of one very wicked nation. How much more will God use all things to reach you? How much more will God hear your prayers as you cry out for a wayward child? Or a friend? Or trouble within your church? There are no limits to God's grace and love, and there are no limits to his ways and means of attaining His goals for salvation.

4. Jonah shows us God's mercy is motivated by God's love for his own creation.

The book of Jonah concludes with a rather enigmatic ending. Jonah sits in the heat of Northern Iraq and is so outdone with Gods grace to his enemy, seething that he has lost a gourd with its leaves to shade him, that he despairs unto death. Yes, that means precisely what it says: Jonah was preferring death over the advance of Gods grace to Nineveh. The petulant prophet is perturbed that God's grace to pagans is of greater priority to God than Jonahs comfort. Then, God asks a question to Jonah, which echoes through the ages down to our own lives:

Jonah 4:10-11 (ESV): And the Lord said, You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?

This is both an indictment of Jonah and all who treat Gods grace as proprietary, and a challenge to begin to see the world through the eyes of God who created it. The 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, are likely infants. but how about the Lords mention of His concern about the cattle? The truth is that mans sin has a devastating effect upon creation. Conversely, when there is authentic revival from on high, when people repent and when we receive Gods grace and mercy through Jesus Christ His Son, balance and harmony return to the community.

The force of this final question cannot be overstated. We learned here that both Socratic teaching and rabbinical teaching (by asking questions) was used by God long before educators ever thought about such things. For in placing the question as He does, the Lord God requires each and every one of us to give a response. And that response is nestled within the greater framework of Gods plan for the ages: from Paradise Lost (Milton, 1667) to Paradise Regained (Milton, 1671).

Whenever we come to think that someone is beyond Gods love, or they have committed acts so vile as to be forever separated from God, then it is time for us to return to the book of Jonah. When we begin to reduce Gods response to human sin as judgment without mercy, then it is time for us to open up the book of Jonah, and invite the Spirit of the Lord to cleanse us of self-interests, smugness, and uncaring attitudes and return to the Lord of love.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Photo credit: SparrowStock

MICHAEL A. MILTON (Ph.D., University of Wales; MPA, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; MDIV, Knox Theological Seminary; Cert. in Higher Education Teaching, Harvard University) serves as the Provost and James Ragsdale Chair of Missions and Evangelism at Erskine College and Seminary. A Presbyterian minister (PCA, ARP), Milton has penned more than thirty books, hundreds of articles in journals, magazines, opinion columns, and newspapers. As president of the D. James Kennedy Institute and Faith for Living, Milton has served as a public theologian. His work has been cited on numerous national media outlets as he provides historic Christian insights into faith and life in a changing world. Dr. Milton's record of ministry includes seminary chancellor, president of three seminaries, senior minister of one of America's historic churches, founder of three congregations, and a Christian academy. A composer and artist, Mike and Mae Milton reside in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Learn more at michaelmilton.org/about. [from a press release by McCain& Associates.]
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Thursday highlighted the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" for the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".



The HKSAR government issued a statement as national lawmakers will deliberate a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR during the fourth annual session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC).

Matters concerning the political system of the HKSAR are within the purview of the central authorities, which have the power and responsibility to improve the electoral system in Hong Kong, an HKSAR government spokesman said, adding that the HKSAR government respects the initiative of the central authorities in improving political system, and will offer its full cooperation.

The principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" is fundamental to national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as the long-term prosperity of Hong Kong, he said.

Only through "patriots governing Hong Kong" can the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR be effectively implemented, the constitutional order as set out by the Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law be effectively safeguarded, and the long-term stability and safety of Hong Kong be achieved, the spokesman said.

HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam also welcomed the deliberation of the draft decision at the NPC annual session and vowed full cooperation, including local legislation and explanation to the public.

As long as Hong Kong implements the national security law in the HKSAR, ensures "patriots governing Hong Kong," and actively integrates into national development, the well-being of Hong Kong people will be guaranteed and Hong Kong's future will become better, Lam said.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Silhouettes of mobile device users are seen next to a screen projection of YouTube's logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

YouTube Removes Burma Army Channels; UN to Meet on Crisis

YANGON, BurmaYouTube removed five channels run by Burmas military (also known as Myanmar) for violating its guidelines, it announced Friday, as demonstrators defied growing violence by security forces and staged more anti-coup protests ahead of a special UN Security Council meeting on the countrys political crisis.

YouTube said it is watching for any further content that might violate its rules. It earlier pulled dozens of channels as part of an investigation into content uploaded in a coordinated influence campaign.

The decision by YouTube followed Facebooks earlier announcement that it has removed all Burma military-linked pages from its site and from Instagram, which it also owns.

The escalation of violence by security forces has put pressure on the world community to act to restrain the junta, which seized power on Feb. 1 by ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Large protests against military rule have occurred daily in many cities and towns. Security forces escalated their crackdown this week with greater use of lethal force and mass arrests. At least 18 protesters were shot dead on Sunday and 38 on Wednesday, according to the UN Human Rights Office. More than 1,000 people have been arrested, the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said.

Protests continued in the countrys biggest cities, Yangon and Mandalay, and elsewhere on Friday, and were again met by force from police.

Anti-coup protesters wearing protective gear take positions as police gather in Yangon, Burma, on March 5, 2021. (AP Photo)

Many cases of targeted brutality have been captured in photos and videos that have circulated widely on social media. Videos have shown security forces shooting people at point-blank range and chasing down and savagely beating demonstrators.

The United States called the images appalling, the UN human rights chief said it was time to end the militarys stranglehold over democracy in [Burma], and the world bodys independent expert on human rights in the country, Tom Andrews, urged Security Council members to watch the videos before their closed-door consultations on Friday.

While many abuses are committed by police, there is even greater concern about military forces being deployed in cities across the country that are notorious for decades of brutal counter-insurgency tactics and human rights abuses.

In Yangon, members of the armys 77th Light Infantry Division have been deployed during anti-coup protests. The 77th was also deployed in Yangon in 2007 to suppress anti-junta protests, firing upon protesters and ramming them with trucks, witnesses told Human Rights Watch.

The 99th Light Infantry Division has also been deployed, including in Mandalay. It is infamous for its counter-insurgency campaigns against ethnic minorities across the country, including spearheading the response that led to a brutal crackdown that caused more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee from Rakhine state to Bangladesh. It also has been accused of war crimes in Shan state, another ethnic minority area, in 2016 and early 2017.

Anti-coup protesters hold signs as they gather in Mandalay, Burma, on Mar. 5, 2021. (AP Photo)

Any kind of coordinated action at the UN will be difficult since two permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia, are likely to veto it.

Even if the council did take action, UN special envoy to Burma Christine Schraner Burgener cautioned this week it might not make much difference. She said she warned Burmas army that the worlds nations and the Security Council might take huge strong measures.

And the answer was, We are used to sanctions and we survived those sanctions in the past, she said. When she also warned that Burma would become isolated, Schraner Burgener said, the answer was, We have to learn to walk with only a few friends.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has urged a halt to violence and the start of talks on a peaceful solution in Burma.

The 10-member regional grouping, which includes Burma, is constrained from enacting serious measures by a tradition of acting by consensus and reluctance to interfere in each others internal affairs.

However, one member, Singapore, was outspoken on Friday in criticizing Burmas coup.

It is the height of national shame for the armed forces of any country to turn its arms against its own people, its foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, said in Parliament.

But he also warned that the approach favored by some Western nations, of pressuring Burmas generals with sanctions, would not be effective. The United States, Britain, and several other countries have already started to use that approach.

Despite all our fervor and earnest hopes of reconciliation  the keys ultimately lie within [Burma]. And theres a limit to how far external pressure will be brought to bear, he said.
An electrician has become an overnight sensation after he helped a stranger with a random act of kindness.

Marie was on her way to brunch with a friend in Melbourne when tradesman Lee advised her she had a flat tyre.

Unsure of what to do, Lee immediately offered to help change Marie's tyre as he had some spare time.

Electrician Lee (pictured) offered to change Marie's flat tyre and became an overnight sensation

'Lee asked if I would like him to fix it as he had time,' Marie wrote on Facebook with a photo of him changing the tyre.

'In 20 minutes it was done and I could enjoy my brunch with my girlfriend without stressing about my flat tyre.'

Touched by the random act of kindness, Marie thanked Lee for stopping to help her.

'Thank you Lee!! You are a very kind human being,' she wrote.

'You turned my stressful face into a happy one.'

Marie shared her story on Facebook, where users commended Lee for his actions (pictured)

The social media post received a huge 7,000 likes, with many commending Lee for his actions.

'It's so very nice to hear that there are still good people out there. What a true gentleman,' someone wrote.

'You are a legend Lee! Not everyone walks towards people who may need help,' another commented.

'Amazing, what a good guy,' another posted.

'Some genuinely nice people still in this world,' someone else commented.

A passenger plane hijacking has been disrupted and stopped during a flight over Iran, local officials said.

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said on Friday that authorities disrupted the attempted hijacking of the plane that was in flight.

The purported hijacking targeted an Iran Air Fokker 100 regional commercial jet heading from the southwestern city of Ahvaz to the northwestern city of Mashhad, the Guard said on its website.

The Guard's announcement did not identify the hijacker, saying only the hijacker sought to divert the flight to the 'southern shores of the Persian Gulf.'

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said on Friday that authorities disrupted the attempted hijacking of the plane that was in flight. Pictured: An Iran Air Fokker 100, file photo

That description would include the countries of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, three nations long suspicious of Iran's intentions in the wider region.

It said the Iran Air flight made an emergency landing in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, and no one was injured in the incident. It wasn't immediately clear if the purported hijacker had been armed during the attempt.

A Fokker 100 was scheduled to take off from Ahvaz for Mashhad at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, according to the plane-tracking website FlightRadar24.com.

'The plot to hijack a Fokker-100 plane of Iran Air... was neutralised on Thursday night by the vigilance of the Guards,' said a statement posted on the Guards' Sepahnews website.

"The perpetrator of the plot" was arrested after the "urgent landing of the plane at Isfahan airport" in central Iran, the statement said, without elaborating.

"The plane's passengers, who are in perfect health, flew to their (final) destination on an alternative flight," the statement said, adding that an investigation was underway.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are in charge of security for Iran's airports and airspace.

Iran Air has three of the aircraft in its fleet, each around 30 years old as Iran remains locked out of international aircraft sales due to sanctions.

The purported hijacking targeted an Iran Air Fokker 100 regional commercial jet heading from the southwestern city of Ahvaz to the northwestern city of Mashhad, the Guard said on its website. The flight made an emergency landing in the central Iranian city of Isfahan. Pictured: A map showing the flight path of the Iran Air flight, and its diversion to Isfahan

Iranian domestic flights reportedly carry armed air marshals from the Guard aboard them to disrupt any attempted attack or hijacking.

The Guard took over aviation security in the 1980s after a series of incidents involving Iranian opposition groups seizing aircraft in the unrest that followed the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The last two such attempts happened in 2000. In September 2000, a man armed with a fake pistol and a gasoline bomb sought to seize an Iran Air Fokker 100, trying to get the flight to go to France.

He started a fire aboard and later was detained, according to a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration report.

In November 2000, armed men from four families seized a Yakovlev YAK-40 aircraft flown by Iranian Ariatour Airlines, demanding to be flown to the United States.

Guard air marshals foiled the attempt, though one of them was shot and a second stabbed. A flight attendant and five hijackers also were injured, the FAA report says.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Yes, Theyre Open is a web series highlighting local bars and restaurants that are open for takeout, delivery, pickup or dining during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Live streams from the featured restaurants are broadcast on the Advance Facebook page every weekday at around 3 p.m.

On Friday, the Advance/SILive.com visited Sals Bakery at 245 Richmond Valley Road, which is open for pickup from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Monday. To contact the bakery, call 718-269-0494.

Staten Island restaurant owners: If you would like your establishment featured for free as part of Yes, Theyre Open, email reporter Victoria Priola at vpriola@siadvance.com.

YES, THEYRE OPEN: Sals Bakery is open for pickup at 245 Richmond Valley Road. The bakery is open Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on Mondays. To reach the bakery, call 718-269-0494. Posted by Staten Island Advance on Friday, March 5, 2021

WANT MORE YES, THEYRE OPEN?

Check out the listings below or check out all of our previous coverage here.

Jodys Club Forest, 372 Forest Ave.

Tinas Whiskey Tavern, 4060 Hylan Blvd.

Montalbanos Pork & Italian Specialty Store, 1 Gunton Place

Shawafel House, 1419 Forest Ave.

Grand Sahara Mediterranean Grill, 1828 Hylan Blvd.


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

February 24

Criminal mischief was reported at the 600 block of N. Interstate 27 on Feb. 24. Damaged business property was reported. According to the Police Department, an upset customer who was escorted from the building struck a door and broke it.

An assault was reported at the 2400 block of W. 16th St. on Feb. 24.

Burglary of a residence was reported at the 1400 block of Galveston St. on Feb. 24.

A crash resulting in vehicle damage was reported at the 1200 block of N. Columbia St. on Feb. 24.

A theft was reported at the 1200 block of W. 21st St. on Feb. 24.

February 25

Criminal mischief was reported at the 1300 block of Portland St. on Feb. 25.

Police arrested 23-year-old Carlos Arthur Tafolla at the 1200 block of Quincy St. on Feb. 25. Officers initially responded to the location in reference to an assault. According to police, Tafolla assaulted a female and held her against her will after a verbal argument. She got away and called police. Tafolla was charged with assault of a family/house member impeding breathing/circulation, which is a felony, and with unlawful restraint.

Harassment was reported at the 1100 block of W. 29th St. on Feb. 25.

Police arrested an 18-year-old woman at the 2800 block of Joliet St. on Feb. 25 for an active misdemeanor warrant.

While investigating a report of a possible missing person that originated in Lubbock, a suspect fled from police from the 200 block of Beech St. on Feb. 25. Officers attempted to detain the suspect, who did not comply and fled in a vehicle.

A theft was reported at the 3400 block of Olton Road on Feb. 25.

A burglary was reported at the 300 block of W. 16th St. on Feb. 25. Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported in the same callout.

An assault was reported at the 1400 block of Travis St. on Feb. 25.

Police arrested 28-year-old man at the 300 block of Juanita St. on Feb. 25 after responding to the location in reference to an assault. While officers investigated the assault, they found a baggie with white substance determined to be meth. The individual was charged with assault causing bodily injury, family violence. No charges were filed for the controlled substance since it was not in anybodys immediate possession.

An assault was reported at the 1300 block of Dallas St. on Feb. 25.

February 26

A 21-year-old woman was arrested on Feb. 26 at the 500 block of Ash St. She was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Damaged property was reported at the 700 block of W. 21st St. on Feb. 26.

A burglary was reported at the 800 block of W. 16th St. on Feb. 26.

Police arrested a 42-year-old man at the 3400 block of Olton Road on Feb. 26. He was charged with public intoxication.

An 18-year-old man was arrested at the 1000 block of Ash St. on Feb. 26. He was charged with public intoxication.

February 27

Criminal trespassing was reported at the 600 block of Fresno St. on Feb. 27.

Police arrested 23-year-old Dalx Charles Gary on Feb. 27 at the 300 block of W. 16th St. Gary was charged with possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized use of a vehicle and burglary of a building, all of which are felonies. Gary was also arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Police responded to the 1100 block of Thunderbird St. on Feb. 27 in reference to a theft. The police report notes silent or abusive calls to the 9-1-1 system.

An assault was reported at the 900 block of Ash St. on Feb. 27.

Police arrested a 26-year-old man at the 200 block of NE Alpine St. on Feb. 27. The individual was charged with assault causing bodily injury.

An assault was reported at the 500 block of Utica St. on Feb. 27.

February 28

Officers arrested 35-year-old David Perez at the 3000 block of Dimmitt Road on Feb. 28 after responding to the location in reference to criminal trespassing. According to police, the individual was observed trespassing and had been previously reported for it. Police arrested and transported Perez to the Hale County Sheriffs Office where he was found to be in possession of marijuana. Perez was charged with criminal trespass and with having a prohibited substance or item in a correctional facility, which is a felony.

Criminal mischief was reported at the 2200 block of Houston St. on Feb. 28. Damage to private property was reported.

A crash resulting in injury was reported at the 1500 block of Quincy St. on Feb. 28.

A theft was reported at the 200 block of SE 6th St. on Feb. 28.

Fraud and abuse through a computer were reported on Feb. 28. According to police, a suspect lured a victim via Snapchat by promising money. The victim responded to the chat and ended up giving the suspect information to access the account in question. The suspect logged in and changed the password and took over the account. The suspect is now portraying themselves as the victim.

Monday, March 1

A hit-and-run crash resulting in damage to public property was reported on Monday at 24th and Kokomo St.

Criminal mischief was reported at the 2200 block of Houston St. on Monday. Damaged property was reported.

A burglary was reported at the 1200 block of N. Columbia St. on Monday.

Police arrested 19-year-old Lanie Danae Lawrence on Monday at the 1600 block of Yonkers. The individual was charged with possession of a controlled substance, which is a felony.

A theft from a vehicle was reported Monday at the 800 block of Ash St.

A burglary was reported at the 1300 block of Walter Griffin St. Monday.

A theft was reported at the 200 block of SE 6th St. Monday.

An assault was reported at the 3300 block of Quincy St. on Monday.

Police arrested 36-year-old Jesus Rodolfo Duran at the 2500 block of Sabine St. on Monday. Duran was charged with possession of a controlled substance, which is a felony, and with criminal trespassing. Officers initially responded to the location in reference to a theft.

Criminal mischief was reported at the 1400 block of W. 12th St. Monday. Damaged property was reported.

A stolen vehicle was reported at the 300 block of W. 5th St. on Monday.

Harassment via electronic communication was reported Monday at the 1500 block of W. 14th St.

Tuesday, March 2

A hit-and-run crash was reported at the 1500 block of N. Interstate 27 Tuesday.

Criminal mischief was reported Tuesday at the 1500 block of Houston St. Damage to a vehicle was reported.

An assault was reported at the 600 block of W. 24th St. on Tuesday.
[March 05, 2021] United Kingdom Employers Liability Insurance: The Market Going Forward - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The "United Kingdom (UK) Employers Liability Insurance - Market Dynamics and Opportunities 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. GWP in the employers' liability market fell to 1,108m in 2019, although insurers managed to retain strong profits as claims costs remained low. This market is more closely aligned to developments in the UK economy compared to other insurance lines. This is problematic for the sector, as the UK is likely headed towards a recession following the severe impact of COVID-19, which brought the economy to a standstill for much of 2020 and continuing into 2021. The unemployment rate in the UK is set to soar as government support such as the furlough scheme comes to an end. The market is directly reliant on the number of businesses and employees in the UK, so this will have a negative impact on premiums. Insurers may have the ability to raise premiums given the significant cuts seen in 2020, and the curtailing of claims in recent years means they may be able to endure a tough 2021. This report tracks the health and shape of the employers' liability market - taking into account market size, profitability, performance ratios, and the claims environment. The UK's economic growth, business landscape, COVID-19, and the post-Brexit environment are all takn into consideration to build a full picture of this space. Key announcements, shifts in the market, and likely future changes are analyzed for impact across all relevant stakeholders.



Scope The employers' liability market contracted by 12.1% in 2019, with GWP falling to 1,108m. GWP is expected to have declined to 1,071m in 2020.

The proportion of non-fatal injuries in the workplace fell by 15.3% between 2013-14 and 2019-20, leading to fewer claims being made.

AXA is the largest employers' liability insurer for SMEs in the UK, accounting for 8.2% of the market.

The market is expected to contract by a further 0.3% in 2021, generating 1,068m in GWP before stabilizing to reach 1,134.65m by 2024. Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary 1.1 The employers' liability market is dependent on the UK economy 1.2 Key findings 1.3 Critical success factors 2. Market Dynamics 2.1 Employers' liability GWP declined in 2019, but strong underwriting profit marked a positive year for insurers 2.2 Employers' liability has maintained strong underwriting profit 2.3 Claims numbers continue to fall post-LASPO 2.4 The Civil Liability Act has been delayed again - this time due to COVID-19 3. Competitor Dynamics 3.1 Leading general liability insurers saw swings in 2019 market shares 4. The Market Going Forward 4.1 Employers' liability GWP is forecast to continue its decline as the pandemic's impact will be felt 4.2 A number of factors will influence growth in the market 5. Appendix Companies Mentioned AIG

AXA

Aviva

Zurich

Chubb

QBE

Hiscox

Allianz

RSA (News - Alert)

NFU Mutual For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wjv03c About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005215/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
As consumer VR begins to have a moment following years of heavy investment from Facebook and other tech giants, corporate America is similarly beginning to find more utility in the technology, as well.

Bank of America announced today that they'll be working with Bay Area-based VR startup Strivr to bring more of their workplace training into virtual reality. The financial institution has already used the startup's tech in a pilot effort with about 400 employees, but a wide-scale rollout would mean scaling the VR learning platform to more of the company's 50,000 client-facing employees and potentially bringing thousands of VR headsets to its bank branches.

Bank of America exec John Jordan has plenty of ideas of where it will be able to implement the technology most effectively, but is open to experimenting early-on, noting that they've developed VR lessons for everything from notary services to fraud detection. Jordan also says that they're working on more ambitious tasks like helping employees practice empathy with customers dealing with sensitive matters like the death of a relative.

Jordan says the scope of the company's corporate learning program, "The Academy," is largely unmatched among other major companies in the U.S., except perhaps by the employee instruction programs at Walmart, he notes. Walmart has been Strivr's largest customer since the startup signed the retail behemoth back in 2017 to bring VR instruction to their 200 "Walmart Academy" instruction centers and all Walmart stores.

Virtual reality is a technology that lends itself to capturing undivided attention, something that is undoubtedly positive for increasing learning retention, which Jordan says was one of the central appeals for adopting the tech. For Bank of America, VR offers a platform change to reexamine some of the pitfalls of conventional corporate learning. At the same time, they acknowledge that the tech isn't a silver bullet and that there are plenty of best practices for VR that are still unknown.

Story continues

"Were just taking it slow to be honest," Jordan says. "We already feel pretty great about how weve made investments, but we view this as a way to get better."

Enterprise VR startups have seen varying levels of success over the years as they've aimed to find paying customers that can tolerate the limitations of the technology while buying in on the broader vision. Strivr has raised more than $51 million, including a $30 million Series B last year, as it has aimed to become a leader in the workplace training space. CEO Derek Belch tells TechCrunch that the company has big plans as it looks toward raising more funding and works to build out its software toolsets to help simplify VR content creation for its partners.

Update 3/4 11:55am PT: Article updated to reflect more accurate scope of bank rollout.

Early Stage is the premier "how-to" event for startup entrepreneurs and investors. Youll hear firsthand how some of the most successful founders and VCs build their businesses, raise money and manage their portfolios. Well cover every aspect of company building: Fundraising, recruiting, sales, legal, PR, marketing and brand building. Each session also has audience participation built-in -- theres ample time included in each for audience questions and discussion.

( function() { var func = function() { var iframe = document.getElementById('wpcom-iframe-dde292b93a5f3017145419dd51bb9fce') if ( iframe ) { iframe.onload = function() { iframe.contentWindow.postMessage( { 'msg_type': 'poll_size', 'frame_id': 'wpcom-iframe-dde292b93a5f3017145419dd51bb9fce' }, "https:\/\/tcprotectedembed.com" ); } } // Autosize iframe var funcSizeResponse = function( e ) { var origin = document.createElement( 'a' ); origin.href = e.origin; // Verify message origin if ( 'tcprotectedembed.com' !== origin.host ) return; // Verify message is in a format we expect if ( 'object' !== typeof e.data || undefined === e.data.msg_type ) return; switch ( e.data.msg_type ) { case 'poll_size:response': var iframe = document.getElementById( e.data._request.frame_id ); if ( iframe && '' === iframe.width ) iframe.width = '100%'; if ( iframe && '' === iframe.height ) iframe.height = parseInt( e.data.height ); return; default: return; } } if ( 'function' === typeof window.addEventListener ) { window.addEventListener( 'message', funcSizeResponse, false ); } else if ( 'function' === typeof window.attachEvent ) { window.attachEvent( 'onmessage', funcSizeResponse ); } } if (document.readyState === 'complete') { func.apply(); /* compat for infinite scroll */ } else if ( document.addEventListener ) { document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', func, false ); } else if ( document.attachEvent ) { document.attachEvent( 'onreadystatechange', func ); } } )();
Ambassador Le Linh Lan speaking at webinar (Photo: VNA)

The event was also a chance for the newly-established SVBG to introduce itself to Swiss partners.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Le Linh Lan stressed that Vietnam and Switzerland have maintained good friendship and cooperation for half a century.

This year, the two are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

So far, Switzerland is the 6th largest European investor in Vietnam, with its investment totaling 2 billion USD, mostly in manufacturing  processing and electricity. Currently, around 100 Swiss firms are operating in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is the four biggest trade partner of Switzerland in ASEAN, with bilateral trade exceeding 3.6 billion USD in 2019.

Since 2012, Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)  the intergovernmental organisation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland  began negotiations for an FTA, which is expected to be signed this year./.




Haiti - News : Zapping...





Nearly 2 kidnappings per day

In its report released Thursday, March 4, the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH) reveals that in January and by 2021, 110 people were kidnapped.



Petit-Goave : Student Caleb is deceased

The news that we feared is confirmed Sincilaire Caleb, a student of NS3 of the Lycee Faustin Soulouque, has died. Recall that Caleb was hit with a stone throw in the head on the evening of March 1 when he had just participated in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Lycee Faustin Soulouque. https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-33147-icihaiti-petit-goave-a-student-injured-by-a-stone-throw-in-critical-condition.html An ambulance will bring back the body in Petit-Goave. HL/ HaitiLibre /Guyto Mathieu (Correspondent Petit-Goave)



The army in the next election

Mathias Pierre had a meeting with the Minister of Defense, Jean W. Dorneval to discuss logistical issues related to the elections. With the absence of MINUSTAH during the next elections, the state will have to mobilize its resources to meet the logistical needs of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP)



Fight against Kidnapping, training in Texas

As part of the professionalization and capacity building of the PNH, police officers from the specialized bodies of the Departmental Unit of Maintenance of Order (UDMO) and of the Corps of Intervention and Maintenance of Order (CIMO) are receiving special training in Texas. We are also in the process of strengthening trilateral cooperation between Haiti, Colombia and the United States in the fight against kidnapping.



NOTICE Chile : family reunification visa

The Visa Application Center for Chile (CVACJ informs the general public that in order to facilitate the family reunification visa (VRF) processing procedure, each beneficiary must present a valid reservation of their ticket for travel to Chile. The Embassy of Chile will only print the initially approved visa upon submission of this document and this entry visa will be valid for 90 days.



The BRH injects $15 million into the foreign exchange market

This Thursday, March 4, 2021, the BRH injected US $ 15 million into the foreign exchange market to support the available supply. This amount is distributed and sold on the market according to the conditions set by the Central Bank.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) prompted the Senate to start reading all 628 pages of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill aloud on the Senate floor on Thursday, blocking a vote on legislation Democrats expect to pass next week.

Sen.Ron Johnson urges Senate to Read 628 pages Biden's bill

Republican Senator Ron Johnson explained that his strategy was to "educate" the American public on what was included in the $1.9 trillion plan. He has been criticized for being full of provisions unrelated to COVID-19 relief. It's possible that the whole procedure would take at least 10 hours.

Johnson told reporters Thursday that he felt terrible for the Senate clerks who would have to read it. But delaying the process and reading the bill aloud was significant because of too much hurry. These big measures that few senators have time to read, as per USA Today via Yahoo.

Read also: Claim Your Stimulus Money by Getting IRS Letter First, Here's How To Do It

According to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Johnson's decision will "accomplish nothing more than a few sore throats for the Senate clerks who work really hard day in and day out to make the Senate function."

"I'm not out here reading the bill," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, told reporters. Graham said his Republican colleague had every right" to demand the reading. Still, she doesn't think it really pushes the ball along, using the later amendment procedure as better use of time to highlight Republican disagreements with the bill. Johnson was the only Republican senator in the senate when the clerk started reading the bill Thursday afternoon. His blue face mask rested on his desk as he sat watching the clerk.

Senators usually don't read amendments to bills on the Senate floor, but Johnson used a legislative strategy to force the whole bill to be read. Other Republican senators have expressed approval for Johnson's decision. Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, was asked about Johnson's intentions and told reporters, "I do" support them. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, said the decision was "completely supportive" because few senators had read the whole document.

Read also: Wonder If You Are Old Enough to Receive Stimulus Check? These Rules Could Change the Payments

Biden's COVID-19 relief bill advances in Senate

Republicans are preparing for a tense argument that will certainly drag on into the weekend. Democrats rallied their 50 senators early Thursday afternoon to begin voting on their own version of the stimulus plan, a crucial test vote that showed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had the votes to win in the end, whatever that could be, as per Politico.

Senate Democrats finalized their bill after frantic intra-party meetings and rushed it to the floor before most senators had a chance to read it. However, Democrats were confident in their ability to step forward after reaching a broad agreement on stimulus checks and unemployment insurance.

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Thursday that the Senate would remain in session until the bill is through this week, no matter how long it takes.

The Senate voted Thursday to begin a discussion on President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, despite Democrats' failure to gain a single Republican senator's support on the new president's first major legislative effort, as per the Washington Post.

Vice President Harris broke the 50-50 tie in the poll, which was 51 to 50. No Republican will vote in favor of the bill on final passage, which could come after hours of debate and an amendment free-for-all that could drag through the weekend, based on GOP unity against the procedural motion.

Read also: Fewer Americans to Receive $1,400 Stimulus Checks: Biden, Democrats Approve to Limit Eligibility

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.




By Ko Dong-hwan





Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Nak-yon's visit to a traditional marketplace in Chuncheon, Friday, turned ugly after

in protest of a new land development project in the city.







The woman in her 50s, whose name was withheld, threw three eggs at Lee, one of which hit his right cheek while another landed on a supporter.







She was a member of an activist group calling for protecting the heritage of rocky sites and ancient artifacts found on Joong Island on the Bukhan River running through the Gangwon Province city.







According to Yonhap News Agency, she condemned Lee for "approving the construction of Lego Land in the city thereby putting the heritage site at risk of being destroyed."







The woman arrived at the marketplace after staging a one-person protest in the Myeong-dong area of the city against the theme park project.







A DPK member at the scene whose constituency is in the province, cited by No Cut News, said the woman wrongfully targeted Lee since he had "neither ordered nor directed the project."







After cleaning up, Lee continued his visit among the market vendors.







Police who arrived at the scene later didn't apprehend the woman as Lee has already left, and the other person hit by an egg didn't seek to file a criminal complaint. Lee later ordered an aide to "look into the matter."


As her journey on "The Bachelor" ends, San Antonio contestant Jessenia Cruz gave details of how the show was one of the "hardest" but "most exciting" times of her life.

On Thursday, Cruz, 27, wrote in an Instagram post that she'd been reflecting on her experience after the "Women Tell All" aired on ABC Monday. Cruz was one of the women who ABC invited back to discuss her role on the show.

READ ALSO: It's time The Bachelor broke up with Chris Harrison. Here's who should replace him.

"Being part of this show is by far one of the most exciting, fun, and nerve-wracking moments in my life," she wrote in her post. "I'm happy I got to share those moments with these amazing women."

However, the local added it was also one of the "hardest" times she's ever been through as the show aired some of her best moments and "not-so-best" moments.

Cruz became a fan-favorite after she called out another contestant, MJ Snyder, for stirring up a toxic environment in the house. The two got into an intense argument while on a two-on-one, which Snyder ended up getting sent on home. However, fans pointed out how Cruz wasn't that nice to Heather Martin after she surprisingly showed up near the end of Matt James' season.

RELATED: 'The Bachelor' recap: San Antonio woman survives two-on-one

Cruz addressed her reaction to Martin, saying she projected her frustration over the situation onto her, which she said she certainly didn't deserve. She put in her recent post that she's ready to move on from the drama and how she has a love for every single woman on the show.

"'Reality tv will always remain a mystery to those who only get to see it through the screen, and I hope you all take the time to get to know us as time goes on," Cruz wrote. "The drama is dead and done, and although they're not all pictured here, I have love for every single woman I met on this journey. Wherever life takes us, I'll be cheering you on."

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre
human rights investigator on Thomas Andrews on Thursday (local time) urged the Security Council to impose a global arms embargo and economic sanctions on the military generals and move the atrocities to the Criminal Court for prosecution.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, Andrews said that the military in has murdered, beaten and unlawfully arrested protesters since it seized power in a on February 1.

Calling for wide-ranging punitive sanctions, Andrews urged the UNSC to impose a global arms embargo and targeted economic sanctions on the military rulers.

He also said that the issue of atrocities on the civilians should be taken up at the Criminal Court for prosecution.

States should impose sanctions on the Oil and Gas Enterprise, now controlled by the military and its largest source of revenue, he said in a report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Al Jazeera said.The UNSC will be discussing the situation on Friday in a closed meeting.

Condemning Wednesday's firing on the pro-democracy protesters by the Myanmar military, UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener has said that it was the "bloodiest day" since the February 1

"Today was the bloodiest day since the happened on the first of February. Only today, 38 people died...Now, more than 50 people died since the coup started," Schraner Burgener said during a press briefing.

She further said that the incidents in Myanmar are not an internal affair as they affect the stability of the region.

"We know that ethnic armed organisations are determined not to allow this to continue. They also said that they'd suspend the dialogue with the Tatmadaw [Myanmar military]. If both sides start to use violence, then we have a situation of a real war in Myanmar," she added.

The demonstration against the Myanmar Army, which ousted the democratically elected government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has entered its fourth week.

Security forces have begun a violent crackdown on protestors in towns and cities across the country.At least 18 people were killed and more than 30 injured in Myanmar on Sunday, as police and military forces "confronted peaceful demonstrations," the UN Human Rights Office said.

The reported casualties marked Sunday as the deadliest day since the military seized power on February 1.Despite increasing pressure to restore the democratically-elected government, the Myanmar junta has ignored the condemnation and has continued to violently suppress the protests against its unlawful takeover of the country. Several ousted lawmakers have even designated the military as a terrorist organisation.

On Saturday, Myanmar's military fired the country's Ambassador after he appealed to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for international help to overturn the coup.

Moreover, Myanmar's ousted civilian leader Kyi, who was detained following the coup, said that two more charges have been added to those filed against her since the coup.

Hundreds of people have been arrested since the coup, according to activists, the latest a journalist for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), who live-streamed security forces outside his apartment on Monday in the coastal town of Myeik, where he had been filming protests. DVB confirmed the arrest, Bangkok Post reported.

The military coup of February 1 halted Myanmar's tentative steps towards democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule and has drawn condemnation and sanctions from the United States and other Western countries, and growing concern among its neighbours.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Press Release

5 March 2021

Investors are betting on the resilience of holiday parks as people seek out safe, secure staycations once lockdown restrictions lift.

Advertisements

Blackstone has just acquired Bourne Leisure, which operates 56 sites in the UK under three brands; Haven, Butlin's and Warner Leisure Hotels. The move adds to its leisure portfolio which includes visitor attraction operator Merlin.

The deal follows on from global investment firm KKR's purchase of Dutch vacation parks firm Roompot from French private equity firm PAI Partners last year.

Roompot, which has more than 185 holiday parks in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Germany, has its own expansion plans. Late last year it added Amsterdam-based Qurios, which has four existing parks in its portfolio, as well as five projects in the pipeline for the Netherlands, France and Portugal.

"There's clear momentum among investors seeking out opportunities to allocate capital to holiday parks and open-air hospitality," says Gwenola Donet, head of EMEA Hotels & Hospitality Strategic Advisory at JLL. "It's something we're seeing more of across Europe, particularly among private equity, institutional investors and large fund managers."

In such a fragmented sub-sector, she believes there is opportunity for further consolidation as well as expansion.

"Many of the deals we have seen in recent months have involved significantly strong capital sources entering the field," says Donet. "That points towards greater investment and capital expenditure on upgrades to deliver a more premium experience to guests in the future, as well as expansion possibilities, particularly within continental Europe."

Familiar ground for investors

Other major players, such as Center Parcs Europe, and Center Parcs UK & Ireland, have been traded several times in recent years by the likes of AroundTown and Brookfield, with over 8 billion invested over the past decade.

The deals show the holiday park model is just as attractive to investors in less disrupted times, says Jessica Jahns, head of JLL EMEA Hotels & Hospitality research. Indeed, it's often of particular interest to institutional or large private equity investors as deals are often in excess of 1 billion.

"It's perfectly normal that right now, the business model finds itself in the spotlight given the fact that the sites offer minimal contact with other guests and can help families remain in their bubble," she explains.

"But the business model, which has long been popular with a wide ranging audience looking for year-round breaks, was already clearly an appealing alternative for investors to the more crowded, mainstream hotel sector."

In the coming years, Jahns believes staycations at holiday parks will remain popular, not just for their convenience and perceived lower risk levels but by also for providing an escape to nature and time for personal wellbeing, both likely to be strong post-COVID trends.

What's more, consumers now have a greater range of open-air options in more locations to choose from than ever before. Glamping operators such as the UK's Wigwam Holidays and Eco Retreats are some of the new entrants attracting guests looking to detox and switch off from technology, while French firm Huttopia has expanded to North America in recent years.

"The great outdoors is something not only tourists are looking to right now, but leisure operators too; we've seen how the food and beverage sector, by putting their tables outdoors, has adapted and adjusted to social distancing measures in the past year," says Jahns.

Longer-term, holiday parks increasingly provide an alternative to mainstream hotels, especially with further investment in upgrading existing accommodation and facilities.

"We've already seen lifestyle hotel brands capture a growing slice of the market," says Jahns. "Open-air hospitality brands could position themselves in a similar way for further growth."
The first ASEAN-France Development Partnership Committee (AF-DPC) Meeting took place on March 4 in the form of a video conference.

At the meeting





The Vietnamese delegation was led by Vietnams representative to the ASEAN Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang.

At the meeting, the French side affirmed that France treasures cooperation with ASEAN, underlining that the organisation plays a significant role in maintaining political and economic stability in the region, and voicing a hope to further participate in ASEAN-led processes.

France affirmed it will support the building of the ASEAN Community and implementation of the 2025 Vision, priorities in the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025), and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021 -2025); while actively contributing to maintaining peace, stability and development in Asia-Pacific and the world.

For their part, ASEAN representatives welcomed and highly valued that France has become a Development Partner of ASEAN.

They expressed gratitude to Frances assistance for ASEAN members through the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) over the past 25 years, especially in the fields of regional economic integration, education, environment and climate change, and institutional enhancement/capacity building.

They also suggested France bolster cooperation in digitalisation, biodiversity, tourism and cultural exchange, technical education and vocational training, as well as support other ASEAN mechanisms and initiatives, particularly the ASEAN Smart Cities Network.

Regarding future cooperation, the two sides agreed to foster practical collaboration in spheres of mutual interest, and identify and focus on some prioritised fields at present.

Of note, they consented to compile the Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) for 2022-26, which serves as the basis for effective implementation of cooperation activities between ASEAN and France in the coming time.

As a member of the European Union, France takes part in and supports the ASEAN-EU dialogue partnership, while paying attention to bolstering its direct relations with ASEAN, the country's representative said.

France was recognised as a Development Partner of ASEAN during the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting hosted by Vietnam last September, marking a new step forward in the bilateral ties and paving the way for new cooperation chances.

The second AF-DPC meeting is slated for 2022.

VNA
Advertisement

England's Covid vaccine postcode lottery was laid bare again today by damning statistics that revealed parts of the nation have jabbed five times as many over-65s as others.

NHS England figures show 93.6 per cent of all over-65s had received their first dose by February 28  the most recent day local inoculation data is available for.

But MailOnline's analysis of the figures  which break down the numbers for 6,700 neighbourhoods into a series of interactive maps and a handy search tool  show how wildly immunisation rates vary across the country.

For example, Tidenham and Woolaston in Gloucestershire appears to have only vaccinated 19 per cent of its over-65 population, despite elderly residents being at the top of the priority list.

However, Waterlooville in Hampshire has already dished out first doses to 1,487 of its over-65s  the equivalent of 97.5 per cent of its older population. Uptake figures are based on the latest population estimates by Public Health England's National Immunisation Management Service (NIMS).

Around 8 per cent of neighbourhoods in England  or 543  have jabbed more than 95 per cent of the cohort, as the nation continues to plough on with its mammoth inoculation drive.

Figures also revealed one in four social care staff still haven't been vaccinated. The rate is just 58 per cent in London. Health officials are concerned about high levels of vaccine hesitancy among black and ethnic minorities, fuelled by anti-vaxx messages on social media.

England's vaccine roll-out was officially widened to over-60s this week, and GPs have been told to prepare to receive twice as many doses in March.

NHS bosses have called for local vaccination teams to stamp down on ineligible people being invited for vaccines, after reports of healthy adults in their twenties and thirties being called up for their jabs and people skipping queues by claiming to be carers.

Even David Cameron managed to skip the queue, with the 54-year-old being called up by medics in London.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Small towns and villages across England performed best, with Waterlooville followed by Duffield in Derbyshire (97.4 per cent), Burton Stretton in Staffordshire (97.3 per cent), Stoney Hill in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, (97.2 per cent) and Longwell Green in Gloucestershire (97.1 per cent) in vaccinating over-65s

Severe asthma patients are being refused Covid jabs, charity warns People with severe asthma are being refused Covid vaccines by GPs, a charity has warned. Asthma UK said there is widespread confusion over whether people with the lung condition qualify as one of the top priority groups. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance for priority group six, which is under way now, says anyone with asthma that has resulted in admission to hospital should be given a vaccination. But some GPs have reportedly told patients only a recent hospital admission would make them eligible for a jab, not one that happened a long time ago. The Department of Health confirmed any emergency hospital admission because of asthma was enough to qualify for a jab - it does not have to have been recent. Asthma patients who have had three tablet or liquid steroid prescriptions for their condition within the last three months are also included in the group, the JCVI says. Those who were shielding have already been vaccinated in group four, while those with milder asthma must wait for a jab according to their age. Advertisement

MailOnline's analysis of NHS England's vaccine drive was based on data for middle layer super output areas, which are small geographical locations home to around 7,500 people.

Twelve neighbourhoods have vaccinated fewer than 60 per cent of their over-65s, while 114 of the areas have yet to reach the 70 per cent threshold.

Small towns and villages across England generally performed best in terms of giving a first dose out to over-65s, with Waterlooville followed by Duffield in Derbyshire (97.4 per cent).

Burton Stretton in Staffordshire (97.3 per cent) was next, followed by Stoney Hill in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, (97.2 per cent) and Longwell Green in Gloucestershire (97.1 per cent).

But the villages of Tidenham and Woolaston in the Forest of Dean were an anomaly by some margin as the worst performing area, only giving a first dose to 360 of its 1,853 over-65s.

Other badly performing areas were centered across cities, particularly in south London, other than Gobowen, St Martin's & Weston Rhyn in Shropshire, which reached 52.2 per cent of older residents.

It was followed by Moss Side West in Manchester (55.5 per cent), Brixton North in London (56.1 per cent) and Sparkbrook South in Birmingham (57.3 per cent).

The rest of the bottom ten for vaccine uptake among the over-65s were in London.

MailOnline's analysis comes as health officials have launched a drive to encourage those in the care sector to get the jab amid ongoing concerns about low take-up.

Data published yesterday by NHS England shows that just 73 per cent of staff in care homes for older adults have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Top 10 performing areas for vaccine rollout to the over-65s Waterlooville North East, Hampshire 97.5% Duffield, Quarndon & Kirk Langley, Derbyshire 97.4% Burton Stretton, Staffordshire 97.3% Bromsgrove Stoney Hill, Worcestershire 97.2% Longwell Green & Oldland Common, Gloucestershire 97.1% Ashby de la Zouch South, Leicestershire 97.1% Hucclecote, Gloucestershire 97.1% Shrewsbury London Road, Shropshire 97.1% Prestbury & Racecourse, Gloucestershire 97.0% Ottery St Mary & West Hill, Devon 97.0% Advertisement

Bottom 10 performing areas for vaccine rollout to the over-65s Tidenham & Woolaston, Gloucestershire 19.4% Gobowen, St Martin's & Weston Rhyn, Shropshire 52.2% Moss Side West, Manchester 55.5% Brixton North, London Sparkbrook South, Birmingham 56.1% 57.3% Kilburn Park, London Loughborough Road, London 57.4% 57.4% Peckham North West, London 57.8% Bayswater East, London Barking Central, London 58.0% 58.1% Advertisement

Italian PM threatens to 'suffocate' AstraZeneca after blocking export of vaccines to Australia The Italian prime minister has urged the EU to 'suffocate' vaccine makers who fail to deliver on their contractual obligations amid a row over supplies from AstraZeneca. Italy imposed the first EU-sanctioned export ban on vaccines yesterday when it blocked 250,000 AstraZeneca jabs from heading to Australia - which was due to start inoculations with the vaccine today. The export control mechanism was hastily pushed through by the EU in January after the bloc bitterly accused AstraZeneca of holding back doses meant for the EU and diverting them to newly-unshackled Brexit Britain. Italy's new prime minister Mario Draghi told Ursula von der Leyen over the phone on Wednesday that it was necessary to 'suffocate' the pharmaceutical giants to force them to meet their contractual obligations, according to Italian daily La Republicca. Draghi did not elaborate on what he meant, but it is likely he was referring to stopping vaccine shipments since Italy requested permission to do so last week - meaning both leaders would have been aware of it during their call. Former Brexit Secretary David Davis last night called the blockade 'disgraceful behaviour' which puts at risk, not just Britain's relationship with the EU, but the world's. Advertisement

The figure falls to 59 per cent among staff in care homes for under-65s and for home care providers, NHS England said. This is despite social care being in the top priority group for the rollout.

Uptake is much higher among doctors and nurses, with 93 per cent of frontline staff now immunised.

Ministers are discussing plans to force NHS workers to have Covid jabs. On Wednesday the Mail revealed that a review of vaccine passports will consider whether health staff who decline an injection could be legally obliged to have one.

The review is also expected to look at whether compulsion should apply to care home staff, most of whom are not employed by the state.

NHS bosses have written to all local authorities asking them to focus efforts on boosting vaccination rates in social care.

Yesterday, in a cross-party intervention, a group of 150 BAME councillors from both Conservative and Labour Parties joined forces to urge people to get the jab.

The campaign has received the backing of Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer as well as vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi. Videos from councillors produced as part of the campaign have been seen over one million times.

The campaign seeks to encourage people not only to take the vaccine but also to have important conversations with loved ones and relatives about getting the protection they need from the virus.

Tory Cllr Gurjit Kaur Bains, who is leading the drive, said: 'As elected councillors we understand our communities and throughout this pandemic have been helping to provide support to our most vulnerable.

'This initiative is cross party because we all have a duty to protect our communities and fight misinformation. The message is clear, the vaccine is safe, it will protect you and your family.

'We all have a role to play so I urge everyone to have conversations with their own friends and families about the importance of taking the vaccine. Let's work together and fight this virus.'
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Friday and not separately reported by Alliance News:







S4 Capital PLC - Martin Sorrell-led digital advertising firm - Says annual results will be delayed as auditor has requested further time to complete its audit process, noting the "practical challenges it faces with remote working". Expects results "well in line" with market expectations. Results will be issued March 25.







Mitie Group PLC - Glasgow-based facilities management - Non-Executive Director Alan Lovell resigns from board, effective March 5. Lovell who is also the chair of Interserve, joined the company's board shortly after completion of Mitie's acquisition of Interserve Facilities Management. Lovell steps down following the successful sale of the majority of shares held by How Group Ltd, part of the Interserve group, whose interest has fallen to 7% of Mitie's issued share capital.







JPMorgan Global Growth & Income PLC - investment trust - NAV per share ends 2020 at 383.7 pence versus 341.4p at the end of 2019. NAV total return in 2020 15.4% versus benchmark, the MSCI World All Countries Index, gaining 12.1% in same period. "That long-term approach was what drove a meaningful increase in our exposure to more cyclical names in the past six months," investment manager says. Adds: "The top contributing sector to the strong performance of your company was pharma and medtech. This was driven by a couple of names that rebounded strongly. The first was our position in Zimmer Biomet - a leading manufacturer of orthopaedic implants. They had been hit by the pandemic as hospitals did not have capacity for elective procedures, but we saw business recover through the second half of 2020. We believe that demand for their products is simply postponed, rather than destroyed, and therefore we expect earnings recovering quickly to previous levels. Another name that contributed in this sector was Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc, an innovative biotech company that develops drugs for rare blood disorders. This company was the subject of a bid to acquire them by AstraZeneca PLC, which they accepted."







Tritax EuroBox PLC - investor in continental European logistics real estate assets - Increases raising to GBP198.4 million from GBP173 million as investor demand "significantly exceeded the targeted size". Will now issue total of 192.6 million shares at 103 pence each. Chair Robert Orr says: "We are delighted by the success of this oversubscribed issue. On behalf of the directors and the manager I would like to thank existing shareholders for their strong support and welcome a range of new investors to the company." The investment manager Tritax Management LLP will use the proceeds for acquisition purposes, namely the purchases of three German assets with a value of EUR317 million, another portfolio comprising two assets in Italy and one in Germany, with a collective value of EUR99 million.







Phoenix Global Resources PLC - upstream oil and gas company - New concession granted for its operated block Mata Mora located in the Neuquen province. The province has issued a decree granting a 35-year unconventional exploitation concession over approximately 43,372 acres in the northern part of Mata Mora and extending for 5 years the exploration rights over approximately 11,918 acres in the southern part of Mata Mora. "The new exploitation concession covers the northern part of the block and provides for a Corporate Social Responsibility payment of USD2.8 million and an Infrastructure payment of USD3.3 million. The concession involves a pilot phase with certain works to be completed by March 2026, which include a capex commitment of USD110 million, consisting of four pads of three horizontal wells each, with an average lateral length of 2,150 metres," company adds. It will hold 90% interest in concessions.







AMTE Power PLC - lithium battery maker - Prices initial public offering at 175 pence per share, and hopes to raise GBP13.0 million from issue of 34.7 million shares. Expects market cap on admission of about GBP60.7 million, and will have just over 52% of shares in public hands at admission. Admission date expected in mid-March. AMTE develops lithium-ion battery cells for high-performance vehicles and other specialist uses at its manufacturing plant in Thurso, Scotland. It said it has access to intellectual property from FTSE 250-listed defence technology firm QinetiQ PLC.







Maven Income & Growth VCT 3 PLC - venture capital trust - Net asset value per share ends November at 56.27 pence compared to 59.92p at the same point year before. NAV total return at year-end of 144.44p per share versus 144.09p in financial 2019. "With good levels of liquidity, the core objective at the start of the financial year was the continued growth in the portfolio to expand and diversify your company's asset base and help support future growth in Shareholder value. However, in response to the outbreak of Covid-19, attention was diverted temporarily to value preservation and supporting the requirements of existing portfolio companies," company says. Declares total dividend of 3.0p, giving it dividend yield of 6%. Notes plans to potentially put in place dividend policy that will pay an annual dividend with a yield of up to 5%.







Hunters Property PLC - Yorkshire-based estate agent - Shareholders approve takeover by Property Franchise Group PLC. Reached agreement with Property Franchise in late January. Hunters has recommended the acquisition, which will be on the basis of 0.1655 Property Franchise shares plus 43.2 pence in cash for each Hunters share. The terms value each Hunters share at around 72.0p and the entire company at around GBP24.2 million.







Premier African Minerals Ltd - Africa-focused metals and agri mineral projects investor - Notes the recent volatility in its share price and the online speculation regarding the status of its exclusive prospecting order applications for Zulu Lithium Private Ltd. "The company will notify the market as and when the company receives any official communication pertaining to the status of Zulu's EPO application," it says.







Volga Gas PLC - oil & gas explorer operating in Volga region of Russia - GEM Capital Holdings Ltd's 23.71 pence per share cash offer is declared wholly unconditional as to acceptances with 74.4 million acceptances received so far, representing just over a 92% stake. GEM has now waived the condition regarding approval by the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation for the GBP19.2 million deal.







Kodal Minerals PLC - miner developing project in southern Mali and Cote d'Ivoire - Now retains 100% interest in the Nielle, Tiebissou and M'Bahiakro gold concessions after termination of Corvette joint venture with Resolute Mining Ltd, following decision by Kodal to refuse extension request. Geologists now undertaking a field visit to the Nielle project located in northern Cote d'Ivoire to confirm historic drilling, geological setting and confirm planning for the new drilling campaign. Also notes funding agreement with Riverfort Global Capital Ltd amended and will be agreed shortly. Adds: "The focus of the funding remains the advancement of the exploration and resource definition activities at the company's gold projects in Mali and Cote d'Ivoire." The funding proposal will, once executed, provide Kodal with funding of up to UDS2.5 million.







Mila Resources PLC - natural resources company - Raises GBP350,000 through issue of convertible loan notes, which will mature six months from now and are automatically redeemed with 6% annual interest. The redemption price will be 75% of the company's placing price when its shares are readmitted to AIM. Also notes resolution giving company power to allot equity securities at annual general meeting failed to obtain the required 75% of the votes.







By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
On cyber attack on India, US says cannot allow China to dominate

RedEcho cyber attack: Ports in TN, Mumbai, scores of power assets in India came under attack

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 05: 10 power assets came under the RedEcho cyber attack, the Recorded Future said. Further, the report also said that the ports in Mumbai and Tamil Nadu too came under attack by the actor group, which has Chinese links.

The report said that the Delhi state load despatch centre, DTL Tikri Kalan substation in Delhi; Mumbai Port Trust, western regional load despatch centre In Maharashtra, NTPC's Kudgi power plant and southern regional load despatch centre in Karnataka, VO Chidambarnar port in Tamil Nadu, Telengana load despatch centre, eastern regional load despatch centre in West Bengal load despatch centre and northeastern regional load despatch centre in Assam were the power assets that came under attack.

Another Mumbai-like blackout? Telangana power utilities thwart Chinese hacking attempt

During a presentation, CEO of Recorded Future, Christopher Ahlberg said thatt they observed through the network intelligence significant, high volume network traffic from Indian power sector assets to servers used by China-linked group RedEcho. The adversary infrastructure is still active and activity continues, he also said.

On Monday a report said that a massive power outage in Mumbai last October may have been the handiwork of China. Beijing has however denied this.

The report says that a China linked threat activity group, RedEcho targeted the Indian power sector.

The links to the Mumbai outage provides additional evidence suggesting the coordinated targeting of

Indian Load Dispatch Centres, the report further stated.

The flow of Malware was pieced together by Recorded Future, a US based company that studies the use of internet by state actors. It found that most of the malware was never activated. Because Recorded Future could not get inside India's power systems, it could not examine the details of the code itself.

"From mid-2020, Recorded Future's midpoint collection revealed a steep rise in the use of infrastructure tracked as AXIOMATICASYMPTOTE, which encompasses ShadowPad command and control servers, to target a large swathe of India's power sector. 10 distinct Indian power sector organisations, including four of the five regional load dispatch centres responsible for the operation of the power grid through balancing electricity supply and demand, have been identified as targets in a concerted campaign against India's critical infrastructure. Other targets identified include two Indian seaports," the report said.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

How a warning about ShadowPad, Red Echo saved the national power grid from being hacked

Further it also said that there was a clear and consistent pattern of Indian organisations being targeted in this campaign through the behavioural profiling of network traffic to adversary infrastructure.
6. Redwood Research

A team of researchers from Humboldt State University studied an isolated grove of redwoods on Land Trust preserve land in 2016. These redwoods are the most interior old growth redwoods in the species range.

The team began an ongoing research project to learn about the success of this stand at this site, which is relatively hot and dry for redwoods. As part of this research, the oldest tree was found to be 800 years old, probably the oldest living organism in Napa County.

7. Wildlife

Since 2017, the Land Trust has been using an array of motion-activated cameras deployed across nearly 5,000 acres to gain a better understanding of wildlife and their movements.

With three years of data cataloged and analyzed, the Wildlife Picture Index Project has yielded some exciting results.

In addition to showing healthy levels of overall mammal diversity, this initial data indicates that we have the highest numbers of black bear in the Bay Area, said Land Trust Stewardship program manager Mike Palladini.

8. Berryessa Ranches
Canada's public health agency licensed Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine, making it the fourth shot authorized in a country struggling to keep up with its Group of Seven peers on inoculations.

The approval, first reported by Canadian Broadcasting Corp., was announced at a briefing by health officials in Ottawa Friday morning.

Canada has an agreement to purchase 38 million shots from the New Jersey-based company. Unlike the three others approved, Johnson & Johnson's vaccine requires only a single dose, which could help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau achieve his target of vaccinating every Canadian that wants one by September.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand said in an interview Thursday it was "highly likely" that timeline will accelerate.

But she cautioned: "I am loathe to simply throw caution to the wind and proclaim a new date without ensuring that our delivery schedules are firm and we will receive vaccines."

Johnson & Johnson expects to deliver 10 million doses to Canada by the end of the third quarter, the company said in a statement.

Trudeau, Anand and other government officials are scheduled to speak to reporters at midday.

The government has faced criticism over the slow pace of vaccinations. The country has administered just 5.7 doses per 100 people, according to the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker, while the U.S. and U.K. have given 24.9 and 32.9 doses for each 100 of their citizens, respectively.

Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine was the first to be approved in Canada on Dec. 9 and health authorities began vaccinating healthcare workers and other vulnerable urban populations the following week. Moderna Inc.'s vaccine was licensed two weeks later on Dec. 23, which expanded the country's inoculation drive to rural and northern regions due to easier transportation requirements. AstraZeneca Plc's vaccine was authorized on Feb 26.

More than 22,000 people have died of Covid-19 since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Government officials have attributed the slow pace, in part, to Canada's expansive geography, the temperature requirements of the Pfizer shot and a healthcare system that leaves it to each province to organize vaccinations. But temporary shipment cuts around the end of January put Trudeau in an uncomfortable spot, as critics questioned the strength of Canada's contracts and its ability to sway manufacturers.
The new chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa, has said the anti-corruption war under his watch would be driven by intelligence.

Mr Bawa promised to create a full-fledged directorate of intelligence that would spearhead the commissions intelligence.

A statement by EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, quoted him as saying this on assuming his duties at the commissions headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

We are going to digitalise our processes, and we are going to create a new full-pledged directorate of intelligence to enable us to gather intelligence so that we will be proactive in our fight against economic and financial crimes; and by so doing, we will also provide the government with necessary quality advice that will lead to good governance, he said.

Mr Bawa, 40, whose appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, was confirmed by the Senate on February 24, took over from the acting chair, Mohammed Abba, at a formal handing over ceremony on Friday.

Mr Abba, as the EFCC Director of Operations, was appointed the acting chair of the commission following the suspension of his predecessor, Ibrahim Magu, in July last year.

Mr Magu, who also acted as the chairperson of the agency without senate confirmation for nearly five years, was suspended but never recalled to face the Ayo Salami panel set up to probe the allegations corruption and insubordination levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

The panels report submitted to Mr Buhari in November has not been released to the public.

New approach to anti-corruption war

In the EFCC statement highlighting Mr Bawas comments at the handing over ceremony on Friday, the new EFCC chair promised a paradigm shift in the agencys approach to anti-graft war.

PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday highlighted 10 key expectations, including respect for human rights and more robust investigation, prosecution and asset recovery, which Nigerians want him to meet for a successful anti-graft war.

There is a difference between fighting corruption and fighting corrupt people; and going forward, we are going to be proactive in our approach in the fight against economic and financial crimes, Mr Bawa said.

He assured stakeholders of continued partnership, adding For our strategic partners across the shores of this country, we will continue to work together with you.

Asset recovery

He promised to share intelligence aimed at ensuring that the nations stolen wealth was recovered.

Asset recovery was a major focus of the Mr Magu-led EFCC and the success of the commission in this regard was often touted by the former EFCC boss and his allies as part of his major achievements in office.

Mr Bawa promised to continue the streak of assets recovery in line with extant laws and constitutional provisions.

He said, We will continue to share intelligence, to see that the stolen wealth of this country is returned for the betterment of us all.

But all of these, we will be doing it the way the EFCC is known to be doing its things. The provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, extant laws of the country have always been and will always be our guide.

He also pledged to prioritise staff welfare, adding that he would ask the government for necessary support.

ADVERTISEMENT

We know the problems and God willing, we are going to solve these problems, he said.

Handover remarks

Earlier in his handing over remarks, the former acting chair, Mr Abba, expressed confidence that Mr Bawa would succeed.

He said, I am particularly delighted to be handing over the affairs of the commission to Bawa.

He is an officer with whom I have enjoyed a close working relationship and who contributed immensely to our collective efforts in the war against economic and financial crimes.

I do not doubt that he will do well and enjoin all staff to accord him the same support that I have received over the last seven months.

Mr Abba, who also thanked President Buhari for allowing giving him the opportunity to lead the commission as the acting chair,said under his watch, the commission prosecuted 804 cases and secured a total of 583 convictions.

He added that substantial recovery running into billions of Naira was made, while various assets were equally forfeited to the Federal Government through interim or final order of court.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
On Monday, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster issued his 25th consecutive COVID-19 emergency declaration  an awkward workaround of a law, designed for hurricanes, that says a state of emergency expires after 15 days unless the Legislature votes to continue it.

The workaround has worked so far, with the tacit approval of most lawmakers, but theres always a danger that someone could challenge it in court and a court could declare it unlawful.

That would obliterate the governors ongoing public-health restrictions (of which precious few remain) as well as his flexibility measures  concerning, for example, alcohol sales, unemployment benefits and largely unused law enforcement powers  and lead to a cascade of problems and inconveniences that could take days or weeks to correct, while the pandemic rages on.

So we welcome the Houses final passage on Tuesday of a bill to flip the emergency powers law on its head to say that a state of emergency lasts until either the governor or the Legislature ends it. We hope the Senate will act expeditiously on the legislation, which is modeled on an elegantly simple solution that Sen. Chip Campsen outlined as far back as May, and which senators havent taken up yet.

We hope too that senators will be as united as the House was in rejecting any efforts  better yet, we hope there are no such efforts  to limit our states ability to respond to an emergency. House members summarily rejected amendments by Rep. Jonathon Hill to strip DHEC of the authority to quarantine and isolate potentially infectious individuals  an essential tool for protecting the public health for centuries  and instead require the agency to jump through hoops that could delay its response to a more lethal infection long enough to shatter any hopes of stopping it.

In passing H.3443, the House not only refined Sen. Campsens idea but also improved its own initial idea, in two important ways.

Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email

Sign Up!

First, the bill allows a simple majority in the Legislature to end any emergency order, in a matter of hours if not minutes, in the unlikely but not impossible event that we ever have an out-of-control governor. The normal rules would still apply if lawmakers wanted to amend a governors orders: He would have a chance to veto the legislation, and it would take a two-thirds supermajority in the House and Senate to override that veto.

The other improvement is an expansion of lawmakers ability to gather to debate emergency orders while the Legislature is out of session (generally June through December). In addition to allowing the speaker of the House and president of the Senate to call the Legislature into special session 30 days into an emergency (which they already can do most of the time anyway), it empowers rank-and-file legislators to force a meeting, in an act of little-d democratization that is, as far as we know, unprecedented in our state.

The mandatory meeting would be triggered by a majority vote of legislators from any 10 counties. That strikes us as an odd requirement that gives too much power to a potentially small number of lawmakers: Three counties, for instance, have only two resident legislators, and several have only three or four.

But the 10-delegations rule is now in the bill, and the Senate can refine it  we had recommended allowing a majority of senators and a majority of representatives to trigger a special session  and add a safeguard that prevents a couple of dozen lawmakers from repeatedly forcing the Legislature back into session when its clear the majority is comfortable with the governors exercise of his authority. Senators should do precisely that.

Preventing a single legislator (the House speaker or Senate president) from blocking a special session is nearly as important as giving the Legislature an opportunity to stop a governors emergency orders. But that bypass has to be reasonable. As its currently written, its not.
St. Paul, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - March 4, 2021) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today filed a voluntary motion to remand its downstream water quality decision under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, according to Poly Met Mining, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PolyMet Mining Corp. (TSX: POM) (NYSE American: PLM) (together "PolyMet" or the "company"). The company issued the following statement in response:

The science shows that PolyMet's project has no downstream water quality effects. EPA has never said otherwise, but it did not make explicit findings when the issue arose in 2018 after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency certified that the project will not affect the state's water quality. This 90-day remand gives it the opportunity to do so.

PolyMet plans to participate fully, as appropriate, in this process and believes the science will once again prevail. The science is clear that water discharges from the NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals mine will have no impact on downstream waters.

Two weeks ago, a federal district court dismissed claims against EPA under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act. EPA's request for a voluntary remand today does not affect that dismissal.

* * * * *

About PolyMet

PolyMet is a mine development company that owns 100% of the NorthMet Project, the first large-scale project to be permitted within the Duluth Complex in northeastern Minnesota, one of the world's major, undeveloped mining regions. NorthMet has significant proven and probable reserves of copper, nickel and palladium - metals vital to global carbon reduction efforts - in addition to marketable reserves of cobalt, platinum and gold. When operational, NorthMet will become one of the leading producers of nickel, palladium and cobalt in the U.S., providing a much needed, responsibly mined source of these critical and essential metals.

Located in the Mesabi Iron Range, the project will provide economic diversity while leveraging the region's established supplier network and skilled workforce, and generate a level of activity that will have a significant effect in the local economy. For more information: www.polymetmining.com.

Story continues

For further information, please contact:

Media

Bruce Richardson, Corporate Communications

Tel: +1 (651) 389-4111

brichardson@polymetmining.com

Investor Relations

Tony Gikas, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 (651) 389-4110

investorrelations@polymetmining.com

PolyMet Disclosures

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in PolyMet's operations in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "potential," "possible," "projects," "plans," and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur or be achieved or their negatives or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding the ability to receive environmental and operating permits, job creation, and the effect on the local economy, or other statements that are not a statement of fact. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to risks facing PolyMet or due to actual facts differing from the assumptions underlying its predictions.

PolyMet's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and PolyMet does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations and opinions should change.

Specific reference is made to risk factors and other considerations underlying forward-looking statements discussed in PolyMet's most recent Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and in our other filings with Canadian securities authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Annual Report on Form 40-F also contains the company's mineral resource and other data as required under National Instrument 43-101.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76139
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 04:08:28|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

RIGA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, on a working visit to Latvia on Friday, met with the Baltic country's top state officials for discussions on the European Union's (EU) agenda, regional cooperation and the COVID-19 crisis, the Latvian government said.

Szijjarto's meeting with Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics focused on bilateral relations, defense and regional cooperation, as well as current EU affairs.

Rinkevics noted the good relations between the two countries and thanked Hungary for its involvement in the Baltic region's defense activities, including its participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led (NATO) airspace policing mission.

Rinkevics welcomed the Hungarian government's decision to upgrade its status at the Riga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence from observer to permanent representative, thus providing a significant contribution to the center's work.

Rinkevics also underlined that regular regional cooperation, exchanges in the Baltic-Visegrad Group format, involvement in the Three Seas Initiative, as well as cooperation and dialogue in other multilateral formats are essential to the development of Latvian-Hungarian relations.

The ministers also stressed the importance of cooperation and mutual support in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed that protecting public health is a top priority, which can be ensured by a timely delivery of vaccines and the effective vaccination of the population. Enditem
The "frothy" US market for special purpose acquisition vehicles (SPACs) could see investors coming off "poorly", Chief Executive David Schwimmer warned on Friday after proposals for Britain to loosen SPAC listing rules.



Listings of the so-called "blank cheque" companies which use the proceeds to take private firms public through a reverse takeover, have rocketed in New York and exchanges elsewhere are keen to jump on the bandwagon. That has raised concerns about inflated valuations.



"There is clearly some froth in the US market for SPACs," Schwimmer told reporters.



"Some of that could end poorly for some of either those opportunities or some of those investors." A government review this week recommended making it easier for SPACs to list on the LSE.



Schwimmer said there have always been speculative cycles in and SPACs do have a role to play in the capital market, but it was important that investors use them "thoughtfully and carefully".



MARKET SPOOKED



The Group (LSEG) announced a 7% dividend increase for 2020 on Friday as integration of its $27 billion acquisition of data and analytics company Refinitiv stepped up a gear.



Revenue grew 3% to hit 2.1 billion pounds ($2.92 billion), driven by growth in the FTSE Russell and clearing businesses.

Adjusted operating profit was up 5% to 1.1 billion pounds.



LSE shares, however, fell nearly 12% to 8,370 pence. Citi cut the stock to neutral from buy, citing guidance on heavier than expected costs.



"A need to improve the resilience of the legacy Refinitiv tech platform, suggests the bulk of the incremental 150 million euros operational expenditure investment will recur in 2022 and beyond," Citi said in a note, adding that an earnings-per-share accretion target for this year now "looks very difficult to achieve".



Credit Suisse said guidance for cost growth this year has "spooked the market", raising questions about whether LSEG still deserves a premium rating compared with its European peers.



The exchange said that its FTSE Russell stock indexes business in Britain and most of its other information services will be slotted into a newly formed data and analytics division, as data now eclipses the group's trading operations since the Refinitiv acquisition.



"While early days, the work we have done so far confirms the quality of the business and the extent of the opportunities across the group as we focus on integration and delivering the strategic and financial benefits of the transaction," Schwimmer said in a statement.





ALSO READ: US job growth beats expectations in Feb amid falling new Covid-19 cases

He declined to put a figure on job cuts, but said there will be a reduction in "overlapping senior leadership" this year.



Savings will also come from rooting out overlapping locations, efficiencies across vendors and at some data centres.



The group will keep its offices in London's Canary Wharf, where Refinitiv is based, and the exchange's head office in the City of London.



Schwimmer said he was confident that London will remain a global financial centre and that a shift in 8 billion euros of daily share trading from the City to Amsterdam in January due to Brexit had been anticipated.



It will have little impact on the LSE Group given that its euro share trading largely relocated to its new hub in Amsterdam, Schwimmer said.



LSE said it would pay a final dividend of 51.7 pence a share as a reflection of the "good performance and confident outlook" for the new group".



Thomson Reuters, the parent company of Reuters News, now holds a 15% stake in the exchange following the Refinitiv deal.


Coronavirus restrictions should not be lifted until the daily toll of new U.S. cases falls below 10,000, "and maybe even considerably less than that," Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday.

The last time the United States saw that low a number was almost a year ago. The daily case count hasn't fallen below 50,000 since mid-October, and the seven-day average on Wednesday was more than 64,000, CNN reported.

Even so, some states have begun to ease restrictions, including doing away with mask mandates, allowing businesses to fully open and increasing the number of people allowed at mass gatherings.

On Thursday, Alabama became the latest state to move to lift a mask mandate, saying its face-covering rule will expire on April 9, CNN reported. Earlier this week, the governors of Texas and Mississippi said they were lifting mask mandates and allowing businesses to operate at full capacity immediately or within days.

Those announcements came as health experts warned that the spread of more infectious variants could send U.S. infection rates soaring again.

Of particular concern is the B.1.1.7 variant which was first discovered in the U.K. The so-called British variant has now been found in 48 U.S. states, as well as in Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. As of Friday, there were 2,672 cases of the variant in this country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A person with the variant can infect 43% to 90% more people than the older versions of the virus, new research from scientists at the Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine shows, CNN reported.

In a statement, the Infectious Diseases Society of America said the United States must continue to use masks, social distance, wash hands and avoid large gatherings.

"We can't forget the lessons this pandemic has taught us or its terrible toll, and we must not relinquish the ground we've gained," said Dr. Barbara Alexander, the president of ISDA.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Thursday that state officials must continue to emphasize the importance of wearing masks for the foreseeable future, and "encourage everyone to roll up their sleeve for the vaccine when it's available to them."

COVID death rates 10 times higher in nations where most are obese

In a finding that suggests overweight people should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines, a new report released Thursday shows the risk of death from coronavirus infection is about 10 times higher in countries where most of the population is overweight.

The World Obesity Federation report found that 88 percent of deaths due to COVID-19 in the first year of the pandemic were in countries where more than half of the population is classified as overweight, the Washington Post reported. Having a body mass index (BMI) above 25 is considered overweight.

The results prompted the London-based federation to urge governments to prioritize overweight and obese people for both coronavirus testing and vaccinations, the Post reported.

Among the nations with overweight populations above the 50 percent threshold were also those with some of the largest proportions of coronavirus deathsincluding countries such as Britain, Italy and the United States, the Post reported. In the United States, nearly three-quarters of the population is considered overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far, more than 518,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.

Conversely, in countries where less than half of the adult population is classified as overweight, the risk of death from COVID-19 was about one-tenth of the levels in countries with higher shares of overweight adults. A higher BMI was also associated with increased risk of hospitalization, admission to intensive or critical care and the need for mechanically assisted ventilation, the Post said.

These findings were fairly uniform across the globe, the report said. In fact, increased body weight was the second greatest predictorafter old ageof hospitalization and higher risk of death of COVID-19.

To reach that conclusion, the researchers examined mortality data on 160 countries from Johns Hopkins University and the World Health Organization. Of the 2.5 million COVID-19 deaths reported by the end of February, 2.2 million were in countries where more than half the population is overweight, CNN reported.

Every country where less than 40% of the population was overweight had a COVID-19 death rate of no more than 10 people per 100,000.

But in countries where more than 50% of the population was overweight, the COVID-19 death rate was much highermore than 100 per 100,000.

"An overweight population is an unhealthy population, and a pandemic waiting to happen," the group wrote in its report.

All American adults can get vaccines by end of May: Biden

The United States is now poised to have enough COVID-19 vaccines for every American adult by the end of May, President Joe Biden said this week.

The announcement, which came during a brief speech at the White House on Tuesday, accelerates the country's vaccination goals by two months.

"As a consequence of the stepped-up process that I've ordered and just outlined, this country will have enough vaccine supplyI'll say it againfor every adult in America by the end of May," Biden said. "By the end of May. That's progressimportant progress."

How was it possible to speed up the U.S. vaccine rollout?

Biden said his administration provided support to Johnson & Johnson so the company and its partners can make vaccines around the clock, The New York Times reported. In addition to that, the administration brokered a deal in which the pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. would help manufacture the newly approved Johnson & Johnson single-shot coronavirus vaccine.

Although its own attempt at making a COVID-19 vaccine failed, Merck is the world's second-largest vaccine manufacturer, according to the Times. White House officials described the partnership between the two competitors as historic and said it harkens back to the wartime manufacturing campaigns that former President Franklin D. Roosevelt put into place.

Biden also said Tuesday that he wanted all teachers to receive at least one shot by the end of this month, the Times reported.

Biden's announcement came days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. As of Friday, nearly 82.6 million Americans had been vaccinated, with nearly 28 million getting their second shot.

Even as vaccinations ramp up, public health officials worry about another surge of coronavirus cases, as new, more infectious variants emerge and states like Texas and Mississippi lift their mask mandates and roll back many of their coronavirus restrictions. Although cases have dropped significantly since January, they are now leveling off, the Times reported.

"We cannot let our guard down now or assure that victory is inevitable," Biden said Tuesday. "We can't assume that."

A global scourge

By Friday, the U.S. coronavirus case count passed 28.8 million while the death toll passed 520,000, according to a Times tally. On Friday, the top five states for coronavirus infections were: California with nearly 3.6 million cases; Texas with nearly 2.7 million cases; Florida with over 1.9 million cases; New York with nearly 1.7 million cases; and Illinois with nearly 1.2 million cases.

Curbing the spread of the coronavirus in the rest of the world remains challenging.

In India, the coronavirus case count was nearly 11.2 million by Friday, a Johns Hopkins University tally showed. Brazil had nearly 10.8 million cases and nearly 261,000 deaths as of Friday, the Hopkins tally showed.

Worldwide, the number of reported infections passed 115.6 million on Friday, with over 2.5 million deaths recorded, according to the Hopkins tally.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the new coronavirus.

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
A Maine woamn who was impaled when a falling pine tree struck the vehicle she was riding in suffered seven broken ribs, but she's getting better day by day, her husband said Friday.

Theresa Roy, 79, has a long recovery ahead, said her husband, David Roy. But he said he's just happy they're alive after the bizarre incident that destroyed their vehicle and injured both of them.

'I feel like we had a guardian angel,' he said.

David Roy, 78, said he and his wife were driving home to Oakland on a two-lane road because their Hyundai Santa Fe had been buffeted by strong winds earlier on I-95 during a powerful wind storm.

David Roy, 78, said he and his wife - 79-year-old Theresa Roy - were driving home to Oakland when the large limb came crashing into their windshield on Friday

The crash in Sidney happened in an instant when a pine tree blown down by high wind struck his vehicle as he drove at 50 mph, with limbs crashing through the windshield as he struggled to control the vehicle.

A large limb came through the center dashboard and windshield at an angle, hitting him and then striking his wife's armpit while another broke the windshield and impaled her shoulder, he said.

Sidney Fire and Rescue used the jaws of life to reach Theresa Roy and then cut the tree limb with a hand saw so she could be taken to MaineGeneral hospital in Augusta. She remained in fair condition on Friday at the hospital, a spokesperson said.

Sidney Fire and Rescue used the jaws of life to reach Theresa Roy and then cut the tree limb with a hand saw so she could be taken to MaineGeneral hospital in Augusta. She remained in fair condition on Friday at the hospital

Roy said he has been moved by the outpouring of support, and he's glad that his scrappy wife is improving.

'She is one step at a time - doing good, getting better,' he said.

The storm wreaked havoc across the region, knocking out power to more than 130,000 homes and businesses in New England and New York. A gust of 71 mph was recorded in Maine.
Ghanas incumbent presidents, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his vice, Dr Muhammadu Bawumia have reacted to the Supreme Courts ruling over their rivals election petition case.



The Supreme Court dismissed the election petition brought before it by John Dramani Mahama, the 2020 Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).



The petitioner did not demonstrate in any way how the errors [committed by the EC] affected the declaration of the electionWe have therefore no reason to order a re-run [of the polls]. We accordingly dismiss the petition, Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah said while reading the ruling of the court on Thursday, March 4, 2021.





John Mahama was challenging the results of the polls insisting that none of the nine presidential candidates obtained the mandatory 50%+1 vote constitutional threshold to be declared the winner of the polls.



But reacting to the ruling, Akufo-Addo and Bawumia is seen vigirously watching the courts ruling with rapt attention.



In the video, the two great political leaders happily jubilated after the court ruled in their favour.



Watch the videos below;











































































View this post on Instagram















A post shared by UTV Ghana (@utvghana)



































View this post on Instagram







A post shared by UTV Ghana (@utvghana)













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video

You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Nearly a year after his highly-anticipated sequel A Quiet Place II was pushed from its March 2020 release date, the sequel is finally coming this summer.

Writer-director-star John Krasinski took to Twitter on Thursday evening, revealing that his long-delayed sequel will arrive on May 28, over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

It remains to be seen if a new trailer or poster will be released between now and the new release, though Krasinski did release a cryptic teaser image.

Finally: Nearly a year after his highly-anticipated sequel A Quiet Place II was pushed from its March 2020 release date, the sequel is finally coming this summer

Twitter reveal: Writer-director-star John Krasinski took to Twitter on Thursday evening, revealing that his long-delayed sequel will arrive on May 28, over the Memorial Day holiday weekend

'They always say good things come to those who wait. Well... I think weve waited long enough. A QUIET PLACE PART II MEMORIAL DAY,' Krasinski said.

The sequel was originally slated for release on March 20, 2020, with Paramount initially stating they would not push the release.

However, just a week before it was supposed to hit theaters, Paramount pulled it from its release schedule, as theaters across the country shut down.

Long enough: 'They always say good things come to those who wait. Well... I think weve waited long enough. A QUIET PLACE PART II MEMORIAL DAY,' Krasinski said

It was first delayed to September 4, but as theaters were still closed, it was pushed again to April 23, 2021.

Back in January, when COVID-19 cases surged all across America, the studio pushed the sequel yet again to September 17, 2021.

It seems Paramount has more confidence that more theaters will be open by May, with roughly 65% of the nation's theaters still closed at this moment.

Delayed: It was first delayed to September 4, but as theaters were still closed, it was pushed again to April 23, 2021

However, New York City theaters are slated to open tomorrow, though it's unclear when theaters in major markets like Los Angeles, where theaters have been closed for almost a full year, will re-open.

Krasinski directed and starred in the 2018 sleeper hit A Quiet Place alongside his wife Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe as their on-screen kids.

The film followed their family as they adapted to a new world where alien predators hunt by sound, after wiping out most of humanity.

Sleeper hit: Krasinski directed and starred in the 2018 sleeper hit A Quiet Place alongside his wife Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe as their on-screen kids

The sequel follows the family as they venture outside of their quite home in the woods, and discover there are more dangerous threats besides these monsters.

Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou are among the new cast members in the sequel, which Krasinski returns to direct from his own script, based on characters created by A Quiet Place writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.

As of now, barring any COVID-19-related changes, A Quiet Place II will square off against Disney's Cruella starring Emma Stone and Paramount's Infinite starring Mark Wahlberg.

It was also recently confirmed that A Quiet Place II will be available to stream on the Paramount Plus streaming service 45 days after it debuts in theaters.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Cecilia Delgado, like many other parents in Mexico, vowed to tirelessly search for her missing son, Jesus Ramon Martinez, after he was detained at his business by two cops on December 2, 2018 and never seen or heard from again.

It wasn't until November 2020 that she would find the 34-year-old's dead body inside one of the mass graves where a total of 16 bodies were discovered during a period of five days.

Delgado grew restless with the response from authorities and formed 'Buscadores por la Paz' or 'Searchers for Peace,' a collective made up of families looking for their lost loved ones in a country where more than 83,000 people are still missing today.

'I had to find my son alone because they didn't do their job,' Delgado told BBC Mundo.

Cecilia Delgado formed the collective "Buscadores por la Paz" or "Searchers for Peace" and discovered the body of her missing son, Jesus Ramon Martinez, on November 25, 2020, almost two years after he was last seen in Hermosillo, Mexico, leaving a beer shop he owned accompanied by two police officers who detained him

Jesus Ramon Martinez's body was among the 16 that were located in several clandestine graves during a period of five days in November 2020

Cecilia Delgado founded 'Buscadores por la Paz' or 'Searchers for Peace,' a collective made up of families looking for their lost loved ones in Mexico where more than 83,000 people are still missing today

According to Delgado, a security camera system showed a Sonora state police vehicle and a Chevrolet Silverado pull up to the beer shop that her son owned.

The surveillance camera registered the moment the police officers escorted Martinez, a father-of-three, out of the business, while a friend remained inside.

Delgado visited the local state police station house in the city of Hermosillo after learning of her son's arrest. She was told to return home, and that cops would be in touch with her as soon as her son was released.

The call never came for the distraught mother, who went on to canvass local jails and hospitals, nearby cities and other secret burial grounds where the sons and daughters of other families eventually would turn up.

An anonymous caller tipped Delgado and the Buscadores por la Paz off, leading them to an abandoned property in the southern end of Hermosillo on November 21.

Delgado arrived at the site at 8.30am and by noon had discovered the first body. Within two days, the search group had found 11 remains, including two women.

It wasn't until the fifth and final day of frantic search mission that Delgado caught a glimpse of her son while digging through a ditch.

A DNA test confirmed her worst fears a week later.

Cecilia Delgado with her son Jesus Ramon Martinez, a father-of-three who was found dead November 25, 2020, almost two years after he was reported missing in Mexico

'Buscadores por la Paz' or 'Searchers for Peace' is a collective of family members who volunteer to look for missing persons in Mexico

'I kept my promise after two years. Not how I wanted, but I found him,' Delgado said. 'I still close my eyes and see him in the condition he was in. He didn't deserve it.'

According to BBC Mundo, the Sonora State Attorney General, Claudia Contreras, promised to seek justice for Martinez and the rest of the victims.

For Delgado, the search for other missing kidnapping victims, which she likens to looking for 'treasure,' continues despite having to brave the extreme weather, which can soar to 122 degrees Fahrenheit on any day.

Her nephew, Moises Alfonso, 28, who was reportedly kidnapped by cops, is still missing.

'The love we have for our children is greater than the harsh climate, hunger or fear,' Delgado said. 'For us they are treasures because we find them in clandestine graves that we have to excavate. And they are, unfortunately, corpses.'
Asked to respond to the letter, Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesman for the W.H.O., replied in an email that the team of experts that had gone to China is working on its full report as well as an accompanying summary report, which we understand will be issued simultaneously in a couple of weeks.

The open letter noted that the W.H.O.s study was a joint effort by a team of outside experts, selected by the global health organization, who worked along with Chinese scientists, and that the teams report must be agreed on by all. The letter emphasized that the team was denied access to some records and did not investigate laboratories in China.

Findings by the team, the letter stated, while potentially useful to a limited extent, represent neither the official position of the W.H.O. nor the result of an unrestricted, independent investigation.

Without naming him, the letter criticized Peter Daszak, an expert in animal diseases and their connection to human health, who is the head of EcoHealth Alliance. The letter linked to articles about Dr. Daszak and said he had previously stated his conviction that a natural origin of the virus was most likely.

Dr. Daszak said the letters push to investigate a lab origin for the virus was a position supported by political agendas.

I strongly urge the global community to wait for the publication of the report from the W. H.O. mission, he added.

Filippa Lentzos, a senior lecturer in science and international security, at Kings College London, and one of the signers of the letter, said, I think in order to get a credible investigation, it has to be more of a global effort in the sense that it should be taken to the U.N. General Assembly where all the nations of the world are represented and can vote on whether or not to give a mandate to the U.N. secretary general, to carry out this kind of investigation.
Catherine Kamau alias Kate Actress has joined the growing list of popular Kenyan personalities to go public about her mental health disorder.

The Award-winning actress opened up for the first time on social media, revealing she has been battling anxiety.

So I asked you guys to ask me questions about me and one of the questions was that I tell you something you dont know about me. Well I responded by saying I suffer from anxiety disorder and most of you were like, What is that? she said in a video.

In a YouTube video titled coping with anxiety disorder, the lifestyle blogger said her anxiety prevents her from giving her best at work.

It is so bad that it even affects my work. In that, Im thinking about doing something but I am so anxious about it I end up procrastinating, overthinking about it and then end up not doing it. This results in me running behind on work schedules. When you explain to someone how you feel they will be like, this one nowadays has white peoples problems, you know, she narrated.

Kate actress hosted Sophie Muriuki, a clinical Psychologist, to discuss mental health and raise awareness about different types of anxiety.

The clinical psychologist explained anxiety is only normal up to a certain point in humans.

If it makes you physically sick or mentally withdrawn, you need to seek professional help. There is the anxiety which is the anticipation of something versus the emotional part of anxiety which is now where fear comes in. In this case, fear is the emotional expression of that anticipation.

When you are feeling anxious, there is something you are waiting to do. In your instance you have talked about it affecting your work, meaning you have planned to do something but you keep pushing it back, so you engage in avoidant behavior. Another thing we need to consider is, how do you feel when you think about that thing you want to do. Are you sweating, are you shaking, are you feeling like you heart is beating so hard? Are you having difficulty breathing? she said.

Sophie added: You also want to look at your thoughts, so now because of the way you are feeling physically, it is going to affect how you are thinking. For a normal case, when you are going for a job interview, for exams, you get nervous, you are worried, maybe it even motivates you to do better. But if it gets to a point where you cant even leave the house to go and do that thing you need to do, then you need to seek help. There is nothing wrong with it, sometimes our bodies just need help to function.
Brendan Ogle is on a mission. He has produced an economic analysis of inequality and deprivation in this country. Nearly as interesting as the content of the document is the premise the Unite trade unionist relied on for compiling it.

Last autumn, UCC economist Seamus Coffey wrote a piece in which he showed how income inequality in this country was bucking a trend. As the gap of inequality widens in most other wealthy countries, his analysis outlined, it has narrowed here.

His research was subsequently quoted in the Irish Times by the papers political editor, Pat Leahy. A few days later, Fine Gaels Jerry Buttimer used it in a speech in the Seanad. Nothing unusual or controversial about any of that, all standard fare in the political-media ecosystem.

Except Ogle was outraged. His experience working in the community was, he felt, at complete odds with the idea that inequality was falling.

More importantly, he saw it as deja vu all over again. After the economic collapse in 2008, austerity was imposed on those least able to bear it. He believes it could happen again when the bill for the pandemic comes calling.

If economic inequality is not fully contextualised, explained and understood then there are real dangers that the cost, as in the past, will primarily be borne by those who can least carry it. Who will pay? reads the executive summary of 'Exploring Inequality and Deprivation in Ireland'.

The 38-page report is a mix of polemic, analysis and testimony. Messrs Coffey, Leahy and Buttimer are repeatedly mentioned. The repetition is jarring and unfair as there is an implicit suggestion that on the basis of one piece of research these three gents are somehow complicit in attempting to paint a rosy rather than realistic picture of inequality.

Ogles economic analysis, compiled with Dr Conor McCabe, looks sound but is challenged on this weeks Irish Examiner podcast where he and Coffey engage in a fascinating debate on equality in this country.

In brief, Ogle argues that Coffeys analysis is based entirely on income and does not take into account seven other factors which give a much clearer picture of inequality.

A counter-argument could be made that if living standards are being raised for most, then the degree of inequality is not as crucial an issue. Some boats rise more than others in an ascending tide, but whether the smaller crafts are rising at all is contested.

Where the document excels is in the depiction of deprivation today. It quotes Social Justice Ireland  which has a record of top-quality research  as reporting that 680,000 people, including 200,000 children, are living in food poverty. That is a shocking indictment on a country as relatively wealthy as this one.

The document provides testimony from those at the frontline of this deprivation. Take Catriona Twomey of Penny Dinners in Cork, which is making up to 2,000 meals a week for those in need, compared to 150 before the pandemic.

Hungry bellies are not equal to full bellies, she says. We are busier than ever.

Food poverty is rampant throughout the land so it beggars belief that anyone could think equality exists.

"Again, the hungry bellies of men, women and children show us that this definitely is not the case. Even some families with two people working are struggling.

Ber Grogan is involved in Basket Brigade, which delivers food to the needy in Dublin at Christmas.

This year, volunteers reported back that people were greeting them at the doors crying, children dancing in the rain, mothers breaking down crying, children waiting at the windows for them. It is always emotional but this year was more so.

"I also had some volunteers surprised at the need they saw in the homes.

These and accounts from other organisations assisting marginalised people speak of an expanding underclass which appear to be beyond the reach, and possibly the interest, of the political system.

This scenario is routine in many developed countries, but certainly until recent decades Ireland was a relatively intimate society. Poverty and deprivation were in some respects more widespread, but a sense of community ensured that fewer were left entirely to their own devices. That is no longer the case.

As such, those who are at the margins could easily fall victims to further cuts if spending has to be curtailed to pay for the pandemic.

Last time around, it was those without a voice who really got it in the neck, usually because they represented the point of least resistance. More often than not, arguments rationalising these decisions were made.

We can never again allow a false narrative to be the precursor to the fiscal handling of an economic emergency such as the one the pandemic is creating, the report states.

Where economic arguments are put from the left, right or centre they must be robust and sustainable. The homelessness, food and fuel poverty, healthcare issues, and living standards of our most deprived and of our working poor are real, painful and need to be addressed.

The premise for Ogle producing the document could easily be read as an overreaction to a piece of research with which he disagreed. It does, however, illustrate that among sections of the trade union movement and other representative organisations there is a hypersensitivity around anything they see  even at a far remove  as wandering into the narrative that existed after 2008.

Perhaps, 'Exploring Inequality and Deprivation' should have simply had the title 'Lest We Forget'. And we mustnt forget. Last time around, the economy did manage to bounce back in macro terms in a relatively short period, but huge societal damage was done in the process.

For that reason alone, if no other, this report should be on the table where decisions will be made about footing the bill after the pandemic.

Hungry Bellies Are Not Equal To Full Bellies  Exploring Inequality and Deprivation in Ireland  unitetheunion.org
Model-turned-airline pilot Jimmy Nicholson will be Australia's next Bachelor.

And outspoken former contestants Abbie Chatfield and Brooke Blurton gave the 31-year-old, who is of New Zealand and Fijian heritage, their tick of approval on Thursday.

The pair celebrated the decision to cast the first non-white suitor since Blake Garvey, whose father is African American, fronted the series in 2014.

Abbie approved! Ex-Bachelor stars Abbie Chatfield (pictured) and Brooke Blurton have given new suitor Jimmy Nicholson, who is of New Zealand and Fijian heritage, their tick of approval

Abbie, 25, who was the runner-up on Matt Agnew's season of The Bachelor in 2019, took to Instagram Stories to share her thoughts on Jimmy's appointment.

She reposted an article about the casting decision, which noted Jimmy's ethnic background, and wrote: 'GOOD. CHOICE.'

Brooke, who famously quit Nick Cummins' season of The Bachelor before the finale in 2018, also endorsed the new suitor.

'GOOD. CHOICE': Abbie, 25, who was the runner-up on Matt Agnew's season of The Bachelor in 2019, took to Instagram Stories to share her thoughts on Jimmy's appointment

Backed by Brooke: Brooke, who famously quit Nick Cummins' season of The Bachelor before the finale in 2018, also endorsed the new suitor

She shared a screenshot on Instagram of an email newsletter she had received from Channel 10 about Jimmy's role, and added a rose gif.

The network announced on Thursday morning Jimmy would be the new Bachelor.

But it won't be his first time in front of a camera, as he previously had a short-lived TV career on The Price Is Right, hosted by Larry Emdur.

He was the male assistant showcasing the prizes for about a year in 2012.

Everything you need to know: New Bachelor Jimmy was previously signed to Chadwick Models before becoming an airline pilot

Diversity: He is the first non-white suitor since Blake Garvey, whose father is African American, fronted the series in 2014. Blake is pictured here with winning contestant Sam Frost

Jimmy was also previously signed to one of Australia's leading modelling agencies, Chadwick Models.

In 2014, he completed his training as a Regional Express Cadet Pilot and now holds a Commercial Pilot License.

He previously told Year 13 he had always dreamt of becoming a pilot because 'it is a bit of a family tradition'.

'My dad is a pilot, not a commercial one, but he worked for Qantas and so did my grandfather. My uncle is also a pilot for another major international airline, so I grew up with it all my life. It's a bit of a family tradition,' he said.

TV career: Jimmy (left) was the male assistant showcasing the prizes on The Price Is Right, hosted by Larry Emdur, for about a year in 2012

Jimmy was most recently working as a first officer for Jetstar Australia, but was stood down from his job due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He told Sydney Confidential he'd signed up for The Bachelor because his career had made it difficult for him to find a long-term partner.

'I was never in the same spot for too long,' he explained.

The new Bachelor is of New Zealand and Fijian heritage, and has not appeared before on The Bachelorette or any other dating show.

Jimmy said on Thursday he was pumped at the prospect of finding The One.

Career shift: In 2014, he completed his training as a Regional Express Cadet Pilot and now holds a Commercial Pilot License

'I am ready to open up my heart and meet someone,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

'I hope to meet someone with similar values that I can have fun with and that shares the same zest for life as myself.'

He concluded: 'The Bachelor franchise has produced many success stories and I hope to be the next.'

The Bachelor's ninth season will air on Channel 10 later this year

Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
I was Googling around the other day for a factoid: how many Israelis had visited the United Arab Emirates since the signing of their normalization agreement, known as the Abraham Accords. Answer: more than 130,000.

Jumping Jehoshaphat, Batman! In the middle of a global pandemic, at least 130,000 Israeli tourists and investors have flown to Dubai and Abu Dhabi since commercial air travel was established in mid-October.

I believed from the start that the openings between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan  forged by Jared Kushner and Donald Trump  could be game-changing. We are still in the early phase, though, and having lived through the shotgun marriage and divorce of Israelis and Lebanese Christians in the 1980s, I will wait a bit before sending wedding gifts.

Unlike the peace breakthroughs between Israel and Egypt, Israel and Lebanons Christians and Israel and Jordan, the openings between Israel and the Gulf States are being driven even more from the bottom, by tourists, students and businesses.

A new Hebrew language school that holds classes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi has been swamped with Emiratis wanting to study or do business in Israel. Israels Mekorot National Water Co. just finalized a deal to provide Bahrain with desalination technology. The Times of Israel recently ran an article about Elli Kriel in Dubai, who has become the go-to kosher chef in the UAE ... Last year, Kriel launched Kosherati, which sells kosher-certified Emirati cuisine, as well as fusion Jewish-Emirati dishes.

If the Abraham Accords thrive and broaden to include normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, we are talking about one of the most significant realignments in modern Middle East history.

Today, there are three powerful non-Arab actors in the region ... and they have each constructed their own regional axis, argues Itamar Rabinovich, the Israeli Middle East historian. Those three axes, Rabinovich explains, are Turkey with Qatar and their proxy Hamas; Iran with Syria and Irans proxies running Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen; and Israel with the UAE, Bahrain and tacitly Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The interactions of these three axes, says Rabinovich, are really driving Middle East politics.

With Israel and the UAE, what you are seeing are two ecosystems fusing together, says Gidi Grinstein, head of Reut, the Israeli strategy institute. Over the years, Israel learned to go from isolation and scarcity to abundance and global influence by developing its own explosive innovation economy in areas such as water, solar, cyber, military, medical, finance and agriculture.

The UAE is transitioning from decades of oil abundance to an era of oil scarcity by building its own innovation and entrepreneurship.

The UAE consists of 1 million citizens and 9 million foreigners, most of them low-waged laborers from South Asia and the rest professionals from America, Europe, India and the Arab world. The UAEs growth strategy is to become the Arab model for modernity.

In November the country announced a major liberalization of its Islamic personal laws  allowing unmarried couples to cohabitate, which makes the UAE more accepting of gay people; criminalizing so-called honor killings of women; making divorce laws much more equitable for women and loosened restrictions on alcohol.

The UAE is still an absolute monarchy, and a multiparty democracy is not on the menu. But greater gender equality, a more open education system and religious pluralism are.

Neighbors are watching.

If you are a Lebanese Shiite living in the poor southern suburbs of Beirut having to scramble every day to barter eggs for meat, youre asking, Why are we stuck with Iran and its failing proxies like Hezbollah, which just keep letting the past bury our future?

That is a dangerous question for Iran and Hezbollah.Which may explain why outspoken Lebanese anti-Hezbollah journalist Lokman Slim was shot in the head a few weeks ago.

Saudi Arabia already is letting El Al, fly across Saudi airspace. But will it formally normalize with Israel?

That call will be made by the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. MBS is the most politically repressive, militarily aggressive and, yet, socially and religiously progressive leader that Saudi Arabia has ever had. His CIA-reported decision to have Saudi democracy advocate Jamal Khashoggi killed and dismembered was an incomprehensible response to a peaceful critic.

The Biden team is right to insist that America will continue to deal with Saudi Arabia as an ally. Getting the Saudis to join the Abraham Accords is the best way to ensure their success. Their participation could create new energy for an Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution, which, in turn, could make it easier for Jordan and Egypt to fully normalize relations with Israel as well.

Biden needs to move fast, though. Among the Israeli groups reaching out to the Gulf Arabs are right-wing Jewish settlers. They want to prove that Israel can expand settlements, control the Palestinians and have great relations with Arab states, using the new ties with Arabs to mask Israels West Bank occupation.

The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Saudi Arabia need to understand that they have more leverage now to influence Israeli-Palestinian relations than they realize. Israel does not want to lose them. Imagine if Saudi Arabia agreed to join the Abraham Accords but only on the condition that it could open the Saudi Embassy to Israel in Israeli West Jerusalem while opening an embassy to the Palestinians in East Jerusalem.

Just that one move would help preserve the possibility of a two-state deal and further isolate Irans axis of failure.

I respect the worry some have that Saudi Arabias making peace with Israel could be a vehicle for rehabilitating MBS. But I dont believe that is a reason to oppose it. In the Middle East, change often happens when the players do the right things for the wrong reasons.

THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN writes for The New York Times.
The U.S. Capitol Police are requesting for the extension of National Guard troops' assistance to help protect the complex, according to two officials.

The police officials' request comes due to fear of another assault and breaches on the U.S. Capitol by extremists. Concerns about the security of the building are still being raised months after the previous attack on Jan. 6.

The request was for a 60-day extension, with 5,000 troops in Washington slated to return home next week, according to an NBC News report.

Officials from the Defense Department said that the request was an initial one, with more details still to follow.

Defense officials are reported to be reviewing the proposal and there are negotiations between the Pentagon, while talks between the department, the police, and congressional authorities are ongoing.

Law enforcement was on high alert on Thursday around the Capitol after intelligence unraveled a possible plot by a militia group to breach in the building, according to an Associated Press report.

READ MORE: Capitol Rioter Says He's Following Trump's Orders, Apologizes to AOC for the Threat

Potential Security Threat

The possible threat was connected to the far-right conspiracy theory promoted by QAnon supporters, saying that former President Donald Trump would be on the top of the power once again on Mar. 4, which was the original presidential inauguration day.

There were no signs of any disturbing activities around the area on Thursday. However, the Capitol Police's request for the extension of the National Guard's assistance seemed delayed in confusion within authorities.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin said that she learned about the request in the last 36 hours. The National Guard is now looking for volunteers from states around the country to fill the request.

Memo from the Capitol Police to the congressional leader asks to keep up to 2,200 National Guard members in D.C. first, then reduce the number rationally based on the security threat.

Capitol police shall also deploy readily available technology and use mutual aid agreements to decrease the Guard footprint to a battalion-size as part of the plan. This would be around 900 soldiers as suggested by the Department of Defense on Feb. 22.

Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe said that the request is outrageous.

"That's not what they're supposed to be, that's not their mission. We have the Capitol Police, that is their mission," Inhofe was quoted in a report.

Before Capitol Riot

Former chief of Capitol Police Steven Sund said security officials at the House and Senate denied his early requests to call in the Guard members prior to the day of a demonstration in support of Trump, which then turned into a deadly attack on Congress.

Sund resigned from his post in January after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for his resignation, according to an NPR report.

He denied the claims of officials, saying that no one at the Capitol requested it. He said that House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving was concerned with the optics of announcing an emergency prior to the protests.

The former Capitol Police chief added that he requested assistance six times before and during the attack on the Capitol. Sund said that those requests were denied or delayed.

READ ALSO: Fact Check: Was Chuck Norris at Capitol Riot? Actor Speaks Up After Alleged 'Selfie' With Protesters Went Viral

WATCH: Capitol Police request 2-month extension of National Guard at US Capitol - from WSPA 7News
Irina Shayk looked amazing Thursday, a day ahead of her role in the digital Versace show for Milan Fashion Week.

The 35-year-old supermodel wrote, 'Waiting for @versace show like [devil and angel emojis] March 5 Th 2021, 2 pm CET,' @tagging Donatella Versace into the shot.

The 5ft10 beauty, who shares three-year-old daughter Lea De Seine Shayk Cooper with ex Bradley Cooper, donned a silk black scarf on her head with her lustrous brown locks cascading down, and a black skirt in her Instagram post.

The latest: Irina Shayk, 35, looked amazing a day ahead of her role in the Versace show for Milan Fashion Week

The Russian stunner was set to be in the digital fashion showcase Friday, after the fashion house last month announced it would take a remote approach to Milan Fashion Week with no in-person shows amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Donatella Versace told WWD: 'Being a digital event has its advantages. One of them is the possibility of connecting with your audience whenever you think is the right moment.'

On Thursday, the Victoria's Secret stunner was back in New York where was with daughter Lea De Seine. Shayk looked keen for some family time after partaking in other Milan Fashion Week festivities.

Shayk also snagged two Vogue covers (Thailand and Russia) and a spread with Elle magazine all in the past week.

Out and about: On Thursday, the Victoria's Secret stunner was back in New York where she was with daughter Lea De Seine

Legs for days: In the black strapless gown Irina played with her dress train for Vogue Thailand

Done traveling for a bit, Shayk leaned into the trends of the bustling city as she sported stylish leather trousers and a leather trench coat. She kept warm in a cozy black and yellow striped sweater that she paired with a yellow purse and black utility boots.

Always a doting mom, she grasped Lea's hand as they tried to snag a ride, as her daughter was dressed like a mini-fashionista with an eye-catching pink peacoat and a colorful dress over tights.

Shayk spoke to Elle earlier this week about the notion of co-parenting with Cooper, setting the record straight on their family life while remaining a bit guarded on the relationship.

'I never understood the term co-parenting. When I'm with my daughter, I'm 100 percent a mother, and when she's with her dad, he's 100 percent her dad. Co-parenting is parenting,' she shared.

Not willing to share too much about the pair's four-year relationship, Shayk said: 'My past relationship, it's something that belongs to me, and it's private. It's just a piece of my inner self that I don't want to give away.'

The amicable exes have been spotted in recent weeks out together with Lea - both very hands on with their shared offspring, as Shayk called him 'the most amazing dad.'

Though no-longer a couple, Shayk has maintained that she has never needed to depend on a man, stemming from the loss of her father when she was just 14.

'I learned how to survive, without a man,' she told the fashion publication.

Despite her independence, since splitting from Cooper she has been linked to art deal Vito Schnabel, most recently seen with him last week.

She shared that she's more of an at-home Netflix girl than a 'fashion person' but says in general she 'appreciates life' and chooses to concentrate on her family and friends.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 02:31:11|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HELSINKI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Friday that her country could "use all vaccines against COVID-19 that are efficient and safe."

Marin said that primarily the European Medicines Agency (EMA) should assess the sales permits, and thereafter also in Finland, such a vaccine could be taken into use.

The prime minister said that she wanted as many safe and efficient vaccines as possible to apply for a permit in Europe.

The possibilities of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V came up at a government press conference on Friday, following a confirmation by former Finnish President Tarja Halonen late Thursday that Russia would be willing to offer the production technology of the vaccine for use in Finland.

Halonen had been in contact with Russia in her capacity as the Finnish representative in a COVID-19 working group of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Krista Kiuru, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services, told the press conference that Halonen had contacted Russia with a view to the worldwide availability of Russian vaccines to combat COVID-19.

According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), 8.1 percent of Finnish people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The critical limit for herd protection is about 70 percent. Enditem
Israel suspects Iran intentionally dispatched a ship to dump hundreds of tons of crude oil onto its beaches, the area's worst ecological disaster in decades, in revenge for the November assassination of the country's top nuclear scientist, according to Israeli officials and media, Business Insider writes.

But Israeli officials tell Insider the statement from the environmental minister directly blaming Iran released Wednesday was premature as the military and intelligence services have yet to make a final determination on both Iranian culpability and the appropriate level of response to what would be the most brazen act of environmental terrorism in recent history.

"That statement should have never been made," a former Israeli intelligence official, who still consults for the government and therefore cannot be named, told Insider. "The IDF and Mossad are responsible for investigating attacks on the Israeli homeland, determining the responsibility and suggesting a course of action to respond. That process is underway and it is not the portfolio of the environmental minister to start wars with Iran."

For the past two weeks, tons of crude oil have washed ashore on Israel and Lebanon's beaches destroying wildlife and causing ecological damage that could take years to restore, according to environmental experts. But after the minister directly accused Iran of a complex operation to drop the oil offshore, the issue took on a new dimension as fears in Washington and Europe rose over the possibility of an Israeli response.

When pressed on whether Israeli military and intelligence services suspect an Iranian operation as described by the minister  who said a Libya-flagged ship sailed from Iran to Israel and dumped the oil offshore before stopping in Syria and returning to Iran  the former official conceded that was the case. "Well yes, it does look that way but there's a process for gathering all the intelligence and evidence and synthesizing into useful information that can help decision-making," said the official. "It's being treated as a direct attack on Israel by a foreign enemy, the most potentially serious since 2006 [attack by Hezbollah to kidnap two Israeli soldiers]. The [prime minister's office] was already undergoing determination about the attack by Iran on [the ship]. Strike options were already being considered on that alone."

There is a concern that Israel is working on a substantial response, 'which would be a problem for those of us who want a nuclear deal'

On February 26, two blasts struck an Israeli owned cargo ship operating in the Gulf of Oman. Officials immediately blamed Iranian forces, who have been long accused of ongoing, sporadic attacks on shipping in the area. That attack, the first time Iran has directly targeted Israeli-linked shipping in the region, had already sparked a heated debate in Israel about the need to respond against Iranian targets.

With that attack firmly blamed on Iran, there is growing concern that Israeli intelligence will make the same determination as the environmental ministry  that the oil spill is an Iranian operation. Israel could use the double provocations as a reason to strike Iran just as Europe and the United States hope to re-start nuclear talks with Iran in exchange for a reopening of economic trade and more peaceful relations.
Connecticut is gearing up to bounce back from the pandemic after the governor lifted restrictions on various public spaces while retaining the mask mandate.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, a Democrat, announced on Thursday a massive rollback of COVID-19 restrictions on the state. Capacity restrictions for a number of businesses will be lifted beginning March 19, NBC Connecticut reported. However, the governor ordered compliance for the mask mandate, physical distancing, and cleaning protocols.

The Connecticut governor also agreed to reopen the state's houses of worship, businesses, museums, libraries, gyms and fitness centers, retail and offices, and more. According to The Gateway Pundit, movie theaters and venues for the performing arts will have to comply with the 50% capacity restriction. As for recreational and social gatherings, up to 25 people are now allowed indoors and up to 100 outdoors. Commercial venues will still be allowed up to 100 people outdoors and 200 people indoors, with a curfew of 11 p.m.

"We're eliminating the capacity limits starting on March 19. We're keeping the mask mandate. I think it's very important," Gov. Lamont said. "I know what's happening in Texas and Mississippi. I've heard the president. It's probably the most important thing you can do."

The easing of COVID-19 restrictions and retaining of the mask mandate comes about from the successful first step of reopening. The state is also looking to allow reopenings at outdoor amusement parks, outdoor event venues, with a 50% capacity limit of about 10,000 people, as well as indoor stadiums with a 10% capacity limit beginning April 2. The state hopes to be able to host summer camps and festivals just in time for the summer season.

In talking about the reopening plans with the mask mandate, Gov. Lamont said, "I think Connecticut has earned it." They believe that the vaccine will help keep the number of COVID-19 cases on a manageable level.

In fact, the state has a COVID-19 test positivity rate of 1.86%, with 878 new cases identified. As of writing time, there are 433 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, a decrease from the previous day's 451. Gov. Lamont was proud to report that these were some of the lowest the state has reported in months.

Further away to the midwest, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also abruptly ended COVID-19 restrictions and refused to uphold a mask mandate. According to NBC News, the two-term Republican governor announced his decision on Tuesday afternoon at Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant in Lubbock. Gov. Abbott said, "It is now time to open Texas 100 percent. COVID has not suddenly disappeared, but state mandates are no longer needed."

The governor said that state mandates are no longer needed due to the "recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations, and safe practices that Texans are using." Texas has a population of 29 million and averages a million vaccine inoculations every week.

Neighboring Mississippi also followed the lead with Governor Tate Reeves relieving the mask mandate along with other restrictions, claiming that COVID-19 hospitalizations and case numbers have "plummeted" as the vaccine is being "rapidly distributed."
HARTFORD  A city man who authorities said sold drugs while on federal supervised release will spend more than seven more years in federal prison after he was sentenced this week on his latest charges.

Jonathan Fats Torres, 30, was sentenced Thursday by Judge Alvin W. Thompson to serve 88 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He appeared in court via video conference due to the pandemic.

Torres, also known as U-Haul, pleaded guilty on Nov. 10, 2020, to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Thompson ordered Torres to serve 70 months on the fentanyl charge, and a consecutive 18 months on the supervised release violation.

Officials said Torres was released from federal prison in March 2017 after serving a 70-month sentence in connection with heroin distribution in Hartford. While on supervised release, he was arrested by West Hartford police on Sept. 13, 2017, when he was found with a stolen vehicle, prosecutors said.

On July 1, 2019, Torres was arrested by Hartford police after they say he was found in possession of crack cocaine after showing up to Hartford Hospital with a gunshot wound to the foot.

Between December 2019 and January 2020, Torres sold fentanyl six times to an individual working with law enforcement, police said.

Hartford police arrested Torres on Feb. 7, 2020, after he was found in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol, drugs and drug paraphernalia, officials said.

As part of his federal supervised release violation proceedings, Torres was ordered to be detained by home confinement and placed on location monitoring on Feb. 21, 2020.

The next month, authorities said Torres made a fentanyl sale and tried to conduct another transaction in April 2020.

Law enforcement took Torres into custody on April 16, 2020.
Explained: Will Rahul Gandhi win over south Indian votes by sea-diving, dancing and eating biryani?

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Chennai, Mar 05: With the State assembly elections around the corner, the relationship between politicians and public is seen as a seasonal affair. The acquaintance remains largely virtual through mass media until it's election time.

The clad in crisp white Khadi, they descend among the masses to lecture, debate, and hard-sell, even while maintaining safe distance. This image is as old as the Indian democracy.

For the past few days, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is trying to change that image about him and his party. His attempts to connect with people of various walks of life have largely been successful from an image-building point of view. However, the debate from the Opposition claims it as political stunts.

Around Pongal, he came down to Madurai to watch Jallikattu. He sat down in a pandhi and shared a meal with a bunch of youngsters during that visit. During the bull-taming event, when a contestant tried to jump up the dais to save himself from the charging bovine, security personnel were alarmed. Rahul Gandhi seen preparing a dish in a video of a YouTube cooking channel, in Karur.

They demanded that he step down, but Rahul intervened and let him cling on. The gesture soon became viral on social media. Subsequently came the village cooking video, in which he participated. The clip has garnered 18 million views on YouTube, while becoming the talk of the surrounding villages for a long time. He also accepted a push-up challenge from a Kanniyakumari school student, and danced with them later.

Reacting to these political stunts, Telangana BJP chief spokesperson, K Krishna Saagar Rao said, "Rahul Gandhi is doing what he is good at doing. He is playing as he is a playful person. He is a man who suits for the occasion of playhood and enjoyment. We strongly believe that he (Rahul Gandhi is a part-time politician. He is not in Tamil Nadu or Kerala to assure people that he will be able to give good governance. He really cannot provide good governance because he cannot win by himself."

"We don't consider his stunts as political tactics. We see his stunts as juvinile and he can only be playful with his time. He basically has nothing serious to offer," the BJP chief spokesperson said.

"BJP considers his (Rahul Gandhi) attempts as insult to the seriousness of politics and young people. If he thinks by doing push ups and dancing can get first-time voters' support, then it is wrong. Young people needs. They need employment and growth. But, Rahul Gandhi cannot offer these to the people," he added.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2021 will take part in a single phase in 38 districts of Tamil Nadu. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, which will witness a contest between the Congress-DMK combine and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AIADMK together.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

Tamil Nadu Election 2021 voting will take place following strictly Covid-19 protocols. The number of polling booths has been increased to 92,000. The previous election for the Tamil Nadu assembly was held on May 16, 2016. Voters will cast votes at 2.7 lakh polling stations in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
This item is available in full to subscribers.

Attention subscribers

We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.

If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.

If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.

Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Burma One More Killed as Myanmars Military Continues to Escalate Violence Against Protesters

Despite recent bloodshed, Mandalay residents continued to take to the streets and demonstrate against the junta.

A 26 year-old Mandalay resident, Ko Zaw Myo, was shot dead while assisting anti-coup student protesters running from riot police and soldiers in his neighborhood on Friday.

Together with some other local residents, he attempted to block a road to hinder security forces loyal to the military regime as they hunted down engineering student protesters, a neighbor said.

Police and military troops fired shots, used tear gas, and stun grenades against the protesters and residents in the latest crackdown. Ko Zaw Myo was shot in the neck and died from his gunshot wound despite attempts by rescue workers to save his life. He leaves behind his pregnant wife and a son.

Residents houses were also fired upon with guns and slingshots as security forces searched for protesters. Some motor vehicles were vandalized, locals said.

Locals also reported that the troops broke into a house in Maha Aung Myay Township, Mandalay region, and took cash and gold stored in a closet.

A couple of protesters were also reportedly arrested in Mandalay. But details werent available at the time of reporting.

The regimes escalated killing of protesters didnt deter the people of Myanmar who continued to take to the streets and demonstrate against the junta. Local residents in Mandalay, Monywa, Myingyan, Yangoncities which saw bloodshed recentlyalso staged mass protests on Friday, voicing their rejection of the military regime which overthrew the elected government.

In Yangon, two protesters in Mayangone Township were arrested during a protest crackdown on Friday afternoon. Witnesses said riot police and soldiers kicked and beat the detainees before taking them into a military vehicle.

In Insein Township, riot police and soldiers set roadblocks on fire on a flyover on Friday, after protesters erected them to keep security forces away.

People continue to bang pots and pans at 8 p.m., another form of protest that has continued every single night since a few days after the Feb. 1 coup.

After banging pots, protesters shout, We dont want a military government, We must win, and Who is our president? U Win Myint, U Win Myint. They then sing a revolution song loudly together with their neighbors.

At least 54 people have been shot dead and more than a hundred individuals have been injured in different cities in brutal crackdowns of riot police and soldiers on anti-coup protests.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Military Detains More Than 1,500 Since Coup

Myanmars CRPH Calls for Halt in Tax Collection
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the New Year gathering held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's development has been advancing in a new historic journey since late 2017, when Chinese President Xi Jinping noted at the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress that China's economy was transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development.

To forestall and defuse various kinds of risks and proactively address challenges brought by external changes, China needs to focus on taking care of its own matters and improving the quality of development, Xi has said.

It is widely believed that this new vision for development, featuring innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, benefits not only China, but the world as a whole.

"China will work with other countries to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity," Xi said in his speech at World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda in January.

OPEN WORLD ECONOMY

China's high-quality development can only be achieved through greater openness, Xi said at the opening of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in 2018.

In May 2020, the CPC leadership made a strategic decision to foster a new development pattern where domestic and foreign markets can boost each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

"Making the domestic market the mainstay does not mean we are developing our economy with the door closed," Xi told a symposium of entrepreneurs in July last year. By giving full play to the potential of the domestic market, both domestic and foreign markets can be better connected and utilized to realize robust and sustainable development, he said.

China will follow the new development philosophy, foster a new development paradigm, and pursue high-quality development by staying committed to deepening reform and opening wider to the world, Xi said when delivering a speech via video at the third Paris Peace Forum in 2020.

He stressed that China will also work with the rest of the international community to keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and to foster an open world economy.

According to official data released in 2020, China had signed 200 cooperation deals on the Belt and Road Initiative with 138 countries and 30 international organizations. The country had also established 21 pilot free trade zones. Its global business environment ranking moved up to the 31st in 2020.

In his phone conversations with various foreign leaders, Xi has called for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, stressing that China welcomes active participation by various countries in its development and construction for mutual benefits and win-win results.

INNOVATION AS DRIVING FORCE

Innovation is the primary driving force behind development. China must pursue innovation-driven growth and make breakthroughs in key and core technologies to achieve high-quality development. Those are remarks taken from several of Xi's articles published on the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi has attached great importance to technological innovation and paid visits to places including research institutions, universities, companies and high-tech industrial development zones.

Progress was made in building Beijing, Shanghai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into global sci-tech innovation centers, as well as in manned space program and moon probe.

When the Party leadership held a study session on the research and application of quantum science and technology in October 2020, Xi again emphasized the importance of technological innovation.

It plays a very important role in accelerating the development of quantum science and technology in promoting high-quality development and safeguarding national security, he said, stressing that quantum mechanics is a major achievement in human's exploration of the microworld.

On the same occasion, Xi called for efforts to follow the path of independent innovation, make breakthroughs in key core technologies, ensure the safety of industrial and supply chains, and enhance China's ability of responding to international risks and challenges with science and technology.

GREEN DEVELOPMENT

Under Xi's leadership, China has achieved unprecedented ecological progress. Energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product dropped 13.2 percent between 2015 and 2019, city dwellers now breathe in unpolluted air for 82 percent of the days in a year, and water quality has improved to sound levels.

The pollution control goals set out in the 13th Five-Year Plan have been accomplished, as Xi has urged governments at all levels to remember that "clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets."

At the virtual Climate Ambition Summit in December 2020, Xi said the international landscape is evolving more rapidly, and COVID-19 is triggering deep reflections on the relationship between man and nature.

Xi urged the international community to pursue a new approach to climate governance that highlights green recovery and pledged China's further commitments for 2030 to tackling the global climate challenge.

Moreover, speaking at the United Nations Summit on Biodiversity in September 2020, Xi highlighted the major risks in loss of biodiversity and the degradation of the ecosystem.

He made four proposals, including adhering to ecological civilization and increasing the drive for building a beautiful world; upholding multilateralism and building synergy for global governance on the environment; continuing with green development and increasing the potential for high-quality economic recovery after COVID-19; and calling on countries to strengthen the power of action to tackle challenges to the environment.

He also said that he believes that fostering high-quality economic recovery in the post-pandemic era requires enhancing cooperation and exchanges across borders.
MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon television program, Copyright MMXXI, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3 to 4 month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $6,950.00 to $11,995.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by Donald Baillargeon, the producer, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.

An incredible farm boasting thousands of thriving avocado trees, two luxury houses and spectacular mountain views has hit the market.

The sprawling 117-hectare property in Mountain Top on the NSW Far North Coast, about 80km from Byron Bay, could be the answer to any smashed avo lover's dreams.

The farm has about 75 hectares of orchard and more than 14,000 avocado trees ranging from 6 months to 9 years in age.

The farm is home to over 14,000 avocado trees and two large dams

The main home has three huge bedrooms with open plan-style living and incredible 360-degree views of the surrounding hills.

The manager's cottage is a smaller two bedroom house, while extensive machinery sheds are also included in the sale.

Listing agent Geoff Venn said the property has attracted about 40 potential buyers since hitting the market last week.

He said avocado orchards were rarely put up for sale because they yield strong financial returns.

The farm is set out among the rolling hills, and is just under 1.5 hours from Byron Bay

The beautifully designed house takes full advantage of its surroundings

'The return on interest is traditionally quite strong on these types of farms,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'There has been strong interest from a number of purchasers due to the commercial return and good interest from the food space.'

The sale includes all machinery and equipment required to run the farm, which also boasts water security from two large dams.

'All the equipment to run the farm, the shedding, the water security, two large dams, a bore and water licence are all available,' Mr Venn told realcommercial.com.au.

The accommodation at the farm has spectacular views of the region

The main home (pictured) on the property has three bedrooms and the manager's cottage has two

'The biggest factor is the heavy lifting has been done already with the orchard and infrastructure.'

The sale includes the 2021 crop if it is settled before the commencement of this year's harvest.

The tender closes on April 14 and the harvest is planned to go ahead from June this year.
(TNS)  The Federal Aviation Administration today selected Syracuses airport as one of five in the nation where companies will test technologies that detect and block drones that pose a threat to commercial airlines.Syracuses Hancock International Airport won a nationwide competition to be a federal test site, according to U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. John Katko, who supported the airports application. The FAA plans to install, test and evaluate at least 10 different technologies and systems developed to detect and possibly disable or counter small drones that sometimes stray onto airports that handle civilian passenger air traffic.Hobbyists are banned from operating recreational drones within a 5-mile radius of airports of the United States. But airports have reported a series of near misses between passenger jets and drones on the approaches to airports in recent years. Londons Heathrow Airport, one of the worlds busiest, deployed a system to block drones from entering its airspace last year after a series of drone sightings by incoming pilots there and at nearby Gatwick Airport.The FAA plans to award Syracuses Hancock Airport grants totaling about $100,000 to offset the airports cost during the testing program, which is expected to last two years. Jason Terreri, the airports executive director, said passengers flying in and out of Syracuse will not be affected by the testing. Terreri told syracuse.com the idea to see what works and what doesnt when it comes to detecting and blocking drones in a real-world environment. The public shouldnt see anything different, he said.The tests will be independent of those conducted by Syracuse-based Nuair, a consortium that operates a 50-mile drone testing corridor between Syracuse and Rome. The corridor is one of 10 national test sites for drone technology authorized by the FAA.More than 2,500 test flights have already been conducted in the corridor, ranging from unmanned planes the size of a Cessna to small drones similar to recreational quadcopters. The FAA began testing the airport drone detection and blocking systems last year at its technical center next to Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey. Four more airports were added today, including Syracuse.The federal governments goal is to develop standards and guidance for airports to safely use counter-drone systems. Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement that the Syracuse airports selection for the tests will help solidify the regions repuation as a national test site for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones.Safely integrating UAS into the national airspace has enormous economic and national security potential for the United States, Schumer said. This FAA selection proves that there is no better place in the country to harness that potential than right here in Central New York. Hancock Airport is also the first commercial airport in the United States to allow military drones to fly unescorted in its airspace. The New York Air National Guard flies its MQ-9 Reaper attack drones in and out of the airport on training missions.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.

Boxes of AstraZeneca vaccines are seen at a warehouse of Hungaropharma, a Hungarian pharmaceutical wholesale company, in Budapest, Hungary, after the arrival of a new shipment of the British-Swedish vaccine against the new coronavirus, Mar. 4, 2021. EPA-Yonhap



The European Union is planning to extend its export authorisation scheme for COVID-19 vaccines to the end of June, two EU sources told Reuters on Thursday, as a shipment of AstraZeneca shots from the EU to Australia was blocked.



Extending controls could reignite tensions with countries who rely on shots made in the EU.



Under the scheme, companies must get an authorisation before exporting COVID-19 shots, and may have export requests denied if they do not respect their supply commitments with the EU.



The mechanism was set up at the end of January as a reaction to vaccine makers' announcements of delays in the deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines to the bloc.



It is due to expire at the end of March, but the European Commission wants to extend it through June, the two officials said.



"The Commission will propose its extension into June. And that was greeted by the member states with approval, not necessarily enthusiasm, but there is a feeling that we still need that mechanism," one senior EU diplomat said.





A handout photo made available by Chigi Palace Press Office shows Italian Premier Mario Draghi at work, Rome, Italy, Feb. 26, 2021. EPA-Yonhap



The second official added that at a meeting with EU diplomats on Wednesday, many countries supported the measure, including heavyweights Germany and France.



The EU Commission was not immediately available for a comment.



Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has also called for sanctions on companies that do not respect their contractual obligations with the EU.



When the EU's export control mechanism was introduced in late January it triggered an outcry from importing countries who feared their vaccine supplies might be affected.



On Thursday two separate sources told Reuters the EU blocked a shipment of AstraZeneca's vaccine destined for Australia after the drug manufacturer failed to meet its EU contract commitments.



The sources said AstraZeneca had requested permission from the Italian government to export some 250,000 doses from its Anagni plant, near Rome.



Australian lawmakers said they were unfazed. Health Minister Greg Hunt said the country had already received its first shipment of the vaccine, which would be enough until a batch being produced domestically by CSL Ltd was completed.



"This is one shipment from one country," Hunt said in a statement.



"This shipment was not factored into our distribution plan for coming weeks," he added.





A healthcare worker administers a dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to a Brussels police chief inspector Didier Bruer at the Brussels Expo center in Brussels, Thursday, March 4, 2021. AP
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
We are thinking outside the box to minimize disruption for our customers, said Sam Boak.

COVID-19 changed the way businesses operate around the world. Many had to close their doors for months; some permanently. While this has led to numerous problems and challenges for business owners, one of those problems is a shortage in materials in the exterior contracting field. Sam Boak, president and founder of Boak & Sons, Inc., has recently addressed how these material shortages have affected his business.

Boak & Sons, Inc. is a residential and commercial exterior contracting company based in Youngstown, Ohio serving customers from Cleveland, Ohio to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company specializes in roofing, siding, insulation, gutters and sheet metal. Sam works with multiple different suppliers of materials, using only the highest quality supplies for his company.

When COVID-19 first hit in March of last year, Sams company was considered an essential business and was allowed to remain open. However, Sam to handle emergency repairs. When it was safe for employees to return to work, strict regulations were put in place which are still being followed now. Once the business started getting back to a regular schedule, Sam started to see the changes in supply availability.

We knew we would need to overcome some obstacles as we reopened, said Sam Boak. Our suppliers have been incredible at communicating shortages with us as we navigate through all of this. Some of our biggest concerns have been that insulation is on allocation, meaning each contractor is scheduled materials and is given the information on what and how much they get. As for shingles, there is hope that winter will slow demand in our region, allowing the manufacturers to catch up. As of now there are color limitations on shingles, long and extended lead times on different products. These are all things we want to be completely transparent about when customers come to us with questions.

When material shortages take place, customers often dont understand why their projects are being delayed. Suppliers have to carefully fulfill orders to ensure proper allocation of materials so companies and individuals arent paying for supplies that dont exist. Sam has been exploring options for Boak & Sons to avoid delays as much as possible.

We are thinking outside the box to minimize disruption for our customers, said Sam Boak. Finding and building relationships with new suppliers helps us bring our customers the same quality products they rely on from Boak & Sons. We cant promise there wont be delays due to availability, but our customers know we are minimizing those delays as much as we can.

To learn more about Sam Boak or Boak & Sons, Inc. visit http://www.boakandsons.com.

# # #

About Boak & Sons:

Boak & Sons, Inc. was founded by Sam Boak in 1974 as an insulation contractor. With the high energy costs of the 70's, Boak & Sons expanded early on into the roofing business. They offered economical roof installations through cutting edge technology and equipment, allowing customers to recoup even more in energy savings. Today, Boak & Sons is a residential and commercial contractor for roofing, insulation, sheet metal, siding, and gutters. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, the company serves customers in surrounding areas from Cleveland, Akron, and Canton to Cranberry and Pittsburgh.

For more information on Boak & Sons, visit their website at: https://www.boakandsons.com/
Google is moving Chrome to a more frequent release schedule. The company announced on Thursday it will push future milestone releases that add new features every four weeks. Those updates come about every six weeks at the moment. Google said you can thank improvements to its testing and release processes for the new schedule. The move puts Chrome in line with Firefox, which has been on a monthly update cadence since the start of last year.

However, to accommodate enterprise customers who may not want to see changes so frequently, Google is also adding an Extended Stable option that will see those users get feature updates every eight weeks. The company will still push security patches to those who opt into that schedule on a bi-weekly basis, but those wont include new features. Google plans to switch to the four-week cycle starting with Chrome 94 in the third quarter of 2021.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
A health worker walks in front of a mural in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 4, 2021. (Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images)

Prioritize Overweight People for Vaccinations, Says Study Showing Connection Between Obesity and COVID-19 Deaths

People who are obese should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines, according to a new study.

Researchers with the World Obesity Federation found that 2.2 million of the 2.5 million COVID-19 deaths reported by the end of February occurred in countries where more than half of the population is classified as overweight.

Researchers called on countries to recognise that obesity is a disease in its own right as well as a risk factor for other conditions, including significantly worsening the outcomes of COVID-19 infection.

They also recommended that obese people be included in the groups prioritized for COVID-19 testing and vaccination, while public health officials work on treating obesity and monitoring its connection to the new disease.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Reducing one major risk factor, overweight, would have resulted in far less stress on health services and reduced the need to protect those services from being overwhelmed, federation leaders wrote in a foreword to the report.

They also noted that COVID-19 is not unique in its impact on the obese.

A number of other respiratory viruses lead to more severe consequences in people living with excess bodyweight, giving good reasons to expect the next pandemic to have similar effects, they said.

Dr. Tim Lobstein, the reports author, told the Guardian, We were shocked to see such a high correlation between a countrys proportion of overweight adults and its deaths from COVID-19.

We now know that an overweight population is the next pandemic waiting to happen, he added.

A man receives a COVID-19 vaccine in Aalborg, Denmark on March 5, 2021. (Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

Studies in different countries have indicated that a person being obese puts them more at risk of having a severe case of COVID-19 when contracting the virus.

Researchers studying 5,279 people hospitalized in New York City in the early months of the pandemic found a strong link between obesity and hospital admission and risk of critical illness.

It is notable that one of the chronic conditions strongly associated with critical illness was obesity. Obesity is well recognized to be a pro-inflammatory condition, they wrote in the British Medical Journal.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the United Nations World Health Organization, said on social media this week that COVID-19 has disproportionality hit people with #obesity.

That population is more likely to be hospitalized and have a higher likelihood of severe disease and death, he said.

The connection comes after obesity nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016, with 650 million adults, or 13 percent of all adults around the world, qualifying as significantly overweight. In the United States, which has one of the highest recorded number of deaths involving COVID-19, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in adults was 42.4 as of 2018, according to federal health data.
Hamish Blake is one of Australia's most successful and beloved stars.

But these days, the comedian and TV presenter is being outshone by his multi-talented wife Zoe Foster Blake.

During a joint interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday, radio host Kyle Sandilands said that beauty mogul Zoe was now officially the breadwinner of the family thanks to her estimated net worth of $36million.

'Now she's the breadwinner!' Radio host Kyle Sandilands has said that Zoe Foster Blake is now the breadwinner in the Blake family. Zoe is pictured with husband Hamish Blake

'Along comes Zoe with her whole business model and it eclipses you as if you're nothing, squashes everything you've ever done and comes out as a multimillionaire,' Kyle said.

'Now she's the breadwinner and you must be, like, starting to get nervous,' he added.

'I'm Mr. Crumbs,' joked Hamish, who is paid handsomely to host Channel Nine ratings hit Lego Masters. 'She's the breadwinner and I'm just the crumb scraper.'

'Along comes Zoe with her whole business model and it eclipses you as if you're nothing, squashes everything you've ever done and comes out as a multimillionaire,' Kyle said

Just before Christmas, the Blakes spent $8.925million on a property in the upmarket Sydney suburb of Vaucluse.

The five-bedroom, six-bathroom estate sits on 885 square metres and features two sets of garages.

While the four-level home does not have ocean views, it is considered architecturally noteworthy and was featured on Grand Designs Australia in 2013.

Living large: Just before Christmas, the Blakes spent $8.925million on a property in the upmarket suburb of Vaucluse

The beauty guru and her husband inspected a number of properties across the eastern suburbs before finally settling on their home.

The house is just a short drive from the Surry Hills headquarters of Zoe's highly successful Go-To beauty company.

The family's move comes after Zoe made her debut on the 2020 Young Rich List.

Successful: The family's move comes after Zoe made her debut on the 2020 Young Rich List

She has an estimated net worth of $36million after her skincare company enjoyed a boom in sales during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In August, Go-To's peach-packaged facial oil named Face Hero was crowned the number one skincare product in Australia.

Zoe founded Go-To six years ago, and the brand launched in the U.S. in 2018.
Artistic impression of the surface of the newly discovered hot super-Earth Gliese 486b. With a temperature of about 700 Kelvin (430C), the astronomers of the CARMENES Consortium expect a Venus-like hot and dry landscape interspersed with glowing lava rivers. Gliese 486b possibly has a tenuous atmosphere. CREDIT RenderArea, https://renderarea.com

A newly discovered planet could be our best chance yet of studying rocky planet atmospheres outside the solar system, a new international study involving UNSW Sydney shows.

The planet, called Gliese 486b (pronounced Glee-seh), is a 'super-Earth': that is, a rocky planet bigger than Earth but smaller than ice giants like Neptune and Uranus. It orbits a red dwarf star around 26 light-years away, making it a close neighbour - galactically speaking.

With a piping-hot surface temperature of 430 degrees Celsius, Gliese 486b is too hot to support human life. But studying its atmosphere could help us learn whether similar planets might be habitable for humans - or if they're likely to hold other signs of life.

The findings are published today in Science.

"This is the kind of planet we've been dreaming about for decades," says Dr Ben Montet, an astronomer and Scientia Lecturer at UNSW Science and co-author of the study.

"We've known for a long time that rocky super-Earths must exist around the nearby stars, but we haven't had the technology to search for them until recently.

"This finding has the potential to transform our understanding of planetary atmospheres."

Like Earth, Gliese 486b is a rocky planet - but that's where the similarities end.

Our neighbour is 30 per cent bigger and almost three times heavier than Earth. It's possible that its surface - which is hot enough to melt lead - may even be scattered with glowing lava rivers.

Super-Earths themselves aren't rare, but Gliese 486b special for two key reasons: firstly, its heat 'puffs up' the atmosphere, helping astronomers take atmospheric measurements; and secondly, it's a transiting planet, which means it crosses over its star from Earth's perspective - making it possible for scientists to conduct in-depth analysis of its atmosphere.

"Understanding super-Earths is challenging because we don't have any examples in our backyard," says Dr Montet.

"Gliese 486b is the type of planet we'll be studying for the next 20 years."

Lessons from the atmosphere

A planet's atmosphere can reveal a lot about its ability to support life.

For example, a lack of atmosphere might suggest the planet's nearby star is volatile and prone to high stellar activity - making it unlikely that life will have a chance to develop. On the other hand, a healthy, long-lived atmosphere could suggest conditions are stable enough to support life.

Both options help astronomers solve a piece of the planetary formation puzzle.

"We think Gliese 486b could have kept a part of its original atmosphere, despite being so close to its red dwarf star," says Dr Montet.

"Whatever we learn about the atmosphere will help us better understand how rocky planets form."

As a transiting planet, Gliese 486b gives scientists two unique opportunities to study its atmosphere: first when the planet passes in front of its star and a fraction of starlight shines through its atmospheric layer (a technique called 'transmission spectroscopy'); and then when starlight illuminates the surface of the planet as it orbits around and behind the star (called 'emission spectroscopy').

In both cases, scientists use a spectrograph - a tool that splits light according to its wavelengths - to decode the chemical makeup of the atmosphere.

"This is the single best planet for studying emission spectroscopy of all the rocky planets we know," says Dr Montet.

"It's also the second-best planet to study transmission spectroscopy."

Life on Gliese 486b

Gliese 486b is a great catch for astronomers - but you wouldn't want to live there, says Dr Montet.

"With a surface of 430 degrees Celsius, you wouldn't be able to go outside without some kind of spacesuit," he says.

"The gravity is also 70 per cent stronger than on Earth, making it harder to walk and jump. Someone who weighed 50 kilograms on Earth would feel like they weighed 85 kilograms on Gliese 486b."

On the plus side, the quick transition of the planet around its star means that interstellar visitors would have a birthday every 36 hours.

They would just need to expect the party to be interrupted.

"The planet is really close to its star, which means you'd really have to watch out for stellar storms," says Dr Montet.

"The impacts could be as innocuous as beautiful aurorae covering the sky, or they could completely wipe out electromagnetic systems."

But despite these dangers of living on Gliese 486b, Dr Montet says it's too valuable a planet to cross off our interstellar bucket list just yet.

"If humans are able to travel to other star systems in the future, this is one of the planets that would be on our list," he says.

"It's so nearby and so different than the planets in our own solar system."

Narrowing the search for habitable planets

The study was part of the CARMENES project, a consortium of eleven Spanish and German research institutions that look for signs of low-mass planets around red dwarf stars.

Red dwarfs are the most common type of star, making up around 70 per cent of all stars in the universe. They are also much more likely to have rocky planets than Sun-like stars.

Based on these numbers, the best chance for finding life in the universe may be looking around red dwarfs, says Dr Montet - but this comes with a catch.

"Red dwarfs are known to have a lot of stellar activity, like flares and coronal mass ejections," says Dr Montet. "This kind of activity threatens to destroy a planet's atmosphere.

"Measuring Gliese 486b's atmosphere will go a long way towards deciding if we should consider looking for signs of life around red dwarfs."

From an Aussie backyard to NASA

The findings were made possible using data from NASA's all-sky survey called the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission and telescopes in Spain, USA, Chile and Hawaii.

Almost 70 people were involved in the study, including two Australians: Dr Montet from UNSW Science, and Thiam-Guan (TG) Tan, a citizen astronomer who built an observatory in his own backyard in Perth. Mr Tan helped confirm the planet by observing a transit of Gliese 486b.

"I built my observatory more than 10 years ago to see if I could participate in the search for planets," says Mr Tan. "It has been very satisfying to be able to confirm that a bloke in a backyard can contribute to significant discoveries, such as Gliese 486b."

In addition to Gliese 486b, Mr Tan has helped discover more than 70 planets using his observatory.

"It's an interesting time in astronomy," says Dr Montet. "TESS is producing all of this data, but it's more information than any person or group can look at.

"Citizen scientists have an opportunity to get involved in testing astronomical data, whether it's confirming a planet sighting or looking for transiting planets.

"These kind of collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers are really helping advance the scientific field."

People interested in getting involved in astronomical research can look at the Planet Hunters website, says Dr Montet. TESS data is made available to the community only two months after its collected.

"The easiest way to get involved is to create an account and start looking at TESS data," he says. "You don't even need a fancy telescope.

"Who knows - you might even be able to find the next Earth-sized planet."

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.


A Western Australian man has been charged with a string of 41 sickening offences including attempting to rape a young boy and bestiality.

The 35-year-old man from the state's south-west fronted Bunbury Magistrate's Court last Thursday via videolink from prison.

Thirty-nine of the charges are linked to allegedly abusing and recording the same seven-year-old boy in the town of Collie, south of Perth, reports The West Australian.

A Western Australian man, 35, have been charged with 41 sickening offences - with most of them linked to the same seven-year-old boy (stock image)

A further two charges of 'carnal knowledge of an animal' are alleged to have happened in the Wheatbelt town of Goomalling north-east of the WA capital.

The string of charges includes 22 counts of indecently recording a child, 10 of indecently dealing with a child, two of showing offensive material to a child with the intent to commit a crime, and one of attempted sexual penetration of a child under the age of 13.

These are alleged to have happened between December 20, 2019 and January 3, 2020.

The alleged bestiality offences happened between December 15 and 21, 2019.

The rest of the charges including one of possessing or copying an indecent or obscene article, three of possessing child exploitation material are alleged to have happened between September and December 2020.

The case against the man was adjourned to give the accused an opportunity to consult with his lawyer about the most recent 20 charges.

The man is remanded in Bunbury Prison until his next court appearance on March 15.
MOUNT STERLING  A Brown County resident is advocating for easier access to medical marijuana in the state, saying Illinois legalization of marijuana for recreational use has hurt patients who use it to treat medical conditions.

David Kurfman, 43, has had epilepsy since he was 12. As a participant in the states Illinois Medical Cannabis Program, Kurfman was able to stop taking epilepsy medications, he said, adding that he remains an active patient in the program.

Pharmaceutical epilepsy medications can come with side effects including dizziness, vomiting, depression and a reduced attention span, among others.

Kurfman, one of the first patients in the medical cannabis program in 2015, wants medical cannabis patients to be prioritized, he said.

Kurfman acknowledges he now grows his own cannabis but said he would rather get what he needs from the medical cannabis program.

Thats impossible at this point, he said.

Kurfman worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for 13 years and also has worked at the Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility. He comes from a military family and would have joined himself, if not for his epilepsy, he said.

Im a very patriotic person, he said.

Calling himself a Canna Patriot, Kurfman said he wants to bring a conservative outlook to the cannabis scene.

I like to portray things truthfully and educationally, he said. My main thing is medical cannabis education.

He has a heavy online presence as an advocate and has visited the Capitol in Springfield more than a dozen times during the past year, discussing medical cannabis reform with legislators, he said.

Kurfman said he is hoping his efforts get things on track and away from the shortages, higher prices and decreased quality hes seen in available cannabis during the past year.

To that end, he wants to get a cultivation license opened for patients in Illinois State Police District 15, which, he said, would improve supply and demand in Illinois.

Its the only cultivation license in the state of Illinois for IMC patients, Kurfman said.

The other focus for Kurfman is quality control, he said, noting that dispensaries around in the state are for recreational use, not patients.

The Senate bill which weve been advocating for all last year, along with other patient needs, is Senate Bill 2295 by Sen. Mattie Hunter, Kurfman said. This legislation is needed because the Pritzker administration refuses to open ISP 15 for patients.

SB 2295 is about opening up ISP District 15 for a medical cannabis cultivation license.

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, it continues to be the regulatory entity for medicinal cannabis cultivation centers and was given similar authority for regulating certain adult-use cannabis business establishments by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

One major hurdle is that, of 55 medical cannabis dispensaries in Illinois, the vast majority are in the Chicago area, which makes access difficult for those living downstate.

Chris Slaby, public information officer for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act allows his department to license up to 60 medical cannabis dispensing organizations in Illinois.

A cultivation license in ISP District 15 would help patients get back into the program, Kurfman said.

Kurfman said he will be visiting Springfield in coming weeks to speak to various legislators in hopes of setting in motion a path for ISP15 to be opened up and a medical cannabis license to be granted.

MOUNT STERLING  A Brown County resident is advocating for easier access to medical marijuana in the state, saying Illinois legalization of marijuana for recreational use has hurt patients who use it to treat medical conditions.

David Kurfman, 43, has had epilepsy since he was 12. As a participant in the states Illinois Medical Cannabis Program, Kurfman was able to stop taking epilepsy medications, he said, adding that he remains an active patient in the program.

Pharmaceutical epilepsy medications can come with side effects including dizziness, vomiting, depression and a reduced attention span, among others.

Kurfman, one of the first patients in the medical cannabis program in 2015, wants medical cannabis patients to be prioritized, he said.

Kurfman acknowledges he now grows his own cannabis but said he would rather get what he needs from the medical cannabis program.

Thats impossible at this point, he said.

Kurfman worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for 13 years and also has worked at the Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility. He comes from a military family and would have joined himself, if not for his epilepsy, he said.

Im a very patriotic person, he said.

Calling himself a Canna Patriot, Kurfman said he wants to bring a conservative outlook to the cannabis scene.

I like to portray things truthfully and educationally, he said. My main thing is medical cannabis education.

He has a heavy online presence as an advocate and has visited the Capitol in Springfield more than a dozen times during the past year, discussing medical cannabis reform with legislators, he said.

Kurfman said he is hoping his efforts get things on track and away from the shortages, higher prices and decreased quality hes seen in available cannabis during the past year.

To that end, he wants to get a cultivation license opened for patients in Illinois State Police District 15, which, he said, would improve supply and demand in Illinois.

Its the only cultivation license in the state of Illinois for IMC patients, Kurfman said.

The other focus for Kurfman is quality control, he said, noting that dispensaries around in the state are for recreational use, not patients.

The Senate bill which weve been advocating for all last year, along with other patient needs, is Senate Bill 2295 by Sen. Mattie Hunter, Kurfman said. This legislation is needed because the Pritzker administration refuses to open ISP 15 for patients.

SB 2295 is about opening up ISP District 15 for a medical cannabis cultivation license.

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, it continues to be the regulatory entity for medicinal cannabis cultivation centers and was given similar authority for regulating certain adult-use cannabis business establishments by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

One major hurdle is that, of 55 medical cannabis dispensaries in Illinois, the vast majority are in the Chicago area, which makes access difficult for those living downstate.

Chris Slaby, public information officer for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act allows his department to license up to 60 medical cannabis dispensing organizations in Illinois.

A cultivation license in ISP District 15 would help patients get back into the program, Kurfman said.

Kurfman said he will be visiting Springfield in coming weeks to speak to various legislators in hopes of setting in motion a path for ISP15 to be opened up and a medical cannabis license to be granted.
Commissioners, Vaux discuss shortage in affordable housing

Codington County commissioners and Mark Vaux, new executive director of the Watertown Development Company, discussed issues Tuesday.
It will become like flu, he said, which 4,000 people in England in 2018/19

But vaccines won't stop the virus and there will still be substantial Covid deaths

SAGE member Andrew Hayward said 'we've been through worst of this'

The UK will still have to live with 'substantial' levels of Covid deaths after lockdowns come to an end because the virus won't go away, one of the Government's scientific advisers said today.

Professor Andrew Hayward, an infectious disease expert based at University College London and a member of SAGE, said he believes 'we've been through the worst of this'.

But he said vaccines won't totally get rid of the virus and the country would still have to live with 'a degree of mortality that will be substantial'.

SAGE has predicted that a third wave of the virus is inevitable and tens of thousands more people will die because millions will be left unprotected by vaccines, which aren't 100 per cent effective and won't be taken by everyone.

Almost 125,000 people in Britain have been killed by Covid so far in the pandemic, but deaths are now down to a four-month low at 255 per day from a peak of more than 1,200 per day at the end of January.

This drop means that the number of 'excess' deaths - those above what is considered normal for the time of year - may already be back to zero, meaning deaths from all causes are now at average levels, one doctor has claimed.

Professor Carl Heneghan, an evidence-based medicine researcher at Oxford University, said England 'should be back to somewhere near normal for this time of the year'.

Professor Andrew Hayward, a UCL infectious disease expert, said on Times Radio: 'We've been through the worst of this'

UK's Covid outbreak continues to shrink Coronavirus cases and deaths in the UK fell again yesterday to just 6,573 more positive tests and 242 fatalities, with both measures down more than a quarter on the same time last week. Infections were down 34 per cent compared to last Thursday while deaths dropped 25 per cent, continuing the shrinking of the country's outbreak. Another 278,956 people received a Covid vaccine for the first time, along with 68,450 people getting a second dose. A total of 20.9million have now been immunised, with 964,000 of them receiving a full two doses. Separate Public Health England data showed positive tests done through NHS Test and Trace have now been falling in every region and age group for seven weeks in a row. A weekly report showed cases are in freefall across the country and only two out of 149 local authorities recorded an increase last week  Hull and Wokingham. Advertisement

Speaking on Times Radio today Professor Hayward said: 'Given the societal trade-offs, we are going to have to live with a degree of mortality that will be substantial.

'I think it will get less over time as more people get vaccinated, and as more people get immune, and I believe that we've been through the worst of this.'

Vaccines won't completely stop people dying of Covid because they are not 100 per cent effective, meaning some will still get sick even after having a jab.

And not everyone will take them - some people will decide not to, while others won't be healthy enough to be vaccinated.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has publicly accepted that more people will die of the disease when lockdown comes to an end but said the country cannot live like it is now in the long-term.

He said in February: 'The vaccines reduce the danger of Covid, they save lives and they keep people out of hospital. But no vaccine against any disease has ever been 100 per cent effective.

'So, whenever we ease the lockdown  whether its today or in six or nine months  weve got to be realistic and accept that there will be more infections, more hospitalisations and therefore, sadly, more deaths, just as there are every year with flu.

'Even if we sustained the lockdown indefinitely, which would itself cost lives and do immeasurable harm to our children, we would not be able to eradicate this disease.'

Professor Hayward agreed that the virus would likely become like flu in the future.

Flu circulates every winter and kills thousands of people, mostly over-65s, and is tackled with constantly updating vaccines, as Covid will likely be.

Speaking about mutated versions of the coronavirus, Professor Hayward said: 'The vaccines will still take the sting out of it, if you like, and reduce the case fatality rates.

'Of course, we have the technology to update the vaccines and I think that's where we're going really, a situation that will be much more like flu.

'The numbers of deaths will be much more like flu, the approach to surveillance of new strains and development of new vaccines and regular annual vaccines will be like that. And we will get back to normal.'

According to another scientist, the number of people dying of all causes may already be getting back to normal.

Professor Carl Heneghan said he expects the Office for National Statistics to show that deaths were back to average levels for the time of year by the end of February.

The report is weekly and he said he would expect to see the effect in data for last week.

Deaths can drop to average levels without Covid deaths being eradicated, if the number of people dying of non-Covid causes is below usual levels.

Coronavirus may have killed so many people who would otherwise have died of different conditions that the two cancel each other out and the overall death count stays the same.

Professor Heneghan told The Telegraph: 'Unless there is a significant increase in non-Covid deaths then next Tuesday the ONS report for the week ending February 26 should be back to somewhere near normal for this time of year.'

ONS figures published this week showed there were almost 14,000 excess deaths in England and Wales during the week ending February 19. This was 18.8 per cent above the five-year average - the equivalent of around 2,100 deaths.

Covid was to blame for around 4,000 deaths during the same week.

Deaths from all causes remained above the five-year average, in the most recent week (solid blue line, compared to dotted line), but they are almost back to average levels
Ireland fared better than bigger eurozone economies Germany and France, which plunged into recessions last year as Covid shut down the global economy.

Ireland's economy powered higher last year, bucking the coronavirus-driven global downturn, as the eurozone member enjoyed booming pharma and IT exports on strong pandemic demand, the government said Friday.

Gross domestic product (GDP) growth jumped 3.4 percent in 2020, said finance minister Paschal Donohoe.

Ireland fared better than bigger eurozone economies Germany and France, which plunged into recessions last year as Covid shut down the global economy.

Donohoe described the GDP growth as "remarkable", adding it "is entirely a result of the growth in exports".

Despite a slowdown in global demand, Irish exports grew 6.25 percent last year, according to figures from the country's finance ministry.

"The pharma and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) sectors recorded extraordinary export growth, driven by blockbuster immunological drugs, Covid-related products, and the shift to home-working," Donohoe said.

Ireland's multinational export sector has a warping effect on the headline GDP figure of the nation -- home to five million people.

Modified domestic demand -- a figure that strips out the effects of multinationals -- registered a 5.4-percent slump in 2020.

Donohoe said it is "a figure much closer to the typical fall across advanced economies".

- Virus surge -

The Irish finance ministry said there had been a "two-speed impact of the pandemic" on the economy as multinational corporations drove the highest level of exports on record.

Meanwhile domestic activities are "bearing the brunt" and "indigenous exports" of food and drink slumped, according to Donohoe.

He pledged the government will "continue to cushion, in as much as possible, the contraction in private-sector demand" before attempting "to balance the books".

The minister said more than one million people in Ireland are receiving state-income supports as "the labour market has been turned on its head".

Story continues

In a speech, Donohoe said job losses had been concentrated in public-facing sectors with the harshest levels of unemployment among young workers.

Ireland has unveiled a 2021 budget package with additional spending of more than 17.75 billion euros, as the nation deals also with fallout from Brexit.

Ireland has suffered 4,396 deaths from the coronavirus, according to latest official figures, and its third lockdown is due to last until at least next month.

After navigating two previous waves of the pandemic with low case and death figures, the virus surged at the start of the year.

In early January, the nation had the highest infection rate per capita in the world, according to Oxford University data.

jts/bcp/lth
Following the arrival of a shipment of 600,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in Ghana, Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, the head of Caritas Ghana, reflects on the ongoing national Covid-19 vaccination campaign highlighting the work of Caritas in ensuring equal access to vaccines for all.

By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ

In recent weeks, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Angola, Nigeria and Senegal became among the first countries in Africa to receive several million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in the global rollout as part of the COVAX initiative.

First on that list, however, was Ghana which received 600,000 doses of the Vaccine on 24 February. Since the first Covid-19 case was confirmed in March 2020, more than 80,000 Ghanaians have been infected with the virus and over close to 600 died. This shipment of the vaccines, therefore, was welcome news on the path to recovery for Ghanaian citizens.

As the west-African nation sets about kicking off its Covid-19 vaccination campaign, the Executive Secretary of Caritas Ghana, Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, spoke to Vatican News in an interview, reflecting on the countrys vaccination priorities and the role of the Church as well as faith-based organizations in ensuring equal access to the vaccines.

Mr. Akologo also serves as the head of the department of human development of the Bishops Conference of Ghana. In that capacity, he provides public policy advice to the Bishops Conference.

Vaccine reception: a welcome development

Mr. Akologo said that the general impression on the reception of the vaccines in Ghana was positive. He commended the countrys government for its leadership in always keeping the citizens abreast of developments concerning the pandemic.

However, as the inoculations begin, he notes that there are some people who are still suspicious of the efficacy of the vaccines - a suspicion most likely fueled by conspiracy theories and misinformation spread by some quarters.

Pope Francis calls for equal access to vaccines

In light of the Holy Fathers constant calls for equitable distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines, Mr. Akologo notes that the Popes outspokenness in this regard has provided the impetus for faith-based organizations and other like-minded groups to become more involved in efforts towards ensuring equal access to all, regardless of social class.

At the same time, the Popes calls have served the purpose of calming the doubts of people concerning the vaccines, particularly in a context where some of the people promoting the doubts are people of faith and religious leaders. On top of that, the Ghanaian Bishops recently issued a letter to the faithful aimed at dispelling some of the myths surrounding the vaccines and encouraging citizens to be vaccinated.

National vaccination distribution plan

Through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the nations government plans to prioritize some demographic groups in its vaccination campaign which began on Tuesday.

Mr. Akologo explained that the first criterion considered was geographical. He notes the worst-hit areas of Ghana  the Greater Accra, Central and Ashanti regions  will be receiving special attention in the vaccination campaign.

Another factor considered is the professional priority given to frontliners including doctors, nurses and other paramedical personnel who are exposed in their line of duty, yet have the task of caring for the health of everyone. In addition to these, security personnel  the military, the police and other agents of security will be getting preferential consideration.

Top political office holders will also be targeted in the rollout. This move, Mr. Akologo notes, is very good as it helps to address the skepticism that we were experiencing, especially as these high-level officials will receive the vaccines in front of the cameras of the press.

Age will also be a consideration in the rollout. The elderly, especially those above 60 years, will be given priority in the current vaccination plan.

and the non-priority populations?

Considering the 600,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccines received relative to a population of over 30 million Ghanaians, Mr. Akologo says it is a drop of water in an ocean as it is largely insufficient. However, the Ghanaian government projects that another consignment is expected to arrive in the upcoming months.

Beginning with this batch and when other consignments of vaccines arrive the country, Mr. Akologo hopes that Caritas, alongside other organizations, will be involved in keeping civic vigilance to make sure the government is transparent in its rollout plan. He also hopes in the process to be able to highlight the importance of those in the peripheries and deprived areas especially the aged and other vulnerable populations.

Already, Caritas is working through its network in the 20 dioceses of Ghana to begin its own campaign. Inspired by Pope Francis Encyclical Fratelli tutti in which the Pope encourages collaboration between like-minded organizations to make their message go further, Caritas is also hoping to collaborate with other partners in its capacity as the Ghanaian Bishops Conferences instrument for relief, development and policy advocacy.

Appeal for international solidarity

We need to think about the other impact issues of Covid-19 and to see how African governments and other poor governments can be supported to deal with this, Mr. Akologo said,

He highlighted that the ongoing pandemic, as a public health issue, has stretched the social services of many countries to the limit, particularly in the health sector. He notes that to reinforce ongoing efforts at cushioning the pandemics effects, governments need a lot more resources.

It is in this regard that Caritas Ghana is coupling their Covid-19 relief work with a debt-cancellation campaign which is supported by SECAM and other Catholic organizations to enable poor countries get some relief and permit them to invest in social services. Mr. Akologo also calls for international solidarity so that restrictions put on patent rights to the Covid-19 vaccines will be loosened to enable local production in African countries and at the same time, improve access to the vaccines for all.
MILAN and LONDON, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Objectway, a leader in the Digital Wealth & Asset Management software, was mentioned as a distinguished vendor in the February report Front-to-Middle office Platforms: North American Wealth Management Edition 2021 by Celent.

The report examined the leading North American providers of Front-to-Middle Office platforms. Celent considered as fundamental characteristics of these solutions the components supporting certain key workflows, such as the provision of an exclusive client experience, and an end-to-end advisory process in an integrated workflow and single infrastructure.

In parallel with the analysis conducted by Celent, Objectway is seeing how digital client engagement and lifecycle management are among the main drivers in the wealth management industry at a global level.

Firms are looking more and more for integrated solutions that are able to make all the advisor's activity and tasks available as a cockpit.

Bringing the client relationship to centre stage entails growing demand for augmented intelligence to deliver mass customised investment proposals, and for an opti-channel mix to collaborate and interact with digital-savvy investors.

Moreover, a hybrid, multi-cloud approach is gathering increasing acceptance by financial institutions, who are adopting business critical capabilities in the easiest way. Objectway On-Cloud already supports over 100 clients with more than one trillion Euros of assets under management.

Further to confirming the findings illustrated in the parent report of this series, dedicated to the EMEA region, in this latest research paper Celent commended Objectway for "the completeness of the solution and the dedication that the team has demonstrated to bolstering the usability of each module."

"North American wealth managers are facing a challenging year ahead, as a result of existing trends, such as fee compression, and for unexpected accelerators towards digital solutions, like the pandemic," affirmed Luigi Marciano, Objectway Group CEO and Founder. "The challenge for a performant and future-proof front-to-middle office system is giving firms the most effective and state-of-the-art tools to serve more clients and manage increased AuM, in less time."

SOURCE Objectway SPA

Related Links

https://www.objectway.com/


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- El Camino Health's hospital in Los Gatos, California has been named to Newsweek's 2021 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals. The distinction recognizes facilities that have provided exceptional care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Best Maternity Care Hospitals is part of Newsweek's Best Health Care series, powered by data from The Leapfrog Group . Best Maternity Care Hospitals were first designated in 2020.

"We're proud of our team for earning yet another recognition in safety and service, building on our high grades for the Leapfrog Hospital Safety review in 2020," said Dan Woods, El Camino Health's chief executive officer. "El Camino Health delivers more than 5,000 babies a year and we've continued to make big investments in our labor and delivery, postpartum and neonatal health services to ensure we offer the best of the best in high-quality, personalized care for both mother and baby."

Hospitals named as a Best Maternity Care Hospital have fully met The Leapfrog Group's rigorous standards for maternity care excellence. This includes achieving lower rates of C-Sections (NTSV), early elective delivery, and episiotomy, as well as assuring bilirubin screening for all newborns and blood clot prevention techniques for mothers delivering via C-section.

"Best Maternity Care Hospitals showcases an elite group of hospitals nationwide," said Nancy Cooper, global editor in chief of Newsweek. "These facilities should be commended for the care they provide to women and families, and for giving babies a strong start to life. As families continue to cope with the effects on the pandemic, this information can support Newsweek's readership in planning for one of life's most precious moments."

El Camino Health's Los Gatos hospital was one of fewer than 225 to receive the prestigious accolade. The full list of recipients appears in Newsweek online and at newsstands nationwide.

For more information on Mother-Baby Health at El Camino Health, visit https://www.elcaminohealth.org/services/mother-baby-health.

About El Camino Health

El Camino Health provides a personalized healthcare experience at two non-profit acute care hospitals in Los Gatos and Mountain View and at primary care, multi-specialty care, and urgent care locations across Santa Clara County. For nearly sixty years, the organization has grown to meet the needs of individuals and communities it serves. Bringing together the best in new technology and advanced medicine, the network of nationally recognized physicians and care teams deliver high-quality, compassionate care. Key medical specialties include heart and vascular, cancer and lifestyle medicine. The hospitals have earned numerous awards for clinical excellence, such as a 5-Star Overall Hospital Quality Rating from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and nursing care, including four consecutive American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognitions for Nursing Care. Visit elcaminohealth.org to learn more.

Media Contact

Christopher Brown, director of communications, El Camino Health

[email protected]

650-694-3891

SOURCE El Camino Health

Related Links

http://www.elcaminohealth.org


Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
SHANGHAI, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo New Energy", the "Company" or "we"), a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry, today announced that it signed a three-year high-purity polysilicon supply agreement with Wuxi Shangji Automation (SSE:603158) ("Shangji"), a leading high-end intelligent equipment provider for manufacturing industries including the solar PV industry. Shangji started its mono-wafer manufacturing business in 2019 and has quickly been recognized as a high-quality mono-wafer provider.

Under the supply agreement, Daqo New Energy will provide Shangji with high-purity mono-grade polysilicon in a total amount of 52,700 MT between July 2021 and June 2024. Actual prices will be negotiated by both parties monthly according to market conditions. As part of the supply agreement, Shangji will make an advance payment to Daqo New Energy.

Mr. Jianliang Yang, Chairman of Wuxi Shangji Automation, commented, " We are very pleased to further strengthen our strategic partnership with Daqo New Energy through this second long-term polysilicon contract between us. We will continue to expand our mono-wafer capacity with advanced technology to better serve the fast-growing solar PV market."

Mr. Longgen Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of Daqo New Energy, commented, "Shangji Automation is one of our key customers with a visionary strategy and very strong execution track record in the mono-wafer sector. We will continue to work closely with Shangji by providing first-class polysilicon products and assist them to better execute their capacity expansion plans."

About Wuxi Shangji Automation

Wuxi Shangji Automation Co., Ltd. (SSE603185), established in 2002, is a leading high-tech intelligent equipment and technology provider specialized in the R&D, design, integration, manufacturing and service of the cutting process of solar PV, sapphire and semiconductor materials. In 2019, Wuxi Shangji started its business in R&D and manufacturing of mono wafer, which is an intermediate product of widely used high-efficiency mono-crystalline solar PV modules.

About Daqo New Energy Corp.

Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo" or the "Company") is a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry. Founded in 2007, the Company is one of the world's lowest cost producers of high-purity polysilicon. Daqo's highly-efficient and technically advanced manufacturing facility in China currently has an annual polysilicon nameplate capacity of 70,000 metric tons.

For more information, please visit http://www.dqsolar.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the demand for photovoltaic products and the development of photovoltaic technologies; global supply and demand for polysilicon; alternative technologies in cell manufacturing; the Company's ability to significantly expand its polysilicon production capacity and output; the reduction in or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for solar energy applications; the Company's ability to lower its production costs; changes in the political and regulatory environment; and the duration of COVID-19 outbreaks in China and many other countries and the impact of the outbreaks and the quarantines and travel restrictions instituted by relevant governments on economic and market conditions, including potentially weaker global demand for solar PV installations that could adversely affect the Company's business and financial performance. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the reports or documents the Company has filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information or any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

SOURCE Daqo New Energy Corp.

Related Links

http://www.dqsolar.com/


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Covid-19 pandemic has created new challenges and concerns for travelers. As a result, we've seen a significant change throughout the travel landscape, including a major shift in where US travelers are booking trips. Travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, breaks down where travelers are heading in 2021.

Island Countries Surge in Popularity

4 of the 5 most popular international destinations for US travelers are island countries

Turks and Caicos is the fastest growing of Squaremouth's most popular destinations

The rise in travel to island destinations proves US residents are still willing to leave the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Countries that have remained open throughout the pandemic have seen a significant surge in travel," says Squaremouth Lead Data Analyst, Steven Benna. "This includes countries that have never been among our most popular destinations for US travelers, such as Turks and Caicos and the US Virgin Islands."

The Most Popular International Countries

International Destination Percent of Travelers Year-Over-Year Growth Mexico 13.7% +8% Costa Rica 6.3% +89% Turks and Caicos 4.4% +536% US Virgin Islands 2.3% +137% Dominican Republic 1.8% +14%

Europe is No Longer the Top Region

Only about 8% of Squaremouth sales so far in 2021 are for trips to Europe , compared to a historical rate above 30%

, compared to a historical rate above 30% The percent of travelers buying insurance for domestic trips has nearly tripled to 30%

The percent of travelers going on Caribbean trips has surpassed 20%, nearly double the pre-pandemic rate

Historically, travelers going to Europe have comprised the largest share of travel insurance sales, typically ranging from 25% to 45%. In 2021, the share of travelers buying travel insurance for trips to Europe has dropped to 8%.

On the other hand, the percent of travelers buying insurance for domestic trips and Caribbean trips has spiked.

The US now comprises roughly 30% of sales through Squaremouth.com, the most of any region, compared to about 11% before the pandemic. At the height of the pandemic, domestic travel peaked around 57%.

The share of travelers buying travel insurance for trips to Caribbean destinations now accounts for roughly 20% of policies purchased through Squaremouth.com this year, an increase from about 12%.

Methodology: Squaremouth.com hosts the largest number of travel insurance providers and policies that offer coverage related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Squaremouth Analytics has compared thousands of travel insurance policies purchased pre-and-post-pandemic to identify changes and trends in travel insurance.

ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH

Squaremouth compares travel insurance policies from every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and third-party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare travel insurance policies side-by-side . More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com .

Available Topic Expert:

Steven Benna

[email protected]

(727) 619-7262

SOURCE Squaremouth

Related Links

http://www.squaremouth.com


ADVERTISEMENT

A police officer, Shedrack Igwe, working in the armoury section of MOPOL Base 28, Umuahia, Abia State, has been arrested with five AK-47 rifles he allegedly stole from the armoury.

Mr Igwe, a constable, was reported to have carted away the rifles from the armoury with the help of others, unnoticed.

He was later arrested in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State where he hails from.

He committed the act on March 2 after which he fled to Ebonyi State.

Two days later, a combined team of police officers from Abia and Ebonyi States arrested and moved him to Abia State Police Command for investigation.

The five AK-47 rifles were recovered from him in his home town.

Mr Igwe is suspected to have stolen many more rifles which he may have sold out.

The officer was said to have used the proceeds from the sales of the stolen rifles for a recent purchase of three new tricycles for commercial purposes. He gave the tricycles to his brother identfied as Ifeanyi Igwe.

An official in one of the security agencies in Ebonyi State said, The development portrays lack of proper vetting and supervision on the side of the Nigerian police because the subject was just a constable and was not supposed to be manning a sensitive section like armoury in a security agency like the police.

And the position was given to him without a proper examination of his character and supervision. Hence, the reason for the blames on the agency.

ALSO READ: Gunmen attack another police station in Ebonyi

The police spokesperson in Abia State, Geoffrey Ogbonna, declined to comment on the matter when PREMIUM TIMES contacted him, Friday.

I am in a meeting, I just pulled out to answer this call, he said, without confirming or denying the story.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Aliyu Garba, however, confirmed the report.

This thing is for Abia State, it is good you ask Abia State Police Command, we only assisted them. So, you will get the whole story in Abia.

Yes, it is a combination of action and necessary things. Get Abia, Abia will give you the necessary things, we only assisted, he said.
The Karnataka State Cooperative Consumers Federation Limited (KSCCF), a Cooperative Society, has released KSCCF Notification 2021 invited online applications from eligible and interested candidates for filling Forty-Five (45) vacancies to the post of First Division Clerks, Selling Assistants, Peons, Typists, Accountants and Junior Pharmacist (Backlog) in KSCCF through direct recruitment to be posted in Bengaluru, Karnataka in India on a fulltime basis. The online registration-cum-application process towards the same starts on March 5, 2021 and closes on April 5, 2021 with April 6, 2021 as the last date for paying the application fee.

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts First Division Clerks, Selling Assistants, Peons, Typists, Accountants and Junior Pharmacist (Backlog) posts in KSCCF Organisation Karnataka State Cooperative Consumers Federation Limited (KSCCF) Educational Qualification Class 10/Matriculation; PUC/Intermediate; possess a Bachelors Degree, B.Com/Diploma; Diploma in Pharmacy Experience Freshers can apply Job Responsibilities null Skills Required null Job Location Bengaluru Salary Scale In the range of Rs. 10,400 to Rs. 34,500 per month as per the post Industry Cooperative Society Application Start Date March 5, 2021 Application End Date April 5, 2021

KSCCF Recruitment 2021: Age Criteria And Fees

Candidates interested in applying for KSCCF Jobs 2021 through KSCCF Recruitment 2021 must have completed 18 years of age and not be more than 35 years as on April 5, 2021 with relaxation (upper age limit) up to 3 years (OBC -2A/2B/3A/3B) and 5 years (SC/ST/CAT-I) respectively as specified in the KSCCF PSI Civil Notification 2021.

Candidates applying for KSCCF Jobs 2021 through KSCCF Recruitment 2021 must pay a prescribed amount of Rs. 1,030 (GM and OBC -2A/2B/3A/3B) and Rs. 530 (SC/ST/CAT-I and PWD) respectively as application fee through Online/Challan mode as mentioned in KSCCF Notification 2021 given at the end of the article.

Also Read: KSP Recruitment 2021 For 402 Police Sub-Inspector (Civil) Posts, Apply For KSP PSI Civil Jobs On KSP.Online.In

KSCCF Recruitment 2021: KSCCF Vacancy Details

First Division Clerks - 10

Selling Assistants - 10

Peons -10

Typists -08

Accountants -05

Junior Pharmacist (Backlog) - 02

Total - 45

KSCCF Recruitment 2021: Educational Criteria And Eligibility

Desirous candidates applying for KSCCF Jobs 2021 through KSCCF Recruitment 2021 must have passed Class 10/Matriculation; PUC/Intermediate; possess a Bachelor's Degree, B.Com/Diploma; Diploma in Pharmacy from a recognised University/Institution as detailed in the KSCCF Notification 2021 norms.

KSCCF Recruitment 2021: Selection And Pay Scale

The selection of candidates for KSCCF Jobs 2021 through KSCCF Recruitment 2021 will be done through a Written Examination and Interview as per the KSCCF Recruitment 2021 norms.

Candidates selected for KSCCF Jobs 2021 through KSCCF Recruitment 2021 will be paid emolument in the range of Rs. 10,400 to Rs. 34,500 per month as per the KSCCF Recruitment 2021 norms.

Also Read: HSSC Recruitment 2021 For 1,100 Canal Patwari Posts. Apply Online Before March 22 On HSSC.Gov.In

KSCCF Recruitment 2021: How To Apply

Candidates applying for KSCCF Jobs 2021 through KSCCF Recruitment 2021 must register online on the official KSCCF website from March 5, 2021 and closes on April 5, 2021.

Download KSCCF Notification 2021 for First Division Clerks, Selling Assistants, Peons, Typists, Accountants and Junior Pharmacist (Backlog) posts here
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- HOZON Auto, a Chinese EV startup possessing the NEV brand Nezha, was granted a credit line worth 5 billion yuan ($772.678 million) by China CITIC Bank on March 1, the company said via its WeChat account. The capital will be poured into the R&D of the technologies related to the likes of intelligent cockpit and smart driving.

Nezha V; photo credit: Nezha



The credit line is part of the strategic cooperation agreement signed by HOZON Auto and CITIC Group Coordination Committee Shanghai Branch. Under the agreement, the startup will carry out all-round collaboration with the Shanghai branches of China CITIC Bank, CITIC Securities and CITIC-Prudential Life Insurance.

The EV manufacturer said it has to-date obtained credit line worth over 10 billion yuan ($1.545 billion) by forming partnership with China CITIC Bank and other banks.

HOZON Auto claimed on Dec. 2, 2020 it had raised 2 billion yuan ($309.071 million) in a new funding from HD Capital as part of its series C financing. The company also noted the total size of its series C round was expected to far exceed its initial target of 3 billion yuan ($463.607 million).

Founded in 2014, HOZON Auto currently has three EV models for sale, including the Nezha N01, the Nezha U and the Nezha V. In February 2021, the company saw its sales rocket 1,863% year on year to 2,002 units, which resulting in a cumulative sales volume of 30,500 units.

With regard to new products, the company is about to launch the Nezha U's refreshed model, the Nezha U Pro, which boasts a range of up to 610km.
On Thursday, A massive change to be seen as Senior UN leaders called on Eritrea to take out its troops from the Tigray region in Ethiopia and also alleged that atrocities were being committed in the region by the Eritrean defense forces. Both Ethiopia and Eritrea continue to deny the presence of the latters army in Ethiopia.

Turkey Helicopter crashed killing nine soldiers on board, four injured

Here it is to be noted that Michelle Bachelet, the UN rights chief, urged Ethiopia to let in investigators to conduct a probe in Tigray. Bachelet said her office had verified reports of grave human rights violations and abuses including mass killings in Axum, and in Dengelat in central Tigray by Eritrean armed forces. She said that these were serious violations of international law, possibly amounting to war crimes. The office of the UN Human Rights Commission called out abuses such as sexual violence and extrajudicial killings. his is the fourth month of the humanitarian crisis in Tigray and Lowcock said atrocities included mass killings, rapes and abductions of civilians.

I am looking forward forward to that first gathering of quad leaders : Australian PM

However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, along with the US ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, also called on Eritrean forces to leave Tigray. The US has urged the Ethiopian government to support an immediate end to the fighting in Tigray. The statements by senior leaders came ahead of a UN Security Council meeting, where countries were unable to agree on a joint statement on the crisis in the Tigray region.

Indian-American Naureen Hassan is appointed as the First VP, COO of New York Fed

An elite private community in Key Largo received vaccines back in January, long before other Floridians (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Floridas top Democratic officials have called for federal investigations into Governor Ron DeSantis for allegedly prioritising vaccine doses to wealthy donors in exchange for political favours.

The Republican governor is coming in for scrutiny after reports alleged that almost all communities belonging to Mr DeSantiss high-value donors received their jabs from mobile clinics by mid-January, while vaccinations have been much harder to come by for lower-income neighbourhoods.

State agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried and state Democratic Senate leader Gary Farmer called on the FBI to investigate what they called the potential wrongdoing by the government.

If this isnt public corruption, I dont know what is, Ms Fried said at a news conference. I will not stand by and let our vaccines be used as political gain and to go to be auctioned by the highest bidders while so many of our Floridians are suffering.

They demanded an investigation into whether $3.9m of donations made to the governors political action committee were linked to vaccination distribution in what they say appeared to be a pay to play scheme.

On Thursday, senator Gary Farmer slammed what he described as the governors vaccine auction and wrote a letter to US attorney general Monty Wilkinson.

The prioritisation of the wealthy and affluent for vaccinations is morally reprehensible in its own right, but the exchange of hard-to-get vaccines for political contributions is nothing short of criminal, he said.

Representative Charlie Crist has also raised concerns over the vaccine distribution in Florida and wrote a letter in February to the acting attorney general to investigate the governor allegedly favouring political allies and donors over higher-risk communities.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Mr DeSantis has strongly denied the allegations and said the vaccine drive was administered by a South Florida hospital and not his office. His office also issued a statement, calling the allegations a "manufactured narrative with political motivations".

Story continues

That was not a site that we were involved in in the Keys,Mr DeSantis said at a news conference on Thursday in Crystal River.

On Wednesday, the Miami Herald reported that the ultra-exclusive Ocean Reef Club community in the Florida Keys, which accounts for dozens of Mr DeSantiss donors, had 1,200 people vaccinated by mid-January while many Floridians struggled to get their jabs.

Read More

Wealthy Florida Keys community of governors donors received Covid vaccine as rest of state struggled

Florida governor Ron DeSantis threatens to pull vaccines after being accused of prioritising white residents

Florida governor suppressed Covid information before 2020 election to help Trump, report says
Few things exemplify Britishness more than dear old Marks & Spencer.

So when, in May 2018, the Windsor branch changed its name to Markle and Sparkle in honour of the marriage of Harry Windsor to Meghan Markle, it felt like the ultimate stamp of approval.

Swept away by the giddy excitement of a royal wedding  and not just any royal wedding, the marriage of Princess Dianas younger son, that brave little soldier who carved his name on all our hearts the day he walked behind his mothers coffin just aged 12 we were as entranced by Meghan as Harry clearly was.

It wasnt just that she was gorgeous, there was also far more to her than most royal fiancees. She had a backstory that wasnt all pony clubs and boarding schools.

Here was a woman who had worked hard to forge a career and a name for herself, who understood what it meant to overcome adversity.

Although the Oprah Winfrey interview will no doubt paint them both as victims of a terrible conspiracy by the British Press and The Firm, the public will judge them not by their performances on the sofa of a chat show hostess, but by their actions

She was talented, with a successful acting career behind her; but above all else she was strong  and that was reassuring. Despite his stint in the Army, there was still a degree of vulnerability to Harry.

By contrast, Meghan was a grown-up who could stand on her own two feet, even if those feet were invariably encased in vertiginous heels that would have crippled most mortals.

It felt like Harry had chosen wisely: someone capable of withstanding the inevitable challenges of becoming a royal consort and providing him with the solid foundation he needed to leave the past behind and start building a family of his own.

For two decades since the death of his mother, we had watched with trepidation, never certain how the psychological effects of that trauma would play out. Successive girlfriends had never seemed quite able to cope.

The November 2017 front page showing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Kensington Palace

But when Meghan came along it felt like he had finally found someone up to it. We could all heave a huge sigh of relief. And we were just so happy, for both of them.

My goodness, how wrong we were. It seems astonishing that we could have been so naive. For far from being the making of Harry, Meghan might just prove his downfall. All that initial goodwill and promise has been, in just a few short years, entirely squandered.

The headlines that welcomed their union so enthusiastically have slowly soured, as the couples behaviour has grown ever more paranoid and self-destructive.

As for Harry, with Meghan at his side he has gone from being almost universally adored to an angry, bitter, resentful and  astonishingly for someone who grew up in his circumstances  decidedly chippy shadow of his former self, clipped and stony-faced, now all but unrecognisable from the man we thought we knew.

And now, a crossroads. The next few days will determine the outcome of this extraordinary stand-off between the Queen and her grandson.

And although the forthcoming Oprah Winfrey interview will no doubt paint them both as victims of a terrible conspiracy by the British Press and The Firm to discredit them in the eyes of the public, that same public will judge them not by their performances on the sofa of a chat show hostess, but by their actions.

In her latest clip to promote the interview, Meghan tells Oprah that now she has escaped the construct of the Royal Family, its really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege in some ways to be able to say, yes, Im ready to talk.

The January 10 2018 coverage covered Meghan's visit to Brixton with a picture special

But this so-called liberation comes at a cost  and Harry is the one who stands to lose the most. Stripped of his royal patronages and without any of the infrastructure that has surrounded him all his life, he now faces a future of cold, hard commercial reality.

Together they seem intent on an aggressive approach that, while perhaps satisfying both financially and emotionally in the short term, will leave them with fewer options in future.

Not even Prince Philips stay in hospital and his subsequent heart operation seems to have been able to soften the couples determination to pursue this collision course.

When did it all change for them? After all, at the moment Meghan first appeared, they had the goodwill of the nation firmly behind them. The coverage was universally positive.

And while Meghans complicated family life inevitably drew some attention, to a great extent it was seen as a measure of her resilience that she had managed to make her way in the world despite it. There were many, myself included, who admired her as a result.

But while so much of the focus has been on Meghan and her allegedly disruptive influence on the Prince, the seeds of this conflict were sown long before she came on the scene.

The coverage from May 19 2018, declaring the magically modern royal wedding

It is often the way of these things that the woman takes the blame, but that would be unfair. She was simply the catalyst for the simmering undercurrents of resentment that had long stirred deep in the heart of the Prince.

The true strength of those feelings was made abundantly clear in 2017, in a documentary filmed by the brothers to mark the 20th anniversary of their mothers death.

The extent of the damage done to the young Prince by his parents acrimonious divorce, the Palaces treatment of Diana and his fathers relationship with Camilla was painfully obvious.

While William came across as a man who had, not easily but with thoughtfulness and dedication, done his best to make his peace with the past, for Harry the hurt and anger were still raw. In particular his loathing of the Press, which he directly blamed for his mothers death, was marked. While in some ways understandable  though her driver was drunk, the paparazzi were indeed following her  it seemed to be eating away at him in a way that was clearly toxic.

When he met and married Meghan, Harrys anger in this respect seems to have escalated and, to an extent, become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In November 2016, he hit back at the media in a strongly-worded statement, accusing the Press of harassment and sharp practices towards Meghan, alleging racism and, most tellingly, expressing his disappointment that he had not been able to protect her.

This goes to the heart of how and why it has all gone so horribly wrong. Even before he had proposed to Meghan, Harry had decided to go to war with those he held responsible for his pain.

The coverage from May 7, 2019, celebrated the arrival of Harry and Megan's 7lb 3oz Archie

He had been too young to protect his beloved mother; he was not going to make the same mistake with his wife.

In many ways, what we are dealing with here is not a 36-year-old man, but the part of him that remains an angry young boy, racked with the pain of losing his mother.

It is certainly telling that one of the first clips released from the Oprah interview was Harry saying he feared history repeating itself.

To some degree, this is understandable: but there was a strong element of Harrys behaviour that suggested he was not only prepared to take a defensive position; he was actively spoiling for a fight.

Except a lot of the time he was tilting at windmills.

Yes, Meghan did receive a horrible amount of online abuse  but that is sadly true of almost any high- profile woman.

Of course there was a huge amount of media interest in her family, some of whom turned out to be self-interested attention-seekers, hoping to profit by association.

Nevertheless, the compliments were flowing for her: Dazzling debut, a very modern royal, magic. At every turn she garnered praise.

But it was almost as if the couple had developed a narrative of victimhood that they were determined to pursue wherever possible.

Perfectly legitimate questioning of their subsequent behaviour  of their doom-mongering about climate change allied to their proclivity for private jets, of their clear preference for the company of celebrities over royal duties  was interpreted by them, entirely erroneously, as rooted in prejudice.

The truth is, the attention they received was by no means any worse than previous royal couples had endured. In fact, it was much better. Kate Middleton had a torrid time of it, humiliatingly dubbed Waity Katie for the time it took William to propose; poor Camilla was frequently painted as an evil witch in contrast to the saintly Diana; even the Queen has had to endure speculation about her marriage over the years.

However hurtful and damaging these other royals might have found these stories, they all found ways of turning public opinion in their favour. With the help of advisers, they managed to carve out the privacy they needed within the context of wider scrutiny.

But right from the start, Harry and Meghan insisted that everything had to be done their way.

Witness the rapid turnover of staff in their private office, not to mention subsequent accusations of bullying, now being formally investigated by the Palace.

Again, they handled the Press with all the skill and maturity of petulant teenagers, reducing those around them  people who only wanted the best for them  to emotional rubble.

Its these accusations of staff bullying that will ultimately prove problematic for them. Not just back home in Blighty but also in their adopted land of California, where bullying is as much of a no-no as sexual harassment.

Witness the downfall of Ellen DeGeneres, once the undisputed queen of American TV, brought low by a bullying scandal very similar to the one that now threatens to engulf the Sussexes. It wont play out well for them in their new life among the gilded ranks of politically-correct Hollywood celebrity to have something like that hanging over their heads.

But perhaps the biggest mistake Harry and Meghan have made is to turn their ire on the Queen.

If they had made a decision to simply walk away on the grounds that the trappings of fame and fortune were, ultimately, too much to bear, no one would have blamed them. It is a tough existence and one that not everyone can stomach. No one could begrudge Harry for wanting a quiet life.

But that is not what they have done. They have deliberately courted publicity. And instead of bowing out gracefully from royal life, they have embarked on an astonishing smear campaign against the very people and institution to which they owe their exalted status.

It is one thing to walk away from the House of Windsor; it is quite another to torch the place on the way out. Lecturing the Queen, who has dedicated seven decades to her country, on the nature of service is not only absurd  especially when you consider they lasted, by comparison, five minutes  but extreme arrogance.

Bleating about privacy while selling details of their existence to the highest bidder, and styling themselves as ambassadors for kindness and compassion and allegedly causing material distress to a woman whose husband is seriously ill in hospital, is not acceptable.

Allowing the monarch to be cast as some sort of mafia boss  were you silent or were you silenced? Oprah asked of them  is unforgivable.

As for claiming that the whole experience  lavish wedding, free houses, hot and cold running staff and every conceivable privilege was unsurvivable; thats just insulting to the millions of souls on this planet whose lives are truly insufferable, not to mention the many thousands back home who have spent the past year doing their best to survive the pandemic without the benefit of 14 bedrooms and a swimming pool.

Its a sad, sorry situation. No doubt they  and the fans who buy into their tale of victimhood  will see their audience with Oprah as triumphant retribution for their suffering.

But there will be many more who will see it for what it is: The delusional, one-sided ravings of a couple drunk on their own drama.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Learn more about the Illinoisans featured in the campaign:

 Anthony Adams is a Covid survivor who spent three weeks in the hospital. His worst fear, his mother contracting Covid, is now a reality that he must face head on. To my Black and brown brothers and sisters, dont take this lightly. Look into the vaccine, Adams said.

 Bonnie Blue is 68 and has severe asthma, but that didn't stop her from being one of the first vaccine trial participants in Illinois. Shes sharing her experience so that others, especially in Black and brown communities, will feel comfortable getting the vaccine. Get the vaccine. Do what you have to do to survive, Blue said.

 Dr. Marina Del Rios is an emergency physician at the University of Illinois Hospital who has been on the frontlines treating Covid patients since the start of the pandemic. I miss smiles, laughs and facial expressions, Dr. Del Rios said. The vaccine will let us celebrate again.

 Dr. Ngozi Ezike is the director of the Illinois Department of Health. She has heard from countless Illinoisans and believes the vaccine one of the best ways to protect ourselves. Vaccines work. They have saved millions of lives, Dr. Ezike said.

 Ericka Looper is a respiratory therapist who works with Covid long-haulers. Her patients, even after getting over the initial effects of the virus, continue to deal with lung problems. The vaccine will help prevent you from severely contracting Covid, Looper said.

 Erica Lopez lost both of her parents to Covid over the holidays. Shes sharing her story so no one else has to go through what she did. Covid-19 took my parents. The vaccine means theres hope to keep families together, Lopez said.

 Dr. Robert Murphy is an infectious disease physician at Northwestern and is the executive director for the Institute for Global Health. He believes we can end the pandemic if we work together and get vaccinated. Polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella. Its incredible the diseases weve been able to fight with vaccines, Dr. Murphy said.

 The Ross Family: Judd, Shawna, and their 16-year-old son all had Covid at the same time, with their son having the worst case. Theyre sharing their story to encourage young people to take the virus seriously. Judd shared: Getting vaccinated is the only thing that will bring us back to normal.

 Julie Sparks is a Covid survivor, caregiver to her 78-year-old mother and contact tracer. She cares deeply for the people she calls at her job. Consider the vaccine. Its the only way to get back freedom and have less fear, Sparks said.


INDIANAPOLIS, March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) announced today that it will release financial results for the quarter ending March 31, 2021, after the market closes on Thursday, April 29. KRG will conduct a conference call to discuss its financial results the following day, April 30, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.



The dial-in numbers are (844) 309-0605 for domestic callers and (574) 990-9933 for international callers (Conference ID: 4436448). A live webcast of the conference call will be available at kiterealty.com. In addition, a webcast replay of the call will remain available on the corporate website.

About Kite Realty Group Trust

Kite Realty Group Trust is a full-service, vertically integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that provides communities with convenient and beneficial shopping experiences. We connect consumers to retailers in desirable markets through our portfolio of neighborhood, community, and lifestyle centers. Using operational, development, and redevelopment expertise, we continuously optimize our portfolio to maximize value and return to our shareholders. For more information, please visit our website at kiterealty.com.

Connect with KRG: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Safe Harbor

This release, together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by us, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are based on assumptions and expectations that may not be realized and are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events and actual results, performance, transactions or achievements, financial or otherwise, may differ materially from the results, performance, transactions or achievements, financial or otherwise, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Story continues

Currently, one of the most significant factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from the forward-looking statements is the potential adverse effect of the current pandemic of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, including possible resurgences, on the financial condition, result of operations, cash flows and performance of the Company and its tenants, the real estate market and the global economy and financial markets. The effects of COVID-19 have caused many of the Companys tenants to close stores, reduce hours or significantly limit service, making it difficult for them to meet their obligations, and therefore will significantly impact the Company for the foreseeable future. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company and its tenants will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, and possible short-term and long-term effects of the pandemic on consumer behavior, among others. Moreover, investors are cautioned to interpret many of the risks identified under the section titled Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 as being heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional risks, uncertainties and other factors that might cause such differences, some of which could be material, include but are not limited to: national and local economic, business, real estate and other market conditions, particularly in connection with low or negative growth in the U.S. economy as well as economic uncertainty; financing risks, including the availability of, and costs associated with, sources of liquidity; the Companys ability to refinance, or extend the maturity dates of, the Companys indebtedness; the level and volatility of interest rates; the financial stability of tenants, including their ability to pay rent and the risk of tenant insolvency and bankruptcy; the competitive environment in which the Company operates; acquisition, disposition, development and joint venture risks; property ownership and management risks; the Companys ability to maintain the Companys status as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; potential environmental and other liabilities; impairment in the value of real estate property the Company owns; the actual and perceived impact of e-commerce on the value of shopping center assets; risks related to the geographical concentration of the Companys properties in Florida, Indiana, Texas, Nevada and North Carolina; civil unrest, acts of terrorism or war, acts of God, climate change, epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19), natural disasters and severe weather conditions such as hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, floods and fires that may result in underinsured or uninsured losses; changes in laws and government regulations; governmental orders affecting the use of the Companys properties or the ability of its tenants to operate; possible short-term or long-term changes in consumer behavior due to COVID-19 and the fear of future pandemics; insurance costs and coverage; risks associated with cybersecurity attacks and the loss of confidential information and other business disruptions; other factors affecting the real estate industry generally; and other risks identified in reports the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) or in other documents that it publicly disseminates, including, in particular, the section titled Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and in the Companys quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Information: Kite Realty Group Trust



Jason Colton

SVP, Capital Markets & Investor Relations

317.713.2762

jcolton@kiterealty.com




A Blue Whisp director has accused Health Minister Stephen Donnelly of acting unlawfully and outside his powers (PA)

A building company has launched a High Court challenge against the Governments decision to freeze some construction work as part of its Covid-19 restrictions.

Blue Whisp, which is part of Paddy McKillen Jr-owned Oakmount Group, is taking the challenge against the Government.

The company has claimed it is unjustifiable discrimination to prevent some construction work from taking place while other projects within the sector are exempt from restrictions.

It claims the private construction sector is being unfairly discriminated against.

Blue Whisp is building 48 apartments with four commercial units at a site in Mount Merrion in Dublin.

Work stopped at the site on January 8 when the Government prevented certain construction work from going ahead.

The application for a judicial review was brought forward by Rossa Fanning SC.

In court papers seen by the PA new agency, a company director of Blue Whisp accuses Health Minister Stephen Donnelly of acting unlawfully and outside his powers by not extending the exemption to other kinds of construction.

Expand Close Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is accused by the company of acting unlawfully and outside his powers (PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is accused by the company of acting unlawfully and outside his powers (PA)

The company said it does not want to underestimate or downplay the threat of Covid-19 to the health and wellbeing of the population, and does not question the reliability of scientific evidence.

It said it also recognises the incredibly difficult policy decisions the Government has to make, however it claims the construction regulations are objectively unjustifiable and do not serve a genuine health objective.

The company says there is no basis in the primary legislation for the minister to have distinguished between different kinds of construction work.

It says the continued restrictions on construction activities, and the failure to reinstate the exemption for construction works, were motivated by irrelevant considerations.

The company claims that by acting in favour of certain types of projects and against other, Mr Donnelly has acted outside the scope of his powers.

Under the current restrictions, the type of construction that is exempt includes work on social housing, hospitals sites, schools and transport infrastructure.

Blue Whisp claims the exemptions encompass more than 40% of the construction industry, and Mr Donnelly is therefore legally bound to extend the exemption to the entire sector, particularly housing developments.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed last month that Level 5 restrictions will remain in place until April 5, and construction work would still be delayed.

Mr Justice Charles Meenan adjourned the matter until March 12.
The numbers show March is the most changeable month in Michigan when we talk about temperatures.

You might just intuitively know this if youve lived in Michigan long enough. We all know March can have a painfully changeable weather pattern. Take this next week for example. Over the weekend we will have morning temperatures getting as cold as 15 degrees in southern Lower Michigan. By Wednesday or Thursday afternoon, temperatures will warm to at least 60 degrees.

Now Im going to be honest and warn you- we are going to have a little math coming up here. Dont worry. Ill ease your math anxiety and make it easy for you.

The way to track changeability of temperatures is to look a term called the standard deviation. Heres an example. We have a long-term average high temperature for a location. One standard deviation either side of the average high would encompass 68 percent of the high temperatures. The larger the standard deviation number, the larger the range of temperatures you could reasonably expect for a certain day.

Lets use Grand Rapids as the city from which we will inspect the temperature data. Thank you to the National Weather Service at Grand Rapids for helping me gather the data.

Long-term average daily high temperature on middle yellow line. One standard deviation warmer in red and one standard deviation colder in blue. Data for Grand Rapids, MI

Look at the graph above. The center line represents the long-term average high temperature. The red squiggly line above the average high and the blue squiggly line below the average high represent one standard deviation warmer and colder than the average high temperature. So 68 percent of the temperatures for any given day would fall in this range.

The graph clearly shows as you get to March (days 60 to 91), the widening of the spread between the red and blue lines. As you look to the heart of summer or winter, you see the distance between the red and blue lines squeeze down to a smaller difference.

Here are the hard numbers. As we get into mid-March, the standard deviation is 12 degrees to 13 degrees. This means 68 percent of the time the high temperature is between 12 degrees warmer than the average high to 12 degrees lower than the average high. So we can expect something within a 24 degree range in mid-March. Thats a big difference from year to year, and why you wouldnt know how to dress for outdoors without a weather forecast. We can reasonably have light jacket weather to the heaviest winter coat weather in mid-March.

Now look at the months in the heart of winter or summer. We know a little more what to expect then. In July the standard deviation is down to six degrees. This means 68 percent of the time the high temperature is between six degrees warmer and six degrees colder than the average high temperature. So instead of a possible 24 degree temperature spread, there is only a 12 degree temperature spread in July.

As we make our way from July to December, the changeability of temperatures increases - but never to March changeability levels. The standard deviation in fall gets up to 10 degrees. Remember, Marchs standard deviation is 12 degrees to 13 degrees.

You may think March has the wildest weather swings. Now the data shows you are correct.

Here comes the good temperature swing, if you are ready for spring.
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcohol Justice, the San Rafael, California-based non-profit alcohol industry watchdog has launched the ABC ONLINE COMPLAINT FORM -- a confidential portal for individuals to report problems with alcohol-related businesses in the state directly to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). In addition, Alcohol Justice has produced the California Community Guide to Responsible Alcohol Sales During the COVID-19 Crises & 10 Things to Look Out for and Report to ABC.

"We regulate over 90,000 alcohol licenses in California and are grateful to see this new resource created by Alcohol Justice," said ABC Director Eric Hirata. "The online complaint form provides communities with an easy way to communicate with ABC, so we can do an even better job of keeping them safe."

"Over the past 15 years Alcohol Justice has been developing its working relationship with the ABC," stated Bruce Lee Livingston, Executive Director / CEO of Alcohol Justice. "We want the same outcome as ABC: well-enforced alcohol regulations that protect the health and safety of all California residents and visitors. The new confidential complaint portal and guide are great tools to help achieve that goal."

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), California suffers more annual alcohol-related harm than any other state: over 10,500 alcohol-related deaths, $35 billion in total costs, and $14.5 billion in state costs. Not surprisingly, more alcohol is sold in California than in any other state. According to the ABC they oversee close to 100,000 different alcohol licensees in the state. Each ABC enforcement agent investigate 622 outlets, which is woefully inadequate. This creates an environment where health and safety regulations can be easily violated with little chance of ABC finding out.

"Lawmakers are trying to make emergency alcohol sale expansions into law without even asking residents what's happening on the ground," stated Carson Benowitz-Fredericks, Research Manager at Alcohol Justice. "The online form and guide we've put together make it very easy for community members to recognize violations and submit complaints directly to the ABC. Those complaints will help mobilize ABC to investigate any criminal behavior, damage, threats, or other quality of life impacts associated with any businesses with an alcohol license in California."

The ABC Complaint Form allows community members to easily register any type of complaint about an alcohol licensee, including bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. When used in conjunction with the 10 Things to Look Out For guide, it provides a streamlined channel to flag problems arising from "regulatory relief" measures surrounding alcohol sales during the COVID-19 pandemic before they become permanent.

Alcohol Justice is a 34-year-old nonprofit that envisions healthy communities free of the alcohol industry's negative impact. Its mission is to promote evidence-based public health policies and organize campaigns with diverse communities and youth against the alcohol industry's harmful practices.

To view the California Community Guide to Responsible Alcohol Sales During the Covid-19 Crises & 10 Things to Look Out for and Report to ABC:

https://alcoholjustice.org/maps-tools/community-guide-to-regulatory-relief

To submit a complaint through the Alcohol Justice / ABC portal: https://alcoholjustice.org/maps-tools/abc-online-complaint-form

For more information on Alcohol Justice campaigns and projects: https://alcoholjustice.org/

Contact: Michael J. Scippa 415 548-0492

Jorge Castillo 213 840-3336

SOURCE Alcohol Justice

Related Links

http://www.AlcoholJustice.org


(Natural News) New research has determined that soybean oil, which is added to nearly everything Americans eat these days, may be linked to brain damage.

Consuming soybean oil, the vast majority of which is genetically engineered (GMO), leads to neurological changes in the brain that researchers believe directly contribute to serious health conditions like dementia and autism, according to recent research.

Currently the most widely consumed oil in America, soybean oil is found in everything from salad dressing to chips to baby formula. All the major fast-food chains use it, as do most of the corporations that supply processed foods to the middle aisles of supermarkets.

It is difficult not to consume soybean oil even if you try not to  that is how prolific it is. And yet the latest science shows that it is a public health disaster  much worse, even, than the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

Researchers from the University of California, Riverside have been studying the health effects of soybean oil for years. They previously determined that the highly refined industrial additive causes diabetes, obesity, heart disease  and a laundry list of other health conditions.

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Endocrinology, their latest paper demonstrates that the brain is likewise affected by the toxic oil, particularly in the hypothalamus, which is crucial for regulating mood and behavior.

In test mammals, soybean oil negatively altered more than 100 different genes, including the one that controls oxytocin, the so-called love and bonding hormone.

Soybean-fed mice showed lower levels of oxytocin in the hypothalamus, reports RT.

Other genes affected had to do with metabolic and hormone pathways, including the insulin pathway, synonymous with diabetes. There was also upregulation of genes associated with anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.

Soybean oil consumption may increase risk of Alzheimers, Parkinsons

Based on the available evidence, it seems that soybean oil consumption may increase ones risk of developing Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease and autism  all conditions that skyrocketed in prevalence after toxic industrial oils like that derived from soybeans went commercial.

If theres one message I want people to take away, its this: reduce consumption of soybean oil, announced lead author Poonamjot Deol.

GMO soybean oil, which contains artificially lower levels of linoleic acid (LA), had similar detrimental effects. Mice who consumed the glyphosate-saturated oil suffered the same brain damage as mice that consumed non-GMO soybean oil.

Glyphosate, the primary active ingredient in Roundup herbicide, is also carcinogenic, meaning it causes cancer. This was confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and many other groups, which also found that Roundup is genotoxic.

This means that consumers of GMO soybean oil are not only incurring brain damage but also massively upping their risk of developing cancer.

Roundup also disrupts hormones, which could explain why rates of transgenderism and other gender-related mental illnesses are off the charts like never before.

Americans who consume fast food, processed food, and other easy foods are essentially killing themselves, thanks to the government-approved use of soybean oil and other toxins in their manufacture. This is the real public health threat that few seem to care about  not Chinese germs, legalized cannabis, and all of the other scapegoats that pearl-clutching politicians obsess over in their lust for power and control.

The only oil that does not change structure during high temperature is coconut oil, wrote one RT commenter, highlighting a beneficial oil that is rarely used in processed foods.

Choose the odorless type, preferably organic. Stay away from the hydrogenated oils that contain trans fats. Most vegetable oils also contain too much omega-6. Virgin olive oil and virgin coconut oil are great, but not for frying.

More related news about the toxic American food supply can be found at Chemicals.news.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Gov. Greg Abbott still wants you to cover up.

After the Texas governor repealed the statewide mask mandate and declared Texas would "100 percent" open, perhaps one could assume Abbott is ready for all of us to openly breathe and cough on one another again.

'GET ME OUT': 'I hate it here' trends on social media as Texans react to lifted mask mandate

No, Abbott still wants you to wear a mask. He just won't uphold the statewide mandate that said so.

"We are still urging people to continue to wear the mask, to continue to use the safe practices that they have mastered over the past year," Abbott said in an interview with Houston's ABC13. "They know the right thing to do."

Abbott also told ABC13 that he does wear a mask and will continue to do so.

The Texas governor announced Tuesday that the statewide mask mandate would end March 10, Chron's Jay Jordan reported. Abbott declared that "state mandates are no longer needed" in a speech to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, citing recent encouraging COVID-19 data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (and Abbott, apparently) still recommends wearing masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19 as vaccines continue to be administered across the state.

MASKS IN H-E-B: President Scott McClelland spoke with Chron about the store's policy

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed frustration toward Abbott for lifting the mandate as Texas was making progress against the virus, Jordan reported.

"Every time we start moving in the right direction the Governor steps in and sets us back and makes all of our jobs harder," Turner wrote on Twitter. "He minimizes the sacrifices of people and businesses. I just dont get it."

Despite Abbott lifting the mandate, hundreds of businesses and numerous school districts have clarified that they will still enforce mask-wearing and social distancing. So will the municipal buildings in Texas' largest cities.

In summary: Ignore the mixed messaging and wear the mask.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The blurring of the lines between good and evil has become commonplace among "self-identified" Christians, especially among millennials and Gen Z. In an extensive study with Barna Group, Dr. Tracy Munsil, Executive Director at The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, concluded her research by stating, "Belief in absolute moral truth rooted in God's word is rapidly eroding among all American adults. This includes those who are both churched and unchurched, those belonging to every political segment, and from every age group. Even among those who do identify God as the source of truth, there is substantial rejection of any absolute standard of morality in American culture."

For this reason, I want to expose three areas in the church that are in moral decline due to the erosion of God's truth and how you can combat each one.

The first area to combat is the weakening of theology in the church. With the rise of secularization and progressivism in the church, there are many talking heads who preach against the Bible as God's Word. One progressive pastor, in recent weeks, vocalized his view of the Bible to his inclusive congregation by asserting, "The Bible, isn't: the Word of God, self-interpreting, a science book, an answer/rule book, inerrant or infallible." Rather, it is: "a product of community, a library of texts, multi-vocal, a human response to God, living and dynamic."

The most effective way to combat weak theology is to stay grounded in the Bible (see 2 Tim. 3:16-17) as the infallible Word of God (see 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The more you are in the Word of God, the greater your boldness and discernment will be to combat false teachings that run contrary to the Bible. Paul exhorts every Christian, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ" (Col. 2:8). Therefore, teach the Bible with more frequency to others.

The second area to combat is the worshiping of self in the church. The great English Puritan, Stephen Charnock, preached against self-aggrandizing in the church, "When we believe that we should be satisfied rather than God glorified in our worship, then we put God below ourselves as though He had been made for us rather than that we had been made for Him." Given this, seek to follow the three biblical mandates to counteract and squelch idolatry in the church.

Humble yourself before God. James 4:7, "Submit yourselves therefore to God." The word "submit" means to surrender to God's will. Serve others above yourself. Philippians 2:3 reads, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Use your spiritual gifts to build up the church. Romans 12:5-6, "So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them."

The third area to combat is the notion that sin is subjective. There is a rising number of untrained evangelicals filling the pews who justify sin in their own lives, as well as in the lives of others. Even pastors are caving to culture's pressures and crafting eloquent sermons that justify moral sins like same-sex marriage, abortion, and transgenderism.

So, you might be wondering, what can I do to combat such sin? First, make sure you are living a life worthy of the Gospel (Eph. 4:1-2). Second, call out sin as Paul did in Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Third, don't just tell people to renounce their sin but to repent of it. The beloved apostle, John, wrote, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

It's time, dear Christian, to stand for the truth of God's Word without compromise and allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to bring restoration to the body of Christ.
The activities of pro-Russian TV channels in Ukraine have nothing to do with freedom of speech, and they serve as "means of mass destruction," spreading the narratives of the aggressor country, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov has said in an interview with Ukrinform.

"There really has to be a line [between freedom of speech and national security], but there has to be a kind of arbiter here. We have to realize that the activities of some TV channels have nothing to do with freedom of speech. They have other orders, they work not as media outlets, but as means of mass destruction, voicing the narratives of the aggressor country and disseminating the information they get from the Russian Federation," Danilov said, adding that this is absolutely unacceptable for Ukraine.

According to him, Ukraine will protect itself from any attempts to influence the state from outside. "We have to realize that today there is not only a hot war in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which was launched by the Russian Federation, but also an information war, which is no less dangerous for any country. The spread of Russian narratives around the world is another challenge to many countries," Danilov said.

He stressed that Russia is directly related to the escalation of the situation in eastern Ukraine, thus reacting to the steps taken by the Ukrainian authorities. "The aggravation of the situation in eastern Ukraine is a direct confirmation that the Russian Federation is directly related to these events, that it leads and sends its troops to the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," Danilov added.

He said that the Ukrainian army was ready to resist the aggressor country at any point. "As for their plans to counter our active actions, we'll see. We are developing different scenarios, and we will have a decent response to any Russian actions, and not only the response of the president, the NSDC, but also the response of the entire Ukrainian people," Danilov said.

He added that the authorities were ready for court lawsuits against the decision to shut down the 112, NewsOne and ZIK channels. "We are ready for any development," he said.

He recalled that these TV channels had stopped broadcasting not as media outlets, but as commercial entities owned by a person suspected of terrorism financing.

On February 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted the National Security and Defense Council decision to impose sanctions against TV channels NewsOne, ZIK and 112 Ukraine, as well as their owner, Taras Kozak, an MP from the Opposition Platform  For Life party. The sanctions include the revocation of the licenses of these pro-Russian TV channels.

On February 19, the NSDC imposed sanctions on 19 legal entities and eight individuals. The list includes Viktor Medvedchuk and his wife, Oksana Marchenko. Danilov said the sanctions against the couple had been imposed on charges of terrorism financing.

op

Racial bias is deeply entrenched within a North Carolina police department where officers feel comfortable making blatantly racist comments, according to findings of a study released last month.

The report on the Apex Police Department by Raleigh-based Diversity & HR Solutions was completed last October. It found that comments made by the officers were out-of-touch for serving a multiracial community, although the report provided limited details about the comments and noted that the city has low Black and Hispanic populations.

As of December, the town listed a population of 68,529. Based on figures from the U.S. Census in 2019, Apex is 79% white, 7% Hispanic and 6% Black. It is 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of Raleigh.

Details of the study come amidst a time of reckoning for police departments across the country on issues of racial justice and police brutality in light of the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a handcuffed Black man, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, used his knee to pin Floyd to the ground for several minutes. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.

Some unidentified officers cited in the study said they felt the Town Council doesnt support police, and one described Floyd as a drug head who asked for it and did not die because of the police. Another officer described the Black Lives Matter movement as an anarchy to create division and overthrow the police.

The Apex Town Council hired Diversity & HR Solutions initially in 2019 to review the culture within Apexs municipal offices and make recommendations. The council asked the firm to take a similar study of the police department in 2020.

The entrenchment goes deep and will require a multi-pronged approach to change and build a culturally competent and caring APD to serve and protect a diverse community, the report said.

The study didnt provide details of what had been said and which of the departments nearly 100 officers said it. But interim Apex Police Chief Tommy Godwin called the report disturbing.

Its certainly not what we need in this profession and not what we stand for, said Godwin, who took over the department on Jan. 1. In a word, its concerning.

The chief said while some criticism of police is deserved, care should be taken not to paint the entire department, and the entire profession based on the words and or actions of a few. He said there has to be a culture than normalizes conversations about race.

Its an uncomfortable conversation. Most people dont like to talk about it, Godwin said. Weve got to make that where its not as uncomfortable, where we can honestly have conversations and come to understand people that are different than us and hear what theyre saying.

The report made a number of recommendations, among them a requirement for a two-day racial equity training for all leadership and police officers by the Racial Equity Institute in Greensboro. It also called for targeting more Black, Hispanic and women for recruitment as police officers, and for a diversity officer as well as a diversity committee inside the department.

The citys mayor, Jacques Gilbert, is Black and a former Apex police captain. He said the city has set up a 14-point plan which includes recommendations from the report. He called the report concerning, but added that the city has begun implementing the reports recommendations.

I do understand the position Im in to lead the town of Apex. I have to not just look out for how I feel, but I have to look out for 68,000-plus citizens and how this impacts them, said Gilbert, who was elected in 2019. We have an action plans, and were going to move forward with it.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Law Enforcement North Carolina
New Delhi:

A man was killed by assailants in Gopalganj district of Bihar on Wednesday. The assailants barged into his residence and shot him dead, the police said.

The incident took place at Ramesh Nagar near Hajiapur Chowk of the city. The deceased, Mitthu Kumar Pandey, was residing in a posh locality where the other senior administrative officials also putting up.

A senior police official informed that he was residing in Ramesh Nagar for past ten days on rented house. On Wednesday, he was at home when two miscreants approached him and shot him dead.

Also Read | Bihar: RJD ward councillor Kedar Rai shot dead in Danapur

He said primafacie it seems a love affair matter, but an investigation is on.

Also Read | Bihar: RJD worker close to Shahabuddin shot dead in Siwan

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The debacle that led to the unraveling of Lex Greensills trade-finance empire began with the firing of a manager at a Sydney unit of insurance giant Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. last year.

After the July 8 dismissal by Bond & Credit Company [BCC] of Greg Brereton, the firm decided not to renew credit-insurance policies covering billions of dollars of Greensills loans, according to Australian court documents obtained by Bloomberg. The decision helped bring Greensill Capital to the brink of insolvency this week.

Read more: Seeds of Greensill Capitals Swift Fall Triggered When Credit Insurer Balked at Renewal

Regulators and lawmakers alike are piecing together how Greensill, which was advised by ex-U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and backed by pillars of the financial establishment, including Credit Suisse Group AG, came apart within a matter of days.

Executives at BCC and Tokio Marine didnt respond to requests for comment. Brereton didnt respond to a request for comment sent via LinkedIn.

Legal Bid

The court documents were filed March 1 at the Supreme Court of New South Wales as part of a futile effort by Greensill for an injunction to keep the policies from lapsing. They suggest that Brereton, who had been head of trade credit at BCC, played a key role in helping Greensill obtain the insurance. He was dismissed for acting outside the scope of his delegated authority, the documents show.

Related: Greensill Capitals Funding Crisis Could Lead to Losses for Insurers, Banks: Analysis

Breretons alleged role and dismissal was earlier reported by the Australian Financial Review.

BCCs 2020 decision not to extend Greensills credit insurance dovetailed with mounting regulatory scrutiny of Greensill Bank AG and its exposures to British-Indian industrialist Sanjeev Gupta. The two sets of events, thousands of miles apart, helped bring the firm to its breaking point.

The Australian company had policies with Greensill from at least early 2019, and the relationship continued after Tokio Marine bought BCC in April of that year, the documents show. According to a press release announcing that acquisition, BCC had just 24 employees and produced gross written premium of A$36 million ($28 million) in the year ended June 20, 2018.

BCC wrote more than A$10 billion of insurance policies for Greensill, the documents show. But trouble began to brew around May 2020 when Breretons employer halted further transactions and began to examine the relationship, according to the documents.

Specific instructions were provided that no new exposures were to be bound and no extensions granted to Greensill on 28 May 2020, a lawyer for Tokio Marine wrote in a July email. Note that all existing limits on Greensill buyers have been set to nil in our policy system.

The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority and the Australian Securities and Exchange Commission are monitoring the situation.

With assistance from Lucca de Paoli and Nabila Ahmed.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

The big shareholder groups in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) have power over the company. Large companies usually have institutions as shareholders, and we usually see insiders owning shares in smaller companies. Companies that have been privatized tend to have low insider ownership.

Illinois Tool Works has a market capitalization of US$66b, so it's too big to fly under the radar. We'd expect to see both institutions and retail investors owning a portion of the company. In the chart below, we can see that institutions are noticeable on the share registry. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner, to discover more about Illinois Tool Works.

View our latest analysis for Illinois Tool Works

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Illinois Tool Works?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

We can see that Illinois Tool Works does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Illinois Tool Works' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Illinois Tool Works. The company's largest shareholder is Briar Hall Management LLC, with ownership of 8.2%. With 8.0% and 6.9% of the shares outstanding respectively, The Vanguard Group, Inc. and State Farm Insurance Companies, Asset Management Arm are the second and third largest shareholders.

Story continues

After doing some more digging, we found that the top 14 have the combined ownership of 50% in the company, suggesting that no single shareholder has significant control over the company.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

Insider Ownership Of Illinois Tool Works

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our information suggests that Illinois Tool Works Inc. insiders own under 1% of the company. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own US$241m worth of shares. Arguably recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public holds a 20% stake in Illinois Tool Works. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Illinois Tool Works better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Illinois Tool Works you should know about.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

Northern Ireland could be in the final stage of its lockdown recovery plan by June 10 if the public sticks to regulations, the Deputy First Minister has said.

In a message of hope delivered at the Executive Office's weekly press conference on Thursday, Michelle O'Neill became the first member of the Executive to give an indication of when lockdown may finally end.

While she sounded a note of caution on the issue, she said she was hopeful Northern Ireland would have reached stage five of the exit strategy by June 10.

Among the activities included in stage five are the full return of face-to-face teaching for university and further education students, celebrating birthdays with friends, the resumption of concerts and festivals, the reopening of nightclubs, and live music and dancing at wedding receptions.

"Clearly, that's what we have set out in our plan," said Ms O'Neill when she was asked whether June 10 was a target date for stage five.

"Of course, that's where we hope we get to, but there are so many variables that we're very cautious not to give people false hope. Certainly, if things keep going the way that they are, if the public keep working with us, then you know we are very hopeful we can get there.

"There are so many uncertainties in dealing with a pandemic that we are reluctant after a year of so much self-sacrifice from so many people that we don't give them any false dawns, so I think we're hopeful, but that's as far as we can go for today."

Mrs Foster, meanwhile, said she was hopeful that a decision would be made next week on whether pre-school children and pupils in primary one to three can remain in school right up to the Easter holidays.

Under the current plans, they will revert to remote learning on March 22 for a week to allow GCSE and A-level students to return to class.

The comments came on the same day Northern Ireland recorded another drop in new cases, with 163 reported on Thursday. A further three Covid-related deaths were recorded.

There are 244 people in hospital with Covid-19. Of this number, 29 are in intensive care.

Also on Thursday, it emerged that almost 14% of patients whose cancer operations were cancelled this year because of Covid-19 were still waiting for potentially life-saving surgery.

Robin Swann told Stormont's Health Committee 1,076 red-flag procedures were cancelled as the health service responded to the latest wave of the virus.

The Health Minister said 149 procedures had yet to be rescheduled or carried out.

He also warned of the possibility of further lockdowns if the restrictions were lifted too quickly.

"We know good progress is still being made. The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is still high and if there is growth in case numbers again, we hope that severe pressure doesn't follow," Mr Swann said.

"Therefore, I must emphasise that if increases in contacts go (up) again too quickly, we may find ourselves back in the cycle we have seen."

Mr Swann also said he did not agree with Michelle O'Neill's claim that Northern Ireland had "much, much higher" case rates of Covid-19 than other parts of the UK.

Read More

While discussing the Executive's roadmap out of lockdown on radio earlier this week, Ms O'Neill said the health service was still under "huge pressure".

"If you compare what's happening in England, Scotland, Wales, our cases here are still much, much higher even though we are on a downward trajectory and that's a very positive thing," the Sinn Fein vice-president told the interview.

During Thursday morning's briefing, the DUP's Pam Cameron asked the Chief Medical Officer if he agreed with Ms O'Neill's comments. Dr Michael McBride replied that he had not heard Ms O'Neill speaking and did not know the context in which her comments were made, so he did not want to say whether or not they were correct.

Instead, he referred to a range of official statistics that show Northern Ireland is in a better position than England in relation to the number of active Covid-19 cases.

However, Mr Swann disagreed with the Deputy First Minister's claims. "It's not a description of our infection rates that I would use," he said.

The Health Minister also said he was opposed to vaccine certificates being made mandatory.

Mr Swann said while they may be used for international travel, the idea of needing one to visit a cinema or restaurant "does not sit comfortably with me".
Rana Daggubati is ready for this third Bollywood outing after the 20152017 Baahubali series and 2017-warthriller The Ghazi Attack. His next, which is a trilingual film, called Haathi Mere Saathi in Hindi, Aranya in Telugu and Kaadan in Tamil, is set to release later this month.

Chatting with us, the actor speaks about what he considers the elephantine difference between the characters of Bhallaldeva in the Baahubali series and Baldev in Haathi Mere Saathi.



What I did as Bhallaldeva was as organic as had been created there. Baldev is from a universe that the director Prabhu Solomon has created. And in all these roles that I have done so far, Baldev is possibly the noblest in terms of just his character and his being. Especially as an actor, it is lovely to play somebody that you aspire to see or you really want to be in society, confesses Rana.

However, even as he speaks of his character that hed soon be seen playing onscreen, the actor states that he does not usually get much into the nitty-gritties of a tale. I usually dont think much if a story is organic and true. I believe the audience will take what the actor is. A story like Haathi Mere Saathi and a character such as Baldev is far beyond us as people, he opines.



So also, it doesnt surprise us when the 36-year-old actor confesses that this one film has changed him a lot. Most of the films Ive done have taught me a lot, and Ive been growing every time with each film Ive done. But this film has changed me as a human being forever, he points out. Normally, when you go to the jungle and spend days there, you start feeling different and you start understanding different things. But for us, spending a whole year in the wild with animals  I think that changed us and our relationships with human beings forever.

Co-workers who left deep impressions



Rana, who shed 30 kilos for the role, was, in an interesting contrast, working with the biggest co-stars in his career  the elephants in the movie.

The ground used to shake when eighteen elephants start moving at once on the set, recounts Rana, who tells us that in the first week of the shoot, he got to rehearse a lot with the elephants alongside Prabhu [Solomon]. It was like having the biggest and the best co-stars around. Theyd react right irrespective of what fake emotions we may express. So, to me, the elephants were probably the wisest co-stars I have worked with and I probably learnt more from them than I have from anybody else.

A family of filmmakers



Not many on the other side of the Vindhyas may know that Ranas grandfather Dr D Rama Naidu holds the Guinness Book of World Records for producing the maximum number of films in varied languages and on varied subjects.

Perhaps a little differently, Rana has, although to his credit, been dabbling in many projects, from television anchoring to talent management with many in between. Grateful to his family for backing him, he credits them for their influences in his diverse interests. I have been working for the same company since 2003 although my career started differently, elaborates Rana. I started a visual effects company, after which I got into producing films and then into acting. Obviously, there is a strong influence because I have learnt a lot from him (his grandfather). All my exposure to everything cinema is because of what my family and my grandparents allowed me to do. That is the very reason we are getting to do cinema like this, too. My grandfather did that in the 80s and I am able to do that one more time.



The actors newly wedded wife Miheeka Bajaj runs Dewdrop Design Studio, which designs leather canvas and jewellery. But does she seem interested in his work? She is just figuring out what I actually do for a living. She will be active in some part, but I dont know which part yet, says the gentle giant with a smile.
By Robert Muller and Jiri Skacel

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech Republic has asked Germany, Switzerland and Poland to take in dozens of COVID-19 patients as the situation in its own hospitals has reached a critical point, Prague's Health Ministry said on Friday.

The country of 10.7 million has been one of the hardest-hit globally, especially in recent weeks.

Many regional hospitals, overwhelmed by the inflow of coronavirus cases, have had to transfer patients elsewhere but these options have narrowed as capacities have thinned across the country.

"The large number of newly infected patients has intensified pressure on the healthcare system, and the number of patients requiring hospitalisation is growing," the ministry said.

As of Friday morning, there were 8,153 COVID patients hospitalised, including 1,735 requiring intensive care, Health Ministry data showed.

"In some regions, the hospitals have exhausted their capacity and they are no longer able to provide appropriate care or to accept new patients without help from others," Health Minister Jan Blatny said.

He said the government has given the go-ahead to seek dozens at least of hospital beds abroad, following offers from the three countries. Actual patient transfers are to be organised upon requests from hospitals, he said.

Across the country, just 13% of the overall intensive care capacity was free, including beds intended for COVID-19 and all other patients, despite hospitals having halted all non-urgent procedures.

The badly affected Karlovy Vary region on the border with Germany has started preparing for transfers, which may begin next week, CTK news agency reported.

The country has reported 21,325 coronavirus deaths and 1.3 million infections.

On Monday, the government closed more shops and banned movement between districts for anything other than work purposes, and it ordered regular testing at companies.

A number of hospitals have declared a "mass casualty event", meaning not all patients may get the standard of care they would normally receive.

Story continues

In one hospital that has declared an emergency, in Mlada Boleslav, home to car maker Skoda Auto north-east of Prague, the main problem was lack of staff.

"The numbers have started to grow over the capacity, mainly in terms of nurses," said Jan Dudra, deputy director at the hospital. "Under normal circumstances, we have two nurses per 10 patients, today the situation is such that we have 15 patients and one nurse to take care of them."

(Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Hugh Lawson)
<br>

The U.S. Capitol as Powder Keg

Gunpowder and a Lantern

The Trail of Terrorism in Modern America

We live in head-shaking times. In a congressional hearing on Feb. 25, acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman reported that heightened security around the Capitol will continue at least through President Bidens upcoming State of the Union appearance, the date for which has not been set in part to prevent domestic terrorists from being able to prepare a coordinated attack on the United States government. Pittman reported that the intercepted chatter includes frequent mention of a plot to decapitate the entire top tier of the United States government at the State of the Union Address, when the president, most members of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Cabinet members gather for one of Americas most important annual rituals.We know that members of the militia groups that were present on Jan. 6 have stated their desire that they want to blow up the Capitol and kill as many members as possible, with a direct nexus to the State of the Union, Pittman said during testimony to a House Appropriations subcommittee. Based on that information, it's prudent that Capitol Police maintain its enhanced security posture until we address those issues going forward.An attempt to decapitate the entire United States government in a single assault by domestic terrorists would seem to be both crazy and unthinkable, but before Jan. 6, 2021, the idea that hundreds of insurgents could or would breach the security of the United States Capitol was regarded as ludicrous, the stuff of a Kiefer Sutherland television series The only historical analogy that might shed some light on this demented scenario is the Gunpowder Plot in England more than 400 years ago, when the European world was rocked by the fierce religious disputes that were touched off by the Protestant Reformation . When Henry VIII (who reigned between 1509 and 1547) broke with the Roman Catholic Church in 1533 and established a separate national church in England, a large number of his subjects remained loyal to Catholicism, the only Christianity they had ever known. Many showed outward conformity with the Anglican Church, its doctrines and liturgy, while remaining Catholic in heart. Others refused to compromise their faith and religious integrity by appearing to conform to a religious settlement they abhorred. They are known as Recusants . Englands first Protestant monarchs  Henry VIII , his son Edward VI and Henrys daughter Elizabeth I  mostly chose to ignore quiet recusancy, but they persecuted any Catholic (and especially Jesuit) activity in England that seemed to question the legitimacy of their reigns or stirred up the possibility of armed resistance.Tudor Queen Elizabeth died without an heir on March 24, 1603. The succession crisis ended when James VI of Scotland, a Stuart, with a solid but not unchallenged right to the throne, was endorsed by the ruling elite of England. He reigned as James I of England. Because he was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, who had been an unreconstructed Catholic before she was beheaded on Feb. 8, 1557, the Catholics of England hoped that James would be more generous to the Roman religion than his Protestant Tudor predecessors had been. James I began by ordering a ceasefire in Britains war with Catholic Spain, and he announced that he would not persecute any that will be quiet and give an outward obedience to the law, i.e., the Anglican religious settlement. Before long, however, James proved to be a serious disappointment to Catholics and Recusants who hoped for a restoration of the old Roman religion or at least a broad level of tolerance for those who could not in good conscience endorse the Anglican settlement.The Gunpowder Plot was an attempt by bitter Catholics to blow up the entire establishment of England at the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 5, 1605. King James I was in the third year of his reign when the incident occurred. The principal terrorists included Robert Catesby, John and Christopher Wright, Robert and Thomas Wintour, Thomas Percy, Henry Garnet, and of course the infamous Guy Fawkes , who remains a figure in English popular memory to this day. The first meeting of the five major conspirators took place on May 20, 1604, probably at the Duck and Drake Inn near the Strand in central London. The conspirators swore an oath of secrecy on a Catholic prayer book.The conspirators rented a basement chamber directly under the room where the House of Lords met, the location of the State Opening of Parliament scheduled for Nov. 5. The undercroft, as it was called, may at one time have served as a kitchen for the ramshackle medieval palace. They brought in 36 barrels of gunpowder and assigned one of their number, Guy Fawkes, to guard the explosives and  when the moment came  ignite the fuse that would blow up the English government in a single moment of monumental defiance. Fawkes had 10 years of military experience in the Spanish Netherlands, where the religious wars of the European continent were playing out.The Gunpowder Plot might have succeeded, if the Recusants had not attempted to spare a sympathetic nobleman from the mayhem. The plot was revealed when William Parker, Fourth Baron Monteagle, received an anonymous letter on Oct. 26, 1605, just 10 days before the opening of Parliament. The letter said: My Lord, out of the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care of your preservation. Therefore I would advise you, as you tender your life, to devise some excuse to shift your attendance at this parliament; for God and man hath concurred to punish the wickedness of this time. And think not slightly of this advertisement, but retire yourself into your country where you may expect the event in safety. For though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament; and yet they shall not see who hurts them.Monteagle wasnt altogether sure what this letter meant, but he understood that some sort of serious mischief was contemplated. He made his way to Whitehall (the seat of the English government) and handed the letter to Robert Cecil , the Earl of Salisbury (effectively, the prime minister). Cecil shared the letter with trusted associates, and a few days later with the king, who had been hunting in Cambridgeshire. The king first learned of the plot on Friday, Nov. 1, 1605. James, who regarded himself as something of a forensic detective, immediately reckoned that the word blow meant some sort of bomb. He ordered a search of the entire Parliament complex.The first search of the Parliament buildings occurred on Nov. 4. In the great vault under the House of Lords, the investigators found a large quantity of firewood attended by Fawkes, whom they assumed was an innocent serving man, though they described him as a very tall and desperate fellow. James was not satisfied with their preliminary report. He ordered a second, more thorough search. The second search party found Fawkes in the vault, now dressed in a cloak and hat, wearing boots and spurs (not the dress of a servant). Fawkes had on his person three matches and all other instruments fit for blowing up the powder, and he was carrying a lantern, which is now one of the treasures of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford (I have seen it!).Fawkes said his name was John Johnson. He was arrested and taken before the king on the morning of Nov. 5. The rest of the conspirators fled into the English countryside. Fawkes freely admitted that his intention was to destroy the king and Parliament, but insisted that he had acted alone. He made no attempt to hide his purpose. When this act had been done they meant to have satisfied the Catholics that it was done for restitution of religion, he said. Fawkes also said he opposed the formal union of Scotland with England, a pet project of James I. He had hoped that the bomb would have blown them back again into Scotland, by which he meant James and his Scottish entourage and cronies. Anti-Scots sentiment ran high in England at the beginning of the 17th century; Scotland was then regarded as a semi-barbaric nation filled with uncouth yokels, one of whom was now the crowned king of Britain.Incarcerated in the famous Tower of London, Fawkes was subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques. King James wrote , The gentler tortours are to be first used unto him, et sic per gradus ad ima tenditur [and thus by steps taken to harsher methods], and so God speed your good work. James use of Latin to describe serious torture methods suggests either that he was ambivalent about enhanced interrogation or at least concerned about the optics. By Nov. 7, stretched on the rack and probably hung from the wall by manacles, Fawkes confessed to everything. James I wrote out a list of questions to be put to Fawkes. According to legend, he handled some of the interrogation himself.The British intelligence apparatus was so proficient that Robert Cecil was able to make an amazingly accurate list of the likely conspirators within hours of the attack. A national manhunt ensued, first to find and arrest Thomas Percy , under whose authority the room under the House of Lords had been rented, and through him  via torture if necessary  to learn the names of all the other Catholic conspirators and arrest them all.Meanwhile, panic spread through the national capital and the home counties. All of London braced for assassinations or an armed uprising, possibly supported by Catholic mercenaries from the continent. One writer reported that common people muttere and imagined many things, and nobles knew not what say nor whom to clear or suspect, and for certain days a general jealousy possessed them all. The Tower of London instituted special security protocols, the severest in any fort in Christendom, reported the Lord Lieutenant of the Tower. But no insurrection followed the failed attempt to blow up the government.In the end, eight men were executed, four in St. Pauls Churchyard on Jan. 30, 1606, and four the following day in the Old Palace Yard outside Westminster Hall.Guy Fawkes Day is still celebrated in Great Britain on Nov. 5. It is a rough equivalent of our Halloween. Bonfires are lit throughout the British Isles. Guy Fawkes is burned in effigy. Young people wander the streets seeking alms. You can hear their query, A penny for the old Guy? well into the night. Strangely enough, Guy Fawkes is now regarded (400 years after the fact) as a somewhat sympathetic figure in British memory.Its not clear what would have happened if Guy Fawkes had not been discovered hovering over the barrels of gunpowder under the seat of Parliament. Most historians believe that the terrorists might have been able to kill the king and at least some of his ministers. If it had been successful, it would have been one of the greatest acts of terrorism in human history.That was then. The more efficient destructive technologies of our time make it possible to be more sure of the potential results.The Oklahoma City bombing on Wednesday, April 19, 1995, killed 168, injured 680 others and destroyed one-third of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. It also damaged 324 other buildings and burned or destroyed 86 cars. The bomb did not bring down the nine-story building, but it damaged it beyond repair and it shocked the nation. It remains the most violent and consequential domestic terror attack in American history. The principal terrorist in the Oklahoma City bombing, Timothy McVeigh, had secured 13 barrels of ammonium nitrate fertilizer on the bed of a rented Ryder truck. If his fusing system failed or he was apprehended in advance of the planned detonation, he was prepared to blow himself up in order to fulfill his mission.McVeigh and his co-conspirator Terry Nichols were seeking revenge for the U.S. governments raids on Ruby Ridge (Idaho, 1992) and Waco (Texas, 1993). In fact, McVeigh timed the attack to coincide with the second anniversary of the Clinton administrations raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco on April 19, 1993. McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001. Nichols is serving a life sentence at a super maximum security prison in Colorado. He shares a cell block with Ramzi Yousef of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Atlanta Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph and Ted Kaczynski , the Unabomber.The Feb. 26, 1993, attack on the World Trade Center was intended to bring the North Tower down, and to make it knock down the South Tower as it fell. This attack was perpetrated by international terrorists, Islamists, rather than American citizens. Ramzi Yousef and Eyad Ismoil drove a rented Ryder van into the underground parking garage, level B-2, around noon, lit the fuse, and fled the scene. The 1,310-pound bomb was made of urea nitrate, aluminum, magnesium, ferric oxide, nitroglycerine, ammonium nitrate dynamite and smokeless powder. The detonation created a 100-foot hole through four sublevels of concrete. Smoke from the blast proved to be the most dangerous result. It rose to the 93rd floor level of both towers. Six people were killed, more than 1,000 injured and 50,000 evacuated by the blast, which shook the building, but did not bring it down.Eventually, all six suspects were convicted of directly participating in the bombing and sentenced to multiple life sentences. The principal conspirator Ramzi Yousef claimed the attack was in revenge for U.S. support for Israel against the Palestinian people. He said, the terrorism that Israel practices (which America supports) must be faced with a similar one.Given the heightened security around the U.S. Capitol in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and the array of security measures adopted following the Sept. 11, 2001 , attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, it would be nearly impossible to get a truck bomb close enough to the Capitol to inflict serious damage. A series of vehicle access barriers channel all traffic through a series of security gates. The insurrectionists would have to have access to heavy drones, a cruise missile or serious rocket propelled artillery to be able to attack the building  technologies that are thought to be beyond the capacity of domestic terrorists. It is true, however, that some of the insurrectionists of Jan. 6 and a large number of Americas domestic terrorists have had training in these weapons during their time in the U.S. armed services at home and abroad, or in law enforcement agencies.Fanaticism comes in many forms  religious, political, ideological, resistance to what is perceived to be an oppressive government, and class war, among others. According to the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, domestic terrorism is a more serious threat to the United States than foreign terrorism. Recent events give greater piquancy to Abraham Lincolns pronouncement in his 1838 speech to the Young Mens Lyceum in Springfield, Illinois: At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide. The sad irony of our times is that both the American establishment and domestic terrorists quote Lincoln to their own advantage.Governing
District of Columbia officials offered little information Thursday about who will get vaccinated first under the city's new centralized preregistration system, while Maryland leaders discussed strengthening efforts to make sure Black residents have access to vaccines.

Beginning next week, District residents and workers seeking a vaccine will face a different process: They will fill out a form that asks about their age, health condition, address and other information, then wait. When it's their turn to schedule an appointment, the city will contact them.

The process is meant to alleviate the frustration of a scramble each time new appointments open. On Thursday, a batch of 4,622 appointments available online filled up in 6 minutes and 48 seconds, Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio said.

The new process, however, has left residents wondering where their place in line will be. City leaders revealed little about the matter Thursday.

While Virginia and other jurisdictions base their waiting lists largely on who registers first, District Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt said the District's system would take many factors into account and generate its own priority order.

About half of the appointments initially will be reserved for residents of Zip codes with a large number of virus infections and fewer vaccines administered. Those areas are concentrated in the city's three poorest wards, Nesbitt said.

She said that might mean an older resident in a wealthier ward gets invited to a vaccine appointment later than a younger adult with a health condition - such as asthma, cancer or obesity - in a prioritized Zip code.

Nesbitt said she couldn't say whether a batch of appointments will be assigned to groups such as essential workers. People who are not eligible for the vaccine should not sign up yet, she said.

"We would be hopeful that people are not going to just go into the system who are members of the general public, not meeting any of our current criteria to preregister, believing that they are creating a place for themselves in line," Nesbitt said.

Meanwhile, amid rising pressure to boost vaccination rates in minority communities, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, announced steps to dedicate doses to disadvantaged residents in the state's much more decentralized vaccine rollout.

In what he called a first-of-its-kind statewide plan, a new task force will use data to determine which communities are likely to be or already are behind, targeting them with pop-up clinics and other efforts. At the same time, the state is soliciting ideas from community groups about ways to deliver vaccines through churches, civic organizations or other places.

"It's a top-down and a bottom-up approach," Hogan said. "We're not where we need to be with the Black community or the Hispanic community."

The plan specifically targets majority-Black Prince George's County, where 8.9% of residents have gotten the vaccine, the lowest rate in Maryland. Statewide, 31% of the state's residents are Black - a population that has received 16 percent of the doses. Hispanic residents make up 10% of the population but have received 3.7% of doses.

To start, a First Baptist Church in Glenarden will become a pop-up clinic to deliver 900 doses per day. Grocery stores have begun contacting people signed up through Prince George's preregistration system, hoping to whittle down a waitlist of nearly 120,000.

Wegmans will start receiving doses next week at its Prince George's location and will dedicate its clinic to county residents, while Safeway, Giant and Walmart stores across the state have dedicated half their doses to local residents. Maryland National Guard Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, who leads the state's vaccine equity task force, will oversee additional pop-up clinics to reach communities that lack transportation.

The efforts come as the state's call center increasingly helps people who are less digitally savvy book appointments for mass vaccination sites by phone. Nearly half of those appointments are booked that way, Hogan administration officials said.

But just 11% of appointments at the Six Flags America vaccination site in Prince George's have gone to residents of the county, while more than a third have gone to those living in neighboring Montgomery County.

"The numbers speak for themselves," Prince George's Executive Angela Alsobrooks, said Thursday. She called on the state to set aside specific days reserved for Prince Georgians and to open a vaccination clinic at the University of Maryland.

Alsobrooks warned residents who receive sign-up links from friends and family not to show up at sites run by the Health Department, saying they could be turned away. The county is transitioning from the state's registration system, PrepMod, to its own system, in which residents will receive information about times and places for appointments.

Leaders in Prince George's and Baltimore City, the state's two majority-Black jurisdictions, on Wednesday called on Hogan to devote more doses to areas where most people are dying of the virus.

"This is costing us our lives, literally," said Del. Erek Barron, D-Prince George's. "Prince George's County and Baltimore City are the most vulnerable and hardest hit in the state, and it is no surprise why. This should have been well anticipated."

The two jurisdictions disproportionally have residents with underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to the coronavirus, as well as outsize shares of essential workers and a relative lack of access to health care, Barron said. The jurisdictions also have a disproportionate number of residents who lack transportation and Internet access.

Hogan spokesman Michael Ricci said federal guidelines call for distribution of vaccines based on population. Within that distribution, he said, pharmacies were selected based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index. The state is also allocating doses to federally qualified health centers, which the Biden administration recommends to ensure equity.

The virus continues to plague the region. Virginia announced the first death of a child under 10 years old from the coronavirus, saying the child lived in central Virginia. State health officials said the child also suffered from a chronic health condition but didn't release other details.

Virginia reported 31 deaths and 1,300 new cases Thursday. Maryland reported three deaths and 809 new cases, and the District reported one death and 196 cases.

If cases stay at their current level, District Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, a Democrat, said low-contact high school sports could resume as soon as March 15. Bowser also announced that school and day-care staff will be eligible to sign up for the vaccine next week. Staff members currently working on-site have been eligible since late January and the vast majority are fully vaccinated.

As doses of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine begin arriving in the region this week, the District announced it will send most of its doses of the single-shot vaccine to three large vaccination sites: the Entertainment and Sports Arena, Providence Health Services and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center downtown.

- - -

The Washington Post's Perry Stein contributed to this report.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
New Delhi, March 5 : In an effort to strengthen post-harvest supply chain across the country and ensure better returns to the farmers in a big way, the central government is working on a comprehensive plan of creating a world class storage system and standardisation of warehouses complying with the requirements of the Warehousing Development and Regulation Authority (WDRA).

A sure and silent change is sweeping the country which is going to help the farmers in a big way and these changes will not only strengthen post-harvest supply chain but will also improve the returns to farmers in many ways, said sources in the Food Ministry.

Department of Food & Public Distribution has pushed for an ambitious plan through Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the development of about 100 silos with capacity of 35.875 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes), which will be road fed and will work on 'Hub and Spoke' model. A road map of the same is already in place and work has started in all sincerity, said the sources.

Hub and Spoke model will be efficient and complexities related to land acquisition for rail siding silos are bypassed since road fed silos, near to procurement areas will help in direct bulk grain procurement from farmers, reduced turn-around times for farmers and quick intake and offtake of food grains.

Incentives at various stages of the project have been incorporated in the bid documents for Hub and Spoke to attract private investment. These in-build incentives shall incentivise the Concessionaire to expedite project implementation in an efficient manner.

A world class storage system in the country would need standardisation of all the warehouses under various undertakings and an integrated warehouse management.

In an endeavour to ensure high standards of warehouse construction and maintenance, registration of all warehouses of Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and Food Corporation (FCI) with the WDRA has already commenced with the deadline of April 30 for completion of registration, said a senior official.

Around 161 CWC warehouses have already been registered and the remaining 178 will be done by March 31, the official added.

Registration fees, security deposit and net worth conditions have been reduced for warehouses and staggered slabs, linked to capacity introduced to promote registration for small farmers, cooperatives, small warehouses businesses etc.


Leadership in the House of Representatives closed the chamber to legislative work on Thursday, out of concern that some of the violent insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol in January would choose this day to once again endanger members of Congress, attack police officers and vandalize the building which symbolizes our democracy. It was an understandable decision, given the genuine threat of harm members of Congress were subject to just two months ago, the continued instigation of violence by the former president and the still unresolved accountability for preparedness and security failures that occurred. Still, it was the wrong choice.

What we have learned from two decades of focus on both domestic and international terrorism is that demonstrating resilience in the face of threats is the best response. It puts the threat in proper context  by demonstrating both that it is marginal, relative to the importance of legislative work, and by also conveying confidence that the Capitol Police, the District of Columbia Police, the local National Guard and the F.B.I. have the ability to easily handle the problem. It shows how little power insurrectionists have, and how well-equipped our security services are for dealing with them.

And they actually are equipped to handle these threats, despite the failures on Jan. 6. Security fencing remains around the Capitol, security services are on alert and more than 5,000 National Guard troops will remain on site after mid-March (some 7000 remain to date). The date of possible violence has been known for some time, and preparations have been made. The F.B.I. investigations, visitations and arrests of insurrectionists are also likely deterrents for prospective violent actors. In other words: Security measures already in place ought to be sufficient to prevent another event like Jan. 6.

The immediate concern this week was a lunacy: a belief driving insurrectionists to anticipate former President Donald Trump somehow regaining power on March 4. In a statement put out on Wednesday, the U.S. Capitol Police said, We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4.
Thousands of residents in the Republic - who had never been north of the border as tourists - flocked to Northern Ireland when lockdown was lifted last year, a leading hotel chief has said.

Howard Hastings, managing director of Hastings Hotels, said this has prompted tourism representatives and other stakeholders to "heavily market" NI in the Republic as soon as restrictions are once again lifted.

One hurdle for this strategy, however, could be the differing vaccination speeds in Northern Ireland compared to the Republic.

Mr Hastings was speaking during a presentation by Visit Belfast to Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee on Wednesday night.

Visit Belfast is a public/private partnership with a board made up of members from the private, public and community sectors, aimed at promoting Belfast as a tourist and business destination.

"What we are looking at in the year that's in it, is that both Tourism Northern Ireland together with trade bodies, really plugged Belfast and Northern Ireland in the Republic of Ireland last year," he said.

"Before Covid struck there were 2.5m people in the Republic of Ireland who had never been to Northern Ireland, that had never visited Northern Ireland [as tourists]. And, when lockdown ended last year, because of their inability to travel elsewhere, very many of them took the opportunity to do so for the first time.

"They were very pleasantly surprised at what they saw and obviously have formed the opinion that they are going to do so again this year, and they've told their friends.

"With that in mind, we're gearing up to market ourselves heavily to the Republic of Ireland as soon as their restrictions ease."

The vaccination lag in the Republic compared to NI, however, could impact plans for cross-border travel this summer.

According to the latest figures, some 568,011 people in Northern Ireland have received their first dose of a Covid vaccine, while 41,787 have received their second. This means around 27% of the overall population here have received their first jab.

In the Republic, these figures are 303,550 for a first dose and 142,924 for a second dose. Around 6% of RoI's overall population have received their first jab.

Alliance councillor Eric Hanvey, a member of BCC's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said there are several factors that will be at play regarding the possibility of cross-border travel this summer. "The issue really is the common travel area is there, so unless something is done in relation to that, things will stay as they are. It also depends on the government in the south, what they do in terms of Covid regulations and how they might relax them," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

Speaking this week, First Minister Arlene Foster voiced concern over the differing speeds at which the vaccination programmes are progressing.

"It's very clear that we are going to be finished our vaccination programme and the Republic of Ireland will still be in the midst of theirs. That does bring headaches," she said.

On Wednesday night, Visit Belfast presented its three-year Covid recovery strategy, 'Rebuilding City Tourism', aimed at driving more visitors to Belfast following the economic hit caused by the pandemic.

Visit Belfast laid out a number of targets for the 2021/22 financial year, including reaching 90,000 bed nights for leisure tourism and 60,000 bed nights for business tourism, with the projected economic impact Visit Belfast's plan to be in the region of 74m.

A 63m blueprint for the development of Irelands most popular natural visitor attraction, the Cliffs of Moher, is proposing a 62.5pc price hike in the average entrance fee.

As part of their work on a Cliffs of Moher Strategy 2040, consultants for Clare County Council project that the increase in average admission price to 10.40, coupled with a 31pc increase in annual visitor numbers to two million, will deliver a doubling in annual profits of 11.3m for the Council-run attraction.

In the 91-page draft 2040 Strategy document, which sets out the future of the Cliffs of Moher over the next 20 years, UK-based consultants, Hayley Sharpe Design (HSD) reveal that in 2019, the Cliffs of Moher visitor attraction recorded a profit of 5.8m.

Read More

This was based on admission ticket income of 9.7m from a record 1.52 million visitors  an average ticket price of 6.40.

Now, as part of the 2040 Strategy, HSD state that the Cliffs of Moher can generate 11.3m in annual profits.

Total revenues for 2019 amounted to 10.3m and HSD are projecting annual revenues of 23m in their 2040 masterplan.

They state that this can be done by generating 20.8m in ticket revenues by increasing the average ticket price to 10.40.

The consultants  who recently made a presentation on their strategy at a behind-closed-doors meeting with members of Clare County Council  say that current Cliffs of Moher ticket prices are significantly lower than benchmarking comparisons.

They point out that Irelands top 10 attractions have an average entrance fee of 14.83, while the Giants Causeway costs 13.50 and Stonehenge in England costing 23.80.

The growth in revenues and visitor numbers at the Cliffs of Moher is predicated on a capital spend of 63m proposed in the draft strategy.

The proposed spend includes an outlay of 27m on new walkway attractions.

This includes a spend of 19.85m on new looped walkways along with 4.5m on a feature hillside trigonometry point and 3.3m on walkways.

The blueprint also proposes a spend of 19.5m on visitor centre works along with a 6.4m on park-and-ride facilities to serve the cliffs from Ennistymon and Lisdoonvarna.

The consultants say that pre-Covid some of the issues at peak times that required attention included vehicle congestion, poor sense of arrival and disruption for local residents.

HSD  which secured the 398,547 contract to draw up the 2040 strategy in November 2019  also said that the Cliffs of Moher had a limited economic impact through short dwell times, low secondary spending and limited overnight stays.

The 2040 blueprint also envisages a large increase in numbers employed at the Cliffs of Moher with 2019 staff costs increasing from 2.64m to 5.28m.

HSD said that the blueprint includes plans for a new world-class experience that will include new viewpoints, a subterranean experience and a cantilevered walkway that would go over the edge of the Cliffs.

HSD also say that the overall plan is to create a sustainable tourism development while realising enhanced economic benefits from all visitors.

Read More




Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

A group of animals rights activists staged a demonstration at Berkeley's Golden Gate Fields  the horse racing facility that is also being used as a COVID-19 vaccination site  resulting in the cancellation of 200 vaccine appointments Thursday afternoon.

"Golden Gate Fields is a firm believer in the right to protest," the Golden Gate Fields official Twitter account said in a tweet Thursday afternoon. "However, the current actions of the protesters have forced the closure of the onsite COVID vaccination clinic, and hundreds of people have already had their vaccinations cancelled." The Berkeley Health Department confirmed to KRON4 that about 200 appointments had to be canceled.
By Donald Kirk





The suffering inflicted on Korea by Japan lives on in exhibits in the Seoul Museum of History about the nightmare of Japanese rule.



Memories from 1910, when Japan formally took control over Korea as a colony, to 1945, when Japan surrendered after the American atom-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, coalesce on March 1, the date of the founding in 1919 of the independence movement. On that day crowds amassed in Pagoda Park in central Seoul as an activist read a "declaration of independence" influenced by the 14-points set forth by the American president, Woodrow Wilson, for ending World War I in Europe with emphasis on democracy and self-determination.



But what about the role of a part-time American journalist and his English wife in alerting the world to the ruthless repression of the movement by Japanese forces? Dedication of a restored mansion named Dilkusha, Persian for "Palace of Heart's Delight," where the couple had lived in Seoul revived their role in Korean history.



Albert Wilder Taylor and his wife, Mary Linley Taylor, "stood in solidarity with Korea in her fight for independence," their granddaughter, Jennifer Linley Taylor, remarked before joining Seoul officials, including Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup, in cutting the ribbon in a ceremony outside the mansion.



The Taylors' contribution was a worldwide journalistic scoop, the first report of the Korean rebellion against Japan. Asked by the Associated Press to cover the funeral for Gojong of Korea (later Emperor Gwangmu) in Seoul on March 3, 1919, Albert Taylor, an engineer mining for gold in Korea, witnessed the protests.



In Seoul's Severance Hospital, Albert's wife Mary, after giving birth to their baby boy, Bruce, had been entrusted with a copy of the independence declaration by a nurse after the Japanese discovered in the same building the press that had printed it. Albert, who spoke and read Korean, found the pages hidden in her bed as he picked up baby Bruce.



"To this day," Mary wrote in her memoir, 'Chain of Amber,' I aver that, as a newly fledged newspaper correspondent, he was more thrilled to find these documents than he was to find his own son and heir." Her husband gave his report to his younger brother, William, who jammed it into in the heel of his shoe and went to Tokyo to file for the AP.



The story, published by The New York Times and others, is encased under glass at the renovated Dilkusha. A marvel of intricate red brick masonry in the shadows of latter-day apartment-and-office blocks, Dilkusha might not have been considered worth saving had its one-time owner not spread the news of that historic day.



Taylor's reporting did not end with his story on the declaration. Returning to the hospital, Taylor did not have the heart to tell Mary that "hymn-singing Christians had been cut down by swords" or that one of them "had been nailed to a cross and crucified not far from our house." The next day, however, he did let her know that "whole villages were being set on fire" and the Japanese "had called all the Christian Koreans, of whom they were the most suspicious, into the church and shot them down through the windows."



By the time the anti-Japanese protests had ceased in May, according to Mary's book, "thousands were sent to prison and an estimated 7,000 were killed, many of them prominent Korean patriots who met their death by assassination." Of the 33 who had signed the independence declaration, "most were arrested and died in prison."



Conversion of the mansion to an historical site culminates a campaign initiated 15 years ago by Bruce Taylor, who died in 2015, and his daughter Jennifer. The job was all the more difficult since a dozen families had been occupying the mansion's spacious rooms long after Albert and Mary Taylor were deported by the Japanese in 1942 in an elaborate exchange of American and Japanese civilians, including diplomats.



Miraculously, the mansion survived not only Japanese rule but the devastation of the Korean War, the efforts of construction magnates to replace it with another huge apartment block and the infestation of the squatters who were living there rent free. Just as miraculously, the Taylors, husband and wife, had managed to convey the saga of March 1, 1919, in newspaper articles on display along with dozens of historical artifacts donated by Jennifer, including the precious amber necklace that her grandfather had given her grandmother before their marriage in India in 1917.





Donald Kirk, www.donaldkirk.com, writes from Seoul, Washington and elsewhere about war and peace in Korea and the region.




She never fails to command attention.

And Irina Shayk looked every inch the supermodel as she took to the runway for Versace's Milan Fashion Week virtual show, which was released on Friday.

The beauty, 35, showcased her incredible figure in two plunging all-black looks, ensuring all eyes were on her as she flaunted her ample assets.

Sizzling! Irina Shayk looked incredible as she walked the Versace runway during Milan Fashion Week on Friday

Irina exuded confidence as she worked one look, which boasted a sleek pencil skirt and plunging square-neckline as well as a small cut out detail on her tiny waist.

She completed the stylish ensemble with a patterned handbag and some platform black leather shoes.

The model also slipped into a semi-sheer dress which was paired with a busy corset top as well as a thick belt to accentuate her slim frame.

Adding a quirky element to the catwalk look, Irina donned a black satin hat and some bright pink eye-shadow to make her pretty features stand out during the display.

Beauty: The supermodel, 35, showcased her incredible figure in two all-black looks which accentuated her ample assets with plunging necklines

The fashion forward show was recorded on March 1 in the Italian city at the Milan Congress Center and released on online on Friday, with the models since jetting off to other locations across the globe.

Irina has since returned to New York and was seen stepping out on Friday.

Also seen hitting the Versace runway was Gigi Hadid who firmly cemented her status as a supermodel as she dazzled, five months after giving birth to her daughter Khai.

The fashionista, 25, stormed the catwalk at Versace's autumn/ winter 2021 showcase alongside her younger sister Bella, 24.

Gigi showed off her incredible post-partum figure in a sheer diamond print chiffon dress from the Italian designer.

The top half of the dress clung to Gigi's slender figure before it billowed out in a floor length skirt with a sexy thigh-high slit.

Work it: Irina exuded confidence in her semi-sheer dress and plunging corset for the show

All in the details: She also shared a closer look at her Versace looks to Instagram, revealing several stylish gold touches of jewellery and very high heeled boots

Gorgeous: Irina wore her brunette locks down and straight for the digital show, donning a satin hat for the runway walk

Irina also looked amazing on Thursday, a day ahead of her role in the digital Versace show for Milan Fashion Week.

The star took to Instagram and wrote: 'Waiting for @versace show like [devil and angel emojis] March 5 Th 2021, 2 pm CET,' @tagging Donatella Versace into the shot.

The 5ft10 beauty, who shares three-year-old daughter Lea De Seine Shayk Cooper with ex Bradley Cooper, donned a silk black scarf on her head with her lustrous brown locks cascading down, and a black skirt in her Instagram post.

The fashion house last month announced it would take a remote approach to Milan Fashion Week with no in-person shows amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Donatella Versace told WWD: 'Being a digital event has its advantages.

Preparations: Another behind-the-scenes snap revealed Irina in the hair and makeup chair

She's still got it! Gigi Hadid firmly cemented her status as a supermodel as she returned to the runway five months after giving birth to her daughter, Khai, for Versace's Milan Fashion Week show alongside her sister Bella on Friday

Oh mama! Gigi channelled 70s style in a patterned red mini dress and matching handbag

'One of them is the possibility of connecting with your audience whenever you think is the right moment.'

On Thursday, the Victoria's Secret stunner was back in New York where was with daughter Lea De Seine, who she shares with actor Bradley Cooper.

Irina recently spoke to Elle about co-parenting with her ex Bradley, setting the record straight on their family life while remaining a bit guarded on the relationship.

'I never understood the term co-parenting. When I'm with my daughter, I'm 100 percent a mother, and when she's with her dad, he's 100 percent her dad. Co-parenting is parenting,' she shared.

Not willing to share too much about the pair's four-year relationship, Irina said: 'My past relationship, it's something that belongs to me, and it's private. It's just a piece of my inner self that I don't want to give away.'

Toned: Bella showcased her svelte frame in a gold mini dress and platform heels

Genius: The models showed off the collection in a cleverly constructed maze of boxes to ensure social distancing was in place

All wrapped up: Irina cut a fashionable figure in a warm teddy jacket and thigh-high boots as she stepped out in New York City on Friday

The latest: Irina also looked amazing a day ahead of her role in the Versace show as she teased her bold pink eyeshadow look

The amicable exes have been spotted in recent weeks out together with Lea - both very hands on with their daughter, as Irina called him 'the most amazing dad.'

Though no-longer a couple, Irina has maintained that she has never needed to depend on a man, stemming from the loss of her father when she was just 14.

'I learned how to survive, without a man,' she told the fashion publication.

Despite her independence, since splitting from Cooper she has been linked to art deal Vito Schnabel, most recently seen with him last week.

She shared that she's more of an at-home Netflix girl than a 'fashion person' but says in general she 'appreciates life' and chooses to concentrate on family and friends.

Mama: Irina shares daughter Lea De Seine with her ex beau Bradley Cooper (pictured together in February)

Wrapped up! On Friday Irina was seen stepping out in the city in a cream teddy jacket in New York

Stylish: Irina wore the belted jacket with chunky thigh-high boots and a black beanie hat
CARLINVILLE  In a March 2 ruling, the Fourth District Appellate Court of Illinois reversed the decision of a lower court and ordered the district court to issue a summary judgment that the Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co. can continue to operate as a valid corporation.

In a released statement, the water companys board of directors said they can now move forward with the development of the project to provide high-quality potable water to their members at the lowest possible cost.

The board is now inviting any additional parties  such as municipalities, water districts or other nonprofit organizations that distribute water and might be interested in membership  to contact Sue Campbell at 618-795-9116 for details. Its next meeting is planned March 25.

The city of Carlinville is delighted by the Fourth District Appellate Courts decisive and unanimous ruling in the citys favor, Carlinville Mayor Sarah Oswald said in a released statement. We thank the court for its quick, decisive decision and look forward to delivering what the goal has been all along  providing clean, affordable drinking water to Carlinville residents, and the region.

Carlinville joined the village of Dorchester, the city of Bunker Hill and Jersey County Rural Water Co. in establishing Alluvial, a nonprofit corporation, to operate a $66 million aquifer-fed system.

On July 7, 2020, Circuit Court Judge April Troemper declared Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co. Inc.  a private company begun by Carlinville and a handful of smaller communities  was created in violation of the law and is a void corporation.

On appeal, the higher court ruled in Carlinvilles favor in an original lawsuit filed by Carlinville residents Camille and Wayne Brotze. According to lawsuit documents, the couple sued the city for creating a private company the Brotzes alleged was not subject to the states public information rules.

On July 22, the Illinois Secretary of State dissolved the corporation. Carlinville resisted and, under the leadership of former Mayor Deanna Demuzio who died Oct. 22, 2020, requested a stay on the judges order. At that time the stay was denied by both the circuit court and the appellate court.

In September 2020, Demuzio noted the appellate court had not ruled on the matter.

The trial court shall vacate its prior order, enter judgment in favor of Carlinville consistent with the reasoning of this opinion, and make clear that Alluvial may continue operating as a valid corporation, according the Fourth District Appellate Courts ruling.

Oswald, an alderwoman at the time, succeeded Demuzio as mayor, stating that her top priority was getting Carlinville fresh water.

This decision ensures the city of Carlinville is able to provide clean, reliable drinking water to our citizens while maintaining a seat at the table with voting power to ensure control over our rates, Oswald said. The city and its partners are excited to resume planning and construction after a nearly eight-month delay.

In October 2018 the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a $24 million grant and $42 million loan to Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co. to fund the project. At the time, the projects cost was estimated at $66 million by the citys engineering company, MECO-Heneghan. The federal grants and loans will be used for the construction of a new water plant and more than 40 miles of pipe to transport the aquifer-fed water supply.

Carlinville Lake, the citys existing source of water, is highly silted and no longer permits boating. About eight years ago the city began searching for alternative water sources. The city of Litchfield, 12 miles away, offered to sell water to Carlinville for $2.73 per 1,000 gallons, less than rates estimated by the proposed private project.

The new treatment plant and aquifer supply are critical to addressing Carlinvilles water supply issues due to reduced capacity and water quality in its current lakes.

The Illinois Alluvial Regional Water project was developed to obtain alluvial water from wells proposed in Jerseyville.

Many residents, the Macoupin County Board and the citys largest water user, Prairie Farms Dairy Inc., supported buying water through Litchfield as a much simpler, quicker and lower-cost answer to Carlinvilles water problems, said Carlinville resident Bill Armstrong, a critic of the private company plan, last September.

The legal problems started when the city decided to pursue the water project through a private corporation instead of through a water district, a water commission or one of other entities that the Illinois Constitution specifies.

Some Carlinville aldermen also said they felt excluded from information on the water project, since Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co. Inc. leadership prohibited the public from attending its meetings. Only one council member, Cindy Campbell  appointed to represent Carlinville on the companys board  was allowed.
Glovo, one of the worlds leading multi-category delivery players, has launched its operations in Ghana. The multi-category delivery start-up entered Africa in 2018 and is currently present in four countries on the continent. The expansion into Ghana will make it the second market in West Africa and the fifth African country where the firm has established operations.



The on-demand platform aims to make the lives of Ghanaians easier by providing access to convenient delivery services. From today, Glovos users will be able to receive deliveries anywhere in Accra from local restaurants, stores and businesses in the city.



Through the Glovo app, users can simply log on and order food, groceries and drinks, or they can send a courier to pick up what they need. The app also has a special feature known as the "anything" category, which allows consumers to order whatever they want from restaurants, grocery chains, pharmacies and retail stores.



Pearlyn Budu, General Manager for Glovo Ghana, said: We are excited about launching in Ghana. We are bringing a brand new service to Accra, which will make convenience a few clicks away. At this time, when it is essential for us to stay at home where necessary, our service will be a great way to get all the things you need, without leaving your home or office. We are confident that Ghanaians will love Glovo.



This service will be a huge asset to business owners. In a city like Accra where traffic is a huge challenge, we have brought convenience and affordability to all residents. There is also a large segment of the population using apps to move around or order goods for delivery. Glovo provides a new opportunity to introduce a fresh new service with low prices and amazing user experience

Founded in 2015, the Spanish company is seeking to bring affordability, convenience and comfort to the world, with operations in over 20 countries and over 140 cities.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
New Zealands largest city has been in a partial one-week lockdown since Sunday, February 28, following the discovery of new COVID-19 cases linked to Papatoetoe High School in working class South Auckland. The level 3 lockdown includes the closure of many workplaces and most schools, except for children who cannot be supervised at home. Outside Auckland, the country has level 2 restrictions in place, which mandate social distancing and contact tracing, and masks on public transport.

By Monday, tens of thousands of tests had identified 15 cases with links to the cluster, the origin of which has still not been found. The first three cases were identified on February 14, including one high school student and their mother, who was employed at LSG SkyChefs at Auckland Airport. There were suspicions that the virus was brought from overseas through the airport, but this is unconfirmed. All the cases are thought to be the of the more infectious UK variant of COVID-19.

South Auckland (Source: Wikipedia)

Much of the growth of the cluster was avoidable. On February 17, when three more confirmed cases had been identified, the Labour Party-Greens government decided to end a lockdown of the city after just three days. This was strongly criticised by epidemiologists and other medical experts. Auckland University professor Des Gorman said the lockdown should have been extended for two more weeks. He and epidemiologist Rod Jackson both said in media interviews that business interests were being prioritised over public health.

Papatoetoe High School remained closed for five more days, with public health authorities encouraging staff, students and their families to get tested and to work from home if they can. The school reopened on February 22.

To divert attention from the governments negligence, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, echoed by Auckland mayor Phil Goff and much of the media, has sought to blame the outbreak on individuals who broke the rules.

Ardern told the media on February 26 that she was frustrated with a woman known as Case L, who had just tested positive for COVID-19 after going to work at a KFC outlet in Botany Downs on February 22. The fast food workers sister, a Papatoetoe High student, tested positive on February 23.

Ardern hypocritically said she did not want a massive pile on that creates an environment where people are afraid to get tested if they have not followed the public health advice. On March 1, however, she menacingly told TVNZ, it is not OK for people to break the rules and those who have are feeling the full consequences of the entire weight of the country right now. She added that it was the job of police to decide whether to prosecute such cases.

In response, Case L told Newshub she had not, in fact, been told to self-isolate. She said her family was getting all this backlash for something that we havent actually done Were being called stupid, saying that our family needs to be prosecuted, be put in jail. Her sister had received a text message on February 14 instructing her to self-isolate but saying that her family did not need to do the same. Case L saw the message, and so went to work.

In short, the government decided to lift the initial lockdown on February 17 and encourage as many people back to work as possible, before it was safe to do so. Those linked to the Papatoetoe cluster were told to continue working from home if they can, which is obviously not possible for fast food workers. Workers who simply followed these instructions are now being scapegoated for the further spread of coronavirus.

For the past year, the Ardern government has been glorified by the media as an international model for its handling of the pandemic. It implemented a relatively strict lockdown in MarchApril 2020, in response to mass pressure from healthcare workers, teachers and others. So far, the country has only recorded 26 deaths from the coronavirus.

Since April last year, however, the government has repeatedly eased restrictions earlier than experts have advised. A collapse in COVID-19 testing following the first lockdown led to another outbreak last August, including a number of deaths, but only Auckland was locked down. Ardern has assured big business that she intends to avoid any further nationwide shutdowns.

Experts and healthcare workers have raised concerns about conditions in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilitieshotels that have been repurposed to accommodate people returning from overseas for a two-week period of isolation. Many of these centres are understaffed, and lack the ability to enforce proper social distancing and ventilation. Over the past year, numerous COVID-19 cases have leaked from the hotels into the community. There are currently 53 people in MIQ who have tested positive.

Another factor in the latest outbreak is the intense economic pressure facing workers and small businesses in South Auckland, one of the poorest areas of the country. Workers with COVID-19 symptoms may well face pressure from employers to go to work regardless.

Like governments in Australia, the US and Europe, the Ardern governments main response to the pandemic was to make tens of billions of dollars available to businesses, in the form of subsidies, loans and bailouts. The Reserve Banks quantitative easing measures are pumping billions more into the coffers of the banks.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of workers have been sacked, and out-of-control speculation in the property market has pushed up rents and house prices, leading to increased homelessness and insecurity. At least one in five children are living in poverty after housing costs are accounted for.

Fuatino Laban, who works at a South Auckland food bank, told TVNZ on February 24 that the governments latest child poverty figures, which show a marginal improvement, were skewed because the survey ended before the pandemic hit New Zealand. During the winter it was so hard, getting families coming through asking for blankets, heaters, using clothing to sleep underneath just to keep themselves warm, she said.

Chris Farrelly, from Auckland City Mission, told Radio NZ on March 2 that in the last 12 months food insecurity in New Zealand has doubled and roughly a million people, one in five, cannot afford, week-on-week, to put nutritious, good, appropriate food on their table for themselves and their families.

This month the government announced it will set up six food hubs in Auckland because of the soaring demand facing charities. The government has refused to significantly lift welfare benefits and wages or take other measures such as rent controls to address the crisis.
Don't think about frequenting some key Houston businesses without a mask, if that business still requires customers to wear them, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo says.

Governor Greg Abbott's move to lift the mask mandate on March 10 doesn't let customers off the hook when it comes to private businesses that maintain a mask policy.

"If you go to a business and they tell you to wear a mask, please either wear the mask or decide to take your business elsewhere," Acevedo tweeted in a message to Houstonians. "Just remember that if you remain in the business after being asked to leave, you are subject to arrest for criminal trespass."

Governor Greg Abbott also echoed that private businesses have legal rights about safety protocols when he announced the state's reopening.

"If businesses want to limit capacity or implement additional safety protocols, they have the right to do so," Governor Greg Abbott stated.

MASK MANDATE LIFTED: Before the mask mandate was lifted, this COVID-19 expert warned against the move

To cut through the confusion over whether customers could be kicked out for not wearing masks, Acevedo clarified that private businesses do have the right to require their customers to wear a mask.

"As a reminder to fellow Texans, private businesses enjoy property rights and may require folks to wear a mask," Acevedo tweeted. "Please respect their property rights. If you decline to wear a mask and are asked to leave and refuse, you may be committing the offense of criminal trespass."

Acevedo didn't mince words about his concern regarding Governor Abbott's lifting of the mask mandate, especially before spring break.

"The mask recision by @GregAbbott_TX , while grossly misguided, will afford Texans an opportunity to see who among us cares enough about their fellow Texans to follow simple steps to protect our fellow Texans from a deadly virus," Acevedo said.

Last night on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, Acevedo weighed in with a stern message about the move to lift the mask order.

"Forget what the governor says, forget what the law says. What does our own humanity call upon us to do? That's to be cognizant that this is one of the best things we can do, is wear a mask, to keep each other safe."Acevedo told Rachel Maddow.

Even though Gov. Abbott lifted the mask mandate, his move comes despite scientific studies which show masks reduce the spread of COVID-19 when worn over the nose and mouth, according to the Center of Disease Control.

Houston hospital leaders have also expressed their concern over the mask mandate being lifted, as only 6 percent of Texans have had both doses of COVID-19 vaccinations and five new variants have emerged in Houston.

"We know we have more transmissible variants that are now circulating in Houston," Memorial Hermann's CEO David Callender told Chron. "We had the impact of the winter storm. In fact, hospitalizations are up 10 percent. A lot of things have happened that still indicate that we're not out of the woods."
To the Editor:

Re Trumps G.O.P. Hit List in Speech Puts Party on Campaign Notice (news article, March 1):

Joseph Conrad wrote, The leaders of men are carried forward in the hands of their followers. Never was this more true than with Donald Trump.

It should come as no surprise that he doesnt intend to start a third party. Why should he when, by owning the allegiance of his millions of Republican followers, he owns a perfectly good party of his own?

Mr. Trumps obsession with Republicans in Name Only is interesting, because it is not his enemies within the party who are RINOs, but rather his followers. Their only loyalty is to Mr. Trump himself, and their only concern is carrying him forward. They couldnt care less about the Republican Party.

There is something deeply disturbing and un-American in this devotion to an individual rather than a party, a tradition or set of beliefs.


Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
UMG Announces New Chairman/CEO of Motown Records

Universal Music Group has promoted Ethiopia Habtemariam to the top job at Motown Records, and she will report directly to UMG Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, the Santa Monica-based company announced today.

Habtemariam, 41, was appointed president of Motown and executive vice president of Capitol Music Group in 2014. That same year, she oversaw Motowns relocation to Los Angeles from New York.

In making the announcement of her appointment to chairman and CEO, Grainge said, Motown is such an important voice and, just as when it was founded by Berry Gordy, its impact continues to be felt around the world. Motowns resurgence and powerful partnerships under Ethiopias leadership has advanced the labels legacy as home to some of todays biggest hitmakers and most meaningful voices in music.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 2015, Habtemariam signed a joint venture with Quality Control Music, an influential Atlanta hip-hop label, leading to a string of hits from such young artists as the Migos, Lil Yachty and Lil Baby.

Its an incredible honor to represent and define what Motown is today, Habtemariam said. Ive always understood the power of music and the responsibility I have, not only to continue to be an advocate for artists and creators, but to forge new paths for entrepreneurs and to lift up our next generation of executives around the world.

Id like to thank Lucian for his constant support and guidance over the years; my Motown team for all they have done and continue to do; the Capitol team for their help in building Motown over these past six years; Clarence Avant who has always taught me about the power of responsibility; and to Mr. Berry Gordy, for his faith in me to carry on his legacy, she said.

The daughter of immigrant parents, Habtemariam began her career as an intern at LaFace Records in Atlanta at the age of 14. Eventually moving to Los Angeles to work for Edmonds Music Publishing, she later joined Universal Music Publishing and ascended to become the president of urban music and co-head of creative for the division.
SPRINGFIELD  The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts has awarded $859,560 in grants to 18 nonprofit organizations, to help provide coronavirus relief to immigrants including rental assistance and food.

In a prepared release the foundation said the emergency grants will provide funding and support to immigrant and non-English speaking individuals and families, including undocumented immigrants, experiencing severe economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic Some may have not had access to CARES grant programs.

The funds can be used for vital services such as food security, housing and utilities support, emergency childcare and transportation, the foundation said.

The organizations for the COVID-19 Relief Grant Program have the ability to provide quick services to those in need, particularly in gateway cities such as Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke, and Westfield, the foundation said.

These organizations are trusted providers to many individuals and families that were ineligible or unable to access federal benefits or whose needs are evolving as this health and economic crisis continues, said Katie Zobel, foundation president and CEO. Trust is essential for those who may be reluctant to seek assistance, including undocumented immigrants, so the Foundation is proud to partner with community organizations who have built that trust.

The program is administered by the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Grant recipients include: Arise for Social Justice, Caring Health Center, Catholic Charities Agency. Community Upliftment, New North Citizens Council, Home City Development, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts; and Holyoke/Chicopee/Springfield Head Start, all of Springfield.

Also, Center for New Americans of Northampton; Enlace de Familias de Holyoke; and Gandara Mental Health Center; of West Springfield); International Language Institute of Massachusetts of Northampton. Montague Catholic Social Ministries of Turners Falls, Pioneer Valley Workers Center of Northampton, Rivera & Rivera Act Against Foreclosure of Springfield; Somali Bantu Community of Springfield, The Literacy Project of Greenfield; and Valley Opportunity Council of Chicopee.

To date, the foundation has leveraged nearly $12 million in gifts for COVID grantmaking to nonprofits in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, the organization said.

More than 700 donors, including individuals, foundations, businesses and $4.4 million from the statewide Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, have contributed to the foundations COVID-19 Response Fund.

Donations continue to be accepted at foundation site, seen here.

The foundation has also re-launched Valley Gives in 2020, described as the one-stop-giving online platform, to connect donors with local nonprofits, particularly during the pandemic.
Scientists in Oregon have spotted a homegrown version of a fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus that first surfaced in Britain  but now combined with a mutation that may make the variant less susceptible to vaccines.

The researchers have so far found just a single case of this formidable combination, but genetic analysis suggested that the variant had been acquired in the community and did not arise in the patient.

We didnt import this from elsewhere in the world  it occurred spontaneously, said Brian ORoak, a geneticist at Oregon Health and Science University who led the work. He and his colleagues participate in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions effort to track variants, and they have deposited their results in databases shared by scientists.

The variant originally identified in Britain, called B.1.1.7, has been spreading rapidly across the United States, and accounts for at least 2,500 cases in 46 states. This form of the virus is both more contagious, and more deadly, than the original version, and is expected to account for most infections in America in a few weeks.
Pope Francis concluded the first day of his Apostolic Journey to Iraq meeting with participants in a Scholas Occurentes youth program.

By Vatican News staff writer

At the end of his first day in Iraq, Pope Francis met with young people participating in the Scholas Occurentes Foundation programmes in Baghdad.

A statement from the Press Office of the Holy See noted that the young people came from various religious denominations present in the country and were accompanied by the Foundation's coordinator for Italy, Mario Del Verme.

Pope Francis meets with young people from the Scholas Occurrentes programs in Baghdad.

Dreams for the future

"Each of the young people told the Pope what they dream of for their future," the press release said, "and the Holy Father invited them to hope and to look for the stars that can guide them on their way."

The brief meeting took place upon the Holy Father's return to the Apostolic Nunciature in Baghdad, where he is staying during his Visit. The meeting with the young people of Scholas Occurentes ended shortly after 6:30 pm local time.
Washington County will host a first-dose vaccination event Monday for essential workers who register for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Starting at 1 p.m. Friday, individuals can register for the event on the county website at washingtoncountyny.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals must be essential workers who qualify for vaccine under the states 1B phase of vaccine distribution. This includes those who work in fire, police, public safety communications, corrections, P-12 schools, in-person higher education, child care, public transit, public facing grocery store workers, and those who work for food banks and food pantries.

A full list of eligible essential workers is available here.

Mondays event wont be open to those 65 and older and people with underlying health conditions, the county warned, unless they also classify as an essential worker according to the states criteria. Proof of eligibility will be required when the person arrives for their vaccine, the county said.

The county didn't specify how many slots would be available for Monday's event, but it has administered anywhere from 44 to 440 doses at recent clinics, according to its website. Events fill up extremely fast and supply remains limited, they warn.

The county also recently launched a vaccine interest registry for residents who are eligible for vaccine under any of the state criteria. Those individuals can submit their information to an online form, available at bit.ly/WashCoNYVaxInterest, and receive information and updates related to vaccine distribution events they may be eligible for.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The joint venture co-built by Daimler's Mercedes-Benz AG and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group for smart brand locates its car assembly plant in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, according to a local media outlet.



Photo credit: Daimler



Situated at Gaoling district in Xi'an, the smart brand's first China plant is built on the basis of Geely's existing manufacturing facilities and features a designed capacity of 300,000 cars per year, according to the local report.



While moving forward with the plant construction, the joint venture has started recruitment for business units of sales operation, user development, marketing and after-sale services.

Code-named HX11, the first China-built smart-brand model is likely to be a small-sized all-electric SUV measuring over 4 meters in length, which are comparable to that of the MINI Countryman. The new vehicle will ride on Geely's PMA-2 architecture, a platform dedicated to small-sized pure electric vehicles.

The HX11 SUV will reportedly carry an electric motor at the rear axle that can pump up to 200kW. The all-wheel-drive variant might be offered later for consumers with different needs. Powering the new model would be a 70kWh battery pack that enables a range of more than 500km under NEDC cycle.

Regarding the responsibilities of two parents, Daimler will be accountable for the design of exterior, while Geely takes charge of the businesses concerning engineering technologies. The vehicle will be manufactured at the Xi'an plant.

The Geely-Daimler joint brand will launch a fire new concept at the 2021 Munich motor show in September, according to a local media channel. The mass-market version is expected to go into the market next year.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
GREENWICH  Walk into the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich, and it looks like the sort of unassuming public building that can be found in nearly every town in Connecticut.

Lit by the glow of fluorescent lighting, enlivened by soft rock music playing over the sound system, its a facility that typically attracts crowds for youth basketball games, model train shows or the Lions Clubs pancake breakfast.

But it is a special place for people seeking their vaccination shots against COVID-19. And for many, the trip through those glass double-doors is a life-changing event.

For the dozens of people who streamed into the aging brick building on a recent afternoon at the clinic run by the nonprofit Family Centers health-care program, that vaccine might mean seeing a family member for the first time in nearly a year, eating inside a restaurant again, or smiling at a friend.

A lot of grateful people. Its a pretty happy place to be, said Heather Dawson, the vaccination director and nurse practitioner working at the clinic. We had one person who said, I havent been out of the house in a year. She was shaking with excitement.

Its a scene repeated across the state, and the nation, as the COVID-19 vaccination program expands to more of the population just about a year after the coronavirus hit so hard.

Nearly everyone arrived early for their appointments, and they often apologized while standing around. No worries, came the reply from staff  they understand.

First there was a check-in, and a request to verify their identification. There was not much waiting time to go from check-in to vaccination, the process was fast and smooth.

Two nurses dispensed the Moderna shots in the makeshift clinic in the Civic Centers utility room, and during a recent vaccination session, many of the patients were teachers who had become priority recipients due to recent changes initiated by the office of Gov. Ned Lamont.

A nurse dispensing the shots, Denisha Russell, took a reassuring and humorous approach as she prepared to vaccinate the recipients who rolled up their sleeves for her.

You wont even know it  Im fast and furious, Russell told Heather Sanderson, a teacher from Glastonbury who drove down to Greenwich with her husband, Timothy. The nurse explained the procedure, how the follow-up vaccination would work and the possibility of some soreness or itching where the needle went in.

Its been a pleasant job, Russell said, gesturing to the vaccination recipients who were seated nearby. Its as if theyve won the lottery, and its a million-dollar ticket, she joked.

Yea, thank you so much, Sanderson said after getting her vaccine. She then took a seat in a waiting area, where she stayed for 15 minutes, to make sure there no adverse reactions to the shot  a highly unlikely outcome, the medical staff said.

Sitting down for her waiting period, Sanderson said the short procedure could open up possibilities for her and her husband, also a teacher in Glastonbury, that had been closed off for the last year. They have only had limited contact with their daughter in Brooklyn, N.Y., she said.

I just want to go back to things when they were normal, she said.

We havent been to a restaurant in one year, said Tim Sanderson, Takeout only.

Alaina Kakos, a Danbury resident who teaches in Ridgefield, said the procedure was short and simple, but it would leave a lasting memory.

I took a picture, which I want my kids to see, its kind of like being part of history, she said. Kakos was planning to celebrate at some point, maybe with a glass of wine, and she was also looking to tell friends and colleagues about the experience. Kakos said she knows there are people who are a bit uncertain or hesitant about taking the vaccine. Im certainly going to share this, to alleviate fear, she said.

The vaccinations have been running smoothly since Family Centers opened the clinic in late January, as part of its mission to promote health care, education and human services in the region.

They have received assistance in recent days with personnel and resources from the Connecticut Air National Guard, and support from the town of Greenwich. Its been a case study in collaboration, said Bill Brucker, senior vice president of communications and strategy at Family Centers. And well keep doing it as long as its necessary.

As the afternoon progressed, vaccine recipients came and went, often leaving the building with a renewed sense of hope for the future.

Many burdens have been imposed in the past year, especially on educators, said Chris Mira, a Westport teacher who lives in Stamford. Im very happy to get the vaccination  I have an elderly mom. And a lot of masking, hand-washing, distancing, plexiglass, he said, his thoughts trailing off. Im excited to have everyone get it (vaccinations) so we can all see each others faces again.

Cynthia Violette, a teacher in Lebanon, exuded cheerful enthusiasm when it was her turn to get the vaccination  and the needle prick did nothing to dampen her spirits. I didnt even feel it, she said afterward. Im just so glad to get it. Peace of mind. Nothing changes yet  I need to get the second shot  but Im looking forward to the way things used to be.

There hasnt been much to enjoy about the past year, Violette said, though she said she has become much more knowledgeable about telecommunications and software programs. I feel like Ive learned a lot of technology, there are many things Ive learned, she said, but it was a minor consolation during the pandemic.

As the afternoon clouds parted, Tim Sanderson, an English teacher, referenced how the bubonic plague shaped the life of William Shakespeare and played a role in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. While the coronavirus pandemic is still a plague in the modern era, scenes like the vaccination clinic were changing the narrative, he observed.

The world seems a little brighter, he said shortly after getting his dose of the vaccine.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
Joshua Taylor Lucas admitted that he stole several Galapagos tortoise hatchlings while working at an Oklahoma zoo (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A former employee of the Oklahoma City Zoo has been found guilty of trafficking endangered Galapagos tortoises.

Joshua Taylor Lucas of Austin, Texas, admitted in court on Wednesday that he stole several tortoise hatchlings while working at the zoo, according to the Department of Justice.

Lucas, who specialized in curation of amphibians and reptiles, pleaded guilty at a combined plea and sentencing hearing to a single-count felony of wildlife trafficking. He was given three years probation and ordered to pay over $30,000 in restitution to the zoo.

Lucas was charged in April 2020 with violating the Lacey Act, which prohibits individuals from selling, transferring, or purchasing any fish, wildlife, or plant that has been acquired illegally, among other offenses.

The former employee further admitted on Wednesday that he sold and shipped 21 hatchlings to a now-deceased Nevada resident who was previously under indictment for the illegal trafficking of Galapagos tortoises, officials said.

Following the plea, US District Judge Bernard Jones sentenced Lucas to serve three years of probation, perform 100 hours of community service, and pay $32,500 restitution.

"The exploitation and trafficking of endangered wildlife for personal profit is unacceptable," said Acting US Attorney, Robert J. Troester.

"I commend the steadfast efforts of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the prosecutors in this case, who are committed to hold traffickers of endangered animals accountable."

Phillip Land, special agent in charge for the Fish and Wildlife Service, said agents make it a priority to identify, investigate, and dismantle illegal trafficking networks.

"This investigation involved the illegal traffic of endangered Galapagos tortoises for the exotic pet trade, he added.

This iconic species is the largest tortoise in the world, with hatchling-sized juveniles carrying a black market value starting at $5,000 per animal.

Galapagos tortoise populations have suffered huge declines due to exploitation by whalers, buccaneers, and fur sealers resulting in the loss of between 100,000 and 200,000 of the species, according to Galapagos Conservation Trust.

Story continues

At least two species of giant tortoise are thought to have gone extinct, the trust says, with many of the subspecies now listed as endangered or critically endangered.

Read More

San Diego Zoo gorillas receive Covid vaccine for animals

Mayonnaise helps save endangered turtles caught in Israels devastating oil spill

Thousands of cold-stunned sea turtles being rescued in Texas

Hundreds of Chinese fishing vessels target Galapagos Islands
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 03:53:21|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

RIYADH -- The Saudi-led coalition involved in a war in Yemen foiled on Friday an attack by Houthi militia toward the kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing a coalition spokesman.

Turki Al Maliki, the coalition spokesman, said the coalition intercepted a bomb-laden drone launched toward Khamis Mushait city in southwestern Saudi Arabia. (Yemen-Saudi-led coalition-Attack)

----

BEIRUT -- The European Union, via the Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis, adopted a 130 million euros (155 million U.S. dollars) assistance package to support Syrian refugees and local communities in Jordan and Lebanon, a statement by the EU office in Lebanon said on Friday.

The package aims to support Syrian refugees in key areas such as social protection, healthcare services or waste management, according to the statement.

For Lebanon, the funds will also help to alleviate the consequences of the Beirut port's blasts, which affected both Syrian refugees and Lebanese people. (Lebanon-Syria-EU-Assistance)

----

ANKARA -- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Friday that the military helicopter crash that killed 11 soldiers may have been caused by adverse weather conditions.

A Cougar helicopter crashed on Thursday in eastern Tatvan town of Bitlis Province, the defense ministry said, adding contact with the helicopter was lost in Bitlis 30 minutes after it took off from eastern Bingol Province. (Turkey-Helicopter-Crash-Weather)

----

TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denounced on Friday the U.S. continued sanctions against Iran amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Iranian diplomat posted on social media the image of a 6-year-old Iranian girl who was affected by the U.S. sanctions, as well as a complaint made by her. (Iran-U.S.-Sanction) Enditem
New Delhi, March 5 : Driven by strong response to Watch Series 6 and SE, Apple maintained its top position in the global smartwatch market in 2020 with shipping 33.9 million units, a new report said on Friday.

Chinese brand Huawei with 11.1 million smartwatch shipments was second while Samsung with 9.1 million units came third, according to Counterpoint Research's 'Global Smartphone Shipments Tracker'.

Overall, Apple saw a 19 per cent growth while Huawei registered 26 per cent growth (despite US sanctions) in the global smartwatch segment last year.

In a year where annual smartwatch growth inched forward at only 1.5 per cent, Apple maintained its number one position and increased its market share by 6 per cent from 2019, helping shift the overall market closer to the premium segment.

The Apple Watch Series 6 and SE did exceptionally well, shipping 12.9 million units and accounting for 40 per cent market share in the festive quarter (Q4) alone.

"Price band dynamics during Q4 2020 indicate ASPs (average selling prices) are on the rise. The 2019's biggest segment ($101-$200) shrank by 7 per cent, while the more premium $300-plus segments grew by 8 per cent, helped tremendously by Apple, which enjoyed a dominant market share of over 70 per cent in this category," informed senior analyst Sujeong Lim.

Samsung increased its share by 1 per cent (YoY), rebounding in the latter half of the year with the launch of Galaxy 3 Watch.

Honor, newly spun off from Huawei, also did well, with shipments doubling from 2019. Other Chinese brands such as Amazfit and Xiaomi also performed well, enjoying double-digit growth.

The smartwatch market is being driven by three premium brands -- Apple, Samsung and Huawei.

"Over a three to four years' timeframe, we see budget players like OPPO and realme gaining a significant share, intensifying overall competition and bringing down the prices," said Lim.
The logo is seen on the bonnet of a new Ford Aspire car during its launch in New Delhi

By Aditi Shah and Ben Klayman

NEW DELHI/DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor has frozen all projects it was working on with Mahindra & Mahindra while it finalises a new India strategy, three people familiar with the U.S. carmaker's plans told Reuters, weeks after the two companies called off their planned joint venture.

"The options could include working out a new relationship with Mahindra or ending the relationship and related vehicles completely," one of the sources said.

The two other sources said they expect Ford to make a decision in about a month on whether to proceed with Mahindra in a different form or not, adding Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley wants to see a path to greater profitability in India.

Ford and Mahindra had proposed a joint venture to develop at least three sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) for India and emerging markets, as well as share suppliers, powertrains and technology. The $275 million deal, which would have ended most of Ford's independent operations in India, was called off on Dec. 31.

Since Farley became CEO in October, Ford has pushed harder to remake itself globally as part of an $11 billion restructuring, including ending manufacturing in Brazil, and speeding up the rollout of electric vehicles. With so much on Farley's plate and limited financial resources, India is a lower priority, the first source said.

Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford entered India 25 years ago, but it has just 3% share in a market dominated by Suzuki Motor Corp's and Hyundai Motor's extensive line-up of mainly low-cost cars.

The tie-up with Mahindra would have given Ford a better chance against rivals by allowing it to launch new vehicles faster, at reduced costs and with lower investment, company officials and analysts previously said.

Ford said its independent Indian operations will continue.

"We are reviewing our businesses strategy, making choices and allocating capital consistent with the plan to achieve an 8% company adjusted EBIT margin and generate consistently strong cash flow," spokesman Kapil Sharma said. "We will have more details to share at a later date."

Story continues

For Mahindra it would have been an opportunity to enter new global markets, but it walked away from the deal over concerns its return on investment would be too low.

Mahindra said in a statement that the automakers are looking at ways to collaborate. "We have defined a timeline till the end of March for this work to be completed," the company said.

STRATEGIC RETHINK

Ford is weighing all programmes it had planned for the joint venture with Mahindra and will review which ones it plans to keep from a profit standpoint, the second source said.

The most crucial was a mid-sized SUV to be built by Mahindra on its vehicle platform and using its powertrain. Ford planned to launch this in 2022 with a target to sell around 50,000 units annually in India, two sources said. Mahindra, too, has asked suppliers to freeze work on this, they said.

Ford is also negotiating new terms, including costs, for an engine Mahindra was to supply for its EcoSport SUV later this year, one of the people said.

For two other SUVs that Ford is building for launch in 2023 and 2024, the plan had been to use Mahindra engines. If it walks away from that deal, Ford will need to find another supplier or invest in upgrading its own engines, two sources said.

It will come down to a cost versus profit analysis and that "hinges on discussions with Mahindra," one of the sources said.

At a town hall earlier this month, Dianne Craig, president of international operations, said Ford was exploring all options when asked about the company's plans following the end of the Mahindra relationship.

Ford's average sales in India have languished at around 90,000 units a year prior to the economic slowdown in 2019 and the pandemic in 2020. But exports are nearly double what it sells in the domestic market and that helps it make money.

While Ford India reported pre-tax profits over the last three years, its biggest hurdle in India is low plant utilisation of around 53% over a five-year average.

Even as it thinks about bringing global products to India - its Territory SUV in China is an option - Ford will need to look at several factors including competition, new fuel efficiency rules and its ability to make money in a price-sensitive market to ensure success.

India's competitiveness as an export base for affordable cars will also play a role, two sources said.

"If Ford decides to invest more in India it needs to know by when it can recover that investment," one source said.

(Reporting by Aditi Shah in New Delhi and Ben Klayman in Detroit; editing by Euan Rocha and Susan Fenton)
Like so many people in America and so many in Vermont, I became addicted to opiates, Anastasio said in a statement on his website. I was extremely lucky to have access to care, and I know how important it is to be part of a recovery community. Im grateful that we can help provide that opportunity for others.

Rupert Murdoch is famous for giving people what they want. And I am sorry to say this, but for many of you hand-wringing about the decline of media, it is time to understand and acknowledge your part in it.

Think about it. How many bought magazines with Diana on the cover? Yes, sweet or sanctioned photos of her with her kids were popular, but not nearly as much as the candid pictures of her in distress. How many have feasted on photos showing celebrities dishevelled and, as such, just like us? Who has checked out a close-up of cellulite on a starlet? Who has tut-tutted at pictures of a drug-addled and desperate Amy Winehouse? Who has ogled a famous persons mug shot? Who has scrolled for gritty details of someones fall from grace?

Singer Amy Winehouse was similarly closely followed by the media.

Yes, it is ouch to go there for any of us but it is also understandable. The Germans have a word for one of the darker aspects of human nature  schadenfreude, which means pleasure derived from another persons misfortune. In her book, Schadenfreude: The Joy of Anothers Misfortune, Tiffany Watt Smith explains the phenomenon: It may seem misanthropic, yet it is enmeshed in so much of what is distinctly human about how we live: the instinct for justice and fairness; a need for hierarchies and the quest for status within them; the desire to belong to and protect the groups that keep us safe.

It may seem superior and demeaning, yet it also speaks of our need to appreciate the absurdity of our attempts to appear in control in a world forever slipping out of our grasp. It might seem isolating and divisive, but it testifies to our need to not feel alone in our disappointments, but to seek the consolations of being part of a community of the failed.
Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
They are piled high and ready to go! This was the magnificent scene yesterday as thousands of Mail Force laptops were made ready for shipping to schools.

The 5,000 brand new Chromebooks and other models are by now already on their way to classrooms across the country. Several thousand refurbished laptops donated by large companies will follow on shortly.

The lucky recipients will join the likes of Oscar Rowley, nine, one of several pupils at Beamont Primary School in Warrington, Cheshire, who have already taken delivery of their laptops.

These lifelines for disadvantaged schoolchildren were bought with donations from generous Daily Mail readers, philanthropists and corporations.

They are piled high and ready to go! This was the magnificent scene yesterday as thousands of Mail Force laptops were made ready for shipping to schools

The lucky recipients will join the likes of Oscar Rowley, nine, (centre) one of several pupils at Beamont Primary School in Warrington, Cheshire, who have already taken delivery of their laptops

An astonishing 10.8million has now been raised to help pupils get on the internet.

Hundreds of thousands of children on the wrong side of the 'digital divide' have struggled through lockdown without a laptop or tablet to follow online lessons and now, with schools reopening, they still face an enormous struggle to catch up.

Mail Force has been working hard to source devices  and yesterday's shipment was the biggest yet.

More than 5,000 have been sent by courier to schools in more than 100 towns and villages in all corners of England, from Warminster to Wolverhampton and from Northampton to Newcastle upon Tyne. Separate shipments are being prepared for elsewhere in the UK.

More than 5,000 have been sent by courier to schools in more than 100 towns and villages in all corners of England

How to get SIM data cards Schools can request free SIM cards at www.vodafone.co.uk/mailforce. Headteachers can request a maximum of 80 for a secondary and 50 for a primary. Cards are allocated on first-come-first-served basis, but priority is given to areas with higher numbers of free-school-meal pupils. Schools with lower numbers of such pupils will be capped at 20 to 50 SIMs. SIM cards are dispatched by courier to schools in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Head teachers allocate the SIMs to pupils. Inserted into a mobile phone, each SIM gives 30Gb of free data  enough for approximately nine weeks of online learning. Advertisement

All the Mail Force devices were requested by schools via the Department for Education's online portal.

They were then gathered in the high security warehouse of the Mail's IT partner in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, where they went though final checks before being shipped.

It is a huge operation, and all the boxes containing laptops in this picture are already on their way to children. Many will have arrived by the time this newspaper is published.

There has also been great demand for the other Mail Force initiative  free Vodafone data SIM cards for pupils.

The charity has bought 150,000 SIM cards, each with 30Gb of data to keep a schoolchild online for approximately nine weeks' worth of lessons.

The Vodafone SIM cards can be inserted in a mobile phone which then acts as a wi-fi hotspot for nearby devices such as laptops and tablets.

Children face a huge challenge to catch up on a year of disrupted learning, according to schools minister Baroness Berridge, who told the House of Lords that ensuring they had devices at home was a 'long term' strategy.

All six living Prime Ministers have praised the Mail Force initiative to get devices and data cards to children who need them.

HOW TO DONATE TO COMPUTERS FOR KIDS CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO YOU, THE READER: How to send us donations The Daily Mail has launched a brand new campaign, Computers For Kids, to raise money for Mail Force  a charity which aims to provide much needed school equipment and resources for pupils across the UK learning from home. With schools closed, we are left with the dilemma of hundreds of thousands of pupils in the UK having no access to a computer in their home. As part of this campaign, companies are donating their old laptops which, for around 15, can be wiped, professionally refurbished and made safe and fit for home schooling. They can then be delivered to a child or young person who needs one. In addition, the campaign is looking to support children's needs in other ways such as funding brand new laptops and tablets, and assisting with data access and connectivity for online learning. Any surplus funds will be used to support of the work of UK schools via other means. TO MAKE A DONATION ONLINE Visit mailforcecharity.co.uk/donate and follow the steps to complete your donation. Please don't send us your old device. TO MAKE A DONATION VIA YOUR PHONE To donate 10 - text KIDS10 to 70115 To donate 20 - text KIDS20 to 70115 TO COMPANIES: Could you give your old laptops? Upgrading office computers is something all companies do from time to time  and there has never been a better time to donate old laptops. If you are a company with 50 laptops or more that you could give, please visit www.computacenter.com/daily-mail to check they are suitable and register your donation. We will arrange for collection by our specialist partners Computacenter. Please note: we cannot accept donated laptops from individuals. COMPANIES SHOULD GO TO: computacenter.com/daily-mail TO SCHOOLS: Where to apply for the computers Schools must apply to the Department for Education, which is managing the demand and prioritising the schools most in need. The Mail Force initiative means more laptops will become available more quickly. SCHOOLS CAN APPLY HERE: https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk Advertisement
At least six Thai navy officials rescued four cats after discovering them being abandoned on a sinking ship that had caught fire reportedly off a paradise island. Facebook user Nookool.b on Tuesday posted the impressive pictures showing the navy officials rescuing the golden furry animals from Phamonsin Nava 10 fishing ship that had earlier caught fire and began to sink nearly 13 kilometres off Adang Island in Satun, stated The Nation, Thailand report.

The Facebook user, while sharing several images of the purrfect rescue wrote, When Navy sailors approached the burning ship to inspect it for any oil spillage as it began sinking, they noticed four cats stranded on board...They carried each cat on their backs and swam back to the Navy vessel until every cat was rescued.

Moreover, apart from being dehydrated, the four felines suffered no injuries and reportedly, are in healthy condition after the amazing rescue by Thai navy officials. As per reports, all eight members of the ships crew had jumped off the sinking vessel into the sea before the Navy officials had arrived and were rescued by a passing fishing ship. The photos that emerged on Facebook showed one of the rescuers bringing the cats one by one to the navy boat on his shoulder while the rest of the team pulled him by a rope.

Read - Lena Dunham Opens Up About The Dead Cats Scene In 'Generation'; Read

Read - Nearly 100 Cats Survive New York House Fire

'Smiling after watching the rescue'

From internet users saying the post made them 'smile' to others lauding the selfless nature of the Navy officials, the Facebook post by Nookool.b has garnered thousands of likes and comments. One user wrote, "Very cute. I smile after watching this. Soldier is very hearty. I wish everyone who contributed to helping the cat to be happy in all aspects of life." Another also said, "Cry. I'm crying. I'm so happy. I'm going to survive." While someone else wrote, "I would like to say thank you to the sailor who is very nice and kind. The kids are very poor."

Read - One Good Thing: Midnight Cafeteria Feeds Taipei's Stray Cats

Read - Taylor Swift's Annual Holiday Card Featuring Her Cats In 'folklore' Style Surfaces Online
Everyone over the age of 70 has been vaccinated in the village of Sneem, Co Kerry, after hundreds of doses arrived unexpectedly last week.

The vaccination was rolled out after 300 doses of the Moderna jab arrived without notice. Dr Paddy Malone, the villages retired GP, assisted with the distribution of the vaccine on Saturday.

There were 137 persons vaccinated on Saturday and they were supervised by a retired anaesthetist and two nurses in Murphys Bar in the Kerry village after the jabs were delivered.

The bar premises  closed because of Covid restrictions  was opened to facilitate the vaccinations, but no drink was served.

Read More

Sneem was fortunate in getting 300 doses of the Moderna vaccine  other areas in the region that received the Pfizer vaccine got far less.

Dr Malone, along with his wife Dr Diane Foord, who is also retired, was assisted by GP Dr Hernan Ganzo Alvarez.

Sneem got a huge supply of Moderna  we took what we got, Dr Malone said.

The vaccine is now being given to persons with underlying conditions in Sneem.

The surprise delivery to the Kerry village came alongside news that up to 800 people aged 85 and over will not get their Covid-19 vaccinations until next week after HSE chief Paul Reid admitted roll-out of the vaccines had suffered significant issues.

The affected patients are attached to around 65 GP practices that have only a few patients in that age category.

These are practices mainly in rural areas that cannot buddy up with other practices.

Vaccination will also begin next week on between 4,000 and 5,000 people in the over-70s age bracket who are house-bound.

Mr Reid was speaking after a number of GPs who had expected deliveries from the HSE of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines had expressed their anger when they failed to materialise or failed to arrive in sufficient number.

There were also major issues trying to get through to the HSE to get clarification about the vaccine supplies, which left older patients disappointed.

Mr Reid said: I acknowledge significant frustration this week. I accept the issues that need to be addressed and we will address them.

He said 160 GP practices who had not yet received vaccines would get them by today, while the 65 smaller practices would have the vaccines by next week.

Meanwhile in Sneem, Dr Malone criticised the bureaucracy surrounding the offer by himself and other retired GPs to help out at the large public vaccination centres.

A doctor with over four decades experience until he retired in 2017, he said retired GPs were being forced to jump through hoops and asked to provide certificates of basic skills in order to be allowed administer vaccines at the new public vaccination centres.

Meanwhile, the HSE confirmed it was stepping up a recruitment drive for vaccinators.

It said more than 1,500 new vaccinators were needed specifically geared to staff the larger vaccination centres.

The HSE said it cannot comment on individual cases as to do so would breach the duty of confidentiality to the individuals concerned.

It said there was no obstacle to the recruitment of retired professionals who may be classed as vaccinators.
New Delhi, March 5 : Denmark-based wearable brand Jabra on Friday launched a new headset 'Jabra Evolve2 30' at a starting price of Rs 10,922.

According to the company, the headset is built with the modern-day desk worker in mind, engineered for collaboration, concentration and comfortable productivity all day.

"We are excited to announce the launch of one such product, which is designed at an affordable price-point thus, every user can enjoy the benefits of experiencing premium collaboration, concentration, and comfort while working. The Jabra Evolve2 30 aims at battling productivity distractions not only for those in the office but also for the flexible workers," Peter Jayaseelan, Managing Director, South Asia at Jabra said in a statement.

The Jabra Evolve2 30 features 2-microphone call technology and 28mm speakers.

The 2-microphone call technology can clearly capture your voice so you can participate in calls and online meetings from anywhere while also meeting Open Office requirements.

The Evolve2 30 is also available in a Microsoft Teams certified variant, which comes with a dedicated Microsoft Teams button so you can jump in and out of virtual meetings with just one touch, while the boom arm allows you to easily mute and unmute yourself in an instant.

The product comes improved noise-isolating design, reinforced steel headband and slider for increased durability.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349

CBC

Michael Megenbir was someone who generally kept his personal life separate from work. That is, until one June day in 2017. Sitting among his fellow educators in the library of the Regina school where he worked at the time, the intensive support teacher rose at the year-end staff meeting to announce to his colleagues that he's transgender. "I really love and respect all of you, and I think you all feel the same way about me," Megenbir, now 37, remembered saying. He went on to tell them that when they return to work in the fall, he'd be changing his name to Michael and using he/him pronouns. Megenbir's palms were sweaty as he assessed the room. "I remember looking out and seeing the faces, focusing in on a couple of the staff who I had become really close with and just watching them smile," he said. Then came the applause. "It was honestly a little overwhelming, but in a good way," Megenbir said. "It gave me that little boost of confidence and it just let me know that I was doing the right thing." In 2018, Megenbir had his long-awaited top surgery, marking the first time in decades he says he felt 'comfortable in my own skin.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Allison Boulanger, who knew Megenbir as a friend and colleague for years before his transition, remembers smiling and clapping in the crowd. "When he got up to tell the staff, you could tell this was something that was right for him and it was how he needed to live his life  and live his life truthfully," she remembered thinking. Megenbir was reassured he had the support of his co-workers and school administration; what he couldn't predict was how his openness about his identity would inspire his students and colleagues to live their truths, and pave the way for more conversations around inclusion in schools. 'Business as usual' Fast forward to the new school year that fall, and Megenbir said it was a welcome surprise to notice there was "very little change" in how people treated him. He joked it was almost as though his colleagues practised over the summer. "It was kind of business as usual," he said with a chuckle. Megenbir noted that seemingly little things, like the use of his pronouns and new name, made the biggest impact on feeling accepted. And on the off-chance people messed up, they were quick to correct themselves and didn't draw attention to it. "It was the happiest he'd been," Boulanger remembered noticing. "You could tell that he felt like himself." The next year, Megenbir had long-awaited top surgery  a mastectomy and chest-sculpting procedure. "It was the first time in my life since I was probably nine or 10 years old that I felt comfortable in my own skin," he said. Megenbir dressed up as Kenny Rogers for Halloween in 2019 while his friend and colleague, Allison Boulanger, dressed up as Dolly Parton.(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Making students feel 'a little bit more understood' When the opportunity arose for Megenbir to help start a gay-straight alliance (GSA) at the school, it naturally sparked conversations about his gender identity with students. On the first day of the GSA, when he got everyone to introduce themselves, he said, "I'm excited to be here and to be a part of the GSA because I am transgender"  something that surprised a few students. All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are.  Michael Megenbir Some kids told Megenbir he was the first person in the LGBTQ community they had ever met. That's the moment he knew sharing a piece of who he was added a layer of support for those children who needed it. "All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are," he said. "As an educator, if that's the only thing I ever teach a student, I will have felt like I did my job." Megenbir and his former student, Rylan Moir, show off their matching moustaches at the Regina Pride festival in 2018. Megenbir said the support he received during his transition from his students and their parents was 'overwhelmingly positive.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) As a teacher outside the LGBTQ community, Boulanger said having Megenbir as a resource for students across the entire school proved invaluable. "I'd always tell students, 'I'm here if you want to talk to me,' but Mike was just the person they gravitated towards because he just knows what's going on and how they're feeling," she said. "He just has a way of making them feel a little bit more understood." Looking back on his childhood in rural Saskatchewan, Megenbir wonders how different his gender identity journey might have been had he had a teacher who was open about being queer, or resources like a GSA. He thinks it might not have taken him until he was 30 to live out his truth had he had those positive influences. "It was really hard to feel that you were different, and also be made to feel like there was something wrong with you because of that," he said. He points to a picture of himself in a dress at his parents' wedding as an example. When he looks at his childhood photos, Michael Megenbir says he doesn't recognize who he used to be on the outside; however, on the inside, he said he's 'the exact same now, just in different packaging.'(Jessie Anton/CBC) "As a kid, I never liked dressing up, especially in dresses," he said. "This picture is how my family explains who I am and have always been: a little goofy, dancing to my own drum and not caring what anyone else thinks about me. "I'm the exact same now, just in different packaging." LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom Talking about LGBTQ representation among teachers is important, too, said Raylee Perkins, a teacher-librarian at another Regina school. "Whatever a person's coming out story is, it's often sad and steeped in trauma," said Perkins. "Seeing someone like Mike, who's happy and radiates this love and joy, it demonstrates that you can also have that joy in your future  and you don't always see that in books or on TV." Raylee Perkins, a Regina teacher-librarian who openly identifies as queer at school, says it's important for teachers and students to see LGBTQ role models with positive experiences.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) That's in part why Perkins is open about identifying as queer at school. But that also means the advocacy work to promote LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom tends to fall on her shoulders, despite the best efforts of allies around her. "Sometimes, it's felt like I was the only queer voice in the room or queer voice in the conversation, and that can be really tiring," she said. According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education's website, the government "is committed to ensuring schools are safe and inclusive environments for all students, including those who identify as gender and/or sexually diverse." That includes encouraging school divisions to develop policies specifically to include groups, like GSAs, to create safe spaces for LGBTQ students and their allies. The province's Deepening the Discussion: Gender and Sexual Diversity framework from 2015 also contains curriculum for teachers and school administrators. Regina's public school board also recently unanimously approved training for teachers and staff about gender and sexual diversity. While LGBTQ inclusion exists under the curriculum, Boulanger said there are still some teachers who don't cover it in their classrooms. "If they can start talking about it and talk to people who identify as LGBTQ, that might help them to realize that it's not something to fear; it's something to learn about and to grow," she said. Creating more transgender inclusive spaces To make sure her classroom or library is visibly inclusive to transgender people, Perkins hangs posters that delineate the room as a safe space, and she wears rainbow pins and pronoun buttons. "For some kids, they'll never notice those little details, but for the kids who need it, they will notice even the smallest detail," she said. Perkins also makes a point of not shying away from answering tough questions and having more complex talks with her students. Allison Boulanger, Megenbir's friend and former colleague, says having openly LGBTQ teachers can give students a sense of belonging.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) Boulanger agreed, saying that on top of the curriculum around diversity and identity, she finds informal chats with her students to be the most impactful. Looking back on Megenbir's positive "coming out story" at work, Perkins said it has created a safe place for other LGBTQ people to do the same. "Both [students and teachers] can look to him as a role model or for hope  whatever that is for them," she said. "The more we can see it and talk about it and not be afraid of those conversations and face them head-on, I think the more progress we'll make."
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

They are many things: brave; ambitious; determined; perhaps even a little foolhardy.

Im referring, of course, to those who have opened restaurants during the pandemic.

Even in good times, more than half of restaurants close in the first year. In a time of draconian restrictions on dining in, the odds of success fall somewhere between those of making all the lights on the way to work and winning the lottery.

But if youre going to take the plunge, then it helps to have experienced team, and thats what Sobremesa has in abundance.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

The brewery and restaurant that opened on the West Side last September is the fruit of a collaboration between restaurateurs Nick Giron and Ryan Strilich, founders of Brickyard Pizza, and brewer David Facey, formerly of Quarter Celtic and Steel Bender, among other brewpubs.

Sobremesa, a word that refers to the Spanish tradition of relaxing at the table after a meal, is a great name for a restaurant. Its a fitting one, too, for an eatery that occupies a stretch of Coors between Interstate 40 and Ladera lacking in places to hang out, catch up with friends and watch the sun fade. In fact, local developer Sujay Thakur bankrolled the operation partly in the hopes of bringing a gathering place to residents of the area.

The parking lot is accessible from southbound Coors; if youre coming from the direction of I-40, turn left on Sequoia and then make a quick right turn into the parking lot.

The spacious dining room is busy with decorative surfaces that brighten up the industrial-style bones. A narrow patio wraps around the front. There isnt much of a view, unless youre really into watching passing traffic, but its far enough back from Coors that the noise is not too intrusive. Each patio table is equipped with a handsome if slightly menacing gas-powered heater set in a bed of polished stones.

I met a friend and his young daughter recently for a lunch that started on the patio and moved inside when the winds picked up. There were a dozen people in the dining room, a number that grew as the afternoon wore on.

The menu has a Spanish and New Mexican presence, with empanadas, posole and green chile cheeseburgers, along with a few bar food favorites like nachos and buffalo wings. You can bring the menu up on your phone by scanning a QR code on the napkin.

Facey, Sobremesas brewmaster, has an impressive resume, and the range of his skill is evident in a beer flight ($8) made up of six generous pours served in a wire rack. All of it was terrific, prompting my friend and me to reminisce, a little ruefully, about the flavorless beers we cut our teeth on in the days before the craft beer revolution.

As I sipped the beers, I made a series of mental notes. Siesta Stout: a perfect winter brew. Atrisco Amber: ideal for the fall. My favorite was the Hazy Eyez, an imperial India pale ale with a hefty 8.5% alcohol by volume. Its cloudy appearance suggests something murky and mysterious, but the taste is actually bright, lemony and refreshing, ideally suited to the warm weather ahead.

Tacos ($3 each, four for $11), served open-faced on a tray with spicy salsa roja, include solid versions of standbys such as carnitas, carne asada and carne adovada. I particularly enjoyed the Pollo Asado, marinated, grilled chicken served shredded with cabbage and chipotle mayonnaise sauce for crunch and heat. Also of note was the Pescado, a fish taco made with chunks of grilled haddock, a mild-flavored white fish, livened up with jalapenos and honey lime cilantro crema. For vegetarians, there is a sweet and spicy calabacitas taco with roasted squash, zucchini, corn and green chile.

The same carnitas and carne adovada show up as fillings in the empanadas ($3 each, four for $11). The third variation has a sweet potato and black bean filling that delivers a dessert-level sweetness. The dense pastry shell made these considerably more filling than the tacos.

Burgers and sandwiches run from $9 to $13 and include Cubano, barbecued pulled pork. My friends daughter gave the cheeseburger, a thick-pattied version made from a third of a pound of Angus beef, the seal of approval. It was accompanied by a generous portion of thick-cut potato chips made in house and tossed in a compelling seasoning mix.

The menu offers two entrees, although Strilich has discussed rolling out paella at some point. The fish and chips ($16) are made with beer-battered haddock. Herb-roasted chicken, the other entree, is available in quarter or half sizes. I had the former, a leg quarter served with fingerling potatoes ($10) and spicy coleslaw. The dark chicken meat was unremarkable; the sides, however, were excellent, the purple and gold potatoes perfectly cooked and the coleslaw delivering the promised jolt of heat.

Service, initially attentive, slipped as the meal wore on. Only one server was working the dining room and patio, and she was getting overwhelmed as more people came in. Fortunately, there were plenty of TVs around to distract us.

Like its name suggests, Sobremesa is a place where you can hang out and stretch the meal well into the evening. Its the kind of spot thats sorely needed on Coors near I-40.

SOBREMESA

3 stars

LOCATION: 3241 Coors NW, 444-5555, sobremesanm.com

HOURS: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily

BEER, CIDER, SELTZER, WINE

Advertisement

Nicolas Cage, 56, has tied the knot for the fifth time to 26-year-old girlfriend Riko Shibata in a small Las Vegas ceremony where his ex-wife and son joined in the celebrations, DailyMail.com can reveal.

The Oscar-winning actor married Riko in an 'intimate' wedding at the Wynn Casino and Hotel in Sin City back on February 16, with the date chosen to honor the birthday of the grooms late father.

Cage, whose fourth marriage to Erika Koike ended after just four days back in 2019, confirmed the wedding Friday and said the couple were enjoying newly-wedded bliss.

'Its true, and we are very happy,' he told DailyMail.com in a statement.

Nicolas Cage, 56, has tied the knot for the fifth time to 26-year-old girlfriend Riko Shibata in a small Las Vegas ceremony where his ex-wife and son joined in the celebrations, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal

The Oscar-winning actor married Riko in an intimate wedding at the Wynn Casino and Hotel in Sin City (pictured) back on February 16, with the date chosen to honor the birthday of the grooms late father

The bride wore a black handmade Japanese Bridal Kimono from Kyoto that required three layers. She held a bouquet of yellow and red roses that offset her bright red lipstick, while she wore her long dark hair falling straight around her shoulders

Cage, whose fourth marriage to Erika Koike ended after just four days back in 2019, confirmed the wedding Friday and said the couple were enjoying their newly-wedded bliss. 'Its true, and we are very happy,' he told DailyMail.com in a statement

The bride wore a black handmade Japanese Bridal Kimono from Kyoto that required three layers.

She held a bouquet of yellow and red roses that offset her bright red lipstick, while she wore her long dark hair falling straight around her shoulders.

Cage wore a black Tom Ford Tuxedo complete with a yellow rose buttonhole to match Riko's bouquet.

Riko walked down the aisle to her favorite song Winter Song by Kiroro before they exchanged traditional Catholic and Shinto vows with poetry from Walt Whitman and Haiku 'sprinkled in', a rep for Cage told DailyMail.com.

The happy couple were pictured surrounded by white candles and green foliage in the hotel's Primrose Courtyard as the masked officiant Reverend Richard E. Walter performed the ceremony, before the newlyweds walked hand in hand back into the hotel.

After the wedding, the bride and groom, who met in Shiga, Japan, over a year ago, held a small celebration attended by Cage's third wife Alice Kim - with whom he has remained good friends - and their son Kal.

A state of Nevada marriage certificate obtained by DailyMail.com earlier Friday shows Riko has taken Cage's name and is now known as Riko Cage.

She is 30 years younger than Cage and four years younger than his first son Weston Cage.

A state of Nevada marriage certificate obtained by DailyMail.com shows that the happy couple exchanged vows on February 16

The hotel's Primrose Courtyard (pictured) where the happy couple exchanged their vows in a small ceremony

The happy couple are seen on a date to the American Museum of Natural History last year

Official documents show that Cage and Riko applied for their wedding license on January 10 - the day of Riko's 26th birthday - and that it is her first marriage.

Cage was first spotted with Riko in February last year on a date in New Orleans.

Cage's new wife is four years younger than his first son Weston

They were seen together again in New York the following month.

Cage announced their engagement in an interview with his brother Marc Coppola's radio show in August.

He said at the time: 'She left New York and went back to Kyoto, Japan, and I went back to Nevada and I haven't seen her for 6 months.

'We're really happy together and we're really excited to spend that time together so I finally just said ''Look, I wanna marry you'' and we got engaged on FaceTime.

'I got her a black diamond engagement ring.

'Her favorite color is black so she wanted the black gold, and the black diamond.

'I customized and personalized it and I actually sent it to her FedEx.'

Ceremonies at the Wynn Las Vegas wedding salons can cost between $1,590 for an 'elopement affair' and $29,990 for an 'elegant affair'.

A brochure handed out by the venue states: 'Your wedding plans may include a simple reception of cake and champagne or a seated multi-course dinner.

'Whatever you choose, the catering staff at Wynn Las Vegas will assist you in creating a most memorable celebration.'

The venue has two indoor salons - the Lavender Salon and slightly smaller Lilac Salon - and an outdoor venue called the Primrose Court. Photos from Cage's nuptials show the couple opted for the outdoor venue.

Cage announced their engagement in August and said he proposed via FaceTime and sent the ring through FedEx because Riko was in Japan

This is the Wynn hotel and casino's wedding salon in Las Vegas. The couple tied the knot in the courtyard then had a small celebration

Official documents show that Cage and Riko applied for their wedding license on January 10 - the day of Riko's 26th birthday - and that it is her first marriage

The wedding came less than two years since Cage notoriously asked for an annulment four days after his fourth marriage to Erika Koike on March 23, 2019.

The Leaving Las Vegas actor argued that he was too intoxicated to understand what he was doing.

He also claimed that Thai restaurant owner Koike did not tell him 'the full nature and extent of her relationship with another person'.

Video footage of the moment the couple went to apply for their marriage license showed an intoxicated Cage screaming 'She is going to take all my money' and 'Her ex is a druggy'.

Koike could be heard saying: 'Baby I am not asking you to do this.'

Pics also emerged of the pair apparently having an argument outside the Bellagio just hours after they got married there.

Cage was granted a divorce from Koike in July 2020, according to official documents.

The wedding came less than two years since Cage notoriously asked for an annulment four days after his fourth marriage to Erika Koike on March 23, 2019

Video footage of the moment the couple went to apply for their marriage license showed an intoxicated Cage screaming 'She is going to take all my money' and 'Her ex is a druggy'

The notoriously wild-living star has had a rollercoaster love life.

He married first wife Patricia Arquette in April 1995 and the couple divorced in May 2001.

His second marriage was to Elvis Presley's only daughter Lisa Marie Presley.

The two tied the knot during a secret ceremony in Hawaii in August 2002 on the 25th anniversary of Elvis's death.

Cage married third wife Alice Kim in July 2004 after meeting her while she worked as a waitress in a Los Angeles restaurant.

The couple had son Kal-El in October 2005 and announced they had separated in 2016 after it was revealed that Kim had been cheating on Cage with a Las Vegas bartender.

The actor also has adult son Weston Cage, 30, from his relationship with actress Christina Fulton.
A child should not be treated as an adult. Thats been the consensus of American society since America was founded. Children arent allowed to drink. They arent supposed to smoke. And they cant vote.

But in Pennsylvania, they can be sent to an adult prison, with the very real prospect of being turned into just what our society doesnt need  another bitter, vengeful person angry at the hand theyve been dealt in life.

Christine Vendels story about a 16-year-old being sent to adult prison for stealing a gun and shooting at one of his relatives should make us ashamed. Yes, someone could have been killed, but no one was. And theres no argument, the kid needs to be held accountable for his actions.

But is being thrown in a prison with adult criminals the way to do it?

Dauphin County Prison

Is exposing a child to a cold cell, COVID-19 and goodness knows what else the way to respond to children who may be suffering from psychological or emotional trauma?

Dauphin County officials say the young man will be kept away from adult prisoners and only allowed out of his cell to interact with other juveniles. Thats a sad statement in itself. How many other kids are in this place with so many complaints of abuse and where people have mysteriously died?

21-year-old Ty'rique Riley died while in Dauphin County Prison. The Dauphin County District Attorney's Office is investigating his death.

Family members of people in Dauphin County prison allege many inmates are suffering freezing temperatures inside cells, unable to speak to family members for days, and having to eat food they say is unfit for human consumption.

Thats where weve sent a 16-year-old boy.

How many of us know a 16-year-old? How many 16-year-olds do really dumb and dangerous things? What if the 16-year-old were your own child?

Heres the truth. This is another sign of the institutional racism that many argue is rampant in our criminal justice system. Statistics show that white 16-year-olds are far less likely to be thrown into an adult prison for committing a crime than a Black 16-year-old..

In fact, Vendel reports a recent investigation into the issue in Pennsylvania by The Sentinel newspaper shows Black youths are 10 times more likely to be charged and convicted in adult court than their white counterparts. But any kid could be.

LaRock Hudson, of Mechanicsburg and Voices 4 the Voiceless, speaks at a protest over the health conditions for inmates during the pandemic, while gathered outside the Dauphin County Prison in Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 8, 2020. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

And whether white, Black, Brown or some hue in between, the argument is the same. A child is a child. And people who consider themselves civilized ought to be able to devise a humane response to children who do dangerous things.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry opposes the practice that Act 33 makes legal in Pennsylvania. In a statement in 2014, Vendels reporting found these experts concluded:

Adolescents use their brains in fundamentally different ways than adults. They are more likely to act on impulse or to be influenced by peers and less likely to stop, think things through or fully consider the consequences of their actions.

That study probably took millions of dollars and countless hours. But any parent could have told them that. Children dont think right all the time, and they should not be subjected to the same penalties we place on adults who commit crimes.

20001129PS 5/X Students change class in between periods at the Middlesex County Department of Youth Services Juvenile Detention Center in North Brunswick on Wednesday, November 22, 2000. 11/29/2000 PATTI SAPONE / THE STAR-LEDGER

A far wiser approach is to provide counseling and therapy for children who may be disturbed and dangerous. And, yes, troubled youth may have to be placed in a detention center for treatment, but the environment should work to rehabilitate not to harden them.

Rep. Chris Rabb (D., Philadelphia) recently introduced a bill that would require money obtained through civil forfeiture be put into a fund to help compensate people exonerated of crimes and their families. (Commonwealth Media Services)

State Rep. Chris Rabb, of Philadelphia, says he will try to convince legislators to repeal Act 33, which he said was inspired by the racist, bipartisan trope of the super-predator. Hes calling it what it is. But every legislator, whatever the party or color, should support Rep. Rabb to bring some sanity to Pennsylvanias laws on child offenders.

In our state, children are being treated like criminals even before they are convicted of any crime.

And we seem all too willing to lock them up and throw away the key, as long as its somebody elses child.

Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Disregard for the judgments of courts is a sure sign that democracy is in trouble. Donald Trump's machinations after the Nov. 3 election centered, fundamentally, on overturning the many court rulings rejecting his claims of fraud. Channeling fomented partisan anger, Trump and his allies sought to replace the verdict of the judiciary with populist resolutions in Congress and state legislatures.Before our democracy is so tested by fire again, we must reinforce the primacy of the judiciary as the institution best positioned to judge contested elections. That requires pushing back on proposals to increase state legislatures' role in such disputes and amending the federal Electoral Count Act to remove congressional discretion in the counting of presidential electoral votes.Judicial supervision of contested elections has become the norm in most democracies around the world . An outlier in this area as in so many, the U.S. allows a considerable role for legislatures. The Constitution, for example, makes the House and Senate "the Judge of the Elections  of its own Members." North Carolina provides for its Legislature to intervene in a contested presidential election to name electors if disputes are unresolved within 35 days of the vote. Georgia's GOP has proposed similar ideas, and Arizona's Legislature is considering a bill giving itself even greater control over contested presidential elections.Republicans are also looking to involve state legislatures in disputed elections below the presidential level. A proposal from the Georgia GOP would allow the governor, if he or she "objects to a contested certification" of county-level results, to summon the Legislature to certify results on its own or call a new election. This idea dangerously subverts existing Georgia law providing for election contests to be resolved in court.Deciding a close election entails carefully weighing evidence from opposing sides in light of relevant laws and precedent, tasks much better suited to courts than legislative bodies. Admittedly, some state supreme courts have reputations for partisanship, mostly reflecting the inevitable consequence of electing judges , something very few democracies do. But partisan leaning in the courts is reason for judicial reform, not for giving control of contested elections to much more partisan legislative bodies.When disputed congressional elections have been judged in the U.S. Senate or House, as the Constitution provides, the majority party has inevitably controlled the process, filtered the evidence and taken the seat in question. Most notoriously, the handling of Indiana's "Bloody Eighth" congressional election by the Democrat-controlled House in 1985 "helped convince a generation of Republicans that the Democratic Party  was fundamentally corrupt and cynical," as Jeffrey Toobin put it in, his book on the 2000 Florida presidential recount.This year, the House will hear the claim of losing Iowa Democratic congressional candidate Rita Hart. House leadership should have refused to take up the case, since Hart bypassed Iowa's court-based contestation procedures , and should now ensure that the task force in charge of hearing the case has equal numbers of Republican and Democratic members. In case of a tie, the state-certified win for Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks should stand.Very few congressional elections are judged in Congress, primarily because candidates who have lost by significant vote margins usually concede defeat, a norm that Trump may have put at risk. We should require that candidates at all levels pledge to accept the results as determined by election officials and the courts. The Commission on Presidential Debates could set the standard by making such a statement a requirement to access the debate stage.This principle of the primacy of the judiciary is the key to resolving the problems posed by the Electoral Count Act. That 1887 law tried, unsuccessfully, to settle the vexing issue of how Congress should respond to uncertainty over the validity of a state's electoral votes. With judicial primacy in mind, a revised Electoral Count Act should require that the Senate recognize and count only electoral votes sent by each state's supreme court, the institutions best positioned to oversee the states' post-election processes. A state's supreme court is uniquely capable of judging whether a popular election for president in the state has failed, which is the only scenario that would allow for a state legislature to intervene and name electors.The Electoral Count Act also sets the time for the meeting of electors. The challenge here is that in rare, very close elections, such as the 2000 presidential contest, more time is needed for dispute resolution than current law allows. A revised law could call for Congress to consider moving the Electoral College meeting date back for a specific election if so advised by the U.S. Supreme Court.Taken together, these provisions provide more time for contests when that is needed, prevent legislatures from intervening unjustifiably to name electors on their own, and remove the unnecessary congressional discretion in the counting of electoral votes that Trump's allies tried to exploit.This slightly expanded role for state and U.S. supreme courts should be seen in the context of successful, much more comprehensive roles for national courts in other countries. France's Constitutional Council, for example, is the definitive source of judgment on all national elections, ruling not only on issues of law brought to it, as in the U.S., but directly on who won.Repairing our post-election processes by affirming and expanding the primary role of the judiciary can help build confidence that disputes will be addressed fairly and stabilize this critical piece of our democracy.GoverningGoverning
According to the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), a magnitude 8 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of New Zealand early Friday, causing tsunami warnings.

NZ Earthquake and Tsunami: Evacuation to HIgher Ground

Thousands of residents have clustered on high ground throughout New Zealand, where waves of up to 3 meters high and floods are still threats.

Hundreds of thousands of people evacuated to safer ground in New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu on Friday (Mar 5) after a series of strong earthquakes triggered a Pacific-wide tsunami warning.

Authorities requested evacuations around Noumea as warning sirens sounded across the city, citing concerns of waves of up to three meters approaching the French territory.

"People must evacuate coastal areas and cease all water sports," emergency services spokesman Alexandre Rosignol told public radio. "They should not pick up their children at schools to avoid causing traffic jams."

Communities along stretches of New Zealand's North Island were warned to evacuate as tsunami warning sirens wailed after an 8.1-magnitude earthquake, which accompanied earlier tremors measuring 7.4 and 7.2 the same area.

NEMA advised People Not to Shelter at Home

"People living near the coast should flee to the nearest high ground as soon as possible, out of all tsunami evacuation areas, or as far inland as possible."

Surfers at Fitzroy Beach in New Plymouth have disobeyed the warning to keep away from the sea, with Radio New Zealand announcing a party of 30 in the water, plus more swimmers.

Dale, a surfer, told RNZ, "I hope we're pretty comfortable here." (To be sure, official guidance suggests otherwise.)

Related Article: Early February 2021: New Zealand Tsunami Warning Canceled: Earthquake Eases, Small Unusual Waves Expected

Updates from the Prime Minister

At 4 p.m. Australian time (around 12 a.m. EST), Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to provide an update on the tsunami threat as well as any changes to the Covid warning stage. (At this stage, Auckland's warning level three lockout is set to end on Saturday night.)

"Hope all is safe out there," Ardern wrote on Instagram after the 2.30 a.m. quake, using a screengrab from the Geonet tracking platform.

Kiri Allan, the civil defense minister, says a 6.2-magnitude aftershock has just struck the Kermadec islands, but that this is to be predicted considering the scale of the initial quake.

Even if there seems to be no danger, she is requesting that citizens obey civil defense orders. "Although it can seem like there isn't anything going on at times, there is... please do remain elevated or inland to keep your family safe." She has been impressed by the country's "pretty amazing peaceful reaction," she says. "A lot of people had to evacuate, and a lot of people had to change their plans."

Tsunami Impact

***TSUNAMI UPDATE***



Observations at #NorfolkIsland indicate that a 64cm #tsunami wave has impacted the coastline. Further tsunami waves are possible.



Please follow all advice from local police and emergency services.



Latest information here:https://t.co/77MBuLqTjH  Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) March 4, 2021

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia, a 64cm tsunami surge has impacted the shores of Norfolk Island, according to observations. It's likely that more tsunamis will strike.

Fortunately, the biggest waves have gone, according to GNS, and the hazard level has been reduced.

ALSO READ: Japan Earthquake 2021: What Happened 10 Years Ago?

For the latest news about natural calamities, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
To hear more audio stories from publishers like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.

When asked about his musical ability, Henry Goldrich would often demur, I play cash register.

His stage was Mannys Music in Manhattan, where Mr. Goldrich, a longtime owner, supplied equipment to a generation of rock stars. But even though he sold instead of strummed, he secured an important role in rock by connecting famous musicians with cutting-edge equipment.

To these guys, Henry was the superstar, his son Judd said. He was the first guy to get gear they had never seen before.

Mr. Goldrich died on Feb. 16 at his home in Boca Raton, Fla. He was 88. His son Ian, who confirmed the death, said his father had been in frail but stable health.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is scheduled to address the business community during an online Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday.

Lujan Grisham will discuss New Mexicos efforts to confront COVID-19, vaccinate New Mexicans, roll back public health restrictions and expand the type economic activity allowed under state health restrictions, according to a news release from the chamber of commerce.

The governor will also talk about her legislative priorities and her efforts to ensure economic recovery and long-term economic growth, according to the release.

The event is free to attend. To register, visit www.greaterabq.com/events.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

After the Medinea, the Antarctica of Mazara del Vallo also returns to the sea, the second fishing boat that for 108 days was impounded in the port of Benghazi along with all the crew, from 1 September until last December .

The boat left the moorings from the new port of Mazara del Vallo after it remained in the yard for two and a half months for some maintenance work.

"Until Easter we will be engaged in fishing trips between the Egadi Islands and Sardinia. Then we will move for 4 months in the waters of Greece to fish for shrimp", said Francesco Di Giovanni, the new commander of the fishing boat.

Of the old crew that was kidnapped in Benghazi, only Fabio Giacalone, Vito Barracco and Ibrahim Sarr returned on board. For Giacalone, Antarctica's first train driver since last year, it's a return to his job albeit with concern: "I leave my wife and my 8-month-old baby at home and the separation, every time, is hard. They are still alive in me. the memories of imprisonment and of those months spent away from my dearest loved ones, with the fear of dying ".

Vito Barracco, 53, is also a cook on board: "The sea sometimes makes you relax but you never have to trust it, because you don't know what you can find, what you are going to encounter". The salute is entrusted to two trumpet sounds, so Antarctica leaves the port to set sail.

(Unioneonline / F)
Car explodes in Central Retail Park car park

This article is old - Published: Friday, Mar 5th, 2021

UPDATE: A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said:

We attended a small vehicle fire on Regent St  called at 11.58hrs, one appliance in attendance.

A male casualty was conveyed to hospital via ambulance.

Stop was called at 12.40.





UPDATE: A spokesperson North Wales Police said:We received a call at 11.55am reporting a vehicle explosion at the Central Retail Park in Wrexham.

We are currently in attendance assisting our colleagues from NWFRS.

NWP Wrexham Town have also tweeted to say: We would like to ally any concerns & assure you that the explosion in Wrexham Town earlier this afternoon is an isolated accident & no persons have been injured.

Original information below

Emergency services are responding to Central Retail Park this lunchtime after a vehicle exploded.

did anyone else just hear a Big Bang in @wrexham it shook the cars at the station  Ben (@BenWatson37) March 5, 2021

Police and the fire service are at the scene.

A video of the aftermath from someone who was in a nearby shop at the time  huge bang https://t.co/N61Nph9uwg pic.twitter.com/rfSoqHjTx8  Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 5, 2021

Thanks to Rob for the top image, who says The car next to it was smashed up too and the shop shook.

Occupant of the car was out of it at the time, but is, as youd suspect, a bit shaken up, but is OK.  Jack Williams (@JackWills28) March 5, 2021

Thanks to Steve Williams via Tom Williams for the above image.

Thanks to Melanie Johnson for the above image.

More shortly.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent a notice to Andrew Cuomo ordering him to preserve all records relevant to her sexual harassment investigation into him as one accuser branded the governor 'a textbook abuser'.

James' office confirmed Friday a preservation request was sent to the office of the embattled governor this week to keep all records, files and electronic communications pertaining to the allegations.

Three women have come forward to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment - two of whom are former aides.

One accuser Charlotte Bennett gave new details of the allegations Friday saying Cuomo 'terrified' her and 'used his temper to rule the office' as other aides described a 'brutal' work environment where he preferred 'blondes in heels' in his Albany office.

Bennett also claimed the governor got a female aide to take his mandatory sexual harassment training for him.

Cuomo has denied ever 'touching anyone' inappropriately but apologized for making people 'uncomfortable' with his conduct.

The reputation of the governor - who last year won an Emmy for his COVID-19 press briefings - is rapidly unraveling amid both the bombshell claims from the three female accusers and the ongoing COVID-19 nursing home deaths scandal.

On Friday, his office was forced to deny claims his aides massaged the data on the deaths back in July in order to hide the true extent of the crisis. The same day, New York State lawmakers passed a bill stripping Cuomo of his emergency powers.

Charlotte Bennett, 25, worked as an aide for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo earlier this year. She claims he sexually harassed her and left her 'terrified'

New York Attorney General Letitia James (above) has sent a notice to Andrew Cuomo ordering him to preserve all records relevant to her sexual harassment investigation into him

Cuomo's Senior Adviser Rich Azzopardi confirmed Friday the governor's office received James' preservation request Monday and was complying fully with it.

'We received this request March 1 and our counsel's office acted promptly and notified all chamber staff of their obligations associated with that,' he tweeted.

As well as the governor's own records and communications, the preservation request also involves Cuomo's aides and staff members, reported NBC News.

That said, staffers in the governor's office are dwindling by the day with at least five team members quitting this week amid the escalating storms.

Though a preservation request is a fairly standard process for a probe of this nature, the move does show the attorney general's office is wasting no time in investigating the allegations.

James announced Monday she was formally launching an independent investigation into the sexual harassment accusations after she received a referral letter from Cuomo's office.

The letter, sent to James' office by Cuomo's Special Counsel Beth Garvey, called on the AG to select an independent law firm to conduct an inquiry into 'allegations of and circumstances surrounding sexual harassment claims made against the Governor.'

It also directed New York state employees to cooperate fully with the probe.

James is expected to name the attorney or attorneys selected to carry out the inquiry in the coming days.

The AG, whose office also revealed in January the huge discrepancy in nursing home deaths reported by Cuomo, said Monday this is 'not a responsibility we take lightly as allegations of sexual harassment should always be taken seriously' and said the findings would be published in a report.

At the time, two women had accused Cuomo of sexual harassment. Since then, a third woman - who is not a former staff member - has also come forward with allegations.

Cuomo's Senior Adviser Rich Azzopardi confirmed Friday the governor's office received the preservation request from James' office Monday and was complying fully with it

Bennett, who alleges the governor came on to her not physically but with inappropriate comments in his Albany office this summer, told 'CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell' Cuomo had someone else take his mandatory workplace sexual harassment training for him - but then signed it off as though he had done it.

'In 2019, he did not take the sexual harassment training,' she said.

When asked how she knows that, Bennett replied: 'I was there.'

'I heard Stephanie, say, 'I can't believe I'm doing this for you,'' she recalled, referring to office director Stephanie Benton.

'And then I heard her at the end ask him to sign the certificate.'

Her claim contradicts Cuomo, who replied 'the short answer is yes' when he was asked Wednesday whether he had taken the mandatory training.

Benton - who allegedly did the training for Cuomo - also 'categorically denies the exchange,' according to a statement from the governor's office.

Bennett, 25, also alleged in the interview that Cuomo 'terrified' her and repeatedly asked her to find him a girlfriend after telling her that she was old enough for him because he would date anyone 'over 22'. He is 63.

'He is a textbook abuser. He let his temper and his anger rule the office,' Bennett said.

She claims Cuomo preyed on the fact she had previously been raped and that she thinks he was looking to take advantage of her vulnerabilities.

'I wasn't laughing': In an interview with CBS reporter Norah O'Donnell, Bennett said Cuomo's claims that he was kidding around are untrue

Why do you think he was fixated on you as a survivor of sexual assault?



BENNETT: "I think it's really strategic. I think abusers look for vulnerabilities, previous traumas. The idea that maybe I'm more willing to accept behavior because I have a history of sexual violence." pic.twitter.com/esiOrtmMsI  Norah O'Donnell  (@NorahODonnell) March 5, 2021

'He said again and again, 'you were raped and abused and assaulted.' I think it's really strategic. Abusers look for vulnerabilities, previous traumas. The idea that maybe I'm more willing to accept behavior because I have a history of sexual violence. Perhaps I'm not as confident in myself because of my history.'

She previously said he asked her if she had trouble being 'intimate' because of what she had experienced.

She claims that on May 15, his inappropriate remarks began with him telling her he wanted a girlfriend and was lonely. She says he also asked her if she would date older men.

On June 5, she brought it up again.

'He said he wanted a girlfriend, he mentioned that he was lonely.

'I said his daughters had been around and he rejected that. He said, 'yeah, I love my daughters but I want a girlfriend.''

Bennett says that she took from that conversation that he was trying to sleep with her and she was 'terrified'.

'I thought, 'hes trying to sleep with me. The governor is trying to sleep with me and I am deeply uncomfortable and I have to get out of this room as soon as possible.

'He implied to me that I was old enough for him and he was lonely. I was trying not to cry,' she said.

She said that afterwards, she vowed to herself that she wouldn't let the alleged impropriety go any further.

She went back to work the next day and says he asked her if she had found a girlfriend for him yet.

Anna Ruch, 33, (left) claimed Cuomo behaved inappropriately at a Manhattan wedding in September 2019. Lindsey Boylan, 36, (right) claims Cuomo commented on her appearance inappropriately, kissed her without her consent and went out of his way to touch her on her lower back, arms and legs

Anna Ruch told The New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her just moments after they met at a September 2019 wedding in Manhattan

'I was terrified, shaken. I thought at any moment something would happen and I would have no power. He asked me a few questions about how to use an iPhone.

CUOMO'S STATEMENT ON SEX HARASSMENT SCANDAL I want to address the recent allegations that have been made against me. As you know the Attorney General is doing an independent review. I will fully cooperate with that review. The lawyers say I shouldn't say anything when you have a pending review. I understand that. I am a lawyer too. But, I want New Yorkers to hear from me directly on this. First, I fully support a woman's right to come forward and I think it should be encouraged in every way. I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional. And I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it and frankly I am embarrassed by it. That's not easy to say. That's the truth. This is what I want you to know and I want you to know this from me directly: I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feeling uncomfortable. I never knew at the time I was making anyone feel uncomfortable. I certainly never ever meant to offend anyone or cause anyone any pain. That is the last thing I would ever do that. I ask the people of this state to wait for the facts from the Attorney General's report before forming an opinion. Get the facts please before forming an opinion. I will fully cooperate with it.Then you will have the facts Make a decision when you have the facts I have learned from what has been an incredibly difficult situation. I've learned an important lesson. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for whatever pain I caused anyone I never intended it. I will be the better for this experience. Thank you Advertisement

'Then finally he called me in and asked if I'd found him a girlfriend yet. I said, 'not yet' and that I was working on it.'

In his first statement about the clams, Cuomo said he was joking and that his playful demeanor had been misinterpreted. Bennett rejected that on Friday, saying: 'I wasn't laughing and he wasn't laughing.'

She insisted she was telling the truth, adding: 'It's hard enough sharing this story - but it's true.

'I cant imagine that it would be like to sit here and tell you lies. I don't know who would do that.

'I couldn't make this up. I liked my job, I really looked up to him, he was my mentor I really did see it that way.'

Bennett worked as a health policy adviser in the New York governor's administration, hired in the spring of 2019 and swiftly promoted to senior briefer and executive assistant only a few months later.

Bennett had a friendly relationship with Cuomo due to their mutual ties to Westchester County, and saw him as a mentor.

Asked why she didn't walk away, she replied: 'It didn't feel like I had a choice. He was my boss. He was everyone's boss.'

In an article published by Gothamist on Thursday, other anonymous aides say they did not witness sexual harassment or abuse but that it was a 'brutal' workplace.

One said Cuomo liked having blondes in heels in the office.

An anonymous former staffer who was in her twenties when she started working for him in 2013 claims she was given a seat 'in his line of sight' when she joined the office, and was told: 'You gotta wear heels when he's in Albany sweetie, that's the rule.'

'I knew by looking cute, and not being obstinate or opinionated, and doing what I was told and looking polished... That is the only way I would survive there,' she said.

The former staffers say they now feel like they were in a cult.

'They push you until you want to be there. You want them to like you. We're all kind of waking up to the fact that we were in a cult,' one said.

'There was a general sense that when the governor was in the building that you were to walk on eggshells.

'And while you're walking, make sure those shoes are nice and shiny.'

'We all would have taken a bullet for the governor. He was the most important person,' she said.

Another said: 'There's no right or wrong way. It's the Cuomo way. He wants people who are literally going to fall on the sword for him, and they all will.'

Others described him as a 'micromanager', one of the worst they'd seen. They recalled alleged incidents where he fired people suddenly for what seemed like minor problems, like when an aide left his side briefly and he accidentally walked out onto a stage before being announced.

'Cuomo fired a lot of people and we just didn't put them in front of him. This guy continued to [work] but we would hide him at events,' the staffers said.

Bennett, pictured at work, told Cuomo's team about her incidents with him

Protesters staged an 'I Believe Women' rally outside Cuomo's Manhattan office on Thursday

A protester in a Donald Trump mask lies on the sidewalk outside Cuomo's office on Thursday

In a separate set of claims to The New York Post, staffers said: 'Young people work for him thinking they will rise up with him. Older people are stuck because they need a job and benefits.'

One recalled an incident where he allegedly screamed at a veteran State Police detective who was in his sixties because the man had mispronounced his name as 'Como'.

A 'COORDINATED, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY' TO COVER UP NURSING HOME DEATHS On Thursday night The Wall Street Journal reported that Cuomo's team sought the changes in July. The bombshell report comes hours after one of three women accusing Cuomo of sexual assault spoke out on television for the first time, adding to his horrendous week. Mike Lawler, a Republican assemblyman representing Rockland County, was among those calling on Thursday night for Cuomo to resign. 'It's very clear the Cuomo admin understood their March 25th order had contributed to the death toll & they wanted to cover it up to avoid political fallout, plain and simple,' he tweeted. 'They had the data & they hid it. 'This was a coordinated criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice.' Cuomo was at the time facing questions over his March 25 order that nursing homes readmit convalescent COVID residents, to free up hospital beds. Cuomo reversed his order on May 10 and insisted on a negative COVID test before return to a nursing home - but by that point, more than 9,000 people had returned to nursing homes. He insists that he was following federal guidelines. His health department say that the vast number of COVID outbreaks in nursing homes were traced back to members of staff, rather than returning residents. Advertisement

'What's my name? How do you pronounce it? Spell it!' he allegedly yelled.

His office has rejected the allegations and say it's 'sexist' to claim - as some have - that he was guarded by a group of senior female staffers like Melissa DeRosa who called themselves 'mean girls'.

Others, like State Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs, said that what is being described as bullying and brutal is nothing more than 'hardball' politics that not everyone is cut out for.

'I think they play hardball up in Albany, there's no question about it. And you have to have a thick skin to work up there.

'There's this misconception that producing good government results is going to be nice, or sweet, or easy  it's not,' he said in an interview this week.

Richard Azzopardi, Cuomo's spokesperson, said: 'Yes, they have seen him get impatient with partisan politics and disingenuous attacks.

'We have a top-tier team and the Governor is direct with people if their work is subpar because the people of New York deserve nothing short of excellence from us.'

When Bennett first made her allegations, in The New York Times, she told a similar story.

'I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,' Bennett told the paper.

'And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.'

Bennett said Cuomo also told her he wanted a girlfriend, 'preferably in the Albany area,' and he was lonely since breaking up with Sandra Lee, a chef and TV personality.

She also said she tried to change the subject when Cuomo's comments were making her uncomfortable, telling him she was thinking of getting a tattoo.

Bennett said Cuomo responded by suggesting she put the tattoo on her buttocks.

Bennett said she informed Cuomo's chief of staff, Jill DesRosiers, about the interaction less than a week later. She said she was transferred to another job on the opposite side of the Capitol. At the end of June she also gave a statement to a special counsel for Cuomo.

Cuomo's special counsel, Beth Garvey, has acknowledged that the complaint had been made and that Bennett was transferred as a result to a position in which she had already been interested.

Garvey said in a statement that Bennett's allegations 'did not include a claim of physical contact or inappropriate sexual conduct' and Bennett 'was consulted regarding the resolution, and expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the way in which it was handled.'

'The determination reached based on the information Ms Bennett provided was that no further action was required which was consistent with Ms Bennett's wishes,' Garvey said.

Bennett said she decided not to push for any further action by the administration. She said she liked her new job and 'wanted to move on.'

Bennett spoke out several days after Lindsey Boylan, now 36, accused Cuomo of sexual harassment. A third woman, Anna Ruch, 33, came forward on Monday.

Boylan opened about her sexual harassment claims against Cuomo in an interview with Harper's Bazaar published on Thursday.

She revealed she came forward after the Democratic governor's name started being floated as a potential nominee for a cabinet position in Biden's administration.

'I woke up the next day, and the governor was being floated for attorney general, the highest law enforcement position in the U.S.,' Boylan said. 'And I didn't think about it at all... I began tweeting about my experience.'

'After I initially came forward, it felt like I had intentionally blown up my own body into pieces all over the world, and people were looking at them. It almost felt like I had done this to myself. I had made that choice.'

Boylan claims Cuomo commented on her appearance inappropriately, kissed her without her consent and went out of his way to touch her on her lower back, arms and legs.

She also alleges that he once suggested a game of strip poker aboard his state-owned jet.

Meanwhile, a third woman - Anna Ruch - told The New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her just moments after they met at a September 2019 wedding in Manhattan.

Boylan said in her magazine interview that she has been in touch with Bennett but not Ruch, adding that Ruch's story made her feel 'nauseous'.

Boylan, who worked for Cuomo's team from March 2015 to October 2018, first tweeted about an abusive workplace environment in the administration in December.

She elaborated on her accusations in a February 24 Medium post in which she said Cuomo once suggested a game of strip poker and on another occasion kissed her without her consent.

Ex and current Cuomo staffers say they're 'waking up to the fact they were in a cult' Nearly a dozen former and current staffers have detailed to Gothamist/WNYC the working culture inside Gov Cuomo's office after he was accused of sexual harassment. Some of the staffers say they weren't surprised by the allegations given what they claim is a bullying environment and intense work culture inside Cuomo's office. Former staffers have described working there as having 'Stockholm syndrome', while others said they're 'kind of waking up to the fact that we were in a cult'. Some said Cuomo was a 'micromanager to the 100th degree' and had a tough management style. One staffer who had a fellowship when she was in her 20s in 2013 described how she was quickly set up near Cuomo's office, with staffers later telling her the governor liked blondes. She was also told to wear stilettos when in the Albany office. Some staffers, however, refuted the toxic workplace notions. 'I think everyone there wants to do the best work they can. Sometimes that work-life balance is sacrificed. I was definitely burned out by the end of my time there. I didn't take it personally,' the staffer said. Advertisement

Cuomo has previously denied Boylan's allegations.

'I just want the abuse to stop. I'm really not focused on punishment. I'm focused on accountability. And I think we're seeing somewhat the way the governor (and his administration) operates, the way that they are, and it's being seen in real time. And I think that's really unfortunate, but probably necessary,' Boylan said.

Cuomo on Wednesday rejected calls for his resignation in the face of the harassment allegations.

He apologized and said that he had 'learned an important lesson' about his behavior around women.

Cuomo initially said he was apologizing to 'people' who were uncomfortable with his conduct. At one point, he said he was apologizing to 'the young woman who worked here who said that I made her feel uncomfortable in the workplace'.

'I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable,' Cuomo said. 'It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it.

'I'm embarrassed by what happened... I'm embarrassed that someone felt that way in my administration. I'm embarrassed and hurt and I apologize that somebody who interacted with me felt that way.'

Asked about calls for him to step aside, the third-term governor said: 'I wasn't elected by politicians, I was elected by the people of the state of New York. Im not going to resign.'

Cuomo acknowledged 'sensitivities have changed and behavior has changed' and that what he considers his 'customary greeting' - an old-world approach that often involves kisses and hugs - is not acceptable.

Cuomo said he inherited his gregarious way of greeting people from his father, the late former Gov. Mario Cuomo, and that he intended to be welcoming and make people feel comfortable.

He said he will 'fully cooperate' with an investigation into the allegations overseen by the state's independently elected attorney general. Attorney General Letitia James, also a Democrat, is selecting an outside law firm to conduct the probe and document its findings in a public report.

Bennett's lawyer, Debra Katz, said the governor's news conference 'was full of falsehoods and inaccurate information.'

She said Cuomo's claim that he was unaware he had made women uncomfortable was disingenuous, considering that Bennett had reported his behavior to her boss and one of Cuomo's lawyers.

'We are confident that they made him aware of her complaint and we fully expect that the Attorney General's investigation will demonstrate that Cuomo administration officials failed to act on Ms Bennett's serious allegations or to ensure that corrective measures were taken, in violation of their legal requirements,' Katz said.

The harassment allegations represent a deepening crisis for Cuomo, who just months ago was at the height of his popularity for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent weeks, he has been assailed over revelations that his administration had underreported COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.
The aftermath of the failed elections petition by Mr. Mahama has left him somehow deranged.



In his speech after the Supreme Courts judgment on Thursday, 4th March, 2021, Mr. Mahama accused the EC of harbouring a commissioner who publicly accused the NDC of being a threat to Ghanas democracy.



Today, we still have as a member of the Commission, someone who publicly stated that the political party, which I led into the December 2020 election is an existential threat to Ghanas democracy. And yet that same member presided over an election in which the same political party participated in.



Mr. Mahama is dishonest to the bone marrow. Dr. Bossman Asare did not wake up to make a statement alluding to what Mr. Mahama has said.



It was in an interview on Citi FMs Eye Witness News when Asiedu Nketiah, the General Secretary of the NDC accused the EC of being a threat to our democracy because the Commission was not playing ball.



The Deputy Commissioner, in responding to Mr. Asiedu Nketiah indicated that if thats how the General Secretary saw things, then he was wrong. He said;



We are not a threat to our democracy and that if we are talking about who is a threat to our democracy, then its the NDC but not the EC.



From the above, it is evidently clear that Bossman Asare did not say anything against the NDC and what he said was in response to the accusations levelled against the Electoral Commission.



Mahama is, therefore, being disingenuous in his opinion about the incident. Many hoped that he would be able to give one instance in which Bossman Asare did something in the course of his work to frustrate the NDC. He is just a sore loser!







Source: P.K.Sarpong, Whispers from the Corridors of the Thinking Place.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video


.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Longtime Virgin Galactic executive George Whitesides resigned on Friday from his position as chief space officer amid a rapid decline in the companys stock price and a massive sell-off of shares by Virgin Galactic Chairman Chamath Palihapitiya.

Whitesides served as company CEO from 2010 until last summer, when he stepped aside for former Disney executive Michael Colglazier to take the reins. At the time, Whitesides stayed on as chief space officer, a new position created by the company.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

In a statement sent to the Journal, Virgin Galactic said Whitesides is leaving to explore opportunities in public service, but that he will continue to serve as chair of a newly formed, four-member Space Advisory Board, which will provide advice to the company as it prepares for commercial operations.

Virgin Galactic did not specify what opportunities the former executive may pursue, and Whitesides didnt respond to direct Journal inquiries by phone and text message.

His departure, however, is particularly noteworthy. Whitesides played a key role in leading the company for over a decade through early research and development efforts to create the technology needed to take paying passengers to space, and to build a business model that could turn Virgin Galactic into the worlds first space tourism venture operating out of Spaceport America in southern New Mexico.

He helped steer Virgin Galactic through one of its most difficult moments in 2014, when the companys first spaceship broke up in mid-flight, killing one pilot and injuring another.

His resignation comes on the heels of other major executive-level changes recently announced by Virgin Galactic. That includes the resignation of longtime Chief Operating Officer Enrico Palermo  who worked with the company since its launch in 2004  and of Chief Financial Officer Jon Campagna.

The company appointed Doug Ahrens, a former CEO of semiconductor company Mellanox, to replace Campagna on March 1. And it hired two aerospace industry veterans, Swami Iyer and Stephen Justice, as president of aerospace systems and vice president of engineering, respectively.

Those new executives will lead Virgin Galactics transition from its previous status as largely a research-and-development company into an advanced manufacturing firm to scale-up production of passenger rockets, creating a fleet of spaceships in preparation for launch of commercial operations next year, according to the company.

Whitesides departure also coincides with news on Friday that Virgin Galactic Chairman Palihapitiya sold off his entire personal stake in the company this week. That amounted to 6.2 million shares, valued at about $213 million at an average price of $34.32 per share, according to a Bloomberg report based on a Securities Exchange Commission regulatory filing.

Palihapitiya still indirectly owns 15.8 million shares in Virgin Galactic through investment firm Social Capital Hedosophia, amounting to about a 6.5% stake in the company. Virgin Galactic went public in 2019 on the NYSE through a merger with Hedosophia, a special purpose acquisition company formed by Palihapitiya and his partner, Ian Osborne.

Palihapitiya, a former Facebook executive and billionaire investor, had already sold 3.8 million shares from his personal stake in Virgin Galactic in December, worth about $100 million at that time.

Palihapitiya will re-channel the cash from his divestment into another venture yet to be announced, the chairman said in a statement sent to the Journal by Virgin Galactic.

I continue to be a significant investor in Virgin Galactic through Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings and I remain as dedicated as ever to Virgin Galactics team, mission and prospects, Palihapitiya said.

But the chairmans actions could accelerate a crash in Virgin Galactics stock price that began after the company announced in February that it would postpone until May its next effort to reach space in test flights from Spaceport America.

That announcement set the companys launch of space tourism operations back by at least six months, with full commercial operations unlikely to begin until 2022.

The companys stock price closed at $27.29 a share Friday afternoon. Thats down from a record high of $62.80 in February, before the company announced postponement of its next spaceship test flight.

The company failed in its first attempt on Dec. 12 to shoot its VSS Unity passenger rocket to suborbit after electromagnetic interference caused the spaceships onboard computer to reboot, triggering a safety mechanism that immediately shut down the rocket motor and forced the ships two pilots to abort the mission and glide back to Earth.

The company, which reached space two times before from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California, is now making technical adjustments to correct the problems encountered in December before launching again.

But when the company went public in fall 2019, it projected commercial spaceflights would begin in summer 2020. And now, with more delays in commercial operations, competitors like SpaceX and others could start attracting investors away from Virgin Galactic, said Rich Smith, a writer for the investor advisory service The Motley Fool who follows the company.

SpaceX, the Elon Musk company thats already shipping humans and cargo to the International Space Station on its Falcon 9 rockets, is building a next-generation Starship that it says will be ready to ship people to orbit and beyond by 2023.

In contrast, Virgin Galactic, which billionaire investor Sir Richard Branson founded in 2004, is aiming at a niche market where people pay $250,000 each to fly to the edge of space to float for a few minutes in microgravity, Smith said.

Things are moving so quickly in the emerging commercial space industry, Smith said. Branson was a pioneer a few years ago, but already the Virgin Galactic model seems somewhat obsolete to me.
Officers seized 65,280 masks. If the masks had been real, because of supply and demand, they would have had a domestic value of over $401,000, according to the release. All the masks were destined for a company in Virginia, according to the release.
ADVERTISEMENT

Rural households in Oyo State have received a total of N992,715,000 from the federal governments Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme since inception, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster, Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, has said.

Mrs Farouq spoke during the flag-off of the special cash grant held on Thursday at the Western Hall, Secretariat in Ibadan, where 5,280 rural women were billed to benefit from the governments Special Cash Grant.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister presented the cash to the beneficiaries earlier before food items were distributed to persons affected by the recent Sara market mayhem in Ibadan.

Some 928 households, 5,568 displaced persons benefitted from the food items distributed.

The minister said that each of 5,280 persons received a cash grant of N20,000 to uplift the socio-economic status of the rural women in Oyo State.

Mrs Farouq said the conditional cash transfer programme had impacted the lives of 14,021 poor and vulnerable households from 28 Local Government Areas.

I must note at this point, that the social register is being expanded to cater for more poor and vulnerable households in Oyo State.

The Rural Womens cash grant is designed to provide a one-off grant to some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in rural Nigeria.

A grant of N20,000 will be disbursed to each of 150,000 poor rural women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The grant is expected to increase access to financial capital required for economic activities, she said.

Gov. Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Bisi Ilaka, appreciated the Federal Government for the cash grant initiative.

He assured that the state government is committed to creating and improving opportunities for people to live a meaningful and fulfilled life.

I advise the beneficiaries to take advantage of the current womens emancipation initiative, both globally and locally, involve in governance, seek political positions and take advantage of different policies of government to change the society, he said.

In his remark, Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports, harped on the need to empower more women.

NAN reports that the event featured symbolic presentations of the cash grant to some physically challenged women by the minister.

Among the dignitaries at the event are the Minister of State for Niger Delta, Tayo Alasoadura; the Director-General, National Emergency Management Authority, Muhammadu Muhammed; and the State APC Chairman, Akin Oke.

(NAN)
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Advertisement

A Scottish photographer has captured the rare moment two blue tit's fought - with one of them losing an EYE.

Scott Williams, 54, took these pictures in a local park in Ayr, Scotland, after spotting the two birds coming to blows.

Experts have said Blue Tits begin pairing up for brooding season in mid-February and the competition for mates and the best nesting sites can get fierce.

Scott had visited the park to snap some of the local wildlife and managed to spot the pair whilst looking down his lens.

The pictures show the two blue tits squabbling on the floor as one of them is pinned down by the other.

Photographer Scott explained: 'I was trying to photograph some birds in flight and noticed these two birds having a squabble in-flight.

Pictured: this is the moment two male blue tits face off in a vicious battle as competition for the best nesting sites heats up

Photographer Scott Williams, 54, captured the rare moment while out walking in a local park in Ayr, Scotland, to take pictures

The 54-year-old spotted the pair fighting mid-air before they landed on the ground, allowing him to capture the phenomenon

'They landed in a furious ball of feathers and I laid on the ground to try to get a good angle of the birds.

'The fight itself lasted for a good couple of minutes and was ferocious.

'I am pretty sure from the last photo that one of the birds lost an eye.

'I must admit, I thought one of the birds wouldn't survive the fight but thankfully they both flew off at the end'.

Blue tits have been known to become aggressive at this time of year as competition for nests and mates gets fiercer.

Paul Stancliffe, an ornithologist with the British Trust for Ornithology, said: 'As we head into the breeding season competition for a mate and the best nest sites intensifies, which results in male Blue Tits fighting for both.

'Blue Tits begin pairing up around mid-February and right now will be prospecting for nest sites, however, there will be unpaired males, possibly the young from last year, that will need to compete as the breeding season moves forward or miss out on a breeding attempt this year.

'Blue Tits are single brooded birds and only have the chance to breed once a year - they are also not very long-lived birds, so missing a year could be costly.'

Scott believes one of the blue tits may have lost an eye during the fight but says they were both able to fly off at the end

Experts say blue tits may fight at this time of year as the competition for mates and the best nesting sites intensifies

There are two main types of aggressive fighting behaviour in blue tits - food fighting and reproductive fighting. Food fighting is normally in winter when food is scarce.

Reproductive fighting begins in Jan when territories are set up and pairs are formed. Reproductive fighting includes flying directly at a rival or hovering before descending on the rival.

The scene captured in the picture could be the result of neither bird backing down.

According to the RSPB, blue tits are lively, attractive little birds that live in wooded areas and regularly turn up in gardens, particularly if there are peanuts on offer.

According to the RSPB, there are two main types of fighting behaviour in blue tits - food fighting and reproductive fighting

Blue tits begin pairing up around mid-February and right now will be looking for the best nesting sites as well as partners

The vivid blue cap sets this bird apart from other tits, making it relatively easy to identify.

Each year, blue tits produce just one brood of chicks and they do so to coincide with the greatest abundance of caterpillars.

Experts say it's a clever strategy really, making sure there is plenty of food around to feed the chicks, but if the brood fails, there is no second chance.

An RSPB spokesperson said: 'These are incredible pictures, capturing what looks like two males involved in a territorial fight.

'Blue tits are one of the most lively and attractive visitors to our gardens with their vivid blue and yellow plumage.

'They are so petite they can seek out food on the very thinnest tips of branches, unlike some other birds such as great tits. But these dainty-looking birds are notoriously feisty, fiercely defending their territories.'
Singapore, Mar 5 (PTI) A Chinese-origin Singaporean, originally accused of murdering an Indian-origin man following a brawl at a nightclub, was sentenced on Friday for up to five years after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of being in the company of someone who had a weapon in his possession.

Tan Hong Sheng, now 24, was the sixth person linked to the case who was dealt with in a district court. He was sentenced following the brawl in 2019 to four years and nine months' with 12 strokes of the cane, The Straits Times reported.

On February 5, he pleaded guilty to being in the company of Tan Sen Yang, now 29, who had a kerambit knife at Orchard Towers on the day Satheesh Noel Gobidass, 31, was killed.

The younger man also admitted last month to two unrelated rioting charges.

Tan Hong Sheng was one of seven people initially charged with Satheesh's murder on July 2, 2019.

Tan Sen Yang still faces a murder charge and will be dealt with in the High Court. The other six have had their murder charges reduced to less serious ones such as assault.

Tan Hong Sheng's lawyers, Josephus Tan and Cory Wong, had earlier said that their client did not participate in the attack on Satheesh and instead tried to stop it.

The court heard that Tan Hong Sheng and his group were at the Naughty Girl Club (night club) on the second storey of Orchard Towers in the tourist-belt of Orchard Road when a dispute broke out at the entrance.

He was walking out of the mall in the early hours of that day when Satheesh confronted a member of his group.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Ang Feng Qian, Dora Tay and Benedict Teong had stated in court documents: 'During this time, the accused had noticed that (Tan Sen Yang) had the kerambit knife in his right hand when he went towards Satheesh and started punching him with the said knife in his right hand.

'During this assault, (Tan Sen Yang) injured Satheesh fatally when he used the kerambit knife to inflict multiple injures to Satheesh's head and neck area.' Satheesh collapsed and was pronounced dead at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Tan Hong Sheng had committed earlier acts of rioting and was on bail for one of them when he went to Orchard Towers on the day of the fatal attack, according to the newspaper report. PTI GS AMS

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Toni Garrn is pregnant with her first child.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 28-year-old German model is expecting her first child with her husband, British actor Alex Pettyfer

Garrn confirmed the news in an Instagram post Friday.

"I've been keeping this secret for.. pretty much 6 months exactly. FINALLY I can share my biggest news with you all. Let the journey beginn," she wrote.

Models Daria Strokous, Sigrid Agren and Sessilee Lopez were among those to congratulate the couple in the comments.

"Wow!! Congratulations Toni!!! And Alex!!" Strokous wrote.

"Beautiful mama," Agren added.

"Omg Toni!!!!! So happy for you!!" Lopez said.

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS!

Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source!

Garrn unveiled her pregnancy during a photo shoot for Vogue Germany. The magazine shared a video from the shoot Friday on Instagram.

"Congrats on your pregnancy @tonigarrn!" the post reads.

Garrn and Pettyfer married in Germany in October. Garrn shared a photo of herself kissing Pettyfer while celebrating Valentine's Day in February.

"Feels like Valentine's Day every day with this one," she wrote.

Garrn is known for her modeling work with Calvin Klein and Victoria's Secret. Pettyfer is known for the film Magic Mike and for playing Brody on the Netflix series The I-Land.
The government on Friday rejected a Freedom House report downgrading India's status to a "partly free" country as "misleading, incorrect and misplaced", and said it treats all citizens equally without discrimination and asserted that discussion, debate and dissent are part of

"The Freedom House report, titled 'Democracy Under Siege', in which it has been claimed that India's status as a free country has declined to 'partly free' is misleading, incorrect and misplaced, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement.

The report by the US-based organisation had claimed that the decline in India's status was "due to a multiyear pattern in which the Hindu nationalist government and its allies have presided over rising violence and discriminatory policies affecting the Muslim population and pursued a crackdown on expressions of dissent by the media, academics, civil society groups, and protesters.

Responding to the findings, the ministry said, "Government of India treats all its citizens with equality as enshrined under the Constitution of the country and all laws are applied without discrimination. Due process of law is followed in matters relating to law and order, irrespective of the identity of the alleged instigator.

"With specific reference to the North East Delhi riots in January 2019, the law enforcement machinery acted swiftly in an impartial and fair manner. Proportionate and appropriate actions were taken to control the situation. Necessary legal and preventive actions were taken by the law enforcement machinery on all complaints/calls received, as per law and procedures, the ministry said.

The government also rebutted the allegation in the report that the COVID-19-induced lockdown "left millions of migrant workers in cities without work or basic resources" and "resulted in the dangerous and unplanned displacement of millions of internal migrant workers".

The government said that the lockdown was announced to control the spread of the coronavirus and the period allowed the government to ramp up production capacity of masks, ventilators, personal protection equipment (PPE) kits, etc. and thereby effectively prevent the spread of the pandemic. India has, on per capita basis, registered one of the lowest rates of active COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 related deaths globally. Denying the report's claims that academics and journalists were intimidated, the government said, Discussion, debate and dissent is part of The Government of India attaches highest importance to the safety and security of all residents of the country, including journalists. The Government of India has issued a special advisory to States and Union Territories on safety of journalists requesting them to strictly enforce the law to ensure safety and security of media persons, it said.

The report has claimed that though the private media are vigorous and diverse, and investigations and scrutiny of politicians do occur, but attacks on press freedom have escalated dramatically under the Modi government, and reporting has become significantly less ambitious in recent years. Authorities have used security, defamation, sedition, and hate speech laws, as well as contempt-of-court charges, to quiet critical voices in the media. Denying this, the government said that 'Public Order' and 'Police' are State subjects under India's federal structure of governance.

The responsibility of maintaining law and order, including investigation, registration and prosecution of crimes, protection of life and property, etc., rests primarily with the concerned State governments. Therefore, measures as deemed fit are taken by law enforcement authorities to preserve public order, it said.

The report has also alleged that a wide variety of NGOs operate, but some, particularly those involved in the investigation of human rights abuses, continue to face threats, legal harassment, excessive police force, and occasionally lethal violence. Rebutting this, the government said the Indian Constitution provides for adequate safeguards under various statutes, including the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 for ensuring protection of human rights.



On the report's claim that the authorities used assembly bans, internet blackouts, and live ammunition between December 2019 and March 2020 to quell widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and proposals to roll out a citizens' registration process across the country, the government said, "...the temporary suspension of telecom/internet services is resorted to with the overarching objective of maintaining law and order under strict safeguards." Lastly, the government rebutted the claim that the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) amendment led to freezing of NGO Amnesty International's assets, and said the NGO had received permission under the FCRA Act only once and that too 20 years ago (December 19, 2000).

Since then Amnesty International, despite its repeated applications, has been denied FCRA approval by successive governments since as per law it is not eligible to get such an approval. However, in order to circumvent the FCRA regulations, Amnesty U.K. remitted large amounts of money to four entities registered in India, by misclassifying the remittance as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the government said.

This malafide rerouting of money was in contravention of extant legal provisions," it said.
Funding of 500,000 has been allocated to Goatsbridge Trout Farm, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny for the upgrade of production facilities according to Deputy John McGuinness who has welcomed the news today.

The funding is part of a national scheme announced today by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., awarding 1,811,461 in grants to 28 aquaculture companies under his Departments European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme. The grant awards will support a total investment of 4.5 million in the aquaculture sector. The grants are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union and are subject to terms and conditions.

Minister McConalogue said, I am delighted to be in a position today to provide 1.8 million in grants to 28 ambitious aquaculture companies to further the growth of their businesses and our aquaculture sector. These grants will support 4.5 million in investment in oyster, mussels, trout and seaweed farming. Despite two major challenges in the form of Covid and Brexit, these 28 aquaculture businesses are showing confidence in the future of their sector and are expanding their production to meet strong market demand for their quality products.

Minister added, In recent years my Department invested in eliminating the licensing backlog for shellfish aquaculture producers and this is I believe being reflected in the large number of grant applications being submitted by shellfish aquaculture producers, showing renewed confidence in their capacity to expand with regulatory certainty.

Welcoming the news locally, Deputy John McGuinness said "this is very positive news for a fantastic local venture in Thomastown where three generations have passed down their unique knowledge and experience of farming rainbow trout. The funding will be used to upgrade their production facilities, greatly enhancing a local business and visitor attraction which is always positive for the local community.

Chairman of Kilkenny County Council, Andrew McGuinness said, "I'm delighted for the Kirwan family and all of their staff as this funding will help them to take what is already a fantastic business to a new level. Not only is this a positive investment in a great local business, its also an investment into local tourism as Goatsbridge Trout Farm does attract visitors which is very beneficial to the local community in Thomastown and surrounding areas also.




Irvine Launches Financial Relief Program for Struggling Renters

The City of Irvine is rolling out its emergency rental assistance program and is accepting applications starting March 8.

In partnership with Orange County United Way, Irvine will allocate about $17.7 million for the initiative, which was funded through state and federal dollars.

I continue to hear from our community about the hardships they face with job loss and financial strains, Mayor Farrah Khan said in a statement. It is vital that we help keep our residents in their homes. The rental assistance program will help us achieve this goal by providing relief for those who have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

The program will provide funding for unpaid rent from last April 1 to March 31.

It will cover up to 80 percent of unpaid rent for eligible households if the landlord agrees to forgive the remaining 20 percent. If landlords arent willing to participate, eligible renters can be reimbursed for up to 25 percent of unpaid rent.

Susan Parks, president and chief executive of Orange County United Way, said she was glad her organization could support the initiative.

The financial effects of COVID-19 have been felt across our community, and especially for many residential renters who may be struggling to make ends meet and to pay their monthly rent, Parks said in a press release.

After the application period is finished, applicants will be chosen by a lottery system.

Households with back rent will be prioritized over those needing future rent, the city said. Priority will also be given to houses that have a 50 percent or below area median income (AMI), although those with up to 80 percent AMI are allowed to apply.

To qualify for the program, applicants must also have a valid and current lease, demonstrate financial hardship due to COVID-19, and not have received other rental assistance from any governmental agency.

The application period runs from March 8 to March 19.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Rome, March 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :Italy said Thursday it has blocked a shipment to Australia of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine in the first such export ban under an EU vaccine monitoring scheme.

Rome's order blocking the dispatch of more than 250,000 doses was accepted by the European Commission, which has fiercely criticised the Anglo-Swedish company this year for supplying just a fraction of the vaccine doses it had promised to deliver to the bloc.

The shipment was stopped because of the "continuing shortage of vaccines in the EU and in Italy and delays in supplies from AstraZeneca to the EU and Italy," the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement.

It was also blocked because Australia is not considered a "vulnerable" country in the context of the pandemic, and because of the "high number of doses" requested.

The ministry said AstraZeneca requested an export permit on February 24, and Rome forwarded the request to the European Commission two days later, proposing its rejection.

The EU executive body agreed, and the Italian government -- whose new Prime Minister Mario Draghi has pledged to ramp up national vaccination efforts -- notified AstraZeneca of its decision on March 2.

The ministry said Italy had previously authorised the export of AstraZeneca vaccine samples, but only in "modest quantities ... for scientific research purposes." The doses came from a plant in Italy operated by AstraZeneca to produce some of its vaccine, one of three authorised for use in the EU alongside the BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna versions.

Under the commission's "transparency and authorisation mechanism" EU member states vet planned exports out of the bloc of authorised Covid-19 vaccines.

The scheme started on January 30 and is to run until at least the end of March.

That period corresponds to a sharp shortfall in the first three months of this year of deliveries the EU had been counting on to kickstart its vaccine roll-out.

Most the shortfall is because AstraZeneca has pledged "best reasonable efforts" to deliver around 100 million doses in that time, but is now on track to supply just 40 percent of that.

At the same time, the UK-based company is fully supplying former EU member Britain with doses for its world-leading vaccination programme.

- Australia starts jabs - Australia started its inoculation rollout last week using the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine. It is scheduled to start jabs with the AstraZeneca vaccine from Friday.

The World Health Organization in January said the EU export vetting scheme is part of a "very worrying trend" that could jeopardise global supply chains for vaccines. The EU is one of the world's vaccine-producing powerhouses.

Under the EU scheme, a company wanting to export doses out of the bloc needs to apply to the member state government to do so.

That government then notifies the commission, which looks to see if the company is respecting its contracts, including with the EU, and if any production shortages are equally spread out between the EU and the export destination.

The member state can authorise or refuse the export in line with the commission's opinion.

The commission and Italy's government have come in for sharp criticism by Italians for a slow vaccination rollout, which started in December but has been held up by a lack of doses.

So far, 1.5 million adults, mainly the elderly and health workers, have been fully vaccinated in the country of 60 million -- one of the worst-hit by the pandemic, with almost 100,000 deaths from Covid-19.

The Guardian

The potential consequences of the origins of the virus are shattering  if they can be proved My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters There was a time when the Covid pandemic seemed to confirm so many of our assumptions. It cast down the people we regarded as villains. It raised up those we thought were heroes. It prospered people who could shift easily to working from home even as it problematized the lives of those Trump voters living in the old economy. Like all plagues, Covid often felt like the hand of God on earth, scourging the people for their sins against higher learning and visibly sorting the righteous from the unmasked wicked. Respect science, admonished our yard signs. And lo!, Covid came and forced us to do so, elevating our scientists to the highest seats of social authority, from where they banned assembly, commerce, and all the rest. We cast blame so innocently in those days. We scolded at will. We knew who was right and we shook our heads to behold those in the wrong playing in their swimming pools and on the beach. It made perfect sense to us that Donald Trump, a politician we despised, could not grasp the situation, that he suggested people inject bleach, and that he was personally responsible for more than one super-spreading event. Reality itself punished leaders like him who refused to bow to expertise. The prestige news media even figured out a way to blame the worst death tolls on a system of organized ignorance they called populism. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a cult out of the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general But these days the consensus doesnt consense quite as well as it used to. Now the media is filled with disturbing stories suggesting that Covid might have come  not from populism at all, but from a laboratory screw-up in Wuhan, China. You can feel the moral convulsions beginning as the question sets in: What if science itself is in some way culpable for all this? * I am no expert on epidemics. Like everyone else I know, I spent the pandemic doing as I was told. A few months ago I even tried to talk a Fox News viewer out of believing in the lab-leak theory of Covids origins. The reason I did that is because the newspapers I read and the TV shows I watched had assured me on many occasions that the lab-leak theory wasnt true, that it was a racist conspiracy theory, that only deluded Trumpists believed it, that it got infinite pants-on-fire ratings from the fact-checkers, and because (despite all my cynicism) I am the sort who has always trusted the mainstream news media. My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month; a few weeks later everyone from Doctor Fauci to President Biden is acknowledging that the lab-accident hypothesis might have some merit. We dont know the real answer yet, and we probably will never know, but this is the moment to anticipate what such a finding might ultimately mean. What if this crazy story turns out to be true? The answer is that this is the kind of thing that could obliterate the faith of millions. The last global disaster, the financial crisis of 2008, smashed peoples trust in the institutions of capitalism, in the myths of free trade and the New Economy, and eventually in the elites who ran both American political parties. In the years since (and for complicated reasons), liberal leaders have labored to remake themselves into defenders of professional rectitude and established legitimacy in nearly every field. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a sort of cult out of science, expertise, the university system, executive-branch norms, the intelligence community, the State Department, NGOs, the legacy news media, and the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general. Now here we are in the waning days of Disastrous Global Crisis #2. Covid is of course worse by many orders of magnitude than the mortgage meltdown  it has killed millions and ruined lives and disrupted the world economy far more extensively. Should it turn out that scientists and experts and NGOs, etc. are villains rather than heroes of this story, we may very well see the expert-worshiping values of modern liberalism go up in a fireball of public anger. Consider the details of the story as we have learned them in the last few weeks:  Lab leaks happen. They arent the result of conspiracies: a lab accident is an accident, as Nathan Robinson points out; they happen all the time, in this country and in others, and people die from them.  There is evidence that the lab in question, which studies bat coronaviruses, may have been conducting what is called gain of function research, a dangerous innovation in which diseases are deliberately made more virulent. By the way, right-wingers didnt dream up gain of function: all the cool virologists have been doing it (in this country and in others) even as the squares have been warning against it for years.  There are strong hints that some of the bat-virus research at the Wuhan lab was funded in part by the American national-medical establishment  which is to say, the lab-leak hypothesis doesnt implicate China alone.  There seem to have been astonishing conflicts of interest among the people assigned to get to the bottom of it all, and (as we know from Enron and the housing bubble) conflicts of interest are always what trip up the well-credentialed professionals whom liberals insist we must all heed, honor, and obey.  The news media, in its zealous policing of the boundaries of the permissible, insisted that Russiagate was ever so true but that the lab-leak hypothesis was false false false, and woe unto anyone who dared disagree. Reporters gulped down whatever line was most flattering to the experts they were quoting and then insisted that it was 100% right and absolutely incontrovertible  that anything else was only unhinged Trumpist folly, that democracy dies when unbelievers get to speak, and so on.  The social media monopolies actually censored posts about the lab-leak hypothesis. Of course they did! Because were at war with misinformation, you know, and people need to be brought back to the true and correct faith  as agreed upon by experts. * Let us pray, now, for science, intoned a New York Times columnist back at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. The title of his article laid down the foundational faith of Trump-era liberalism: Coronavirus is What You Get When You Ignore Science. Ten months later, at the end of a scary article about the history of gain of function research and its possible role in the still ongoing Covid pandemic, Nicholson Baker wrote as follows: This may be the great scientific meta-experiment of the 21st century. Could a world full of scientists do all kinds of reckless recombinant things with viral diseases for many years and successfully avoid a serious outbreak? The hypothesis was that, yes, it was doable. The risk was worth taking. There would be no pandemic. Except there was. If it does indeed turn out that the lab-leak hypothesis is the right explanation for how it began  that the common people of the world have been forced into a real-life lab experiment, at tremendous cost  there is a moral earthquake on the way. Because if the hypothesis is right, it will soon start to dawn on people that our mistake was not insufficient reverence for scientists, or inadequate respect for expertise, or not enough censorship on Facebook. It was a failure to think critically about all of the above, to understand that there is no such thing as absolute expertise. Think of all the disasters of recent years: economic neoliberalism, destructive trade policies, the Iraq War, the housing bubble, banks that are too big to fail, mortgage-backed securities, the Hillary Clinton campaign of 2016  all of these disasters brought to you by the total, self-assured unanimity of the highly educated people who are supposed to know what theyre doing, plus the total complacency of the highly educated people who are supposed to be supervising them. Then again, maybe I am wrong to roll out all this speculation. Maybe the lab-leak hypothesis will be convincingly disproven. I certainly hope it is. But even if it inches closer to being confirmed, we can guess what the next turn of the narrative will be. It was a perfect storm, the experts will say. Who coulda known? And besides (they will say), the origins of the pandemic dont matter any more. Go back to sleep. Thomas Frank is a Guardian US columnist. He is the author, most recently, of The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism
In this Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, photo shows jewelry on display in The Vault at the Saks Fifth Avenue Flagship in New York. HBC has signed a deal to sell a minority stake in Saks Fifth Avenue's ecommerce business which it plans to spin off into a separate company. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mary Altaffer
Caldwell Man Faces Additional Child Sex Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MARION - A Caldwell County man who was arrested earlier this month on sex offenses involving a child now faces several more charges.The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch charged 46-year-old William Guill on Thursday with fifteen counts of second-degree rape, one count of second-degree sodomy, six counts of third-degree rape, and two counts of third-degree sodomy.Guill was arrested on March 2 after an undercover investigation reportedly revealed he had been engaging in sexually explicit communication with a child online. He was originally charged with promoting a minor (under 16) in a sexual performance, one count of prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure a minor and distribution of obscene matter to minors.Investigators said after the initial arrest, information developed during the investigation resulted in the additional charges.Guill is being held at the Crittenden County Detention Center.On the Net:
When the boys started quoting the leaders of some online extremist groups, which Bates had already been studying, and started repeating false statistics, such as false rape allegations being extremely common, she realised these extreme online groups were very effectively radicalising and grooming boys.

In the last two years, I noticed a very real shift in the responses of teenage boys, she says. There was a hugely increased sense of hostility and resistance, a refusal to engage at all, a sense of preconceptions that this was a man-hating feminist coming in to bash boys.

What led her there, however, is even more horrifying: it was the conversations she was having with schoolboys in her decade-long career as an educator on feminism, sex education and consent in British schools.

Laura Bates has witnessed the worst of male misogyny in action. For her book Men Who Hate Women, the British writer went undercover online and infiltrated a network of terror groups and incels (involuntary celibates) who advocated violence against women.

The result, she says, is a generation of young men with a skewed idea of consent and what constitutes a healthy, sexual relationship.

We know that 60 per cent of young people have seen online porn by the age of 14, we know that a quarter of them are 12 or younger when they first see it, she says. And the online porn that is very accessible and readily available, often shows women being hurt, being degraded, humiliated. It shows sex is something violent and powerful that is done by men to women.

Ive been in schools where theyve had rape cases involving 14-year-old boys, she says. And at one school, a teacher said to the 14-year-old boy, Why didnt you stop when she was crying? and he said, Because its normal for girls to cry during sex. 

Bates is the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, a website where women from around the world have been documenting their experiences of sexism since 2012. She is speaking at Sundays All About Women festival at the Sydney Opera House and her appearance comes at the end of a harrowing few weeks, where stories about an alleged rape in Parliament and an online petition listing alleged sexual assaults by schoolboys have been in the headlines.

Its extremely inspiring that we have an amazing generation of women who are refusing to take this lying down, she says. But alongside that we also have a generation of young men being radicalised and groomed online by extremist groups that nobody is aware of, that counter-terrorist groups dont even have on their radar, and thats a very dangerous moment as well.

Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Shraddha Kapoor Breaks Down Into Tears At Priyaank's Haldi Ceremony

The Saaho actress couldn't help herself from getting emotional while applying haldi to her cousin Priyaank Sharma. Later, she was all smiles while posing for a picture with Priyaank and Shaza.

Love Is In The Air!

With their haldi-smeared faces, Priyaank and Shaza are seen sharing a love-soaked moment amid the wedding festivities.

Priyaank-Shaza's Mehendi Ceremony

For the mehendi ceremony, Shaza picked up a gorgeous yellow mirror-work ensemble. On the other hand, Priyaank donned wearing a pink-draped kurta. In one of the pictures, Shaza is seen flaunting the mehendi on her hands and legs.

Hello Sunshine

One simply cannot miss the radiant glow on Shaza's face in this snap.

Some Glimpses From The Beach Party

Shraddha Kapoor is seen enjoying herself to the fullest at Shaza-Priyaank's beach party.

Beach Vibes

Notebook actor Zaheer Iqbal who is also in Maldives to attend Priyaank-Shaza's wedding festivities, is seen having a blast on the beach.

La Familia

Shraddha Kapoor, her aunt Padmini Kolhapure and her cousin Priyaank Sharma strike a pose with the other family members at the beach party.
Former Prime Minister of Australia John Howard attends the state memorial service for the late former Australian PM Bob Hawke. June 14, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Beijing Using Australia as a Proxy Punching Bag for the US: Former PM

Beijing is using Australia as a proxy punching bag for the United States, Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard told Sky News.

As one of Australias longest-serving prime ministers, Howard made efforts to deepen the nations relationship with China. But since leaving office in 2007, he has perceived Beijing to become more aggressive, resulting in a change in its attitude towards the rest of the world.

The leadership of China 15 years ago, its attitude to the rest of the world was one of co-operation, he said on March 4. Thats not the case now.

Howard believes Australia did not ruin its relationship with China, contrary to some politicians who accused the Liberal coalition government of contributing to the Australia-China relationship breakdown.

I dont think Australia has mucked up the relationship with China, he said. I think China has decided to be more aggressive.

You cant just pick up the phone and say Hey Xi, wanna have a chat? because he doesnt want to have a chat. If he wants to have a chat, its a chat on his terms, Howard said.

Diplomatic tensions between the two nations started escalating when the Australian government called for an independent inquiry into the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus. In retaliation, Beijing imposed punitive economic sanctions on a number of Australian products.

Howard says the challenging relationship with Beijing should be handled patiently by the federal government.

We have a lot at stake, we have a great trade with China, he said. It will hurt our country, it will affect our living standards if theres a catastrophic fall in the export trade to China because its our best export destination.

A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that Australia is the most economically dependent on China out of all advanced economies in the world. This gives Beijing confidence to influence Australian society through economic coercion, break Australia from the U.S. alliance, and in turn lessen Americas influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Beijing appears to be increasingly enraged by Australia taking the lead on what it views as hostile initiativesfirst by playing a leading role in spotlighting and countering Chinese interference and more recently by calling for a global independent inquiry [into the origins of COVID-19], report author Amy Searight said.

Despite the heavy trade sanctions on Australian exports, the country actually experienced a trade surplus with China in December 2020.

Additionally, the trade war has alerted the nation to its reliance on China and has since been working to diversify its trading partners.
BASEL (dpa-AFX) - Novartis AG (NVS) announced Friday that Shannon Thyme Klinger, Chief Legal Officer, has decided to resign from the role and return to the US to take an executive role at a biotechnology company. Klinger will step down from the Executive Committee of Novartis or ECN, effective March 15. The company appointed Thomas Kendris, currently Global Head Litigation and US Country President, as Chief Legal Officer ad interim and attendee to the ECN in this capacity. Kendris holds 25 years of experience across Novartis businesses. He was Novartis US Country Head of Legal, Vice President and General Counsel of US Pharma at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., as well as Global General Counsel for Novartis Oncology and for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. Novartis has started an executive search process to find Chief Legal Officer. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
THERE was white smoke, of sorts, over the proposed 5m national fire training centre for Kilmallock Business Park at the latest local area meeting.

The council is to now to seek expressions of interest from food production companies to set up in the park and look for an alternative site for the fire training centre.

It was a hot topic late last year. The original Part 8 planning application for phase 1 of the fire training centre in Kilmallock Business Park was rejected by a majority of councillors at a special meeting in October. Cllr Mike Donegan said the original date for the Part 8 to have been decided was September 17, 2020.

Unfortunately, or should I say, comically, this was when some councillors decided that they had concerns and questions about the training centre, said Cllr Donegan, who added that it would bring in an annual income of 400,000 plus to the town.

Cllrs Eddie Ryan, PJ Carey, Ger Mitchell objected to the centre due to the worries over smoke, concerns of companies based in the business park and the possible loss of 300 jobs.

After the Part 8 was rejected Cllr Donegan and Cllr Martin Ryan put down a motion at the November meeting calling on the council to bring forward a new Part 8 planning application, complete with phase 1 and phase 2

This will ensure that the proposed fire training centre can be revisited again and planned for in the business park and not lost to another location outside of Kilmallock, said Cllr Donegan.

Cllrs Donegan and Martin Ryan said their motion will mean that the concerns of business people in the park would have to be addressed first before there was any expenditure by the council on the fire training centre.

This motion was passed by a vote. Cllrs Mike Donegan, Martin Ryan, John Egan and Brigid Teefy were for. Cllrs PJ Carey, Eddie Ryan, Ger Mitchell against.

Sean Coughlan, deputy chief executive of Limerick City and County Council, had an update for councillors at Januarys Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal district meeting.

The executive have met the businesses and listened to their concerns. We have had letters of support in from the town businesses as well, said Mr Coughlan, who added that they are looking at other options for Kilmallock Business Park.

Ive had a good few discussion with Mike Cantwell of Innovate Limerick. It is around a food production opportunity. There is a new food production facility due to open shortly in Bruree. Talking to Mike he thinks it would be good to set up a food cluster close to Bruree. So what we are considering doing is going out for expressions of interest specifically for food companies to set up in the business park, said Mr Coughlan.

The councils deputy CEO said there is a lot of interest from Northern Ireland about setting up such facilities in Limerick.

Mr Coughlan stressed that they are still very committed to getting the 5m fire training centre done.

There is a gap in terms of that service  we have to bring our fire people up the country to get it. We are committed to getting a site for that, hopefully in Kilmallock, said Mr Coughlan.

Plans to attract food companies were broadly welcomed by the seven councillors.

Cllr Egan, cathaoirleach, said it was very good news.

Cllr Donegan said it was a welcome development and would enhance the park. He added that he was glad to see the fire training centre was still being considered.

Cllr Mitchell said he had raised concerns in relation to existing companies and jobs.

This has to be the first priority at all times  not only to promote jobs but to keep jobs. I welcome the news in relation to the food sector by Innovate Limerick. This is positive news. It is a business park and it should be for business.

I hope a proper and suitable site for the fire training centre is found. I personally believes that this site is not suitable for it due to concerns that were raised, said Cllr Mitchell.

Cllr Eddie Ryan said: Common sense has prevailed not to use the site in Kilmallock as a smoke production unit to put at risk 300 jobs.

As chair of the Planning and Economic SPC he said he knows that food companies in Northern Ireland want to set up businesses in the south of Ireland.

Cllr PJ Carey, who works for Irema in the business park, said the council targeting food businesses is a potential game changer for Kilmallock.

The past decade has seen the loss of several companies so this is fantastic news. It is all good and all positive, said Cllr Carey.

Cllr Teefy said: We are in the heart of the Golden Vale. Kilmallock is a fine town and this would be a great addition.

In terms of targeting food production opportunities, Cllr Martin Ryan asked if the council could look at the whole of the municipal district and look at the east instead of concentrating on one town.

We do need to see some of that activity in the east and Galbally area as well, said Cllr Martin Ryan.

Mr Coughlan said it was encouraging to get the positive feedback.

This expression of interest can work if it is advertised right. We could get in very good local businesses and maybe international ones into the area, said Mr Coughlan.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) in updated its reference and now recommended the COVID-19 vaccine from for all age groups, including people older than 65 years, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said.

For a complete vaccination, two vaccine doses are necessary. According to STIKO, the time between the two vaccinations should be 12 weeks if possible, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

STIKO previously recommended the vaccine only for people under 65 years and reiterated that the previous recommendation was "completely correct" based on the data available at that time.

In addition to the vaccine, vaccines from BioNTech and Pfizer as well as Moderna are officially approved in

More than two months after the start of the coronavirus vaccination program in Germany, over 2.27 million people had received the second vaccination as of Wednesday, bringing the country's vaccination rate to 2.7 per cent, according to the RKI, the federal government agency for disease control and prevention.

--IANS

int/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
[March 04, 2021] KLab Announces New School Life A Cappella Project "aoppella!?" Featuring 11 Famous Japanese Voice Actors

TOKYO, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KLab Inc., a leader in online mobile games, announced a new multimedia music project called "aoppella!?" based on a story of high school students discovering the art of a cappella. About "aoppella!?" Story It was on that unforgettable day that the boys found themselves changed. In front of them were ordinary high school students just like them. There were no flashy costumes or musical instruments. But the moment they began to sing a surreal harmony filled the air and the crowd went wild. "We want to sing like that. We want to shine, too." High school students captivated by the art of a cappella aim for the top in the exclusive high school a cappella contest, "Aoppella". They try to perfect their pitch as the show is about to begin. Official Website:

https://www.aoppella.com/



Official Twitter:

@aoppella Official YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosIfP7AX7yAPV-wEDz5m4Q

Cast and Characters Revealed The main characters are an eclectic group of high school students who attend Otowa Public High School and Kanadezaka Private High School. The following voice actors will bring these characters to life. Otowa Public High School Hajime Suzumiya CV: Ryohei Kimura

Rin Tanba CV: Ryota Osaka

Michitaka Kariyazono CV: KENN

Luka Shihou CV: Tetsuya Kakihara

Sayo Soenji CV: Tomoaki Maeno Kanadezaka Private High School Maito Coresawa CV: Yuki Ono

Mitsuo Ayase CV: Toshiyuki Toyonaga

Akira Shigaki CV: Wataru Urata

Asaharu Soenji CV: Takuya Sato

Yui Nekoyashiki CV: Daiki Hamano

Fukami Shinkai CV: Shugo Nakamura Official J-Pop Music Video Covers Released The "aoppella?!" project's first music video has been released. The two high school groups cover popular Japanese songs in a cappella, and you can enjoy two songs as a medley. Kanadezaka Private High School members covered "Hakujitsu" by King Gnu, and members of Otowa Public High School covered "Pretender" of Official HIGE DANdism. Check it out now on the official YouTube channel now. About Future Development for "aoppella!?" The "aoppella?!" project plans to release various content that allows fans to enjoy the new world of music and characters in the future. Please check out the official Twitter account ( @aoppella ) for further details and announcements. See the original press release for full details. KLab View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/klab-announces-new-school-life-a-cappella-project-aoppella-featuring-11-famous-japanese-voice-actors-301241130.html SOURCE KLab Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[March 05, 2021] PFL Promotes Nick Runyon to President

LIVINGSTON, Mont., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PFL , the pioneer and leader in tactile marketing automation, today announces the promotion of Nick Runyon to President. Runyon will lead the marketing technology business, including marketing, sales, product, and professional services. Since taking over as CMO in November 2019, PFL's marketing team has surpassed its marketing goals and leveled-up its customer base, serving sophisticated marketing organizations , such as Salesforce, SAP and Zoom. This, along with enhancements to PFL's Tactile Marketing Automation product , has elevated PFL  evidenced by 40 percent year over year growth  as well as the entire direct mail and Tactile Marketing Automation category. "A 'boomrang' employee, I knew Nick had the skills we needed to make the strongest marketing organization possible," said Andrew Field , founder and CEO of PFL. "While he started his journey as our CMO late in 2019, he didn't let a global pandemic stop him from meeting every goal set in front of him. Now as president, his wide-spread leadership will be felt at an even greater level as we seek to provide our customers with the best tactile marketing solutions and services."



Runyon has more than 20 years of experience developing revenue-driving marketing strategies. From 2008 through 2014, Runyon was the Chief Operating Officer of Global Media Outreach (GMO) where he focused on mobile advancement and marketing automation as well as defined performance metrics. Then, as Executive Director of CV North America, he provided strategic leadership to its global initiative and led the advancement of CVOutreach.com, growing the agency to serve over 1,200 non-profit clients. Finally, as the founder of digital agency, Media Tractor, Runyon specializes in consulting to drive growth for non-profit organizations. "The value of tactile marketing automation can't be overstated in today's marketing climate," said Runyon. "While there are other organizations entering the category, PFL differentiates itself through unique products and building category-leading brand experiences for the biggest brands in the world. The PFL experts behind our software and service are unmatched. My priority is accelerating PFL's growth by making it easy for our customers to provide remarkable brand experiences driven by data.

This follows the announcement of PFL's enhancements to its TMA and Command Center products . To learn more about PFL, visit www.pfl.com . About PFL:

PFL is a marketing technology company providing software solutions that help brands use digital intent signals to inform the content and timing of their tactile marketing to improve the ROI of their entire marketing spend. PFL connects sophisticated marketing professionals to the automation solutions that deliver remarkable brand experiences. The company is co-headquartered in Livingston, Montana and Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information, please visit www.pfl.com . Media contact:

BLASTmedia for PFL

Ryan Hecker

pfl@blastmedia.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pfl-promotes-nick-runyon-to-president-301241654.html SOURCE PFL

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Northern Ireland's approach to addressing its role in the mother-and-baby homes scandal could be world-leading, an expert has said.

A team of specialists will work with survivors of institutions for unwed mothers and their offspring to help establish the parameters for a fully independent investigation.

The team announced yesterday includes academics, human rights experts and a community worker. It will report back to Stormont ministers on drawing up the terms of reference within six months.

Dr Maeve O'Rourke, a lecturer in human rights at National University of Ireland Galway, said: "I am looking forward to working with survivors and victims in Northern Ireland to try and achieve something really at the top of human rights best practice that could be world-leading."

The other members of the truth recovery team are Deirdre Mahon, a qualified and experienced social and community worker, and Phil Scraton, an emeritus law professor emeritus at Queen's University who investigated the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
Frustrations are mounting in Mississippis largest city, more than two weeks since winter storms and freezing weather ravaged the citys water system  knocking out water for drinking and making it impossible for many to even flush their toilets.

For more than two weeks now, residents in the city of 160,000 have been warned to boil any water that does come out of kitchen taps before using it.

I pray it comes back on, Jackson resident Nita Smith said. Im not sure how much more of this we can take.

Smith has not had water at her house for nearly three weeks now, she said.

Smith is concerned about her mother who has diabetes, since not having water makes it difficult to take her medicine. Her mother and most of the other older people on her street dont drive anymore, so shes been helping them get water to clean themselves and flush their toilets, she said.

A key focus of city crews this week is filling the systems water tanks to an optimal level, officials said in an update late Tuesday. Workers are also continuing to fix dozens of water main breaks and leaks throughout the capital city.

City officials on Wednesday planned to continue distributing water for flushing toilets at several pick-up points.

But they have given no specific timeline for when the crisis will be resolved, nor have they said how many residents remain without water. It is difficult to estimate how many customers remained without water Wednesday, said Michelle Atoa, a spokeswoman for the mayors office.

The crisis has taken a toll on businesses. Jeff Good is co-owner of three Jackson restaurants, and two of them remained closed Wednesday. In an update to his customers posted on Facebook, Good said the businesses have insurance, but hes concerned about his employees.

We will not be financially ruined, Good wrote. The spirits of our team members are my biggest concern.

A true malaise and depression is setting in, he added. I am staying in touch, keeping them informed of the facts, trying to find the path each day.

Bonnie Bishop, 68, and her husband, Mike, 63, have been without water at their Jackson home for 14 days as both struggle with health problems.

Shes recovering after a three-and-half-month hospital stay with the coronavirus and back at home but still in therapy to learn how to walk again and deals with constant neuropathy in her hands and feet.

She has not been able to soak her feet in warm water, something that usually helps with the neuropathy, or help her husband with gathering water to boil for cooking for cleaning.

Mike Bishop just had surgery on his elbow. The first week of the couple was without water, he still had staples in his arm and was hauling five-gallon containers from his truck, his wife said. Bonnie Bishop said she told her husband not to strain himself, but he wouldnt listen. They need water, and feel like they have no choice.

Its a lot of wear and tear on the elderly, she said.

On Monday, the couple drove 25 miles (40 kilometers) to Mikes mothers house to do laundry.

My greatest concerns are sanitation and hygiene, Bonnie Bishop said. I am sure that is everyones concern.

Jacksons water system has not been able to provide a sustainable flow of water throughout the city since the mid-February storms, city officials have said.

The system basically crashed like a computer and now were trying to rebuild it, Public Works Director Charles Williams said at a recent briefing.

The citys water mains are more than a century old, and its infrastructure needs went unaddressed for decades, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has said.

We more than likely have more than a $2 billion issue with our infrastructure, he said.

Jackson voters in 2014 approved a 1-cent local sales tax to pay for improvements to roads and water and sewer systems.

On Tuesday, the city council voted to seek legislative approval for another election to double that local tax to 2 cents a dollar.

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves would also have to agree to letting Jackson have the tax election.

Most things should be on the table, Reeves said Tuesday, but I do think its really important that the city of Jackson start collecting their water bill payments before they start going and asking everyone else to pony up more money.

Jackson has had problems for years with its water billing system. The city has also has had water quality issues for years.

Melanie Deaver Hanlin, who was without water for 14 days, was flushing her toilets with pool water and showering at friends homes. She said serious updates need to be made to Jacksons water system.

The problem needs to be fixed, not patched, she said. Thats the issue now  poor maintenance for far too long, and Jackson residents are paying the price.

___

Martin reported from Marietta, Georgia.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Windstorm Mississippi
Darren ONeill died two days after being struck on the face in June 2019

The family of a 22-year-old man who died after being punched during a day out at Tyrella Beach have said they are disgusted by the sentence handed to his killer on Friday.

Darren ONeill passed away in hospital on June 29, 2019, two days after he was punched by Joseph Dorrian in a car park at the Co Down beach.

Dorrian (23), with an address at Lakeview in Crumlin, was handed a three-year sentence for manslaughter at Downpatrick Crown Court.

Judge Geoffrey Miller QC told the defendant he would serve 18 months of the sentence in jail and the remainder on licence.

As Dorrian was being led from the dock, police officers were forced to intervene to stop a confrontation in the public gallery between members of his family and relatives of Mr ONeill, who wore T-shirts bearing his picture.

While the ONeill family declined to make a formal statement to the media, one member said they were disgusted by the sentence and rubbished claims the pair were best friends.

Dorrian admitted causing Mr ONeills death but denied a charge of manslaughter, claiming he reacted in self-defence after being struck first.

After a seven-day hearing, the jury rejected his version of events and returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

Sentencing the defendant, Judge Geoffrey Miller said that no jail term could make up for the loss of a life.

Dorrian and Mr ONeill, both originally from Turf Lodge in west Belfast, clashed after travelling to the beach with two female friends.

Onlookers described the group as being in high spirits on the hottest day of the year.

Mr ONeill and Dorrian went swimming in the sea, but trouble arose after Mr ONeill, who was under the influence of alcohol and pregabalin at the time, got behind the wheel of a jeep in a car park and drove it recklessly.

Several witnesses later told the jury they saw Dorrian approach the vehicle when it came to a standstill and angrily confront Mr ONeill before landing the killer blow.

A pathologist said the force of the punch to the victims jaw caused a tear in an internal artery that carries blood to the brain, which led to a bleed on the brain and a cardiac arrest.

Judge Miller said that while he accepted Dorrian did not follow this with a further assault, the degree of force in the fatal blow was not insignificant.

He stressed that the defendant had not acted not act in self-defence and added: A young life has been lost as a result of Joseph Dorrians actions.

The court heard that Mr ONeills death had a devastating effect on his family, particularly his mother, who is still battling profound grief.

The victims sister, Nikita, described him as a great big brother and a bubbly, easy-going joker who loved to fix things.

Judge Miller said: The love and closeness felt towards Darren by the whole family is palpable from the documents placed before me, and with that comes the pain of his loss.

Nothing that this court can do or say can reduce that level of hurt and pain, and I wish to put on record my heartfelt sympathy to the entire family.

The court was told the defendant suffered from mental issues stemming from several traumatic events in his past, including his parents sustaining life-changing injuries when they were shot in a paramilitary attack when he was 19.

The judge also revealed Dorrian had become reclusive since Mr ONeills death, with his brother saying: He is not the happy young man he used to be.

A report on the defendant said he had been deeply affected by Mr ONeills death, that he feels guilty about what happened and feels he is not deserving of any enjoyment in life.

Judge Miller concluded: There can be no doubt that the last thing any of the four young people who travelled down to the coast that afternoon either expected or intended was that it would end so tragically.

While the ONeill family declined to make a formal statement to the media, one member said they were disgusted by the sentence and rubbished claims the pair were best friends.
China Aid's Bob Fu granted restraining order against protestors, billionaire Chinese media executive Bank of America closes Fu's accounts without explanation in act of political persecution

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Chinese-American pastor and China Aid founder Bob Fu has been granted a restraining order from protestors who gathered outside his home last year, forcing the family to remain in protective custody for several months.

In an email sent to The Christian Post, Fu, whose human rights organization is dedicated to exposing religious persecution by the Communist Party in China and to promoting religious freedom for all in that country, revealed that after weeks of harassment, protestors finally left his family home in Midland, Texas.

Fu said that a federal judge had issued a restraining order in February barring them from approaching Fu, his family, or the staff of China Aid. A copy of the restraining order given to CP names Chinese billionaire Miles Kwok, also known as Guo Wengui  who Fu said paid protestors to stand outside his home from early October through January  Wenguis media company, GTV Media Group; and Saraca Media Group, Inc.

Set to expire on June 1, 2021, unless extended by the court, the restraining order bans Wengui or anyone acting in concert with him, from picketing Fus home, approaching within 100 feet of the activist, his family, or his employees, and picketing within 50 feet of China Aids business location.

Fu and his family were placed in protective custody in October after protestors lined up outside his home, accusing the China Aid founder of acting as a fake pastor, a communist spy, and an operative of the CCP.

Fus 15-year-old daughter had to be taken out of school by armed police as a result of the protests. The family returned home in December but remained under police custody.

In November, Fu filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Wengui, the owner of Beijing Zenith Holdings, unlawfully targeted him through online death threats and protests.

The lawsuit alleged that Wengui was orchestrating a multi-faceted campaign of character assassination to silence Fu and discourage his work promoting religious freedom and human rights within China.

Although claiming to support the Chinese pro-democracy movement, [Wengui] employs his vast legal, financial, and corporate resources, together with his robust social media presence, to systematically target pro-democracy and pro-religious freedom activists in the Chinese American community, the lawsuit said. Since 2018, [Wengui] has attacked Chinese human rights activists and bona fide CCP (Chinese Communist Party) dissidents in the United States. This year, Plaintiff Bob Fu became [Wengui's] latest target.

In an email to CP, Fu said that he continues to face harassment as a result of his activism. Last week, he revealed on Twitter that Bank of America  a company that handed over customer data to the government following the Capitol riot on Jan. 6  had shut down the accounts of his entire family with no explanation.

"Today it was discovered that 'Bank of America' had begun political persecution. The bank forcibly closed the accounts of everyone in my family, young and old, without any prior notice. Called over for questioning and even claimed that they have the right to close at any time without explanation, he tweeted.

Fu suggested the shuttering of his familys accounts had something to do with an address he delivered in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 15 on persecution in China. He told CP that the sudden unreasonable shut down of all of the accounts for him and his family came as a total shock.

BofA refused to give a simple explanation, he said. Based on the news reports about BofAs hostility toward President Trumps supporters and our impeccable record as customers with BofA for the past nearly 20 years, we concluded it must be politically motivated as BofAs malicious attempt against conservatives like us.

Still, Fu said he doesnt have exhaustive evidence of this because BofA repeatedly refuses to give us an answer arrogantly.

BofA did not answer CPs request for comment.
If business and society are to work together to solve some of our biggest challenges, a good place to start is in a business school like Goizueta, says Goizueta Business School professor Wes Longhofer, who led a fireside chat on Reimagining Capitalism to celebrate the launch of The Roberto C. Goizueta Business & Society Institute.

Emorys The Roberto C. Goizueta Business & Society Institute celebrated its official launch March 4 during a virtual celebration attended by nearly 300 guests. The Institute marks the next phase of the Goizueta Business Schools social impact initiatives.

To celebrate the launch, Wes Longhofer, Goizueta Business School associate professor and academic director, led a fireside chat on Reimagining Capitalism with Harvard Business School professor and author Rebecca Henderson. Published in 2020, Hendersons book Reimagining Capitalism in A World on Fire articulates a framework for building a profitable, equitable and sustainable capitalism grounded in new ways of defining the role of business in society.

Transforming business to solve societys challenges

The Institutes goal is to transform business to solve societys challenges through cutting-edge research, innovative programming and principled leadership. The belief is that business and society can work collectively to address the challenges of inequality and climate change, two of the most pressing issues facing both business and society today.

If business and society are to work together to solve some of our biggest challenges, a good place to start is in a business school like Goizueta, said Longhofer. We are excited to continue 10 years of social impact work at the Goizueta Business School and honor the legacy of Roberto C. Goizueta through this new institute.

The Roberto C. Goizueta Business & Society Institute is made possible by an investment from The Goizueta Foundation and follows the success of Social Enterprise @ Goizueta, an academic research center that has been in existence at the school since 2009.

The Institute creates interdisciplinary study that explores the connections between business practices, market structures and social and environmental outcomes.

The call to action is to create stronger communities in Atlanta and globally by focusing on microbusiness development, specialty markets and next generation leadership.

Coursework and hands-on experiences including travel, mentorship, conferences and consulting projects that will help students accelerate their business knowledge into impactful roles in the business community locally and abroad.

Experiential programming for community engagement

Programs in The Roberto C. Goizueta Business & Society Institute include:

Start:ME  Offers an intensive 14-week business accelerator program to the most promising micro-entrepreneurs in marginalized metro Atlanta communities, including business training, mentorship and early-stage financing to develop their businesses.

 Offers an intensive 14-week business accelerator program to the most promising micro-entrepreneurs in marginalized metro Atlanta communities, including business training, mentorship and early-stage financing to develop their businesses. Grounds for Empowerment  Provides female specialty coffee farmers in Latin America the market connections and business knowledge to grow their farms. The program has served 50 female coffee farmers in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala.

 Provides female specialty coffee farmers in Latin America the market connections and business knowledge to grow their farms. The program has served 50 female coffee farmers in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. Social Enterprise Fellows  Provides Goizueta MBA and BBA students with hands-on education, exposure and experiences to become the next social and environmental impact leaders in their industries.

New initiatives addressing strategic focus areas of inequality and climate change will be launched in the future.

Learn more at emory.biz/society.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Queen's University said investigations into the cyber attack were ongoing.

Queen's University says it is still working to resolve the after effects of an attempted cyber attack on its computer systems.

The university has suspended access to a number of its systems as a precaution following the incident and an investigation has begun.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) says it is aware of an incident affecting the Belfast institution and is "working to fully understand its impact", BBC News NI reports.

The UK's cyber-security agency added that "the university has already confirmed the immediate operational impact has been mitigated".

In a statement, QUB said the attempted cyber attack took place on Wednesday, February 24 but added that there is "currently no evidence" of any data having been stolen.

However, QUB is still suffering problems after the attack. This is believed to include some staff having problems completing work and being told they cannot log into their IT systems after 6pm and at weekends as the university continues efforts to resolve the issue.

"The university suspended access to a number of university systems as a precautionary measure following an attempted cyber-attack," a spokesperson said.

"Unfortunately, these kind of attacks against large organisations are not uncommon.

"The university has in place robust security measures which mitigated the immediate operational impact and there is currently no evidence of any exfiltration of data.

"The university applied a range of precautionary measures, including the suspension of access, and these were lifted where possible after relevant investigations were complete."

Queen's said it had liaised with the relevant authorities and was carrying out an assessment of any future risks.

"The university understands that other organisations have applied their own precautionary measures and supports them in doing so," it added.

"Students, staff and partners should be confident that the university will continue to work with relevant partners and authorities to complete the required investigations and apply necessary measures to protect against any future risks."

The NCSC previously issued an alert at the start of the 2020-21 academic year after a spike in attacks on educational institutions.
Vietnamese key leaders, one after another, have left their posts at Sabeco, the largest brewer in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi is making a rare deal in Southeast Asia.

Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi

Sabecos board of directors has released a decision on dismissing Hoang Dao Hiep from the post of deputy general director, according to the Ho Chi Minh City stock exchange.

As such, after three years of Sabeco falling into Thaibevs hands, the board of directors now has one Vietnamese  Lam Du An, who is now deputy general director.

Prior to that, in mid-2018, Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi officially completed the plan to replace Vietnamese officers at key posts at Sabeco after three months of reshuffling the brewer with the largest market share in Vietnam.

Two Chinese-Singaporean men have been put into the two highest positions at Sabeco. Neo Gim Siong Bennett assumed the post of CEO on August 1, 2018, replacing Vietnamese Nguyen Thanh Nam.

At the shareholders meeting held on July 21, 2018, Koh Poh Tiong, of Singaporean citizenship, was appointed to the post of chair of Sabecos board of directors.

Nguyen Thanh Nam was sent to Sabeco by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) as the representative of the states capital share at Sabeco. Nam then replaced Vu Quang Hai.

The other three members of the board of directors also have relations to the Thai billionaire, including Tran Kim Nga, Michael Chye Hin Fah (Singaporean nationality) and Pramoad Phornprapha (Thai nationality).

Under a decision by Sabecos board of directors, Koh Poh Tiong is the first legal representative, while Neo Gim Siong Bennett is the second legal representative of the enterprise.

Neo Gim Siong Bennett, born in 1946, graduated from Nanyang University in Singapore. He has many years of experience in the beer, oil and gas, maritime industries and supply chains. He has worked in Asia, the US and UK.

After falling hands into the Thai billionaire, Sabeco has met with many difficulties and seen turnover decrease partially because of Decree 100 which imposes heavy fines on drunk drivers and the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it still can obtain high profits, trillions of dong, thanks to effective cost control.

In late 2017, Vietnam Beverage, a subsidiary of ThaiBev, spent $5 billion, to acquire 53.6 percent of Sabecos shares from MOIT.

ThaiBev said in order to implement the deal, ThaiBev and BeerCo Ltd, a 100 percent ThaiBev owned subsidiary, got six loans, totaling $5 billion.

Sources said that ThaiBev has merged Sabeco and the beer production division in Thailand for an IPO that would have the value of $10 billion. The amount of Sabeco shares held by ThaiBev is worth $2.7 billion.

V. Ha

Vietnam green-lights Anheuser-Busch InBev-SAB Beer merger Anheuser-Busch InBev and SAB Beer announced their merger in Viet Nam on January 12 following the approval of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

The Report Contact Lenses Market [By Product Type (Soft Lens, Hybrid Lens, Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lens); By Design Type (Toric, Spherical, Multifocal, Others); By Usage (Corrective, Therapeutic, Cosmetic/Lifestyle, Prosthetic) By Regions]: Market Size & Forecast, 2017  2026 According to a new study published by Polaris Market Research the global contact lenses market is anticipated to reach USD 18.9 billion by 2026.

Once of the key factor driving the contact lenses market is to enhance aesthetic appearance by using them as fashion accessory particularly, by the youth population. Also, constant development in technology of product materials and given a boost to colored or decorative contact lenses, which is further anticipated to influence the demand. Moreover, the rising incidences of visual imparities such as myopia, presbyopia, hyperopia and astigmatisam is propelling the market growth. The World Health Organization, in 2015, estimated that approximately 1.9 billion people across the globe have been affected by myopia and the number is anticipated to be more than 2 billion by 2020. Thus, the demand for contact lenses during the forecast period will experience a growth.

Browse for full research summary: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/contact-lenses-market

The contact lenses manufacturers and vendors are appealed by the high profit margins offered by the contact lenses thus, boosting its manufacturing as well as enhancing the network of distribution. Also, advancements in technology in form of material will provide new opportunities to the manufacturers with time. By type segment, the Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses was valued over USD 800 million in 2017 owing to factors including, sharp vision, high oxygen permeability, cost-effectiveness in the long run, and durability.

The contact lenses market by usage type is segmented into Corrective, Therapeutic, Cosmetic, Prosthetic, and Lifestyle-oriented. The corrective lenses usage segment is currently growing at a CAGR of more than 6.2%. The demand is attributed to its various applications. Whereas, cosmetic lenses segment is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. On the basis of design, the hybrid lens segment is anticipated to experience a noteworthy growth as it is a combination of both soft lenses and rigid gas permeable lenses. Thus, it provides comfort of soft lenses coupled with the visual clarity offered by rigid gas permeable lenses. The growth of hybrid lenses segment is expected to propel with the increased demand from people with keratoconus and astigmatism conditions.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/contact-lenses-market/request-for-sample

The North America market holds the largest share owing to presence of better eye care treatment facilities as increasing elderly population. Although, the Asia Pacific market is expected to bolster with a high CAGR attributed to the increased awareness regarding contact lenses among the population as well as their increasing ability for healthcare spending.

The key strategies adopted by the market players include long-term partnerships among the other players in supply chain particularly, distributors and suppliers with an aim to increase their geographical footprint. For instance, in 2016, Vision Direct Group Ltd. was acquired by Essilor International S.A. for the enhancement of its online retailing business presence. Major industry players include Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., Bausch + Lomb, Incorporated, Carl Zeiss AG, CooperVision, Inc., Contamac U.S., Inc., Hoya Corporation, Essilor International S.A., Medennium and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. among others.

Check for discount: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/contact-lenses-market/request-for-discount-pricing

Contact Lenses Market Size and Forecast by Product Type Rigid Gas Permeable Lens Hybrid Lens Soft Lens

Contact Lenses Market Size and Forecast by Design Type Spherical Lenses Toric Lenses Multifocal Lenses Others

Contact Lenses Market Size and Forecast by Usage Type Corrective Lens Therapeutic Lens Cosmetic Lens Prosthetic Lens Lifestyle-oriented Lens

Contact Lenses Market Size and Forecast by Regions North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany UK France Italy Asia Pacific China South Korea Japan India Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East & Africa



Make Inquiry about this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/contact-lenses-market/inquire-before-buying

About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world.

Contact us-

Polaris Market Research

Phone: 1-646-568-9980

Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com

Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com
Israel: thousands of Arabs demonstrate against police Arabs, Jews united against police excesses in Um el-Fahem

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, MARCH 5 - Thousands of demonstrators mobilized on Friday in the Arab city of Um el-Fahem, in northern Israel, to protest against the behavior of police, which a week ago dispersed with force a demonstration organized by the city's population against widespread violent incidents in the Arab city. A demonstrator was injured seriously during the demonstration. A lawmaker and the mayor were also wounded.



On Friday the police patrolled but remained far from demonstrators, who included left-wing Jewish activists. Police confirmed that no notable incident was reported during Friday's demonstration although political tension was palpable less than 20 days before elections in which the 'Arab vote' could have a significant impact.



Some demonstrators threatened and expelled Arab lawmaker Mansur Abbas, leader of an Islamic group (Raam) which has not excluded to back in future the Likud party of Benyamin Netanyahu if it believed that this could bring practical advantages for Arab society.(ANSAmed).




The European Union has been accused of 'bullying' and blasted as a 'total disgrace' after blocking a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia.

Authorities in Italy have drawn on controversial export laws for the first time, refusing to grant a licence for 250,000 doses manufactured in the country to be exported.

Officials in Rome had informed the EU of its intention to act last week and Brussels did not object to the move.

The batch was halted because of 'continuing shortage of vaccines in the EU and in Italy and delays in supplies from AstraZeneca to the EU and Italy,' the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Italy also argued Australia is not a high-risk country, with low case and death numbers, in stark contrast to countries overwhelmed by the pandemic.

The EU blocked a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines from leaving Italy for Australia on Thursday, drawing on controversial export laws for the first time. Pictured: The first shipment of AstraZeneca arriving in Australia on February 28

The decision has sparked anger from commentators worldwide, with critics accusing the EU of punishing Australia due to their own management failures during the pandemic.

'The decision by Italy and the European Union to block vaccine exports to Australia is a total disgrace,' Matthew Lesh, the Head of Research at the conservative Adam Smith Institute,' told News.com.au.

'A very clear demonstration of closed, self-interested and nationalistic behaviour. The world should not tolerate this bullying.

'Australia isn't responsible for the European Union's failure to secure enough doses or vaccinate across her population  Australia's most vulnerable shouldn't have to bear the consequences.'

Mr Lesh's sentiments were echoed by several British commentators, including journalist Kelvin MacKenzie.

'The EU is a disgrace,' Mr MacKenzie tweeted.

'Europe is short of vaccine due to its own stupidity. France and Germany don't even believe in AZ but won't let anybody else have it. Shockers.'

The obstruction will leave Australia short thousands of vaccines, after the move prevented the batch from departing Europe on Thursday as planned.

Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng (pictured) said the situation reinforces how 'lucky' Australia is to have local vaccine production

But Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said the move demonstrates how lucky the nation is to have onshore vaccine production and he is not concerned it will disrupt Australia's rollout program.

'[This] just reinforces how lucky we are to have local production. It may not come in exactly when we expect it, but it is coming,' Professor Cheng told 3AW on Thursday.

Professor Cheng said 'we do not know' when more doses will arrive in the country but there are some Astrazenca doses in South Australia that will start being administered today.

Australia has secured 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with around 440,000 already in the country, and 54million AstraZeneca doses from overseas and local suppliers.

Asked why the majority of the orders are still yet to reach our shores, Professor Cheng said logistics were proving difficult.

'We have more vaccine than our capacity to deliver it at the moment,' he said

European leaders hastily passed new laws in January which require vaccine-makers to get permission from member states if they are planning to ship jabs manufactured in their countries overseas.

The 250,000 doses will reportedly now be distributed within the EU, whose member states are lagging behind other developed nations, including the United Kingdom.

Australia has ordered 150 million vaccines - meaning it can give enough jabs to every citizen twice (pictured, a scientist with the AstraZeneca vaccine)

A woman receives the AstraZeneca vaccine in Cornwall in the UK (pictured on February 1)

Australia began its vaccine campaign last week and had intended to use jabs shipped from abroad in the early part of the roll-out, before switching to domestically-produced ones.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the first of 50 million AstraZeneca doses to be produced locally would be ready within weeks.

'This 250,000-dose issue is not going to affect the rollout,' he told the Nine Network on Friday.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles welcomed the government's confidence the program would not be affected.

'We are far from leading the world in terms of vaccinating our population, but it's good news to hear from Peter this won't stall the rollout,' he told Nine.

Mr Dutton stressed there was no problem as he urged people to speak to their doctors to see when they could be vaccinated.

'We need to get to herd immunity that way we can get our borders open and get back to normal life,' he said.

The Australian Medical Association's Chris Moy said the government's decision to lock in local manufacturing would protect against 'vaccine nationalism'.

'It may have a slight delay because the first three or four million were destined to come from overseas,' he told Nine.

Health authorities say the move will not affect the vaccine rollout. Pictured: Prime Minister Scott Morrison walks past vials of AstraZeneca vaccine during a visit to the CSL serum lab to inspect Covid-19 Immunoglobulin being produced in Parkville, Melbourne last month

The EU has been frustrated with a slow vaccine rollout and criticised AstraZeneca for a shortfall in delivering millions of doses.

The export ban coincides with the first AstraZeneca jabs to be being administered in Australia on Friday after a shipment arrived on Sunday.

Frontline health workers at the Murray Bridge Hospital, east of Adelaide, will be the first to get the new jab, which is initially being rolled out to South Australia and Western Australia.

Vaccines will be a key topic for Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his state and territory counterparts at Friday's national cabinet meeting.

The leaders will also be briefed on the best way to respond to new coronavirus strains which have emerged around the world.

Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens' work with the states on improving consistency across the nation will be discussed.

The report has looked at coordinated approaches on health and the economy including restrictions.

National cabinet will also discuss international arrival caps, which have been flagged for change on April 30.
A Hartselle man charged with murder in the fatal shooting of his half-brother told police he didnt target him, but intended to shoot past him to scare him, according to an affidavit filed in Morgan County Circuit Court.

Hartselle police said they responded to a call Wednesday at about 3 p.m. about a shooting at a residence at 2102 Pinehurst St. in Hartselle and found Phillip Anthony Grigsby, 59.

Grigsby was taken by ambulance to Decatur Morgan Hospital, and Morgan Coroner Jeff Chunn said he pronounced him deceased there at 4:46 p.m. Grigsbys body was taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville for an autopsy, according to Chunn.

Jerry Wayne Cleek, 79, who family members said is Grigsbys half-brother, was at the scene and cooperated with police, said Hartselle Police Chief Justin Barley. Cleek was charged with murder and his bail was set at $100,000. Cleek made bond at 1:57 p.m. on Thursday, said Morgan County Sheriffs Office spokesman Mike Swafford.

The affidavit of Hartselle police investigator Tania Burgess stated that officers arrived at the residence and found Grigsby lying on the dining room floor with what appeared to be a gunshot wound.

Cleek, who was sitting in a recliner in the living room, told officers he shot Grigsby and surrendered his firearm, according to the affidavit. Medics arrived and started rendering aid to Grigsby in preparation for transporting him to the hospital.

Cleek told investigators that prior to the shooting, Grigsby made a smart remark about not being afraid of him or his gun, the affidavit said. Cleek said he reached for the left side of his chair, retrieved his .38-caliber pistol and shot toward Grigsby, Burgess wrote.

Cleek said he had listened to Grigsby curse him for 12 months and he was tired of it, according to the affidavit.

 marian.accardi@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438. Twitter @DD_MAccardi.

___

(c)2021 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.)

Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A failed economy will have just as much fallout and casualties as Covid-19. We are heading into total destruction as many citizens are on the breadline already and with this new lockdown enforcement by the Government, its the final nail in the coffin.
The guests have been revealed for tonight's Late Late Show on RTE One.

Toy Show stars Adam King, Michael Maloney and Saoirse Ruane are set for a return for Friday's show, while Zoe Holohan, Dermot O'Leary, Una Healy and Laura Whitmore are also among guests.

Tonight on The Late Late Show, Toy Show stars Saoirse Ruane, Adam King, and Michael Moloney will update viewers on what has been happening in their worlds since appearing on the show last November, and Ryan will have news on the distribution of millions of euros raised by generous viewers for the RTE Toy Show Appeal.

Ryan will speak with Zoe Holohan, the Dubliner whose life was torn apart during the Greek wildfires of 2018, which claimed the life of her new husband Brian just days into their honeymoon.

Dermot O'Leary will discuss embracing fatherhood and precious time in lockdown with the new addition to his family in London, and missing his family in Wexford.

Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore will discuss the perils of fame, carving out a successful career in Britain on TV and radio, and turning her hand to writing with a new book, released this week.

Una Healy will be in studio to discuss her new music, leaving the UK for life back home in Tipperary with her two children, and her hopes about The Saturdays reuniting. Una will also debut her brand-new single, Swear It All Again.

And there will be more music from Picturehouse will be in studio for a performance of their classic hit single, Sunburst.

The Late Late Show, Friday, March 5 on RTE One at 9.35pm.
Yesterday was the day when some seem to have feared that supporters of Donald Trump would attack the Capitol. To meet this supposed threat, National Guard members armed with M4 rifles were out in force.

But the assault on the Capitol did not occur. According to the Washington Post, the threat proved to be a mirage.

Was there a reasonable basis to fear an attack? The Post says that the fear was based on predictions by some Trump supporters that the former president would return to power on March 4, which used to be Inauguration Day.

But was there any reason to believe that Trump supporters would commemorate this supposed event by storming the Capitol? I doubt it.

The January 6 storming occurred after Trump called on his supporters to come to Washington. The idea was to exert pressure on Mike Pence and others as the election results were about to be certified (although I dont think theres evidence that Trump envisaged a storming of the Capitol). Trump was in Washington that day and delivered a speech to his supporters.

None of these elements was present yesterday. Trump did not call on supporters to come to D.C. Trump himself was in Florida and gave no speech, as far as I know. Congress was engaged in no activity affecting the outcome of the 2020 election.

Were Trump supporters coming to Washington in large numbers? Nothing in the Posts report suggests that they were. Thus, it seems that the show of force was a response to an imaginary threat.

The Capitol area has been a militarized zone for two months. Yesterday, the militarization was even more pronounced. According to the Post:

Along the fence, which stretches from the east side of the Supreme Court to the Mall, police shooed away anyone who lingered nearby. Have you seen the news? they asked.

A better question would have been, have you seen the fake news.

About 5,200 Guard members remain on duty in Washington. The security operation costs $2 million per week to maintain. The Guards mission here is scheduled to end March 12, but the Capitol Police has asked that it be extended for 60 days.

The Post reports that the oppressive security measures have become increasingly controversial in recent weeks, particularly among the people who have to live with them every day. D.C.s mayor Muriel Bowser no longer supports the large presence of troops.

Why are the troops still here? Why will they remain after yesterdays false alarm?

One explanation is that Capitol police force officials and others with a say want them here. They dont want to tolerate any risk, however small, of another January 6. It doesnt matter to them whether Capitol Hill is oppressively militarized. Thats not their concern.

Another explanation is that some officials want to promote the view that Trump supporters pose an ongoing threat to the Capitol. They want to get all the mileage they can from January 6.

Whatever the true explanation  and both of the two above can be true  I think the oppressive security measures on Capitol Hill are a disgrace.
(ISRAEL21c via JNS) - A catastrophic tar spill washing up along Israel's entire Mediterranean coast may be the worst environmental disaster in Israeli history.

While government authorities investigate the source of the offshore leak of at least 1,000 tons of sticky, toxic tar, many Israeli civilians and soldiers are helping with cleanup efforts that will likely take months.

"Over the weekend I, together with thousands of volunteers, was at the beaches cleaning sticky, black tar oil off of dead and dying animals," Iris Hann, CEO of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, wrote...
Georgian Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze spoke by phone with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, according to the statement posted on the U.S. Department of Defense Office's website.

Both leaders noted the strength and enduring nature of the U.S.-Georgia strategic partnership, which is based on shared interests and values.

Secretary Austin thanked Minister Burchuladze for Georgias contribution to the Resolute Support Mission and for the sacrifices made by Georgian troops in Afghanistan.



Burchuladze expressed appreciation for U.S. support for Georgias military modernization and reform efforts.

Both leaders agreed that the close bilateral security cooperation between the U.S. and Georgia must be sustained, with future cooperation building upon the gains achieved in recent years.
Congressional Black Caucus Expresses Strong Support for Shalanda Young as Director of the Office of Management and Budget

ADVERTISEMENT

Congressional Black Caucus today expressed its wholehearted support for Shalanda Young as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. If confirmed, Young would be the first African-American woman to lead the OMB, one of the most important federal government agencies.

The Congressional Black Caucus takes tremendous pride in recommending Shalanda Young as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, said CBC Chair Joyce Beatty. Having worked closely with her over a number of years, the CBC has come to rely on her keen intellect, profound knowledge of the federal budget process, appropriations, and legislative processes. Shalanda knows that our budget reflects our values as a nation.

If chosen, her legislative savvy, intellectual stamina, and broad knowledge of federal agencies will prove to be a tremendous asset to the Biden-Harris Administration. Her leadership of the OMB would be historic and would send a strong message that this Administration is ready and willing to work with Congress to craft budgets that meet the critical challenges which face our nation, and can secure broad, bipartisan support.

Shalanda Young has been thoroughly vetted for the position of Deputy Director and has received excellent reviews from both Democratic and Republican members of the Senate.


3 1 of 3 Courtesy photo /U.S. Border Patrol Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy photo /U.S. Border Patrol Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to Cotulla Station requested assistance from Texas Department of Public Safety and the La Salle County Sheriffs Office regarding a dangerous human smuggling attempt that ended near Pearsall, Texas on Interstate 35.

The incident began during the mid-afternoon of March 2, when agents attempted to perform vehicle stop on a suspicious vehicle on Farm to Market Road 133 near I-35. The vehicle failed to yield to agents and turned north on I-35 where La Salle deputies started pursuit of the vehicle near mile marker 62. The driver exited I-35 at the 68 mile-marker and re-entered the highway one mile later. Texas Game Wardens and Frio County Constable Precinct 2 responded to assist as well.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
A Politically Correct Apartheid Denies Common Humanity, Possibility of Literature

Commentary

More than forty years ago, when I was briefly in South Africa and apartheid was at its apogee, the police brought a woman to the clinic in which I was working. She had been found wandering naked in the streets of the town and was clearly not in her right mind.

The police found it difficult to decide whether she should enter the clinic by the white entrance because she was white or by the black entrance because she was mad. I was asked to decide for them; their dilemma was too difficult for them.

I never thought to encounter such insanity again, let alone nearly half a century later: but it seems that, after the seeming downfall of apartheid, its fundamental ideas have survived and even flourished outside South Africa, just as Soviet ideas and mentality have survived and even flourished outside the Soviet Union after the apparent downfall of the Soviet Union.

Indeed, the increasing Sovietization of much of our lifein offices, in government departments, in political discourse, in the very language that we useseems to be accelerating.

But to return to apartheid. A young Dutch writer called Marieke Lucas Rijneveld has recently withdrawn from the task of translating into Dutch the poem that Amanda Gorman recited at President Bidens inauguration because of public criticism by a black Dutch activist, Janice Deul, to the effect that the task should have been entrusted to a writer whojust like Gormanis a spoken word artist, young, female and unapologetically black.

Actually, Amanda Gormans poem didnt strike me as very good. In large part, no doubt, the problem was with the genre, for it is as difficult to write good poems for official occasions as to be natural in front of the camera or funny on command.

I was reminded of the poem written by Alfred Austin, Britains poet laureate, on the occasion of Kind Edward VIIs operation in 1902 for appendicitis: Across the wires the electric message came. / He is not betterhe is much the same.

Amanda Gormans effort did not reach such glorious heights of poetic absurdity, but I nevertheless did not find the following very inspiring, either in form or in substance:

And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, / that doesnt mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. / We are trying to form our union with purpose. / To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of men.

Allowances must be made for the fact that Amanda Gorman is still very young (as was Keats, of course, though it is hardly fair to compare every young aspiring poet with Keats): but all the same these lines reeked of the kind of adolescent declamation that most of us probably once indulged in and that a still small voice, that we did our very best to suppress, told us was over the top, expressing an emotional pitch that we should have liked to reach but could not quite manage unselfconsciously, whence the inflated language.

Apart from anything else, some of what these lines say is obviously false. Perhaps the first two lines that I have quoted could be read to mean Although we are not perfect, we are not trying to reach perfection, which is laudably un-utopian, but the following two lines destroy that impression.

Surely a commitment to all cultures irrespective of content, and to all men, even if they are members of the Ku Klux Klan, is utopian to the point of both impossibility and undesirability. The lines express the kind of mushy moral uplift, appropriate perhaps to a greeting card, that some people like but to which I am mentally allergic.

Literal truth is not demanded of poetry, I know. When Wordsworth tells us that earth has not anything more fair to show than the view from Westminster Bridge in the early morning, we understand that this cannot literally be the case. Indeed, we can probably think of a thousand things more fair than the view from Westminster Bridge early in the morning, especially nowadays.

His truth is poetic rather than literal: but I did not find much poetic truth in Amanda Gormans poem either, though I accept that others might think differently.

That her poem should be translated only by a person of the same skin color and attributes as she, however, strikes at the very notion of a common humanity. It suggests that ones brains and emotions subsist in, or are at least dependent on, ones skin color.

Such a suggestion would have delighted Dr. Verwoerdnot the founder, but the enthusiastic continuator and theorist, of apartheid.

It suggests also that the power of literature to enable us to enter experience other than our own is non-existent; indeed, it renders literature either redundant or impossible. And, to do Amanda Gorman justice, this is the very opposite of what I take it that she was trying to convey.

If we cannot sympathize or empathize with anyone who is not identical to ourselves, even in merely outward physical characteristics, then there is no hope of a country committed to any culture other than its own. Indeed, no country could tolerate difference within itself: it would be obliged to split itself into various Bantustans, to use an expression from the bygone age of apartheid.

Oddly enough, this seems to be happening informally already without anyone either wishing it or directing it. People increasingly live without contact with those who do not resemble themselves. This is as true of me as of anyone else.

I do not know well a single person who has serious economic problems, at least any not caused by his own fecklessness or extravagance, though I know that there are millions of my countrymen who are in grave difficulties not of their own making.

It is surely one of the objects of literature to make us conversant, from the inside as it were, of the situation of others, the very thing that demanding that Amanda Gormans poem, good or bad, be translated by a spoken word artist, young, female and unapologetically black, that is to say just like Gorman herself, is intended to deny.

Theodore Dalrymple is a retired doctor. He is contributing editor of the City Journal of New York and the author of 30 books, including Life at the Bottom. His latest book is Embargo and Other Stories.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Ryanair will fly from both Belfast airports after announcing new routes from City Airport, it has emerged.

The budget airline is returning to Belfast City Airport after an 11-year absence with routes to Barcelona, Faro, Mallorca, Milan Bergamo, Ibiza and Valencia from June.

Malaga, Milan and Alicante routes will continue to fly from Belfast International Airport, where Ryanair has had a base since 2016. It previously stormed out of Belfast City Airport over delays in building a runway extension that would have enabled it to serve more routes.

Its fiery chief executive, Michael O'Leary, said at the time: "We'll come back if somebody at some point in time up here makes a f****** decision".

While there has been no runway extension, the airline said it could work around the issue.

Its push to sell flights could put it at odds with Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, who said last week she would not encourage people to go on holiday.

Dara Brady, Ryanair's marketing director, said the speed of vaccinations suggested holidays would be safe from June.

He confirmed the airline was not in favour of requiring vaccination passports, although most countries do require a negative Covid test to enter.

Mr Brady added: "The Government's highly successful rollout of the vaccination programme gives customers the confidence that travel will be possible this summer, and Northern Ireland consumers now have eight routes at low fares to some of the most popular summer holiday destinations in Spain, Portugal and Italy to choose from."

Brian Ambrose, chief executive of Belfast City Airport, said: "This is excellent news for those in Northern Ireland considering a getaway this summer."

A spokesman for the International Airport added: "We are pleased that Ryanair will continue to operate its existing services from Belfast International."

It is a year since Belfast City Airport found itself counting the cost of the collapse of Flybe, its biggest customer.
The UNODC estimates that Sam Gor may control as much as 40 percent to 70 percent of the methamphetamine market, sending the drug out in tea packets -- a branding device indicating high quality. "Someone will assume a role within Sam Gor, or other big players are going to come in and say, that opportunity is too big for me to pass up. I'm taking it. I'm going to seize the day and go for it," Douglas said.

The arrests "might temporarily disrupt the clientele they were working with and the networks they work with, but the reality is that the demand has been built," Jeremy Douglas, regional representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime told VOA news Feb. 8, saying seizures have been surging over the last few years, reflecting the vast supply.

The syndicate's cash cow is methamphetamine, produced in laboratories in the Golden Triangle, straddling Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and China, for the Australian, Japanese and Taiwanese markets.

Dutch police said in January they had arrested Tse Chi Lop, allegedly the leader of the Asian drug syndicate known as The Company or Sam Gor (Brother No. 3 in Cantonese). It is alleged to have made tens of billions of dollars each year off drugs in the region. Then in February, it was announced that Lee Chung Chak, suspected of being a second leader of the syndicate, had been arrested.

Given the estimated US$70 billion being made each year in Asia's drug trade, regional experts say recent arrests of two key drug figures are seen as unlikely to dent the long-term flow of narcotics.

 Meth Men

Methamphetamine comes in two forms in Southeast Asia. The first is small "yaba" ("crazy medicine" in Thai) pills, which are cut with caffeine and now go for as little as 30 cents a pill in Thailand's border areas. Cheap and abundant it has long been a favorite high of Southeast Asian laborers, truck drivers and clubbers.

"Ice" -- or crystal meth -- though, is more addictive and damaging.

The price of a gram has also plummeted in the countries nearest to the production sites as drug lords flood the market in their product. In Thailand a gram now costs as little as $26, nearly 40 percent cheaper than the price a few years ago.

By the time it is smuggled to Australia, ice commands a higher price. Use of it there it has reached epidemic levels. Government statistics released in December say the drug carried an annual social cost of around $4 billion to the economy in 2014 and 2015, while four times more people are dying from use than did so a decade ago.

In late 2019, Australian border police intercepted 1.8 metric tons of ice, with a street value of around $800 million stuffed in the Sam Gor's signature tea packets, hidden inside stereo speakers on a cargo ship off the Melbourne coast. It had been shipped from Thailand. The Australian Federal Police has led the global police response to the Sam Gor.

The syndicate is believed to have emerged from a union of several former rival triad groups -- the 14K, Wo Shing Wo and Sun Yee On -- from Hong Kong and Macau. They pulled in a coalition of partners, from the Myanmar-based ethnic militias -- whose product can be made secretly inside the Golden Triangle -- to Thai gangs that transport it and Australian bikers and Japanese Yakuza who get it on the streets.

Thai police arrested Lee in October in the Luangsuan area, an upmarket Bangkok neighborhood, acting on a warrant issued by Australia, which is seeking his extradition. Lee is believed to be the logistics maestro for The Company, with contacts that opened borders. For around a decade Lee and Tse "used Thailand as a meeting point because it is close to the Golden Triangle production site," a police source told VOA, requesting anonymity. "Most of the negotiations are done here," he said.

There has been a disruption to the large shipments of drugs to Australia since the arrests, according to Montree Yimyam, commissioner of Thailand's Narcotics Suppression Bureau. "But when the heads are cut off therell always be someone rising to take their place and demand in Australia remains the same, so it's still business as usual for the drug trade," he told VOA.

 Secrets to Be Spilled

Thailand plays a key role in the drug trade. Its borders with Myanmar and Laos are vast and open, enabling easy transport into the kingdom, where large shipments are stored for onward movement through ports, road and rail links.

Thai drug police are hunting another member of the The Company -- Arsue Songkittikul, a 48-year-old with Myanmar and Thai passports and who goes by several aliases, the police source said. Arsue is wanted in Myanmar over a 1.7-metric-ton seizure of ice in 2016 and Thai police believe he procured drugs for the Sam Gor syndicate.

Regional law enforcement authorities are desperate to see what intelligence the arrests of Tse Chi Lop and Lee will yield, especially on a money trail that launders billions in illicit cash through casinos, condos and cryptocurrency.

In contrast to their Latin American peers who covet the limelight with their notoriously flashy lifestyles -- and make headlines with extreme violence, Asia's drug kingpins "in a sense, stay in the shadows," according to the UNODC's Douglas. "Asian groups function less as a hierarchy -- like you see with the Latin Americans -- and more as a network of common interests. In other words, make profits, keep your profile low and spread the talent around," he added.

She has developed a reputation over the years for her impeccable fashion sense.

And Nicky Hilton scored multiple wins this week when she rocked casual ensembles with stylish yet low-key coats while taking care of business in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood.

The 37-year-old sister of Paris Hilton was spotted out and about in the city on Thursday as she stayed warm in a fuzzy brown fleece coat.

Earth tones: Nicky Hilton, 37, rocked stylish brown coats two days in a row while out in Manhattan this week. She wore a brown fleece jacket Thursday in SoHo

The double-breasted item featured wide lapels and covered up her black mock turtleneck.

The 5ft7in heiress stayed down to earth with a pair of matching brown flats and wore dark skinny jeans with slightly frayed hems.

She added some more flair to her look with a quilted black handbag with pointy gold blocks dotting it.

The socialite wore her shoulder-length blond tresses styled straight and blocked out the sun with dark brown cat-eye sunglasses.

Casual: The thick double-breasted coat covered up her black mock turtleneck and slim jeans. She also had a black leather purse with gold studs and brown flat

Similar look: Earlier on Wednesday, Nicky was seen venturing out in Manhattan's West Village. She wore a double-breasted camel overcoat, this time with thinner, peaked lapels

Earlier on Wednesday, Nicky was seen venturing out in Manhattan's West Village.

She wore a double-breasted camel overcoat, this time with thinner, peaked lapels.

The business woman had on a black sweater with horizontal white stripes and mixed it with slim blue jeans and matching blue velvet flats.

She added an opulent touch with a classic black Birkin bag while wearing fashion-forward clear plastic sunglasses.

Low key: The business woman had on a black sweater with horizontal white stripes and mixed it with slim blue jeans and matching blue velvet flats

Safety first: Nicky wore a black mask both days to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus

Nicky wore a black mask both days to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Missing from her outings was her husband, financier James Rothschild. The couple first met at a wedding in 2011.

He proposed during an Italian trip the two took in 2014, and they married the following year in London with her sister Paris serving as her Maid of Honor.

The couple share two daughters: Lily-Grace, four, and Teddy, three.

Solo trip: Missing from her outings was her husband, financier James Rothschild. The couple first met at a wedding in 2011 and married in 2015 in London; seen in February 2020

Last month, Nicky and Paris appeared in the latest issue of the French fashion magazine L'Officiel, where they revealed they were more concerned with rodents than riches as children.

'We liked rodents: hamsters, guinea pigs, mice ... all rodents, it's very strange looking back now,' Nicky revealed.

Paris added some more details about the opulent home they had for their furry friends.

'Yes, we took them to our home in Bel Air, California,' she jumped in. 'There we had a huge dollhouse, it had a living room, bedroom and kitchen. There was also water and electricity. It was gorgeous. We hid them there, so we didn't upset our parents, who knew nothing about it.'

Nicky also spoke about loving life as a mother when asked what's most important to her at the moment.

'For me the family, being there for my daughters and my husband,' she explained. 'The girls are very young, they are three and four years old, and this is a period that passes very quickly ... And I want to be there at all times, not to lose anything. I love being a mom.'

Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Mainly clear. Low 47F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 47F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Specialist Risk Group (SRG), a London-based insurance broker, has agreed to acquire CLS Risk Solutions (CLS RS), subject to regulatory approval.

Financial details of the acquisition  its fourth so far this year  were not disclosed.

Established in 2010, CLS RS is a West Malling, England-based managing general agent (MGA), which provides risk solutions for real estate development projects and transactions for clients in the UK and across Europe. With gross written premiums in excess of 30 million ($41.8 million) in 2020, CLS RS specializes in renewables, mergers and acquisitions, property development and environmental markets.

The company helps clients transfer risk that might otherwise frustrate the acquisition, funding, development or disposal of a real estate asset. Its suite of products includes legal indemnities, structural indemnities, rights of light indemnities, environmental indemnities and judicial review/planning law indemnities.

CLS RS team of 28 will operate within Specialist Risk Underwriting Solutions, along with the companys other MGAs  GB Underwriting and LIME.

The CLS RS team has a specialist offering, which perfectly complements our goal to create a group of specialist businesses, commented Warren Downey, Group CEO at SRG.

In addition to CLS RS, SRGs other 2021 acquisitions are:

Broker KBIS British Equestrian Insurance

GB Underwriting, an MGA that provides property and liability solutions for brokers whose clients operate within the building, construction and associated specialist trades.

UK trade credit specialist The Channel Partnership.

Specialist Risk Group (SRG) serves more than 45,000 end policyholders across multiple lines of business. SRG is owned by its management team and HGGC, a middle-market private equity firm, based in Palo Alto, Calif.

Source: Specialist Risk Group

Topics Mergers Agencies Insurance Wholesale
EDWARDSVILLE  After a years absence, a new Madison County Grand Jury was empaneled this week and quickly went to work, handing down several indictments Thursday.

The new grand jury was part of the expansion of in-person hearings and other court activities, which have been severely limited by the coronavirus pandemic.

The last grand jury in Madison County started work in January 2020, according to Circuit Judge Kyle Napp.

We picked and empaneled this grand jury on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, she said. Their session runs from March 4 through June 24.

Six indictments were handed down.

Earl A. Barber, 41, of Ferguson, and Benjamin N. Smith, 49, of St. Louis, were indicted on multiple felonies related to a robbery and car chase in Glen Carbon on Dec. 30 that ended with one of them being shot by a Madison County sheriffs deputy in St. Louis County.

The two were each indicted on two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, Class 1 felonies, and robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, all Class 2 felonies.

Smith was also indicted for aggravated fleeing a peace officer, a Class 4 felony.

Barber had also been charged with additional felonies related to similar incidents Dec. 1 and Dec. 27 in Collinsville, Dec. 4 in Glen Carbon, and Dec. 14 in Edwardsville.

In the Dec. 30 incident Glen Carbon Police received a report of a strong-arm robbery near the Glen Carbon Walmart. Officers were told two suspects had fled and were shooting at witnesses from their vehicle.

The victim was identified as a 45-year-old woman. The two had allegedly attempted to steal her purse.

Glen Carbon, Pontoon Beach and Madison County officers pursued the pair to Shardell Drive and Poggemoeller Avenue, where Barber, the passenger, allegedly got out of the vehicle and was shot by a Madison County sheriffs deputy. A handgun was recovered at the scene.

Other indictments included:

 Antonio M. Evans, 26, of Alton, indicted on three charges in two separate filings. He was indicted on charges of armed robbery and home invasion, both Class X felonies, relating to a Nov. 17 incident in Alton, and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony, in a June 18 incident. Evans was originally charged with home invasion and robbery on Dec. 2, but the charges were sealed until Feb. 17. According to court documents, on Nov. 17 Evans, allegedly armed with a silver handgun, entered a home in the 800 block of Ridge Street in Alton while at least one person was there, and stole $3,000 in cash.

 Robby L. Schweigert, 33, of Collinsville, was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder, both Class X felonies, stemming from a March 4 incident in Collinsville in which he stabbed two people.

 Zemry M Ransom, 32, of Florissant, Missouri, was indicted on charges of armed violence, a Class X felony; aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony; unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 2 felony and unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a Class 3 felony. The July 20 incident occurred in Granite City.
Representative Image

Lalitpur [Nepal], March 5 (ANI): A group of civil society members on Friday staged a demonstration in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Nepal against the military's crackdown on pro-democracy supporters in the Southeast Asian country.

Demonstrators staged a sit-in protest in front of the embassy calling for the incumbent military of Myanmar to stop the brutal killing of its people.

"Nepali speaking people are in Myanmar; we do have diplomatic relation with Myanmar. Standing in front of the Embassy of Myanmar I want to convey my message that, Nepali citizens are against any kind of suppression of people in Myanmar," Santosh Pariyar, one of the activists from Nepal said.

Dozens of people demanding the restoration of democracy have been killed in Myanmar in the aftermath of the military's overthrow of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

At least 38 people were killed in Myanmar on Thursday alone as the military tried to quell demonstrations by pro-democracy campaigners against last month's coup, the United Nations said.

It was the bloodiest day since generals seized power on 1 February, with more than 50 people now dead and many others wounded, according to reports. (ANI)


Gorleston youth project to hold virtual celebration

The Identity Youth project, based in Gorleston, will be holding a virtual celebration night on March 15, and everyone is invited to join the meeting on Zoom.

The Identity team will be celebrating their work over the past year and explaining their vision for 2021 and their dreams for expanding the ministry beyond covid. This will also be the projects agm.



The evening will run from 7.00pm to 7.45pm on Monday March 15 2021 on Zoom, and is free to join. Those signing up for the Celebration Night will then receive the Zoom details needed to access the event.



In order to register, visit either the Identity website or the Eventbrite event page .



The Identity Youth project exists to partner with the local church in order to serve, together, young people in the Gorleston area. The project connects them with other Christians and equips them to discover or develop their relationship with God, honour him with their lives, and reach others with the truth of Jesus.

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in East Norfolk?

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.

Tony Rothe, 05/03/2021
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

ROME, MAR 5 - A 22-year-old woman was assaulted and raped in a Rome park on Friday morning, she told police later in the day. She said she was attacked from behind while jogging in the Villa Gordiani Park on the outskirts of the Italian capital. The man reportedly put his hand over her mouth to stop her shouting for help and then raped her, she said. The alleged incident took place shortly after 7:30 a.m.. The woman has been taken to hospital for tests. The Rome flying squad is investigating. (ANSA).
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
NASAs Perseverance rover has completed its first test drive since landing on the surface of Mars on February 18th. On March 4th, it went on a short 33-minute jaunt that saw it travel 21.3 feet (6.5 meters) in and around its landing site, the agency announced on Friday. The milestone is the first of many technical tests Perseverance needs to complete before it starts looking for signs of ancient microbial life in the Jezero Crater, which was once home to an ancient lake.

A quick test of my steering, and things are looking good as I get ready to roll. My team and I are keen to get moving. One step at a time. pic.twitter.com/XSYfT158AQ  NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) March 5, 2021

This was our first chance to kick the tires and take Perseverance out for a spin, said Anais Zarifian, a mobility testbed engineer with NASAs Jet Propulsion Lab. The rovers six-wheel drive responded superbly. We are now confident our drive system is good to go, capable of taking us wherever the science leads us over the next two years.

A test drive isnt the only thing Perseverance has been up to since landing on Mars. On February 26th, NASA updated Perseverance software, replacing the program that had helped it land on Mars with a new one that will help it investigate the planet instead. More recently, the agency tested the rovers 7-foot-long robotic arm for the first time. Moving forward, the plan is to calibrate its other instruments, send it on longer drives and most excitingly, fly the Ingenuity for the first time.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Kruszynski said he had not heard anything again about dead waterfowl until this week, when staff at the Hammond Marina spotted some dead birds on the ice. The authority is not equipped to take a boat out on the ice, so the birds could not be recovered. The find was reported to the DNR which said an investigation was underway.
Crude oil demand is expected to improve in just a few short months, Saudi Aramco CEO Amir Nasser said this week at IHS Markits CERAWeek, with oil demand from China, east Asia, and India creating most of the increase.

Current demand in the market is about 94m bbl/day, our expectation by next year will be about 99m bbl/day, Nasser said, adding that there was a good case for oil demand optimism going forward.

But not all product demand in the petroleum sector saw uniform destruction. Diesel demand, for one, has already risen above pre-pandemic levels, while aviation fuels have been one of the slowest products to recover with respect to demand, with the EIA expecting the 2022 average full-year jet fuel demand to still be 1.7% under 2019 levels.

Despite Nassers rosy words on the crude oil demand outlook, OPEC+--essentially led by Russia and Saudi Arabia--agreed on Thursday to keep crude oil production steady in April instead of ramping up production as most analysts suspected the group would do. Saudi Arabia was largely expected to ramp up production by as much as 1 million bpdthe amount of its voluntary production cut.

At the opening of todays OPEC+ meeting, however, Saudi Arabias energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman urged the groups members to be cautious and vigilant at the risk of sounding like a stuck record.

That caution and vigilance that was decided on today send the spot price of Brent crude up 3% at a time when oil importers, such as India, were begging for OPEC to turn on the taps to ease the pain of higher oil prices.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:


This page requires Javascript.

Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
A motorcade of dozens of vehicles accompanied Francis out of the airport compound, which has recently come under rocket fire from militia groups.

Pope Francis embarked on Friday on the first ever papal visit to Iraq, his riskiest trip since his election in 2013, saying he felt duty-bound to make the "emblematic" visit because the country had suffered so much for so long.

His first stop after his plane touched down at Baghdad International Airport was to meet Iraqi President Barham Salih at the presidential palace, where a red carpet, military band and flock of doves greeted the pontiff, Reuters reported.

Read alsoZelensky asks Pope Francis to help with release of prisoners (Photo)Iraq has deployed thousands of additional security personnel to protect the 84-year-old pope during the visit, which comes after a spate of rocket and suicide bomb attacks raised fears for his safety.

A motorcade of dozens of vehicles accompanied Francis out of the airport compound, which has recently come under rocket fire from militia groups.

"I am happy to be making trips again," he said in brief comments to reporters aboard his plane. The coronavirus pandemic has prevented Francis from travelling and the Iraq trip is his first outside Italy since November 2019.

"This is an emblematic trip and it is a duty towards a land that has been martyred for so many years," Francis said, before donning a mask and greeting each reporter individually, without shaking hands.

Reporting by UNIAN
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
ADVERTISEMENT

Thirteen persons have been reported killed in an attack by bandits on Tara in Sabon Birnin Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The police said the attack occurred on Thursday night.

In their statement on Friday, the police were silent on the casualties but confirmed that one person was killed in another attack at Dingyadi in Bodinga Local Government Area of the state.

The village head of Tara, Mainasara Muhammed, however, told Daily Trust that they buried the corpses of 13 people killed in the attack.

He said the bandits also rustled many livestock and burnt food silos.

According to the traditional ruler, the gunmen invaded the community around 11:58 p.m Thursday.

He said the bandits sprang a surprise on the communitys vigilantes by avoiding all the major roads to the village which were under guard by the vigilantes.

They sneaked into the village through the eastern axis and opened fire on members of the vigilante group that were stationed around, killing the vigilantes before proceeding into the village to kill people at sight, Mr Muhammed said.

We just buried 13 bodies, including a six-year-old girl. Seven other people who were critically injured have been taken to the nearest hospital for treatment, he said.

He said residents had alerted security personnel when they got wind of a planned attack but the bandits still carried it out unchallenged.

Mr Muhammed said bandits had attacked the community twice in the last two months, during which he said they stole about 200 livestock.

We cant abandon our village because of these attacks. Already, we have lost virtually everything, our grains, livestock and wealth, he told Daily Trust.

Speaking on the incident, the police spokesperson in Sokoto, Sanusi Abubakar, said the commissioner of police, Kamaldeen Okunlola, was developing strategies to combat banditry.

He said the commissioner visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad, and Dingyadi village that was attacked by bandits on Wednesday in which one life was lost.

He said the commissioner also visited Tara village and Isa Local Government Area on Friday over the attack of Thursday night.
Mexican authorities have arrested the nephew of a fugitive drug lord just three months after he was captured on video assassinating a man he'd arranged to purchase and Xbox from.

Juan Pablo Quintero was arrested by agents from the Mexico City Attorney Generals Office and Mexicos Attorney Generals Office during an operation Thursday in the State of Mexico municipality of Atizapan.

Quintero had been sought by law enforcement after he shot dead the 32-year-old victim.

The victim and Quintero had chatted on social media and agreed to meet in the Mexico City borough of Azcapotzalco to sell him an Xbox console on November 25, according to Infobae.

Juan Pablo Quintero was apprehended in Atizapan, Mexico, on Thursday in connection with the November 25, 2020 murder of a 32-year-old man who resisted a robbery attempt while meeting with him to sell him an Xbox. Surveillance video shows the moment Quintero shot the victim multiple times and escaped from the scene. He is the nephew of fugitive drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who is wanted by the United States for the 1985 murder of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique "Kiki' Camarena

Juan Pablo Quintero (far right) stands next to a vehicle he was traveling in before he executed a 32-year-old man whom he had met to buy an Xbox from on November 25, 2020 in Mexico City

The victim was accompanied by a man and a woman and can be seen in the surveillance video being dragged out of a vehicle after he purportedly resisted from being robbed.

Subsequently, Quintero approached him from behind and shot him at least four times.

Quintero and his accomplice then boarded their car and fled from the cold blooded execution.

His court date has not been set yet.

Quintero's uncle, Rafael Caro Quintero, 68, is wanted by Mexican and U.S. authorities for his role in the 1985 kidnapping, torture and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena.

Surveillance video recorded the moment a 32-year-old man was murdered in Mexico on November 25, 2020 moments after he had met Juan Pablo Quintero, the nephew of fugitive drug lord Rafael Cara Quintero

Juan Pablo Quintero (center) was arrested Thursday in Mexico in connection to the November 2020 murder of a 32-year-old man he and his accomplice allegedly attempted to rob while meeting him to purchase an Xbox

The high profile killing, which is highlighted in the smash Netflix series, Narcos: Mexico, was sparked by the fugitive kingpin's Guadalajara Cartel, which blamed Camarena for a Mexican military raid on 2,500-acre marijuana farm in 1984.

Caro Quintero and the two other cartel leaders, Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo and Ernesto Fonseca, kidnapped the 37-year-old Camarena in broad daylight on February 7, 1985.

He was tortured him at a residence that belonged to Quintero and his body was found on March 5, 1985, wrapped in plastic and dumped at an abandoned property in La Angostura, a city in the state of Michoacan.

Rafael Caro Quintero's defunct Guadalajara Cartel blamed DEA Special Agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena for a Mexican military raid on 2,500-acre marijuana farm and kidnapped him in February 1985 in Guadalajara

Quintero eventually fled to Costa Rica with his girlfriend and was arrested the following month and was sentenced to 40 years in jail for Camarena's murder.

On August 9, 2013, a Jalisco court ordered the release of Quintero, after he had served 28 years in prison, because he had been improperly tried for the killing of the DEA special agent. But on August 14, a federal court acted on pressure from the United States and issued a warrant for Quintero's arrest.

Following his release, Quintero became involved in the drug trade with the Sinaloa Cartel, which was co-founded by his protege, Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman. However, the relation was fractured due to a conflict with El Chapo's sons, which over the last year has escalated into an all-out war.

SISTERS  Two Bend residents were injured Wednesday when their single-engine plane hit a treetop and crashed in a field while trying to land at Sisters Eagle Airport, Deschutes County sheriffs deputies said.

Deschutes County 911 dispatchers received a report just before 5:45 p.m. of a plane crash into a field, Sgt. Jayson Janes said, according to KTVZ.

Deputies arrived in about two minutes and learned two people had been in the plane at the time of the crash and got out on their own afterward, Janes said.

The pilot, a 23-year-old woman, was taken to a local hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, Janes said.

The passenger, a 24-year-old man, had minor injuries and was evaluated by medics at the scene.

Janes said an initial investigation determined the pilot was trying to land and made contact with the landing strip before going airborne again, headed southwest and struck the top of a tree before hitting the ground and stopping in a dry pond on private property, he said.

Federal Aviation Administration records show the 1972 Cessna 172G is owned by Outlaw Aviation LLC of Sisters.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will conduct a follow-up investigation of the crash, the sergeant said.

 The Associated Press
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (formerly Altum Resource Corp.) ("GoldHaven" or the "Company") announces a non-brokered private placement of up to 6,000,000 units @ $0.50 per unit (the "Offering"). Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant entitling, each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase an additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.65 per share (the "Warrants") for a period of 36 months from the closing of the Offering. The expiry of the Warrants may be accelerated if the closing price of the Corporation's common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange is equal to or greater than $0.90 for a minimum of twenty consecutive trading days and a notice of acceleration is provided in accordance with the terms of the Warrants.

On March 5, 2021, the Company issued 4,677,800 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.50 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,338,900.00 pursuant to the terms of the Offering.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering have a four-month and one day hold period in Canada, ending on July 6, 2021.

Net proceeds of the Offering will be used to for drilling on its Maricunga Gold Belt projects and general working capital.

None of the foregoing securities have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About GoldHaven Resources Corp.

GoldHaven Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior exploration Company active in the Maricunga Gold Belt of northern Chile. The Maricunga Belt measures 150 km north-south and 30 km east-west and is host to numerous discoveries over the past twenty years and has a prolific gold, silver copper metal endowment. The Company has agreements in place to acquire seven high priority exploration targets which were identified by geological studies. To date, GoldHaven has considers four of these seven properties "High Priority" targets and will commence drilling during the first quarter of 2021. The four priority targets include Coya, located approximately 16 km northeast of the La Coipa mine where Kinross announced a mining re-start in 20202; the second is Rio Loa, a project located 25 km south of Gold Field's Salares Norte deposit (5.2 million ounces of Gold equivalent1; the third and fourth projects are Alicia and Roma which are approximately 35 km. south of the Salares Norte deposit. These exploration targets have been designated High Priority due to extensive, pervasive alteration, favourable geology, highly anomalous rock geochemical results, and their relative proximity to existing deposits.

We Seek Safe Harbor.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Daniel Schieber

For further information, please contact:

Daniel Schieber

CEO & Director

www.goldhavenresources.com

Office Direct: (604) 638-5938

Cell Direct: (604) 722-5798

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE- Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the intended use of the proceeds received from the Offering, the possible acquisition of the Projects, the Company's expectation that it will be successful in enacting its business plans, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled", or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, and the receipt of any necessary regulatory or corporate approvals in connection with the Offering and the Assignment, that there will be investor interest in future financings, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration and development of the Company's projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the exploration and development of the Company's projects and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the inability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing required to conduct its business and affairs, as currently contemplated, the inability to close the Offering, the inability of the Company to enter into definitive agreements in respect of the Letters of Intent which are the subject of the Assignment, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including by the Exchange, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

**NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES**

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76242


Having been removed from British airwaves because of its Communist Party ownership and a row over licensing, Chinese broadcaster CGTN has been approved to transmit its English-language programming out of France.

But French regulators issued what industry watchers described as an "unusually stern" statement regarding the rules under which CGTN will be governed.

"In accordance with its missions, the CSA will be particularly attentive to ensuring that CGTN ensures compliance with these legal requirements," the statement by the Superior Audiovisual Council said.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

"Just because they have relocated and are able to get themselves back on [European satellite operator] Eutelsat does not necessarily mean that they aren't subject to intense scrutiny by the French regulator," said Rupert Earle, a partner specialising in media law at the London firm of Bates Wells.

The regulator issued an automatic ruling that, with Britain having left the European Union, CGTN's application to be governed under French law was technically legitimate.

"Due to Brexit, on the one hand, and the revocation of the licence granted to this channel by [British regulator] Ofcom under British law, on the other hand, CGTN officials approached the CSA to have confirmation that this service now came under the jurisdiction of France, in application of European law. The CSA confirmed this interpretation," said a statement from the French regulator.

Even before being banned from Britain, CGTN had been beamed into European homes via French-owned Eutelsat satellites since 2016, an arrangement that will now continue, but will be governed under French laws.

Theoretically, this means British viewers can again tune into CGTN programming, but industry watchers said that given the sweeping ruling against the network made by Britain's regulating Office of Communications (Ofcom), it is unlikely that any of the major carriers, such as Sky, Virgin or Freeview, would be permitted to broadcast it.

Story continues

"I believe that each household would have to be able to tune their satellite box to that channel themselves - which would take a huge effort," said Gill Hind, director of television at research firm Enders Analysis.

Nonetheless, it represents a landmark ruling for the French media regulator. This is the first time a network that has been ejected from another country has been given clearance to broadcast in France, said Thierry Vallat, an independent media lawyer in Paris.

"This is a new era for CGTN, they are now under French regulation," Vallat said, adding that French regulators will be watching for breaches of standards after lobbying from campaigners throughout the consideration process.

"Serious breaches of some of these principles have already led the CSA to put Eutelsat on notice to stop the broadcasting of extra-European channels," read CSA's statement, which analysts said was more pointed than usual, reflecting the controversy surrounding CGTN's presence in Europe.

CGTN was also removed from German screens since its authority to broadcast there had been approved as part of a licence-sharing initiative with Ofcom. Now, with CSA granting it permission to broadcast again, it is expected to resume broadcasting in Germany.

Ofcom's ruling came after an investigation found that Star China Media Limited (SCML), the registered licensee, did not have any involvement in "CGTN's decision-making, or day-to-day running of the channel". The network then tried to switch the licence to a separate entity called China Global Television Network Corporation (CGTNC).

Ofcom said that CGTNC was "disqualified from holding a licence, as it is controlled by a body which is ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party". In a statement, Ofcom said "licence holders cannot be controlled by political bodies".

In France, however, there are no restrictions on political parties running broadcast networks, Vallat said. But there is some track record of revoking licences from broadcasters that breach its rules.

In 2004, for example, Lebanese channel Al Manar was removed from the air after violating the country's hate laws and repeatedly broadcasting anti-Semitic statements.

CGTN has been accused of breaking a number of broadcasting rules while operating out of London, where its European headquarters remain. In 2020, Ofcom found it failed to "preserve due impartiality in its coverage of the Hong Kong protests, and also found a serious breach of our fairness and privacy rules".

The regulator has continued to investigate the alleged breaches and is expected to announce judgment shortly, with other cases also pending.

CGTN did not respond to questions about its future European broadcasting plans.

Peter Dahlin, director of Safeguard Defenders, a group that had campaigned against CGTN being granted a licence in France, said he had confidence that the French regulator would work to ensure impartial broadcasting on the state network.

"We don't want to take them off the air. We just want them to be punished for airing anything in violation of the regulations," Dahlin said.

CGTN is operated by China Central Television (CCTV) under the Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party. The network broadcasts in more than 100 countries.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2021 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2021. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Patient readers, Water Cooler was a little out of balance today, because there was more interesting business news than usual (a sign of shifts in the zeitgeist, perhaps). I will add more material here and there shortly. lambert UDPATE All done!

Bird Song of the Day

From Buenos Aires, Argentina. Alert readers Flora and A Different Chris commented yesterday that they emjoyed the Bird Song of the Day. I too enjoy beginning writing on, er, a positive note. Thanks also to Doc Octogon, Amfortas the hippie, Patrick, and ambrit for discussing the habits of this interesting creature.

This concludes a week of mockingbird songs (which has nothing to do with Operation Mockingbird). Readers, if you want to me look into a species or locale at Macaulay  the archive is quite large  do feel free to write me at the email address in the Plant section.

#COVID19

At reader request, Ive added this daily chart from 91-DIVOC. The data is the Johns Hopkins CSSE data. Here is the site.

I feel Im engaging in a macabre form of tape-watching, because I dont think the peak is coming in the next days, or even weeks. Is the virus gathering itself for another leap?

Im holding the vaccination chart in abeyance until I look at data issues at DIVOC-19 and/or Johns Hopkins, after I get the rest of the post done.

Case count by United States region:

A little uptick in the South, with the Northeast flattening.

Big states (New York, Florida, Texas, California):

New York and Texas now in parallel.

Test positivity:

Decline is flattening across the board. Weather? Variants? Regional averages approach 3%, which is what we want to see.

Hospitalization:

Hospitalization is discretionary; they may also be reducing their admissions rate  relative to cases we cannot see in this data!  to preserve future capacity; or because hospitals have figured out how to send people home.

Case fatality rate (plus deaths):

That fatality rate in the West (red) is rising still, which is what worries me. Now its at its highest in over a year. Its not going vertical, which is what I feared. Is the reason nobody else is worrying about this is that its not really a problem?

Politics

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51

They had one weapon left and both knew it: treachery. Frank Herbert, Dune

They had learned nothing, and forgotten nothing. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord

Capitol Seizure

UPDATE As the Insurrection Narrative Crumbles, Democrats Cling to it More Desperately Than Ever [Glenn Greenwald]. The date of March 4 has taken on a virtually religious significance for the Q-Anon movement, announced NBC News Ben Collins, who was heard on NPR on Thursday speaking through actual, literal journalistic tears as he recounted all the times he called Facebook to plead with them to remove dangerous right-wing extremists on their platform (tears commence at roughly 7:00 mark). Valiantly holding back full-on sobbing, Collins explained that he proved to be so right but it pains and sorrows him to admit this. With his self-proclaimed oracle status fully in place, he prophesized that March 4 had taken on special dangers because Q-Anon followers concluded that this is when Trump would be inaugurated. This is how apocalyptic cult leaders always function. When the end of the world did not materialize on January 6, Collins insisted that January 20 was the day of the violent reckoning. When nothing happened on that day, he moved the Doomsday Date to March 4.  Nice redeployment of the cult dynamics trope, I must say. And: What we know for sure is that no Trump supporter fired any weapon inside the Capitol and that the FBI seized a grand total of zero firearms from those it arrested that day  a rather odd state of affairs for an armed insurrection, to put that mildly. * Yep.

Biden Administration

U.S. Senate Democrats to offer plan to alter jobless benefits in COVID-19 aid bill [Reuters]. By alter, we mean cut. Liberal and moderate Democrats reached a deal that would scale back federal unemployment benefits in a COVID-19 aid bill to $300 per week, from the proposed $400, a Senate Democratic aide said on Friday.  A deal? What did the moderate Democrats want? $200? $0? A negative number? This bill just keeps getting worse and worse. UPDATE AP-NORC poll: Americans largely back Bidens virus response [Associated Press]. Joe Biden is enjoying an early presidential honeymoon, with 60% of Americans approving of his job performance thus far and even more backing his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. At a moment of deep political polarization in America, support for Bidens pandemic response extends across party lines. Overall, 70% of Americans back the Democratic presidents handling of the virus response, including 44% of Republicans. UPDATE Biden backs new war powers vote in Congress, White House says [Politico]. President Joe Biden intends to work with Congress to repeal the war authorizations that have underpinned U.S. military operations across the globe for the past two decades and negotiate a new one that reins in the open-ended nature of Americas foreign wars, the White House said Friday. In a statement to POLITICO, press secretary Jen Psaki said the president wants to ensure that the authorizations for the use of military force currently on the books are replaced with a narrow and specific framework that will ensure we can protect Americans from terrorist threats while ending the forever wars.'  Well have to see, but its hard to see how matters could be worse, even if Tim Kaine is spearheading the effort. Bidens Deputy DOT Pick Promises to Prioritize NJ-NY Rail Tunnel [Bloomberg]. Gateway is going to be a priority, Polly Trottenberg, who served recently as commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, said during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. It is truly a project of national significance, and as you say, one that really would have just a massive rippling impact if we were to see those over-100-year-old tunnels under the Hudson River for some reason need to be shut down.'  Sensible! (Males me wonder if one reason theyre leaving Cuomo outta the Governors chair is to get somebody in who doesnt have his history.) UPDATE Give Biden a Break [Ed Kilgore, New York Magazine]. The lead: Joe Biden has been president of the United States for 43 days.  Its interesting were getting this kind of story [double-checks calculator] only 43 days in. IIRC  its been a long time  this kind of talking point took 90 days at least to reach the mainstream (although hes only been President __ days began with activists in the first month or so). A subjective measure of Bidens predicament. (A President is not a dictator and Green Lantern Theory, again in my possibly flawed recollection, took about a year to get rolling.) UPDATE Biden World gives a shoulder shrug to the raging culture wars [Politico]. I dont think there is any danger in ignoring a debate on Mr. Potato Head and Dr. Seuss, said John Anzalone, a Biden adviser and campaign pollster. Anzalone contends theres no benefit to engaging in meaningless topics, and that there may indeed be an upside in disregarding them as the Biden administration and Democrats close in on a massive Covid-relief package, amid more than 500,000 deaths from the pandemic.. Other aides to the president agree, pointing to the often-fleeting nature of the stories burning up conservative airwaves as proof theres no need to weigh in. Pollster Frank Luntz said wielding cancel culture as a cudgel is definitely effective for rallying the GOP base. The delegitimization of Trump and his voters five years ago is what led to his election, Luntz said. The cancel culture by the left is exactly the same strategy, and it will cause the same result. It doesnt matter if you are on the left or on the right: people will fight for their right to exist.'  It occurs to me that a good solution, at least for formulaic, series books like Dr. Seuss, would be to publish new works, in the same style, with flaws corrected; expand the canon, dont contract it. For example, there are new Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes books, using the same cast of characters, but written for the respective fan bases by new authors.

Democrats en deshabille

$15 minimum wage goes down to defeat: The $15 minimum wage just failed, because 8 Democrats voted against it. The Democrats broke their promise. The Dems who voted no are: Joe Machin (WV)

Jon Tester (MT)

Jeanne Shaheen (NH)

Maggie Hassan (NH)

Angus King (ME)

Kyrsten Sinema (AZ)

Tom Carper (DE)

Chris Coons (DE)  Gravel Institute (@GravelInstitute) March 5, 2021 Seems appropriate: Sinema just walked into the Senate carrying a large chocolate cake  Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) March 5, 2021 I dont so much blame the Senators, who were revolving weasels who wanted to avoid any flack in their home states, Bidens campaign promises be damned (looking at you, Angus King). I blame the Biden administration for not whipping them. White House weighs minimum wage negotiations with Republicans [Politico]. The White House is weighing whether to engage in talks with Republicans on a minimum wage hike once Congress passes its Covid relief bill, two sources with knowledge of their strategic thinking say. White House aides said they believe theres room to bring Republicans into the fold because raising the minimum wage is popular across ideological grounds. They pointed to the recent $15-an-hour wage increase passed in Florida, a state that voted for Donald Trump, as evidence that the issue has widespread support. In a sign that the White House is looking to broaden the coalition behind a wage hike, administration officials reached out to trade groups last week to gauge their willingness to support legislation, according to two people familiar with the matter. Negotiations with Republicans would be another step entirely. And it would likely frustrate progressives and raise alarms among labor and advocacy groups who are looking to Biden to make good on his promise to deliver a $15-an-hour minimum wage. Progressives argue that a phased-in $15 floor over five years is already a compromise and would likely oppose any deal that would go significantly lower.  Because obviously the minimum wage should be set to whatever the lowest state sets it at. Poll: Majority of West Virginians support $15 federal minimum wage [WDTV]. But and: On Thursday, a group of lawmakers, including West Virginias Senator Shelly Moore-Capito came out in favor of a phased in $10 federal wage increase. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin says he would support an $11 minimum wage. I think that everybody that gets up in the morning and goes to work for 40 hours and goes to work 50 weeks out of the year should be above the poverty line, Senator Manchin said.' * * *

Republican Funhouse

Top Pa. senator appoints colleagues wife to lucrative Gaming Control Board seat [Spotlight PA].  The top Republican in the Pennsylvania Senate has quietly appointed the spouse of a colleague to a coveted spot on the states Gaming Control Board, raising questions anew about whether the regulatory panel has become a lucrative landing ground for the politically connected. Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R., Centre) named Frances Fran Regan to serve a two-year term on the board, a plum appointment in Harrisburg circles because, at a $145,000 annual salary, it is one of the higher-paid positions in state government. Unlike with several previous appointments, there was no press release announcing her selection  her name simply appeared on the boards website. When asked for Regans resume, board officials initially said they did not have one.  Lol, just imagine, I thought corruption only happened in Philly.

2020

UPDATE Just as Sanders supporters said: For what it's worth, here is the infamous Warren/Sanders meeting as recounted in "Lucky," the just-released account of Biden's narrow win over Trump. Keen readers will note that, as the Warren camp later privately admitted, Sanders never actually said a woman couldn't win. pic.twitter.com/farDHbuW7b  Branko Marcetic (@BMarchetich) March 4, 2021 Worth noting that Warren did more damage to the Sanders campaign than any Centrist. And how sad that she never got a pay-off from Biden!

RussiaGate

Woo woo: This  "Ron Johnson, Senator from Wisconsin, by way of Moscow"  is as batshit crazy and as much conspiratorial derangement as anything from QAnon, and far more damaging since it's mainstream, but because it's on a corporate outlet, it doesn't count:pic.twitter.com/G90LfPRoHF  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) March 5, 2021 Greenwald is right, no matter what he might say about socialism (see below).

Realignment and Legitimacy

The Betrayal At The Heart of Sanders, AOC and Corbyns Refusal To Use Power [Ian Welsh]. Heres a rule: power everyone knows you wont use, you dont have. Left-wingers are not credible because they never use their power. We saw this with Corbyn in Britain when he repeatedly refused to throw out MPs who challenged him or allow MPs to be re-selected (primaried, in effect.) There was nothing they couldnt do to his cause or him that would get him to retaliate Im going to return to this and the reasons, which go beyond a misunderstanding of how to use power or cowardice (Corbyn is not in any way a coward) , because its important. I like Bernie and AOC, and I admire Corbyn, but their refusal to use power is a betrayal, and I use that word deliberately, of the people they represent and who trust them.  Contrasting Corbyn to Johnson, who immediately purged his enemies. UPDATE Glenn Greenwald Says I Consider Tucker Carlson To Be A Socialist [Daily Caller]. Greenwald responded by describing former socialist President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas rise to power and how he ran on a presidential ticket with an austerity advocating banker to help Brazilians be less concerned about his presidency. He explained that Lula supported socialist leaders like Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, but was successful because he believed in civil liberties and a free market. Obviously the term socialism carries a lot of baggage from the Cold War. It evokes, on purpose, the Soviet Union, or Castro, or Chavez, Greenwald continued. But I think what you are seeing is this kind of hybrid socialism that really is about nothing more than trying to sandpaper the edges off of neoliberalism.. He went on to say that he would describe a lot of people on the right as being socialists, such as former White House strategist Steve Bannon and the 2016 iteration of former President Donald Trump as a candidate, based on what he was saying. I consider Tucker Carlson to be a socialist, Greenwald said of the Daily Caller co-founder. He then described an instance where Carlson and Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a self-identified socialist, agreed in their mutual opposition to Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wanting to give tens of millions of dollars to Amazon to bring an office to New York. He attributed their agreement to people realizing that neoliberalism doesnt work.  A lot of people dunking on Greenwald for this one, but I think his comments reflect less on him than on the absence of a principled, militant socialist movement capable (see Ian Welsh above) of wielding power. It might seem plausible to say a domesticated fowl is really the same as a hawk  if there are no hawks around to see. UPDATE Cass Sunstein: Meet The Horrible New Obama-Era Elite, Or All The PresidentS Middlebrows [Mark Ames, The Exiled].  From 2009, when those who were to become the Obama Alumni Association had not yet graduated. Its just so great that Sunstein  now shaping immigration rules for the Biden administration  dropped Martha Nussbaum for a much younger Samantha Power. Anyhow, these people are now running the Executive Branch again, so this very funny piece is well worth a read.

Stats Watch

At reader request, I added some business stats back in. Please give Econintersect click-throughs; theyre a good, old-school blog that covers more than stats.

Employment Situation: February 2021 BLS Jobs Situation  Job Gains Excellent [Econintersect]. The headline seasonally adjusted BLS job growth was significant and well above expectations, with the unemployment rate improving from 6.3 % to 6.2 %. Very good growth and last months poor employment gain was revised upward. Very good growth and last months poor employment gain was revised upward.  But modified rapture:

The jobs report shows an acceleration in job growth in February and an upward revision to Januarys job growth. The economy is down 9.5 million jobs from February 2020 and will need more than two years of job growth at Februarys pace just to get back to pre-pandemic levels. 1/ pic.twitter.com/GKpQiyJ6hv  Council of Economic Advisers (@WhiteHouseCEA) March 5, 2021

Employment Situation: United States Non Farm Payrolls1939 [Trading Economics]. The US economy added 379K jobs in February of 2021, following an upwardly revised 166K rise in January and compared to market expectations of 182K amid easing business restrictions, falling coronavirus infection rates, a fast vaccine rollout and continued support from the government. Most of the job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, with smaller gains in temporary help services, health care and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Employment declined in state and local government education, construction, and mining. However, that leaves the economy about 9.5 million jobs short of the peak in February of 2020, as the labour market still has a long way to go before fully recovering from the pandemic shock.  For education specifically:

**Education continues to CUT jobs** Local gov education jobs are down 674,000 from last year.

State gov education jobs are down 327,000 from last year. In February, local gov education jobs fell another 37,000 and state gov education jobs fell another 32,000  Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) March 5, 2021

And here is the 25-year Labor Force Participation Rate, per Trading Economics:



source: tradingeconomics.com

Oof (even without a zero baseline). Note that continued fall under Obama. Note the discernible rise under Trump. Interesting!

Trade: January 2021 Trade Data Continues To Show Recovery [Econintersect]. Trade data headlines show the trade balance continues to worsen with imports growing faster than exports. The data in this series wobbles and the 3-month rolling averages are the best way to look at this series. The 3-month average rate of growth improved for imports and exports Econintersect uses the import trade data as a factor in determining the acceleration or deceleration of the economy  but does not believe the negative trade balance per se is an economic issue.

* * *

Money: Cash and COVID-19: The Effects of Lifting Containment Measures on Cash Demand and Use [Bank of Canada]. More than half of Canadians used cash as a form of payment during the July survey period, which was somewhat less than the proportion using debit and credit methods. So while electronic methods continued to dominate, a large percentage of Canadians also used cash for payments, and that share increased from the spring into the summer. A large majority of Canadians continue to report that they have no plans to go cashless in the next five years.  Good.

Banking: In serving the Amish, Lancaster County bankers find make-a-difference work [Banking Dive]. Having a strong mobile banking platform that delivers services to customers whenever and wherever they need it is considered a necessity for banks operating in todays competitive financial services landscape. Bank of Bird-in-Hands mobile banking operation not only includes a digital app but a literal fleet of banks on wheels , and stands as one example of the innovative ways lenders serve the largest Amish settlement in the U.S.  Not such a bad model.

Housing: This Is Unprecedented: Why Americas Housing Market Has Never Been Weirder [The Atlantic]. In the last year, a lot of middle- and high-income households took advantage of the pandemic to accelerate their plans to buy first homes, second homes, and vacation homes. The typical 2020 homebuyer made nearly $100,000, a significantly higher income than the average homebuyer had in past years. As the COVID-inspired flight to larger houses boosted home prices, the pandemic took a sledgehammer to urban amenities, and downtown rents fell. Restaurants, bars, and museums have closed, and remote work has made living close to the office less valuable. All of this has crushed demand for rented apartments in cities. But something else has accentuated this historic divergence between downtown rents and suburban housing prices: the quirky habits of the Millennial generation. In some ways, the massive rent-own divergence in 2020 highlighted one of the fundamental tragedies of the pandemic, which has so adeptly exposed Americas preexisting social inequalities. The plague disproportionately infected and impoverished minority and low-income hourly workers. But for some rich households, it created the perfect opportunity to spring for that Florida vacation house, or that suburban lot with the south-facing pool.

Retail: Popular flea collar linked to almost 1,700 pet deaths. The EPA has issued no warning. [Investigate Midwest]. Seresto, one of the most popular flea and tick collars in the country, has been linked to hundreds of pet deaths, tens of thousands of injured animals and hundreds of harmed humans, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency documents show. Yet the EPA has done nothing to inform the public of the risks. Seresto, developed by Bayer and now sold by Elanco, works by releasing small amounts of pesticide onto the animal for months at a time. The pesticide is supposed to kill fleas, ticks and other pests but be safe for cats and dogs. Since Seresto flea and tick collars were introduced in 2012, the EPA has received incident reports of at least 1,698 related pet deaths. Overall, through June 2020, the agency has received more than 75,000 incident reports related to the collars, including nearly 1,000 involving human harm. The EPA is in charge of regulating products that contain pesticides. The agency has known about these incidents for years but has not informed the public of the potential risks associated with this product, said Karen McCormack, a retired EPA employee who worked as both a scientist and communications officer.

Tech: Worlds highest-capacity solid-state battery developed in Japan [Nikkei Asian Review]. With a lower risk of fires and more enhanced energy efficiency than conventional lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries are considered to be the next-generation power source. Leading manufacturers in solid-state technology include Japanese peers Toyota Motor and Murata Manufacturing, but they have yet to tackle such challenges as increasing capacity and trimming costs. Hitachi Zosen sees demand for use in such harsh conditions as space and for industrial equipment operated in atypical environments. With plans to double the batterys capacity by 2025, the infrastructure and plant builder has begun small-scale production of a prototype and seeks to work with a partner on commercialization.  Technology to keep an eye on.

Tech: Googles FLoC Is a Terrible Idea [Electronic Frontier Foundation (Ian)]. This is an excellent and readable long-form article on one of Googles concepts for a cookie replacement, coming soon to a browser uncomfortably near you. I picked out this:  The power to target is the power to discriminate . By definition, targeted ads allow advertisers to reach some kinds of people while excluding others. A targeting system may be used to decide who gets to see job postings or loan offers just as easily as it is to advertise shoes. Over the years, the machinery of targeted advertising has frequently been used for exploitation, discrimination, and harm. The ability to target people based on ethnicity, religion, gender, age, or ability allows discriminatory ads for jobs, housing, and credit. Targeting based on credit historyor characteristics systematically associated with it enables predatory ads for high-interest loans. Targeting based on demographics, location, and political affiliation helps purveyors of politically motivated disinformation and voter suppression. All kinds of behavioral targeting increase the risk of convincing scams. I can think of some examples Concluding: We emphatically reject the future of FLoC. That is not the world we want, nor the one users deserve. Google needs to learn the correct lessons from the era of third-party tracking and design its browser to work for users, not for advertisers.  But thats not what Google needs at all. Its what we need.

Tech: Inside Twitters Plan to Fact-Check Tweets [Bloomberg]. Twitter Inc. formally announced an effort called Birdwatch, or what it refers to as a community-based approach to misinformation. The concept is this: Users will add notes to tweets that are misleading or inaccurate, and then the most useful of those notes will travel with the tweet so that other people can see them side by side. But there are lots of things that need to go right for Birdwatch before that happens. For starters, people need to participate, and actually contribute well-researched notes when they see tweets that need added context. History tells us social media is more about consumption than contribution.  Im picturing KHive fact-checking Tweets on Kamala. Or whatever operation Brock would set up.

Tech: Here Is the Article You Can Send to People When They Say But the Environmental Issues With Cryptoart Will Be Solved Soon, Right?' [Everest Pipkin]. Cryptoart is a piece of metadata (including, generally- an image or link to an image/file, the creator of that file, datestamps, associated contracts or text, and the purchaser of the piece) which is attached to a token (which has monetary value on a marketplace) and stored in a blockchain. An individual piece of cryptoart is called an NFT. You can think of each NFT as a trading card or a collectible with an individual value that is also affected by the general market value of NFTs as a concept, the Ethereum network and cryptocurrency in general. Like beanie babies without the beans. Numbers vary, but minting artwork on the blockchain uses somewhere between weeks, months, years, (and in rare instances decades) of an average EU or US citizens energy consumption. During unprecedented temperature increases, sea level rise, the total loss of permanent sea ice, widespread species extinction, countless severe weather events, and all the other hallmarks of total climate collapse, this kind of gleeful wastefulness is, and I am not being hyperbolic, a crime against humanity. And lest you think we are dealing in long-term abstractions- this devastation has tangible, externalized cost; a recent study out of the University of New Mexico estimated that in 2018 every $1 of Bitcoin value was responsible for $0.49 in health and climate damages in the US, costs that are borne by those who will, for the most part, never see any return from cryptocurrency mining whatsoever.

Manufacturing: Global semiconductor shortage spurs run on vintage chipmaking tools [Reuters]. Minnesota-based Polar Semiconductor makes chips for automakers and is booked beyond capacity. But expanding production lines to help solve a chip shortage that is shutting down car factories around the world is not feasible  in part due to the scarcity of older-style chipmaking machinery. Chip factories like Polar use these tools to make chips on 200-millimeter silicon wafers, which were state-of-the-art two decades ago. Now, advanced chips are made using much larger wafers, but there is still a lot of demand for simpler, older chips. The demand has been supercharged by a combination of the COVID-19-driven boom in computer gear and unexpected strength in auto sales that resulted in shortages. Automakers use a range of chips in cars. Some, such as those in infotainment systems, are made in the same cutting-edge chip factories that make smartphone chips. But other chips in braking and engine systems are made using older, proven technologies that meet automakers durability and reliability requirements. But the machines to make those older chips can take six to nine months to find, said Surya Iyer, vice president of operations and quality at Polar.

* * *

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 54 Neutral (previous close: 48 Neutral) [CNN]. One week ago: 48 (Neutral). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Mar 5 at 12:27pm. Everything is grey (Neutral). Mud season for Mr. Market?

Our Famously Free Press

UPDATE Following weeks of smears, Zaid Jilani resigns from Center for American Progress to take new job [Mondoweiss]. Last month Israel lobbyist Josh Block smeared several writers who work for two Democratic Party-linked organizations Center for American Progress (CAP) and Media Matters as anti-semites. Since then, CAP has done little to stand up for its writers comments, and today a writer targeted by Block has left CAP, the Washington Post reported. Zaid Jilani confirmed to me that hes leaving. The job was long in the works, and hes excited: he is going to United Republic, a nonprofit that fights the corporate influence in politics. I moved to a new spot I like and I wish everyone well at the Center for American Progress, he says. I still regard this news as a big setback. Jilani is a fabulous young journalist. He should be allowed to voice a critique of the Israel lobby inside the Democratic Party machinery.  When the history of cancel culture is written, Israels machinations against it critics in this country and in the UK (Corbyn) will be seen as a precuror.

Black Injustice Tipping Point

White Privilege and Black Lives Matter: Examples of How Black Activism Failed [Ghion Journal]. The only people who profit from these campaigns of grievance and woe-is-me victimhood are the very charlatans who are sitting in the lap of comfort and leading lives of true privilege. The establishment reward demagogues who incite passions and lead us in the wrong direction. There is a reason, after all, the Obamas were compensated to the tune of $60 million and why Ta-Nehisi Coates keeps landing on the New York Times bestsellers list. The fastest way to make a buck and get leg up is to sell your own people down the river in order to be invited into the whites house. The leaders of Black Lives Matter have perfected the art of the shakedown in ways that puts Jessie Jackson to shame; they have made more money in our names and using our pains than any black organization since the NAACP. What do we have to show for the hundreds of millions they have collected since Ferguson? Email or DM me if you know the answer because I have been searching for that answer since Michael Brown was assassinated. Far from being freedom fighters, Black Lives Matter is a co-op of fee collectors who hear cash registers ringing each time a black man or woman gets killed by a cop.  Yikes! And: People who have it bad dont have a license to insult and disparage others who have it marginally better. Thats an interesting moral principle. Im hard-pressed to think of a Biblical parable the supports it, but the intuition seems correct, on the assumption that (a) there are others who have it significantly better, which (b) causes the crabs in a bucket phenomenon described. Thats the world we live in, of course (as it was the world of First Century Palestine. So maybe the parable exists and Im missing it).

UPDATE Consuming Blackness in progressive West Virginia [Scalawag]. When I was for a time the only Black lobbyist working the West Virginia statehouse, I saw Black people trotted out when nonprofits needed a Black body or a Black womans story. Then, we were vulnerable, downtrodden, in dire need of help only white people could give, or in trouble. Or, in my case, trouble personified. This recent crop of national news stories from West Virginia brought back a memory I havent been able to shake. That recollection shows the vast distance between a Black womans subjective experience of white, middle-class anti-racist events and the smooth facade nonprofits show the world In 2009, I went to Charleston, West Virginias premier womens empowerment fundraiser on a donated ticket. My free admission reminded a less-fortunate me that I could not afford my place among hundreds of middle- to-upper-caste [hmm] white women attending the Girls Night Out YWCA event.  I wandered inside a zebra-patterned tent to find dozens of chuckling white women searching a Black mans prone shirtless body for California rolls. Serving sushi from a body is a Japanese practice called nyotaimori. I heard event organizers say it was an ancient art form. Google told me nyotaimori is rarely practiced in Japan outside random seedy clubs. And, when it does happen, a womans body is usually the platter.'  I keep saying euthanize the NGOs for a reason.

Class Warfare

Do we care about who cares? [The Lancet]. The domestic, emotional, and caring labour and lower status essential work that keep families and households together, also known as reproductive labour, is essential to health. Maintaining hygiene and safety, such as by cooking, cleaning, feeding, and doing the dirty work, is mostly done by women, and particularly women of colour. As a result, such women form the bedrock of our economy and societies. COVID-19 has exposed the ways in which womens low-value work has been taken for granted and the discrimination and lack of status it is given. Health-promoting domestic work is largely ignored by health systems and economic estimates. Silvia Federici, a scholar in domestic labour, comments:  Domestic labour is a form of gendered economic oppression and an exploitation upon which all of capitalism rests . Better wages and conditions and inclusion of this labour in gross domestic product (GDP) are needed to properly value this work. Taking an intersectional lens to gender here will be crucial.  Nodding my head at Federici  in the Lancet!  taken aback at intersectional lens. Be that as it may, despite my fulminations at the PMC, we should never forget that there are in fact good faith efforts by professionals to uphold the principles of, I suppose, their guilds (and some of them read NC).

Congressional delegation heads to Alabama amid growing support for Amazon workers [Reuters]. A group of U.S. lawmakers visited an Amazon.com Inc facility in Alabama on Friday, lending their support to a growing push to unionize workers at the e-commerce firm The congressional delegation includes U.S. Representatives Andy Levin, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Terri Sewell, and Nikema Williams. Workers at the Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama, are voting on whether to become the first Amazon employees in the United States to join a union. The visit comes on the heels of President Joe Bidens recent message where he defended workers rights to form unions. While he did not mention Amazon, he referenced workers in Alabama.'

Breach of Fiduciary Responsibility & Shareholder Lawsuits (PDF) [Robert W. McGeem, SSRN]. Refusing to do business with individuals or organizations solely because some small group of corporate executives does not approve of those individuals or organizations, results in causing harm to the vast majority of the shareholders they are supposed to represent. It is a classic case of the agent not working in the best interest of the principal, which is inherently immoral. Some smart lawyers might see these breaches of fiduciary duties as an opportunity to launch class action lawsuits against these executives, and perhaps pierce the corporate veil, which would make them personally liable. Such lawsuits would remind the top management at these corporations that they have a fiduciary duty to their shareholders, which is a good thing.   Novel theory.

News of the Wired

How the Ecstatic Joy of Nature Unites Vincent van Gogh and David Hockney [Smithsonian].  Wallpapers wallpaper, amiright? [ducks].

Multimodal Neurons in Artificial Neural Networks [OpenAI]. Weve discovered neurons in CLIP that respond to the same concept whether presented literally, symbolically, or conceptually. One such neuron, for example, is a Spider-Man neuron (bearing a remarkable resemblance to the Halle Berry neuron) that responds to an image of a spider, an image of the text spider, and the comic book character Spider-Man either in costume or illustrated.  Cool. Weve gotten AI to confuse the signfiier with the thing signified. Im sure that wont cause any problems:

The latest generation of adversarial image attacks is, uh, somewhat simpler to carry out https://t.co/CBnA53lEcy pic.twitter.com/h4e0bShq9i  Brendan Dolan-Gavitt (@moyix) March 4, 2021

Commodity fetishism (which may, or may not, be related to the tweet above):

FAA Files Reveal a Surprising Threat to Airline Safety: the U.S. Militarys GPS Tests [IEEE Spectrum]. Early one morning last May, a commercial airliner was approaching El Paso International Airport, in West Texas, when a warning popped up in the cockpit: GPS Position Lost.; The pilot contacted the airlines operations center and received a report that the U.S. Armys White Sands Missile Range, in South Central New Mexico, was disrupting the GPS signal. We knew then that it was not an aircraft GPS fault, the pilot wrote later. The pilot missed an approach on one runway due to high winds, then came around to try again. ;We were forced to Runway 04 with a predawn landing with no access to [an instrument landing] with vertical guidance, the pilot wrote. Runway 04has a high CFIT threat due to the climbing terrain in the local area. CFIT stands for controlled flight into terrain, and it is exactly as serious as it sounds. The pilot considered diverting to Albuquerque, 370 kilometers away, but eventually bit the bullet and tackled Runway 04 using only visual aids. The plane made it safely to the ground, but the pilot later logged the experience on NASAs Aviation Safety Reporting System, a forum where pilots can anonymously share near misses and safety tips. Previously undisclosed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data for a few months in 2017 and 2018 detail hundreds of aircraft losing GPS reception in the vicinity of military tests. The military is jamming GPS signals to develop its own defenses against GPS jamming. Ironically, though, the Pentagons efforts to safeguard its own troops and systems are putting the lives of civilian pilots, passengers, and crew at risk.  What could go wrong?

* * *

Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, (c) how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal, and (d) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (expat2Uruguay):

expat2Uruguay writes: One of the creative things they do here in Uruguay is to plant different plant species together. Here are hydrangea and what looks like hellebore in combination.

* * *

Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the recently concluded and  thank you!  successful annual NC fundraiser. So if you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldnt see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals:









Here is the screen that will appear, which I have helpfully annotated.

If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you!
Rome halts export of 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Australia in unprecedented move within EU.

Italy has blocked the export of around 250,000 doses of the AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine to Australia after the drug manufacturer failed to meet its European Union (EU) contract commitments.

The move by Italy, unprecedented in the EU, was made in line with a new European mechanism on export controls, and was taken with the support of the European Commission.

The mechanism was introduced in January amid a row with AstraZeneca after the pharmaceutical company said it would deliver fewer vaccines than planned to the EU.

The decision by Rome was also taken in light of the fact that Australia is "not a vulnerable country," reports Italian news agency ANSA.

In January AstraZeneca reduced its supplies to the EU in the first quarter to 40 million doses, down from 90 million envisaged in the contract, and later told EU states it would cut deliveries by a further 50 per cent in the second quarter, Reuters reports.

The Australian government today expressed "frustration" at Italys decision but stressed it would not affect the roll-out of Australias inoculation programme, according to Reuters.

"Its unsurprising that some countries would tear up the rule book - Australian finance minister Simon Birmingham told Sky News - This is a demonstration of really how well Australia continues to do compared to the desperation of other countries.

The move came just days after Italy's new premier Mario Draghi called on the EU to speed up vaccinations and get tough with 'Big Pharma' companies that failed to respect the agreed deliveries of vaccines.

In addition to voicing his concern about the sluggish pace of the vaccine roll-out, Draghi called for EU-produced vaccines to remain within the bloc.

Earlier this week Italy issued a new emergency decree extending coronavirus restrictions until 6 April, the day after Easter Monday, amid growing concerns over the spread of highly contagious virus variants.

The new decree came after Draghi fired Italy's covid-19 emergency commissioner Domenico Arcuri, who faced criticism for the pace of the vaccination campaign, replacing him with army general and logistics expert Francesco Paolo Figliuolo.

Italian industry minister Giancarlo Giorgetti recently met with representatives of the country's pharmaceutical industry to discuss producing 'bulk drug substance,' the active ingredient of covid-19 vaccines, in Italy "in four - six months."

More than 4.8 million covid vaccinations have been administered so far in Italy, the health minister Roberto Speranza announced yesterday, with over 1.5 million Italians receiving their second dose.

Italys medicines regulator AIFA approved the AstraZeneca vaccine on 30 January, a day after its approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

AstraZeneca is the third vaccine approved for use in the EU after those produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.
Enter In: an enthralling account of a man who embarks on a journey to defeat the pain in his heart and find triumph from his long-standing inner battles. Enter In is the creation of published author Connie Ann DeVanna-Francis, a happily remarried woman from Tennessee. She was born and raised in Ohio. For over twenty years this story came alive in her imagination and dreams. DeVanna-Francis shares, Matthew Thomas, a middle-aged man, was marked with a scar from 1966, the worst summer of his childhood. It has physically healed but still pulsates with pain in his soul and motivates his self-will for vengeance. Matthew works as an alarm technician for ABO Securities, and due to an unexpected accident, he has to cover someone elses work orders and ends up doing a service call at his own childhood home.

Deeply buried memories from forty years ago bubble back up to the surface as he returns to the house. Tucked away in the attic, as he ran wires for additional protection for the current owner, Matthew finds a major puzzle piece to his fathers anger and rage.

Matthew also returns to the former summer camp, now in ruins, to try to find clues that started the chain reaction to that traumatic summer. Drinking heavily and trying to deal with resurrected memories, Matthew ends up sending out a test signal to the Master of the universe, and it causes him to encounter a wonderful mysterious tree of life of an unknown city of bees.

He ends up taking a trip into the core of his soul, to ride his train of thought, to places that he is in denial that exist within him and lead to his pain to find where his treasure is. His greatest enemy is exposed and discovers a key to win the battle from the inside out.

So come enter in, and take a trip into someones thoughts and heart to reveal the absolute simplicity that only the Word can reveal. We all have dark places within us, but our maker knows all these things and has promised so much more if only we learn to look inward. So the question is, will you enter in?

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Connie Ann DeVanna-Franciss new book takes the readers into an amazing exploration to a revelation of the Word. This novel aims to tell the journey of one man towards clearing his darkness and bring a reminder to everyone that beneath all of their dark places, there is peace and light with the Lord.

View a synopsis of Enter In on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Enter In at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Enter In, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Animal rights protesters, intent on permanently shutting down Golden Gate Fields, the Bay Areas only horse racing track, successfully stopped an afternoon of racing Thursday but inadvertently caused the closure of a vaccination clinic in the tracks parking lot for about three hours as well.

Four members of Direct Action Everywhere, a global animal rights group, climbed over a fence and onto the backstretch of the track, where they chained their arms together inside PVC tubes and ignited purple smoke flares to announce their presence. Another 15 to 20 protesters, waving bright Shut down Golden Gate Fields signs, gathered outside the Gilman Street entrance to the track in Albany. The track has been holding races without spectators allowed.

Although the bulk of the protesters were far from a vaccination clinic in a sprawling Golden Gate Fields parking lot off Buchanan Street on the north end of the track in Albany, police and Berkeley health officials temporarily stopped giving shots for about three hours because of the protest.

We estimate that 200 people lost the chance to be vaccinated today, said Matthai Kuruvila, a Berkeley spokesperson. Were working to get them all rescheduled.

Berkeley police officers on the scene told The Chronicle that the clinic was closed out of caution after the smoke devices were set off because they didnt know if they had other devices that might endanger people at the clinic. They also said the protesters may have entered the track through the clinic and they feared that more could follow.

The protesters chained and locked themselves together in a diamond shape on the track shortly after noon. Their presence halted the start of the first race at 12:45 p.m. and six other races that had been scheduled through 4 p.m.

Samantha Faye, a Direct Action spokesperson, said the groups intent was to call attention to the track and protest the deaths of five horses either racing or training since the start of the year and 27 during 2020, according to the California Horse Racing Board. She said the group intentionally steered the public part of the protest away from the vaccination clinic, that the smoke devices were safe that there was no need to temporarily shut the vaccine clinic down.

Today our goal was to ensure that no horses had to race, and to spark the discussion about closing Golden Gate Fields, said Almira Tanner, lead organizer for Direct Action Everywhere.

Golden Gate Fields never officially announced the cancellation of the day of racing, and failed to respond to multiple requests for comment. But the track did post two messages on Twitter saying it supported the right to protest but that the demonstration shouldnt have disrupted the vaccination clinic.

We respectfully suggest to the activists that there is a better way to have this conversation and air their concerns, the track tweeted. We welcome the opportunity to have this discussion in the appropriate format.

At about 6:30pm, Albany police arrested Omar Aicardi, 43, of Modesto; Rocky Ming Fan Chau, 32, of San Francisco; Nicholas Crom, 29, of Oakland; and Rachel Christina Ziegler, 28, of Oakland, without incident, said Isabelle Leduc, Albanys assistant city manager. They were cited for trespassing and released.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
Nerissa Brown, Ph.D., had been interested in an academic fellowship with Office of the Chief Accountant at the SEC for years before she finally decided to submit her application in 2017.

At that time, she was a few years into a tenure-track position at the University of Delaware. She knew that the fellowship would mean commuting to Washington, D.C., being away from her 4-year-old daughter during the week, and spending nights and weekends on her ongoing research.

However, Brown decided there might never be an ideal time for a fellowship, so she might as well take the plunge. Rather than let logistical challenges stand in her way, she took a leap of faith, one that she says changed her life.

I definitely see going to the SEC as changing the trajectory of my career, said Brown, who completed her fellowship in 2018. The experience opened a new chapter for her: It helped motivate her to move into an associate professorship at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a year later, a new role as academic director for its bachelors and masters programs in accountancy.

Faculty might be interested in such fellowships but hesitant to pursue them, given that they often require suspending research, teaching, and other commitments. But Brown and other faculty who have taken fellowships say the time they spent immersed in the work of regulatory agencies such as the SEC and PCAOB paid off in their careers long after the programs were over.

What you get out of it and what you can give back to the profession is way more than any time that you might lose working on your own portfolio of research, Brown said. That one year is like an investment in yourself.

Below, they describe their experiences and what they gained from them.

Opening doors to new research

Andrew Kitto, Ph.D., an assistant professor of accounting at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, completed a PCAOB fellowship in 2019, after his first year teaching.

Kitto said he was drawn to the PCAOB because of the quality of data he would have access to.

The fellowship has really allowed me to answer research questions that would have been much more difficult to investigate with only publicly available data, Kitto said. I think it's positively impacted the contribution of my research and has certainly helped my portfolio in a lot of meaningful ways.

Zach Kowaleski, Ph.D., an assistant professor of accounting at the University of Notre Dame, was drawn to a PCAOB fellowship for similar reasons: It offered access to data on audit quality in the broker-dealer industry that isnt publicly available, he said.

Brown said her time at the SEC also helped her advance her research by allowing easier access to the data and feedback from staff experts.

One of Browns projects was about using machine learning to detect what firms are discussing in their financial statements and using that information to predict fraud. While in her fellowship, Brown got to see how the technology works and talk with the staff that helped develop it, she said. One day at a meeting, she found herself sitting near a chief economist who helped build the algorithm.

I had one of the most awesome conversations with him about that paper, Brown said. He actually had his old speeches that he wrote and showed me on his iPad and said, You're doing the exact same thing that I was talking about in this speech.

Teaching with a new perspective

Kowaleski wasnt sure what to expect when meeting the regulators of Washington, D.C. The fellowship gave him a better understanding of the institutions accountants operate within, which also makes him a better teacher, he said.

As both a former auditor and PCAOB fellow, my experiences help me take both perspectives when speaking to students about how regulation shapes audits, he said. This helps students see beyond the textbook.

Brown said that the time she spent immersed in day-to-day operations at the SEC, participating in task forces and consultations on complex topics, such as revenue and crypto-asset recognition, helped illuminate the real-life consequences of everything she teaches in the classroom.

On the first day of classes, she said, she now motivates her students by telling them that, with high-quality reporting and auditing, they can be the superheroes that will root out fraud and misbehavior in the capital markets, where so much is at stake.

Building networks and professional potential

All three professors say the connections they made through their fellowships have expanded their professional networks and their opportunities.

The level of people you interact with is second to none, Brown said. Youre interacting with the chief accountant who monitors accounting across the U.S. and with individuals who are top partners in the Big Four, and youre actually meeting the SEC chairman. Thats the level of interaction that you just dont have as a regular faculty member.

Brown has been invited back to the SEC to present her research, has hosted SEC experts to speak to accounting classes, and has even connected other professors at her university with experts at the SEC who can help with their questions.

Kitto said when he needs a sounding board or has a specific question related to his research, he can reach out to PCAOB staff members and they dont hesitate to help.

The network of former fellows has been a tremendous network to be able to tap into, he said.

Advice for applying for a fellowship

Brown, Kitto, and Kowaleski offered a few suggestions for accounting colleagues who are considering applying for a fellowship:

Search for opportunities on websites for regulatory agencies and on job boards such as those hosted online by the Social Science Research Network (SSRN). If a fellowship does not exist for the area youre interested in, consider writing to a relevant agency or firm and proposing one.

Dont let obstacles such as distance dissuade you from applying, Brown said. Most agencies offer flexible work arrangements, as many employees commute from other states or work remotely some of the time. Options for remote work may be even better this year due to the pandemic, she said.

When applying, reach out to past fellows to ask about their experiences and what to expect, Kitto said.

Learn about the data that is collected by the agency you are applying to and read prior research that uses its data, Kowaleski said. Consider ideas that further the literature, but also overlap with the needs of regulators.

If you missed the deadline to apply for the next round, dont let that discourage you, Kitto said. He missed an application deadline and it ended up being a blessing in disguise, as it gave him extra time to prepare his application for the following year. It allowed him to submit more well-researched and workable research proposals, which strengthened his application.

 Samiha Khanna is a freelance writer based in North Carolina. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Courtney Vien, a JofA senior editor, at Courtney.Vien@aicpa-cima.com.
Main body of HKSAR Basic Law not to be revised this time: senior lawmaker

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The revisions to be made this time in improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) may be limited to Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law, without revising the main body of the Basic Law, said senior Chinese lawmaker Wang Chen on Friday.

This is to maintain the continuity and stability of relevant systems of the HKSAR, said Wang, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, when explaining a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR to national lawmakers.

The draft decision was submitted to the lawmakers for deliberation during the annual session of the NPC, which runs from March 5 to 11.
Daily Mail & General Trust PLC - London-headquartered media company - Completes sale of Hobsons, its education technology business, in two separate transactions, for total proceeds of approximately USD410 million.

Hobsons' Naviance and Intersect businesses will be sold to Folsom, California-based K-12 education technology solutions provider PowerSchool Group LLC for USD320 million and will become part of the PowerSchool platform. Meanwhile, Hobson's Starfish business is being sold to Washington DC-based education company EAB Global Inc for USD90 million.

In DMGT's financial year ended September 30, Hobson generated adjusted operating profit of GBP6 million from revenue of GBP85 million.

Company has previously noted the disposals will increase the focus of its portfolio, resulting in it operating in 4 sectors, compared to 10 in 2016. With education technology removed, these are consumer media, insurance risk, property information, and events & exhibitions.

Current stock price: 934.00 pence

Year-to-date change: up 25%

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Another anti-coup protester was shot dead in Myanmar on Friday as a UN envoy urged a divided Security Council to hear the nation's "desperate pleas" and take swift action to restore democracy.

Despite an increasingly brutal crackdown by the military authorities that has seen more than 50 people killed, protesters took to the streets again in towns around the country to denounce the February 1 coup.

In Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, hundreds of engineers took to the streets crying "Free our leader" in reference to ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, detained by the military since the first night of the takeover.

A 26-year-old man helping at barriers set up in the city to slow security forces died after being shot in the neck, medical officials told AFP.

The killing follows the deadliest day of the crackdown so far on Wednesday, when the United Nations said at least 38 people were killed as graphic images showed security forces firing into crowds and bloodied bodies dragged away.

Police also fired tear gas at demonstrators in the southern city of Dawei while protesters in the commercial capital Yangon were defiant despite the danger.

"Scared, yeah, I'm very scared to stay on the frontline. But we believe in our comrades and we promise to protect each other if someone is injured," protester Didi, 27, told AFP.

- 'Repression must stop' -

The generals have shown no sign of heeding calls for restraint despite mounting international pressure, including targeted sanctions by Western powers.

The Security Council took up the escalating crisis on Friday and heard from the UN special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, who warned against any moves to grant legitimacy to the junta.

"Your unity is needed more than ever on Myanmar," Burgener told the closed-door session. "The repression must stop."

She said that she is receiving some 2,000 messages a day from Myanmar urging international action.

Story continues

"The hope they have placed in the United Nations and its membership is waning and I have heard directly the desperate pleas -- from mothers, students and the elderly," she said.

But diplomats said it was unlikely that the Security Council would approve any international measures against the junta such as a proposed global arms embargo.

The session called by Britain ended without any statement, although diplomats said consultations would take place next week on a proposed text.

"We'll be exploring further national sanctions and stand ready to consider possible measures under the UN Charter should the situation deteriorate further," British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said after the meeting.

"Any further measures would require agreement from all Council members," she said.

She was alluding to objections by several Council members including Russia, India, Vietnam and especially veto-wielding China, historically the main partner of Myanmar's military.

China's ambassador, Zhang Jun, said his country wanted to be a "friendly neighbour".

"We don't want to see instability, even chaos in Myanmar," he told reporters.

"The messages and measures of the international community should be conducive for the parties in Myanmar to bridge differences and resolve problems, and avoid escalating tensions or further complicating the situation."

- 'System breakdown' -

In Myanmar's north, a number of people have crossed the border into India in a bid to escape the crackdown.

Indian police said nine people had crossed the 1,600-kilometre (1,000-mile) frontier -- three of whom were police officers who had refused to take part in putting down protests.

The junta has sought to stop news of the crackdown getting out, choking the internet and banning Facebook, the most popular social media platform in the country.

Friday also saw many parts of the country hit by power cuts for several hours, though it was not clear that this was a deliberate measure in a country where infrastructure is sometimes unreliable.

Government agencies attributed the outage to a "system breakdown".

Last month's coup brought a crashing halt to a decade-long experiment with democracy in Myanmar, which was previously under military rule for nearly five decades.

The country's generals have historically had few qualms about brutally suppressing dissent, crushing major protest movements in 1988 and 2007.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won November elections by a landslide, but the military insisted the polls were rigged as a justification for seizing power.

bur-pdw-sct/sst
Shakespeare might have been foretelling the events of this past week with these lines from Hamlet: When troubles come they come not single spies but in battalions.

We have had a Budget the like of which weve never seen in living memory. Weve had drama at Buckingham Palace thats being compared to the abdication crisis of 1936. Weve had a political shootout in Edinburgh that may yet determine the fate of the Union.

And weve had an idiot sitting on a dead horse. I could go on, but guess what has aroused the most fury in so many news programmes this week. The idiot obviously.

His name is Gordon Elliott and he is a very rich racing trainer. He was photographed on the horse  which had had a heart attack  seemingly grinning at the camera with a phone to his ear

The other story of the week was the Government announcing that Britain is cutting in half the amount of aid we give to Yemen. This is a country ravaged by a civil war in which we are involved. We sell arms to Saudi Arabia which leads the coalition fighting the rebels and former president

His name is Gordon Elliott and he is a very rich racing trainer. He was photographed on the horse  which had had a heart attack  seemingly grinning at the camera with a phone to his ear.

He has been torn to shreds. Banned from training. Vilified in breathless, sometimes tearful, interviews across the airwaves. A monster. Savaged even by those paragons of virtue, the betting industry, for betraying their brand values. Their love and respect for horses, as we must all surely recognise, knows no bounds. Elliotts disrespect for the horse was simply unforgivable.

Disrespect? What a strange word to use in this context. We might well ruminate on how many horses have died at steeplechases over the years, but thats for a different debate.

I raise this so-called story in the context of such a momentous week to highlight what it says about our sense of proportion. More than that. Our sense of what is morally right.

Thats because the other story of the week was the Government announcing that Britain is cutting in half the amount of aid we give to Yemen. This is a country ravaged by a civil war in which we are involved. We sell arms to Saudi Arabia which leads the coalition fighting the rebels and former president.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are both using Yemen as a battleground for their wider struggle for supremacy in the region (Pictured, Ahmed - 9-year-old Ahmed teaches classes in the city of Taiz. - Yemen)

The civil war has been turned into a bigger power game with outside forces taking different sides. Saudi Arabia and Iran are both using Yemen as a battleground for their wider struggle for supremacy in the region.

The new American president, Joe Biden, has withdrawn U.S. support for the Saudis. When government ministers here are asked why we dont do the same, they use the morally bankrupt argument: if we didnt do it somebody else would. The former Tory cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell says it makes us complicit in a humanitarian catastrophe  and hes right.

But lets put aside for a moment the question of selling arms to a country with all the moral standing of a backstreet drug dealer (albeit one who gives our royal brides dazzling earrings) and consider this governments policy on aid to overseas countries.

For eight years under a Tory government, Britain had been one of a handful of countries meeting the UNs target of contributing 0.7 per cent of national income to overseas aid. When David Cameron was prime minister he enshrined it in law. When Boris Johnson took over he said he would stick with it. Last November he changed his mind.

The target had always been controversial. Its critics saw it as a hugely wasteful piece of virtue signalling. Too many projects, they said, were signed off at the end of the financial year purely to meet an arbitrary target.

Every project, they said, should be considered on its merit and many had no merit. Too often the aid has been creamed off by corrupt governments or wasted on vanity projects or white elephants, such as airports on islands where planes seldom flew.

And too much has gone to expensive consultancies in this country who charge vast sums in management fees. Horror stories abound of money being handed out to pointless projects or pocketed by glib advisers.

All of that is true. But its also true that much of the aid has been a lifeline to dirt-poor countries and it is not something that can be switched on and off at whim.

Theres also a powerful argument that aid handouts are good for Britain too because they enhance our so-called soft power. Thats especially important in the post-Brexit world. But Boris Johnson seems to think differently. Last year he effectively abolished the Department for International Development, responsible for aid, and took away the seat at the Cabinet table. From now on, aid would be represented in Cabinet solely by the Foreign Secretary.

As David Cameron told a parliamentary committee on Monday, that had been a mistake. He said: Can you reasonably expect the Foreign Secretary to be able to do all the diplomatic stuff and be able to speak to the development brief as well?

On the same day, the Government announced that Britain was cutting its aid to Yemen for the next year by almost half. Instead of the 164 million promised, we would be giving only 87 million.

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called it a death sentence for the nation. There are already two million children acutely malnourished.

He described the situation there as the worst man-made humanitarian crisis facing the world today. That phrase man-made is crucial. The starving population and the dying children are what dispassionate military types tend to call collateral damage.

Others  especially those who saw Orla Guerins despatch from the region on the BBC this week  might call it a shameful betrayal of wholly innocent human beings. She filmed inside a bombed-out Yemeni school where children sat in the rubble being taught by a nine-year-old blind boy.

But still, at least it wasnt a rich man sitting on a dead horse, eh?

My new know-it-all mate cant mend a mower

A few months ago I bought a new lawnmower, used it once before winter and when I tried to cut the grass this week it wouldnt start. My own fault as it happened, but it taught me to be a little warier on the web. And it also meant Ive made a new friend.

His name is Andy. We havent actually met but hes introduced me to his beautiful wife Sarah, who is pregnant with their second child, and their two-year-old daughter, giggling for the camera as she patted her mummys bare baby bump. A charming video, you will agree. All posted on Andys website.

Oh yes Andy has set up a company. In an oh-so-chummy way, his video confided in me (and a few million others) that Sarah had so many questions when she first became pregnant hed decided what the world needed was a website that answers everyones questions about pretty much everything. Its called JustAnswer and its where the search engine on my computer led me.

I had typed in Bosch mower problems and it took me to the Bosch website. At least thats what it appeared to be.

A bit odd, I thought, that it wanted my card details and a 5 fee (for starters), but the grass wasnt going to cut itself so I paid up. And anyway Andy had promised me a great answer in only a few seconds.

Or, as he put it, Youve done your job now well do ours.

Six hours later one of the experts, Tom, texted me to tell me I should check that Id switched the power on.

As it happened I had (Im not that technically incompetent) but by then I had tracked down Boschs real website. Which is what I should have done at the start. Lesson learned.

But thanks anyway Andy  and give my love to Sarah and the kids.
Michigan's water resources are a global treasure; EGLE is using innovation, fresh thinking to keep them that way

Michigan's water resources are a global treasure; EGLE is using innovation, fresh thinking to keep them that way

By Liesl Clark, EGLE Director

(A version of this guest column by EGLE Director Liesl Clark appeared in the Alpena News and Up North Voice yesterday and is available for use by other media outlets.)

Not a day goes by when I'm not reminded of Michigan's unique place on Earth  surrounded by 20 percent of the planet's fresh surface water in the heart of the world's greatest freshwater ecosystem.

Every Michigander relies on that water in some way  for drinking, sanitation, recreation, livelihoods and economic security. We all have a responsibility to be wise stewards of the Great Lakes. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) plays a leading role in ensuring they remain healthy for generations to come.

It has been two years since Gov. Gretchen Whitmer entrusted me with the leadership of EGLE and its critical mission of protecting Michigan's environment and public health. We've made tremendous progress in accelerating and improving Michigan's water protections  both in the drinking water systems that are critical for healthy lives, and surface and ground water safeguards that protect our natural resources and quality of life.

EGLE is taking the lead on implementing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's MI Clean Water plan, a historic investment of $500 million in water infrastructure from source to tap. This provides direct investments for communities, helps provide safe, clean water to residents and supports thousands of Michigan jobs. We are pleased with the bipartisan support for this package and are working with the Michigan Legislature to pass enabling legislation to authorize the remaining investments in MI Clean Water.

Michigan also is leading on the emerging contaminant PFAS. We recently established drinking water standards for seven PFAS compounds requiring community water supplies to keep those chemicals below health-based levels in the water they deliver to Michigan homes. Corresponding PFAS groundwater standards will protect residents with private water wells. We also achieved public water system connections for 1,000 households with contaminated wells through a legal settlement with Wolverine Worldwide for its PFAS contamination of groundwater in the Grand Rapids area.

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, EGLE played a key role in implementing an executive order protecting Michiganders from water shutoffs during the pandemic and providing local governments with financial support to reconnect homes to public water supplies. We helped ensure this program will continue into 2021 by advocating for the Water Shutoff Restoration Act, which Gov. Whitmer signed in late December 2020.

New ground was also broken in providing new tools for residents to help ensure clean water and responsive action to water concerns. We launched theClean Water Ambassador Program, Online Drinking Water Concern System, and Focus on Water Initiative.These programs support learning, listening, equitable solutions and collaboration at the state and local levels.

Among other significant water protections:

EGLE's work helped drive dramatic reductions in Huron River PFAS levels  including declines of as much as 99.8%& over 18 months in one sampling location  through work with local stakeholders to track contamination and address it at the source.

We reached the milestone of bringing all major Michigan urban areas under Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits, which establish a system of roads, drains, pipes and ditches, etc., to transport stormwater to local water bodies separate from local sewer systems. Separating stormwater and sewer system curbs storm-related sewage overflows which contribute to beach closings, mass algae blooms and other harmful impacts to Michigan waterways.

A new general permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) was established this year to better protect Michigan waterways from animal waste runoff(also linked to algal blooms, beach closings and other impacts). That permit is facing a legal challenge, but we are steadfast in our commitment to sustainable agriculture and clean water.

We assisted the Water Use Advisory Council, a formal State of Michigan stakeholder group, in drafting its 2020 biennial report which provides state agencies and lawmakers a roadmap for strengthening the state's Water Use Program.

EGLE piloted a Coastal Leadership Academy for local decision makers dealing with coastal hazards, such as erosion and flooding from major storms.

As I say often to our EGLE team, our mission is simple, but our work is hard. My time here makes me appreciate even more the work of our dedicated staff and the challenges that we overcome.

In the past year we assisted thousands of individuals impacted by historic high-water levels, navigated the chaos of a pandemic while continuing to provide essential health and environmental protections and maintained our diligence in reviewing thousands of permit applications to ensure they complied with state law  even when those decisions were controversial.

We're excited to build on these fresh initiatives, to push hard to make progress on cleaner water and less carbon pollution and to work with the governor and legislators to provide us the right tools to reach those goals. Our children and grandchildren are depending on it.

Photo caption: Screenshot of EGLE Director Liesl Clark working from home.

Like this content? Follow us on Twitter at @MichiganEGLE or on Youtube.com/MichiganEGLE

Take a short survey and let us know what you think about MI Environment.
Stark divide on race, policing emerges since George Floyd's death, poll says

Americans' trust in the Black Lives Matter movement has fallen and their faith in local law enforcement has risen since protests demanding social justice swept the nation last year, an exclusive USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll released on Friday finds. Last June, 60% in a USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll described George Floyd's death as murder; that percentage has now dropped by double digits to 36%. Uncertainty has grown about how to characterize the incident, caught on video, when former officer DerekChauvin held his knee on Floyd's neck and ignored his protests that he couldn't breathe. Floyd's death was one of series of confrontations last year in which law enforcement officials killed or assaulted unarmed Black people, prompting historic protests.

Ahmaud Arbery was killed at 25 . A year later, Black men who see themselves in him mourn his loss.

Analysis: 12 charts show how racial disparities persist across wealth, health, education and beyond

Reason for concern? All eyes on February jobs report

The Labor Department is set to release its February jobs report Friday, as U.S. businesses are reining in hiring and investment as fallout from the coronavirus outbreak dampens sales and creates a cloud of uncertainty over the economy Most of the epidemic's effects so far revolve around companies involved in travel and tourism, trade shows, and business conferences, as well as manufacturers that havent received vital parts from China. Meanwhile, low inflation has helped the Fed keep interest rates at record low levels in an effort to help lift the economy out of the recession. The Fed will likely let the economy run hotter for longer to extend job creation for lower wage earners.

Americans are more interested in getting stimulus than in seeing bipartisanship support for bill , poll says

'I'm just worried': Coronavirus prompts companies to pull back on hiring as uncertainty grows

LSU report on its handling of harassment cases to be released

Story continues

Louisiana State University on Friday will release a report of the university's handling of dozens of sexual misconduct cases since 2016. LSU commissioned the audit amid a USA TODAY investigation that uncovered widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations by the athletic department and broader administration. In a specific case, the investigation revealed the university conducted an internal probe in 2013 of former football coach Les Miles over allegations he sexually harassed student workers and made sexist comments about others. USA TODAY is suing LSU to gain access to that probe, which is separate from the more recent and wider-ranging report being released Friday. Some or all of the internal Miles investigation may be included in that report.

Prefer to listen? Check out the 5 things podcast:

Pope heads to Iraq amid security, coronavirus concerns

Pope Francis is scheduled to make a high-profile visit to Iraq Friday, just days after multiple rockets struck an airbase in Iraq and killed one U.S. civilian. His Holiness will be in Iraq through Monday, in his first foreign trip since the COVID-19 pandemic erupted last year. Among the highlights of the three-day visit? A private meeting Saturday with the countrys top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a revered figure in Iraq and beyond. The Iraqi government is eager to show off the relative security it has achieved after years of wars and militant attacks that nevertheless continue even today. The Vatican defended the decision to go ahead with the trip despite rising coronavirus infections in Iraq. It said the pope's trip is an "act of love for this land, for its people and for its Christians."

Saying Goodbye to 'WandaVision' and Hello to 'Coming 2 America'

Friday is packed with new offerings from the world of entertainment. First, the highly anticipated season finale of "WandaVision" hits Disney+. Several key unanswered questions from the series starring "Avengers" veterans Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch) and Paul Bettany (Vision) are expected to be addressed. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige also has confirmed that "WandaVision" will correspond with the upcoming "Doctor Strange" sequel as Olsen will star in 2022's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness." On the movie side, Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall make a second journey to Queens, New York, from Zamunda in the long-awaited sequel "Coming 2 America," which premieres on Amazon Prime.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope visits Iraq, February jobs report: 5 things to know Friday
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  A Mandaluyong court ordered the release of journalist Lady Ann Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago as it dropped the prosecution's motion against it.

A month after the dismissal of criminal cases against Salem and Esparago, who were arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives in December, the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 209 on Friday decided that they should walk free.

RELATED: Court urged to order journo Lady Ann Salems release following 'acquittal'

This despite the prosecution's argument that the decision junking their case was not yet final, claiming the probable cause was "sufficiently established" prior to the issuance of search warrants.

Salem's side, however, stressed that the search warrants should be declared void for lack of probable cause.

"After thorough consideration of the arguments raised and jurisprudence cited in Salem's Comment, the court resolves to reconsider and rule that a trial court is empowered to immediately release the accused if the evidence on record clearly fails to establish probable cause," read the order signed by Presiding Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio.

"The Jail Warden is ordered to immediately release accused Lady Ann Salem y De Leon and Rodrigo Esparago y Santos, unless they are being held for some other lawful cause," the decision also stated.

In a previous statement, the Criminal Investigation and Detection GroupNational Capital Region said the two were arrested as part of its campaign against loose firearms and criminal groups.

RELATED: Mandaluyong court junks case vs. Lady Ann Salem, union organizer

Police said they seized handguns, grenades, and ammunition, among others things, from Salem. An armalite, pistols, and ammunition were seized from Esparago, according to police.

However, the Mandaluyong court dropped the case, arguing the law enforcers' search warrant was declared void for being vague after they failed to seize only those items listed in the warrant.

The court also found substantial inconsistencies and contradictions in the testimonies of informant Kharl Lou Dela Cruz Geronimo, Patrolman Ernie Ambuyoc, and Police Captain Michael Nathaniel Visco.

An engineer at the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) works on the NanoDragon satellite. Photo by VNSC.

Micro-satellite NanoDragon, developed and built by the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC), will go through a final test this month before it is put into orbit this September.

The satellite weighs four kilos and belongs to the CubeSat category, a type of miniaturized satellite for space research that is made up of multiple 10 cm  10 cm  10 cm modules.

NanoDragon will be delivered to Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan, for testing between March 8-22. The satellite will go through vibration test, shock test and thermal vacuum test, the last steps in the satellites hardware development, VNSC director Pham Anh Tuan said Tuesday.

After the test, it will go back to Vietnam, waiting for launch. Japans Epsilon rocket is expected to launch NanoDragon in September as part of the second "Innovative satellite technology demonstration" program.

The NanoDragon satellite that is almost completed. Photo by VNSC.

NanoDragon is the product of Vietnam's nano-sized micro-satellite project for the 2016-2020 period.

The satellite will be working at 520 kilometers high from the earth, with two main missions: tracking and monitoring vessels, and verifying the performance of the satellite attitude control system on orbit.

Japan sent the 50-kilogram Vietnamese satellite MicroDragon into space from Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan, in January 2019.

It was used to observe Vietnams coast line, evaluate water quality, locate fishery resources and monitor changes to serve aquaculture, detect cloud coverage and aerosols, collect ground-based sensor signals and transmit them to stations on Earth.

Vietnam sent its first indigenous satellite into space in 2013. The one-kilogram PicoDragon remained in orbit for three months. The country had launched four prior satellites, all made by foreign companies.
Paxton, IL (60957)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 72F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a shower late. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable.
A federal appeals court reinstated rioting charges Thursday against the leader of a white supremacist group and three followers over violence in Berkeley and two Southern California cities in 2017, ruling that a federal ban on inciting an imminent riot does not violate free speech.

Robert Rundo, founder of the Rise Above Movement, and three followers were accused of rioting and conspiracy by recruiting members, training them for violent combat, making travel arrangements and taking part in clashes with foes of then-President Donald Trump in the spring of 2017 in Berkeley and Huntington Beach (Orange County).

Rundo was also accused of rioting in San Bernardino in June 2017. An FBI agents affidavit said videos showed Rundo slugging counter-protesters in Huntington Beach and punching a Berkeley police officer in the head, and showed similar acts by his followers.

The charges were dismissed in 2019 by U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney of Los Angeles, who said the law under which they were charged, the Anti-Riot Act of 1968, punished communication, not violence, and therefore violated freedom of speech.

A defendant could be convicted for renting a car with a credit card, posting about a political rally on Facebook, or texting friends about when to meet up, Carney said, and even those with a hateful and toxic ideology, like these defendants, are protected by the First Amendment.

But the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said Thursday that some parts of the federal law are constitutional because they prohibit actions aimed at inciting imminent violence, a standard set by the Supreme Court in 1969.

The 1968 law prohibits unprotected speech that instigates (incites, participates in, or carries on) an imminent riot, as well as taking part in or aiding actual violent conduct, the three-judge panel said.

It makes no sense, the court said, to assert that the government and its citizens cannot act, but must sit quietly and wait until they are actually physically injured or have had their property destroyed by those who are trying to perpetrate, or cause the perpetration of, those violent outrages against them.

On the other hand, the court majority said, provisions that make it a crime to organize a riot, or to encourage, urge or promote future acts of violence, violate free speech because they are not closely connected to imminent violence.

Judge Richard Paez and U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar of Oakland, temporarily assigned to the appeals court, signed the majority opinion. In a partial dissent, Judge Ferdinand Fernandez said encouraging or organizing a future riot has a link to action and could be prosecuted without violating free speech.

The ruling returns the case to Carneys court to reassess charges against Rundo and co-defendants Robert Boman, Tyler Laube and Aaron Eason. Laube initially pleaded guilty to conspiracy but was allowed to withdraw the plea after Carney ruled the charges unconstitutional.

There were no immediate comments from lawyers in the case.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
HOLLAND, MI  Holland school leaders are telling parents to be prepared for potential school or bus route cancellations after March 17, when many employees are expected to receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Administrators are concerned that many teachers and school staff could call in sick because the second shot can have stronger side effects such as fever, fatigue, headache and soreness at the injection site in the days following the vaccine, according to a districtwide message sent Friday, March 5.

Because so many of our staff are scheduled to receive their second vaccinations on March 17, there is concern that some of them may not be able to report to school/work on March 18 or 19, Holland Superintendent Brian Davis wrote in the message.

Because of a potential shortage of teachers, substitute teachers, office secretaries, or bus drivers on those days, we are asking that you and your family be prepared should your childs building be closed OR should your childs bus not be running those days.

Davis said the district is working on contingency plans in the event that school is canceled. He told parents to start planning now for any childcare or transportation needs if school is closed or any bus routes are canceled.

The superintendent explained that on Feb. 16  the day nearly 300 West Michigan school districts had a snow day after an overnight winter storm  the Ottawa County Department of Public Health made hundreds of vaccines available for school employees in the area.

A large number of Holland teachers, bus drivers and school staff received their first round of vaccinations that day, Davis said. Thats why so many Holland employees are scheduled to receive their second round of vaccinations on March 17.

HPS Staff continue to demonstrate their commitment to the health and safety of your student and to the Holland community by getting vaccinated for COVID-19, Davis wrote in the message.

Davis said the districts goal is to maintain in-person instruction if possible, but he wants families to be prepared in case schools do have to close for a few days.

If school is closed or buses are canceled March 18 or 19, the district will make an announcement on its website, as well as through email, social media, local television and radio, and mobile text alerts.

Davis said parents can sign up for text alerts by texting HPS to 74121.

To help you navigate this complicated school year, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.

More on MLive:

COVID-friendly outdoor classroom earns Saline student Eagle Scout rank

$500 Michigan Classroom Heroes grants expanded to include more teachers

5 things to know about Michigans last school standing for virtual learning
In the biting cold at Anfield, it was not the scoreline that was of pressing importance. Once Mason Mounts spatial awareness, fine feet and precision finish had deservedly put Chelsea ahead before the break, the match was effectively over.

That feeling filled the stadium and so the match essentially devolved into a Liverpool shot on target watch.

It had finally arrived with 85 minutes played and with a whimper: Gini Wijnaldums soft header offering nothing more than a stretching exercise for the seriously comfortable Edouard Mendy.

The shape of the match was unsurprising to those that have watched both these sides closely in recent weeks.

Chelsea lionising possession, tireless and disciplined without it, but still not generating the amount of goals their performances deserve.

Only one opposition player has breached Thomas Tuchels organisational revamp of Chelsea - ironically Takumi Minamino, on loan from Liverpool to Southampton.

The clubs defensive solidity since Frank Lampards departure has shaped them as the team with the greatest tools to end up as Manchester Citys closest challengers.

Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to fade into nothingness: a team that wants to play a high line but do not put pressure against the ball; that know they are vulnerable to the long ball but continuously encourage opponents to use it; that still want to be aggressive initiators but are a passive imitation.

What used to come naturally - the offensive cohesion, the confidence in transition, the ability to completely maim opponents in minutes, the surety - has eroded.

Mason Mount scores the winner against Liverpool (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The biggest reason has been discussed in depth: injuries have tanked structure, stability and Liverpools steely foundation.

That explains their fall, their fallibility and will frame the context of their season. But some of the in-game displays are in the mould of relegation strugglers rather than a squad still littered with Champions League winners.

We had a really good team on the pitch but were not good enough in decisive moments, Jurgen Klopp conceded. There is only one person or group to criticise for that - thats me and us.

On Thursday night, Chelsea were superior in every respect and at ease. The performance was very complex, we were strong in transition, in defending, winning second balls, counter pressing, Tuchel accurately analysed. Everybody was very brave because they needed to adapt their positions all the time.

Chelseas manager described it as a six-point game and there was sadness watching Liverpool be so timid during what was a titanic showdown.

But it was no deviation from the trend. Liverpools solitary goal in the last six games at Anfield was a Mohamed Salah penalty in the 4-1 defeat to City last month. They have scored just one first-half goal in their past 11 league fixtures.

Liverpool have secured 10 points from 11 top-flight matches in 2021, with only West Brom (nine), Newcastle (seven) and Southampton (four) posting a worse return.

They are the first English top-flight reigning champions to lose five consecutive home league games - something that has never before happened in the clubs history. There is nowhere to hide.

Liverpool were below average against Chelsea and they have been below average for too long. Vultures are circling, agents will be looking to absolve their clients from their part in this state of play and clubs around them are all looking upwards.

Liverpool need to rediscover shades of themselves - and fast. Falling away from the top four is a certainty if they do not, with finishing out of the European places altogether growing increasingly likely.
The machine isnt just about certain personalities. Its about a culture and really a way of life inside of city government and the relationship between the government and ordinary citizens and how they get their services, said Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who in 2019 became the first Black woman and LGBTQ candidate elected Chicago mayor after running a campaign against public corruption. A list of machine people is fading from the scene, but the culture they built is definitely not dead. In many ways, its still as virulent as ever.
Dr Peadar O Fionnain of Clinic Cois Abhann in Dingle. His clinic went nine months without having a patient test positive for Covid-19

A GP practice in the Dingle Peninsula went nine months without having a single patient test positive for Covid-19.

While isolation has been one of the most difficult aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic, rural areas have been reaping the rewards as the latest data from the HSE shows Granard in Co Longford and Corca Dhuibhne in Co Kerry are the only two electoral areas with no recorded cases in the two weeks up to February 22.

Doctors in the countrys most-infected and least-infected areas have painted very different pictures.

Dr Peadar O Fionnain, of Clinic Cois Abhann in Dingle, Co Kerry, is due to start the vaccination roll-out at his practice today. Despite the whole of the country travelling to Dingle for a staycation last summer, cases remained low.

Read More

Weve had a very low infection rate for 12 months, apart from a few weeks in March last year when people werent being diagnosed because of the way testing was, Dr O Fionnain said. We had no positive diagnosis in any of our patients until this January and we did well over 100 tests, and even though the whole of the country was here last August, the numbers remained low.

Were lucky because Dingle is a peninsula, its half an island basically. We dont have much traffic, so its like a cul de sac. Theres very little coming and going, we dont have clustered housing, we dont have too much heavy industry. I think its these sorts of things which have helped us.

Kerry currently has the second-lowest infection rate of all counties, with 60.9 cases per 100,000 of the population.

While Dr O Fionnains practice is late getting its vaccine doses, theres a feel-good factor about the place.

Weve a small number of over-85s. Although its been a very slow start, the urgency probably isnt there as its not so rampant here, he said.

Like all towns and cities, Dingle was affected by people travelling home for Christmas. There was a spike in cases and a number of people sadly passed away from the virus in January.

There were a good handful of cases here in January, we had a number of patients test positive. By the end of January, we were back on track and we havent had any cases since.

Like a lot of the smaller towns in the west of Ireland, we were affected by people coming back from abroad and from the cities.

Kenmare (35.9) and Killarney (47.3) also boast very low incidences of the virus, which have contributed to Kerry being bottom of the table. However, the midlands counties of Offaly, Longford and Westmeath are top of the pile. Longford has the second-highest infection rate with 376 cases per 100,000  but yet the semi-rural town of Granard went two weeks without a positive case.

Dr Niall Donohoe, a GP based in the area, said numbers had been very low because locals were complying with the regulations. However, the HSE data doesnt tell the full story.

I sadly had a patient who died from Covid-19 very recently, he said. He was in hospital. He was an elderly man with some underlying conditions. Ive had a couple of cases in the last two weeks, but the numbers have definitely gone way down. Ive had a couple of days when I didnt refer any patients, but there has been a surge in Longford in the last week.

The towns and cities which currently have the highest infection rates include the Galway City Central local electoral area, which has a rate more than five times the national average. There were 1,292 cases per 100,000 of the population recorded in the 14 days up to February 22, which equates to roughly one in every 80 people having tested positive.

Ballymun-Finglas had the highest rate in Dublin and ranked second highest in the country at 798 cases per 100,000.

Dr Aliya Rahim, of D9 Family Practice on the Ballymun Road, said around 70pc of her patients referred for testing had come back positive since Christmas. In Ballymun you have a generation of one family living under one roof and the families are all very close together. So if one person goes out and gets it, they are bringing it home. Housing is definitely an issue, she said.

Dr Rahims staff are still waiting to be vaccinated. Her patients aged in their early 80s will be inoculated at the Helix theatre at DCU tomorrow.

While the number of patients infected is falling, she still sees people becoming quite sick with Covid.

Some of my patients with underlying conditions have been very sick, some of them needed hospitalisation. A lot of my patients are also healthcare workers and healthcare providers. Ive some homecare workers too and its been very difficult for them as if they get Covid, they cant provide care, she said.

In Offaly  which currently has the highest incidence rate in the country  Tullamore (555.6) and Birr (471) have been affected the worst. The Irish Independent rang three GP practices in Tullamore, with all doctors revealing they were incredibly busy with Covid-19 cases at the moment.

Gatherings at funerals, weddings and house parties in the midlands have contributed to a spike in cases. Gardai issued a number of fines in February after crowds gathered in Tullamore for a sulky race.

In Longford, gardai had to intervene at a house party in the Palace Crescent area on Valentines weekend. Up to 70 people were in attendance and a number of fines were issued.

In Co Westmeath, gardai attended a large gathering at a wedding in Mullingar on February 15. It is understood up to 100 people were present.

A Garda spokesperson said: Gardai are aware of a wedding that took place. Gardai did attend the scene and engaged with those present.

Where gardai identify potential breaches of the public health regulations, a file is prepared for the DPP in each case or a fixed payment notice is issued where appropriate.
New Delhi:

The United States has released its first World Religious Freedom report since President Donald Trump took office. The report highlights that religious freedom is under attack in Pakistan where minorities like Hindus, Sikhs and Christians live under the fear of forced conversions to Islam.

Religious minorities said they remained concerned that government action to address coerced conversions of religious minorities to Islam was inadequate, the report said.

The report questioned governments efforts to stop forced conversation of Hindus into Islam.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson while releasing the report said, The efforts made by Pakistan governments to stop forceful conversions of minorities are not enough.

The report stated that Hindus, Christians and Sikhs of Pakistan live in a fear of forceful conversion. It also said that there is no freedom of religion in Pakistan and more than 10 people are either waiting for capital punishment or jailed for life for blasphemy.

Religious freedom is under attack in Pakistan, where more than two dozen are on death row or serving a life imprisonment for blasphemy, Tillerson said in his speech as he released the 2016 International Religious Freedom report.

It is my hope that the new prime minister (Shahid Khaqan Abbasi) and his government will promote interfaith harmony and protect the rights of religious minorities, Tillerson said.

The report also highlighted claimed the Chinese government tortures and imprisons thousands for practising their religious beliefs.

Falun Gong members, Uighur Muslims and Tibetan Buddhists are targeted for practising their religion Tillerson said.

He also hit out at Islamic State saying the Sunni extremist group "is clearly responsible for genocide against Yezidis, Christians, and Shia Muslims in areas it controls or has controlled."

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.

.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

SANTA FE  Legislation that would waive renewal fees for liquor licenses over the next year won approval without opposition in the House on Thursday, putting the bill on the brink of final passage.

The proposal, Senate Bill 2, already made it through the Senate, but a House committee revised the proposal, so it will have to go back to the Senate for approval of the House amendment.

Nonetheless, the bill quickly passed the House on a 64-0 vote Wednesday with no debate.

The waiver of fees would apply to all liquor license holders, not just those who had a 50% drop in gross receipts in 2020, as in an earlier version.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Its expected to cost the state about $3.4 million to $3.8 million in revenue if signed into law.

The proposal is one of several measures aimed at helping New Mexico restaurants and bars recover from the pandemic.

The bill is jointly sponsored by Democratic Sens. Liz Stefanics, Jacob Candelaria of Albuquerque and Brenda McKenna of Corrales, in addition to Rep. Matthew McQueen, D-Galisteo.

We are hopefully entering the final stage of this pandemic, but the challenges faced by our restaurants, bars, and other hospitality businesses wont disappear overnight, McQueen said in a written statement. Senate Bill 2 gives these struggling small businesses at the core of New Mexicos economy a break from this years state fees, so they can instead use those funds for rent, payroll, and other key investments to help keep their doors open.
Opening itself to a likely court challenge, the Pallister government has introduced legislation that would extend a ban against smoking and vaping in public places to First Nations communities.

Opening itself to a likely court challenge, the Pallister government has introduced legislation that would extend a ban against smoking and vaping in public places to First Nations communities.

The province's mental health, wellness and recovery minister, Audrey Gordon, says Bill 56 would ensure all Manitobans are be able to live and work in a smoke-free environment, including those employed in First Nations casinos.

"What we want to do is decrease childrens and young peoples access and desire to begin smoking, and to help individuals who want to quit smoking to be able to do that, by creating environments where smoking and vaping does not occur," she told reporters Thursday.

"It's unfortunate that the Pallister government chooses to try and enact these measures in this way, veiled as a health issue."  Arlen Dumas

The proposed Smoking and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act was one of 19 bills introduced  but not distributed  by the Progressive Conservatives in November. The contents of the one-page bill were released Thursday.

Arlen Dumas, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, described it as "very troubling," "wrong-minded," and outside the province's jurisdiction.

He said, if passed, First Nations would fight the legislation in the courts.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Arlen Dumas, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, described it as "very troubling," "wrong-minded," and outside the province's jurisdiction.

"It's unfortunate that the Pallister government chooses to try and enact these measures in this way, veiled as a health issue," Dumas said in an interview.

A number of First Nations have already passed bylaws restricting smoking and vaping in public places, he noted.

First Nations received no advanced notice of the proposed legislation, Dumas said. Gordon did not mention the bill when she met with Dumas and other Indigenous leaders earlier this year, the grand chief said.

The bill would provide equitable access to healthy, smoke-free and vapour-free spaces across the province, the government said. Current legislation allowing for exceptions for the ceremonial or traditional use of tobacco would remain unchanged.

In 2015, the provincial health department commissioned a study which found smoking-related illnesses cost Manitoba $244 million a year.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew said while he's personally against smoking, particularly in indoor public places, the province must respect Indigenous peoples' rights.

"I think for (the government) to announce this bill without giving people in leadership positions in Indigenous communities the heads-up is the wrong approach," he said.

"If this is a policy priority of the provincial government, they should be reaching out and carrying out consultations, because this is going to have impacts."

If this is a policy priority of the provincial government, they should be reaching out and carrying out consultations, because this is going to have impacts.  NDP Leader Wab Kinew

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont compared the province's proposed legislation to Manitoba attempting to legislate the actions of North Dakotans or Saskatchewanians.

"The province doesnt have a right to do this. First Nations have jurisdiction; they get to have their own say," he said.

When asked about jurisdictional issues Thursday, Gordon emphasized restrictions against smoking and vaping are a health issue.

She promised future consultations with First Nations communities about the bill.

"We are going to have a very extensive engagement strategy that will be rolled out as early as next week."

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
Venkata Reddy said that no one, from the commissioner of the local municipality to minister, K.T. Rama Rao, had acted on his complaints for the past six months. (DC file photo)

Hyderabad: Congress MP Komatireddy Venkata Reddy on Thursday took to Twitter to expose inaction against an illegal structure at Turkayamjal on the city outskirts.

Apparently taking a cue from the Telangana High Courts crackdown against illegal structures, the Nalgonda MP is said to have written a letter to Chief Justice Hima Kohli seeking her intervention in the matter as the authorities concerned had failed to take action.

Maintaining that Hotel Tulip Grand was an illegal structure and built without valid permission from the municipal and fire authorities, Venkata Reddy said that no one, from the commissioner of the local municipality to minister, K.T. Rama Rao, had acted on his complaints for the past six months.

He drew the attention of the highest judicial body in the state to a minister (Sabita Indra Reddy) and an MLA (Manchireddy Kishan Reddy) attending the inaugural function of the hotel housed in an unauthorised building.

The senior Congress leader in several Tweets highlighted what he alleged was the discrimination of the government against the poor. Referring to a December, 2020, incident in Sircilla municipality, he said that a farmer died by suicide after local authorities demolished the foundations of a structure he was trying to build on his own after repeated attempts to obtain a permission to build a small house on 200 square yards of land had failed. While a poor farmer committed suicide, the rich will be celebrating the inauguration of an illegal structure in a grand way, Venkata Reddy said.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Commentary Military Regime Cant Defeat Myanmars Brave Hearts

Kyal Sin before she was shot dead by security forces (left); Tens of thousands mourned at her funeral (right).

Recent days have seen our beautiful Myanmar transformed into a killing field: Peaceful protesters shot dead through the head and chest; streets stained with blood; cities echoing with the booms of gunfire, the air laced with gunsmoke; rescue workers brutally beaten; security forces equipped as if for a battleground, ready to take the lives of yet more unarmed people.

This unwanted killing field is highly likely to see more bloodshed.

Before Feb. 1, Myanmars cities were peaceful and the country stable. All of that suddenly vanished when, early that morning, the military coup led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing plunged the country into a prolonged, deadly instability.

The coup smashed the political transition to democracy the country had warily cultivated over the past 10 years. Its aim was to expunge the result of Myanmars general election of Nov. 8, 2020a landslide victory for the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD)and dissolve the new Parliament, whose first session was to be convened just hours later. The new military regime arrested the NLDs leaders, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, both of whom had been re-elected.

The immediate consequences: The countrys economy, which had been showing great potential in recent years, was suddenly thrown into reverse; the schedule of public COVID-19 vaccinations worked out by the NLD government with international organizations went up in smoke; the simple pleasures of daily life have vanished for everyone; the future, for both young and old, is gone.

It did not take long for Myanmar people, particularly students and other young people, to throw themselves into the streets to retake the rights they had so recently enjoyed, and to restore for themselves a bright future under an elected democratic government. Hundreds of thousands of people have since joined them. Before long, it was a genuine, nationwide uprising against the military dictatorship.

Then the shooting began, and the country became a killing field. We can only expect this situation to go on. Because killing unarmed civiliansalong with every other type of oppression and political persecution used by the military regimehas not been able to frighten away the brave protesters, especially young people, at all. Proof of this courage can be found in the history of Myanmarand in the DNA of the people of this country.

On Sunday, five days ago, when a general strike was organized, the regimes soldiers and riot police killed at least 15 people across the country. On Wednesday, two days ago, the security forces killed at least 31 more protesters in many cities across the country.

All of the protesters who were killed were well aware that there was a very real possibility that they would be killed once they stepped out of their homes.

Kyal Sin, 19, was among the bravest. She was fatally shot dead in the head, right behind her ear, in her hometown of Mandalay on Wednesday. Aware of the risks to her life, she had posted her blood type details on Facebook and pledged that her organs be donated if she were killed. For demanding her rights as a teenager, to a bright future, and to make her political choice, she paid with her life. In last years election, she cast her first-ever ballot, voting for Daw Aung San Suu Kyis party. On Facebook, she proudly and happily posted a picture taken with her father showing their ink-soaked fingers after visiting the ballot box on Nov. 8.

Like Kyal Sin, many young protesters in cities across Myanmar have been writing their emergency contact phone numbers and their blood types on their arms before taking to the streets since the regime started cracking down against the protests.

Kyal Sin is one of at least 54 protesters to have been killed by the regimes troops and police in many cities and towns since Feb. 1.

The regimes tactic of having troops kill Kyal Sin and her fellow protesters in cruel execution style has done nothing to discourage the protesters. On Thursday, the number of anti-coup protesters on the streets in Mandalay was even bigger, as they paid their final tribute at the young womans funeral. Kyal Sin, pure star in Burmese, is now a martyr for many. Her killing hasnt simply failed to kill the courage of her many thousands of fellow protesters; it has only made them bolder.

On Friday, we were amazed to see photos of still bigger crowds of protesters taking to the streets in Mandalay. One more young man was shot dead, too. But the people showed no sign of fear. Across the country, Myanmar citizens are proving again in this 21st century that they were born with the DNA of their ancestors.

Their fight will go on. Consequently, the killing will go on. And the killing fields wont vanish anytime soon.

When I took to the streets in the 1988 nationwide uprising as a high school student, I remember one of our mottos: They die, or we die! in the fight for democracy against the then dictatorship, which was as brutal as the current one. We were serious, and meant exactly what we said: If they died, we would win; if they won, we would die.

That motto has been repurposed with characteristic wit by the younger generation for this new Spring Revolution, which strikes a note of dark humor: They die, or they die! The motto has a Generation Z ring about it. One way of interpreting it is that they are so determined to see the death of the military dictatorship, there is simply no way their movement can die. Their determination to annihilate the mighty and cruel military dictatorship knows no bounds. The only conceivable outcome is victory.

It has been one month and five days since the coup. But the regime is still not in control of the country. It has failed to end any of the many forms of resistance against ita momentous mass movement on the streets mainly organized by Generation Z; the Civil Disobedience Movement, or CDM, launched by civil servants and some private workers; political and diplomatic offensives by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, or CRPH, formed by elected members of Parliament after the coup; and social punishment campaigns targeting members of the military regime and all of their various supporters, organized by unknown groups.

Of course, this is a war between a mighty military regime and an unarmed populace. Tragically, the usual formula is that military power combined with evil spirits spells defeat for unarmed people.

But Myanmars brave hearts are made even braver, though their compatriots be killed, tortured and arrested. The killing field may well claim more Kyal Sins, but brave hearts will continue to demonstrate with their determination and resilience to finish this struggle according to their motto: They die, or they die.

You may also like these stories:

Criticized, Myanmars Influential Monk Close to Coup Leader Breaks Silence on Killing Protesters

Security Forces Exhume Body of Woman Slain in Myanmar Protests
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
[March 05, 2021] CASETiFY Announces a New Collection with Disney

HONG KONG and LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the popular global lifestyle brand, CASETiFY, announced the second installment of its custom accessory collection with Disney. Designed with premium quality materials and personalization at the forefront, Disney Mickey Mouse fans can shop an array of special edition iPhone cases and tech gear, launching on Mar 18 at www.casetify.com/disney . In the new Disney x CASETiFY collection, customers will find elevated interpretations of classic Mickey Mouse designs, featured on CASETiFY's luxe vegan leather cases and drop-proof Impact Cases. Designed to spotlight the customer's creativity and connection with Disney, every case in the series will offer multiple colorways and levels of protection, so each creation is tailor-made to the ser. Additionally, shoppers are invited to personalize their case by adding monograms to a collection of original artwork, including checkerboard prints and step-and-repeat Mickey Mouse patterns. Matching accessories in the collection extend to AirPods cases, MacBook Cases, iPads Cases, Apple Watch Bands, and wireless charging pads, with prices ranging from $35 - $72 USD.



"Reuniting with Disney to create an original collection that centers around one's connection with Mickey Mouse is especially exciting for us," said Wes Ng, CEO and Co-founder of CASETiFY. "Our community is full of creative and imaginative individuals, and we hope this new collection puts the spotlight on their magical spirit." Eager Disney fans are invited to join the waitlist today, granting early access to the collection on Mar 5. For more information on the Disney x CASETiFY collection, and other CASETiFY products, please visit www.casetify.com . Stay tuned to @CASETiFY on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for the latest news on CASETiFY Co-Lab.

About CASETiFY Founded in 2011, CASETiFY is recognized as the first and largest global platform for custom tech accessories. The leading Gen Z casemaker not only delivers high quality products to millions of customers around the world, but every case is inspected top to bottom for a stylishly slim, drop-proof accessory. Fans of the brand often look to CASETiFY for special edition collaborations with top creatives and talents across industries. Members of the CASETiFY Co-Lab program include Moncler Genius, Vetements, DHL, Coca-Cola, The Pokemon Company, streetwear label BAPE, and global superstars BTS. For more information on CASETiFY, its stores, partners and products, visit www.CASETiFY.com . SOURCE CASETiFY

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  After admitting that some government officials jumped the priority list for the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines allocated for medical frontliners, the Duterte administration said it is now ready to move forward after learning its lesson.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday acknowledged there was a breach in the priority list when Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya and MMDA Chief of Staff Michael Salalima received their Sinovac shots this week.

Roque said the two did it "in good faith," claiming they were prompted by officials at the Pasay General Hospital to take the shots to help build public confidence. During the vaccination ceremony, Pasay City Vice Mayor Noel Boyet del Rosario  who is not a medical frontliner  was also inoculated. Roque said Malaya claimed he was unaware that government health advisers rejected the request to allot doses for "influencers" and public officials.

The presidential spokesperson said it is now clear that no unauthorized government official can cut the line. He added this incident was part of the learning process of the ongoing vaccination program launched on Monday.

"Hindi po tayo perfect sa pagpapatupad nitong protocol, nagkaroon tayo ng kakaunting breaches pero we have learned from the breaches and now everyone knows medical frontliners muna," he said in a media briefing.

[Translation: We are not perfect in carrying out the protocols. There were some breaches, but we have learned from them. Everyone now knows that medical frontliners should be first.]

It was not the first time government officials violated the priority list. Officials have admitted that President Rodrigo Dutertes close-in security team received smuggled COVID-19 vaccines made by Chinese firm Sinopharm as early as late 2020 despite the absence of regulatory approval. Duterte's former special appointee, Mon Tulfo, also revealed that he and thousands of other government officials, soldiers, and police personnel have been inoculated with Sinopharm.

Duterte only allowed the early vaccination of three top government officials, but they too are not healthcare workers: Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., testing czar Vince Dizon, and MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos. They were all vaccinated on the first day of the rollout.

The World Health Organization warned that the Philippines may not be able to receive more vaccines if it continues to breach the vaccine priority list. Among the requirements of the COVAX facility for the Philippines to keep getting donated vaccines is to follow the prioritization line, which is to inoculate all healthcare workers, then the elderly and people with co-morbidities.

RELATED: PH non-compliance to COVAX may jeopardize allocated vaccines

The 487,200 AstraZeneca doses that arrived on Thursday from the COVAX facility are expected to be allocated for these priority groups. The Philippines could risk losing millions more of vaccine doses if it fails to follow the requirement.
Friday, March 5, 2021

Reinhard Gehlen was a Wehrmacht Major General and head of intelligence for the Nazis on the eastern front. Before Nazi Germany fell, Gehlen moved fifty containers of intelligence files on the Soviet Union and then gave them to the Americans. After the war, Gehlen headed up an intelligence effort for the allies on Soviet bloc countries.

On May 26, 1967, Bill Boxley, an investigator for Jim Garrison, called the office and his conversation was recorded so that Garrison could listen later. Boxley was in Dallas checking names in Clay Shaw's address book, and felt there might be ties between Shaw and the Gehlen intelligence apparatus. Here is the memo:

This is all insane. On the second page, Boxley writes about Thomas Marion Cox, "Now there is no record of this young man ever having lived at 4017C Rawlins but I think it is noteworthy at least that this is three houses away from Eva Grant's where Jack Ruby registered his residence in the City Directory." Propinquity in action! And Cox's mother was evasive, "So there was no overt reasons for her to hide his whereabouts but she was apparently was because she said he was due there for dinner, but hadn't shown up."

Boxley's search for Herman G. Wilhelm Bachelman is hilarious. His ex-wife remembered that "he read an awful lot, she said, about the Third Reich, and he was admirer, she said, of the tactics of the S.S. elite corps." He arrived in the United State in New Orleans and Boxley speculates that "It sounds very much, in intelligence patterns, as if Shaw was a reception committee for Bachelman's arrival and he sent him on to Dallas..."

There also seems to be a similarity between Cox and Bachelman - "Being in photography. Again he parallels the Cox boy. They're both 27 years of age. Cox had it as a hobby: Bachelman studied it, worked at it professionally. And both of them parallel Oswald, a typographer and photographer background. Now it looks very much to me as if this is an agent sent in here, about Oswald's age you will recall - this is an agent sent in here and they train it."

And, of course, "there is some probably homosexuality involved here because Cox especially is a suspect of homosexuality. He worked for Glenn of Hollywood here in Dallas which has been described to me by my source as a nest of homosexuals."

What a surprise! Clay Shaw has some homosexuals in his address book.

On page ten, Martin asks Boxley if he can support his belief that Shaw was part of the Gehlen apparatus, and he replies, "Well, no more than we've got. But I think it is terrific support we've got already."

I don't know what happened when Garrison listened to the tape, but a few short months later, Garrison wrote a letter to Bertrand Russell and he talked about the Gehlen intelligence apparatus.

Ross Yockey [a reporter for the States-Item] wrote a letter to Michael Eddowes on June 20, 1967 and he mentions the Gehlen apparatus:

Towards the end of 1968, there was a staff revolt against Bill Boxley. You can read about it in my book, On The Trail of Delusion - Jim Garrison: The Great Accuser. Harold Weisberg and Vincent Salandria came up with a plan to convince Garrison that Boxley was a CIA plant. He was not a plant - he just fed back Garrison's delusions, and he became his favorite investigator.

Weisberg flew to New Orleans and he wrote a 16-page memo about Boxley's craziness. The telephone call to Martin was right up front.

If you have trouble with Weisberg's prose, you're not alone. He was not the great writer, and no one was there to edit his work. But, the plan worked and Boxley was fired by Garrison in December of 1968,

By the way, there is no mention of the Gehlen intelligence apparatus in Garrison's book,
After 14 years, Sarah Silverman issued an apology to Paris Hilton for the controversial jokes she made.

In Thursday's episode of "The Sarah Silverman Podcast," the 50-year-old admitted that the jokes she said about the socialite are something she would never even do now.

"I came up in a time when talk show hosts and comedians hired to make fun of pop culture were roasting the biggest celebrities and pop culture icons at the time."

She added that at the time, "nobody was bigger than Paris Hilton."

She explained that we are now living in an "awakened world" where she believes is the type of world where everybody can grow and accept the changes.

Launching into a full-blown apology to the former "Simple Life" star, Silverman said that what she did was "real ugly sh-" after reflecting on the past.

"I do believe that maybe that should be coupled with taking into account any growth that has come with those passing years," she added.

She recollected that while she was excited at her monologue's success, she remembers seeing the blonde beauty in the audience, and looking at Paris Hilton's face made her heart sink.

"A couple of days later, I wrote her a letter apologizing, felt awful and I never heard back," as she expected.

However, Paris Hilton, who is engaged to boyfriend Carter Reum, never reportedly received the apology letter.

But Sarah Silver continued her apology, saying, "Here I am, 14 years later, telling you, Paris, that I am sorry."

"I was then, and I am, much more completely and with far more understanding, I think now."

She expressed not knowing what Hilton has been through during that difficult time.

"'I felt it the second I saw your face that night. It feels terrible to know you have hurt someone, and it's important to make it right. I hope this does that."

What Sarah Silverman Said at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards

In 2007, Paris Hilton was sentenced to jail for a probation violation but attended the MTV Movie Awards that night.

After the event, she went straight to jail.

Additionally, at the time, Sarah Silverman made some jokes about Hilton's story in her opening monologue at the event.

"Paris Hilton is going to jail," then Silverman received a few applause and cheers from the crowd.

"I heard that to make her feel more comfortable in prison, and the guards are going to paint the bars to look like penises. I worry that she's going to break her teeth on those things," she added.

Then the screen showed Hilton's face throughout Silverman's monologue.

Hilton seemed embarrassed and uncomfortable with what was being said about her while the audience was laughing about it.

Paris Hilton Podcast

This disturbing joke recently came to light after so many years because early this week, Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky discussed Sarah Silverman's jokes at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.

She said in her podcast, "This is Paris," that what Silverman did to her was "disgusting, so cruel and mean."

The newly-engaged reality star revealed she was "so shocked" and "surprised" about the jokes because she has met Silverman in the past.

"She couldn't be nicer. So sweet."

She added, "To sit in the audience with her just literally publicly humiliating me, being so mean, so cruel."

"I was sitting there wanting to die. I was trying to hold back my tears so hard. I had tears welling in my eyes; I wanted to run out of the entire room, but I was trying to be strong and sit there, and the whole audience is laughing, and she would not stop. It was so painful."

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles

WICHITA, Kan., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kansas Health Science Center (KHSC) Board of Trustees is recognizing President Michele Nealon, Psy.D., of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology for her support of the proposed Kansas Health Science Center - Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KHSC-KansasCOM).

The proposed KHSC-KansasCOM and The Chicago School are two of several institutions that make up TCS Education System, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. Both schools look forward to a future partnership that solidifies collaboration through integrated health training, faculty exchange, tandem teaching, joint symposium, collaborative research and joint educational opportunities across both institutions. A scholarship has also been established by TCS President Michael Horowitz, Ph.D., for students at The Chicago School who want to attend the proposed KHSC-KansasCOM once it has reached the pre-accreditation phase and is able to recruit students.

"It was my great honor to present commendation to Dr. Nealon on behalf of the KHSC Board of Trustees," said Dr. Tiffany Masson, president of KHSC. "Dr. Nealon has been a source of continued support and inspiration as we've worked to launch the proposed KHSC-KansasCOM and we are grateful for her commitment and shared vision in changing the health care landscape for Kansas and beyond."

The Chicago School integrates theory, professional practice and innovation to provide an excellent education for careers in psychology and related behavioral and health sciences. The proposed KHSC-KansasCOM is focused on training the osteopathic physician of the future to provide effective, empathic and innovative care to optimize the health of patients and their communities.

"We're excited to collaborate with a college that shares our commitment to innovation, service, and community. We're also grateful for TCS Education System, which made a unique partnership like this possible in higher education," said Dr. Nealon.

The proposed KHSC-KansasCOM was recently granted candidate status from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). The first osteopathic school in Kansas is currently under construction in downtown Wichita at 230 E. William and 130 S. Market, in the historic 90-year-old building once home to Henry's, Macy's and Innes department stores. The campus will include an osteopathic skills training center, standardized patient teaching rooms, large lecture halls, small group study rooms, a virtual anatomy lab and much more.

Learn more at kansashsc.org.

About Kansas Health Science Center:

Kansas Health Science Center is a nonprofit organization committed to training well-prepared physicians and health care leaders who will positively contribute to the overall well-being of our communities. With the goal of opening the proposed Kansas Health Science Center - Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2022, KHSC strives to positively impact the health landscape in Wichita and the state of Kansas through directly addressing the disparity in access to healthcare. The mission of the proposed KHSC-KansasCOM is to train the osteopathic physician of the future to provide effective, empathetic, and innovative care to optimize the health of patients and their communities. KHSC upholds the values of diversity and inclusion, innovation, teamwork, excellence, community, humility, and integritycreating a dynamic atmosphere committed to providing an excellent academic experience. Learn more at kansashsc.org.

SOURCE Kansas Health Science Center

Related Links

https://kansashsc.org


Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
US Treasury Yields Rally May Trigger A Crazy Ivan Event (Again) In Stock Market

Since shortly after the US November elections, my research team and I have been clear about our research and our belief that the bullish rally in the markets would continue to drive the strongest sectors higher and higher. In December 2020, we shared an article suggesting our proprietary Fibonacci Price Amplitude Arcs and GANN theory indicated a major price peak could set up in early April 2021. On February 3, 2021, we also published an early warning that Treasure Yields were set up to prompt a big topping pattern sometime over the next 6+ months . We followed that up with a February 21, 2021 article suggesting future Gold and Silver price trends may be tied to the moves in Treasury Yields and the resulting stock market trends.

Now that the Treasury Yields have completed what we suggested would be required to start a revaluation event in the stock market, we believe that a Crazy Ivan event may soon setup in the global markets. Many months back (August 28, 2019), we published an article about precious metals were about to pull a Crazy Ivan price event (https://www.thetechnicaltraders.com/precious-metals-crazy-ivan-followup/). This prediction came true in 2020 and 2021. Now, we are suggesting the global markets may pull a new type of Crazy Ivan event  a price revaluation event prompted by the rise in Treasury Yields.

The Yields Setup

In our February 3, 2021, research article about the Treasury Yields, we suggested that a series of setup processes take place that prompt a broad market correction related to Treasury Yields. First, Yields must fall from levels above the Breakdown Threshold to levels below the Setup Threshold to complete the first stage of the setup. This first stage sets up the potential for moderate sideways price trends nearing a peak, or congestion. The second stage of this setup is that Yields must fall to levels below ZERO. This move creates the potential for one of two outcomes when Yields begin to rally.

If Yields rally back above the Setup Threshold and/or the Breakdown Threshold, but then stall and reverse back below the Breakdown Threshold, then the markets will likely stall/congest or enter a sideways/rolling top type of trend for a period of 2 to 6+ months.

If Yields rally back above both the Setup Threshold and the Breakdown Threshold and continue to rally higher, then the markets begin to start a sideways/correction event which we are calling a Crazy Ivan event.

We have highlighted all the areas in the charts below where the Yields have fallen to levels below ZERO on this chart and you can clearly see how the SPX reacted to these upside Yields recovery events. Every time (in RED) where the Yields rallied above the Setup and Breakdown Threshold levels, a broad market downtrend setup within 6 to 12+ months of this event. We believe the markets are about to do the same type of thing and we are calling it a Crazy Ivan event because we believe the current market setup is vastly different than the previous setups.

If the markets start to roll over and volatility continues to stay higher or rise, we can benefit from it with our Options Trading Signals which we use non-direction trades to sell premiums. This allows options traders to profit from volatility and not worry about which way the market moves.

The current Crazy Ivan setup

The following current Yields chart shows a more detailed example of what is currently taking place related to the Crazy Ivan setup. Yields are back above the 1.35 level on this chart and have quickly rallied above the Setup and Breakdown Threshold levels. If Yields continue to rally from this level, we believe the markets will quickly shift into a sideways/rolling top formation which will eventually prompt a new Crazy Ivan price event (a big revaluation event). If yields stall near these current levels and move back below the Breakdown Threshold, then we may still see a bit of sideways trading for a while, but usually the markets will begin to resume an upward price trend if Yields stay below the Breakdown Threshold.

Sign up now to receive information on the launch of the Technical Traders options trading courses and newsletter!

The outcome hinges on what Yields do in the next 4 to 12+ months and we believe traders and investors need to prepare for big shifting trends in major sectors and indexes going forward. The setup process is already complete at this point. We are not waiting for anything to further complete this potential for the Crazy Ivan event. We are just watching Yields to see if they continue higher or stall and move back below the Breakdown Threshold. At this point, the Crazy Ivan price revaluation event is almost a certainty  it is just a matter of time.

What we expect to see is not the same type of market trend that we have experienced over the past 8+ years  this is a completely different set of market dynamics. Dont miss the opportunities in the broad market sectors in 2021, which will be an incredible year for traders of the BAN strategy. You can sign up now for my FREE webinar that teaches you how to find, enter, and profit from only those sectors that have the most strength and momentum. Staying ahead of sector trends is going to be key to success in volatile markets.

For those who believe in the power of trading on relative strength, market cycles, and momentum but dont have the time to do the research every day then my BAN Trader Pro newsletter service does all the work for you with daily market reports, research, and trade alerts. More frequent or experienced traders have been killing it trading options, ETFs, and stocks using my BAN Hotlist ranking the hottest ETFs, which is updated daily for my premium subscribers.

In the second part of this article we will publish later this week, we will review and share more data and details related to the rising Yields and the pressures that will likely be placed on the global markets. You dont want to miss the conclusions of our research.

Happy trading!

Chris Vermeulen

www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic



Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better.



His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility.



He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk

Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect.

Chris Vermeulen Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Authorities are searching for a man accused of fatally stabbing a New Orleans teacher in the St. Claude neighborhood this week.

Preston Higgs, 36, faces a count of second-degree murder in the slaying of 39-year-old Elizabeth Quackenbush on Wednesday morning. The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement Friday identifying Higgs, who lived with Quackenbush and was her boyfriend, as the suspect in the killing.

According to investigators, officers responding to a 911 call in the 1200 block of Desire Street found Quackenbush dead from stab wounds to her face and head. Police said they later obtained a warrant to arrest Higgs in the case, though they havent specified how they linked him to the murder.

Higgs remained at large as of Friday afternoon, and police said they believe he is driving a silver Chevrolet Impala with a Louisiana license plate 357CMM.

The website for New Harmony High School in Bayou St. John lists Quackenbush as a faculty member. The graduate of Augsburg University in Minneapolis, taught chemistry and outdoor adventures at New Harmony, according to the website for the public high school, which focuses on educating students about coastal restoration.

Wednesday was not the first time Higgs had been accused of acting violently.

Court records show he was convicted of helping two men steal $1,100 at gunpoint from a gas station customer in Minnesota in December 2003. Higgs then went to a nearby liquor store, forced his way into a pregnant womans car at gunpoint, and forcefully touched her buttocks and genitals until another man ran up and chased him off, court records said.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Higgs later pleaded guilty to robbery, criminal sexual conduct and assault. He was imprisoned but released on Feb. 5, 2018, according to sex offender registration information.

Higgs would face mandatory life imprisonment if eventually convicted of murdering Quackenbush.

Quackenbush was one of two people killed Wednesday. In the other case, 43-year-old Pawel Antosik was shot to death in the 2200 block of North Claiborne Avenue on the edge of St. Roch.

Investigators havent publicly named any suspects in Antosiks killing or released a possible motive.

Police asked anyone with information about the murders of Quackenbush or Antosik to call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. Tipsters do not have to give their names and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Katy Reckdahl contributed to this report.
SUV

kW

4WD

IIHS

NHTSA

The retro-style, which features design cues inspired by Land Cruisers of the 1960s and 70s, was unveiled as a concept at the 2003 North American International Auto Show held in Detroit.It was met with positive feedback by both fans and the automotive press, prompting Toyota to develop a production version that arrived at the same auto show two years later.Production started in 2006 at Toyotas subsidiary Hino Motors located in Hamura, Japan, and its still built to this day for markets such as Chile, the Middle East, the Philippines, and South Africa.In the U.S., the market it was primarily built for, the FJ Cruiser was sold from 2006 to 2014, receiving numerous awards and positive reviews year after year.Although only a little over 200,000 units were sold in the country during this time, it gathered a loyal fan base, mainly because of its reliability and off-road capability. For these reasons, it has become a sought-after vehicle for those looking for a funky yet multifaceted SUV , and its resale value has actually increased in recent years.Under the hood of any FJ Cruiser, youll find a solid 4.0-liter V6. From 2007 to 2009, the engine came with single variable valve timing (VVT-i) and produced 239 hp (178) and 278 lb-ft (377 Nm) of torque.Models built from 2009 onwards gained Dual VVT-i technology, which adjusts timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts resulting in 259 hp (193 kW) and 270 lb-ft (366 Nm) of torque.The SUV is available in either rear- or four-wheel drive , with the latter versions split into permanent or part-time. Depending on the drivetrain, it uses either a five-speed manual gearbox or an automatic with five or six speeds.Both the engine and the transmissions have gained a reputation for reliability, even after years of off-road punishment, and there are few used SUVs out there that can offer the same level of dependability.It is worth noting that some owners of 2007 models with automatic transmissions have reported that their FJs shudder around 35-45 mph (56-72 kph) due to problems with the gearbox. So, if youve found a 2007 model you like, make sure to check the service history of the transmission and pay attention to this issue when test driving it.If youre into off-road adventures or simply have to drive through rough terrain frequently, the FJ Cruiser's renowned off-road capability is another reason why you should consider buying one.Four-wheel drive models equipped with the five-speed manual have a full-time 4WD system that employs a central Torsen locking differential, while part-time 4WD models have high and low-range ratios and automatic locking front hubs.The shorter overall dimensions and wheelbase mean that the approach, departure, and ramp-over angles are excellent, enabling the FJ to confidently crawl over any terrain.Some post-2013 models come with the useful CRAWL feature, which adjusts the throttle and brakes on five low-speed settings so that the driver can focus on steering.Also, with many aftermarket off-road-oriented upgrades available, the SUV can be turned into an extreme off-road monster with ease.All models built from 2009 onwards are equipped with six airbags as standard, including two in the front, two side-front, and two side-curtain bags that also protect rear seat occupants.The 2007 and 2014 models received a Top Safety Pick from the, while thegave it five stars for front driver, side driver, and side rear passenger protection, four stars for front passenger protection, and three stars for rollover protection.Although there are many reasons why you should consider buying a used FJ, the vehicle is not perfect and has its fair share of flaws.The FJs are also renowned for their less-than-ideal visibility, with numerous blind spots created by its design. It can be a serious problem until you get accustomed to those spots, so make sure to test drive one extensively to see whether this is a dealbreaker.The interior offers just the right amount of comfort and ergonomics for the driver and front passenger, but the backseat is cramped, offering little legroom for an average-height adult. Its also hard to access due to the small rear "suicide" doors that cannot be opened without opening the front doors first.FJ Cruisers built from 2007 to 2009 have a city/highway mpg of 16/20 (14.7/11.7 liters per 100 km) on premium gas, while 2010-11 models are rated at 17/21 mpg (13.8/11.2 liters per 100 km) on regular gas. Newer models built between 2012 and 2014 also only require regular gas and have a 17/20 mpg (13.8/11.7 liters per 100 km) rating.If you can live with these flaws, the FJ Cruiser is undoubtedly an excellent SUV, and you wont be disappointed about buying a used one.Of course, there are lots of things you should look for before you buy one, so we recommend that you thoroughly check its service history and schedule a pre-purchase inspection before you seal the deal.There are many FJ Cruisers out there in good shape with prices ranging from $15,000 to $35,000, depending on the model year, drivetrain, or equipment.
ORONOCO TOWNSHIP, Minn.  Firefighters Thursday rescued a dog that fell through the ice over Lake Zumbro.

The Pine Island Fire Department was called to the 100 block of Shorewood lane NE around 12:15 pm for a dog going through the ice. A witness said a dog was barking and unable to pull itself out of the water. Fire crews arrived to find the dog about 50 yards offshore. Firefighters in wetsuits rescued the animal and brought it back to shore, where it was dried off and kept in the fire truck until staff from Camp Companion took possession of the dog.

The Pine Island Fire Department says the dog had a collar but no tags.

Firefighters said there were areas of open water and ice cover on Lake Zumbro and the public is reminded that the risk of going through the ice is increasing as temperatures rise.

The Olmsted County Sheriffs Office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources assisted with this incident.
French farmers hung dozens of inflatable dummies clad in overalls from nooses in trees in Paris on Thursday in a protest against a squeeze on earnings they say is suffocating the agricultural industry.

Farming union representatives have this week been in talks with retail giants. The unions say farmers are not earning enough to cover costs. Retailers argue consumers cannot afford to pay more.

A law passed by President Emmanuel Macrons government in 2019, which aimed to give farmers a fairer share of profits, has failed to dispel their discontent over modest revenues.

Agriculture in France is in a tragic situation, said farmer and union leader Max Bauer.

Bauer said farmers were killing themselves every week as a result of the crisis gripping their sector and that 1,500 farms were going out of business in the country each year.

One French farmer took his or her own life every two days, according to a 2018 report by Public Health France. Suicide rates were 20% higher among farmers than the national average, and 30% among dairy farmers, a parliamentary report in 2019 showed.

One in three farmers receive less than 835 euros ($1,000) (in monthly salaries), with state aid included, Bauer said.

France is the largest agricultural producer in the European Union and the biggest beneficiary of subsidies under the EUs Common Agricultural Policy.
Plans to gate off alleyways on Wrexham housing estate look set to be approved in bid to stop burglars

This article is old - Published: Friday, Mar 5th, 2021

Plans to gate off alleyways on a Wrexham housing estate look set to be approved in a bid to stop burglars.

Senior councillors are due to meet next week to discuss proposals to restrict access to eight alleyways in the Queensway area of Caia Park, which are said to have become rat runs for criminals.

It follows statistics being published which show that there were 105 house burglaries in the area between 2016 to 2019.

A report to members of Wrexham Councils executive board states that more than 60 per cent of the offences occurred at night, with entry gained through back doors via rear alleyways.





Its been claimed that introducing gating could reduce break ins by more than 40 per cent, based on figures from areas where similar measures have been put in place.

In order to push the plans forward, the council will be required to implement a Public Spaces Protection Order covering the alleys.

A draft copy of the order highlights that crime rates in Wrexham are the highest across North Wales, with acquisitive crimes like burglaries and thefts in Caia Park accounting for a significant proportion of the figures.

It states: Analysis shows these vulnerable localities generate a disproportionately high amount of demand for law enforcement and partners.

From evidence these factors are also known to contribute adversely to levels of acquisitive crime and burglary.

Community consultation highlighted that 74 per cent of residents did not feel safe in their community.

It adds: The estate is poorly laid out with alleys and rat runs at the rear of properties which facilitate movement for people involved in criminality.

Current CCTV in the area is limited as shown in the map of the burglary hotspots.

Consultations have been carried out with residents directly affected by the proposals, resulting in a number of concerns being raised.

It includes that the gates will make it more difficult for care workers and delivery drivers to access properties.

In order to address the issue, people whose homes back onto the alleys will be provided with keys to unlock the gates, while others who require access will be able to obtain a key from a 24-hour security hut.

Cllr Hugh Jones, the local authoritys lead member for public protection

and community safety, urged his colleagues to ensure the gates are installed as soon as possible.

The near 26,000 cost of the gates will be covered by the Home Office Safer Streets fund, which requires work to be carried out before the end of this month.

In the report, Cllr Jones said: On the 29th July 2020, the Home Office announced that the North Wales bids had been successful, together with another 50 across England and Wales.

The project in Queensway was allocated 550,000 to implement a suite of physical interventions, aimed at reducing the level of crime.

A condition of the grant is that the works must be completed by 31 March 2021.

This has been a challenging timescale, particularly with the impact of COVID.

Other measures to drive down crime levels on the estate will include extra CCTV cameras and the use of automatic number plate recognition technology to monitor organised crime groups.

New and upgraded lighting will be also installed and 870 burglary prevention packs are set to be distributed to residents whose homes are vulnerable to break ins.

A decision on the alley gate plans will be made by executive board members at a meeting on Tuesday (March 9, 2021).

By Liam Randall  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
AP bandh today: Normal life likely to be hit

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Visakhapatnam, Mar 05: With an AP Bandh being observed today several organisations have come out in support of the same.

The Andhra Pradesh Bandh today is being observed to protest against the move of the Centre to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). Normal life is likely to be affected due to the AP Bandh today.

FDNA general secretary A Aja Sarma in a statement said that the VSP was contributing to the progress of Andhra Pradesh, especially north Andhra. He also said that the local BJP leaders who camped in Delhi with the promise of convincing the Centre to change its mind is now singing a different tune.

AP bandh tomorrow: Normal life to be hit as support pours in

He also said that the privatisation was nothing but handing over national assets to corporate companies. He alleged that the local BJP leaders were more interested in protecting their political future rather than safeguarding the interest of the state.

The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee too announced that it will extend support to the bandh. APCC President Dr S Sailajanath said that the Congress party had decided to extend its support to the bandh.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

He said that the VSP has Rs lakh crore worth of lands, but the Centre proposed to handover the same to a private company at a cheaper price of Rs 30,000 crore. He vowed to protest vehemently until the decision was reversed.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
We couldnt find anything at this address. Please check the URL or go to the homepage
FILE PHOTO: An Uber Eats delivery bag is seen in this photo.

MILAN (Reuters) - A Milan court on Thursday lifted restrictions on the management of an Italian unit of Uber Technologies, imposed last year as part of an investigation into possible exploitation of food delivery riders, a court document showed.

The court said Uber Eats Italy srl, a division of Uber Italy, had complied with judges' orders to improve working conditions for riders including on health and safety, providing necessary equipment as well as sickness and accident coverage.

The president of the panel of judges told Reuters that Uber Italy had also adjusted riders' pay and now pays its riders more than the collective labour agreement signed in Italy last year. He would not say how much they are now paid.

"Uber Italy ... can now present itself on the food delivery market with a new management model that is uniquely geared towards promoting transparency and legality," the court document said.

Uber Italy was placed under so-called judicial supervision in May 2020 while magistrates looked into a case involving around 1,000 delivery riders who were allegedly paid three euros per hour to deliver meals.

A company put under judicial supervision can continue to operate but is run by court-appointed administrators instead of its usual management team. The administrators have to send regular reports to the judges.

Uber Italy said at the time that it had made its Uber Eats platform available to restaurants and couriers in full respect of the law and it condemned any form of illegal intermediation.

"Today's decision is the result of several months of hard work in which we have strived to provide couriers with a safe, rewarding and flexible working environment," Uber Italy said in an e-mailed statement on Thursday, adding it would continue to collaborate with the authorities.

On Wednesday a Milan prosecutor had asked the court to revoke the judicial supervision, saying Uber Italy had met the conditions requested.

In a separate case, Uber Eats Italy was also among four food delivery companies that last month were forced by the Milan public prosecutor's office to hire more than 60,000 riders following an investigation into the working conditions of riders.

(Reporting by Emilio Parodi, Elvira Pollina, Editing by Mark Potter and Susan Fenton)
London: Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said she had given an in-depth interview to US chat show host Oprah Winfrey because she was finally free to speak for herself now she and husband Prince Harry had quit royal duties.

Meghan, 39, and Queen Elizabeths grandson Harry, 36, stunned the royal family in January last year by announcing they would step down from their official royal roles to forge a new, independent life in California.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with interviewer Oprah Winfrey. Credit:Harpo

The split was confirmed last month, and, in the last week, the couple and Buckingham Palace have engaged in an increasingly bitter war of words, amid claims of lies, bullying and smears.

Im ready to talk, Meghan, a former American actress, told Winfrey in an excerpt shown on US station CBS ahead of the broadcast on Monday AEDT, as she explained why she had agreed to the interview.
Thousands of children will remain stuck at home for at least a week beyond Monday's scheduled return to school.

Some may have to wait a full fortnight more  denying them desperately needed classroom time after a year of educational chaos.

The postcode lottery is revealed in a Daily Mail survey of local authorities and academy trusts across England.

While Monday is the return date, Boris Johnson had granted schools a week to get fully up to speed.

Student Leah Anderson (right) takes a Coronavirus lateral flow tests at Outwood Academy Adwick in Doncaster, ahead of schools and colleges fully reopening on Monday

A significant majority of councils have elected to spend much of next week testing secondary-age pupils, with lessons for all resuming on March 15.

However some councils are going beyond the one-week allowance.

Newham in east London said its secondaries would take a fortnight to fully return as has Wakefield in West Yorkshire.

Herefordshire Council said pupils should be back by March 17, while Bracknell in Berkshire said it was aiming for 'the week beginning March 15' for a full return.

Schools outside council control have a range of return dates. Dudley Academies Trust in the West Midlands has told parents their Year 7 children can return to lessons only on March 22.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson joins Year 2 pupils in a maths lesson, during his visit to St Mary's C.E. Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent on March 1

Are children facing a five term year? More half-terms and a shorter summer holiday could be the future of schooling post Covid-19, the Education Secretary said yesterday. Gavin Williamson said 'all options' must be on the table to help pupils recover from the effects of the pandemic and prosper in the future. He added: 'There's been discussion about five-term years. It's right to have that discussion about how we can really drive children's attainment in schools.' Julie McCulloch, director of policy of heads' union ASCL, said there was substantial evidence to suggest that some children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds 'may benefit from holidays being spread more evenly across the school year'.But she added that any major shake-ups should not be made in a 'knee-jerk' fashion. Advertisement

The ASCL head teacher union said yesterday that 76 per cent of secondaries were opting for a 'phased' return throughout the coming week.

A further 7 per cent of heads said they would extend their reopenings into the following week.

The Chief Inspector of schools, Amanda Spielman, yesterday warned that a 'large proportion of children are just bored, lonely, miserable' because they have been at home for so long.

Robert Halfon, the Tory MP and chairman of the Commons education committee, said: 'One can understand a few days' grace here or there for Covid-related reasons, but we have got to get children learning again.

'Millions have now been vaccinated and the Chief Medical Officer says schools are safe; every day children are not in school we are damaging  and potentially destroying  their life chances.'

A former permanent secretary at the Department for Education admitted on Thursday that the pandemic should have been handled better.

Jonathan Slater, who lost his job over last summer's exams fiasco, told a conference the system was 'a bit of a mess' and was crying out for 'clear strategy and vision'.

From Monday all teenage pupils will need to wear masks in lessons. Secondary schools will also oversee three Covid tests per pupil in the first two weeks of term. After then, children will be asked to do tests at home.

Teachers have questioned whether their schools should be acting as 'field hospitals', and yesterday warned that obtaining parental consent for testing was likely to be a problem.

Year 10 students line up for a Covid test at Harris Academy Beckenham, south London, Friday

Year 10 students wait take a coronavirus test at Harris Academy Beckenham, ahead of full school reopening in England , in Beckenham, south east London, Friday

Masks in class 'must go soon' The head of Ofsted hopes masks in secondary schools will remain for 'as little time as possible'. Amanda Spielman said yesterday that she understood the 'need for infection controls' but hoped pupils would return to a normal teaching environment soon. The Department for Education says secondary school students and staff should wear masks in class when social distancing cannot be maintained. Public Health England's Dr Susan Hopkins said this will reduce the risk of Covid transmission. But campaigners say the evidence behind the measure must be published. Advertisement

More than half the heads responding to ASCL's survey said consent was an issue and fewer than one in five had had no problems preparing testing systems.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the ASCL, warned of 'the massive challenge facing schools and colleges in running a testing programme which involves setting up something that looks like a field hospital and then processing hundreds or thousands of pupils before they return to class'.

He added: 'The logistics involved mean that may schools will need to phase the return of students. There will be a full return but it will be from  not on  Monday.'

Primary schools should be unaffected, getting their pupils back in their entirety on Monday.

A Department for Education spokesman said: 'Our guidance is clear that secondary schools and colleges can stagger the return of their students over the first week to help them offer rapid testing in a safe and orderly way, but all students should be back no later than Monday, March 15.

'We know the vast majority of schools are working towards getting students back as soon as possible. Wherever it becomes clear that is not the case, our regional schools commissioner teams work closely with councils and trusts to make sure schools follow our guidance.'
by Melani Manel Perera

The Navy stopped a group headed to the area to show solidarity to residents and learn the reasons for their protests. Security Forces have issued an order not to let any outsider on the island. For NAFSO activist, This is a bigger question.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The Sri Lankan Navy today blocked a group of people headed to Iranativu Island to show solidarity with the protest promoted by local residents against the government's plan to create a COVID-19 cemetery on the island itself.

Protesters complain that the areas delicate ecosystem, with its flora and fauna, will be destroyed, as will fishing, animal husbandry, and farming, not to mention human health.

The Navy has banned anyone who is not a resident of the island from landing. Backed by the Church, locals have protested against a government plan to open a cemetery on the island for Muslims who died from COVID-19

In response to the protests, some human rights activists, journalists and members of civil society groups travelled this morning from the capital, Colombo, to Iranativu to hear the arguments put forward by locals.

At a checkpoint, the Sri Lankan Navy stopped them after the Kilinochchi District Secretary issued a ban on non-residents, including media people and others. The deputy district secretary explained that the decision came from the Security Forces.

Speaking to AsiaNews Anthony Jesudasan, coordinator of the North and South programme at the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO), said: Now we can try to understand what is behind this process. This is a bigger question. What is the real reason for this decision? For Tamil war victims, this is a double injustice. When can they breathe in freedom?
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 09:51:43|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ADDIS ABABA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Health Ministry on Thursday reported 980 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, taking the national count to 162,954.

The ministry also said the COVID-19 death toll rose by three to 2,394.

With 760 more recoveries registered, the nationwide tally amounted to 137,203, it said.

Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation, is one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic in Africa. It has so far reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the East African region.

The Ethiopian government has recently started a campaign to encourage the public to wear face masks as part of the precautionary measures to contain the virus spread.

The East African nation has so far conducted 2,158,296 COVID-19 tests, including 5,557 new tests during the last 24 hours, said the ministry.

COVID-19 tests conducted in Ethiopia are among the highest in Africa, according to recent figures from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Enditem
High bar: Central Banks has said it is in need of a stronger toolkit. Photo: Jason Alden

Davy executives and employees could face further individual investigation  including criminal investigation  for insider dealing, market abuse and failure to provide best execution, the Irish Independent understands.

According to numerous regulatory and compliance sources, the 16 Davy staff who were involved in a 2014 bond deal that earned the firm a record 4.13m fine remain exposed to potential individual sanction under European Union market rules.

Those regulations  the Markets in Financial Instruments Directives and Market Abuse Directive  provide the possibility for punishment including criminal charges against individuals for the misconduct of their firms.

It is understood the Central Bank has retained freedom of action to pursue more cases outside the scope of this week's enforcement action against the company for conflict of interest.

Sources said the most likely avenues of pursuit were insider dealing and failure to provide best execution.

Insider dealing involves trading for your own advantage while using confidential information. Best execution requires brokers to make all efforts to secure the best result for their clients, including providing accurate information and access to a competitive market.

The Davy case is understood to relate to a deal in which businessman Patrick Kearney and his Kilmona Holdings Ltd sold Anglo Irish Bank bonds via Davy at a steep discount in order to settle a debt  without knowing the buyers were Davy employees who went on to sell the assets at a profit.

Last year, the Central Bank conducted a themed inspection of investment firms' best execution practices and found serious deficiencies in policies, governance and delivery  putting investors at a disadvantage.

Insider trading and market abuse cases are rarely taken up by the Central Bank.

A Central Bank spokesperson said the Davy matter was "concluded" and that they could not comment on any potential or ongoing investigations.

The Davy case could help regulatory officials push forward proposals on holding senior executives more accountable for conduct at their firms.

Officials from the Central Bank have been called before the Oireachtas Committee on Finance next Tuesday to discuss the fine against Davy Group and potential new powers to investigate individuals.

Under current rules, senior individuals in financial firms can only be held personally responsible for wrongdoing if their misconduct is linked to a breach by their firm.

The senior executive accountability regime (SEAR) proposals would make it easier for regulators to take action against senior executives based exclusively on their own conduct.

Legal and compliance sources say the Central Bank's low number of enforcement actions against individuals is due to the current high bar. The Central Bank has made the case for several years that it needs a stronger toolkit.
Call Elon Musk the most enigmatic leader in America's space launch history or a real-life Tony Stark.

Over the last two decades the South African billionaire has become one of the tech and aerospace industries' most central and controversial figures. Now there's a new book that captures the early days of Space X entitled "Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Days That Launched Space X" by Houstonian and Space City Weather founder Eric Berger.

"Liftoff" colorfully details the work of Musk and his engineers in the early days of SpaceX, and the labor it took for their group to build an orbital rocket.

FIERY LANDING: SpaceX's Starship turns into a fireball after successful landing

In an interview with Chron, Berger discussed some of SpaceX's most defining moments and offered a glimpse into the eccentric tech magnate's life. Yes, 49-year-old Elon has a robust, irreverent sense of humor, Berger said. Musk is also the founder of The Boring Company.

How did you get involved in SpaceX?

I've been writing space intensely for the last decade. Over that time, SpaceX had become the most interesting companies acting in space. At the Falcon Heavy launch, I realize I was witnessing the most transformative company of my lifetime. I wanted to get to know more. Musk was familiar with my work. A few months later I approached him and asked if he would be open to me telling the story of the Falcon 1 rocket, and he said yes.

Eric Berger

Your portrait of Musk paints the picture of an ambitious visionary with a "burning intensity." What's behind his drive?

It's this internal energy he has. He sees problems and comes up with solutions and tries very hard to implement those solutions. Like, for example, you or I would probably look at the fact that the polar ice caps are melting or the fact that NASA has been to the moon in 50 years and say "Oh, that's really a shame." Elon would look at the problem and say, "Here's the way to fix that and invent a company that creates that solution." His drive is to move fast as possible. That's what he wakes up thinking every day. "How can I get more done, more quickly?"

Eric Berger

Tell me more about Elon's leadership style and the early days of SpaceX.

He is extremely demanding of his employees. In the early Falcon 1 days, they worked incredibly long hours. People who came to SpaceX knew what they were signing up for. They did it willingly and gave him some of the best years of his life because they wanted to be a part of something greater. Now when he's in Boca Chica, Texas, he's head-down working from noon until after midnight everyday, meeting with his engineers, looking at the hardware. Just working. I get the sense talking with the early employees of SpaceX it was the same back then.

Eric Berger

How did he get the right talent at SpaceX?

He's very good at identifying talent in the engineers. He looks at engineers who are not just smart, but also motivated and are willing to work hard. When he gets them on board, he's very strong at motivating them. At SpaceX, if you work hard, you get more responsibility. He looks for people who want to make a difference and then empowers them to be able to make that difference.

Eric Berger

What's driving his genuine interest in colonizing Mars?

When he was younger, he thought when he came of age we would be in the age of ubiquitous space flight. So, after he had business success with PayPal in 2001, he had $180 million in bank [and was] trying to figure out what to do next. One of the things he looks at is space. There was a desire to do more with space flight, and then also to look at the future of humanity. Is our destiny to go to other stars and expand outward? He made the decision early on that if we're going to take the first step to expand in the cosmos, the first step is Mars.

On a personal note, what are Elon's joys in life? Does he shed any light on his role as a father?

He is incredibly euphoric when the company has success. He does have this great sense of humor. I would just tell you this that one of the times that we were together was flying from LA to Boca Chica, Texas. He brought three of his sons with him. He's very much a dad. He was playing games with them. When it was time to do an interview about the Falcon 1, he had [his children] gathered around, because he wanted them to hear stories about the old days when he was struggling to get his first rocket. That for me was a very human moment for him.
BROWNSVILLE, Ore. -- Three people were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis after a crash involving two semi trucks on Interstate 5.

The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. Friday morning in the northbound lanes near milepost 216, just south of the Brownsville exit.

Oregon State Police said three people inside one of the semis were trapped in the cab for an hour before emergency responders could free them.

OSP also rescued a small dog from the cab of the semi, and the dog was taken to the Linn County Animal Shelter unharmed.

Early indications suggest that one of the semi trucks was driving in the slow lane of the northbound side when it rear-ended another semi at high speed.

One lane continues to be closed as officials try to reconstruct the scene.

New Delhi, March 5 : After setting a national record of 88.07 metres during the third leg of Indian Grand Prix on Friday in Patiala, Neeraj Chopra exuded confidence of breaking the 90-metre barrier before the Tokyo Olympic Games in July.

"That's the target [of breaking the 90m barrier] I've set for myself. With a couple of high quality international exposure trips, I should be able to achieve my goal," said the 24-year-old athlete in the post media interaction.

In January, the talented Army thrower had hurled the javelin to a distance of 87.86m during a local competition in South Africa. It was better than the Tokyo Olympic qualification mark of 85m.

"I was competing after a long layoff due to elbow injury on the throwing arm. But qualifying for the Olympics was a big advantage as I hadn't trained hard," he said.

Chopra said that although his current performance of 88.07m is only a marginal improvement on his previous best of 88.06m, recorded in 2018, it is a big motivating factor.

"As the Olympics are just four months away, crossing 88m is a good sign. The last one year has been very challenging as we couldn't train on expected lines for three-four months due to the Covid pandemic. The stadiums were closed. We weren't allowed to train outside from March to May. Given the tough situation we faced in the last 13 months, the performance is satisfying because it's the first competition after a long gap," he said after setting the national record.

The Army thrower says he had trained hard since November and was expecting a good result.

"During warm up throws I felt strong. I was hopeful of going past 85 metres. But there was a cross wind. It was a bit of a worrying factor. I changed the javelin in the fifth throw and it was a good release. The spear sailed to a distance of 88.07m. It made my day," thrower from Haryana.

The plan for the Tokyo Olympics, said Chopra, is to compete in Diamond League.

"It would give me a psychological edge when I compete in the Olympics. Seeing the same familiar faces will act as if I'm competing in an ordinary event and not a major competition like the Olympics," he said.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
TMC candidate list 2021: Mamata to contest from Nandigram, to vacate Bhowanipore

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Kolkata, Mar 05: West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee has said that she would be contesting from the Nandigram seat, which is the strong hold of former TMC leader, Suvendu Adhikari.

She also said that she will be vacating her own seat of Bhowanipore. The CM said that Sovandeb Chattopadhay will contest from Bhowanipore. She said that she would be going to Nandigram on March 9 to file her nomination. I will file the nomination at Haldia, she also said.

Mamata announced 291 candidates in Bengal's 294 seats for the election starting later this month. The remaining three seats in Darjeeling will be contested by the allies of the TMC.

The TMC has fielded 50 women, 42 Muslims, 79 Scheduled Caste and 17 schedule tribe candidates. No candidate above the age of 80 has been given a ticket.

Mamata said that the party has given poll tickets to eminent personalities from the field of arts. Sports, media and culture. 23 to 24 sitting MLAs have been dropped due to age and other reasons, she also said.

The TMC is fighting on the theme, 'Bangla Nijer Meyekei Chai' (Bengal wants its own daughter). n the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the TMC had fielded 40.5 women candidates. 17 of the 42 leaders fielded in the Lok Sabha polls were women.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

Elections in Bengal will be held in eight phases on March 27, April 1, 6, 10, 17, 22, 26 and 29. Votes would be counted on May 2.
Three men have pleaded guilty to health care fraud charges in a scheme to produce expensive medications at a Slidell pharmacy and get doctors and others to prescribe them, in some cases without seeing a doctor, according to a news release Thursday from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Authorities said the scheme, which started in March 2014 and lasted until October 2016, involved the owner of Prime Pharmacy Solutions of Slidell, 43-year-old Christopher Blackstone, along with the pharmacist in charge, 78-year-old Joseph Campo, and the pharmacy's IT director, Mario Deluca, 37.

According to court documents, Prime Pharmacy produced compounded medications to meet the specialized needs of individual patients. But the co-conspirators came up with a way to maximize reimbursements from health benefit companies based on cost rather than medical need.

Using pharmacy software, they determined what would yield the highest reimbursement rates. Prime Pharmacy then paid the co-conspirators and others when signed prescriptions from doctors were obtained, a factual basis from the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Deluca created a software database called "the portal" to track profits, and his co-conspirators used the that information to calculate kickbacks to be paid to marketers who then gave money to doctors and beneficiaries, according to the court document.

The conspirators created a series of pre-printed prescription forms to encourage and direct doctors to prescribe the expensive medications to people with TRICARE, a health benefit program for members of the military and their families, and other health benefit providers, according to court documents.

The co-conspirators bilked TRICARE out of nearly $15 million, according to Cynthia Bruce, special agent in charge of U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Criminal Investigative Service, who said it amounted to stealing from the military health care system and all taxpayers.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The three were charged in a bill of information.

Court documents mention two other co-conspirators who are not named, although they are described as the marketing manager of Prime Pharmacy and the office manager.

Blackstone, who lives in Baton Rouge, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk on Feb. 24 to a single count of conspiracy to commit health card fraud. Deluca, of Metairie, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo on Feb. 24 to a count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

They will be sentenced Aug. 11 and face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Blackstone has agreed to pay nearly $10.7 million in restitution to TRICARE, and Deluca has agreed to pay nearly $780,000.

Campo pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan on Feb 25 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering. He will be sentenced on Aug. 19 and faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine along with $3 million in restitution to TRICARE, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

This story was altered on March 5, 2021, to reflect that court records show Deluca created a software database to track profits but was not involved in using that information to calculate kickbacks and to correct Christopher Blackstone's last name.

Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Paleontologists from home and abroad confirmed in a recently published essay that they have found the largest dinosaur tracksite ever discovered in China in Zhaojue, Sichuan province. The site covers an area of over 9,000 square meters, including at least 933 tracks.

The essay, co-written by Xing Lida, associate professor of China University of Geosciences, doctoral candidate Wang Miaoyan from CUG, Peng Guangzhao and Ye Yong, researchers from the Zigong Dinosaur Museum, Martin G. Lockley, professor at the University of Colorado Denver, and Hendrik Klein, dinosaur scholar from Germany, has been published on the international geological periodical Geoscience Frontiers.

Located in the middle of a copper mine in Zhaojue, these are arguably the most important tracksites in southwestern China, containing diverse sauropod, theropod, ornithopod and pterosaur track assemblages, researchers say in the essay.

The Zhaojue tracksites extend 1 kilometer from north to south, and span 0.5 km from east to west, consisting of four important track-bearing surfaces, numbered as I, II, IIN(north) and III, of which Zhaojue-I was first reported in 1994 and the others were sequentially discovered from 2012 to 2019.

The four tracksites contain a total of 1,928 tracks, covering an area of over 10,000 sq m, including the previously reported pterosaurs and theropod swim tracks.

Zhaojue-II experienced two exposures. In 2013, paleontologists found there the first dinosaur's swimming track discovered in China. The copper mining later increased the exposure of the tracksite so that it has been recognized as the largest dinosaur tracksite so far discovered in China.

From 2017 to 2019, paleontologists mapped the tracksite using drone technology, finding at least 933 recognizable dinosaur tracks, and the longest sauropod and ornithopoda tracks ever recorded in China, which measure 80 meters and 52 meters respectively. Some of the tracks exhibit the obvious change of the track makers' movement directions, providing behavior information.

The Zhaojue-II tracksite contains rich dinosaur tracks, including 61 trackways and seven isolated tracks, representing 68 track makers, of which 54 percent were ornithopoda.

Because the tracksites contain tracks of many different kinds of dinosaurs, it is important to the study of the living environment of dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Period, Peng says.

"There are also tracks that show dinosaur's special behavior, such as swimming or veering, which are helpful for the study of the behavior or the lifestyle of dinosaurs," he says.

Both Zhaojue-II and III tracksites contain paralleled ornithopoda trackways, suggesting the track makers' social or gregarious behavior.

Xing says there has been no Cretaceous dinosaur bone fossil discovered in Southern Sichuan Basin, so that the Zhaojue tracksites have provided great investigative samples for the study of dinosaur fauna in that region in the Cretaceous Period.

NOIDA, India, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive overview of the healthcare chatbot market is recently added by UnivDatos Market Insights to its humongous database. The healthcare chatbot market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data of various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the healthcare chatbot market. The healthcare chatbot market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the healthcare chatbot market at the global and regional levels. The Global Healthcare Chatbot Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.56% from 2021-2027 to reach US 967.7 million by 2027.

Market Overview

The chatbot finds its key application in the e-commerce industry. But in the healthcare industry, the use of healthcare chatbots is witnessing astronomical growth. The Chatbots in the healthcare industry are depicted as the software developed with machine learning algorithms that offer an engrossing way to connect or communicate with patients and provide them provide real-time assistance. A few of the key factors which are contributing to the escalating market of health are chatbots are:

(1) A rise in internet penetration and smartphone usage owing to the availability at an affordable price and the surging end-users' awareness about the benefits of the use of chatbots. As per GSMA, around 63% of the global population used the internet in 2020. Also, the number of smartphone users worldwide reached 3.5 billion in 2020 from 2.5 billion in 2016.

(2) Moreover, arise in healthcare spending by the government across countries for the improved infrastructure and the ease of operations for the healthcare service providers and patients is acting as a growth catalyst to the industry. In a study, it was found that health care spending as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) globally, would reach around 10.2 % by 2023 from 3.2% in 2019.

(3) The presence of well-established global and local players such as Baidu, Sensely, Ada Digital Health Ltd, Babylon Health, Tencent, Health Tap, Infermedica, Buoy Health, Your.MD (Healthily) operational in the market payment offering latest technology such as AI-enabled healthcare chatbots solution are contributing to the growing market share. Also, a rise in venture capital funding or seed funding to the startups is proliferating the market growth. For instance: Conversa Health, raised more than US$26 million in funding including US$ 12 million in Series B funding in June 2020. Also, 5 companies Babylon health, Ada health, buoy health, Sensely, Woebot Labs, and Youper grabbed a combined of US$ 769.5 funding till Dec 2019.

Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://univdatos.com/report/global-healthcare-chatbots-market-current-analysis-and-forecast-2020-2027

Covid-19 Impact

COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of healthcare chatbots during pandemic owing to the property of access to care for individuals, immediate response, etc., As per World Economic Forum, over 1,000 COVID-19 specific chatbots have been launched on Microsoft's chatbot creation program alone. Moreover, between March 30 and August 10 around 6,872,021 million messages related to COVID-19 were sent using the "Watson Assistant platform". Also, the government across countries has launched chatbots for the COVID-19 related queries. The US Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization (WHO) have rolled out chatbots providing information about the coronavirus. Also, the Ministry of Health in India has launched a chatbot on Facebook messenger named "corona Helpdesk" for updates about COVID-19.

Ask for Price & Discounts @ https://univdatos.com/report/global-healthcare-chatbots-market-current-analysis-and-forecast-2020-2027

Global Healthcare Chatbot Market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

By Components, the market is primarily bifurcated into

Software

Services

Software segment dominated the by type of the global healthcare chatbot market and will grow at 20.99% CAGR to reach US$ 763.2 million by the year 2027.

By Deployment, the market is primarily segmented into

On-Premise

Cloud

Amongst deployment types, the on-cloud segment accounted for the largest share and is expected to grow at 22.29% CAGR during the forecast period 2021-2027. In 2019, the cloud segment accounted for a revenue share of almost 69.7%.

By Application, the market is primarily studied into

Medical Triage

Customer Service and Administration

Mental Health

Health and Fitness

Patient Engagement

Others (Clinical Trials, Medical Reminder, Chatbot in Research, Chatbots in Medical Procedures)

In 2019, the medical triage segment dominated the global healthcare chatbot market with nearly 37.8% of the market share and it is anticipated by 2027, the segment will garner US$ 379.4 million of the market.

By End-users, the market is primarily segmented into

Patients

Providers

Payers

Others

Amongst end-users, patients accounted for the largest share and is expected to grow at 22.92% CAGR during the forecast period 2021-2027. In 2019, the patients' segment accounted for a revenue share of 57%.

Healthcare Chatbot Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North America ( the United States , Canada , and Rest of North America )

( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Italy , France , Spain , and Rest of Europe )

( , , , , , and Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , and Rest of ) The Middle East and Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia , Rest of Middle East , and Africa )

and (UAE, , Rest of , and ) Latin America ( Mexico , Brazil , Rest of Latin America )

Based on the estimation, the Asia-Pacific region dominated the healthcare chatbot market with almost US$ 41.9 million in revenue in 2019. At the same time, the Latin American region is expected to grow remarkably with a CAGR of 23.14% over the forecast period on account of the internet penetration & surging prevalence of the chronic disease, and aging population.

Ask for Report Customization @ https://univdatos.com/report/global-healthcare-chatbots-market-current-analysis-and-forecast-2020-2027

The major players targeting the market includes

Baidu

Sensely

Ada Digital Health Ltd.

Babylon Health

Tencent

HealthTap

Infermedica

Buoy Health

Your.MD (Healthily)

Woebot Labs

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the healthcare chatbot market. The leading players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the healthcare chatbot market?

Which factors are influencing the healthcare chatbot market over the forecast period?

What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the healthcare chatbot market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the healthcare chatbot market?

What are the demanding global regions of the healthcare chatbot market?

What will be the global market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

For more informative information, please visit us @ https://univdatos.com/report/global-healthcare-chatbots-market-current-analysis-and-forecast-2020-2027

About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

Contact

UnivDatos Market Insights

Pawnendra Pawan

Client Development Lead

Ph: +91-7838604911

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://univdatos.com/

SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights
Powerful new genetic engineering methods have given scientists the potential to revolutionize several sectors of global urgency.

So-called gene drives, which leverage CRISPR technology to influence genetic inheritance, carry the promise of rapidly spreading specific genetic traits throughout populations of a given species. Gene-drive technologies applied in insects, for example, are being designed to halt the spread of devastating diseases such as malaria and dengue by preventing mosquito hosts from becoming infected. In agricultural fields, gene-drives are being developed to help control or eliminate economically damaging crop pests.

But along with the capacity to alter populations, concerns have been raised regarding the long-term effects of these transformative new technologies in the wild. Researchers and ethicists have voiced questions about how gene drives, once turned loose in a regional population, could be held in check if necessary.

Now, researchers at the University of California San Diego, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) at UC San Diego and their colleagues at UC Berkeley have developed a new method that provides more control over gene drive releases. Details of the new "split drive" are published March 5 in the journals Nature Communications and eLife.

The most common gene drives employ a two-component system that features a DNA-cutting enzyme (called Cas9) and a guide RNA (or gRNA) that targets cuts at specific sites in the genome. Following the Cas9/gRNA cut, the gene drive, along with the cargo it carries, is copied into the break site through a DNA repair process.

While classic gene drives are designed to spread autonomously, the newly developed system is designed with controls that separate the genetic implementation processes. The split-drive system consists of a non-spreadable Cas9 component inserted into one location in the genome and a second genetic element that can copy itself--along with a beneficial trait--at a separate site. When both elements are present together in an individual, an "active gene drive" is created that spreads the element carrying the beneficial trait to most of its progeny. Yet, when uncoupled, the element carrying the beneficial trait is inherited under typical generational genetics rules, or Mendelian frequencies, rather than spreading unrestrained.

As described in the Nature Communications paper, by creating slight fitness costs that eventually eliminate the Cas9 enzyme from the population, the split-drive system vastly increases control and safety of the genetic deployments.

"Studying drives in essential genes is not a novel idea, per se, but we observed that certain split situations were able to spread a cargo effectively upon a first introduction while leaving no trace of Cas9 after a few generations, as well as few mistakes in the DNA repair process that got rapidly diluted out," said Gerard Terradas, first author in the Nature Communications paper and a postdoctoral scholar in the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.

The Nature Communications paper also spells out advantages on how gene drives are perceived by the public, as efforts to alter wild populations could be flexibly designed in a variety of ways per the desired outcome.

The new split-drive system follows research announced in September in which UC San Diego researchers led the development of two new active genetics neutralizing strategies that are designed to halt or inactivate gene drives released in the wild.

"We hope that the flexible design features we have developed will be broadly applicable by enabling tailored approaches to controlling insect vectors and pests in diverse contexts," said UC San Diego Distinguished Professor Ethan Bier, senior author of the Nature Communications study and science director for TIGS-UC San Diego.

"These seminal papers reflect a tremendous effort, and fruitful cross-UC collaborations, to demonstrate novel gene drive architectures for mitigating the formation of resistant alleles while providing a safe confinable means for modification of wild populations," said UC San Diego Associate Professor Omar Akbari, senior author of the eLife study.

###

Authors of the new papers include: Gerard Terradas, Anna Buchman, Jared Bennett, Isaiah Shriner, John Marshall, Omar Akbari and Ethan Bier for the Nature Communications paper; and Nikolay Kandul, Junru Liu, Jared Bennett, John Marshall, and Omar Akbari for the eLife paper.

The research was supported by a DARPA Safe Genes Program Grant (HR0011- 17-2-0047) National Institutes of Health grants (R21RAI149161A, R01AI151004, DP2AI152071, R01GM117321), a Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group Distinguished Investigator Award and a gift from the Tata Trusts in India to TIGS-UC San Diego.

Note: Bier has equity interest in two companies he co-founded: Synbal Inc. and Agragene, Inc., which may potentially benefit from the research results. He also serves on the Synbal's board of directors and the scientific advisory board for both companies. Akbari is a co-founder, consultant, scientific advisory board member and receives income from Agragene.
In response to peaceful protests against the February 1 military coup, Burmese security forces opened fire February 20 in Mandalay, killing two and injuring dozens. Two others have been killed in crackdowns by the military.

In response to the military juntas brutal suppression of demonstrators, the United States designated two additional individuals from the Burmese military regime: State Administrative Council members Maung Maung Kyaw and Moe Myint Tun. The sanctions block any property or interests in property of the two individuals that is within U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them.

These sanctions come on the heels of those imposed on February 11 against three Burmese extractives companies and 10 current and former military officials, including the commander of the Armed Forces and coup leader, General Min Aung Hlaing.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the security forces brutal attacks on unarmed protesters. He also decried the ongoing arrests and detentions of hundreds of politicians, human rights defenders, and peaceful protestors.

Secretary Blinken expressed strong support for the people of Burma, who came out across the country with courage and determination. . .to reject the military coup and voice their aspirations for a return to democratic governance, peace, and rule of law.

There have been almost daily demonstrations since the military junta seized power in Burma, which have at times drawn hundreds of thousands to the streets of major cities and towns.

Burmas military has declared a year-long state of emergency and placed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other top civilian officials under house arrest.

The United States, in close coordination with its partners and allies, has underscored to the military that the coup and recent violence are unacceptable and the military must release those detained, refrain from further violence, and reinstate the civilian democratically-elected government.

Secretary Blinken call[ed] on the military and police to cease all attacks on peaceful protesters, immediately release all those unjustly detained, stop attacks on and intimidation of journalists and activists, and restore the democratically elected government.

The United States will continue to work with a broad coalition of international partners to promote accountability for those responsible for the coup and violence.

We will not hesitate to take further action against those who perpetrate violence and suppress the will of the people, declared Secretary Blinken. We will not waver in our support for the people of Burma.
Regarding the wrongdoing at the VND34 trillion Da Nang  Quang Ngai Expressway project, many foreigners left for their home countries before the case was prosecuted.

Of the 36 defendants in the case, one was Takao Inami, born in 1949, former chief consultant from Japan, and director of the projects consultancy and supervision office.

A services contract dated April 26, 2013 was agreed to be by OC-KEI-SMEC (Oriental Consultants Co. Ltd (OC)  Katahira & Engineers International (Kei)  Smec International PTY Co. Ltd (Smec), the joint name of construction consultants and VEC, on organizing the construction supervision of the bidding packages of the Da Nang  Quang Ngai Expressway project Phase 1.

Under the agreement, OC-KEI-SMEC set up a project consultancy and supervision office.

The consultancy units, based on technical criteria and project requirements, would supervise the project execution from the implementation of the design to input material selection to supervision and acceptance of construction works.

Takao Inami was appointed as chief engineer and director of the consultancy and supervision office. He was the person with the highest executive power, together with engineers, foreign and Vietnamese, to direct, manage, supervise, check and accept construction items to ensure that the construction packages were implemented in accordance with regulations and that construction work could be fulfilled satisfying technical requirements.

The investigation agency believes that at the Da Nang  Quang Ngai Expressway project (phase 1), the accused directly accepted materials, construction items and construction work that were not in accordance with the required technical standards in many construction packages. These were prohibited behaviors in construction activities and construction supervision consultancy activities, resulting in the poor quality of the work, causing damages during operation.

Takao Inami was determined as causing the damage and as being responsible for the VND567 billion paid for the construction items that could not satisfy the requirements.

According to the police, there are other foreign individuals involved in wrongdoings in supervising the execution of the packages belonging to phase 1 of the expressway project.

These include Diego Lopez Ruiz (Spanish nationality), director of the joint names management board, who was in charge of the segment implemented by OHL Company in package No 7; and Segi Tadashi and Kurihara Nobuyuki (both Japanese nationality), resident engineers, directors of field supervision consulting offices, and a number of others. They all left for their home countries before the prosecution began.

The investigation agency under the Ministry of Public Security has sent requests on mutual legal assistance to the Japanese and Spanish justice ministries, asking for help in verifying and providing personal identities and background of these people.

T. Nhung

Deadline set for Transport Ministry to complete two North-South expressway projects The Government has ordered the Ministry of Transport to complete two component projects of the North - South expressway (Highway NH45 - Nghi Son and Nghi Son - Dien Chau sections) by 2023.
Impeachment Manager Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) speaks on the second day of former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 10, 2021. (congress.gov via Getty Images)

Rep. Swalwell Sues Trump Over Capitol Breach, Alleging Emotional Distress

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), the Democrat lawmaker embroiled in a Chinese spy saga who served as a House manager in former President Donald Trumps impeachment, filed a lawsuit Friday against Trump and others in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol incident.

Swalwell, who has been dogged by the story that he was targeted by an alleged Chinese spy and now faces Republican challenges to his suitability to continue serving on a House homeland security committee, filed the lawsuit against the former president, his son, a lawyer, and a Republican congressman whose actions Swalwell claims spurred a violent mob to attack the Capitol.

The suit (pdf), filed in federal court in Washington, makes allegations under eight counts, including: conspiracy to violate civil rights, negligence, incitement to riot, disorderly conduct and terrorism, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Swalwell claims that Trump, his son Donald Jr., former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), made false and incendiary allegations of fraud and theft, and in direct response to the Defendants express calls for violence at the rally, a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol.

In a statement, Swalwell said all four defendants assembled, inflamed and incited the mob, and as such are wholly responsible for the injury and destruction that followed.

The lawsuit basically makes the case that both Trumps, Giuliani, and Brooks spread claims of election fraud and by so doing they helped to rile up thousands of people who breached the Capitol.

Trumps spokesman Jason Miller responded to the suit, labeling it a witch hunt and calling Swalwell a low-life with no credibility.

Now, after failing miserably with two impeachment hoaxes, Swalwell is attacking our greatest President with yet another witch hunt, Miller said. Its a disgrace that a compromised Member of Congress like Swalwell still sits on the House Intelligence Committee.

Harmeet K. Dhillon, an attorney who is a partner at a law firm with former Trump lawyer Ron Coleman, commented on Swalwells suit, calling it patently frivolous.

Can we citizens sue Swalwell for conspiring with a Chinese spy? I mean its at least negligent, right? Subverts our democracy, etc. The possibilities are endless, she wrote in a tweet.

A report by Axios on Dec. 7 claimed that the alleged Chinese spy, Christine Fang, built up an extensive network of contacts with up-and-coming politicians in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Swalwell. The report said Swalwell cut ties with her after investigators gave him a defensive briefing, and that he provided information about her to the FBI.

Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN that he didnt do anything wrong and accused Republicans of trying to weaponize the Axios report.

I was told about this individual and I offered to help, he told CNN. All I did was cooperate, and the FBI said that.

But national security concerns have persisted, given Swalwells membership on the House committee, whose members have access to sensitive classified information.

This breach of our national security is especially concerning, wrote more than a dozen House Republicans, in a Feb. 23 letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

They called on Wray to brief the Homeland Security panel about Rep. Swalwells relationship with Fang and any potential exposure of classified information so that its members can consider whether to limit Swalwells future access to classified information.

Swalwells office didnt respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times after the Axios report was published.

Meanwhile, in his suit against Trump and others, Swalwell seeks relief in the form of actual money damages and punitive damages in amounts to be determined at trial, along with coverage of his attorney fees.

Swalwell also wants the court to order Trump to have to notify him in writing a week ahead of any planned rally to give him time potentially to try and block it to prevent further violence or disruption to the proper functioning of the federal government.

The Democrat lawmaker is demanding a trial by jury.
New Delhi: A day after the Patna High Court gave its ruling in the case related to the release of Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) results, the Bihar Board is likely to announce the result soon.

The result will pave the way for the recruitment of around 37 thousand teachers for vacancies at secondary and higher secondary schools. Once the results are declared, the planning schedule for the appointment of teachers in the state will be released. The recruitment will be done district wise and a list will be prepared on the basis of merit.

The ruling will lead to the recruitment of 37335 vacancies in secondary and higher secondary schools.

The court has further directed the Bihar government and Bihar School Examination Committee to formulate the syllabus of STET beforehand in future. It also upheld the online examination and ordered the declaration of the results of the same.

For the unversed, offline examinations for Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test 2019 were held on January 28, 2020. During the examinations, the candidates alleged out of syllabus questions were asked in the papers. After the incident, a petition was filed in the High Court. Meanwhile, due to irregularities the examination was canceled and an online exam was conducted later in September 2020. Many candidates again alleged out of syllabus questions, leading to another petition in the High Court. In November 2020, the court had stayed the result of the examinations.

After the recent hearing, the court upheld the online exams and ordered the Bihar Board to release the results.
Tunisia: human rights league denounces youth's death Detainee in Sfax was allegedly not given insulin for diabetes

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, MARCH 5 - The Tunisian league for the defense of human rights (Ltdh) has denounced in a statement the death of a young national "during his detention in the prison of Sfax".



Slim Zayen, according to Ltdh, who had diabetes, needed insulin which he was not able to obtain "in spite of multiple requests and those of his family". His health declined quickly and then he died, wrote Ltdh, which believes that the ministries of interior and justice are responsible for the youth's death.



In the same statement, the League pledged to ensure that those responsible for his death will face justice on behalf of the victim's family, ensuring that it will do everything possible to keep the public opinion informed.



"After investigations were carried out, after discussing with the brother of the deceased, there is no doubt the death was caused by officers, by the prison administration and by the prosecutor in the tribunal of Sfax", said the lawyer and vice president of Ltdh, Bassem Trifi, speaking to local radio Express fm. "It is shameful for the Tunisian State and for the interior ministry. We have reached an unprecedented state of chaos in Tunisia.", concluded Trifi.(ANSAmed).




A lawsuit alleges an Oregon Health & Science University doctor known for dancing in his scrubs on social media sexually harassed a coworker at Portlands Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The Oregonian reported the suit, filed last weekend in Portland, alleges Jason Campbell harassed a female social worker last year, including unwanted touching and sending sexually charged text messages.

The suit contends the woman complained to OHSU about the alleged conduct. The Oregonian reports an OHSU investigation found Campbell, then a second-year resident, violated harassment policy and recommended appropriate discipline.

Campbell and his attorney, Kristin L. Olson, didnt return phone, text and email messages from The Oregonian seeking comment. The suit says Campbell currently lives and works in Florida.

The suit, which doesnt identify the social worker, claims OHSU medical personnel didnt formally report her harassment complaints. It seeks $4.5 million in damages against Campbell and OHSU.

OHSU spokeswoman Tamara Hargens-Bradley said the university couldnt comment on litigation but that it does not condone behavior described in the lawsuit.

Campbells dance videos on social media have generated millions of views.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Oregon
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  Josefa Tauli hopes to inform and empower her fellow indigenous youth to get a seat at the table on matters concerning nature.

"I'm particularly very excited to use the opportunity for the capacity development basically targeted towards indigenous youth," the 2020 National Geographic Young Explorer told CNN Philippines' The Exchange with Rico Hizon.

The 25-year-old Igorot indigenous people's rights and environmental advocate is among 24 youth all around the world who made it to NatGeo's 2020 Fall Young Explorers, which it announced this January.

"This can help facilitate access to information and the process like, by which we can gain confidence to represent ourselves in decision-making spaces about the environment, which have such deep implications for our future and the quality of life we get to enjoy in the future," Tauli said of her newfound platform.

The University of the Philippines alumna also reiterated how indigenous people play a crucial role in protecting the world's most biodiverse areas given their deep connection with their lands.

Tauli likewise thanked her parents and extended family members for being among her major mentors when it comes to her advocacies, noting they have been fighting for IP rights and lands even before.

"I learned a lot from them on how to navigate these issues and stay grounded to the values of indigenous people," she said.
BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The rioting and turbulence that occurred in the Hong Kong society reveals that the existing electoral system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has clear loopholes and deficiencies, said senior lawmaker Wang Chen on Friday.

Wang, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks when explaining a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR to national lawmakers.

The draft decision was submitted for deliberation to the lawmakers during the annual session of the NPC, which runs from March 5 to 11.

Wang noted that in recent years, especially after the turbulence over the amendment bill in 2019, anti-China, destabilizing forces and radical localists used the electoral platforms of the HKSAR and the deliberation platforms of the Legislative Council and the District Councils or their position as public servants to blatantly carry out anti-China and destabilizing activities.

They resorted to every possible means to paralyze the functioning of the Legislative Council and obstruct the law-based administration of the HKSAR government, Wang added.

"The anti-China, destabilizing elements in Hong Kong jumped on the loopholes and deficiencies to take into their hands the power to administer the city," said Wang. "To remedy the situation, it is important to take necessary steps to improve the electoral system and remove existing institutional deficiencies and risks to ensure the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body."
"By facilitating conversations throughout the pharma and healthcare ecosystems, we hope to sustain rapid progress in making clinical research accessible, equitable and affordable to patients and bring therapies to market faster and more efficiently."

The Conference Forum announced the 6th annual CRAACO: Clinical Research as a Care Option conference will take place in a live virtual format on April 26-27, 2021.

Dr Diane Simeone, Perlmutter Professor of Surgery and Pathology, NYU Langone, and Director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center, NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center is keynoting for the first time. Dr Simeone will draw on her experience as a national PI leader on the adaptive platform trial for metastatic pancreatic cancer, Precision Promise, and present her vision on embarking upon and building a new clinical-trial ecosystem.

Keynoting for the third time, Dr Laura Esserman, Professor of Surgery and Radiology, UCSF, and Director, UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Cancer Center, will deliver a talk on better preparing the nation for the next pandemic by integrating care and research.

In a Keynote Fireside Chat, Dr Chris Pernell, Chief Strategic Integration and Health Equity Officer, University Hospital, will share her experience as a participant on the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial. She will also speak about her efforts and advice to improve health equity in care and research.

As R&D Leadership Keynote, Dr Wolfram Nothaft, CMO, Takeda, will participate in a fireside chat about what Takeda is doing to increase access to clinical research for patients.

Everything that transpired this past year has demonstrated the urgency of integrating research and care to provide better health options for patients, said Andrew Goldstein, Conference Producer of the CRAACO conference. By facilitating conversations throughout the pharma and healthcare ecosystems, we hope to sustain rapid progress in making clinical research accessible, equitable and affordable to patients and bring therapies to market faster and more efficiently.

Fifteen hospital systems, including representation from Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, Northwell Health, Sanford Health Systems, University of Michigan Medical School, Duke University School of Medicine, St. Lukes Health System, University Hospital, Rush University Medical College, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center will address their own journeys in integrating clinical trials in healthcare.

Pharma companies including Janssen, Takeda, Merck, Pfizer and BMS will address key topics on integration from diversity, collaboration to data science.

CRAACO will also feature a panel of healthcare, pharma, patient advocates, CROs and solution providers on Reporting Decentralized Clinical Trial Breakthroughs and Hitting the Fast Forward Button Due to COVID.

Additional topics covered include improving diversity and equity in clinical research, running efficient and cost-effective online trials, naive investigator perspectives, developing infrastructure for multi-site coordination, communicating how research promotes alignment with institution missions, engaging and training healthcare staff for clinical research, the role of health IT in bringing together healthcare and research, breaking down misaligned incentives for research participation, and more.

CRAACO is the first conference dedicated to bringing together health systems, pharma, patients, regulators and innovators to address the value, challenges and success stories of integrating clinical research options in the clinical care space for the benefit of patients.

To learn more about the event, please visit CRAACOevent.com

About the Conference Forum:

The Conference Forum is a life science industry research firm that develops conferences, podcasts, newsletters and webinars primarily around how to get therapeutics to patients faster. They examine and challenge the complex ecosystem of drug development and delivery, bringing ideas together from a variety of sources to help advance clinical research with common goals that are patient-focused. They are committed to creating the best content, exchange of ideas and solutions among peers, as well as providing high-quality networking.

Learn more about the Conference Forum at theconferenceforum.org.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Rep. Tammy Nichols: We Have to Make Sure Our States Keep Their Sovereignty

U.S. states must take appropriate measures in order to maintain their sovereignty, a Republican in the Idaho House of Representatives told The Epoch Times in an interview last week.

Rep. Tammy Nichols, a Republican from Middleton, said that several states have begun to discuss the notion of leaving the United States and gaining independence after a Texas lawmaker in January introduced a bill that would allow state residents to discuss, debate, and vote on independence from the country.

These discussions have arisen due to concerns over how federal law may impact their states, Nichols told The Epoch Times Crossroads at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida.

Ive heard of several states that have talked about it because theyre worried about what the feds are going to be doing and how thats going to impact their state, Nichols said. Texas, of course, has an easy out because its written into their constitution to be able to secede from the union.

Rep. Kyle Biedermann, a Texas Republican who filed House Bill 1359 in Januaryalso known as the Texas Independence Referendum Acthas said that the Texas Constitution allows the state to remove itself from the United States.

Specifically, Article 1, Section 2 of the Texas Constitution states: All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and, subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform, or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient.

Texas seceded from the United States in 1861, joined the Confederacy, and rejoined the United States after the Civil War.

Biedermanns bill (pdf) states that voters can choose in a referendum on Nov. 2, 2021, whether the state should leave the United States and establish an independent republic. However, even if voters decide to secede, it may not be allowed due to an 1869 ruling by the Supreme Court that says that a state may not secede unless it has the consent of other states, or through revolution.

Ive been told by several attorneys that are very well known that if they took that first step, they really believe other states would start following that progression, Nichols continued.

Its definitely something that you have to keep in mind because we dont what kinds of things might be coming down the pipeline for our states, and if states want to keep their sovereignty they might have to look into that as an option.

Nichols said that her state is taking measures to push back against federal law to ensure that Idaho citizens wont be impacted by whatever happens at the federal level.

Were [Idaho] actually strengthening our gun laws, and we have pretty good gun laws on our books right now. But were trying to strengthen those to make sure that whatever happens at the federal level will not impact the citizens of Idaho, she said.

If states want to keep their sovereignty, they are going to have to take measures to be able to do that, Nichols said. Right now, in our legislature, we have been working on either bills that are in response to whats going on with COVID, or bills that are for preventative measures for things that might transpire that people are concerned about.

Nichols added: So I really see that states are going to have to do that, because regardless of what happens in [Washington] D.C. at the federal level, we have to make sure that our states keep their sovereignty.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
A Massachusetts judge has dismissed a lawsuit by a woman claiming that she, not Harvard University, is the rightful owner of haunting images of an enslaved father and daughter who she says were her ancestors.

The judge acknowledged that the daguerreotypes had been taken under horrific circumstances but said that if the enslaved subjects, Renty and Delia, did not own the images when they were taken, then the woman who brought the lawsuit, Tamara Lanier, did not own them either.

Fully acknowledging the continuing impact slavery has had in the United States, the law, as it currently stands, does not confer a property interest to the subject of a photograph regardless of how objectionable the photographs origins may be, Justice Camille F. Sarrouf of Middlesex County Superior Court wrote in a judgment filed Tuesday.

The Axcend Focus LC, Axcend's hand-portable, lightweight and compact capillary high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system We are honored to receive this Phase II SBIR grant and look forward to successfully developing and commercializing compact HPLC for pharmaceutical applications.

Axcend today announced that it has been awarded a Phase II SBIR Grant to continue its work in developing a Portable Liquid Chromatography Platform for Diverse Pharmaceutical Applications.

The two-year Phase II Small Business Innovation Research award was issued by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences within the National Institutes of Health. This new grant is the continuation of research and development successfully completed by Axcend under a Phase I SBIR grant issued for the same purpose.

Axcends continued R&D efforts will be to adapt the Axcend Focus LC (the companys innovative compact and hand-portable, capillary HPLC-UV system) to a number of relevant pharmaceutical applications.

Specific applications will include:



High-throughput screening for impurity identification of new chemical entities;

Real-time on-line reaction monitoring in batch and continuous processes; and

HPLC development of separation and characterization of protein-based therapeutics, particularly antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

The Axcend R&D work for this grant will be led by Milton L. Lee, Ph.D., its Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer, a world-renowned scientist known for his efforts to advance the miniaturization and application of scientific instrumentation. Axcend will collaborate in the R&D program with Prof. James P. Grinias at Rowan University, while several leading international pharmaceutical manufacturers are also included in the evaluation of the Axcend technology.

We are grateful for the support of NIH and our partners at Rowan and in the pharmaceutical industry to realize the advantages of compact and portable high-performance liquid chromatography, said Ray West, VP of Customer Success at Axcend. We are excited to contribute to the development of new medicines. So in this regard, we are honored to receive this Phase II SBIR grant and look forward to successfully developing and commercializing compact HPLC for pharmaceutical applications.

Disclaimer:

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44GM137649. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

About the Axcend Focus LC

The Axcend Focus LC is a shoebox-sized, hand-portable, UV-Absorption-based HPLC that breaks the mold for traditional high-performance liquid chromatography systems. Even if used around-the-clock, the Axcend Focus LC consumes under 10 mL of solvents per week and produces roughly the same amount of waste, making it extremely low cost to operate and one of the most environmentally friendly and Green HPLCs on the planet.

In addition, because of its small size, low weight and ability to operate on battery power, the Axcend Focus LC can be used virtually anywhere: on a lab bench, inside a fume hood or glove box, and even in-the-field. The award-winning design of the Axcend Focus LC also makes it easy to integrate with mass spectrometers and autosamplers.

About Axcend

Axcend is a provider of innovative, hand-portable and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems. These solutions allow scientists to deliver HPLC Anywhere and provide dramatic improvements in portability, ease-of-operation, and rapid and convenient deployment, as well as coupling to other analytical systems.

Axcend, the Axcend logo, Axcend Focus LC, and HPLC Anywhere are trademarks of Axcend, LLC. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: David Politis, +1-801-405-9545, David.Politis@AxcendCorp.com
Garmash did not rule out new escalation along the contact line in the east of Ukraine.

Journalist Sergiy Garmash, who is a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on the settlement of the Donbas crisis, says talks with the Russian Federation are in a deadlock, as Moscow has put forward another demand on Ukraine.

"Today the TCG's work is more than ever has reached an impasse since Ukraine insists that dialogue should be conducted with Russia, while Russia insists that we should conduct the dialogue with the so-called 'second side'  Donetsk and Luhansk [occupation authorities]," he told Ukraina 24 TV channel.

Read alsoKravchuk warns of retaliation in case of ceasefire violations by Russian proxiesAt the same time, Garmash did not rule out new escalation along the contact line in the east of Ukraine.

"[Russian envoy Boris] Gryzlov's statement, where he in advance accuses Ukraine of provoking escalation... That is, the escalation will be [caused] by the other side, but we are to blame for it in advance. This suggests there will be short-term  I hope 'short-term'  escalation at the front to intimidate the Ukrainian leaders and our Western partners, who do not want a military escalation, and force us into sitting down at the negotiating table directly with Donetsk and Luhansk. It seems to me this is exactly what everything is aimed at," the journalist added.

Latest developments in Donbas

Earlier, the so-called "people's militia of the DPR" announced they allegedly "had obtained permission for pre-emptive fire to suppress the enemy's gun positions."

Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG Leonid Kravchuk said the relevant announcement was seen as Russia's possible withdrawal from the peace deal on Donbas.

On March 4, Russian president Vladimir Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov claimed the Ukrainian side should remain a supporter of the Minsk agreements, and expressed "concern" about the rising tension along the contact line in Donbas.

In this regard, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called on Russia to stop shifting responsibility for the implementation of the Minsk agreements onto others.

Reporting by UNIAN
The San Francisco Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire at a three-story Victorian-style home in Eureka Valley Friday afternoon, near the Castro's commercial district.

The fire reported at 12:05 p.m. sent clouds of black smoke into the air, and was contained as of 1:15 p.m.

Lt. Jonathan Baxter, spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department, said someone may have been seen fleeing the scene of the blaze. Additional reports posted by the fire department on social media said a suspect at the scene may have been throwing knives.

"It's important to understand that as this fire is in the process, it is under investigation so we will making no assumptions as to that individual fleeing the scene," Baxter said.

SFFD

The fire broke out at 112 Eureka St. "We have a large amount of fire," Baxter said in a video posted to Twitter at 12:48 p.m. "Firefighters are working aggressively to get this under containment."

There are no injuries reported, Baxter said. Four adults and two children were displaced as a result of the fire.

This was a joint response from city agencies as the San Francisco Police Department arrived on scene for a non-related fire call, and became a multiple agency incident due to an individual sighted running with a knife in his hand. At this time, the San Francisco police are also investigating that incident, Baxter said.

Police are asking people to avoid the area of Eureka, 18th Street and Market. The Red Cross and the city services are also on standby to assist.
Le Minesec Pauline Nalova Lyonga droits reserves

Nalova Lyonga, Ph.D., Cameroons Minister of Secondary Education has ruled that access into schools and teacher-training colleges will be conditioned on the presentation of a recent COVID-19 test with a negative result.

The decision comes amidst a rising number of COVID-19 positive cases across the country.

Minister Nalova Lyonga said in a press release Thursday, March 4, 2021, that her ministry intends to urgently carry out COVID-19 screening on all students and staff.

The Minister of Secondary Education hereby informs the national and international community that owing to the rise in the number of cases tested positive to COVID-19 over the past few days, the Ministry of Secondary Education intends without further delay, to systematically administer COVID-19 screening tests to all students, as well administrative and teaching staffs of secondary schools and teacher training colleges nationwide, the press release read in part.

This screening campaign aims at reducing the cases of infection and to allow for the serene continuation of the 2020/2021 school year, she explained.

According to the Minister of Secondary Education, the screening campaign shall be carried out with the support of the Ministry of Public Health.

Henceforth, access to school campuses shall be conditioned on the presentation of a recent COVID-19 test with a negative result, she ruled, looking forward to the understanding and full collaboration of each stakeholder of the entire Education Community.

Cameroon shut down schools in March 2020 after it recorded its first COVID-19 cases. Seven months after on October 5, 2020, schoolchildren returned to their classrooms.

At the time, the government said it had considerably reduced the spread of the disease. A two-shift school system was introduced in populous schools. The respect of COVID-19 barrier measures was also made imperative in all schools. But it was not long before the barrier measures were abandoned.

Last month, Public Health Minister Manaouda Malachie said, As we can see, the situation is becoming worrying again. We must scrupulously respect the 13 measures laid out by the Head of State, which have not of course been repealed. Let's only go out when necessary and systematically wear our masks.

To date, Cameroon has recorded 35,714 positive cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 551 have died while 32,594 have recovered.
DGAP Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act]

Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Release according to Article 50 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution



05.03.2021 / 18:00

Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Announcement on Poll Results and Resolutions at the first EGM and the first Class Meetings of 2021

Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt, 05 March 2021 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (D-Share 690D.DE, A-Share 600690.SH, H-Share 06690.HK) published today an announcement on Shanghai Stock Exchange with regard to Poll Results and Resolutions at the first EGM and the Class Meetings of 2021. I. POLL RESULTS OF THE EGM AND THE CLASS MEETINGS 1. Poll results of the EGM The board of directors (the 'Board') of the Company is pleased to announce that the EGM was held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, 5 March 2021 at Haier University, Haier Industrial Park, Laoshan District, Qingdao, the PRC. All resolutions have been duly adopted. The convening of the meeting was in compliance with the Company Law of the People's Republic of China, the Articles of Association, and pertinent provisions of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Deutsche Borse. The on-site meeting was presided over by Ms. TAN Lixia, Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company. As of the date of the EGM, the Company had a total of 9,284,895,068 shares in issue. Shareholders or their proxies holding 5,402,912,205 shares in the Company carrying voting rights (representing approximately 58.19% of the total share capital of the Company in issue as of the date of the EGM) attended the EGM. In accordance with the provisions of the Listing Rules, voting on the resolutions at the EGM was conducted by way of poll. The voting results in respect of the resolutions proposed at the EGM are set out as follows: Resolution In favor Against Abstention Number of shares Percentage (%) Number of shares Percentage (%) Number of shares Percentage (%) 1. Consider and approve the resolution on the amendments to the Articles of Association of Haier



Smart Home Co., Ltd. 5,393,278,516 99.8217 154,216 0.0029 9,479,473 0.1755 The resolution has been duly adopted as a special resolution with over two-thirds of valid votes held by Shareholders (including proxies) attending the EGM cast in favor thereof. 2. Consider and approve the resolution on the appointment of international accounting standards auditor for 2020 5,247,212,435 97.1182 113,086,392 2.0931 42,613,378 0.7887 The resolution has been adopted as an ordinary resolution with over one-half of valid votes held by Shareholders (including proxies) attending the EGM cast in favor thereof. 3. Consider and approve the resolution on the general mandate for the repurchase of H-Shares upon the completion of the listing byway of introduction 5,400,978,450 99.9642 766,246 0.0142 1,167,509 0.0216 The resolution has been duly adopted as a special resolution with over two-thirds of valid votes held by Shareholders (including proxies) attending the EGM cast in favor thereof. Resolution on (cumulative voting) Number of votes received Number of votes received as a percentage of the valid voting rights present at the meeting (%) 4. Consider and approve the resolution on the election of additional Directors of the Company, with the following items to be voted upon separately: 4.1 Consider and approve the resolution on the election of Mr. XIE Ju Zhi as an additional Director of the Company 4,912,684,332 90.9266 4.2 Consider and approve the resolution on the election of Mr. YU Hon To, David as an additional Director of the Company 4,082,924,326 75.5690 4.3 Consider and approve the resolution on the election of Ms. Eva LI Kam Fun as an additional Director of the Company 4,904,608,695 90.7771 The resolutions set out above have been duly adopted as ordinary resolutions with a majority vote of over one-half cast in favor thereof. 5. Consider and approve the resolution on the election of additional Independent Non-executive Director (Mr. LI Shipeng) 5,043,627,604 93.3502 The resolution has been duly adopted as an ordinary resolution with a majority vote of over one-half cast in favor thereof.

2. Poll results of the A-Shares Class Meeting As of the date of the A-Shares Class Meeting, the Company had a total of 6,308,552,654 A-Shares in issue, which was the total number of shares entitled to vote on the resolutions at the A-Shares Class Meeting. There was no shareholder who was required to abstain from voting on any resolution proposed at the A-Shares Class Meeting, nor any shareholder who was entitled to attend the A-Shares Class Meeting but was required to abstain from voting in favor of any resolution at the meeting under the Listing Rules. Shareholders and Shareholders' proxies attending the A-Shares Class Meeting held a total of 3,389,819,287 A-shares, representing 53.73% of the total number of A-shares in the Company carrying voting rights. Details of Shareholders attending the A-Shares Class Meeting are set out as below: Resolution In favor Against Abstention Number of shares Percentage (%) Number of shares Percentage (%) Number of shares Percentage (%) 1. Consider and approve the resolution on the general mandate for the repurchase of H-Shares upon the completion of the listing by way of introduction 3,389,113,287 99.9792 702,000 0.0207 4,000 0.0001 The resolution has been duly adopted as a special resolution with over two-thirds of valid votes held by Shareholders (including proxies) attending the A-Shares Class Meeting cast in favor thereof. 3. Poll results of the D-Shares Class Meeting As of the date of the D-Shares Class Meeting, the Company had a total of 271,013,973 D-shares in issue, which was the total number of shares entitled to vote on the resolutions at the D-Shares Class Meeting. There was no shareholder who was required to abstain from voting on any resolution proposed at the D-Shares Class Meeting, nor any shareholder who was entitled to attend the D-Shares Class Meeting but was required to abstain from voting in favor of any resolution at the meeting under the Listing Rules. Shareholders and Shareholders' proxies attending the D-Shares Class Meeting held a total of 136,331,271 D-Shares, representing 50.30% of the total number of D-Shares in the Company carrying voting rights. Details of Shareholders attending the D-Shares Class Meeting are set out as below: Resolution In favor Against Abstention Number of shares Percentage (%) Number of shares Percentage (%) Number of shares Percentage (%) 1. Consider and approve the resolution on the general mandate for the repurchase of H-Shares upon the completion of the listing by way of introduction 136,201,482 99.9048 67,780 0.0497 62,009 0.0455 The resolution has been duly adopted as a special resolution with over two-thirds of valid votes held by Shareholders (including proxies) attending the D-Shares Class Meeting cast in favor thereof. 4. Poll results of the H-Shares Class Meeting As of the date of the H-Shares Class Meeting, the Company had a total of 2,705,328,441 H-shares in issue, which was the total number of shares entitled to vote on the resolutions at the H-Shares Class Meeting. There was no shareholder who was required to abstain from voting on any resolution proposed at the H-Shares Class Meeting, nor any shareholder who was entitled to attend the H-Shares Class Meeting but was required to abstain from voting in favor of any resolution at the meeting under the Listing Rules. Shareholders and Shareholders' proxies attending the H-Shares Class Meeting held a total of 1,827,803,082 H-shares, representing 67.56% of the total number of H-Shares in the Company carrying voting rights. Details of Shareholders attending the H-Shares Class Meeting are set out as below: Resolution In favor Against Abstention Number of shares Percentage (%) Number of shares Percentage (%) Number of shares Percentage (%) 1. Consider and approve the resolution on the general mandate for the repurchase of H-Shares upon the completion of the listing by way of introduction 1,826,704,466 99.9399 16 0.0000 1,098,600 0.0601 The resolution has been duly adopted as a special resolution with over two-thirds of valid votes held by Shareholders (including proxies) attending the H-Shares Class Meeting cast in favor thereof. 5. Witnessing Lawyer King & Wood Mallesons Beijing has expressed its opinion as witness to the EGM and the Class Meetings. In the opinion of the witnessing lawyer, (i) the convening of the EGM and the Class Meetings and the procedures thereof are in compliance with the provisions of pertinent laws, regulations, regulatory documents and the Articles of Association; (ii) the eligibility of the persons attending and the eligibility of the convenor of the EGM and the Class Meetings is legal and valid and in compliance with the provisions of pertinent laws, regulations, regulatory documents and the Articles of Association; and (iii) the voting procedures of the EGM are in compliance with the provisions of pertinent laws, regulations, regulatory documents and the Articles of Association and the voting results are legal and valid.

II. APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS The resolutions appointing Mr. XIE Juzhi as executive Director of the Company, Mr. YU Hon To, David and Ms. Eva LI Kam Fun as non-executive Directors of the Company and Mr. LI Shipeng as Independent Non-executive Director of the Company have been duly adopted as ordinary resolutions. Their term of office shall commence on the date on which their appointments are approved at the general meeting of the Company and end on the date on which the term of the current session of the Board expires. The biographical details of the aforementioned candidates for Directors are set out in the Invitation. Mr. XIE Juzhi was appointed Vice Chairman of the Company by the Board on 5 March 2021. In accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company, the Vice Chairman shall assist in the work of the Chairman of the Company, and shall perform the duties of the Chairman where the Chairman is unable to or does not perform his duties. Save as disclosed above, there has been no change to the biographical details of the aforementioned candidates for Directors as of the date of this announcement. As of the latest practicable date, save as disclosed in the Invitation, none of the Director candidates has held any directorship in any other public companies the securities of which are listed on any securities market in Hong Kong or overseas, or served other positions in other members of the Group, or held other major appointments or professional qualifications during the past three years. The Director candidates do not have other relationships with any Directors, Supervisors, senior management, substantial Shareholders or controlling Shareholders of the Company and do not hold any interest in the shares of the Company or its associated companies within the meaning of Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong). There is or was no information which is required to be disclosed pursuant to the requirements set out in 13.51(2) (h) to (v) of the Listing Rules nor are there any matters which need to be brought to the attention of the Shareholders of the Company. If appointed, the Company will enter into service contracts with each of the appointed Directors. Their allowance as Directors shall be consistent with that provided to the current Directors of the tenth session of the Board (RMB200,000 per annum per person). III. AMENDMENTS TO THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION The resolution on the amendments to the Articles of Association has been duly adopted as a special resolution. For details of such amendments, please refer to the Invitation. The Articles of Association as amended shall come into effect on the date of this announcement. The full text of the amended Articles of Association is available on the respective websites of Shanghai Stock Exchange (http://www.sse.com.cn), The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (http://www.hkexnews.hk) and the Company (http://smart-home.haier.com). About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized mass production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as smaller household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience. IR contact: Yao Sun (Sophie) - Haier Smart Home Germany

T: +49 6172 9454 143

F: +49 6172 9454 42143

M: +49 160 9469 3601

Email: y.sun@haier.de

05.03.2021 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Police are seeking information about a man stabbed to death Feb. 20 on the east end of the Broadway Bridge.

The Oregon State Medical Examiners Office determined 57-year-old James Setty died from stab wounds and ruled his death a homicide. Portland police detectives would like to hear from anyone who knew Setty or where he was living in Portland, police said Thursday.

Police also released photos of Setty. Just prior to his death, his beard and hair were longer than is shown in the photos.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Jennifer Hertzler (Jennifer.Hertzler@portlandoregon.gov; 503-823-1040) or Detective Rico Beniga (Rico.Beniga@portlandoregon.gov; 503-823-0457.)

 The Oregonian/OregonLive
South Africa: SA marks one year of COVID-19 pandemic

Today marks exactly a year to the day that South Africa confirmed its first COVID-19 case.

On 5 March 2020, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, announced the news of a 38-year-old COVID-19 patient from KwaZulu-Natal.

The man tested positive after a ski trip in Italy with his wife and eight others, sending shock waves through the nation.

Since then, the countrys COVID-19 caseload has topped 1.5 million, with over 50 000 people succumbing to illnesses related to the infectious disease.

Last year when the number of cases reached 61, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the National State of Disaster on 15 March. This saw government banning travellers from the most affected countries.

A week later, government imposed a 21-day lockdown  alert level 5. This would see a cessation of the sale of non-essential items including alcohol, tobacco and clothing, and the ban of social gatherings and restrictions for the conduct of funerals.

Cases continued to climb, threatening to put the countrys healthcare system under enormous strain.

South Africa had to act fast to prevent an unmanageable rise of cases.

Government was forced to close off South Africa by cancelling flights, suspending public transport and shutting non-essential shops, businesses and schools.

All South Africans will have to stay at home, President Ramaphosa announced on 23 March.

26 March marked the beginning of life in lockdown and the use of facemasks in public.

The lockdown would result in havoc for businesses whose doors were forced to shut. Job losses ensued for many citizens, further depressing an economy that was already under strain.

Government pledged a R500 billion stimulus package to support the vulnerable and respond to the devastating effects of the lockdown on workers and businesses.

The relief fund, amounting to about 10% of Gross Domestic Pproduct (GDP), also helped to secure personal protective equipment (PPE) for the health workers, who faced great danger as cases and hospital admissions soared.

The public purse suffered a huge contraction over the months of April, May and June, when the country operated under widespread restrictions, Statistics South Africa revealed.

Almost 340 local State healthcare workers were reported to have died of COVID-19 related illness between March and November 2020.

As the public health benefits of the harsh lockdown began to pay off, with the infection rate somewhat slowing, President Ramaphosa would over time adjust downwards the lockdown levels, allowing commerce to resume under the new, albeit restricted, normal.

As the pace of economic activity gained momentum and social interaction resumed between people, infections would begin to climb again, leading the President to institute level 3 lockdown in December, which included the clamping of alcohol sales.

By December, the country was racing against time to acquire vaccines. South Africa was using its diplomatic channels, having secured a place in the COVAX Facility, which was set up to ensure equitable access to vaccines.

New variant and vaccination

A spanner in the works, however, was the emergence of the new 501Y.V2 variant, which was first discovered in South Africa.

Infections were more aggressive, increasing rapidly and causing many healthcare workers to fall ill. Young people, who were thought of as less vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, were now susceptible to illness.

In February 2021, there was a ray of hope as the first shipment of one million Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine doses arrived from the Serum Institute of India.

However, the countrys vaccination rollout programme suffered a setback when disappointing studies showed that the vaccine was less effective against the 501Y.V2 variant, which was dominant in South Africa.

Despite this, South Africa remained resolute, and secured the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine last month, which has been shown to be highly effective against the 501Y.V2 variant, preventing severe illness and death.

The first vaccinations against COVID-19 took place on 17 February, with Cape Town nurse Zoliswa Gidi-Dyosi becoming the first South African to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Khayelitsha Hospital.

To date, over 90 000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated under the Sisonke Vaccine Programme.

While healthcare workers are top priority in the vaccination programme, other sectors of the population, including those with comorbidities and essential service workers, will be prioritised in subsequent phases of the programme.

A slight form of reprieve has also come in the form of research results from the KwaZulu-Natal Research Informatics and Sequencing Programme (KRISP), which found that people who were infected with the 501Y.V2 variant are immune from reinfection and possibly other circulating variants.

A word from the experts

Reflecting on the year that was, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, said: March last year feels like a world away and these last 12 months have felt more like 12 years.

Karim, who speaking during a webinar at the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (Caprisa), recalled how he was asked to go to St Augustines Hospital to evaluate the scenario unfolding from patient zero early on in the pandemic.

In a period of uncertainty, I learnt a lot about this virus and its initial outbreak, and will be returning there [to St Augustine Hospital] to get vaccinated, he said on Thursday [4 March].

Karim, who is the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on COVID-19 Chair and Caprisa Director, said they could not have anticipated that the second wave would be so brutal.

Our first wave was like Mount Kilimanjaro, and our second more like Everest. We could not have anticipated that it would hit us that hard and now we are again in the throes of low transmission, he said.

Despite the hurdles along the way, the State is committed to inoculate 40 million South Africans to reach the heard immunity it needs to fight COVID-19.

Addressing the nation on 28 February, the President said South Africa is expecting millions of vaccines from Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and the COVAX Facility.

As South Africa works its way back to economic stability, with the country having been placed on lockdown level 1 from 1 March, the First Citizen warned about the threat of a third wave and new variants.

This pandemic has taken much from us, but it has not taken our strength, our courage or our sense of solidarity as a people. It has not dampened our spirit or weakened our resolve, he said, calling on everyone to remain hopeful.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
WASHINGTON -- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) President and Chief Executive Officer Jamie Fly has issued the following statement:

I am disturbed by physical and verbal attacks on Azatutyun journalists covering the February 23 protests in Yerevan. Our journalists are only trying to bring live news reporting to our audiences in Armenia. While I am heartened that Armenias Investigative Committee has initiated a probe that could result in criminal charges against those who obstructed the legal professional activities of Azatutyuns journalists, I urge Armenian law enforcement to make sure that all journalists can do their jobs without fear of harm.

BACKGROUND: RFE/RL Armenian Service journalists RFE/RL Armenian Service journalist Artak Khulian and cameraman Karen Chilingarian, on assignment to provide live coverage of the opposition protests in Yerevan on February 23, were attacked by a group of protesters who kicked them, used abusive language against them, and damaged their equipment. Armenias Investigative Committee announced on March 3 that it had opened a probe into the attack, after a criminal case was opened by the Central Police Department under Article 164, Part 1 of the Criminal Code ("Obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of a journalist").

Burma Criticized, Myanmars Influential Monk Close to Coup Leader Breaks Silence on Killing Protesters

Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing (left, front) with U Kovida (right, front) during the Hti Umbrella placing ceremony at ancient Htilominlo Temple in Bagan in 2020. (The Irrawaddy)

YangonOne of Myanmars most influential Buddhist monks has finally broken his silence over the militarys brutal assaults on anti-regime protesters.

Sitagu Sayadaw, who is close to the coups leader, has joined other monks in calling on the junta to stop killing unarmed people.

Initially known for his fiery sermons against previous military regimes from 1988 to the early 2000s, Sitagu Sayadaw these days sings a different tune.

When the quasi-civilian government led by former generals was in power from 2011 to early 2016, the monk publicly said he wished the then President U Thein Sein would be re-elected. Since that time, the monk, who is also known as Ashin Nyanissara, was seen by some people as someone sitting on the fence.

Later, Myanmars military chief Senior General Min Aung Hliangnow the coup leaderbecame a familiar face among his high-level followers.

When the regimes troops opened fire on protesters across the country in opposition to the coup, killing about 50 people following the coup on Feb. 1, the 84-year old monk was tight lipped. That was in stark contrast to his actions more than 30 years ago.

People, including his long-time followers, were broken hearted and questioned his silence over the civilian killings.

They dropped comments at his Facebook page, saying, They are killing people. Please stop them.

Some went further: Staying tight lipped make you sleep well, Sayadaw?

Some followers who had held him in high esteem for his previous anti-dictatorship activism simply questioned whether the monks silence this time meant he was supporting the generals who launched the coup.

I feel really sad to see the religious mentor I once much believed in has turned this way, one wrote.

By expressing great concern about the crackdown, the nine leading monks of Shwe Kyin Sect, including Sitagu Sayadaw, on Thursday urged coup leader Min Aung Hlaing to immediately stop the deadliest assaults on unarmed people and to avoid robbing or destroying peoples property.

Shwe Kyin is one of Myanmars nine Buddhist clergy sects; and its members are known for strictly obeying the Vinaya, the codes of conducts for Buddhist monks. Sitagu Sayadaw is the second-most influential leader of the sect.

In their statement, monks also urged the senior general to be a good Buddhist.

Another famous monk facing criticism is U Kovida, who is well-known as Vasipake Sayadaw for his practicing of silence vows. He has reportedly cut off contact with social media after facing intense criticism by Myanmar social media users for allegedly supporting the military coup.

The monk from eastern Shan State is also well known as an astrologer and for having a close relationship with Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla.

He has been accused of providing the coup leader with his astrological advice for the takeover.

He was reportedly blamed for advising the senior general to tell security forces to shoot protesters in the head.

Most of the people killed over the last month and early this week were hit in their heads.

In February of last year, the monk was also with Min Aung Hlaing when the senior general and his wife placed the Hti umbrella atop Bagans ancient Htilominlo Temple, following in the footsteps of some of Myanmars most powerful figures including his predecessor, Senior General Than Shwe. Many people believed that the ceremony was seeking divine blessings for his kinship.

You may also like these stories:

Security Forces Exhume Body of Woman Slain in Myanmar Protests

US Ambassador Asks Myanmars Military Deputy Chief to Stop Violence Against Protesters

Anger in Myanmar But Crisis Distant to Singaporeans
Richard Dick B. Otte, Jr., age 78, of Alexandria, formerly of Sauk Centre, passed away surrounded by family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer for the last one and half years on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at his home in Alexandria.
You are here: World

 Flash

Fourteen villagers were killed and three others wounded after an avalanche struck a far-flung area in the northern Afghan province of Badakhshan on Thursday, a local government spokesman confirmed.

"The incident happened in Hawz-e-Shah locality of Raghistan district Thursday afternoon. The initial information found 14 people were killed and three others wounded," spokesman Nik Mohammad Nazari told Xinhua.

The disaster occurred along a district road in the mountainous region, the official said. A rescue team and local police have been dispatched to the area to help and provide assistance for the affected people.

Badakhshan has received snowfalls in recent weeks.
Close

A ferocious prehistoric killing machine terrorized its prey long before the dinosaurs dominated the Earth. Antesosaurus was first believed to be heavy slugging predators from 260-million-years-ago.

Judging by its bone-crushing teeth, massive size, gigantic skull, and powerful jaw, the premammalian reptile roamed the African continent from 265-260 million years ago during the middle Permian era. It was a force to be reckoned with.

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Prehistoric Killing Machine

It was previously thought that the prehistoric killing machine, which grew to the size of an adult rhino with a thick crocodilian tail, was too heavy and slow to be an effective hunter. However, a new study shows that the Anteosaurus was an effective hunter able to track, outrun, and kill its unfortunate prey.

Despite its name, the Anteosauris isn't a dinosaur but rather a dinocephalian -- mammalian-like reptiles predating the earliest dinosaurs. Much like the dinosaurs, dinocephalians ruled the Earth but died off roughly 30 million years before the appearance of the first dinosaurs.

Dinocephalian fossils can be found in many places around the world. They are characterizable by their heavyweight and large size. The mammal-like reptiles had thick and dense bones including the Anteosaurus.

The skull of the Anteosaursus was ornamented with large bumps and lumps above its eyes and a long crest atop its snout, which, together with its enlarged canines, made the skull look like that of a ferocious carnivore.

On the other hand, due to the heavy skeleton architecture, scientists presume that the creature was sluggish and slow, only capable of scavenging or ambushing its prey.

Dr. Julien Benoit from the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the University of Witwatersrand says that scientists suggested that the Anteosaursu was too heavy and that it could only thrive and live in water.

Researchers carefully reconstructed the Anteosaurus skull digitally using X-ray imaging and 3D reconstruction that allowed thorough investigation of the prehistoric killing machine's internal skull structure.

ALSO READ: Tyrant Juvenile T-Rex Shaped Dinosaur Diversity and Community Structures





The Truth About Dinocephalian Therapsid Anteosaurus Magnificus

The study published in the journal Acta Peleontologica Polonica entitled," Paleoneruology and palaeobiology of the dinocephalian therapsid Anteosaurus magnificus," revealed that the dinocephalian had developed and balanced brain and organs that proved the ferociousness and effectivity of the beast in hunting.

Benoit explains that agile predators such as the Velociraptor and cheetahs had a very specialized nervous system and balanced sensory organs that enabled them to track and hunt their prey effectively. The study began when researchers wanted to determine whether or not the Anteosaursu possess similar capabilities and adaptations.

The team discovered that the Anteosaurs' organ of balance-- it's inner ear --was larger than its closest relatives. This indicated that the Anteosaurus was capable of moving faster than its competitors and prey.

Additionally, the prehistoric killing machine's eyes, together with its exceptionally large head, were crucial in ensuring the Anteosaurs' tracking abilities.

Dr Ashley Kruger from the Natural History Museum in Stockholm and previously from Wits University says that the complete reconstruction of the Anteosaursus skull to date allowed a profound investigation of the large carnivore revealing how optimized and specialized its nervous systems was for hunting swiftly and striking fast, contradicting previous assumptions on the beast.

RELATED ARTICLE: How Climate Change Helped Dinosaurs Migrate from South America to Greenland





Check out more news and information on Paleontology on Science Times.
South Korea's Minister of Food and Drug Safety Kim Gang-lip announces at the ministry's headquarters in Cheongju, Gyeonggi Province, on Mar. 5 the government has decided to import Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines starting late March. Yonhap



South Korea's drug safety agency on Friday approved the vaccine for the novel coronavirus developed by U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. as the country is pushing for the COVID-19 inoculation campaign.



The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety allowed use of Pfizer's two full-dose regimen following three separate independent evaluations on the efficacy and safety.



Pfizer products for about 23 million people, under a direct contract between the pharmaceutical firm and the Seoul government, are expected to start arriving here later this month.



The ministry said Pfizer's two full-dose regimen showed more than a 95 percent efficacy rate, including for people aged between 16 and 17, and aged 65 and older.



Despite the ministry's decision, it is unclear whether youths are eligible to receive Pfizer vaccines as local health authorities here exclude inoculating people younger than 18.



The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) is expected to convene a meeting later to decide on whether to include youths for the inoculation with the Pfizer vaccine.



The approval is separate from Pfizer vaccines for more than 56,000 front-line medical workers that were provided earlier as part of the World Health Organization's global vaccine COVAX Facility project.




Manchester, NH  In 2017, the City of Keene denied the Right to Know requests of five Keene State College journalism students made as part of an annual classroom assignment. The students decided to fight back. Their teacher, Dr. Marianne Salcetti, who represented them, and David K. Taylor of Right to Know NH, who helped them, tell their story. The case took the team from the classroom, through the Cheshire County Superior Court and to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Learn how they did it, and how you can use the Right to Know law in your own community.

A free, online discussion, The Story of the Keene State Five: A Fight for Public Access, will be held on Thursday, March 18, from 7pm  8:30pm. The conversationwill be moderated by Attorney Gregory V. Sullivan, the pro bono legal representative in the 2020 NH Supreme Court case. Dr. Marianne Salcetti was honored with the 2020 Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications First Amendment Award for her leadership in this case.

This session is co-hosted by the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications and Right to Know NH. It will be offered online and pre-registration is required. To register, visit the Nackey S. Loeb Schools website: loebschool.org, or email loebschool@loebschool.org.

Sunshine Week is a national initiative supported by the American Society of News Editors to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy. You can learn more about the co-hosts of this New Hampshire event at loebschool.org and righttoknownh.wordpress.com.
Chandigarh, March 5 : Even as he led the state Assembly in seeking unconditional withdrawal of the three farm laws, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday asked 10 questions from the nation to expose the intent of the Centre behind the legislations.

Singh said the farm legislations were unacceptable to the farmers and the state.

He also appealed to the government of India to withdraw all cases and notices against the agitating farmers to build a congenial environment for an amicable solution.

Introducing a resolution calling for repeal of the farm laws by the Centre, the Chief Minister declared in the Assembly that these laws cannot be accepted and allowed to remain on the statute book to the detriment of the farmers. Not only are they against the principles of cooperative federalism but their objectives are apparently preposterous, he added.

The resolution, which was later passed unanimously, expressed the angst of the members against the "inconsiderate and unresponsive attitude" of the government of India, which has aggravated the situation and enhanced unrest and anguish among the farmers.

It demanded the unconditional withdrawal of the farm laws in the interest of the farmers and the state, and to continue with the existing system of MSP-based government procurement of foodgrains.

While Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLAs were suspended by the Speaker over unruly behaviour when the Chief Minister was speaking on the issue, AAP members had staged a walkout before it was put to vote.

Ostensibly, these laws are aimed to achieve the objective of doubling the income of farmers, but it does not appear to be so, Singh said while tabling the resolution, pointing out that the farmers consider these a threat to their livelihood, and as a result, they started an agitation against these laws, demanding that these may be withdrawn.

Singh said his government had right from the beginning, since June 5, 2020 when the three Ordinances on the issue were promulgated by the Centre, opposed the laws. He termed as unfortunate the fact that the three Bills passed unanimously by Punjab assembly to counter the ill-effects of the farm laws had still not been granted the Presidential assent under Article 254 (2) of the Constitution.

Underlining the need to immediately repeal the Central farm laws, the Chief Minister raised 10 vital questions to the nation, exposing the lacunae that make the legislations unacceptable under any circumstances. He went on to ask, among other issues: Who benefits from completely unregulated private mandis? Who benefits from 100 per cent waiver of mandi fees, cess, and taxes in a private mandi? Who benefits by debarring government officials from offering MSP to farmers in a private mandi? And Who benefits when we abolish the institution of arhtiyas, mandated by law to provide mandi services strictly at rates fixed by the government? Though nobody dares speak out aloud, the response to these questions is clear, said the Chief Minister, adding that his government was fully conscious that the government of India has no choice but to withdraw these legislations, and allow the time-tested existing agriculture marketing systems to continue, ensuring socio-economic security of the farmers and farm workers.

The House resolved to once again urge the government of India to withdraw these laws unconditionally in the larger interest of the farmers and the state and continue with the existing system of MSP-based government procurement of foodgrains.

Ben Fogle has revealed how he felt 'helpless' as his wife Marina was hospitalised in another country during the stillbirth of their son.

Marina, 44, had been visiting Austria with family when she tragically lost her baby son Willem at just 33 weeks in 2014, with Ben, 47, having to rush from Canada to be by his wife's side.

Appearing on Loose Women today, the couple told how Ben found it 'very difficult' that he wasn't in the country at the time of the stillbirth, and that nothing could have prepared him for the pain of losing a child.

Ben and Marina had already been heartbroken by a miscarriage in 2008 before having their son Ludo in 2009 and daughter Iona in 2011, and explained how they had a candid conversation with both their children about losing their sibling.

Ben Fogle has revealed how he felt 'helpless' as his wife Marina was hospitalised in another country during the stillbirth of their son. Pictured, the couple at Goodwood in 2017 with children Ludo and Iona

Appearing on Loose Women today, the couple told how Ben found it 'very difficult' that he wasn't in the country at the time of the stillbirth

'It was hard,' said Ben, 'I dont think ill ever forgive myself being in Canada and being so helpless.

'But when I finally got to Austria, which was traumatic in itself, going into the hospital with the children weve always lived a very open and honest life.

'We were told at a very early stage to make sure we talked to our children because the fear of the unknown is far worse, so if we suddenly said he disappeared and was taken up into the sky they would take that very literally. So we told them.'

Marina was on holiday in Austria when she began feeling cramps and was advised by her father and sister, both doctors, to go to hospital immediately.

The couple explained how they had a candid conversation with both their children about losing their sibling

Marina went on to explain that speaking about her loss publicly has helped her to process her grief and has ultimately 'made her stronger'

In hospital Marina discovered that had experienced a placental abruption, where the placenta detaches from the side of the mother's uterus and can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients and cause heavy bleeding in the mother.

'It's something really unusual', said Marina. 'Really rare and it does mean that Willem was sadly still born and so Ben was actually in Canada when it happened it was very difficult for him.'

Ben admitted that he struggles to speak about the loss, but continues to speak out to help all other parents who have experienced similar tragedy.

'One of the reasons we share this with people is to turn what is a taboo subject into something we have conversations about', said Ben.

Ben and Marina had already been heartbroken by a miscarriage in 2008 before having their son Ludo in 2009 and daughter Iona in 2011

He went on: 'All of those things you dont think about, how youre going to bury your son, how youre going to tell all your friends, how youre going to tell everyone when they ask "What did you have" when they no longer see the baby bump, all of those things are difficult to wade through

'I've done some difficult things in my life, but I dont think anything really prepared me for this. I hate talking about this - but I do for Marina and charities we support and for all the other mums and dads out there.'

Marina went on to explain that speaking about her loss publicly has helped her to process her grief and has ultimately 'made her stronger'.

'I think it actually makes me stronger', she said, 'There is such an adjustment, there was an element of waking up in the morning and thinking did this really happen? Is this a dream?'

'For me, the more I vocalised what happened the more it sent that message for my brain.'

Marina, who teaches antenatal classes, spoke of the pain and 'guilt' she experienced sharing the news with her peers, but that she feels the subject needs to be more widely discussed generally.

'The guilt of telling my class - we were all expecting our babies to be born at the same time - that the unthinkable had happened to me was really difficult.'

She added: 'I do think we need to acknowledge that this happens, I think children need to learn about miscarriages and baby loss when theyre learning about sex education.'
A Melbourne economist has warned that up to 250,000 Australians could lose their jobs when the taxpayer-funded JobKeeper program ends this month.

Thousands of zombie businesses are also forecast to go under as the flow of government funds that artificially propped them up in 2020 is cut off.

Melbourne University economics professor Jeff Borland made the catastrophic job loss forecast in his labour market snapshot on Wednesday.

'Assuming that the extent of suppressed adjustment due to JobKeeper is not too large, my best guesstimate is that 125,000 to 250,000 persons might lose work when the program finishes in March,' he wrote.

Some businesses that would naturally have gone bankrupt in 2020 but were kept going by taxpayer subsidies are likely to fold after March, CreditorWatch says

Professor Borland's monthly hours employment chart, used in his Wednesday bulletin which predicted 250,000 job losses when JobKeeper ends

Professor Borland warned that using his framework to forecast the decrease in jobs was 'a difficult exercise due to data limitations'.

'Usually I prefer to stay away from forecasts,' he wrote.

'But the topic of how many workers will lose their jobs when JobKeeper finishes at the end of March is critical to Australia's labour market outlook. So I am going to chance my arm.'

Professor Borland wrote that two types of jobs would be destroyed by the end of JobKeeper.

The first are zombie jobs that would have been lost anyway if there had been no pandemic - but have been kept artificially alive by taxpayer funds.

This could include a retail outlet facing pressure from online retailers.

As the economy improves and the vaccine rolled out, JobKeeper will end. Pictured is the employment to population ratio highlighting Victoria in Professor Borland's bulletin

The second are jobs that would have survived without the pandemic, but because the pandemic has transformed the landscape they are no longer viable - such as in the devastated aviation industry.

Professor Borland said that his dire unemployment predictions may be offset by other sources of employment growth - or worsened by another bout of coronavirus.

While working out his figures, Professor Borland hit upon a possible scenario of 550,000 job losses - but said that was a highly unlikely scenario.

The $90 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme had been scheduled to end at the start of January, before the Federal Government extended it to March 28.

The Reserve Bank of Australia in November credited the program with saving 700,000 jobs during the height of the pandemic when lockdowns caused hardship for many businesses especially in the hospitality sector.

Another 250,000 people are forecast to be joining the queue at Centrelink after March 28

Bankruptcies are also expected to rise, with CreditorWatch chief executive Patrick Coghlan saying up to 4000 businesses are expected to be insolvent after March .

This is in part because government subsidies kept zombie firms afloat.

Last year only half the normal number of businesses went under, with 4943 companies being taken over by administrators.

'There is definitely going to be a bit of a reset given there were thousands of companies that didn't go into administration that would have in a standard year,' he told news.com.au.

'That 3000 to 4000 is just companies that go into administration in a normal year  I think there are (going to be) COVID-affected administrations on top of that.'
NEW BERLIN, Wis., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- United Heartland, a leading national workers' compensation insurance company, proudly announces Lockton Companies as its Agency of the Year.

"We are pleased to recognize Lockton as this year's United Heartland Agency of the Year award honoree," said Steve Cooper, president of AF Group's Workers' Compensation Division. "Like United Heartland, the Lockton team is clearly committed to their customers. Together, we're proud to offer world-class workers' compensation products and services to our mutual customers. We've developed a great partnership with Lockton and we look forward to working with them for many years to come."

Licensed in all 50 states, United Heartland is a leading workers' compensation carrier with a customized approach to loss control, claims management and underwriting. The company focuses on six key business segments  education, healthcare, long-term care, manufacturing, non-profits/social services and wholesale/retail.

"It's an honor to receive this recognition," said Mark Moitoso, Risk Practices Leader, EVP, for Lockton Companies. "Client service is at the core of who Lockton is. We are thrilled to partner with United Heartland to support our mutual clients in managing their total cost of risk and continuous improvement."

About United Heartland

United Heartland is the marketing name for United Wisconsin Insurance Company, a member of AF Group. Insurance policies may be issued by any of the following companies within AF Group: Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, Accident Fund National Insurance Company, Accident Fund General Insurance Company, United Wisconsin Insurance Company, Third Coast Insurance Company or CompWest Insurance Company.

About Lockton

What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes us better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its 8,000 Associates doing business in over 125 countries to focus solely on clients' risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results. For 12 consecutive years, Business Insurance magazine has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance."

Contact:

Bob Lapinski

(517) 331-4890

[email protected]

AFGroup.com

SOURCE AF Group; United Heartland

Related Links

http://www.afgroup.com


IN the space of one month, the families of 326 people were left in shock and heartbreak after losing their loved ones to the Covid-19 virus.

May 2021 was the deadliest month of the pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago and the month with the highest number of Covid-19 cases.
ADVERTISEMENT

Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have protested the alleged imposition of candidates on them by Governor Seyi Makinde ahead of the local government election in the state.

The aggrieved members, who stormed the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, on Friday, were seen with different placards, expressing their displeasure over possible imposition.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read Oyo East LG says no to imposition, Oyo East PDP wants to pry election please, LG Primary election save us from imposition in Oyo East LG Council, We want a free and fair primary election.

The election, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, is expected to come up in May this year, but the protesters said the party leaders and Mr Makinde are planning to impose candidates who have already served as caretaker Chairmen.

One of the protesters, Lukman Adeyanju, who spoke on behalf of others, said we want the party to go by laid down procedures that mandate a primary election at local level to have consensus candidates. This will help have a level playing ground.

Some other inscriptions that corroborated Mr Adeyanjus position read as follows: Oyo state PDP elders and stakeholders flashback, remember what killed PDP. They dont wish the masses well, We say no to the imposition of candidate, Dont open the door for mass defection ahead of 2023 Oyo East local government PDP warns and Imposition kills the party, dont use it among others.

Mr Makindes Chief of Staff, Bisi Ilaka, who addressed the protesters on behalf of the governor pleaded with the members of the party and assured that Governor Seyi Makinde will not do anything that is contrary to the will of the people.

Also, the partys spokesperson, Akeem Olatunji, denied the imposition allegations.

He simply said nobody is forcing anyone on anybody when our correspondent contacted him.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu says her country has received a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines under the global COVAX scheme for poorer countries, a first for Europe.

"These 14,400 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will help us continue to immunize health-care staff and curb the spread of the virus. We are doing all we can to allow citizens of Moldova to gain access to more free-of-charge COVID-19 vaccines as fast as possible," Sandu said on Facebook.

RFE/RL's Coronavirus Crisis Archive Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region.

The pro-Western president thanked Germany and other EU member states, as well as the United States, Britain, Canada, Japan, and the European Commission for showing solidarity.

In a statement on March 4, the World Health Organization said the country had secured enough doses of vaccines through COVAX to cover about 1.7 million people, roughly half of its population.

Moldova has struggled in the global scramble to gain access to vaccines and welcomed donations.

The Moldovan drug regulator last month registered three vaccines -- Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and the Russian-made Sputnik V -- for use in Moldova.

Moldova's vaccine procurement has stirred a domestic political row as former President Igor Dodon, a Moscow-backed politician who lost to Sandu in November 2020, accused her of trying to block the entry of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. Sandu's office denied doing so.

Last week, Romania donated 21,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Moldova, enabling one of Europe's poorest countries to begin its vaccination campaign.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in December pledged Moldova 200,000 vaccine doses from its quota allotted by the European Union.

Moldova has registered more than 191,000 coronavirus infections and over 4,000 fatalities.

With reporting by RFE/RLs Moldovan Service
A culmination of swap meet meets flea market meets farmers market  no longer to be referred to as a swap meet, according to Mario Guerrero, City of Lompoc Recreation manager, will become the new framework for the outdoor market, to be relocated at the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce parking lot, situated on the corner of I Street and Ocean Avenue.
Wang Lei at work [For Women of China]

Wang Lei, with Guangzhou Customs District, has become China's first customs inspector to receive WCO (World Customs Organization) accreditation. She has been to Sri Lanka, and other countries, to provide training to local customs officials. "As Chinese customs is growing stronger, we have more confidence and opportunities to stand out in the world," she says.

After she graduated (in 2003) from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, Wang began working as a general staff member at the customs office in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

"It is a sacred job for me to be able to work at customs, as it is about guarding the gateway of our country," Wang says. She mastered professional knowledge and she improved her ability to observe passengers during her work at the airport. She had several notebooks, in which she recorded her work experiences and her thoughts about how to better carry out customs work.

Capable, Experienced

In 2011, Wang was transferred from the airport to the inspection department of Guangzhou Customs District.

"Customs inspection is about examining the import and export activities of enterprises, in accordance with the law. Specifically, we examine the accounting books, customs-declaration documents and other relevant documents," Wang says.

"Inspecting is the core of our work. We collect effective information, among huge volumes of data and documents, and we grasp the key points and make accurate judgment within a limited period."

Wang and her colleagues work in a careful and rigorous manner, and they also work in strict accordance with the laws, rules and regulations. Wang is good at finding clues in details and making assumptions when she conducts inspections.

Wang Lei (R) at work [For Women of China]

"Customs inspection is also painstaking work," she adds. "Our work requires many field visits, and we often work overtime. Sometimes, when we conduct inspections at enterprises, some employees refuse to cooperate. On one hand, we have to talk to them and persuade them to cooperate. On the other hand, we must carry out our work quickly and accurately, to make sure we find what we need for our work." "Customs inspection is technical work. The import and export enterprises involve various industries. We need to be familiar with various kinds of commodities, trade processes and business rules. We also keep learning to enrich our knowledge and improve our capabilities," Wang says.

Wang says customs inspection is literally a "check-up" for enterprises. "We help enterprises find their problems and loopholes, to ensure the legality of the import and export activities, and to promote their benign development. That is how we contribute to promoting global trade."

In recent years, Chinese customs has adopted an active-exposure mechanism. "If enterprises find problems through self-inspection and take the initiative to report to customs, they will be given light punishment or even be exempted from penalties," Wang explains.

"Customs inspection is an important part of customs follow-up supervision. Thanks to the severe crackdown on illegal enterprises, through customs inspection, a more impartial business environment can be established for law-abiding enterprises," she says.

On the World Stage

In 2017, the WCO decided to select international experts in customs inspection. The experts were expected to train customs inspectors in various countries, to help them improve their work capacity and their countries' inspection systems.

Inspectors from 50 countries applied. However, only four inspectors passed the final round of selection. Wang was one of those inspectors; as a result, she became the first WCO-accredited inspection expert from China. "It is recognition of my overall capacity, and also our country's customs governance capacity," she says.

In November 2018, entrusted by WCO, Wang went to Sri Lanka to train local customs inspectors. It was the first time that a Chinese customs official served as the trainer of a WCO training course, in follow-up supervision field, in a foreign country.

Forty-three senior or middle-level customs inspectors in Sri Lanka attended the course. "We have not only improved professional knowledge, but also gained a better understanding of China," one of the trainees said.

Wang Lei (L) visits an enterprise. [For Women of China]

After the course had concluded, a farewell banquet was held on the top floor of the Sri Lankan customs building. As she looked out the window at the night view, Wang saw a port that was under construction. Chinese companies participated in the construction of the port. "Looking at the lights shining on the construction site, I felt proud to be Chinese," Wang recalls.

"Becoming a WCO-accredited expert gives me a higher platform, and a wider vision. I feel lucky that I am a witness to the development of China's customs-inspection system, and that I have the opportunity to observe the development level of customs inspection in the world, from the perspective of globalization. It is the development and strength of our country that gives us the opportunity to go global," Wang says.

Wang Lei gives a lecture during a training course designed for Malaysian customs officials. [For Women of China]

Photos supplied by Guangzhou Customs and Youth Talks Studio

((Women of China English Monthly December 2020 issue))
Aligarh : , March 5 (IANS) After the Uttar Pradesh Police launched a manhunt in 2014 to trace the missing buffaloes of the then UP Minister Mohd Azam Khan in Rampur and then went on to search for BJP leader Ram Shanker Katehria's missing Labrador 2016 in Agra, the police are now searching for a grey African parrot with a red tail that has gone missing in Aligarh.

Well known orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. SC Varshney has lodged a complaint at the Kwarsi police station about the missing parrot.

Circle officer Anil Samaniya confirmed that the complaint has been registered at Kawarsi police station.

The owner has also distributed 'missing' pamphlets with a photograph of the pet.

A reward of Rs 5,000 is being offered for correct information about the missing bird.

According to the owner, the parrot named 'Mitthu' speaks English, calls out names and blows whistles.

The bird was all set to board a flight to London after completion of documentation work.

In the pamphlet, the owner has listed the qualities of the parrot that has an uncanny talent for accurately mimicking words and phrases.

"Mithu was bought by my daughter Saumya, who presently lives in London with her husband Rajat. Both are software engineers. Saumya is a bird lover. She had bought the African parrot almost two-and-a-half-years ago, online when she was in Bangalore," said Varshney.

The couple moved to London and Saumya was preparing documents to take the bird to London.

The attachment between Saumya and the parrot was so great that she never confined the bird to a cage.

Meanwhile, a police officer said that tracking down a bird was a 'near impossible task' since it does not stay in one place.

"However, we are keeping an eye on bird markets and will catch if anyone tries to sell it off," he said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
ADVERTISEMENT

After almost two weeks of reporting relatively low daily infection figures, Nigeria recorded 709 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

Nigeria suffered its worst phase of the COVID-19 outbreak between December and January as daily infections averaged over 1,000.

Recently however, infection figures have been relatively low with daily cases hovering between 300 and 700 in the past 13 days.

Thursdays figure is thus the highest in about two weeks.

Thursdays 709 new cases, recorded in 21 states, is also higher than the 479 reported on Wednesday, signaling a possible return of high daily figures.

With the latest figure, the total infection tally in the country is now 157,671, according to an update published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Thursday night.

Nigerian, on Thursday, also recorded 12 deaths from COVID-19 as the country plans to commence vaccination after taking delivery of four million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines on Tuesday.

The fatality toll in the country has relatively been on the rise. Thursdays death tally raised the fatality toll in the past three days to 44 in total.

With the latest figure, the total fatality toll in the country is now 1,951, according to the NCDC.

Health experts believe the official data under-reports both infections and deaths because of the countrys limited testing capacity.

Nigeria, Africas most populous nation, has so far conducted test figures less than one per cent of the countrys 200 million population. Nigeria has conducted 1,544,008 tests so far.

Specifics

The 709 new cases were reported from 21 states  Adamawa (180), Lagos (141), Ondo (60), Anambra (54), Rivers (41), Taraba (33), Edo (30), Abia (22), Kaduna (22), FCT (21), Akwa Ibom (20), Kano (20), Plateau (11), Ekiti (10), Kebbi (10), Nasarawa (10), Bayelsa (7), Ogun (5), Osun (5), Oyo (5), and Gombe (1).

Adamawa had the highest daily figure on Thursday with 180 new cases while Lagos followed with 141 new infections to extend its lead as the most impacted city in Nigeria.

More than two-third of the over 157,000 people infected by COVID-19 in Nigeria have recovered after treatment. A total of 136,335 people have recovered after treatment.

The NCDC disclosed that 504 people were discharged Thursday after testing negative to the virus.

Thursdays discharges include 229 community recoveries in Lagos State, 144 in Imo and 45 in Akwa Ibom.

Meanwhile, over 20,000 infections are still active in the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 13:41:56|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- - - -

HAVANA -- Cuba on Thursday started phase 3 clinical trials of its Soberana 02 COVID-19 vaccine, Vicente Verez, director general of Cuba's Finlay Institute of Vaccines, told a press conference.

"We are entering a crucial phase to demonstrate the efficacy of the vaccine," he said. "Results from preclinical studies are public and being submitted to important scientific magazines."

- - - -

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia on Friday confirmed 23 more local COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infected people linked to the third community transmission to 425, said a Ministry of Health (MoH) statement.

The new cases were found in capital Phnom Penh, Preah Sihanouk province, Koh Kong province and Kandal province, the statement said, adding that they were all related to the third community outbreak on Feb. 20.

- - - -

WELLINGTON -- New Zealand reported no new COVID-19 cases both in the community and in managed isolation on Friday.

The total number of active cases in New Zealand is 68, and the total number of confirmed cases is 2,033, according to the Ministry of Health.

- - - -

SANTIAGO -- Chile's Metropolitan Region registered more than 1,000 COVID-19 cases in a single day, with a dozen cities across the country to enter lockdown due to a spike in infections, Health Minister Enrique Paris said Thursday.

In the Metropolitan Region, Chile's administrative and commercial hub, 1,149 new cases were reported in the last day, while 4,567 new cases were detected nationwide, according to the Health Ministry.

- - - -

BEIJING -- The Chinese mainland reported no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the National Health Commission said Friday.

Nine new imported COVID-19 cases were reported on Thursday, said the commission in its daily report.

- - - -

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil on Thursday registered more than 1,600 COVID-19 deaths for the third day in a row, following a record daily count of 1,910 deaths on Wednesday.

In the previous 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said, 75,102 new cases were reported, the second highest since the start of the pandemic, after the 87,743 new cases detected on Jan. 7.

- - - -

ADDIS ABABA -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa reached 3,927,562 as of Thursday evening, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union (AU), said the death toll related to the pandemic stood at 104,711, while some 3,503,397 patients across the continent have recovered from the disease. Enditem
Anjali Sharma, 16, and her litigation guardian Sister Brigid Arthur, 86. Credit:Justin McManus

Anjali Sharmas concern for the environment, her family and future generations is fuelling the 16-year-old students anti-coal mining legal charge that could have national implications.

While juggling her studies in year 11 at Huntingtower School, in Mount Waverley, she is also the lead claimant in a court battle with the Australian government.

With seven other teenagers from four different states, Sharma is taking part in a landmark class action that began in the Federal Court in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The group is challenging the federal Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley, to protect young people from climate change and the future harms of coal mining.
Andrew Cuomo's aides asked the state health department to change its definition of COVID nursing home deaths, it has been claimed, in a bid to reduce the total and lessen the criticism of the embattled New York governor.

On Thursday night The Wall Street Journal reported that Cuomo's team sought the changes in July.

The bombshell report comes hours after one of three women accusing Cuomo of sexual assault spoke out on television for the first time, adding to his horrendous week.

Mike Lawler, a Republican assemblyman representing Rockland County, was among those calling on Thursday night for Cuomo to resign.

'Its very clear the Cuomo admin understood their March 25th order had contributed to the death toll & they wanted to cover it up to avoid political fallout, plain and simple,' he tweeted.

'They had the data & they hid it. This was a coordinated criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice.'

Cuomo, pictured with his aide Melissa DeRosa, is accused of undercounting the death toll

On Friday the state assembly will vote on whether to revoke Cuomo's emergency powers, two months early. The additional authority was approved in the early days of the pandemic last year, and designed to give Cuomo sweeping powers to rapidly change laws, in the midst of the public health emergency. Calls have been growing for some time for the powers to be removed.

On Thursday, sources told the paper that Cuomo's aides' efforts significantly reduced the tally of nursing home COVID deaths.

At least 15,000 nursing home residents are now known to have died of COVID-19 in New York

Cuomo's pandemic: A timeline of the governor's response to the COVID-19 crisis MARCH 1: Female nurse, 39, returning from Iran becomes the first in New York to test positive for COVID-19. MARCH 2: Cuomo gives the first of 111 consecutive daily televised briefings for New Yorkers MARCH 13: Donald Trump declares national emergency. MARCH 14: An 82-year-old woman with emphysema is announced as the first patient to die from the virus. MARCH 17: New York City mayor Bill de Blasio says city should follow San Francisco with a shelter-in-place order; Cuomo says it will be statewide. MARCH 19: California Governor Gavin Newsom issues first statewide lockdown order MARCH 22: Cuomo signs statewide stay-at-home order. MARCH 25: Cuomo orders that nursing homes accept convalescent COVID patients back into their facilities. MAY 10: The nursing home ruling is reversed, to insist on a negative COVID test before return to a nursing home. By now, more than 9,000 people have returned to nursing homes. AUGUST: Questions begin to be asked about the nursing home policy. AUGUST 26: Department of Justice opens an investigation into New York's nursing homes and COVID policy. OCTOBER 13: Cuomo publishes American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic. OCTOBER 21: Cuomo announced a policy of isolating identified 'micro clusters' of COVID cases. NOVEMBER 20: Cuomo wins an Emmy 'in recognition of his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic and his masterful use of television to inform and calm people around the world'. JANUARY 28: Attorney General Letitia James released a report finding that New York under-reported the number of deaths among nursing home patients by around 50 per cent, with 13,000 actually dying - not the 8,500 reported. FEBRUARY 11: Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo's secretary, admits that in August they 'froze' when asked for nursing home data, and dragged their heels on releasing it. The AP reports that more than 9,000 people were returned to nursing homes to recover from COVID in the period March 25-May 10, a figure 40 per cent higher than the official tally. Advertisement

Cuomo was at the time facing questions over his March 25 order that nursing homes readmit convalescent COVID residents, to free up hospital beds.

Cuomo reversed his order on May 10 and insisted on a negative COVID test before return to a nursing home - but by that point, more than 9,000 people had returned to nursing homes.

He insists that he was following federal guidelines. His health department say that the vast number of COVID outbreaks in nursing homes were traced back to members of staff, rather than returning residents.

Critics say that Cuomo's rule caused a large number of unnecessary deaths.

In July, his aides asked that the data focused only on residents who died inside long-term-care facilities, leaving out those who had died in hospitals after becoming sick in nursing homes.

As a result, the report said 6,432 nursing-home residents had died - a significant undercount of the actual death toll.

The initial version of the report said nearly 10,000 nursing-home residents had died in New York by July last year, one of the people told the Journal.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that the report written by state health officials showed over 9,000 deaths from COVID-19 among nursing home residents by June and Cuomo's most senior aides did not want to make that number public.

They rewrote the report to take that figure out, according to interviews and documents reviewed by the Times.

Howard Zucker, the state health commissioner, agreed that the data showing deaths among residents, who died outside of their nursing homes, should not be included in the July report, the Journal said.

The July intervention came just as Cuomo was starting to write a book on his pandemic achievements, entitled American Leadership.

It is the earliest-known attempt to massage the official death toll data.

A spokesman for the department, Gary Holmes, told The Journal: '[The Department of Health] was comfortable with the final report and believes fully in its conclusion that the primary driver that introduced Covid into the nursing homes was brought in by staff.'

Beth Garvey, a special counsel and senior adviser to Cuomo, told The Journal in a statement that the data was excluded from the July report because they were not sure it was accurate.

'The out-of-facility data was omitted after DOH could not confirm it had been adequately verified,' she said.

State officials now say more than 15,000 residents of nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic broke out a year ago - counting both those who died in long-term-care facilities and those who died later in hospitals.

That figure is about 50 per cent higher than earlier official death tolls.

Following the July report, the Health Department resisted calls by state and federal lawmakers, media outlets and others to release the data for another eight months.

The true toll only became apparent in January when Letitia James, the state attorney general, begun an inquiry.

Cuomo has denied a coverup.

Cuomo and DeRosa are pictured having dinner in 2016, weeks after her wedding to another former aide to the governor, with an onlooker claiming Cuomo had his hand on her leg

Cuomo released a book about his handling of the pandemic and he also won an Emmy for his daily TV briefings

He clumsily attempted to explain that the total death count was always accurate, even if the deaths were recorded as hospital deaths rather than nursing home deaths. 'Who cares where they died,' he said - comments that enraged families of victims.

In February federal prosecutors began investigating a possible coverup of COVID deaths among nursing home residents.

On February 11 the health department updated their report to include out-of-facility deaths of nursing-home residents, saying its conclusions remained unchanged by the new data.

Ron Kim, a Democrat politician who claimed that Cuomo rang him and threatened to 'destroy' him if he did not vociferously support him, called for the governor to be impeached.

Kim, a progressive representing Queens who has been among the most vocal critics of Cuomo's handling of nursing homes during the pandemic, believes his own uncle died from a presumed case of COVID in a nursing home last year.

'15,000 nursing home residents died,' he tweeted.

'15,000 of our loved ones died. And Cuomo hid the numbers. Impeach.'

Bill Hammond, Senior Fellow for Health Policy at The Empire Center, who tried and failed to obtain the data over the summer, tweeted: 'This whole thing played out in plain sight.

'Anyone paying close attention knew the Cuomo administration was low-balling its nursing home death count, knew the July report was a travesty, knew Cuomo was B.S.-ing about NY's death toll being 46th, knew he was violating FOIL.'

'He felt like he was untouchable' Cuomo sex-pest accuser says NY Gov. 'terrified' her and 'propositioned her' during office meeting: Asked if she was 'able to enjoy being intimate' as a victim of rape

Andrew Cuomo 'propositioned' a 25-year-old advisor in his office, after quizzing her on her sex life and asking whether she had sex with older men, she has claimed.

Charlotte Bennett, 25, spoke out on Thursday night in her first televised interview.

One of three women to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment, she said the powerful three-term governor, who was giving daily televised briefings in the midst of the pandemic and was receiving a rapturous reception, 'felt like he was untouchable in a lot of ways' when he 'propositioned' her.

He asked probing questions such as whether, as a survivor of rape, she was 'able to enjoy being intimate' with men.

Bennett worked as a health policy adviser in the New York governor's administration, hired in the spring of 2019 and swiftly promoted to senior briefer and executive assistant only a few months later.

Bennett had a friendly relationship with Cuomo due to their mutual ties to Westchester County, and saw him as a mentor.

Charlotte Bennett, 25, spoke to CBS's Norah O'Donnell on Thursday evening

Charlotte Bennett told us she felt shame after Gov. Cuomo asked her sexually explicit questions.



I feel like people put the onus on the woman to shut that conversation down. And by answering, I was somehow engaging in that...when in fact, I was just terrified, Bennett said. pic.twitter.com/LEtgUYwMB3  Norah O'Donnell  (@NorahODonnell) March 4, 2021

She claimed that, in the spring of 2020, when she moved to Albany, he began quizzing her on her sex life and whether she dated older men.

She told Norah O'Donnell that the first awkward conversation was on May 15.

She revealed that she had been raped, and Cuomo seemed fascinated by her story.

Charlotte Bennett spoke out on Thursday

On June 5, she was asked to take a dictation and at the end he asked her to turn off the tape.

'He asked if I had trouble enjoying being with someone, because of my drama,' she said.

'The governor asked if I was sensitive to intimacy.'

Bennett claimed Cuomo, 63, told her he would consider dating 'anyone above the age of 22'.

She felt it was clear the he was propositioning her.

'I thought he's trying to sleep with me.

'The governor's trying to sleep with me. And I'm deeply uncomfortable and I have to get out of this room as soon as possible.'

Bennett opened up about the allegations against Cuomo in her first TV interview on Thursday

Asked by O'Donnell why she thought that, Bennett replied: 'Without explicitly saying it, he implied to me that I was old enough for him and he was lonely.'

Bennett texted her friend, detailing the encounter.

She told her friend: 'It was like the most explicit it could be.'

Asked by O'Donnell how she responded to Cuomo's deeply personal questions, in his office during a working day, she replied: 'I responded honestly.'

Bennett is one of three women who have now accused the governor of sexual harassment

The pair initially had a good relationship, with shared connections to Westchester County

Bennett and Cuomo's relationship took a turn in May when he began asking intimate questions

Bennett, becoming emotional, said that, on reflection, her answering his questions left the most pain.

'And when I was thinking of coming forward, that's where I held the most shame,' she said. 'That was where I was most uncomfortable.

'I think people put the onus on women to shut the conversation down, yet by answering, I was somehow engaging in that, or enabling it, when in fact, I was just terrified.'

Asked why she didn't walk away, she replied: 'It didn't feel like I had a choice. He was my boss. He was everyone's boss.'

O'Donnell asked whether she could have misunderstood Cuomo, Bennett said: 'I understood him loud and clear. It just didn't go the way he had planned.'

When Bennett first made her allegations, in The New York Times, she told a similar story.

'I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,' Bennett told the paper.

'And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.'

Bennett said Cuomo also told her he wanted a girlfriend, 'preferably in the Albany area,' and he was lonely since breaking up with Sandra Lee, a chef and TV personality.

She also said she tried to change the subject when Cuomo's comments were making her uncomfortable, telling him she was thinking of getting a tattoo.

Bennett said Cuomo responded by suggesting she put the tattoo on her buttocks.

Bennett, pictured at work, told Cuomo's team about her incidents with him

Protesters staged an 'I Believe Women' rally outside Cuomo's Manhattan office on Thursday

A protester in a Donald Trump mask lies on the sidewalk outside Cuomo's office on Thursday

Bennett said she informed Cuomo's chief of staff, Jill DesRosiers, about the interaction less than a week later. She said she was transferred to another job on the opposite side of the Capitol. At the end of June she also gave a statement to a special counsel for Cuomo.

Cuomo's special counsel, Beth Garvey, has acknowledged that the complaint had been made and that Bennett was transferred as a result to a position in which she had already been interested.

Garvey said in a statement that Bennett's allegations 'did not include a claim of physical contact or inappropriate sexual conduct' and Bennett 'was consulted regarding the resolution, and expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the way in which it was handled.'

'The determination reached based on the information Ms Bennett provided was that no further action was required which was consistent with Ms Bennett's wishes,' Garvey said.

Bennett said she decided not to push for any further action by the administration. She said she liked her new job and 'wanted to move on.'

Bennett spoke out several days after Lindsey Boylan, now 36, accused Cuomo of sexual harassment. A third woman, Anna Ruch, 33, came forward on Monday.

Anna Ruch, 33, (left) claimed Cuomo behaved inappropriately at a Manhattan wedding in September 2019. Lindsey Boylan, 36, (right) claims Cuomo commented on her appearance inappropriately, kissed her without her consent and went out of his way to touch her on her lower back, arms and legs

Boylan opened about her sexual harassment claims against Cuomo in an interview with Harper's Bazaar published on Thursday.

Who is Lindsey Boylan? Lindsey Boylan, 36, was deputy secretary for economic development and housing in the Cuomo administration from 2015-18. She is now running for Manhattan borough president. Boylan on February 24 became the first woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment: two others have since done so. She said that, from January 2016, Cuomo 'would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs.' She claims that Cuomo suggested playing strip poker while they traveled on a private jet in October 2017. Boylan also alleged that Cuomo kissed her on the lips in 2018 as she was walking out of a briefing. Cuomo has denied all of her allegations. Advertisement

She revealed she came forward after the Democratic governor's name started being floated as a potential nominee for a cabinet position in Biden's administration.

'I woke up the next day, and the governor was being floated for attorney general, the highest law enforcement position in the U.S.,' Boylan said. 'And I didn't think about it at all... I began tweeting about my experience.'

'After I initially came forward, it felt like I had intentionally blown up my own body into pieces all over the world, and people were looking at them. It almost felt like I had done this to myself. I had made that choice.'

Boylan claims Cuomo commented on her appearance inappropriately, kissed her without her consent and went out of his way to touch her on her lower back, arms and legs.

She also alleges that he once suggested a game of strip poker aboard his state-owned jet.

Meanwhile, a third woman - Anna Ruch - told The New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her just moments after they met at a September 2019 wedding in Manhattan.

Boylan said in her magazine interview that she has been in touch with Bennett but not Ruch, adding that Ruch's story made her feel 'nauseous'.

Cuomo on Wednesday rejected calls for his resignation in the face of harassment allegations

Anna Ruch told The New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her just moments after they met at a September 2019 wedding in Manhattan

Boylan, who worked for Cuomo's team from March 2015 to October 2018, first tweeted about an abusive workplace environment in the administration in December.

She elaborated on her accusations in a February 24 Medium post in which she said Cuomo once suggested a game of strip poker and on another occasion kissed her without her consent.

Ex and current Cuomo staffers say they're 'waking up to the fact they were in a cult' Nearly a dozen former and current staffers have detailed to Gothamist/WNYC the working culture inside Gov Cuomo's office after he was accused of sexual harassment. Some of the staffers say they weren't surprised by the allegations given what they claim is a bullying environment and intense work culture inside Cuomo's office. Former staffers have described working there as having 'Stockholm syndrome', while others said they're 'kind of waking up to the fact that we were in a cult'. Some said Cuomo was a 'micromanager to the 100th degree' and had a tough management style. One staffer who had a fellowship when she was in her 20s in 2013 described how she was quickly set up near Cuomo's office, with staffers later telling her the governor liked blondes. She was also told to wear stilettos when in the Albany office. Some staffers, however, refuted the toxic workplace notions. 'I think everyone there wants to do the best work they can. Sometimes that work-life balance is sacrificed. I was definitely burned out by the end of my time there. I didn't take it personally,' the staffer said. Advertisement

Cuomo has previously denied Boylan's allegations.

'I just want the abuse to stop. I'm really not focused on punishment. I'm focused on accountability. And I think we're seeing somewhat the way the governor (and his administration) operates, the way that they are, and it's being seen in real time. And I think that's really unfortunate, but probably necessary,' Boylan said.

Cuomo on Wednesday rejected calls for his resignation in the face of the harassment allegations.

He apologized and said that he had 'learned an important lesson' about his behavior around women.

Cuomo initially said he was apologizing to 'people' who were uncomfortable with his conduct. At one point, he said he was apologizing to 'the young woman who worked here who said that I made her feel uncomfortable in the workplace'.

'I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable,' Cuomo said. 'It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it.

'I'm embarrassed by what happened... I'm embarrassed that someone felt that way in my administration. I'm embarrassed and hurt and I apologize that somebody who interacted with me felt that way.'

Asked about calls for him to step aside, the third-term governor said: 'I wasn't elected by politicians, I was elected by the people of the state of New York. Im not going to resign.'

Cuomo acknowledged 'sensitivities have changed and behavior has changed' and that what he considers his 'customary greeting' - an old-world approach that often involves kisses and hugs - is not acceptable.

Cuomo said he inherited his gregarious way of greeting people from his father, the late former Gov. Mario Cuomo, and that he intended to be welcoming and make people feel comfortable.

He said he will 'fully cooperate' with an investigation into the allegations overseen by the state's independently elected attorney general. Attorney General Letitia James, also a Democrat, is selecting an outside law firm to conduct the probe and document its findings in a public report.

Bennett's lawyer, Debra Katz, said the governor's news conference 'was full of falsehoods and inaccurate information.'

She said Cuomo's claim that he was unaware he had made women uncomfortable was disingenuous, considering that Bennett had reported his behavior to her boss and one of Cuomo's lawyers.

'We are confident that they made him aware of her complaint and we fully expect that the Attorney General's investigation will demonstrate that Cuomo administration officials failed to act on Ms Bennett's serious allegations or to ensure that corrective measures were taken, in violation of their legal requirements,' Katz said.

The harassment allegations represent a deepening crisis for Cuomo, who just months ago was at the height of his popularity for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent weeks, he has been assailed over revelations that his administration had underreported COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.
The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Buki Ponle, has urged the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to ensure professionalism while discharging its duties in society.

Mr Ponle made the call on Thursday in Abuja when a delegation from the Guild, led by its President, Dotun Oladipo, visited him seeking assistance to enrich their news content.

He urged the association to continue its crusade and social responsibility in ensuring that journalism is practised rightly for development.

The NAN boss also urged the Guild to use its noble platform to correct the ills in society and highlight many developmental strides of the present government in the country.

He said: No matter what, criticisms are needed but when they are not healthy criticisms or not in line with development, they will bring reaction.

The NAN boss expressed delight to identify with the Guild, adding that social media had been put in a tight corner because of the noble role online journalism has assumed the society.

Mr Ponle said: In recent times, we have witnessed news disinformation, misinformation and total lies just to serve a purpose, but it does not help us.

It is high time we all looked forward to helping our country to get it out of this.

The Guild had sought a better partnership with NAN while also requesting a discount for the services members of the association is getting from NAN.

Mr Ponle said NAN, as a Federal Government agency, had battled for years to get out of a financial mess, adding that government resources were dwindling, especially with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Ponle, however, assured the Guild that NAN would review its operations, but appealed to it to take what it could offer presently.

He said: We have in the past months reviewed our operations and added value; the ratings are there.

I will urge you just to bear with us now.

It is painful for us to review upwards.

But how do we survive?

We can only survive if we add just a little for us to do what you are expecting us to do.

If NAN were to be a private organisation, it would either go down or increase its price to be at par with the market situation.

To do it the previous way does not pay us.

ADVERTISEMENT

We have considered so many issues and put so many things into criticism before we came up with the slight increase we have added.

Earlier, Mr Oladipo said the Guild had come to seek NANs assistance in offering service to his group at a cheaper rate due to the economic downturn, which affected every sector.

He said the economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 lockdown hit the Guild so hard that it decided to go into partnership with the NAN because it appreciated the role of NAN in the wide coverage of news concerning Nigeria.

He added: But for the online platform, it has not worked that way; we discovered that for both government and private businesses the level of patronage has drastically dropped due to bad economy, which has led to downsizing in most places.

Our records will testify that since we started, we have always fulfilled our part in terms of payment in spite of the level of hardship and COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

Mr Oladipo described the Guild as a body of eminently qualified journalists, adding that for one to qualify for its membership, the benchmark was that the journalist must have practised for more than 10 years in a reputable organisation.

According to him, the journalist must have risen to not less than the position of an Assistant Editor to qualify to be a member.

He said: Because we have seen a lot of disinformation and falsehood online and the question has always been how to help the country to overcome this challenge.

We have seen in the last couple of years how social media has developed and being put to negative use by many Nigerians.

How do we step in when there is authentic information to dwell on and we also believe that with the number of years that those who are members of this association have put into journalism, they have a name and people who keep following them wherever they go.
Gadchiroli/Mumbai, March 5 : In a significant achievement, commandos of the Gadchiroli Police bust an illegal arms manufacturing factory after multiple gun-battles with Maoists in the deep forests of Aheri, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said here on Friday.

A 70-strong force of commandos of the elite C-60 force battled the defensive Maoists' gunfire on three occasions as they charged into "the remote and virtually inaccessible core areas" of the rebels for over 48 hours before notching the stunning success, he said.

The massive operation was carried out under the police's Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) led by Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Ankit Goyal, to weed out the strongholds of the rebels in this Maoist-infested district.

"One commando has been injured in a bullet fired in his leg by the Maoists and he was rushed in a helicopter to the headquarters. His condition is stable," Deshmukh said.

The minister congratulated the Gadchiroli Police and commandos for their valour and dedication that resulted in this massive victory over the Maoist menace afflicting the state's eastern regions.

Recounting the series of events, Gadchiroli SP Goyal said that on Thursday morning, a C-60 patrol team came across some Maoists lurking in the forests near Murumbhushi village in Bhamragad sub-district on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh.

"They opened fire at the C-60 commandos, who retaliated with equal force and the Maoists fled away into the jungles," Goyal told the media this evening.

A search operation of the surroundings revealed a Maoist camp with their personal and other belonging, plus a full-fledged factory manufacturing arms and ammunition run on the sly in the jungles, he added.

The C-60 commandos found several large machinery and equipment used to make different types of arms and ammunition which was destroyed.

As the team was heading back after its success, it was again ambushed by Maoists, but prompt retaliation resulted in the rebels retreating back to their jungle hideouts.

On Friday, around dawn, a second C-60 patrol was diverted to the region to help the first team when they encountered a fresh round of attack by the Maoists.

"We retaliated and only one commando was injured in the gun-battle...He was lifted by a helicopter to the headquarters for treatment and his condition is now stable," assured Goyal.

While the operation of busting the illicit arms manufacturing unit has been completed, combing operations continue and it is not known if there were any casualties among the Maoists in the cross-firing.
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
Appointment

5 March 2021

Routten previously worked at the Epicurean for five years before being promoted to general manager of Fenway Hotel in Dunedin, Florida. Hyatt also spent time at the Fenway Hotel, where he served as executive chef when the hotel opened in 2018.

Routten has more than 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with 12 of those years being with Mainsail Lodging & Development. He began his career with Mainsail as a front desk host at Mainsail Suites Hotel & Conference Center, before working his way up to front office manager. He was later promoted to opening front office manager at the Epicurean Hotel in 2013, where he further distinguished himself and was promoted in 2017 to director of operations. During his time at Epicurean, Routten played an integral role in the achievement of many awards and recognitions, including Marriott's Best New Hotel of the Year in 2013, Marriott International Hotel of the Year in 2017 and the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards "Top 10 List of Best Hotels in Florida" for the past several years. In 2018, Routten was tapped by Mainsail to serve as the general manager of the Fenway Hotel, where he led the team through another successful opening.
eter Bonham Christie, 39, said claim was to get him drummed out of yacht club

A powerboating millionaire was cleared today of groping a woman between the legs outside the Royal Thames Yacht Club.

Peter Bonham Christie, 39, always maintained his innocence, insisting the motivation for the claim was to get him drummed out of the 245-year-old private members club in Knightsbridge, London.

The jury at Isleworth Crown Court took less than two hours to unanimously find Bonham Christie not guilty of one count of sexual assault.

Entrepreneur Bonham Christie, whose company transports expensive classic cars, was accused of 'lunging' towards the 27-year-old in the early hours of November 30, 2018, and thrusting his hand between her thighs.

Peter Bonham Christie, 39, always maintained his innocence, insisting the motivation for the claim was to get him drummed out of the 245-year-old private members club

Founded in 1775, the Royal Thames Yacht Club is the oldest continuously operating yacht club in the world as well as being the oldest royal yacht club

She told the trial she was left shaken and upset by the incident and her evidence was backed up by club member Andrew Sutherland, 60, who was enjoying a cigarette with her.

However Bonham Christie, who attended 40,000-a-year Millfield School, insisted he never touched the woman, but had gone outside to confront Mr Sutherland over a cocaine allegation he made about him.

He said: 'It's nonsense, complete nonsense. The whole thing is ridiculous. I know that I didn't do it. She's convinced something's happened, I didn't do it, that's it.

'All they wanted was for me to be thrown out of the Royal Thames Yacht Club. They got trapped in their lie. What they have done is wrong.'

The defendant had spent the evening at auctioneers Bonhams, where he had a contract to transport expensive cars for sale, before moving onto five-star Claridge's.

In total he consumed two glasses of champagne, two vodka and tonics and a glass of wine.

Bonham Christie insisted he never touched the woman, but had gone outside to confront Andrew Sutherland over a cocaine allegation he made about him

The jury at Isleworth Crown Court (pictured above, file photo) took less than two hours to unanimously find Bonham Christie not guilty of one count of sexual assault

He says that, at the yacht club, Mr Sutherland told a female friend and senior business client of him: 'Nice guy, nice guy, shame he takes too much cocaine', prompting the confrontation outside.

He said: 'I was fuming with what he said, but I got nowhere. He had just said to one of my senior clients a lie and I grabbed him and shook him.

'I said: "Andrew, what the f*** did you do that for? Why did you say that?" That was it.'

Bonham Christie was immediately discharged by Recorder Annabel Darlow QC following the jury's verdict and did not apply for any costs.
Few look to poetry for the sort of fireworks that erupted days ago when the fate of the estimable organization Young Chicago Authors and its longtime leader went up for grabs.

On Thursday, Kevin Coval, the 45-year-old man who had served as its artistic director for more than a decade, was fired following allegations that he and other YCA leaders had failed to address allegations of sexual assault and other troubles. Rebecca Hunter, who a few months ago aired her plans to retire as executive director in June, immediately resigned.

Taking over is Demetrius Amparan, a YCA alumnus who once served as its donor relations manager and director of publications and communications. He will serve as interim executive director. This was initiated by the YCA Board of Directors, who issued a statement Thursday that said, in part, These efforts are a direct result of actions by staff on behalf of the community we serve. We acknowledge community members have been advocating for improvements in YCAs safe space protocols going back as far as 2014.

________

Columns are opinion content that reflect the views of the writers.

________

Amparan went on Instagram to write, in part, I love this organization with all of my heart. It was a catalyst for saving my life as a 15-year-old and a space that gave me courage to share my story.  I want to acknowledge the brave individuals who have come forward and shared their truth in recent days and over time.

This upheaval caught many by surprise.

Oh, yes, it shocks and saddens, says Mark Eleveld, a teacher, poet, publisher and editor. I published Kevins first two books, and he has been a good friend to me and the youth of Chicago.

Eleveld and Coval were recently members of the committee that helped select Angela Jackson as the new Poet Laureate of Illinois.

However much YCA history may have been peppered with complaints, claims and controversy  none of it sufficiently notable to echo beyond the walls of its headquarters at 1180 N. Milwaukee Ave.  matters heated up in recent weeks.

Story continues

In a Twitter post by Coval on Feb. 25, he responded to a young woman who online accused a former YCA poet-in-residence of rape.

He wrote, YCA leadership hears you and are listening. We are committed to do better.

I have never been privy to the inner workings of YCA, but I have long followed Covals career and YCA, a literacy program started in 1991 by author-educator Robert S. Boone, who expressed its mission by saying, Kids have stories to tell, they have arguments to complete, they have poems they want to write. And they will, if you give them the right prompts, if you give them the time to write and if youre there to listen.

I have met many young people who have benefitted from YCAs programs in schools across the city and most of them expressed fondness for Coval. But over the course of the last few days, filled with Zoom meetings between Coval and some members of the board, Covals time at YCA came to an end.

Ana Wright, the organizations director of programing, said on Instagram that all programs have been paused as the staff creates a 90-day safe space plan.  We realize that we have to reestablish your trust and we understand that we have a lot of difficult and meaningful work ahead of us.

Believing his ouster unfair and perhaps illegal, Coval has hired an attorney. In addition to his work with YCA, Coval has a career in radio (he is putting his weekly podcast on WGN-AM720, The Cornerstore, on hiatus until further notice). He has also been a prolific writer, with nearly a dozen books in print.

Lets be clear: Neither Coval nor Hunter has been accused of a crime. They are accused of not acting firmly enough in response to some the allegations that have over the years been leveled against YCA personnel.

In the meantime, questions surround the fate of Louder Than a Bomb, the annual youth poetry festival/competition that Coval co-founded in 1991 (with Anna West). That first year featured four teams and 60 students. It has grown to become one of the largest youth poetry festivals in the world, with more than 1,100 kids from more than 200 area high schools. It has spread to other cities and been the subject of an award-winning locally produced documentary.

The finals were to take place in April, remotely of course, and the YCA website gives some optimistic particulars but also says, More information to come, stay tuned

Maybe it will happen, maybe not.

rkogan@chicagotribune.com
Youll have to say goodbye to winter weather advisories. And heat advisories. And wind chill advisories too.

The National Weather Service has announced plans to cease using advisories -- and special weather statements -- in the next few years.

The weather service plans to replace the advisories -- from winter weather to heat to cold -- with simpler statements that more clearly describe the weather thats on the way.

The changes are slated to go into effect in 2024.

The exceptions will be tsunami and small craft advisories, according to the weather service.

Advisories have typically been issued for certain weather threats that dont rise to the level of a warning.

Why the change? Its an effort to reduce confusion.

Weve known for a while that advisories can be confusing, said John De Block, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

Too many people believe that an advisory is a step down from a watch, when in reality its really notifying you that something is going to happen -- it just doesnt meet a threshold.

So the weather service, with the help of social scientists, has taken a look at its products and what we can do to make it easier to understand.

The overall project is called hazard simplification, De Block said.

Well be issuing just a plain statement that says thunderstorms with 30 mph winds, or snow of less than an inch expected, he said.

Were hopeful that it will help people take the right actions. When we talk about protecting life and property were trying to convey information regarding a potentially hazardous situation, and the last thing we want to do is confuse people.

Advisories arent the only thing changing.

Next month the weather service is also planning to change its severe thunderstorm warnings a bit to convey the threats from particularly dangerous cells.

Starting on April 28 a severe thunderstorm warning may have a tag on it.

Some could be tagged considerable and others extreme.

De Block used the derecho that caused widespread damage in Iowa last year as prime example of a storm that would merit an extreme tag.

So starting April 28th will will have the ability to trigger Wireless Emergency Alerts with the highest category of thunderstorms, he said.

Were just trying to communicate more clearly the most significant high-impact events to the public so we can hopefully protect lives and property.

The new thunderstorm warnings will be used as needed starting on April 28. The dropping of advisories will take longer  2024, according to the weather service.

First the NWS will issue public surveys to gauge reaction to the change.

Read more about the changes here.
The body is amazing at healing itself. However, sometimes it can overdo it. Excess scarring after abdominal and pelvic surgery within the peritoneal cavity can lead to serious complications and sometimes death. The peritoneal cavity has a protective lining containing organs within our abdomen. It also contains fluid to keep the organs lubricated. When the lining gets damaged, tissue and scarring can form, creating problems. Researchers at the University of Calgary and University of Bern, Switzerland, have discovered what's causing the excess scarring and options to try to prevent it.

"This is a worldwide concern. Complications from these peritoneal adhesions cause pain and can lead to life-threatening small bowel obstruction, and infertility in women," says Dr. Joel Zindel, MD, University of Bern, Switzerland, and first author on the study who worked on this research as a Swiss National Science Foundation research fellow at the University of Calgary. "People sometimes require a second surgery."

The research published in Science, was conducted in mice and shows the excess scarring is caused by macrophages, a type of white blood cell that rushes to the surgical site to start to repair the injury.

"Joel developed a new method using the highly specialized imaging equipment in my lab that gave scientists the first look at what these macrophages are doing in real-time," says Dr. Paul Kubes, PhD, principal investigator on the study and professor at the Cumming School of Medicine. "We are still working to understand why the macrophages take on this repair work as they are known for attacking pathogens. Whatever they are responding to, it's clear their involvement is causing the scarring problem."

The researchers also discovered two ways to inhibit this natural response. They either removed the macrophages, or they introduced a drug to block the macrophage stickiness. Both processes were very effective in stopping the adhesions.

"We believe the macrophage response has not made the evolutionary leap to understand that surgery is beneficial and not a threat to survival," says Kubes. "It's possible, that the body is reacting to the surgery, that having the organs exposed to the environment is interpreted as a threat, like an attack from a predator. The body doesn't understand that the surgeon will do the critical repair work."

Macrophages are also present in humans, and the research team believes the response seen in mice is likely to translate to both adults and children. They hope to move to trials on human cells, soon, and eventually clinical trials.

"Every surgeon does operations for people who have these abdominal adhesions," says Zindel. "It would be amazing to be able to prevent this surgical complication. It would not only benefit individuals, it would create significant savings for the healthcare system, by reducing hospital costs for readmission and surgery."

###

The basic research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council while the clinical application was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Kubes is supported by Heart & Stroke and the CIHR Canada Research Chairs Program and Zindel is supported from a fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation.

This research was possible with support from the Nicole Perkins Microbial Communities Core Lab, the Live Cell Imaging Resource Laboratory at the Cumming School of Medicine, and the Microscopy Imaging Center (MIC) of the University of Bern.
The United States hopes for credible, concrete progress after the nuclear deals European signatories backed down from censuring Iran, and Tehran agreed to meet with technical experts over the discovery of uranium particles at its undeclared nuclear sites.

During a meeting of the 35-member Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Britain, France and Germany on Thursday abandoned a planned resolution that would have condemned Tehrans lack of cooperation with the IAEA, including Iran's preventing inspectors from making short-notice visits to its nuclear facilities.

Last week, Reuters obtained a US position paper submitted to IAEA members that urged the agencys board to call on Iran to reverse its breaches of the deal and cooperate with the IAEA to explain how uranium particles were found at old, undeclared sites.

The E3 decided with the full support of the United States that the best way to support the IAEAs process was to refrain from putting forward the draft resolution, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Wednesday, adding that the United States is pleased with the outcome of the meeting.

"We will look forward with strong interest for Iran's willingness to engage in a way that leads to credible, concrete progress," Price said.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told a news conference in Vienna on Thursday that experts from his watchdog agency will now hold a "technical" dialogue with Iran at the beginning of April, with the hopes of having a far more clear understanding of this issue by the summer or before.

The developments come as the United States and Iran are at odds over who should make the first move to restart diplomacy over the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018. Tehran insists that it will only roll back its breaches of the nuclear agreement after Washington lifts sanctions  a nonstarter, the Biden administration says.

Last month, the United States said it was willing to attend an informal meeting of the deals original signatories to discuss a path forward on the nuclear issue. Iran hasnt committed to attending, and on Thursday, President Hassan Rouhani accused European powers at the IAEA of playing political games.

But Price told reporters, We have stated very clearly that what we are prepared to do is to engage in constructive dialogue. That is the offer that's been on the table."
YouTube said on Friday that it had cut five television channels run by Myanmars military from its platform, the latest in a string of moves by American internet giants to pare back the militarys online footprint since it seized power in a coup last month.

The company  a unit of Alphabet, which also owns Google  said in a statement that it had removed the channels and videos based on its community guidelines, though it did not specify what rules the military had broken. The blocked channels included the government-run Myanmar Radio and Television and the military-owned Myawaddy Media, both of which broadcast news, sports, military propaganda and martial anthems.

The removal came at the end of the bloodiest week of protests since the military overthrew Myanmars fragile democratic government on Feb. 1. On Wednesday, more than 30 people were killed as the security forces used increasingly brutal means to crush anti-coup protests. At least one person, a 20-year-old man who was shot in the neck, was killed during a protest on Friday in the city of Mandalay.

Myanmars post-coup politics have also played out digitally. Protesters have used social media sites to plot demonstrations, to spread memes denouncing the generals power grab and to share videos of police and military violence.
Victorian Inquiry Recommends Ban on Nazi Symbols

Displaying symbols of Nazi ideology could be banned in the Australian state of Victoria following a parliamentary inquiry into the states anti-vilification laws.

The potential ban would include the Nazi swastika, but it was not clear from the report whether this would encompass other uses of the swastika by Eastern faith groups which for thousands of years have recognised the symbol as one of divinity and spirituality, such as those in the Buddhist traditions.

The states inquiry into its anti-vilification protections (pdf), put forward on March 3, also called for the laws to be extended to cover race and religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, HIV status, and disability.

Put forward after eight months of inquiry, the report found the states Racial and Religious Tolerance Act legislation to be under-utilised and not effective in promoting racial and religious tolerance and providing redress to victims of vilification.

It also said that vilification would be easier to prove if the legal threshold for incitement-based vilification was lowered, thereby making it easier to substantiate a complaint.

The inquiry followed warnings from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) that far-right groups such as neo-Nazis were a growing threat in Australia. It was also revealed that ASIO directed up to 40 percent of its counter-surveillance at far-right extremist activities in 2020.

For instance, in 2020 Victoria police had to negotiate with a regional council to have a Nazi swastika removed from a property because it did not meet criteria of an offence under the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, The Australian reported.

On Jan. 26, members of the National Socialist Network were seen performing Nazi salutes and chanting related slogans in the Grampians. The groups leader also posted images on social media of members posing in front of a burning cross, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

A protester performs a Nazi salute at the Shrine of Remembrance during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne on Sept. 5, 2020. (William West /AFP via Getty Images)

Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety David Southwick said the Nazi swastika, which was recently displayed in other locations in Victoria such as Geelong, Beulah, the Grampians, Cranbourne, and Kyabram, was used in a deliberate attempt to intimidate others.

Every Victorian deserves to go about their daily lives free from the spectre of fear, intolerance, or hate and the time to ban the swastika is now, Southwick said.

But Dara MacDonald, a research fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs, told a public hearing on the matter that incidents of vilification mostly occurred on the fringes of society and, in her observation, had decreased over time.

At the fringes, you are always going to have people that are not tolerant, but I do not think that those numbers have increased over time. I would argue that those have become more marginal, she said (pdf).

MacDonald noted that anti-vilification laws were already in place, yet incidents, like the one in Beulah, still happened.

No-one is disputing that this a bad thing and that we need to stop it, but the question is what the role of the law should be, she added. And the second question iseven if we do have speech codes, whether they are actually effective.

From what I have seen, you cannot actually stop people from holding views because of a law, basically. If they are going to hold an abhorrent view, they are going to hold it, regardless of whether the law says it or not, she said.

She suggested the solution is for civil society to use education to inculcate young people, rather than a top down approach whereby people are told what can and cannot be said or done.

The committee, which was made up of three Labor MPs, two Liberals, and two independents, recommended that the Victorian government make it a criminal offence to display symbols of Nazi ideology, including the Nazi swastika, with considered exceptions to the law.

This would allow Victoria Police to immediately remove Nazi symbols that are on deliberate display to vilify targeted communities, the report read.

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission would also be given more enforcement powers.

Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said the report was a triumph for the victims of the Holocaust, survivors, and Australian soldiers who fought against the Third Reich regime.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday indicated his government would support the changes as outlined in the report.

Ancient Origins of the Swastika

Ancient Roman Mosaics in Villa Romana La Olmeda (Wikimedia Commons)

Before the right-facing swastika was appropriated by the Nazis, and rotated to 45 degrees to become a hate symbol, for thousands of years, the symbol was venerated by ancient Indian Buddhists and ancient Western cultures as a symbol of light and peace.

It was also used in Ancient Greece and can be found in the remains of the ancient city of Troy, which existed 4,000 years ago. It was used by the ancient Druids and the Celts, and is reflected in many artefacts that have been discovered. It was also used by Nordic tribes and even early Christians as one of their symbols.

As recently as WW1, swastikas were often printed on the sides of planes and kept by soldiers as symbols of good luck.

Soldiers tags from WW1 with a friendship swastika symbol at the Australian War Memorial. (The Epoch Times)

The word swastika is a Sanskrit word (svastika) meaning It is, well being, good existence, and good luck. However, it is also known by different names in different countrieslike wan in China, manji in Japan, fylfot in England, Hakenkreuz in Germany, and tetraskelion or tetragammadion in Greece.

AAP contributed to this report.
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has filed a police complaint here against a production company for circulating a fake film poster featuring him, an official said on Thursday.

Shetty, who filed the complaint at the Versova police station on Wednesday, accused the production company of using his photo without permission and lying about him playing the lead role in the film, he said.

Suniel Shetty

No FIR has been registered yet.

According to the official, the 59-year-old actor has alleged that producers at the company have shared a fake poster of the movie with which he is not associated.

The incident came to light after the poster found its way on social media platforms.

Case registered

Shetty has alleged the company is also contacting people and asking for money in his name, the official said, citing the complaint.

The actor has termed the production house's act as a "complete fraud".

Senior inspector at the Versova police station, Siraj Inamdar said, We have received the complaint, but no FIR has been filed yet and no one has been called for recording statement. We are conducting our investigation.
Veritas Forum cancels discussion on critical race theory after uproar over speaker

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The Veritas Forum, a nonprofit group that explores truth and life through various disciplines, including religion and science, apologized Monday and canceled a discussion on critical race theory after critics pointed out that one of their featured speakers was not a leading expert on race and Christianity.

Willie James Jennings, an associate professor of systematic theology and Africana studies at Yale Divinity School, and Neil Shenvi, a blogger with a Ph.D. in theoretical chemistry, were set to discuss whether a secular worldview like critical race theory can address racism or if Christianity provides a unique response.

While Shenvi has discussed critical race theory on several panels and written a number of articles on the issue, he has no academic training in the subject matter. The event, which was set to take place virtually on March 4, describes both speakers as leading experts on the topic of race and Christianity.

How does racism manifest itself today? Can a secular worldview provide a grounds for addressing such evils, or does Christianity yield a unique response? Is Critical Theory an epistemically justified and useful tool in the fight against modern injustices? the promotion for the forum asked. Leading experts on the topic of race and Christianity Dr. Willie Jennings and Dr. Neil Shenvi will engage in a thought-provoking virtual dialogue at this years Veritas Forum.

The forum, which was sponsored by the University of Washington chapter of Ratio Christi, an apologetics evangelism organization that "builds thoughtful Christians and shares compelling reasons for following Christ at universities," quickly came under fire from critics, including several academics, for describing Shenvi as a leading expert on the subject matter.

That's just flat-out dishonest. @veritasforum, please take that language down. In what world? Samuel Perry, associate professor in the department of sociology at the University of Oklahoma, whose research areas include religion, culture, families and race, asked in a tweet Monday evening.

Even if we were to practice the philosophical exercise of hypothesizing what alternate realities could exist; in what possible world would Neil be an expert on Race & Christianity @veritasforum? Whatever possible world in which that reality exists, it isnt in this one, theologian Kyle J. Howard argued in another tweet.

Several hours later on Monday night, Veritas Forum announced the cancellation of the event, along with a mea culpa in a statement on Twitter.

We have canceled the Veritas Forum on race and reconciliation that was scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 4, the group said.

At Veritas, we value rigor and respect around lifes most important questions, inviting those with opposing worldviews to the table, and expertise as well as honesty and truth. We also value critique, learning, and admitting our mistakes, they explained. We failed to live up to our values. We did not pair one scholar with relevant subject-matter expertise with another of equal expertise, and we did not describe their credentials accurately. We also recognize that there are deeper racial dynamics at play, and we lament any pain that we caused. We apologize.

Shenvi told The Christian Post in an interview Tuesday that while he agrees it was a mistake for the forum to promote him as a leading expert on race, he believes the discussion could have continued.

Im disappointed. I was looking forward to it, I prepared a bunch, but these things happen. Theres not much I can do, he said.

The Veritas Forum did list me as a leading expert on race, which I certainly am not, prof[essor] Jennings certainly is, he added, while making it clear that there is nothing wrong with a debate between an expert and a non-expert. As long as both parties agree to the debate, he said he did not see it as a problem.

If they agree to do it, its fine. Theres nothing wrong with doing it. The Veritas Forum had other experts of various kinds dialogue with non-experts, he said.

If I ended up having bad arguments, I think that would have been exposed in the dialogue. The aim of these dialogues is to get to truth, to hear both sides. Both before and after the event was canceled, people talked to me and expressed disappointment because they wanted to hear that dialogue, he added.

Jennings did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CP on Tuesday, but The Veritas Forum received mixed reactions for canceling the discussion between the race scholar and Shenvi.

Well done. Have the debates, but dont disrespect a world-class black scholar by pairing him with a Blogger who has already demonstrated ineptitude in understanding both sociology & theology, and in late their credentials. Thanks @veritasforum, wrote Howard on Twitter.

Eric Reed, pastor of the Journey Church in Tennessee, called the cancellation weak.

This is weak. Theres a reason why Veritas Forum invited Neil to participate in the event, but progressive Twitter got angry. If hes so unqualified, let him get up there and get humiliated by his lack of knowledge ... if thats really the issue. Were becoming such pansies, Reed wrote on Twitter.

Critical race theory, as explained by Purdue University, "is a theoretical and interpretive mode that examines the appearance of race and racism across dominant cultural modes of expression." Through this framework, scholars seek to "understand how victims of systemic racism are affected by cultural perceptions of race and how they are able to represent themselves to counter prejudice."

The subject matter has been controversial, especially in evangelical circles in recent years. In summer 2019, the Southern Baptist Convention passed Resolution 9, On Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, with much dissent.

It notes in part that while critical race theory and intersectionality alone are insufficient to diagnose and redress the root causes of the social ills that they identify, which result from sinthese analytical tools can aid in evaluating a variety of human experiences.

In recent months in the wake of racial protests, Southern Baptists like Texas Pastor Dwight McKissic Sr. have argued there is a growing movement to rescind it.

Christopher Lee Bolt, a pastor-teacher at Elkton Baptist Church in Tennessee and head of theology at Legacy Bible College, said Tuesday that the arguments against Shenvi speaking at the Veritas Forum is evidence of why he believes SBC Resolution 9 should not have been adopted.

The arguments against Neil Shenvi speaking at something like the Veritas Forum because he is said to lack the proper expertise in the area of Critical Race Theory is the main reason I now believe Resolution 9 should have never come to the floor at the Southern Baptist Convention, he said.

Shenvi told CP on Tuesday that he had been planning to use respected professor of sociology at Baylor University, George Yanceys model of mutual accountability for the discussion.

He then quoted the closing line of the opening statement he had planned to deliver at the forum.

We need to talk to each other rather than yell at each other. We need to call each other brother and sister rather than call each other racist and Marxist. So lets reject unbiblical approaches to fighting racism and embrace a better one, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 05:43:15|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

PARIS, March 4 (Xinhua) -- To contain the spread of new coronavirus variants in France, Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday announced weekend lockdown in more areas, tougher rules against social mixing in high-risk regions and faster vaccination rollout.

The northern department of Pas-de-Calais will move into lockdown starting this weekend. The incidence rate there hit 400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, double the national average. The number of new infections surged by 23 percent in the last five days.

As in Alpes-Maritimes and Dunkirk, people in Pas-de-Calais have to stay at home from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday, announced Castex at the weekly press conference on the sanitary situation.

He said that three departments -- Hautes-Alpes, Aisne and Aube -- are added to the list of high-alert zones, where large malls will close and mask-wearing will be reinforced in all urban areas starting from Friday midnight.

Local authorities will have the power to impose a ban on public gatherings on weekends in most crowded areas in these departments "under reinforced surveillance," Castex said, calling on inhabitants to limit their travel as much as possible.

"Next weekends, even if you don't have to stay at home, limit your social interaction. We have to hold on together," said the prime minister.

"In one year, a lot has changed. We learned about the impact of lockdown, its social, economic, and human impact," he said, adding that another lockdown is "not impossible but it is not inevitable."

Viral circulation in France increased over a couple of weeks mainly due to the virus variant first spotted in Britain, which "now represents over 60 percent of infections," said Castex.

On Thursday, a further 25, 279 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the country's cumulative cases to over 3.8 million. The overall death toll reached 87,835 after 293 patients died over the past day, according to health authorities.

Currently, 24,891 patients are hospitalized, 3,633 of them in intensive care -- down by 220 and 4 respectively.

The virus continued to circulate, but it was not rising exponentially as some experts predicted, said Castex.

"The fastest and most targeted vaccine rollout will allow us to get out of the tunnel," he added.

To that end, France plans to inoculate 10 million citizens by mid-April, 20 million by mid-May and a total of 30 million, or two-thirds of the adults, by summer. So far, 3,235,684 people have received at least the first jab, and 1,781,750 of them have got both doses, according to the prime minister.

He added that vaccine deliveries "will increase in the coming weeks" to 22 million doses over the March-April period, compared with 7 million shots received during the first two months of the year.

An Elabe poll released on Wednesday found that 75 percent of French people believed that the government's vaccination rollout is very slow. The figure is 7 percentage points higher than the pollster's January survey.

Meanwhile, the share of respondents who want to be inoculated increased by two points to 50 percent, according to the poll.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in an increasing number of countries with the already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 258 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 76 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain, and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on March 2. Enditem
A bid for a bulk cargo of shredded scrap from the United States was heard at $490 per tonne cfr Bangladesh over the last week, but no sales were concluded. Sellers said on Thursday March 4 that acceptable prices for bulk cargoes of shredded scrap were no lower than $500-510 per tonne cfr Bangladesh.Seller indications were as high as $510-520 per tonne cfr Bangladesh for US-origin composite deep-sea cargoes comprising a mixture of heavy melting scrap 1&2 (80:20) and shredded scrap, a South Asian trading source said.But buyers had no interest at these levels.A Bangladeshi steelmaker source told Fastmarkets that based on recent sales to the Turkish market, prices of $485-490 per tonne cfr would be the maximum that buyers could consider for deep-sea cargoes of HMS 1&2 (80:20) after negotiation.

Fastmarkets price assessment for bulk cargoes of steel scrap, shredded,...
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 01:30:11|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JUBA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan has launched its first ever 4G internet service that will boost connectivity in the country that previously relied on 3G broadband width since winning independence from Sudan in 2011.

Baba Medan Konyi, deputy minister of information and broadcasting, welcomed the launch of 4G internet services by Zain telecom services, adding that it resulted from concerted efforts of the government and Zain over the past years.

"It's the right time to have 4G internet since government is implementing the peace agreement, it will make communication easy among the people as we are going to disseminate messages of peace across the country," said Konyi during the launch in Juba on Friday.

He added that the government will provide security to all mobile operators to ensure improved internet service in the country.

Khalid Abdalla, chief executive officer of Zain South Sudan, said that they are committed to deliver the highest standard customer experience.

"We are delighted in making the best network in South Sudan even better. The 4G internet broad bandwidth places South Sudan among countries offering advanced mobile data services," said Abdalla.

Abdalla disclosed that they will be working closely with government institutions to roll out 4G internet services.

He added that Zain is keen to migrate its customers to the latest digital technology, with 4G also set to bolster the mobile experience of 3G services by adding additional network capacity. Enditem
EIB to provide additional EUR 20 mln to Ukreximbank to lend to SME

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide additional financing, namely a EUR 20 million loan, to be on-lent to local private businesses with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expanding the increase the funding limit to EUR 280 million.

"The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an agreement with the State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine (Ukreximbank) to increase the funding limit of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) Support Facility project to EUR 280 million," the EIB said in a press release on Friday.

"Additional financing, namely a EUR 20 million loan, will be provided via a parallel cross-currency swap in Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) and will be on-lent to local private businesses with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)," the EIB said.

The operation is part of Team Europe's overall response to the COVID-19 crisis, which aims to support the sustainable social and economic recovery of the region.

"Improved access to affordable finance in local currency is one of our main priorities, especially at a time when SMEs need strong support to overcome the challenges and the liquidity shortfall created by the COVID-19 pandemic," Head of the EIB Resident Representation for Ukraine Jean-Erik de Zagon said.

Chairman of the Management Board of Ukreximbank Yevhen Metsger said that the bank has a clear goal to direct additional financing to meet the specific and urgent needs of Ukrainian companies.

The EIB is an EU institution. It is owned by the EU member states. The EIB provides long-term financing.

The EIB has been operating in Ukraine since 2007. The country accounts for 60% of the bank's lending activities in the Eastern Partnership countries.

Ukreximbank, the sole owner of which is the state, was established in 1992.
Stella McCartneys fashion brand has seen losses reach almost 32 million - and the company has still not paid her more than half a million pounds she was owed.

The drop was so big that accounts show that a dividend due to Stella, 49, two years ago of 531,000 has not been paid, although she was paid 2.4 million last year.

Figures in the accounts show sales were down from 42.5 million in 2018 to 38.2 million in 2019.

Rising costs and administrative costs meant the company made the loss of 32 million compared to a loss of 11 million the year before.

Stella McCartneys fashion brand has seen losses reach almost 32 million in the past year

Reese Witherspoon wearing Stella McCartney at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2017

The drop in sales occurred before the global pandemic and the company said recovery from from the lockdown would be gradual.

The company has a flagship store in Old Bond Street and Fulham Road, London, but also earns money through royalties on designs sold around the world as well as link-ups with other brands like Adidas and Kering Eyewear.

And the firm owned by Stella, daughter of Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, said in the report that the Covid crisis had badly hit the company.

The accounts papers said: Our business was materially impacted by the Covid 19 outbreak and we expect the recovery in our sales levels over the medium term to be gradual.

McCartney's shop in Mayfair, one of 51 stores selling her clothes around the world

Stella's stores around the world Stella McCartney operates 51 freestanding stores (with 1,400 employees) in locations including: Manhattans Soho

Londons Mayfair and Brompton Cross

LAs West Hollywood

Paris Palais Royal

Milan

Tokyo

Shanghai

Beijing Her collections are distributed in 77 countries through 863 doors including speciality shops, and department stores, as well as shipping to 100 countries online. Source: stellamccartney.com Advertisement

"Prior to the outbreak of Covid 19 we were making good progress in delivering against our strategy.

The report added that online sales were good, but did not fully offset the decrease in demand experienced during the period that the stores were closed.

Regarding McCartneys pay it said: During the year payments were made to Stella McCartney of 2,440,555. The dividend declared to Stella McCartney in 2018 of 531,265 remains unpaid.

Stella's fashion brand is popular with a number of celebrities with Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon seen sporting one of her outfits in recent years.

In April MailOnline told how the designer had furloughed hundreds of her staff and asked those who remained working to take a pay cut during the coronavirus crisis.

Under Chancellor Rishi Sunak's rescue package, firms can claim up to 80 per cent of wages to a maximum of 2,500.

Unlike Victoria Beckham who backtracked on furloughing 30 staff at her fashion company following criticism, Stella McCartney did not change its decision.

Mrs Beckham also planned on topping up the on furlough's salaries an extra 20 per cent on top of the 80 per cent paid by the Government scheme, unlike Ms McCartney.

At the time, one employee said staff were 'extremely hurt' by the decision taken by McCartney.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Nearly 16% of Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but doctors say that's not high enough for people to stop getting tested.

If we think back to nearly a year ago, medical experts were scrambling trying to get enough COVID-19 tests. Now, it's the opposite. We have the tests, but no ones getting them. The CDC reported the average volume of tests nationwide was down 20% last week from the week prior. If fewer people are getting tested, that increases the chance of emerging outbreaks going undetected and asymptomatic people unknowingly spreading the virus. Sue Yost with the Freeborn County Public Health Department said testing remains the number one tracking tool. "There's been situations where people have thought that they had a cold and thought that it was just a cold and it turned out that it was COVID," she explained. "So it's important that you make sure and get tested, even if you don't have symptoms. If you've been exposed to anybody, make sure and get tested."

A huge reason for fewer people getting tested is because more of the population is getting vaccinated, which is a great thing. But testing helps health officials learn where the virus spreads, if there are any outbreaks happening and where we're at with re-opening. Yost said if you're wondering whether you still need to get tested or not even though you've already been vaccinated, the answer is yes. "If you've only had your first dose and it's a two dose series, you can still get the disease. If you've had the second dose, you aren't considered fully vaccinated until 14 days after that second dose," she explained. "But it's only about 95% effective, so you still have a 5% chance of getting the disease. So yes, you can still get the disease, you still should be tested if you think that you possibly could've been exposed."

Another concern doctors have about fewer people getting tested is because of the new variants emerging. The tests help detect when the virus is mutating. The Minnesota Department of Health Recommends students who are learning in the classroom get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year.
Noted Hollywood actor and STREIT Groups Brand Ambassador Steven Seagal has unveiled STORM, a fully electric multi-purpose tracked vehicle.

He also launched DHABI - a state-of-the-art MRAP; NISR - a mounted infantry troop carrier and ground support vehicle; and CONDOR  a cost effective MRAP.

The unveiling ceremony was hosted by STREIT Groups Chairman - Guerman Goutorov where he explained the huge achievements of the company and its efforts over the last 30 years to support governments in crisis situations and to save lives.

The brand-new STORM is the first tracked vehicle for STREIT Group and the first tracked vehicle ever manufactured in the UAE. This step is a huge step for the company and we are proud to have achieved this milestone, commented Goutorov. The other main

advantage of the STORM is that it is fully electric but also comes with additional generators.

STORM is designed to be used for a wide range of specialist military and civilian purposes. Built for the harshest environments, the vehicle offers exceptional mobility, reliability and features the latest technologies in ballistic, IED and mine blast protection.

Due to the versatile nature of the vehicle, the STORM is not only completely silent but can be configured with amphibious and sea floating capabilities. The STORM can be configured with remote control systems allowing for autonomous operations. Its cutting-edge look left an impression on everyone passing by the companys stand at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, Adnec.

Seagal was impressed not just by the capabilities of STORM but also by its design. The design of the STORM looks like a crossover between a Lamborghini and a Stealth fighter, and is definitely one of the head turners at IDEX 2021.

The second vehicle to be unveiled was the DHABI. The DHABI combines the best technology from around the world and was specially designed for the needs of the UAE Armed Forces and their efforts to achieve and maintain stability in the region, Goutorov explained.

The DHABIs V-shaped hull helps to deflect blast waves and debris away from the crew compartment. The lifted body and increased ground clearance enhance its protection against mines. With STANAG III adaptable blast and ballistic protection as a standard, and up to STANAG IV with add-on plates, DHABI comes at an advanced price but also advanced technology. DHABI will be used by customers in varying roles such as a mounted infantry troop carrier, ground support vehicle for dismounted troops, medical evacuation platform, long-range border control vehicle, or easily configured as a command-and-control vehicle.

Seagal, who assisted in unveiling the new vehicles, said: I believe in STREITs mission to save lives around the world and am honored to unveil these vehicles which will contribute to achieving that goal.

The third vehicle unveiled, NISR, is designed as a mounted infantry troop carrier and ground support vehicle for dismounted troops. Our engineers spent the last 2 years developing the NISR, using the latest technology from across the globe, Goutorov added.

Its state-of-the-art approach and departure level is unheard of in its category so is its power with 450HP, top speed of 120km/h and its maneuverability. It can be easily configured as a command-and-control vehicle, medical evacuation platform, or as a forward observation platform (FOO). The NISR offers occupants blast protection to STANAG Level IV. It features a V-shaped monocoque armored hull design as well as the floating seats offer advanced protection to the 10-man crew.

The final vehicle unveiled was the CONDOR - a newly designed MRAP with STANG Level 2 upgradable to STANG 3. High mobility and off-road capability mean this vehicle can be used in any hostile situation with exceptional field performance in urban as well as off road environments. This vehicle has 8.9 L Engine with 400 HP. CONDOR can be deployed in various mission by military and paramilitary forces.

We like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the UAE government who are running a successful event kickstarting the Covid-19 recovery phase. Their efforts and their excellent safety protocol allow us to meet our clients, partners and friends face to face again. STREIT Group has been exhibiting constantly since 2009, demonstrating the close ties with IDEX, and is proud to be the exclusive Diamond Sponsor for the 2021 edition. Tradearabia News Service
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 2.00 am ET Friday, Destatis is slated to issue Germany's factory orders data for January. Economists forecast orders to grow 0.7 percent on month, reversing a 1.9 percent fall in December. Ahead of the data, the euro traded mixed against its major rivals. While it rose against the yen, it was steady against the rest of major rivals. The euro was worth 129.45 against the yen, 1.1957 against the greenback, 0.8612 against the pound and 1.1113 against the franc as of 1:55 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Yu Xiaodong, a former soldier in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, has been teaching left-behind children voluntarily in a remote village in neighboring Anhui province for seven years.

She first visited the village in Meishan township, Jinzhai county, in 2014. She noticed that all the children were seeing a Chinese zither, or guzheng, for the first time when she played the instrument for them.

Teachers asked Yu to instruct the students, and she agreed after learning of the life the children were living. Most lived with their grandparents or relatives while their parents worked to make a living far away in big cities.

Yu was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010, and the fickle weather in the mountain village poses dangers to her health. But she ignored doctors' suggestions to stay away and lives in the village for at least 150 days a year.

Yu spent more than 200,000 yuan ($31,000) to buy 40 guzheng for the children, and prepared all the materials needed for the class.

"I told the school that I would pay all the expenses," she said. "No burden will be added to the children's families if they want to learn how to play the instrument."

The first batch of 32 students attend Yu's guzheng class in 2014. Many children learned to appreciate music and participated in social welfare music programs across the country.

"I cannot control my health," she said. "But I want my life to be meaningful. I hope that love can be passed on to the children."




More than a year after Italy endured Europes first coronavirus outbreak, the nation is still besieged by the virus.

Another 1696 people died last week, tipping the nations toll past 98,000  second only to Britain in Europe. Its epidemiologists have called on its latest government coalition to introduce another hard nationwide lockdown to stem yet another wave of infections.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi has been in the job for three weeks, taking control after Giuseppe Conti resigned when his coalition collapsed in a dispute over COVID-19 response.

The hard-headed former boss of the European Central Bank, Super Mario as he is known on the Continent has staked his reputation on fixing his nations vaccination crisis, recruiting an army general field-tested in Afghanistan to shake up a sclerotic rollout of doses to the nations regions. Only 70 per cent of the vaccines distributed so far have been administered, and in impoverished Calabria and hardest hit Lombardy, its even worse. More than two months after the first jab on December 27, only 2.48 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.
The Victoria harbor next to commercial and residential buildings in Hong Kong on Sept. 20, 2020. (May James/AFP via Getty Images)

Hong Kong Dumped From Index of Economic Freedom Due to Policies Controlled From Beijing

Hong Kong has been dropped from The Heritage Foundations Index of Economic Freedom this year because its economic policies are controlled by Beijing.

Hong Kong topped the list for 25 years till 2019. Financial experts in Hong Kong believe that the Chinese communist regimes rapid encroachment on Hong Kongs freedom has accelerated the deterioration of Hong Kongs economic environment.

On Mar. 4, the Heritage Foundation released the index for 2021. Singapore ranked as the worlds freest economy for the second year. Both Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions of China that are no longer included in the Index of Economic Freedom. The Heritage Foundation said in its news release that the reason they are no longer being ranked is because the index now includes only countries exercising full sovereign control over their economic policies, and in Hong Kong and Macau developments in recent years have demonstrated unambiguously that those policies are ultimately controlled from Beijing.

After the release of the Index of Economic Freedom, the Hong Kong stock market Hang Seng Index fell 762 points in half a day to 29,118 points on Mar. 4.

The Index of Economic Freedom is an annual report released by the Heritage Foundation, a U.S. think tank. It covers the economic freedom scores and macroeconomic data relevant to the economic freedom of 184 economies around the world. Hong Kong topped the list for 25 years until being replaced by Singapore in 2020.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong governments financial secretary responded to the indexs exclusion, The decision is neither warranted nor justified. It does not do justice to [Hong Kong].

However, Financial experts in Hong Kong shared with The Epoch Times that the Chinese communist regimes accelerated encroachment of Hong Kongs political freedom and judicial independence, especially in the last year, has fundamentally hurt Hong Kongs economic environment.

Hong Kong Financial Industry Employees General Union president Mr. Kwok Ka Wing told The Epoch Times that the action of the Heritage Foundation reflects that the international communitys perception of Hong Kong has become worse. And the central government and the Hong Kong government should carefully consider how to meet international standards, instead of breaking international rules and going back on their words undermining the promised one country, two systems and hurting Hong Kongs long-established economic foundation.

Hong Kong senior hedge fund manager Edward Chin said in an interview with The Epoch Times that the Heritage Foundation was established in 1973 and has a history of more than 40 years. It is one of the think tanks of American public policy. Therefore, the index published by the foundation will be used as a reference for doing business in Hong Kong. And this time the economic freedom index removed Hong Kong (and Macau), and the most important message conveyed was that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has fully integrated into China (Mainland) and is no longer free.

Chin said that Hong Kong people and international investors have raised alarms about the current environment in Hong Kong. Funds have either moved their Asian headquarters out of Hong Kong or are considering moving. Because the political risks and political persecution in Hong Kong are becoming more and more serious, as authorities can arbitrarily use the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law to punish businesses and professionals now, he explained. He revealed that some of the hedge funds he knows have moved out of Hong Kong to other regions such as Singapore and Tokyo.

Chin added that when Hong Kong is no longer Hong Kong, more financial and commercial institutions will choose to leave quietly.

Li Xiaotong contributed to the report.
New Delhi: Days after leading the Congress Shanti Sammelan in Jammu attended by senior party leaders, veteran politician Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday (March 5) said the party's victory in forthcoming Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory is his top priority at the moment.

"Victory of Congress party in forthcoming assembly elections is my priority at the moment," he told ANI. Senior Congress leader Azad who recently retired from Rajya Sabha and has been advocating reforms in Congress including immediate internal elections.

He also said he is available wherever he is invited by candidates or the party for campaigning. Azad is one of the key members of G-23 (or the group of 23 dissenting leaders, who had questioned the party's functioning in a letter to interim president Sonia Gandhi) calling for sweeping reforms in the party.

Last week Ghulam Nabi Azad along with other senior leaders openly expressed displeasure with the current state of affairs within Congress. Recently at another public event, Azad drew parallels between himself and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the latter has not forgotten his roots and proudly calls himself a "chaiwala" as well as he does not hide his true self.

Following the statement, Congress party workers burnt his effigy and raised slogans against him in a protest in Jammu. Many senior party leaders including Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president (JKPCC) Ghulam Ahmad Mir called the remark an "anti-party activity" and demanded clarification from him.

A total of 824 assembly constituencies will be going for polls in four states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry between March 28 and April 29. Results will be declared on May 2.

Live TV

In a maritime industry where size increasingly matters, the Port of Charleston is getting ready to take things up a notch.

The CMA CGM Marco Polo is scheduled to call on the port in May, eclipsing the French line's Brazil vessel as the largest container ship to visit Charleston and the entire East Coast.

The Marco Polo can carry up to the equivalent of 16,022 20-foot long containers measured. The Brazil, which first visited the port in September, can hold 15,072.

The Marco Polo, named for the famed 13th Century explorer and inspiration for a popular swimming pool game, is roughly 100 feet longer and 10 feet wider than the Brazil.

It will be a part of the Columbus Loop service, which originates in China and also stops at ports in New York, Norfolk, Va., and Savannah. The Brazil and another similar-sized ship are also also a part of that service, which travels via the Suez Canal and is part of the Ocean Alliance of cargo vessels.

When it made its debut in 2012, the Marco Polo was the largest container vessel in the world. It has since been overtaken by ships able to carry 20,000 or more cargo boxes. Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the State Ports Authority, has said one of those bigger ships  able to haul 18,000 or more 20-foot containers  will eventually call on the maritime agency's new Leatherman Terminal, scheduled to open this month.

Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email

Sign Up!

Among the Marco Polo's superlatives:

It is longer than five Airbus A380 aircraft placed nose to tail;

It has a 21-knot thrust equivalent to 10 jet engines;

It produces enough power for a town of 16,000 residents; and

It can fit an aircraft carrier in its hull.

The Marco Polo's specific arrival date hasn't been set, and port officials will provide further details when its dock time is confirmed.

The SPA has invested $1.7 billion in upgrades to Charleston's port  including taller ship-to-shore cranes, a refurbished wharf at Wando Welch Terminal in Mount Pleasant and the new Leatherman Terminal  to accommodate the bigger and heavier container ships that haul cargo around the world. That's in addition to $558 million the state and federal governments are spending to deepen Charleston Harbor to 52 feet so those vessels can visit at any time, regardless of tide.

Newsome said the deployment of ultra-large container ships has been the dominant theme of the industry in recent years. He noted that the biggest vessel to visit South Carolina 20 years ago or so had about a quarter of the cargo capacity that the modern-day mega-carriers have.

"Every aspect of a port changed with the need to handle those ships efficiently. ... We couldn't have done it if we hadn't invested in the new terminal and at Wando," he told legislators during a Senate Transportation Committee hearing this week.

U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris, attends a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on March 3, 2021. (Alex Brandon/Pool via Reuters)

Biden Sending Team to Mexico Border to Report on Influx of Children: White House

The White House is sending several officials on a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border as the number of illegal immigrants has surged in recent weeks, prompting warnings from local officials and House members about a looming humanitarian crisis.

President Biden has asked senior members of his team to travel to the border region in order to provide a full briefing to him on the government response to the influx of unaccompanied minors and an assessment of additional steps that can be taken to ensure the safety and care of these children, Biden administration spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement to news outlets on Thursday.

Patel did not say who will be making the trip, where it will occur, or when it will take place. Patel cited security concerns for the scant details.

According to Rep. Henry Cuellars (D-Texas) office, in the Del Rio Border Patrol sector alone, more than 10,000 illegal immigrants have been apprehended by agents in the last week.

The surge prompted President Joe Bidens team to re-open a Texas facility to house young illegal immigrants that was used during the Trump administration, which drew backlash from leftist groups.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other Biden administration officials have urged Central American illegal immigrants not to come to the Southern Border. Republicans and immigration hawks have said that certain Trump-era policies that were rescinded by Biden have encouraged more illegal immigration.

Biden, meanwhile, told reporters that the situation isnt a crisis.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Like Neera Tanden, Colin Kahl's got Twitter issues.

He's in line to become Joe Biden's number three man at the Pentagon, but his confirmation is running into pushback.

Senators are complaining about the former Biden foreign policy advisor's history of vile, mendacious tweets.

According to U.S. News & World Report:

PRESIDENT Joe Biden's nominee for the No. 3 civilian at the Pentagon faced a contentious confirmation hearing Thursday with Republican senators taking aim at his fiery tweets in the last four years that they considered "incendiary," "intemperate and imbalanced insults." Sen. Tom Cotton was the first at the Armed Services Committee hearing to center on some of the specifics of Colin Kahl's online presence during President Donald Trump's administration. The Arkansas Republican took issue with a tweet from October 2019 in which the former Pentagon staffer and Biden aide criticized GOP support for Trump's decision to unilaterally and suddenly withdraw forces from Syria, clearing the way for a Turkish assault on local forces that had fought and died for American interests there. "The GOP used to pride itself as a party that put values front and center in US foreign policy. Nowas they debase themselves at the alter of Trumpthey are the party of ethnic cleansing," Kahl wrote at the time.

And during the Trump administration back in 2018, Kahl said that if John Bolton replaced H.R. McMaster on the National Security Council, "we are all going to die."

He's quite charmer. And that's just two tweets cited. Obviously, he's on a warpath with Republicans and he can't put a stop to his bile.

Which is weird stuff for a guy supposedly in the foreign policy arena, and presumably familiar with diplomacy. Just his forecasting powers about who's gonna die ought to be a warning about his nomination.

But his insults are what's in the spotlight now. And like Tanden, he's belatedly trying to apologize. While they do indicate an intolerant cast of mind, not the guy you want advising Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on military policy, which is what he's nominated for, there's actually much worse about him that hasn't much been broached.

He's not just a guy who pops off, he's a guy who's enacted very bad policy. Exhibit A is in the major role he seemed to play with Obama deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes in getting the U.S. involved with the naive and stupid Iran deal. That's the one that brought the mullahs billions of dollars by planes carrying pallets, and gave the mullahs the green light to go ahead and develop their nuclear bombs.

Exhibit B might in some ways be even worse. He's apparently a dirty trickster whose name again is linked to Ben Rhodes.

Remember all those creepy stories that were planted and coordinated in the press falsely claiming Seb Gorka was really a Nazi? They were flamingly bogus and total smears, and the behind-the-scenes creeps behind them got away with it.

A 2017 White House memo, which the New Yorker scoffingly reported in 2018, points to a White House analysis of the many efforts to undermine President Trump's foreign policy, with Kahl named as the ringleader. They begin (emphasis mine):

In early 2017, some of Donald Trumps advisers concluded that they faced a sophisticated threat responsible for coordinated attacks on the new Administration. They circulated a memo, titled The Echo Chamber, which read like a U.S. military-intelligence officers analysis of a foreign-insurgent network. Instead of being about enemies in a distant war zone, however, the network described in the memo consisted of former aides to President Barack Obama. The memo claimed that the communications infrastructure that the Obama White House used to sell Obamacare and the Iran Deal to the public had been moved to the private sector, now that the former aides were out of government. It called the network the Echo Chamber and accused its members of mounting a coordinated effort to undermine President Trumps foreign policy through organized attacks in the press against Trump and his advisers. These are the Obama loyalists who are probably among those coordinating the daily/weekly battle rhythm, the memo said, adding that they likely operated a virtual war room. The memo lists Ben Rhodes, a former deputy national-security adviser to President Obama, as likely the brain behind this operation and Colin Kahl, Vice-President Joe Bidens former national-security adviser, as its likely ops chief. Rhodes and Kahl both said in interviews that the allegations are false and no such organization exists.

Who, us? Make what you will of their denials.

Neera Tanden made a lot of enemies through her schemings as a Democratic Party official plotting to steal the Democratic nomination from Hillary Clinton from Bernie Sanders. Now we have Kahl, who's been accused by the Trump White House of being one of the deep staters seeking to undermine U.S. foreign policy under Trump, which if true, suggests a highly unethical person.

Odds are good this master of the nasty tweet, charging Republicans with genocide, ethnic cleansing and making us all gonna die, over basic differences in foreign policy, might just be a political activist capable of dirty tricks, ya think?

If so, there's no telling what he would do with the military. He was probably selected for his nastiness, and would never hesitate to throw his acid-bath tongue and cancel culture at any of our troops who question his undoubtedly bad wokester decisions. Maybe he's telling the truth that he wouldn't dream of any such acts. But can anyone trust him?

Image: Twitter screen shot
China unprecedentedly declared that it was suspending the import of Taiwan's pineapples, reminiscent of the tariffs it imposed on Australian wines. Numerous netizens called for a freedom campaign to "pair Taiwanese pineapple cake with Australian wine" to support the two nations.

China Prohibits Taiwanese Pineapples

According to Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung, China's imposition of a prohibition on Taiwanese pineapple imports will eventually backfire. He said so in an interview.

Pineapples are the most recent products to land in China's crosshairs, as its derailing relationship with Taiwan reaches trade. For years, Taiwan's farmers have made great profits selling their pineapples to China's consumers, expanding their fields yearly, reported World Politics Review.

China's abrupt barring of Taiwanese pineapples fails to meet the standards of international trade rules, according to Taiwan's minister of economic affairs, Wang Mei-Hua. Beijing on Friday declared it would temporarily halt imports of the tropical fruit from the island from March 1, reported CNBC.

Pineapples reportedly comprise around 40 percent of Taiwan's total fruit exports. Ninety percent of them go to China.

On February 26, China's General Administration of Customs declared that pineapple imports from Taiwan would be suspended as of March 1. According to Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman from the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, harmful organisms had been detected "multiple times" on imported Taiwanese pineapples, reported Produce Report.

Chen stated the government got caught off guard because China did not implement a ban in 2020 when several of Taiwan's pineapples were discovered to contain insects. Chen stated if China continues using trade as a political tool, it will face drawbacks as nations committed to free trade will stand in unison and pounce back.

Also Read: China Bans BBC for Reporting News That Harms National Interests, but Move Is Seen as Retaliation

Even as cross-strait ties soured, Taiwanese farmers ignored warnings regarding their overdependence on the Chinese market. That all came to an end this week, right when the harvest season commenced.

The prohibition was put in place due to Chinese customs officials discovering pests in pineapples imported from Taiwan. According to a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, an administrative agency under China, the pests posed a severe threat to China's ecological and agriculture security if not intervened.

Ma remarked that to alleviate the risk of an agricultural epidemic, China's General Administration of Customs would ensue the suspension. However, he clarified this was a "routine biosafety precaution" based on science and adheres with mainland Chinese laws and regulations.

A rubber-stamp body, China's National People's Congress, is slated to open in Beijing on Friday. It is believed that the import prohibition is a politically-inspired move before its largest political meeting this 2021. Taiwan disagreed with China citing the detection of pests in justifying the import ban.

According to President Tsai Ing-wen, the ban is not based on normal trade factors. She described the unilateral notice by Beijing as an "ambush." She also has attempted to downplay the impact of the trade suspension.

Related Article: China Formally Detains Australian Journalist Cheng Lei for Allegedly Spreading State Secrets

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
JACKSON, Miss., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EastGroup Properties (NYSE: EGP) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.79 per share payable on April 15, 2021 to shareholders of record of Common Stock on March 31, 2021. This dividend is the 165th consecutive quarterly distribution to EastGroup's shareholders and represents an annualized dividend rate of $3.16 per share. EastGroup has increased or maintained its dividend for 28 consecutive years. The Company has increased it 25 years over that period, including increases in each of the last nine years.

EastGroup Properties, Inc. is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. The Company's goal is to maximize shareholder value by being a leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible and quality business distribution space for location sensitive customers (primarily in the 15,000 to 70,000 square foot range). The Company's strategy for growth is based on ownership of premier distribution facilities generally clustered near major transportation features in supply-constrained submarkets. EastGroup's portfolio, including development projects and value-add acquisitions in lease-up and under construction, currently includes approximately 47 million square feet.

EastGroup Properties, Inc. press releases are available at www.eastgroup.net.

SOURCE EastGroup Properties

Related Links

http://www.eastgroup.net


NBC News- WELLINGTON, New Zealand  Tsunami warning sirens sounded on Friday and thousands of New Zealanders on the North Island's east coast evacuated to higher ground after a third earthquake.

Workers, students and residents fled in areas like Northland and Bay of Plenty. Civil defense officials were on the ground to help people evacuate as authorities said tsunami waves could reach 10 feet above tide levels.

The latest quake had a magnitude of 8.1 and struck the Kermadec Islands, northeast of New Zealand's North Island. This came shortly after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in the same region. Earlier, a large 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck about 540 miles away on the east of the North Island. There were no reports of damage or casualties from the quakes.

New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the first waves would arrive on New Zealand's north shores by about 9:45 a.m. It said areas under threat were from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay including Whakatane and Opotiki, and the Great Barrier Island.

"We want everyone to take this threat seriously. Move to high ground," Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai told state broadcaster TVNZ.

Warnings were also issued for other Pacific islands like Tonga, American Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Hawaii and others.

Australia issued a marine tsunami threat for Norfolk Island but said there was no threat to the mainland. Chile said it could experience a minor tsunami.

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck off the east of New Zealand's North Island was felt by more than 60,000 people across the country with many describing the shaking as "severe". Aftershocks were still being recorded in the area.

"People near the coast in the following areas must move immediately to the nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible. DO NOT STAY AT HOME," NEMA said on Twitter.

"The earthquake may not have been felt in some of these areas, but evacuation should be immediate as a damaging tsunami is possible," it added.
Mumbai, March 5 : The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is all set to file a whopping 12,000-plus pages charge sheet against at least 33 persons, including film actress Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik and others in the Bollywood-drugs mafia probe case arising out of the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, officials said here on Friday.

The charge sheet, to be filed before a Mumbai Special Court, follow two cases registered by the NCB after an intimation from the Enforcement Directorate, which was probing the financial angles in Sushant's death on June 14 last year.

An NCB team with trunk-loads of the voluminous charge sheet and other papers reached the Special NDPS Court here to file it before a Special Judge.

According to senior NCB sources related to the probe, the drug law enforcement agency will be filing the first charge sheet running in over 12,000 pages against around 33 accused till date.

Besides Rhea, a girlfriend of Sushant and her brother Showik, the NCB sources said the late actor's ex-manager Samuel Miranda, his house help Dipesh Sawant, drug peddler Anuj Keshwani, from whom commercial quantity of drugs (LSD sheets and marijuana) were first recovered, figure in the charge sheet.

There are two foreign nationals Agisilaos Demetriades, the brother of actor Arjun Rampal's South African girlfriend and model Gabriella Demetriades, Kshitij Prasad, a former executive producer connected with Dharma Productions and two college students who are said to be the last mile peddlers, who are named.

However, senior officials remained tightlipped on the issue and declined to come on record.

In August last year, the NCB Mumbai had registered two cases related to the drugs angle which emerged in the investigations into Sushant's death.

Moving swiftly, the NCB had arrested Rhea and Showik, and several other persons in September last year, creating an upheaval in Bollywood circles.

The Chakraborty siblings and several other arrested-accused are currently out on bail.

On the morning of June 14, 2020, Sushant, 34, was found hanging at his duplex rented flat in a posh building in Bandra, triggering a massive furore in Bollywood and political circles.

Subsequently, the NCB spread its net wide and questioned several celebrities, including Sara Ali Khan, Shraddha Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Rakul Preet Singh, Karishma Prakash, and had nabbed comedian couple Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, who are now bailed out.

Simultaneously, the NCB has gone hammer and tongs after the drugs mafia in Mumbai with a series of seizures and arrests from Mumbai and surroundings in the past six months.

The Maharashtra government has repeatedly demanded that the CBI should make public the findings of the probe into Sushant's death -- whether it was suicide or murder -- in public interest.

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
A West Michigan man is working to form a new political party to replace Republicans with candidates who pledge to rigidly uphold conservative values.

Brian VanDussen, a 44-year-old Zeeland resident and Republican precinct delegate, said the Patriot Party platform focuses on election integrity, reducing the size of government and defending the U.S. Constitution. Tenets of the proposed third party align with traditional GOP positions, but VanDussen said Republicans who feel their representatives strayed from those values want new leaders to take our country back.

Supporters of former President Donald Trump formed social media pages to discuss splintering the GOP over what they perceived as insufficient support for challenging the November election results. VanDussen said the Michigan Legislature and former Vice President Mike Pence should have delayed certifying the 2020 election until allegations of fraud could be investigated.

The election happened and we just got sick of Republicans sitting around, not standing up for whats right, VanDussen said. Shortly after the election, when things mentioning a third party were going around on social media I thought if ever there was a time, it would be now.

Disagreement over whether Republicans should have blocked procedural steps to certify the election was a source of internal tension. Conservative activists and the Trump campaign pressured Republican canvassers and lawmakers to support the former presidents efforts to overturn his loss in Michigan.

Related: Michigan completes general election audits, no foul play found

Ultimately, bipartisan canvassing boards affirmed that President Joe Biden won Michigan by 154,000 votes. The states top elected Republicans said legislative committees found no evidence that fraud changed the outcome and Michigan confirmed its slate of Democratic electors for Biden. All of the legal challenges filed by Trump and his allies failed.

VanDussen said theres a very good chance that fraud caused Trump to lose the election, despite a lack of evidence. State and federal officials have said a small number of confirmed voter fraud cases had no impact on the results.

VanDussen questioned how Trump lost Michigan by a wider margin than Republican U.S. Senate candidate John James. Trump earned fewer votes than James in 25 counties, including Kent and Ottawa counties, suggesting some Republicans split their ticket.

Trump reportedly considered backing a Patriot Party, but later called Republicans unity in his first speech since leaving office. The former president also called on supporters to get rid of Republicans who voted to impeach him for inciting an insurrection on Jan. 6.

Lets start a new party and lets divide our vote so that you can never win. No, were not interested in that, Trump said at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 28.

VanDussen said hes not deterred by Trumps lack of interest in a new party. Hes finding support from people in 20 counties across the state who want to be involved.

It hasnt really swayed me, VanDussen said. It has never been about Trump, and Im telling people that over and over. Hes just one man. We need to take our state back and then we need to take our country back.

Third parties have historically failed to draw enough support to play a major role in national elections, so VanDussen is focused on recruiting candidates for local races. He isnt seeking candidates for the 2022 gubernatorial election but said he considered running to challenge Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after coronavirus shutdowns were imposed last spring.

The Patriot Party needs to collect 42,506 signatures to be officially recognized by the Michigan Secretary of State. Organizers need to collect 100 signatures from each of at least half of the states 83 counties and gather all valid signatures within a 180-day window.

VanDusen needs petition language approved by the Board of State Canvassers first.

VanDussen named U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland; Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph; and Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids when asked to identify Republicans who disappointed him. Upton and Meijer were censured by county Republican organizations in their districts after voting to impeach Trump.

Patriot Party groups grow online

The Patriot Party has a three-member board that does not include VanDussen in case he decides to run for office. Chairwoman Betsy Tappenden, Vice Chairman Dan Butts and Treasurer Deborah McKim comprise the partys leadership. VanDussen said they met while involved with the effort to recall Whitmer.

Members who joined the Michigan Patriot Partys social media pages on Facebook, MeWe and Gab have ties to conservative activist groups that protested Whitmers coronavirus orders and the election results, like the American Patriot Council and Stand Up Michigan.

David Dulio, director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University, said its hard to gauge how successful the Patriot Party could be just based on the social media chatter. The number of signatures VanDussen collects will be a good indicator of how strong the movement is.

There were five additional parties officially recognized in Michigan during the last election: Green, Libertarian, Natural Law, U.S. Taxpayers and Working Class. None of those third-party candidates found any success in state-level races, however.

Success in establishing the party or success in terms of running and winning campaigns are two very different things, Dulio said.

Dulio noted that Gallup polling data from January shows a record number of Americans see the need for a third party to rival Democrats and Republicans. Sixty-two percent of U.S. adults said the two major parties do such a poor job representing the American people that a third party is needed, an increase from 57% in September.

Support among Republicans for a third party was also the highest Gallup has ever measured, polling at 63%. Gallup also found that 68% of Republicans prefer that Trump remain the partys leader.

(The polling shows) Republicans say they want their party to get more conservative; a plurality of Democrats think their should party should get more moderate, Dulio said. Maybe theres a bit of an opening there. Among Trump voters, theres huge consistency on issues like American values, American exceptionalism, the culture wars. These things unify them.

Patriot Party groups that formed after the 2020 election adopted American flag iconography and other symbols meant to evoke patriotism. Many of the groups, including the Michigan party, use a red, white and blue lion as their logo.

A circular version of the lion logo is associated with the xenophobic, ethnonationalist website VDARE, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The logo appeared in a promotional video shared by the Trump campaign in 2019.

Facebook removed some Patriot Party group pages. VanDussen said his page was also removed without explanation.

There was hardly any misleading content on the Facebook page, VanDussen said.

Related: Extremists have gone mainstream. Lawyers, realtors and every-day folks make up their ranks.

A new Patriot Party of Michigan page has 440 members as of March 4. Some users have posted links to websites promoting misinformation about the presidential election and COVID-19 vaccines. One link includes a seminar from Simone Gold, a doctor who promoted hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus and was arrested for participating in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The Tech Transparency Project, a research initiative of the left-leaning watchdog group Campaign for Accountability, found paramilitary activity and election misinformation thrived on Patriot Party Facebook groups. TTP found two-thirds of the groups and more than half of the pages were created after the 2020 election and quickly reached large audiences.

VanDussen said hes not concerned that people who believe in conspiracy theories will overtake the Patriot Partys message.

Im aware of QAnon because I have friends who post stuff on their pages, but its never been about Q, VanDussen said. I try to argue with people on conspiracy theories and QAnon.

READ MORE ON MLIVE:

Extremists have gone mainstream. Lawyers, realtors and every-day folks make up their ranks.

Michigan completes general election audits, no foul play found

They call themselves militias, but actual militias report to the governor in Michigan

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters questions why National Guard response to Capitol riot took hours
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
OAKLAND, Calif., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ninety-three law firms and 167 lawyers from across the nation filed a brief in federal court in San Francisco today opposing a proposed class action settlement of all future claims against Monsanto by injured people charging that Roundup caused their cancer  including claims by people who have no injury or cancer now and may not have any for decades. The proposed settlement would eliminate all class members' claims for punitive damages and medical monitoring, create a secret science panel to see if its members agree with all three juries to hear the evidence that Roundup causes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (a deadly form of cancer), and stay all Roundup litigation for four years. It is the second attempt to use a class action to settle potential future Roundup claims.

"Last July, the Court quickly and forcefully rejected the first proposed class action settlement of Roundup victims' future claims, which it called Plan A," said Arthur H. Bryant of Bailey Glasser's office in Oakland, CA, the lead author of the brief and former Chairman of Public Justice. "This second, rehashed Plan B deserves the same fate. Incredibly, the proposed settlement stays all litigation for four years and bars all class members from seeking punitive damages forever while it allows Monsanto to keep selling Roundup and causing cancer as long as it wants. There is simply no legal basis for this  or many other aspects of the proposed settlement. It's an unconscionable gift to Monsanto."

The amici curiae ("friend of the court") brief was co-authored by Benjamin L. Bailey of Bailey Glasser in Charleston, WV, and Joshua I. Hammack of Bailey Glasser in Washington, DC.

The ninety-three law firms and 167 lawyers opposing the proposed settlement have extensive and detailed experience representing people injured physically, emotionally, or financially by the conduct of others. Their motion for leave to file the brief says the proposed settlement seriously endangers access to justice for millions of people in the proposed class, would prevent Monsanto's victims from holding it accountable, and would reward Monsanto in numerous respects.

It states: "While there are many problems with the proposed class action settlement, including that most of the proposed class members cannot adequately be notified of its terms, our amici curiae brief, short and to the point, focuses on three of them: (1) the wholesale release of punitive damages, (2) the four-year stay on judicial proceedings, and (3) the secret science panel. Each of these violates core principles of America's system of justiceand requires that preliminary approval of the proposed settlement be denied."

A hearing on whether to preliminarily approve the proposed settlement is scheduled before U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco at 10 am Pacific Time on March 31, 2021.

About Bailey Glasser LLP

Bailey Glasser was founded in 1999 by Ben Bailey and Brian Glasser in Charleston, West Virginia. Since then, the firm has grown to more than 60 lawyers located in 15 offices including Birmingham, AL; Oakland, CA; Washington, DC; Wilmington, DE; St. Petersburg, FL; Boston, MA; St Louis, MO; Boise, ID; Chicago, IL; Cherry Hill, NJ; Westchester, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Morgantown and Charleston, WV. Plaintiffs and defendants rely on Bailey Glasser to handle the most challenging and consequential legal issues  regionally and nationwide  using a trial-focused approach to protect the interests of its clients. The firm's corporate lawyers handle business matters ranging from the negotiation and execution of billions of dollars in commercial transactions, to IPOs, to assisting foreign businesses with investments in US assets.



For more information, visit baileyglasser.com.

SOURCE Bailey Glasser

Related Links

http://baileyglasser.com


MONROE, MI  Marion Yoas has survived two global pandemics in her 105 years and has no plans of missing out on whatever comes next.

Yoas, who was a young child then, lived through the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic that killed about 50 million people worldwide, 675,000 of them in the U.S.

And this week, from a rocking chair in the living room of her home in Newport, north of Monroe, she said shes been toughing out the current COVID-19 pandemic, just like everyone else she knows.

Yoas credits her strength and longevity to a life spent on the farm.

I worked in the field, I learned to plow and when I got married I started driving horses on a wagon, before we got tractors, Yoas said.

Yoas doesnt recall hearing her family members on the farm talk about the flu of 1918, but said she wont ever forget the way the coronavirus has affected everyday life in the last year.

Ive always been busy with work at church, at the funeral home, so, now, its just different, Yoas said.

Shes had to tune into her churchs radio broadcast service each Sunday, and generally stay home, which hasnt been easy for this still-active lady.

Yoas lives independently, eats canned produce grown on her property and uses a riding lawn mower to cut her grass. Prior to COVID-19, she said she looked forward to meeting up with a dozen family members for lunch.

We went out, once a month. Wed go out to lunch with the cousins from my mothers side of the family, and wed go out somewhere different every time, Yoas said.

Yoas and her extended family cherish her good health, but it meant she would have to wait like everyone else age 65 or older to get a COVID-19 vaccination, as, per state guidelines, older residents are not given priority based on age.

She had not received a COVID-19 vaccine after weeks of trying to set up an appointment until ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital reached out to schedule appointments for her in February and March. Yoas received her initial dose of vaccine on Feb. 12, and got her second shot on Friday, March 5.

She hopes others are able to get the shot so life can return to normal, she said. And she now hopes she can celebrate her 106th birthday this fall surrounded by her family.

While the pandemic has forced Yoas to stay home more than shed like, she stays busy by making quilts with her sewing machine or baking strawberry rhubarb pie.

I do word search, I cook, I make the bed, watch the TV and just go from one to the other, I dont stay doing one thing too long, Yoas said.

Vickie Koenig, Yoas daughter-in-law, is one of a few family members who check in on Yoas. She said her mother-in-laws independence and mobility at her age brings great pride to her and the rest of their family.

She used to climb a ladder to pick her own apples to bring home and make apple sauce. A couple years ago I looked out the kitchen window and what I see are these red pants standing on top of her lawn mower picking little pine cones that shed use for her craft projects, Koening said.

Yoas projects spread across the table in her kitchen, where six Oldest Woman at the County Fair trophies stand atop of a china cabinet.

Underneath a side table next to her favorite chair, Yoas keeps her family scrapbooks that contain family trees of descendants dating back to 1790. She likes to show off a 2015 commemorative birthday letter from former President Barack Obama she received when turning 100, as well as special tributes from the state and county.

They tell me I got to slow down, but thats hard when youre used to going, Yoas said. I just go and keep on doing it, day by day.

ALSO ON MLIVE:

Michiganders 50 and older will soon be eligible for coronavirus vaccine

Rite Aid now offering COVID-19 vaccinations at its Michigan stores

24% of Michigan adults say they dont plan to get COVID-19 vaccine, Census survey shows
Some lawmakers are growing irritated at the prolonged National Guard deployment at the U.S. Capitol and the lack of information on specific threats troops are hypothetically there to combat.

The U.S. Capitol Police on Thursday asked the Defense Department to keep thousands of troops in D.C. for up to two more months. The Guard was supposed to start withdrawing from the city on March 13.

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., said the mission should not continue indefinitely, adding that protecting the Capitol long term is not the Guard's mission.

Read Next: Guard Members Who Deployed for the Inauguration Are Getting a Brand-New Award

"I'm outraged that U.S. Capitol Police have requested to keep the nearly 5,000 National Guardsmen at the Capitol complex for another two months without presenting clear and specific information," he said in a statement.

Troops from virtually all states and territories deployed to D.C. following a deadly Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob that left five people dead, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. There are now 5,200 troops on the Capitol mission vs. 26,000 at its peak, according to Maj. Matt Murphy, a Guard spokesman.

On Wednesday, Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said at a hearing that threats to lawmakers are up 93% during the first two months of this year compared to last year. However, Capitol Police have not detailed specific threats facing the Capitol or what makes it necessary for thousands of armed troops and metal fencing with razor wire to surround the area.

"I haven't been satisfied with any explanation Congress has received at numerous briefings that all these personnel, resources and barbed wire are needed," Inhofe said. "The Capitol Police have clearly stated that no specific credible threat exists -- and what's more, they haven't provided the Department of Defense with any of the information needed to justify this request."

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said it's critical for Congress to get a detailed briefing on why an aggressive military posture is needed at the Capitol.

"We all have the same goal: to get back to the point where Capitol Police is capable of protecting us without the Guard's help," Slotkin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said on Twitter. "Our National Guard members have carried out their mission at the Capitol with the utmost professionalism, but this isn't supposed to be their job forever. We need a plan to protect the Capitol that ultimately doesn't depend on the Guard."

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon

Related: National Guard Won't Cut Ties with Contractor That Served Undercooked Food, Sickening Troops


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.

Jaipur, March 5 : : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former CM Vasundhara Raje and state medical health minister Raghu Sharma were on Friday administered the first dose of the corona vaccine.

Both the CM and state health minister visited the Institute of Infection Disease Centre at SMS Hospital, Jaipur, where they were vaccinated and kept under observation for about 30 minutes.

Soon after this, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje reached the SMS hospital and got herself vaccinated.

After getting the vaccine, Gehlot spoke to the media and said that Corona has not yet gone from the country and hence we should not take this disease lightly in view of rising cases in Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab.

Gehlot further said that Rajasthan alone accounts for 25% of the vaccination done so far in the entire country.

Appealing to the people, he said: "In Rajasthan, we should not lose the battle which we have won against Corona. So don't be negligent. As soon as symptoms appear, visit a hospital and seek treatment. The hospitals are giving free treatment for Corona." After getting vaccinated, Raje said, "It is a matter of great pride that India is witnessing the biggest vaccination campaign in the world and the production of both the vaccines used are completely indigenous." "I would like to thank the health workers Priyanka, Sheeba and Ishrat who gave me this vaccine. Also, I congratulate the entire team of SMS Hospital including Dr. Sudhir Bhandari for making the process of vaccination smooth and easy." She also called all those who are eligible to get Covid-19 vaccine to get themselves vaccinated and participate in the creation of a healthy India by defeating the Corona pandemic.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing.
Reliance Industries has said that it will bear the coronavirus vaccine cost of its employees. It additionally urged its employees to get vaccinated. Chairperson and founder of Reliance Foundation Nita Ambani sent a mail to Reliance employees and said that they, along with their spouses, parents and children who are eligible to receive the vaccine would be covered.

In a mail to the employees, Nita Ambani said, "Reliance will bear the full cost of vaccination for you, your spouse, your parents, and vaccine-eligible children. You and your family's safety and well-being is our responsibility. Mukesh and I truly believe that cherishing the health and happiness of our loved ones is what it means to be part of a family - the Reliance Family."

She said, "With your support, we will soon be able to put the pandemic behind us. Until then do not let your guard down. Continue to take the utmost safety and hygiene precautions. We are in the last stages of the collective battle. Together we must win and we will win," as mentioned in a report in ANI.

"Corona haarega, India jeetega," she said, concluding the letter.

This decision comes after Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani had assured that the company would plan vaccination for its employees and family members as soon as one is available.

Not only Reliance, global IT giant Accenture and IT major Infosys said that they would cover the coronavirus vaccine cost for all its employees and immediate family members enrolled in the medical benefits programme. "For employees who are eligible and choose to receive the Covid-19 vaccination, Accenture will cover the cost for the employee and their dependents who are part of our medical benefits program," said Rekha M Menon, Chairperson and Senior Managing Director, Accenture in India. "Infosys is looking at partnering with healthcare providers to vaccinate employees and their immediate families as eligible under the guidelines given by the government of India and as per approved procedures and timelines. Infosys will cover the vaccination cost for the employee and immediate family as part of our focus on health and wellness," said company's chief operating officer Pravin Rao.

Also read: Accenture to cover cost of COVID-19 vaccine of its employees

Also read: Infosys to cover COVID-19 vaccination cost for employees, immediate family members
A lucky Thai fisherman found two huge lumps of whale vomit valued at 240,000 after returning to the shore disappointed that he had not caught anything.

Asaree Pooad, 24, abandoned his fishing trip with his father on Tuesday due to monsoon rains in the Satun province, south Thailand.

Both were downhearted as they returned to shore empty-handed but the pair noticed two strange chunks floating in the shallow part of the water.

They took home the lumps thinking the samples could be the sought-after whale vomit that they had seen on television.

Asaree Pooad abandoned his fishing trip with his father on Tuesday due to monsoon rains in the Satun province. Both were downhearted when they returned to shore empty-handed but found two large chunks of whale vomit. Pictured: One sample of ambergris weighed 7kg

The father and son took home the solidified whale vomit, (sample pictured), thinking it could be the sought-after ambergris that they had seen on television. Fisherman Asaree Pooad branded the samples 'treasures'

The father and son were delighted after researchers at a university in the province verified the samples of whale vomit. They were awarded a certificate verifying their discovery

One of the chunks weighed 7kg while the other weighed 600g.

Combined, both lumps could be worth up to 242,000 based on quality and previous prices after scientists at the region's Prince of Songkhla University checked the ambergris and issued certificates of authenticity.

The father and son are open to offers in case someone wants to buy the lumps from them as well as re-examining them to prove they were real.

We had to go home early because of the storm but we ended up finding these treasures, Mr Pooad said.

After sending samples to the university, the father and son were delighted when the result came back positive and received a certificate saying that the lumps were whale vomit.

The father and son (pictured) are open for offers in case someone wants to buy the lumps from them. In November 2016, three Omani fishermen found 80kg of ambergris and sold it for $3 million

Whale vomit, pictured, smells foul at first but when solidified it smells fragrant. The ingredient is highly-sought after by the perfume industry

In April 2016, a 1.6kg ambergris ball found in Lancashire was sold for 50,000. The samples found in Thailand (pictured) weighed a combined 7.6kg and are valued at an estimated 242,000

They are now searching for agents that buy ambergris for supplying to perfume manufacturers.

Ambergris is produced by sperm whales when bile ducts in their gastrointestinal tract make secretions to ease the passage of large or sharp objects.

When the whale vomits, the mucilage solidifies and floats on the ocean surface.

The chunk smells foul at first but after the mucilage dries out, it develops a sweet and long-lasting fragrance. Its a sought-after ingredient in the perfume industry.

In April 2016, a 1.6kg ambergris ball found in Lancashire was sold for 50,000 while in November of the same year, three Omani fisherman found 80kg of ambergris and sold it for $3 million.

Ambergris is valued at approximately 31.85 per gram. The weight of the recent find in Thailand  7,600 grams  would give an estimated price of 242,000.

Pictured is the sample of whale vomit that weighed 600g. Ambergris is valued at approximately 31.85 per gram

Ambergris is produced by sperm whales (pictured) when bile ducts in their gastrointestinal tract make secretions to ease the passage of large or sharp objects. When the whale vomits, the mucilage solidifies and floats on the ocean surface

Asaree's discovery came just over a week after a fellow-countrywoman found another lump potentially worth more than 185,000.

Siriporn Niamrin, 49, had been walking along the beach after a rainstorm when she noticed a large mass washed up on the shore in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand on February 23.

Siriporn Niamrin, 49, couldn't believe her luck after stumbling across almost 190,000-worth of whale vomit near her beach house in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand

The 49-year-old had been walking along the beach on February 23 when she came across the huge lump of whale vomit

Upon closer inspection, she noticed the substance smelled like fish, so she dragged the mass away from the beach - believing her find could be worth some money.

After asking her neighbours for some help with the oval-shaped find, Siriporn was shocked to be told the substance was whale vomit, known as ambergris.

At 12 inches wide and 24 inches long and weighing almost 7kg, the ambergris has an estimated value of 186,500.

She said: 'If I really have the genuine ambergris, I can help my community once I find a buyer for it.

'I feel lucky to have found such a large piece. I hope it will bring me money. I'm keeping it safe in my house and I have asked the local council to visit to check it.'
Patricia Engels Infinite Country, released on March 2 by Avid Reader Press, already has all the trappings of a charmed publication, even for a lead title. The book, which PWs starred review called an outstanding novel of migration and the Colombian diasporae, saw its first printing bumped from 30,000 to 65,000 copies based on prepublication buzz that included a February Book of the Month club selection and strong support from independent booksellers and librarians.

The novel was an instant hit at S&S as well, with CEO Jonathan Karp going so far as to declare it a modern classic, saying it kept him transfixed and enthralled from beginning to end in a letter to staff. And that was all before Reese Witherspoon chose it as the March title for Reeses Book Club, which prompted Avid to go back for two more print runs: a 5,000-copy second printing and 10,000-copy third printing, for a total of 80,000 copies in print to date.

Behind the scenes, however, the novels route to publication proved particularly special for the team that put the book together. For starters, it was the occasion of a publishing reunion. Engels debut story collection, Vida, came out in 2010 from Grove Atlantics Black Cat imprint, where the book was edited by senior editor Lauren Wein. Wein left Grove in 2011 for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, where she spent the better part of the next decade as executive editor; Engel stayed on as an author at Grove, where she published Its Not Love, Its Just Paris in 2013 and The Veins of the Ocean in 2016.

Wein is now editorial director at Avid Reader, where she oversees the imprints fiction and memoir program. And when Engel finished the draft for Infinite Country, she said, it was just sort of natural to reach back out to Wein. Engels agent, Ayesha Pande, submitted the book to a handful of editors, including Wein, who acquired the novel in a two-book deal.

Weve always been friends, Engel said. Even though I live in Miami and shes in New York, I still always felt like Lauren was a person I could reach out to at any moment and chat with. I wasnt surprised that she understood what I was trying to do with Infinite Country, because she has this way of just digging into my brain, understanding what my own goals are, and helping me articulate them even better.

Wein said that working with Engel on Vida was a pivotal thing for her as an editor. It takes a while for an editor to find their footing and find their confidence, she said, noting that the feedback she got from Engel in particular was very instructive to me.

A decade later, working on a new book by the same author for a new imprint, it became clear that the mutual education that came from the creative collaboration between author and editor had stuck. Reading the Infinite Country manuscript for the first time, Wein found herself recognizing a maturation process that happened that blew my mind. It restores your faith in the fact that theres an organic movement of things, that people really do learn and grow. And that you can do that together with someone.

Toward the end of the publication process, another powerful connection showed itself. This time, it was between author, book, and publicist.

The first time we all Zoomed together to talk about the book, no more than, like, two seconds into it, I just started sobbing, said Alexandra Primiani, publicity manager at Avid Reader. I couldnt get through thanking Patricia for what this book was because I was crying so much. I saw my parents in Mauro, in Elena, the parents at the center of the novels separated protagonist family, Primiani explainedand not just because her fathers name is also Mauro.

My family comes from Venezuela, and they came to this country in a very similar way, Primiani said. Reading Infinite Country and seeing my own family in itand not just the family, but the internal conversations, the back-and-forth that Ive seen in my family when they talk about immigrationhit me in a way that no other book has. That was my first introduction to Patricia: crying, turning red.

It was a moving moment for Engel, too, and one that reassured her once more that her book was in good hands at Avid Reader. I could not ask for more than Alex, somebody who felt personally touched and moved by the book, and who felt connected to itand who, in turn, feels so connected to me, she said. I feel like weve become good friends, and this has just made the process so much more wonderful and meaningful. Its very special. I dont think that theres any other way to put it.

Engel believes that her novel will resonate not just with those who share the experiences of immigration and separation her characters endure, or whose families share them, but with all who have lived through a time of quarantine, finding themselves in forced isolation from those they love.

I put all my heart, my soul, and my blood and my bones into this book, into the writing process, she said. It is an expression of everything that has been meaningful to me in my life, my communities, the concerns of some people that I love most. And I think it also speaks to where were at now, especially in this time of Covid-19, where families are separated indefinitely because of quarantine and pandemic. They may be starting to get a small sense of what its like to be separated by borders, and immigration laws, and paperwork that keeps you from being able to be reunited with the people that you love most.

Engel added: Were in year two of this. Imagine being at this for 10, or 15, as is the case of the family in Infinite Country.
Interview by Calabash to the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone on a China-Related Report by the Institute for Governance Reform

2021/03/06

Calabash: Recently the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) published a report titled Chinas Emerging Influence in Sierra Leone: Voices and Views of Local Fishing and Road Construction Community. Can you give us some comments on that?

Spokesperson: We noticed the publishing of this report, which in the name of the so-called people surveyed, makes irresponsible comments on China-Sierra Leone cooperation. We believe the report is full of speculations rather than facts, and its conclusions are subjective, exaggerated and sensational.

Calabash: The report says that the toll road built by the Chinese is over-priced and brings more debt burden to Sierra Leone. Do you think it is true?

Spokesperson: Toll roads are commonplace in the world. The Wellington-Masiaka Highway (the toll road) is an investment by the Chinese Company CRSG, which has made the local peoples transportation much more convenient, rapid, comfortable and safer. It by no means adds debt burden to the Sierra Leone government because it is not a loan. In fact, based on the current toll levels, it may take CRSG about 27 years to recover their investment. The road construction started in April 2016, but the toll-collecting only began in August 2017, not from the beginning of construction as claimed by the report. The investor has been operating in strict accordance with the laws and regulations of Sierra Leone. It is neither fair nor rational to attack such a project which is in the interest of the country and people just because certain individuals are not satisfied. Otherwise, who is going to invest here?

Calabash: The report claims that Chinese vessels are overfishing and destroying the local peoples livelihood. What is your feedback?

Spokesperson: As a matter of fact, all the Chinese operating vessels have licenses and other documents issued by the Sierra Leonean authorities. Every Chinese vessel is equipped with a Sierra Leonean government observer and VMS and reports their catches to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources every day. The catches are mainly sold to the local market through the Sierra Leone local agents. All the activities are in line with the regulations of the Sierra Leonean government. Given the large number of artisanal fishing boats, the incidents of friction between them and the Chinese vessels remain less than 0.7%. When some rare accidents do occur, the Chinese fishing companies take appropriate actions to address the local people's concerns. The so-called findings and conclusions of the report are full of prejudice against the Chinese fishing companies and distrust to the Sierra Leonean authorities.

Calabash: The report implies that the cooperation between China and Sierra Leone in the basic infrastructure area worsened Sierra Leones debt burden. What is your take on that?

Spokesperson: According to the 2019 annual report of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Chinese side accounts for less than 3% of all the foreign debts of Sierra Leone. It is baseless to accuse China for adding the debt burden of Sierra Leone. Actually, most of the China-assisted basic infrastructure projects are funded by Chinese government gratuitous aid. Such projects have greatly promoted the development of Sierra Leone and the improvement of the peoples livelihood and are welcomed by the local community. Furthermore, in 2018, China exempted all the interest-free loans borrowed by the Sierra Leonean government, and China offered the Sierra Leonean government a debt suspension of 2020 repayments under the Debt Service Suspension Initiative agreed by the G20.

Calabash: The report mentioned that the Magbass Sugar Complex has only recently begun to promote Sierra Leoneans into the upper ranks of management. Is that the case?

Spokesperson: The fact is, this factory is a Chinese government aided project which was turned to a lease operation between 2005 and 2014. In 2014, due to the Ebola epidemic the project was halted. For a long time since then this project has been in the hands of the Sierra Leonean people.

Calabash: The report said they administered a qualitative questionnaire to some elites and conducted surveys targeting around 1000 people. Do you think that can make the report more reliable?

Spokesperson: The representativeness of the survey done by the report is dubious. Normally, how to select the samples and how to frame the questions have a direct bearing on the conclusions drawn. We respect the rights of any institution or individual to make remarks, but the conclusions drawn by the report are a far way from the Sierra Leonean government and peoples genuine opinions. According to the Chinese Embassys observation and analysis, the mainstream opinion of the Sierra Leonean government agencies and the ordinary people is that they highly appreciate the cordial relationship and sound cooperation between China and Sierra Leone as well as the positive effect brought by China to Sierra Leones development. China and Sierra Leone are enjoying sincere friendship, mutual respect, and mutual benefit. From schools to hospitals, from stadiums to office buildings, from hydro-power stations to roads, from government scholarships to training programs, the fruits of cooperation between China and Sierra Leone are everywhere to be seen, and the Sierra Leonean people are truly benefiting from this cooperation. China has never pursued one-sided interest in her cooperation with Sierra Leone and in Africa. To accuse China of neo-colonialism as is done by the report is calling the black white.

Calabash: Any other comments on the report?

Spokesperson: There are many other untrue elements in the IGR report. For the sake of saving our precious time, we denounce them in general rather than go into details. Facts speak louder than words. We are convinced that the Sierra Leonean government and people will by no means be misled by the report made by IGR, and that China-Sierra Leone friendly cooperation will by no means be detracted by such nuisances under the pretext of freedom of speech. The Chinese side will continue to work with the Sierra Leonean side closely to push forward the friendly cooperation and bring more benefits to both countries and peoples. We wish that all sides, including IGR and its sponsors, would take more concrete actions to help Sierra Leone develop, rather than point their fingers at, try to find faults with, and launch moral trials on those genuine partners who are offering support to and cooperating with Sierra Leone.
The Telegraph

Newly diagnosed cancer patients are being forced to speak to their specialist over the phone or via video call rather than in person, experts have warned. New findings show the proportion of those told they have prostate cancer who do not then get an initial face-to-face consultation has risen eight-fold since the start of the pandemic. In a survey by the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR), patients said they felt inhibited from asking all their questions by the remote format, and were worri
TRIESTE, MAR 5 - Italian police on Friday smashed a northern Italian organisation made up of Iraqi Kurds dedicated to helping illegal immigrants come into Europe from Kurdistan, judicial sources said. The gang allegedly provided the migrants with fake documents in exchange for large sums of money, police said. Seven Iraqi Kurds were arrested in the police operation. Five were detained in jail and two placed under house arrest. One of them had links to a Syrian citizen responsible for the September 15 2017 terror attack at Parsons Green Underground station in London in which 30 people suffered burns. Police also raided several properties belonging to an Italian citizen. Some dozen other people have been placed under investigation outside Italy. (ANSA).
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Ho Chi Minh, March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Owing to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the new variants of the virus that emerged as a result of viral mutations of the Coronavirus, a leading Vietnam-based garment manufacturer and global supplier of premium antibacterial cloth mask, DONY Garment Company, has announced its plan to increase supplies of its washable and reusable antibacterial cloth mask, Dony Mask, to America, European and the Middle East markets.

DONY Garment Companys plan to increase distribution across countries in America, Europe, and beyond is part of its commitment to making sufficient distributions of its safe and reliable three-ply, water-resistant, and 99.9% antibacterial cloth mask.

The three layers masks, which are made from 100 percent antibacterial cotton (with nano silver technology) provide the protection needed to meet the demands of adapting to the pandemic and that of medical professionals around the world.

We at DONY have long recognized the need to adapt to the pandemic and use our expertise to meet the needs of medical professionals around the world, said Mr. Pham Quang Anh, CEO of DONY Garment Company. Were proud to have supported many countries healthcare systems with our high-quality protective face masks and medical clothing.

Dony focuses its distributing mechanism on incorporating various business organizations through its exclusive partnership offers tailored towards the adoption of a business-to-business (B2B) marketing strategy. The Company exclusively sells its Dony Mask to organizations/companies for their employees and also to suppliers who redistribute to consumers (retail purchase).

Our masks are available to wholesalers and distributors anywhere in the world, especially those based in the US, the EU, and the Middle East market, Pham said. And with our high-quality low-cost manufacturing process, we can offer those masks at a price point that ensures almost any business model can profit from selling them.

The Dony Premium Antibacterial Cloth Mask is a safe, reliable, and certified washable and reusable cloth mask that is made from a three-ply, water-resistant, and 99.9% antibacterial cloth; enough to prevent the transmission of the Covid-19. The mask has passed almost all the stringent standards across countries and health institutions of the world, thus obtained certifications from CE, FDA and TUV reach.

The mask is designed to feature three layers for maximum protection (Antimicrobial Finished) from virus or bacteria, with its outer layer featuring strong water-resistant material that prevents droplets from clinging to the mask and limits the possibilities of viral infection.

The middle layer of the mask provides filtering functions, while the inner layer has the most anti-bacterial effects. With a breathable and one-size-fits-all design, the Dony Mask can be used by anyone to protect ones self from contracting the virus and as well prevent transitions from person to person, even when one is already vaccinated.

Dony Mask provides one of the highest levels of protection from viruses, especially the Coronavirus, with a 99.9% antibacterial filtration effect after several washes. Each of the masks can be sterilized with EO gas technology, to meet safety needs for medical use under the COVID19 pandemic.

The Dony Mask offers unbelievable protection from Covid-19 and other viral diseases, and it is very comfortable to wear. We know health professionals are going to embrace this product because of the many benefits associated with it and because this mask is affordable, Mr. Pham added.

Dony Mask has been supplied and sold around the world including the USA, France, Australia, Belgium, Singapore, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong, Macao Malaysia, South Africa, Finland, Greece, Denmark, Japan, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Sweden, Austria, Norway, Romania, Portugal, Saudi Arabia (KSA), Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Morocco, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain.

Dony is committed to providing on-time delivery of 100% high-quality products. They provide distribution for B2B purposes and even exclusive partnerships, offering free samples, trial orders, wholesale orders, bulk orders, and custom orders with branding opportunities for logos and labels. Businesses are, therefore, offered the opportune to use their branding opportunities for their employees' use or to create merchandise for their customers or fans to buy.

Dony Mask has Exclusive Distributors in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Malaysia, UAE, Canada.

On the evening of 5th June 2020, Dony Garment Company and other Vietnamese enterprises have donated medical supplies to the USs people.

Giving away 100,000 antibacterial and anti-droplet cloth masks with a total value of over VND10.5 billion ($456,520), Dony Garment was one of the businesses that wanted to express gratitude to the United States previous support to the Vietnamese people during the pandemic.

Pham Quang Anh, director of Dony Garment, said his company had been significantly impacted by the pandemic, both in good and bad ways, so they understood what kinds of adversity other firms and people around the world face.

At a time when the disease is spreading in other countries, including the US, we want to contribute more to the international community. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have deducted 5 percent of Dony's entire revenue, from apparel to cloth masks, to the community."





About Dony Garment Company

The Dony Garment Company is a subsidiary of Dony International Corporation established in 2009. It is one of the largest manufacturers of workwear, uniforms, and casual clothing in Vietnam. In 2020, DONY responded to the Covid-19 crisis by pivoting its activity to the manufacture of PPE and exported it around the world including America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

For more information about Dony Mask and the company's supply policies, visit Dony Garment Company's official website at https://garment.dony.vn/profile-dony/. Or visit their YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fmcXNj569lA .





You can also have direct contact with the company's CEO, Mr. Henry Pham: +84985310123 - Email: quanganh@dony.vn





This news has been published for the above source. Dony Garment Company [ID=17194]

Disclaimer: The information does not constitute advice or an offer to buy. Any purchase made from this story is made at your own risk. Consult an expert advisor/health professional before any such purchase. Any purchase made from this link is subject to the final terms and conditions of the website's selling. The content publisher and its distribution partners do not take any responsibility directly or indirectly. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the company this news is about.





Attachments
Six years after its gruesome assault on the Yazidi minority in Iraq, the Islamic State (IS) continues to sell Yazidi captives online on what is known as the deep web of criminal activities. A number of such sales have taken place in Turkey, indicating that IS militants are still able to take shelter in the country.

Most recently, a 7-year-old Yazidi girl was rescued by police posing as buyers. According to Turkish journalist Hale Gonultas, who closely follows the fate of IS captives, police took action after an advertisement in Kurdish and Arabic, complete with the girls picture, appeared online Feb. 23. Posing as relatives of the child, the police made the highest bid and were able to detect the address of the advertiser. They raided a home in Ankaras Kecioren district the following day and rescued the girl.

According to the official account of the incident, police and intelligence services established that a suspect, who was a ranking member of IS in Mosul, Iraq, had made it to Ankara, bringing along a Yazidi child as war booty. The man, identified only as S.O., was detained along with a suspected accomplice.

After such online auctions, the captives are usually delivered via safe middlemen who are typically criminals involved in the trafficking of drugs, arms and humans. The rescued girl remains in state care in Ankara, as Iraqi commissions dealing with missing Yazidis are working to trace her family.

In July 2020, a 24-year-old Yazidi woman, held captive in Ankaras Sincan district, was rescued by relatives in Australia who bought her in an online sale. According to Gonultas, the Yazidi woman's captor  a Turkmen IS member from Mosul  had bought her from an online slave market in 2018. The man, who moved frequently between Iraq and Turkey, kept a home in Sincan with his two wives, four children and the Yazidi woman.

Another Yazidi woman was rescued in Ankara in October 2019. She was held by a senior Iraqi Turkmen member of IS, who was so audacious as to rent an apartment near a police station in Kecioren. The young woman, abducted as a 14-year-old in 2014, lived with the family of the IS militant and had a baby as a product of rape. The man, who had been an IS emir in Tal Afar, Iraq, traveled frequently to Iraq, which allowed the womans brother to track him down to Ankara. The brother managed to take a picture of his sister and her captor, seizing a rare moment the man took the woman out, and went to the police. Eventually, the woman was rescued. The authorities, however, took no legal action against her captor as she did not file a complaint against him, although they had enough findings to pursue a criminal case for abduction and rape.

Another rescue saga unfolded in Kirsehir, a city not far from Ankara, in 2017, when an Iraqi Turkmen made an unsuccessful attempt to register two children as his own at a police bureau dealing with refugees. The two siblings were taken into state care, while their pictures were sent to Iraqi centers dealing with missing Yazidis. This eventually brought their adult sister to Kirsehir  a woman who herself had been an IS captive before relatives bailed her out. Her parents, husband, son and a sibling were also missing. The woman faced legal barriers in claiming her siblings in Kirsehir, including having to provide DNA tests and proof that their parents were dead. Ultimately, the two children, ages 9 and 11, were handed over to Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani when he visited Ankara in September.

The Turkish polices press bulletins paint a relentless struggle against IS, with dozens of suspects rounded up on a monthly basis. Yet those efforts have failed to prevent IS militants from taking shelter, transferring money and selling people in Turkey. The bitter reality is that the IS presence in Turkey is much more entrenched than meets the eye. The police target mostly foreign members of the group, while locals remain untouched unless they stick their necks out or become the subject of complaints.

Turkish nationals from various parts of the country had heeded IS call to Muslims to join its self-styled caliphate in Syria and Iraq. Those who returned home became the helpers of Iraqi and Syrian members who sought refuge after the caliphate began to crumble.

IS members found a convenient habitat in Ankara and Kirsehir, according to two sources knowledgeable of the issue. About 200 Iraqi nationals, all Turkmen from Tal Afar, made it to Kirsehir in 2016, when IS began to disintegrate. More of them, including the IS deputy emir of Tal Afar, came in ensuing years.

Kirsehir had its own recruits. A former member of a Turkish militant Islamist group lured locals to IS, including his own son. In 2015, however, he reported his own daughter and grandchildren to the police to stop them from going to Syria, laying the ground for the first court case against IS in the city. His son and six other Kirsehir natives were killed in Syria in 2016. Yasar Kocadan, another recruiter in the area, was sentenced to seven years in 2018 following complaints by recruits families.

Anti-IS operations in Kirsehir resulted in the detention of 12 suspects in 2017, seven in 2018, 16 in 2019 and 57 in 2020. Seven alleged relatives of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi were among the predominantly Iraqi suspects. One of them was imprisoned, pending trial, in February 2020, while the other six were sent to the deportation authorities.

In Ankara, a group of shopkeepers financed recruitments in the district of Sincan, known as one of the capitals Islamist strongholds. Abdulkadir Ercan, a former al-Qaeda suspect, stood out in the recruitment effort. He had been detained in a 2011 police raid on a house full of explosive materials, but was released six months later, along with 13 other suspects. Ercan arranged for scores of jobless or struggling young men to go to Syria, including 21 relatives. Later, foreign IS members would take refuge in Sincan, including widows of slain militants who received financial support through the local networks of IS.

Kecioren was another Ankara district that came under the spotlight. Its outlying slums were teeming with Syrian refugees, which made it easier for IS to gain a foothold for recruitment. The promise of economic benefits also lured young people of unlikely profiles such as boozers, drug abusers and nightclub bouncers. The neighborhood of Hacibayram was also a major recruitment ground.

Gonultas told Al-Monitor that impoverished neighborhoods rife with drug-peddling and arms-trafficking were the main IS recruitment grounds in Ankara and that the recruits were drawn mainly by the promise of lots of money and lots of women. She singled out Oguzhan Gozlemecioglu as a leading figure, noting he had no Islamist background but would change ideologically to become an emir in Raqqa. He was killed, while his brother Halil Ibrahim was captured by [Kurdish forces]. Their father served six months in jail for recruitment for IS, she said.

Buses were running from Sincan to Raqqa in 2016 and 2017. People would even go [to Syria] to see their children, she recounted. A clan known as the Tatlibal group, which was involved in the recruitment of fighters, has erected an apartment block in Ankara that houses mostly Syrian and Afghan tenants, Gonultas said. People who have been with IS are residing there as well, she said.

Atilla Kart, a former legislator for the main opposition Republican Peoples Party who closely followed IS recruitments at the time, puts the blame on the government. According to him, the inadequate efforts against IS have to do with the climate the government has created and the institutional erosion in the country.

Kart told Al-Monitor that police had grown reluctant to take on Islamist groups unless they receive explicit orders from Ankara. He recalled an incident in 2015, when a family, trying to trace a son who had joined IS, failed to set the police into action even after providing the address of a cell house in Gaziantep near the Syrian border. Kart contacted a local police chief to help the family. He told me, You are right. The parents want us to raid the place but we cannot do so without instructions from Ankara. All the information was there  how many people stayed in the house and from which provinces they had come. So, that is how Turkey came to the current point, Kart said.

IS militants in Turkey continue also to transfer money through jewelers and exchange offices, using the hawala method. The detentions are just the tip of the iceberg, with the IS network much larger than it is generally imagined.
The Container Corporation of India on Friday said it will meet its annual need for around 8,000 containers from domestic manufacturers and no longer depend on China for its requirement.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday called on the industry to "seriously explore" the possibility of containers being manufactured in India "given its chronic shortage for exports".

The Container Corporation of India (Concor), which spends about Rs 200 crore annually on procurement of containers, has already given a developmental order for 1,000 containers each to public sector undertakings Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Braithwaite & Co.

will soon issue tenders for the remaining 6,000 containers wherein only domestic firms will be able to participate under certain government rules.

"As of now, all containers are imported because there is no capability in India. We want to push India as a hub for containers.

"Our requirement is 8,000 containers every year for the next five years. This is enough to support the start of in India," V Kalyana Rama, chairman and managing director of Concor, said at a media briefing on Friday.

He added that it is important that containers made in India are globally competitive, as there is a huge demand for containers in the global market. However, currently, there is a cost difference of about 25-30 per cent in containers made in India and abroad.

"We need to see how we can reduce the cost of production to compete globally," V Kalyana Rama said.

On the developmental order given, Rama said the two companies are developing prototypes currently and testing results should be out by next month.

Goyal called for manufacturing containers indigenously with GPS technology for better logistics, the life-line of the Indian industry.

He also said there is a need for refrigeration containers and instead of depending on the imports India should manufacture them to work towards making the country self-sufficient in the maritime economy.

A large country like India, which is on a high growth path but faces a chronic shortage of containers for its exports, needs to seriously explore the possibility of containers being manufactured indigenously, the minister said.

Concor, which currently has a fleet of 37,000 containers, organised a stakeholder consultation on the issues on Friday, during which major steel players like SAIL, Tata Steel and Jindal Steel confirmed availability of required better grade steels.

Additionally, Indian manufacturing companies like BHEL, Braithwaite, Kalyani cast tech, Balmer Lawrie, Transafe, DCM Hyundai (Hindustan Vaccum) added that the technology required to manufacture these containers was available with them.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


Ruling bloc to blame for top prosecutor quitting



Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl resigned Thursday to protest the ruling bloc's campaign to weaken the state prosecution service. In a brief press conference in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office he said, "I can no longer see the collapse of justice and common sense which our society has built up for a long time." He said he would make maximum efforts to safeguard the country's liberal democracy and protect the people whatever he now does.



Yoon's resignation has essentially been heralded since Cheong Wa Dae began pushing for the establishment of the so-called Serious Crimes Investigative Agency under the Ministry of Justice. Yoon had been resisting the move as it was designed to take the investigative authority away from the prosecution for probes into six types of crimes including high-profile corruption.



Yoon said he would renounce his post as the top prosecutor 100 times over if he could prevent the formation of the new investigative agency. It is worrisome that the chief prosecutor has resigned citing the reason, "destruction of rule of law." During a visit to Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, he went on to claim that the move toward the new agency, meant to deprive the prosecution of its investigative rights, is tantamount to a "sellout to corruption," and a case of the government neglecting its duty as stipulated by the Constitution.



In response Cheong Wa Dae expressed its displeasure. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said he would recommend the resignation of Yoon to President Moon Jae-in, prompting Yoon to tender it. He purportedly decided to do so out of fear that if he did nothing it might be misunderstood as if he tacitly acknowledged the ruling bloc's attempt to rip up the prosecution's investigative rights and shake the principle of rule of law.



The Moon administration should be held largely responsible for Yoon's resignation. While naming Yoon as the top prosecutor early in his tenure, the President praised him for his relentless efforts to dig out the corruption committed under former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. But Moon and his ruling Democratic Party of Korea began to turn their backs on Yoon when the prosecution embarked on investigations into cases involving Justice Minister Cho Kuk and his family and the presidential office's alleged intervention in the election of Ulsan mayor.



Former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae led a series of moves to get rid of Yoon but to no avail as he resisted, even filing law suits. But Yoon chose to quit his post, in defiance of the ruling bloc's move to take the investigative rights into the six types of crimes away from the prosecution.



The prosecution has been plunged into frustration with the sudden resignation of the top prosecutor. Yoon stepping down will also likely apply the brakes to ongoing investigations into high-profile cases of irregularities. It seems to have caught the people by surprise and dismay, since the Moon administration had vowed to guarantee the tenure of the prosecutor general and political neutrality. We urge Cheong Wa Dae to carefully listen to the voices opposing the setting up of the new investigative agency and refrain from rushing this through.


Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
A paedophile actor who preyed on schoolgirls was caught by his actress ex-girlfriend when she set up a fake Snapchat profile to snare him.

Adam Simmons, 27, was in a relationship with Louisa Lanza, 27, when she became suspicious as he started hiding his phone.

She later found it and discovered he sent vile sexual messages to under-age girls but when she contacted police no action was taken.

Deciding to catch him in the act she set up a fake Snapchat profile posing as a 12-year-old girl called 'Anya' and started messaging with Simmons who claimed he was 17 and asked her for sex and begged her to send him explicit pictures.

Miss Lanza reported Simmons to police again and he was arrested in 2018.

Adam Simmons, 27, was caught by his former partner when she set up a fake Snapchat account

Simmons admitted five charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and distributing an indecent image of a child.

Warwick Crown Court heard Simmons, who acts on stage and in minor local productions, had sent a 'voluminous' number of sick messages to young girls.

John O'Higgins, prosecuting, said Miss Lanza had initially dumped Simmons and reported him to police in January 2018 but no action was taken.

He said: 'In October that year she noticed a new name had appeared on her Snapchat account, and decided to check whether it was Simmons, so created one herself using the name Anya.

'The profile gave Anya's age as 12 but that did not seem to bother him.'

Mr O'Higgins said he gave his name as Adam and claimed to be 17 and asked if they could have sex.

He also told her she could touch herself and send him pictures so he could 'make sure she was doing it right'.

When he was questioned he said he had been in a relationship with an actress who found out about his sexual chat with other females.

He claimed he was attracted to women aged 16-22 and had ended the chat when he found they were younger.

The messages from Adam Simmons, 27, included discussions about oral sex with two girls aged 12 and 13 from America

Mr O'Higgins said police found 'voluminous' sexually-explicit chats he had had with other girls.

They included discussions about oral sex with two girls aged 12 and 13 from America and a request to a 15-year-old Swedish girl to have items available so she could penetrate herself.

Julia Needham, defending, said: 'There has been a very, very substantial delay in bringing these proceedings.

'There was a two-year delay between his arrest and appearing in court.'

Simmons, of Leamington Spa, Warks, was sentenced to 14 months in prison suspended for two years and ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Sentencing him at Warwick Crown Court, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano said: 'These are matters that are very serious indeed. You know the view I take of that.

'You are very fortunate, first that you have not been charged with the more serious offences, and second that there is no evidence whether these were real children.

'The prosecution cannot prove that they are, but that is what you thought when you were contacting them.

'You have put yourself in huge danger of going to prison, but I am not going to send you to prison today.'
Rao secured the data to nail opposition criticism that the TRS government had failed to provide government jobs in the past six years. (Photo: Twitter @TelanganaCMO)

HYDERABAD: TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao have gathered data from various states on government job creation between 2014 and 2020 which shows that the TS Public Service Commission (TSPSC) tops in filling up vacancies during the period.

Rao secured the data to nail opposition criticism that the TRS government had failed to provide government jobs in the past six years. The data obtained from West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka shows that they all lag behind Telangana state in providing government jobs.

The data will be used during the ongoing MLC election campaign where the entire pitch is revolving around job creation. Rao directed his party leaders and cadre to extensively publicise the data by printing pamphlets and distributing them to all graduate voters during door-to-door canvassing.

A comparison of Public Service Commissions of different states obtained by the Chief Minister revealed that TSPSC stood at the top by filling up 30,594 vacancies in six years. West Bengal PSC could fill only 13,262 vacancies during the same period, while the figure in Odisha is 9,591 and that of Chhattisgarh at 7,553.

In terms of government jobs that have been provided, the Telangana government tops having filled 1,26,641 posts from 2014 to 2020. Incidentally, none of the other states managed to touch the six-digit mark. Next in line Haryana government filled 85,100 vacancies, Tamil Nadu 55,863 while the Karnataka government recruited a mere 40,009 personnel in six years.

Armed with the data, TRS leaders and cadre will undertake a door-to-door campaign in the next two weeks with a promise to fill another 50,000 vacancies in various government departments soon after the MLC elections.

TREVISO, MAR 5 - Italian police on Friday arrested a 70-year-old man on suspicion of aggravated double homicide in the deaths of his wife and a friend of hers in a fire in the couple's home which he allegedly set deliberately near Treviso last June. The man, Sergio Miglioranza, allegedly set the arson fire to get the insurance on the house and on the two women, police said. Franca Fava, 68, and her friend Fiorella Sandre, 74, died in the blaze at Castagnole di Paese on June 10. Their charred bodies were found in the burned-out building the day after. The insurance company would have had to pay out hundreds of thousands of euros for the home and the two women. Miglioranza lived on the floor above the two women, who both had mobility problems. (ANSA).
Whats next

NVUSD has scheduled online town hall meetings next week for parents to share their opinions on the future of middle schools in the city of Napa: Harvest, Redwood, River and Silverado.

An English-language meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, with Spanish interpretation available, and a Spanish-language meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Internet users can view and comment during both sessions via Zoom.

The English forum can be viewed at https://zoom.us/j/94009683848 and the Spanish forum at https://zoom.us/j/91378195447

Two more meetings of NVUSDs Middle School Redesign Task Force are slated for March 16 and April 6, with both sessions running from 6 to 8 p.m. and viewable on the NVUSD TV page on YouTube. A final vote by the NVUSD board on closing and/or merging campuses is expected in late April or early May.

For more information, visit the districts middle school task force page at https://bit.ly/3kGGrMd
Snyders attorneys argue that the proper way to count the delay is from the date of the 2016 indictment to the present. But, given the trial held in January and February 2019 and a new trial was granted after that, it would defy logic and common sense to count from the indictment and pretend the earlier trial never happened, according to court documents.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  The first-ever lady mayor of Ibaan, Batangas is flipping the script on women supposedly being more emotional.

They say that women are emotional and weak, you know some of them dont believe that we deserve to be leaders, Mayor Joy Salvame told CNN Philippines The Exchange with Rico Hizon.

But I think right now, whats happening to our country, I believe if being more emotional is being more loving, being resilient and by nature youre moreenduring, I think those emotions are more of an asset, she added.

The local chief executive likewise encouraged more women to pursue public service, especially with a patriarchal society needing a caring nature from leaders all the more.

Another towns first-ever female mayor echoed the call for more women to answer the call of leadership.

You have to step up and not consider yourself that you are just a woman, but you are a woman with substance and you can contribute to this society, said Magallanes, Cavite Mayor Jasmin Maligaya-Bautista.

The mayor likewise cited how women have been filling more and more posts in local governments and in different branches of the state.

The Philippines has only had two female presidents so far: Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Meanwhile, a woman currently holds the second highest seat in the land: Vice President Leni Robredo.

Robredo previously remarked that women leading other countries have shown they can get the job done, citing the stellar pandemic responses of women-led countries.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen were among leaders earlier praised for implementing early measure which controlled the spread of COVID-19 in their homelands.
A detail of "Natural Bridge, Virginia," 1860, by David Johnson. Oil on canvas. Winston-Salem, NC. Gift of Philip Hanes Jr., in honor of Charles H. Babcock, Sr., Reynolda House Museum of American Art. Reynolda House is an affiliate of Wake Forest University. (Courtesy of Reynolda House Museum of American Art)

Virginia Arcadia at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Whats 215 feet high, 90 feet long, and has been admired in great art and literature for centuriesfrom Thomas Jeffersons Notes on the State of Virginia to Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick to Frederic Edwin Churchs landscape paintings?

Heres another hint: Jefferson bought it, along with 157 acres of land, from King George III of England for 20 shillings in 1774. And he owned it until he died.

The answer is Virginias Natural Bridge, a naturally occurring arch over 400 million years old that geologists believe was once the roof of an underground river cave.

Natural Bridge, circa 1820, by Joshua Shaw. Oil on paper. Purchase with funds donated by the Arthur and Holly Magill Fund; the Museum Association; Sydney and Ed Taylor; Shirley Tuck; the 2008 Museum Antiques Show, sponsored by Carolina First, 2006. Greenville County Museum of Art. (Greenville County Museum of Art)

The Natural Bridge is one of the most frequently depicted sites in 19th-century American landscape painting, according to Christopher C. Oliver, the assistant curator of American art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Oliver mentioned the fact as part of an impassioned online opening talk for the museums new exhibition, Virginia Arcadia: The Natural Bridge in American Art, which he curated.

The exhibition explores the phenomenon of the Natural Bridge as seen in 60 paintings, prints, photographs, and decorative art objects from 1775 to the early 1900s. Its important to note that the site is a significant cultural, historical landmark for the Monacan nation, of the Eastern Siouan people, who long predate European and colonial connections with the Natural Bridge.

Oliver titled the exhibition Virginia Arcadia because the Arcadian vision is so prominent in 18th- and 19th-century American as well European landscape painting, he says.

Natural Bridge, Rockbridge Co., Va., 1858, from Album of Virginia, by Edward Beyer. Lithograph. Virginiana Fund, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)

Beyond Picturesque: Sublime

Thomas Jefferson described the Natural Bridge as the most sublime of Natures works in his Notes on the State of Virginia.

He added: It is impossible for the emotions, arising from the sublime, to be felt beyond what they are here: so beautiful an arch, so elevated, so light, and springing, as it were, up to heaven, the rapture of the Spectator is really indescribable!

In his Monticello home, Jefferson hung two paintings of the Natural Bridge by Virginia artist David Roberts (which had been gifted to him when he was president) beside artwork depicting another great American icon: Niagara Falls. Jefferson, as we explore in this exhibition, becomes really the first and major proponent not only of the Natural Bridge, but sets its importance by rhetorically pairing it with Niagara Falls, Oliver says.

To display how Jefferson placed the Natural Bridge and Niagara Falls artworks together at Monticello, the exhibition created a copy of a pediment window on the wall next to the paintings where they likely hung. The window was a prominent feature of the dining room.

Also included in the exhibition, which further illustrates Jeffersons love for the Natural Bridge, is an unusual portrait of Jefferson. Its unusual because rather than being portrayed in the more formal setting seen in his peers portraits, Jefferson is depicted in nature with the Natural Bridge in the background, Oliver explains.

The portrait was put on display in the New York City Shakespeare Gallery, just days after Jeffersons inauguration in 1801.

In the portrait, self-taught artist Caleb Boyle painted Jefferson almost as a gentleman farmer type figure, erudite, though, in his appreciation of the landscape, here in the kind of hinterlands of the nation, in the wilderness of Virginia at the Natural Bridge, Oliver says.

Romance of the Hudson River School

The rise of American landscape painters that we so frequently call the Hudson River School, which has a firm basis in the tradition of English Romantic painting, really rises shortly after Jeffersons death [in 1835], Oliver says.

Natural Bridge, Virginia, circa 1835, by Jacob Caleb Ward. Oil on panel. Purchase, William Rockhill Nelson Trust. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Mo. (Jamison Miller)

In 1851, American painter Frederic Edwin Church depicted the Natural Bridge. Church was a second-generation Hudson River School painter, known for his detailed and Romantic style.

Church was following the mold of his mentor Thomas Cole, in that kind of subtle combination of landscape and history: That is, a painting could be a representation of contemporary landscape but also about American history, Oliver says.

In Churchs Natural Bridge painting, two figures are slightly off to the center-right: A lady sits perched on a rock listening intently to a man, who is telling an animated tale.

The man is Patrick Henry, the first caretaker of the Natural Bridge, a former slave who purchased his own freedom and whom Jefferson employed. In the painting, he throws his hand skyward, and we might think hes merely pointing out the bridge. But Oliver believes hes pointing to the Western Trail thats hinted at by a small fence, which Church painted on the arch. The Great Wagon Road, constructed between 1720 and 1763, took travelers near the Natural Bridge.

The Natural Bridge, Virginia, 1852, by Frederic Edwin Church. Oil on canvas. Gift of Thomas Fortune Ryan. The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia. (Mark Gulezian/QuickSilver)

Oliver recounts how Church painted the color of the Natural Bridge accurately. Churchs traveling companion and patron, Cyrus West Field, offered Church a selection of rocks hed collected from the Natural Bridge site. He thought Church might find them useful to color match the Natural Bridge when painting the scene back in his New York studio. Church declined. Hed made a series of sketches onsite, some of which are in the exhibition; hed used a number system to color code the scene, with entries such as 5rich orange rust.

Another second-generation Hudson River School artist was David Johnson. His painting of the Natural Bridge is also featured in the exhibition. Johnson was a luminist, focusing on detailed paintings with an emphasis on light and ensuring that the brushwork was concealed.

Two examples in the exhibition are known as paired views, where the artist would paint a wide-angle composition of a landscape and then paint another view that focuses on a particular detail.

Natural Bridge, Virginia, 1860, by David Johnson. Oil on canvas. Winston-Salem, N.C. Gift of

Philip Hanes Jr., in honor of Charles H. Babcock, Sr., Reynolda House Museum of

American Art. Reynolda House is an affiliate of Wake Forest University. (Courtesy of Reynolda House Museum of American Art)

Natural Bridge, Virginia, 1860, by David Johnson. Oil on canvas. Private collection. (Courtesy of Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)

A Whale of an American Icon

As for the Natural Bridge mentioned in Melvilles Moby-Dick, Oliver, in the exhibitions opening presentation, brings the excitement of the first whale hunt to life as he reads Melvilles words:

But soon the fore part of him slowly rose from the water; for an instant his whole marbleized body formed a high arch, like Virginias Natural Bridge 

Oliver explains that Melville was aware, as all writers are, of the visual currency of iconic images. And across the globe, in Europe and in the United States, people would have understood Melvilles reference, he says.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts exhibition Virginia Arcadia: The Natural Bridge in American Art, runs until Aug. 1. To find out more about paintings of the Natural Bridge, visit VMFA.museum
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses after the fatal crash (PA)

A woman has died in a collision between two cars in Co Wexford.

The crash occurred shortly before 6am on Friday on the New Line Road (R733), gardai said.

The woman, aged in her 20s, was the driver of one of the cars. She was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the crash.

She was taken to Wexford General Hospital where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

The driver of the second car, a woman aged in her 60s, was taken to the same hospital for treatment to non-life-hreatening injuries.

The road was closed to allow forensic collision investigators to carry out an examination.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses, in particular anyone with dashcam footage who was travelling in the area between 5.30am and 6am.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
A laboratory technician uses a pipette device to process samples to test for COVID-19 at Biogroup Laboratory's lab in west London on Jan. 21, 2021. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

New CCP Virus Variant Under Investigation in UK

Sixteen cases of a new variant of the CCP virus have been identified in the UK, Public Health England (PHE) revealed on Thursday.

The new variant, VUI-202102/04 (lineage B.1.1.318), has been designated by PHE as a variant under investigation.

This variant, understood to have originated in the UK, was first identified on Feb. 15 through genomic horizon scanning. All individuals who tested positive and their contacts have been traced and advised to isolate, PHE said.

Soldiers wearing full PPE in the form of face shields, gloves, face masks and bibs wait to assist CCP virus testing at a rapid testing centre in the Liverpool exhibition centre in Liverpool, England, on November 11, 2020. (Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

The variant contains the E484K mutation, which is also found in the South African and Brazilian P.1 variants and is expected to make existing antibodies less effective.

But it does not feature the N501Y mutation, which is potentially linked to increased transmissibility.

A variant under investigation can be designated a variant of concern after a risk assessment with the relevant expert committee.

PHE also said that, as of March 3, a total of 59 cases of the South African variant (VOC-202012/02) have been found in England where no travel links could be established.

On Sunday, PHE said six cases of the Brazilian P.1 variant had been detected in the UK, three in England and three more in Scotland.

Five of these cases have been self-isolating, but one case in England could not be traced as they did not complete their test registration card.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock speaks during a press briefing at Downing Street in London, on Feb. 1, 2021. (Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday that the search for the missing case had narrowed down to just 379 households in southeast England.

Scientists are concerned that the P.1 variant is not only more resistant to antibodies, but may also be able to re-infect CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus patients more easily.

The UK government has adopted strict travel controls to prevent CCP virus variants from entering the country.

People arriving in England from 33 countries on the UKs red list, including southern Africa, South America, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates, must enter the country through a designated port and have pre-booked a quarantine package to stay at one of the governments managed quarantine facilities.

In Scotland, the devolved administration is enforcing stricter measures than in England, requiring travellers from all countries except Ireland to quarantine in hotels.
Deputy Communication Director of the ruling NPP, Mame Yaa Aboagye has congratulated the Minister-designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Hawa Koomson after the approval by the plenary of parliament.



This follows the Parliament of Ghana's approval of the minister-nominee by 161 secret ballots in her favour (60.67 percent).



Announcing the results to parliamentarians, Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament stated: In respect of Honourable Mavis Hawa Koomson, the same number of qualified voters, the Ayes, 161, the [Nays], 104; the percentage of votes obtained [60.75]. In the circumstances, Honourable Mavis Hawa Koomson is accordingly approved.



Mame Yaa taking to social media congratulates her saying; "Congratulations Hon. Hawa Koomson. I am overly confident that you will deliver on your mandate with excellence that comes with the usual admiration of all Ghanaians. You've proven yourself as one of the hardworking Ministers of President Akufo-Addo's administration and we say Ayekooo."

Source: peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

NORTHAMPTON  A license plate so encrusted with salt and dirt that it was unreadable led to the arrest of a Vermont man accused of drug trafficking.

Harry Sanborn, 46, of Chelsea, Vermont, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and charged with trafficking in crack cocaine and heroin and unlicensed operation of a vehicle, Massachusetts State Police said.

Trooper Tyler Hersom stopped Sanborn on Interstate-91 at about 1:30 p.m. because his license plate was unreadable. While doing a routine check of his license, Hersom found that Sanborns license had been suspended.

While frisking Sanborn, Hersom found a small amount of what is believed to be crack cocaine in his possession. Troopers then searched his car to prepare it to be towed and found about 900 packets weighing about 18 grams of apparent heroin. They also found 47 grams of a substance believed to be crack cocaine, police said.

He was booked at the Northampton State Police barracks and bail was set at $25,000. His arraignment was scheduled for Northampton District Court.

Related content:

US President looks forward to engaging with his counterparts in Australia, India and Japan in the Indo-Pacific region as soon as possible, according to a senior administration official.

Quad comprises Japan, India, Australia and the United States. The four countries had in 2017 given shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the "Quad" or the Quadrilateral coalition to counter China's aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.

President Biden has had warm and productive early conversations with his counterparts in Australia, India, and Japan, and looks forward to engaging even more directly with our partners in the Indo-Pacific as soon as possible, a senior administration official told PTI.

In less than 50 days after being sworn in as the President of the United States, Biden and his administration, including Secretary of State Tony Blinken, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan have had unprecedented engagement with their counterparts from Quad countries, the official said.

Quad leaders were among the top 10 phone calls of Biden with world leaders. He spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on January 27, Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia on February 3 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 8. Indo-Pacific region figured prominently in each of these phone calls.

The informal grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the US is called Quad, a format that is strongly being pushed by the Biden administration.

Quad already has had its first meeting of its foreign minister. The Japanese media had last month reported that a Quad summit is in the works.

Both the White House and the State Department have refrained from making any comment on a Quad summit so far. The Pentagon last month said it supports such a meeting of its leaders.

Axios news website, citing people familiar with the matter, reported on Thursday that Biden plans to meet this month with the leaders of Japan, Australia and India in a virtual summit of the so-called Quad.

By putting a Quad meeting on the president's schedule, the White House is signaling the importance of partnerships and alliances to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, it said.

Acting Assistant Secretary of east Asian and Pacific Affairs Sung Kim, in his address to the 27th US-Japan Security Summit on Wednesday, said that the United States and Japan are also working closely together with India and Australia through the Quad.

Secretary Blinken and the other Quad foreign ministers met on February 18 and committed to meeting at least annually at the ministerial level, and on a regular basis at senior and working levels, to strengthen cooperation on advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region, he said.

During the Quad ministerial on February 18, top diplomats from four countries discussed countering disinformation, counterterrorism, maritime security, the urgent need to restore the democratically elected government in Burma, and the priority of strengthening democratic resilience in the broader region.

The participants reaffirmed their mutual support for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) centrality.

They reiterated their commitment to the Quad meeting at least annually at the Ministerial level and on a regular basis at senior and working levels to strengthen cooperation on advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including support for freedom of navigation and territorial integrity, the State Department said in a readout of the meeting.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 10:06:17|Editor: Xiaoxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China vows to resolutely prevent and contain external interference in Hong Kong and Macao affairs, according to the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development and the long-range objectives through the year 2035.

The draft blueprint was submitted Friday to the annual session of the national legislature for deliberation. Enditem
Valens now has the platform to produce a wide range of edible products in various formats and doses, as well as additional product development and manufacturing capability

Inc ( ) ( ) (FRA:7LV) announced Friday the closing of the LYF Food Technologies Inc acquisition, launching itself into the edibles market.

LYF produces chocolate, confectionery, baked and health food cannabis-infused edibles. The group offers white label and private label services and a comprehensive portfolio of in-house brands.

Kelowna-based Valens acquired LYF for C$24.9 million, plus about C$17.5 million in post-closing consideration, subject to achieving certain earn-out EBITDA milestones.

The company told shareholders that it has accelerated its footprint in the edibles category, which is one of the fastest-growing segments of the Cannabis 2.0 and 3.0 markets. Valens now has the platform to produce a wide range of edible products in various formats and doses, as well as additional product development and manufacturing capability, thanks to LYFs purpose-built, 10,500 square foot manufacturing facility, just minutes away from the Valens headquarters.

In the first quarter of 2021, Valens and LYF launched edible products with shared partners A1 Cannabis Co and Verse Cannabis. In partnership with A1 Cannabis, LYF launched the Summit Wild Berry Soft Chews, made with real-fruit juice, no added colours or flavours and 5mg of THC per soft chew. Additionally, and Verse Cannabis launched Verse Soft Chews, a new line of edible formulations.

The Verse Baked Apple Soft Chews are now available in Alberta and are expected to start sales shortly in BC and Ontario, while the Verse Sour Medley Soft Chews will be on the market in Alberta and BC in the coming weeks.

Valens CEO Tyler Robson told investors that the acquisition will strengthen its manufacturing leadership position, thanks to LYFs confectionary expertise and broad network of partners and retailers.

The closing of the LYF acquisition, and the addition of their leading edibles platform, signifies the completion of a key milestone in our strategy to drive SKU growth in new product categories and maximize market share gains across the country, Robson said in a statement.

We have already begun diversifying our product offering with the launch of various soft chews manufactured in LYF's facility, and we have a strong pipeline of new innovative edible products we believe will increase both quality and variety in the existing edibles segment in Canada today."

LYFs co-founders Paolo Pero and Matthew Amado added that the team is ready to hit the ground running as a unified manufacturing force in the Canadian recreational market.

Our shared passion for putting consumers at the forefront of product development, formulation and commercialization will be demonstrated as we begin rolling out various edible products that the Canadian market has never seen before, the two co-founders said in a statement.

Valens said it expects to ramp up shipments of edible products to provincial retailers in the coming weeks, including existing SKUs such as Citizen Stash Strawberry Mac gummies from LYF's white label agreement with Experion Biotechnologies Inc. It also plans to launch an assortment of unique, consumer-driven edible products into the market in 2Q.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
Background: Although caregivers of patients with eating disorders usually experience a heavy caregiving burden, the effects of social support on caregivers of patients with eating disorders are unknown. This study aimed to investigate how social support for mothers who are caregivers of patients with an eating disorder improves the mothers' mental status and, consequently, the symptoms and status of the patients.

Methods: Fifty-seven pairs of participants were recruited from four family self-help groups and one university hospital in Japan. Recruitment was conducted from July 2017 to August 2018. Mothers were evaluated for social support using the Japanese version of the Social Provisions Scale-10 item (SPS-10), self-efficacy using the General Self-Efficacy Scale, loneliness using the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, listening attitude using the Active Listening Attitude Scale, family functioning using the Family Assessment Device, depression symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory (Second Edition), and psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Patients were evaluated for self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, assertion using the Youth Assertion Scale, and their symptoms using the Eating Disorder Inventory. We divided the mothers and patients into two groups based on the mean score of the SPS-10 of mothers and compared the status of mothers and patients between the high- and low-scoring groups.

Results: High social support for mothers of patients with eating disorders was significantly associated with lower scores for loneliness and depression of these mothers. We found no significant differences in any patient scores based on mothers' level of social support.

Conclusions: For patients with eating disorders, social support for a caregiver cannot be expected to improve their symptoms, but it may help prevent caregiver depression and loneliness.

###

Keywords: Caregiver; Depression; Eating disorders; Listening attitude; Loneliness; Psychological distress; Self-efficacy; Social support.

Retired Gen. Rick Hillier, right, chair of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force and Ontario Premier Doug Ford give an update regarding the Ontario COVID-19 vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Frustratingly slow was the way David Shearer, Head of the UN Mission for South Sudan, described the progress towards stability in the 10-year-old state upon the end of his mission on 3 March.

Halima, Deputy President of the Egyptian Council for African Affairs and Former Assistant Minister for Sudan's affairs in Egypt, agreed in an interview with Ahram Online, a few days earlier, that the young African state still has a lot of hard work to do with the cooperation of its neighbours - particularly Egypt and Sudan - to reach the point of stability and security.

One would have hoped that 10 years down the road since Sudan became an independent state the people of South Sudan would have now gotten their fair share of stability and development. The fact of the matter is, that they still need to work very hard and of course they need the help of all possible partners especially Egypt and Sudan, Halima said.

Speaking a little after a year since the late February 2020 announcement of the South Sudan unity government, that should have brought a permanent end to civil fighting, Halima said that it was disturbing to find that tribal squabbles and fighting over power and wealth is still haunting this country that has enough natural wealth and a population that is eager to live in peace and prosperity.

Last year, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his former Adversary Riek Machar received support from the UN and the AU for agreeing to end their civil fighting and to sign a peace deal. However, during the past few months, fighting picked up again, resulting in there being a threat of another possible collapse to South Sudan's peace.

Unfortunately, the tribal affiliations were not put aside upon the independence of Sudan to allow for the new born state to stand fast and firm on solid feet, Halima said.

On 9 January 2011, the people of South Sudan went for a referendum that provided overwhelming support for independence from the north of the country. Prior to the split, Halima - as a diplomatic envoy - was working to promote the continued unity of Sudan. He, however, knew that the chances to stop the separation were not at all high.

We tried very hard to encourage reforms that would have increased the call for unity but it did not work; the people of South Sudan were really marginalised and they suffered what one could safely qualify as ethnic discrimination from the ruling regime in Khartoum, Halima said. They also suffered from the wish of the regime of [the now-ousted Sudanese President Omar Bashir] to impose Islamic Shariaa on the [predominantly non-Muslim] population of the south, he added.

Halima is not sure whether or not an earlier ouster of Sudan's former dictator, which inevitably happened in April 2019, could have kept the unity of Sudan. He also is not so certain whether a longer transition - than the six-month period that allowed for announcement of the South of Sudan on 9 July 2011 - would have made a difference in creating a setting that would have prevented the power struggle in the new state that still persists until this very day.

He, however, is certain that today is the time for all possible partners to try and establish as strong a relationship with Juba as possible to help promote peace and development.

The South Sudan peace partners, Halima argued, are still not fully resolved as it seems to succumb to all that it takes to secure permanent peace and stability. The regional context in East Africa, he added is also not helping.

There are signs of a surge of militant activities, there are many foreign permanent and non-permanent military bases in the region and in the Red Sea, there is also ethnic squabbling in some neighbouring countries as well as border fighting between some of these neighbouring countries, Halima said. This, he argued, could reflect very negatively on a country that has yet to recover from the ailments of civil fighting.

Egypt, Halima said, is certainly in a place to help South Sudan hang on to the chances of peace and prosperity. Sudan too has an interest in helping its southern neighbour, he added.

Last November, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi visited Juba and appealed for political, economic and security cooperation. In the next few hours, El-Sisi is expected in Khartoum with a similar agenda.

Egypt has a big interest in working with both Juba, and of course with Khartoum. Their cooperation could serve in range of issues from the River Nile to the security of the Red Sea and from regional security to joint trade and economy cooperation, said Halima. So far, Egypt has mostly focused on medical and humanitarian cooperation as well as having launched some investments, but there is room for a lot more, he added.

According to Halima, with the launch of solid infra-structure for transport between Egypt and Sudan, there is also room for expansion to South Sudan. The three countries are joined by the River Nile; they share a lot of common interests and they have human and natural resources thus, there is ample opportunity for three-way cooperation in addition to the bilateral collaboration that has already been established, he added.



Short link:



It's World Book Day today, a day to celebrate books and shared reading, whatever the circumstances.

Over the past year, many of us first fell in love with stories like hit TV series The Queens Gambit, Bridgerton, Lupin and Firefly Lane through the books that these popular series are based on.

In fact, led by Bridgerton, half of the Top 10 titles on The New York Times Best Sellers list in February were books tied to Netflix series, and theyre not alone in having a literary revival.

As it became the streaming giant's biggest series, the popularity of Julia Quinns Bridgerton novels ballooned - at one point five books from the series were on the New York Times Best Sellers list, with The Duke and I holding steady at #1 for four weeks.

Kristin Hannahs Firefly Lane first appeared on the Top 10 list a month ahead of the shows release as interest in the series grew. The book hit #1 just three days after its premiere, and 13 years after its first publication.

Three weeks after the limited series premiered, Walter Tevis The Queens Gambit appeared on the list for the first time since it was published 37 years ago; and went on to stay in the Top 10 for 11 weeks.

After Lupin premiered, Maurice Leblancs original book (written in 1907) began trending in several countries such as Italy, Spain, the US, the UK and Korea, with sales reaching the equivalent of one years worth in just 15 days. Ten days post-premiere, the book ranked in the Top 5 bestsellers on Amazon and Fnac.

So, what other books could be back as a bestseller?

Here are some of the noteworthy adaptations coming to the Netflix catalogue:

Jennifer Mathieus Moxie  Premiered March 3

Amy Krouse Rosenthals YES DAY - premiering March 12

Leigh Bardugos Shadow and Bone - premiering April 23

Things Heard & Seen based on Elizabeth Brundages All Things Cease to Appear - premiering April 30

A.J. Finns The Woman in the Window - coming soon

Maurice Leblancs Lupin - Part 2 is on its way this summer

R.L. Stines Fear Street Trilogy - coming to scare this summer

Jojo Moyes The Last Letter From Your Lover - coming soon

Beth Reekles The Kissing Booth 3 - coming soon

Caroline Kepnes YOU - Season 3 is coming soon

Robyn Carrs Virgin River - Season 3 is coming soon

Sherryl Woods Sweet Magnolias - Season 2 is coming soon

Concrete Cowboy, based on Gregory Neris Ghetto Cowboy - coming soon

J.A. Whites Nightbooks - coming soon

Stephanie Lands Maid - coming soon
Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday he would present the United States and European powers with a constructive concrete plan of action over reviving the 2015 international agreement to limit Tehrans nuclear capabilities shortly.

The statement is the latest sign of movement from Iran on a potential return to negotiations as Western diplomats aim to restart dialogue as quickly as possible to take advantage of a narrow time window before the countrys presidential elections, scheduled in June.

Zarif also shot down comments by a conservative senior Iranian politician who suggested that Iran was willing to negotiate if offered a clear signal that sanctions imposed by the previous administration will be revoked within a year.

They can announce and reassure us that all sanctions imposed after the [2015 nuclear deal] would be lifted in less than one year and tell us to go and negotiate the process, said Mohsen Rezai, a policy adviser to Irans supreme leader, serial presidential candidate and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Financial Times.

Rezais comment seemed to signal a softening of Tehrans public demand that the United States repeal all sanctions imposed since 2018 before negotiations can begin.

Iranian polity is vibrant & officials express diverse opinions. But those opinions should NOT be confused with state policy, Zarif tweeted in response on Friday.

As Irans FM & chief nuclear negotiator, I will shortly present our constructive plan of action  through proper diplomatic channels, he said.

In 2018, the administration of former US President Donald Trump unilaterally walked out of the 2015 international agreement, which placed strict limits on Irans nuclear program. Iran has responded by publicly violating the deal, enriching uranium and assembling centrifuges beyond the limits permitted by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

US officials have also accused Iran of at least indirectly enabling attacks by its proxy forces in the region on Saudi Arabia and US and international coalition forces in Iraq, in addition to sabotaging oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in 2019. Iran has denied responsibility for such incidents.

The conflicting signs from Zarif and Rezai came one day after Reuters cited two anonymous European diplomatic sources as saying Tehran had sent positive signals about the potential for future direct negotiations over the last few days. One source told Reuters that Western negotiators were aiming to start talks before the Iranian new year on March 20.

Yet Tehran continues to demand guarantees of pathways to sanctions relief before participating in the talks, something US officials so far reportedly remain reluctant to do.
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday (March 5) released the list of 291 Trinamool Congress candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The CM said that if voted to power, they will create Vidhan Parishad for senior leaders.

After we come to power we will create Vidhan Parishad to accommodate senior and experienced leaders, the TMC supremo said.

In the list released, TMC has dropped over 20 sitting MLAs including senior leaders like Partha Chattopadhyay and Amit Mitra. The leaders aged above 80 years have not been given tickets this time.

"23-24 existing TMC MLAs have been dropped due to age and other reasons. Banerjee said.

"Those above 80 years of age have been dropped in the wake of COVID-19 situation and in view Election Commission norms," she addded.

"Have faith in me, only TMC can take Bengal to new heights," Banerjee said while announcing the candidates list.

Meanwhile, TMC has left three seats- Darjeeling, Kurswon and Kalimpong- out of the total 294 Assembly seats for friendly parties.

Banerjee announced that she will contest from Nandigram seat which is considered a stronghold of TMC-turned-BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. It is speculated that BJP may field Adhikari from this seat though the names of candidates are yet to be announced.

While veteran TMC minister Sovandeb Chatterjee will contest Bhawanipur in her place.

Banerjee announced that TMC has fielded 50 women, 42 Muslim candidates, 79 scheduled caste candidates and 17 Scheduled Tribe candidates to contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.

The polls will be held in eight phases beginning from March 27.

Live TV
Washington, March 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :The grounds of the US Capitol were ringed with boosted security Thursday after officials warned of an attack plot by QAnon conspiracists, two months after backers of ex-president Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building.

The House of Representatives cancelled their session and lawmakers were encouraged to stay away following authorities warning that violent militia groups and QAnon followers had discussed attacking the legislature on or about March 4, but by midday the scene was quiet.

There was no sign of protesters as armed National Guard members were deployed in and around the Capitol complex, which has been fortified with high fences topped by razor wire.

The Senate remained in session and many people were still at work in the Capitol complex of buildings, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it "made sense" to reduce activities after the warnings.

"We're way ahead of where we were last time because we have fences and we have National Guard and the rest," she told reporters.

At the same time, she played down their response, saying the House's legislative Calendar was accelerated Wednesday to accomodate other activities.

"I don't think anybody should take any encouragement that because some troublemakers might show up that we changed our whole schedule," she said.

- 'Aspirational' threats - An FBI-Homeland Security bulletin warned of extremists still motivated by unfounded Republican claims of widespread voter fraud in the November presidential election won by Democrat Joe Biden.

Also driving the possible threat is a belief by followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory that Trump could be restored to the White House on March 4, which was the date for US presidential inaugurations before 1933.

In late February some militant groups "discussed plans to take control of the US Capitol and remove Democratic lawmakers on or about March 4," according to the bulletin.

The Capitol Police issued their own alert.

"We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4," they said Wednesday.

The warnings said the threats were more "aspirational" than developed.

But FBI and Homeland Security officials have admitted that they were not prepared and did not give adequate warning about the violent January 6 attack on the legislature, which top officials have called an unprecedented insurrection and an "attempted coup" to prevent Biden from assuming the presidency.

Hundreds of Trump backers forced their way into the Capitol, shutting down the process to certify Biden as the election winner.

More than 200 have been arrested and hundreds more are under investigation, including members of extremist groups like the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and Three Percenters who espouse ultra-nationalist, neo-nazi and white supremacist views.

But security officials also said that the threat is ongoing and not confined to this week.

The bulletin waid that the most violent groups have also spoken of using explosives, with Biden's yet-to-be scheduled plan to address Congress a possible target.

FBI Director Christopher Wray told a Congressional hearing that his agents had 2,000 open cases dealing with domestic extremists, double the number from 2017.

While security officials have avoided tying the violence to Trump, who now lives in Florida, they say one driving force remains the unfounded claims that his 2020 election loss was due to widespread voter fraud.

Trump repeated the claim last Sunday in an address to the annual gathering of the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Building a small business is 'an extreme sport'. But a mindset shift by asset managers to start investing in startups can support promising small enterprises, which, in turn, should use their nimbleness to access markets that are hard to penetrate.

Andile Khumalo

Mo Flava Fred Roed

Heidi Brauer

African Accent, a spaza shop distribution hub

Busanimen Tailors, providing suits and formal wear for special events

Ground One Coffee, a coffee company that also provides related services

Haircelerate, a local hair-care brand that promotes love and care for your hair

Journey Leather, a leather brand celebrating local craft

Moja Chicken, a Black-owned grilled-chicken restaurant

Ronewa Creations, a landscaping service

SchoolHub, a secure school payments platform

Thesis Lifestyle, a streetwear brand

Next Level Learning, an early childhood and foundation phase education provider

Koni Wines, a local Black-owned wine brand

All Things Laundry, a township-based laundromat

This is according to entrepreneur and chartered accountant Andile Khumalo, speaking about the importance of supporting small businesses at the launch of an innovative new campaign, which will see leading insurer, Hollard, sharing its big advertising spaces with 12 budding SMMEs over the next six months.The idea is to help these small enterprises thrive in the long term, bolstering South Africas economy in the process.Hollard launched its Big Ads for Small Business campaign on a pioneering, futuristic SMME exhibition platform. The immersive virtual world was designed in graphic detail to allow participants, through their avatars, to move around the main stage area and exhibition rooms, listen to keynote speeches and approach small-business owners at their branded booths for chats.Attendees also had the chance to network extensively, read about the various small businesses and watch videos in dedicated reading and viewing areas.Big ads are any big-budget advertisements that small businesses would otherwise struggle to afford, including billboards, street-pole advertising, radio and television spots and digital ad spaces. Each selected business will benefit from roughly R1m in advertising spend, not counting agency fees and the cost of creative material.Considering the relatively small local market, Khumalo urged small businesses to consider expanding their operations beyond the borders of South Africa, saying: Every big business out there was once a small business, just like you.The other keynote speeches were delivered by Metro FM radio show host Mo Flava and Heavy Chef learning platform CEO Fred Roed.Flava said the story of small businesses was the story of hope. He had already used radio, social media and other digital spaces to give deserving entrepreneurs a platform, but it was important to get more success stories out there. Theres power in using our networks, he said, encouraging participants to use their own platforms to boost local brands they like.Our core belief is that entrepreneurs can change the world for the better, added Roed, using the example of South Korea, which in just 60 years engineered a turnaround from having the GDP equivalent of Rwanda to being a future-based, digital society. He told the small businesses present: You guys are the change we want to see.Hollard chief marketing officer Heidi Brauer said Hollards purpose is to enable more people to create and secure a better future. This is one of the reasons why Hollard had decided  in tough times, with many small businesses suffering  on a better way to do a campaign, by sharing its advertising space with small businesses.The insurer wants to be a catalyst for positive and enduring change, she stressed. We want to inspire others to do the same.The aim is, ultimately, to provide the SMMEs with not only marketing support but also business tools through partners such as Heavy Chef to ensure their long-term growth. This will create a collective knock-on effect of better futures, for communities and for South Africas economy.The selected small businesses were chosen from an initial pool of 292 SMMEs proposed by Hollard employees. Criteria included whether they would benefit from the campaign, could handle a potential rapid increase in business and were spread across the country.The 12 businesses are:Find out more about the campaign and the small businesses being promoted at https://www.hollard.co.za/bigads and watch the campaign videos featuring the SMMEs here https://bit.ly/3qWsdJi Watch the keynote presentations here:Established in 1980, the Hollard Insurance Group (Hollard) provides short-term and life insurance as well as investment products to a diverse customer base including individual consumers, commercial entities, and corporate clients. It ranks among a growing number of companies advocating an inclusive growth model, measuring its social dividends as well as its contribution to shareholders. Hollards organisational Purpose is to enable more people to create and secure a better future.Hollard South Africa and Hollard International wrote a combined premium income in excess of R25bn in the year to June 2019 across short-term and life insurance operations in 11 countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Indonesia and the Philippines.Since inception, partnership has been at the heart of its business model, with the group today boasting over 100 ventures across the insurance value chain. Each one demonstrates the Hollard belief that there is always a better way and the idea of win-win-win, whereby Hollard, the partner and the consumer all win through this spirit of collaboration and co-creation.
ExxonMobil appointed a climate-minded activist investor to its board of directors after investment firm Engine No. 1 called on the American oil and gas giant to overhaul its board with expertise on climate change to drive its industrial transformation. The current business model is exposed to immense risk in the global realignment toward cleaner energies, Engine No. 1 said. In Europe, British oil and gas firm BP aims to become an integrated energy company and pledged to reduce its oil and gas production by over 40% by 2030.

There has been no such comparable trend in the Gulf. Saudi Aramco, the regions largest state-owned oil company, did not include emissions from many refineries and petrochemical plants in its self-reported carbon footprint, misleading investors climate risk assessments. Aramco is one of the few large, listed oil companies that does not disclose Scope 3 emissions  produced when customers use its fuels  which typically account for more than 80% of oil companies total emissions," Bloomberg reported. The emission rates make Aramco a world leader in carbon emissions.

Saudi Aramco did not respond to a request for comment..

I have no regrets; it is a minor factor about how I think about Aramco, said Saleh Al Omar, a Saudi retail investor who bought shares of Saudi Aramco during its initial public offering in 2019.

He told Al-Monitor carbon disclosures are really not a factor for Saudis who invest in the local stock market. Moreover, the government sponsoring the IPO had convinced him that shares would be protected from any significant downtrend.

Aramcos disclosures nonetheless exceed the standards for regional and non-Western producers. There is way more transparency from Aramco than any of the other oil and gas companies in the Gulf, Jim Krane, energy fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute, told Al-Monitor. Oman's largest oil producer, Petroleum Development Oman, did not respond to a request for comment.

Saudi oil is cleaner than oil produced in America.

Saudi Aramco and other Gulf producers are unlikely to face pressure from the US administration for further disclosures despite US President Joe Biden's pledge to lead the world to address the climate emergency."

Indeed, the Saudi oil giant could reply that its oil is probably the cleanest source of petroleum on earth, implying that Saudi oil is cleaner than oil produced in America, Krane said.

Despite Saudi Aramco having produced 4.38% of the worlds carbon emissions since 1965, drilling a barrel of Saudi oil generates significantly fewer emissions than other producers  half that in the United States  Aramcos IPO prospectus shows.

It is not something I would expect the Biden administration to highlight, Krane said.

A US State Department spokesperson told Al-Monitor the United States is engaging the rest of the world  bilaterally and multilaterally  to step up climate action and will therefore also engage with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on this issue.

Saudi Aramco was added in November 2020 to a list of 167 companies targeted by Climate Action 100+, one of the worlds leading investor groups. It aims to push companies responsible for much of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions to take action on climate change, including emissions cuts and improved climate-related disclosures.

Yet, unlike BP or energy giant Total, neither Saudi Aramco nor other Gulf oil companies have formulated net-zero targets, rather expressing aim to tighten their grip on global demand for oil and petroleum-based products. The crown prince of Abu Dhabi said in 2015 preparations are on to ensure that our resources remain sustainable until the last drop of oil.

Environmentalists argue Western oil companies' net-zero claims  which mean removing the quantities of emissions produced from the atmosphere  are insufficient to limit global warming and fail to address the need to reduce carbon emissions.

The lack of environmental transparency is not limited to Gulf national oil companies. In November 2020, dozens of oil and gas companies committed to reporting more accurately on methane emissions under the European Union-United Nations-led Oil and Gas Methane Partnership, but Russian producers are not involved, nor any national oil companies apart from the United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

Population remains "poorly informed" on oil industry's impact

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the oil and gas industry is the largest industrial source of emissions of volatile organic compounds, including air toxics, pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects.

The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that air pollution, partly caused by the emissions and activities of oil and gas companies, is the most important environmental health risk of our time, causing one in nine deaths globally.

In the Gulf, although environmental awareness is on the rise, a significant portion of the population remains poorly informed, read an analysis by BCG, one of the world's leading management consulting firms. About half of 18- to 24-year-olds said they had never heard of or were unsure of the meaning of 'carbon footprint,' the 2021 BCG study found.

Lack of understanding of climate issues coupled with restrictions over freedom of expression prevents most citizens from questioning the impacts of oil companies on public health.

In China, the worlds largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the government has declared a war on air pollution, yet the green targets of state energy producers lag behind those set by European energy majors despite PetroChina's target for near-zero emissions by 2050, Reuters reported.

Reason to hope

To highlight the importance of corporate environmental transparency, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment can play a role. However, The Middle East is very much behind the curve in terms of ESG investing, said green finance strategic adviser Jessica Robinson, founder of Moxie Future, a platform that seeks to empower women investors.

An exceptionally meagre 7% of investors in the region say they always take ESG factors into consideration in their investments, HSBC reported. Robinson told Al-Monitor that sovereign wealth funds should ultimately be the ones initiating a change in investment philosophy. They are the one who sits at the top of the investment value chain, so once we get them to engage in the ESG agenda, it has ripple-through effects throughout the system.

As a sign of goodwill, four of the six founding members of the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Fund Working Group are entities controlled by Gulf states, including Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund. The international coalition of sovereign wealth funds aims to integrate environmental considerations in the management of large, long-term asset pools.

We've got a long way to go but I am hopeful, Robinson said.
Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-Category
Chief Minister on Friday released the list of Trinamool Congress candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls for 291 seats with emphasis on youths, minority, women and backward communities.

Three candidates of the Bimal Gurung faction of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), an ally of the TMC, will be contesting from the remaining three seats in Darjeeling.

This time we have stressed on more youths and women candidates. Around 23-24 sitting MLAS have been dropped and there are names of about 50 women, 42 muslims, 79 SC and 17 ST candidates in the list, Banerjee said.

Exuding confidence of returning to power for the third consecutive time, Banerjee termed it as the easiest election the TMC has ever faced.

After we come to power we will create Vidhan Parishad to accommodate senior and experienced leaders. We could not accommodate everybody especially those above the age of 80 years, she said.





I will be contesting from Nandigram, my party colleague Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay will be contesting from Bhawanipore seat, she said.

State Finance Minister Amit Mitra wont be contesting due to poor health, she said. Purnendu Bose is another elderly minister missing from the list of candidates and so is veteran legislator Jatu Lahiri from Sibpur.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Photo credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic / Dimitrios Kambouris / Daniele Venturelli / Marc Piasecki / Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Venturelli - Getty Images

From Digital Spy

Remember that little known show Game of Thrones that dominated all of our lives for the best part of eight years before wrapping up back in 2019?

It was recently announced that Kit Harington is joining the second season of Amazon's Modern Love, which got us thinking: what are the rest of them up to?

We're not going to list every cast member because who has time for that? But we've taken a look at the biggest players to find out who has been the busiest since parting ways with Westeros.

12. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime)

Photo credit: Europa Press News - Getty Images

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is swapping Westeros for Netflix survival drama Against the Ice, which he also created.

Set in 1909, he plays a captain determined to refute the US's claim to North Eastern Greenland. Gangs of London and Peaky Blinders' star Joe Cole plays a crew member.



That's the most commercial project he's worked on.

The Silencing, in which he played a man whose daughter went missing years ago, was panned by critics, and terrorist drama The Day We Died didn't make much noise outside of Denmark.

He also starred in romantic drama A Taste of Hunger, in which he played one half of a couple running a successful restaurant in Copenhagen who will do anything to secure a Michelin star.





11. Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei)

Photo credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Nathalie Emmanuel starred in Hulu's reboot of Four Weddings and a Funeral, which received lukewarm reviews at best. And comedy-drama Holly Slept Over, which follows a married couple who are trying to have a baby, also failed to capture people's imaginations.

Like Lena Headey (about whom more later), Emmanuel also appeared in Netflix's The Dark Crystal, and there was action-comedy Die Hart with Kevin Hart and John Travolta (Greece).

She has bagged a role in the upcoming F9, also known as Fast & Furious 9, and the prequel to Zack Snyder's Netflix movie Army of the Dead, alongside the following:



To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so.

Emmanuel has also worked on audio series Unsinkable, with fellow GoT actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Succession's Brian Cox, Space Force's John Malkovich, and there's The Coldest Case, which reunites Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul and Krysten Ritter.

Story continues

10. Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran)

Photo credit: Getty Images/Digitalspy - HBO

Isaac Hempstead Wright has been cast in sci-fi movie Voyagers alongside Colin Farrell, Tye Sheridan (X-Men), Lily-Rose Depp (The King), Fionn Whitehead (Black Mirror: Bandersnatch) and Quintessa Swindell (Trinkets).

It follows a group of people who are sent into space to look for a new home, but the crew soon start to turn against one another.

His other project, The Blue Mauritius, stars Anthony Mackie (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) and Elodie Yung (Daredevil). It follows five thieves who meet in Cape Town to swipe the most expensive stamp in the world.

9. Gwendoline Christie (Brienne)

Photo credit: Dominik Bindl - Getty Images

It's quality, not quantity for Gwendoline Christie.

She was the main event in the National Theatre's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and she also took on a minor role in The Personal History of David Copperfield, which has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%.

In big news, she has also been cast as Lucifer in Netflix's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman with the following lovely lot:

To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so.

8. John Bradley (Sam)

Photo credit: Jeff Kravitz - Getty Images

John Bradley is set to appear in Marry Me, a romcom starring Jennifer Lopez (Hustlers), Wes Anderson favourite Owen Wilson, Sarah Silverman and Columbian music artist Maluma.

He's also been cast in sci-fi action flick Moonfall with Halle Berry, Stanley Tucci, Patrick Wilson, Charlie Plummer, Donald Sutherland and Michael Pena among others.

On a slightly more lowkey level, he starred in season four of Urban Myths, a comedy-drama that tackles famous stories from popular culture, alongside fellow GoT alum Mark Addy and Steve Pemberton (Inside No. 9).

7. Alfie Allen (Theon)

Photo credit: David M. Benett - Getty Images

Alfie Allen has appeared in ITV's true crime series White House Farm and brothel drama Harlots.

He starred in the movie adaptation of Caitlin Moran's novel How to Build A Girl with Beanie Feldstein (Booksmart) and Paddy Considine (The Third Day), which has a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. And he had a minor role in Taika Waititi's JoJo Rabbit, a film that divided opinion.



He's also set to star in Netflix thriller Night Teeth with Insatiable's Debby Ryan and Lucy Fry (Godfather of Harlem). It centres on a chauffeur who must fight for survival after a routine job turns into a nightmare.

In Nightwalkers (not White Walkers), Allen stars as a young man, looking for love, who meets a woman, played by Riverdale's Madelaine Petsch.

And there's also La Cha Cha, which he's appearing in with his dad Keith Allen (The Pembrokeshire Murders) and other former Twin Town stars Rhys and Llyr Ifans, among others.

"The film is about a woman who wants to be a ballroom dancer who inherits the campsite from her grandmother," said director Kevin Allen (via WalesOnline), Keith's brother.

6. Sophie Turner (Sansa)

Photo credit: Kevin Mazur - Getty Images

Sophie Turner, who has since married and had a baby, hasn't committed to a lot following her time on GoT.

She starred in X-Men: Dark Phoenix, which we gave an entirely acceptable three stars. Other publications weren't so kind.

She was also the face of a series called Survive on the now defunct Quibi, which involved her character trying to reach home after a plane crash.

Turner will also take centre stage in Broken Soldier with Goodfellas Ray Liotta, which revolves around a former soldier who is struggling with PTSD.

And there's also HBO Max's The Prince, an animated series which centres on Prince George. She's voicing his sister, Princess Charlotte, alongside Orlando Bloom among others.

5. Maisie Williams (Arya)

Photo credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

After Thrones concluded, Maisie Williams said that she wanted to take a step back from acting, which was to be expected after spending more than eight years working on the series.

I guess, subconsciously, I dyed it [hair] because I didnt want to work, Williams told Rolling Stone. "It's a pretty good way of stopping that. And it just feels so good, so me.

"What's hit me the most about the show ending isn't the show ending. It's like, I'm free. I can do anything now."

Since then, she has thrown herself into other creative pursuits, such as fashion, but Williams hasn't abandoned acting completely.

She appeared in X-Men spinoff The New Mutants with Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit) and Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), alongside others. But it was received poorly by critics and fans.

She also starred in Two Weeks to Live with Fleabag's Sian Clifford, The Bay's Taheen Modak, and comedian, actor and writer Mawaan Rizwan. The comedy follows Williams as Kim, a young woman who, after living in the middle of nowhere with her mum, decides to leave home. But she ends up on the run from some very angry gangsters. We were big fans, and you can read our review here.

Williams also starred in The Owners, a home-invasion horror, which didn't set the world alight. We gave it three stars.

4. Emilia Clarke (Daenerys)

Photo credit: Steve Granitz / Contributor - Getty Images

After playing the mighty Mother of Dragons, Emilia Clarke has taken some time to enjoy her newfound freedom, and who can blame her?

She starred in Last Christmas alongside Crazy Rich Asians' Henry Golding and Michelle Yeoh, and Emma Thompson, who also co-wrote it. Paul Feig (A Simple Favour, Ghostbusters reboot, Bridesmaids) was on board as director.

And she's also doing a spot of voice acting in The Amazing Maurice, an animated film based on Terry Pratchett's The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, alongside Hugh Laurie, Gemma Arterton, David Thewlis, Himesh Patel (Yesterday) and Hugh Bonneville.



3. Kit Harington (Jon)



Photo credit: Getty Images

As one of the major players in GoT, it'll come as no surprise that Kit Harington's CV is looking solid. He took some time out at a "wellness retreat to work on some personal issues", according to his representative, but he has since appeared in Netflix's police anthology Criminal: UK, which has received praise from both critics and the public.

He's also bagged himself a role in the second season of Amazon's Modern Love, an anthology series based on the New York times column of the same name. In a huge coup, he'll also be appearing in Marvel's Eternals as a character called the Black Knight, who you can read all about here.

2. Lena Headey (Cersei)

Photo credit: Dan MacMedan - Getty Images

Lena Headey was already an established name prior to joining the adaptation of George RR Martin's novel series, so it's a given that her career is bobbing along nicely.

She has been working on Crooks with Juno Temple (Ted Lasso, Dirty John) and independent filmmaker Mark Kassen.

Headey is also set to appear in indie drama Gypsy Moon, in which she plays a burlesque dancer at the end of her career who is forced to go on the run with a young boy from her neighbourhood after an ex-partner threatens his life. Sam Worthington (Avatar franchise), Dean Scott Vasquez (Jack Ryan) and Barbara Hershey (the Insidious films) all feature.

Headey is also the star of Showtime comedy-drama Rita, in which she plays a teacher and a single mother. It's based on an award-winning Danish series.

And she has been cast in Gunpowder Milkshake as Scarlet, a hitwoman who gave up her daughter Sam (Karen Gillan) when she was younger. Sam is raised by a crime syndicate and learns how to be just like momma, but when an eight-year-old comes into her life, she must decide which one to choose.

Headey also worked on Netflix's time travel animated series Wizards: Tales of Arcadia, created by Guillermo del Toro, in which Merlin's apprentice is caught in between human, troll and magical worlds. And she did some voice acting in Netflix's The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance..

Further animated work includes a villain in Nickelodeon's Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the critically-acclaimed Infinity Train, which began its life on Cartoon Network, before moving to HBO. Like Snowpiercer, it's set on a huge train that just keeps chugging along. For people to move from one carriage to the next, they must complete challenges, which in turn help them deal with emotional problems and trauma.

Heady was cast in Twist, the movie adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, which she appeared in with Jude Law's son Raff, Rita Ora, Michael Caine and Noel Clarke among others, thought it was critically panned.

Headey will also appear in Marvel's New-Gen: Deadalus Rising, an animated sci-fi series also starring Luke Wilson. Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard and his brother are twins and nanotech-enhanced superheroes who are fighting to prevent all out war. The Witcher's Anya Chalotra has also been cast.

She will also appear in Netflix anime series Masters of the Universe: Revelation, based on the He-Man franchise, with Mark Hamill, Sarah Michelle Gellar, fellow GoT co-star Liam Cunningham and Alicia Silverstone (Clueless). among others.

1. Peter Dinklage (Tyrion)



Photo credit: Getty Images

Like Headey, Peter Dinklage was already well acquainted with the industry before he rocked up on Game of Thrones, and he went straight from Thrones into the MCU, in Avengers: Infinity War.

He recently starred in Netflix's I Care A Lot as a gangster on a mission to rescue his mother from the clutches of a wicked professional legal guardian played by Rosamund Pike. We gave it four stars, but reviews were mixed across the board.

It was also announced that he's signed up for The Dwarf, which is being directed by The Machinist's Brad Anderson. Dinklage is playing a nefarious right-hand-man to a prince, and Alexander Skarsgard (Big Little Lies) is also said to be involved.

There's also The Wild Bunch remake, a western starring Jamie Foxx (Soul) and Michael Fassbender (X-Men), with Mel Gibson (Braveheart) said to be directing.

And indie film American Dreamer, written by Hidden Figure's Theodore Melfi, which he'll appear in with Shirley MacLaine. It's based on a true story from the This American Life podcast.

Dinklage and Josh Brolin will play brothers in a film called, well, Brothers.

There's also thriller The Thicket, in which Dinklage will be joined by IT's Sophia Lillis, Noomi Rapace, and Looking For Alaska's Charlie Plummer. It follows one man's quest to rescue his sister, who has been abducted.

And on a lighter note, Dinklage has been cast in Hitpig with Rainn Wilson (The Office), RuPaul and comedian Hannah Gadsby, among others, which revolves around a porcine bounty hunter and an elephant.

He also voiced a character in animated flick The Croods: A New Age, and played a role in Kate McKinnon's Audible fantasy-comedy Heads Will Roll.





Digital Spy has launched its first-ever digital magazine with exclusive features, interviews, and videos. Access the latest edition with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+.

Interested in Digital Spy's weekly newsletter? Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox  and don't forget to join our Watch This Facebook Group for daily TV recommendations and discussions with other readers.

You Might Also Like
This is the nightmare from which women cant wake, said playwright Tom Wright at the Adelaide Writers Week last Thursday, addressing an audience that included friends of the dead woman who accused Attorney-General Christian Porter of rape.

Wright showed that he gets it  as indeed do many decent men. Having allegations of sex assault constantly in the headlines is traumatic for women in ways that are difficult to adequately convey.

There is so much that is unprecedented about the allegations concerning Porter. Not because these issues are new.

Attorney-General Christian Porter addressing the media on Wednesday. Credit:Getty

Rather, it is because for the first time in Australian history, the Canberra press gallery is dominated by talented, hard-nosed and courageous women journalists, and this alters the understanding of why these allegations matter, and how they should be treated. As well, there is a generation of male reporters who, in at least some cases, get it. The result is a new field in the ongoing journalistic job of interrogating power.
JAMESVILLE, N.Y. (AP) - Police officers assisting a psychiatric crisis team shot and killed a 17-year-old after he appeared to point a handgun at them, police said.

The unidentified male was shot Thursday afternoon by officers responding to a home on Apulia Road in Jamesville.

Local sheriffs deputies, state troopers and officers with the DeWitt Police Department were assisting a psychiatric mobile crisis outreach team with an uncooperative 17-year-old patient.

Police say the suspect fled on foot and when officers approached him, he raised and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the officers. The officers fired and struck the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
10 new COVID-19-related deaths reported since last week

Ten new COVID-19-related deaths were reported by the South Dakota Department of Health Tuesday and during the holiday weekend.
Friends of a 33-year-old woman who went missing two days ago have insisted 'something has happened to her' as the search continues.

Marketing manager Sarah Everard, from Lambeth, south London, was last seen walking between Clapham Junction and Brixton at 9pm on Wednesday after meeting with a friend.

She had a 15-minute phone call with her partner - where they discussed meeting the following day - which ended around 9.30pm and she has been unreachable since.

Friends of Ms Everard, who is 5ft 4 with blonde hair, described her as 'basically the most caring person you could ever meet in your life' and said she has never disappeared before.

Ms Everard was 'excited' to start a new job and did not vanish willingly, her loved ones say, as they insists 'something has happened' to her.

Sarah Everard (pictured, 33, was last seen walking between Clapham Junction and Brixton at 9pm on Wednesday

Ms Everard's university friend Rose Woollard, a teacher, told MailOnline: 'When my mum passed away she rang me every day.

'She's really caring, thoughtful and never has a bad word to say about anyone ever.

'It couldn't have happened to a nicer person. This has never happened before.

'I spoke to her earlier that day, she was fine. We talked about how boring our days have been. I think she was dealing with lockdown like we all are.'

When asked what she thinks happened to Ms Everard, Ms Woollard said: 'I know that it is not her that has taken herself off anywhere. Something has happened to her on her ride home.

'We just hope that it is not a stranger.'

Her family and friends released a plea for her return, saying: 'Sarah, we are here for whenever you are ready'

Ms Everard's phone signal was last located somewhere close to Clarence Avenue, Clapham, her loved ones say.

Friends raised the alarm when they couldn't reach her on Thursday and police were notified at 8pm.

She was wearing a green waterproof jacket, navy trousers with a white diamond pattern and a pair of white trainers.

She carrying a transparent case with green in-ear Bluetooth headphones.

On what she would say to Ms Everard, Ms Woollard said: 'We lover her and we miss her and we want her to be found safely as soon as possible.

'Everybody that I can possible think of is out looking and doing what they can to help.'

Her family and friends earlier released a plea for her return, saying: 'Sarah, we are here for whenever you are ready.'

Her loved ones added: 'We can listen, talk you through what help you need, pass a message for you and help you to be safe.'

If you have any information please call the Missing People charity on 116 000 or police, on 101 quoting the reference CAD107 05/03
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Though competition among K-pop groups and idols is inevitable, these queens only know how to fix each other's crowns by supporting and comforting their co-female idols!

In line with #HappyWomensMonth, the following female idols prove they are commendable as they stood up and served as a shoulder to lean on by their fellow female stars. Not that they only show a "true queen" attitude, but their acts also empower female idols in the industry, especially in this time where bullying incidents and controversies have been rampant in the industry.

1. f(x) Amber called out a netizen who insulted her co-members' weight, especially Sulli

On the 134th episode of "Hello Counselor," f(x) appeared as a special MC, and one of the problems they encountered is the female guest who shared how her brother is always criticizing her body and would call her "pig" despite being underweight.

The main host would ask the brother then if about his thoughts about f(x)'s weight, and he bluntly answered, "They are pretty, but there are parts where they could still lose weight."

He then added, "For Sulli, (she could lose weight) on her arms and calves." The late idol immediately apologized and responded she would lose her weight.

But Amber didn't take the brother's insults and responded he shouldn't hurt others despite having his own preferences. The female star also affirmed to Sulli that she's fine as she is.

Lastly, the maknae Krystal roasted the brother and shouted, "Gain some weight!"

2. (G)I-DLE Shuhua and Miyeon fired back at a netizen calling the former "ugly"

Shuhua once held a live broadcast to communicate with fans, but it didn't turn so well when a netizen called her "ugly." Instead of being hurt, Shuhua told the netizen to leave her broadcast and explained that she would not let them off easily if they do that to her friends.

Miyeon then entered the room, and Shuhua would narrate the whole incident. Miyeon hugged her and defended her by addressing the netizen and said, "You stop doing that. Where is the ugliness in this face?"

3. BLACKPINK Jennie assured Lisa's Thai fans that the co-members will take care of her

In 2019, the prominent group visited Bangkok, Thailand as part of their "World Tour with KIA [IN YOUR AREA]," when Jennie then took the stage, saying, "Lisa is truly a strong and positive person... We will take care of her."

Fans assumed she addressed the previous controversy about K-netz criticizing Lisa's appearance, that the news even reached her homeland.

Jennie's words warmed BLINKs heart, a proof of their love for their youngest member.

4. TWICE members comforted Sana when she broke down in tears

In 2019, Sana was criticized for talking about Japan in one of her posts despite living and earning money in Korea. On their way to a music show, Sana was then seen teary-eyed, that she had to hold Tzuyu's hand to calm herself down. According to fans, the female idol was apparently pressured by the amount of press present in the venue, and at the same time, happy for the support she was getting from ONCEs.

Nevertheless, all TWICE members gathered around her to make her feel safe, while Nayeon and Momo held her in both arms to help her walk to the building.

5. AKMU Suhyun, TWICE members, and BLACKPINK comforted Red Velvet Yeri

During the 32nd Golden Disc Award, IU honored the late SHINee's Jonghyun when she won the title for "Digital Daesang." Among the idols who were touched by her speech was Red Velvet Yeri, also nicknamed as the "little sister" of Jonghyun because of their sibling-like relationship. She couldn't contain herself and broke down into tears as IU sang her poignant "Dear Name."

ALSO READ: Here Are Some of The Most Heartbreaking Things Idols Have Ever Said

AKMU Suhyun and TWICE Nayeon comforted Yeri by hugging and covering her from the camera, while Red Velvet, TWICE, and BLACKPINK members all looked at her with concern as well.

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

HANGHOU, Mar 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :Scientists from east China's Zhejiang Province have developed a bionic soft robot in a bid to make deep-water exploration easier and more environmentally friendly.

The research, jointly conducted by a team from Zhejiang University and Chinese research institute Zhejiang Lab, was published in the journal Nature on Thursday.

The fish-like robot can withstand the high pressure of the deep sea with its electronic components decentralized in a gel-like body, a design inspired by a deep-sea snail-fish, researchers said.

"Compared with traditional deep-sea equipment with 'armor,' the soft robot is light in weight and simple in structure, which can greatly reduce the difficulty and cost of deep-sea exploration," said Li Tiefeng with the Zhejiang University team.

Moreover, motivated by "artificial muscle" rather than an electric machine or motor, the robot emits no noise and does little harm to marine creatures as it flaps its fins to swim, he said.

The research team actuated the robot in a field test in the Mariana Trench at a depth of 10,900 meters in 2019, while it completed free swimming at a depth of 3,224 meters last year in the South China Sea.

Researchers plan to apply key technologies of the bionic soft robot to deep submersibles and develop miniaturized deep-sea equipment with various functions such as communication and detection.
A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Foreign Shipping Traffic 2021, March

Published: 5 March 2021

Sea transport decreased in January

The goods volume of foreign sea transport was in total 7.7 million tonnes in January 2021. Sea transport decreased by seven per cent from last year's January. Exports decreased by five per cent and were 4.1 million tonnes. Import volume decreased by ten per cent and amounted to 3.6 million tonnes.

Foreign sea Transport by month (tonnes) in 2019 to 2021

General cargo was transported most, in total 1.4 million tonnes, which is 18 per cent of all transport. The second most transported was oil products, 1.1 million tonnes, and crude oil, 0.9 million tonnes.

Container transport

A total of 1.0 million tonnes of containers were transported through Finnish ports in January 2021, which is ten per cent less than in January 2020. The number of containers transported was 70,390 (124,102 TEU containers) 1) . Exports of containers went down by 13 per cent measured in tonnes and imports went down by two per cent compared to January 2020.

Vehicle transport

A total of 157,532 transport equipment were transported in foreign sea traffic in January 2021. Most transports of transport equipment were passenger cars belonging to passengers. In January, 70,700 passenger cars were transported. The second most transported were trucks, 51,257 and truck trailers, 32,773.

Passenger traffic

A total of 243,626 persons were transported in passenger traffic in January 2021. In all, 161,830 persons travelled between Finland and Estonia and 77,851 persons between Finland and Sweden and 3,945 passengers between Finland and Germany. Passengers made up only 23 per cent of the number of passengers in January 2020. In January 2021, no passengers of foreign cruise ships arrived in Finland.

Vessel traffic and goods volume in the Saimaa Canal

A total of 61,164 tons of transport were registered through the canal in foreign traffic. Timber was transported most in vessels in foreign traffic, in total 18,745 tonnes. The second most transported was crude minerals and cement.

1) TEU, the basic measurement unit of container traffic, refers to one container that is twenty feet long, eight feet wide and 8.5 feet high.

Source: Transport and tourism, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Matti Kokkonen 029 551 3770, Sami Lahtinen 029 551 3207, Olli Kajava 029 551 3531, matti.kokkonen@tilastokeskus.fi

Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala

Publication in pdf-format (165.6 kB)

Updated 05.03.2021

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Foreign Shipping Traffic [e-publication].

ISSN=2670-2002. January 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 1.6.2021].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/uvliik/2021/01/uvliik_2021_01_2021-03-05_tie_001_en.html
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
A toddler who survived drinking dishwashing liquid later died tragically after a procedure to aid her recovery at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital went horribly wrong.

Callie Griffiths-I'Anson, 2, was attending the hospital in January 2018 to check on how her oesophagus was healing after she earlier drank commercial strength cleaning liquid at the Oaklands Hotel in southern NSW, where her mother worked.

She was then flown to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and put into a medically induced coma in early January. Callie was later transferred out of intensive care and released from hospital.

The hospital check-up included fitting a new nasogastric tube but during the procedure, the tube perforated the toddlers oesophagus.

Callie Griffiths-I'Anson tragically died a day after being discharged from hospital

Callie's parents Natalia and Thomas told The Herald-Sun that after the procedure, their daughter had vomited and lacked energy.

Despite this, the family were discharged and drove home the four-and-a-half hours to Oaklands, northwest of Albury in NSW.

The next morning at 6am, as her shattered mother recalled, they were awoken by the toddler making a gurgling noise.

'She made a funny noise so Thomas reached over and he sat her up and I quickly got up and turned the light on,' said Ms Griffiths-I'Anson. 'It all happened very quickly.'

'Thomas said: "Are you all right Callie? Are you OK?"

'She just shook her head and closed her eyes. And she just went limp. She took her last breath in her father's arms.'

The toddler was having a nasogastric tube fitted at the hospital, after which she felt unwell

Despite her grandmother - who was staying at the house - performing CPR in a vain attempt to revive the little girl, Callie was later pronounced dead at Corowa Hospital.

A coronial inquiry into Callie's death will begin later in 2021 in an effort to ascertain what went wrong during the hospital visit as well as the circumstances of her discharge to prevent such a tragedy occuring again.

'Callies death was a preventable tragedy,' said Ms Griffiths-IAnson. 'If we can stop one person from going through this it will be worthwhile.'

Daily Mail Australia approached the Royal Children's Hospital for comment on the case. They responded: 'The RCH extends its deepest sympathies to the Griffiths-I'Anson family.'

'As a coronial inquest is expected later this year it would not be appropriate for the RCH to comment any further in relation to this case.'
CLEVELAND, Ohio  RTA officials fired a transit police officer Friday for shoving a man and slamming him to the ground at a rapid station.

Officer Mark Sloboda was fired for a Jan. 15 incident at the West Boulevard-Cudell rapid station. He failed to use de-escalation tactics and used excessive force, RTA spokeswoman Linda Krecic said.

Sloboda, who was hired in 2015, also lied to internal affairs investigators by saying the man he shoved struck him with a headbutt, despite surveillance video showing that never happened.

Your actions during this encounter escalated the situation and this eventually led to the male actively resisting you and to an altercation in which both you and the male suffered injuries, Acting RTA Police Chief Michael Gettings wrote in his letter notifying Sloboda of his decision to fire the officer.

The letter does not detail the extent of either mans injuries.

A message left for Otto Holm Jr., a senior staff representative for the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, the union that represents RTA police officers, was not immediately returned.

RTA officials have not released records or reports of the incident and have refused to provide the name of the man Sloboda shoved.

The incident was caught on surveillance camera. Sloboda and the man interacted with each other about 30 minutes before the scuffle, according to a letter notifying Sloboda of his firing.

Sloboda informed dispatchers that the man was intoxicated. Shortly after, Sloboda walked out of his office and approached the man, who appeared to be talking to another man inside the station.

Within seconds, Sloboda shoved the man for the first time, according to the letter and video.

He shoved the man again, who pointed at his bag that he left on a bench. The two stood toe-to-toe and Sloboda pushed him back with one hand several times.

He went to grab the mans bag and the man followed and bumped Sloboda with his chest. Sloboda shoved the man several times until both ended up near the exit.

The man stopped. Sloboda pointed at the door and tossed the mans bag outside the station. He pushed the man again. The man fought back, Sloboda shoved him against the wall and the two scuffled. Sloboda grabbed him, pushed him outside and slammed him onto the pavement.

Sloboda held him on the ground for several minutes. The video ends without showing the resolution of their fight. The officer initially wrote the man citations, but those charges were not filed.

Sloboda reported that he didnt know the man was intoxicated and the man head-butted him, both things internal affairs investigators found to be false.

Slobodas personnel file includes an incident in which a woman accused him of slamming her into a bench in 2017. He later protested a one-day suspension by saying the woman had shoved him, but surveillance video showed that never happened, according to the records. The suspension was dropped to a verbal warning.

He had several other issues while he was employed, including taking a nap while he was on duty, failing to search an arrestee for weapons and criticizing supervisors for RTAs policy on marijuana enforcement in a department-wide email.

Read more from cleveland.com:

He was supposed to be safe there: Akron man sues private prison, state authorities over death of his brother

Cuyahoga County Jail supervisor fired for bringing marijuana vape pen into jail

Man killed in Cuyahoga County Jail cell died of heart disease combined with attack by cellmate
As Newsnight's forensic inquisitor, Jeremy Paxman's crosshairs were trained on prevaricating politicians unarmed with the answers to tough questions.

But now retired from the rough-and-tumble of political interviews, he has turned his guns on a new menace - squirrels, which he shoots with an air rifle from his toilet.

The broadcaster this week defended his habit of picking off the pests while perched on the loo, branding the rodents a 'menace' that scare off songbirds.

The 70-year-old, who lives in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, shrugged off suggestions he was being 'cruel', responding: 'They're annoying me.'

Speaking to comedian Richard Herring (right), Jeremy Paxman defended his habit of picking off squirrels while perched on the loo, branding the rodents a 'menace' that scare off songbirds

Speaking to comedian Richard Herring, he explained: 'You turn around - not while I'm having a c**p of course - just sitting on the loo if it's by the window.

'You sit on the loo with the lid down. With an air rifle you can pop, pop off a squirrel or two.'

That Paxman opens fire on squirrels from his toilet was first revealed in the introduction of his 2016 memoir, A Life In Questions.

Justifying the practice, he told Herring: 'They're always getting on the bird feeder.

'I love song birds and I can't stand the fact that squirrels are always driving them off.

'They kill all sorts of things. For example they kill trees - entire trees are killed by squirrels. They're a menace.'

Grey squirrels are allowed to be culled in Britain via means such as shooting, providing it is done in a humane way.

Branded by some as 'tree rats', they originally came from America in the late 19th Century to become the dominant squirrel in the UK, meaning reds are now a protected species.

That Paxman opens fire on squirrels from his toilet was first revealed in the introduction of his 2016 memoir, A Life In Questions

Paxman presented the BBC's current affairs programme, Newsnight, from 1989 to 2014, during which time he gained a reputation as a ferocious interviewer.

As the interviewee this week, he also cast a withering eye over an array of issues, including giving his unvarnished opinion on the BBC.

He claimed 'any fool' can read the news and attacked vain reporters more interested in being on television than 'letting the story tell itself'.

He said: 'I think news reading is an occupation for an articulated suit. I can't see any point in reading the news at all.

'Reading aloud, do you remember reading aloud at school? That's what it is. I don't think it has any grandeur or skill or anything to it. Any fool can do it.'

And the current University Challenge host, which airs on BBC2, said: 'I think I come down on the side of the world would not be a better place if the BBC didn't exist, but it is an immensely frustrating organisation.'
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Millions of doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine are being administered to some of the world's lowest-income countries thanks in part to the global COVAX initiative. The drugmaker plans to request emergency-use authorization for its vaccine from the Food and Drug Administration when the results of its U.S. clinical trial are available in a few weeks. AstraZeneca executive Ruud Dobber spoke with CBSN's Tanya Rivero about the company's vaccination efforts.

Video Transcript

TANYA RIVERO: Millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are being administered to some of the world's lowest income countries, thanks in part to the global COVAX initiative. Nigeria received its first doses earlier this week. It is the third west African country to receive COVAX shots, behind Ghana and Ivory Coast.

For more, let's bring in Ruud Dobber. He is the executive vice president and president of AstraZeneca's biopharmaceuticals business unit. Ruud, welcome. Great to have you with us. So sticking with this COVAX program, how many more vaccines does the company plan to send to lower income countries around the world?

RUUD DOBBER: First of all, thank you so much for having me. We are very ambitious. We are planning to supply more than 300 million doses, together with our partner in India, in India the [INAUDIBLE]. I think it's very important to do that. Let's not forget, of course, we would like to vaccinate every American, every European, every one in the developed markets, but no one is safe till everyone is safe, and I think it's very important that companies like us are doing everything in order to bring a good, highly effective vaccine which is safe also to the low and middle income countries.

TANYA RIVERO: I think no one would disagree with you. As President Biden recently said, you can't build a wall high enough to keep out a virus, correct? This is a global problem facing everyone on the planet. Now, you recently testified on Capitol Hill saying that AstraZeneca is making progress in quote, "supplying doses here in the US." If and when the AstraZeneca vaccine is approved here, is your company well positioned to flood the market much like Johnson & Johnson is doing, and how many doses do you think will be immediately available?

Story continues

RUUD DOBBER: Yeah, thank you. Now first of all, the short answer is yes. We are ready to supply tens of millions of after obtaining the emergency use authorization, so we have completely enrolled our clinical trial. We are hoping to see the results in the next few weeks, and after that, we will instantly submit for the EUA, and if that's the case, then in the first months after the EUA, we're planning to deliver roughly 50 million doses instantly to Americans here.

TANYA RIVERO: So you're saying you're just waiting for the results of this trial. It should be just a few weeks then before AstraZeneca will formally file for emergency use authorization in the US?

RUUD DOBBER: Correct, correct. The trial, it's a very large trial, more than 30,000 subjects have been included in the trial. It's an important trial, because it has a large population of elderly, as well as minorities are well represented in the clinical trial. So as soon as we have hit the number of events, the number of infections, we will analyze that, and of course, if the results are good we will submit instantly.

There's one big difference, by the way, in the US trial versus the European trial. The dosing interval, so the time between the first and the second dose is four weeks, which may not completely maximize efficacy, because what we have seen from the European trial is if you wait longer with your second dose, you can increase the efficacy very substantially. But that of course, we will assess and we will discuss that with the FDA.

TANYA RIVERO: Very interesting. Of course, obviously, right now, another big concern that is part of the vaccine landscape that wasn't when some of the earlier vaccines rolled out is how effective they are against these new strains of the virus, against these variants that are emerging. Is the AstraZeneca vaccine being tested against those variants?

RUUD DOBBER: Yeah, it's absolutely a great question, and in fairness, it's the biggest concern. We all are having how effective is our vaccine and also the other vaccines of other manufactures. We're very hopeful that it is very effective against the UK variants. We don't know yet how effective it will be against the variants in Brazil and South Africa, but be assured that the people in AstraZeneca, the scientists, the clinical developers, and our partner, the Oxford University, are already developing a potential new vaccine in case our current vaccine is not as effective as we are hoping for. So there's a massive effort ongoing to act quickly and also to supply that, if necessary.

TANYA RIVERO: So perhaps you can give us some insight into the AstraZeneca vaccine's reputation in the European Union for a moment, because on Italy, in Italy on Thursday, it was announced that they were blocking shipments of AstraZeneca destined for Australia. The company also says it's behind and providing doses in the EU, but then there are some Germans who say that they're hesitant to get the AstraZeneca, because they believe its efficacy is lower. Could you shed some light on this, give us some clarity as to why there is in some places less of a confidence in this vaccine and explain why people in the US should feel equally confident of the AstraZeneca vaccine, if it is clear?

RUUD DOBBER: Yeah, thank you. First of all, we are incredibly pleased to see that regulators across the world have approved this vaccine and have earmarked the vaccine as highly effective and safe. In more than 50 countries, we have now the regulatory approval in order to bring the vaccine to the people, so that's fantastic. The second piece is that, of course, we are learning as we go, and it is clear that in the initial phase perhaps, the data and the elderly are still not, not, not large enough or big enough in order to make a statement whether it was really effective.

The good news is now that we have seen real world evidence, real world studies of people vaccinated in the UK as well as in Scotland, and it's very pleasing to see that from those studies done by independent research groups, we clearly see an enormous efficacy of the vaccine in elderly. As a result of that, many regulatory bodies in Europe are now changing their guidelines and are also saying that you can use the vaccine in the elderly population.

Now equally of course, it's also fair to say that the need is substantial, like in the United States. Everyone in Europe wants to get vaccinated, and it's fair to say that we're doing our best to deliver millions of doses every month, but we are a little bit behind of where we were hoping for. We are increasing our capacity, so we remain bullish that in the next few weeks, our supply will further increase and therefore, the sentiment in Europe will get better.

TANYA RIVERO: All right, well, Ruud Dobber of AstraZeneca. Thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate your time.

RUUD DOBBER: Thank you so much.
Patna, March 5 : Opposition leaders created a furore in the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Friday after Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department Mukesh Sahani's brother Santosh Sahani participated in a government programme at Hajipur in Bihar's Vaishali district and handed over the keys of vehicles under a state government scheme to the beneficiaries.

Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Bhai Virendra slammed Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) supremo Mukesh Sahani, who had sent his brother on his behalf for attending a government programme and demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar take cognizance of the matter. The opposition created a ruckus over this issue in the Assembly.

Nitish Kumar was himself surprised after this matter came to light and termed it a serious issue. How can it happen that a minister's brother inaugurates a government programme? The Chief Minister said a report has been sought in the matter and assured that action would be taken against whosoever is found guilty.

A vehicle distribution function was organised for the fishermen community belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and 'Ati-Pichhda' (Extremely Backward) Castes under the 'Fish Marketing Scheme' launched by the Department of Animal and Fisheries Resources at Akshayawat Rai Stadium in Hajipur.

The banner at the venue displayed the name of the Bihar Fisheries Minister Mukesh Sahani who was to inaugurate the function but was instead replaced by his brother Santosh Sahani.

Santosh Sahani not only inaugurated the event in the presence of government officials but also distributed vehicles to the beneficiaries. Asked by the media about it, he said due to the Bihar minister's busy schedule he was present here as his representative.

No statement has been issued by Mukesh Sahani so far but there was a lot of uproar in the Assembly over this matter.
Srinagar: A low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) was triggered in the Dangerpora area of south Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Friday (March 5).

An IED exploded near womens college at pulwama bus stand where CRPF personnel were on duty, said spokesperson.

Police officials said, terrorists have planted a low intensity IED which was triggered off with a remote device.

No loss of life or injury reported in the explosion. The area is being searched to nab the attackers, he added.

This is the second terror incident of the day. Earlier a grenade was lobbed by terrorists in the main market of Kupwara north Jammu and Kashmir targeting a police party. However the grenade was rusty and old and it didnt explode and no loss of life or injury were reported there too. Following the attempt the area was searched for hours but no arrest was made.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the latest person to criticize Saturday Night Live, after Weekend Update host Michael Che joked in February that the country was only vaccinating the Jewish half of its population.

Thats so outrageous, the Israeli PM told Fox News on Thursday. In fact, I brought vaccines and went especially to the Arab communities, the Arab citizens of Israel, and vaccinated as many as we can. I must have gone to half a dozen Arab communities already, talked with the mayors there, bought the leaders, brought the doctors thereArab doctors.

In late February, the comedian accused Israel of discriminating with its world-leading vaccine program, which has vaccinated half of its population, the most per capita anywhere on the globe.

Israel is reporting that they vaccinated half of their population, Mr Che joked, and Im going to guess its the Jewish half.

In studio, the routine provoked a mild smattering of laughter, but outside, critics accused the show of anti-Semitism and even protested on the street near the studio, while others praised the comedian for highlighting the inequalities of who gets the vaccine in the country and its contested zones.

Saturdays deeply offensive joke about Israels COVID-19 vaccination process not only missed the mark, but crossed the line  basing the premise of the joke on factual inaccuracies and playing into an antisemitic trope in the process, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, wrote afterwards on Twitter.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Top Israeli officials shared his criticism, including Gilad Erdan, the countrys ambassador to the US.

Im a big fan of humor but, perpetuating antisemitism is just not funny, Mr Erdan tweeted. Your joke is ignorant  the fact is that the success of our vaccination drive is exactly because every citizen of Israel  Jewish, Muslim, Christian  is entitled [to] it. Apologize!

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

As with much of the Israel-Palestine conflict, whether the joke was accurate is a matter of perspective.

Story continues

Israel argues that under the 1990 Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas are responsible for their own health systems and the vaccination of the roughly 5 million Palestinians, who are not full Israeli citizens. The country has donated some vaccines to Palestine as well, and recently agreed to vaccinate roughly 100,000 Palestinians who cross into Israel for work.

But Palestine is far from an independent state, as Israel has a strong security presence, and controls travel in and out of it, as well as restricting trade. Human Rights Watch estimates that 80 percent of Palestinians depend on humanitarian aid. The Palestinian authority has accused Israel of preventing shipments of the Covid vaccine from reaching Gaza.

The debate over vaccines come as Israel begins returning to normalwith gyms and other public places open to the vaccinatedwhile infections surge in the West Bank, which recently went on coronavirus lockdown.

Israel and Pfizer agreed to a massive vaccine rollout in exchange for providing health data.

Palestinians so far have largely relied on a trickle of donated vaccines from countries like Russia, the UAE, and Israel.

Among the doses, which only number in the tens of thousands, the New York Times reported on Wednesday that some are being diverted to party elites and political insiders ahead of frontline workers and other vulnerable groups.

Read More

Israel sentences Palestinian lawmaker to two years in prison

Israeli court delays Netanyahu corruption trial until April

Biden finally calls Netanyahu after four-week snub to reset US-Israel relations
(TNS)  Electric vehicles may soon be getting more than one kind of charge when they top up at a municipal parking lot.Since the first town-owned vehicle charging stations were installed in December 2019, theyve been free for users, with taxpayers shouldering the cost of maintenance and electricity. Now, town officials are asking to implement a user fee of $1 per kilowatt-hour, even though thats well above the cost of power at home, or at commercial charging stations.In a letter to the City Council last month, Agawam resident Susan Grossberg said it costs her 21 cents per kilowatt-hour to plug in at home, albeit at a slower charge rate. But Cumberland Farms in town costs just 35 cents per kilowatt-hour, she added, with faster-charging technology. The town-owned charging station in West Springfield is free.For the town to cover its cost and charge $1 per hour is like paying $8 per gallon for gas, Grossberg said. No one in their right mind would pay that, when they can charge so much faster, for so much less, down the road.Agawam operates seven electric vehicle charging stations. Chargers in parking lots at Borgatti Park, the town library and the Corey Street side of School Street Park were activated in December 2019. Four more chargers went online in September, in parking lots at the high school, Senior Center, the dog park at Shea Field, and on the School Street side of School Street Park. Drivers of electric vehicles can simply drive up, park and plug in. They do not have to be Agawam residents.Marc Strange, the towns planning and economic development director, said the proposed $1 fee covers an electricity supply cost of 60 cents per kilowatt-hour. The remainder of the fee is to offset the towns annual subscription to the Chargepoint network. The network fee is a flat annual cost of $2,686, said Strange, which works out to 40 cents per kilowatt-hour, based on usage in 2020.Strange pointed out that the towns electrical supply costs are higher than the rate charged to residential consumers.Because use [of charging stations] is inconsistent and unpredictable, Eversource charges a significantly higher demand charge for using the stations, Strange said. When users plug their vehicles into their home chargers, the demand charge is much lower, because theres a consistent draw of electricity from their homes meter.He said the state-regulated utility company has been in talks with the state Department of Public Utilities about lowering its demand charges. This week, Grossberg asked the City Council to reopen its negotiations with Chargepoint and with Eversource, the local electrical utility. She said Eversource should adjust its rates in line with the residential cost, and Chargepoint should replace its flat administrative fee with a sliding scale based on usage. That way, Agawam can keep the consumer cost competitive with home chargers and private-sector charging stations, and the energy companies would be encouraging additional use of the charging stations.City Councilor Anthony Suffriti, who chairs the councils Legislative Committee, said his committee has delayed making a recommendation on the proposed fee while the town solicitor researches Agawams contract with Chargepoint.Chargepoint, based in Campbell, Calif., describes itself as the worlds leading EV charging network, with 122,600 stations. Electric vehicle drivers can sign up for a free Chargepoint account to find and use charging stations.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Laboratory technicians test samples of blood at an animal hospital in Beijing on Feb. 6, 2004. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Researcher Under FBI Investigation for Allegedly Hiding Ties to China

A Chinese researcher who once worked at The Jackson Laboratory is under FBI investigation, for allegedly failing to disclose his financial ties to China in applications for U.S. government funding.

Ruan Yijun, a geneticist, failed to disclose his participation in a Chinese state-sponsored recruitment program called the Thousand Talents program and his collaboration agreement with Chinas state-run Shenzhen Peoples Hospital, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed on Mar. 2. The affidavit was filed in federal court in Bangor, Maine, on Dec. 30 last year.

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) is a nonprofit biomedical research institution based in Maine. Its mission is to discover genetic solutions for treating human diseases. According to Ruans curriculum vitae (pdf) available on the JAX website, he began working at JAXs genomics research center at the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center in 2012.

Also in 2012, he signed up for the Thousand Talents program, according to his curriculum vitae.

According to the FBI affidavit, Ruan was listed as the primary investigator on 17 JAX research projects that received over $15.3 million in funding from the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) from 2014 to 2020. Ruans failure to disclose his ties on those NIH applications could be a violation of federal wire fraud laws, according to the FBI.

The Thousand Talents program that Ruan signed up for was offered by Chinas Huazhong Agricultural University, which is located in Wuhan, the capital of central Chinas Hubei Province. According to the affidavit, he had a relationship with the university until at least December 2018 while still being employed by JAX.

Beijing rolled out the Thousand Talents Plan in 2008 to aggressively recruit promising science and tech researchers from foreign countries to work in China.

In July last year, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned about Chinas job-recruitment programs while speaking at the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute.

Through its talent recruitment programs, like the so-called Thousand Talents program, the Chinese government tries to entice scientists to secretly bring our knowledge and innovation back to Chinaeven if that means stealing proprietary information or violating our export controls and conflict-of-interest rules, Wray said.

The affidavit revealed details about Ruans contract for the talent program, based on his email communications with Huazhong Agricultural University.

Under his contract, Ruan was given the title of distinguished professor at the Chinese university and he would receive 100,000 yuan (about $15,400) per month pre-tax for an unknown period of time, as well as a 150-square-meter housing on campus.

According to one email, Ruan was given 1 million yuan (about $154,400) in subsidy by the Chinese regime for his participation in the Thousand Talents program. The money was deposited to his account at the state-run Bank of China.

In December 2015, Huazhong Agricultural University announced on its website that the school made a breakthrough in human genetic research that was published in the U.S. scientific journal Cell. Ruan was one of the scientists behind the research.

Ruan entered a collaboration agreement with the Shenzhen Peoples Hospital in October 2016 and maintained a relationship with the hospital until at least September 2019, according to the affidavit. Based on one email between Ruan and the hospital, Ruan was a team leader for a hospital project, and was entitled to earn 800,000 yuan (about $123,500) per year and 4 million yuan (about $617,700) in five years.

Ruans work at the hospital is connected to Chinas science ambitions. A hospital report stated that the project headed by Ruan will not only provide strong fundamental support for continued innovation in Chinas life sciences, clinical medicine, and biotechnology industries, but will also provide China with a world-leading opportunity in the field of clinical medical genomics, which should not be missed, according to the affidavit.

A 2017 document by the municipal government in Shenzhen showed that Ruan was one of several Chinese and foreign medical experts recruited by the city to work at local medical institutions. The Shenzhen government subsidized the Shenzhen Peoples Hospital about 10 million yuan (about $1.5 million) for recruiting Ruan.

The U.S. attorneys office in Maine declined to comment on the investigation. According to the Associated Press, no charge has been filed against Ruan.

Stephanie Wasco, chief communications officer at JAX, told The Epoch Times that the lab is fully cooperating with the FBI and the Department of Justice.

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Working from home during the pandemic has had its upsides--and its downsides. Many have appreciated not having to commute and the flexibility that allows them to care for their children, but others have missed the buzz of the office and the sense of human connection they get from working in the same physical space as their colleagues.

Analysts now suggest that a hybrid solution -- working from home and working from the office -- may be possible in the latter half of 2021, although skeptics think it could be further away. In the meantime, organizations must find ways to mitigate the lack of engagement--and potential productivity decline--associated with prolonged remote work.

According to findings from a new Workhuman survey, the simple solution may be the often-ignored leadership practice of employee recognition. Last month, Workhuman surveyed 1,000 U.S. employees to gauge how they view the role of recognition at work. The results show that employee recognition can combat their feelings of isolation and disconnection, ultimately driving better business results and improving the bottom line.

The study reveals specific strategies leaders can use to boost engagement as the pandemic drags on.

1. Say "thank you" more often

Workhuman's survey findings show that recognizing colleagues -- even just saying the words "thank you" -- matters. Over half (54 percent) of employees said something as simple as a consistent thank-you would ease pressure around their performance while working remotely.

"It's long been thought that a formalized way of recognizing colleagues was just a nice to have. These survey findings coupled with our 50 million-plus data points across our customer base all lead us to the same conclusion: Employee recognition leads to better business outcomes, lower turnover rates, and higher productivity. During Covid-19 especially, appreciation is an easy, yet effective way to combat feelings of isolation and lead to a more human workplace," says Eric Mosley, CEO of Workhuman.

While you might think you're clogging up someone's inbox, Mosley suggests frequent thank-you moments or an extra email to give gratitude has the potential to make a lasting impression on employees within the organization.

Of course, it is also crucial to share your frequent and genuine thank-yous with all employees rather than just one demographic. Over one-fourth of men surveyed reported that they always received thank-yous, although only 19 percent of women could say the same. Discrepancies like this can have consequences. Earlier Workhuman research found that turnover rates were higher among women than men during the pandemic.

2. Leverage employee recognition to increase retention rates

Talent retention is a perennial concern for many organizations. Findings from Workhuman's survey reveal that saying thank you through recognition does lead to higher retention rates by increasing the likelihood that employees will stay with their current employer.

Insights from Workhuman also show that recognition in the workplace led to two times less turnover and increased both year-over-year performance and engagement. According to the survey data, employee recognition is not something to write off; rather, it is something that can be leveraged to achieve organizations' business goals and improve productivity.

3. Use gratitude and recognition to increase employee productivity

By encouraging employees to thank one another, and to connect and celebrate as a group, organizations nurture a sense of belonging and reinforce mutually supportive co-worker relationships. That, in turn, can improve productivity. About one-third (31 percent) of the employees Workhuman polled said gratitude increases their motivation to succeed. Twenty-five percent reported it increases productivity.

Additionally, social recognition allows employees to understand the deeper meaning of their work and how their efforts contribute to a wider organizational purpose and goals. This is echoed by Gallup's 2017 "State of the American Workplace" report, which found that employees who feel a deep sense of affiliation with others on their team "are driven to take positive actions that benefit the business -- actions they may not otherwise even consider."
A German warship is set to cross the South China Sea this August since the last time it did in 2002. The ship joins the QUAD in the conduct of FONOPs in the Indo-Pacific.

German Warship Crosses South China Sea for FONOPS

The last German ship to do such as long-distance cruise was in 2002, said a German official. One of the mission's objectives is to conduct a FONOPS that skirts the 12-nautical-mile that is the Chinese boundary. Parts of the SCS are claimed by China which is illegitimate and quite massive, reported Aljazeera. The 12-mile limit is where U.S. warships have crossed into, making the communists mad.

Other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies like the United Kingdom will send their naval units to the SCS. The gigantic new aircraft carrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, will make its first cruise in May 2021. One of the most modern carriers owned by the U.K., the ship will reach east Asia in the Summer.

Attempting to control the critical sea lanes, the Chinese military has allegedly stolen artificial islands to weaponize against the U.S. and its allies. These outcropping and reefs are claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and the Philippines, but the Philippines won in 2016. However, China denies the ruling till now.

In the Court of Arbitration at The Hague, China dared claims and lost with no legal claims. China used its clout and military to bully its way out. Now, the ruling is null and void, nor can it be enforced.

Also read: China Warns US It Isn't Afraid as Numerous Troop and Assets Are Holding Drills in Guam

The U.S. Navy does their freedom of navigation operations or FONOPS in which U.S. war vessels will do the closest passes in the 12-nautical-mile. These sailing almost beyond the limit has angered China all the time. American navy officials say China has no right to their stolen territory.

Washington has pushed back and said Beijing had caused security problems in the SCS. Worse is bullying its other nations who cannot fight back.

Germany's action to join in FONOPS operations along with other QUAD allies is praised. As more nations join in denying claims of the CCP, this sends a strong message to China.

The U.S. State Department stated that the U.S. has a stake in keeping peace and stability, following international law, FONOPS, and the sea's legal uses. German efforts to support a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific are essential. All nations of the world should know everyone has something to lose if China dominates.

A Chinese official spoke as if they did not threaten anyone in the SCS, saying that navigation freedom is enjoyed even flying over these territories. But, they accuse the U.S. and allies of undermining the sovereignty and security of what is not theirs. China is getting more active in the Indo-pacific.

Disguised as exercises are drills practiced by the China military drills to attack and occupy Taiwan. Training is not known, but they are alleged dry runs to conquer the island nation. China has a law that allows firing on any non-China vessel. If a German Warship Crosses South China Sea, this will mean Euro nations are concerned.

Related article: Australian Navy Says Yes to South China Sea Cooperation With US Against China, but Not Patrols

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Oregon Health Authority on Thursday reported 392 coronavirus cases and 32 more deaths, marking the second day in a row with a strikingly high fatality count.

State officials didnt immediately disclose details of the deaths. But more than half of the 27 deaths announced Wednesday were from mid-February or earlier, indicating that Oregon is not seeing a sudden resurgence of daily deaths.

February saw the fourth-most deaths of any month of the pandemic, but the fatality count is significantly lower than those from November, January and Decembers record of nearly 600.

Cases in Oregon, meanwhile, are averaging just above 300 a day. Cases havent been so low since early October  and the daily average is now lower than the summer peak.

Encouraged by the progress, Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday announced she would not immediately reinstitute bans on indoor dining next week for counties that slide backward. Instead, shell offer a two-week reprieve to improve case rates before prohibitions would go into effect.

Where the new cases are by county: Baker (3), Benton (8), Clackamas (24), Clatsop (1), Columbia (3), Coos (21), Crook (4), Curry (2), Deschutes (26), Douglas (23), Grant (2), Hood River (1), Jackson (37), Jefferson (10), Josephine (23), Klamath (7), Lake (4), Lane (18), Lincoln (1), Linn (8), Malheur (1), Marion (38), Morrow (1), Multnomah (52), Polk (6), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (18), Union (8), Wallowa (1), Washington (34) and Yamhill (6).

Who died: Oregons 2,253rd death linked to COVID-19 is a 90-year-old Clackamas County woman who tested positive Jan. 28 and died Feb. 9 at her residence.

The 2,254th fatality is a 78-year-old Clackamas County woman who tested positive Jan. 6 and died Jan. 8 at her residence.

Oregons 2,255th death is a 90-year-old Clackamas County woman who tested positive Jan. 18 and died Feb. 6 at her residence.

The 2,256th fatality is an 87-year-old Clackamas County man who tested positive Feb. 2 and died Feb. 6 at his residence.

Oregons 2,257th death is a 75-year-old Clackamas County woman who tested positive Feb. 1 and died Feb. 8 at her residence.

The 2,258th fatality is a 97-year-old Clackamas County woman who tested positive Jan. 25 and died Feb. 3 at her residence.

Oregons 2,259th death is a 62-year-old Coos County man who tested positive Jan. 18 and died March 3 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

The 2,260th fatality is an 86-year-old Deschutes County man who tested positive Dec. 30 and died Jan. 16 at St. Charles Bend Hospital.

Oregons 2,261st death is a 93-year-old Deschutes County woman who tested positive Dec. 28 and died Jan. 31 at her residence.

The 2,262nd fatality is a 92-year-old Clackamas County woman who tested positive Jan. 21 and died Feb. 4 at her residence.

Oregons 2,263rd death is a 62-year-old Jackson County man who tested positive Dec. 4 and died Jan. 26 at his residence.

The 2,264th fatality is a 90-year-old Jackson County man who tested positive Jan. 20 and died Feb. 6 at his residence.

Oregons 2,265th death is an 83-year-old Jefferson County man who tested positive Jan. 14 and died Feb. 3 at St. Charles Bend Hospital.

The 2,266th fatality is a 61-year-old Jefferson County man who tested positive Jan. 10 and died Jan. 29 at St. Charles Bend Hospital.

Oregons 2,267th death is an 84-year-old Josephine County man who tested positive Feb. 21 and died March 3 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. He had no underlying conditions.

The 2,268th fatality is a 78-year-old Josephine County man who tested positive Jan. 6 and died Jan. 31 at his residence.

Oregons 2,269th death is a 39-year-old Marion County man who tested positive Dec. 15 and died Jan. 23 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital.

The 2,270th fatality is a 101-year-old Marion County woman who tested positive March 1 and died March 2 at Salem Hospital.

Oregons 2,271st death is an 82-year-old Multnomah County woman who tested positive Nov. 17 and died Dec. 19 at her residence.

The 2,272nd fatality is an 82-year-old Multnomah County woman who tested positive Jan. 5 and died Feb. 14 at Adventist Health Portland.

Oregons 2,273rd death is a 48-year-old Multnomah County woman who tested positive Jan. 2 and died Feb. 8 at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center.

The 2,274th fatality is a 76-year-old Multnomah County woman who tested positive Dec. 30 and died Jan. 23 at her residence.

Oregons 2,275th death is a 67-year-old Multnomah County man who tested positive Jan. 2 and died Jan. 24 at his residence.

The 2,276th fatality is a 98-year-old Multnomah County woman who tested positive Jan. 22 and died Jan. 28 at her residence.

Oregons 2,277th death is an 87-year-old Multnomah County man who tested positive Dec. 3 and died Dec. 31. State officials are determining where he died.

The 2,278th fatality is a 51-year-old Multnomah County man who tested positive Dec. 7 and died Jan. 30 at his residence.

Oregons 2,279th death is a 73-year-old Polk County woman who tested positive Jan. 20 and died Jan. 24 at Salem Hospital.

The 2,280th fatality is a 45-year-old Washington County woman who tested positive Dec. 27 and died Jan. 18 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.

Oregons 2,281st death is a 60-year-old Washington County man who tested positive Jan. 6 and died Jan. 21 at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center.

The 2,282nd fatality is a 78-year-old Washington County man who tested positive Jan. 11 and died Jan. 23 at his residence.

Oregons 2,283rd death is a 95-year-old Washington County man who tested positive Jan. 2 and died March 3 at his residence.

The 2,284th fatality is an 88-year-old Yamhill County woman who tested positive Dec. 29 and died Jan. 29 at her residence.

Unless noted above, each person had underlying health conditions or state officials were working to determine if the person had underlying medical conditions.

The prevalence of infections: The state reported 847 new positive tests out of 10,629 tests performed, equaling an 8% positivity rate.

Who got infected: New confirmed or presumed infections grew among the following age groups: 0-9 (14); 10-19 (41); 20-29 (73); 30-39 (66); 40-49 (65); 50-59 (49); 60-69 (35); 70-79 (24); 80 and older (13).

Whos in the hospital: The state reported 140 people with confirmed coronavirus infections in the hospital, unchanged from Wednesday. Of those, 29 coronavirus patients are in intensive care units, down two from Wednesday.

Vaccines: Oregon reported 1,043,609 doses of vaccine have been administered, or about 78% of the doses received. Oregon reported 24,014 newly administered doses, which includes 16,376 Wednesday and the remainder from previous days.

Since it began: Oregon has reported 156,673 confirmed or presumed infections and 2,284 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the nation. To date, the state has reported 3,798,067 lab reports from tests.

-- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
Online fashion giant Boohoo has come under fresh pressure today as MPs told the company to link its bosses' bonuses to improvement in workers' rights instead of 'breakneck' growth.

The Environmental Audit Committee has written to Boohoo's chairman Mahmud Kamani asking him to link the bonus scheme - potentially worth up to 150million for top bosses - to improvement in workers' rights and environmental sustainability.

It comes just days after it was revealed that Boohoo could face a US import ban because of allegations it used forced labour at its Leicester clothing factories.

Under pressure: Boohoo chairman Mahmud Kamani (left) pictured with Snoop Dogg, Carol Kane and Samir Kamani

'We are asking Boohoo to put its money where its mouth is and link the multi-million pound bonuses it has lined up for its bosses to the achievement of its ethical and environmental pledges,' said committee chairman Philip Dunne in a statement.

Boohoo's bosses could be in line for bonuses of between 50million and 150million if the company's shares grow by two-thirds over three years.

A Boohoo spokesperson told This is Money: 'We received correspondence from the EAC yesterday morning. We will take time to digest the contents and respond to Mr Dunne, the Chair, in due course.'

The online fashion retailer, which recently bought the Debenhams brand as well as Arcadia's Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton out of administration, has been growing rapidly in recent years.

But fast growth has seemingly come at the expense of workers' rights.

Last summer it was rocked by allegations of slave labour when two of its factories in the UK were accused of poor working conditions and of paying as little as 3.50 to 4 an hour to workers producing its clothes.

At the time, Boohoo asked lawyer Alison Levitt QC to launch an independent review into the working practices of its clothing manufacturers.

She produced a damning report which found that - although there was 'no evidence that the company itself or its officers have committed any criminal offences' - the allegations of poor working conditions and low rates of pay were 'substantially true.'

The company said it had taken action by ending contracts with 64 suppliers.

Kamani appeared before the committee in December to say big progress had been made to sort out problems in the company's supply chain.

But today MPs said that despite 'positive steps', his answers 'did little to dispel the impression that the company has been focused on rapid growth regardless of the social or environmental costs'.

They have also asked Boohoo to publish the list of 64 factories it has exited.

Boohoo shares were down 2.8 per cent to 320.26p by 11am on Friday - around the same price they were in March last year, just before the stock market crash in the wake of the pandemic.

But they have grown more than 80 per cent over the past two years, and by around 640 per cent over the past five years.

Fast growth: Boohoo shares have grown by over 600 per cent over the past five years

The letter says: 'You acknowledged at the hearing that "things have gone wrong because of the fast-growing nature of this business".

You went on to state that "our business has been growing between 50% and 100% year-on-year and we have been growing the top line, and processes do fall away".

'Yet Boohoo Group's bonus scheme, announced in June 2020, ties very generous bonuses for yourself and other executives to continued breakneck growth, with bonuses of between 50 million and 150 million to be paid out if the company's market value grows by two-thirds over three years.'
DALLAS, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Professional Insurance Agents (Texas PIA) supports S. 524, the "Federal Insurance Office Abolishment Act," introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).

"Since the Federal Insurance Office was created in 2010, it has continuously tried to increase its duties and expand the role of the federal government in insurance. Simply put, its very existence is a threat to the successful state insurance regulatory system. The Texas PIA firmly believes the insurance industry must throw its weight behind repealing the Federal Insurance Office once and for all," said David Gorman, President of the Texas PIA and Texas National Director for PIA National.

The Federal Insurance Office (FIO) was created as part of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, more commonly known as "Dodd-Frank." Many of the duties of the FIO are duplicative of other offices in the U.S. government and, like most federal offices, since its creation its power has only increased. In the few years it has existed, the FIO has called for federal regulation of mortgage insurance; inclusion in supervisory colleges with state regulators; and uniform national standards for state guaranty associations.

In addition, it now seeks to administer the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (NARAB), an activity well outside the FIO's mandate. This would be a troubling addition to its current authority.

The Texas PIA played a leading role in encouraging the introduction of this bill in 2019, the first-time legislation was ever put forward in the U.S. Senate to fully repeal the office. Members of the Texas PIA met with Senator Cruz's congressional staff during PIA's annual Advocacy Day and urged them to introduce legislation to repeal the FIO.

"Senate Cruz's office allowed us to lay out the very real threat the FIO presents to the state insurance regulatory system, and the senator's championing of this bill is a clear example that constituents can have an impact on policymaking in Washington, DC. The Texas PIA will continue to advocate in favor of it to build support for its eventual enactment," said Victoria Reece, the executive director of the Texas PIA.

Texas Professional Insurance Agents is an affiliate of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA). Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes, and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America SM. PIA's web address is www.pianet.com.

SOURCE Texas Professional Insurance Agents

Related Links

http://www.pianet.com


WASHINGTON -- U.S. lawmakers called on Bulgaria to respect democratic values and the rule of law as it prepares for national elections next month, warning the current state of its domestic affairs is posing serious challenges to the bilateral relationship.

In a statement issued late on March 4 -- a day before campaigning officially begins for Bulgarian parliamentary elections in early April -- the lawmakers said they would like to see stronger relations with the Eastern European nation, including on security and energy issues.

However, persistent corruption, declining media freedom, politicization of the judiciary, and other threats to the rule of law pose serious challenges to the U.S.-Bulgaria bilateral relationship, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey) and ranking member Jim Risch (Republican-Idaho) said in the statement.

"As the April parliamentary elections draw near, it is imperative that the government of Bulgaria protect these values," they said.

Bulgaria was rocked by demonstrations last summer as thousands of citizens took to the streets to protest against a growing perception of corruption under Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who has led the country for most of the past decade.

Bulgaria, a member of the European Union and NATO, scored lowest in the bloc on both Transparency Internationals 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index and Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index.

Delyan Peevski, a media mogul and lawmaker close to Borisov, accounts for some 80 percent of the print media in Bulgaria, as well as private television networks and websites, according to Reporters Without Borders, giving him enormous influence, especially during an election season.

These rankings underscore the breadth of the challenges facing Bulgaria. The Bulgarian government and judiciary must work to uphold the rule of law for all, not just some, and the media must have the freedom to report the truth without facing harassment, violence, or punishment, the lawmakers said.

Last years anti-government protests were driven in part by claims that Borisovs ruling GERB party is controlled from behind the scenes by Peevski and his Movement for Rights and Freedom.

President Rumen Radev, who supported the protesters, has charged that a "mafia" controls Borisov's government and the country's notoriously politicized Prosecutor-Generals Office.

Two wealthy Bulgarian families hired Washington-based lobby firm Alexandria Group International last year after the Borisov government opened criminal cases against them. The families claim the government is trying to illegally seize their assets.

In a report issued to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Alexandria Group described Peevski as one of the key architects of Bulgarias democratic decline and devolution into a criminal state, including the capture of privately held assets by extralegal means.

Peevski in December hired BGR Group, Washington's third-largest lobbying firm by revenue, to help him with issues in the U.S. Neither a Peevski representative nor BGR responded at the time to a request for comment.

Borisovs party is expected to come in first in the April elections, according to the latest polling data. His GERB is facing off against a host of parties, including several start-ups.

Borisovs failure to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law arent the only issues that have rankled the United States.

Bulgaria has continued to move ahead with its section of a pipeline that will carry natural gas from Russia to Serbia via Turkey and Bulgaria.

The pipeline enables Russia to reroute some natural gas exports destined for the Balkans and Central Europe around Ukraine.

Washington opposes the project and has threatened to sanction it on the grounds that it strengthens the Kremlins influence on Europes energy sector and deprives Kyiv of needed transit fees.
Massachusetts has administered 1,868,847 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since the rollout began in December, according to the latest vaccine data released by the Department of Public Health.

Officials, clinics and providers were able to administer 309,340 new doses over the last seven days, which is up from the roughly 215,000 the state reported the week before.

A total of about 2.3 million doses of vaccine have been shipped to Massachusetts to date, which includes the roughly 1.7 million distributed by the state and another 563,135 from the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program.

Dukes and Barnstable counties now lead the state in the percentage of residents whove received first doses, with 24.8% and 24.1%, respectively, followed by Berkshire County with 22.6%. Hampden and Bristol counties are in last, with 15.2% and 14.7% of residents getting their first shots respectively, data shows.

Berkshire County continues to lead the state in the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated, with 13.1%. Dukes County is a close second at 12.4%.

The latest vaccine data comes as some Massachusetts hospitals began administering doses of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson one-dose shot after confirming shipments earlier this week. Tufts Medical Center and Boston Medical Center each confirmed the receipt of 2,000 doses this week.

The vaccine dashboard released on Thursday did not include tallies from the administration of the J&J vaccine  only Modernas and Pfizers two-dose shots.

Thursdays data comes as Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the mass vaccination site at Fenway Park will move to Hynes Convention Center. CIC Health, the vendor running the Fenway Park site, will work with the state to open up Hynes to vaccine appointments as early as March 18, Baker said. The vaccine site at Fenway Park will take patients until March 27 before going offline.

But Massachusetts still trails more than a dozen other U.S. states in the number of first doses of the vaccine administered to its 65-and-older population, according to data compiled by MassLive sister site PennLive.

Roughly 40.7% of Massachusetts seniors aged 65 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine as of Feb. 25, putting the Bay State at 16th on the list of states leading the effort to vaccinate elderly  and therefore high risk  populations. That percentage is based on population estimates from the 2019 U.S Census.

State health officials confirmed another 1,410 new COVID-19 cases and 42 virus-related fatalities on Thursday. There are there are roughly 27,763 active infections statewide, according to the Department of Public Health.

Related Content:
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.

Massachusetts removed three more states from its list of high-risk states for COVID-19.

Starting Saturday, people traveling to-and-from Missouri, Oregon and Washington will not need to quarantine or get tested for coronavirus.

Gov. Charlie Baker enacted a travel order on August 1 mandating all visitors and residents entering Massachusetts following a high-risk area quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts. Visitors are urged to obtain a negative result before traveling to Massachusetts.

Failure to comply with the order could result in a $500 fine per day.

Exemptions are allowed for travelers from lower-risk states, people commuting for work or school and patients seeking specialized medical care.

The current list of lower-risk regions, as of Saturday, includes:

Hawaii

Missouri

Oregon

Puerto Rico

Washington

Last week, North Dakota was re-added to the high-risk list just weeks after being deemed lower risk.

Massachusetts residents are urged to limit any out-of-state travel only to states designated as COVID-19 lower-risk areas.

Anyone arriving from an international destination must fill out the Massachusetts Travel Form and must quarantine for 14 days or meet the 72-hour testing rule.
DrWitnesser preaching in his YouTube videos DrWitnesser/YouTube

Joseph Hennig, who goes by DrWitnesser online, wrote on Twitter that he wants to pursue legal action against Twitch.

The Amazon-owned live stream platform indefinitely suspended the Fortnite preacher in January.

Hennig goes into games of Fortnite and preaches that they "need to repent for their sins."

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

DrWitnesser, the online alias of internet preacher and streamer Joseph Hennig, announced on Twitter that he intends to pursue legal action against Twitch.

Hennig, a member of the strict Seventh-Day Adventist Church Christian denomination, started streaming on the Amazon-owned platform in April 2020 under the DrWitnesser moniker, according to an interview he did with Medium's OneZero. Influenced by the popularity of the mustached alpha bro DrDisrespect, Hennig joined random Fortnite groups and preached the word of god, whether his teammates wanted to hear it or not. Dressed in a black button-up and an orange tie, his image is eye-catching if not dramatic.

Over the next five months, he amassed over 140,000 followers on the platform, who would watch him tell random teenagers and strangers not to say the lord's name in vain or that they need to repent for their sins. His TikTok grew alongside his Twitch fame, reaching over 350,000 followers in just the latter half of the year.

In July of 2020, Hennig received his first suspension for seven days on Twitch according to Dexerto. The action came after telling a young Muslim person in his game that "if you were to die in your sins today, you would be sentenced to hell."

In a Twitter video, Hennig said that sometime after his first ban, his Twitch account received another 7-day suspension for currently unknown reasons.

An indefinite ban would come Hennig's way in January 2021, for "engaging in hateful conduct against a person or group of people" according to a message he received from Twitch. In a now-deleted tweet, Hennig wrote "Twitch has yet again showed they have no tolerance for a #Christian streamer who preaches what the #Bible teaches. They are a bias, hypocritical organization that shoves their agenda down everyone's throats."

Story continues

After his Twitch ban, the preacher moved over to controversial platform DLIve before transitioning to YouTube where he has 14,000 subscribers. His clips would still gain the attention of critics, with YouTuber Kurtis Conner sharing a video about the DrWitnesser streams to his 2.9 million subscribers.

"My guess is he plays Fortnite to get to these kids when they are young and impressionable and scared," Conner says in the video. "It's really gross, it's really f--- weird man."

On Sunday, Hennig announced on Twitter that he is planning on suing Twitch for "unlawful termination of my Twitch account on the basis of religious discrimination." The screenshot he shared features the Superior Court of California and the county of San Francisco, which currently does not have a lawsuit on file under Hennig or the DrWitnesser name. The streamer also tweeted that he is looking to find the "right firm for legal representation."

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Hennig did not respond to a request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Italian prime minister has urged the EU to 'suffocate' vaccine makers who fail to deliver on their contractual obligations amid a row over supplies from AstraZeneca.

Italy imposed the first EU-sanctioned export ban on vaccines yesterday when it blocked 250,000 AstraZeneca jabs from heading to Australia - which was due to start inoculations with the vaccine today.

The export control mechanism was hastily pushed through by the EU in January after the bloc bitterly accused AstraZeneca of holding back doses meant for the EU and diverting them to newly-unshackled Brexit Britain.

Italy's new prime minister Mario Draghi told Ursula von der Leyen over the phone on Wednesday that it was necessary to 'suffocate' the pharmaceutical giants to force them to meet their contractual obligations, according to Italian daily La Republicca.

Draghi did not elaborate on what he meant, but it is likely he was referring to stopping vaccine shipments since Italy requested permission to do so last week - meaning both leaders would have been aware of it during their call.

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis last night called the blockade 'disgraceful behaviour' which puts at risk, not just Britain's relationship with the EU, but the world's.

Italy has blocked a shipment of 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccines bound for Australia from leaving the country using EU export laws - the first time they have been used. The laws were introduced in January in a desperate effort to speed up Europe's vaccine drive

Italy's new prime minister Mario Draghi, pictured, told Ursula von der Leyen over the phone this week that it was necessary to 'suffocate' the pharmaceutical giants to ensure they meet their contractual obligations, according to Italian daily La Republicca

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has presided over a shambolic vaccine roll-out which has lurched from crisis to crisis

He told The Telegraph: 'Frankly, it amounts to disgraceful behaviour. It comes at the end of a period where it took them a long time to approve the vaccine, then some of their leaders questioned the value of the vaccine, and it looks likely they wasted the vaccine as a result of that because of an uptake shortfall.

'And now this. I'm afraid the EU is putting at risk the goodwill of the rest of the world. It is disgraceful behaviour and sad, really, because they are our friends and allies.'

EU accused of 'bullying' over vaccines Matthew Lesh, head of research at Australia's conservative Adam Smith Institute, has branded the EU a 'bully' after it blocked a shipment of vaccines from leaving Italy. 'A very clear demonstration of closed, self-interested and nationalistic behaviour. The world should not tolerate this bullying,' he said. 'Australia isn't responsible for the European Union's failure to secure enough doses or vaccinate across her population.' But Prime Minister Scott Morrison was quick to downplay the row, insisting that Australia was not relying on the blocked shipment to push ahead with its vaccine roll-out, an that Italy's actions were 'understandable' given how badly the country has suffered from Covid. 'In Italy, people are dying at the rate of 300 a day. And so I can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many countries across Europe.' 'They are in an unbridled crisis situation. That is not the situation in Australia,' he said. Australia's chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, added: 'My sister lives in Italy. They're at the moment having 18,000 cases a day.' Advertisement

David Jones, deputy chair of the European Research Group of euro-sceptic Tory MPs called it 'piratical' behaviour.

The EU has vaccinated just 8 per cent of its population, compared with nearly a third in Britain, which has a steady supply of AstraZeneca.

In January, AstraZeneca cut supplies to the EU in the first quarter from 90 million to 40 million, and later announced it would slash deliveries by another 50 per cent in the second quarter.

Despite its fury, the bloc has now finally recognised that the AstraZeneca jab will be crucial to their vaccine programmes after making incendiary claims that the Anglo-Swedish firm's medicine was ineffective in January.

Germany on Thursday approved the AstraZeneca vaccine for over-65s after ministers briefed journalists that it barely worked for older people.

And French PM Jean Castex admitted that the jab was 'very efficient' - flying in the face of Emmanuel Macron's claim at the height of the row that it was only 'quasi-effective' in elderly patients.

Greece and Sweden have also announced they will drop age restrictions, following a similar move by Belgium, with Spain also considering a change to allow elderly patients to receive the AstraZeneca jab.

The doses destined for Australia were stopped from leaving a plant in Anagni, in the province of Frosinone, an Italian government source told The Times.

They were being transferred into phials by Catalent, a US drug company, when they were barred from leaving Europe.

An EU diplomat said: 'Italy has sent a crystal clear message to AstraZeneca: contracts are to be honoured. AstraZeneca's vaccine delivery to the EU will fall short by millions of doses in the first quarter of 2021 alone, putting at risk the lives of 30 million EU citizens.

'Being in this situation, not making up for it, not even offering excuses to the people they have let down and then asking for an export authorisation is a very brazen move. Italy rightly stopped it.'

The tough gesture comes after Draghi, the 73-year-old former European central bank governor, took the helm of a national unity government last month.

He has appointed an army general, who once commanded Italy's troops in Afghanistan, to hasten the country's vaccine roll-out which he says is vital to reviving the economy.

The news emerged just a day after Europe's new vaccine Tsar, Thierry Breton, bragged that not a single vaccine dose had left the continent since the rules were introduced

The move by Italy comes as Thierry Breton, who has been put in charge of speeding up the EU's jab programme, bragged this week that not a single vaccine dose had left Europe since export controls were brought in.

Speaking in The Hague on Wednesday, Breton said he would ensure that AstraZeneca 'delivers what is promised' in the coming months.

Breton was in Italy on Thursday, when he boasted that Europe has 'plenty of vaccines available' and will be able to offer one to every adult before the end of summer.

Australia's slow jabs roll-out Australia has only just begun to roll-out Covid-19 jabs, with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine approved for use from Friday. The country received a delivery of 142,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on February 15, but the AstraZeneca jab is to be the predominant vaccine for Australians. Just 0.2 per 100 people have received a vaccine dose, compared to 31.82 in Britain, 24.33 in the U.S. and 8.71 in Europe. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca jab arrived in Sydney on Sunday and were to be administered to front-line medics in the south of the country from Friday. Another 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca jab are to be shipped in from overseas. Mr Morrison said that a further 50 million doses of the AstraZeneca jab will be made domestically in Melbourne to avoid relying on other countries and supply problems. The doses will be manufactured in monthly batches. The 53.8 million doses are enough to provide two doses to every person in the country, which has a population of around 25 million. Advertisement

Breton claimed that EU countries have received 43 million doses so far, but have not yet used about 30 per cent of them.

According to the commissioner, by the end of the year the EU will be able to manufacture 2-3 billion vaccine doses per year, beating the production capacity of the US, China and Russia.

The commissioner called for EU unity, after several members of the bloc, including Slovakia, Hungary, Denmark and Austria, broke ranks to source vaccines from Israel, China or Russia.

'No single country can have an autonomous vaccination strategy ... we all depend on one another,' Breton said.

German regulators submitted their revised verdict on AstraZeneca's vaccine on Thursday - a move which Angela Merkel's health minister Jens Spahn had pleaded for the day prior.

It came amid calls to use the Sputnik V to speed up a vaccine drive hampered by EU supply chaos and public doubts over the AstraZeneca shot, with one state premier saying the country should do 'everything possible' to quicken the pace.

Reiner Haseloff, the leader of Saxony-Anhalt, said he would 'take Sputnik V any time', having had a Soviet-made polio shot as a child in East Germany - adding that he was open to making vaccines compulsory like they were in the Communist-ruled state.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) today began a rolling review of Sputnik V but Hungary and Slovakia have already jumped ahead to buy their own shots while the Czech Republic is mulling a similar move.

It tees up a potential propaganda coup for Vladimir Putin, who was widely scorned for approving the vaccine last August before clinical trials were complete but may have the last laugh after testing showed it to be 91.6 per cent effective.

The EMA began its review today based on clinical studies and lab tests which 'indicate that Sputnik V triggers the production of antibodies and immune cells' that can protect against Covid-19.

Slovakia has already ordered two million doses of Sputnik V and received its first shipment of 200,000 shots on a military plane from Moscow.

The neighbouring Czech Republic could also press Sputnik V into service even without approval from the EMA, its prime minister has said.

And Hungary, which has broken away even further by bringing in the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine, has also received its first deliveries of Sputnik V.

Russia gloated today that it expected several EU countries to approve Sputnik V this month, saying it could provide 50million shots starting from June if required.

Covid cases rising in Europe after six-week decline, warns WHO The number of Covid-19 cases are rising in Europe after a six-week decline, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. New infections increased by nine per cent amid a 'resurgence' in central and Eastern Europe, said Hans Kluge. The agency's Europe regional director told a press briefing today: 'Last week, new cases of Covid-19 in Europe rose nine percent to just above one million. 'This brought a promising six-week decline in new cases to an end, with more than half of our region seeing increasing numbers of new infections. 'We are seeing a resurgence in central and Eastern Europe. New cases are also on the rise in several western European countries where rates were already high.' Mr Kluge added: 'We need to get back to the basics. We need to enlarge.' Advertisement

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, said the jab could act as a bridge between Russia and Europe and should not get bogged down in politics - just as Western countries clash with Moscow over the jailing of Alexei Navalny.

The RDIF sovereign wealth fund which helped finance the development of Sputnik V, said on Thursday that 42 countries have registered the vaccine so far.

The Kremlin says that Merkel herself has discussed the possibility of 'joint vaccine production' with Putin.

Merkel has come under fire at home for letting Brussels and her former cabinet colleague Ursula von der Leyen take charge of the vaccine programme.

The EU chaos has been made worse by public reluctance to take the AstraZeneca shot after several countries including Germany cast doubt on its efficacy by refusing to recommend it for over-65s.

Merkel's health minister Jens Spahn yesterday urged regulators to act on the real-world findings from the UK which prove that the jab is highly effective in older people.

'We now have very good data from England and Scotland showing that AstraZeneca works very, very well in over-65s,' Spahn told ARD television on Wednesday.

A separate University of Bristol study published on Wednesday found one shot of the AstraZeneca jab reducing severe cases of Covid-19 by 80.4 per cent.

Angela Merkel, pictured, said last month that she was not eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine because she is 66 years old - a position which could be about to change

Vladimir Putin, pictured, has touted the success of the Sputnik V vaccine which was shown by trial results to be 91.6 per cent effective

The findings, which have yet to be peer-reviewed, also showed a single dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech product cutting severe illness by 71.4 per cent.

Spahn has also called for Germany to delay second doses as far as regulators will allow - six weeks for the Pfizer jab and 12 weeks for AstraZeneca - in another move to emulate Britain's success in handing out millions of first doses.

Israel, Denmark, Austria agree deal for vaccine development Leaders from Israel, Austria and Denmark announced Thursday an alliance for the development and production of future generation coronavirus vaccines, at a press conference in Jerusalem. The three countries will launch 'a research and development fund' and begin 'joint efforts for common production of future vaccines', Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, alongside his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. 'We don't know how long... (current coronavirus) vaccines will hold up,' Netanyahu added. 'Is it half a year, is it a year, is it two years, is it more, is it less? We don't know. Therefore we have to protect our people against the reemergence of this pandemic, or mutations.' He did not specify the fund amount or the production capacity goal. Frederiksen said the three countries 'all have promising research that could pave the way for (a) next generation platform', adding they 'would like also to explore possible cooperation on clinical trials'. Denmark and Austria are European Union members, and the Israeli partnership has elicited criticism from fellow EU state France, which said the European system remained the best way to guarantee 'solidarity' within the bloc. Kurz had announced the alliance on Monday, saying the European Medicines Agency (EMA) was 'too slow in approving vaccines', leaving the bloc vulnerable to supply bottlenecks at pharmaceutical companies. Advertisement

Concerns about the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine have also hampered its rollout in Italy, with some refusing to have the jab as they believe the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines offer more protection.

Teachers and police officers under 50 have been bumped up the priority list, providing they accept the AstraZeneca vaccine. Police representatives have demanded they be given jabs by Pfizer or Moderna.

Dr Paolo Mezzana told ITV that the doctors in Italy are also asking to be given different vaccine but this is because the AstraZeneca jab takes longer for immunisation to come into effect.

Mezzana said people had misinterpreted their stance and some now believe they should not have an AstraZeneca jab if doctors are refusing one.

It came as a survey by Kekst CNC found 77 per cent of Britons saying their country has handled the vaccine roll-out well - compared to 23 per cent in Germany, 19 per cent in Sweden and 18 per cent in France.

According to the poll, only 17 per cent in Germany and 24 per cent in France say the EU has done a good job of trying to immunise its 447million population.

The findings are unsurprising given the much faster pace of the roll-out in Britain, where more than 30 per cent of the entire population has had at least one dose.

The poll of 1,000 adults in each nation also found that Britons were the most likely to take the jab, with 89 per cent saying they would get one or had already done so.

That compared to 76 per cent in Sweden, 73 per cent in Germany and only 59 per cent in France where vaccine scepticism has long been a concern.

More than half of those surveyed in the three EU nations said vaccination progress was too slow in their country, a view shared by only 14 per cent of Britons.

The UK is moving at one of the fastest rates in the world after approving both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines before any other country.

By contrast, the EU did not get started at all until late December and did not approve the Oxford jab until the end of January after feuding with AstraZeneca over supplies.

Macron poured fuel on the fire by claiming the vaccine was 'quasi-ineffective' in older people following sensational but widely-debunked claims about its efficacy.

German health minister Jens Spahn, pictured, has called for regulators to let over-65s take the AstraZeneca jab after real-world data from England and Scotland proved that it works

In Britain, 77 per cent of people praise their country's efforts in the vaccine roll-out (in green), but the figures are much lower in Germany (23 per cent), Sweden (19 per cent) and France (18 per cent) which are all lagging far behind the UK

The poll also found Britons (far left) the most likely to take a vaccine, with 89 per cent saying they would take a jab or have already done so. The figure is only 59 per cent in France

According to the poll, 23 per cent of Germans said their country had done a good job with vaccines while 46 per cent said it had done badly.

Merkel has been left pleading with people to take the AstraZeneca jab with many Germans preferring the Pfizer/BioNTech product co-developed in Germany.

The chancellor says she cannot set an example by taking the AstraZeneca jab herself because she is 66 years old and not currently eligible.

France's vaccine efforts were praised by 18 per cent and criticised by 39 per cent, after scientists said the roll-out was too slow to prevent a third wave of severe cases.

The slow progress has left France teetering on the bring of a third national lockdown which Macron has tried to prevent with a nationwide 6pm curfew.

And in Sweden, 51 per cent said their country had handled the roll-out badly, compared to 19 per cent who said it had done well.

The findings are a blow to the Nordic country which has long cited the 'high level of trust in government agencies' as justification for its no-lockdown policies.

The survey shows a slump in approval ratings for Swedish PM Stefan Lofven, who is now 17 points underwater in the public's assessment of his virus response.

Macron is at minus 15 per cent, while Merkel is still up by 23 per cent but her ratings have dropped significantly since Germany's relative success in the first wave.

By contrast, Boris Johnson has enjoyed something of a revival after long being criticised for his handling of the crisis, although his rating is still minus 13 per cent.

The PM last week laid out detailed plans for lifting the lockdown which could see all limits on gatherings scrapped by June 21 in England.

All adults are expected to be given a first dose of the vaccine by July 31, while the EU has a more modest aim of vaccinating 70 per cent of adults by September.

The EU is blasted as a 'total DISGRACE' for blocking shipment of 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia - but the 'bullying' shows how we really are the lucky country

By TITA SMITH for Daily Mail Australia

The European Union has been accused of 'bullying' and blasted as a 'total disgrace' after blocking a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia.

Authorities in Italy have drawn on controversial export laws for the first time, refusing to grant a licence for 250,000 doses manufactured in the country to be exported.

Officials in Rome had informed the EU of its intention to act last week and Brussels did not object to the move.

The batch was halted because of 'continuing shortage of vaccines in the EU and in Italy and delays in supplies from AstraZeneca to the EU and Italy,' the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Italy also argued Australia is not a high-risk country, with low case and death numbers, in stark contrast to countries overwhelmed by the pandemic.

The EU blocked a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines from leaving Italy for Australia on Thursday, drawing on controversial export laws for the first time. Pictured: The first shipment of AstraZeneca arriving in Australia on February 28

The decision has sparked anger from commentators worldwide, with critics accusing the EU of punishing Australia due to their own management failures during the pandemic.

'The decision by Italy and the European Union to block vaccine exports to Australia is a total disgrace,' Matthew Lesh, the Head of Research at the conservative Adam Smith Institute,' told News.com.au.

'A very clear demonstration of closed, self-interested and nationalistic behaviour. The world should not tolerate this bullying.

'Australia isn't responsible for the European Union's failure to secure enough doses or vaccinate across her population  Australia's most vulnerable shouldn't have to bear the consequences.'

Mr Lesh's sentiments were echoed by several British commentators, including journalist Kelvin MacKenzie.

'The EU is a disgrace,' Mr MacKenzie tweeted.

'Europe is short of vaccine due to its own stupidity. France and Germany don't even believe in AZ but won't let anybody else have it. Shockers.'

The obstruction will leave Australia short thousands of vaccines, after the move prevented the batch from departing Europe on Thursday as planned.

Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng (pictured) said the situation reinforces how 'lucky' Australia is to have local vaccine production

But Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said the move demonstrates how lucky the nation is to have onshore vaccine production and he is not concerned it will disrupt Australia's rollout program.

'[This] just reinforces how lucky we are to have local production. It may not come in exactly when we expect it, but it is coming,' Professor Cheng told 3AW on Thursday.

Professor Cheng said 'we do not know' when more doses will arrive in the country but there are some Astrazenca doses in South Australia that will start being administered today.

Australia has secured 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with around 440,000 already in the country, and 54million AstraZeneca doses from overseas and local suppliers.

Asked why the majority of the orders are still yet to reach our shores, Professor Cheng said logistics were proving difficult.

'We have more vaccine than our capacity to deliver it at the moment,' he said

European leaders hastily passed new laws in January which require vaccine-makers to get permission from member states if they are planning to ship jabs manufactured in their countries overseas.

The 250,000 doses will reportedly now be distributed within the EU, whose member states are lagging behind other developed nations, including the United Kingdom.

Australia has ordered 150 million vaccines - meaning it can give enough jabs to every citizen twice (pictured, a scientist with the AstraZeneca vaccine)

A woman receives the AstraZeneca vaccine in Cornwall in the UK (pictured on February 1)

Australia began its vaccine campaign last week and had intended to use jabs shipped from abroad in the early part of the roll-out, before switching to domestically-produced ones.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the first of 50 million AstraZeneca doses to be produced locally would be ready within weeks.

'This 250,000-dose issue is not going to affect the rollout,' he told the Nine Network on Friday.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles welcomed the government's confidence the program would not be affected.

'We are far from leading the world in terms of vaccinating our population, but it's good news to hear from Peter this won't stall the rollout,' he told Nine.

Mr Dutton stressed there was no problem as he urged people to speak to their doctors to see when they could be vaccinated.

'We need to get to herd immunity that way we can get our borders open and get back to normal life,' he said.

The Australian Medical Association's Chris Moy said the government's decision to lock in local manufacturing would protect against 'vaccine nationalism'.

'It may have a slight delay because the first three or four million were destined to come from overseas,' he told Nine.

Health authorities say the move will not affect the vaccine rollout. Pictured: Prime Minister Scott Morrison walks past vials of AstraZeneca vaccine during a visit to the CSL serum lab to inspect Covid-19 Immunoglobulin being produced in Parkville, Melbourne last month

The EU has been frustrated with a slow vaccine rollout and criticised AstraZeneca for a shortfall in delivering millions of doses.

The export ban coincides with the first AstraZeneca jabs to be being administered in Australia on Friday after a shipment arrived on Sunday.

Frontline health workers at the Murray Bridge Hospital, east of Adelaide, will be the first to get the new jab, which is initially being rolled out to South Australia and Western Australia.

Vaccines will be a key topic for Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his state and territory counterparts at Friday's national cabinet meeting.

The leaders will also be briefed on the best way to respond to new coronavirus strains which have emerged around the world.

Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens' work with the states on improving consistency across the nation will be discussed.

The report has looked at coordinated approaches on health and the economy including restrictions.

National cabinet will also discuss international arrival caps, which have been flagged for change on April 30.

Oslo, March 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :They have been living under strict confinement measures for months, but soon the second shot of a life-saving vaccine will let them go outside and get back to their normal lives.

While it sounds like a familiar story, in this case their normal lives involve sliding about on their bellies, frolicking in icy water and catching fish in their mouths.

Twenty-nine gentoo penguins at Norway's Bergen Aquarium have had a tarp stretched over their pen since early December after cases of a highly infectious bird flu strain, H5N8, were detected in the country.

"Because of this, the food Health Authority introduced a curfew: all birds in captivity must be kept under a roof," aquarium director Aslak Sverdrup told AFP on Thursday.

But the end is in sight, with the arrival of bird flu vaccine doses.

The oldest and most fragile had their first shot on Wednesday, followed by the younger penguins on Thursday, the aquarium said.

Among the freshly immunised is "Erna", named for Prime Minister Erna Solberg who once had a summer job at the aquarium, a tourist attraction in the western city where she was born.

Once the second vaccine dose has been administered in a month's time, the birds will be able to see the sky again.

"The fact that penguins are being vaccinated now is pure coincidence, totally independent of the coronavirus, but it shows that vaccines are important, even more so today," Sverdrup said.

In the wild, gentoo penguins live on the other side of the Earth, in Antarctica.

None at the Bergen Aquarium caught the flu, and while the disease can be devastating for birds, transmission to humans is rare.
The fight continues. My photos are a modern day look at the fight for fair housing, in the spirit of those who have come before us. As viewers look at the exhibit and see the origins, I want them to note that there is no period on this story because it is not yet finished. My photos are at the end of the exhibition and as viewers walk out, it is up to them to continue writing this story, Jordan said.
(Natural News) If there are any bigger bombshells involving the cover-up of vital information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic early on, we cant think of one.

Whats not unexpected, however, but nonetheless thoroughly disgusting, is that officials within our own government were involved in it.

And one of the officials is a name readers will know well: Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. epidemiologist who has been less than honest with Americans about the coronavirus and its actual effects on humans throughout the pandemic.

Judicial Watch announced today that it and the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) received 301 pages of emails and other records of Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. H. Clifford Lane from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showing that National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials tailored confidentiality forms to Chinas terms and that the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted an unreleased, strictly confidential COVID-19 epidemiological analysis in January 2020, the legal organization said in news release posted to its website.

In addition, according to the documents, an independent Chinese journalist (of which there are precious few in that country) noted inconsistencies in COVID numbers in the Asian nation to Cliff Lane, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Deputy Director for Clinical Research and Special Projects.

Included in the emails, which were obtained via Freedom of Information Act request, is a conversation regarding confidentiality forms dated Feb. 14-15, 2020, between WHO Technical Officer Mansuk Daniel Han and Lane.

The forms this time are tailored to Chinas terms so we cannot use the ones from before, Han wrote, indicating directly that U.S. health officials were bending to Chinas demands for confidentiality regarding the pandemic  and remember, China has been accused before of hiding key details about the virus, including, according to Chinese researchers, the fact that the virus was manufactured in a Chinese lab and escaped (or was intentionally released).

A WHO briefing package sent on February 13, 2020, to NIH officials traveling to China as part of the COVID response ask that the officials wait to share information until they have an agreement with China: IMPORTANT: Please treat this as sensitive and not for public communications until we have agreed communications with China, the news release noted. (Related: Biden hands over control of Americas power grid to communist China.)

Additional emails provide further details about this outrageous attempt to hide cooperation with China at a time when the then-Trump administration was sanctioning Beijing and breaking off trade negotiations as a means of punishing the ChiCom regime.

Another email dated Jan. 20, 2020, featured a WHO official talking about the epidemiological analysis that was conducted of COVID-19 earlier in the month, saying that it is strictly confidential and is only for the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Infection Hazards (STAG-IH), and should not be further disseminated.

A March 4, 2020, email from Zeng Jia, a Chinese reporter for Caixin Media, told Lane that the number of coronavirus cases contained in the WHO Joint China Missions report were inconsistent with the number that was being reported by the Wuhan Public Health Committee.

It says on Page 6 [in the WHO report] that there was at least one clinically diagnosed case of coronavirus on December 2th, 2019, in Wuhan; and from Jan 11th to 17th there were new clinically diagnosed and confirmed cases every day in Wuhan, which is not consistent with Wuhan Public Health Committees numbers, Zeng wrote.

These emails set the tone early on in the coronavirus outbreak. Its clear that the WHO allowed China to control the information flow from the start. True transparency is crucial, Ethan Barton, editor-in chief for the Daily Caller News Foundation, said.

Added Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton: These new emails show WHO and Faucis NIH special accommodations to Chinese communist efforts to control information about COVID-19.

Fauci is now China Joe Bidens chief medical adviser. Go figure.

See more reporting like this at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

JudicialWatch.org

NaturalNews.com
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

TORONTO  Canada is getting a fourth vaccine to prevent COVID-19 as the countrys health regulator has cleared a Johnson & Johnson shot that works with just one dose instead of two, officials said Friday.

Health experts are eager for a one-and-done option to help speed vaccination. Canada has also approved vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca and Health Canada is the first major regulator to approve four different vaccines, said Dr. Supriya Sharma, Health Canadas chief medical adviser.

Like many countries, Canada does not have domestic production and has struggled with an immediate shortage of vaccines. The U.S. so far isnt allowing locally made vaccines to be exported, so Canada  like the other U.S. neighbor, Mexico  has been forced to get vaccines from Europe and Asia.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada has an agreement with Johnson & Johnson for 10 million doses before September. It was not immediately clear when Canada would get its first shipments of those.

But Trudeau announced Pfizer would deliver an additional 1.5 million doses to Canada in March and another 1 million doses ahead of schedule in both April and May.

We have reasons to be optimistic. Were going to be able to move things forward, Trudeau said. But at the same time, we also know that these are global supply chains that are being set up and theres always possibility for disruptions.

The U.S. approved Johnson and Johnson last month. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said J&Js vaccine offers strong protection against what matters most: serious illness, hospitalizations and death. One dose was 85% protective against the most severe COVID-19 illness in a massive study that spanned three continents  protection that remained strong even in countries such as South Africa, where the variants of most concern are spreading.

J&J also is seeking authorization for emergency use of its vaccine in Europe and from the World Health Organization. The company aims to produce about 1 billion doses globally by the end of the year. Last month, the island nation of Bahrain became the first to clear its use.

The vaccine shortage is so acute in Canada that provincial governments are now saying they will extend the interval between the two doses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines to four months rather than three to four weeks so they can quickly inoculate more people.

It is a reasonable recommendation. If we can get earlier doses, we dont have to wait for four months to give second doses if the supply opens up, Sharma said.

Retired Gen. Rick Hillier, who leads the vaccine program Canadas most populous province of Ontario, said all adults could receive the first dose by June 20.

Our aim would be to allow the province of Ontario to have a first needle in the arm of every eligible person who wants it by the first day of summer, Hillier said.

The Manitoba provincial government is now predicting it will be able to offer all eligible adults the first dose this spring  months ahead of its previous plan.

It is possible that we have further good news and good predictions to share in the coming weeks, Trudeau said.

Trudeau said officials have been assured by the European Union that Pfizer and Moderna vaccine deliveries to Canada wont be disrupted. A shipment of over a quarter million AstraZeneca vaccines destined for Australia has been blocked from leaving the European Union in the first use of a European export control system to make sure big pharma companies respect their local contracts.

Trudeau noted that Canada is getting Pfizer and Moderna doses from Europe now and said those two companies are not likely to face export disruptions from Europe. He said Canada wont get AstraZeneca vaccines doses from Europe for months. Canada received 500,000 AstraZeneca doses from India this month.

The provincial Ontario government, meanwhile, said it is lifting its stay-at-home order next week in Toronto, Canadas largest city. Ontario will allow retailers to reopen for in-person shopping, but only with a 25% capacity limit. Many restrictions will remain in place. Indoor and outdoor dining service will continue to be prohibited. Hair salons also cant reopen.
Former Chancellor Philip Hammond first proposed the idea in 2018

Charities and community lenders have cautiously welcomed Treasury plans to provide 3.8million to pilot an Australian-style system of no-interest loans for hundreds of thousands of people who cannot afford high-cost credit.

The funding for the scheme finally makes good on a proposal first unveiled by former Chancellor Philip Hammond in the 2018 Budget to help those below the poverty line access credit.

The Treasury said on Wednesday the scheme 'will help vulnerable consumers who would benefit from affordable short-term credit to meet unexpected costs as an alternative to high-cost credit.'

The announcement of the 3.8million to fund the pilot comes 12 months after publication of a report by London Economics into the feasibility of the loans, which had been carried out between April and August 2019.

Such loans could be feasible and could range from 100 to 2,000 and be paid back over a period of between three months and three years, it said.

An estimated 274,000 people could afford to repay 500 over a year with no interest who would not otherwise be able to pay back loans at the average community finance rate of 7.2 per cent, and 408,000 people 1,000.

Figures published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in 2017 estimated 11million people were living on 75 per cent of the income needed for an acceptable standard of living.

Debt charity StepChange said these people could need interest-free loans repaid over a longer period as they lacked the disposable income to pay back even lower interest loans.

Funding could come from the Government, banks or the National Lottery, the London Economics report said, while lending could be provided by one centralise body or by regulated lenders.

The scheme is based on the Australian 'Good Shepherd' scheme which has provided 125,000 low-income people with loans of up to $1,800, around 1,000, to purchase essentials.

The UK's pilot version is being designed by Fair4All Finance in partnership with Toynbee Hall, Fair by Design and the Treasury and could be launched 'around the middle of 2021', according to an update published by Fair4All in January.

The UK's unemployment rate is expected to peak at 6.5% - or 2.2m people - in 2021

That would see it piloted ahead of UK unemployment reaching a forecasted peak of 6.5 per cent after the end of the furlough scheme in September and the expiration of the 520 six-month uplift in Universal Credit.

Some 2.2million people could be out of work, according to the forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility, while the latest figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimated 14.5million people in the UK were already living in poverty before the pandemic.

And while the Budget contained limited details on the pilot, the announcement of 3.8million to fund it was welcomed as 'a big step in the right direction' by charities and lenders, even if they said more details needed to be released.

Robert Kelly, the chief executive of the Association of British Credit Unions, said: 'We are committed to looking at the finer detail and engaging member credit unions on the ideas but there are significant outstanding questions to be answered before any of our member credit unions will be convinced to join and support it.'

He questioned how much of the 3.8million fund would be used to cover expenses for the firms which offered no-interest loans.

'I think it's unrealistic to expect credit unions or other community finance firms to accept the entire risk with no interest earned.

'Will the loans be underwritten, and will any default balances be pursued?'

He added: 'We recognise that financially vulnerable individuals could benefit from this scheme, but for some individuals who are most vulnerable or financially distressed some form of welfare assistance programme or grant would be much more impactful.

'For some, just having to repay the credit line will be a huge challenge.'

And StepChange's Sue Anderson said: ''We're very pleased to see the Government pushing ahead with a pilot, something we've long called for. What's needed is to learn quickly from the pilot and urgently scale up the concept to support people who've accumulated debt as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

'Strengthening short-term protections like furlough will buy time for those experiencing temporary financial difficulty, but 1.2million people affected by Covid are in severe problem debt, with a further 3million at risk of it.

'No-interest loan schemes can play a major role in helping them back to their feet and speeding up economic recovery.'
Tens of thousands of workers in the German auto, metal and electrical industries took part in short-term warning strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday after employers representatives refused to make any wage concessions despite raking in billions in profits this year. The current negotiations are the third round of talks and affect a total of 3.9 million workers.

According to Germanys corporatist labour law, workers are not allowed to strike in between the periods of contract bargaining, but the deadline in the latest dispute expired on March 2, which means that workers can now take industrial action.

Protest in Berlin

The anger on the part of workers is enormous. The Wolfsburger Allgemeine described the mood when Volkswagen workers on a night shift stopped work an hour early and assembled in front of the factory gates.

According to the paper, Along with frustration and anger, however, another emotion was clearly felt on Tuesday: fighting spirit. Many workers raised their fists as they left the factory and made clear their joy at the fact that industrial action was finally starting. The hall is completely empty, everyone is joining in, said one worker from component production in hall 6.

Across Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, more than 22,000 workers took action on Tuesday alone. In many other federal states such as Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Thuringia and Saarland, workers at 68 factories also went on strike, with 14,500 workers participating. In Baden-Wurttemberg, 6,500 workers went on strike and several hundred demonstrated in front of the car supplier Mahle Behr in Stuttgart.

In Bavaria, 9,000 workers from 24 factories briefly stopped work. In the city of Schweinfurt 4,160 workers from a range of companiesZF, SKF, Schaeffler, Bosch Rexroth, ZF Aftermarket and ZF Race Engineeringtook part in warning strikes during normal and night shifts. In North Rhine-Westphalia, more than 3,800 workers stopped work for a short time with another 2,600 in the north and coastal regions.

Workers are angry after having been forced to work under utterly unsafe conditions for many months, putting themselves and their families at enormous risk every day. Large-scale outbreaks have already occurred in hundreds of factories but have been largely played down and concealed.

Following a real loss of wages in 2018 and 2019, the same group of workers experienced stagnant wages in 2020. In the course of a year when companies were able to perversely rake in huge profits at the expense of the health of their workforce, the latter underwent a massive decline in purchasing power.

In the past few days, a number of German auto companies have proudly announced billions in profits made during the 2020 pandemic year. Daimler alone achieved a fabulous profit increase of 50 percent over the previous year, notching up $6 billion euros. BMW also recorded huge profits in the midst of the pandemic1.8 billion in the third quarter of 2020 alone. The companys annual profit has yet to be published.

Volkswagen, however, has overtaken all of its main German rivals and reported 8.8 billion net profit after tax last week. Its subsidiary Porsche, described as the companys profit machine, made 2.6 billion net profit. At the same time, the Porsche executive announced its intention to increase its planned cuts programme from 6 billion to 10 billion.

Along with the auto companies and their suppliers, other major German companies, such as Siemens, are taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis to initiate long-planned cost-cutting measures, involving job cuts and the closure of entire plants. Tens of thousands of jobs have already been irrevocably wiped out.

The obscene dividends for major companies are a direct result of the billions handed out by the German government to the banks and corporations in so-called Corona aid. The key role in maximising profits, however, has been played by the IG Metall trade union. Mobilising its network of works councils and its army of shop stewards, the union has guaranteed the continuation of non-essential production in completely unprotected workplaces.

At the same time, the union pushed through an emergency contract at the beginning of the pandemic, which stipulated no increase in wages and banned workers from taking any strike action against this wage cut and unsafe working conditions. Based on this policy, IG Metall was able to make possible the huge returns for the companies at the expense of workers jobs, living standards and health.

In the current round of contract bargaining, the union is only demanding a paltry four percent wage increase. When it agreed to the last contract three years ago, the union started negotiations with a demand for six percent. Behind the scenes, IG Metall has long since agreed with the companies on a further deterioration of wage levels.

The warning strikes are characterised by an obvious contradiction. While there is broad anger and willingness to strike among the workers, IG Metall is doing everything it can to prevent any genuine industrial action and a widespread mobilisation of the working class.

The unions usual ritual of protests where workers blow their whistles but are not allowed to open their mouths are aimed merely at releasing pressure and demoralising workers prior to the inevitable sellout. Because whistling with an anti-coronavirus mask is difficult, the union has even developed a whistle app designed to perpetuate the mindless noise at protest rallies.

Auto, metal and electrical workers must firmly reject the trap being set by the unions and companies and withdraw any negotiating mandate from IG Metall. Instead, they must form independent action committees in the factories and take the strike into their own hands. Such committees must immediately make contact with workers in other countries and other sections of the working class, such as the hunger strikers at WISAG in Frankfurt.

The strike in the metal and electrical industry must be made the starting point for a European-wide general strike, not only against wage cuts, but aimed at defending all jobs. Above all, it must enforce a lockdown of all non-essential industries and guarantee safe working conditions to bring the pandemic under control and save tens of thousands of lives. Affected workers must receive full wage compensation. The record profits of the corporations and major shareholders must be confiscated and reallocated to workers and their families.
9H Research Foundation Partners with UW on New Solar Energy Research Facility

This is a rendering of the 9H Research Foundations planned solar research center in Albany County, part of the foundations partnership with UWs College of Engineering and Applied Science. (9H Research Foundation Image)

A University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Science alumnus is using his Laramie ranch to create a solar energy research facility that will donate its energy proceeds to the university while also creating research and curriculum opportunities for students and faculty members.

Gene Humphrey, co-founder of 9H Research Foundation, studied mechanical engineering at UW and went on to run the highly successful technology company International Test Solutions. A Wyoming native who grew up in Burns, he owns 9H Ranch in Albany County, just north of Laramie, and was looking for a way to give back to his alma mater.

9H Research Foundation is committed to the long-term future success of the University of Wyoming and the Laramie community, he says. Our solar research center will allow students to gain hands-on experience for their future careers. Through our partnership with UW, we will be creating endowed professorships and student scholarships to attract the best minds in the clean energy sphere. This will help position Wyoming as the best university for clean energy, driving jobs and economic growth for the state.

The 9H Research Foundation will donate possibly millions of dollars to UW in the form of clean energy installations and in-kind support services. 9H has begun the construction of a philanthropic student research facility, which includes a 3-megawatt solar installation powered by First Solar Series 6 modules. The research facility also will support the creation of a world-class clean energy engineering curriculum at UW.

First Solar, the largest U.S. solar manufacturer, made a $300,000 in-kind donation to 9H, giving more than 2,000 advanced thin film solar photovoltaic modules totaling nearly 1 megawatt of capacity.

We are thankful to the 9H Research Foundation for the opportunity to lend our support to such an impactful project, says Adam Smith, director of business development for First Solar. It is always exciting for us to see our American technology powering American communities and, in this case, also the next generation of American clean tech engineers. The clean energy industry is set to be one of the most important industries globally in the coming decades, with solar energy making up a big portion of it. It is our hope that these modules are the start of an illustrious story for not just the University of Wyoming, but for all Wyomingites.

The partnership between 9H and UW kicked off this school year with 9H sponsoring a yearlong senior design competition. Thirty-one UW engineering seniors competed in a $5,000 renewable energy design challenge. Two team winners were announced in February at a celebration event hosted by UW President Ed Seidel and attended by Gov. Mark Gordon.

To drive innovation and provide students with hands-on research experience, 9H also is hiring additional student interns and funding $15,000 worth of projects for seven student groups to design and build solar and energy storage projects out of the new research facility.

UW students on one of the winning teams in the 9H Research Foundation senior design competition are, from left: Paige Palmer, of Laramie; Osama Zayed, of Laramie; Karla Contreras, of Ciudad Guzman, Mexico; and Regis Kissimina, of Westminster, Colo. Not pictured is Halston Drennan, of Fort Collins, Colo. (UW Photo)

The 9H project represents an amazing opportunity for students and faculty from the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) to be closely involved in a cutting-edge, large-scale renewable energy installation, says CEAS Acting Dean Cameron Wright. Gene Humphrey wants to give back to the university and wants to build this facility near campus, with maximum participation of students and faculty. While a typical installation of this size would never have opportunities like this, 9H Research Foundation is willing to adjust the overall design, as it is developed and installed, to better facilitate research, student involvement and general benefit to the UW and CEAS community. We are very fortunate to have Gene and the 9H team so dedicated to working with the college. There is no other project like this in the world.

In addition to First Solar, partners helping fund the 9H student projects include Creative Energies Solar, Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium, Alt E Wind & Solar, RiskThinking.AI and Black Bean Capital Partners.

This partnership has really opened my eyes and guided me toward a different career path, says Taylor Romshek, a mechanical engineering and energy systems engineering student from Windsor, Colo., who participated in the student contest. Im really excited for 9H and hope to be a part of the future innovation that will come from this. As a student, its nice to see that what were working on will have an impact.
The Jewish Academy of Orlando has announced that Amy Polacek will be the new principal of the school beginning June 1, 2021.

Polacek, the current director of Academics at JAO, joined the faculty in 2007 as a kindergarten teacher. After teaching at all grade levels, in 2018, she took on the additional role of Admissions coordinator, where she built relationships with prospective parents and shared her love of JAO. In 2019, Amy stepped away from the classroom and became the school's director of Academics, fostering a culture of academic excellence while supporting the school's mission-alig...
Google Maps Purvis Middle School

A Mississippi school district is facing criticism after a class assignment asked middle schoolers to put themselves in the shoes of an enslaved person, and write letters to friends and family.

The assignment given to eighth-graders at Purvis Middle School told students to "pretend like you are a slave working on a Mississippi plantation," according to a screenshot of the assignment that Black Lives Matter Mississippi posted to Twitter.

The students were then instructed to write a letter "to your family back in Africa or in another American state" describing their lives, their journey to America and their daily tasks.

"You may also want to tell about the family you live with/work for and how you pass your time when you aren't working," the assignment said.

The image prompted outrage on social media, including from Black Lives Matter Mississippi's social media manager, Jeremy Marquell Bridges, who said he was sent a screenshot of the assignment by a parent.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

"I don't know how a logical person teaches this," he told the Daily Beast. "Like someone who went to school to teach children could think this exercise was helpful in any way. It's not helpful, it's hurtful."

Those who commented on the Twitter post were also angry, like the user who responded: "Really hope someone turned in a blank sheet of paper."

RELATED: Illinois City to Distribute $25K in Reparations for Black Residents to Use on Housing

Lamar County School District Superintendent Dr. Steven Hampton, who did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment, confirmed the assignment was given to students, but said it was the end of a PowerPoint presentation meant to show the "atrocities and negatives of slavery."

"[The purpose] was to show our students just how horrible slavery was and to gain empathy for what it was like to be a slave," he told NBC/ABC affiliate WDAM. "We do not discriminate against race. We want to be sensitive to what happened in the past."

Story continues

RELATED VIDEO: 'Antebellum' Is the Right Movie for Right Now, says Gabourey Sidibe 'Slavery Was Not That Long Ago'

'Antebellum' Is the Right Movie for Right Now, says Gabourey Sidibe Slavery Was Not That Long Ago

'Antebellum' is available now on demand

Principal Frank Bunnell, meanwhile, apologized for the assignment, but also claimed that context was missing from the screenshot in an email to parents obtained by the Daily Beast.

"A person could read just the assignment and draw a very unrealistic view of the true tragedies that occurred. That was not intended," he wrote. "However, intent does not excuse anything. There is no excuse to downplay a practice that (even after abolished) spurs unjust laws, unfair economic practices, inhumane treatment, and suppression of a people."

RELATED: Wisc. Teachers Placed on Leave After Assignment That Asked Students to 'Punish' Enslaved People

For some, the assignment's wording proved painful; asking students to describe their "journey to America" referred to the Middle Passage, which moved about 20 million people from their homes in Africa and killed 10-20 percent of people along the way in ships with often horrendous conditions, according to PBS.

"It's just another way that Mississippi is trying to whitewash its history," Black Lives Matter Mississippi President Reginald Virgil told the Daily Beast. "They want us to think slavery was polite."
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Given the impact of the extraordinary number of natural disasters that occurred in 2017, Demotech commissioned a special issue of The Demotech Difference to recognize the impact of disasters on the insurance industry and on the nation. Published in 2018, Strength Through the Storm was about promises made and promises kept, including the strength of Demotech-rated carriers that protect communities. If you did not receive a hard copy, an electronic copy can be found at: www.demotech.com/pdfs/demotech_difference/flexpaper/Strength_Through_The_Storm/index.html.

Unfortunately for property insurance carriers, particularly those licensed and writing in coastal areas, the natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2018 through 2020 seemed intent on making 2017 look like a walk in the park.

The six more infamous events of 2018 were the Montecito mudslides in California, Hurricane Michael, Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire, Hurricane Florence and the flooding in Ellicott City, Maryland. Michael struck Florida and cost the U.S. economy at least $25 billion. Camp Fire was California's deadliest and most destructive fire at $13 billion in losses, per CoreLogic. Hurricane Florence sat off the coast of the Carolinas for days causing wind damage as well as flooding. Ellicott City saw nearly eight inches of rain in one hour.

2019 saw inland flooding across many Central states. There were 14 unique billion-dollar disasters in the U.S. representing the fourth highest total number of events (tied with 2018). 2019, 2018 and 2017 each produced more than a dozen billion-dollar disasters impacting the United States and the insurance industry. 2019 was the fifth consecutive year in which 10 or more separate billion-dollar disaster events impacted the insurance industry.

Not to be outdone, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season produced 30 named storms (highest on record), 13 hurricanes (second-highest on record), and 6 major hurricanes (tied for second-highest on record), more than double the activity of an average season (12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes). The 2020 season saw a record number of rapidly intensifying storms (10), landfalling U.S. named storms (12), and landfalling U.S. hurricanes (6). Every inch of the U.S. coast from Texas to Maine was under a watch or warning related to tropical cyclones during 2020. U.S. hurricane damage exceeded $37 billion, which according to Aon was the eighth-highest annual total on record.

2021 is off to a fast start with Winter Storm Uri as a coast-to-coast storm producing snow and ice from the Pacific Northwest to the South, Midwest, and Northeast from February 12 through 16, 2021. Uri produced the coldest temperatures in decades in the south-central states.

With four years of record setting natural disasters buffeting the United States, a logical question is "what is the status of the property insurance marketplace in what most believe to be one of the most catastrophe prone geographical areas of the world  Florida?" As Demotech actively reviews and rates carriers writing approximately two-thirds of Florida's residential property insurance marketplace, we would respond as follows.

In addition to being one of the most catastrophe-exposed jurisdictions in the world, two recent analyses of the operating environment of insurers writing in Florida's marketplace concluded there is a need for meaningful and substantive tort reform in Florida. Both analyses encourage the Florida legislature to move quickly and decisively to level and reform the environment from one favoring plaintiff attorneys to a balanced environment protecting consumers from the incremental annual increases in their insurance premiums associated with the cost of fraud and abuse.

In an analysis entitled FLORIDA's P&C INSURANCE MARKET: Spiraling Toward Collapse, Guy Fraker, cre8tfutures, wrote, in part:

Florida's residential P&C insurance marketplace faces convergence of existential threats in the form of increasingly unpredictable claims litigation, rising costs of risk capital and its persistently high exposure to natural catastrophe risks. Targeted legislative reforms are needed 

Without intervening public policy solutions, the residential property insurance marketplace will experience an accelerated trajectory of unsustainability. Market conditions will force closures, adverse investment terms, investor lawsuits, market exits, and further consolidations.  Without addressing the challenges  other economic challenges to Florida become magnified, such as recovering from COVID-19, and rebuilding from the next hurricane to hit the state.

A review of The American Tort Reform Association's (ATRA) 2020/2021 JUDICIAL HELLHOLES indicated that ATRA had placed Florida, a former No. 1 Judicial Hellhole, on its Watch List. While acknowledging Governor Ron DeSantis' 'thoughtful and decisive leadership, as he continued to remake the Florida Supreme Court' through his appointments, ATRA stated that 'the legislature stalled in its efforts to pass long-sought, meaningful lawsuit reform.'

Clearly, the natural disasters of the past several years in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world have impacted the cost of reinsurance. In Florida, the cost and availability of reinsurance has also been impacted by the need to enact meaningful and significant tort reform. Concurrently, carriers focused on Florida have seen their attritional (net as to reinsurance) loss and loss adjustment expenses rise as they simultaneously address their retained cost associated with natural disasters.

Absent meaningful and significant tort reform, in their efforts to address the financial impact of natural disasters and an operating environment tilted toward plaintiff attorneys, the remedies available to Florida focused property insurers to sustain their Financial Stability Rating (FSR) from Demotech include the following:

Infuse additional capital to replenish surplus and report acceptable financial metrics Secure rate revisions that reflect the incremental cost of reinsurance Secure rate revisions that reflect the frequency and severity of claims Re-evaluate the Company's business model and/or plan so as to return to profitability Re-underwrite the current book of business and, to the extent permitted by law, cancel or non-renew policies that are outliers.

These remedies are not mutually exclusive and may be concurrently implemented.

Well before other analyses identified the need for tort reform, Demotech communicated the need for meaningful and significant tort reform to remedy dysfunctions in Florida's residential property insurance marketplace. We referenced revisions to judicial precedents that resulted in claims procedures, practices and protocols that heavily favored plaintiff attorneys, litigation of routine claims and suit as First Notice of Loss, among others. In addition to meeting our current financial metrics, absent meaningful and significant tort reform in 2021, more than ever, carriers must possess the financial wherewithal, managerial acumen, and access to additional capital to execute their business model in a dysfunctional marketplace.

This said, as of this date, FSRs assigned to the following Florida focused property insurance writers have been affirmed subsequent to our review of year-end 2020 financial information and a verification of the consistency of the filed year-end 2020 operating results with those presented to us during our dialogue in late January or early February 2021:

American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida , Inc.

, Inc. American Platinum Insurance Company

American Traditions Insurance Company

Bankers Insurance Company

Castle Key Indemnity Company

Castle Key Insurance Company

Edison Insurance Company

First Community Insurance Company

First Protective Insurance Company

Florida Family Home Insurance Company

Florida Family Insurance Company

Florida Peninsula Insurance Company

Frontline Insurance Unlimited Company

Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company

People's Trust Insurance Company

Safe Harbor Insurance Company

Safepoint Insurance Company

Safeport Insurance Company

Security First Insurance Company

Southern Oak Insurance Company

TypTap Insurance Company

US Coastal P&C Insurance Company

Demotech has withdrawn the Financial Stability Rating (FSR) of A, Exceptional, assigned to American Capital Assurance Corp. This action was taken subsequent to Demotech's review and analysis of 2020 statutory financial information filed by American Capital Assurance Corp. and the company's decision to no longer participate in Demotech's rating process. As of March 4, 2021, American Capital Assurance Corp. is no longer followed or rated by Demotech.

Our review of our remaining Florida focused carriers as well as the additional 360 carriers we follow that write in other states is ongoing. We expect to have the reviews of Florida focused property insurers completed by March 19.

About Demotech, Inc.

Demotech, Inc. is a financial analysis firm specializing in evaluating the financial stability of regional and specialty insurers. Since 1985, Demotech has served the insurance industry by assigning accurate, reliable, and proven Financial Stability Ratings (FSRs) for Property & Casualty insurers and Title underwriters. FSRs are a leading indicator of financial stability, providing an objective baseline of the future solvency of an insurer. Demotech's philosophy is to review and evaluate insurers based on their area of focus and execution of their business model rather than solely on financial size. Demotech was the first to review and rate independent regional and specialty insurers. Demotech's consistently increasing list of accreditations and acceptances has resulted in rating and reviewing more than 400 insurers operating in the US. Visit www.demotech.com for additional information.

SOURCE Demotech, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.demotech.com


5 March 2021

TECTONIC GOLD PLC

("Tectonic Gold" or the "Company")

Drill Warrant Notice

Tectonic Gold plc (TDIM: TTAU), is providing formal notification to "Drill Warrant" holders that on the back of successful initial drilling results the September 2020, the 0.7p warrants are being called. The company has worked with warrant holders to secure approximately 500,000 in new capital from the conversion of approximately 70 million warrants. Unconverted warrants will be rolled to February 2022 with the exercise price reset to 1.4p.

Warrant Notice Highlights:

0.7p September 2020 "Drill Warrants" being called effective today

"Drill Warrants" being called effective today Indicative demand from warrant holders of approximately 500,000

Fully funds next phase of technical program

Appointment of Geos Mining mineral consultants to conduct independent modelling

500+ pre screened samples to be sent for immediate copper and gold assay

Drilling program at Specimen Hill to resume targeting high grade "Southern Copper" discovery

Mr. Brett Boynton, Managing Director - Tectonic Gold Plc

"Earlier this week we met with warrant holders and explained the need for funding in the order of 500,000 to complete the next phase of the technical program at Specimen Hill. In order to minimise dilution and prevent any pressure of the share price we negotiated with warrant holders an option to exchange any unexercised 0.7p warrants for a 1.4p warrant with a 28 February 2022 exercise date. Warrant holders entering a voluntary 12 month restriction on exercised warrants have been offered a one for two 1.4p warrant with a 28 February exercise date.

We are very grateful for the immediate support from our warrant holders and are extremely grateful for the opportunity to get back into the field so quickly after our initial success. Specimen Hill is shaping up to be a world class discovery and we need to extend the drilling along the 5km+ strike zone with increased density to work this up into a meaningful resource. In addition we have brought in one of Australia's leading independent consulting groups, Geos Mining, to provide modelling so that we can formally engage with majors such as our northern neighbour Rio Tinto, and regional heavyweights, Newcrest, Evolution and South32.

About Tectonic Gold:

Tectonic Gold is a specialist gold exploration company, focused on the identification and delineation of large-scale, multimillion-ounce Intrusion Related Gold Systems ("IRGS"). Tectonic Gold holds a number of gold discoveries in the New England Orogen in Eastern Australia, a prolific gold region that is home to Australia's two largest gold production companies, Newcrest Mining and Evolution Mining. Rio Tinto, one of the largest copper companies in the world has recently taken a large tenement alongside Tectonic's Specimen Hill project

Qualified Persons:

Mr Jonathan Robbeson - BSc (Hons1), MEconGeol, MMinEng, (CP Geo) is a full-time employee Signature Gold Limited and is a registered Chartered Professional (Geology) with the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM - 304542). Mr Robbeson has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the Note for Mining Oil & Gas Companies, June 2009, of the London Stock Exchange and the 2012 Edition of the 'Australian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code). Mr Robbeson consents to the inclusion in the release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

JORC Table 1 information for this release on Specimen Hill can be found on the Company website.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For further information, please contact:

Tectonic Gold plc

Brett Boynton

Sam Quinn

www.tectonicgold.com.

@tectonic_gold +61 2 9241 7665

Financial Adviser, Corporate Adviser and Broker

VSA Capital Limited +44 20 3005 5000

Andrew Raca - Corporate Finance

Andrew Monk - Corporate Broking

Ends

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
Even in a state that celebrates limited government, most Texans can agree to this much: Gov. Greg Abbotts top duty is to protect Texans lives, and at the very least, do nothing to put them in harms way. He has woefully failed.

The governor blindsided the medical community, business leaders and millions of Texans in his decision to drop all state restrictions on Wednesday that had been aimed at slowing the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus. While the desire to allow struggling businesses to open fully is understandable on some level, there can be only one motivation for dropping the simple, commonsense requirement that we all wear face masks: the governor is putting politics over peoples lives.

Such recklessness in the service of political expediency has become a pattern for Abbott. His cynical calculations, and the deaths they cause, will define his legacy.

In his latest move, Abbott may be hoping to distract Texans from his equally failed leadership regarding the catastrophic collapse of the state power grid during last months deadly winter freeze.

Voters must not allow the diversionary tactic to work. Abbotts failures related to the power crisis cost lives  dozens and counting  and so will this weeks decision to toss out the only meager tools local leaders had to require Texans to protect each other from a virus that has already killed more than 500,000 Americans and roughly 44,000 Texans. Theres no doubt that some, perhaps many, lives would have been spared had Abbott simply waited a month or two before easing restrictions.

Did Abbott even ask any medical experts to model how many deaths could result? If so, did he deem the losses justified if they would score him temporary political points with Republican voters who have come to equate cloth face coverings with tyranny?

The calculation is beyond chilling. At his press conference in Lubbock last week, Abbott crowed about the states reopening like he were announcing a new corporate relocation. A small friendly crowd even cheered him on. All the while, he was completely aware of the facts and the science even as he turned his back on them. Deaths and cases are still increasing in Texas. All five worrying new variants are present in Houston, including one against which the vaccines have proven much less effective. Texas ranks near the bottom in the nation for per-capita vaccinations.

Abbotts pandemic announcement  modeled after Floridas months long foolishness and mirrored this week by Mississippi  was just the latest in a cynical pattern that has been on full display ever since Valentines Day brought ice, ruin and woe. There was no single cause for the failure of Texas power grid, but there was one leader at the top who failed his leadership test before, during and after one of the biggest crises in Texas history.

Before the crisis

Yes, Abbott declared an emergency in all 254 Texas counties and tweeted about the impending freeze before Winter Storm Uri hit. But weather wasnt the worst threat; it was Texas ill-equipped infrastructure  especially its deregulated electric grid. Other states manage to face down unexpected, even extreme weather without coming within minutes or seconds of a complete blackout that officials at the states non-profit grid manager ERCOT conceded would have kept Texans in the cold and dark for weeks or months.

Abbott wasnt at the ERCOT controls during the storm, but as Texas top executive he is accountable in important ways. Witnesses testified to lawmakers that the governor lacked urgency in alerting Texans of the storms magnitude, which first-term Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo aptly described as Category 5 hurricane conditions.

Abbott alone appoints members of the Public Utility Commission, who oversee ERCOT and were apparently adhering to his lax oversight philosophy in November when they fired the independent nonprofit firm that had for years monitored energy providers compliance with state guidelines, including weatherization efforts designed to protect energy infrastructure from failures during extreme cold. As though that werent enough, they also oversaw the gutting of the PUCs enforcement division.

All this while Texas, along with the rest of the world, is enduring more frequent bounds with extreme weather of all kinds due to climate change. Did Abbott order his PUC appointees to get ready? The answer was blowing in the icy wind that froze well heads, power plants and wind turbines.

During the crisis

When things turned deadly during the early days of the storm, Abbott lashed out  not at himself, or his handpicked appointees  but, initially, at private companies that had failed to voluntarily do what the state had refused to demand of them: to prepare for the extreme cold.

He quickly pivoted to blame ERCOT, an easy target since it was so little known. Sure, ERCOT appears to have made mistakes in communication and other areas. But the CEOs forced departure and the PUC chairwomans resignation dont address Abbotts failures.

After the crisis

As the lights came back on, and boil water advisories began to expire, Texans emerged from their homes to face the wreckage: busted pipes, astronomical electric bills, and for the least fortunate, hospital visits and funerals.

Abbott made one good suggestion to address a technical cause of the calamity: calling on lawmakers to require energy infrastructure be winterized. Then he quickly returned to form: blaming others, and even peddling the ridiculously false narrative on Fox News that wind turbines were largely to blame for the power grids failure.

To date, the governor of Texas has offered no mea culpas about his own role, nor encouraged a re-evaluation of Texas excessively light regulatory oversight.

And because he hasnt learned that lesson, Texas may be doomed to repeat it  just as we are doomed to repeat the grave loss of life that followed Abbotts disastrous reopening last spring.

This time, the terrible irony is that were so close to the end of this nightmare. Abbott is fumbling on the other sides 10-yard line, and yet declaring victory. Its heartbreaking.

If we can just hang on to the summer, we are going to vaccinate our way out of this, vaccine expert Dr. Peter Hotez told the editorial board Wednesday. So, I dont understand the need to rip off the mask and social distancing requirements.

If only we had one more month, Hotez said.

If only. But waiting one month would have required political sacrifice, prioritizing the greater good  in short, something we havent seen from Abbott during this deadly pandemic or the deadly winter storm: leadership.
Image via YouTube

Two longtime friendswho were often mistaken for each otherfound out they are actually biological sisters.

CNN reports that 32-year-old Cassandra Madison and 31-year-old Julia Tinetti would joke about being sisters after they first met in 2013, when they both worked at a restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut. Upon meeting, they found out they were both adopted from the Dominican Republic and had Dominican flag tattoos.

We hit it off right away. There was no trying to force a friendship or anything, Madison told CNN. Our personalities are very similar, so it was very easy for us to just start hanging out.

They even looked at their adoption forms to see if they might really be related, but the papers said they had different mothers. So we said, OK, never mind, forget it, then were not, and we just moved on with our lives, Madison said. But we still played into us being sisters even though we knew that we werent. Well, we thought we werent.

Madison moved to Virginia in 2015 and the two stayed in touch over Facebook. She still wanted to meet her biological parents, so her adoptive mother gave her a DNA test kit in 2018. Though her biological mom had died in 2015, she reconnected with her dad and found out she had seven siblings.

Last year, when Madison and Tinetti reunited, they found out that Tinettis adoption papers were wrong. They had been switched with Tinettis best friend, Molly, who was also adopted from the Dominican Republic on the same day. The mother was listed as the same on Mollys forms and Madisons forms, but Madisons DNA results revealed that they were cousins. Thats when Madisons biological dad said they had given up another daughter for adoption.

Madison had Tinetti take a DNA test, which confirmed they were sisters. I was like, This is it, and I waited for probably like 10 minutes before I even opened it, because I was trying to prepare myself for what was going to be there, Tinetti said.

Story continues

Tinetti recently connected with her biological father and siblings. It was like seeing myself in these people, she said. Its like, OK, well, now I know where I come from, you know what I mean? It has always been a mystery for me.

Related Articles

More Complex

Sign up for the Complex Newsletter for breaking news, events, and unique stories.

Follow Complex on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
In our day and age, most self-respecting petrolheads will at least have heard about Germanys Manhart Performance. Ever since Christoph Erfurt laid its foundation over three decades ago, the Wuppertal-based enterprise has been on a steady climb towards the top of Europes tuning food chain. As you browse the company's extensive range, its not exactly hard to see why these folks are among the nation's finest tuners.We checked out Manharts inventory on several occasions to drool over some of their juiciest undertakings, such as a breathtaking Toyota Supra and a reworked Porsche 911 Turbo S that goes by the name of  TR850 .Today, well remind ourselves about the sheer level of craftmanship thats at work on the workshop's premises by examining the MH2 GTR, essentially a BMW M2 CS on steroids. In stock form, the Bavarian coupes 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six powerplant is more than happy to supply as much as 444 hp at approximately 6,250 rpm and a ruthless torque output of up to 406 pound-feet (550 Nm) between 2,350 and 5,500 revs.A standard six-speed manual transmission distributes the engines force to the rear wheels, but an optional seven-speed automatic gearbox is also available. The latter will enable Bavarias beast to accelerate 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) in no more than four face-melting seconds.Given the above characteristics, one might be inclined to think the M2 CS doesnt need any surgical interventions to impress, but the auto gurus over at Manhart seem to disagree. Not only did the tuner enhance the machines aesthetics with a menacing body kit and tasty livery, it also fiddled with its powertrain to extract a considerable dose of additional power. Lets take a closer look, shall we?First things first; the vehicle s exterior is adorned with a set of beefy fender flares on the flanks and a carbon fiber spoiler at the rear. The new garments are appropriately complemented by a gorgeous wrap that bears the M-Power color trio, as well as an assortment of race-style decals found on the windshield, doors, and rear diffuser.Inside, the custom magic continues with a pair of Recaro bucket seats and a carbon-clad shift knob. The factory display has been discarded to make room for a state-of-the-art alternative developed by Awron while a fresh steering wheel from Manharts catalog replaces the stock counterpart.The entire structure crawls on the companys very own 20-inch Concave One rims, enveloped in high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber for ample grip. Furthermore, Wuppertals experts teamed up with H&R to bring about a considerable improvement in the suspension department.However, the engine bay is where the real partys at. By installing an upgraded turbocharger, a carbon fiber air intake, and a new intercooler, the crew managed to unleash 592 wild horses and 612 pound-feet (830 Nm) of monstrous twist at optimal rpm, which comes across as one astonishing feat in itself, if you ask me. The finishing touch comes in the form of a stainless-steel exhaust system that incorporates sport downpipes with 300-cell catalytic converters and as many as four 100 mm (about 4 inches) tailpipes.For those of you who find the MH2 GTR as delicious as we do, Ill have you know Manharts conversion pack is priced at 18,907 ($22,748 as per current exchange rates). What are your thoughts on this package?



remaining of

Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe.

Already have a paid subscription? Sign in
Photo: The Canadian Press Quebec Premier Francois Legault chairs a virtual news conference Thursday, March 4, 2021 in Montreal. The premiers from the left are: John Horgan, B.C.; Jason Kenney, Alberta; Scott Moe, Saskatchewan; Legault, Quebec; Brian Pallister, Manitoba; Doug Ford, Ontario; and Blaine Higgs, New Brunswick. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

With a federal budget in the offing, premiers are stepping up the pressure on Ottawa to immediately boost health-care funding by at least $28 billion a year.

They held a virtual news conference Thursday to reiterate their demand for a big increase in the unconditional transfer payment the federal government sends provinces and territories each year for health care.

The federal government this year will transfer to the provinces nearly $42 billion for health care, under an arrangement that sees the amount rise by at least three per cent each year.

But the premiers contend that amounts to only 22 per cent of the actual cost of delivering health care and doesnt keep pace with yearly cost increases of about five per cent.

Starting this year, they want Ottawa to increase its share to 35 per cent and maintain it at that level, which would mean an added $28 billion, rising by roughly another $4 billion in each subsequent year.

During a virtual first ministers' meeting in December, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told premiers he recognizes the need for the federal government to eventually shoulder a bigger share of health-care costs.

But he said that must wait until after the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sent the federal deficit on track to exceed an unprecedented $381 billion as Ottawa doles out emergency aid, including at least $1 billion for vaccines and $25 billion in direct funding to the provinces to, among other things, bolster their health systems.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault, chair of the premiers' council, stressed Thursday that the pandemic-related expenses Ottawa has incurred are "non-recurring." He pointed to studies that suggest the federal government could quickly eliminate its deficit, and even return to surplus, once the pandemic is over while provinces would be mired in debt.

The premiers argued they need stable, predictable, long-term funding for their health systems, which were already under strain before the pandemic hit and will be even more stressed once it's over and they must deal with the backlog of delayed surgeries, tests and other procedures.

Manitoba's Brian Pallister said wait times have been a problem for decades and are destined to get worse as Canada's population ages. But he said the pandemic has made "a bad situation much, much worse."

"The post-pandemic pileup is coming and it's real and its impact on Canadians and their families and their friends is real too," he warned.

"The time is now to address this issue and to address it together."

Pallister accused Trudeau of ignoring the problem of wait-times and the real life-threatening impact on people. Five years ago, he said he told Trudeau a true story about a woman with a lump in her breast who had waited for tests and referral to a specialist, only to be told in the end that it was "too bad we couldn't have caught this sooner."

"He looked across the table at me and said, 'I'm not your banker,'" Pallister said.

"We don't need a banker. We need a partner."

Trudeau has offered to give provinces immediate funding for long-term care homes, provided they agree to some national standards. Long-term care facilities have borne the brunt of deaths from COVID-19.

But Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Ottawa's latest offer would provide just $2,500 per person in long-term care  a drop in the bucket compared to the $76,000 it costs his province each year for every long-term care resident.

"The math doesn't work," he said.

Legault ruled out conditional transfers for long-term care altogether as an intrusion into provincial jurisdiction. He said each province and territory has its own health-care priorities and their "jurisdiction must absolutely be respected."

When universal health care was adopted in Canada, British Columbia's John Horgan said the cost was originally shared 50-50 between Ottawa and the provinces. The steadily declining federal share has led to ever more challenges in delivering health care, exacerbated now by the pandemic.

"Our public health-care system is at risk," Horgan warned.

"COVID has brought (the challenge) into graphic light. It's stark, it's profound and we need to take action."

Saskatchewan's Scott Moe said Canadians deserve a well-funded health system "that is supported by both levels, both orders of government in this nation, not one that is propped up by almost entirely by the provinces and territories."

Trudeau's minority Liberal government is poised to table a budget this spring, which could theoretically result in the defeat of his government should opposition parties vote against the budget.

Legault said premiers have already talked to opposition parties to solicit their support for their health funding demand. He said the Bloc Quebecois and NDP support the demand, while the Conservatives agree in principle with the need to increase the health transfer but have not specifically agreed to the $28-billion figure.

Kabul, March 5 : At least 90 people were killed in clashes and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, an independent war monitoring group said on Friday.

"Over the past 24 hours, our team has documented 90 deaths, including eight civilians, five Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) members, and 77 Taliban militants," Reduction in Violence (RiV) confirmed on its Twitter account.

The group said 33 people -- 31 Taliban and two civilians -- were also injured in the same period, reports Xinhua news agency.

The deaths and injuries took place after eight security incidents in five provinces.
Chelsea Mallams, a Northwood University senior majoring in automotive marketing and management, has been awarded the Jakob Murray Lange Memorial scholarship by the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals (AFIP). In addition to the financial award, Mallams will receive a marble obelisk in recognition of her achievement.

The annual scholarship recognizes a Northwood student for exemplary work during an internship the previous summer. Mallams interned at Art Moran Buick GMC Mitsubishi in Southfield, Michigan, in 2020. She is on Northwood Universitys Deans List with a cumulative GPA of 3.8.
ALBANY  A pizzeria shop owner from Troy who imported about 125,000 masks from China in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic to sell far above market value pleaded guilty to a federal price-gouging charge in U.S. District Court on Friday.

Imran Selcuk, 36, admitted during a virtual appearance that he sold masks designated by the federal government as scarce materials amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in March 2020, he financed the purchase of the masks with another person's money and planned for them to split the proceeds of their sale, the businessman admitted in his guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christian Hummel.

Selcuk, represented by attorney Nicholas J. Evanovich III, pleaded guilty to price-gouging designated scarce materials, a federal misdemeanor that carries a maximum of one year in jail. Under federal sentencing guidelines he could get a far lesser sentence.

Selcuk acquired about 100,000 KN95 masks, which are the Chinese equivalent of the N95 masks used by U.S. health care workers, at the cost of $1 a piece. And he obtained another 25,000 surgical-style masks at a cost of 50 cents each, according to the plea agreement with federal prosecutors, represented Friday by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Gadarian and Joshua Rosenthal.

Selcuk sold the KN95 masks at a cost of $10 a piece as of May 20, 2020 and in packages (ranging from a 1o-pack for $58.99 to a 50-pack for $269.99 and even a pack of 1,000 for $4,499). He sold the surgical marks at lower prices (ranging from a 10-pack for $15.99 to a 50-pack for $60), the plea agreement said.

Selcuk sold the masks at his pizzeria, Big Apple Pizza on 14th Street in Troy, on the eatery's website and at a website he created called www.albanyfacemasks.com. Selcuk tried to sell the masks on eBay but the online marketplace blocked his attempt due to concerns over price-gouging, his plea agreement said.

Selcuk advertised the masks claiming they offered Filtration greater than or equal to 95%" and were certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While the FDA does allow some manufacturers to sell KN95 masks legally in the U.S., the company that Selcuk used was not one of those registered with the agency, the plea agreement said.

In addition, three of the 10 masks tested by the FDA were found to have filtration levels of required contaminants less than 95 percent, the plea agreement said. It said the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health had not approved any masks with the ear-loop style

that Selcuk had ordered, received and offering for sale.

"Selcuk saw the pandemic as an opportunity to rip off Capital Region residents and prey upon their fears, Acting U.S. Attorney Antoinette Bacon said in a statement. He purchased thousands of masks from overseas and offered them for sale at highly inflated prices when masks were scarce and the pandemic had just started to take hold."

Evanovich said his client's plea was to "procuring at that amount and offering at those prices. And he is remorseful and sorry for that."

He said "there were very few actual sales," adding that his client "did not plead to, nor was there evidence that, he sold a large amount or that profited."

In March 2020, former President Donald Trump issued an executive order delegating authority to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services to implement restrictions on hoarding of health and medical resources, such as the masks, needed to respond to the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Selcuk previously purchased materials from the same supplier for his Troy pizzeria, court documents show.

Investigators, who searched Selcuk's home and pizzeria in August, discovered most of the masks had been purchased between March and May.

"All of the prices that the defendant offered for the sale of the masks were in excess of prevailing market prices for KN95 masks and surgical style masks, and the defendant completed sales of masks at those prices in excess of prevailing market prices," the plea agreement stated. "The foregoing actions of the defendant were willful, and the defendant accumulated the masks intending to profit from their resale at prices in excess of prevailing market prices."

Hummel scheduled Selcuk's sentencing for July 2. The judge asked Selcuk, who will remain free, to surrender his passport.

The case, investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, was in conjunction with the Department of Justice's COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force, which organizes national efforts to address illegal activity involving personal protective equipment during the pandemic.

Kevin Kelly, the special agent in charge of HSI's Buffalo division, which covers the Capital Region, said in a statement it was "unfathomable that during a global pandemic, individuals such as Selcuk place their selfish greed above service to community."
Winners of Kovalevskaya Award 2020 announced

Winners of the Kovalevskaya Award 2020, a prize dedicated to outstanding female scientists, were announced at a ceremony held jointly by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the Vietnam Womens Union Central Committee.



A team of female scientists from the Institute of Natural Products Chemistry under VAST, and Associate Professor, Dr Truong Thanh Huong, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Cardiology at the Hanoi Medical University, were honoured this year.





The team studied and created many products with high applicability that have been used widely and served public healthcare, such as Khuong Thao dan (a drug for the treatment of arthritis, degenerative spine pain, and bone pain), Cordyceps Sinensis, and essential oils.

The award is presented to Associate Professor, Dr Truong Thanh Huong, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Cardiology at the Hanoi Medical University (Photo: VNA)







Meanwhile, Huong has made contributions to Vietnams health sector by conducting many scientific studies to improve treatment relating to cardiovascular disease.



Speaking at the event, member of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Womens Union Central Committee Ha Thi Nga said the award, named after Russian female mathematician Sofia Kovalevskaya, is presented annually to honour female scientists posting remarkable achievements in scientific research and application.



It is presented by a fund of the same name that operates in eight countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.



The award has been presented in Vietnam since 1985, during which 20 collectives and 49 female scientists have been honoured.
A trio of Bethlehem business owners already known for their creativity in home design are merging together to help patrons spruce up homes in time for spring.

Plants + Vintage plans to open its doors Friday on the upper floor of the historic Woolworth building, at Suite 205, 551 Main St. in the citys downtown. The store neighbors the recently-opened Elles Contemporary Closet. A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for noon with snacks and giveaways being handed out to patrons all weekend long, while supplies last.

The 1,600-square-foot space will focus on home decor options created by Steel City Plant Co. and Domaci Flea, both part of Clark Home Group. Steel City Plant Co. is owned by Angela DelGrosso while Domaci, which means Home in Czech, is co-founded by Warren and Derrick Clark.

This is the second brick-and-mortar retail space for Domaci having a second location at Domaci Market and Domaci Design Studio, 523 Main St., in the city. Domaci Flea has been in operation as a component of the Domaci brand since 2015, previously operating a pop-up shop at the 1810 Goundie House, 501 Main St. Now, Plants + Vintage has become Domaci Fleas permanent site.

Steel City Plant Co. also had some pop-up sites scattered around the city since its inception in 2020 and an online store presence, but this will be DelGrossos first permanent brick-and-mortar location.

Patrons of Plants + Vintage can expect an ultimate green shopping experience, described Derrick Clark, who also serves as president of Clark Home Group. Shoppers will be able to pick up such items as already-potted houseplants that are pet-friendly from Steel City, as well as vintage decor items, such as tea towels, musical records and glassware, from Domaci Flea -- all under the same roof.

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is sourcing antique and vintage pieces that I find unique and interesting, Warren Clark said. And we cant wait to show our customers some of the fun pieces that we have been collecting for this endeavor.

Domaci Flea already was known for its one-of-a-kind treasures and sustainably-sourced furniture. But now, there are collaborative pieces as a result of the merger. Think small plants incorporated inside vintage antique vessels.

DelGrosso of Bethlehem said she initially started Steel City Plant Co. with a passion for at-home horticulture coupled with the frustration of not being able to enjoy it easily. She found herself driving nearly a half hour to the nearest nursery and not being able to find everything she needed in one stop.

My goal is to make plants more accessible in a walkable and urban environment, she told lehighvalleylive.com about the new venture with Domaci.

The 1,600-square-foot space will have an eye for home design created by Steel City Plant Co. and Domaci Flea, both part of Clark Home Group.

Patrons of the new store might be excited to learn some of Domaci Fleas items have graced television sets. Some of the finds were shown on the HBO series, Perry Mason, as well as the CBS Networks NCIS New Orleans and the Syfy action-drama television series, Happy!

Scattered about the store might be such things as vintage Easter knick-knacks or tote bags. There also could be some wall art, books, posters and greeting cards.

Finds currently for sale at Plants + Vintages online store (incorporating both the Domaci Flea and Steel City Plant Co. websites in one platform) include a rainbow watering can for $27.99; a unicorn pot perfect for a tween for $29.99; and a set of four retro cans for $25. Plants on the website range from silver lace ferns to asparagus ferns to Hoyas, Neanthe Bella Palms, and Chinese Fan Palms. Theres also hanging wall art planters and wall shelving. Additionally, the store has a variety of faux plants, including a Lucie Faux Magnolia. The overall mission, Warren Clark said, is to carry pieces pieces patrons cant get from e-commerce giants or big-box retailers.

Price ranges vary, meaning a patron can scoop up a vintage record for as low as 50 cents to leather furniture piece priced around $2,000.

And theres every price point in between, Warren Clark said. We truly have something for everyone.

For those in fear of not having a green thumb, a key service being offered at Plants + Vintage are personalized, one-on-one consultations. Clients will be able to achieve what they are looking for with the help of one of the business home designers and guidance on how to maintain it.

The stores showroom additionally will be used to showcase an expanded assortment of Domacis furniture and home decor options, with the ability to special order even more products that are shown online. Steel City Plant Co. additionally will take special orders for plants if a patron is interested in an item not available at the store.

We hope people will have fun exploring the new space and finding pieces that spark their curiosity and/or bring back fond memories, while also finding the perfect plant or plant accessory to add some new life and fun to their homes, Warren Clark said.

Hours for Plants + Vintage are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Monday and Wednesday are by appointment or by chance. There are future plans by the owners to become more involved in the community, hosting events for locals and visitors at Plants + Vintage.

Domaci Market and Domaci Design Studio opened this past December at its new Main Street location with a focus on sustainably-sourced, solid-wood pieces and distinctive home decor. The pair initially launched a larger location in January 2018 at 21 E. 3rd St. after opening their original store on Main Street in 2016 and prior, having an online only operation. They closed the Third Street store when they moved to Main Street. In 2019, the owners also partnered with co-owner Rebecca Additington, to open Ville & Rue by Domaci at 101 NQ in downtown Lancaster.

Asked about any plans for a third business venture for Domaci, Warren Clark told lehighvalleylive.com there is a project in the works for Bethlehems SouthSide Arts District later this year. Domaci hopes to make an announcement to the public about the new concept real soon, he said.

Some of the items pictured will be made available at Plants + Vintage when the new store opens Friday, March 5, 2021 in downtown Bethlehem.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.

(Natural News) Once a Mexican 9 year old girl comes across the border alone, as President Bidens Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said last week, HHS has the capacity and unique talents to care for the child and is going to handle the children, whose loving parents sent that child alone. Yes, he said that. You cannot make this stuff up. Theres a video embedded below. Then, the ultra-talented HHS officials (like TSA perverts and convicted, child-molesting felons) are going to move that child to a sponsor, (that means sell them on the Dark Web to the highest bidder).

Wait, what? A sponsor? Whos that, some billionaire friend of Jeffrey Epstein? Some cryptic pervert like Hollywoods Weinstein or Washington DCs biggest pedo Weiner? Those guys will pay top dollar, especially after the latest stimulus (pardon the pun) is dished out from the freshly printed 4 trillion dollars.

DHS creepy-freak secretary encouraging parents from foreign countries to send their 9-year olds on solo journeys

Yes, this DHS creepster freak is literally encouraging parents from Central America to send their young preteens towards the US border, so pharma-paid coyotes can capture them and nobody will ever hear from them again. This is so obvious its sickening, and the Lolita Express carries onward, only by land instead of on a billionaires jet (that comes later).

Democrats love exploiting tragedies to fuel child trafficking, thats why they always start small wars around the globe. Once a country is up in arms then the children begin disappearing in droves, and nobody is really helping search for them but the parents, who are upside down, destitute, and blinded by fake news. Wars are about 2 things and 2 things only: money and human trafficking. Watch the HHS bald-headed demon explain how parents of children from Central and South America (or anywhere on Earth for that matter) should send their innocent children to the US border alone, because they are loving parents:

Only loving parents would send 9-year old children alone on journeys to other countries and continents, claims DHS Secretary

Forget about third grade, right, go to America where the Democrats will send you to live with a mega-rich family, and after they love you for awhile, you can send the family some cash! Thats the logic, right? Thats what Bidens Homeland Security is literally telling the media. And what happened to Covid? Every child in every American school everywhere must wear a mask all day, social distance 6 feet, and never ever share any materials, but if youre alone on a journey to another continent, may your journey be safe and effective, like our vaccines.

Yes, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary is absolutely thrilled to death that parents from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are sending over their kids to be processed at the border of Mexico and the Disjointed States of Amerika, where they can be handled by the experts. No more expelling or detaining children in cages, just get them processed and off to a sponsor they go. What about their family? No talk there. No more questions please. Time to implant some tracking devices in those poor little innocent refugees and triple vaccinate them, right?

This is the liberal mindset of America, home of the captive, land of the freaks (democrats, globalists, liberals and all of the other hypnotized, lobotomized sheeple). Well, you wanted to know what the Biden Communist Regime is doing different than the Trump Administration did for 4 years. You got it. Watch for some new wars to be started in third world and developing countries where the Biden Regime funds terrorists, rebels and insurgents to disrupt the country and government so badly that nobody notices America processing and handling the lost children.

Tune your internet dial to Preparedness.news for updates on the world going to hell in a hand basket.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

Preparedness.news
A failed economy will have just as much fallout and casualties as Covid-19. We are heading into total destruction as many citizens are on the breadline already and with this new lockdown enforcement by the Government, its the final nail in the coffin.
The lifting of US tariffs on UK food and drink exports will boost optimism that a UK-US trade deal can be secured. The limited positive impact on Pound Sterling confidence would be amplified by a free-trade deal, but still liable to be offset by unease over UK/EU friction.

The US has suspended tariffs on a range of UK exports for four months. According to the joint statement; The United Kingdom and the United States are undertaking a four-month tariff suspension to ease the burden on industry and take a bold, joint step towards resolving the longest running disputes at the World Trade Organization.

The U.S. administration under former President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on EU exports including textiles and food products such as spirits, wine and cheese.

The move to impose duties came as part of a multi-billion dollar battle between the United States, EU and Britain over state subsidies for plane-makers Airbus and Boeing.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the decision would give both sides time to work out a solution. It was meant to de-escalate the issue and create space for a negotiated settlement to the Airbus and Boeing disputes, she told the White House briefing.

The UK removed retaliatory tariffs on US exports in January.

British trade minister Liz Truss commented; "I am delighted to say that our American allies  under their new President and his hard-working staff at the U.S. Trade Representative - have embraced our move to seek a fair settlement."

Political victory for the UK

The tariff truce is separate from broader U.S.-UK talks on a post-Brexit trade agreement, but sends a positive signal about those discussions.

The agreement applies only to UK goods; tariffs will continue to apply to EU goods, according to a U.S. administration official.

Psaki declined to say if the U.S.-UK tariff deal foreshadowed a similar truce with Brussels.

Politically, this will be seen as a significant victory and tangible benefit of being able to negotiate independently outside the EU.

Sam Lowe trade expert at The Centre for European Reform think tank, commented; The fact the UK has managed to get a temporary resolution on this is something the Department for International Trade should be commended for.

Wider US-UK trade deal is essential

It will, however, represent only a very limited victory unless the UK and secure a wider free-trade deal with the US.

Britain and the United States have been aiming to secure a trade deal before the expiration of fast-track trade promotion authority granted to the U.S. federal government by Congress in July.

To meet that deadline, officials would need to notify Congress about a likely trade deal sometime in April and time is, therefore, pressing.

US political developments will be watched closely in the short term. Katherine Tai was nominated by the Biden Administration to be US Trade Representative and will face a Senate confirmation hearing next week.

Confirmation would help inject a greater sense of urgency into the US-UK talks, although China will inevitably be a top priority.

In a written response to the Senate committee last week, she stated that Britain was an important trading partner and ally, but refused to be drawn further.

Ivan Menezes, CEO of Diageo, the maker of Johnnie Walker and Talisker whisky, said a permanent solution would help safeguard thousands of jobs across Scotland and the rest of Britain.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), exports to the US have fallen by 35% over the 16 months the measures have been in force, costing companies more than 500mn.

Steel tariffs will be an important touchstone for US intent

The UK government will now push for the US to remove tariffs on UK steel exports. These tariffs were also imposed by the Trump Administration and primarily aimed at stopping Chinese dumping.

Trump introduced a 25 per cent tariff on steel exports and a 10 per cent tariff on aluminium exports from the EU, Mexico and Canada in 2018.

Their removal would represent another boost for the UK.

Sam Lowe added; I dont think Biden will get rid of them entirely, I wouldnt be surprised if they were left on China, but the conversation will be whether they get rid of them for key allies like the UK.

The evidence of progress with the US is likely to have some impact in offsetting concerns over UK//EU trade friction, but is liable to lessen the potential negatives rather than triggering net optimism.

.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Strange bedfellows  a pair of people, things or groups connected in a certain situation or activity but extremely different in overall characteristics, opinions, ideologies, lifestyles or behaviors.

 The Free Dictionary

Politics and judges do not mix. At least, in an ideal world, the two should not.

Politicians promise and create laws and policies that govern our communities. Judges resolve disputes through impartial fact-finding and equal enforcement of the law. Obviously, one has nothing to do with the other.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Unfortunately, anyone who wants to serve as a judge in New Mexico cannot avoid the political arena, at least in the early stages of a judicial career.

And fortunately, to a certain extent New Mexico over the years has removed political influence from the judicial selection process.

Take for example the appointment of a new judge to fill a vacancy on one of our courts. The New Mexico Judicial Nominating Commission convenes and interviews all applicants interested in filling the vacancy. The commission, which is bipartisan, narrows the list to qualified individuals who are recommended to the governor. The governor then selects the new judge from this list. This process is merit-based and has resulted in qualified judges filling judicial vacancies.

Another good example is the judicial retention system. Once a judge in New Mexico survives a legally mandated contested race, he or she stands only for future retention elections. The retention system did away with judges having to campaign against opponents every time they wanted to serve another term.

The hybrid contested/retention judicial election system in New Mexico reduces political influence, but not all of it. Contested elections undeniably are political in nature. Judicial candidates have to raise money, attend gatherings and ask voters for their support. They also must be registered with one of the major parties in the state. By contrast, retention elections are more about voters evaluating judges on their judicial record, as it should be.

The problem with judicial contested elections is that the appearance of impropriety can hang heavy over such races. Judicial candidates cannot promise support or opposition on specific issues. However, it could appear to voters that such promises are in fact being made. And just as problematic is that judicial campaign contributions may give an appearance of a pay-to-play perception.

I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Metropolitan Court bench in 2003. I had to run in a contested election in 2004. Outside of my family, friends and colleagues, no one knew me. So I had to raise money to inform the voters about who I was and why they should vote for me. The Judicial Code of Ethics limited what I could tell or otherwise represent to voters, and campaign fundraising came with its own strict set of rules and limitations. These safeguards were meant to prevent any appearance of impropriety.

Honestly? The whole campaign process, even with the safeguards, troubled me, and I was grateful when it was over. Specifically, accepting campaign contributions, even in the filtered way such contributions were allowed, made me very uncomfortable.

In 2019, I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the District Court, and once again I had to run in a contested election in 2020. And once again I attended gatherings, primarily to obtain signatures on a nominating petition to get my name on the ballot. However, this time around I decided not to accept any campaign donations, and instead I spent my own cash on my limited campaign expenses. By then, I had been on the bench for 16 years, and I did not feel right about accepting campaign contributions from anyone.

As I write this column, there is a proposed bill before the Legislature, Senate Bill 160, which would provide limited public funding for district court judicial candidates. Ideally, this proposed legislation would reduce the need for campaign contributions in those judicial races and help to reduce any appearance of impropriety.

Serving as a judge in New Mexico is a great honor and privilege. The position carries great responsibility and power. The process for selecting our judges, therefore, should be free of all politics, either real or by appearance.

Judge Daniel Ramczyk is a judge of the 2nd Judicial District Court. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the judge individually and not those of the court.
CLEVELAND, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- US demand for analytical instruments is forecast to expand 6.4% annually in nominal terms through 2025, according to Analytical Instruments: United States, a report recently released by Freedonia Focus Reports. Suppliers are projected to benefit from growth in research and development (R&D) expenditures as well as in manufacturers' shipments, including aerospace equipment, beverages, chemicals, electronics, machinery, and pharmaceuticals. Rapid technological innovations will continue to boost demand for new instruments capable of providing higher-quality data. In addition, adoption of instruments that feature wireless network connectivity is continuing to expand. However, while US manufacturers are dominating the high-end market, faster gains in value terms will be prevented by import competition among lower-end products, including imports of analytical instruments as well as imports of products requiring the use of those instruments during production.

In 2021, demand is expected to surge 17% as the market recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. R&D spending is projected to increase 4.1% that year, up from 1.2% growth in 2020. Nonresidential fixed investment is forecast to expand 3.4% in 2021, a reversal from 3.8% declines in 2020. Finally, manufacturers' shipments are expected to grow 5.7% in 2021, a reversal from a 7.5% decline in 2020.

These and other key insights are featured in Analytical Instruments: United States. This report forecasts to 2021 and 2025 US analytical instrument demand and shipments in nominal US dollars at the manufacturer level. Total demand and shipments are segmented by product in terms of:

laboratory instruments

process control instruments

electrical measuring instruments

other instruments such as those for materials testing, meteorological observation, and surveying

To illustrate historical trends, total demand, total shipments, the various segments, and trade are provided in annual series from 2010 to 2020.

Analytical instruments consist of devices used for scientific research and industrial processes. Excluded from the report are diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, gauges and counting devices, search and navigation equipment, commercial and household appliance controls, irradiation equipment, watches and clocks, and optical instruments and lenses. Re-exports of analytical instruments are excluded from demand and trade figures.

More information about the report is available at:

https://www.freedoniafocusreports.com/Analytical-Instruments-United-States-FF80013/?progid=91541

About Freedonia Focus Reports

Each month, The Freedonia Group  a division of MarketResearch.com  publishes over 20 new or updated Freedonia Focus Reports, providing fresh, unbiased analysis on a wide variety of markets and industries. Published in 20-30 pages, Focus Report coverage ranges from raw materials to finished manufactured goods and related services such as freight and construction. Additional Healthcare & Biotechnology reports can be purchased at Freedonia Focus Reports or MarketResearch.com.

Analysis is intended to guide the busy reader through pertinent topics in rapid succession, including:

total historical market size and industry output

segmentation by products and markets

identification of market drivers, constraints, and key indicators

segment-by-segment outlook in five-year forecasts

a survey of the supply base

suggested resources for further study

Press Contact:

Corinne Gangloff

+1 440.842.2400

[email protected]

SOURCE The Freedonia Group


Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda of Erbil is calling for prayers for the papal visit and expresses his hopes for positive outcomes. He will welcome the Pope on Sunday when he arrives in the northern autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan.

By Thaddeus Jones & Sr. Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Pope Francis will be visiting the Christian communities throughout Iraq, and especially the large ones in the north of the country. The Archdiocese of Erbil hosts the largest community of displaced Iraqi Christians. The communities have ancient roots going back almost two thousand years. They have suffered enormously during the years of war and occupation.

Since 2003, the Church has been responsible for providing medical support, education, food, and being a voice for the persecuted Christians, Archbishop Warda said in a telephone interview with Vatican News ahead of the Pope's arrival. The country is struggling with an economic crisis made dramatically worse by the pandemic. At the same time, he says the pastor should always be there, he is the shepherd helping everyone with their survival needs that often go beyond pastoral and spiritual. That is why he also encourages the Iraqi diaspora and Christians worldwide to assist the Church in Iraq in any way to get through the current social and health emergencies, apart from rebuilding after decades of war.

Encouragement and hope

The visit of Pope Francis, as universal shepherd, will bring encouragement in the region for Christians who have suffered greatly together with the entire population of Iraq. We are really delighted and excited that the Eucharist will be celebrated in Erbil where we will join His Holiness praying to God to bless our country, Archbishop Warda underscores, also to support efforts seeking reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among all Iraqis.

He believes the papal visit give all people in Iraq a morale boost and show something that does not make the headlines  a diverse multi-cultural and multi-religious people struggling to pick up the pieces and live together in harmony despite the frequent setbacks. The Pope is coming to say you are all brothers, and I am also your brother he says. Archbishop Warda hopes this positive message will be heard locally and globally, and for once shine out above the tragic daily news reports on attacks, bombings, persecution and violence afflicting the nation.

Fraternity

This time hopefully the message will be one about fraternity, that we are all Gods children, he hopes, as will be highlighted in the visit on Saturday to Ur of the Chaldeans. Born in the southern Iraqi town of Ur, the Old Testament patriarch Abraham is recognized as the father of faith in one God by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. We are the children of Abraham, Archbishop Ward says, even with the different roads the sons of Abraham took in accepting Gods invitation to trust and faith.

Archbishop Warda concludes with an appeal: I would ask you all to pray for His Holiness and his visit and that it may be joyful occasion together with all the people of Iraqand make this visit a blessing for all the people he will encounter.
Hauliers travelling from Ireland to France will no longer need to provide a negative Covid-19 test, the Department of Transport has confirmed.

The French Government has amended its legislation with immediate effect and will no longer require proof of a negative COVID test result from hauliers travelling on direct maritime routes from Ireland to France.

The Department of Transport has said this is in light of the very low positivity rates of COVID-19 among commercial vehicle drivers, and is in line with the EU Green Lanes recommendations.

From January 28 up to the end of yesterday, March 4, RocDoc have reported that 5,743 antigen tests have been carried out on drivers, with 14 positive test results  a positivity rate of 0.24%.

Proof of a negative test result will still be required for drivers travelling from Great Britain to France or the Netherlands, and therefore any hauliers travelling from Ireland via the UK landbridge route to enter France or the Netherlands must still have proof of a negative test result.

Proof of a negative test result is also still required for travel to Germany. Drivers intending on travelling on such routes may continue to obtain a test here in Ireland at existing testing facilities, or in Great Britain.

In a statement, the Department of Transport said: "In accordance with EU Green Lane recommendations, Ireland will continue to maintain a policy of exempting essential transport workers not showing symptoms of COVID-19 from quarantine and testing requirements when entering Ireland and we will continue to encourage all EU Member States to follow this policy also in the interests keeping supply chains open within the Single Market.

"This is particularly important for the continued movement of medical supplies and essential goods into the country."
JACKSON, MI - Changes to the states funding formula amid the COVID-19 pandemic have altered the way school districts are approaching and interpreting the Michigans count day data, Northwest Community Schools Superintendent Geoff Bontrager said.

Those changes have allowed Jackson County schools more opportunities to count students virtually, while not penalizing districts that might have lost a large number of students during the pandemic, Bontrager said.

For us, it wasnt really a difference-maker, but for districts throughout the state it definitely helped level the playing field so there werent any drastic decreases, Bontrager said.

Jackson County schools recently tallied count day enrollments for spring 2021, which is one of four counts used to determine funding for Michigan school districts under a new formula the state created in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A change to the states per-student aid this past fall will allow districts to use a new super blend formula to determine district funding, based on 75% of last years attendance and 25% of this years attendance, which keeps school districts from being penalized if students left their district this fall for other preferred learning plans.

Bontrager said that means the spring count that took place Feb. 10 will account for just 2.5% of the funding the district receives, while the fall 2020 enrollment will count toward 22.5% of the funding total. Last falls enrollment, on the other hand, equates to 67.5% of the funding districts throughout the state will receive, while the previous spring enrollment counts for 7.5% of districts funding totals.

Prior to the pandemic, the states per-pupil state aid was based on 90% of the fall count, combined with 10% of the February count.

This year, Michigan schools qualify for state funding by measuring student participation during virtual or hybrid instruction. This is documented in the two following ways, according to the state education department.

The first way is by documenting two-way interactions between a student and a teacher. The state defines two-way interaction as communication initiated by a teacher with a response from a student. It can take place through face-to-face, email, phone, instant message or video communication.

In order to count for state aid membership, these two-way interactions must happen once in each class every week for four consecutive weeks following the count day on Wednesday.

The second way schools can measure attendance is when a student participates in a course-related activity in each of their scheduled classes on count day.

Each student enrolled represents about $8,111 in state funds for Jackson County districts.

Jackson County schools saw both increases and decreases in their enrollment from the fall to spring counts, as well as changes from last year to this year. Heres a look at the student counts of public school districts and charter academies in Jackson County:

Columbia School District

Spring 2021 student count: 1,467

Fall 2020 student count: 1,459

Spring 2020 student count: 1,528

Fall 2019 student count: 1,515

Concord Community Schools

Spring 2021 student count: 625

Fall 2020 student count: 635

Spring 2020 student count: 656

Fall 2019 student count: 656

da Vinci Institute

Spring 2021 student count: 440

Fall 2020 student count: 464

Spring 2020 student count: 500

Fall 2019 student count: 507

East Jackson Community Schools

Spring 2021 student count: 816

Fall 2020 student count: 787

Spring 2020 student count: 892

Fall 2019 student count: 885

Francis Street Primary

Spring 2021 student count: 74

Fall 2020 student count: 69

Spring 2020 student count: 49

Fall 2019 student count: 52

Grass Lake Community Schools

Spring 2021 student count: 1,271

Fall 2020 student count: 1,276

Spring 2020 student count: 1,324

Fall 2019 student count: 1,327

Hanover-Horton School District

Spring 2021 student count: 1,061

Fall 2020 student count: 1,071

Spring 2020 student count: 1,121

Fall 2019 student count: 1,135

Jackson Preparatory & Early Academy

Spring 2021 student count: 315

Fall 2020 student count: 318

Spring 2020 student count: 346

Fall 2019 student count: 354

Jackson Public Schools

Spring 2021 student count: 4,760

Fall 2020 student count: 4,584

Spring 2020 student count: 4,931

Fall 2019 student count: 4,866

Michigan Center Schools

Spring 2021 student count: 1,347

Fall 2020 student count: 1,335

Spring 2020 student count: 1,352

Fall 2019 student count: 1,367

Napoleon Community Schools

Spring 2021 student count: 1,265

Fall 2020 student count: 1,256

Spring 2020 student count: 1,329

Fall 2019 student count: 1,324

Northwest Community Schools

Spring 2021 student count: 3,577

Fall 2020 student count: 3,499

Spring 2020 student count: 3,616

Fall 2019 student count: 3,609

Paragon Charter Academy

Spring 2021 student count: 649

Fall 2020 student count: 654

Spring 2020 student count: 629

Fall 2019 student count: 638

Springport Public Schools

Spring 2021 student count: 972

Fall 2020 student count: 970

Spring 2020 student count: 933

Fall 2019 student count: 1,014

Vandercook Lake Public Schools

Spring 2021 student count: 827

Fall 2020 student count: 810

Spring 2020 student count: 841

Fall 2019 student count: 844

Western School District

Spring 2021 student count: 2,812

Fall 2020 student count: 2,836

Spring 2020 student count: 2,868

Fall 2019 student count: 2,905

READ MORE:

Heres how Michigan students are being counted this Count Day amid coronavirus

Certain Michigan schools have found a winning formula for vaccinating teachers

See inside Jacksons former bible college and how United Way wants to use it as a shelter
Trade Minister-designate Alan Kyerematen has congratulated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after the Supreme Court of Ghana affirmed his victory in last years elections.



Mr. Kyerematen in a Facebook following the dismissal of the election petition filed by the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama, said that Congratulations H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on your affirmation by the Supreme Court of Ghana as the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.



The Supreme Court by a unanimous decision dismissed the election petition filed by Mr. Mahama.



The seven-member panel led by Chief Justice Kwesi Anin-Yeboah dismissed the petition on Thursday, March 4 saying it was without merit.



The petitioner has not produced any evidence to rebut the presumptions created by the publication of CI 135.



We are therefore of no reason to order a rerun. We accordingly dismiss the petition, the Chief Justice said in the judgment.



The justices of the apex court further told witnesses of the petitioner, Mr Rojo Mettle-Nunoo and Dr Michael Kpessa-Whyte to blame themselves for abandoning their duties in the strong room during the final collation of the election results if their claims are to be believed.



During proceedings, the two witnesses told the court that they were sent by the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC) to Mr. Mahama at the time of the collation of the final results in the strong room. In their absence, the results were then announced.



Delivering the judgment on Thursday, March 4 the court said Notwithstanding all these allegations of misunderstandings with the chair of the 1st respondent in the strong room and the fact that they were absent during the declaration, they did not give any indication as to how these happenings in their absence affected the final results announced by the 1st Respondent.



Having signed or certified these forms, the witnesses, particularly PW 3 cannot turn round to talk about irregularities in the forms.



The testimonies would have carried some little weight if the purpose of the petition was to change entries made on the collation forms or summary sheets but that is not the case.



Their testimonies were therefore of no relevance to the said issues set out for determination and so we find them unworthy for consideration whatsoever.

Source: peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
[March 05, 2021] Digital OOH Market to showcase Superior Growth during 2020-2024 | Featuring APG SGA SA and Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. among others | Technavio

NEW YORK, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The digital OOH market is expected to decline by USD 3.78 billion during 2020-2024, according to Technavio. The report offers a detailed analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the digital OOH market in optimistic, probable, and pessimistic forecast scenarios. Enterprises will go through the Response, Recovery, and Renew phases. Download a Free Sample Report on COVID-19 The digital OOH market will witness a positive impact during the forecast period owing to the widespread growth of the COVID-19 pandemic. As per Technavio's pandemic-focused market research, market growth is likely to increase as compared to 2019. With the continuing spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, organizations across the globe are gradually flattening their recessionary curve by leveraging technology. Many businesses will go through response, recovery, and renewal phases. Building business resilience and enabling agility will aid organizations to move forward in their journey out of the COVID-19 crisis towards the next normal. This post-pandemic business planning research will aid clients to: Adjust their strategic planning to move ahead once business stability kicks in.

to move ahead once business stability kicks in. Build resilience by making effective resource and investment choices for individual business units, products, and service lines.

making effective resource and investment choices for individual business units, products, and service lines. Conceptualize scenario-based planning to mitigate future crisis situations. Download the Post-Pandemic Business Planning Structure Key Considerations for Market Forecast: Impact of lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, demand destruction, and change in customer behavior

Optimistic, probable, and pessimistic scenarios for all markets as the impact of pandemic unfolds

Pre- as well as post-COVID-19 market estimates

Quarterly impact analysis and updates on market estimates Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports by using Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform/p>



Major Three Digital OOH Market Participants: APG SGA SA

APG SGA SA operates the business through the Advertising segment. The company offers digital OOH advertising mainly in Switzerland and Serbia. Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. operates the business through America's outdoor advertising and International outdoor advertising. Digital billboard advertising capabilities include social media integration, countdowns, day/week partying, live updates, conditional content such as weather and temperature, Outdoor Connect/WiFi/touchscreen. Focus Media Information Technology Co. Ltd. Focus Media Information Technology Co. Ltd. operates the business through the Building media segment. The company offers digital advertisement services through its digital frame network and LCD TV display network at office buildings, movie theatres, and restaurants. Related Report on Communication Services Industries: Global Mobile Advertising Market- The mobile advertising market is segmented by type (display, search, and SMS), geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America), and key vendors. Get an Exclusive Free Sample Report Global VR Gaming Market- The VR gaming market is segmented by type (hardware, software, and accessories), application (PCs, consoles, and mobile devices), geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA), and key vendors. Get an Exclusive Free Sample Report If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extract FREE! Get report snapshot here to get a detailed market share analysis of market participants during COVID-19 lockdown: https://www.technavio.com/report/digital-OOH-market-industry-analysis Digital OOH Market 2020-2024: Segmentation The Digital OOH market is segmented as below:

Application

Retail



Recreation



Banking



Transportation



Others

Geography

APAC



North America



Europe



ME



South America

Type

In-store Advertising



Outdoor Advertising

Market Landscape

Billboards



Shelter



Transit



Street Furniture The digital OOH market is driven by the use of AI in OOH advertising. In addition, other factors such as the benefits of OOH advertisements over traditional advertisements are expected to trigger the digital OOH market toward witnessing a decelerating CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period. Get more insights about the global trends impacting the future of the digital OOH market, Request Free Sample @ https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR43482 Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Competitive scenario About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digital-ooh-market-to-showcase-superior-growth-during-2020-2024--featuring-apg-sga-sa-and-clear-channel-outdoor-holdings-inc-among-others--technavio-301241191.html SOURCE Technavio

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2021 / Pinetree Capital Ltd. (TSX:PNP) ("Pinetree" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. Shezad Okhai will be joining the Company as an Investment Manager in April of 2021. Mr. Okhai has worked as a Vice President at Volaris Group for the past 10 years and is an experienced public equities investor in the technology sector.

Pinetree also announced today that it entered into an agreement with Mr. Okhai to effect a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") pursuant to which the Company will issue 375,000 common shares of the Company to Mr. Okhai at a price of $2.00 per common share, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $750,000. The Offering price represents an approximate 4.5% discount to the 5-day volume-weighted average trading price of Pinetree's common shares traded on the TSX. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, including to make additional investments.

Upon closing of the Offering, Mr. Okhai is expected to beneficially own approximately 4.0% of Pinetree's outstanding common shares, representing a strong alignment of interests between Pinetree's management team and its shareholders.

The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about March 10, 2021 and is subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

"On behalf of the board of directors, I want to welcome Shezad to the Pinetree team," said Damien Leonard, Chairman of Pinetree. "We look forward to working with him to help drive Pinetree's future growth and build on the existing investment principles and process."

The common shares issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month and one-day restricted period from their date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, and these securities will not be offered or sold in any jurisdiction in which their offer or sale would be unlawful.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements herein may be "forward-looking" statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Pinetree or the industry to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to vary significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect current assumptions and expectations regarding future events and are made as of the date hereof, and Pinetree assumes no obligation, except as required by law, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. Accordingly, when relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Some of the specific forward-looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to statements with respect to closing of the Offering and the intended use of proceeds therefrom.

About Pinetree Capital Ltd.

Pinetree is a value-oriented investment and merchant banking company focused on the technology sector. Pinetree's common shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol "PNP."

For further information:

John Bouffard

Chief Financial Officer

416-941-9600 x 200

jbouffard@pinetreecapital.com

www.pinetreecapital.com

SOURCE: Pinetree Capital Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/633798/Pinetree-Capital-Ltd-Announces-Appointment-of-a-New-Investment-Manager-and-Related-Private-Placement-of-Common-Shares
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Very hot. High around 105F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 74F. N winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
PLI may boost India's manufacturing output by $520 bn in 5 yrs: PM

Prime Minister on Friday said production linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and exports, is expected to increase the country's production by $520 billion in the next five years. Addressing a webinar on PLI scheme, organised by Department of Industry and International Trade (DPIIT) and NITI Aayog, through video conference, Modi said the government is continuously carrying out reforms to boost domestic manufacturing. In this year's Budget, about Rs 2 lakh crore was earmarked for the for the next five years and "there is an expectation that the scheme would result in increasing the production by about $520 billion in the next five years", he said. Read more

releases TMC list for 291 assembly seats

West Bengal Chief Minister Friday released the list of Trinamool Congress candidates for the upcoming assembly polls for 291 seats with emphasis on youths, minority, women and backward communities. "I will be contesting from Nandigram, my party colleague Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay will be contesting from Bhawanipore seat," she said. Read more

Hike in platform ticket cost 'temporary': Railways

The recent hike in platform ticket cost in some stations is a "temporary" measure and is aimed at preventing crowding during the coronavirus pandemic, the railways clarified on Friday. Cost of platform tickets has been increased by up to Rs 50 in some stations recently. Read more

European stocks slide after Powell remarks

Rising US bond yields put European equities under pressure again on Friday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's remarks failed to soothe investor concerns about a recent surge in borrowing costs. The pan-European STOXX 600 fell 0.7%, with shares of travel, media, and financial services companies leading the declines. Read more

Centre's regulations don't have provisions to take action against digital platforms: SC

The Friday said the Centre's guidelines on regulating social media do not have any provision for taking appropriate action against digital platforms showing inappropriate content. It also granted protection from arrest to Amazon Prime Video's India head Aparna Purohit in FIRs lodged over web series Tandav. A bench comprising justices Ashok Bhushan and R S Reddy also issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on Purohit's plea for anticipatory bail in FIRs on Tandav series. Read more
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
A case of test tubes on a lab table during COVID-19 vaccine research at Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceutical in Beerse, Belgium, on June 17, 2020. (Virginia Mayo/AP Photo)

Johnson & Johnson Single-Dose Vaccine Approved for Use in Canada

Pfizer to accelerate delivery of its vaccines over the next few months

Health Canada has authorized use of a COVID-19 vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson, making it the first single-dose vaccine to receive approval for use in Canada.

The vaccine, produced by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceutical, can be stored at regular refrigerated temperatures at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius for at least three months, making it easy to distribute to the provinces and territories.

The approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Canada will add another vaccine to those already approved from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca-Oxford.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that Johnson & Johnson has agreed to provide Canada with 10 million doses of the vaccine between now and September.

Trudeau also said Pfizer will be able to deliver 3.5 million doses of vaccinesoriginally scheduled to be delivered this summerover the next few months.

He said Pfizer will deliver an additional 1.5 million vaccine doses this month, and 1 million doses each in both April and May, all ahead of schedule.

For months, weve been committing to you that we will get 6 million doses total of COVID vaccines by the end of March, Trudeau said. With these accelerated Pfizer deliveries, we will now be getting 8 million doses.

Canada can now expect a total of 12.8 million doses of Pfizer vaccines between April and June.

Minister of Public Services and Procurement Anita Anand said delivery will be completed by the third quarter of 2021.

In all, Canada is on track to receive at least 36.5 million doses of vaccines by the end of June and an accumulative total of 117.9 million doses of vaccines by the end of September by the four currently approved suppliers, Anand said.
CSU's Kyle Horton leads NASA study on impact of artificial light on migratory birds

A groundbreaking study published in 2017 found that artificial light from the Tribute in Light installation at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City had a dramatic effect on bird migration.

Colorado State University's Kyle Horton, now an assistant professor in the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, was a co-author on this study, which found that lights in the night altered the behaviors of birds migrating through the area. Researchers successfully used radar data to count as many as 1.1 million birds moving in and out of the light over the course of seven years, measuring the one day each year when the twin beams were active.

A new project led by Horton aims to learn even more about the effects of cities as ecological traps for migrating birds. The scientist recently received a $780,000 award from NASA, one of nine projects funded by the agency's Biological Diversity program.

He will team up with Michigan State University's Geoffrey Henebry, professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences and the Center for Global Change and Earth Observations. Henebry brings years of experience working with diverse types of remote sensing data to characterize patterns and changes in land surface.

Horton said the new project - which will focus on urban areas in the Central Flyway, primarily in the Great Plains - aims to provide researchers and advocacy groups with more information on the impact of artificial light on bird behaviors and populations at a large scale.

Ecological traps

While art installations and city lights in places like Las Vegas have not resulted in mass mortality events, the birds' temporary detour remains a concern. Thanks to data gathered by scientists including Horton and volunteers, the Tribute of Light installation is now turned off for 20 minutes when the number of birds in the area reaches around 1,000, allowing them to disperse.

Birds have been attracted to manmade light sources for hundreds of years, including lighthouses and fishing vessels working at night, said Horton.

But the notion of an ecological trap comes to mind when thinking about birds and light pollution from large cities. The lights from urban centers in the United States attract migrating birds in a way similar to plastics in the ocean attracting seabirds, and detouring from their usual migration route may ultimately hurt the birds' fitness, Horton explained. The research team is applying that lens to better understand the risks for migratory birds.

"Light is attracting these migratory birds for some reason, and we don't fully understand why," said Horton. "However, it's clear that birds get pulled into sub-optimal habitats in places like downtown Houston, New York City or Chicago, where the risk of them colliding with buildings elevates."

Horton said during the detour, the birds might encounter predators like cats or have difficulties foraging for food.

"Birds are burning all of this energy to go north and south," he said. "If they can't get enough energy and nutrition from the landscape, it could hurt their chance of getting to their final destination."

Weather radar data, community science and more

The research project will use community science data through eBird, an online database of bird observations created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It will also use several NASA products, including ECOSTRESS, which looks at land surface temperature and emissivity, evapotranspiration and evaporative stress index, and GEDI for geolocated waveforms, canopy cover fraction and leaf area index profiles.

At the heart of their research, Horton and Henebry will use more than 25 years of NEXRAD weather radar data to gauge the number of airborne migratory birds, speed and direction of nightly movements and land use during stopovers.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to bring together unique modern remote sensing datasets to learn what is happening to migratory birds in cities across the U.S.," Horton said.

###

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

Massachusetts residents heading to Maine will no longer need to quarantine or test negative for COVID-19, officials said Friday.

The same measure has been applied for Connecticut and Rhode Island, according to the office of Gov. Janet Mills, as coronavirus positivity rates have reduced in Massachusetts and those states.

New Hampshire and Vermont were already exempt from the test or quarantine requirement.

Additionally, Maine has waived the test or quarantine requirement for people who have either recently had COVID-19 or been fully vaccinated against the virus, regardless of their state of origin, according to a statement from Mills office.

In Massachusetts, the seven-day average of positive tests is currently 1.75%. The Department of Public Health on Thursday announced 1,410 new COVID-19 cases, based on 102,362 new molecular tests, another 42 virus-related fatalities.

Related Content:
The number of people in Northern Ireland who have received their first Covid vaccination has reached almost 600,000 (Andrew Milligan/PA)

A further two deaths and 166 new cases of coronavirus were reported by the Department of Health on Friday.

There have been 113,335 positive cases confirmed in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic, the death toll stands at 2,068.

This includes 1,266 positive cases in the last seven days which, a 562 decrease compared to the previous week.

Read More

In Northern Ireland hospitals there are now 242 Covid-19 patients, including 29 in intensive care. Hospital occupancy is at 92%.

A total of 65 patients are on ventilators, including 27 with Covid-19.

There are 18 active outbreaks of the virus in Northern Ireland care homes.

Earlier on Friday new figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) showed the weekly toll of coronavirus deaths here has fallen again for the fifth week in a row.

There were 44 deaths involving Covid-19 registered between February 20 and 26.

Read More

Nisra data gathered from death certificates in which Covid was named as a factor provides a broader picture of the impact of Covid-19 than the death toll reported by Stormonts Department of Health.

Meanwhile Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced the extension of two business support schemes to cover the new period of Covid restrictions.

Payments for the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme (CRBSS) and Large Tourism Hospitality Business Support Scheme (LTHBSS) will now continue up to March 31.

Minister Dodds said: I know how much businesses across Northern Ireland need to be supported during the Covid pandemic so I am pleased that we are able to extend the time period covered by these two grant schemes.

Our business support grants are protecting jobs and businesses now as we plan for the rebuilding and recovery of the economy and the reopening of businesses when it is safe to do so.
Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin, center, applaud with 20 university students appointed as The Korea Times' first brand ambassadors, during a welcome ceremony at the newspaper's office in central Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul





By Jun Ji-hye







The Korea Times appointed 20 university students as its first brand ambassadors, to raise awareness and better promote various events and forums the newspaper hosts.







A welcome ceremony took place at the paper's office in central Seoul, Friday, during which Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin awarded the students certificates recognizing their participation.







"I am sure all of you will become great brand ambassadors for The Korea Times for the next five months, so that the newspaper can get closer to young people," Oh said. "I also hope you will have the opportunity for self-development while serving as our brand ambassadors."







The 20 students were selected out of 83 applicants. The Korea Times originally planned to select 12, but chose eight more, as many excellent students applied for the program.







The 20 brand ambassadors will be offered the chance to participate in a variety of events and forums hosted by The Korea Times until the end of July.







They are tasked with becoming student journalists and in promoting the events by making the most of their social media accounts.







Team missions were suggested as well  the brand ambassadors have been tasked with giving team presentations about their ideas for the newspaper's marketing activities in the rapidly changing media environment, May 21, as well as putting forward ideas for re-innovating the newspaper to better reach out to Generation Z, July 30.







Generation Z refers to people born after the mid-1990s and is called the most internet-dependent generation.







Kim Min-yong, 23, who studies at the Division of Chinese Foreign Affairs and Commerce of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said, "I will actively engage in promotional activities for The Korea Times," vowing to utilize the experience he built while serving as a department representative and leader of a club at his school.







For her part, Kim Won-bin, 23, who studies at the Department of Communications and Media at Ewha Womans University, said, she applied to the ambassador program to contribute to raising the newspaper's brand awareness and influence.







"The Korea Times' reputation has grown over the years. By participating in the newspaper's various events and becoming a student journalist, I will be able to get experience and knowledge that I can never learn at school," she said.







Two outstanding brand ambassadors will be selected afterward to be awarded special prizes and the chance of a summer internship at The Korea Times.



IN the space of one month, the families of 326 people were left in shock and heartbreak after losing their loved ones to the Covid-19 virus.

May 2021 was the deadliest month of the pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago and the month with the highest number of Covid-19 cases.
SPRINGFIELD  Ruben Borrero arrived here from Puerto Rico with his family when he was just 8 years old. He attended Springfield schools and while at the High School of Commerce a guidance counselor suggested he try out for the police academy.

I took the test and became a police cadet and then a police officer and never looked back, said Borrero, who in 1977 became the citys first Puerto Rican police officer. On Friday, he retired after 44 years of service.

His colleagues, family and friends gathered at the Springfield Police Department to celebrate his retirement.

The 1970s were a difficult time for the Puerto Rican community with riots breaking out in the citys North End after the murder of several young men including the 1975 death of a 21-year-old Puerto Rican man killed by a white police officer in a burglary gone wrong.

There was a lot of tension, there was some racism within the police department and there were only a few Black officers working in the department at the time, Borrero said. It took some time to earn the trust of the other officers.

Once his colleagues worked with Borrero, he developed a bond with many of them and made it just a little easier for other Latino officers to join the department.

With about 400 police officers in the Springfield Police Department, 233 officers and supervisors are Black, Asian or Latino and of that group 157 of them identify as Latino.

Its very different now than it was back then, and I am honored to call these officers my brothers and sisters, Borrero said.

Police Commissioner Cheryl C. Clapprood, who worked with Borrero for most of his career, said he showed courage by joining the department at that time.

You have had a very distinguished and honorable career and certainly paved the way for other Hispanic officers to follow in your footsteps, Clapprood said.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno gave Borrero a proclamation during the celebration and called called him a trailblazer.

He is one of the longest serving officers in the department and certainly the longest serving Hispanic officer. He is a testament to his profession, to himself, to the city, the police department and to his family, the mayor said.

Borreros family attended the event including his father, Rustilio Borrero, who said he is proud of his son.

I am very proud of him and I am happy for him that he worked hard and made it to this point in his long career, he said.

Borrero not only paved the way for other Latinos to join the department, he also inspired his brother, Dennis Borrero, and his son, Ruben Borrero Jr., who are both Springfield police officers.

As a little kid I always looked up to my dad, he was my hero and I wanted to be like him, Ruben Borrero Jr. said.

He said his father has always been dedicated to his family, his job and the city.

He has always been a hard worker. He lights up the room, he is a funny guy and he is the life of the party, he said. I hope once COVID is over he can enjoy life and venture off to do all the things he wants to do and my hope is for him to be happy.

Related content:
World-class cities have world-class airports. The Austin-San Antonio corridor is one of the fastest-growing regions in our country, and while the San Antonio International Airport is becoming a more central contributor to that growth, our city still lacks a world-class airport.

COVID-19 has disrupted the passenger aviation industry more than any single event in our lifetimes. We should take advantage of this disruption to reassess our needs and chart a more ambitious path for the airport, positioning our city for growth. We have an opportunity to change the trajectory of our existing airport  in its current location  to make flying in and out of San Antonio a more attractive option. We should aggressively pursue that option.

For many years, San Antonios airport grew incrementally, without a deeper understanding of the role the airports first impression plays as an economic development engine. In the past several years, competition with other cities for passengers and direct flights has become more intense. Simply put, airlines and passengers have viable options.

There are many ways we can make our airport more attractive for those who might choose another airport or another mode of transportation. Central to this attractiveness is the customer experience. Everything from the curb to the gate enhances the flying experience, makes it more enjoyable and drives demand. In a COVID-19 world, that mean protections throughout our passenger terminals, providing more confidence to fly.

Not only that, but we have an opportunity to design the first post-COVID-19 terminals with more open space and more customer-centric dining facilities interspersed between gates. Long gone would be the cramped spaces and low ceilings of legacy terminals. Design considerations would allow travelers to enjoy more space in a terminal facility that adds to comfort and confidence in a world where that matters more than it did before the pandemic.

And when we design our new airport facilities, we should do a better job of reflecting our rich culture and history, a regional strength we dont put to work nearly enough. When you land in San Antonio, you should have a sense of place and know youre not in Oklahoma City or Milwaukee. Given that we have a healthy convention and tourist business, this is disproportionately important to San Antonio.

One popular television commercial plays up the theme that OK is not good enough. Although our existing airport has served our community well until this point, in a growing and more competitive world we have to recognize that the airport will take on an increasingly important role in improving our profile and economic competitiveness. In this world, OK is no longer good enough.

A world-class airport as a gateway to our city will be a game changer and help elevate our community. We have an opportunity to build a new airport at its existing location that will be a competitive differentiator. We should not miss this opportunity.

John Dickson is a cybersecurity professional and chairman of the citys Airport System Development Committee.
PARIS  In a recent meeting with a handful of foreign correspondents, President Emmanuel Macron of France philosophized for 100 minutes on the record, without notes. He dotted his conversation with Americanisms  game-changer, honest brokers  that must have had de Gaulle turning in his grave. He dissected French universalism. He mused on colonial history. He identified hatred, turbocharged by social media, as a threat to democracy itself.

The performance was typical of Mr. Macron, and unusual for any head of state, the equivalent of tightrope walking without a net. Yet, the many words revealed little of the man himself. Four years into an often tumultuous term, facing an election next year, Mr. Macron remains an enigma to even his own country.

Backed by the left in 2017, Mr. Macron now has more support on the right. Once a free-market reformer, he now extols the role of the state and protection at any cost in the age of Covid-19. Once the leader of a freewheeling movement that swept away old political hierarchies, he now sits comfortably at the pinnacle of power, his authority accentuated by terrorism and pandemic.

With Macron we have gone to the limit of presidential domination in the Fifth Republic, said Alain Duhamel, a political commentator.
Sloan Scholar Spotlight | Erica Dasi

Combining a passion for Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering Research, Global Collaborations, Outreach, and Science Communication

Sloan scholar Erica Dasi is a Ph.D. student in the Environmental Engineering Program within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. For her dissertation, she is researching the application of biological nutrient removal for drinking water and wastewater treatment in small communities. Erica was recently awarded the Brown and Caldwell Dr. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr. Scholarship Award. Her other awards at USF include the Florida Education Funds McKnight Doctoral Fellowship, GEM Fellowship (sponsored by Berkeley National Laboratory), NSF NRT Strong Coasts, and the Chateaubriand STEM Fellowship. Erica is advised by Sarina Ergas, Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.

What is your favorite part about being in the doctoral program in Environmental Engineering, and more specifically the Sloan UCEM Community (academic and personal value)?

I appreciate the diversity that exists in the Environmental Engineering doctoral program. Our department has many examples of women who are leading impactful research teams and who have successfully earned the full professor title. Our department is also a leader in recruiting, maintaining, and graduating female and underrepresented environmental engineering doctoral students on campus. I find this encouraging to have access to excellent role models and support as I work toward my academic and professional goals.

My favorite part of being in the USF Sloan UCEM is the community. It is comforting to know that I am not alone in this journey to the Ph.D. and that there is a space for me to seek and provide help along with access to activities and resources that foster my academic and professional development. As a masters student at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC), I was a part of a similar program known as the NSF LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate, which also cultivated community-building amongst its fellows. I found that being in this program was paramount for navigating through my research, thesis writing, and applying for Ph.D. programs. I am grateful to have continued support at USF through the Sloan UCEM program as I pursue my terminal degree.

Tell us about your research?

My research seeks to develop a low-cost, simple, and sustainable treatment technology to address nutrient pollution (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) from drinking water and wastewater in small community water systems. When there is an abundance of nutrients in the water supplies, this can present adverse effects to the environment and human health. My research seeks to harness a natural and ubiquitous biological process, known as denitrification, in treatment systems to convert nutrients into environmentally benign products. I am also using molecular and computational tools to study the underlying biological processes to enhance nutrient removal within my water treatment systems.

How were you introduced into science?

When I was a child, my parents exposed me to the science through conversation and by taking me to local STEM-education activities. I enjoyed thinking of creative mini projects that combined math with the sciences, which motivated me to purse an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences. As an undergraduate student, I conducted research centered on applying biology-based technologies to mitigate Red Tide in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. This research experience solidified my interest in science, enabled me to uncover my passion for applied science, and a desire to gain knowledge in environmental engineering to contribute to improving water quality worldwide.

You recently received the Brown and Caldwell Dr. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr. Scholarship Award. How will it impact your studies as a doctoral student working in Environmental Engineering?

I am grateful to have been selected this scholarship, which honors Dr. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr. who was a pioneer in the science of industrial wastewater treatment. This scholarship will provide financial support as I am progressing through my doctoral program.

Who are the role models and mentors both at USF and elsewhere that have influenced your research and career goals?

Dr. Rosemary Jagus introduced me to scientific research at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, in Baltimore, MD. I found her enthusiasm contagious as we worked closely together in the lab on experiments. Her love for science, encouragement, and mentorship throughout my undergraduate degree program influenced my decision to pursue graduate school and a career in research. My advisor Dr. Sarina Ergas and mentor Dr. James Mihelcic are my role models here at USF. I admire how they integrate global research and community engagement in their research. Not only are their students conducting novel and impactful water research, they are also applying their research through partnerships nearby and around the globe. I aspire to do the same as a professor and research mentor to create a globally engaged setting for my students.

What collaborative projects have you previously been and are currently involved at USF?As a GEM PhD Engineering fellow, I interned and collaborated on a project at the Berkeley lab to study the microbial diversity and physiology of bacteria involved in nitrate removal from contaminated soils. This project was carried out in efforts to identify and create solutions for addressing extensive nitrate contamination from unlined waste disposal ponds at the Oak Ridge Field Research Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I recently collaborated on a project at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Marseille, France. Over the course of five months, I applied bioinformatic tools and methods to study the microbial community composition and change in drinking water treatment systems designed to biologically remove nitrate. This collaboration was supported by the Embassy of France Chateaubriand STEM Fellowship. I am currently collaborating on a project with a former visiting scholar from China that worked in our research group. I am applying the knowledge and experience that I gained in France to uncover the microbial community composition of a wastewater treatment system designed to remove nitrate from recirculating aquaculture systems used for land-based fish farming.

My mentors at the Berkeley lab and in France encouraged a space for me to bring forth my ideas and for independent learning. While the independent learning was a challenge at first, it was something I now have come to appreciate. It has allowed me to realize my capacity to problem solve, troubleshoot, make firm decisions, speak confidently about my rationale those decisions. These are skills that I have continued to use as a doctoral student, which have been important for my progress recently.

Why did you decide to create a science blog during your internship in Marseille?

Science communication is something that holds a special place in my heart. Scientists and engineers research some of the worlds greatest challenges and oftentimes innovative technologies emerge, which transform our lives and the environment. Therefore, in order to encourage the future STEM workforce to continue these endeavors, it is our duty as researchers to provide our findings in a clear and accessible manner. I decided to create a science blog about my internship in Marseille to continue refining my ability to communicate to audiences outside of my discipline. I also wanted to provide a resource for others that shared how molecular biology, data science, and environmental engineering can be combined to provide a comprehensive and improved understanding of biological water treatment processes. This is especially important in identifying strategies for their improvement.

Why are you interested in participating in global research projects and how is conducting research internationally different than being in the US?

When I was younger, I had the chance to visit my family in Cameroon. My familys village is located in the countryside of the northwest province. During my trip, I witnessed the disparity that many families, including my own, experience in terms of accessing potable water and treating their wastewater. This experience has motivated me to combine my passions in math and applied science to help provide clean water to families in Cameroon and worldwide.

My recent research experience in France allowed me to realize the difference in career-life balance that exists between the U.S. and Marseille. For example, it is normal for the workday to end at about 5 PM and for businesses to close at 7 PM in Marseille. As a result, many research activities were planned around finishing the workday before the lab and/or grocery store closed. Over the course of five months, my time management improved. Furthermore, I experienced less stress, since I was also engaging in activities outside of research that I also enjoy.

What science outreach activities have you been involved?

I currently serve as one of the outreach-chairs for the USF Chapter of the Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA). Through this position, I have helped in organizing and leading hands-on activities that engage K-12 students and their families on the water cycle, how we interact with water, and various water-treatment technologies. The USF-FWEA has participated in the annual USF Engineering Expo for more than four years and recently was an exhibitor at the 2020 Florida Water Festival. I have also mentored undergraduate students from the Hillsborough Community College and USF in projects that allow them to gain cross-disciplinary research experience.

What are your plans for after graduation?

My dream is to enter a water research position that enables me to combine my passions, which are environmental science and engineering, community engagement, and science communication. I believe that applying an interdisciplinary approach and engaging community members for addressing water quality challenges contributes towards developing long-lasting solutions. Furthermore, community engagement provides an opportunity to share research in a manner that is clear, which assists in dismantling barriers that restrict information flow between researchers and the public. This is especially important to provide the public with information to make informed decisions, foster STEM in students, and encourage environmentally conscious decision-making

What advice would you give to URM students considering doing a STEM PhD?

I would encourage URM students considering doing a STEM PhD to participate in multiple research-based internship opportunities in topics that they are interested in. By doing so, they can gain a firsthand perspective on some of the responsibilities, tasks, and skills necessary to pursue a STEM PhD. This can help in selecting a PhD program or research topic, identifying and filling any existing knowledge gaps, and more. Participating in research-based opportunities also helps in expanding your professional networking and establishing mentor-mentee relationships.

To learn more about Ericas research activities visit her website.
(Photo : unsplash)

With the world still severely crippled by the effects of covid-19, many of our normal daily activities have been drastically altered or curtailed. Depending on your location, social visits and events may be off limits, but there are some visits that are crucial and cannot be missed; like visiting a doctor or healthcare professional. Pushing off seeing a doctor can have negative ramifications and can lead to complications that can be fatal if not treated right away. Here is where telemedicine comes in to save the day.

Telemedicine is the use of technology to create virtual visits with medical practitioners. Basically, you can see your doctor in nursing scrubs via a smartphone or tablet device from the comfort of your own home. You can also order any prescription meds from an online pharmacy if needed. Check out 90daymeds.com for affordable Canadian drugs. This will allow you to avoid exposure to others, along with all the germs that are rampant in a doctor's office. Although this is not an optimal setup under normal circumstances, with the current situation for many this is the best option available. This allows for a safe medical consultation or diagnostic visit or monitoring a patient that has health issues and requires a healthcare to check in on them.

Telemedicine may seem like a new-age invention in the fast faced technologically advanced world, but telemedicine has actually been around for quite a while. It was first introduced in the 1960s as a course of medical treatment for NASA's astronauts while up in outer space.

There are definitely pros and cons to this method of medical treatment so use your best judgement to see what makes the most sense for you.

The Good in Telemedicine

Safety First

Not leaving the safety of your home is a biggie for many these days, with the least exposure to others and possible germs the better. This is especially true to those with compromised health or in the older age bracket.

Saves You Time

One of the biggest hassles of visiting a doctor is the wait time. Many times, you end up waiting to see the doctor for far longer than anticipated and way after the actual time of your scheduled appointment. With telemedicine you can now say goodbye to those annoying waits! As soon as the doctor is ready to start the appointment you will be notified, and he will appear on the screen. Until that point you can take care whatever you want in your home; be it read a book or bake a cake!

Top Quality Care

With telemedicine you can now have access to high quality medical care, despite your location. For those who live in small rural towns where quality health care is unavailable, telemedicine is a great option to receive premium care without stepping foot out of your home.

Convenience

What can be easier than having the doctor come to you? Whether you are disabled or find travelling difficult, with telemedicine there is no travelling involved. You can sit in your most comfortable chair and relax while you chat with your medical practitioner.

While having a medical exam via a device cannot be compared to meeting your doctor face to face where he can actually touch you and do a proper exam, a visit via telemedicine is a close second. Check out this innovative way of meeting your doctor in these unprecedented times and experience these benefits for yourself!

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A veteran shop manager in charge of an award-winning honey farm has been awarded more than 17,000 after her superior branded her an 'old woman'.

Janet Witt, 72, got into an argument with boss Sam Cooper, 45, after discovering she was being paid 1-an-hour less than the man who ran the tea shop next-door.

Mother-of-three Mrs Witt, who has run the shop at New Quay farm near Cardigan bay in West Wales for almost two decades, accused Mr Cooper of treating her unfairly.

And an employment tribunal heard the he responded by calling her an 'old woman' who was 'set in her ways'.

Yesterday an employment tribunal found she had been subject to age discrimination, victimisation and unfair dismissal and awarded her the money.

The hearing in Cardiff was told the former teacher had been friends with Mr Cooper's parents and had worked at the shop since 2002.

Janet Witt, 72, won her tribunal claim after it ruled she was called an 'old woman' in a row

Honey from the farm in Ceredigion - a popular visitor attraction which is the largest of its type in Wales - is stocked in Waitrose and independent food retailers.

But after Mr Cooper took over in 2015, the tribunal heard Mrs Witt became frustrated with his management style and his alleged failure to inform her about changes he wanted to make.

In August 2019 Mrs Witt discovered that the manager of the adjoining Tea Room was being paid 1-an-hour more than she was and confronted Mr Cooper.

'She said that what she was paid was unfair,' the tribunal heard.

The panel found that in response Mr Cooper lost his temper, angrily shouting that she was behaving 'like a child', telling her 'how dare you' and 'shame on you'.

Mrs Witt reacted by picking up her bag and walking off to her car, while Mr Cooper followed, shouting and swearing at her before giving her a V sign as she drove off.

The shop at New Quay farm near Cardigan bay in West Wales which Mrs Witt used to manage

The following week the tribunal heard Mrs Witt - to Mr Cooper's surprise - returned to work. The panel heard he believed she had resigned and had offered her job to someone else.

Mrs Witt told the hearing that when she tried to talk to Mr Cooper in his office he 'shouted over her' that she had accused him of discrimination.

'Amongst the matters (she) said that she was described as 'old woman', the tribunal heard. 'We accept that (he) did say this as his view was that (she) was a person resistant to change and set in her ways.'

Although Mrs Witt denied it, the panel - chaired by Employment Judge Philip Davies - found that it was likely she called Mr Cooper a 'fool' in response.

'It was likely she would have responded to the statement of being 'old woman',' the tribunal concluded. '(She) had a very poor view of (him) by this time because of his behaviour.'

The tribunal ruled that being called 'old woman' amounts to age discrimination. However, while finding in Mrs Witt's favour on the majority of her claims, it took account of her standing up for herself.

'Whilst there is no doubt that (she) was upset about being called 'old woman' we find this was said on one occasion and (she) was able to make a robust response to this,' it said.

Mrs Witt - whose additional claim regarding equal pay was dismissed - was awarded 16,943 in compensation, including 6,000 for injury to feelings.

She has since found part time work in a wool mill.
VANCOUVER, Washington, March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CytoDyn Inc. (OTC.QB: CYDY), (CytoDyn or the Company"), a late-stage biotechnology company developing Vyrologix (leronlimab-PRO 140), a CCR5 antagonist with the potential for multiple therapeutic indications, reported today the Phase 3 trial of leronlimab for the treatment of severe-to-critical patients with COVID-19 demonstrated continued safety, substantial improvement in the survival rate, and faster hospital discharge in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The trials data has been reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.K.s Medicines & Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Health Canada (HC), and the Company is in discussions with each to determine the best path forward for approval of leronlimab for treatment of COVID-19 in critically ill population. A manuscript of the trials data is being prepared and will be submitted for publication in one or more major medical journals.



Highlights from the trials data for this critically ill population include the following:

Survival benefit : There was a 24% reduction in all-cause mortality (primary endpoint of the study) in the leronlimab versus placebo.



Shortened time to recovery : The average length of hospital stay was reduced by 6 days for patients who received leronlimab with commonly used COVID-19 treatments, also referred to as Standard of Care or SoC, compared to placebo patients who received SoC only, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.005.



Discharge alive : In addition, patients who received leronlimab demonstrated an improved probability of "discharged alive" at Day 28 (28% versus 11%), a 166% better rate than in the placebo group.

Given the size of this critically ill population relative to the trials size (62 out of 384 patients), the Company has concurrently filed an additional protocol with the FDA using the existing sites from its CD12 trial to quickly enroll patients in this population during the pendency of these ongoing regulatory discussions. The Company has continued to enroll patients (45) through the open-label arm of the CD12 trial, and is working with regulators here and abroad to expedite this process.

Harish Seethamraju, M.D., Medical Director for the Mount Sinai Lung Transplantation Program, commented, The CD12 trial results are very promising and leronlimab may be the only safe medication to help critically ill patients.

Scott A. Kelly, M.D., Chairman and Chief Medical Officer, noted, We believe this further supports CCR5 as a therapeutic target for immunomodulation and the importance of the disruption of the CCL5-CCR5 axis via leronlimab-mediated CCR5 blockade of pro-inflammatory leukocytes and reversal of the cytokine storm in critical COVID-19 patients.

Nader Pourhassan, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of CytoDyn, commented, Today, there are no approved drugs to effectively address the unmet medical need for critically ill COVID-19 patients. Our CD12 study demonstrates leronlimab is particularly effective in treating this patient population. We believe these results are the best results ever achieved for this population in a Phase 3 clinical trial. A recently approved IL-6 blocker used to treat severe to critical hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation, reduced mortality by 2% compared to the placebo group. In contrast, leronlimab demonstrated a reduction of 24% in mortality compared to the SoC treated group, which is 12 times better in reducing all-cause mortality for critically ill COVID-19 patients. The Company is very excited about these results and is concurrently working with regulators here and abroad to expedite leronlimabs approval to treat COVID-19.

About Leronlimab (PRO 140)

The FDA has granted a Fast Track designation to CytoDyn for two potential indications of leronlimab for critical illnesses. The first indication is a combination therapy with HAART for HIV-infected patients and the second is for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Leronlimab is an investigational humanized IgG4 mAb that blocks CCR5, a cellular receptor that is important in HIV infection, tumor metastases, and other diseases, including NASH. Leronlimab has completed 11 clinical trials in over 1,200 people and met its primary endpoints in a pivotal Phase 3 trial (leronlimab in combination with standard antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected treatment-experienced patients).

In the setting of HIV/AIDS, leronlimab is a viral-entry inhibitor; it masks CCR5, thus protecting healthy T cells from viral infection by blocking the predominant HIV (R5) subtype from entering those cells. Leronlimab has been the subject of nine clinical trials, each of which demonstrated that leronlimab could significantly reduce or control HIV viral load in humans. The leronlimab antibody appears to be a powerful antiviral agent leading to potentially fewer side effects and less frequent dosing requirements compared with daily drug therapies currently in use.

In the setting of cancer, research has shown that CCR5 may play a role in tumor invasion, metastases, and tumor microenvironment control. Increased CCR5 expression is an indicator of disease status in several cancers. Published studies have shown that blocking CCR5 can reduce tumor metastases in laboratory and animal models of aggressive breast and prostate cancer. Leronlimab reduced human breast cancer metastasis by more than 98% in a murine xenograft model. CytoDyn is, therefore, conducting a Phase 1b/2 human clinical trial in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and was granted Fast Track designation by the FDA in May 2019.

The CCR5 receptor appears to play a central role in modulating immune cell trafficking to sites of inflammation. It may be crucial in the development of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and other inflammatory conditions. Clinical studies by others further support the concept that blocking CCR5 using a chemical inhibitor can reduce the clinical impact of acute GvHD without significantly affecting the engraftment of transplanted bone marrow stem cells. CytoDyn was conducting a Phase 2 clinical study with leronlimab to support further the concept that the CCR5 receptor on engrafted cells is critical for the development of acute GvHD, blocking the CCR5 receptor from recognizing specific immune signaling molecules is a viable approach to mitigating acute GvHD. The FDA granted orphan drug designation to leronlimab for the prevention of GvHD. Due to the lack of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company suspended its Phase 2 trial for acute GvHD.

About CytoDyn

CytoDyn is a late-stage biotechnology company developing innovative treatments for multiple therapeutic indications based on leronlimab, a novel humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the CCR5 receptor. CCR5 appears to play a critical role in the ability of HIV to enter and infect healthy T-cells. The CCR5 receptor also appears to be implicated in tumor metastasis and immune-mediated illnesses, such as GvHD and NASH.

CytoDyn has successfully completed a Phase 3 pivotal trial with leronlimab in combination with standard antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected treatment-experienced patients. CytoDyn has been working diligently to refile its Biologics License Application ("BLA") for this HIV combination therapy since receiving a Refusal to File in July 2020 and subsequently meeting with the FDA telephonically to address their written guidance concerning the filing. CytoDyn expects to refile its BLA in the first half of calendar year 2021.

CytoDyn has completed a Phase 3 investigative trial with leronlimab as a once-weekly monotherapy for HIV-infected patients. CytoDyn plans to initiate a registration-directed study of leronlimab monotherapy indication. If successful, it could support a label extension. Clinical results to date from multiple trials have shown that leronlimab can significantly reduce viral burden in people infected with HIV. No drug-related serious site injection reactions reported in about 800 patients treated with leronlimab and no drug-related SAEs reported in patients treated with 700 mg dose of leronlimab. Moreover, a Phase 2b clinical trial demonstrated that leronlimab monotherapy can prevent viral escape in HIV-infected patients; some patients on leronlimab monotherapy have remained virally suppressed for more than six years.

CytoDyn is also conducting a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial with leronlimab in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. More information is at www.cytodyn.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as "believes," "hopes," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "plans," "anticipates" and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements specifically include statements about leronlimab, its ability to provide positive health outcomes, the possible results of clinical trials, studies or other programs or ability to continue those programs, the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercial sales, and the market for actual commercial sales. The Company's forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and actual results could vary materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements due to risks and uncertainties including: (i) the sufficiency of the Company's cash position, (ii) the Company's ability to raise additional capital to fund its operations, (iii) the Company's ability to meet its debt obligations, if any, (iv) the Company's ability to enter into partnership or licensing arrangements with third parties, (v) the Company's ability to identify patients to enroll in its clinical trials in a timely fashion, (vi) the Company's ability to achieve approval of a marketable product, (vii) the design, implementation and conduct of the Company's clinical trials, (viii) the results of the Company's clinical trials, including the possibility of unfavorable clinical trial results, (ix) the market for, and marketability of, any product that is approved, (x) the existence or development of vaccines, drugs, or other treatments that are viewed by medical professionals or patients as superior to the Company's products, (xi) regulatory initiatives, compliance with governmental regulations and the regulatory approval process, (xii) general economic and business conditions, (xiii) changes in foreign, political, and social conditions, and (xiv) various other matters, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company urges investors to consider specifically the various risk factors identified in its most recent Form 10-K, and any risk factors or cautionary statements included in any subsequent Form 10-Q or Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release.

CONTACTS

Investors:

Michael Mulholland

Office: 360.980.8524, ext. 102

mmulholland@cytodyn.com




Two amateur investigators have taken on one of Canada's oldest cold cases as part of a new true crime documentary series in a bid to find out what happened to a man who vanished without a trace from his cabin 87 years ago.

Harold Heaven mysteriously disappeared from his remote lakeside cabin in Minden, Ontario, about two hours north-east of Toronto, back in October 1934.

Heaven, whose cabin door was left open with an oil lamp still burning inside, vanished with his rifle.

He is believed to have disappeared wearing a suit, dress shoes and a fedora.

Harold Heaven (above) mysteriously disappeared from his remote lakeside cabin in Minden, Ontario, about two hours north-east of Toronto, back in October 1934

Police searched the nearby woods and dredged the adjacent lake but Heaven was never found nor heard from again.

Ontario Provincial Police investigators at the time ruled his death a suicide - even though his body was never found.

His family, however, never believed the suicide ruling.

Now, his great-grand nephew Mike Mildon - who admittedly has no investigative experience - has taken up the case.

Mildon, along with his best friend Jackson Rowe, are the filmmakers behind the new eight-part series, For Heaven's Sake, that aims to discover exactly what happened to Heaven eight decades ago.

Growing up, Mildon heard theories of his great-grand uncle's disappearance from the various generations.

Heaven, whose cabin (pictured) door was left open with an oil lamp still burning inside, vanished with his rifle. He is believed to have disappeared wearing a suit, dress shoes and a fedora

His great-grand nephew Mike Mildon - who admittedly has no investigative experience - has taken up the case

Ontario Provincial Police investigators at the time ruled his death a suicide - even though his body was never found. His family, however, never believed the suicide ruling

Among the theories passed down is that Heaven had clashed with road workers building a highway near his cabin.

The trailer for the series highlights how some believe Heaven's body may be buried under the highway or was dumped in the lake near his cabin.

Mildon and Rowe's claim to fame prior to the series was a Funny or Die series called Trophy Husbands, which had about 5,000 views on YouTube at the time of filming.

The series, despite being based on a true crime, has a comedic streak as the two amateur investigators try to unpack Mildon's family mystery.

The pair, who are true crime fans, managed to eventually get access to the 1934 police report related to Heaven's disappearance.

They also interviewed several Heaven family members, including Mildon's grandfather, and tried to track down people who had direct knowledge of the search party.

The full For Heaven's Sake series is currently streaming on CBS' new streaming service Paramount+.

Mildon (right), along with his best friend Jackson Rowe (left), are the filmmakers behind the new eight-part series, For Heaven's Sake, that aims to discover exactly what happened to Heaven eight decades ago
She's an Australian TV icon with a career spanning more than six decades.

But one viewer labelled Denise Drysdale 'too old' to be on television, in a cruel comment left on Studio 10's Facebook page.

'I think they're right!' the 72-year-old said on Friday's show, showing off her signature dry wit - much to the amusement of co-hosts Sarah Harris and Tristan MacManus.

'You're stuck with me, darling!' On Friday, Denise Drysdale fired back at a Studio 10 viewer who told her she was 'too old' to be on television

She then turned serious, admitting she was grateful 'to have a job at my age'.

'Don't think I don't appreciate it,' said the veteran TV personality, who began her TV career as a dancer on the Tarax Show at the age of 10.

'It's a bit tiring at times, but I love it!' added Denise. She then addressed viewers, saying: 'And I love you, even if you don't love me.'

Comeback: 'I think they're right!' the 72-year-old said on the show, showing off her signature dry wit - much to the amusement of co-hosts Sarah Harris (left) and Tristan MacManus (right)

'You're stuck with me, darling, whoever you are,' she concluded with a smile.

It comes after Denise fractured her shoulder when she fell over while competing on Channel Seven's Holey Moley last year.

The incident occurred as she was competing against former Olympic speed skater Steven Bradbury during a 'Frankenputt' challenge.

The scene aired on TV earlier this month.

Earnest: She then turned serious, admitting she was grateful 'to have a job at my age'

Still going strong: 'Don't think I don't appreciate it,' said the veteran TV personality, who began her TV career as a dancer on the Tarax Show at the age of 10

As part of the Frankenstein-themed course, contestants who missed their shots were zapped by an 'electric shock machine', which was controlled by an actor wearing an 'evil gopher' costume.

After missing her shot, Denise playfully tried to chase the gopher around the course, but ended up losing her balance and falling over.

She immediately howled in agony and began writhing on the putting green.

In her corner: Some viewers weighed in to defend Denise

Tired: 'It's a bit tiring at times, but I love it!' said Denise of her television career

'That doesn't look good at all,' commentator Matt Shirvington said ruefully.

'Oh, damn shoulder!' Denise could be heard whispering to herself as she clutched her left arm.

'Did she just fall on her shoulder?' fellow commentator Rob Riggle asked, as medics, producers and production staff rushed to Denise's aide.

'Oh, that hurt like hell. Oh my god...' Denise groaned. 'Where do we go from here?'

Accident: It comes after Denise fractured her shoulder when she fell over while competing on Channel Seven's Holey Moley last year. The scene aired on TV earlier this month

Aftermath: After missing her shot, Denise playfully tried to chase a character around the course, but ended up losing her balance and falling over

In a matter of minutes, the medical staff had wrapped Denise's arm in a sling and escorted her off set in a wheelchair.

Ever the comedian, Denise took the incident in good humour.

'Ahh, I'm in a sling. Bloody gopher!' she said, before telling her competitor: 'Steven, I'm out!'
Nowhere has this been more apparent in the inversion of the constitutional order. Before the pandemic, we presumed that we had the right to run our businesses, worship in our churches and move freely about our neighborhoods. We understood the governments protection of health and safety as a prerequisite of liberty, not a reason to restrict it.
YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan released evidence that Azerbaijani armed forces continue opening gunfire in the immediate vicinity of the peaceful settlements in the Syunik Province.

Tatoyan presented footage showing Azerbaijani servicemen firing what appears to be sporadic, celebratory gunfire using live ammunition near the border villages of Agarak and Yeghvard at daytime.

We also have other evidence proving that Azerbaijani armed forces are firing shots, he said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Weather report: Thunderstorms likely over western Himalayan region from today, says IMD

Widespread rain, thunderstorms likely over Kerala, Karnataka in next five days

Thunderstorm, rain warning for many parts of northwest India from March 6

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Mar 05: In a recent development, widespread rain and thunderstorms are likely over northwest India and the entire Western Himalayan region from March 6 to 8.

According to reports, a fresh western disturbance is very likely to affect the western Himalayan region (Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) from the night of March 5 and adjoining plains of northwest India from the night of March 6.

Election Commission to appoint 500 observers for upcoming West Bengal polls

Heavy rainfall/snowfall is also very likely over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on March 7.

Scattered light rain or drizzle with lightning and hail is very likely over Punjab on March 6 and 7 and light rain/drizzle over north Haryana, Chandigarh, adjoining West Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh on March 7.

The reports further said that there is also rain, thunderstorm/lightning warning over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during next 4-5 days. Heavy rain and thundersquall and hail is also very likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya on March 5.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

Maximum temperatures were recorded as above normal by 3-5 degrees Celsius over most parts of the western Himalayan region; by 2-4 degrees Celsius over most parts of northwest India, some parts of central, east and west India.

The highest maximum temperature was recorded at Brahmapuri (Vidarbha) at 39.8 degrees Celsius followed by Kothagudem (Telangana) at 39.5 degrees Celsius and Chandrapur (Vidarbha) 39.2 degrees Celsius.
It goes against the grain of the Indian electorates traditional beliefs to associate the Congress with bigotrynotwithstanding the pogroms that happened on its watch, and allegedly at its instanceor with playing watchdog, although the idea of the Aadhaar was mooted by Nandan Nilekani, several cartoonists and writers were accused of sedition by its lawmakers, and Salman Rushdies Satanic Verses was banned in India even before it was banned in Iran when Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister.

Similarly, voters are unlikely to associate the BJP with corruption, notwithstanding the business scams and the bizarre flights of the wanted men, or an exercise as futile and inconvenientand undemocraticas demonetisation.

We like to think that corruption will end when the BJP comes to power, and communal hatred will end when it is the Congress turn.

Hartosh Singh Bals piece in The Caravan, in which he refers to documents prepared by a Group of Ministers in consultation with partisan journalists, in order to prepare a roadmap to silence the media, has gone viral. Among the ideas he discusses from the documents he says he has accessed is that of colour-coding journalists, and ensuring leaks to a selected group. We pretend to be shocked, and we pretend we have forgotten all about the Niira Radia tapes.

The outcome of the US election, and the actions of the new President Joe Biden make for a stark reminder of what politics really isan intoxicating power game, one which prompts the players to do anything to retain the power and prestige that are suddenly theirs. Bidens hesitation to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and his attitude to detention camps have caused disillusionment among the voters, particularly the volunteers who worked at the grassroots level thinking they were changing America.

Just as, if the Congress comes back to power, the Indian liberal Twitterati will believe they have changed India 280 characters at a time and the Instagram liberals will believe they have changed India one farmer photo at a timejust until a new draconian act is passed. Nothing will really change. Of course, any party taking over from another will reverse a few key decisions and find the odd way to mark its territory within the first month of assuming power. But then, it will continue to do the same things as its predecessor, while naming them differently. A good education can be helpful, you see, as can ones command of English. The very articulate Barack Obama was able to spin his decisions far better than George W. Bush, whose pronouncements included, They misunderestimate the compassion of our country.

There is no political party in the world that does not have a coterie of journalists and an agenda for the narrative it wants to weave in the media.

The only surprising thing about the document The Caravan claims to have accessed is the unbelievable stupidity of putting down in writing such damning evidence of intent. Whether it is authentic or not, it could serve as something of a toolkitoh, that word againto any government that wants to bend the media to its will.

We must accept that free speech, freedom of movement, and privacy of any kind will be increasingly restricted in India, as it will in the rest of the world. We leave digital footprints and fingerprints everywhere. We can be traced through multiple methods of surveillance.

If we want to continue to tell our stories, we must perhaps model ourselves on Iran.

Since the Revolution of 1979, Iran has become a changed countryone in which journalists and bloggers know they could be disappeared, and a stint at Evin Prison is almost a rite of passage. Words are routinely banned from newspapers and other media, and journalists are forced to find alternatives to convey what they want to.

At some point, Iranians began to turn to music and poetry and literature, first underground and then above ground, once the creators had managed to find asylum in countries where they were not in immediate danger from the regime.

In this context, Shokoofeh Azars novel The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree which was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, comes as a stunning form of documentation. The translator chose to remain anonymous, suggesting that he or she is not on safe ground. The novels tone, narrator, and storyline are drawn from the magic realist genre, but it becomes more than an allegoryit is a historical record, a fearless one told through the prism of fiction, narrating events that are real and remembered through characters that are more or less imagined.

We live in a world where the Left and the Right, the reactionaries and the moderates, have begun to sound like each other, where the self-proclaimed liberals fear of seeming Islamophobic has allowed countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia to spread a toxic form of Islam. Worse, it has acquiesced in or even caused the silencing of crucial voices from those countries, voices that their governments considered too progressive.

In this context, protest in the media cannot be restricted to news and social networks.

Perhaps we should stop bemoaning the fictionalisation of news and turn to forms traditionally associated with fictioncinema and literatureto document the events and atmosphere of our era.

More Columns by Nandini Krishnan:

Of celibates, temples, and kisses

Covid 19: The paranoia is important

Hathras: The power of silence

How could we not lose Kashmir?

SPB: A personal loss



Nandini is the author of Invisible Men: Inside India's Transmasculine Networks (2018) and Hitched: The Modern Woman and Arranged Marriage (2013). She tweets @k_nandini. Her website is: www.nandinikrishnan.com

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has denied speculations on talks between Elon Musk's Tesla and Tata Motors for a possible tie-up in India. Chandrasekaran has said that the India giant is not in talks with Elon Musk's company for a partnership in India and that it'll go on its own.

"There is no dialogue with Tesla. With us, there is nothing," Chandrasekaran said, reported Times of India. Speaking on the aggressive plans of Tata Motors and its British subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover, Chandrasekaran said products from both the companies were working well and that there's no need for any "outside partner".

Also read: 'Tere mere pyaar ke charche': Tata Motors teases Tesla amid rumours of JV; deletes tweet

The latest confirmation about no talks with Tesla has put an end to speculations that Tata and Tesla were planning to disrupt the electric mobility market in India.

A suggestive tweet by Tata Motors Electric Mobility, which is not verified but is followed by Tata Motors, on January 5 added fuel to fire after commented positively saying in Hindi "Aajkal tere mere pyaar ke charche har akhbaar mein, Sab ko malum hai aur sab ko khabar ho gayi! (The media is abuzz with or romance and everyone's aware of it)#WelcomeTesla #TeslaIndia @Tesla @ElonMusk."

However, the Tata group did not officially confirm the development. The tweet was deleted by the company a couple of hours later.

Tata Motors also categorically denied any association with Tesla and said that it is yet to finalise a partner for its passenger vehicle business. "Tata Motors has not taken any decision regarding a strategic partner for its PV (passenger vehicle) business and categorically denies any rumours suggesting the same," the company said.

Meanwhile, Tesla's firm has set its footprints in India in Bengaluru. Tesla also set up a firm with three directors and paid-up capital of Rs 1 lakh. The company is also scouting for land possibly for manufacturing and R&D set up and is reportedly in talks with multiple states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Also read: Tesla incorporates firm in Bengaluru with 3 directors, scouts for land

Also read: Tesla in Saki Naka traffic? Netizens in tizzy after Elon Musk's company makes way into India
Sarah Jessica Parker has been hard at work on her upcoming Sex and the City reboot, as well as her footwear collection.

And the six-time Golden Globe winner braved the cold as she kept up with her busy daily routine on Thrusday.

She bundled up in a blue fur-collared parka and a matching knit beanie, as she stepped out in a layered winter look to run some errands around New York City.

Bundled in blue: Sarah Jessica Parker bundled up Thursday in a blue fur-collared parka and a matching knit beanie, as she stepped out in a layered winter look to run some errands around New York City

The 55-year-old complemented the jacket with a blue puffer vest over a striped blue top and a matching pair of sweatpants.

She finished the ensemble with a black printed face mask from Maskela, which she paired with a silver chain from Pretty Connected, and tan shearling boots, while listening to a pair of blue headphones.

Earlier this week, she celebrated seven years of her footwear collection SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, greeting customers at the uptown Manhattan flagship boutique.

Parker is also hard at work on the HBO Max miniseries And Just Like That..., a reboot of her hit series Sex and the City.

Layered look: The 55-year-old complemented the jacket with a blue puffer vest over a striped blue top and a matching pair of sweatpants

Happy anniversary! Earlier this week, she celebrated seven years of her footwear collection SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, greeting customers at the uptown Manhattan flagship boutique

She confirmed in January that the show will address the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it had on the show's beloved fifth star, New York City.

The talented actress behind Carrie Bradshaw told Vanity Fair that the pandemic will 'obviously be part of the storyline, because that's the city [these characters] live in.

'And how has that changed relationships once friends disappear? I have great faith that the writers are going to examine it all.'

She added: 'I think that Cynthia [Nixon], Kristin [Davis], and I are all excited about the time that has passed. You know, who are they in this world now? Have they adapted? What part have they played?

They're baaack: Parker is also hard at work on the HBO Max miniseries And Just Like That..., a reboot of her hit series Sex and the City

COVID era: She confirmed in January that the show will address the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it had on the show's beloved fifth star, New York City

Their reality: The talented actress behind Carrie Bradshaw told Vanity Fair that the pandemic will 'obviously be part of the storyline, because that's the city [these characters] live in'

Not returning: Kim Cattrall is most notably not reviving her iconic role as Samantha Jones, following an alleged years-long feud with Parker and the other cast

'Where have they fallen short as women, as friends, and how are they finding their way? Did they move with momentum? Are they like some people who are confused, threatened, nervous [by what's happening in the world]? I'm so curious and excited to see how the writers imagine these women today.'

Parker took to Instagram in January with a teaser for the new series, writing: 'I couldnt help but wonder... where are they now? X, SJ'

The short clip shared by Parker and her co-stars includes sights and sounds of the city, cut with shots of a computer screen as leading lady Carrie Bradshaw types away.

'And just like that...' she writes, referencing a frequent preface used by Carrie in the show's narration, before typing: 'The story continues...'

Michael Patrick King joins Parker, Nixon and Davis as executive producers on the 10-episode limited series, kicking off production in late spring in New York City.

Where are they now? Parker took to Instagram in January with a teaser for the new series, writing: 'I couldnt help but wonder... where are they now? X, SJ'

Famous city: The short clip shared by Parker and her co-stars includes sights and sounds of the city, cut with shots of a computer screen as leading lady Carrie Bradshaw types away

The story continues: 'And just like that...' she writes, referencing a frequent preface used by Carrie in the show's narration, before typing: 'The story continues...'

Kim Cattrall is most notably not reviving her iconic role as Samantha Jones, following an alleged years-long feud with Parker and the other cast.

The half-hour series sees the familiar faces navigating life, love and friendship in their 50s, which proves to be even more complicated than it was in their 30s.

Parker, Nixon, Davis and Cattrall starred in the HBO series, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2004, before returning for two theatrical-released films in 2008 and 2010.

AnnaSophia Robb starred as Carrie and Lindsey Gort played Samantha in CW's The Carrie Diaries, which ran for two seasons from 2013 to 2014, based on Bushnell's prequel book.

Squad goals: Parker, Nixon, Davis and Cattrall starred in the HBO series, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2004, before returning for two theatrical-released films in 2008 and 2010
TORONTO - HBC has signed a deal to sell a minority stake in Saks Fifth Avenue's e-commerce business and turn it into a separate company, a move that will "redefine the luxury shopping ecosystem," the company said Friday.

In this Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, photo shows jewelry on display in The Vault at the Saks Fifth Avenue Flagship in New York. HBC has signed a deal to sell a minority stake in Saks Fifth Avenue's ecommerce business which it plans to spin off into a separate company. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mary Altaffer

TORONTO - HBC has signed a deal to sell a minority stake in Saks Fifth Avenue's e-commerce business and turn it into a separate company, a move that will "redefine the luxury shopping ecosystem," the company said Friday.

American private equity firm Insight Partners has agreed to invest US$500 million in the deal, which values the standalone business that will be known as Saks at US$2 billion, the retailer said.

Saks Fifth Avenue's 40 stores will operate separately as an entity referred to as SFA, which will remain wholly owned by HBC.

The deal highlights the ability of HBC to "unlock significant value" in its assets, which include retail, technology and real estate holdings, the company's governor, executive chairman and CEO Richard Baker said in a statement.

Luxury e-commerce is poised for exponential growth, and as a standalone digital company with an existing strong position in luxury, Saks is primed to win significant market share," he said.

"The teams fashion expertise combined with a renewed digital focus will provide customers with an unmatched shopping experience."

The sale of a minority stake in the luxury retailer's e-commerce business comes amid a sharp rise in online retail sales during the pandemic.

Moreover, retail observers have noted that while stores with mid-range prices have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, both discount and luxury retailers have emerged relatively unscathed.

"Luxury e-commerce is an exceptionally resilient high-growth sector," Insight Partners managing director Deven Parekh said in a statement.

"We are excited to invest in an iconic century-old brand that has so successfully morphed to a native digital strategy."

HBC said Saks and SFA will be better able to plan and invest in their respective models as separate but related companies.

Saks Fifth Avenue will remain as the customer-facing name for both businesses and the customer experience moving from the brick-and-mortar stores to online will be seamless, HBC said.

Saks will lead marketing and merchandising across both businesses, while the stores will fulfil the physical functions of Saks, such as online and in-store purchases, exchanges, returns and alterations, the company said.

Saks will feature a hybrid retail and marketplace platform, expanding its assortment while maintaining a curated experience, HBC said.

Marc Metrick, previously president and CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue, will serve as CEO of Saks and a member of the companys board of directors. Larry Bruce will be president of SFA.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2021.
WASHINGTON - A House impeachment manager and intelligence subcommittee chairman filed a federal lawsuit Friday against former president Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., claiming they should be held liable for injuries and destruction caused by their incitement of the Jan. 6 mob assault on the Capitol.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who also sits on the judiciary and homeland security committees, alleged Trump and his fellow speakers at a rally near the White House that day were directly responsible for mobilizing a crowd of tens of thousands of pro-Trump supporters to march on the Capitol and priming them for violence.

Trump's actions before and during the assault - in which at least 800 people broke into the Capitol, attacked police and delayed Congress's confirmation of the presidential election results - "made clear he poses a risk of inciting future political violence," the complaint alleged.

"As a direct and foreseeable consequence of the Defendants' false and incendiary allegations of fraud and theft, and in direct response to the Defendants' express calls for violence at the rally, a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol," the 65-page suit asserted. "Many participants in the attack have since revealed that they were acting on what they believed to be former president Trump's orders in service of their country."

The lawsuit claims the four speakers violated the Reconstruction-era Ku Klux Klan Act by conspiring to violently interfere in Congress's constitutional duties and failing to act to stop the mob. It also accuses them of multiple counts of negligence under both federal and D.C. law, aiding and abetting, and infliction of emotional distress.

Trump spokesman Jason Miller said in a statement, "Eric Swalwell is a low-life with no credibility." Miller then repeated allegations in an Axios report from December that an alleged Chinese spy, Christine Fang, cozied up to Swalwell from 2012 to 2015 before he was briefed by U.S. intelligence officials about their concerns and cut off ties. Miller said "after failing miserably with two impeachment hoaxes," Swalwell is engaging on witch hunt on behalf of the Chinese.

"It's a disgrace that a compromised Member of Congress like Swalwell still sits on the House Intelligence Committee," Miller said.

Brooks in a statement called the suit frivolous and a "meritless ploy."

"I make no apologies whatsoever for fighting for accurate and honest elections," Brooks said.

The suit is the latest claim against Trump and top allies to assert they had a role in the storming of the Capitol through their actions that day and weeks of baseless allegations that November's presidential election was stolen from him.

The NAACP last month sued Trump, Giuliani and two extremist groups whose members have been accused of leading the violence at the Capitol - the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers - on behalf of Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Guiliani, Trump's campaign and others also face defamation claims related to their groundless post-election criticism of a former U.S. election cyber security official and vote counting machine maker.

Thursday's lawsuit paints a fuller picture of Trump's actions before and after the event, drawing on the House impeachment manager's case against the former president, suing under a wider theory of negligence. The suit does not focus on extremists who planned for violence but the "many more [who] were there for a political rally" before the defendants and others alleged "whipp[ed] them into a frenzy and turn[ed] them into a violent mob that participated in the attack."

"This is an important part of holding Trump - and the other Defendants - responsible for what happened on January 6th," said attorney Matthew Kaiser, speaking for three firms representing Swalwell, a House impeachment manager and Democratic Steering and Policy Committee co-chair.

Trump was acquitted last month in his second impeachment trial as 57 senators - seven Republicans and all 50 Democrats - voted to convict him of inciting the mob's attack. A two-thirds majority, 67 votes, was needed for a conviction. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., voted for acquittal but said afterward that there was "no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible."

Thursday's lawsuit noted that McConnell also said Trump was not immune from civil liability for the event, which left five dead and resulted in 139 assaults on police officers. Republican Whip Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., added that Trump could be held accountable "in a court of law."

The Democratic House members recounted how they and others were trapped in the House chamber as plainclothes officers barricaded doors and held off the mob at gunpoint, while other staff and members took shelter throughout the Capitol complex.

While hundreds of police, then Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and others "were put in mortal danger, and as the seat of American Democracy was desecrated by the insurgent mob," the complaint contended, Trump was reported by those close to him as being "delighted," "borderline enthusiastic," and "confused about why other people on his team weren't as excited as he was."

The suit recounts how Trump, Giuliani and the others exhorted listeners at a rally near the White House before the Jan. 6 attempted insurrection, with Giuliani calling for "trial by combat" and Trump saying he would join marchers down Pennsylvania Avenue to give lawmakers "the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country." Trump had repeatedly promoted the rally, posting on Twitter that it "will be wild!"

He praised participants afterward, tweeting: "Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!"

Trump's remarks followed his "lengthy history of normalizing violence" through rhetoric and social media, the suit contended. It asserted that Trump continued in a conspiracy to undermine confidence in election results once he fell behind by alleging, without evidence, that the election had been rigged and by pressuring elected officials, courts, and Congress to reject the results in Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan.

The complaint alleges that false and misleading election-related claims were given an exponential boost by Donald Trump Jr., who intentionally spread them on social media in an effort to "subvert the will of the people in the 2020 election."

Brooks likewise echoed Trump by saying that he "lack[ed] faith this was an honest election," that Congress could reject electoral votes of any state and "controls who becomes president" and that Trump did not lose Georgia, the suit recounts. At the Jan. 6 rally, Brooks told attendees that they were victims of a historic theft, that it was time to start "kicking a--," and asked if they were ready perhaps to sacrifice even their lives for their country.

The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney's fees, a declaration that defendants violated the law and a requirement that they provide seven-days written notice before any future rally or public event in Washington on a day with any significant election or election certification event.

- - -

The Washington Post's Tom Hamburger contributed to this report
Lady Ann Salem, editor-in-chief of Manila Today, waves to reporters as she leaves the jail in Mandaluyong, Metropolitan Manila, upon her release from custody, March 5, 2021.

A Filipina journalist walked out of jail Friday after a judge threw out charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives last month, following her December arrest that drew loud protests from Philippine human rights groups and free-press advocates.

Lady Ann Salem, who was released from the Mandaluyong jail in Metropolitan Manila, is editor-in-chief of the online news outfit Manila Today, which has criticized President Rodrigo Dutertes policies including his administrations brutal war on drugs.

I have been in jail since Dec. 10, but other political prisoners have been in jail for years, Salem, 36, told reporters as she emerged from the jail and walked toward an awaiting car. Thats why we hope that others would also be released soon.

Also freed was trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago, who was arrested and charged alongside Salem three months ago.

The two were among seven people seized in a police dragnet as the country marked International Human Rights Day. Except for Salem, the Human Rights 7  as rights groups here have dubbed them  were trade union organizers.

Police originally described them as members of a gun-running gang but later claimed that the seven were ranking officers of the New Peoples Army, the armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines.

Manila Today is one of several small, independent news organizations known collectively as the alternative press. They mostly cover social issues, including those that fuel the countrys 52-year communist insurgency, the longest-running one in Asia.

A bicyclist participates in a protest at the University of the Philippines in Metropolitan Manila calling for press freedom and the release from custody of the editor-in-chief of Manila Today, Feb. 7, 2021. [Luis Liwanag/BenarNews]

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, of which Salem is a member, welcomed her release.

We continue to denounce those who sought to prolong her detention and call on all members of the Philippine community of independent journalists to strengthen our ranks and resist any and all efforts to stop us from serving the people's right to know, the NUJP said.

The media organization called for all those complicit in this regimes attack on the media [to be made] accountable for their shameless subversion of democracy.

In February, Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court dismissed the charges against Salem and Esparago when she ruled that the search warrant issued by another court was invalid. The judge said authorities had presented witnesses with contradicting testimonies.

Despite the dismissal, the two remained behind bars as police and state prosecutors sought to challenge the ruling. On Friday, the court ordered Salem and Esparago freed immediately because evidence on record clearly fails to establish probable cause.

Salems lawyers from the Public Interest Law Center called Quisumbing-Ignacios order a breather in the midst of continuing attacks against journalists and lawyers.

The journalist was the third to be arrested by state security forces and slapped with criminal charges over alleged involvement in the communist rebel movement.

The first, Anne Krueger of Paghimutad Negros, was caught during the mass arrest of more than 50 activists in Bacolod City on Oct. 31, 2019. Facing firearms possession charges, she is out on bail.

The second one, Frenchie Mae Cumpio of Eastern Vista in Leyte province, remains incarcerated more than a year after her arrest in February 2020, as she faces trial on firearms and explosives possession charges.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
LOS ANGELESThe Eliminating Abuse and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technology Act, a United States Senate bill aimed at curtailing sex trafficking online  a bill that civil liberties experts say could damage online privacy, and could hit sex workers and the adult industry especially hard  died without a vote at the end of the previous two-year congressional session.

But the bill, better known as EARN IT, is set to make a comeback in the current 177th Congress, according to a report by Bloomberg News. The bill would roll back certain provisions of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the internet free speech law that is considered the foundation of online communications  but which has been under attack from both sides of the political aisle over the past three years.

Section 230 itself is considered crucial to the online adult industry, because scaling it back or repealing it could open the door to censorship and even removal of internet platforms that contain sexually explicit content.

EARN IT was introduced in March of last year by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham  who was then chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee  and Democrat Richard Blumenthal. But despite receiving approval from the Judiciary Committee, setting up a vote of the full Senate, that full vote never came. Under congressional rules, all bills which fail to receive a vote by the end of a two-year term are then considered null and void.

But they may be formally reintroduced in a subsequent congressional session. According to what a Blumenthal spokesperson told Bloomberg, that is exactly what will happen with the EARN IT Act.

The bill would have to pass through the Judiciary Committee again, and that committee is now under Democratic control. But the new chair of the Judiciary Committee, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin  who in his position as majority whip is alse the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate  announced his support for the EARN IT Act last year.

Its time for Big Tech to step up efforts to combat the sexual exploitation of children onlineand ensure that they actually earn liability protections from violations of the law on their platforms, Durbin said in a tweet last year.

Section 230 now guarantees legal protection for online platforms over content posted by users. That freedom from liability allows platforms to allow a wide range of expression to find voice online, ensuring a robust array of opinions and topics to be freely shared and discussed.

But the EARN IT Act would now require platforms to earn many of the same protections that are now guaranteed, by following a vaguely defined set of best practices to prevent online sex trafficking. As with the 2018 FOSTA/SESTA law, however, platforms may be likely to simply eliminate all sexual content, to avoid any appearance of promoting trafficking, this depriving sex workers and the adult industry of their online voice, and venue to communicate.

Photo By Pete Linforth / Pixabay
Photo: Mike Thomas

A Revelstoke man has kick-started an online brain teaser/mystery recently after he posted a picture of an unusual pattern on the snow in front of his house.

Mike Thomas posted the photo online with the caption, "anyone know what causes dimples in the snow? Fun answers only."

Thomas took the photo on Feb. 26 and says the weather was just above freezing overnight. There had been a bit of snow and rain the day prior, "dont think there was much wind, sky was broken clouds."

Castanet reached out to Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang to see if there was a simple explanation, "my first thought is that it looks like small hailstones could have fallen on some fresh snow, given how nicely spaced out the holes are."

We shared Environment Canada's response with Thomas, "Ha! The actual scientific answer eluded me, not that I was looking for that with this post! But this same phenomenon was on flat roofs etc. all over town, so it is more likely something about the snowpack melting and solar influence."

Theories and possible explanations continued to pour in and that is what Thomas says was the best part of the experience.

"Im just glad it got a whole segment of the community having some fun with their imagination, and pausing to see something as mundane as snow on my front lawn differently."

Most of the online responses were lighthearted and it sounds like Thomas achieved his goal of entertaining during what has been a long COVID-19 winter.

"This thread has made me happy with creative ideas," he said, ranging from "angel tears" to "mice on pogo sticks."
Ukraine set to lift regulations off prices for all energy resources

The Cabinet has set the relevant task to be fulfilled by 2030.

Reporting by UNIAN

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Richard Barnett, the Arkansas man who infamously was captured with a grin, a shrug and his feet on a desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office during the Capitol riots, threw a tantrum during what reporters described as routine court proceedings.

A New York Times report found that Barnett burst into a fit Thursday afternoon when Judge Christopher Cooper effectively extended his time in jail until May, when his next court trial will take place.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Author

Kristen Gatti, a Senior Project Manager with the HVS Chicago office, is originally from New Hope, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining HVS in 2019, Kristen completed a club concierge internship at The Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong, where she gained experience in guest relations and food and beverage operations. Kristen graduated from Glion Institute of Higher Education in 2018 with a Master of Science in International Hotel Management. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Boston College. Contact Kristen at +1 (484) 942-8431 or [email protected]

More about Kristen Gatti
Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio will experience another cold front Friday morning bringing little chances for rain but cooler conditions as we get ready for the weekend.

Friday (High 80 and Low 51): Friday morning San Antonio will see possible fog but will quickly get pushed out around 10 a.m. when the cold front is scheduled to arrive. This front will push out any lingering cloud coverage but bring breezy conditions at 15 -25 mph and wind gusts near 35 mph. Friday will continue to be windy through late evening. Despite the cold front arriving in the morning San Antonio temperatures will still reach near 80 degrees on Friday afternoon. With plenty of sunshine and dry air cooler air will not settle into the area until Saturday.
Gorakhpur : , March 5 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday that his government has put an end to organised crime in the state.

"Security is fundamental to development, and criminals act as deterrent to creating a harmonious atmosphere for the society. We gave the officials a free hand in containing crime and criminals," the Chief Minister said while addressing a function in Gorakhpur on Friday.

Inaugurating a slew of development projects in Gorakhpur, Adityanath said that the focus of infrastructure development is also on providing basic amenities to the people and improving the economy of the state.

"There can be no alternative to development. The state Budget for 2021-22 is development-oriented and lays stress on employment generation. Every city, town and village in the state has got the benefit of developmental projects," he said.

The Chief Minister also said that the fertiliser unit that had shut own in Gorakhpur in 1990 would restart by July this year.

"Farmers in the region will get fertiliser and the youth will get employment. We have provided employment to four lakh youth in the government sector while 35 lakh youth have got jobs in the private sector. The MSME sector has played an important role in this," he said.

The Chief Minister announced that a plastic park would be set up in Gorakhpur soon, which will create 25,000 jobs for the youth.

He also underlined the increase in air connectivity to and from Gorakhpur, saying this would give further impetus to development.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
UPDATE: The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported Monday that Silvie Williams has been found safe.

EARLIER: Authorities are searching for a 71-year-old missing woman in Birmingham.

Silvie Irene Williams is living with a condition that may impair her judgment, according to an alert issued by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Williams was last seen at 9 a.m. Thursday. She is believed to be driving a red 2020 Kia Sorento with Georgia license plate RXC2422.

She was last seen wearing tan pants and a blue and red shirt.

She is 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-297-8413 or 911.

Sharon 'N' Barry Do Romeo And Juliet (queens-theatre.co.uk)

Verdict: Shift over, Shakespeare!

Rating:

Daddy Long Legs (stream.theatre from Monday)

Verdict: Sentimental treat

Rating:

Parlour Song (digitaltheatre.com)

Verdict: Tender love triangle

Rating:

Love stories are like people: they come in all shapes and sizes. Which is why it was such a delight to stumble across Sharon 'N' Barry Do Romeo And Juliet  a joyfully abridged take on Shakespeare's tale, told from the lofty heights of spreading middle age.

It stars Joanne Seymour and David Nellist as a proper Essex couple who have given up on Joe Wicks and decided to amuse themselves by re-enacting their own 80-minute version of the tragedy, after discovering a tatty school playtext in the attic.

Although there's a fair bit of the Bard, it's really all about Shazza and Bazza. Their Hornchurch home is painted apricot pink, with dizzying stripes below the dado rail.

Joanne Seymour and David Nellis star in Sharon 'N' Barry Do Romeo And Juliet

The Capulets' party is performed with disco lights 'like Top Of The Pops in 1979'. Juliet's hair-trigger cousin Tybalt is played by a cardboard cut-out of Michael Gove (my girls howled)  and I won't spoil the surprise of the balcony scene.

Seymour is an honest-to-goodness Essex woman: warm, businesslike, necking discount Chardonnay between scenes.

She deploys an amusingly terrible 'oirish' accent for the Friar, who marries the lovebirds; and acquires a radiance as Juliet, despite wearing a Cinderella dress six sizes too small.

And yet she has a lovely ear for the play's poetry. One of the sweetest moments comes when she calls Barry 'the god of my idolatry'.

Nellist, meanwhile, has a go at doing Romeo 'posh' before reverting to his native Geordie.

The big-hearted show is packed with a lot more craft than it lets on. And all for just 8.

My only regret is that it caught me on a dry night. Otherwise, it's best viewed with a screw-cap bottle of plonk and a box of Milk Tray. Sadly, it ends tomorrow  so shout out loud to bring it back!

The musical Daddy Long Legs is another unusual love story, based on Jean Webster's 1912 novel about the blossoming romance between an orphan girl and the mysterious benefactor who pays for her to go to university.

This adoring rendition is from Dublin's Smock Alley Theatre and features Roisin Sullivan as feisty heroine Jerusha.

We watch as she is whisked away from an orphanage to college in Manhattan and holidays on a farm  where she starts her first novel while writing to her sponsor monthly.

Sullivan has a voice like sparkling lemonade, and she is well matched by Eoin Cannon as the shadowy 'Daddy Long Legs' whose warm baritone makes him purr like Kelsey Grammer.

Paul Gordon's music conjures up a sense of adventure with cascading piano, jingling guitar and velveteen melodies, to ensure a good old-fashioned, sentimental treat.

Toby Jones plays Ned, a demolition expert who covets the abs of car-wash entrepreneur Dale, in Jez Butterworth's oddball love story Parlour Song

I also couldn't resist Jez Butterworth's oddball love story Parlour Song, directed in 2009 by Ian Rickson, with Andrew Lincoln, Toby Jones and Amanda Drew.

Jones plays Ned, a demolition expert who covets the abs of car-wash entrepreneur Dale (Lincoln). Dale, meanwhile, covets Ned's job  and his wife Joy (Drew).

There are some treasurable Mr Bean moments as Ned struggles to get in shape by lifting weights, and to improve his bedroom moves by listening to a very graphic sex therapy CD.

The show is a strange mix of Benny Hill-like innuendo and Pinteresque menace. And, filmed against a black backdrop, it looks like it was shot in outer space.

And yet, it never loses the sense of troubled intimacy between Lincoln's diamond geezer, Jones's increasingly desperate nerd and Drew's nervous sphinx.

The first Zoom of romance

Love In The Lockdown (thetelling.co.uk)

Verdict: Beautifully simple

Rating:

Rachael Stirling and Alec Newman star in a series of boutique, home-made video shorts  to be delivered over the next three months  about a musician and a writer trying to sustain, and possibly grow, a new relationship during lockdown.

Perhaps the pieces should be called divertimenti, given that they are inspired by the Italian writer Boccaccio, famous for his Decameron  a cycle of 100 stories, told by young people quarantining during the Black Death in Florence in 1348.

They also feature exquisite renditions of period music, performed by the author Clare Norburn, along with her group of musicians, The Telling.

Alec Newman (left) and Rachael Stirling (right) star in a series of boutique, home-made video shorts

The set-up is beautifully simple, with Newman's playwright Giovanni having met Stirling's medieval musician Emilia at a friend's house.

It's charming to watch them squirm like awkward teenagers as they navigate their burgeoning relationship  and the technical challenges of Zoom.

There are nine episodes, airing between now and May 23. The first went out yesterday, and the second is tonight.

So far they have met and had a first date. But it's still early March 2020  before lockdown. They have so much to discover. And I'm already a little hooked.

P.M.
Mar. 5BELFAST, Maine  It was business as usual Thursday in the dimly-lit canteen at the Randall-Collins Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3108 in Belfast, with old friends trading jokes and stories as they played cards.

Meanwhile, downstairs in the dilapidated structure on Field Street, Jim Roberts, the operations manager at the post, wrestled with a new dilemma: a pipe in the women's restroom had frozen and burst overnight, filling every available receptacle and flooding the floor with grimy water.

The post  and its plumbing  has seen better days. And Roberts, a Navy veteran, is working to fix not just the plumbing but also the endless infrastructure problems there by raising funds to tear down the old post and build a new handicapped accessible, single story building on the same lot.

It's a tall order  the group is aiming to raise more than $350,000  but they've made a good start. So far, through grants, donations and an online fundraising site, VFW members have raised $125,000 towards their goal.

"When the wind blows, you can actually feel the building sway. The building is literally sinking. It's folding and bending," Roberts said. "In order for us to be able to continue our mission, we need a new building."

He estimates their current home to be more than 110 years old. The two-story, 5,000 square-foot building used to be a baby clothes manufacturing facility, and although it recently passed health, fire and safety code inspections, it's no secret that it's in rough shape.

It has no foundation and the wooden beams it was built on are rotting away. That's why the structure is sinking and shifting, and why the new roof that was put on 18 months ago has already started to leak. On a tour of the post, Roberts points out windows that won't close, ceiling tiles move when the wind blows and more, saying that it is just beyond repair.

"It's hard to throw more oats at a dead horse  it will still be dead," he said.

Story continues

But he has great hopes that the post will be able to raise the money it needs to construct a new home. It has received a $10,000 grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation  great news, Roberts said, especially considering that because the post serves alcohol and sells lottery tickets, it doesn't qualify for many grants. It also on Thursday received a check for $2,500 from the Faith Temple Church of God and has gotten donations of hundreds of dollars from local businesses, along with smaller checks for $25 and $50.

"I feel like this community is really supportive of our efforts," Roberts said.

He is one of about 146 members  and one of the fewer than 20 active members  of the VFW post in Belfast. The nonprofit veterans service organization that dates back to 1899, when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection came back home to the United States and founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service.

The VFW aims to foster camaraderie among veterans of overseas conflicts, and serve veterans, the military and the community. At the Randall-Collins Post, that mission is carried out in lots of ways. The building hosts the No Greater Love Food Pantry, which now serves between 80 and 100 families twice a month, and the Waldo County Pet Food Pantry, which helps about 80 families a month.

Members of the VFW Auxiliary deliver microwaveable meals to older veterans in the community twice a week, in a partnership with the Belfast Soup Kitchen. At Christmas, VFW members made sure that 70 local children had plenty of presents and a festive holiday. They also have helped veterans pay their rent and their electric bills. One man was three months behind on his phone bill, and they paid for that, too. And two years ago, when the partial government shutdown left Coast Guard members without a paycheck, the post provided seven local Coast Guard families with food, gas cards and help paying for heating oil and phone bills.

In addition to operating as a kind of de facto general assistance for veterans and others, the post awards scholarships to high school and middle school students and puts American flags up around the city of Belfast for Memorial Day and other holidays.

Joy Asuncion of Belfast, a Navy veteran who is a member of the VFW, said that taking care of the post is the right thing to do.

"I think everybody in the community should support this post," she said. "They're so active in supporting veterans. My thought is, they fought for us  and we need to fight for them."

To help the post reach its goal, donations can be sent to the Randall-Collins VFW Post Building Fund, 34 Field St., Belfast, ME 04915.
Subscriber content preview

By KATHLEEN RONAYNE and JANIE HAR

Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California will begin setting aside 40% of all vaccine doses for people who live in the most vulnerable neighborhoods in an effort to inoculate people most at risk from the coronavirus and get the state's economy open more quickly.

The doses will be spread among 400 ZIP codes where there are about 8 million people eligible for shots, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state's health and human services secretary. Many of the neighborhoods are concentrated in Los Angeles County and the central valley, which have had among the highest rates of infection. The areas are considered most vulnerable based on metrics such as household income, education level, housing status and access to transportation.





. . .


As national lawmakers and political advisors are gathering for the "two sessions," the world is keeping a close eye on how China's annual political event will guide and influence the country's development for the years ahead.

This year's gathering, which has returned to the regular March schedule after last year's postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, takes on special importance. China, a country with a population of 1.4 billion, has just declared a complete victory in eradicating absolute poverty, and will embark on a new journey with the next five-year plan.

During the "two sessions," lawmakers will discuss the economic and social development plan for the 2021-2025 period as well as the long-range objectives through the year 2035. The blueprint that will guide China's development has attracted much global attention.

In the coming years, China will move faster to pursue a new development pattern featuring "dual circulation," where the internal and external markets can reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

In this process, the world community expects China can give full play to the advantage of its super-large market and continue to expand it by boosting domestic consumption. Beijing's firm commitment to greater opening-up means more dynamics and benefits for the global economic recovery and sustainable growth.

The world economy is struggling with a deep recession under the shadow of the pandemic. As the virus is still spreading, the road to recovery will be long and highly uncertain.

China has largely brought the pandemic under control and became the only major economy with positive growth last year, and that will give more certainties and possibilities to the world in this stormy moment.

Global investors have cast their votes of confidence in the Chinese market. According to the United Nations (UN) Investment Trends Monitor report in January, global foreign direct investment in 2020 has slumped by 42 percent from 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars in 2019, while China saw a 4-percent increase in this field in the same year.

"The most attractive market among global markets is China's domestic market," said Kiyoyuki Seguchi, research director at Japan's Canon Institute for Global Studies. "This is a consensus not only among Japanese companies, but also among world-class companies."

As the global fight against poverty has also been beset by the pandemic, many countries are looking to draw inspirations from China in this regard, and to learn more about China's plan for the next stage of development through the "two sessions."

Poverty has long been a hard nut to crack for the world, and the pandemic makes the problem all the more difficult to solve. According to the latest UN World Economic Situation and Prospects, job and income losses have pushed an estimated 131 million more people into poverty in 2020.

China, however, did not give up on delivering its promise to end absolute poverty in the country in the face of the pandemic. Last year, all of the country's nearly 100 million impoverished rural residents living below the current poverty line cast off poverty after eight years' efforts, achieving the UN poverty reduction goal a decade in advance.

By doing so, China has blazed a poverty reduction path and formed an anti-poverty theory with Chinese characteristics. It has also set an example for many other developing countries facing similar challenges.

In the next five years, China will continue to promote multilateralism and build an open world economy with its global partners so as to boost common development.

Last year, China signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade deal with 14 other countries, and concluded negotiations for an investment agreement with the European Union. Those achievements were truly hard-won against the backdrop of a raging outbreak and rising tide of isolationism and protectionism.

The "two sessions" will show the world China's continued commitment to greater openness and closer cooperation on the world stage. China has been a valuable partner, Serbian legislator Zarko Obradovic said, noting that China has shared development achievements through the Belt and Road Initiative and others.

The global community has been overshadowed by a prolonged pandemic and slow recovery for quite some time. It is hoped that those around the world who are searching for ways to get back on their feet can find in China confidence, new impetus and inspirations, and press forward.
A judge has found a Winnipeg man guilty of aggravated assault in an unprovoked attack with a hammer on a 15-year-old boy last spring.

A judge has found a Winnipeg man guilty of aggravated assault in an unprovoked attack with a hammer on a 15-year-old boy last spring.

Provincial court Judge Murray Thompson said the evidence of Jerry Kiplings own family members and other corroborating evidence left him with no doubt Kipling was the man captured on restaurant security video striking the boy with a hammer, embedding it in his skull.

Kipling, 30, was charged with aggravated assault and a lengthy list of weapons offences. He remains in custody and will be sentenced at a later date, following the completion of a court-ordered pre-sentence report.

SUPPLIED Jerry Kipling was found guilty of aggravated assault.

"The pre-sentence report will illuminate his personal struggles, with an emphasis on the great difficulties facing Indigenous offenders," Kiplings lawyer Mike Cook said outside court.

Court heard evidence at trial last month the boy was attacked after striking up a conversation with a man at a Selkirk Avenue pizza restaurant, May 30, 2020.

According to an agreed statement of facts provided to the court, the boy and his attacker had struck up a conversation when the attacker showed the boy the contents of his backpack, including a hammer and what appeared to be a knife.

The two "appeared to be getting along and were laughing," before the boy collected his order and made his way towards the exit. Thats when the attacker followed him and hit him in the head with the claw end of the hammer.

The handle of the hammer broke off, leaving the claw end embedded in the boys skull. The attacker picked up the hammer handle and ran from the store.

Kiplings aunt, Mary Kipling, and a cousin, Darrel Kelly, both identified Jerry Kipling at trial as the man depicted in security video images released by police following the attack.

"The law recognizes that people more familiar with the accused can be in a better position than the trial judge to identify them," Thompson said, going on to note the identification evidence of Mary Kipling was particularly strong.

"Mary Kipling contacted police, not the other way around," Thompson said. "Her emotions in testifying against her nephew were palpable, at one point she was moved to tears. It was clear she did not at all enjoy the prospect of testifying against her nephew and that she had no ill will towards him whatsoever."

Thompson said the identification evidence was bolstered by evidence matching the suspects backpack and shoes with identical items seized from Kipling upon his arrest two weeks after the attack.

The boy spent three weeks in hospital and underwent two surgeries, with at least one more still to come, medical records provided to the court show.

The boy "maintained excellent brain function throughout his convalescence," but has lost strength in his right arm and hand as a result of the attack, a medical report said.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
People flash a three-finger sign or resistance during the burial of anti-coup protester Kyal Sin in Mandalay, Myanmar, Thursday, March 4, 2021. Kyal Sin was shot in the head by Myanmar security forces during an anti-coup protest rally she was attending Wednesday. (AP Photo)

The UN special envoy for Myanmar has called for urgent Security Council action to reverse the military coup, saying about 50 peaceful protesters had been killed in the militarys worst crackdowns this week and scores more were seriously injured.

Christine Schraner Burgener said in her briefing to a closed council meeting that council unity and robust action is critical in pushing for a stop to the violence and the restoration of Myanmars democratic institutions.

We must denounce the actions by the military, she said. It is critical that this council is resolute and coherent in putting the security forces on notice and standing with the people of Myanmar firmly, in support of the clear November election results.

The February 1 military coup ousted the government of Aung San Suu Kyi after her National League for Democracy Party won 82% of the vote in November elections. The military contends there was ballot fraud, but the electoral commission upheld the results.

Expand Close Protesters hold the portrait of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Protesters hold the portrait of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi (AP)

Ms Schraner Burgener said a peaceful solution requires the immediate release of Ms Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

She reiterated an earlier appeal to the international community not to lend legitimacy or recognition to this regime that has been forcefully imposed, stressing that nothing but chaos has since followed.

The UN has received confirmed reports that many of those who died were killed by live ammunition, she said.

There are visual recordings of the military snipers in shooting positions aiming at unarmed protesters, as well as indiscriminate shooting into the crowds by military and police personnel, in various parts of Myanmar, she said.

Expand Close The body of a protester arrives at a cemetery in Mandalay (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The body of a protester arrives at a cemetery in Mandalay (AP)

As of March 2, Ms Schraner Burgener said the UN human rights office in Geneva is aware of around 1,000 people who are either known to be in detention or unaccounted for after having been arbitrarily detained since the coup.

Journalists are increasingly targeted, including specific assaults aimed at them at the protest scenes, she said.

Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw, whose dramatic arrest by police using a chokehold before handcuffing him was captured on video, is among them.

Ms Schraner Burgener urged council members to hear the voices of the people of Myanmar and support Kyaw Moe Tun, the countrys UN ambassador who was terminated by the military after denouncing the coup in a dramatic speech to the General Assembly.

She was speaking after YouTube removed five channels run by Myanmars military for violating guidelines, and said it is watching for any further content that might violate its rules.

The decision followed Facebooks earlier announcement that it had removed all Myanmar military-linked pages from its site and from Instagram, which it owns.

Expand Close Anti-coup protesters in Yangon (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Anti-coup protesters in Yangon (AP)

The escalation of violence by security forces has put pressure on the world community to act to restrain the junta.

Large protests against military rule have occurred daily in many cities and towns, and security forces escalated their crackdown this week with greater use of lethal force and mass arrests.

At least 18 protesters were shot dead on Sunday and 38 on Wednesday, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested, the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said.

Protests continued in the countrys biggest cities, Yangon and Mandalay, and elsewhere on Friday, and were again met with force by police. Gunfire was heard in some areas, and 26-year-old Zaw Myo was shot dead in Mandalay while he and other residents tried to protect a march by a group of engineers.

Many cases of targeted brutality have been captured in photos and videos that have circulated on social media. Videos have showed security forces shooting people at point-blank range and chasing and savagely beating demonstrators.
The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) is currently organizing a 3-day training programme at the Institute of Local Government Studies-Accra for selected accounts-related officers selected from the 16 Regions and Head Office.



The Director-General of NADMO in his opening remarks was particularly pleased that this programme was coming on because; it has been his dream to establish Internal Audit Units in all 16 Regional Directorates of our organization.

To the surprise of all, apart from the Greater Accra and the Eastern region, the rest of the regions do not have Internal Audit Units even though the institution provides funds and other resources to them to manage.



The Director-General of NADMO enumerated that Section 83(1) of the Public Financial Management Act 2016(Act 921) enjoins all public citizens to establish Internal Audit Units to ensure compliance in the management of public funds and resources. He further stated the importance of a well-resourced and well-motivated Internal Audit to prevent external audit queries as it helps to prevent infraction in the management of resources. Which will go a long way to reduce if not eliminated, the number of infractions the Auditor General would submit to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.



Also at the event was Mr. Thomas N A Aryee, Deputy Director-General of the IAA, the mother body for Internal Auditors. He commended the management of NADMO for investing in this training programme aimed at deepening the knowledge of their members. He admonished participants to take the exercise seriously and adhere to best practices.



The programme is scheduled to treat topics like Internal Control System and Auditing, Financial Statement Auditing, Contract and Project Management Auditing among, Procurement and Stores audit among others.

At the opening event was the Rector for the Institution , Dr. Nicolas Awortwi as well as other facilitators.

Source: peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Dow shared with its employees Thursday a list of changes they can expect within their benefit packages.

The changes to the employee benefits, which Dow calls its Total Rewards program, will be slowly implemented now through 2024. Total Rewards includes base compensation, performance awards, retirement savings, health insurance, wellness programs and more.

Some of the changes will affect global employees, while others pertain just to employees in the United States. However, none of the changes will impact Dow retirees.

Last year, Dow conducted a review of its Total Rewards and to find out whats most valuable to employees, it conducted a survey. In addition, the company also benchmarked its program relative to other peers in the chemical industry.

The goal in making these changes, which Dow stated are globally consistent and locally relevant, was to promote fulfilling life and career experiences for employees, as well as remain competitive in the industry. These changes add to Dows equitable and inclusive offerings and drive a performance-oriented and owner mindset culture through short- and long-term incentives.

One of the changes that will affect Dow employees globally, is the re-establishment of the voluntary Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). Dows ESPP, which will be voted on by shareholders on April 15, gives employees the opportunity to invest in the company through stock purchases, at about a 15% discount.

Human Resources Spokesperson for Dow, Steven Westerman explained this was offered to employees for 60 years prior to the DowDuPont merger and is one of the top favored benefits by employees.

"It was one of the most highly preferred rewards offering that our employees told us they wanted to see us to bring back." Westerman said. "We're super excited about this one; we feel like all of our employees will be equally excited to see this program come back."

In addition, in the second half of this year, Dow will establish a global minimum standard for paid time off for new parents and family caregivers, to lead in equity and inclusion efforts. This policy will include non-birthing parents and adoptive parents.

"As an example, in the U.S., we do expect increases for birthing parents, non-birthing parents, and adoptive parents," Westerman said.

In 2022, Dow will change its retirement benefits to align with market practices. The combined changes will enable employees to save up to 15% of total pay each year toward retirement, which is the percentage many financial experts say is needed to meet long-term retirement planning goals, according to Dow.

The retirement program changes we are making in the U.S. are largely due to market evolution, a push to provide more portable savings options for all, and enabling people to have more control over their money, the company stated.

For U.S.-based employees, changes to their 401K plans will include an increase in the company match to 100% of the first 4% of eligible pay that an employee contributes to their savings plan and 50% match on the next 2%. In other words, when an employee contributes 6% to the plan, Dow will contribute 5%  which is an increase in Dows match contribution for most employees.

In addition, Dow will automatically make a non-elective contribution to employees savings plan accounts every year equal to 4% of the employees eligible pay. Its important to note that eligible pay now includes salary, performance award and overtime. Including the performance award and overtime in eligible pay is a new enhancement for most employees.

These changes will be implemented in January 2022.

However, beginning January 2024, U.S. employees who participate in pension plans will no longer accrue additional benefits. Vested benefits will accrue until Dec. 31, 2023 and will be available to employees upon retirement and once accrued, will not be reduced by the company.

Dow stated this pension change is consistent with the vast majority of other companies  that 65% of industry peers have moved employees formerly in a defined benefit plan to defined contribution plans.

Employees and retirees can feel comfortable that Dow will continue to fund the assets supporting their currently accrued pension as Dow expects to make a voluntary contribution in March of $1 billion to its U.S. pension plans, the company stated.

Another notable change to the Total Rewards program is that Dow will be modernizing its wellbeing programs for employees, to provide more flexibility and choice for the companys diverse workforce.
Advertisement

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last night faced growing calls to resign after it emerged no minutes were made for two crucial meetings the Scottish Government held with its lawyers to discuss the legal challenge brought by Alex Salmond over the handling of harassment allegations against him.

MSPs on the Holyrood committee set up to investigate the Government's botched handling of the case against the former First Minister had asked to see the record of conversations held on November 2 and November 13, 2018.

Both SNP leader Ms Sturgeon and Scotland's most senior civil servant, Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans, were at that later meeting, the Scottish Conservatives have claimed.

The lawyers had already warned ministers of difficulties with the case, with extraordinary papers showing on September 26, 2018 senior and junior counsel advised of a 'real risk that the Court may be persuaded' by a legal challenge 'attacking various aspects of the investigation process'.

By December 17, however, Roddy Dunlop QC and Solicitor Advocate Christine O'Neill said they were 'firmly of the view that at least one of the challenges mounted by the petitioner (Mr Salmond) will be successful'.

They added that 'we simply wish all concerned - and we include the First Minister in this - to be absolutely certain that they wish us to plough on regardless' with the defence of the case.

While that legal advice has now been made public, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has told MSPs on the committee that no minutes are held for the meetings in question.

The startling admission has further fuelled claims that Ms Sturgeon is complicit in a 'cover-up', with Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross accusing the First Minister of hiding 'crucial evidence' and calling for her resignation.

He added that new documents published yesterday showed that 'Nicola Sturgeon thought she was a better lawyer than Queen's Counsel. She was emphatically wrong and it cost taxpayers more than 500,000'.

Tory MSP Donald Cameron said: 'I've acted as counsel for the Scottish Government. At consultations, everyone takes notes. It is inconceivable these minutes don't exist.'

The Scottish Government ignored its own legal advice that it would have to concede Mr Salmond's petition three months before its court case eventually collapsed. It conceded the challenge in January 2019, with the Court of Session ruling that it had acted 'unlawfully' in its handling of the complaints.

Ms Sturgeon is accused of breaking the ministerial code by misleading Parliament about when she first learnt of the claims against her predecessor and ignoring legal advice to drop the case.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in the back of a chauffeur driven car leaving the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, on Wednesday night after a gruelling eight hours before the Holyrood committee

While that legal advice has now been made public, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has told MSPs on the committee that no minutes are held for the meetings in question. Right, former First Minister Alex Salmond in testimony

A digital billboard near the Clydeside Expressway in Glasgow showing the words #ResignSturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon is accused of breaking the ministerial code by misleading Parliament about when she first learnt of the claims against her predecessor and ignoring legal advice to drop the case

The Scots Tories' allegations about Ms Sturgeon include repeatedly misleading the Scottish Parliament about when she first knew of the allegations against Mr Salmond, delaying settling the judicial review despite legal advice, and meeting Mr Salmond on government business without any officials present or records being taken

What are the key issues in the row engulfing SNP? How and why did the Scottish government mishandle allegations against Alex Salmond? The Scottish government launched an investigation in 2017 after two women made formal complaints against Alex Salmond. He launched legal action against the government's handling of the investigation and won a judicial review in January 2019, receiving 512,000 to cover his legal fees. The parliamentary inquiry is examining how ministers and civil servants conducted the probe. Mr Salmond was charged with 13 counts of sexual assault, including attempted rape, but was acquitted of all charges in March 2020. Mr Salmond has claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy by senior SNP figures to end his role in public life. What did Nicola Sturgeon know and when? Ms Sturgeon originally told MSPs she learned of complaints against Mr Salmond on April 2, 2018, when the pair met at her house. That meeting is crucial as it is unclear whether it was SNP business, or government business - which should have been officially recorded. Peter Murrell, the chief executive of the SNP and Ms Sturgeon's husband, initially said he was not at home, but later revealed that he arrived home during the discussion. He insists he did not ask what they were talking about. Ms Sturgeon has also admitted she 'forgot' about a discussion with Mr Salmond's ex-chief of staff four days earlier where they talked about the issue. The ministerial code says that 'ministers who knowingly mislead the parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the First Minister'. Ms Sturgeon is facing a separate independent investigation led by James Hamilton, who has to decide if she broke the ministerial code. However, it is thought that she is the final arbiter of whether the code has been breached. Does Mr Salmond have evidence of a conspiracy against him? Mr Salmond has said he is the victim of a 'prolonged, malicious' conspiracy by senior SNP and government figures. He has suggested Mr Murrell was part of efforts to damage him. Ms Sturgeon has demanded he presents hard evidence that is the case. However, he insisted that he is not in the dock and the government has already conceded it acted illegally. Why was Mr Salmond's evidence to the inquiry redacted? Mr Salmond's submission to the inquiry was released online on Monday, but the Crown Office raised concerns with Holyrood about it, asking for redactions. He has raised questions about why the step was taken and whether it amounted to inappropriate interference. Advertisement

At a hearing of the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints, Mr Swinney told MSPs: 'Although the attendees are known, and the Committee is aware of these, we do not hold any minutes of these meetings.

'The products of these meetings were adjustments to the Scottish Government's legal position that followed these consultations and have already been shared with the Committee as they are reflected in the pleadings already provided.'

Calls for Ms Sturgeon's resignation have intensified, with anti-independence campaigners flying a plane over Edinburgh and Glasgow yesterday trailing a banner reading '#Resign Sturgeon' in red and black.

The Majority, Scotland Matters and UK Union Voice crowdfunded more than 7,000 towards the cost of the stunt, with campaigners also placing messages demanding that the First Minister step down on billboards in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Scottish Tory leader Mr Ross hit out: 'The government was advised to concede a month before they did. Then they ran up an even bigger bill for weeks after they had been told the case was unstatable, the minimum requirement to proceed.

'Their case was doomed from the start but they hid the evidence from their own lawyers, to the embarrassment and utter dismay of Roddy Dunlop QC.'

Scottish Labour deputy leader and committee member Jackie Baillie said it was 'extremely disappointing to hear from John Swinney that several key meetings with counsel are apparently without minutes'.

Ms Baillie said: 'The basic failure to ensure that there is a written record of key meetings speaks volumes about the way in which the Scottish Government approached the whole matter.

'I am sure that counsel will have taken notes and it is open to the Scottish Government as the client to waive confidentiality and provide these to the committee, especially those for the meeting on November 13.'

She also said newly-released documents showed that the Scottish Government 'refused conceding the judicial review for as long as feasibly possible and that the astonishing failures of the investigation directly led to the women involved being cruelly let down'.

Ms Baillie said: 'The documents tell of 'entirely avoidable' errors and mention that officials and lawyers were put in 'extremely difficult' professional positions due to the failings of the government.

'The Scottish Government should be ashamed of the catastrophic errors it made in this case; errors that failed the taxpayer and most importantly the women involved.'

The First Minister's position has been plunged into further doubt after an MSP who grilled her during a mammoth eight-hour inquiry hearing rubbished parts of her testimony as 'frankly not credible'.

Tory Murdo Fraser said Ms Sturgeon is 'not out of the woods' and believes the committee will find her in breach of the ministerial code by misleading Parliament on when she knew of the allegations against her predecessor.

Calling on her to resign, he said: 'There have been three opinion polls showing that people in Scotland believe by a large majority that if the First Minister misled Parliament she should resign.

'I think the consequences will be very clear for the First Minister if the report makes that clear, and I believe it will, because the evidence presented to our committee... is clear that the statements made by the First Minister have been untrue.'

Ms Sturgeon's allies insisted she had 'dismantled' the claims and 'conspiracy theories' made by Mr Salmond and opposition parties when she gave evidence before MSPs.

But Holyrood's Tories accused her of fabricating a 'litany of lies' and have not withdrawn their vote of no confidence in her leadership.

The Conservative group said it was examining a letter sent by Ms Sturgeon's deputy Mr Swinney to the inquiry agreeing to release more of the Scottish Government's legal advice before deciding how to proceed.

That the committee was deprived of parts of the legal advice given to ministers during the Salmond investigation caused uproar and MSPs demanded Ms Sturgeon provide the critical evidence.

Mr Fraser told the BBC: 'There are three key issues in particular. She didn't address the leak of the name of a complainant to Alex Salmond, and there is corroborated evidence backing up the former first minister's version of events there that were not rebutted by the First Minister.

'Second, she still didn't have a credible explanation for the events around the meeting on March 29, 2018 which she claims was the first day she knew of the allegations made against Alex Salmond. And her story there is frankly not credible, and frankly she doesn't have any corroboration to back it up.

'And third there are still major gaps in the legal advice we've seen some of the legal advice supplied, but for the whole month of November 2018, we just have a blank sheet of paper.

Nicola Sturgeon leaves her home, where it is claimed she first learnt about claims made against Mr Salmond

Nicola Sturgeon's future as First Minister is hanging in the balance as she faces a demands she resign

Allegations, discussions, denials and a 'forgotten' key meeting between Sturgeon and Salmond November 2017: Allegations regarding Alex Salmond's behaviour are raised with the SNP by Sky News. Nicola Sturgeon said she spoke to him about this  and he 'denied it'. No further action was taken. March 29, 2018: Ms Sturgeon meets Geoff Aberdein - Mr Salmon's chief of staff - in her Scottish parliament office where she has admitted they discussed the possibility of a meeting with Mr Salmond. Ms Sturgeon  after initially forgetting about this meeting  says there was 'the suggestion that the matter might relate to allegations of a sexual nature'. April 2, 2018: Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond meet at the First Minister's home. According to Ms Sturgeon, this is the first time she heard of the complaints made against him. Despite this, she has insisted that the matters discussed were party business. No minutes were taken at the meeting. MS STURGEON'S CHANGING ACCOUNTS OF THE MARCH 29 AND APRIL 2 MEETINGS What she previously said: On January 8, 2019, Ms Sturgeon tells the Scottish Parliament she 'first heard' about sexual harassment allegations against Mr Salmond on April 2. In 2018, Andrew Marr asked Ms Sturgeon: 'Had you heard any stories about him before it broke in the press?' She responded: 'Obviously, absolutely not. Until, well I've said previously Alex Salmond informed me about these complaints in April, that was the first I had known.' And what she later said : In 2020, giving written evidence to the Holyrood into her government's handling of complaints against Mr Salmond, she said she 'forgot' about the March 29 meeting until 'late January/early February' 2019. She wrote: 'From what I recall, the discussion covered the fact that Alex Salmond wanted to see me urgently about a serious matter, and I think it did cover the suggestion that the matter might relate to allegations of a sexual nature.' What she says now: At the hearing Ms Sturgeon claimed that Mr Aberdein raised the issue of sexual harassment with her on March 29, but did so in 'general terms' and she was not aware the allegations related to Mr Salmond. She also suggested she knew about sexual assault allegations against Mr Salmond before the April 2 meeting due to media enquiries, despite previously denying this. She told MSPs: 'Since an approach from Sky News in November 2017... I had harboured a lingering suspicion that such issues in relation to Mr Salmond might rear their head. So hearing of a potential issue would not have been a massive shock.' September 14, 2018: A judicial review is launched after complaints by Mr Salmond over the fairness with how the claims against him were handled. January 8, 2019: The Scottish government conceded defeat in the judicial review a week before it was due to launch. Mr Salmond wins 500,000 in legal fees. The court ruled the probe into Mr Salmond had been unlawful and tainted by apparent bias. January 2019: Ms Sturgeon tells MSPs that Mr Salmond first told her about a probe into him on April 2. March 23, 2020: Alex Salmond is cleared of all sexual assault charges and his supporters demanded a full inquiry into the Scottish Government's handling of the scandal. October 7, 2020: Ms Sturgeon claims she 'forgot' about March 29, 2018, meeting with Mr Aberdein. January 24, 2021: Speaking on the Andrew Marr show, Ms Sturgeon denies misleading the Scottish Parliament after 'forgetting' to tell MSPs about her meeting with Mr Salmond's aide on March 29, 2018. February 2021: The High Court in Edinburgh rules Mr Salmond's evidence claiming his former chief of staff met with Ms Sturgeon on March 28, 2018, to discuss sexual assault allegations against the former first minister can be released. Advertisement

'And until we get some compelling evidence around what happened in that period, the First Minister is by no means out of the woods.'

The inquiry has three weeks to compile its report before the Scottish Parliament breaks up. And a second inquiry by James Hamilton QC into whether Ms Sturgeon broke the ministerial code over her handling of the affair is due to report before May's Scottish elections.

The First Minister is accused of lying to the Scottish Parliament about when she knew of two female civil servants' sexual assault allegations against Mr Salmond - and could be forced to resign if the claims are proven.

The gravity of the allegations has left the First Minister fighting for her job, and she came out swinging by accusing Mr Salmond of being a sex pest and dismissing his 'absurd' claims of a conspiracy against him.

She slammed her predecessor for failing to offer up a 'single word of regret' for his 'inappropriate behaviour' towards women during his six hours of testimony at the Holyrood Inquiry last week.

She also contested his version of events in the run-up to the Scottish Government's investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Mr Salmond, of which he was subsequently cleared.

Although Ms Sturgeon 'deeply regretted' how the probe into Mr Salmond was handled, she insisted she was trying to stop 'the age old pattern of allowing a powerful man to use his status and connections to get what he wants.'

She denied that a senior member of her team had leaked the name of one of the complainers to Geoff Aberdein, who had previously been Mr Salmond's chief of staff, and that her staff had leaked to a Scottish newspaper.

And she contradicted two witnesses who back Mr Salmond's version of events at the committee hearing, saying her 'recollection of events is different' but admitting that she wished her 'memory of it was more vivid'.

The inquiry could prove fatal for Ms Sturgeon if she is found to have broken the ministerial code by misleading Parliament about a meeting with Mr Aberdein on March 29, 2018, which she failed to record before claiming she 'forgot' about it.

At the hearing she claimed that Mr Aberdein raised the issue of sexual harassment with her on March 29, but did so in 'general terms' and she was not aware the allegations related to Mr Salmond.

She continued to claim that she instead first learned of the allegations against Mr Salmond at a meeting with him at her house on April 2. And she also claimed ignorance about a total of 30 sexual harassment complaints against five SNP ministers.

The First Minister was ridiculed by sceptical MSPs as she claimed she 'didn't remember' a key meeting about the sexual assault allegations against her predecessor and mentor.

Committee members described her claims as 'unlikely' and said they were 'struggling to believe' her, while expressing incredulity at her 'forgetfulness'.

She insisted that her version of events concerning the allegations against Mr Salmond was 'not a story' but the truth.

But the Scottish Tories said last night: 'Nicola Sturgeon dodged and evaded almost every difficult question. She vividly remembers the details she believes exonerate her, then forgets entirely anything that damages her. The litany of lies and abject failures is too much for any First Minister to survive. She must go.'

Ms Sturgeon has maintained the first time she learned of accusations against her predecessor was on April 2, 2018, during a conversation with him in the dining room of her home.

Accusations that she misled Parliament - which if proven could force her to resign - came after it emerged she had a prior meeting on March 29 with Mr Salmond's former chief of staff, Geoff Aberdein, about harassment claims.

Ms Sturgeon previously stated she 'forgot' about this meeting and said that the gravity of the April 2 meeting had 'obliterated' her memory of the March 29 one.

She told MSPs: 'What happened in my house on April 2, in my dining room with a man that's been all these things to me for thirty years, was so significant, that that was the thing that will live with me forever. Did that, in my mind, slightly obliterate what came before that? Possibly.'

Ms Sturgeon added that on March 29 Mr Aberdein raised harassment claims 'in general terms' but not specifically in relation to Mr Salmond. She said: 'As you know, and it's been the subject of comment and scepticism and I understand that: I didn't remember this meeting.

'And my recollection of this meeting is still not as vivid as I'd like it to be. I won't go into the detail, but it was a colleague's birthday, we stepped into my office.

'He indicated there was a harassment issue, to the best of my recollection it was in general terms. What I remember more strongly is how worried he was about Alex and the main purpose of the discussion, as I recall it, was for him to get me to agree to see Alex.'

She also said that Mr Aberdein had expressed fears that Mr Salmond was poised to quit the SNP, which prompted her to agree to meet with her predecessor a few days later.

Her remarks raised eyebrows from Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton, who cast doubt on the veracity of her claims.

He said: 'This massive and devastating fear and belief that you had that your friend and mentor of 30 years was about to quit your party came from a meeting that you claimed to have forgotten all about. Sorry First Minister, but do you realise how unlikely that sounds?'

Mr Fraser added: 'I share Mr Cole-Hamilton's scepticism about your forgetfulness... We're struggling to believe the story that you forgot about this meeting.'

Ms Sturgeon shot back: 'It's not a story, it's an account of what happened.'

Allies of Ms Sturgeon rode to her defence, with justice minister Humza Yousaf accusing members of the committee of a 'house of cards conspiracy' - tweets that were condemned online, given his government position with responsibility for due process.

BLOW-BY-BLOW: THE SEVEN WARNINGS NICOLA STURGEON'S GOVERNMENT IGNORED THAT THEIR CASE WAS DOOMED

by JACK WRIGHT for MailOnline

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is facing calls from Opposition MSPs to resign after her Government published bombshell legal advice relating to its botched probe into allegations of sexual harassment by Alex Salmond.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney agreed to hand over the papers under threat of a no-confidence vote, and admitted 'reservations were raised' by lawyers about the way allegations about Mr Salmond were investigated.

The Scottish Government launched an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by the former First Minister which was found to be unlawful, unfair and 'tainted by apparent bias' because of prior contact between the Investigating Officer and two of the women who complained.

Redacted legal advice published by Mr Swinney showed that SNP ministers were warned they had 'a very real problem' defending their legal battle with Mr Salmond more than two months before it finally collapsed.

Advice given to the Scottish Government on October 31, 2018 said there was 'an extremely concerning' issue that could gut their entire case - and that the 'least worst option' would be to concede the petition.

They wrote: 'We understand how unpalatable that advice will be... But we cannot let the respondents sail forth into January's hearing without the now very real risks of doing so being crystal clear to all concerned.'

MailOnline has gone through each document published by the Scottish Government to help you make sense of the political scandal.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 : 'RISK IS THAT WITNESS STATEMENTS AND INITIAL REPORT BY INVESTIGATING OFFICER WERE NOT SHARED WITH SALMOND'

In his letter published to Linda Fabiani, MSP chair of the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints, Mr Swinney said legal advice from September 27, 2018 from senior and junior Counsel 'sets out an assessment of the merits of the petition brought by Mr Salmond and the Government's prospects of defending the proceedings at that point'.

In a 13-page document to the SNP administration, the Government's lawyers were asked for their 'views on the merits of the petition [brought by Mr Salmond] and the prospects of successfully resisting the judicial review proceedings that have been raised'.

The assessment explains that some of the grounds of challenge concern the validity and fairness of the Procedure for handling complaints against ministers and former ministers that was put in place in early 2018, while others concern the way in which the Procedure was applied to Mr Salmond.

The lawyers say that 'several grounds of challenge are in our view 'time barred', arguing that 'complaints about the validity and fairness of the Procedure itself... should have been brought within 3 months of 7 March 2018, being the date on which the petitioner first became aware of the complaints and the investigation'.

Though they say they believe that 'the majority of the grounds of challenge are weak and should be capable of being resisted successfully', they crucially concede: 'We think that there is a real risk that the Court may be persuaded by the petitioner's case in respect of the ground of challenge based on 'procedural unfairness''.

They conclude: 'We consider that the areas of greatest risk are in relation to the fact that witness statements and the initial report prepared by the investigating officer were not shared with the petitioner'.

In his letter to the Committee, Mr Swinney spun this by saying that the advice 'confirms that the majority of the grounds of challenge raised by Mr Salmond were assessed at that time as 'weak' and were considered capable of being resisted successfully'.

He added: 'The document confirms that the Scottish Government was justified in defending the judicial review brought by Mr Salmond.'

OCTOBER 30-31, 2018 : 'IT MAKES LITTLE SENSE TO CONTINUE TO DEFEND THE INDEFENSIBLE'

Writing to the Committee, Mr Swinney said legal advice to the Scottish Government between October 30-31, 2018 demonstrated 'the development of Counsel's concerns around the issue of prior contact between the Investigating Officer and the two [Salmond sexual harassment] complainers and whether this could be reconciled with the text of paragraph 10 of the Scottish Government's Harassment Procedure'.

After Mr Salmond's lawyers asked for information from the Scottish Government 'when, by what means and in what terms the complainers first initiated their complaints', lawyers advising the Scottish Government raised 'a discussion between the IO [Investigating Officer] and Complainer B'.

Senior Counsel for the Scottish Government Roddy Dunlop QC of Axiom Associates then raised the prospect of conceding the point on October 31, describing the issue as 'extremely concerning'.

He warned: 'The concern that arises is that the answer to the question 'when, by what means and in what terms the complainers first initiated their complaints' is that Complainer B, as I understand the position, first made her complaint to Judith McKinnon, Deputy Director of the People Directorate, in December 2017.

'That is of concern because it was, of course, Ms McKinnon that was subsequently appointed as the Investigating Officer under the Procedure which is presently under challenge. [...] I am told that it was thought that this did not present a problem to Ms McKinnon's appointment, as she had no prior involvement with the events giving rise to the complaint.

'I regret that I do not read the procedure in that way. [...] As presently advised I consider that this presents a very real problem indeed. The Petition is resisted on the basis that a fair Procedure was instituted and then followed.

'If I am correct... then the Procedure was not followed: rather, an express embargo was ignored in a way which may well vitiate the entire proceedings.'

He went on: 'A swift decision is going to have to be taken thereafter as to whether (a) the issue is disclosed and any argument based thereon resisted, or (b) the issue is disclosed and the Petition is then conceded thereof.

'I can well understand the angst that even suggesting (b) will provoke, but if the proceedings are vitiated then it makes little sense to continue to defend the indefensible.'

DECEMBER 6, 2018 : 'THE LEAST WORST OPTION WOULD BE TO CONCEDE THE PETITION'

A letter written to Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC on December 6, 2018 stated that: 'Counsel are of the view that the 'least worst' option would be to concede the Petition. They understand how unpalatable that advice will be, and they do not tender it lightly'.

Advice to the Scottish Government by Roddy Dunlop QC and Solicitor Advocate Christine O'Neill warned of 'substantial further development of the pleadings, accompanied by disclosure of a volume of information about, among other things, the discussions that took place Complainers A and B prior to them making formal complaints'.

They argued that after Mr Salmond's lawyers introduced new grounds of challenge based on the Investigating Officer's prior contact with the complainers, 'with regret, we are now jointly of the view that those grounds are more likely than not to succeed'.

'At the outset, we recognise the dismay that this advice will cause,' they wrote. 'However, we feel it necessary to tender this advice, and the reasons for it, given the views which we have, independently at first and now of consensus, taken in this regard'.

According to Mr Swinney: 'As the case progressed during November and early December, this issue was identified as the greatest area of risk for the Government's prospects in the judicial review.'

DECEMBER 11, 2018 : LORD ADVOCATE - 'THERE ARE GOOD POLICY REASONS TO DEFEND THE CASE'

The Deputy First Minister published documents showing that advice from December 6 was discussed in consultation with the Law Officers on December 11.

It states that in a meeting with Lord Advocate James Wolffe (LA), the top Government lawyer was 'very clear that [there was] no question or need to drop the case' and that 'even if prospects are not certain it is important that our case is heard'.

Senior Counsel Roddy Dunlop QC is said to have 'made clear that his note was not intended to convey that he didn't think we have a stateable case... They tested most of the arguments including the appointment of the IO [Investigating Officer] and concluded that we have credible arguments to make'.

It went on: 'The argument on the appointment of the IO will turn on the extent to which we can persuade the court that there is an credible alternative to the objective reading test of para 10 of the procedure which is that what we had in mind was that the IO should not have had any prior involvement in the 'matters under investigation'  i.e. the events being complained about.'

The document also reveals that 'Counsel followed up the question of what Perm Sec [the Permanent Secretary] knew about the approaches from staff by late November'.

'While we are clear that there isn't a procedural bar to her knowing the detail at any point they are constructing an argument to the effect that early exposure to the detail resulted in her being predisposed to find against [the] FFM [former First Minister]', the emails state. 'The paper work doesn't shed much light on that.'

Mr Swinney in his letter said that the minutes of December 11 showed 'that there remained good public policy reasons for continuing to defend the case and benefits in securing the clarity of a judicial finding from the Court'.

DECEMBER 19, 2018 : EVIDENCE OF THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER'S PRIOR CONTACT WITH THE COMPLAINANTS 'MAKES A DEFENCE OF APPOINTING THE IO UNSTATEABLE'

An extraordinary document presented to the Scottish Government by its lawyers showed that SNP ministers were warned that 'maintaining a defence of the appointment of the IO may be unstateable'.

That morning, at the start of the first part of the Commission, the Government's lawyers said that they 'experienced extreme professional embarrassment as a result of assurances which we have given, both to our opponents and to the court, which assurances have been given on instructions, turning out to be false as a result of the revelation of further documents, highly relevant yet undisclosed'.

New documents not handed to the Government's lawyers showed that the Investigating Officer had had contact with both complainants.

The first document was a letter dated January 17, 2018 which stated: 'We met on 16 January 2018 to discuss your experience about the alleged misconduct of a former minister. Following this meeting you submitted a formal written complaint... I have been designated at the IO... The purpose of this letter is to invite you to a meeting to discuss your complaint in more detail'.

A document presented to the Government by its lawyers showed that SNP ministers were warned 'maintaining a defence of the appointment of the IO may be unstateable'

Legal advice warns: 'This letter suggests that there must have been other communications with Ms A in advance of the meeting of 16 January'.

The second document referred to an email thread which showed that there 'must have been further contact undocumented in which the IO agreed to meet [complainant] Ms B. It is unclear whether this preceded or post dated the making of the complaint'.

The lawyers told the Scottish Government: 'The complaint had only just been made. No one had appointed an IO for this complaint. The IO has effectively appointed herself in that regard.

'It seems inevitable, unless very prompt action indeed had been taken, [Redacted] see Ms B [Redacted] before the complaint was actually made, and accordingly before the IO could have had any legitimate interest in speaking to Ms B'.

The lawyers then warned: 'As to the late nature of the revelation, this is unexplained, and frankly inexplicable. Given the nature of the searches described by as having been undertaken, we regret that we simply cannot understand why these documents have been made available only now.

'All of this gives rise to two concerns. First, we are now in a position where we think that maintaining a defence of the appointment of the IO may be unstateable.

'Given the timescales we are reluctant to take a final view on this, but there is a real risk that we so conclude. Second, we are each in a position which is, so far as dealings with the other side and the court are concerned, close to untenable'.

According to Mr Swinney: 'Counsel's advice of 19 December following the Commissioner hearing that day... reflect[ed] the pressurised atmosphere of the process of identifying and handing over documents.

'As has been acknowledged in evidence to the Committee, the Scottish Government's handling of that process was flawed and this is regrettable. This, along with the subsequent Commission hearing on 21 December, was the moment at which the Scottish Government's case became no longer stateable.'

DECEMBER 29, 2018 : LAWYERS OFFICIALLY ADVISE SNP MINISTERS TO CONCEDE SALMOND'S PETITION AFTER 'WATERSHED' HEARING

Legal counsel advised the Scottish Government to conceded Mr Salmond's petition against its handling of its probe into sexual harassment allegations.

They said: 'As you are aware, Counsel has offered advice on a number of occasions in relation to the prospects of the Scottish Government's (SG's) arguments prevailing in court. This advice has principally turned on Counsel's views on the appointment and actions of the Investigating Officer.

Legal counsel advised the Scottish Government to conceded Mr Salmond's petition against its handling of its probe into sexual harassment allegations

'The key point to note is the 'watershed moment' of last Friday (21st December 2018), at which point the SG's case became, in Counsel's view, unstateable, given what emerged that day about the degree and nature of the contact between the IO and the prospective complainers prior to their formal complaints having been made.

'This information was contained in documents which were identified and produced for the Commission and Diligence Hearing last week, and had not been elicited by previous document searches.

'While there is no reason to believe that the IO was motivated by anything other than her desire to fulfil her role properly, we recognise that her actions give rise to a perception that there was an unfairness in the operation of the procedure in this case.'

They also note that: 'The Lord Advocate and the Director of Legal Services share the view of Counsel about the likely prospects of success in defending the decision at Judical Review and the consequent advisability of conceding the petition at the earliest possibly opportunity.'

The lawyers conclude: 'Having reviewed the material contained in this note, you may conclude that the Scottish Government is in a position where the only sensible and defensible action is to concede the petition and to plan for managing the attendant reputation and legal risks. The risks associated with proceeding to defend the Judicial Review could appear to be greater.'

According to Mr Swinney: 'This was a shared view of both internal and external legal advisers. The case was reviewed and conceded quickly after this, taking account of further internal legal advice on the terms of the concession, which we are also sharing.'

DECEMBER 31, 2018 : LORD ADVOCATE RECOMMENDS 'CAREFUL' CONCESSION OF SALMOND'S PETITION

Lord Advocate James Wolffe told SNP ministers that 'the concession should be narrowly framed to reflect accurately and carefully the legal basis upon which Ministers are conceding the petition; and the basis of the concession should be explained as fully as it can be'.

'It may be unlikely that it will be possible to avoid the phrase 'apparent bias' being used at all, in all communications (including with the court),' Mr Wolffe went on.

'However, the use of that phrase should, in my view, be minimised, and should always be coupled with an appropriate explanation, intelligible to a lay person, of what that means - ie that the process must be seen to be impartial as well as actually impartial - and what it does not mean (ie that the process was actually tainted by bias).'

Writing yesterday, the Deputy First Minister insisted: 'The documents published today demonstrate that the Scottish Government did not ignore legal advice in continuing to defend the judicial review, contrary to the terms of the Scottish Ministerial Code or the Civil Service Code.

'The documents demonstrate that there was no 'malicious' intent against Mr Salmond. The Scottish Government was within its rights to defend a judicial review raised against it by Mr Salmond and to continue to defend it whilst it still had a stateable case. There were good public policy reasons for continuing to defend the case and to seek a determination from the Court.

'Once it became clear that the Scottish Government no longer had a stateable case after the Commission hearings in late December 2018, the Government quickly reviewed the position and conceded the case.

'The view that the Government no longer had a stateable case was agreed by both internal and external advisers.'
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Humane Farming Association (HFA)  a national farm-animal protection organization with 270,000 members  asked a Massachusetts court for a final judgment in its pending suit against Attorney General Maura Healey. The Attorney General has failed to promulgate regulations to improve conditions for egg-laying hens as required by state law. In its motion, HFA argued that "Question 3"  a ballot measure that was approved by Massachusetts voters in 2016  unambiguously required Healey to issue final, binding regulations by January 1, 2020 (well over a year ago), and that she has done virtually nothing to comply with her clear legal duty.

Known as "Question 3," the ballot measure established minimum space requirements for pigs, calves, and, primarily, laying hens. Most importantly, the law requires that each laying hen be provided no less than 1.5 square feet of usable floor space. The measure, which covers eggs supplied by both in-state and out-of-state producers, was overwhelmingly approved by 77 percent of Massachusetts voters.

However, Healey has neither issued nor even proposed to issue the legally-mandated regulations. Instead, Healey's office is working with lobbyists, including those from the egg industry, to enact legislation that would reduce the allotted space requirement provided to hens to a mere one square foot per bird, and would allow the egg industry to crowd fifty percent more hens into a given space.

"It's outrageous that we have to resort to litigation to force Attorney General Healey to follow the law," said Humane Farming Association National Director Bradley Miller. "Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved Question 3. Healey's failure to promulgate the regulations as required, as well as her support of industry efforts to reduce the amount of space provided to hens, is a cruel betrayal of farm animals and a slap in the face to Massachusetts voters."

About HFA

The Humane Farming Association (HFA) is dedicated to the protection of farm animals and operates the nation's largest farm-animal sanctuary. Founded in 1985 and over 270,000 members strong, HFA is nationally recognized for its integrity and its groundbreaking anti-cruelty campaigns.

Contact: Bradley Miller (415) 485-1495

[email protected]

SOURCE Humane Farming Association

Related Links

http://www.hfa.org


There is hope in the air, and not just because the weather is warmer and the days are growing longer.

There is hope in the air, and not just because the weather is warmer and the days are growing longer.

Reasons for cautious and physically distant celebrations are in view as humanity is turning the tide against COVID-19. Slowly but surely, vaccines to fight the coronavirus are being distributed across Canada and administered to the countrys most elderly, who are considered most vulnerable to the viruss deadly effects.

More than 80,000 Manitobans have been vaccinated, but the relative trickle of shots available remains a cause of irritation for many who have grown weary of pandemic-related restrictions. The vaccination rate should rise, and impatience levels should fall, after a third vaccine, from AstraZeneca, was approved by Health Canada on Feb. 26. It will join products from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech that are already part of the nations arsenal against COVID-19.

(AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) More than 80,000 Manitobans have been vaccinated, but the relative trickle of shots available remains a cause of irritation for many who have grown weary of pandemic-related restrictions.

Other vaccines developed by Johnson & Johnson and Novavax are in late-stage testing and could soon be approved by the federal government, protecting more people from the worst of COVID-19s symptoms, cutting the number of positive cases and creating a more uplifting kind of positivity.

It will put Canadas vaccine-distribution systems to the test. Gaps have already become apparent, especially for older people in rural areas who may struggle to access vaccine super-centres, but logistical problems ought to be easier to fix than epidemiological ones. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed optimism Wednesday that the federal governments vaccination timeline could be accelerated, adding that more than six million doses of COVID-19 vaccines should arrive in Canada by the end of March.

Optimism is a word that has been in limited circulation in the past year.

More than 2.5 million people around the world have died from complications caused by COVID-19, including more than 22,000 in Canada. Manitoba this week surpassed 900 COVID-19-related deaths.

There was little cause for optimism last fall, as fears of a deadly pandemic winter in Manitoba rose quickly along with the number of positive COVID-19 cases  far too many involving people of colour and the poor, groups that continue to pay inequalitys shameful price. But Mr. Trudeaus hopeful words coincide with falling numbers of positive virus cases this month. If the daily statistics in this province are any indication, those months of difficult restrictions and newly arrived vaccines seem to be working.

CP Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed optimism Wednesday that the federal governments vaccination timeline could be accelerated THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Even greater optimism could follow as Manitobans hear the good news that close relatives or friends have received a vaccination, rather than learning about loved ones whove tested positive, grown sick or even died from COVID-19.

We can also be encouraged by how much knowledge all of us  doctors, nurses, researchers and ordinary citizens  have gained about science, especially viruses and vaccines. Even those who have never set foot in a laboratory understand more than ever about how viruses spread disease, and most of us have adopted common-sense methods to prevent viruses from spreading.

It took decades for researchers and doctors to create a vaccine for polio, another viral disease that caused fear throughout the world. Its taken less than a year for a shared global effort to create vaccines that have been declared safe and effective  an accomplishment that should be considered among the greatest of modern achievements.

Hope is in the air. And like the sunny warmth were feeling on these spring-like Manitoba mornings, its most welcome.
The existing security holders of Albert Labs will receive 38.6 million post-consolidation shares of the combined company in exchange for their securities

Albert Labs is a private corporation focused on the emerging field of psychedelic assisted therapy and research, building IP and expertise around accelerated, real-world evidence studies

Inc has signed a definitive agreement with ME Resource Corp (CSE:MEC) (OTC:MEEXF) to complete a reverse takeover (RTO) by which Albert Labs will gain a listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Albert Labs is currently a private corporation focused on the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy and research, building IP and expertise around accelerated, real-world evidence studies. The combined company, subject to CSE approval, will list under the name Albert Labs Inc and maintain its business as currently constituted.

The existing security holders of Albert Labs will receive 38.6 million post-consolidation shares of the combined company in exchange for their securities. In connection with the RTO, Albert Labs has initiated an equity financing, raising maximum gross proceeds of C$4 million at a price of C$0.25 per share.

ME Resource Corp plans to undertake a 10:1 share consolidation, reducing its common shares from 63.6 million to 6.36 million. Additionally, the company has entered into agreements with creditors to settle almost C$1.7 million in debt by offering up to roughly 3.4 million shares at a price of C$0.50 per share.

When all is said and done, there are expected to be nearly 48.4 million common shares issued and outstanding, of which security holders of Albert Labs will own 80% and security holders of ME Resource Corp will own 20%, the company said. For now, trading of ME Resource Corp shares has been halted.

Albert Labs was incubated and received funding from (TCF), an early-stage psychedelic medicine venture fund. Among the investors in TCF is Ambria Capital, a firm with decades of success investing in emerging public and private companies in the agriculture, consumer, healthcare and technology industries.

Albert Labs' launch is well-timed, Ambia Capital director Cody Shandraw said in a statement. The rapidly increasing demand for access to psychedelic-assisted therapies is evident. We believe the market will continue to shift towards clinical research, drug development and data collection.

Albert Labs has submitted applications for psychedelic research and a dealers license which will allow the company to test, possess, buy and sell MDMA, psilocybin, psilocin, DMT and mescaline at its lab in Burnaby, British Columbia. These licenses will also allow the company to import/export, test, and conduct R&D on these controlled substances.

The companys core focus is treating patients with urgent and unmet mental health needs, starting with cancer-related anxiety through trials in the UK and Scandinavia. Albert Labs will be the first psychedelics company to use an accelerated pathway, known as real-world evidence (RWE) studies, to more swiftly gain approval and reimbursement for its proprietary therapies.

[Chief Medical Officer Malcom] Barratt-Johnson and team have positioned Albert Labs to be a dynamic and unique solution for the industry, not only utilizing existing infrastructure across the UK, but also concentrating on larger scale data collection and reimbursed patient access, Shandraw said.

Albert Labs has an asset-light business model, leveraging existing clinical infrastructure and patient pools by collaborating with research institutions, medical centers and reimbursement networks. The plan is to scale these collaborations in the UK and across Europe to generate revenue and ultimately provide patients with faster access to treatment solutions.

Albert Labs has quickly established itself as a pioneer in using real-world evidence studies using psychedelic therapies as a route to what we believe will be a more efficient way to help patients with the most urgent unmet medical needs, TCF co-founder Richard Skaife said. Albert Labs provides hope to those that need it most; driven by a team of highly regarded health care professionals with deep domain experience.

Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 02:02:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China has made significant strategic achievements in epidemic prevention and control and became the only major economy with positive growth last year, experts have said, adding that the blueprint laid out in the government work report has brought new hope for the world's economic recovery and boosted confidence in global development.

Attending the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress on Friday in Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presented the government work report on behalf of the State Council to the legislature for deliberation.

Japanese economist Hidetoshi Tashiro said the Chinese government has adopted a long-term vision in formulating its development plans, especially in key areas, which is very admirable.

The "two sessions" held as scheduled in 2021 "are of great importance," said Hussein Ismail, deputy editor-in-chief of the Arabic version of China Today magazine, adding that China is entering a new stage of development.

China aims to expand its gross domestic product (GDP) by over 6 percent in 2021, which shows "the determination and confidence of the Chinese government to promote sustained economic recovery to the world, and China will continue to boost the world economy," said Tursunali Kuziev, a professor at Uzbek University of Journalism and Mass Communications.

"China is expressing confidence in its future and its ability to deliver improved economic outcomes for the Chinese people," said Allan Behm, director of International and Security Affairs Program at The Australia Institute.

Wilson Lee Flores, a columnist for the English daily The Philippine Star, said that China's achievements in the fight against COVID-19, its reviving economic growth and its commitment to greater openness and international cooperation are positive catalysts for global recovery. Enditem
Kelly Rossman-McKinney 517-512-9342 Attorney General

March 5, 2021

LANSING  As people across the country continue to seek vaccinations for COVID-19, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reinforcing several helpful tips offered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help residents watch for scams.

These are unprecedented times, and as health care professionals and authorities work through the best ways to provide COVID vaccines to people who need them, there may be some confusion or misinformation circulating about exactly what to expect, Nessel said. Scammers will try to capitalize on these circumstances and take advantage of people by using a variety of tactics. We must all remain watchful and aware of their tricks, and I encourage people to follow these simple tips to make sure they dont fall victim to a scam.

While the Michigan Department of Attorney General has only received a handful of COVID-19 scam complaints, the office wants Michiganders to remain alert of attempts by bad actors to steal their money or personal information.

In a public message earlier this week, the FTC listed several tips to help people watch for such scams:

Dont pay to sign up for the COVID vaccine. Anyone who asks for a payment to put you on a list, make an appointment for you, or reserve a spot in line is a scammer.

You cant pay to get early access to the vaccine. Thats a scam.

On Medicare? You dont have to pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Only scammers will ask you to pay.

Ignore sales ads for the vaccine. You cant buy it  anywhere. Its only available at federal- and state-approved locations.

Nobody legit will call, text, or email about the vaccine to ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. Thats a scam.

The Attorney Generals office also issued a consumer alert warning about COVID-19 vaccine scams to keep residents aware of the potential threats.

Throughout National Consumer Protection Week and the entire month of March, consumers can follow along on the Departments Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for daily consumer protection information.
I was initially disappointed by President Joe Bidens recent decision not to punish Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the release of a U.S. intelligence report that confirmed that the Saudi leader approved the brutal murder in 2018 of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

But after seeing Oscar-winning director Bryan Fogels documentary The Dissident, which contextualizes Khashoggis death within the larger war that bin Salman is waging on free speech, I got angry at the lack of a moral or even meaningful response to the Saudi atrocity. Leading up to his murder, Khashoggi endured a relentless social media attack by an army of operatives called The Flies, as well as digital hacks that allowed Saudi intelligence agents to get inside the smartphones of Khashoggis closest allies to monitor virtually every move the journalist made.

The prince is big on technology. Turkish officials who were allowed into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where the 60-year-old Khashoggi was sent under the guise of obtaining a document that would allow him to marry his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, shared footage with Fogel of the room in which the journalist was murdered and then butchered with a bone saw. It includes high-end equipment, Turkish police say, that would have allowed the murder and dismemberment to be seen on-screen in real time by the prince and his co-conspirators back in Saudi Arabia.

Fogels film incudes a transcript from Turkish intelligence authorities of Khashoggis final struggle and death at the hands of a Saudi assassination team that included members of the princes personal security detail. There is no doubt that it was a state sponsored assassination, and yet, our new president, who talked so much about being a moral force during the 2020 campaign, could not bring himself to take any direct action against the prince who ordered it.

Viewers of The Dissident see the words of the Saudi assassins. They joke about the sacrificial victim having arrived at the consulate when Khashoggi is in the building. Shortly after he enters the room where he thinks he will received the document he came to get, a Turkish investigator tells viewers his mouth was closed with someones hand.

Story continues

Khashoggi fights back and begins to scream, according to the Turkish official who investigated the murder.

You are going to strangle me. Youre going to kill me. I have asthma. Dont do this, he quotes Khashoggi as screaming.

But more men join in to subdue Khashoggi, and at this point, He doesnt stand a chance, in the words of the investigator: Wheezing  grunting  those are the only sounds he can make as hes being killed.

The sawing of Khashoggis corpse took place at the consulate and can be heard on the tape, according to Turkish investigators, who believe the body parts were then burned at the home of the Saudi consul general. Viewers are shown images of an oven in which they believe the burning was done. According to their account, embassy workers ordered 70 pounds of meat from a local shop, which they believe was used to cover the smell of human flesh being burned.

Yeah, it is indeed graphic, grim and chilling.

But we need to know in concrete, detailed ways how barbaric this crime was to judge the actions of our elected officials who decline to punish the man who ordered it.

As powerful as the films account of Khashoggis death is, the real energy of this documentary comes from the story line of a disciple of Khashoggis, Omar Abdulaziz, a Saudi dissident forced to flee his country and seek asylum in Montreal.

He is the viewers point of entry for the film, walking the streets of the Canadian city at night in opening shots. Though he is some 30 years younger than Khashoggi, the two men shared a bond of having left their families behind as they fled Saudi Arabia to try to find a place in the world where they could speak freely and challenge the governments lies and crimes. Khashoggi found that in Washington D.C. at the Post, Abdulaziz finds it in Montreal as a YouTube host of a show about Saudi repression. Both were targeted by bin Salman, with family members of Abdulaziz imprisoned and tortured.

As part of their resistance to bin Salman, Abdulaziz convinced Khashoggi to fund an effort to combat the princes army of social media operatives, who swarm and attack opponents online. They appear to be a Saudi version of the media operation at the Russian troll farm in St. Petersburg that so influenced the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Abdulaziz recruited his own operatives to counter The Flies. He named them The Bees Army. When Khashoggi gave him the money to help fund the effort, Abdulaziz says he told him, If you work with us  You are not just a journalist. Youre a dissident.

The younger man believes his relationship with Khashoggi played a role in the journalists death, and, right or wrong, he feels a deep sense of guilt about that. According to cyber experts in the film, Abdulazizs phone was hacked by Saudi intelligence operatives and every move Khashoggi made in concert with him  from funding The Bees Army to plotting ways to counter Saudi propaganda and attacks on free speech  was known by the prince and his operatives leading up to Khashoggis gruesome death.

Back in 2018 when I first heard some of the details of the journalists death, I was shocked. But I was not at all surprised when then-President Donald Trump gave the prince a pass on murdering an opponent. Given the princes autocratic manner of governing, of course Trump would be impressed with him. And then, there was all that oil as well as the billions the Saudis spent on American-made military hardware.

In 2019, Trump vetoed resolutions approved by Congress that were aimed at blocking the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia in part over the princes role in Khashoggis murder.

I saved his ass. I was able to get Congress to leave him alone. I was able to get them to stop, Trump is quoted as saying in Bob Woodwards book, Rage.

But Biden giving bin Salman a pass is something else. It is the kind of act that results in citizens not trusting any of their leaders to speak the truth and act morally in the face of power.

Saying that the assassination squad acted on the order of the crown prince in a debate during the 2020 president campaign, Biden promised he would make the Saudis and bin Salman pay the price for killing Khashoggi.

I guess it all depends on what your definition of price is.

David Zurawik is The Baltimore Suns media critic. Email: david.zurawik@baltsun.com; Twitter: @davidzurawik
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
SMYRNA, Tenn.  The Tennessee National Guards 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery Regiment, headquartered in Chattanooga and with units in Pulaski, Lawrenceburg, Fayetteville, and Dayton, is departing this weekend for a 10-month deployment overseas.

Over 350 Soldiers will be leaving from Smyrnas Volunteer Training Site on Sunday, March 7, shortly after a unit farewell ceremony. The 1-181st will be deploying to the Middle East in support of operations throughout the region.

"We have spent the last year training under unique circumstances, said Lt. Col. Phillip Hill, Jr., 1-181st Battalion Commander. The Soldiers of this battalion have displayed an ability to step up and meet every challenge. I am 100% confident that they will continue to do so as we mobilize and deploy.

After departing Tennessee, the 1-181st will be spending a few weeks at Fort Bliss, Texas, to complete additional mobilization training before heading overseas. While deployed, the Soldiers will be operating in multiple countries under CENTCOM.



Originally constituted in 1916, the 1-181st has participated in multiple conflicts to include World War I, World War II, Desert Storm, and the recent War on Terrorism in the Middle East. Currently, they are organized under 30th Troop Command, headquartered in Tullahoma.

******MEDIA COORDINATION INSTRUCTIONS******

Media interested in attending the farewell ceremony must RSVP by calling the Tennessee National Guard Public Affairs Office at (615) 313-0633.

WHO: Tennessee National Guards 1-181st Field Artillery Regiment

WHAT: Deployment Departure Ceremony

WHEN: March 7, 2021, ceremony starts at approximately 1 p.m.

WHERE: Smyrnas Volunteer Training Site on flight line behind building 609
The underlying macro-economic fundamentals of rising electric vehicles demand, green energy solutions such as wind power, consumer electronics and automation were starting to underpin the favourable prices the company is getting for these ores, Lacaze said and made it clear that no one is better placed than Lynas to capitalise on this. Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze says megatrends like clean energy are starting to underpin demand and pricing for rare earths. Credit:Louise Kennerley Rare earths are an excellent investment opportunity for exposure to the global megatrends that will shape our economies and our behaviours over the next decade, she said. And Lynas, amongst all the opportunities, is uniquely positioned to respond to those megatrends. You dont have to look far to find evidence of these megatrends. This week, Volvo joined General Motors, Ford, Audi and other major car manufacturers in laying out a roadmap to stop making fossil-fuel-powered cars by 2030. US President Joe Biden has vowed to replace his governments 650,000 car fleet with electric vehicles and his $US1.9 trillion ($2.4 trillion) stimulus package includes hundreds of billions of dollars earmarked for clean energy projects.

It is all good news for rare earths - the 17 elements crucial to the manufacture of many hi-tech products such as mobile phones, electric cars and wind turbines. This includes Neodymium and Praseodymium (NdPr), key elements that Lynas produces, which are crucial ingredients in electric vehicles and wind turbines. A new Tesla needs about two kilograms of NdPr, and new wind turbines around 150 kilos. Australias new F-35 jet fighter requires more than 400 kilograms of rare earth materials, according to a US congressional report. Lacaze did not name her new rivals, but it is not hard to find them. New rivals

Perth-based ASX-listed Hastings Technology Metals is raising $100 million from investors as part of its $450 million rare earths processing plants in Western Australia. Hastings was happy to refer its investors to the recent Lynas results showing prices for NdPr had reached $US55,000 a tonne two months ago  further highlighting the swift re-rating of the NdPr sector, it said. The company also reported that the price of NdPr oxide has soared from about $US70,000 a tonne a month ago to almost $US86,000 now. Long-time Lynas watcher Dylan Kelly from Ord Minnett nearly doubled Hastings share price target to 30 cents, and gave it a speculative buy recommendation. The rare earths thematic is firing and Hastings strategic position warrants a rerate, he said. Iluka Resources has also beefed up plans to invest more than $1 billion to replicate Lynass miner/processor operations, all within Australia. Goldman Sachs rated Iluka a buy based on its compelling mineral sands and rare earths potential which currently consists of a feasibility study to be completed in 12 months.

The federal government jumped onto the bandwagon on Thursday, announcing a 10-year road map to create more value-added mineral processing capacity in Australia. Loading Its part of a broader push to make Australia one of the developed worlds linchpin suppliers of rare earths and critical minerals as concerns grow over China, which dominates supply. Lynas has already received financial support from the US government to set up processing in the country following Americas own concerns about Chinas choke-hold on this market. China controls 80 per cent of the rare earths market, with Lynas currently acting as the only significant producer outside of the country. But it doesnt mean rare earth prices, and rare earth stocks, have left behind the turbulence that saw many firms collapse over the last decade.

Ord Minnetts Kelly downgraded Lynas from a buy recommendation to lighten after the stock more than doubled since July last year, citing concerns that current NdPr prices are unsustainable in the near term. Whilst an important value driver for Lynas earnings, NdPr prices are typically unreliable as they represent a small (40,000 tonnes per annum), and opaque Chinese domestic market, Kelly said. To give an idea of how this compares to the major resource markets, the iron ore sector shipped about 900 million tonnes last year and copper topped out at 920 million tonnes. Not even Lacaze is getting carried away with the current share price. We dont get drunk on the price, she told analysts and investors last week.
PITTSFIELD  The first time photographer Barbara Schmick saw Police Chief Michael Wynn in his blue velvet Santa costume on Facebook, she just knew she had to photograph him.

A week before Christmas, Schmick posted photos of Wynn, clad in his holiday police suit  Santa badge and all  smiling, posing in Springside Park. The week before that, she had photographed author and Pittsfield resident Ty Allan Jackson in front of a graffiti wall along train tracks in Pittsfield.

"When I was photographing [Wynn], he mentioned the series 'Humans of New York' [a photography project started by Brandon Stanton in 2010]," Schmick said in a phone interview. "I thought, 'Oh, that's an interesting idea.' And I created my own People of Pittsfield project."

The series is now in its 10th week. Each week, Schmick picks a different person and a different location in Pittsfield.

"Because each one is different, I'm meeting all kind of people," she said. "Some of them I know, others I had never heard of; coming from Manhattan [where Schmick and her husband, Eagle business columnist Bill Schmick, lived before moving to Pittsfield] everything and everyone was so anonymous. Here, we have so many intelligent, creative, kind, generous souls  right here in Pittsfield."

She posts the photos weekly on her Facebook page (www.facebook.com/barbaraschmickphotography) and participants who agree to be photographed are given free images for their time, she said. Her subjects which so far include Dottie's Coffee Lounge owner Jessica Rufo; Bill Mangiardi, director of Farm and Facilities at Hancock Shaker Village; and Madison Quinn, who created her own nonprofit at 13, "Strong Little Souls"  are often nominated by someone, or ask to be a part of the project.

What they wear, how they pose, or who they are photographed with are up to them, said Schmick.

"I let their personality really come out during the shoot," she said.

In week eight, Megan Whilden, executive director of The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), brought some of her famous props from her previous job as Pittsfield's cultural development director.

"[Barbara] inspired me to dig up some fun costume elements I havent worn in years, including a leopard Snuggie (remember those?) and a Carmen Miranda fruit basket hat that I first wore for a tropical-themed Third Thursdays," Whilden said in an email. "We spent the whole hour laughing together!"

The project, Schmick said, is helping her "stay creative" during a time when she is trying to re-grow her photography business. Schmick had been a photographer as a side job for more than 20 years until she committed full time almost a year ago last March when she left her full-time job at Berkshire Money Management.

"My mother dying the year before [in 2019] made me look at life a whole different way," she said of her decision to pursue her passion for photography. "I started to question what I was doing, and that voice inside me said, 'life is too short.' So, I decided to leave that safe, secure job at the age of 62 and find what was next for me in life."

To learn more What: Barbara Schmick Photography, Berkshire Visions More information: To see the People in Pittsfield Series, visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/barbaraschmickphotography; to learn more about family photo shoots visit www.berkshirevisions.com.

What came next, unfortunately, was a pandemic. Rebuilding her business "has been a challenge."

For now, she's doing photoshoots outdoors, using a zoom lens to keep a safe distance away. When she's not photographing People of Pittsfield subjects, she's also available to do family photo shoots and is interested in doing more with dogs.

"I think my dog is getting tired of me photographing him," she said with a laugh.

Schmick recently signed a lease in the Clock Tower Building on South Church Street to set up her own studio, where she hopes she can soon start to safely do photo sessions indoors. As for how many People of Pittsfield she is going to photograph, Schmick said she's just "going with the flow."

"The project is making me appreciate more and more where I live," she said. "... I have a long list of people who want to be photographed, so I'll keep going until it doesnt feel right anymore. But for now, I'm really enjoying it. I look forward to each shoot see what people will bring out in themselves."
ADVERTISEMENT

A resident who spoke to the BBC Hausa Service said the terrorists have recently been frequently attacking the area to destroy lives and properties. The Zamfara model of appeasing the terrorists and bandits has failed woefully and our security forces should take the battle to them.

The governor of Zamfara is implementing what he calls a successful model for handling terrorism and banditry in the State. On March 1, a long interview with him, carried out before the abduction of female students in the State, was published in Trust. Therein, he proclaimed: Alhamdulillahi, since we started the peace accord, there have been tremendous successes achieved in rescuing people that were under captivity. Some foreign nationals were in captivity for over eight months but when I became governor, I rescued most of them without paying anything. This is an issue of understanding and diplomacy. It is not an issue that can be fought completely. There is nowhere in the world that war or fight resolved an issue. In the end, they still all have to come to the negotiating table to discuss peace for both sides to understand and agree on the peace by negotiating a way forward.

He added: On the issue of peace, I thank Allah for giving me the wisdom to initiate the peace accord with these people and we have recorded a lot of successes. His success, he explained, is essentially due to his negotiating skills, and which is based on implementing their demands  that Hausa militia, Yan Sakai, be stopped from attacking and killing Fulani armed bandits and razing down their homes and preventing them from going to markets. It is to just be talking and working out a peace agreement: The disarmament has been going on smoothly and the good part of it is that we have not given anyone anything. They are turning in their weapons and so far, we have collected so many sophisticated weapons from them which were submitted willingly.

On the claim that no money is paid to the bandits, the only way to read it is the way well informed people do  when government says hostages were released with no ransom paid, the meaning is that HOSTAGES WERE RELEASED AFTER THE PAYMENT OF A LARGE RANSOM. The kidnappers have only one reason to take hostages  to make money. They take the hostages at great risk to their own lives and in the conduct of their work, they often kill innocent people. The idea that sweet talk will get them to release hostages is told to us because that is the right thing to say. Government should not publicly admit that it is using the public treasury to transfer large amounts of public resources to criminals and gangsters who are abducting and killing innocent citizens, so let us not drag the issue of: no money was paid.

The decision of the Federal Government to issue a shoot on sight order for criminals with weapons, the declaration of the no fly zone and the ban on mining in Zamfara State must have been precipitated by concerns that the State has become a safe haven for bandits for too long and the security dynamics needs to change.

It was shortly after his interview that 279 schoolgirls of Government Girls Secondary School, Jengebe were abducted. On the basis of the Zamfara model, Governor Mutawalle decided to negotiate for the release of the girls by asking the bandits and kidnappers he had succeeded in convincing to exit the industry to go and persuade the kidnappers who had refused his peace offering to release the girls without any payment, and that was exactly what happened, the governor told us. The story does not make sense. If there are two categories of bandits  one which refused and the other which accepted the peace deal, why would the camp that took the decision to continue release the girls without payment? What is even more concerning is the information from the governor that the two groups are talking to each other.

The current situation in Zamfara State is that there are two categories of bandits  the repenters and non-repenters  who are apparently working together. The repenters have secured a peace deal offering protection to bandits. The non-repenters continue with their activities, benefitting from the protection umbrella secured by their diplomatic colleagues who intercede when there is a big kidnapping that embarrasses government. If their intervention involves the exchange of money, it means they have conned the State government into a situation in which they collaborate to secure impunity for their actions, while the objective of their industrial scale criminality continues unabated.

The decision of the Federal Government to issue a shoot on sight order for criminals with weapons, the declaration of the no fly zone and the ban on mining in Zamfara State must have been precipitated by concerns that the State has become a safe haven for bandits for too long and the security dynamics needs to change. Three weeks ago, Governor El Rufai of Kaduna State had complained publicly at the harm of States working at cross purposes in the North-West, with some negotiating and offering safe havens to terrorists, while others are trying to take the combat to them. The core problem is that even when they reduce their criminal activities in friendly States, they increase the havoc they create in antagonistic States, so we cannot but agree with El Rufai that the only way forward is to eliminate them. Katsina State had also tried the path of negotiation and regretted the outcome in the form of increased banditry, arson and kidnapping.

These issues must be addressed if we are to move towards a resolution of the underlying crisis of too many guns in the hands of competing Hausa and Fulani militia in the zone. We must exit the dismal tunnel to self-destruction.

The crumbling of the Zamfara model should inspire the Federal Government to be more resolute in combating criminality. The Zamfara State Government on Wednesday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Jengebe town, Talata Marafa Local Government, after violence erupted following the return of the girls. This followed riots by agitated parents of the girls who were being subjected to a long wait for the creation of photo ops for government officials proclaiming their great success in securing the release of the girls. When the agitated parents made their voices heard, the security agents turned their guns on them and some were killed. It is inconceivable that the army will shoot at the parents demanding the release of their daughters so they can get back home on time, but sadly that is what appeared to have happened.

As I was writing this column, reports came in that terrorists have burnt down more than half of Ruwan Tofa, a town in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State and abducted at least 60 persons, including women and children. The BBC Hausa Service reported that the residents have started fleeing the town to nearby areas for safety. A resident who spoke to the BBC Hausa Service said the terrorists have recently been frequently attacking the area to destroy lives and properties. The Zamfara model of appeasing the terrorists and bandits has failed woefully and our security forces should take the battle to them.

Meanwhile, it is important to research the root causes of the explosion of criminality and widespread insecurity in the North-West. Zamfara became the centre of banditry because of the significant land alienation that had occurred, which made it difficult for pastoralists to access pasture. Many herder families were accused of trespassing on land that did not belong to them and their cattle were taken in bribes by law enforcement officers working with the landlords. Arms procurement became widespread and what started as limited cattle rustling exploded into the mass criminality we have today. These issues must be addressed if we are to move towards a resolution of the underlying crisis of too many guns in the hands of competing Hausa and Fulani militia in the zone. We must exit the dismal tunnel to self-destruction.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.
President Joe Biden speaks during a virtual call to congratulate the NASA JPL Perseverance team on the successful Mars Landing in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on March 4, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Oliver Contreras-Pool/Getty Images)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  The Valenzuela City government has witnessed an increased public confidence in vaccines after more than 200 medical frontliners were inoculated against COVID-19, its mayor said on Friday.

Vaccine supply from the national government is expected to increase as Valenzuela City recorded a "very good" reception following the vaccination of 250 medical frontliners this week, Mayor Rex Gatchalian told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Ngayon.

"It's a very good sign na 'yung mga medical frontliners natin ay getting themselves inoculated. 'Yung agam-agam ay nag-dissipate," he said.

[Translation: It's a very good sign that our medical frontliners are getting themselves inoculated. The doubt dissipated.]

According to Gatchalian, 90% or about 700 medical workers of the Valenzuela Medical Center have already signed up for vaccination. Around 80% of the staff of Valenzuela Emergency Hospital have also expressed their intention to get immunized.

Without disclosing current figures, he claimed the city's online registration for COVID-19 vaccination has also started gaining traction from residents.

Gatchalian said when they opened the online portal in January, the registration traffic was slow, only recording 16,000.

"Pero unti-unti nag-up ang numero dahil nakikita nila na mismong mga medical workers na ang nag-e-endorso," Gatchalian stressed.

[Translation: But the number is slowly going up because they see that it is the medical workers themselves who are endorsing.]

The vaccinated medical workers, he said, would be "influencers... walking advertisements for vaccination."

"Sila ang gagamiting talking heads para mabawasan ang reservations, agam-agam," he said.

[Translation: They will be our talking heads to reduce doubts and reservations.]

The mayor also said the local government unit will continue to boost its massive information campaign to entice more residents to get vaccinated.

Its 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are expected to arrive by the second half of 2021 and would be allotted for 300,000 individuals or 71% of the city's adult population.
Ford E-250 Econoline Van Replacement Tires

My 2003 Ford E-250 Econoline Van blew the passenger rear tire on the expressway the other day. The van has Hankook Dynapro, Size: HT, Lt225/75R16 E1, purchased new 45,000 miles ago. At the time of purchase I was told the tires were rated at 80,000 miles. I do only Chicago city expressway driving and want a 10 ply all-season tire that's good in wet conditions that will last.



I called Discount Tire, Tire Rack, Tire Tracks, Just Tires, DeRe Tires, and my Ford dealer to start my investigation to find a better set of tires. To my surprise, I got six different answers. Seems either they were pushing off-road tires or what they had in stock. Here are some of the recommendations:



Goodyear dealer recommended DuroTrac off-road tires at $250+ per tire.

Discount Tire recommended Hankook Dynapro AT2 - 60,000 mile warranty.

Tire Rack recommended Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude Tires - Their customer reviews said "Don't buy these tires!"

Ford - Said to buy Firestone Transport HT commercial truck tires.

Sumitomo Tires were mentioned as an alternative tire made in Thailand by a Japanese Company



Looking for the membership opinions/experience on which tires to consider.



John
Its named after a Soviet-era satellite and was looked on with scepticism by European scientists.

But now Russias Sputnik V jab could help solve some of the Covid-19 vaccine shortage that has chastened EU countries like Ireland.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has began a rolling review of the vaccine. If approved, there is a promise of enough for 50 million Europeans from June.

What do we know about the vaccine and what could it mean for Ireland?





Transparency concerns

For a long time there was mistrust around news from Russia that it had developed a successful Covid-19 vaccine. It was approved for use in Russia a month in advance of its final stage clinical trials being published. There was strong criticism that it was cutting corners.





On par with the best

However, a study published in The Lancet last month, which looked at its phase three trial involving 20,000 volunteers, showed the two-dose vaccine was more than 90pc effective in protecting people against Covid-19 illness.

The results referred to symptomatic cases and more research is needed on how it affects asymptomatic disease.

However, that efficacy rate would put it on the same scale as the top-performing vaccines like the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna jabs.

It works on the same technology used in the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

The German government gave it new status when it announced that it would give it to its citizens if it passed all relevant clinical trials and would help it in getting European approval.

The promise is that around 1.4 billion doses could be produced this year  enough for 700 million people.

It is also undergoing evaluation by the World Health Organisation. The Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia have all expressed interest in the vaccine.





Safety and quality

The EMA said its decision to start the rolling review is based on results from laboratory studies and clinical studies in adults.

These studies indicate that Sputnik V triggers the production of antibodies and immune cells that target coronavirus and may help protect against Covid-19.

It will evaluate data as they become available to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.

The rolling review will continue until enough evidence is available for a formal marketing authorisation application.

It will assess its compliance with the usual EU standards for effectiveness, safety and quality. While it cannot predict the overall timelines, it should take less time than normal to evaluate an eventual application because of the work done during the rolling review.





More cavalry

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is expected to be approved by the EMA next week.

This is a one-shot vaccine and has been called a game-changer  although there is something of a jinx on that term now when it comes to vaccines.

It will mean four vaccines have been approved for use here. In the Governments new Covid plan, it expects to get around 200,694 doses each month from April to June.





Ramping up

The problem is not that Ireland has not ordered enough vaccine  its that supplies are too slow arriving to meet demand. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said we have ordered enough doses of Covid-19 vaccine to inoculate 10.3 million people.

However, manufacturing capacity means these are coming in limited deliveries and even then there are gaps in the schedule.

It is expected more than 250,000 a week are due here and could be administered each week from April.

That is a big logistical exercise and will test the HSE, not just in terms of having enough vaccinators but also ensuring its registration system is running efficiently.
Remember when EV and hydrogen truck maker Nikola listed last year? The stock soared in the first months of trading, only to slump heavily just a few months later after allegations were madeand later confirmedthat the CEO of the company had misled investors about its products.

According to some analysts, many companies like Nikola are out there touting EVs, solar, wind, and hydrogen.

And many of them will sink, taking their investors down with them.

Every green energy proposal we have examined relies on the trifecta of wind, solar, and electric vehicles combined with various battery technologies, said Leigh Goehring and Adam Rozencwajg from research firm G&R Associates in a quarterly market commentary.

In recent months, a renewed hydrogen mania has broken out as well, which adds a fourth leg to the green energy stool, Goehring and Rozencwajg added. These plans, including the current hydrogen craze, are bound to at best severely disappoint and, at worst, outright fail in what they attempt to accomplish.

There are plenty of signs that support the wary take of the two commodity investment veterans. Green hydrogen, for instance, has been hogging headlines as a fuel and energy carrier for the future, even though analysts praising its potential have been noting that it will be years before it becomes economically viable. Some even doubt it ever will.

Related Video: The Climate Change Bankers, For Better or Worse

Solar and wind are cheap when it comes to components as the production costs of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines fall, but they are far from cheap when you factor in everything necessary to produce and supply electricity to end consumers reliably. Energy storage, to ensure the energy produced by a solar farm will not be wasted when the sun goes down, is far from cheap. It is also only enough to store power for a couple of hours.

The EV industry, for its part, is seeing its very own bubble. Automotive startups are going public at what would have been an unthinkable rate just a few years ago, all thanks to special-purpose acquisition vehicles. While not new, these were not particularly popular in the past. Now, theyre all the rage, and, as Goehring and Rozencwajg point out, this is another cause for worry.

Special-purpose acquisition companies are basically pools of investors that have no business activity of their own. They raise money by listing on a stock exchange for the sole purpose of acquiring another company, saving this company the trouble of going through the tedium of an initial public offer. Just last year, special-purpose acquisition companies raised some $40 billion, with a mandate to acquire as-of-yet unidentified clean energy assets, the commodity vets wrote in their report.

This is troubling because the initial public offering tedium does have its advantages: companies filing for IPOs are obliged to disclose a lot of information about their operations and assets. Companies going public via mergers with SPACs are not. Opacity has never been an investors friend, and it is not one now.

For all the red flags, the clean energy mania is unlikely to recede until the first dominos start to fall. The chief reason here is government support. In Europe and, since Biden became president, in the United States, billions are being planned to be poured out into clean energy and electric vehicles. With so much support from the highest places, it is no wonder that investors are pretty confident in their bets on the renewable trifecta and hydrogen. Whether this confidence is justified objectively is another question. After all, no one has ever argued that governments do not make mistakesmistakes that can cost billions sometimes.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Friday said it expects that the will put things in order and comply with a judicial order asking authorities to take action and regulate online pathological labs, otherwise contempt action would be initiated.

The high court, which was hearing a plea alleging non-compliance of its order in this regard, also sought to know from the whether its pathological laboratories and hospitals are NABL accredited.

The plea alleged non-compliance of the high court's August 6, 2020 order to take action against illegal online health service aggregators operating in Delhi and to regulate online pathological labs.

There is something fundamentally wrong in the process. Are your own labs and hospitals NABL ( Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited? It is a very fundamental question, Justice Najmi Waziri said.

Delhi government additional standing counsel Sanjoy Ghose and Urvi Mohan submitted that the government has issued a notification intimating all the labs that they have to follow the Supreme Court's order.

The apex court had on April 8, 2020 directed that COVID-19 tests must be carried out in NABL-accredited labs or any agencies approved by the WHO or ICMR.

The high court granted time to the Delhi government to take instructions on the issue and listed the matter for further hearing on March 12.

I expect you to put things in order or else we will probably have to issue contempt notice and shut all your establishments. Find some solutions and put things in order in the interregnum, Justice Waziri orally observed.

Advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi, representing petitioner Dr Rohit Jain, submitted that online pathological labs are not recognised, still they are conducting COVID-19 tests.

They are not accredited labs and not even approved by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), he argued.

The high court had earlier sought response of the Delhi government on the petition seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the top government officials and others for alleged non-compliance of an order asking to take action and regulate online pathological labs.

The petitioner has sought contempt action against Delhi Chief Secretary, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Directors General of Health Service and ICMR for allegedly not complying with the high court's last year order.

Sudhi submitted that the online aggregators like 'healthian' and '1 mg' are illegally operating in Delhi. He claimed that these online aggregators are playing with the lives of the common people and must be banned.

The plea claimed that the government has completely failed to comply with the order of the court by not taking appropriate legal actions against online health aggregators despite the direction.

It alleged that authorities are equally responsible for restraining the illegal practices of online aggregators which are freely being carried out under the eyes of these officials in utter violations of the rules and regulations laid down by statutes and the guidelines issued by the respondents from time to time ever since the outbreak of deadly COVID-19.

It said that several illegal online aggregators are advertising freely by offering attractive packages for body check-ups including the test for COVID-19 through SMSs or various online modes and added that the petitioner has received advertisements of online aggregators through e-mail for getting tested.

The high court, on August 6, 2020 had directed the to take action in accordance with law against online health service aggregators, who are operating illegally without any registration, after hearing all the stakeholders.

The direction had come while disposing of a PIL seeking a ban on allegedly illegal online health service aggregators from collecting diagnostic samples for testing of COVID-19 infection.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)  Nepals government and a communist rebel group formally signed a peace agreement on Friday aimed at ending violent attacks, extortion and bombings by the rebels.

Rebel leader Netra Bikram Chand, better known by his guerrilla name Biplav, emerged out of hiding on Friday after the government lifted a ban on his Nepal Communist Party group so it could take part in the public signing of the peace agreement.

Nepal has entered a peaceful era. There is no more violence in Nepal or any any violent conflicts left in Nepal, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli said at the ceremony.

Under the peace deal, the government will lift its ban on the group, release all party members and supporters from jail and drop all legal cases against them. In exchange, the rebel group agreed to give up all violence and resolve any issues through peaceful dialogue.

This group had split from the Maoist Communist party, which fought government troops between 1996 and 2006, when it gave up its armed revolt, agreed to U.N.-monitored peace talks and joined mainstream politics.

The fighting had left 17,000 people dead, hundreds missing and many more maimed.
New Delhi:

An encounter between security forces and terrorists broke out on Wednesday in Kakpora's Banderpora in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. LeT commander Ayub Lelhari was killed in the encounter.

"He (Ayub Lelhari) was one of the most wanted terrorists. It's a great success for the forces," said SP Vaid, DGP J&K.

"LeT's Ayub Lelhari killed; was also involved in civilian killings, bank robbery. AK47 rifle, magazine, ammunition recovered," said Lt col Ashish Jhingan.

Earlier on Sunday, at least three terrorists including chief operations commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Yaseen Itoo were killed in an encounter with security forces in Awneera village of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian.

Five soldiers were also injured in the encounter, two among them succumbed to injuries while two other terrorists escaped. The encounter broke out on Saturday evening and ended around noon on Sunday.

LeT commander Ayub Lelhari killed in encounter with security forces in J&K 's Pulwama (visuals deferred) pic.twitter.com/1eG1x247NW  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2017

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
By Makiko Yamazaki and Takashi Umekawa

TOKYO (Reuters) - Effissimo Capital Management has gained further backing in its push for a probe into Toshiba Corp, but big stakes built up by investors like BlackRock have raised questions over how much influence it and other activist shareholders will ultimately wield.

Glass Lewis became on Friday the second major proxy advisor to recommend shareholders vote in favour of an independent investigation into allegations that investors were pressured ahead of last year's annual general meeting.

Singapore-based Effissimo, which is Toshiba's top shareholder with a 9.9% stake, made the proposal after investor complaints about the last AGM.

Reuters has reported the Harvard University endowment fund had been told by a Japanese government adviser that it could be subject to a regulatory probe if it voted against management at the AGM. The fund abstained from voting as a result and later learnt there was no basis for any probe, sources have said.

Toshiba conducted its own investigation into complaints about last year's AGM and found it was not involved in any effort to pressure the Harvard fund. It did not reach a conclusion as to whether there had been any pressure.

The vote about the proposed independent investigation will take place at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting on March 18.

Activist investors are estimated to hold about 25% of Toshiba's shares and their dissatisfaction with management saw Chief Executive Nobuaki Kurumatani only narrowly hang onto his job with 57% of the vote at the last AGM.

Toshiba, however, was reinstated in the Topix index on Feb. 25, requiring index-linked funds to purchase its shares - a shift that is expected to dilute the influence of activist shareholders in the longer term.

Both BlackRock Inc and Mizuho Financial Group Inc have built stakes of 5% in Toshiba, filings on Friday and late Thursday showed - stakes which sources familiar with the matter said likely reflects the need to have shares on hand for their customers.

Story continues

Toshiba shares jumped 6% on the news.

But to vote at the March 18 meeting, shareholders need to have held Toshiba shares as of Feb. 1. It is unclear at what point BlackRock and Mizuho began additional share purchases.

BlackRock and Mizuho declined to comment.

Toshiba had no immediate comment.

Glass Lewis also joined Institutional Shareholder Services Inc (ISS) in recommending that a probe look into allegations of vote miscounting at last year's AGM.

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd has acknowledged it made mistakes in the counting but Effissimo says some irregularities have not been accounted for.

Unlike ISS, Glass Lewis also backed a proposal from U.S. hedge fund Farallon Capital Management, Toshiba's second largest shareholder, which wants the board to present a five-year capital policy plan or make certain returns to shareholders.

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Takashi Umekawa; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Interior Department staffers churned out dozens of drilling permits despite an order for upper-level review. The U.S. Postal Service spurned green alternatives and bought tens of thousands of gasoline-powered vehicles. And across the government, Donald Trump loyalists remain in influential positions.

President Joe Biden is being defied by his own government as his ambitious plans to undo four years of Trump run into a harsh reality: The government lumbers on, slow to turn course even after an election. Cumbersome bureaucracy threatens his agenda on everything from fighting climate change to ending the coronavirus pandemic.

"You load these systems up and they are going to keep grinding," said Paul C. Light, a professor of public service at New York University. "They don't stop to congratulate the president on his inauguration. They keep going and stopping them is difficult."

An early example occurred as staffers at the Bureau of Land Management approved dozens permits authorizing drilling on federal land despite a Biden order temporarily leaving such decisions to top Interior Department officials. The roughly 70 permits were deemed invalid and revoked days later.

"It appears that on these particular permits, it was indeed the wheels of bureaucracy that were still turning," said Jayson O'Neill, director of the Washington watchdog group Accountable.US.

Then there is the so-called "burrowing" of political appointees converted during Trump's final weeks in office to career civil service positions, making them hard to dismiss. At least two-dozen such employees are in positions, according to Accountable.US, including the head of Federal Student Aid at the Education Department. The department didn't respond to an email seeking comment.

"The potential historic number of holdovers and hangers-on from the previous administration pose a serious threat to the will of the American people and President Biden's efforts to get the pandemic and recession under control," Accountable.US said in a statement.

The White House didn't respond to request for comment on the pace of change.

Ironically, Trump frequently complained that his presidency was bedeviled by a "deep state" of liberal bureaucrats who sought to block his conservative agenda.

Some of the resistance to change is by design: Congress set up many agencies throughout government to be independent, answerable to officials or board members with fixed terms that overlap presidential administrations.

These agencies can pose a particular challenge, and not just in early days of an administration, said Jack Beermann, a professor at Boston University School of Law who studies administrative law.

"It's very hard for a new president to have strong control -- or any control -- over them," Beermann said.

For example, within weeks of Biden issuing an order for the government to buy electric and other climate-friendly vehicles, the independent Postal Service awarded a mammoth contract to buy a fleet made up of mainly gasoline-powered delivery vehicles. A runner-up, Workhorse Group Inc., bid an all-electric fleet and is mulling a protest.

Some lawmakers blamed a notable holdover: Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump donor appointed last year by the Postal Service board.

DeJoy's tenure "has been a disaster," Reps. Tim Ryan and Marcy Kaptur and Senator Sherrod Brown, all Ohio Democrats, wrote in a letter to Biden requesting he halt the vehicle-contract award to Oshkosh Corp., a Wisconsin company. Workhorse is based in Ohio.

Mail delivery still hasn't recovered from a slowdown that began after DeJoy cut overtime and extra trips by delivery trucks last year in an effort to rein in costs. But he remains in his job, with the president unable to replace him. The Biden appointees to the postal board of governors who may be able to do that are awaiting Senate confirmation.

In other cases, Biden simply hasn't fired Trump political appointees in key positions at agencies such as the Social Security Administration, the FBI, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, said Jeff Hauser, executive director of the Revolving Door Project at the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

"Our view is that Biden is taking over from a president who routinely and systematically undermined the rule of law and did not govern in good faith and everyone serving in the Trump administration is presumably an ally of Trump," Hauser said, adding that removing Trump appointees from office is "low-hanging fruit" for Biden to pick.

Some parts of the government remain at less than full speed as the White House and Senate try to confirm agency leaders. The Federal Communications Commission, for instance, has been at a 2-2 partisan deadlock since Biden took office and the agency's Republican chairman, Ajit Pai, voluntarily departed.

The FCC should act forcefully as soon as it can, suggested Sen. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, to restore net-neutrality protections created under Obama appointees and voided by Trump ones.

"A new day has dawned," Markey told reporters on Tuesday.
Warren County Democrats are accusing Phillipsburg Town Council President Frank McVey of intentionally and maliciously mispronouncing a womans name.

During the Feb. 25 meeting of the Phillipsburg Land Use Board, McVey introduces himself as a private citizen and refers to a social media post by Warren County Democratic Committee Vice Chairwoman Theresa Bender Chapman.

McVey appears to mispronounce the a at the end of Theresa as an er and add an over between Bender and Chapman, followed by or Chipman or something.

YouTube user Phillipsburg Riverside Chat on Wednesday posted the portion of the meeting where McVey comments.

In a statement released Thursday to lehighvalleylive.com, the committee says McVey referred to Chapman as Theresa Bend-her-over Chapman during the meeting held and recorded via Zoom, labeling it an attack of a vicious and sexual nature and misogynistic and unacceptable offense.

This open public meeting became a hostile environment by creating a sexual visual when the Council President intentionally and maliciously misstated Ms. Bender-Chapmans name, the statement reads. Chapman signed an email Thursday to lehighvalleylive.com as just Theresa Chapman. She ran as a Democrat last year for the Warren County Board of Commissioners and appeared on the ballot as Theresa Bender Chapman.

The exchange and accusations were reported earlier Thursday by insidernj.com. Warren County Republican Committee Chairman Douglas Steinhardt tweeted a link to that article, saying he hopes McVeys mispronunciation was innocent & accidental. If not, it was childish & beneath the dignity of his office. Either way, he owes Ms. Chapman an apology & I extend mine on behalf of the county committee.

I would hope that Councilman McVeys mispronunciation was innocent & accidental. If not, it was childish & beneath the dignity of his office. Either way, he owes Ms. Chapman an apology & I extend mine on behalf of the @WCGOPNJ

- https://t.co/dlb5SEjnEN  Douglas Steinhardt (@DSteinhardtEsq) March 4, 2021

McVey during the Feb. 25 meeting clarifies to land use board Chairman William Duffy that he is speaking as a town resident, not council president, and wanted to know if the board was going to discuss the towns proposal to rezone part of its riverfront redevelopment district to industrial from residential.

McVey goes on to criticize the land use board attorney, Scott Wilhelm, for appearing earlier in the meeting to speak over councils delegate to the board, Council Vice President Bobby Fulper. McVey tells Wilhelm hes not that impressed with the attorneys conduct during the meeting. Wilhelm seeks to clarify he did not speak over Fulper, and that Fulper can speak for himself.

And whether youre impressed with me I dont really care, Wilhelm replies. And I think it would be appropriate if you call Ms. Bender Chapman by her right name. I dont think that was appropriate to call her Ms. Bender Over Chapman. Youre not really being very helpful with your comments.

My man, I didnt say that and for what your pay grade is and what my pay grade is, I am more unimpressed by you, McVey replies. I dont know Ms. Chapman, you obviously do, so I just tried to, I just tried to figure out what it was, but if thats what you want to say thats great, Im more unimpressed by you.

McVey on Thursday said he was not trying to make a joke at the expense of Bender Chapman, a Harmony Township resident.

I mispronounced her name because I dont know her name, McVey told lehighvalleylive.com. I attempted to say it, I dont know why I struggle with it. Theres only one person in that Zoom room that said those words verbatim, and that was the attorney. At no point did that come out of my mouth, nor was there the will or the intention or purposeful speech of that to come out of my mouth.

McVey on Thursday called for Wilhelms removal as land use board attorney.

Wilhelm, who said during the meeting he was not familiar with Bender Chapman, said the board appoints its attorney and he is confident its members are happy with his legal counsel.

The video speaks for itself, Wilhelm said, adding hes heard from numerous town residents thanking him for standing up for Bender Chapman.

Bender Chaprman was also in attendance at last months meeting, and commented right after McVey to point out they have met and talked a couple of times. The mother of two, who works as a special education teacher, is involved with Citizens for Sustainable Development and has been keeping a close eye on development in communities like White Township and along the Delaware River in Phillipsburg.

The riverfront rezoning is due for discussion at the land use boards March meeting, Duffy said.

Along with Fulper, Councilman Randy Piazza Jr. also attended the land use board meeting. Fulper said Thursday he had no concerns about the quorum of the five-member council taking part because council doesnt vote on land use board issues. Town councils attorney, Rich Wenner, also said there was no open-meeting violation because the council members did not gather for the purposes of pursuing town business: They do not give up their right to attend public meetings. Wilhelm did caution Fulper to recuse himself from a design waiver that came up during last months meeting and will come before council.

He was upset because he thought the attorney had cut me off, which he didnt Fulper said, chalking that up to interaction over video-teleconferencing.

As for McVeys pronunciation, Fulper said he believes McVey was trying to get his words out too fast.

Ive known Frank McVey my whole life and he has never once, not once, done anything inappropriate to the extent of this allegation, Fulper said, adding later: I know Frank McVey. If Frank McVey meant to say that, it would have been clear as day.

Piazza, who said he also took part in the meeting as a citizen, said McVey messes up names all the time, but that he doesnt think it was malicious.

I honestly didnt hear it the first time, I guess the way he spoke her name or whatever, but I did hear the attorney say it, Piazza said.

McVey, who is seeking re-election this year, said the situation is political as Democrats seek to make inroads on the all-Republican council that has three seats open in 2021.

Ive been through a lot more in my career, he said, adding that three and a half years of Phillipsburg politics have been just as rough as his 27 years with the New Jersey State Police.

McVey acknowledged speaking with Bender Chapman briefly in person about the riverfront development in January, and the two had an exchange about the rezoning in a town council meeting that month.

I have met the Phillipsburg Town Council President, Mr. Frank McVey, in person, Bender Chapman stated this week. I went on a tour of the Industrial area near Howard St. with Mr. McVey. I have exchanged emails with Mr. McVey. Mr. McVey knows who I am. This is very concerning.

I have a daughter and I teach high school and to hear an adult man, a Council President, make this personal attack against me during an open government meeting, it should concern everyone.

Stated Warren County Democratic Committee Executive Director Charles Boddy: When these egregious types of statements and words are made, especially by those in charge, this creates a hostile public forum. Publicly attacking and trying to humiliate any person who is coming forward to speak concerns during public comments is unacceptable and unbecoming of any elected official.

McVey noted that he took part in the land use board meeting from his living room.

My significant other and daughter were in the room, so if Im going to say such a horrible comment in front of my 19-year-old daughter and my significant other, I would have frying pans coming from both sides of my head, he said.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Reporter Steve Novak contributed to this report.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
LANSING, MI  A Michigan State Police trooper is facing felony charges for his on-duty actions in restraining a man with a K-9 for nearly four minutes while the man remained still and begged for relief from the dogs bites.

Parker Surbrook, 33, was arraigned March 5, on one count of felonious assault in 54-A District Court in Ingham County, police said. He is on unpaid suspension until the criminal matter is resolved.

The charge stems from Surbrooks actions during a Nov. 13 arrest in Lansing, recorded by the in-car camera in the police vehicle, police said.

Surbrook, who joined MSP in 2012 and became a K-9 handler in 2017 at the Lansing post, was making a traffic stop where a passenger in the vehicle was believed to be armed, when the vehicle fled and crashed into a tree, police said.

Surbrook responded to the scene with an undercover officer. Once on scene, Surbrook set his K-9 on the driver who had exited the vehicle, leaving the dog on the man for what in-car video published by MSP shows was about three and a half minutes.

The driver can be heard screaming in pain on the video and saying, Please sir, hes on my face, and Surbrook responding with, I dont care. The driver then begs, Please sir, please sir. Please Im begging you sir. Please. Please sir. Please.

Surbrook then tells the dog, Stay on him. Good boy. Surbrook also can be heard asking for backup to arrive faster multiple times.

The driver, who stayed on the ground in the mostly same spot, then says, Im not moving sir.

Surbrook then yells Dont move! and the driver responds with, It hurts sir.

The K-9 is removed from the driver after backup arrives  three and a half minutes later.

The driver then tells the backup officers he is unable to stand. His hip was broken, according to an MSP investigation into the incident.

During the MSP investigation, the driver said he suffered bite injuries to his head, left shoulder blade area, left arm bicep and forearm, left side rib area, left and right side of his pelvic bone area, genitals and the top of the thighs.

Surbrook was taken out of service until supervisors reviewed his report, as per department policy. He was allowed back to work after the report was reviewed, but before video of the incident was watched, according to the investigation. He was again removed from service Dec. 8, after the investigation started.

The passenger in the vehicle did have a gun and was taken into custody by the undercover cop with the help of Surbrook, according to the investigation report.

Its normal to leave a K-9 on a person until a second suspect in an incident is in custody, according to the report. Surbrook is trained in multiple ways to remove the K-9 after the second suspect is in custody, but he left the K-9 on the driver for one minute and 50 seconds after the second suspect in this incident was in custody until backup arrived., the report states.

The Michigan State Police is an agency that prides itself in our troopers abilities to react with calm and confidence even in the most dangerous and harrowing of circumstances, MSP Director Col. Joe Gasper said in a statement.

While the unfortunate reality for police officers is that use of force is sometimes a necessary action to ensure the protection of themselves or others, care and concern for human life should always be at the forefront of any police officers actions. This makes Trooper Surbrooks disregard of the drivers pleas for help totally unacceptable.

Read the MSP investigation report here.

Surbrook was granted a $5,000 bond and a preliminary examination is scheduled for March 25.

Read more from MLive here:

Is it too soon to ease restrictions? Michigan economist says mortality data should determine reopening

Plastic sheeting and hockey-style penalty boxes: What jury trials will look like in Michigan courtrooms

These 682 Michigan businesses won grants in first-come, first-served virtual scramble
Mystery deepened around the suspicious vehicle recently found outside Mukesh Ambani's Mumbai residence as its owner was found dead in a creek on Friday.

The body of one Mansukh Hiren whose car (Scorpio SUV) was found outside Mukesh Ambani's residence (with gelatin inside it), died by suicide by jumping into Kalwa creek. An accidental death report (ADR) has been registered, said Thane DCP.



Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly slammed Uddhav Thackeray government for not giving protection to Hiren.

"I asked in House for protection to Mansukh Hiren, as he's the main link in the case and might be in danger. Now we get to know of his body being found. It makes the case fishy. Looking at this and alleged terror angle, we demand that case be handed over to NIA," said Fadnavis to reporters.





Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said in the state legislative Assembly that the car's owner was Sam Muten who had given it to Mansukh Hiren for maintenance of its interiors. Hiren had kept the car in his custody when Sam didn't pay for it.

Mansukh, around 45 years old, had gone missing on Thursday night. The body was found on the banks of the creek along the Mumbra Reti Bunder road, a senior official of Thane Police said.

Mansukh's Scorpio with gelatin sticks inside was found near 'Antilia', Ambani's multi-storey residence in South Mumbai, on February 25. Police had said it had been stolen from Airoli-Mulund Bridge on February 18.

Crime Branch of Mumbai police had recorded Mansukh's statement in the case. Mansukh, who was in vehicle spare parts business, had said he had lodged a police complaint after the SUV was stolen.

On Friday afternoon his family members approached Naupada Police Station in Thane saying he had gone missing.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Police in Kalamazoo seized fentanyl, three guns and $18,000 in cash while conducting drug-related search warrants at four locations.

The discovered fentanyl, 110 grams, was one of the single largest seizures of the deadly drug in Kalamazoo County, according to Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety investigators.

Officers with the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team and a Crime Reduction Team found the items during investigations at the following locations: 3300 block of Lincolnshire Boulevard, 1300 block of N. Church St, 100 block of E. Maple St and the 800 block of Hazard St.

Police conducted the search warrants in direct response to a recent increase in opiate-related overdoses and overdose deaths in the Kalamazoo area.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers said the searches came in relation to alleged fentanyl sales by two Kalamazoo men, ages 33 and 28.

In the searches, police seized 110 grams of fentanyl, a large amount of suspected ecstasy, three firearms, ammunition and more than $18,000 in cash. Police also found additional evidence of a narcotics distribution network.

Police said the two men are facing several felony charges.
A new UN report on human rights conditions in Iran paints a bleak and disturbing picture. UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran Javaid Rehman expressed concern over a wide range of violations, among them the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, including children.

The LGBTQI+ community in Iran faces severe abuse and harassment by authorities. Consensual sexual activity between adults of the same sex is criminalized in Iran, and the death sentence can be imposed as a penalty. Special Rapporteur Rehman wrote in his report, The criminalization of same-sex consensual acts legitimizes violence by State actors and private individuals, including the use of torture, beatings and rape by law enforcement and vigilantes.

Of particularly great concern, Mr. Rehman cited reports that LGBTQI+ children were subjected to electric shocks, the administration of hormones and strong psychoactive medications  practices, the UN report said, that amount to torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and violate the States obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the child.

The U.S. State Departments most recent human rights report on Iran also noted violations targeting the LGBTQI+ community, including death or flogging as punishments for consensual sexual activity, as well as summary trials for those accused of sodomy. Additionally, the State Department noted that security forces harassed, arrested and detained individuals they suspected of being LGBTI and cited reports from NGOs that authorities pressured LGBTI persons to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

On February 4, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a presidential memorandum which declared, It shall be the policy of the United States to pursue an end to violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, and to lead by the power of our example in the cause of advancing the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world.

In a statement on the same day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the struggle to end the abuses committed against LGBTQI+ persons a global challenge that remains central to our commitment to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all individuals.

The United States urges all countries, including Iran, to repeal laws that criminalize individuals on the basis of sexual identity and/or gender identity. As Secretary Blinken has made clear, advancing human rights for all individuals, with no exception or caveat, is a U.S. foreign policy priority.
I have written about Coval often and shared a stage with him -- including those sponsored by the Chicago Tribune -- at various literary events. I have written about some of the YCA students have met many more of the young people who have benefitted from YCAs programs in schools across the city and I can tell you that most of them expressed fondness for Coval. But over the course of the last few days, filled with Zoom meetings between Coval and some members of the board, Covals time at YCA came to an end.
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support



Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,119 Thanked: 10,062 Times

Driving the 3.0L Turbo-Petrol AT

This is what most of us have been waiting to get the word on = how the M340i drives. The newer B58 engine packs quite a punch with 382 BHP and 500 Nm, and it sounds slightly better than the previous N55/S55 engine too. We've already had this motor here for a short while in other cars like the X5/X7, but in a vehicle of this size, it is something special. The power on tap makes it an "almost M3", because the ratings & performance are comparable to earlier-gen M3s. What's more, a simple remap will take the M340i to 440 BHP (do it after the warranty though).



Upon coming to life, there is a nice muted roar from the mufflers, which stays for a couple of seconds until the cold start is completed. You immediately realise there is something special lurking under the hood. The engine then settles down into a smooth idle, characteristic of a BMW straight-6. The M340i has a pleasing sound, and it makes us want to slap on a louder exhaust ASAP. The engine screams towards the redline, has a few burbles on deceleration and liftoff, and gives out a sporty sound on upshifts .



The gearbox is the renowned 8-speed ZF, and not much needs to be said about this AT, because just like Porsche, BMW almost always gets it spot on. This is no exception. It's near perfectly matched to the engine, shifts up quickly, and doesn't hesitate to downshift with just a jab on the A-pedal. I couldn't find a reason to complain, and I did look hard for areas of improvement! The way that BMW tunes its engines & gearboxes is the best in the business (matched only by Porsche).



The car has a very Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dual personality. It's an angel when you need it to be, and an absolute monster when you floor the pedal. Within the city, the low end torque is great and with imperceptible turbo lag, the 340i was easy to drive around in Bombay. The steering is light, the engine happily chugs along at low RPMs and the gearbox upshifts early, riding the torque wave. It's very similar to the 330i to drive slowly, except that it's a bit more effortless due to the larger displacement + the ride is noticeably firmer. Once there is a bit of place to open the engine up, you realise that gaps get closed quickly, and overtaking maneuvers are done way too easily. Simply tap & shoot.



But the true fun of the B58 is pushing it, and pushing it h-a-r-d. A long open road with this car is driving pleasure redefined! The engine makes a throaty & sporty sound, which gets amplified as the revs rise...and the soundtrack gets better and better till the redline. Throttle response is instantaneous, the 6-cylinder eagerly revs to 7000 rpm and loves to stay in the red zone. The mid-range too gives you a solid shove into the seat, and the pull doesn't taper off even at high RPMs, and then you're onto the next gear, and the next! The 340i gets to seriously crazy speeds without much effort, and the acceleration will give many more expensive cars a run for their money. 100 gets demolished in 4.4 seconds - this is probably quicker than the M3 from 2 generations ago, and that's saying something. Highway and expressway driving are truly enjoyable with the big reserves of power & sorted handling. Acceleration from even beyond 100 km/h is strong, with the turbo-petrol being relentless. I can't imagine how much fun this would be on an unrestricted Autobahn or race track.



The X-Drive (AWD) system is a first for BMW India in a sedan (non-proper M, of course). And it did remind me of its bigger brother (or maybe, father?) the M5 in the way it allows the M340i to accelerate off the line. Competitors like the C43 and S5 are all wheel drive too, but the 340i just has the edge in terms of how "the feeling" is. It makes you want to push harder, and the X-Drive is calibrated such so as to remove understeer which is characteristic of such systems. You can feel the bias onto the rear wheels, and the feeling is similar to a RWD, with the front wheels getting torque to just assist with traction. That being said, it does grip like a proper AWD in corners, making you carry through speeds you wouldn't normally do, with complete confidence. It sticks like a damn leech to the tarmac ! This also has to do with the M-Sport rear differential, which is capable of fully locking. The M-Sport diff is a great addition and can be felt working its magic when the M340i is being hustled. The steering is direct & accurate enough. While you know what's going on with the front wheels, it's not as communicative or feel-some as the old BMW pure hydraulic units on RWDs. Maybe it was me, but the weight of the steering felt a tad bit more than in the regular 3.



The M-Sport suspension is what comes on the M340i, and it is lowered by 10 mm with stiffer springs + differently tuned dampers. While the ride is noticeably stiffer than the regular 330i, it is quite useable on a daily basis. Ride quality is acceptable for a 4.4 sec 0 - 100 sports sedan, although it is firm and you do feel everything on the road. You as a petrol-head will eventually come around to it, but your parents will tell you to go easy on bad roads. Liveable, albeit not plush at all (not even close). At high speeds, the stability is exceptional and the M340i is rock solid. Even quick lane changes are taken without fuss. In fact, it is very surprising what all one can do with this car, and how much it can be pushed into corners without any fuss at all. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP runflats are the first to give up, screeching away, far before the suspension is near its limits. Mid-corner bumps weren't scary either, and even the largest of expansion joint bumps on the expressway didn't manage to shake the car off its course. She literally "sticks" to the road. On the flip side, the car can feel skittish on typically Indian broken roads.



What will really drive you up the wall is BMW's 80 / 120 km/h warning system which is



The M-Sport brakes are larger with 348 mm rotors at the front and 345s at the rear. The front calipers get 4 pistons each, and provide ample stopping power to slow the car down from high speeds, multiple times, without any sign of fade. I tried high speed braking and the car stopped on a dime. What I also liked is the tuning of the brake pedal; it feels sharp & very enthusiast-oriented. These brakes are needed with such a capable drivetrain and chassis, and help in extracting the most from the M340i. This is what most of us have been waiting to get the word on = how the M340i drives. The newer B58 engine packs quite a punch with 382 BHP and 500 Nm, and it sounds slightly better than the previous N55/S55 engine too. We've already had this motor here for a short while in other cars like the X5/X7, but in a vehicle of this size, it is something special. The power on tap makes it an "almost M3", because the ratings & performance are comparable to earlier-gen M3s. What's more, a simple remap will take the M340i to 440 BHP ().Upon coming to life, there is a nice muted roar from the mufflers, which stays for a couple of seconds until the cold start is completed. You immediately realise there is something special lurking under the hood. The engine then settles down into a smooth idle, characteristic of a BMW straight-6. The M340i has a pleasing sound, and it makes us want to slap on a louder exhaust ASAP. The engine screams towards the redline, has a few burbles on deceleration and liftoff, and gives out a sporty sound on upshiftsThe gearbox is the renowned 8-speed ZF, and not much needs to be said about this AT, because just like Porsche, BMW almost always gets it spot on. This is no exception. It's near perfectly matched to the engine, shifts up quickly, and doesn't hesitate to downshift with just a jab on the A-pedal. I couldn't find a reason to complain, and I did look hard for areas of improvement! The way that BMW tunes its engines & gearboxes is the best in the business (matched only by Porsche).The car has a very Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dual personality. It's an angel when you need it to be, and an absolute monster when you floor the pedal. Within the city, the low end torque is great and with imperceptible turbo lag, the 340i was easy to drive around in Bombay. The steering is light, the engine happily chugs along at low RPMs and the gearbox upshifts early, riding the torque wave. It's very similar to the 330i to drive slowly, except that it's a bit more effortless due to the larger displacement + the ride is noticeably firmer. Once there is a bit of place to open the engine up, you realise that gaps get closed quickly, and overtaking maneuvers are done way too easily. Simply tap & shoot.But the true fun of the B58 is pushing it, and pushing it h-a-r-d. A long open road with this car is driving pleasure redefined! The engine makes a throaty & sporty sound, which gets amplified as the revs rise...and the soundtrack gets better and better till the redline. Throttle response is instantaneous, the 6-cylinder eagerly revs to 7000 rpm and loves to stay in the red zone. The mid-range too gives you a solid shove into the seat, and the pull doesn't taper off even at high RPMs, and then you're onto the next gear, and the next! The 340i gets to seriously crazy speeds without much effort, and the acceleration will give many more expensive cars a run for their money. 100 gets demolished in 4.4 seconds - this is probably quicker than the M3 from 2 generations ago, and that's saying something. Highway and expressway driving are truly enjoyable with the big reserves of power & sorted handling. Acceleration from even beyond 100 km/h is strong, with the turbo-petrol being relentless. I can't imagine how much fun this would be on an unrestricted Autobahn or race track.The X-Drive (AWD) system is a first for BMW India in a sedan (non-proper M, of course). And it did remind me of its bigger brother (or maybe, father?) the M5 in the way it allows the M340i to accelerate off the line. Competitors like the C43 and S5 are all wheel drive too, but the 340i just has the edge in terms of how "the feeling" is. It makes you want to push harder, and the X-Drive is calibrated such so as to remove understeer which is characteristic of such systems. You can feel the bias onto the rear wheels, and the feeling is similar to a RWD, with the front wheels getting torque to just assist with traction. That being said, it does grip like a proper AWD in corners, making you carry through speeds you wouldn't normally do, with complete confidence. It sticks like a damn leech to the tarmac! This also has to do with the M-Sport rear differential, which is capable of fully locking. The M-Sport diff is a great addition and can be felt working its magic when the M340i is being hustled. The steering is direct & accurate enough. While you know what's going on with the front wheels, it's not as communicative or feel-some as the old BMW pure hydraulic units on RWDs. Maybe it was me, but the weight of the steering felt a tad bit more than in the regular 3.The M-Sport suspension is what comes on the M340i, and it is lowered by 10 mm with stiffer springs + differently tuned dampers. While the ride is noticeably stiffer than the regular 330i, it is quite useable on a daily basis. Ride quality is acceptable for a 4.4 sec 0 - 100 sports sedan, although it is firm and you do feel everything on the road. You as a petrol-head will eventually come around to it, but your parents will tell you to go easy on bad roads. Liveable, albeit not plush at all (not even close). At high speeds, the stability is exceptional and the M340i is rock solid. Even quick lane changes are taken without fuss. In fact, it is very surprising what all one can do with this car, and how much it can be pushed into corners without any fuss at all. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP runflats are the first to give up, screeching away, far before the suspension is near its limits. Mid-corner bumps weren't scary either, and even the largest of expansion joint bumps on the expressway didn't manage to shake the car off its course. She literally "sticks" to the road. On the flip side, the car can feel skittish on typically Indian broken roads.What will really drive you up the wall is BMW's 80 / 120 km/h warning system which is indisputably the worst in India . It's loud and it interrupts the music playing. Enthusiasts will surely go to a tuner and get this disabled.The M-Sport brakes are larger with 348 mm rotors at the front and 345s at the rear. The front calipers get 4 pistons each, and provide ample stopping power to slow the car down from high speeds, multiple times, without any sign of fade. I tried high speed braking and the car stopped on a dime. What I also liked is the tuning of the brake pedal; it feels sharp & very enthusiast-oriented. These brakes are needed with such a capable drivetrain and chassis, and help in extracting the most from the M340i. Last edited by Aditya : 5th March 2021 at 12:02 .
Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

The era of Archewell is upon us.

Since the start of 2020, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry have been quietly working on the launch of their new nonprofit organization, Archewell. The charitable initiative comes after the couple stepped away as working senior royals for the British royal family, a move that ultimately saw the denouement of Sussex Royal.

Though the launch of the Archewell Foundation has been delayed due to the Sussexes' commitment to supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and COVID-19 relief efforts, the couple has been increasingly sharing more information about the organization.

Read on to learn everything we know about Archewell.

When did they announce Archewell?

In April 2020, the Sussexes confirmed that they would be continuing their charitable efforts after leaving the royal family under a new nonprofit named Archewell. The two made the announcement after The Telegraph reported documents that showed Meghan and Harry had filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in March.

Like you, our focus is on supporting efforts to tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic but faced with this information coming to light, we felt compelled to share the story of how this came to be, the couple said in a statement at the time.

Why is it called Archewell?

Meghan and Harry revealed in a statement that the Archewell Foundations name took inspiration from their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Before SussexRoyal, came the idea of Archethe Greek word meaning source of action. We connected to this concept for the charitable organization we hoped to build one day, and it became the inspiration for our sons name, read the statement. To do something of meaning, to do something that matters. Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon.

Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski - Getty Images

Why was the launch postponed?

Story continues

With the outbreak of COVID-19 and an international resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Harry and Meghan decided to temporarily postpone the launch of Archewell to redirect their efforts to those two causes, as reported by The Telegraph in June 2020.

On December 31, 2020, the Sussexes launched Archewell's official website, which included childhood photos of themselves with their mothers, Princess Diana and Doria Ragland.

I am my mothers son, and I am our sons mother, the letter for 2021 read. Together we bring you Archewell. We believe in the best of humanity. Because we have seen the best of humanity ... From our mothers and strangers alike.

What will the organization do?

According to the Archewell website, the foundation's core purpose is to uplift and unite communitieslocal and global, online and offlineone act of compassion at a time. We believe that compassion is the defining cultural force of the 21st century, and through the work of our 501(c)(3), we support a growing community of partner organizations fueling systemic cultural change.

The website lists forthcoming projects and partnerships with the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, the Center for Humane Technology, the Loveland Foundation, the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry, and the World Central Kitchen.

Dr. Safiya Noble, the co-director of the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry, commended the Sussexes for working to expose and dismantle the issues of racial inequality.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are deeply committed to using their light to illuminate the problems of inequality and structural racism, the author and UCLA professor says in a statement shared with BAZAAR.com. We have a shared commitment and sense of urgency in making a more compassionate world, much of which is undermined by Internet platforms. I know what they stand for, share in their mission. We look forward to lending our research expertise and networks to our mutual work on the most pressing issues of Internet policy and culture that are accelerating racial, gender, and economic inequity.

In February, the couple also updated the Archewell website to reflect their partnerships with Spotify and Netflix.

The duke and duchess will also head Archewell Audio, an audio-first production company that has teamed with Spotify to spotlight diverse perspectives and voices through podcasts. The Sussexes have also created Archewell Productions, which will produce, in collaboration with Netflix, programming that informs, elevates, and inspires.

Who works for Archewell?

Last November, People reported that the Sussexes recruited Christine Schirmer, the former head of communications at Pinterest and former corporate communications manager at Apple, for Archewell's publicity team.

Other team members include James Holt, the couple's communications lead in the United Kingdom, and Toya Holness, who led communications at the New York City Department of Education, as the Sussexes press secretary. PR agency Sunshine Sachs will work with Schirmer, Holt, and Holness as they oversee Meghan and Harrys ventures in Archewell and beyond.

You Might Also Like
The US has reiterated its condemnation of terrorists infiltrating the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that it was "very closely" following the developments there.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Thursday: "We condemn terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the Line of Control."

Asked by a reporter at his daily briefing what Secretary of State Antony Blinken was going to do to ensure that the agreement by the two countries to maintain the ceasefire along the LoC, Price said: "We have continued to follow very closely developments in Our policy towards the region has not changed.

"We call on all parties to reduce tensions along the Line of Control by returning to the 2003 ceasefire commitments.

"When it comes to how we will support that, we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other areas of concern."

Asked if the US was in touch with non-officials in Kashmir and what it could do to "elevate their voices", the spokesman said" "I don't have anything for you on that."

In a joint statement issued by the directors-general of military operations of the two countries' armies reaffirmed their commitment to the "strict observance" of the ceasefire.

President Joe Biden's spokesperson Jen Psaki had immediately welcomed the agreement calling it "a positive step towards peace and stability in South Asia".

--IANS

al/ksk/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 28, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

YouTube Ban on Trump Channel Will Lift When Risk of Violence Decreases, CEO Says

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said Thursday that the ban on former President Donald Trump will be lifted when the risk of violence is deemed by the company to have decreased.

YouTube, alongside many other social media sites, suspended Trumps account following unrest at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which Trump was accused by congressional Democrats and some Republicans of inciting. According to Wojcicki, the suspension will not be permanent because of the platforms three strikes rule.

Speaking during an interview with the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank focusing on foreign policy, Wojcicki said that YouTube is reviewing Trump the same as any other user, meaning that he will not be permanently banned unless he violates the terms of services three times in 90 days.

In the case of Trump, Wojcicki said the former president has generated only one strike for violating YouTubes policies about inciting violence, which came with a punishment of not being able to upload new videos or livestream for seven days. Those restrictions were prolonged, however, because there allegedly remains an elevated risk of the channel spreading what she called violent rhetoric.

We will lift the suspension of the Donald Trump channel when we determine that the risk of violence has decreased, Wojcicki said, adding that the risk is partly measured by the security level in the nations capital.

We will turn the account back on, but it will be when we see the reduced enforcement in Capitols in the U.S., she said. Its pretty clear that, where we stand, there is still that elevated risk of violence.

Wojcickis comments come days after Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN) said it was suspended by YouTube for two weeks because it broadcast Trumps speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

According to RSBN, YouTube said that the video violated its guidelines on election misinformation. In his first speech since leaving the White House before the CPAC crowd, Trump briefly hinted that his re-election was stolen, saying, I may even decide to beat them for a third time.

In a similar move, YouTube suspended the channel of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for a second time, citing violation of the platforms policies on nicotine use and election integrity.

We removed content from the Rudy W. Giuliani channel for violating our sale of regulated goods policy, which prohibits content facilitating the use of nicotine, and our presidential election integrity policy, a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement.
The 18-year-old was shot in the left arm and taken to South Shore Hospital while a 27-year-old man was shot in the left foot and right flank, police said. He was taken in fair condition to Advocate Trinity Hospital, police said.
Good morning, Bay Area. Its Friday, March 5, and Bay Area baseball fans have gotten a pandemic culture shock at Arizonas spring training games. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

Whats behind Californias switching up its vaccine distribution again? Poorer California residents have been harder hit by the pandemic: Case rates are twice as high among households earning $40,000 to $60,000, compared with households earning $120,000 or more, state data shows. Deaths are also concentrated in the lowest-income areas of the state  the same communities the state is now targeting to accelerate vaccinations.

The change will not affect who is currently eligible to get vaccinated and who will be in the future. Rather, once the new system begins, eligible residents in the states roughly 400 lowest-income ZIP codes will have almost half of the appointments reserved for them.

How will California actually get more vaccines to these communities in what has been an uneven distribution? And what does it mean for the rest of the state? Reporter Catherine Ho gets into the details here, and Kellie Hwang looks at which parts of the Bay Area are likely to get vaccine priority as part of Californias new system.

More:

 When will Alameda County go to the red tier? Heres where each Bay Area region stands on reopening.

 Pandemic Zoom fatigue is real, Stanford research shows. Heres how to deal.

 Heres what Bay Area experts say you should and shouldnt do after getting vaccinated.

 The Chronicle Advice Team talks to experts about a reader asks whether it is safe to attend an annual reunion with 70-year-old college friends if everyone is vaccinated.

Around the Bay

Yalonda M. James / The Chronicle

 Immigration, pandemic and more: A couple separated by a military takeover in Myanmar reunite in San Francisco.

 More than twice the rent of a one-bedroom: S.F. pays $61,000 a year for each tent in a site to shelter the homeless. Why?

 A sudden die-off: New satellite images show Northern Californias kelp forest is almost gone.

 S.F. City Hall corruption: Recology to repay customers $94.5 million after corruption probe over rates.

 Excitement on hold: The Exploratorium and some other Bay Area museums arent yet reopening.

Spring training report

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

As fan Derek Evans couldnt decide.

I went back and forth so much, Evans said about his thought process over whether to attend spring training games in his current town of Phoenix. Eventually he settled on going to just one game.

As the Giants and As kick off spring trainings Cactus Games  with mask requirements and limited seating for fans  the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus has made many Bay Area fans forgo their usual trips to Arizona this spring.

For those who go, it has been a mix of relief over seeing protocols mostly being followed inside outdoor stadiums and worry about looser dining restrictions and packed bars in places such as Scottsdale. Read more from Susan Slusser.

Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown, Anna Buchmann and Kellie Hwang and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact the writers at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com, anna.buchmann@sfchronicle.com and kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com.
POTTSVILLE  The Schuylkill County Republican Committee voted Thursday to censure U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey for his vote to convict former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial.

Howard D. Merrick Jr., committee chairman, confirmed the vote and said it was solely for Toomeys position on impeachment.

Toomey, 59, of Zionsville, Lehigh County, is serving his second term in the U.S. Senate. He was first elected in 2010, defeating U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, a Delaware County Democrat, and reelected in 2016, defeating Katie McGinty, a Philadelphia-area Democrat.

He already has announced he will not run for a third six-year term.

Before serving as a senator, Toomey was a businessman and a three-term congressman from the Lehigh Valley.

He is one of two Republican senators from the Northeast, the other being Susan Collins of Maine, to join five other GOP senators, along with all 50 Democrats, in voting to convict Trump in the second impeachment trial.

That vote, which was on a charge of insurrection resulting from the Jan. 6 demonstration at the U.S. Capitol that turned into a riot, was short of the two-thirds majority, 67 votes, needed to convict Trump.

A sharply split Republican State Committee voted 128-124 on Monday to rebuke, but not censure, Toomey for his impeachment vote.

Toomey has made a number of trips to Schuylkill County during his tenure.
He said, send me your schedule for the next three months and Ill figure it out, she said. To her, three months felt like an eternity. She told Mr. Jean-Louis and his wife, Gloria, who live in East Harlem, about the sense of romantic urgency that had been gnawing at her since her first exchanges with Mr. Aspiazu.

I was like, this man is so amazing, and what weve got is so big and so real, I dont want to mess this up, please help me, she said. They counseled patience. But when the three months passed, her hope fizzled. She made one last bid for his affection.

I called Pavel and said, Look, I need you to know I feel really strongly about you, she said. I fell really hard, and I know you dont feel the same way, but I think you should. Mr. Aspiazu replied honestly. He told her he was interested in someone else.

Ms. Smith, crushed, spent days fleeing to the Jean-Louiss apartment, where she could cry without her son seeing. I didnt want to bring my sadness home to him, she said. Then she hit reset on her emotions. I thought, maybe the whole reason this thing happened with Pavel was to awake this feeling in me that I was finally ready to get married, she said.

That September, she bought tickets for a three-day conference for singles the church was holding. The location, coincidentally, was Phoenix. After consulting with the Jean-Louises about whether she should tell Mr. Aspiazu she was coming, she messaged him. He wrote back that he would be there, too. The relationship that had led him away from her earlier that year had ended.

[Sign up for Love Letter and always get the latest in Modern Love, weddings, and relationships in the news by email.]
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Naas Gardai are devising a policing plan for the new vaccination centre in Punchestown in case there are protests by anti vaccine activists.

The facility could see hundreds of people travelling to the venue every day to be inoculated when the facility is operational.

Supt Oliver Henry of Naas Garda District told the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) quarterly meeting last Monday March 1 that gardai were working on a policing plan around the centre.

Supt Henry, who was deputising for Chief Supt John Scanlan, told an online meeting : There is always a concern about protests happening.

The senior garda made the comments while discussing with other JPC members the overall policing response to local Covid-19 restrictions.
At least 12 people from Myanmar have crossed the Indian border and taken refuge in Mizoram around a month after the neighbouring country's military junta overthrew the democratically-elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, officials said on Thursday.

Eight people have entered the Serchhip district while four others reached Champhai district of the bordering state. India shares over a 404-km long porous border with Myanmar and people from both sides often attempt to cross the border to seek safe haven.

READ | Myanmar Policemen Seeking Refuge Detained In India: Report

The identity of the refugees is yet to be ascertained, a senior police officer said. According to Serchhip Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek, five people, who include members of a family, crossed the international border and entered the district on Thursday, while three others did so on March 3.

The eight refugees are currently lodged at a community hall in Lungkawlh village, about 8 kilometres from the Indo- Myanmar border, where they were provided with food by the district administration. Details of the refugees are not yet available.

READ | Myanmar Refugees In India Protest Against Coup

Mizoram Govt to issue statement in Myanmar refugees

Deputy Commissioner of Champhai, Maria CT Zuali, said that four others have crossed over to the district from Myanmar recently. The entry of people from the neighbouring country has been communicated to the Home Department of Mizoram and Home Minister Lalchamliana is expected to issue a statement on the matter in the assembly on Monday.

More than 100 Burmese locals have attempted to cross the international border to seek refuge in Mizoram recently, but they were stopped by Assam Rifles personnel guarding the border, the Champhai deputy commissioner said. Assam Rifles Deputy Inspector General Digvijay Singh said that the force has been directed not to allow any illegal immigrants from the neighbouring country.

READ | Myanmar Massacre: World, UN Demand Justice For Demonstrators After Police Firing Kills 38

The state government has recently issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in view of the possible influx of refugees from Myanmar following the coup. "Although civil society organisations are willing to harbour refugees from Myanmar, the Mizoram government cannot act on its own without the direction of the Centre as it is an international affair," Zuali said.

Besides, the state government will not have sufficient resources to feed the refugees unless assistance is received from the Centre, she added.

India is home to many Burmese refugees, including the persecuted Rohingyas. In the past month, many pro-democracy supporters from Myanmar have tried to enter India seeking refuge, but they have mostly failed because of tight Burmese security since the coup.

Myanmar military took over the government on February 1, triggering massive pro-democracy protestors across the nation, in which hundreds of locals have been killed by security forces.

READ | Escalating Violence In Myanmar Alarms UN Envoy

(With inputs from PTI)
Congress questions Centre as to why people in power scared of naming China

Amid strain in ties, Nepalese PM Oli calls up Modi; greets people of India on I-Day

PM Modi should have spoken about economy, unemployment in Independence Day speech: Shiv Sena

Glory of Sanatan Bharat, the glow of modern India should mark the celebrations: PM Modi

Govt constitutes 259-member panel headed by PM to commemorate 75 years of India's independence

India

pti-Deepika S

New Delhi, Mar 05: The government on Friday set up a 259-member high-level national committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to commemorate 75 years of India''s independence.

The members of the panel include former president Pratibha Patil, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, NSA Ajit Doval, 28 chief ministers, artistes like Lata Mangeshkar, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, senior BJP leader LK Advani, almost all Union ministers and several governors.

Opposition leaders like Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati are also part of the committee.

Earlier, a National Implementation Committee under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah had been constituted for the 75 years independence celebrations. A Committee of Secretaries has also been set up for this purpose.

"The government has now constituted a national committee under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of India with 259 members, for which a gazette notification has been issued today," an official statement said.

The panel includes dignitaries and eminent citizens from all walks of life, it added.

The committee will provide policy direction and guidelines for formulation of programmes for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence, at the national and international levels, a statement from the union ministry of culture said.

The celebrations are proposed to be launched 75 weeks prior to August 15, 2022, on March 12, 2021, which is the 91st anniversary of the historic Salt Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi.

In order to discuss modalities relating to preparatory activities for the celebrations, the high-level committee will hold its first meeting on March 8, according to the statement.
Mansukh Hiren whose Scorpio car was used to plant gelatin sticks and threat letter outside Mukesh Ambani's residence has been found dead. He allegedly committed suicide by jumping into Kalwa creek. Naupada police is on the spot. Police says it appears to be a case of suicide.

Mumbai Police was alerted about an abandoned Scorpio car near Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani's residence Antilia. Officials, after inspection recovered unassembled gelatin sticks, explosives used in quarries, and a letter threatening the Ambani family.

"Ye to sirf ek trailer hai. Neeta Bhabhi, Mukesh Bhaiyya, family ye to sirf ek jhalak hai. Agli baar ye saaman pura hokar tumhare pass aayega, aur pura intezaam ho gaya hai," the threatening letter read.

Security in the area was increased and the SUV seized after Mumbai Police's senior officers examined the spot.

Police sources said the driver of the parked car got down and left in an Innova car that was seen in the area. The person sitting in the Scorpio couldn't be identified as he was wearing a mask, they said.

The car was tracked to Mansukh Hiren who in his statement to Mumbai Police said that his car had not been in use for over a year. He said that he recently drove the car because he wanted to sell it. He said that his car had broken down, after which he parked it at the Mulund-Airoli Link Road. He said that when he returned to the spot the next day, the car was not there.

Eventually, reports stated that Jaish-ul-Hind had taken responsibility of the incident. However, they released a statement denying the reports. "This morning, we saw Indian news outlets flashing news that we 'Jaish-ul- Hind' took the responsibility behind an incident that happened outside Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani's residence. We also came to know about a Telegram account in the name of Jaish-ul-Hind has released a banner claiming the same incident," it said, adding, "We condemn Indian intelligence agencies for morphing and making fake posters at the behest of Jaish-ul-Hind."

Also read: Bomb scare outside Mukesh Ambani's residence; explosive material found

Also read: 'Yeh sirf trailer hai': Letter found with explosives outside Mukesh Ambani house
Over the next month, 209 U.S. counties in the United States will need to implement crisis workforce strategies to deal with potentially dangerous shortfalls of intensive care unit doctors, according to a new analysis published today.

The analysis draws on data from a just-launched county-level hospital workforce estimator, one that takes into account the strain on staffing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The shortages could occur just as public health officials warn that variants of the coronavirus are spreading in the United States and could trigger a sharp rise in the number of Americans infected. Our new online estimator will help county and local public health officials project shortages in the near future and take steps to help keep staffing at safe levels." Clese Erikson, Study Principal Investigator and Deputy Director of the Health Equity Workforce Research Center, George Washington University

The analysis shows that ICU doctors in those 209 counties will be taking care of more than 24 severely ill patients at one time. Typically, an ICU doctor will care for half that number of patients or less at the same time--and, at 24 or higher, hospitals will have to quickly organize and train non-ICU providers to step in and help provide care.

Erikson and her team are part of the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity, which is based at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. To develop the new tool--the first to look at hospital workforce strain at the county level--they collaborated with Premier Inc., a healthcare improvement company, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), and IQVIA, a healthcare data and analytics organization.

"This new ability to drill down to the county level is important for local leaders," Erikson said. A previous Mullan Institute tool estimated the hospital workforce shortages at the state level.

An analysis using data from the County Hospital Workforce Estimator estimates that 7% of all U.S. counties will experience significant strains in their hospital workforce due to longstanding patterns of maldistribution and the added strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the analysis suggests that 12 U.S. counties will need to put in place contingency strategies within the next month in order to cope with a surge in severely ill patients, including those with new variants of COVID-19.

Local leaders can use the tool to assess the need for additional public health measures, such as social distancing guidelines. Research shows that if 95% of the population wears a mask, future cases of COVID-19 are prevented and that can help avoid a crisis in the local hospital.

"The work of public health and health care are complementary. Even as vaccination programs scale-up, traditional public health measures are critical to reducing suffering and ensuring our healthcare infrastructure is not overwhelmed," Lori Freeman, chief executive officer of NACCHO, said. "This tool can help localities better understand the strain faced by the hospital workforce and adjust public health recommendations accordingly."

Past media reports have largely focused on the dangers of a surge in COVID-19 cases and a shortfall in ICU beds. However, workforce shortages can be a much more difficult problem to solve. Hospitals can create a new COVID-19 unit by taking over an underused floor or wing, but they have more difficulty finding trained doctors and others to fill in when health care workers get sick or must quarantine.

"Premier has been scaling up our predictive analytics capabilities throughout the pandemic to help healthcare providers predict COVID-19 cases, supply resources, and now, workforce levels so they can ensure safe patient care," Angela Lanning, informatics and technology services chief operating officer at Premier, said. "Our models are fueled by data from more than 4,000 hospitals and health systems across the U.S., and we're thrilled to contribute to tools like this that enable business intelligence that's immediately actionable and meaningful in the healthcare setting."
The first doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine produced in the Republic of Korea (RoK), will be injected into local people from March 8, said Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long at a meeting this morning.

At present, all of the conditions to move forward with injections have been met in the nation. In line with the plan, the Ministry of Health is set to hold a conference on March 6 to implement the COVID-19 vaccination plan, provide training for the vaccine rollout, whilst handling all complications which may occur after inoculation, Minister Long said.

Initially, the vaccines were delivered to 18 COVID-19 treatment facilities and those directly involved in treating patients in 13 pandemic-hit provinces, with the highest priority being given to Hai Duong due to the locality being the nations most severely hit COVID-19 hotspot.

Moving forward, all vaccinated people will be managed and monitored with electronic health records, as well as being online certified to confirm that they have been vaccinated.

Approximately 1.3 million doses of the vaccine from the Covax facility will be delivered in April. However, it must be confirmed that the vaccination does do not guarantee 100% protection, Minister Long stressed.

According to information released by the manufacturer, the Pfizer vaccine has an efficiency rate of over 90%, whilst the AstraZeneca vaccine is 76% after the first shot, rising to 81% after the second dose. Minister Long stated that the vaccine will not solve all the problems relating to the pandemic, therefore urging every citizen to strictly comply with COVID-19 prevention measures.

Ensuring a sufficient supply of COVID-19 vaccines will prove to be very difficult as these are newly developed vaccines that have not had a long period of research to confirm their quality and effectiveness, the Minister added.

According to the Ministry of Health, along with purchasing vaccines from abroad, it is necessary to focus on vaccine research and production, and stay active in ensuring domestically-produced vaccine sources, he added.

Hanoi wants to buy Covid-19 vaccine

Hanoi City has proposed the Ministry of Health allow it to purchase Covid-19 vaccines on its own to inoculate people aged 18 or older.

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Center for Disease Control Khong Minh Tuan said at a press briefing on March 4 that the city would buy some 15 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine using its budget and donations from organizations and individuals. Other funds will come from organizations or individuals who want to pay for the vaccination.

The city has written to the Ministry of Health proposing the ministry enhance its support for the city to access the Covid-19 vaccines that have been approved for use in Vietnam and allow it to buy them, said Tuan.

Residents aged 18 or older and non-residents in the city will be vaccinated, he added.

On February 24, the first shipment of Covid-19 doses arrived in Vietnam, so on March 6, the ministry will offer a vaccination training course to the employees of the preventive medicine system in the country's 63 provinces and cities.

In the ministrys priority list, 13 provinces and cities that are still affected by Covid-19, including Hanoi City, will be supplied with Covid-19 doses, Tuan said.

As Hai Duong Province, currently the countrys biggest coronavirus hotbed, is identified as the top priority, the number of Covid-19 doses to be delivered to Hanoi City will not be large, leading to the citys proposal.

Tuan was cited by the local media as saying that the city had made a list of people to be prioritized for the first injection. They are frontline workers.

VOV/SGT
SBS has suspended broadcasts from Chinese state media channels China Global Television Network (CGTN) and CCTV, pending a review into human rights complaints.

The broadcaster has launched an investigation into the allegations after the human rights group Safeguard Defenders raised concerns about CGTN and CCTV airing 56 forced confessions between 2013 and 2020.

Given the serious concerns it raises and the complexity of the material involved, we have made the decision to suspend the broadcast of the overseas-sourced CGTN and CCTV news bulletins, an SBS spokesperson confirmed.

SBS normally airs a 15-minute CGTN English news service and 30-minute CCTV Mandarin bulletin.

Safeguard Defenders is a human rights NGO that was founded in 2016 with the mission of protecting the rule of law, civil society and human rights in some of the most hostile environments in Asia.

But the move comes at a time when the Chinese Foreign Ministry has registered its concern regarding increasing acts of discrimination against people of Chinese ethnicity and other Asians in Australia.

Last month UK regulators pulled the broadcasting license for China Global Television Network.

Media regulator Ofcom said it had withdrawn the Chinese state-owned channels license after an investigation concluded that the license is wrongfully held by Star China Media Limited.

Source: Yahoo, Guardian

Related
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 4)  The Philippines may risk losing millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses from the global COVAX facility if it fails to follow prioritization requirements, including the strict allocation of the scarce vaccines to medical frontliners and vulnerable sectors, a World Health Organization official warned Thursday.

WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the country needs to show that it can properly roll out the vaccines that it will receive through the COVAX facility. He repeatedly said that the second requirement is that vaccines should be given to healthcare workers who are caring for COVID-19 patients then to elderlies and those with co-morbidities.

The WHO official urged the Duterte administration  which has a track record of skipping the vaccine priority list and using smuggled doses  to ensure that requirements that have been agreed to and signed by Philippine officials will be followed.

We urge the DOH and all partners engaged in the rollout of the vaccines to follow these prioritizations, so we don't impact and jeopardize future deliveries of vaccines through the COVAX facility to the Philippines, he said in a media briefing.

President Rodrigo Dutertes close-in security team has received smuggled COVID-19 vaccines made by Chinese firm Sinopharm as early as late 2020, despite the absence of regulatory approval, officials have admitted. His former special appointee, Mon Tulfo, also revealed that he and thousands of other government officials, soldiers, and police personnel have been inoculated with Sinopharm.

READ MORE: Duterte praises PSG after illegal COVID-19 vaccination

Duterte has also allowed vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., testing czar Vince Dizon, and MMDA Chief Benhur Abalos to be vaccinated with Sinovac in the ongoing rollout, but several other government officials took the shot, including Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, MMDA Chief of Staff Michael Salalima, and Pasay Vice Mayor Boyet del Rosario  effectively skipping the line which was supposed to cater to healthcare workers.

RELATED: Gov't advisers reject priority vaccination of 'influencers,' government officials, celebrities

Abeyasinghe issued a stern reminder, We earnestly urge everybody concerned to bear this in mind. We know everybody feels at risk, but it's a matter of relative risk. If we want to ensure that we continue to access the vaccines from the COVAX facility, we need to demonstrate that we can follow the prioritization.

Over 487,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, hailed by Abeyasinghe as "one of the largest consignments" in the initial batch of shipment to developing nations, is arriving on Thursday night.

The Philippines is also set to receive 4.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines until May and 117,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines  possibly more  through the COVAX initiative co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and WHO. But this may be in peril if the government fails to stick to the requirements.

Abeyasinghe said they will not "police" the national immunization program, but they will review reports of violations. Although he did not explicitly say that the Philippines' access to COVAX will be cut off, he warned that the facility may consider allocating the vaccines earmarked for the country to other nations that will put importance on saving more lives by prioritizing the protection of healthcare workers.

"Given the large need for vaccines across the world, if there are multiple reports of violation of the prioritization, COVAX may have to decide how to address that challenge. My word of caution is let's not go there," he said.
We couldnt find anything at this address. Please check the URL or go to the homepage
Youngwon Lee has brewed beers with Szechuan peppercorns, gochugaru chiles, omija berries and lemongrass. Hes made sour beer using the bacterial culture from kimchi. Lees latest experiment involved brewing with oyster sauce, though he ultimately had to dump it down the drain. We used too much. It came out way too salty, he says.

These types of boldly flavored ingredients, often inspired by the Korean food Lee grew up eating, are what characterize his year-old brewery, Dokkaebier. Its a truly new sort of beer brand for the Bay Area, and for the wider American craft beer industry. Here, craft beer is often synonymous with aggressive, hoppy, full-flavor beers, especially IPAs, but the craft beer movement has not gained the same degree of traction in Asian countries like Korea, where lighter beer styles, such as lagers  and other light, subtle alcoholic beverages like soju  are popular. That disconnect may partly explain why, according to the Brewers Association, only 1.9% of U.S. brewery owners identify as Asian.

While it would be easy for beers like these to trade on their novelty status, the appeal of the Dokkaebier lineup lies not only in the sheer originality of brewing with an ingredient like kimchi bacteria. The beers are solidly made, with the flavors building on well-balanced foundations. Theyre a welcome addition to the ever-growing canon of craft beers flavored with culinary ingredients, from mango wheat beers to guava sours to coffee stouts.

Lee spent the early years of his career immersed in wine and spirits, not beer. He was born in Korea, raised in the U.S. and Guam and spent a brief stint in Berkeley before moving back to Korea to help take care of an ailing grandmother. In Korea, he got a job with a wine importer, then started his own importing business, bringing big spirits brands like Stoli and Patron into the country. Later he opened a wine shop.

Dokkaebier

Eventually, he returned to California to work for a Korean craft beer company that had acquired a brewery in Eureka. Drawn to the creativity and experimentation that brewing invited, he decided to set out on his own to create his own beer brand informed by his experiences in Korea and stateside. Wine is super formal, Lee says. But theres something about beer thats just really fun. I realized I could make something with an unexpected surprise.

His first three efforts were full of surprises. There was a wheat beer made with gochugaru chile powder and omija, a berry also known as magnolia berry or five-spice berry. There was a dark milk stout with cardamom and green peppercorn, meant to evoke chai tea. And there was pilsner flavored with bamboo leaves, which has become a permanent fixture for Dokkaebier, and for good reason: Its gentle tea flavor is a beautiful complement to the crisp, refreshing pilsner base.

Dokkaebiers debut, however, was inauspicious. Lee launched the company last February with a pop-up taproom on Polk Street in San Francisco, which involved an ambitious menu by a former Saison chef de cuisine. Barely a month after opening, the pandemic shut it down. They spent the next couple months doing takeout, adapting the menu from the original plan of oyster and caviar flights to more delivery-friendly fare like fried chicken.

Dokkaebier

Id planned to find a permanent location right away if the pop-up was successful, says Lee, who lives in Oakland and is currently using space at other breweries, like Alameda Island and Del Cielo, to make his beer. But, obviously, I had to take a break from that.

Lees plan B has been more successful than hed expected, especially when it comes to delivery orders of beer from his website. He spends a couple days a week driving around the Bay Area himself, dropping off six-packs of cans at peoples homes. Because his roster of beers changes at least once a month, hes finding lots of repeat customers who want to taste his latest creations.

He hopes at some point soon to turn it into a subscription service, a model that is poised to become more common for craft beer in the years to come. A handful of high-profile breweries, like Lost Abbey and the Bruery in Southern California and the new Private Press Brewing in Santa Cruz, have begun looking to memberships as a way to control the distribution of their sought-after beers. Meanwhile, during the pandemic, some restaurants have begun offering subscriptions as a way to generate steady business.

Dokkaebier

Getting his beer into fancy grocery stores like Berkeley Bowl and Guss Community Market was easy, but Lee says hed really like to see Asian, and especially Korean, grocers carrying Dokkaebier cans. Thats been an uphill battle, since many Asian groceries in the Bay Area dont specialize in craft beer. It took me six months to get into this one Korean supermarket, he says.

Even if the ingredients lists make Lees beers sound like they would be an acquired taste, they really arent. The kimchi sour, for example, does not taste like kimchi in a liquid form. The kimchi culture gives the beer a pleasant tartness, a little reminiscent of kombucha, and additions of chile powder and ginger give it a savory, spicy edge. Anyone who appreciates a well-made kettle sour would enjoy it.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

And some of the Dokkaebier creations dont depend on culinary ingredients at all. Lee has released several IPAs and double IPAs where the centerpiece ingredient advertised is just a specific variety of hops. Hes trying, in his way, to keep it simple. I dont like cocktails with too many ingredients where you cant recognize the flavors, Lee says. Same thing here  I want you to be able to recognize all the ingredients were using.

Dokkaebier

So far, Lee and his co-brewer Aaron Weshnak have released 18 different beers for Dokkaebier, most of them one-offs. If they get enough positive feedback from their customers about a certain beer, theyll consider adding it to the year-round roster, as was the case with the bamboo pilsner. Theyre experimenting constantly, sourcing ingredients from both food-supply companies and just local Bay Area markets, where its easy to find items like bay leaf, yuzu, lemongrass and peppercorn.

Lee has been surprised at the reception to some of the beers. When we released the kimchi sour, I got comments from people who said they expected it to be more weird, he laughs.

Thats part of why he was excited to brew the oyster sauce beer. Even if the first batch didnt turn out  and it was the only batch of beer so far that had to be dumped  Lee is undeterred. Hell reconfigure the recipe and try again. Well make it work, he says.

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine critic. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
The most widespread type of dam used to store mine waste is nearly twice as unstable as the average tailings facility, a global study showed on Friday, highlighting the risk of so-called upstream construction techniques which some countries have banned.

Concern over tailings dams intensified after the deadly collapse of Vales Brumadinho upstream facility in January 2019.

Some 10% of all the facilities surveyed had reported a stability issue, the authors found, but that figure jumped to 18.3% for active upstream facilities.

The volume of mine waste worldwide is projected to grow 26% over the next five years according to company disclosures analyzed in the study published in Scientific Reports, one of Natures open-access journals.

The disclosures requested by the Church of England and Swedish Council on Ethics cover 1,743 tailings facilities, representing an average 36% of current global commodity production.

A new global tailings standard launched last year stopped short of banning upstream dams.

But investors, banks, insurers and local communities are unlikely to support their construction given elevated risks, said Adam Matthews of the Church of England Pensions Board and one of the studys authors.

I think youll find enormous scrutiny, he said.

Around one-fifth of dams built in the last decade have been upstream, the study found.

Cheaper to build, they are more dangerous because their walls are constructed over a base of muddy mining waste rather than on solid ground. Chile, Peru and Brazil have banned the structures.

But globally, the use of alternative technologies such as dry stack, or de-watering, to reduce risks has stayed static between 3% and 6% since 1970, the study found.

For a long time the mining industry has been able to treat tailings as an externality and the incentives werent there to take up innovations to manage tailings differently, said Daniel Franks, lead author and professor at the University of Queensland.

Now that its become a strong concern for investors, governments, and society, theres a real opportunity to embrace reform.

The study called for further investor engagement with non-responsive companies, including privately-owned or state-owned miners.

About the photo: An aerial view shows flooding triggered by a collapsed dam near Brumadinho, Brazil, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. Brazilian mining company Vale SA said it didnt yet have information on deaths or injuries at the dam but said that tailings have reached the community of Vila Ferteco. (Bruno Correia/Nitro via AP)
Australian Repossession Services has leased a 117 sq m office at 100/447 Victoria Street from a private investor for $335 per sq m net. The lease term is two years plus a two-year option. David Ferreri of Coutts Wetherill Park negotiated the lease.

MIA Telecomms has signed a lease for a 1525 sq m multi-unit industrial estate at 7-9 Orion Road from the TWT Property Group for $260 per sq m. The lease term is three years. JLLs Francesco Princi negotiated the lease.

453-455 Victoria Street, Wetherill Park, Sydney.

SALES

Penrith

CWA Developments has raised $23.2 million from the sale of 10 lots within a new industrial 40,000 sq m subdivision at Hickeys Lane to a range of investors and developers. It will become the Parklands Industrial Estate in western Sydneys growth corridor, with sales over an 18-month period representing an average land rate of around $600 per sq m. The freehold lots span 2012 sq m to 8219 sq m, with the largest block purchased by Grove Investments for $4.1 million.

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Senate introduced a modified version of President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan, including critical funding for local governments. The Senate version of the bill preserves this important component of the plan, which American mayors have been calling for since last spring. To date, most American cities have been left behind in Washington's response to the coronavirus pandemic, but this plan will finally provide relief to cities that have suffered painful budget shortfalls as a direct result of the crisis. In response to the Senate moving forward on this revised bill, U.S. Conference of Mayors President and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer released the following statement:

"America's mayors are grateful that Leader Schumer and other Senate leaders are keeping their promise to support the cities that have been on the frontlines of this pandemic. The crisis has taken a painful toll on local governments, municipal workers, and the millions of Americans who rely on essential city services. The bill introduced in the Senate today will make cities safer and healthier, keep cops and other essential workers on the job, and allow cities to help drive an equitable economic recovery for the country. For the first time in a long time, there is real reason for optimism that this pandemic can soon be behind us, but there is still significant work to be done. This bill is critical to being able to turn the page and move us forward, and we urge the Senate and House to move quickly to send it to the president's desk."

About the United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors

Related Links

https://www.usmayors.org


Berlin, March 5 : The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) in Germany updated its reference and now recommended the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca for all age groups, including people older than 65 years, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said.

For a complete vaccination, two AstraZeneca vaccine doses are necessary. According to STIKO, the time between the two vaccinations should be 12 weeks if possible, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

STIKO previously recommended the vaccine only for people under 65 years and reiterated that the previous recommendation was "completely correct" based on the data available at that time.

In addition to the AstraZeneca vaccine, vaccines from BioNTech and Pfizer as well as Moderna are officially approved in Germany.

More than two months after the start of the coronavirus vaccination program in Germany, over 2.27 million people had received the second vaccination as of Wednesday, bringing the country's vaccination rate to 2.7 per cent, according to the RKI, the federal government agency for disease control and prevention.
Friday has rolled around once more - here's your guide to the best movies on TV this weekend.

Friday

Cardboard Gangsters (2017) - Virgin Media One @9.30pm

A gang of lads selling drugs in Darndale in Dublin's Northside sets out to gain more money and power and enter the big leagues of the narcotics trade. Things begin to unravel quickly as not everyone in the area is willing to let them achieve the notoriety they crave without a fight. Thriller, starring John Connors and Fionn Walton,

Arrival (2016) - Film 4 @9pm

The world is thrown into uproar when 12 alien spaceships arrive at locations around the globe. As tensions rise between nations and fear of the arrivals grows, a recently bereaved linguist is recruited by the US army to find a way to communicate with the aliens and discover why they have come. Sci-fi drama, starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker.

The Graduate (1967) - True Movies @9pm

A naive college graduate, hailed as a genius by his overbearing parents, is seduced by the middle-aged wife of his father's business partner - but later falls in love with her daughter. Oscar-winning comedy drama, starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross, with a soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel.

Saturday

Margin Call (2011) - BBC One NI @11.20pm

A bitter executive is dismissed from an investment bank, but plans his revenge by handing secret information on the company's fortunes to a junior analyst. When the information is decoded, it reveals that the company is on the brink of a devastating financial crisis, a revelation that is soon spreading throughout the workforce. Drama, starring Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany and Jeremy Irons.

Atomic Blonde (2017) - Film 4 @9pm

MI6 operative Lorraine Broughton is sent to Berlin before the fall of the wall to investigate the murder of a fellow spy and recover a missing list of double agents. The city is in a dangerously unstable state, and she finds herself targetted by multiple factions plotting to exploit the uncertain future for their own ruthless ends. Thriller, starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy and John Goodman.

Eddie the Eagle (2016) - E4 @6.55pm

Biopic of British sporting underdog Eddie Edwards. Determined to fulfil his dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete, Edwards trains as a ski jumper - a field in which Britain had no other competitors. He secures a place in the 1988 Winter Olympics, where his can-do attitude makes him a media sensation in the face of a losing streak. Starring Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman and Christopher Walken.

Sunday

Unforgiven (1992) - RTE 2 @9pm

Two notorious gunslingers come out of retirement to help a young assassin collect the $1,000 bounty on the heads of a pair of cowboys who attacked and mutilated a prostitute in the backwoods town of Big Whiskey. The local sheriff, however, has no intention of letting the pair impinge on his own authority. Oscar-winning Western, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, with Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Jaimz Woolvett and Richard Harris.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) - Film 4 @9pm

Grieving mother Mildred Hayes has suffered an unimaginable personal loss, and hatches an idea that drags the residents of Ebbing, Missouri into a maelstrom of revenge. She pressures Sheriff Bill Willoughby and his forces into continuing the investigation into her daughter's murder. It becomes an obsession that has dramatic repercussions for all of the locals. Martin McDonagh's Bafta and Oscar-winning crime drama, starring Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson.

Stir Crazy (1980) - True Movies @9pm

Two unemployed New Yorkers travel to California in search of fame and fortune. Instead, the hapless duo end up clocking on for a 125-year stint in jail for a bank robbery they did not commit - until a prison rodeo presents them with the chance to make a daring escape. Comedy directed by Sidney Poitier, starring Richard Pryor, Gene Wilder, JoBeth Williams, Craig T Nelson and Georg Stanford Brown.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014) - E4 @6.40pm

Katniss Everdeen is brought to a secretive underground society following the destruction of the televised deathmatch. She becomes the figurehead of a revolution against the despotic Panem regime, while her friend Peeta remains a captive of its tyrannical president. Part one of the two-part conclusion to the sci-fi adventure series, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore and Donald Sutherland.
New Delhi: The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court sentenced an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist to seven years rigorous imprisonment in ISIS Delhi Conspiracy Case on Friday.

The NIA in a statement said, the terrorist identified as Imran Khan Pathan alias Imran alias Imran Moazzam Khan alias Qasim was sentenced by the special NIA Court, Patiala House.

"The case was registered on December 9, 2015 under section 125 of IPC and sections 18, 18B, 38 and 39 of UA(P) Act, 1967 and pertains to larger criminal conspiracy hatched by proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS to establish its base in India by radicalizing and recruiting Muslim youth through different social media platforms, as a result of which, radicalised youths expressed their solidarity, allegiance and support to ISIS and left India to join ISIS", the NIA stated.

The agency said that that after completion of investigation, it had filed charge-sheet and supplementary charge-sheets against 17 accused including Imran Khan Pathan.

Earlier, 16 accused persons were convicted and sentenced upto 10 years rigorous imprisonment by the NIA Special Court vide its orders on October 16, 2020 and December 16, 2020 for the conspiracy hatched by ISIS handlers based in Syria and subsequently formation of group namely "Junood-ul-Khilafa-fil-Hind" owing its allegiance to ISIS, a proscribed terrorist organisation, informed the agency.

"The accused Imran Khan Pathan was in direct touch with ISIS handler namely Yusuf-Al-Hindi alias Shafi Armar. He had received funds to the tune of Rs 50,000 from one of the associates of Shafi Armar namely Mudabbir Mushtaq Sheikh (already convicted) for making an IED and to further the activities of ISIS in India", read the NIA statement.

With this judgement all 17 charge-sheeted accused involved in this case stand convicted by the NIA Special Court, it added.


Rx Dispensing Kiosk Connecting medifriendRx with ravkoo's vast pharmacy network improves the patient's ability to have greater access to their prescription medication. ravkoo is a front-runner in the industry, always searching for the best technology to provide to its customers.

Today ravkoo, a digital SaaS platform for prescriptions, and medifriendRx announced that they are partnering to place convenient prescription-dispensing kiosks inside Florida medical practices. This move will enable providers and medical practitioners to write and fill patient prescriptions in their own offices. ravkoo will stock select medications in the providers prescription dispensing kiosks appropriate to the medical specialty of the specific physician. To save time, effort and keep patients safe from adding another place where they would be exposed to other potentially sick people, patients will immediately receive their medications prescribed through the kiosk after their appointment with the doctor. The kiosk offers an interactive touch screen monitor that allows the patient to speak virtually with a live, board-certified pharmacist.

The Prescription (Rx) dispensing kiosk is going to be located in medical offices in the state of Florida, said ravkoos CEO, Alpesh Patel. A doctor can request for ravkoo to add a kiosk to their office, and ravkoo will set it up quickly and efficiently. We want our patients to experience absolute convenience by bringing home medications from just the one trip to the doctor. During these times of COVID-19, anything doctors can do to help their patients avoid having to stand in long lines in areas which may not be well ventilated, will keep them from contracting the virus and ultimately protect their health.

According to medifriendRx CEO, Max Iantorno, Connecting medifriendRx with ravkoo's vast pharmacy network improves the patient's ability to have greater access to their prescription medication. ravkoo is a front-runner in the industry, always searching for the best technology to provide to its customers. medifriendRx works on strengthening the triangle of care among patients, doctors, and pharmacists. Our kiosk creates convenience, comfort and safety for all parties involved throughout the prescription process.

ravkoo is a digital Software as a Service (SaaS) platform for prescriptions, providing free same-day and next-day delivery to patients doorsteps. ravkoos mission is to improve patient adherence through convenience, consultation, and affordability. Alongside fulfilling their mission, ravkoo is also dedicated to giving back to the community. ravkoo is now helping neighborhood communities by donating $1 to charity for every prescription filled. Join the ravkoo family and contribute to benefiting lives across the US.

For more information, please visit http://www.ravkoo.com.
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
I can take you to Shabak villages that dont have clean water to drink or a hospital even, he said. Some of the villages dont have schools, but no one cares about us.

While religious conflict has a long history in Iraq, the current tensions in Bartella are rooted in the towns capture by the Islamic State in 2014. Both Christians and Shiite Muslims there suffered under the rule of the Sunni terrorist group. Many fled.

The Shabak formed a militia that ultimately helped retake the town in 2016. By then much of it was in ruins.

Church officials say the majority of Christians have not returned.

Many people came back after the liberation from ISIS and when they saw that their houses were burned and looted and destroyed, they decided to emigrate, Father Lalo said.

In St. George Syriac Catholic Church, a glass case lined with white satin holds a face of the Virgin Mary with her nose broken, burned chalices and a plaster Jesus on the cross broken off at the torso, all reminders of the damage inflicted by the Islamic State.
LEGAL Aid Manitoba lawyers may be getting a raise.

On Thursday, the Progressive Conservative government revealed the contents of Bill 50 (Legal Aid Manitoba Amendment Act) it introduced in November. It seeks to transfer the authority for setting fees for private lawyers from the government to legal aids management council.

"This bill has been a long time coming," said Gerri Wiebe, president of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba.

Legal Aid provides free or affordable legal services to low-income Manitobans using a mixed model, with half of the cases handled by staff lawyers and half handled by private bar lawyers paid a fee, last adjusted in 2008, when the base was set at $80 an hour.

In an effort last year to negotiate a pay increase with the province, about 150 defence lawyers had planned to stop appearing at bail hearings.

They backed away from job action after meeting with provincial officials. The government didnt want to get into negotiating new fees at the time, because it planned to pass legislation that would transfer the responsibility for setting tariffs to the management of legal aid, Wiebe said Thursday.

In November, the government made good on that promise, introducing the bill. However, its contents werent made public until Thursday.

"We believe that its been a long time in Manitoba that those private bar lawyers and those staff lawyers who provide legal aid services have gotten an increase to that tariff," Justice Minister Cameron Friesen told reporters Thursday.

"We believe this will now give the legal aid management council the ability to consider if such an increase is necessary and forthcoming."

Lawyers are now waiting to see if the province will provide more funding, so the management council can afford to increase the rates, Wiebe said.

"If the funding remains the same, they cant increase the tariffs," she said. "We will be waiting with bated breath to see whats in the budget."

In the scrum with reporters, however, the justice minister said he couldnt confirm more funding for legal aid will be included in the next budget, expected in April.

"The finance minister will be delivering the budget in a number of weeks. You will be able to see there what the implication... is to the proposals were making today," he said.

Wiebe said legal aid management has been using some of its discretionary authority to increase tariffs on a temporary basis.

When the pandemic hit, for instance, lawyers received a 12.5 per cent increase in recognition of providing front-line services in challenging conditions. That increased to 25 per cent, which Wiebe referred to as "danger pay" for working in high-risk for COVID-19 situations  such as meeting clients who are transient and homeless in close quarters and crowded conditions, for example.

That pay bump expires at the end of the fiscal year, in March, she said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

The Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) take part in the military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn)

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's annual defense budget will maintain single-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year by increasing 6.8 percent in 2021, according to a draft budget report made public on Friday.

This year's planned defense spending will be about 1.35 trillion yuan (about 209 billion U.S. dollars), read the draft submitted to the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress for deliberation.

China's defense budget is about one quarter of the U.S. figure, which is 740.5 billion U.S. dollars for the 2021 fiscal year.

As the world' second largest economy and the most populous country, China's planned defense spending per capita in 2021 will be less than 1,000 yuan.

China applies strict mechanisms of fiscal allocation and budget management on its defense expenditure, which is mainly assigned to personnel, training and sustainment, and equipment.

China has voluntarily cut its armed forces by over 4 million troops since 1978, according to a white paper released in 2019.
TIM Brasil has entered exclusive talks with IHS Brasil Participacoes over the potential sale of a stake in its fibre network assets unit, FiberCo Solucoes de Infraestrutura (FiberCo).

CommsUpdate reports that talks with IHS will remain exclusive until 24th March 2021, with TIM anticipating an agreement by April. Four parties reportedly made formal proposals to acquire a stake in FiberCo from TIM. Emerging markets-focused infrastructure provider IHS operates more than 28,000 towers across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

FiberCo was spun-off to be separate from TIMs retail business, with the operator noting: FiberCo will allow TIM to achieve the expected growth in the Brazilian fibre market in the coming years, taking advantage of the open network approach and a focused operating model.

TIM Brasil CEO Pietro Labriola noted: Separating infrastructure will be an important lever to accelerate broadband coverage. This market will grow by 15 million customers and we must be ready to seize the opportunities.

The announcement of TIM selling a stake in the unit follows swiftly from its rival Telefonica Brasil (Vivo) selling a 50% stake in its FTTH unit FiBrasil to Canadian investment fund CDPQ (Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec). Telefonica is also investing in Chilean FTTH provider InfraCo, together with KKR.
At the end of last summer, Le Debat, Frances most prestigious intellectual review, accompanied its 40th-anniversary issue with a wholly unexpected announcement: It would cease publication forthwith. Le Debat and its three or four thousand loyal readers had maintained an allegiance to the political left since the Cold War  but the meaning of left has been shifting. Rivals now claim the term, particularly social movements that arose in France in the 1980s to champion what is variously called identity politics or social justice. After waging a decades-long twilight struggle against these movements, Le Debat has lost.

Intellectuals of all persuasions have been debating what that defeat means for France, and they have reached a conclusion: The countrys intellectual life has come under the sway of a more ideological, more identity-focused model imported from the United States.

Le Debat was always resistant to American imports. It never fully made its peace with the free market in the way that self-described social democrats in America did under Bill Clinton. Nor did it climb aboard the agenda of humanitarian invasions and democracy promotion, as left-leaning American intellectuals like Paul Berman and George Packer did. That was all fine. But Le Debats reluctance to partake of identity politics as it arose in France, always a couple of steps behind (and always in imitation of) American civil rights advances, brought the review into disrepute with a new generation of leftists.

Many French people see American-style social-justice politics as a change for the worse. President Emmanuel Macron does. In the wake of the death of George Floyd in police custody last spring, protests and riots across America brought the dismantling of statues and other public symbols  sometimes on the spot, sometimes after further campaigning and agitation. Aware that such actions had found a sympathetic echo among some of his fellow citizens, Mr. Macron warned that France would not follow suit. It will not erase any trace or name from its history, he said. It will not forget any of its works. It will not topple any statues.
New Delhi: After a brief silence on late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, finally social media once again saw a flood of tweets, soon after the Narcotics Control Bureau filed its first charge sheet in the case related to the drugs probe.

Sushant Singh Rajput's death is being investigated by three premier agencies of the country - the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) respectively.

The NCB on Friday filed a charge-sheet before a special court in Mumbai, naming 33 accused, including actress and girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty in the case.

WHY RHEA CHAKRABORTY AND SHOWIK CHAKRABORTY ARE NAMED IN NCB CHARGESHEET?

Rhea Chakraborty has been named under Section 20 (b), 27 A, 28, 29, 30 while her brother Showik under Section 20 ( b), 28, 29 by the NCB in their charge sheet.

The 11,700-page charge-sheet has full details of drugs seizures, collection of various evidence and investigation done so far. It was filed before the special court set up under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, according to PTI.

The voluminous document has named 33 persons as accused in the case, including Rhea Chakraborty (who was said to be in a relationship with Sushant Singh Rajput), her brother Showik, and contains statements of over 200 witnesses.

The NCB had in August last year registered two cases related to drugs in connection with the death of Sushant. The NCB arrested Sushant's live-in partner and girlfriend Rhea and his brother Showik in connection with the case, along with several other people in September last year.

They are currently out on bail. According to reports, the federal agency has so far arrested a total of 33 people, also including Sushant's former manager and staff, and several drug peddlers, in connection with the case.

Out of the total accused, eight are still in judicial custody, while the rest, including the brother-sister duo, have been granted bail, the NCB said. Further investigation is continuing in respect of several other known and unknown persons, the apex drug law enforcement agency said.

During the investigation, a substantial quantity of narcotics drugs (charas, ganja, LSD, ecstasy) and psychotropic substances (alprazolam and clonazepam), covered under the provisions of sections 20(b), 22, 23 of the NDPS Act, were seized, as per PTI report.

"Due to ecological concerns, a large portion of the annexures (which form part of the charge-sheet) have been submitted to the honourable court in electronic form. On conclusion of further investigations, supplementary charges shall be filed as per law," the agency said.

Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020. The NCB began probing the alleged use of drugs in some quarters in Bollywood after the late actor's sudden demise.

The agency came into action after some WhatsApp chats with reference to drugs surfaced online.

(With PTI inputs)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Lesley-Anne Down shares items of significance in her sitting room in Georgia, including two clapperboards from when she met her husband while filming in 1984

1. FALLING IN LOVE

My American husband Don is a director and cinematographer, and we met on the first day of filming the mini-series North And South in 1984. We were both married to other people, but it was almost love at first sight. We married in 1986.

Last October, we moved with our two rescue dogs and cat from Malibu, where we'd been since 1996, to this house we bought online without visiting. I love it and will not return to California or England.

2. BIG BREAK

I went from modelling at age ten to dancing then acting, and I quit school in Putney at 12 to do my first film  and never looked back. My big break came in 1973 playing Georgina Worsley in the hit ITV drama Upstairs Downstairs.

It had been going two years and I was so excited because I was such a fan. I then went on to do movies with Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Olivier, Sean Connery and Harrison Ford, and I also moved to Los Angeles in 1981.

3. FAMILIAR FACE

I worked with amazing photographers like Eva Rubinstein, Tony Snowdon, Terry O'Neill and David Bailey. Eva took a photo of me in a white fur hat, and Life Magazine re-created it for their March 1979 cover.

Over the years I have kept photos of people I enjoyed working with, such as Anthony Hopkins, Robert Wagner, Burt Reynolds and Patrick Swayze. Burt and Patrick are sadly now dead, as is David Carradine  Don and I found him fast asleep on our bed on our wedding night!

4. I'VE MADE IT!

Other items included a disc of Upstairs Downstairs (pictured), her son's first pair of shoes and Margaret Thatcher's biography

In 1976, when Upstairs Downstairs was popular in the US, a Peanuts cartoon strip showing Snoopy hoping to come to London came out in the New York Times. The artist Charles M Schulz sent me some of the original artwork.

Just six months ago Bruce Robinson [who wrote and directed Withnail And I], who I'd been living with back then, found this part of it and kindly sent it to me.

5. MY TURN AS THE LADY

I was shocked to get the part of Mrs Thatcher [left, Lesley-Anne in the role] in the upcoming film Reagan, about the US president. Meryl Streep playing her in The Iron Lady made sense and Gillian Anderson in The Crown has a resemblance, but I didn't think I would.

I read her autobiography and got advice from Steve Nallon, who voiced her Spitting Image puppet. I didn't like her when I was young, but now I think she was great. It was a privilege to play her.

6. BABES IN ARMS

My son Jack is from my second marriage, to director William Friedkin, and Don and I have a son George, who works in the Atlanta film industry. When they were born, in 1982 and 1998, they were both given Tiffany rattles  George's was from actress Glynis Johns, who's pictured here holding him. His first shoes [left] remind me how small he once was.
(Natural News) An insider with the Michigan National Guard is reporting that the meals being served to servicemen are subpar and dangerous.

On Sunday, 75 meals were thrown out after metal shavings were found in them. Other meals arrived undercooked, putting servicemen at potential risk of food poisoning.

The unnamed whistleblower told 7 Action News in Detroit that these issues are not isolated. Food quality is poor all across the board, which is a sad testament to the treatment of our soldiers.

Yesterday, for instance, there were 74 different meals found with raw beef in them, the sergeant said. Just yesterday, the lunches were, soldiers had found metal shavings in their food.

For breakfast, the sergeant added, soldiers are not receiving properly balanced meals that contain needed protein. Instead, they are being given junk food at amounts far too low to provide them with the energy and strength they need to do their jobs.

You were getting maybe a Danish and some sort of juice, this person told the media. And then we had certain days where it was clearly a dinner roll and Sunny D.

More than a dozen soldiers were sickened by undercooked meals, several of whom had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment. All the way up the chain of command there were problems, especially after changes were made to the food boxes being delivered.

They said, alright, were going to make sure we spot check them, and were also going to start having them add temperatures to it,' the whistleblower added.

At 140 (degrees), you cook that chicken, undercook it to 140, and now youre telling  youre telling us that its  a 30-minute drive. This is what they say on the little placard thats (inaudible) good for four hours, were the words uttered in an audio recording of a discourse about one of the issues.

No, its not, this same person went on to say. It wasnt good from the start and now its had hours to become even more dangerous.

Gretchen Whitmer says National Guard food is unacceptable

Upon receiving word of the issues, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pronounced that the National Guards rations are unacceptable. Rep. Brenda Lawrences office did the same, with Lawrence promising to personally eat with the National Guard to see for herself the quality of the food.

The men and women of the [Michigan National Guard] are in D.C. protecting the Capitol: the very symbol of our Democracy, tweeted Sen. Gary Peters.

This is completely outrageous and unacceptable. It must be fixed  immediately  and Ill be looking into this as a member of [the Senate Armed Services Committee].

On Monday, the whistleblower provided an update that the Michigan National Guard was instructed not to eat any more provided meals for the following two days because they are unsafe. Instead, the Guard was given MREs (meals ready to eat), which are typically administered on the battlefield.

Servicemen who want to eat real food are having to pay for it out of pocket, the whistleblower says.

The Michigan National Guard finds the reports of undercooked and poorly prepared food provided to our service members in Washington, D.C. very concerning, reads a statement from the National Guard.

The firsthand accounts and pictures of undercooked food being served clearly shows that what is being given to Michigans service members is unacceptable.

The statement went on to explain that Whitmer and others are engaged at the highest levels of the federal government to try to get to the bottom of the situation.

Every assurance was given that the issue would be addressed and corrected, the statement further reads.

More related news stories can be found at Corruption.news.

Sources for this article include:

WXYZ.com

NaturalNews.com
Private investments in Vietnam have reached a new peak in contrast to the trend towards decline around the world and in the ASEAN region due to the impact of COVID-19.

Private investments in Vietnam have reached a new peak in contrast to the trend towards decline around the world and in the ASEAN region. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Private investments in Vietnam have reached a new peak in contrast to the trend towards decline around the world and in the ASEAN region due to the impact of COVID-19.



Thanks to its success in containing the pandemic, Vietnam has emerged as a bright spot, with economic growth reaching 2.91 percent in 2020 - a positive rate given the gloomy global picture.



The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that its GDP will grow 6.7 percent this year. Goldman Sachs and HSBC are even more optimistic about the economy, which, they said, will expand 8.1 percent in 2021.



Vietnams middle and upper class is expected to grow substantially, from 25 percent of the national population in 2017 to 45 percent in 2030.



Moreover, free trade agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory have benefited the country regarding tariffs and exports, especially smartphones and electronic products, garments and textiles, footwear, and agricultural products.



Adjustments to the Law on Enterprises and the Law on Investment have also played a part in the countrys positive outlook.



In private investment, a total of 59 transactions worth 1.14 billion USD were conducted in 2020, with technology retaining its leading role over the last five years.



Local retail and service firms associated with technological solutions have caught the eye of investors, with notable investments including 100 million USD by Warburg Pincus in Momo e-wallet and the Northstar Groups 130 million USD in Tiki - one of the three leading e-commerce platforms in the country.



Conglomerate Vingroup posted a record in this regard after GIC injected 500 million USD into Vincommerce in 2019 and KKR funnelled 650 million USD in Temasek and Vinhomes in 2020.



Investments in healthcare have also increased rapidly, as Mekong Capital and VinaCapital have poured 31.8 million USD into Pharmacity and 26.7 million USD into Thu Cuc Hospital, respectively.



Sectors such as transportation, education, healthcare, and technology are expected to become magnets for investors this year. VNA

New momentum for private investment in healthcare Private investment is forecast to keep flowing into the healthcare sector in the time ahead with the appearance of many new drivers.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Several Northeast Ohio and statewide organizations want a Lake County judge to apologize for using a racist and xenophobic term to refer to the coronavirus in a column published in the county bar associations newsletter.

Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge John P. ODonnell, a former assistant prosecutor and Willowick city councilman before he took the bench as a Republican in 2014, used the term China Virus three times in a column detailing how he handled his docket during the pandemic.

The Lake County Bar Association distributed the edition of the Lake Legal Views newsletter to its members on Wednesday, and it quickly ignited a firestorm in the legal community.

Leaders from the Asian American Bar Association of Ohio, the Anti-Defamation League of Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania and the Norman S. Minor Bar Association, a legal organization for Black attorneys in Northeast Ohio, told cleveland.com that they condemned ODonnells use of the term.

Many of the groups called on ODonnell to apologize and meet with representatives from the Asian community and others to discuss the rise in anti-Asian discrimination and violence fueled by similarly caustic language used by political leaders and public figures.

ODonnell did not respond to an email requesting comment or a voicemail left with his chambers Friday.

Lake County Bar Association president Joshua Strickland said in a statement provided to cleveland.com that ODonnells column used a phrase that is insensitive and offensive to many people, but did not apologize for his organization publishing it.

This article was published by staff without the input or review of the Bar Associations Board of Directors and, as it stated in the Lake Legal Views, does not reflect the sentiment, position, or opinion of the Bar Association or its Board of Directors, the statement says.

ODonnells comments come after studies have shown the number of hate crimes and incidents of discrimination and harassment targeting Asians skyrocketed across the country since the pandemic began. Research has also suggested that the incidents rose simultaneously as public figures, including President Donald Trump and highly partisan, right-wing media pundits, pushed the terms use.

Margaret Wong, a Cleveland-based immigration attorney who is Chinese American, said ODonnells comments are hurtful and unprofessional. She worried that they would further fan the flames of those who harbor anti-Asian bigotry.

You are a judge, Wong said. You are held to a higher standard. You are educated. You went to law school. You dont inflame people.

The Asian American Bar Association of Ohio released a statement saying the organization in March 2020 joined more than 260 civil rights organizations in March 2020 to call for public leaders not to use language that would spur anti-Asian biases simply because health officials believe the first known cases of the virus originated in China.

Unfortunately, a year later, we are again reiterating our call to condemn the continuing anti-Asian rhetoric related to the coronavirus disease, the statement read. Our organization, and community-at-large, is deeply troubled by the use of such discriminatory and racially-charged language by a member of the judiciary, particularly at a time when stereotypes associated with this language have led to a documented surge in anti-Asian bias and racist attacks related to the coronavirus.

The group also noted that judges are supposed to remain impartial and refrain from using discriminatory language and expressions of bias of any kind that could call their fairness into question.

This impartiality is a fundamental component of the American system of justice, the statement said. Such harmful and xenophobic language by any judge should be unequivocally denounced.

Neil Bhagat, president of the states Asian American Bar Association, said he could not say that ODonnell is incapable of treating someone of Asian descent in his courtroom fairly.

The language is problematic because it raises that question, Bhagat said. That is why we want to be very clear about denouncing that kind of language. The justice system is about impartiality.

Ciera Colon, president of the Norman S. Minor Bar Association, said she plans on filing grievances with the states disciplinary counsel to seek potential sanctions against ODonnell for the comments that she called racist, stigmatizing and discriminatory. She also said she plains to file a complaint against the bar association for distributing the comments to the community.

I could not believe a member of the Ohio bar, a sitting judge in Lake County, could blatantly refer to COVID-19 as the China Virus and think thats OK, Colon said.

Colon said her organization does not feel that ODonnell could be impartial on the bench.

I would definitely question whether or not I would get fair and impartial justice in his courtroom, 100 percent, Colon said.

James Pasch, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League chapter covering Ohio, said that someone of ODonnells stature in the community using this type of language feeds into the racism and xenophobia that Asians have dealt with since the pandemic began.

Theres no place for racism in Ohio, and certainly no place for it in the courts, Pasch said. During difficult times, its up to leaders in our community to elevate those being targeted, not to contribute to further harm and feed into conspiracy theories.

The Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers on Saturday released a statement strongly condemning ODonnells use of the terms, saying it threatened to undermine the publics confidence in the fairness of the judicial system.

The courts are to be an example of honor and integrity wherein all who come before them should confidently expect they will be treated fairly. Such overt and reckless language sends the exact opposite message, the statement said. Considering Judge ODonnells clear and public feelings, it is next to impossible to think that an Asian American, any person of color, or other minority could walk in his courtroom believing she or he would be afforded such fair treatment.

By Wang Tianmi

A German frigate would set sail for the Indo-Pacific region early August this year and sail through the South China Sea on its way back about six months later, reported the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), a German newspaper, on March 2 citing several senior officials at the German foreign and defense ministries. Reuters said it that would be the first German warship crossing the South China Sea since 2002.

The German newspaper analyzed that the voyage was intended to enhance Germanys regional influence in the Indo-Pacific, which falls in line with the goals that Berlin set in its Indo-Pacific policy guidelines last September. The newspaper added that the maritime operation clearly demonstrated Berlins opposition to Chinas sovereign claims in disputed waters of the South China Sea.

European countries have been active recently to intensify their presence on the South China Sea issue. A French nuclear submarine crossed waters of the region in the company of a support ship in early February, followed by an amphibious assault ship and a frigate heading on February 18 for the Pacific Ocean for a three-month mission, French media reported. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the two military ships will pass the South China Sea twice on the way and are set to carry out joint military exercises with their American and Japanese counterparts in May.

Britains The Times also reported lately that the Royal Navys HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier strike group is scheduled to set sail in May and arrive in East Asia at the end of this summer, where it will most likely carry out freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, as Britains Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, hinted.

Cui Hongjian, director of the Department for European Studies of China Institute of International Studies, said in an interview on March 3 that European countries, such as the UK and France, assigned warships to the South China Sea a few years ago. Putting up the banner of freedom of navigation though, these countries still wanted to keep a distance from the US, which is shown in their choice of route, timing, and the official statements.

The current situation is different from then, said Cui, saying that European countries new movements are both cooperative and counterproductive for the US. By sending warships to the South China Sea, the UK, France, and Germany have posed themselves as the protectors of international rules on the one hand and demonstrated their intention to become participants of the major-country competition on the other. For the past two years, there have been ongoing discussions in Europe about whether the continent will become the battlefield of the major-country game or a force in it. Their operations in the South China Sea have just given an answer.

According to Cui, European countries are shifting towards more realistic international politics. They want to impose clout on China not only through economic and diplomatic means but also with something "visible", such as warships, to remind Beijing that "we are able to exert security influence around you".

Editor's note: This article is originally published on huanqiu.com, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
The Mail On Sunday must publish a front-page statement about the Duchess of Sussexs victory

The Mail On Sunday must publish a front-page statement about the Duchess of Sussexs victory in her copyright claim against the newspaper over the publication of a personal and private letter to her estranged father, the High Court has ruled.

Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL)  the publisher of The Mail On Sunday and MailOnline  has also been ordered to print a notice on page three of the paper stating it infringed her copyright by publishing parts of the letter sent to Thomas Markle.

In a ruling on Friday, Lord Justice Warby also granted Meghan a declaration that ANL misused her private information and infringed her copyright.

The duchess, 39, sued ANL over a series of articles which reproduced parts of a heartfelt letter to Mr Markle, 76, in August 2018.

Read More

She claimed the five articles published in February 2019 involved a misuse of her private information, breached her copyright and breached the Data Protection Act.

Last month, Meghan was granted summary judgment in relation to her privacy claim, meaning she won that part of the case without having to go to trial, as well as most of her copyright claim.

At a remote hearing this week, ANLs lawyers applied for permission to appeal against that ruling on 10 grounds.

But Lord Justice Warby refused permission to appeal, saying it had no real prospect of success.

In his ruling on Friday, Lord Justice Warby explained he did not consider that there is any real prospect that the Court of Appeal would reach a different conclusion as to the outcome of the claim for misuse of private information, or as to the issues I decided in the copyright claim.

The judge said he would order ANL to publish a notice about Meghans victory as it would have genuine utility.

He added: The defendant devoted a very considerable amount of space to the infringing articles, which it continued to publish for over two years.

It has devoted a very considerable number of further column inches, and many hundreds if not thousands of words, to coverage of earlier stages of this litigation and commentary upon them.

The wording sought is modest by comparison, and factual in nature.

But I am not persuaded of the case for prolonged publication.

The judge ordered that The Mail On Sunday must print on a single occasion a statement on the front page, which refers readers to a further statement on page three of the newspaper.

The statement will read: The court has given judgment for the Duchess of Sussex on her claim for copyright infringement.

The court found that Associated Newspapers infringed her copyright by publishing extracts of her handwritten letter to her father in The Mail On Sunday and in MailOnline.

There will be a trial of the remedies to which the duchess is entitled, at which the court will decide whether the duchess is the exclusive owner of copyright in all parts of the letter, or whether any other person owns a share.

Lord Justice Warby also ordered ANL to publish the statement on MailOnline for a period of one week with a hyperlink to his full judgment.

The judge added: In my judgment, these are measured incursions into the defendants freedom to decide what it publishes and does not publish, that are justified in pursuit of the legitimate aim I have identified, and proportionate to that aim.

They will involve little if any additional expense, and certainly nothing approaching the scale of the expense that has been lavished on this litigation.

In the ruling last month, the judge said publication of Meghans letter to her father was manifestly excessive and hence unlawful.

He said: It was, in short, a personal and private letter.

The majority of what was published was about the claimants own behaviour, her feelings of anguish about her fathers behaviour, as she saw it, and the resulting rift between them.

These are inherently private and personal matters.

He said the only tenable justification for any such interference was to correct some inaccuracies about the letter, contained in an article in People magazine, published just days before ANLs five articles, which featured an interview with five friends of Meghan.

But the judge added: The inescapable conclusion is that, save to the very limited extent I have identified, the disclosures made were not a necessary or proportionate means of serving that purpose.

For the most part they did not serve that purpose at all.

Taken as a whole the disclosures were manifestly excessive and hence unlawful.

He also said ANLs arguments on ownership of the copyright of the letter seem to me to occupy the shadowland between improbability and unreality.
Amy Natasha Wilhite, 39, was originally taken into custody at the Boone County Jail on February 14 on drugs charges

A Missouri woman has been slapped with a felony weapons charge after she allegedly smuggled a small gun into prison by concealing it in her vagina.

Amy Natasha Wilhite, 39, was originally taken into custody at the Boone County Jail on February 14 on drugs charges.

Wilhite underwent both a 'thorough' pat search and a strip search at the jail, but officials did not find the miniature gun in her possession.

However, on Wednesday, prison officers were left stunned when they found the pint-sized weapon in her jail cell.

The gun has been identified as a North American Arms .22 caliber revolver.

It is four inches long, 2.38 inches tall and .88 inches wide, according to KOMU 8.

It weights just 4.6 ounces.

Pictured: The North American Arms .22 caliber revolver that Wilhite concealed in a body cavity

Officials believe Wilhite hid the gun in a body cavity at the time of her arrest before she later removed it in the privacy of her prison cell.

The Smoking Gun reports that the weapon was concealed in her vagina.

Wilhite has now been slapped with an additional charge of delivery or possession of a weapon at a county/private jail/corrections center - a class B felony.

She remains behind bars on bond.

It is not the first time an inmate has smuggled a weapon into a prison by concealing it in a body cavity.

On February 14, Wilhite underwent both a 'thorough' pat search and a strip search at the jail (pictured), but officials did not find the miniature gun in her possession

Back in 2017, a female inmate managed to smuggle a 22-caliber pistol into a jail holding cell at Santa Clara County Jail in California.

Officers later discovered the gun wrapped in toilet paper on a bathroom floor.

Meanwhile, in 2012, a North Carolina man managed to smuggle a 10 inch long .38 revolver into prison by hiding it in his rectum.

The man was even told to 'squat and cough' to make sure there was nothing concealed in a cavity, and he passed that test with flying colors.

However, the next day, prison guards uncovered the large weapon in his cell.

He received medical treatment for possible injuries sustained to his rectum.

The weapon was not loaded at the time, but it was test fired by officials who found it was in operational condition.
Friday morning it was announced that there will be no spectators at this year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. That has been the outcome of talks between the Baku City Circuit, the government of Azerbaijan, Formula 1 and the FIA. In a statement, the organisation regrets the situation but says that there is no other option at the moment due to the coronavirus.

The country has a population of nearly ten million people and the COVID-19 situation appears to be reasonably under control, but it is too early to immediately welcome thousands of fans in about three months' time. "While the global situation and pandemic response is continuing to improve, it has become clear that the 2021 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix race weekend has arrived too soon for BCC to safely host the event with fans present.

Tickets are converted

Whereas last year's event in Baku was completely cancelled, at least there will be a Grand Prix now. Unfortunately without spectators. Fans who had bought a ticket for the 2020 edition will now be sent a ticket for 2022. "Our message is as simple as it is heartfelt: we miss you and we will see you again!", says Arif Rahimov.

However, the director of Baku City Circuit stresses that the most important thing is to keep everyone safe and healthy. To ensure that everyone who attends or contributes in any way to the event can do so, fans will have to wait a year before they can come back to the street circuit.
U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, was one of several Texas Republicans casting blame for the state's blackouts this month as millions of Texans huddled in their frigid homes.

As with many other Republicans and conservative pundits, Crenshaw pointed his finger at wind energy as the primary culprit. But in a Feb. 16 tweet thread, Crenshaw expanded criticism beyond frozen wind turbines to include the federal subsidies for the wind industry and "force the grid to rely in part on wind as a power source."

"Why dont we have extra gas power when we need it most?" Crenshaw tweeted. "Because years of federal subsidies for wind has caused an over reliance on wind and an under-investment in new gas and nuclear plants."

"Subsidizing investment in wind has pushed gas and nuclear out," he said.

Theres no doubt that wind energy now plays a major role in supplying Texas and the U.S. with power. In Texas, wind has grown from supplying 11% of the states energy demand to 23% over the last five years. It is now the states second-largest energy resource after natural gas.

In the U.S., wind accounted for 7% of all energy generation and was the nation's fourth-largest energy resource in 2019 after natural gas, coal and nuclear, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Its accurate to say that renewable energy subsidies over the last two decades have stoked investments in wind energy, said Bernadette Johnson, an energy economist with Enverus.

"Those underpin every major renewable investment in the country," Johnson said.

But is it true that gas and nuclear energy sources across the U.S. have been "pushed" out, and that federal wind subsidies are to blame?

Subsidies for wind, natural gas and nuclear energy generation

For nearly 200 years, federal subsidies have supported energy generation and infrastructure for all resources, according to a 2018 report from the University of Texas Energy Institute. For instance, in the 1800s the federal government leased timber stands and coal deposits to energy companies at generously low rates. In the 20th century, various tax policies sought to promote domestic oil and gas production. And in the 1950s, former President Dwight D. Eisenhowers Atoms for Peace program funneled billions of dollars into nuclear energy development.

Before the turn of the century, fossil fuel industries accounted for up to 70% of the total cost of energy tax breaks. It wasnt until around 2008 that renewable energy sources became the primary benefactor of federal support.

"Where once the government targeted energy production generally, it has shifted its spending focus towards cleaner, lower-carbon sources," Energy Institute researchers wrote.

Generally, subsidies are defined as direct payments from the government to energy producers and measures like tax abatements.

The most popular subsidy program from which wind energy producers benefit is the production tax credit, which was initially introduced in the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Production tax credits reduce a wind producers tax burden by a certain amount for every megawatt-hour of energy produced. In 2016, compensation was set at $23 per megawatt hour, although that amount ratchets down over a 10-year period.

Wind energy producers also benefited from another federal program that reimbursed developers 30% of their capital costs in lieu of a tax credit. Known as Section 1603 cash grants, the program was introduced in 2009 and distributed $25.7 billion to green energy projects before it expired three years later.

Between 2010 and 2013, Energy Institute researchers found that federal wind energy subsidies jumped from $5.4 billion to $5.7 billion annually thanks to the Section 1603 grants. Following the program's expiration, however, federal wind subsidies dropped to $2.7 billion in 2016 then were projected to climb back up to $4.6 billion by 2019.

Meanwhile, hydrocarbon-based energy producers, mostly including natural gas, also have enjoyed their share of federal subsidies  from $3.1 billion in 2010 to a projected $6.2 billion in 2019, mostly through production tax abatements. Subsidies for nuclear sources over the last decade have remained relatively steady at around $1.3 billion annually.
Ukraine is ready to receive a NATO Membership Action Plan, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna has said.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, she said this on the Right to Power program on the 1+1 television channel.

She stressed that there is no official document stating that a country in which there is a territorial conflict cannot become a member of the EU or NATO. In addition, she noted that today the geopolitical balance of power is changing all over the world.

"Today, NATO is formulating its strategy for ten years. [...] As Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, who is doing this work every day, I can confirm that Ukraine is ready for the Membership Action Plan. The president, the government and the parliament - and this is a unique situation for the past 20 years - are working to ensure that the European and Euro-Atlantic capitals could be ready for this," Stefanishyna said.

According to her, in order to obtain the MAP, Ukraine needs to implement a number of reforms, and their implementation has already begun, including the reform of defense procurement, the security and defense sector, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the rule of law.

Stefanishyna also recalled that the implementation of the MAP for North Macedonia lasted 20 years.

"That is why it is important for us to get the MAP that we deserved both in 1994, when the Budapest Memorandum was signed, and in 2008, when the decisions were made that Ukraine would be a member of NATO, but not today. I think that now is the historic moment when there is a consensus of at least 14 Allies on the materialization of the open-door policy. There is a new U.S. administration in which the U.S. President has a unique understanding of the Ukrainian file. [...] Ukraine and Georgia are the only non-member states of NATO that are responsible for security in the Black Sea region. That is why Ukraine's membership in NATO and the MAP is a big job that not only Ukraine needs. But Ukraine deserves this chance, and we are doing everything possible to make it real," she said.

op
has asked the European Commission to review its decision to block a shipment of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, as countries importing EU-made shots fear a potential impact on supplies.



The EU executive backed Italy's decision to block a shipment of 250,000 doses of the vaccine to Australia, European officials said, in the first refusal of an export request since a mechanism to monitor vaccine flows was established in late January.



The move was a reaction to AstraZeneca's delays in delivering vaccines to the EU. The company has said it can supply only about 40 million doses by the end of this month compared to 90 million foreseen in its contract.



One official said the Anglo-Swedish firm had initially asked Rome to ship even more doses to Australia, but then cut its request to 250,000 after a first refusal by Italy, where some of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccines are bottled.



" has raised the issue with the European Commission through multiple channels, and in particular we have asked the European Commission to review this decision," Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters in Melbourne.



A spokeswoman for the European Commission said on Friday that the EU executive had received no specific request from Australia's health minister on the vaccine block.



Hunt said Australia, which began its inoculation programme two weeks ago, had already received 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine, which would last until local production of the vaccine ramps up. He added the missing doses would not affect the rollout of Australia's inoculation programme.



When asked about the EU's export ban, Japan vaccine minister Taro Kono said: "We are asking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to thoroughly investigate. We want to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure the vaccines bound for Japan." did not reply to a request for comment.



EXPORT CONTROLS



Apart from the decision to block the shipment to Australia, the EU has authorised all requests for export since the scheme's Jan. 30 debut to March 1, which amounted to 174 requests for millions of shots to 29 countries, including Australia, Japan, Britain, the United Arab Emirates and Canada, an EU Commission spokeswoman said.



Almost all vaccines exported from the EU since the end of January are made by Pfizer and BioNTech, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said last week, with much smaller amounts being exported by Moderna and



The EU set up the mechanism to monitor vaccine exports after drugmakers announced delays in their supplies to the 27-nation bloc. It is now planning to extend the scheme until the end of June after it expires on March 31, EU officials told Reuters.



When asked about Italy's move, French Health Minister Olivier Veran said that Paris could do the same, although at the moment it produces no Covid-19 vaccines.



German Health Minister Jens Spahn said that drug manufacturers must honour vaccine supply contracts to Europe, but said Germany had not yet had any reason to stop shipments of shots produced domestically to other countries.



While seeking the European Commission's intervention, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he could understand reasons for Italy's objection.



"In Italy people are dying at the rate of 300 a day. And so I can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many countries across Europe," Morrison told reporters in Sydney.



Italy's move came just days after Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who took office last month, told fellow EU leaders that the bloc needed to speed up vaccinations and crack down on pharma companies that failed to deliver on promised supplies.



EU countries started inoculations at the end of December, but are moving at a far slower pace than other rich nations, including former member Britain and the United States. Officials blame the slow progress in part on supply problems with manufacturers.


The US Embassy in Baghdad has warned Americans about potential security threats in Iraq follows several attacks targeting the US military in the country.

The embassy published a security alert on Friday saying, Extremist groups and regional actors have conducted destructive and sometimes lethal attacks against a variety of targets. The embassy listed airports, tourist attractions, transportation centers, malls, government facilities and other places frequented by Americans and Westerners as potential targets. People living near military bases are especially at risk, according to the embassy.

The alert did not mention any groups in particular, but referenced Iran-supported groups and Iraqi militants as the potential culprits.

There have been numerous attacks in Iraq lately linked to Irans militia allies. On Feb. 15, several rockets targeted US forces in Erbil in Iraqs Kurdistan Region, killing a contractor and injuring others including civilians. A group named Saraya Awliya al-Dam claimed credit. On Feb. 22, rockets hit Baghdads Green Zone, where the American and other foreign embassies are located. There were no casualties. On Wednesday, the US military said that an American military contractor died of a heart attack following an attack on Iraqs al-Asad air base. The embassy warning came two days later.

The US government has laid the blame on Iran-backed militias within Iraq, particularly Kataib Hezbollah. On Feb. 25, the US military struck a Syrian border crossing frequently used by the group and another militia called Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, killing one fighter. The embassys statement further indicates the United States holds Iran and its allies accountable for the attacks.

The Iranian government said it was not behind the Erbil attack. Kataib Hezbollah also denied involvement in the Erbil and Green Zone incidents.

The embassy warning came on the same day the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, arrived in Iraq. The embassy did not mention the popes highly publicized trip in its announcement. A spokesman for Kataib Hezbollah criticized the pope coming to Iraq ahead of the visit.

There are numerous militias within Iraq. The Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) consist of groups that formed to fight the Islamic State in 2014. They are predominantly Shiite Muslims, but there are also Sunni Muslim and Christians as well. Some PMU groups, including Kataib Hezbollah, are backed by Iran. Some others groups are close to top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

There are 2,500 US troops in Iraq in Baghdad's Green Zone, Erbil International Airport and al-Asad airbase in the western Anbar province.
Children across China participated in various themed activities, including sports challenges and parent-child games, over the last few days to celebrate the International Childrens Day, which falls on Tuesday this year. China established the day in 1949 and made it a full-day holiday for children under 14 in 1956 as an occasion to celebrate the spirit of youth

Jun 01, 2021 05:38 PM
Superdry's boss has lashed out at the Chancellor for failing to reform business rates.

Julian Dunkerton said he was disappointed by the move and warned that uncertainty over rates will stop me investing.

Rishi Sunak extended the business rates holiday for shops and other High Street firms for a year in a 6.8billion tax break in the Budget.

Investing fears: Superdry boss Julian Dunkerton (pictured with wife Jade Holland Cooper) said he was 'disappointed' by the Budget's failure to address business rates

The relief was due to end this month but firms will instead not pay any business rates for another three months and then two-thirds of the bill from July to April 2022.

But hopes of a full-scale overhaul of the business rates system were dashed.

Dunkerton, 56, founder of Superdry, said: Im very disappointed the rates issue hasnt been resolved.

'It will stop me investing in the High Street.

'I need a long-term solution to allow us to renew leases, open new stores and really invest again, and it sadly is not going to deliver that.



Visa Franchise, the leading advisor for identifying and analyzing US businesses for foreign nationals who qualify for the E-2 Visa, has recently launched their E-2 Visa Approvals and Denials Statistics report for 2020. The E-2 Visa is one of the most popular US visas a foreign national can obtain in order to immigrate to the US. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the number of visas issued by the US has dropped from 8,7 million non-immigrant visas issued in 2019 to only 4 million non-immigrant visas issued in 2020.

Visa Franchise notes that the E-2 Visa has suffered several policy changes in 2020. These changes were in large part due to the mandate in Section 10 of Executive Order 13780, requiring the Department of State to review all non-immigrant visa reciprocity agreements to make sure they are truly reciprocal. As a result of these changes, citizens of Macedonia are no longer eligible for E-2 Visa, the citizens of Chile, Denmark, Norway, and Latvia have their E-2 Visa validity period reduced, and the citizens of Mexico have their E-2 Visa validity period extended from 12 months to 48 months. In 2020, only 23,493 foreign nationals obtained an E-2 Visa, while 3,266 applicants were rejected. This translates to a denial rate of 12,21%, which is less than half of the 25% denial rate for all non-immigrant visas.

According to Visa Franchise, Japan is the country with the highest E-2 Visa issuances with 8,654 Japanese citizens obtaining this type of visa in 2020. Most of the Japanese E-2 Visas are for E-2 managers that are transferred to work in a E-2 company in the United States. The next places in the report are occupied by Canada with 2,500 approvals, South Korea with 1,973 approvals, Germany with 1,487 approvals, France with 1,279 approvals, Great Britain and Northern Ireland with 1,275 approvals, Mexico with 838 approvals, Italy with 827 approvals, Spain with 583 approvals, and on the 10th place Taiwan, China with 390 approvals. Most E-2 Visas from countries besides Japan and Germany represent investor visas applied by individual entrepreneurs who plan to operate a small U.S. business.

Getting approval for certain immigrant and non-immigrant visas has become more difficult due to the stricter immigration policies implemented under the Trump administration. The E-2 Visa is one of the most popular and sought-after visas in the entire US immigration system. This visa allows applicants to renew indefinitely, enter and exit the US multiple times in the validity period and stay in the US for as long as two years per entry.

Visa Franchise is providing a smooth and secure path for families moving to the US through the E-2 investor visa. They can help foreign nationals looking to legally reside in the US by investing in a US small business. Their team analyzes the best business opportunities for their clients based on their unique profiles. Their research team constantly analyzes franchise and business concepts in order to deliver the best small business investment solutions directly to the customer.

For more information, visit https://www.visafranchise.com/


India Inc is gearing up to bear the cost burden to vaccinate employees against Covid-19 in a bid to bring back normalcy in operations and earn some goodwill.

For instance, (RIL), in a letter to its staff members, said it would vaccinate all its employees and their family members free of cost.

The letter from Nita Ambani, chairperson and founder of Reliance Foundation, said RIL will cover the cost of for employees, spouses, parents, and children. Nita is also non-executive director of The group has around 200,000 people on its rolls.

Nita said this push was in line with the commitment that her husband Mukesh Ambani and she had made on Reliance Family Day 2020 (December 23, 2020).

Responding to a query on the call for vaccinating employees, Ajay Bansal, president at All India Petroleum Dealers Association (AIPDA) said, We have written to the ministry of petroleum to declare petrol pump attendants and other staffers as essential workers. This is to get Covid-19 vaccine shots.

They were declared essential workers and had performed their duties during Covid-19 lockdowns, but were not considered eligible to get the vaccine jab. The government  either through oil marketing or some other mechanism  should bear the cost of vaccinating petrol pump workers, Bansal added.





He said that there were around 700,000 petrol pump workers that need to be administered Covid-19 vaccines.

Other are also stepping up to vaccinate their employees. IndiGo said it was footing the bill for vaccinating staffers and their kin. "We are working towards facilitating the COVID-19 to all our employees in a streamlined manner so as to ensure that all our staff get vaccinated while also making sure that our operations are not affected during the process. We will sponsor the vaccines for our staff and will facilitate it for their families."

also said it planned to cover the cost of Covid-19 vaccines for all eligible employees and their dependents. It currently has 125,000 team members working across 12 locations in the country. The company also tied up with wellness partners to assist team members with queries related to the vaccine. These include the dos, and donts, and provide answers to medical queries that an employee and their dependents may have.

upGrad, too, is offering free Covid-19 vaccination to all its employees and their families. The edtech company announced that it will be covering complete vaccination expenses for all its employees. This includes full-time, contract and interns, among others, and their families. This vaccination drive will be voluntary for the employees and their immediate families, who can avail it in major cities. The drive is also getting extended to ex-employees who may seek assistance from upGrad. Thus, more than 10,000 individuals comprising staff, spouse, kids, and parents of current employees and ex-employees could be benefiting from this move, an upGrad statement said.

Wipro Consumer Care (WCCL) said it will be reimbursing its India employees for the vaccination. It is better that employees get vaccinated themselves because thats easier and we would reimburse the cost to them, said Vineet Agrawal, chief executive at WCCL. The company has a headcount of 10,000 in the country. Even Amway is sponsoring Covid-19 vaccination for all its employees and their families.

With inputs from Twesh Mishra, Aneesh Phadnis and Samreen Ahmad


Oh yes, Houston barely emerged from the winter hellscape to experience yet another catastrophe looming. The iconic H-town landmark, River Oaks Theater, faces a real threat with its lease ending at the end of March, and Weingarten and Landmark Theatres have failed to come to an agreement about its fate.

Houston, this is not who we are. We can't throw away one of the cherished iconic venues in town like it's just some disposable structure on the landscape. River Oaks Theater (ROT) should never be in jeopardy or suffer a fate with a wrecking ball. Even though the historic theater has been given landmark status by the city of Houston, the defining home of art house films in Houston might vanish.

LIFTOFF: What drives Elon Musk? 'Liftoff' author reveals more about magnate's early days of SpaceX

"The River Oaks Theater is a city of Houston landmark," Preservation Houston's David Bush told KHOU's Jason Miles. "Its been designated a landmark. However under our preservation ordinance, landmarks can be demolished."

The thought of the theater turning into a Texas-sized parking lot on steroids or another condo project is like ripping away the chapters of our city's history. It's not just about the nuances of Houston history in this cool art-deco theater freshly minted in 1939. It's more about our shared history and ethereal, heartfelt moments spent together in one beautiful space, in that theater. Whether it was Houstonians laughing at the irreverent "Rocky Horror Picture Show" or Wes Anderson's "Grand Budapest Hotel," the River Oaks Theater was the quintessential spot for Houstonians to share some of the most enduring film moments.

There was something sublime about sitting in Houston's River Oaks Theater, just as the newly-released 2014 Richard Linklater film "Boyhood" rolled out its opening credits. Further into this honest film, it became more of this transcendent experience. Cut to Patricia Arquette in her poignant scene with her son, Mason, who's leaving the nest for college. She breaks down and cries as she's packing the boxes for her son's trip to collegeand says something deeply resonant.

"This is the worst day of my life." Olivia tells her son candidly. She then talks about all the milestones that have punctuated her life, and her son doesn't quite know what to say. "I just thought there would be more," she said at the end of the scene. Yes, I got it, like a bullet in the heart. Tears started to flow. But it wasn't just me who got it. This moment was shared with others in the space, with my friends who sat right next to me, brushing back the tears.

Texas filmmaker Richard Linklater described his days viewing screenings at River Oaks Theater as more of a spiritual experience. People won't soon forget their big-screen experiences, Linklater told Sight & Sound.

"Sometimes its hard to articulate [what makes cinemas special] but I always tell people its about life experience," Linklater said. "You have those great experiences with movies, and its the place, its the community around you, or even if it was a sparsely attended movie, its remembering the whole experience of watching it in a theatre. Ask people about their top movie-going experiences and no ones going to say 'Oh, that afternoon I sat on this side of my couch''We're communal beings."

Don't go, River Oaks Theater. As Linklater once said about movies and the special moments created in one theater, "These are the markers in your life, and they are tied to a space."
STAMFORD  A former city man accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile nearly a decade ago is back in custody after a judge determined he violated his conditions of release.

Canai Hill, 28, was allowed to walk free in December after he posted a $250,000 bond following his arrest a month earlier on charges of first-degree sexual assault, five counts of risk of injury to a child by sexual contact and two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault of a minor.

But, on Thursday, Hill was led out of Stamford Superior Court in handcuffs after Judge Bruce Hudock doubled his bond to $500,000 for alleged noncompliance with the terms of his release.

Hudocks decision came at the behest of Assistant States Attorney Elizabeth Moran, who argued that Hill  who has been on house arrest and under GPS monitoring since his release three months ago  made at least two unauthorized trips without the permission of his probation officer.

According to Moran, Hill, who has been living in New Jersey since the court determined that he could not return to his Stamford home because of its proximity to the victim in the case, has been staying at a residence that is located less than a mile from two elementary schools, one preschool and a park, which was not mentioned at the time the living arrangements were approved.

Moran further claimed that Hill, when confronted by his probation officer over his alleged noncompliance, said it is hard for him to follow these conditions since he has done nothing wrong.

This is not a matter of just adjusting to the conditions or simply trying to find a way to work with each other, Your Honor. It sounds like the deliberate noncompliance on Mr. Hills part, Moran said.

Stamford defense attorney Andrew Gould, who represents Hill, argued that the two incidents of noncompliance were more of a misunderstanding than defiance.

In the first instance, Hill was simply dropping off his mother at his sisters house, Gould said.

Gould claimed that the second incident involved his client overstaying an approved trip to have his phone repaired and stop at the grocery store.

He is trying to comply, Gould said.

After raising Hills bond, Hudock suggested Hill should explore moving back to Stamford in order to aid in his compliance with the terms of release, should he post bond again.

Im not going to put up with an individual saying they cant comply, Hudock said.

According to Hills 10-page arrest affidavit, police began to investigate him last March after a 17-year-old girl and her grandmother accused Hill, their longtime neighbor, of making sexual suggestions to the girl while the grandmother was out of the house.

Hill denied the allegations when interviewed by police.

The teen told police initially she was able to get Hill out of the house without incident, but the girl said he returned soon after, forcing her to lock herself and her younger brother in an upstairs bathroom while they hid from him, according to the affidavit.

When police asked the girl if Hill had ever made sexual advances to her before, she said he had when he was babysitting her at the age of 8 or 9, the affidavit said.

That allegation led to a forensic interview with a specialist from the state Department of Children and Families as well as a Child Guidance Advocate trained in interviewing young people about sexual assault allegations.

The girl said Hill continued inappropriate and violating behavior for several years, according to the affidavit.

The girls 12-year-old brother was also interviewed and told the social worker that Hill rubbed his thigh one time within the past year.

When police talked to Hill, he denied ever babysitting the girl and he said he was never left alone with the children. He said he was not that type of person and there were always people around when he was with the girl and her brother.

Hill is next scheduled to appear in court on March 30.
The Turkish Government released last Wednesday a 290-page document that justifies the genocide they committed against the Armenian Christians last year during the Nagorno-Karabakh's Fourty-Four Day War.

The document, entitled "Victory In Nagorno-Karabakh After 44 Days: The Token Of The Turkey-Azerbaijan Brotherhood," stated that the Turkish Government remained "within the boundaries of legitimacy, not targeting civilians and civilian settlements" even though, as per International Chrisian Concern, they used extensively strong Turkish-Azeri forces who targeted the settlements of civilians. This does not include the hiring of Syrian jihadist mercenaries to kill Christians.

The Turkish Government was said to have used cluster munitions and white phosporus gas during the war and even celebrated the tactics they used last December 10 through a victory parade.

According to International Christian Concern, the document is meant to "distract" people from the real issue, which is "committing genocide against Christians."

"This report by Turkey, particularly given its length, is meant to overwhelm and distract us from the real issue at hand. Which is that Turkey, a NATO ally, is committing genocide against Christians," declared International Christian Concern Middle East Regional Manager Claire Evans in their organization's website.

The International Christian Concern reported that the said document has a very lengthy historical analysis of what transpired during the war to "justify its actions." They said that the historical analysis can only set the context of the what happened but would not be able to justify any human rights abuses the Turkish Government has done in the past and present. Accordingly, International Christian Concern said that this is a technique of the Turkish Government of "erasing the collective memory of Christianity as an excuse not to pursue religious freedom protections for the local communities."

"This report shows the depth to which Turkey will message its narrative. It cannot be contradicted by those on the ground who are living the consequences of Turkey's actions, without risking their personal lives and safety," Evans added, "It is absurd that Turkey can so blatantly acknowledge its role in igniting a war, in using the language of genocide to win it, and yet still have an internationally recognized peace-keeping role over newly conquered territories."

In "The Anatomy Of Genocide; Karabakh's Forty-Four Day War," prepared and released by International Christian Concern last January, a background on the war is given alongside advocacy recommendations and the history of Nagorno-Karabakh. The war broke on September 27, 2020 in South Caucasus, Turkey and lasted for forty-four days until Russia stepped in. Footages of the war crimes were published by the Azeri and paid Turkish Syrian mercenaries.

International Christian Concern explained that the dynamics of the war was deeply complex but had strong implications on religious freedom since it is basically set to "erase Christianity from the historical memory of Karabakh." It also aimed to "dehumanize local residents" by "dismantling their identity" and by "using a variety of impression management maneuvers to limit the ability of international observers to name the war" for the "genocide" that it is.

Richard Barnett, infamously photographed during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot with his feet propped on a desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, shouted that it was "not fair" that he remained in jail, in an outburst before a federal judge on Thursday.

In a virtual hearing, Barnett, 60, of Gravette, Ark., complained of his pretrial detention after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper set the next court date for May.

"The government keeps dragging this out and letting everybody else out," Barnett argued before the judge abruptly called for a recess for Barnett to speak with his attorneys, according to a transcript of the hearing.

"This has been a bunch of crap," Barnett yelled before the recess, according to a Daily Beast reporter on the call.

After the break, the hearing continued uninterrupted.

Barnett was arrested less than a week after the insurrection and entered a plea of not guilty.

Among the approximately 300 people charged with federal charges, Barnett and others have objected to the fallout after their arrests. Texas flower shop owner Jenny Louise Cudd, who complained to Vanity Fair she was "canceled," asked the court to allow her to go on vacation to Mexico.

After "QAnon shaman" Jacob Chansley, pictured in a fur headdress and horns on Jan. 6, demanded improved conditions in jail as he awaits trial, claiming nonorganic food was against his religion, a federal judge ordered Chansley be moved to a jail in Virginia where he would be served organic food, according to court records.

Chansley, like others facing criminal charges stemming from the riot, publicly requested but did not receive a pardon from former president Donald Trump.

Barnett has remained behind bars pending his trial since Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled Barnett's detention was warranted given the prosecution's arguments that Barnett is a flight risk. Barnett told federal agents on Jan. 8 that after the insurrection he drove back to Arkansas, turned his phone's location services off, used only cash and kept his face covered, according to court records.

"He also commented that the agents may not find much at his house because he is a smart man," prosecutors wrote in a memo in favor of pretrial detention. Barnett told the agents he had recently removed his guns from his house before it was searched.

In photos of Barnett sitting in an office chair in Pelosi's office, a stun gun appeared to be clipped to his waist. Records identified by prosecutors indicate Barnett bought a 950,000-volt stun gun walking stick at a Bass Pro Shop in Arkansas five days before he traveled to Washington.

Surveillance video, photos and media interviews captured Barnett in Pelosi's office for six minutes and his unabashed boasts later that he broke in and took mail from the office, according to authorities. In an interview, he showed off an envelope with Pelosi's signature.

Barnett insisted he didn't steal the mail, telling a reporter that he left a quarter and note with an expletive and his nickname "Bigo" on the desk.

"I did not steal it," he said, according to a video the FBI obtained. "I bled on it because they were macing me and I couldn't [expletive] see so I figured I am in her office. I got blood on her office."

A grand jury indicted Barnett in January on seven counts, including disorderly conduct, obstruction of an official proceeding and theft of government property.
Children across China participated in various themed activities, including sports challenges and parent-child games, over the last few days to celebrate the International Childrens Day, which falls on Tuesday this year. China established the day in 1949 and made it a full-day holiday for children under 14 in 1956 as an occasion to celebrate the spirit of youth

Jun 01, 2021 05:38 PM
Within days, or a couple of weeks at the most, Californians will know whether their state Supreme Court will respect their views on a key aspect of criminal justice, or whether their ideas on what is right and just will be ignored.

Only a few months ago, voters opted by almost a 57-43 percent margin to reject Proposition 25 and along with it a law passed in 2019 that would have ended cash bail virtually everywhere in this state.

Instead, judges would have been forced to grant pretrial release for criminal defendants regardless of how serious their offense so long as even one judge deemed them unlikely to flee or commit more violent acts.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register.

Bail bondsmen and crime victims alike breathed a sigh of relief when that so-called reform was tossed. But now comes the states highest court, seemingly ready to disregard the voters will completely.

If the justices opt to get rid of cash bail in almost all cases, theyll be following the example of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who used pandemic-enabled emergency power to suspend most cash bail last spring ostensibly to cut down crowding in county jails and help prevent more spread of disease.
Pope Francis gives a blessing as he prepares to fly to Baghdad from Fiumicinos International airport Leonardo da Vinci, near Rome (Cecilia Fabiano/ LaPresse/AP)

Pope Francis was heading to Iraq on Friday to urge the countrys dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns to make his first-ever papal visit.

Iraqis were keen to welcome him and the global attention his visit will bring, with banners and posters hanging high in central Baghdad, and billboards depicting Francis with the slogan We are all Brothers decorating the main thoroughfare.

In central Tahrir Square, a mock tree was erected, emblazoned with the Vatican emblem, while Iraqi and Vatican flags lined empty streets.

Expand Close Iraqi Christians gather around the Church of the Virgin Mary in Baghdad before going to the airport to welcome Pope Francis (Khalid Mohammed/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Iraqi Christians gather around the Church of the Virgin Mary in Baghdad before going to the airport to welcome Pope Francis (Khalid Mohammed/AP)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Iraqis are eager to embrace Franciss message of peace and tolerance and described the visit as a historic meeting between the minaret and the bells.

Among the highlights of the three-day visit will be Franciss private meeting on Saturday with the countrys top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a revered figure in Iraq and beyond.

The government is eager to show off the relative security it has achieved after years of wars and militant attacks that nevertheless continue even today.

Francis and the Vatican delegation are relying on Iraqi security forces to protect them, including with the expected first use of an armoured car for the Popemobile-loving pontiff.

Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for Iraqs joint operations, said security forces have been increased.

This visit is really important to us and provides a good perspective of Iraq because the whole world will be watching, he said. The high stakes will give Iraqi forces motivation to achieve this visit with safety and peace.

Expand Close Security forces pass Iraqi and Vatican flags and posters in a street in Qaraqosh, ahead of the first papal visit to Iraq (Hadi Mizban/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Security forces pass Iraqi and Vatican flags and posters in a street in Qaraqosh, ahead of the first papal visit to Iraq (Hadi Mizban/AP)

Francis is breaking his year-long Covid-19 lockdown to refocus the worlds attention on a largely neglected people whose northern Christian communities, which date from the time of Christ, were largely emptied during the violent Islamic State reign from 2014-2017.

For the Pope, who has often travelled to places where Christians are a persecuted minority, Iraqs beleaguered Christians are the epitome of the martyred church that he has admired ever since he was a young Jesuit seeking to be a missionary in Asia.

In Iraq, Francis is seeking to not only honour its martyrs but deliver a message of reconciliation and fraternity.

The few Christians who remain in Iraq harbour a lingering mistrust of their Muslim neighbours and face structural discrimination long pre-dating both IS and the 2003 US-led invasion that plunged the country into chaos.

The Popes visit is to support the Christians in Iraq to stay, and to say that they are not forgotten, the Chaldean patriarch, Cardinal Luis Sako, told reporters in Baghdad this week. The aim of Franciss visit, he said, is to encourage them to hold on to hope.

The visit comes as Iraq is seeing a new spike in coronavirus infections, with most new cases traced to the highly contagious variant first identified in Britain.

The 84-year-old Pope, the Vatican delegation and travelling media have been vaccinated; most Iraqis have not.

Expand Close Iraqi Christians gather at the Church of the Virgin Mary before going to the airport to welcome Pope Francis to Baghdad (Khalid Mohammed/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Iraqi Christians gather at the Church of the Virgin Mary before going to the airport to welcome Pope Francis to Baghdad (Khalid Mohammed/AP)

Ahead of Franciss arrival on Friday, dozens of men, women and children gathered in the Church of the Virgin Mary in Baghdad, many not wearing masks or observing social distancing, before boarding buses to the airport to welcome the pontiff.

The Vatican and Iraqi authorities have played down the threat of the virus and insisted that social distancing, crowd control and other healthcare measures will be enforced.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said this week that the important thing is for Iraqis to know that the Pope came to Iraq as an act of love.

My dear Christian brothers and sisters from #Iraq, who have testified to your faith in Jesus amid harsh sufferings: I cannot wait to see you. I am honoured to encounter a Church of martyrs: thank you for your witness! https://t.co/bgm76p31tM  Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 4, 2021

I come among you as a pilgrim of peace, to repeat you are all brothers, Francis said in a video-message to the Iraqi people on the eve of his visit.

I come as a pilgrim of peace in search of fraternity, animated by the desire to pray together and walk together, also with brothers and sisters of other religious traditions.

Christians once constituted a sizeable minority in Iraq but their numbers began dwindling after the 2003 US-led invasion.

They fell further when IS militants in 2014 swept through traditionally Christian towns across the Nineveh plains. Their extremist brand of Islam forced residents to flee to the neighbouring Kurdish region or further afield.

Few have returned, and those who have found their homes and churches destroyed.

Returnees have had to contend with more struggles. Many cannot find work and blame discriminatory practices in the public sector, Iraqs largest employer.

Since 2003, public jobs have been mostly controlled by majority Shiite political elites, leaving Christians feeling marginalised.

While firm numbers are hard to come by, there were an estimated 1.4 million Christians in Iraq in 2003. Today the number is believed to be around 250,000.

During his visit, Francis will pray in the Baghdad church that was the site of one of the worst massacres of Christians, the 2010 attack by Islamic militants in which 58 people were killed.

Expand Close Iraqi Christians prepare posters welcoming Pope Francis to St Josephs Chaldean Church (Khalid Mohammed/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Iraqi Christians prepare posters welcoming Pope Francis to St Josephs Chaldean Church (Khalid Mohammed/AP)

He will honour the dead in a Mosul square surrounded by shells of destroyed churches and meet with the small Christian community that returned to Qaraqosh. He will bless their church, which was used as a firing range by IS.

The Vatican and the Pope have frequently insisted on the need to preserve Iraqs ancient Christian communities and create the security, economic and social conditions for those who have left to return. But that has not necessarily translated into reality.

The Rev Raed Adil Kelo, parish priest of the Church of the Annunciation in the onetime de-facto IS capital, said: I am the only priest in Mosul. Every Sunday I hold mass at 9am, and only around 70 people attend.

Before 2003, the Christian population was 50,000, he said. It had dwindled to 2,000 before IS overran northern Iraq.

He does not expect more to return, but said Franciss visit will have immeasurable importance for those who stayed.

This visit will bring peace to Iraq, he said.
First the Morrison government tries to get Mathias Cormann up as Director General of the OECD, now they send Finkel out on the world stage to try and convince the world of our green credentials. Countries that are serious about the climate challenge commit to targets. Countries that are not serious and seek to undermine the global effort, do the sorts of things just described. Experienced international diplomats, negotiators and politicians understand this very clearly. They also look set to respond in a way that will cost us very dearly. Tim Thornton, Northcote Coming home from swimming, my granddaughter and I often play the would you rather game. Recently we played this game with a different twist. Papa, my granddaughter said, would you rather spend a lot of money on climate change and have to admit later you had made a mistake and look silly; or would you rather not spend money on climate change and so everyone dies? There is nothing else that needs to be said. No more spin, no more denial, just concrete meaningful action. Ian Caddy, Cheltenham Dr Finkel reduces his credibility as a scientist by taking on a role as the governments paid lobbyist. Angela Michaelis, Balmain Noble profession Harry Nicolsons obituary should be prescribed reading for all final year high school students who are thinking about the next stage in their lives, to show them what a truly noble, inspiring and important career teaching can be (Exceptional teacher who wove a subtle magic, March 5). Anne Ring, Coogee

Healthy brekky Increasing the milk content of the cereal will reduce their risk of choking. But how do they keep the milky spoon away from the Herald (Letters, March 5)? Mustafa Erem, Terrigal Cornflakes. Its only cornflakes that put you at risk, on balance of anecdotal evidence. Janice Windsor, Greenwich Sour berries Over the years of civilisation mankind has achieved some amazing things, such as travelling to the moon, creating electronic devices that bring the world into our homes, creating the wheel, mastering flight, creating music and developing vaccines, to name just a few. Yet we are still unable to purchase a punnet of strawberries without half of them being inedible. Victor Marshall, Meander (TAS)

Blooming happy The first flowers are opening on Sydneys millions of sasanqua camellias. Its official, Autumn has arrived. In these times of such uncertainty its comforting to know that some things dont change. Nedra Orme, Neutral Bay Latham censorship will lower standards As I recall, contrary to Mark Lathams views about gender construction in early childhood, young boys feared any association with the colour pink, whether it was clothes, cards, toys food, sport (Shakespeare banned in classrooms under gender bill, March 5). There were strongly embedded gender associations with every aspect of culture. Hopefully, things are changing. As to his bill to deregister teachers for mentioning controversial topics including racism, gender and gender fluidity, such censorship is going to have a huge impact on teachers fearing to teach the mandated curriculum. What better way to bring down education standards than this? Vanessa Tennent, Oatley

We need to get humourless fanatics out of the classroom and let all students benefit from finding themselves represented in the texts they read and view. There are a great diversity of texts from Shakespeare to contemporary young adult books that have a place in showing our shared humanity. The NSW government needs to stop privileging Lathams narrow and destructive One Nation campaign to diminish us all. Deb McPherson, Gerringong Its time we all woke up to these puritanical censors and called them out for the McCarthyists that they are. The literature of previous generations must not be subjected to the judgment, small-mindedness and moralising of the current oh so politically correct mob. First Dr Seuss, next Shakespeare (The cancel culture that stole Dr Seuss, smh.com.au, March 5). John Robertson, Springwood Watchdog, not lapdog Why must the most obvious requirements be even demanded of some of our high-flying politicians (ICAC funding must be free of political influence, March 5)? Could the trend of politicians avoiding critical analysis combined with a diminishing attention span by the public provide an answer? Nevertheless, allowing politicians to call the shots regarding how a watchdog might operate provides perfect fodder for a follow-up episode of Yes, Minister.

The terms of reference of how such bodies operate matter. As does the provision of adequate resources for its functioning. Keeping our elected leaders accountable surely forms part of what defines a democracy.

Appropriately funding a state-based watchdog as well as setting up a federal equivalent is well overdue. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why

ICACs independence with sufficient funding is the only way to restore public confidence in investigations involving politicians and senior public servants. As detailed in your editorial, current investigations are hampered due to political influence and funding shortfalls and the public have little confidence in the numerous scandals in NSW being properly investigated. Limp excuses by the Premier can no longer be tolerated. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach Schools moral compass School principals writing to parents and reminding them of their parental duty not to host underage parties is a bit rich (Parents hosting drunk parties at fault: schools, March 5). Schools also have a fundamental duty of care for their pupils and with it comes the rule of law, concerning any alleged sexual assault incidents within the school boundaries. Furthermore, the schools have a responsibility to assist with the development of each and every one under their care, concerning the values of society. Michael Blissenden, Dural Breaking the class ceiling All power to Jennifer Robinsons Acacia Scholarship group (Networks not only for private schools, March 5). I am still haunted by a comment made decades ago by a work colleague. His son had finished his law degree and had gathered with a cohort of other graduates to be allocated to legal firms in a trainee capacity. He reported his sons comment.Dad, why am I the only one from a public school in this group?. The Acacia network can only contribute to further improvement. Gus Plater, Saratoga

Growth, at a cost The photo showing the greenfield idyll to be destroyed by 5500 houses highlights the problems we now face with environmental degradation, the devastation of native flora and fauna, carbon emissions, and the provision of safe, healthy, low-carbon-kilometres food for Sydney (Landcom paid $100m over odds for town site, March 5). A fast buck via land development, underpinned by the so-called easy economic growth model of fast population growth through immigration, is no longer environmentally and economically sustainable. Arable land and clean water supply are our most valuable resources, supported by a healthy and diversified ecosystem, and must be ring-fenced to provide hope for the future. Alan Carruthers, Artarmon Macgregors legacy More than two decades on and my awe of Liz Ann Macgregor remains (Museum of Contemporary Art director Liz Ann Macgregor to step down, March 4). Until her appointment as director of the MCA, I cared little about this institution. I remember seeing her picture in this paper and reading her story and I instantly wanted to go and see more art. What a wonderful legacy she leaves. Elizabeth Forrest, Balgowlah Heights Migrants prison island

I am frustrated and upset with the extension of the overseas travel ban until June 2021 (Letters, March 5). The restrictions limiting travel are draconian and place mental stress on the people in this country. I am a permanent resident of Australia and this is my home. However, I have a father in America who is getting older and I would like to visit him in person. I am not the only person in this situation. I have a South African mate who would like to visit his mum due to health reasons. There are many more like us. This is a nation of migrants, whether people like to accept it or not. Hardworking, taxpaying migrants. Migrants build your homes, drive your buses, clean your bathrooms and pick your fruit. And we are being treated like second-class citizens, stuck on an island. A prison island. Adam Brown, Marrickville Health heist The Italian Jab (Europe blocks 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses bound for Australia, smh.com.au, March 5)?Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook In a word Im with your correspondents on so and there but not on boo-ee (buoy) (Letters, March 3 and 4). Its just an old pronunciation. My grandfather (born in 1870), a sea captain and harbour engineer, always pronounced it boo-ee. He also objected to my pronunciation of launch - Its a lahnch, boy - and when I insisted it was lawnch I was told to go tell my awnt. Language changes with the generations and changes in the UK (and Australia) are not necessarily followed in other parts of the English-speaking world. David Harvey, Drummoyne

All okay I am constantly being told its all good. The whole planet is in dire straits from the effects of climate change and human mismanagement, global leaders appear to be only interested in re-election and what will benefit themselves and their sponsors, a significant percentage of the worlds population is living in abject poverty and the world is rife with racism and misogyny. There is plenty of good in the world, but it certainly aint all good. Mark Morgan, Wahroonga Postscript Two stories dominated the letters pages this week: the aged care royal commission and historical rape allegations made against a cabinet minister. We received hundreds of letters speculating about the identity of the minister, and eventually commenting on his identity when it was revealed. The majority were unprintable because of our defamation laws, but thanks to the many who wrote, we were able to publish a thought-provoking and insightful collection of contributions. Theres a long tradition of letters to the editor at the Herald; they first appeared in the second edition of the paper on April 25, 1831. In a section headed Original Correspondence, the Heralds first letter was from a reader identifying themselves as A Farmer (writers tended to use pseudonymous in the early days). The writer was commenting about a petition sent to the government praying that duty be imposed on foreign wheat, a measure he felt was ill-timed and injudicious and could raise the cost of wheat to all consumers. A second letter was from Bacchus of Parramatta, who wrote about viticulture in response to an editorial in issue one. Both were passionate about their subjects, as correspondents continue to be today.

The German trade unions are playing a decisive role in the countrys return to an aggressive foreign policy and comprehensive social militarization. They act as corporate police and the extended arm of management, suppressing any independent movement on the part of workers. They openly support the rearmament of the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) and the European Union, while insisting that Germany lead and dominate the continent militarily.

This is shown by the recent statements of the works council of the Airbus Defence and Space and the IG Metall union on the development of the joint European air combat system FCAS (Future Combat Air System). The FCAS is among the largest European rearmament projects since World War II. In addition to drones, satellites and command-and-control aircraft, it will have a nuclear component and be able to integrate other weapons systems, including those of the Navy. The project is projected to consume at least 300 billion by the time it enters service in 2040. That is equivalent to about 75 percent of the current federal budget.

A model of the FCAS NGF fighter jet at the 2019 Paris Air and Space Show at Le Bourget (JohnNewton8 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

The union and the works council support this gigantic rearmament project. They demand, however, that Germany assert its national industrial and armaments interests over those of other European countries, above all, France. To the displeasure of IG Metall, only a French prototype has been planned so far for the air combat system. The model is to be developed and built by the French company Dassault, based on the French Rafale fighter.

Having our own Eurofighter-based demonstrator certified in Germany is of key importance for the German defence industry, stressed Thomas Pretzl, chairman of the general works council of the military division Airbus Defence and Space. If Germany were to forego its own national model, the FCAS would become an industrial policy project primarily for France, financed to a considerable extent by Germany, he said.

Pretzls alleged concern for jobs is pure hypocrisy as his arguments are explicitly militaristic. He says that a dedicated demonstrator would offer greater security not only to German workers but also to the Federal Republic of Germany and the Bundeswehr. In the event of a premature termination of cooperation on the FCAStensions have repeatedly arisen between Berlin and Paris in recent weeksthis would ensure that if necessary Germany could continue the project on its own.

Bernhard Stiedl, the primary representative of IG Metall Ingolstadt, struck the same nationalistic-militaristic tone. Above all, the demonstrator is crucial for transferring the knowledge of the engineers who developed the Tornado and the Eurofighter to the younger generation of engineers, he said. If Germany does not build its own demonstrator, this know-how will be lost.

The unions have supported the return of German militarism and the turn toward an aggressive foreign and great power policy from the beginning. Even before the belligerent speeches of then-Federal President Joachim Gauck and his successor Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Social Democratic Party, SPD) at the 2014 Munich Security Conference, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) had been closing ranks with the Bundeswehr.

The WSWS commented on the infamous February 2013 meeting between then DGB leader Michael Sommer, the leaders of the eight DGB-affiliated unions and the Ministry of Defence, saying:

The meeting made clear the central role played by the unions in every sphere of society to advance the interests of the ruling elite. Not only do they act as co-managers in the companies where they enforce cuts against workers in close cooperation with management in order to maintain the competitiveness of German businesses. They are also increasingly functioning as an extended arm of German foreign and military policy.

This assessment has been subsequently confirmed. The unions play a key role in the elaboration of rearmament and war policies and their enforcement against the will of the population.

Here are just a few more examples: Reiner Hoffmann, the current president of the DGB, actively participated in the Foreign Ministrys project Review 2014thinking further in foreign policy. The initiative of then foreign minister and current Federal President Steinmeier was part of the propaganda campaign for a more aggressive role for German imperialism. Its website included an article with the programmatic title: Germanys destinyto lead Europe in order to lead the world.

Hoffmanns own contribution also argued for Germany to take a stronger global stance. Acute crises occurring in many parts of the world repeatedly confront German foreign policy with the need for short-term intervention, the DGB leader wrote. We therefore need a forward-looking foreign policy that recognizes crisis potential in time and intervenes preventively.

Numerous other pronouncements by leading trade unionists leave no doubt that these comments refer specifically to military operations. As early as 2014, Stiedl described the combat drone program pursued by Germany and the EU as a ray of light and called for more funding for rearmament: We feel abandoned by politics. ... During the crisis, there were aid programs for the car and banking industries. We note that these did not happen for the defence industry.

The union-affiliated Hans Bockler Foundation produces its own strategy papers to advance German-European rearmament and war plans as quickly as possible. Dont just watch, help shape, reads the foreword to Perspectives of the Defence Technology Industry in Germany from 2015, for example, adding that a common European foreign and security policy is still a long way off and procurement is fragmented nationally. But politically, this is the right path, which the European industrial unions also support.

Currently, the DGB and its individual unions are among the staunchest supporters of the grand coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the SPD, which in the last years has ramped up arms spending from about 32 billion (2014) to more than 50 billion. With the FCAS and other planned armament projects, additional billions will follow. The open warmongering of the trade unions underlines that the fight against militarism, just like the fight against social cuts and the governments murderous pandemic policies, requires an organizational and political break with the trade unions.
She's in training for her upcoming action film, Interceptor.

But Elsa Pataky indulged in a cheat day on Wednesday, chowing down on a bag of Cheetos during an outing in Sydney with her three children with husband Chris Hemsworth.

The 44-year-old showed off her always incredible figure in a pair of Daisy Dukes.

Indulgence: Elsa Pataky indulged in a cheat day on Wednesday, when the mum-of-three stepped out in Sydney while chowing down on a bag of Cheetos

She paired the skimpy shorts with a low-cut, animal print blouse.

On the Fast Five actress' feet were a pair of camouflage patterned sneakers.

Elsa wore her wavy brunette tresses in a loose bun and hid her gaze behind a pair of dark shades for the stroll.

She also carried a backup snack in the form of beef jerky strips.

Legs for days! The 44-year-old showed off her always tremendous figure in a pair of leg-flattering Daisy Dukes

Wild thing: The wife of actor Chris Hemsworth paired the skimpy shorts with a low-cut, animal print blouse

Her man: The outing comes amid news that husband Chris will produce Elsa's forthcoming film, Interceptor. The couple seen here in a Monday Instagram post

The outing comes amid news that husband Chris will produce Elsa's forthcoming film, Interceptor.

The Thor star will serve as an executive producer on the Netflix film, per News.com.au.

Pataky will lead the film as a soldier who must save the world when 16 nuclear missiles are launched at the United States.

Australian actor Luke Bracey will co-star, but Elsa's husband is not expected to act in the movie, instead settling for a behind-the-scenes role.
Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG



Announcement on Resolutions of the 16th Meeting of the Tenth Session of the Board of Directors

Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt, 05 March 2021 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (D-Share 690D.DE, A-Share 600690.SH, H-Share 06690.HK) published today an announcement on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with regard to Resolutions of the 16th Meeting of the Tenth Session of the Board of Directors.

The 16th meeting of the tenth session of the Board of Directors of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") was convened in the afternoon of 5 March 2021 in Meeting Room 118 of Eco Brand Central Building of Haier Information Industrial Park in Qingdao City, with the due count of the Directors being 12 and the actual count being 12, including Directors Wu Changqi, Lin Sui, Dai Deming, Qian Daqun, Wang Keqin, Yu Hon To David, Eva Li Kam Fun, Li Shipeng attended the meeting via conference call. The number of attendees was in compliance with the requirements of laws and regulations and Articles of Association. The notice of the meeting was sent by email on 3 March 2021. Representatives of the Board of Supervisors and senior management personnel of the Company attended the meeting. The notice and the convening of the meeting comply with the requirements of the Company Law and Articles of Association. The meeting was presided by Mr. Liang Haishan, the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The following proposals have been considered and approved after prudent deliberation by the attending Directors:

I. Proposal on Establishment of Environmental, Social and Governance Committee and Appointment of Members of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (voting results: 12 voted for, 0 voted against, 0 abstained)

In order to better implement the Company's ecological brand strategy in the Internet of Things era, integrate the "Social, Environmental and Corporate Governance" concept into the corporate strategies, drive sustainable growth, create long-term value for respective stakeholders, and foster a green ecology and an intelligent life, based on the Code of Corporate Governance for Listed Companies of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "CSRC"), and the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and other relevant provisions, the Board of the Company intends to establish "Environmental, Social and Governance Committee"(hereinafter referred to as the "ESG Committee") to serve as a specialized work organ which assess the Company's environmental, social and governance responsibilities as well as the risks and opportunities confronted with, and formulate the environmental, social and governance vision, goals and strategies.

The proposed members of ESG Committee include Eva Li Kam Fun, Li Huagang, Lin Sui, Qian Daqun, among which Eva Li Kam Fun serves as the convener. The tenure of the above-mentioned members shall be effective from the date of consideration and approval by the Board, and shall last until the end of the tenth session of the Board.

For details, please refer to the Announcement on Establishment of the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee and Adjustment of Members of the Specific Committees of the Board disclosed on the same date as this announcement.

II. Proposal on Formulation of the Implementing Rules of the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (voting results: 12 voted for, 0 voted against, 0 abstained)

In order to better promote the work of Environmental, Social and Governance Committee, the Company hereby formulates the Implementation Rules of the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. in accordance with the Code of Corporate Governance for Listed Companies of China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and other relevant provisions.

For details, please refer to the Implementation Rules of the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. disclosed on the same date as this announcement.

III. Proposal on Adjusting the Composition of Special Committees of the Board of Directors of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (voting results: 12 voted for, 0 voted against, 0 abstained)

Based on the Company's demand for business development and requirements under relevant regulations, the Board of the Company intends to make adjustments on the Audit Committee and Strategy Committee, and the members of the adjusted special committees are as follows:

Special committees Members Conveners Strategy Committee Liang Haishan, Xie Ju Zhi, Wu Changqi, Lin Sui, Qian Daqun, Wang Keqin, Dai Deming, Li Shipeng Liang Haishan Audit Committee Dai Deming, Yu Hon To David, Lin Sui, Qian Daqun, Wang Keqin Dai Deming

The tenure of the above-mentioned members of special committees of the Board shall be effective from the date of consideration and approval by the Board, and shall last until the end of the tenth session of the Board.

For details, please refer to the Implementation Rules of the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. disclosed on the same date as this announcement.

IV. Proposal on Election of Vice Chairman of the Company of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (voting results: 12 voted for, 0 voted against, 0 abstained)

The Company intends to elect Mr. Xie Juzhi as an additional Vice Chairman of the Company.

According to the requirements of Articles of Association of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd., the Vice Chairman of the Company shall assist the Chairman in performing his duties, if the Chairman is unable or fails to perform his duties, such duties shall be performed by the Vice Chairman.

V. Proposal on the Scheme of Repurchase of a Portion of A-share Public Shares of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (voting results: 12 voted for, 0 voted against, 0 abstained)

According to the Company Law of the People's Republic of China, the Securities Law of the People's Republic of China, the Detailed Rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Implementation of Repurchase of Shares by Listed Companies and the Opinions on the Support of Repurchase of Shares by Listed Companies and other laws and regulations and requirements of the Articles of Association, and based on the confidence in the Company's future development prospects and high recognition of the Company's value, combined with the Company's operating conditions, primary business development prospects, the Company's financial condition and future profitability, the Company intends to use its own funds to repurchase a portion of A-share public shares by means of centralized bidding transactions for the implementation of its employee stock ownership plan or stock incentive (hereinafter referred to as "the repurchase"), so as to further improve the corporate governance structure, build a long-term incentive and restraint mechanism of managerial ownership, to ensure the realization of the Company's long-term business objectives, to align the interests of all shareholders and promote revenue sharing, and to enhance the overall value of the Company.

In order to ensure the smooth implementation of the share repurchase scheme, the Company's Board of Directors authorizes the Company's Management to handle matters relating to the share repurchase. The authorized content and scope include but not limited to:

(1) establish a special securities account for the repurchase and other related matters;

(2) select a good opportunity to repurchase the Company's shares, taking into account factors such as the specific time of the repurchase, the repurchase price and the repurchase quantity;

(3) make adjustment to specific implementation plans in accordance with relevant regulations and the requirements of regulators, and handle other matters relating to the share repurchase;

(4) prepare, modify, supplement, sign, submit, report and execute the agreements, contracts and documents formed in the process of repurchasing the Company's shares and make relevant declarations

(5) handle other matters that are not stated above but are necessary for the share repurchase in accordance with relevant rules.

The aforesaid authorization shall start from the date when the repurchase scheme is considered and approved by the Company's Board of Directors and end on the completion of matters authorized as above.

For details, please refer to the Announcement on the Scheme of Repurchase of a Portion of A-share Public Shares of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. to be disclosed soon.

The independent Directors have issued independent opinions on this proposal.



About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.:

Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized mass production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as smaller household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience.

IR contact:

Yao Sun (Sophie) - Haier Smart Home Germany

T: +49 6172 9454 143

F: +49 6172 9454 42143

M: +49 160 9469 3601

Email: y.sun@haier.de
Of all the restrictions placed on Manitobans during the pandemic, those that restrict funerals and those grieving the loss of a loved one may be the most damaging of them all.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Of all the restrictions placed on Manitobans during the pandemic, those that restrict funerals and those grieving the loss of a loved one may be the most damaging of them all.

"The health of people is my concern, the wellness of people, their mental wellness, which plays out physically, emotionally, spiritually. Those restrictions that are in place right now, Im finding are detrimental to peoples mental health," said David Klassen, a funeral director with Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service in Russell.

Funeral director David Klassen, with Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service in Russell, says funeral services are an integral part of grieving and can be safely managed with gatherings of more than 10 people, while observing the fundamentals. (Submitted)

Klassen noted an Alberta funeral that took place last year, where many people contracted COVID-19. But, he said, the funeral was not governed by a funeral director.

"The families did it on their own. There are some, there are very few, but there are some communities where funeral directors arent actually present at the ceremony and the burial," he said.

"Kevin (Sweryd) from MFSA (Manitoba Funeral Service Association) will quickly tell you that best practices as far as funeral directors is that were promoting the health guidelines."

In fact, Sweryd, who is president of the association, has been trying to get basic answers from a variety of government agencies for almost a year.

In a document provided to The Brandon Sun, Sweryd questions the internal logic of the orders with regards to funeral homes and churches.

"I can go to a church service on Sunday and attend with 100 people. But, on Monday, if a member of the exact same church has to have a (funeral) service for his wife at the exact same church 24 hours later, then it is only safe to have 10 people in the exact same space," Sweryd states.

He also wonders why funeral gatherings are restricted to 10 people while other businesses with far fewer safety protocols in place are allowed 25 per cent of their capacity, without tracking, without contact lists and very little management of crowd flow to ensure that there is adequate distancing.

Currently the public orders state that up to 10 persons, other than the officiant and a photographer or videographer, may attend a wedding or funeral if the operator of the premises where the wedding or funeral takes place implements measures to ensure that all persons attending are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from other persons at the wedding or funeral.

Meanwhile, for worship, the orders state churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship may open to hold regular religious services if (a) the number of persons attending a service does not exceed 25 per cent of the usual capacity of the premises or 100 persons, whichever is lower.

"Funerals can be conducted safely. We can keep contact lists and we can have proper social distancing in our chapels. What is the reason for treating our profession differently?" asked Sweryd.

Pandemic restrictions regarding funerals have severely affected families during their time of grieving, and funeral directors have not been able to make any inroads in communicating with Manitoba Public Health to make their case for their ability to plan safe services. (Submitted)

He stated he has asked this question of the previous health minister, the MECC (Manitoba Emergency Co-ordination Centre), Dr. Brent Roussin and Premier Brian Pallister.

"I have been asking this question for almost a year. And I have not received even the courtesy of a reply that I can share with our membership," he stated.

Klassen recalled one situation where a woman called three days after she had been in Braendle-Bruces, then tested positive for COVID-19. Staff went back through their contact information, determining who had been working and who might have been in contact with her.

"We called the public health office and explained the situation. What do we do now? What are the protocols? And, they ask the question, Was anybody within six feet of her, unmasked, for 15 minutes? Of course, nobody was. Everybody was masked throughout the whole time. So they actually told us that that wasnt considered contact," said Klassen.

"We were allowed to continue operating, nobody ever developed symptoms. There was no follow from that."

Public health orders relating to gathering, consistently group weddings and funerals together, including the orders dated March 4.

Klassen objects because gathering for a funeral is unlike any other type of gathering.

"Its not the same as a wedding. Its far from the same as a wedding. The wedding can be planned at any time and everybody can change their plans. But a funeral happens only when someone dies. And immediately, grief takes over. Grief cant be put on hold. Grief starts immediately, with a loss," he said.

He added we face all sorts of losses  divorce, loss of a job, for example. The process of grief is very similar, but grief of loss through death is irreversible. A person can get another spouse, another job.

"But you cant establish that same relationship with a deceased spouse or a parent or a child," said Klassen.

When the strictest restrictions were announced, Braendle-Bruce adapted with livestreaming  a practice the company will likely continue even after the pandemic for far-flung relatives. But its not the same as being physically in a room.

"In the last little while, we handled the funeral service for a young mother, a 38-year-old wife, mother (of four), and of course her parents are still living, her in-laws are still living. She became ill with cancer and her death was way more premature than they anticipated with her illness," said Klassen.

"How do you choose 10 people to be at that funeral? In that situation, there would have been 500 people at the funeral. Youre gathering with a family thats waiting to begin a service where theyre walking into a church or a hall and just warmed by the fact that there are 450 people physically there to help participate in a memorialization and in the compassion of being together with this family who desperately is hurting, as well as all the other 450 people that are there.

"And now what we have to do is just walk into a big empty facility. Nobody there. The only ones there are the cameraman, the minister and the organist."

Klassen said it weighs heavy.

In the last while, funeral services have had the ability to rotate. As one person leaves, another goes in. That happened after Klassen observed people rotating in and out of Tim Hortons. He spoke with MLAs and a provincial minister.

"Its fantastic. We need coffee. I said to them, why is it more important for people to be able to rotate in and out of Tim Hortons? Not diminishing the need to have coffee, OK, by any means. But why cant people at least rotate in and out of the funeral home?" asked Klassen.

That helped improve the situation, involving more people in the funeral service.

Braendle-Bruce has handled roughly 250 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Add to that number, in the Westman/Prairie Mountain Health region, another two dozen funeral service providers. Thats a lot of grief.

Some postpone the service, as public health officials have suggested, but Klassen said when grief doesnt start out properly, it becomes dysfunctional, which will cause more strain on society down the road.

The restriction on gathering outdoors are just as onerous and, when applied to the graveside, is also incomprehensible to Klassen.

"A funeral service is very different than your weekend barbecue with your neighbours," he said. "The weekend barbecue, you can have any night of the week and as many times in a year as you want. But a graveside service to say that only 10 people can be in a space thats 100 acres  that just doesnt make sense."

Braendle-Bruce serves several First Nations, and one chief said to Klassen, "Wheres the common sense?"

With regard to First Nations, Klassen said there is always someone from the community designated to work with Braendle-Bruce to regulate the protocols of the public orders.

"So theyve established within their own community a leader to promote or encourage people to follow the guidelines," he said.

While he said he has the utmost respect for those in the position of authority and responsibility, Klassen said he and others in his profession would like direct communication with Manitoba Public Health.

"Theyre doing the best they can, but what Id like to see is a liaison between funeral service, those that are involved in it directly, and the public health office. I see a lot of people are able to communicate directly with the public health office, and then establish guidelines and protocols that are suitable for each different segment of society," said Klassen.

 mletourneau@brandonsun.com

 Michele LeTourneau covers Indigenous matters for The Brandon Sun under the Local Journalism Initiative, a federally funded program that supports the creation of original civic journalism.
Not satisfied with the contention of the government pleader that 212 public prosecutors have been appointed as of now and only 200 posts remained to be filled, CJ Kohli observed that 50 per cent of vacancies remaining vacant was no small matter.  By arrangement

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday observed that the government must be held responsible for the delay in justice dispensation in the states criminal courts.

Citing information that only 212 public prosecutors (PPs) were appointed to the 570 criminal courts in the state, the court asked how speedy justice was possible.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy expressed serious concern over the undue delay in appointment of the PPs and sought immediate action to fill the posts.

The bench also asked the government to make sure that the post of director of prosecutions is filled by the government and a compliance report to that effect is filed before the court by April 1.

The bench said it was not impressed by the submissions made by the government pleader for home department, Srikanth Reddy, on the appointment of PPs. He had informed the court that the government has taken the initiative in appointing 212 public prosecutors against 414 vacancies.

Advocate General B.S. Prasad had held elaborate discussions with the home secretary and other officials, due to which the appointments have materialised and efforts are being made to fill up the remaining vacancies, Srikanth Reddy had said.

Reacting to this, Chief Justice Hima Kohli expressed surprise that six months were not enough for the government to complete the process of appointment of PPs. The last such order was issued in September 2020 and now the government came before the court and sought more time for making fresh appointments.

Such undue delay will deprive the needy of justice as public prosecutors formed the backbone of the criminal justice system and the entire trial of criminal cases depended on the assistance rendered by the PPs to the court. Non-appointment of PPs delays justice. How long will deliberations go on? We want results, not the meetings, CJ made it clear.



Not satisfied with the contention of the government pleader that 212 public prosecutors have been appointed as of now and only 200 posts remained to be filled, CJ Kohli observed that 50 per cent of vacancies remaining vacant was no small matter. It meant one pubic prosecutor managing two courts. There are 570 criminal courts in Telangana, the CJ noted and pointed out that the present situation delayed trials and justice too is delayed.

The court directed the government to provide the infrastructure like laptop and proper training to public prosecutors as to how prosecution is done and the investigation process taken forward when they are appointed.

The EU and US are resetting their relationship under US President Joe Biden, the Tanaiste said (Niall Carson/PA)

The EU and US are resetting their trading relationship under US President Joe Biden, the Tanaiste said.

They have agreed to mutually suspend their respective tariffs over an aircraft trade dispute to allow talks to happen.

It will provide great relief to exporters and importers that have been negatively impacted by the levies, particularly exporters of quality goods such as Irish cream liqueur, butter and cheese and importers of animal feedstuff, Leo Varadkar said.

Weekly update from me. Today Iad like to talk to you about importance of trade. pic.twitter.com/ak4dwJcORG  Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 5, 2021

He added: This de-escalation is something that I have advocated strongly for in the EU Council of Trade Ministers.

Ireland is committed to free and open trade. It is what allowed us to rebuild after the financial crisis and it will be crucial as we recover from the pandemic.

The tariffs were imposed as punishment for subsidies provided to rival aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing.

Their suspension came a day after the US agreed a moratorium on tariffs on UK imports as part of the dispute.

Trade Minister Mr Varadkar said: Ireland has always maintained a very strong and warm relationship with the United States and that includes the trade relationship.

This decision is an early sign of both the EU and US hitting the reset button on their trade relationship.

I hope both parties use this time now to meaningfully engage with each other so that we can resolve this dispute once and for all.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said it was a great opportunity for constructive dialogue to find a permanent resolution.

I was delighted to meet @TimmermansEU along with my colleague @pippa_hackett on a range of climate and environmental measures. Farmers continue to play their part in meeting our climate ambitions.https://t.co/BG4WLnU2Ty pic.twitter.com/xXRcN4oKmI  Charlie McConalogue (@McConalogue) March 3, 2021

The value of Irish agri-food exports impacted by US tariffs, in 2019 figures, is approximately 422 million euros, attracting an additional 105 million euros in tariffs in a full year.

This 25% tariff was applied to Irish exports to the US on butter (190.2 million euros) and cheese (43.7 million euros).

IFA president Tim Cullinan said the resumption of normal trade between the EU and the US is an important development for some premium food exports.

He said: As an export-oriented sector, its vital that barriers are removed from some of our most valuable markets.

We send over 400 million euros worth of butter, cheese and liqueurs to the US market, where they command a strong price based on consumer demand for quality products.

Irish farmers rely on these markets to underpin the price they receive for their work and investment.

He said he hoped this signalled a new relationship between the two trading blocs, and looked forward to increasing the opportunities for Irish food exports.
There is a widespread assumption that people with disabilities dont need to work because they can collect Supplemental Security Income, or S.S.I. But Martha Jackson, an assistant commissioner in the Mayors Office for People with Disabilities, said S.S.I. pays only about $800 per month in New York  enough to survive on combined with other benefits, but hardly a ticket to comfort. For some who still live with their parents and worked only part time, holding a job was a step toward independence.

While the city is gradually clawing its way back from the lockdown, many people with disabilities face the prospect of retraining or switching fields in order to re-enter the job market. In many cases for these job-seekers, it is back to square one, Ms. Jackson said.

Even in good times, people with disabilities are often left behind. Fewer than half of working-age disabled adults in New York City are in the labor force. Before the pandemic, their unemployment rate was 12.2 percent  more than triple the overall city rate of 4 percent, and higher than the rates for other groups that typically have difficulty finding work, including Black and Latino workers.

Now they face multiple hurdles. Many organizations that help them find work are in dire straits themselves. Disabled people are also at greater risk of contracting and suffering complications of Covid-19. And they are competing for jobs against the nondisabled, who still face steep unemployment.

There are no current city unemployment figures for disabled workers available. But the overall unemployment rate in New York City has more than tripled since 2019. If the increase among workers with disabilities merely matched that, it would exceed 35 percent.

I dont think we have anybody who lost their job who was rehired yet, said Andrea Goodman, director of a jobs program for people with special needs at the Marlene Meyerson J.C.C. Manhattan, one of about 15 organizations surveyed by the Center for an Urban Future for its report First Out, Last Back, released on Friday.

In 2017, Zachary Lichterman, who has a learning disability and psychological issues, got a job through the J.C.C. program with a catering contractor. I would set up events and clean up after them, said Mr. Lichterman, 36. At the New York City Bar Association, he said, I loved doing the beer fridge  I was good at it. He was furloughed in March and laid off in September.
Egypt detected 587 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the total infections since the outbreak last year to 184,755.

The health ministry reported 49 fatalities to bring the deaths toll to 10,871.

455 patients have been discharged from hospitals in the past 24 hours to bring recoveries nationwide up to 142,610.

Earlier on Thursday, Egypt began its vaccine rollout for priority groups, which include the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases as it concluded the vaccination of the countrys medical staff in the past few weeks.

Several elderly citizens and patients and people with chronic diseases were administered the first shot of the vaccine at a Cairo medical centre earlier today, in an event attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Health Minister Hala Zayed.

The rollout comes days after Egypt opened on Sunday online registration for the vaccine through a designated website as part of expanding its immunization program.

Over 150,000 citizens have registered to receive the vaccine since Sunday,

Egypt currently administers doses of the Chinese Sinopharm and British-Swedish Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, both of which were granted emergency use authorisation by authorities earlier this year.

Egypt has so far received 350,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and 50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine since December.

The Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine was also authorised for emergency use in February; yet has not yet been delivered to Egypt.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Rehabilitation Hospital in Blue Ash NKD is excited to serve the community of Blue Ash, who welcomed the development of our innovative medical rehab hospital

Nobis Rehabilitation Partners will Manage the 40 bed Rehab Hospital Near Cincinnati

NKD Rehab, LLC, a partnership between Kennor Holdings, Cross Development, and Nobis Rehabilitation Partners, plans to develop a new inpatient medical rehabilitation hospital near Cincinnati, Ohio. The 3-story hospital will have all modern private patient rooms, 2 rehab therapy gyms with advanced technologies, and state-of-the-art equipment.

People with debilitating illnesses and injuries such as brain injury, stroke, and other complex medical, neurological, and orthopedic diseases and injuries will be cared for under the management of Nobis Rehabilitation Partners. A team of medical rehab physicians, therapists, and rehab-trained nurses, and the hospital care team will develop the intensive rehab program for each patient during their hospital stay.

NKD is excited to serve the community of Blue Ash, who welcomed the development of our innovative medical rehab hospital, said Shane Shoulders, Partner Kennor Cross Investments. This new rehab hospital will bring over 100 career opportunities to the community and surrounding Cincinnati area. Patients will be cared for in our newly designed modern hospital with a projected opening of Q3 2022.

The hospital in Blue Ash is the third inpatient rehabilitation hospital that NKD Rehab and Nobis Rehabilitation Partners have recently announced to serve inpatient rehabilitation needs across the country.

About Nobis Rehabilitation Partners

Nobis Rehabilitation Partners brings together healthcare providers, developers, and investment partners to create, operate, and manage inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Patients will receive exceptional care by highly experienced and inspired caregivers in the most uniquely designed and efficient hospital. Visit nobisrehabpartners.com, find them on LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter, and like them on Facebook.
Senegalese police clashed with supporters of arrested opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on Thursday, leaving one person dead in the south of the country, a police official said.

It was the first death confirmed in clashes since Sonko was arrested on Wednesday for disturbing public order as protests broke out ahead of his court appearance on a rape charge.

Sonko, leader of the opposition Pastef party and former presidential candidate, is considered a key potential challenger for President Macky Sall in elections in three years.

One person was killed in clashes on Thursday in Bignona town, in the southern Casamance region, the police official said.

"We still don't know the cause, it is under investigation," said the official who asked not to be identified.

Four police were also injured in the fighting.

Sonko's arrest has triggered the worst unrest seen in Dakar in years, in a West African country known for its stability.

Dozens of students were still holed up in Dakar's Cheikh Anta Diop university on Thursday, where they threw concrete blocks at police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

Sonko was to be transferred Thursday evening to a Dakar courthouse where his case will be heard by a judge. But his lawyers said the hearing had been postponed to Friday.

"Ousmane Sonko is now the subject of a warrant. He will be taken to the investigating magistrate tomorrow, willingly or by force," Abdoulaye Tall, one of his attorneys, told AFP.

Senegalese regulatory authorities on Thursday also suspended the signal of two local television channels, Sen TV and Walf TV for 72 hours from 5 pm on Thursday, accusing them of broadcasting "in loop" images of the unrest after Sonko's arrest.

- Popular with youth -

Hundreds of people had followed his motorcade on Wednesday, sounding horns and singing before clashes erupted and Sonko was arrested before reaching the court.

Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome said Sonko had been arrested over a ban on gatherings because of the coronavirus and violating a traffic plan put in place.

A 46-year-old devout Muslim, Sonko is frequently critical of Senegal's ruling elite and is popular with young supporters /  AFP

"Everyone has to comply. Others have done the same. I wonder why there would be an exception," he told RFM radio.

Sonko also denies the rape charges filed against him last month by an employee at a salon where he received massages.

A 46-year-old devout Muslim, Sonko is frequently critical of Senegal's ruling elite and is popular with young people.

He accuses Sall of conspiring to sideline him ahead of the 2024 elections.

Violence also broke out Wednesday in other areas including in Casamance, where Sonko's father is from and where he has a strong following.

Sonko ran against the president in the 2019 vote, but finished third in a race that delivered the incumbent a second term.

Presidents in the former French colony are limited to two consecutive terms, but Sall launched a constitutional review in 2016, raising suspicions he intends to run again.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, under threat of recall, is pushing for young students' return to classrooms. Nevada, with 11 straight months of declining gambling revenue, wants to scrap most virus-related restrictions. Alabama, against one of the lowest covid-19 vaccination rates among U.S. states, is saying goodbye to masks next month.

Governors loosening coronavirus restrictions -- or, like Texas and Mississippi, lifting them entirely -- are counting on Johnson & Johnson's new vaccine to usher in a return to prepandemic life. Health experts say their surrender to tantalizing normality, amid a death toll of 520,000 and climbing, is courting a potential fourth U.S. surge.

Coast to coast, deaths have slowed and cases have fallen, but the latter figure has plateaued. By month-end, the supercontagious U.K. variant of covid-19 will dominate American cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in a sobering example of what can happen when economies hurriedly reopen, Hungary and Italy this week returned to or tightened partial lockdowns after infections jumped.

"We're now dealing with a virus that's better at its job than the one we were dealing with a few months ago, so it makes it even more irresponsible to open up," said Robert Wachter, chairman of the department of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

In the U.S., no elected officials have moved more boldly against pandemic safety precautions than Republican governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Tate Reeves of Mississippi, who Wednesday lifted mask rules and rescinded other orders intended to slow the virus's spread. President Joe Biden decried "Neanderthal thinking," while the CDC urged states not to abandon their safety efforts.

While Abbott and Reeves have said they have to reopen for the sake of the economy, Texas and Mississippi don't appear to have pressing revenue needs. Texas's total tax revenue collected from April through December 2020 was just 10.4% lower than the same period in 2019, according to data collected by the Urban Institute.

"We really don't see any major differences in the economic data that would suggest that Texas should need to or want to open up sooner than anyone else," Dan White, director of public sector research at Moody's Analytics, said in a telephone interview. He said the same is true for Mississippi.

Some of Abbott and Reeves's Republican peers are being more cautious.

Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia, which has one of the nation's leading vaccination rates, in a CNN interview called unmasking "almost a macho thing."

Ohio's Mike DeWine on Thursday said all restrictions would be lifted when cases drop beneath 50 per 100,000 people, or roughly one-third the current level. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb called himself "very Indiana-centric," and will continue his mandates.

In Alabama, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday extended a mask order -- but only until April 9 -- after a 77% drop in weekly hospitalizations since January's peak. Her state is behind on vaccinations, with just 7.5% of residents receiving the maximum-effect dual doses, among the nation's lowest rates, according to CDC data posted Thursday.

The reopening temptation extends to Democrat-led states as well. New York City movie theaters were scheduled to reopen at 25% capacity Friday, along with any still closed in the rest of the state.

Connecticut, starting March 19, is doing away with crowd caps on restaurants, retail stores, gyms, houses of worship and more, while New Jersey is increasing capacity for wedding receptions, the states' governors announced this week. The two-dose vaccination rate in both places is around 9%.

In Nevada, where about 8% have received both shots, Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak intends to lift most restrictions by May 1. Almost all businesses can operate at 50% capacity starting March 15, which is critical to a travel-powered economy. Visitors to Las Vegas, nearly 1.3 million in January, were off 64% from a year ago, and the convention business was nonexistent.

In California, about 87% of the population, or almost 35 million people, live under the state's tightest restrictions, with closed indoor restaurants, theaters, gyms and nonessential offices. San Francisco on Wednesday started to break free as its cases ease, allowing indoor dining at 25% capacity after almost two months of takeout only, along with limited gym and museum attendance.

Newsom, the Democratic governor facing a March 17 recall petition deadline, wants classrooms open for kindergarten and first and second grades by April 1. Districts are set to get as much as $6.6 billion in incentives.

Abbott, the Texas governor, on Wednesday said mandates "are no longer needed" because hospitalizations were declining and vaccinations were increasing.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a Democrat, urged residents to continue to wear masks until the city is fully vaccinated. "We should not be creating situations that will cause chaos, conflict, and confusion," he said.

Macy's, Target and some other major retailers said they would require customers and employees to wear masks. And in a state where cases spiked after Abbott reopened bars in October, some restaurateurs said they will continue safety practices.

"It's not going to be that much longer when everybody will get vaccinated, and then we can make a judgment depending on what the medical personnel say," said Tracy Vaught, co-founder of Houston-based H Town Restaurant Group, with four locations.

Alli Jarrett, owner of Harold's Restaurant Bar and Terrace in Houston, said she was in a tough spot.

"No one wants to be the mask police," she said, but her workers were unvaccinated. "We can't operate a business if we don't have staff and we can't operate a business if people can't come and eat."

Robert Kim-Farley, a professor at the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the pullbacks could be devastating.

"If people experiencing pandemic fatigue just start going back to pre-Covid behaviors of large indoor gatherings, no masking, no physical distancing -- this would be a setup for a fourth surge," Kim-Farley said.

Some in the newly restriction-free states say any such uptick would hit Black and Hispanic people especially hard. Some minority groups have suffered infection rates that consistently outpaced those in White communities, and deaths in some Black counties were triple those of comparable White areas.

Almost 11% of White Texans have received one or both vaccines, compared with 5% for Blacks and Hispanics, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The disparity is similar in Mississippi, the poorest U.S. state, where the average household income is almost 30% less than the national figure of $62,800.

Mayor Johnnie Thomas of Glendora, Mississippi, said in an interview that Black residents "haven't had a fair shake at the shots."

"This reopening of the state, calling for masks not to be worn -- it's devastating," Thomas said.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro talks with journalists next his son Senator Flavio Bolsonaro after a meeting with Economy Minister Paulo Guedes in Brasilia, Brazil (Photo : REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

After two straight days of record COVID-19 deaths in Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday told Brazilians to stop "whining" and move on, in his latest remarks attacking distancing measures and downplaying the gravity of the pandemic.



Brazil has the world's second-highest death toll over the past year, after the United States. While the U.S. outbreak is ebbing, Brazil is facing its worst phase of the epidemic yet, pushing its hospital system to the brink of collapse.



Advertisement

"Enough fussing and whining. How much longer will the crying go on?" Bolsonaro told a crowd at an event. "How much longer will you stay at home and close everything? No one can stand it anymore. We regret the deaths, again, but we need a solution."



Brazil's surging second wave has triggered new restrictions in its capital, Brasilia, and its largest city, Sao Paulo. Tourist mecca Rio de Janeiro on Thursday announced a city-wide curfew and early closing time for restaurants.



Particularly worrying to health authorities is the emergence of a new coronavirus variant from the Amazon region that appears more contagious and more able to reinfect those who previously had COVID-19.



"We are experiencing the worst outlook for the pandemic since it started," said Gonzalo Vecina Neto, a medical doctor and former head of Brazilian health regulator Anvisa.



"Mutations are the result of the increased reproduction of the virus. The greater the number of viruses, the faster the transmission, the more mutations we have," he said.



State governors and doctors have complained that the federal government has mismanaged the coronavirus crisis, as Bolsonaro has downplayed its severity and opposed lockdowns. The government's delay in acquiring and distributing vaccines means that less than 3.5% of the population have had at least one shot.



Nevertheless, Bolsonaro's popularity has been supported by 322 billion reais ($57.7 billion) in emergency aid payments to poorer Brazilians last year.



The Senate voted on Thursday to renew the aid program at a smaller scale, handing out 250 reais per month for four months, at a cost of up to 44 billion reais. The proposal must still be approved by Brazil's lower house of Congress.



($1 = 5.5846 reais)


Pregnant women have been urged to attend their healthcare appointments after Covid-19 infection (Kate Collins/PA Wire)

Pregnant women are being urged to continue attending healthcare appointments following a Covid-19 infection.

It follows preliminary reports of four stillbirths that could be linked to the virus in Ireland.

Professor Keelin ODonoghue, a consultant obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital, said the cases appeared to be a rare complication of Covid-19, but she acknowledged that it was pretty scary for pregnant women hearing this information.

Women shouldn't be afraid to attend hospital, and they should speak up if there's any concerns about foetal well being or if they experience reduced movements. Professor Keelin O'Donoghue

Were still investigating, she told RTE Radio 1s Morning Ireland programme.

What we could have here is a cluster by complete chance.

She said the advice for pregnant women at a simple level was to try not to get Covid, and to get the coronavirus vaccination when it becomes available.

For those who have Covid  its really important that their health care providers know, and that women attend their visits as normal, she said.

We all have Covid pathways now in the hospitals.

Women shouldnt be afraid to attend hospital, and they should speak up if theres any concerns about foetal wellbeing or if they experience reduced movements.

We should assess women whove had Covid, a minimum of 14 days after their infection, and undertake an ultrasound to check foetal wellbeing and women should certainly not ignore any signs of concerns that they might have and should be listened to when they presented to the maternity hospitals.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said on Thursday that public health officials had been made aware of four preliminary reports of stillbirths potentially associated with a condition called Covid placentitis.

At least two of the cases have been this year.

He said he had to wait for the full data to come through and is awaiting full details from coroners.

Dr Glynn warned the reports should be interpreted with caution as the coroners have not yet concluded their findings and that the HSEs National Women and Infants Programme is monitoring the situation.

Professor ODonoghue said all four cases of stillbirth being investigated were from 24 weeks onwards and where women were symptomatic in three of the four cases, but not critically unwell.

They had all had recent Covid within two to three weeks, and in some cases presented feeling a change in foetal movements, she said.

These babies, as far from what we know, were normally grown and the pathologists have found evidence of very similar placental disease in all four that can be linked to the direct effects of Sars-Cov-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 infection.

Professor ODonoghue said last year there were 450 pregnancies reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre where there had been a positive Covid-19 test, and that in the majority of these women had a mild or moderate illness.

Thankfully our numbers in hospital with #COVID19 has reduced again to 427 and 103 in ICU. Good news for so many families. I know it's is relentless for everyone but we should all be assured our actions & sacrifices will get us there. Take care the weekend. @HSELive  Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) March 5, 2021

She said a small proportion (about 10%) had become critically unwell and that there had been no maternal deaths.

Professor ODonoghue added that Irelands outcomes were in line with other European countries.

Thursday saw another 39 deaths due to Covid-19 in Ireland and a further 462 infections were confirmed.

HSE chief executive Paul Reid said some 427 people with Covid-19 were in hospital on Friday morning, including 103 who were receiving intensive care.

He said: Thankfully our numbers in hospital with Covid-19 has reduced again to 427 and 103 in ICU.

Good news for so many families. I know it is relentless for everyone but we should all be assured our actions and sacrifices will get us there.
He captivated readers around the world with Captain Corelli's Mandolin, his tale of a doomed love affair set in wartime Greece.

But it seems that best-selling author Louis de Bernieres no longer melts hearts north of the England-Scotland border.

For I can disclose that he has just been unceremoniously sacked as Patron of the British Banjo Mandolin and Guitar Federation because of, he believes, his views about how to resolve the question of Scottish independence.

'I have actually been 'cancelled',' he says. 'I had a letter published in the Times about how the rest of the UK ought to have a say in whether we wanted independence from the Scots.

Best-selling author Louis de Bernieres has just been unceremoniously sacked as Patron of the British Banjo Mandolin and Guitar Federation

'Some Scottish snowflakes protested to the BMG [the Federation] and I was fired.'

The Federation, whose aim is 'to promote the performance and education of banjo, mandolin and guitar', did not respond to requests for comment.

De Bernieres expounded on his ideas on independence in an article in the Daily Mail last week, in which he noted that 'nobody with any sense wants to stay with somebody who doesn't love them'.

De Bernieres plays both the mandolin and the guitar  as well as the flute, saxophone and clarinet.

'I decided recently that should I get an invitation from a university to go and speak to them, I will enquire as to whether they practise cancel culture, and if they do, I won't go,' says de Bernieres.

His reverence for those who oppose totalitarianism is evident in Captain Corelli's Mandolin

The author believes he has been sacked because of his views about how to resolve the question of Scottish independence

'I think that ever since Germaine Greer got cancelled, it has to be an honour, and I feel proud to be at her side, albeit in a very tiny and entertaining and insignificant way.'

The Federation seems reluctant to let de Bernieres go entirely: a photograph of him continues to adorn its website.

Nevertheless, it is clearly too late to win him back. His reverence for those who oppose totalitarianism is evident in Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

Its dedication reads: 'To my mother and father, who . . . fought against the Fascists and the Nazis . . . and were never thanked.'

Actress Alison Steadman has turned to birdsong to help her through lockdown.

'The beauty of birds and birdsong always puts a smile on my face,' the Gavin & Stacey star says.

'The dawn chorus is glorious. If you can just stop and listen to a bird sing for ten minutes, it lifts your spirits.

'Very often, if I'm on a walk and hear a blackbird or a robin, I get my phone out and record it.

Then when I come home, I can play it a few times and it's just lovely. These things remind you that, yes, you're important, but all creatures on this planet are.'

And that's not all. 'I love looking for funghi. If I see funghi, I don't recognise, I take a photograph and check it out.'

Makes a change from making banana bread at least.

Art duo Gilbert & George's latest muse? Dishy Rishi

Avant-garde artists Gilbert & George, whose exhibition, New Normal Pictures, opened this week in Mayfair

It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase Dishy Rishi.

The Chancellor has become the latest pin-up of avant-garde artists Gilbert & George, whose exhibition, New Normal Pictures, opened this week at White Cube in Mason's Yard, Mayfair.

No fewer than four images of Rishi Sunak appear behind the besuited duo in this newly released picture from their studio in East London.

'We love Rishi. He is a great Conservative Chancellor,' they told a friend.

Sunak, who announced that 700 million would be made available for the arts, culture and sport in the Budget, is a collector of contemporary British artist Harland Miller, so perhaps it's about time he added G&G to his walls.

Gilbert & George are both Brexit supporters and admirers of Margaret Thatcher.

High praise for broadcaster Angela Rippon from comedian and former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc.

'I once saw Angela Rippon in the nude,' she confesses.

'We were members of the same gym. I saw Rippon in the buff, in the Ladies. She looked sen-ruddy-sational. She looked amazing.'

Basic Instinct's Sharon Stone bares her soul

Sharon Stone, 62, has now unveiled her first watercolour painting on Instagram, which she has called 'Mother Earth'

Basic Instinct star Sharon Stone has revealed a hidden talent.

After getting in touch with her creative side during lockdown in California, the 62-year-old has now unveiled her first watercolour painting on Instagram, which she has called 'Mother Earth'.

Sharon, a mother of three, started painting after friends sent her art supplies for her birthday.

'You can do something you didn't know you could do while you're at home, not knowing what to do,' she muses.

Hollywood star Drew Barrymore told her: 'This is stunning and so are you.'

David to wed his Cadbury sweetheart

Jemima Cadbury and Old Etonian David Tollemache (pictured together) are now making their union official

Dubbed the 'hottest social set couple' by Tatler magazine, chocolate dynasty scion Jemima Cadbury and Old Etonian David Tollemache are now making their union official.

For I can disclose that Jemima, 28, has got engaged to the amiable nephew of brewing heir Lord Tollemache.

'Over the moon to be engaged to the love of my life,' says property analyst David, 32. As the great-great-great-granddaughter of confectioner John Cadbury, Jemima should have no problem picking the perfect cake.

Worth 50 million, former England captain Sol Campbell is the last person you'd expect to see serving takeaway drinks in a cafe.

So patrons of The Pie Man in Chelsea were shocked yesterday to find the 46-year-old doing just that, apron and all.

'He comes in all the time, he's one of our most loyal customers, and he wanted to have some fun,' manager Paul Headford tells me. 'He was very good at making the coffee  and drinking it, of course.

MARYVILLE  Marc and Pamela Hurt-Bacchetti are in the middle stage of launching Over the Moon Estates, a 91-home subdivision.

Village trustees approved a zoning change from agricultural to single-family residence Wednesday, along with approving the developments preliminary plat.

Bacchetti said they are 30-year residents of Maryville and they want to provide opportunities for starter homes with a custom home experience.

Its always exciting to know that a developer wishes to build in Maryville, said Mayor Craig Short. Our planning commission does a great job in monitoring the growth of Maryville, making sure that any project is right for our community.

The site, which comprises about 40 acres, is located along West Main Street, just west of St. Lukes United Methodist Church and between Gary and Northwood avenues. The entrance is currently planned to branch off of Northwood, not West Main. The streets would bear moon-related names  Harvest, New, Blue, Luna, etc.

Bacchetti said he plans to build highly variable designs per owners desires. External amenities include access to Madison County Transits Schoolhouse Trail, which runs along the lands southern fringe, nearby Fred Winters Park, and as the biggest draw, it would be two blocks east of Maryville Elementary School.

Bacchetti would not comment on price ranges but he said he is trying to provide prices in the range of a starter home.

If the trustees approve the final plat, Bacchetti said construction would occur in three phases - Phase 1 in 2021-2022; Phase 2 in 2022-2023; and Phase 3 in 2023-2024.

Bacchetti said concerns regarding access intersection configuration and drainage have been brought forward. During the planning commission session on Feb. 22, it was noted that other access points existed on West Main and a right-of-way stubbed in from the west off of Andra/Robert Drive. The Gary Avenue stub intercepts church property and would not provide access.

There are still hurdles to clear for the developer  like drainage and the entrance to the subdivision, Short said. Those items must be worked out prior to the approval of the final plat. But the subdivision follows along with the villages comprehensive plan that recommends that that area become single-family residential. I believe this shows that Maryville is continuing to grow and that we remain a desirable community to live in and raise a family.

In other action, the trustees unanimously approved the following:

 An ordinance authorizing a loan agreement with the water pollution control loan program

 Hired a replacement street department employee

 An agreement with Juneau Associates, Inc. for the prepration of an IEPA funding nomination form and project plan for a parallel interceptor sewer line not to cost more than $8,000

 Buy a power wash system for the street department from NuWay for $5,857 pluse electric work by CMC Electric for $1,630

 Buy a replacement salt shed from Curvco Steel for $13,621

Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at 618-659-5735
Bengaluru, March 6 : Bengaluru's polluted Bellandur Lake, infamous for its severe pollution levels, caught fire once again on Friday.

The blaze broke out after some people burnt a heaps of garbage in the lake's buffer zone, officials said.

Soon after noticing a huge cloud of smokes emitting from the Bellandur Lake, the residents living around the lake informed the authorities concerned, which took them almost 12 hours to douse the fire.

According to the officials, some labourers and ragpickers living around the lake might have dumped waste, including plastic and insulated wires, on its bed.

"Ragpickers living nearby burn the wires to recover copper. That could have resulted in such massive flames, that later spread to the lake's bed," a senior the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) official added.

One of the biggest city's water bodies, the Bellandur Lake had seen similar fire incidents since May 2015 on mumber of occasions but these fire incidents were attributed to the presence of pollutants in the water.
BAGHDAD, MAR 5 - Pope Francis called for arms to fall silent and the builders of peace to be heeded in his first speech on his historic visit to Iraq, the first by any pontiff, on Friday. Addressing government officials, the diplomatic corps and civilian authorities in the Mideast country, Francis said "Let arms fall silent! May their spread be limited, here and everywhere! May factional interests cease, those external interests that don't care about the local population. "May the builders, the artisans of peace be heeded! Give a voice to the little ones, the poor, the simple people, who want to live, work and pray in peace. "Enough of violence, extremism, factions, intolerance!" The pope also said that the international community must provide help "without imposing ideologies". (ANSA).
Light in concert with force reveals how materials become harder when illuminated

Semiconductor materials play an indispensable role in our modern information-oriented society. For reliable performance of semiconductor devices, these materials need to have superior mechanical properties: they must be strong as well as resistant to fracture, despite being rich in nanoscale structures.

Recently, it has become increasingly clear that the optical environment affects the structural strength of semiconductor materials. The effect can be much more significant than expected, especially in light-sensitive semiconductors, and particularly since due to technological constraints or fabrication cost many semiconductors can only be mass-produced in very small and thin sizes. Moreover, laboratory testing of their strength has generally been performed on large samples. In the light of the recent explosion in emerging nanoscale applications, all of this suggests that there is an urgent need for the strength of semiconductor materials to be reappraised under controlled illumination conditions and thin sample sizes.

To this end, Professor Atsutomo Nakamura's group at Nagoya University, Japan, and Dr. Xufei Fang's group at the Technical University of Darmstadt have developed a technique for quantitatively studying the effect of light on nanoscale mechanical properties of thin wafers of semiconductors or any other crystalline material. They call it a "photoindentation" method. Essentially, a tiny, pointy probe indents the material while it is illuminated by light under controlled conditions, and the depth and rate at which the probe indents the surface can be measured. The probe creates dislocations - slippages of crystal planes - near the surface, and using a transmission electron microscope the researchers observe the effect of light at a range of wavelengths on dislocation nucleation (the birth of new dislocations) and dislocation mobility (the dislocations' gliding or sliding away from the point where they were created). The nucleation and mobility are measured separately for the first time and is one of the novelties of the photoindentation technique.

The researchers have discovered that while light has a marginal effect on the generation of dislocations under mechanical loading, it has a much stronger effect on the motion of dislocations. When a dislocation occurs, it is energetically favorable for it to expand and join up (nucleate) with others, and the imperfection gets bigger. Illumination by light does not affect this: the electrons and holes excited in the semiconductor by the light (the "photo-excited carriers") do not affect the strain energy of the dislocation, and it is this energy that determines the "line tension" of the dislocation that controls the nucleation process.

On the other hand, dislocations can also move in a so-called "glide motion", during which photo-excited carriers are dragged by dislocations via electrostatic interaction. The effect of photo-excited carriers on this dislocation motion is much more pronounced: if enough carriers are produced, the material becomes much stronger.

This effect is strikingly demonstrated when the same experiment is carried out in complete darkness and then under illumination with light at a wavelength that matches the semiconductor band gap (which produces an increased number of photo-excited carriers). When indented, any solid material initially undergoes "plastic deformation" - changing shape without springing back, somewhat like putty - until the load becomes too great, upon which it cracks. The Nagoya University research group demonstrated that the inorganic semiconductor zinc sulfide (ZnS) in total darkness behaves somewhat like putty, deforming by a huge 45% under shear strain without cracking or falling apart. However, when illuminated at the correct wavelength, it becomes quite hard. At other wavelengths it becomes not quite as hard.

The new findings demonstrate that purely plastic deformation without crack formation in semiconductor materials occurs at the nanoscale. With regards to mechanical behaviour, these semiconductors therefore resemble metallic materials. This newly established, robust experimental protocol makes it possible to evaluate the effect of light on the strength of even non-semiconducting materials that are very thin. Professor Nakamura notes: "One particularly important aspect is that non-semiconductors can exhibit semiconducting properties near the surface, due to oxidation, for instance, and since the starting point of deformation or fracture is often the surface, it is of great significance to establish a method for accurately measuring the strength of materials under controlled illumination conditions at the very surface, on a nanoscale."

The hardening effect that electron-hole pairs freed by light illumination have on material strength - by suppressing the propagation of dislocations, particularly near the surface - is part of a paradigm shift in the science of material strength. Conventionally, when considering the strength of a material, the atomic arrangement was the smallest unit. In other words, there was a premise that the strength of the material could be understood from the atomic arrangement and elasticity theory. However, recent studies have reported that the strength characteristics of materials change significantly due to external influences such as light and an electric field. Therefore, Professor Nakamura notes, "it is becoming more and more accepted that other viewpoints must be added to the theory of material strength which include the motion of electrons and holes that are smaller than atoms."

"This study reaffirms the quantum-level effect on the strength of such materials. In this respect, it can be said that this research has achieved one milestone in the paradigm shift in the field of material strength that is currently occurring."

Dr. Xufei Fang adds: "Now that the creation of devices on the true nanoscale is becoming a reality, the impact of light on the structural strength of various inorganic semiconductors is an issue to be considered."

###

Funding information: This study was mainly supported by JST PRESTO (Grant Number JPMJPR199A). A part of this study was financially supported by JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Numbers JP17H06094, JP18H03840, JP19H05786, JP19K22050) and Athene Young Investigator Programme from TU Darmstadt, Germany.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Filipino seafarer Larry Pineda has a simple but passionate plea: Please sir, do not forget us.

Pineda is among hundreds of thousands of seafarers adrift in a world transfixed by the fear of the coronavirus pandemic and bound by strict government rules that trap them on their ships.

Filipino seafarer Larry Pineda. Credit:

The unvaccinated crew members are required to stay on board at most international ports. In Australia, they cannot leave to shop for essentials or even seek relaxation at Mission to Seafarers sites, which have games rooms, libraries, small shops and lounges.

There is very much suffering among all seafarers, Pineda says.
A few years in practice, without his being admitted to the bar, left Koretz impatient with routine legal work, so he took a fast track to wealth. He came about it the hard way. He was part of an investors group that paid $10,000 for a piece of land in Panama. It proved to be worthless, and the seller didnt own it.
Located at 2712 Portage Street, COOKIES' storefront in Kalamazoo is Gage's seventh retail location in Michigan. It will carry the entire family of COOKIES offerings, including COOKIES, Lemonnade, Runtz, Powerzzzup Genetics, Minntz and Grandiflora product lines and will be open for curbside pick-up only from 8 a.m ET until 10 p.m. ET. The newest provisioning center extends access to quality cannabis products to customers throughout Western Michigan and regions bordering Lake Michigan, including Chicago, IL and South Bend, IN. During the opening weekend in late February, Gage hosted raffles and offered promotional giveaways for medical patients, and comedian and YouTube personality Carlos Davis visited the storefront.

The 3,000 square-foot retail location will create 30+ new employment opportunities in Kalamazoo and is open to both medical and adult-use consumers. To further support neighboring communities, Gage has launched a nearly $1 million social equity program in the past year that will award grants up to $50,000 to cannabis entrepreneurs in 19 social equity cities designated by the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency.

"The Midwest is an important part of COOKIES' overall expansion plan, and our partnership with Gage Cannabis has been integral," said Berner, Founder and CEO of COOKIES . "We've seen tremendous demand from cannabis consumers in Michigan and the surrounding areas and look forward to continuing to serve them as our partnership grows with this second location."

"We have been met with overwhelming demand since opening our first COOKIES location in Detroit last year and are eager to bring the acclaimed COOKIES experience to even more cannabis enthusiasts in the Midwest," said Fabian Monaco, President of Gage. "This expansion is a testament to the market potential of Michigan's cannabis industry and we look forward to creating novel cannabis opportunities in partnership with COOKIES over the next year."

For more information about Gage or COOKIES provisioning center locations, please visit www.Cookiesmich.com or https://gageusa.com/locations/ .

ABOUT COOKIES

COOKIES , founded in 2008 by Berner (the prolific Bay Area rapper and entrepreneur) and his partner Jai (a Bay Area breeder and cultivator) is more than a premiere cannabis company; it is an authentic lifestyle brand with passionate fans all over the world. The company went mainstream in 2011 and has grown its business through the combination of globally recognized premium genetics, popular culture resonance, and social media influence. COOKIES is constantly engaged in new breeding projects to launch differentiated brands and has quickly built a grassroots cult following while remaining loyal to its brand promise: authenticity and genetics innovation.

Today, COOKIES is one of the most well-respected and top-selling cannabis brands in California and throughout the world. The company and its product are recognized globally and offer a collection of over 150 proprietary cannabis varieties and product lines including indoor and sungrown flower, pre-rolls, gel caps, vape carts, CBD Flower and medicinal mushrooms. COOKIES' seed-to-sale business allows for complete quality control at every stepfrom cultivation and production to customers' end retail experience. With a deep commitment to restorative justice and progressive drug policy, COOKIES actively works to enrich communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs through advocacy work and social equity initiatives.

About GAGE

Gage Cannabis Co. is innovating and curating the highest quality cannabis experiences possible for cannabis consumers in the state of Michigan and bringing internationally renowned brands to market. Through years of progressive industry experience, the firm's founding partners have successfully built and grown operations with federal and state licenses, including cultivation, processing and retail locations. Gage's portfolio includes city and state approvals for 19 "Class C" cultivation licenses, three processing licenses and 12 provisioning centers (dispensaries).

For more information about Gage Cannabis Co., visit www.gageusa.com.

Instagram: @gagecannabis

Facebook: @gageusa

Twitter: @gagecannabisco

MEDIA CONTACT: Colleen Robar, 313-207-5960, [email protected]

Related Links

https://gageusa.com

SOURCE Gage Cannabis Co.

Related Links

http://www.gageusa.com


IN the space of one month, the families of 326 people were left in shock and heartbreak after losing their loved ones to the Covid-19 virus.

May 2021 was the deadliest month of the pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago and the month with the highest number of Covid-19 cases.
10 new COVID-19-related deaths reported since last week

Ten new COVID-19-related deaths were reported by the South Dakota Department of Health Tuesday and during the holiday weekend.
San Antonio Police Department

San Antonio police are asking for the public's help in identifying the remains of a woman found in an abandoned house in 2019.

Officials found the woman on Sept. 17, 2019, inside a home in the 2600 block of W. Gerald Avenue.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.

The World Health Organization has scrapped plans for the team that visited Wuhan to publish an interim report into the origins of coronavirus.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the initial findings from the investigation, which took place in China earlier this year, will not be released as previously stated.

Instead a full and final report with a summary of its findings will be published 'in coming weeks'.

The World Health Organization will not release the interim findings of the Wuhan trip, instead opting to publish a full and final report 'in coming weeks'. Pictured: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General of WHO

Following the team's trip to Wuhan, China, in January, (pictured) WHO said some initial information from the probe would be initially released

During the trip the team visited various sites across Wuhan, including the Hubei Animal Disease Control and Prevention Center. Pictured: The WHO team wearing protective gear at facility

Wuhan is the city where the Covid-19 pandemic is believed to have originated in late 2019.

The WHO team returned recently from its visit saying it had discovered no clear finding on the genesis of the virus.

It came as tensions between the US and China as to what caused the once-in-a century global health crisis continued to rise.

The US responded by saying it had 'deep concerns' about what the team learned and it pressed China for more information.

WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said on February 12 that a preliminary report with a summary of the team's findings would be issued soon thereafter, and a full report in a matter of weeks.

But now the plan is to scrap the interim report, the Journal said, quoting Peter Ben Embarek, the scientist who led the team.

Instead, the team will publish the full and final report, with a summary of its findings, the newspaper said, quoting a WHO spokesman.

Wuhan is the city where the Covid-19 pandemic is believed to have originated in late 2019 and the latest news has fuelled already growing tensions between the US and China. Pictured: WHO visit an exhibition on how China fought the coronavirus in Wuhan

After returning from the trip, the team (pictured at an exhibition in Wuhan) said there was no clear finding on the genesis of the virus

Security personnel stood outside Jinyintan Hospital after the WHO team entered the building in late January

This broader report 'will be published in coming weeks and will include key findings,' it quoted this spokesman as saying.

'By definition a summary report does not have all the details,' Ben Embarek was quoted as saying.

'So since there (is) so much interest in this report, a summary only would not satisfy the curiosity of the readers,' he added.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price called on China Thursday to share what it knows from the earliest days of the pandemic.

'It is about learning and doing, being positioned to do everything we can to protect ourselves, the American people, and the international community against pandemic threats going forward,' Price told a briefing.

Multiple countries have uncovered evidence that the virus was circulating months earlier than originally thought

Chinese scientists and officials have been keen to point the finger of blame outside their own borders - variously suggesting that the virus could have originated in Bangladesh, the US, Greece, Australia, India, Italy, Czech Republic, Russia or Serbia

'That's why we need this understanding. That's why we need this transparency from the Chinese government,' he said.

It comes as late last month a leaked WHO report claimed China did 'little' to investigate the origins of Covid during the first eight months of the outbreak.

Scientists from the UN body warned in August last year that Beijing was dragging its feet over the probe, which they said had barely advanced since January.

They also warned Beijing was not sharing data, despite WHO chief Dr Tedros insisting that groundwork to identify the virus's origins was being laid.

WHO investigators visited Wuhan between July 10 and August 3 last year as part of an 'advance team' to set up the much-wider probe, which took place in January.

The leaked document, seen by The Guardian, is a two-page report put together as they left the country to summarize the team's findings.

China's official timeline vs new evidence Official timeline Dec 8, 2019 - Earliest date that China has acknowledged an infection Dec 31 - China first reported 'pneumonia of unknown cause' to the World Health Organisation Jan 1, 2020 - Wuhan seafood market closed for disinfection Jan 11 - China reported its first death Jan 23 - Wuhan locked down Jan 31 - WHO declared 'outbreak of international concern' as China admitted having thousands of cases Feb 23 - Italy reports cluster of cases in first major outbreak in the West New evidence Sep 2019 - Blood samples are taken in a lung cancer screening trial in Italy which later test positive for coronavirus Oct-Dec - Rise in 'flu and pneumonia' cases in northern Italy which could be linked to coronavirus Nov - Sewage samples taken in Florianopolis, Brazil, suggest virus was present Nov 10 - Milanese woman has a skin biopsy, producing a sample which later shows signs of the virus Nov 17 - Leaked documents suggest case detected in China on this date Dec 1 - Chinese researchers report an infection on this date in a peer-reviewed study, but it has not been acknowledged by Beijing Dec 18 - Sewage samples taken in Milan and Turin suggest virus was circulating in the cities Jan 2020 - Sewage samples from Barcelona suggest virus was in the city Advertisement
Continuity Engine and RealNet will ensure business continuity and reduce the duration and cost of recovering from a disaster.

Neverfail and RealNet, an IT solutions company located in Mexico, have reached a partnership agreement for the sales and services of Neverfail Continuity Engine.

With business continuity and disaster recovery playing a key role in the survival of any business, its essential to have a proven, world-class protection technology to ensure continued operation of the most critical IT systems. Neverfail Continuity Engine provides continuous availability powered by application-aware failover and its recovery orchestration process that already protects tens of thousands of application servers worldwide. This ensures when something interrupts the delivery of the business service, Neverfail Continuity Engine is there to restore these mission-critical systems with near-zero downtime.

"Neverfail is extremely enthused about RealNets expertise in Mexicos most critical Enterprise Infrastructure, and believe that together with Neverfail Continuous Availability, we stand to protect critical application uptime throughout Mexico for years to come," said Michael Wrightson, General Manager at Neverfail Continuous Availability.

"The worlds most critical infrastructure is required to be always-on, regardless of natural disaster, rolling power outages, or other environmental factors that may come up. Neverfail Engine proves again and again to be the world leader in uptime and protection of these critical services. The partnership with Realnet enables Mexico to now have a trusted advisor to keep the critical applications always available."

We were looking for a solution that could help our customers maximize the benefits of having a disaster recovery plan. When we learned about Continuity Engine, we were happy to find out that this solution could ensure business continuity and reduce the duration and cost of recovering from a disaster, said Jorge L. Ojeda Roman, Director at RealNet. We are certain that this partnership will bring not only great solutions to our customers but also great business opportunities for both.

About RealNet

Established in 1993 and headquartered in Mexico City, RealNet delivers experience in cybersecurity and infrastructure for LATAM companies, with more than 54 Top 500 Expansion Magazine Companies and over 700 SMB.

About Neverfail

Headquartered in Austin, TX, Neverfail delivers Continuous IT Controls and Availability solutions to some of the most highly recognizable brands in the world. More than 5,000 customers in over 60 countries depend on Neverfail to reduce risk through zero trust compliance and continuity solutions without the worry, time, or cost of traditional methods.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - If you want unassuming, you want Charlies Bar & Grille.

Located on busy Plainfield Avenue on Grand Rapids northeast side, just north of I-96, this tucked-away bar has been a longtime hangout for locals.

But throughout the pandemic - through takeout only and limited indoor dining - its become a new discovery for others, such as young foodie couple Melanie and Michael Palazzolo of Belmont.

Theyve driven by numerous times over the years, but recently made their first visit.

We stopped in and we said, This is amazing! said Melanie Palazzolo, enjoying a glass of red wine and stuffed crab mushroom caps appetizer, which they devoured.

We have a lot of family in the Detroit area who like to visit, and now this is our spot. I know its nothing fancy, but who cares? The staff is fun and super friendly, its family owned, and its local.

What else is there to say? That sums up Charlies to a T.

The dimly lit, no-nonsense establishment has vinyl booths, socially distanced tables, a lively waitstaff and a neon pink bar sign that looks like something straight out of the 80s. Or at least an episode of Miami Vice.

Charlies is one of our finalists for Michigans Best Fish Fry.

READ: How to vote for Michigans Best Fish Fry

READ: A look at our poll leaders for Michigans Best Fish Fry

Charlies is named after Grand Rapids native Charlie Boylen, an entrepreneur who originally bought the bar in 1980 when it was called Time Out.

After selling it in 1983, she took it over again in 1996 because it was struggling financially. Her daughter, Jodi Wilterdink, encouraged her to change the name.

She said, Call it Charlies Bar & Grille, and I said, I like the sound of that. Lets do it, Boylen said.

She immediately returned to home-cooked meals, daily specials and plenty of seafood options on any night of the week, especially during the Lenten season when 90 percent of the specials are seafood.

You will find shrimp, smelt, pollock, cod, salmon, walleye, perch, scallops, mussels and the list goes on and on. Not all of it is deep fried. The fish can be pan-fried.

The steamed mussels have been a big hit, Boylen said. You get about 30 mussels drenched in spicy tomato, olive oil, garlic and white wine, and served with grilled toast points.

Everything is made from scratch, Boylen said proudly. Our soups, our fish we bread ourselves; we even shred our own cheese for our Mexican food.

People also love the fall off the bone ribs, burgers, salads, homemade dressings, sandwiches, Brussels sprouts topped with honey bacon, and our walleye, which we saute in a lemon caper butter, Boylen said.

Its all good, what else can I say?

As for the fish, its so popular they will sell 30-40 pounds of it on a busy Friday night, which is their biggest day of the week. In fact, its so busy that they moved their all-you-can-eat, hand-breaded, deep-fried pollock to Wednesdays.

Its more restaurant than bar, Wilterdink said in a video for MLive. The food is a real happy surprise for people.

On all-you-can-eat Wednesdays, customers get three long pieces of lightly-battered fish, as well as fries and coleslaw. Most customers can only eat the three pieces.

The record is 20, said Wilterdink, who took over ownership from her mom seven years ago.

Thats just crazy! But its hand-breaded, so its light, she said.

Always quick with a laugh, Wilterdink also dishes out praise for her staff, which she lovingly calls her work family.

She has about 21 employees, including her nephew, Mitchel Webb, who is the chef, and responsible for most of the menu. But everyone chips in on creating specials, Wilterdink said. Kitchen manager Jamie Limbeck has cut back her hours so others can work, but she still comes in to make the soups and sauces, and do the ordering.

We have the best team, Wilterdink said. Its crazy to say this, but some of them have been here for 25 years. Weve got cooks that have been here for 15 years and families whose kids now work here. Not only do we have generations of customers, weve got generations of employees.

Even our customers say, Our kids want to work here, Wilterdink added.

Like all Michigan restaurants, going through the pandemic hasnt been easy. But they were encouraged when last years St. Patricks Day corned beef special sold out with takeout only. From there, business just took off.

For years they might have forgotten about us, but through the closure, people got re-introduced to Charlies, Wilterdink said. Its crazy because we dont have a big storefront or big windows.

And its not the prettiest building, she added.

The takeout orders started pouring in from customers looking for alternatives to chain restaurants, and then they started sharing photos on Facebook, she said.

We kept getting busier, and people said, Ive lived in the neighborhood for years, but I didnt know you had food.

On March 10, Charlies will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

What can you expect when you walk in the door?

You never know what to expect at Charlies, Wilterdink said with a big laugh.

Its one of those crazy places where youll feel like a regular. Even if its your first time here or your 100th time here, were going to make you feel the same. Its family here.

Thats why mom keeps working.

I enjoy coming into work every day, Boylen said while standing on her tiny outside deck, which was used by hardy fans during the winter months.

Every business has its highs and lows, but I love this place. I really do.

Inside Charlie's Bar and Grille in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com

IF YOU GO

Charlies Bar & Grille

3519 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

616-364-0567

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sundays.

More info: charliesbarandgrille.com/ or facebook.com/Charlies-Bar-Grille-143024965765499

More Michigans Best

A look at our poll leaders for Michigans Best Fish Fry

Its a Drive By Fish Fry this year at St. Marys in Pinckney

A 2021 guide to Jackson-area Friday Lenten fish fries

Grand Rapids area 2021 fish fry guide for Lent

Friday fish fry take-out will be flying out the door at these 21 spots across Michigan (2020)

Michigans ultimate fish fry guide (2019)

Michigans Best Fish Fry poll winners (2019)

3 places in the Northern Lower Peninsula for fantastic fish fry (2019)

6 things Michigan restaurant staff want you to know before you eat out

Michigans Best Outdoor Dining: See winners from across the state
Francis met with bishops, priests, religious, seminarians and catechists in the Syriac Catholic Cathedral of "Our Lady of Salvation" where a terror attack killed 48 people. Their deaths are a powerful reminder that inciting war, hateful attitudes, violence or the shedding of blood are incompatible with authentic religious teachings, said the Pope.

Baghdad (AsiaNews)  Pope Franciss first contact with Iraqi Christians came at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, scene of the kind of terror that still afflicts Iraq today. It is important to go out among our flock, he said, as witnesses of the Gospel and of unity among Christ's followers.

As Card Louis Sako noted, the church suffered a terrorist attack "on 31 October 2010. During Holy Mass, 48 martyrs were killed, including two of our young priests, Tha'er and Wasim, and many were wounded. For Francis, Their deaths are a powerful reminder that inciting war, hateful attitudes, violence or the shedding of blood are incompatible with authentic religious teachings (cf. Enc. Fratelli tutti, 285).

The meeting in the cathedral is the second event in Franciss visit to Iraq. After the attack in 2010, the building was renovated and a memorial was erected to the victims. As the Pope noted, their cause of beatification is underway. The two slain priests are buried in the crypt.

On this occasion, Francis met with bishops, priests, religious, seminarians and catechists. He mentioned our apostolic zeal, adding that Hardships are part of the daily experience of the Iraqi faithful. In recent decades, you and your fellow citizens have had to deal with the effects of war and persecution, the fragility of basic infrastructures and the ongoing struggle for economic and personal security that has frequently led to internal displacements and the migration of many people, including Christians, to other parts of the world.

I thank you, my brother bishops and priests, for remaining close  close!  to your people, supporting them, striving to meet their needs and helping them play their part in working for the common good. The educational and charitable apostolates of your local Churches represent a rich resource for the life of both the ecclesial community and the larger society. I encourage you to persevere in these efforts, in order to ensure that Iraqs Catholic community, though small like a mustard seed (cf. Mt 13:31-32), continues to enrich the life of society as a whole.

The love of Christ summons us to set aside every kind of self-centredness or competition; it impels us to universal communion and challenges us to form a community of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 95-96). Here I think of the familiar image of a carpet. The different Churches present in Iraq, each with its age-old historical, liturgical and spiritual patrimony, are like so many individual coloured threads that, woven together, make up a single beautiful carpet, one that displays not only our fraternity but points also to its source. For God himself is the artist who imagined this carpet, patiently wove it and carefully mends it, desiring us ever to remain closely knit as his sons and daughters.

To a Catholic community with various Church traditions, the pontiff said: May we thus take to heart the admonition of Saint Ignatius of Antioch: Let nothing exist among you that may divide you but let there be one prayer, one mind, one hope, in love and in joy (Ad Magnesios, 6-7: PL 5, 667). How important is this witness of fraternal union in a world all too often fragmented and torn by division! Every effort made to build bridges between ecclesial, parish and diocesan communities and institutions will serve as a prophetic gesture on the part of the Church in Iraq and a fruitful response to Jesus prayer that all may be one.

Lastly, Francis noted that Tomorrow, in Ur, I will meet with the leaders of the religious traditions present in this country, in order to proclaim once again our conviction that religion must serve the cause of peace and unity among all Gods children. This evening I want to thank you for your efforts to be peacemakers, within your communities and with believers of other religious traditions, sowing seeds of reconciliation and fraternal coexistence that can lead to a rebirth of hope for everyone.

Here I think especially of the young. Young people everywhere are a sign of promise and hope, but particularly in this country. Here you have not only priceless archeological treasures, but also inestimable treasure for the future: the young! Young people are your treasure; they need you to care for them, to nurture their dreams, to accompany their growth and to foster their hope. Even though they are young, their patience has already been sorely tried by the conflicts of these years. Yet let us never forget that, together with the elderly, they are the point of the diamond in this country, the richest fruit of the tree. It is up to us to cultivate their growth in goodness and to nurture them with hope.
Mike Sonko received a temporary reprieve at a Kahawa court on Thursday after he denied terror-related charges.

The former Nairobi governor pleaded not guilty to accusations of financing terror activities.

The charge sheet read in part: On or before January 1, 2021, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, you (Mike Sonko) jointly with others not before Court knowingly recruited unknown persons to commit or participate in the commission of a terrorist act in contravention of the said-Act.

A second charge states Sonko was found in possession of property for commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 6 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.

On January 31, 2021 in Athi River, within Machakos County, you (Mike Sonko) had in your possession military attire for the commission or facilitation of a terrorist act.

Sonko was charged alongside two others; Clifford Ochieng Ouko and Benjamin Onyango Odhiambo.

The charge against Ouko read: On February 3, 2021, while in Komarock Phase 2 within Nairobi County, you were found in possession of a military combat short of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a Super Sick military combat shirt and a pair of military desert camouflage uniform for the commission of a terrorist act.

Odhiambo on the other hand was charged: On or before February 3, 2021, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, had in your possession a military camouflage jacket for the commission or facilitation of a terrorist act.

They pleaded not guilty and were freed on Sh200,000 cash bail each.

Sonko meanwhile was released on either a Sh1 million cash bail or Sh500,000 bond.

Chief Magistrate Diana Mochache further directed Sonko to deposit his passport in court and not to interfere with witnesses.

The court set pretrial mention for June 22.
Congressman John Moolenaar invites all high school students from Michigan's Fourth Congressional District to enter their art in the 2021 Congressional Art Competition.

The winning student from the Fourth District will have their art displayed at the U.S. Capitol for a year. It is also possible that the Congressional Institute, which runs the competition, will hold an event in Washington D.C. later this year to honor winning students from across the country. If the event is held, the winning student from the Fourth District will receive two round-trip airline tickets to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the event.
Consumers complained by far about services they received from banks and the entire financial services sector for most of 2020, according to government data seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

Complaints about services in the sector made 33 per cent  a third  of all cases filed by consumers to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission between January and September 2020.

The sector was followed by the electricity and power sector which received 21 per cent complaints against its services.

Together, the two sectors got more than half of several thousands of complaints filed.

The Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, had earlier disclosed that the commission received the highest consumer related complaints from the electricity, banking and telecommunications sectors in 2020.

Data sent by the agency to PREMIUM TIMES provide more details about the degree of customer dissatisfaction in the country.

They show that seven per cent of the complaints was about the telecommunications sector, while six per cent was about e-commerce.

Aviation followed with five per cent, electronics had four work cent, satellite/ cable services had four work cent and road transport was two per cent.

Courier services, land/construction, education, food/beverages, real estate/mortgages all accounted for one percent each.

Other sectors accounted for 14 per cent.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Many Nigerian banks are viewed as perennial poor performers with respect to customer satisfaction. Depositors accuse them of illegal deductions and hidden charges, and general operational inefficiency.

With the 2020 coronavirus lockdown pushing people online, reports of inaccurate and failed transactions surged.

In recent weeks, there have been a few social media campaign for the boycott of some banks.

On resolving the complaints, Mr. Irukera said the commission was overwhelmed by the volume of complaints compared to their staff capacity of the agency.

He said the commission was considering expanding its complaints resolution teams capacity.

Our complaints resolution team is still a very small team of people and they are dealing with thousands of complaints, he was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as saying.

We are looking at expanding capacity to have more hands handling the complaints but the real game changer in handling complaints better and faster is for companies to start doing it.

The person who has the least open complaint in our resolution team has about 800 complaints across sectors and that is one person. If you multiply it by 12 to 15 persons, you will imagine the number of complaints, he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Scott Morrison will expand the Howard Springs quarantine camp, giving hope to stranded Aussies who are desperate to come home.

The Northern Territory facility, which currently takes 850 arrivals a fortnight, will take 2,000 travellers every two weeks by May.

Mr Morrison said the expansion cannot happen immediately because more workers need to be hired and there are 'wet season' issues.

The Northern Territory facility (pictured), which currently takes 850 arrivals a fortnight, will take 2,000 travellers every two weeks by May

Some 40,000 Australians overseas have registered a desire to come home but have been unable to get a flight due to a cap on arrivals imposed by the federal government.

The cap was imposed to ease the burden on the quarantine system after several outbreaks sparked from hotels.

Mr Morrison announced the expansion after a national cabinet meeting with state and territory leaders.

He also announced that the first batch of locally made AstraZeneca jabs will be rolled out on March 22.

Health Department Secretary Brendan Murphy said Australia will be able to produce one million doses a week at the CSL factory in Melbourne.

To date there have been 70,000 vaccinations delivered, including at 241 aged and disability facilities.

Scott Morrison will expand the Howard Springs quarantine camp, giving hope to stranded Aussies who are desperate to come home


Welcomes Government's Commitment to Critical Minerals

Perth, Mar 5, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Australia's next rare earths producer Hastings Technology Metals Limited ( ASX:HAS ) ( FRA:5AM ) welcomes the announcement by the Federal Government today of its Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing National Manufacturing Priority road map.The road map is underpinned by the Federal Government's commitment to leverage Australia's world-leading critical minerals and resources sector to create more jobs and economic opportunities for manufacturing businesses with the release of a new 10-year plan. The release of the road map also coincided with the opening today of applications for the Government's $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).As the developer of the Yangibana Rare Earths Project (Yangibana) in Western Australia's Gascoyne region, Hastings applauds the Government's approach towards Australia's world-class rare earths minerals endowment and, in particular, comments from the Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia The Hon. Keith Pitt "to bring on new supplies of critical minerals and developing this emerging sector to meet growing global demand".Hastings is finalising additional offtake deals and advancing on its debt financing, including with the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF). The Company intends to commence early infrastructure activities at the Yangibana mine site in the June 2021 Quarter.Yangibana's proposed production of 15,000 tonnes per annum of a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) is an intermediate product that is sought-after by its German customers to form part of the European supply chain. The Yangibana MREC, when separated, is equivalent to 3,400tpa of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), representing approximately 7% of the current global volume of NdPr oxides.Commenting on the Federal Government's critical minerals roadmap, Hastings' Executive Chairman Charles Lew said:"Australia has a unique natural advantage because of world-class rare earths mineral resources such as the ones at our Yangibana project."Hastings' discussions with our German offtake customers underpin Australia's position to play a major role in ensuring a high-quality, stable and secure supply of these critical minerals needed to transition to a clean energy environment."The Federal Government's commitment to assisting Australia's rare earths industry deliver on its potential is therefore most welcome."Hastings is assessing its eligibility to apply for a MMI grant under the Manufacturing Translation Stream and/or Manufacturing Integration Stream, based on Yangibana's scale, the world-class quality of its mineral resource and the jobs and capital investment potential across regional Western Australia.In the meantime, Hastings is continuing work on Yangibana's Mineral Resource update and finalising the selection of a location on the Pilbara coast to host the Yangibana project's hydrometallurgical process plant.Hastings has set 29 March 2021 as the date for its Extraordinary General Meeting at which shareholders will be asked to approve the second tranche - $43.5 million - of a $100.7 million equity raising (see ASX announcement dated 22 February 2021).About Hastings Technology Metals Ltd

Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (ASX:HAS) (FRA:5AM) is advancing its Yangibana Rare Earths Project in the Upper Gascoyne Region of Western Australia towards production. The proposed beneficiation and hydro metallurgy processing plant will treat rare earths deposits, predominantly monazite, hosting high neodymium and praseodymium contents to produce a mixed rare earths carbonate that will be further refined into individual rare earth oxides at processing plants overseas.

Neodymium and praseodymium are vital components in the manufacture of permanent magnets which is used in a wide and expanding range of advanced and high-tech products including electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, medical applications and others. Hastings aims to become the next significant producer of neodymium and praseodymium outside of China.

Hastings holds 100% interest in the most significant deposits within the overall project, and 70% interest in additional deposits that will be developed at a later date, all held under Mining Leases. Numerous prospects have been identified warranting detailed exploration to further extend the life of the project.

Brockman Project

The Brockman deposit, near Halls Creek in Western Australia, contains JORC Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources, estimated using the guidelines of JORC Code (2012 Edition).

The Company is also progressing a Mining Lease application over the Brockman Rare Earths and Rare Metals Project.

Hastings aims to capitalise on the strong demand for critical rare earths created by the expanding demand for new technology products.
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
New Delhi, March 5 : Hospitality major OYO Hotels & Homes' valuation has reached the $9 billion-mark, according to industry sources.

The development comes after the latest fundraise of Rs 54 crore or $7.31 million from Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd.

In a regulatory filing with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, OYO said that it has raised Rs 54 crore ($7.31 million) at a share price of $58,490 as part of its Series F1 round.

With over 50 products and more than 500 microservices, the company plans to utilise the capital in strengthening its technology stack for delivering an improved partner and customer experience.

Hindustan Media Ventures subscribed to OYO's Series F1 Compulsory Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares (Series F1 CCCPS) for cash at an issue price of Rs 43.20 lakh per Series F1 CCCPS for an aggregate consideration equivalent to Rs 54 crore to Hindustan Media Ventures Limited on a private placement basis.

The growth in valuation comes after it dropped to $8 billion last year from $10 billion in November 2019.

OYO Hotels & Homes is also backed by investors including the SoftBank Vision Fund, Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Ventures, Airbnb, and Hero Enterprise, amongst others.

In October 2019, OYO announced that it had raised $1.5 billion, as part of its Series F funding round. As a part of this round, RA Hospitality Holdings' infused approximately $700 million as primary capital in the company, with the balance of $800 million being supplemented by other existing investors.

When contacted Abhishek Gupta, Chief Financial Officer, OYO Hotels & Homes told IANS: "We are delighted to welcome HT Media Ventures Ltd. as an investor in OYO. Their support will help us to further build on our unique technology stack for small hotels and homeowners across the world." He said that OYO is on a steady path of resurgence in 2021, the company is seeing signs of recovery in its core markets of India, Europe, and Southeast Asia while sustaining gross margin dollars at pre-Covid levels.

"Despite the pandemic, the company's valuation has held through and we believe this will only improve as the guests across the world gradually begin to travel again," Gupta said.

Piyush Gupta, Group CFO, HT Media Ventures Ltd, said: "We are extremely excited to partner OYO in its mission of supporting owners and operators of small and independent hotels and homes through its pioneering technology. We look forward to working with the company's management as it continues to add value to the experience of its asset partners and guests alike." Hindustan Media Ventures is promoted by HT Media Ltd which holds 74.4 per cent stake in the company.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - Bengal Energy Ltd. (TSX: BNG) ("Bengal" or the "Company") announces that Mr. Matt Moorman has tendered his resignation as Chief Financial Officer of Bengal, effective March 4, 2021, to pursue other opportunities.

"We appreciate Matt's contributions to our Company and we wish him the best in his future endeavours," said Chayan Chakrabarty, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bengal.

With the departure of Mr. Moorman, Bengal has appointed Mr. Jerrad Blanchard as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, such appointment to be effective March 8, 2021. Mr. Blanchard was previously the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, from December 1, 2013 to September 29, 2017, and brings to Bengal a strong technical background, coupled with hands-on experience in all aspects of corporate finance, financial reporting, implementation of controls and governance for public companies operating in Canadian and international jurisdictions. Jerrad has approximately 10 years of Chief Financial Officer experience in both public and private Companies operating in Canada and a variety of international locations in the oil and gas and mining and minerals sectors. Prior to working in industry, Mr. Blanchard was a manager in PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's Audit and Assurance Group and became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta in 2007. Mr. Blanchard rounds out his professional experience with several volunteer board positions with leading community organizations in Calgary.

About Bengal

Bengal Energy Ltd. is an international junior oil and gas exploration and production company with assets in Australia. The Company is committed to growing shareholder value through international exploration, production and acquisitions. Bengal's common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol "BNG". Additional information is available at www.bengalenergy.ca.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Bengal Energy Ltd.

Chayan Chakrabarty, President & Chief Executive Officer

(403) 205-2526

Email: investor.relations@bengalenergy.ca

Website: www.bengalenergy.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76166
By Nidhi Verma

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India on Friday condemned a report by a U.S.-based think-tank that dropped its status from free to "partly free" saying the claims made by Freedom House are "misleading, incorrect and misplaced".

Freedom House in its report https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2021/democracy-under-siege released on Wednesday titled "Freedom under Seige," said India appears to have abandoned its potential to serve as a global democratic leader under Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Modi and his party are driving India toward "authoritarianism", it said, adding political rights and civil liberties have deteriorated since Modi came to power in 2014 and the decline accelerated after his re-election in 2019.

The report also said Modi's government and its state-level allies continued to crack down on critics and "ham-fisted lockdown" to stem spread of COVID-19 led to the dangerous and unplanned displacement of millions of migrant workers.

Responding to the report, India government said the ranking was faulty as many states in the country are ruled by other parties.

The government said it took steps to prevent distress to people and to alleviate problems of those worst-hit by the lockdown. India had registered "one of the lowest rates of active Covid cases and deaths globally", it said.

The Freedom House report said the Hindu nationalist movement also encouraged the scapegoating of Muslims, "who were disproportionately blamed for the spread of the virus and faced attacks by vigilante mobs".

India said it treats all its citizens with equality and follows due process of law in matters relating to law and order, irrespective of the identity of the alleged instigator.

India said it attaches highest importance to the safety and security of all residents and justified a move to temporarily shut internet services in parts of the country as a step needed to maintain law and order.

Story continues

The Indian government also defended freezing Amnesty International's assets, saying it had remitted large amounts of money to four entities registered in India, by misclassifying it as Foreign Direct Investment.

Since 1973, Freedom House has assessed political rights and civil liberties around the world. Its reports are used as references by policy makers, journalists and others.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by David Gregorio)
SMU Office of Research & Tech Transfer - Even before countries began rolling out their vaccination campaigns, Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca's announcements had already proved fortifying shots. Stocks rallied and healthcare workers celebrated in the wake of the vaccine news late last year. But months on, that early euphoria has somewhat evaporated, replaced by uncertainty and debate over vaccine safety, possible side effects and varying degrees of citizen reluctance.

Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers and health experts modelling COVID-19's spread have warned that for vaccines to be useful in curbing the pandemic, a significant percentage of the population must be vaccinated to reach herd immunity. But, as SMU's Vice Provost of Research Professor Archan Misra pointed out at an AI-centred panel discussion, held in conjunction with the SMU- Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) on 15 January 2021, from a purely self-interested point of view, each person would be best served if all the others got vaccinated and they themselves did not have to vaccinate - because that would stop the spread of the virus without their having to take on the possible risks of side effects.

To account for these considerations, Professor Misra explained, the most powerful AI-based epidemiology models actually need to incorporate concepts from the behavioural sciences and game theory. "To solve a practical problem, you can't just solve the computational piece, you have to incorporate the human behavioural piece," he said.

An interdisciplinary approach to AI

The vaccine conundrum effectively illustrates the difficulties involved when we bring machine learning and AI into the real world, where it meets our complex and messy human systems. Discussing the influence of social sciences such as economics and psychology on AI, the panel, comprising SMU School of Computing and Information Systems' Professor David Lo, Associate Professor Akshat Kumar and Assistant Professor Qianru Sun, concurred that AI researchers need to approach their work from an interdisciplinary angle and integrate knowledge from other fields to solve problems holistically.

"[AI researchers] can learn a lot from cognitive psychology, especially in explainable AI," Professor Lo said. Traditionally, AI systems have been thought of as black boxes, with data processes that have been difficult for researchers and programmers to interpret. Yet when these experts bring AI into the real world and use it to solve practical problems, they have to answer questions such as why the AI made a specific prediction or decision, and whether it gives enough confidence for us to act on it. Explainable AI therefore helps to make decisions actionable, Professor Lo pointed out, and established methods and principles of cognitive psychology can be applied to design solutions that can make AI black boxes more comprehensible.

For AI to be effective at real-world problem solving, domain knowledge is crucial, Professor Kumar added. When AI researchers work with domain experts, they can break through traditional constraints in the relevant fields, he said, raising the example of using AI to optimise decision-making in maritime transportation systems, which radically improved both productivity and safety instead of having to sacrifice one for the other.

Singapore's ports regularly experience heavy traffic, and sometimes it may result in unsafe navigation behaviour, Professor Kumar explained. By modelling the maritime transportation system, he and his collaborators found that if they adjusted the vessels' schedules slightly using AI-based coordination algorithms, they could significantly reduce traffic hotspots while keeping the traffic throughput high. "We still maintain the productivity of the system, but we also increase the safety," he said.

An ecosystem of collaborators

Professor Kumar shared that while working on the maritime project, they have consulted domain experts, and government agencies were critical in facilitating such access.

Not only are local public institutions willing collaborators, they are also significant funders of AI projects, according to Professor Sun. "The government agencies are quite generous in terms of their support of AI research. Some of them even offer the full funding for the project. They're also quite willing to deploy the applications yielded from the research of the project for public use," she said.

This ample support has led to Singapore becoming a hotbed for AI technology and development. In 2019, the city-state topped the list of 105 cities most ready for AI disruption, beating places such as London, San Francisco and Beijing - and attracting both researchers and companies hungry for talent from across the world. Explaining how industry partners could benefit from collaborations with researchers, Professor Lo said, "They have the data, they have the domain knowledge and they want to use AI. But industry players may not know how to put that data, domain knowledge and AI together to improve the quality of their products. That's where they may benefit from collaborating with AI researchers."

Professor Sun added that unlike their commercial counterparts, university researchers have the privilege of spending a longer amount of time building deep expertise in AI methodologies, but they may not have the computing resources and data to apply them. "[The companies] have more real data collected, so they can provide us with a more realistic testbed for our proposed methodology and theories," she said. In doing so, researchers and their industry partners will bring novel AI approaches developed in the lab one step closer into the real world.

###

By Sheryl Lee
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Meghan Markle's Canadian Suits co-star Patrick Adams launched a furious attack on the British royal family on Friday, accusing the palace of 'tormenting' the Duchess of Sussex and describing the monarchy as 'toxic, archaic, and shameless' while leaping to the defense of his former on-screen love interest.

Patrick, 39, who was born in Toronto and is now based in Los Angeles, fired off an extraordinarily vicious rant against the royals on Twitter, where he insisted that his 'powerful' and 'kind' friend has been the subject of a underhanded behavior on the part of the monarchy after reports were published that Meghan had 'bullied' several former staff members at Kensington Palace.

After using several glowing adjectives to describe 'kind, joyful and supportive' Meghan, 39, Patrick then detailed the struggle he says she faced when joining the 'archaic and toxic' royal family.

'She fell in love, moved to a new country, became a household name across the entire globe and began the difficult work of trying to find her place in a family dynamic that can at best be described as complicated and at worst, seemingly archaic and toxic,' he wrote in the eight-tweet rant.

Meghan and Harry are involved in a war of words with Buckingham Palace after the Duchess accused 'The Firm' - a mafia-like term used to describe the Royal Family - of smearing them and peddling 'a wholly false narrative based on misleading and harmful misinformation'.

The acrimonious back and forth has become increasingly-tense ahead of the release of Meghan and Harry's bombshell sit-down interview with Oprah, which is due to air on CBS on March 7, while the Duke's 99-year-old grandfather, Prince Philip, remains in hospital in London where he is recovering from a heart procedure.

Meghan Markle's Canadian Suits co-star and former on-screen love interest Patrick Adams launched an extraordinary attack on the royal family on Friday while defending the Duchess

Bold claims: The 39-year-old described the royal family as 'archaic' and 'toxic' in the furious eight-tweet rant, which was posted in the wake of reports that Meghan 'bullied' royal staff

Several teaser clips have made clear the kind of negative picture that Meghan will likely paint of her short-lived experience as a royal - with the latest video showing the Duchess claiming that palace aides stopped her from talking to Oprah 'personally' in 2018 when the TV mogul approached her for an interview.

A Hollywood insider also told DailyMail.com on Friday that Meghan has now accused the palace of using Prince Philip's ill health to 'muzzle' her after the couple faced calls to postpone the interview out of respect to the Queen's husband.

The source added that Meghan would never ask to delay the interview broadcast, which is still expected to go ahead in the wake of the Sussexes' increasingly bitter rift with the royals which has been made all the more acerbic by the publication of the 'bullying' allegations and the Duchess' insistence that they are part of a 'calculated smear campaign' against her.

Buckingham Palace has denied these claims in an unprecedented statement while also revealing that it has launched a probe into the allegations, saying it 'does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace'.

Patrick's Twitter rant comes just two days before Meghan and Harry's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey is due to air

Despite the palace's vehement denial, Patrick - who likely spent time with several senior members of the royal family when attending Meghan's star-studded wedding to Harry in 2018 - doubled down on the pregnant Duchess' claims, accusing the monarch of 'promoting' and 'amplifying' the bullying accusations made against her, which were published in The Times earlier this week.

The actor positioned Meghan very much as the victim, accusing the palace of attacking a pregnant woman who had to 'flee' to the US for the sake of her 'mental health'.

He wrote: 'Its OBSCENE that the Royal Family, whos newest member is currently GROWING INSIDE OF HER, is promoting and amplifying accusations of bullying against a woman who herself was basically forced to flea [sic] the UK in order protect her family and her own mental health.'

Meghan is accused of 'driving out' two PAs and shattering the confidence of another member of staff, with one former aide branding Harry and his wife 'outrageous bullies' in The Times earlier this week.

She has denied the allegations and accused the newspaper of being 'used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative' about her.

Patrick - whose latest project is Disney+ show The Right Stuff which premiered last year - has now launched himself into the fray on Meghan's behalf, joining a growing number of her friends and colleagues who have spoken out in defense of the Duchess.

He even went as far as to brazenly suggest that the 'shameless' monarchy has 'outlived its relevance', writing: '[In my opinion], this newest chapter and [its] timing is just another stunning example of the shamelessness of a institution that has outlived its relevance, is way overdrawn on credibility and apparently bankrupt of decency.'

Patrick made the brazen suggestion that the monarchy has 'outlived its relevance' and accused the royals of being 'bankrupt of decency' before claiming Meghan is 'way out of their league'

The actor's furious Twitter rant comes two days before Meghan and Harry's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey is set to air

As well as attacking the palace, Patrick also slammed the British media, accusing it of publishing 'racist, slanderous, clickbaiting vitriol' about her, while insisting that Meghan had been woefully misunderstood and under-estimated.

'It sickened me to read the endless racist, slanderous, clickbaiting vitriol spewed in her direction from all manner of media across the UK and the world but I also knew that Meghan was stronger than people realized or understood and they would regret underestimating her,' he wrote.

He suggested that Meghan and Harry should have been given a break from public scrutiny after they welcomed their first child, Archie, in 2019, but said that instead 'the hunt continued'.

'On any sort of decent planet that would be a time to stop sharpening the knives and let these two people enjoy the magical early months and years of starting a family,' he said. 'But we dont live on that planet and instead the hunt continued.'

He concluded his astonishing rant with a playground-esque warning to the royals, telling the monarchy to 'find someone else to admonish, berate and torment,' before adding: 'My friend Meghan is way out of your league.'

Patrick starred alongside Meghan in TV drama Suits for seven seasons, before the Duchess quit the series to join the royal family officially. Their characters, Michael Ross and Rachel Zane, were involved romantically for much of their time on the show, and married in last episode of season seven, Meghan's final taping before she quit.

His tweets were met with a very mixed reaction - with some praising him for defending his friends, while others called out his decision to launch such a vitriolic attack on the royals.

'Great to see you support your friend,' one person began, before adding: 'Meghan behaved terribly towards palace servants and ran ahead of herself. She thought as a princess she could stamp her feet and bully servants. Shame we were hoping for an independent modern woman who would fight for the down trodden.'

Another pointed to the irony in Patrick's claims that the monarchy as 'outlived its relevance', despite 'happily' attending the royal wedding.

'But you were very happy to go to the wedding organized by, in your words, the institution that outlived its relevance,' the user wrote.

One person noted that Patrick is defending Meghan as a friend, but that he has never worked as her employee and therefore cannot know what her 'behavior' night be like in that sense.

'Were you ever her servant or staffer? I loved your show but your friendship and working relationship has no bearing on the questions surrounding her behavior,' the Twitter user suggested.

'Not exactly an objective assessment if you are her friend and co-worker of a decade. As a member of the British public I loved Meghan at the beginning, if she really does have all these qualities then shes really sold herself short here in the UK with her behaviour,' another chimed in.

Others rallied behind the actor however, praising him for speaking out about his friend.

'I am in tears just reading this,' one such user said. 'lt so needed to be said. Meghan a pregnant woman whose only crime is to fall in love, do an excellent job! That institution has a problem with strong women full stop!'

Patrick likely met several senior members of the royal family while attending Meghan's wedding to Harry in 2018. He is pictured at the event with his wife, actress Troian Bellisario

Meghan and Patrick (pictured in 2012) starred alongside one another in Suits for seven years and their characters, Rachel Zane and Michael Ross, got married at the end of season seven

Another wrote: 'Thank you for standing up for Meghan. And saying what we all feel Its been tough watching an innocent woman be bombarded with [malicious] lies on a daily basis from the British press & the royal family esp when she's been pregnant for that bulk of time. It's just despicably cruel.'

Patrick is the latest in a line of friends and supporters who have helped to orchestrate an all-out war against Buckingham Palace in recent days, spouting claims that the royals want to make her 'miserable' as the transatlantic row between the Sussexes and the Windsors boils over ahead of Sunday's bombshell Oprah interview.

Meghan's allies in the US media as well as colleagues from her time on Suits have queued up to back her in the bullying row with the hit show's executive producer Jon Cowan calling her a 'warm, kind, caring person' who has been thrust into an 'unimaginable world' and deserves the 'benefit of the doubt'.

Meghan's fightback began last night when a source close to the former actress made the extraordinary claim that Prince William's wife Kate, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were all leaking stories about her to the press.

Then her makeup artist friend Daniel Martin posted a defiant poem about 'light and love' in defense of the Duchess amid the bombshell claims she forced out members of staff at Kensington Palace and inflicted 'emotional cruelty' on others. One worker called the couple 'outrageous bullies'.

His Instagram post, liked by 3,500 people including Meghan's former best friend Jessica Mulroney said: 'Because she isn't self centered, people can see the light in her. Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example. Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit. Because she wants nothing from the world, the world cannot overcome her.'

And 'Team Meghan' cheerleader Lindsay Jill Roth, who had Meghan as the maid of honor at her wedding, said 'goodwill runs in her bones'.

Last night on the ABC debate show 'The View' in America, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, broadcaster Sarah Haines declared: 'I don't hear anything about investigations that don't involve Prince Andrew and his connections with Jeffrey Epstein'.

Commentator Joy Behar compared the palace's reaction to the 'off with your head' policy of Henry VIII, and added: 'They [the palace] will just make your life miserable - you'd better toe the line. Look what happened to Diana, same thing, same thing. They do not like it when you go up against them. As far as Andrew is concerned, he is their boy. This girl is not blood'.

Meanwhile Meghan McCain said: 'It's a very obvious oppo-dump on Meghan Markle, and one of the things she's being accused of in her abuse is emailing staffers early in the morning. So I think that's obviously ridiculous on a lot of different levels'.

British royal experts and fans have widely condemned Harry and Meghan's decision to do the interview, accusing them of being disrespectful to the Queen and her unwell 99-year-old husband.

Royal experts also believe that while many in Britain are siding with Harry's family and are upset that the couple's Oprah interview is going ahead with Prince Philip in hospital after heart surgery, support in the US is swinging behind the Sussexes and this could damage the Queen's popularity in the US.

Meghan's allies queue up to fight back against the royals ahead of the Oprah Winfrey interview Meghan's friends Lindsay Jill Roth, who had Meghan as the maid of honour at her wedding, said 'goodwill runs in her bones'. She wrote: 'Meg's M.O. has always been kindness; goodwill runs in her bones. I know this to be true after 22 years of very close friendship. I have seen firsthand how she treats her friends and their families, and her colleagues. 'If she's driving with you in the passenger seat, she will fling her right arm in front of you at the slightest bump in a gesture of love to ensure your safety. If you have a specific goal, she will help you get there, and your passions will become hers on your behalf.' Meghan's make-up artist friend Daniel Martin posted a defiant poem about 'light and love' in defence of the Duchess. It said: 'Because she isn't self centered, people can see the light in her. Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example. Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit. Because she wants nothing from the world, the world cannot overcome her.' Omid Scobie, a friend of the Duchess who wrote the Finding Freedom biography, said: : 'I also understand anyone's experience needs to be heard and like any responsible business there needs to be an investigation but at the same time this is an institution that remained silent about the allegations about Prince Andrew. It does feel we have a slightly uneven playing field here.' Suits colleagues The hit show's executive producer Jon Cowan calling her a 'warm, kind, caring person'. He tweeted: 'It's also possible the Duchess of Sussex is a good person thrust into an unimaginable world. Having spent 3 years working with her in her pre-Duchess days, I saw a warm, kind, caring person. I know nothing of her current situation but she gets the benefit of the doubt in my book'. Angela Harvey, who wrote for the show, tweeted: 'I worked on a set in Toronto when Meghan was on Suits. The ADs, PAs, and other crew on my show who had also worked with her loved her. LOVED. Set dynamics being what they are... I do not believe this bullying narrative for a microsecond'. US commentators Meghan McCain This is really interesting because it's a very obvious oppo-dump on Meghan Markle, and one of the things she's being accused of in her abuse is emailing staffers early in the morning. So I think that's obviously ridiculous on a lot of different levels. Right now they're trying to make Meghan Markle look really, really bad, including accusing her of wearing diamond earrings that were gifted her by the Prince of Saudi Arabia after Jamal Khashoggi was murdered. And these are all facts that, I guess, known for many years - why are they coming out right now? Sunny Hostin I'm really shocked that rather than trying to mend this rift, rather than supporting Meghan and Harry who I think removed his wife and his family from England because of the terrible racial hatred that she was subjected to, and he didn't want history to repeat itself after what happened to his mother with the media. I'm just surprised that they haven't tried to even apologise for not protecting her more, and instead do this. It says a lot, I think, about the workings of the Royal Family. Joy Behar 'I love the British output of fiction, and history and mystery. It's like this young woman versus the family that goes back to Henry VIII. 'Off with her head', that King. No wonder she calls them The Firm. Did you ever see that movie or read the book by John Grisham, with Tom Cruise? If you go against The Firm, they will make your life misery. In that movie they will kill you. In the British monarchy, they will just make your life miserable - you'd better toe the line. Look what happened to Diana, same thing, same thing. They do not like it when you go up against them. Andrew is their boy. This girl is not blood, and I'm not even sure about Harry, but that's another story altogether. So I'm on Team Meghan Markle.' Sara Haines I don't want to hear about any investigations that don't involve Prince Andrew coming out of the Palace and his connections to Jeffrey Epstein and his affairs, or actions, with young girls and women. The fact that there's silence there is also tacit consent. Until they investigate Prince Andrew, I don't want to hear about it.' Advertisement
The average investment trust has beaten its fund equivalent on returns since 2000, according to new data from Interactive Investor.

It found that most of the major investment trust AIC sectors, including Global, UK Equity Income and UK All Companies trusts, outperformed their Investment Association fund counterparts for average annual returns over both 10 and twenty years.

But the DIY investing platform said investment trust discounts have narrowed so it may harder to find a bargain at the moment by getting a share of a basket of assets for less than their total value.

Interestingly, the only major sector where funds beat trusts was UK smaller companies - an area where investors might think investment trusts might benefit due to their structure.

New research suggests the average trust has outperformed its fund equivalent since 2000

Both investment trusts and active funds have a manager and invest across a variety of companies or assets, but there are a number of differences between them.

Funds are open-ended and grow or shrink in size as more money is put in or taken out by investors. Whereas, investment trusts are a stock market-listed company in their own right and have shares, so are limited in size unless they issue more shares.

The advantage of this is that investment trusts do not become either a forced buyer or seller, as a fund can if it has too much money rush in or out from investors.

Investment trusts can also borrow to magnify returns, known as gearing, however, this can also exacerbate losses. As a company, trusts also have boards keeping an eye on managers.

But investment trusts' share prices can sometimes trade at a discount or a premium to the sum of their parts, depending on sentiment and investor demand.

The results of Interactive Investor's research shows that a diversified portfolio -potentially including both open and closed-ended funds - pays off.

The average global investment trust outperformed the average global fund by almost 1 per cent a year on average over the past 10 years, and by 2.62 per cent per year over the last 20 years.

The Association of Investment Companies and the Investment Association are the trade bodies for the UK's investment trusts and investment funds, respectively. Products listed on their platforms are split into their relevant sectors.

For example, a fund focused on creating income by investing in UK stocks will sit in the Investment Association's UK Equity Income sector.

This sector is another investor favourite, and the average UK Equity Income trust outperformed the average equivalent fund by 1.79 per cent per year over 10 years and 1.5 per cent per year over 20 years.

Meanwhile, investment trusts in the European Smaller Companies sector outperformed funds by 3 per cent a year over 10 years and 2.43 per cent over 20 years.

The only sector where funds trumped trusts was UK Smaller Companies, where the average fund has outperform the average trust on an annualised basis by 2.35 per cent per year over 10 years and 0.58 per cent per year over 20 years.

SECTOR BY SECTOR: IA FUNDS VS AIC INVESTMENT TRUSTS Sector 10 Years Annualised % 10 Years Cumulative % 20 Years Annualised % 20 Years Cumulative % IA Global 9.66 151.5 5.68 202.1 AIC Global 10.61 174.22 8.3 392.98

IA UK All Companies 6.37 85.45 4.65 148.01 AIC UK All Companies 6.64 90.2 6 220.56

IA UK Equity Income 6.1 80.79 4.92 161.54 AIC UK Equity Income 7.89 113.74 6.42 247.19

IA UK Smaller Companies 10.87 180.77 7.82 351.03 AIC UK Smaller Companies 8.52 126.59 7.24 304.52

IA Europe Excluding UK 8.01 116.06 5.61 197.68 AIC Europe 8.58 127.75 7.87 355.34

IA European Smaller Companies 10.3 166.69 8.14 378.53 AIC European Smaller Companies 13.37 250.67 10.57 645.46

IA Asia Pacific ex Japan 8.46 125.19 9.56 520.77 AIC Asia Pacific 15.68 329.29 13.97 1,267.69 Source: Interactive Investor using Morningstar/IA/AIC. Figures as at 31 January 2021.

Beware narrowing discounts and watch individual performance

Interactive Investor has said investors should be conscious of narrowing discounts in the trust universe.

While untl relatively recently investment trust double-digit discounts were the norm, today they are more of an exception and bagging an investment trust bargain is easier said than done.

Dzmitry Lipski, head of funds research, at Interactive Investor, said these figures are also just averages and that there will be a mix of winners and losers in each sector.

He added: 'Investment trusts do have some structural features that help them outperform over the long term, such as the ability to gear to enhance returns, and a closed-ended structure that means they can take a long-term view without having to sell stock to meet potential redemptions.

'But their ability to gear to enhance returns also means they can be considerably more volatile in falling markets.'
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 09:49:19|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TRIPOLI, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Thursday said it has sent 145 illegal migrants voluntarily from Libya to their country Mali.

"Amid COVID-19, stranded migrants in Libya continued to register for IOM's Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) program. This week, 72 women and 73 men from Mali returned home through a VHR charter flight from Tripoli," the UN agency said in a statement.

"Supported by an IOM medical escort, there were nine migrants with medical conditions on board. All migrants were tested for COVID-19 before departure. This flight was made possible with the support of the European Union Trust Fund," it said.

The VHR program, run by the IOM, arranges the return of illegal migrants stranded in Libya to their homeland.

Due to insecurity and chaos in the North African nation following the overthrow of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, thousands of illegal migrants, mostly Africans, chose to cross the Mediterranean from Libya towards Europe. Enditem
Terri Irwin is counting down the days until she becomes a grandmother for the first time.

And the Australia Zoo matriarch, 56, was spotted stocking up on groceries last month while preparing to welcome the family's latest addition.

Terri, whose daughter Bindi and son-in-law Chandler Powell are expecting a baby girl in late March, went shopping at her local Woolworths on the Sunshine Coast.

Stocking up: Terri Irwin, whose daughter Bindi and son-in-law Chandler Powell are expecting a baby girl in late March, went shopping at Woolworths on the Sunshine Coast last month

The wildlife conservationist briskly packed the items into the boot of her car.

Terri's trolley included a hot charcoal chicken and Omo washing powder, as well as a number of pantry staples.

She dressed casually for the shopping trip in a white T-shirt with an animal graphic.

Supplies: Terri's trolley included a hot charcoal chicken and Omo washing powder, as well as a number of pantry staples

She paired the T-shirt with beige pants and hiking boots.

Terri opted to wear minimal makeup and styled her long, wavy hair loosely over her shoulders.

Her daughter Bindi is just weeks away from welcoming her first child with her husband Chandler - who, like Terri, is American.

Parents-to-be: Her daughter Bindi (right) is just weeks away from welcoming her first child with her husband Chandler (left) - who, like Terri, is American

Bindi, 22, paid tribute to her mother on Tuesday in a sweet tribute on Instagram.

She posted a photo of the pair from their recent hiking trip to Tasmania, and captioned it: 'I love my mama's sweater because she is the gift.'

Several days earlier, she had shared a similar gratitude post about Chandler.

Gift: Bindi, 22, paid tribute to her mother on Tuesday in a sweet tribute on Instagram

She posted a selfie on Instagram of the pair looking loved-up as she gushed about her 'extraordinary' life partner.

'Every day I'm thankful for this extraordinary man that I get to call my husband. I love you with all my heart. You're the light of my life,' she wrote.

In an interview with Channel Seven's Sunrise last month, Terri mentioned that Bindi was due to give birth in March.

Any day now! In an interview with Channel Seven's Sunrise last month, Terri mentioned that Bindi was due to give birth in March. Bindi is pictured in her daughter's nursery

Bindi and Chandler announced their baby news in August, and revealed the following month they were expecting a daughter.

The young couple were married on March 25 in a makeshift ceremony at Australia Zoo, just before the Covid-19 lockdown took effect.

They first met in November 2013 when Chandler, who hails from Florida, was touring Australia for a wakeboarding competition.
Queen's University said investigations into the cyber attack were ongoing.

Queen's University says it is still working to resolve the after effects of an attempted cyber attack on its computer systems.

The university has suspended access to a number of its systems as a precaution following the incident and an investigation has begun.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) says it is aware of an incident affecting the Belfast institution and is "working to fully understand its impact", BBC News NI reports.

The UK's cyber-security agency added that "the university has already confirmed the immediate operational impact has been mitigated".

In a statement, QUB said the attempted cyber attack took place on Wednesday, February 24 but added that there is "currently no evidence" of any data having been stolen.

However, QUB is still suffering problems after the attack. This is believed to include some staff having problems completing work and being told they cannot log into their IT systems after 6pm and at weekends as the university continues efforts to resolve the issue.

"The university suspended access to a number of university systems as a precautionary measure following an attempted cyber-attack," a spokesperson said.

"Unfortunately, these kind of attacks against large organisations are not uncommon.

"The university has in place robust security measures which mitigated the immediate operational impact and there is currently no evidence of any exfiltration of data.

"The university applied a range of precautionary measures, including the suspension of access, and these were lifted where possible after relevant investigations were complete."

Queen's said it had liaised with the relevant authorities and was carrying out an assessment of any future risks.

"The university understands that other organisations have applied their own precautionary measures and supports them in doing so," it added.

"Students, staff and partners should be confident that the university will continue to work with relevant partners and authorities to complete the required investigations and apply necessary measures to protect against any future risks."

The NCSC previously issued an alert at the start of the 2020-21 academic year after a spike in attacks on educational institutions.
A Jefferson Parish judge declined Thursday to reduce the $101,000 bond of a Harvey man accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl.

Gilberto Burciaga, 43, is being held at the parish jail in Gretna on charges including sexual battery of a victim under 13, oral sexual battery and misdemeanor sexual battery, according to court records. He asked the court to consider decreasing his bond.

The Westwego Police Department arrested Burciaga Jan. 20 after receiving a complaint from a relative of the victim, detective Corey Boudreaux testified during a probable cause hearing in Magistrate Court. The girls told authorities that Burciaga, who is known to her family, tried to force her to touch his genitals and inappropriately touched her last fall, Boudreaux said.

She disclosed his actions to a male relative, who immediately went to Burciagas home to confront him. He was extremely upset, Boudreaux said of the relative, who called police before the confrontation escalated.

By the time investigators obtained a warrant, Burciaga had left Louisiana for Texas, authorities said. He was eventually arrested and extradited to Jefferson Parish.

In addition to denying a bond reduction, Criminal Commissioner Paul Schneider ruled there was probable cause to continue holding Burciaga in the case.
NASHVILLE  It's back.

Once again the controversial measure to make the Bible the official book of Tennessee is before the state legislature.

Rep. Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station, recently introduced a house joint resolution, HJR 150, to add the Christian book to the list of symbols and honors already in the Tennessee Blue Book. It is among a slate of religion-related legislation up for consideration this session.

Gov. Bill Haslam vetoed a bill Thursday that would have made the Bible the official state book of Tennessee.

It marks the third time such an attempt has been made, including the 2015 bill that resulted in one of former Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's few career vetoes. Sexton, who declined to comment, has sponsored each effort.

The previous attempts raised constitutional concerns about the state endorsing a religion. A national atheist organization objected as did Christians, like Haslam, who worried lumping the Bible in with the state bird, flower and rifle trivialized the sacred text.

Similar to the explanation Sexton gave during a 2020 Bible bill debate, the new resolution emphasizes the role family Bibles have played in genealogy as well as the financial impact of Tennessee's Bible publishing industry.

The resolution also points out the religious connections of other items listed in the Tennessee Blue Book, which includes information about state government and history and is published by the Secretary of State's office. They include the Christian symbolism associated with the passion flower, one of the state's wildflowers, and the references to God in two of the state songs.

Another try: The Bible the official book of Tennessee? Four years after a failed effort, a Republican lawmaker tries again

Bible bill veto: 5 bills Gov. Bill Haslam has vetoed

Separation of church and state, but not religion and politics

So far this session, lawmakers have introduced other pieces of legislation that explicitly address religion. Some advocate for more religious protections amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic while others wade into the latest hot button societal issues.

Story continues

Religious protections: Tennessee bill barring vaccination mandate with exceptions for health care facilities moves forward

This is not new. State lawmakers regularly mix religion with policymaking. Sometimes it's controversial.

As examples, lawmakers have introduced measures advocating for more religious protections. Nationwide, the religious freedom debate often pits the rights of LGBTQ people against religious protections for conservative Christians. There has also been Islam-related legislation that advocacy organizations considered to be derogatory and some bills have been copycat legislation written by special interest groups and introduced across the country.

Susie Daniel cuts thumb indexes in a Bible at the Thomas Nelson Inc. plant in Nashville Feb. 28, 1996. The company is the largest producer of Bibles in the United States.

"We have the separation of church and state  or at least we're supposed to have the separation of church and state  but what that does not mean is the separation of faith and politics," said the Rev. Clay Stauffer, a Nashville minister who teaches about the relationship between religion and partisan politics at Vanderbilt University.

"What you have are a number of legislators who are bringing their faith into into the Senate and the House and are trying to push bills that will make their constituents happy."

While Tennessee has religious diversity and an increasing number of people who are not affiliated with any faith tradition, the majority of the red state's residents identify as Christian and so do its lawmakers in the Republican-controlled state legislature.

People are concerned religious protections are being eroded, especially free speech issues, Stauffer said. But making the Bible the official state book could raise questions about whose freedoms are being protected and whose are not, he said. Stauffer, who agreed with Haslam's take on the Bible bill he vetoed, wonders how giving the sacred text this special designation would make Tennesseans of other faiths feel.

Other measures before the state legislature

Here are some of the religion-related bills and resolutions up for consideration this session:

Senate Joint Resolution 55 proposes amending the Tennessee constitution to remove the ban on clergy serving in the state legislature. It is sponsored by Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon.

While still on the books, the provision is outdated. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1961 that religious tests for holding public office are unconstitutional. Currently, there are members of the state legislature that are also ministers.

However SJR 55 does not address the state constitution's ban on atheists serving in public office. In 2014, the national group Openly Secular pushed to have Tennessee's ban and similar ones in seven other states removed.

One of about 1,000 Bibles is being thumb-indexed by hand during the day at the Thomas Nelson Inc. plant in Nashville Feb. 28, 1996. The company is the largest producer of Bibles in the United States.

HB 1137/SB 1197 would prohibit public officials and government agencies from placing restrictions on churches and other religious organizations during a state of emergency or other disaster. It is sponsored by Rep. Rusty Grills, R-Newbern, and Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma.

Religious response: Vaccines, mask mandates and more: How religion motivates responses to COVID-19 crisis

The Tennessee bill is similar to others being considered by state legislatures across the U.S., according to an analysis by the Deseret News. Restrictions on houses of worship became a contentious issue amid the pandemic. In recent court decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court has sided with houses of worship that challenged restrictions placed on religious gatherings amid the pandemic.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed an order preventing limitations from being applied to houses of worship in the state. Prior to that, a Chattanooga church sued the city's mayor over a ban on drive-in style worship services, but the mayor reversed course.

HB 372/SB 193 would prevent the government from requiring employees to participate in trainings and seminars that go against their morals, ethics, values or religious beliefs. It is sponsored by Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin, and Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma.

The Tennessee Equality Project, an LGBTQ advocacy group, has added the bill to its annual "slate of hate" list, raising concerns it would undermine inclusion training in the workplace. Diversity training for federal employees also became a target of former President Donald Trump's administration.

Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Push to make Bible Tennessee's state book returns to legislature
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
NEW DELHI  Outrage in India is growing over comments made by the nations chief justice in two rape cases, with thousands of women signing a letter this week demanding that he resign.

Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, the head of Indias Supreme Court, asked a 23-year-old man accused of raping a minor whether he would marry his victim, who is now an adult.

The victim, who under Indian law cant be identified, has accused the man, a distant relative and a civil servant with the Maharashtra State government, of repeatedly stalking and raping her starting when she was 16.

The judges comments provoked new demands that people in power, and particularly men, do more to improve how women and girls are treated in India.
Numerous businesses have already agreed to pay back their amounts, including Toyota, Iluka, Super Retail Group and Nine (the publisher of this masthead). Mr Strong applauded those who repaid for setting the example and defended the scheme overall as a crucial emergency measure in a time of crisis, but said it had been abused by too many self-interested corporates. Loading My members are livid. Its not Australian. They belong in their own world, Mr Strong said. This is some big businesses, not all of them. If theyre taking a profit, theyre not honouring the intent of the scheme... Its giving the rest of the business community a bad name. Publicly listed companies represent just a fraction of the businesses who participated in the $83 billion scheme, with 99 per cent of the payments going to private companies who do not receive the same level of scrutiny over their accounts. Mr Strong acknowledged many small businesses had received the payments, but said they were more likely to have smaller cash buffers and profits. Australian Shareholders Association policy and advocacy manager Fiona Balzer said there were difficulties judging whether a profit figure was significant and it should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

We support companies repaying the wage subsidy if they are financially comfortable to do so, Ms Balzer said. The grey area is the judgment about significant profit ... There are a number of businesses with weird and wonderful outcomes [because of COVID], she said. Governance Institute of Australia chief executive Megan Motto said directors needed to consider more than just reputational risks in the JobKeeper debate. They should weigh the pressure to be a good corporate citizen alongside their fiduciary duty to shareholders, keeping staff employed, and the role of companies in stimulating the economy, Ms Motto said.

If boards return these payments and there is another economic shock, there may be more worker lay-offs, a greater destruction of shareholder value, and the need for more government stimulus, she said. The pandemic simply isnt over yet and the future is highly uncertain. She said profitable companies could show good governance and corporate citizenship by choosing to invest in innovation and job-creating projects rather than simply repaying the wage subsidy. Every dollar that flows into the economy during this crisis could mean more Australians stay employed. Australian Centre for Corporate Responsibility director of workers rights Katie Hepworth said she was concerned about the way some companies appeared to be using JobKeeper funds. Loading
A criminal defense attorney who serves as an SF police commissioner sparked a Twitter debate on Wednesday around the "uncomfortable truth" that some teens who live in violent neighborhoods may rely on carrying firearms for their own protection.

John Hamasaki made his comment in response to a post by the New York Police Department that hailed a recent 2 a.m. traffic stop that led to the recovery of a stolen gun and the arrest of the 17-year-old who allegedly possessed it.

"Uncomfortable truth: Taking a gun from one kid may as likely stop violence as end up in that kid getting killed," Hamaskai wrote. "It may feel good to post this photo, but I've known too many kids who were killed for being in the wrong neighborhood (often their own) & unable to protect themselves."

San Francisco Supervisors Catherine Stefani (District 2) and Ahsha Safai (District 11) are calling on Hamaskai to resign.

Stefani wrote in a statement on Twitter that Hamasaki's tweet sent the wrong message. "Shootings have spiked over the course of the past year, killing far too many young people in our city," she wrote. "If youre not up for the task of keeping all San Franciscans safe, you should step aside."

"Teenagers should NEVER be allowed to carry an illegal firearm," Safai wrote in a statement emailed to SFGATE. "Resign NOW. As a Police Commissioner, he is held to high standard and should never be encouraging teenagers to carry an illegal firearm. He should resign immediately. As for my colleagues I dont know."

Some people on social media came to Hamasaki's defense. Criminal defense attorney Claire White of the Dope Group in Oakland said she joined Twitter to show support for Hamasaki's statement.

"We strangle and neglect communities til theyre warzones and then wanna judge these kids for carrying guns to protect their lives

@HamasakiLaw is speaking the truth," White wrote.

"Had a case in SF once," White shared in another Tweet. "Prior felonies, had been shot before, disabled from it. A car of armed men pulled up at a light a yr later & tried to rip him out his car. All on camera. Hes alive rn bc he had a gun in the car. He lived to see the courtroom & Im so grateful

@HamasakiLaw."

Hamasaki told SFGATE that, of course, he is against teenagers possessing guns, but on Twitter, he was trying to make a point that confiscating firearms from teenagers in difficult neighborhoods doesn't get to the root of the problem.

"The message that I was trying to get across in the tweet that I think is present in the tweet, but also allowed people to intentionally misconstrue it, is that public safety has to exist for all of us equally in the community," said Hamasaki, who specializes in defending those who are facing criminal charges or an investigation. "Public safety looks different for someone like myself, a middle-aged Asian lawyer living in North Beach, than it does for a Black teenager living in Hunters Point. I dont think its an overstatement to say some of these kids are growing up in war zones."

Hamaskai said that it's common for police departments to tout images in social media of drugs and firearms they've confiscated, and he argues that these aren't victories.

"Its a solution but it doesnt change the reality of the violence kids are living with in predominantly Black and brown communities," he said. "We have to get to the root of the cause. Why does violence exist in this community? Why are people solving problems with guns?"
Alabama has passed the million-dose mark in the number of COVID-19 vaccines administered.

Dr. Scott Harris with the Alabama Department of Public Health announced Thursday the state has administered 1,003,396 vaccines. Of those, roughly 650,000 were people who had received one or more doses and 353,000 were those who have completed the two-vaccine series.

Those numbers are expected to increase dramatically in the next week.

Harris said the state is expected to reach a new high in doses received this week, with 100,000 Pfizer and Moderna versions of the vaccine. The state will also be receiving a one-time shipment of 40,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines that only requires one shot. The other two existing vaccines require two shots given 21-28 days apart.

It will likely be several weeks, however, before additional J&J vaccines arrive in the state.

Alabama is currently vaccinating healthcare workers, nursing home residents and workers, first responders, people age 65 and older and some front-line workers, including teachers.

Grim milestone

Alabama passed the 10,000 COVID deaths mark this week. Overall, the state saw roughly 11,000 excess deaths in 2020 over the previous five years, Harris said.

According to Harris, Alabama averaged about 51,000 to 52,000 deaths for each of the past five years. In 2020, the state had well over 64,000 deaths.

And the worst dates for (COVID) deaths (for Alabama) were in January 2021, Harris said.

There are bright spots, however, as the state approaches the one-year anniversary of its first coronavirus case.

Hospitalizations are as good as weve seen since the early summer. Daily case numbers continue to improve, Harris said. And were very proud of our vaccination numbers.

Alabamas seven day average of new cases is 778, an 82% drop from the high reached on Jan. 10 and the lowest average number of daily new cases since June. The seven day average for hospitalizations is 686, a 77% drop from the high of Jan. 11 and the lowest number since June 29.
Enola man Rick Harro was looking for a place to go ice fishing when he uncovered the worst thing hes ever seen.

It was Feb. 11 and he was at the point in West Fairview Park, in East Pennsboro Township, where the Conodoguinet Creek flows into the Susquehanna River.

Just over a concrete wall, where people frequently stand and fish, he saw something stirring with a little black spot on its side.

I realized it was a puppy, Harro said, recalling the discovery. In a circle of water a couple of feet away, he saw several others scattered around. He quickly called the police.

When East Pennsboro police arrived, Harro worked with them to get the puppies out of the river.

I thought about a child coming down there and seeing them, Harro said. That day, they got 11 out of the water. He stopped by the next day and a 12th puppy was found. Investigators believe they are pitbull puppies.

To Harro, it appeared the puppies were alive when they were dropped over the wall and into the river.

Them poor little things, the pain in their face, Harro said. I could actually see it.

He could see their umbilical cords and realized they were probably only a day or two old.

Harro said he is greatly concerned for the puppies mother if the owners still have her.

You have to be crazy in the head to do something like that, Harro said. Theres so many people that would have taken them. I would have taken them all and found them homes.

Along with that, Harro said the area the puppies were left is an area that has tons of visitors, especially kids.

I know how tough it was for me. I couldnt imagine anyone seeing this, Harro said.

Harro is a dog owner whos currently fighting cancer. He says his Maltese Shitsu Sophie is like his therapy.

He cannot stand to see another animal suffer, he said.

That was probably the worst thing Ive ever seen, Harrow said.

Since the initial investigation was announced, East Pennsboro Township police shared that a $1000 reward would be offered to anyone who provided information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Harro decided to take up some fundraising efforts himself, and in all hes raised almost another $2000.

The first fundraiser he started was a GoFundMe with a goal of only $500, Harrow said. But the campaign kept growing and now its at almost $1200.

Hes also gotten checks and money mailed to him, plus someone who wanted to donate $1500 on their own.

Harro has done several fundraisers over the years for little ones with cancer and other debilitating diseases.

This time, he thought if he could raise the reward maybe someone would speak up.

The final way he is helping is by auctioning off turkey calls on a special Facebook page, which started with calls he made himself, but friends started donating their own creations to the auction collection.

One friend even offered a fishing trip in New York that he will auction off, he said.

Harro anticipates the auctions ending within the next week or two and said he is still deciding the fairest way to distribute the money.

He wants all of the money that he personally raised to either go to the reward or go to Speranza Animal Rescue in Mechanicsburg if no arrests are made.

If somebodys arrested, [the tipster] is going to get a nice reward, Harro said. But he is now deciding if there should be a time limit for long the money he collected will sit waiting for that arrest. The money listed by East Pennsboro police will remain a reward, regardless of what Harro decides to do.

He has already told those working at Speranza that he wants to donate money to the rescue center, but said they are not on any timeline either. But he wants the money to make a difference somewhere.

Theres definitely got to be a cutoff time, Harro said.

In my heart, I dont think were going to get whoever the person is. Theres a lot of people praying that we catch them, Harro said. He has hundreds of people contacting him concerned about what happened, but so far there have been no public developments on the case.

My biggest hope is catching whoever it is and stopping them from doing it again, Harro said.

These people gotta realize, theres always somebody out there to take the dogs the cats, whatever, Harro said. During a recent visit to Speranza, he said he saw many abused animals. You dont have to do that. Theres places that will take them.

Read more on PennLive:
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
A Belfast man whose mother was killed in a UVF bomb has said loyalist paramilitaries' withdrawal of support for the Good Friday Agreement until the Irish Sea border is removed is "a veiled threat" which makes him worried for young loyalist people.

Jude Whyte appealed to parents in the loyalist community to "keep their children close" to protect them from acting after the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) and its chairman David Campbell sent a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

They claimed the basis on which loyalist paramilitaries committed to end violence in 1994 had been undermined by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The protocol means Northern Ireland remains in the EU single market for goods as a result of Irish Sea border arrangements, so products from Great Britain undergo EU import procedures. Unionists have spoken out against it and said it damages trade and threatens Northern Ireland's place in the UK.

Mr Whyte's mother Peggy was murdered at the age of 52 along with 22-year-old RUC officer Michael Dawson in April 1984 in a UVF bomb left in front of her home in south Belfast.

Having lost a relative and witnessed the murder of hundreds of Catholic civilians by the same organisation, Mr Whyte said the result is young working class loyalist men were sent to jail for years because of their crimes. He accused the LCC, an umbrella organisation representing the views of groups including the UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commando, of having used "ill thought-out words" in their letter to Mr Johnson where they called on him to trigger Article 16.

"History has taught us that violence doesn't get you places, it's the threat of violence. In the context of this protocol and the Good Friday Agreement, there's no place for it," he said. "The first thing they should have said in this statement was that there is no place for violence within this protest. Then they have every right as citizens in a modern liberal democracy to protest any way they want. It has to be made clear that violence is not a part of this."

Speaking to young people in the loyalist community, he said: "Don't fall into this trap of violent behaviour for which you will carry the consequences of for the rest of your life. My appeal is for parents to keep their children close to their homes and their hearts because these are emotive words.

"These criminal records follow young people forever, limiting their travel to the United States and Australia, limiting their ability to get a taxi driver's licence. There has to be a clear and unequivocal statement from the leaders of unionism and loyalism and in particular the spokespeople for those groups that violence has no part to play in whatever protest they feel appropriate," he said.

"Young people will go to jail and they'll be there for 20 years and their comm unities will desert them and the only people that will pay the price are the families."
Country

Click to Select One United States Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia, Plurinational State of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin (French part) Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten (Dutch part) Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Eswatini (Swaziland) Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Art Stafford, Jr. timed his move perfectly with Tiger Thompson N en route to capturing Thursdays $20,000 Open Handicap at Dover Downs.

Sent off at odds of 16-1, Tiger Thompson N got away sixth in the eight-horse affair while U S Captain shot to the top and carved out fractions of :26.4, :54.4 and 1:23.

Stafford swung his charge into the flow on the way to the half, and Tiger Thompson N was still tracking cover from third over while sitting sixth as the field headed into the final quarter of the featured contest. The Joshua Parker trainee launched off cover late and powered home in :27 en route to winning by a length over JJ Flynn in 1:51. Race favourite Itsrockandroll A was third.

The eight-year-old son of Big Jim-Aziza won for the third time this season from six attempts while pushing his lifetime win total to 18 with the upset tally. The lions share of the loot pushed the pacers earnings to $278,365 for owners Nanticoke Racing Inc, Joshua Parker, Stephen Messick and Prestige Stable.
#JiSoo Shares Handwritten Letter Of Apology In Response To School Violence Allegations https://t.co/HdzcsuaTVs pic.twitter.com/2CiwGtOxHz  Soompi (@soompi) March 4, 2021

tw // bullying, sexual assault



please dont EVER defend actor jisoo, he needs to face the consequences of his actionswhich made the victims suffer for years so its not really up to you to accept him and forgive him bc youre not suffering the trauma from all the shit he did pic.twitter.com/DRsVjAg3G1  aggie (@eunyeopixie) March 4, 2021

[UPDATE] KBS has shared that Ji Soo will be removed as a cast of drama River Where The Moon Rises in light of his school violence controversy



They are currently holding discussions to come up with measures to deal with the situation



Source: https://t.co/mC5fc9XEzj https://t.co/Se81RzewzN pic.twitter.com/z9jRCdtzSB  The Seoul Story (@theseoulstory) March 5, 2021

There have been several bullying accusations against idols and actors , some of them have been cleared up and some of are still under investigation, but this one in particular against actor Jisoo (known for several tv roles like In Gook-du in Strong Girl Bong-soon , Yun Tae-oh in the Netflix production My First First Love and other roles) has gained a lot of traction because it's beyond what anyone could have expected.This is what one of his victims said:TW: bullying, harassment, I was bullied by Kim Ji Soo and the delinquents in 2008, my third year of middle school. The word bullying is not enough to describe everything. I was a victim of all kinds of school violence like being made an outcast, violence, blackmailing, insults, and abusive language. It started when B, one of the delinquents in Kim Ji Soos group, took another students gift certificate. I went to B and said Id report them to the police if they didnt return the gift certificate""This behavior of mine was an act of opposition. After that, my ordinary middle school life turned into horror itself. They were careful, perhaps because I told them Id report them to the police. They craftily ordered other classmates to bully me so they could stay out of trouble."According to the victim , JiSoo and his group of friends ordered their classmates to insult the victim and told them that if any of them dared to speak to the victim, they would die at their hands.They also said that they consider themselves lucky because other students went through worse situations After that first allegation other ones started to come out:TW: sexual abuseSome excerpts:He thought he was the king of school and picked up fights with anyone just because he wanted to.He was a womanizer and had sex with a fellow classmate, recorded the encounter and shared the video with his friends.He forced male students to masturbate and then ejaculate on their face or mouthsThe actor apologized but most agree an apology isn't enough for what he did.Update:Source 1
There are many ways to embrace the glories of the worlds most lavish art book  a 16,500, three-tome, life-size reproduction of the famous Sistine Chapel frescos which, despite its price tag, has been flying off the publishers reinforced shelves in droves.

Some lucky owners are doubtless transported to the sacred Vatican chapel and its Renaissance masterpiece from the comfort of a lush, plush chaise longue, as their strong-armed butler patiently turns each of its 822 2 ft-high pages.

Others might pop into their private wood-panelled library  fire roaring, 16th-century Italian Baroque music playing, a glass of Barolo by their side  to immerse themselves fully in Michelangelos extraordinarily energetic brushwork and vigorous lines.

Nicholas Callaway, chief executive of publisher Callaway, recommends readers perch like a bird on Michelangelos shoulder, feel the very act of painting, the gestural quality, the race against time, the speed, energy and intensity, and tells me that the Queen has already snapped one up for the Royal Collection in Windsor. Not, of course, that shed be able to lift it.

Splendour: Jane pores over The Sistine Chapels The Creation Of Adam. For the first time in half a millennium, here is an opportunity to see Michelangelos magical ceiling up close

It is ridiculously big, comes in three paving slabs of high culture and is so heavy  each volume weighs more than 2 st  and cumbersome that my review copy, which arrives swathed in layers of bubble wrap, takes two burly removal men to deliver and then nearly crushes my coffee table.

The minute it crosses my threshold it becomes apparent that a messy end-of-terrace cluttered with two small boys, a bouncy dog, three guinea pigs and a pair of poorly trained hamsters, is not where this book should be.

Just keeping it pristine is a challenge  Everybody out! Everybody out. OUT! No drinks, no food. No kids. OUT!  let alone finding the peace and quiet to perch like a bird on the great mans artistic shoulder and admire his luminous body forms as my younger son shouts: Look at the butt cracks! Look at the boobies!

But despite its cost and heft, The Sistine Chapel is causing a stir.

Because, for the first time in half a millennium, here is an opportunity to see Michelangelos magical ceiling up close  in a digitally perfect photographic recreation  rather than from 68 ft below as part of the usual tourist crocodile of 25,000 visitors a day.

So instead of being banned by grumpy Vatican staff from stopping in the 15th-century chapel, taking photographs and even talking, in case our collective breath sullies the precious frescos, now we can look and linger.

And there is plenty to see, once youve wrestled the books out of their boxes and calico bags.

The first volume covers the masterpieces along the walls, by Ghirlandaio, Botticelli and other Renaissance greats, while parts two and three contain the pictures we all know: 500 square metres of ceiling, more than 300 figures  every panel of Michelangelos Sistine works, including his Last Judgment, which he completed in 1541.

The frescos being photographed for the book. Over 67 consecutive nights (while the chapel was closed to the public) photographers took 270,000 gigapixel digital images from a 33 ft-tall scaffold

Close up, we can study every brush stroke, every shift in colour, admire the beatific expressions, the swirls of beards, hair and cloaks. The whorls of giant ears, the daubs of feet.

Amateur art detectives can also agonise in detail over whether, as legend has it, one of the artists secret self-portraits really does appear in the piece of flayed skin held by St Bartholomew in The Last Judgment fresco. And, of course, if Gods cloak in the Creation Of Adam scene does in fact have the same proportions as the human brain.

Commissioned by Pope Julius II, the ceiling took a reluctant Michelangelo four years to complete  allowing for a brief hiatus in the middle while he sorted out a late-payment issue.

Ironically, he didnt particularly like painting, always considering himself a sculptor by trade. But on he worked, desperate to finish it, until his body sagged and his neck ached from looking upwards for up to 12 hours a day.

Ive already grown a goiter [lump at the front of the neck] from this torture, he wrote in a 1509 poem to his friend Giovanni da Pistoia. He painted at speed for as long as the light would last, from a 60 ft scaffold which he built himself.

Meanwhile, this book  made in collaboration with the notoriously uncollaborative Vatican (it took a year of diplomatic overtures) and art publisher Scripta Maneant of Bologna  involved a 200-strong team of photographers, digital experts and Italian bookbinders.

The hefty tomes are delivered to Jane's house. The first volume covers the masterpieces along the walls, by Ghirlandaio, Botticelli and other Renaissance greats, while parts two and three contain the pictures we all know

The five-year project took longer than the original to complete  and sounds far more fiddly.

Over 67 consecutive nights (while the chapel was closed to the public) photographers took 270,000 gigapixel digital images from a 33 ft-tall scaffold, capturing every inch of the interior.

The photographs were stitched together seamlessly thanks to modern technology. This would not have been possible even five years ago, says Callaway.

The images have a 99.4 per cent colour match to the original. This means every eyelash and fingernail is perfectly recreated. And also every male appendage, thanks to a ten-year restoration programme in the 1980s and 1990s, which  along with five centuries of dust, dirt and candle soot  removed the fig leaves and loincloths which had been added for modesty in the 1560s, to save Pope Pius IVs blushes.

Hang on a minute, though. Would the great Michelangelo  that notorious and rather intense perfectionist who was forever sacking his helpers for not being as talented as he  have approved?

After all, this fresco was designed to be seen from a distance, not from his shoulder.

We ask ourselves that! says Callaway. Who knows? We think so. It brings his work to the world, so we hope hed be pleased.

In fact, when Michelangelo first started in 1508  with the depiction of The Flood  he painted in great detail, using drawings and plans.

But then he climbed down from the scaffold, gazed up at his work, realised he could see none of the detail and promptly adopted a new approach with a big, broad, sweeping scale which sped things up enormously. After all, no one was ever going to see it close up.

Until now.

The publishers insist this is no substitute for the real thing, but is designed to complement it. An option for those unable to travel. An inspiration for artists. A nice book to flick through.

Tourists wearing face coverings are pictured in the Sistine Chapel admiring Michelangelo's frescoes in Rome, Italy, in June last year

Certainly, once youve got a handle on the size, it is a sensory pleasure. The paper is thick and creamy, the spines are white calf leather with silver, gold and platinum foil stamping. The speciality silk binding  done in Novara, Italy  took an extra year alone.

It is a book for the seriously rich. It is not something you can pick up in your local bookshop or order on Amazon Prime. There was a print run of 1,999, with 600 in English and just one UK supplier  Philip Mould. But still they are selling like hot cakes.

So much so, the publishers are now planning an entire series covering the artistic wonders of the world. The Mona Lisa? Rembrandts greatest hits? Picassos Guernica? Theyre not saying yet.

Perhaps more remarkable than the price has been the demand  all around the world  from major art collectors and wealthy individuals. But also, the creators insist, from artists, private and public libraries, museums and surprisingly quite a few groups of women, clubbing together with friends.

Sadly, neither me nor my girlfriends have a spare 16,500. Even if we did, wed have nowhere to put the volumes. And certainly no bookshelf big enough to house them.

But for now, it is here, in my front room. So, for a minute, I banish from my mind the terrifying potential for spillages and unfortunate incidents involving kids and animals, and immerse myself in the giant, glossy pages  some opening out into even bigger posters.

And here, close up, I can marvel at the scale and beauty of this epic undertaking, study the lavish brush strokes of Gods thick beard, linger over the planes, dips and delves of the naked musculatures  somehow even more manly and exotic against the detritus of domestic life more than 500 years later  and admire the true detail in that famous finger stretch between Adam and God in The Creation Of Adam.

It is without doubt a truly wonderful book and a treat to see Michelangelos masterpiece in detail, particularly right now.

But deep down, I know that if I had the cash, Id be off to Rome in a flash to see the real thing. Even if I did have to squint and jostle and crane along with dozens of others to see Adams fantastic thighs.
Photo: Darren Stone, Times Colonist Tsartlip First Nation Chief Don Tom

The chief of the Tsartlip First Nation says hes outraged that a Tsartlip member, Green MLA Adam Olsen, alerted the public to a COVID-19 outbreak in the community  news the First Nation had kept private for fear of racial attacks.

Chief Don Tom said in an interview his community witnessed the cruel racism Cowichan Tribes experienced when it declared an outbreak in January and put a shelter-in-place order in effect. Cowichan Tribes Chief William Seymour has been public about the racism Indigenous members encountered, including being refused service by some local businesses and being unable to get food delivered to the reserve.

We chose to not subject Tsartlip members to this and kept our outbreak status private, said Tom, whose First Nation in Brentwood Bay includes about 1,000 members.

On Tuesday, Olsen, who represents Saanich North and the Islands, posted on social media that as a Tsartlip member and resident, he would receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday. He said he was making the information public because transparency is critical.

Olsen also noted in the post that the Tsartlip First Nation had been experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 and had been under a shelter-in-place order for weeks. As a result, all adults in the Tsartlip community are being vaccinated this week, said Olsen, explaining the effort was part of a provincial approach to protect Indigenous communities experiencing outbreaks.

Tom called Olsens public statements highly offensive, accusing him of grossly overstepping the bounds of an MLA. The two usually work well together in partnership, he said, expressing surprise and disappointment in the MLAs actions.

Tom confirmed that Tsartlip First Nation had an outbreak at the end of January  he declined to say how many members had tested positive  and issued a shelter-in-place order on Feb. 8, which he said proved effective in stopping the spread of the virus.

There are currently no active cases of COVID-19 in Tsartlip First Nation. The last positive test was Feb. 6.

Tom called on Olsen to publicly apologize for making the public statements, saying: Tsartlip has a right to self-determination  we cannot have an MLA misrepresenting our First Nation, and taking liberties to make public statements without consulting Tsartlip.

Olsen called Tom on Thursday and gave his unreserved apology for his public communication. In a statement, he also apologized to every member of the community.

I have informed Chief Tom, as I am informing you, that while my communication was done with the best of intention, I acknowledge my duty to you as my Chief and Council to properly consult and discuss matters such as this prior to making public comment, Olsen said in the statement.
Kiev, March 5 : A third wave of the coronavirus pandemic has started in Ukraine, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

"Every day we see an increase in the number of patients, unfortunately, it should be noted that the third wave of the epidemic in Ukraine has begun," Xinhua news agency quoted Shmyhal as saying on Thursday to Interfax-Ukraine.

Shmyhal noted that the Ukrainian authorities would reintroduce a nationwide lockdown if most of the regions go into the "red" zone of epidemiological danger.

The Prime Minister's statement followed data showing that on Thursday the daily increase in Covid-19 cases exceeded 10,000 in Ukraine for the first time since the beginning of this year.

Cases have been increasing across the country over the past week against the backdrop of the coronavirus vaccination campaign which started on February 24.

According to the Ministry of Health, 9,568 people have been vaccinated against the coronavirus with the first dose as of Wednesday.

A total of 1,374,762 Covid-19 cases and 26,591 deaths have been registered in Ukraine so far, while 1,182,036 patients have recovere.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Lottie Ryan has announced shes having a baby boy as she shared a sonogram of him doing a thumbs-up social media today.

Taking to Instagram, the RTE 2FM star shared the special snap along with the caption: Thumbs up from our little man followed by a blue heart emoji.

Fans and friends flocked to the comments to congratulate Lottie on the exciting gender reveal.

The daughter of the late broadcaster Gerry Ryan announced last month that she and her husband Fabio Aprile are expecting their first child.

The presenter told the world her exciting news by sharing a babygro on Instagram which said: I guess quarantine wasnt that boring after all. #comingsoon.

She captioned the image Surprise!!!

The 35-year-old married her husband Fabio in 2017 with a ceremony in his home country, Italy.

The 2020 Dancing with the Stars winner has previously spoken about how society made her feel pressured to start a family and that she was sick of people asking her when she was going to have a baby.

Speaking two years ago to Jennifer Zamparelli on 2FM, Lottie said she would consider freezing her eggs.

I love the topic of freezing embryos because its something I think I probably want to do myself, she said.

"To be honest with you, Im 33. I dont think I want kids anytime soon. I definitely feel pressure from society about it.

Read More

I just started thinking that gene hasnt kicked in for me and I dont know how long its going to take to kick in so I should probably investigate freezing my eggs.

Its really expensive to do but to be honest with you I think its something worth investing in so Im going to look into it.

She added that little comments from people asking when she and her husband were going to start a family got to her.

"I dont know if people mean it but little comments constantly do end up getting into your head and you cant help but start to worry oh God is there something wrong with me that I havent decided this is exactly what I want to do right now.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

As a child attending a private evangelical elementary school and a non-denominational Bible church, I memorized hundreds of Bible verses. I was trained to view every issue  science, literature, history, definitely politics  through a biblical worldview.

I do not ever recall being told to memorize any Bible verses about immigrants. But with recent developments in immigration reform under the Biden administration, many more refugees will be arriving in America in the coming years. They will need the care and support from local churches. And we will need to teach our children what the Bible has to say about them.

Most Christians can produce some generic biblical reasons to be compassionate, but many share the assessment of a prominent evangelical leader that immigration is not a Bible issue. I can understand why that would be: For most of my life, I had never heard a sermon about immigrants.

I was not alone. A LifeWay Research poll found that just one-fifth of self-described evangelicals recalled hearing a message about immigration at church. Just 12% said that their views on the arrival of immigrants were primarily informed by the Bible  a particularly underwhelming figure when you consider that the Bible is almost always the right answer for evangelical survey respondents, regardless of the question.

The Bible actually has a lot to say about immigration. Just in the Old Testament, there are 92 references to the Hebrew noun ger, which I found translated variously as alien, foreigner, stranger, sojourner or (the English translation that Tim Keller argues best fits the Hebrew term) immigrant. As evangelical scholars like Daniel Carroll explain, nearly every major character in the Bible was a migrant of some sort, from Abraham to Ruth to Daniel to Jesus himself.

Hospitality, in the Greek of the New Testament, does not mean having friends over for a fancy meal, but rather is philoxenia, literally the love of strangers. While today, we associate the term stranger with danger, the Bible actually suggested strangers could be angels (Hebrews 13:2).

Now, when I read the Bible, its hard not to see migration as what missiologist Sam George calls a mega-theme of the Bible.

We should make immigraiton a topic of biblical teachings because, frankly, white evangelicals like me tend to have more negative views of immigrants than most Americans, when our commitment to the authority of Scripture should logically make us the most pro-immigrant religious demographic. The problem is not our commitment to Scripture  its that, on this particular topic, many evangelicals do not seem to know what the Scriptures say.

This is why the Evangelical Immigration Table launched a 40-day Scripture reading guide known as the I Was a Stranger Challenge, drawing its title from Jesus words in Matthew 25:35. Each Bible verse is also available as a shareable graphic. Were asking evangelicals to post one passage daily for 40 consecutive days.

My evangelical childhood wasnt perfect, but the evangelical subculture that formed me got a lot right, including that the Bible can be a lamp for our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105)  including illuminating how we welcome and advocate with our immigrant neighbors.
There was not one word of truth in Western medias anti-China reports on Xinjiang, French journalist Maxime Vivas wrote in his new book Ouighours, pour en finir avec les fake news (The End of Uygur Fake News) released by Editions de la Route de la Soie (the French Silk Road Publishing House) at the end of 2020.

Vivas, who has been to Xinjiang twice, cited many details in his book to refute the fake news produced by Western journalists.

Maxime Vivas in Xinjiang, 2018. (Photo provided by Maxime Vivas)

Vivas visited Xinjiang with about 40 journalists from 20 different countries in 2016. Two years later, he went to the region with his spouse at the invitation of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

Travelling around the region by minibus and plane, they went to big cities such as Urumqi and Kashgar as well as a number of villages. They visited various places such as farms, factories, schools, hospitals, mosques and cultural centers. The large solar panels and widespread use of electric bicycles left a deep impression on him.

Maxime Vivas visited the pepper field in Xinjiang. (Photo provided by Maxime Vivas)

He was amazed by the rapid transformation in building construction, particularly of a mosque in Kashgar, which was grander than the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris.

He recalled the tears of joy of a 41-year-old Uygur female entrepreneur who, with the assistance of the Chinese government, had built a garment and textile factory in a village and employed 80 female villagers. Thanks to this factory and the scholarship the country provided, her son was able to study abroad.

He also saw local girls in leotards dancing in a cultural center. If this place had been controlled by Islamic extremists, the girls wouldn't have had the freedom to dance like this, he said.

Vivas, who has looked deeply into Chinas policies in Xinjiang, noted that the policies fell into two categories. One is to help promote the development of Xinjiang, including measures to help locals get access to education, acquire vocational skills, study the language, help young Uygur people to get a college education, and establish factories and enterprises. He called them a set of proactive and preferential policies for ethnic minorities. The other category is the Chinese government's policies to control potential threats of terrorist attacks.

Maxime Vivas with a Uyghur couple. (Photo provided by Maxime Vivas)

Vivas said that French people had experienced terrorist attacks, but did not know that China had also suffered from a large number of similar attacks. Some fanatics had been brainwashed by terrorist organizations, learned how to use weapons, and might come back to China. That is why China is firm in its fight against terrorism, fundamentalism and separatism.

What I saw is that the Chinese government is staying very vigilant and is trying to prevent these attacks, he noted, adding that it will be very dangerous if an "Islamic extremist regime" is established in such a large region with rich resources, and would pose a huge threat to everyone in Xinjiang.

Vivas, who has carried out detailed research into the fake news about Xinjiang in the international community, noted that a global anti-China campaign started in the U.S. It was the U.S. that drew the world's attention to Xinjiang, with the CIA playing an important role. It was hard to say whether France or Europe was independent. When the U.S. started it, France and Europe chose to follow the U.S., he added

He stressed that the rumor about "genocide" in Xinjiang, and the allegation of "concentration camps" that held a million people all started in the U.S.

Citing the concept of a "circular flow" of information by renowned French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, he said that Western journalists copied stories from each other without confirming the information. And after politicians heard what these journalists had said, they would quickly talk about the same stories. Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes a truth.

He underlined the importance of the Charter of Munich, or the Munich Declaration of the Duties and Rights of Journalists. According to the Charter, journalists are bound to abide by the code of professional ethics. Instead of lying, they should check the authenticity of information and correct any errors.

Maxime Vivas with local retired women. (Photo provided by Maxime Vivas)

To his disappointment, after communicating with young Western journalists, he found many of them do not know what the Charter of Munich is.

To ensure the accuracy of the details in his book, The End of Uygur Fake News, Vivas and the publishing house spent two months checking the details, numbers and the sources, which stood in stark contrast to the fabrication by some Western media.

His book also looked at Western medias groundless lies related to Xinjiang. Some Western politicians said people cannot grow beards (in Xinjiang), but a trip to Xinjiang can easily prove that it's not true.

Some Western politicians showed satellite photos of a concentration camp in Xinjiang, but we can in fact find that its a school or an administrative building. There are some other absurd lies, such as Uygurs not being allowed to speak their own language.

He cited some other fabricated news, such as the World Bank lending $50 million to Xinjiang to build local schools, but being warned that the money was being used to build concentration camps. For this reason, The bank conducted an investigation in Xinjiang, and later released a statement saying that the allegations against China are simply groundless. The World Bank also said that it would visit Xinjiang frequently. The Chinese government replied: "Of course, you are welcome to visit."

Refuting the fabricated news on Xinjiang, Vivas cited a man named Adrian Zenz in his book, saying that he is the source of much of the fake news. In one tweet, Adrian Zenz showed a shoe with a post-it note that read in English: "Help, I am in jail in China. Help the Uygurs." The words of the Uygurs were written in standard English.

The Uygurs did not understand Mandarin, but it seemed that they could write English perfectly, Vivas pointed out. Furthermore, it turned out that the shoe was made in Vietnam. So obviously, this is one of the stories made up by these people.

Another example is a documentary about a Uygur doctor named Enver Tohti broadcast by Arte TV, a German-French TV channel. Enver Tohti described how he was involved in organ harvesting in the video. He told the story in the U.S., but no one questioned him about how all this happened. Worse than that, he admitted he was a criminal, but was not issued an international arrest warrant, because everyone knew he made it up.

He also mentioned a journalist who followed up on some Uygurs who were tempted by money and created fake news after arriving in Western countries. After conducting research, he found that fake photos and videos featuring Uygurs being beaten and abused were all created in the Philippines, Nepal, Vietnam, and the U.S. One famous picture of a Uygur woman tied to a chair, with her nails being pulled out, was actually shot in a studio. The Uygur woman in the photo was played by an actress.
We have urged the Chinese to play a constructive role to use their influence with the Burmese military to bring this coup to an end, he said. There have been a number of conversations with Chinese officials at different levels, and our message in all of those conversations has been consistent: The world, every responsible constructive member of the international community, needs to use its voice, needs to work to bring this coup to an end and to restore the democratically elected government of Burma.

(Natural News) World Health Organization (WHO) investigators said it was extremely unlikely that the first cases of coronavirus identified in Wuhan in 2019 had entered the city through frozen or refrigerated goods.

Frozen foods from the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan had tested positive for coronavirus, leading to a Chinese theory that the coronavirus was brought to the city through frozen foods.

Vladimir Dedkov of the Pasteur Institute in Saint Petersburg, Russia said that the frozen foods were probably contaminated by humans rather than the other way round.

Its very difficult to imagine a situation where all these [contaminated] foods came to one market in China, and not the biggest one at that, from different countries and it all started from there, Dedkov said. We arent taking it out of consideration but we think its very unlikely given the facts we know today.

Fabian Leendertz, an emerging diseases specialist at Germanys Robert Koch Institute, hinted in a separate interview that the Chinese theory would only lead to more questions. If you transport a virus fresh or frozen, the virus is not born from a piece of plastic. Its about where the virus is from before that. Cold chain is never the source, he said.

Both Dedkov and Leendertz were part of the WHO team that traveled to Wuhan to investigate the origins of the pandemic.

WHO press conference creates confusion

The Chinese regime and state media pushed hard the theory and the WHO team did not rule out the possibility during the press conference that concluded the visit last month.

We know that the virus can persist and survive in conditions that are found in these cold and frozen environments, but we dont really understand if the virus can then transmit to humans, Peter Ben Embarek, the head of the investigation, said at the time.

That particular WHO press briefing left unclear the missions findings on a number of important questions about the pandemics origins. The resulting confusion provoked international criticisms.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the White House had deep concerns about the way the findings were communicated and how the mission was conducted.

But WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus clarified that all hypotheses remain open and require further analysis and studies. (Related: China sympathizer and WHO director Tedros Ghebreyesus was ranking member of violent Communist movement in Ethiopia.)

Meanwhile, Embarek sounded more definitive when he told the journal Science that frozen food was not a possible route of introduction.

There were no widespread outbreaks of COVID-19 in food factories around the world, he said.

The WHO is expected to publish a full report of its Wuhan findings this month. Team members have recommended that immediate research should focus on the leading theory that the virus jumped from one animal, likely a bat, to a second intermediary host before spilling over to humans.

The international health body warned that attempts to influence or politicize virus origins research, such as preemptive efforts to rule out particular geographic regions, could undermine the science of its investigation.

China sells the frozen food theory

Chinese scientists and state media have remained strong proponents of the frozen food theory. Chinese authorities have intensified efforts to screen imported cold chain goods for fear that food or its packaging could seed outbreaks.

In December last year, Chinese scientists in the eastern port city of Qingdao published a paper detailing how they had isolated SARS-CoV-2  the virus that causes COVID-19  on the outer packaging of imported frozen cod.

That same month, a second Chinese paper analyzed an outbreak in Beijing centered on the Xinfadi wholesale market. According to the study, many infected individuals went to a market section selling imported salmon where six out of 3,582 samples of the fish tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. We speculate that the COVID-19 resurgence in Beijing was likely to be initiated by an environment-to-human transmission originating from contaminated imported food via cold-chain logistics, the authors of the study concluded.

Their stance is understandable.

The idea that the coronavirus was carried inside or on the surface of frozen food could place the source of the virus beyond China. It could be from an animal imported from another country.

Western governments not buying it

But most western governments have remained skeptical of the science behind Chinas claims. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said contamination of foods and packaging had been an extremely rare event.

I would say its extremely, extremely unlikely the virus would have spread through that type of route, said Lawrence Young at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, who specializes in human virology.

According to Young, SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus  meaning it is covered with a fatty, lipid membrane that it uses to infect human cells. This membrane is very vulnerable to cycles of freezing and thawing that could happen during the transit and sale of frozen food.

Without that membrane, enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2 would not be able to infect people.

SARS-CoV-2 may have a rough time when frozen food is transported. During air travel, temperatures drop to between -20C and -30C in cargo holds when planes are airborne, rising to a much higher temperature when they land.

Follow Pandemic.news for more news and information related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources include:

FT.com

NewScientist.com
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
According to the top cop the operation on Monday went smoothly except for a few reports received by the Command Centre that persons going to and from their essential jobs, were turned back by certain police officers in error.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Technical issues are preventing Oregon landlords whose tenants have fallen behind on rent from applying for state aid through a new landlord compensation fund.

Applications for the first round of funding opened Feb. 17, nearly two months after state lawmakers allocated $150 million to seed the program.

Landlords can apply for money to cover 80% of the rent they are owed by residential tenants dating back to April 2020 if they agree to forgive 20% of unpaid rent. Tenants whose landlords win approval will have their unpaid rent bill forgiven for the months the landlord receives funding.

But many landlords have been unable to complete their applications over the last two and a half weeks because of problems with a state website. The site wont allow them to upload the required documentation.

As of Friday morning, Oregon had received requests for just $19.5 million out of the $50 million available in the first round of funding. The state believes technical issues are the reason for the lagging applications, according to Kate Gonsalves, spokesperson for Oregon Housing and Community Services, the state agency administering the fund.

The application deadline for the first round of funding was extended until today at 4 p.m. due to the glitches. However, Gonsalves said landlords who are still running into technical difficulties completing the application can fill out a survey by the deadline to receive manual support completing their applications.

OHCS staff will be working over the weekend and next week to help landlords upload documents, Gonsalves said.

The technical issues will force many struggling landlords and tenants to wait even longer for much-needed rent relief.

Gonsalves said the agency now wont start accepting applications for the second round of funding until April so it has time to help landlords complete their applications for the initial round and work with its software vendor to fix the website issues.

If the full $50 million that the state had hoped to distribute during the first round of funding isnt requested, the money will roll over into the second round of funding. Any landlords who dont receive funding in the first round can apply again in future rounds.

Dusty Macauley has tried numerous times to submit his application for funding over the last two weeks, but has run into issues every time.

Macauley, who lives in Happy Valley, started renting out a condominium he owns shortly before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Over the last 10 months his tenant, who lost her job due to the pandemic, has fallen $15,000 behind on rent. Macauley was able to defer his mortgage payments last year, but said those payments are now coming due.

It is extraordinarily difficult and stressful to feel like I am being forced by the state to take the relief package and then not be able to successfully apply for the relief, he said in an email. I imagine this has to be a very painful and frustrating thing for many landlords. I cant help but wonder if I am going to be left out from the relief funds.

The National Council of State Housing Finance Agencies estimates that Oregon renters were behind between $249 million and $378 million in rent payments by January. That number is sure to rise as the pandemic continues.

Oregon lawmakers created the new landlord compensation fund in December as part of legislation that extended the states eviction moratorium through June for renters who declare they are experiencing financial hardship.

Currently, tenants who are unable to access rent relief on their own or whose landlords dont receive funding through the states new compensation fund will be obligated to pay the entirety of their past due rent when the state eviction moratorium ends in late June. That could leave tens of thousands in an untenable situation.

State lawmakers are currently considering a bill that as amended would give tenants until Feb. 28, 2022 to pay back their past due rent and shield the COVID-era records of tenants when they apply for rental housing in the future.

Over 250 people submitted comments on Senate Bill 282 during public testimony Thursday. Lawmakers have scheduled a second public hearing on the bill for March 9.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Julia Roberts presented Dr. Anthony Fauci with amfAR's Award of Courage during Thursday's virtual A Gala for Our Time.

The Academy Award winner appeared from home, as she honored the Chief Medical Advisor to the President for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She addressed him during the special: 'There's no one more deserving. You've been tireless and true for all of us and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.'

Virtual tribute: Julia Roberts presented Dr. Anthony Fauci with amfAR's Award of Courage during Thursday's virtual A Gala for Our Time

Dr. Fauci thanked Roberts and expressed his commitment to fighting both COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS: 'We are going to continue the work both with HIV and as we continue to tackle this COVID-19 pandemic.

'We are in a very unusual situation historically where we are battling simultaneously two extraordinary pandemics. We have our challenges ahead of us. I appreciate very much this award, and I promise you that I will continue to do whatever I can with whatever energy I have to address both of those.'

Kelly Clarkson performed Patty Griffin's Kite Song from a dark stage, as her black dress was backlit in red.

She prefaced the song: 'I wanna thank amfAR for helping improve the lives of people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, and for joining the fight against COVID-19.'

Tireless and true: She addressed him during the special: 'There's no one more deserving. You've been tireless and true for all of us and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart'

The fight continues: Dr. Fauci thanked Roberts and expressed his commitment to fighting both COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS: 'We are going to continue the work both with HIV and as we continue to tackle this COVID-19 pandemic'

Black and red: Kelly Clarkson performed Patty Griffin's Kite Song from a dark stage, as her black dress was backlit in red

Special thanks: She prefaced the song: 'I wanna thank amfAR for helping improve the lives of people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, and for joining the fight against COVID-19'

Changing the world: Rita Ora appeared earlier in the show, as she covered Eric Clapton's Change the World from a brick-lined venue with a warm ambiance

Stunnign display: She looked stunning in a strapless black gown with a sweetheart neckline and a thigh-high leg slit, layered with an oversized denim jacket, which she wore off the shoulders

Best of both worlds: The Fifty Shades of Grey actress was introduced by Heidi Klum, who appeared from home in a deconstructed eveningwear/athleisure look by AZ Factory

Rita Ora appeared earlier in the show, as she covered Eric Clapton's Change the World from a brick-lined venue with a warm ambiance.

She looked stunning in a strapless black gown with a sweetheart neckline and a thigh-high leg slit, layered with an oversized denim jacket, which she wore off the shoulders.

The Fifty Shades of Grey actress was introduced by Heidi Klum, who appeared from home in a deconstructed eveningwear/athleisure look by AZ Factory.

Glenn Close was also honored during the event for her ongoing support of amfAR's mission to end the AIDS pandemic, particularly her work in the past year.

Bette Midler honored her with the award, stating: 'She has an enormous heart. She puts her time and energy and resources into causes that are distinctly unglamorous and unfashionable. She walks the walks.'

Close said that being honored alongside Fauci was the 'most humbling experience' of her life, adding: 'He is the man whose courage has given us hope, who courage was unwavering. His moral gravitas has fed us as a nation.'

Fighting AIDS: Glenn Close was also honored during the event for her ongoing support of amfAR's mission to end the AIDS pandemic, particularly her work in the past year

Waking the walk: Bette Midler honored her with the award, stating: 'She has an enormous heart. She puts her time and energy and resources into causes that are distinctly unglamorous and unfashionable. She walks the walks'

Good company: Close said that being honored alongside Fauci was the 'most humbling experience' of her life, adding: 'He is the man whose courage has given us hope, who courage was unwavering. His moral gravitas has fed us as a nation'

Donations encouraged: Chelsea Handler encouraged viewers to donate to amfAR, as she introduced Ava Max, the final performer of the night

Dramatic scene: Max performed her single Kings & Queens from her debut studio album Heaven & Hell, against a dramatic light show on an otherwise dark stage

Green with envy: She donned a strapless chartreuse gown with a pair of matching long evening gloves and a diamond choker with a large cross pendant from Loree Rodkin

Pleased and proud: The Sweet but Psycho artist said before her performance: 'I am so so pleased and proud to be a part of this virtual gala, supporting amfAR's life-saving research. Together, we can end AIDS and COVID-19'

Chelsea Handler encouraged viewers to donate to amfAR, as she introduced Ava Max, the final performer of the night.

Max performed her single Kings & Queens from her debut studio album Heaven & Hell, against a dramatic light show on an otherwise dark stage.

She donned a strapless chartreuse gown with a pair of matching long evening gloves and a diamond choker with a large cross pendant from Loree Rodkin.

The Sweet but Psycho artist said before her performance: 'I am so so pleased and proud to be a part of this virtual gala, supporting amfAR's life-saving research. Together, we can end AIDS and COVID-19.'

Morgan Freeman and Catherine O'Hara made appearances to discuss how amfAR has temporarily expanded their scope beyond finding a cure for HIV to help research the coronavirus.

Billy Porter kicked off the event from his living room in a shimmering red smoking jacket with black lapels, paired with a black turtleneck.

He spoke about the amfAR Fund to Fight COVID-19 in his short speech: 'Tonight is a tale of two deadly viruses and of people around the world coming together to defeat them both.'

The event also featured appearances from Iman, Boy George, Olly Alexander, Coco Rocha, Carine Roitfeld, Cheyenne Jackson and Jon Kortajarena.

Star-studded special: Morgan Freeman and Catherine O'Hara made appearances throughout the special

Expanding their mission: They discussed how amfAR has temporarily expanded their scope beyond finding a cure for HIV to help research the coronavirus

Chic display: Billy Porter kicked off the event from his living room in a shimmering red smoking jacket with black lapels, paired with a black turtleneck

Joining the fight: He spoke about the amfAR Fund to Fight COVID-19 in his short speech: 'Tonight is a tale of two deadly viruses and of people around the world coming together to defeat them both'

Glam presence: Iman was one of several celebs to appear during the 30-minute program

Fan boy: Boy George showed his love for Glenn Close, as he helped introduce her

Leading man: Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander appeared, following the premiere of his queer HBO Max drama It's a Sin

Model behavior: Coco Rocha was on hand to make a virtual appearance

Paying tribute: Carine Roitfeld also showed up to say some nice words about Glenn Close

Man of the hour: Cheyenne Jackson helped pay tribute to Dr. Anthony Fauci
A diversity champion at top account firm Deloitte is facing an internal investigation over claims of bullying, it has been reported.

The Big Four firm is also probing allegations of inappropriate working practice made against Dimple Agarwal, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Ms Agarwal is a UK deputy chief executive and managing partner of the firm's People and Purposes group.

She also lists herself as an LGBQT+ ally for Deloitte Globe and a race ally for Deloitte's Multicultural Network.

According to the Telegraph, the 49-year-old faces allegation from staff she 'communicated aggressively'.

Staff have also accused her of telling colleagues to attend 'extremely early morning meetings', the reports add.

More than a dozen complaints have reportedly been made against Ms Agarwal.

MailOnline has contacted Deloitte for comment. Ms Agarwal, was also contacted, but MailOnline received an out-of-office email in response.

Deloitte is probing allegations of bullying and inappropriate working practice made against Dimple Agarwal, according to the Telegraph

In 2019, Ms Agarwal, in her role in Deloitte's People and Purposes group, announced the firm would double the paid leave period for 'non-birthing parents'.

The company, which employs around 20,000 people in the UK, had previously given staff two-weeks paid paternity leave, but doubled it to four.

The decision came amid what bosses described as a 'disappointingly low' take up of paternity leave.

Speaking at the time, Ms Agarwal said the move followed research by the firm, which found that increasing numbers of working fathers between the age of 24 and 40 were actively involved in day-to-day parenting.

However she said that this wasn't necessarily reflected in support from their employers.

She said: 'This promise to our Deloitte families is all part of our commitment to inclusion, where we are creating an environment of respect, dignity and belonging for all.

'What's more, we've increased flexibility as to when and how this leave can be taken as we recognise that when it comes to family commitments, one size doesn't fit all.'

In its annual report in October, Deloitte announced partners in the UK were set for a 17 per cent pay cut because of the Covid-19 pandemic's impact.

In its annual report in October, Deloitte (pictured: a Deloitte headquarters) announced partners in the UK were set for a 17 per cent pay cut because of the Covid-19 pandemic's impact.

In the same report, the company also offered up details of the company's ethnicity pay gap.

There were minimal increases on the mean and median hourly pay gap figures but this.

However Ms Agarwa, who reportedly joined Deloitte in 2004, said this 'was expected' due to its efforts to recruit a more diverse workforce - leading to 'an increase in the proportion of our colleagues from ethnic minorities at our more junior levels'.

Last year a report revealed just 11 of the almost 3,000 equity partners at the Big Four accountancy firms are black.

At the time of the report, in June last year, Deloitte had one black equity partner. EY and KPMG had two each while PwC had six.

In response, Ms Agarwa told the Telegraph: 'We have a lot to do and much further to go.'
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 8, 2021) - Canuc Resources Corporation (TSXV: CDA) (OTCQB: CNUCF) ("Canuc" or the "Company") announces closing on a $3.065M first tranche of a private placement financing. Closing of this tranche results in the issuance of 12.26M units. Each unit consists of one common share ("Common Share") priced at $0.25 per share, and one half of one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at $0.35 for a period of two years from the final closing date of the private placement.

Each whole Warrant has an early exercise provision that allows the Company to trigger exercise of the Warrant when the 10-day volume weighted average price of Common Shares traded on the TSX Venture Exchange exceeds $0.50 per share. 30 days after the trigger date, any unexercised warrants will be deemed to be null and void. All securities issued under this Private Placement will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of closing.

Proceeds will be used for drilling on the Company's San Javier Silver-Gold Project.

Final closing is subject to acceptance and approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Canuc

Canuc is a junior resource company focusing on its San Javier Silver-Gold Project in Sonora State, Mexico. The Company generates cash flow from natural gas production at its MidTex Energy Project in West Texas, USA where Canuc has an interest in eight producing natural gas wells and has rights for further in field developments. Canuc also has exclusive rights, through a Partnership Agreement with Ioticiti Networks Inc., to sell Industrial IoT applications and infrastructure in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada and in the State of Texas, USA.

For further information please contact:

Canuc Resources Corporation.

(416) 525 - 6869

cberlet@canucresources.ca

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance.

When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents.

The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76433
A push to create a one-stop shop for people in need of social services is getting closer to becoming a reality in the Wheat City.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

A push to create a one-stop shop for people in need of social services is getting closer to becoming a reality in the Wheat City.

Dubbed the Brandon Wellness Collaborative, advocate Kim Longstreet said the idea is to create a single physical place where people in need can go to get resources and be helped through the process of dealing with social services.

Kim Longstreet

"We need a go-to spot  that all of the stakeholders support, and that place becomes the accountability piece," said Longstreet.

"So somebody comes in the front door, theyre going to get served, they start getting referrals onwards  its up to that one-stop shop place to keep their finger on that person all the way through."

Longstreet organized a "community conversation" on Feb. 24 between stakeholders, municipal, provincial and federal levels of government representatives to get the idea off the ground. Moving forward, the objective is to plan more concretely about making the initiative happen.

"Im feeling very positive about it, I know there is a definite willingness from the community  some were just relieved were here and having this conversation," she said.

The Brandon Wellness Collaborative would ensure people dealing with addiction, mental health issues or homelessness can get help 24/7.

Ideally, Longstreet said the location would be a building downtown where different organizations all have representation under one roof. The important thing is that no one is turned away or told they cant be helped for the issues they have.

Collaboration between social services is sorely missing, said Longstreet. Many organizations attempt to do everything but people would be better served by streamlining the services offered.

"We have so many organizations doing housing, we have so many doing food, so many doing clothing, so we all know theres a need, but that need should be given to an organization," she said.

Coun. Jan Chaboyer (Green Acres), who was a part of the Feb. 24 meeting, said she is optimistic about the idea and sees a need for it in Brandon.

"I think its time to take the bull by the horns and move to the next stage in addressing some of these serious social issues we have in Brandon," she said.

The idea is similar to one from Brandon City Councils poverty committee to better integrate city councils different committees. The new push emphasizes wellness, which Chaboyer said is needed.

The idea was inspired by the Community Wellness and Public Safety Alliance in Winnipeg, a group that recently presented a business plan to the provincial government.

"I think we might be looking at something similar, but more of a made-in Brandon solution," said Chaboyer.

With the creation of a new provincial government department dedicated to mental health, wellness and recovery, Longstreet said she is more confident her concerns will be heard at the provincial level.

The goal is to move forward with a plan to the province over the next approximately six months, she said.

"Im trying to keep in mind the busyness of our community. Things are opening up again  spring is in the air, there are so many variables and Im wanting to move at a pace I feel is doable," she said.

"We have to really commit to making this happen, and I do feel the commitment is there."

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 74F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
More efforts should be made to promote the healthy development of the home rental market as China's urbanization gathers pace, said Yao Jinbo, a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature.

Establishing a sound home rental system helps to address housing woes in big metropolises and improve people's well-being, explained Yao, who is also the CEO of China's Craigslist-like 58.com, in an interview with China.org.cn on Thursday.

China's home rental market, especially those properties earmarked for long-term tenancy, stumbles due to lack of supervision and risky business models. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the collapse of Danke, one of China's largest online home rental platforms, demonstrating how vulnerable the highly leveraged housing market system is. The sudden dissolution of the company sent shockwaves through China's rental market.

Moreover, imbalances in demand and supply continue to exist, causing home rental prices in first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai to continue to grow, according to a report published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences last year.

China needs to increase legislation on home rentals and step up supervision, tame risky business operations, and protect the rights of both tenants and homeowners, Yao noted.

Moreover, cities should adopt differentiated measures to balance supply and demand through tax incentives in the home rental market, encourage homeowners to lease their properties through reliable institutions, and provide more affordable rental options for medium- and low-income populations via government-funded channels, Yao added.

The Central Economic Work Conference held late last year reiterated the principle that "houses are for living in, not for speculation," and that more efforts would be made to grant equal rights to both homeowners and renters.

Yao applauds the decisions made at the conference and calls for concrete actions to protect tenants' rights.
(Newser)  Sen. Bernie Sanders tried again for a $15 federal minimum wage Friday but was undercut by a handful of Democrats. On a 58-42 votethough the final count could changethe Senate rejected an attempt to slip the minimum wage increase into President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, the Hill reports. (Sanders was trying to find a way around this decision by the Senate parliamentarian.) After falling two votes short, Sanders said he'll try something else. "If anybody thinks that were giving up on this issue, they are sorely mistaken," he said. "The American people understand that we cannot continue to have millions of people working for starvation wages." Sen. Joe Manchin, who's in position to decide the fate of a lot of legislation, was among the Democrats who voted against Sanders' measure.

story continues below

The others were Sens. Chris Coons, Kyrsten Sinema, Jon Tester, Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Tom Carper. Independent Angus King sided with them. Sinema said she backs raising the minimum wage but wants it debated on its own, apart from pandemic relief, per Politico. A spokesman for the organization Justice Democrats criticized the group of senators for telling "millions of essential workers earning poverty wages that they are heroes but they dont deserve a $15 minimum wage." A Senate candidate in next year's election, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, said "every single senator who voted against a $15 minimum wage today should be forced to live on $7.25 an hour so that they can demonstrate to all of us how it's possible." (Read more minimum wage stories.)
Subscriber content preview

By JAKE COYLE

AP Film Writer

In Florian Zeller's The Father, Anthony, 80, in the grip of dementia, is a captain ready to go down with the ship. Overhearing his daughter and son-in-law contemplating a nursing home, he curses them as rats abandoning him. Pacing his London apartment in a bath robe, he mounts a noble resistance.

I am not leaving my flat! he shouts.





. . .
As the world continues its fight against coronavirus, Adar Poonawalla, the chief executive of the world's biggest vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India, has warned that vaccine makers are falling short of raw material to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines. Serum Institute of India (SII) has been licenced to produce hundreds of millions of Covid-19 vaccines via its partnerships with Oxford University and Swedish-British pharma major AstraZeneca, and Novavax Inc.

Poonawalla, during a World Bank panel discussion on Thursday, said the US decision to block exports of key raw materials, including bags and filters, will hamper the global vaccination efforts. "The Novavax vaccine, which we're a major manufacturer for, needs these items from the US...if we're talking about building capacity all over the world, the sharing of these critical raw materials is going to become a critical limiting factor - nobody has been able to address this so far," said Poonawalla, reported Bloomberg.

Also Read: 'India, top priority': Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla on COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan

Notably, the Biden administration had recently decided to enforce the Defence Production Act, which allowed it to boost raw material supplies to make Pfizer vaccines in the country. The US drugmaker, which has also developed a coronavirus vaccine, had last year scaled back its production targets for the current year due to a shortage of raw material.

The SII CEO stressed the Biden administration must allow the export of raw material. "We're talking about having free global access to vaccines but if we can't get the raw materials out of the US -- that's going to be a serious limiting factor," Poonawalla said.

Also Read: COVID-19 vaccine: Serum Institute seeks nod to conduct local trials for Novavax jab

Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation, said the world was facing a huge shortage of raw material to vaccinate the global population, and that there was a need for a global agreement on the exports of such material. To discuss this critical issue, the WHO's vaccine partners like the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations and the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network will meet next week, she said. The Indian government has authorised SII to supply 24 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 25 countries on a commercial basis this month.

Also read: Serum Institute to supply Covishield vaccine to Canada in 'less than a month'

So far, 16.7 million doses of Covishield have been supplied to 20 countries. This includes approximately 6.3 million doses that were supplied free to 13 countries -- Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bahrain Oman and the Caribbean. About 10 million more doses were exported on a commercial basis to Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, Algeria, and Egypt among others. Commercial supplies in February will include Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Mauritius, Serbia, UAE, and Qatar.

Besides, the Pune-based Serum Institute of India will soon be sending Oxford-AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine to Canada. Poonawalla has said his firm would supply Covishield vaccine to Canada 'in less than a month' after receiving regulatory approval from the Justin Trudeau government.

Also read: Third coronavirus vaccine in India? Adar Poonawalla hopes to launch COVOVAX by June
Syrian opposition sources have revealed that contacts are taking place between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions in north Syria to hand over the security of some areas to HTS. The rumored deal would involve the Turkish-backed FSA tampering down some of its rhetoric against HTS in exchange for allowing the extremist group to oversee security in certain areas. It's unclear if the FSA would maintain forces in the areas in which the HTS takes control of.

Brig. Gen. Ahmad Rahal, who defected from the Syrian regime, tweeted Feb. 19, HTS emirs have repeatedly visited the Olive Branch areas to work out their relations with FSA leaders amid reports whereby the FSA has decided to prevent any media attacks against HTS leaders. There are also talks that the security of all liberated areas will be handed over to HTS after the failure of the military, security and judicial leadership there.

HTS, which the United States classifies as a terrorist organization, controls large areas of Idlib in northwest Syria, while the FSA factions, supported by Turkey, control Afrin, al-Bab, Jarablus and Tell Abyad, among others. These areas held by the FSA are known as the Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch and Peace Spring areas, in reference to past military operations led by Turkey and its FSA allies in north Syria.

FSA sources told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that there are contacts between HTS and some FSA factions in efforts to resolve disputes between the two sides. The FSA and HTS compete over areas of influence in northern Syria, and there have been several armed conflicts between the two in recent years.

Tensions run high as HTS accuses FSA factions of working for the interests of Turkey at the expense of the Syrian revolution. For their part, FSA factions claim HTS took control of the weapons they left behind in Idlib after they were forced to leave following battles with HTS. The factions also accuse HTS of having a jihadist ideology that undermines the goals of the Syrian revolution.

The sources said that HTS sent specific leaders who are friendlier with the FSA factions to the areas under the control of the Suleiman Shah Brigade in Sheikh Hadid in the countryside of Afrin. Al-Monitor could not independently verify these claims.

Each faction within the FSA often acts without referring to the FSA leadership, and has authority over its members and areas that it controls. It's unclear whether the broader leadership  and its main backer, Turkey  would support such a move. Ankara has designated HTS a terrorist group and works with Russia to oust its forces from Idlib.

Despite being unofficial, the visit points to efforts by HTS and the FSA factions to reach an understanding. A rapprochement could eventually lead to the unification of the Syrian opposition areas, according to the sources.

It appears this is the first time such contacts have taken place.

Citizen journalist Qais al-Ahmad al-Hamwi, who resides in the FSA areas, told Al-Monitor, The HTS leadership is full of surprises. It is quite easy for it to change its approach and principles. HTS supported the Islamic State but then turned against it and pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda in order to win over a large number of jihadists. It subsequently left al-Qaeda and operated as a local jihadist faction called Fatah al-Sham until it took its current HTS form and fought the FSA factions under pretexts such as spreading evil on earth, dealing with foreign countries and parties and collaborating with Turkey, among others.

He added, With regard to coordination with the FSA factions in the Olive Branch and the Euphrates Shield areas, HTS may try to portray itself as a national faction that has nothing to do with terrorism and does not seek expansion beyond Syria. However, I do not think HTS is tolerated by the Syrian revolution factions.

HTS media coordinator Taqi al-Din Omar would neither confirm nor deny the rumored contacts. He told Al-Monitor, Unity among the ranks of the Syrian revolution factions as well as the preservation of principles and foundations is a revolutionary duty, which is why HTS unified major factions and military battalions in 2017 [when the group was formed]. We have always called for this revolutionary duty with the participation of elites, scholars and cadres of the revolution. The [President Bashar] al-Assad regime summoned the Russian occupier and dozens of militias to fight the Syrian people. The factions duty is to unite against the occupiers. I do not think there is a single revolutionary who does not wish for the unification of the liberated areas, i.e. the Syrian opposition areas, without division, as well as for the unification of the revolutionary ranks to confront the challenges and plots being hatched against the revolution of freedom and dignity.

Abu Khaled al-Shami, a pseudonym for a former jihadist leader residing in Idlib, told Al-Monitor, There are no assurances that such contacts have indeed taken place between HTS and the FSA. Should this be true, then it would be needless to say that rapprochement is urgent for HTS to break its isolation.  However, whether such efforts will come to fruition depends on how satisfied the Turkish side and the factions it supports are.

Mustafa Sejari, the political director of the FSA-affiliated Mutasim Brigade who resides in the northern countryside of Aleppo, told Al-Monitor, The [FSA] position on HTS is firm. HTS is an unreliable organization and all its activities and movements are suspicious. It has been attacking the Syrian revolutions flank and has wiped out more than 20 factions of the FSA. At the leadership level, the Mutasim Brigade has no contact with HTS, and there has been no decision to get into contact with it. HTS must make real reconsiderations if it is to seek reconciliation with the Syrian people and the military forces, and it must acknowledge what it has committed against the revolution and the factions, while taking the initiative to restore people's rights and end its aggressive behavior.

Al-Monitor also met with Mohammed al-Omar, a reporter close to HTS residing in Idlib, who said, HTS is keen on the unity of the opposition areas and is seeking unification, but the factions do not want to unify the region, as the current reality serves their interests. Each faction is like a state enjoying authoritarian and economic privileges, which is why they are not considering unifying the areas. In the meantime, HTS is operating like a legitimate government while maintaining security in the areas under its control. If HTS were in control of the FSA-held areas, it would have prevented the numerous [attacks] there in the past months.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
According to the top cop the operation on Monday went smoothly except for a few reports received by the Command Centre that persons going to and from their essential jobs, were turned back by certain police officers in error.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Friday expressed concern about continuing incidents of armed violence targeting civilians, the sick, health workers, medical transport and medical facilities in Burkina Faso
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah took the internet by a storm as he was seen dancing with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh at a wedding ceremony in Chandigarh.

The video of them grooving to the Bollywood song Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche from the 1968 Bollywood film Brahmachari is being widely shared on social media.

Farooq Abdullah attended the wedding of Punjab CM's granddaughter Seherinder Kaur that took place at his Siswan farmhouse in Chandigarh. Seherinder got married to Delhi-based businessman Aditya Narang on Sunday.

The video was shared last night by the Congress leader Saral Patel and wrote, This video of Captain Amarinder Singh and Farooq Abdullah proves that age is, indeed, just a number!"

Heres the video:

This video of @capt_amarinder & Farooq Abdullah proves that age is, indeed, just a number! @OmarAbdullahpic.twitter.com/j48MgTYVoD  Saral Patel (@SaralPatel) March 4, 2021

After the video went viral, people were reminded of Mirzapur wale Chacha.

Mirzapur wale chacha  johnny DEPP (@itsRS9570) March 5, 2021

Soory but t's remind me of Chacha.     (@NoQuestions_Plz) March 4, 2021

Wo chacha wo chacha ki yad aa gayi  Shahid Ali (@Shahid23316622) March 5, 2021

People also appreciated how the two danced and it was refreshing to see this side of the political figures.

Loved the way he cherished each moment of his dancing and enjoyment.

Afterall hes a human being first and then a politician . #livelifekingsize  Gaurang Upadhyay (@GaurangLuvSurat) March 5, 2021

Everyone is cool at heart. Politics spoil them.  Srikanth (@yourssrilu) March 4, 2021

Very nice and fantastic energy.. age is no bar if u have good mind energy..  DEEPENDRA PATHAK (@DEEPIN25) March 4, 2021

The two leaders, who share a good rapport, are fond of hosting each other.

After former J&K chief minister and National Conference (NC) chief, Farooq Abdullah was released from house arrest following detention under the Public Safety Act, Amarinder Singh shared a photo of the two and wrote, "Spoke to Farooq Abdullah Ji on phone to welcome him back on his release from long detention and was happy to find him in good cheer. Hope his release is an important step towards an enduring and amicable resolution of the issue."

Spoke to Farooq Abdullah Ji on phone to welcome him back on his release from long detention and was happy to find him in good cheer. Hope his release is an important step towards an enduring and amicable resolution of the issue. pic.twitter.com/OH652tbxau  Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 15, 2020




Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

The demand for face mask has witnessed robust growth in the recent past and this trend is expected to continue till 2027. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended to use face mask in home as well as in Production of face masks is an extremely complex process and has a lot of dynamics attached to it. In addition, to the masks, several auxiliary items such as ear loops, packaging, metal strips among others also need to be manufactured. The global Face Mask market size is expected to reach USD 31.83 billion by 2027 according to a new study by Polaris Market Research

With the scale of the huge demand amidst the pandemic, the whole face mask manufacturing and its supply chain are under a lot of pressure. The pre-pandemic production capacities were not enough to meet the meteoric demand rise and hence, in major manufacturing hubs such as China, companies scrambled their operating systems to ramp up their production.

Request a sample Copy : https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/face-mask-market/request-for-sample

Companies in China are now operating at 110% of their capacity and even this production is not able to meet the global demand. The country has increased its manufacturing capacity by 20 times as compared to February of masks ranging from N-95 to cloth masks. Even factories producing mobile phones, shoes, automotive, diapers, sanitary pads among others have been modified to meet the rising demand of face masks. Such trends have put the supply chain of face masks under tremendous pressure.

Government initiatives in helping companies in China to transition into face masks manufacturing hubs and granting subsidies has resulted in a rapid rise in new entrants. Provincial regulators are working in full-time to provide licenses to these new participants. However, adherence to globally accepted standards and quality norms remain a cause of concern.

Italy has eased restrictions as of now and is in phase 2 widely termed as living with the virus phase. Wearing of masks has become mandatory due to the regulations prescribed by the government in order to curb the spread of the virus. According to Consumer associations in the country, only 25% of pharmacies had these capped masks for sale.

Get Discount Offer : https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/face-mask-market/request-for-discount-pricing

There were also difficulties in the overall supply chain management of these capped masks as many of the batches that were earmarked for supply to drugstores did not reach their destination. Authorities in the country also took concentrated efforts to boost the production of the masks and announced intentions to set up a consortium of companies. The intention of the Italian government to speed up the overall exit process of lockdown is expected to greatly benefit the demand for face masks in the country.

Moreover, the key players involved in the global Face Mask Market include, Moldex, Shanghai Dasheng, Kimberly-Clark, BDS, Gerson, Halyard Healthcare, SAS Safety Corp., Honeywell, Irema, KOWA, 3M, McKesson, MolnlyckeHealth, CM, Sinotextiles, DACH,Te Yin, Hakugen, and Uvex among others are key players in the market.. Product launch, merger & acquisition, and partnerships encompass key players strategies to preserve and capture the most important share of the global market.

Read More :

https://www.medgadget.com/2020/05/face-mask-market-size-worth-7-22-billion-by-2026-cagr-22-14-exclusive-study-by-polaris-market-research.html

https://www.medgadget.com/2020/08/face-mask-market-to-surpass-31-83-billion-by-2027-cagr-24-6-polaris-market-research.html

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Scotland Yard's failure to investigate two alleged fantasists who came forward to support liar and paedophile Carl Beech over bogus claims of VIP sex abuse will now be examined by Merseyside Police.

The force will investigate why the Metropolitan Police did not take action against the two men despite Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Rodhouse, who was then in charge, concluding they were 'deliberate liars'.

The pair, known only as A and B, went to police in September 2015 claiming they could back up Beech's false claims that a VIP paedophile ring had abused and murdered boys in the 1970s and 1980s.

One of the men was described by his brother as a liar with convictions for fraud and violence, while the other had a history of giving fake information about being abused by paedophiles and also had convictions for fraud and theft.

But officers from the Met Police did not investigate the pair for conspiring to pervert the course of justice or wasting police time.

In a statement, Merseyside Police said officers are carrying out an inquiry to establish why Scotland Yard failed to act - a decision that is likely to heap pressure on Mr Rodhouse, now a senior officer at the National Crime Agency.

Merseyside became involved after former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who was investigated on false claims by Beech, made eight complaints to Northumbria Police in October 2019 over the Met's Operation Midland.

Scotland Yard's failure to investigate two alleged fantasists who came forward to support Carl Beech over bogus claims of a VIP paedophile ring will now be examined by an outside force

They included an allegation that Mr Rodhouse and the Met did not investigate two further complainants for perverting the course of justice and wasting police time.

In a damning independent review of the case, retired High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques said the two men who gave accounts that apparently backed up Beech had 'both deliberately lied'.

Sir Richard said their intervention had 'unquestionably prolonged the investigation' adding to the suffering of those who had been falsely accused by Beech.

He wrote: 'I believe that but for the false information being pedalled by witnesses A and B, the DAC [Deputy Assistant Commissioner] would have terminated the investigation.'

His findings recommended that 'offences of attempting to pervert the course of justice be considered' against them, but his advice was ignored by the Met.

Mr Proctor's complaints were referred to the Met, before one was passed on to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which recommended an outside force should investigate.

Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who was investigated on false claims by Beech, made eight complaints to Northumbria Police in October 2019 over the Met's Operation Midland. Merseyside are now investigating why the Met did not investigate two alleged fantasists who supported Beech - a move that will heap pressure on former DAC Steve Rodhouse

Now Priti Patel demands MPs probe 'Nick' shambles: Home Secretary will meet top judge who has called for full criminal inquiry into 'VIP paedophile ring' investigation Priti Patel signalled a dramatic new intervention into Scotland Yard's disastrous VIP child sex abuse investigation. The Home Secretary admitted there were 'outstanding questions' about the Operation Midland scandal and urged MPs to launch an 'all-encompassing' inquiry. It escalated tensions between Miss Patel and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, after the Home Secretary refused to declare confidence in her. Her aides and the Prime Minister later insisted Britain's most senior police chief had the backing of the Government. Miss Patel revealed that she will meet retired High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques, who has urged her to order an independent criminal investigation into five detectives at the centre of the scandal  and the watchdogs who cleared them. The Home Secretary said: 'There are outstanding questions. I would like to meet with Sir Richard primarily to understand effectively the processes, what has happened, what went wrong.' She told MPs on the home affairs select committee: 'This is a difficult issue, because obviously there is a historic timeline where evidence was collected. 'There is more that clearly needs to be done here. I will absolutely follow the inquiries that the committee is holding. I think I do definitely need to ask some questions in terms of what has happened.' Sir Richard's concerns focus on the way Scotland Yard 'acted unlawfully' in giving a district judge false information used to obtain search warrants to raid the homes of former home secretary Lord Brittan, D-Day hero Lord Bramall and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor. Advertisement

A statement from Merseyside Police said: 'This is in relation to a complaint decision that was not recorded to the right standard with reference to a decision made by MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) not to investigate false allegations from two complainants, and at the completion of Operation Midland in relation to perverting the course of justice and wasting police time.

'Officers from our professional standards department have now commenced the investigation, as recommended by the IOPC.'

In an email seen by PA, the investigating officer said: 'I have now prepared an investigation plan regarding the above matter and I am in possession of a number of documents from Operation Midland that will assist me with my investigation.'

Mr Proctor, 74, said he is 'very pleased that Merseyside Police have begun investigating a complaint I made against the MPS in October 2019 concerning the Metropolitan Police Service and the then DAC Steve Rodhouse not investigating two false accusers'.

He added: 'I am hopeful that they will conduct a full, thorough and transparent investigation. I believe it is in the best interests of restoring the criminal justice system.'

The Met said it will co-operate fully with Merseyside, but added that the complaint was assessed by its 'appropriate authority', which found any decision to investigate A or B was not for Mr Rodhouse to make.

A statement from the force said: 'However, it was a decision for a senior officer or senior officers in the MPS to make.

'Records show clear evidence of careful consideration of this matter and a clear rationale for not commencing an investigation, but not of the explicit recording of this to the standard required.

'Therefore, a complaint against the MPS was recorded in January 2020 and voluntarily referred to the IOPC in accordance with IOPC statutory guidance.

'The IOPC determined that the matter should be investigated as a local matter but suggested it be conducted by an external force.

'In the summer of 2020, the MPS agreed with Merseyside Police that they will conduct the investigation. The MPS will co-operate fully with their investigators.'

Former home secretary Leon Brittan was one of the men falsely accused by Beech - then known as 'Nick'. Mr Brittan died in January 2015 without knowing there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him.

His home was raided, along with those of D-Day veteran Lord Bramall and Mr Proctor, before it emerged that all the claims were based on lies by Beech, who was jailed for 18 years in 2019 for perverting the course of justice.

Calls for a public inquiry into the investigation have been backed by retired senior district judge Howard Riddle, who granted the contentious search warrants for the probe, while Home Secretary Priti Patel has said she will 'ask further questions'.

Mr Proctor added: 'I look forward to the Home Secretary answering the questions of judges Sir Richard Henriques and Mr Howard Riddle on Operation Midland again in efforts to restore the criminal justice system so badly damaged by Operation Midland.

'There should now be a full public inquiry to consider the judges' comments on Operation Midland.'
Keeping up its attack on the Opposition over the COVID-19 vaccine issue, the BJP on Friday said all that its rivals, especially the Congress, have contributed to the matter is "politics and confusion".

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit out at opposition-ruled states like Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Kerala for "refusing" to use the indigenous Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech, and said they are playing with the lives of people for their "petty" politics.

On the other hand Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent out a big message to the world by getting the Covaxin jab, he told reporters here.

"The politics being played in the opposition-ruled states is an insult to the country's scientists and also hurts the 'aatmanirbhar bharat' sentiments," Patra said.

"I want to ask do you not trust scientists and doctors of your country? Over 40 countries have placed order for Covaxin. But in India, we have people doing politics over it for their selfish political interests," the BJP spokesperson said.

Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vaccine, whose emergency use approval before finishing final stage testing had triggered a row, has shown an 81 per cent efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 disease in an interim analysis of the advanced clinical trial, the company said on Wednesday, boosting prospects of its usage.

Patra alleged that opposition leaders would tease the government by asking why doesn't Prime Minister Modi prove its efficacy by opting for its jab.

Modi did it when his turn came, by following all protocols, he said, noting that President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also opted for Covaxin.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Featured stories

LGBTQ nondiscrimination bill is back in the Ohio General Assembly for the 10th time (Read more)

Gov. Mike DeWine provides a benchmark for removal of coronavirus public health orders (Read more)

Indicted ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder introduces measures to override coronavirus, executive orders (Read more)

Coronavirus in Ohio

Seventy-six of Ohio's 88 counties are on red alert for concern over coronavirus spread, an improvement from 80 last week and 84 two weeks ago.Ohio Department of Health

Marked improvement in Ohios coronavirus alert map; but Cuyahoga, Summit remain among 76 red alert counties (Read more)

Ohio reports 1,875 new coronavirus cases: Thursday update (Read more)

Coronavirus vaccine misinformation permeates social media: Here are the facts to counter six false claims (Read more)

Can it be done? Opening mass coronavirus vaccination sites would pose mammoth logistic challenges (Read more)

Ohio reduces coronavirus death toll at nursing homes by 860 after abandoning efforts for timely reporting (Read more)

Ohio reports 1,156 weekly increase in K-12 student cases, 477 in staff (Read more)

Vaccinated Ohioans can now travel to New York without quarantining (Read more)

Crime

Man jumps counter, robs 3 tellers at Shaker Heights bank (Read more)

Cleveland / Cuyahoga County

A walk through Max Hayes high school shows how Cleveland public schools has prepared for the return to in-class learning. Hand sanitizer stations and social distancing signage can be found throughout the school and classrooms have spaced desks farther apart. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

Cleveland teachers union votes to keep working remotely, despite districts call to return to buildings (Read more)

Cleveland fire union renews call for Chief Angelo Calvillos dismissal following censure vote (Read more)

Cuyahoga County Council members want an independent sheriff, but clash on approach (Read more)

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budishs administration discloses new details about envisioned suburban microgrid (Read more)

Former U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman joins fight to free Ohio inmate convicted of three slayings (Read more)

Cuyahoga County arts advocates want permission to expand cigarette tax through state budget amendment (Read more)

Cleveland police officer resigns amid accusations of sharing info with drug-crime suspects (Read more)

41 new cases of COVID-19 coronavirus confirmed in Cleveland, 9 new deaths reported: Thursday update (Read more)

Greater Cleveland Food Bank plans to open new Collinwood distribution center in 2022 (Read more)

An 8-foot nose sculpture appeared at Clevelands Hart Crane Park, and no one knows why (Read more)

Local news East

Youngstown State extends President Jim Tressels contract indefinitely (Read more)

Local news West

Officials identify 3-year-old girl who drowned in Olmsted Township pond (Read more)

Akron area

Ohio Secretary of State sanctions Summit County elections board over handling of November election, rejects board chair reappointment (Read more)

University of Akron announces in-person commencement for 2020 and 2021 graduates (Read more)

Akron mayor urges investor Carl Icahn to keep FirstEnergy HQ in city after billionaire expresses interest in scandal-embroiled utility (Read more)

Goodyear names executive to oversee Cooper Tire integration ahead of $2.8 billion planned acquisition (Read more)

State

Federal judge extends hold on Ohio heartbeat abortion ban (Read more)

11th Congressional District candidates meet for first time in Jewish Democratic Council of America forum (Read more)

In filing, FirstEnergy said state regulator acted for the companys benefit as a result of $4.3 million payment (Read more)
Immigrants have more stable families than native-born Americans: study

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Immigrant families tend to be more stable than families of native-born Americans, a new analysis of census data by the Institute of Family Studies shows, and its not because of money or education.

While higher incomes and education are known to drive family stability, the analysis presented Wednesday by Wendy Wang, the institutes director of research, found that immigrants tend to have a more stable family life than native-born Americans because they are more likely than native-born Americans to embrace a culture of family first.

The familism that immigrants embrace not only provides them a safe harbor when facing the challenges as newcomers, it also helps to provide a better environment for their children to advance in life, Wang wrote.

The analysis shows that of the 45 million immigrants in the U.S. today, some 72% of them who have children are still in their first marriage compared with just 60% of native-born Americans with children.

Not all immigrant families, however, were found equal on the stability scale.

A review of the 30 largest groups of working-age immigrants in the U.S. shows that first-generation immigrants from Asia ranked the highest among stable families, with Indian immigrant families leading the pack. Some 94% of this group were found to be stably married while just 4% were remarried and only 2% were unmarried.

More than 80% of immigrant families from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Taiwan, Korea, China, and Japan were also stably married. Immigrants from the Middle East, South America, and Nigeria also ranked highly on the family stability scale.

Immigrant families from Mexico, with 68% stability, and Caribbean countries, such as Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic with an average stability score of about 50%, tended to be less stable.

When asked if the proximity of the Caribbean and Mexico to U.S. culture could explain the disparity in family stability between immigrants from Asia and those from the Caribbean and Mexico, Wang said it could be a factor.

I do think that might have something to do with the specific culture, but its a little hard to measure because Im a demographer, she told The Christian Post on Thursday.

In terms of her analysis Wednesday, however, she said the distinction between the families of native-born Americans and immigrant families is clear.

The individualism in American culture has its virtues but is at odds with stable marriage and families. As we know, marriage is not only about personal happiness and fulfillment but also family solidarity, she wrote.

She cited an IFS survey conducted in California, showing nearly 70% of immigrants stating that it is very important for them to be married before having children, compared with 62% of native-born Californians. They were also found to be more likely than native-born Californians to believe that couples with children should make every effort to stay married.

That same survey also found that couples who believe that marriage is mostly about an intense emotional/romantic connection between two adults were at a higher risk of divorce than those who believe that marriage is about romance but also about the kids, money, and raising a family together.

I believe if we do a national survey, well find similar results, which is that the immigrants are more likely to have this family first mindset and they believe in traditional values and are more likely to view family as really important, Wang told CP.

Most people who study immigrants dont pay attention to the strength of the family part, she added. I think immigrants make a big contribution to the overall American society.  The family values that immigrants bring really help the overall family stability in the U.S.
Deaths increased by around half in the second quarter of last year (PA/PA)

Funeral provider Dignity is expected to reveal a drop in revenue and pre-tax profits despite deaths rising during the coronavirus, as restrictions prevented it from selling additions to its services.

Analysts expect revenue to dip around 2% to 295 million, and pre-tax profit to tumble from 37.7 million in 2019 to under 27.6 million last year.

Although demand for burials were high, figures from the first nine months of 2020, released in November, showed that people were moving away from the companys more expensive options.

Before the pandemic more than half of Dignity funerals were full service options. This fell as low as 26% in the second quarter of the year, and only rebounded to 40% in the third quarter, when the strictest restrictions on funeral gatherings had been lifted.

The price of a full service also dropped in the period, from 3,578 in 2019 to 3,080 in the second quarter of the year.

Dignity has also flagged that the excess deaths this year will likely mean fewer people will die in the coming few years, as Covid-19 overwhelmingly claimed victims who were old or had health conditions.

The group will not speculate on the most likely outcome for the remainder of the year, however it is possible that the tragic events of 2020 may mean 2021 and 2022 could experience a lower number of deaths than in 2019, it said in the November update.

Investors will also be looking for some news on what the company will do about the results of a critical Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) report into the funeral sector.

As the UKs only listed funeral provider, shares in Dignity have been at the mercy of the authority ever since it announced the probe in 2018.

They are currently trading more than four fifths down from a 2016 peak, even after doubling in price since reaching all-time lows last summer.

The rebound came in early August when the news that the CMA would not introduce price controls and other measures it had considered, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shares in Dignity rushed up by 60% in just one day following the news.

But what the CMA gave, the CMA took away just months later as shares fell again, although only by 16%, after the authority released its full report into the sector.

It concluded that the cost of funerals is more than 400 too high, while cremations are also too expensive.

The authority did not agree with the assertions of some providers, Dignity among them, that higher prices necessarily means a higher quality service.

At the time, the company said it would work with the regulator and the Government to ensure that remedies work for customers. Any steer on how this work is going will likely interest shareholders.
SAGINAW TWP, MI - Protesters briefly gathered in front of Good Times Pizza, 4582 State St in Saginaw Township on Thursday, March 4 in response to a local music producers claims of racist abuse by a now-former restaurant manager.

RushDee Williams, a producer and business owner who was involved with projects like rap star Lil Waynes album Tha Carter V, said a manager hurled abuse at him after he tried to get his order corrected Saturday, Feb. 27. Their disagreement escalated into the man calling Williams an expletive and later the N-word, he claims.

Saginaw has always been a place where everybody gets together for the greater good just across the board, Williams said. I feel like what they did is not a reflection of Saginaw, and I feel like thats why the community is angered the most.

Good Times has since fired the manager, according to Mid-Michigan Now, but Williams takes issue with co-owner Brian Franks statement on the matter. Despite firing the manager and condemning his actions, Franks statement to Mid-Michigan Now insists Williams provoked the former employee.

I feel like they didnt take accountability, and at this point, its above me because this is a community thing, Williams said. I feel good about it for the simple fact that the community is supporting me... Im just more so concerned with them doing the right thing by other people, the community, people who might not have the same voice as me.

In response to the situation, Williams helped organize a protest in front of the restaurant. About 25 people were demonstrating at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4. Williams hopes the protest sends a message that the Saginaw community wont tolerate disrespect and abuse from businesses, he said.

Saginaw resident Brandi Johnson said she knows Williams personally and came by to show her support, vouching for his character.

Its nothing new, most people of color experience things like that on a daily basis, I know I do, Johnson said. Im just glad that, finally, people are starting to come together to put a stop to it.

During the protest, Williams and two others had a brief conversation in the restaurant with co-owner Lori Franks, who insisted the employees actions didnt reflect the companies values.

However, Franks said she felt intimidated and was ushered behind the counter by a manager, though Franks did not condemn the protest.

They have a right do that, Franks said. At this time, thats all I have to say.

The protesters stayed around the entrance to the restaurant until around 6 p.m. Williams expressed disappointment that they werent able to come to an understanding and resolve the conflict but continued to suggest a boycott of the business after his conversation with Franks.

Where we at now? Williams said. I shouldnt have to put the emphasis on making amends when I didnt create the situation.

Read more:

Michigan reports 1,526 new coronavirus cases, 37 deaths Thursday, March 4

Saginaw and Bay City weekend weather: In the heart of the Lake Huron chill

Bay City resumes utility shutoffs for residential and commercial customers
PORTLAND  Get ready to party.

If all goes well, in two weeks, the 90-acre wedding/banquet facility and grounds that straddle East Hampton and Portland will be permitted to hold large indoor and outdoor gatherings under the governors new pandemic capacity plan laid out Thursday.

Beginning March 19, if the number of COVID-19 cases statewide remain stable, Gov. Ned Lamont will allow indoor venues to host a maximum of 100 individuals; 200 for those taking place outdoors. Thursdays COVID positivity rate was just 1.86 percent, he said during a 4 p.m. press conference.

Weve been waiting for this day to come, Saint Clements Castle Director of Sales Pam Marshall said.

Were more than excited. Were ready to see people face to face, said Amanda Delzio, vice president of marketing and communications.

The 1931 Portland-Cobalt Road business, located on Route 66, has been unable to host nuptials and other activities during the coronavirus pandemic due to state regulations. Were very excited to open our doors to smiling faces and do what we do best. Weve been doing it for well over 25 years. Were excited to get back to some sort of normalcy, Delzio said.

Safety guidelines, including face masks, social distancing and an 11 p.m. curfew, still will be required under the governors plan.

The first thing Saint Clements administrators plan is to rehire seasonal, part-time core crew members who were laid off at the beginning of the pandemic  such as waitstaff, bussers, bartenders, hosts and others, Delzio said. Thats going to be a major priority.

Staff have been in continuous contact with brides/grooms and others planning large events at the facility over the past year, Delzio said. The majority of weddings planned for 2020 were postponed due to the pandemic.

Weve have very few cancellations, she said. In fact, Saint Clements has bookings well into 2023.

Our main focus will be [helping] our couples who have waited so long for this day, some of whom have had to postpone multiple times due to the governors orders, and being able to run [weddings] as safely as possible, Delzio said.

Those who hoped for a large number of invitees still may have to whittle down their guests lists. The majority of our couples have been great, Delzio said. There have been so many unknowns, so, to come to a place when we have some answers, finally, I think theyre going to be ecstatic. Theyve been troopers throughout the entire process.

For information, visit saintclementscastle.com.
Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claims to have prevented the hijacking of a passenger plane, but has offered few details on what allegedly happened.

The elite paramilitary force said on its website on March 5 that the purported hijacking targeted an Iran Air Fokker 100 jet heading from the southwestern city of Ahvaz to the northwestern city of Mashhad on the evening of March 4.

The aircraft made an emergency landing in the central city of Isfahan, the statement said, adding that the alleged hijacker was "neutralized. It not clear if that means arrested or killed.

No one was reported injured in the incident.

The IRGC said the hijacker, who was not identified, had sought to divert the flight to a Persian Gulf state.

A Fokker 100 was scheduled to take off from Ahvaz for Mashhad at 7:15 p.m. on March 4, according to the plane-tracking website FlightRadar24.com.

Iranian domestic flights reportedly carry armed air marshals from the IRGC to disrupt any attempted attack or hijacking.

With reporting by dpa and AP

By Lawrence Hurley

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Supreme Court has dismissed three pending appeals on former President Donald Trump's effort to withhold millions of dollars in law enforcement funds from states and cities that refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, meaning it will not rule on whether the policy was lawful.

President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has rescinded Republican Trump's 2017 executive order that called on U.S. agencies to withhold federal funds from the so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, many of which are governed by Democrats. Lower courts were divided on whether the policy was lawful.

The Biden Administration and lawyers for jurisdictions challenging the order in the three cases said in a joint request on Thursday that the cases should be dismissed. The three cases involve New York City, San Francisco and various states including California and New York.

The court's online docket showed on Friday that the cases were dismissed later on Thursday.

Trump's 2017 order conditioned receipt of federal funds by state and local governments on their giving U.S. immigration officials access to their jails, and advance notice when immigrants in the country illegally were being released from custody. It was one element of Trump's hardline immigration policies and his battles with Democrats.

The new administration has moved to reverse course on various Trump policies coming before the Supreme Court.

(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Dan Grebler)
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
In the Gulf of Guinea, off the Nigerian coast, piracy is becoming a major problem and shipping companies warn that this will increase maritime ship insurance and other piracy related costs that will be passed on to consumers in Nigeria and neighboring countries if something is not done. Off the Nigerian coast the pirate activity is increasing despite Nigerian efforts to curb the practice. This is not as bad as what Somalia once was but it is becoming enough of a problem to cause serious problems for shipping companies and their customers in the Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria will not get as bad as Somalia, which was the only place in the world where pirates could, for nearly a decade, take a large ship and anchor it off a small coastal town controlled by pirates. With no threats from local authorities, the pirates threatened to murder hostages, especially the ones taken ashore, if the anti-piracy patrol attempts to take back the ship. This lack of any Somali coast guard or government control of the entire coast was why Somalia was the only region seriously enough threatened by pirates that armed guards were allowed on large commercial ships passing through the danger zone. In the other pirate hotspots, like Nigeria/Gulf of Guinea, the Strait of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia, and parts of the Caribbean, local police, navies and coast guard keep the pirates under control and forbid armed guards on ships. The main risk outside Somali waters is nighttime raids by local pirates who rob the crew of valuables and the ships of anything portable.

These robbery tactics have gotten worse in Nigeria because the pirates are kidnapping more and more of the crew members and holding them for ransom. This is not common because too often local security forces can usually locate the kidnappers and free their hostages. That has changed in Nigeria because some of the pirates made deals with local political and military officials to share the large ransoms paid for kidnapped foreign sailors. Once these ransom sharing deals were in place it became more difficult to find the pirate hideouts where hostages were held. This corrupt profit-sharing arrangement is nothing new in Nigeria and has been a component of the crippling corruption Nigeria has suffered since independence in the 1960s.

These robberies are possible in areas where a lot of large ships have to anchor off a busy major port and await their turn to dock for loading or unloading cargo. What enabled the Nigerian pirates to become more of a menace was the entrenched gangster culture in the Niger River Delta. This is where most of Nigerias oil is produced. More of the oil is coming from offshore rigs and these became attractive targets for the pirates as well. The seemingly entrenched gangster culture is made possible by the culture of corruption among local politicians and local security forces. Many politicians adopt a local gang to provide muscle for ensuring elections select the most corrupt candidates. Nigeria has been undergoing increasingly vigorous and effective reform efforts since 2000 but the gangster culture is so pervasive and entrenched that progress is slow. Nigerian leaders dont like being compared to Somalia, but there are similarities. One difference is that there is more to steal in Nigeria and that many Nigerians, unlike Somalis, consider the outlaw culture a flaw not a feature.

Piracy still exists off Somalia, but it has been largely suppressed. No large ships linger off the Somali coast. The Somali pirates have not captured any large ships since 2012, when 14 were taken. In 2011 28 were taken, in 2010 there were 47 grabbed and 2009 had 46 hijacked. Each of these ships yielded, on average, several million dollars in ransoms. That kind of money attracted a lot more people to the business and the pirates prospered by sharing the ransoms with powerful people in Somalia and the Persian Gulf that made it possible to arrange and carry out the exchange of large amounts of cash for captives.

The piracy threat off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden still exists and shipping companies were recently warned that while no large ships have been captured since 2013, the threat, and the higher shipping costs, still exist. Some of the criminal gangs and militias in northern Somalia that carried out most of the successful hijackings between 2009 and 2012 are still operational and monitoring this situation. These groups either abandoned the piracy business or cut way back on such activities. The gangs switched to smuggling drugs, guns or people between Somalia and Yemen.

During the years when many ships were being captured, the gangs developed ways to monitor ship activity using information available on the Internet. Some of that knowledge appears to have been picked up by Nigerian pirates. One of the useful items of information the gangs still monitor is the degree to which large vessels still hire armed guards for the 1,500-kilometer passage though offshore Somali pirate territory. Many of these larger ships no longer train and drill the crews on how to spot pirates and then handle them if they get aboard. While insurance companies still provide a discount for ships that hire the armed guards, that does not cover the high cost of these four-man armed security teams. Security companies send out boats with the four-man teams who board large ships and then another boat takes them off at the end of the 7-10 days the guards are needed. This system works but it is expensive and a hassle for the ships.

Fewer nations still contribute ships and aircraft to the Somalia anti-piracy patrol. There are still enough warships to monitor radio traffic and they report that they still occasionally pickup Somali chatter regarding potential pirate targets. These days the only ships taken are fishing trawlers and dhows (small wooden coastal freighters) that have no ransom value but can be looted or taken for use as pirate mother ships. There are a lot of these small ships in the Gulf of Guinea, but also a lot of large tankers and cargo ships because of the oil-fueled economy. Bigger is better as far as pirates are concerned.

One of the more unnerving anti-piracy tactics was monitoring the pirate ports and following ships that left. UAVs or ships would observe these vessels and once they were in international waters (22 kilometers from the Somali coast) board and search any suspected of being pirates. If weapons and boarding equipment was found, the pirates were disarmed, taken back to Somalia and left on a beach. Their boat was sunk at sea, along with their weapons and tools. Documents found on the boat were passed on to intelligence specialists. This degree of scrutiny was more than the pirates could handle. The pirates needed cash to keep operating as each multi-million-dollar ransom quickly disappeared into the pockets of the pirates and their financiers and suppliers. Few of the pirate leaders wanted to invest their newly acquired wealth in keeping the level of activity where it had been until 2012, when it became clear that capturing more ships was frustratingly difficult and eventually nearly impossible. At that point the financing of the pirate gangs disappeared and most of the pirate gangs went back to smuggling people and goods to Yemen or what many of the pirates originally did; fishing.

Life was not difficult just for the pirates, but also for their financial advisors and suppliers of cash, supplies and information. Eventually the pirates found there were few people they could trust or rely on and the once lucrative pirate industry in northern Somali collapsed. Currently the pirates are not holding any ships or sailors they can get a ransom for.

Some merchant ships still observe the 2009 rules to avoid pirate attack. They put on extra lookouts, especially at night, and often transit the 1,500-kilometer-long Gulf of Aden at high speed, even though this costs them thousands of dollars in additional fuel. The pirates seek the slower moving, apparently unwary, ships, and go after them before they can speed up enough to get away. The international anti-piracy patrol offers convoy protection, but many ships don't want to halt and wait for a convoy to form. Ships that decide to proceed on their own take additional precautions. The convoy system is no longer used. As of 2020 more merchant ships are reducing these security precautions, so shipping companies were warned that the pirates are definitely observing all this and waiting for an opportunity for another multi-million-dollar payday.

Meanwhile the Nigerian pirates are applying many of the techniques that worked for the Somali pirates. The Nigerian pirates are locals who know their way along the many small waterways found in the Niger River Delta. Like the Somali pirates, the Nigerians freebooters depend on a network of middlemen, some of them local politicians, who help broker the ransom deals. Bribes and political influence will often prevent the police and navy from finding pirate hideouts deep in the delta. For a while Nigerian pilots tried to loot cargoes by arranging for another ship to meet with a captured one to transfer a lot of the cargo before daylight and curious police came to check on the ship whose crew was no longer responding to calls from port authorities or the shipping company that owned or leased the ship. The police became more alert to the cargo transfer scam and did radio checks more frequently with large ships anchored off the major ports waiting for an opportunity to unload or take on cargo. The pirates have, so far, adapted more quickly than the shipping companies or local security forces.
Every morning for three days during Februarys winter blast, Jennifer Young and Tammie Michael stopped at the Bucees in Texas City and bought all of the prepared breakfast tacos, water bottles and hot coffee.

Their vehicles were loaded up with the food, warm drinks, blankets and 90 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses. Once it was safe enough to drive without risk of sliding on icy roads, the two University of Texas Medical Branch nurses and four other health care workers set out to deliver second doses to 90 homebound patients in Galveston County, many of whom were still without electricity or safe water.

The regions record cold temperatures had one positive effect: Keeping the stored vaccines cold during delivery, Young said. The Pfizer vaccine must be stored between -112 degrees and -76 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But once thawed and diluted, the vaccines temperature can hover between 33 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit for six hours. According to the digital data logger inside Youngs vaccine kit, the coolers temperature stayed in that required sweet spot for the cross-county relay.

Patients were surprised when they saw the nurses at their front door. Many had been concerned they would not receive their second doses on time. They thought they would just have to go without it, she said.

They were grateful to see people and surprised and happy to have a hot breakfast and water, Young said. It was nice to give that to people who needed it.  We gave vaccines by flashlights. It was a really unique opportunity of Texans helping Texans.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Could the Pfizer vaccine limit transmission? Texas experts are optimistic.

Young and Michael work with 260 patients in their geriatric program through UTMB, but 150 of those patients are completely homebound, which means it would require a taxing effort to leave their home to visit a doctor. They could be bedbound, in need of a wheelchair, need continuous oxygen or suffer from severe dementia, Michael said.

The nurses geriatric clinic provides internal medicine, or primary care to people who cannot leave their homes. The nurses provide other vaccines, like the flu shot, lung care and immunizations. They call themselves a clinic on wheels.

Olivia Webb has spent much of the past year in bed. The 84-year-old Galveston resident has a history of diabetes and scoliosis that, even for her age, make her particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Shes mostly gone without seeing four of the five children she raised as a single mom.

A glimmer of hope came in late February, when Webb received a vaccine via home nurses.

It was a blessing because if not, wed have to wait or stand in line somewhere, and she wouldnt be able to do that, her daughter, Shelia Smith, said. Shes protected now, so it opens the doors for opportunities.

Smith talked about her mother with a sense of pride. Webb worked for 30 years as a custodial worker at Rice University; she rented her own apartment and kept her own house.

Shes the matriarch now. She loves singing, loves reading her Bible, Smith said. She cant get up and dance, but shell wiggle her shoulders.

Most homebound adults are in their 80s and have multiple medical conditions, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, which estimates between 2 million and 4.4 million older adults fall into this category.

On HoustonChronicle.com: He's battling colon cancer and qualifies for phase 1B of the vaccine. So why can't he get it?

A lack of adequate staffing and transportation can make it more difficult to vaccinate homebound individuals, according to KFF.

Once UTMB began receiving vaccines in December, Young and Michael requested doses for homebound patients. On Jan. 24, the nurses were notified that they had 90 doses that had to be administered in three days, which set off a frenzy of 150 phone calls to caregivers and patients.

Once appointments were scheduled between Jan. 25-27, the trickiest part was ensuring the vaccines were kept in viable condition and did not expire before they could be used, Young said. Once the vaccine was removed from the refrigerator at the clinic, the nurses had six hours to administer the shot.

In addition to staying cold, the vaccines must be kept in a light-sensitive container. For the first doses administered in January, the vaccine box was kept in front of an air-conditioning vent. But on the week of the winter storm, the ride was cold enough without any extra help, Young said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: COVID cases are sharply dropping, but 'now is not the time to relax,' Texas A&M epidemiologist says

Young created a geographical map of all 90 patients by address. By grouping patients who live close together, the nurses were able to give out assignments to other teams and minimize time between residences in Santa Fe, Texas City, Jamaica Beach, League City and Galveston.

No shots were wasted or expired using this method, Young added.

We love what we do, and Ive been real excited when vaccines were allocated to us, Michael said. Our patients are our family, and its a good feeling to advocate for them. We want to protect them and help them have visitors again and interact with their families.

With 90 patients fully vaccinated, the two nurses plan to reach out to their remaining 60 clients before offering vaccine delivery to eligible homebound individuals outside of the UTMB system who live in Galveston County.

If you qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine under the Texas Department of State Health Services Phase 1B criteria and cant leave your Galveston County home, email geri.housecalls@utmb.edu for more information.

Staff writer Robert Downen contributed to this story.

julie.garcia@chron.com

twitter.com/reporterjulie
'Dragged in the street': Christian persecution in Tunisia still rampant decade after revolution

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A decade after the Tunisian Revolution, a new human rights report details the siege on religious freedom for Christians and other faith minorities in the Muslim-majority country, sharing cases in which followers of Jesus were harassed, dragged into the street, threatened and arrested.

The Attalaki Association for Liberty and Equality Committee on Religious Freedom published the annual report on the freedom of religion and belief in Tunisia for 2020. The organization was founded in 2016 to call for dialogue between religions and make the voices of religious minorities heard.

Its committee on religious freedom, established in 2019, monitors religious freedom abuses and documents the situation for religious minorities living in the north African country.

The new report shared that though its been over 10 years since the Tunisian Revolution, which ended the regime of then-President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and led to the Arab Spring protests across the Middle East as well as began the process of Tunisian democracy, managing pluralism in Tunisia remains a challenge.

The report shared that Tunisias 2014 Constitution is the first Arab countrys constitution to explicitly enshrine freedom of conscience." Yet, it makes Islam the religion of the state and stipulates the president must be Muslim. Religious minorities are also kept out of positions in the government and military.

Even though the Constitution of the Second Republic states that the state is the guardian of religion and guarantees freedom of belief and conscience, free exercise of religion in Tunisia for religious minorities is threatened by multiple factors.

Many Christians in Tunisia live out their faith in isolation for fear of backlash from family members or society and often struggle to find employment, the report finds.

The report said despite the fact both religious and non-religious communities are citizens, many minorities feel as if they are second-class citizens excluded from some citizenship rights due to the lack of security.

The researchers warn that the state often ignores religious freedom issues, and policy to protect the Christians, Jews, Baha'is and other faith minorities is virtually nonexistent. Additionally, the report states that hate speech against religious minorities is also prevalent.

Instances of persecution present themselves in a variety of ways. Over the last year, there were multiple accounts of persecution against religious minorities.

According to the report, a Christian family living in the southern suburbs of the capital was victim to harassment and hate slogans from the community last March. One of the female family members was dragged into the street by her hair and punched in the face repeatedly as neighbors called her obscene names.

After filing a complaint after the attack, the committee stated that police paid little attention to the issue until a medical charge was submitted to inspect the violence committed against her. The police then began to interrogate her about her religion, how she could obtain religious books and publications, what church she attends and who she communicates with.

The Attalaki Association appointed a lawyer for the victim, who plans to submit a complaint to the public prosecutor due to the police stations initial negligence.

The association also reported on the case of a Christian girl who was arrested and interrogated by police at the metro station in the capital for wearing a cross necklace on June 25. She was released to her mother less than two hours after her arrest.

In August, a Christian pastor in southern Tunisia was said to have been threatened on Facebook to leave the country or be killed. He said he lives in a state of constant fear and has been harassed multiple times for being an apostate and social threat in the eyes of the extremists.

In October, a woman in her 50s was beaten by her brother for having religious beliefs outside of Islam. She filed a police complaint but was not listened to by authorities, the report claimed.

Since the COVID-19 quarantine protocol Tunisia began on March 22, Attalaki Association observed complete disregard by state institutions for the status of religious minorities.

Once restrictions were lifted, the Association of Freedom and Equality and the German think tank Konrad Adenauer Foundation held a discussion on the governments inequality toward non-Islamic religions in handling the pandemic.

Minority faith groups face a national identity crisis and the absence of a legal framework to protect their ability to exercise religion freely, the report continued. This leads to the promotion of hate speech and extremism.

The threats faced by non-Muslim Tunisians and Muslims from sectarian minorities in Tunisia are a product of the legal disregard for the status of these semi-marginalized minorities, the report read.

At the end of the report, Attalacki Association offered recommendations to official state institutions concerning religious liberty.

Open Doors USA, an international nonprofit that spreads awareness of the persecution in over 60 countries, reports the average Christian in Tunisia experiences a very high level of persecution, especially for Christians from a Muslim background.

There are roughly 23,000 Christians in the population of 11.9 million, with over 99% of the population practicing Islam. Most of the Muslims are adherents to Sunni Islam, according to World Watch Research, the research arm of Open Doors.

Ranked No. 26 on the Open Doors 20201 World Watch List for Christian persecution, Tunisia is a hostile place for Christians due to intense Islamic oppression. Tunisias rank rose from No. 34 since last year due to an increase in violence against Christians and destruction of Christian homes, businesses and properties, as well as pressure on Church life, according to WWR.

Canadian Broadcasting Company journalist, Priscilla Hwang, said persecution in Tunisia is often seen below the surface.

Tunisian Christians face discrimination and targeting that is often obscure and hidden to the public eye, Hwang said. It affects their day-to-day lives. Because of their Christian identities, many experience job insecurity, abandonment from family, friends and even fiances; they are victims of verbal, mental and physical abuse.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Institutional reform and improving the business environment reflect the Government's enduring determination over the years, benefiting people and businesses.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh at a conference to review the work of the industry and trade sector in 2020.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of Business Department, Electricity Vietnam group (EVN) still remembers the bad feeling of a few years ago.

At that time, the electricity access index of Vietnam ranked 156 out of 170, the lowest in the world. I was shocked and didn't understand why. We tried to do well but were underestimated by the world, recalled Dung.

After doing research, he discovered that EVN had long been ignoring global standards. "We no longer compared ourselves with ourselves anymore but compared ourselves to the world to know who we are, where we are." That approach was supported by EVN's leaders and implemented for the whole system. As a result, the electricity access index reached 27/190 countries ranked by the World Bank.

The remarkable rise of EVN and some other areas was thanks to the Government's steadfast determination through Resolution 19, now Resolution 02, which put pressure on ministries, sectors and local governments.

It was a long process of awareness improvement. In 2009, American professor Michael Porter was invited to help Vietnam build international standards for business environment assessment.

However, a Government leader at that time did not agree when saying that Vietnam must build its own set of criteria. The director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, Nguyen Dinh Cung, who was assigned to draft the criteria, was completely stuck.

"Three or four years passed and we could not do anything about it," he recalled. Only when Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam received that task and asked to use international standards (because Vietnam did not have methodology and data) was the content of Resolution 19 drafted and approved.

Thanks to that resolution, Mr. Cung and his colleagues were supported by many people, especially Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and Minister, Chairman of the National Assembly Office Mai Tien Dung.

Letter to Minister

With the support of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, they organized meetings on the implementation of Resolution 19 in ministries, agencies and localities on reducing the number of business conditions.

Industry and trade used to be the stronghold of many business conditions and the ask-give mechanism. In 2016, when Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc took office and expressed his high determination to reform institutions, an opportunity came.

Head of the Legal Department of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Dau Anh Tuan recalled: In early 2016, when VCCI reported to the Government that the Ministry of Industry and Trade had the most business conditions, the ministry reacted harshly. But after that, things were different very quickly.

The business environment became more open due to the determination to reform institutions, along with a stable macro-economy. This created a fertile ground for businesses to develop with nearly 130,000 newly established firm each year, a record."

In June 2016, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Cung wrote a letter to the Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh about business barriers that need to be removed such as formaldehyde testing, energy labeling, rice export... However, he did not send the letter immediately but waited to see.

In the first working session of his term with the Ministry of Industry and Trade on July 12, 2016, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc pointed directly that this ministry was "one of the few" ministries and agencies that were being complained about.

880 business investment conditions cut for industry and trade sector

Just over a month later, Minister Tran Tuan Anh organized a series of unprecedented internal meetings. He demanded to cut a lot of business conditions despite many objections.

Later, the abolition of Circular 37 on testing the content of formaldehyde on textile products saved thousands of billion VND, tens of thousands of working days for 6,000 textile enterprises, hundreds of leather and footwear businesses, and thousands of businesses importing related goods.

Over the past five years, Mr. Tran Tuan Anh requested to cut 880 business investment conditions. An official in the ministry said, the minister's actions are not always supported by subordinates because cutting business conditions is reducing their power and their profits.

When summarizing the work of the industry and trade sector in 2020, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to focus on institutional improvement, reform of state management methods in the direction of changing management thinking from pre-check to post-check, and creating an open environment for development investment associated with improving efficiency in state management...

According to the Government Office, more than 50% of the total of about 6,000 business conditions have been reduced and simplified. The business environment became more open due to the determination to reform institutions, along with a stable macro-economy. This has created a fertile ground for businesses to develop with nearly 130,000 newly established firm each year. The Prime Minister clearly understood that when he issued resolution 68/2020 of the Government with the ambitious goal of cutting business regulations by a further 20%.

The battle against sublicensing, despite many achievements, must continue. All to ensure people's freedom of business.

Tu Hoang

Institutional reforms needed to support enterprises' development Phan Duc Hieu, deputy director-general of the Central Institute for Economic Management under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, talks about young Vietnamese enterprises need for Government support.
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
Having paid nearly 7,000 for her annual season ticket but suffered from disruption on an almost daily basis, commuter Karen Ward felt entitled to claim compensation.

But the City of London insurance broker was shocked when a manager from rail operator Greater Anglias fraud investigation team contacted her.

Mrs Ward said that before lockdown, the service was so bad almost half of her journeys were disrupted over a six-month period.

Mrs Ward (pictured) said she fears the rail company is trying to recoup some of its losses from easy targets as the pandemic has hit its income

Mrs Ward said that before lockdown, the service was so bad almost half of her journeys were disrupted over a six-month period

In total, she submitted 118 claims for her commute between Ipswich and London Liverpool Street between October 2019 and the end of March 2020.

At the time, the rail operator accepted her claims were genuine and paid out 1,100.

Passengers are entitled to compensation for delayed or cancelled trains under the Delay Repay scheme  with most companies paying out for delays of more than 15 minutes.

However, it is understood the volume of claims raised eyebrows at the train company, along with inconsistencies in her travel pattern.

Mrs Ward, 46, said: The whole point of Delay Repay is to be able to claim for delays and cancellations. I do not try to get money when its not owed to me.

To make 118 claims on that particular line is not out of the ordinary. It shows what a poor service Greater Anglia is providing.

In a letter, Greater Anglia asked if it is possible you have made an error in any of your claims and invited Mrs Ward to resolve this matter without any need for it to be investigated further.

In total, she submitted 118 claims for her commute between Ipswich and London Liverpool Street (pictured) between October 2019 and the end of March 2020

The company said it would assess her case and may ask her to repay any claims which have proved to have been fraudulent  or warned it could pass your file to the British Transport Police.

The letter did not specify which claims Greater Anglia was suspicious about and would only say: Your claim pattern is not in line with what we see as standard.

Mrs Ward had made the commute for 11 years prior to lockdown. She said: I was shocked and affronted. Im not a fraudster. The letter was frightening but I dont like giving in... when I havent done anything wrong.

She added that she fears the rail company is trying to recoup some of its losses from easy targets as the pandemic has hit its income.

A Greater Anglia spokesman said the case was under investigation, adding: We are sorry for any distress we have caused Mrs Ward.
GODFREY  Early Bird Registration for high school seniors is now under way at Lewis and Clark Community College in a virtual format.

For our district seniors, graduation is just around the corner, and Lewis and Clark wants to help make the transition to college as smooth as possible, said Assistant Director of Admissions, Records and Recruitment Ryan Hodge.

Seniors taking advantage of this opportunity will be able to choose their courses and create their ideal class schedules for Summer 2021 and/or Fall 2021, in some cases before or just as open registration for fall begins March 15.

Attendees will complete their online orientation with academic and financial aid advisors, and receive training on Blackboard, the colleges online learning management system.

Students must register individually, but will attend Early Bird Registration by high school:

Jerseyville High School  March 9, 11

Roxana High School  March 16, 18

Alton High School  March 23, 25

North Greene/Carrollton High School  March 30, April 1

Civic Memorial High School  April 6, 8

Brussels, Bunker Hill, Calhoun, Carlinville, Greenfield, Gillespie, Marquette, Metro East Lutheran, Staunton High Schools  April 13, 15

East Alton-Wood River High School  April 20, 22

Southwestern High School  April 27, 29

All Schools (Make Up Days)  May 4, 6.

If a student is interested but cannot attend one of their schools dates, they can call or text the Enrollment Center at (618) 468-2222 or email enroll@lc.edu to make other arrangements.

Upon registration, a Zoom meeting link will be emailed to the email address provided.

New students also have the opportunity to register for on-campus tours taking place every Friday. Tours are open to registered participants only, as the college continues to observe COVID-19 precautions. Masks are required while on campus, and participants must fill out a self-certification form, located at www.lc.edu, before coming to campus.

To register for an Early Bird Registration event and/or to schedule an on-campus tour, visit www.lc.edu/earlybird.

Call/text (618) 468-2222 or email rhodge@lc.edu for more information.
[March 04, 2021] INVESTOR ALERT: Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation of Washington Prime Group, Inc. (WPG) on Behalf of Investors

Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf of Washington Prime Group, Inc. ("WPG" or the "Company") (NYSE: WPG) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of federal securities laws. On February 16, 2021, WPG disclosed that its operating partnership, Washington Prime Group, L.P. ("WPG L.P."), had "elected to withhold an interest payment of $23.2 million due on February 15, 2021 with respect to WPG L.P.'s outstanding Senior Notes due 2024," and that "WPG L.P. has a 30-day grace period to make the interest payment before such non-payment constitutes an 'event of default.'" The Company further advised that, in an event of default, certain counterparties to the senior notes "could accelerate the outstanding indebtedness due . . . making such indebedness due and payable, which would result in a cross-default with respect to some of WPG L.P.'s or the Company's other indebtedness."



On this news, the Company's stock price fell $4.59, or 38%, to close at $7.49 per share on February 16, 2021, thereby injuring investors. Then, on March 4, 2021, Bloomberg (News - Alert) reported that WPG "is preparing a potential bankruptcy filing as time runs out to avert default after it skipped an interest payment on its debt, according to people with knowledge of the plans."

On this news, the Company's stock price fell $3.77, or 60%, to close at $2.51 per share on March 4, 2021, thereby injuring investors further. If you purchased WPG securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com, or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210304006171/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
The Biden administration secretly put temporary limits on the use of drone strikes and commando raids outside of traditional battlefield settings like Afghanistan or Syria, part of a larger national security review of whether to alter use of force rules from the Trump administration.

The changes, which the administration put in place on Mr Bidens first day in office, were first reported on Wednesday by the New York Times, and come as the Biden administration recalibrates the sprawling US footprint across the Middle East, and Congress pushes to rein in the presidents war-fighting powers and scrutinises a recent strike in Syria.

Under the temporary freeze, the military and CIA need direct White House permission to attack terrorism suspects outside of regular US battlefields, and will apply in places like Yemen and Somalia. Under the Trump administration, officials within these branches were left to decide for themselves when to carry out such strikes.

Greater data transparency on killings and civilian deaths, as well new standards on avoiding civilian casualties, are among the changes being considered as part of the broader review.

This review includes an examination of previous approaches in the context of evolving counterterrorism threats in order to refine our approach going forward,Emily Horne, spokeswoman for national security council, told the Times. In addition, the review will seek to ensure appropriate transparency measures.

The US has been using drones and special forces raids under four different administrations in the the two decades following the 9/11 attacks, going so far as to kill US citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical cleric, in Yemen in 2011.

The Obama administration, where Mr Biden was vice-president, greatly expanded the use of drone strikes, before later imposing various checks on the practice, such as a 2013 requirement targets are a continuing and imminent threat to Americans, and a 2016 policy about disclosing fatality and civilian casualty numbers to the public, both policies which the Trump administration scrapped.

The Biden administrations war policy actions have been met with scepticism so far from rights groups and the presidents liberal allies.

President Biden promised to end forever wars, but tinkering with the bureaucracy of this extrajudicial killing program will only entrench American abuses, Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Unions national security project, said in a statement. In the name of counterterrorism, US presidents have for two decades authorised unlawful, secretive, and unaccountable killing abroad.

The president has made a number of major changes so far, particularly to US policy towards the war in Yemen between a US-backed coalition of Gulf states and the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

Mr Biden paused arms sales to Saudi Arabia, named a special envoy for the six-year conflict, and lifted a Trump administration designation of the Houthis as terrorists, in an effort to bring an end to the war, which has created one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises in its wake.

But the president hasnt escaped scrutiny, especially following US strikes in late February against Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria, a response to previous militia attacks against US forces in Iraq that have killed and injured service members and contractors.

The strikes, made without consultation with Congress, provoked the ire of some lawmakers, as did a decision to decline to penalise Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the 2018 murder of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Last weeks airstrikes in Syria show that the Executive Branch, regardless of party, will continue to stretch its war powers, Virginia senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat, said in a statement this week.

He is part of a bipartisan group seeking to repeal the legal authorisations underpinning the US War on Terror, which has stretched on for 20 years, long since its original adversaries have morphed and dispersed. The proposed bill would re-emphasise Congress constitutionally prescribed role in declaring war.
Marble Arvidson, who disappeared 10 years ago, as he might appear if he is still alive today.
POLICY

OMB orders agencies to stop enforcing Trump's diversity training purge

NOTE: This story first appeared on FCW.com.

The Office of Management and Budget is instructing agency heads to remove traces of former President Donald Trump's ban of certain types of diversity and inclusion training among federal employees, contractors and grant recipients.

President Joe Biden rescinded the executive order, which targeted certain materials containing "divisive concepts" like critical race theory, the day he took office.

An OMB memo sent out to agency heads on Tuesday directs them to "ensure a complete reversal" by attempting to eliminate contract and grant agreement language added to execute Trump's order. The memo also overturns two previous OMB memos that implemented Trump's order and gave agencies a March 22 deadline for compliance.

Agencies should stop including any language implementing the Trump order in new contracts and to roll back any wholesale changes, known as "class deviations" in government contracting, issued to implement Trump's the executive order. Agencies are directed to "take all reasonable steps" to tell contractors that the old language is not being enforced.

Under the Trump executive order, contractors threatened with suspension and debarment for non-compliance. The new memo makes it clear those threats are off the table. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), a Labor Department office that had responsibilities with enforcing the order, is also stopping any enforcement, the memo says.

Federal grant recipients are also no longer required to certify their compliance with the order, the memo says. It instructs agencies not to enforce any terms in grants requiring compliance with the executive order.

As for federal employees themselves, the OMB memo says that the Office of Personnel Management will roll back its guidance to human resources specialists in the government about the order and stop reviewing diversity training. The personnel agency had essentially halted diversity training across federal agencies last fall in order to review training materials for the banned concepts.

The Biden administration is also pulling back other Trump-era rules and regulations for contractors. The OFCCP is looking to reverse a rule that was finalized on Dec. 9 and gives religious organizations that contract with the federal government exemptions from anti-discrimination policies.

Although officials made that intention clear to judges hearing lawsuits challenging the rule change, the office hasn't yet submitted a proposed notice of rescission to the OMB or the Federal Register, a Labor press representative confirmed.

Reversing the rule via notice-and-comment rulemaking could take months.
EQS Group-News: Nordea Bank Abp / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Nordea Bank Abp: Flagging notification



05.03.2021 / 09:25





Nordea Bank Abp: Flagging notification in accordance with Chapter 9, Section 10 of the Securities Markets Act



Nordea Bank Abp

Stock exchange release - Major shareholder announcements

5 March 2021 at 9.30 EET



Nordea Bank Abp has on 4 March 2021 received a notification under Chapter 9, Section 5 of the Securities Markets Act, according to which BlackRock, Inc.'s indirect shareholding of Nordea Bank Abp's shares and voting rights has fallen below the threshold of 5 per cent on 3 March 2021. According to the notification, the total number of Nordea Bank Abp's shares and voting rights held directly by BlackRock, Inc. and its funds was 4.92 per cent on 3 March 2021.



The total number of shares and voting rights in Nordea Bank Abp is 4,049,951,919.



Total positions of BlackRock, Inc. and its funds:

% of shares and voting rights

(total of A) % of shares and voting rights through financial instruments

(total of B) Total of both in % (A + B) Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached 4.92% 0.14% 5.06% Position of previous notification (if applicable) 5.01% 0.14% 5.15%



Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached:



A: Shares and voting rights

Class/type of

shares

ISIN code (if possible) Number of shares and voting rights % of shares and voting rights Direct

(SMA 9:5) Indirect

(SMA 9:6 and 9:7) Direct

(SMA 9:5) Indirect

(SMA 9:6 and 9:7) FI4000297767 199,422,068 4.92% SUBTOTAL A 199,422,068 4.92%



B: Financial instruments according to SMA 9:6a

Type of financial instrument Expiration

date Exercise/

Conversion period Physical or cash settlement Number of shares and voting rights % of shares and voting rights American

Depository

Receipt (US65558R1095) N/A N/A Physical 1,292,132 0.03% Securities Lent N/A N/A Physical 3,232,935 0.07% CFD N/A N/A Cash 1,222,017 0.03% SUBTOTAL B 5,747,084 0.14%



The controlled undertakings through which the shares, voting rights and financial instruments are effectively held:

Name % of shares and voting rights % of shares and voting rights through financial instruments Total of both BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd. Below 5% BlackRock Investment Management, LLC Below 5% BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited Below 5% BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited Below 5% BlackRock International Limited Below 5% BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association Below 5% BlackRock Fund Advisors Below 5% BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Below 5% BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited Below 5% BlackRock Asset Management Deutschland AG Below 5% BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited Below 5% BlackRock Advisors, LLC Below 5% BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited Below 5% BlackRock (Singapore) Limited Below 5% BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. Below 5% Aperio Holdings, LLC Below 5%



For further information:

Matti Ahokas, Head of Investor Relations, +358 9 53008011

Group Communication, +358104168023 or press@nordea.com



The information provided in this stock exchange release was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 9.30 EET on 5 March 2021.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
Teachers who participated in a meditation-based teacher development program utilizing the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique for four months, had significant improvements in emotional exhaustion (the leading factor in burnout), resilience, perceived stress, fatigue, and depression according to a new randomized controlled trial published today in Frontiers in Education.

"Teachers are under high levels of stress as they are asked every day to support their students' learning amidst numerous challenges," said Laurent Valosek, lead author of the study and executive director of the Center for Wellness and Achievement in Education. "This study demonstrates the benefits of meditation for strengthening teachers' mental and physical health. There is a growing body of research on the harmful effects of burnout and the need for resilience. School districts are looking to give their teachers tools for reducing fatigue and emotional exhaustion to support a more effective, sustainable teaching experience and better student outcomes."

BURNOUT AFFECTS TEACHERS WORLDWIDE

It is estimated that 70% of professionals are under constant stress, with over 20% experiencing burnout. Teachers, in particular, face significant daily demands, stress, and fatigue due to their classroom challenges and other professional activities. Burnout includes emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of personal accomplishment. Signs of teacher burnout include absenteeism from work, impatience with students and colleagues, lack of commitment, poor job performance, and turnover.

TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION REDUCES BURNOUT AND IMPROVES RESILIENCE IN TEACHERS

A new randomized control study published in Frontiers in Education involved 78 teachers in the San Francisco Unified School District. The study found that during a four-month period, those practicing the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique experienced significant improvements in measures of mental, physical, and emotional health.

These findings are consistent with past research on TM showing benefits related to stress reduction and emotional health. This was the first study to investigate the effects of a meditation-based teacher development program on burnout and resilience, two key factors associated with overall mental health.

The primary outcome in the study was emotional exhaustion (the main factor in burnout), as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). In addition to observing improvements in burnout, the researchers also found improvements in resilience, perceived stress, fatigue, and depression.

CONNECTION BETWEEN TEACHER BURNOUT AND STUDENT STRESS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Recent research has begun to show a direct link between teacher stress and the levels of stress in their students. Middle school students in British Columbia showed significant increases in blood cortisol levels linked to their teacher's level of burnout.

Teacher burnout is also associated with reduced student academic performance due to decreased commitment to students, less preparation, and absenteeism. Teacher absenteeism brings results in students learning from less qualified substitute teachers, and eventually results in higher teacher turnover. This research suggests a potential benefit from meditation-based teacher development programs designed to promote emotional wellness and health in teachers and build healthy emotional climates, which are associated with positive student learning.

###

Valosek L, Wendt S, Link J, Abrams A, Hipps J, Grant J, Nidich R, Loiselle M and Nidich S (2021) Meditation Effective in Reducing Teacher Burnout and Improving Resilience: A Randomized Controlled Study. Front. Educ. 6:627923. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2021.627923

Available from: https:/ / www. frontiersin. org/ articles/ 10. 3389/ feduc. 2021. 627923/ full

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR WELLNESS AND ACHIEVEMENT IN EDUCATION

The Center for Wellness and Achievement in Education (CWAE) is a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit organization. CWAE's mission is to optimize educational performance, reduce violence, stress, and substance abuse, and improve the psychological wellness of students, faculty, and administrators by strengthening the underlying neurophysiology of perception, learning and behavior. CWAE has served more than 15,000 youth, teachers and administrators in the San Francisco Bay Area. Among the youth served, 98% are of color and 62% live in low-income homes.
BEIJING, Mar. 5 -- China will boost military training and war preparedness across the board and make overall plans to deal with security risks in all areas, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in his government work report on Friday morning. Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) on March 5 in Beijing. In the report he summarized that in the past year, new major achievements have been made in the construction of national defense and armed forces. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has demonstrated excellent qualifications and exemplary conducts in safeguarding national security and the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.

In the new year, China must thoroughly implement Xi Jinpings thinking on strengthening the military, focus on the military's centenary goal, boost the military training and war preparedness across the board, make overall plans to deal with security risks in all areas and in all directions, and enhance the militarys strategic capacity to protect the countrys sovereignty, security and development interests, Li stated.

Premier Li Keqiang also pointed out that China will optimize the layout of national-defense related science and technology industry and improve the national defense mobilization system.

Premier Li Keqiang also mentioned veterans and their families in the government work report. He said that the employment system and security system for veterans shall be improved to better help veterans get jobs. And the preferential treatments for veterans, servicemen and their families shall also be strengthened.
When prosecutors sought to reintroduce the third-degree murder charge in February, Judge Cahill rejected their arguments, saying that he disagreed with the appeals court ruling, and that it was not binding because the Minnesota Supreme Court could still overturn it. If Mr. Chauvin is convicted of third-degree murder and the Minnesota Supreme Court overturns the Noor decision, Mr. Chauvins conviction on that count could also be overturned, and prosecutors would not be able to retry him.

An appeals court judge wrote in an 18-page decision on Friday that Judge Cahill had erred by saying he was not required to follow the precedent of the Noor case. The appeals panel of three judges ordered the lower court to reconsider the states motion to add back the third-degree murder charge and said Judge Cahill could decide to hear additional arguments from Mr. Chauvins lawyer against the motion.

Keith Ellison, the Minnesota attorney general, said in a statement that he agreed with the courts decision and that prosecutors look forward to presenting all charges to the jury.

Opening statements in Mr. Chauvins trial were expected to begin on March 29, after a weekslong jury selection process. City officials have erected security barriers around government buildings, and business owners have begun boarding up storefronts. The National Guard has also been deployed to secure the city and contain any protests the trial may provoke.

The death of Mr. Floyd, who gasped for air while Mr. Chauvin pressed him to the concrete with his knee outside of a convenience store, was captured on video from a bystanders cellphone and prompted widespread protests in Minneapolis and cities and towns across the country. The episode began when a clerk at the convenience store in South Minneapolis called 911 and said Mr. Floyd had tried to use a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes.

Three other officers seen in the video of Mr. Floyds arrest, two of whom were rookies, were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter and are scheduled to go on trial in August. They were fired with Mr. Chauvin one day after Mr. Floyds death.

Just days after Mr. Floyd died, Mr. Chauvin agreed to plead guilty to third-degree murder and go to prison for more than 10 years, but the plea deal was upended when it was rejected by William P. Barr, who was then the United States attorney general.

The federal government had been in talks to sign on to the plea deal because Mr. Chauvin did not want to face federal charges in the future. But Mr. Barr ultimately rejected the deal, in part because Mr. Ellison was preparing to take over the case from the county prosecutor, and Mr. Barr wanted to let him decide whether to negotiate a plea or take the case to trial.

Shaila Dewan and Matt Furber contributed reporting.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 03:10:16|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

RABAT, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's COVID-19 tally rose to 485,147 on Thursday as 394 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours.

The death toll mounted to 8,669 as 16 more patients died in the last 24 hours, the Moroccan Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Morocco increased to 470,933 after 508 new ones were added, while 374 people were in intensive care units, the statement said.

The COVID-19 fatality rate in Morocco stands at 1.8 percent while the recovery rate is 97.1 percent.

Meanwhile, 3,820,097 people have received so far the first vaccine shot in the country, and 413,032 people have received the second dose.

The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccines. Enditem
Ivo MOLINAS

Translation by Janet MITRANI

It has always been discussed who really was responsible for the Struma ship disaster that had occurred in the Turkish territorial waters, in February of 1942. For exactly 760 Romanian Jews (There had been 769 passengers on the ship departing from Constanta. Eight of these people could with various justifications get out of the ship with the broken engine and set foot on Istanbul, and one could survive this disaster) had been sent to their deaths before the eyes of all the party countries, including Turkey.

Yes, the time was the most intense period of World War II.

Germany would invade all Eastern Europe starting from France, come right up to our border of Edirne, and would have taken almost all the Jews living on these lands to death camps. President Ismet Inonu with a grand political tactic, would succeed in establishing a balance among the sides of the war, thus trying to evade the young Turkey from a war that could have led it to great havoc.

Meanwhile, especially the Romanian Jews of the Eastern European Jews trying to run away from the Nazis, would board the ships departing from Constanta in change for loads of money, in an effort to go to Palestine. The important thing here would be that the British, who were in control of Palestine, putting a quota on the Jewish population coming to the region trying to minimize the reaction of the Arabs. Therefore, it was vital that the Jews on the ships departing from ports of Romania and Bulgaria and transit the Bosphorus, should have Palestine visas.

England would start pressuring Turkey not to let the ships carrying the Jews with no visas pass, however Turkey would try to withhold this pressure, in justification that it would damage the 'freedom of movement principle up until the Salvador disaster. Nonetheless, in December 1940, the worn-out Salvador ship departing from the Varna Port of Bulgaria and carrying Jews without visas to Palestine would sink in the Sea of Marmara off Silivri, crashing into the rocks because of the storm, 230 of 352 passengers would perish, and 122 would manage to go ashore Silivri.

England would hold Turkey responsible for the Salvador disaster saying that they let the ships carrying passengers without visa pass through the Bosphorus, since it occurred in the Turkish territorial waters, thus in order to prevent such catastrophes from happening again, the government of Turkey would change their immigration policy and prohibit the fugitive ships from passing through the Bosphorus.

Exactly one year later, the Struma ship would depart again with Romanian Jews without visas, upon the lie that they would be granted visas in Istanbul, but its engines failing as they got close to the Bosphorus, would cost the Jews on the ship their lives.

As England, with a strict statement, would declare the people on the ship shall not be granted visas, they would concurrently pressure Turkey not to let the passengers set foot on Istanbul shore and want the ship to go back to Constanta. However, when Romania under the Nazi rule didnt accept this at all, Turkey, dreading the Germans and the British, to keep its balance policy, would surrender Struma to its fate. According to the US Embassys report, because the Turkish Security Guards that boarded the ship on February 23, 1942, cut the ropes of the ship, the Struma without an engine would drift off to the Black Sea and would be sunk by the torpedo of a Soviet submarine that happened to be passing from the region. 760 Romanian Jew, hoping to go to Palestine from Constanta, would surrender to the cold waters of the Black Sea.

The disaster would be greatly contested in the world, drawing the attention of the Jewish organizations operating in the region during the foundation process of the State of Israel, and England would be shown as the chief culprit of the disaster. Two members of one of these organizations, Lehi, would assassinate and kill Lord Moyne, the Head of the British Mandate.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister of the period Refik Saydam would make an unfortunate declaration in an attempt to elude the responsibility, saying We did everything we could in this regard. We do not have either material or moral liability. Turkey cannot be seen as a land for unwanted people. Turkey cannot act as a homeland for the people unwanted by others. This is the path we are taking. Therefore, we couldnt accept them in Istanbul.

The disaster would change the balance in the region again, England would declare that the Romanian and Bulgarian Jews wanting to go to Palestine would be granted the necessary visas, so that until the end of the war, thousands of Jews would be able to reach Palestine through the straits.

From 1939 until the February of 1942, when the Struma disaster took place, exactly 7,126 East European Jew, with or without a visa, would reach Palestine transiting through Turkey, around 1000 Jew would die in the Salvador and Struma disasters, 156 people who were able to go ashore in Istanbul, would stay in Turkey, to leave for Palestine with time. Between the years of 1939 and 1945, when the war ended, 20,000 to 25,000 Jews in total would have reached Palestine through the Turkish straits1.



To answer close to the truth, to the question who was/were responsible of the Struma disaster, it would be better to deliberate along with the circumstances of the period, and interpret it avoiding anachronism, in other words, taking care not to decipher it according to the conditions and mental codes of our day. Yes, Germany, Romania, Turkey stuck in between, and England, all played parts in the Struma disaster. To decide which is directly responsible depends on how we interpret the history.

Friedrich Nietzsche, in his perspectivism theory, argues that reality is not singular and definite and that human beings interpret it, for the reality might change due to at what angle or perspective the individual stands, and only some interpretations might be more valid. According to him, a healthy mind is flexible and there are many interpretations of a subject. He says, Truth is not one but many. Life can only be viewed and interpreted from multiple perspectives.

If we act from Nietzches this practice of thinking, it is possible to claim everyone may have a different answer to our question.

History has such a fragile stand that it cannot be interpreted with vindictive feelings.

However, avoiding responsibility as a country should also be an act to damage this fragility just as much.

Considering there are 760 dead people...

1 The Impact of Turkey in the Invasion of the Balkans During the Second World War: The Issue of Jewish Refugees, Erdem Canak, Turkish Studies, vol. 10/9 - 2015
The Telegraph

Newly diagnosed cancer patients are being forced to speak to their specialist over the phone or via video call rather than in person, experts have warned. New findings show the proportion of those told they have prostate cancer who do not then get an initial face-to-face consultation has risen eight-fold since the start of the pandemic. In a survey by the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR), patients said they felt inhibited from asking all their questions by the remote format, and were worri
LiquidPiston, Inc., a developer of advanced rotary internal combustion engines, has adapted its X-Engine technology for the United States Air Force to use in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as well as orbsurban air mobility (UAM) vehicles designed to carry people and cargo.

The X-Engine, a next-generation rotary diesel engine, is being evaluated as an enabling technology to power the UAS or orb through a hybrid-electric propulsion system. In September 2020, LiquidPiston received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the US Army for the development of its X-Engine as a hybrid-electric propulsion platform for Army UAVs. (Earlier post.)





The Air Force has awarded LiquidPiston a Phase I ($150,000) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract through its AFWERX operation to enable this development of the X-Engine. The contract is in support of AFWERXs Agility Prime, a non-traditional program seeking to leverage commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and other transformative vertical flight vehicles for government missions in a way that accelerates the emerging commercial market.

Orbs fall into this category and are classified by their eVTOL capabilities but are not to be confused with flying cars or drones.

A major issue facing all-electric vehiclesboth aerial and ground vehiclesis that modern battery technology does not offer sufficient energy density, meaning the range of electric-only vehicles will be limited. For military orb vehicles and commercial urban air mobility to be operationally viable in a range of use cases, a stronger, lightweight power and energy source is needed to extend flight times significantly.

The X-Engine from LiquidPiston takes a hybrid approach to this problem. Because fuel is up to 50 times more energy-dense than todays batteries, the X-Engine, coupled with a generator, can be configured to charge the battery and keep it charged during flight, significantly extending the range of an electric propulsion system.

Alternatively, the X-Engine can be configured in parallel with an electric drive, using the engine directly to produce thrust or lift. With the X-Engines hybrid approach, the Air Force can leverage the energy density of fuel, while still getting the benefits of an electric drive propulsion system to power an orb or UAS.

LiquidPistons X-Engine is a lightweight rotary engine capable of running on JP-8, jet fuel, diesel and other heavy fuels. The modular design of the engine coupled with the lightweight high-speed alternators enables technology to easily scale in size and increase the range of eVTOL UAS and UAM vehicles. The X-Engine is 30% more fuel-efficient than a diesel engine and up to 5-10x smaller and lighter. Compared to a small turbine, the X-engine is up to 2-4x more fuel-efficient while fitting a comparable envelope and weight.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 41 Master's in Film Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 188 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 188 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 41 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Film Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-film-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Film Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Academy of Art University

American Film Institute

American University

Arizona State University

Binghamton University

Boston University

California College of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts

California State University, North Ridge

Chapman University

Chatham University

City University of New York, Brooklyn College

Columbia College Chicago

Columbia University

DePaul University

Emerson College

Florida State University

Full Sail University

Lipscomb University

Loyola Marymount University

Montana State University

National University

New York Film Academy

Regent University

San Francisco State University

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of Visual Arts

Stanford University

State University of New York, Buffalo

State University of New York, Stony Brook

Syracuse University

Temple University

Tiffin University

University of California, Los Angeles

University of Iowa

University Of North Carolina, Wilmington

University of Southern California

University of Texas, Austin

University of Utah

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Western Colorado University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.

Speaking this week on behalf of an Oklahoma death row inmate who claims he did not commit the murder for which hes served 20 years in prison, pastor T. D. Jakes said, If Jesus acquitted the guilty, then surely he would advocate for the innocent.

Jakes is among a group of Christian leaders, including Sojourners Jim Wallis, who are advocating for clemency for Julius Jones.

A December study found that both race and views of the Bible may impact how Christians approach mistakes made by the justice system.

White Americans who believe the Bible should be read literally are most likely to see acquitting guilty people as a greater injustice than convicting the innocent, according to sociologists Samuel Perry and Andrew Whitehead, the authors of the study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

Meanwhile, black Americans, regardless of their view of the Bible, agree that convicting innocent people is the worse of the two mistakes.

A majority of both white evangelicals (59%) and black Protestants (63%) in the General Social Surveythe basis for the recent analysiswere biblical literalists, but the white Americans who held that position were twice as likely as black Americans to prefer wrongful conviction over letting a criminal go free.

Of those surveyed, 21 percent said letting the guilty go free is worse, 64 percent said condemning the innocent, 13 percent couldnt choose and almost 2 percent did not answer. The justice question, along with the one on biblical literalism, have been asked in four different years of the General Social Survey between 1985-2016. There is no difference over time.

It was fascinating to us to see how punitive attitudes were so strongly and differently linked to identifying as a biblical literalist, said Whitehead. Saying the Bible is the Word of God means something completely different to white Americans than it does to black Americans concerning judicial injustice.

The findings represent another example of how race influences the ways people apply and practice their faith.

We cant just assume that religion works the same way for Americans of different racial and ethnic groups, said Whitehead, explaining that both are closely connected to social boundaries and punitive measures. Given the history of race and the criminal justice system in the US, it makes sense.

White and black Americans have different experiences with the justice system. Black Americans represent the majority of the wrongfully convicted, according to the National Registry of Exonerations, which catalogs the cases of innocent defendants.

Other studies have found that those affirming biblical literalism, as well as those in fundamentalist denominations, Republicans, and frequent religious service attenders, would rather convict an innocent person than let a guilty party go unpunished.

New legal efforts attempt to rectify the cruel punishment of a wrongful conviction in a number of states. Last month, Idaho legislators unanimously passed a bill to compensate exonerees for every year spent in prison. The ministry Prison Fellowship advocates for such compensation packages to help the wrongfully convicted rebuild their lives after their release. The group also lays out actions states should take to prevent wrongful convictions, including improving police investigation practices and access to quality DNA testing.

Christian social reformers played a role in the modern prison system from its earliest days. In Colonial America, crimes were dealt with in more of an ad hoc mannerpublic whipping, hanging, or even the stocks. The Christian intention behind reform was to take a more humanitarian approach: the penitentiary, which was seen as a place where people could become penitent of their sin and learn how to better themselves.

Article continues below

There are often noble ideas from Christians for dealing with crime  but those proposalswhether the penitentiary system, policing, capital punishmentthey routinely cause pain, are difficult and hurt marginalized and disadvantaged communities the most, said Aaron Griffith, a historian who said these ideas often put hope in the reforming power of the state in dealing with sin.

His book, Gods Law and Order, describes white evangelicals predisposition to punitive thinking and view of crime as a social threat requiring a proactive police response, such as patrolling neighborhoods.

Evangelicals often justify their views with biblical passages like Romans 13 on submitting to government authorities or Leviticus 24:1721 on requiring an eye for an eye as support for a punitive approach to crime.

Referencing Esau McCaulleys recent bookReading While Black, which addresses policing, Griffith said his reading of Romans 13 is now shaped by the chapter before it. Paul says that we are to bless those that persecute us, and we are not to repay evil for evil and live at peace with everyone, he said.

Dominique DuBois Gilliard, the director of racial righteousness and reconciliation for the Evangelical Covenant Church, wrote for CT how the Bible testifies to the evil in human systems, referencing Pharaoh (Exodus 1), Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3), and Herod (Matthew 2).

White evangelicals frequently endorse a blind allegiance to law and order, citing Romans 13:17, Gilliard wrote. But legal power does not mean ethical power. As subscribers to an Augustinian logic profess, an unjust law is no law at all.

The Leviticus passages in proper context arent punitive, added Griffith; theyre about trying to set an appropriate response. It transforms the way we view crimes, like drug crimes, he said. What is truly proportional for drug crimes? Is it locking people up because they had weed in their car?

Five years have passed since the General Social Survey last asked the question about criminal justice. Have views have shifted? Recent data described views of white Catholics and mainline Protestants as growing in awareness of racial injustice within the criminal system.

White evangelicals have not tracked the same way, Griffith said. Overall, it seems to me even as the rest of the country is changing on this, evangelicals are still lagging behind.
Aizawl, March 5 : At least 23 Myanmar police personnel and some civilians have crossed over into India and are seeking refuge in Mizoram, officials and villagers along the borders said on Friday.

Mizoram's lone Lok Sabha member C. Lalrosanga said that 15 Myanmar police personnel came to Champhai district while eight policemen took shelter in Serchhip district.

The police personnel and some civilians from the military coup-hit Myanmar entered into the two Mizoram districts since Wednesday.

"The Mizoram government has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) with regard to the people entering Mizoram from Myanmar in view of the military coup. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has already asked the people living along the borders to follow the SOP issued by the state government," Lalrosanga told IANS over phone.

Serchhip district Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek and his Champhai district counterpart Maria C.T. Zuali told the media separately that the district authorities have been providing food and shelter to the people who came from across the border.

Both DCs said that the entire matter is under investigation, and has been communicated to the higher authority and they are awaiting further instructions.

Mizoram Home Department officials were not available on phone to confirm the development.

Villagers of the border areas of Champhai and Serchhip districts told the media that at least 50 people comprising unarmed police personnel and civilians from Myanmar have crossed over to the mountainous state since March 3.

According to the villagers, all the intruders belong to the Chin ethnic group, to which the Mizo community of Mizoram belongs.

An influential Mizoram student body -- Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) -- expressing solidarity with Mynamar's Mizo communities had organised sit-in demonstrations last month in Aizawl, protesting the recent military coup in Myanmar and the human rights violations in the neighbouring country.

The MZP also expressed solidarity with Mynamar's Mizo communities, which too have faced the brunt of the coup.

Senior MZP leader Ricky Lalbiakmawia told IANS that they would seek the intervention of the United Nations and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the military coup in Myanmar and urge them to provide help to the Mizo community in the neighbouring country.

Four northeastern states -- Mizoram (510 km), Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km) and Nagaland (215 km) -- share 1,643 km unfenced borders with Myanmar.



STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As part of the citys effort to reform the NYPD, Mayor Bill de Blasio released the New York City Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative draft plan Friday.

The plan outlines 36 reforms under five key goals the city and NYPD hope to achieve. The draft plan is the result of community input during recent forums that took place citywide.

When I took office, I vowed to reform a broken stop and frisk policy  both to protect the dignity and rights of young men of color, and to give our brave police officers the partnership they need to continue their success in driving down crime, de Blasio said.

There were so many who said it couldnt be done. But we proved them wrong. Now, we must go further to confront the harmful legacy of racialized policing. These reforms will restore trust and accountability to create a police force that reflects the communities they serve  all while keeping New York City the safest big city in America, he continued.

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said the country has a history of enforcing unjust laws and racist policies of society, but by acknowledging it and putting forth a plan, change can happen.

We have to acknowledge this truth  and I do, Shea said. And we must acknowledge the NYPDs historical role in the mistreatment of communities of color. I am sorry.

The immediate challenge, Shea said, is to ensure the NYPD no longer participates in or tolerates further injustices and inequities.

We have engaged in years of steady reform and we must continue, he said.

The draft plan will go through a public comment period and will undergo further revision based on feedback from the comment period, as well as a process with the City Council.

The five main goals of the proposal are:

Transparency and accountability to the people of New York City;

Community representation and partnership;

Recognition and continual examination of historical and modern-day racialized policing in New York City;

Decriminalization of poverty ;

Creating a diverse, resilient, and supportive NYPD.

The Department has outlined more than a dozen steps it plans to take to achieve those goals.

For example, the NYPD says it will hold its officers accountable through internal disciplinary decisions that are transparent, consistent and fair.

In January, the NYPD released a disciplinary matrix that outlines new penalty guidelines that officers found guilty of a wide range of violations will face. It includes a long list of potential infractions, including use of deadly force and application of a chokehold, and delineated penalties for each offense.

It also plans to strengthen the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) and give the group access to sealed officer records for investigations.

Community relations will be strengthened through numerous NYPD and community events, trainings and partnerships, like the Precinct Commanders Advisory Councils  which gives community members the ability to select precinct commanders  and expanding the Law Enforcement Explorers Program.

The NYPD will augment racial bias training for NYPD leadership, eliminate the use of unnecessary force, develop health-centered response to mental health crises, work to recruit more officers who are reflective of the communities they serve, and other steps to meet the departments new goals.

Since the de Blasio administration took office, there has been a 95% reduction in stop and frisk incidents, a 64% reduction in arrests, a 98% reduction in marijuana arrests, and a 52% reduction in the number of people in jail, the report says.

Read the full draft plan here.

FOLLOW KRISTIN F. DALTON ON TWITTER.

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Belgium has decided to repatriate children and some women from the al-Hol camp for Islamic State (IS) families in northeast Syria.

The European countrys national security council decided Wednesday to repatriate Belgians from the camp. The repatriation for children will be for those 12 years old or younger. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said mothers will be repatriated on a case-by-case basis determined by national security, Belgiums public broadcaster RTBF reported Thursday.

In 2019, a Belgian court ruled the government must take back 10 children from Syria who were born to Belgian IS fighters. There was a similar order in 2018, but the state has yet to repatriate any of them. The governments decision is due to the 2019 order. In addition to the children in al-Hol, there are 13 mothers there. Nine of them have been convicted of crimes and four have arrest warrants out for them, Reuters reported Thursday.

There are also Belgians in the smaller Roj camp in northeast Syria, according to Reuters.

Belgians were among the Europeans who went to join IS in Iraq and Syria in 2014. Several thousand foreigners from Europe, Asia and elsewhere remain detained in parts of autonomous northeast Syria controlled by the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Al-Hol is one such detention center.

Northeast Syrian authorities have repeatedly called on foreign governments to take back their citizens from the autonomous part of northeast Syria. There have been several repatriations in recent months. Germany and Finland took back women and children in December, as did Uzbekistan. France and Moldova did the same earlier in 2020.

Conditions are worsening in al-Hol and there were far more deaths there than usual this past January.

De Croo emphasized security in announcing the repatriation. He warned that the children in the camp could become the terrorists of tomorrow and said the women will be evaluated for their allegiance to IS.

If they distanced themselves from IS, they could be repatriated, De Croo said.

Irina Shayk has mastered the art of looking chic in the city.

On Thursday the 35-year-old Victoria's Secret stunner was back in New York where she made even the simplest of tasks  hailing a cab  look good.

By her side was daughter Lea De Seine who she shares with former partner Bradley Cooper, as Irina looked keen for some family time after partaking in Milan fashion week.

City life: Irina Shayk, 35, looks stylish in all leather as she hails a city cab with her daughter Lea De Seine in NYC

As if fashion week wasn't tiring enough, Shayk also snagged two Vogue covers (Thailand and Russia) and a spread with Elle magazine all in the past week.

Now done traveling for a bit Irina leaned into the trends of the bustling city as she sported stylish leather trousers and a leather GASANOVA trench coat.

She kept warm in a cozy black and yellow striped sweater that she paired with a yellow purse and black utility boots.

Always a doting mom she grasped Lea's hand as they tried to snag a ride, her daughter looking like a mini fashionista.

On the go: The Russian stunner has had a busy week between two Vogue covers, a spread for Elle and Milan Fashion Week

An eye-catching pink peacoat and a colorful dress over tights, Lea brightened up a dreary day.

Recently Shayk spoke to Elle about the notion of co-parenting with Cooper, setting the record straight on their family life while remaining a bit guarded on the relationship.

'I never understood the term co-parenting. When I'm with my daughter, I'm 100 percent a mother, and when she's with her dad, he's 100 percent her dad. Co-parenting is parenting,' she shared.

Not willing to share too much about the pair's four-year relationship she quipped in conversation: 'My past relationship, it's something that belongs to me, and it's private. It's just a piece of my inner self that I don't want to give away.'

Co-parenting: In conversation with Elle the Russian-born model said 'co-parenting is parenting' as she spoke about both she and Cooper being very hands on when it came to their daughter; pictured March 1

Rain or shine: Shayk said she and Bradley each give 100 percent when they're with their child

The amicable exes have been spotted in recent weeks out together with Lea  both very hands on with their shared offspring as she called him 'the most amazing dad.'

Though no-longer a couple, Irina has maintained that she has never needed to depend on a man, stemming from the loss of her father when she was just 14.

'I learned how to survive, without a man,' she told the fashion publication.

Despite her independence, since splitting from Cooper she has been linked to art deal Vito Schnabel, most recently seen with him last week.

She shared that she's more of an at-home Netflix girl than a 'fashion person' but says in general she 'appreciates life' and chooses to concentrate on her family and friends.

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Professor Paws is back! The intrepid team teaches local families about the joy of companion animals and responsible dog care 05 March 2021

Some say you should never work with animals or children, but our fantastic Professor Paws team does both ... at the same time!

A team of eight canine Professors visited a parent-child group in the city of Guangzhou, which is located northwest of Hong Kong SAR, to share the joy of animal companionship and to teach responsible dog care.

The children and their families watched our award-winning film Cat and Dog Welfare around Us, played games and of course, got to meet the stars of the show! At the end of the session, three of the children presented what they had learned and enjoyed from the day.

Professor Paws was launched by Animals Asia in Hong Kong in 2004 to help children overcome their fear of dogs and learn about responsible pet care and ultimately, compassion for all sentient beings.

The Professor Paws team consists of staff, volunteers and 200 registered therapy dogs, and together they run one-hour lessons over four weeks, with the children graduating as Pet Cadets.

Many children in China have never encountered dogs as companion animals before, having grown up with the belief that they are dangerous street animals, so are often scared of the dogs during their first lesson.

As Karina OCarroll, Animal Welfare Education Manager who runs Professor Paws and its partner programme Dr Dog explains:

Many children in Asia grow up being told that all dogs are dangerous. To combat this misconception, we bring Professor Paws assistance dogs to local schools.

By the end of the programme, the children are feeding, brushing and walking the dogs, and are often very sad to say goodbye to their new furry friends.

Karina continues, through Doctor Dog, we have been able to play a part in building confidence, reducing fear and enabling behavior change in children and their parents  and its all through positive interaction with our registered therapy dogs.

Through programmes like Professor Paws and Dr Dog, the other companion animal programme we run, attitudes towards dogs and cats in China are changing. The next generation is learning that animals have needs, wants and emotions, just like us, and that a world where we live in harmony with our fellow sentient beings is a better and kinder one.

Read more:

Professor Paws | Dr Dog
Its a parents job to worry! Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin werent originally sure about their daughter Amelia Gray Hamlins relationship with Scott Disick, a source revealed exclusively to Us Weekly on Thursday, March 4.

Read article

Her parents were skeptical at first, the insider said. But seeing their daughter happy makes them feel better about their relationship.

Sara De Boer/startraksphoto.com

Amelia, 19, and the Keeping up with the Kardashians star, 37, have been a couple since February when they went Instagram official over Valentines Day weekend. The pair were first spotted together in October 2020 at a Halloween party.

The models mother, Lisa Rinna, 57, has previously stood up for her teenage daughters choices. Last month, the former soap star fired back after a troll called her Amelias lingerie photos disgusting.

Read article

On February 9, the model posted three pictures of herself wearing white, lacy lingerie while striking poses on a couch.

After the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star commented three white heart emojis on her daughters post, one of Amelias followers wrote, @lisarinna wtf is wrong with u? U like what u see???? Discusting [sic].

The Bravo star was quick to respond, writing, What is wrong with you? This is my child.

Rinna and actor Harry, 69, married in March 1997. The couple also share 22-year-old daughter Delilah Belle Hamlin.

Courtesy of Amelia Gray Hamlin/Instagram

Though Amelias family hasnt been too vocal about her relationship to the Talentless designer, those close to Disick have offered their support.

Read article

The Kardashian-Jenner family is super supportive of Scott and Amelias relationship, a second source told Us exclusively in January while the pair vacationed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They really like the two of them together and think Amelia is a great influence on Scott. Scott and Amelia are in a really good place. They have a lot of love and respect for each other and it shows.

Disick previously dated Kourtney Kardashian on and off from 2006 to 2015. The couple share three children: Mason, 11, Penelope, 8, and Reign, 6. The Flip it Like Disick personality was also previously in a long-term relationship with Sofia Richie from 2017 to 2020.

Both of Disicks prior relationships were detailed on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which he has appeared on since the shows 2007 debut. As for whether the reality star plans to make an appearance on his new girlfriends familys show? Well have to wait and see.

Its not likely that Scott will appear on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but never say never, the insider said.
Residents of Datano and its environs in the Manso District of the Ashanti Region have appealed to the President to as a matter of urgency stop mining on the Offin River.



The activities of the miners have polluted the River, their source of water, resulting in continuous water shortages in the areas, they said.



Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Atta Yaw, a farmer, stated that farming had become unattractive in those areas due to lack of water for irrigation.



Manso-Keneago, Manso-Asaman, Manso-Datano, were some of towns he mentioned as the affected.



He explained that the miners drained the river bed to get access to the gold bearing rocks and sand, creating water shortage in the process.



Also, the highly toxic chemicals (Mercury and others) used in the mining process rendered the water poisonous and unfit for human and animal consumption. Fishes in the river are dying as a result whiles the water cannot be used for farming.



He said as a result, many residents had quit farming as the youth are abandoning farming for illegal mining and criminal activities, defeating President Nana Addo-Danquah Akufo-Addo's efforts to promote jobs among the youth through the "Planting for food and jobs policy," he added.



Food items on the other hand, had become expensive because greater part of food consumed locally had to be transported from Kumasi, among other areas.



He said most of the miners were good swimmers who could easily outwit authorities.



A miner, name withheld in an interview with the GNA said, not a single month passes without the death of a miner on the river.



Madam Akua Kuor, a trader, said there is was increasing truancy among their children due to the fact that they had to trek long distances to get water to bath for school.



The Ofin and the Pra Rivers form the boundary between Ashanti and Central regions and gold is mined from not only the river's sediment but also from its bed, causing pollution, requiring huge sums of money to treat by the Ghana Water Company,for use.



The Ofin River is an easterly-flowing waterway in Ghana. It flows through the Tano Ofin Reserve in Ghana's Atwima Mponua District.



The Ofin river bed is 90 metres above mean sea level. It has cut steep side channels, average depth of between 12 to 15 metres, into the rolling terrain over which it flows.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Ahead of the vote of confidence in Pakistan Assembly, PM Imran Khan vowed to not spare the Opposition leaders even if he sits in Opposition or is pushed out of the Assembly, while addressing citizens virtually on Thursday. Alleging that the Senate elections were rigged with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) bribing senators to vote against him, Khan stated that he will not be pressurised to grant Opposition leaders' amnesty under the 'NRO' (National Reconciliation Ordinance). Setting Saturday as the day for the vote, Khan stated that he will get back all the money siphoned off by the Opposition.

Income Tax Dept issues statement on Bollywood linked raids,questions Rs 300 Cr discrepancy

Imran Khan: 'Won't spare any of you'

Pakistan's National Assembly session summoned for Saturday for PM Imran Khan to seek vote of confidence from the parliament, reports Dawn newspaper  ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2021

Even if I leave the assembly, I will not spare you and will come after you PM Imran Khan with a strong message to the Opposition! #PMIKSpeechToNation  PTI (@PTIofficial) March 4, 2021

Imran Khan calls for vote of confidence in Pakistan Assembly after major upset in Senate

Imran Khan calls for vote of confidence

After failing to gain a majority in the Pakistan Senate, the country's Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that PM Imran Khan will seek a vote of confidence from the parliament. Addressing a press conference, he said that with the vote one will come to know where the government stands. This decision comes after PTI candidate Abdul Hafeez Sheikh lost the Senate's general seat from Islamabad to PPP candidate Yousaf Raza Gillani. The current strength of the National Assembly is 341 (one seat vacant) - with the government having 178 seats and the Opposition has 160 seats.

Pakistan Opposition senses end of Imran Khan govt as ex-PM Gilani defeats PTI in Islamabad

Pakistan Senate polls

Scoring a big win, the 11-party People's Democratic Movement (PDM)'s Yousuf Raza Gilani defeated PTI's Hafeez Shaikh on the Islamabad general seat. As per Geo TV, Gilani obtained 169 votes, whereas Shaikh got 164. One vote was not cast. With 37 seats up for grabs, PDM has gained control of the upper house with 53 of the 100 member senate. Imran Khan's PTI has 25 seats, PPP has 21 seats, PML-N has 17 seats, BAP has 13 seats and others have 24 seats, as per the current senate split.

As per reports, PTI has accused Opposition of being involved in illegal activity by using money to gain votes, while the Opposition blamed the ruling PTI for raising the open ballot issue because it is not sure of its lawmakers loyalties. Recent video of Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's son Ali Haider Gilani allegedly telling the PTI MPAs how to discard votes, has caused a massive scandal, with the govt vowing to probe it. As PTI's Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh enjoyed the support of 180 MNAs as opposed to Gilani who had 161 MNAs' support, his loss has shaken the weak Imran Khan government.

The 11-party PDM termed the results a win with PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto tweeting, "Democracy is the best revenge. Jeya Bhutto!". PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif called the win "a glorious victory" and his daughter and party vice-president Maryam Nawaz also tweeted her congratulations to Gilani. Khan has alleged that secret ballots were the reason behind his government's loss, vowing to get a bill for mandating open ballots. The PDM has a three-phased anti-government movement under an action plan with countrywide public meetings, protest demonstrations and rallies before a decisive long march towards Islamabad in March 2021 to oust the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government.

AIUDF chief hits back at Akhil Gogoi's 'communal' tag; calls him 'BJP's B-Team' in Assam
Geneva, March 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :The United Nations Security Council should impose a "global arms embargo" and targeted sanctions against Myanmar's military, a top UN rights expert said Thursday, voicing alarm at the brutal repression of anti-coup protests.

In a fresh report, Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights situation in Myanmar, called for the international community to "act urgently and decisively" to support those demanding a return to democracy in the country.

"The stakes could not be higher," he said.

The UN Security Council, he said, should urgently "impose a global arms embargo" and "impose targeted economic sanctions against the Myanmar military and its sources of revenue." It should also refer the situation in the country to the International Criminal Court "to investigate and possibly prosecute atrocity crimes that have occurred, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity," the report said.

The UN and the international community must meanwhile deny the military junta recognitions as the country's legitimate government, the expert said.

"I urge the members of the (Security) Council to consider the unrelenting brutality that we are witnessing in Myanmar," he said in a statement.

Myanmar has been in uproar since the military seized power on February 1, ending a decade-long experiment with democracy and triggering a mass uprising that the junta has increasingly sought to quash with lethal force.

Wednesday marked the bloodiest day so far, with the UN saying at least 38 people died, as online images streamed out of Myanmar showing security forces firing into crowds and blood-covered bodies with bullet wounds in their heads.

The UN Security Council is due to discuss the crisis on Friday, as international pressure mounts.

Western powers have repeatedly hit the generals with sanctions, and 41 states have imposed arms embargos on Myanmar.

- 'Terrified' - Andrews' report covered the period up to March 1, so did not include the escalating violence in recent days.

But he had already said on February 17 that he was "terrified" at developments in the country, warning "we could be on the precipice of the military committing even greater crimes against the people of Myanmar." The US national said in his report that he had requested access to Myanmar as soon as he was named to his post last year, back when Aung San Suu Kyi was still in charge of the civilian government.

But his request had been denied with reference to the pandemic.

Andrews meanwhile said it was clear that "the people of Myanmar are experiencing the illegal overthrow of their government and the brutal repression of a military authoritarian regime." He hailed that they had "risen up in opposition as a diverse yet powerfully unified whole." "The non-violent civil disobedience movement is proving to be remarkably effective, drawing its organic power from the unflinching and democratic desires of the people," he said.

"Indeed, Myanmar appears to have never been more unified."He called on the international community to "rise to the occasion of this moment in history by following the lead and the inspiration of the people of Myanmar," voicing hope that "justice, dignity, and human rights will prevail."

Thousands of Australians are on alert after coronavirus fragments were found in multiple sewage catchments.

The virus was detected in the Luggage Point wastewater treatment plant, which services the Brisbane Metro North area and some inner-city suburbs.

Fragments of coronavirus were also found in the Marlin Coast wastewater treatment plant in Carins and the Kawana wastewater treatment plant on the Sunshine Coast.

The health alert, which was issued by Queensland Health on Friday afternoon, impacts residents across 130 suburbs.

Queensland Health said locals who have symptoms must come forward for testing, no matter how mild.

Thousands of Australians are on alert after coronavirus fragments were found in multiple sewage catchments. Pictured: Health worker tests a member of the public at a Covid-19 drive through clinic

'Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, and loss of taste or smell,' Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said.

'It is very important people with symptoms come forward right away and get tested  we can't be complacent, we're still in this pandemic.'

Dr Young said it was 'critical' to detect any cases before they spread through the community.

'We are concerned by the new variants that are emerging overseas that are more contagious than previous variants we have seen in Queensland,' she said .

'It's also possible that this detection relates to previous Covid-19 cases that can shed viral fragments for a couple of months after they are no longer infectious.'

The health alert comes after Queensland Health authorities traced eight hotel quarantine guests who may have contracted Covid-19.

Six people are self-isolating in Queensland and one is in Victoria amid a Covid-19 cluster linked to a flight that landed in Brisbane.

The seven people all stayed on level eight of Brisbane's Mercure Hotel between February 17 and 21, with two people in adjacent rooms testing positive for the virus.

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young speaks during a press conference about the coronavirus vaccine

An eighth person who stayed on the floor at that time is still in hotel quarantine.

The two hotel quests who have the virus were on a Qatar Airways flight that arrived in Brisbane on February 17.

Another Queenslander who was on the flight and a New Zealander, who is now in that country, also have the virus.

Dr Young said it's likely transmission occurred on the plane rather than inside the hotel.

'It probably is just coincidence that we had the two people next to each other in those rooms, so I'm just taking a very cautious approach,' she told reporters on Friday.

'We don't want anything to derail our rollout of the vaccine.

'That's what we all need to concentrate on, that's what we need to do, that's what's happening.'

Another 74 people who were on the flight are extending their quarantine by five days until Monday.




EDWARDSVILLE  A Collinsville woman on Thursday was charged with aggravated DUI, one of several felony charges filed in multiple cases by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Susan J. Smith, 57, was charged March 4 with aggravated driving while under the influence, a Class 2 felony.

The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department.

According to court documents, on April 7 Smith allegedly was found to be driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of a drug or a combination of drugs, and had previous convictions for related crimes out of Madison County.

Bail was set at $20,000.

Other felony charges filed March 4 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Kevin R. Rosenthal, 50, of St. Louis, was charged with offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony; and possession of stolen property, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. According to court documents, on March 3 Rosenthal allegedly was found to be in possession of a stolen 2016 Dodge Journey out of Missouri; and also had possession of property stolen from Home Depot and Rural King. Bail was set at $60,000.

 Dean J. Rogers, 52, of Staunton, was charged with retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On Dec. 23 Rogers allegedly took a hoverboard and other miscellaneous merchandise valued at less than $300 from the Wood River Walmart located at 610 Wesley Drive. It was noted that Rogers had a prior conviction for misuse of credit card in 2008 out of Madison County. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Antonio L. Robertson, 27, of Alton, was charged with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On Dec. 23 Robertson allegedly took a television and other miscellaneous items valued at more than $300 from the Wood River Walmart, 610 Wesley Drive. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Sherod A. Williams, 29, of Granite City, was charged with criminal damage to property over $500, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On March 3 Williams allegedly caused more than $500 damage to another persons 2003 Lincoln Town Car. Bail was set at $20,000.
Refinery29

June is a major astrological month filled with thrills, chills, drama, big love  and every feeling in between. Lovely Venus enters Cancer on June 2, softening up our hearts and tightening up our wallets. The solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 is a time of reflection, change, and implanting new desires into our lives. Action planet Mars enters Leo on June 11, motivating us to fight for what we love. Soon after, on June 14, austere Saturn and rebellious Uranus square off for the second of three times in 2021. (The first time was February 17 and the third connection will be December 24.) This is a very fraught and intense energy that will create shakeups, breakups, and breakdowns. We are knocking down old structures or beliefs and building new ones then. Be kind to others and yourselves around this time, as this energy can be argumentative. Lucky planet Jupiter commences its retrograde journey in Pisces and Aquarius from June 20 to October 18, urging us to reflect on our spiritual and philosophical development. The summer solstice begins on June 20, the same day Gemini season ends and Cancer season starts, kicking off our beachy plans and festivities. Also, making us more emotional and tender. Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 in Gemini (yay!). But dont take a sigh of relief quite yet. The retroshade period officially ends the retrograde on July 7. Then, all Mercurial mishaps such as technological meltdowns, miscommunications, and our pesky exes will be truly gone  until next time. The Capricorn full moon occurs on June 24, urging us work hard for attention and affection. Elusive Neptune begins its retrograde journey in Pisces from June 25 to December 1. This will allow us to align with our subconscious dreams. Romantic planet Venus enters Leo on June 27, adding passion to love and flamboyance to how we spend our money.AriesLately youve been feeling as though your friends and bosses have been acting kinda shady, which is impacting your romantic relationships. The solar eclipse on June 10 is making you wish that you didnt stir the pot with your squad by rehashing past drama. Marss movement into Leo on June 11 will push you to fight for the relationships that you want to keep in your life and the people that you love, but with a cost. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will end friendships, much to your sadness. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 can be a reset button at work; however, it's more likely a time for you to step away from a current professional partnership.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoTaurusJune is an intense month for you, Taurus. An argument stemming from a financial loss during the solar eclipse on June 10 will escalate on June 14 (when Saturn and Uranus square off). The following few days will require you to relax, which makes the summer solstice on June 20 a sweet time to simmer down. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 is a moment for you to find reprieve and think about the recent events from a higher minded perspective. Jupiter's and Neptunes planetary backstrokes on June 20 and 25, respectively, will help in healing and mending all the messy drama that began on June 14  but only if you tone down your frustrations and choose not to say unforgivable things that you will certainly regret.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoGeminiNormally, your attention is on point and youre able to take on all of the tasks that you have to do, Gemini. But Mercury retrograde is making you too exhausted to keep up with your workload. The low energy youre feeling, compounded with the solar eclipse on June 10, is going to make you want to curl up in bed and watch The Hills reruns nonstop. Lean in to that urge and take time to chill this month. Dont fight the cosmos and take on more than you can chew. Yes, youve had an amazing run recently, but that can change during Jupiter's and Neptunes retrogrades on June 20 and 25. To avoid issues that may be coming your way, dont try to push your luck before Mercury retrograde ends on June 22.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCancerFor the past few months, youve been in duck-and-cover mode when the monthly credit card statements arrive in your inbox. But the tides are changing for the better. Venuss ingress into Cancer on June 2 and Leo on June 27 will procure extra cash for your bank account. The infamous Saturn and Uranus square that occurs on June 14 will give you a windfall of money from an unexpected payback on a former creative venture too. The only setback is that Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which ends June 22) could delay the repayment of these funds. Be patient! The cash will come during June 24s Capricorn full moon, if dont stress it so hard.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLeoCommitment takes a lot of work and time  all of which youre happy to give to those you care about. You have become a creature or comfort, knowing that you can always rely on certain people. All of that is about to get shaken up. You will feel as though the foundation youve built with friends, a crush, or your SO is shifting on June 14 (an effect of the Saturn and Uranus square) and you dont like that. Remember: Relationships and situations cant stay the same forever. Everything is subject to evolution. Change is the one constant in life, and its something you need to get used to (especially when Venus enters Leo on June 27, setting off the fraught vibe from June 14).Illustration by Stefhany LozanoVirgoYouve recently spent a lot of time burning the midnight oil at work. Now, the time has come for you to ask for a raise. (Considering how much extra time you put in, you should!) Venuss movement into Cancer on June 2 is an auspicious time to get the ball rolling in accelerating your income. The caveat is that the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will scare you into not asserting your voice when it comes to asking for a raise, which means that youll opt to hold back. When Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 and Neptune begins its planetary moonwalk on June 25, youll begin to speak up and make sure you get paid what youre worth  and then some!Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLibraLets start with the positives of June: Work will be plentiful and fulfilling as the month starts off, especially when graceful Venus enters the career sector of your chart on June 2. The solar eclipse on June 10 in Gemini will make you stop and think about the next professional direction you want to take. You dont have to make decisions, as Mercury is retrograde. Therefore, plans can change. The downfall is that youll feel creatively blocked when Saturn and Uranus square off on June 14, as well as on June 24s Capricorn Full Moon. When Neptune turns retrograde on June 25 and Venus enters Leo on June 27, itll be wise to consider taking time off from work to rejuvenate your artistic talents.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoScorpioYour intuition is always lit. However, this month you will be second guessing your gut feelings during Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which started on May 29) and the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Reality will come crashing down hard on June 14 during the Saturn and Uranus square, making you wish that youd listened to the voice within the week before. The good news is that Jupiter and Neptunes backsplash will boost your confidence in listening to your inner sentiments. June 24s full moon will make you see that you should never doubt yourself again. This will allow you to head into July on a high note and feeling yourself. Words to the wise: Never doubt yourself again. You know the score, try to use it to your advantage.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoSagittariusYour wanderlust sentiments are making you thirst for adventure and excitement. While you may not feel like traveling far, youll be able to find thrills in your local neighborhood during June 14s Saturn and Uranus square. If youre wanting to head out of town, the full moon on June 24 is a great time for an economical mini road trip. The caveat is that you may get swept away in the moment and temporarily forget about your friends and family. Its okay to get lost in your own world, Sag. Just dont live too much with your head in the clouds. Come down for air every now and again  especially on June 20 and 25 when Jupiter and Neptune, respectively, begin their planetary retrogrades.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCapricornDont be afraid to walk away from a proposition that doesn't seem worth the trouble. A business arrangement may lose its appeal on June 2, when Venus enters Cancer. If youre not wanting to continue the partnership, then the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will set you free. TBH, you are seeing that the gig isnt offering up the cash that they promised, which is frustrating to you considering all the time and work youve put into it. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will remind you that its better to cut your losses ASAP before matters get worse. Youll be proud of yourself during June 24s full moon for letting go of the situation and moving onto the next project with ease and no additional drama.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoAquariusIts been a minute since youve spoken to old flames. But Mercurys backspin is bringing all of your exes out of the woodwork. Unlike past retrogrades, youre wanting to connect with them when Mars enters Leo on June 11. Although youre intrigued by what they have to say, the conversation may not go as planned on the 14th, when Saturn and Uranus square off, and youll be reminded as to why you broke up with them in the first place. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. Be sure that you're open and willing to hear their feedback before responding. If you take the conversations at face value, you can create a new foundation with them on June 27, during the Venusian shift into Leo.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoPiscesAll work and no play isnt good for your imagination, Pisces. In fact, it can make you feel as though youre stuck behind a desk and not integrating your soulful sentiments into the world. Junes celestial energies urge you to take a step back from your career and have fun. Venuss entrance into Cancer on June 2 and the summer solstice on June 20 offer you a chance to laugh off the stresses brought on by the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Just dont overdo the celebrating, as the Saturn and Uranus square on June 14, as well as Jupiter and Neptunes planetary moonwalk on your Sun which begin on June 20 and 25, respectively, can exhaust your spirited vibe while depleting your energies.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Is Jupiter In Pisces The Best Transit Of 2021?Black & Brown Women Are Reviving Tarot & AstrologyObsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok  & COVID
ARCHIVED - Spanish government maintains 11 Jihadist terror suspects have entered Spain masquerading as pateras migrants



The Government has responded to political accusations that Jihadist terrorists could be slipping into Spain masquerading as illegal immigrants

412 people linked to jihadist terrorism have been arrested in Spain since 2012, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior.

Enquiries made by Vox, a far-right political party in Spain that has been gaining popularity in recent years principally for its bold statements against immigrants among other things, have brought to light the possibility that jihadist terrorists are getting into the country on immigrant boats (pateras).

In response to a request for information on the matter and the measures taken to deal with the problem, the Spanish government has admitted that 11 people have been arrested and remanded in custody since 2018 for terrorist links or related crimes after arriving illegally on pateras or in small boats as irregular migrants, and lacking paperwork granting them the right to either enter Spain or be in the Schengen area.

Vox has queried the governments plans regarding bringing in effective policies to crack down on terrorism infiltrated via immigration and tracking of immigrants from countries with a strong jihadist element, to which the government has responded that the police have no legal obligation to keep track of illegal immigrants location once they have been identified and released.

It is also important to stress that the majority of irregular migrants reaching Spain are looking for work and have no links of any sort to terrorism or jihadism, but Vox has gained significant support by raising questions such as this and responding to the changing demographics of Spain, in which migrant populations are growing.

There are concerns amongst the native population about the scale of irregular migration into the country, a situation which showed an ugly public face last year when migrants were housed by voluntary organisations for quarantining in private properties during the early days of the covid crisiss, there were ugly scenes in Murcia with the public protesting outside of these houses, demanding the migrants be moved and jeering when they came out of the properties to be transferred to alternative accommodation; this is the fear on which Vox is building its support.

More than 41,800 immigrants arrived in Spain in 2020, 29 per cent more than in 2019, and there are concerns among the far-right political party over the number of potential terrorists who could be slipping through the net. They have asked, although the non-legislative proposal was turned down, for the government to declare the mass arrival of illegal immigrants to be a situation of interest for National Security.

As part of Spains membership of the EU, strict policies are in place which oblige the Spanish Government to release migrants after a specific period should the Interior Ministry fail in its efforts to prove the country of origin of the migrants and extradite them.

The principal problem in the last year is that extradition attempts have largely failed, due to the closure of external borders of Morocco and Algeria, two of them the principal emissors of irregular migrants arriving in Spain. The normal migrant transit centres in which these migrants are housed in Spain have also been closed as there is no point detaining migrants if they cannot be repatriated, leading to an increase in the number of particularly Algerians willing to make the crossing to Spain, in turn, encouraging a growth in the activities of criminal groups which arrange the transport both across the Mediterranean and onward into Europe.

As a result, increased numbers of migrants are reaching the French coastline and attempting to cross into the UK in small boats, all arranged by the mafias

Image: Archive. Marine Rescue Services rescuing irregular migrants out at sea
A special needs assistant purchased cocaine in order to sell it on to locals and double his money, a court has heard.

Kenneth Lynch (32) was caught in possession of more than 4,000 of cocaine and 10,000 in cash in the home he shared with his partner and children.

Lynch with an address at Moorefield Lawns, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at his address on August 23, 2018. He has 11 previous convictions for road traffic offences.

Detective Garda Jerome Toomey told Eoghan Cole BL, prosecuting, that on the date in question, Lynch was a target of surveillance and a search warrant was obtained for his house which he lived in with his partner and children.

Det Gda Toomey said gardai stopped Lynch while he was out and asked him if there was anything illegal in his house. Lynch replied that there was a small quantity of cocaine and a sum of money in a safe.

Gardai searched the house and discovered cocaine with a total value of 4,816. They also discovered 10,400 in cash in a safe in the accused's bedroom.

In interview with gardai, Lynch said he had paid 1,500 for the cocaine and his intention was to sell the drugs with the expectation of doubling his money. He said he was doing this for a year and a half prior to his arrest and was selling to locals.

Lynch told gardai that the cash had come from some people who owed him money or had lent him money and some of it was savings. He said he would now owe people for the loss of the drugs, that he was in fear of these people and had been threatened by them before.

Judge Pauline Codd said this was a very nefarious trade no matter how someone becomes involved in it. She ordered a report from the Probation Service and adjourned the matter for finalisation on May 6, next.

Det Gda Toomey agreed with Kevin White BL, defending, that his client admitted he had the drugs for the purpose of selling them. He agreed that confidential information received by gardai had indicated that drugs were being stored at Lynch's address.

Mr White said his client set up a route for delivering newspapers after leaving school. Counsel said Lynch later qualified as a special needs assistant and was working as such at the time of the offence.

Counsel said his client's sister and her partner died and that their children rely on his client and his siblings for support.

Mr White said his client is deeply remorseful for what he has done and gave greater information to gardai than what they believed. He said his client has never before asked the court for a second chance and was asking the court to give him one now.

By Alexandra Alper

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate is considering including in a new bill to boost competitiveness against China $30 billion in funding for previously-approved measures to supercharge the country's chipmaking industry, a congressional source said on Thursday.

Lawmakers aim to bring the package, which would include other elements to boost the U.S. tech sector, to a full vote in April, the person said, declining to be named because the legislation has not been finalized.

The source, who is involved in the effort, said that the Schumer-led package is likely to have provisions curbing China's access to U.S. capital markets, a focus of the Trump administration's crackdown on Beijing.

A spokesman for U.S. Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, who is spearheading the new package, did not respond to a request for comment.

Schumer said last month he had directed lawmakers to craft a new bill to boost U.S. competitiveness against China, based on legislation he and Republican Senator Todd Young proposed last year to provide funding of $100 billion to spur research in key tech areas, from artificial intelligence to quantum computing and semiconductors.

Schumer's office also said the package could be used as a vehicle to provide emergency funding for the bipartisan semiconductor programs included in last year's National Defense Authorization Act, which are still awaiting money.

One of those unfunded programs would provide grants to companies investing in U.S. factories and equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, testing, and research and development. Another directs the government to establish a public-private partnership to form consortia of firms to produce "measurably secure microelectronics."

The semiconductor industry has also been pushing for an investment tax credit for spending on semiconductor tools, which can cost billions of dollars for new factories and typically far outstrip the cost of buildings.

The effort comes as U.S. automakers have slowed production on a global shortage of semiconductor chips, in high demand due to a consumer-driven boom in demand for cell phones and computers during the coronavirus pandemic.

(Reporting by Alexandra Alper in Washington, D.C., Additional reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Paul Simao and Nick Zieminski)
Sixty-one years after a group of 13 Texas Southern University students marched down Cleburne to Weingartens Supermarket on Almeda to lead Houstons first sit-in, over 100 marchers took the same journey in what they hope will be an annual commemoration of the historic act as well as a renewed call for justice.

The march began with a reenactment by the TSU debate team of a meeting held by the Progressive Youth Association, calling by name the original 13 students who marched and were later joined by dozens of others to stage the first sit-ins.
New cutting-edge research undertaken at the University of Leicester could revolutionise the way new drugs are developed and the way patients are cared for, through a pioneering new approach using virtual clinical trials

New cutting-edge research undertaken at the University of Leicester could revolutionise the way new drugs are developed and the way patients are cared for, through a pioneering new approach using virtual clinical trials.

Following a 500,000 Royal Academy of Engineering research funding award, Dr Himanshu Kaul, will expand research with his 'virtual asthma patient' to participate in virtual clinical trials, which could help make more accurate and timely predictions around which new drugs are successful and can offer benefits to patients.

Virtual clinical trials could also help doctors gain a better understanding of individual patients' disease progression, allowing them to tailor therapies to patients' individual needs and improve outcomes in a wider range of cases.

Currently, medications must meet a number of robust milestones over several years before human trials may begin, meaning that potentially life-saving drugs are often years away from patient use.

Dr Kaul, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow, said: "In a nutshell, more than 90% of drugs fail to reach the market. This is because we lack the capacity to predict the impact of drugs at the systems level, and this comes at a huge cost to pharmaceutical companies.

"In contrast, when aeronautical companies design a new plane, they run their design through rigorous mathematical models to predict how well the design will perform and optimise performance.

"There is no practical equivalent of this in the pharma industry, which will significantly drop the costs. My long-term research vision is to create software that will allow clinicians and pharmaceutical companies to predict how well a drug will perform in patients and offer a way to optimise its therapeutic efficacy."

Using agent-based modelling, Dr Kaul is collaborating with experts from the University of Leicester's Schools of Engineering and Mathematics and Department of Respiratory Sciences on his pioneering research project, titled 'The Lung Pharmacome'.

The project aims to produce a working in silico lung by 2024, with the ambition of conducting patient-specific 'virtual clinical trials' by 2025 at the earliest. The initial area of focus for the research will be lung diseases, specifically asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with scientists and clinicians at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre's respiratory theme, based at Glenfield Hospital.

Dr Kaul continued: "Lung diseases are a major source of socio-economic burden globally. In the UK alone, lung diseases are the third-worst killers, affecting one in five people, and responsible for a death, on average, every five minutes.

"Outside of that, the cost to the economy given number of missed work days and in patient bed days is 11billion a year."

And identifying the right environment for his Fellowship was important to Dr Kaul, who added: "The University of Leicester was an obvious choice as the institution to carry out this research vision due to its strong clinical expertise, synergy between engineering and healthcare outcomes and a focus on precision medicine.

"Its clinical partners make it an exceptionally strong science complex with research efforts in engineering and biomedical sciences that extend from the molecular to the clinical scale.

###

A look at Friday's major share movers on the London Stock Exchange

( ) leapt 7% to 143.6p before close after it was revealed that chairman Jan Du Plessiss retirement was down to pressure from chief executive Philip Jansen.

Du Plessis had been at the FTSE 100 telecoms group for around four years and took over as chairman in November 2017 but with multiple issues still facing the business, his departure was a surprise to many in the City.

However, Sky News reporter that Jansen had issued the board with an ultimatum that he would resign unless a chairman was appointed who would accelerate the pace of change at BT.

3pm: boohoo dips after MPs pressure to link management bonuses to ESG goals

boohoo Group PLC ( ) dipped 3% to 319.9p after being pressured by MPs to link bonuses for senior executives to meeting its pledges on workers' rights and environmental sustainability.

The Environmental Audit Committee has written to the fast-fashion retailer seeking updates on commitments made in a December meeting.

boohoo chairman Mahmud Kamani, who agreed to consider implementing these measures, is also being asked to update on plans to ensure minimum wage compliance within the online retailer's supply chain.

2.05pm: Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust and fellow US-focused investors suffer from Nasdaq weakness

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust plc (LON:USA) slipped 8% to 288p in the afternoon as investors are concerned by weakness in the tech-heavy Nasdaq index.

( ) and Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust (LON:EWI) lost 6% and 4% to 2,625p and 328.5p respectively.

Low confidence in the tech sector is also acting as a drag on ( ), which shed 2% to 1,063.81p, considering its relatively heavy weighting towards that sector. Its top holdings include Tesla, Amazon and Alibaba.

1pm: a touch higher after extending rent discount

PLC ( ) added 1% to 998.05p in the early afternoon after announcing an additional three-week extension to its 50% rent discount for students.

It takes the total discount period to 10 weeks, up to the end of the government's stay at home rule on March 29, which students not living in their accommodation can request.

The landlord said around 60% of checked-in students have now returned to its buildings and it has now collected 95% of rent due to date for the 2020/21 academic year.

11.30am: finnCap Group jumps after board members buy shares

finnCap Group PLC ( ) jumped 7% to 32.69p after two board members bought shares in the company.

Chief executive Sam Smith purchased 65,450 shares at 30.5p each and now has an interest in 16mln shares, representing 9.29% of the current total voting rights of the investment bank.

Chairman Robert Lister now has a beneficial interest over 65,450 shares in the AIM-listed firm, representing 0.04% of the total issued share capital.

10.15am: slips after raising 16mln via placing and subscription

Limited ( ) slipped 12% to 36p after announcing it has raised 16mln via a placing and subscription.

Some 35mln shares were priced 35p a pop, which is a 15% discount to Thursdays closing price.

The proceeds will mostly be used to develop the Empire Mine in Idaho, US, of which Phoenix owns 80%.

Elsewhere, ( ) shed 6% to 8,872p after admitting it is facing increasing competition from Europe.

In January, trading in Amsterdam in euro-denominated shares outstripped the UK for the first time.

The group said that, post-Brexit, it is still lobbying for a coherent financial structure between Britain and the EU to be established to avoid fragmentation of systems designed to make the financial markets efficient, stable and safe.

9.15am: Contango early riser after acquiring Mali gold project near existing property

PLC ( ) was an early riser on Friday, adding 5% to 7.75p after acquiring the Ntiela Gold Project in Mali.

The site is near the miners existing Garalo Gold Project, which recently got a 460% resource potential uplift to 1.8mln ounces.

Our decision to increase our mineralised footprint in this area marks an important step for Contango as we look to establish ourselves as an emerging development and production company in the area, with a pipeline of expansion opportunities, said chief executive Carl Esprey in a release.

Talking about acquisitions, PLC ( ) jumped 7% to 244p after snapping up octoScope, Inc for up to US$73mln (52mln).

Founded in 2006 in the US, octoScope uses patented technology to provide automated Wi-Fi and 5G testing in emulated real-world environments, including the latest Wi-Fi 6 and 6E technologies.

Its products are used by a blue-chip roster of communication service providers, chipset, device, network infrastructure and Wi-Fi equipment vendors, including Google, Facebook, Verizon, Qualcomm, Nokia, Amazon, Philips and .

Proactive news headlines

SDX Energy Plc ( ) has secured final approval from the Egyptian authorities to extend its Production Services Agreements for the Meseda and Rabul oil fields, both part of the West Gharib concession.

(LON:TXP, ) announced a jump crude oil and natural gas reserves at its Trinidad exploration properties.

Innovative money firm Tally Ltd has described a pivotal year in the companys development, as it releases a final results statement for the twelve months ended June 2020.

( ) is close to reaching an agreement with Riverfort Global Capital Ltd to receive up to US$2.5mln in funding.

FinnCap Group plc ( ) chief executive Sam Smith and chairman Robert Lister have purchased shares in the company. Smith splashed out 39,650 on 130,000 shares at a price of 30.5p per share, while Lister purchased 65,450 at the same price. Smith's beneficial interest over 16.14mln shares represents 9.29% and Lister 0.04%.

(LON:THR, ASX:THR) has hired WH Ireland as Nominated Adviser and joint broker to the company with immediate effect.

(LON:HZM, ) has appointed as joint broker alongside , with immediate effect. This week the company attended the virtual 30th BMO Global Metals and Mining Conference and has made a replay of its presentation available on its website.

( ) will announce its preliminary annual results for 2020 on Tuesday 23 March. Chief executive Deborah Frost and chief financial officer Sarah Mace will be hosting a webinar for private investors on Tuesday 30 March at 11.30am.

( ) will hold its annual general meeting at 10am on Tuesday 30 March at Craven House, 16 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AP, UK. The company will take questions and comments from shareholders submitted in advance of the AGM.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar yesterday (March 4, 2021) held an interaction with representatives of various OTT platforms, including from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, ALTBalaji, Jio, ZEE5, Viacom18, Shemaroo, MXPlayer, etc.

Addressing the representatives of the industry, the Minister mentioned that the Government has done several rounds of consultation with the OTT players in the past and stressed the need for self-regulation.

Javadekar stated that he had received representations from cinema and TV industries that while there were regulations for them, none existed for the OTT industry. Thus, it was decided that Government would come out with progressive institutional mechanism for OTT players and develop a level playing field with the idea of self-regulation. The Minister appreciated that many OTT platforms had welcomed the rules.

Also read:

What the new Code of Ethics for OTT and Digital Media mean for the industry

Industry welcomes new code of ethics for Digital Media, but implementation is key

Informing the industry representatives about the provisions of the rules, the Minister said that it merely requires them to disclose information and that there is no requirement of registration of any kind with the Ministry. Javadekar added that a form for this will be ready soon. Furthermore, the rules focus on self classification of content instead of any form of censorship. Further, OTT platforms are expected to develop an effective grievance redressal mechanism.

Dispelling rumours, the Minister clarified that in the self-regulating body, no member will be appointed by the Government.

Speaking on the power of the Government, under the rules, Javadekar informed that the Government will create Inter Departmental Committee to look at complaints which remain unresolved at the self-regulatory level.

The industry representatives welcomed the rules and thanked the Minister for addressing most of their concerns. The Minster added that the Ministry is open to any clarification or queries from the industry.

NEW DELHI : With UK's MPs set to debate next week the safety of farmer protesters, the British government on Friday said what happens in India has ripples in the United Kingdom and gets debated as there is a large Indian diaspora, but asserted that the farmers' protest was India's "internal issue" and it was for it to resolve.

British lawmakers will debate the issue of press freedom and safety of protesters in India next Monday in response to an e-petition which had crossed the 1,00,000-signature threshold required for such a debate, the House of Commons Petitions Committee had confirmed earlier this week.

Asked how he looks at the concerns in the UK over the farmers' protest and if it could impact ties, the new British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, said, "Your verb is the correct one. I look at it. This is an internal issue for India."

"I think the foreign secretary (Dominic Raab) said it when he was here 'your politics is our politics' in other words things that happen in India have ripples in the UK partly because you have such a big diaspora community in the UK, so these things get debated. Our prime minister (Boris Johnson) was asked about it actually in the Prime Minister's Question Time," he said at a media interaction with journalists here.

"This is something we look at but it is something for India to resolve," said Ellis, a British strategic expert, who presented his credentials to President Ram Nath Kovind in February to take formal charge as the new UK High Commissioner to India.

Asked about the debate in the UK Parliament on Monday and if the issue has been raised by India with the UK side, the British High Commissioner said the reason these things get discussed is because of the process of petition to which if there are a sufficient number of signatures, an issue can be debated in Parliament and issues related to India are quite regularly debated.

"This is something that is done by Parliament, the government has to participate, it has to answer but it is the parliamentarians, as you expect, raising issues that are a concern to them in their constituencies," the UK envoy here said.

"Coming back to the point about your politics is our politics to an extent. My observation more generally is that as the Indian diaspora grows and is very successful in many countries of the world you are going to see more of this. I think that as India grows and becomes more international and ever more significant in the world, there will be more debate about Indian issues," he said.

Ellis, however, asserted that the UK government's view on something like the farmers' protest is that it is an internal matter of India and "we observe it, but it is for India to resolve".

Specifically asked if the Indian side has raised this issue with the UK, he did not give a direct answer and said if the UK would be debated in the Indian Parliament, "I would be interested in it".

"So If the Indian government is interested in issues like farmers' protest being discussed in the UK Parliament, I am not surprised if there is an interest," he said.

The 90-minute debate on Monday will be held at the Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament complex in London and will be opened by Scottish National Party (SNP) MP and member of the Petitions Committee Martyn Day, and a minister will be deputed to respond on behalf of the UK government.

The debate relates to the petition entitled Urge the Indian Government to ensure safety of protesters & press freedom, which called on the British government to make a public statement on the #kissanprotests & press freedoms".

Farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several Delhi border points, including Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur, since November 28, demanding a complete repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for their crops.

The government has denied allegations that it was trying to put an end to the MSP and the mandi system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also assured farmers that the MSP would continue.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Glennis Solutions, LLC, a senior housing software business, has acquired Vita-Stat, a leading innovator in medication and care management software, also based in Louisville. The combined company will employ 75 and is moving into office space being built out in downtown Louisville. Atria Senior Living owns Glennis and has invested in developing a business that will build, market and support the highest quality specialized software applications for all senior housing owners and operators.

The acquisition brings to Glennis the 36-person team at Vita-Stat as well as its industry-leading solution, ACCUflo. ACCUflo is an electronic medication administration record (eMAR) system and care management software solution that helps "error proof" the process between pharmacists and caregivers in senior care communities. ACCUflo will join the Glennis Solutions product suite and can be licensed as a stand-alone product or combined with the existing Glennis Care offering.

To Vita-Stat's founder and now a current executive of Glennis, 20-year industry veteran John Carroll, this acquisition will further expand his vision to provide a platform for critical resident care data needed by pharmacists and caregivers alike. "Our dream was to stop unnecessary and accidental medication errors that can occur in the complex environment of order to delivery," said Carroll. "Combining Vita-Stat and Glennis will allow further development of ACCUflo and, through integrating it into the Glennis end-to-end suite of products, provide the ability to bring its capabilities to more operators and protect more seniors in doing so," he said.

Bruce Lunsford, who was a lead investor in Vita-Stat, is also bullish on the synergies created by combining the two companies and their software suites. "This acquisition will help revolutionize the operating efficiency of assisted living communities through the combined capabilities of these two software products," he said. Lunsford and Louisville-based Venture First, who advised the sellers, were instrumental in the transaction.

Louisville-based NewField Capital made a financing investment to support the Vita-Stat acquisition. CS Capital Advisors of New York City worked with the Glennis team to structure the Vita-Stat transaction and put the NewField financing in place.

"We are extremely excited to be partnering with Glennis Solutions as they expand their senior housing software suite. We have a lot of confidence in their products, as well as their management team. NewField's vast experience in the senior living space, combined with the fact that both companies are based in Louisville, made this partnership make a lot of sense. The synergies from this relationship enable Glennis Solutions to continue to grow by meeting the needs of senior living organizations and their customers," said Rob Bush, partner at NewField Capital.

Glennis now offers the only fully integrated cloud-based software suite designed by senior housing professionals specifically to serve the needs of the senior living industry. It covers the complete spectrum of daily life at senior living communities, from resident hospitality to care management. The Glennis product enables a 360-degree view of the resident and their care in an easy-to-use, easy-to-deploy, fully integrated cloud-based property management application.

The core Glennis Solutions suite includes:

Glennis Sales - A robust customer relationship management (CRM) product to manage sales and marketing functions, prioritize tasks, nurture leads and onboard prospects

- A robust customer relationship management (CRM) product to manage sales and marketing functions, prioritize tasks, nurture leads and onboard prospects Glennis Revenue - Manages apartment inventory, streamlines billing, optimizes revenue and cost efficiency

- Manages apartment inventory, streamlines billing, optimizes revenue and cost efficiency Glennis Care - Generates digital care assessments and plans, resource management, mobile incident tracking, and manages medication administration

- Generates digital care assessments and plans, resource management, mobile incident tracking, and manages medication administration Glennis Quality - A mobile-first product that manages compliance and performance against portfolio-wide standards, life safety issues and regulatory requirements

- A mobile-first product that manages compliance and performance against portfolio-wide standards, life safety issues and regulatory requirements Glennis Family App - Keeps families updated on the well-being of their loved ones and on community events and important news from wherever they are

Atria Senior Living CEO John Moore said, "We wanted to make Glennis a business focusing on bringing to market the best of what we've learned using software applications to improve senior housing operations. The Glennis team is the most experienced and talented group out there committed exclusively to building and supporting software applications for senior housing owners and operators. They have a proven track record in driving innovation. Their singular focus on providing the highest quality scalable solutions for all operators will undoubtedly lead to even more advances. This team is committed to delivering products that provide a better experience for seniors and their families while also driving top- and bottom-line performance."

Moore continued, "Unlike many startups, Glennis has begun life with a leadership team that is both experienced in the world of senior housing and software development  especially software development for senior housing applications. Ali Sareea and Brad Frasher, Glennis's executive vice presidents, are proven leaders. Likewise, the development team at Glennis has been working together and building innovative senior housing software solutions for many years. The addition of John Carroll and the Vita-Stat team creates even more depth," Moore said.

"The Glennis suite of products has been designed to improve the quality of resident care and outcomes, while also streamlining operations and improving profitability for the owners and managers of senior living communities," said Brad Frasher, Executive Vice President of Glennis Solutions. "Over the last decade, our team has focused on building solutions that are easy to use, and that deliver value to residents, staff, operators and owners."

Frasher said Glennis already has happy customers in and outside of the U.S., including Canada and the United Kingdom:

"Glennis gives us real-time data and insight which allows us to make better-informed decisions and capitalize on opportunities as they occur," said Justin Vetter, CPA, Chief Financial Officer at Arcadia Communities.

"I needed a system that maximized the chances of sales success through effective lead management," said Natasha Pocock, Group Sales & Marketing Manager at Porthaven Care Homes Group in the United Kingdom. "Glennis captures the data that allows us to understand our customer and their specific needs, enabling our staff to nurture this important decision-making process in a highly customized manner."

"We're excited to partner with more senior living providers around the globe to help advance their success, and to promote growth and excellence of the senior living industry overall," added Frasher.

About Glennis Solutions

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Glennis Solutions offers the only fully integrated cloud-based software suite specifically designed to serve the unique needs of the senior housing industry. Developed and used across 750 properties and more than 55,000 apartments spanning 40 U.S. states, Canada and the United Kingdom, each solution was designed to seamlessly manage the complex challenges faced by senior housing operators, residents, administrators and their staff. Our mission is to provide solutions to the industry that promote the health and wellness of seniors and to deliver better outcomes for our customers. We develop solutions in partnership with our customers, their residents, employees and partners. For more information, please visit www.glennissolutions.com.

About Atria Senior Living

Atria Senior Living is a leading operator of independent living, assisted living, supportive living and memory care communities in more than 200 locations in 28 states and seven Canadian provinces. Atria is the residence of choice for more than 18,000 older people, and the workplace of choice for more than 13,000 employees. The company creates vibrant communities where older adults can thrive and participate, know that their contributions are valued, and enjoy access to opportunities and support that help them keep making a positive difference in our world. For more information about Atria, visit AtriaSeniorLiving.com or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. For career opportunities and more information about working for Atria, visit AtriaCareers.com .

SOURCE Glennis Solutions

Related Links

http://www.glennissolutions.com


To the editor:

It appears the state GOP (Jim Stamas and Annette Glenn) and the federal GOP (John Moolenaar) are playing games with the well-being of our community.

Back in December, President Trump signed a COVID relief bill that issued monies to Michigan, but the state GOP is using that money as a threat to keep Governor Whitmer hostage and therefore not releasing 75% of the money.

In a recent article in the Detroit Free Press, it was noted Sen. Stamas (chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee), argued that withholding some of the federal funding is necessary to ensure oversight and accountability. Even though education, housing and other public policy advocates have blasted the lawmakers for their piecemeal approach, arguing they are playing political games while those in need suffer.

Then when a second COVID relief bill, presented by President Biden, comes before the US House, our representative, John Moolenaar, votes against it stating that we should not have a backlog of federal money.

So, in summary we have the local GOP withholding important funding to get us through COVID causing the problem of federal money being backlogged. Then the federal GOP is not pushing for more federal relief because of that backlog. Seems like the GOP is creating its own problem and making all of us suffer the consequences.

And make no mistake, those consequences are slowing up the process for all of us to get vaccinated; it is slowing the process of our children going back to school; it is hurting families that are struggling to pay their bills and it is hurting small businesses trying to recover.

Dont you think Stamas, Glenn and Moolenaar should work for us to get things done instead of creating this catch-22?

MOLLY MORRISSEY

Midland
While many Vietnamese banks have foreign shareholders, there still remains ample room for foreign ownership

The shareholders of Viet Capital Bank have approved the plan to issue additional shares of up to a maximum of VND1 trillion ($43.5 million) in the first quarter.

At the same time, the bank has just closed the list of shareholders whose written opinions will be requested on the plan to set the maximum foreign ownership limit at 30 per cent to attract additional foreign capital while improving financial capacity and competitiveness.

Nam A Bank is implementing a plan to increase its charter capital to VND7 trillion ($304.35 million), including a plan to issue 57 million shares, equivalent to VND570 billion ($24.8 million), to pay dividends at the rate of 12.4878 per cent and offer for sale 143 million individual shares, equivalent to VND1.43 trillion ($62.17 million).

In addition, the bank is also completing the application to list shares on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HSX), instead of trading on the UpCom where it is traded at around VND14,200 (62 US cents).

Orient Commercial Bank (OCB) said that the bank plans to sell another 10 per cent of its shares to foreign investors after completing the deal to sell a 15 per cent to Aozora Bank from Japan in June 2020.

Sacombank (SCB) also said that they continue to improve their financial capacity and competitiveness. Accordingly, the bank has submitted to an extraordinary general meeting a plan to increase charter capital by VND5 trillion ($217.4 million) at the end of 2020. The move has increased its charter capital from VND15.23 trillion to VND20.23 trillion ($662.17-879.57 million).

Previously, Sacombank also announced that it was negotiating with foreign strategic partners to sell part of its capital in order to improve its financial potential after completing the restructuring and listing on the stock exchange.

According to the provisions of Decree No.01/2014/ND-CP, the ownership ratio of a foreign strategic investor must not exceed 20 per cent of the charter capital of a Vietnamese credit institution, and the total share ownership ratio of foreign investors in a domestic credit institution must not exceed 30 per cent of capital.

Currently, many Vietnamese banks are looking to fill up their foreign ownership rooms. At restructuring banks or the three zero-dong banks, foreign partners can buy 100 per cent of the capital with the consent of the government.

On the other hand, according to the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), European banks will be able to increase their shareholding rate in two Vietnamese banks to up to 49 per cent without waiting for a decision to increase the foreign ownership limit. This commitment does not apply to the four state-run banks of BIDV, VietinBank, Vietcombank, and Agribank.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The state House late Thursday passed a bill that would prohibit landlords from terminating rental agreements with tenants for failure to pay rent during a public health emergency.

The property owner also couldn't refuse to renew the agreement if it expired during the emergency, or for 30 days after.

The legislation, House Bill 111, won approval 42-25 and now heads to the Senate with just over two weeks left in the session.

The state Supreme Court last year suspended evictions due to nonpayment of rent during the COVID-19 health emergency.

But Democratic Rep. Andrea Romero of Santa Fe said broader, longer-term protections are necessary to ensure New Mexicans can keep a safe and stable home during a declared emergency or disaster. The restriction on terminating an agreement for 30 days after the expiration of an emergency, she said, would give landlords and tenants time to renegotiate or make other arrangements.

We are worried about the cliff effect of evictions and worried folks may not have a place to go, Romero said.

The proposal also makes broader changes to state housing laws, even outside an emergency. It would, for example, give tenants 11 days to pay after a notice that they were behind on their rent, rather than three days.

Opponents said the proposal was far too restrictive. Property owners themselves might face a financial crunch if a tenant fails to pay rent, they said.

Rep. Alonzo Baldonado, R-Los Lunas, said landlords are already providing flexibility on their own. It's better, he said, to let property owners and tenants find a solution that works for their situation rather than impose new regulations.

There's lot of goodwill going on between owners and renters, Baldonado said. You work with people because that's good business.

The proposed prohibition on terminating an agreement during a health emergency includes some exceptions, such as for property owners who need to take possession to make it their own or a family member's primary residence.

The bill is co-sponsored by Romero and Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Las Cruces.

It passed along party lines with Democrats in support. Republicans and one independent voted against the bill.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................
System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951

/var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbfedf47f68)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfee8b63c0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbfedf47f68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfee8b63c0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbfedfa7660)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfee8b63c0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfee8b63c0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbfeda0ab98)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbfef2650b0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbfef2650b0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 12:27:30|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021 shows a night view of Lujiazui in Pudong of east China's Shanghai Municipality. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

China's new vision for development, featuring innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, benefits not only China, but the world as a whole.

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's development has been advancing in a new historic journey since late 2017, when Chinese President Xi Jinping noted at the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress that China's economy was transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development.

To forestall and defuse various kinds of risks and proactively address challenges brought by external changes, China needs to focus on taking care of its own matters and improving the quality of development, Xi has said.

It is widely believed that this new vision for development, featuring innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, benefits not only China, but the world as a whole.

"China will work with other countries to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity," Xi said in his speech at World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda in January.

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021 shows the container terminal of the Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Geng Yuhe/Xinhua)

OPEN WORLD ECONOMY

China's high-quality development can only be achieved through greater openness, Xi said at the opening of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in 2018.

In May 2020, the CPC leadership made a strategic decision to foster a new development pattern where domestic and foreign markets can boost each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

"Making the domestic market the mainstay does not mean we are developing our economy with the door closed," Xi told a symposium of entrepreneurs in July last year. By giving full play to the potential of the domestic market, both domestic and foreign markets can be better connected and utilized to realize robust and sustainable development, he said.

China will follow the new development philosophy, foster a new development paradigm, and pursue high-quality development by staying committed to deepening reform and opening wider to the world, Xi said when delivering a speech via video at the third Paris Peace Forum in 2020.

He stressed that China will also work with the rest of the international community to keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and to foster an open world economy.

According to official data released in 2020, China had signed 200 cooperation deals on the Belt and Road Initiative with 138 countries and 30 international organizations. The country had also established 21 pilot free trade zones. Its global business environment ranking moved up to the 31st in 2020.

In his phone conversations with various foreign leaders, Xi has called for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, stressing that China welcomes active participation by various countries in its development and construction for mutual benefits and win-win results.

A technician tests an electronic microscope at the Lubrication and Friction Testing Center, Tsinghua University Tianjin Research Institute for Advanced Equipment, in north China's Tianjin, Feb. 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

INNOVATION AS DRIVING FORCE

Innovation is the primary driving force behind development. China must pursue innovation-driven growth and make breakthroughs in key and core technologies to achieve high-quality development. Those are remarks taken from several of Xi's articles published on the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi has attached great importance to technological innovation and paid visits to places including research institutions, universities, companies and high-tech industrial development zones.

Progress was made in building Beijing, Shanghai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into global sci-tech innovation centers, as well as in manned space program and moon probe.

When the Party leadership held a study session on the research and application of quantum science and technology in October 2020, Xi again emphasized the importance of technological innovation.

It plays a very important role in accelerating the development of quantum science and technology in promoting high-quality development and safeguarding national security, he said, stressing that quantum mechanics is a major achievement in human's exploration of the microworld.

On the same occasion, Xi called for efforts to follow the path of independent innovation, make breakthroughs in key core technologies, ensure the safety of industrial and supply chains, and enhance China's ability of responding to international risks and challenges with science and technology.

Aerial photo taken on Aug. 17, 2020 shows a photovoltaic power station, also a poverty-relief project, at the green industrial development park in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Hainan, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

GREEN DEVELOPMENT

Under Xi's leadership, China has achieved unprecedented ecological progress. Energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product dropped 13.2 percent between 2015 and 2019, city dwellers now breathe in unpolluted air for 82 percent of the days in a year, and water quality has improved to sound levels.

The pollution control goals set out in the 13th Five-Year Plan have been accomplished, as Xi has urged governments at all levels to remember that "clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets."

At the virtual Climate Ambition Summit in December 2020, Xi said the international landscape is evolving more rapidly, and COVID-19 is triggering deep reflections on the relationship between man and nature.

Xi urged the international community to pursue a new approach to climate governance that highlights green recovery and pledged China's further commitments for 2030 to tackling the global climate challenge.

Moreover, speaking at the United Nations Summit on Biodiversity in September 2020, Xi highlighted the major risks in loss of biodiversity and the degradation of the ecosystem.

He made four proposals, including adhering to ecological civilization and increasing the drive for building a beautiful world; upholding multilateralism and building synergy for global governance on the environment; continuing with green development and increasing the potential for high-quality economic recovery after COVID-19; and calling on countries to strengthen the power of action to tackle challenges to the environment.

He also said that he believes that fostering high-quality economic recovery in the post-pandemic era requires enhancing cooperation and exchanges across borders. 
When the opportunity to open up his own FreschCo franchise came around, Eric Nugent jumped at the chance.

When the opportunity to open up his own FreschCo franchise came around, Eric Nugent jumped at the chance.

After all, the born-and-raised Winnipegger has done everything possible to climb up the corporate ladder from one grocery store to the next, in many ways, for nearly a decade.

"But back when I first started that minimum-wage supermarket job in high school, I never thought Id even stick around  let alone own my own store," Nugent told the Free Press. "I couldnt be happier and prouder about being able to achieve this after all of that."

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Eric Nugent will open the doors for the first time to a new FreshCo store on Henderson Highway.

Friday, Nugent will open the doors for the first time to a new FreshCo store on Henderson Highway and Kimberly Avenue.

Hes already hired more than 90 staff members to make this possible, and hes set up partnerships with several local businesses to feature their products at the new location  including Perfect Pierogi, Natural Bakery, City Bread, Winkler Meats and Jimels Bakery.

Getting any of that done during COVID-19, however, wasnt easy. "The pandemic completely changed everything about the way we set any of this up, or how we went about it," he said.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Nugent has already hired more than 90 staff members.

"Especially when it came to hiring, its weird not being able to see the people in-person that youre recruiting everything was online for the sake of making things safe."

Still, Nugent thinks its an advantage that his supermarket is opening up after proper pandemic protocols  sanitization stations, arrows to allow physical distancing in aisles, plexiglass barriers and deep daily cleaning among others  have already been established by other stores.

"Were almost a year into this crisis now," he said, "but that means we dont have to do that kind of adapting that other grocers had to do when they had no idea how to navigate this.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Nugent thinks its an advantage that his supermarket is opening up after proper pandemic protocols have already been established by other stores.

"And to me whats most exciting is that its a discount store, which is especially the perfect fit for the Winnipeg market."

Sobeys Inc., the company that owns the FreschCo brand, seems to agree.

In June, 2020, the grocery store chain announced it would be converting several current and former Safeways in Winnipeg into FreshCos. And across Western Canada, back in 2017, Sobeys parent conglomerate Empire Company Limited, said it was on its way to converting at least 25 per cent of its Safeway and Sobeys stores to FreshCos due to underperformance.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS "Right now, more than ever, were all trying to save up on money. And Im proud to own a FreshCo franchise because its that hard-discounts supermarket which is what my community wants," Nugent said.

A Sobeys spokesperson confirmed Thursday that, apart from Nugents franchise, three other FreschCos are coming to the city in the next few months. One of them will open next week at Niakwa Village on Alpine Avenue. Two others (on Sargent Avenue at Sherbrook Street, and Pembina Highway at McGillvray Boulevard, respectively) do not have a set date yet. Two FreshCos are already open, one on McPhillips Street at Jefferson Avenue, and the other on Regent Avenue at Lagimodiere Boulevard.

Sylvain Charlebois, a leading food distribution and supply management expert, said the writings been on the wall for premium stores like Safeway for quite some time.

"The pandemic just accelerated this," he said. "The market is shifting from a socio-economic perspective and I think youre going to see more companies trading down their premium stores for a while because of the trends customers are setting, who are getting used to seeing discounts."

"To me, its all about what the consumer wants," said Nugent. "Right now, more than ever, were all trying to save up on money. And Im proud to own a FreshCo franchise because its that hard-discounts supermarket which is what my community wants."

Temur.Durrani@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @temurdur
New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) Top superstars of regional cinema have a new formula to reach out to a pan-Indian audience. While earlier, films would be made in one language and then dubbed in other languages including Hindi, big names of regional cinema -- particularly the South -- are going for escalated production cost and shooting in multiple languages, sometimes even different co-actors to make in different markets.

In many cases, if a film is not getting made in a different language, then separate dubbing artistes are not being hired and the lead actor dubs for himself in every language that the film is slated to release in. The films are released in multiple languages on the same day, to gauge the impact across various markets.

Here is a list of upcoming films that have been, or are being, shot in languages more than one:

Haathi Mere Saathi

The Rana Dagubatti-starrer is set to hit theaters on March 26. While it is called Haathi Mere Saathi in Hindi version, the film is called Kadaan in Tamil and Aranya in Telugu. While in Tamil and Telugu versions have actor Vishnu Vishal in the character of Singa, the Hindi version has actor Pulkit Samrat in the same character, but as Shankar.

KGF 2

This Kannada film, starring actor Yash is going to release in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. While the film is made in Kannada, Yash, who plays the role of Rocky Bhai in the film, will be dubbing in Hindi for himself. For a pan-Indian impact, his antagonist Adheera is played by Sanjay Dutt, and the film also has Raveena Tandon in a vital role.

RRR

Bahubali maker SS Rajamouli's mega-ambitious Roudram Ranam Rudhiram (RRR) is being planned for a release in 10 languages -- nine Indian languages and English. The film unites Telugu stars Ram Charan and Jr NTR, and also casts Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn, besides a smattering of international actors.

Muddy

Touted as India's first film on off-road car racing, Muddy will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. The film is directed by Dr. Praghabal, was announced by Tamil star Vijay Sethupati last week, when he released the motion poster on February 20.

Liger

The much-awaited Bollywood debut of Telugu star Vijay Deverakonda, Liger will be released in five languages. The film, which co-stars Ananya Pandey, can be viewed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

For more stories click here: Kollywood l Malayalam l Bollywood l Telugu
A new study from the University of Iowa sought to begin development of a possible approach to reduce the risk that college-aged men engage in sexually aggressive acts or risky sexual behavior.

The study authors, led by Teresa Treat, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Iowa, developed a 12-point list of sexual assault prevention strategies. The list was created by the researchers based on previous research into risk factors that are associated with sexually aggressive acts--such as heavy alcohol consumption, difficulties reading women's cues, and not seeking consent for sexual activity.

The authors found that 71% of the college-aged men surveyed used the sexual assault prevention strategies on a regular basis over the past year. Yet 15% of the survey takers reported they seldom or never used the preventative strategies, and men who said they have engaged in sexually aggressive actions had been much less likely to use the strategies than their peers.

The authors say the strategies may offer a potential avenue to tackling sexually aggressive behavior.

"We think we have a promising set of potential preventative strategies. We found most college men use these prevention strategies regularly," says Treat, the study's corresponding author. "The downside is some college men don't use them much at all. Those college men who don't use them much at all are much more likely to be sexually aggressive. So, future research should aim to evaluate whether they may be useful prevention targets."

The survey group included more than 560 males at Arizona State University and Iowa, who earned course credit in a psychology class. The men answered questions that ranged from general biographical information (age, ethnicity, et cetera) to alcohol consumption, attitudes about women, sexual experience, and attitudes about sex.

The authors are revising the strategies based on feedback from the college students, and hope to administer the survey to a more racially and ethnically diverse pool.

"We also are in the beginning stages of figuring out how these protective strategies might be incorporated into prevention programs for further evaluation," Treat says.

In terms of risky sexual behavior, the study found:

Seven in 10 college-aged men surveyed reported they engaged in risky sexual behavior in the last year. 55% of college-aged men surveyed reported they used the preventative strategies on a regular basis when it came to risky sexual behavior.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Two new four-legged officers have joined the force at Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.

Sledge, a 1-year-old Dutch shepherd, was paired with Officer Max Houtman and Groot, a 1-year-old German shepherd, was paired with Officer Emily Weston, according to a press release from KDPS.

The K9 officers within KDPS play a critical role in keeping the Kalamazoo community safe, said Sgt. Kelly Pittelkow, who leads Kalamazoos K-9 Unit. Sledge and Groot will assist KDPS in searching for narcotics, finding criminal offenders, missing and endangered persons and engaging with our community at schools and events.

Houtman and Weston joined KDPS in mid-February. Their police dogs were picked up recently from Shallow Creek Kennels, a police service dog facility in Pennsylvania, the release said.

Sledge and Groot begin their training with KDPS Monday, learning how to search for drugs, lost and discarded items and find people, among training on other duties, the release said.

KDPS has the largest police K9 unit in Kalamazoo County and Im confident Groot and Sledge will help us keep the City of Kalamazoo safe, Chief Vernon Coakley said in a statement.

Also on MLive:

Tecumseh athletic director resigns after return from leave for organizing practices while sports suspended

No new trial for man convicted of murder for killing 2 teens on his Jackson County property

Accused Whitmer kidnapping plotters attended BLM rally to protect protesters from police, attorney says
A woman died Thursday after she was struck by two vehicles - including one that fled the scene - in Bergen County, according to police.

The woman was walking across Polifly Road in Hackensack when she was hit by a black SUV with dark tinted windows, authorities said. The SUV left the area after hitting the pedestrian around 7 p.m., they said.

A second vehicle was unable to avoid the woman and also struck her, authorities said. That motorist stopped, they said.

Police said the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name was not immediately released.

The Bergen County Prosecutors Office and county sheriffs office were assisting Hackensack police with the ongoing investigation, according to Capt. Darrin DeWitt, of the city police department. More information was not immediately released.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
's ( ) Michael McNeilly catches up with Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam after reporting progress at the Kitlanya East copper-silver project in Botswana, operated by Kalahari Metals Ltd (KML).

McNeilly explains the potential for the South Fold target to host copper-silver mineralisation in a similar setting to Sandfire Resources' neighbouring T3 and A4 deposits.

McNeilly talks through the impact of rising copper prices on the wider portfolio and how macroeconomics in post pandemic times may impact their performance in the company years. On future announcements, McNeilly says to 'watch this space' with another investment announcement coming soon.
HELP!!! Just broke down!

Earlier in the week I attempted to use my keyless entry to gain entry to my car to no avail while leaving a restaurant downtown. I had to use my manual key and open the door. Once open, there was no chime, lights, anything going off. I stuck my key in the ignition, nothing. Quarter turn of the key nothing. Full turn, nothing.

Popped the hood and put my jumper box on. After letting it sit, I attempted to turn the key, nothing. About 5 mins later after google searching starters and alternators I tapped on the alternator with my knuckle. I walked back around to the drivers side and opened the door, boom! It was chiming, lights were on, etc. I started the car and off to the dealership we went.

Dropped it off and told them the story. They kept it for four days and it started every time with no issue. Alternator good, starter good, battery good, fuses good. Picked it up from the dealership last night....

Today after 6 miles of driving on the highway I heard a loud bang and what sounded like I was dragging something from underneath. It sounded like a bunch of chains. Car went dead at 40mph, and we had to drift into the shoulder. It never started again, no power no nothing. Werent even able to get it into neutral so the flatbed guy had a hell of a time. Its back at the dealership now.

Please help, what could be going wrong with this thing????!!! My gauges are still stuck in place from when I lost power and heard the noise





See Full Image Gallery >>



Porsche expanded the Taycan range when it unveiled a rugged-looking station wagon named Cross Turismo in March 2021. It was developed for buyers seeking a more spacious alternative to the standard sedan. The firm is now looking at the other end of the Taycan spectrum, and it hasn't ruled out launching two-door models.

"The platform is perfect for future additional product ideas, and we are thinking in different directions," said Stefan Weckbach, the head of the Taycan model line, in an interview with British magazine Autocar.

Thinking doesn't always lead to doing, especially not in the automotive industry, so Weckbach's statement isn't a guarantee that additional variants will arrive. However, he affirmed that building a two-door convertible or a coupe on the J1 architecture that underpins the Taycan is technically feasible. There is space in the lineup, and Porsche has often talked about building a 2+2 coupe that would pick up where the 928 left off in 1995, but executives haven't approved either variant. Demand for two-door models is shrinking globally, so the business case is difficult to make.

Another possible addition to the Taycan family is a lower version of the Cross Turismo (pictured). Possibly called Sport Turismo, a name borrowed from the long-roof Panamera, it would share its basic body with the recently-unveiled wagon but it would arrive without the extra ground clearance and the outdoorsy body cladding. Here again, the model hasn't been approved. Whether it will largely depends on if there is demand for two electric wagons.

What's certain is that more electric Porsche models are in the pipeline. Although the German brand is famous for its high-octane flat-sixes, it wants 80% of its lineup to be electric by 2030. It already confirmed that the next-generation Macan will exclusively be offered with an electric powertrain, though the current-generation model will be sold alongside it for an undetermined amount of time, and it said an battery-powered Cayenne is a when, not an if.

Story continues

"There will be a day when we talk about an electric Cayenne," Weckbach confirmed.

Related video:

You Might Also Like
Industry superannuation funds have emerged as early contenders to run VicRoads licensing and registration arms after the Andrews government announced a partial privatisation of the agency.

Treasurer Tim Pallas promised on Friday that Victorias motorists would receive a better service from a partly privately-run VicRoads registry, which brings in $1.8 billion a year in revenue, but offered no guarantees that registration and other fees would not rise.

The proposed joint venture with VicRoads will be the first to use a private partner to manage vehicle registration and licensing. Credit:Yan Zhuang

Mr Pallas said the government was looking for a private player to rebuild the agencys struggling IT system and modernise its services, in return for a concession to run VicRoads registration and licensing for up to 40 years.

The announcement was met with criticism from the registrys main workplace union the Australian Services Union and the state opposition, with the union saying privatisation would lead to job losses among VicRoads workers, low service standards and higher prices.
Lawyer of Concern Dialog Law Firm, advocate Martik Martirosyan has published an analysis related to the legal consequences of the process of dismissing the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia.

In his analysis, Martirosyan states the following: Launching the process of dismissing the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia is initially unconstitutional, and the acts adopted by the Prime Minister and President are null and void and not subject to enforcement, and enforcement may lead to liability. According to part 3 of Article 155 of the Constitution of Armenia, the highest military official of the Armed Forces is the chief of the General Staff who shall be appointed by the President of Armenia upon the Prime Ministers recommendation. As far as Article 133 of the Constitution is concerned, according to which the President of Armenia, upon the Prime Ministers recommendation, shall appoint or dismiss the top commanders of the Armed Forces and other troops in cases and as prescribed by law, it should be noted that it doesnt concern the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia since, as already mentioned, the issues related to appointment of the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces are regulated by Article 155 of the Constitution which states that the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces shall be appointed for a term prescribed by law.

According to the Law on Defense, the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces shall be appointed for a term of five years, meaning that the chief of the General Staff cant be dismissed before expiry of the term of office.

As far as the regulations prescribed by the Law of Armenia on Military Service and Servicemen are concerned, Article 40 lays down the grounds for dismissing servicemen (being appointed to other position, dismissing from military service, etc.).

Thus, its safe to record that the competence to dismiss the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces is not reserved for the Prime Minister and President by the Constitution and there is no legal ground by which the powers of the chief may be terminated. So, the presidential decree on dismissing the chief of the General Staff is null and void.
This photo provided by NASA shows US astronaut Kate Rubins outside the International Space Station during a space walk on Friday, March 5, 2021. Rubins and Japans Soichi Noguchi floated outside to complete unfinished work from Sundays spacewalk. More mounting brackets and struts need to be installed for new and improved solar panels due to arrive in June. (NASA via AP)

Spacewalking astronauts have completed the first round of preparation work for new solar panels, part of a major power upgrade at the International Space Station.

Nasas Kate Rubins and Japans Soichi Noguchi installed mounting brackets and struts for the improved solar wings due to arrive in June.

They also tightened some sticky bolts that hampered Sundays spacewalk and left some duties undone.

Kate Rubins and @Astro_Soichi continue making progress on the @Space_Station's new solar array modification kits for today's spacewalk. Here's the view from Rubins' helmet cam. pic.twitter.com/SnIb1UvxM4  NASA (@NASA) March 5, 2021

Towards the end of the seven-hour spacewalk, Ms Rubins reported a mark on the index finger of her right glove, where she had earlier said there was some peeling.

I dont know what to think about the glove. But its just kind of a pinpoint hole, she told Mission Control.

Ms Rubins said she was mildly concerned about going too far from Mr Noguchi because of her glove, and he accompanied her back to the hatch. Mission Control called it quits at that point and told the astronauts to skip extra chores.

A Nasa spokesman at Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Rob Navias, said Ms Rubins suit pressure held perfectly throughout the spacewalk.

At no time was she in any danger, he said in an email.

Nasa is enhancing the space stations power grid to accommodate more astronauts and experiments, now that SpaceX is launching crews and Boeing should be too by years end.

The eight solar panels have degraded over time; the oldest were launched 20 years ago.

The six new solar wings  smaller but more efficient  will fit over the older ones and boost the stations power capability by up to 30%.

Boeing is supplying the panels, which will be launched in pairs by SpaceX over the next year.

On Sunday, a number of stubborn bolts prevented Ms Rubins and Nasa astronaut Victor Glover from completing the support setup.

As the spacewalk ended, Mission Control congratulated Mr Noguchi for having the longest gap between spacewalks: fifteen-and-a-half years.

His previous three spacewalks occurred in 2005, during the first shuttle flight following the 2003 Columbia disaster.

This should be the last spacewalk for the stations current residents, whose half-year missions are coming to a close.

Ms Rubins will return to Earth in mid-April in a Russian capsule, along with two Russians. Mr Noguchi, Mr Glover and two other Nasa astronauts will fly SpaceX back in late April or May.
For activists preparing to mark International Women's Day in Kyrgyzstan, recalling the ambush that broke up last year's march is still traumatic.

That day, a group of masked men charged the marchers, hitting them with sticks and trampling banners dedicated to equality.

What followed shocked the activists even more.

As the men strolled away, police who had stood by began detaining the victims -- a move they later claimed was for the marchers' own safety.

Gender equality in Central Asia's most politically turbulent country has taken a back seat to what conservatives call "traditional values."

Kidnapping for marriage and domestic violence are systemic and mostly go unpunished thanks to indifferent law enforcement and stigma surrounding whistleblowers.

For Nadira Masyumova, one of the rally organisers, the police's behaviour last year was further proof of state complicity in attacks on activists by self-styled patriot groups.

The 25-year-old noted that the attempt "to frighten activists" was carried out by men sporting Kyrgyzstan's traditional square white hat.

"Many girls we spoke to are now frightened of the Ak-Kalpak," Masyumova said, referring to the garment embedded in Kyrgyz culture and whose national day falls on March 5, three days before International Women's Day.

"Yes it is a symbol of purity and wisdom, but many women now perceive it as a symbol of aggression and terror".

As they readied to march this year under slogans promoting equal pay, healthcare and education free of sexism, Masyumova said marchers were prepared for any violence.

- Values protected, but not women -

Successive regimes in Kyrgyzstan have ignored chronic domestic violence and the custom of coerced marriages that survived the Soviet period and forces thousands of women into wedlock every year.

Activists complain authorities are empowering conservative groups that single out feminists, LGBT groups and anti-corruption protesters in smear campaigns.

Story continues

They are also questioning a clause in a draft constitution -- expected to be passed via referendum this year -- that could be used to quash dissent.

The article in question allows for restrictions on events "contradicting traditional values" to protect "forthcoming generations".

One party backing the proposal is the new Nur Party, which has attracted controversy for positioning itself as defending Islamic norms against the secular spirit of the constitution.

The party opposes the Women's Day march because Kyrgyzstan "is a Muslim country. Our women should live sensibly within the framework of traditional values," Nur member Ruslan Beknazarov told AFP.

"We gave women a quota in parliament. What other rights do they demand?"

Patriotic groups rose to prominence after a popular uprising in 2010 by tapping into growing religious sentiment and a brand of nationalism celebrating pre-Soviet nomadic culture.

The most notorious is Kyrk Choro (40 Knights) which announced their arrival on the scene with a raid on a karaoke club where they shamed purported sex workers on camera as punishment for fraternising with Chinese businessmen.

Three leading members of the group refused AFP's request for interviews.

- 'A wave of hate' -

Kyrk Choro has not acknowledged any role in last year's attack on marchers, but the alliance was at the forefront of opposition to an art exhibition against gender violence just months before.

Scheduled to last 17 days in memory of 17 female migrants that died in a print house fire in Russia, the exhibition opened with a nude performance by a female model.

It also included a punch bag in the shape of a female torso and an interactive exhibit that allowed visitors to replicate menial chores performed by women across the country.

But the "Feminnale" was evicted from the museum amid vehement conservative criticism, while the museum's director resigned under censure from officials and lawmakers.

Altyn Kapalova, a researcher and children's author who curated the exhibition, emerged as a hate figure.

"People said I should be burned, drowned, made to run around the city naked -- a wave of hate," said Kapalova, who will participate in Monday's March.

Sometimes she thinks of shelving activism, she said, but channels inspiration "from my audience, from other women".

"I get distressed. But then something happens to you on the everyday level, something forcing you to defend your rights, your children's rights," Kapalova told AFP.

tol-cr/jbr/jz
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
18+

FOR.kg search news service (news aggregator, media aggregator)

Read first Agreement on the use of the FOR.kg search site

When using materials from the FOR.kg - reference to the source is required

For all questions please contact customer support
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

HOUSTON, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Next Level Urgent Care, LLC welcomes Kelly Frazier as new Chief Human Resources Officer, adding to a growing team dedicated to expanding quality, affordable healthcare across Texas.

Frazier brings decades of experience in human resources to the organization, including work within the energy and professional services realm.

Kelly Frazier, the new chief human resources officer of Next Level Urgent Care

Prior to serving as vice president of human resources and administration at Fieldwood Energy, LLC, she led corporate, domestic and international human resources teams at Newfield Exploration - establishing processes supporting growth and sustainability.

Her dynamic business background and experience partnering with business leaders in pivoting business models through transformation and change will help define workforce strategies, while ensuring compliance and governance for the rapidly growing urgent care organization.

Frazier says her primary goal for Next Level Urgent Care is to focus on the attraction and retention of the best talent for the organization.

"The people are what sets Next Level apart from others. As we continue to grow, it is paramount to maintain the culture and delivery of great customer service," said Frazier.

According to Next Level Urgent Care Founder and CEO, Juliet Breeze MD, Frazier will play an integral role in helping Next Level Urgent Care not only manage the ongoing challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presents in employee management and administration, but also those affecting employee programs established for clients and partners.

"We are so excited to have Kelly join our team. Her experience in talent management, accounting and corporate administration will provide valuable guidance as we navigate the changes that come with rapid growth," said Juliet Breeze, founder and CEO of Next Level Urgent Care.

Frazier holds a BBA from Augusta University in Augusta, GA, and is SPHR (senior professional in human resources) and SHRM-SCP certified. A thought leader in the Houston business community, she serves as a Board Member for the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce, Champions Women's Club and Dedicated Caring Medical Transportation, LLC, and was a prior Board Member for the Wylie, TX Chamber of Commerce.

She is also a member of Victory Houston, a branch of the American Cancer Society, raising funds through the Houston Cattle Barron's Ball and Holiday Shopping Card each year.

The commitment of NLUC leadership to helping businesses safely reopen amid ongoing COVID concerns has prioritized talent acquisition for vaccine administration and advanced employer integration of their return to work COVID-19 Safety program and Next Level PRIME program.

Next Level Urgent Care provides comprehensive healthcare services for all ages and stages of life. Every clinic provides onsite x-ray, as well as a broad range of urgent and primary care services, seven days a week until 9 p.m.

Contact Next Level Urgent Care for more information on services and programs, or call 281.783.8162.

Media Contact:

Cheryl Bertrand

Office: 281.201.0657 x 108 | Fax: 281.336.0764

Related Images

kelly-frazier-chief-human.jpg

Kelly Frazier, Chief Human Resources Officer - Next Level Urgent Care

Kelly Frazier, the new chief human resources officer of Next Level Urgent Care

Related Links

LinkedIn

Facebook



SOURCE Next Level Urgent Care, LLC
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Egypts Micro, Small and Medium enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) will organise on Thursday the Al-Bazaar fair for handicrafts and house decors at Cairos International Convention Center.

Held under the auspices of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the event will be held from 11-20 March, as the beginning of a series of exhibitions organised by the MSMEDA to promote and market the handicrafts as well as to be a support to the sector.

Egypts Trade and Industry Minister Nevine Gamea said that the interest by President El-Sisi and the state in the handicrafts sector comes under its vital economic, social and cultural role in the labour-intensive sector, which is also a major source of income nationwide.

Short link:


WHEATON, Ill., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Safety in Spine Surgery Project (S3P) has announced that the First Annual Safety in Spine Surgery month will take place in April of 2021. The goal of this project is to improve safety in spine surgery by sharing guidelines, techniques, and protocols that make care better, and to share lessons learned from participants who have developed specific, successful safety protocols. This event will feature two live webinars, an industry-wide social media campaign throughout April, and awards for Best New Methodologies and Techniques to Enhance Safety in Spine Surgery.

Safety Month Banner

Under the leadership of Michael G. Vitale, MD, MPH and co-chairmen John Flynn, MD; Roger Hartl, MD; Larry Lenke, MD; Rajiv Sethi, MD, S3P is partnering with surgeons, allied health care providers, organizations, hospitals, and medical device companies in this effort. It is the belief of the program directors that all major healthcare stakeholders are obligated to invest their expertise and funds to enhance patient safety.

Thus far, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, the Scoliosis Research Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Pediatric Spine Study Group, the Harms Study Group, the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Medtronic, Stryker, and Zimmer Biomet have signed on to participate as partners in this effort.

Registration is open for two live webinars, taking place April 15 and April 29. The first will focus on predictive analytics, enabling technology, and innovative techniques to make the OR safer. The second will highlight checklists, guidelines, and tricks to avoid complications and improve neurological safety. Awards for best papers and projects will be presented to submissions in February.

Throughout April, S3P will share resources from faculty and partners via social media, website posts, and email newsletters. Individuals are invited to participate by posting their own successes and difficulties using the hashtags #safetyinspinesurgery and #s3p.

About the Safety in Spine Surgery Project http://safetyinspinesurgery.com/

S3P began in February of 2016 when the inaugural Safety in Spine Surgery Summit was held in NYC to a sold-out audience of health care providers and industry partners. Its mission is to identify ways to enhance the safety and sustainability of spine surgery and work with stakeholders in spine surgery, including but not limited to patients, providers, payers, and purchasers, to prevent harm.

Media Contact:

Kate Laney

S3P  The Safety in Spine Surgery Project

c/o BroadWater

T: 630-681-1040

[email protected]

SOURCE Safety in Spine Surgery Project

Related Links

http://safetyinspinesurgery.com


The little girl who was saved in a hair-raising fall from a building in Hanoi last month was discharged from the Vietnam National Childrens Hospital on Friday after five days of treatment.

Doctor Hoang Hai Duc, head of pediatric orthopedics at the hospital, said the pelvis joint of H., the child patient in question, was fixed and is responding well to treatment, as suggested by X-ray images.

A re-examination for the three-year-old toddler is slated for two or three weeks later.

On Thursday, Duong Thi Minh Thu, head of the hospital's social work Ddepartment, visited and gave presents to the girl and checked on her family.

The management board of the hospital also directed the department to provide support for the family during the girls next check-ups.

On behalf of the family, H.s mother expressed gratitude toward the treatment that her daughter had received.

Around 5:30 pm on February 28, H. was seen climbing over the balcony on the 12th floor of the apartment building at 60B Nguyen Huy Tuong Street in Thanh Xuan District.

She hung there for a moment before dropping.

The girl was saved by a man, 31-year-old Nguyen Ngoc Manh, who had noticed the situation and dashed up the metal roof of a structure ready to catch her.

Her fall barely missed his arms so she hit the metal roof below before bouncing up, according to what was seen in new videos that surfaced after initial footage of the incident went viral on Facebook.

Manh quickly brought her down to the ground before she was rushed to the hospital with injuries to the pelvis joint.

The man was then praised by the prime minister and the public for his heroic act.

Manh is a delivery worker in Dong Anh District, Hanoi.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Political scandals are not unknown in France and are well documented, but the list of well known politicians, including former presidents and prime ministers, accused in recent years of financial misdeeds or corruption is growing.

In the present French political system, the president is a powerful figure: the head of state with supreme executive authority and command of the armed forces, with the ability to choose the prime minister, regarded as a symbol of the French nation. Directly elected by universal suffrage, not by an electoral college, for a term of five years, presidents cannot be voted out of office by the Parliament. The president enjoys immunity and cannot be prosecuted during his term. However, inquiries and prosecution can be started after he leaves office.

It is rare for former presidents to be put on trial and even rarer for them to be convicted of an alleged offense. France has had the dubious distinction of having two such cases in recent history concerning two presidents: Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy. Chirac, president 19952007, in 2011 was convicted of embezzling and misusing public funds when he was mayor of Paris. He was tried in absentia because he was in ill health, suffering from neurological problems. He received a two-year suspended sentence over "ghost jobs." Chirac was the first former head of state to be convicted since the head of the Vichy government, Marshall Philippe Petain, in 1945, was found guilty of collaboration with the Nazis. Chirac was convicted of paying members of his political party, the RPR, for 21 municipal jobs that did not exist, diverting public funds to finance his political party, and abusing public trust while he was mayor. The court found him to be the sole person responsible, holding that there was no fault in his subordinates.

The case of Nicolas Sarkozy is more important historically and politically since it is the first time a former president of the Fifth Republic has appeared in court on criminal charges and been convicted. Sarkozy had been president 20072012 after winning 53% of the popular vote. After his electoral defeat by Francois Holland in 2012, he officially retired from public life but continued to play an influential role in French conservative politics, where he remained popular. In a historic ruling, on March 1, 2021, the French court convicted Sarkozy, now 66 years old, and sentenced him to three years in prison for corruption and influence-peddling, though the sentence was suspended for two years, and the third year can be served by Sarkozy at home, wearing an electronic bracelet or in limited home confinement. The court held that he had used his status as former president to influence a magistrate who had served his personal interests.

The verdict does not legally ban Sarkozy from holding public office, but politically, it almost certainly ends any hope of a presidential comeback, at which Sarkozy has been hinting during the last year. His political party, the center-right Les Republicains, has been searching for a candidate for the presidential campaign to be held in 2022 since the leading candidate who was strongly favored to win, former prime minister Francois Fillon, was involved in an affair (Penelopegate) of giving fake jobs to his wife Penelope, paid from public funds. He was convicted in 2020 with a five-year prison term, of which three years were suspended.

Sarkozy's conviction interrelates with a number of other legal problems and charges of corruption in which he is embroiled. He has denied accusations of wrongdoing in all the cases. There are five main issues in which he is centrally or peripherally involved, some of which are interrelated. For convenience, they can be called the Bygmalion affair, Libyan issue, Russia consulting, L'Oreal, and Karachi funding.

The verdict on March 1 stems from the case in which Sarkozy told his lawyer Thierry Herzog to offer Gilbert Azibert, the senior judge of the Cour de Cassation, the highest appeals court in France, a good job in Monaco, virtually a retirement package, in return for information on an official investigation into whether Sarkozy had received donations for his electoral campaign from Liliane Bettencourt. The allegation, based on telephone taps, was that Sarkozy, using the pseudonym Paul Bismuth to evade detection, had called his lawyer to get confidential information about the Bettencourt case. His lawyer, Herzog, argued that the secretly recorded conversation with Sarkozy could not be used as evidence because of client-lawyer privilege.

At the core of the case was the allegation that Sarkozy, desiring campaign funds, had received illicit payments from Liliane Bettencourt, born in 1922, the daughter and heiress of Eugene Schueller, the founder and owner of L'Oreal, who had been a Nazi sympathizer during World War II. Liliane was the richest woman in France and one of the richest in the world. It was said that conservative politicians were given envelopes stuffed with cash at her mansion. One of those envelopes, containing $200,000, was given to Eric Woerth, treasurer of Sarkozy's party for the 2007 campaign. The allegation was that the Sarkozy campaign had taken advantage of Liliane's age and mental condition (deaf, suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and too old to understand what was happening). However, Woerth was cleared in 2015 of all charges.

Though it is disputed, Sarkozy was alleged to have been a regular visitor to the Bettencourt mansion. Whether true or not, it is ironic that it is the charge in the court case, the attempt by Sarkozy to get information about the allegation that he had illegally obtained funds from Bettencourt in 2007, that was central to the guilty verdict on March 1, 2021.

A second case, the so called Bygmalion case, with the trial due to start on March 17, 2021, involves allegations of illegal funding for Sarkozy's 2012 failed presidential campaign. His party, then known as the UMP, is said to have worked with Bygmalion, a public relations company, to hide the true cost of re-election expenditures. France has strict limits on campaign spending, and the Sarkozy campaign spent $50 million, which was twice the amount legally allowed. The Bygmalion company improperly invoiced the UMP, not the Sarkozy campaign, to evade the legal restrictions. Though there is no evidence that Sarkozy took part in the fraudulent system, it is unlikely that he left all decisions on it to his staff.

A third issue again concerns the 2007 election, with allegations of corruption and illegal financing involving Libyan spies and arms-dealers. The dictator Moammar Gaddafi is said to have given 50 million euros, $62 million, in stuffed briefcases to the Sarkozy campaign in exchange for access and favors. Whether true or not, it is puzzling that Gaddafi was given a lavish state visit to France in December 2007, and complex ties were set up between the two countries.

A fourth issue is the charge of influence-peddling by Sarkozy, seven years after he left office. He was involved with and received a payment of three million euros in 2019 from the Russian insurance firm Reso-Garantia. The issue is whether Sarkozy was a consultant, which is perfectly legal, or was involved in criminal lobbying on behalf of the Russian firm.

The fifth and ongoing issue, one in which Sarkozy is a witness, not a suspect, concerns campaign funding for Edouard Balladur, who was prime minister 199395, of more than $3 million, running a campaign for president, which he lost to Jacques Chirac in 1995. In that campaign, Balladur had exceeded the maximum campaign spending limit, as had his opponent Chirac, so no action was taken. The allegation is of complicity in misuse of corporate assets and concealment in connection with the sale of Agosta 90B submarines to Pakistan for 800 million euros and frigates to Saudi Arabia. Two former aides got kickbacks, estimated at 13 million francs, 10 million of which went to Balladur's campaign, from Pakistani arms dealers at a time when Sarkozy was budget minister and Balladur's election spokesperson.

Balladur has been charged with complicity in the alleged misappropriation of public funds. He has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of kickbacks, and he claims he thought the large increase in campaign funds came from the sale of T-shirts and other items at political rallies. His case is to be heard by the Court of Justice of the Republic, a special tribunal set up in 1993 to try members and former members of government for offenses committed during their mandate. The case has come to light during an investigation into the bombing in May 2002 in Karachi, Pakistan, which targeted a bus transporting French engineers; 15 people were killed, including 11 French engineers working on a submarine contract. The bombing may have been committed by al-Qaeda, but it was more likely in retaliation for non-payment of bribes promised by French officials.

The inquiries into the behavior and actions of Sarkozy and other ministers continue. Whatever their outcome, it is instructive to observe how France deals with allegations of official misconduct.

Image: Paul Kagame via Flickr, CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0.
New Delhi: The United Kingdom sees India as an important partner when it comes to bringing change on the ground in Myanmar. The situation has deteriorated in the country, with many protestors being killed more than a month after the coup by the military.

Speaking to a select group of reporters, the new British high commissioner Alex Ellis in his first briefing said, "The situation has got worse, it is a matter of great concern...India is important to partner to change the situation on the ground. How India does that is up to India. We need to keep the pressure up on the regime."

At the United Nations security council, UK has taken a lead on discussing the issue. The United Nations human rights council has also seen a lot of developments vis a vis coup on Myanmar, with several countries condemning the development.

Speaking on India UK ties, the high commissioner pointed out the "Political will" with "stars aligned" which is "Shubh" (auspicious). UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to visit India soon, and Indian PM Modi will be going to the UK for the G7 summit later in the year.

Earlier, UK Parliament set to discuss the farmers' protests in India, Alex Ellis said that it is an "internal matter of India" but "things that happen in India have ripples in the UK, partially because of Indian Diaspora"

After a petition which got a lot of support, the UK Parliament will be discussing the issue on Monday. Indian mission in UK has reached out explaining that the farm laws is a reform agenda of Indian govt, dispelling any misconception.

Questions were also asked on extradition of Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, Indian fugitives who had fled to UK, to which the envoy pointed out that his country, "recognizes the desire to get back people involved in corruption."

One of the most interesting aspects of his around one-hour long interaction with reporters was he highlighting that "World of the collapse of Soviet Union is over..that world is gone, we are in a new world", adding,"...white western model is over."

Live TV
Courtesy Photo

Members of the board of the Midland Development Corp. Thursday gave board Chairman Wesley Bownds authority to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement on a 53.67-acre tract in the David Mims Business Park on Interstate 20.

Sara Harris, MDC director of operations and chief financial officer, told the Reporter-Telegram there are some parties interested in the tract but any sale is early in the negotiation stage. She added that MDC, which has owned the 73-acre tract since 2006, had sold 20 acres to Weir Oil & Gas in 2017 for a service center. That, she said, added $30 million to the tax base.
By Philip Pullella and John Davison

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Pope Francis began his most risky foreign trip on Friday, flying into Iraq amid the tightest security ever seen for a papal visit to appeal to the country's leaders and people to end militant violence and religious strife.

The country has deployed thousands of security personnel to protect him during the visit, which comes after a spate of rocket and suicide bomb attacks and a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Even before he landed, Francis told reporters on his plane that he felt duty-bound to make what he called an "emblematic" trip despite the difficulties because the country "has been martyred for so many years".

At the official welcome in the presidential palace, the 84-year-old Francis, limping from what appeared to be a fresh flare-up of his painful sciatica, made an impassioned call for Iraqi to finally give peacemakers chance.

"May the clash of arms be silenced ... may there be an end to acts of violence and extremism," he said.

President Barham Salih thanked the pope for making the first-ever papal visit to Iraq "despite the many recommendations to delay" because of the pandemic and other challenges in "our wounded country".

The fact that the pope came anyway "multiplies the value of this visit for the Iraqi people", the president said.

Hundreds of people gathered in small clusters to see him being driven into Baghdad in bulletproof BMW, a departure for a pope who normally insists on using small, normal cars.

A motorcade of dozens of vehicles accompanied him out of the airport compound, which recently came under rocket fire from militia groups.

In his speech at the palace, Francis, looking tired at the start of his first foreign trip in 16 months, criticized factional and foreign interests that have destabilised Iraq and the wider region and hit ordinary people the hardest.

"Iraq has suffered the disastrous effects of wars, the scourge of terrorism and sectarian conflicts often grounded in a fundamentalism incapable of accepting the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups," Francis said.

Story continues

He later paid tribute to people killed in attacks motivated by religion, visiting a Baghdad church where Islamist gunmen killed about 50 worshippers in 2010.

Their deaths were a reminder that "violence or the shedding of blood are incompatible with authentic religious teachings", he said.

Iraq's security has improved since the defeat of Islamic State in 2017, but the country continues to be a theatre for global and regional score-settling, especially a bitter U.S.-Iran rivalry that has played out on Iraqi soil.

The U.S. invasion of 2003, after years of international sanctions and a devastating war with Iran instigated by former leader Saddam Hussein in the 1980s, plunged Iraq into sectarian conflict and chronic mismanagement that has plagued it since.

'WE ALL NEED THIS VISIT'

The pope's whirlwind four-day tour will take him by plane, helicopter and cars to four cities, including areas that most foreign dignitaries are unable to reach, let alone in such a short space of time.

"This visit is one of a kind. We are excited, and we all need this visit, all Iraqis do," said an Iraqi Christian from Baghdad, Magin Derius.

Iraq's Christian community, one of the oldest in the world, has fallen to about 300,000 from about 1.5 million about 20 years ago.

On Saturday the pope will hold an unprecedented meeting with Iraq's top Shi'ite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in the southern city of Najaf. He will also visit Ur, birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, who is revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews, and will return to say Mass in Baghdad.

On Sunday Francis travels north to Mosul, a former stronghold of Islamic State, where churches and other buildings there still bear the scars of conflict.

Since the defeat of the Islamic State militants in 2017, Iraq has seen a greater degree of security, though violence persists, often in the form of rocket attacks by Iran-aligned militias on U.S. targets, and U.S. military action in response.

Islamic State remains a threat. In January, a suicide attack claimed by the Sunni militant group killed 32 people in Baghdad's deadliest such attack for years.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella and John Davison in Baghdad; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Gareth Jones and Frances Kerry)
Looks like a recent report by WinFuture.de hinted that Samsung could be working on a smartphone called the Galaxy XCover 5, which comes with a removable battery. That being said, it is quite rare to find smartphones with removable batteries these days so the fact Samsung wants to release such a device is quite surprising.

Furthermore, it seems that the smartphone in question is expected to come equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 chipset, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, 5.3-inch HD+ display, as well as a 3000mAh battery that supports up to 15W fast charging. Camera-wise, it will come with a single 16MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing selfie camera.

Do take some of the information with a grain of salt, due to the fact that Samsung has yet to provide an official statement on the leak. Not only that, but theres also no news on the Malaysia release date, local pricing, and exact tech specs for now.

Would you be interested in getting the Samsung XCover 5 if it were to be available in the Malaysian market? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 02:12:54|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

NICOSIA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- United Kingdom (UK) nationals who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be allowed to enter Cyprus without any restrictions as of May 1, Cyprus' Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios said here on Friday.

Perdios told CyBC television that Cyprus had already informed the UK government of its decision.

"They can come here without needing a negative COVID-19 test and without needing to quarantine," Perdios said.

He said the government also decided that tourists from the UK would be allowed into Cyprus as of April 1, provided that the UK is categorized as a green country under the new traffic lights color classification -- green, orange and red, plus a fourth grey category -- which came into effect on March 1.

People from grey countries are only allowed into Cyprus under a special permit.

The UK is currently categorized as a grey country, but it is expected to be upgraded because of the large number of people who have already been vaccinated.

After the re-classification, UK travelers will be allowed into Cyprus provided they have a negative coronavirus test certificate issued 72 hours before boarding.

The re-classification of the UK is expected to give a boost to the revival of tourism, which was down by almost 85.4 percent in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The UK is Cyprus' largest source of tourists, contributing about 21 percent to the country's annual gross domestic product (GDP).

The arrangement with the UK comes on the heels of an agreement between Cyprus and Israel to mutually accept without any restrictions people who have been vaccinated and wish to travel between the two countries.

The agreement is scheduled to come into effect on April 1.

UK press reports said that travel agencies have already made thousands of bookings for vacations in Cyprus and other countries for people who have been vaccinated.

Cypriot authorities have said that they will take random samples from travelers upon arrival. They also warned that those who arrive in the country must observe the health protocols in force aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus, meaning wearing a face mask, social distancing and observing basic personal hygiene. Enditem
(JNS) - The U.S. Senate confirmed Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Tuesday as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

The final vote was 78-20.

The 35-year veteran diplomat and Louisiana native will arrive in the backdrop of U.S. President Joe Biden's stated pledge to re-engage with the world body amid the coronavirus pandemic and its global economic fallout. She will be sworn in on Wednesday by Vice President Kamala Harris and present her credentials to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday.

Commenting on her confirmation, U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken said that Thomas-Green...
The on Friday released its first list of 70 candidates for the and announced that allies and United People's Party Liberal will contest on 26 and eight seats respectively.

The three-phased elections for the 126-member Assam assembly will be held on March 27, April 1 and April 6.

Party general secretary Arun Singh told a press conference that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will contest from the Majuli (ST) reserved constituency and state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from Jalukbari.

The two seats are currently represented by the two top state leaders in the assembly.

Assam chief Ranjit Dass will contest the polls from Patacharkuchi instead of Sarbhog from where he won in the last elections.

The BJP took away from the (AGP) the Barhampur seat, where two-time chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has been an MLA since 1991, and fielded Jitu Goswami.

Speculation is rife that Mahanta, who has been undergoing treatment in Delhi, may fight the polls under the banner of another regional party.

The BJP also got from the AGP the Lakhimpur seat, where a confidante of Mahanta and former minister Utpal Dutta is MLA, and the Kamalpur seat, which was held by AGP MLA Satyabrat Kalita.

Sonowal, Sarma and two leaders of the AGP -- party president and minister Atul Bora and executive president and minister Keshav Mahanta -- were present at the press conference.

BJP general secretary Singh said the party in the first list has replaced 11 sitting MLAs with new faces.

The BJP has also fielded two former Congress ministers who had joined the party in the past -- Ajanta Neog in Golaghat and Gautom Roy in Katigorah.

Among those who were again nominated by the BJP were assembly speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami (Jorhat), ministers Ranjeet Dutta (Behali), Jogen Mohan (Mahmora), Naba Kumar Doley (Dhakuakhana), Parimal Suklabaidya (Dholai), Bhabesh Kalita (Rangiya) and Piyush Hazarika (Jagiroad).

The list also includes four women candidates, including sitting MLA Angoorlata Deka (Batadroba).

In the first phase, 47 constituencies will go to polls, in the second phase, polling will be held in 39 constituencies and in the third phase, polling will be held in 40 constituencies.

The BJP central election committee had met here on Thursday to finalise these names.

The saffron party is pulling out all the stops to retain power in the state where it had formed government for the first time in 2016.

The BJP had won 60 seats in 2016, the AGP won 14 constituencies while the UPPL is a new partner of the BJP and does not have any MLA now. The BPF, which was part of the BJP-led alliance, had won 12 seats in 2016.

The BPF is no longer an alliance partner of the BJP and the regional party had recently joined the opposition Congress-led 'Mahajoot'.
Canada, UK Agree to Cooperate on Defending Human Rights, Including in China and Burma

Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau and his UK counterpart Dominic Raab agreed that the two countries should advance cooperation on a number of human rights issues, including in China and Burma, also known as Myanmar.

According to a statement, Garneau had expressed Canadas appreciation for the UKs support for the two Canadians citizensMichael Kovrig and Michael Spavorwho have been arbitrarily detained by Chinese authorities for more than two years.

He said the men remain an absolute priority, and that Canada will continue to call for their immediate release.

The two Michaels were detained in 2018, following Canadas arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei Technologies founder Ren Zhengfei and the telecom companys chief financial officer. Earlier in the year, Meng was arrested at a Vancouver airport at a U.S. request for her extradition.

Meng and her company were accused of using a Hong Kong shell company, Skycom, to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. She faces charges of bank fraud for allegedly misleading HSBC and other financial institutions about her companys business dealings in Iran.

Garneau also thanked the UK for supporting Canadas launching of the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention last month. The declaration aims to protect Canadians and citizens of all countries from the practice of arbitrary detention in State-to-State Relations.

The ministers also vowed to continue speaking out about human rights issues in China, such as the crackdown on Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. These ethnic minorities have been subjected to mass arbitrary detention, political re-education, forced labour, torture, forced sterilization, and sexual violence under the draconian rule of the Chinese Communist Party.

The ministers agreed that China should allow an international investigation, with independent experts, into the alleged genocide in Xinjiang.

On the recent human rights crisis in Burma, the ministers reaffirmed last months statement released by Canada and its G7 allies, in which the countries strongly condemned the violence perpetrated by Myanmars security forces against peaceful protestors.

They also noted the call for the Tatmadaw, Burmas military, to immediately and unconditionally release arbitrarily detention of Burmas top leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
Mustang Club X Plan Updates

Ford Motor Company is modifying the X-Plan program for Mustang Club of America members.

Going forward only Standard and Digital members will be eligible for X-Plan.

Additionally, you must have been a member of MCA for a minimum of 90 days before you can use the X-Plan. The latter 90 day requirement is being added for all organizations eligible for X-Plan.

More details as they become available.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Three villagers who allege they saw Ben Roberts-Smith kick an unarmed farmer off a cliff in Afghanistan before the man was shot dead are unlikely to be granted entry into Australia to give evidence in a defamation trial, a court has heard.

The doubts over whether the key witnesses can enter the country has prompted lawyers for media companies being sued by Mr Roberts-Smith to apply for the villagers to give evidence via video link if they cant attend a Sydney courtroom this year.

Former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith. Credit:Getty

Mr Roberts-Smith, a highly-decorated former Australian soldier, is suing The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald over reports he allegedly committed murder on deployments to Afghanistan and that he punched his mistress in the face in Canberra in 2018.

The Victoria Cross recipient denies the allegations and says the reports are defamatory because they portray him as a criminal.
A study of national data shows the devastating impact the pandemic has had on those with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers.

PHILADELPHIA - Intellectual disability puts individuals at higher risk of dying earlier in life than the general population, for a variety of medical and institutional reasons. A new study from Jefferson Health examined how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected this group, which makes up 1-3% of the US population. The study, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Catalyst, found that intellectual disability was second only to older age as a risk factor for dying from COVID-19.

"The chances of dying from COVID-19 are higher for those with intellectual disability than they are for people with congestive heart failure, kidney disease or lung disease," says lead author Jonathan Gleason, MD, the James D. and Mary Jo Danella Chief Quality Officer for Jefferson Health. "That is a profound realization that we have not, as a healthcare community, fully appreciated until now."

The authors examined 64 million patient records from 547 healthcare organizations between January 2019 to November 2020 to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with intellectual disabilities. They identified variables such as COVID-19, intellectual disability or other health conditions, as well as demographic factors such as age.

The results showed that those with intellectual disabilities were 2.5 times more likely to contract COVID-19, were about 2.7 times more likely to be admitted to the hospital and 5.9 times more likely to die from the infection than the general population.

"Our failure to protect these deeply vulnerable individuals is heart-breaking," says co-author Wendy Ross, MD, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician and director for the Center for Autism and Neurodiversity at Jefferson Health. "I believe that if we can design a system that is safe and accessible for people with intellectual disabilities, it will benefit all of us."

The authors write that patients with intellectual disabilities may have less ability to comply with strategies that reduce the risk of infection, such as masking and social distancing. In addition, the researchers showed that these patients are more likely to have additional health conditions that contribute to a more severe course of COVID-19 disease. The results of the study highlight how these issues become compounded in this population.

"We need to understand more about what is happening with these patients," says Dr. Gleason. "I do believe these patients and their caregivers should be prioritized for vaccination and healthcare services. We should reflect on why we have failed this vulnerable population, and how we can better serve them during this health crisis, and into the future," Dr. Gleason says. "Even prior to the pandemic, individuals with intellectual disabilities have had poor health outcomes. We need to do much better."

The authors suggest key action steps that require a rapid response. "First, those with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers should be prioritized for vaccines by organizations that set federal guidelines, including the CDC," says Dr. Gleason. "Second, federal and state healthcare regulatory offices should measure access, quality and safety in this population in order to track our ability to improve health outcomes for these patients. Finally, the United States should redesign the care model for individuals with intellectual disabilities."

"As an organization deeply committed to advocating for the health of one of the most marginalized populations - those with intellectual disabilities (ID) - we have seen the need for people with ID to be prioritized as a high-risk group during this pandemic. It's devastating to hear that people with ID are almost six times more likely to die from COVID-19," said Alicia Bazzano, MD, PhD, MPH, Chief Health Officer of the Special Olympics. "Most health authorities do not recognize that people with ID who get COVID-19 have a much higher risk of dying. Special Olympics is grateful to the Jefferson team for shining a spotlight on these devastating numbers."

###

Article Reference: Jonathan Gleason, Wendy Ross, Alexander Fossi, Heather Blonsky, Jane Tobias, Mary Stephens, "The Devastating Impact of COVID-19 on individuals with intellectual disabilities in the United States," NEJM Catalyst, DIO: 10.1056/CAT.21.0051, 2021.

Media Contact:

Edyta Zielinska,

267-234-3553,

edyta.zielinska@jefferson.edu.
You may also like these stories:

Last month, the regime categorically denied involvement in the killing of a young woman who was shot in the head during a police crackdown on anti-regime protesters in Naypyitaw, saying the bullet that struck her was different from the type security forces use, citing a postmortem report.

Relevant law enforcement personnel are investigating the root cause of the death, it said.

The exhumation came after the regimes state-run newspapers reported on Friday morning that the injury sustained by the woman was unlikely to have been caused by security force weapons. It also claimed that if she had been hit by live ammunition, her head would have been disfigured.

Witnesses said soldiers arrived in trucks at the cemetery around 3 p.m. Friday and held the cemetery staff at gunpoint. Since then the entrance to the cemetery has been blocked.

She was entombed at the Chinese section of Aye Yeik Nyein Cemetery.

Kyal Sin was hit in the head during a heavy-handed police crackdown on anti-regime protesters in downtown Mandalay on Wednesday. Witnesses said live ammunition was used.

YANGONThe body of a 19-year-old woman who was shot dead by security forces in Mandalay on Wednesday was forcibly exhumed by Myanmar military soldiers Friday afternoon, one day after her burial.

Family members and friends arrive at Kyal Sin's funeral on Thursday in Mandalay. / The Irrawaddy

Family members and friends arrive at Kyal Sin's funeral on Thursday in Mandalay. / The Irrawaddy

UK Sanctions Six More Myanmar Coup Leaders for Serious Rights Abuses

At Least 14 People Shot Dead by Security Forces at Protests Across Myanmar

Myanmars Bloody Sunday Sees Highest Death Toll So Far at Hands of Security Forces

Myanmar Military Cracks Down on Journalists with Arrests and Lawsuits

For Myanmar Military, Rule No. 1 in Riot Control Is Shoot to Kill

Myanmar Diplomat in US Refuses to Work for Military Regime

At Least Nine Protesters Shot Dead in Three Cities in Myanmar

Another Bloody Day in Myanmar: At Least 28 Protesters Slain by Military

More Than 10 Myanmar Diplomats Refuse to Work for Military Regime

We do not encourage viewing this site in this width. Please increase the size of your window.
Olivia Munn is not letting quarantine interfere with her workout regimen.

The actress, 40, was spotted keeping up with her exercise routine as she left a gym in West Hollywood on Thursday.

The results of all of Olivia's hard work were on display, with the star leaving the facility in an ab-baring crop top.

If you've got it! Olivia Munn bared her midriff as she left the gym in West Hollywood on Thursday

Olivia further accentuated her toned body with a pair of tight black leggings.

She wore a black face mask for protection against the coronavirus, and a pair of shades for relief from the sun.

Olivia's silky brunette tresses were pulled up in a high ponytail, the perfect hairdo for a sweat-breaking working.

A blue flannel shirt injected a casual touch, whereas her chic leather purse added a sense of sophistication to the look.

Walk this way: Munn trekked across the parking lot in a snazzy pair of black and white trainers

A regular at the gym, Olivia has been particularly focused on her health ever since she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder fibromyalgia two years ago.

'I wasn't really sure what was going on with me,' Munn revealed to People of her ongoing health battle. 'I was going through a lot of different ailments for years and not knowing what was happening.'

'I had to change my wellness routine pretty significantly. I had to be super thoughtful about what I put into my body,' Olivia told the magazine.

'I had to start eating gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free  I had to cut out a lot of things that I was used to having every day and things that I really loved.'

Health battle: A regular at the gym, Olivia has been particularly focused on her health ever since she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder fibromyalgia two years ago

The overhaul in her lifestyle wasn't easy particularly because she was schedule to go to Italy - the land of pasta, pizza, wine and cheese - the very next day after being diagnosed.

Ultimately, the choice was clear for the Oklahoma native. Her doctors laid out a grim future for her if she didn't make better choices.

'I had no choice, I was feeling so bad,' she said. 'I had to really listen to the doctor's orders and cut all these things out.'

Munn shared some powerful advice from a doctor who told her to start practicing mindful eating.

'He said, "You need to really work on your gut health, but the most important thing I can tell you is that whatever you eat, you need to really love it"', she recalled.

'It's not just about eating the healthy things and you're not liking it. You have to find what you love to eat and drink because that will make a difference, because all the research has shown that when you're happy, you create chemicals that are good for your whole body and your gut health as well.

'When you are unhappy and you're doing things that you don't like, you're eating things you don't like, you will create other things in your body that are not good for you. In order to keep yourself healthy, you have to find things that you enjoy,' she revealed. 'That was so impactful for me.'
Advertisement

Hilaria Baldwin has been pictured in public for the first time since she made the shock announcement that she and husband Alec had welcomed a sixth child via an unnamed surrogate, just six months after the yoga guru gave birth to her fifth child, son Eduardo.

The 37-year-old mother-of-six, who unveiled her newborn daughter Lucia to the world on Monday, was seen enjoying some alone time while out for a walk near the family's home in the Hamptons on Thursday - the same day that she spoke of how her five other kids had 'craved' a baby sister after she miscarried a daughter at the end of 2019, just over a year before they welcomed their newest arrival.

Hilaria wrapped up warm for her active excursion, wearing shiny black leggings, a thick black puffer coat, black Uggs, and a pair of white Beats by Dre headphones. She also carried her iPhone in her hand and appeared to be speaking - suggesting that she was chatting to someone through her wireless headphones while out for her stroll.

Exclusive images of her outing come amid furious speculation about the identity of her anonymous surrogate, which prompted Alec, 62, to unleash a bitter tirade against Instagram users who questioned the details of Lucia's birth, with the SNL star telling one person to 'shut the f*** up and mind your own business'.

But while the couple have kept details of their daughter's birth very much under wraps, Hilaria did hint that they did not rely on sperm or egg donors for Lucia's conception when she described the little girl and her brother Eduardo, six months, as being 'almost like twins' in an Instagram post.

Alone time: Hilaria Baldwin has been pictured in public for the first time since making the surprise announcement that she and SNL star Alec had welcomed a sixth child, just six months after she gave birth to her fifth baby Eduardo

Active: The 37-year-old mother-of-six was seen enjoying a stroll near the family's home in the Hamptons on Thursday, the same day that she spoke out about how her children had 'craved a sister' after she miscarried a daughter at the end of 2019

Wrapped up: Hilaria donned a thick black puffer jacket over a pink shirt, along with shiny black leggings, black Ugg boots, and a pair of white Beats by Dre headphones

Chit chat? She looked as though she may have been chatting with someone on the phone through her wireless headphones

'Maria Lucia Victoria and Eduardo Pau Lucas: our babies who bring light into our livesalmost like twins, we love you so much,' she wrote in the caption while sharing an image of the siblings lying alongside one another.

It is not known exactly when Lucia was born or conceived, though it is likely that the surrogate got pregnant in mid-2020, after Hilaria had announced that she was pregnant with her fifth child Eduardo. At the time, the couple already had one girl, seven-year-old Carmen, as well as three other boys, Rafael, five, Leonardo, four, and Romeo, two.

In her Instagram post, Hilaria did not offer up any more information about the surrogacy, though she did pay tribute to the 'angels' who helped to bring her newborn baby into the world.

'Our hearts are filled with so much gratitude,' Hilaria wrote.

She also shared some insight into why the family chose to welcome another newborn just six months after the yoga guru gave birth to fifth child Eduardo, revealing that her children 'craved' a little sister, particularly after she miscarried her unborn daughter four months into her pregnancy at the end of 2019.

'The Baldwinitos craved so much to have a little sister,' she went on, using a Spanish suffix to indicate her children, or the 'little Baldwins.'

Lost in thought: Hilaria was seen checking her phone as she walked near a public beach in East Hampton, where she has spent much of her time since furious controversy erupted over claims she faked her Spanish heritage

Worn out? She wore her jacket zipped right up in an attempt to stay warm in the chilly winter weather, and looked a bit tired

Solo: Hilaria was not pictured with anyone else, having presumably left her husband Alec at home with the children - who are also known to have nannies who help with their care

On the go: Hilaria was seen walking by a white home with an American flag design on the white siding

Bundled up: The mom-of-six didn't have gloves and walked with her hands in her pocket to keep them warm

Added touch: A pink T-shirt peeked out from underneath her jacket, adding a pop of color to her all-black outfit

Juggling act: Hilaria was seen checking her phone while walking past a wooded area on her solo stroll

Ready to move: Hilaria's long dark hair was pulled back into a sporty ponytail for the stroll

Chilly: Weather in the Hamptons this week has been in the mid-30s, just shy of freezing temperatures

Feeling the chill? Hilaria looked a bit cold as she tucked her chin into her coat during her walk

Information: On the day off her walk, Hilaria shared some more information about the arrival of daughter Lucia and hinted that she and Alec did not use sperm and egg donors, describing the baby girl and her brother Edu (seen) as 'almost like twins'

Surprise! Hilaria, 37, and Alex, 62, had shocked fans on Monday by revealing that they'd already welcomed a sixth child nearly six months after baby Eduardo was born

'Many of you may remember the loss of their sister at 4 months in the end of 2019. There isnt a day that goes by where we dont ache for our daughter,' she went on.

Hilaria shared a post that referenced her family's 'grief' over her miscarriage, the 'blessing' of rainbow baby Edu, and how their two youngest are 'almost like twins'

'When I found out our baby had died, I told our children that their sister was going to come, just not at that time. Nothing will ever replace her, but two wonderful souls have come into our lives, and we are humbled to know them.'

The wellness expert looked a bit tired when she stepped out for her walk on Thursday, no doubt a result of juggling six young children.

Hilaria opened up about her family's newest additions on her Instagram Stories on Friday, sharing some of the difficulties that come with caring for two infants.

'Having two small babies is so fun and cute. There are also challenges,' she wrote. 'Like Lucia just had an explosion and I have Eduardo rolling around...so I'm just gonna lay here, covered in poop, entertaining. Edu...until I get a genius idea how to get out of this [poop] situation.'

The mom followed up the candid post with a picture of herself lying in bed with Lucia in her arms and Eduardo sleeping on a pillow between her bare legs. She let her viewers know it was a victory by playing Queen's We Are the Champions.

Busy mom: Hilaria opened up about her family's newest additions on her Instagram Stories on Friday, sharing that Lucia had a poop 'explosion,' before posting a photo of them cuddled in bed

Mom life: She also shared footage of baby Eduardo saying, 'Mama,' and her young son Romeo making her a coffee

New baby: Hilaria has shared her 'gratitude' for her new daughter, writing that her other children 'craved' a little sister

Sis: She wrote that the whole family continues to 'ache' from the miscarriage that Hilaria suffered in 2019 at four months gestation (oldest daughter Carmen with Lucia)

'Ya,' she captioned the image, which shows her wearing a baggy mauve T-shirt while cuddling with her youngest children.

How does surrogacy work and how much does it cost? Surrogacy is when a woman carries a baby for a couple who are unable to conceive or carry a child themselves. The process can cost upwards of $100,000 for a couple, depending on the exact procedure they choose. Couples who opt to welcome a child via a surrogate may include those who have suffered recurrent miscarriages, repeated IVF failures, premature menopause or a hysterectomy. The risks of being a surrogate mother are the same as for every pregnancy, and include nausea, heart burn and back ache. In extreme cases, surrogates can suffer high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. Straight surrogacy This involves using the surrogate's egg and the intended father's sperm. It is the least expensive and simplest form of the procedure. Host surrogacy Host surrogacy requires IVF with either the intended mother's eggs or donor eggs rather than those of the surrogate. In this case, the surrogate is genetically unrelated to the baby. Donor eggs can be from friends or relatives, or anonymously donated. What are the laws? The laws around surrogacy vary from state to state, however across the majority of the US surrogacy is legal for all parents, but may be 'dependent on various factors or venue'. In some states, parents are required to carry out additional post-birth legal procedures with their surrogate to define the terms of the agreement, and the paternity of the child. In New York state, where Hilaria and Alec live, paid gestational surrogacy - in which a surrogate receives payment from a couple in return for carrying their baby - was only made legal from February of this year as per legislation that was passed in April 2020. Therefore, if the couple's surrogacy arrangement was made in New York, they will not have been able to give their chosen surrogate a fee in addition to paying for her medical expenses and other incurred costs. Advertisement

A yellow Minion stuffed animal from the Despicable Me movie franchise is next to her on the bed, undoubtedly left there by one of her four other kids.

In another clip, Eduardo can be seen smiling and. saying, 'Mama,' while lying in his bouncy chair.

She ended the series of stories with footage of little Romeo asking to make her a coffee.

'If it were up to Romeo, I'd drink like 13 coffees a day because he's obsessed with pressing the buttons,' she joked.

Hilaria had candidly documented her miscarriage  her second that year  on Instagram, even snapping a photo at her D&C at the doctor's office.

'Our children were brave during our time of tremendous grief  braver than us...and they held out hope. To experience and accept lifes ups and downs is challenging, but a reality that all of us have no choice but to receive and process,' she wrote today.

'I have learned that often our children are wiser than we are and their wisdom has guided us.

'Our rainbow baby, Edu, is such a blessing  we are overwhelmed by how fortunate we are to have him. We are living each day, bonding, and grateful for all of the very special angels who helped bring Lucia into the world.'

She concluded: 'Maria Lucia Victoria and Eduardo Pau Lucas: our babies who bring light into our lives  almost like twins, we love you so much.'

While Hilaria only referred to the 'angels' who helped bring Lucia into the world, a source has confirmed to DailyMail.com yesterday that she and Alec used a surrogate.

The identity of the surrogate is not known, and a spokesperson for the couple declined to comment on the details of Lucia's conception and birth.

Surrogacy in the US can cost upwards of $100,000, depending on the options used by the parents and their surrogate.

If Alec and Hilaria chose to use a 'host' surrogate  which is when a woman carries an embryo from the mother's egg and the father's sperm  Hilaria will have had to undergo IVF ahead of the egg retrieval.

This could well have been done before she conceived her son Eduardo in late 2019; she and Alec could also have made the decision to freeze eggs, sperm, or fertilized embryos, which could also have been used in the surrogacy.

However, if Hilaria and Alec chose to do a 'straight' surrogacy, this will have meant that the surrogate's egg was used, along with the SNL star's sperm.

Couples who choose surrogacy also have the option to use a donor egg instead of one from their surrogate.

It is likely that Lucia was conceived in mid-2020, although her exact age has not yet been shared. Her brother Eduardo, who is six months old, was likely conceived in December 2019, one month after Hilaria suffered her second miscarriage.

Instagram followers had plenty of questions when Alec and Hilaria first revealed Lucia's arrival, given that she came so shortly after the birth of baby Eduardo six months ago.

Hilaria, who has always heavily documented each of her pregnancies  and miscarriages  hadn't said anything about being pregnant again, and of course, the six months between Eduardo and Lucia's births were not enough to bring a baby to term.

But though Hilaria has been remarkably open about her pregnancies, she and Alec kept their surrogacy journey a secret, and refused to comment on it publicly for several days.

Their silence inspired furious speculation on Monday, after Hilaria posted an image of herself with all of her children.

Critics accused the couple of 'attention-seeking' behavior and posting 'clickbait,' prompting Alec to go off on a profanity-filled commenting spree.

He had strong words for a commenter who wrote 'yikes' beneath the photo that he shared of his wife and their six children: Carmen, seven, Rafael, five, Leonardo, four, Romeo, two, Eduardo, six months, and newborn Lucia.

Hilaria wrote: 'Our rainbow baby, Edu, is such a blessing  we are overwhelmed by how fortunate we are to have him'

Doting dad? Alec, pictured with his newborn and his eldest child Carmen, unleashed a profanity-filled rant at Instagram users who questions Lucia's paternity on Monday night

Fury: The SNL star told one critic to 'shut the f**k up' after they accused the couple of posting the photo of their baby as 'clickbait,' though he appears to have deleted the comment

Speaking out: He also claimed that 'America is fueled by hate' and said anyone who questions Hilaria's Spanish heritage is 'not very smart'

'I believe that people should simply say "Congratulations" or just shut the f**k up. Thats it,' Alec wrote, before ultimately deleting the comment.

A timeline of Alec and Hilaria's youngest child April 2019: Hilaria revealed to the world that she had suffered a first-trimester miscarriage November 2019: The yoga guru shared that she had experienced a second miscarriage, four months into her pregnancy December 2019: Alec and Hilaria likely conceived their fifth child Eduardo around this time April 2020: Hilaria announces that she is pregnant with the couple's fifth baby Summer 2020: Lucia's conception likely took place midway through the year, although it is not known whether Alec and Hilaria used their own egg and sperm, or chose to rely on donors. If they used Hilaria's egg, she will have had to undergo IVF ahead of the retrieval. She could have done this before conceiving Eduardo March 2021: The couple announce the arrival of sixth child Lucia, who was born via a surrogate Advertisement

'Whos the mother?' asked another commenter. 'She wasnt pregnant. She gave birth six months ago. If it was a surrogate just say that. If the baby was adopted just say that. If the baby was a product of an affair and you've decided to raise it with your wife just say that.

'If you don't want to say anything  why don't you both stop constantly posting and begging for clickbait. Just raise your 100 children in private.'

In a since-deleted reply, Alec furiously wrote back: 'You should shut the f*** up and mind your own business.'

In response to yet another user who questioned why Alec and Hilaria were facing so much criticism, he wrote that 'America is a country fueled by hate' and insisted that anyone who questions his wife's Spanish heritage scandal is 'not very smart'.

Hilaria, meanwhile, has kept her comments turned off while posting countless photos of her family.

'We are so in love with our daughter, Lucia. Just like your brothers and sisters, you are a dream come true,' the Boston-born yoga guru wrote on Instagram.

Hilaria also shared several images of Lucia settling into Baldwin family life, sharing one photo of Alec cradling the baby girl in his arm while helping daughter Carmen with her math homework.

'Teaching the baby math homework and funny faces... welcome to being a Baldwin,' she captioned the snap.

She later joked that the couple's 'bed is getting rather crowded' and posted another photo of baby Lucia sleeping soundly on the mattress alongside her brother Edu, while another of her siblings is seen snoozing on the floor.

'Watching these three,' Hilaria wrote alongside the picture, before adding three hearts.

Hilaria has only made a return to regularly posting on social media in recent weeks.

The influencer, whose given name is Hillary Hayward-Thomas, had come under fire for faking her Spanish heritage, including lying about where she was born and putting on a made-up accent for years.

Returning to Instagram, she has kept the comments turned off on her posts, but finally said 'sorry' for the saga on February 5, six weeks after a Twitter thread about her faux European background went viral.

Hilaria stopped short of confessing she had misled people about her Spanish roots, and instead doubled down on her previous claims that she was raised 'with two cultures, American and Spanish' and that she feels 'a true sense of belonging to both.'

'I've spent the last month listening, reflecting, and asking myself how I can learn and grow,' she wrote.

'My parents raised my brother and me with two cultures, American and Spanish, and I feel a true sense of belonging to both. The way I've spoken about myself and my deep connection to two cultures could have been better explained  I should have been more clear and I'm sorry.

'I'm proud of the way I was raised, and we're raising our children to share the same love and respect for both.

'Being vulnerable and pushing ourselves to learn and grow is what we've built our community on, and I hope to get back to the supportive and kind environment we've built together,' she said.

At the end of December, it emerged that Hilaria  who in the past claimed to have grown up in Majorca and spoke with a Spanish accent  actually spent her childhood in Beacon Hill, Boston, and went by Hillary.

It started with a single tweet on December 21 which read: 'You have to admire Hilaria Baldwin's commitment to her decade long grift where she impersonates a Spanish person'.

The woman then continued to post videos and proof of how Hilaria's accent has changed over the years.

Family life: On Tuesday evening, Hilaria shared a photo of herself pumping breast milk while Alec did the dishes, before posting another snap of Lucia and Eduardo sleeping together

Family: Lucia, which means 'light' in Spanish, has five older siblings, all of whom have Spanish-inspired names: Eduardo, Romeo, Leonardo, Rafael, and Carmen

Several former classmates came forward to confirm that Hilaria was, in fact, raised in Weston, Massachusetts, by American parents without a hint of a foreign accent.

In the wake of the scandal, Hilaria took a break from social media and retreated to the Baldwins' home in East Hampton, where she was staying with her children, while Alec was renting a nearby property so that he could quarantine away from his family and commute back and forth to the city for work.

Since apologizing for the scandal on social media, Hilaria has been sharing much more regular updates, frequently posting candid images and videos of life at home with Alec and the kids  but she has made no hints that she and Alec were planning to welcome a sixth child into their brood.

Hilaria first revealed that she had lost her unborn baby in April 2019, when she took to social media to document her miscarriage in a series of very candid photos and videos.

The first of which showed her posing in her underwear with a caption which read: 'I want to share with you that I am most likely experiencing a miscarriage.'

Hilaria went on to document subsequent doctors' appointments, and even shared selfies from her D&C procedure.

In November of that same year, she revealed that she'd had a second miscarriage, four months into her pregnancy, once again sharing the news on Instagram alongside an image of herself and daughter Carmen.

Quiet: In the past, Hilaria (pictured while pregnant with Edu) has been open about sharing her motherhood journey on Instagram, posting images from throughout all her pregnancies

Candid: Hilaria even documented her two miscarriages on social media, revealing in April 2019 that she 'was most likely' losing her unborn child while sharing an image of herself in lingerie

Heartbreak: In November that same year, Hilaria suffered her second loss, and once again shared the devastating news on Instagram

Nothing to see here! Since apologizing for her Spanish heritage scandal on February 5, Hilaria has shared regular family updates on Instagram - but didn't share any hints about a new arrival

'We are very sad to share that today we learned that our baby passed away at 4 months,' she wrote. 'We also want you to know that even though we are not ok right now, we will be. We are so lucky with our 4 healthy babies - and we will never lose sight of this.

'I'm really devastated right now... I was not expecting this when I went to my scan today. I don't know what else to say.'

The couple then announced that they were expecting their fifth child in April 2020, and by November, Hilaria implied that they wouldn't be having any more children.

'It very much feels like we're done,' she told People one month after giving birth to Edu, when asked if she was hoping to have more children.

However, the wellness expert admitted that she would never say never, joking that she had thought she was 'done' in the past  only for the couple to decide that they wanted to expand their family further.

'Everybody's asking me this question,' she continued. 'I don't know. I've said in the past that I was done when I wasn't done.

'I think, right now, I'm so tired. And I feel, just with COVID, it's just insanity. Right now, during times of COVID, it very much feels like we're done.'

She added that her children have all grown accustomed to 'new siblings coming in' and revealed that they were already asking her 'when the next one is going to come'.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
The participation of the United States in the Normandy Four format and its principled position in supporting Ukraine may play a positive role in resolving the conflict in Donbas, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak has said.

"Ukraine counts on the support of its partners. The U.S. participation in the Normandy Four, its principled position and support for Ukraine are very important. This would play a role in ending the war in Donbas," Yermak said at an online briefing on Ukraine's domestic and foreign policy priorities with the European Policy Centre on Friday.

At the same time, Yermak noted that "the decision to involve the United States in the negotiations will be made by the Normandy Four countries."

"But these are not illusions or ideas. These are concrete proposals, concrete documents, which contain the current agenda of Ukraine, which contain a plan to end the war," he said.

The head of the President's Office also said that "the dialogue on the resolution of the conflict in Donbas continues, and only the principled consolidated position of Ukraine's international partners can give results."

"Russia began to act not as a participant in the conflict, but as a moderator. Therefore, the EU and the United States imposed sanctions related to both Donbas and Crimea. If Russia wants to stop the war, there is a concrete plan on the table. We are waiting for a response from Russia. In addition, if it hears about it every day from everyone, then there will be a result, we will stop the war in the center of Europe," Yermak said.
The oil industrys lobbying arm, the American Petroleum Institute, suggested in a new draft statement that it might support Congress putting a price on carbon emissions to combat climate change, even though oil and gas are major sources of those greenhouse gas emissions.

An industry calling for a tax on the use of its products sounds as bizarre as man bites dog. Yet, theres a reason for the oil industry to consider that shift.

With the election of President Joe Biden and rising public concern about climate change, Washington seems increasingly likely to act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The industry and many economists and regulatory experts, ourselves included, believe it would be better for the oil industry  and for consumers  if that action were taxation rather than regulation.

The American Petroleum Institute emphasized that trade-off in its draft statement, first reported in the Wall Street Journal on March 1. The statement says API supports economy-wide carbon pricing as the primary government climate policy instrument to reduce CO2 emissions while helping keep energy affordable, instead of mandates or prescriptive regulatory action.

Regulations versus taxation

There are a few ways to set a price on carbon. The most straightforward is a carbon tax. The price is designed to reflect all the harm done by greenhouse gas emissions, such as the impact of heat waves on public health.

A tax on carbon emissions would likely be imposed on firms that produce oil, gas, coal and anything else whose use results in carbon emissions. While companies would be taxed, they would pass those costs on to consumers.

The tax gives everyone incentives to reduce their contributions to carbon emissions by, for instance, fixing leaky windows, buying an electric vehicle or making a factory more efficient. In addition, the revenue from the carbon tax could be rebated to consumers in a variety of ways. Thus, if the tax is high enough, everyone from the biggest corporation to the most modest homeowner would have a strong incentive to search out the most cost-effective ways to cut carbon emissions.

Story continues

In contrast, regulations put federal agencies in charge of deciding how best to reduce emissions. Regulators in Washington often know far less than individual factory owners, homeowners and others how to cut those factories and homes emissions most cost-effectively and thus reduce the cost of the tax for those people. Regulation comes with procedural requirements that impose paperwork expenses and delays on businesses, too.

Regulators can also be subject to pressure from members of Congress and lobbyists to do favors for campaign contributors such as, for example, not regulating emissions of favored industries stringently or regulating in ways that protect favored industries from competition. In the 1970s, one of us, David Schoenbrod, was a Natural Resources Defense Council attorney who sued under the Clean Air Act to get the EPA to stop the oil industry from adding lead to gasoline. That experience laid bare the accountability problem: The statute allowed Congress to take credit for protecting health, but lawmakers from both parties lobbied the agency to leave the lead in, and then Congress blamed the agency for failing to protect health.

The upshot, in our view, is that regulation could produce less environmental protection bang for the buck than a carbon tax.

As then-presidential candidate Barack Obama stated in 2008, with regulation, agencies dictate every single rule that a company has to abide by, which creates a lot of bureaucracy and red tape and oftentimes is less efficient.

What will Congress do?

On March 2, a new major climate bill was introduced in Congress. It reflects many of Bidens climate strategies, but it sticks to regulation rather than considering a carbon price.

The CLEAN Future Act, introduced by the ranking Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, directs regulators to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. The centerpiece of the bill is a national clean electricity standard, which focuses narrowly on electricity generation and, we believe, misdefines the climate problem as too little clean electricity rather than too much carbon being emitted from all sources.

The bills 981 pages are jam-packed with regulatory mandates and leave plenty of opportunity for legislators to blame regulators for both the failure to achieve the acts goal and the burdens of trying to do so. Besides, most of the legislators who would vote for such a bill will be out of office long before 2050.

A carbon tax could be passed decades before 2050. Whether it will be set high enough to do the job remains to be seen, but we will know exactly which elected officials to blame or applaud for their attempt to tackle climate change. Government will be transparent, as it and a clean atmosphere should be.

Whats at stake in the choice between taxing carbon and regulating it is not how much we will cut emissions  Congress can set the tax, and thus the reduction in emissions, as high as it wishes. What is at stake is whether the choice of how to cut carbon will be made by the businesses and people who emit it or by regulators, legislators, and lawyers and lobbyists working for business and advocacy organizations.

[Youre smart and curious about the world. So are The Conversations authors and editors. You can get our highlights each weekend.]

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: David Schoenbrod, New York Law School and Richard Schmalensee, MIT Sloan School of Management.

Read more:



David Schoenbrod is a senior fellow of the Niskanen Center and has written extensively about the regulatory process.

Richard Schmalensee does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  After returning students into classrooms up to the eighth grade in two phases, school district officials Friday announced a plan to return high school students to in-person learning  if they so choose.

Superintendent of Schools Iline Tracey said Wednesday that the district was waiting on the city to hire enough nurses so that all of the districts schools could be adequately staffed. On Friday, she said there is no significance to the date of April 5 for a return for high schools, although it will come more than a month after teachers and other school workers became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine March 1.

The United States on Thursday unveiled new measures to punish Myanmars army for its February 1 coup, blocking the ministries of defence and home affairs and top military conglomerates from certain types of trade.

Washington has also subjected Myanmar to military end-use export control restrictions, requiring its U.S. suppliers to seek difficult-to-obtain U.S. licences to ship certain items.

The actions were taken in response to the Myanmar militarys intensified crackdown on peaceful protesters who oppose the takeover that overthrew elected officials including leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who had won a national election in November.

Police broke up demonstrations with tear gas and gunfire in several cities across the country. The United Nations said that at least 54 people have been killed since the coup. More than 1,700 people had been arrested, including 29 journalists.

The White House called the situation, including the arrest of an Associated Press journalist, troubling and of great concern. The State Department said its working with other countries to send a unified message to the military that its actions are unacceptable and will be met with consequences.

The U.S. has already imposed sanctions on Myanmars top military leaders since the coup, but stepped up pressure after Wednesdays killing. The administration says its in close touch with partners and allies, as well as with countries like China, to try to convince Myanmar officials to ease their heavy-handed response to the protests.

The detainment of journalists, the targeting of journalists and dissidents is certainly something that is of great concern to the president, to the secretary of state and to every member of our administration, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.

At the State Department, spokesman Ned Price said the administration was deeply saddened by reports of deaths in the crackdown on protests. This latest escalation in violence demonstrates the fact of the juntas complete disregard for their own people, for the people of Burma, he said. It is unacceptable.

We are deeply concerned about the increasing attacks on and arrest of journalists, he said. We call on the military to immediately release these individuals and to cease their intimidation and harassment of the media and others who are unjustly detained for doing nothing more than their job, for doing nothing more than exercising their universal rights.

>> On the Observers: In Myanmar, journalists covering anti-coup protests fear for their lives

Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw and several other members of the media were arrested last week while covering security forces charging at anti-coup protesters. They have been charged with violating a public order law that could see them imprisoned for up to three years. The AP and press freedom groups have called for Zaws immediate release, but there has been no response from the authorities.

Tougher sanctions still on the table

President Joe Biden last month rolled out sanctions on Myanmar, on those responsible for the ouster of the southeast Asian nations civilian-led government, including the defence minister and three companies in the jade and gems sector.

The United States will not allow Myanmars military to continue to benefit from access to many items, the Commerce Department said in a statement on Thursday.

The U.S. government will continue to hold perpetrators of the coup responsible for their actions.

The Commerce Department added that it was reviewing further potential action.

The two conglomerates identified  Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited  are among those used by the military to control vast swathes of Myanmars economy through the holding firms and their subsidiaries, with interests ranging from beer and cigarettes to telecom, tires, mining and real estate.

Advocacy group Justice for Myanmar said on Tuesday that the Ministry of Home Affairs, which commands the police, had purchased technology from American companies that was being used for surveillance of social media, among other uses.

Yadanar Maung, a spokeswoman for the group, hailed the measures but urged more, including similar action against the Transport and Communications Ministry, which she said was used as window dressing for the military and security forces to acquire technology for surveillance and repression.

Comprehensive and targeted measures, including a global arms embargo, are essential to prevent the sale of arms and technology that will enable the military to sure up their brutal rule, she said.

But the measures are expected to have limited impact as the United States ships little to Myanmar annually and the entities are not major importers.

ADVERTISEMENT

The volume of trade is small so the impact wont be big, said William Reinsch, a former Commerce Department official. A bigger impact would be to go after the financial assets of the military leaders of the coup.

Reinsch said the listing will make it harder for those entities to get technology that would strengthen the military and other goods they might want.

The U.S. government has yet to deploy its toughest sanctioning tool against the military conglomerates, one that would block all transactions with U.S. persons and essentially kicks the designated companies out of the U.S. banking system.

(REUTERS)

France 24 is Premium Times syndication partner. We have permission to republish.

img src=https://wvvw.france24.com/bon.jour?pv=1&from=p&s=588365&p=syndication::premiumtimesng&s2=1&x1=[ES]&x6=[article]&x10=[syndication]&x17=[externe] border=0 alt= width=1 height=1 />
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.



Richard Barnett, an Arkansas man who gained notoriety for being pictured with his feet up on Nancy Pelosi's desk during the US Capitol riots, yelled in court during a virtual hearing on Thursday.

During the hearing, Judge Christopher Cooper of Federal District Court in Washington suggested the next court date for the man's case to be held on 4 May.

But this caused Barnett, 60, to erupt over the proceedings being extended for a longer period of time while he remained in jail.

Ive been here a long time ... another month ... Its not fair, Barnett was heard saying about the new court date, according toNBC4. Youre letting everyone else out ... I need help, he yelled.

Following the outburst, the judge called for a five-minute recess so Barnett would be able to speak to his lawyers. He is represented by the law firm of Metcalf & Metcalf, and the McBride law firm.

Judge Cooper then confirmed that the next hearing would be set for 4 May after court reconvened. But he told Mr Barnett that his lawyers could make a bail application on his behalf and then a separate hearing date could be scheduled.

Mr Barnett has been charged with aiding and abetting, disorderly conduct in a capitol building, parading or demonstrating in a capitol building, and theft of government property for his alleged actions on 6 January.

The man went viral on social media after photos circulated of him with his feet up on the House Speaker's desk as well as holding Ms Pelosis mail outside the US Capitol.

For the last few weeks, Mr Barnett has been in jail after he was arrested from his Arkansas home. He pleaded not guilty to all charges when first appearing in court and was being held without bond until his trial.

So far, about 300 people have been charged for their alleged roles in the Capitol riots that took place on 6 January following a pro-Donald Trump rally in Washington DC.

The FBI and Justice Department have utilised a variety of means including gathering social media posts, video footage, and pictures to help identify as many people as possible who were involved in the riots on that day.
In an "unveiling" of their newly published monograph, Judaism and Jesus, Dr. Zev Garber, emeritus professor and chairman of Jewish Studies and Philosophy at Los Angeles Valley College and Dr. Ken Hanson, associate professor and coordinator of the UCF Judaic Studies Program, relate their "hands-on" experience in approaching the Jewish Jesus and the controversial subject of Messianic Judaism in a webinar on Thursday, March 11 at 3:30 p.m. There is no cost for this webinar.

To register for this event, please visit https://ucf.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xKFiwIagRAiLOLEJCeUqXg.

In discussing b...

SPRINGFIELD  A group dedicated to the preservation of historic properties in the city has revealed its 2021 most endangered list, including the addition of the Apremont Triangle area.

The Springfield Preservation Trust chose 11 historic properties for the list that serves to spotlight threatened historic buildings and help with restoration and preservation efforts, trust officials said.

This is a really good advocacy tool to let people know about buildings in the Springfield area that they might not know about otherwise, said Kira Holmes, the trusts advocacy and community engagement coordinator. Renovated historic buildings attract tourists and new residents due to their character. They add vibrancy to a city.

Derek Strahan, president of the nonprofit Springfield Preservation Trust, said the most endangered list helps raise awareness of the properties that are threatened with demolition or neglect.

It can help property owners and the city in general to recognize and appreciate buildings that often are boarded up, abandoned buildings, Strahan said. It is a way of challenging that, and recognizing the historical significance of buildings and enhancing the potential of the buildings.

The trust has heard from property owners in the past who said the designation was helpful in pursuing grants, he said. The trust, in a separate program, issues preservation awards " on an annual basis to owners and developers including some projects that were previously on the endangered list, he said.

Most of the properties have been on the endangered list before, such as the long-vacant Indian Orchard fire station, and historic buildings on Mulberry Street, but the Apremont Triangle was among the new ones added, officials said.

The former Indian Orchard fire station on Oak Street is on a list of most endangered properties in Springfield by the Springfield Preservation Trust.

The Apremont Triangle was added in part due to concerns about a redesign proposal that would reshape the green and change traffic flow, the trust said.

The trust is also concerned about deteriorating buildings in the triangle area, Holmes said.

The Apremont Triangle district has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983 and has been a local historic district since 2017. It is at the junction of Pearl, Hillman, Bridge and Chestnut streets.

A recent proposal completely destroys this historic space by closing (a portion of) Pearl Street, enlarging the park, and turning it from a triangle into a tear drop, according to a trust summary presented by Holmes in February.

The city unveiled the redesign proposal last August as part of a redevelopment of the Chestnut Street corridor from one-way to two-way traffic. Some city officials have praised the concept, saying it would enhance the green and traffic.

Another example of buildings in danger is a property that has been under serious deterioration of the Thurston Munson home at 60 Byers St., and was further damaged by a fire in January of 2020.

The Springfield Preservation Trust has selected properties for its most endangered list including this house at 60 Byers St., Springfield.

The Byers Street building has been called one of the most unusual buildings in Springfield by the preservation trust in the past. It was originally built as a two-family Victorian House, and then rebuilt in the 1950s by Munson and has a unique modern architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright, Holmes said.

The trust listed the 11 most endangered properties as follows:

116 Mulberry Street and 63 Mulberry Street, fire-damaged houses.

60 Byers Street, a vacant deteriorated modernist home.

145 Bay Street, a vacant 1890s church.

477 State Street, the Gunn Block, one of Springfields oldest commercial buildings.

Indian Orchard Fire Station, Oak Street.

139-141 Lyman Street, the vacant, deteriorated, tax-foreclosed Chapman & Brooks Block.

55 Emery Street, the vacant National Needle Building.

140 Wilbraham Avenue, the vacant, deteriorated, tax-foreclosed former MCDI building.

280-302 Worthington Street, a vacant two-story early 20th century commercial block.

241 Maple Street and 201 Maple Street, tornado damaged 19th century mansions.

Apremont Triangle and the underused surrounding buildings on Bridge and Pearl Street.

Strahan, in citing the importance of preserving the citys history, said that a dream project would be the preservation of the Maple Street properties on the former McDuffie campus, that were severely damaged in the 2011 tornado.

The Springfield Preservation Trust has selected properties for its "most endangered" list for 2021 including this house at 201 Maple St., Springfield

It would be a shame to lose them, Strahan said.

The David James House at 241 Maple St., received a temporary roof after the tornado and is missing its iconic two-story front porch, the trust said.

The Andrew Wallace House at 201 Maple St. was a Gothic Revival cottage designed by Simon Sanborn, Springfields master builder of the first half of the 19th century, the trust said.

The National Needle building at 55 Emery Ave., also known as the Kittredge building, had been proposed for high-rise hotel years ago, landing it on the endangered list. There have been reports of the building being sold to New York investors, leaving hope that it can be renovated with tax credits, the trust said.

Further details regarding the Springfield Preservation Trust is on its web site, found here.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  Filipino environmentalists Ann and Billie Dumaliang were feted by American magazine Vanity Fair for their efforts to promote sustainable tourism and environmental conservation in the Philippines.

The Dumaliang sisters spearheaded an environmental conservation project in Baras, Rizal which features unique geological formations and rich flora and fauna. This place is more popularly known as Masungi Georeserve, now a popular hiking destination due to its proximity in Metro Manila.

"For 20 years, the Dumaliang sisters have been in the karst landscape of Masungi Georeserve, with the goal of protecting 430 hectares of rainforest in Rizal. They have helped to rewild the land (depleted by deforestation and quarrying), establish monitoring trails, and integrate the local community," Vanity Fair travel editor Michelle Jana Chan said.

Ann told CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Friday the hardwork they poured in conserving Masungi is born out of desire for people to know more and commune with the environment.

"Hopefully, it gives everyone more hope of what we can do for the Philippines and how far we can take conservation," Ann reacted on their Vanity Fair travel awards citation.

Despite their conservation efforts, Ann shared there are threats in Masungi such as quarrying operations in protected areas of the georeserve and land grabbers.

She lamented the government could have denied mining permits in conserved areas such as Masungi and other similar places near the Marikina Watershed.

"These mining agreements are bound to be renewed by 2023. So we're assuming they are putting a lot of efforts to lobby. We're calling for government to really put a stop to this and to have these quarry permits canceled," said Ann, the Masungi Georeserve project manager and trustee.

Ann hopes more concerned sectors will partner with them in conserving Masungi Georeserve, for the protection of the environment and for the people to enjoy the beauty of nature in the years to come.
Pandemic be damned! The Lone Star State wont be intimidated by some wimpy little virus.

On March 2, when Texans celebrated the anniversary of their forebears 1836 Declaration of Independence from Mexico, Republican Governor Greg Abbott stated, It is now time to open Texas 100%. The people and businesses of Texas dont need the state telling them how to operate, Abbott insisted.

On his Late Show that night, Stephen Colbert observed that an assertion such as It is now time to open Texas 100% could be construed as meaning that Texas now has open borders and anyone who wants to enter the Lone Star State from Mexico is welcome to do so.

Abbott also stated that he intends to rescind most of the executive orders he issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Beginning on March 10, all businesses of any type are allowed to open 100%. A spokesperson later assured the media that Abbotts open 100%  includes concerts and sporting events. Texans and out-of-state visitors will no longer be required to wear masks in public.

Betsy Price, mayor of Fort Worth and a fellow Republican, called Abbotts announcement premature and asked him to open up additional vaccine tier categories so that more people are eligible to get a vaccine if they want one. Sylvester Turner, the mayor of Houston and a Democrat, was less generous. Every time we start moving in the right direction, the governor steps in and sets us back and makes all of our jobs harder, Turner tweeted. I just dont get it.

Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor University, an expert in the field of infectious diseases, had previously warned that the states mask mandate should remain in place. The city of Houston has seen the emergence of five new variants of COVID-19. Dr. Leana Wen, a visiting professor at Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, tweeted, Its irresponsible for governors to lift mask mandates now. This defies scientific guidance & is counterproductive. Masks help businesses and schools keep open. They allow freedom, not limit it.

Wens references to governors means that her criticism was leveled at Abbott as well as Tate Reeves, the Republican governor of Mississippi, who also announced on March 2 that he was lifting his states mask mandate. The Republican governors of Iowa and Montana lifted their states mask mandates earlier this year.

Wen contended that masks allow freedom, not limit it. Many Republicans, office-holders as well as the rank and file, obviously dont share her opinion. When the organizers of last months CPAC asked members of the audience to mask up, they were met with a chorus of boos. Sen. Ted Cruz, one of the events speakers, played to the crowd by ridiculing mask-wearing. He facetiously claimed that well be wearing masks for the next 300 years. And by the way, not just one mask, two, three, four. You cant have too many masks, he said. How much virtue do you want to signal? This is just dumb.

Cruz was merely echoing Trumps contempt for masks. The ex-president eschewed wearing a mask and even held mass campaign rallies, where wearing a mask was regarded as an admission of weakness.

The hostility that many Republican politicians harbor for science is nothing new. The late Christopher Hitchens wrote an article titled Sarah Palins War on Science that Slate published back in 2008. Why this hostility? White voters who lack a college education comprise an integral part of the Republican base. These voters are contemptuous of science because they see it as elitist and dominated by liberals. They admire what they believe to be toughness. Republican politicians publicly scorn science, including wearing masks, because they believe it makes them look tough in the eyes of these voters.

I hope all Americans someday realize that rejecting science doesnt make you seem tough. It makes you seem clueless as well as willing to put your life  and the lives of others  at needless risk.

John J. Dunphy is an author, the Godfrey 15th Precinct Democratic Committeeperson and recording secretary for the Godfrey Democrats.
888poker Ambassador Vivian Saliba's New Passion for Poker Streaming

The last year has seen people take up new hobbies including running, baking or crochet. But 888poker Ambassador Vivian Saliba has used the time away from the live poker felt to embark on a new journey - streaming on Twitch.

With the new 888poker software and a revamped tournament schedule, Saliba is using her new base in Austria to stream her poker play live on Twitch - alongside her dog Napoleon.

Head to the NEW 888poker Hub Want to stay up-to-date on all the latest 888poker news right here on PokerNews? Why not try out the new 888poker Hub! Find Out More

Setting Up Base in Austria

In an exclusive video interview with PokerNews' Sarah Herring, Saliba explained how after searching for a place to call home in Europe, she settled on Austria where she now lives with her boyfriend.

"I had been living out of a suitcase for 2-3 years," explained Saliba. "My boyfriend is European, and I hold dual Italian/Brazilian citizenship, so moving to the EU made a lot of sense. Plus a lot of the 888Live stops are in Europe.

Having moved to Austria at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Saliba admits she hasn't got the "proper Austrian experience" yet, but can't wait until the pandemic is over to enjoy it.

Related: "Bigger Fields and Better Value" in New 888poker Tournament Schedule says Moorman

From Live to Online Poker

In the meantime, the pandemic hasn't stopped Saliba from being able to enjoy her poker still. Having learned to play in Brazil, Saliba says that she didn't use to study that much. That was because the level of poker was, in her words, "horrible".

"Poker was so new, and the level of play was horrible  including myself! You could make a good amount of money playing pretty badly. But after I started to travel and play around the world, I realized I needed to brush up on a few things."

And now with online poker enjoying its time in the spotlight, Saliba has started to study more and more.

The new 888poker app is available for free download on iOS and Android devices.

Saliba Starts to Stream

Saliba explains that this journey of study, in order to become a better online poker player, ignited a fire within her.

"I really wanted to improve and beat the online games. I know that once I play live again, things will be easier than they used to be. Its brought me a new passion.

Missing the social connection that so many players enjoy about poker, Saliba started to stream on Twitch.

Its way more challenging than I thought it would be," said Saliba. "There are so many things to manage; its not just play poker and have a camera! You have to interact with people, control the stream and play the whole time. And Im not so good at multitasking!

"There are so many things to manage; its not just play poker and have a camera!"

Ive lost track of the times Ive timed out of tables because Ive been trying to focus on so many things, but Ive improved so much since I started. For sure I have a lot more things to improve on.

The community that she has created is already a strong one, bringing her love and support every time she streams. Saliba says that there are people there every day, just to chat, share their experiences and discuss strategies.

888poker New Tournament Schedule

Whilst also streaming popular games like Tetris and Geoguesr, Saliba's main focus is always on poker, especially Omaha cash games and MTTs. And with 888poker's rebranded tournament schedule, she says she's looking forward to diving into the client.

"It's super exciting. The new schedule, along with the new software and mobile app that came out a couple of months ago. Everyone thinks its so easy to come out with a new product with everything figured out, but its not. Its a lot of work, and it was a huge improvement.

Im super excited for the new tournament schedules! We have some higher buy-in events and better structures. I took a look at the schedules and they look amazing.

How to Download the 888poker Mobile App

The 888poker mobile app is available for free download on iPhone and Android devices. Follow the links below to get yours.

If you don't have an 888poker account you are eligible to a free bonus as soon as you register an account to play.

888Poker bonuses vary depending on your location and range from a free $88 bonus to a 20 UK poker bonus with no deposit needed.
CDCSB Launches Small Business Economic Development Revitalization Program

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire (CDCSB) is now offering technical assistance free of charge to small businesses throughout the Berkshire region.

This program was made possible by a grant awarded to the CDCSB by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The grant funds will enable CDCSB to provide small businesses, at various stages of development, customized, one-on-one professional business consultation.

"This is a truly outstanding opportunity for the CDCSB to directly support small businesses seeking to pivot during the COVID-19 crisis," said CDCSB Executive Director Allison Marchese.

Since launching the new program in January, the CDCSB has helped a local food service business, a Main Street retail shop, and several personal service businesses.

"Along with being the leader in providing affordable homes in the southern Berkshires, the CDCSB's mission is fully focused on creating economic development opportunity and jobs," said Marchese. "Small business technical assistance is one of many initiatives we have planned to strengthen the Berkshire economy."

The Small Business Technical Assistance program allows the CDCSB to assist area businesses at various stages of development, from pre-start up to existing businesses planning for growth. Consultations are customized to each business's needs and can range from building business skills, identifying new customers or creating a pathway to financing. The program is open to all small businesses in the Berkshires with special consideration for minority and women-owned businesses.

This opportunity is available to small businesses through June 30, 2021. Small businesses in the Berkshires can apply at http://bit.ly/sbtaform
A Florida man was arrested Sunday after speeding through a crash site and telling officers he did so because he had business at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Joshua Y. Gaukhman, 24, of Nokomis, was arrested and faces multiple charges of aggravated assault on an officer, possession of cocaine; drug equipment possession, and DUI, according to a report by the Venice Gondolier.

At around 10:41 p.m., officers were handling the site of a serious crash on Tamiami Trail, which resulted in a power line coming down.

Suddenly, a BMW traveling 100 mph in a 45 mph zone appeared and sped around a barricade of cones and a marked patrol car with emergency lights activated.

Authorities were able to catch up to the car and pulled it over. Officers found Gaukhman to be the driver with a baggie of white powder in plain sight, which later tested positive for cocaine, the Venice Gondolier reported. Officers noted he was only wearing an undershirt, boxer-briefs, and one sock.

Gaukhman was placed in a patrol vehicle and had trouble responding to officers. He would also grunt sexual noises when officers would walk by him.

While reading Gaukhman his Miranda Rights, he became sarcastic with authorities and saying this is how were doing this?

The officer asked Gaukhman if he understood what was going on. Gaukhman remained silent for 17 seconds until the officer asked him if he had any questions. Gaukhman sarcastically responded, I thought you wanted me to remain silent.

Gaukhman then told the officer he wanted to speak with a female officer. The officer questioned Gaukhman further about why he was speeding. Gaukhman told the officer he was leaving his house to go to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and said he had business to do.

Gaukhman was later taken to the Sarasota County Jail.

Read more at the Venice Gondlier.
The member of New York police watchdog asked for re-look into sexual misconduct definition (Getty Images)

An official of a New York police watchdog defended the right of officers to flirt with members of the public while on duty, explaining that many of the policemen would lose the opportunity to have a romantic partner.

Frank Dwyer, a former police officer of the New York Police Department (NYPD), raised the concern during a virtual meeting of Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) that was discussing guidelines to follow over allegations of sexual misconduct against policemen.

Mr Dwyer said the definition of on-duty sexual or romantic propositions is the equivalent of can I buy you dinner.

And I can assure you about one-third of the police department would not have a partner in life if they were not allowed to say those lines, he said.

He suggested, therefore, words like unwanted sexual proposition and unwanted romantic proposition or words such as aggressive or rude be added to the definition of sexual misconduct to give more clarity.

In 2018 the watchdog group allowed filing sexual misconduct cases against police officers and carry investigations into the allegation but it was stalled after a police unions lawsuit to seek public comment first.

Mr Dwyers suggestion were followed by silence from the members before groups chairman Fred Davie responded approvingly and referred to a case in which the watchdog relieved a policeman of the allegations of misconduct who asked out a woman in a non-aggressive way.

Two other members objected to Mr Dwyers suggestion, saying it is unprofessional.

Esmeralda Simmons said police officers and civil servants should not be involved in any informal conduct, be they sexual or romantic, to the people theyre supposed to serve.

On Wednesday, Mr Dwyer wrote an email to the board, agreeing that officers when interacting in a power-oriented relationship, for example... should not attempt to establish personal relationships. But exceptions should be made in cases when officers are regularly interacting with a particular civilian.

Story continues

The current definition adopted by the board defines this example as a disciplinary matter and existing policy allows another person to make a complaint about it, even if the doctor - who she has met 10 times - is delighted to receive the invitation, he said.

Read More

Dallas police officer charged with 2 counts capital murder

FBI won't 'sidestep' sexual misconduct claims, director says

New York police officer uses patrol car loudspeaker to shout 'Trump 2020'
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The Lord Mayor of Cork has asked his fellow Corkonians not to attend a planned anti-lockdown protest due to take place in the city tomorrow afternoon.

Cllr Joe Kavanagh has also pleaded with the organisers to call off the event as fears rise that similar scenes witnessed in Dublin last weekend when violence broke out during a demonstration could be visited upon his city.

Describing the chaos that broke out in the St Stephens Green in Dublin area last weekend as horrendous, Cllr Kavanagh said there were no guarantees that the same would not happen in his city tomorrow.

I was only just listening to one of the organisers on the radio there a while ago talking about how this would be a family friendly event and all this kind of rubbish, Cllr Kavanagh said.

"From my perspective, I think that holding this type gathering in complete and utter contravention to public health guidelines is so irresponsible.

I'm not a medical expert, I am the Lord Mayor of Cork, so my expertise doesnt lie within that perimeter. But there are people out there who we lean very heavily on, like the chief medical officer and his team, (for advice).

And the government takes the advice from these experts and they pass that advice down.

I can understand the frustration of people being locked down for virtually a year at this stage and some businesses will never reopen again, he added. People have lost loved ones and people feel restricted in their movements and in their ability to do things and go about what they've been used to as a normal way of life over the years.

This protest obviously is partly to express that, and I understand that, but there's always the risk that a fringe element could get involved in the protest and in fairness it could get nasty.

Read More

The Lord Mayor said another reason for the rally not to go ahead, and the most important part from my perspective, is it flies in the face of the guidelines as laid down by the medical experts that we should not be gathering in large numbers in any way, shape or form.

I mean we have worked so hard as a county and in Cork this morning we had the some of the best numbers in the country in terms of new cases. We have all worked very hard and really this could set us back weeks, and possibly months.

Im proud of the effort that so many people have made, so many personal sacrifices to get us where we are today.

But I would say to people, do not go in and put yourself into a large gathering of any description until it is deemed safe to do so by the people who know what they're talking about, the medical experts.

"I would also ask the organisers to cancel this event, I would plead with them to (stop it from going ahead) immediately. "

However, Cllr Kavanagh said he had every confidence in the gardai if trouble does occur.

Expand Close Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Kavanagh / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Kavanagh

Cork City has always been a safe place to go, he stressed. We are lucky with the gardai we have here in the city. They have control of public order in the city and always have done.

"I've every confidence in them to maintain order. If people do try to start trouble it will be quickly dealt with. Our Gardai will certainly resolve any issues that have the potential to get out of line.

A spokesperson for the anti-lockdown protest, Diarmuid O Cadhla, Secretary of The Peoples Convention said that they have people who are experienced in organising public assembly and we will be vigilant.

This is a peaceful, family-friendly event on Saturday in Cork at 2pm, Mr O Cadhla told Newstalk Breakfast.

Gardai are expected to launch a major security operation amid fears hundreds could attend the anti-lockdown rally despite pleas for the event to be cancelled.

.
The fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2021. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attended the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC. Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee to the session. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisory body started its annual session Thursday afternoon in Beijing.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), held at the Great Hall of the People.

At the meeting, the agenda for the session was reviewed and approved.

Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee to the session.

Noting that the year 2020 marks an extraordinary year in the history of the People's Republic of China, Wang said the CPPCC National Committee and its standing committee, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, have fulfilled the duties centering on the coordination of epidemic control and economic and social development, making active contributions to the accomplishment of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) tasks.

For the CPPCC's work in 2021, Wang emphasized the following four aspects: focus on the centenary of the CPC to strengthen the theoretical and political guidance, concentrate on serving the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) to improve the effectiveness of consultation, further pool the wisdom and strength, and raise work performance.

Attendees were also briefed on the handling of proposals submitted by political advisors.

A total of 5,974 proposals have been submitted since the previous annual session of the top political advisory body, said Gu Shengzu, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, when delivering a report on the proposals. Enditem

10

1

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
Social media users share charts and graphs -- often with the same underlying data -- to advocate opposing approaches to the pandemic.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, charts and graphs have helped communicate information about infection rates, deaths, and vaccinations. In some cases, such visualizations can encourage behaviors that reduce virus transmission, like wearing a mask. Indeed, the pandemic has been hailed as the breakthrough moment for data visualization.

But new findings suggest a more complex picture. A study from MIT shows how coronavirus skeptics have marshalled data visualizations online to argue against public health orthodoxy about the benefits of mask mandates. Such "counter-visualizations" are often quite sophisticated, using datasets from official sources and state-of-the-art visualization methods.

The researchers combed through hundreds of thousands of social media posts and found that coronavirus skeptics often deploy counter-visualizations alongside the same "follow-the-data" rhetoric as public health experts, yet the skeptics argue for radically different policies. The researchers conclude that data visualizations aren't sufficient to convey the urgency of the Covid-19 pandemic, because even the clearest graphs can be interpreted through a variety of belief systems.

"A lot of people think of metrics like infection rates as objective," says Crystal Lee. "But they're clearly not, based on how much debate there is on how to think about the pandemic. That's why we say data visualizations have become a battleground."

The research will be presented at the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in May. Lee is the study's lead author and a PhD student in MIT's History, Anthropology, Science, Technology, and Society (HASTS) program and MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), as well as a fellow at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. Co-authors include Graham Jones, a Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow in Anthropology; Arvind Satyanarayan, the NBX Career Development Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and CSAIL; Tanya Yang, an MIT undergraduate; and Gabrielle Inchoco, a Wellesley College undergraduate.

As data visualizations rose to prominence early in the pandemic, Lee and her colleagues set out to understand how they were being deployed throughout the social media universe. "An initial hypothesis was that if we had more data visualizations, from data collected in a systematic way, then people would be better informed," says Lee. To test that hypothesis, her team blended computational techniques with innovative ethnographic methods.

They used their computational approach on Twitter, scraping nearly half a million tweets that referred to both "Covid-19" and "data." With those tweets, the researchers generated a network graph to find out "who's retweeting whom and who likes whom," says Lee. "We basically created a network of communities who are interacting with each other." Clusters included groups like the "American media community" or "antimaskers." The researchers found that antimask groups were creating and sharing data visualizations as much as, if not more than, other groups.

And those visualizations weren't sloppy. "They are virtually indistinguishable from those shared by mainstream sources," says Satyanarayan. "They are often just as polished as graphs you would expect to encounter in data journalism or public health dashboards."

"It's a very striking finding," says Lee. "It shows that characterizing antimask groups as data-illiterate or not engaging with the data, is empirically false."

Lee says this computational approach gave them a broad view of Covid-19 data visualizations. "What is really exciting about this quantitative work is that we're doing this analysis at a huge scale. There's no way I could have read half a million tweets."

But the Twitter analysis had a shortcoming. "I think it misses a lot of the granularity of the conversations that people are having," says Lee. "You can't necessarily follow a single thread of conversation as it unfolds." For that, the researchers turned to a more traditional anthropology research method -- with an internet-age twist.

Lee's team followed and analyzed conversations about data visualizations in antimask Facebook groups -- a practice they dubbed "deep lurking," an online version of the ethnographic technique called "deep hanging out." Lee says "understanding a culture requires you to observe the day-to-day informal goings-on -- not just the big formal events. Deep lurking is a way to transpose these traditional ethnography approaches to digital age."

The qualitative findings from deep lurking appeared consistent with the quantitative Twitter findings. Antimaskers on Facebook weren't eschewing data. Rather, they discussed how different kinds of data were collected and why. "Their arguments are really quite nuanced," says Lee. "It's often a question of metrics." For example, antimask groups might argue that visualizations of infection numbers could be misleading, in part because of the wide range of uncertainty in infection rates, compared to measurements like the number of deaths. In response, members of the group would often create their own counter-visualizations, even instructing each other in data visualization techniques.

"I've been to livestreams where people screen share and look at the data portal from the state of Georgia," says Lee. "Then they'll talk about how to download the data and import it into Excel."

Jones says the antimask groups' "idea of science is not listening passively as experts at a place like MIT tell everyone else what to believe." He adds that this kind of behavior marks a new turn for an old cultural current. "Antimaskers' use of data literacy reflects deep-seated American values of self-reliance and anti-expertise that date back to the founding of the country, but their online activities push those values into new arenas of public life."

He adds that "making sense of these complex dynamics would have been impossible" without Lee's "visionary leadership in masterminding an interdisciplinary collaboration that spanned SHASS and CSAIL."

Combining computational and anthropological insights led the researchers to a more nuanced understanding of data literacy. Lee says their study reveals that, compared to public health orthodoxy, "antimaskers see the pandemic differently, using data that is quite similar. I still think data analysis is important. But it's certainly not the salve that I thought it was in terms of convincing people who believe that the scientific establishment is not trustworthy." Lee says their findings point to "a larger rift in how we think about science and expertise in the U.S." That same rift runs through issues like climate change and vaccination, where similar dynamics often play out in social media discussions.

To make these results accessible to the public, Lee and her collaborator, CSAIL PhD student Jonathan Zong, led a team of seven MIT undergraduate researchers to develop an interactive narrative where readers can explore the visualizations and conversations for themselves.

Lee describes the team's research as a first step in making sense of the role of data and visualizations in these broader debates. "Data visualization is not objective. It's not absolute. It is in fact an incredibly social and political endeavor. We have to be attentive to how people interpret them outside of the scientific establishment."

This research was funded, in part, by the National Science Foundation and the Social Science Research Council.

###

Written by Daniel Ackerman, MIT News Office
New Delhi, March 5 : Amid strife in the Congress, Ghulam Nabi Azad, an important leader of the G-23 group of dissenting leaders, said on Friday that he'll campaign for the party wherever he is called since the assembly elections are important for the party.

New Delhi, March 5 (IANS) Amid strife in the Congress, Ghulam Nabi Azad, an important leader of the G-23 group of dissenting leaders, said on Friday that he'll campaign for the party wherever he is called since the assembly elections are important for the party.

Azad, whose Rajya Sabha term ended recently, said,"We will campaign wherever the party or individual will call for it because the victory of the party is most important for us." The Congress is yet to release the list of its star campaigners for the assembly polls in which Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are likely to be included.

Now all eyes are on the names of the leaders led by Azad. If leaders such as Manish Tewari, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Bhupinder Singh Hooda make it to the list of the Congress's star campaigners, it would imply that the party has tried to make peace with the group of dissenters.

The Congress has asked the dissenting leaders to join hands with the party to combat the BJP. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, senior spokesperson of the party, had said on March 2: "I think the whole idea of this front is to fight the vitiating politics of BJP. Therefore I would say each one of our senior and respected colleagues should join wholeheartedly and unconditionally in that fight to combat this false propaganda of the BJP." Elections to the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the 30-member Puducherry Assembly and the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will be held in a single phase on April 6, while polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on March 27, April 1 and April 6.

The 294-member West Bengal Assembly will go to the polls in eight phases beginning on March 27 and ending on April 29. Counting of votes will take place on May 2.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced sanctions against oligarch and former Ukrainian official Ihor Kolomoisky due to his involvement in major corruption.

"This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020. In addition to Ihor Kolomoisky, I am publicly designating the following members of Ihor Kolomoisky's immediate family: his wife, Iryna Kolomoiska, his daughter, Andzelika Kolomoiska, and his son, Israel Zvi Kolomoisky. This action renders Ihor Kolomoisky and each of these members of his immediate family ineligible for entry into the United States," Blinken said in a statement released by on the website of the U.S. Department of State on Friday.

Blinken said that in his official status as the head of Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine from 2014 to 2015, Kolomoisky was involved in corrupt acts that undermined rule of law and the Ukrainian public's faith in their government's democratic institutions and public processes, including using his political influence and official power for his personal benefit.

"While this designation is based on acts during his time in office, I also want to express concern about Kolomoisky's current and ongoing efforts to undermine Ukraines democratic processes and institutions, which pose a serious threat to its future," the secretary of state said.

"This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to supporting political, economic, and justice sector reforms that are key to Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic path. The United States continues to stand with all Ukrainians whose work drives reforms forward. The Department will continue to use authorities like this to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally," Blinken said.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 23:34:19|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres briefs the General Assembly on the Call to Action for Human Rights at the UN headquarters in New York on Feb. 24, 2021. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

Guterres called on the international community to work together more cooperatively to eradicate poverty in all its forms and leave no one behind.



BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's poverty alleviation success showcases "the importance of determined political leadership and commitment at the highest levels to ending extreme rural poverty," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said.

The remarks were made as a report titled "Chinese Poverty Alleviation Studies: A Political Economy Perspective" was recently published by New China Research, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency.

Guterres said China has pursued "a range of policies" that have boosted investments in national productive capacities, agriculture and rural development, particularly infrastructure, social protection, health and educational services.

"This approach contributed to increasing productivity, created jobs and lifted millions of people out of extreme poverty in line with the government's 2020 target," he said.

Guterres called on the international community to work together more cooperatively to eradicate poverty in all its forms and leave no one behind. 
Equality Act would jeopardize pro-life pregnancy centers, Save the Storks CEO warns

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

If the Equality Act becomes law, it will jeopardize the freedoms of pregnancy resource centers and hinder other pro-life protections, warns Save the Storks' CEO Diane Ferraro.

Ferraro of Save the Storks told The Christian Post in a Thursday interview that if the Equality Act passes the Senate, pro-life centers and nonprofit organizations would be endangered.

If the Equality Act passes, the religious freedom will be taken away, and as a Christian nonprofit organization that partners with pregnancy resource centers across the state, we believe in equality for every woman as well as for every human being, Ferraro said. [This] could strip away those privileges and those rights that our pregnancy resource centers have right now.

The 500-page plus bill, which passed in the House by a vote of 224-206 on Feb. 25, bans discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity. It would also inhibit healthcare providers and faith-based organizations from having autonomy and nullify conscience protections for those who object to participating in abortions.

Employees in faith-based organizations such as a pregnancy resource center could be asked to do things against their religious beliefs or against their conscience , Ferraro said. They could also be forced to hire people that are pro-choice.  This is very detrimental to what they believe and goes against why they are in the pro-life space in the first place.

The Equality Act states, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition [which includes abortion] shall not receive less favorable treatment than other physical conditions.

This means the bill could require doctors to perform abortion despite moral objections, leave no protection for employers who have religious objections to covering abortion and abortion-inducing drugs in their healthcare coverage, and require taxpayer funding of abortion in federal government healthcare plans as well as for those who receive federal funding," according to Alliance Defending Freedom.

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention said of the Equality Act that it would be the most pro-abortion bill ever passed by Congress and noted that it would redefine the term sex to include pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.

Melanie Israel, a research associate for the conservative think-tank the Heritage Foundation, wrote in an online commentary that the Equality Act is a Trojan horse for the abortion lobby and would have a devastating impact on current pro-life policies.

Israel asserted that the bill would eliminate prohibitions on taxpayer-funded abortions on the state and federal level, reverse pro-life protections of religious people and organizations gained by long-fought court battles, and end conscience-protection provisions for individuals in healthcare.

The Equality Act is now with the Senate and will require 60 votes to bring it to a vote. President Joe Biden has already promised to sign in into law.

Ferraro said that in 2019, 2,700 pregnancy resource centers across the country served nearly 2 million people, which saved taxpayers $270 million.

If the Equality Act passes, these services could be hindered, she explained.

Pregnancy resource centers and pro-life organizations such as Save the Storks would be in danger because we dont promote or provide abortions. We dont support abortions. We dont believe that abortion is the best for a mom, for a woman. , Ferraro said. We also believe as Christians that all human beings deserve equality. Thats what Jesus would want us to do. But the Equality Act could take liberties away that Christians need to effectively (as nonprofit or churches) serve moms with love and compassion" through pregnancy or adoption, not abortion, she added.

We truly do stand for love and compassion, and we want to make sure pregnancy resource centers can keep serving women in their communities, she added.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced plans to allow dual citizenship in Ukraine with the EU countries.

"What did you see in the NSDC decision? You saw the outlines of the state's position, which should be reflected in the future in the legislation regarding the participation of persons with dual or multiple citizenship in the state life of Ukraine. The policy that we will implement consists of two elements. We plan to allow dual citizenship with the EU and friendly countries, which do not pose any threat to us, and the list of these countries will be calibrated, it will depend on some criteria," Kuleba said at an online briefing on Friday.

According to him, this will be an opportunity to keep the halo of the Ukrainian presence in the world as a whole, and a citizen of Ukraine who has left for permanent residence, for example, to an EU country, in the future will be able to become a citizen of this country and remain at the same time the part of Ukraine, preserve the Ukrainian passport.

"We need to keep together millions of Ukrainians scattered around the world, we must not interfere with their integration into the society in which they decided to continue their lives, but we must, as a state, make every effort to keep them Ukrainians, so that they stay connected with their homeland, so that they will be Ukraine's lawyers in a new society," Kuleba said.

At the same time, he indicated that a number of restrictions on dual citizenship for parliament members and ministers would be established. Also, dual citizenship with the Russian Federation will not be allowed.

"I am a consistent supporter of this idea, we are working with the MPs on the appropriate legislative amendments. There is one exception  this is an aggressor state, there can be no talk of any dual citizenship with it," the minister said.

Kuleba added that this is a policy that still needs to find its legislative formulation, its implementation.
A carpenter who became a multi-millionaire businessman after moving from Ireland to England more than 30 years ago has come out on top in a family court fight over money with his estranged wife.

Sharon Horohoe believed she had been 'cheated' following the breakdown of her marriage to Ciaran Horohoe, and argued he should hand her 5million.

But a judge has ruled that she should get a lump sum of 600,000 instead after considering evidence at a family court hearing in London late last year.

Mr Justice Holman heard how both were in their early 50s and had met when in their early 20s, after each had migrated to England from Ireland.

Sharon Horohoe (right) believed she had been 'cheated' following the breakdown of her marriage to Ciaran Horohoe (left), and argued he should hand her 5million

Mrs Horohoe had then been a trainee nurse and Mr Horohoe a carpenter. Mr Horohoe had created a construction company, Horohoe Construction, in the late 1990s which had grown and flourished, and the couple had lived together in London.

The judge said Mr Horohoe was now worth more than 10million.

He heard that the couple had separated a decade ago and in 2012 had reached a post-separation agreement. Mr Horohoe had relied on the terms of the agreement and offered Mrs Horohoe nothing.

A judge ruled that Sharon Horohoe should get 600,000 instead of 10m after considering evidence at a family court hearing in London late last year. Pictured, the Royal Courts

Mrs Horohoe believed that she had been 'cheated' and wanted 5million.

The judge said he was 'not prepared to agree' with that and concluded that she should get a 600,000 lump sum.

He said Mrs Horohoe was worth more than 1million. She had had her own home and, as a result of the 2012 agreement, owned rented properties in the London area.

Mr Justice Holman said the pair had run up lawyers' bills in the region of 500,000. He said he deeply regretted the fact that they had been unable to reach a settlement.
By its illegal annexation of Crimea, Russia violated both international law and a number of its own international commitments, including in the Budapest Memorandum.

This was said by Permanent Representative of the UK to the OSCE Neil Bush during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on March 4.

In Crimea, Russia violated the first principle of international law  that countries may not acquire territory or change borders by force. Russias actions flagrantly violated its own international commitments including in: Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Budapest memorandum. Their actions undermined and continue to undermine the security of us all. The passage of time will never make them acceptable," he said.

On the seventh anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea, the British representative recalled that on February 20, 2014, "Russias military operation to illegally seize 10,000 square miles of Ukrainian territory began."

In blatant violation of its OSCE principles and commitments, Russia deployed military troops to the Crimean peninsula, which the Kremlin had decided to take by force. Russia then tried to give its actions a veneer of legitimacy with a sham referendum. This so-called referendum was conducted in a heavily militarized environment; was clearly illegal under the Ukrainian Constitution; and the result remains unrecognized by the international community," the British ambassador said.

As a reminder, the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances refers to three identical political agreements signed at the OSCE conference in Budapest, Hungary on 5 December 1994 to provide security assurances by its signatories relating to the accession of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The memorandum was originally signed by three nuclear powers: the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. China and France gave somewhat weaker individual assurances in separate documents.

In 2014, in violation of this agreement and other international legal acts regarding relations with Ukraine, Russia carried out an open armed aggression against Ukraine by occupying Crimea and unleashing an armed conflict in Donbas.

ish
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Jail sentence of regional official convicted of abuse of office upheld

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

13:16 05/03/2021

MOSCOW, March 5 (RAPSI)  The First Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction on Friday dismissed an appeal against a 2.5-year sentence passed on Andrey Kulikov, ex-head of Engels, the municipal district in Russias Saratov Region, for abuse of office, the courts press service told RAPSI.

He was convicted and sentenced in November 2019. An appeals court upheld the ruling in August 2020.

According to the court and investigators, in November 2016, Kulikov acting as the head of the Saratov Regions district, illegally transferred 6 municipal land plots to one of the local businessmen.




We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Rating: 2.5 /5 Star Cast: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan Director: Craig Brewer

Duration: 1h 50m

Language: English

Story: Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall reunite 33 years later for the sequel to the 1998 classic rom-com. The film once again follows Prince Akeem of Zamunda as he takes on the role of a King and has to prepare the heir to his throne.

Review: Coming 2 America directed by Craig Brewer is a sequel to the classic fairytale of a prince finding his one true love, Coming to America (1988). The film follows Prince Akeem of Zamunda around 30 years after his first visit to America to find his true love. This time, he isn't looking for love but his true heir to the throne, his son. The sequel answers some of the burning questions left behind by its predecessor released in 1988. It also attempts to right some wrongs with themes of patriarchy and sexism that plays well with the larger plot of the film.

After his father played by James Earl Jones, passes away, Akeem becomes the King and his first order of business is to safeguard his male heir to the throne. He has three beautiful, strong and wise daughters, all fit to rule after him but none are given the right because of the age-old laws written by their ancestors.

Now, King Akeem quickly jets back to Queens, New York and picks up his bastard son Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler) and his mother Leslie Jones. While the plot moves forward the story stays the same, the heir to the throne once again is offered a hand in marriage by the neighbouring country but he finds his true love in someone else. Meanwhile, Akeem's eldest daughter, who grew up hoping to take the throne grows jealous. She eventually learns to accept her brother and her new place in the palace.

However, Coming 2 America is not about the story or the characters, it is more about righting the wrong. The African American cast is exceptionally aware of its presence and the makers have taken full advantage to display the African culture at its best. Most of the film takes place in Zamunda, unlike the 1988 release which took place in New York. The film pridefully presents its culture through the lavish land, the wilderness, beautiful gowns, and gorgeous jewellery.

While the film's soundtrack deserves all the praise, the same cannot be said about the screenplay. The film focuses more on its visual presence than what's underneath. Most of the characters have very little or no purpose in the film. Especially the women in the story, who have very little screen time, which also gets dedicated to uplift the men around them.

Overall, Coming 2 America is for the Eddie Murphy fans waiting for a woke version of the story. Despite challenging its predecessor's storytelling, the film is still a one time watch.

ALSO READ: Malcolm & Marie Movie Review: Zendaya & John David Washington's Bad Romance Is Charismatic & Intense

ALSO READ: To All The Boys Always And Forever Movie Review: The Trilogy Ends With Perfect Valentine's Day Feels

Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
The leader of New York's state senate says Andrew Cuomo should resign if one more person accuses the governor of sexual harassment in addition to the three who have come forward so far.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Democratic majority leader in the New York Senate, told Spectrum News that if there are 'any further people coming forward, I think it would be time to resign'.

'Quite honestly, I am so, so disappointed that here we are in 2021 and we are having these conversations on the heels of Me Too,' she said.

She added that she might also call for Cuomo to quit if the investigation led by New York's attorney general Letitia James delivers a damning verdict.

But the Democratic governor, who has apologized for acting 'in a way that made people feel uncomfortable', has so far held out against calls to resign.

Cuomo is also under mounting pressure over the death toll from Covid-19 in New York's nursing homes amid claims that his office covered up the true figures.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Democratic majority leader in the New York Senate, said Andrew Cuomo should resign if one more person comes forward

Cuomo (pictured) has apologized for acting 'in a way that made people feel uncomfortable', but has so far held out against calls to resign as New York governor

Stewart-Cousins made her comments before the broadcast of a CBS interview in which one of Cuomo's accusers, Charlotte Bennett, reiterated her allegations.

After the interview aired, Stewart-Cousins separately told NY1 that Bennett's allegations were 'heartbreaking'.

Bennett, a 25-year-old former aide, says Cuomo quizzed her about her sex life and told her he would consider dating 'anyone above the age of 22'.

She said told Norah O'Donnell on CBS Evening News that she felt pressured because 'my boss was asking these questions, so I was trying to answer them.'

'It didn't feel like I had a choice' when it came to answering Cuomo's questions, she said in the interview.

'I feel like people put the onus on the woman to shut that conversation down. And by answering, I was somehow engaging in that or enabling it, when in fact, I was just terrified.'

Another accuser, former Cuomo adviser Lindsey Boylan, said she came forward after Cuomo's name was mentioned as a possible cabinet nominee under Joe Biden.

One of Cuomo's accusers, Charlotte Bennett, repeated her allegations in a CBS interview with Norah O'Donnell which aired on Thursday night

Anna Ruch, 33, (left) claimed Cuomo behaved inappropriately at a Manhattan wedding in 2019. Lindsey Boylan, 36, (right) claims Cuomo kissed her on the lips, which he denies

Cuomo, who is in his third term as governor, was believed to be a contender for attorney general before Biden selected federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland.

Boylan told Harper's Bazaar that she woke up one day in December, and saw Cuomo 'being floated for attorney general, the highest law enforcement position in the US'.

After an unnamed woman reached out to her with a story of being harassed by Cuomo and seeing the possibility of him in the Biden administration being raised, she said, 'I didn't think about it at all... I began tweeting about my experience.'

Boylan worked for Cuomo's team from March 2015 to October 2018 and recounted her story of sexual harassment in the series of Twitter posts.

She then elaborated on her accusations in a February 24 blog post in which she said Cuomo once suggested a game of strip poker.

Boylan, 36, says the unwanted advances included an unsolicited kiss on the lips in Cuomos New York City office, which the governor denies.

A third accuser, Anna Ruch, 33, told the NYT that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her after meeting her at a September 2019 wedding.

Cuomo's critics held a rally in New York City on Thursday calling for the governor's resignation

Facing calls for his resignation, Cuomo said Wednesday he would remain in office but apologized for acting 'in a way that made people feel uncomfortable.'

He said he would cooperate with an investigation headed by attorney general Letitia James, a fellow Democrat.

Boylan told the magazine that she has been in touch with Bennett but not Ruch, adding that Ruch's story made her feel 'nauseous.'

She said another factor in her own decision to name Cuomo as her alleged harasser was a Cicely Tyson interview she watched after Tyson's death.

The pioneering actor cried telling the interviewer about an experience of sexual harassment 50 years earlier, Boylan recalled.

'I always thought that if I was ever going to tell my story, it was going to be many, many years from now,' Boylan said.

'But the Tyson interview really resonated with me. It shows you how much abuse affects people.'
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 05:58:16|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CHICAGO, March 4 (Xinhua) -- A research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that three new, fast-spreading variants of the virus that cause COVID-19 can evade antibodies that work against the original form of the virus that sparked the pandemic.

To assess whether the new variants could evade antibodies made for the original form of the virus, the researchers tested the ability of antibodies to neutralize three virus variants in the laboratory.

The researchers tested the variants against antibodies in the blood of people who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection or were vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. They also tested antibodies in the blood of mice, hamsters and monkeys that had been vaccinated with an experimental COVID-19 vaccine, developed at Washington University School of Medicine, that can be given through the nose.

The B.1.1.7 (found in Britain) variant could be neutralized with similar levels of antibodies as were needed to neutralize the original virus. But the other two variants required from 3.5 to 10 times as much antibody for neutralization.

The researchers then tested monoclonal antibodies: mass-produced replicas of individual antibodies that are exceptionally good at neutralizing the original virus. When the researchers tested the new viral variants against a panel of monoclonal antibodies, the results ranged from broadly effective to completely ineffective.

Since each virus variant carried multiple mutations in the spike gene, the researchers created a panel of viruses with single mutations so they could parse out the effect of each mutation. Most of the variation in antibody effectiveness could be attributed to a single amino acid change in the spike protein. This change, called E484K, was found in the B.1.135 from South Africa and B.1.1.248 from Brazil variants, but not B.1.1.7 from Britain.

The B.1.135 variant is widespread in South Africa, which may explain why one of the vaccines tested in people was less effective in South Africa than in the United States, where the variant is still rare, said senior author Michael S. Diamond.

"We don't exactly know what the consequences of these new variants are going to be yet," said Diamond, also a professor of molecular microbiology and of pathology & immunology. "It is clear that we will need to continually screen antibodies to make sure they're still working as new variants arise and spread and potentially adjust our vaccine and antibody-treatment strategies."

The findings are published Thursday in Nature Medicine. Enditem
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered Nigerian government to pay a German national about N63.6million and $10,000 for his about 11 days of illegal detention by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) last year.

Martin Gegenheimer married to a Nigerian citizen but based in Nairobi, Kenya, had in his suit filed at the court in Abuja claimed that he was illegally detained between February 24 and March 4, 2020.

Mr Gegenheimer, a professional aviator with specialisation in commercial airline start-up, had said he was arrested at the boarding gate of the Kenya Airways aircraft while leaving for Nairobi on February 24, 2020.

He said his passport was seized and he was held in a jam-packed detention despite the COVID protocol and without acceptable food as well as medical care.

A statement by the information unit of the ECOWAS Court in Abuja said on Friday that a three-man panel of the court delivered its judgment on Thursday upholding Mr Gegenheimers case.

Breakdown of awards

The panel headed by Edward Asante ordered the Nigerian government to pay N 53, 650,925 to Mr Gegenheimer as special damages for various losses suffered and costs incurred while under unlawful arrest and detention by the NIS.

The cost also covers hotel expenses incurred after he was granted bail on March 4, 2020.

The court, which had Dupe Atoki and Januaria Costa, serving as co-panel members, awarded another N10 million in general damages as reparation for all violations and moral prejudice suffered for the violation of his rights.

It also ordered as another $10,000 as the expenditure he incurred by the applicant to secure his bail.

Unconditional release of seized passport

The court also ordered the immediate and unconditional release of the Germans passport arbitrarily and unlawfully seized from him by the Nigerian government.

It also ordered his removal from the governments watch list.

The court, however, rejected the plaintiffs claim about the violation of his right to freedom from torture, which it ruled was not supported by evidence.

Gegenheimers suit

Mr Gegenheimer had, along with SAT Swiss Aviation Nigeria Ltd, the company which invited him to Nigeria, filed his suit against the Nigerian government for the violation of his rights.

In the suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/23/20 field through their lawyer, Festus Ogwuche, the applicants contended that the German had legally entered Nigeria for business purposes, but was wrongfully arrested and detained while on his way back to Kenya.

Mr Gegenheimer said he had lived in and outside Nigeria and carried on business in Nigeria, Kenya and Africa at large since 1990.

He said he was requested to come to Nigeria for business negotiations and obtained the necessary approvals for visa on arrival to legally enter Nigeria.

According to him, he arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos via Kenya airways flight number KQ 532 on February 9, 2020 and was officially issued with a one-month Business Visa number E0014938 at the visa-on-arrival counter by the officials of the NIS.

He said while returning to Kenya on February 23, 2020, he was stopped at the boarding gate of the Kenya Airways aircraft after all necessary departure formalities were completed.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said he was arrested, his passport seized and detained in a jam-packed detention cell between February 23, 2020 and March 24, 2020 without regard for COVID-19 protocol.

The applicant alleged that he was not informed about any justifying circumstances recognised by law neither was a warrant of arrest nor court order produced as the basis for his arrest and detention.

He added that he was not afforded the opportunity of fair hearing before any lawful authority or competent court.

According to him, it was not until March 4, 2020, that an administrative bail was secured for him in the face of the pending COVID-19 lockdown in Abuja.

He said the bail condition was very stringent as he was asked to periodically report at the detention centre while his German passport was retained in the custody of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service.

He added that he had to rely on the services of a professional immigration consultant to secure his release after spending over $20,000 in employing different lawyers.

He said because of the seizure of his passport, he was confined to Abuja where he had been staying in a hotel.

Nigeria says German was lawfully arrested, charged with passport fraud

But the Nigerian government, through its counsel, J.A, Adamu, raised a preliminary objection arguing that Mr. Gegenheimer being a German and not a West African citizen, lacked the capacity to file the suit at the ECOWAS Court.

Justifying the treatment meted out to him, the government said he was detained for presenting a standard Nigerian passport bearing his photograph and other details, but which when scanned, revealed the name, passport photo and detail of one Tanimu Aisha, a female Nigerian citizen.

The government added that after conclusion of investigation, a charge was filed against Mr Gegenheimer at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, in suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/152/2020.

It said the criminal case was being processed for a hearing date.

The government denied the applicants claim of poor treatment at the screening centre, where he was first held.

It said he was well catered for and provided with food and all basic comforts during his stay.

It also denied all other sundry allegations of violation of the applicants rights.

The court in it its 48-paged judgment dismissed all the claims of the respondent.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Nine families who saved their homes from demolition to make way for a carpark have spoken out about how they won their battle with the government.

Transport NSW had plans to forcibly acquire a strip of properties next to Jannali train station, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, to build a multi-storey commuter carpark.

But after the local community launched a campaign against the development, the department called residents on Thursday to announce the plan had been aborted.

The affected residents included a widowed single mother, a cancer survivor and a man with cerebral palsy.

Speaking to the Today show, residents Liam Mulhall and Bec Hewitt - wearing 'Save our homes' t-shirts - cheered for joy at the news they wouldn't be losing their houses.

Transport NSW had plans to forcibly acquire a strip of properties next to Jannali train station, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, to build a multi-storey car park (pictured residents including Liam Mulhall and Bec Hewitt)

'We have mixed emotions. This was never all about money, it was about our community and we are absolutely ecstatic that our homes are saved but we're also angry,' Mr Mulhall said.

'We're angry that they almost weren't and we're so grateful for the support that we've got - it's people power that's stopped this happening.

'We always knew we had something special here, we always knew communities matter and we hope the state government now have a better appreciation of that and no one else has to go through what we've been through.'

Ms Hewitt said her and the other residents couldn't thank the local community and Mayor Steve Simpson enough for their 'unwavering support'.

Residents cheered for joy at the news they wouldn't be losing their beloved homes

Nine Sydney families have been told they will be able to keep their cherished Jannali homes after the government backed down from plans to turn the block into a car park. Pictured: NSW shadow Transport Minister Chris Minns (pictured to the right of the sign) visiting the residents last month

Pictured from above is the patch of land NSW Transport had planned to bulldoze in order to make a commuter car park to service Jannali train station

The department had last month threatened to demolish the homes if Sutherland Shire Council did not hand over the Jannali Shopping Centre car park as an alternative site.

The council refused the proposition and are now understood to be negotiating a different arrangement with Transport NSW.

A council report submitted to the government department has proposed the shopping centre instead be rezoned for an integrated development that will include both retail and commuter parking.

Last month, two bureaucrats from Transport NSW door-knocked on the nine families home to unceremoniously break the news their homes would be demolished - and there was nothing they could do about it.

The first knock was answered by a man with cerebral palsy who just finished refurbishing his home to make it more accessible.

Helma Mullhall and her husband Liam, who have lived in their Jannali home for 20 years, were last month told their property would be forcibly acquired by Transport NSW

Ishpal Singh (pictured), who has cerebral palsy, has lived in the area for 15 years and had only eight weeks ago finished upgrading his home with ramps, rails and an automatic door when

A widowed single mother was next to be bailed up as she stood in the driveway strapping her and her sister's children in the back of their car as they got ready for school.

After that a cancer survivor, a woman who suffers chronic anxiety and two families who've lived in their homes for decades were also told.

Under compulsory acquisition laws, home owners have six months to negotiate a price before getting the boot.

But when private land is forcibly acquired for a public project, property owners are only entitled to the current market value of the home - nothing more.

Helma Mullhall and her husband Liam have lived in their home for over two decades and had just spent over $100,000 renovating the property to make it more comfortable for their golden years.

'We bought the place with the long term intention of retiring here and maintaining our independence as much as possible because it's close to the shops, medical facilities and the train station,' Mr Mullhall previously said.

'The current market value doesn't take into account the value it has to us and it doesn't take into account that it's taking us out of the community that we love.'

Mr Ishpal Singh, who has Cerebral Palsy, has lived in the area for 15 years. He had only recently finished upgrading his home (pictured) with ramps, rails and an automatic door when he was told his home would be forcibly acquired

Houses in the Jannali neighbourhood were decorated with various signs blasting the state government

Transport NSW had plans to bulldoze the houses for a four-storey commuter car park to service Jannali train station. Pictured: An impression of what the car park is set to look like

Ishpal Singh, who has cerebral palsy, has lived in the area for 15 years and had only just finished upgrading his home with ramps, rails and an automatic door when he was told he would be evicted.

'They didn't even ask if we were okay or anything,' Mr Singh previously told Daily Mail Australia.

'Before the ramp I had to crawl into my house. Now I can access the community.

'We don't want to move because everyone is so friendly and I feel very comfortable in this area.'

Mr Singh said finding a new home to suit his needs would be an uphill battle.

'After they told us everyone in my family just started crying.'

Local member Eleni Petinos and Transport Minister Andrew Constance came under immense pressure when the plan was made public, with residents saying they had not been visited face to face and were not returning their calls and emails.

A massive groundswell of supporters quickly rallied around the local community, putting up posters, doing letterbox drops and launching an online petition.

A Facebook action group named Save Our Homes quickly gained traction, garnering 1,900 members in just over a week.

A petition circulating online also received more than 11,000 signatures.
and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have discussed cooperation in science, space, technology, and innovation, Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology said.

The ministry's director general Shai-Lee Spigelman exchanged views at a meeting with the Ambassador to Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, saying the two sides "had an excellent meeting", Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

and the agreed to formally normalize their relations in mid-August 2020, and signed a normalization agreement at the White House on September 15 the same year.

Since the signing of the deal, the two countries have established bilateral working groups and reached agreements on some areas of common interest.

--IANS

int/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
WEST FRANKFORT  Centerstone will host a free, virtual child abuse prevention training on 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 7.

The training will provide an overview of the physical and behavioral signs, causes and dynamics associated with abuse, as well as what to do if you suspect a child is being hurt or neglected. Objectives include:
Viking Tao Viking Tao is an asset to the firm in accomplishing our vision for the future.

Kane Russell Coleman Logan has announced that Dallas-based Director Viking Tao has joined its Board of Directors. This addition follows last years change in firm management with Managing Director Karen A. Cox serving as Chair of the Board along with attorneys Patrick V. Rick Stark, Thomas G. Ciarlone Jr., Robert LeMay , and David R. Thrasher as Board Members. Tao will replace Thrasher who completed his Board term and will continue to serve in other management roles within the firm.

Noted corporate and real estate attorney Viking Tao chairs the firms China Practice Group, representing Chinese and other international clients in their investments and operations in the United States. Tao joined the firm as an associate attorney in 2007 and was promoted to Director in 2011. Fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese, Tao counsels Chinese companies that are establishing their presence in the United States, forging alliances with U.S. businesses, or embarking on strategic expansions. She also advises American companies in connection with their investments in China and business negotiations with Chinese companies.

KRCL is making bold moves in the pursuit of our strategic growth plan. Viking Tao is a great addition to the firms Board of Directors and I know shell be an asset to the firm in accomplishing our vision for the future, said Karen Cox, Managing Director.

Last year, the firm transitioned from governance by an executive committee to establishing the KRCL Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is comprised of non-founding lawyers of KRCL and dedicated to establishing strategic direction and initiatives for the entire firm.

Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC is a full-service law firm with offices in Dallas and Houston. Formed in 1992, the firm provides professional services for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to medium-sized public and private companies to entrepreneurs. KRCL handles a wide array of transactional, litigation, employment, and bankruptcy matters in Texas and throughout the country.

SOURCE: Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC

Follow KRCL on LinkedIn

Like KRCL on Facebook

Follow KRCL on Twitter
The founder of an anti-crime patrol group in New York City was released on $4.5million bail on Thursday after being indicted in Brooklyn federal court for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in two states in 2017.

Jacob 'Yanky' Daskal, 62, was charged with rape in state court in 2018 but federal prosecutors stepped in this week to arrest him as part of a new case, according to the New York Post.

Sources told the Post that the state charges could be dropped as the federal case would result in a longer prison sentence if Daskal is convicted

Federal authorities unsealed the three-count indictment Thursday morning against Daskal, who ran the Shomrims Brooklyn South Safety Patrol, a Hasidic neighborhood watch group, at the time of the alleged abuse.

According to the court filings, between August and November 2017, Daskal, who was then 59 years old, engaged in a sexual relationship with the teenager whom he took into his home in Brooklyn, where he groomed her for sex.

Shomrim founder, Jacob Daskal, 62, leaves Brooklyn Federal court on Thursday evening after being arraigned on rape charges of a minor and posting bail of $4.5 million

Daskal loses his yarmulkas as it blows off his head in the wind as he is released on bail. The $4.5million bond for the father of eight was signed by members of his family

Daskal is accompanied by two unidentified men as he leaves court Thursday. His is charged with coercing a minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct, transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct

Daskal is charged with coercing a minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

He was arraigned in Brooklyn federal court on Thursday afternoon where his lawyer, Henry Mazurek, entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

'We intend to contest the charges and litigate fully,' Mazurek said.

Daskal, who has eight children and 36 grandchildren, was released on a $4.5 million bond by US Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.

The bond was signed on by eight family members and secured by five properties.

The judge allowed Daskal to continue working as a property manager while he is out on bond.

Prosecutors had argued for his detention as they claimed Daskal 'abused his position of power in the Orthodox Jewish community to groom a vulnerable 15-year-old victim for a sexual relationship'.

'We believe that this defendant, who crossed state lines to allegedly sexually assault a child, should be held fully accountable for his alleged conduct and we therefore worked with the federal authorities to bring charges in federal court, where the potential punishment is more severe,' said Brooklyn DA spokesman Oren Yaniv.

'We will continue to cooperate and do our part to make sure that hes brought to justice.'

Daskal leaves court after being indicted for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in two states

According to the court filings, between August and November 2017, Daskal (pictured above leaving court on Thursday), who was then 59 years old, engaged in a sexual relationship with the teenager whom he took into his home in Brooklyn, where he groomed her for sex

A lawyer for Daskal (pictured center leaving court) filed a non-guilty plea on his behalf

The judge allowed Daskal to continue working as a property manager while he is out on bond

During the summer of 2017, Daskal allegedly 'engaged in sexual relations with the victim primarily at his residence and at his summer home in South Fallsburg, New York'.

A few months later in October 2017, the victim moved to Chicago to attend a new school and live with another family, authorities said.

'While the victim was in Chicago, Daskal communicated with her via text message and over Skype video chat,' authorities said in a statement.

'He requested that she pose nude for him during their video chats and send him nude photographs as well.'

According to the indictment, Daskal on November 5, 2017, traveled by plane to Chicago to visit the victim and brought her to a hotel room.

While there, he engaged in sexual intercourse and oral sex with the victim, prosecutors said.

Daskal is a father of eight with 36 grandchildren. He posted bail on Thursday

During the alleged abuse in 2017, Daskal (pictured center) was the founder and chief of the Borough Park Shomrim Society, a private anti-crime patrol group in South Brooklyn

During the alleged abuse, Daskal was the founder and chief of the Borough Park Shomrim Society, a private anti-crime patrol group.

Over the years he has also donated thousands of dollars to local political campaigns, including those of ex-state Sen. Malcolm Smith and Sen. Simcha Felder, the Post reports.

Authorities said his position in the community 'led the victim to feel threatened when he told her not to tell anyone about their sexual relationship'.

The shomrim has been around since the 1970s and has a close relationship with law enforcement.

In 2018, the victim told her mentor about the alleged abuse and then reported it to the police.

At that time, Daskal was arrested and charged with third-degree rape in Brooklyn Supreme Court for allegedly abusing the girl in his Borough Park home before being let free on $75,000 bond.

Jacob Daskal (left and right during his first arrest in 2018), who is the founder of an anti-crime patrol group in New York City, has been indicted for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in 2017

In 2017, Daskal (pictured during his first arrest in 2018) allegedly 'engaged in sexual relations with the victim primarily at his residence and at his summer home in South Fallsburg, NY'

In 2018, the victim told her mentor about the alleged abuse and then reported it to the police. At that time, Daskal (pictured above center in May 2018 after his arrest on state charges) was arrested and charged with third-degree rape before being free on $75,000 bond

Daskal (pictured in 2018 with his family as they left court) has been charged with coercing a minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct

On Thursday, Acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Seth D. DuCharme, said in a statement that Daskal 'exploited the vulnerability of a young teenager by grooming her for sex and enticing her into having sexual relations with him'.

'Protecting underage minors from flagrant sexual abuse and predators like the defendant will always be a high priority of this Office and the Department of Justice.' DuCharme said.

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F Sweeney said: 'A man who founded an organization aimed at creating a safer community should know the difference between right and wrong. As we allege, Mr. Daskal's position of influence may have helped him attempt to silence his victim, but it won't stop the FBI from holding him accountable.

'Sexually exploiting a teenaged girl is a crime that carries severe consequences, and we hope Mr. Daskal's arrest will demonstrate to other victims that they can come forward,' Sweeney added.

If convicted of the charges, Daskal faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

He only faced one and a half years prison time if convicted on the state charge.

Sweeney said anyone with information about this investigation or the identities of additional victims should call authorities at 212-384-1000.

Police have uncovered a drug stash valued at $4.5 million after an investigation into alleged trafficking between Sydney and Brisbane by people linked to the Comanchero motorcycle gang.

Officers in Queensland and NSW, with assistance from Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, received information that drugs were being moved from Sydney to Brisbane on Thursday by people connected to the bikie gang.

On Thursday night police arrested a 30-year-old man, before searching his Eight Mile Plains home and a shipping container at a building site in Yatala, south of Brisbane.

Officers seized 130 kilograms of cannabis, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine and 2000 litres of chemicals, which were taken for forensic examination, along with cash and a mobile phone.

The man was charged with two counts of possession of a dangerous drug exceeding the schedule, possession of things used in connection with an offence against the Drugs Misuse Act 1986 and tainted property. He was to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.
NEW YORK, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolf Popper LLP is investigating potential securities fraud claims on behalf of purchasers of XL Fleet Corp. common stock (NYSE: XL).

In September 2020, Pivotal Investment Corporation II (NYSE: PIC), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), announced it had entered into an agreement to merge with XL Fleet Corp. so as to take XL Fleet Corp. public. The merger was approved by a majority vote of the holders of Pivotal common shares. The merger closed on December 22, 2020, and Pivotal changed its name to XL Fleet Corp. and its stock symbol to "XL".

During the trading day on March 3, 2021, Muddy Waters issued a report stating that former XL Fleet salespeople "were pressured to inflate their sales pipelines materially in order to mislead XL's board and investors" and "XL misleads its customers about performance and savings; and, that due to these exaggerations, customer reorder rates are in reality quite low." In addition, the report alleges former employees said of the 33 customer logos included in investor presentations, 18 were inactive.

On this news, XL Fleet's stock price fell $2.09 per share, or over 13%, and closed at $13.86 per share on March 4, 2021.

Investors who have lost over $50,000 trading in XL Fleet common stock and who would like to discuss the investigation should contact Joshua Ruthizer at (212) 451-9668, (877) 370-7703, or [email protected].

Wolf Popper has successfully recovered billions of dollars for defrauded investors. Wolf Popper's reputation and expertise have been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed the firm to major positions in securities litigation. For more information about Wolf Popper, please visit the Firm's website at www.wolfpopper.com.

Attorney Advertising: Prior Results Do Not Guarantee A Similar Outcome.

Wolf Popper LLP

Joshua W. Ruthizer

845 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Tel.: (212) 451-9668

Tel.: (877) 370-7703

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Wolf Popper LLP
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

David F. Kelley is a member of the Board of the Vermont Wildlife Coalition. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Brattleboro Reformer.
Biden is a regular guy. An American story of a kid propelled in life on the back of the middle class that surged after World War II. He loved football and girls; was a good but lazy student; did law; and fell in love  twice  at first sight. He trained his brain and mouth to overcome a terrible stutter, echoes of which you can still hear today, if you listen closely, as he gives speeches. He stands always with working people. And with people of colour who face racism every day; he was a lifeguard in the summer at the pools where black kids would swim. He quit a corporate law firm in Delaware to become a public defender.

As Joe Biden assumed the presidency, Scribe reissued his 2008 campaign biography, Promises to Keep. Its a very smart publishing decision because it brings to us the true bedrock of Biden in public life. We get the raw Biden as he matures from his young days, before becoming Barack Obamas vice-president, before fulfilling his promise to his dying son not to give up, but to go on, lovingly recounted in Promise Me (2017).

Bidens flaws are all here too. His coasting in law school. His gushing, endless speeches. The plagiarism of a speech by former British Labour leader Neil Kinnock that ended his 1988 presidential run. And that episode  Biden was so hungry for a theme that he took Kinnocks life story without attribution  reflected his most profound political flaw: that he never settled on a message of why he wanted to become president and what he wanted to do with it.

David Broder, the dean of political journalists in Washington at the time, wrote: He is impulsive, but not all his instincts are self-serving or self-aggrandizing. As gifted as he is at 45, I think Democrats will find him far better presidential material at 49 or 53 or 57 or 61. How about at 78?

Biden and Harris merchandise on sale in the streets ahead of the inauguration. Credit:Rebecca Blackwell

Biden comes to office as the most experienced president ever, with four decades in the Senate and eight years as vice-president. It is a lot of fun to read his up-close encounters with some of his predecessors.

Jimmy Carter was a man of decency and a man of principle, but it wasnt enough. Thats the first time I realised that on-the-job training for a president can be a dangerous thing.
There are no new cases of Covid-19 in the community or in managed isolation today.

The Ministry of Health is also advising that current advice related to tsunami warnings supersede current Covid-19 alert level requirements in affected areas.

The total number of active cases in New Zealand is 68 with a total number of confirmed cases at 2,033.

Further information will be provided when the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield provide an update on Cabinets review of the current alert level settings at 4.00pm.

Earthquake and tsunami warning advice

The Ministry is urging people in affected areas to follow advice from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and local Civil Defence authorities regarding the earthquake overnight and tsunami warnings today.

As NEMA has already communicated, evacuation advice overrides the current Covid-19 alert level requirements in affected areas. Listen to local Civil Defence authorities and follow any instructions. If you are told to evacuate, do not stay at home. Stay two metres away from others if you can and if it is safe to do so. Only messages issued by NEMA represent the official warning status for New Zealand.

Affected District Health Boards have plans in place for such circumstances, and we thank people for their patience. The Ministry of Healths Emergency Management function is working with DHB emergency management teams and we continue to monitor this situation closely.

We understand this situation may be difficult for some people. People can call 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor, and there is a range of other support listed on the Ministry of Health website.

Testing update

We continue to see a strong demand for testing, particularly in Auckland.

On Thursday, 11,402 tests were processed. More than 69,000 tests have been processed in the last week, with a seven-day rolling average up to yesterday of 9,903 tests processed.

The total number of tests processed by laboratories to date is 1,763,008.

For up-to-date information on testing locations in Auckland visit www.arphs.health.nz/covid19test

For all testing locations nationwide visit www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19

As always, anywhere you are in the country, if you have symptoms please stay home and call Healthline (0800 358 5453) for advice.

Auckland February cases contact tracing update

We would like to acknowledge the incredible work of our public health and contact tracing teams, who have scaled up their approach in response to this more transmissible variant.

These people have been working long hours, seven days a week, to follow up with all close contacts as quickly as possible and are in daily contact with people isolating.

In the Auckland February outbreak, close to 6,000 people have been contacted and provided with advice and information on testing and self-isolation.

Local public health officials, contact tracers and interpreters and have also worked closely with other agencies and organisations to provide outreach and support to communities, including those from different ethnic and language backgrounds.

The dates and times of potential exposure events are on the locations of interest page on the Ministrys website. This page also has public health advice for contacts.

Good progress has been made and we would particularly like to particularly acknowledge the Papatoetoe High School community. All the outstanding Papatoetoe students have been contacted and retested and have all returned negative results.

A public health plan is in place around the two students who have declined to be tested. These students are being closely managed by Auckland public health officials.

Waste water testing

Further results from ESR's wastewater testing have come in. Samples taken on Wednesday from three Auckland sites, including Papatoetoe, have all come back negative for the virus. An additional sample was taken from a site closer to Papatoetoe on the same day, also testing negative.

A sample from the South Western Interceptor came back positive for the same day, but this is a regular occurrence as it is near the Auckland quarantine facility.

Historical cases

Since January 1, there have now been 37 historical cases, out of a total of 223 cases.

NZ COVID Tracer

NZ COVID Tracer now has 2,730,814 registered users.

Poster scans have reached 206,986,009 and users have created 8,189,593 manual diary entries.

There have been 1,558,151 scans in the 24 hours to 1pm yesterday, and 1,421,206 scans per day on average for the past week.

Its critical to keep track of where youve been and the COVID Tracer app is an easy way to do this. Please continue to scan QR codes wherever you go and turn on Bluetooth tracing in the app dashboard if you havent already done so.

Next Update

A further update on Cabinets review of the current alert level settings takes place at 4.00pm today.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The latest data from Counterpoint Research estimates that Apple shipped 12.9 million Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE units in Q4 2020. The company also managed to remain the market leader despite smartwatch sales remaining flat in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE combined accounted for 40% of the total smartwatch market share in Q4 2020. Apple managed to increase its market share by 6% as well and remained the clear leader.

Samsung saw its market share increase by 1% compared to Q4 2019. This can be attributed to the launch of the Galaxy Watch 3 in the latter half of 2020 and the various bundled deals that Samsung offered with the Galaxy Note20 series.

Huawei reported the largest increase in its smartwatch shipments. It shipped 11.1 million smartwatches in 2020, up from 8.7 million units in 2019. This represents a growth of 26%, higher than the 19% growth reported by Apple. The companys performance is even impressive when one considers the various US sanctions imposed on it.

The report also states that consumer preference has shifted towards more expensive watches, with Apple, Samsung, and Garmin forming the bulk of the sale. The $300+ smartwatch segment grew by 8%, with Apple dominating the category and enjoying over 70% market share in this price range.

While the COVID-induced lockdown definitely affected smartwatch sales, the Apple Watch has still done fairly well for Apple. The entire smartwatch industry should rebound in the second half of 2021 as economies worldwide open up and the various movement restrictions are removed.

Our Take

One of the key reasons why the Apple Watch is the market leader is because of how neatly it integrates with the iPhone and Apples ecosystem. Its health-tracking capabilities are also second to none, which gives it a major advantage over the competition. While there are plenty of budget smartwatches in the market that claim to offer heart rate monitoring and step tracking, the data they collect is wildly inaccurate.

[Via Counterpoint Research
Burma Myanmars CRPH Calls for Halt in Tax Collection

Mandalay engineers march in opposition to the military regime on Feb. 26. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a group of elected lawmakers who were prevented from taking their seats in Parliament by last months coup, said in a statement that Customs Department officials and employees of government ministries involved in tax collection must suspend all such activities until Sept. 30.

The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is Myanmars Union Parliament.

In its statement issued Thursday, signed by U Lwin Ko Latt, the CRPH-appointed minister for the Presidents Office, it said, The respective ministerial departments collecting various taxes must suspend taxation.

The CRPH announced on Wednesday that it, acting as the Union Parliament, had approved an amendment to the 2020 Union Taxation Law that requires the suspension of tax collection. The law was approved by Parliament in August for fiscal year 2020-21, which began in October last year and ends this September.

Lawmakers elected in last years election held their own swearing-in ceremonies within a week of the coup. The CRPH also appointed four acting ministers to take charge of nine ministries this week, as the countrys President U Win Myint, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other ministers are being detained by the military.

The CRPH said on Wednesday that the suspension of tax collection is aimed at deterring the regimes governing council from misusing public money to fund its killing of peaceful protesters.

Since the coup, millions of Myanmar citizens have taken to the streets to defy the military. More than 50 people, including peaceful young protesters and bystanders, have been killed by police and soldiers firing live rounds during nationwide crackdowns on anti-coup demonstrations.

The CRPH said its amendment to the 2020 Union Taxation Law also aims to help domestic businesses, which are facing enormous losses during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Myanmars NLD government previously postponed payments of income tax and commercial tax for businesses, which have been hit hard by COVID-19 since March last year.

The acting Presidents Office minister also said that if any civil servants failed to uphold the amendment order and collect tax, actions will be taken in accordance with the existing laws.

Civil servants working in such fields as health, education, energy, information and foreign affairs, as well as police, have joined the CDM against the militarys governing council. Many members of the public have voiced support for the plan and are urging others not to pay their taxes until the restoration of the countrys democratically elected leaders. Some civil servants are still working for the military regime, however.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmars NLD Rejects Militarys Call for Proportional Representation Election System

Another Bloody Day in Myanmar: At Least 28 Protesters Slain by Military

115 Information Ministry Staff Refuse to Work for Myanmar Junta
Pak gets a new NSA: He is Imran Khans special assistant on national security

Pak's Army, ISIS chiefs meet PM Khan after he suffers key defeat in Senate polls; Opp cries foul

International

pti-Deepika S

Islamabad, Mar 05: The chiefs of Pakistan Army and powerful spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) met Prime Minister Imran Khan to review national issues, a day after his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party suffered a humiliating defeat in a closely-contested Senate election, according to a media report.

Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday met Prime Minister Khan as part of the interactions between the civilian and military leadership on national issues. ISI Director General Lt Gen Faiz Hameed was also present during the meeting, the Dawn newspaper reported.

An official source said the meeting was held to review the "internal and external situation". However, no statement was issued by the Prime Minister''s Office, which usually issues press releases on such meetings, the report noted.

According to the report, people were quick to link the meeting to the latest political developments in the country following the Senate elections.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate and former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani defeated ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Wednesday, in a major blow to Khan, who had personally campaigned for his Cabinet colleague.

Pak PM Imran Khan says he will seek vote of confidence following Senate election defeat

The defeat of the finance minister in the elections to the upper house prompted calls for resignation of Khan by the Opposition leaders.

Khan hit back by announcing to seek a vote of confidence from the National Assembly on Saturday. Shaikh was defeated by a margin of 5 votes.

Criticising the meeting between Khan, the Army chief and the ISI chief, Maryam Nawaz, Vice President of the main Oppostion party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz said the military leadership "should not have been seen" with Prime Minister Khan after the developments in the Senate polls.

She said that the Prime Minister had called and met the heads of institutions in the lawns of PM House "on the day he suffered a humiliating defeat (and) his members expressed a lack of confidence in him and voted against him".

"Is he not dragging the institutions into politics?" she was quoted as saying in the report.

She said that the meeting at this juncture does not send out good visuals.

"Institutions" should end backing of Prime Minister Khan, if they have not done so far and should restrict themselves to the constitutional and lawful role, she said.

Addressing the military leadership, she said, "you should not have been seen sitting with Imran Khan at any cost a day after he suffered a battering (and) faced the people''s and public representatives'' wrath, when he (Imran) was busy in machinations and rigging."





Video by Lee Min-young, Kim Kang-min



For almost a year, world has been fighting a battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, a truly unprecedented, once-in-a-century health crisis, and while many countries hoped they were past the worst, many, including South Korea, are now grappling with new outbreaks.



However, in an attempt to create COVID-19 vaccines and end this health crisis there has been an incredible level of cooperation and rapid mobilization in the biotech world on a global scale.



The Korea Times sat down with Francis Van Parys, commercial vice president of Cytiva Asia Pacific, to learn more about how the scientific community is responding to the pandemic and the great demand for COVID-19 vaccines from around the world.



Cytiva is the world's leading provider of technologies and equipment for bio-manufacturers, helping them to produce treatments quickly and efficiently. Cytiva is currently teaming up with numerous biotech companies including biotech giants in Korea to expedite COVID-19 vaccine development and manufacturing.





Below is the full transcript of the interview with Francis Van Parys, who joined us on the third episode of our series of interviews with CEOs and top executives of global companies.





Q. For our viewers to better understand what your company does to enhance global health, could you tell us what Cytiva actually does to support the development of protein-based therapeutics and future treatment?



: So we are a start-to-finish bioprocessing provider so we essentially provide them with manufacturing solutions. If you kind of simplify and compare to what you do in a kitchen, in fact we sell the pots, the pans and the ingredients for the soup so essentially it's a combination of hardware and raw materials that are being used in the process to ultimately develop a protein-based drug. Protein-based drugs are biological drugs with a biological function as opposed to chemical drugs. They're typically more efficient, more impactful than typical chemical drugs and so they require a complex manufacturing system and developing system and so Cytiva is there to support the research and development as well as the manufacturing of those therapies.



Q. South Korea has some of the world's most innovative biopharma companies today. What does investing in the Korean market and supporting the growth of the industry here really mean for Cytiva?



: Well, remarkably Korea is our third biggest market globally so the innovation, the academic power, the scale that's happening here in Korea is unprecedented. We have some of the biggest infrastructure for manufacturing of biological drugs based in Korea. We have some of the biggest biosimilar product producers based in Korea and so we've been working with them for multiple years, more than decade. The concentration of the manufacturing scale in Korea is very important which is one of the reasons why we have a consultancy center based in Song-do which ultimately helps both large companies as well as starting bio-techs as well as academic partners with scale-up services, process development services, training center.

Our mission today with these companies is to enable them with further productivity so they can manufacture at lower cost and therefore provide more access to more patients for these drugs as well as provide additional infrastructure as they are continuing to expand and expanding their production capacity and we are honored and privileged to be part of that ecosystem.



Q. South Korean biotech companies such as Samsung Biologics, Celltrion and Seegene are also part of your extensive list of clients. What are the crucial technologies that Cytiva provides for these companies that enable them to efficiently develop healthcare products?



: Seegene is another example of a diagnostic company where we are the tools providers so we provide components which then are used in diagnostic tests. In this case, most recently for COVID-19. What it actually means to them is not necessarily purely the manufacturing scale. It's also how we help them drive productivity, drive their costs down, do more with less so minimize the usage of raw materials, optimize and introduce new technologies that help them produce faster, lower doses and therefore you know giving access to a broader scale of patients.



Q. So as a global life sciences leader in development and manufacturing, how is your company specifically responding to today's pandemic?



: Large players in every continent have asked us to accelerate the production of some of those critical raw materials which they need and we have responded to that. We are also adding shifts around the manufacturing facilities around the world including in Asia but also in the U.S. We are expanding by adding new production lines and we're looking at doing further investments which we haven't announced yet but adding more manufacturing capacity to ensure that the ongoing demand for vaccine manufacturing which will likely go into 2022, we anticipate, to ensure that we are ready for it. In fact, we've hired globally about 1,700 people over the last five months and that's on a total of 7,000 so you can see the scale at which we are doing this.

And that's happening across the industry at the same time. The logistics providers are doing the same. People like FedEx, UPS, DHL are investing to ensure the cold chain is there to be distributing those vaccines. The pharmaceutical companies are looking for additional capacity for those that are not manufacturing COVID-19 treatments to ensure that they can use the excess capacity for COVID-19 applications so I think it's happening across the industry, creative solutions and that's coming together into what will be an unprecedented delivery of vaccines that we haven't seen before.



Q. Cytiva has also partnered with various companies in the Asia Pacific region recently to combat COVID-19 and facilitate vaccine development. Can you tell us more about these collaborative efforts?



: Well, you mentioned the word collaboration and I think that's a really important one because the challenge that we are facing, no single institution or private company or government can face this alone and so collaborations are absolutely critical. With Takara Bio, a company in Japan, we've looked to improve their manufacturing process so that they can manufacture in more doses and also go to market faster.

In Korea, we have a number of examples where we are the tools provider for diagnostic tests. We're working with some of the major players here as well to develop their monoclonal antibody for therapeutics for COVID-19.

So we have a diverse set of collaborations which we play different roles in different stages of the development of the drug and you know that keeps us very busy at the moment.



Q. You have mentioned before that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought together the scientific community across the world so can you tell us about the effect that the pandemic has had on the scientific community worldwide and in Korea?



: I think we have not seen an effort of this scale before and if you think about the challenges that are involved with developing a vaccine starting from understanding the disease, understanding the biological mechanisms that are involved with treating it or providing a vaccine for it then studying the efficacy, the safety of that drug, looking at what manufacturing process we need, making it robust, ensuring there is a supply chain behind that manufacturing process and then later on the distribution. That whole set of challenges requires a lot of different stakeholders to collaborate in a way that has never been needed and never been possible to this extent. To develop a therapeutic and vaccine program for things like Ebola it took about 40 years for 300 programs to be active. It took about five months for a thousand programs to be active for COVID-19. So just in terms of scale, it's unprecedented for sure. It shows that the scientific community can do amazing things when the need is high. It shows that the innovation is at the sky high level at the moment and that's very promising for the overall healthcare ecosystem and the healthcare industry.



Q. There are more than five billion vaccine doses in advanced orders. Sounds pretty sizable. So what challenges are you seeing in fulfilling this demand?



: There's logistical challenges. There's obviously the infrastructure of the pharmaceutical companies which is insufficient. There's the supply of the raw materials which is somewhat insufficient and so there are challenges at every step of the way. Will we have sufficient vaccines available to serve the needs? Most likely. Depends on the number of programs that will be approved but I think the industry is doing a heroic job in terms of getting to the number of doses that we need.



Q. Since the COVID-19 outbreak global demand for South Korea's medical products, for example the COVID-19 test kits, has soared and local drug makers are also speeding up vaccine development. Is Cytiva looking for further collaboration with South Korean biotech companies?



: Yes, absolutely. So we are supporting various programs. We are actually involved in most of the active programs in South Korea in various forms. So I mentioned already being a tools provider to some of the diagnostic tests including people like Bionote or Seegene. We are involved in the manufacturing of the therapeutic that Celltrion is developing in terms of the raw materials that they use to do so for clinical trials at the moment but that's progressing quite well. We're enabling other players to manufacture some of the global vaccines so you may be aware some of the U.S.-based vaccines are also being manufactured in different locations around the world by partners of that pharmaceutical company and so where that is the case we enabled that as well. There's a number of biotech companies that are doing their own development of vaccine candidates and therapeutic candidates and we are helping them with scale-up developments and research services.



Q. South Korea has received praise across the globe for its proactive and thorough response to the pandemic early on. What are some steps the Korean government can take to continue this positive momentum as the pandemic continues?



: They've done a terrific job they also recently announced the purchase of 40 million doses of vaccine which shows that the Korean government is acting with determination and very swiftly to ensure the population has access to the vaccine. It's now to the companies to deliver those and they have an efficient distribution system for the population to have access to those vaccines. I have no doubt whatsoever that will be organized in a highly efficient and organized manner. Clearly the strategy is working while the economic impact is actually minimal so I think we should be considering ourselves very lucky to be in this country and be able to benefit from going through a challenging situation in a very well managed manner.



Q. What can we expect to see from Cytiva in the next five years especially in Korea?



In our industry, innovation is very fast. We talked about that before, we need to stay current with new therapies that are being developed and so as a solution provider and a manufacturing enabler we need to continue to invest in technologies. You know, one of the key elements of our future is to grow with biotech. There's so much innovation happening at the biotech community that we feel we need to be very close to them and so in order to help them with scale-up services, training personnel. I mean, one of the biggest limiting factors in the industry is we don't have enough professionals that can actually work in this industry so training is a big thing and with that we look with a very positive mind toward the future and we're optimistic about where we'll be in five years from now.




Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
H-E-B is getting some heat from San Antonio council members for its face mask policy for customers.

During a city council meeting on Thursday, District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez and District 9 Councilman John Courage relayed how they felt about the H-E-B statement after Gov. Greg Abbott announced he is lifting his face mask order.

"H-E-B will still require all our Partners and vendors to wear masks while at work, and we urge all customers to please wear a mask when in our stores," the store stated in its release.

RELATED: H-E-B responds to Gov. Greg Abbott's plan to reopen Texas

While discussing Abbott's order, Pelaez called H-E-B's wording "vague," saying he wants them to clarify what that means for H-E-B shoppers. Before, his H-E-B comment he asked all local business owners to think about their neighbors when making their face mask mandate decision.

"I'm doing this with my fingersquote unquote'urging' people to wear masks, but nowhere have they said that they're not mandating, and urging's a really vague word, and it seems to me they are deliberately being vague with that word," Pelaez said at Thursdays city council meeting.

H-E-B President Scott McClelland met with Chron.com Wednesday, saying H-E-B won't take that step in enforcing mask wearing before entering a store because of belligerent customers who have caused nearly 2,000 in-store incidents involving masks at Houston stores alone.

RELATED: H-E-B president Scott McClelland talks masks with Chron

District 3 Cocunilwoman Rebecca Viagran brought up that point, expressing she's concerned their will be more disturbances and confrontations between people who wear face mask and to those who don't. She called Abbott's action "dangerous" and "life threatening" for many individuals.

As for Courage, he straight up called out H-E-B for its decision and is asking for the San Antonio-based grocery store to uphold its previous policy.

"I've written to both the governor and to H-E-B about the continuing danger that we remain in because of COVID and the lack of understanding on respecting the health care of everybody in the state and everybody who uses H-E-B," said Courage. "I'm calling them out. I'd like them to uphold the rules that they had previously had for the sake of all of us who use that facility."

According to the Washington Post, Target, CVS, Starbucks and Kroger are some of the retailers that will continue to require customers in Texas to wear face mask while in its stores.

You can watch the full city council meeting below:

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre
"This is an incredibly generous gift  one that will make an impact on thousands upon thousands of Mohawk Valley residents each year," said Darlene Stromstad, FACHE, president and CEO of MVHS. "The funds will elevate The Wynn Hospital to greater heights and result in important service enhancements and lifesaving outcomes. I can't thank the Wynn family enough for making this level of investment in the region, its people, its local families and its crucially important healthcare. This gift will have a lasting legacy on the Mohawk Valley."

This momentous gift is intended to improve upon the healthcare services in the broader community, to include those within the new hospital, enhancements that would otherwise not be possible. It was the intention of the Wynn family to leave a lasting legacy of state-of-the-art healthcare on the community where it all started for Steve Wynn.

"Our family has deep roots in Utica," said Steve Wynn. "I have everlasting and fond memories of my childhood in the community, which provided a strong foundation for the rest of my life. This is my way of thanking the community and recognizing my parents." The Wynns are frequent visitors to this region of New York State. Andrea Wynn is president of The Wynn Family Foundation.

"This is our way of giving back to the people of the Mohawk Valley," said Steve Wynn. "At the same time, we are committed to advancing healthcare through philanthropy. MVHS has a bold plan for The Wynn Hospital  a plan that we believe in. We are proud to make this gift to advance the project even further and help ensure better health outcomes and an enhanced quality of life for the community."

Expected to open in 2023, The Wynn Hospital will provide:

State-of-the-art care. The Wynn Hospital will bring to the region a new level of surgical services through the Center for Surgical Innovation; cardiac care at the leading edge of medicine through the new Heart Center; integrated medical and surgical services for brain and spine care through the Neurosciences Institute; and a program that meets the needs of women and children through the Women's and Children's Center.



Additionally, The Wynn Hospital's new emergency room will include 63 treatment rooms and specialized care for trauma, behavioral health, and other emergent and lifesaving needs; its new ER design will support 90,000 visits per year. The hospital throughout will feature an innovative team-station approach to nursing; nurses at each team station will oversee the needs of just four patients, fostering stronger connections and allowing for more individualized care.



The Wynn Hospital will bring to the region a new level of surgical services through the Center for Surgical Innovation; cardiac care at the leading edge of medicine through the new Heart Center; integrated medical and surgical services for brain and spine care through the Neurosciences Institute; and a program that meets the needs of women and children through the Women's and Children's Center. Additionally, The Wynn Hospital's new emergency room will include 63 treatment rooms and specialized care for trauma, behavioral health, and other emergent and lifesaving needs; its new ER design will support 90,000 visits per year. The hospital throughout will feature an innovative team-station approach to nursing; nurses at each team station will oversee the needs of just four patients, fostering stronger connections and allowing for more individualized care. A better experience for patients and families. The healing environment will be greatly improved at The Wynn Hospital: every patient will have a private room with a window and technologies to minimize sound, offering more comfort, natural light and confidentiality. Separate patient, visitor and service elevators will also ensure privacy and dignity for patient transport.



The healing environment will be greatly improved at The Wynn Hospital: every patient will have a private room with a window and technologies to minimize sound, offering more comfort, natural light and confidentiality. Separate patient, visitor and service elevators will also ensure privacy and dignity for patient transport. More  and more specialty  physicians in the Mohawk Valley . MVHS will expand its graduate medical education and residency programs at the new The Wynn Hospital. By developing a medical school affiliation with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, expanding the existing primary care residency program, and establishing residencies in psychiatry, OB/GYN, emergency medicine, and general surgery, MVHS will significantly increase its capacity to recruit physicians to the region. More than 130 medical students and resident physicians are expected to study and practice at The Wynn Hospital each year.



. MVHS will expand its graduate medical education and residency programs at the new The Wynn Hospital. By developing a medical school affiliation with of Osteopathic Medicine, expanding the existing primary care residency program, and establishing residencies in psychiatry, OB/GYN, emergency medicine, and general surgery, MVHS will significantly increase its capacity to recruit physicians to the region. More than 130 medical students and resident physicians are expected to study and practice at The Wynn Hospital each year. Benefits to the greater community, including an estimated $115 million economic impact on the Mohawk Valley region during construction. MVHS expects to employ 3,000 to 3,500 healthcare professionals at the hospital when it is completed. Already, the project has brought infrastructure improvements to the area, contributing to the redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Utica .

MVHS was awarded a $300 million grant from New York State in 2017 to create an integrated healthcare delivery system in Oneida County and broke ground on the downtown Utica site in December 2019. The 25-acre campus of The Wynn Hospital  which consolidates the area's two aging acute-care hospitals  will include a 703,000-square-foot, 10-story facility; a central utility plant; and a parking garage.

"This community deserves forward-looking healthcare," said Bonnie Woods, chair of the MVHS Board of Directors. "After years of planning, a world-class medical campus is just around the corner. I am proud of everyone who has made this project a reality and grateful to the Wynns for recognizing the transformational impact of our future regional medical center."

"The Wynn Family and our capital campaign co-chairs, Linda Romano and Larry Gilroy, share a simple, yet powerful, vision: philanthropy changes lives," said John Forbes, Vice President, MVHS Foundation. "This partnership with the Wynns will do that and more. It will help attract and retain skilled physicians, set a new standard for excellence in healthcare, and inspire others to give back in service of our mission."

President of the MVHS Foundation Board, Terry Mielnicki, says, "This is truly a remarkable time for this community and this gift will help us provide exceptional healthcare in this region for many years to come."

MVHS and the Wynn Family Foundation plan to unveil branding for the new The Wynn Hospital in early-to-mid 2021.

About MVHS

MVHS is an integrated, non-profit healthcare delivery system that includes St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC), Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare (FSLH), MVHS Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Visiting Nurse Association of Utica and Oneida County and Senior Network Health. MVHS primarily serves the geographic area of Oneida, Herkimer and Madison counties in New York State and is an integrated delivery system with more than 4,200 full-time equivalent employees. The Wynn Hospital will be joining these other affiliates as part of MVHS. For more information, visit mvhealthsystem.org and find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Contact:

Caitlin McCann

Vice President

315-624-5433

[email protected]

SOURCE Mohawk Valley Health System

Related Links

https://www.mvhealthsystem.org



The NFL draft is at the end of next month and The Arizona Cardinals, like all other NFL teams, are doing their homework on the prospects. With no NFL combine and with the world still affected by the pandemic, most predraft contact is still virtual.

One of the Cardinals biggest offseason needs is at cornerbacks. They are set to meet with one of the better cornerback prospects of the draft who has NFL bloodlines.

According to Justin Melo, they will meet with Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Samuel is projected as of right now to be a Day 2 selection.

He is listed at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds. He is believed to be best in man coverage, which the Cardinals use a lot of. He played three seasons for the Seminoles. In eight games in 2020, he had three interceptions and six pass breakups. He broke up 14 and had one interception in 2019.

He is a little undersized but played inside and out in college.

His father, who had almost the exact same height and weight, was a starting cornerback in the NFL and played 11 years. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, playing for the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.

Because of the positional value of a cornerback, Samuel potentially could be a first-round pick but the Cardinals probably would consider him for their pick in the second round, at least right now.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wires Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:





Previous shows:





and




Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
The United Nations is warning of a growing crisis in Ethiopia's embattled Tigray region. In Europe, Italy is blocking 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccines heading to Australia. China is set to overhaul Hong Kong's electoral system. Meanwhile, Pope Francis arrives in Iraq. CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta joins "CBSN AM" from Johannesburg with those stories.

Video Transcript

ANNE-MARIE GREEN: All right, let's get you to some headlines from around the world. Humanitarian officials are sounding the alarm on a worsening situation in Ethiopia. Debora Patta is joining us now with that story as well as others from Johannesburg. This situation in Ethiopia is threatening to pull in other nations as well.

DEBORA PATTA: Indeed. Good morning, Anne-Marie. The crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region is certainly deteriorating even further. And this comes as the United Nations warns that a campaign of destruction is underway. These remarks made at a UN Security Council that was a closed session have been obtained by CBS News. UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock warned that 4.5 million people needed assistance and that there were multiple credible and widely corroborated reports from Tigray of widespread atrocities involving mass killings, rapes, and abduction of civilians. He singled out neighboring Eritrean forces as fighting on the side of the Ethiopian government and demanded they leave Ethiopia.

Over to Italy and a very different war being waged, the global tug of war over desperately needed coronavirus vaccines. Italy has blocked 250,000 doses of the vaccine from being flown to Australia under new European Union rules passed after AstraZeneca cut projected deliveries. Australia, however, has asked for a review of the decision. The EU regulations allow any member country to stop exports of vaccines to nations outside the bloc. The decision to stop the shipment comes as infections are on a steep ascent in Italy and highlights the intensification of the global competition for shots.

Story continues

China has announced at its biggest political meeting that it will overhaul Hong Kong's electoral system to ensure what it calls patriots are in charge. It's being seen as a sign that the government will no longer tolerate dissent in the city. The reform comes after a crackdown and tightened control of Hong Kong. The draft decision will be discussed at the National People's Congress, which has gathered in Beijing and runs for a week.

And finally to Iraq, where Pope Francis has arrived for a three-day visit amid both pandemic and escalating security concerns. The Pope has made it clear he does not want to disappoint the Iraqi people, especially the country's Christian population.

Pope Francis will also meet with Shiite leaders, hoping to establish a groundwork for peace that protects people of all religions in Iraq. There is also criticism that the trip could become a super spreader event, amid fears that the Pope could draw large crowds at a time when the coronavirus infections appear to be surging in the country. Now, the Vatican insists that the visit will be safe, socially distanced, and devoid of the usual fanfare. The Pope and his entourage have all been vaccinated. Anne-Marie?

ANNE-MARIE GREEN: All right, Debora. Thank you very much.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over a preparatory meeting for the fourth session of the 13th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Deputies to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, on Thursday elected the presidium and set the agenda for the fourth session of the 13th NPC.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the preparatory meeting for the session.

All the preparations for the annual session are completed, Li said, calling for efforts to ensure a good start for China's economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

A 174-member presidium was elected, with Wang Chen as the secretary-general of the NPC session.

The meeting also adopted the agenda of the session:

-- Deliberate the report on the work of the government;

-- Review the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development and the long-range objectives through the year 2035;

-- Review the report on the implementation of the 2020 plan and on the 2021 draft plan for national economic and social development, and the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2021;

-- Review the report on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2020 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2021, and the draft central and local budgets for 2021;

-- Deliberate the draft amendment to the Organic Law of the NPC;

-- Deliberate the draft amendment to the Rules of Procedure for the NPC;

-- Deliberate a draft NPC decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;

-- Deliberate the work report of the NPC Standing Committee;

-- Deliberate the work report of the Supreme People's Court;

-- Deliberate the work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

The presidium of the session met shortly after the preparatory meeting was closed. Attendees to the presidium meeting decided on the schedule of the NPC session, among other matters. The NPC will be in session for seven days this year from March 5 to 11.

Prior to the preparatory meeting, the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee met for the meeting's preparation. Enditem

2

1

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
By NICOLE WINFIELD and SAMYA KULLAB, The Associated Press

BAGHDAD (AP)  Pope Francis arrived in Iraq on Friday to urge the countrys dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns to make his first-ever papal visit.

The pope, who wore a facemask during the flight, kept it on as he descended the stairs to the tarmac and was greeted by two masked children in traditional dress. But health measures appeared lax inside the airport despite the countrys worsening coronavirus outbreak.

Pope Francis is greeted by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi as he arrives at Baghdad's international airport, Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)AP

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Iraqis were eager to welcome Francis message of peace and tolerance and described the visit as a historic meeting between the minaret and the bells. Among the highlights of the three-day visit is Francis private meeting Saturday with the countrys top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a revered figure in Iraq and beyond.

Francis plane touched down at Baghdads airport just before 2 p.m. local time. A red carpet was rolled out on the tarmac in Baghdads international airport with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on hand to greet him. Francis was visibly limping in a sign his sciatica, which has flared and forced him to cancel events recently, was possibly bothering him.

A largely unmasked choir sang songs as both pope and premier made their way to a welcome area in the airport. People wandered around without masks, and the pope and the prime minister took theirs off as they sat down for their first meeting  seated less than two yards apart  and later stood next to each other shaking hands and chatting.

The pope later rolled down the window and waved to some of the hundreds of people who gathered along the airport road to watch his motorcade pass. The airport road was the scene of regular attacks in the chaotic years after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

FILE Federal policemen patrol by a concrete wall placed by Iraqi security forces to surround the Our Lady of Salvation Church during preparations for the Pope's visit in Mar Youssif Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)AP

Iraqis were keen to welcome him and the global attention his visit will bring, with billboards depicting Francis with the slogan We are all Brothers.

The government is eager to show off the relative security it has achieved after years of wars and militant attacks that nevertheless continue even today. Francis and the Vatican delegation are relying on Iraqi security forces to protect them, including with the expected first use of an armored car for the popemobile-loving pontiff.

Francis is breaking his year-long COVID-19 lockdown to refocus the worlds attention on a largely neglected people whose northern Christian communities, which date from the time of Christ, were largely emptied during the violent Islamic State reign from 2014-2017.

For the pope, who has often traveled to places where Christians are a persecuted minority, Iraqs beleaguered Christians are the epitome of the martyred church that he has admired ever since he was a young Jesuit seeking to be a missionary in Asia.

In Iraq, Francis is seeking to not only honor its martyrs but deliver a message of reconciliation and fraternity. The few Christians who remain in Iraq harbor a lingering mistrust of their Muslim neighbors and face structural discrimination long predating both IS and the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that plunged the country into chaos.

The Popes visit is to support the Christians in Iraq to stay, and to say that they are not forgotten, the Chaldean patriarch, Cardinal Luis Sako, told reporters in Baghdad this week. The aim of Francis visit, he said, is to encourage them to hold onto hope.

The visit comes as Iraq is seeing a new spike in coronavirus infections, with most new cases traced to the highly contagious variant first identified in Britain. The 84-year-old pope, the Vatican delegation and travelling media have been vaccinated; most Iraqis have not.

More:

Catholic leaders warn against morally compromised Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Priest at California Catholic church that flouted public health orders dies of COVID-19

Catholic dioceses accept at least $1.5 billion in taxpayer aid during pandemic despite full coffers




It seems that the West is worried about the electoral system revision in Hong Kong. Why are they so nervous about China's internal affairs? What are foreign countries afraid of when it comes to Hong Kong?

Ever since its return to full Chinese sovereignty in 1997, U.S. intelligence agencies and their civilian surrogates such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) have seen China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) as a staging ground for anti-China activities. They have used its special autonomous status as a convenient fig leaf for their subversive activities.

Taking advantage of Hong Kong's former colonial legacy and the continuation of many of its institutions into the new era, the U.S. and the UK insinuated their anti-China ideology into the minds of many Hong Kong residents. This was accomplished via the control of many media outlets and educational institutions by colonial-minded people with ties to political operatives in Washington and London.

As long as these forces operated within the law and did not advocate a change in the status of Hong Kong as an integral part of China, the "Two Systems" approach allowed them to express their views and fully participate in the civil life of Hong Kong, including election to governing bodies.

However, rather than seek to overcome the differences left over from history, these pro-Western factotums have sought to accentuate them. By whipping up anti-China hysteria they fomented the so-called "pro-democracy" movement, which is meant to forestall the change in Hong Kong's status set to occur in 2047. They agitate for Hong Kong's independence or its right to self-determination rather than its further integration into the Greater Bay Area of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.

Those who have the true interests of the HKSAR and China at heart know that it is incumbent upon the residents of Hong Kong to foster a sense of patriotism for the "One Country" that they belong to while treasuring their part of the "Two Systems" that they have been guaranteed.

With "Two Systems" comes the responsibility to accept and respect the "One Country" they belong to. But that is the furthest thing from the insurrectionists' minds. They do not want to enhance the policy of "One Country, Two Systems" but destroy it. In so doing they are more than willing to enlist the overt support of foreign forces that are avowedly out to challenge China on all fronts in a do-or-die effort to reverse the verdict of history and resubjugate China to their dictates.

Pro-Western anti-China forces in Hong Kong will use any excuse to mount opposition to China, be it through corrupting Hong Kong's electoral system and Legislative Council or violent street protests. No government, be it the HKSAR or the U.S., tolerates insurrection. For instance, over the last few weeks, more than 300 "pro-democracy" protesters who ransacked the U.S. Capitol Building have been arrested on various charges up to and including seditious conspiracy. Yet, you hear no hue and cry about it from Washington's allies.

The "pro-democracy" protesters in the U.S. have been labeled insurrectionists by the U.S. ruling party and its neoliberal media mouthpieces. The protesters, however, see themselves as defenders of "freedom" and "liberty." But it is not up to them to define their own actions. They vowed to overthrow the established order and that is exactly what the protesters in Hong Kong have been intent on doing.

A similar situation is never allowed to develop in the U.S. or any other Western-style democracy, where patriotism and adherence to established political norms is the sine qua non. Any deviation from the status quo is considered seditious and if people take matters into their own hands, they are dubbed anti-democratic insurrectionists.

As a result, it's a prerequisite that American politicians pledge allegiance to the U.S. constitution and proclaim their patriotism. There is no reason why elected leaders in Hong Kong should not do the same toward the one country, China, that they are part of.

The hue and cry over the national security law for the HKSAR is simply a ruse used by Anglo-American politicians to pander to a domestic electorate that has been propagandized to view China as their enemy. It is meant to generate a negative perception of China, no matter what the reality may be, in order to further Washington's anti-China agenda.

By Dennis Etler, a current affairs commentator who holds a doctorate in anthropology from the University of California, Berkley. Source:CGTN



States New COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Strategy Targets Disadvantaged Californians

California will now allocate 40 percent of all new COVID-19 vaccine doses for residents living in its most disadvantaged communities.

The effort, announced by state officials March 3, seeks to accelerate the reopening of the economy by slowing the spread of the virus in areas where it tends to propagate fastest.

In Southern California, many of the communities that would receive the added vaccines are located in the Central Valley and Los Angeles County. Santa Ana in Orange County would also be targeted.

Its still unclear how the 40 percent number will be calculated locally, said Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner.

Currently, when a batch of vaccine supply is delivered to Orange County, the bulk is allocated to private health care facilities, and a smaller portion is given directly to the county for distribution.

Its not known whether the state would reserve 40 percent of the total supply for disadvantaged communities, or subtract it from Orange Countys allotment of doses.

Although Wagner has been a staunch advocator of local control, he said it was a smart move to reserve a larger portion of supply to hard-hit communities.

By and large, the idea that we want to get vaccines into the arms of people who are most at risk, I think is a good one, he said. I wish the governor throughout this pandemic had been so focused on where the problems are and addressing them there. So, you know, Im a little unsure about what hes got in mind. But at the end of the day, those disadvantaged communities are disproportionately suffering, and I have no problem getting vaccines to them.

Mark Ghaly, Californias secretary of Health and Human Services, said the allocated doses would be spread out to about 400 zip codes, where about 8 million people could receive the shot.

State officials also said that after another 400,000 doses are given in disadvantaged communities, they will consider reducing the restrictions for counties to exit the most restrictive, purple, tier of the states reopening guidelines.

California counties looking to drop out of the purple tier must have an adjusted daily COVID-19 case rate equal to or less than 7 new cases per day per 100,000 people, but after the state vaccinates 2 million residents in hard-hit areas, they will increase the threshold to 10 cases per day per 100,000 people.

The modification would allow many counties currently stuck in the purple tier to slide into the less-restrictive red tier.

If the change occurred right now, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties would be able to eligible to switch tiers. Additionally, San Diego, Riverside, and Ventura counties would be close to eligibility.

Additionally, once the state distributes 4 million doses in the hardest-hit areas, it will relax the thresholds for qualifying to the orange and yellow tiers.

The move comes as Santa Anas Mayor Vicente Sarmiento called on officials at all levels to increase vaccinations in the city.

We have to take inventory of who stepped up and helped our city and residents, because those 700+ [Santa Ana] deaths, those families, those are people we know, Sarmiento said during a March 2 council meeting. We should be very, very angry. Theres direct responsibility for people who said nothing and did nothing.

But Supervisor Wagner said that even if allocations are given to disadvantaged communities, residents in those areas might not always want to be inoculated.

I also need folks to recognize that its not just a matter of making the dosages available, there is more resistance in the disadvantaged communities to taking the vaccine than there are elsewhere, and I would hate to lose opportunities to vaccinate the older folks who are at risk with some forced allocation that does not reflect reality, he said.

But if those communities that are being targeted by the governor are receptive to the vaccine, I am all in favor of making sure they get vaccinated.
By David Shepardson and Tracy Rucinski

(Reuters) - American Airlines Co said on Friday that a Boeing 737 MAX bound for New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport declared an emergency after the captain shut down one engine over a possible mechanical issue.

American's Flight 2555 from Miami with 95 passengers and six crew landed safely at Newark without incident, the airline said.

The possible issue was related to an engine oil pressure or volume indicator and not the result of anything related to the MCAS system linked to two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that prompted the plane's 20-month grounding, it said.

Boeing Co said it was aware of the American flight and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it will investigate.

American was the first U.S. carrier to resume 737 MAX flights late last year following the FAA's approval of safety updates by Boeing.

When it cleared the plane to fly again, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said he was confident that the jet was safe but warned that in-flight mechanical problems occasionally occur with all commercial aircraft.

"For that reason, it is inevitable that at some time in the future, a Boeing 737 MAX will turn back to its originating airport, divert, or land at its destination with an actual or suspected in-flight problem," he said.

The FAA evaluates all events involving a U.S. airline, he said at the time, adding: "Its very important to differentiate between these routine events that happen with any aircraft and the acute safety issues that led to the loss of lives and grounding of the MAX.

American took delivery from Boeing of the jet involved in Friday's incident on Dec. 30, according to information on FlightAware.

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Tracy Rucinski; additional reporting by Eric M. Johnson; Editing by Leslie Adler and David Gregorio)
The Summit is adding two new retailers this spring - one bringing its first location to Alabama.

Activewear chain Fabletics, and womens fashion name Dear Prudence, will be joining the roster of shops at the Birmingham area center.

Co-founded by actress Kate Hudson, Fabletics is a high quality womens activewear brand which launched in 2013. Known for its e-commerce business, Fabletics now has more than 50 brick-and-mortar stores.

The Summit location will be the first in Alabama. Fabletics will be near Shake Shack and offer in-store experiences such as free workouts, events and access to new collections.

Dear Prudence, a womens fashion boutique, is now open next to Urban Cookhouse with plans to celebrate its grand opening on March 15. It offers clothing, jewelry, and gifts supporting brands made in the United States, along with a selection of Birmingham-area products.

This will be their fourth store in the U.S.

The Summit recently saw two new restaurants open - Chopt and North Italia.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do

HAWAII  The tsunami watch for Hawaii has been canceled after an earthquake near New Zealand, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports.

Officials also said there is no threat to the Oregon Coast.

The earthquake was a magnitude 8.1.
Prime Minister on Friday said the country is on track to achieving its climate goals before the target date as it switches over to energy-efficient mediums and uses waste to generate energy.

Speaking after accepting the 2021 CERAWeek Global Energy & Environment Leadership Award for his commitment to energy sustainability and the environment, Modi said and calamity are major challenges facing the world.

He gave a call to fix ourselves so the world will be a better place. He said this spirit of behaviour change is a key part of our traditional habits, which teach us consumption with compassion. A mindless throw away culture is not a part of our ethos, he asserted. He felt proud of Indian farmers, who are constantly using modern techniques of irrigation. The Prime Minister said there are only two ways to fight and calamities. One is through policies, laws, rules and orders. PM Modi gave examples in this regard. Share of non-fossil sources in India's installed capacity of electricity has grown to 38 percent, adoption of Bharat - 6 emission norms since April 2020 which is equal to Euro - 6 fuel. India is working to increase the share of natural gas from the current 6% to 15% by 2030. LNG is being promoted as a fuel. He also mentioned recently launched National Hydrogen Mission and PM KUSUM, which promotes an equitable and decentralized model of solar energy generation. But the most powerful way to fight climate change, Modi said, is behavioural change.He gave a call to fix ourselves so the world will be a better place. He said this spirit of behaviour change is a key part of our traditional habits, which teach us consumption with compassion. A mindless throw away culture is not a part of our ethos, he asserted. He felt proud of Indian farmers, who are constantly using modern techniques of irrigation. He noted that there is growing awareness on improving soil health and reducing use of pesticides.

While the target of mixing 20 per cent ethanol has been advanced to 2025, 5,000 compressed bio-gas plants will be set up to turn municipal and agriculture waste into energy, he said.

"India is well on track to achieve its Paris agreement targets well before the target date of 2030," he said.

India has maintained that it is not a polluter and cause of and has voluntarily committed to reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

The Prime Minister said that Mahatma Gandhi is one of the greatest environment champions to have ever lived. If humanity had followed the path laid down by him, we would not face many of the problems we do today, said Modi. He urged people to visit Mahatma Gandhi's hometown of Porbandar, Gujarat where underground tanks were constructed years ago to save rain water.

The Prime Minister remarked that today the world is focussing on fitness and wellness. There is a growing demand for healthy and organic food. India can drive this global change through our spices and our Ayurveda products. He announced that in India, the Government is working on metro networks in 27 towns and cities for eco-friendly mobility.

The Prime Minister said for large-scale behaviour change, solutions that are innovative, affordable and powered by public participation need to be offered. He cited examples like people embracing LED bulbs, Give It Up Movement, increased LPG coverage, affordable transportation initiatives. He expressed happiness about the growing acceptance of ethanol across India.

The Prime Minister noted that over the last seven years, India's forest cover has grown significantly, the population of lions, tigers, leopards and water fowls has grown. He cited these as the great indicators of positive behavioural changes.

Modi concluded by saying, Now is the time to think logically and ecologically. After all this is not about me or you. It is about our planet's future. We owe this to our coming generations.

Harutiunian, senior pro-government parliamentarians and other officials accompanying him laid flowers at the grave of Vazgen Sarkisian, a former prime minister and one of the armys founders assassinated in 1999, to mark his 62th birthday anniversary.

The annual wreath-laying ceremony had traditionally been attended by most senior generals. Only one of them, Andranik Makarian, visited at the Yerablur military pantheon with Harutiunian this time around.

Makarian, who is a deputy chief of the General Staff, was among a handful of officers who refused to sign last week a joint statement by the militarys top brass that accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians government of misrule and demanded its resignation.

Pashinian rejected the demand as a coup attempt and drafted a presidential decree relieving the chief of the General Staff, Colonel-General Onik Gasparian, of his duties. President Armen Sarkissian appears to have delayed Gasparians sacking at least until March 8.

Makarian declined to explain his refusal to sign the militarys unprecedented statement when he was approached by reporters at Yerablur. All officers of the Armenian army are in the army and stand with the army, he said, refusing to comment further.

Harutiunian was also reluctant to comment on the standoff which deepened a post-war political crisis in Armenia. Dear journalists, today is Vazgen Sarkisians birthday and Im not going to answer any questions, he said.

Harutiunian was appointed as defense minister in November shortly after a Russian-brokered ceasefire that stopped the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. He is believed to remain loyal to the prime minister.
Big businesses are grudgingly accepting a higher tax burden as they prepare to play their part in rebuilding Britains finances in the wake of the pandemic.

In a move that sent shockwaves through boardrooms, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said in the Budget on Wednesday that the headline rate of corporation tax would rise from 19 per cent to 25 per cent in 2023 as he desperately tries to plug the hole in the public purse.

The increase is the first since Labours Denis Healey put up corporation tax in 1974, and according to the Office for Budget Responsibility it will raise an extra 17.2billion in 2025-26.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said in the Budget that the headline rate of corporation tax would rise from 19 per cent to 25 per cent in 2023 as he tries to plug the hole in the public purse

Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank, branded it a screeching U-turn on Conservative policy over the last decade during which successive Tory chancellors cut corporation tax from 28 per cent.

Warning that the tax hike could dent productivity in the long run, he added: The rise in corporation tax is of historic proportions.

Whether that rise will actually be delivered without additional concessions, we will wait and see.

Even if it does, as the OBR expects, raise 17billion in 2025-26, it will raise less over the long run.

In a boost for Sunak, however, business leaders said they were ready to swallow the bitter pill.

Simon Peckham, chief executive of manufacturing group Melrose, said: Clearly we dont welcome increases in corporate tax but understand they are necessary and dont believe that they will impact the UKs competitiveness.

Amanda Blanc, chief executive of insurance giant Aviva, said: As far as corporation tax is concerned, as one of the leading taxpayers in the UK we think its important that Aviva plays its part. We are supportive of that.

And developer John Laings boss Ben Loomes said: We are very supportive of what the Government has done to support the economy in the pandemic and realise that there has been a big build-up of debt. We recognise this has to be paid for and pleased to play our part.

However, some business leaders worried that the higher rate of corporation tax could hinder the UKs competitiveness.

Luke Davis, chief executive of investment firm IW Capital, said: The incentive to grow is now heavily burdened and this will impact future entrepreneurialism here in the UK.

The rate of corporation tax will be tapered, so businesses with profits below 50,000 continue to pay 19 per cent and this builds up to 25 per cent for firms with profits of more than 250,000.

In an effort to mollify businesses, Sunak pointed out that the UK would still have the lowest level of corporation tax in the G7 group of wealthy countries.

And Stuart Adam, senior research economist at the IFS, said: Of course, its always quite possible that other countries may also increase their corporation tax rate  the UK isnt the only country with a fiscal hole to fill.

Tony Danker, director-general of the CBI, said: When it comes to the corporation tax rise, I think businesses all accept and believe that we need to pay our fair share of tax in the years ahead and that taxes need to go up for the crisis. But yes, going from 19 per cent to 25 per cent overnight in two years time is a shock.

This question of long-term competitiveness of the UK and the post-Brexit, post-Covid era is on the minds of companies.

Danker was more optimistic about the so-called Super Deduction which Sunak announced on Wednesday.

This allows any companies investing in plant and machinery over the next two years to deduct 130 per cent of the cost of that investment from their tax bill. Danker said this was a very good move for kick-starting the recovery.
Russia plans to establish a permanent military base in central Syria, writes Zaman Al-Wasl.

Zaman Al-Wasl has learned that the Russian forces are preparing to set up a permanent military base near the historic city of Palmyra in the middle of the Syrian desert.

The new bastion will be equipped in Mont al-Mazar about 13 kilometers north of Palmyra, sources said.

The satellite photos showed that the base will include a helipad and a 780 meters runway on the eastern side of the site.

The total area that is being prepared is about 37 hectares, which is adjacent to the weapons depots of the Syrian Air Forces.

Russia has gripped its power on most regime-held areas since 2015, taking presence in the vast Badia desert where the Islamic State (ISIS) militants are still controlling pockets through Homs province and eastwards to the Iraqi border, and continue to carry out deadly attacks against regime forces and allied Iranian militias.

Russian warplanes carried out 40 airstrikes in ISIS-held areas in Badia two weeks ago.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The past three days have been difficult for Monica Richards, a co-owner of Picos restaurant in Upper Kirby. After Gov. Greg Abbott announced he is reopening Texas on March 10, the restaurant told its customers its own COVID-19 restrictions will stay the same. Picos received many messages of support, but then it got ugly.

It was horrific, said Richards. Picos received calls, private messages on social media and emails threatening to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the restaurants staff and saying their green cards and paperwork need to be checked. I never imagined that they would go that far, she said, adding that Picos has always been by the book.

Picos has been a staple in Houston for almost 40 years. Customers come for the food highlighting Mexicos distinct regions and the fan-favorite margaritas. The team will continue to operate at 75 percent capacity and require customers to wear face masks when not eating or drinking.

And Picos is not alone.

On March 2, Gov. Abbott said he is lifting the statewide mask mandate and allowing all Texas businesses to reopen at 100 percent capacity. Many Houston restaurants, bars and other businesses put out statements vowing to keep their current safety protocols in place. According to a survey conducted by the Texas Restaurant Association earlier this week, 72 percent of more than 700 members said they will keep the mask mandate.

On HoustonChronicle.com: These Houston restaurants are sticking with masks, reduced capacity

Overall, these restaurants have received an outpouring of support from Houstonians congratulating them on keeping masks and other restrictions. At Picos, Richards said the positive feedback shes received far outweighs the negative comments and threats. Shes confident Picos will maintain its current level of business.

If people dont want to comply, then they can either take their margaritas to go or come back at a different time, said Richards.

Isolated incidents

Besides the messages, Richards said she hasnt received any physical threats. Over the past year, there have been reports of customers turning violent over coronavirus restrictions. In December, an employee at Grand Prize Bar in the Museum District was assaulted with a glass after asking a man to wear a mask who repeatedly refused to do so. He received 10 stitches for a head wound.

In a video posted to Twitter, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said private businesses have a legal right to mandate masks in their establishments. Just remember that if you remain in the business after being asked to leave, you are subject to arrest for criminal trespass, he said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston brewery owners react to Abbott lifting mask order

A few weeks ago in east downtown, a woman hit a manager in the face at Miss Carousel over a mask dispute. And that was when it was still mandated, said Morgan Weber, co-owner of parent company Agricole Hospitality. His restaurants received negative comments on social media this week, but he doesnt yet know if that will be the extent of the backlash.

This weekend will be telling, he said. I imagine there will be a contingent of people that are going out specifically to prove a point and pick a fight about it.

Weber said he is having conversations with his staff on how to de-escalate potential situations.

Feges BBQ in Upper Kirby also received a slew of negative comments about maintaining its mask mandate. Co-owner Erin Smith said Abbotts decision puts the onus back on business owners, who are already dealing with a lot, especially during the pandemic.

Nobody looks forward to walking up to a guest and having to ask to put their mask on because you never know what the reaction is going to be, Smith said. Weve been lucky weve always had good reactions, but one day we might not.

The general response to Feges stance, however, has been overwhelmingly supportive, Smith said. Mask use at the barbecue joint has been good, and the staff has never had an issue with someone being aggressive in person.

Customers weigh options

As the mask issue has become controversial  and even political  over the past year, this latest development is prompting customers to take sides and decide where to patronize based on a restaurants policies starting next week.

Sarah Weinstein, a Houston attorney, said she will not go anywhere that doesnt require masks, even though she is recently vaccinated.

Its less about my safety and more about how I view these businesses simply not caring about their employees and the general public, she said. Wage workers have been hit disproportionately hard throughout the pandemic, so restaurants and bars lifting all protocols, to me, says that they do not care if their employees get sick. Why would I give them my money?

Weinstein has been sharing posts on Instagram of businesses that are keeping their restrictions, as a way to help her friends decide where to go. Even after the pandemic, she said, it will be difficult for her to return to places that are removing safety measures now, but she isnt sure yet what shell do.

Ryan Bokros, a Galveston-based Realtor, was pleased to hear Abbotts announcement. He describes himself as a Libertarian and believes the decision over whether to enforce masks and other COVID-19 restrictions should be up to private business owners, not the government.

Bokros said he prefers not to wear a mask and favors establishments that give customers the choice. But if a restaurant he visits regularly is still requiring them, hell respect its wishes.

Well patronize places that have put the responsibility in the hands of the people, he said. Were not going to boycott anybody because theyre still requiring a mask.

Weber said Agricole Hospitality is not making a political statement by keeping the mask mandate. He wants both his staff and customers to feel good about visiting his restaurants and bars, and for him, that meant following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. He hopes a vast majority of people will be respectful.

You always hope that your community would rally around you for wanting to protect them, said Richards of Picos. Well see what happens.

emma.balter@chron.com
 Michael A. Pealo Jr., 27, 63 Van Anden St., Apt. 2, Auburn, was charged March 4 with possession of a mislabeled drug/substance.

 Brooke E. Rivera, 39, 7 Woodruff Place, Apt. 1, Auburn, was charged March 3 with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana and endangering the welfare of a child.

 Juan G. Robles, 41, 5 Frances St., Upper apartment, Auburn, was charged March 3 with first-degree burglary, second-degree menacing, criminal mischief and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

 Austin J. Seal, 23, 217 State St., 1, Auburn, was charged March 3 with third-degree burglary and petit larceny.

 Jeremy R. Capron, 25, 59 North Virginia St., Apt. 2B, Waterloo, was charged March 4 with first-degree criminal contempt and endangering the welfare of a child.

 John P. Moulton III, 46, 2 Arch St., Auburn, was charged March 5 with second-degree possession of a forged instrument and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

 Garrett L. Partin, 23, 290 Grant Ave., Chapel House Grant Avenue, 7, Auburn, was picked up on a bench warrant March 4 and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
The Guardian

The potential consequences of the origins of the virus are shattering  if they can be proved My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters There was a time when the Covid pandemic seemed to confirm so many of our assumptions. It cast down the people we regarded as villains. It raised up those we thought were heroes. It prospered people who could shift easily to working from home even as it problematized the lives of those Trump voters living in the old economy. Like all plagues, Covid often felt like the hand of God on earth, scourging the people for their sins against higher learning and visibly sorting the righteous from the unmasked wicked. Respect science, admonished our yard signs. And lo!, Covid came and forced us to do so, elevating our scientists to the highest seats of social authority, from where they banned assembly, commerce, and all the rest. We cast blame so innocently in those days. We scolded at will. We knew who was right and we shook our heads to behold those in the wrong playing in their swimming pools and on the beach. It made perfect sense to us that Donald Trump, a politician we despised, could not grasp the situation, that he suggested people inject bleach, and that he was personally responsible for more than one super-spreading event. Reality itself punished leaders like him who refused to bow to expertise. The prestige news media even figured out a way to blame the worst death tolls on a system of organized ignorance they called populism. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a cult out of the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general But these days the consensus doesnt consense quite as well as it used to. Now the media is filled with disturbing stories suggesting that Covid might have come  not from populism at all, but from a laboratory screw-up in Wuhan, China. You can feel the moral convulsions beginning as the question sets in: What if science itself is in some way culpable for all this? * I am no expert on epidemics. Like everyone else I know, I spent the pandemic doing as I was told. A few months ago I even tried to talk a Fox News viewer out of believing in the lab-leak theory of Covids origins. The reason I did that is because the newspapers I read and the TV shows I watched had assured me on many occasions that the lab-leak theory wasnt true, that it was a racist conspiracy theory, that only deluded Trumpists believed it, that it got infinite pants-on-fire ratings from the fact-checkers, and because (despite all my cynicism) I am the sort who has always trusted the mainstream news media. My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month; a few weeks later everyone from Doctor Fauci to President Biden is acknowledging that the lab-accident hypothesis might have some merit. We dont know the real answer yet, and we probably will never know, but this is the moment to anticipate what such a finding might ultimately mean. What if this crazy story turns out to be true? The answer is that this is the kind of thing that could obliterate the faith of millions. The last global disaster, the financial crisis of 2008, smashed peoples trust in the institutions of capitalism, in the myths of free trade and the New Economy, and eventually in the elites who ran both American political parties. In the years since (and for complicated reasons), liberal leaders have labored to remake themselves into defenders of professional rectitude and established legitimacy in nearly every field. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a sort of cult out of science, expertise, the university system, executive-branch norms, the intelligence community, the State Department, NGOs, the legacy news media, and the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general. Now here we are in the waning days of Disastrous Global Crisis #2. Covid is of course worse by many orders of magnitude than the mortgage meltdown  it has killed millions and ruined lives and disrupted the world economy far more extensively. Should it turn out that scientists and experts and NGOs, etc. are villains rather than heroes of this story, we may very well see the expert-worshiping values of modern liberalism go up in a fireball of public anger. Consider the details of the story as we have learned them in the last few weeks:  Lab leaks happen. They arent the result of conspiracies: a lab accident is an accident, as Nathan Robinson points out; they happen all the time, in this country and in others, and people die from them.  There is evidence that the lab in question, which studies bat coronaviruses, may have been conducting what is called gain of function research, a dangerous innovation in which diseases are deliberately made more virulent. By the way, right-wingers didnt dream up gain of function: all the cool virologists have been doing it (in this country and in others) even as the squares have been warning against it for years.  There are strong hints that some of the bat-virus research at the Wuhan lab was funded in part by the American national-medical establishment  which is to say, the lab-leak hypothesis doesnt implicate China alone.  There seem to have been astonishing conflicts of interest among the people assigned to get to the bottom of it all, and (as we know from Enron and the housing bubble) conflicts of interest are always what trip up the well-credentialed professionals whom liberals insist we must all heed, honor, and obey.  The news media, in its zealous policing of the boundaries of the permissible, insisted that Russiagate was ever so true but that the lab-leak hypothesis was false false false, and woe unto anyone who dared disagree. Reporters gulped down whatever line was most flattering to the experts they were quoting and then insisted that it was 100% right and absolutely incontrovertible  that anything else was only unhinged Trumpist folly, that democracy dies when unbelievers get to speak, and so on.  The social media monopolies actually censored posts about the lab-leak hypothesis. Of course they did! Because were at war with misinformation, you know, and people need to be brought back to the true and correct faith  as agreed upon by experts. * Let us pray, now, for science, intoned a New York Times columnist back at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. The title of his article laid down the foundational faith of Trump-era liberalism: Coronavirus is What You Get When You Ignore Science. Ten months later, at the end of a scary article about the history of gain of function research and its possible role in the still ongoing Covid pandemic, Nicholson Baker wrote as follows: This may be the great scientific meta-experiment of the 21st century. Could a world full of scientists do all kinds of reckless recombinant things with viral diseases for many years and successfully avoid a serious outbreak? The hypothesis was that, yes, it was doable. The risk was worth taking. There would be no pandemic. Except there was. If it does indeed turn out that the lab-leak hypothesis is the right explanation for how it began  that the common people of the world have been forced into a real-life lab experiment, at tremendous cost  there is a moral earthquake on the way. Because if the hypothesis is right, it will soon start to dawn on people that our mistake was not insufficient reverence for scientists, or inadequate respect for expertise, or not enough censorship on Facebook. It was a failure to think critically about all of the above, to understand that there is no such thing as absolute expertise. Think of all the disasters of recent years: economic neoliberalism, destructive trade policies, the Iraq War, the housing bubble, banks that are too big to fail, mortgage-backed securities, the Hillary Clinton campaign of 2016  all of these disasters brought to you by the total, self-assured unanimity of the highly educated people who are supposed to know what theyre doing, plus the total complacency of the highly educated people who are supposed to be supervising them. Then again, maybe I am wrong to roll out all this speculation. Maybe the lab-leak hypothesis will be convincingly disproven. I certainly hope it is. But even if it inches closer to being confirmed, we can guess what the next turn of the narrative will be. It was a perfect storm, the experts will say. Who coulda known? And besides (they will say), the origins of the pandemic dont matter any more. Go back to sleep. Thomas Frank is a Guardian US columnist. He is the author, most recently, of The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism
Regional

23 cops, civilians enter India from Myanmar; seek refuge in Mizoram

People stage a protest against the military coup. (Reuters File)

AIZAWL, MAR 5 (IANS) | Publish Date: 3/5/2021 1:20:52 PM IST

At least 23 Myanmar police personnel and some civilians have crossed over into India and are seeking refuge in Mizoram, officials and villagers along the borders said on Friday. Mizorams lone Lok Sabha member C. Lalrosanga said that 15 Myanmar police personnel came to Champhai district while eight policemen took shelter in Serchhip district.

The police personnel and some civilians from the military coup-hit Myanmar entered into the two Mizoram districts since Wednesday.

The Mizoram government has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) with regard to the people entering Mizoram from Myanmar in view of the military coup. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has already asked the people living along the borders to follow the SOP issued by the state government, Lalrosanga told IANS over phone.

Serchhip district Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek and his Champhai district counterpart Maria C.T. Zuali told the media separately that the district authorities have been providing food and shelter to the people who came from across the border.

Both DCs said that the entire matter is under investigation, and has been communicated to the higher authority and they are awaiting further instructions. Mizoram Home Department officials were not available on phone to confirm the development.

Villagers of the border areas of Champhai and Serchhip districts told the media that at least 50 people comprising unarmed police personnel and civilians from Myanmar have crossed over to the mountainous state since March 3.

According to the villagers, all the intruders belong to the Chin ethnic group, to which the Mizo community of Mizoram belongs. An influential Mizoram student body -- Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) -- expressing solidarity with Mynamars Mizo communities had organised sit-in demonstrations last month in Aizawl, protesting the recent military coup in Myanmar and the human rights violations in the neighbouring country.
Sam Ball is not dead.

The Married At First Sight 'villain' confirmed he was alive and well on Thursday after fans on social media expressed genuine concern for his welfare.

Several of his followers in Australia and the UK had apparently messaged him because he hadn't posted on Instagram in four days.

Not dead! Married At First Sight 'villain' Sam Ball confirmed he was alive and well on Thursday after fans on social media expressed genuine concern for his welfare

Sam, 28, who has previously gone through extended absences on social media, hit back at the death rumours on his Stories.

'To everyone asking, I went away for four days, I'm not dead,' he wrote.

'I hope you're all well and having a great week!' he added, before uploading a photo of himself smiling and looking perfectly healthy.

Picture of health: Earlier this month, the controversial reality star shared a video of himself flaunting his ripped physique and pert derriere in a pair of grey shorts

Earlier this month, the controversial reality star shared a video of himself flaunting his ripped physique and pert derriere in a pair of grey shorts.

'Flexing into the start of the week checking on my progress after a solid Hiit workout!' he captioned the clip, in which he showcased his impressive muscles.

'I feel like I have found the perfect balance across all different styles of training at the moment from swimming to running, weights to endurance workouts making me feel strong, fit and healthy.'

Infamy: Sam, who's now enrolled in the Army, became public enemy number one in 2019 when he appeared on season six of Married At First Sight. Pictured with ex-'wife' Elizabeth Sobinoff

Sam, who is now enrolled in the Australian Army, became public enemy number one in 2019 when he appeared on season six of Married At First Sight.

He body-shamed his wife Elizabeth Sobinoff on their wedding day - although he later accused her of doing the same thing to him - and cheated on her with another bride, Ines Basic.

The former tradesman faced a second wave of backlash recently when his season of MAFS aired in Great Britain on the E4 channel.
"It was less than 50 years ago that women could be turned down for a credit card based solely on their gender. And today, women continue to face inequalities, from racial and gender pay gaps to lack of access to capital for women entrepreneurs to disproportionately bearing the economic impact of the pandemic," said Sharon Bowen, Seneca Women Partner, Board Member of Intercontinental Exchange and Neuberger Berman, and the first African American Commissioner of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. "The Card by Seneca Women is part of our answer to these challenges. We believe the Card offers a meaningful way to help accelerate gender equality and create a better future for all."

Cardholders will get 3% cash back* when they shop from women-owned businesses included in the Seneca Women Marketplace. The Marketplace for cardholders will launch with more than 1 million women-owned businesses and will grow as cardholders and others nominate additional businesses for inclusion. The Card will also provide 2% cash back* on purchases in cardholders' top spending category for the month and 1% cash back* on every other purchase. The Card will have no annual fee.

To make a greater impact, cardholders will be able to use their rewards to support women-focused nonprofits that are part of the Women's Economic Future Fund. The fund was created by Seneca Women in partnership with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors with founding contributors P&G and Mastercard to bolster nonprofits that serve and support women.

"Connecting consumers to women-owned businesses and nonprofits has never been more important than now," said Kim Azzarelli, Co-Founder and CEO of Seneca Women. "Women-owned businesses were hit particularly hard by the pandemic and they also have the potential to help drive economic renewal. Women also influence the lion's share of purchasing power. The Card and Marketplace reward consumers who use their purchasing power to shop from women-owned businesses. It also provides a way to use rewards to support nonprofits that advance women at a time when these nonprofits need it most."

Cardholders will also have ongoing access to the Seneca Women community, featuring special events, the Marketplace, and media programming, including shows on the Seneca Women Podcast Network. The waitlist to apply for The Card by Seneca Women is open now and is located at card.senecawomen.com. A credit card for small businesses is anticipated to follow later this year.

"At Mastercard, we are endlessly inspired by the ideas and leadership of women entrepreneurs. We also understand how hard the last year has been on women business owners and particularly women of color. The Card by Seneca Women represents a collective step forward  it's a landmark moment that will have a real impact, and we are proud to help shape the new era of women's economic empowerment," said Ann Cairns, Vice-Chair of Mastercard.

"It's not just about equity," said Kalpesh Kapadia, CEO and Co-Founder of Deserve. "Diversity is the cornerstone of a successful and healthy national and global economy. We cannot thrive unless all of us thrive. Deserve is proud and humbled to power this exciting new initiative from Seneca Women, which will empower so many to achieve."

"Research shows time and again that when we support women, everyone benefits. Women invest in their families and communities, and help create a better world for all," said Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Seneca Women Co-Founder and former United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues. "The Card is the ultimate win-win-win, rewarding consumers who shop their values, benefitting our communities and economy, and making a positive difference for women everywhere. Simply put, a world of possibilities starts with The Card."

About Seneca Women

Seneca Women is a global leadership and media company centered on the principle that advancing women and girls will fast-forward us to a more equitable and prosperous world. Seneca Women focuses on driving impactful media and thought leadership through its media properties including the Seneca Women Podcast Network with iHeartMedia and founding partner P&G; signature thought leadership events at Davos, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Stock Exchange; a weekly newsletter; and significant partnerships with the public and private sectors. The Card by Seneca Women and the Seneca Women Marketplace seek to expand this work by supporting women-owned businesses and nonprofits. Seneca Women was co-founded by Ambassador Melanne Verveer, the first U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues, and Kim Azzarelli, a corporate, legal and media executive, who together co-authored the best-selling book Fast Forward: How Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose, who were joined by Sharon Bowen, former Commissioner of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Connect with Seneca Women at senecawomen.com and learn about the Card at card.senecawomen.com.

About Mastercard

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

About Deserve

Through a digital-first, mobile-centric, highly configurable credit card solution, Deserve is powering the future of fintech. Using machine learning and alternative data, Deserve partners with universities, associations, financial institutions, fintechs, and modern consumer brands to develop, rapidly deploy and power white label and co-branded credit card programs for any audience. Deserve is a venture-backed fintech company whose investors include Goldman Sachs, Sallie Mae, Accel, Pelion Venture Partners, Aspect Ventures, and Mission Holdings. Connect with Deserve on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter or visit http://www.deservecards.com and http://www.deserve.com for more information.

Terms and Conditions

*Terms and conditions of the card are set forth on card.senecawomen.com and are subject to change. Cardholders will receive 3% rewards for spend at merchants included in the Seneca Women Marketplace, 2% rewards on purchasing in their top spending category for the month, and 1% on everything else. 3% and 2% rewards are capped at a cumulative spend of $500 per month. Cardholders will be able to use their rewards to support women-focused nonprofits. The details of this support will be set forth on the terms and conditions of the Card. Joining the waitlist to apply for the Card by Seneca Women ("Card") does not guarantee that you will be eligible to receive the Card. Geographic, regulatory, and underwriting restrictions will apply. Fees and terms are subject to change, and additional terms of service will apply to the Card. Rates for the Card are subject to change. By joining the waitlist to apply for the Card, you agree to receive marketing communications pursuant to Seneca Women's Privacy Policy.

Press contact:

Susan McPherson

[email protected]

SOURCE Seneca Women
An international research team announced on Thursday that it has discovered a site of more than 900 fossilized dinosaur tracks, covering an area of 9,000 square meters, the largest of its kind ever found in China.

The dinosaur track site was located in a copper mine in Zhaojue County, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

From 2017 to 2019, paleontologists from China, the United States and Germany through fieldwork or using drone technology recognized at least 933 dinosaur tracks dating back 100 million years at the site, including China's longest recorded sauropod and ornithopod trackways, which are 80 meters long and 52 meters long, respectively.

Scientists believe these tracks were left by 68 trackmakers. Parallel tracks left by ornithopods were also found in the site, indicating that the dinosaurs, which were previously thought to be solitary, lived in groups.

Scientists have also found three smaller but important sites of dinosaur tracks nearby since the 1990s, bringing the number of recognizable tracks found in the county to 1,928.

The findings were published in the international journal Geoscience Frontiers in late February.

"Such a diverse set of dinosaur tracks is an excellent sample for studying Cretaceous dinosaur fauna in this area," said Xing Lida, lead author of the article and researcher at China University of Geosciences.

Xing also noted that mining operations had prompted the discovery of new records but also caused some damage to the sites. His team once tried to document the bits that remained after local mining companies broke up a site.

"The Zhaojue sites provide a good example of dinosaur track sites that require long-term study and monitoring to extract as much data as possible before evidence is lost," Xing said.

In the study, scientists called for more government efforts to preserve the sites, as the dinosaur tracks are "precious records from nature".

U.S. sanctions against Kolomoisky show Ukrainian corruption finds punishment more likely at border than in Ukraine  Rudyk

The imposition of sanctions by the United States against businessman, former head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration Ihor Kolomoisky shows that Ukrainian corruption finds punishment more likely at the border than in Ukraine, leader of the Holos party Kira Rudyk told Interfax-Ukraine.

"The U.S. sanctions show that Ukrainian corruption finds its punishment more likely at the border than in Ukraine. Until a full judicial reform is conducted in Ukraine, the courts are not reformed, we cannot hope for equal justice for all Ukrainians," Rudyk said.

She also said the Holos party calls on law enforcement agencies to pay attention to the sanctions against Kolomoisky and not to slow down criminal cases.
Okie Dokie Foodie had a full plate when she arrived in San Antonio roughly a month ago.

The camera-toting Oklahoma native is packing up and heading out now, leaving nearly 20 San Antonio restaurant owners with an extra serving of support amid trying times for the industry. The mission of Okie Dokie Foodie, real name Jennifer Bui, is simple: pay it forward.

She started her social media-based platform last August in her native Lawton, Okla., with the intent to help struggling restaurants. Bui picked up momentum and media attention there for the help she gave the city. When she arrived in San Antonio in early February to visit her parents who retired here, Bui decided to share her platform of 24,000 Facebook followers with the city.
Pakistan is not planning to buy vaccines anytime soon as it aims to tackle the COVID-19 challenge through herd immunity and donated vaccines from friendly countries like China, authorities have said. So far, four vaccines -Sinophram (China), Oxford-AstraZeneca (UK), Sputnik-V (Russia) and Cansino Bio (China) have been registered in the country.National Health Service (NHS) Secretary Amir Ashraf Khawaja while briefing the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday said that the Pakistan government has no plan to buy vaccines anytime soon and aims to tackle the COVID-19 health challenge through herd immunity and donated vaccines, Dawn newspaper reported.

Herd immunity occurs when a large number of people, usually 70 to 90 per cent, become immune to a contagious disease after being infected to it.According to National Institute of Health Executive Director Maj Gen Aamir Aamer Ikram, the cost of a single dose of Chinese vaccine Cansino is USD 13. He said Pakistan was relying on international donors and friendly countries like China.

The NHS secretary informed the PAC that Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm had committed to providing one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, saying that 0.5 million doses had been handed over to Pakistan, out of which around 275,000 doses had been administered to health professionals dealing with COVID-19 patients.He said the second phase would cover the health officials working in other hospitals and health facilities, adding that the people aged 65 years and above could also register themselves for vaccination.

He said Pakistan has planned to vaccinate 70 million people this year. According to the NHS secretary, Pakistan will also get 16 million free doses of India-made Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine through Gavi that would give cover to 20 per cent of the population of Pakistan.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) is a public-private global health partnership with the goal of increasing access to immunisation in poor countries.In response to a question by PAC Chairman Rana Tanveer Hussain, the NHS secretary said Pakistan would get the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccine made by Serum Institute of India by the middle of March and the rest was expected to arrive in the country by June.

According to him, vaccination to the aged people was due to start by March 5; however, the consignment was delayed. He said that another Chinese company had conducted the phase-three trial of Cansino vaccine in Pakistan, adding that total 18,000 people were inoculated and the vaccine's efficacy stood at 85 per cent.

According to the NHS secretary, Pakistan will also get 16 million free doses of India-made Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine through Gavi that would give cover to 20 per cent of the population of Pakistan. The PAC chairman pointed out that some people had some reservations over side effects of the vaccine and suggested that the top leadership of the country should get inoculated first to remove doubts in the general public's mind.

In response to a question by Hina Rabbani Khar, the NHS secretary said that despite the government's offer to the private sector to buy the vaccine, no serious buyers had so far come forward. According to him, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has so far received applications only from three companies for the import of vaccines, but their applications have been rejected because they did not give any detail and specification of the vaccines they intended to import.

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has gone up by around 30 per cent since the announcement of relaxation in restrictions, the report said.

Pakistan reported 52 COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours as the number of positive cases surged to 587,014. The nationwide tally of fatalities jumped to 13,128 on Friday. According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 1,579 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.


Scientists have confirmed the existence of a "space hurricane" hovering over the North Pole, according to a recent study.

The newly-discovered phenomena was spotted swirling in the Earth's upper atmosphere, according to a recent study by Nature Communications.

ASTEROID PASSING EARTH: An asteroid the size of the Golden Gate Bridge will pass by Earth in March

"This hurricane shows strong circular horizontal plasma flow with shears, a nearly zero-flow center, and a coincident cyclone-shaped aurora caused by strong electron precipitation associated with intense upward magnetic field-aligned currents," according to the study.

In an interview with Science Alert's Michelle Starr, space environment physicist Mike Lockwood explained the groundbreaking nature of the phenomena.

"Until now, it was uncertain that space plasma hurricanes even existed, so to prove this with such a striking observation is incredible," Lockwood said.

Jupiter and Saturn are also considered "extremely turbulent places," and a good breeding ground for these hurricanes, Starr wrote. There's also "roiling plasma tornadoes deep in the atmosphere of the Sun," according to Starr.

Previous observations of space hurricanes were recorded by satellites in Aug. 2014. "They were only uncovered during retrospective analyses led by scientists from Shandong University in China," according to Doyle Rice with USA Today.

Lockwood told Rice chances are no one saw the "space hurricane."

"The phenomenon would be an incredible sight, but it's likely no one saw this particular space hurricane. It would be visible to the naked eye but because the event is over the pole you would have to be at very high latitudes (to see it)," Lockwood said.

The "space hurricane" measured 600 miles across and was detected hundreds of miles above the North Pole, according to Rice. It "rained electrons instead of water," according to the study.

Space physicist Qing-He Zhang of Shandong University said space hurricanes will serve as important research subjects moving forward, Starr wrote.

"In addition, the space hurricane will lead to important space weather effects like increased satellite drag, disturbances in High Frequency radio communications, and increased errors in over-the-horizon radar location, satellite navigation and communication systems."
I didn't watch much of this year's CPAC. My digestion is sound, but there's no point in taking unnecessary risks. Still, I did note the presence of Sen. Mike Lee, a legislator who styles himself a "constitutional conservative." Lee is the son of a distinguished former solicitor general of the United States, a graduate of Brigham Young University and its law school, and the author of three books on the Founding era: "Our Lost Constitution," "Our Lost Declaration" and "Written Out of History: The Forgotten Founders Who Fought Big Government." That's a lot of losing and forgetting.

But it seems that Lee is the one who has forgotten what the founding was about.

Less than two months have elapsed since Donald Trump committed the most monstrous attack on the constitutional order in 150 years by siccing a violent mob on the Congress as it was attempting to certify the election of the man who defeated him. That came on the heels of attempts to strong-arm the secretary of state of Georgia to "find" enough votes to alter the results, efforts to persuade state legislators to defy the voters and replace their states' electoral college slates in his favor and a protracted effort to discredit the election process itself as fraudulent.

CPAC was the first gathering of Republicans and conservatives since those events. And yet, the "constitutional conservative" Lee did not see fit to mention any of that in his address. He spoke of "leftists who hate the Bill of Rights" and he argued that "faith in government is tyranny." He denounced Democratic governors, who had imposed what he regarded as overly restrictive COVID-19 rules, as tyrants and stressed that "we" (meaning Republicans) "trust the people."

Lee may be sincere in his desire to restore some equilibrium to the separation of powers. He has introduced several bills that would curtail executive authority, and when Trump usurped legislative powers and arguably broke the law by declaring a spurious border emergency, Lee was among a small number of senators who opposed him. But that burst of independence must have exhausted the senator, because at the time of Trump's first impeachment trial, less than a year later, Lee was among Trump's firmest defenders. "What he did was not impeachable," Lee told Politico. "It was not criminal. And I don't think what he did was even wrong."

CPAC was, according to The Bulwark's Tim Miller, a festival of forgetting. If the Capitol insurrection was mentioned at all, it was only to blame it on judges who ruled against Trump's risible lawsuits. Mostly though, the speakers stuck to antifa and imaginary late-night ballot dumps.

If Lee is genuinely concerned about the constitutional order, his highest priority should be the authoritarian turn that the Republican Party has taken under Trump. He might begin with these facts: Nearly two-thirds of the Republican House caucus, along with eight senators, voted not to certify President Joe Biden's election. Seventeen Republican state attorneys general signed onto Texas's preposterous lawsuit challenging the results in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and Wisconsin. (The Supreme Court tossed it.)

The MAGA crowd stormed the Capitol and erected a gallows, but elected Republicans helped prepare the ground.

Any "constitutional conservative" surveying the wreckage of the post-Trump GOP must be concerned about the state of the people they are so ready to "trust." Can self-government succeed when a plurality of one of the two major political parties no longer even believes in democracy?

A survey of Trump supporters, who number about half the Republican Party, found that not only do they nearly universally believe the fraudulent election lie, but 70% want Trump to serve another term and remain in office -- after his second term is complete.

Among Republicans more broadly, 86% opposed conviction and disqualification in the second impeachment trial, and 83% thought the trial itself should never have happened. In other words, not even attempting to subvert the election through improper influence, pressure and, eventually, violence was enough to break their cult-like devotion. Sixty-five percent do not believe Biden was legitimately elected. Nearly 30% of Republicans believe the chief claim of the QAnon conspiracy, that Trump was secretly fighting a cannibal cabal of child-abusing Democrats and Hollywood elites. Half of Republicans aver that antifa, not MAGA supporters, rioted at the Capitol.

Lee waxed indignant about some regulations instituted legally by Democratic governors to deal with a 100-year emergency. Did some go overboard? Maybe. Is that a threat to the Republic? Good God, no.

On the other hand, a significant portion of the electorate is slavishly loyal to a person rather than a party, philosophy or country. A huge number of Americans have had their faith in democracy significantly eroded. A large minority of the population believes pernicious falsehoods and cannot be disabused. And leaders who hold advanced degrees and write books about the founding cannot bring themselves to confront that reality. That seems like a bigger challenge.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The World Health Organization has scrapped plans for a team that visited Wuhan, China to probe the origins of the coronavirus pandemic to issue an interim report, The Wall Street Journal reported late Thursday.

Wuhan is the city where the pandemic is believed to have originated in late 2019.

The WHO team returned recently from its visit there saying it had no clear finding on the genesis of the virus, amid tensions between the US and China on what caused the once-in-a century global health crisis.

The United States responded by saying it had "deep concerns" about what the team learned and it pressed China for more information.

WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said February 12 that a preliminary report with a summary of the team's findings would be issued soon thereafter, and a full report in a matter of weeks.

But now the plan is to scrap the interim report, the Journal said, quoting Peter Ben Embarek, the scientist who led the team.

Instead, the team will publish the full and final report, with a summary of its findings, the newspaper said, quoting a WHO spokesman.

This broader report "will be published in coming weeks and will include key findings," it quoted this spokesman as saying.

"By definition a summary report does not have all the details," Ben Embarek was quoted as saying.

"So since there (is) so much interest in this report, a summary only would not satisfy the curiosity of the readers," he added.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price called on China Thursday to share what it knows from the earliest days of the pandemic.

"It is about learning and doing, being positioned to do everything we can to protect ourselves, the American people, and the international community against pandemic threats going forward," Price told a briefing.

"That's why we need this understanding. That's why we need this transparency from the Chinese government," he said.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
Chasten Buttigieg and Doug Emhoff pose for a selfie in 2019. @DouglasEmhoff/Twitter

Chasten Buttigieg and Doug Emhoff bonded on the 2020 campaign trail as spouses of candidates.

They consoled each other when Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg withdrew from the race.

Emhoff attended Pete's swearing-in ceremony as transportation secretary and fist-bumped Chasten.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Doug Emhoff and Chasten Buttigieg bonded on the campaign trail as spouses of presidential candidates. They texted each other during primary debates, consoled each other when Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg withdrew from the race, and continue to support each other's roles in President Biden's administration.

CNN reporter DJ Judd called them "2020's most unexpected friendship." Here's a timeline of how it began.

March 2019: Doug Emhoff commended Chasten Buttigieg for his "2020 spouse Twitter game."

Chasten Buttigieg greets audience members at an event. Win McNamee/Getty Images

After Chasten tweeted a photo of Pete cuddling with one of their dogs, captioned "I'm being replaced," Emhoff replied with a quip of his own.

"Ok, I thought I had pretty good 2020 Spouse Twitter game....good job @Chas10Buttigieg!" he wrote.

April 2019: Emhoff and Buttigieg met in person backstage at a CNN town hall.

Doug Emhoff and Chasten Buttigieg in April 2019. @DouglasEmhoff/Twitter

On April 22, 2019, CNN held back-to-back town halls with Democratic primary candidates in New Hampshire. Backstage, Emhoff and Buttigieg ran into each other and snapped a selfie.

July 2019: They bonded over their experiences of being the spouses of political candidates.

Emhoff takes a selfie with Harris, whose image is also on his phone case. Alex Wong/Getty Images

"Just spent some time chatting with my friend @Chas10Buttigieg," Emhoff wrote on Twitter on July 25. "Sometimes the only person you can talk to about going through this as a spouse, is someone going through this as a spouse!"

Almost a year later, on an Instagram Live event where they talked about their friendship and the pressures of being political spouses, Buttigieg shared how much he valued having Emhoff around on the campaign trail.

"I loved meeting Doug on the trail because very few people know what you're going through," Buttigieg said. "Mostly when we met up with each other, we'd just be like, 'I know man.'"

Story continues

October 2019: They met up with other candidates' spouses at the Las Vegas Pride parade.

From left to right: Gov. Steve Sisolak, his wife Kathy, Chasten Buttigieg, Rep. Dina Titus, Jill Biden, and Doug Emhoff at Las Vegas pride. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/AP Images for Human Rights Campaign

Buttigieg spoke onstage about how Pride is more than a party.

"It is a march, a movement and demand for equality and justice," he said.

December 2019: Harris withdrew from the presidential race, and Chasten Buttigieg was the first one to text Emhoff.

Inside Kamala Harris' Oakland campaign office. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Emhoff said on Instagram Live that Buttigieg texted him "within seconds" of Harris dropping out of the race.

February 2020: After Buttigieg responded to Rush Limbaugh's remark that America wasn't ready for a gay president, Emhoff also came to his defense.

Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, kiss at a rally. Reuters

Limbaugh ridiculed Pete for kissing his husband on the debate stage on his radio show.

"Really glad I got to know you out on the trail @Chas10Buttigieg," Emhoff wrote. "I hereby endorse all political spouses who put themselves out there in support of someone they love."

March 2020: When Pete dropped out of the race, Emhoff wrote on Twitter that he was thinking of Chasten and said, "Well done, friend."

Pete Buttigieg hugs his husband Chasten after announcing he was ending his campaign in March 2020. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Emhoff said on Instagram Live that he and Harris watched Chasten introduce Pete at the campaign's closing event.

"We watched it in our kitchen and we were like, 'Oh my god, there's Chasten!' I think I sent you a note too, either before or after, to say what a great job you did," Emhoff said.

April 2020: While chatting on Instagram Live, Buttigieg and Emhoff revealed they texted each other during debates.

Candidates at the fifth Democratic primary debate in 2019. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

On Instagram Live, Emhoff and Buttigieg shared that they often texted each other supportive emojis during the primary debates.

"And we're on the stage looking down and thinking, 'Why are you texting? You're not watching me!'" Harris joked.

June 2020: Buttigieg tweeted a photo of a pride flag on his front porch in Indiana, and Emhoff asked him to "save a chair and a cold one for me, my friend."

Chasten Buttigieg and Doug Emhoff's Twitter exchange. @Chasten/Twitter

CNN's DJ Judd shared the interaction with the caption "2020's most unexpected friendship continues!"

June 2020: Emhoff wished his "pal" a happy birthday.

Pete and Chasten Buttigieg at an event in South Bend, Indiana. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP/Getty Images

Emhoff wished Buttigieg a happy birthday on Twitter. Buttigieg shared a photo of his birthday cake and wrote, "I ate half of this cake and refuse to feel bad about it."

September 2020: Buttigieg spoke about Emhoff on an episode of David Axelrod's podcast, "The Axe Files."

Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff after the vice presidential debate. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

"The thing I loved about Doug is, he's just a chill dude," Buttigieg told Axelrod on the episode. "He's not a politician. His doing his thing because he loves his wife."

October 2020: Chasten Buttigieg attended the vice presidential debate along with his husband, who played Mike Pence in Harris' debate prep.

Pete and Chasten Buttigieg at the vice presidential debate. Brian Snyder/Reuters

Pete Buttigieg was familiar with Pence's philosophy and debate style, having served as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, while Pence was the state's governor.

CBS News reporter Tim Perry spotted Chasten Buttigieg grabbing coffee at the Starbucks inside Harris' hotel during debate prep.

January 2021: Buttigieg spoke to the New York Times about Emhoff's outlook while campaigning.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, at a holiday market in Washington, DC, on November 28. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Buttigieg told the New York Times that Emhoff once told him, "I'm not a theater guy. I'm just, you know, a husband, and I'm here to tell people why I love Kamala."

January 2021: The Buttigiegs attended the inauguration to watch Harris become vice president and Doug Emhoff become second gentleman.

Pete and Chasten Buttigieg at the inauguration in January 2021. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Pete was nominated to serve as President Biden's transportation secretary.

February 2021: Emhoff elbow-bumped Chasten after Pete was sworn in as transportation secretary.

Doug Emhoff and Chasten Buttigieg bump elbows after Pete Buttigieg was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris. Andrew Harnik/AP

Vice President Harris swore Pete Buttigieg into office, making him the first openly gay Cabinet member to be confirmed by the Senate.

Emhoff wasn't photographed at swearing-in ceremonies of other Cabinet members, so it seems that he made a special appearance to celebrate with his campaign buddy.

March 2021: Emhoff and Buttigieg were spotted out and about in Washington, DC.

Tatsie Masters ran into Chasten Buttigieg and Doug Emhoff in Washington, DC. @tatsiemasters/Twitter

Blogger Tatsie Masters of Thinking Blonde spotted Buttigieg and Emhoff hanging out in Washington, DC, stopping at Wine & Butter for coffee.

Masters snapped a quick selfie and posted it to Twitter. The internet was thrilled.

"This is the feel good buddy movie that my soul needs. @Chasten @SecondGentleman going around DC spreading joy, solving crimes, rescuing kittens in trees etc," one Twitter user wrote.

Another Twitter user commented, "I was in the room when I heard Chasten say, 'I believe in supporting strong spouses' in reply to a question about being with Pete (in a race). It does not surprise me at all that he and @SecondGentleman would be good friends."

Read the original article on Insider
MIAMI and TORONTO, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - XTM, Inc. ("XTM" or the "Company") (QB: XTMIF) (CSE: PAID) (FSE: 7XT), a Miami and Toronto-based Fintech company in the neo-banking space, providing mobile banking and payment solutions around the world, is pleased to announce that its common shares are now trading on the OTCQB Venture Market (the "OTCQB Venture"), a US trading platform that is operated by the OTC Markets Group in New York.

The Company will trade on the OTCQB Venture under symbol "XTMIF" http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/XTMIF/quote; the Company's common shares will continue to trade on the CSE under the symbol "PAID". Investors can find Real-Time quotes and market information for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

"This QB US listing supports broader investor interest as our business rapidly expands into the US market," commented Marilyn Schaffer, CEO.

About XTM Inc.

XTM, www.xtminc.com is a Miami and Toronto-based fintech innovator in the neo-banking space helping business and workers alike expedite earnings payout and eliminate banking fees. We are a global card issuer and real-time payment specialist providing our technology to businesses to automate and expedite worker payouts that can also eliminate cash. XTM integrates businesses to a payment ecosystem that is coupled with a free mobile app and a Visa or Mastercard debit card with free banking features. XTM drives enterprise value and creates a positive user experience.

\This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (the "forward-looking statements"), within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including expected performance of XTM, the expectation that businesses with which XTM does business or have committed to do business will in the expected timeline, the continuing trend toward electronic payment methods, that the integrations will attract new business owners to use the Today program, and the general conditions and revenues of XTM. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. While XTM can make best efforts to estimate when businesses will re-open or back to pre-Covid 19 business levels there are no guarantees this will happen in the time the Company expects or if at all. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur.

The CSE has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release, and the CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE XTM Inc.

Related Links

http://www.xtminc.com/


Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-04 21:59:13|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BANGKOK, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Thailand plans to vaccinate 40 million people in the country against COVID-19 within this year, said a high-level government official on Thursday.

The plan, covering 40 million population aged 18 and above, will require a total of 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, said Sophon Mekhathon, assistant to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The plan will also cover migrant workers.

That would call for procurement of an additional 17 million doses as the country had earlier announced plans to buy a total of 63 million doses of vaccines throughout this year, including 2 million doses from China's Sinovac and 61 million AstraZeneca doses.

However, Anutin said the plan will be subject to approval by the National Vaccine Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Enditem
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
South Africa: Nine more arrested in Kraaifontein double police murder

Police Minister Bheki Cele has expressed delight at yet another breakthrough in the murder of two Kraaifontein police officers, in the Western Cape, at the weekend.

This comes after investigators in the case on Friday arrested nine suspects who they believe will bring them closer to solving the murders.

In a statement issued on Friday, Minister Cele reiterated his call for harsher punishment for those who attack and kill police officers.

Constable Mninawa Breakfast (28) and Sergeant Mnakwazo Welcome Mdoko (46) were shot and killed in an ambush in the early hours of Saturday while patrolling in Bloekombos. Their service firearms were also stolen. A 32-year-old man has appeared in court for the murders and remains behind bars until his next court appearance.

On Thursday night, an intelligence-led police operation resulted in the arrest of nine suspects for the possession of unlicensed firearms in Khayelitsha, said the Police Ministry.

Two of the firearms found at the scene were positively identified to belong to the slain police members.

Cele, lauding the work of all the units involved in the latest developments, said: This breakthrough as a result of combined efforts of DPCI together with Crime Intelligence, Flying Squad and the Tactical Response teams is paying off and I am encouraged that the SAPS in the province has taken up the call to find the police killers dead or alive.

The Minister said he believed the crackdown of these suspects also means fewer illegal firearms are on the streets of Cape Town, which are in many cases, used to commit violent crimes.

A total of seven police officers have been killed in the past 15 days.

Minister Cele has urged communities to continue to work with the police and provide information that can assist investigations and ensure that those who commit crimes against community members and the police, face the full strength of the law.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Development for this program began as a response to the 2016 Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative that highlighted the impact of HPV-associated cancers and the need to do more to prevent them. In 2018, the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center joined all other National Cancer Institutedesignated comprehensive cancer centers to call for increased HPV vaccination and screening to eliminate HPV-related cancers, including HPV cervical cancer and five other types of cancer in men and women.

"As the only cancer center solely dedicated to children, we have a responsibility to lead the efforts to increase the vaccination rate in children, everywhere, so that we can prevent them from developing HPV-related cancers later in life," said Charles Roberts, M.D., Ph.D., director of the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center and executive vice president at St. Jude. "HPV vaccination can have major impact on public health, as we could eliminate most cancers caused by HPVbut people have to get vaccinated."

Nearly 80 million Americans  1 out of every 4 people  are infected with HPV. Of those millions, more than 36,000 will be diagnosed with an HPV-related cancer every year. Despite the availability of a vaccine to prevent the infections that cause these cancers, HPV vaccination remains low in the United States.

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program is led by Heather Brandt, Ph.D., a social and behavioral scientist with expertise in cancer prevention and control. She joined St. Jude in July 2020. In addition to her role as director, she serves as the co-associate director of outreach for the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center and works closely with members of the St. Jude Epidemiology and Cancer Control Department.

"Since 2006, we have had a safe, effective and durable vaccine to prevent six types of HPV-related cancers in men and women," Brandt said. "However, rates of this cancer-prevention vaccination remain low, especially in areas of the Southeastern and Mid-Southern United States where HPV-related cancer rates are high. We also know there are vast differences in uptake among some populations, so there is an urgent need to address these inequities. Far too few have taken advantage of this cancer prevention tool, and I look forward to joining forces with other partners to improve vaccination rates."

Despite 12 years of research demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, U.S. vaccination rates remain significantly lower for HPV than for other recommended adolescent vaccines. As a result, increasing HPV vaccination for children and adolescents has the potential to prevent cancers in adulthood and save thousands of lives.

"HPV vaccination is an important tool in fighting cancer," said James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude president and CEO. "As such, we are creating a communication campaign focused on building awareness so that more children are vaccinated. An investment in HPV vaccine awareness can save lives."



The program will initially focus on working with partners across the United States to significantly improve HPV vaccination rates. The long-term goal is to reduce HPV related cancer around the world through St. Jude Global.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food  because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch.

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Related Links

http://www.stjude.org


Some second-level schools are going ahead with mock exams for Leaving Cert students despite strong advice from the Department of Education not to run them.

The mocks are not prohibited, but schools cannot use them as a basis for estimated marks to be awarded to students under the accredited grades process.

Official guidance recommends that teachers conduct no more than three one-hour assessments  much shorter than a typical mock paper and spread between now and the middle of May  to gather evidence for estimated marks.

Apart from not wanting to subject students to over-assessment, with exam candidates only back in the classroom this week for the first time since Christmas, schools have been told to focus on teaching and learning.

But education sources said all sorts of variations of mocks were being planned, and more likely in schools with strong academic traditions.

Some sixth years are also keen to get a practice run at a Leaving Cert exam-style experience, while teachers may see sitting mocks as part of the teaching and learning process.

However, this years written exams will see some significant and unknown changes, so from a practical point of view, mock papers may bear little resemblance to what students will face in June.

Mocks are normally held in a block of about two weeks, similar to June, but in order to avoid impinging on tuition time some schools are looking at options such as breaking them up into weekend or after-school sittings.

The Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU) raised the mocks issue with Education Minister Norma Foley yesterday during a Q&A on social media.

ISSU Education Officer Alicia OSullivan said that students have come to us who... already feel a lot of over-assessment coming in.

Ms Foley said mocks were neither advised nor recommended and the Department of Education believed there should be no more than the three one-hour assessments between now and the middle of May.

Meanwhile, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has issued more information to schools about the exams, including social distancing requirements.

While some schools may be challenged on space, it advises that the use of accommodation outside of school should be avoided on security grounds and that the SEC will not provide funding for the hiring of halls.
Expansion of existing and search for new options for cooperation in agriculture between Ukraine and Israel were the subject of a meeting between the of H.E. Mr. Yevhen Korniychuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the State of Israel and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel Alon Shuster. The Embassy of Ukraine reported this at Facebook.

During the meeting, the state and prospects of cooperation between Ukraine and Israel in the agricultural sector were discussed. In particular, the Ambassador acquainted the Israeli Minister with the changes in the national legislation concerning the land market, presented the potential of Ukraine in the field of agro-industrial complex and proposed a number of initiatives to intensify bilateral cooperation, including at the regional level, - the statement says.

The parties also agreed to work out the organization in the near future of a number of online and offline bilateral activities aimed at expanding existing and finding new areas and options for cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Researchers in the UK have developed a way to coax microscopic particles and droplets into precise patterns by harnessing the power of sound in air. The implications for printing, especially in the fields of medicine and electronics, are far-reaching.

Researchers in the UK have developed a way to coax microscopic particles and droplets into precise patterns by harnessing the power of sound in air. The implications for printing, especially in the fields of medicine and electronics, are far-reaching.

The scientists from the Universities of Bath and Bristol have shown that it's possible to create precise, pre-determined patterns on surfaces from aerosol droplets or particles, using computer-controlled ultrasound. A paper describing the entirely new technique, called 'sonolithography', is published in Advanced Materials Technologies.

Professor Mike Fraser from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bath, explained: "The power of ultrasound has already been shown to levitate small particles. We are excited to have hugely expanded the range of applications by patterning dense clouds of material in air at scale and being able to algorithmically control how the material settles into shapes."

The researchers believe their work could revolutionise printing, improving the speed, cost, and precision of non-contact patterning techniques in air. Their work already shows the potential of sonolithography for biofabrication.

Dr Jenna Shapiro, research associate in the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Bristol and lead author of the article, said: "Sonolithography enables gentle, non-contact and rapid patterning of cells and biomaterials on surfaces. Tissue engineering can use biofabrication methods to build defined structures of cells and materials. We are adding a new technique to the biofabrication toolbox."

Professor Bruce Drinkwater, professor of Ultrasonics in Bristol's Department of Mechanical Engineering, added: "The objects we are manipulating are the size of water drops in clouds. It's incredibly exciting to be able to move such small things with such fine control. This could allow us to direct aerosol sprays with unheard of precision, with applications such as drug delivery or wound healing."

Beyond its applications in biomedicine, the team has shown the technique to be applicable to a variety of materials. Printed electronics is another area the team is keen to develop, with sonolithography being used to arrange conductive inks into circuits and components.

###

ZHENGZHOU, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying tweeted on Monday that "beauty comes from creativity," commending a dance performance at the Henan Lantern Festival gala for bringing pottery figurines from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) back to life.

Blending augmented reality (AR) tech, the show on Henan TV for the Lantern Festival gala on Feb. 26 offered the audience a visual tour of the Henan Museum, as the dancers represented female musicians depicted on Tang tri-colored pottery at a banquet during Tang Dynasty.

The show has gone viral online, stirring public enthusiasm for the cultural aesthetics and relics that appeared in the performance -- "The Night Banquet in Tang Dynasty Palace."

"Was that the makeup style during Tang Dynasty?" "What are the treasures displayed?" Curious to know the answers, many young people rushed to the museum in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, to explore.

Chen Lin, choreographer of the Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theater, was the chief creator of the dance performance. She said she got the inspiration for the dance from the pottery figurines of female musicians displayed at the museum.

The figurines freeze-frame the scenes of dancers from Tang Dynasty wearing long skirts and sleeves in different poses while playing musical instruments including stringed pipa, vertical harp, flute and cymbal.

Zhang Deshui, vice director of the museum, said the figurines were unearthed from a Tang Dynasty tomb in Anyang, Henan province, in 1959. They have become important evidence of the evolution of traditional Chinese musical instruments and playing techniques.

Zhang said Tang Dynasty became an epitome of music and dance art in Chinese history. The prosperity of the art benefitted from the blending and exchange of different cultures. When the figurines were unearthed, they showed the dancers dressed in green, brown, red and yellow, which looked extremely gorgeous.

In the performance, dancers revived the Tang Dynasty makeup, clothing and dancing style based on the relics.

Chen said that before each performance, actors had to prepare for nearly three hours. Fourteen dancers wore jumpsuits filled with sponge under their costumes, and stuffed cotton in their mouths in order to recreate the plump figures of Tang Dynasty females.

"It was like carrying a quilt on your body while dancing. The sponge-padded clothes were soaked in sweat after the performance," said Yi Xingyan, chief actor of the performance.

The show's AR scene presents treasures in the museum, including Fu Hao Xiao Zun (Bronze wine vessel in the shape of owl), Lian He Fang Hu (Rectangular wine vessel with lotus and crane) and the Jiahu Bone Flute.

Chen said the performance was just a beginning for the artists in the use of multiple artistic methods and techniques to present China's rich culture housed in museums. Enditem

[ Editor: JYZ ]


Max Healthcare Institute fell 1.82% to Rs 191.7 after the company launched a qualified institutional placement (QIP) of equity shares on Thursday (4 March 2021).

On 1 September 2020, the company's board had approved the proposal for issuance of equity shares by way of 'qualified institutions placement (QIP)' for an issue size aggregating up to Rs 1200 crore. The same was approved by the company's shareholder at its 19th Annual General Meeting held on 29 September 2020.

The QIP issue committee of the board of directors of the company, at its meeting held on 4 March 2021, authorised the opening of the QIP issue and approved the floor price of Rs 190.40 per equity share, the company said in a regulatory filing made after market hours yesterday.

The floor price is at 2.48% discount to Max Healthcare's closing price of Rs 195.25 recorded yesterday.

The capital raising committee of the bank will meet on Tuesday, 9 March 2021, to determine the QIP issue price.

In its draft placement document filed with the bourses, the company said that it proposes to utilize the net proceeds for part financing the funding requirements of the company; for meeting the capital expenditure and working capital requirements of the company, subsidiaries, managed healthcare facilities and partner healthcare facilities and affiliates, if any, including investment or increasing our stake in existing or future subsidiaries, joint ventures and affiliates; for repayment of debt; for expansion and modernization; and for general corporate requirements or any other purposes, as may be permissible under the applicable law and approved by board or its duly constituted committee.

Further, if applicable and to the extent possible, the company proposes to achieve minimum public shareholding as prescribed under the Securities Contracts (Regulations) Rules (SCRR), 1957, pursuant to this issue.

Max Healthcare Institute (MHIL) is a provider of healthcare services. The company has major concentration in north India consisting of a network of 16 healthcare facilities.

The hospital chain operator reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 90.36 crore in Q3 FY21 as compared to a net loss of Rs 1.80 crore in Q3 FY20. Net sales during the quarter increased by 197.9% YoY to Rs 795.60 crore.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Zealand's Earthquake Commission and Geological Survey (GeoNet) reported a magnitude 4.6 quake in New Zealand near Auckland, only 10 minutes ago. The earthquake hit in the morning on Friday 5 March 2021 at 7:11 am local time at a great depth of 571.7 km. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report. ...

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Larissa, Larisa, Thessaly, Greece, was reported only 7 minutes ago by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), considered one of the key international agencies that monitor seismic activity worldwide. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km beneath the epicenter in the evening on Thursday 4 March 2021 at 8:38 pm local time. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report. ...

A magnitude 4.3 earthquake near Katerini, Pieria, Macedonia Centrale, Greece, was reported only 15 minutes ago by the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), considered the main national agency that monitors seismic activity in Greece. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km beneath the epicenter in the evening on Thursday 4 March 2021 at 8:45 pm local time. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report. ...

An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 occurred early evening on Thursday 4 March 2021 at 7:09 pm local time near Vik, Myrdalshreppur, South, Iceland, as reported by the Icelandic Met Office (IMO). ...

An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 occurred in the morning on Friday 5 March 2021 at 8:33 am local time near Napier City, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, as reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). ...

An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 occurred late at night on Thursday 4 March 2021 at 10:47 pm local time near Mersin, Turkey, as reported by the National Observatory of Athens (NOA). ...

If you felt it , report it through our site or app right now!

Support us - Help us upgrade our services!

Weather reports

Tsunami alerts

Design upgrades

Faster responsiveness

Earthquake archive from 1900 onwards

Additional seismic data sources

Improved content in English

Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online:

Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online:

We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world. Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently:
(@FahadShabbir)

Johannesburg, March 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :Over 4,000 children have been hospitalised for malnutrition in southern Madagascar this year due to severe drought, Action Against Hunger said Thursday, as food insecurity spirals in the most vulnerable parts of the country.

The Indian Ocean island nation is grappling with the effects of three consequence years of below-average rainfall compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.

Most of the impact is felt in the impoverished Grand Sud region, where the majority of the population survives off agriculture.

Global charity Action Against Hunger on Thursday warned that more than 4,000 malnourished children under the age of five had been admitted to its mobile health centres in Grand Sud so far this year.

That figure is more than double the number recorded over the same period in 2020, when food insecurity was already widespread.

"This is a humanitarian emergency where children will die if we do not take them into our care," Action Against Hunger southern Africa operations director Valerie Ceylon said in a statement.

"We are currently one of the few actors present on the ground to support local health authorities," she added.

While southern Madagascar usually faces a yearly hunger season, Ceylon noted the current situation was "much more serious than other years".

Lack of rain caused households to run out of food stock as early as September 2020.

Deforestation has meanwhile increased the intensity of sandstorms that have destroyed crops, undermining agricultural production for the year ahead.

Action Against Hunger said its teams on the ground had observed "desperate feeding practices" such as eating clay and unripe mangoes, and called for more funding.

The UN's World Food Programme in January appealed for emergency aid of $35 million (29 million Euros) to fight the hunger crisis.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th March, 2021) US President Joe Biden agrees with Senator Tim Kaine that the congressional powers to authorize the use of military force (AUMF) need to be updated, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a press briefing on Friday.

"The President has been obviously a close ally and partner with Senator Kaine on a number of initiatives in the past. He agrees that the AUMF has been around for 20 years and it's long overdue for it to be updated," Psaki said.

Psaki said earlier that President Joe Biden backs the effort by senators to restrict presidential war powers by repealing two laws that have allowed US presidents to use military force around the globe

Biden intends to "ensure that the authorizations for the use of military force currently on the books are replaced with a narrow and specific framework that will ensure we can protect Americans from terrorist threats while ending the forever wars," Psaki said.

On Wednesday, US Senators Tim Kaine and Todd Young re-introduced their bipartisan bill to repeal the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use military force after Biden approved airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria last week.

Their bill has the backing of several senators from both parties.

The US Constitution gives only Congress the power to wage war. But Congress gave the president broad war powers with the two resolutions - the 1991 AUMF gave the president the power to use US military force in the Gulf War and the 2001 AUMF approved using force against those responsible for the September 11 terror attacks.

Successive US presidents have broadly interpreted the AUMFs to send armed forces to countries around the world, including Afghanistan, Libya, Turkey, Georgia, Yemen, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, the Philippines and Cuba.

Biden's explanation that the strikes in Syria were "self-defense" in response to attacks by Iran-backed groups did not satisfy some members of Congress like Senator Kaine, who has demanded a briefing on the administration's legal justification for the attacks.

The repeal of the war powers resolutions would not impact ongoing US operations against the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia), Kaine said after re-introducing the bill.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.

Lucy Mecklenburgh cut a low-key figure as she stocked up on supplies at her local supermarket on Friday.

The former TOWIE star, 29, wrapped up warmly in a black padded jacket as she made a phone call during her outing.

It comes after her fiance Ryan Thomas admitted that frequently travelling to Manchester to visit his daughter Scarlett, 12, puts a 'strain' on their relationship.

Outing: Lucy Mecklenburgh cut a low-key figure as she stocked up on supplies at her local supermarket on Friday

Lucy opted for a pair of grey jogging bottoms with a white pattern on them, she layered the look with a white T-shirt.

Prioritising safety, Lucy sported a black face mask as she left the supermarket with a trolley full of supplies.

The former TOWIE star swept her brunette tresses back in a low bun and decided to wear minimal make-up for the outing.

Lucy appeared deep in thought as she talked to someone on her mobile before returning to her vehicle.

Wrapping up warmly: The former TOWIE star, 29, wrapped up warmly in a black padded jacket as she made a phone call during her outing

Family: It comes after her fiance Ryan Thomas admitted that frequently travelling to Manchester to visit his daughter Scarlett, 12, puts a 'strain' on their relationship (pictured)

The shopping trip comes after her partner Ryan explained how it's important to make things work and balance his family life between the two cities.

The former Coronation Street star lives in Essex with Lucy and their son Roman, 11 months, but Scarlett lives in Manchester with her mother, actress Tina O'Brien, 37.

Speaking in his podcast Mancs on the Mic with brothers Scott and Adam Thomas, he said: 'I know I've got Scarlett [who] I have to keep going back and forward for

'That puts a strain on our relationship because I'm not with her [Lucy] because I've gotta get back for Scarlett.

Casual: Lucy opted for a pair of grey jogging bottoms with a white pattern on them, she layered the look with a white T-shirt

Busy bee: Lucy appeared deep in thought as she talked to someone on her mobile before returning to her vehicle

Safety: Prioritising safety, Lucy sported a black face mask as she left the supermarket with a trolley full of supplies

'There is that trying to find a mix of making both work and working out where you're going to end.'

Ryan admitted he would like to relocate to Manchester with Lucy and Roman on a full-time basis in the future but for the time being it's 'easier' for the family to be in Essex.

He continued: 'I think eventually I'd like to be in Manchester with both my kids, but at the moment it's having that help at hand in London it's just easier.

'But I think eventually I would love to be back where I started with all my brothers and all our kids.

Natural beauty: The former TOWIE star swept her brunette tresses back in a low bun and decided to wear minimal make-up for the outing

Split time: The shopping trip comes after her partner Ryan explained how it's important to make things work and balance his family life between the two cities

'I think that's what'll happen eventually but we're just taking it a day at a time. I think that's what you've got to do with this family life.'

Lucy and Ryan have been together since meeting on reality show Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls in early 2017.

The former soap actor proposed during a romantic trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy in June 2019, with Lucy finding out she was pregnant with Roman soon after they returned.

The TV star recently purchased a new family home in Manchester, which will no doubt make it easier to juggle family life.

Love story: Lucy and Ryan have been together since meeting on reality show Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls in early 2017 (pictured in 2019)

Lucy recently shared a glimpse of their new home that they plan to renovate and branded her fiance a 'brave man' after he purchased the home without her seeing it.

This week, Lucy and Ryan have shared a glimpse of their renovation process on social media, with Ryan seen working hard stripping off wallpaper and pulling up carpet.

Meanwhile, Ryan revealed he quit acting after a slew of failed auditions and being trolled for his Neighbours stint.

The former Corrie star admitted he 'lost the bug' for performing after struggling to land roles, just days after revealing he'd been working as a delivery driver for his brother Adam's restaurant.

Ryan added that he found it 'really hard' being criticised for his performances and has no intention to act again, instead focusing on other TV projects with his brothers Scott and Adam.

Speaking on the siblings' Mancs On The Mic podcast, Ryan said: 'It's so hard for me. I started off acting, I started off in that game and I really lost the bug for it.

'I feel the reason for losing the bug is rejection and going to auditions and not getting them.'
Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, due primarily to human activity. Illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade is one of the major drivers of these declines, while much wildlife trade is legal, and the quantity of trade provides the opportunity to launder illegally sourced and traded species and products.

Researchers from the Conservation Forensics Lab at HKU and Research Division for Ecology and Biodiversity, analyzed trends in global legal wildlife trade from 1997 to 2016, and revealed that legal wildlife trade averaged $220 billion per year over this period, approximately double the international trade in tea, coffee and spices, and eclipsing - by order of magnitude - annual trade in trafficked wildlife, estimated between $7-23 billion each year.

This tremendous legal trade is declared using the Harmonized System (HS) Code system, a global product classification system which is used for encompassing all traded commodities globally; in which, seafood, furniture and fashion were the largest categories of traded wildlife commodities.

The research shows that legal wildlife trade remains largely unexamined, despite its scale, and that 34% of trade is declared using overly broad codes that only specify taxonomic class and above. The research team therefore suggests that the HS Codes be distilled to increase traceability and help monitor trade. The paper has been published in the science journal Global Ecology and Conservation.

Hong Kong as a major transit hub

The vast majority of legal wildlife trade involved seafood (~82%), with the top trading countries being the USA, China and Japan. When removing seafood from the analysis, Hong Kong was the overall top wildlife trader globally, especially in trade for fashion (furs and skins) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This indicates the pivotal role of this small territory as a major transit hub for global wildlife trade, especially as a re-exporter: more than 90% of the wildlife/wildlife products imported into the territory are re-exported. Additionally, Thailand and Vietnam are also important re-exporters, as they are among the top five exporters of "processed wildlife". Targeting these locations for resource allocation (financial, personnel, training, equipment) in customs inspections of wildlife could have a maximum impact relative to investment.

This research, led by PhD student Astrid ANDERSSON from the Conservation Forensics Lab at HKU and Research Division for Ecology and Biodiversity, relied on data from the UN Comtrade database, which includes official statistics of international trade. The database uses the HS Code system, in which approximately 5,300 codes encompassing all traded commodities globally. Since the primary function of these code are to provide data for statistics and tax purposes, rather than the ecological considerations, it is not designed to track individual products, and can be very broad, with a single code encompassing up to thousands of species.

Breaking the broad codes for sustainability

Though the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(see note 1) (CITES) appendices track and regulate legal trade in more than 35,000 threatened species, there are still many thousands more species traded for which there is little-to-no traceability, for examples, various reptiles, birds and fish are traded at high volumes and diverse across major markets, and species-level information is lost in these general codes.

Andersson and her colleagues found that much legal wildlife trade is conducted under vague, all-encompassing codes with broad descriptions, some of which are used particularly frequently. For example, CITES does not cover many songbirds, fish, trees or plants traded. These species are often traded as pets, furniture or traditional medicine - the very categories identified as having frequent use of broad codes. The "Live reptile" code includes nearly 10,000 snake, lizard, turtle and crocodilian species, only approximately 10% of which are documented by CITES. In the pet category, 95% of trade in the pets category was declared under broad codes such as "Live ornamental fish", "Other live birds" and "Live reptiles" - not allowing for tracking of trade of individual species. CITES only includes 162 species of fish - which leaves thousands of fish also traded untraceably under the "Live ornamental fish" code.

Critically endangered species such as Straw-headed bulbuls, a songbird popular in the pet trade due to their singing ability, have been driven nearly to extinction due to wildlife trade. Species that are currently common, such as the Oriental Magpie-robin, are increasingly seen in wildlife markets and without sufficient monitoring these could also face severe population declines across their range.

The current HS Code system may not be perfectly designed for tracking wildlife trade, but it is the only available method to date for tracking international legal trade for non-endangered species, and these trades are tracked via the CITES. The authors of the study suggest that the system could be refined to allow for better tracking of wildlife trade. "Our research constitutes a first step in uncovering the issues that are inherent in the current system, and detailing how it can be improved to protect biodiversity," says Astrid Andersson, PhD student and author of the research. "We identify countries/territories where targeted enforcement could be particularly impactful, and priority wildlife trade areas for additional, species-specific code allocation," she adds.

The current prevalence of broad HS Code descriptions provides a low-resolution trade landscape characterized by vague parameters preventing effective monitoring of trade. This impedes enforcement and results in undetected mislabeling of protected species by a number of means, including covert farming and trading in protected species, fraudulent declaration of wild-caught individuals within a farm-sourced shipment, and underreporting trade volumes. These issues would become more detectable if HS Codes relating to wildlife were broken down to genus or species level.

"Unsustainable trade in wildlife poses a major threat to biodiversity globally. While much international wildlife trade is legal, the scale of this trade can lead to unnoticed over-exploitation of species because we cannot properly monitor the level of trade," says Dr Caroline DINGLE, Director of the Conservation Forensics Lab at HKU, Senior Lecturer from

the Research Division for Ecology and Biodiversity and co-author of the study. "It is important to have systems in place which allow us to monitor legally traded wildlife to prevent further biodiversity declines, and to continuously adjust these systems in response to new patterns of trade." Dingle added.

###

Note 1: CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

https:/ / cites. org

Link to the research paper "CITES and beyond: illuminating 20 years of global, legal wildlife trade":

http://www. sciencedirect. com/ science/ article/ pii/ S2351989421000056

Author: Andersson AA, Tilley HB, Lau W, Dudgeon D, Bonebrake TC, Dingle C.
First Holy Communions and Confirmations face be deferred until the autumn in Laois, Kildare, Offaly and Carlow due to uncertainty around Covid-19 restrictions according to the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin.

In a statement, the Diocese said that Bishop Denis Nulty issued a statement on November 25 asking parishes not to make decisions about dates for any celebrations of sacraments until February/March of 2021 at the earliest.

It said he also proposed that First Holy Communions be scheduled for May at the earliest and that there be no celebration of Confirmation until June at the earliest.

The Diocese updated the Leinster Express in the wake of a decision by Bishops in the west of Ireland to defer all Confirmations to the autumn and request that their parishes do the same with Holy Communions

"The diocese (of Kildare & Leighlin) held a series of Zoom gatherings with teachers, priests, parish team members, sacramental coordinators and parish catechists in late February to discuss preparations for the celebration of Confirmation, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

"The focus of these meetings was to offer a pathway of preparation so that children are as well prepared as they can possibly be to celebrate the sacraments when it is safe to do so.

"It was acknowledged that the situation is very fluid and that we must await and abide by public health advice before any decision to celebrate sacraments can be made. It was considered unlikely that celebrations will be possible in May and June unless there is a significant change in this advice.

"The possibility that sacramental celebrations may not happen until September 2021 at the earliest was accepted by those present," said the statement.

The Diocese outlined what Bishop Denis Nulty told those who attended

"There is no closing date on the celebration of sacraments and we want to be sure that families can safely celebrate these very important milestones on a faith journey not only in the church but, also afterwards at home...if this means we have to wait a little longer then surely, something this important is worth the wait and will be all the more special because we have waited so long and prepared so well," he said.

A video message from Bishop Denis has been shared with all families preparing for Confirmation and can be seen below.

Bishop's Confirmation Video - HD 1080p.mov from Maeve Mahon on Vimeo.
People with severe asthma are being refused Covid vaccines by GPs, a charity has warned.

Asthma UK said there is widespread confusion over whether people with the lung condition qualify as one of the top priority groups.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance for priority group six, which is under way now, says anyone with asthma that has resulted in admission to hospital should be given a vaccination.

But some GPs have reportedly told patients only a recent hospital admission would make them eligible for a jab, not one that happened a long time ago.

The Department of Health confirmed any emergency hospital admission because of asthma was enough to qualify for a jab - it does not have to have been recent.

Asthma patients who have had three tablet or liquid steroid prescriptions for their condition within the last three months are also included in the group, the JCVI says.

Those who were shielding have already been vaccinated in group four, while those with milder asthma must wait for a jab according to their age.

England's vaccine rollout was officially widened to over-60s this week, and GPs have been told to prepare to receive twice as many doses in March.

Sonja Chenier (left), 47, from Colchester, Essex, has been refused a jab despite three hospital admissions in the past 15 years and taking multiple medications daily for her asthma. Sarah Woolnough (right), chief executive of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, says GPs must 'follow official guidance'

Sonja Chenier, 47, from Colchester, Essex, has been refused a jab despite three hospital admissions in the past 15 years and taking multiple medications daily for her asthma.

She told the BBC that her GP surgery said she was not eligible for the vaccination yet because her hospital admissions were not in the past year.

She said: 'I was really shocked and so upset I put the phone down and sobbed. I'm due to go back to work in schools next week and I'm absolutely scared witless.

'I'd just like some clear clarification on where the "within the last 12 months" criteria has come from.'

Following reports that some GPs have told patients they must have been in hospital in the last 12 months to qualify, Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said GPs must 'follow official guidance'.

She said: 'We know that there are different interpretations of the official guidance from GP surgery staff and we're not sure why exactly this is happening.

'We know that GPs are very busy and trying to vaccinate so many people quickly, and keep on top of very complex daily new information about Covid-19 and the vaccination programme.

'But it's essential that GPs follow official guidance, so that people with asthma who need to be prioritised are protected now.'

Professor Martin Marshall (pictured administering a vaccine in Stratford in December), chairman of the Royal College of GPs, says prioritisation in group six 'will consider a number of factors, including age and ethnicity'

IS ASTHMA A COVID RISK FACTOR? People with well-controlled asthma are not thought to be at a higher risk of dying of Covid-19, Asthma UK says. The charity says that people with the condition were feared to be at a high risk at the start of the pandemic because the virus appeared to be similar to flu, which can be particularly deadly for people with asthma. But it later turned out that people with milder forms of the condition were not dying in disproportionately higher numbers, despite the virus attacking the lungs. Those who have poorly controlled asthma or very severe illess may still be at a higher risk of severe Covid, however. Those who have had severe asthma attacks for which they were hospitalised, who take regular oral (not inhaled) steroids, or who have diagnosed severe asthma, may still be particularly vulnerable. These people are eligible to be vaccinated earlier than the general population. People with mild, controlled asthma without a history of severe attacks are not considered to be at any higher risk so will be vaccinated based on their age. Asthma UK urges everyone with the condition to keep it well controlled during the pandemic. Advertisement

In February, NHS England wrote to GPs to set out who falls into group six and said this included 'anyone who has ever had an emergency asthma admission'.

Some GPs warned in Pulse magazine that it is not possible to search their practice IT systems to identify asthma patients eligible for a vaccine.

Dr Phil Williams, a GP partner in Lincoln, told Pulse there is no coding on his practice's clinical system that pulls out a list of patients who have ever been admitted to hospital for asthma.

This meant he would be unable to search for and invite those patients.

While the clinical system does allow the practice to search for patients who have had oral steroids issued in each of the last three months, 'you can't do that for the last century', he added.

Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'The focus for GPs and our teams is currently to offer vaccinations to patients from group six this is a large group of approximately seven million patients, and it is likely some patients in this group will not yet have been invited for their first jab.

'Prioritisation within this group will consider a number of factors, including age and ethnicity as well as some degree of clinical judgment.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Our priority is to save lives and protect the most vulnerable, and, based on clinical risk, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended that adults with severe asthma should be vaccinated in priority group six.

'This includes anyone who has ever had an emergency asthma admission to hospital and those who require regular steroids.

'Mild asthma, including that which can be treated by an inhaler alone, has not been found to carry a higher risk of serious outcomes from Covid-19.'
ROALSCHR has innovated and developed a handsfree wearable Flexible Electronic Mask instrument through the application of leading flexible electronic technology in China.

ROALSCHR

Dig Deep into the Consumption Demand of Household Beauty Instrument and Attentively Work on a Good Product

Dig Deep into the Consumption Demand of Household Beauty Instrument and Attentively Work on a Good Product

New York, NY , March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The recent years have witnessed various major brands of household beauty instruments implementing all-round reform on their own products, so as to satisfy the increasing quality consumption demand. ROALSCHR, a technological cosmetic brand that emerged in 2020, has innovated and developed a handsfree wearable Flexible Electronic Mask instrument through the application of leading flexible electronic technology in China, which has changed the the traditional form of household beauty instruments and gained favor in the market. At present, half a year after the launch of ROALSCHR Flexible Electronical Mask, the average monthly sales volume in Tmall flagship store has exceeded 3000+.

Dig Deep into the Consumption Demand of Household Beauty Instrument and Attentively Work on a Good Product

During early product research and development stage, ROALSCHR found that domestic consumers already have a high degree of acceptance of household beauty instrument and a general understanding of their operating principles. However, due to serious homogenization for both function and form of household beauty instrument in the market, the general consumption pain points have now come down to the convenience of operatioin and portability of the products. Based on the in-depth study of the practical applicatioin scenario of the household beauty instrument, ROALSCHR has cooperated with the China Academy of Sciences to develop this micro-current electronic facial mask beauty instrument integrating flexible electronic technology, aiming to bring users a faster, more convenient, and safer user experience.

According to the head of R&D team, ROALSCHR Flexible Electronic Mask is household introduction beauty instrument designed to improve the skin penetration rate of skincare products. It combines the recent internatioinally popular flexible electronic technology and bionic micro-current to achieve flexibility and stretchability, which has completely overturned the iron block image of traditional household beauty instrument. To imporve the practical introduction effect, ROALSCHR also adopted a medical grade silicone rubber and a graphene wire with extremely high conductivity, which enables the mask to be attached to the face at 360 degress, so that the double penetration of skincare products on the whole face can be realized without handheld operation. To a great extent, this has corrected the defects of uneven introduction due to handheld operation during the introduction process of users. At the same time, the use of flexible materials furthur improves the weight and size of household beauty instrument. It is lighter and portable, which provide more possibilities for users' routine skincare under multiple scenarios.

Story continues

Market Demand Confims Its Strength, Flexible Electronic Mask Beauty Instrument Received Heated Popularity

It is understood that ROALSCHR Flexible Electronic Mask Beauty Instrument was officially launched in April 2020. Immediately after its launch, the product has been favored by beauty bloggers and popstars. On the We Medial platform, many beauty bloggers and stars voluntarily recommend and speak for ROALSCHR, making ROALSCHR Flexible Electronic Mask Beauty Instrument one of the most eye-catching beauty black-tech products of the year.

Since the launch of ROALSCHR Flexible Electronic Mask Beauty Instrument, it has also made an offline appearance at China International Beauty Expo and Shenzhen Hi-Tech Fair. In both industrial exhibition, ROALSCHR's concept of "Innovation of the Beauty Instrument Form" has attracted a great number of audiences to stop and consult about this product.

The overwhelming market demand has demonstrated ROALSCHR's ability to create good products with consumer insight and technological power. It is also our expectation that, in the competitive and chaotic market environment, ROALSCHR will bring the consumers products with higher quality, better safety and excellent user experience based on consumers' demands.



Company Name: ROALSCHR

Contact Person: Sissy.xie

Email: sissy.xie@roalschr.com

Website: https://roalschr.tmall.com/





This news has been published for the above source. ROALSCHR [ID=17127]

Disclaimer: The information does not constitute advice or an offer to buy. Any purchase made from this story is made at your own risk. Consult an expert advisor/health professional before any such purchase. Any purchase made from this link is subject to the final terms and conditions of the website's selling. The content publisher and its distribution partners do not take any responsibility directly or indirectly. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the company this news is about.





Attachment




(Newser)  The best military leaders aren't afraid to get in the trenches, and even though he's now a civilian, Dr. Mark C. Anarumo's old habits die hard. The 50-year-old retired Air Force colonel and father of four is the president of Norwich University, a private military college in Northfield, Vt. But when dozens of students came down with COVID at the end of January, and Anarumo had to issue an in-room quarantine order, he made an unusual decision: He moved into one of the dorms, reports the New York Times. Anarumo moved into his 10-by-12-foot single in Wilson Hall on Jan. 29 "with no fanfare," per Seven Days. "I wanted to sneak in," Anarumo tells the Vermont newspaper. "I didn't want it to be some kind of performative event. I just wanted to show the students that I'm with them." He figured it wouldn't be a difficult transition, as he's slept everywhere from his car to a foxhole while deployed.

story continues below

What prompted Anarumo to bunk down in Wilson were his worries of how social isolation was affecting students, as well as the many suicides he'd encountered: Eleven service members under his watch had died this way, and while still teaching at Colorado's Air Force Academy last spring, there were two suicides. In Wilson Hall, Anarumo used the same bathrooms as the students, ate college-issued meals, and was an "involuntary audience to the Top 40 hits and hardcore rap" music they played, per the Times. Infections on campus have since dropped and the in-room quarantine has been lifted. The AP notes Anarumo had to leave Wilson Hall after five days to travel for business, but he plans to move into a dorm again this month after he's done with his required quarantine. "I will always be scared to death" for the students, he tells the Times. "Even when everything's perfect." (Read more uplifting news stories.)
PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- THE BIANCHI LAW GROUP, LLC returns to Morris County, where Robert A. Bianchi served as the County Prosecutor and his partner, David J. Bruno, served as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Major Crimes Unit. The Bianchi Law Group, LLC is a team of former prosecutors handling criminal defense, domestic violence restraining orders, DUI, municipal court cases, and appeals.

The Bianchi Law Group, LLC. Danielle M. Esposito pictured right, Kayla E. Rowe pictured left.

Previously, The Bianchi Law Group, LLC served New Jersey clients from West Caldwell. Now, The Bianchi Law Group, LLC is based out of Parsippany, NJ. The Bianchi Law Group, LLC is also expanding with two more former prosecutors who share their values and experience: Danielle M. Esposito and Kayla E. Rowe. Uniquely, Bianchi and Bruno will only hire former prosecutors to their team of attorneys.

Esposito brings experience with every stage of a criminal case; she was one of the first prosecutors in the State to handle pretrial detention hearings for having tried criminal cases before juries in the busiest county in the State. She is well-versed in alternative disposition programs and can connect clients with quality-of-life services to help them manage the trauma of going through the criminal justice process. For Esposito, "It's not just about handling the criminal charge, it's about handling them as the individual," she said.

Rowe brings a unique perspective as a former appellate prosecutor, having served with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. She has argued before the Appellate Division and the New Jersey Supreme Court as the attorney for the State and in the capacity as amicus curiae, or friend of the court.

She is excited to use experience of in-depth research and writing to help strategize investigations, research, and development of clients' matters. Rowe expands the litigation services offered at The Bianchi Law Group to appeals, resulting in continuity for clients and the protection of their constitutional rights at all stages of the case. Rowe also offers experienced appellate litigation services, meaning a setback is not necessarily final.

The decision to hire only former prosecutors was intentional for the Bianchi team because he says, former prosecutors are best equipped to represent defendants. "They have learned the cutting-edge techniques in the criminal field, have spent many hours learning the artform of trial work and investigations, have been trained to work as a team to bring better results, and know-how prosecutors think and act when they are negotiating a case on behalf of one of our clients," said Bianchi.

Bianchi also adds, "It's too important to just throw anyone into the mix. They understand the stresses and concerns prosecutors have and, therefore, they are better able to leverage this knowledge on behalf of our criminal defense clients."

Bianchi and Bruno are also only two of the 250 Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys identified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as having the experience, expertise, and credentials to prepare and take a case to trial. Read more about the team here.

Media Contact:

Andrea Lyon

407-274-6178

[email protected]

SOURCE The Bianchi Law Group, LLC
Malcolm Xs boyhood home in Boston was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The 2 -story house is the only surviving residence associated with the slain civil rights leaders formative years in the city, according to Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin, who chairs the state historical commission that requested the designation.

The home, which was originally built in 1874 and designated a city landmark in 1998, was officially listed on the federal register last month, the National Park Service said this week.

The former Malcolm Little was a teenager in the 1940s when he came to live with his sister, Ella Little Collins.

Rodnell Collins, Little Collins son, said this week that the family, which still owns the home, is hoping to turn it into a residence for graduate students studying Black history and civil rights, as well as open it up for special events and public tours at certain times of the year.

He said the national listing opens up access to tax incentives and other government programs for historical preservation to help make that dream possible.

Little Collins, a civil rights organizer in her own right, became her brothers legal guardian after his father died and his mother was institutionalized.

Malcolm Little joined the Nation of Islam while in prison in Massachusetts and quickly became the Detroit-founded organizations principal spokesman during its rapid rise in the 1950s and 1960s, establishing temples and mosques across the country.

No physical move in my life has been more pivotal or profound in its repercussions, he wrote in his autobiography about his time in Boston. All praise is due to Allah that I went to Boston when I did. If I hadnt, Id probably still be a brainwashed black Christian.

Malcolm X dropped his surname in favor of X to represent his familys lost African ancestral name. He eventually left the Nation of Islam but was gunned down by its adherents at a speech in New York City in 1965 at the age of 39.

FILE - In this March 29, 2016, file photo, Rodnell P. Collins carries a painting of his uncle, Malcolm X outside the house where the slain African-American activist spent part of his teen years in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. According to the National Park Service the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in February 2021. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)AP

Little Collins, who took over leadership of her slain brothers Organization of Afro-American Unity, purchased the house in Bostons historically Black Roxbury neighborhood in 1941 and lived there until 1964.

Galvins office said the structure, which is undergoing renovation and rehabilitation, is characteristic of the neighborhoods residences as it developed into a streetcar suburb of Boston. The house had also been part of a prosperous farm in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

A city-run archaeological dig at the property in 2016 unearthed kitchenware, ceramics and other possible evidence of even earlier settlement, perhaps dating as far back as the 1700s.

Appointment

5 March 2021

As executive chef at the Epicurean, Adam Hyatt will direct daily culinary operations at the hotel's signature Elevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar, and EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge, while also overseeing food and beverage offerings for the Epicurean's 5,200 square feet of function space for meetings, corporate parties, local catering events and special occasions. With more than 18 years of culinary experience, Hyatt was most recently executive chef at Steelbach, located in Tampa's popular Armature Works. Prior to that, he was executive chef of HEW Parlor & Chophouse, Fenway Hotel's signature restaurant. He was also chef partner at Platt Street Borough, where he was an inductee in the 2013 Best Chefs America. Hyatt has also held positions at Ciccio Restaurant Group, Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, and Mystic Fish in Palm Harbor.
Yesenia Cardona, 23, (pictured) from Guatemala was among 13 migrants who died in a deadly car crash on Tuesday after illegally crossing the border from Mexico

A 23-year-old victim in Tuesday's horror crash in California involving an SUV carrying 25 people over the Mexican border and a semi-truck was traveling with her mother from Guatemala, her family has revealed.

Yesenia Cardona and Berlin Cardona, 47, left Guatemala over a month ago and had last contacted their family in the United States on Monday when they reached Mexicali, the Mexican city bordering Calexico.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, they were among 44 people who illegally slipped through a 10 ft gap in the US-Mexican border fence before the Ford Expedition they were traveling in pulled in front of the truck at an intersection causing the fatal crash.

Yesenia died in her mother's arms, her family said, after passengers of the SUV were flung from the vehicle onto the road in the sudden impact.

Thirteen people were killed in the deadly collision including Yesenia and the 22-year-old driver of the SUV who has been identified as a Mexican national from Mexicali.

Another thirteen were injured including her mother Berlin and the 68-year-old truck driver who is from California.

As of Thursday, eight people remain in hospital. A female teen remains unconscious and authorities have been unable to establish her identify or nationality.

It was one of the deadliest crashes involving migrants sneaking into the U.S.

Scroll down

Yesenia was traveling with her mother, Berlin, (pictured together) as they crossed the border

Yesenia's family said she worked for a finance company in Guatemala but that her family had been struggling for money due to the pandemic. The 23-year-old is pictured above

Yesenia died in her mother's arms, her family said. Berlin (right) was also injured in the crash

The cause of the crash and the reason why the SUV driver pulled into the intersection in front of the truck is still not known.

An investigation into human smuggling is now underway after it was revealed that the Ford SUV had been modified and the back seats taken out so more than two dozen people could be crammed inside.

Another SUV carrying 19 people had snuck across the border through the gap at the same time but set on fire for unknown reasons a short time later.

Border patrol agents responding to the call about the fire found the group hiding behind a nearby bush and they were all taken into custody.

Ten of the people in the crashed SUV were Mexican, the consulate in Calexico said, and Guatemalan authorities confirmed that at least three nationals were also passengers  the Cardonas and another 22-year-old woman who was injured in the crash.

Of the Mexican nationals, three were from the state of Oaxaca, three from Michoacan, and one each from the states of Baja California, Guerrero, Morelos, and Nayarit.

All of the victims have not yet been identified.

Yesenia's uncle's Rudy Dominguez has admitted that she and her mother entered the U.S. illegally but claimed that they did so for a better life and because they did not want to die in Guatemala.

'We don't want to die in our country,' Dominguez told NBC San Diego. 'That's why we take this type of risk.'

He said he did not know the details of their journey but that his sister is devastated at her daughter's death and that the last moments they shared together were in the back of the SUV.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, they were among 44 people who illegally slipped through a 10 ft gap in the US-Mexican border fence before the Ford Expedition they were traveling in pulled in front of the truck at an intersection causing the fatal crash (pictured)

The SUV had slipped through this gap in the border fence on Tuesday morning

Yesenia's uncle's Rudy Dominguez admitted that she and her mother entered the U.S. illegally but claimed that they did so for a better life and because they did not want to die in Guatemala

'It's so hard,' Dominguez said. 'I mean, it's so many things [going] on in our brain, and I don't know how she will handle this.'

'We take a chance,' he added. 'We don't want to die over there. We take a chance to come here and see our dream come true.'

Yesenia's friend Jasmin Solares told Univision that the 23-year-old was traveling to the U.S. for a better life.

She claimed that she had also crossed to the U.S. in a similar fashion nine years ago.

Timeline of 44 migrants crossing U.S. border through gap in fence ahead of fatal crash 5.56 am Tuesday: Agents patrolling the Calexico area alerted that a red Suburban was on fire near Interstate 8 and State Route 115 6.05 am: Agents find a 10-foot hole in the border fence near Gordon's Well exit/Schneider's Bride area, 30 miles east of Highway 115. 6.06 am: Border Patrol Agents reviewed surveillance footage which yielded images of two different vehicles leaving the area in proximity of the fence breach. 6.30 am: Agents assisting with the burning red Suburban encountered 19 individuals hiding in the brush nearby and determined they had entered the country illegally through the breach in the border fence. 7.05 am: Border Patrol assistance requested to SUV crash where 25 more people who crossed the border where identified. Advertisement

'So, they also put me in a truck like that and they put me on my knees looking down and after that they put another person with their feet open to where I was looking from the front and then they would put another in the same position mine,' Solares claimed.

'(We were) dying of pain because a lot of people were on top of us.'

Another uncle of Yesenia's, Eedy Ivan who still lives in Guatelama said that 'she didn't deserve this'.

He told NBC Palm Springs that Yesenia had been working for a finance company but that her family had been struggling even more for money since the pandemic hit.

He says that his niece did not share with him that she planned to cross the border.

'I just can't believe it,' he said. 'It's hard to believe that she's gone.'

'I don't get it. She was a sweet girl who was full of life and with purpose. She went to college and had a job.

'Living in Guatemala is tremendously hard,' he added. 'She never told me or anyone of her plans to cross. I never heard it from her.'

'If I could talk to her now, I would beg her not to go. Those would be my words: Don't go!'

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims in Tuesday's crash as they work to inform the families, some of whom are in the U.S.

The truck driver has been named as Joe Beltran, 68, from El Centro. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

The men and women in the SUV ranged in age from 15 to 53, and those who survived had injuries that were minor to severe, including fractures and head trauma, officials said.

In total, paramedics took 11 people to area hospitals, police said. At least two are still being treated for life-threatening injuries.

Five of the people injured in the crash were in San Diego area hospitals Thursday, including two Mexican adults in stable condition and a male teen, also from Mexico.

Three other migrants, including two adults from Mexico and the unconscious girl, were hospitalized in Palm Springs.

One of the adults has tested positive for COVID-19.

Construction equipment is used to fix a border fence after two vehicles crossed into the US on Tuesday morning. One of the vehicles, an SUV carrying 25 people, was involved in a collision that was one of the deadliest crashes involving migrants sneaking into the U.S.

US Customs and Border Protection revealed on Wednesday that the Mexican migrants involved in the crash had entered the country illegally through this gap in the border fence

Border Patrol is still working to track down the families of those who crossed the border. There were 19 people in a second car who were taken into custody after the car set on fire

Four Mexican nationals were released from hospital in El Centro on Tuesday but were not taken into custody of U.S. immigration or border officials.

Investigators were trying to determine if the victims of the crash were immigrants or farm workers.

'All are suspected to have entered the U.S. illegally,' US Border and Customs Protection said in a statement. 'Border Patrol is investigating the smuggling events.'

The crash occurred around 6:15 a.m. under a clear, sunny sky at an intersection just outside the community of Holtville, about 11 miles north of the border.

Authorities said the tractor-trailer was heading north on a highway when the SUV pulled in front of it from a road with a stop sign.

It is not clear if the SUV ran the stop sign or had stopped before entering the highway. How fast both vehicles were going also wasn't yet known.

Less than an hour before hand, the vehicle had slipped through the hole in the border fence.

The site of the crash is in southeastern California, about 10 miles east of El Centro and about 11 miles north of the Mexican border. The SUV had crossed the border illegally that morning

A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection said that CBP personnel were not involved in the collision and the SUV was not being chased despite having just crossed the border

'All are suspected to have entered the U.S. illegally,' Custom Patrol said in a statement of the 25 people crammed into the SUV. 'Border Patrol is investigating the smuggling events'

The impact of the crash ejected several passengers from the vehicle (car seat pictured above)

Border Patrol's El Centro sector released pictures of the 10-foot breach in the International Boundary Fence on Wednesday, as it revealed that surveillance footage picked up the SUV and a Chevrolet Suburban driving through the gap before 6am Tuesday.

Photos show a panel of eight steel poles was lifted out and left on the ground in the desert next to an old tire and other debris.

That section of the fence, consisting of steel bars 18 feet tall, was installed in 2009, some eight years before the Trump administration took office calling for a border wall.

The Border Patrol said its agents were not pursuing the vehicle before the wreck.

'Initial investigation into the origins of the vehicles indicate a potential nexus to the aforementioned breach in the border wall. Human smugglers have proven time and again they have little regard for human life,' Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol's El Centro sector chief said in a statement Wednesday.

'Those who may be contemplating crossing the border illegally should pause to think of the dangers that all too often end in tragedy, tragedies our Border Patrol Agents and first responders are unfortunately very familiar with.'

'We pray for the accident victims and their families during this difficult time,' he added.

It was also confirmed on Wednesday that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has opened a human smuggling investigation into Tuesday's horror crash.

In a statement, an ICE spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com that 'Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations San Diego responded [to the scene] ... and have initiated a human smuggling investigation.'

ICE declined to comment further at to what led the agency to believe human trafficking was suspected, adding that additional details aren't being released at this time.

The Mexican Consulate said any family members who need assistance can call (760) 455-2140. Offices in San Bernardino and San Diego can help with translation services if needed, the consulate said.

New Orleans, Louisiana--(Newsfile Corp. - March 4, 2021) - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until April 23, 2021 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Ebix, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBIX), if they purchased the Company's securities between November 9, 2020 and February 19, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

What You May Do

If you purchased securities of Ebix and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-ebix/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by April 23, 2021 .

About the Lawsuit

Ebix and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On February 19, 2021, post-market, the Company disclosed the resignation of its independent auditor, RSM US LLP ("RSM"), resulting from "being unable, despite repeated inquiries, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence that would allow it to evaluate the business purpose of significant unusual transactions that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2020" related to the Company's gift card business in India. RSM had also stated that there was a material weakness related to the Company's failure to design controls "over the gift or prepaid card revenue transaction cycle sufficient to prevent or detect a material misstatement."

On this news, shares of Ebix plummeted 40%.

Story continues

The case is Teifke v. Ebix, Inc., et al., 1:21-cv-01589.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com

1-877-515-1850

1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200

New Orleans, LA 70163

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76155
Pope Francis walks down the steps of an airplane as he arrives at Baghdad international airport, Iraq, Friday, March 5, 2021. Pope Francis heads to Iraq to urge the countrys dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis has arrived in Iraq to urge the countrys dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns to make his first papal visit to the country.

Francis, who wore a facemask during the flight, kept it on as he descended the stairs to the tarmac and was greeted by two masked children in traditional dress.

A red carpet was rolled out on the tarmac at Baghdads international airport with prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on hand to greet him.

A largely unmasked choir sang songs as the Pope and Mr al-Kadhimi made their way to a welcome area in the airport.

Iraqis were keen to welcome him and the global attention his visit will bring, with banners and posters hanging high in central Baghdad, and billboards depicting Francis with the slogan We are all Brothers decorating the main thoroughfare.

In central Tahrir square, a mock tree was erected emblazoned with the Vatican emblem, while Iraqi and Vatican flags lined empty streets.

Foreign minister Fuad Hussein said Iraqis were eager to welcome Franciss message of peace and tolerance and described the visit as a historic meeting between the minaret and the bells.

Among the highlights of the three-day visit is a private meeting on Saturday with the countrys top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a revered figure in Iraq and beyond.

Expand Close Iraqi security forces stand guard by a mural depicting Pope Francis (Khalid Mohammed/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Iraqi security forces stand guard by a mural depicting Pope Francis (Khalid Mohammed/AP)

The government is eager to show off the relative security it has achieved after years of wars and militant attacks that continue even today. Francis and the Vatican delegation are relying on Iraqi security forces to protect them, including with the expected first use of an armoured car for the pontiff.

Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for Iraqs joint operations, said security forces had been increased.

This visit is really important to us and provides a good perspective of Iraq because the whole world will be watching, he said. The high stakes will give Iraqi forces motivation to achieve this visit with safety and peace.

Francis is breaking his year-long Covid-19 lockdown to refocus the worlds attention on a largely neglected people whose northern Christian communities, which date from the time of Christ, were largely emptied during the violent reign of the so-called Islamic State group from 2014-2017.

Expand Close St Josephs Chaldean Church in Baghdad (Khalid Mohammed/AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp St Josephs Chaldean Church in Baghdad (Khalid Mohammed/AP)

The Popes visit is to support the Christians in Iraq to stay, and to say that they are not forgotten, the Chaldean patriarch, Cardinal Luis Sako, told reporters in Baghdad this week. The aim of Franciss visit, he said, is to encourage them to hold on to hope.

The visit comes as Iraq is seeing a new spike in coronavirus infections, with most new cases traced to the highly contagious variant first identified in Britain. The 84-year-old pope, the Vatican delegation and travelling media have been vaccinated, but most Iraqis have not.

The Vatican and Iraqi authorities have downplayed the threat of the virus and insisted that social distancing, crowd control and other health care measures will be enforced.

I come among you as a pilgrim of peace, to repeat you are all brothers, Francis said in a video message to the Iraqi people on the eve of his visit.

I come as a pilgrim of peace in search of fraternity, animated by the desire to pray together and walk together, also with brothers and sisters of other religious traditions.
FILE PHOTO: Afghan men carry the coffin of one of three female media workers who were shot and killed by unknown gunmen, in Jalalabad

By Orooj Hakimi, Abdul Qadir Sediqi and Charlotte Greenfield

KABUL (Reuters) - Last December, Afghan media worker Shahnaz Mohmand rushed to comfort her female colleagues as they reeled in shock after fellow employee Malala Maiwand was shot dead in the eastern city of Jalalabad.

"Don't lose yourself, you have to be strong," she said as she hugged Nadia Momand, the 21-year-old producer recalled. "There are many things that we have to do for our society, especially for women and girls."

Now the same newsroom is mourning Shahnaz. Aged 20, she was one of three female employees at Enikas TV gunned down on their way home from work on Tuesday.

Authorities believe it was the latest in a series of targeted attacks on female journalists, civil society members and working women.

Some officials and diplomats blame the violence on the Taliban, which, since being ousted in a U.S.-led war in 2001, has fought an insurgency in which thousands of civilians have died.

The hardline Islamist group is involved in U.S.-brokered peace talks which began in Qatar in September, but attacks have continued unabated.

The Taliban denies the charge and said it was not behind Shahnaz's death. An offshoot of Islamic State claimed the attack.

The killings are a stark reminder of how hard-fought gains for women's rights after the fall of the Taliban are under threat, as the country wrestles with lawlessness and militant violence and as foreign troops leave.

Billions of dollars have been poured into the country in the last 20 years to help create a more open and equal society.

But officials fear that, with the Taliban seeking to return to formal power and only a small contingent of foreign troops remaining, conservative elements of society will be emboldened to demand that women stay at home.

"Afghan women working in the media sector are especially targeted," said Stefano Pontecorvo, NATO's Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, in a statement condemning Tuesday's attack.

Story continues

"Their voices are more important than ever to ensure lasting peace in Afghanistan."

COURAGE IN FACE OF FEAR

Zalmai Latifi, head of Enikas TV, said the station had temporarily closed and would likely give female employees leave. Some may not return, given that four of the 10 female staff have been killed.

Women in public roles have been targeted in the wave of deadly violence concentrated in urban centres, including female judges and a member of the country's independent human rights commission.

Afghan politician and negotiator Fawzia Koofi survived an assassination attempt in August, shortly before she flew to Doha to take part in peace talks.

Also killed on Tuesday were Mursal Wahidi and Sadia Sadat, both in their late teens or early 20s, who worked with Shahnaz in the dubbing department providing voice-overs in Pashto.

Mujib Khalwatgar, head of media advocacy group NAI, said journalists were fleeing the country for fear of attack, and this week's violence could dissuade female media employees in Jalalabad and the surrounding province from working.

Aqela, a 19-year-old student, journalist and activist in the city, said she was scared every time she left the house. Her family has told her to stop working and attending university, but she is carrying on for now.

Momand, from Enikas TV, said her father told her to quit her job, though she is determined to carry on if possible.

"My friends were taken away from me, but after this I will fight not only for myself but also for my friends," she told Reuters. "This incident has left a deep impact on my soul."

Shahnaz's friends and family said she had been acutely aware of the risks women faced and made it her short life's mission to tackle them head on.

As a teenager she taught local women how to read, spoke out fiercely when family members joked about women's rights, and took on a job at Enikas TV while saving to go to law school.

After Maiwand's killing in December, Shahnaz's brother, Haroon Rahimi, said that privately she was afraid. But as soon as she was allowed to go back to the office, she did.

"She knew the consequences," Rahimi explained. "But she still went there and said: 'if I'm not going to risk it, no one is going to risk it'."

(Charlotte Greenfield reported from Islamabad; Additional reporting by Ahmad Sultan in Jalalabad; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
But that did nothing to help those like White who had already gone to trial and were sitting in prison. There are an estimated 50 other defendants who were sentenced before the litigation. Many, such as White and the other two co-defendants in the case, Montreece Kindle and Nathan Ward, remain in prison.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

What if mathematicians could have seen COVID-19 coming, or could predict the next outbreak? Is it possible that numbers, manipulated by statistics, might warn of future market fluctuations and environmental disasters, or herald vast shifts in finance, trade, and employment?

It's hard to predict the details of an individual extreme event, but patterns emerge when many such occurrences are studied collectively. A key to understanding some of these patterns is the theory of heavy-tailed distributions, a genre of statistics that deals with exceptional "black swan" events. In a new study, Rockefeller's Joel E. Cohen and colleagues at Columbia University and Cornell University demonstrate that it is possible to predict the patterns of heavy-tailed events with established mathematical techniques.

The discovery raises the prospect that mathematical modeling may one day help scientists anticipate and manage a wide range of extreme occurrences"from daily precipitation to microbial evolution, from cortical oscillations in the human brain to global pandemics," Cohen says. "Many extreme events are not described by standard curves. We are unprepared for extremes socially, institutionally and, too often, scientifically."

Predicting the (seemingly) unpredictable

A powerful tool for summarizing statistical variability is Taylor's Law, a simple mathematical formula that relates a population's mean to its variancea measure of the scatter around the average. Taylor's Law describes how cancer cells and infectious diseases multiply; how crop yields fluctuate; and even how tornado outbreaks vary. It has become a tool in agricultural science worldwide, guiding sampling of insects and efficient pest control.

Scientists have long assumed that Taylor's Law works only when the measured quantities have finite averages and variances, as when measuring the heights of people. There is a finite limit to how tall or how short a human can be. If you measure enough heights of people of the same age, the result will be a roughly bell-shaped curve in which most heights cluster around an averageat the apex of the belland a few very short or very tall individuals have heights in the "tails" to the left and right of the curve's center. The more people measured, the more the average heights converge to a central height.

Pandemics, fires, floods, storms, and market fluctuations are different. There is no finite limit to how high the numbers might be and therefore, unlike the classic example of collecting heights, "the more you sample, the more extreme are the biggest events, and your sample's average and variance get larger and larger, marching off toward infinity," Cohen says.

The more earthquakes we experience, the greater the chances of recording one so powerful that it drives up the cumulative average size of all earthquakes, bending the standard bell curve entirely out of shape. The more we expose ourselves to the viruses of non-human animals, the more likely we are to be infected by a novel coronavirus that upends our lives.

Until now, Taylor's Law was thought to have no place in these heavy-tailed systems. It helped plot our paths along the normal circumstances of daily life, but when it came to extreme occurrences like the present pandemic, Taylor's Law seemed irrelevant.

The world of heavy tails

But a few years ago, Cohen and colleagues at Columbia University made a striking discoverya way of looking at heavy-tailed variables that yields surprisingly orderly connections between the mean and the variance. "It was as if we took all of the pieces of a car, put it in a box, and the car still ran," Cohen says. "This combination of variables gave us the same result regardless of how they were connected."

A collaboration of excited mathematicians culminated in this new study, which collects many more examples of the phenomenon and concludes with mathematical proof that extreme, heavy-tailed events are indeed well described by Taylor's Law.

This does not mean that any individual extreme event can be predicted with a simple mean-to-variance formula. But the research effectively breaks Taylor's Law out of its shell, giving scientists good reason to test whether market fluctuations and natural disasters obey the same Taylor's Law that governs insect populations and the progression of cancerous growths.

Cohen hopes that this work will stimulate further basic research on the mathematics of heavy-tailed distributions and that scientists will use it to better understand the extreme events wherever heavy-tailed distributions lurk. "Advances like these are the mathematical analogue of bioimaging," he says.

"They make it possible to see what was previously invisible."

More information: Joel E. Cohen et al. Heavy-tailed distributions, correlations, kurtosis and Taylor's Law of fluctuation scaling, Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences (2020). Joel E. Cohen et al. Heavy-tailed distributions, correlations, kurtosis and Taylor's Law of fluctuation scaling,(2020). DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2020.0610


The first set of primate animals to receive the experimental COVID-19 vaccine are the nine great apes at the San Diego Zoo, as stated by the news report.

As disclosed by National Geographic, five Bonobos and four orangutans at the San Diego zoo each got two doses of the covid-19 vaccine, which was made by the veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis.

Orangutans Tested Positive for Coronavirus

Based on a statement from Zoetis, the zoo got in touch with them after many of the bonobos and orangutans at their safari park tested positive for the coronavirus in January, and the company answered by giving a small supply of their covid-19 vaccine.

Chief Observation and Wildlife health officer, Nadine Lamberski at the San Diego zoo wildlife alliance told National Geographic: "This is not the normal way. In my professional career, I have not had permission to an experimental Covid-19 vaccine this early in the operation and have not had such a strong desire to want to make use of one."

ALSO READ: New Study Shows Pasteurization Neutralizes Coronavirus in Breast Milk

Gorilla to Receive the Vaccine

According to the New York Times, One gorilla is also planned to receive the vaccine at the zoo, but since most of the bonobos and orangutans there have already proven positive and got healed from COVID-19, they are a lower priority for receiving treatment right now.

The New York Times reported that the plans of Zoetis are to make provision for more Covid-19 vaccines to the San Diego Zoo and many other zoos, so far they have a bigger supply of their vaccine.

Zoetis primarily made their COVID-19 vaccine for dogs and cats to make use of, but then moved to research the vaccine in mink after a huge breakout happened on mink farms last year.

The Covid-19 vaccine is still experimental and it has not yet been certified for use in animals in the United States, but the company (Zoetis) is presently in talks with the United States Department of Agriculture to approve the COVID-19 vaccine in minks.

The Vaccine Similar to Novavax Covid-19 Vaccine

According to Science Magazine, "The vaccine of Zoetis is relatively similar to the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine made for human use, which carries an adjusted edition of the coronavirus's "spike protein."

It's not common for a vaccine, especially the Covid-19 vaccine made for one particular animal species to be adjusted for another species of animal, as disclosed by the CBS News. CBS News said that certainly, "apes at the San Diego Zoo also get human flu vaccines and measles vaccines."

As previously reported by Live Science, the endangered black-footed ferret which is part of another species of animal also got an entirely different experimental COVID-19 vaccine last year in Colorado.

Facts About Orangutans

Orangutans are the only great apes to be discovered in Asia. They are also the largest arboreal animals in the world World, which simply means they are the largest animals that are capable of living on trees.

RELATED ARTICLE: 4 Lions at Barcelona Zoo test positive for Covid-19

For more news, update about test for covid-19 in animals and other related topics, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Thursday urged France and Germany to use their influence with the Ukrainian government to make sure that events in the part of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed rebels did not "cross a dangerous line".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow was seriously concerned by a rise in violence on the contact line between the rebels and Ukrainian government forces.

Ukraine pushed back against the remarks, saying Russia should instead order the forces it controls in Donbass to observe the ceasefire, and blamed Moscow for obstructing progress in new prisoner swaps and troop withdrawals.

Russian-backed forces seized a swathe of eastern Ukraine in 2014, including the industrial cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. Kyiv blames Moscow for engineering the uprising, and providing troops and arms that led to its escalation into a full-blown war. Moscow denies the accusation.

Major combat ended with a truce agreed in the Belarusian capital Minsk in 2015, whose implementation France and Germany have helped to oversee. But sporadic fighting continues in the conflict that Kyiv says has killed about 14,000 people.

In recent weeks clashes have become more frequent, sparking concern from international monitors, and at least 10 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed this year.

On Thursday, the Kremlin accused Kyiv's forces of shelling in breach of the ceasefire agreement and entering areas where they were not meant to be.

Ukraine's military accused pro-Russian forces of shelling its positions to provoke them into returning fire and opening themselves up to accusations from Moscow. It said Russian-backed forces had violated the ceasefire four times within 24 hours.

The Kremlin said it was using its own influence with pro-Russian separatists to try to calm tensions.

"We also hope all our partners in the ... (Normandy) quartet will pay attention to the growing tension on the contact line and will use their influence to prevent this escalation from crossing a dangerous line," Peskov said.

Story continues

"A red line would be the resumption of full-scale hostilities," said Peskov.

The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine have met from time to time in the so-called Normandy format to discuss implementation of the peace deal.

"Rhetoric about approaching the 'dangerous line' falls into the logic of war, which the Kremlin still has not been able to reject," Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko told Interfax Ukraine.

"We do not need to call on Germany and France to use their influence, but order the armed groups controlled by Moscow to observe the ceasefire."

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov and Andrew Osborn in Moscow and Pavel Polityuk and Matthias Williams in Kyiv; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Andrew Osborn, Kevin Liffey, Alexandra Hudson)
A nurse prepares to vaccinate healthcare workers at Gleneagles hospital in Singapore. (PHOTO: Reuters/Edgar Su)

SINGAPORE  An estimated 56,300 staff in the public healthcare institutions will receive an increase in their monthly base salaries from July this year.

Nurses can look forward to an increase of 5 to 14 per cent in their monthly base salaries, phased over the next two years.

Allied health professionals, pharmacists and administrative and ancillary staff, including support care staff, can also look forward to an increase of 3 to 7 per cent in their monthly base salaries this year.

"Our healthcare workforce is the lifeblood of our healthcare system, and the work that they do is critical in protecting the health of our society," said Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr Koh Poh Koon, during his ministry's Committee of Supply debate in Parliament on Friday (5 March).

"We must maintain the salary competitiveness of healthcare staff against the overall market to attract and retain quality talent."

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will also increase funding support to publicly-funded community care organisations to ensure that salaries of their staff also remain competitive. An estimated 20,800 staff may benefit from this funding support.

MOH revised the salaries for junior house, medical and dental officers, consultant family physicians as well as newly-promoted associate consultants within its public healthcare institutions in 2019. It will continue to monitor doctors and dentists salary competitiveness against the market, and review in future when adjustments are necessary.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

More Singapore stories:

Quarantine and SHN must be replaced to revive aviation: Ong Ye Kung

Transport fares to be adjusted 'from time to time' to ensure long-term sustainability: Ong Ye Kung

'Bright future' should not lead to lighter sentences for sexual offenders: Shanmugam
New Delhi, March 6 : The Delhi Police arrested two cheats for duping a Delhi-based woman doctor on the pretext of updating KYC of her bank account.

During the course of investigation, it was revealed that Rs 7 lakh was transferred into two bank accounts and Paytm. The details of the alleged beneficiary accounts were analyzed and the linked details were also checked.

During analysis of transactions, it was revealed that one of the suspects was using the linked mobile at Himmat Nagar, Gujarat. The information was further developed by Delhi police and the team was sent to Himmat Nagar, where the team members disguised themselves as surveyors of Telecom companies and started roaming in the area to collect information about their targets.

On the basis of technical surveillance, location of the suspect was zeroed down and one suspect was apprehended who was later on identified as Md. Azad. Upon his instance, one mobile phone which was used by the accused to send their account details to their associate was also recovered.

During interrogation, accused Md. Azad disclosed his involvement in the crime. He further disclosed that he came in contact with other co-accused namely Rahul from Basantpur, Bihar.

They met at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, in a company. Co-accused Rahul had contacted a person named Vartha from Nadiya, West Bengal who worked for online bank and he offered to provide the banks accounts to transfer the cheated amount on commission basis.

"Accused Md. Azad and co-accused Rahul had given their accounts details to Vartha on commission basis. Further, on his instance of co- accused Rahul was also arrested," Atul Thakur, DCP South said.
YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. A stable operational situation with no incidents has been maintained along the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact of the Armenian state border overnight March 4-5, the Defense Ministry of Armenia told ARMENPRESS.

According to the information provided by the Armenian National Security Service, no border incidents were registered in Vorotan-Davit Bek section of the Goris-Kapan inter-state road which is under the responsibility of the NSS border troops.

The Armed Forces of Armenia and the NSS border troops confidently control the border situation along the entire borderline.

National Guard Staffs Southern 7 Vaccine Clinics

By West Kentucky Star Staff

METROPOLIS - The National Guard has arrived in southern Illinois to help distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.On Wednesday the Southern Seven Health Department received assistance from a number of Guard medical staff, who have already hit the streets to redouble efforts in getting the vaccine out to southern Illinois residents. Previously the health department could only visit one county per day to hold a clinic, but with the additional help they can now be in two counties each day.Beginning next week, two mass vaccination locations will operate each day, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.One central vaccination site will serve both Pope and Hardin counties once per week.Alexander County will have two separate locations operating on different days of the week.Vaccination locations in Johnson, Massac, and Union counties will each operate twice per week.Pulaski Countys vaccination site will operate once weekly.S7HD is still working in Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination schedule. It is anticipated that Region 5 will be in Phase 1 until the end of spring.Phase 1B includes people 65-years of age and older along with essential workers.




This event is brought to you thanks to the support from





AGENDA



2:00 | Welcome and Introduction

Ian Wilhelm and Sebastian Distefano





2:05 | Chronicle Presentation

A New Generation of Learners

Jeff Selingo presents survey data and other information about how Covid-19 may impact what students expect from their college learning environment and the use of technology to support it.

2:15 | Chronicle Panel

Engaging a New Generation

Selingo interviews campus leaders Reginald DesRoches and Marcia Ballinger about how their institutions are preparing to teach students who have lived through Covid and how that experience may change students expectations about how they learn.



2:30 | Adobe Presentation Engaging Students Beyond 2020



Amir Dabirian and Todd Taylor discuss accelerating imperatives to engage all students through experiential learning by equipping them with the technologies that drive digital transformation.



2:45 | Chronicle Panel

Technology for Engagement

The Chronicle's Ian Wilhelm will talk with Gina Siesing and Marc Austin about what remote education during the pandemic has taught higher education about using technology to engage students, whether in the classroom or the virtual space.



3:10 | Final Notes

Closing Remarks



Ian Wilhelm and Sebastian Distefano


















Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Timber is shown for sale at Mai village in the Sanamxai district of Attapeu province in Laos in a January 2021 photo.

Businessmen in Laoss Attapeu province are selling timber hidden for years in the forest after being harvested illegally, mixing it with other timber allowed by provincial authorities to be sold by local villagers, Lao sources say.

Now being sold to private businessmen, the contraband timber was stashed before a July 23, 2018 flood from the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam disaster swept away homes and caused severe flooding in Attapeu and nearby Champassak province.

It is now being brought out of hiding to be sold with logs and other old wood permitted for sale to vendors in Laos and from China, an Attapeu resident told RFAs Lao Service, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Provincial officials are allowing private businessmen to buy old wood from villagers in the dam-affected areas in Sanamxai district, RFAs source said. But they also have timber hidden in the forest, and are mixing it with the wood bought from villagers in order to send it to the saw mills.

Mills in the province are not granted licenses themselves for logging, but provincial officials are letting private businessmen buy old wood from the villagers so they can bring out the timber that was hidden, he said.

Lao and Chinese businessmen are now buying timber from villagers in Khokkong, Mai, Hadyai, Sompoy, and Pakbo villages located near the provinces Xepian national protected forest, the source said.

At least 3,000 cubic meters of timber permitted by the province for sale are now waiting for transport to saw mills in Saysethha district, 10 km. from the provincial center, he added.

The amount of timber that was hidden is many times greater than what they are buying [legally] from the villagers, he said.

In an effort to curb the widespread trade in Laos in illegal logging, Lao prime minister Thongloun Sisolith in 2016 imposed a ban on the sale of timber, and only Attapeuworking without approval from central authoritiesnow allows timber to be sold by local residents.

Beginning in early January, the timber trade in Attapeu has been attracting vendors from Laos, China, and Vietnam, a resident of Sanamxai district told RFA.

I see villagers selling timber now to vendors at costs of so much per kilogram, and many thousands of cubic meters are being sold at Mai village alone, he said.

The provincial and district authorities are just allowing Chinese vendors to buy the timber, another district resident said.

Another district resident said that timber, tree roots, and logs brought by villagers from the forest are all being brought now to businessmen for sale. Normally, this is banned, but the provincial and district governors are giving the vendors permission to do this, he said.

'We do not cut the trees'

Speaking to RFA, Phonephaseuth Thongsithavongdirector general of the provinces Agriculture and Forestry Departmentdenied that any of the wood being sold had come from the national protected forest.

We do not cut the trees in the forest to get the logs, and we do not have timber hidden away there, he said.

[Vendors] are just buying old timber from villagers in the dam-afffected areas according to the governments decision no. 919. This does not violate the prime ministers ban on the sale of timber, he added.

Asked if good-quality timber previously harvested illegally and hidden in the forest is now being brought to businessmen for sale, Phonephaseuth replied that officials have ordered vendors not to buy any that is brought to them.

Our officials are inspecting the timber and collecting information, he said.

Chinese and Lao vendors have been buying this timber since early January, though, and are still buying it now, said RFAs source in Attapeua red zone in Laos for illegal logging for many years.

In 2017, task force officials assigned by the central government and coming from other provinces seized 27 trucks carrying illegal timber belonging to the wife of Attapeus governor, who was later fired over the incident.

And in July 2020, officials seized four trucks carrying illegal timber at an Attapeu border checkpoint.

Laos has a history of widespread government corruption, with the Government Inspection Authority (GIA) reporting in early 2020 that the government lost up to $120 million in 2019 to corruption, disciplined 700 state employees, and fired 400 of them.

In the previous year, the GIA found 970 were involved in corruption amounting to $107 million.

Transparency International reported in January 2021 that Laos corruption ranking had worsened, dropping from 130th in 2019 to 134th in 2020 out of 180 countries.

Reported and translated by Ounkeo Souksavanh for RFAs Lao Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Vatican City, March 5 : Pope Francis is set to embark on the first ever papal visit to Iraq on Friday, despite the raging coronavirus pandemic and security concerns in the Middle Eastern country, it was reported on Friday.

Francis' trip comes 22 years after Pope John Paul II cancelled a visit in 1999 after talks with the government of then-President Saddam Hussein's broke down.

According to a BBC report, the 84-year-old head of the Catholic Church will be greeted by welcomed by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and President Barham Salih upon his arrival in Baghdad.

After this, he will meet bishops and other clergy Our Lady of Salvation, a Syriac Catholic church in the capital city.

On Saturday, he will arrive at the city of Najaf, where he will visit Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the leading spiritual leader of Iraqi Shia Muslims and one of the most senior clerics in Shia Islam.

Pope Francis will also participate in an inter-religious meeting at the ancient site of Ur, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham.

On Sunday, he will visit Mosul, the former stronghold of the Islamic State terror group, and will say a prayer of suffrage in the Church Square.

Later in the day, he will celebrate Mass at a stadium in Irbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

Some 10,000 Iraqi security personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of the Pope.

"The head of the Roman Catholic Church aims to embolden persecuted Christians and call for peace in meetings with political and other religious leaders," the BBC report said.

In view of the raging pandemic, the Pope, who has already received two shots of the BioNTech/Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, will have limited public access, the BBC reported.

Currently, there are about 250,000 Christians living in Iraq or 1 per cent of the country's total population, the BBC report said.

Majority of them are based in the Nineveh Plain and Kurdistan Region.
Results from the drilling program will be incorporated in a new resource estimate to upgrade the selected portion of the resource from inferred to indicated classification.

Andromeda is targeting the thick, kaolinised weathered gneiss of the Mount Hope Kaolin Deposit.

( ) has started drilling at the companys 100% owned Mount Hope Kaolin Deposit on the west coast of South Australias Eyre Peninsula.

The air core drilling program will comprise about 50 holes for up to 2,500 metres targeting the thick, kaolinised weathered gneiss of the Mount Hope Kaolin Deposit.

Andromedas key objective is to infill drill the southern half of the Mount Hope Resource which is the thicker and higher quality portion of the deposit.

The program will also include drilling to test for the extension of the mineralisation to the south.

Resource upgrade

Results from the drilling program will be incorporated in a new resource estimate, and dependent on results, will be used to upgrade the selected potion of the resource from an inferred to an indicated classification.

The Mount Hope mineral resource yields 7.5 million tonnes of High Bright kaolin product when applying the minus 45-micron recovery factor.

The Ultra-Bright subdomain contains 1.6 million tonnes of minus 45-micron material with an ISO brightness (R457) of 84.1 and the halloysite subdomain contains 0.6 million tonnes of minus 45-micron material comprised of 17.2% halloysite.

The Ultra-Bright domain is comprised of extremely high purity, bright white kaolin with low halloysite levels.

This makes it ideally suited to high-value markets in specialty coatings and polymers, thus providing market diversification and de-risking opportunities while presenting new and potentially significant markets for the company to pursue.
This is a 1968 example of the Poncho, which was apparently discovered last year by an aficionado named Matt Kurek, who took the story of the machine to Instagram; as stated by the description of this account, the enthusiast is a vintage cars and parts dealer based in South Jersey.The Firebird , which was discovered sitting at a business in the said part of the country, packs a 350 V8 mated to an automatic tranny. Actually, the displacement of the engine sits at 355 c.i. (5.8 liters), and it produces 265 hp when fitted with a two-barrel carburetor or 320 horses for the HO version featuring goodies such as a performance camshaft.As you can see in the images published by the enthusiasts, the Pontiac is covered in debris, with a large section of its front end now being buried; judging by the cone resting on the hood, the area where the vehicle is located could be covered in asphalt millings.This is a Firebird Convertible, but the power top has certainly seen better days, now exposing the once-white interior to the elements. In fact, there even seems to be moss on top of the front seats. Speaking of the cabin, other factory features of the vehicle include power windows and rally gauges.Now, as the dealer explains in the Instagram post below, he attempted to purchase the vehicle, but it seems that it's not for sale. Browsing through the comments section of the post, which is filled by enthusiasts shocked by how the car is kept, we came across a further explanation from Kurek. It appears that he spoke to a woman about the Pontiac, who told him the vehicle belongs to her father in law.Well, if the pair of boats sitting close to the Firebird tells us anything, it's difficult to imagine a bright future for this Pontiac.
HOT ZONE: MARCH 4, 2021 ... ANGELINA'S, LOW POSITIVITY IN NY, LATEST COVID NUMBERS. ANGELINA'S PAYS COVID FINE: NY state positivity drops to pre-Thanksgiving level; J&J vaccine arrives in NYC; Pete Davidson's "drivers license," CCRB and NYPD disciplinary database, and latest coronavirus. (Hot Zone) Posted by Staten Island Advance on Thursday, March 4, 2021

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio both had encouraging things to say about the coronavirus pandemic that has kept New York in a state of suspended animation for close to a year now.

Tom Wrobleski and Mark Stein of the Staten Island Advance discussed the developments in their daily Hot Zone show on Facebook live.

The coronavirus pandemic has turned our world upside-down, and we need information like we never have before.

How many new cases were there on Staten Island today? How many deaths? How many people have been released from the hospital?

What are President Joe Bidens plans to end the pandemic? What are Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio doing to keep New Yorkers safe?

What other news is top of mind?

More importantly, when are we going to get back to normal, whatever normal is?

Its almost too much to keep up with.

So every day around 4 p.m., Mark and I take to Facebook Live to give you all the information you need. You can then look for this written wrap-up on SILive.com at the end of the day.

Well give you the numbers and all the latest news. Well answer your questions. Well follow up on your news tips.

Well share the good news too, the way that the Staten Island community is coming together in this time of crisis. Or well just share this strange and unique pandemic moment with you, as fellow Staten Islanders.

On Wednesday, Cuomo said that the states test positivity rate for Wednesday was 2.8 percent, the lowest its been since November 21, before the worst of the holiday season surge kicked in.

De Blasio, meanwhile, said that New York City had received 16,000 doses of the new, one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The mayor said he expected another 71,000 doses of the vaccine shortly.

De Blasio said that the J&J doses would be dedicated to homebound seniors and others who cannot travel to vaccination centers.

Were all in this together. Well all get through this together.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

SYRACUSE, N.Y.  Realtor Tommy Kehoskie had quite the coronavirus project last year.

After receiving what he called a lesson in politics, he got to work remodeling a former doctors office in Westvale, creating a modern, open concept home with tons of possibilities.

The original Saltbox Colonial at 2800 West Genesee Street was built in 1929 by the Schuyler family. In the 1970s, it was purchased by a doctor to be used as an office.

There were once eight patient examination rooms and a waiting room.

The doctor relocated about ten years ago, leaving an overgrown property and a building with broken windows, a leaky roof and bad siding.

It was a mess, Kehoskie said. I dont think a dime went into it since the 1970s.

In June 2011, the realtor bought it, hoping to clean it up and reopen it as a professional space since it had a commercial permit. He figured it would once again be a doctors office, or maybe a lawyers office.

Instead, he got a sucker punch.

Residents did not want it to be reopened as a business and started a petition to block Kehoskies efforts.

Most of the people thought I was going to build a McDonalds, he said with a laugh.

After numerous zoning meetings and court cases, he shifted course.

After what he called a wild ride with this property, he and it needed a fresh start.

Just as the Covid-19 lockdowns were starting last March, Kehoskie said he got creative and decided to remodel the former doctors office as a modern, open concept home.

With almost 4,000 square feet of living space, five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the home is great for large families.

What were once examination rooms, have been converted into an in-laws apartment, with a full kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Kehoskie said it could also be used as a deluxe first-floor master suite or home business.

The original reception area, with vaulted ceilings, is now the place for a cool home bar with granite countertops. There is also a super convenient bench/cubby system which matches the bar.

The wide-open space in the first floor living area is great for large parties. An original wood fireplace is the focal point of the living room.

The remodeled kitchen has granite counters, a center island, new stainless appliances, and soft close doors and dove tail drawers.

The four full bathrooms have also been remodeled, with new showers and tubs with tile surrounds and granite vanities.

Kehoskie has been chipping away at the house all year long and he figures it is about 99 percent done.

He would like to plant some trees on the half-acre lot and fence it in.

Whomever buys it will love it, he predicts. It is a great deal.

For more information about this property, please contact owner and Realtor Tommy Kehoskie, of Independent Realty Group. His information is below.

THE DETAILS

Address: 2800 West Genesee Street, Syracuse, N.Y. 13219

Price: $399,900

Size: 3,851 square feet

Acreage: 0.44 acres

Monthly Mortgage: $1,366 (based on this weeks national average rate of 3.10 percent, according to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment. Fees and points not included.)

Taxes: $12,687 (Based on assessed value of $229,000)

Built: 1929

School District: Westhill

Kitchen: The kitchen, like the rest of the interior, is brand new. It features all-new stainless appliances, granite counters, center island, and soft close doors. There is a large pantry which adds to the kitchens large amount of storage space.

Living areas: This 1929 Colonial, once was converted into a doctors office in the 1970s, is now back to being a residence. The interior was completely changed to be modern and given a wide open feel. Owner and Realtor Tommy Kehoskie says the property has been given a fresh start. The first floor living room and dining room, just off the kitchen, makes one large open space, great for entertaining. The wood fireplace in the living room is original. The former reception area, with its vaulted ceiling and large windows, is now the place for a home bar.

Bedrooms: There are four bedrooms on the second floor and one inside the first-floor in-law apartment. Each of the bedrooms are large. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet and its bathroom.

Bathrooms: There are four full bathrooms. Each have new granite vanities and new showers and tubs with tile surrounds.

In-Law Apartment: What were once a doctors examination rooms, today is an in-law apartment which has its own private access. The space has a large bedroom, living room, dining area, full bathroom, and kitchen. Kehoskie has the space could be made into a large first-floor master suite or, as long as the home remains a primary residence, a home business.

Outdoors: Located in the Westhill School District, the home is built on a half-acre lot. A new black-top driveway has plenty of room to park and the two-car garage is 150 feet away from West Genesee Street. Owner says he would like to plant some trees and fence in the property when the ground thaws. The roof, windows, siding, most of the wiring, hot water tank and high-efficiency furnace are all new.

Agent: Thomas Kehoskie

Independent Realty Group

Address: 99 Yorkshire Boulevard, Syracuse, N.Y. 13219

Phone: (315) 727-0177

Email: Tommyk2121@yahoo.com

Website: www.irg-cny.com

More homes

House of the Week: Historic Pulaski bed and breakfast, The 1880 House, overlooks the Salmon River

House of the Week: Owner designed a backyard paradise for his children at their Fayetteville home

House of the Week: Owner calls her brick home in Camillus heaven for me

House of the Week: Kick off your shoes and stay awhile at this warm and welcoming Clay home

See our real estate transactions database

If you know of a beautiful or interesting house currently up for sale, please consider sending a nomination for it to be featured as a future House of the Week. Send an email with the listing to home@syracuse.com.

Do you know of any older homes in Central New York which have fallen on hard times but have a lot of potential should they be restored to their original grandeur? A fixer-upper with a lot of potential? Consider nominating them to our new feature, Save this Home, in which we will spotlight grand houses of the past around Central New York that need to be saved. Send nominations to home@syracuse.com.
President Joe Biden will hold his first presidential press conference by the end of the month, White House press secretary Jen Psaski said Friday.

'We look forward to holding a full press conference in the coming weeks before the end of the month,' Psaki told reporters at the press briefing. 'And we're working on setting a final date for that and as soon as we do we will let you all know.'

Psaki was asked why Biden had delayed a full Q&A with journalists, bucking a tradition to do one in the early weeks of an administration, which has been around since the Reagan years.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday that President Joe Biden would hold a press conference before the month's end

President Joe Biden has been answering some questions from reporters at the end of 'sprays,' when journalist briefly come into his meetings

Presidents usually take questions from journalists in a press conference format in the early days of their administration. Here President Barack Obama addresses reporters in April 2009

Only a rotating cast of reporters are allowed each day in the White House press briefing room, in order to uphold COVID-19 social distancing protocols

President Donald Trump (right) holds a bilateral press conferencd with British Prime Minister Theresa May (left) just seven days after being sworn-in in January 2017

President Donald Trump holds a press conference in the press briefing room in the early days of the pandemic, before masks were required and even fewer journalists were allowed in

'Well, first as all of you know the president takes questions several times a week,' Psaki answered. 'He took questions actually twice yesterday, which is an opportunity for the people covering the White House to ask him about whatever news is happening on any given day.'

During what's called a 'spray,' when reporters pop into a meeting with Biden for several minutes to take his photo and observe what he's doing, he's often answered a question or two, though often strains to hear what's being asked over the calls from his aides telling journalists to leave the room.

Psaki also pointed to the current crises the president is tackling - the coronavirus pandemic and the economic fallout.

'So I think the American people would certainly understand if his focus, his energy and his attention has been on ensuring we secure enough vaccines to vaccinate all Americans, which we will do by the end of May and then pushing for a rescue plan that will provide direct checks to almost 160 million Americans,' the press secretary added.

Asked if Biden was 'too busy' too hold a press conference, Psaki wouldn't latch on to that phrasing.

'I think he's answered questions, I believe the count is almost 40 times, so, and I would say his focus, again, is on getting recovery and relief to the American people,' she answered. 'And he looks forward to continuing to engage with all of you and to other members of the media who aren't here today.'

Psaki has held a briefing every weekday since the inauguration unless the president is traveling.

Briefings, however, have been limited to a rotating cast of reporters, in order for the press corps to maintain social distancing protocols.

President Donald Trump was known for holding rollicking press conferences where he would tussle with reporters.

Biden has been more press shy.

For months on the campaign trail, he'd ignore shouted questions.

When he started doing Q&A during the end of the campaign and the transition, one of his aides would give him a list of reporters to choose from, often from friendlier or the mainstream broadcast outlets.
Serbias leader expressed his gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday for 1 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, saying he is proud Serbia became the first European country to give its population the shots made in China.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said after meeting with the Chinese ambassador in Belgrade that by receiving the Sinopharm vaccine, the citizens of our country expressed deep trust in the Chinese vaccine and with that also in the Chinese state and Chinese experts.

This was not the first time the populist president publicly praised China and its Communist Party leader. Vucic kissed the Chinese flag when China delivered masks and other protective equipment in March 2020, and he criticized the European Union for an alleged lack of solidarity at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Vucic was less critical of the EU this time, although he has said that he felt sick when he learned that some unnamed member nations secured vaccine doses multiple times above the number needed to inoculate their populations while holding back on deliveries to poorer countries.

Although Serbia is formally seeking EU membership, it has at the same time turned to both China and Russia which has also promised to supply large quantities of the Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine.

Vucic's office said in a statement on Wednesday that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to deliver additional doses of the Russian vaccine so Serbian citizens can get reliable protection from the coronavirus as soon as possible."

Vucic also said that Serbia will build a facility with the help of Russian experts to produce the Sputnik V vaccines.

There have been widespread concerns in the EU about the safety and effectiveness of the Chinese and Russian vaccines, as they have not followed all required trials before getting approval in their countries.

However, Hungary broke ranks with the EU by granting provisional licenses to both Sinopharm and Sputnik V. Russian scientists say Sputnik V appears safe and effective against COVID-19, according to early results of an advanced study published Tuesday in a British medical journal.

Vaccine delivery is turning into a foreign policy matter in the Balkans, which were promised EU help in securing does through the U.N.-backed COVAX Facility , but no shots have been delivered through the program so far.

Serbia managed to purchase the Chinese vaccine and smaller quantities of Sputnik V and the Pfizer-BioN-Tech vaccines through direct deals, helping the country launch one of the quickest vaccination campaigns in Europe.

Vucic urged China Wednesday to deliver the rest of the Serbia's ordered vaccines as soon as possible. He did not specify the quantity.

(Image Credit: AP)

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Egypt stressed the necessity of launching a serious and effective negotiation process under the auspices of the African Union (AU) with the participation of international partners for a legally binding deal on the disputed Grand Ethiopian Dam before the upcoming flood season.

The Egyptian foreign ministry said on Friday that foreign minister Sameh Shoukry held a phone call with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss the latest developments on the dam.

Shoukry expressed his worry over the latest collapse of AU-sponsored negotiations on the dam in January, reviewing a new Sudanese proposal backed by Egypt to develop the negotiations mechanism through involving international partners as mediators in the talks.

Khartoum has proposed last month to form an international quartet committee to mediate the stalled negotiations on the dam.

The proposed committee would include the US, the European Union (EU), the UN, and the AU, and would be under the auspices of Felix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the current head of the AU.

The Egyptian foreign minister affirmed the necessity of launching the new negotiation process to reach a fair and balanced legally binding accord on the dam that takes into account the interests of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan before Ethiopias planned second filling of the dam over the summer.

Such a unilateral move would have negative impacts and consequences that should be avoided through reaching a deal on the dam at the earliest opportunity, Shoukry said.

The phone call comes few days after Shoukry and his Sudanese counterpart Mariam Al-Saddiq Al-Mahdi called during a Cairo meeting for international mediation aimed at reaching an agreement over GERD.

They called on Ethiopia to show good will and resume talks over the GERD before the second filing of the dam.

Ethiopia rejects the proposal, arguing that inviting other parties as mediators in the over decade long talks is "demeaning" the efforts of the AU, which currently heads the talks.

The efforts to resolve the crisis come amid worries over controversial plans by Addis Ababa to complete the second filling in July without an accord with Cairo and Khartoum.

Egypt fears the project will significantly cut its crucial water supplies from the River Nile, while Sudan has concerns over how the reservoir will be managed.

Ethiopia says the massive project, which it hopes will make it Africas largest power exporter, is key to its development efforts.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Congress is now being held hostage by the domestic extremism that led to the sacking of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6: The House of Representatives canceled its session Thursday amid renewed reports of potential violence.

Thankfully, nothing happened. But you would think this looming tower of domestic terrorism would finally motivate Congress to launch a process for thoroughly understanding this threat and how to deal with it.

And you would likely be wrong.

Eluding Democrats and Republicans

Even the sound approach of appointing a 9/11-style commission to conduct a nonpartisan deep dive into the root causes and security failures of that shameful day in January has eluded Democrats and Republicans.

Democrats want to control any congressionally appointed commission, convinced that too many Republicans are too radicalized by Donald Trump and his Big Lie about a stolen election  a key motivating factor behind the Jan. 6 violence  to pick even-handed party elders for a commission evenly politically divided.

And Republicans want a mandate for a commission that's so broad, it could sweep in the rioting of last summer that involved Black Lives Matter demonstrators and anti-fascist groups that fall under the umbrella title of antifa.

Both have invoked the 9/11 Commission as a template. And both have it wrong.

National Guard troops at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2021.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said last month that she wanted a bipartisan commission similar to the one that investigated the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. An early proposal said she wanted a panel with seven Democrats and four Republicans. She modified that later, saying the makeup remains negotiable.

Surprise best-seller

The 9/11 Commission, under the chairmanship of former New Jersey Republican Gov. Tom Kean and co-chair Lee Hamilton, a former Democratic congressman from Indiana, was an acclaimed effort that produced a report that drove major reform of the U.S. intelligence community. The report also became a surprise best-selling book.

Story continues

A key reason for success was the scrupulous balance of the commission. It was made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, leaders chosen for their integrity and their absence from politics, and Kean set some simple requirements such as directing that commissioners alternate Democrat-Republican in their seating around the table.

"We went out to dinner in the evening, went to each other's homes and got to know each other as people. And then the partisanship fades," Kean recalled. "It doesn't have to be people who aren't partisan. It has to be people who put country first."

Any panel looking into the Capitol riot must be evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, because legislation necessary to create such a commission would have to be filibuster-proof in the Senate in order to pass, requiring 10 GOP votes. In addition, the American public would find a commission not dominated by either political party to be credible.

'You can go too far'

But Republicans are dead wrong to demand, as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell did last month, that the scope loop in any and all political violence in the United States, even if its unrelated to what happened at the Capitol in January.

"You can go too far," Kean said about the GOP proposal. "You can have too broad a mandate to get the job done."

The 9/11 Commission report said the law directed the panel to investigate "facts and circumstances relating to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001." The law allowed the commission to delve deeply into the origins and history of al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden. The panel sent staff to Saudi Arabia.

The identical latitude should be allowed for a 1/6 Commission. The American public deserves to know who these people were who attacked the Capitol, where they came from and what motivated them.

Failings of Bush and Trump

This could bring any commission investigation uncomfortably close to the instigating rhetoric of a defeated president in the minutes before the Capitol assault. But the 9/11 Commission report, published in 2004, was also brutally honest about the security failings of then-President George W. Bush, who was seeking reelection at the time.

Establishing a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack will almost certainly be challenging for a Congress so poisonously divided. Even so, the overwhelming majority of Americans, regardless of their political bent, say the attack threatened democracy.

Those fears are only stoked further when the U.S. House shut down following a threat of more violence.

America needs to understand what happened on Jan. 6 in order to make sure it doesn't happen again. The creation of a 1/6 Commission following the model of the 9/11 Commission is the best way to ensure a clear and credible result.

USA TODAY's editorial opinions are decided by its Editorial Board, separate from the news staff and the USA TODAY Network. Most editorials are coupled with an Opposing View, a unique USA TODAY feature.

To read more editorials, go to the Opinion front page or sign up for the daily Opinion email newsletter. To respond to this editorial, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congress: US Capitol attack investigation must follow 9/11 Commission
ARCHIVED - Coronavirus cases in Spain keep falling but cases rise again in other parts of Europe



This week the WHO has reported a 9 per cent increase in daily cases again

On Friday March 5 Spain reported 6,654 new cases within the last 24 hour period and the 14 day accumulated rate fell below 150 to 149.2 cases per 100,000.

As the number of new cases continues to fall in Spain, albeit at a slower rate than a few days ago, the country is keeping a wary eye on the rest of the continent, where infections are on the up in 19 of the 27 EU member states.

Following six weeks of decreasing infection rates almost all over the continent, the tables have turned again in Europe according to the latest report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain are the only countries with stable or downward trends, the data reveals. Moreover, nine countries are reporting increases in hospitalizations and ICU occupation rates, and death rates are rising in another five.

The WHO has also reported a 9 per cent increase in daily cases in the last week, with figures rising to more than a million again. Were seeing a resurgence in Central and Eastern Europe. New cases are also on the rise in several Western countries, where rates were already high," said Hans Kluge, WHOs regional director for Europe. He called for increased monitoring and faster vaccination to control the virus and the spread of the newer variants across the continent.

The situation is desperate in the Czech Republic, which has declared another state of emergency until 28 March as hospitals are filled to brimming due to the fast spread of the British variant, causing the country to ask its neighbours for help.

Hungary has closed schools for a month and non-essential businesses for two weeks, as its government believes the country is entering its worst fortnight yet of the pandemic.

Closer to home, Italy has put back its municipal elections as cases are on the rise and announced new confinements, and France has announced new restrictions in an attempt to slow the spread of the British variant, which now accounts for 60 per cent of all new cases in the country.

Belgium has today prolonged its ban on non-essential journeys until April 18th, Bulgaria has today cancelled all hospital operations as cases surge, and the UK has announced fines for anyone leaving the country without authorisation.

Meanwhile, in Spain and Portugal new case numbers are falling, although at a more conservative rate than they had been. This could be due to the fact that the two were the last countries to reach the peak of the last wave of the virus, a few weeks behind most of their European counterparts.

Image 2: Evolution of cases in Spain showing the recent dramatic fall in new diagnoses

Although the situation has improved considerably in Spain when compared to a month ago, and today the country emerged from the high risk classification with its accumulated incidence rate dropping to 149 cases per 100,000 of population, the Health Ministry has warned against complacency as the figures are still considerably higher than the level recommended by the WHO to bring the virus under control, which is 50 cases per 100,000. Indeed, this week, the regional governments have agreed that many restrictions will be left in place over the Easter holidays, and mobility between regions prevented in order to try and avoid a repeat of the disastrous third wave which followed the relaxation of safety measures at Christmas.

Although the situation at the moment is better, the 7-day accumulated incidence rate has increased slightly today by one third of a per cent, but although this is a minimal rise which ends a run of 38 consecutive days of falls, it is still a rise, and comes at a time when restrictions are being relaxed, bars and restaurants opened and in spite of all the warnings and bans, when Womens Day activities and marches will take place regardless of the calls for rational restraint to avoid a fourth wave.


Refinery 29 UK

In a country with as tight a grip on the Tudor monarchys narrative as Britain, its not surprising that after dozens of depictions of the 16th century royal family, we still cant stop talking about them. And Anne Boleyn is no exception. The latest telling of the story of Henry VIIIs second wife comes from Channel 5 and features Queen & Slims Jodie Turner-Smith in the starring role. More than just a victim of the numerous horrors Henry VIII inflicted on his wives, at its heart Boleyns story is utterly human. Her one-time status as the most powerful woman in England notwithstanding, the Channel 5 miniseries taps into the psychological and physical turmoil she would have had to endure  and often attempted to outsmart. The series was conceived after discussions between historian Dan Jones, Sony Pictures, Channel 5 and Fable, the production company responsible for the BAFTA award-winning Rocks. Written by newcomer Eve Hedderwick Turner, whose idea it was to condense the timeline of Anne Boleyn to the last five months of the ill-fated queens life, the show takes us from the height of Boleyns power to her bloody  and sudden  demise. Its not just the colourblind casting that provides what feels like a genuinely fresh take on the last months of the short-lived queen of Englands life. Turner-Smiths stunning performance depicts a smart, vociferous, charming and stubborn force of a monarch. She portrays a woman who fights for whats right as well as her own selfish needs. A woman who loves hard and sees an obstacle course of politics, misogyny, duty and hypocrisy laid out in front of her and makes several impressive attempts to circumvent the worst of the barriers she comes up against. Harry and Meghan decided to be disruptors. And, you know, you can have change peacefully, or you can have change because somebody flips over the whole table.Jodie Turner-Smith One of which, of course, is her harrowing attempt to bounce back from the emotional and physical agony of enduring a stillbirth while carrying the expectations of the monarchy on her shoulders. Having lost what had been positioned as the hopeful male heir to the throne  a demand of Henrys after Boleyn had given birth to Elizabeth I  one particularly upsetting scene is a reminder of the unrealistic, often fatal demands that were put on women at the time. Just hours after losing her child we see Boleyn struggle to keep up queenly appearances in a heavy, tightly laced dress, leaving a trail of blood behind her. When asked how she prepared for the scene, in which director Lynsey Miller pulls us into an almost uncomfortably tight shot of the stars face as she bellows in agony, Turner-Smith tells R29: It definitely was something that I felt really close to. I have had experience of miscarriage in my life before and I had just recently five months before given birth, so I felt like I could really empathise with that situation and really, you know, try to embody that and have an understanding of what would it be like if I went through everything Ive gone through and at the end of it was tragedy. Turner-Smith is speaking to me over Zoom, looking appropriately regal in a glistening silver statement necklace and with her afro hair pulled into a dynamic up-do. Theres a softness about her, though her posture gives off a quiet strength. Compared to the cutting delivery of Boleyn, she speaks with a warmth that feels comforting. Its a warmth that I feel more keenly whenever shes talking about her family. Though we dont delve into her relationship, shes more than happy to talk about the experience of filming with her daughter Janie, born to her and husband Joshua Jackson in 2020, a life event Turner-Smith feels has changed her forever. It was so funny because my room was essentially her room. Like, she took over my whole space. Literally, it was her world, she laughs. It would be like, okay, you cant come in right now because youre going to disturb her. Lets go do what we have to do over here in this corner. The mostly female production team behind Anne Boleyn added a level of compassion and nuance which Turner-Smith believes Boleyns story needed. They really understood that as a working mother theres so much that [working mothers] are often not given access to. And that was really, really refreshing. That level of foresight extended to costume, too. Dressed in bright, billowing gowns with tight corsets, the costume design by the award-winning Lynsey Moore (who also worked on I May Destroy You) is functional as well as beautiful. As soon as I went in and started in fitting, [Lynsey] was just like, What we want to do is make it as easy as possible for you to nurse, to get in and out of your costume. And I thought that was just so wonderful. When news broke that Turner-Smith was to play Boleyn, the backlash against identity-conscious casting was disappointingly predictable. Like Dev Patel in David Copperfield or the cast of Bridgerton, the Channel 5 shows embrace of colourblind casting was met with claims of attempts to erase history in a clunky bid to boost diversity. Others believed the casting  which extends to the likes of Boleyns brother George, played by Gangs of Londons Paapa Essiedu, and two of her ladies-in-waiting  wouldnt add anything to the story. Its a premature assumption that the show proves wrong. We are Black women living in the world. Theres always going to be something that says, You dont belong here.Jodie Turner-Smith I loved the idea that the filmmakers wanted to tell the story in a more unconventional way, says Turner-Smith, who understands that a lot of criticism came from the fact that people are very attached to the way that history has been told. She adds that appeasing those opposed to change isnt always the best way forward. In fact, this depiction, in which a Black woman who is visibly set apart from everyone else, adds something new to the isolation that Boleyn would have had to deal with in real life. Anybody who has studied [Anne Boleyn or] really knows anything about her knows that she was considered an outsider, says Turner-Smith, who saw comparisons between her depiction of Boleyn and Meghan Markles experience with the Windsors. There are obviously many parallels, its like, what happens when you bring a person like that into an institution that is very determined to not be inclusive of a certain kind of person? Harry and Meghan decided to be disruptors. And, you know, you can have change peacefully, or you can have change because somebody flips over the whole table. We are Black women living in the world, Turner-Smith adds, addressing me directly. You know, theres always going to be something that says, You dont belong here, or something thats a skeleton of imperialism and colonialism, [reminding] us of the oppression that has brought us to where we are right now. Even so, Turner-Smith believes shes established a sense of belonging which stems directly from keeping her loved ones close. I think theres an internal grounding that I feel like Ive received from living my life and working on my self-esteem and being seen and loved and held by my family. I always say to my husband, Home is wherever we are together.' With an upcoming role alongside Colin Farrell in dystopian drama After Yang, Turner-Smith is open to wherever her career takes her. I cant say that I have, like an ultimate role in my mind, yet. Its one of those things where Im just really beginning. And so, I want to do everything. I kind of dipped my toe into directing last year, I directed a short film (Jackie, for Dazed and Guccis Absolute Beginners series) and absolutely fell in love with that. Shes nothing if not ambitious. I want to do everything! I certainly want to be producing and directing, and writing and just really seeing what I can create. There are so many facets of storytelling and I want to see what there is in exploring all of them. I, for one, cant wait to see what comes next. Anne Boleyn airs on Channel 5 from 1st June across three consecutive nights. It will be available for catch-up on My5. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Bukky Bakray On Being An Unapologetic Black GirlYou Have 10 New Netflix Treats To Stream This WeekEverything Coming To UK Netflix In June




Each day millions of people use Google to find products that they want to buy. Google Shopping Ads put your products in front of the right people at the right time. Not only that, the Google Shopping Ads stand out with a visual listing right at the top of the search results pages. All the most essential information is also contained in the ad, such as price and availability. They are the ultimate platform for those looking to drive highly relevant traffic to their eCommerce store.

Instead of using keywords, Google Shopping Ads use product attributes and other data feed information to show your ads to relevant customers.

In this article, you will learn how to optimize and maintain a Google Shopping ads account for the best return on ad spend.

Google Shopping Ads Feed

Make sure that you feed any merchant center errors as quickly as you can. Go into Google Merchant Center and click on Products & Diagnostics. Check anything red or yellow. Check these daily if possible.

Some of the warnings and suggestions that Google gives you are not always necessary  sometimes they just suggest things that will make them more money, but you should take a look at any.

Make sure that your titles are optimized. The more keyword-rich, the better but make sure that the title reads well, and it sounds nice to read  as it will look spammy if its just full of keywords.

Make sure that your Google Shopping feed data is complete. If you are using an app or an extension for WordPress or Shopify, make sure that all the details for each product are filled correctly and in much detail. Make sure that all the information is relevant.

Information to include includes:

- Product title

- Product description

- Product category

- Vendor

- Product tags

- Product SKU

- Product UPC

According to Earnest Epps in this YouTube video, many people using Shopify tend to miss out and not fill in the product tags. Google likes to use the product tags to classify further the products and who they are for.

When filled in correctly, product tags will increase your ad's relevancy in the eyes of Google for specific search terms. Product tags will make your ads more likely to appear prominently on the results pages and the shopping results.

Sometimes people know exactly what they want and may even search using the product SKU or UPC. They often use a long-tail keyword that does not match the title or description but does relate to the SKU.

Remember to refresh your data feed inside of merchant center. You dont want products to expire or to be removed by Google. You can end up with account issues and other problems if you dont refresh the feed at least every 30 days.

Optimize Landing Pages

Product landing pages should be continuously tested and updated to create the best user experience possible, with the highest conversion rate. Google Optimize is an excellent tool for changing layout and color schemes.

Some pointers on landing page design include making sure the product and the page headline match the ad itself.

- Primary headline matches the ad & product

- Simple & Clear description

- Bullet points describing product benefits

- Unique proposition

- Social proof  review scores

- Testimonials

- Trust signals  awards, memberships, etc

- Offer multiple contact methods

- Clear CTA button

- CTA that stands out

- Video or 3D tours of products

- Visual cues to CTA

Landing pages should not overwhelm a potential customer with too much choice. Keep everything clean, clear, and simple and with one goal in mind.

It is crucial that the user is reassured and trusts the landing page and your brand. A level of trust can be achieved with a professional design and positive reviews from a third party such as TrustPilot.

Google and some users will also want to see contact details featured prominently, usually on a separate page. It can also make sense to feature a phone number on the product page for higher-value items. If you are selling RVs or vacations, people usually want to speak to someone before purchasing. If you an international seller or dont have the staff to answer the phone 24/7, consider using a phone answering service.

Limit Networks

Limited the ad networks for your shopping ads to be shown on is something to consider testing. By default, Google will check the boxes to sign your ads to be shown on search partners and YouTube and Discover on Display network.

Search partners include sites such as The New York Times and w3schools. While these may create more clicks and sales, it often comes at a higher cost per conversion.

Add Negative Keywords

It is also a great idea to add negative keywords so that your ads do not show up for specific search queries. Inside your Google Ads account, look at the search terms report and add irrelevant terms as negative keywords.

Generally speaking, you will want to add irrelevant search terms as negative keywords. Very vague search terms should be added as well. This will depend on your budget and profit margin, but very ambiguous search terms such as clothes or sneakers are less likely to convert than specific terms such as mans red jumper XXL.

Evaluate Competitor Search Terms

Competitor terms are harder to convert on but are not worthless. It can be worth testing, for example, a search term that includes Amazon in it. It can make sense in some instances, in particular, if your product is cheaper or has a different unique selling point to your competitor.

Free Listings

They were formerly known as surface (not sure why), Googles Free Listings are, well, free. Be sure to enable the free listings, as your free ads will show in places where your other ads wont!

For more information about free listings for Google Shopping Ads, see this post by Google themselves.
The 99th Light Infantry Division has also been deployed, including in Mandalay. It is infamous for its counterinsurgency campaigns against ethnic minorities, including spearheading the response that led to a brutal crackdown that caused more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee from Rakhine state to Bangladesh. It also has been accused of war crimes in Shan state, another ethnic minority area, in 2016 and early 2017.


Insticators human moderation keeps user comments appropriate and brand safe, while also watching out for awkward language considerations that automated moderation often misses.

Insticator, a global leader in engagement and revenue solutions for publishers, today announced the publication of a case study showing findings from the Ancestry.com network launch of Insticator Commenting.

Ancestry transitioned from Disqus to Insticator in 2020 in an effort to expand community engagement, boost revenue, and improve the user experience across their network of sites including Genealogy.com and Rootsweb.com. They were especially focused on providing a safe space for their users to connect on sensitive family-related subjects, and to account for multi-language considerations.

Insticator was able to meet those goals via implementation of its one-of-a-kind human-moderated Commenting Unit, and increasing available advertising inventory all without impacting the user experience. Moreover, the transition from Disqus was seamless: their users profiles and commenting histories were entirely captured and migrated so nothing got lost.

Our network has unique needs and sensitivities. Insticators human moderation keeps user comments appropriate and brand safe, while also watching out for awkward language considerations that automated moderation often misses. Tami Deleeuw, Sr. Manager, Ad Operations, Ancestry. Insticator also quickly imported our comment history and is always doing whatever it takes to help us improve the user experience.

Since migrating to Insticator, the Ancestry network has seen increases of 22% in engagement and 80% in revenue. Visit Insticator to read the full report.

ABOUT INSTICATOR

Insticator is the global leader in increasing engagement for Publishers through interactive content and community-building. Its suite of engagement products empowers publishers and consumers alike to amplify their voices and express their opinions in safe, interactive environments. From their human-moderated Commenting Unit that facilitates healthy, respectful discourse, to its Content Engagement Unit that enables audiences to share their opinions and interact with content that speaks directly to them, Insticator reaches over 350 million consumers monthly across their vast network of premium publishing partners including Ancestry, WebMD, Fox Sports, RealClear Media Group, Newsmax, and more. Based in New York, Insticators global footprint spans the US, Canada, India, the Philippines, Ukraine, and the UK. Visit insticator.com to learn more.
Przepraszamy!

Ogoszenie na stanowisku:

Robotics Process Automation (RPA) Developer



wygaso z dniem 2021-04-03



Ta propozycja bya zozona przez Nordea Bank Abp SA Oddzia w Polsce

Mozliwe przyczyny wygasniecia oferty to:

oferta zamieszczona przez pracodawce zostaa usunieta z naszych zasobow

firma zakonczya proces rekrutacji uzyskujac odpowiednia ilosc CV

ogoszeniodawca zmodyfikowa tresc ogoszenia i jest ono dostepne pod innym adresem WWW

dostawca tresci usuna ogoszenie z bazy danych

bedny adres WWW ogoszenia

Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w branzy Informatyka / Telekomunikacja, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Informatyka / Telekomunikacja

Jezeli poszukujesz pracy na stanowisku Robotics Process Automation (RPA) Developer, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Robotics Process Automation (RPA) Developer

Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w miescie: odz, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca odz



Pamietaj, ze mozesz takze rozpoczac poszukiwanie pracy od strony gownej, kliknij tutaj.

Inne ogoszenia, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan:
Ahead of the polls, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Ramesh Chennithala on Friday said that the seat-sharing agreement between the parties in the United Democratic Front (UDF) will be finalised within a day.

"Seat sharing talks are progressing. We are on the last lap. We will finalise the list by today or tomorrow," he said.

"For candidates' list, the screening committee will meet and go to Delhi for the Central Election Committee (meet)," he said on seat sharing and candidates' announcement for the State Assembly polls.

UDF led by Congress comprises of Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Congress (Joseph), Revolutionary Socialist Party, and a variety of other smaller parties. The front is a part of the United Progressive Alliance at the national level.

On Kerala gold smuggling accused-Swapna Suresh's purported allegations against Chief Minister of Kerala, Chenithala said, "Whatever the Opposition has said previously has proved to be right. The Chief Minister is the real culprit. His office has taken part in this murky deal with his knowledge"

"The Chief Minister made his Principal Secretary a scapegoat and tried to escape," he further said.

"Now revelations are before the High Court and also in the public domain which makes me wonder why central agencies are not probing into these angles," he added.

"They have been sleeping on this investigation for 2 months. I believe the understanding between CPI(M) and BJP may be the reason for this slow pace of the investigation," he said.

On the recent row concerning a series of resignations of Wayanad Congress leaders, Chennithala said, "Congress is intact in Wayanad. Two lower-level office bearers have left and one of them have come back. One is an INTUC state secretary and the other is a Mahila Congress secretary".

Ahead of the assembly polls in Kerala, four Congress Party leaders have resigned from the Congress party within the last four days alleging negligence of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership in the state.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Oil prices surged 5 percent higher at one point as traders speculated OPEC and its allies would keep a tight lid on production

The OPEC group of oil producers and its allies decided after talks on Thursday to allow only a slight rise in crude output despite a recovery in prices, amounting to less than a third of the output boost market observers had predicted.

While tensions had been expected between oil heavyweights Russia and Saudi Arabia over the way forward, the videoconference meeting was wrapped up in less than three hours with an agreement to extend the majority of production cuts into April.

A statement released after the ministerial-level talks said the only exceptions to this are Russia and Kazakhstan, which will "be allowed to increase production by 130 and 20 thousand barrels per day respectively".

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdelaziz bin Salman insisted the bloc would be "not furious, not fast" when it comes to relaxing the cuts.

Saudi Arabia will extend its additional voluntary cuts of one million barrels per day (bpd) for the month of April.

The 150,000 bpd increase, agreed by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their Russia-led allies, is much less than the 500,000 bpd boost some market observers had predicted.

"OPEC+ took the market by surprise when it decided to roll over its quota, saying rather that than anticipate a demand recovery, the group would wait to see it actually recover," said Ann-Louise Hittle from the Wood Mackenzie consultancy.

The new decision means OPEC+ has decided on cuts totalling almost seven million bpd for April, after 7.05 million bpd for March and 7.125 million bpd in February.

Oil prices surged more than five percent by the end of the meeting, reaching levels not since early January 2020.

"Today's decision is clearly a positive outcome for oil prices," said analyst Fawad Razaqzada at Thinkmarkets.

"With (coronavirus) vaccinations well underway across important regions of the world, travel demand should keep prices supported for the next few months," he added.

Story continues

- Contentious issues -

The so-called OPEC+ group sharply cut output last year to counter a sudden plunge in prices caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but it agreed to gradually increase supply in January.

Now that vaccination campaigns are underway and demand from top oil importer China has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, Moscow was said to be keener to turn on the taps again with Riyadh supporting the status quo.

At the start of the closed-door meeting, Prince Abdelaziz had said: "At the risk of sounding like a stuck record -- I would once again urge caution and vigilance" in the face of continuing global economic uncertainty.

For his part, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that while market conditions "underscore the need to remain vigilant... we can say with careful optimism that the situation is starting to improve".

While the differences between Riyadh and Moscow were not as visible during almost a year of lower prices, the return of prices close to pre-pandemic levels -- around 65 euros per barrel -- had threatened to revive tensions.

The speed at which demand will return remains subject to several factors, not least the success of the vaccination programmes which have got off to a shaky start in some countries.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned in its last monthly report in February that the rebalancing of the market was still "fragile" and that coronavirus variants could represent a risk to recovery.

During the January meeting, the alliance of 23 oil exporters needed two tough days of talks to agree to gradually increase supply.

Iran, Venezuela and Libya have been exempt from OPEC's quotas, while countries like Iraq and Nigeria have produced above their quotas for months, flouting the cartel's agreement.

OPEC members have also been monitoring any signs that US President Joe Biden might lift sanctions on Iran, which would allow Tehran to re-enter the global market and dramatically increase supply.

bp/anb/jsk/pvh
Christopher Tunnell wins NSF CAREER Award

HOUSTON - (March 5, 2021) - Rice University computational astroparticle physicist Christopher Tunnell is getting help in his search for the nature of the universe through a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award.

The five-year grant is awarded each year to fewer than 400 early career scientists and engineers expected to make significant impacts in their fields of study. The award to Tunnell is for $400,000.

Tunnell, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy and of computer science, joined Rice in 2018 and has drawn international attention for his participation in the search for dark matter. He is a principal investigator on the XENON1T (soon to be the XENONnT) project, which operates an ultrasensitive instrument under a mountain in Italy to capture traces of elemental particles that fly to, and sometimes through, Earth.

The XENON detectors are able to pick up faint evidence of cosmic travelers whether they involve dark matter or not. Among them are interactions with neutrinos that have magnetic moments, a topic of Tunnell's current work.

Two years ago, the instrument caught evidence of the radioactive decay of xenon 124 showing the element has a half-life longer than the age of the universe. Last year, it may have turned up hints of another long-sought cosmic particle, axions, hypothetical particles thought to originate in the sun. That discovery triggered a flurry of hundreds of theoretical papers trying to explain the observations.

"There are two core activities in my group: One is pure astroparticle physics, building dark matter detectors," Tunnell said. "That's sort of our day job. The other is data science and machine learning research and development. The goal of our CAREER proposal is to link these two activities to apply our data science R&D to hard physics problems.

"In this case, part of it is called neutrino-less double-beta decay, a hard measurement that is very interesting to physicists and beyond," he said. An earlier $1 million NSF grant helped develop the methods that will be used by the new study to reveal the nature of neutrino mass.

All that support will help Tunnell find people with the unique combination of talents required by his lab. "There's a deficit of people like me in physics who are just as interested in computational science research as the physics and can do both," he said. "So I'm always looking for postdocs and students I can train, and the educational part of the CAREER Award will help address this."

Tunnell is grateful the panel of physicists who chose him for the award appreciate his data science chops. "It's good to know the research ideas we're pitching are not only interesting on the on the data science, machine-learning side, but that they're just good physics projects, period," he said.

###

Read the abstract at https:/ / www. nsf. gov/ awardsearch/ showAward?AWD_ID= 2046549&HistoricalAwards= false

This news release can be found online at https:/ / news. rice. edu/ 2021/ 03/ 05/ christopher-tunnell-wins-nsf-career-award/

Additional Media Contact:

Mike Williams

713-348-6728

mikewilliams@rice.edu

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Related materials:

Dark matter search turns up hint of mysterious particle:

http://news. rice. edu/ 2020/ 06/ 17/ dark-matter-search-turns-up-another-mysterious-particle/

Elemental old-timer makes the universe look like a toddler:

http://news. rice. edu/ 2019/ 04/ 24/ elemental-old-timer-makes-the-universe-look-like-a-toddler-2/

Rice Astroparticle Group:

http://astroparticle. web. rice. edu

Department of Physics and Astronomy:

https:/ / physics. rice. edu

Rice Computer Science:

https:/ / csweb. rice. edu

Wiess School of Natural Sciences:

https:/ / naturalsciences. rice. edu

Images for download:

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 03/ 0308_CAREER-1-WEB. jpg

CAPTION: Christopher Tunnell. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 03/ 0308_CAREER-2-WEB. jpg

Rice particle physicist and computer scientist Christopher Tunnell at the XENON1T experiment in Italy. Tunnell has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for early career scientists and engineers to advance his search for dark matter and other phenomena. (Credit: Courtesy of Christopher Tunnell/Rice University)

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,978 undergraduates and 3,192 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
IN NUMBERS: Over 16,000 fresh cases reported

India reported 16,838 fresh infections on Friday, taking the cumulative caseload to 11,173,761, according to a report in the Scroll. The country saw 113 deaths due to the pandemic, taking the death toll to 157,548, according to central health ministry data. The active caseload is at 176,319, while the total recoveries have surged to 10,839,894. As many as 18,005,503 people have been inoculated since the nationwide inoculation programme kicked off on January 16. Of these, 1,388,170 received their shots on Thursday. Read more here

New computational tool to track Covid mutations

Researchers at Mumbai's Homi Bhabha National Institute have built a new computational tool that can discover the origins of new variants of coronavirus, a report in ThePrint said. The tool allows scientists around the world to keep an eye out for emerging mutations that are a source of concern. Researchers can use the tool online for free to generate an automated report on genome sequences without any prior computational knowledge. The findings of the research were published in the journal Briefings in Bioinformatics. Read more here

Many trial participants still unsure if they got a vaccine or placebo

Even as India's vaccination programme has reached its second phase that is targeting the elderly and those with preexisting conditions many volunteers who took part in the clinical trials of Covid vaccinesCovishield and Covaxinstill do not know if they were given a placebo or the actual vaccine, a report in ThePrint said. In the case of Pune-based Serum Institute of India's Covishield, the expert panel under India's apex drug regulator Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has recommended that trial participants should be informed of their status upon request of the clinical trial participant only. Read more here

more willing to send children back to school now: Survey

As much as 85 per cent of polled in a new survey were willing to send their children back to school, a report in IndiaToday said. The survey was conducted in two phases by a Bengaluru-based pre-school called KLAY. The first phase of the survey carried out in November indicated 53% of were not in favour of sending their children to school. However, the second phase conducted in February this year showed there was a meaningful shift in mindset with as much as 85 per cent of parents in favour of sending their children to a safe and happy environment by June this year. The survey polled 2,000 families in several cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gurgaon and Mumbai. Read more here

Antibodies appear faster if previously exposed to the virus: Study

Antibodies to a Covid-19 infection appear significantly only two weeks after a vaccine jab, while this happens in just a week in those who have been infected by the virus previously, a report in The Hindu said citing a new study. Researchers who conducted the study recommended that those who have been exposed to the virus previously can be prioritised lower than those who have remained unexposed in mass vaccination campaigns. Read more here
Boris Johnson persuaded Tory chiefs to secretly pay for Carrie Symonds' makeover of his official flat, it has been claimed.

The Daily Mail has been told that Conservative Party funds met a large part of the bill, which is said to be in the region of 200,000.

But after being warned this could be 'improper', and amid a backlash from outraged party elders, the Tories are said to have tried to launch a cover-up.

Boris Johnson persuaded Tory chiefs to secretly pay for Carrie Symonds' makeover of his official flat, it has been claimed

One or more wealthy donors reportedly agreed to pay an equivalent sum into Tory coffers, apparently in the hope that party HQ's involvement in the Downing Street affair would stay hidden.

It was reported last night that Conservative officials plan to declare the contribution to the Electoral Commission in an attempt to quell the furore.

Downing Street last night insisted there had been no wrongdoing.

'At all times, the Government and ministers have acted in accordance with the appropriate codes of conduct,' said a spokesman. 'All reportable donations are transparently declared to and published  either by the Electoral Commission or the House of Commons registrar, in line with the requirements set out in electoral law.

'Gifts and benefits received in a ministerial capacity are, and will continue to be, declared in transparency returns. As has always been the case, CCHQ (Conservative HQ) supports the leader of the Conservative Party in their political activities.'

Mr Johnson has said privately he feared the final bill for the refit, inspired by upmarket interior designer Lulu Lytle (pictured), could be as high as 200,000

The spokesman said details of the makeover would be spelled out in Cabinet Office accounts later this year. The spokesman would not say whether Tory HQ funds had been used to settle the refurbishment bill  or whether donors had been asked to pay a similar amount to the party HQ.

The extraordinary developments came three days after this newspaper revealed that the Prime Minister planned to set up a charity, partly to raise money for the decor in the 11 Downing Street flat. Both Downing Street and Tory HQ were said to be 'in meltdown' yesterday as demands to come clean over the matter grew.

Mr Johnson has said privately he feared the final bill for the refit, inspired by upmarket interior designer Lulu Lytle, could be as high as 200,000.

Mr Johnson investigated setting up a 'Downing Street charity' to try to recoup some of the money and aid efforts at preserving Numbers 10 and 11 for the nation.

The Mail understands there have been frantic discussions in Tory HQ and Downing Street since our disclosures. Senior civil servants are said to have warned that using a political party covertly to buy expensive wallpaper and furnishings for the residence of the Prime Minister and his partner could be a breach of Whitehall and parliamentary ethics rules.

The name of Lord Bamford, billionaire boss of the JCB construction firm, is said to have been raised at a No 10 meeting as one of those who could be asked to plug the funding gap

A report in 1995 by Lord Nolan  first chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life  says all politicians must behave in a 'selfless' way. Its first rule states: 'Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.' All MPs, including Mr Johnson, must declare any 'financial interest or non financial benefit which might affect their actions' within 28 days of receiving it.

There is no mention of the No 11 refurbishment in Mr Johnson's Commons register. Donations to political parties must be used for political campaigning and the identity of those who give more than 7,500 must be disclosed.

Furthermore, political parties must tell the Electoral Commission how their funds are used.

The Daily Mail has been told that Tory chiefs approved the payment from party funds. The name of Lord Bamford, billionaire boss of the JCB construction firm, is said to have been raised at a No 10 meeting as one of those who could be asked to plug the funding gap.

Lord Bamford's family has given more than 4million to the Conservatives in recent years, including donations worth 160,000 in 2019.

The Daily Mail disclosed yesterday that Mr Johnson and Miss Symonds have had daily deliveries at Downing Street since last April of food and prepared meals from Lady Bamford's Daylesford Organic Farmshop. No 10 says they met the cost of this themselves.

Zac Goldsmith (pictured with Carrie and Sajid Javid), the millionaire environment minister and close friend of Miss Symonds, has had lengthy talks with Mr Johnson on the refurbishment issue, according to a source

Zac Goldsmith, the millionaire environment minister and close friend of Miss Symonds, has had lengthy talks with Mr Johnson on the refurbishment issue, according to a source, and has advised him on his financial woes.

2.6m for unused Downing St studio Downing Street has spent more than 2.6million on renovations in order to hold White House-style press briefings, it emerged yesterday. An extensive overhaul within No 9 Downing Street began last year when the Government announced plans to hold the televised briefings. In response to a freedom of information request, the Cabinet Office issued a breakdown of the costs totalling 2,607,767.67, largely excluding VAT. It said the funds had been spent to allow daily broadcasting by news organisations within the Grade I listed building. 'This will necessarily require one-off capital works, including audio-visual equipment, internet infrastructure, electrical works and lighting,' the response said. 'This spending is in the public interest as the new broadcasting of lobby briefings will increase public accountability and transparency about the work of this Government now and in the future. Such spending on maintenance and technical facilities reflects that 9 Downing Street (the Privy Council Office) is a Grade I listed building.' The televised briefings were said to be the brainchild of Boris Johnson's former adviser Lee Cain. But he reportedly disagreed with the Prime Minister's choice of former journalist Allegra Stratton as press secretary to lead the briefings as a government spokesman. Mr Cain later left Downing Street, along with former Vote Leave colleague Dominic Cummings, as a power struggle within No 10 spilled out into the open. The launch of the briefings had been anticipated as early as the autumn, but in January No 10 said they were being delayed. Under proposals set out in July, an afternoon session will be filmed at 9 Downing Street and will be led by Miss Stratton. As a politically-appointed special adviser, she will be able to take aim at opponents as well as defend the Government's actions. Advertisement

In a statement earlier this week, the peer said he had made donations to the Conservative Party, but none that were linked to Downing Street.

He declined to comment further last night.

A spokesman for Lord Bamford said: 'It is well known that Lord Bamford is a donor to the Conservative Party but he has made no donations whatsoever which contribute towards refurbishment of the Downing Street flat.' A Conservative spokesman said: 'Donations to the Conservative Party are declared to the Electoral Commission, published by them and comply fully with the law.'

Sir Alistair Graham, another former head of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said if Tory Party funds had been used to pay for the No 11 decor it would be 'chicanery creeping towards corruption'. Mr Johnson was 'ethically and morally bound' to declare such a benefit both as an MP and as Prime Minister.

Political parties could not 'go hawking round to donors and the public to raise money for an individual's personal benefit without being transparent about it', Sir Alistair told the Daily Mail.

'If somebody gives money to a political party it has to be used for legitimate political purposes such as campaigning. You cannot use it to benefit the Prime Minister personally.'

The Conservative Party had a duty to tell the Electoral Commission how its funds were used, he added.

Tory HQ insiders say there was 'outrage' at the discovery that a six-figure sum had been used to pay for Miss Symonds' flat makeover. 'Because of the pandemic we are struggling to raise the cash to pay for important campaigns, and yet when Carrie spends a fortune on furnishings we are told the party should pick up the tab,' said one.

'It is an insult to grass-roots donors on modest incomes who make sacrifices to give us a few pounds each week thinking they are keeping the socialists out and that we look after their money carefully.

'And so we did. But not any more. This has caused a great deal of anger and would have never have happened under previous leaders. The party has turned from a highly efficient, professional organisation into one that is increasingly beholden to the whims of the leader and the indulgences of his partner.'

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Lord Bamford or Lord Goldsmith.

An article in Tatler revealed that Miss Symonds had been overhauling the flat to remove all trace of Theresa May's 'John Lewis furniture nightmare'. It said the main living area had been painted deep green and was often lit by candles.
The Guardian

The potential consequences of the origins of the virus are shattering  if they can be proved My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters There was a time when the Covid pandemic seemed to confirm so many of our assumptions. It cast down the people we regarded as villains. It raised up those we thought were heroes. It prospered people who could shift easily to working from home even as it problematized the lives of those Trump voters living in the old economy. Like all plagues, Covid often felt like the hand of God on earth, scourging the people for their sins against higher learning and visibly sorting the righteous from the unmasked wicked. Respect science, admonished our yard signs. And lo!, Covid came and forced us to do so, elevating our scientists to the highest seats of social authority, from where they banned assembly, commerce, and all the rest. We cast blame so innocently in those days. We scolded at will. We knew who was right and we shook our heads to behold those in the wrong playing in their swimming pools and on the beach. It made perfect sense to us that Donald Trump, a politician we despised, could not grasp the situation, that he suggested people inject bleach, and that he was personally responsible for more than one super-spreading event. Reality itself punished leaders like him who refused to bow to expertise. The prestige news media even figured out a way to blame the worst death tolls on a system of organized ignorance they called populism. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a cult out of the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general But these days the consensus doesnt consense quite as well as it used to. Now the media is filled with disturbing stories suggesting that Covid might have come  not from populism at all, but from a laboratory screw-up in Wuhan, China. You can feel the moral convulsions beginning as the question sets in: What if science itself is in some way culpable for all this? * I am no expert on epidemics. Like everyone else I know, I spent the pandemic doing as I was told. A few months ago I even tried to talk a Fox News viewer out of believing in the lab-leak theory of Covids origins. The reason I did that is because the newspapers I read and the TV shows I watched had assured me on many occasions that the lab-leak theory wasnt true, that it was a racist conspiracy theory, that only deluded Trumpists believed it, that it got infinite pants-on-fire ratings from the fact-checkers, and because (despite all my cynicism) I am the sort who has always trusted the mainstream news media. My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month; a few weeks later everyone from Doctor Fauci to President Biden is acknowledging that the lab-accident hypothesis might have some merit. We dont know the real answer yet, and we probably will never know, but this is the moment to anticipate what such a finding might ultimately mean. What if this crazy story turns out to be true? The answer is that this is the kind of thing that could obliterate the faith of millions. The last global disaster, the financial crisis of 2008, smashed peoples trust in the institutions of capitalism, in the myths of free trade and the New Economy, and eventually in the elites who ran both American political parties. In the years since (and for complicated reasons), liberal leaders have labored to remake themselves into defenders of professional rectitude and established legitimacy in nearly every field. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a sort of cult out of science, expertise, the university system, executive-branch norms, the intelligence community, the State Department, NGOs, the legacy news media, and the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general. Now here we are in the waning days of Disastrous Global Crisis #2. Covid is of course worse by many orders of magnitude than the mortgage meltdown  it has killed millions and ruined lives and disrupted the world economy far more extensively. Should it turn out that scientists and experts and NGOs, etc. are villains rather than heroes of this story, we may very well see the expert-worshiping values of modern liberalism go up in a fireball of public anger. Consider the details of the story as we have learned them in the last few weeks:  Lab leaks happen. They arent the result of conspiracies: a lab accident is an accident, as Nathan Robinson points out; they happen all the time, in this country and in others, and people die from them.  There is evidence that the lab in question, which studies bat coronaviruses, may have been conducting what is called gain of function research, a dangerous innovation in which diseases are deliberately made more virulent. By the way, right-wingers didnt dream up gain of function: all the cool virologists have been doing it (in this country and in others) even as the squares have been warning against it for years.  There are strong hints that some of the bat-virus research at the Wuhan lab was funded in part by the American national-medical establishment  which is to say, the lab-leak hypothesis doesnt implicate China alone.  There seem to have been astonishing conflicts of interest among the people assigned to get to the bottom of it all, and (as we know from Enron and the housing bubble) conflicts of interest are always what trip up the well-credentialed professionals whom liberals insist we must all heed, honor, and obey.  The news media, in its zealous policing of the boundaries of the permissible, insisted that Russiagate was ever so true but that the lab-leak hypothesis was false false false, and woe unto anyone who dared disagree. Reporters gulped down whatever line was most flattering to the experts they were quoting and then insisted that it was 100% right and absolutely incontrovertible  that anything else was only unhinged Trumpist folly, that democracy dies when unbelievers get to speak, and so on.  The social media monopolies actually censored posts about the lab-leak hypothesis. Of course they did! Because were at war with misinformation, you know, and people need to be brought back to the true and correct faith  as agreed upon by experts. * Let us pray, now, for science, intoned a New York Times columnist back at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. The title of his article laid down the foundational faith of Trump-era liberalism: Coronavirus is What You Get When You Ignore Science. Ten months later, at the end of a scary article about the history of gain of function research and its possible role in the still ongoing Covid pandemic, Nicholson Baker wrote as follows: This may be the great scientific meta-experiment of the 21st century. Could a world full of scientists do all kinds of reckless recombinant things with viral diseases for many years and successfully avoid a serious outbreak? The hypothesis was that, yes, it was doable. The risk was worth taking. There would be no pandemic. Except there was. If it does indeed turn out that the lab-leak hypothesis is the right explanation for how it began  that the common people of the world have been forced into a real-life lab experiment, at tremendous cost  there is a moral earthquake on the way. Because if the hypothesis is right, it will soon start to dawn on people that our mistake was not insufficient reverence for scientists, or inadequate respect for expertise, or not enough censorship on Facebook. It was a failure to think critically about all of the above, to understand that there is no such thing as absolute expertise. Think of all the disasters of recent years: economic neoliberalism, destructive trade policies, the Iraq War, the housing bubble, banks that are too big to fail, mortgage-backed securities, the Hillary Clinton campaign of 2016  all of these disasters brought to you by the total, self-assured unanimity of the highly educated people who are supposed to know what theyre doing, plus the total complacency of the highly educated people who are supposed to be supervising them. Then again, maybe I am wrong to roll out all this speculation. Maybe the lab-leak hypothesis will be convincingly disproven. I certainly hope it is. But even if it inches closer to being confirmed, we can guess what the next turn of the narrative will be. It was a perfect storm, the experts will say. Who coulda known? And besides (they will say), the origins of the pandemic dont matter any more. Go back to sleep. Thomas Frank is a Guardian US columnist. He is the author, most recently, of The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism
Alabama Senate passes bill to ban prescribing of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones for kids

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

In a near-unanimous vote, the Alabama Senate passed a ban on medicalized gender-transitioning of minors, outlawing the prescribing of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and performing genital mutilation and double mastectomies on youth younger than 19.

The bill, called the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, is sponsored by Republican state Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, and will soon head to the state House, which has already passed a companion bill. The final Senate vote was 23-4, according to multiple reports.

The passage comes after the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the southern states efforts last year.

Both versions of the bill make it a felony to use experimental drugs on youth younger than 19. Those who violate the law could face $15,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The bill also requires school staff in Alabama to disclose to parents that their childrens mental perception of their bodies  which is often referred to gender identity  is inconsistent with their biological sex.



"Children arent mature enough to make these decisions on surgeries and drugs. The whole point is to protect kids, said Shelnutt in an interview with The Associated Press.

In response to Democratic lawmakers and other opponents in the state who say that the legislation infringes on the rights of families to make medical care decisions, Shelnutt noted that state law does not allow minors to smoke or drink alcohol.

Alabama is among a handful of states presently considering such laws that assert that youth who identify as the opposite sex or suffer from gender dysphoria must wait until they are adults before undergoing any hormonal or surgical intervention gender-transition.

The Alabama vote comes on the heels of a testy exchange in the U.S. Senate last week where Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., questioned Dr. Rachel Levine, the Biden administrations nominee to serve as Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary, a trans-identifying man who believes he is a woman.



Dr. Levine, you have supported both allowing minors to be given hormone blockers to prevent them from going through puberty, as well as surgical destruction of a minors genitalia, Paul said during the hearing, highlighting their irreversible effects. Paul subsequently asked Levine: Do you believe that minors are capable of making such a life-changing decision as changing ones sex?

The nominee refused to answer, replying that the field of transgender medicine is very complex and nuanced field with robust research and standards of care that have been developed and that he would speak with Paul in his office about the particulars.



Paul pressed Levine by asking: Do you support the government intervening to override the parents consent to give a child puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and/or amputation surgery of breasts and genitalia?



Levine didn't provide an answer to that question and instead repeated an earlier response to a separate question. This led the Kentucky senator to ask that it be noted in the record that Levine refused to answer the question.

In 2017, Levine, who is the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, spoke at a conference at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster in support of chemical puberty suppression for youth who identify as the opposite sex to prevent them from going through the wrong puberty.



The increased pushback against the medicalization of gender in minors comes after a ruling late last year in a judicial review against the Tavistock gender clinic in London, England.

In the case brought by Keira Bell, a 23-year-old detransitioned woman  who identified as transgender during her teen years and underwent a medicalized gender-transition at the facility  the high court ruled that children younger than 16 were not capable of giving informed consent to experimental drugs like puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones.

Last month, in the academic journal PLOS ONE, a study was published that followed a cohort of 44 gender dysphoric children ages 12 to 15, who, like Bell, took puberty blockers at the Tavistock clinic. The research found that when the children completed chemical puberty blockade at age 16, their bone growth was reduced in both strength and height. Of the 44 youth in the cohort, 43 went on to take cross-sex hormones.



Last year, the legislative effort to ban medicalized gender-transitioning of minors in the Yellowhammer state followed an unsuccessful attempt to forbid such practices in South Dakota. The South Dakota House overwhelmingly passed a bill, but it was subsequently voted down in a Senate committee due to pressure from the Chamber of Commerce and transgender activists.






























The will announce the list of its candidates for the first and second phases of the Assembly elections on Friday, said BJP chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass. He also claimed that BJP and its allies would secure at least 100 seats out of a total of 126 seats in the state Legislative Assembly.

The party leaders informed that the list of BJP's candidates that are going to polls in two phases will be announced by today evening.

However, the candidature of the seats that have gone to its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) will be announced by the respective parties later.

Speaking to ANI, Dass confirmed that the list of candidates will be out by today evening.

"The list of candidates for seats going to polls in first and second phases will come out today. BJP's list will come out today whereas the AGP and the UPPL will declare their candidates after presidents of both parties announce the seat-sharing agreement which would be finalised very soon," he said.

Dass also said that a detailed discussion on seat sharing and alliance took place on Thursday under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda.

"We had discussed 86 Assembly seats that will go to polls in two phases. We held discussions over seats of BJP, AJP and UPPL. We have left the AJP seats to them for the announcement. We have given them a satisfactory number of seats," added the BJP leader.

"BJP and its allies would secure at least 100 seats out of a total of 126 seats," he asserted.

In 2016, BJP had won 60 of 84 seats it had contested. He also believes that the AGP will retain its 14 Assembly seats which it had won in the last elections.

"96 lakh people benefitted from government schemes. We can get 1 crore votes and out of 50 lakh members we have in the state and if they bring in one extra vote even then we get 1 crore votes. Total votes polled are approximately 1.60 crores and if we get 1 crore votes, who will form the government then? We have 60 seats plus add 14 seats of the AGP that it will retain," added the BJP President.

"We will add a few seats that were contested by Bodoland People's Front in the last elections. We have a chance to touch 100 seats," he added.

Out of 126 seats in Assam, 86 seats will be contested in the first two phases scheduled on March 27 and April 1 whereas the polling for the third phase will be held on April 6. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

In 2016, the BJP scripted history and formed the government for the first time in the state ending Congress's 15-year rule. BJP and its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) won a combined 86 seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly. BJP bagged 60 seats, AGP 14 and BPF 12 seats.

This time the BPF announced to join the Congress-led coalition 'Mahajath' after breaking away with the BJP-led alliance.
New tension over the boards power emerged on Thursday as Yogananda D. Pittman, the acting chief of the Capitol Police, appealed to House and Senate leaders to intercede to persuade the panel to grant her departments emergency request to extend the deployment of National Guard troops at the Capitol. She said the board had not acted on a plea she made in mid-February for authorization to retain about half the force, prompting confusion about the security status at the Capitol.

After Chief Pittmans letter to the leaders became public, the board gave its approval. But the episode was reminiscent of events in the run-up to Jan. 6, when the panel rebuffed a request from the Capitol Police for National Guard reinforcements to counter a threat that had been identified by intelligence, with disastrous consequences.

The 150-year-old board is a vestige of the days when the Capitol grounds were patrolled by a few watchmen. Its capabilities have not kept up with the explosive growth of the department, traditional police force management or the contemporary threat environment, resulting in disarray and inaction on Jan. 6 and in the days leading up to the riot.

Under the current system, the board has broad authority for Capitol security and the police force and consists of the sergeants-at-arms of the House and the Senate, who are chosen by the leader of each chamber, and the architect of the Capitol, the Senate-confirmed official responsible for buildings and other facilities on the grounds. The chief of the Capitol Police, who must be approved by the board, is a nonvoting member.

At House and Senate hearings in recent days, lawmakers have been struck by the fact that two days before the attack, members of the board dismissed the Capitol Police request for troops to be on hand on Jan. 6. They acted with no vote, little discussion or consultation with other authorities, and no involvement by the architect of the Capitol. Then on the day of the riot, board members struggled to connect and agree to declare an emergency so that troops who were standing by to assist could be summoned to the Capitol.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio  A 3-year-old boy is expected to be OK after he was attacked and stabbed by his adult neighbor Thursday while standing in the driveway of his home, reports say.

The female suspect has been taken into custody, Fox 19 reports. Police tell Fox 19 they suspect there might have been underlying issues and that the woman is receiving treatment.

The incident occurred at about 8:45 a.m., police tell WLWT Channel 5. The boy was walking to a school bus with other children when the woman attacked, stabbing the boy in the neck and back, reports say.

The boys mother immediately called 911 after the attack. A juvenile female who lives nearby and was taking classes online saw the attack and told her teacher to call for help, WCPO Channel 9 reports. WLWT and Fox 19 report the student is the daughter of the suspect.

The teacher, Mindy Corradi of Mason High School, called 911, Fox 19 reports.

That student stepped up, that teacher did a terrific job and immediately having the wherewithal to make sure the student was safe and to then call 911, Mason Schools Spokesperson Tracey Carson tells WCPO. Even in tragedies like this we are grateful that there are little moments that give us hope.

Reports say the boy was taken to a hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Police said no charges have been filed yet against the suspect, whose identity has not been released.

More crime-related content on cleveland.com:

Feds arrest suspect in kidnapping of Ohio woman, but victim still missing

Man jumps counter, robs 3 tellers at Shaker Heights bank

Man armed with handgun robs Akron Walgreens

Cleveland police officer resigns amid accusations of sharing info with drug-crime suspects


The "Spain Gift Card and Incentive Card Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics (Databook): Spend Analysis by Digital/e-Gift Card, Retail Corporate Consumers, Top Retailers, Distribution Channel, Occasions, and Demographics Jan 2021 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The gift card market in 2020 was driven by a wide range of factors, which supported growth across retail and corporate segments. The primary factors included growth of ecommerce, increased adoption to incentivize employees working remotely, digital gifting, and initiatives undertaken by government, hospitality, and travel industries to revive growth. Though the gift card market was impacted due to COVID-19, the market is expected to bounce back in the coming quarters, especially in H1 2021.

The gift card industry in Spain has done well to withstand the impact of economic slowdown along with negative business and consumer sentiment due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Historically, the gift card market in Spain has recorded a steady growth with a CAGR of 6.2% during 2016-2020. The gift card industry in the country is expected to grow by 9.4% on annual basis to reach US$ 3378.6 million in 2021.

Despite near-term challenges in 2021, the medium to long term growth story of gift cards in Spain remains strong. The gift card industry in Spain is expected to grow steadily in H1 2021 and record a strong growth in H2 2021. The growth momentum is expected to continue to grow over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 7.2% during 2021-2025. The gift card market in the country will increase from US$ 3089.7 million in 2020 to reach US$ 4456.3 million by 2025.

This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of gift cards and corporate incentive cards market along with consumer behaviour and retail spend dynamics in Spain. With over 200 KPIs at country level, this report provides comprehensive understanding of gift and incentive card market dynamics.

The report includes raw data along with structured dashboards, charts, and tables in an interactive Excel format.

Below is a summary of country level trend analyses covered across gift card segments:

Total gift market: This report provides detailed view of overall spend on gifts, broken down by retail and consumer segments. For both retail and consumer segments, this report provides a breakdown of spend on gifts by product categories (13 segments) and retail sectors (7 segments).

Gift cards: Drawing from proprietary survey results, this report provides in-depth analysis of opportunities in both open loop and closed loop prepaid gift card categories. Assesses consumer behaviour by type of consumer (retail and corporate SMB, Mid-Tier, Large Enterprise), gifting occasion, digital gift card (e-gift card), and market share by retail sectors.

Details six essential KPIs: number of cards in circulation, load value, unused value, average purchase value, average value per transaction, and value of transactions.

Corporate incentive loyalty cards: This report provides detailed market dynamics of corporate incentive cards, broadly segmented in three categories consumer incentive card, employee incentive card, and sales/partner incentive card. It details market size and forecast at category level, by functional attribute (open loop and closed loop), and by corporate consumer segments (small scale business, mid-size business, and enterprise business).

Digital gift card (e-gift card) analysis: Provides market size and forecast for digital gift cards, broken down by retail and corporate buyers. It also includes gift card spend by occasion (retail festivals special celebration days, milestone celebration, self-use, other; Corporate incentive cards -consumer incentive card, employee incentive card, and sales/partner incentive card). The report also includes digital gift card adoption by company size.

Open loop and closed loop: Provides market estimates and forecasts to assess opportunities in open loop and closed loop gift and incentive card segments across consumer segments.

Consumer attitude and behaviour: Drawing from proprietary survey results, this report identifies and interprets key KPIs related to gift card dynamics including spend by age, gender, and income level.

Retail spend: Breaks down retail spend across retail sectors to provide detailed insights on consumer behaviour and changing dynamics of gift card spend.

Market share by retailer: Provides market share of closed loop gift cards by key retailers in Spain.

Distribution channel analysis: Provides market share by distribution channel online vs offline sales and 1st party vs 3rd party sales.

Key Retailers Covered Include:

El Corte Ingles SA

Carrefour SA

Eroski Grupo

Auchan Group SA

Inditex, Industria de Diseno Textil SA

Schwarz Beteiligungs GmbH

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/z36gm1

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005156/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
Tips for Planning a Food-Based Vacation

We have friends we love dearly who are accomplished home cooks and avid travelers. From the moment we met them, my husband, Andrew, and I were drawn to their stories, particularly about food.

These friends love food with a passion that is contagious. They are always in search of the best, flakiest croissant or the freshest seafood the market offers, but never in a pretentious way. They are simply food enthusiasts and take immense joy in a high-quality culinary experience.

A few years ago, when these friends invited us to go on a food-based trip to Savannah, Georgia, Andrew and I said yes immediately. We barely considered that we had a 4-month-old baby or that our schedule was no longer conducive to long, leisurely dinners out at nice restaurants. We wanted to see Savannah through the eyes of our food-loving friends, who had lived there years ago while managing a bed and breakfast.

A specialty food shop in Bologna, Italy. (Channaly Philipp/The Epoch Times)

Savannah is full of gorgeous parks, live oak trees, and old buildings, but what stood out to me the most from our trip was the food. Our friends showed us where to get the fluffiest biscuits downtown and where to sit along the canal with a latte and a baked good so that we felt like we were in France. We enjoyed fresh grouper while our infant daughter slept in the car seat at our feet, and tasted jumbo shrimp dockside on Tybee Island.

The entire trip, from start to finish, was a delight for the senses, and I felt like the way we had really seen Savannah was through its food.

The Cheese Shop in Des Moines, Iowa. (Crystal Shi/The Epoch Times)

Food and Culture

When I recently interviewed cookbook author Regula Ysewijn, we spoke about the impact of food on culture. Indeed, a cultures food tells a story about its heritage, pride, and values.

Food-based vacations are a great way to explore a new area because food is always more than just food. Markets, restaurants, vendors, and even grocery stores can teach us so much about what is important to a city or region.

Traveling, and food-based traveling, looks a little different in our current season, but its still possible. If a food-based trip is something youve always wanted to, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Tofu dishes at Tousuiro restaurant in Kyoto, Japan, on Oct. 6, 2016. (Annie Wu/The Epoch Times)

Research Food Typical to the Region

When we traveled to Savannah, we knew wed be experiencing Southern comfort and low country food. We looked forward to fried chicken and waffles, fresh seafood, barbecue, and shrimp and grits. When we traveled to Tuscany, Italy, we expected to enjoy pasta, pizza, and wine. Of course, thats not all we ate during our trip: Savannah is home to a variety of restaurants and cuisines, and Tuscany surprised us with the quality of their bakeries, but doing a little research about what the region is known for goes a long way in picking out restaurants and deciding what to order on the menu.

Cheese at La Fiorida agriturismo in Mantello, Italy. (Channaly Philipp/The Epoch Times)

Use a Local Search Tool

Yelp is our best friend when were traveling, particularly when it comes to deciding what to eat. Before we travel, I often put together an itinerary of activities for each day. I then use Google Maps and Yelp to search around the areas I know well be in for the highest-rated restaurants. Google Maps has a feature where you can actually save your itinerary.

When we exit a museum or park at lunchtime, its helpful to choose between two restaurants, rather than 20.

Berries at the Vista farmers market in Vista, Calif. (The Epoch Times)

Pick Your Splurge Meal

Andrew and I have learned that the price of a meal restaurant doesnt always equate with quality. We like to economize on our trips, but we also like to enjoy one nice meal out. We put a great deal of research into this meal, wanting to make sure it will be worth our time and money.

We make the reservation before we even leave home so that we know there wont be issues getting in on the day of. Picking one splurge meal allows us to really enjoy and anticipate the food and the atmosphere.

When we went to Washington, D.C., a few years ago, I pored over different restaurants before picking Founding Farmers, a farm-to-table restaurant, for our splurge meal.

Tacos at Galaxy Taco in La Jolla, Calif. (Channaly Philipp/The Epoch Times)

Visit a Local Market

We havent yet visited a citys local market and been disappointed. In Pittsburgh, we loved wandering through the Strip District, buying a pizza roll or a pastry from a vendor. In Italy, the best coffee we had was bought on the go from a local bakery. Visiting local markets and vendors, more than any other place, shows the local vibe and flavor of a destination.

A spread of breakfast dishes at the Yunohara Inn, Akakura Onsen, Japan. (Annie Wu/The Epoch Times)

Ask Locals

Some of the best places and hidden gems are found by asking other locals. We like to ask our Airbnb hosts, waiters, or coffee shop baristas for recommendations for their favorite foods or restaurants. Once, we even had a great cooking class recommended to us.

Food-based vacations are a wonderful, memorable way to explore an area. Wishing you the best of luck as you plan your culinary adventure.

Rachael Dymski is an author, florist, and mom to two little girls. She is currently writing a novel about the German occupation of the Channel Islands and blogs on her website, RachaelDymski.com
Anna Naghdalyan, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, has responded to the questions of reporters. We present below these questions and her answers to them.

Speaking at the conference of Economic Cooperation Organizations, the President of Azerbaijan noted that the new transport corridor will pass through the historical territories of Azerbaijan, Zangezur, connecting the main part of Azerbaijan with its integral part, Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, and Turkey. Can you comment on this statement?

I stress once again that the Article 9 of the November 9 trilateral statement does not mention the establishment of a corridor.

With such a provocative statement, calling Zangezur an Azerbaijani historical land and making reference to an imaginary corridor, the President of Azerbaijan deliberately undermines the implementation of the November 9 and January 11 trilateral statements. Such rhetoric contradicts Azerbaijan's obligations; it is a blatant challenge to international law, it in no way contributes to the stability of the region and threatens all states in the region.

The President of Azerbaijan reiterated that the conflict has been resolved and the UN Security Council resolutions have been implemented. How would you comment on that?

The statements of the President of Azerbaijan that Azerbaijan has resolved the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by the use of force once again demonstrates who unleashed the war and who is leading the region through new challenges and further destabilization. As always, Azerbaijan distorts the provisions of the UN Security Council resolutions, while these same resolutions express their support for the Minsk Group peace process, headed by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

With his statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the President of Azerbaijan contradicts the position of the international community, and first of all, the position of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship and Co-Chair countries, which clearly emphasizes the imperative of comprehensive settlement of the conflict. It is obvious to us that the attempt to suppress the right of the people of Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] to self-determination through the use of force cannot create grounds for the settlement of the conflict. The realization of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and the elimination of the consequences of the war are the core elements of the peace process.


Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
INDIANAPOLIS  The Indiana Department of Health announced today that 879 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at state and private laboratories. That brings to 665,285 the number of Indiana residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous days dashboard.

A total of 12,263 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 32 from the previous day. Another 432 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record.



To date, 3,138,643 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 3,133,323 on Wednesday. A total of 8,171,222 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26, 2020.

Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard & Map

To find testing sites around the state, click here.

Hoosiers age 55 and older, along with healthcare workers, long-term care residents, and first responders who are regularly called to the scene of an emergency to render medical assistance, are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

To schedule, visit https://ourshot.in.gov or call 211.

As of today, 1,088,419 first doses of vaccine have been administered in Indiana, and 657,741 individuals are fully vaccinated.

The Indiana Department of Health is hosting mass vaccination clinics today through Monday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, March 12-13 at Ivy Tech Community College in Sellersburg, and March 26-27 at the University of Notre Dame. All appointments at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Ivy Tech clinics are booked, but appointments remain available at the Notre Dame clinic. An additional clinic is being planned in Gary the weekend of March 20. Details will be announced when they are finalized.

The state and its partners are adding more locations for you to get vaccinated including select Meijer, Kroger, & Walmart pharmacies across the state.

Vigo Countys three Kroger locations are included.

All locations will show up on the state's vaccination website.

It's important to note Meijer and Kroger will have their own appointment sign-up areas on their websites.
2021-03-03

Maeci

On 3 March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, held telephone talks with the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian.

The topics discussed included: the implementation of the 9/11 Trilateral Declaration, bilateral relations between Italy and Armenia, Italy's contribution to the future UNESCO mission in Nagorno Karabakh and surrounding areas and the entry into force of the CEPA.
[March 05, 2021] CGI's Southwest Virginia IT Delivery Center celebrates 15 years of continued service, economic impact and commitment to the Commonwealth of Virginia

FAIRFAX, Va., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Last month, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a resolution commemorating the 15th anniversary of the CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) Southwest Virginia IT Delivery Center in Lebanon, Virginia. This passage celebrates the long-standing partnership between IT and business consulting services firm CGI, Russell County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since the center dedication in 2006, CGI has worked closely with local, county and state leaders to align on targeted, positive impact through job creation, community involvement and civic engagement. The location was originally chosen for its quality of life, geographic proximity to large markets for IT services and proximity to nearly 30 colleges and universities. CGI celebrates the key contributions made by the Southwest Virginia IT Delivery Center, including a strong economic impact in the region and its support for the Commonwealth Connect Coalition, a coalition of over 80 other organizations dedicated to supporting the statewide effort of bringing universal broadband coverage to Virginia within the decade. "At CGI, we've undertaken an onshoring strategy outside traditional major metropolitan areas to provide IT workers with high-paying, skilled job opportunities within their home communities," stated Lynne Bushey, Senior Vice President, U.S. Mid Atlantic Business Unit Leader at CGI. "CGI is a global company that performs a wide range of business and IT services for commercial and government clients in the U.S. Over the past decade, we've worked in America's home towns to open delivery centers for our U.S. and global clients in locations not often assoiated with IT sector growth, like Lebanon."



Much of CGI's Southwest Virginia Center's success stems from its partnership with the Russell County Industrial Development Authority, Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, and the town of Lebanon. "Southwest Virginia's future depends on our ability to provide economic opportunity for our residents and our youngest generations," stated Delegate William C. Wampler III. "CGI's continued presence in Lebanon and dedication to our region is a great example of that opportunity."

Moreover, CGI's goal is to holistically invest in communities, not just tech talent. CGI supports the local area through several community outreach programs, including its flagship corporate social responsibility program, STEM@CGI, which introduces students to information technology early in their educational development. In Lebanon, CGI employees have taught an interactive STEM camp course to middle school students in the Russell Country Public School System. The closeness to the community evident, and it's reflected on the center's turnover rate, as employee turnover is far below industry standard. "CGI's onshoring strategy is about building and tapping into an underutilized source of IT talent within the U.S. through public-private partnerships" added Will LaBar, CGI's U.S. Center Lead. "These partnerships provide an innovative model to boost local economies by investing in the communities around them and forming innovative partnerships to drive educational and economic development. The loyalty of the workforce in Southwest Virginia is second to none and is reflected in the centers turnover rate being far below the industry standard." The 42,000-square-foot facility in the Russell Regional Business and Technology Park not only houses 375 software developers, analysts and consultants, it was the first of eight delivery centers established to offer on-shore services in the United States. Other locations include: Belton, TX; Lafayette, LA; Mobile and Troy, AL; Waterville, ME, Wausau, WI, and the newly established Knoxville, TN location. About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 76,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2020 reported revenue is C$12.16 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com. Stock Market Symbols

GIB (NYSE)

GIB.A (TSX)

www.cgi.com/newsroom View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgis-southwest-virginia-it-delivery-center-celebrates-15-years-of-continued-service-economic-impact-and-commitment-to-the-commonwealth-of-virginia-301241450.html SOURCE CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
When at last he landed at San Francisco International Airport on the evening of Feb. 26, Yar Zar Min worried he might not find his fiance in the terminal.

After nearly two years of navigating the complexities of the U.S. immigration system, a global pandemic and a surprise military coup in his native Myanmar, Yar Zar Min had reason to expect another setback would keep him from the man he loved. Instead, Kenny Kruse stood waiting with flowers.

When Yar Zar Min emerged from customs pushing a cartful of luggage, he saw Kruse holding a bouquet of red roses and a green poster that read, Welcome to San Francisco! and kiss kiss kiss! in Burmese  a playful postscript meant to embarrass him a little.

The couple, mostly alone in the sleepy terminal, embraced for the first time in 21 months.

I felt so relieved and so happy, Yar Zar Min, 32, told The Chronicle on Tuesday. I was grateful to see and hug him.

It felt so surreal, added Kruse, 34. Every morning, Im just like, I cant believe youre here.

Their long-awaited reunion overcame incredible obstacles.

Two years after the pair met in 2016, Kruse was back in the U.S., where he petitioned for a fiance visa in October 2018. The visa was finally granted this past January. But on Feb. 1, Myanmars military overthrew the countrys democratic government. For almost a month, Yar Zar Min was stuck in the southern city of Yangon, at times with no access to the internet or social media.

As Kruse worked to book his fiance on a relief flight, Yar Zar Min protested in a country that was, once again, falling under military rule.

It was hopeless and very scary, he said.

Now Playing: Video: Yalonda M. James / The Chronicle

Yar Zar Min said he spent his days marching alongside thousands of other Myanmar people, demanding the military withdraw and release civilian leaders such as Aung San Suu Kyi, the state counselor. Violence against anti-coup demonstrators escalated; at least 38 people have died since the coup began, according to news reports.

International criticism also increased, with public condemnations from the Biden administration and the United Nations. Facebook banned Myanmar military officials from using its platform.

After two flight cancellations, Yar Zar Min was able to board a plane on Feb. 25. He landed in San Francisco around 8 p.m. the next evening. He and Kruse have settled into Kruses two-bedroom apartment in Portola.

The couple go on daily morning walks before Kruse starts teaching high school English on Zoom. Yar Zar Min spends time tidying up the apartment, searching for news about Myanmar and cooking some of Kruses favorite dishes, including tea leaf rice and an array of curries. He said hes eager to get a job and enroll in school in the coming months.

For Yar Zar Min, the move to San Francisco marks a profound new beginning. He lived as a closeted gay man in Myanmar, where homosexuality is criminalized. His family and most of his friends dont know that hes gay, he said.

Starting over in a city known around the world for its acceptance of LGBTQ people fills him with hope, he said.

I hope it will be easier to live as a gay man in San Francisco, he said. In Myanmar, we cannot hold hands while we walk or things like that. But now, we dont have to care about anything like that. We can hold each other.

Immigrants who enter the U.S. on a K-1 fiance visa must marry their partner within 90 days to apply for a green card. Kruse and Yar Zar Min plan to get married virtually on March 19  a fitting union for a couple that, for many months, could only rely on a screen to bridge their distance.

Tatiana Sanchez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @TatianaYSanchez
[March 05, 2021] Robotic Assistance Devices Announces Dealer Agreement with St. Moritz Security Services

Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (News - Alert) , Inc., (OTCPK:AITX), today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD) has entered into an agreement with St. Moritz Security Services, Inc., one of the ten largest security firms in North America. Through this agreement, St. Moritz broadens its offering to include all of RAD's autonomous remote security solutions. "We are thrilled to now be able to offer RAD's remarkable security solutions to our clients," said Matthew Schwartz, CEO at St. Moritz. "End-users are looking for cost-effective and innovative alternatives to traditional manned-guarding, and the solutions that RAD offers fit perfectly into our business model," Schwartz concluded. St. Moritz achieved over $100 million in annual revenue in 2019, which ranks them as one of the largest American-owned security companies in the U.S. and in the top 2% of all security companies worldwide. St. Moritz has thirty offices nationwide, and covers the entire U.S. and Canada. Their sales pipeline with RAD is already active with up to fifty units, a mix of RAD ROSA and AVA units, expected to close soon. These devices will be deployed at the distribution centers for a nationwide furniture retailer. Additional details will be disclosed in a future announcement. "It's a great honor to welcome St. Moritz to the RAD dealer channel," said Steve Reinharz, President and CEO of RAD. "Their impressive client base and their commitment to delivering excellent service aligns very well with our objectives. We anticipate great opportunities in supporting St. Moritz as we roll out RAD solutions to their end-users." Specifics of the agreement were not disclosed, but the company confirmed that the agreement covers all RAD security devices, mobile and stationary, including the popular ROSA and AVA units. These two solutions areexperiencing an acceleration in market acceptance due to their low-cost and high-performance in expanding a facility's security operations.



Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD) is a high-tech start-up that delivers robotics and artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex security challenges, and fuel new business ideas at reduced costs. RAD developed its advanced security robot technology from the ground up including circuit board design, and base code development. This allows RAD to have complete control over all of design elements, performance, quality and the user's experience of all security robots whether SCOT, ROSA, Wally, Wally HSO, AVA, or ROAMEO. Read about how RAD is reinventing the security services industry by downloading the Autonomous Remote Services Industry Manifesto. CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this news release other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" that are based on current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the ability of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions to provide for its obligations, to provide working capital needs from operating revenues, to obtain additional financing needed for any future acquisitions, to meet competitive challenges and technological changes, to meet business and financial goals including projections and forecasts, and other risks. Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement(s) and/or to confirm the statement(s) to actual results or changes in Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions expectations. About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX) AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITX's RAD and RAD-M companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services, and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staffs and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai and www.roboticassistancedevices.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter (News - Alert) @SteveReinharz. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005091/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Advertisement

Minneapolis' downtown area is being fortified as the city braces for the commencement of Derek Chauvin's murder trial.

Photographs taken by DailyMail.com on Friday show concrete pillars and barbed wire fences have already been erected around the Hennepin County Courthouse where the trial is set to begin Monday with jury selection.

Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter over the death of unarmed black man George Floyd, which occurred in the city last Memorial Day.

Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes while arresting him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill. Floyd, 46, lost consciousness during that time and he later died.

Floyd's death sparked passionate protests in the streets of Minneapolis, but they quickly turned destructive. 1,500 businesses were damaged, destroyed or looted across the city with the damage bill totaling close to $1 billion.

Two days after Floyd's death, Chauvin was indicted on third-degree murder, before the charge was later dropped at the behest of a trial judge.

But on Friday, The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that the judge was wrong to drop that charge - sparking speculation that it may soon be reinstated.

Legal scholars told the Star Journal that they believe 'adding third-degree murder to the case could be a strategic move to give jurors more opportunities to convict Chauvin' because it may be viewed as a 'middle-ground' between the two other charges.

In Minnesota, second-degree murder is punishable by up to 40 years in prison, while third-degree murder is punishable by up to 25 years.

Minneapolis' downtown area is being turned into a fortress as the city braces for the commencement of Derek Chauvin's trial

Photographs taken by DailyMail.com on Friday show barbed wire and metal barricades have already been erected around the Hennepin County Courthouse where the trial is set to start Monday with jury selection

Local businesses in the area are also boarding up in anticipation of the trial

'We don't want it to happen again': Tawfiq Wazwaz, manager of grocery and tobacco store AM Gift Shop, told the Wall Street Journa l he was 'nervous' after having spent tens of thousands of dollars repairing damage and hiring security to protect his business last summer

One City Council member Phillipe Cunningham claimed that the barricades and fences are making 'folks feel unsafe in a different kind of way'

Former white Minneapolis police officer Chauvin (left) is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter over the killing of George Floyd (right) after he knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes

George Floyd died on Memorial Day as he was arrested by four police officers over allegedly trying to buy cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill. He was seen in a video pleading that he couldn't breathe as Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against his neck

Jury selection for the trial is set to begin on Monday, and a coalition of 17 activist groups have vowed to stage a large peaceful protest outside the courthouse.

Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng - the three other police officers who were present at the time of Floyd's death - face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter and will stand trial separately in August.

Meanwhile, businesses in the area are also boarding up in anticipation of the trial.

Tawfiq Wazwaz, manager of grocery and tobacco store AM Gift Shop, told the Wall Street Journal he was 'nervous' after having spent tens of thousands of dollars repairing damage and hiring security to protect his business last summer.

'We don't want what happened in the past to happen again,' he said.

Jay Chau, the owner of a family-owned hair salon near the Minneapolis fifth police precinct, told Fox News it took months to rebuild his business after it was looted and flooded in the summer.

'A lot of the suffering were minority business owners too, you know, and a lot of us start from scratch and it just takes time to heal. Hopefully we can all work together,' Chau said.

Despite buildings being fenced off and boarded up, Mayor Jacob Frey insisted that the city is still functioning as normal

City, state and federal leaders held their last security briefings Thursday just days before what will be one of the most high-profile and most closely watched trials the US has ever seen kicks off

Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng - the three other police officers who were present at the time of Floyd's death - face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter and will stand trial separately in August

The beefed up security is costing Minneapolis and Hennepin County officials at least $1 million including $420,000 on the courthouse alone, reported the Star Tribune

Workers erect fencing at the government HQ Wednesday. Businesses and government buildings have boarded up as the city braces for the start of Derek Chauvin's trial

A government building in downtown Minneapolis has been boarded up in anticipation of violence ahead of the commencement of Chauvin's trial

Boarded windows at the Hennepin County Government Headquarters in Minneapolis. Minneapolis has launched a massive security effort including putting 2,000 National Guard members and 1,100 cops on the streets

Behind two layers of fencing with barbed wire in between, a board that was put over windows at this government building

Some business owners, however, are refusing to board up their businesses and say they are relying on police and other government officials to offer protections.



'We're going to operate six days a week as normal,' one local restaurant manager in the downtown area told KARE 11.

Others even believe that the trial could boost business, given that there will be a flurry of activity around the downtown area.

'We're planning on being open because people got to work, and there's a lot of security guards that need to eat, news people need to eat and people who are just downtown for whatever reason,' a cafe owner told CBS Local.

Meanwhile, city, state and federal leaders held their last security briefings Thursday just days before what will be one of the most high-profile and most closely watched trials the US has ever seen kicks off.

Dubbed 'Operation Safety Net' (ONS), the multi-agency security plan includes closures of certain public buildings and streets, extra security from law enforcement and National Guard troops and the launch of a city website to keep residents up to date.

The beefed up security is costing Minneapolis and Hennepin County officials at least $1 million including $420,000 on the courthouse alone, reported the Star Tribune.

The intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, where Floyd died, will also be closed off for the duration of the trial.

Officials said preparations had been months in the making with a total of 2,000 guard members and 1,100 police officers, many from other jurisdictions, ready to be deployed - after the city was caught off guard last summer and was forced to call in emergency help from the National Guard.

Any use of tear gas or other nonlethal methods of crowd dispersal will be required to be approved directly by the police chief under a court order, after shocking footage emerged last summer of some cops and federal agents using violent tactics against demonstrators.

A gate allowing visitors to access the US District Court Barriers near Minneapolis City Hall at the Government Center

Law enforcement officers open a gate on a fenced perimeter outside the Hennepin County Government Center on Thursday

A man walks past layers of barbed wire fence and razor wire in front of the Hennepin County Government Headquarters. Barbed wire and metal barricades have already been erected around the Hennepin County Courthouse where Chauvin's murder trial is set to start Monday with the jury selection

Activists have plastered the wire fencing with Black Lives Matter signs ahead of Chauvin's trial

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey explained the heightened security by saying 'safety is a top priority through this very difficult time in our city'.

'We're hearing several common themes. One of them is concern over this question of additional law enforcement and mutual aid,' he said Wednesday.

'How those additional law enforcement and mutual aid will be interfacing with peaceful protestors.'

Despite buildings being fenced off and boarded up, he insisted that the city is still functioning as normal.

'In Minneapolis, we are open for business. People should go about their normal day-to-day activities as usual,' he told the Biz Journal.

However several city leaders and activist groups have been critical of the level of security measures going up around the city which is sparking concerns officials are gearing up for a 'not guilty' verdict.

City Council President Lisa Bender warned that a heavy police and National Guard presence could create a more hostile environment between law enforcement and demonstrators at a time of increased tensions between law enforcement and the community.

'I don't think that we can police our way out of police violence,' Bender said in a public hearing Monday.

City Council member Phillipe Cunningham added that the 'heavy-handed' presence is making 'folks feel unsafe in a different kind of way'.

People wait to conduct business at the Hennepin County Government Center on Thursday. A law enforcement officer is pictured speaking with one man from the inside a fenced perimeter

Dubbed 'Operation Safety Net' (ONS), the multi-agency security plan includes closures of certain public buildings and streets, extra security and the launch of a city website to keep residents up to date

Metal scaffolding poles sit ready to be used for construction on the Minneapolis City Hall

Following Floyd's death on May 25, protests spiraled out of control. Over the course of the next week, two people were killed in ensuing violence, 604 people were arrested, and 1,500 properties were either looted, destroyed or damaged.

The damage bill for that week alone was upward of $500 million - and marked the second-most destructive period of local unrest in United States history, after the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

The total damage bill is now reported to be closer to $1 billion.

Jury selection for Chauvin's trial could take up to three weeks starting Monday with opening arguments not expected to be heard until the end of March.

Prosecutors say Chauvin murdered Floyd with the county medical examiner ruling his death a homicide from 'cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression.'

The defense says Floyd died from the drugs found in his system and his pre-existing heart disease.

Chauvin was arrested back in May after footage surfaced online of Floyd's Memorial Day killing in the streets of Minneapolis.

A construction site burns in a large fire near the Third Police Precinct on May 27, 2020 following Floyd's death

The damage bill from the riots reportedly neared $1 billion. Officials are eager to prevent similar destruction from playing out amid Chauvin's trial

Protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis in the weeks following Floyd's death. Hundreds were arrested following clashes with cops. Pictured: Police react with pepper spray as protesters outside the Minneapolis police 3rd Precinct on May 27

Pictured (left to right): Former officers Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao in their mugshots. The three other cops have been charged with aiding and abetting and will stand trial August

Chauvin is accused of murdering Floyd, 46, during his arrest on May 25 for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store.

The white cop was caught on camera kneeling on the black man's neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd begged for his life and said 'I can't breathe' and onlookers pleaded with the officers to stop.

Chauvin, Thao, Lane and Kueng were all fired the next day and the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launched an investigation.

Chauvin, who it transpired had been subject to at least 12 conduct reports with Minneapolis Police Department since 2001, was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter at the end of May.

Floyd's family called for the charges to be upgraded to murder in the first degree.

In June Chauvin was handed another charge of second-degree murder.

A judge then dismissed the third-degree murder charge against Chauvin in October saying prosecutors did not have probable cause for the charge because they did not prove that Chauvin's actions were a danger to anyone other than Floyd.

Under Minnesota law, a person is guilty of third-degree murder if 'without intent to effect the death of any person, [the defendant] causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life'.

The charge is rarely used in Minnesota and carries a maximum prison sentence of 25 years.

Thao, Lane and Kueng were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. They each face up to 40 years in prison.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
New Delhi:

For patients going to citys All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound scans and other diagnostic procedures will be free in the near future.

The countrys premier state-run institute, which treats patients from Delhi and across the country, also plans to discontinue with admission and out-patient registration charges.

We realised that charges for several tests and procedures at AIIMS were minimal and generated nominal revenue. So, we have proposed to remove user charges for any test or procedure costing less than Rs 500, director Randeep Guleria told Hindustan Times on Tuesday.

AIIMS has capped at Rs 500 the fee for several tests that are almost 10 times more expensive in private labs and hospitals. All such tests will become free once the decision is implemented, which is expected to be initiated within a few weeks.

Around 10,000 people visit the out-patient department every day and at any moment, more than 2,000 patients are admitted to the hospital.

The hospital earns Rs 101 crore per year from these charges which include registration charges, admission fee and diagnostics tests.

The process of gathering these charges, which are highly subsidised, was more expensive than the than the revenue generated, officials in the AIIMSs finance department said.

The cost of tests and treatment in AIIMS is also cheap which is one of the reasons there are a lot of patients visiting AIIMS for whom treatment at private hospitals is an expensive affair.

To compensate for the loss, the hospital is planning to increase the private room charges, which is around Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000 per day.



We will cross-subsidise the treatment of the poor patients by increasing the cost of the private wards minimally, may be by Rs 200 to Rs 500. In fact, this way the hospital will also generate more revenue, Guleria said. The hospital has 266 private rooms.

Even if the charge goes up by only Rs 500, AIIMS will still be more inexpensive as compared to private hospitals where such a room can cost anywhere between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000.

The tests too would be cheaper.

In AIIMS an X-ray costs as little as Rs 30 and can go up to Rs 300, depending on the body part whereas Private labs and hospitals charge between Rs 300 and Rs 1,000 which are quite expensive.

The move to remove the user charge will also make it easier for patients to get tests done.

Usually patients have to queue up to pay for a procedure and then queue up for the actual procedure. This can be daunting for patients, especially those travelling from other parts of the country and coming to the hospital for the first time, Guleria said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi: Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday (March 5) issued a statement on the current situation at the India-China border, which witnessed violent clashes between the troops of the two Asian nations at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the eastern part of Ladakh.

On the India-China border situation, Russian spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, "We continue to monitor the situation at the China-India border. We welcome the agreements reached by the foreign ministers of China and India during the phone conversation on February 25, 2021."

"We respect the parties resolve to settle the situation without foreign interference and within the existing framework of the multi-level mechanisms of bilateral dialogue," her statement said.

Live TV

Maria Zakharova added, "We hope that both states, being responsible members of the international community, will be able to find mutually acceptable peaceful ways to resolve the tension as soon as possible."
After 10,000 vaccinations against COVID-19 in Ukraine, some 126 minor allergic reactions were recorded, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during the Hour of questions to the government in the Verkhovna Rada on Friday.

"We have recorded 126 reactions (1.2%) per 10,000. These are minor allergic reactions, such as reddening of the skin at the injection site, fever up to 37-38.5 degrees, which lasts for several hours," he said.

The Minister said that these reactions are individual characteristics of a person, they appear with the introduction of any immunobiological drug.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Commissioners, Vaux discuss shortage in affordable housing

Codington County commissioners and Mark Vaux, new executive director of the Watertown Development Company, discussed issues Tuesday.
Peter Tomlinson, of Cowes, Isle of Wight, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of child sexual abuse for which he paid a total of 10,000 during a four-year period

A former Chamber of Commerce boss who spent thousands of pounds live-streaming 'thoroughly deprived' sexual abuse of children as young as 10 in the Philippines has been jailed for 18 years.

Peter Tomlinson, of Cowes, Isle of Wight, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of child sexual abuse for which he paid a total of 10,000 during a four-year period.

The 63-year-old businessman and former president of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce made 127 transactions to accounts in the Philippines between May 2015 and April 2017 to pay for the live-streamed abuse, Newport Crown Court heard.

And the investigators found that he had also repeatedly paid one mother for the abuse of two young girls, one aged 10, between May 2018 and February 2019.

In one exchange in January 2019, Tomlinson said he would pay the woman 7.66 if she performed a sex act on the girl.

When arrested at his home, he told police: 'The thing you're looking for is on my computer in there.

'It is my escape from reality. That is all it is. No-one in my family is at harm, my life is over.'

Sentencing Tomlinson, Judge David Melville QC, described the defendant as 'highly dangerous towards young children' and said: 'This was thoroughly depraved conduct.'

He added: 'The idea a mother could be persuaded to do this to her children is appalling to right-thinking people and was doubtless brought on by the destitution of the people you were transferring what was in your life very modest sums of money but to them of course it was considerable sums of money.'

He order Tomlinson to serve a five-year extended period of licence on the completion of his prison sentence.

Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, told the court that Tomlinson used the nickname Buzz but also provided his real name during the online interactions with a trafficker who was detained and her two daughters taken into care.

She said: 'Mr Tomlinson requested these types of video and provided instruction on the type of abuse he wanted.'

The 63-year-old businessman and former president of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce made 127 transactions to accounts in the Philippines between May 2015 and April 2017 to pay for the live-streamed abuse, Newport Crown Court (pictured) heard

Elisabeth Bussey-Jones, defending, said her client had attempted to take his own life and was remorseful for his actions.

She said: 'He was not just a person of good character, he was a person of considerable standing and respect within the community.'

A National Crime Agency spokesman said: 'Investigators unearthed proof of thousands of messages between Tomlinson and the Filipino facilitator - who has been arrested and the children safeguarded.

'They exchanged 4,166 lines of chat on Skype - 358 indicated to be video calls and 3,809 text messages.

'During those calls Tomlinson repeatedly asked for 'harder' abuse footage, spelling out what he wanted to see and then complaining about what he received.'

In June 2018 he paid the woman 12.99 and then complained saying for that price: 'I will expect a show with two girls for 30 minutes.

Communication between Tomlinson and the woman was at all times of the day and night with him telling her: 'I am busy in meetings' and 'Im still working.'

His electronic devices contained 47 category A images (the most severe), 148 category B, 353 category C and 46 extreme images.

There was also evidence of more victims of live-streaming abuse including an indecent image of a girl aged about eight.
Ive been thinking a lot this week about Uncle Vernon in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. Theres a scene in the book and film where it is a Sunday and Uncle Vernon  who has been trying all week to stop his nephew Harry from receiving a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry  is happy and relieved. He believes that letters must be delivered through the British postal service and therefore he will get no letters on a Sunday. But then dozens of owls descend on Privet Drive and a flood of letters pelt down the fireplace and bounce off the walls. Loading Those, such as Morrison and his MPs, who insist that the criminal justice system is the only and proper place for allegations of sexual assault share Uncle Vernons misplaced faith in institutions. When only a tiny fraction of sexual assault perpetrators are charged, when even the police themselves admit these crimes are under-reported, under-prosecuted and under-convicted, it seems no longer enough to just say go to the police. And as long as there is no systemic change, the message, these stories and past hurts, will continue to be delivered through every available channel, proper or not. Women are fed up with the systems inadequate response and when survivors see that a person such as [former Liberal political staffer and alleged Parliament House rape victim] Brittany Higgins is believed, it encourages them to stand in solidarity, says Dr Rachael Burgin, a lecturer in criminology at Swinburne University of Technology and chair of Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy. Thats why we are seeing these waves of women coming forward. Its also about strength in numbers. Ending the silence  speaking up  is crucial when you consider the long history of rape and sexual assault and how society deals with it. As British classics professor Mary Beard wrote in her 2017 manifesto Women & Power, the silencing of women after rape is embedded in the foundations of Western literature: it is in Ovids Metamorphoses, when the rapist of the young princess Philomela silences her by cutting her tongue out and in Shakespeares Titus Andronicus, in which the raped Lavinia has her tongue ripped out.

Loading It is only in the past few decades that women have had the confidence to stand up in public and accuse men of rape, sexual assault or harassment. And this has often been done outside of the criminal justice system: think of Anita Hills 1991 sexual harassment testimony to US Congress against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. The #MeToo movement, which coalesced around allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, turbocharged the issue of sexual assault  leading to a flood of resignations from high-profile men. But critics accused it of having elements of a witch hunt and some men, most notably Australian actor Geoffrey Rush, were successful in court cases arising from #MeToo allegations. The current movement in Australia started with Brittany Higgins, who went public last month about her 2019 alleged rape by a Liberal staffer colleague. Higgins cited the courage of Tame, who was raped for six months as a 15-year-old by a 58-year-old teacher at her private girls school in Hobart. As women around Australia started to, again, have conversations about their experiences of harassment and assault, Chanel Contos, a 22-year-old former student of Sydneys Kambala girls school, chatted to her friends. We ... basically realised we had unlimited rape stories to share from our friends from these different schools, she said. Her online plea for similar stories received a deluge of heartbreaking and disturbing testimonies, about 2000 of which are published on her website Teachusconsent.com. Amid all of this came the anonymous letter to Parliament that accused Porter of a girls rape in 1988 when she was 16 and he was 17. Porter strenuously denies the allegation.

The reckoning we are now seeing in Australia is different from the first #MeToo wave. It is much more careful about openly accusing individuals: Higgins accuser was not publicly named, Porter was not named until he outed himself, and all of Contos testimonials are anonymised. Chanel Contos has campaigned for better education around consent. Credit:Liliana Zaharia This wave is also much more focused on specific reform: Contos and the 27,000 people who support her petition are calling for better consent education in school, and Higgins is calling for an overhaul of the culture in politics and Parliament House. When you look at what women are calling for, there are at least five areas that need reform: leadership, sexual harassment processes, consent education, cultural change and making the criminal justice system work better for sexual assault victims and survivors. Leadership from Canberra is vitally important because it signals to women that the issue is taken seriously. What we saw with Higgins was a person who was treated as a political problem rather than as a human being who had suffered an alleged assault. Morrison has plenty of reform ahead of him to improve the complaint processes of Canberra as a workplace, but theres also cultural change required to make the nations capital a less toxic place when it comes to gender (think of the treatment of Julia Gillard, the slut-shaming of Sarah Hanson-Young, and Peter Dutton calling press gallery journalist Samantha Maiden a mad f---ing witch).

Exactly a year ago today, the Australian Human Rights Commission delivered a landmark report on sexual harassment to Minister for Women Marise Payne. Overwhemingly, the commission found, systems to address sexual harassment in Australia were complex and confusing for victims and employers and placed a heavy burden on individuals to make a complaint. The report cited evidence that in the five years prior to 2018, 39 per cent of women and 26 per cent of men had experienced workplace sexual harassment. Payne announced $2.1 million in last years budget to help prevent sexual harassment in Australian workplaces but, a year on, the Morrison government has not responded to the reports 55 recommendations. Of all the events of the last two weeks, Contos call for better consent education in schools has had the most immediate, on-the-ground impact. The nations private schools have gone into a tailspin, with guest speakers being rushed in to give talks about consent and well-do-better letters to parents. [The] accounts were individually shocking and cumulatively harrowing, wrote Newington College headmaster Michael Parker. In articulating their experiences, [these women] have forced us to acknowledge that the answer to the question Is what we do enough? is a simple no. Of course misogyny from private school boys is nothing new. In 2019, a female tram passenger captured boys from St Kevins College, a prestigious Melbourne Catholic boys school, shouting the lyrics: I wish that all the ladies/ Were holes in the road/ And if I was a dump truck/ Id fill them with my load. But, thanks to Contos, there seems a real opportunity here to open up the conversation about consent. That begins with some basic things: pressuring women into sex is not consensual sex. If women fear they are going to be attacked, they will try to minimise the physical risk to themselves. There are well-understood, well-studied psychological reactions to traumatic situations that mean that women may not speak out or struggle, such as the freeze reponse where they become immobilised when subjected to sexual violence or the fawn response (placating the attacker to avoid escalation of violence).

But changing attitudes is going to take more than just better consent education. Maree Crabbe is the author of In the Picture, a sexuality education resource for secondary schools that includes video clips, class notes and guidelines for teachers and principals to help teenagers deal with the influence of pornography. This week shes had several private schools on the phone seeking her expertise. When Crabbe read the testimonies on Contos site she saw clear evidence of the influence of pornography  the coercion, the language, the focus on male pleasure, the failure to negotiate free and full consent. She says the problem is widespread  not just in private schools - but we need to look beyond pornography at all of the cultural influences on young men, from gendered messages in the family home to sport, media, video games, YouTube clips and action movies. Maree Crabbe says the problem we confront goes beyond the pernicious influence of online pornography. Credit:Damian White Whether it is in Parliament House or peoples bedrooms, in universities or whatever setting, we have a real problem with gender inequality and thats the driver of violence against women. So you cant just talk in the school classroom about equality and respect and need for consent in sexual contexts. We need those messages to be conveyed right across our culture, says Crabbe. The cultural context doesnt always nurture young men to be healthy, whole, respectful and generous human beings. Young men talk about the pressure from their peers to keep silent, to live up to expectations around being sexually experienced and being tough.

Meanwhile, young women bear the brunt of all of this and while society suggests that they just say No, we need to remember their cultural context and the messages given to them about being agreeable and pleasing and not difficult and frigid in a sexual context. Crabbe is calling for a national conversation about enthusiastic consent: which means more than just agreeing or acquiescing to pressure or expectations. It means engaging in sexual acts because the participants really want to. We need to help young people aspire to a model of sexuality that is positive, fulfilling and joyful because the priority for everybody involved in a sexual interaction is to ensure the enthusiasm and enjoyment of everyone else. Although the criminal justice system continues to fail sexual crimes complainants, it is important to note there have been significant improvements. Police in some states now have specialist teams dealing with rape allegations, there are one-stop shops set up for victims, and complainants nationally can choose to give evidence via video. Judges are allowed to direct juries on some stereotypes and misconceptions about sex crimes. When I asked the Victorian and NSW Police about what their message to victims was this week, they encouraged people to come forward. Our message to victims is that you will be listened to, a Victoria Police spokesperson said. The NSW police encouraged victims to keep reporting, even if they didnt want to continue with a complaint, pointing to a recent case of one alleged rapist, now before the courts, who was only charged because police joined the dots between five similar but separate complaints. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video

But advocates such as Burgin are pushing for changes to how the law deals with consent. Tasmania, says Burgin, is the only state with the gold star standard of affirmative consent embedded in law. This means that if an alleged rapist wants to rely on the defence that he reasonably believed he had consent, he must prove steps were taken to ascertain consent. Victoria has these steps in its laws but they are not compulsory, and a recent NSW Law Reform Commission report failed to recommend that the law be changed in that state for embedded affirmative consent. We can tinker at the sides of the criminal justice system forever but we wont see any substantial change or reform until we shift the focus to what the accused did to ensure they had free consent, says Burgin. Besides Uncle Vernon, this week I was also thinking about Helen Garner, who so enraged feminists when she fretted about the actions of University of Melbourne sexual harassment victims in her 1995 book The First Stone. What did she make of all of this? She emailed me that she felt deeply for the women. I know from what certain women dear to me have told me that though a woman may be a survivor of rape, in the depths of her psyche she is irreparably wounded. And as for allegations that surface decades later which some people would prefer to brush aside, I cant help thinking about a very old saying: The mills of the gods grind slow, but they grind exceeding small. Women wont just pack up their placards and return peacefully to their lives. Each woman like Sarah - and there are thousands - is at her own point in dealing with the past. She is peeling away the shame that is not hers and finding her own reserves of courage to bring these things to the surface - or to let them lie.
CISA orders agencies unplug, update on-prem Exchange servers

To protect federal agencies from risks posed by newly discovered vulnerabilities in on-premises Microsoft Exchange servers, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued an emergency directive requiring civilian agencies update or disconnect that software.

"Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities allows an attacker to access on-premises Exchange Servers, enabling them to gain persistent system access and control of an enterprise network," CISA said in its emergency directive.

CISA said it issued the directive based on the current exploitation of these vulnerabilities and the likelihood that they would be widely exploited after public disclosure risking the degradation of government services.

"The swiftness with which CISA issued this emergency directive reflects the seriousness of this vulnerability and the importance of all organizations  in government and the private sector  to take steps to remediate it," CISA acting Director Brandon Wales said.

The directive adds that the vulnerabilities are not known to affect Microsoft 365 or Azure Cloud.

ll agency CIOs must submit a report outlining their organization's status to CISA, which will provide a follow-up report to the head of the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Management and Budget by April 5.

CISA's directive comes one day after Microsoft began pushing out updates to its Exchange products in response to a state-sponsored group it calls "Hafnium."

A Microsoft blog post published Tuesday said Hafnium targets U.S-based entities such as infectious disease researchers, law firms, universities, defense contractors and policy think tanks.

"Even though we've worked quickly to deploy an update for the Hafnium exploits, we know that many nation-state actors and criminal groups will move quickly to take advantage of any unpatched systems. Promptly applying today's patches is the best protection against this attack," according to the blog post.

Microsoft said it has briefed "appropriate U.S. government agencies" on Hafnium. The company also said Hafnium's activity is "in no way connected to the separate SolarWinds-related attack."

This article was first posted to FCW, a sibling site to GCN.
Statement by Ambassador Byrne Nason at UNSC Briefing on Syria - Chemical Weapons

Statement

I would like to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing today.

Mr President,

Ireland believes that the use of chemical weapons anywhere and at any time is abhorrent and unacceptable. Its only through firm, concerted action in response to their use that we can effectively uphold the international prohibition against these terrible weapons.

The OPCW has an essential role to play, as the impartial and technical body mandated by the international community to address chemical weapons. Ireland has full confidence in the work of the OPCW, in its investigations and its conclusions on the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The latest OPCW report makes for disquieting reading. We had hoped to see progress in addressing Syria's initial declaration. Instead, what we find is that the long list of issues that need to be resolved has expanded yet again.

The alarming new issue concerning the Hafer 1 facility underlines the significant problems with Syria's declaration and its failure to cooperate seriously with the OPCW. As the report sets out, the presence of a "neat chemical warfare agent" from several large volume storage containers at a facility declared as unused, may imply substantial undeclared production activities by Syria.

Mr President, since we last met to discuss this file, the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) has published its second report, which concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Syrian Air Force used a chemical weapon in Saraqib in February 2018.

Regrettably, the Syrian response to all these findings has continually been characterised by unacceptable obfuscation, misinformation and misdirection.

In this regard, a significant step forward was taken at The Hague on 21 April, when the Conference of States Parties to the CWC overwhelmingly decided to take action against Syrian non-compliance.

This was not a decision taken lightly by anyone. It reflects the gravity of Syria's actions and the international concerns that they have raised. Its a necessary and proportionate response to the failure of the Syrian authorities to meet their basic obligations under the CWC.

The CSP Decision, and that of the OPCW Executive Council last July, make crystal clear the actions Syria must take to comply with the CWC.

The OPCW has fulfilled its responsibilities by investigating and clearly attributing responsibility for chemical weapons use in Syria. The States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention have fulfilled theirs, by taking appropriate and proportionate action against the Syrian government. The Security Council must work together, to uphold the international prohibition against chemical weapons, in the face of this threat to international peace and security.

And, put simply, Syria must fulfil its legal obligations: it must cooperate fully with the OPCW and ensure its entire stocks of chemical weapons are declared - and verifiably destroyed.

Ireland unequivocally condemns the confirmed use of chemical weapons in Syria and calls for accountability for the perpetrators.

Thank you, Mr. President.

 Previous Item | Next Item 
CBC

Michael Megenbir was someone who generally kept his personal life separate from work. That is, until one June day in 2017. Sitting among his fellow educators in the library of the Regina school where he worked at the time, the intensive support teacher rose at the year-end staff meeting to announce to his colleagues that he's transgender. "I really love and respect all of you, and I think you all feel the same way about me," Megenbir, now 37, remembered saying. He went on to tell them that when they return to work in the fall, he'd be changing his name to Michael and using he/him pronouns. Megenbir's palms were sweaty as he assessed the room. "I remember looking out and seeing the faces, focusing in on a couple of the staff who I had become really close with and just watching them smile," he said. Then came the applause. "It was honestly a little overwhelming, but in a good way," Megenbir said. "It gave me that little boost of confidence and it just let me know that I was doing the right thing." In 2018, Megenbir had his long-awaited top surgery, marking the first time in decades he says he felt 'comfortable in my own skin.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Allison Boulanger, who knew Megenbir as a friend and colleague for years before his transition, remembers smiling and clapping in the crowd. "When he got up to tell the staff, you could tell this was something that was right for him and it was how he needed to live his life  and live his life truthfully," she remembered thinking. Megenbir was reassured he had the support of his co-workers and school administration; what he couldn't predict was how his openness about his identity would inspire his students and colleagues to live their truths, and pave the way for more conversations around inclusion in schools. 'Business as usual' Fast forward to the new school year that fall, and Megenbir said it was a welcome surprise to notice there was "very little change" in how people treated him. He joked it was almost as though his colleagues practised over the summer. "It was kind of business as usual," he said with a chuckle. Megenbir noted that seemingly little things, like the use of his pronouns and new name, made the biggest impact on feeling accepted. And on the off-chance people messed up, they were quick to correct themselves and didn't draw attention to it. "It was the happiest he'd been," Boulanger remembered noticing. "You could tell that he felt like himself." The next year, Megenbir had long-awaited top surgery  a mastectomy and chest-sculpting procedure. "It was the first time in my life since I was probably nine or 10 years old that I felt comfortable in my own skin," he said. Megenbir dressed up as Kenny Rogers for Halloween in 2019 while his friend and colleague, Allison Boulanger, dressed up as Dolly Parton.(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Making students feel 'a little bit more understood' When the opportunity arose for Megenbir to help start a gay-straight alliance (GSA) at the school, it naturally sparked conversations about his gender identity with students. On the first day of the GSA, when he got everyone to introduce themselves, he said, "I'm excited to be here and to be a part of the GSA because I am transgender"  something that surprised a few students. All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are.  Michael Megenbir Some kids told Megenbir he was the first person in the LGBTQ community they had ever met. That's the moment he knew sharing a piece of who he was added a layer of support for those children who needed it. "All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are," he said. "As an educator, if that's the only thing I ever teach a student, I will have felt like I did my job." Megenbir and his former student, Rylan Moir, show off their matching moustaches at the Regina Pride festival in 2018. Megenbir said the support he received during his transition from his students and their parents was 'overwhelmingly positive.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) As a teacher outside the LGBTQ community, Boulanger said having Megenbir as a resource for students across the entire school proved invaluable. "I'd always tell students, 'I'm here if you want to talk to me,' but Mike was just the person they gravitated towards because he just knows what's going on and how they're feeling," she said. "He just has a way of making them feel a little bit more understood." Looking back on his childhood in rural Saskatchewan, Megenbir wonders how different his gender identity journey might have been had he had a teacher who was open about being queer, or resources like a GSA. He thinks it might not have taken him until he was 30 to live out his truth had he had those positive influences. "It was really hard to feel that you were different, and also be made to feel like there was something wrong with you because of that," he said. He points to a picture of himself in a dress at his parents' wedding as an example. When he looks at his childhood photos, Michael Megenbir says he doesn't recognize who he used to be on the outside; however, on the inside, he said he's 'the exact same now, just in different packaging.'(Jessie Anton/CBC) "As a kid, I never liked dressing up, especially in dresses," he said. "This picture is how my family explains who I am and have always been: a little goofy, dancing to my own drum and not caring what anyone else thinks about me. "I'm the exact same now, just in different packaging." LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom Talking about LGBTQ representation among teachers is important, too, said Raylee Perkins, a teacher-librarian at another Regina school. "Whatever a person's coming out story is, it's often sad and steeped in trauma," said Perkins. "Seeing someone like Mike, who's happy and radiates this love and joy, it demonstrates that you can also have that joy in your future  and you don't always see that in books or on TV." Raylee Perkins, a Regina teacher-librarian who openly identifies as queer at school, says it's important for teachers and students to see LGBTQ role models with positive experiences.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) That's in part why Perkins is open about identifying as queer at school. But that also means the advocacy work to promote LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom tends to fall on her shoulders, despite the best efforts of allies around her. "Sometimes, it's felt like I was the only queer voice in the room or queer voice in the conversation, and that can be really tiring," she said. According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education's website, the government "is committed to ensuring schools are safe and inclusive environments for all students, including those who identify as gender and/or sexually diverse." That includes encouraging school divisions to develop policies specifically to include groups, like GSAs, to create safe spaces for LGBTQ students and their allies. The province's Deepening the Discussion: Gender and Sexual Diversity framework from 2015 also contains curriculum for teachers and school administrators. Regina's public school board also recently unanimously approved training for teachers and staff about gender and sexual diversity. While LGBTQ inclusion exists under the curriculum, Boulanger said there are still some teachers who don't cover it in their classrooms. "If they can start talking about it and talk to people who identify as LGBTQ, that might help them to realize that it's not something to fear; it's something to learn about and to grow," she said. Creating more transgender inclusive spaces To make sure her classroom or library is visibly inclusive to transgender people, Perkins hangs posters that delineate the room as a safe space, and she wears rainbow pins and pronoun buttons. "For some kids, they'll never notice those little details, but for the kids who need it, they will notice even the smallest detail," she said. Perkins also makes a point of not shying away from answering tough questions and having more complex talks with her students. Allison Boulanger, Megenbir's friend and former colleague, says having openly LGBTQ teachers can give students a sense of belonging.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) Boulanger agreed, saying that on top of the curriculum around diversity and identity, she finds informal chats with her students to be the most impactful. Looking back on Megenbir's positive "coming out story" at work, Perkins said it has created a safe place for other LGBTQ people to do the same. "Both [students and teachers] can look to him as a role model or for hope  whatever that is for them," she said. "The more we can see it and talk about it and not be afraid of those conversations and face them head-on, I think the more progress we'll make."
(Newser)  A woman was shot Thursday afternoon as she ate at the well-known Beverly Hills eatery Il Pastaio. The shooting took place as three men accosted and robbed another diner, the Los Angeles Times reports. The suspects fled on foot. The woman was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, and another person at the restaurant who was not shot was also treated for injuries. Police say a "very high-end watch" was taken from the male diner, KTLA reports, though reports differ on whether the watch was actually taken or the men just attempted to take it. Such robberies are on the rise: Rolex watches were stolen from seven people in the area between Jan. 30 and Feb. 15, with many of the robberies happening at gunpoint.

story continues below

NBC Los Angeles calls the high-end Italian restaurant a "celebrity hotspot." "He wanted his watch, and while they were fighting with him, he pulled the gun and the gun shot one of the girls," a witness tells the station. The man whose girlfriend was shot amid the chaos also spoke to the station, saying the scene "was kind of crazy" and that his girlfriend's calf was grazed by a bullet that ricocheted as the suspects struggled with the man over his watch about 10 yards away. The watch was suspected to be worth somewhere in the ballpark of $400,000. (Read more Beverly Hills stories.)
Pakistan on Thursday said it is not planning to buy COVID-19 vaccines as of now and the government aims to tackle the outbreak through "herd immunity and donations". According to PTI, Pakistan's National Health Service (NHS) chief Amir Ashraf Khawaja on March 4 informed the Public Accounts Committee that the government has no plans of buying COVID-19 vaccines as it aims to tackle the pandemic through "herd immunity" and donations from other countries, such as China and Russia.

Read: Pakistan Opposition Senses End Of Imran Khan Govt As Ex-PM Gilani Defeats PTI In Islamabad

'15% of people have attained immunity'

Herd immunity is when a large group of populations develop antibodies against a virus and become naturally immunised. The NHS Secretary on Thursday claimed that 15% of Pakistan's population has developed antibodies against the COVID-19 virus, according to a survey conducted by the government in August 2020. Pakistan is also relying on donations from other nations, including through the World Health Organisation's (WHO) COVAX initiative. Pakistan is expected to receive 16 million doses of India-made AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine through WHO's COVAX. NHS Secy said the first-batch of jabs is scheduled to arrive this month and the rest of it will reach by June.

Read: Imran Khan Calls For Vote Of Confidence In Pakistan Assembly After Major Upset In Senate

China donated the first batch of its home-made Sinopharm vaccine to Pakistan earlier last month. Pakistan was the first foreign nation to receive vaccine aid from China, which handed over 5,00,000 shots on February 1 as a show of support. Khawaja informed on Thursday that Pakistan is slated to receive 1 million doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine, saying 5,00,000 of which have already arrived and around 2,75,000 doses have been administered to health professionals.

Read: India Warns Pakistan Against Its Misuse Of OHCHR For Malicious Propaganda

Khawaja, who was responding to a question from Hina Rabbani Khar, a member of Pakistan's National Assembly, said the government aims to vaccinate 70 million people by the end of 2021. Khawaja further revealed that the government is yet to receive any credible application from private players for the import of vaccines. Khawaja said Pakistan's drug regulator had received three applications, but they were all rejected due to lack of information on vaccines they wanted to import.

Read: Pakistan's Maryam Nawaz Says 'Imran Afraid Of Votes'; Slams PM Over Poll Fraud Allegations

(With inputs from PTI)




(Reuters) - Co has approached a group of banks for a new $4 billion revolving credit facility, according to a person familiar with the matter, as the planemaker battles a prolonged slowdown in commercial air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investment-grade rated use revolving credit facilities as backstop financing, with these facilities remaining undrawn for the most part.

The U.S. jet manufacturer has the option to raise the size of the two-year credit facility to as much as $6 billion, the person said on Thursday.

A spokesman declined to comment. The development was earlier reported by Bloomberg News.

Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith had discussed raising more debt at the company's quarterly earnings call in January.

Smith said Boeing has "sufficient liquidity" currently, but it continues to consider all options to strengthen its balance sheet.

(Reporting by Joshua Franklin in Boston, Eric M. Johnson in Seattle and Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 16-year-old girl has died in what is thought to be a knife attack in a village in south Wales.

Several people were wounded during the incident in Treorchy, in the Rhondda on Friday, prompting a mass emergency services operation to be launched.

South Wales police have now revealed that a teenager has died, and that two men have been arrested in connection with the attack.

Both men are in hospital being treated for serious injuries.

The force described the girls death as sudden and in unexplained circumstances.

Police and ambulance crews rushed to Baglan Street after receiving reports of a stabbing.

A cordon was erected around a Chinese takeaway restaurant called the Blue Sky, with a small white tent outside the premises.

John Belgrove, a builder, who lives on Baglan Street, said he was in his shed when his barking dogs alerted him to emergency services just after midday.

He said: I came out and I counted over the next half an hour about 31 different emergency vehicles.

One neighbour said she saw quite a few police cars arrive in the area and knew it must be something serious.

Mavis Wakeford, 79, told the PA news agency: Its quiet, nothing like this has ever happened. Ive lived here all my life and nothing like this has ever happened before.

The cause of the girls death has not been confirmed, police said, and a post-mortem examination will take place to help establish how she died.

Her family are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers and efforts are continuing to contact other relatives, according to the force.

Detectives are are not looking for anyone else and the attacks are not being treated as a terrorism. It is understood that those involved are known to each other, police added.

Superintendent Rich Jones, from South Wales Police, said: This is clearly a very serious incident which has caused significant shock and concern for both the local and wider community.

(Getty Images)

We have a dedicated team of detectives working hard to establish the exact circumstances that have led to the tragic death of this young girl.

While the investigation is still in its early stages, we can confirm that those involved are understood to know to each other and we are currently not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

There will be significant police presence in Baglan Street over the weekend but we will reopen the road at the earliest opportunity.

In the meantime, the support and understanding of the local community is very much appreciated.
'Trevor brings with him a wealth of experience gained from working with some of the worlds leading organisations'

Trevor Hall

AWARD-winning law firm Gardner Leader, with offices across the South East and London, has appointed Trevor Hall as its new finance director to support the company during its sustained growth.

In the last 12 months, the solicitors has welcomed several new employees to the team, recently qualified three trainee solicitors and expanded its office space in Newbury.

A commercially astute finance leader previously at Deloitte, Mr Hall will be responsible for overseeing the firms business performance and its financial trajectory.

Having qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte in 2005 and a member of the ICAEW (the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales), he has gained extensive finance experience with Siemens, Man Group and Red Bee Media.

As part of his 17 years in the industry, Mr Hall moved to Dubai in 2013 where he became the finance director for Deloitte Advisory for the whole Middle East region. After returning home to the UK in November 2018, he worked in advisory until January 2021 when he accepted a role at Gardner Leader.

Mr Hall said: Im thrilled to have joined one of the most forward-thinking, friendly and client-focused law firms in the country.

I have received a warm welcome from everyone in the firm, and Im very much looking forward to being part of its journey as Gardner Leader continues to expand its service offering.

In his role as finance director, Mr Hall will be working closely with the board and partner group to continue to develop the practice, provide expert insight and guidance, as well as lead relationships with banks and other external providers.

Trevor brings with him a wealth of experience gained from working with some of the worlds leading organisations, said Gardner Leader managing partner Derek Rodgers.

Its always been important for us to continue to invest in our people and services to meet the demands of the changing world, and we are pleased to welcome Trevor and his expertise to the senior management team.
The petitioner in the just ended 2020 Election Petition, John Dramani Mahama, has sent words of encouragement to members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) after the Supreme Court's ruling which dismissed his case.



The ruling which was read by Chief Justice Anin Yeboah stated that "the petitioner did not demonstrate how the alleged errors affected the validity of the declaration on the 9th. The petitioner has not produced any evidence . . . we have therefore no reason to order a re-run, we accordingly dismiss the petition" Click to read



Speaking at a press conference after the ruling, the former President urged his supporters not to "lose hope or despair"



"I am very much aware that there are millions watching and listening to me who are disappointed at the outcome of this case. For those millions, like myself, who held out hope that our democracy would be advanced by the process and outcome of this petition, you must be disappointed. But I encourage you to hold your heads up high and channel your disappointment into hard work that will ensure that, come next election, we will achieve a truly transparent and fair election, which we all as Ghanaians can be proud of" he said.



Adding, "to the millions of NDC supporters who have stood by me, my running mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, our National Chairman, General Secretary, Campaign Chairman, FEC, NEC, Parliamentary Candidates, Sponsors and all activists and supporters who gave their all in the hope that we will win and form the next government to save our nation and meet your aspirations, do not despair at this outcome. I repeat. Do not despair! Never, ever lose hope. The NDC will survive and grow from strength to strength. The sun may have set on our hopes for the just ended election today, but it will rise tomorrow and illuminate our path to a better outcome next time around".





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rogers Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (Rogers) today announced its acquisition of R&D Mechanical Services, Inc., a Ball Ground, Georgia based provider of commercial HVAC preventive maintenance, repair, and retrofit/replacement services in the Greater Atlanta area, with a particular focus on the distribution center market. Rogers is a leading HVAC/mechanical and plumbing contractor headquartered in Villa Rica, Georgia and serves customers across the country, for which this acquisition further enhances its product offerings.

Heath Matiak, Chief Operating Officer of R&D Mechanical Services, said, "We are excited to partner with a dynamic and well-regarded organization like Rogers. R&D and Rogers share common values that prioritize customer value and employee wellbeing. We are confident that the culture and reputation in which we have invested so much sweat equity will continue and flourish as part of Rogers. This new partnership will create an abundance of additional opportunities for our team. Robbie (Matiak) and I are excited for this new chapter for our team."

Rogers Mechanical Contractors, led by CEO Dustin Rogers, is a portfolio company of Craft Work Capital, a firm focused exclusively on making investments in mechanical and electrical contractors throughout the United States. Jeremy McGuire, President of Craft Work, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, noting, "When we made our investment in Rogers last year, we also made a commitment to Dustin and the Rogers team to help them seek out and invest in quality companies that would expand their offerings, as well as fit within Rogers' culture. This investment in R&D is an important step in fulfilling that commitment." Dave Orinski, Vice President of Craft Work Capital Partners, continued, "The R&D acquisition will further bolster Rogers' service and preventative maintenance offerings, as well as complement their retrofit and new-build core service offerings for existing and future customers. We look forward to continuing to acquire complementary service businesses as well as growing organically."

Effective immediately, R&D Mechanical Services will begin operating as Rogers Mechanical Contractors. As part of the transaction, all employees of R&D Mechanical Services will be retained and new additional employment opportunities will be posted online.

Executives with Rogers would like to acknowledge Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors, and James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP for advising the company on this transaction.

About Rogers Mechanical Contractors

Founded in 1962 and based in Villa Rica, Georgia, Rogers is a leading national provider of HVAC/mechanical and plumbing contracting services to the distribution center market. Rogers provides retrofit and new construction contracting services, in-house design, engineering and drafting expertise for industry-leading e-commerce and logistics customers nationwide.

For more information, please visit http://www.rmciga.com.

About R&D Mechanical Services

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Cherokee County, Georgia, R&D Mechanical Services focuses on preventive maintenance, service/repair, and retrofit/replacement opportunities for commercial clients in Metro Atlanta. The company believes that Serving People, Building Relationships, and Providing Comfort are the core values that have built the company and will continue to drive the future culture.

For more information, please visit https://www.randdmechanical.com.

About Craft Work Capital Partners

Craft Work Capital Partners, LLC is a joint venture between Craft Work Capital, LLC and Aterian Investment Partners, and was established in 2019 to make strategic investments in the mechanical and electrical contracting industries.

For more information, please visit http://www.craftworkcap.com.

SOURCE Craft Work Capital

Related Links

http://www.craftworkcap.com



The Kwara Baptist Conference says it will not allow the use of the hijab in its grant-aided schools, describing the state governors order permitting the use as ill-informed.

The state government had last month approved the use of the head covering in all public schools in the state.

The government had, in February, temporarily closed 10 grant-aided secondary schools in Ilorin, the state capital, following a crisis in the schools over the use of hijab.

The schools are Cherubim and Seraphim College, ST. Anthony College, ECWA School, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, CAC Secondary School, St. Barnabas Secondary School, St. John School, St. Williams Secondary School and St. James Secondary School.

Muslim leaders had insisted that students should be allowed to use the head covering in accordance with the Constitution but their Christian counterparts said such negates the heritage of the missionaries who established the schools.

The state government said after considering the submissions of the major interest groups on the matter, it had decided to allow the use of the material in all public schools.

It also directed the 10 closed schools to reopen from Monday March 8.

Ill-informed decision

But Christian leaders immediately kicked against the order and advised the faithful to occupy the affected schools to stop the implementation of the governments order.

On Thursday, the Baptist conference in Kwara restated the churches stance.

Addressing a press conference in Ilorin, the leader of the conference, Victor Dada, again faulted the state governments decision.

The state even acted in contempt of court as the case is still pending before the highest court in the land.

We want to warn the government that the step it wants to take by approving the use of Hijab for all public schools and grant-aided schools will lead to an avalanche of reactions, the end of which no one can predict.

By this move, the state government is saying the Muslims purported rights are superior to that of the Christians, Mr Dada said.

What we are saying is that no one, not the Kwara State Government or even the Federal Government, can force Hijab on our children or on our schools.

We shall not hesitate to use all legitimate means to protect our heritage. We will defend our faith and protect our property. Baptist family waits for further instructions.

The cleric stressed that Baptists in the state, home, and abroad would not allow the wearing of Hijab in all the schools they established.

We are all bona fide Kwarans and we all have equal rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By this move, the Kwara State Government is saying the Muslims purported right is superior to that of the Christians.

Also, the; State Government is not ignorant of the planned invasion of our mission school on the 18th day of February 2021 as the confirmation of impunity and imperial conclusion.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to him, missionaries established 38 of the 316 public schools in the state, vowing that all would be taken back in no distant time.

The military government had in the 1970s, taken over schools from Christian and Islamic missions.

These schools, now grant-aided by government, had their names changed afterwards while some, like those in Kwara retained their names.

The Christian missions in Kwara State had twice challenged the governments ownership of the schools in court but lost the suit at the high court and appellate court.

Undaunted, the missions, comprising different Christian denominations, have appealed to the Supreme Court.
Thomas Conrad has completed his new book The Blazing Star: a gripping and potent story of betrayal, love, and tragedy in the American Midwest.

The birth of Siamese twin girls in the town of Spanish Fork, Utah, in 1849 causes quite a stir. Residents flock to the Chatham Ranch to see the babies and offer their condolences for the loss of the mother who did not survive the birth. When the attempted sale of the twins by their father to a passing circus fails, they are kidnapped by circus owner Colonel Phantastic. Young Deputy John Walker is sent to Salt Lake City to retrieve them and is surprised when the twins sister Zelda joins him on the train. In a whirlwind romance, they are married and together confront the babies derelict father and the Colonel in their separate pursuits of the infant girls.

The story of Prudence and Chastity covers twenty years and takes them to Alamo, Montana, where they hope to finance their unspoken goal of separation as showgirls and prostitutes. There they are rescued by a fifteen-year-old boy from the Blazing Star when it burns. Sam Shines travels with them to St. Louis, where he is wanted for murder, and on to Chicago for an appointment with a renowned doctor. Their arrival coincides with the Great Chicago Fire, as conflagration continues to define their lives.

The twins are at once beautiful, charming, and fascinating to anyone who sees them. Their influence on the lives of those they hold close is haunting, sometimes tragic, and always unforgettable.

Published by Page Publishing, Thomas Conrads engrossing tale is a superb choice for avid fiction readers.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase The Blazing Star at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
A federal appeals court overturned a self-described dirt brokers convictions and 2-year prison sentence Thursday for dumping truckloads of construction debris on land in Newark near San Francisco Bay, saying jurors should have been asked to decide whether he knew he was on wetlands or that the debris would reach the water.

James Philip Lucero of Carmel was convicted by an Oakland federal jury in 2018 of three charges of violating the Clean Water Act by discharging pollutants into U.S. waters. Prosecutors said Lucero was paid by trucking companies and contractors to make land available for depositing about 1,800 truckloads of dirt and debris on lands near Mowry Slough, without a federal permit or permission from the private landowner.

The property included 10 acres of wetlands, and some of the discharges traveled underground into federal waters on the slough, prosecutors said. Lucero, who had a previous conviction involving illegal dumping, has been free on bail during his appeal.

On Thursday, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said the law requires proof that a defendant knew the unpermitted discharges would reach the waters, either above ground or underground. Because the prosecution was not required to prove Lucero had that knowledge, the court said, he is entitled to a new trial.

When the dumping began during a drought in the summer of 2014, it was not clear what shape the land was in, dry or wet, Judge Patrick Bumatay said in the lead opinion.

Although there is evidence about the wet conditions and wetland-loving vegetation in the area where Lucero dumped the dirt and debris, the sites conditions fluctuated depending on whether it was the wet or dry season  and Lucero dumped during the dry season, Bumatay said.

Although the law defines the crime as discharging pollutants from a point source  like a pipe, ditch or boat  into the waters of the United States, Bumatay said it would be enough for prosecutors to prove Lucero knew the debris would reach the waters, which inevitably would flow into navigable waters.

His opinion was joined by U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez of Arizona, temporarily assigned to the appeals court. Judge Bridget Bade agreed the convictions should be overturned but said prosecutors should be required to prove Lucero knew the discharges would reach U.S. waters  otherwise, she said, someone might be prosecuted for innocent residential water uses.

The panel agreed that the case was governed by former President Barack Obamas rules protecting inland lakes and streams from pollution, and not by President Donald Trumps June 2020 rollback that eliminated protections for many of those waterways. President Biden has ordered a review of the scope of clean-water rules.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Mainly clear. Low 47F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 47F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
New Delhi:

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi launched Karnataka governments flagship program Indira Canteen in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Following the inauguration, Rahul will address Congress party workers at meeting on the National College Grounds at 12.30pm.

As per reports, he will leave for New Delhi along with chief minister Siddaramaiah and other party leaders at 4 PM. Reports have claimed that breakfast will be served for Rs 5, lunch for Rs 10 and dinner for Rs 10 at Indira Canteen.

The menu will consist of traditional cuisines, designed by leading chefs of five-star hotels.

ALSO READ: Gorakhpur children deaths: Rahul says Congress stands with families

There are 27 assembly constituencies and 198 wards in Bengaluru. There will be one Indira Canteen in each of the 198 wards. Moreover, there will be one kitchen in each of the 27 assembly constituencies. The flagship program of the Congress is aimed at reaching to the poor. Gandhi claimed that he was proud that the Congress government had conceptualized this canteen.

Proud that it is a Congress govt that conceptualized this canteen; Breakfast to be served in Rs. 5, lunch/dinner in Rs 10: RG #IndiraCanteen pic.twitter.com/sdV3ac6syi  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2017

Karnataka: Hoarding placed outside the 'Indira Canteen' launched by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/phi5gOAAlL  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2017

The assembly elections are less than a year away.

READ: Gorakhpur children death: Rahul Gandhi holds UP govt responsible

With this initiative, the Congress government aims to reach out to the marginalised sections of society apart from creating jobs.

Karnataka: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi launches 'Indira Canteen' in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/mCRdAY7JIh  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2017

Karnataka: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi launches 'Indira Canteen' in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/awfyykPzZB  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2017

Karnataka: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi takes a meal at the newly inaugurated Indira Canteen in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/h0agD1V4o5  ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2017

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi, March 5 : Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily has rejected any group called G-23, saying the party is united under Sonia Gandhi's leadership.

"The Congress is one," he said when asked about the G-23, a group of dissenters in the party who had sought a complete revamp of Congress in a letter to interim party president Sonia Gandhi in August last year.

Incidentally, former Karnataka Chief Minister Moily was one of the signatories of the letter written to Sonia Gandhi.

Speaking to reporters, Moily said, "There is no such thing called G-23. The Congress is united under Sonia Gandhi who always listens to people's grievances." The Congress is facing a difficult time as the party seems to be divided after some prominent leaders wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi demanding sweeping reforms in the party.

Another Congress leader, Sandeep Dikshit, said, "There is no group in the party and I am not in touch with the leaders who had assembled in Jammu recently." Many Congress leaders have said that their only motive is to strengthen the party in the country.

The Congress, which is gearing up to face elections in five states/UT, have advised these leaders to join hands to defeat the BJP and now all eyes are on the soon to be announced list of star campaigners of the party.

Many of the Congress leaders who had signed the letter in August last year have either been adjusted in the party or have been assigned some important task, such as Pritviraj Chavan getting appointed as screening committee chairman for Assam or Moily getting appointed as election management incharge for Tamil Nadu.

However, the situation is still far from normal in the party despite the Congress holding many rounds of meetings since August last year. The disgruntled leaders say that they want elections from the block to the CWC level.
10 new COVID-19-related deaths reported since last week

Ten new COVID-19-related deaths were reported by the South Dakota Department of Health Tuesday and during the holiday weekend.
Iran is geostrategically positioned to play an integral role in Russian-South Asian connectivity. President Putin told the Valdai Club during its annual meeting in October 2019 that there is one more prospective route, the Arctic  Siberia  Asia, Andrew Korybko, US political analyst writes for Modern Diplomacy. The idea is to connect ports along the Northern Sea Route with ports of the Pacific and Indian oceans via roads in East Siberia and central Eurasia.

This vision, which forms a crucial part of his countrys Greater Eurasian Partnership, can be achieved through the official North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC) and tentative W-CPEC+ projects that transit through the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The first one refers to the creation of a new trade route from Russia to India through Azerbaijan and Iran, while the second concerns the likely expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC, the flagship project of Chinas Belt & Road Initiative [BRI]) westward through Iran and largely parallel to the NSTC. W-CPEC+ can also continue towards Turkey and onward to the EU, but that branch is beyond the scope of the present analysis. The NSTCs terminal port is the Indian-backed Chabahar, but delays in fully developing its infrastructure might lead to Bandar Abbas being used as a backup in the interim.

CPECs Chinese-backed terminal port of Gwadar is in close proximity to Chabahar, thus presenting the opportunity of eventually pairing the two as sister cities, especially in the event that rumored negotiations between China and Iran result in upwards of several hundred billion dollars worth of investments like some have previously reported. The combination of Russian, Indian, and Chinese infrastructure investments in Iran would greatly improve the countrys regional economic competitiveness and enable it to fulfill its geostrategic destiny of facilitating connectivity between Russia and South Asia.

Whats most intriguing about this ambitious vision is that Iran is proving to the rest of the world that it isnt isolated like the U.S. and its closest allies thought that it would be as a result of their policy of so-called maximum pressure against it in recent years. While its true that India has somewhat stepped away from its previously strategic cooperation with Iran out of fear that itll be punished by secondary sanctions if it continued its pragmatic partnership with the Islamic Republic, its worthwhile mentioning that Chabahar curiously secured a U.S. sanctions waiver.

While the American intent behind that decision is unclear, it might have been predicated on the belief that the Iranian-facilitated expansion of Indian influence into Central Asia via Chabahar might help to balance Chinese influence in the region. It could also have simply been a small but symbolic concession to India in order not to scare it away from supporting the U.S. anti-Chinese containment strategy. Its difficult to tell what the real motive was since American-Indian relations are currently complicated by Washingtons latest sanctions threats against New Delhi in response to its decision to purchase Russias S-400 air defense systems.

Nevertheless, even in the worst-case scenario that Indian investment and infrastructural support for Iran cant be taken for granted in the coming future, that still doesnt offset the countrys geostrategic plans. Russia could still use the NSTC to connect with W-CPEC and ultimately the over 200+ million Pakistani marketplaces. In theory, Russian companies in Pakistan could also re-export their home countrys NSTC-imported goods to neighboring India, thereby representing a pragmatic workaround to New Delhis potential self-interested distancing from that project which could also provide additional much-needed tax revenue for Islamabad.

Iran must therefore do its utmost to ensure Russias continued interest in the NSTC regardless of Indias approach to the project. Reconceptualizing the NSTC from its original Russian-Indian connectivity purpose to the much broader one of Russian-South Asian connectivity could help guarantee Moscows support. In parallel with that, Tehran would do well to court Beijings investments along W-CPEC+s two branch corridors to Azerbaijan/Russia and Turkey/EU. Any success on any of these fronts, let alone three of them, would advance Irans regional interests by solidifying its integral geo-economic role in 21st-century Eurasia.
By Robert Muller and Jiri Skacel

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech Republic has asked Germany, Switzerland and Poland to take in dozens of COVID-19 patients as the situation in its own hospitals has reached a critical point, Prague's Health Ministry said on Friday.

The country of 10.7 million has been one of the hardest-hit globally, especially in recent weeks.

Many regional hospitals, overwhelmed by the inflow of coronavirus cases, have had to transfer patients elsewhere but these options have narrowed as capacities have thinned across the country.

"The large number of newly infected patients has intensified pressure on the healthcare system, and the number of patients requiring hospitalisation is growing," the ministry said.

As of Friday morning, there were 8,153 COVID patients hospitalised, including 1,735 requiring intensive care, Health Ministry data showed.

"In some regions, the hospitals have exhausted their capacity and they are no longer able to provide appropriate care or to accept new patients without help from others," Health Minister Jan Blatny said.

He said the government has given the go-ahead to seek dozens at least of hospital beds abroad, following offers from the three countries. Actual patient transfers are to be organised upon requests from hospitals, he said.

Across the country, just 13% of the overall intensive care capacity was free, including beds intended for COVID-19 and all other patients, despite hospitals having halted all non-urgent procedures.

The badly affected Karlovy Vary region on the border with Germany has started preparing for transfers, which may begin next week, CTK news agency reported.

The country has reported 21,325 coronavirus deaths and 1.3 million infections.

On Monday, the government closed more shops and banned movement between districts for anything other than work purposes, and it ordered regular testing at companies.

A number of hospitals have declared a "mass casualty event", meaning not all patients may get the standard of care they would normally receive.

Story continues

In one hospital that has declared an emergency, in Mlada Boleslav, home to car maker Skoda Auto north-east of Prague, the main problem was lack of staff.

"The numbers have started to grow over the capacity, mainly in terms of nurses," said Jan Dudra, deputy director at the hospital. "Under normal circumstances, we have two nurses per 10 patients, today the situation is such that we have 15 patients and one nurse to take care of them."

(Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Hugh Lawson)
A meeting will be held next week to discuss plans to revitalise Derry's city centre.

The local business community is being invited to give their input to the proposed interventions to encourage people to come back into the city centre when Covid restrictions ease.

The Business Engagement session will be hosted online at 9am on Thursday, March 11, and will include a presentation of the proposals and a wider discussion about the plans.

The proposals include creating more on-street dining opportunities for the hospitality sector.

Footpath widening, new street furniture and greater pedestrianisation are also included in the plans.

There is also a proposal to make traffic on Ferryquay Street one-way.

Next week's event will be chaired by Jim Roddy, chief executive of the City Centre Initiative, and will include a presentation on the Covid Recovery and Revitalisation Programme by Tony Monaghan, regeneration manager at the local council.

Paul McNaught, from the North West Development Office, will speak on behalf of funders the Department for Communities while there will be an overview of the Street Life Plan by architect Chris Upson.

Festival and events manager from Derry City and Strabane District Council, Jacqueline Whoriskey, will be provide an update of the forthcoming Inside Out Aanimation programme.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney, urged local businesses to sign up for the event.

"Council are currently in the process of drawing up a number of potential interventions that could be implemented in both Derry City and Strabane town centres to assist with Covid recovery and revitalisation," he said.

"The proposals are designed to assist the wider recovery effort to attract people back into our town/city centres when it is safe to do so, to increase footfall and assist in supporting and sustaining local businesses.

"As part of this process, council has commissioned urban designers to prepare high-level concept designs which illustrate how certain streets, including Bishop Street, the Diamond and Waterloo Street and Castle Street in Strabane might look and function.

"We will also look at further proposed plans for Waterloo Place, Queens Quay and Police Court Street.

Concluding, Mayor Tierney said: "This event s an opportunity to learn more about those plans and to contribute to the wider discussion about how businesses can work together o drive the recovery forward.
Demonstrators participate in a protest outside of McDonald's corporate headquarters in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 15, 2021. The protest was part of a nationwide effort calling for minimum wage to be raised to $15-per-hour. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Everythings Coming Up COVID for Much Public Spending  Even as Virus Fades

For some special interests, a fading coronavirus pandemic poses a problem, but not always an insurmountable one.

Big Labor and its acolytes cite the virus as a compelling reason for doubling the minimum wage and forcing businesses to provide more paid sick leave, while the Biden administration is using the pandemic as part of its justification for overhauling immigration toward eventual amnesty for undocumented migrants.

Meanwhile, the left-leaning Brookings Institution has successfully persuaded the federal government to allocate more money to child-care programs in the name of pandemic safety.

These changes have long been on the policy wish lists of advocates, but in a time of pandemic they evoke words widely attributed to Winston Churchill: Never let a good crisis go to waste. Or as a headline this week might sum up a new urgency: The U.S. Is Edging Toward Normal, Alarming Some Officials.

Several states and municipalities struck while the virus was hot by signing off on COVID-connected sick leave rules, and more are considering broadening their policies.

In Colorado, lawmakers passed a permanent change to the states so-called leave act, citing the pandemic. It requires businesses with 16 employees or more to allow workers in the state to accrue up to six paid sick days annually beginning in 2021.

Advocates deny using the virus as an opportunity, instead contending it merely further exposed problems long present that should at last be addressed.

What COVID did was shed light on what workers have always had to deal with, said Kim Cordova, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, a union that represents 30,000 private sector workers in Colorado and Wyoming.

We are not piggybacking on COVID, Cordova said. Weve advocated for paid leave for all these years, and this [pandemic] is a big reason why.

The changes to sick leave that the union helped push through the Colorado statehouse will outlast the pandemic, she said, but there will always be some sort of illness to deal with in the future.

This is a once-in-several-generations opportunity to reset our policies and our culture to better support families and caregivers who have been on the frontlines of this pandemic in so many ways, Ai-jen Poo, executive director of the union-allied National Domestic Workers Alliance, said in Facebook statement. Her group is seeking universal paid leave for employees, and this is the perfect time, she said.

We must not let this opportunity go to waste, wrote Poo, who did not respond to an interview request.

COVID-19 economic Stimulus check on blurred USA flag and sun light background. Relief program concept. (Shutterstock)

Part of the pending federal $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package included a provisionsidelined for now due to procedural rulesto increase the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 over the next four years. It illustrates the momentum to commit to spending beyond the current crisis.

The gradual minimum-wage increases extended far past when the pandemic ends, said Skip Estes, associate director of the American Legislative Exchange Councils Center for State Fiscal Reform. COVID is this window dressing to push through this stack of legislative priorities. The minimum-wage increase is not linked to the virus at all.

Yes it is, said Brigette Dumais, a political organizer with a New York chapter of the Service Employees International Union, agreeing with her labor colleagues. Essential workers  are on the front lines of this pandemic, and the vast majority of them are making under $15 an hour, she argued during a virtual rally the union hosted in June, according to NPR.

Dumais did not respond to texts and calls seeking comment.

In addition to mandatory paid sick-leave policies and minimum-wage increases, the drive to overhaul immigration in line with Democrat priorities is also being tethered to the pandemic.

In backing President Bidens fast-tracking of an immigration overhaul, SEIU International Executive Vice President Rocio Saenz said in a press release in February that the pandemic is a compelling reason to grant the undocumented amnesty.

It is critical that this bill or other bills  provide a roadmap to citizenship for large numbers of immigrants, Saenz said in the statement. We also strongly support the idea of legalizing essential workers as a necessary part of COVID recovery. Under current policies, employers are struggling to find workers, with job openings at a five-month high.

Others claim that amnesty would add to the tax base, making it easier for states to recover from the economic woes caused by the pandemic.

Arthur Herman, a historian and director of the Quantum Alliance Initiative at Hudson Institute, said the politicization of COVID relief recalls the financial meltdown in 2008 and 2009 and its big infrastructure bill, with the overwhelming bulk of it going to pay off political supportersespecially those in organized labor and higher education.

The federal COVID relief bill includes specific allocations to two Washington, D.C., schoolsGallaudet University, which serves the deaf and hearing impaired; and Howard University, including money to be used for student aid with no time specifications.

Also included are $10 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants, which provide funding to nonprofits including labor associations and higher education. Last years 89 Harwood grants included 16 related directly to the pandemic.

You could say Democrats are going back to the playbook they used in 2009, Herman said.

The Brookings Institution in October demanded more money be spent on child care teachers in the wake of COVID to ensure the immediate safety and well-being of these educators, and the children, families, and communities they serve.

Its wish was granted: A stimulus package passed in December gave $10 billion to the child care industry.

A Brookings spokeswoman did not respond to an interview request.

Robert Gonzales, Kroger employee for 26 years, addresses a crowd of supermarket workers gathered to protest in front of a Food 4 Less supermarket in Long Beach, Calif., on Feb. 3, 2021. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

In some cases, invoking the crisis is an integral part the argument, but its not necessarily an exploitation of it, said James Hohman, director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

It only seems like an exploitation of a crisis if they argue that permanent policy changes are necessary to solve temporary problems, he said.

A crusade for COVID hazard pay launched in the fall and led by the United Food and Commercial Workers union is taking shape in several West Coast cities including Seattle, Long Beach, Calif., and Los Angeles.

Most language regarding hazard pay requires the declaration of a public health emergency before the pay kicks in. Given the pandemic, such declarations will be much easier to come by in the future, said Merrill Matthews, resident scholar with the conservative Institute for Policy Innovation.

He likened the situation to weather alarmism now common as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when a failure to fully warn and prepare Louisianans was blamed for avoidable deaths.

So there is overreaction, and thats somewhat understandable, Matthews said. You dont want to be caught not doing enough. And I think this will be true for any new virulent flu strain in next few years.

This article was written by Steve Miller for RealClearInvestigations.
WSU Offers Community Course Exploring Polarization

March 5, 2021

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State Universitys College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, in partnership with WSUs Division of Online & Continuing Education, is offering a free online spring course titled Why Are We So Polarized?, beginning March 15 and running through April 29.

The course will provide the community with a broad understanding of the issues and questions surrounding the problem of polarization around the country. It will approach the topic from a variety of perspectives to help participants understand how Americans came to be so divided and explore what it means for the future.

There is a lot of discussion right now about how polarized our nation is, said Susan Matt, WSU history professor. We hope this course will provide some context for our current circumstances.

The course will be taught virtually using Zoom and Google Meet video conferencing platforms. Although there is no cost associated with the course, participants are required to register at continue.weber.edu/communityed.

During the seven-week course, faculty from various disciplines in Weber States College of Social & Behavioral Sciences will explore topics such as the history of polarization, the influence of social media and polarization in politics.

We'll have historians, economists, sociologists, communications experts and political scientists who will offer a look at the long-term trends and social forces that have brought us to this moment, Matt said. We'll also have scholars who will point out the similarities between this age and other moments in the past.

Weber States Division of Online & Continuing Education offers various courses throughout the year to encourage lifelong learning, professional development and community engagement. Visit continue.weber.edu/communityed for course listings and more information.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Dates have been revealed for the rest of 2021 with tickets now on sale

NEWBURY Racecourse has announced its remaining racedays in 2021, with the aim of welcoming crowds back from June.

The racecourse has put a plan in place to welcome crowds back, with its first official raceday being on Thursday, June 10.

There will, however, be a limited capacity allowed at the meeting before the first evening fixture on Tuesday, June 22, where there will be no limit on number.

There will also be live music from Olly Murs and Rick Astley later in the year.

Marketing director for Newbury Racecourse Harriet Collins said: Following the recent Government update and the roadmap to get Britain going again, we too are ready get back to our day-to-day business of providing visitors with memorable days out across all our events and are thrilled to be on-sale for selected 2021 racedays.

We remain acutely agile to adhere to any specific safety requirements and measures required by the Government and the British Horseracing Authority for future racedays, but we are looking forward to seeing our loyal fanbase and local community back on course, as well as welcoming first-time visitors.

We have an abundance of outdoor space and new bars and seating areas, which we hope will be well received and some great themed racedays for summer.

We will also be bringing back our popular Pub in the Paddock across certain weekends so there is plenty to look forward to.

Importantly, we want to remind anyone thinking about purchasing a ticket or package with us that they can book with confidence with our money-back guarantee if any event is cancelled as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

We cant wait to see everyone again.

Tickets for upcoming race meetings can be purchased on the website.

Newbury Racecourse hosts two meeting's this weekend and a report and pictures will be available in next week's Newbury Weekly News.

Some 43% of the respondents trust in the incumbent president.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tops the rating of public trust.

This is seen from findings of a poll conducted by the Rating Sociological Group on March 2-3.

According to the results, 43% of the respondents trust in the incumbent president, while 55% do not trust.

The rating of other candidates is the following: 17.1% of the respondents trust in Batkivshchyna Party leader Yulia Tymoshenko, while 70% expressed distrust; ex-president, European Solidarity Party leader Petro Poroshenko has 25% and 73%, respectively. They are followed by co-chair of the Opposition Platform - For Life Party Yuriy Boyko (24% and 59%); MP from the Opposition Platform - For Life Party Viktor Medvedchuk (15% and 70%); Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (15% and 50%); Health Minister Maksym Stepanov (12% and 32%); and activist Serhiy Sternenko (10% and 26%).

Read alsoZelensky, ruling party retain lead in popular rating  pollWhat is more, 69% of the pollees believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, 22% said the opposite, and 9% found it difficult to answer. The situation has not changed against early February, the results show.

Mechanics of the poll

The poll was conducted through computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI), using a random selection of cell numbers.

The sample is representative of the adult population (aged 18 and older).

Some 2,500 respondents were polled in all regions of Ukraine except Crimea and other Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine, namely certain districts in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The margin of error does not exceed 2.0%.

Reporting by UNIAN
Wales could be over the worst of the second wave, but health minister warns people cannot drop their guard

This article is old - Published: Friday, Mar 5th, 2021

Evidence suggest Wales is over the worst of the second wave, the health minister Vaughan Gething has said.

However he warned that this does not mean that people can let down their guard down and forget the basic steps which have helped to keep us safe throughout the pandemic.

Wales has been in a level four lockdown, which includes a strict stay at home message, since December 20.

Since then the rolling seven day average for Wales has dropped from 558.6 cases per 100,000 on December 27 to 50.9 cases per 100,000.





In Wrexham, which at one stage had the highest average in Wales, this has dropped to 64.7 cases per 100,000.

Speaking at todays Welsh Government press conference Mr Gething said that the evidence suggests that Wales is now over the worst of the second wave.

The rates of people with confirmed coronavirus in hospitals has dropped from its peak, with Mr Gething stating that yesterday there were fewer than 450 people with confirmed Coronavirus in hospitals across Wales  that is the lowest figure since October 17. Last week that figure was reported as 1,650. (Update  the latest Technical Advisory Cell document has been published this afternoon, As of 1 March the number of people with confirmed COVID-19 in hospital has decreased, but remains high with a weekly average of approximately 600 beds occupied. Both overall ICU occupancy (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients) and occupancy for COVID-19 patients only have shown a steady decline, however since 5 February, there have still been around 2 to 4 COVID-19 ICU admissions per day. The number of people recovering from COVID-19 has dropped slightly although is still around 900 in the most recent week.)

Across Wales 967,042 have had their first dose of a vaccine and 154,819 are now fully vaccinated.

Mr Gething said: As more people are vaccinated in Wales, we maybe seeing a faster than anticipated fall in the number of people admitted to hospital.

We have also seen a reduction in the number of people with coronavirus in our critical care units.

And this is really positive and suggests that were over the worst of the second wave of the virus in Wales.

Thanks to everything that you have done over the last couple of months, by staying at home youve kept yourself safe and youve helped to keep Wales safe, helping to control the spread of coronavirus.

But this doesnt mean that we can afford to let our guard down and forget the basic steps which have helped to keep us safe throughout the pandemic or to allow us to relax all the restrictions in one go.

The outcome of the next three week review is set to be announced next week, with the remainder of primary school children expected to be given the go ahead to return to classrooms.

It has also been indicated that the stay at home message could be removed, however Mr Gething said that it could be a case of replacing it with stay local message for three weeks.

He also warned that any changes made to the current restrictions need to take into account the scientific advice and any new variants of the virus.

Mr Gething said: We will be taking a careful and gradual approach towards lifting the restrictions, starting with our top priority of getting our children back into school.

Well also be following the very clear advice from our experts to monitor the changes we make for their impact on infection rates.

This is particularly important as we emerge from this lockdown because the even more infectious Kent strain of the virus is now the most dominant form of the virus across Wales.

This is one of the new mutated strains of the virus which has emerged in the last few months in the UK and elsewhere around the world.

We first became properly aware of the Kent strain in December, but it was probably driving some of the high infection rates we saw across Wales in late November.

Some of these new mutated strains of coronavirus could cause the pandemic to take a new turn, causing more problems as they become a source for more infections and potentially serious illness.

New variants can emerge at any time in any part of the world, but theyre more likely to occur if we have higher levels of community transmission.

That helps to explain why we need to keep rates of infection under control and as low as possible, even as more people are vaccinated,

We also want to get rates of the virus as low as possible before we begin significant relaxations because as soon as people start mixing again, we know that the virus will start to transmit again.

Thats why we cant forget the basic steps which helped to keep all of us safe, to keep our distance to wash our hands often, to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces, working from home wherever possible and keeping indoor places well ventilated.

You can view the full briefing from today on the below video:
Palaeontologists pose for a picture next to an excavation of dinosaur bones and fossils that may have belonged to the largest dinosaur ever discovered, in Neuquen, Argentina, on Nov. 12, 2016. (CTyS-UNLaM/Handout via Reuters)

Fossils of Oldest Member of Huge Dinosaur Group Found in Argentina

BUENOS AIRESScientists have unearthed in Argentinas Patagonian wilderness fossils of what may be the oldest-known member of the dinosaur group known as titanosaurs that includes the largest land animals in Earths history.

Researchers said on Monday the fossils represent a dinosaur species named Ninjatitan zapatai that lived 140 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. They identified Ninjatitan as a titanosaur, a group of long-necked plant-eating dinosaurs that walked on four pillar-like legs.

The dinosaurs incomplete skeletal remains were discovered south of the city of Neuquen. The researchers said Ninjatitan demonstrated that the titanosaurs as a group first appeared longer ago than previously known.

It is the oldest record known, not only from Argentina but worldwide, study lead author Pablo Gallina, a researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina (CONICET), told Reuters. Titanosaurs are recorded on various sides of the world, but the oldest-known records were more modern than this find.

At a length of about 65 feet (20 meters), Ninjatitan was a large dinosaur, but much smaller than later titanosaurs such as Argentinosaurus that reached a length of around 115 feet (35 meters). The researchers also said the presence of such an early titanosaur in Patagonia supports the idea that titanosaurs originated in the Southern Hemisphere.

The findings were published in the scientific journal Ameghiniana.

Titanosaurs are part of a larger dinosaur group called sauropods that includes others with similar body designs such as Brontosaurus and Diplodocus that lived in North America during the Jurassic Period, which preceded the Cretaceous Period.

A number of the titanosaurs that inhabited Patagonia achieved gigantic proportions such as Argentinosaurus, Patagotitan and Dreadnoughtus.

Jose Luis Carbadillo, another CONICET researcher, told a local university publication that the age of Ninjatitans remains could have led people to assume that the bones belonged to a dinosaur group that pre-dated titanosaurs.

In Patagonia, titanosaurs are only known about from less than 120 million years ago, he said.

By Agustin Geist
Washington: Myanmars military rulers attempted to move about $US1 billion ($1.3 billion) held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York days after seizing power on February 1, prompting US officials to put a freeze on the funds, according to three people familiar with the matter, including one American government official.

The transaction on February 4 in the name of the Central Bank of Myanmar was first blocked by the banks safeguards. US government officials then stalled on approving the transfer until an executive order issued by President Joe Biden gave them legal authority to block it indefinitely, the sources said.

A protester holds a placard with the face of Myanmars commander in chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during an anti-coup rally in front of the Myanmar Economic Bank in Mandalay. Credit:AP

A spokesman for the bank declined to comment on specific account holders. The US Treasury and State Departments also declined to comment.

The attempt, which has not been previously reported, came after the Myanmar military installed a new central bank governor and detained reformist officials during the coup.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardinal Innovations recognizes the important duty that the Board of County Commissioners have to vote on behalf of their represented communities. The commissioners' vote to pursue transition to a new managed care organization is disheartening knowing that it will cause stress to the healthcare system for residents of Forsyth County, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

"We're very disappointed in this result and concerned for the vulnerable residents that this decision will impact the most. Two million North Carolina Medicaid enrollees, including almost 70,000 in Forsyth County, will have their Medicaid benefits managed differently beginning in just four months. All while we are trying to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic," said Trey Sutten, CEO of Cardinal Innovations. "The scale and impact of the coming changes is unprecedented in the state. Creating further confusion and disruption to individuals who have the highest medical and behavioral health needs poses a risk their health and wellness."

Cardinal Innovations partners with more than 30 community organizations and nonprofits in Forsyth County, and has invested over $446,000 into the community since 2018. The Highland Avenue Wellness Center had 6,000 visitors from the behavioral health and IDD community last year, participating in activities from bingo and arts and crafts to nutrition education and exercise classes. "We're proud of the work that we've done throughout Forsyth County to improve health outcomes for our members, and we remain committed to the County. When they voiced concerns, we responded, over-delivered on results and continue to improve every day," said Sutten.

Cardinal Innovations voluntarily created a plan of action in response to county concerns and has been reporting progress on the plan since December of last year. Improvement includes revamping processes to ensure that members receive services faster, expanding the network that serves children involved with the foster care system, and offering three million dollars over the next two years  which Forsyth County declined - to serve as a bridge until the Department of Health and Human Services implements their new statewide foster care program.

"For many of our members and families, the relationship they have with their Care Coordinator is a key element in determining how well they're able to navigate what can be a very complicated service system," said Jessica Moore, Head of Care Coordination for Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) at Cardinal Innovations. "These are relationships that have taken years to develop. Transitioning to a new care coordinator is going to be incredibly challenging under any circumstances, and further complicated due to the pandemic."

While a majority of the Board of County Commissioners voted to disengage, we were thankful for the support and confidence of Chairman David R. Plyler, who voted to stay with Cardinal Innovations. Other members expressed uncertainty over the path forward, "I have no concrete evidence that Partners will be any better," said Commissioner Don Martin.

The commission's decision is one step in the lengthy and intricate disengagement transitioning process. At this time, we urge the commission to fully engage in the public comment period before sending their formal disengagement package to the Secretary for consideration and final decision.

Public comments on this disengagement plan are encouraged and can be mailed to: Forsyth County Manager's Office, ATTN: LME/MCO Realignment

201 N. Chestnut Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27101

About Cardinal Innovations Healthcare

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare is a specialized health plan and care coordinator for Medicaid recipients and the under- and uninsured in North Carolina with complex behavioral and special needs. Cardinal Innovations connects people with treatment and support for mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders through a network of providers in their communities. The organization serves this important role in 20 counties. In 2020, Cardinal Innovations administered nearly $850 million for the care of 825,000 people in the region and invested more than $50 million to improve support systems and to respond to the pandemic. Cardinal Innovations also works with local governments to address public health concerns such as homelessness, suicide prevention, child welfare and domestic violence through education, engagement and outreach. https://www.cardinalinnovations.org

SOURCE Cardinal Innovations Healthcare

Related Links

https://www.cardinalinnovations.org




Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute.

Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno.

Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi.
Society will have to live with a substantial degree of mortality until life can get back to normal, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has said.

Andrew Hayward, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at UCL and a Sage member, told Times Radio: I think, you know, given the societal trade-offs, we are going to have to live with a degree of mortality that will be substantial.

I think it will get less over time as more people get vaccinated, and as more people get immune, and I do believe that weve been through the worst of this.

Mr Hayward does not think new variants of Covid-19 will completely evade vaccine-related immunity and said that were heading towards a situation that will be much more like flu.

The numbers of deaths will be much more like flu, the approach to surveillance of new strains and development of new vaccines and regular annual vaccinations will be like that, he said. And we will get back to normal.

The comments echo a hopeful prediction made last month by Matt Hancock, who suggested that Britain could be living with coronavirus as it does with the flu by the end of 2021, potentially ruling out a zero Covid strategy.

The health secretary told the Telegraph: I hope that Covid-19 will become a treatable disease by the end of the year.

He added that new treatments over the months to come would help turn Covid from a pandemic that affects all of our lives into another illness that we have to live with, like we do flu.

However, scientists have warned that coronavirus mutations are getting more dangerous and more infectious and have warned against equatng the virus to the flu.

Dr Sarah Pitt, a virologist at the University of Brighton, told the BBC: Its not a type of flu. Its not the same sort of virus. It doesnt cause the same sort of disease, its very, very nasty.

Professor Steven Riley, a member of the Spi-M modelling group and a top scientist advising the government said the vaccination programme didnt mean restrictions could be lifted too quickly.

He said: If for some reason we were to choose to just pretend it (coronavirus) wasnt here any more then there is the potential to go back to a wave that is a similar size to the one that we are in now.
A massive fire broke out at the Bellandur Lake in the Bengaluru district of Karnataka on Thursday afternoon.

The fire was brought under control by late evening by lake Marshals and Sarjapur fire personnel.

Though the exact cause of the fire outbreak is still unclear chemical effluents and sewage discharged into the lake can catch fire.

Indiatimes

There are also some reports that the fire might have spread to the waterbody from the burning of garbage in a nearby area.

The fire took place at a private land nearby but due to wind flow, it also reached Bellandur Lake. Fire is under control now: Sadashiva, Chief In-charge Marshal of Bellandur Lake in Bengaluru #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/PNHvPprK78  ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2021

Bellandur Lake which is the largest lake in Bengaluru, covering 3.61 km and has a catchment area: 148 km has a history of fires there, mostly caused by chemical pollutants.

The lake had caught fire in May 2015 and January 2018 due to the presence of pollutants and burned for hours, the visuals of which shocked the nation.

It is not just the fires that have made the Bellandur Lake infamous.

Indiatimes

Regular toxic foams

It also regularly makes headlines due to the toxic foams that appear in the waters due to the pollution and often spread into the nearby roads and residential areas.

The repeated formations of foam that was causing health issues to local residents was taken up by NGT which in August 2020 set a deadline of September 30 for completing work on setting up sewage treatment plants and sewerage networks to ensure Bellandur, Agara and Varthur lakes are spared of polluted discharges.

BCCL

However, despite this, toxic water continues to be discharged to the lake from industries and residential complexes.

Around 256.7 million litres of untreated sewage was entering Bellandur Lake every day.


Greensill Capitals unravelling is piling pressure on the sprawling empire of a British industrialist known as the saviour of steel.

Sanjeev Guptas GFG Alliance, which spans steel, aluminum, renewable energy and banking assets in around the world, including in Australia, owes much of its expansion to Lex Greensills eponymous firm thats fighting to stave off a collapse. GFG spent about $US6 billion ($7.8 billion) in just five years, targeting old, unwanted assets, with funding help from Greensill.

Sanjeev Guptas group of companies employs 35,000 people in 30 countries, including Australia. Credit:Bloomberg

But with Greensills supply chain finance business crumbling, the question is what that means for Gupta. By Wednesday, there were already signs of stress. Germanys financial watchdog said it closed Greensill Bank after finding irregularities in how the lender booked assets tied to Gupta. Also, the Bank of England asked GFGs Wyelands Bank to pay back retail depositors, prompting a fresh cash injection of 75 million ($135 million) from its shareholder.

The BoE took the step due to concerns with Wyelands business model and its exposure to the rest of the alliance, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. In a statement on Wednesday, Gupta said that the bank was recapitalised following turmoil caused by Brexit and the pandemic, and that it planned to focus on business advisory and connected finance going forward.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
President on Thursday congratulated the team responsible for last month's successful landing of an six-wheeled rover on Mars and for giving the country a "dose of confidence" at a moment when the nation's reputation as a scientific leader has been tattered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden speaking in video conference call with the leadership of space agency's jet propulsion laboratory team expressed awe over the Feb. 18 landing of Perseverance.

Perseverance, the biggest, most advanced rover ever sent by NASA, became the ninth spacecraft since the 1970s to successfully land on Mars, travelling some 300 million miles in nearly seven months, as part of an ongoing quest to study whether there was once life on the planet.

"It's so much bigger than landing Perseverance on Mars," Biden told members of the team. "It's about the American spirit. And you brought it back" Biden watched on television as Perseverance touched down on Mars last month and called NASA's Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk to pass on his congratulations to the Perseverance team. But Biden said he wanted to speak directly to the team, which he said deserved credit not only for the astronomical feat but also with boosting the United States' reputation at a moment when it's sorely needed.

He recalled that another nation's leader recently told him that the US, once seen as competent, saw its standing fall with its response to coronavirus pandemic.

But Biden, who has made stemming a pandemic that has killed nearly 520,000 Americans his top priority, said that the Mars landing offered the nation a bit of inspiration at a moment when it's sorely needed.

"We can land a rover on Mars, we can beat a pandemic," Biden said. "And with science, hope and vision, there's not a damn thing we can't do as a country." The Perseverance landing comes amid a recent mad dash to Mars among rival space programs.

The team landing on February 18 marked the third visit to Mars in just over a week. Two spacecraft from the United Arab Emirates and China swung into orbit around Mars on successive days earlier in February. All three missions lifted off in July to take advantage of the close alignment of Earth and Mars.

NASA's car-size, plutonium-powered vehicle arrived at Jezero Crater, hitting NASA's smallest and trickiest target yet: a 5-by-4-mile strip on an ancient river delta full of pits, cliffs and rocks. Scientists believe that if life ever flourished on Mars, it would have happened 3 billion to 4 billion years ago, when water still flowed on the planet.

Over the next two years, the rover, nicknamed Percy, will use its 2-metre arm to drill down and collect rock samples containing possible signs of bygone microscopic life.

Three to four dozen chalk-size samples will be sealed in tubes and set aside to be retrieved eventually by another rover and brought homeward by another rocket ship.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

Don't think about frequenting some key Houston businesses without a mask, if that business still requires customers to wear them, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo says.

Governor Greg Abbott's move to lift the mask mandate on March 10 doesn't let customers off the hook when it comes to private businesses that maintain a mask policy.

"If you go to a business and they tell you to wear a mask, please either wear the mask or decide to take your business elsewhere," Acevedo tweeted in a message to Houstonians. "Just remember that if you remain in the business after being asked to leave, you are subject to arrest for criminal trespass."

Governor Greg Abbott also echoed that private businesses have legal rights about safety protocols when he announced the state's reopening.

"If businesses want to limit capacity or implement additional safety protocols, they have the right to do so," Governor Greg Abbott stated.

MASK MANDATE LIFTED: Before the mask mandate was lifted, this COVID-19 expert warned against the move

To cut through the confusion over whether customers could be kicked out for not wearing masks, Acevedo clarified that private businesses do have the right to require their customers to wear a mask.

"As a reminder to fellow Texans, private businesses enjoy property rights and may require folks to wear a mask," Acevedo tweeted. "Please respect their property rights. If you decline to wear a mask and are asked to leave and refuse, you may be committing the offense of criminal trespass."

Acevedo didn't mince words about his concern regarding Governor Abbott's lifting of the mask mandate, especially before spring break.

"The mask recision by @GregAbbott_TX , while grossly misguided, will afford Texans an opportunity to see who among us cares enough about their fellow Texans to follow simple steps to protect our fellow Texans from a deadly virus," Acevedo said.

Last night on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, Acevedo weighed in with a stern message about the move to lift the mask order.

"Forget what the governor says, forget what the law says. What does our own humanity call upon us to do? That's to be cognizant that this is one of the best things we can do, is wear a mask, to keep each other safe."Acevedo told Rachel Maddow.

Even though Gov. Abbott lifted the mask mandate, his move comes despite scientific studies which show masks reduce the spread of COVID-19 when worn over the nose and mouth, according to the Center of Disease Control.

Houston hospital leaders have also expressed their concern over the mask mandate being lifted, as only 6 percent of Texans have had both doses of COVID-19 vaccinations and five new variants have emerged in Houston.

"We know we have more transmissible variants that are now circulating in Houston," Memorial Hermann's CEO David Callender told Chron. "We had the impact of the winter storm. In fact, hospitalizations are up 10 percent. A lot of things have happened that still indicate that we're not out of the woods."
This 2020 file photo shows an anti trafficking poster at a border checkpoint on the Lao side of the Lao-China border.

Police in China have returned three Lao female trafficking victims to their native Laos, sources in Laos told RFA.

The two women and one girl were separately duped into traveling to China on promises of jobs or marriages, only to be sold as brides. They each escaped their captors and sought help with the local police, who helped them return to Laos on Feb. 21, a Lao Womens Union member from Oudomxay province, in the countrys northwest, told RFAs Lao Service.

The source identified two of the returning victims by name as Deng, 28, and Cheng Moua, 17. Both of these victims are from Oudomxay.

In the case of Deng, she obtained a border pass, was taken to China, and married a Chinese man who later sent some money back to her parents, then sold her to another man. Finally, she was rescued and returned home, the source said.

Cheng Moua said she was tricked into going to China for what she thought was a job, then she disappeared and could not be contacted, and then she was sold to a man in China, a leader from her native Houeyhoom village told RFA.

The second source said that a trafficker in Laos told Cheng Moua that there was a job for her in the Boten SEZ on the Laos-China border about six months ago. After being taken to China and sold as a bride, relatives in China who happened to live in the same town recognized and rescued her.

Deng, Cheng Moua, and the third victim spent a week at a temporary womens shelter in Luang Namtha province before returning Feb. 28 to their parents homes.

The first source said she was not familiar with the third victim other than that she was from nearby Luang Prabang province.

Between 2008 and 2018, at least 3,000 Lao women were tricked into moving to China, according to a Lao official who spoke at an anti-human trafficking conference in October 2018 in Vientiane. Out of that number, only 600 women were finally able to return to Laos.

Even with Laos launching education campaigns and working with other governments to reduce trafficking, incidents of trafficked poor women and girls are often reported.

New shelter

The Lao government is appealing to international NGOs to fund the construction of a women and children counseling and protection center to replace the current shelter in Luang Namtha province so it can serve all of the northern provinces.

Its all part of the governments plan. Were seeking donations from governments of other countries, businesses, and international NGOs to build a center that can provide full service to women and children in the northern region, a member of the Womens Union from Luang Namtha told RFA.

According to the Luang Namtha union member, the new center will cost 18 billion kip (about U.S. $2 million). When complete it will have a capacity for 200 women, providing counseling, psychological rehabilitation, and basic job training to women who fall prey to traffickers.

Our fundraising campaign began last year and has continued into this year because of COVID-19, the union member said.

Our current center is only a temporary, rented small building that can accommodate only 30 women. We need more money because we provide everything to the victims including food, clothes and shelter she added.

In serious cases, if a victim is mentally ill, we send her to Vientiane.

The women and girls who come to our facility are poor, uneducated, and have fallen prey to lies. They were told that they will have good jobs and a good life in China, but in reality that wasnt the case. They all became victims of human trafficking, she said.

A worker at the center told RFA that at its current capacity, the shelter has been able to provide service to 70 women.

Most of the victims are members of ethnic minority groups who have been trafficked to China, the worker said.

A member of the Lao Womens Union of Sing District, Luang Namtha Province told RFA she supports the plan to build a new facility in the province.

Its a good idea to have our own center because right now we have to send all the victims to Vientiane.

Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
A fast-tracked push to extend mail-in voting and early in-person voting for springtime elections in Massachusetts, and extend flexibility for cities and towns to re-schedule municipal elections, is taking a short breather so the public can weigh in.

Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues said during Thursdays Senate session that his committee would accept written testimony on the bill, H. 73, until 10 a.m. Monday, an hour before the Senate gavels into its next session. Rodrigues made his announcement during a point of personal privilege while dialed into the session remotely.

The bill would extend COVID-19 vote-by-mail provisions currently slated to expire at the end of March for three additional months, allowing voters to cast ballots early by mail for any municipal or state elections held through June 30. Municipal officials would also be able to authorize early in-person voting for annual or special municipal elections held on or by June 30.

Provisions of last springs COVID-19 municipal governance law would also be revived, giving cities and towns the flexibility to postpone municipal elections or caucuses that had been scheduled up to June 30 until a date not later than Aug. 1. Town officials could also cancel a municipal caucus scheduled to occur by July 31 if COVID-19 is deemed an overriding threat.

The legislation was sent a week ago to the House Ways and Means Committee, which reported a new draft Monday that got the Houses stamp of approval during an informal session where debate on legislation is not allowed. Joint House-Senate committees usually hold hearings on bills before they hit the floor so that the public and legislators can communicate support, disapproval, or suggestions.

Four Republicans  Sen. Ryan Fattman and Reps. Marc Lombardo, Shawn Dooley, and Nicholas Boldyga  wrote to House Speaker Ronald Mariano on Tuesday saying that any extension of voting-by-mail should be prefaced by public testimony and receipt of data from officials like the secretary of state.

Action could have come in the Senate as early as Thursday. Fattman was one of three senators physically present for the session in the Senate chamber, which convened nearly an hour late.

I think our goal was to get some sort of public input process. Mission accomplished, Fattman told the News Service after Rodrigues announced he was opening a window for public testimony.

Our concern was that it seemed to be moving a little bit quickly without really knowing what we were trying to achieve, the Sutton Republican said, citing compliance costs as his chief concern. I think most people say, OK, if a municipality needs to move their election because theyre concerned, we respect that. But theres a lot of towns that I represent, and many across the commonwealth, that are fearful that they may have to pay for a lot of this.

Rodrigues said during the session that Fattman raises some good points about long-term considerations on whether or not we should make these election vote-by-mail or early voting opportunities available long-term, post-pandemic. And we will have full, open debate and discussion on those issues.

But for the moment, the Westport Democrat emphasized that the pending bill is a short-term extension. We do completely understand that this piece of legislation is time-sensitive, as local communities are -- as we speak -- engaging in the planning of their local municipal elections, Rodrigues said.

The chairman said the language is identical to an outside section that the Senate tacked onto its version of the fiscal 2021 spending bill, which was ultimately tossed out in budget negotiations with the House.

The House got a gentle knock on the Senate floor, with Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr saying it was unfortunate the bill arrived in the upper chamber without first going through the hearing process.

The House got a more forceful knock from the state Republican Party, which issued a statement Thursday afternoon calling House Minority Leader Brad Jones, a co-sponsor of the bill, complicit with House Democrats in the scheme to shield the proposal from the public.

We agree with Sen. Tarrs comment that this should have been subject to a public hearing, and he and Sen. Fattman are doing exactly what Republicans should be doing: standing up for the voters. Were proud of Senators Tarr and Fattman for doing their jobs, and we hope House Republican leadership is taking notice, said MassGOP Chairman Jim Lyons, who formerly served under Jones in the House.

Senate Ways and Means asks that all testimony be sent to legislative director Jeremy Spittle (Jeremy.Spittle@masenate.gov).

Related Content:
Following the recent destructive winter storms that impacted the entire state of Texas, Farm Credit organizations from across the state and nation partnered together to support relief efforts for rural communities and residents across the Lone Star State.

Following the recent destructive winter storms that impacted the entire state of Texas, Farm Credit organizations from across the state and nation partnered together to support relief efforts for rural communities and residents across the Lone Star State.

Bryan, Texas, March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following the recent destructive winter storms that impacted the entire state of Texas, Farm Credit organizations from across the state and nation partnered together to support relief efforts for rural communities and residents across the Lone Star State.

AgTexas Farm Credit, American AgCredit, Capital Farm Credit, Central Texas Farm Credit, Farm Credit Bank of Texas, Farm Credit Services of America, Heritage Land Bank, Legacy Ag Credit, Lone Star Ag Credit, Plains Land Bank and Texas Farm Credit are donating a combined $250,000 to support the Texas Department of Agricultures State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Disaster Relief Fund and the American Red Cross.

Texas was hit hard during February winter storms that left millions without power and water. The aftermath of crippling freezing temperatures continues to impact farmers and ranchers in their efforts to restore operations. According to preliminary data from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agricultural economists, the winter storm caused at least $600 million in agricultural losses.

The spirit of a cooperative is built upon producers helping producers, said Ben Novosad, chief executive officer of Capital Farm Credit. Farm Credit understands what our fellow Texans and rural communities are facing. Crops, livestock, and livelihoods were severely disrupted. Farmers and ranchers are resilient, but we want to make sure were there for them in their time of need, like we always have been.

The Farm Credit System was established in 1916 to be there for farmers and ranchers during good times, and bad, added Novosad. As a cooperative, we understand the strength that comes when people and organizations work together.

Story continues

"The donation to the STAR Fund from so many Farm Credit associations exemplifies the spirit of Texas - its Texans helping Texans," said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. "On behalf of all Texas farmers and ranchers, I want to express my deep gratitude to the all the Farm Credit associations from within the state, and those outside the state, that pitched in to help. Every Texan should walk just a little bit taller today when they see this kind of generosity. Thank you."

The State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) Fund was established by the Texas Department of Agriculture to provide relief for Texas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses owners impacted by natural disasters as they work to rebuild operations. Equally, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Disaster Relief fund aids in the recovery efforts of Texas ranchers and their families to restore production.

Both the STAR Fund and the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund will help contribute to restoring rural communities, and assist the families that were severely impacted, said Novosad. Farm Credits mission is to support agriculture and rural communities. This is another way we can do that.

About AgTexas Farm Credit

AgTexas Farm Credit is a customer-owned lending cooperative, providing financing for agricultural operations, agribusinesses, homes, and rural real estate as well as insurance and leasing services for the Ag industry since 1934. Headquartered in Lubbock, AgTexas serves approximately 3,000 members in 43 Texas counties through 12 offices. AgTexas is part of the Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. Learn more at www.agtexas.com.

About American AgCredit

Founded in 1916, American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers throughout California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, Kansas and Oklahoma, as well as to capital markets customers in all 50 states. American AgCredit serves customers through 34 branch offices located throughout the Western and Midwestern states, with corporate headquarters in Santa Rosa, California. Learn more at www.agloan.com.

About Capital Farm Credit

For more than 100 years, Capital Farm Credit has supported rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Capital Farm Credit is a proud member of the Farm Credit system and serves more than 21,500 members, with loans outstanding totaling more than $8 billion. Headquartered in Bryan, Texas, Capital Farm Credit has offices serving 192 of Texas 254 counties. Learn more at www.capitalfarmcredit.com.

About Central Texas Farm Credit

Central Texas Farm Credit is a member of nationwide Farm Credit System, financing farm and ranch land, agribusiness operations, rural land and homes, and recreational property in its 20-county area. Headquartered in Early, the cooperative has branch offices in Brady, Coleman, Comanche, Haskell, San Angelo, and San Saba. Learn more at www.centraltexasfarmcredit.com.

About Farm Credit Bank of Texas

Farm Credit Bank of Texas is a cooperatively owned wholesale bank that finances agriculture and rural America. It funds rural lending co-ops so they can make loans to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and rural property owners. The bank is a part of the Farm Credit System, the nations oldest and largest source of rural financing.

About Farm Credit Services of America

Farm Credit Services of America is a customer-owned financial cooperative proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With nearly $33 billion in assets and $6.3 billion in members equity, FCSAmerica is one of the regions leading providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Learn more at www.fcsamerica.com.

About Heritage Land Bank

Heritage Land Bank provides innovative financing solutions other banks simply cant offer when it comes to rural real estate, agricultural operations, agribusinesses and country homes. Founded in 1917, Heritage Land Bank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of rural lending cooperatives. With headquarters located in Tyler, Heritage Land Bank operates across 16 Texas counties ranging from Dallas-Fort Worth to Lufkin. To learn more, visit heritagelandbank.com.

About Legacy Ag Credit

Legacy Ag Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative financing rural land, agricultural production, country homes and agribusinesses in the northeastern region of Texas with offices in Sulphur Springs, Canton, Gilmer, Longview and Terrell. Part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of cooperatively owned banks and lending associations, Legacy has been a reliable source of rural credit for more than 100 years. Learn more at www.legacyaca.com

About Lone Star Ag Credit

With approximately $2 billion in assets, Lone Star Ag Credit provides financing for rural land, country homes, agribusinesses, livestock, agricultural equipment and operating expenses. The rural lender headquartered in Fort Worth serves approximately 5,000 customer-owners in 48 counties and has credit offices in Abilene, Cleburne, Corsicana, Denton, Fort Worth, Georgetown, Hillsboro, Lampasas, Mount Pleasant, New Boston, Paris, Sherman, Stephenville, Sweetwater, Waco and Weatherford. For more information, contact a local Lone Star Ag Credit office, or visit LoneStarAgCredit.com.

About Plains Land Bank

Plains Land Bank provides long-term financing for agricultural producers and rural property owners. Our main priority is to improve the means and well-being of farmers, ranchers, and rural life in the Texas Panhandle. Part of the nationwide Farm Credit System, the Amarillo-based lending cooperative has branch offices in Amarillo, Pampa, Perryton and Plainview. Learn more at www.plainslandbank.com.

About Texas Farm Credit

Texas Farm Credit (TFC) is an agricultural lending cooperative that provides competitive rates, flexible terms, and personal service to farmers, ranchers, rural residents, and agribusiness firms from the Red River to the Rio Grande Valley. Not only does TFC finance a wide range of farming and ranching operations, it also offers home and rural real estate mortgage loans, as well as provides a variety of insurance services to its members. Headquartered in Robstown, Texas, TFC serves 100 Texas counties and is part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of rural lending co-ops established in 1916.

Attachment

CONTACT: Jeff Moder Capital Farm Credit 979.822.3018 Jeff.Moder@capitalfarmcredit.com




SYDNEY  A tsunami warning for parts of New Zealand was lifted on Friday afternoon, hours after officials had told residents of coastal areas to evacuate in the wake of an 8.1-magnitude earthquake in the South Pacific.

The earthquake was recorded early Friday morning near the Kermadec Islands, which are between Tonga and New Zealands North Island, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center urged the public in the region to be vigilant and to closely monitor the situation, saying that tsunami waves have been observed.

At 1:15 p.m. local time, the National Emergency Management Agency in New Zealand told residents who had earlier evacuated that it was safe to return to their homes. It said that the largest waves have now passed.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - Deveron Corp. (TSXV: FARM) ("Deveron" or the "Company"), a leading agriculture digital services and insights provider in North America, is pleased to announce that further to its press release of February 22, 2021, it has acquired FD Agro Technologies LLC ("Farm Dog"), an award-winning agriculture data platform company that helps farmers, agronomists and agribusinesses record, organize and leverage on-farm information to make better decisions (the "Transaction"). As consideration for the Transaction, the Company will issue an aggregate of 294,118 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.64 per Common Share over a period of two years and a cash payment of US$100,000. All securities issued pursuant to the Transaction will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the issuance thereof, as applicable, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

In connection with the Transaction, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary Deveron USA, LLC ("Deveron USA") entered into an employment agreement with Liron Brish ("Brish") whereby Brish would be retained as an employee of Deveron USA (the "Employment Agreement"). Based on the achievement of certain milestones, and pursuant to the Employment Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay US$750,000 as follows: (i) US$250,000 issuable in Common Shares in the event that Farm Dog adds 2,000,000 unique acres within 3 years of the closing date of the Transaction; and (ii) US$250,000 issuable in Common Shares and US$250,000 in cash in the event that Farm Dog generates an additional CAD$5,000,000 in revenue by the end of 2022.

The completion of the Transaction remains subject to the approval of all regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Deveron: Deveron is an agriculture technology company that uses data and insights to help farmers and large agriculture enterprises increase yields, reduce costs and improve farm outcomes. The company employs a digital process that leverages data collected on farms across North America to drive unbiased interpretation of production decisions, ultimately recommending how to optimize input use. Our team of agronomists and data scientists build products that recommend ways to manage fertilizer, seed, fungicide and other farm inputs better. Additionally, we have a national network of data technicians that are deployed to collect various types of farm data, from soil to drone, that build a basis of our best in class data layers. Our focus is the US and Canada where 1 billion acres of farmland are actively farmed annually.

For more information and to join our community, please visit www.deveronuas.com /register or reach us on Twitter @DeveronUAS or @MyVeritas_HQ

David MacMillan

President & CEO Deveron Corp.

416-367-4571 ext. 221

dmacmillan@deveronuas.com

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under Canadian securities laws. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current views with respect to possible future events and conditions and, by their nature, are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific to the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of agricultural commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in agriculture, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. Additional information regarding the material factors and assumptions that were applied in making these forward looking statements as well as the various risks and uncertainties we face are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of our annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis of our financial results and other continuous disclosure documents and financial statements we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. The Company relies on litigation protection for forward looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76238
John and Michaela pictured on their wedding day in December 2010

A charity set up in memory of murdered Tyrone woman Michaela McAreavey is ceasing activities after ten years.

The Michaela Foundation was set up in 2011 following the death of the 27-year-old while on her honeymoon in Mauritius.

Today, her husband John, Chairman of the foundation, released a statement saying that The activities of Michaela Foundation will cease from this year.

Read More

Mr McAreavey, who recently welcomed his first child with his second wife Tara, said the charity had achieved an enormous amount in the past 10 years and that it is time to bring a close to this wonderful chapter in our lives.

He said the focus will now shift to a new initiative, which will create a tangible and permanent memory to Michaelas spirit and to the incredible spirit of Michaela Foundation.

The foundation was set up to commemorate the values that Michaela held dear in her life, he added.

It was clear that the simple way in which Michaela lived her life resonated with many people. Michaela was fun, confident and had an enriching relationship with God. She led a Life Without Limits.

In 10 years, the Foundation hosted almost 120 summer camps throughout every province in Ireland and worked with 10,000 young people, promoting its values. Last years summer camps were cancelled due to Covid-19.

Mrs McAreavey, the daughter of former Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, was found strangled in the bath of her hotel suite after returning alone to her room at the former Legends Hotel in Grand Gaube, Mauritius.

Two hotel workers, Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea, were charged with the murder but were later acquitted.

In December last year, Independent.ie revealed that Mauritian police have officially closed the latest probe into the murder.

An investigation into the killing announced in August 2020 found no fresh evidence to warrant a new trial or a retrial before a jury, the Mauritian Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Office told the publication.

"We have been informed by the Commissioner of Police that the police has closed its inquiry into the killing of Michaela Harte as no fresh evidence has been detected by the new inquiry which could have warranted a reopening/retrial of the case before a jury," said Mehdi Manrakhan, a senior assistant to the DPP.

Mr Manrakhan was the solicitor who represented the Mauritian state in the 2012 trial of two hotel workers who were charged and later acquitted of the murder.

"The DPP has no further comments to make in the circumstances," he added.

Pictured: Alleged rape survivor Brittany Higgins

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has apologised for calling alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins a 'lying cow'.

Senator Reynolds made the tasteless comments in her office area within earshot of several staff members and public servants on February 15.

It was the same day Miss Higgins went public with allegations a senior colleague raped her in Senator Reynolds' Parliament House office after a night out in March, 2019.

Miss Higgins threatened to sue over the 'hurtful' comment on Thursday unless the minister, who is on stress leave, apologised.

Senator Reynolds released a statement on Friday saying she was 'deeply sorry'.

'In response to a letter from Ms Higgins' lawyers yesterday afternoon, discussions are now underway through our legal representatives in an effort to resolve this matter as soon as possible, with any resolution to include an apology.

'However, in the meantime, I want to express how deeply sorry I am for these remarks and for any hurt and distress they have caused,' she said.

It comes as Finance Minister Simon Birmingham announced a review into workplace culture in parliament house.

The review will be led by Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins and will publicly report its findings by November.

Mr Birmingham said the review will consider 'how to change the culture, how to change the practices, and how to ensure that, in future, we do have the best possible environment for prevention and response' to bullying and harassment allegations.

The prime minister said Senator Linda Reynolds (pictured) was frustrated over suggestions she did not give enough support to Miss Higgins at the time of the incident

Senator Reynolds (pictured with Miss Higgins) has known about the alleged rape for more than two years but did not inform the prime minister to respect Miss Higgins' privacy and welfare

In a letter to Senator Reynolds, Miss Higgins' lawyer Rebekah Giles called the statement 'demeaning and belittling' and 'highly defamatory of our client's good character and unblemished reputation'.

'The cavalier manner in which those words were spoken make it plain that they were not spoken privately or in confidence,' she wrote.

'You are also aware that this distasteful character assassination of our client has been republished widely, causing her immense hurt and distress.

'Your comments are particularly malicious in view of the assault on our client that took place in your office, which is now the subject of a police investigation.'

Ms Higgins said the comments were 'incredibly hurtful', and hit back at Ms Reynolds' statement on Wednesday that blamed the remark on 'stress'.

'I appreciate that it has been a stressful time but that sort of behaviour and language is never excusable,' Miss Higgins said in a statement.

'It's just further evidence of the toxic workplace culture that occurs behind closed doors in Parliament House.'

Senator Reynolds apologised to staff shortly after making the comment, and told Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday it was 'inappropriate and wrong'.

She also said the remark was not in reference to the rape allegation, but to separate reports detailing her own response to the incident.

Brittany Higgins, then 24, has alleged she was raped by a colleague inside Parliament House in March 2019

Scott Morrison said the remark was made in a private office and she later apologised to staff for the outburst

Ms Reynolds denied questioning Miss Higgins' allegations or besmirching her character.

'I have never questioned Miss Higgins' account of her alleged sexual assault and have always sought to respect her agency in this matter,' she said in a statement.

'I did however comment on news reports regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented.'

Miss Higgins didn't proceed with the police complaint in 2019 out of fear she would lose her job as a media adviser.

Former NSW Liberal staffer Dhanya Mani said the Ms Reynolds should be 'disciplined' for the comments, and asked her to consider whether she had 'internalised misogyny' due to her work in federal politics.

'For there to be an environment that exists in which an extremely senior woman in politics felt that she would be able to say that somebody who... has come forward with rape allegations is a 'lying cow' is a reflection of just how broken our parliaments are,' she said on ABC's Q&A on Thursday night.

'How misogynistic our parliaments can be and of the gaslighting and abuse that parliamentarians are prepared to put at the feet of survivors.

'Linda Reynolds is part of the problem. Usually there would be disciplinary action. There needs to be disciplinary action.'

Mr Morrison criticised Ms Reynolds for the comment, but refused to sack her.

Speaking at a battery factory in the New South Wales Hunter Valley on Thursday, the prime minister said she was under 'significant stress' when she made comments.

'She deeply regrets it. They were offensive remarks. She should never have made them. I don't condone them,' Mr Morrison said.

Miss Higgins says the comments made by Ms Reynolds were 'incredibly hurtful'

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie is calling for the minister to quit over the remark.

'She's gone this morning. She needs to resign immediately,' Senator Lambie told Sky News.

'If she's not coming out denying that, if she's trying to smooth it over and throw it somewhere else then I think she's finished. Her career's done.'

Senior Labor frontbencher Penny Wong said Senator Reynolds needed to explain herself.

'It's obviously not an acceptable comment and I think the minister needs to respond publicly,' she told ABC radio.

Independent MP Zali Steggall said she was shocked to hear Senator Reynolds used the derogatory term towards Miss Higgins.

'That's incredibly disappointing and inappropriate of Linda Reynolds and the minister should know better,' she told the Nine Network.

'It makes her position all the more untenable.'

Brittany Higgins has hit back at Linda Reynolds after it was revealed she called her a 'lying cow'

Miss Higgins has recently reinstated her official rape allegation with the Australian Federal Police.

Three other women have since alleged they were assaulted by the same man.

He was sacked as a ministerial adviser because of a security breach on the night of Miss Higgins' alleged rape.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne has taken over Defence duties while Ms Reynolds is on leave.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton previously admitted he was told about the alleged rape but chose not to tell the prime minister about it to avoid compromising a potential police investigation.

Mr Dutton confirmed Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw informed him about the alleged assault on February 11, four days before Mr Morrison says he was told.

Miss Higgins spoke to police on February 5, with the AFP then informing Mr Dutton.
Union finance minister on Friday stated the government's stand on appealing the $1.2 billion awarded which it lost against Cairn Energy, stating that it is her duty to appeal where the countrys sovereign authority to tax is questioned.

India's sovereign authority to tax cannot be questioned by anybody. And even if its an award of if there is a question about India's sovereign right to tax, I will appeal, it is my duty to appeal, Sitharaman said.

Sitharaman added that as a sovereign nation, the government of the day will have to question that. To question the authority of a government to even tax, Im sorry I will appeal on that, she said.

Simultaneously, British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis is reported to have told a select media gathering that his country expects the Indian government to provide an ecosystem that is friendly to foreign investors and quick resolution of complicated tax disputes would help.

A person close to the development said the government appeal was unlikely to change things and would entail more time and cost since the government had raised the argument of soverign authority during the proceedings. "The award is final and the merits cannot be appealed," he said adding that under the Dutch law, the grounds for setting aside an arbitral award were extremely narrow. There are five strictly limited grounds for that which includes no valid arbitration agreement, the rules for the composition of the tribunal have not been observed, the tribunal has exceeded its mandate, the arbitral award is not signed or not reasoned, and the arbitral award or the manner in which it is arrived at is contrary to public policy or public morals. "In addition, an award may be revoked if, after the award is made, it is discovered that the award is based on fraud committed during the arbitral proceedings, the award is based on forged documents or a party obtained documents which would have had an influence on the arbitral tribunal and which were withheld as a result of acts of the other party," the person said quoting the rules.

The bilateral treaty, he said, had strong provisions to enforce a successful award and the decision of the tribunal is final and binding on both parties.

The government is likely to go ahead and appeal against the arbitration award before March 21, Business Standard had earlier reported. The UK energy major has filed a case in the US, the UK, and the Netherlands on executing the $1.2 billion award.

The Indian government has already challenged yet another international arbitration tribunals verdict that overturned its demand for Rs 22,100 crore in back taxes from Vodafone Group Plc.

The two sides held multiple rounds of discussions last month after which the company said on Feburary 21 it was hopeful that an acceptable solution to the dispute could be found to avoid prolonging and exacerbating the negative issue for all parties.

The government had lost an international arbitration case to Cairn Energy under the retrospective tax legislation amendment. The case pertains to the Rs 24,500-crore tax demand on capital gains made by the oil major in reorganising its Indian business in 2006-07.

Sitharaman said into the country has been highest ever when asked about lack of clarity on issues for investors.

We have made our position clear as regards to retrospective taxation, and it has been repeated over 2014, 2015, 2016 and till today. So, on that score I cant see any lack of clarity, she said.

West Virginia Governor Signs Order Letting Restaurants, Small Businesses Fully Reopen

West Virginias governor on Friday announced he is allowing bars, restaurants, and small businesses to reopen fully by eliminating capacity restrictions.

Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, signed an order increasing the capacity limit for the stores to 100 percent, up from 75 percent.

The order contains caveats. Restaurants can only fully reopen if social distancing can be maintained between groups that arrive and sit together. Bars can only reopen if they have physical seating for every patron.

Today were going to move our restaurants and our bars to 100 percent of their seating capacity that they can use, provided we maintain social distancing, Justice told a press conference.

I encourage everyone, everyone there, to just use good sense, and absolutely try at all times, if you can, to keep your mask on, unless youre eating or drinking, and keep that social distancing, he added. We will have no standing room for people to congregate, like in the bars.

Small businesses and retail stores are also seeing capacity limitations lifted, but both shoppers and workers are expected to continue wearing masks. Gyms, museums, and fitness centers are, additionally, not going to have limitations going forward, provided they can meet social distancing requirements.

Justice is not withdrawing his mask mandate at this time, even though he said hes aware that nobody can stand wearing them.

A couple wearing masks wait for the train arrival at Harpers Ferry station in West Virginia, on July 3, 2020. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

The rule changes come as West Virginia saw an 88 percent decrease in the average daily COVID-19 deaths over the past seven weeks, and active COVID-19 cases decreased for 48 consecutive days. The latest daily case number was 6,144.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Just 200 people are hospitalized with the disease in the state, and just 55 are in intensive care units. Meanwhile, 124,000 West Virginians have recovered from COVID-19.

With one of the most efficient vaccine distribution systems in the country, administering about 9 out of 10 of the doses its received, West Virginia has vaccinated 532,805 people against the virus as of the latest update.

As of Friday afternoon, 12.1 percent of West Virginias entire population has received both doses of the vaccines; a rate so high that, if West Virginia were its own country, it would rank as the 7th-best rate of any nation in the world, Justices office said in a press release.

Still, both Justice and his virus czar, Dr. Clay Marsh, warned against people believing the pandemic is over.

We still need to be very, very aware that this is not over yet, Marsh told reporters.

A number of governors this week eased restrictions, including Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. Some rescinded statewide mask orders, while others, like Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, kept them in place for now.
GOVERNMENT received a total of $7.37 billion from oil, gas and quarrying/mining companies in fiscal 2018, with the largest payment of $2 billion coming from majority State-owned National Gas Company (NGC).

However, for the period 2019 to 2020, unaudited figures indicate a declining trend in revenue.
Fingrid Oyj





Stock exchange release 5 March 2021 at 12:00 noon EET

Fingrid's consolidated financial statements have been drawn up in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Unless otherwise indicated, the figures in parentheses refer to the same period of the previous year. The information published in this report is based on Fingrid's audited financial statements for 2020, published in connection with this bulletin.

Fingrid's financial result for 2020 was weaker than planned, mainly due to exceptionally warm weather. Operatively, the year went according to the plan, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Grid transmission tariffs were kept unchanged in 2020.

Finland's electricity consumption in 2020 amounted to 80.9 (86.1) terawatt hours.

Fingrid transmitted 68.4 (68.7) terawatt hours of electricity in its grid, representing 77.9 (76.0) per cent of the total transmission volume in Finland (consumption and inter-TSO).

The transmission reliability rate of the main grid was the best ever, at 99.99995% (99.9998%).

KEY FIGURES 1-12/20 1-12/19 change % 7-12/20 7-12/19 change % Turnover M 682.5 789.4 -13.5 339.1 374.1 -9.4 Capital expenditure, gross M 169.7 126.9 33.7 99.4 67.9 46.3 - of turnover % 24.9 16.1 29.3 18.1 Research and development expenses M 4.5 3.4 30.4 1.9 1.8 8.3 - of turnover % 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.5 Average number of employees 400 384 4.2 413 385 7.3 Number of employees at end of period 408 380 7.4 408 380 7.4 Salaries and bonuses, total M 26.7 22.3 19.6 12.7 9.0 41.1 Operating profit M 118.4 115.5 2.5 63.2 48.7 29.7 - of turnover % 17.3 14.6 18.6 13.0 Profit before taxes M 113.3 105.8 7.1 54.8 36.8 49.0 - of turnover % 16.6 13.4 16.2 9.8 Profit for the period M 94.0 84.6 11.1 45.8 28.7 59.3 Comprehensive income for the period M 95.0 84.7 12.2 45.8 28.8 59.1 Cashflow after capital expenditure M 139.9 147.7 -5.2 38.2 53.3 -28.4 Return on investments (ROI) % 7.0 6.4 Return on equity (ROE) % 14.3 11.6 Equity ratio % 27.4 32.0 27.4 32.0 Interest-bearing net borrowings M 1,049.0 1,037.2 1.1 1,049.0 1,037.2 Net gearing 1.7 1.5 1.7 1.5 Earnings per share  28,269.56 25,452.50 11.1 13,768.99 8,644.75 59.3 Dividend, Series A shares  53,500.00 * 58,500.00 Dividend, Series B shares  19,600.00 * 21,400.00 Equity per share  190,210 206,213 -7.8 Dividend payout ratio, A shares % 189.2 234.9 Dividend payout ratio, B shares % 69.3 86.0 Number of shares - Series A shares qty 2,078 2,078 2,078 2,078 - Series B shares qty 1,247 1,247 1,247 1,247 Total qty 3,325 3,325 3,325 3,325 * The Board of Directors' proposal to the Annual General Meeting on the maximum dividend to be distributed

Jukka Ruusunen, President & CEO of Fingrid: "Best-ever transmission reliability rate - the exceptionally warm year affected the result"

In terms of capital expenditure, 2020 was a record-breaking year for Fingrid: we built transmission lines and substations at dozens of worksites. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, the capex projects progressed as planned. As a company critical for the security of supply, we are well prepared for a wide range of exceptional circumstances. Despite the record level of capex activities and the coronavirus pandemic, the main grid operated very reliably. The transmission reliability rate of the grid was the best ever, at 99.99995 per cent.

2020 was the warmest year on record in Finland, as a result of which the electricity consumption decreased by an average of 6% year-on-year. Also overall, weather played the leading role in the Nordic electricity markets. An exceptionally mild winter and the resulting substantial decrease in electricity consumption, heavy rains and the consequent good availability of hydropower as well as strong winds and high production of wind power led to very low electricity market prices in the Nordic countries and large regional price disparities. Finland imported electricity from Sweden, using the full transmission capacity between the countries, but the existing transmission capacity did not meet the actual market needs. Our cross-border connections functioned very well, however, and we succeeded in making all the existing capacity available to the markets.

Due to the decrease in electricity consumption, our grid service income fell year-on-year. The market conditions also resulted in a decrease of the cross-border transmission income for the capacity imported from Russia. The exceptionally intensive spring floods increased the prices for the reserves required for balancing consumption and production for several weeks, resulting in increased costs for us. Due to the weather conditions, our result was significantly lower than planned. Through cost-effective operations, we have managed to keep our transmission tariffs at an affordable level regardless of the intensive investment tempo. We have been able to lower our grid service fees by more than 10 per cent since 2017, and they will remain unchanged also in 2021.

Financial result

Fingrid's consolidated financial statements have been drawn up in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Unless otherwise indicated, the figures in parentheses refer to the same period of the previous year.

Fingrid's consolidated financial statements have been drawn up in accordance with the same accounting principles as in 2019.

The Group's turnover was EUR 682.5 (789.4) million. Grid service income decreased to EUR 373.6 (385.0) million, due to the low energy consumption during the unseasonably warm winter months. Electricity consumption in Finland totalled 80.9 (86.1) terawatt hours during the year. Imbalance power sales also decreased year-on-year, to EUR 260.8 (346.7) million, due to the low electricity prices. Cross-border transmission income from the connection between Finland and Russia decreased, to EUR 6.9 (11.6) million, due to a lower transmission volume, affected by the low area price compared with north-western Russia. As a result of the transmission situation in the Baltic Sea region, ITC income increased to EUR 17.1 (14.4) million. Other operating income declined to EUR 2.4 (4.2) million.

The Group's total costs amounted to EUR 569.3 (651.6) million. Imbalance power costs decreased, due to low electricity prices, and totalled EUR 234.4 (323.5) million. Loss power costs amounted to EUR 52.6 (53.9) million. The volume of loss power grew slightly, while the price of loss power procurement decreased. The realised average price of loss power procurement was EUR 38.03 (39.57) per megawatt hour. The cost of reserves to safeguard the transmission system security increased to EUR 63.5 (55.9) million, mainly due to the increased hours procured for frequency restoration reserves (FRR). Depreciation amounted to EUR 98.5 (97.8) million and grid maintenance costs to EUR 23.6 (21.6) million. Personnel costs increased to EUR 31.2 (26.4) million because of the higher headcount in response to a growing workload, both domestically and in international cooperation.

The Group's operating profit was EUR 118.4 (115.5) million. To recognise changes in the fair value of electricity derivatives and the currency derivatives related to capital expenditure and other operating expenses, EUR 3.0 (-26.6) million was recorded in operating profit. The Group's profit before taxes was EUR 113.3 (105.8) million. Profit for the financial year was EUR 94.0 (84.6) million. The equity ratio was 27.4 (32.0) per cent at the end of the year.

Fingrid's total capital expenditure in 2020 amounted to EUR 169.7 (126.9) million. This included a total of EUR 137.3 (103.4) million invested in the transmission grid and EUR 9.6 (5.5) million for reserve power. ICT investments amounted to EUR 21.1 (17.0) million. The costliest single ICT investment was the centralised information exchange system for electricity retail markets, datahub, which the company is currently building. A total of EUR 4.5 (3.4) million was used for R&D projects during the year under review.

The parent company's turnover was EUR 679.8 (786.2) million, profit for the financial year EUR 136.0 (148.1) million and distributable funds EUR 186.8 million.

Based on the company's own calculations, the return according to the regulatory model that governs grid operations amounts to a deficit of around EUR 30 million for 2020. The size of the deficit was positively affected by cost efficiency and quality incentives. The Energy Authority has confirmed a cumulative deficit of EUR 28.4 million for the previous regulatory period, 2016-2019.

Financing

Fingrid's credit rating remained high, reflecting the company's strong overall financial situation and debt service capacity. The Group's net financial costs were EUR 4.0 (10.1) million, including EUR 0.7 million in interest expenses on the lease liabilities booked into the balance sheet. The Group's net interest expenses on loans during the year totalled EUR 13.3 (14.7) million. The change in the fair value of financial derivatives was EUR 3.8 million positive (EUR 8.1 million positive). The Group's finance income was increased during the review period by an EUR 8.4 million dividend attributable to the sale of the Nord Pool shares.

Interest-bearing borrowings totalled EUR 1,174.9 (1,120.0) million, of which non-current borrowings accounted for EUR 1,032.8 (884.7) million and current borrowings for EUR 142.1 (235.3) million. At the end of the year, the company's interest-bearing borrowings included a total of EUR 31.2 million in lease liabilities, consisting of EUR 2.3 million in short-term liabilities, to be paid within a year.

The company's liquidity remained good. Cash and cash equivalents and other financial assets totalled EUR 125.9 (82.8) million on. The company additionally has an undrawn committed revolving credit facility of EUR 300 million to secure liquidity (until 11 December 2022) and a total of EUR 225 million in committed and uncommitted bilateral facility arrangements with banks.

The counterparty risk arising from derivative contracts relating to financing was EUR 26.2 (22.4) million. Fingrid's foreign exchange and commodity price risks were hedged.

Fingrid has credit rating service agreements with S&P Global Ratings (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). The credit ratings valid on 31 December 2020 remained high and were as follows:

S&P's rating for Fingrid's unsecured senior debt and long-term company rating at 'AA-' and the short-term company rating at 'A-1+', with a stable outlook.

Fitch's rating for Fingrid's unsecured senior debt at 'A+', the long-term company rating at 'A', and 'F1' for the short-term company rating, with a stable outlook.

Customers

Fingrid provides grid services and electricity market services to its customers: utility companies, electricity-consuming industry and electricity market parties. Fingrid's operations are largely based on fulfilling statutory duties, and they are conducted with a maximum customer focus, impartially and on equal terms.

Grid services secure reliable transmission of electricity in the main grid in accordance with the needs of utility companies and energy intensive industry. The transmission reliability rate broke the all-time record in 2020. Significant quantities of wind power capacity are currently under planning and construction. We received around 160 enquiries about connecting to the main grid, totalling tens of thousands of megawatts in capacity. The connection agreements signed during the year enable the grid connection of roughly 1,800 MW of new wind power capacity. We also received inquiries about the grid connection of new types of consumption.

Fingrid's electricity market services provide the electricity market operators with a unified price area for electricity trading in Finland as well as the benefits of the open European electricity markets. In 2020, the full cross-border transmission capacity was utilised for Finland's electricity imports from Sweden. The transmission capacity did not meet the needs of the market, but our cross-border connections functioned very well.

According to a study carried out by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) in 2019, the transmission tariffs for electricity in the Finnish transmission system are the third lowest in Europe, when compared with transmission grids of a similar size. The comparison included 36 countries. In 2021, the grid service fees will be maintained at the previous year's level.

According to the customer satisfaction survey conducted in autumn 2020, the customers' trust in Fingrid remains strong and our work for the benefit of society at large is considered a particular strength. More than half of the customers felt that the company's operations had improved during the past year. According to the survey, customers perceive Fingrid as an open and cooperative player who works for the benefit of the whole of society and treats its customers impartially. Our customers gave us a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 45, a good result for a natural monopoly in a business-to-business industry.

Main grid

In this decade, Fingrid will invest two billion euros in Finnish grid networks and substations. The main grid must be reinforced because achieving the goal of a climate neutral Finland by 2035 requires a significant increase in emission-free electricity production and consumption. Wind power connections have in particular increased the need for investments.

We are working on a grid vision, aimed to create an understanding of the development needs in the main transmission grid (400 kV and 220 kV) and proposed solutions for the long term.

Roughly 10 kilometres of new transmission lines were completed and 570 kilometres were under construction. 250 kilometres of transmission lines were under general planning. Twelve new or expanded substations were completed and 22 were under construction.

Fingrid's ongoing major electricity transmission projects included the construction of a transmission line from Oulu to Petajavesi, the so-called 'Forest Line'. The construction of a third AC connection to Sweden is under preparation to boost the functioning of international electricity markets. Another project currently in the planning phase is the upgrading of the Oulu-Lappeenranta connection, or 'Lake Line'.

Fingrid scored top results in ITOMS (The International Transmission Operations & Maintenance Study) and was the only TSO to achieve a Top Performer nomination both in the transmission line and substation maintenance categories. ITOMS looks into the effectiveness of maintenance based on criteria such as maintenance costs and disturbance statistics.

Power system

Electricity consumption in Finland amounted to 80.9 (86.1) terawatt hours in 2020. Fingrid transmitted a total of 68.4 (68.7) terawatt hours of electricity in its grid, representing 77.9 (76.0) per cent of the total electricity transmission in Finland (consumption and inter-TSO).

The imported and domestic production capacity was high enough to meet peak demand of the year. The electricity consumption peaked at 12,388 (14,542) MWh/h on Friday 28 February between 8 and 9 a.m., with Finland's electricity production contributing 9,849 MWh/h and the remaining 2,539 MWh/h being imported. The area price of electricity on the day-ahead market in Finland was 46.98/MWh during the peak consumption hour.

The water resources in the Nordic countries clearly exceeded the long-time average, which led to lower year-on-year wholesale electricity prices. The electricity transmitted between Finland and Sweden mostly consisted of large imports from Sweden to Finland. In 2020, 18.8 (16.3) terawatt hours of electricity was imported from Sweden to Finland, and 0.3 (0.5) terawatt hours was exported from Finland to Sweden. The electricity transmissions between Finland and Estonia were dominated by exports from Finland to Estonia, totalling 6.6 (3.8) terawatt hours. Electricity transmission from Russia to Finland amounted to 3.0 (7.6) terawatt hours. In contrast to the previous year, electricity was also exported from Finland to Russia on a few occasions. In 2020, 0.3 (0.2) terawatt hours of electricity was imported from Norway to Finland.

The transmission reliability rate of the main grid was the best ever in 2020, at 99.99995% (99.9998%). An outage in a connection point in the main grid caused by a disturbance in Fingrid's transmission system lasted an average of 0.51 (4.3) minutes. The calculated cost of the disturbances (regulatory outage costs) to consumer customers was EUR 0.9 (2.7) million. If rapid reclosures are included, the cost of disturbances amounts to EUR 3.2 million.

The availability and reliability of Fingrid's HVDC transmission links remained very high. Disturbance-clearing and fault elimination measures were highly successful, and the connections were quickly restored and made available to the market.

The volume of transmission losses in the main grid increased somewhat from the level of the previous year, amounting to 1.5 (1.3) terawatt hours. This was 1.8 (1.5) per cent of the total volume of transmitted electricity.

Electricity market

The average market price of spot electricity on the power exchange (Nordic system price) was EUR 10.93 (38.94) per megawatt hour. The wholesale area prices on the Nordic and European electricity markets were the lowest in market history. The price differences between areas were significant, both among the Nordic price areas and on the Central European markets. The price decrease in the Nordic market area was primarily caused by extremely high hydropower production volumes and warm weather. The day-ahead market prices fell to negative figures several times in the Nordic countries. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the production and consumption of electricity and on the electricity market was fairly insignificant in the Nordic market area.

Large quantities of electricity were imported to Finland, based on market incentives, throughout the year under review. Finland has been dependent on imported electricity, as the domestic production capacity does not meet the demand. The area prices in Finland and Sweden diverged in situations where the transmission capacity between the countries was insufficient to meet the demand. Our cross-border connections functioned very well, however, and we succeeded in making all the existing capacity available to the markets.

Fingrid's congestion revenue from cross-border transmission lines totalled EUR 146.7 (73.0) million, of which the cross-border transmission lines between Finland and Sweden accounted for EUR 122.7 (65.5) million. The links between Finland and Estonia generated EUR 24.0 (7.5) million in congestion revenue. A total of EUR 219.1 million in congestion revenue remained unused at the end of 2020 and will be used, in accordance with the regulatory guidance, for the Forest Line connection currently under construction and other grid investments that will improve the functioning of the electricity market.

To increase the cross-border transmission capacity between Finland and Sweden, a third AC connection to Sweden is currently being prepared, in cooperation with the Swedish TSO. The increased transmission capacity will help to decrease the price disparities between the countries. The transmission link is due for completion in 2025. The Forest Line connection currently under construction will substantially increase the North-South transmission capacity necessary for the Finnish power system and help to keep Finland as a single price area in electricity trading. The project is due for completion in 2022.

Competitive trading between the Nordic power exchanges started in June 2020. The competition between electricity exchanges will increase the number of alternative trading services available to electricity market operators. The competition makes it possible for more than one Nominated Electricity Market Operator to connect with the European market coupling on the day-ahead market in the Nordic price areas.

Fingrid has several on-going projects to develop the electricity market, the most notable of which is the centralised information exchange system, i.e. datahub, to go live in Finland in February 2022. The on-going Nordic cooperation projects include the Nordic Balancing Model and the related Higher Time Resolution project (15-min imbalance settlement) as well as the adoption of a new transmission capacity calculation methodology. Fingrid's development of flexibility market solutions has progressed within the INTERRFACE and OneNet projects funded from the EU's Horizon2020 research programme.

Corporate responsibility

Fingrid Oyj employed 408 (380) persons, including temporary employees, at the end of the year. The number of permanent personnel was 363 (338).

At the end of the year, 23 (24) per cent of the personnel were women and 77 (76) per cent were men. The average age of the personnel was 44 (44).

Fingrid is an expert organisation where the most important resource is the knowledge and skills of the personnel. In an expert organisation, work can be organised autonomously and independently, while also supporting the team and common goals. This concept of specialists focusing on their area of expertise was also successful in 2020, in the exceptional circumstances, when most of the experts were forced to transfer to remote work almost full-time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fingrid is charged with a mission of high responsibility and great societal significance: to ensure the entire population of Finland has electricity available to them and to carry out the grid investments necessary for a clean power system. We support particularly the UN's global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to climate actions, energy and infrastructure. Fingrid's corporate responsibility performance is reported according to the Global Reporting Initiative framework and the data is verified by an independent external party. In 2020, the topics important to Fingrid's business activities and corporate responsibility, in addition to successfully fulfilling the company's core mission, included areas such as safety and security, procurement practices, stakeholder trust, financial result, Code of Conduct, and taking care of the work community. Compliance and corporate responsibility management is integrated with Fingrid's management system and risk management practices, using the corporate strategy as a starting point. Fingrid's Board of Directors updated and approved the company's Code of Conduct, monitored the responsibility of operations, and ensured that corporate responsibility management is properly organised and integrated into business operations.

Fingrid is committed to the United Nations' Global Compact initiative, and its Code of Conduct is in line with the initiative's principles on human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. The Code of Conduct was updated in 2020 to match with the company's updated values, and the requirement to promote diversity was included in the Code of Conduct.

The company scored an eNPS of 71 and overall satisfaction of 87/100 in the Siqni employee survey. The grade for responsible operations in the personnel survey was 4.6 out of 5. The company's customers gave us a net promoter score (cNPS) of 45. Fingrid has made a pledge to support human rights and included it in the Code of Conduct. To ensure that we correctly understand our human rights impacts, Fingrid has carried out an overall assessment in compliance with the due diligence process recommended in the UN's Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Human rights are included in the corporate responsibility commitment Fingrid expects from its suppliers and their realisation is monitored using a risk-based approach. In 2020, ten Fingrid worksites were audited to verify compliance with contractor obligations, occupational safety and environmental management. In international goods sourcing, third-party supplier audits were carried out at 15 production plants, and six follow-up audits were carried out in order to rectify any non-compliances observed during these or earlier audits.

Fingrid seeks to improve its occupational safety culture and achieve its zero accidents goal. In 2020, the Executive Management Group approved Fingrid's policy and goals for occupational safety and health management. Fingrid's own personnel had 2 (0) lost-time accidents and suppliers' personnel 14 (7). 5 (2) of the lost-time accidents resulted in an absence from work of more than 30 days or in a permanent handicap/bodily injury and were classified as serious. The suppliers' and Fingrid's combined lost time injury frequency (LTIF) increased from the previous year to 11.1 (5.3) per million worked hours.

Landowners and other stakeholders were taken into account when building and maintaining the power grid, and environmental impacts were mitigated at all life-cycle stages. Outsourced contractors and service providers were required to commit to environmentally responsible operating practices through contract terms, training and audits. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure was applied to the transmission line projects with the most significant impacts, with on-going assessments in four projects during 2020.

Fingrid reports on its tax footprint and refrains from any special arrangements to minimise taxes. In 2020, the personnel and external stakeholders had a confidential and independent whistle-blower channel available to them. No breaches of anti-competition laws, complaints related to the privacy of private individuals, incidents of bribery or other corruption, human rights violations or discrimination incidents occurred in Fingrid's operations.

Legal proceedings and proceedings by authorities

An accident took place on a worksite in Laukaa, Finland, on 25 August 2017, where an employee of Revilla y Garcia S.L. died after having fallen from a transmission line tower. A civil court case, as well as proceedings concerning social-security-based damages, have been initiated in Spain for damages against Fingrid (the client linked with the accident), the main contractor, Technolines S.R.L. filial i Finland, and its subcontractor, Revilla y Garcia S.L. Fingrid does not believe the claim against it is likely to succeed and, in Fingrid's view, the legal proceedings or their outcome are not likely to have a substantial impact on the company's earnings or financial position.

On 30 June 2020, the Market Court received an appeal on the company's decision to exclude a bidder from a competitive tender for 400-MVA transformers to be acquired in 2022-2025. The company decided to discontinue the tendering process on 14 July 2020. After the decision to discontinue the tendering process, the appeal to the Market Court was withdrawn on 28 July 2020.

Events after the review period and future outlook

Fingrid Group's profit for the 2021 financial period, excluding changes in the fair value of derivatives and before taxes, is expected to improve somewhat compared to 2020.

Results forecasts for the financial year are complicated especially by the uncertainty related to grid service revenue, ITC income and cross-border transmission income, and to reserve and loss power costs. These are dependent on the variations in outside temperature, precipitation, windiness, and hydrological conditions in the Nordic countries, which affect electricity consumption and electricity prices in Finland and neighbouring areas and thus also grid transmission volumes. The company's debt service capacity is expected to remain stable.

Board of Directors' proposal for the distribution of profit

The guiding principle for Fingrid's dividend policy is to distribute substantially all of the parent company profit as dividends. When making the decision, however, the economic conditions, the company's near-term capital expenditure and development needs as well as any prevailing financial targets of the company are always taken into account.

Fingrid Oyj's parent company's profit for the financial year was EUR 136,014,363.58 and distributable funds in the financial statements total EUR 186,751,302.32. Since the close of the financial year, there have been no material changes in the company's financial position and, in the Board of Directors' view, the proposed dividend distribution does not compromise the company's solvency.

Since the closing date, the Board of Directors has proposed to the Annual General Meeting of shareholders that, on the basis of the balance sheet adopted for the financial period that ended on 31 December 2020, a dividend of EUR 53,500.00 at maximum per share be paid for Series A shares and EUR 19,600.00 at maximum for Series B shares, for a total of EUR 135,614,200.00 at maximum. The dividends shall be paid in two instalments. The first instalment of EUR 35,500.00 for each Series A share and EUR 13,000.00 for each Series B share, totalling EUR 89,980,000.00, shall be paid on 12 April 2021. The second instalment of EUR 18,000.00 at maximum per share for each Series A share and EUR 6,600.00 at maximum per share for each Series B share, totalling EUR 45,634,200.00 at maximum in dividends, shall be paid subject to the Board's decision after the half-year report has been confirmed, based on the authorisation given to the Board in the Annual General Meeting. The Board has the right to decide, based on the authorisation granted to it, on the payment of the second dividend instalment after the half-year report has been confirmed and it has assessed the company's solvency, financial position and financial development. The dividends that have been decided on with the authorisation given to the Board shall be paid on the third banking day after the decision. It will be proposed that the authorisation remain valid until the next Annual General Meeting.

Annual General Meeting 2021

Fingrid Oyj's Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held on 7 April 2021 in Helsinki.

In Helsinki, on 5 March 2021

Fingrid Oyj

Board of Directors

Attachments
Comments made by former US President do not meet the standard to halt an extradition hearing of a senior executive for Chinese communications giant Technologies, a Canadian justice department lawyer argued in a court Thursday.

arrested Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei's founder and the company's chief financial officer, at Vancouver's airport in late 2018. The US wants her extradited to face fraud charges. Her arrest infuriated Beijing, which sees her case as a political move designed to prevent China's rise.

The US accuses of using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of US sanctions. It says Meng, 49, committed fraud by misleading the HSBC bank about the company's business dealings in Iran.

In a 2018 interview, Trump said he would "intervene (in the case) if I thought it was necessary" to help secure a trade deal with China or aid US security interest.

Meng's defense team say the comments are a threat that turned her into "a bargaining chip" and amount to an abuse of process.

Canadian justice department lawyer Robert Frater said there was no evidence to suggest the former president's words had any impact on the fairness of the proceedings against Meng.

Frater dismissed allegations Meng is being used as a political pawn in a power struggle between the US and China.

"We urge you to focus on the facts and the law and leave the to the politicians," he said.

Meng, who attended the hearing dressed in a short black dress that exposed the electronic tracking bracelet on her ankle, listened to the proceedings through an interpreter.

Over the next several weeks Meng's defense team will present several justifications for halting the extradition proceedings.

Later this month, they will claim an abuse of process, saying Border Services Agency officers detained and questioned Meng without a lawyer, seized her electronic devices and compelled her to give up their passcodes before her official arrest.

Her lawyers also contend the US is exceeding the limits of its jurisdiction by prosecuting a foreign citizen for actions that took place in Hong Kong and said was misled by the US about the strength of its case.

Meng's arrest has soured relations between Canada and China. In apparent retaliation, China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor. China has also placed restrictions on various Canadian exports to China, including canola oil seed. China also handed death sentences to four Canadians convicted of drug smuggling.

Meng remains free on bail in Vancouver.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
The mystery person infected with the Brazil variant of coronavirus has been found, according to reports.

British health officials have been searching for the unknown individual after cases of the variant of concern were detected in the UK.

Six cases of the P1 variant, first identified in the Brazilian city of Manaus, have been found  three in Scotland and three in England.

A public appeal was made for one of those people in England to come forward after they took a test in February but left no contact details.

(PA Graphics)

Earlier this week, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the search for the infected person had been narrowed down to 379 households in the south-east of England.

According to the BBC, public health officials have found the unnamed person and traced all of their contacts.

The individuals location has not been reported.

The P1 variant, which was also detected in travellers from Brazil to Japan, was associated with a surge of cases in Manaus late last year.

It is among a total of four variants of concern being tracked by scientists in the UK.

A study this week suggested that between 25% and 61% of people in Manaus who had previously had Covid were susceptible to reinfection with the concerning P1 variant.

The variant carries a mutation in the spike protein called E484K, raising concerns that vaccines may not be as effective against it.

On Monday, surge testing began in South Gloucestershire, England after two cases of the Manaus variant were detected in one local household which had a history of travel to Brazil.

(PA Graphics)

News of the tracing of the mystery infected person comes as new data showed the number of people with Covid-19 in homes across England continues to fall  although the picture is uncertain in some regions.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate that around one in 220 people in private households in England had Covid-19 between February 21 and 27  the equivalent of 248,100 people.

The figure is down from around one in 145, or 373,700 people, for the period February 13 to 19, and is the lowest figure since the week to October 1, when it was one in 240.

However, the number of people infected in England is still high when compared with last summer.

In the week to August 25, around one in 2,000 people had coronavirus.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

State Auditor Brian Colons office is looking into Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams use of a taxpayer-funded expense account to buy almost $13,500 worth of goods and services, such as dry-cleaning, tuna steaks, liquor and Wagyu beef, over a six-month period in 2020.

Colon confirmed late Thursday that his office opened an examination on this matter this week after receiving a complaint from a constituent.

This will be handled the way we handle all of these complaints, said Colon, a Democrat. The opening of the auditors examination was first reported by KOB-TV.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

Colon said he had already agreed his office would look into the matter when he received a letter from 14 members of the Senate Republican Caucus Thursday afternoon asking for a special audit of the fund.

Under state law, the fund is to be used to pay for expenses directly connected with obligations of the elected office of governor. And none of the money can be spent to pay or supplement the salary of the governor or any state employee, or as perquisites or allowances for state employees.

We know the auditor as a matter of course reviews any complaints that are made to his office. As our office has said, we acknowledge some of the purchases were more than what was necessary but none was outside of the bounds of what the fund may be used for, said Nora Meyers Sackett, the governors press secretary.

Former Republican Gov. Susana Martinez spent some $470,000 in discretionary funds from 2011 through 2017, an average of about $68,000 per year.

Lujan Grishams spokesman, Tripp Stelnicki, has said previously that some of the spending  more than $6,500  was used for groceries to feed the governors Cabinet and staff at long meetings during the second half of last year amid the COVID-19 crisis.

One of the receipts showed that the Governors Office spent more than $200 on one trip to Sams Club on at least five bottles of tequila, two bottles of vodka, two bottles of merlot, a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of gin, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

The liquor was bought by a staffer for a holiday party that, in the end, did not happen, and the alcohol remains unopened, Stelnicki has said.

Senate Minority Whip Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, pointed out Thursday that lawmakers approved a 2018 law that made the governors contingency fund subject to state audit and imposed annual reporting requirements.

That fund is only supposed to be used, really, to promote the state and not to buy beef from Japan, Brandt said.

State lawmakers changed the way the money is distributed and overseen after former Gov. Martinez used discretionary funds to throw a controversial holiday party at a Santa Fe hotel that involved the police.

The party caused a number of police complaints about noise and partygoers who threw objects from a hotel balcony.

Loud noise? Were in a room eating pizza, Martinez said in a recorded call with police. Martinez later told a dispatcher to call off officers who were heading for her room.

We are eating pizza and drinking Cokes, and whoever was throwing bottles is not there  hasnt been there for like six hours, she said.

Martinez signed the 2018 bill to provide more transparency for how discretionary funds are spent, but the law was not in effect until Lujan Grishams term began in 2019.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
She plays blonde ingenue Betty Cooper on the hit series Riverdale.

And Lili Reinhart was seen on a day off from shooting season five of the hit CW series on Thursday, while on a walk with her dog Milo in Vancouver, Canada.

The actress, 24, sported a denim jacket over an all-black gym ensemble, as she was coming from a workout.

Strolling: Lili Reinhart was seen on a day off from shooting season five of the hit CW series on Thursday, while on a walk with her dog Milo in Vancouver, Canada

Lily wore a black hoodie and matching leggings.

On her feet, she donned dark blue sneakers with white soles.

Reinhart wore delicate cat-eye sunglasses, and had a headband around her head with her light hair in an easy bun.

As a protection against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the TV star made sure to cover her mouth and nose with a standard blue disposable surgical mask.

Dog mom: The actress, 24, sported a denim jacket over an all-black gym ensemble, as she was coming from a workout

On Instagram on Thursday, Lili channeled some serious femme fatale vibes in two incredible black-and-white photos taken by photographer Sasha Samsonova.

The images saw the starlet rocking a sexy black leotard with feather fringe along the bustline.

She also wore black thigh high stockings with the requisite black stiletto heels.

On Instagram on Thursday: Lili channeled some serious femme fatale vibes in two black-and-white photos taken by photographer Sasha Samsonova

For the caption on one of the images, Reinhart cheekily wrote, 'Hey, Im here to step on your ego.'

Her Riverdale costars Camila Mendes and Madelaine Petsch responded in kind in the comments with, 'can you step on my throat while youre at it' and 'Please do' respectively.

Other stars to share their vociferous approval in the comments underneath Lilis post included Hailee Steinfeld, Dove Cameron and Lucy Hale.
WELLINGTON -- A strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the east of New Zealands North Island on Friday, prompting a tsunami warning that was later withdrawn, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said, although residents were asked to stay alert.

There is no longer a tsunami threat from this earthquake, PTWC said in a statement.

There were no immediate reports of damage, but the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) advised people in some coastal areas to move immediately to high ground..

Local civil defence authorities said the tsunami threat would continue for several hours.

Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected in areas under Land and Marine threat, NEMA said in a tweet.

The closest major city to the epicentre is Gisborne with a population of about 35,500. People near the coast from Cape Runaway to Tolaga Bay were told to evacuate.

Hope everyone is ok out there - especially on the East Coast who would have felt the full force of that earthquake, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern posted on Instagram.

There was threat to the capital Wellington and other regions, but civil defence authorities asked residents across the country to stay away from beaches and marine areas as there could be strong and unusual currents.

More than 60,000 people reported feeling the quake on GeoNets website, with 282 describing the shaking as severe and 75 saying it was extreme. Most others described it as light.

Aftershocks were still being recorded in the area.
Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 14:01:12|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KABUL, March 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 90 people were killed in direct clashes and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, an independent war monitoring group said Friday.

"Over the past 24 hours, our team has documented 90 deaths, including eight civilians, five Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) members, and 77 Taliban militants," Reduction in Violence (RiV) confirmed on its twitter account.

The group said 33 people including 31 Taliban and two civilians were also injured during the same period.

The deaths and injuries took place following eight security incidents in five provinces of the Asian country's 34 provinces. Enditem
This cannot be happening spontaneously, this must be part of a plan, a funded strategy of sorts. Cancelling the classics, cancelling books that critique Islamic practices and the aggressive tactics of the transgender cult; challenging professors on how they teach race and gender identity -- and on whether or not they present sex work as sexual slavery. Lets not forget the incessant swarming, bullying, and firing of Jewish students from committees and Jewish professors on campus if they dare to express any pro-Israel views. Non-Jewish professors as well.

Now this: A star writer, Russell T. Davies, opposes casting straight actors in gay roles. Come again? Does this mean that gay actors can only play gay characters? And that straight actors can only play straight characters? That only African, Hispanic, Asian or native American Indian actors can play African/Hispanic/Asian/Native American Indian roles -- and that they absolutely cannot play white roles? Even in costume dramas? Talk about balkanization and ghettoization and the law of unintended consequences! Are cisgender male actors no longer allowed to play cisgender female roles and vice versa? Quel Horreur! Does this mean that all drag queens and transsexual performers must be shut down for impersonating the opposite sex? Or another sex?

And here I thought that acting was about... well, acting. Taking on a role that is not yourself. That is the art of it all. This madness will not stop at sex, sexual preference, or gender identity. Will actors soon be vetted in terms of their political beliefs? Or private lives? Should Vanessa Redgrave, an ardent critic of Israel, really have been allowed to play the role of a Holocaust victim?

Let me go further. We have already seen writers castigated and even cancelled for daring to write about an ethnicity not their own. Must writers only write about themselves and their own experiences lest they be savaged and silenced as cultural appropriators?

Where will this idea end? Shall we burn Flauberts Madame Bovary because he wrote so well about a woman? Tolstoys Anna Karenina because he did the same? George Eliot because she wrote so masterfully about both men and women? What do we do about Virginia Woolf who was bisexual and yet who wrote about Mrs. Dalloway who was not?

A gay friend insists that so many gay actors have been playing straight for so long that they indeed can play both gay and straight roles far better than straight actors can play being gay. I am not sure this is true. Not all gay people whove had to pass to survive can act on stage or screen, not everyone is a great actor or performer. Also, everyone in the theater and cinematic worlds have known full well who was and who wasnt gay. There have always been gay dancers, directors, musicians, composers, conductors -- and actors. Now, it is all far more out in the open. We, the audience get to know this information too, irrelevant though it may be.

I must note that, other than a handful of female directors and actresses over fifty, that no one else is arguing loudly enough for more roles for women, and for women of all ages, not just girl-women who look like perennial teenagers, but women who look like our grandmothers too.

I fear that the times are against this way of thinking, that I am a relic, that all those who agree with me are fading into the past. Still, this balkanization of our culture, our civilization, is as dangerous as the COVID-19 virus; perhaps even more so.

Image: Tim Green
VANCOUVER, BC, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Copper Mountain Mining Corporation (TSX: CMMC) (ASX: C6C) (the "Company" or "Copper Mountain") is pleased to announce the appointment of Paula Rogers to the Copper Mountain Board, effective immediately. Ms. Rogers will also serve as a member of the Audit Committee.

Ms. Rogers has over 25 years of experience working with international public companies, with a special focus on debt and equity-based project financing in the mining industry, corporate governance, financial reporting and tax strategy. Ms. Rogers' past roles include Chief Financial Officer of Castle Peak Mining Ltd., Vice President and Treasurer of Goldcorp Inc. and Treasurer of Wheaton River Minerals Ltd., where she was responsible for the financing and tax structuring of several significant transactions. She also held various senior finance positions in corporate reporting, tax and treasury at Finning International Inc. Ms. Rogers is also currently on the Board of Great Bear Resources Ltd., Argonaut Gold Inc., and Diversified Royalty Corp.

Ms. Rogers holds a B. Comm. degree from the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

About Copper Mountain Mining Corporation

Copper Mountain's flagship asset is the 75% owned Copper Mountain mine located in southern British Columbia near the town of Princeton. The Copper Mountain mine currently produces approximately 100 million pounds of copper equivalent. Copper Mountain also has the development-stage Eva Copper Project in Queensland, Australia and an extensive 2,100 km2 highly prospective land package in the Mount Isa area. Copper Mountain trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CMMC" and Australian Stock Exchange under the symbol "C6C".

Additional information is available on the Company's web page at www.CuMtn.com.

On behalf of the Board of

COPPER MOUNTAIN MINING CORPORATION

"Gil Clausen"

Gil Clausen, P.Eng.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the successful exploration of the Company's properties in Canada and Australia, the reliability of the historical data referenced in this press release and risks set out in Copper Mountain's public documents, including in each management discussion and analysis, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Copper Mountain believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Copper Mountain disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Copper Mountain Mining Corporation

Related Links

www.CuMtn.com



(HealthDay)Giving homeless COVID-19 patients a free hotel room for their quarantine and recovery pays huge health dividends for the entire community, according to a new study out of San Francisco.

Only 4% of homeless folks transferred from Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital to a participating hotel wound up back in the hospital with worsened COVID-19 symptoms, the researchers said in the report published online March 2 in JAMA Network Open.

That helped San Francisco hospitals save beds for severe cases of COVID-19 and other life-threatening illnesses, and also prevented further spread of the coronavirus among the city's homeless population, said lead researcher Dr. Hemal Kanzaria. He is medical director of care coordination at Zuckerberg San Francisco General.

"We were able to meet their medical and non-medical needs in the community, and we were able to reserve that precious hospital capacity for our sickest patients," Kanzaria said.

In January, President Joe Biden ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide 100% reimbursement for programs to house the homeless in hotel rooms during the pandemic.

This study shows that approach is "good strategy," said Oscar Alleyne, chief of programs and services for the National Association of County and City Health Officials, in Washington, D.C.

"For those who are able to use this, it does bode well for showing some success rates," Alleyne said.

Last March, San Francisco declared one of the nation's first shelter-in-place orders.

Within days, the city opened the first of five designated quarantine hotels in which COVID-19 patients could stay if they had no other means of isolation, researchers said in background notes. The hotels, all located near several homeless shelters, offered a total 457 beds.

Kanzaria explained that "it was clear early on in San Francisco that we needed to develop an approach that would preserve hospital beds for patients with the sickest illness, to improve health overall in our community. We wanted to provide support for this vulnerable population, especially if they had COVID or had been exposed to COVID, so that they could safely isolate and quarantine, both to keep themselves safe and to decrease the chance of transmission of COVID."

An estimated 568,000 people are homeless on any given night in the United States, and there have been numerous COVID-19 outbreaks among those in crowded and cramped community shelters, the researchers noted.

During the past year, the program has provided hotel shelter for more than 3,300 people, Kanzaria said.

The new study focuses on more than 1,000 of the hotel guests during a two-month span early in the pandemic, including 346 homeless people who were referred to a hotel by Zuckerberg San Francisco General.

Under the program, hospital workers identified homeless people who either had confirmed COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19, and referred them to one of the participating hotels for isolation and quarantine, Kanzaria said.

At the hotel, homeless guests were monitored for symptoms by nurses, received twice-daily wellness checks and were delivered meals, according to the report.

They also were treated for drug addiction and alcoholism, and provided with other needed medical care, the researchers said.

"More than 80% of quarantine patients at the hotels completed their recommended length of stay, and only 4% of patients that were referred from the county hospital where I work had to be sent back due to illness progression," Kanzaria said. "That suggests it was a safe alternative to the hospital."

Of the 4% sent back to the hospital, one person died and nine others required hospitalization for other medical or behavioral health conditions.

In another good sign, Kanzaria noted that more than 70% of the referrals to the hotel program came from outpatient settings like emergency rooms, urgent care centers and health care clinics.

"Those were patients we avoided hospitalization for altogether," he said. "Our study suggests this is an effective tool both to serve individuals that need a safe place to isolate and quarantine, and to preserve hospital capacity in the setting of additional surges."

These results show the value of housing strategies for the homeless even beyond the pandemic, Kanzaria said.

"Housing is one of the most fundamental things we can do to promote our patients' health," he said.

"Those underlying social determinants of healththose social, environmental and economic factorsactually drive the majority of population health," Kanzaria added.

"There's really strong science to suggest that 70% to 80% of overall health is determined by these underlying social, economic and environmental factors. If we want to advance health overall, we really need to be focusing upstream on things like poverty reduction initiatives, access to affordable housing, access to healthy food, early childhood education, things like that," he said.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about Journal information: JAMA Network Open The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about COVID-19 and the homeless

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
'The biggest defender': Why Wolf's legacy matters in 2022

Gov. Tom Wolf's veto pen has frequently been the only thing to stop legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature from becoming law.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health show that of the vaccine doses administered in Will County, 13,286 doses, or 10.3%, went to Latinos and 8,628 doses, or 6.72%, went to members of the Black community. In July 2019, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the countys population at 690,743 residents with Latinos making up 18.2% and Blacks 12.2%.
Thousands of schoolgirls have shared their horrific tales of alleged rape and assault at the hands of teenage boys from Australia's most elite schools.

Chanel Contos, 22, has collected the testimonies of former and current students who claim they were abused at the hands of boyfriends or other male pupils.

The testimonies emerged after the former Kambala School student launched a petition demanding improved sex education in private schools.

Their harrowing stories have revealed many of the alleged sexual assault victims blamed themselves for what happened - and only learned years later the truth about their experiences.

Disturbing stories of alleged rape and sexual assault have shown the lack of awareness of consent by young girls as they only realise they were assaulted years later. Pictured: Chanel Contos started a petition to address rape culture within schools

A petition by former private schoolgirl Ms Contos (pictured right) has shown testimonies of thousands of students who did not know they had been assaulted, many blamed themselves and some were even slut-shamed by their own friends

After the petition went viral, Ms Contos collected testimonials of alleged assaults which are displayed anonymously on a new website

One student thought it was her fault she was allegedly raped in an Uber because she had agreed to share it with her alleged attacker, who went to a private school in Sydney.

'As we arrived at his [house] he told me to get out of the car. I told him I just wanted to go home ... I didn't want to have sex,' she claimed.

'He continued to take my clothes off and proceeded to have sex with me. I cried during it.

'I was disgusted with myself that I let it happen. I for months after felt like it was my own silly mistake for giving him the wrong impression for just sharing an Uber with him.'

Another girl told a harrowing story of being allegedly orally raped at age 15 by a Sydney Grammar boy but not telling anyone because she felt like she was being 'over dramatic'.

'He took me into a room and I was heavily intoxicated. I was so sick I couldn't sit up and I was lying down while he put his penis in my mouth,' she said.

'I was in and out of consciousness.

'What shocks me the most is that I had no idea what to do or who to tell and felt that if I was to tell an adult I would be acting over dramatic. I was so confused about what happened and felt very powerless.'

Former Kambala High School student Ms Contos (pictured) wants school to teach consent to girls and boys in younger years

A Canberra woman said her parents did not believe her when she was allegedly gang raped

A Canberra woman said her parents did not believe her when she told them about an alleged gang sexual assault that happened when she was only 15.

'I was drugged and sexually assaulted at a party when I was 15 by two 18-year-old private school boys. I never went to the police because it had been drilled into my head that it was my fault for wearing what I wore and no one would believe me,' she said.

'When I finally told my parents the first question they asked was ''are you making this up?'''

More than $30.6million has been paid to 131 survivors who were assaulted before 1989 Pictured: Ms Contos (pictured) who said she was forced to perform oral sex on a boy in Year 8

Ms Contos (pictured) said many school-aged boys often didn't even realise what they'd done constituted sexual assault

Ms Contos said Kambala High School (pictured) gave her a 'great consent education but they gave it too late'

The testimonies come as government figures revealed school students were paid nearly $40million in compensation after being sexually assaulted over the past two decades.

The data follows more than 2,000 young women sharing harrowing stories of sexual abuse at the hands of their first boyfriends or older schoolboys after a petition calling for better sex education in schools went viral.

New South Wales Department of Education figures showed the state government paid $9.4million to 40 survivors in 2019 after time limits on reporting sexual assaults were lifted three years earlier.

The total given to victims in 2019 is more than double the $4.4million paid in compensation in 2016 before the law was changed.

Three-quarters of the compensation paid in the last 20 years was given to 131 survivors who were assaulted before 1989.

A website was launched by Ms Contos detailing the stories of sexual abuse from more than 1,500 students and former students

President of The Blue Knot Foundation Dr Cathy Kezelman said compensation helps 'acknowledge' crimes of childhood sexual abuse - while not making up for it

Childhood trauma charity The Blue Knot Foundation welcomed the payouts for recognising the trauma of students who had been sexually assaulted at school.

'Compensation does not make up for a childhood betrayed but it can be an acknowledgment of the crime committed,' the charity's president Dr Cathy Kezelman told The Daily Telegraph.

The latest data conducted by La Trobe University in 2018 suggests 23 per cent of students in grades 10 to 12 (ages about 16 to 18) have had some form of unwanted sexual contact.

Jacqueline Hendriks, who runs Curtin University's sexology curriculum, said young people need to be taught how to have 'really positive, enjoyable sexual relationships' in school.

'At the moment, schools can get away with doing the bare minimum,' Dr Hendriks said.

'We need to keep up with the times... Ideally, we want to teach young people to have really positive, enjoyable sexual relationships.'
The New York Yankees face the Boston Red Sox for the first time this season on June 4 when they open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees hitters should have a much easier time this year finding gaps in Bostons outfield than in years past thanks to this bit of news on Thursday: MLB.com reports center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is signing a two-year, $24 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Bradley had spent the last eight seasons with the Red Sox, winning a Gold Glove Award in 2018. Bradleys departure completes the turnover in the Red Sox outfield, which at one time had three Gold Glove contenders: Bradley, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi.

The Red Sox traded Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2020 season. Betts had won four Gold Gloves patrolling right field for Boston.

This winter, the Red Sox traded Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals. Benintendi was a two-time Gold Glove finalist for the Red Sox after taming Fenways famed Green Monster in left field.

In joining the Brewers, Bradley will be teaming up with a pair of Gold Glove outfielders: Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich. But Cain has spent the majority of his career in center, so its unknown if he or Bradley will be forced to change positions.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Philip Dugan is an essential worker and said he hasnt missed a day at work since the pandemic began.

He also hasnt missed a single week visiting his mom at Apple Creek Health and Rehab in Arkansas.

You go from visiting her in her room every day, to not even being able to see her, Dugan said.

Its been nearly a year since Philip Dugan has seen his mom, Elaine, in person.

Cherish every day with them because it can be taken away in a second, Dugan said.

For three days a week, Dugan has relied on window visits and FaceTime calls.

Ive been up there practically every day to her window, and not being able to get there and support her was one of the hardest things Ive ever done in my life, Dugan said.

He said it was especially tough when she got sick with COVID-19.

But yesterday, he finally got good news  they can meet in person.

She wasnt going to miss it, she flat out told me she wasnt going to miss it, Dugan said.

Dugan picked up his daughter early from school so they both could see his mom and her granny in person.

She just went to glowing, I mean on the grin on her face and it was contagious it made my face light up too, Dugan said.

He said the emotions, the smiles, and the excitement, made yesterday the best day in nearly a year.

Dugan said every single Monday  on his day off  he is scheduled to visit with his mom in-person for 45 minutes.

Dugans mom is fully vaccinated, but he said that face masks, face shields and social distancing are still a requirement.
natural language processing (NLP) is a major element of artificial intelligence (AI) for advanced communicating with intelligent systems with the help of natural language. It aids computers in responding and reading by mimicking the human capability to recognise the day-to-day language that they adopt to communicate. Today, without natural language processing, AI can only answer simple questions and understand the meaning of language, but will not able to recognise the significance of words in framework. Natural language processing applications permits users to connect with a computer in their own words.Drivers

With increasing usage of internet, computers, smart phones and many other personal devices, the requirement for machine and human level communication has increased. Everybody from enterprise to individual users nowadays need machines that can respond to their questions, support them in their daily basis operations and also make their life organized and easier. This demand has given rise to increased demand for natural language processing technology which is now being quickly commercialized. Natural language processing technology is the most adoptable technology for cognitive systems due to its easy and advanced language conversation process and which boosts the growth of Cognitive Systems Spending. Increasing technology advancement in cognitive systems will help to track both external and internal threats. Complex data hacking due to internal users mistakably revealing the corporate systems data to threats are increasing the importance of Cognitive systems.

Request for Report Sample: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/3014

These abilities will open a new world of insights and data analytics for companies and assist them to report cyber security and security issues threats. Cognitive security tools with such advanced capabilities will help organizations address cyber security threats and compliance issues. The tools offered by cognitive systems will help security teams to make more informed decisions, quickly seal security breaches at all levels and thus in turn increase the demand of overall Cognitive Systems Spending.Trends

An emerging Trend which is boosting cognitive systems spending growth is the rising demand for predictive analytics. Cognitive system integration permits communicative relocation of real-time data between machineries and networks. The growing need to strategically monitor information and analyse will eventually influence the overall cognitive systems spending that is projected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. Moreover, large businesses have recognized that they can use big data to deliver better services, optimize costs, and boost revenues. Therefore, large industries have benefited from advances in big data techniques via examination of customer buying behaviour and buying patterns. On the basis of data points, predictive modelling techniques are customized to a group or an individual customer. This can leads to improving the overall efficacy of the production while reducing costs and efficient and accurate solutions. Hence, the increasing demand of predictive analytics in North America is fuelling the growth of overall Cognitive Systems Spending.

Natural Language Processing Technology Analysis, by product type

Natural language processing technology segment is expected to be valued at US$ 13003.8 Mn by 2025 and is projected to register a CAGR of XX over the forecast period. Natural language processing technology segment will only grow as the exponential increase in information ads to the continued pressure to improve knowledge worker performance and decision making. Knowledge workers are facing an ever-increasing amount of information to deal with.

Natural Language Processing Technology Analysis, by deployment

Natural language processing technology segment to account for the significant market share of 60.6% in the North America market by 2026 end. Natural language processing technology segment is the most adoptable technology for cognitive systems due to its easy and advanced language conversation process which will thereby boost the growth of cognitive systems spending.

Natural Language Processing Technology Analysis, by application

In terms of value, natural language processing technology segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of XX over the forecast period. Natural language processing technology segment finds its end-users in healthcare, education, manufacturing, and banking. Approximately 60% of cognitive systems with natural language processing technology are used by large and medium manufacturing industries, banking sector and others.

Natural Language Processing Technology Analysis, by Region

On the basis of region, North America region is projected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period. Natural language processing technology segment is estimated to account for the significant market share of 64.8% in the North America market by 2016 end. The presence of several natural language processing technology service provider companies in North America is expected to play an important role in revenue growth of the natural language processing technology segment in the North America market. Natural language processing technology segment is expected to witness robust growth in Western Europe and APEJ market driven by increasing cloud based solution demand in the region, as natural language processing technology is highly used by end-user such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and banking in these regions.

Get Request for Table of Contents: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/requesttoc/3014

Key Players:

Microsoft Corporation, IBM Corporation, Google Inc., Symantec Corporation, Palantir Technologies, Inc., Recommind, Inc.and OpenText Corporation etc.

Place a Direct Purchase Order @ https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/checkout/3014/Single
Dhoom 3 is an action thriller film that starred Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, and Uday Chopra in lead. The film is the third installment of the Dhoom series and the sequel to Dhoom (2004) and Dhoom 2 (2006). Aamir Khan played the role of the antagonist Sahir, a circus entertainer who robs a corrupt bank in Chicago to avenge his father's death and his troubles increase when Indian top cops Jai and Ali suspect him of robbery. It was the first Indian film to be released in IMAX motion picture format. It went on to gross Rs. 4 billion worldwide in ten days and became the eleventh highest-grossing Indian film of all time. Know where the shooting of Dhoom 3 took place.

Also Read: Abhishek Bachchan Wants To Be Directed By Aamir Khan; Is Mr Perfectionist Listenining?

Dhoon 3 movie's shooting location

Shed Aquarium

The writer-director Vijay Krishna Acharya shot Dhoom 3 largely in Chicago. The movie begins in 1990 where Jackie Shroff's character Iqbal Khan owns a circus. A waterfront Chicago attraction knows as the 'Great Indian Circus' in the movie was set-up at Shedd Aquarium, an indoor public aquarium in Chicago.

City National Bank And Trust Company Chicago

Sahirs introduction scene is when he enters a bank in the disguise of an old man. The interior of the bank is shot at Bridgeview Bank in Uptown Chicago. After he robs the place, he runs down the pillars of Chicago Western bank. The place in reality is a shot of various buildings along LaSalle Street and around City National bank and Trust Company in Chicago.

Also Read: 'Taare Zameen Par' Shooting Location: Know Where The 2007 Award-winning Film Was Shot

Cloud Gate Millennium Park

The romantic song 'Tu Hi Junoon' featuring Katrina Kaif and Aamir Khan has several screens from all over Chicago. The song setting in front of the pretty wooden porches is shot at Wooden Porch Houses in Chicago alleys. The scenes were also shot in Cloud Gate of Millennium Park, a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago. The Ferris Wheel part was shot in Navy Pier, a tourist attraction in Chicago.

Chicago River

Dhoom 3 uses the downtown Chicago River for its boat chase sequence featuring Aamir Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. After the bank robbery, Sahir gets away under the Wacker Drive of Chicago, USA. The long bike chase sequence where Aamir Khan dives into the water was shot at Wabash Avenue.

Contra Dam

The climactic scene in Dhoom 3 was shot not in Chicago but in Switzerland. It was shot at the famous arch dam, Contra Dam, also known as Verzasca Dam in Ticino. It is the same dam that became a popular bungee jumping venue after a James Bond stuntman jumped off it in the opening scene of the 1995 film GoldenEye.

Image Source: Stills from Dhoom 3 Trailer & Shutterstock

Also Read: Aamir Khan's Son Junaid Khan's Debut Film, 'Maharaja' To Start Shoot Today

Also Read: Aamir Khan's Son Junaid To Be Launched By Aditya Chopra's Production House?

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.
New Delhi, March 5 : The per unit cost of TVs will go up by at least Rs 2000-3000 starting April 1st, 2021.

In the last eight months alone, TV prices have soared upto 300% causing a net escalation of almost INR 3000-4000 per unit.

Besides the prices of TV panels (open cell)which have been on a continuous rise to the tune of more than double, mainly due to supply shortage by global vendors, other factors that are leading to this surge are - a hike in custom duty, rise in cost of input material like copper, aluminium and steel and an increase in ocean and air freights charges, that is collectively set to put the prices on fire.

Owing to this, the local TV manufacturers have been constantly appealing the government to take up TV manufacturing under the PLI Scheme.

TVs comprise a large chunk of the consumer electronics market with over 85% market penetration rate. It is preempted that there will be a boom in the television manufacturing sector, including global brands from across the world , that will now look to partner with local manufacturers.If the industry is looking to establish a global competitiveness and gain cost advantage, then PLI must be extended to TVs also.

Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO , Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd., a leading TV manufacturing firm and India Licensee of Thomson and Kodak smart Tvs in India, says, "Currently only a handful of Chinese and Taiwanese firms control the flat-panel market and that allows them to raise prices, which hurts our costing. The government must seriously evaluate, bringing TV manufacturing under the PLI scheme, as this will make the Indian TV industry more competitive on the global stage and help pass the cost benefit to the consumer , directly".

"How the government banned the import of TVs last year, to push and help the domestic industry, likewise PLIS for the TV sector will immensely benefit the local manufactures in both scaling up operations and generating more employment opportunities. In case the government remains unable to do so, the per unit cost of TVs are sure to hike up further by at least Rs 2000-3000 starting April 1st, 2021. This can seriously hurt the consumer buying sentiment, further crashing the demand altogether, making economic recovery of the sector rather impossible", he added.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Re: Not in this together

The letter posted from John S hitting the nail on the head.

Let's look at the BC Churches and their response to BC lock down restrictions.

The major issue is BC churches are not united, between several different denominations!

The exception is there are three churches in BC who are united, and challenging Dr. Henry's church lock down rules in court!

If all BC churches unite with those three churches and take their case to court, that would be a united powerful voice against the church lock down rules.

Our church pastor, for example, preached on a few occasions during a church service, that we are obligated to obey COVID-19 church lockdown rules. And I suspect that other BC pastors are preaching similar messages, which causes more divisions among BC churches.

Pastors preaching similar messages are creating a division among churches. Example: in a religious Dutch town on October 1944 a German high ranking officer was killed by the Dutch underground. During a three day period part of the town was burned down and the total male population was deported to the German concentration camps.

Few escaped, 99.9 % of the deported male population did never return, before the male population was rounded up, there was plenty of opportunity to escape and to hide in the surrounding areas. The major cause of the obedience of the male population to the German occupiers was caused by the town churches, "obey the Government!"

If the BC churches can not refuse, to unite and let their voices know, nothing will change.

Robert van Bruinessen
Are you facing another brick wall? Or have your research efforts plateaued out with nothing new on the horizon?

Marion Wehrle has a cure for that with suggestions for new avenues to explore and strategies for finding information you didn't know you could. Join the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Orlando at its next Zoom meeting on March 9, 7 p.m., and learn how to dig deeper into resources to advance your family history.

Werle began family history research over 25 years ago, researching family from Lithuania, Latvia and Belarus, who settled in the US, Canada, UK, and Israel. She has bee...
Timothy Spall has been cast alongside Lesley Manville in BritBoxs crime thriller Magpie Murders.

The veteran actor, whose roles include Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potter series and painter JMW Turner in Mr Turner, will star as clever and complex detective Atticus Pund in the small-screen adaptation of Anthony Horowitzs novel.

Pund is the creation of fictional best-selling mystery writer Alan Conway and the plot revolves around the character of Susan Ryeland, played by Manville, an editor who is given an unfinished Conway manuscript after he dies in suspicious circumstances.

 News just in: Timothy Spall OBE has been cast alongside Lesley Manville CBE in the upcoming adaptation of Anthony Horowitzas acclaimed and best-selling crime novel, Magpie Murders! Production begins next week - We canat wait to bring this to your TV screens soon! #BritBox pic.twitter.com/8oOpg28gCo  BritBox_UK (@BritBox_UK) March 5, 2021

In the novel, Ryeland goes in search of the books missing chapters and discovers it may have been based on true events, causing someone to murder Conway.

Production on the show, helmed by director Peter Cattaneo and produced by Eleventh Hour Films, begins next week in Suffolk and Ireland.

It will premiere in 2022 on BritBox in the UK.

Bafta nominee Spall, 64, said: I am delighted to be part of this adaptation of Magpie Murders, and to be working once again with the immensely talented Lesley Manville, Peter Cattaneo, the fantastic cast and all the team at Eleventh Hour Films.

Expand Close Lesley Manville (Isabel Infantes/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Lesley Manville (Isabel Infantes/PA)

I have huge respect for Anthony Horowitz and think the audience will really enjoy his brilliant adaptation of his wonderful and ingenious novel.

Im really looking forward to getting to grips with bringing the intriguing Atticus Pund to life.

Horowitz, author and screenwriter of Magpie Murders, said: I was overjoyed when I heard that Timothy Spall had accepted the part of Atticus Pund.

Im a lifelong fan and there isnt another actor in the world I would have chosen for this pivotal role.

Will Harrison, managing director of BritBox UK, said: Timothy Spall is a British acting icon and the perfect choice to play Atticus Pund.

Were so pleased to see production get under way, and cant wait to share Magpie Murders with our subscribers.

Further casting will be announced later.
Reporters in Texas have navigated a year full of high-impact stories. Last March, when the country was seized by the coronavirus, Governor Greg Abbott encouraged residents to stay home but refused to issue a stay-at-home order; local outlets worked to help people navigate the confusing guidelines. In the summer, amid protests against racism and police brutality, George Floyd was buried in Houston; the local ABC affiliate told viewers how to prepare if they planned to attend services. In February, when a winter storm hit and the power went out, the Austin American-Statesman and the Texas Tribune sent out text messages to readers, providing information about water shortages and nearby warming stations. And this past week, when Abbott removed public health restrictions, including a statewide mask mandate, the Dallas Morning News produced a list of answers to frequently-asked questions about what to do. The Texas Tribune updated the headline of its COVID homepagewhich lists case counts by county, vaccination numbers over time, and hospitalizations by regionto contextualize Abbotts decision (Texas reports decline in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but still averages 200 daily deaths as Gov. Greg Abbott lifts restrictions). All the while, local journalists have continued to live through intersecting crises.



Local news outlets, staffed by journalists who reside in the communities they cover, are uniquely capable of reflecting a sense of place, and catering to its needs. While national outlets helicopter in for stories on high-profile politicians, and their epic failuresJon Allsop wrote in a recent newsletter on the attention paid to Senator Ted Cruz, who tried to flee to Cancun as his state sufferedits the job of local outlets to cover whats happening on the ground. When a disaster hits, theyre best positioned to address the practical matter of how to survive. Recently, reporters in Texas have won praise for doing just that: Texas journalists are providing critical information about a disaster theyre living through, a Washington Post headline declared. Agreedbut make that disasters.

Over the past year, journalists have participated in vaccine trials, made tough personal decisions in light of public health directives, and lost colleagues and family members to the coronavirus. News outlets have been forced to reckon with the fact that their role is not just to be observersor saviorsbut stakeholders. In a June webinar hosted by CJR and the Tow Centers Journalism Crisis Project, Stacy-Marie Ishmael, the editorial director of the Texas Tribune, called the circumstances of the pandemic one of those rare examples when journalists who are very often removed from the reality of what is going on have been unable to separate themselves from the story, and its given a degree of empathy and understanding which I find important and very helpful. She added, Its something that I dont want us to lose.



For local outlets, identifying with their audience is a value proposition: coverage in Texas media hasnt simply described Abbotts latest order; its advised on how people should handle it. That approach places an emphasis on public service. The journalists we need today are not heroic observers of crisisthey are conveners, facilitators, organizers, educators, on-demand investigators, and community builders, Darryl Holliday, a cofounder of City Bureau, a civic journalism nonprofit in Chicago, wrote for CJRs winter issue. The Oaklandside, a new nonprofit local newsroom in Oakland, California, moved up its launch when the pandemic exploded, seeking to provide people in its coverage area with urgent, potentially life-saving information. Its not enough to just tell the news, Tasneem Raja, the founding editor, told CJR. What value is that to the person who was sitting there saying, Now, okay, is my pharmacy closed? What do I do now? So weve got to take this one step further.

Thinking about journalism that covers a community of which its a part has broader implications for how we consider objectivity and biastheres no one on earth who can be impartial about the pandemic; it affects everyone. Acknowledging thatand embracing the idea that being close to a story makes a reporter more, not less, qualified to tell itcan only be a good thing. And its a notion thats not limited to a global medical crisis. As much as the press may purport to stand above the fray, its important to remember that reporters are human beings living in the world theyre covering. (No journalistic process is objective, as Wesley Lowery wrote last year for the New York Times. And no individual journalist is objective, because no human being is.) As vaccine rollouts gain momentum, and we look with hope toward a future when the COVID crisis has passed, lets not forget that good journalism reflects deep understanding of the stakes involved. Relating to readers in a direct and honest way can help forge connectionsand make coverage better.

Below, more on reporters stakes in the pandemic:



Other notable stories:



Sign up for CJR 's daily email

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Lauren Harris is a freelance journalist. She writes CJR's weekly newsletter for the Journalism Crisis Project. Follow her on Twitter @LHarrisWrites.
If we have learned anything over the past year, its that adversity reveals the true character of leaders.

Since this is Texas, this lesson means recognizing we have elected state officials driven by self-interest, not the publics interest, at apparently any cost. They are ill-equipped to lead and, in many instances, undeserving of their posts.

Without shame, indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton advanced the Big Lie of election fraud to subvert our democracy. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has used his authority to castigate and demonize transgender children. In a moment of crisis, Sen. Ted Cruz, another Big Lie enabler, jetted off to Cancun, Mexico, only to quickly return as a freezing public burned with outrage. And then there is Gov. Greg Abbott, a man who knows better  or should know better  and always plays the angles.

This is a governor who has reopened Texas 100 percent and rescinded a mask mandate, putting Texans at risk of COVID-19, and then has the nerve to tag the spread of COVID-19 to illegal immigration, tweeting (because this is how politicians speak and express thoughts now), The Biden Administration is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas.

An aside on Abbotts decision to reopen so soon: Masks and vaccines are our two best weapons in the war against COVID. Since when do Texans voluntarily disarm during a fight? Apparently on Wednesday when Abbotts order takes effect.

Unexceptional bravado is a hallmark of Texas exceptionalism, and politicians here have a long history of touting the Lone Star State as business-friendly. Thats true if we are looking through the narrow lens of corporate relocations, lax regulations and population growth, but the winter freeze has punctured this aura of Texas as a business mecca.

Businesses need stability. They need to know the lights will stay on in a crisis and costs are not just low but predictable. This did not happen. For days. Instead, people were scooping water from the River Walk  the River Walk!  to flush toilets

The total cost of this natural disaster, magnified by a fierce allegiance to deregulation, poor oversight and failure to winterize power sources, could reach $50 billion. In San Antonio, where hundreds of thousands of residents went without power, water or both, CPS Energy has said it cost about $1 billion to keep the power running  for some of the city.

While the cost of the storm will be negotiated and litigated, as well as mitigated by state lawmakers and federal aid, some portion of the bill will fall to Texans. It is a legacy of failure

Beyond stability and predictability, businesses and everyday Texans also need elected leaders who show nonpartisan grit and unfailing devotion to the public. This precludes quick family trips to Mexico to warm up, or appearances on Fox News with Sean Hannity to speak falsely about renewable energy and the supposed horrors of the Green New Deal.

Businesses and everyday Texans also need state leaders who prioritize health and well-being. Abbotts decision to reopen Texas and rescind his mask mandate is a slap in the face to health care workers and medical experts. But should we be surprised? This is a governor who has refused to expand Medicaid, even though the states uninsured rate stood at 18.4 percent before the pandemic.

Expanding Medicaid isnt a radical position. Texas is one of 12 states that has failed to do this. And recent polling from the University of Houstons Hobby School of Public Affairs found 69 percent of respondents support expanding Medicaid. Doing so would extend coverage to 1 million low-income Texans.

And as state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, has argued, the federal government will cover 90 percent of the cost of Medicaid expansion. You take all the politics out of it, its really a bad business decision not to access the federal dollars, he said.

But thats just the problem. Our elected leaders have demonstrated the politics will never be taken out of it. And this is how Texans freeze in the dark, fight over masks in a pandemic, scoop water from the River Walk to flush toilets, or live and die without access to health care.
The Indian Army Special Forces Training School, on March 4, commenced the training for Turkmenistan Special Forces to help them build their combat capabilities. The Turkmenistan paratroopers would be trained in combat free fall as a precursor to a series of customized courses which will assist in their capability enhancement. The training is being conducted in Special Forces Training School (SFTS), located in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh.

Pictures that show Indian soldiers training their Turkmenistani counterparts in jumping off a plane from a height of up to 30,000 feet and stealthily glide to the target, was shared by the Indian army on Twitter. "Building bonds of Friendship #SpecialForces Training School #IndianArmy has commenced training of #Turkmenistan Special Forces in #CombatFreeFall as a precursor to a series of customized courses to follow & help build the capability of the Turkmenistan Special Forces," the forces wrote alongside the pictures.

Read: Indian Army Recruitment 2021: Engineers Can Apply For 133rd Technical Graduate Course

Read: Yudh Abhyas 20: US Soldiers Arrive In Rajasthan For Joint Indo-US Military Exercise

Building bonds of Friendship#SpecialForces Training School #IndianArmy has commenced training of #Turkmenistan Special Forces in #CombatFreeFall as a precursor to a series of customized courses to follow & help build capability of the Turkmenistan Special Forces. pic.twitter.com/phwFRZ7E5M  ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) March 4, 2021

Afghan soldiers training in Chennai

Meanwhile, 20 Women Officers from the Afghan National Army are undergoing six weeks of Military Training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai which commenced on 18 Jan 2021. The continued presence of trainees from Indian and Friendly Foreign Countries armies reinforces the fact that OTA Chennai is a centre of excellence of international repute in military training. Most of the Woman Officers, in service bracket of two to seven years, belong to Logistics, Human Resources, Radio Communications, and Medicine branches of the Afghan National Army.

Their training curriculum includes Physical Training, Drill, Weapon Training, Tactical Training, Leadership, and Human Resources Management, Information Technology and English Communication.

Read: Women Officers Of Afghanistan National Army Undergoing Training At OTA Chennai

Read: Yudh Abhyas 20: US Soldiers Arrive In Rajasthan For Joint Indo-US Military Exercise
Photo: (Photo : Getty Images: Miguel Schincariol / Stringer)

California's efforts, or lack thereof, at reopening schools are failing, prompting outrage among parents who want their children back in the classroom, and the conflict has nearly reached a climax in one Sacramento suburb.

Although some classroom instruction has resumed in Texas, Florida, and New York, California's 10,000 public schools have remained closed for the most part. As most of the state's 6 million public school students hit the one-year mark of distance learning, parents are becoming more and more concerned about the impact of loneliness and excessive screen time on their children's health.

According to parents and behavioral psychologists, many school children feel helpless or stressed and need a classroom environment to improve their mental health. Last week, an enraged Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered school administrators to "pack it up" if district schools did not resume in-person classes soon.

Teacher unions have stated that they would not send their members into dangerous situations. Before returning to the school, they want all teachers to be vaccinated.

READ: Frustrated Parents Start to Protest Against School Reopening Pace



School Reopening Status in California Counties

California has 1,037 public school districts, each empowered to make its own decision about reopening schools during the COLD-19 pandemic.

In a mostly suburban city of Roseville with a 141,500 population, one of the colleges, Roseville High, had to rapidly close after a previous attempt at reopening following winter vacation due to a COVID-19 outbreak that put hundreds of students and staff members into quarantine. Three of their district's six high schools failed to follow the recommended social distance between students.

ALSO READ: On School Reopening: Should You Let Your Kids Go Back to School? An Analyst Helps You Decide

Meanwhile, at the Roseville Joint Union High School District, comments and concerns poured in as the board meeting on the school's reopening dragged on hour after hour. Many parents were irritated.

Their children were lonely and on the verge of depression, and they were fed up with a school system that didn't encourage them to be on campus every day. The parents were insisting on school reopening.

Many of the district's classrooms were unable to comply with new state requirements for resuming secure on-campus teaching. A complete return to the physical classroom was also opposed by 4 out of 5 teachers in his union, the Roseville Secondary Education Association.

Still, their board approved a back-to-school order. Administrators were "confident that we can arrive at the minimum gap" of 4 feet between desks allowed under new California Department of Public Health guidelines released in mid-January, according to Jess Borjon, the district's interim superintendent.

Teachers have had to adapt once Roseville schools are open. If students do not feel comfortable returning to their campuses, the schools continue to provide a Zoom alternative for them to watch instruction remotely.

However, school officials said that they are gaining more students on campus with each passing week, further straining their ability to approach the state standards for a COVID-safe climate.

In rural Placer County, which stretches to Lake Tahoe and has nearly 400,000 residents, citizens have resisted health and safety protocols, with many businesses and churches defying orders to close.

READ MORE: Report: CDC's School Reopening Guidelines Could Keep 90% of Schools Partially Closed

In Sacramento, schools have been closed for nearly a year now.

Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Long Beach, San Francisco, and other major school districts argue that the proposal imposes arbitrary rules and deadlines.

According to the initiative, schools can only reopen until their daily new case rate falls below 25 per 100,000 people, a level that much of California is still far from achieving, even though virus rates are rapidly declining from record highs.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - Bell Copper Corporation (TSXV: BCU) ("Bell Copper" or the "Company") announces that it has finalised a non-brokered private placement offering of 4,264,706 units to raise gross proceeds of CDN $725,000.00 (the "Financing"). The private placement consists of 4,264,706 units at a price of $0.17 per unit (the "Units"). Each Unit shall consist of one common share and one-half of share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each full warrant will be exercisable into one additional common share at a price of $0.26 per share for a period of two years from the date of closing of the Financing ("Closing"). At the discretion of the Company, Warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiry, such that if the closing price equals or exceeds $0.40 per share for 10 consecutive trading days, then the Company will provide notice to the warrant holders that the exercise period of the Warrants shall be reduced to 30 days, with the reduced period commencing seven calendar days following the tenth consecutive trading day.

The securities issued pursuant to the Financing will be subject to a hold period under applicable securities laws, which will expire four months plus one day from the date of Closing.

Funds raised from this private placement will be used for the ongoing drilling and exploration program at the Company's 100% owned Big Sandy Porphyry Copper Project and for general working capital. Closing is subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V"). Application for conditional acceptance by the TSX-V is in progress and Closing will be conducted promptly upon receipt.

About Bell Copper

Bell Copper is a mineral exploration company focused on the identification, exploration and discovery of large copper deposits located in Arizona. Bell Copper is exploring its 100% owned Big Sandy Porphyry Copper Project and the Perseverance Porphyry Copper Project which is under a Joint Venture - Earn In.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

Bell Copper Corporation

"Timothy Marsh"

Timothy Marsh, President, CEO & Director

For further information please contact the Company

Tel: 1 800 418 8250

Email: info@bellcopper.net

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which Bell Copper operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include actual exploration results, interpretation of metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable law.



NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76182
The murder of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, who was shot to death after she was kidnapped from an Auburn convenience store more than a year ago, will be featured this weekend on CBSs 48 Hours.

Fighting for Aniah, which will air Saturday at 9 p.m. CST, explores the disappearance and killing of Blanchard, as well as her familys quest for justice and their efforts to get Aniahs Law passed, legislation that would give judges more discretion in denying bail to people charged with violent crimes.

The man charged in Blanchards slaying  Ibraheem Yazeed  was out on bail for other violent crimes at the time Blanchard was abducted and killed.

Blanchard was abducted Oct. 23, 2019 when she went late one night to buy salt and vinegar potato chips. Her disappearance made national news as the search for the former junior high cheerleader and high school softball player from Homewood dragged on for weeks. It ended on Nov. 25, 2019 when authorities found her body in rural Macon County.

Aniah was last seen by her brother, Elijah, on the evening she disappeared. She promised to let him know when she was home safely, but that call never came.

Video evidence from the convenience store at 1599 South College St. put Blanchard and Yazeed there at the same time. A witness later told police he saw Yazeed interacting with Blanchard near her vehicle in front of the store and later forcing Blanchard into her vehicle against her will.

That witness told investigators he didnt call police because his female companion  who police said was either his wife or a girlfriend  told him not to get involved.

Further video evidence from a separate gas station in Auburn showed Yazeed exiting the passenger side of Blanchards vehicle and later re-entering the vehicle. Her Honda CRV was last seen traveling south on South College Street toward the interstate.

Police recovered the teens black SUV from an apartment complex on the 6100 block of Boardwalk Boulevard in Montgomery around 6:15 p.m. the following evening, which was Friday. A citizen reported the vehicle to police.

Blood evidence was discovered in the passengers compartment of the vehicle and was indicative of someone suffering a life-threatening injury. The evidence was submitted to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and confirmed to be that of Blanchard.

A person was located who told them Yazeed was next seen at a residence in Montgomery wearing only shorts, with a gun tucked into the shorts.

That person said Yazeed was in possession of Blanchards vehicle, however, he did not see Blanchard. The subject further advised during a subsequent conversation with Yazeed, Yazeed admitted to shooting a girl and stated the girl went for the gun,' Det. Josh Mixon wrote in a charging document.

Aniah Blanchard (CBS 48 Hours)

Saturdays nights broadcast will include interviews with Blanchards brother, her roommate, Sarah OBrien, as well as her mother, Angela Harris and stepfather, UFC fighter Walt Harris.

The slain teen had a deep-seated fear of being kidnapped and harmed. It was something her mother discussed with AL.com last year.

From a young age, Harris said, her daughter was afraid someone would hurt her. From the time she was little, I taught her about the world. I was a sexual assault nurse for 20 years and I saw all the stuff, Harris said. Aniah was scared somebody would hurt her. She was always so paranoid she even put stuff up against her door at night because she didnt want somebody to come in and get her.

Its a fear Blanchards roommate will also discuss with 48 Hours. Since the day I met Aniah,' OBrien told the show, she always told me that that was her biggest fear  to be kidnapped or murdered.


FLINT, MI -- The Genesee County Jails IGNITE program will soon offer education and other support services to former inmates with felonies who have left the facility.

The IGNITE (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education) program, announced in September, expanded the jails education program beyond just the ability to earn a GED.

Now, the sheriffs office is expanding IGNITE again.

The program, which aims to break the cycle of generational incarceration negatively affecting families and communities, is made possible through the Genesee County Sheriffs Office in partnership with Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools.

Related: New inmate education program hopes to end generational incarceration

With a new facility, which is scheduled to tentatively open at the end of April, IGNITE will expand programming to any former Genesee County Jail inmate who had a felony on record, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson told MLive-The Flint Journal.

The facility will be able to offer 12 trade programs not available in the jail.

The key is, we dont want to just create IGNITE in the jail and create failure on the street, Swanson said.

The expansion is made possible through a partnership with community pastor Ronnie Wiggins, a former inmate, who is granting the sheriffs department his building at 5601 North Saginaw Street on Flints north side.

The goal of the new facility is to provide wraparound services even after an inmate leaves the jail, said Genesee County Ambassador Johnell Allen-Bey.

Programs that will be offered through this facility include cosmetology, barber classes, an automotive program, HVAC, an electrician program, plumbing, welding, quality control, carpentry and financial literacy classes, he said. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and other counseling services will also be available.

Part of the program is about recognizing 90 percent of the people who leave the jail come back, Allen-Bey said. He added that criminology statistics show that 90 percent of former inmates with 14 credit hours dont go back to incarceration.

The Genesee County Ambassadors are four individuals who have reentered society after serving time in prison. They have been deputized and brought into the sheriffs office to help work with inmates.

Allen-Bey served 29 years in prison before he reentered society. He said education and relationships in the community were key to staying away from crime.

Relationships in the community, being inclusive, thats what IGNITEs all about, Allen-Bey said. Its taking it to the next level.

Higgins was one of the people who inspired Allen-Bey to get his education after he was released almost three years ago.

Now, Higgins said hes also been inspired by Allen-Bey to continue fighting recidivism. The pastor echoed the need for access to education to better serve the entire population.

Its also about rebuilding this community, Higgins said. Those who gained these skills through (IGNITE) can possibly build homes and houses in vacant lots or refurbish houses. Contributing gives you self worth and value.

Expanding into facilities outside of the jail allows the sheriffs office and other community partners to continue providing programing that might not be possible while in jail, the sheriff said.

The goal of the new facility is to continue to provide support even when an inmates leave the Genesee County jail, Swanson said.

What we found is, the deeper we dig into this, education is not just about getting GEDs and diplomas, Swanson said.

In November, Allen-Bey led the charge to get inmates registered to vote, Swanson said, noting its important to educate inmates on their right to participate in elections. The sheriffs office has also partnered with ELGA Credit Union to provide financial literacy classes to inmates.

Imagine you get locked up for 90 days. What bills in your life would be behind that you couldnt pay because nobody can help you? After you get out from 90 days, you could be backed up for years, Swanson said.

The department is working to make sure bills are being paid while people serve time in jail, Swanson said. The next component is teaching financial literacy so bills will continue being paid.

IGNITE has been touted at the first program of its kind in Michigan. In addition to offering education in certain trades, the expansion since September has included opportunities for career awareness, using multiple platforms to show inmates career options they didnt know existed otherwise.

So far, 876 inmates have participated in IGNITE programing, said Genesee County Sheriffs Captain Jason Gould.

Around 380 students in jail are currently enrolled in the IGNITE program. In the last month, 14 IGNITE students entered the workforce after they were released from jail.

Gould has been working closely with the IGNITE program.

While IGNITE students are in the jail, they are able to use virtual reality headsets to explore different career fields, Gould said. However, many trades programs cannot be offered while in the jail facility.

Like nailing a piece of wood, using a saw, welding, obviously you cant do that in a jail, Gould said. But the VR gets their interest started. It starts training them on the basics, whether its welding, carpentry or plumbing, these are the programs that we have on VR. It keeps their interest alive, it keeps it ignited if you will. Then they can move into the next step once they get released.

Since IGNITE has expanded, inmate interest has skyrocketed, Gould said. He said he recently has visited Leon Mize, the first inmate to graduate IGNITE.

Related: Flint man becomes first Michigan inmate to get ServSafe certified in jail

Mize received the ServSafe certification and IN2WORK certificate through a partnership with food service vendor Aramark while incarcerated.

On behalf of Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCARD), Production Manager Garey West offered Mize a job working with the departments senior nutrition services program.

Gould said Mize is thriving with GCARD and has set an example for IGNITE graduates.

Read more on MLive:

Police investigate second suspicious death over two-day period in Flint

Man shot in both legs while riding inside car down Flint road

Man hit by car in Flint dies of injuries

Woman, 77, identified as victim in fatal Flint Township fire

Woman shoots intruder in neck while home alone with child, police say

Ohio man arraigned after threatening to burn down a Michigan elementary school, police say

15-year-old shot in Flint in critical condition
ADVERTISEMENT

Thirteen persons have been reported killed in an attack by bandits on Tara in Sabon Birnin Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The police said the attack occurred on Thursday night.

In their statement on Friday, the police were silent on the casualties but confirmed that one person was killed in another attack at Dingyadi in Bodinga Local Government Area of the state.

The village head of Tara, Mainasara Muhammed, however, told Daily Trust that they buried the corpses of 13 people killed in the attack.

He said the bandits also rustled many livestock and burnt food silos.

According to the traditional ruler, the gunmen invaded the community around 11:58 p.m Thursday.

He said the bandits sprang a surprise on the communitys vigilantes by avoiding all the major roads to the village which were under guard by the vigilantes.

They sneaked into the village through the eastern axis and opened fire on members of the vigilante group that were stationed around, killing the vigilantes before proceeding into the village to kill people at sight, Mr Muhammed said.

We just buried 13 bodies, including a six-year-old girl. Seven other people who were critically injured have been taken to the nearest hospital for treatment, he said.

He said residents had alerted security personnel when they got wind of a planned attack but the bandits still carried it out unchallenged.

Mr Muhammed said bandits had attacked the community twice in the last two months, during which he said they stole about 200 livestock.

We cant abandon our village because of these attacks. Already, we have lost virtually everything, our grains, livestock and wealth, he told Daily Trust.

Speaking on the incident, the police spokesperson in Sokoto, Sanusi Abubakar, said the commissioner of police, Kamaldeen Okunlola, was developing strategies to combat banditry.

He said the commissioner visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad, and Dingyadi village that was attacked by bandits on Wednesday in which one life was lost.

He said the commissioner also visited Tara village and Isa Local Government Area on Friday over the attack of Thursday night.
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

A group of animals rights activists staged a demonstration at Berkeley's Golden Gate Fields  the horse racing facility that is also being used as a COVID-19 vaccination site  resulting in the cancellation of 200 vaccine appointments Thursday afternoon.

"Golden Gate Fields is a firm believer in the right to protest," the Golden Gate Fields official Twitter account said in a tweet Thursday afternoon. "However, the current actions of the protesters have forced the closure of the onsite COVID vaccination clinic, and hundreds of people have already had their vaccinations cancelled." The Berkeley Health Department confirmed to KRON4 that about 200 appointments had to be canceled.
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian stocks dropped and the ringgit weakened after the government imposed a two-week nationwide lockdown to curb a relentless surge in Covid-19 infections.The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index fell as much as 1.6% on Monday, before paring losses to 0.7% at the close in Kuala Lumpur. The ringgit slid as much as 0.4% to 4.1480 per dollar, while 10-year bond yields rose three basis points to 3.25%. The government said on Friday that most businesses will be shut from June 1 except for essential economic and service sectors.The government is finally biting the bullet, said Alexander Chia, an analyst at RHB Investment Bank Bhd. Clearly, there are downside risks to FY21 earnings growth, even if it is essentially a postponement of growth to FY22.Malaysias return to a hard lockdown comes in the wake of record daily infections that saw cases top 9,000 on Saturday. A resurgence in virus outbreaks in Asia has spurred some countries including Vietnam and Singapore to tighten restrictions. A similar lockdown in Malaysia last year cost the country an estimated 63 billion ringgit ($15 billion).Vietnam tightened social distancing measures in Ho Chi Minh City for 15 days from May 31, while Singapore this month reissued some lockdown-like conditions that it put in place a year ago.Recovery DimsMalaysias lockdown will drag on the countrys recovery, with a good chance that 2Q GDP growth will contract on a sequential basis, said Khoon Goh, head of Asia research at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. We will likely see the ringgit continuing to underperform in the region, but its weakness is being put in check by a soft U.S. dollar.READ: Covid Zero Havens Find Reopening Harder Than Taming VirusPrime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is due to announce an aid package at 9 p.m. local time Monday, according to his Facebook post.Still, Mondays market drop pales in comparison with last year when the KLCI plunged as much as 5% a day after a nationwide lockdown was announced then.Expectations of a mild reaction is due to the availability of vaccines and a government plan to ramp up daily vaccination rates in the second half of 2021, Ivy Ng Lee Fang, an analyst at CGS-CIMB Securities, said in a report. Strong export sales, robust market liquidity, and low interest rates have also helped limit the market drop, she said.GDP OutlookMalaysias gross domestic product shrank 0.5% in the first quarter from a year earlier, the central bank said earlier in May, adding that it expects growth to remain within the 6% to 7.5% forecast range for the full year.Banks including Public Bank Bhd. and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. dropped, while Maxis Bhd. and Supermax Corp. were among the biggest decliners in the benchmark gauge, falling more than 2%. Top Glove Corp. was the top gainer in the key stock gauge, up 1.8%.The Malaysian stock benchmark is down 6% from a December high as investor concerns about the impact of stricter curbs on movement weigh on riskier assets.The recovery plays in the cyclical sectors will require a longer term investment perspective with a focus on achieving a favorable entry price, said Chia of RHB Investment. The trading angle will remain an enduring theme in the coming quarters that continues to focus on small-mid caps with resilient growth attributes.(Updates with PMs broadcast in seventh paragraph)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
[March 05, 2021] Pentwater Condemns Rio Tinto's Unethical Termination of Turquoise Hill CEO

Pentwater Capital Management LP ("Pentwater"), the largest minority shareholder of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. ("Turquoise Hill" or the "Company") (TSX:TRQ) (NYSE:TRQ), believes that the Boards of Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill have breached their fiduciary obligations. To quote Canaccord Genuity in a note published yesterday morning: Goodbye, good governance - we hardly knew ye! Mr. Quellmann was the first CEO in our long history with TRQ [Turquoise Hill] that we believed actually pushed back on Rio and stood up for decisions that were in the best interests of all shareholders. Yesterday, it was announced that Rio Tinto told the Board of Directors of Turquoise Hill to terminate Turquoise Hill's CEO Ulf Quellmann, because he had taken some actions to protect minority shareholder interests from the unethical practices of Rio Tinto. The Board of Turquoise Hill then bent to the will of Rio Tinto and told Mr. Quellmann that he could be fired or agree to resign and take hush money paid by Turquoise Hill



Pentwater's CEO Matthew Halbower stated, "In over 20 years of investing in companies around the globe, I have never seen poorer corporate governance than has been exhibited by Rio Tinto and Turquoise Hill. Mr. Quellmann's brazen termination serves as just more proof of what was already clear to all: Rio Tinto has no respect or regard for good corporate governance or the minority shareholders of Turquoise Hill. The Turquoise Hill Board should be ashamed of itself for serving as Rio Tinto shills and equally ashamed of itself for taking much needed cash from Turquoise Hill to buy Mr. Quellmann's silence." In recent months, in response to a proxy contest waged by Pentwater Capital and a class action lawsuit against Mr. Quellmann, Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto, among others, Mr. Quellmann finally started pushing back against Rio Tinto. Turquoise Hill took Rio Tinto to formal arbitration. Turquoise Hill voted with the government of Mongolia to begin a formal investigation into Rio Tinto. Turquoise Hill even filed for a temporary injunction with the arbitrator and was granted it when Rio attempted to prevent Turquoise Hill from communicating with the government of Mongolia. Obviously, having a Turquoise Hill CEO take any action to stand up to Rio Tinto was too much for Rio to bear.

The board of directors of Turquoise Hill should be ashamed of themselves for having no backbone in supporting their CEO against the recriminations of their Rio Tinto overlord. Pentwater reminds the board of its obligation to protect minority shareholders and that the directors will be held accountable for their continued refusal to do so. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005316/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
PLA soldiers of a border defense company of the Shannan Military Sub-Command of the PLA Tibet Military Command in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region no longer have to worry about heating in the freezing winter, after a heating system was installed in December 2020.

Photo shows a parabolic solar trough heating system. (Photo courtesy of PLA Daily)

The system makes good use of the rich solar energy resources in the region, which sits at an altitude of over 4,200 meters. Using mirrored surfaces, it can track the sun and absorb the maximum amount of sunlight to reflect the incident solar radiation, which is then transferred to a receiver tube filled with thermal oil in the center of the parabolic mirror collectors. Water in two 60 cubic meter storage tanks is pumped through the receiver tube and heated as it passes through the tube.

A soldier cleans the mirrored surfaces of the solar trough heating system. (Photo courtesy of PLA Daily)

On rainy and snowy days, the system produces heat through wind power, and its surfaces can move automatically, which means they will not get frozen on snowy days.

Compared to the boilers the soldiers previously relied on for heating, the new facility is more energy-saving and environmentally-friendly, and can provide sufficient heat and hot water for the soldiers to take a shower.

PLA soldiers observe the reading of a storage tank. (Photo courtesy of PLA Daily)

"Thanks to this new system, which can guarantee heat supply for the whole company, the soldiers had a very warm Spring Festival," said Wang Rui, instructor of the company.

PLA soldiers take part in some recreational activities. (Photo courtesy of PLA Daily)
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
AN Bord Pleanala has asked developers behind a project for more homes in Adare to give more consideration to its proposal.

Dwellings Developments had opened talks with the national planning authority on a blueprint to build 157 residential units off the Rathkeale Road in Adare village.

These are a mix of 42 apartments and 115 houses, with a creche and associated site works.

Since the plan sees more than 100 homes, it bypassed Limerick City and County Council under laws to tackle the housing crisis.

An Bord Pleanala had held initial meetings with the applicant, Dwellings Developments Adare Ltd on the scheme at the start of the year.

But now the body has asked the firm to provide further consideration and amendment to the proposal.

Concerns remain at extra housing in Adare, which has currently just one major road in and out, with the N21 a bottleneck through the village at peak times.

Fianna Fail councillor Kevin Sheahan, who represents the Adare-Rathkeale district, proposed the sale of the councils land to the developer at a district meeting, said he is all in favour of the project.

He pointed out the Adare bypass, if it gets the go-ahead, will take a lot of cars out of the village, making more homes there viable.

Our towns and villages need more houses if they are to survive. Ive often said that if you havent got chimney pots, you have nothing in a town, so Im all in favour of projects like these, he said.

Cllr Sheahan did say he feels it is time for the State to step up to the mark in providing infrastructure.

The State has a lot to answer for when they say they want their towns and villages with people living in them, and investment in our towns and villages, while at the same time, the basic infrastructure is absent, he added.

An oral hearing on the Foynes to Limerick road, which will bypass Adare concluded last week, with the event conducted virtually.

It took place over a fortnight and welcomed 50 contributors.

The An Bord Pleanala-led inquiry is expected to report on its findings later this year, with the 450m link seen as vital to the successful holding of the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor come 2027.
After the grand finale of Bigg Boss 14, winner Rubina Dilaik's actor-husband Abhinav Shukla has often been asked about his journey and incidents that happened inside the house. One of the major issues was his argument with Rakhi Sawant. For the unversed, Rakhi was constantly flirting with him, but after a particular point, Abhinav got miffed with her behaviour.

Abhinav Shukla  Naina    Jasly    ; Check Out | FilmiBeat

When he started ignoring Rakhi Sawant, she decided to give him a lot of trouble in the show. In one of the episodes, the controversial diva pulled the strings of Abhinav Shukla's shorts. Later, she even called him 'tharki' (pervert), which eventually made his wife Rubina angry. She had even thrown a bucket of soap water on Rakhi. Well, the whole episode had indeed disturbed Abhinav.

While talking about the same with Times of India, Abhinav Shukla said, "It was a violation of my personal space. It was not cool. Whatever happened after that was shown, nothing was edited pre or post." The Aksar 2 actor also said that because of Rakhi's act, his wife Rubina took a stand for him, and that eventually helped them get closer to each other.

Apart from that, Abhinav Shukla also talked about his actress-friend Jasmin Bhasin and her overall behaviour inside the show. Let us tell you that Rubina Dilaik and Jasmin Bhasin had several arguments inside the house. Jasmin thought that Rubina Dilaik was fake in the show. In previous interviews, Rubina said that Jasmin didn't wish her after she won.

Reacting to the same, Abhinav said, "It really does not matter if Jasmin wished Rubina or not. The whole world is congratulating Rubina! Frankly, I could never understand Jasmin." Meanwhile, Abhinav Shukla recently threw a party at his house for his close friends from Bigg Boss 14 house. Jaan Kumar Sanu, Nikki Tamboli, Rahul Mahajan and others had attended the bash. Currently, the actor is busy shooting for his upcoming projects.

Also Read : Rubina Dilaik And Abhinav Shukla's Nati Dance Is Too Adorable To Miss, See Video

Also Read : BB 14: Arshi Khan, Abhinav Shukla, Jaan Sanu & Others Party With Salman Khan Post Grand Finale; See Pics
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor

Its a world of lawlessness, Rev. Kim Dal-sung muttered over the phone as he drove his tiny KIA over narrow dirt paths zigzagging through greenhouses made of plastic sheets and tubes.

In the bleak landscape of dull blue and gray in Pocheon, a town near South Koreas ultra-modern capital, hundreds of migrant workers from across Asia toil in harsh conditions, unprotected by labor laws while doing the hardest, lowest-paid farm work most Koreans avoid.

The death of a 31-year-old Cambodian woman worker at one of the farms in December has revived decades-long criticism over South Korean exploitation of some of the poorest, most vulnerable people in Asia. Officials have promised reforms, but its unclear what will change.

More than two months after Sokkhengs death, South Korea this week announced plans to improve conditions for migrant farmworkers, including expanding health care access. Daunted by opposition from farmers, officials chose not to ban using shipping containers as shelter.

On a chilly February afternoon, groups of workers wearing bandanas and conical hats appeared and disappeared among hundreds of translucent tunnel-shaped greenhouses  each about 100 yards long  harvesting spinach, lettuce and other winter greens and stacking them high in boxes.

Kim, a pastor and outspoken advocate for migrant workers rights, is an unwelcome visitor at the farms in Pocheon, especially after the Cambodian woman, Nuon Sokkheng, was found dead on Dec. 20 inside a poorly heated, squalid shelter at one of the farms.

Her death, and those of many others, highlight the often cruel conditions facing migrant workers who have little recourse against their bosses.

Farm owners here are like absolute monarchs ruling over migrant workers, Kim said. Some say they want to kill me.

There are around 20,000 Asian migrant workers legally working on South Korean farms, mostly from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal. They were brought in under its Employment Permit System. To keep out undocumented immigrants, it makes it extremely difficult for workers to leave their employers, even when they are grossly overworked or abused.

One Korean farmer watched, scowling with hands on his hips, then got on a tractor and began trailing visiting reporters to prevent his foreign employees from talking to them.

Another shouted and waved her hand furiously as she approached, stopping an interview with two Cambodian workers who went back into a shipping container.

South Korean farmers, too, are suffering. The industry is in decline, hurt by decades of labor shortages and increasing foreign competition. They get by importing labor to work long hours for low pay.

Who are you to come here? the woman farm owner fumed. Do you even know what farming is really like?

Activists and workers say migrant workers in Pocheon work 10-15 hours a day, with only two Saturdays off per month. They earn around $1,300-1,600 per month, well below the legal minimum wage their contracts are supposed to ensure.

Rising before sunrise, they crouch or bend for hours as they work their way through the huge plastic tunnels at each farm, planting, weeding, picking and thinning crops.

The workers often are crammed in shipping containers or flimsy, poorly ventilated huts, like the one where Sokkheng died.

Activists who interviewed her coworkers say she came to Pocheon in 2016 and died just weeks before she was due to return to Cambodia to spend time with her family. Sokkheng appeared to have no obvious health problems, but an autopsy showed she died from complications from cirrhosis, likely worsened by the harsh conditions she lived and worked in, the activists say.

She died during a bitter cold snap, when temperatures fell to minus 18 C. The shelter's heating system was faulty, and others living there went to stay with friends to escape the cold. Sokkheng refused to go, they told activists.

A Nepalese farm worker, who asked that his name not be used because he feared reprisals from his employer, said he was considering running away to find factory work as an undocumented migrant after five years of working for a farmer who he said was abusive and occasionally violent.

At least Ill get more days off, said the worker, who slipped out to a coffee shop outside the farm one evening for an interview.

Its just an extreme amount of work (each day). You dont get bathroom breaks. You dont even have time to drink water, said the Nepalese man. He complained of excruciating back and shoulder pain, likening the situation to slavery.

Just 10% of the 200,000 migrant workers brought to South Korea under its Employment Permit System, or EPS, work on farms. About eight in 10 EPS workers toil in factories, while the rest work in construction, fisheries and service industry jobs.

The Labor Ministry told a lawmaker in October that 90-114 EPS workers died each year from 2017 to 2019.

Ven. Linsaro, a Cambodian Buddhist monk based in South Korea, helps with funerals and sending cremated remains to grieving families in Cambodia. He said he knew of at least 19 Cambodian workers who died in 2020. So far in 2021, one farmworker and one worker have been found dead in their shelters.

Most of them are in their 20s and 30s . . . Many of them just died in their sleep, said Linsaro. He wonders if serious illnesses are going undetected because of workers lack of medical access.

The Employment Permit System was launched in 2004, to replace a 1990s industrial trainee system notorious for exposing migrant workers to horrific working conditions. It was meant to afford migrant workers the same basic legal rights as Koreans. But critics say the current system is even more exploitative and traps workers into a form of servitude.

Migrant farmworkers are more vulnerable than factory workers since rules about working hours, breaks and time off dont apply to agriculture. The countrys Labor Standards Act doesnt apply at all to workplaces with four or less employees, which is typical of many farms.

Choi Jung Kyu, a human rights lawyer, says workers at these farms are virtually unprotected against unjust firings or wage theft, uncompensated for workplace injuries and have scant access to health care. They often must pay $90-$270 a month to stay in miserable makeshift dormitories that often are just shipping containers equipped with propane tanks for cooking. Such temporary structures usually only have portable toilets.

The government should absolutely stop letting farms with less than five workers use the EPS, said Choi.

Three Cambodian workers who were interviewed at a Pocheon farm but didnt want to be named complained about the grueling work, South Koreas bitterly cold winter and harassment by their employer, who calls them dogs."

They said they persevere because the wages are better than in Cambodia, giving them a chance to escape poverty.

I will deal with whatever hardship is thrown at me here, said one, who is helping pay for educating his three siblings. He dreams about buying a farm and a cow when he returns home.

Farmers insist they are barely getting by, too.

Our farming communities are badly aged, said Shin Hyun-yoo, leader of a farmers association in Gyeonggi Province, where Pocheon is located. Many will collapse if it becomes harder to hire foreign workers.
[March 05, 2021] MetLife Confirms First Quarter 2021 Series A Preferred Stock Dividend

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced that it has confirmed its previously announced declaration of the first quarter 2021 dividend of $0.25000000 per share on the company's floating rate non-cumulative preferred stock, Series A, with a liquidation preference of $25 per share (NYSE: MET PRA). The New York Stock Exchange has not yet set an ex-dividend date for the Series A preferred stock. Following this confirmatory announcement, the New York Stock Exchange will set an ex-dividend date for the Series A preferred stock. The dividend will be payable March 15, 2021, to shareholders of record as of Friday, February 26, 2021, due to the record date occurring on Sunday, February 28, 2021. About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and afiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.



Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this news release, such as "will," are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the "Risk Factors" MetLife, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. MetLife's future results could differ, and it has no obligation to correct or update any of these statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005448/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Cavotec will focus resources and make investments to further develop its leading position within electrification and automation for improved sustainability in its fast-growing ports & maritime and specialized industrial applications markets and, as a consequence, will divest its Airports business.

As the market trends and regulatory requirements are expected to drive significant growth in demand for shore power, automated mooring and port and industry electrification, Cavotec has decided to focus resources and investments in these areas to further strengthen its position and accelerate its growth. Cavotec has subsequently taken a decision to initiate a process to divest its Airports business.

Currently, Airports accounts for approximately 25 per cent of Cavotec's revenue with about 240 employees. Cavotec estimates that a sale of the Airports business can be completed during 2021. In future Cavotec will report Airports separately, commencing with the interim report for the first quarter of 2021. This report will now be published on Wednesday May 12, 2021.

"We are now optimizing and streamlining our portfolio to enable us to focus on the fast-growing ports & maritime market for profitable sustainability solutions as well as leveraging on the technology synergies with our Industry business, such as connectivity and high power and high speed electrical charging", says Mikael Norin, CEO of Cavotec.

"Our Airports business is a fine business, and we have a strong position in offering flexible gate solutions to airports. However, as the Airports business in many ways is quite different to Cavotec's core and with few technology synergies, we believe the business would be better suited to develop and grow under the leadership of a company that has a broader position in the aviation industry", Norin adds.

The decision is the result of a strategic assessment with a thorough market analysis of the electrification and efficiency trends in the ports & maritime market as well as the segments Cavotec operates in for industrial equipment. With an expected accelerated adoption of electrification and automation solutions at thousands of ports around the world and for millions of pieces of industry assets, Cavotec has an opportunity to strengthen its market leading position by focusing on its core products such as shore power, automated mooring (MoorMaster), reels, electrical charging of commercial vehicles as well as its wide service portfolio to support its customers.

"Through this strategic change, we will advance our position to enable a future world that is cleaner, safer and more efficient through our profitable sustainability solutions for ports & maritime and industry applications", Norin adds. "We will during the coming months make further announcements on investments in products, technology and capabilities as part of the implementation of our new focused strategy", Norin concludes.

Cavotec will hold a conference call today 5 March 2021 at 12:00 CET to answer questions with regards to today's announcement. Mikael Norin, CEO, and Glenn Withers, CFO will participate in the call. For call-in details, please see below.

Conference call in connection with publication of the press release

Conference call Dial-in numbers:

Sweden: +46850558355

United Kingdom: +443333009260

United States: +18338230587

Weblink: https://tv.streamfabriken.com/cavotec-press-conference

ENDS

For further details please contact:

Johan Hahnel

Investor Relations Manager

Telephone: +46 70 605 63 34. Email: investor@cavotec.com

This is information that Cavotec SA is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:00 CET on 5 March 2021.

About Cavotec

Cavotec is a leading engineering group that designs and manufactures automated connection and electrification systems for ports and industrial applications worldwide. Cavotec's innovative technologies ensure safe, efficient and sustainable operations. To find out more about Cavotec, visit our website at cavotec.com.

Attachment
Pure, golden honey spread on hot buttered toast, spooned over fresh yoghurt or drizzled on a pancake  these are among life's great culinary delights.

As Winnie-the-Pooh sang in Disney's 2011 film: 'Oh what a sight, oh what a dream, dive in the wonderful, honeyful stream!'

In Britain, we eat more than 50,000 tons of honey a year, for its taste and its health benefits. Globally, 1.9 million tons are consumed. But if you imagine all this honey comes from bees buzzing around fields and woodlands, think again. Beekeepers and scientists warn that more honey is being sold than the world's bees can possibly produce. They suggest much of it is likely to be mixed with cheap sugar syrup.

Something other than bees, it seems, is supplying large quantities of 'honey' to the 5 billion global market. That something is likely to be China.

Beekeepers and scientists warn that more honey is being sold than the world's bees can possibly produce. They suggest much of it is likely to be mixed with cheap sugar syrup

Something other than bees, it seems, is supplying large quantities of 'honey' to the 5 billion global market. That something is likely to be China. Pictured: Beekeepers on Plum Blossom Mountain in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province of China on February 19

Its production and blending factories are far from the notion of beekeepers tending hives in idyllic woodlands, hedges and fields.

Over the past two decades, global production has increased nearly 50 per cent. During the same period, the number of farmed beehives has increased, too  but by less than 30 per cent to about 90 million, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation.

'It is impossible to account for the increase in global production of honey by the modest increase in the number of beehives,' says Ron Phipps, vice president of the Scientific Commission on Beekeeping Economy at Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations. 'We believe consumers are being cheated  honey is being adulterated with rice syrup and other sweeteners.'

Beekeepers warn that cheap imports threaten to put them out of business, meaning fewer bees to pollinate crops, wildflowers and trees  risking ecological disaster.

Kate Bowyer, a UK beekeeper with 35 hives near Redruth in Cornwall, says British beekeeping has already become unsustainable: 'You won't find many beekeepers who make a living now, even with 100 hives.'

Beekeepers warn that cheap imports threaten to put them out of business, meaning fewer bees to pollinate crops, wildflowers and trees  risking ecological disaster. Pictured: Beekeepers in China

Yet in Britain we are eating record amounts of honey. Sales grew 20 per cent last year and were worth 150 million, according to data company Kantar. The problem is that booming sales have attracted fraudsters.

Expensive Manuka honey, which comes from New Zealand and Australia and is used by celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, was the first to be exposed. Only 2,500 tons are produced annually  but 10,000 tons are sold.

Police intelligence confirms fraudsters are targeting cheaper honeys. And beekeepers from Europe to South America allege the adulteration originates largely in China  the world's biggest honey-producing nation. It sends 36,000 tons a year to Britain (its biggest global customer).

Experts such as Ron Phipps, who have travelled around China's honey-producing regions, criticise the speed with which Chinese honey is gathered.

'In many Asian countries, honey is often harvested too early,' wrote Professors Norberto Garcia and Stephan Schwarzinger in Food Fraud, a new academic textbook.

Experts such as Ron Phipps, who have travelled around China's honey-producing regions (pictured, beekeeper in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province) criticise the speed with which Chinese honey is gathered

'This unripe honey usually lacks the typical taste and odour associated with honey and has far too high a water content.'

Garcia, a bee physiologist at Universidad Nacional Del Sur in Argentina, and Schwarzinger, a food chemist at Bayreuth University in Germany, added: 'Water content of the immature product must be reduced before export in so-called honey factories that also filter to eliminate veterinary drug and pesticide residues.'

The honey is then typically sent to factories for blending with different honeys  and potentially other substances, too, such as cheap rice syrup.

Some scientists question if such a substance can be called honey at all  under the legal definition, it has to be stored 'in honeycombs to ripen and mature'. Factories in China even advertise adulterants online. 'Fructose syrup for honey,' says an advert on the online trading giant Alibaba, claiming it can pass tests to identify adulterated honey.

Such practices are known to the Chinese authorities, who say they are working hard to detect them.

And beekeepers from Europe to South America allege the adulteration originates largely in China  the world's biggest honey-producing nation. It sends 36,000 tons a year to Britain (its biggest global customer)

Scientists at the Institute of Apicultural Research in Beijing, part of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, have published several papers highlighting the issue.

One, published last March by a team led by Lanzhen Chen, said: 'In order to seek higher profits, high-quality honey is subjected to sugar adulteration through the addition of cheaper sweeteners, such as refined cane sugar, beet sugar, corn sugar, high fructose corn syrup or through substitution of lower-grade honey.'

So how do we stop it?

One emerging hope is nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a proven technology which is being adapted for honey. It identifies the 'molecular signature' of a suspect honey and compares it with a global database of thousands of others.

Last summer, Mitchell Weinberg, a New York-based food fraud investigator, put Britain's honey to the test. He commissioned QSI, a leading German laboratory, to test nine jars of UK supermarket own-brand honey using NMR technology from Bruker BioSpin, part of the U.S.-based Bruker corporation, a leading analytical instrumentation company.

In 2018, the European Commission said 'a potentially significant proportion' of honeys may be mislabelled or adulterated. Pictured: A honey bee collects nectar and pollen (file photo)

Shockingly, the results from eight of the nine samples  including Waitrose Pure Clear Honey, Sainsbury's Runny Honey, Marks & Spencer Pure Honey and Tesco Clear Honey  indicated adulteration. These are labelled as a mix of EU and non-EU honeys  under UK rules it is not a requirement to put the countries of origin on the label for such blends.

The supermarkets and honey industry reject such results, saying their honey is '100 per cent pure' and that Bruker's database was introduced before it was fully validated and is not yet 'fit for purpose'.

The Honey Association, which represents UK honey importers and packers, has criticised the firm for failing to open its database for inspection by the industry. Tesco says its honey can be traced back to the beekeepers, but is calling on 'industry, governments and testing laboratories to work collaboratively to build a more open, transparent testing regime'.

Waitrose said its honey was tested at source and in the UK, adding: 'The testing of honey is incredibly complex and no one test in isolation is reliable.' M&S did not comment.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury's said: 'We test our honey at every stage of the supply chain using the official methods recognised by the EU honey regulations and have full traceability back to bee keepers showing full compliance to specification. Audits of honey suppliers are also regularly conducted in all countries of origin.'

The retail industry has conducted thousands of tests on UK-sold honey, but has yet to report any adulteration  which, it says, proves its quality.

However, many beekeepers disagree, saying standard industry tests are obsolete and easily hoodwinked.

Thomas Spengler, of Bruker BioSpin, says its systems and databases are reliable, robust and open to enforcement agencies. He adds that private laboratories and firms were denied access to prevent exploitation of the information for the purpose of beating the test.

'People have been trying to deny and discredit the NMR technique over the years. These people are becoming more isolated because its adoption is increasing,' he says. Indeed, there is growing pressure on supermarkets to reveal details of their tests and audits.

In 2018, the European Commission said 'a potentially significant proportion' of honeys may be mislabelled or adulterated.

In the UK, Labour has tabled parliamentary questions asking the Government what it has done 'to ensure that honey sold in the UK is not adulterated and bulked out with cheap sugar syrups'.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman says it is considering an offer from Bruker to audit its NMR database, adding: 'We continue to work closely with the Government Chemist and the Food Standards Agency...to deter those wishing to commit fraud.'

Some in the UK honey industry, however, dismiss attacks on Chinese imports. 'There's a lot of vested interests wanting to see Chinese honey taken off the table,' says one industry source.

Martin Pope, of Beeza honey, worked as an accountant specialising in fraud investigations before switching to beekeeping. He now has 50 hives around Kingsbridge, Devon, and says more government action is required: 'Consumers are potentially buying something they probably didn't want and beekeepers' businesses have become less viable. It's time ministers did their job.'
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 4)  Anticipating the delivery of around 22 million doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine to the Philippines this year, the United Kingdom is working with the Philippine government to ensure "successful deployment" across the country.

The UK was the first in the world to roll out a mass vaccination program in December and has since inoculated more than 20 million people, using either Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccines.

It now seeks to share best practices to the Philippines, British Ambassador Daniel Pruce told CNN Philippines in an exclusive interview on Thursday.

The vaccine developed by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca with the University of Oxford is the second brand to officially reach the Philippines, next to the 600,000 doses of Chinese firm Sinovac's CoronaVac donated by Beijing.

The first shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines is composed of 487, 200 doses from the COVAX facility, to be followed by the rest of the 5 million doses from the same global initiative, Pruce said.

The World Health Organization, which leads the COVAX facility along with the vaccine alliance Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, earlier said the Philippines can even get up to 9.2 million doses of AztraZeneca's vaccine.

The 17 million doses secured by the country through tripartite agreements with the private sector, local government units, and AstraZeneca will be delivered "in the subsequent weeks or months," Pruce added.

"So that should mean, if you take together the COVAX contribution and the tripartite agreements, something in the order of [22] million shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine being in the country by the end of the year," Pruce said.

The envoy added that the British Embassy in Manila has been helping the country prepare for its local vaccination program.

"It's one thing to secure your consignment of vaccines. It's another thing to actually get them into people's arms," Pruce said.

"And in the embassy, we've been working in recent weeks in close partnership with governments and the LGUs, sharing our experience in administering vaccines across the country in the UK," he said, adding that discussions have been "productive" so far.

While AstraZeneca was seen as among the preferred brands, some experts have warned that its efficacy has been affected by the B.1.351 variant first detected in South Africa.

Early data showed the AstraZeneca vaccine provided only "minimal protection" against mild and moderate COVID-19 from the South Africa variant. OCTA Research fellow and molecular biologist Fr. Nicanor Austriaco even said on Wednesday that the South Africa variant dramatically decreases the AstraZeneca vaccine's efficacy from 70% to just 10%.

READ: Millions of AstraZeneca shots 'ineffective' if South Africa variant in PH not contained, expert warns

When asked about this, Pruce deferred to scientists and the company, but stressed that "research still continues, testing, emulation to the new variants."

Pruce added that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines have so far worked for the UK, bringing down hospitalization rates and cases of serious illness due to the coronavirus.

The UK earlier discovered another more transmissible variant, the B.1.1.7. It has reached several other countries, including the Philippines, but the Oxford-AstraZeneca team said its vaccine protects well against this variant.
A low hemoglobin count, older age and high BMI are possible risk factors for developing nerve damage after cancer treatment, a UNSW-led study has found.

UNSW Sydney medical researchers say their new study is a key step forward in developing predictive models for nerve damage post chemotherapy and appropriate clinical pathways for care. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Being older, overweight and having low hemoglobin levels (fewer red blood cells) could increase a patient's risk of developing debilitating nerve damage following chemotherapy, a research team led by UNSW Sydney has revealed.

The researchers aimed to identify pre-treatment clinical and blood-based risk factors in patients who developed chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) - nerve damage in peripheral body parts, like hands or feet, as a result of chemotherapy.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open recently, examined patients - mostly women - who received paclitaxel or oxaliplatin chemotherapy treatment, which are common treatments for breast, colorectal and gynecological cancers.

One in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by age 85, including 145,000 new cases each year. Thankfully many survive, but side effects as a result of life-saving treatments are less talked about. CIPN is damage to the nerves that can impact your sensation and muscle control, generally in the hands and feet. This can have major implications for those who work with their hands and can impair balance, which can become an even bigger problem for older patients who are then at increased risk of falls. Many patients experience painful symptoms too. There are few established risk factors for this nerve damage. We found patients with low hemoglobin at the beginning of treatment, and those who had higher body mass indexes (BMI), were more susceptible to developing nerve damage. Older patients seemed to be more at risk, too." Dr David Mizrahi, Lead Author, Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Medicine & Health

The study's senior author Professor David Goldstein, Conjoint Clinical Professor at UNSW's Prince of Wales Clinical School, said past studies also showed older patients and those with a higher BMI, in both healthy adults and those with conditions such as diabetes, may be prone to developing nerve damage.

"Importantly, this work was stimulated by two committed consumers from the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group who had identified that hemoglobin or iron levels may be a modifiable factor," Prof. Goldstein said.

"Fortunately, we were in a position to examine this within our wider Cancer Institute NSW-funded CIPN research program led by Associate Professor Susanna Park of The University of Sydney and myself.

"In our recently reported Australian cross-sectional survey of more than 950 patients exposed to neurotoxic chemotherapy, 75 per cent of respondents reported CIPN-related symptoms, emphasizing the importance of this issue."

Prof. Goldstein said: "There are likely a range of factors that contribute to a patient developing CIPN - such as genetics, treatment dose, nutritional status, comorbidities.

"So, our findings add a new perspective to the current knowledge that patients who receive these types of chemotherapy could have a range of contributing factors putting them at an increased risk of nerve damage.

"Our findings could help cancer doctors and nurses to identify those who merit either a modified more tailored management approach or much closer and more intensified monitoring for the development of symptoms. This work will also assist medical teams to reduce the long-term severity of symptoms and positively impact patients' quality of life."

Laying the foundations for future research

The UNSW-led research team recruited 333 adult patients receiving paclitaxel and oxaliplatin chemotherapy in hospitals and cancer clinics in Sydney and Brisbane between September 2015 and February 2020. The median age was 58 years old.

About 80 per cent of those recruited were women, because females make up a significant proportion of patients with breast or gynecological cancers.

Most patients had advanced stages of cancer, including some who were returning for relapse treatment.

The researchers analyzed initial pre-treatment blood samples from patients before they started chemotherapy and comprehensively assessed participants for nerve damage three to 12 months post-treatment, then compared the results.

Dr Mizrahi said the team's study was the largest to date to identify low hemoglobin as a potential contributing factor to cancer patients developing CIPN.

"This result now justifies future studies of the relationship between low hemoglobin, iron levels and CIPN, and whether opportunities for intervention before or during treatment could reduce the risk of developing CIPN," he said.

"For example, raising hemoglobin by transfusion or iron infusion before starting chemotherapy is a testable hypothesis. In addition, we are currently investigating other potential options for reducing the impact of CIPN, such as using exercise or prescription medications such as Duloxetine (an antidepressant) for people with known CIPN.

"We are also exploring the use of simple screening questionnaires at each patient's chemotherapy cycle in an attempt to pick up symptoms early, allowing for closer monitoring and opportunities to modify treatments or refer patients to appropriate members of the multi-disciplinary team - so, the burden of symptoms can be reduced."

Dr Mizrahi acknowledged further exploration of the findings was needed but said the team's research was a key step forward in developing predictive models for CIPN and appropriate clinical pathways for care, which remained an unmet need for an important problem.

There are currently no preventative or treatment strategies for CIPN - so, if our findings are validated with further research, future studies could closely monitor patients to determine the impact of risk factors for developing CIPN and examine possible interventions." Dr David Mizrahi
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
In a shocking and intriguing development, the man whose SUV was parked with 20-odd gelatin sticks and a threatening note seized near the home of Reliance Industries Limited Chairman Mukesh Ambani, has been found dead on Friday.

The body of Mansukh Hiren, a businessman, was recovered from the Reti-Bunder creek at Mumbra in Thane district.

The incident comes as a major embarrassment to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government even as the opposition BJP demanded the resignation of state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and that the case be transferred to the National Investigation Agency.

The stolen Mahindra Scorpio was lying abandoned near a tree located near Antilia, the house of Ambani at the Carmichael Road residence on February 25  and the police seized 20-odd gelatin sticks and a letter threatening Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani, the Chairperson of Reliance Foundation.

Read | Jaish-ul-Hind claims responsibility of placing explosives-laden SUV near Ambani's house

"Ye to sirf ek trailer hai. Neeta Bhabhi, Mukesh Bhaiyya, family... ye to sirf ek jhalak hai. Agli baar ye saaman pura hokar tumhare pass aayega, aur pura intezaam ho gaya hai," the threatening letter read.

An FIR was registered by the Gamdevi police station but parallel probe was ordered by the Crime Branch-CID  and Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze of Crime Intelligence Unit was made the Investigating Officer.

The body was recovered at a time when Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis demanded that the Maharashtra government provide security to Hiren.

Initiating a discussion on the Law & Order situation in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Fadnavis demanded government hand over the probe to the NIA. There are several strange coincidences in the case, Fadnavis said.

He also pointed out that Hiren seemed to know Vaze and telephone records confirm this fact. The local police station does not reach there, the Crime Branch does not reach there, but Sachin Vaze reaches....he seizes the car, threat letter, he said.

He also questioned why the probe was given to Vaze when the police earlier said that an Assistant Commissioner of Police would carry out the probe.

However, minutes later, reports came that Hiren has been found dead.

Fadnavis has asked Home Minister Anil Deshmukh to reply on the issue.

Meanwhile, Thackeray is learnt to have sought a detailed report from Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh and Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Milind Bharambe.

Hiren, in his statement to Mumbai Police had reportedly claimed that his car had not been in use for over a year and he recently drove the car because he wanted to sell it. He said that his car had broken down, after which he parked it at the Mulund-Airoli Link Road. He said that when he returned to the spot the next day, the car was not there.

Deshmukh said that the car belonged to one Sam Peter Newton, who had given the car to Hirens automobile spare-parts company for fixing its interiors. The car owner could not pay the dues so Hiren took the car, he said.

He also said that Vaze is not the Investigation Officer but Assistant Commissioner of Police Nitin Aluknare is on the investigation.

However, Fadnavis pointed out that in the police statement, Hiren had said that he had purchased the car from Newton.

Read | Mumbai Police's Sachin Vaze, an old friend of controversies

There are ifs and buts and coincidences that needs to be probed and hence it should be given to NIA, he said.

"There were not one but two cars. One was Scorpio and one Innova. Both the cars came from Thane and have followed the same route and reached the location," Fadnavis said, adding that both Vaze and Hiren are Thane residents.

BJP objects to Vaze's presence in the hospital where Hiren's body is held

The BJP has taken objection to the presence of Vaze in the hospital in Thane where the post-mortem of the body of Mansukh Hiren is being conducted.

What is he doing there...we have information that Sachin Vaze is in the hospital where the post-mortem is being done, senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar said.


Nine migrants in an SUV packed with 25 people suffered major injuries after their vehicle slammed into a lorry and killed 13 others inside, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said.

Seventeen occupants in the 1997 Ford Expedition were Mexican  10 who died and seven who were injured. Two Guatemalans had major injuries.

The driver was among the 13 killed in the SUV, from Tuesdays collision in Californias Imperial Valley, a farming region that produces many of the winter vegetables sold in US supermarkets. Three suffered moderate injuries.

The nationalities of three others who died and three who were injured were unknown or undisclosed.

A hole cut into Southern Californias border fence with Mexico (US Customs and Border Protection/AP)

The Mexican government said 10 of its citizens died, but US authorities have not released the identities, ages or nationalities of the deceased.

The youngest injured was a 15-year-old girl whose name and nationality were undetermined, according to CHP. She had major injuries.

The oldest was a 46-year-old woman from Guatemala City, also with major injuries.

The injured are being treated at hospitals in San Diego, El Centro, Brawley and Palm Springs, California.

The Border Patrol said surveillance video showed the Expedition and a Chevrolet Suburban drive through an opening in the border wall about 30 miles east of the crash.

The lorry driver also suffered major injuries (Gregory Bull/AP)

The Suburban carried 19 people, and it caught fire for unknown reasons on a nearby interstate after entering the US.

All escaped the vehicle and were taken into custody by the Border Patrol, which said it was not pursuing either SUV.

The Expedition soon struck the lorry, whose driver, a 68-year-old man from El Centro, suffered major injuries.

The breached barrier was made of steel bollards that were built before former President Donald Trump blanketed much of the border with taller barriers that go deeper into the ground.
People watch for signs of a tsunami from a hill above Papamoa Beach, New Zealand, as a tsunami warning is issued on Friday (George Novak/New Zealand Herald via AP)

Three earthquakes, including one of the strongest ever to hit the region, struck off the coast of New Zealand on Friday.

The tsunami warnings have now been stood down. following one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in modern history.

The magnitude 8.1 quake in the Kermadec Islands region about 620 miles from New Zealands two main islands was the largest in a series of tremors over several hours, including two earlier quakes that registered magnitude 7.4 and magnitude 7.3.

Read More

Small tsunami waves were seen, but the threat caused traffic jams and some chaos in New Zealand as people scrambled to get to higher ground.

1ia3ia hours of seismic activity in 1ia3ia seconds



Dozens of quakes have caused shaking around NZ todaya



Have a watch ai



Data: @gnsscience pic.twitter.com/CqjTgmkqY0  NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) March 5, 2021

Residents recorded videos of small wave surges in some places, including at Tokomaru Bay near Gisborne.

In the afternoon, the National Emergency Management Agency said the threat had passed and people could return to their homes, although they should continue avoiding beaches.

One of the earlier quakes hit much closer to New Zealand and awoke many people as they felt a long, rumbling shaking.

Hope everyone is ok out there, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wrote on Facebook during the night.

After the largest quake, civil defence authorities in New Zealand told people in some coastal areas to immediately get to higher ground, warning a damaging tsunami was possible, and waves could reach up to three metres.

Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan told reporters that people had followed the advisory.

They felt the long or strong earthquakes and they knew to grab their bag and head into the highlands, she said.

Hope everyone is ok out there - especially on the East Coast who would have felt the full force of that earthquake (the map here shows just how many people were reporting it across the country) Posted by Jacinda Ardern on Thursday, March 4, 2021

I can only thank and acknowledge the tireless efforts of the men and women from up and down the coast who knew how to act, when to act, and what to do.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre cautioned the quake could cause tsunami waves of up to three meters in Vanuatu and up to one metre in Tonga, other South Pacific islands and Latin Americas Pacific coast.

Chilean authorities ordered people off beaches due to the potential for a tsunami along the nations long coastline. Guatemala issued a tsunami alert, and authorities in El Salvador ordered people to take precautions in recreational activities.

The US Geological Survey said the strongest quake was centred near the Kermadec Islands at a depth of 12 miles.

The agency said in a report that the quake occurred at the intersection of the Pacific and Australia tectonic plates and eclipsed the largest quake previously recorded in the region, a magnitude 8.0 in 1976.

TSUNAMI WARNING: Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any evacuation instructions. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected in areas under Land and Marine threat. See attached map for affected areas. More info at https://t.co/ccVFYR8001 pic.twitter.com/uVlE3MnPCK  National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) March 4, 2021

It said the interaction between the plates creates one of the most seismically active regions in the world, and it has recorded 215 quakes there above magnitude 6.0 over the past century.

Jennifer Eccles, an earthquake expert at the University of Auckland, said the quake was at the top end of the scale for those involving only the Earths ocean crust.

This is about as big as it gets, she said.

She said most quakes larger than magnitude 8.0 tend to occur when a section of more robust continental crust is involved.
After the attacks of Jan. 6, commentators on the far right papered over the violence at the Capitol by saying that it had been a ploy, cooked up by left-wing activists and anarchists in antifa (itself an ideology, by the way, more than a real organization). And the lies have stuck: A poll last month from USA Today and Suffolk University found that nearly three-fifths of all Trump voters believed the Jan. 6 riot had been mostly an antifa-inspired attack that only involved a few Trump supporters.

This time around, seeing that it might not be wise to bring a group of fervid supporters to Washington for the arrival of a leader who doesnt show up, QAnon influencers have gotten out in front of the problem  making a similar set of claims about antifa, but ahead of time.

For Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow in the Democracy, Conflict and Governance Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, this is just one more sign of how malleable  and potentially long-lasting  the QAnon conspiracy theory appears to be.

Whats really worrisome about QAnon is that its basically a choose-your-own-adventure, she said. It allows people to co-create a conspiracy that gives them a strong sense of positive community and belonging, in a world thats very isolated.

And its a community in which theres an idea, rather like an improv group, to say, Yes, and  not, No, but, Kleinfeld said. If someone throws out an idea, others are encouraged to build on it. That suggests a long life, a durability.

Even as its original creator has seemingly stepped aside, QAnons supporters have become embedded within a range of far-right communities. That, Kleinfeld explained, is also making it stronger.

A number of entities fuel QAnon, she said. Theres the moms anti-pedophilia groups, theres the men-protecting-their-families groups, theres the anti-vaxxers, the evangelicals. But theyre amplified by the officials who benefit from them. And the Republican Party has had a number of operatives that have benefited and therefore amplified Q.
The problems related to the talks between Iran and the US on the future of the nuclear deal have now been cleared after the United Nations watchdog said it had won Irans agreement to return to Tehran to hold focused talks on various doubts about its previously declared nuclear sites. According to the reports by The Guardian, Rafael Grossi, the director general of the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran and IAEA inspectors Iran had been talking with each other. However, Iran has been failing to provide credible answers to the inspectorates questions.

'It is obvious..'

Iran came to this agreement after three of the remaining signatories, France, Germany and Britain, to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, backed off from criticizing Iran for its decision to start limiting access by IAEA inspectors to current facilities. According to the reports by AP, Grossi said, It is obvious for everybody that all these matters need to have some resolution, and when it comes to Iran  and Im not saying anything that Iran itself hasnt said  everything is interconnected, of course. He added, These are different parts of a single whole.

Read: Why Iran Rules Out 'informal Meeting' Led By European Nations With The US?

Earlier, Iran had ruled out holding informal talks with the United States and other three European countries. The US President Joe Bidens administration had offered peaceful negotiations with Tehran led by European allies as it sought to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal which is on the verge to collapse. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh earlier said that considering the recent actions and the statements made by the United States and three other European powers, Tehran is not willing to hold the informal meeting with the nations.

Read: US: Federal Investigators Probe Communication Between Lawmakers And Capitol Attackers

The tiff between Iran and the US has escalated in recent years especially after former US President Donald Trumps administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic Republic. However, the Trump-led US strike that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in January 2020 truly pushed both nations to extremes. Since several Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhai have revealed that Tehran will avenge Soleimanis murder.

Read: Rupee Slumps 16 Paise To 72.99 Against US Dollar In Early Trade

Also Read: Indian-Americans Taking Over US, Says Biden As They Keep Getting Key Positions
(JNS)  A Jewish student at Tufts University who claims that he has been the subject months-long campaign of anti-Semitic intimidation, harassment and discrimination is calling on the university to intervene.

Max Price, a junior who is a member of the Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ), which is tasked with fact-checking and removing bias student government legislation, has been outspoken against an SJP proposal to include its Deadly Exchange Campaign referendum in the student election ballot.

Mr. Price has been subjected to anti-Semitic harassment targeting him on the basis...
People arrive for Covid-19 vaccines on the California State University, Los Angeles campus on March 4, 2021

The United States recorded fewer than 40,000 new daily cases of COVID-19 for the first time in five months on Thursday, a piece of promising news as countries across the globe struggle to hold off another infection surge before inoculations become widespread.

With frustration over restrictions having long weighed on populations worldwide, leaders were seeking to balance demands for easing rules while not unleashing another explosion in cases.

In the United States, the world's hardest-hit country, the number of daily cases peaked at nearly 300,000 in early January following the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays.

With cases declining and vaccines rolling out, several US states have begun jettisoning mask-wearing rulesmuch to the chagrin of President Joe Biden, who called the move "Neanderthal thinking."

While his administration says its promise to vaccinate 100 million people in its first 100 days is ahead of schedule, Europe is facing heavy criticism over delays in its inoculation campaign.

The EU drug watchdog said Thursday it had started a "rolling review" of the Sputnik V shot, meaning Russian coronavirus vaccines could soon be doled out across Europe.

Moscow responded by saying it could supply doses for 50 million Europeans starting from June as the 27-nation bloc pledged to inoculate all those in need by the end of summer.

Friends, neighbours and medical personnel surround COVID-19 patient Marta Pascual, 72, as she gets some fresh air at the Barceloneta beach esplanade in Barcelona, Spain

The EU has already approved three vaccines, but some members have gone it alone, approving shots from Russia and China unilaterally after criticizing delays.

In another sign of the pressure countries face, Italy blocked a shipment to Australia of AstraZeneca's vaccine, the first such export ban under an EU vaccine monitoring scheme.

The EU has fiercely criticized the Anglo-Swedish company for supplying just a fraction of the doses it had promised to deliver to the bloc.

An Australian ministry of health spokesperson played down the impact of the decision, which blocks the export of 250,000 doses, stating that the vaccines were "not factored into our distribution plan for coming weeks."

The need for a wide vaccine rollout was underscored on Thursday when the World Health Organization's European branch warned that infections had once again begun to rise in the region.

"This ends a promising six-week decline in new cases," said Hans Kluge.

Hungary is among the European nations suffering a surge in infections and deaths, and its government said Thursday it will tighten its lockdown, while Ukraine also warned of a new national lockdown.

Toll of coronavirus infections and deaths worldwide and in worst-affected countries based on AFP tallies, as of March 4 at 1100 GMT

Italy's government announced the postponement of a round of local elections until after the summer.

In South America, Rio de Janeiro placed new restrictions on bars, restaurants and beaches, seeking to contain a surge pushing Brazil's hospitals to the breaking point.

And President Jair Bolsonaro announced that Brazil's foreign minister would lead a delegation to Israel on Saturday to sign an agreement to begin Phase 3 testing in his country of an Israeli-developed nasal spray used to treat COVID-19.

The pandemic has now killed more than 2.5 million people since emerging in China in late 2019.

European vaccine policy

Europe's vaccine policy remains chaotic and rancorous, with new rows brewing even as old ones are laid to rest.

Germany and Sweden on Thursday followed France's lead by reversing course and authorizing the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine for over-65s.

Medical personnel at the Nairobi National Vaccine Depot, where the country's first batch of COVID-19 vaccines are preserved in cold storage

Belgium is expected to follow suit, after a raft of studies showing the vaccine is effective for the elderly.

However, France has waded into an argument with Austria and Denmark, who are bypassing the EU to broker a vaccine deal directly with Israel.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian acknowledged shortcomings in the EU's vaccination policies but criticized "attempts at secession" by some countries.

EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton said he was confident that "by the end of the summer, and I hope even sooner, all those who need to be vaccinated will have been."

The EU has been trailing Britain on vaccinations.

Britain was again at the forefront on Thursday, announcing a partnership with public health bodies in Australia, Canada, Singapore and Switzerland to ensure shots modified to cope with new variants are fast-tracked.

Elsewhere in potential good news for future supplies, German group Curevac said it had signed a deal with Novartis for the Swiss pharmaceutical giant to help in its production of the vaccine it is developing.

Musicians from the Victor Hugo orchestra play for high school students at the Germaine Tillon high school library in Montbeliard, France

Several of the biggest African countries meanwhile have only just begun their vaccination campaigns in earnest.

And exhausted health workers in some African countries, such as South Africa, were meanwhile celebrating a drop in cases.

"One death is enough to traumatize nurses," Phuti Kobo, a ward manager at Thembisa Hospital near Johannesburg, told AFP.

"If you had more than five in a day, that was a real trauma, but we managed through it all. We will be much wiser when we approach the third wave."

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
Imran Khan will also be seeking a vote of confidence tomorrow in the Pakistani parliament, he announced on March 4. Khan said that all the members of his party and his alliance can vote in the open ballot against him if they no longer had confidence in him.

In a major admission by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, he conceded that India is more developed than Pakistan. Addressing Indias mega-developments and progress, he blamed rampant corruption for the downfall of Pakistan after 1985.

Rattled with oppositions remarks, Imran Khan yesterday lashed out at the opposition and said that they made a mockery of democracy. Pak PM Imran Khan has been facing a tough time with Pakistans economy being in shambles, rising opposition and FATF sword hanging on the debt-ridden country.

Imran Khan will also be seeking a vote of confidence tomorrow in the Pakistani parliament, he announced on March 4. Khan said that all the members of his party and his alliance can vote in the open ballot against him if they no longer had confidence in him.

Also read: China-Pak celebrate 70 years of bilateral ties: Xi-Imrans Iron Brothers narrative on

Also read: EAM S. Jaishankar to arrive in Dhaka ahead of PM Modis expected visit to Bangladesh

In his emotional address, Khan also said that he was ready to sit in the opposition if he lost the vote of confidence but he would not stop his campaign against corruption. Additionally, Pakistani Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh recently lost in the Senate elections.

Also read: PM Modi to attend Defence Summit on Mar 6; JCOs and Jawans to take part in top military meet for the first time


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.


Mar. 4Manchester police are looking for a city woman they claim dragged an officer with her car before leading cops on a high-speed chase early Wednesday, officials said.

According to Manchester police, an officer on patrol in the area of East High Street around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday spotted a car that was running with a jacket draped in the window and blocking the view of the driver.

The driver, identified by police as 31-year-old Chelsie Bixby of Manchester, allegedly began acting "nervous and uncomfortable" while speaking with the officer. Police said Bixby then allegedly became frantic and put her car in drive.

The tires did not immediately gain traction due to snow, police said, and the officer ordered Bixby to stop.

"When she did not, (he) put a portion of his arm into the open window attempting to unlock the door from the inside," police said in a statement.

Bixby then allegedly accelerated her vehicle and began to pull away, dragging the officer for about 15 feet, police said.

Officers then followed Bixby as she sped through the city at more than 70 mph, police said, before getting on Interstate 93 and heading south towards toward Exit 4 in Londonderry, where the chase was terminated due to speed.

Bixby is wanted on multiple charges including reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, reckless conduct, disobeying a police officer, and operating without a valid license.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact Manchester police at 603-668-8711.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

When Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham penned her name to Senate Bill 10, she signed a death warrant.

She, along with dozens of New Mexico Democratic lawmakers, approved the order to end the lives of thousands of unborn children.

The new law is an immoral, dangerous one  a law that allows late-term abortion and offers no protections for girls, women or health professionals. It permits the murder of the unborn, endangers the health and lives of women and eliminates any conscience provision to allow a doctor to opt out if he or she opposes the procedure on moral, ethical or religious grounds.

Just as noteworthy, is the hypocritical behavior of some lawmakers as they addressed this important legislation.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

As senators hashed over the bill, debating life-and-death decisions, the Right to Life Committee of Lea County distributed models of 12-week-old fetuses to all of the senators. The visual aids hit home  hard.

Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, was seen on the floor, crying out I threw it away, threw it right in the trash, right in the trash. Why? Its offensive!

The group Live Action reported on Candelarias response on the Senate floor. It also mentioned other lawmakers who called the fetuses repulsive, terrifying and disgusting.

Theres your irony: models of the aborted babies are described as repulsive, but the violence done to a live human being is somehow not considered to be offensive.

It seems these pro-choice lawmakers have actually tried to convince themselves that unborn children are not recognizably human. Then, once confronted with true images of these unborn, they see for themselves a pre-born childs humanity.

A living being, a human form, a person.

The senators were forced to not just look, but to truly see.

The governor is deluding herself as well. And she knows it.

In 21 days one can hear the heartbeat of the unborn. Like the models show, at 12 weeks the fingers, toes and all appendages are formed.

The pro-choice senators have turned their heads from the truth of the humanity of the victims of abortion. Theyve ignored these immoral and appalling acts.

By discarding the real life-sized images, they actually admit their position is too awful to face. The lawmakers were offended, as they should be, and thats a start. Maybe they will continue to think about the image, and finally they might subconsciously recognize their own hypocrisies and denials.

The models repulsed, shocked and unsettled them.

They should.

These lawmakers cannot deny what they have seen. And its good that theyre offended. Their vote for this bill demonstrates they have deliberately blinded themselves from the truth.

That is sad. That is wrong.

That is tragic.

Globally, abortion is the number one cause of death. Right now more than 4,700 abortions are performed annually in New Mexico. About 25% of those deadly procedures  about 20 per week  are late-term abortions, when the baby can sustain life outside the womb.

These are facts, like the models presented to the senators.

Its unfortunate the governor and lawmakers continue to insist on deceiving themselves.

But perhaps, hopefully, the model fetuses did plant a seed, and we can only pray that this seed will sprout a conscience, righteousness, justice and a love for life for these lawmakers and the governor.

A pre-born child deserves to be recognized and, above all, to live.
The Museum of the Bible have announced through their website that they are offering free admission to the thousands of National Guard members still deployed at Washington D. C.

As per the press release posted on their website, the Museum of the Bible's offer is valid until April 4, Easter Sunday, and is given as a little token of appreciation "for their service."

"We are so grateful to the servicemen and women of the National Guard for keeping us safe, as they are among the first to respond when crises arise. While free admission is but a small token of our esteem, we want to honor them for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make every day," Museum Of The Bible Chief Executive Officer Harry Hargrave said in the press release.

Hargrave told the Christian Post in an email interview that the Museum wanted to "honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women" that have been protecting Washington, D.C. since January. He said they "see National Guardsmen" in their "area every day" since the museum is three blocks from the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol.

The press release provided a list of "significant items" that are "on display" in the Museum that members of the National Guard may find interesting. These are the Private George Raymon Rome's portrait and personal New Testament, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) American Navy Edition New Testament, Aitken New Testament and Aitken Bible.

In addition, the Museum also provided "several military Bible that are viewable online," such as the Admiral David Farragut's Bible, the Rear Admiral Pierce Crosby's Bible, The Soldier's Pocket Bible, and the Gospel of John, Army and Navy Edition.

"Museum of the Bible is grateful to a generous private donor who helped make this offer possible," the press release revealed. Accordingly, members of the National Guard are asked to present proper identification at the ticketing counter of the museum.

Hargrave explained during his interview with the Christian Post that the "donor contacted" the Museum "last month" in "providing tickets to the soldiers stationed" in the area, which in turn provided them to "extend the free admission offer to all National Guard" members until Easter. He disclosed that, as of date, only a few dozen National Guard members have availed of their offer.

The Christian Post said admission fees to the Museum normally cost $24.99 per adult, which gets a discount when purchased online and becomes $19.99 only.

"Given the challenging circumstances, we're really encouraged by the many people who want to learn more about the Bible with us. We've seen our online engagement increase as we provide new virtual programs and ways to explore the Bible's history and impact, such as our podcast and Storytime series for kids," Hargrave added.

The Christian Post said that the 5000 members of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. is what's left of the original 25,000 stationed for President Joseph Biden, Jr.'s inauguration last January 20. The large deployment was a precautionary measure from the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot from happening again.

WTOP News reported that nearly 5,000 National Guardsmen remain in Washington until March 12 because of intel information that QAnon intends to gather on March 4 believing that former President Donald Trump could still be inaugurated on the said day.

The U.S. Capitol Police actually requested for the 4,900 members of the National Guard to stay since they were still determining "what an appropriate force presence looks like" since the "threat landscape has changed" after the inauguration of Biden.
Burma More Than 10 Myanmar Diplomats Refuse to Work for Military Regime

Anti-regime protesters in Mandalay call on civil servants to join the CDM in February. / The Irrawaddy

YANGONWith the country having recently experienced some of the bloodiest days in the increasingly brutal crackdown by security forces, more than 10 Myanmar diplomats based at foreign missions have now announced they will not work for the military regime.

The latest move by the civil servants represents the biggest pushback so far by Myanmars foreign based diplomats against the military regime. On Thursday, five staff from the Myanmar Embassy in Washington said they are participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), refusing to work for the militarys cabinet.

The diplomats said they are deeply saddened and disturbed by the military coup against the democratically elected civilian government and the use of lethal force and violence against peaceful demonstrators.

Since the military takeover on Feb. 1, more than 49 unarmed civilians have been killed by the regimes security forces while participating peacefully in anti-regime protests.

The diplomats urged that the military regime respect the results of the November 2020 election and return state power to the people.

The NLD won Myanmars Nov. 8 general election in a landslide. The military staged a coup on Feb. 1, just hours before the new NLD-dominated Parliament was set to convene, claiming it was forced to act over what it called electoral fraud in the Nov. 8 general election.

Moreover, U Aung Kyaw Naing, a counselor at the Myanmar Embassy in Los Angeles, announced separately that he would join the CDM from Friday. He has been working at the Foreign Ministry for nearly 30 years.

He said he decided to participate in the CDM after being deeply saddened by the events of March 3, referring to the bloody crackdown by the military regime that killed at least 28 people.

Moreover, three staff including the first and second secretaries at the permanent mission of Myanmar to the United Nations Office in Geneva also said they would stand with the people who are fighting to restore democracy in their homeland. The three diplomats said they planned to participate in the CDM.

Another diplomat, Daw Chaw Kalayar, third secretary at the Myanmar Embassy in Berlin, Germany said she is no longer willing to work under the regime, who overthrew the civilian government and detained politicians and civilians unjustly.

Daw Chaw Kalayar said she wont work for a terrorist group who are brutally killing civilians.

She said she will perform her duty as a diplomat if the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) gives her some responsibilities. The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is Myanmars Union Parliament. The committee was set up by elected lawmakers who were denied their seats in Parliament by the coup. It denies the legitimacy of the military regime and has asked the international community to recognize it as the legitimate representative of the people.

All the diplomats said they are exercising their right to peaceful expression and that they stand together with the people of Myanmar, adding that they would not resign from their positions.

The diplomats movement against the military regime came after Myanmars envoy to the UN in New York, U Kyaw Moe Tun, broke ranks with the regime during a speech to the General Assembly, during which he opposed the coup and appealed to the world for help to restore democracy in his home country.

Myanmar residents of foreign countries from the West to Asia have urged diplomats to participate in the CDM. They have gathered in front of Myanmar embassies daily, urging diplomats to stand with the people.

Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled at least 100 staff from missions in at least 19 countries including the US, UK, Norway, China and Japan. On Wednesday, a chancellor at Myanmars Los Angeles consulate, Daw Mya Mya Kyi, also joined the CDM, saying she would not follow orders from the military regime, as it is illegitimate.

You may also like these stories:

115 Information Ministry Staff Refuse to Work for Myanmar Junta

More Than 100 Myanmar Police Officers Join Anti-Regime Movement

Myanmars Rescue Workers, Medical Volunteers Targeted by Security Forces
David Schoolcraft, an officer with the Denton Police Department, was arrested on March 3, 2021 on a charge of distributing child pornography. 
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Intellectual disability puts individuals at higher risk of dying earlier in life than the general population, for a variety of medical and institutional reasons. A new study from Jefferson Health examined how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected this group, which makes up 1-3% of the US population. The study, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Catalyst, found that intellectual disability was second only to older age as a risk factor for dying from COVID-19.

"The chances of dying from COVID-19 are higher for those with intellectual disability than they are for people with congestive heart failure, kidney disease or lung disease," says lead author Jonathan Gleason, MD, the James D. and Mary Jo Danella Chief Quality Officer for Jefferson Health. "That is a profound realization that we have not, as a healthcare community, fully appreciated until now."

The authors examined 64 million patient records from 547 healthcare organizations between January 2019 to November 2020 to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with intellectual disabilities. They identified variables such as COVID-19, intellectual disability or other health conditions, as well as demographic factors such as age.

The results showed that those with intellectual disabilities were 2.5 times more likely to contract COVID-19, were about 2.7 times more likely to be admitted to the hospital and 5.9 times more likely to die from the infection than the general population.

"Our failure to protect these deeply vulnerable individuals is heart-breaking," says co-author Wendy Ross, MD, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician and director for the Center for Autism and Neurodiversity at Jefferson Health. "I believe that if we can design a system that is safe and accessible for people with intellectual disabilities, it will benefit all of us."

The authors write that patients with intellectual disabilities may have less ability to comply with strategies that reduce the risk of infection, such as masking and social distancing. In addition, the researchers showed that these patients are more likely to have additional health conditions that contribute to a more severe course of COVID-19 disease. The results of the study highlight how these issues become compounded in this population.

"We need to understand more about what is happening with these patients," says Dr. Gleason. "I do believe these patients and their caregivers should be prioritized for vaccination and healthcare services. We should reflect on why we have failed this vulnerable population, and how we can better serve them during this health crisis, and into the future," Dr. Gleason says. "Even prior to the pandemic, individuals with intellectual disabilities have had poor health outcomes. We need to do much better."

The authors suggest key action steps that require a rapid response. "First, those with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers should be prioritized for vaccines by organizations that set federal guidelines, including the CDC," says Dr. Gleason. "Second, federal and state healthcare regulatory offices should measure access, quality and safety in this population in order to track our ability to improve health outcomes for these patients. Finally, the United States should redesign the care model for individuals with intellectual disabilities."

"As an organization deeply committed to advocating for the health of one of the most marginalized populationsthose with intellectual disabilities (ID) - we have seen the need for people with ID to be prioritized as a high-risk group during this pandemic. It's devastating to hear that people with ID are almost six times more likely to die from COVID-19," said Alicia Bazzano, MD, Ph.D., MPH, Chief Health Officer of the Special Olympics. "Most health authorities do not recognize that people with ID who get COVID-19 have a much higher risk of dying. Special Olympics is grateful to the Jefferson team for shining a spotlight on these devastating numbers."

Explore further People with an intellectual disability vulnerable to adverse outcomes of COVID-19

More information: Gleason J et al. The Devastating Impact of Covid-19 on Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Catalyst, (2021) Gleason J et al. The Devastating Impact of Covid-19 on Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in the United States.(2021) DOI: 10.1056/CAT.21.0051
People watch lion cub Simba at the Singapore Zoo in Singapore, March 4, 2021. Simba made the first public appearance with his mother at the Singapore Zoo on Thursday. The lion cub was born on Oct. 23, 2020 after its mother's artificial insemination. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
Up to 800 people aged 85 and over will not get their Covid-19 vaccinations until next week after HSE chief Paul Reid admitted roll-out of the vaccines had suffered significant issues.

The affected patients are attached to around 65 GP practices that have only a few patients in that age category.

These are practices mainly in rural areas that cannot buddy up with other practices.

Vaccination will also begin next week on between 4,000 and 5,000 people in the over-70s age bracket who are house-bound.

Read More

Mr Reid was speaking after a number of GPs who had expected deliveries from the HSE of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines had expressed their anger when they failed to materialise or failed to arrive in sufficient number.

There were also major issues trying to get through to the HSE to get clarification about the vaccine supplies, which left older patients disappointed.

Mr Reid said: I acknowledge significant frustration this week. I accept the issues that need to be addressed and we will address them.

He said 160 GP practices who had not yet received vaccines would get them by today, while the 65 smaller practices would have the vaccines by next week.

He said logistical and co-ordination issues had led to confusion in about 20-25 practices.

The system had worked well in the first two weeks but difficulties had arisen this week

Commenting on the shortage of the AstraZeneca vaccine, he said two deliveries of 64,000 doses had failed to arrive last week and 12,000 this week.

These vaccines were due to be administered to healthcare workers.

Because of the shortage, targets for the roll-out of vaccines will not be met this week.

Last week, the target of 100,000 was missed by 18,000.

This will spill over into next week when 84,000 doses will be given out  4,000 fewer than anticipated.

The delays are expected to be made up before the end of March.

Last night, a spokesman for AstraZeneca said: We have worked tirelessly over the last 10 months at record speed to develop, scale up and establish the manufacturing processes, and begin manufacturing at our supply partners.

In addition, we remain committed to our overall quarter-two forecast for the delivery of our vaccine in line with our contract with the European Commission.

Meanwhile, the HSE confirmed it is to start vaccinating people with underlying illnesses who are at high risk of Covid-19, beginning with the first 10,000 from next week.

There are around 160,000 patients in this group, and hospitals have been told to identify them and notify them when a vaccine is ready. They will be given the AstraZeneca vaccine instead of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee said this group should get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines but if there was a delay of three weeks they could be given the AstraZeneca jab.

HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said that if they were to wait to have enough Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the vaccination of this group would not start until mid-April.

He acknowledged it was going to be  tricky to identify all the relevant people in this group.

Hospitals are being asked to find as many people as possible in this group as quickly as possible from their records based on their illnesses.

They will then contact the patients to arrange vaccination through the hospital process.

Those aged 16 and 17 cannot be given the AstraZeneca vaccine.

GPs were told yesterday that some people at very high risk would be difficult to contact through the hospital system.

The HSE is working on a plan to contact them also but the details have not yet been worked out.

The Irish College of General Practitioners was told people do not need to do anything or contact anyone.

There is no requirement for GPs to make representations on their behalf.

For the moment patients should wait to hear from the hospital they attend.

The conditions include some people with cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic neurological disease and chronic respiratory disease.

In a message to GPs last night the Irish Medical Organisation said the HSE has agreed to increase its staff on teams dealing with vaccines for GPs.

They would deal with queries and issues on ordering

and deliveries in a responsive and timely manner.

It is appointing a dedicated relationship manager for the vaccine programme. It is also setting up a dedicated email address and phone number for the manager .

There will be a regular GP communications bulletin to advise doctors of overall vaccine availability for the week. This would also offer guidance and updates on order and delivery related matters.

The HSE has also promised to improve the timing of confirmation to GPs on order numbers and delivery dates. GPs were getting only 48 hours notice last week and even less this week.
Cruelty towards iguanas in Taiwan has prompted the animal rights groups to call for a government crackdown. Cruelty includes acts like stuffing firecrackers in the reptiles mouths or shooting them with bows and arrows. According to reports by The Guardian, the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (East) said that the local and provincial government campaigns which control the spread of introduced species lacked guidelines that lead to a chaotic free-for-all at the expense of the welfare of the targeted animals.

Read: Congress 'Assam Bachao' Campaign's Tea Garden Pic Actually From Taiwan: Himanta Attacks

Cruelty against iguanas

As per reports by The Guardian, few campaigns offered food and cash bounties to people who killed green iguanas and brown anoles. East talked about one cash bounty scheme of the year 2017 which was subscribed within a day and had no verification process. A researcher for the organisation, Hsin-Yuan Chang said that the problem with the current situation is that there are certain people who are not completely familiar with animal behaviour. These people cannot tell native species from non-native species which look alike. Terming the used methods as inhumane, he further added that there is no help for the conservation work.

Read: First Batch Of AstraZeneca Vaccine Arrives In Taiwan

There are various social media posts that show how the species were killed through bows and arrows, sliced open while. There were also cases where the species had limbs taped to the side of their bodies after firecrackers were set inside their mouth. The meat is currently on sale on various online platforms. Lin Shu-fen, a legislator with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party said that the population management of non-native invasive species plays an important role in the protection of biodiversity. He further added that animal removal should take into account animal welfare and conservation values should be promoted.

Read: Taiwan Mocks China's 100+ Km Beijing-Taipei Oversea Link Plan; Says 'connect China & Moon'

Also Read: India Teams Up With Taiwan's NRICM; Donates Rs 15 Lakh For Chinese Medicine Research
[March 05, 2021] CoreLogic Partners with Echo Bravo Productions in Docu-Series to Provide Relief to Communities in the Wake of Louisiana Hurricanes

CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX), a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, partnered with Justin Roberts, director of the 10-episode docu-series DO GOOD, which showcases the inspiring relief work in Louisiana following Hurricanes Laura and Delta that devastated the community in 2020. CoreLogic provided insight into key property damage and weather forensic science for the docu-series which launched today. "CoreLogic is committed to building and maintaining a healthy housing market, which we believe is essential to prosperous and vibrant societies," said Sandra Carvalho, CMO of CoreLogic. "This makes us a great partner for DO GOOD director Justin Roberts, who, after his hometown of Lake Charles was decimated by Hurricane Laura, was looking for support in bringing his docu-series to life. The series will highlight and benefit the nonprofit organizations that are working tirelessly to help rebuild the Southwest Louisiana community." CoreLogic provides property insights from financial and structural details to risk of catastrophe exposure and damage. CoreLogic combines its predictive modeling and hazard expertise to forecast with near complete certainty what could happen if a catastrophe occurs - incredibly important now that catastrophes are more frequent and severe. This partnership allowed CoreLogic to collaborate with Roberts to help tell this story and raise awareness of the impact of climate change on the housing market. CoreLogic's solutions and services play an integral role in climate change management as well as in natural hazard risk and post-event recovery. CoreLogic works closely with government agencies on climate management, including providing advanced weather models and identification of climate-related risks to help inform infrastructure planning and risk mitigation strategies. "We build hazard and analytics models to really understand catastrophe impact to the entire real estate economy. Partnering with the DO GOOD creators gve us an opportunity to demonstrate data in action, to help tell the human side of the story-what happens to communities after a disaster strikes," said Howard Botts, CoreLogic Chief Scientist. "Ultimately, we hope that by providing this level of knowledge and transparency, government agencies, insurers, and mortgage companies will be empowered to mitigate risk, protect better and help build stronger communities."



CoreLogic's unique value is its ability to provide a holistic, granular view of the entire property and risk ecosystem. According to CoreLogic data, in total, Hurricane Laura caused between $8 billion to $12 billion in insured losses. Within Lake Charles specifically, there were $7 billion to $11 billion in insured wind losses and up to about $150 million in insured storm surge losses. Thousands of homes were exposed to storm surge, flash flooding, flooding and hurricane winds. Within two months following Hurricane Laura, the Lake Charles mortgage delinquency rate skyrocketed to a staggering 16.4% (up from 8.9% pre-hurricane) as the community struggled with disaster recovery, made worse by the pandemic. "When you have better information, you can make better decisions. CoreLogic provides the kind of information that will help communities better prepare for these types of catastrophes," said DO GOOD Producer and Director Justin D. Roberts. "CoreLogic truly cares about communities that power the American housing market, and they have provided the scientific insight that's been instrumental in helping us tell this important story."

Each episode of DO GOOD will explore the work of one organization pitching in to help rebuild its community following a storm that damaged 95% of structures in Lake Charles, Louisiana. All monetized YouTube (News - Alert) revenue will support the featured organization. To watch Episode 1 of DO GOOD, click here. For more information on CoreLogic's involvement in DO GOOD, visit www.corelogic.com/dogood. About CoreLogic CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX), the leading provider of property insights and solutions, promotes a healthy housing market and thriving communities. Through its enhanced property data solutions, services and technologies, CoreLogic enables real estate professionals, financial institutions, insurance carriers, government agencies and other housing market participants to help millions of people find, buy and protect their homes. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com. CORELOGIC and the CoreLogic logo are trademarks of CoreLogic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005100/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Washington, March 5 : The US Department of Commerce added Myanmar's Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, and two commercial entities to its trade blacklist.

The Commerce Department also announced more restrictive export control measures against Myanmar, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

The United States last month designated multiple Myanmar military leaders and blacklisted three entities related to the military or security forces of Myanmar.

A one-year state of emergency was declared in Myanmar after President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, along with other officials from the National League for Democracy (NLD), were detained by the military on February 1.

The military had alleged that there was massive voting fraud in the country's November 2020 general elections, which saw the NLD win a majority of seats in both houses of parliament.

Myanmar's Union Election Commission dismissed the allegation.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday called for the creation of a new European right-wing force for "our type of people" who want to protect their families and homeland.

The call came days after Orban's Fidesz party quit the European Parliament's conservative EPP grouping after a lingering dispute.

As speculation grew over possible new alliances in the European Parliament for Fidesz, Orban said "all types of proposals to renew European politics" were being considered.

"There should be a political home in Europe for our type of people, those who want to protect families, to defend their homeland, who think in terms of nation states working together rather than a European empire," Orban told state radio in an interview.

"We must work to create this, I think that such a political direction will be a decisive force in Europe," he said.

Orban said he was in talks with "the Poles," referring to Poland's governing right-wing PiS party, as well as Matteo Salvini and Giorgia Meloni, leaders of two stridently anti-immigration and eurosceptic Italian parties.

On Thursday, a strident Orban said: "We must build a European democratic right that offers a home to European citizens who do not want migrants, who do not want multiculturalism, who have not descended into LGBTQ lunacy, who defend Europe's Christian traditions, who respect the sovereignty of nations, and who see their nations not as part of their past, but as part of their future."

The decision to quit the EPP came immediately after the conservative bloc voted for a rule change that opened the way for it to suspend Fidesz from its ranks over its democratic record.

The EPP, which brings together Europe's main centre-right parties, is the biggest single voting bloc in the European Parliament and the party of both Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel.

It had already suspended Fidesz from the party itself in 2019 because of a government poster campaign accusing former European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker and liberal US billionaire George Soros -- Orban's bete noire -- of plotting to flood Europe with migrants.

Although Fidesz is formally still a member of the EPP itself Orban said Friday that "our ways will part".

Short link:


The deputy head of one of the divisions of Kamianske District Police Department of Dnipropetrovsk region was detained and dismissed from office after he was convicted of extorting money from local entrepreneurs, head of the National Police of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has said.

"Tribute, 'monthly share', 'protection'  this is not what the police should do [...] The 36-year-old deputy head of one of the departments of Kamianske District Police Department has established his own business rules for entrepreneurs. It does not matter whether people were engaged in legal activities, or frankly illegal  the dishonest policeman demanded payment of 'tribute' from them," Klymenko wrote on Facebook.

According to him, the offender was caught red-handed by internal security officers of the National Police and investigators of the State Bureau of Investigation. "Of course, he was dismissed from office. As part of the internal investigation, we are establishing whether the detainee had accomplices," the head of the National Police said.

At the same time, Klymenko noted that in the police structure "there really is a significant personnel shortage, but we do not need such workers as this detainee and those like him."
Afghan men transport the body of one of three media workers who were killed by an unknown gunmen, at a hospital in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on March 2, 2021. (Parwiz/Reuters)

3 Female Media Workers Killed on Way Home From Work in Eastern Afghanistan

JALALABAD, AfghanistanThree female media workers were shot dead in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on Tuesday, government officials said, amid a wave of killings that is spreading fear among professional workers in urban centers.

Zalmai Latifi, head of local broadcaster Enikas TV, said the three women were recent high school graduates aged between 18 and 20 who worked in the stations dubbing department.

Government sources said the women were killed on their way home from work and witnesses said gunmen shot the women in the head before fleeing. A fourth woman was injured and a hospital spokesman said she had been admitted to hospital and was fighting for her life.

Provincial police chief Juma Gul Hemat said that the suspected lead attacker had been arrested and that he was connected to the insurgent Taliban. A Taliban spokesman denied the group had any involvement in the attack.

A wave of shootings and small bombs attached to vehicles have targeted journalists, civil society workers and mid-level government employees in recent months.

The Afghan government and some foreign powers have blamed the attacks largely on the Taliban, which denies involvement. The Islamic State group also has a presence in the eastern Afghan province of Nangahar, of which Jalalabad is the capital.

The targeted killing of journalists could cause a state of fear in the journalistic community, and this could lead to self-censorship, abandonment of media activities, and even leaving the country, said Mujib Khalwatgar, head of Afghan media advocacy group Nai.

Enikas TVs Latifi said the channel, which was set up in 2018, had employed 10 women but four had now been killed, including Malala Maiwand, a television journalist shot alongside her driver late last year.

The Taliban and Afghan government are carrying out peace talks in Doha, though progress has slowed while U.S. President Joe Bidens administration, is reviewing its plans for the peace process and the withdrawal of troops.

These attacks are meant to intimidate; they are intended to make reporters cower; the culprits hope to stifle freedom of speech in a nation where the media has flourished during the past 20 years. This cannot be tolerated, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul said in a statement on Twitter.

By Ahmad Sultan, Orooj Hakimi, and Abdul Qadir Sediqi
A growing number of Senate Democrats are warming to the idea of eliminating the filibuster as they encounter Republican resistance to President Bidens legislative agenda, forcing the White House to cut deals on issues like the minimum wage and pandemic relief payments.

Under Senate rules, 60 votes are required to end debate on major bills. Opponents want to do away with that preliminary hurdle, which has been used by both parties as a tactic to stymie contentious legislation, and allow proposals to pass with the simple majority of 51 votes required when all senators are present.

If the founders envisioned the upper chamber as a cooling bowl to moderate more extreme bills passed by the House, the filibuster has often been a deep freezer, infamously deployed by Southern racists to quash reforms during the civil rights era.

The filibuster has been deployed by both parties over the years, but to greater and more sustained effect by conservatives. Proponents say it necessitates negotiation and compromise.
The University of South Alabama has suspended three professors and ordered an independent investigation in response to an outcry over newly leaked photos from a 2014 on-campus Halloween party, showing the educators in racially insensitive costumes.

The pictures show then-Mitchell College of Business dean Bob Wood dressed as a Confederate general, and smiling professors Alex Sharland and Teresa Weldy posing with a whip and a noose.

On Thursday, University of South Alabama President Tony Waldrop announced that Wood, Sharland and Weldy have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the incident, which will be conducted by outside attorney Suntrease Williams-Maynard, a former trial lawyer for the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Mobile.

University of South Alabama professors Bob Wood (left), Teresa Weldy (center) and Alex Sharland (right) have been suspended over these photos from a 2014 on-campus Halloween party

The university has ordered an investigation into the professors' conduct, which is being handled by an independent outside attorney

The move comes after 2,500 people have signed a petition calling for the firings of the three professors.

According to the description of the petition, in October 2014, Wood, then dean of the Mitchell College of Business, Sharland, who teaches marketing, and Weldy, an assistant management professor, were photographed at the business school's Halloween party 'wearing and holding blatantly racist symbols of hatred and violence towards the African-American community.'

In one photo, Wood is seen wearing a replica of a Confederate uniform, complete with a small Confederate flag affixed to his hat. In the other image, Sharland is dressed in a black robe and a white judge's wig, and is holding a cat-o'-nine-tails whip, standing next to Weldy who is displaying a noose.

The photographs were posted on the college's Facebook page, where they remained until 2020, when they were removed in response to complaints.

Wood (left), who was dean of USA's business school at the time, said in a statement his Confederate uniform costume was 'ill-conceived.' Sharland (right), a marketing professor, described his costume as an 'attempt at humor that clearly failed'

Wledy, assistant management professor, who, unlike the other two, is not tenured, has not addressed the controversy

'The fact that these professors are still currently employed by the University shows a deep failure to commit to a safe, welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds,' wrote the organizer of the petition.

In his statement announcing the suspensions and the investigation, President Waldrop said the costumes and symbols displayed in the photos 'are offensive and are contrary to our core principles of diversity and inclusion.'

University of South Alabama President Tony Waldrop said the costumes and symbols displayed in the photos 'are offensive and are contrary to our core principles of diversity and inclusion'

Wood and Sharland, who both have tenure, have issued separate statements apologizing for their conduct, reported NBC15.

'Seven years ago, I rented and wore a last-minute costume that was ill-conceived to a faculty and student Halloween costume contest, at which I served on a panel of judges to select the winners,' Wood wrote. 'I sincerely apologize and am sorry for doing so, and ask for forgiveness for this error in judgment. I regret the decision, and I understand the hurtful nature of these symbols, which do not reflect my beliefs.'

Sharland stated: 'In retrospect I can see why someone might find the image hurtful, and I regret this attempt at humor that clearly failed. It was not my intent to hurt or be offensive, and if anyone is offended by this picture I apologize. It was not my intent to offend and I have learned from this experience.'

A petition demanding the firing of the three professors has drawn 2,500 signatures

Weldy, who is not a tenured professor at the university, has not publicly addressed the controversy.

A student protest was staged on campus on Friday afternoon, calling on administrators to hold the professors accountable for their actions, reported WKRG.

'As professors, they are supposed to be educating us, but we are standing here because we feel like we have to educate them on why their actions are wrong,' one participant said.


Hanoi is home to many famous specialities but few are as mouthwatering as thit quay on (roast port belly) in the ancient village of Duong Lam, about 44km from the city centre.

It is said that King Ngo Quyen (939-944), whose native village is in Duong Lam, after defeating the Southern Han invaders from China ordered chefs to make roast pork belly to give a feast to his troops.

The dish was so tasty and delicious that troops said they couldn't get enough, according to legend.

Kicker: A tasty and crispy roast pork belly made by people in Hanoi's Duong Lam ancient village. Photo vov2.vov.vn

The dish has been the village's claim to fame since then, said Nguyen Dang Thao, head of Duong Lam Ancient Villages management board.

Nguyen Thi Huong, a famous roaster in the village, said she has to order fresh pork belly from prestigious butchers. It is to ensure that the roasted pork is crispy but fragrant.

The pork belly should be carefully soaked with hung liu (flavouring powder with five ingredients including cinnamon, anise and sweet basil), pepper, fresh onion, fish sauce and salt, said Huong, adding that the most important ingredient is the guava leaves.

Kicker: The fresh pork belly soaked with many ingredients including guava leaves help to make the dish much more enjoyable. Photo vov2.vov.vn

The young guava leaves are ground to cover the inside and outside of the pork belly while half-young guava leaves are used to wrap the meat before it is roasted.

She said the guava leaves should be grown naturally without being sprayed with pesticides to ensure the roast pork has a natural fragrance.

The raw meat should be soaked for at least two hours before roasting.

Apart from guava leaves, we have to use a bamboo tube which is about two metres long to roast the meat. It needs between five and six hours to roast it over charcoal, said Huong, noting that while roasting, the chef has to use a bamboo spit to make holes on the pork skin until it becomes brown and crispy.

Kicker: A cook is roasting the pork belly on charcoal. Photo vov2.vov.vn

The dish is more delicious when dipped in fermented soybean locally made in Duong Lam or lime with salt, said Huong, adding that apart from locals and visitors to the village, many customers in Hanoi and provinces such as Hai Duong, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh have ordered her dish.

The dish is a must-have for big parties such as Tet (Lunar New Year) or wedding parties.

I sold several hundred kilogrammes of such dish a day at the recent Tet holiday," Huong said, adding that she and her husband are teaching their descendants about the trade.

The technique of making pork belly roast is rather difficult, it requires a cook to have the mind to invest his/her self in the job, she said.

Kicker: Cooks are preparing to roast pork belly. Photo vov2.vov.vn

Pham Tuan Hai, a former judge of Vietnams Master Chef TV programme, said he has never missed a chance to enjoy the dish when visiting Duong Lam.

I will never forget the roast pork belly for its savoury, soft, crispy taste and particularly the special fragrance of guava leaves.

This year, I plan to learn the roasting technique to apply it to my restaurant chains across the country to serve locals and foreign guests, said Hai.

VNS

Duong Lam first Vietnamese ancient village to become national relic Hanois Duong Lam ancient village, renowned for its unique houses built with wooden frames and fortified with laterites, still preserves typical features of old villages in the Red River Delta.
According to a recent analysis, the Gulf Stream, one of Earth's main climate-regulating ocean currents, is flowing slower than it has in thousands of years. The global change caused by humans is largely to blame.

Gulf Stream Nearing Tipping Point

The researchers discovered that this "unprecedented" slowdown could affect weather conditions and sea levels on both sides of the Atlantic. And if climate change persists unabated, it only seems to get worse in the coming decades. Indeed, according to lead study author Levke Caesar, a climatologist at Maynooth University in Ireland, if global warming continues at its current pace, the Gulf Stream could reach a crucial "tipping point" by the year 2100 possibly bringing the current to a halt regardless of the atmosphere.

This disturbance may increase sea levels along the coasts of North America and western Europe and more severe weather, including heat waves and cyclones.

"Even though we try to avoid global warming, if the Gulf Stream reaches its tipping point, it will begin to decline," Caesar told Live Science. "After that, it will slow down significantly, approaching a full shutdown of circulation."

Related Article: Atlantic Ocean Weakest Drop: Is it Too Late to Save 'Achilles Heel' of Climate Change?

What is AMOC?

According to study co-author Stefan Rahmstorf, a researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Studies (PIK) in Germany, the Gulf Stream (also known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC) is basically a "giant conveyor belt" along the East coast of the United States.

The current starts along the Florida Peninsula and carries warm surface water north to Newfoundland before meandering east into the Atlantic. As warm surface water enters the North Atlantic, it becomes colder, saltier, and denser, sinking into the deep sea until being drawn south again, where the cycle repeats. The present pushes more than 5.2 billion gallons (20 million cubic meters) of water per second, or "nearly 100 times the Amazon [River] flow," according to Rahmstorf.

On both sides of the Atlantic, this wet conveyor belt has various climate effects, including maintaining temperatures mild in Florida and the United Kingdom, affecting the course and intensity of cyclones, and assisting in regulating sea levels. Scientists have noticed a disturbing trend since direct observations started in 2004: AMOC currents are becoming slower and weaker.

Gulf Stream Researchers' Scary Prediction

The researchers attempted to stretch the history of the AMOC's flow by almost 2,000 years in their latest analysis, published on Feb. 25 in the journal Nature Geoscience. Since there are no precise observations of the flow before the last two decades, the researchers used proxy data: records from environmental archives such as tree rings and ice cores that can help place the AMOC in context over time.

Annual runoff rises due to global warming, and ice caps, such as the Greenland Ice Cap in the North Atlantic, melt faster. These causes dump increasing volumes of freshwater into the ocean, lowering the surface water's depth and salinity at the Gulf Stream conveyor belt's northern end. According to the researchers, the freshwater slows the water's ability to sink and resume its path south, weakening the AMOC's total movement.

At the present pace of climate change, the researchers concluded that the Gulf Stream's flow could weaken by another 45 percent by 2100, bringing the current situation dangerously close to a critical tipping point. The consequences may be serious if the flow begins to deteriorate (or even collapse).

ALSO READ: Study: After Arctic Winds, 'Arctic Warming' Could Happen Next in Southern US

For the recent climate and weather updates, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
404

  

              
You are upset about UTC with 48 percent, UT is higher, but not high enough. Check East Tennessee State, UT Martin, Austin Peay, Memphis and the rest of them.

The average is not much more than 48 percent and the reason for that is that the admissions at UT have the advantage of getting the best students from the high schools. The proof is in the pudding though, graduation rates do not mean a thing, it is what you learned while you are there.

I feel that you will get the same results in Georgia when looking at all of the public universities, same in Florida, same in Alabama and just about any other state.

UTK and the rest of the UT system gets more money from the state, all total than all of the other state universities combined.

You have to remember one more thing, George Bush II got a C average at Yale. Had he gone to a state university in any other state, he would have a D-. Grades do not mean anything.

Raleigh C. Perry

Buford, Ga.






Foraging elephants poisoned by paraquat

Three of the seven poisoned elephants arrive at the Elephant Hospital in Lampang for urgent treatment, after paraquat contaminated grass at a border village in Omkoi district, Chiang Mai. Photo: Phanumet Tanraksa / Bangkok Post

Friday 5 March 2021, 04:55PM

CHIANG MAI: Seven elephants suffered serious burns to their mouths and tongues from eating grass contaminated with the herbicide paraquat at a border village in Omkoi district.

Five of them were reported to be in critical condition, reports the Bangkok Post.

The paraquat poisoning occurred at Khorphator village late last night (Mar 4). The domesticated elephants had been set free to forage for food, and ate the grass at nearby farms which had been sprayed with the banned chemical.

Veterinarians and rescue workers were rushed to help after the elephants distress was reported to Chiang Mai Universitys Centre for Elephant and Wildlife Research and to the Kusol Songkhor rescue foundation.

The team took several hours to reach the remote village, which is near the border.

The vets examined the animals and diagnosed paraquat poisoning. The chemical had caused severe burning around their mouths and to the animals tongues.

They cleaned the injuries and gave the elephants anti-inflammatories.

Five of them were diagnosed in critical condition. They were being trucked to the Elephant Hospital in Lampang for further treatment, the Thai Elephant Alliance announced on its Facebook page.

The Centre for Elephant and Wildlife Research said the first three had already arrived at the hospital. The others were expected to arrive this evening (Mar 5).

The use of paraquat is illegal in Thailand. The NHSC issued a resolution banning the use of paraquat and chlorpyrifos in agriculture, effective from June 1 last year. Farmers groups have lobbied strongly against the ban, arguing they have no alternative chemicals for insect and weed control. Many continue to use it.
She became a celebrity thanks to the MTV reality show The City which premiered in 2008.

And more than a decade later, Olivia Palermo, 35, has parlayed that fame as a socialite and influencer.

On Thursday, she was seen showing off her fashionista credentials as she ran errands in New York in a camel color sweater and matching calf-length culottes.

Influencer: Olivia Palermo showed off her fashionista credentials as she ran errands in New York in a camel color sweater and matching calf-length culottes on Thursday

Palermo added a jaunty camel and white patterned silk scarf knotted around her neck and stepped out in knee-high black lace-up boots.

She wore a double breasted blue overcoat and donned a pale pink face mask.

The former reality star completed her look with black--framed sunglasses and a black purse.

Sartorial statement: Palermo, 35, added a jaunty camel and white patterned silk scarf knotted around her neck and stepped out in knee-high black lace-up boots

Mixed colors: The former reality star completed her look with a double breasted blue overcoat, a pink face mask, black-framed sunglasses and a black purse

In December, Palermo spoke to Page Six about keeping up her fashionable ensemble with 'a lot of cashmere and diamonds' during the pandemic.

'I have not let coronavirus stop me from getting dressed; I feel that its important,' she said. 'Im convinced its going to be the roaring 20s with that extra sparkle when we get out [of quarantine].'

Palermo has been married since 2014 to German model Johannes Huebl, 43.
You are here: China

China's national legislature opened its annual session Friday morning in Beijing.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress, held at the Great Hall of the People.

Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report on behalf of the State Council to the legislature for deliberation.
Objectway WealthTech Suite Commended For Completeness And Usability

MILAN and LONDON, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Objectway, a leader in the Digital Wealth & Asset Management software, was mentioned as a distinguished vendor in the February report Front-to-Middle office Platforms: North American Wealth Management Edition 2021 by Celent.

The report examined the leading North American providers of Front-to-Middle Office platforms. Celent considered as fundamental characteristics of these solutions the components supporting certain key workflows, such as the provision of an exclusive client experience, and an end-to-end advisory process in an integrated workflow and single infrastructure.

In parallel with the analysis conducted by Celent, Objectway is seeing how digital client engagement and lifecycle management are among the main drivers in the wealth management industry at a global level.

Firms are looking more and more for integrated solutions that are able to make all the advisor's activity and tasks available as a cockpit.

Bringing the client relationship to centre stage entails growing demand for augmented intelligence to deliver mass customised investment proposals, and for an opti-channel mix to collaborate and interact with digital-savvy investors.

Moreover, a hybrid, multi-cloud approach is gathering increasing acceptance by financial institutions, who are adopting business critical capabilities in the easiest way. Objectway On-Cloud already supports over 100 clients with more than one trillion Euros of assets under management.

Further to confirming the findings illustrated in the parent report of this series, dedicated to the EMEA region, in this latest research paper Celent commended Objectway for "the completeness of the solution and the dedication that the team has demonstrated to bolstering the usability of each module."

"North American wealth managers are facing a challenging year ahead, as a result of existing trends, such as fee compression, and for unexpected accelerators towards digital solutions, like the pandemic," affirmed Luigi Marciano, Objectway Group CEO and Founder. "The challenge for a performant and future-proof front-to-middle office system is giving firms the most effective and state-of-the-art tools to serve more clients and manage increased AuM, in less time."
They may be the world's most successful children's band, but it seems The Wiggles also have a knack for keeping adults entertained too.

The band's current line-up, Emma Watkins, Simon Price, Lachlan Gillespie and Anthony Field, joined former members Jeff Fatt and Murray Cook for a special performance on Triple J's Like a Version on Friday.

They performed a cover version of Elephant by Tame Impala, which they took to another level by remixing with their own classic song Fruit Salad.

What a remix! The Wiggles performed a cover version of Elephant by Tame Impala on Thursday, which they took to another level by remixing with their own classic song Fruit Salad. Emma Watkins, Simon Price, Lachlan Gillespie and Anthony Field were joined former members Jeff Fatt and Murray Cook, as well as Triple J presenters Ebony Boadu and Bryce Mills

The Wiggles said they'd found the performance quite challenging.

But despite this, their cover version received plenty of positive feedback as fans rushed to praise them on Twitter.

'The Wiggles covering Tame Impala's Elephant. Plus a lil Fruit Salad. Two majorly different bands but both are amazing Aussie acts. I am 100 per cent for it,' one wrote.

Another added: 'OMG The Wiggles' cover of Tame Impala haha. This is in my top 10 for sure in next year's Hottest 100!'

A third wrote: 'This is the greatest Like a Version of all time.'

Popular performance: Their cover version received plenty of positive feedback as fans rushed to praise them on Twitter

Coming soon! The band, whose current line-up consists of (L-R) Emma Watkins, Lachlan Gillespie, Anthony Field and Simon Pryce, revealed on the show they 'can't wait' to return to the stage for a string of dates this year

The band, like many other musicians around the world, have been impacted greatly by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected live performances.

They recently announced an Australian tour for 2021, to celebrate the group's 30th anniversary.

'All of us around the country that are entertainers, we have been waiting for the moment to be able to get the green light to go out and do what we do - which is perform, play music and sing for our audiences,' said Anthony, a.k.a. the Blue Wiggle.

'We're not alone in that we can't wait to go out and perform.'
As National African American Business Development Manager, Faussette will collaborate with Comerica's African American Business Resource Groups, Chief Diversity Officer Nate Bennett, and Chief Community Officer Irvin Ashford, Jr. on building external partnerships with African American nonprofit organizations across the bank's national footprint.

"Summer brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge, which will benefit us as we continue to support initiatives that engage African American communities across our markets," said Ashford, Jr.

"Comerica's hallmark is building relationships and this role will allow us to continue strengthening partnerships with nonprofits and community leaders who do so much for our communities," said Faussette. "I am also honored to accept these new responsibilities and broaden Comerica's reach in our communities."

A veteran of more than 17 years in the financial services industry, Faussette will continue to oversee Arizona's Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) activities, which include CRA volunteerism, civic and community relations, internal and external CRA strategic planning, and fostering community partnerships and investments.

Pivotal to the external affairs team's outreach includes the Business Bootcamps and Comerica Money $ense programs that have gone virtual since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Comerica's impact on local communities in 2020 was felt through the more than 110 of the business bootcamps hosted across its markets, assisting 1,250 small businesses. And, more than 35,000 low- to moderate-income individuals took part in financial education sessions and in 2021 it looks to increase its reach.

In late 2020, Comerica also moved $10 million in deposits to Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), as well as established mutual mentoring relationships with these institutions. MDIs assist minority and underserved communities and foster economic viability in their communities. Specifically, Comerica allocated $2.5 million to each selected MDI, including First Independence Bank in Detroit, Mich.; Broadway Federal Bank in Los Angeles, Calif.; Unity National Bank in Houston, Texas; and Commercial Bank of California in Irvine, Calif.

"Summer has demonstrated a passion for working in our communities and will serve to play an instrumental role in developing ways to strengthen our racial equity efforts internally and externally," said Bennett.

Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $88 billion as of Dec. 31, 2020.

SOURCE Comerica Incorporated

Related Links

www.comerica.com




OSLO (dpa-AFX) - Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Norsk Hydro ASA (NHY, NHYDY.PK, NHYDY.PK) Friday said it has entered into an agreement to sell its Rolling business to KPS Capital Partners for 1.38 billion euros on an enterprise value basis.



Hydro said the agreed deal price would result in a reduction of 856 million euros in pension liabilities and 435 million euros cash proceeds.



The sale is subject to customary approvals from competition authorities and is expected to be completed during second half of 2021.



The transaction includes seven plants, one R&D center, global sales offices, and around 5,000 employees of which 650 employees in Norway and the remaining mainly in Germany. In 2020, Hydro Rolling contributed around 24 billion Norwegian kroner in revenue, 17% of Hydro total and 1.3 billion kroner in Underlying EBITDA, 9% of Hydro total.



Following the deal, Executive Vice President and Head of Hydro Rolling, Einar Glomnes, will become CEO of the new company after closing.



Hydro said the sale is part of its agenda to improve profitability and drive sustainability. In addition, the sale will assist in strengthening the company's balance sheet.



The company launched a strategic review of Rolling business area in 2019, along with other strategic measures towards profitability and sustainability.



The Rolling operations will be treated as an asset held for sale and discontinued operations in Hydro's financial reporting from the first quarter of 2021. The valuation indicates an impairment of 160 million euros to 190 million euros.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

NORSK HYDRO-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
Ryan Conte to Join Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits as Chief Financial Officer

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. (TSXV: DWS) ("Diamond Estates" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Conte as Chief Financial Officer for Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. effective March 8, 2021 and subject to the TSX-V exchange approval. Ryan will be replacing Geoff Kritzinger, the Company's Interim CFO for the past 9 months who was able to step in and support the company last year. The Board of Directors and the Executive team want to thank Geoff for his professionalism, support, and commitment to helping Diamond Estates navigate through the turbulent pandemic period.

Ryan joins Diamond from Megalomaniac Wineries a privately held winery located in the Niagara Peninsula where most recently he was the CEO. Prior to his appointment to that position Ryan served as the CFO for Megalomaniac from 2016 to 2018. Ryan's prior experience includes senior managerial positions within Deloitte's Financial Advisory Services practice and executive roles in other private companies.

Ryan brings a strong background in the Ontario wine industry combined with solid operational credentials and a clear understanding of the financial requirements needed to drive profitability and long-term growth. He has a successful track record of managing diverse functions while enabling growth through effective financial management.

"We are pleased to have a leader with Ryan's financial and operational acumen join our team," stated Murray Souter, President & CEO of Diamond Estates. "Ryan will help the organization realize its significant growth opportunities and capitalize on the dramatically evolving and changing marketplace that our industry faces today."

About Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc.

Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. is a producer of high-quality wines and a sales agent for over 120 beverage alcohol brands across Canada. The Company operates two wineries, one in Ontario and one in British Columbia, that produce predominantly VQA wines under such well-known brand names as 20 Bees, EastDell, Lakeview Cellars, Dan Aykroyd, Fresh, McMichael Collection, Seasons, Serenity, and Backyard Vineyards. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Trajectory Beverage Partners, the Company is the sales agent for many leading international brands in all regions of the country as well as being a distributor in the western provinces. These recognizable brands include Josh wines from California, Fat Bastard and Andre Lurton wines from France, Kaiken wines from Argentina, Blue Nun wines from Germany, Francois Lurton wines from France and Argentina, Felix Solis wines from Spain, Waterloo Brewing from Ontario, Landshark Lager from the USA, Marston's beers from England, Edinburgh Gin, Tamdhu, Glengoyne and Smokehead single-malt Scotch whiskies from Scotland, Barcelo Rum from the Dominican Republic, Becherovka Liqueur from the Czech Republic, C.K. Mondavi & Family wines (including Charles Krug) from Napa, Bols Vodka from Amsterdam, Koyle Family Wines from Chile, Pearse Lyons whiskies and gins from Ireland, Niagara Craft Distillers' beverages from Ontario, Fontana di Papa wines and Cielo e Terra wines from Italy and certain Heineken International beer brands, including Tiger from Singapore, Red Stripe and Dragon Stout from Jamaica and Gosser and Kaiser from Austria.

Story continues

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to the economy generally; consumer interest in the services and products of the Company; financing; competition; and anticipated and unanticipated costs. While the Company acknowledges that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the views of the Company as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact:

J. Murray Souter

President & CEO

Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.

jmurraysouter@diamondwines.com

905.641.1042 Ext 234



Geoff Kritzinger, CPA, CA

Interim CFO

Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.

gkritzinger@diamondwines.com

416.371.1240

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76233

Covering an area of 8,157 km2, Lake Nicaragua is Central Americas largest freshwater lake, located in the southwestern part of Nicaragua. By area, it is also the worlds 20th largest lake and the tenth-largest lake in the Americas. The Indigenous Nicaraguan people named the lake Lago Cocibolca which means "sweet sea."

Where Is Lake Nicaragua?

Map of Lake Nicaragua.

Lake Nicaragua is located in the central portion of a tectonic valley, to the east of the Pacific lowlands in the southwestern part of Nicaragua. It is separated from the Pacific Ocean in the southwest by the 20 km-wide Isthmus of Rivas. Along the southeastern shore, the San Juan River drains the lake into the Caribbean Sea. It is also connected with Lake Managua in the northwest by the Tipitapa River.

Geography

Concepcion volcano on Ometepe Island, Lake Nicaragua.

This roughly oval-shaped lake measures about 161 km in length and has a maximum width of 71km. The lake has a maximum depth of about 26 m at its deepest point, which is situated southeast of Ometepe Island. Lake Nicaragua is located at an altitude of 32.7 m above sea level. About 40 rivers drain into the lake.

Lake Nicaragua has about 400 islands including the Las Isletas archipelago which contains over 350 small islets. Covering an area of 275 km2, the tropical island of Ometepe is the lakes largest island, formed by the lava flow from the volcanoes Concepcion and Maderas. Concepcion is located in the western part of Ometepe Island and is an active volcano, while Maderas in the eastern part is a dormant volcano. Zapatera Island is the remnant of the Zapatera volcano. Situated in the southern part of Lake Nicaragua is the Solentiname archipelago which comprises four large islands and 32 small islands. The four large islands in the archipelago are Mancarron, San Fernando, Mancarroncito, and La Venada.

Marine Life

Lake Nicaragua is the only freshwater lake that contains several oceanic animal species. This is likely due to the fact that the lake was once an ocean bay, until it was separated by a volcanic eruption, trapping fish in the lake basin where they had to adapt to the water progressively losing its salinity. About 40 species of fish like tarpon, big sawfish, fine-toothed sawfish, gasper, and swordfish along with 16 species of cichlids are found in the lake. Freshwater shark species like the Caribbean bull shark are also found in the lake waters.

Fishing on Ometepe Island, Lake Nicaragua.

Brief History

In 1522, the Spanish conquerors first arrived on the Isthmus of Rivas. The Spanish Captain Gil Gonzales Davila visited the lake on the horseback and claimed possession of it for the Spanish Kingdom. Due to the lakes large size, the Spanish conquerors thought it to be a sea when they first saw it. They named it Mar Dulce, "freshwater sea." The Caribbean Sea exit of the lake was found through the expeditions of Captains Machuca, Calero, and DeSoto. During colonial rule, the lake served as an important link between the Caribbean Sea, San Juan River, and the colonial city of Granada. The lake along with the San Juan River also served as an important navigational waterway through which different important products like gold, indigo, and wood were exported to Spain. On several occasions, Caribbean pirates successfully navigated upstream to attack the rich city and port of Granada, located in the lakes extreme northwestern part.

Some of the important port cities that are located along the lakes shorelines include San Carlos, Granada, San Jorge, and San Miguelito.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, MARCH 5 - For the third consecutive day on Friday the main cities of Lebanon recorded a wave of anti-government protests. Demonstrators also protested against the rising cost of life.



As reported by local media, protesters took to the streets from Beirut to Sidon, from Bekaa along the entire highway connecting the capital to the northern port of Tripoli.



The quality of life in the country is deteriorating and the local currency is at a record low, with a negative record a few days ago of one US dollar for 10,000 liras (before the crisis in 2019 the exchange rate was set at one dollar per 1,500 liras).



Meanwhile the appointed premier Saad Hariri has concluded his umpteenth regional mission, this time to the United Arab Emirates, although he has verbally clashed with President Michel Aoun, who is described as his main rival.



The Lebanese government resigned last August and after six months the country still doesn't have an executive fully in power. (ANSAmed)

(Newser)  Sometimes, public disputes over masks on social media flame out quickly. And sometimes, as in this case, they just keep escalating. In the latest development, a San Diego woman who got into a dispute with a Starbucks barista about wearing a mask is suing the creator of a GoFundMe campaign that raised money for the barista, reports CBS News. This all started in June, when Amber Gilles was refused service by Lenin Gutierrez because she wasn't wearing a mask. Gilles posted a since-deleted tweet about the incident, including a photo of Gutierrez and adding, "Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption," per USA Today. Her post was seen by a man named Matt Cowan, who launched a GoFundMe page for Gutierrez that ended up raising $105,000 for the barista. The page criticized Gilles as a "San Diego Karen."

story continues below

In July, Gilles asked for half the money, to no avail. Now she is suing Cowan for unspecified damages, alleging invasion of privacy. Gilles says she has been subjected to online harassment, threatening phone calls, and even death threats because of the campaign. Cowan doesn't sound worried, arguing that Gilles started everything with her public tweet and that he isn't responsible for what other people have done. "I was surprised that she found a lawyer to take the case, he says. In the meantime, he has started another GoFundMe campaign for his legal fees, and Gilles has started one of her own as well. As for Gutierrez, NBC San Diego reports that he has received the entire amount raised, minus taxes and fees. (Gutierrez isn't the only barista to get tangled up in mask rules.)
on Friday said the the new guidelines of the government on regulating platforms like and Video have "no teeth" as there is no provision of prosecution against digital platforms showing inappropriate content.

While granting interim protection from arrest to Video's India head Aparna Purohit in FIRs lodged over web series Tandav, the apex court said that law has to be framed to put in place a mechanism to control platforms instead of mere guidelines.

issued notice to Uttar Pradesh government on Purohits plea for anticipatory bail in FIRs on Tandav series and asked Purohit to co-operate in the ongoing investigation. The court also directed Purohit to make Centre as a party to her plea.

Centre's regulations on social media mere guidelines, they do not have provision for action against digital platforms, observed the bench comprising justices Ashok Bhushan and R S Reddy

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the Government will consider appropriate steps and any regulation or legislation on it will be placed before court.





Tandav is a nine-episode political thriller starring Bollywood A-listers Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub.

Purohit has been accused of inappropriate depiction of Uttar Pradesh police personnel, Hindu deities and an adverse portrayal of a character playing the prime minister in the web series.



The on Thursday said that few over-the-top (OTT) platforms show some kind of pornographic content at times, and there should be a mechanism to screen such programmes.



A balance has to be struck as some platforms are also showing pornographic materials on their platforms, the bench had said.

On Thursday, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Purohit, termed the case against her as shocking saying this woman is an employee of Amazon and she is neither a producer nor an actor but still she has been made an accused in around 10 cases relating to the web series across the country.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The growth of tourism in 19th-century Europe opened up new possibilities for travel, with first railways and then steamships placing even previously largely inaccessible destinations such as Egypt well within the reach of Europes middle classes.



Families could start thinking of package deals to Upper Egypt thanks to travel agencies like the British company Thomas Cook. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) made it possible for many to think of taking short hops abroad, with a stay in one of Cairos new hotels giving way to a few days spent cruising up the Nile.



With tourists came travelers, those who had more long-term plans in mind. The French novelist Gustave Flaubert visited Egypt in 1849, for example, tagging along on French government funds provided to his friend Maxime du Camp. In his well-known letters written from Egypt, Flaubert, never easily satisfied, is already complaining of fellow European visitors clogging up Cairos fast-developing hotels.



Some such travelers were women, no doubt on errands that the character of European societies at the time could have made it difficult for them to manage at home. Sophia Lane Poole, sister of the famous British orientalist Edward Lane, became a published author, for example, thanks to her Letters from Cairo discussing some Egyptian womens lives. Lady Lucie Duff Gordon, settling in Luxor in the 1860s, provided a picture of Egypt at the time in her Letters from Egypt published in 1865.



There were also other European women travelers who found in Egypt a place in which they could exercise talents that could have gone unexercised at home. The British woman traveler Amelia Edwards, for example, not a letter-writer but the author of the popular A Thousand Miles up the Nile, was co-founder of the Egypt Exploration Fund later in the century and the originator of an important collection of Egyptian antiquities.



While many may think of later travelers when womens travel in the Middle East is mentioned, perhaps pre-eminently the British traveler Gertrude Bell, founder of the Iraqi Museum in Baghdad, in fact the tradition of women writer-travelers in the region goes back at least to the 1840s when Lane Poole stayed with her brother in Egypt, apparently in the search of something more interesting than what she was doing at home.



Lane had already published his famous Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians in the 1830s, an early catalyst for the tourism that was later to be such a notable feature of Egypts economic development. Now he was working on his equally famous Arabic-English Lexicon, a work that took him the rest of his life but that was only finished and published by his nephew, the academic Stanley Lane Poole.



Lane himself got up to the letter qaf in this stupendous work, which still impresses and for some purposes is still indispensable today. While working in Cairo on his Lexicon, he decided to invite his sister to stay with him in 1842, from which developed the idea of Sophias adding to Lanes Manners and Customs by focusing on areas of life that her brother had not been able fully to explore, notably the lives of women.



Anyone interested in Sophia Lane Pooles Letters on this and other subjects, first published in London in two volumes in 1844  there was a third in 1846  is indebted to US scholar Jason Thompson, whose biography of Lane, published in 2010, provides an up-to-date portrait that is alive both to Lanes personal life and to his research.



Thompson has much to say about Sophia and her stay in Cairo, but perhaps even more useful is the edition of the Letters produced by Egyptian scholar Azza Kararah in 2003, also their translator into Arabic. Kararah was perhaps the first to see the Letters in the round and to carry out the kind of detailed study that would allow readers to discover which parts are by Lane (Sophia often used her brothers notes) and which are by his sister.



As Kararah notes in the introduction to her edition, Lane Pooles aim was not to deal with the women of Egypt in general, leaving that to her brother in Manners and Customs, but instead to provide an insight into the life of the hareems of the upper echelon of Egyptian society where the Turkish element predominated.



Her first such hareem visit was in February 1843 to the home of the wife of Habib Effendi, the then governor of Cairo, followed in September 1843 to the hareem of then Egyptian ruler Mohamed Ali at the Qasr al-Dubara Palace west of Cairo, and then in January 1844 to the house of Nezleh Hanem, the eldest daughter of Mohamed Ali.



Letters home

Sophia Lane Poole explains in her Letters that both their form and subject-matter owed much to her brother.



There was a tradition of public letter-writing from the Middle East, pre-eminently Lady Mary Wortley Montagues famous letters from Istanbul published some 80 years before, but perhaps Lane Pooles choice of the letter form had more to do with her own uncertainty as an author. Letters could be disguised as personal communications, even if they were intended for publication. Rather like diaries, sometimes also adopted by Victorian women writers, letters allowed their author apparently to report simply on what she had seen and heard, leaving the supposed authority of the article or book to men.



Whatever the reason, Lane Pooles Letters are a mixed bag, with some of them copied verbatim out of her brothers notes and others being dutiful rehearsals of the kind of history found in Victorian encyclopaedias. They come more alive when she is reporting on household matters, and many readers must have wished that Lane Poole could have left the historical parts to her brother and focused more on what she had experienced herself.



Kararah says something along these lines when she notes that one of the events that Lane Poole reports in the Letters, the wedding of Zeyneb Hanem, youngest daughter of Mohamed Ali, is not described in detail anywhere else. Lane Pooles observations on this event, taking place over eight days at the Cairo Citadel in December 1845, are thus our only source  though, as Kararah notes, this is regrettable in some respects.



I have since ascertained from the best authority that the cost of the diamonds given by the Pasha to his daughter on this occasion has been 200,000 pounds [around 12 million today], and of these ornaments the girdle and the necklace are the most splendid, Lane Poole writes. The girdle cost 40,000, the necklace 37,000, the ear-rings 12,000, and the bracelets 10,000 pounds sterling. Much of the writing is in this vein, and Lane Poole can overlook things that later readers might prefer to know.



A group of European actors had been hired to entertain guests at the wedding, Lane Poole reports, but she gives no details of what they performed. It is a great pity that Lane Poole does not elaborate on the subject, Kararah writes. Knowledge of the nationality of the company and the play they presented would have been of great value to us today.



Lane Poole cannot be blamed for writing for her contemporaries rather than for posterity  and for her English contemporaries at that. But it is a pity that she did not focus more on what people said, and less on what they wore, when deciding what to include in her Letters. Thompson says that the voice is one of Victorian discretion, one that tastefully omitted certain details. It is hard to imagine Lane Pooles correspondents rushing to open her letters from Cairo.



Comparing Lane Pooles Letters to those produced 20 years later by Luxor resident Lady Lucie Duff Gordon, such thoughts grow in size. Coming from a more free-thinking background, Duff Gordon was less inhibited in her observations, and she reports interestingly on political and societal matters in a way almost never attempted by Lane Poole.



She is far more attuned to what people say and do, and the results are felt in her prose style, which is lively, conversational, and full of detail.



Luxor letters

Duff Gordon, like Lane Poole, was an accidental visitor to Egypt, though in her case the accident had to do with her own developing needs.



Told by her doctor that she should go abroad to try to recover her health, never strong, in a warmer climate, she went first to South Africa before joining her daughter in Alexandria who was married to the director of a British bank. From there, she moved to Luxor, at the time little more than a village, living in what has been described as a ramshackle house built over an ancient Egyptian temple for the better part of seven years.



Arriving in Alexandria in October 1862, Duff Gordon was in Aswan by the following February, already captivated by the beauty of the Nile. I dont think Italy or Greece can equal the sacred Nile, the perfect freshness of the gigantic buildings, the beauty of the sculptures, and the charm of the people, she writes.



Back in Cairo in March, she reports on a visit to Egypt by the Ottoman sultan, then still the nominal ruler of Egypt. No one knows what he wants, she writes, adding that the Egyptian khedive, or viceroy, Ismail, has ordered all the women of the lower orders to keep indoors as they might shout out their grievances. In May, she writes of the destruction of some 68 of the most exquisite buildings in the Cairo cemeteries, adding that the previous khedive, Said, had used them for artillery practice.



The days of the beauty of Cairo are numbered, Duff Gordon writes. The mosques are falling to decay, the exquisite lattice windows rotting away and replaced by European glass. Meanwhile, the khedives plans to develop the country attracted her scepticism, and she wrote in May 1863 of the poor fellaheen [farmers] marched off in gangs like convicts to work on construction projects. The wealth will perhaps be increased, if meanwhile the people are not exterminated.



Settling into her house in Luxor in January 1864, Duff Gordon writes of the tourist boats, 70 to 120 a year, going up and down the Nile and the irritating habit of English tourists of shooting local pigeons. It is very thoughtless, but it is in great measure the fault of servants who think they must not venture to tell their masters that pigeons are private property I have given my neighbours permission to call the pigeons mine, and to go out and say the sitt [English lady] objects to her poultry being shot.



She continues her campaign against the khedive, now engaged in building the Suez Canal and rebuilding Cairo along European lines. The system of wholesale extortion and spoliation [of the countryside] has reached a point beyond which it would be difficult to go, Duff Gordon writes in January 1865. It is curious to see the travelers dahabiehs [house boats] just as usual and the Europeans as far removed from all care or knowledge of the distress as if they were at home.



When I remember the lovely smiling landscape which I first beheld from my windows, swarming with beasts and men, she writes, and look at the dreary waste now, I feel the foot of the Turk heavy indeed.



Europe is enchanted with the enlightened Pasha [Ismail] who has ruined this poor country I wish you to publish these facts; they are no secret to any but those Europeans whose interests keep their eyes tightly shut, and they will soon have them opened.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 4 March, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:




Book launch explores how Baptists do theology together



The official launch of a book charting the denominational reforms of the 1990s drew an audience of 80 participants to reflect on a key period of Baptist life and ask important questions about how Baptists do theology today



The book by the Revd Dr Andy Goodliff is an examination of the Listening Day Process of the early 1990s, the most recent Denominational Consultation of 1996, together with key reports presented to the Baptist Union Council at the end of the last century, Transforming Superintendency, Relating and Resourcing and The Nature of Council and the Assembly.



The book, Renewing a Modern Denomination: A Study of Baptist Institutional Life in the 1990s, published by Wipf and Stock, is a revision of Andy's doctoral thesis submitted to the University of St Andrews and supervised by Baptist theologian, the Revd Dr Stephen Holmes.



In the book Andy identifies two streams of thought at work at the heart of the movement for renewal of the British Baptist Union following the appointment of David Coffey as General Secretary and Keith Jones as Deputy General Secretary.



Andy charts the work of theologians such as Professor Paul Fiddes and Dr Brian Haymes arguing the case for a renewal of covenantal relationships as the basis of Union life in local churches, associations and the Union itself and the thoughts of Dr Nigel Wright, the Revd Douglas McBain and others pressing for a more missional construct for Baptist life together.



At the book launch, hosted by Regents Park College, Oxford: Centre for Baptist Studies and The Baptist Historical Society, three respondents commented on the thesis of the book from varying perspectives: Professor Paul Fiddes, as someone intimately involved in the events of the 1990s; the Revd Dr Lina Toth, Assistant Principal of the Scottish Baptist College and originally from Lithuania, as an interested outsider; and the Revd Tony Peck, General Secretary of the EBF, who served on the Baptist Union Council during the period and moderated a group charged with assessing the reforms and their implementation.



Following these perspectives, Andy responded to the comments made and there was a wide-ranging question and answer session.



The book launch was co-chaired by Dr Christine Joynes, Director of the Centre for Baptist Studies and the Revd Dr Keith G Jones, President of the Baptist Historical Society.



Commenting on the book launch, Christine said, 'This was a valuable opportunity not only to reflect on a key period of Baptist institutional developments in the 1990s, but also to ask important questions about how Baptists do theology together today.



'Andys book is a significant achievement and provides many important insights for understanding how Baptist identity has been shaped.









Baptist Times, 05/03/2021
The Telegraph

Long gone are the days where a British summer meant eating sand-flecked sandwiches on a rainy beach. The UK weather has changed dramatically and we can now expect heatwaves more often than before. While we can't wait to run to the nearest park for a spot of sun-worshipping, there is the very real danger we could get heatstroke due to the extreme heat. Heatstroke is a serious condition that is commonly caused by hot weather or exercise. In this state, the body is no longer able to cool itself down and the temperature reaches dangerously high levels. The condition could affect anyone, but babies, young children, people over the age of 75 and those with underlying health conditions could be at greater risk, according to Public Health England. But fear not. We have investigated the heatstroke symptoms and treatments, as well as how long the condition lasts, so you can feel prepared and survive the heatwave. Heatstroke symptoms If you sit out in the sunshine for too long, you might experience heat exhaustion. This is where you may start excessively sweating, feel dizzy or nauseous, lose your appetite, experience cramps in your legs, arms or stomach and feel extremely thirsty. For heat exhaustion, the NHS says your symptoms should clear within 30 minutes of cooling down. Heatstroke, on the other hand, is more dangerous (but, thankfully, less common). If you suspect you or a friend has heatstroke, you may need to call 999. There is cause for concern when you start to exhibit these more extreme symptoms, as they may be signs of heatstroke: Feeling confused Becoming unresponsive or losing consciousness Having a fit or seizure Feeling hot but not sweating Having a temperature above 40C Having rapid or irregular breathing If you are not feeling better within 30 minutes, this may also be a sign of heatstroke and you will need to seek emergency medical attention. The NHS recommends that you call 999 if you exhibit these symptoms. If you fear your friend is suffering from heatstroke, give them first aid and put them in the recovery position. Read more: How to keep cool in a heatwave Treatment: How to cool down If you think someone you know may be suffering from heatstroke, you can first try to cool them down. Move them to a cool place, raise their feet slightly, and get them to drink plenty of water (sports drinks should also work). It may also be worth cooling their skin down by dabbing them with a sponge or spraying them with cold water. It's particularly useful to put such cold patches on the armpits and neck and then fan the moist areas.
A judge postponed a hearing for Letecia Stauch on Friday, giving her more time to review a massive amount of evidence in preparation to represent herself at trial in the killing of her 11-year-old stepson.

Stauch, 37, expressed concerns over her ability to review the report, explaining that she is only allowed two hours a week in the jail library.

So, Im not sure how I am supposed to review it all in two hours, once a week, Stauch told Fourth Judicial District Judge Gregory Werner.

Well part of the issue here is that youve elected to represent yourself, Werner said. Weve talked about the burdens.

Werner appointed veteran Colorado Springs attorney Josh Tolini as her advisory counsel, who Werner said satisfies the issue.

Tolini said he delivered about 1,400 pages to Stauch this week, but Stauch told the judge that she hasn't reviewed the documents since jail staff confiscated them.

The judge ordered that a new copy, which redacts personal information of witnesses involved in the case, be provided to Stauch to review.

Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen said his office is in the process of redacting those documents and putting them on a digital drive that will also include photos, digital reports and other evidence.

Tolini argued Stauch should receive the report in paper format so that she is able to review them in her cell.

I fail to see why it cant be printed off on paper so she can have access to it in her cell in order to prepare for this as opposed to just going and looking at it two hours a week digitally at the law library. I think that is a tremendous disadvantage, Tolini said.

Allen cited security concerns.

She has exhibited being a flight risk. She has solicited people from inside the jail to use common items that are found in the jail to try and break windows and I assume they are concerned about those issues, the security concerns, Allen said.

Werner ordered that Stauch be provided a hard copy of the approximately 1,400 pages of core information, explaining that he hasnt heard of anything that would prohibit her from receiving a paper report in her cell.

Last week, the judge granted Stauch's request to represent herself, asserting that she had knowingly maintained her right to fire her public defenders and represent herself in trial.

She brushed off the judges concerns that she would fail to effectively present her case, citing 30,000 pages of discovery documents. She referenced two pieces of evidence that she said would prove her innocence, calling it an ace in the hole.

On Friday, the judge said it was prudent to keep her advisory counsel in the loop so he can provide advice on how to proceed. If she wants to address an issue with the judge, Werner suggested Stauch contact Tolini before doing so before filing, though she isn't required to do so.

As advisory counsel, Tolini can give legal advice to Stauch but he will not appear on the record in front of a jury nor does he have decision-making authority in the case.

Stauch is charged with first-degree murder and other counts on allegations that she killed Gannon inside their Lorson Ranch home last January before dumping his body in a rural area near Highway 105 and South Perry Park Road in Douglas County.

Her next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 20.

Allen said there are about 1,800 pages of core information and 26,101 pages of evidence. He said there would be fewer than 20 witnesses for the preliminary hearing and estimated that hearing would take two days.

According to an El Paso County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, Stauch is in the process of being scheduled to receive access to the jail's library. Once approved, she will be scheduled twice a week, two hours per session.
(CNN)  The wonders of spaceflight never ceased in 2020, despite the pandemic's best efforts.

Four launches  including two historic missions from US soil  to the International Space Station carried on as planned, and the crews were able to remain safe on their journeys to and from Earth.

Quarantine has become the new normal for many over the last year, but it has long been part of the routine for astronauts launching to space.

"NASA's had a robust quarantine plan for a long time," said Robert Mulcahy, flight surgeon for the Health Stabilization Program at Johnson Space Center in Houston. "It's nothing new for us. NASA implemented a prelaunch quarantine starting with the Apollo 14 mission (in 1971) because we saw some infectious disease occurrences in flight or in the preflight period for some of the earlier Apollo launches."

Some of the Apollo astronauts experienced upper respiratory tract infections and gastroenteritis, so a preflight quarantine was put in place. While the specifics of quarantining before spaceflight have changed over the years, the basic tenants are the same, Mulcahy said.

Quarantine before flight can help prevent illnesses like cold and flu from occurring off our planet. The health and welfare of the crew is always paramount, according to the agency.

Astronauts and those in the Health Stabilization Program receive vaccines for preventable infectious diseases.

Before the pandemic, astronauts launching to the International Space Station would quarantine for two weeks. They were focused on things that have become commonplace for everyone -- social distancing and good respiratory and hand hygiene.

This included making sure any people who came in contact with the crew knew what a good quarantine looks like -- something we're all familiar with now, Mulcahy said.

Launching during a pandemic

When concerns about the pandemic and quarantining spread globally in March 2020, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy was already in Baikonur, Kazakhstan preparing for his April 9, 2020, launch to the space station alongside Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner.

The crew did their usual two-week quarantine and the launch happened as planned, albeit with some changes. Travel restrictions prevented some of the astronauts' families, media and industry officials from attending the launch. Those involved in the launch were all seen keeping 6 feet apart and wearing masks.

Ahead of quarantine, the astronauts followed the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations regarding coronavirus. The team members stayed in their crew quarters in Baikonur, didn't have direct contact with anyone who wasn't precleared by flight surgeons and focused on preparing for their flight, studying, resting, exercise and making video calls to friends and family members.

On Earth, NASA ground teams such as flight and mission control were also affected by the pandemic. Handovers between teams across shifts occurred in two different rooms to minimize contact.

It was Cassidy's third spaceflight, but the early days of the pandemic were already shaping his preflight experience.

"We knew we would be in quarantine, but we didn't know the rest of the world would join us," Cassidy said from the space station in April. "Leaving that behind, my heart goes out to everyone. This mission feels different."

Just days later, NASA astronauts Dr. Andrew "Drew" Morgan and Jessica Meir were scheduled to return to Earth after spending nine and seven months on the space station, respectively. They returned to a different world than the one they launched from, one where coronavirus wasn't a concern.

"It will be difficult to not give hugs to family and friends after being up here for seven months," Meir said from the space station in April. "I think I will feel more isolated on Earth than here because it's expected up here. We're busy with amazing pursuits and tasks and don't feel the isolation. But it will be wonderful to see family and friends virtually and at a distance."

The agency already had a protocol in place for returning astronauts that still includes a postlanding medical check by flight doctors. The doctors and other NASA teams help the astronauts reacclimate to Earth's gravity, getting them up and walking soon after landing. In the weeks after, they're monitored to make sure they're healthy.

This time, the protocols were more extensive, incorporating CDC recommendations on infection control during postflight medical testing and readaptation. Social distancing, handwashing and the extensive cleaning of surfaces were implemented, and the crew were limited to who they came in contact with. Any NASA team members who were sick were encouraged to stay home.

Three more launches followed in 2020, including Demo-2 and Crew-1, two historic NASA and SpaceX launches sending the first crewed missions from US soil since 2011.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley launched on May 30 as part of Demo-2, then Crew-1, carrying NASA astronauts Victor Glover Jr., Mike Hopkins and Shannon Walker and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi launched in November.

There was also another launch from Baikonur carrying Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, as well as NASA astronaut Kate Rubins in October.

Behnken and Hurley returned to Earth in August and Cassidy, Vagner and Ivanishin returned in October. The space station currently has seven people on board, including Crew-1 and the previous Baikonur launch.

How a pandemic changed astronaut quarantine

To ensure that everyone was prepared for the Demo-2 launch in May, the existing Health Stabilization Program was strengthened due to the pandemic.

A third week was added to the standard 14-day quarantine period. This is called "soft quarantine," where the astronauts' training and activities are reduced so they can have extra protection and limit exposure. The astronauts began wearing N95 masks if they came in contact with anyone outside their small quarantine bubble.

The number of people who have close contact with the astronauts during the prelaunch quarantine was minimized even further, only including those with an essential function to the mission.

They also implemented daily health surveys beginning 21 days ahead of launch for everyone in the quarantine to ask about their temperature and see if they were having any symptoms of an infectious disease. Then, 14 days before launch, they conducted in-person temperature checks and health screenings for anyone who needed to come in contact with the astronauts, Mulcahy said.

Covid-19 testing was also implemented for astronauts and their key close contacts during quarantine. Rather than meeting with people in the same room, some meetings were conducted with a glass wall between the astronauts and NASA staff. This is similar to what is already part of the process in Baikonur for the Russian Soyuz launches, Mulcahy said.

The most recent change is that they're encouraging anyone who is eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

Given the fact that so many people have been living in quarantine situations, the astronauts were allowed to quarantine with their families as long as their family members met the quarantine requirements.

For astronauts who want or need to enter a quarantine on site, both Kennedy Space Center in Florida and Johnson Space Center have nice housing. The astronauts have individual rooms like living spaces, kitchens and a common area for meetings or conferences. The astronaut crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center is historic; astronauts have been staying there since the Apollo era.

"It's kind of like staying at a mid-tier hotel somewhere that's comfortable and it gets them ready to be prepared for their mission," Mulcahy said.

Mulcahy and others in the program are closely monitoring the pandemic in case other changes need to be made. He believes that some of the changes, like the daily health surveys and crew visits from behind a glass wall, will likely remain in place for added safety even once the pandemic is over.

The quarantine program likely won't undergo many alterations when it's time to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024 through the Artemis program.

Maintaining launches and landings on schedule during the pandemic was key for meeting milestones, like the NASA-SpaceX launches. It's also important to keep crews rotating through the space station. Those crews maintain the space station and conduct hundreds of scientific experiments that have a multitude of benefits for humankind.

And it was also inspiration, a glimmer of hope -- a reason to keep looking up and believing in the triumph of the human spirit.

"Being able to participate and help get Bob and Doug to the space station for Demo-2 or the Crew-1 mission, those are the big milestones that stand out," Mulcahy said.

"These missions are exciting because it returns that human spaceflight capability to the US, something that we haven't had since 2011 when the shuttle retired. And that's really inspirational for people across the country and really across the world. I think that is the big benefit of these missions launching in a very bleak year."

This story was first published on CNN.com NASA astronaut launches stop for nothing  not even a pandemic. Here's how they did it
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

According to IMARC Group's latest report, titled Tempered Glass Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2020-2025, the global tempered glass market is expected to continue its moderate growth during the next five years., According to a new report by IMARC Group.

Tempered glass is manufactured from using heat and high-pressure cooling procedures. It is durable, lightweight, resistant against heat, shock and scratches, and exhibits high strength as compared to the annealed glass. Consequently, it is extensively utilized as screen protectors for consumer electronics, such as smartphones and tablets. It is also used in the production of shower doors, automobile windows, refrigerator trays, architectural doors and tables, bulletproof products, cookware, and diving masks.

Get a PDF Sample for more detailed market insights: https://www.imarcgroup.com/tempered-glass-market/requestsample

Market Trends

The boosting sales of consumer electronics on account of inflating income levels and rapid urbanization represent one of the key factors propelling the global tempered glass market growth. Apart from this, the rising construction activities, in confluence with the escalating demand for durable building materials, are further bolstering the market growth. Moreover, owing to the several advantages associated with the usage of tempered glass, it is gaining popularity in the manufacturing of solar photovoltaics (PVs), which is expected to provide a positive outlook for the market growth in the coming years.

Key Segments of the Report:

Breakup by Type:

Plain Glass

Colored Glass

Breakup by Shape:

Flat Tempered Glass

Bent Tempered Glass

For more information about this report: https://www.imarcgroup.com/tempered-glass-market

Breakup by Application:

Construction

Automotive

Home Appliances

Gadgets

Others

Breakup by Region:

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key players being Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., Dlubak Specialty Glass Corporation, Guardian Industries, Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG), Co. Ltd, Press Glass SA, Romag, Saint-Gobain SA, Taiwan Glass Ind. Corp., Virginia Mirror Co, Fuso India Pvt Ltd. etc.

About Us

IMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses.

Contact US:



Company Name: IMARC Services Private Limited

Contact Person: Elena Anderson

Email: sales@imarcgroup.com

USA: + 1-631-791-1145 | Europe & Africa: + 44-753-713-2163 | Asia: + 91-120-433-0800

Address: 30 N Gould St, Ste R

Sheridan, WY 82801, USA

Website: https://www.imarcgroup.com/

Follow us on twitter: @imarcglobal

Linkedin: https: // www.linkedin.com/company/imarc-group


Peru accedes to the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety

by Baibhav Mishra

March 05,2021 | Source: Sea News

Peru has shown its support for the safety of fishing vessels and their crews by depositing its instrument of accession to the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on 26 February. This makes it the 16th country to become a Contracting State to the Agreement, following in the footsteps of Croatia, which had acceded on 16 February.



The Agreement, once in force, will bring in mandatory international safety requirements for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over, including provisions addressing stability and associated seaworthiness, machinery and electrical installations, life-saving appliances, communications equipment and fire protection, as well as fishing vessel construction.



For the 2012 Cape Town Agreement to enter into force, at least 22 States, with an aggregate 3,600 fishing vessels meeting the length requirements operating on the high seas, must express their consent to be bound by it. It will enter into force 12 months after these conditions have been met. The Agreement will be a useful tool in combatting illegal, un-reported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and forced labour, as well as reducing pollution from fishing vessels, including marine debris.



IMO has been spreading awareness of and building support for the Agreement via a series of regional webinars, organised and conducted in cooperation with The Pew Charitable Trusts. The first of these webinars, which was aimed at the Latin America and Caribbean region (23-24 November), was attended by 29 IMO Member States  including Peru. More recently, a second webinar was held aimed at the African region (23-24 February). The webinars provide a platform to get more insight into the Agreement and share lessons learned from States that have already ratified the Agreement or are currently in the process of doing so.



The webinars are another step to get more countries to ratify the Cape Town Agreement, following the Torremolinos Ministerial Conference held in Spain in October 2019, which brought together some 120 States to discuss safe and legal fishing. More than 50 countries have signed the Torremolinos Declaration, indicating their determination to ratify the Cape Town Agreement by its tenth anniversary (i.e. 11 October 2022).



There are, at present, 16 Contracting States to the Agreement with an aggregate number of 1433 qualifying fishing vessels. These are: Belgium, Congo, Cook Islands, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, The Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa and Spain.



Peru boasts a large fishing fleet and accounted for about 8% of the world catch in marine waters according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Peru is also a signatory to the FAOs 2009 Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.



As the IMO Secretariat is offering bilateral meetings with the Member States to discuss their legal and technical assistance needs towards the ratification of the Agreement, they have been invited to fill in a questionnaire contained in Circular Letter No.4387, with the deadline of 1 April 2021.

Theme(s): Others.
New research reveals for the first time the personal efforts and innovations behind major efforts in the 20th century to publish classic Russian literature in accessible and affordable English translations.

From 1950, Penguin brought great works by golden-age Russian writers to general readers in Britain and beyond. The legacy of this work still influences Russian translators - and reading tastes - today.

Dr Cathy McAteer, from the University of Exeter, is the first scholar to analyse the people and processes behind the Penguin Russian Classics series. She has researched the individuals involved, their agendas and working habits, as well as decisions made by Penguin staff about which texts to translate and publish.

Following the turn-of-the-century efforts of Constance Garnett and William Heinemann, Penguin came to be regarded as the de facto post-war provider of Russian literature in modern English translation.

Dr McAteer's close analysis of archived correspondence between translators and editors, found in the Penguin archive at the University of Bristol and in individual collections at the Leeds Russian archive, has revealed the personal motivations and achievements of these figures. The research also shows the challenges they struggled with while working in isolation, including translator's block, depression, bereavement, health and financial difficulties. The letters also show the autonomy Penguin gave them over their working methods.

Dr McAteer, whose research is published in her new book Translating Great Russian Literature: The Penguin Russian Classics, said: "This series played a hugely significant role in how Russian literature was produced and marketed in English, and its influence can still be seen.

"The Penguin Classics series editor E.V. Rieu wanted to produce "great writers' works in good modern English"; translators made a concerted effort, therefore, to help readers cope with tricky Russian names and culture-specific objects, and to bring texts to life by lending characters different voices. The success of these translations paved the way for people's interest in the Soviet literature from the mid-1960s.

"I hope this book shows the legacy of everything Penguin achieved. I wanted to remind people of the importance of translators, and to show the huge amount of work which had to happen - has to happen - to bring these classic books to an Anglophone audience, not just in the UK, but in the US, Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Canada too."

Letters analysed show Penguin commissioned talented freelance translators, paying them fair rates with negotiable deadlines and offering the prospect of repeat business and royalties on high-volume print-runs. This arrangement proved mutually-beneficial, resulting in high-quality work and punctual delivery. In the early years, translation commissions kept coming, often faster than the Penguin team could process them.

Most of the Penguin Russian classics have since been retranslated in ways which acknowledge the achievements, but depart from the style, of those working in the 1950s, sometimes to restore the text's original, stylistic features, to refresh the language, or to take into account the changing needs and preferences of a modern audience.

Dr McAteer's research unexpectedly revealed letters and previously unpublished papers on translation theory by Penguin's notable Dostoevsky translator, David Magarshack. Her book explains how Magarshack wanted those in his profession to recognise their own worth. Not shy of asserting himself, Magarshack urged literary translators to promote themselves, to demand both financial and reputational recognition. Dr McAteer's research also identified an unsung heroine behind Magarshack's success: his wife Elsie, who loyally proofread and corrected his work. She continued to promote her husband's translations and to campaign for a blue plaque in his honour long after Magarshack's death in 1977.

Dr McAteer, who interviewed Mr Magarshack's daughter during her research, said: "David Magarshack should be celebrated for contributing to our modern appreciation of translators, key practitioners who are often overlooked. Magarshack was a man of complexity, of competing and conflicting personal influences, but also a man of intense self-belief. This blend of attributes did not always make it easy for him to follow prescriptive rules and formulae in practice but his legacy - both literary and professional - merits our recognition."

###

Translating Great Russian Literature: The Penguin Russian Classics is published by Routledge. The research was funded by the ERC's Horizon 2020, RusTrans project (Grant Agreement No.: 802437) and the Open Access team at the University of Exeter.
* Africa lagging other continents in vaccination rollouts

* COVAX facility helping countries to secure shots

* Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda start inoculating top priority groups

* Uganda receives first shipment of vaccines under COVAX

* South Africa negotiating to buy more vaccines

By Camillus Eboh and Omar Mohammed

ABUJA/NAIROBI, March 5 (Reuters) - Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda started inoculating frontline healthcare workers and vulnerable citizens against COVID-19 on Friday as Africa, the world's poorest continent and home to 1.3 billion people, stepped up its vaccination campaigns.

While some wealthy Western nations have already inoculated millions of people, many African states have struggled to secure doses and have yet to administer a single shot.

But the global vaccine-sharing COVAX facility, co-led by the World Health Organization (WHO), the GAVI vaccine alliance and others, has begun to bear fruit in nations from Ghana to Rwanda.

"This means that I will die when God wants because the coronavirus cannot kill me now," 90-year-old Stephanie Nyirankuriza said, leaning on a walking stick after her shot at a health centre just east of the Rwandan capital Kigali.

Rwanda is the first nation in Africa to use pharmaceutical company Pfizer's doses that require ultra-cold storage.

President Paul Kagame's government, which prides itself on technological prowess but is often criticised as authoritarian, has installed special infrastructure to keep the Pfizer vaccine at the required -70C.

The Kagame government, which has received both Pfizer and AstraZeneca shots via the COVAX facility, plans to vaccinate up to 30% of Rwanda's 12 million people by the end of the year.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and its biggest economy, inoculated healthcare workers with AstraZeneca shots on Friday, the start of a campaign that aims to vaccinate 80 million of the 200 million-strong population this year.

"I want everybody to be vaccinated," Ngong Cyprian, a 42-year-old doctor, told Reuters in the capital Abuja as he became the first in Nigeria to receive his shot, while officials clapped and cheered.

Story continues

President Muhammadu Buhari will be vaccinated on Saturday in an effort to increase public confidence in the shots.

Nigeria took delivery of 3.92 million AstraZeneca doses on Tuesday under COVAX, but the facility only aims to cover 20% of the population in the countries it helps. Nigeria is also expecting at least 40 million doses from the African Union as well as 100,000 donated doses of India's Covishield vaccine.

'THE VACCINE IS SAFE'

Applause greeted the first vaccinations in Kenya on Friday after it received its first million doses this week via COVAX.

"I am feeling great," said Patrick Amoth, director general at the ministry of health, after getting his shot. "The vaccine is safe."

Kenya, which is keen to revive its tourism-dependent economy, East Africa's largest, plans to vaccinate 1.25 million people by June and another 9.6 million in the next phase, with more vaccines expected within weeks.

"This may mark the beginning of the end of the pandemic," said Susan Mochache, a senior official at the health ministry.

Neighbouring Uganda took delivery on Friday of its first batch of 864,000 AstraZeneca doses via COVAX and aims to begin inoculations on March 10.

As of Thursday, Africa as a whole had reported nearly 4 million infections and 104,000 deaths - still a relatively small toll compared to other continents, with higher national death counts in the United States, India, Brazil, Russia and Britain.

South Africa has recorded by far the most COVID-19 infections and deaths on the African continent, with 1.5 million cases and more than 50,000 fatalities to date.

On Friday, a senior health official said South Africa was negotiating with an African Union (AU) platform to buy vaccines for at least 10 million of its people.

The country was provisionally allocated 12 million doses developed by AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson in an AU vaccine plan, but it was unclear how many vaccines it would seek to buy after it halted plans to use the AstraZeneca shot. ($1 = 109.5500 Kenyan shillings) (Additional reporting by Clement Uwiringiyimana in Kigali, Elias Biryabirema in Kampala and Alexander Winning in Johannesburg; Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Model, Hannah Devane, used to have to put on a brave face at work when she was in terrible pain from endometriosis, a gynaecological condition that affects up to one in 10 women and is one of the leading causes of infertility in women.

The 31-year-old Dubliner, who has been living in London for nine years, is all too aware that there are plenty of other people ready to replace you". And so, she continued with her career, flying to Paris four times a year, despite back pain and pelvic pain, fatigue, pain when urinating, and pain on her right side and in her legs.

Standing around on sets is all part of a models work and Devane found it hard to keep going.

She says she prioritised work which meant her social life took a hit. She simply couldnt keep up with her friends.

March is endometriosis awareness month and Devane wants to highlight the condition. She would like to see it discussed in schools along with education about periods.

Doctors dont take the symptoms seriously enough, she says. When I spoke to doctors about my painful periods and the struggle I was going through, the attitude was: Thats all part of being a woman. But what I was experiencing wasnt normal.

Devane says if doctors were quicker to diagnose endometriosis, women wouldnt have to wait so long to have their condition recognised.

Painful symptoms

The debilitating condition occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows beyond the uterus. (Mistakenly, medics once thought that this tissue was the same as the endometrium shed each month in menstruation.) The abnormal tissue secretes substances that irritate the surrounding tissues, causing them to bleed. The bodys inflammatory response to it can cause severe pelvic pain. Scar tissue can form and cause pelvic organs to adhere together, distorting the pelvic anatomy.

Devane always had painful periods. It wasnt until my 20s that things became super-difficult. My symptoms were becoming more frequent and more severe. I was affected not just during my period but throughout the month. I would sometimes get sciatica and Id have terrible brain fog.

When Devane finally found a doctor in London who took her symptoms seriously, she underwent laparoscopy, a surgical procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen. This resulted in a diagnosis of endometriosis. Devane was treated with ablation which destroys the lining of the uterus.

But my symptoms came back within a few months. So I was back to square one. I didnt want to be in the situation of having to repeat surgery every year. So I did my own research and I found a specialist in excision surgery in Birmingham called Mr Chris Mann.

Excision surgery is where the scar tissue and the roots of adhesions are removed.

Detail of Hannah Devane's scar. Picture: Ester Keate

Devane underwent the treatment nine months before she got married. The wedding was the big driver for the surgery. I really wanted to be well for it. I got married on September 1, 2018. I had my surgery in December 2017. It was a long recovery. I had quite severe endometriosis  it was found to be widespread.

There are just two excision-only gynaecologists treating endometriosis in Ireland, according to Kathleen King, a scientist and former chair of the Endometriosis Association of Ireland. They are Dr Aoife ONeill at Tallaght Hospital and the recently appointed Dr Hugh D OConnor at the Coombe Hospital.

King says that pre-covid, the waiting time for Dr ONeill was at least three years.

As well as being a condition that sometimes results in infertility, endometriosis can make sex painful. It can affect people in different ways. I did have some issues with painful sex but Im so much better now.

Devane doesnt have children. Its not something Id really like to discuss because nobody really knows what the future holds. Endometriosis can affect fertility but then again, lots of women who have it have no problem [having children].

Standing strong

Devane is hopeful that she will continue to have relief from pain apart from during menstruation. However, she also has a condition called adenomyosis where cells grow into the uterine wall.

A lot of people have both conditions but adenomyosis cant be excised. I will always have lasting problems but thats just during my period. The rest of the month is so much improved. Before, I was in pain every day.

To raise awareness, Devane shares her experience of her medical condition and treatment on her blog, heelsandhormones.net.

She took part in a nude photoshoot with 17 other endo warriors, all of whom bare their scars. The portraits of the women were originally scheduled to be exhibited under the title WITHIN at the M&C Saatchi gallery in London, but because of Covid-19, they are being exhibited online until March 31.

As the exhibition photographer, Ester Keate states: The womens nudity expresses the sense of vulnerability and loss that many endometriosis sufferers describe. They are exposed and unprotected from their condition. Yet, the images also show the bravery of these women... They stand strong, seeming almost statuesque in the face of their suffering.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
Its more than an open secret; its the main topic of conversation on instant-messaging chat groups  at least among the residents of San Pedro Garza Garcia, the wealthiest city in Mexico and Latin America. These residents are spending their days asking for and sharing information about where they can get vaccinated against Covid-19 in the United States. Most of them are over the age of 60, meaning they are vulnerable to the virus, but not all of them. In San Pedro Garza Garcia, everyone seems to know someone who has been vaccinated in a city in Texas or Florida.

The situation is the product of a mix of desperation, urgency and wealth. The city is located in the state of Monterrey just 250 kilometers from the US border, and is the headquarters and birthplace of some of the largest companies in Mexico, such as Cemex, the third-largest cemetery producer in the world, and the multinational conglomerate Alfa. In San Pedro Garza Garcia, thousands of people have the economic means to pay for the coronavirus test required to enter the US, the cost of the journey, staying at a hotel and renting a car to line up outside an open vaccination site. And that is exactly what they are doing.

One such case is Mauricio Fernandez, the former mayor of San Pedro Garza Garcia. The 70-year-old, who is also an ex-senator and holds stock in some of the large companies in the city, shared on social media that he was able to get vaccinated in Los Fresnos in Texas, while traveling with friends to a beach in the US state. By consulting the websites of counties and nearby towns in Texas, Fernandez and his friends found out that vaccines were available. Some places required people to register in line, others to collect a voucher in person with the date of the next available vaccination. But in some cases, you could try your luck just by waiting outside a designated vaccination site.

A man is injected with a Covid-19 vaccine in Florida. MARCO BELLO / Reuters

They just told you that those in the line who were older than 65 were going to get vaccinated, explains Fernandez by phone from San Pedro Garza Garcia. Fernandez used his Mexican passport as ID and was vaccinated. Its very generous that the Americans could include everyone who was in the line, undocumented migrants, Mexicans, whoever. They werent saying this person yes and this person no, he adds.

The flow of foreign nationals getting vaccinated in Texas is so great that residents in the state  who are still waiting their turn  are starting to get frustrated. But Marc Boom, the CEO of Houston Methodist, a local hospital system in the Texan city, said it is not a major problem. Speaking to the KPRC 2 television station, he explained: If a few have fallen through the cracks, that is hardly the largest issue that we are dealing with. The media also raised the issue with the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, who responded in a video message to the Channel 5 News, on the KRGV TV network, by saying: Texas vaccines are for Texas residents.

San Pedro Garza Garcia has a very close relationship with the United States, in particular with Texas, says Miguel Trevino, the current mayor of the city. We are not only geographically connected, but also culturally and through family and friendships, he explains. It is a municipality where there is even a large number of people with US nationality or residency. So all these links that form part of the community open up the possibility of getting vaccinated in Texas, which has indeed happened.

They just told you that those in the line who were older than 65 were going to get vaccinated Mauricio Fernandez, former mayor of San Pedro Garza Garcia

It is a luxury that few in Mexico can afford. In San Pedro Garza Garcia, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is $50,935 (42,688), and according to a 2020 report by US credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings, it has the highest income of all Latin American cities. It was here that the first cases of the coronavirus in Mexico were reported. Residents from San Pedro Garza Garcia had traveled to Colorado on a ski trip, and returned with the virus, which was why Hugo Lopez-Gatell, Mexicos undersecretariat of health, said in June that the disease was imported by social groups with high economic, financial capacity, the wealthiest social groups in the country.

Fernandez says that the citys residents are looking to get vaccinated in the US out of necessity. The vaccination drive from the administration of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is being rolled out slowly due to delivery delays of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Whats more, the campaign has been criticized for not being transparent about who was to receive the vaccine first. In a controversial move, Lopez Obrador said that the nations servants  a group of around 30,000 people who promote the governments social programs  should receive the first doses, given that they would be taking part in the vaccination drive in remote sites in Mexico.

The Mexican government launched a webpage this week to allow over-65s to register for the vaccine, even though the country does not yet have the doses to vaccinate this group. But the webpage itself is having problems, with users receiving error messages when they try to access it. What Im seeing here is that they dont give a shit, no one has the wits to solve this problem, neither on a local or national level, says Fernandez, who hopes to be elected mayor this year.

Trevino, meanwhile, says that among the residents of San Pedro Garza Garcia there is a little bit of desperation with respect to the lack of organization and clarity that they are seeing from the federal government. On the one hand, this is something we understand, but we as a municipality have to coordinate [with authorities], above all we have to recognize that the authorities when it comes to health are the Mexican government and the state.

English version by Melissa Kitson.




SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingUSA, a leading point-of-sale fintech company, today announced the hire of Adam Contino as its new Chief Financial Officer. Adam joins LendingUSA at a critical time in the company's expansion, including the recent news of the closing of a new funding commitment of $200 million from Atalaya Capital Management.

Adam will report to CEO Camilo Concha, and will be responsible for capital planning and sourcing, investor relations, M&A evaluation, financial planning and analysis, accounting and treasury.

LendingUSA

He joins as the company bids farewell to Ron Oertell, a valued member of the LendingUSA team. "As I transition to the next step in my career, I'm grateful for my experience at LendingUSA, and I'm extremely proud of what we've accomplished together in building this company to new heights," says Ron Oertell.

"We are so grateful to Ron for his time and dedication in helping to build LendingUSA up to this point and leaving us in a great place, and we're thankful that he has chosen to oversee a smooth transition before the start of his next professional challenge in life," says Camilo Concha, Founder & CEO of LendingUSA. "As we enter this new stage of growth for LendingUSA, we couldn't be more excited to welcome Adam, and we look forward to achieving even bigger goals together."

Adam is a proven financial services veteran with over 30 years of experience leading transformation and growth initiatives and optimizing performance. Most recently, Adam served as EVP and CFO of Security National Automotive Acceptance Company (SNAAC), a nationwide consumer lending company where Adam was instrumental in the development and execution of strategic initiatives, including sophisticated capital markets solutions. Prior to SNAAC, Adam served as COO of Navian Capital, an award-winning fintech company focused on structured products, and in various leadership roles at Fifth Third Bank.

Adam has extensive management consulting experience at Deloitte and Arthur Andersen focused on developing effective financial solutions to maximize revenue, control risk and drive operational efficiencies.

"I'm excited to join such a resilient, talented, and innovative team to help achieve its growth initiatives," said Adam Contino, Chief Financial Officer of LendingUSA.

About LendingUSA

LendingUSA is an award-winning point-of-sale fintech company that offers merchants a seamless financing solution with access to loan decisions in seconds, promotional financing terms, and low monthly payment options for its customers across various niche markets. Founded in 2015, LendingUSA has enrolled over 10,000 merchants nationwide and has processed over $2 billion in borrower loan requests.

LendingUSA is committed to creating the best financing experience available through its proprietary point-of-sale lending solution. The company boasts a consumer rating of 4.8 out of five stars on BirdEye. All loans are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey state-chartered bank, Member FDIC.

Press Contact

Amanda Krebs, Marketing Manager

[email protected]

Related Images

image1.jpg

SOURCE LendingUSA
Lima, Mar 4 (UNI) Peru has received the first batch of the Pfizer vaccine against the COVID-19, Prime Minister Violeta Bermudez said.

The government is fulfilling its promises, and the vaccines continue to arrive in the country. We will not stop the vaccination campaign that started on February 9, and we will continue it until the last day of our rule, the prime minister said on late Wednesday.

The Latin American nation has received 50,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Peru is due to get 20 million doses of this vaccine.

Last month, Peru launched the vaccination campaign after receiving the first batch of 300,000 doses of the vaccine developed by the Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm.

UNI XC GNK 0737

The United States said it hopes Iran will engage in constructive dialogue after Washingtons European partners agreed to drop a plan to censure Tehran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting in Vienna.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price on March 4 said Washington was "pleased" the Europeans withdrew the measure criticizing Iran, after Tehran reportedly gave some "encouraging signs" about the future of the landmark 2015 nuclear pact.

"We will look forward with strong interest for Iran's willingness to engage in a way that leads to credible, concrete progress," Price told reporters.

"We have stated very clearly that what we are prepared to do is to engage in constructive dialogue. That is the offer that's been on the table," Price said.

Tensions have soared since 2018 when the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the nuclear accord with Iran and reimposed crippling economic sanctions to force Iran to renegotiate the pact.

Iran retaliated by rolling back a number of key commitments to the deal.

The new administration of President Joe Biden has expressed intent to rejoin the agreement, but it insists Tehran must return to full compliance.

Iran, which has always denied pursuing nuclear weapons, first wants sanctions to be lifted.

France, Britain, and Germany had planned to introduce the resolution, with the support of the United States, denouncing Iran's suspension of some IAEA inspections linked to the accord.

The Europeans dropped the plan amid efforts by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi to reach a compromise with Iran.

"We have decided to not present the resolution," the German Foreign Ministry said. "Iran must now prove that it is serious in its wish to fully relaunch" the nuclear deal.

One diplomat cited signs of "good faith" by the Iranians as key to the decision to drop the resolution, which had not been formally submitted.

Grossi announced earlier on March 4 that Iran had agreed to hold a series of meetings with the UN nuclear watchdog to "clarify a number of outstanding issues."

A French diplomat said "encouraging signs" from the Iranians would not have been achieved "if the threat of the [European] resolution hadn't been maintained until the end."

The diplomat said it remained possible that an EU-proposed meeting of the remaining deal participants -- France, Germany, Britain, Russia, China, and Iran -- could take place within two weeks, potentially in Brussels.

Russia and China also hailed the Europeans' decision. Mikhail Ulyanov, Moscow's ambassador to the IAEA, said the resolution "could have led to uncontrolled escalation."

Iran welcomed the decision as well.

"Today's developments can keep open the path of diplomacy initiated by Iran and the IAEA," a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

Iran has previously said the time was not right for a proposed European-led meeting of all parties, including the United States, calling instead for Biden first to lift sanctions.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on March 3 that the United States would ease sanctions as part of Iran returning to the deal.

"We've been very clear that Iran has to come back into compliance with its obligations under the nuclear agreement, and if it does, we'll do the same thing," Blinken told PBS TV. "And that would involve, if they do it, some sanctions relief."

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
Catholic doctors have cautioned Kenyans against taking the COVID-19 jab saying it is unnecessary.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Kenya Catholic Doctors Association (KCDA) objected to the vaccination and urged Kenyans to skip the vaccine.

The medics further called on faith-based organisations to stop the vaccinations drive saying the vaccine should not have been distributed in the first place.

It seems there is something Bill Gates has invested in that requires the whole world to be vaccinated. What that investment is remains the million-dollar question, said Dr Stephen Karanja.

According to the doctors, the only proven means of controlling the spread of the virus is wearing a mask, streaming of all symptomatic patients, treatment of patients and ensuring all patients who have Covid-19 to be observed for 10 to 14 days.

Dr Peter Okoth of Unicef Kenya, however, maintained the vaccines are safe, adding that the AstraZeneca jabs are effective and there should be no cause for concern.
Lauren Martinez and her family in Cape Coral, Fla.

Lauren Martinez and her family in Cape Coral, Fla. Credit - Mary Beth Koeth for TIME

When Lauren Martinez arrived home after work to find her teenage daughter feverish and vomiting, she knew her pandemic plans were about to fall apart. It was May 2020 and her day care had closed, so Martinez, an assistant office manager at a dentists office in Florida, had been relying on the 14-year-old to care for her infant son between middle-school classes online. It was not ideal, she says. But there was literally no option but her. Martinezs husband worked at the same office, and the family needed both incomes.

Martinez had returned to work from maternity leave about a month earlier, and she had hoped to drive home every day around noon to nurse her son. But by that particular day in May, she had pretty much given up on breastfeeding. She says she wasnt provided private space to pump at work or the time to do so. I was so engorged, she says. I would literally have to change my clothes every day because I would be leaking that whole time. I dont think men understand that. Still, she tried to get home when she could to offer at least a few minutes relief to her daughter.

But seeing her child sick and vulnerable that evening, Martinez knew this setup was unsustainable. Theres something about when youre a parent and your children get sick, they get more childish. She seemed like such a baby to me at that moment, she says. I was like, I cant do this to her anymore. Martinez texted her boss and asked to work remotely. Her request was denied. I think he liked the Lauren beforeno-responsibilities Laurenbetter than this new mom who needed accommodations, she says. Now I was annoying or something.

Photograph by Mary Beth Koeth for TIME

Within days, she was out of a job. I didnt know what law had been violated or if anything had been violated, she says. It just felt so wrong to me. In July, she filed a lawsuit claiming that her former employer broke federal law in refusing to grant her leave and firing her. According to the complaint, when she asked to work from home, the company told her, If you cannot come in due to childcare  the position is vacated. Meaning you no longer have a job here. Then, the lawsuit states, when she complained to HR, she was ordered to return to work, but upon doing so, she was written up for poor attendance. After she objected, she was fired.

Story continues

Her manager, she alleges, later asked Martinezs husband to have her delete the texts the manager had sent her. Her husband refused and quit, leaving them without any income in an economic shutdown. I was like, Were going to be homeless, she says. (A representative for the company declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the owners of its practices have offered many COVID-19-related benefits to its staff.)

More than 2.3 million women have dropped out of the labor force since February 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A Census Bureau and Federal Reserve analysis found that 1 in 3 women not working in July cited childcare issues as the reason, and Pew found that mothers of children 12 and under were three times more likely than fathers to have lost work between February and August. Latina and Black women have been hit hardest, and womens labor-force participation reached a 33-year low in January. Economists have dubbed this recession a shecession.

The Center for WorkLife Law tells TIME that since the start of the pandemic, they have received seven times more calls than usual to their help line with questions and complaints about discrimination, but most mothers have no recourse. Congress hastily passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in March 2020, which offered up to 12 weeks of paid leave to some workers whose childrens schools and day cares had closed. But the legislation strictly limited who qualified, and the benefits expired at the end of 2020.

Youre screwed in 2021, says Benjamin Yormak, Martinezs lawyer. Were getting phone calls now all the time: My childcare crapped out on me, and I got fired. My answer has to be, unless you fit into this tiny, tiny, tiny box, societys failed you.

At least 58 lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. from April 2020 to February 2021 that allege an employer denied emergency parental leave, did not inform employees of their right to take emergency leave, or fired employees for asking to work remotely or take leave while schools and day cares were closed. Most plaintiffs claimed their former employers violated their rights under FFCRA, but some in cities like New York, where caregivers are a protected class, sued for violations of human-rights laws.

I think he liked the Lauren beforeno-responsibilities Laurenbetter than this new mom who needed accommodations." Lauren Martinez

Still, even for those who have the opportunity to fight in the courts, the chances of restitution are hazy. Federally mandated paid parental leave is new to the U.S., so most of these parents are entering uncharted legal territory. But many of the women TIME spoke to for this story described how wrong it felt to be forced to choose between caring for their children in the midst of a public-health crisis and earning income to support them. Its so unfair, says Martinez. And I dont even think were realizing the scope of it.

A mothers place in the American workforce has always felt tenuous at best. The U.S. remains the only industrialized country that doesnt mandate paid parental leave nationally, and the federal government doesnt fund universal pre-K even though studies show that access to early childhood education boosts the number of women in the workforce and economic prosperity. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) mandates that employers offer 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave, but about 40% of American workers are not covered by this law. Only nine states and Washington, D.C., have passed their own paid-family-leave legislation. And just 20% of private-sector workers get paid family leave from their employers.

Many parents cannot afford to take unpaid leave, and those who do take time off often feel pressure to return to work or worry that they will seem dispensable. The concern is justified. Thomas A. McKinney, an attorney bringing several suits involving parental leave in New Jersey, says mothers have become an easy target for companies looking to lay off employees during the pandemic.

Kristen Horine, who worked for a company in Ohio that designs parks, says she initially resisted taking family leave when her manager said she was eligible under FFCRA. She was used to working nights and weekends, and she and her husband were trading off childcare duties for their toddler and kindergartner at home. It was stressful, but not impossible. Ultimately, though, she told herself that leave could be an opportunity to bond with her sons.

I was thankful that I had this time with them, she says. But there was this immense amount of anxiety and fear about what would happen in the future, with the pandemic but also with my career  I started to see all of my projects that I had been working onthat I had poured my heart intodivvied up between other coworkers. And my biggest fear was they would start to look at projections and who had clients and who didnt have clients, and I wasnt there.

Kristen Horine at the Rocky River Reservation, a public park in Cleveland DaShaunae Marisa for TIME

Just before the end of her leave, Horine and several coworkers who had taken family leave were told that because there was no longer enough work, they were all fired. Horine has now joined two other parents in a lawsuit against their former employer. It alleges that when the company cut staff at the end of June, the only employees laid off were the ones who had taken family leave, even though expanded FMLA was put in place to provide not only relief but also an assurance that if a worker takes leave, she would return to her same job or an equivalent one at the end of it. (Horines former employer declined to comment.)

Horine points out that this same company once asked her to bring her sons to a park that it had helped design for a recruiting video in which talking heads mention family values seven times. She says this emphasis on family was one of the reasons she felt comfortable uprooting her family and moving from Philadelphia to take the job.

For working parents, such cognitive dissonance is not unique to this year. Its a grand American tradition. In surveys, most Americans still say its not ideal for a child to be raised by two working parents. And yet prepandemic, two-thirds of U.S. families were two-income households, and 41% of mothers were the breadwinners. A mass exodus of women from the workforce isnt just a womens problem: the Center for American Progress (CAP) and the Century Foundation estimated that if women remained out of the workforce at the same levels as last spring for a year, it would cost the country $64.5 billion.

But the U.S. government has never been all that eager to establish programs that would make working mothers lives more manageable. During World War II, Congress approved funding for a universal childcare system so women could produce fighter planes and combat gear in factories. But as soon as the men returned from the front, the government dismantled the program.

We just dont have an infrastructure of care thats publicly supported in this country in a really robust way, says Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University. When we think about caregiving, we assume it is a private responsibility. And when something like this happens, it becomes obvious how cobbled together this whole network is. More important, it also becomes painfully obvious that the real public support for caregiving in this country is school, which I dont think people fully appreciated before the pandemic.

So it was a historic day on March 18 of last year when Congress passed FFCRA, which, among other things, expanded FMLA to include up to 12 weeks of paid leave for employees whose childrens schools or day cares had closed. Most of those covered were entitled to two-thirds of their salaries, capped at $200 per day.

Still, the bill contained carve-outs that chiseled away at its efficacy: Companies with more than 500 employees were exempt, which meant that Americas biggest, wealthiest companies didnt owe their workers any family leave. Companies with fewer than 50 employees could seek an exemption, so few employees at small businesses were covered. Health care providers and emergency responders werent entitled to leave. In total, CAP estimates that 68 million to 106 million private-sector workers did not qualify for leave under FFCRA.

Tamara Browns 11-year-old loves to bake. Sometimes its strawberry shortcake, she says. But his browniesthat is his thing. He will say, Let me show you, Mom, how to do it, like I never taught him. Thats our bonding time.

Lately, though, when he opens the fridge, eggs or other ingredients might be missing. There are moments where he says, Mama, we dont have this, Brown says. She waits for him to turn his attention to something else so she doesnt have to explain that shes been choosing between buying certain groceries and paying for utilities.

Before the pandemic, Brown, a single mother, had been looking to buy a house. Now shes worried about making rent. Were living on a need basis, not a want basis, she says through tears. And it hurts me sometimes because its like, Kid, if only you knew. Its not him being selfish. Its just him not knowing  He still to this day thinks Im working. Its not to lie to him. In the middle of this pandemic, you still want your child to have some form of normalcy.

In March 2020, the month Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency, Brown was sent home from her job at a leasing agency. Her sons school had closed, and she had no childcare options. Soon after, Brown took in a relative whose mom had COVID-19, and that relative, whose bed sat just feet away from Browns sons, got sick too. On the news, seemingly everybody that had COVID was terminally ill, says Brown. And I have a son in tears and scared. The only thing I could do is say everything would be O.K. when I know I dont have the answers.

Tamara Brown and her son near their home in Southfield, Mich. Brittany Greeson for TIME

While the three of them were quarantining, the leasing agency reopened its office. Brown explained she didnt feel ethically she could file paperwork alongside coworkers when she had been exposed to the virus, but according to a lawsuit she filed against her former employer, she was never notified of her right to paid leave under FFCRA. Instead, she says, she was told she would be laid off if she did not return to work. (The company says in court papers it complied with all notice requirements under the FFCRA, and it offered no further comment to TIME.)

These days, Brown gets up every morning, logs on to her computer and pretends to work while her son is preoccupied with school assignments. Really, shes been filling out job applications for 10 months. Im not a quitter, she says.

Other mothers who spoke to TIME shared deep anxieties about finding work. One worried that her need for flexible hours around her infants schedule meant men or women without children were being hired instead of her. Horine is concerned that now that so many jobs can be done remotely, the applicant pool has grown exponentially.

And while schools may return to in-person learning full time in the fall, day-care centers have taken such a big hit that even when the economy reopens, women with younger children still might not be able to get back to work. A survey by the National Association for the Education of Young Children published in July found that without government help, 40% of childcare programs would shutter.

People are going to find theres not childcare slots to go back to unless we make a massive investment to stabilize the industry, says Melissa Boteach, vice president for income security and childcare/early learning at the National Womens Law Center (NWLC).

Amanda Andrews, also a single mom, hasnt worked since April. She describes her previous gig as a doughnut-shop cashier in Rhode Island as perfect. The hours were just right for her to drop off her youngest child at day care before work and pick up her middle schooler and high schooler when school let out. When schools and day cares closed, Andrews, like Martinez, turned to her eldest, her 14-year-old son, for help. It worked for a few weeks. Then as he tried to balance childcare with remote school, his grades began to slip.

There was a few times the teacher emailed me telling me my 2-year-old was jumping on his back and trying to play with him, or shes like, Im hungry. Can you make me food? she says. So I knew it was interfering with schoolwork. And then hes like, No, Mommy, itll be O.K., lets try it again. And again, his grades declined a little bit more. I could see that my son was worried about me losing my job because it was our only income.

Andrews texted the store manager to ask for family leave. The manager never responded but allegedly told Andrews supervisor that Andrews had quit, according to copies of text messages in the complaint she filed in court. When Andrews was told to turn in her keys, she pleaded with her managersI didnt quitand says she got a text back: There are hours available  you  are physically able to work and are not. Legally thats quitting. (The employer hasnt yet answered the complaint, and its attorney did not respond to multiple requests for comment.)

She didnt sleep for days. That was all I knew, she says. For 12 years, thats what I did. Especially during a pandemic, I knew I wasnt going to get another job, not anytime soon. Andrews can afford only about half her rent. Fortunately, her landlord has allowed her to pay what she can.

The issues will not end when Andrews and others find new jobs. Absent public action, this period is going to leave long and deep scars, says Boteach. Studies show that when a woman leaves the workforcefor parental leave or longer-term caregivingshe doesnt just lose income over that period of time. Those losses compound over a lifetime. When a woman re-enters the workforce, she often returns to a job with lower wages to get her foot in the door. She then advances more slowly up the corporate ladder. All that has implications for your retirement security, says Boteach. Its not an accident that women are more likely to be poor than men in their older years.

For now, Andrews is focused on survival. She doesnt discuss the job loss with her family. She wants her kids to be kids, free of adult problems. But they know something is wrong. They hear me on the phone asking my father if I can borrow money so I can pay the electric bill. Its embarrassing, she says. My daughter had savings$287, I think it was. She comes to me with her piggy bank and says, You can use this to pay some bills. Im like, No, no, no, Mommy is good. Mommy is good.

FFCRA wasnt in effect for a particularly long time, so experts are hesitant to speculate about how these suits will play out or what the verdicts will mean for future family-leave disputes. But attorneys say their clients may not see any restitution for two to three years because of the COVID-19 backlog in the courts.

Help may be on the way. In January, President Joe Biden released a plan to get parents back to work that involved extending emergency paid leave to Sept. 30 and eliminating the exemptions for companies with more than 500 or fewer than 50 employees. The proposal included over 14 weeks of leave to caregivers while schools and day cares are closed, as well as $1,400 per person for working families on top of the $600 Congress passed in December. Biden also called for $25 billion for the childcare industry.

On Feb. 27, the House passed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, which included provisions to help working parents but varied from the Biden plan in meaningful waysnotably, it mandates that federal employees have access to paid leave if they need to care for a child, but uses tax credits to incentivize most businesses to provide this benefit for private-sector workers rather than requiring them to do so.

"In the middle of this pandemic, you still want your child to have some form of normalcy." Tamara Brown

The bill still needs to pass the Senate, but even if Congress does take action, a change in law wont be sufficient. Mothers will not be able to escape the burden of gendered expectations around childcare without a larger societal shift. We have this durable stereotype in the U.S., says Murray, the NYU professor, that if women work, they manage to somehow reconcile their work life with their real work, which is within the family. If they cant, its a personal failure.

Only two of the 23 employment attorneys contacted by TIME said they had received a single call from a man about the way he was treated as a caregiver during the pandemic. Horine is suing with a father named Nathan Leppo who was fired during the family leave he took to watch his sons while his wife worked as a pharmacist. Other employees would be like, Youre taking FMLA for your kid? he says. Theres this stigma toward fathers that we shouldnt be as loving or sing to our children or get them to bed or give them baths. Its an issue a lot of men are afraid to talk about.

Studies show that men dont take parental leave even in the rare cases when they have the option, despite research that suggests fathers who do are less likely to get divorced and more likely to feel close to their kids long-term. Until men see unpaid caregiving as much their responsibility as women do, youre going to see women more likely pushed out of the labor force, says Boteach. Women overall still make 82 for every dollar men make, with Black, Latina and Native American women earning far less, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In heterosexual couples, it often makes financial sense for the woman to be the one to leave her job or risk losing it by taking on childcare duties.

Rachel Tarantul, a nutrition and breastfeeding counselor in New York, had always prided herself on being a working mom, offering advice to new mothers who came into her hospital for help caring for newborns. So after her childrens school closed last spring, she asked if she could work from home. I was ignored for a long time, she says. And then finally, they denied it. I felt depressed and defeated. I thought that I held some value within the company, but it seems I didnt.

In a lawsuit filed in February, Tarantul claims that in refusing to grant her an accommodation, her former employer violated a New York City law that prohibits discrimination against caregivers. (The employer contends in court documents that it was not required to grant an accommodation in this case.)

Now as the familys expenses swelltheir grocery bill has tripled with their three children no longer getting breakfast, lunch and snacks at schoolTarantul is grateful for her husbands salary but spends much of her time preparing those meals. They are starting to resent me because I guess theyre not used to me being their teacher, their mother, basically their everything, she says. Her situation has started to feel claustrophobic, particularly since the family had to sell her car.

Your car is your independence, she says. Now I have to wait for when someone comes home so I can leave. Still, there was never a question about which spouse would step back from work. Well, hes the breadwinner, she says.

Martinez, too, says it was a given that shed be the one to ask for an accommodation, even though she and her husband worked for the same company. I would always be the person, you know, because Im the woman, she says. I dont think they would have been too happy if he had said he needed to work from home. I think they would have looked at it, like, No, Lauren can stay home. You have to come to work.

Martinez, who is pregnant and due in May, is working on getting her real estate license; her husband has found some work; and her daughter and stepson, who lives with them part time, are back in in-person school. But Martinez still worries about putting her youngest kids in day care before they can wear masks. Its really scary, but I know Im just gonna have to do something because we have to pay our bills. I still feel like I dont have many options, she says.

Shes trying to enjoy the time with her family even under difficult circumstances, and she says shes been open with her daughter about the lawsuit. We talk a lot about everything, she says. First and foremost, I think shes proud of me.

With reporting by Leslie Dickstein and Simmone Shah

Buy a print of TIMEs Women and the Pandemic cover.
A retired senior prison officer has said dramatic action is needed following revelations that there were over 1,200 drug seizures in Irish prisons last year.

Three jails in Dublin topped the list, according to Freedom of Information figures released to Newstalk, with the highest amount in Wheatfield Prison.

There were 1,251 drug seizures in 12 jails across the state last year.

There were 479 drug seizures in Wheatfield, which has over 500 male inmates, with the next highest being the 319 in the men's section of Mountjoy Prison.

Cloverhill Prison, another jail in the capital, was the third highest at 207.

John Cuffe, a retired senior prison officer, said that in order to eradicate the problem, you are going to have to change a lot of things..

I worked in Arbour Hill, a small prison, 120 people, (where) everybody was working, occupied, their days were full  we didnt have a drug problem, absolutely not, he said.

If you go to Castlerea, if you go to Mountjoy, if you go to these other places where there is not enough work, not enough schooling, not enough gym, with pressure on staff and time and with boredom  people have time on their hands and all that and they are bored out of their skulls  drugs are going to get a foothold.

He said keeping prisoners occupied is good for inmates and for staff.

There were 116 drug seizures in Limerick prison last year with Castlerea, Cork, and The Midlands all recording at least 30.

The total amount of seizures across all jails was exactly the same in 2020 as in 2019, at 1,251.
(Newser)  In an editorial this week, the Wall Street Journal built a case for the Republican Party leaving Donald Trump in its rearview mirror. Listing the party's election losses of the House, Senate, and White House under Trump, the newspaper's editorial board decided Trump's a drag. Referring to Trump's self-congratulatory speech last weekend at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the Journal asked: "If 2020 was so fabulous, why are Republicans shut out of power up and down Pennsylvania Avenue?" What Trump is doing now, the Journal wrote, is "trying to rewrite this history as someone elses faultDemocrats who cheated, Republicans who wont 'fight,' a cowardly Supreme Court that includes three of his appointees, anyone but himself." On Thursday, Trump answered the editorial by releasing a statement in which he, indeed, blamed othersincluding the Journal.

story continues below

Among those Trump blamed for various election losses were Gov. Brian Kemp and other Georgia officials, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and Sen. Mitch McConnell, per the Hill. McConnell would have lost his own Kentucky election without Trump's endorsement, the former president said, though McConnell's victory margin was almost 20 percentage pointshis largest since 2002. The Journal deserves blame, too, Trump said, while saying it lacks influence these days. "They fight for RINOS that have so badly hurt the Republican Party," his statement said. "That's where they are and that's where they will always be. Fortunately, nobody cares much about The Wall Street Journal editorial anymore. They have lost great credibility." The blaming is exactly the issue, the Journal said. "As long as Republicans focus on the grievances of the Trump past, they wont be a governing majority." (Read more Donald Trump stories.)

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Brazil?s decision to provide unlicensed access to 6GHz will return billions to economy, praises Dynamic Spectrum Alliance

Posted by Publisher Telecommunication

Washington D.C., USA, 04 March 2021: ANATEL?s decision to open the complete 5925-7124 MHz band (6 GHz band) for unlicensed access, marks a significant milestone towards unlocking $163.5 billion to the Brazil economy, says Martha Suarez, Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) President. This decision places Brazil in a leadership position worldwide, as a hub for development of new technologies, enabling innovation, new use cases and considerable benefits for Brazilians and the national economy.

?The allocation of the full 6 GHz band is critical so that technologies using unlicensed spectrum, such as Wi-Fi 6E, may launch, develop, and thrive in Brazil. Likewise, ANATEL?s decision paves the way for the future implementation of Wi-Fi 7 and NR-U technologies in Brazil, making the country a leader in cutting-edge connectivity solutions,? says Martha Suarez, DSA President.

The DSA celebrates this decision and believes that unlicensed access to the 6 GHz band will benefit Brazilian businesses and consumers by providing sufficient Wi-Fi capacity for data intensive video applications, 4G and 5G (data) offloading, and for allowing users to take full advantage of the new applications enabled by the large channel sizes available with the new Wi-Fi-6E generation of equipment.

Different sectors of the Brazilian economy will benefit from the positive impacts of ANATEL?s decision. The allocation of 1200 MHz in the 6 GHz band will contribute US $ 112.14 billion to GDP; US $ 30.03 billion in producer surplus for Brazilian companies; and US $ 21.19 billion in consumer surplus for the Brazilian population between now and 2030, according to the latest study published by the DSA and Telecom Advisory Services. This will come into effect when equipment, solutions and services based on WiFi 6E technology may be available in the national market.

Suarez added, ?Unlicensed spectrum use of the 6 GHz band will make possible the spread of broadband connectivity and democratization of internet access in Brazil, especially by small-sized ISPs, aligned to the public policies established for the sector. More unlicensed spectrum allocation should be considered for the 6 GHz band to be used to its full potential so support Wi-Fi networks and wireless devices for both residential and corporate use.?

More countries in the Americas region are expected to make regulatory decisions on 6 GHz later in the year such as Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Canada, Peru and Argentina.
Mumbai, Mar 5 (UNI) The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Friday filed 12K-plus pages charge sheet against 33 people, including film actress Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik and others in the Bollywood-drugs mafia case arising out of the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.



The charge-sheet, was filed before a Mumbai Special Court, after two cases were registered by the NCB after an intimation from the Enforcement Directorate which was probing the financial angle in Sushants death on June 14 last year.



A NCB team reached the Special NDPS Court here on Friday to file the charge sheet and other papers before a Special Judge.



According to senior NCB sources related with the probe, the drug law enforcement agency has field the first charge sheet which is running in over 12,000 pages in the case against 33 accused till date.



Besides Rhea  who was Sushant's girlfriend, her brother Showik, the NCB sources said the late actors ex-manager Samuel Miranda, his house help Dipesh Sawant, drug peddler Anuj Keshwani, from whom commercial quantity of drugs (LSD sheets and marijuana) were first recovered, figure in the charge-sheet.



There are two foreign nationals Agisilaos Demetriades, the brother of actor Arjun Rampals South African girlfriend and model Gabriella Demetriades, Kshitij Prasad, a former executive producer connected with Dharma Productions and two college students who are said to be the last mile peddlers, who have been named in the charge sheet.

All of them were chargesheeted under the various section of NDPS Act as well as the IPC.

NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede said that of the 33 people chargesheeted, 25 have been granted bail by the honourable court while the remaining eight are still in judicial custody. Further investigations are on against known-unknown persons and supplementary chargesheet will be filed as per the law in due course.

UNI AAA NV ACL 1520
Former First Lady Michelle Obama lashed out at what she called 'partisan and unpatriotic' attempts to suppress voting nationwide as she urged the Senate to pass a Democrat-backed bill to change voting laws.

Expressing support for House Resolution 1, known as the 'For The People Act', Obama said the Senate should pass the bill with no delays after it was approved in the House on Wednesday with no Republican support.

'Our democracy remains under attack by the partisan and unpatriotic actions of those at the state level who are doing everything they can to curtail access to the voting box', wrote Obama in a statement published to Twitter.

'Make no mistake  the idea that we cannot both hold secure elections and ensure that eligible voters can make their voices heard is a false choice.'

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed the election reform bill on Wednesday, which they argue is essential to expanding voting access and improving accountability and transparency in Washington.

The bill - also known as HR1 - is one of a handful which have been singled out as priorities - such as the Equality Act, and the George Floyd police reform bill.

'This bill will make it easier for ordinary Americans to register and cast a ballot. It will ramp up election security and end partisan gerrymandering,' Obama wrote..

'And it will do much, much more to make sure that our system of government remains in the hands of all the many, and not the few.'

Former First Lady Michelle Obama lashed out at what she called 'partisan and unpatriotic' attempts to suppress voting nationwide as she urged the Senate to pass a a Democrat-backed bill to change voting laws

Pictured: The full statement from Michelle Obama supporting the 'For the people act', which she posted to her Twitter account on Thursday evening

Officially known as HR1, the election reform bill would update voting procedures and require states to turn over the task of redrawing congressional districts to independent commissions.

The bill passed by a mostly bipartisan vote of 220 to 210.

John Sarbanes, the Maryland congressman who sponsored the bill, said it was 'designed to restore the voices of Americans who felt left out and locked out for too long.'

He added: 'I don't think the urgency has ever been greater.

'When you look at what Republicans are doing across the country in statehouses to roll back access to the ballot box, we need to do what we can to establish baseline standards and best practices that allow people to register and vote in America without it being an obstacle course for them.'

Nancy Pelosi is seen on Wednesday speaking to support the bill, known as HR1

House Democrats are seen gathering on the steps of Congress on Wednesday

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, another Maryland Democrat, said: 'We believe that HR 1 needs to pass because the Republican state legislators, concerned about their losses, either in their own states or in the country, are again upping their efforts to make it more difficult for people to vote.'

Republicans, however, argue that the legislation limits political speech and represents an overreach and a federal power grab that Democrats are advancing in an effort to gain an advantage in elections.

House Republicans urged their members to vote against it.

President Joe Biden has said he would sign the bill into law if it cleared both the House and the Senate.

But the bills face long odds in the Senate, where all 48 Democrats and the two independents who caucus with them would need to be joined by 10 Republican senators to overcome a filibuster.

'We're going to do everything in our power - I think Chuck Schumer's going to do everything in his power - to make sure that the agenda that we are working on and promised the people will in fact be the agenda we put forward and hopefully pass,' said Hoyer.

HR1 has been described by supporters as a way of holding Washington accountable

Already, some Democrats have trained fire on the filibuster and called for its elimination.

Hoyer called it 'undemocratic' on Tuesday, while James Clyburn, the third-ranking Democrat, described how it had been used to deny rights to black citizens.

A move to destroy the filibuster would face severe opposition.

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has repeatedly said he would 'never' vote to get rid of it, while Biden has said he opposes overturning it.

Some Democrats have suggested a compromise of a carve-out could be possible.

HR1 is designed to improve electoral access for U.S. citizens and look at Congressional districts

Asked about the possibility of a carve-out for voting rights issues, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock told a reporter on Tuesday: 'I think that the issues are urgent enough to leave all options on the table.'

The bill has particular importance this year because the U.S. Census Bureau is set to turn over population data states use to redraw congressional district maps ahead of the 2022 elections, in which every House lawmaker's seat is up for grabs.

States use different criteria and procedures for drawing the maps.

Democrats argue that HR1 will allow more people to have a stake in the country

Electoral officials are seen counting votes in Philadelphia on November 4

In 33 states, state legislatures control at least part of the process, the National Conference of State Legislatures says.

Parties in control of state legislatures have often wielded the power to draw the maps in a way that benefits the party in power. Some states have also used this process to target black voters.

The measure also comes as lawmakers in 43 states have introduced legislation to place more limits on voting, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

Several states, including Georgia, where Warnock and Democrat Jon Ossoff were elected in a political upset in January, have since introduced legislation to change election procedures that activists say make it harder for people to vote.
Pakistans opposition announced Friday it will boycott a special session of the National Assembly this weekend called by the prime minister after a politically embarrassing defeat of Imran Khans key candidate in elections for the Senate

Khan, who enjoys the backing of majority lawmakers in the lower house of parliament, convened the session for Saturday after his candidate lost the race for a seat in the 100-member upper chamber earlier this week.

The Senate elections on Wednesday saw the ruling Tehreek-e-Insaf partys candidate, Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh, lose against Yusuf Raza Gilani, a former prime minister and senior opposition leader.

Despite Sheik's loss, Khan's party emerged as the largest single party in the Senate but even with its allies from other parties, the opposition still has a slight, 53-47 majority over Khan in the upper chamber.

Following the balloting, the opposition demanded Khan step down but the ruling party rejected the demand and the prime minister called for the confidence vote.

Khan needs 172 votes in the 342-seat National Assembly to retain the confidence of the house on Saturday. If none of his supporters turn against him, he is expected to win as many as 180 votes in his favor, with help from allies from other parties. His own party has 157 lawmakers in the lower chamber.

On Friday, senior politician Fazlur Rehman, who heads the coalition of opposition parties called Pakistan Democratic Movement, announced that the opposition would boycott the session.

Sheikhs defeat was a setback for Khan who even criticized the country's Election Commission, claiming it had failed to ensure a free and fair vote for the Senate and saying that some 15 or 16 lawmakers from his party allegedly sold their vote to the opposition candidate.

Angered over Khan's criticism, the commission on Friday fired back, saying every political party and politician needs to have the spirit to accept defeat when it comes and not resort to mudslinging over election losses.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

PHOENIX  The Arizona Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear an expedited challenge to a new voter-approved tax on high-earning Arizonans designed to boost school funding.

The unusual action by the high court comes a month after a trial court judge refused to temporarily block Proposition 208 from taking effect. He rejected three separate constitutional challenges brought by opponents, who include the Republican leaders of the Legislature. Earlier, he had rejected a fourth challenge.

The high court was urged to immediately take the case and sidestep the normal course where the lower court judge would hold a trial. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey joined that request.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

The Supreme Court set an expedited briefing schedule and set arguments for April 20.

The challengers are represented by attorneys with the Goldwater Institute, who praised the court for accepting the case.

Todays order shows that the Supreme Court understands how important these constitutional challenges are, Goldwater attorney Timothy Sandefur said in a statement. Rather than having the case go through the slower procedures for appeals, the Court announced that it will hear the case right away.

Challengers raised several constitutional challenges. They include an argument that the measure needed a two-thirds vote to pass, as do tax increases enacted by the Legislature.

Another challenge questioned whether the new tax money, funneled through a special fund doled out to schools to pay for increased teacher and other pay, would put schools over a legal spending limit. They also said the measure does not have its own funding source to cover implementation costs, as the constitution requires, and that a provision that bars lawmakers from using the new tax to replace other school funding was illegal.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah Jr. rejected all of these arguments, finding it was unlikely that opponents of Proposition 208 would prevail and refusing to temporarily block collection of the tax.

Proposition 208, which voters passed in November, imposes a 3.5% tax surcharge on income above $250,000 for individuals or above $500,000 for couples. Supporters say it could raise about $940 million a year for schools, although the Legislatures budget analysts estimate it will bring in $827 million a year.

The measure was an outgrowth of a 2018 teacher strike that resulted in educators getting a 20% pay raise over three years. But the state did not meet their other demands.

The attorney representing Invest in Education, the grassroots committee that got the measure on the ballot, wasnt immediately available for comment.

The Supreme Court is well versed in Proposition 208 and opponents efforts to prevent it from becoming law. In August, the court rejected a lower court ruling keeping the measure from going before voters.

The lower court had agreed with opponents that the 100-word summary on petitions voters signed inaccurately described the measure. It also found that a bonus system the petition company used to award some circulators violated a law that bans paying them per signature.

Chief Justice Robert Brutinel wrote for the unanimous court that the trial court judge was wrong.

You are here: China

China's annual defense budget will maintain single-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year by increasing 6.8 percent in 2021, according to a draft budget report made public on Friday.

This year's planned defense spending will be about 1.35 trillion yuan (about 209 billion U.S. dollars), read the draft submitted to the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress for deliberation.

China's defense budget is about one quarter of the U.S. figure, which is 740.5 billion U.S. dollars for the 2021 fiscal year.

As the world' second largest economy and the most populous country, China's planned defense spending per capita in 2021 will be less than 1,000 yuan.

China applies strict mechanisms of fiscal allocation and budget management on its defense expenditure, which is mainly assigned to personnel, training and sustainment, and equipment.

China has voluntarily cut its armed forces by over 4 million troops since 1978, according to a white paper released in 2019.
Now Open

5 March 2021

The new Austin Marriott Downtown opens today, steps away from the most popular downtown tourist attractions, bars and restaurants. The hotel represents the newest design vision for Marriott Hotels, the signature brand of Marriott International, where spaces and amenities are crafted to allow guests to achieve moments of creative brilliance.

The 31-story stylishly-designed tower fits seamlessly into the Austin skyline and speaks to the needs of today's modern traveler, including hand-crafted food and beverage offerings, advanced health and safety features, and plenty of outdoor and socially distant options for connecting with others.

Guest rooms start on level seven to maximize views of Lady Bird Lake, the University of Texas campus, the city skyline, and in the distance, Texas Hill Country. Of the 613 guest rooms the hotel offers 25 luxurious suites. The reimagined rooms offer a spacious and elevated look complete with tailored solutions that are as inventive as its guests.

Based on consumer insights, locally-inspired accents offer a sense of place, and the work surface provides flexibility to freely move and use technology wherever the guest desires. Deluxe walk-in showers and spa-like lighting complete the relaxed experience throughout the room.

Austin Marriott Downtown offers a completely touchless check-in and check-out experience, as well as elevator and in-room television controls using a personal smartphone. Austin Marriott Downtown is following Marriott International's Commitment to Clean protocols, created in partnership with leading experts in food and water safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations. These protocols include mandated mask wearing for all guests and associates within the hotel, and the use of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization to sanitize surfaces in the hotels.

The hotel is running a Grand Opening Offer where guests can enjoy 15 percent off their guest room and two complimentary celebratory cocktails through May 30. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/details/AUSMD-austin-marriott-downtown/OFF-10861

The Austin Marriott Downtown is owned and operated by White Lodging. White Lodging currently owns and/or manages more than 4,000 guest rooms and 10 restaurants and bars in downtown Austin, including the Moxy Austin-University, which opened in January 2021 as the only one of its brand in Texas.
In the past week, Methuen has reported the largest number of student COVID-19 cases with 13, according to state data.

Massachusetts schools reported a total of 476 coronavirus cases, among 343 students and 133 staff members, to education officials from Feb. 25 to March 3, according to a weekly report from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Those cases include 335 student cases and 127 staff cases at local school districts, five student cases and five staff cases at education collaboratives, and three student cases and one staff case at approved special education schools, according to the weekly report from DESE.

The coronavirus case report from DESE comes out each Thursday and includes cases from students or staff members who tested positive within seven days of being inside a school building.

Last week, the state reported 582 cases, among 373 students and 209 staff members, during a two-week period that included February break.

Following Methuen, Hopedale had 10 student cases of the virus, Weymouth had nine, Medway had eight and Andover, Arlington, Mansfield and Plymouth had seven each, according to the data.

Staff cases among districts were highest in Boston, with seven, followed by Quincy with six.

Find numbers for your district or school in this searchable database. If youre having trouble accessing the database, click here.

Next week, educators will be able to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday announced that K-12 employees, school staff and early childcare workers can start signing up for vaccine appointments on March 11.

Additionally, CVS has made vaccines available for K-12 teachers, daycare and preschool staff in Massachusetts to stay in line with federal guidelines. President Joe Biden on Tuesday called on states to prioritize the inoculation of educators.

Soon, schools may not be able to use the hybrid or remote education models. At a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting on Friday, DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley plans to ask the boards authority to determine when hybrid and remote learning will no longer count.

Riley wants to see elementary school students in classrooms five days a week come April ideally, he said.

That determination could be made using a phased-in approach. For example, Riley could determine that hybrid or remote learning is first taken off the table for elementary students, and make determinations later for middle school and high school students.

Though 80% of schools in Massachusetts currently have some form of in-person learning, about 300,000 students are enrolled in districts that are fully remote at the moment, according to a memo from Riley.

Related Content:
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Fellow Newbury player Jason Heaver is also in action

Luke Humphries was due to face Justin Pipe - Credit: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

NEWBURY'S Luke Humphries has received a bye into the fourth round of this year's Ladbrokes UK Open after his third round opponent returned a positive coronavirus test.

Humphries, 26, was due to come up against world number 47 Justin Pipe, but the latter will miss this weekend's tournament after the positive result.

The pair were due to meet on Friday (today), but Pipe will now be required to self-isolate in line with government guidelines.

Meanwhile Humphries will now go into the fourth round and play on Friday evening, with his opponent yet to be confirmed.

Elsewhere fellow Newbury player Jason Heaver is also in action in the 450,000 tournament in Milton Keynes.

Heaver is playing in the competition for the second successive year, but the first time since earning a PDC Tour Card.

The Newbury player faces Lorenzo Pronk in round one, on stage five, which kicks off at 11am.

The action on the main stage will be broadcasted on ITV4 throughout the weekend and also the ITV Player.


Family pay tribute to heroic Norwich nurse Estrella

Touching family tributes were paid today to city nurse, mother and Cathedral steward Estrella Catalan, at her funeral Mass at St John the Baptist Cathedral in Norwich. Keith Morris reports.

Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando is proud to announce that the 2021 Kobrin Family Scholarship application is now available.

This college scholarship is to be awarded to a qualified, full-time student of the Jewish faith from Orange, Osceola or Seminole County who will be attending the University of Central Florida. The scholarship is available in the amount of $2,500 per year for a maximum of four years.

To learn more and apply, visit www.jfsorlando.org/kobrin-family-scholarship. Students should mail completed applications to JFS Orlando (2100 Lee Road, Winter Park, FL 32789) by Ap...
Regulatory News:

MedinCell (Paris:MEDCL):

No safety concern is anticipated that would prevent health authorities from assessing the use of Ivermectin against Covid-19 as a new indication

The expert review written by a prominent toxicologist is an assessment of ivermectin medical safety profile

It is based on an extensive analysis of over 350 articles plus clearly identified and accessible web sources

The analysis will be submitted shortly by the author for peer review to an internationally acknowledged journal

MedinCell is making this review available immediately at www.medincell.com/ivermectin

"Publications over the last few months show a significant body of clinical data and scientific knowledge supporting the efficacy of ivermectin at therapeutic dose against Covid-19, for both curative and prophylactic purpose", says Christophe Douat, CEO of MedinCell.

"Safety is also critical to decide on the approval and use of a drug. An exhaustive analysis of existing ivermectin medical safety scientific literature was missing. MedinCell mandated its international toxicology expert to conduct this analysis to contribute to the global momentum to assess the use of ivermectin to fight the Covid-19 pandemic."

"The conclusion of the expert analysis is clear: no safety concern is anticipated that would prevent health authorities from assessing the use of Ivermectin against Covid-19 as a new indication."

The analysis has been performed by Pr. Jacques Descotes, MD, PharmD, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Claude Bernard University of Lyon (France), a world-known toxicologist with a 40-year track as an independent consultant for the pharmaceutical industry as well as an advisor to regulatory bodies worldwide.

"Ivermectin has been administered orally to hundreds of millions of people throughout the world in the past three decades. The assessment of reported adverse events temporally associated with ivermectin exposure shows that ivermectin-induced adverse effects have so far been infrequent and usually mild to moderate", declares Pr. Jacques Descotes.

"It is noteworthy that no deaths have seemingly ever been reported after an accidental or suicidal overdose of ivermectin. No greater toxicity of ivermectin has been substantiated in elderly people despite repeated assertions that an ageing blood-brain barrier might lead to increased ivermectin toxicity level. The positive clinical experience accumulated with ivermectin administration led many medical experts to break away from early adamant contra-indications in pregnant women. Finally, several national pharmacovigilance networks around the world released information and opinions to ascertain ivermectin safety in human subjects. So far, there are no critical safety limitations to ivermectin prescription in current indications."

"I also want to point out that no severe adverse event has been reported in dozens of completed or ongoing studies involving thousands of participants worldwide to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin against COVID-19."

Declaration of interest: Jacques Descotes holds shares in MedinCell SA but has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or conflict with the subject matter.

This press release is not a recommendation for off label use of Ivermectin.

About MedinCell and Ivermectin against Covid-19

This expert review has been completed in parallel to the program launched by Medincell in March 2020 aiming at protecting from Covid-19 infection and its variants for several months with ivermectin.

MedinCell is developing a Long-Acting Injectable of ivermectin based on its BEPO technology in the form of a pre-filled syringe, ready-to-use, with 24-month stability at room temperature. It will allow the formation of a small subcutaneous depot, fully bioresorbable, at the time of injection. It will act as a mini pump that releases ivermectin regularly until it disappears completely.

A first formulation candidate has entered preclinical activities of regulatory development in January.

As part of this program, MedinCell is currently completing a clinical trial aiming at demonstrating the safety of ivermectin when taken daily in oral form in order to simulate the continuous release of the drug by a long-acting injectable. After positive interim data published in December, full results will be made available in the coming weeks. They will support the regulatory review of the long-acting injectable formulation developed by MedinCell.

About MedinCell

MedinCell is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company that develops a portfolio of long-acting injectable products in various therapeutic areas by combining its proprietary BEPO technology with active ingredients already known and marketed. Through the controlled and extended release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, MedinCell makes medical treatments more efficient, particularly thanks to improved compliance, i.e. compliance with medical prescriptions, and to a significant reduction in the quantity of medication required as part of a one-off or chronic treatment. The BEPO technology makes it possible to control and guarantee the regular delivery of a drug at the optimal therapeutic dose for several days, weeks or months starting from the subcutaneous or local injection of a simple deposit of a few millimeters, fully bioresorbable. Based in Montpellier, MedinCell currently employs more than 130 people representing over 25 different nationalities.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, especially on the Company's progress of its clinical trials. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any statements other than statements of historical facts that may be contained in this press release relating to future events are subject to change without notice, factors beyond the Company's control and the Company's financial capabilities.

These statements may include, but are not limited to, any statement beginning with, followed by or including words or phrases such as "objective", "believe", "anticipate", "foresee", "aim", "intend", "may", "anticipate", "estimate", "plan", "project", "will", "may", "probably", "should", "could" and other words and phrases of the same meaning or used in negative form. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that may, if any, cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated or expressed explicitly or implicitly by such forward-looking statements. A list and description of these risks, contingencies and uncertainties can be found in the documents filed by the Company with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) pursuant to its regulatory obligations, including the Company's registration document, registered with the AMF on September 4, 2018 under number I. 18-062, as well as in the documents and reports to be published subsequently by the Company. In addition, these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements, including in the event that new information becomes available. The Company's update of one or more forward-looking statements does not imply that the Company will make any further updates to such forward-looking statements or other forward-looking statements.

This press release is for information purposes only. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for the Company's shares in any jurisdiction, in particular in France. Similarly, this press release does not constitute investment advice and should not be treated as such. It is not related to the investment objectives, financial situation or specific needs of any recipient. It should not deprive the recipients of the opportunity to exercise their own judgment. All opinions expressed in this document are subject to change without notice. The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Persons who come to know about this press release are required to inquire about and comply with these restrictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005353/en/

Contacts:

MedinCell

David Heuze

Communication leader

david.heuze@medincell.com

+33 (0)6 83 25 21 86

NewCap

Mathilde Bohin Louis-Victor Delouvrier

Investor relations

medincell@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 98 53

NewCap

Nicolas Merigeau

Media relations

medincell@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 98

E+ / Getty Images

En espanol | When loved ones pass away there's way too much to handle in a short time: notifying others despite feelings of intense grief; funeral arrangements; living without the departed individual; keeping or dispensing with their possessions; a potential change in income and other financial matters. And this is a just partial list.

There's also the matter of the debts the person left behind, which raises a flurry of questions. Will they be forgiven somehow? If not, how are they to be paid? What if the liabilities exceed the assets? Who is responsible for them, and under what conditions? Will debt collectors come calling? It's complicated but not insurmountable.

1. The estate should cover most bills

A person's financial obligations are not automatically forgiven once they've died. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in most cases, any unpaid debts are covered by the person's estate  the total assets owned at death. If the individual appointed a personal representative, executor or administrator, he or she is responsible for paying any debts from the estate, including medical debt.

Creditors have their rights, too, says Martin Hewitt, a lawyer in New York City who's also a member of the American Bar Association's Commission on Law and Aging: They can file claims in probate [the process of establishing the validity of a will], and can sue heirs who may try to bypass the probate process.

Debts must be settled before heirs receive any money. If there is no will, a judge will decide how the assets should be distributed, and will appoint an administrator to carry out those decisions.

2. Exceptions to the rule

"If the debt is in the decedent's name, the decedent's estate will be responsible, says Rachael K. Pirner, a lawyer in Wichita, Kansas, who's a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. However, if you're responsible for seeing that debts are paid, you may want to consult a probate lawyer before paying anything, she advises. Doing so may help things go as smoothly as possible. Most state bar associations have a lawyer referral service, and that is a good place to start, she says.

Obtaining legal advice may be wise because you may not be aware of some situations. Parents may be responsible for a dead child's medical bills and hospice care, for example, and spouses may also be responsible for similar debts from a deceased spouse. A lawyer can let you know what bills you might be responsible for.

If you cosigned a loan with the decedent, you owe the debt. Also, a joint account holder on a credit card will be responsible for the debts of the deceased co-owner.


Small-business owners across Texas and Mississippi can agree on one thing: Nobody saw this week's reopenings coming.

On Tuesday, governors Greg Abbott (R-Texas) and Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) announced major reopening policies, including the removal of statewide mask mandates and business occupancy limits. Their two states join a growing list including Iowa and Montana, which lifted mask mandates in February. Massachusetts removed capacity limits on eateries on Monday, and South Carolina now allows gatherings with more than 250 people.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not changed its pandemic-era recommendations--which include limited indoor occupancy, consistent use of facemasks or other personal protective equipment (PPE), and distancing of six-plus feet.

It tracks, then, that the announcements have been met with mixed feelings among small-business owners, many of whom are balancing the need for safety with a desire to get back to business as usual. And some small-business owners say the matter of reopening--after many months of Covid restrictions--has left them scrambling to both process the implications and devise next steps.

"It's a mixed bag," says Adele Lyons, CEO of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, noting that some small businesses aren't changing their mask policies or occupancy limits at all, while others have expressed excitement for newfound "maskless freedom."

Todd Coerver is firmly in the former camp. The CEO of P. Terry's Burger Stand, which operates 20 restaurant locations throughout Central Texas, told his team he'd wait 24 hours before making a decision--giving him a chance to gauge both public opinion and the decisions of other businesses. After sleeping on it, he decided to change absolutely nothing. "The facts haven't changed. The situation hasn't materially changed," Coerver says. "Just because a political leader comes out and decides to announce something doesn't mean the environment is any different today than it was yesterday."

All P. Terry's employees and customers will still be required to wear masks, with reminders prominently plastered on every door. The restaurants will maintain 50 percent indoor capacity, to ensure that tables are spread at least six feet apart. Coerver says a full reopening would be hugely beneficial to P. Terry's, which ended 2020 at a net financial loss--but business is stable enough to tread water until more Texans are vaccinated and the CDC's guidance changes.

He's eyeing this summer for a full reopening, particularly following President Biden's Tuesday announcement that vaccines could be available for all American adults by the end of May. "That just refortifies us to stay the course and do the responsible thing," Coerver says. "I don't want to be the guy who played a role in pushing the finish line back, if we're this close."

In Mississippi, Kevin Fish says he's also adhering to the CDC's guidelines--while simultaneously taking advantage of his state's new policies. Fish owns the Gulf Coast Restaurant Group, which runs seven restaurants throughout Mississippi (alongside five in Alabama and three in Louisiana). Bussers and hosts at his restaurants have limited-to-no interaction with guests or other staffers, he says, meaning they can now go maskless if they choose. Servers will remain masked, as they interact frequently with customers. Fish isn't stressing about whether his customers wear masks on the way into his restaurants, since they'll remove those coverings to eat anyway.

"We want to get to mask-free," Fish says. "Masks can't be a permanent part of our lives. They're just not going to be."

Fish says he does expect Covid-19 cases to rise in his state in the coming weeks--so he's limiting party sizes to 10 people, in the hopes of keeping any potential infections from turning into superspreader events. "The last thing we want to see is, everybody goes hog-wild," he says. "If we don't act responsibly, the next thing you know, we've got state-mandated regulations on us [again]."

Low numbers of new cases could influence other governors to announce similar policies in the coming weeks, particularly in neighboring states like Louisiana, Arkansas, or Alabama. That could help someone like Fish, who's now juggling different sets of guidelines for each restaurant he owns. The inverse is also true: A huge jump in new cases could prevent other states from reopening soon. Coerver advises business owners, in the eventual next wave of reopening states, to ask themselves: Has the Covid situation materially improved in your community? If the answer is no, he says, there's no justifiable reason to change your approach--even if you're strapped for cash.
The kelp forest that only eight years ago formed a leafy ocean canopy along the Northern California coast has almost completely disappeared, and scientists who study kelp and the species that depend on it are worried about its inability to bounce back.

A new study from UC Santa Cruz found that the kelp forest on the Sonoma and Mendocino coast has declined by an average of 95% since 2013. It analyzed satellite imagery going back to 1985 to investigate how a series of factors led to the kelp forests abrupt decline, including an explosion in the population of purple sea urchin, which eats it, and two marine heat waves. The research shows the unprecedented destruction was related to unusual ocean warming and that the kelp forest likely wont recover any time soon, partly because removing the urchins is so difficult.

They can actually survive under starvation conditions, said Meredith McPherson, a graduate student at UC Santa Cruzs Ocean Sciences department and coauthor of the study. The impact has been that basically there is no kelp forest at all left, really.

Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) usually thrives in the rocky coastal zones of Sonoma and Mendocino counties and creates a habitat for many types of fish and invertebrates, including abalone, sea urchin, jellyfish and sea snails. Its disappearance also has had impacts on local tourism and other businesses  the abalone fishery closed to recreational divers in 2018, and Mendocino Countys commercial red sea urchin fishery is almost completely shut down.

The two warm water events that helped cause the kelp forests decline include an El Nino and what was known as warm water blob that together lasted from 2014 to 2016. Around the same time, a wasting disease struck the sunflower sea star population, leaving the purple urchin without a predator.

Those urchins quickly took over, eating the remaining kelp and starving off two other species popular with divers and sushi lovers  red abalone and red urchin (purple urchin is not as commercially viable). What is left are called urchin barrens, rocky areas completely covered with the spiky purple invertebrates over hundreds of kilometers of the North Coast.

What were seeing in Northern California is quite unprecedented in terms of its scale, said Tristin McHugh, kelp project director at the Nature Conservancys California Oceans Program, which is developing pilot methods to remove purple sea urchins and restore kelp.

Though there was fear another warm water blob was forming last year off Alaska, water temperatures in the North Coast have returned to normal, McPherson said, and yet the bull kelp hasnt recovered. Unlike other kelp native to California, its an annual species that dies off in winter, when it washes onto shore into piles that resemble long, green-brown hoses with bulbous tips. It normally returns each spring.

Scientists had already been monitoring the kelp forests decline for years with aerial photography and tidal data, but the new study was the first to use satellite imagery to more closely analyze changes in growth along with ocean temperature and nutrient levels.

Were able to see kelp relatively easily from space using satellite, McPherson said.

Bull kelp growth depends on cold upwellings in spring that bring nutrients to the surface, and those are reduced when water temperatures rise. Though previous El Nino events  a natural pattern that causes Pacific water temperatures to go up for a year or two  have also caused the kelp to decline, it has usually recovered.

Urchinomics

What was different about 2014-16 was the purple urchin explosion and the addition of the warm water blob, which at its peak raised ocean temperatures by almost 7 degrees above average. While theres some evidence that the blob was linked to climate change, what is more important is that marine heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense as global temperatures rise because of climate change, McPherson said.

Climate change, pollution and other factors are also blamed for the global decline of kelp forests over the past 20 years, but in California, its at its worst on the coast north of San Francisco. Monterey Bay and other parts of Central California have also lost kelp forest to urchin barrens, but those areas have a mix of bull kelp and giant kelp and also have sea otters that help prey on the urchins. In Southern California, where giant kelp is the main species, the forest has persisted better.

The most concerning part about the decline of the Sonoma-Mendocino kelp forest is that unless the sunflower sea star or another predator returns, the purple sea urchin shows no sign of budging.

Usually some kind of physical disturbance or disease would wipe out the population, McPherson said. It could go on for decades and decades.

COVID Resources Coronavirus Map Tracking COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area and California.

The loss of their habitat to purple sea urchin is the reason the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2018 put a five-year pause on recreational fishing of red abalone, which usually brings recreational divers from all over California to the North Coast. As a result, the last dive shop in the area closed in Fort Bragg about a year ago.

Many out-of-work, professional red urchin divers have been hired in a state-sponsored program managed by the nonprofit Reef Check to remove purple urchin from the sea floor manually. Its a slow process. In some cases, there are as many as 20 to 30 urchin per square meter of sea floor, and similar efforts in Norway, Japan and New Zealand have shown its necessary to get down to 2 per square meter for the kelp forest to recover, McHugh said.

She added that the private sector has to get involved if theres going to be a long-term solution. Thats starting to happen. The Norwegian company Urchinomics last year signed a partnership with Bodega Bay property owners to build a sea urchin ranch, where purple sea urchins harvested from the coast will be fattened up to sell to restaurants and stores.

The Nature Conservancy is also working on pilot programs to see if traps could be used to capture urchins and is in talks to build an experimental kelp farm in Humboldt Bay this spring, McHugh said.

McPherson said there are other efforts that give hope to the situation, such as developing spore banks so kelp can eventually be replanted when conditions are right.

It is a bit gloomy for the North Coast, she said. But theres a lot of work in the area to see how we can maintain patches of kelp for restoration in the future.

Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan
On 5 March, the new Director-General met with the Group of Least Developed Countries as well as the Friends of the System, an alliance of small and mid-sized members from different regions and development levels that are committed to a well-functioning multilateral trading system.

DG Okonjo-Iweala also addressed the first meeting of the Structured Discussions on Trade and Environmental Sustainability, at the invitation of the 53-member group that is exploring ways trade and the WTO can better contribute to achieving environmental goals.

In her discussions with the LDC Group, the Director-General noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had reversed one or even two decades of development progress for many LDCs, and that it continued to disrupt key LDC exports, whether of tourism services, commodities or manufactures. Trade and the WTO had a critical role to play, she said, both in making COVID-19 vaccines more affordable and accessible, and in driving a global recovery in living standards. We are here to make life in LDCs better, she added. If we don't succeed with LDCs, we will not have succeeded.

Speaking to the Structured Discussions on Trade and Environmental Sustainability, the Director-General expressed agreement with the group on the need to harness the power of trade for the environment, drawing particular attention to climate change and the potential to create jobs in sectors such as renewable energy.

She suggested the group could look at issues including trade in environmental goods and services, how trade could help meet net-zero carbon targets, ways WTO rules could foster circular economies, and options for addressing environmentally harmful subsidies. At the same time, DG Okonjo-Iweala emphasized that the green transition must be just and fair, with support for countries that need it, and care to ensure that environmental measures are not misused to discriminate against the exports of developing and least-developed countries.

She thanked the Friends of the System for their efforts to help the wider membership find workable compromises on issues that have long been at an impasse.

Since taking office, DG Okonjo-Iweala has met bilaterally with a large number of ambassadors in Geneva and has spoken to heads of government, ministers and her counterparts at other international organizations. She has also started meeting with regional and issue-based groups, including the Group of Latin American and Caribbean members earlier in the week.

In all of these discussions, the Director-General has urged members to engage with each other, show flexibility and work towards concrete deliverables at the Twelfth Ministerial Conference to be held in Geneva in the week of 29 November.

A top priority for her will be to continue her meetings with individual ambassadors and groups, including the African Group, the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific states, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next week.
VANCOUVER, BC, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiya Foods, the no. 1 plant-based cheese brand and pioneer of plant-based products, today announced the introduction of its Mexican 4 Cheeze Style Blend, the most recent addition to its new and improved Cutting Board Collection Shreds. The new Mexican 4 Cheeze Style Blend is now available at Sprouts and many other grocery stores and natural food retailers across the U.S. and Canada.

The authentic 4 cheeze blend, featuring Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Asadero and Queso Quesadilla Style Shreds, is deliciously savory with a mild and creamy finish similar to traditional dairy Mexican cheese. With this latest innovation, Daiya continues its mission to delight people and planet by encouraging more consumers to explore and incorporate delicious plant-based foods into the everyday. Made with chickpea and free from dairy, gluten, and soy, this crave-worthy Mexican Cheeze Style Blend takes any recipe calling for ooey-gooey, perfectly melted cheese to the next level.

"As we continue to innovate and expand, our goal is to ensure that our plant-based community is never left craving their favorite foods," says Dan Hua, VP Marketing of Daiya. "With Mexican 4 cheese shreds being the most popular dairy cheese blend, we knew we needed to be the first to create and market a plant-based version."

Daiya Shreds are no. 1 in North America, with the new fan-favorite Cutting Board Collection growing at a rate of +70% in the U.S. over the last year. With this latest innovation, Daiya continues to prove its leadership in the plant-based cheese market.

To learn more about the first-of-its-kind Mexican 4 Cheeze Style Blend and to explore the Daiya Product Finder to find it at a store near you, visit https://daiyafoods.com/our-foods/shreds/.

About Daiya

Daiya Foods was founded in 2008 out of a love for food and a commitment to healthy living. Today, as an industry leader and one of the founding members of The Plant Based Foods Association-US and The Plant Based Foods of Canada Association, Daiya remains passionate about celebrating delicious food that is dairy, gluten and soy free. Its line of premium plant-based foods, like Burritos, Frozen Desserts, Pizzas, Cheezecakes, Cream Cheeze Style Spreads, and wonderful cheese alternatives, including Blocks, Shreds, Slices and Sticks, are available in the dairy case and freezer aisle. Daiya also has a line of shelf-stable products like its Cheezy Macs, Cheeze Sauce and Dairy-Free Dressings. Daiya's selection of deliciously plant-based foods can be found in more than 25,000 grocery stores in the U.S., including Kroger, Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Safeway and Publix, as well as Sprouts and most natural food retailers. Daiya's products are also available internationally in Mexico, Spain, The Netherlands, South Korea, Hong Kong, and more. For more information about Daiya, please visit www.daiyafoods.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE Daiya Foods

Related Links

https://www.daiyafoods.com


Lucknow: Joining the panchayat bandwagon against the three farm laws introduced by the Centre, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will hold a mahapanchayat in West UPs Aligarh. Before him, Rashtriya Lok Dal Vice President Jayant Chaudhary, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have held Kisan Panchayats.

Akhileshs Kisan Mahapanchayat is scheduled in Aligarhs Tappal on Friday (March 5), which had been in the headlines for the farmers protest. Thereafter, he will hold a panchayat in Mathura districts Bajna, which is the epicentre of the agitation, on March 19. But before it, he would participate in the SPs camp in Mathura on March 17-18. These apart, he will soon hold meetings with farmers at Meeruts Mawana and Kasganj.

The Jat and Muslim communities decide the fate of candidates in western UP. The farmer agitation has rejuvenated the Rashtriya Lok Dal. Chaudhary Ajit Singh and his son are leaving no stone unturned to regain their mass base. They are trying to polarise the Jats in all districts of Western UP.

At the same time, after Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor, Priyanka is ready to hold a panchayat in Meerut also. She is delighted with the crowds she is drawing in the panchayats and is very confident. Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also held a panchayat in Meerut to prepare the political ground in Uttar Pradesh. Perhaps, this has prompted Akhilesh to hold a rally in Western UP. With this, he is trying to pave the way for Assembly Election 2022.

SPs MLC Sunil Sajan said that the party was against the three black laws from day one. It has been standing with the farmers. The SPs programme will now run continuously. The national president will oppose the laws through rallies and panchayats. All party workers and leaders will go from village to village and tell people about the ill effects of these laws.

Live TV
China aims to expand its economy by over 6 percent in 2021, building on strong tailwind from success in containing COVID-19, as lawmakers gather in Beijing to map out priorities for high-quality development.



The gross domestic product (GDP) target is one of the many key goals laid out in a government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang to the national legislature, which began its annual session Friday.

"In setting this target, we have taken into account the recovery of economic activity," Li said. "A target of over 6 percent will enable all of us to devote full energy to promoting reform, innovation, and high-quality development."

This year, the country aims to create more than 11 million new urban jobs, lower the deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3.2 percent, and expand domestic demand and effective investment, which are expected to put the economy firmly back to pre-pandemic vibrancy -- China's GDP growth rate was 6 percent in 2019.

In 2021, China will pursue high-quality development, advance supply-side structural reform, and consolidate and expand the achievements of the COVID-19 response and economic and social development, among other major tasks outlined in the report.

"These efforts will enable us to get off to a good start in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2015) period and commemorate the centenary of the Communist Party of China with outstanding achievements in development," Li said in the report, amid rounds of applause in the Great Hall of the People.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Mysterious sea beast that weighs four tonnes and stretches more than 23ft in length washes up on beach in Wales Daily Mail

Long-Lost Babbler Bird Documented in Borneo for the First Time in Over 170 Years Smithsonian

Big data and machine learning in central banking Bank of International Settlements

We must clean up global finance to build back better FT

Talking (and reading) about Bitcoin Adam Tooze, Chartbook. Link-heavy, and quite a good read.

Bitcoin, 11-years in Moneyness. From 2019, hoisted by Barry Ritholtz.

Bill Gates Says Bitcoin Is Bad for the Planet. Hes Not Wrong. Popular Mechanics (re Silc).

#COVID19

China?

U.S., Vietnam Interests Aligned Amid Some Tensions, Says U.S. Envoy Bloomberg

Asian Military Spending: A Sign of Worsening Security Environment The Diplomat

Myanmar

India

UK/EU

How a coronavirus variant is overrunning Brazil Deutsche Welle

Indigenous groups sue French retailer over destruction of Amazon rainforest France24

Lawyer and Chevron critic Donzigers civil contempt finding mostly upheld; fees and sanctions vacated Westlaw

Biden Administration

ERCOT overcharged power companies $16 billion for electricity during winter freeze, firm says Texas Tribune

Brian Houston Apologizes For Hillsong NYCs Failings, Promises Whistleblower Policy The Roys Report

Dr. Seuss Books Deemed Offensive Will Be Delisted From eBay WSJ.

Capitol Seizure

Court narrows law used to target white supremacists Politico

Democrats en Deshabille

Health Care

Imperial Collapse Watch

Class Warfare

Mars: Nasas Perseverance rover sends stunning images BBC

All Of Humanitys Problems Are Caused By A Lack Of Awareness Caitlin Johnstone

Do conversations end when people want them to? PNAS

The Judgment of Paris The Baffler

Yoga influencers have stretched themselves FT

In Nogales, joy endures High Country News

Japans tsunami survivors call lost loves on the phone of the wind Reuters

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.

An online gun dealer who stashed 26 firearms and 102 rounds of ammunition in his three-year-old daughter's bedroom has been jailed for eight years.

Darren Dixon, 32, was caught with the guns, explosives, gunpowder, ammunition, smoke grenades, deadly ricin seeds and garrottes in a raid of his home in Kentish Town, north London in October 2019.

Officers also found fake Metropolitan Police and Interpol warrant card IDs, a counterfeit search warrant, Met body armour, a rejected application to join the force, and plans showing the address of a fine art dealer and a valuable painting.

Darren Dixon, who stashed 26 firearms and 102 rounds of ammunition in his three-year-old daughter's bedroom, has been jailed for eight years

The online gun dealer was caught with guns, explosives, gunpowder, ammunition, smoke grenades, deadly ricin seeds and garrottes

Dixon kept five handguns with loaded magazines, a sawn-off shotgun and a pump-action shotgun in his daughter's bedroom

Officers found a number of weapons in the October 2019 raid including a knife (pictured)

Dixon kept five handguns with loaded magazines, a sawn-off shotgun and a pump-action shotgun in his daughter's bedroom, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

He smuggled blank-shooting pistols into the country and converted them into deadly firearms using a toolkit.

The army and MI5 reject was jailed for eight years at Southwark Crown Court on Friday after earlier pleading guilty to 15 charges, including possession of firearms and making an explosive substance.

Matthew Perfect, NCA firearms threat lead, said: 'Dixon was a significant importer and supplier of weapons who was found with an extremely dangerous haul in his home.

'This investigation removed these lethal firearms from circulation, along with the risk that they could end up in the hands of organised criminals.'

A sawn off shotgun was found at the home of the firearms supplier who kept an arsenal of lethal weapons in his house

The army and MI5 reject was jailed for eight years at Southwark Crown Court on Friday after earlier pleading guilty

He smuggled blank-shooting pistols into the country and converted them into deadly firearms using a toolkit

Investigators identified Dixon in a probe with Spanish police into people buying guns online.

He bought six firearms from a Spanish website and three from one in Slovenia in the month before his arrest - six which were sold on by Dixon on another website.

Also seized during the police search was a notebook containing a handwritten recipe for making gunpowder along with the ingredients.

Other items seized included balaclavas, cans of CS gas, black tactical gloves and the ricin seeds.

Dixon used the website Gunstar to sell the blank firing weapons that he had not converted to collectors across the country, while keeping the lethal firearms for himself.

Investigators identified Dixon in a probe with Spanish police into people buying guns online

Officers also found fake Metropolitan Police and Interpol warrant card IDs and a counterfeit search warrant

Dixon used the website Gunstar to sell the blank firing weapons that he had not converted to collectors across the country

Officers also found plans containing the address of a fine art dealer along with details of a valuable painting, the court heard

When he was arrested by officers from the Organised Crime Partnership (OCP) - a team of NCA and Met officers - Dixon said: 'It has become a bit of an addiction with these guns.'

Officers also found plans containing the address of a fine art dealer along with details of a valuable painting, the court heard.

There were Post-it notes giving details of the dealer and his wife's movements.

The prosecutor said that could be seen as evidence of Dixon conducting research for future criminal activity targeting the fine art business.

But Jeremy Dein, defending, said: 'The business to do with the art, we are instructed, was Mr Dixon pontificating about how if he had succeeded in becoming a police officer he would have investigated criminal activity of that nature.

Dixon was arrested by officers from the Organised Crime Partnership (OCP) - a team of NCA and Met officers

Detectives found a toolkit in Dixons bedroom for converting the weapons into guns, along with a sawn-off shotgun

A taser was among many weapons found at his house during the raid

Other items seized included balaclavas, cans of CS gas, black tactical gloves and the ricin seeds

Officers said it was 'shocking' the weapons were being hidden where Dixon's child was sleeping

'It was him dreaming of becoming a police officer which we know is precisely how he was thinking before, during and after his repeated application to serve as a police officer.'

Met Detective Inspector Richard Smith said: 'Dixon was found in possession of an alarming amount of lethal weapons - with some of them even shockingly being hidden where his child slept.

'We know that Dixon went on to sell some of these illegal firearms.

'Thankfully this intricate investigation by the Organised Crime Partnership resulted in 26 firearms and a host of other dangerous weapons being seized, which ultimately means that they will never be used to harm someone.

'Firearms have absolutely no place in London and we are committed to robustly targeting both those who carry them and those who supply them.'
ADVERTISEMENT

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has kicked against a bill seeking to switch minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list.

Mr Shaibu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Benin, advised the sponsor of the bill to step it down.

He said rather than sponsor such a bill, the lawmaker should move motions and sponsor bills that would support programmes geared toward finding lasting solutions to the problems of insecurity in the country.

He said: Let us all discuss the issue of insecurity and make our cities, communities, and our country secure.

The deputy governor highlighted the need for lawmakers to legislate on issues that would unite the country rather than those that would further divide it and bring about chaos.

This was not the time to bring up issues as contained in the bill, he said.

He urged the National Assembly to concern itself with the issue of insecurity, adding that the issue of the economy is all about security because no investor will come to your land if he is not sure of the safety of his investment.

He said: The economy of this country needs to work.

That is why all of us, the legislative and the executive arms, need to actually come together to fashion a way forward, to deal with the issue of insecurity.

For me, when you seek first, all the indices that make an economy work, then prosperity will be the order of the day and all other smaller issues will be dealt with.

But when your economy is in shambles, then obviously, poverty will reign supreme.

The Nigeria Labour Congress is planning a national protest against the bill, which had already passed through the first reading at the National Assembly.

Nigerian governors had opposed the N30,000 minimum wage which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2019. The governors said they would not be able to implement the new law because of the paucity of funds.

The sponsor of the amendment to the minimum wage bill, Datti Garba, from Kaduna State, said the bill is part of the devolution of powers, which allows states to determine minimum wage.

(NAN)
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 04:06:53|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- There is a need for greater access in the Tigray region of Ethiopia to reach large groups in dire humanitarian need, although more UN humanitarian workers are getting into the region, a UN spokesman said on Friday.

The government-allowed access is not enough, said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "We continue to call for more access," Dujarric said.

"My understanding is that there has been a new system put into place to get humanitarian workers in there more easily, which includes, I think, an advance three-day notification."

The move is definitely a step in the right direction. But the United Nations needs more access as there are large groups of people who are in dire need of humanitarian help, he said.

The problem has been a combination of bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of communication, including internet access, said the spokesman.

The United Nations and its partners do not have enough humanitarian workers to distribute aid and to reach the people who need it, he said. "There's been some ... trucks that have come in, but having aid physically go in is not the same thing as us being able to distribute it."

The people of Tigray have been caught up in a conflict between regional armed forces and federal government troops since early November of last year. Enditem
An Afghan man in his 20s was shot by Swedish police after a bloody knife attack in the town of Vetlanda that left seven people injured; he has been arrested on suspicion of several cases of attempted murder, but not charged with terrorism.

The Swedish authorities and media's response to a stabbing attack that left several people fighting for their lives has raised eyebrows and sparked indignation. A knife-wielding Afghan-born man stabbed seven people in the southern town of Vetlanda, leaving three of them in critical condition.

The case is currently not being investigated as a terrorist crime, prosecutor Adam Rullman confirmed to national broadcaster SVT.

He is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in several cases, seven to be precise, Rullman said, citing an apparent lack of motive. Rullman also emphasised that the man has a connection to another country.

Criminologist Christoffer Carlsson called it a serious act of violence against random people, adding that they are rare, yet difficult to defend against. According to Carlsson, society can do a lot to prevent both terrorist acts and so-called insane acts, such as the attack in Vetlanda, but unfortunately it is impossible to eliminate it completely.

But when it has gone so far that people go out to the street armed, then it is virtually impossible to defend yourself. Unfortunately, this is what a society must live with, Carlsson told SVT.

The news outlet Fria Tider described the alleged culprit as a 22-year-old Kabul native, who arrived in Sweden in early 2016 and was granted temporary residence as in need of alternative protection. Later, he was allowed to stay in Sweden due to the government's so-called school amnesty. According to Fria Tider, he indeed went to school, but failed to complete any courses, including a basic alphabet course in Swedish. He has a police record for petty drug-related crimes.

Every attack on innocent people will be met by all of Sweden's united force. Fear and terror will never become part of our everyday lives, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said in a speech dedicated to the attack.

At a subsequent press conference, a journalist referenced a tweed by the national-conservative Sweden Democrats, who linked the attack to Sweden's immigration policy and demanded a total stop to all asylum and family immigration, including quota refugees, and asked what Lofven thought about it.

Lofven called the link speculative. This is not a question of immigration, as the Sweden Democrats want to make it, he added.

The newspaper Aftonbladet ran a column by one of its leading journalists, Jonna Sima, warning that the attack may be used for political purposes.

The experience of similar events is that some people will now try to take advantage of the situation to make political points. The Sweden Democrats were quickly out and accused the government: How many terrorists are hiding among us? Sima wrote.

By contrast, Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson found Lofven's response puzzling.

For Stefan Lofven, no negative consequences of the lax migration policy seem to be related to migration, which puzzles me somewhat. Is there any voter who buys into this? I think he is utterly confused, but at the same time it is good that the prime minister says openly that an Afghan suspected perpetrator who currently doesn't even have a temporary residence permit 'is not a question of migration'. It shows with desired clarity how weak his own and his party's leadership and understanding of cause and effect are, Akesson told the news outlet Nyheter Idag.

On social media, the reaction of the prime minister and the press raised eyebrows and sparked anger.

Remember that immigrants have nothing to do with immigration! As little as Islam has to do with Islam. Regards, Stefan Lofven, writer, blogger and journalist Katerina Janouch wrote.

An Afghan attacks Swedes openly on the street. He is illiterate, but has been granted a residence permit for studies. He has already been convicted of crimes in Sweden, but has still been allowed to stay. Stefan Lofven says that this has nothing to do with immigration. Who the hell is he trying to fool? Findel Madison of the Sweden Democrats youth wing said.

Is this clown really the Prime Minister of Sweden? No wonder they are laughing at us abroad. Had it not been so serious, you would have been giggling with laughter as well, senior Sweden Democrat Bjorn Soder wrote.

Will Stefan Lofven go down in history as Sweden's worst leader of all time? Erik XIV may have been crazy, but Lofven openly lies to deceive the Swedish people. This is dramatic history in real time. Absolutely unique, another one chimed in.

(SPUTNIK)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A state senator said Alabama lawmakers are headed to a vote on a lottery and casino bill next week.

Republican Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston said he expects his bill will come to the Senate floor Tuesday. It will be the first major test of the proposal to start a lottery and have as many as 10 casinos in the state.

Marsh said last-minute negotiations are continuing over the number of casinos and other details.

Alabamians last voted down the idea of a state lottery in 1999. Marsh said it's time to put the idea in front of voters again.
Opalesque Industry Update - The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong and the Police have conducted a joint operation against an active and sophisticated syndicate suspected of operating ramp and dump manipulation schemes. These schemes drive up the share prices of target stocks and then induce unwary investors via social media platforms to buy shares at artificially high prices. Syndicates then sell shares in a manner which nets them substantial profits whilst leaving innocent victims with substantial financial losses. Twelve people - including those believed to be the ringleaders of the syndicate and their associates - were arrested yesterday during a joint search of 27 premises across Hong Kong by more than 160 officers of the SFC and the Police. The operation followed a lengthy investigation by the SFC. The case was referred to the Police because of the scale of suspected fraud and money laundering offences, in addition to specific market misconduct offences under the Securities and Futures Ordinance. Prior to the joint operation, the SFC issued 16 Restriction Notices and froze 63 securities accounts which it believes hold proceeds of the ramp and dump schemes belonging to syndicate members. Overall the amount of assets frozen total about $860 million. Mr Ashley Alder, the SFC's Chief Executive Officer, said: "The SFC is determined to eliminate these ramp and dump schemes which cause harm and distress to those members of the public who are duped by fraudsters. In doing so we will not hesitate to use all the enforcement and supervisory tools at our disposal as well as working closely with the Police. Our joint operation underscores our shared commitment to eradicate serious misconduct to protect the public and maintain the integrity of our market." The SFC's investigation also highlighted that the vehicles used by the fraudsters to perpetrate ramp and dump schemes are typically small listed companies with a low share price coupled with very thin trading. These companies become targets for fraud as their shares are easier to corner and their share prices can be manipulated with relatively small cash outlays. "Cracking down on these schemes is one of SFC's top enforcement priorities this year. These schemes also underscore the importance of investor education. The SFC has been working closely with the Police's Anti-Deception Coordination Centre on a series of investor education campaign events which are continuing," Mr Alder said. Investors should stay vigilant and make informed investment decisions instead of relying on stock tips circulating in chat groups or on social media platforms.
China's Mars probe Tianwen-1 is traveling at a speed of 4.8 km per second in the Mars orbit, and is expected to land on the red planet in May or June, a senior space expert said on Thursday.

The probe is functioning normally and has sent home China's first high-definition images of Mars, which contain a large quantity of scientific information, said Bao Weimin, director of the Committee of Science and Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The probe will survey the topography of the pre-selected landing area and conduct weather observation along the flight routes to avoid dust when landing on Mars, said Bao, who is also a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

Nearly 50 Mars missions have been launched globally, but approximately two-thirds have failed, said Bao, adding that although China's Mars exploration began late, the probe is designed to be highly efficient and innovative, aiming to complete orbiting, landing and roving operations in one mission.
Dan Patrick, the lieutenant governor of Texas, is clearly what my father would have called a piece of work.

Early in the pandemic he made headlines by saying that older Americans should be willing to risk death so that younger people could get back to work. More recently, he suggested that Texans who found themselves with $17,000 electricity bills after the February freeze had only themselves to blame, because they didnt read the fine print.

Funny, isnt it, how politicians who denounce liberal elitists sneer when ordinary Americans get into trouble?

But something else struck me about Patricks take on supersize power bills: How did we become a country where families can face ruin unless they carefully study something as mundane, as normally routine, as their electricity contract?

And electricity isnt a unique example.

As the New York Times Margot Sanger-Katz has documented, many people end up with heavy financial burdens because they chose the wrong health insurance plan  yet even experts have a very hard time figuring out which plan is best. Using an out-of-network health care provider can also lead to huge medical bills.

Wait, theres more. One cause of the 2008 financial crisis was the proliferation of novel financial arrangements, like interest-only loans, that looked like good deals but exposed borrowers to huge risks.

What these stories have in common is that theyre snapshots of a country in which many of us are actually offered too many choices, in ways that can do a lot of harm.

It is true that both Economics 101 and conservative ideology say that more choice is always a good thing. Milton Friedmans famous and influential 1980 TV series extolling the wonders of capitalism was titled Free to Choose.

The spread of this ideology has turned America into a land where many aspects of life that used to be just part of the background now require potentially fateful decisions. You dont get a company pension, you have to decide how to invest your 401(k). When you turn 65, you dont just get put on Medicare, you also decide which of many Medicare Advantage plans to sign up for.

Some, maybe even most, of this expansion of choice was good. I dont miss the days when all home phones were owned by AT&T and customers werent allowed to substitute their own handsets.

But the argument that more choice is always good rests on the assumption that people have more or less unlimited capacity to do due diligence on every aspect of their lives. People have children to raise, jobs to do, lives to live and limited ability to process information.

The lesson of subprime mortgages, health insurance and now Texas electricity is that sometimes people offered too much choice will make bigger mistakes than they imagined possible. But thats not all. Too much choice creates space for predators who exploit our all-too-human limitations.

Before the subprime mortgage crisis, Edward Gramlich, a Federal Reserve official who warned in vain about the potential for disaster, asked, Why are the most risky loan products sold to the least sophisticated borrowers? The question, he suggested, answers itself  the least sophisticated borrowers are probably duped into taking these products.

Similarly, theres clearly a lot of profiteering in medical billing, with the victims disproportionately those least able to understand whats happening.

Theres a growing body of research suggesting that the costs of poverty go beyond the trouble low-income families have in affording necessities. The poor also face a heavy cognitive burden  the constant need to make difficult choices that the affluent dont confront, like whether to buy food or pay the rent. Because people have limited bandwidth for processing complex issues, the financial burdens placed on the poor all too often degrade their ability to make good decisions on other issues, sometimes leading to self-destructive life choices.

What Im suggesting is that a society that turns what should be routine concerns into make-or-break decisions  a society in which you can ruin your life by choosing the wrong electric company or health insurer  imposes poverty-like cognitive burdens even on the middle class.

And it is all unnecessary. Were a rich country  and citizens of other rich countries dont worry about being bankrupted by medical expenses. It wouldnt take much to protect Americans against being scammed by mortgage lenders or losing their life savings to fluctuations in the wholesale price of electricity.

So the next time some politician tries to sell a new policy  typically deregulation  by claiming that it will increase choice, be skeptical. Having more options isnt automatically good, and in America we probably have more choices than we should.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 02:51:24|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has offered the help of the world body to break the tripartite impasse between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.

In a telephone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Friday, Guterres confirmed that the United Nations is available to support and participate in the African Union-led negotiation process on the dam, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres.

The UN chief expressed the hope that the process will count on the full engagement of the parties in a serious negotiation, said the spokesman.

Ethiopia started building the dam in 2011, while Egypt is concerned that the dam might affect its share of the Nile waters. Sudan has recently been raising similar concerns over the dam.

Over the past few years, tripartite talks on the rules of filling and operating the Ethiopian dam have been fruitless, including those hosted by the United States and recently by the African Union. Enditem
New Delhi: In a significant development for the world and the Indo-Pacific region, the first-ever meeting of Quad leaders is expected to take place very soon. While no time schedule is known as of now, the meet will see the presence of US President Joe Biden, Australian PM Scott Morrison, Indian PM Narendra Modi, and Japan's PM Yoshihide Suga.

Confirming the plans, Australian PM Scott Morrison said, "I am looking forward to that first gathering of quad leaders. It will be the first-ever gathering of quad leaders. I already had bilateral discussions with Narendra Modi and Yoshihide Suga, the PM of Japan and PM of India."

Morrison pointed that "we are looking forward to those discussions and follow-up face-to-face meetings as well" and such meets will become a "feature of the Indo Pacific engagement" but it will "not have a big bureaucracy, with a big secretariat. It will be 4 leaders, 4 countries working together constructively for the peace, prosperity, and stability of the Indo pacific"

The Australian PM recalled how the summit was "one of the first things" he had discussed with US President Biden when both spoke to each other.

He elaborated, "The quad is very central to the United States and our thinking about the region. Looking at the Indo Pacific also through the prism of our ASEAN partners, their vision of the Indo Pacific."

"The president and indeed the secretary of state, have made clear that their re-engagement in multilateral organizations particularly in the Indo-Pacific is key in building stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific," he added.

February saw the 3rd foreign minister-level talks of the Quad grouping. The Foreign ministers of Quad countries--US State Secretary Blinken, Japan FM Motegi Toshimitsu, Australian FM Marise Payne, and EAM Dr S Jaishankar discussed key issues like the Covid crisis and Myanmar coup. Quad FMs had met last year in Tokyo in a physical meeting. The first Quad FMs meet happened in New York in 2019 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Live TV

Quad is seen very suspiciously by China which has termed it "Asian Nato" something that has been dismissed by the grouping. The dialogue was first initiated in 2007 by the then Japanese PM Shinzo Abe but lost support only to re-emerge in 2017 when leaders of the grouping had met.

Last year saw Australia being invited to Malabar exercises which witnessed the coming of all 4 Quad countries under one umbrella for naval exercises in the Indian ocean. Amid the Covid pandemic, Quad plus meetings happened at the Foreign Secretary-level to exchange best practices.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Temperatures are expected to take a dip over the next few days as a period of dry but unsettled weather moves in over the country.

The mercury will plunge to as low as -3 tonight in some places, particularly in the north and east where some frost will develop.

For today, the forecast is for a mix of cloud and sunny spells and while it will be largely dry, there will be some isolated patches of light rain or drizzle, mainly in coastal parts of Munster and Connacht. Temperatures will hover around the 6 to 9 degrees mark.

After a freezing cold night, with lowest temperatures ranging between -3 and 2 degrees, Saturday will start off dry, with sunny spells for many areas.

Read More

However, cloud will increase through the day and patchy rain will move into coastal parts of the west and northwest. It will be a cool day with highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees, in light to moderate southerly breezes.

Tomorrow night will be mostly dry with a mix of cloud and clear spells, although there may be some patchy drizzle in coastal parts of the west and northwest at times. Temperatures will dip again, to -2 and 4 degrees, and it will be the coldest in the north and east where some frost will develop.

Sunday will be generally cloudy and dry but patchy light rain and drizzle will continue to affect coastal parts of the west and northwest. Highest temperatures will struggle to rise above 7 to 10 degrees.

While it will be dry in the east and southeast on Sunday night, rain will push into Ulster, Connacht and west Munster.

The rain will extend to all areas on Monday and will be heavy at times in the west. Afternoon temperatures will reach 7 to 10 degrees and winds will be mostly moderate, southerly veering westerly later.

The rain will gradually clear from the east and south on Monday night and will be followed by clear spells and isolated showers, mainly in the northwest. Some frost will form as temperatures fall to between -1 and 2 degrees and fresh southerly winds will develop on western coasts towards morning.

Tuesday will start off largely dry with good spells of sunshine in the east, but rain will move into the west during the morning and will extend across the country through the day, becoming heavy. It will become windy too, with fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds developing. Highest temperatures of 7 degrees in the northeast to 11 degrees in the southwest.

Met Eireann says the outlook is for unsettled conditions to remain with rain and showers, and breezy or windy at times too.

Kolkata, March 5 : Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee has given tickets to as many as 42 Muslim candidates out of the 291 seats in which the ruling formation has fielded its candidates for the forthcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, to be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has repeatedly attacked the Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress for its 'appeasement' politics in the past.

Besides giving importance to candidates from the minority community, Banerjee has also given tickets to 50 women candidates, 79 SC nominees and 17 ST candidates.

Retired IPS officer and former top cop Humayun Kabir has been fielded from West Midnapore's Debra constituency, while Siddikullah Chowdhury will be contesting from Monteswar in East Burdwan on a Trinamool ticket.

"I'm confident about Trinamool's win. I joined the party from the police force to save the democratic fabric of Bengal," Kabir said.

On the other hand, a section Trinamool activists staged an agitation at Bhangar in Kolkata's adjoining South 24 Parganas district as local Trinamool old gun and ex-MLA Arabul Islam was not given a ticket to contest the Assembly polls. Arabul also broke down in tears in public after the list of candidates was announced on Friday.

Md Rezaul Karim will contest from Bhangar on a Trinamool ticket.

"It seems that the party does not need me any more. I have always been with the Trinamool Congress, but that need is now over. I have always tried to stand by the people of Bhangar. Now I will only do what they will ask me to do," Arabul said.

His supporters even set things on fire in the locality and put up road blockades. Arabul himself ransacked his own party office in the area.

Similar incidents took place elsewhere too, with dissenting Trinamool activists taking out protest rallies in different districts as soon as the party released its candidates' list for the high-voltage Assembly polls.

One such agitation took place in Amdanga where two-time legislator from the seat, Rafikul Ahmed, was not considered for a ticket. Instead, the ticket was given to an outsider, the agitators claimed.

Meanwhile, Banerjee said that as many as 23-24 existing Trinamool legislators were dropped from the candidates' list owing to their age-related issues and other reasons.

Announcements for the remaining three constituencies in Darjeeling have been put on hold as they would be contested by Trinamool allies.
The high container shipping cost has caused difficulties for import/export companies. They believe that shipping firms joined hands to push service fees up.

Phung Ngoc Sam, general director of Hanfimex, complained that the sea freight rates have been escalating rapidly since October 2020. The shipping rate for 40-feet container from Vietnam to Europe and the Mediterranean area has soared by 2-3 times and there is no sign of decrease.

It was just $2,000 in the past, but now $5,000. And it is sometimes $11,000, he complained.

The sharp rise in sea freight has made it difficult for import/export companies to execute their business plans and caused delays in export. It is estimated that 30 percent of goods planned for export have been stagnant.

If the situation cannot be improved, this will push the cost of goods up. The buyers, who cannot release goods to the market, may put pressure on Vietnams import/export companies.

According to Phan Thong, secretary general of the Goods Owner Association of Vietnam, the sea freight has increased because of the market disparity. Because of Covid-19, international seaports either have closed or opened with limitations, resulting in the goods stagnation.

As containers cannot be unloaded, this has led to a lack of empty containers. Meanwhile, Vietnams enterprises still need empty containers to load export products.

Some analysts said that China, after controlling the Covid-19 pandemic has been trying to boost exports. A high number of empty containers has been heading for China, resulting in a shortage of containers for Vietnam.

The container shortage has caused difficulties for shipping firms, thus causing the freight rates to increase. However, there is also a possibility that shipping firms joined hands to push service fees up, Sam said.

A representative of the Vietnam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) under the Ministry of Transport said the agency set up a taskforce to inspect the container shipping freight and surcharges after it realized the continued increase in freight rates after Tet (mid-February).

The taskforce of 13 members, including the leaders of Vinamarine and the Ministry of Industry and Trades Import-Export Department, will inspect the observation of the regulations on quoting prices and surcharges in accordance with Decree 146 and will handle violations.

Vinamarine has also requested that shipping firms apply necessary measures to store empty 40-feet containers in Vietnam, and suggest solutions to circulate domestic empty containers to serve the import and export of goods, with an aim to curb the increase in container freight, and satisfy the export of container goods in the context of increasing demand.

Prior to that, the Ministry of Transport released a document requesting Vinamarine to examine the increase of freight and surcharges made by foreign shipping firms.

Vu Diep

Maritime administration to inspect shipping rates hike The Vietnam Maritime Administration (VMA) plans to set up a working group to inspect the hike in freight rates among shipping companies that have routes to Europe and America.
Northern Ireland is stepping closer to a crippling strike by nurses after it emerged the Government wanted to give them a 1% pay rise.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has taken steps to ensure members will be financially compensated if they decide to act over the offer, which would see experienced nurses walking away with an extra 3.50 a week.

It is the latest blow for thousands of nurses left traumatised and exhausted after putting their lives at risk for the last 12 months during the pandemic.

Pat Cullen, director of the RCN in Northern Ireland, described the proposed pay hike as insulting and said health bosses were dangerously out of touch with nurses and public opinion.

It emerged on Thursday that Englands Department of Health wanted to award nurses a mere 1% pay rise because of the financial impact of the pandemic.

The figure was contained in a submission to the NHS Pay Review Body, which advises on the wages of health service staff.

Health Minister Robin Swann previously said he must award the same rise to local nurses.

The Belfast Telegraph asked Mr Swann if he agreed with the increase and if he would be willing to break with pay parity.

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: Any decision on a pay award for Northern Ireland workers will be taken after the pay review bodies make their recommendations. We do not intend to pre-empt those recommendations.

Our pay award decisions can only be taken in the context of a wider public sector pay policy set by the Department of Finance.

But Ms Cullen said: Nursing staff will be feeling insulted by the suggestion that they are only worth a 1% pay rise.

It is clear (the Government) is dangerously out of touch with nursing staff, other health care workers and the public.

While the Pay Review Body will make its own recommendation, our members have already been voicing their outrage.

The RCN has been clear that this year, of all years, we need a significant and fair pay rise.

An additional 3.50 a week for an experienced nurse is by no means fair and will do nothing to prevent an exodus from the profession. It is a political decision to underfund and undervalue nursing staff.

Our members will not shy away from voicing their concerns. As a result of this announcement, the RCN Council convened an emergency meeting, voting unanimously and immediately to set up a 35m industrial action fund.

Strike funds are used to provide compensation for workers during industrial action.

The RCN said it was determined to have the finances available to members should they wish to take action.

Covid-19 hit Northern Ireland weeks after healthcare workers suspended strike action over pay and dangerous staffing levels.

Local NHS employees have been growing increasingly frustrated in recent months over what is seen as a failure by Stormont to act on their concerns.

It emerged last week that legislation to address dangerous nursing levels would not be passed by the current Assembly.

Stormont made a deal with healthcare workers last January that it would implement safe staffing laws to bring about a pause in industrial action.

However, the chief nursing officer said there was now not enough time for the law to be passed.

This came after healthcare workers waited almost nine months for the Department of Health to return pay docked from wages during strike action.








Britain and the United States moved a step closer to a trade deal last night after Washington agreed to suspend punitive tariffs on Scotch whisky and other UK exports.

In a major breakthrough, the US said millions of pounds worth of tariffs on Scotch and other goods would be suspended from Monday, easing the pressure on exporters.

The decision is a vindication for trade secretary Liz Truss, who unilaterally lifted similar tariffs on a range of US goods in January. At the time, Labour accused her of capitulating to Donald Trump in the hope of agreeing a last-minute trade deal.

But yesterday the Biden administration responded in kind by lifting crippling tariffs on British goods, including Scotch, cashmere and Stilton cheese.

Boris Johnson tastes whisky during a general election visit to Diageo's Roseisle Distiller

Cashmere, a top UK export, is also set to benefit from the US relaxation on tariffs

The unique Stilton cheese has also received a boost from the Biden Administration news

They were part of a 5.6 billion package imposed by the Trump administration on EU countries as part of a long-running dispute over subsidies given to Airbus.

The EU responded with retaliatory tariffs of 3 billion on US goods.

Yesterday, Washington agreed to separate Britain from the EU package and suspend tariffs on the affected UK goods for four months while further talks take place.

The move means an end for now to the 25 per cent tariff on Scotch, which has hammered exports to the US. It could also smooth the path to a wider post-Brexit trade deal with the US in the coming months. The US is Britains biggest export market.

Bottles of single malt scotch whisky Glenmorangie will benefit from the new US agreement

It comes a month after it was warned that the industry was suffering from previous rules

Scotch was the UKs largest food and drink export last year, and exports of single-malt Irish and Scotch whiskies to the US were worth about 340 million in 2018.

Exports to the US have fallen by 35 per cent over the 16 months the measures have been in force, costing companies more than 500 million, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Chief executive Karen Betts described the breakthrough as fabulous news and said distillers would be raising a dram to Miss Truss.

Marco Forgione, director general of the Institute of Export & International Trade, also welcomed the news.

He said: Scotch whisky, cashmere, cheese and machinery are important products  for Brand Britain, for employment and for the economy.

"The suspension of US tariffs, coming hard on the heels of Wednesday's budget, is great news for UK exporters.

It underlines the special economic relationship between the UK and the US as we both forge our new approaches to international trade.

It came a month after it was revealed exports of single malt Scotch whisky had fallen by more than a third - amounting to more than 500 million - since the 25% tariff was imposed in October 2019.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Chandigarh, March 5 : The Punjab Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday gave the go-ahead to introduce the Punjab Abadi Deh (Record of Right) Bill of 2021 in the ongoing budget session of the assembly.

The move is aimed at helping the state compile Record of Rights of properties within the Lal Lakir in the villages for the purpose of implementing Mission Lal Lakir, with the assistance of the Centre under its SVAMITVA Scheme. It will also help deal with the issues arising out of the rights accruing out of these properties.

Besides, this legislation will also facilitate villagers and owners to monetise property rights and avail various benefits provided by government departments, institutions and banks.

At the time of settlement and consolidation of agricultural land in the state, the 'abadi' in the village was placed within the Lal Lakir. No Record of Rights was prepared or created for the area within the Lal Lakir.

Possession has been considered as the ruling point for the ownership of any land within the Lal Lakir. In certain cases, some registered sale deeds have taken place on the basis of Chulha Tax, etc.

However in most of the places, the ownership of the area within the Lal Lakir is usually passed on through an informal agreement, etc., and the possession is the basis of ownership.

The Cabinet also accorded approval to amend Section 2 of the Punjab Village Common Land (Regulation) Act of 1961 to safeguard the vacant land within Abadi Deh or Lal Lakir or Gorah Deh from illegal encroachment by inserting section 2(g)(1) and sub-section 4(a) after section 2(g)(4).
As new revelations about the handling of the states power crisis continue to come to light, critics are accusing Gov. Greg Abbott of holding irrelevant  but headline-grabbing  news conferences to distract from the states failure to manage the grid.

First came Abbotts Tuesday news conference in Lubbock  an area that was not affected by the power outages  to announce that he would open Texas 100 percent and end the states mask mandate. That announcement has made waves in Texas and across the nation, as conservatives cheered but President Joe Biden decried Abbotts move as Neanderthal thinking.

Then on Friday, the governor traveled more than 200 miles to Tyler to champion legislation to prevent social media companies from censoring Texans based on the viewpoints they express  a hot-button issue for conservatives who say they are unfairly targeted by those outlets.

But Democrats and other political observers say Abbott is indulging his supporters in an effort to steer the conversation away from the power crisis, which left millions without heat and electricity for days in subfreezing temperatures and is linked to dozens of deaths statewide.

Grid failure developments This was a week of fallout from the power outages that affected more than 4 million Texans during the deadly winter storm. MONDAY Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for the resignations of the head of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the chair of the Public Utilities Commission, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott. State Attorney General Ken Paxton files a lawsuit against Griddy, alleging the retail power company used deceptive practices to mislead customers. ERCOT acknowledges it is short some $1.6 billion needed to pay generators after the storm. PUC chair DeAnn Walker resigns. TUESDAY Abbott travels to Lubbock to announce he will rescind COVID-19 restrictions, including business capacity limits and the mask mandate. WEDNESDAY Abbott names Arthur D'Andrea as the new chair of the PUC. Congressional Democrats launch an investigation into ERCOT's failures during the storm. ERCOT's board fires CEO Bill Magness. THURSDAY The state's independent market monitor estimates that ERCOT left sky-high emergency power prices in place for two days too long, overcharging the state's electricity market by $16 billion. FRIDAY Abbott travels to Tyler to champion a bill that would prevent social media companies from banning users because of their political views. D'Andrea says the state will not fix ERCOT's $16 billion mistake. See More Collapse

POWER CRISIS: Muzzled and eviscerated: Critics say Abbott appointees gutted enforcement of Texas grid rules

Unfortunately, Gov. Abbott is desperate to distract from his recent failures during the winter storm and is trying to change the subject, state Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie and the head of the House Democratic Caucus, said after Abbotts mask announcement Tuesday.

Abbotts move to highlight the social media bill met with a similar response Friday from Democrats.

Gov. Abbott and his allies are attempting to distract from the fact that Texans are dead because of his catastrophic failure in leadership, said Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa.

The deadly power outages have dominated the news cycle for three weeks, with legislators holding hearings on the subject and those involved tendering resignations. On the eve of Abbotts Tyler trip, the states independent market monitor estimated that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, overcharged the states electricity market by $16 billion by leaving sky-high emergency prices in effect for two days too long.

Nevertheless, Abbotts unrelated news conferences have earned praise from GOP lawmakers who previously denounced the mask mandate as government overreach and those who have taken issue with social media companies for their banning policies.

The social media bill is one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks legislative priorities this session, and he lauded the COVID-19 restriction rollback as a step toward normalcy.

Ive never been in favor of mandates, Patrick said in an interview with CBS Dallas-Fort Worth station. You give people information and let them make their decisions.

No apologies from Abbott

The power debacle led to the ouster of ERCOTs chief executive and the resignations of a half-dozen of its board members. ERCOT is overseen by the Public Utility Commission, an agency led by three Abbott appointees.

Facing intense criticism, former PUC chair DeAnn Walker, previously a senior adviser to Abbott, resigned Monday.

But while Abbott had called for the resignations of ERCOT members, he has not acknowledged his own appointees roles in the crisis or taken any personal blame.

Asked Friday whether the governor felt any responsibility for the emergency, Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze said the governor was gravely concerned about the magnitude of the storm even before it occurred. Abbott made personal calls to Freeport LNG and Cheniere LNG, two of the largest natural gas companies in the state, and asked them to cut back on their usage, she said.

The governor did this as a precaution, despite ERCOTs repeated assurances to the state and the public that this storm would not result in widespread outages, Eze said in an email.

But she stopped short of addressing the roles of Abbotts appointees in regulating ERCOT.

Other than signaling the need for conservation, ERCOT, the entity charged with upholding the reliability and integrity of the states power grid, failed to raise any alarms that there was even the slightest potential for widespread outages, she said. The system broke because of ERCOTs failure to act. That is why the governor has made it clear that this legislative session will not end until he and the Legislature pass solutions to mandate and fund the winterization of Texas power infrastructure, add more power to the grid and ensure that these tragic events are never repeated.

As for the contention that his mask order repeal was another distraction, the governor said in a Thursday interview with Austins KVUE that he had planned to lift COVID restrictions earlier but was forced to wait until after the winter weather passed.

The original strategy was going to be to make this announcement on the last Monday in February, Abbott said. That got delayed because shipments of vaccines got delayed (during the storm).

The governors critics dont buy it. After the governors pledge to open Texas 100 percent, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a Democrat, said the move was wishful thinking at best, and, at worst, a cynical attempt to distract Texans from the failures of state oversight of our power grid.

The next day, Fort Bend County Judge KP George, a Democrat, joked on Twitter: Will Gov. Abbott make a surprise announcement to end the no shirt, no shoes, no service policy today? Itll be a great way to distract from the state-led ERCOT and energy failure.

Instead, the governor introduced a bill that would punish social media sites for banning users because of their viewpoint or geographic location in this state or any part of this state.

Blame games at the border

Too many social media sites silence conservative speech and ideas and trample free speech, Abbott tweeted ahead of the Friday news conference. Its un-American, Un-Texan, & soon to be illegal.

The legislation follows former President Donald Trumps removal from multiple social media sites  including Twitter, his outlet of choice  earlier this year. The companies shut down his accounts after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in early January. The sites feared the presidents posts could spur more violence.

Trumps backers have condemned those bans as a violation of the First Amendment, though the technology companies are privately owned and operated. Its unclear exactly how much authority Texas would have  if any  to regulate them.

We see that the First Amendment is under assault by these social media companies, and that is not going to be tolerated in Texas, Abbott said in Tyler. There is a dangerous movement that is spreading across the country that is trying to silence conservative ideas.

Meanwhile, critics are accusing the governor of distracting from the power crisis not only in the policies he announces, but also the rhetoric he uses. In response to the presidents Neanderthal thinking comment, Abbott has pivoted to immigration, saying Biden is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities.

That narrative stems from reports that 169 of 1,267 migrants in Brownsville have tested positive for the virus this week  an issue several Texas Democrats have also raised publicly.

But others argue that the number of COVID-positive immigrants pales in comparison to the total number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths statewide  and that Abbotts repeal of the mask mandate would not help those numbers.

On Thursday, Texas reported nearly 6,000 new COVID-19 cases.

Stop with the blame games, Gov. Abbott, said U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth. Texans need help with power, water and vaccines, not your constant race-baiting.

cayla.harris@express-news.net


Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
President Biden, faced with a decision about how to punish Saudi Arabia for its role in the assassination of a dissident journalist, gathered top national security officials in the Oval Office and pushed them at length about their recommended response. Then he sided with a majority of advisers who argued against the most severe action  a direct sanction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who American intelligence agencies say approved the killing.

That same week, Mr. Biden approved relatively modest airstrikes in retaliation against Iranian-backed militias who had attacked an American outpost in Iraq. This week, he matched modest European sanctions on Russia for its poisoning and jailing of Aleksei A. Navalny, the opposition politician, leaving room for what are expected to be harsher moves this month against Russian President Vladimir V. Putin.

And, to avoid being surprised, Mr. Biden is beginning to rein in the militarys freedom to use drone strikes outside of war zones.

The Biden foreign policy that emerges from these early weeks is one of restraint, caution and fast-paced deliberation. Decisions come more quickly than they did in the Obama administration, when Mr. Biden, as vice president, complained about the endless meetings.
Jaipur: A 33-year-old rape survivor was set afire in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district, police said on Friday (March 5).

The woman has been admitted to a hospital in Bikaner with serious burn injuries, Golupura Station House Officer (SHO) Omprakash said, adding that Pradeep Vishnoi, who was accused by the woman of raping her in 2018, has been detained for questioning.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday. The victim, who has a daughter, was living with her maternal grandmother following a dispute with her husband, the police said.

A man entered their house premises in the early hours of Thursday, sprinkled kerosene on the floor, knocked on the door and called the woman by her name. As she opened the door, the man dropped a burning stick on the floor, resulting in serious injuries to her, the SHO said.

He said the victim's maternal grandmother has accused Vishnoi of committing the crime and the latter has been detained for questioning.

CCTV footage obtained from the area is also being examined, the SHO said.

The rape case against Vishnoi was lodged in 2018 on the basis of a complaint from the woman and the trial in the case is going on.

Live TV

The House of Representatives passed the massive H.R. 1 bill, the Democrats' first legislative priority that promises worrisome major changes to Americans' voting power.

Tagged the "signature anti-corruption and voting rights reform bill" of the Democrats, the "For the People Act" or H.R. 1 has passed the House of Representatives, which is dominated by the Democrat party. It promises to provide "sweeping reforms to protect voters' rights, increase election security, mandate independent redistricting and more," according to USA Today. The new bill was introduced and passed in 2019, but was reasonably opposed by the House, which then had a Republican majority.

This week, the "For the People Act" passed with a divided vote of 220-210, with just one Democrat joining Republicans in opposing the bill. A pair of Republicans refused to vote. The new Democrat "For the People Act" aims to strip Americans of their voting power because of its rather questionable reforms.

While the bill aims to increase voter turnout, it does so by "expanding early voting, lessening identification requirements, allowing same-day registration," three factors that are already posing problems.

Townhall's Derek Hunter criticized the new Democrat "For the People Act" for allowing reform that leaves room for voter fraud, contrary to its goals of "ensuring voter rights."

Hunter wrote that instead of beefing up Americans' voting power, the new bill will no longer require voter signature verification, which allows for discarded or stolen ballots to be used to favor one party over the other. Mailed ballots for people who did not register will also be a pathway for voter fraud. It's almost as if the new Democrat "For the People Act" wants parties to use it as a way to make voter fraud even easier.

The new Democrat "For the People Act" will also allow voters to register on Election Day itself, making voter verification more difficult, allowing for voter fraud to take place. It also adds more work and more pressure on election officials on the most important night in the country's political history.

FOX News' Lawrence Jones was quick to condemn the new Democrat "For the People Act" that strips Americans of their voting power. He explained that while it would "'Combat dark money in politics.' On the surface, that sounds like they could be good. Until you read the fine print."

He explained that the new Democrat "For the People Act" will "greenlight federal taxpayer-funded matching for political donations of $200 or less" and that these matching funds need not come from taxpayer money. Jones warned, "They're going to create a new slush fund through forfeiture."

A separate FOX News report announced a new letter signed by 20 Republican state attorneys general, which condemns the new Democrat "For the People Act" and calls it "unconstitutional" for diminishing Americans' voting power. The letter was led by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who wrote in a statement that "This monstrosity of a bill betrays the Constitution, dangerously federalizes state elections, and undermines the integrity of the ballot box."

Republicans shunned the new Democrat "For the People Act" for "federalizing" statewide elections and "invert that constitutional structure, commandeer state resources, confuse and muddle elections procedures, and erode faith in our elections and systems of governance."
One of the most expensive, ambitious and controversial proposals in Louisianas 50-year, $50 billion bid to save the southern third of the state from disappearing like a modern-day Atlantis passed a major milestone Thursday night with the release of a mostly positive assessment from the Army Corps of Engineers.

Four years in the making, the Corps' draft environmental impact statement found that the benefits of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion - chiefly, creating and sustaining 28 square miles of marshes in the rapidly eroding Barataria Basin - more than outweigh the attendant disruption to oyster, brown shrimp and saltwater fisheries, and to bottlenose dolphins.

And in the report, the Corps redefined the need for the project, from simply restoring the natural input of sediment and freshwater in the basin to also using those resources to heal injuries caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. The addition recognizes that the projects construction price tag, now approaching $2 billion, will be fully funded from the $8 billion that BP is setting aside to compensate for damages.

The project calls for gouging a wide hole in the Mississippi River levee in lower Plaquemines Parish and filling it with a concrete structure to channel as much as 75,000 cubic feet of sediment-laden river water per second into the West Bank wetlands. Rebuilding those marshes, badly wounded over time by hurricanes, oil and gas work and the loss of replenishing sediment since the wandering river was leveed more than a century ago, would reduce the height of storm surge across some West Bank communities by as much as one foot, the report concluded.

The financial costs are pegged at $1.5 billion to build the diversion structures, plus at least $305 million to make up for permanent damage to wildlife and nearby communities, according to state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority officials. Another $81 million in criminal fine money from the BP spill was used in designing the project.

Louisiana officials say its well worth the risks.

It is our belief that the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion is the lifeline that our coast needs, it is the shot in the arm that the Barataria Basin needs and it is the only real and sustainable way to build tens of thousands of acres of marsh, authority chairman Chip Kline said. It will help protect the overwhelming majority of the citizens in southeast Louisiana, it will help preserve our working coast that we know we have here in south Louisiana and it will undoubtedly help preserve the cultural heritage that exists in southeast Louisiana.

The document also was praised by U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, the coastal authority's former chairman.

You will never have a sustainable footprint of south Louisiana without fundamental changes to how the Corps of Engineers manages the river system and its sediment by reconnecting some of the distribution channels that used to exist and reestablishing access to fresh water, sediment and nutrients for the adjacent wetlands, Graves said. This project represents that kind of fundamental change and puts the basin on a path to a sustainable future.

Work on the long-awaited environmental statement began in 2017, a year after the state began the process of securing federal permits to build it. But the idea of a diversion, to replace sediment that is now blocked from entering Barataria Basin during spring floods by the expansion of Mississippi River levees for flood protection and widening of the rivers channel, actually dates from the late 19th century.

Its controversial among fishers who rely on shrimp, oysters and finfish that are now harvested in the existing mix of fresh to salt water in the long basin between Jean Lafitte and Grand Isle. They contend that freshening the basin with river water will kill their livelihoods and dilute regions rich culture.

BP spill oiling This map shows where oiling of marsh occurred in the Barataria Basin, with colors ranging from yellow to red indicating greater amounts of oil

But the new report supports arguments by state officials that the continued loss of wetlands in the basin cannot be overcome by repeated construction of smaller projects, in which sediment is mined by dredges inside the Mississippi riverbed and piped miles inland to fill open water areas. While the state is still actually spending more money on these types of projects, studies indicate half of all dredged material put in the basin would be lost by the end of project's 50 year lifetime, and the loss rates increase in the last three decades because created marsh can't keep up with sea level rise.

The report also dismissed an alternative of building multiple small-scale diversions that would flow at between 5,000 and 10,000 cubic feet per second because the multiple projects would be too expensive and wouldn't deliver enough coarse sediment grains to be effective.

A major benefit of the diversion is that wetlands created by it will reduce hurricane storm surge heights, adding protection to West Bank communities, including a significant population of Black and low-income residents, the study found.

And while expected rises in sea level during the later part of the projects first 50 years will reduce the land created and nourished by the diversion to about 21 square miles, the 20% of Barataria Basin wetlands it protects will be much larger than what would be were no diversion was built, according to the study.

Diversion marsh building These maps show how new and sustained wetlands grow through 2070 as the diversion operates.

Public input sought

The 5,800-page environmental impact statement and appendices were produced by a team of scientists and engineers from the Corps, other federal agencies and the state. Its release is part of the federal permitting process under the Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act and National Environmental Policy Act. It can be viewed online: https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Permits/Mid-Barataria-Sediment-Diversion-EIS/

After a 60-day public comment period ending May 4, a final version of the statement will be released, with the permit process expected to be completed in April 2022. Comments may be submitted electronically at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/MBSD; by calling (866) 211-9205; or by mail to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District; Attn: CEMVN-ODR-E, MVN-2012-2806-EOO; 7400 Leake Ave.; New Orleans 70118.

Release of the environmental assessment was accompanied by a draft restoration plan by the Louisiana Trustees Implementation Group. That panel of representatives of federal and state agencies oversees natural resource damage assessment projects that are funded by $8 billion paid by BP for its 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. About 95% of the disasters marsh oiling occurred in coastal Louisiana, with the heaviest and most persistent oiling in the Barataria Basin - doubling or tripling the rate of marsh erosion.

Kline urged residents to take advantage of the comment period. The Corps and the trustees group will jointly host three virtual meetings to receive public comment on the statement and the draft restoration plan. Attendees may participate online by WebEx or by telephone. The meetings are scheduled April 6 at 9 a.m., April 7 at 1 p.m. and April 8 at 6 p.m. Information on how to join by computer or phone will be posted on the corps website about two weeks before the meetings. Copies of the assessment also are available at that website.

This is a real opportunity for the public to put their concerns on the record, force us as the CPRA and force all the various federal agencies that are in this regulatory process to evaluate their concerns in a real and meaningful way, he said. We want the public to take a massive swing at some these mitigation measures - what did we get right, what did we get wrong, what can we do better, what can we do more of, he said.

The two-mile-long diversion structure would be built at river mile marker 60.7 above Head of Passes, on what is now farmland between the Phillips 66 Alliance Refinery on the north and the communities of Myrtle Grove and Ironton to the south.

Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion site, March 4, 2021 The Mississippi River's West Bank levee is shown Thursday near Myrtle Grove, where Louisiana hopes to build a $1.5 billion structure to divert

Construction would take three to five years and could create almost 12,400 jobs in the state, mostly in the New Orleans area during that time. Household earnings could increase $648 million and gross regional product rise $890 million because of the construction project, according to an economic analysis prepared for the assessment.

The preferred alternative design for the diversion calls for it to begin operating in winter and spring months when the river flow at Belle Chasse exceeds 450,000 cubic feet per second. A maximum 75,000 cfs of river freshwater containing sediment and nutrients would flow into the eastern Barataria Basin when the river flow reaches 1 million cubic feet per second or more, which would occur during years when Midwest floodwaters reach Louisiana.

When the river flow drops below 450,000 cfs, the diversion gates would be closed, but a continuous flow of 5,000 cfs of river water would continue, to keep salinity levels in wetlands closest to the diversion at steady levels.

The flow of freshwater would dramatically reduce salinity levels throughout the basin, cutting the amount of brackish and salt marsh and increasing areas of freshwater marsh.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The freshwater flow also is expected to change the areas where oysters can survive and conventional commercial fish species can be harvested, and will significantly disrupt the brown shrimp life cycle.

Salinity differences This graphic shows how salinity levels would vary during the year when the diversion is operating and shut.

To mitigate those effects, the state plans to expand a variety of existing efforts to help fishers who have been hurt by freshwater in recent high-river years.

For oysters, the state plans to establish a new public seed ground in the lower Barataria Basin, provide cultch material for both public and private growing areas, help improve oyster broodstock reefs and fund programs to develop off-bottom oyster farming as an alternative for conventional oyster beds on Barataria Basin waterbottoms.

State officials say the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries already has begun to address some of the oyster concerns in its own new oyster strategy. That includes locating new areas where state-owned water bottoms may be leased to private growers.

Mitigation for shrimp fishers is expected to include financial assistance for improving refrigeration on vessels, so shrimpers can travel farther from their bases to capture larger shrimp. Money also will be made available to fund gear improvements on shrimp boats to increase efficiency.

The mitigation plan also calls for spending $5 million on new marketing for both oyster and shrimp, business training programs and workforce training to help some fishers transition to other industries or to operate where shrimp are likely to be more prevalent.

Benefits seen for other species

The environmental document and the trustees plan also say that more freshwater actually benefits some species important for recreational and commercial fishers, including largemouth bass, red drum, gulf menhaden and bay anchovy. They say negligible to minor benefits will accrue from the freshwater changes for white shrimp and blue crabs.

The freshwater increases are seen to result in minor to moderate benefits to other important south Louisiana species, including alligators and green-winged teal and mottled ducks.

Other recreational use benefits include duck hunting and bird watching. The addition of sediment to the basin also will mean more submerged aquatic vegetation and will help increase areas of more shallow water bottoms.

The added wetlands and also will help the Gulf through the transfer of energy  food in the form of plants that decay along marsh edges - and through the addition of nutrients to the Gulf waters.

Addressing Louisianas Land Loss Crisis The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority released this video explaining its support for the proposed $2 billion Mid-Baratari

The diversion could kill or chase off as much as 30% of the existing bottlenose dolphins in the basin. But the state says it will expand a monitoring system aimed at measuring the effects of the diversion on dolphins and other wildlife, and will try to minimize the effects of low salinity on dolphins where possible.

That includes money to reduce other threats to dolphins: fishing gear, illegal feeding, noise issues and human predators.

The state also says it will increase the size and funding through 2046 for a new statewide stranding network aimed at responding whenever a dolphin beaches or is otherwise identified as ill in the basin. And the state says it will create a new contingency fund to address unusual mortality event declarations in the basin, which occur when strandings and die-offs occur.

Help for nearby residents

Other mitigation efforts include money to help residents in six nearby communities with possible increased water levels. When operating, water heights will be about a foot greater at the diversion's outfall, and drop off with distance. While the diversion is likely to raise water levels in its first 50 years, sea level rise and subsidence in those communities will outstrip its effects beyond that time.

The state has identified about 530 properties, in Myrtle Grove, Woodpark, Suzie Bayou, Hermitage and Grand Bayou below the diversion site, that are not protected by levees. Only about a quarter of those properties were subject to homestead exemption, so many are likely vacation camps.

But some, like the Grand Bayou community of Native Americans, include low-income and minority populations.

Construction of the diversion could also adversely affect the minority and low-income residents of Ironton, the environmental statement warns. And tidal flooding could increase in the Lafitte area, which has varying levels of low, nonfederal flood protection, the report warned.

To mitigate the diversions effects, the state is looking at raising some roads and other community infrastructure. It also will consider paying to raise buildings, improve access and assist in septic tank problems for affected homes.

In some cases, it will ask for the establishment of voluntary easements for the water effects for properties outside levee protection, and will be open to requests by property owners for buyouts.

But just as the water flow from the diversion to the south causes problems, the creation of wetlands in the Barataria Basin is likely to reduce storm surge by as much as one foot in communities outside levees to the north.

The diversion of sediment and water into Barataria Bay will also likely cause moderate, permanent adverse effects on wetlands in the existing birdfoot delta, resulting in a reduction of between 2,000 and 3,000 acres of wetlands by 2070, compared to the no-action alternative to the project. That wetland reduction would especially affect the Delta National Wildlife Refuge and the state's Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area. The report does not discuss how that loss would be affected in the future by the Corps practice of moving sediment dredged to deepen the lower river to 50 feet, and expected future maintenance dredging, into those two areas.

State officials also said the public should not view the diversion as just a stand-alone project. Major projects building new wetlands using sediment dredged from the river and pumped inland are already underway in the Spanish Pass area just south of the diversion location, and a new project will begin construction later this year on expanding wetlands built with an earlier pipeline project just north of the diversion.

The coastal authoritys executive director, Bren Haase, said there likely also will be opportunities to use sediment captured by the Corps during maintenance dredging of the river channel to build wetlands near the diversions outfall. As wetlands in the outfall area expand, dredges will be used to keep channels open to allow new sediment and water to move farther out into open water areas.

Read more from the Laying the Groundwork series:
Miami Nation Enterprise's CEO, Peter Murphy wins InterimExecs Philip J. Monego Sr. Award for Excellence in Leadership. Tweet this

With 30 years' experience leading operational improvements, turnaround, and acquisition integrations in public, private, and private equity backed companies, Peter Murphy has had an exemplary career in both interim and permanent executive roles.

As a Managing Director of Operations for publicly traded private equity firm, American Capital, Murphy led transformations and company sales at organizations like FutureLogic (supplier for the gaming industry), Unwired Technologies (infotainment for auto industry), and Warner Power (power conversion products). He had a range of successful CEO assignments including engineering and manufacturing company, Parlex Corporation, where he executed two stock offerings raising over $50 million, ultimately successfully selling the business.

Murphy serves as CEO of Miami Nation Enterprises (MNE), the economic division of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, where he parachuted in to grow the Native American Tribe's portfolio of 17+ businesses and increase profitability. More on the transformation Peter led at MNE can be found at: www.interimexecs.com/case-studies/miami-nation/

"Peter came in with his limitless energy and incredible resume and was exactly the CEO we needed," said Miami Tribe of Oklahoma's General Counsel, Robin Lash. "Peter is so invaluable he is still with us. His strong work ethic and loyalty to the Tribe was clear early on and through the years he has become more than our CEO, he is family."

Tribal leaders share the same sentiment. "Mayaawi teepi! I am so happy to hear that Peter has been selected for the Phillip J. Monego Sr. Award for Excellence in Leadership. I didn't know what to expect when we reached out to InterimExecs seeking a leader who could champion our business team, initiate positive changes, and solidify our companies based on the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma's mission, vision, and values. I must say, they sent us the full package," said Tribal Chief Douglas G. Lankford. "What a tremendous honor for this man who came to the role of Interim CEO with Miami Nation Enterprises bringing steadfast leadership skills from his military experience, rock-solid ethics, and a resume of qualifications we could be confident in hiring. Peter brought his heart and soul to our business needs, and he is respected and honored for his commitment to our Tribe, MNE, and our community. Kikwehsitoole."

Donya Williams, Secretary and Treasurer for the Tribe, summed up what many feel: "From the first moment Peter joined us at the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma he has made a giant impact. Peter is a trusted and honorable leader. His outstanding leadership and mentorship has and is making a difference in our businesses and employees. I will be forever thankful for Peter and will always consider him part of our family."

About Miami Nation Enterprises:

Miami Nation Enterprises (MNE) is a political and economic subdivision of the federally-recognized Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. MNE was created to oversee and operate tribally-owned businesses spanning the construction, home improvement, and technology fields. The Miami Tribe can proudly say its companies serve customers across America and support thousands of employees.

About InterimExecs:

InterimExecs matches organizations facing big challenges and opportunities with accomplished executives around the globe through its Rapid Executive Deployment program. InterimExecs RED Team is comprised of an elite group of interim, project and fractional executives (CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CMO) who have been selected due to their track records bringing extraordinary results to companies through turnaround, growth and transformation.

Find More:

Website: www.interimexecs.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/interim_execs

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/association-of-interim-executives/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjnQQDP9C_HKvLT2O_oWgZA

SOURCE InterimExecs

Related Links

https://interimexecs.com/


So whats changed lately? The case of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was illuminating: He was charged for soliciting sexual favors at a Florida massage parlor in what was billed as part of a major human trafficking sting. Unlike most people arrested in vice raids, he had the money and the chutzpah to fight back, and the charges were dropped when courts ruled the search warrants invalid. Prosecutors had to admit they uncovered zero evidence of sex trafficking.
How many lives, Gov. Abbott?

Regarding Biden blasts Neanderthal thinking, A1, March 4): To Gov. Gregg Abbott: Thanks for canceling all of your orders regarding mask-wearing and COVID-19 precautions by restaurants and other businesses! I am now writing to suggest that you also cancel all legislation and regulations regarding seat belts, drunk driving, speed limits and littering. Deaths in car accidents and littering are way down in recent decades. We have made lots of progress (like COVID), and no one likes being told what to do by the government, whether using uncomfortable seat belts or driving at a certain speed. All we need is to trust people to (as you so wisely put it) exercise personal responsibility and just do the right thing! Right? Am I missing something here? Oh, and if people start again dying in car accidents right and left, you can always put it on local officials to figure out what to do.

Tom Ellis, Missouri City

By removing the mask mandate Gov. Greg Abbott is not putting his life on the line. He is one of the 9 percent that has received a COVID vaccination and lives in a cushy cocoon of COVID-tested staff. He, instead, is putting the lives of thousands of unvaccinated Texans on the line. Early in the pandemic he hesitated to put a mask mandate in place which may have cost thousands of Texan lives. Under what bone-headed logic is he now going to remove the mandate? This peril is now compounded by the reality that there are more virulent virus variants that spread more rapidly. If the deaths resume an upward trend Abbott can only lose reelection, his job and possibly the Republican control of Texas, but thousands of Texan family members will lose their lives.

Ted Agon, Houston

In defense of the repeal

Since when is giving power back to the people a Neanderthal idea in America? People from all over the world risk their lives to come to this country for that ideal. I commend Gov. Greg Abbott for having faith in Texans to continue to be responsible but on their own terms according to their individual situations. If anyone needs to do some rethinking it is President Biden who is allowing COVID-infected immigrants to cross our border in order to satisfy his own political agenda without any regard whatsoever to the citizens of Texas.

Carole Paul Vesely, Houston

So Joe Biden is all over Texas because masks are no longer required in the State. Why hasn't he also blasted Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee

These states also do not require masks.

Lillian Shaver, Houston

A limerick for the governor

Greg Abbotts imprudent surprise

Will put COVID back on the rise.

He no more imposes

Masks over your noses,

But his has slipped over his eyes!

Mark Lovvorn, Dallas

Failure to lead

It seems to me Gov. Greg Abbotts decision to open Texas 100 percent while we still are experiencing a pandemic is equivalent to Ted Cruzs Cancun trip  abandoning Texans to fend for themselves. God help Texas, because her elected officials sure arent.

Janet Pozmantier, Houston

If Gov. Greg Abbotts dropping of mask requirements and business restrictions is an attempt to get us to quit talking about what a terrible job he did in the weather emergency, he has succeeded. Now we are talking about what a terrible job he is doing in the COVID emergency.

Anita W Darras, Houston

Trump 2.0

Oh Gov. Greg Abbott, who do you represent?

County officials do not agree with you in regards to opening the state next Wednesday. Health professionals do not support you, but your ridiculous Trumperific style is to defer our attention away from the power problems by saying stupid things that put peoples lives in danger.

Donald Trump is out of office but believe me his influence is deeply embedded in many places.

Before any of you remind me of how you cant believe that I would move here, understand that wherever you land in the world you have the power to be informed, to make a difference, to learn a different perspective, and most of all create a home, embrace community and personally grow where you are.

Melita Weishaupt, Pearland

The good news is that scientists and health professionals continue to make progress in defeating COVID-19 and hopefully its variants by creating vaccines that help to prevent its spread. The bad news is that a substantial fraction of the U.S. population prefers to believe politicians rather than health professionals and continues to participate in behavior that can spread the viruses. This includes anti-vaxxers and people who disregard CDC social recommendations  unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent stupidity. Gov. Greg Abbotts opening up of the second most populous state in the U.S. could lead to thousands of additional COVID-19 deaths, as did the previous administrations 2020 downplaying of the pandemic. Although hurt, many businesses will recover  a half-million deceased victims will not.

Robert Nielsen, Montgomery

Does Gov. Greg Abbott not understand that when he is relying on a persons individual responsibility whether or not to wear a mask that the person is hurting other people, not just him or her self. If the governor had not overruled Judge Lina Hidalgos mask mandate almost a year ago, many Texans would have survived the virus and there wouldnt have been as many cases. Why does the governor think he knows more than the CDC and the doctors, like Dr. Peter Hotez right here in Houston. Just like President Trump, the governor also has blood on his hands.

Jack Selber, Houston

So how dumb is the decision by Gov. Abbott to remove mask and business mandates? In my opinion, box-of-rocks dumb. But we all really know why he is doing this. Its a diversionary tactic that worked well for the former occupant of the White House. It says that if youve done something outrageous that hasnt worked out well for you, then simply do a new outrageous thing which will make people pay attention to the new thing and lessen focus on the old thing. The governor and legislature have the blood on their hands of people who froze to death in their beds, and they know this. So what to do? Why, lets take away all COVID-19 protections long before the percentage of vaccinated Texans is large enough to do this anywhere near safely, and hereby almost certainly accumulate more blood on our hands. But hey, lets worry about that when we have to.

In my county, there are only 6 percent of fully vaccinated people, and now we are going to have to see maskless people shopping around us who are probably not vaccinated. Wearing a mask is a small thing with a big payoff. If you want to open all businesses, at least keep the mask mandate. I can promise you this, any store that does not require their customers to wear masks will not get my business. H-E-B, Im looking at you.

Susan Chidlow, Leander
Myanmars police and military forces have turned their attention to targeting medics and volunteers assisting wounded anti-junta demonstrators, at times using excessive force against them, witnesses, officials, and emergency medical workers said Thursday.

On Wednesday  the deadliest day since the coup began on Feb. 1 police beat up, shot, and detained medics helping injured protesters in Yangon and Monywa, the largest city in northwestern Myanmars Sagaing region, they said.

Security forces in recent days have destroyed ambulances, medical equipment, and internationally recognized Red Cross flags, and have injured medics, the Myanmar Red Cross Society said in a statement on Tuesday.

The organization called on the police and military to respect medics and aid volunteers and refrain from targeting them.

In a particularly brutal incident caught on CCTV on Wednesday, police stopped an ambulance from the Mon Myat Seik Htar Charity group in North Okkalapa township, Yangon region, beat and kicked four medics, and shot out the vehicles windows. They then hauled the men off to Insein Prison on the outskirts of the commercial city.

Our team was taking out the people who got injured in the crackdown, a spokeswoman for the volunteer group said.

The four medics were responding to a call for help but had to take small alleyways to get to the location because of police presence on the main roads, said the woman who declined to be named for safety reasons.

Unfortunately, they were caught by a group of policemen who ordered them to get out of the vehicle, and they were violently beaten up, she said. We know they had some injuries on their heads and bodies. We were told not to worry.

Two members of We Love Humanitarian Group also were roughed up by police and taken away but later released. Officers damaged the vehicles windshield and windows.

At least 11 people died from police violence in North Okkalapa township on Wednesday, while about 20 others were injured, according to an RFA tally based on information from social workers and activists.

A view of an ambulance used by medics helping wounded anti-junta protesters after police shot out the driver's side window of the vehicle in North Okkalapa township, Yangon region, March 3, 2021, Credit: RFA





We are on the run

In Yangons North Dagon township, police on Wednesday night raided the office of the popular Free Funeral Service Society led by former film star and director Kyaw Thu and beat up workers inside the building, an employee said.

Workers from the civil society organization tried to provide assistance to protesters with gunshot wounds on Wednesday.

Right now we are on the run, said the worker who declined to give his name for safety reasons. There were about 30 of us inside when they came. We tried to escape, so I dont know how many were left inside or how many got arrested.

The association's chairman, Kyaw Thu, was not in the office at the time of the raid. RFA could not reach him Thursday for comment on the incident.

A statement issued by the association said that it no longer would provide free funeral services for the families of the police and the military following the attack on its office.

In Sagaing region, police warned first-aid teams not to accompany protesters either on the sidelines of demonstrations or by following them during marches through the central city of Monywa, where huge crowds of demonstrators have been gathering, emergency care workers said.

Sein Ko Ko, president of the Monywa branch of the Myanmar Humanitarian Group, told RFA that Wednesday was the first day that there were many casualties from the anti-junta protests. Eight deaths were reported in the city on Wednesday, according to news reports.

We are now not allowed [by police] to go into the hot spots, he said. People have to bring the wounded to our ambulances parked far away. Only after that can we take the wounded to the nearest hospital.

We have been warned that if we go along with the protesters, our vehicles will be shot, too, Sein Ko Ko added.

Monywa authorities arrested nine volunteers from the Myanmar Humanitarian Group and three doctors from the local branch of the Myanmar Medical Association on Monday, but released them later the same day, he said.

Police also detained about 20 medics from four other humanitarian groups and seized five ambulances on Feb. 26, but released them all after three days, aid workers said.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
(Photo : Artyom Ivanov/TASS (Photo by Alexei Ivanov\TASS via Getty Images)) China is planning to launch a new solid-fuel rocket that can transport 20 satellites in its cargo. It has recently been greenlit and is expected to make its maiden flight in 2022.

China is planning to launch a new solid-fuel rocket that can transport 20 satellites in its cargo. It has recently been greenlit and is expected to make its maiden flight in 2022.

The Smart Dragon-3 Takes Flight in 2022

The Jielong-3 or Smart Dragon-3 is a small-lift rocket that will operate at a competitive cost per mass of $10,000 a kilogram. Jiang Jie, a rocket scientist with the rocket's developer, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), told Xinhua on Wednesday by Yahoo news.

As the latest member of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)Smart Dragon commercial rocket family, the SD-3 gained its project approval on Dec.31, 2020. China will launch the new rocket through a seaborne platform in the first half of 2022.

According to CALT, the 2.64-meter-diameter SD-3 with a 3.35-meter-diameter nose cone is the largest and strongest in the Smart Dragon rocket series. It is capable of sending a payload of 1.5 tons to the 500-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).

Jiang, who is also a CALT expert and member of the 13thh National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Science, said that the Smart Dragon-3 aims to meet the market needs of launching a large-scale commercial satellite constellation, as it is capable of sending as many as 20 satellites in one flight, as reported by Global Times.

Also Read: China Moon Rover Finds 'Milestone' Rock on Far Side Believed to be From Meteor Impacts!

The rollout of the Smart Dragon-3 would reduce the unit cost of payloads to $10,000 per kilogram, said CALT, highlighting the model's strong market competitiveness. China's upcoming rocket has been fitted with facilities that support both land and sea-based launches.

Assembly and testing of the Smart Dragon-3 will be carried out in Haiyang Port in Haiyang, East China's Shandong Province, a site dubbed the "Dongfang Space Port" specifically for sea-based space launches. The company also hopes that executing a commercial launch service contract can be shortened to six months, significantly improving rocket launch efficiency.

Smart Dragon-3 Compared With SpaceX Falcon 9

In comparison, the SpaceX Falcon 9's heavy-lift rockets such as the SpaceX Falcon 9 have managed to reduce costs to $2,720 per kilogram for low-Earth orbit, but it is usually more expensive to sent the same payload into space on a smaller space vehicle. But, the space vehicle did launched a new batch of 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit Thursday morning (March 4), and nailed its landing on a floating platform at sea to top off the long-awaited mission.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 is a reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth's orbit and beyond. It is the world's first orbital class reusable rocket that allows SpaceX to relaunch the most expensive parts of the rocket.

China's Space Program

China has stepped up its space rocket programme in the last couple of years as the country has built a space station for launching rockets, its first mission to Mars that aims to land a space probe on the Red Planet in Mat this year, and plans to land Chinese astronauts in the Moon by 2030. Last year, is sent the final satellite of its BeiDou global navigation network into orbit.

Work is underway to upgrade and develop new launch vehicles such as the Long March rockets to fulfil its space ambitions. The rockets range from small-lift vehicles to heavy-lift ones used for the lunar and space station programmes. A super-heavy-lift rocket is also in the works expected to be ready around 2028 and will be used for China's first interplanetary mission.



Related Article: China's Rising Space Industry Challenges US in 21st Century's Space Race

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by: Luis Smith

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ahhh, the joys of renting an apartment. Regardless of how much you research, plan, or review the property, there are always bound to be some unpleasant surprises. A leaky sink. A creaky door. In the case of my last apartment, a massive mildew problem rendering the space nearly uninhabitable. However it seems that a TikTok-er by the name of Samantha Hartsoe has all of our apartment horror stories beat -- earlier this week, she unearthed an alarming discovery in her New York City pad, putting Lewis Carroll and Parasite's Bong Joon Ho to shame: An entire abandoned apartment hidden behind her bathroom mirror.

Continue Reading Below Advertisement

Upon returning to her three-bedroom Roosevelt Island apartment, which she shares with two roommates, following a hiking trip last weekend, Hartsoe noticed her bathroom was chilly ... a little too chilly. "It was weird, because I dont have a vent that I know of in there that blows cold air," she told urban design publication, Curbed of her initial suspicions. After scouring the room for a possible source for the draft, she found the chilly culprit -- her bathroom mirror. "I realized that its not connected to the wall, which seems a little strange. Sometimes mirrors are only, like, hanging  but the cold air was a little bit suspect." Following her hunch, she then removed the mirror to find not only a gaping hole in her wall, but an entire abandoned apartment sitting seemingly untouched.

Continue Reading Below Advertisement

Naturally, the 26-year-old did what most zillennials would do when faced with a mysterious portal lurking above their bathroom sink -- document the entire affair in the form of a nightmare-inducing four-part TikTok series. Although the first installment documents the events leading up to Hartsoe's mildly horrifying discovery ...

Continue Reading Below Advertisement

... with the second documenting the alarming reveal and her friend's concerned reactions ...

Continue Reading Below Advertisement

... in the third episode, she goes where no New Yorker has ventured before -- except, perhaps her landlord -- through the looking glass and into the adjacent apartment. Equipped with a heavy-duty mask, a flashlight attached to her head via a chevron hairband, and a hammer to bash any potential murderers lurking about, Hartsoe ventured forth, clearly having never seen a horror movie. Although dangerous enough to warrant a TikTok safety warning, urging teens to avoid climbing through mirror-sized apartment portals in their homes, the stakes were even higher behind the scenes. "I have to find my way out of here," she explained to Curbed of her thoughts while in the mysterious flat. "I have to go back through that hole, which is pretty much impossible, or I have to find the exit of this place, which means I have to, at this point, explore it all."
Honeywell Automation India Ltd. (HAIL) on Thursday said it has appointed Ganesh Natarajan as Independent Director (Non-Executive) and Chairman of its Board of Directors, effective March 8.

As Chairman of Board of Directors, Natarajan will offer guidance to HAIL's management team on the company's overall strategy, business, and financial matters.

Natarajan succeeds Suresh Senapaty, who completes his five-year tenure as Independent Director and Chairman of HAIL on March 7.

Senapaty has conveyed his desire not to seek reappointment as Independent Director of the company for a second term due to his personal commitments, HAIL said.

"Ganesh Natarajan brings with him a rich and varied experience as a seasoned CEO, a tech entrepreneur, and an industry thought leader," Ashish Gaikwad, Managing Director, HAIL, said in a statement.

"We look forward to his guidance and inputs to our strategic vision to become a software industrial company as we steer the company through an ambitious and aggressive growth path."

Natarajan has more than 30 years of industry experience, including 25 years as CEO for Aptech and Zensar Technologies.

He is a serial entrepreneur, having founded 5F World, a platform for digital start-ups, skills, and social ventures, and he co-founded Global Talent Track, Skills Alpha, and Lighthouse Communities Foundation.

He also co-founded two Indo-US joint ventures, namely Kalzoom Advisors and the Centre for AI and Advanced Analytics.

"I have always been keenly interested in the role of digital technologies in re-engineering processes for the corporate and social sectors. I am excited to be part of Honeywell, a software-industrial leader that has been driving India's move towards Industry 4.0," Natarajan said on his appointment.

HAIL is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and is a leader in providing integrated automation and software solutions, including process solutions and building solutions.

It has a wide product portfolio in environmental and combustion controls, and sensing and control, and provides engineering services in the field of automation and control to global clients.
Have you ever been reminded unexpectedly of a book from your past that influenced you enormously at an earlier time in your life? Earlier this week I was rearranging the books in my library in order to put some new volumes in their proper place on the shelf when a book caught my eye that has really ministered to me over the years. The book is Strength to Love by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I am not surprised that Mrs. King said that if theres one book that Martin . . . has written that people consistently tell me has changed their lives, it is Strength to Love. She explained that this book embodied the foundational force behind Dr. King and his ministry  the transcendent moral ethic of love.

As I leafed through the book earlier this week, my eyes fell upon one of many passages I had highlighted when I read the book when it was first published in 1963. One underlined passage reads, Few words in the New Testament more clearly and solemnly express the magnanimity of Jesus spirit than that sublime utterance from the cross, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. This is divine love at its best.

Dr. King points out it was precisely at this point where Jesus was suffering an unjustified, excruciating, agonizing death that he pleaded, Father, forgive them. Dr. King then expands on the subject (one notices that Dr. King wrote the way he spoke, with a melodic eloquence that lingers in your mind.) Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies and to pray for them that despitefully used them. This teaching fell upon the ears of many of His hearers like a strange music from a foreign land.

Yet when Jesus was crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love. The lesson was crystal clear: Only goodness can drive out evil and only love can conquer hate.

Source:The Christian Post
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 50 Master's in Engineering Degree Programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 166 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 166 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Master's in Engineering Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-masters-in-engineering-degree-programs/

2021 Master's in Engineering Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Arizona State University

Auburn University

California State University, Fullerton

Clemson University

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Colorado Technical University

Columbia University

Cornell University

Drexel University

Florida International University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Harvard University

Iowa State University

Johns Hopkins University

Kansas State University

Kennesaw State University

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

New York University Tandon School of Engineering

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Ohio State University

Ohio University

Oklahoma State University

Pennsylvania State University

Purdue University

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

South Dakota State University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Texas A & M University, College Station

Texas A&M University, Kingsville

Texas Tech University

University Of Alabama

University of Arizona

University Of Arkansas

University of California, Los Angeles

University of Cincinnati

University Of Dayton

University Of Florida

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Maryland

University of Michigan, Dearborn

University of Nebraska, Lincoln

University of North Dakota

University of South Florida

University Of Southern California

University of Virginia

Virginia Tech

Washington State University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
By Daniel Medina and Nandita Bose

(Reuters) - A group of U.S. lawmakers visited an Amazon facility in Alabama on Friday to lend support to a growing push to unionize its workers, in what labor leaders and lawmakers called one of the most important union elections in United States history.

Workers at the Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama, are voting on whether to become the first employees in the U.S. to join a union at one of the country's largest employers.

The visit comes on the heels of President Joe Biden's recent statement defending workers' rights to form unions. While he did not mention Amazon, he referenced "workers in Alabama."

The move by the Alabama workers, which is being backed by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), is a critical one for the U.S. labor movement that has struggled with declining membership in recent years. It is also a watershed moment for a growing unionizing drive within the tech industry that has long been hostile to organized labor.

The congressional delegation includes U.S. Representatives Andy Levin, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Terri Sewell, and Nikema Williams.

"This is the most important election for the working class of this country in the 21st century," Rep. Levin said, addressing workers in Bessemer. "This is the biggest election in the south in a generation."

Rep. Sewell, whose district includes Bessemer, likened the fight to the civil rights struggles in the area's past.

"I know that Amazon workers stand in the same tradition as John Lewis...as those foot soldiers that dare to change the world by having the audacity to stand up for their rights."

Bowman went a step further and urged Amazon workers around the country to pay attention to their working conditions.

The lawmakers also privately met with workers and organizers from the facility.

"We just want what's owed to us," said Kevin Jackson, an Amazon worker at the Bessemer warehouse who attended the meetings. "We want a seat at the table."

Story continues

Michael Foster, a lead RWDSU organizer, said workers at the facility reached out to the union for help, not the other way around. "We know we have people walking on egg shells because they have no sense of job security," he said.

Amazon spokeswoman Heather Knox said she does not believe the RWDSU represents the majority of employees' views and that Amazon offered "some of the best jobs available everywhere we hire, and we encourage anyone to compare our total compensation package, health benefits, and workplace environment to any other company with similar jobs."

Knox also said the company hopes "these members of Congress will spend this same amount of energy on raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour as Amazon did for all of our employees in 2018."

A NEW CHAPTER

The vote could also help kickstart a new chapter for the labor movement in the southern states, where unions have long struggled to gain a foothold, labor experts said.

One of the main reasons for this has been fewer job opportunities in the region and political hostility toward unions, said William Gould, a labor law expert at Stanford Law. Gould is also a former chairman of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

"But that is changing because of how companies such as Amazon have really tested the limits of workers' endurance," he said, adding that the pandemic had exacerbated existing health and safety issues.

Bessemer, which is about 15 miles (24 km) away from Birmingham, the most populous city in the state, is majority African American - a fact that has also made the fight an important one for several lawmakers.

Levin separately told Reuters Amazon's policies are "egregious", especially those such as "trying to force an in-person election in a pandemic hotspot."

The NLRB decided on Jan. 15 to not allow in-person voting due to safety concerns during the pandemic. Earlier this month, close to 6,000 workers began voting by mail on whether to join the union.

Amazon spokeswoman Knox maintained that "Amazon proposed a safe on-site election process validated by COVID-19 experts that would have empowered our associates to vote on their way to, during and from their already-scheduled shifts."

(Reporting by Daniel Medina in Bessemer, Alabama and Nandita Bose in Washington, Additional reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Aurora Ellis)
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark's health authority said on Friday it would recommend giving AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine to everyone aged over 18 after a vaccination study from Scotland showed positive results across all ages.

Mirroring a similar approach in many other European Union countries, Denmark had previously only recommended giving the shot to under-65s, saying it would wait until more data on efficacy among the elderly is available.

The new recommendation follows the release of a large study from Scotland, which showed a markedly reduced risk of a serious course of illness from COVID-19 across all age groups following vaccination, the agency said.

Most elderly people in Scotland had been vaccinated with AstraZeneca's vaccine, it said.

When the AstraZeneca vaccine was approved for use by EU regulators earlier this year, many EU countries including France, Germany and Italy said it should not be given to the elderly, citing a lack of sufficient data.

But France and others, which lag far behind Britain with their vaccination campaigns, have also now moved to allow their elderly citizens to receive AstraZeneca shots following the Scottish study.

(Reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard; editing by John Stonestreet and Gareth Jones)
After the Narcotics Control Bureau filed a 12,000-page chargesheet in the Bollywoood-drug nexus case in connection with the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Republic Media Network on Friday accused exclusive details from the charegsheet including the mention of the actor's former girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik.

Details of chargesheet

As per sources, the NCB has mentioned that over the months of repeated raids at the houses of several A-listers, 7 kgs of narcotics have been recovered with a market value of Rs 35 lakhs. Arguments put forward by certain persons like Kshitij Ravi Prasad who had denied taking drugs, claiming that seized items were cigarette buds, have been put to rest as all test reports have come positive for narcotics. Their test reports have also been attached by the NCB in their chargesheet.

Read:NCB Detains Sushant Singh's Friend Rishikesh Pawar After Month Of Being 'absconding'

NCB highlights role of Rhea Chakraborty

The NCB chargesheet has categorically mentioned Rhea Chakraborty (presently on bail) and her transactions from her one HDFC bank account for producing the drugs. It has also placed on record, specific incidents pointing to the 'direct role and connivance' of Rhea in procuring drugs, mentioning that their delivery was also made to her residence. She has also been held a co-conspirator along with her brother Showik Chakraborty in the case, who has been accused of being in touch with peddlers and procuring drugs 'financed' by Rhea.

About 33 people have been named in the chargesheet along with Rhea Chakraborty, citing 'enough evidence' and placing on record her Whatsapp chats, financial transactions, and incidents on record involving her direct role in the purchase of the drugs. The agency also stated that they have found incriminating evidence, which includes digital evidence, call record details, WhatsApp chats, location tags, video and voice recordings, and several other documents, unearthing her involvement. A complaint against her has been filed.

Read:Arjun Rampal's Sister Summoned By NCB To Appear Today In Bollywood-linked Drug Case Probe

The NCB has been investigating the links of Bollywood stars in an alleged drug cartel after landing upon incriminating evidence during the investigation of the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. The investigation body had stepped into the Sushant Singh Rajput case when the Enforcement Directorate, which was investigating the financial misappropriation allegations of Sushant's funds, found alleged evidence of Rheas involvement in a drug cartel. To date, the agency has questioned numerous members of the film industry and even arrested many well-known faces. This is apart from cracking down and arresting drug peddlers in various parts of Mumbai.

Read:In Sushant Singh Rajput-related Drug Case, NCB Files 12,000 Page Charge Sheet

Read:Sushant Singh Rajput's Friend Rishikesh Pawar Absconding Notes NCB After He Skips Summons

Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Point of Care Technology Market  Overview

Point of care technology is termed as a time when clinicians deliver healthcare products and services to patients. Point of care technology includes diagnostics, devices for documentation, and others. The factors such as increasing prevalence of the chronic diseases, rising research and development facilities, and rising healthcare expenditure are anticipated to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2015, around USD 3.2 trillion were spend on healthcare expenditure in the US. Additionally, growing awareness among the people regarding the point of care diagnostics products is expected to contribute to the market growth. Furthermore, the growing adoption of automated lab systems and advancements in diagnostics is likely to boost the growth of the market.

Get Sample PDF Illustration @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1164

The global point of care technology market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period 2017 to 2023.

Regional Analysis for Global Point of Care Technology Market

On regional basis, the point of care technology market is segmented into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. North America is anticipated to dominate the global market during the forecast period.

The market growth in this region is attributed to the huge investment in the healthcare sector coupled with strong economic conditions in the region which favor the research and development activities in the healthcare sector. Moreover, rising demand for point of care technology products is expected to contribute to the market growth. Europe is the second largest market due to the increasing investment in research and development activities and presence of well-developed healthcare sector.

Additionally, Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the fastest growing market owing to the increasing demand for rapid diagnostics and rising prevalence of chronic diseases. The Middle East & Africa is expected to hold the lowest market share in the global point of care technology market due to lack of technical knowledge and poor medical facilities, especially in the African region.

Key Players for Global Point of Care Technology Market

Abbott (US), Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.(US), Techno Medica Co., Ltd. (Japan), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Siemens AG (Germany), Alere Inc. (US), Instrumentation Laboratory (US), PTS Diagnostics (US), Nova Biomedical (US), Beckman Coulter, Inc. (US) BD (US), Quidel Corporation (US), Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (US) are some prominent players in the global point of care technology market.

Point of Care Technology Market  Competitive Analysis

The Global Point of Care Technology Market is currently dominated by several players. The well-established market players are engaged in strategic acquisitions, collaborations, partnerships, global expansion, and product launches to gain the competitive advantage in this market and to maintain their market position.

In July 2017, Siemens Healthineers entered into an agreement to acquire Epocal Inc., a subsidiary of Alere Inc. Epocal Inc. offers point-of-care blood diagnostic systems for healthcare enterprises, which includes the epoc Blood Analysis System, wireless testing solution. With this acquisition, Siemens Healthineers increased its existing offerings in point of care diagnostics.

In June 2017, Nova Biomedical announced the grant of CE mark to Allergo analyzer, a point-of-care testing blood analyzer. Allegro analyzer along its StatStrip A companion meter provides 14 tests to monitor glucose in the blood, assessment of cardiac risk with a full lipids panel, and assessment of kidney function.

In January 2017, Werfen and its subsidiary Instrumental Laboratory (IL) acquired Acccriva Diagnostics, a leading company in in-vitro diagnostics blood testing at the Point-of-Care (POC). With this acquisition, Instrumental Laboratory established a leading position in hospital-based POC hemostasis testing and expanded its market position in Point-of-Care (POC) Critical Care testing.

In May 2016, Quidel Corporation announced the acquisition of the InflammaDry and AdenoPlus diagnostic businesses from RPs Diagnostics, a developer and manufacturer of rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests for the eye health and primary care markets.

In December 2016, LifeScan, Inc., a unit of Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Care, received approval from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the integration of its OneTouch Verio Flex blood glucose monitoring system with WellDocs BlueStar Diabetes Management Platform.

In April 2016, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. launched cobas infinity Point-of-Care mobile app that was designed to enable point-of-care coordinators (POCCs) to manage all the tasks on a smartphone or tablet and thus increasing their productivity.

READ MORE @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/point-of-care-technology-market-1164

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
Its over. Ashley Martsons estranged husband Jay Smith has signed divorce papers after three separate filings, the most recent of which came in November 2020, Us Weekly confirms. The divorce was officially finalized on Thursday, March 11.

Read article

Martson, 34, told Us exclusively on Friday, March 5, shes looking forward to putting her marriage behind her.

Im just happy and feel free, she says. It took a long time to get him to sign. This is a celebration. No sadness over here.

MEGA; Shutterstock

The Pennsylvania native also opened up about her divorce online. She posted a selfie via Instagram on Friday, writing, If youre noticing I look happier and a little bit lighter it could be the lipo or it could be that I have a ton of baggage off my shoulders.

Martson continued, This death sentence of a marriage is officially over. Just waiting on the decree! This bitch is single and ready to mingle #single #divorced #sohappy #singlesexyandfree #callme #90dayfiance Boy is this divorce party gonna be fun!

The TLC personality and Smith, 23, appeared in season 6 of 90 Day Fiance in 2018. The pair met at a nightclub while Martson was in her exs native Jamaica for a wedding. He found her on social media after their first meeting and proposed to her six months later while she was visiting him in Jamaica again.

Read article

Martson and Smith were married for eight months when she first filed for divorce in January 2019. Less than two weeks later, she withdrew the paperwork. Martson filed for divorce again in April 2019, and three months later, Smith was arrested in Pennsylvania for violating an order of protection. He was released from police custody shortly after his arrest and he and Martson tried, once again, to make their relationship work amid the coronavirus pandemic.

She explained her decision in a March 2020 YouTube video, saying, Obviously the No. 1 question everybody wants to know is Are we back together? Smith revealed, Definitely we are back together. Stronger than ever. This time its not going to go like last time. Were going to stay together.

Ultimately, they called it quits again in September 2020. Martson addressed the breakup via Instagram.

I am not asking for sympathy, empathy, attention, or anything else. The truth is, I cant ask something of anyone when at this moment I dont know what I need. I dont know where Im going, whats next for me or who I will evolve into, she wrote at the time. My only hope is that I become a better version of myself through this embarrassing and painful experience.

Read article

She revealed their decision earlier that same month, announcing that she and Smith were planning to separate for good this time.

I thought I was stronger and more forgiving but Im not. Sometimes when trust is broken, it just cannot be repaired, she wrote via social media. I gave my all to this marriage and as I type this Im heartbroken, this isnt how I envisioned my future. We want to thank everyone who has supported us and were rooting for us. Have a good weekend everyone. To my close friends and family Im sorry youre finding out this way but I just dont have the strength to talk about it. Please forgive me.
Home base primary care Pharmacist Erin Emonds logs onto a computer before filling syringes with the allotted number of doses for the at home visits for the day at the US Department of Veterans Affairs' VA Boston Healthcare System's Jamaica Plain Medical Center in Boston, Mass. on March 4, 2021. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

US Bishops Discourage Catholics From Receiving Johnson & Johnson Vaccine If Alternatives Available Over Abortion Link

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released a statement on March 2 encouraging Catholics to avoid getting the latest adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson if alternatives are available.

In Thursdays statement, Bishop Kevin Rhoades, chairman of the conferences Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, chairman of the conferences Committee on Pro-Life Activities, recommended Catholics get the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer or Moderna over Johnson & Johnson, if possible, because the latter adenovirus vector vaccine was developed with the help of abortion-derived cell lines.

The approval of Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine for use in the United States again raises questions about the moral permissibility of using vaccines developed, tested, and/or produced with the help of abortion-derived cell lines, the Bishops wrote in their statement.

Pfizer and Modernas vaccines raised concerns because an abortion-derived cell line was used for testing them, but not in their production. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, was developed, tested and is produced with abortion-derived cell lines raising additional moral concerns.

Johnson & Johnsons stem cell line comes from an abortion performed in 1985, according to Science.

This has prompted criticism from a number of Catholic groups, including The Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, who last week urged people to avoid having Johnson & Johnsons vaccine, calling it morally compromised.

The guidance was at odds with The Vatican, which in December declared that it is morally acceptable for Roman Catholics to receive any COVID-19 vaccines, including those based on research that originally used cells derived from aborted fetuses.

Pope Francis and his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, both received COVID-19 vaccines in February.

Bishop Rhoades and Archbishop Naumann said that when ethically irreproachable COVID-19 vaccines are not available, it is morally acceptable for Catholics to receive vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.

However, they urged Catholics to try and choose COVID-19 vaccines with the least connection to abortion-derived cell lines when possible.

Therefore, if one has the ability to choose a vaccine, Pfizer or Modernas vaccines should be chosen over Johnson & Johnsons, the Bishops continued.

While we should continue to insist that pharmaceutical companies stop using abortion-derived cell lines, given the world-wide suffering that this pandemic is causing, we affirm again that being vaccinated can be an act of charity that serves the common good, they added.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the third to be authorized for use in the United States, and unlike Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, it only requires one shot.

Johnson & Johnson said in a statement to The Hill on Tuesday, We are able to manufacture hundreds of millions of doses using our engineered cell-line system and look forward to delivering those doses around the world and help meet the critical need.

The statement also noted that the vaccine uses an inactivated non-infective adenovirus vectorsimilar to a cold virusthat codes for the coronavirus spike (S) protein and that there is no fetal tissue in the vaccine itself.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which isnt available in the United States, is also a adenovirus vector vaccine that has been developed from kidney cell lines derived from a fetus aborted in 1973.

The Epoch Times has contacted Johnson & Johnson for comment.
Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In .

Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In.
(TARKIO, Mo.) One of Missouris smallest counties has the best vaccination rate in the state.

More than 22 percent of Atchison Countys 5,143 residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, according to state data Thursday. Compared to the state average of 15 percent of the population.

Julie Livengood, the Atchison County health department administrator, believes the statistic reflects the teamwork of area agencies, proactive steps taken early on, and a little bit of luck.

As soon as we could sign up to become a COVID vaccinator, we did so. There were a few hiccups but we were approved during the first part of November. As soon as we could order the vaccine, we did so. Early on, we got vaccines before many others due to our approved vaccinator status. There were many health depts and hospitals that were still waiting for vaccinator approval in January and by then we had first and second doses given out, Livengood said.

While smaller counties have some advantages in the race to get communities vaccinated, Atchison County has done better than its county peers. With the exception of Shelby County, the eight counties closest to Atchison Countys population size trail in vaccination rates by 6-13 percent.

Livengood said the entire county has been working together to share vaccine supplies and assist vaccine providers.

The vaccine rate is due to vaccines given by not only the health department, but also our local nursing homes, local hospital, local pharmacies, and nearby mass vaccination clinics, she said. The whole county has been working together to fight COVID for a year now and we haven't stopped. We may be a small county, but that's what we do here. We work together to get things done.

Livengood said she expects the county vaccination rate to keep climbing in the coming weeks. Atchison County is still working through its Phase 1A and Phase 1B tier 1-2 groups and the county health department has not seen the vaccine demand fizzle out.

If we had the vaccine in our hands all the time, and there were no restrictions. I feel like we could get our county vaccinated by May, you know? And be done but thats just not possible right now, she said.

(Bloomberg) -- Oil surged to the highest in nearly two years after the OPEC+ alliance surprised traders with its decision to keep output unchanged, signaling a tighter crude market in the months ahead.

Futures in New York climbed 4.2%, rising the most since Saudi Arabia last shocked markets with its January pledge to unilaterally cut output. Global benchmark Brent also jumped on Thursday. The OPEC+ producer alliance agreed during a virtual gathering to hold output steady in April. Saudi Arabia said it is in no hurry to bring back supply and will maintain its 1 million barrel-a-day voluntary production cut.

The decision to maintain the current OPEC+ supply cuts for the month of April has given the oil bulls exactly what they needed as far as the tight-supply narrative goes, said Ryan Fitzmaurice, commodities strategist at Rabobank. The Saudis shrewdly recognized that in order to maintain the recent upward price momentum and speculative buying interest in oil futures, they needed to feed the bull.

OPEC+ has helped drain a global glut that accumulated during the pandemic through its supply management, pushing crude futures up more than 30% so far this year. The strength is evident across many corners of the oil market, with key timespreads widening further in a bullish backwardation structure -- an indication of tightening supplies -- and data from brokers showing rallies in key swap markets in the North Sea.

Meanwhile, Brent options volume rose to the highest since March 2020, according to preliminary trade data compiled by Bloomberg.

The OPEC+ decision represents a victory for Saudi Arabia, which has advocated for production restraints to keep crude prices supported. However, higher prices could spur additional drilling activity by U.S. shale explorers, with domestic oil rigs already at the highest since May 2020. Saudi Arabia appeared unfazed by that risk: Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told reporters after the meeting that the U.S. mantra of drill, baby, drill is gone forever.

Its going to get tight, said Bill OGrady, executive vice president at Confluence Investment Management in St. Louis. The longer prices stay up, the greater the likelihood we will eventually see a supply response from the U.S. But, its not going to be as immediate as it would have been in the past.

OPEC+ had been debating whether to restore as much as 1.5 million barrels a day of output. As part of the agreement, Russia and Kazakhstan were granted exemptions. The groups next meeting is scheduled for April 1 to discuss production levels for May.

The ramifications of a swiftly tightening oil market may also impact prices at the pump, with U.S. retail gasoline prices approaching $3 per gallon for the first time in six years.

The rally in crude prices thats helped send fuel prices soaring is being compounded by refined product supply declines in the U.S. after a deep freeze paralyzed much of the Gulf Coast refining sector late last month. Gasoline futures in New York climbed above $2 a gallon on Thursday before settling just under the key level.

Meanwhile, tensions are gathering in the Middle East after Yemens Houthi rebels claimed attacks on Saudi targets. The rebels, who are backed by Iran, said they bombed an airbase in Saudi Arabias southwest with a drone and hit a Saudi Aramco crude facility in Jeddah. Aramco and Saudi officials didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
RABAT - Cinema, music and art are part of a rich program of the Italian cultural institute in Rabat that kicks off the 2021 season, which will be online, at least until June. The opening concert, "Petite messe solennelle" by Rossini, will be broadcast by the Petruzzelli theater in Bari, on March 13, which is inaugurating a series of initiatives that are on the website of the IIC.



Director Carmela Callea presented the program of the next three months. "We aim to better promote Italian culture - she said - through long-term initiatives and extraordinary events, like our concert". The year 2021 will also be dedicated to Dante Alighieri and the institute in Rabat is one of 12 all over the world chosen to represent the author of the Divine Comedy on March 21-25.



"We have the role of illustrating chant IV of the Purgatory on March 23", said the director Callea, who has the collaboration of cinema critic Carlo Gentile and Rai Cinema to make videos and organize events.

Click here for the all program



Cinema is at the center of the program. For ten weeks (on March 16-April 14), 42 short films produced over the last two years will be available to the public. They have won prizes awarded by the public and critics in competitions and festivals.



The short films were made by, among others, Marco Bellocchio, Pasquale Scimeca and Gianni Amelio. Anyone can register and follow the events live with filmmakers and guests.



Movies will also accompany viewers through the culture and artistic beauty of Italian regions in an imaginary online trip for a total of 20 locations, from April until June. Screenings (free on the dedicated platform) will be preceded by a series of meetings with representatives of the world of culture and institutions from the 20 Italian regions; the meetings are simultaneously translated into French.



Finally, in June, for the project 'Fare cinema' (make cinema), organized by the Italian foreign ministry to promote art and the film industry, initiatives and events have been organized to get to know all the professions in front and behind the camera.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has apologised to Brittany Higgins for any hurt and distress she caused after reports she called her former staffer a lying cow in remarks to staff.

Senator Reynolds said she had never questioned Ms Higgins account of an alleged sexual assault in the ministers office in March 2019. But she reportedly called Ms Higgins a lying cow in remarks to her staff when the alleged rape became public, which she has since said was in relation to news reports about her response to the incident.

In response to a letter from Ms Higgins lawyers yesterday afternoon, discussions are now under way through our legal representatives in an effort to resolve this matter as soon as possible, with any resolution to include an apology, Senator Reynolds said in a statement on Friday.

However, in the meantime, I want to express how deeply sorry I am for these remarks and for any hurt and distress they have caused.
Here's what made the headlines on page one of the Kilkenny People 50 years ago this week - March 5, 1971

A scathing attack on deteriorating modern social values in Ireland and the galloping growth of materialism is made by Most Rev Dr Birch in one of his shortest, but most power-fused, pastoral letters since his consecration as Bishop.

Dr Birch lashes out at:

The new viciousness in trade disputes

At powerful company mergers which are crippling the small family man

At sex parties and drink orgies that disillusion the young

At dishonest policies and at a society whose motto seems to be grab what you can and hold on to it.

He condemns the craze for possessions and remarks that all around us there is evidence that people are concentrating all their attention on getting as much as they can.

Highlights from Dr Birchs pastoral includes:

Powerful companies are said to be coming together and making national necessities, such as housing or food impossible for the small family man. Whatever about that, what grows bigger every day is the gap between the rich and the poor.

We have a new breed of tone setters. When they are seen it is in glossy magazine type surroundings that are vulgar and ostentatious. Grab what you can and hold it seems to be their motto.

How does anyone advise temperance or saving or how do you recommend such simple pleasures as a family week at the seaside or an evening at the pictures when the newspapers and TV carry photos of social leaders living it up in expensive hotels at all night parties after race coups?

How do you warn young people about the harm of drugs when gin and vodka supply equal kicks and equal stupidity for their elders - or their so-called betters?

How do you recommend purity and modesty when stories are told in stage whispers about weekend parties among the rich which make the sex foolishness of the young look harmless.

Strikes have got a viciousness that they had not. Strike action seems to be intended to squeeze and hurt, not the people in dispute, but innocent people who can not defend themselves in any way.

There was a time, and not so long ago, when the family could be relied on to cushion harmful ideas for the young until they could deal with them themselves. That is not so now. It would seem that selfishness or gross material values are inculcated openly in many Irish families by example of parents own lives.

The young are drinking or drugging disgracefully, we are told. How can you justify singling out young people and blaming them for their drunkenness if drinking is the in thing and goes on all around them.

But Dr Birch is optimistic. We have many idealists, he says, and we should thank God for them, even if we dont agree with them.

Copter carries crash victim

A young Kilkenny male psychiatric nurse was seriously injured in a car accident while driving his girlfriend to her home after a date in Kilkenny.

The accident happened on a relatively straight stretch of road at Damerstown. The cause of the accident is unknown, but the car tumbled over. It was not extensively damaged.

The man, who suffered serious head and spinal injuries, was rushed to hospital. A medical helicopter from Baldonnel flew him to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Dun Laoire. The woman was detained in St Lukes Hospital for treatment.
Good morning.

Pope Francis arrived in Iraq earlier today. He is seeking to rally the Muslim-majority nations dwindling Christian community with the first papal visit there.

Winnipegs third FreshCo opened today. It is one of four such grocery stores opening here in the next few months.

The assault trial of a Winnipeg police officer is scheduled to continue today.

 Adam Treusch, assignment editor
The Biden administration told the Supreme Court on Thursday that it should dismiss pending cases concerning "sanctuary cities," which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

In letters filed with the court in all three cases related to sanctuary cities, the Justice Department said it had come to an agreement with the parties on the issue. Under President Donald Trump, the department had won one and lost two of the challenges.

The legal filing is the latest from the new Biden Justice Department changing positions from those taken by the Trump administration. Lower courts had divided over a Trump policy that directed the Justice Department to withhold federal grant funds from jurisdictions that limited their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

A federal appeals court ruled in February last year that the Trump administration could withhold federal money from seven states, as well as New York City, over cooperation on immigration enforcement.

The decision by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling that blocked the Justice Department from withholding a key law enforcement grant the department said was available only to cities that complied with specific immigration enforcement measures.

The Trump administration fought a lengthy feud with "sanctuary cities," taking measures like barring New York residents from enrolling in certain Trusted Traveler programs, such as Global Entry, last year. In April, as states sought federal support to combat the coronavirus, Trump teased withholding aid to cities that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, resorting to one of his long-standing immigration issues in the throes of the pandemic.

The issue dates back to early in Trump's presidency. In July 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that applicants for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants would have to comply with federal immigration enforcement. States pushed back and sued over the move.

Lower courts blocked the Justice Department from adding new requirements for the policing grants. In April 2018, the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling in favor of the city of Chicago.

The 2021 GGPoker Super MILLION$ Week saw another tournament come to a conclusion in Event #17: $10,300 High Roller and it was a very familiar name that would end up taking the title today. Rui Ferreira adds another win to his resume tonight for $268,974 after agreeing to a heads-up deal with Andras Nemeth who won $283,086 as he held the chip lead during the brief deal discussion.

The tournament attracted 87 unique players during the five hours of late registration with 51 reentries to get to 138 entries. This created a total prize pool of $1,038,000 which easily surpassed the original guarantee.

With this win, Ferreira has won $3,648,035 on just GGpoker alone but occupies a spot in the top five of the online poker rankings on PocketFives. He has also collected $1,227,895 in live tournament cashed according to The Hendon Mob. Ferreira's name can always be found in the big tournament series and seems to make many deep runs.

Nemeth has almost $3.5 million in cashes in the live poker scenes where he's a regular in the High Roller scene and it's no different in the online streets with $4,690,163 in cashes on just GGPoker. Other familiar names to make the final table included Shawn Daniels, Wiktor Malinowski, Joao Vieira, Wei Zhao, and Jorma Nuutinen.

GGPoker Super MILLION$ Week Event #17: $10,300 High Roller Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Rui Ferreira Portugal $268,974* 2 Andras Nemeth Hungary $283,086* 3 hashtag_fold Mexico $177,409 4 Shawn Daniels United States $133,038 5 Wiktor Malinowski Russia $99,764 6 Joao Vieira Portugal $74,813 7 Wei Zhao China $56,102 8 Jorma Nuutinen Finland $42,070 9 DogeCoin2damoon Mexico $31,548

*reflects a heads-up deal

Chaos From the Start

The tournament kicked off with 19 entries in the field but more and more players joined those early birds quite quickly. Sam Greenwood would become the first player needing to reenter when he was he lost his whole stack with the nut-flush to Daniel Dvoress who held the rockets for the turned full house on the trey-nine-trey-trey-four board.

Unfortunately for him, he'd use a few more bullets without cashing. And he wasn't the only player who would do this. David Coleman would use five of them without hitting. Artur Martirosian, Stephen Chidwick, Isaac Haxton, and Greenwood all busted on their fourth bullet. Nick Petrangelo, Bert Stevens, Matthias Eibinger, Arsenii Malinov, David Peters, and Joakim Andersson all fired three bullets and failed to make it into the money.

David Coleman fired five bullets

From the Bubble to the Final Table

According to the fairly new GGPoker "Estimated Duration" feature in the tournament lobby, the tournament would take 6 hours and 17 minutes to finish. Instead, it would take that amount of time to get close to the bubble as 20 players would get paid. George Wolff would run into the ace of Malinowski for hand-for-hand play to start with two more needing to bust before the bubble burst.

Juan Pardo Dominguez would soft bubble the event when his ace-jack couldn't beat the jacks of Vieira. Pablo Brito Silva doubled through Mikita Badziakouski and the other way around while on the other table, Ferreira doubled through "DogeCoin2damoon" before Pavlo Kolinkovskiy would bubble when he ran his pocket queens into the ace-nine of Samuel Vousden who flopped top pair.

It would take an hour after the bubble burst to get to the final table. Rui "OlliOctavius" Sousa would be the first player to cash and he was followed by Isaac Baron, Blake "Beast2018!" Bohn, Badziakouski, Kyle Menard, "dropemtk", Brito Silva, Marius Gierse, Vousden, and Roman "RRomashka" Emelyanov to get to the final table bubble.

Weiran "Kevin" Pu finished in tenth place

Kevin Pu would end up in tenth place when he jammed with queen-ten and was looked up by Nuutinen who held ace-eight. Pu hit two pair on the queen-ten-nine flop but Nuutinen picked up the gutshot to a straight. The king on the turn didn't change things but the jack on the river meant it was time for the final table.

The Final Table

It would take over an hour before "DogeCoin2damoon" would be the first to go thanks to Ferreira and five minutes later Nuutinen was eliminated by Daniels in eighth place. Zhao was next to go when he check-called on all streets for his tournament life with aces on the deuce-deuce-trey-ten-ten board. Nemeth who had put him under pressure held ace-ten for the runner-runner full house which was even more remarkable as Ferreira had the other ten.

Vieira fell in sixth place with ace-king to the jacks of Malinowski with the latter leaving the final table when he rivered a flush on the trey-trey-nine-deuce-ace board. Ferreira held aces to a full house to get the tournament down to four players. He then also took out Daniels who held pocket tens. Ferreira's ace-queen found another ace on the flop and on the river to secure another elimination to his name.

Shawn Daniels finished in fourth place for $133,038

Ferreira kept increasing his chip lead before losing it by doubling Nemeth up when he three-bet shoved with queen-jack. Nemeth had found aces and flopped the set to end up at the top of the counts. Five minutes later, "hashtag_fold" would bust in third place when they called for their tournament life with their last 3.5 big blinds with ten-trey. Nemeth's five-four turned the higher pair than "hashtag_fold" had flopped to get to heads-up.

Nemeth and Ferreira instantly discussed a deal and snap-agreed before flipping for the title. It would take five hands of back and forth doubles to eventually hand the title to Ferreira who held jack-deuce in the final hand. Nemeth's nine-deuce didn't find anything on the six-queen-five-ten-four board to connect with to extend the battle.

Andras Nemeth finished as the runner-up for $283,086

This concludes the PokerNews coverage of this event but the live reporting team will be back on Saturday, March 6, at 7 p.m. GMT to bring you all the live updates of Day 1c of Super MILLION$ $10,300 Main Event so make sure to return for all the action!
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Filming on the Netflix movie The Adam Project wrapped four days ahead of schedule on Wednesday.

And on Thursday, star Jennifer Garner posted a sweet message to her Instagram to pay tribute to her co-stars.

Alongside several behind-the-scenes shots, Garner described making the film as 'the party of the year'.

Fun: Jennifer Garner paid tribute to co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo Thursday after filming wrapped on Netflix's The Adam Project, calling the experience 'the party of the year'

The actress, 48, added: 'I loved every minute in Vancouver, every minute on set with all of you and the incredible crew.'

Garner stars in the drama with Vancouver native Ryan Reynolds as well as Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana and child actor Walker Scobell.

Reynolds also paid tribute to cast and crew on his own Instagram and shared some of the same photos as Garner.

'If #TheAdamProject is a fraction as beautiful and funny and wild as it was to shoot, then I guess we really pulled something off,' the actor shared.

'Miss you already': The film reunited Garner with her 13 Going On 30 co-star Mark Ruffalo and she shared a snap of them embracing in character along with other behind-the-scenes photos

Tribute: The actress, 48, pictured with child actor Walker Scobell, added: 'I loved every minute in Vancouver, every minute on set with all of you and the incredible crew'

Good experience: Reynolds also paid tribute to cast and crew on his own Instagram. 'If #TheAdamProject is a fraction as beautiful and funny and wild as it was to shoot, then I guess we really pulled something off,' the actor shared

The Adam Project is directed by Canadian filmmaker Shawn Levy and both he and Reynolds serve as producers on it.

It tells the story of a man who travels back in time to meet his younger self and to confront his father who died when he was young.

Last month, original screenwriter Jonathan Tropper told Collider that the science fiction elements of the film are secondary to the emotional story it seeks to tell.

'To me, the time was just a device. The movie is not a hardcore sci-fi time travel movie. Its a movie about people,' he said.
Scientists have warned that New Zealand is 'very likely' to be struck by major aftershocks of magnitude 7.0 to 7.9 in the coming days.

On the Richter scale, 7.9 is a major earthquake that can inflict serious damage and generate tsunamis.

Scientists from New Zealand's government advisory service GeoNet warned it is 'very likely' that the North Island's East Cape will suffer strong aftershocks over the next month.

'This includes the potential for earthquakes in the M7.0-M7.9 range (more than 80 per cent probability within the next 30 days),' GeoNet's website warned on Friday.

The warning comes after a series of strong tremors rocked the North Island on Friday.

Aftershocks up to 5.6 magnitude have been striking about 174km northeast of Gisborne, NZ, as of Friday night (pictured: the US Geological Service monitor). New Zealand's northern region is now on high alert for more major earthquakes and tsunamis

New Zealanders scrambled to high ground at Whangerei after they were texted an emergency alert on Friday

Three major earthquakes struck early on Friday morning sending New Zealanders scrambling

An 8.1 magnitude shock - of the largest to hit the South Pacific in modern times - struck the Kermadec Islands 800km northeast of New Zealand early on Friday morning, sending panicked North Islanders scurrying for higher ground in fear of a tsunami.

NEW ZEALAND AFTERSHOCK SCENARIOS NZ Government advisory service GeoNet says aftershocks will hit the northeast of NZ and the central Kermadec Islands over the next 30 days. The likely scenarios are: Magnitude 7.0 to 7.9: Up to 90% probable A quake of this size is strong, destructive and may cause tsunamis Magnitude 8.0: Up to 15 per cent probability but more likely to strike the Kermadecs than near the East Cape of NZ A magnitude 8.0 earthquake is a major event that can destroy a community if it strikes close and shallow The 2011 Christchurch earthquake that killed 185 people was a magnitude 6.3 that struck 6.7km southeast of the city at a depth of 6km A catastrophic magnitude 8.5 or higher: tiny 1% chance Source: GeoNet website Advertisement

It was the third and largest shock in a series of three, following a 7.4 in the same region and a 7.2 that hit 174km northeast of Gisborne, NZ, at a depth of 20.8km.

Scores of aftershocks ranging from 5.0 to 6.2 on the Richter scale have since struck the Kermadecs as of Friday night, according to the US Geological Service which monitors earthquakes worldwide.

More than 10 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.4 to 5.6 have struck the East Cape region northeast of Gisborne.

GeoNet reminded New Zealanders to drop, cover and hold during the shaking when a major earthquake strikes.

'As soon as the shaking stops, move immediately to the nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible,' the website says.

GeoNet worked out the likelihood of three scenarios in the wake of the major quake.

'We recognise these events are dramatic and unsettling for many people,' GeoNet said.

'While we do not know for certain what will happen next ... we do have some statistical models that help us know what could happen next.

GeoNet's forecast models gave a 90 per cent likelihood that aftershocks will hit New Zealand's northeast and the central Kermadecs in the next few days, decreasing in frequency over the next 30 days.

That includes an 80 per cent likelihood of a strong and damaging earthquake of magnitude 7.0 to 7.9, although this is more likely to hit near the central Kermadecs, GeoNet said.

The agency gave a smaller chance - 15 per cent - of a destructive 8.0 quake striking the central Kermadecs and a smaller possibility this could hit the East Cape region.

A magnitude 8.0 earthquake is a major event that can destroy a community if it strikes close and shallow.

The 2011 Christchurch earthquake that killed 185 people was a magnitude 6.3 that struck 6.7km southeast of the city at a depth of 6km.

The US Geological Service showed more than 20 aftershocks have hit the Kermadec Islands, most between magnitude 5.0 to 6.2 since Friday morning's major 8.1 earthquake. Most are striking at a shallow depth of 10km

The map shared by NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern showing how many people had reported the quake in New Zealand, with more reports in darker-brown areas

Residents chose to flee Whangerei by foot with some locals seen taking their pets with them after three large earthquakes hit on Friday morning

There is a tiny but frightening 1 per cent chance of a catastrophic earthquake of magnitude 8.5 or greater being triggered within the next 30 days by the recent seismic activity, GeoNet said.

'Although it is still extremely unlikely, the chances of this occurring have increased since the M8.1 earthquake,' the agency said.

Authorities said earlier on Friday that the tsunami threat has passed after terrified residents earlier fled their homes for higher ground to escape surging seawater.

Panicked locals watched from the safety of higher ground as a wall of water rolled into the coast at Tokomaru Bay on Friday morning.

Authorities had earlier issued a tsunami warning and told residents to evacuate their homes after three other earthquakes were recorded off the coast.

A 7.3-magnitude quake was recorded at 2.27am east of the North Island, before another 7.4-magnitude tremor was recorded near the Kermadec Islands four hours later.

Photos captured drivers queuing in traffic as they try to leave the town of Whangerei

Norfolk Island was hit by two-foot tsunami, threat has now passed Norfolk Island has been hit by small tsunami waves caused by nearby earthquakes but is not under any threat. The administrator of the external Australian territory, about 1400 kilometres off the east coast, says there has been no damage to the island. A 7.9 magnitude earthquake on Friday morning struck near the Kermadec Islands region to New Zealand's northeast, prompting thousands of Kiwis on the North Island's east coast to evacuate to higher ground. It was one of several earthquakes to hit near the Kermadecs early on Friday. The potential impact for Norfolk Island - to the west of the Kermadecs - began about 9am (AEDT) and was expected to last for several hours. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of the possibility of dangerous rips, waves and strong ocean currents around the island, as well as 'some localised overflow into the immediate foreshore'. Norfolk Island (pictured) was hit by a two-foot tsunami on Friday A 64cm tsunami wave hit the island, but Norfolk Island Administrator Eric Hutchinson said there was no damage reported. He said the island's 2000 residents had heeded the warnings of authorities, aided by text alerts through a newly-installed 4G network. Police had earlier warned residents not to stand on the coast to watch the tsunami, and boats around the island were told to return to shore. 'Based on the advice we had earlier received ... we should be nearly past that threat,' Mr Hutchinson, a former Tasmanian federal MP, told AAP earlier on Friday. 'I'm pleased with the way things have worked here.' The weather bureau said in a statement that the bay next to the island's pier was on Friday observed to twice 'fill up' to a water level of up to 60cm. But marine conditions around the island eased over the course of Friday and the tsunami marine warning was cancelled on Friday afternoon. There was never a tsunami threat to the Australian mainland. Residents on NZ's east coast said they noticed water receding from the shoreline, which is the first indication of a tsunami before water comes back (pictured, a cyclist overlooks the surf at Orewa, north of Auckland) The BOM said in a statement that unusual wave activity, currents and tides may still affect some Norfolk Island beaches for some time. 'Tsunami waves are more powerful than beach waves of the same size. It is the power rather than the height that makes tsunami waves so destructive, hence dangerous to swimmers and boaters,' the bureau said. In New Zealand, workers, students and residents in areas like Northland and Bay of Plenty were being assisted by civil defence officials after authorities warned tsunami waves could reach three metres above tide levels. Coastal areas under threat extended from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei and from Matata to Tolaga Bay, as well as Great Barrier Island. Kiwis have since returned to their homes, with the threat passed. Elsewhere, tsunami waves penetrated almost 30 metres inland at New Caledonia's Isle of Pines, while small tsunamis were recorded in Vanuatu, Fiji, the Cook Islands and Tonga. In NSW, Tweed Heads to the state's north recorded a 10cm tsunami wave, while a 9cm tsunami wave was recorded at Illawarra's Port Kembla. Advertisement

An 8.1 magnitude earthquake was then recorded at 8.28am before a fourth aftershock at 6.5 in magnitude was recorded at 12.12pm local time.

The tsunami threat was downgraded about 2pm and those who had evacuated were told they could return to their homes.

Tsunami warnings were issued to several islands across the Pacific including Hawaii, which is more than 7,500 kilometres away, while two-foot waves were reported at Australia's Norfolk Island.

No damage has been reported at the island though marine authorities have warned of 'dangerous rips, waves and strong ocean currents'.

Wellington, which is the capital of New Zealand, was also placed on tsunami watch and ferries were delayed.

New Zealand locals were photographed queueing in traffic and walking to higher ground as homes were evacuated from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay and Wakatane, Opotiki and Great Barrier Island.

An 8.1 magnitude earthquake was then recorded in the same area leading authorities to issue a tsunami warning to the east coast

Locals described waking up in the early hours of the morning to a 'very long, swaying shake' and houses making 'cracking sounds'.

Whakatane Coastguard's Craig said his entire town was evacuating following the emergency warning.

'I'm leaving right now. The whole town is evacuating. We are sensible down here,' he said.

Drivers were seen queuing in traffic and residents fleeing on foot as they tried to leave the town of Whangerei.

Ruakaka resident Rhys Owen drove up the main road to a friend's house and said it took 35 minutes, instead of the usual five.

Whananaki school principal Shaun Tepania, who evacuated staff and students to higher ground, described it as a 'surreal experience'.

A Tokomaru Bay shop owner, on the North Island, shares a photo of groceries lying on the floor after they were flung from the shelves following three earthquakes on Friday

'We're sitting up overlooking the estuary,' he said. 'It all seems okay for the time being, but the tide is going out when it is supposed to be coming in, which we have all been discussing.'

Ohope resident Emma Tucker said drivers were staying calm and remaining positive.

'All the cars are in the evacuation point,' she said. 'Cars are getting to safely pretty quickly. Lucky there is plenty of space on Ohope hill.'

Waves as high as three metres are expected to hit the Kermadecs and one metre high waves are likely to batter parts of the North Island.

It marks the second time the region has faced a disaster in as many years after a volcano erupted on White Island, located 48 kilometres off the coast, killing 21 people and injuring 24 others in 2019.

A firetruck drives through Pago Pago in America Samoa urging residents to get to higher ground

The latest earthquake was so strong a tsunami warning has also been issued for Hawaii, which is almost 7,500 kilometres away from New Zealand.

Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan described it as a 'dynamic event that is constantly evolving'.

'People have done the right thing in the regions by picking up, packing up, and by and large staying calm,' she said.

Locals have described waking up in the early hours of the morning to a 'very long, swaying shake' and houses making 'cracking sounds' (pictured, residents on high ground at Whangarei)

'I want to acknowledge the anxiety for many families and for many people... Now, as we pivot towards the current environment that we're in, we're asking those that have moved to high ground or inland to remain where you are.'

Warnings were also issued for other Pacific islands like Tonga, American Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and others.

Australia issued a marine tsunami threat for Norfolk Island but said there was no threat to the mainland.

Residents walk to higher ground after a tsunami warning was issued at Papamoa Beach

'People are strongly advised by Norfolk Island police in all threatened areas to get out of the water and move away from the immediate water's edge of beaches, marinas, harbours, coastal estuaries and rock platforms,' the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre said.

'Boats in harbours, estuaries or shallow coastal water should return to shore.

New Zealand residents were sent an emergency alert on their phones, urging them to leave their homes immediately.

'People in coastal areas must leave immediately out of all evacuation zones and move to high ground or as far inland as possible,' the message reads.

An emergency alert was texted to residents following an 8.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of New Zealand

'Do not stay at home. Walk, run or cycle if you can. Take only essential items (and pets) with you and share this information if it does not delay you.'

The first quake was also much more dramatic for residents on the North Island, who described a 'very long, swaying shake' and houses making 'cracking sounds' in a tremor which some thought had lasted for as long as a minute.

'Okay, like literally the entire country felt that,' one shocked resident said on social media. 'That is terrifying.'

Drivers attempt to get to higher ground at Whangarei following three earthquakes off the North Island coast on Friday morning

A terrified resident caught on camera her home shaking as the east coast was rattled by the earthquake.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern took to Instagram following the earthquake.

'Hope everyone is ok out there - especially on the east coast who would have felt the full force of that earthquake,' Ms Jacinda Ardern said.

More than 60,000 people reported feeling the quake on seismic monitor GeoNet, with a few hundred describing the shaking as 'severe' and 75 calling it 'extreme'.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
OTTAWA  Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says the prime minister told him "I'm not your banker" in a rebuke to his request for more health funding at a meeting in 2016, when both were rookie first ministers.

OTTAWA  Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says the prime minister told him "I'm not your banker" in a rebuke to his request for more health funding at a meeting in 2016, when both were rookie first ministers.

"I feel passionately about it and I want the prime minister to feel the same passion," Pallister told the Free Press on Thursday.

Pallister said he told Trudeau about a Manitoba woman who had noticed a lump in her breast and waited months for appointments, tests and consultations while the cancer grew.

"It comes down to thinking with your head in the absence of your empathy," he told reporters Thursday, as all premiers reiterated their call for a boost in federal health transfers to the provinces.

"When I raised this story, a true story, with the prime minister, he looked across the table at me and said, Im not your banker."

The Prime Ministers Office said it had no knowledge of that remark.

"We dont know what the premier is talking about," wrote spokesman Alex Wellstead, adding that the PMO is focused on collaborating on COVID-19.

The snub allegedly occurred during a December 2016 meeting Trudeau held with the premiers in Ottawa, which focused on a climate-change framework, Pallister said.

The premier said he tried to link cost-sharing on a carbon levy with sharing health expenses, and Trudeau suggested they discuss that at a dinner.

It was over the meal that Pallister said he told the story about the Manitoba couple who had tearfully explained their delayed cancer diagnosis.

"I was trying to get him to understand the impact of wait times on Canadians, and "I'm not your banker' didn't sit with that," Pallister said in an interview.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was just over a year into his first term when he allegedly made the 'I'm not your banker' remark to Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister. (Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press)

"I'm not breaking a confidence right now; I want to be clear on that."

The exchange occurred when Trudeau was just over a year into his first term, and Pallister had been premier for eight months.

"To be fair, he was a new prime minister at that point in time too, and maybe he felt somewhat threatened by the subject."

With a federal budget in the offing, premiers held a virtual news conference Thursday to reiterate their demand for a big increase in the unconditional transfer payment the federal government sends provinces and territories each year for health care.

They reiterated their request for an extra $28 billion, on top of $42 billion they already receive.

The federal government rejected that same demand this past September, saying it wanted to avoid any structural, long-term costs until after the pandemic for fear of ruining Ottawas credit rating.

Pallister called that nonsense, pointing out the Liberals keep extending COVID-19 relief programs.

"This government making a fiscal argument doesnt even bear a response," he said.

The COVID-19 funding package Ottawa sent to provinces last fall serves as a model for health-care spending, Pallister argued. It includes a general agreement about how to spend the money, but no strict rules on how to allocate it.

The current practice of the federal government holds to a formula that caps the rise of health transfers at three per cent per year, regardless of demographics, with some side allocations for specific initiatives such as home care.

Pallister expects health care to be a key issue in the next federal election, which could happen this year.

"I'm having trouble understanding what the federal government thinks is a higher long-term priority for Canadians than their health-care system," he said.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
G7 Ambassadors have called on the Council of Judges of Ukraine to postpone the appointment of judges to the High Council of Justice (HCJ) and the Constitutional Court until new selection processes are approved.

"Ambassadors urged the Council of Judges to postpone appointments to the High Council of Justice and Constitutional Court, pending the establishment of transparent, credible selection processes," the G7 Ambassadors to Ukraine said in a statement on Twitter.

According to the statement, G7 Ambassadors met on Friday with the leadership of the Supreme Court of Ukraine and the Council of Judges and "underscored the G7's commitment to helping Ukraine with judicial reform that delivers impartial, independent, professional, accountable and equitable justice for all Ukrainians."

"A critical part of comprehensive reform, which includes reform of the High Council of Justice, is ensuring the integrity, ethics and qualifications of judicial appointees," the statement said.
Denmark has stripped 94 Syrians of their residency permits and demanded their return to Syria, writes Sowt Al-Asima.

The Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration announced that 94 Syrian refugees have been stripped of their residency permits and asked to return to Damascus, in an unprecedented European move.

Danish Immigration Minister Matthias Tesfaye said that his country has been open and honest from the beginning about the situation in Syria.

Tesfaye added, we have made clear to the Syrian refugees that their residence permit is temporary, and it can be withdrawn if they are no longer in need of protection.

We will give people protection as long as it is needed, he said. When conditions improve in their home country, the refugee must return to their homeland and re-establish their life there.

The Danish Immigration and Integration Ministry decided to expand the safe zone in Syria to include, in addition to the capital, the Damascus countryside, which the regime took control of in mid-2018 after battles that destroyed the infrastructure of its major cities.

However, the mechanism of deporting refugees is not clear yet, as controversy took place in Denmark after a proposal was presented by a liberal opposition party to communicate with the Syrian regime about sending refugees back to their home country. The proposal was rejected by officials in Denmark.

The Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for the Opposition Party Mads Vogled called for dialogue between the regime and the European Union, despite his acknowledgment that the regime is criminal and dictatorial, according to his description.

Meanwhile, the Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said in a written comment, we do not support the liberal partys proposal.

Foreign Affairs Rapporteur Rasmus Stocklund considered that accepting the proposal could send a wrong message, namely that Denmark views the regimes head, Bashar al-Assad, as the victor, according to reporting by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in late February.

At present, Denmark is unable to send rejected asylum seekers to Syria by force, due to the European Convention on Human Rights which Denmark has signed on, and which stipulates that Denmark would not send rejected asylum seekers if they would be at risk of torture or political persecution in their countries of origin.

Strict policies

The number of Syrian refugees in Denmark is estimated at 44,000, of whom 35,000 entered the country after 2011.

Some of the refugees obtained political asylum, temporary residency, and temporary protection residencies.

However, in 2020, Denmark recorded a significant decrease in the number of asylum applications (57 percent), due to the strict immigration policies that it follows, according to what the Ministry of Immigration said at the beginning of the year.

According to the ministry, only 1,547 people applied for asylum in Denmark during the year 2020, while the year 2015 saw the submission of 21,316 applications.

Denmark announced, in July 2020, that some Syrian asylum seekers could be returned to the governorate of Damascus, according to an assessment made by the Immigration Department that declared that the region was no longer dangerous enough for its people to be granted asylum, which led to the annulment of the asylum of some.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
OTTAWA, March 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global silicon tetrachloride market size is projected to be worth around US$ 3.32 billion by 2030 from US$ 2.08 billion in 2020, with a CAGR of 4.9% during the estimate period 2021 to 2030.



Silicon tetrachloride is the colorless inorganic fuming liquid and is used to produce high purity silicon. It can be produced by using several methods and compounds including chlorine, metal silicon, and coke among others. Moreover, it can be also produced as a byproduct after treating metallurgical grade silicon to form polysilicon. For each ton of polysilicon, 3-4 tons of silicon tetrachloride is generated. Polysilicon manufacturers further process the waste silicon tetrachloride generated and reuses it after processing. This saves the energy cost and raw material cost however, required an expensive set of machinery to process waste silicon tetrachloride.

Solar energy is the major consumer of silicon tetrachloride. Both of the industries are witnessing significant growth and is likely to aid the global silicon tetrachloride market. However, owing to its toxic nature, photovoltaic cell manufacturers are adopting alternative manufacturing processes including thin film-based solar cells which are likely to hamper the demand for silicon tetrachloride.

Get the Sample Pages of Report for More Understanding@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/1235

Growth Factors:

Factors such as high demand for smartphones and other hand-held multimedia devices, growing demand for fiber optics, development of advanced communication equipments, increasing applications of fiberoptics in aerospace and oil and gas industries, high growth in the consumer electronics sector, growing semiconductor market, increasing market for solar PV, launch of 5G services are driving the growth of Silicon tetrachloridemarket.Moreover, increasing demand for fiber optics in the Asia Pacific regionisdriving the silicon tetrachloridemarket growth. Additionalfeatures that are expected to fuel this businessare integration of latest manufacturing technologies and growing investment by governments.

Silicon tetrachloride is the major source of pure silicon while manufacturing polysilicon for photovoltaic cells. Extracting silicon from silicon tetrachloride consumes much lower energy and cost as compared to silicon produced from raw silica. In addition to that, silicon tetrachloride is a byproduct of polysilicon manufacturing from metallurgical-grade silicon. For each ton of polysilicon, 3-4 tons of silicon tetrachloride is produced. Hence polysilicon manufacturers prefer silicon tetrachloride instead of raw silica to save on cost, energy, and time. Moreover, the government from various countries has enforced laws to prevent unauthorized dump of toxic silicon tetrachloride. For instance, in China, 98.5% silicon tetrachloride produced as a byproduct is required to be recycled which compels manufacturers to adopt silicon tetrachloride as a raw material for polysilicon production. Rising consumption of silicon tetrachloride for polysilicon manufacturing is the primary driver of the silicon tetrachloride market.

Report Highlights:

Among the grade segment, electronics grade dominated the overall market in 2020. Silicone tetrachloride has major applications in the field of semiconductors and PV (photovoltaic) cells. Thus, electronics grade silicone tetrachloride captures the maximum share by grade segment.

The polysilicon segment accounted for the major share of revenue in the derivatives segment with more than 67% share in 2020 due to high demand for polysilicon in electronics and solar photovoltaic industry. Polysilicon is a chief feedstock substance used for the manufacturing of solar cells in recent times.

Chemical intermediate accounted for the largest revenue in the application segment. Silicon tetrachloride is used as an intermediary for manufacturing silicon-based commodity. Optic fiber preform segment is expected to grow at the highest growth rate through the estimate duration.

Evonik Industries AG, Dow Corning (Dow), and Linde Plc accounted for a significant share of the global silicon tetrachloride market.

Get Customization on this Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/customization/1235

Regional Analysis:

The report includesinformation for Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. In 2020, the Asia Pacificregion dominated the worldwide market with a market share of higher than46%. China and India indicated the highest slice in Asia Pacific principallydue to high demand for fiber optics and high smartphone use. Moreover, launch of 5G connectivity and availability of large labor force also supported the high market portion of Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific region is also projected to grow at the highest CAGR of around 5.3% in the estimate period due to increasing investment by key companies on latest technologies.

North America was the subsequent significant market chiefly due topresence of skilled professionals and early adoption of latest communication technologies. Presence of major companies in the North American region is also expected to lift the demand for Silicon tetrachloride in the anticipated time-span. Latin America and Middle East and African region will display noticeable growth.

Related Reports

Boric Acid Market - Global Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2021 - 2030

- Global Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2021 - 2030 Sulfur Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Regional Outlook and Segment Forecasts 2021 - 2030

- Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Regional Outlook and Segment Forecasts 2021 - 2030 Ethanol Market - Global Market Size, Share, Trends Analysis, Segment Forecasts, Regional Outlook 2021 - 2030



Key Market Players and Strategies:

The key companies functioning in the worldwide silicon tetrachloride market are Momentive Performance Materials, Heraeus Holding, Linde Plc, Evonik Industries AG, Dow Corning (Dow), Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Tokuyama Chemicals (Zhejiang) CO. Ltd., OCI Co. Ltd., Shandong Xinlong Group Co. Ltd., Hubei Jingxing Service and Technology Co. Ltd., Air Liquide S.A., and American Elements among others.

Increased spending on research and development along with mergers, acquisition, and collaborations are the important strategies taken up by manufacturers operational in the global silicon tetrachloride market. Moreover, leading companies are investing heavily on research and development for the use of silicon tetrachloride in new sectors.

Major Market Segments Covered:

By Grade

Technical Grade

Electronics Grade

By Derivatives

Fumed Silica

Polysilicon

By Application

Silicone Rubber

Optic Fiber Preform

Chemical Intermediate

Others

By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)



Buy this Premium Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/checkout/1235

You can place an order or ask any questions, please feel free to contact at sales@precedenceresearch.com | +1 774 402 6168

About Us

Precedence Research is a worldwide market research and consulting organization. We give unmatched nature of offering to our customers present all around the globe across industry verticals. Precedence Research has expertise in giving deep-dive market insight along with market intelligence to our customers spread crosswise over various undertakings. We are obliged to serve our different client base present over the enterprises of medicinal services, healthcare, innovation, next-gen technologies, semi-conductors, chemicals, automotive, and aerospace & defense, among different ventures present globally.

For Latest Update Follow Us:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/precedence-research/

https://www.facebook.com/precedenceresearch/

https://twitter.com/Precedence_R
President Biden is turning his attention away from the coronavirus to his next political fight, planning to lay out a recovery agenda that includes major improvements in rebuilding the United States' infrastructure.

Biden prepares to push for infrastructure in the US

On Thursday afternoon, Biden met for over an hour with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and a bipartisan group of members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. That was his second meeting with the group in the last month.

After the Senate approves the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, which the chamber took up on Thursday and would approve by the weekend, the president is scheduled to lay out his "Build Back Better" recovery agenda. Though the White House has been tight-lipped on the recovery plan's specifics, it's expected to echo at least somewhat Trump's $2 trillion infrastructure and climate plan, including a sizable infrastructure investment to boost job growth.

According to The Hill on MSN, the meeting on Thursday was characterized as fruitful by lawmakers from both parties. But it remains to be seen if Biden will use his congressional authority to usher in bipartisan compromise on major legislation. Former President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to invest heavily in improving America's infrastructure, but he never followed up on it while in office.

The White House readout of the conference states that participants discussed their mutual commitment to working across the aisle to develop new and resilient infrastructure in rural, suburban, and urban areas that create good-paying, union employment supports the economic recovery.

Ranking member Sam Graves (R-Mo.) called the meeting an "icebreaker" and said he expects the conversation to proceed, but he added that no timeframe for Biden's plan had been addressed. Biden made it known, he added, that he preferred to negotiate a compromised infrastructure package. Graves said in a phone interview with The Hill, "I thought it was good, it seemed to be productive. The president was very engaged and very open. Nobody got into any fights."

Republicans are divided about the high cost of an infrastructure bill, which may raise corporate tax rates and the climate change aspect Republicans, according to Graves, did not want the plan to be a climate bill with a few transportation programs thrown in. Graves added that.

Read also: Biden Breaks Promise of Punishing Saudi Officials

Can Biden get infrastructure done?

Republicans suppressed President Obama's efforts to reform the nation's infrastructure. President Trump proclaimed it to be "infrastructure week" so often that it became a standing joke, but he refused to pass legislation. Now, willing to take risks, President Biden thinks he will achieve where his predecessors failed, The Los Angeles Times via Yahoo reported.

After Congress sent him the $1.9-trillion coronavirus relief plan this month, Biden made known that he plans to work on another multibillion-dollar legislative package - the next one a major building program along the lines of FDR's federal works projects of the 1930s. Both major political parties have advocated for improving the country's highways, roads, airports, rail lines, telecommunications networks, and power grids for years.

The power outage in Texas last month, which left millions of residents without running water or electricity, highlighted the need for action. Just this week, the American Society of Civil Engineers issued its report on the nation's infrastructure, awarding it a C-minus - an upgrade over last year's D - and indicating that new federal investment is long overdue.

Read also: Fewer Americans to Receive $1,400 Stimulus Checks: Biden, Democrats Approve to Limit Eligibility

GOP warns Biden on infrastructure

In a meeting with Joe Biden on Thursday, a key House Republican told him that the president's proposal to restore America's infrastructure would lose GOP support. This is if it contributes to the debt or provides insight into problems other than roads and bridges, such as developing renewable energy sources, as per Bloomberg.

The statement is an alarming sign for Biden, who is unlikely to succeed with his "Build Back Better" plan without at least some Republican support, especially in the Senate. The president met with a bipartisan group of eight lawmakers on Thursday, including Graves and Oregon Democrat Peter DeFazio, the Transportation Committee chairman.

Read also: Sen. Ron Johnson Urges Senate to Read Biden's COVID-19 Relief Bill, 628 Pages, Aloud

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Houston man smashed a window with a hatchet and hurled a desk drawer and flagpole at law enforcement officers during the deadly Jan. 6 pro-Trump invasion of the U.S. Capitol, new court documents allege.

Following an investigation that was prompted by a tip from a stranger, FBI agents arrested Shane Leedon Jenkins on Friday morning at his northwest Houston home, the agency said. Jenkins marks the fourth Houston-area resident charged in connection with the Capitol attack as federal agents continue tracking down suspects.
Optimism continues to improve in the small business community, said Jason Peaslee, managing partner of Thrive Analytics. It is still not at pre-COVID-19 levels, but as more people are vaccinated and restrictions are lifted, I expect it will continue to trend up.

Thrive Analytics, a digital marketing research and customer engagement strategy consulting firm, released its latest Local Pulse Report, highlighting key small and medium-sized small business trends. The study, conducted on 31,125 businesses over January and February, reveals that optimism is starting to improve, and business owners are looking to move past COVID-19 as quickly as possible. Most business owners in moderately affected business segments feel they will be back to pre-pandemic sales levels by the second half of this year. Harder hit segments, like hospitality and travel, feel it will be well past this year before they get back to normal. When asked about the most significant challenges their businesses face over the next few months, managing cash flow (60 percent) and getting customers back (48 percent) were among the top reasons.

Optimism continues to improve in the small business community, said Jason Peaslee, managing partner of Thrive Analytics. It is still not at pre-COVID-19 levels, but as more people are vaccinated and restrictions are lifted, I expect it will continue to trend up.

TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION WILL CONTINUE TO GET A BOOST

A third of small businesses had to adopt new technology or upgrade existing technology to operate in the COVID-19 environment. Workplace productivity (45 percent), communication (40 percent), payment processing (38 percent), and e-commerce/website upgrades (35 percent) were top areas of investment. This trend is expected to continue. Seventy percent of business owners stated they felt these new technologies were critical to their success.

Top areas for investment this year include payment processing (35 percent), sales/ordering tools (33 percent), and financial tools (28 percent).

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated technology adoption in the small business marketplace. It has forced 2-3 years of adoption into a few months. As we emerge from this pandemic, some things will never go completely back, and businesses will have to continue to evolve, added Peaslee.

Thrive Analytics 2021 Local Pulse Report is a comprehensive study covering SMB outlooks, marketing budgets, technology adoption, challenges & opportunities for marketing service providers, satisfaction levels with products, and more.

Other critical findings from the 2021 Local Pulse Report include:



35 percent of business owners are still concerned about the long-term sustainability of their business.

65 percent of businesses have less than two months of operating cash on hand.

42 percent of businesses made upgrades to their websites over the past year due to COVID-19.

60 percent of businesses feel one of the benefits of leveraging technology is spending more time with customers.

LOCAL PULSE REPORT METHODOLOGY

The Local Pulse Report is a syndicated research program that monitors how small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are marketing their businesses, the technology they are using, their future expectations, what they want out of marketing service providers, and it explores the behaviors/trends that are influencing their decisions as business owners.

The primary waves of the research are conducted every six months. In 2020, a modified version of the surveys was conducted each month, with at least 1,000 business owners being interviewed. These modified waves were to track the impact COVID-19 pandemic.

The most recent primary wave was conducted in January-February 2021.

The full study is available to Thrive Analytics research subscribers, and a databook is available for purchase.

ABOUT THRIVE ANALYTICS

Thrive Analytics is a leading local search and digital consulting firm specializing in combining targeted marketing research and data analytics with actionable customer engagement strategies for improved business results. With clients spanning leading national brands as well as publishers and agencies serving the small business community, Thrive Analytics pairs proprietary market research services and data analytics tools with time-tested business insights and methodologies to help organizations measurably improve customer experience, loyalty, and sales results. Founded in 2010, Thrive Analytics is a privately held company headquartered in Kettering, Ohio.


Tupelo Partly Cloudy 87 Hi: 87 Lo: 62 Feels Like: 86 More Weather Columbus Partly Cloudy 85 Hi: 87 Lo: 63 Feels Like: 86 More Weather Oxford Partly Cloudy 75 Hi: 79 Lo: 61 Feels Like: 75 More Weather Starkville Partly Cloudy 85 Hi: 86 Lo: 62 Feels Like: 86 More Weather

We continue to warm up into Tuesday as humidity gradually increases across the area. We expect partly sunny skies during the day with a few hit-or-miss showers. Then into late-afternoon and evening, rain chances increase a bit more. Expect more rain into mid and late-week.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe.

Already have a paid subscription? Sign in
The American Association of School Administrators ( AASA ) will kick off a two-day virtual conference this weekend to share tips with the nations superintendents on how to use digital media, as well as partnerships with educational or community organizations, to benefit students and staff.According to a news release Friday, the AASA Transformational Leadership Consortium will be held virtually on Sunday and Monday, March 7-8, and co-hosted by Ohios Middletown City School District. The conference will include a discussion about the districts equity center, its culture and its superintendent, Marlon Styles. Attendees will also be able to virtually visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.As a member of this consortium, I have had ample opportunities to visit school districts across the country whose students are engaged, proud of their schools and proud of the work theyre doing, Styles said in a statement. We are honored to serve as host district for this meeting and have champions of innovative leading, teaching and learning from across the country visit us to observe and learn about what were doing to meet the needs of our students.The association has been hosting these meetings since 2014, formerly under the label of AASA Digital Consortium, to support school staff in the areas of innovation, creativity and technology.AASA Executive Director Daniel Domenech said in a statement that, especially given how COVID-19 has changed the learning environment, school districts need to develop digital cultures and innovative strategies to reach students.We are proud of the superintendents and other administrators who make up the AASA Transformational Leadership Consortium because weve seen, through this platform, the creation of technological solutions and digital transitions that are benefitting students and staff, he said. We are grateful to Superintendent Marlon Styles and his team for facilitating our March meeting.More information about the consortium is available on the AASA website , or by emailing Associate Executive Director Morton Sherman at msherman@aasa.org, or Program Director Debbie Magee at dmagee@aasa.org.
PLANO, Texas, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Martin UAV , a pioneering advanced aviation technology manufacturer in the United States today announced the appointments of industry veterans, William Irby as Chief Operating Officer and Sean Olds as Chief Financial Officer, expanding the executive leadership team effective March 5.

Irby comes to Martin UAV with nearly three decades of experience in the aerospace and defense sectors, including critical executive roles leading the largest Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) programs in the last 20 years. Irby spent over 15 years at Northrop Grumman Corporation and nearly a decade as the senior vice president and general manager of Textron Unmanned Systems business group. As part of the Textron unmanned systems business, Irby led teams responsible for full lifecycle development, production and support of unmanned aircraft systems, unmanned surface vehicles, command and control systems, and related technologies. Prior to joining Martin UAV, Irby served as president of the reconnaissance mission systems sector at L3Harris Technologies, a billion-dollar business, and served as the lead for the company's Texas operation which included ground control technologies portfolio, delivering interoperable, multi-platform ground systems and manned/unmanned teaming systems. Irby earned an engineering degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, and a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University in addition to the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School.

"It's an honor and a privilege to join Martin UAV, working alongside some of the best and most innovative professionals in the industry," said Irby. "I'm thrilled to bring my collective experience in the UAS space to expand on the company's vision of where we can take our UAV technology."

As Chief Operating Officer of Martin UAV, Irby's appointment will accelerate the company's strategic plan for growth and expansion in the defense and commercial sectors.

"As we move aggressively into new opportunities, expanded leadership appointments will propel us into territory once believed unattainable,'' said Martin Ruben, CEO of Martin UAV. "We are accelerating into new areas faster than ever deemed possible and Bill will be an integral part of our future plans for expansion. His direct experience leading multibillion dollar UAS programs is an integral part of our strategic plan for rapid growth across multiple markets here and abroad. It's been an exciting six years at Martin UAV, bringing ideas and technology to fruition, and I could not be more confident in the team we have built and where we are positioned in the market."

Sean Olds, the incoming CFO, brings over 20 years' experience in defense and manufacturing, at all stages of company growth, particularly in areas of infrastructure growth. Prior to joining Martin UAV, Olds served as Chief Operating Officer at Friedrich Air Conditioning. Sean also served as Chief Financial Officer at KLN Manufacturing as well as vice president of finance and operations at Cobham Aerospace & Security and Munters Corporation. Olds graduated from Midwestern State University with a master's degree and completed the International Management Program at Duke University.

The company has also announced the following promotions to its executive leadership team:

Tae Kim , promoted to Executive Advisor to the Board of Directors

, promoted to Executive Advisor to the Board of Directors Heath Niemi ( USA ret.) promoted to Chief Development Officer (CDO)

( ret.) promoted to Chief Development Officer (CDO) Austin Howard promoted to Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

For more information on Martin UAV visit: martinuav.com.

About Martin UAV:

Martin UAV is a private, advanced technology company based in Plano, TX. The company specializes in building wholly-unique, unmanned aircraft systems and associated flight control software. The company's systems are commercially developed to fill critical operational needs in tactical & confined operational environments. Its V-BAT series aircraft is the only single-engine ducted fan VTOL that has the ability to launch & recover from a hover, fly over eleven hours in horizontal flight, and make mid-flight transitions to "hover & stare" at any time throughout a given mission set. For more information visit: martinuav.com.

Contact:

Ester Peres I Martin UAV

Phone: +1 214.240.6659

Email: [email protected]

Amy Kauffman I Newswire

Phone: 214.235.6043

Email: [email protected]

Related Images

martin-uav-logo.png

Martin UAV Logo

Martin UAV Logo

SOURCE Martin UAV
ADVERTISEMENT

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State said he will be the first person to be vaccinated in the state to boost citizens confidence in taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

Mr Obaseki disclosed this on Friday in Benin while addressing journalists on the need for residents not to be scared of the vaccines.

The governor said, I will take mine and if I take mine and I am okay, that will give confidence to Edo people.

The preventive protocol will still be in place, dont forget that it will still take a while to vaccinate almost 80 per cent of the population that is expected to be vaccinated.

The fact that you have taken the vaccine does not mean you should be careless, you should not wear a mask, you should not protect yourself because many more people may have not received their own vaccination.

So, we will still continue to insist and advocate that our people should conduct themselves and behave to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, he said.

The governor assured that the state government would provide adequate logistics and security at the state medical facilities during the vaccination exercise.

(NAN)
Last year, Microsoft promised a bunch of features for the Edge browser, and the most interesting of the bunch is vertical tabs. Now, the tech giant has announced that vertical tabs is making its way to all Edge users this month, four months after rolling out a preview to testers in the Dev channel. Tabs in the format live in a pane on the side of the browser. The layout allows tab titles to be clearly visible so users know exactly what they're clicking on, but they can also click on an arrow button at the top of the tab bar to hide the descriptions if they want the website they're looking at to occupy most of the screen.

Microsoft

Another new feature rolling out to Edge this month is "startup boost." It launches the browser in the background when users sign into their device, and it keeps the browser running even after all its windows are closed. Microsoft says that reduces the time it takes to fire up a browser by 29 to 41 percent. The feature is activated by default, but users can toggle it off in settings.

Microsoft is also launching a new way to view browser history. Edge now opens as a drop-down menu from the toolbar instead of a full page that takes users away from the website they're viewing, and users can pin the lightweight menu to the side for easy access.

In addition to the new Edge features, the tech giant has also launched a handful of Bing improvements. Its search results page now intuitively highlights the most relevant results, and its carousel now shows information about the result when you hover over an entry. Finally, the search engine now presents aggregated information for broad topics. Doing a query for "Kenya," for instance, shows users an aggregated infographic-inspired experience with the top text and visual results.
President Joe Biden congratulates NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mars 2020 Perseverance team for successfully landing on Mars during a virtual call in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

President Joe Biden on Thursday congratulated the NASA team responsible for last month's successful landing of an six-wheeled rover on Mars and for giving the country a "dose of confidence" at a moment when the nation's reputation as a scientific leader has been tattered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden speaking in video conference call with the leadership of space agency's jet propulsion laboratory team expressed awe over the Feb. 18 landing of Perseverance.

Perseverance, the biggest, most advanced rover ever sent by NASA, became the ninth spacecraft since the 1970s to successfully land on Mars, traveling some 300 million miles in nearly seven months, as part of an ongoing quest to study whether there was once life on the planet.

"It's so much bigger than landing Perseverance on Mars," Biden told members of the NASA team. "It's about the American spirit. And you brought it back"

Biden watched on television as Perseverance touched down on Mars last month and called NASA's Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk to pass on his congratulations to the Perseverance team. But Biden said he wanted to speak directly to the team, which he said deserved credit not only for the astronomical feat but also with boosting the United States' reputation at a moment when it's sorely needed.

He recalled that another nation's leader recently told him that the U.S., once seen as competent, saw its standing fall with its response to coronavirus pandemic.

President Joe Biden speaks with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mars 2020 Perseverance team, after congratulating them for successfully landing on Mars, during a virtual call in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

But Biden, who has made stemming a pandemic that has killed nearly 520,000 Americans his top priority, said that the Mars landing offered the nation a bit of inspiration at a moment when it's sorely needed.

"We can land a rover on Mars, we can beat a pandemic," Biden said. "And with science, hope and vision, there's not a damn thing we can't do as a country."

The Perseverance landing comes amid a recent mad dash to Mars among rival space programs.

The NASA team landing on Feb. 18 marked the third visit to Mars in just over a week. Two spacecraft from the United Arab Emirates and China swung into orbit around Mars on successive days earlier in February. All three missions lifted off in July to take advantage of the close alignment of Earth and Mars.

NASA's car-size, plutonium-powered vehicle arrived at Jezero Crater, hitting NASA's smallest and trickiest target yet: a 5-by-4-mile strip on an ancient river delta full of pits, cliffs and rocks. Scientists believe that if life ever flourished on Mars, it would have happened 3 billion to 4 billion years ago, when water still flowed on the planet.

President Joe Biden congratulates NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mars 2020 Perseverance team for successfully landing on Mars during a virtual call in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Over the next two years, the rover, nicknamed Percy, will use its 7-foot (2-meter) arm to drill down and collect rock samples containing possible signs of bygone microscopic life.

Three to four dozen chalk-size samples will be sealed in tubes and set aside to be retrieved eventually by another rover and brought homeward by another rocket ship.

Explore further NASA rover streaks toward a landing on Mars

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 22:15:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIRUT, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese banks are witnessing a huge wave of layoff as the country's financial crisis deepens.

After an exodus of the U.S. dollars and a sharp depreciation of the national currency, the Central Bank of Lebanon recently tightened regulations against the country's banks, which compelled some of them to close branches and lay off employees to stay afloat.

"It's been a crazy week as our bank decided to lay off around 400 out of 2,000 employees amid the current banking crisis," a human resource officer at a bank in the capital Beirut told Xinhua.

The officer, who only identified himself as George, said he has been working overtime every day just to prepare the layoff documents of the employees.

Assad Khoury, president of Federation of Syndicates of Banks Employees in Lebanon, told Xinhua that the union has prepared a proposal that requires banks to pay all fired employees a fixed compensation package equivalent to 18 months' salary in addition to a two-month salary for each year of work.

The union leader also said he has been working with parliament members to pass a law that aims to protect bank employees in a situation like the current one.

"We have to pass a law in this regard as we expect the number of banks' employees to be fired to reach 5,000, which may create a social problem," Khoury explained.

Meanwhile, Ghassan Ayache, former vice governor of Lebanon's central bank, told Xinhua that banks' decision to reduce costs is an inevitable consequence of the contraction in banking activity and the financial crisis prevailing in the country.

However, Ayache asserted that banks are keen to take such measures without causing a new social problem, especially considering the number of banks' employees that exceeds 25,000.

"Banks are keen to reach a mutual understanding with employees over acceptable compensation schemes," he said. Enditem
Council commissioners will meet early next week to tackle a raft of issues affecting Taurangas CBD, including the $3 million demolition of the Willow Street administration building, customer service centre and library.

The civic building saw its neighbouring headquarters demolished in 2017 following the discovery of toxic mould three years earlier.

At that time, the cost of the entire demolition is understood to have reached around $470,000.

Approval to bring down the remaining structure is on the agenda at Mondays meeting, alongside a number of significant matters that could have a lasting impact on the wider Bay of Plenty community as well as the centre of Tauranga.

Near the top of that list is a proposal to challenge and refresh the citys $47 million civic precinct masterplana concept that, according to chief executive Marty Grenfell, has been six years in the making.

Its refresh would prioritise some key projects for the civic heart of the city, he says.

Its intent is not only to create a much-needed and long-awaited community-focused facility, but to help reactivate the city centre and stimulate future private development investment.

The precinct area, which is bounded by Willow Street, Wharf Street, Durham Street and Hamilton Street, is described by council officials as a community facility, including public meeting spaces, library and relaxation, innovation and discovery spaces.

By pressing the reset button on the project, it is hoped planning and design can start before the end of this year ahead of the first phase of construction, while the $11 million development of welcoming and attractive community spaces in an adjacent civic plaza and Masonic Park areas will also be discussed.

If approved, the project would be included in the draft Long-term Plan and commence with a streamlined refresh and challenge process of the existing precinct masterplan.

The original concept was approved in principle in 2018 and has been the subject of previous community engagement.

Officials have also revealed theyre exploring the possibility of housing council administration staff under one roof.

At present, most of their staff are housed in three separate locations. However, approval to negotiate a leased interim office facility with a third party could bring their varying departments together in a single city centre location.

A single administration building would deliver efficiency benefits exceeding $1 million a year and enhance the sustainability of the councils operations, says Grenfell.

Effectively, this would also activate and reinvigorate another part of the CBD and help to deliver on the communitys expectations for a thriving city centre.

If approved, the lease option for the administration building decision will be subject to a formal community consultation process, alongside the 2021-31 Long-term Plan.
jose1983/iStockBy MORGAN WINSOR, ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- Authorities believe they have found the body of a Kentucky man who disappeared at the Grand Canyon last week.



John Pennington, 40, of Walton, Kentucky, was thought to have entered the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona on or around Feb. 23, abandoning his vehicle at the South Rim near Yaki Point.



He was believed to be traveling alone, possibly on a yellow 2005 Suzuki motorcycle, according to the National Park Service.



After days of searching the area, National Park Service personnel spotted a body and a motorcycle on Wednesday, below the South Kaibab Trailhead, south of Yaki Point.



Park rangers recovered the body, which was located approximately 465 feet below the canyon rim, according to the National Park Service.



The body was flown by helicopter to the rim and was then transferred to the Coconino County Health and Human Services Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff.



"Based on evidence found with the body, the individual is believed to be missing person John Pennington," the National Park Service said in a statement Thursday.



An investigation into the incident is ongoing. No additional information was immediately available.



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Manhunt II: The Night Stalker, a four-part drama, is the real-life story of the police pursuit of a notorious serial rapist whose 17-year reign of terror left thousands of elderly people in south east London living in fear. It is based on the diaries of former London Metropolitan Police detective DCI Colin Sutton and is an important case that he became involved in just before his retirement from the Force. This inquiry has a very different emphasis to the case explored in Manhunt; the victims were elderly, and the crimes were unsolved for many years. The drama explores how Sutton came late to the inquiry and helped solve it in a matter of weeks, taking an incredibly dangerous serial rapist off the streets.The new series sees Clunes reprise his critically acclaimed and ratings-winning role as Sutton. Both Manhunt and Manhunt II: The Night Stalker are produced by Buffalo Pictures and written, and executive produced, by Ed Whitmore (Silent Witness, Rillington Place, Strike Back).In the deals, NENT Studios UK has negotiated co-production funding from AMC Networks Acorn TV for North and South America, as well as from the Seven Network in Australia. In addition, pre-sales have been made to DR TV in Denmark, VRT in Belgium, SVT in Sweden, Filmin in Spain, NRK in Norway and NOS in the Netherlands.With its painstaking portrayal of a real-life criminal investigation, the first series of Manhunt successfully gripped viewers around the world, so we are thrilled to represent a second series of this calibre Elin Thomas, EVP sales at NENT Studios UK . With the same creative team at the helm and Martin Clunes back as DCI Sutton, its no surprise that this new season has attracted such strong early interest with key broadcasters and platforms in the US, Australia and Europe.Manhunt II: The Night Stalker will premiere later this year on ITV in the UK and on streaming service Acorn TV in North and South America. The first series of Manhunt attracted an average audience of nine million viewers on ITV and was the highest-rated new drama on any UK channel during 2019, as well as one of Acorn TVs most popular titles that year.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Purdue University has been named a 2020-21 Top Producer for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, highlighting the universitys dedication to international education and research.

Each year the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces the top producing institutions for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. governments flagship program for international educational exchange. The Chronicle of Higher Education publishes the lists annually. For 2020-21, The Fulbright program extended 12 offers via the U.S. Student Program, including a combination of English teaching assistantship grants and research assistantship grants. Students at Purdue apply through the National and International Scholarships Office, which is housed in the Honors College.

The rapidly growing presence of our students in the Fulbright Program puts them at the forefront of international research and cultural exchange, and highlights the groundbreaking and world-changing work they pursue, said Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity. We look forward to expanding our legacy of excellence in international scholarship through the Fulbright Program in the years to come.

Purdues involvement in The Fulbright Program goes beyond this program.

The Honors College, in partnership with a new department or school for each of the next five years, will host a distinguished scholar from Brazil to conduct research and teach as a Fulbright chair for interdisciplinary studies. This will begin in Fall 2021 with the School of Engineering Education as co-host.

These laurels come in a notable year, marking the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program. From its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has fostered bilateral relationships in which citizens and governments of other countries work with the U.S. to foster international collaboration in the arts and sciences, funded by the U.S. State Department. Notable Fulbright alumni include U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, gold medalist Olympian Lee Evans, novelist Ursula K. Le Guin and poet Sylvia Plath.

Media contact: Jim Bush, 765-336,1909, jsbush@purdue.edu
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Cant 2 Plus 2 Only Equal 4?

The communist movement is behind absurd education

Commentary

Recently, the Oregon Department of Education sent its guidance on A Pathway to Equitable Math to state math teachers. This 82-page instructional toolkit is a framework for deconstructing racism in mathematics and dismantling white supremacy in math classrooms. Its a bit strange for me. If there is residual racism in literature, social science, and history, its easier to understand. But what is white supremacy in math?

The guidance reads: White supremacy culture infiltrates math classrooms in everyday teacher actions.  We see white supremacy culture in the mathematics classroom can show up when: The focus is on getting the right answer  [and] students are required to show their work.

I dont know if this means that when a child learns math, he should strive for the wrong answer. To be honest, I think I am very tolerant and I absolutely support racial equality, but I really cant understand what Oregons math teaching guidelines mean.

According to the guidance, teachers are to choose problems that have complex, competing, or multiple answers and ask students to come up with at least two answers that might solve this problem, instead of putting their focus on one right answer.

How can a math problem have two answers? Math is a purely scientific language because it has clear logic and no vague areas. It represents facts and objective answers. The beauty of math lies in its fairness and objectivity. Math itself has no prejudice, and the right answer will stay true no matter your skin color. But according to the guidelines of the state of Oregon, if there is only one answer to a math question, its racism or white supremacy. This logic is a bit weird.

The guidance is to train teachers to challenge standardized test questions by getting the right answer, but justify other answers by unpacking the assumptions that are made in the problem.

There was a comment online in Chinese: In future math exams, you wont be able to ask what one plus one equals. You will only be able to ask what could be the possible answer to one plus one and the students race. If its answered by a minority and the answer is three, the teacher will comment: Very original, revolutionary, and critical. You get full grades.

In George Orwells dystopian 1984, there is also a famous math problem. What is two plus two? After Orwells protagonist Winston Smith was arrested, one way to train him in jail was to repeatedly tell him that two and two makes five, and for him to repeat it. He wasnt released until he would say what he was trained to say. Of course, it doesnt matter what two and two makes. The key goal of the system was for individuals in society not to challenge the powers that be, and that they must believe in it wholeheartedly. So the correct answer is that two plus two is any number that Big Brother says it is.

This isnt the first time that the Oregon Department of Education has proposed these concepts. Its been for some time that traditional expression and teaching of math have been subject to the label of racism and white supremacy by the American math community. Of course, not in all math circles, but just a few people.

CNN publicly stated with a headline in 2016, Math is racist: How data is driving inequality.

In 2017, a joint position statement (pdf) from the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics and TODOS: Mathematics for ALL stated, Mathematics teachers and leaders must acknowledge that the current mathematics education system is unjust and grounded in a legacy of institutional discrimination based on race, ethnicity, class, and gender.

The standardized tests have been used as a gatekeeping tool, creating social injustice, and therefore, must be adjusted according to students ethnic backgrounds, the statement read.

The Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn also introduced its Anti-Racist Math Curriculum last year.

A Fox News article on the guidance reported, In one section of the Dismantling Racism workbook, the argument is made that only white people can be racist in our society, because only white people as a group have that power. Accordingly, the Chinese can be considered very lucky because they cant be racist.

But American leftists dont seem to like the Chinese. When leftists talk about how ethnic minorities encounter inequality, how they are oppressed by white supremacy and racism, the evidence they point to is that ethnic minorities have low incomes. But the Chinese often falsify this statement. The Chinese, or more broadly Asians, are an ethnic minority in the United States but their income is similar to or higher than that of whites. And Asians usually have better math scores. So I suspect that the Asian ethnic group, including the Chinese, has been categorized in the enemy group targeted by American leftists.

In fact, to leftists, race is just a tool.

Fox News also noted that one Dismantling Racism workbook seems to have adopted a resolute anti-capitalist tone, quoting from the book, We cannot dismantle racism in a system that exploits people for private profit.

The workbook continues, If we want to dismantle racism, then we must build a movement for economic justice. This is a kind of euphemism for eliminating capitalism and establishing socialism.

Fox News further noted that the guidance featured quotes from Howard Zinn, a self-described socialist, and Che Guevara, a Marxist revolutionary.

In a recent article on American Thinker, author Andrea Widburg wrote, What binds them [leftists] is the belief that minorities cannot achieve basic education standards and that the only way to achieve the lefts beloved equity is to lower the standards or abolish them entirely.

Again, the racism is appalling, Widburg decries. They never raise people up. They always create equity by dumbing everyone down.

This not only reveals that leftists are actually engaged in racism, but the approach also drastically changes the American teaching system. When China is eager to pursue hard science developments, such as mathematics and engineering, American students are being hypnotized over whether two and two makes four. How is the United States going to compete with China?

In my opinion, this isnt about math or race but an issue of communism.

People from mainland China who have gone through the Cultural Revolution are no strangers to this form of hypnotism. When I was in middle school, there was an assignment written by a student that was regarded as a model essay by the teacher. But the essay only included one phrase that received praise: dung aroma. This was enough for the highest marks. Smelly dung was used to describe the bourgeoisie in communist China and dung was important for agricultural production, so the teacher reasoned that the proletariat should rate dung as an aroma.

During Chinas Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences were mobilized with activities and publications to criticize Einstein, whose theory of relativity didnt conform to Marxs theory and Mao Zedong thought. Physics was labeled as bourgeois physics. At that time in China, peoples taste in music, aesthetics, and level of education were considered byproducts of class inequalities. Therefore, there was no objectivity in science, as science represented a social class.

When the Oregon Department of Education declares that math isnt limited to one objective answer, this sounds really familiar to an older Chinese person. American leftists have simply replaced social class with race and gender.

In my opinion, they are actually just creating chaos and social ethnic conflicts. This is precisely one of the goals of Marxism and communism.

The Communist Manifesto states clearly: The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions.

Now communist ideologues in the United States are doing exactly the same thing.

Alexander Liao is a journalist who covers international affairs, focused on the United States, China, and Southeast Asia. His work has been published in newspapers and financial magazines in the United States and Hong Kong.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Popularly known as Dawki river, the Umngot river in Meghalaya is undisputedly the cleanest river in Asia with its crystal clear water. The river passes through the village of Mawlynnong in Meghalaya, close to Indias border with Bangladesh, which is touted as Asias Cleanest Village". Here are some stunning photos of the Dawki River shared by tourists on social media:


MEXICO CITY, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: AZTECACPO; Latibex: XTZA), one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world, announced that, in accordance to its press release dated February 9, it finalized the purchase and cancellation of Ps.1,211 million pesos of its Certificados Bursatiles (CEBURES) with a principal amount of Ps.4,000 million pesos, due 2022, as a consequence of the purchase of Certificates in the secondary market.

About TV Azteca

TV Azteca is one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world, operating four television networks in Mexico: Azteca uno, Azteca 7, adn40 and a+, through more than 300 owned and operated stations across the country. The company also owns TV Azteca Digital, operator of several of the most visited digital platforms and social networks in Mexico.

TV Azteca is a Grupo Salinas company (www.gruposalinas.com), a group of dynamic, fast growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating economic value through market innovation and goods and services that improve standards of living; social value to improve community wellbeing; and environmental value by reducing the negative impact of its business activities. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. The group of companies shares a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are concepts about the future that involve risks and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Other risks that may affect Total Play and its subsidiaries are presented in documents sent to the securities authorities.



Investor Relations:

Bruno Rangel

Grupo Salinas

Tel. +52 (55) 2601-5400, ext. 11502

[email protected]

Rolando Villarreal

TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V.

Tel. +52 (55) 2601-5400, ext. 11508

[email protected]





Press Relations: Luciano Pascoe Tel. +52 (55) 1720 1313 ext. 36553 [email protected]

SOURCE TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
Less than a year ago, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was a darling of the left over his leadership in managing the COVID pandemic in his state. Last April, his daily press conferences were covered in full by Fox News and the other more sycophantic media networks, coverage on par with President Trumps daily briefings.

None of the other 49 state governors press conferences received daily coverage by national media. In Colorado, Governor Poliss press briefings were only shown on local news channels.

YouTube screengrab

Cuomo wrote a book called, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic and received literary acclaim. The New York Times gushed,

Governor Andrew Cuomo tells the riveting story of how he took charge in the fight against COVID-19 as New York became the epicenter of the pandemic, offering hard-won lessons in leadership and his vision for the path forward.

As did, not surprisingly, the Washington Post, An impressive road map to dealing with a crisis as serious as any we have faced.

Cuomo received an Emmy award, In recognition of his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic and his masterful use of television to inform and calm people around the world. Im sure those in nursing homes receiving a new COVID positive roommate, courtesy of Governor Cuomo, felt calmed watching his daily Im the governor and youre not thuggery on television every day.

Governor Cuomo was lauded with praise from the esteemed Dr Fauci last July in a PBS interview,

We know that, when you do it properly, you bring down those cases. We have done it. We have done it in New York. New York got hit worse than any place in the world. And they did it correctly by doing the things that you're talking about.

Properly? Really? Did Dr Fauci not know about Cuomo sending COVID infected patients into nursing homes? And then covered it up? While a hospital ship and several makeshift hospitals in New York City sat nearly empty? Was Fauci unaware or part of the slaughter and coverup?

Even the ever loyal-to-Democrats New York Times acknowledged, The governors top aide admitted that data was withheld on nursing homes, where more than 10,000 New Yorkers have died during the pandemic.

The coverup was known last spring when nursing home and official NY state tallies did not match. Yet the elites, from Dr Fauci, to the media, to Hollywood all praised Governor Cuomo as the King of New York, wishing he was president rather than the Orange Man.

Some halfhearted investigations were promised, looking into Cuomos genocide and coverup. The investigations appear less urgent than the FBIs rapid response to a NASCAR door handle that someone thought resembled a noose.

In Cuomo fashion, he punched back with excuses and bluster. As the media circled the wagons around him, the other shoe dropped. Now three women have credibly accused Randy Andy of unwanted sexual advances. Killing granny didnt capture the attention of fellow Democrats but asking a former aide to play strip poker sure did.

Now the sharp knives are out with state and federal legislators representing New York calling for Cuomos resignation. Even Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls the claims credible, yet there is silence from the myriad Justice Kavanaugh accusers in the Senate, especially the particularly vocal at the time Kamala Harris. Or her stage prop, Joe Biden.

Why are tens of thousands of nursing home deaths background noise, but these three harassment allegations the last straw? Is it because the woke left views unwanted sexual advances as worse than senicide? Or are other factors at play?

In politics there are no coincidences. Cuomo has been a boorish pig for decades and has been NY governor since 2011. His behavior is nothing new, simply ignored as Bidens similar MeToo activities were (and are to this day).

John Nolte at Breitbart posed an answer, that getting rid of Cuomo now is a means of protecting other Democrat governors who also sent COVID infected patients as bioweapons into nursing homes. I speak of Whitmer (MI), Newsom (CA), Murphy (NJ) Waltz (MN), and Wolf (PA) who perhaps also wanted to write books, win Emmy Awards, and receive praise from Dr Fauci.

Nolte postulated that throwing Cuomo under the bus, removing and burying him as the latest Harvey Weinstein, would at least protect four other Democrat governors who did exactly what Cuomo did, while leaving the nursing home genocide bit on the cutting room floor.

I believe it is far beyond that. Exposing the nursing home death march could reveal much behind the entire COVID-con. A virus from China, a country Trump beat like a drum on trade deals, appears when Trumps economy is breaking records. The medical experts tell Trump to shut it all down, the economy, schools, restaurants, small businesses, and life in general, or else millions of Americans will die.

Fifteen days to flatten the curve turns into months, and if Dr Fauci gets his way, years, crippling the US economy. Overly sensitive PCR tests falsely inflated the case counts and classifying any person dying with a positive COVID test as a COVID death beat the fear drum.

With an election coming up, the Constitution got put in a closet over drummed-up COVID panic in favor of mail-in ballots, ballot harvesting, delayed vote counting, all to drag the weakest presidential candidate in recent history over the finish line by allowing enough votes to be found in a few key cities necessary for Electoral College victory.

A preplanned Capitol protest was blamed on Trump, leading to a second impeachment, and a mad rush to certify the Electoral College votes.

So many coincidences in a world where they just dont happen. How much of this did Cuomo know or participate in? Did any past or present elected Democrats pressure him to send weaponized patients into nursing homes to inflate the death counts, creating more fear and panic, justifying the above actions to purloin the election?

The nursing homes are the tip of the iceberg. Investigating that will lead to many other uncomfortable questions and revelations about the entire COVID-con. Best for the Democrats to make Cuomo go away, and quickly.

What if destroying Cuomo, sending him into MeToo purgatory, keeps him quiet? Not only to protect like-minded governors, but the entire scheme. What if threatened prosecution over the nursing home scandal loosened Randy Andys resolve and he threatened to spill the beans in a deal with the NY Attorney General?

Who in the Biden administration and the medical smart-set might be implicated in a grand COVID-con to get rid of Trump and replace him with a deep state stooge? How many Democrat governors are complicit?

Perhaps it is simply a power play with NY Mayor De Blasio wanting to run for governor, to inflict his lunacy on the entire state. Leaving AOC to run for mayor, padding her resume ahead of a future presidential run.

But make no mistake about how COVID played out for the benefit of Biden and his backers. As senior Biden advisor Anita Dunn admitted the truth, COVID is the best thing that ever happened to [Biden] him in a book entitled Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency. Luck? Coincidence? Fat chance.

In politics there are no coincidences and the lefts sudden eagerness to toss Cuomo into the East River wearing cement boots suggests that the harassment claims are a distraction and a cover-up for far worse than anything Cuomo did.

Brian C Joondeph, MD, is a physician and writer. He is on sabbatical from social media.

Moscow says it plans a retaliatory "stop list" on U.S. citizens in response to Washington's decision to impose new sanctions against several senior Russian officials over the poisoning of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.

"Taking into account how [the United States is] behaving now, how they published all the [sanction] lists, I think we will surprise them soon, as well. We are working on it," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a televised interview on March 5.

Washington announced on March 2 that it was sanctioning seven senior Russian officials, including Putins deputy chief of staff, after a U.S. intelligence assessment concluded with "high confidence" that officers from Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) were behind the August poisoning of Navalny.

The Kremlin critic was detained in Moscow in January immediately upon returning from Germany, where he had been recovering from the attack, which several Western laboratories determined was done with a Novichok-type chemical nerve agent.

Navalny has accused President Vladimir Putin of being behind the attempted assassination attack, which the Kremlin has denied.

The U.S. announcement came on the heels of European Union sanctions against four senior Russian officials -- Aleksandr Kalashnikov, the federal prisons administrator; Aleksandr Bastrykin, the head of the Investigative Committee; Igor Krasnov, Russia's prosecutor-general; and Viktor Zolotov, tghe director of the National Guard.

The United States also sanctioned Kalashnikov and Krasnov, as well as Sergei Kiriyenko, first deputy chief of staff; Andrei Yarin, the chief of the Kremlins domestic policy directorate; FSB Director Aleksandr Bortnikov; Aleksei Krivoruchko, deputy minister of defense responsible for armaments; and Pavel Popov, deputy minister of defense responsible for research activities.

Washington also imposed export restrictions on 14 parties involved in biological and chemical production, including nine commercial entities in Russia.

Earlier this week, some international and Russian media reports said that the United States might impose additional sanctions against Russian businessmen and the country's foreign debt over Russia's possession of chemical weapons.

Commenting on those reports on March 5, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the potential new sanctions "crazy."

"Nobody has imposed sanctions against Russian businessmen yet. And we, of course, hope that, let's say, such crazy calls will stay on the media pages and will not find, let's say, a fertile ground in the U.S. official establishment," Peskov said.

Peskov did not elaborate on possible Russian moves if new sanctions are imposed.

"Hypothetical assumptions of any kind are barely appropriate here. Let's wait and see what actually happens," Peskov said.

Navalny is currently in a prison near Moscow after a court in February ruled that, while in Germany, he violated the terms of parole from an older embezzlement case that is widely considered politically motivated. He was ultimately ordered to serve around 2 1/2 years in prison.

With reporting by TASS and Interfax
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Market Reports on India Provides the Trending Market Research Report Organic Beverages in India under Food & Beverage Category. The report offers a collection of superior market research, market analysis, competitive intelligence and Market reports.



Organic Beverages in India

The leading manufacturers of organic tea faced numerous challenges during 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic put pressure on their ability to operate profitably. Among the main issues faced in the category during the year was the dramatic increase seen in the wholesale price of black tea during the second quarter of the year and this was primarily due to the quarantine lockdown that was imposed across India for several weeks from the end of March. However, this did not result in substantial unit pric



Request a free sample copy of India Organic Beverages Market Report

http://www.marketreportsonindia.com/marketreports/sample/reports/889386



Our Internationals Organic Beverages in India report tracks the developments of health-associated product types and the healthy-option positioning of competing brands across different food sectors. It provides the latest retail sales data 2016-2020, allowing you to compare health and wellness categories with each other or in the context of the total market for a sector. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market- be they new product developments, legislative context or lifestyle influences. Forecasts to 2025 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Product coverage:

Organic Hot Drinks, Organic Soft Drinks.

Data coverage:

market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?

* Get a detailed picture of the Organic Beverages market;

* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;

* Understand the competitive environment, the markets major players and leading brands;

* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.

Our International has over 40 years experience of publishing market research reports, business reference books and online information systems. With offices in London, Chicago, Singapore, Shanghai, Vilnius, Dubai, Cape Town, Santiago, Sydney, Tokyo and Bangalore and a network of over 800 analysts worldwide, Our International has a unique capability to develop reliable information resources to help drive informed strategic planning.



Browse our full report with Table of Content :

http://www.marketreportsonindia.com/marketreports/organic-beverages-in-india/889386

About Market Reports on India:

Market Reports on India is an excellent source to obtain top quality market research reports that helps you to understand the business in the Indian market. We cover various industries, identifying and understanding key macro and micro-economic trends, insights and futuristic growth opportunities. To help achieve all this and more, Market Reports on India is the answer to all your business needs.



Contact us at:

Market Reports on India

Tel: +91 22 27810772 / 27810773

Email: info@marketreportsonindia.com

Website: www.marketreportsonindia.com

Follow us on: Twitter,Facebook, LinkedIn
I go back to that story because ... just imagine thinking how a young lady does not know what to do, she gets pregnant, shes scared, shes got all these emotions ... and so thats why I think this bill is so important now that its going to be able to give somebody an option to be able to put that baby in a Safe Haven box so that somebody else will be able to take care of that baby and give it tender love and care, Andrade said.
London: Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said she had given an in-depth interview to US chat show host Oprah Winfrey because she was finally free to speak for herself now she and husband Prince Harry had quit royal duties.

Meghan, 39, and Queen Elizabeths grandson Harry, 36, stunned the royal family in January last year by announcing they would step down from their official royal roles to forge a new, independent life in California.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with interviewer Oprah Winfrey. Credit:Harpo

The split was confirmed last month, and, in the last week, the couple and Buckingham Palace have engaged in an increasingly bitter war of words, amid claims of lies, bullying and smears.

Im ready to talk, Meghan, a former American actress, told Winfrey in an excerpt shown on US station CBS ahead of the broadcast on Monday AEDT, as she explained why she had agreed to the interview.
South Africa: Condolences for veteran journalist Karima Brown

Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has paid tribute to veteran journalist and political analyst Karima Brown for her contribution to the South African media industry.

Brown had an unwavering commitment to journalism and was never afraid to ask difficult questions and speak her mind. Her patriotism saw her pushing the boundaries of complacency and exposing wrong doing wherever she came across it, the Minister said.

Brown, who was also an anchor of eNCA's weekly show 'The Fix', passed away on Thursday from COVID-19 related complications.

She has held various editorial positions in both print and broadcast media over the years.

Her journalistic instinct contributed significantly to the vibrant and diversified media in South Africa. Indeed, South Africa and the media industry is poorer without her, Ntshavheni said.

Brown was also an activist who in her early years contributed to the struggle for a free and democratic South Africa.

She played a critical role in the Cape Youth Congress (CAYCO) and the building of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO).

Her fiery approach to the pursuit of truth and justice has left an indelible mark in South African journalism. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, said the Minister.

Government has conveyed its deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and the media fraternity.

Meanwhile, the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) also conveyed its condolences.

Brown was a controversial media figure. Before taking up her job at eNCA as the anchor of the much talked about The Fix, Brown lodged a complaint accusing her former employers at Talk Radio 702 of censorship and editorial interference. This followed the station not renewing her contract, said SANEF.

The forum described Brown as a mentor to many young journalists.

However, to many young upcoming journalists, Brown was a mentor. Many of them have taken to social media platforms thanking her for her role in the development of their careers. SANEF extends its deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues, it said in a statement. SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Ltd will bear the cost of vaccinating its employees and their immediate family, totaling an estimated 12.2 lakh, as the oil-to-telecom conglomerate looks to safeguard them against the COVID-19 virus.

India's largest private company joins the likes of IT giants Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Accenture, and public sector lender State Bank of India among others who are bearing the cost of vaccination of their employees and their dependents.

"As per our earlier commitment, Reliance will bear the full cost of vaccination for you, your spouse, your parents, and vaccine-eligible-aged children. You and your family's safety and well-being is our responsibility," said Nita Ambani, non-executive director, and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, in an internal communication to all employees.

The firm has tied-up with specific hospitals to roll outthe vaccination drive for employees at the places where they are stationed.

The vaccination drive will cover all employees of the company's oil and chemical division, retail unit and telecom venture Jio, their associates, and their registered dependents.

"Mukesh and I truly believe that cherishing the health and happiness of our loved ones is what it means to be part of a family - the Reliance Family," she wrote.

She further urged all those employees eligible to get vaccinated under the government's COVID-19 vaccination programme to register quickly.

The government has in the Phase-II of the inoculation drive, allowing people older than 60 years and those above 45 years with chronic health disorders to be vaccinated.

It has asked private hospitals serving as vaccination centres to charge Rs 250 per dose of a vaccine.

For Reliance employees and their dependents, this cost will be borne by the company.

Nita, who is wife of Reliance chairman and richest Indian Mukesh Ambani, urged employees to not let their guard down against the scourge of the yet. "Continue to maintain utmost safety and hygiene precautions. We are in the last stages of this collective battle. Together, we must win and we will win!"



She said the government has launched the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination programme across the country.

"In our Reliance Family Day 2020 message, Mukesh and I personally assured you that as soon as any approved COVID-19 vaccine is available in India, we will do our best to plan early vaccination for all Reliance employees and family members," she wrote. "We remain committed to this goal and to contributing to our nation's collective ability to end the pandemic as soon as possible.
(Natural News) In the event that a child is sent home from school because a classmate tests positive for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), Peel Health of Canada wants that child to be isolated in solitary confinement away from friends and even family members for a full two weeks.

This was stated in new guidelines issued by Peel, which are already being condemned by watchdog groups as cruel and unusual punishment against innocent little ones, not to mention the fact that it is a completely unscientific suggestion.

This is cruel punishment for a child, especially for younger children 4-10 years old, says Dr. Susan Richardson, a microbiologist and infectious disease physician who is also a professor emerita at the University of Toronto, as quoted by The Sun.

Shutting a child off from their parents and siblings for up to 14 days in this manner could produce significant and long-lasting emotional and psychological effects.

According to Peel, even if a child does not show any symptoms and was merely in the same classroom as another child who tested positive, he or she should stay in a separate bedroom and eat in a separate room apart from others.

If the child must leave their [sic] room, they [sic] should wear a mask and stay 2 metres apart from others, the guidelines further state. It is strongly recommended to test for COVID-19 on or after the date listed in your letter.

If there are other children living within the same home, they, too, should stay home from school or child care until the other child returns back to school or child care.

These other children do not need to self-isolate in a separate room, according to Peel, however they should not go out to play with friends or see family who dont live with [them].

Coronavirus restrictions are child abuse

As for the parents, they are somehow okay going to work unless the child develops symptoms or tests positive. If the child seems just fine, then everyone else in the house can go about their normal lives while the child must remain alone and isolated for two weeks.

Such guidelines are inconsistent and nonsensical, of course, which is to be expected considering the source. These constantly moving goalposts seem designed to intentionally cause as much anguish, confusion, anxiety and terror as possible, which in and of itself is a crime against humanity.

This does not seem practically possible and is highly likely to cause harm to children who would already be experiencing considerable distress with having to remain home, warned Dr. Tess Clifford, director of the Psychology Clinic at Queens University, in an email to The Sun about the draconian recommendations.

Those making decisions about such matters need to do a better job of measuring the needs of different types of children across multiple domains of health  meaning childrens individual needs must be taken into account before potentially inflicting even worse harm on them in the form of solitary confinement.

I dont understand how any health-care professional has moved so far away from the fundamentals of public health and of doing no harm that they would think that basically incarcerating a child in a room for 14 days is in any way justified, added Dr. Martha Fulford, an infectious disease physician at Hamilton Health Science who specializes in pediatrics.

This is shocking, especially when you consider this is being proposed for children who are not in any way sick.

Peels recommendations are further perplexing when considering the fact that the governments own narrative maintains that school-aged children have almost no risk of contracting or spreading the Chinese virus as it is.

More stories about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) insanity can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

TorontoSun.com

NaturalNews.com
Ever since she was a student at Lamar Middle School, Laysha Gonzalez has always dreamed of being a student at the University of Texas at Austin. All her academic efforts have been aimed at admission to UT to major in government and become a lawyer and a congresswoman.

Gonzalez, a graduating senior at Nixon High School and the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts, has been named one of 65 finalists for the University of Texas Forty Acres Scholars Program for the Class of 2025. Gonzalez, who has been presented with this prestigious honor, was selected from more than 4,700 applicants. Only 173 advanced to the second round of virtual interviews, and from there, the finalists were selected.

The Forty Acres Scholars Program inspires and nurtures visionary leaders and helps them use their talents to benefit society. The scholars demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a track record of outstanding academic success. Most importantly, they have passion and a desire to live out the core values of the University of Texas at Austin.

The three tenets of the program are community, connection and discovery. The program is a transformational adventure that helps individuals reach their full potential, and  alongside academic achievement  focuses on personal development, relationship building and gaining perspective. As the only program of its kind administered by an alumni association, Forty Acres Scholars develop a unique relationship with their alma mater and graduate with an extraordinary network of Longhorns standing behind them.

Gonzalez was overwhelmed when she learned she was named a finalist and the only Laredoan selected for this honor.

I was just filled with emotion and pride. It was just a surreal moment where I felt all my hard work came through, Gonzalez said. I feel very proud of every single thing that I have done to earn an achievement so prestigious as the Forty Acres Scholarship Program finalist.

To be the only Laredoan, I feel like its something I accomplished not only for myself but for everyone around me. Being a Hispanic and a daughter of immigrant, its something Im going to use to show others that anything is possible.

It truly is an honor to have one of our Nixon students selected as a finalist for this prestigious award, said Cassandra Mendoza, Nixon High School Principal. Laysha is an accomplished student who excels in everything she does.

Gonzalez acknowledged her mother and family for their unwavering support.

I want to thank my whole family, but definitely my mother. Our life has not been easy, but she always taught me how to push through, Gonzalez said. And most importantly, God. Because he has always held my hand through everything. I have always said this, and I strongly believe in it, that it is important to thank yourself. If you dont give up on yourself, that is when dreams really come true.

Gonzalez, who was chosen for admission to the University of Texas, always knew this would be the school for her.

UT was the first school that I ever actually visited. I remember the feeling of just being there, I felt that I belonged, Gonzalez said. So of course, I applied to UT and the Forty Acres Scholarship.

If I were to get this opportunity, it would just change my life, Gonzalez said. It would make everything I worked for worth it.

The Forty Acres Scholarship funding will provide for full tuition, a living stipend, a book stipend, an enrichment stipend and program activities.

From the time when Gonzalez was a little girl at Ryan Elementary School, she was always well aware that financially her family didnt have the means to send her to college.

It was really up to me to find passions that would allow me to gain those scholarships. So I was always aware of that, Gonzalez said. When I was in middle school, I made it a mission of mine to really strengthen my passions and really advocate for things Im passionate for. I knew that was where the money was going to come from, because with my family, that would be impossible.

Gonzalez is a first-generation student attending college, and she will be the first in her family to attend a four-year university.

It just makes me very emotional and proud because I know I carry every single trait and characteristic and value that my family has bestowed upon me. My family is filled with a lot of women, and I know that they have impacted me and made me the woman I am today, Gonzalez said. Just being a first-generation, it just shows that if you dont have that experience or those people around you that have gone to college, it doesnt matter. As long as you know what you want to achieve and as long as you yourself continue to push yourself forward, it really doesnt matter whats around you or what obstacles you face. Its all up to you.

Gonzalez will now join the other exceptional high school finalists in the first ever virtual Finalist Weekend. They will participate in activities that include visits with their admitted colleges, a mock class with University of Texas professors, a virtual campus tour, panels with current Forty Acres Scholars, optional daily activities and an individual interview.

Gonzalez has been named January Border Patrol Youth of the Month and is an inductee of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica. She is also a finalist for the UT Terry Scholarship and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

Gonzalez is NHS and VMT Senior Class President and President of Student Council. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Superintendents Student Advisory Council, UIL impromptu speaking, VMT Concert Choir, Thespian Society and a three-year varsity track team member. She is the owner of a small business, Tastylays Treats & Sweets, and works for Chick-fil-A and Cutco.

Gonzalez also volunteers her time with the Webb County Democratic Party, #NoBorderWallCoalition and Laredo reproductive Health Coalition. She is also a lecturer at her local church.

Gonzalez has been accepted to the College of Liberal Arts and will be majoring in government and the Plan II honors program.

After graduating from UT, Gonzalez plans on going to Columbia Law School. She wants to become a lawyer, but her biggest goal is to become congresswoman for the local 28th Congressional District currently held by Rep. Henry Cuellar.

The three government leaders disclosed details of the global partnership late last week at a private Commercial Club of Chicago meeting cohosted by World Business Chicago. The leaders are committed to eliminating existing health disparities and negative outcomesfrom COVID-19 hospitalizations to infant mortality, chronic disease and early deathconnected to conditions where people live, learn, work and play.

Sheba Medical Center, Kaleidoscope Health Ventures (KHV) and Farpoint Development are partners in the Chicago ARC Innovation Center. The discussion focused on how Sheba's ARC model, which fosters healthcare innovation to redesign this system and make it more accessible by accelerating entrepreneurship, is extending from Israel to Chicago.

Israel to Illinois: A Fast Track for Healthcare Transformation

Healthcare transformation is one of Israel's greatest priorities but is a goal no state or nation can accomplish on its own. The Sheba ARC (Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate) model will be executed in Chicago to enable alliances with Illinois' abundant trove of life sciences teaching and research institutions, biotechnology companies, health systems and technology startups to make fast progress toward achieving health equity. This includes implementing groundbreaking technologies with a market-driven approach adapted for the United States.

"We have learned many things from the current COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most important is that global challenges need global solutions," Ashkenazi said. "This partnership with the Chicago ARC Innovation Center and Sheba Medical Center could quite literally save lives. Together they will advance healthcare solutions, share best practice and transform health care."

"Today we are celebrating the partnership between Israel's Sheba Medical Center, one of the world's top-ranking hospitals, and Kaleidoscope Health Ventures and Farpoint Development. It is one of the many ways we have to share Israeli innovation and keep strengthening the unbreakable bond between our two nations," Ashkenazi said.

Prioritizing Health Equity in Illinois with Sheba's Help

Illinois has made health equity an overarching public health goal . Leading through a health equity lens, the state's programs, services and partnerships aim to increase parity in the social determinants of health to close health disparity gaps.

"Here in Illinois, we have some of the best research universities on the earth, one of the largest biotech talent pools in the United States, and our medical centers are among the most respected in the world," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Those assets are just one facet of why our state is ideal for a new health innovation hub. The establishment of the Chicago ARC Innovation Center both recognizes and strengthens our reputation."

"I am so deeply grateful for Kaleidoscope Health Ventures, to Sheba Medical Center and to the ARC Innovation Complex and Farpoint Development for coming together to spur this innovation here in Illinois, bringing more collaborative health innovation, life sciences development and transformative equitable healthcare models to our state," continued Pritzker.

In fact, Sheba's ARC model has allowed Israel to become a world leader in combating COVID-19 by shaping Israel's rapid response to COVID-19which will see half its population vaccinated by March and showcases Israel's use of innovative approaches to achieve health equity. With Sheba's guidance, Israel's agencies and health providers are repackaging the temperature-sensitive Pfizer vaccine for wider distribution; opening arenas and field clinics as inoculation centers; and engaging the Arab and ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in a public health campaign to overcome resistance to the vaccine, Kreiss noted.

"The outbreak of COVID-19 boosted this new enterprise and proved to all of us just how crucial it is to get ARC Chicago up and running," Kreiss said. "We have been looking for the right location and partner to bring our model to the U.S. and are very fortunate to have found this great partnership in Illinois.

"Sheba will contribute its global network of partners, its open innovation model, data and sources of technologies and startups looking to transform healthcare in the U.S," Kreiss said. "KHV will use its experience in the U.S. market and impact investing to drive commercialization and investment success. Farpoint will help us cultivate inclusive Chicago neighborhoods, (turning them) into the U.S.A.'s first City of Health with its commercial real estate development (expertise)."

The Chicago ARC Makes Illinois a Global Investment Destination

The Chicago ARC will connect the best science, talent, technology and data to achieve health equity and justice for all through a high-touch, collaborative innovation platform.

A health equity accelerator will be an early Chicago ARC initiative, with plans to launch later this year. The Chicago ARC will partner with South and West Side community initiatives to unlock the benefits for all residents across Illinois and the United States. A life sciences incubator and data collaborative will follow in 2022, all with health equity goals.

International companies, starting with a focus on promising Israeli startups, are targeted as Chicago ARC tenants. A tailored approach with a customer-driven network will give them a U.S. foothold and make Illinois a gateway for global investment. The permanent Chicago ARC facility is set to open in 2023 as the anchor of the Bronzeville Lakefront development. Until then, it will operate out of interim space.

"On behalf of the Chicago ARC partners, we are honored to have the support of Israel's Foreign Minister and the Governor of Illinois for this transformational venture," Kaleidoscope Health Ventures Cofounder and Managing Partner S. Bob Chib said. "We look forward to partnering with Sheba and Farpoint Development on the launch of the Chicago ARC Innovation Center."

About the Speakers

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi : Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 35th government of Israel, Ashkenazi served in the Israel Defense Forces for 39 years. He headed the IDF from 2007 to 2011 as the 19th Chief of General Staff, or Rav Aluf. While in the IDF, Lt. Gen. (res.) Ashkenazi served in numerous senior capacities, including Deputy Chief of Staff and head of the Northern Command. He also restored the IDF's operative capacity in the wake of the Second Lebanon War and led a series of campaigns, including Operation Hot Winter, Operation Cast Lead and the decisive strike on Syria's nuclear reactor in September 2007. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi holds a bachelor's degree in political science and oriental studies from Haifa University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School's Executive Management Program, the IDF's Joint Command Course and the Officer Candidate School of the United States Marine Corps. He headed Shemen Oil and Gas Explorations Ltd. before entering the Knesset in 2019.

Gov. JB Pritzker: The 43rd governor of Illinois is in his third year in office, obtaining bipartisan support for historic investments in education, human services and infrastructure, including $500 million in capital funding for a network of research and innovation hubs. Before becoming governor, Pritzker founded Chicago nonprofit small business incubator 1871, which has helped entrepreneurs create more than 11,000 jobs and more than 1,000 new companies. Since 1871's inception, Chicago has been named one of the top ten technology startup hubs in the world and 1871 was named the best incubator in the world. Gov. Pritzker has expanded support for new business incubators and cut taxes for hundreds of thousands of small businesses while incentivizing job creation and innovation. He also extended research and development tax credits to help manufacturing workers and businesses thrive, and he worked with the business community to create apprenticeship tax credits to promote job training.

Prof. Yitshak Kreiss: Director General of Sheba Medical Center since 2016, Prof. Kreiss is world renowned for his research in leadership and health management based on humanitarian operations he led in the IDF. During his 25 years in the IDF, he rose from combat surgeon to IDF Surgeon General and attained the rank of Brigadier General. He earned his medical degree at the Hebrew University; completed a residency in internal medicine at Sheba Medical School; and earned a Master of Health Administration from Tel Aviv University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. Prof. Kreiss was cited as one of the 50 most influential Jews of 2020 by the Jerusalem Post . Under his tutelage, Sheba Medical Center has also been ranked as one of the Top 10 Hospitals in the World by Newsweek magazine.

About the Chicago ARC General Partners

Sheba Medical Center: The Chicago ARC Innovation Center will play a significant part in Sheba Medical Center's global digital healthcare revolution. Sheba is the largest and most comprehensive medical center in the Middle East, the only one in Israel that combines acute and rehabilitation hospitals on a single campus. Sheba is at the forefront of medical treatments, patient care, research and education, recognized by Newsweek as one of the top 10 hospitals in the world two years in a row.

Kaleidoscope Health Ventures: KHV is a venture development firm focused on social impact. It brings together world-class startups, partners, investors and talent to address socioeconomic and health issues while providing high-value services to support a new wave of life science startups and healthcare solutions. The KHV team has collectively created billions of dollars in startup venture value and served in strategic leadership as well as operational roles across startup, growth-stage and corporate entities.

Farpoint Development: Farpoint is a highly experienced team that has been successful in shaping Chicago's skyline and neighborhoods for more than three decades. Farpoint has exceptionally strong local government ties and community relationships and has a notable track record for spurring transformative change in underserved areas locally and nationally. They continue to expand their socially responsible real estate mandate nationwide. Farpoint is a partner in the GRIT joint venture to develop the 100-acre, $7 billion Bronzeville Lakefront site.

For more information contact:

Kelley Quinn

Purpose Brand

[email protected]

(773) 879-3809

SOURCE Sheba Medical Center
Comedian Sarah Silverman has apologised to Paris Hilton for jokes she made in 2007 when the socialite was preparing for a spell behind bars (PA)

Comedian Sarah Silverman has apologised to Paris Hilton for jokes she made in 2007 when the socialite was preparing for a spell behind bars.

Silverman hosted the MTV Movie Awards, which Hilton attended hours before going to prison for violating her parole in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

The comic made crude jokes about how the reality TV star would spend her time locked up.

Expand Close Sarah Silverman has apologised to Paris Hilton for jokes she made about the socialite in 2007 (Ian West/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Sarah Silverman has apologised to Paris Hilton for jokes she made about the socialite in 2007 (Ian West/PA)

Speaking on her podcast this week, Hilton, 40, told how Silvermans monologue left her devastated and fighting back tears while seated in the star-studded audience.

I was sitting there wanting to die, Hilton, who spent three weeks in prison in June 2007, said. I was trying to hold back my tears so hard. I had tears welling in my eyes, I wanted to run out of the entire room, but I just was trying to be strong and sit there, and the whole audience is laughing and she would not stop. It was so painful.

On her own podcast, Silverman, 50, described her jokes as hardcore and admitted she would not tell them today.

The Wreck-It Ralph star said she did not realise Hilton was in the audience at the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, and when she saw her immediately regretted the routine.

Expand Close Paris Hilton said she was left devastated after Sarah Silverman joked about her impending spell behind bars in 2007 (Ian West/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Paris Hilton said she was left devastated after Sarah Silverman joked about her impending spell behind bars in 2007 (Ian West/PA)

She said: The crowd went bananas and while I was thrilled at the success of my monologue, I remember spotting her in the audience. I really do. And I remember seeing that look on her face and my heart sank. Because there was a person under there.

Silverman said a couple of days later she wrote Hilton a letter of apology and was saddened when Hilton said on her podcast she did not receive it.

She added: I regretted the jokes not years later but kind of immediately.

New ep:

Paris Hilton, VM Jingles, Jews Donat Counthttps://t.co/MvyoCqg2fR  Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 4, 2021

So here I am, 14 years later, telling you Paris that I am really sorry. I was then and I am much more completely and with far more understanding now.

I cant imagine what you were going through at the time.

So Paris, I hope you accept my apology and I hope that you feel my remorse. I felt it the second I saw your face that night. It feels terrible to know you have hurt someone and its important to make it right. So I hope this does that.

Hilton responded to Silvermans apology in an impromptu podcast released on Friday.

She said she was shocked and pleasantly surprised to hear from the comedian.

She added: She was so genuine and so sweet and it really moved me. I felt emotional hearing it and I could tell she really did mean what she said when she was apologising.

Thank you, I really, really appreciate you doing that.
From funding to legislation to regulation, the aged care system is broken, beset by neglect and fundamentally flawed.

Thats the finding of commissioners Lynelle Briggs and Tony Pagone, QC, in the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety made public this week.

Responding to the final report of the aged care royal commission will be a test for the Prime Minister. Credit:Getty

The report highlighted many individual tragedies of neglect and abuse in aged care, but it is the systemic failings that the commissioners sought to address with their 148 recommendations.

Fundamental change is needed, Pagone says in the report.
Please disable your ad blocker, and refresh the page to view this content.
The San Diego Zoo has given nine apes an experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by Zoetis, a major veterinary pharmaceuticals company.

In January, a troop of gorillas at the zoos Safari Park tested positive for the virus. All are recovering, but even so, the zoo requested help from Zoetis in vaccinating other apes. The company provided an experimental vaccine that was initially developed for pets and is now being tested in mink.

Nadine Lamberski, a conservation and wildlife health officer at San Diego Zoo Global, said the zoo vaccinated four orangutans and five bonobos with the experimental vaccine, which is not designed for use in humans. Among the vaccinated orangutans was an ape named Karen, who made history in 1994 when she became the first orangutan to have open-heart surgery.

Dr. Lamberski said one gorilla at the zoo was also scheduled to be vaccinated, but the gorillas at the wildlife park were a lower priority because they had already tested positive for infection and had recovered. She said she would vaccinate the gorillas at the wildlife park if the zoo received more doses of the vaccine.

(JNS)  The critics of Israel are so predictable, its almost funny.

Over the past two weeks, as if on cue, The New York Times published an op-ed urging steps to facilitate the creation of a Palestinian state; the RAND Corporation released a new study pushing for the creation of a Palestinian state; and the news media manufactured a mini-crisis between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in order to put more pressure on Israel toyou guessed itagree to the creation of a Palestinian state

I say as if on cue and not on cue because there...
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Maple Gold appoints Kiran Patankar as Senior Vice President, Growth Strategy

Posted by Publisher Internet

Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX-V: MGM) (OTCQB: MGMLF) (FSE: M3G)?(\Maple Gold\ or the \Company\ -? https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/maple-gold-mines-ltd/) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kiran Patankar to the position of Senior Vice President, Growth Strategy. Mr. Patankar is a proven mining executive with more than a decade of senior experience at growth-focused public companies and leading Canadian/global financial institutions. In this new role, he will complement the corporate development team in its pursuit of new growth opportunities.

Matthew Hornor, Maple Gold?s President and CEO, stated: ?I am delighted to welcome Kiran to the Maple Gold team. His strong finance, capital markets and technical background will perfectly complement the skillsets of our existing team and enable us to move deftly ahead on corporate growth opportunities.?

Kiran Patankar, Maple Gold?s SVP, Growth Strategy, stated: ?I couldn?t be more excited to join the team at Maple Gold. I have known Matthew for many years and we share a deep commitment to shareholder value creation as well as an optimistic yet pragmatic view of the gold mining sector. With a district scale project in the prolific Abitibi gold belt, a strategic partnership with one of the world?s premier gold mining companies, and a strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to capitalize on near-term opportunities and to execute on our longer-term corporate growth priorities. I look forward to working closely with our highly experienced management team, advisors and board to build upon the Company?s recent successes.?

Kiran Patankar ? SVP, Growth Strategy

Mr. Patankar brings a diverse set of technical and strategic leadership skills including mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, mining project evaluation and optimization, contracts negotiation, stakeholder engagement and corporate governance. He was previously President, CEO and a Director of two TSX-V listed gold exploration and development companies, where he led growth initiatives and orchestrated successful company turnarounds. From 2007-2014, Mr. Patankar was an investment banker at Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. and Mackie Research Capital Corp., where he advised a range of public and private companies on strategic corporate matters, including internal and external growth projects as well as M&A and equity financing transactions totaling more than $3 billion. Mr. Patankar holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Stock Option Grant

In conjunction with the appointment, the Company has granted Mr. Patankar 400,000 stock options that are exercisable at a price of $0.325. The options have a 5-year term and vest one-third immediately, one-third 12 months from the date of grant and one-third 24 months from the date of grant until the options are fully vested. The Company\-\-s Equity Incentive Plan (the ?Plan?) governs these options, as well as the terms and conditions of their exercise, which is in accordance with policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (?TSX-V?).

Annual Grant of Restricted Share Units and Deferred Share Units

Pursuant to its new Plan dated December 17, 2020, the Company has made an aggregate grant of 550,000 Deferred Share Units (?DSUs?) to its Directors and an aggregate grant of 3,175,000 Restricted Share Units (?RSUs?) to its Directors, officers and employees.

The RSUs will vest 1/3 on April 30, 2021, 1/3 in 12 months and 1/3 in 24 months following the date of grant. ?Further details regarding the Plan are set out in the Management Information Circular of the Company filed on November 23, 2020, which is available on SEDAR.

About Maple Gold

Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is a Canadian advanced exploration company in a 50/50 joint venture with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited to jointly advance the district-scale Douay and Joutel gold projects located in Quebec?s prolific Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt. The project benefits from exceptional infrastructure access and boasts ~400 km2 of highly prospective ground including an established gold resource that holds significant resource expansion potential as well as the past-producing Telbel mine.

The property also hosts a significant number of regional exploration targets along a 55 km strike length of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone that have yet to be tested through drilling, making the project ripe for new gold and polymetallic discoveries.? The Company is well capitalized and is currently focused on carrying out aggressive exploration programs to grow resources and make new discoveries to establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of the Abitibi. For more information, please visit www.maplegoldmines.com.

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains \forward-looking information\ and \forward-looking statements\ (collectively referred to as \forward-looking statements\) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada, including statements about corporate development opportunities. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management\-\-s best estimate of future events. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company\-\-s expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Maple Gold Mines Ltd.\-\-s filings with Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company\-\-s website at www.maplegoldmines.com. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent.

Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make.

Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.

Last month, L.A. District Attorney George Gascon received an unusual proposal from Sheriff Alex Villanueva: The sheriff wanted to create a joint task force with the DA to fight government corruption and target dirty politicians.

"The mission of [the task force] is to develop meaningful and productive investigatory relationships among our detectives and deputy district attorneys, who are charged with investigating public corruption," said a draft memorandum of understanding written by the Sheriff's Department and obtained by LAist. It argued the task force would serve as "a force multiplier."

The memo said the DA would chair the group and it envisioned other law enforcement agencies joining. Participants would brief each other on "sensitive cases" they were working on, it said.

Gascon rejected Villanueva's proposal, said his spokesman Alex Bastian.

"We do not want to compromise our ability to engage in that work in an independent manner," Bastian told us, adding that the DA's Public Integrity Division, which investigates corruption, has "significant expertise."

The sheriff did not respond to requests for comment on what prompted his proposal. On Feb. 27, Villanueva endorsed a nascent campaign to recall Gascon, citing the DA's efforts to reduce prison sentences to address mass incarceration.

'IT SEEMS LIKE OUR SHERIFF WANTS TO PLAY THE ROLE OF DA'

Law enforcement task forces are hardly unusual. But the sheriff's proposal puzzled Loyola Law School Professor Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor in L.A.

"These task forces usually come more organically, where law enforcement talks to the prosecutors and then the prosecutors help coordinate an appropriate task force," she said.

Public corruption investigations are particularly sensitive since the targets often are elected or government officials. That's why they often are led by the DA, the U.S. Attorney or state attorney general -- not local police, Levenson said.

"It seems like our sheriff wants to play the role of the DA," she said.

Miriam Krinsky, executive director of Fair and Just Prosecution and a former assistant U.S. Attorney in L.A., agreed. The DA needs "autonomy and independence" in corruption investigations, she said.

INVESTIGATING THREE CURRENT AND FORMER WATCHDOGS

Villanueva's proposal comes as his department investigates three current or former Sheriff's watchdogs for possible corruption.

The most recent investigation involves allegations that Patti Giggans -- a member of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission -- improperly obtained contracts with Metro and money from Supervisor Sheila Kuehl for Giggans' nonprofit, Peace Over Violence.

Sheriff's officials on Feb. 18 served a search warrant on Peace Over Violence but have since written a letter stating they don't believe Giggans -- who is the group's executive director -- has committed a crime, according to her attorney, Austin Dove.

He would not provide the letter clearing Giggans. The Sheriff's Department says the investigation is ongoing.

"I think this was a form of retaliation for Ms. Giggans publicly criticizing the sheriff in her capacity as a person on the Sheriff's oversight commission," Dove said. Giggans was particularly critical of Villanueva when she and the other eight members of the panel voted to call for his resignation.

The sheriff told us the investigation of Giggans was prompted by a news story on Fox 11 News and that he recused himself from making any decisions about the case. "All the decisions are being made through [Undersheriff Tim Murakami's] office," he said.

When pressed about the potential ethical conflict of having his department investigate a member of the oversight commission, Villanueva justified the inquiry by saying the oversight panel is "advisory only."

He also said investigators consulted with the DA about the Giggans investigation. Bastian would neither confirm nor deny that the sheriff had consulted with Gascon's office on the matter.

'DON'T...APPEAR AS IF YOU HAVE AN AGENDA'

The Sheriff's Department has conducted public corruption investigations in the past, said former Sheriff's Commander Rod Kusch, who once headed the department's elite Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau. But whatever Giggans did or did not do, the sheriff has no business investigating her or her organization, Kusch said.

"You just don't want to have a situation that makes you appear as if you have an agenda toward any particular entity," he told us. "The idea is to have a completely unbiased investigation."

Another sheriff's watchdog under investigation by the department is County Inspector General Max Huntsman. In the summer of 2019, Villanueva publicly accused Huntsman of improperly accessing personnel files, even though a county ordinance allows him to inspect files.

Huntsman claims the investigation is payback for his sharp criticism of the department, which has included reports on deputy gangs and critiques of the sheriff's re-hiring of a deputy accused of domestic violence who had served as a political aide to Villanueva.

The sheriff denies Huntsman's allegations.

"The data breach happened long before they started throwing rocks at me," Villenuava said. As with the Giggans inquiry, the sheriff said he has recused himself from the investigation and it's being run by Undersheriff Murakami -- although the sheriff's feelings about the inspector general are well known.

"His actions are purely politically driven and an attempt to undermine the reputation of the Department," Villanueva wrote of Huntsman last year. Last month, he called on the County Board of Supervisors to fire Huntsman, arguing that the inspector general's reports criticizing the sheriff "are filled with unproven allegations, anecdotal data, omissions, distortions, and an overall permeation of bias and intellectual dishonesty."

'THE SHERIFF IS EMPANELED...TO INVESTIGATE ALL CRIMES'

In addition to the Huntsman and Giggans inquiries, the sheriff has an ongoing criminal investigation into the former Constitutional Policing Advisor for former Sheriff Jim McDonnell. She was responsible for guiding department discipline and raised the ire of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, which considered her approach too harsh.

In fact, Villanueva won the union's support for his election in part by promising to reverse McDonnell's discipline policies. Within months of taking office, the sheriff opened an investigation into the former advisor, accusing her of improper use of personnel files - an accusation she denies. Again, Villanueva said he recused himself from the investigation, and Murakami is handling it.

The investigations into Huntsman and the former advisor have lasted nearly two years. The sheriff said they are complex. Dove, the attorney for Giggans, suspects there is another reason.

"By continuing to keep the investigation improperly open, then they've got leverage and they can keep you uncomfortable and intimidate you," Dove said.

Villanueva defended all of the investigations.

"The sheriff is empaneled according to the state constitution with investigative powers to investigate all crimes within L.A. County," he said.
Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

24 Hour Access
Over the course of the last two weeks, the Medical Center has vaccinated over 1,200 homeowners who qualify under the State of Floridas Governors current Order for those individuals who are 65 years of age or older, the Ocean Reef Clubs message to residents read, according to the Herald. We are fortunate to have received enough vaccines to ensure both the first and second for those vaccinated. At this time, however, the majority of the State has not received an allocation of first doses of vaccines for this week and beyond, and the timing of any subsequent deliveries remains unclear.
Having a healthy smile helps you feel your best and gain confidence.

Salt Lake Dental Clinic offers free consultations on cosmetic dentistry services in Utah, including professional teeth whitening, dental veneers, porcelain crowns, bridges, and bonding to help patients feel and look their best.

As a result of the worldwide pandemic and associated quarantine restrictions, many Utahns did not take care of their teeth as they should. Unfortunately, many were unable to go to the dentist for their annual check-up causing discoloration and dental health problems. Utah residents who are ready to get back on track can improve their dental health care this year with a free cosmetic dentistry consultation at Salt Lake Dental Clinic.

Having a healthy smile helps you feel your best and gain confidence. If any of our patients are embarrassed by crowded or chipped teeth, tooth discoloration, or old fillings, they stop smiling as frequently or start feeling self-conscious. We can help, explains Dr. Scott Elder.

To ensure patients feel their best all year long, Salt Lake Dental Clinic invites patients to schedule an appointment at their local clinic. Their cosmetic dentistry services improve the appearance of patients teeth and gums by focusing on dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment, and overall smile appearance.

Salt Lake Dental Clinics resident dentist, Dr. Scott Elder, specializes in cosmetic dentistry services, such as teeth whitening, Invisalign, porcelain veneers, or dental implants. Working with Dr. Elder, patients can determine which cosmetic dentistry procedure will best address their individual dental care goals.

In an online review, Salt Lake Dental Clinic patient Karen Paulsen wrote, I have never had a more pleasant experience at a dental office ever! Everyone was so nice and made me feel comfortable and at ease. I am so happy that I was recommended to this dental clinic.

About Salt Lake Dental Clinic

Salt Lake Dental Clinic has been serving the South Salt Lake, Sugar House, Holladay, and nearby areas for the past six years. Welcoming new and returning patients of every age group. This Salt Lake City dental clinic provides a friendly, relaxed environment to ensure happy, healthy smiles.

To request an appointment, visit SLCdental.com or call their dental office at (801) 278-7100.
Mobile, Birmingham and Huntsville pasta lovers will have a new restaurant to patronize in the future.

Restaurant chain Noodles and Company is looking to expand into north, central and south Alabama within the next year, according to John Ramsay, vice president of franchise sales for Noodles and Company. The three restaurants are a part of a larger effort to establish the brand in the south and southeast, where locations are few and far between.

The beginnings of the initiative began in the fall 2020, after the company fared well throughout the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I call it under the rainbow because we have restaurants in California, all the way through the Midwest and down into Florida, but theres nothing underneath that rainbow, Ramsay said. Thats a big gap for us right now in terms of number of restaurants, so thats why were focused there.

Alabama is one of six states the chain is looking to expand into, according to a press release. Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, South Carolina and Texas are part of the companys multi-unit franchise growth initiative.

According to Ramsay, Mobile, Birmingham and Huntsville would start out with one location each, but the hope is that the particular franchisee would be a local individual ultimately overseeing a few restaurants in a region.

For example, following the success of a Mobile location, that particular franchisee could also operate a location in Baldwin County, or in Pensacola.

The journey to becoming a franchisee begins on the companys website, according to Ramsay. After an individual fills out the interest form, the journey to an open restaurant could be 18 months.

It takes longer to find the right person, Ramsay said.

Noodles and Company wont have any special regional dishes because the menu is already easy to acclimate in each market, according to Ramsay. The chain has standard pasta fare, like spaghetti and meatballs and macaroni and cheese, but also offers zoodles (zucchini noodles) and pad thai.

What we bring is a single restaurant that guests can come to and everybody gets satisfied with what theyre creating that night or that day for their meals, Ramsay said.

All those reasons are also why Ramsay believes Noodles and Company will be a great addition to the state of Alabama, along with the rest of the south.

Our menu is very easy to adapt to, Ramsay said. All the food is customizable and made to order. Thats the beauty of it.


Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.
A mother has revealed how she conceived two babies nine days apart in a 1 in 600 million pregnancy.

Jordan Parks, 27, from Doncaster, conceived son Arthur and nine days later fell pregnant with daughter Aubrey, in an incredibly rare medical phenomenon known as 'superfetation'. Only about a dozen such cases are documented worldwide.

The siblings, now one year old, were born on the same day and are considered 'non identical twins from two separate pregnancies', according to Jordan.

They are not 'traditional' twins because they come from two different eggs fertilised by sperm at entirely different times.

Jordan Parks, 27, from Doncaster, conceived son Arthur and nine days later fell pregnant with daughter Aubrey, in a rare medical phenomenon known as 'superfetation'. Pictured, Jordan with partner Jason and their babies Aubrey and Arthur

Jordan, who had struggled to conceive naturally due to polycystic ovary syndrome and received fertility treatment to fall pregnant with her eldest son, Freddy, said it was a 'miracle' to fall pregnant with one baby, let alone two

The siblings, now one year old, were born on the same day and are considered 'non identical twins from two separate pregnancies', according to Jordan. They are not 'traditional' twins because they come from two different eggs fertilised by sperm at entirely different times

Arthur and Aubrey, now one, were conceived nine days apart but were born on the same day

Jordan and her partner Jason, 28, who are also parents to three-year-old Freddy, were warned at the 22-week scan that both babies were unlikely to survive and were advised to terminate the smaller foetus, Aubrey, which was covered in cysts.

But the couple declined and both twins were born healthy at 36 weeks after an emergency C-section.

Jordan, who had struggled to conceive naturally due to polycystic ovary syndrome and received fertility treatment to fall pregnant with her eldest son, Freddy, said it was a 'miracle' to fall pregnant with one baby, let alone two.

She said: 'I have heard that superfetation could happen with animals, but I never in a million years thought that it would happen to me. It is so insane to even think about it. I just couldn't believe it.

What is superfetation and how does it occur? Normally a pregnant woman's ovaries stop releasing eggs, making it impossible to conceive. But in a double pregnancy, or superfetation, ovulation continues and the woman can fall pregnant with a second baby. Unlike traditional twins - which occur either when a fertilised egg splits into two, or when two eggs are fertilised by two sperm at the same time - superfetation leads to a woman being pregnant with an additional foetus that's younger than the existing pregnancy. However these babies are born on the same day. Advertisement

'When I tell people about my pregnancy sometimes they don't even believe that is it a real thing. They are so shocked.'

Jordan discovered she was pregnant in February 2019.

'I never expected to be pregnant, but I bought a test to double-check and it came back positive,' she said.

'I was absolutely gobsmacked. After being told I was infertile, I could not believe my body had done this. It was a miracle.'

After a fall a few weeks later, Jordan booked a private scan to check that her baby was okay.

Jordan, a plasterer, said: 'I was so anxious I just needed to make sure that everything was okay and the hospital wasn't able to do a reassurance scan.

'So, we booked a private scan. Jason and Freddy came in with me to hold my hand. The sonographer started the scan and asked me if I was ready.

'She then went on to say 'there's one' and I had no idea what she meant. I thought she meant one ovary. But she meant one baby. And that's when we were told we were having twins.

'I was looking at them and one was so much bigger while the other just looked like a little tiny marble.

'I started to panic. I thought the smaller one had maybe passed away and that's why it wasn't as developed. I was frantically asked why it was like that.'

Jordan and her partner Jason, 28, who are also parents to three-year-old Freddy, were warned at the 22-week scan that both babies were unlikely to survive and were advised to terminate the smaller foetus, Aubrey, which was covered in cysts. Pictured, the baby scans

Arthur weighed 1lb more than his younger sister when he was born

The sonographer continued to explain to Jordan that one baby was ten weeks and two days, while the other was just nine weeks.

Jordan was told that she had conceived twice and fallen pregnant again nine days after originally conceiving.

The mum-of-three said: 'I was in utter shock. It was so much to take in and I didn't know what to do.

'Firstly, I couldn't believe I was going to have two babies, and then secondly this incredibly rare thing had happened to me where I had gotten pregnant twice, after believing I'd never be pregnant again. It was crazy.'

At a 22 week scan, Jordan was informed that Arthur, who she had conceived first, was thriving and the smaller baby was not and her brain was full of cysts.

Arthur and Aubrey, pictured snuggling at home, were conceived in a 1 in 600 million 'double pregnancy'

Jordan and Jason worried both babies would not survive but Arthur and Aubrey arrived healthy

Brother and sister Arthur and Aubrey, who were conceived nine days apart

Jordan said they were told to not expect her to survive the remainder of the pregnancy.

She added: 'For the whole of my pregnancy you could see how much smaller she was.

'We were told she was more than likely not going to make it. The doctor told us that she has never seen a baby in this condition make it through. I was even advised to terminate Aubrey to help Arthur and give him a better chance.

Mother Jordan feared she might not be able to conceive but had a rare 'double pregnancy'

'Jason and I sat down and had a big discussion about what we wanted to do and we decided we didn't want to terminate and we would just let the pregnancy take its course.

'Two weeks later we went back for another scan to see how things were. It felt so sombre and as though they were preparing to tell us that she had passed away.

'However, it was another miracle. We were told that all bar one of the cysts had disappeared and that the baby would survive, although she would probably need to spend a while in NICU.

'I couldn't believe that around two weeks ago we had been advised and were talking about terminating her, and now she had made this miraculous recovery.

'I was so grateful we chose to carry on with the pregnancy. From this point everything else in the pregnancy went fairly smoothly, it was quite a breeze actually.

'At 36 weeks, my waters broke and I underwent an emergency C-section and had my babies.

'There was exactly 1 lbs difference between them. Aubrey was born first at 4 lbs 12 oz and Arthur was 5 lbs 12 oz.

Jordan and Jason with older son Freddy, three, and 'twins' Arthur and Aubrey

'I was warned that Aubrey may have to be taken to NICU, but to everyone's amazement once again, she didn't need to.

'Arthur was actually the one who needed to go to NICU where he spent three days due to having a sticky lung.

'It was so scary as I had been told the whole time that he was the healthy baby.'

Aubrey has a heart murmur, but the family have been told it is nothing to worry about and since their birth, both babies have been healthy, happy and continuing to thrive.

Jordan said: 'I can't believe I was blessed to have these miracles through a rare phenomenon. It's incredible.

'It was just insane seeing the size difference between them while they were developing.

'The twins are amazing with each other and Freddy is absolutely loving having a little brother and sister. They're little balls of fun.'
More Americans have lost faith in the Black Lives Matter movement and have more trust in local law enforcement ever since social justice protests swept the country in the summer, a new poll finds.

Conducted by USA Today and Ipsos, results showed that 60 percent of U.S. adults trusted the movement back in June, which fell to 50 percent by March 2021 - a decrease of 16 percent.

Meanwhile, trust in local police has risen from 56 percent during the summer to 69 percent in the spring, an increase of 23 percent.

What's more, views have changed about the role former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, played in the death of black man George Floyd.

More Americans believe that Floyd's death is not a murder and that Chauvin either didn't do anything wrong, or it was an accident - with a great difference in the perspective of black people compared to whites.

Chauvin is due to go on trial for Floyd's death in Minneapolis next week.

A new poll from USA Today and Ipsos found 60% percent of U.S. adults trusted the Black Lives Matter movement in June, which fell to 50% by March 2021. The same pill found faith in local police rose from 56% during the summer to 69% in the spring

Trust in the BLM movement has decreased for both black and white Americans, and both groups have seen an increase in police trust. Pictured: The scene of protests at a Portland police precinct on in Portland, Oregon, August 2020

The poll was conducted on March 1 and March 2 with 1,165 U.S. adults participating.

Results were then compared to a similar poll conducted in June.

In June, several protests broke out in the streets, calling for racial and justice reform in law enforcement, over the deaths of black Americans like Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Amhaud Arbery.

During that month 60 percent of respondents said they trusted the Black Lives Matter movement to promote justice and equal treatment for people of all races and 56 percent rusted local police to do the same.

Now, nine months later, only 50 percent said they have faith in the Black Lives Matter movement and 69 percent said they trust law enforcement.

Black survey participants and white participants differ on this issue.

About 75 percent of black people said they have faith in the Black Lives Matter movement compared to 42 percent of white people.

One of the biggest changes has been the circumstances surrounding the death of George Floyd. Pictured: Cell phone video shows former officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck

Conversely, 77 percent of white people trust the police but just 42% of black people feel the same.

However, both white and black Americans have seen their viewpoints adjust similarly compared with last year,

Back in June, 87 percent of blacks trusted BLM, showing a decline, and just 28 percent said they trusted local law enforcement, showing a decrease.

Among white participants, 50 percent said they had faith in BLM in June, a decline of eight points since and 65 percent trusted local police, a rise by 12 points.

'It's a slippery slope,' Steve Laskowitz, 73, from Boca Raton, Florida, who is white, told USA Today in a follow-up interview.

'Generally speaking, people should be allowed to protest. People should be allowed to demonstrate. They shouldn't be allowed to attack others, attack buildings, trespass, shouting at somebody from the street.'

One of the biggest changes has been the circumstances surrounding the death of George Floyd.

Floyd was killed after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, which was captured on cellphone video.

When the poll was conducted in June 2020, 60 percent believed Floyd's death was a murder. By March 2021, the number dropped by nearly half to 26 percent.

Only two percent last summer felt the police officer did nothing that wrong. By spring 2021, that number tripled to six percent.

In addition, four percent said they didn't have a personal view on Floyd's death in June compared to 17 percent this year.

In June 2020, 60% believed George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer was a murder, which fell by nearly half to 36% in March

Black Americans were more likely to trust the Black Lives Matter movement and President Joe Biden while white Americans were more likely to trust local law enforcement, police unions and the military

The poll found black respondents were more likely to classify Floyd's death (left) as a murder while white respondents were more likely to blame 'officer negligence' on Chauvin's part (right)

'There were eight minutes that the officer could have made a different decision, and he willfully held a man,'survey participant Valda Pugh, 67, of Louisville, Kentucky who is black, told USA Today in a follow-up interview.

'It was a murder. It was willful - maybe not premeditated. Nonetheless, the young man died.'

Another participant, Kevin Hayworth, 66, of Garner, Iowa, who is white, disagreed with this view.

'I think it was a police officer doing his job,' he told the newspaper.

'It was just a tragedy, but I think he was within the limits of his duty of jurisdiction.'

Black Americans were more likely to view Floyd's death as murder, with 64 percent identifying it as such, while white Americans were more likely to describe the death as due to Chauvin's 'negligence' with 33 percent doing so/

'Unless we have acute crises bringing racial injustice to the forefront, like the killing of George Floyd, our collective default is 'law and order,' Cliff Young, president of Ipsos, told USA Today.

'Yet this is also the tale of two nations; the memory of last year's events have not receded for black Americans. Such inequalities are always there and thus top of mind.'
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
Stormont lit up in red overnight to mark Remembrance Sunday in 2017, Unionist parties have been calling for the building to be similarly lit up for European Victims of Terrorism Day on March 11.

Sinn Fein have been criticised after vetoing an application to light up Parliament Buildings in memory of terror victims.

Calls had been made for the building to be illuminated for European Victims of Terrorism Day on March 11.

But Sinn Fein said the proposal fell outside current guidelines.

The plan was put forward by victims group the South-East Fermanagh Foundation and sponsored by TUV MLA Jim Allister, but was rejected by the Assembly Commission after Sinn Fein objected.

TUV leader Jim Allister hit out at the appalling decision to block the lighting of Stormont.

This persistence in again slighting the innocent victims of terrorism is appalling.

Having failed to deliver on a pension for victims Stormont has now failed to deliver so much as a simple lighting of the building for one day, he said.

The simple act of acknowledging, at no cost to the public, the hurt and sacrifice of countless victims in Northern Ireland and further afield was too much to ask.

DUP MLA Mervyn Storey said the decision was narrow-minded and disgraceful

Victims come from all faiths and none and deserve to be respected. For Sinn Fein to veto this act of respect and acknowledgement of suffering in inhumane, ill-mannered and downright ignorant, he said.

We support the application to light the building on 11th March and trust other parties will join with us in standing up to this narrow-minded and disgraceful approach by republicans.

It is this kind of behaviour which also required the courts to force the SF Deputy First Minister to put in place a pension for innocent victims.

Responding, South Down Sinn Fein MLA Sinead Ennis said: The Assembly Building is currently lit up on four occasions a year.

Other requests are processed in line with an Assembly Commission criteria agreed 20 years ago. That criteria is outdated and outmoded.

Sinn Fein has proposed an inclusive lighting policy reflective of the wide diversity of our society, which would be open to health and charity campaigns which have sadly fallen outside the current criteria.

An Assembly spokesperson said: The Assembly Commission considered the request and was unable to reach a consensus decision as required by the Commissions special lighting policy.




Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the Endeavour Fund Awards in London, Britain, (Photo : REUTERS/Hannah McKay)

Prince Harry's wife Meghan has accused Buckingham Palace of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and her spouse, saying the royal couple would not be silent in telling their story.



Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, made the comments to American talk show host Oprah Winfrey in an interview about why they quit their royal roles that is due to be broadcast on U.S. television on Sunday.



Advertisement

An advance excerpt of the interview was released on Wednesday, hours after Buckingham Palace said it was "very concerned" about reports in the Times newspaper that assistants working for Meghan two years ago had been bullied by her.



Harry and Meghan issued a statement denying that she had bullied anyone.



"How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth today?" Winfrey asks Meghan in the excerpt.



Meghan responded: "I don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent, if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us." The Firm is the name that the British royal family sometimes uses to describe itself.



"And if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, there's a lot that's been lost already," Meghan added.



The interview was recorded before The Times newspaper ran a report citing unnamed sources as saying an aide to Harry and Meghan had raised a complaint in October 2018 alleging that Meghan had reduced some of her assistants to tears and treated others so badly that they had quit.



The paper said Harry had urged the aide, who has now left their staff, to drop the complaint, and it never progressed.



The Times said it had been contacted by former staff members who wanted the public to gain insight before the Winfrey interview aired - and that lawyers for the couple had labelled the allegations a smear orchestrated by the Palace.



Reuters could not independently verify the report.



"We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.



The Royal Household "does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace", it added.



It said its HR team would look into the allegations, and that members of staff involved at the time would be invited to participate.



"SADDENED BY ATTACK"



A spokeswoman for Meghan said earlier that she was "saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma".



Meghan and Harry, who married in May 2018, stepped back from their official duties in March last year to forge new careers and a financially independent life in California.



That decision was confirmed last month, when they also handed over all their royal patronages. They said their move was fuelled in part by intense press intrusion.



However, Meghan had also previously indicated that she felt she did not have the full support of the royal family.



In court documents submitted as part of her successful privacy action against the mass-circulation Mail on Sunday, her lawyers said she had felt "unprotected" while she was pregnant with their son Archie.



After Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle hit back against the allegations of bullying staff calling it a smear campaign UKs Buckingham Palace has scrambled to intervene issuing statements for the first time about "very concerned" allegations. Prince Harry has been testing Queen Elizabeth IIs patience, an aide familiar with Palaces mood told the British press. Spokesperson Richard Kay told UKs Daily Mail that while the Palace prepared to issue a statement to probe the bullying allegations surrounding The Duchess of Sussex, the Queen was clearly running out of patience.

The Palace has never before held a member of the Royal Family to account. The allegations made on Duchess of Sussex and her responses were a serious blow to the dignity of the palace, Kay said, adding that the prince Harrys wife had curated the image of victimhood. The Palaces spokesman added that the Royal family members intervention in the matter was astonishing. He added that the Queen's deep reserve of patience for her grandson, Harry, has reached a tipping point. Earlier, the Queen stripped the Duke of Duchess off his three honorary military titles after he was no longer a full-time working royal, a source at the Palace informed British media outlets. The royal patronages would be officially taken away from Prince Harry at the end of the 12-month review of the Megxit deal. A 12-month review was put in place in January last year to discuss how the monarchs plan to reassign these positions after the Queen became unhappy with the Sussexs decision.

Read: Prince Harry Reveals Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Gift To Great-grandson Archie

Read: Relative Of British Queen Jailed For Sex Assault At Castle

Harry, Meghan won't be a part of investigation

Separately, a source from the Buckingham Palace told Guardian that the palace is yet to contact the Duke and Duchess of Sussex about the bullying probe that they had launched to determine the veracity of allegations against Meghan Markle. Harry and Meghan, however, will no longer be a part of the investigation since they had stepped down from their royal duties and broke ties with the Royal family. Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family responded to the allegations on The Duchess of Sussex that she bullied two royal staff and undermined the confidence of a third staff member at Kensington Palace and made them cry saying that they were clearly very concerned.

Read: With Much Respect, Cynthia Erivo Takes On Queen Of Soul

Read: Queen Leads Statue's Virtual Unveiling In Australia
(Newser)  After almost a year, moviegoers are being allowed to return to theaters in New York Cityand the Friday reopening is expected to have implications far beyond the Big Apple. The city, America's second-biggest movie market after Los Angeles, where cinemas are still closed, is allowing theaters to reopen with numerous restrictions, Time Out reports. Masks will be mandatory when not eating or drinking, and cinemas are restricted to 25% of capacity, or about 50 people per screen. Assigned seating and enhanced air filtration systems also will be required. Theaters in New York City have been closed since March 17 last year. It is the last region of New York state to allow cinemas to reopen. More:

Blockbusters could soon follow. Quartz notes that Hollywood has a backlog of blockbusters it has been waiting to release, and with New York opening up, it might stick to the spring release dates for movies like Black Widow instead of delaying them again.

story continues below

NATO (the other NATO) wants looser restrictions . The National Association of Theater Owners praised the New York reopening as "an important step in the recovery of the entire industry," but said it hopes capacity limits will be raised soon. "We look forward to expanding the capacity from 25% to 50% in the very near future so that theaters can operate profitably," NATO said in a statement.

. The National Association of Theater Owners praised the New York reopening as "an important step in the recovery of the entire industry," but said it hopes capacity limits will be raised soon. "We look forward to expanding the capacity from 25% to 50% in the very near future so that theaters can operate profitably," NATO said in a statement. Not every cinema is reopening . AMC, whose stock jumped 15% after the reopening was announced, is reopening its New York theaters, but Regal plans to wait until capacity is raised to 50%. Numerous independent cinemas also plan to stay closed for now, because of safety fears and worries that they won't be able to turn a profit at 25% capacity, Gothamist reports.

. AMC, whose stock jumped 15% after the reopening was announced, is reopening its New York theaters, but Regal plans to wait until capacity is raised to 50%. Numerous independent cinemas also plan to stay closed for now, because of safety fears and worries that they won't be able to turn a profit at 25% capacity, Gothamist reports. Low attendance elsewhere could soon change . Attendance has been low in Chicago and other cities that have already reopened cinemas, but that may have more to with the lack of movies than safety fears, reports NPR. "It's entirely because of New York and LA being closed that other major markets simply don't have major movies to play," says NATO vice president Patrick Corcoran. "Movies opening in New York and LA will give studios confidence that their larger titles are going to open well and do 'ell, across the country, and internationally."

. Attendance has been low in Chicago and other cities that have already reopened cinemas, but that may have more to with the lack of movies than safety fears, reports NPR. "It's entirely because of New York and LA being closed that other major markets simply don't have major movies to play," says NATO vice president Patrick Corcoran. "Movies opening in New York and LA will give studios confidence that their larger titles are going to open well and do 'ell, across the country, and internationally." 'Strong pent-up demand.' Scott Rosemann, who oversees cinemas in several states for Reading International, tells the BBC he is optimistic about the reopening. "In other markets when we first opened, we knew people were reluctant to come back," he says, but some upcoming NYC screenings have already sold out. "It's exciting," he says. "We just feel like there's strong pent-up demand."

Scott Rosemann, who oversees cinemas in several states for Reading International, tells the BBC he is optimistic about the reopening. "In other markets when we first opened, we knew people were reluctant to come back," he says, but some upcoming NYC screenings have already sold out. "It's exciting," he says. "We just feel like there's strong pent-up demand." Liam Neeson will welcome moviegoers . Liam Neeson, star of The Marksman, will personally welcome New Yorkers back to the cinema before a Friday evening showing at AMC Lincoln Square in Manhattan. "This is one for the diary," Neeson told the Hollywood Reporter earlier this week. "It will be nice to welcome people. I think going to the cinema is a bit of a sacred experience. I've felt that way since I was a kid."

. Liam Neeson, star of The Marksman, will personally welcome New Yorkers back to the cinema before a Friday evening showing at AMC Lincoln Square in Manhattan. "This is one for the diary," Neeson told the Hollywood Reporter earlier this week. "It will be nice to welcome people. I think going to the cinema is a bit of a sacred experience. I've felt that way since I was a kid." "There's excitement, there's panic." Theater operators say they had to scramble to rehire staff, restock concessions, and meet safety requirements after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week that city cinemas could reopen, Variety reports. "Theres excitement, and theres panic," says Matthew Viragh, the founder of Nitehawk Cinema. "It got sprung on us in under 10 days notice. Its very jolting."

Theater operators say they had to scramble to rehire staff, restock concessions, and meet safety requirements after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week that city cinemas could reopen, Variety reports. "Theres excitement, and theres panic," says Matthew Viragh, the founder of Nitehawk Cinema. "It got sprung on us in under 10 days notice. Its very jolting." Is it safe? Quartz notes that as long as there is good ventilation, movie theaters are considered safer than indoor diningand there have not been any US coronavirus outbreaks linked to theaters.

(Read more movie industry stories.)
IF Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, were a burglar, he wouldnt be George Clooney in Oceans Eleven. Hed be a cartoon burglar in a carnival mask and a top with black-and-white horizontal stripes, carrying a sack labelled SWAG.

Opinion

IF Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, were a burglar, he wouldnt be George Clooney in Oceans Eleven. Hed be a cartoon burglar in a carnival mask and a top with black-and-white horizontal stripes, carrying a sack labelled "SWAG."

Hes not a burglar, of course. Hes a murderer, and "MBS," as he is universally known, was back in the news last Friday when the U.S. government released a declassified assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies confirming his responsibility for the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Balkis Press/Abaca Press/TNS FILE A declassified U.S. intelligence assessment found Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Donald Trump sat on the intelligence report, defended MBS, and said his own intelligence experts were wrong. "I saved his ass!" Trump boasted to Fox News. But Khashoggi was working for the Washington Post when he was killed, and Joe Biden takes a dim view of foreign leaders murdering American journalists even if they arent citizens.

It must be bewildering for the Crown Prince: two months ago the U.S. president was his best buddy, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was his second-best buddy, and Russias President Vladimir Putin had honorary buddy status, too. Now Biden has replaced Trump, Netanyahu may also be out after this months elections, and Putin isnt answering his texts.

Biden didnt just publish the report on Khashoggis murder. He ended U.S. support for MBSs foolish, futile war in Yemen, put U.S. arms sales on hold, and refused to speak to the Crown Prince. (Biden finally called Saudi Arabia, almost last on the list, but would only talk to MBSs 85-year-old father, King Salman.)

So there was much speculation about what Biden could or should do next about the Mad Killer of Riyadh, and the answer is  nothing at all. Just give him enough rope, and hell hang himself. Hes wicked and ruthless, certainly, but he is also ignorant about how the rest of the world works, very arrogant, and quite stupid.

If my pipes burst, I call the plumber. If my car breaks down, I take it to the garage. If Im very rich and I want somebody killed, I find a hit-man and have the job done professionally. I dont get a few of my mates to do it; I hire an expert.

MBS sent a team of 15 men  15!  to Turkey on a private plane, bringing the tools to kill and dismember Khashoggi with them. It was one of Istanbuls smaller airports, but the Turks were certainly going to record when they landed and when they left. Then they lured Khashoggi to the Saudi consulate to pick up some papers so he could marry his Turkish fiancee.

Wait a minute. MBS thought it would be a cool idea to kill Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in a country that is hostile to the Saudi regime? He sent seven members of his own personal security force as part of the team? And they didnt even sweep the consulate for Turkish bugs in the room where they killed and dismembered Khashoggi?

It was amateur night start to finish. The hit team even sent a Khashoggi "body double" dressed in Khashoggis clothes out the back door to be seen leaving the consulate by the security cameras. The Turks had the whole story in 24 hours, with the Saudi regime retreating from one lie to another before blaming it on "rogue operators" three weeks later.

By then youd think MBS would have seen the error of his ways. Next time he wants to kill a self-exiled Saudi critic of the regime, just get one of the intelligence attaches at the Saudi embassy there to hire a local hit-man.

For a reasonable sum hell do a quick, tidy job  and if you tick the "no publicity" box, hell make it look like an accident so it never comes back to haunt you.

But not our boy. Only two weeks later, while the Saudi regime is still denying the Khashoggi murder, MBS sends another Saudi hit team, perhaps including some of the same men, to Canada to kill another self-exiled critic of the regime, Dr. Saad al-Jabri.

Amateur night again. The novice assassins deny knowing one another, and are refused entry to Canada by immigration officials at the airport who find photos showing them together.

This attempted hit has never been officially confirmed, but a document published by Public Safety Canada on Aug. 7 last year comes very close indeed. The fact that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first national leader who received the Turkish recordings of the Khashoggi murder to go public with them just around that time adds weight to the allegation.

MBS is frightening, but hes really not very bright. And a Saudi leader that the U.S. president wont even talk to does not have a brilliant future.

Gwynne Dyers latest book is Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work).




Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl bids farewell to his staff after announcing his resignation at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap





By Yi Whan-woo







The resignation of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, Thursday, has rattled the opposition bloc by raising the possibility of him turning to politics and a possible run in the 2022 presidential election.







Yoon has yet to make any comment about a bid for the presidency, but has emerged as a clear frontrunner for the opposition in presidential election surveys after confronting President Moon Jae-in over his prosecutorial reform efforts.







The opposition parties are letting Yoon know that he is welcome to join them, implicitly expressing the hope that his political debut could trigger an overhaul of the power structure in their favor.











Yoon and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Nak-yon are neck-and-neck for the runner-up spot in multiple presidential election surveys, trailing Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung  also a DPK member  who has consolidated his lead in recent weeks.







"I think Yoon's resignation has been carefully calculated in the lead-up to the mayoral by-elections in Seoul and Busan," said Eom Kyeong-young, director of the Zeitgeist Institute, a private political think tank.







Eom viewed that a possible defeat of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) in the April 7 by-elections could stir up "unprecedented chaos that raises the need to create a completely new party."







"And this is where Yoon can come in and take the initiative against the ruling bloc," Eom explained.







Against this backdrop, minor opposition People's Party Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo hinted at the possibility of joining hands with Yoon. Also a Seoul mayoral candidate, Ahn is the frontrunner for a unified opposition candidate to take on the DPK's Park Young-sun.







"I see the decision made by Yoon (to resign) as an appeal to expose the government's injustice to the people," Ahn commented on Facebook. "The opposition will win on April 7, and this will be a catalyst for the people's action that will fuel a change in government next year."







People's Party floor leader Kwon Eun-hee said the party has not officially decided whether to recruit Yoon, but is "ready to help him to faithfully fulfill his role and responsibility."







The PPP leadership also showed interest in recruiting Yoon.







Hours after his resignation, interim Chairman Kim Chong-in said he would meet with him "when the time comes."







PPP floor leader Joo Ho-young said, "The party, if necessary, will join forces with Yoon in its endeavor to safeguard the Constitution and rule of law."







"We ask Yoon not to yield (before the government) as he has done until now for the future of the Republic of Korea," Joo added.







Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, said Yoon's possible political debut could shake up the power structure in the ruling party as well.







The professor noted that both Yoon and DPK Chairman Lee are viewed as center-rightists by voters.







"This means they may have an overlapping supporters' base and therefore the DPK may have to find another presidential candidate other than Lee, notably a pro-Moon Jae-in figure, to make a clear distinction from Yoon," Shin said.







Some analysts pointed out that Yoon's lack of political experience and the fact that he is not popular among ultra conservatives could hamper a possible bid for the presidency.







Yoon was formerly considered to be Moon's choice to lead political reform, because he led the investigations against ousted President Park Geun-hye who is still respected by ultra-right conservatives.


Mumbai, March 5 : Filmmaker Hansal Mehta took to Twitter to applaud the efforts of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) while taking care of Covid patients in the city.

Mehta's house help had tested Covid positive a while back and the filmmaker says she told him how well she was taken care of at a BMC facility.

"My house help tested Covid positive last month. She has recovered and was talking us how she and her family were looked after by @mybmc. Excellent care, quarantine facilities and from her account very well coordinated," tweeted the filmmaker.

Meanwhile, his hit series "Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story" will soon have a second installment titled "Scam 2003: The Curious Case Of Abdul Karim Telgi". Shooting for the series will begin later this year. The new season will be based on the 2003 stamp paper scam and its chief accused Indian counterfeiter Abdul Karim Telgi. Mehta will be directing this installment as well.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The United States' drug regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said last week COVID vaccines updated for variants won't need to go through full randomized controlled clinical trials.

The booster shots will only be required to undergo initial testing to check they are safe and produce an immune response. They won't need to go through lengthy "phase 3" efficacy trials which would normally enroll tens of thousands of participants.

The European Medicines Agency hasn't published formal guidelines, but has taken the same position. Chair of the agency's vaccine evaluation team, Marco Cavaleri, told Reuters: "We will ask for much smaller trials, with a few hundred participants, rather than 30,000 to 40,000." The focus would be primarily on safety and immune response data.

This is encouraging news, because it means we could get access to booster shots much more quickly than if they went through full trials. And because drug companies will have to prove they're using the same technology and manufacturing process as the original vaccines, we can still be assured they'll also be safe.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has not yet confirmed whether it'll do the same, but history tells us we can probably expect it to follow suit.

The FDA said that companies would not need to conduct lengthy clinical trials to evaluate vaccines adapted for new virus variants. https://t.co/0tlbWmAyS0  The New York Times (@nytimes) February 22, 2021

Why do we need boosters?

Variant strains of the virus have been detected around the world, including those originating in the UK, South Africa and Brazil. People infected with these variants have been found in Australian hotel quarantine, and the B.1.1.7 strain, first found in the UK, has escaped the quarantine system several times.

For those tested, the current crop of vaccines still perform relatively well against the B.1.1.7 strain.

And data suggest most COVID vaccines will still be somewhat useful in preventing hospitalization and death from these variants.

However, efficacy against mild to moderate illness, and against transmission of the virus, has likely dropped off sharply against some of these variants.

For example, preliminary data suggest vaccine efficacy for AstraZeneca's vaccine dropped to just 10% against mild-moderate illness from the B.1.351 variant which originated in South Africa. Efficacy of Novavax's shot slid from 89% to 60% against this variant. These data were from small trials and more studies are needed, but it's still very concerning.

We don't have solid real world data yet about the performance of the Pfizer vaccine against the B.1.351 variant.

Why don't we need full trials again?

Drug companies have flagged the need to develop updated booster shots to cover these new variants, which would involve tweaking their sequences.

Some scientists were worried this would mean drug companies would have to go through full randomized controlled clinical trials, including large phase 3 efficacy trials, to get these booster shots to market. These phase 3 clinical trials include many thousands of volunteers and the primary aim is to determine if the vaccine can prevent people from getting the disease.

By the time these trials were completed, it may be too late to control outbreaks caused by variants, and new variants may emerge that we'd need coverage for. In a pandemic, we don't have the luxury of time.

But the FDA has dispelled this fear. The drug regulator seems most interested in ensuring any booster shots are safe and the manufacturing process hasn't been modified from the original vaccines it approved.

The boosters will still require smaller trials to show they're safe and generate an immune response. The trials typically involve a few hundred people and would examine the percentage of vaccinated volunteers who make antibodies to the variants, as well as the strength of the immune response.

This would be similar to what's done for annual flu shots, although not exactly the same. We get very different flu strains circulating every few years, but current COVID-19 vaccines and variant "boosters" could be sufficient to use for several yearswe don't know yet.

The FDA also indicated boosters won't necessarily need to undergo animal testing before progressing to human testing, which will also save time. But this may be encouraged if results from human trials are ambiguous.

Exclusive: EU drugs regulator plans to fast track variant-modified COVID vaccines https://t.co/gKZ0QHVQKS pic.twitter.com/8SO3ZB3hD0  Reuters (@Reuters) February 12, 2021

How do we know they'll be safe and effective?

Any potential side effects from a vaccine are mostly based on how the vaccine is made, the technology and how it's delivered.

If drug companies keep all these factors the same, and only make minor sequence changes to cover variants, then we can expect the boosters to still be very safe vaccines.

The US and EU drug regulators would like to see data where the booster is given to people who've already had an original COVID vaccine, given this will be the likely scenario for most people receiving a booster shot by the time they're approved.

The boosters will probably also be tested in people who haven't had any COVID disease or vaccine. This is to ensure the boosters can induce strong immune responses like the original vaccine.

When required, the TGA will independently review all of this data. It will also likely seek advice from internal and external experts.

It's also unclear when booster shots will be available or if they will be necessary in the short term. Melbourne-based biotech company CSL, which is producing the AstraZeneca vaccine onshore, said this week booster shots to cover coronavirus variants probably won't be available until the end of the year.

US pharmaceutical company Moderna has already sent a new COVID vaccine booster shot for phase 1 testing, to target the B.1.351 variant. Pfizer is also planning to develop a booster to cover this variant, either as a third dose or a reformulated vaccine.

New variants will continue to arise, but the best chance we have of stopping or slowing this process is by continuing public health measures to ensure as few people as possible become infected.

This includes vaccinating as many people as possible globally with the currently approved vaccines, which underscores Australia's responsibility to assist countries in our region in getting vaccinated.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
UPDATE: Jamesville teen killed in police shooting IDed

LaFayette, N.Y.  A 17-year-old has been identified as the person shot and killed Thursday by police after pointing what appeared to be a gun at officers, deputies say.

The Onondaga County Sheriffs Office did not release the name of the 17-year-old.

Deputies, state troopers and DeWitt police responded to the 4300 block of Apulia Road, just south of Coye Road, just before 12:30 p.m. to help a St. Josephs Comprehensive Psychiatric Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, sheriffs spokesman Sgt. Jon Seeber said in a news release Thursday night.

The teen was uncooperative and ran from officers as they arrived with what appeared to be a handgun, according to Seeber. Deputies have not said what the teen was holding.

As officers approached the teen, he raised what appeared to be a weapon, and the officers shot and killed the 17-year-old, Seeber said.

The teen was pronounced dead at the scene, Seeber said.

The names of the officers are being withheld, he said.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter.


The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement this week about the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. It said American Catholics should avoid getting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine if possible, but that it is morally acceptable to receive it if no other choice is available.

The statement came days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Johnson & Johnsons one-shot vaccine for emergency use against COVID-19. The emergency approval gave Americans a third vaccine to protect against the new coronavirus.

The Catholic clergy said on March 2 that the approval raised questions about the morality of using vaccines developed, tested, and/or produced with the help of abortion-derived cell lines. Abortion is a medical operation that ends the life of a human fetus.

The clergy said that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was developed, tested and is produced with abortion-derived cell lines raising additional moral concerns. They noted that Pfizer and Modernas vaccines used abortion-derived cell lines for testing them, but not in their production.

The statement came although Johnson & Johnson said there is no fetal tissue in the vaccine.

The clergys comment re-started a debate among American Catholics over which COVID-19 vaccine to use or whether to get vaccinated at all.



Last December, the Vatican said it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process. However, it said that is the case "when ethically irreproachable COVID-19 vaccines are not available."

The Vatican did not name any vaccine in its statement. At the time, only two COVID-19 vaccines, from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, were approved by the FDA and other European health agencies for emergency use.

Pope Francis received his first shot of the Pfizer vaccine in January. He said taking a vaccine was an ethical action because it involved the lives of others as well as ones own.

The Vatican also announced in February that any Vatican employee who refuses to get a coronavirus shot without a medical reason could be fired.

On Tuesday, the American clergy said that if one has the ability to choose a vaccine, Pfizer or Modernas vaccines should be chosen over Johnson & Johnsons. On the same day, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that American drug-maker Merck will help produce the newly-approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Biden is the second American Catholic president and known for his faith. He said he wanted to have enough vaccine supply for every adult in America by the end of May.

Bishop Robert McElroy is head of the large Catholic Diocese of San Diego in California. He talked about the vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and the one awaiting approval from AstraZeneca. The Catholic official said, it is entirely morally legitimate to receive any of these four vaccines, and to recognize, as Pope Francis has noted, that in receiving them we are truly showing love for our neighbor and our God.

Americans, however, may have no choice.

People are generally offered vaccines as they become available. Additionally, the Johnson & Johnson single shot can be stored at normal refrigeration temperature making it easier for vaccination. The two-shot vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna require extremely cold storage.

Im Dan Friedell.

Hai Do wrote this report for Learning English. Mario Ritter Jr. was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

derived adj. to take or get from

ethically adv. involving a question of right or wrong behavior

irreproachable adj. not deserving criticism or blame; not involving anything wrong

entirely adv. completely, fully

legitimate adj. permitted by the rules

refrigeration n. the process of keeping something cold

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Italy on Thursday blocked the export of 250,000 AstraZeneca doses to Australia, becoming the first EU country to exercise an export ban due to a vaccine shortfall in the bloc.

Why it matters: The controversial step exposes multiple major challenges to distributing vaccines  even among the worlds richest countries.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

The state of play: AstraZeneca has already been running way behind schedule in providing doses to the EU. Now the company says it will provide less than half of the doses originally promised in the second quarter as well.

That has infuriated European leaders, who are under pressure due to a remarkably inefficient vaccine rollout to date. Just one dose has been administered in the EU for every three in the U.S. and every four in the U.K., adjusted for population.

That helps explain the decision by Italy, backed by the European Commission, to block a shipment of 250,000 doses bound for Australia from a U.S.-owned plant near Rome, where the vials were being filled.

The action was taken under a system developed in January  amid a fractious dispute with AstraZeneca over access to doses produced in Britain  to allow for vaccine exports to be blocked if a company hasnt met its obligations to the EU.

Yet, but: Supply isn't the only problem. EU countries including Italy are already sitting on hundreds of thousands of unused AstraZeneca doses.

There has been a general sense of hesitancy surrounding the vaccine, fueled in part by an erroneous report on its efficacy in a German newspaper and by French President Emmanuel Macrons bizarre claim that it was almost ineffective" in people over 65.

France and Germany only approved the vaccine for people over 65 this week after delaying due to insufficient data.

By the numbers: France had only administered 16% of the AstraZeneca doses it had received as of last Friday, while Italy and Germany have both used around 21%.

Driving the news: Real-world data from the U.K.  which is relying heavily on the homegrown vaccine, which was developed at the University of Oxford  now suggests the vaccine is highly effective at preventing hospitalizations among older people even after a single dose.

Story continues

Between the lines: EU countries have caused two international incidents, with the U.K. and now Australia, over access to a vaccine that theyre hardly using.

And all of this is happening at a time when countries around the world, many of which will be relying on the AstraZeneca vaccine, havent gained access to any vaccines at all.

What to watch: Italys decision also underscores the difficulties that countries relying on imports are facing in receiving doses.

Canada, for example, has ordered more doses relative to its population than any other country, but it's received relatively few.

Meanwhile, the U.S., which has the worlds largest vaccine manufacturing capacity, according to Airfinity, is on course to produce enough doses by May to cover its entire adult population.

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
Tens of thousands of National Guard troops who deployed to Washington, D.C., ahead of a 2021 inauguration under threat of violence are eligible for a brand-new award in recognition of their service, Military.com has learned.

The D.C. National Guard has created a new "Presidential Inauguration Support Ribbon" in recognition of a deeply unusual security mission earlier this year, an official confirmed to Military.com.

"In recognition of their service as part of the security mission at the U.S. Capitol and other facilities in Washington, D.C., before, during and after the 59th Presidential Inauguration, the District of Columbia National Guard plans to present all Soldiers and Airmen who took part in the mission one or both of the following decorations: the District of Columbia National Guard Presidential Inauguration Support Ribbon and/or the District of Columbia Emergency Service Ribbon," Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Carver, spokesman for the Virginia Air National Guard and director of Joint Task Force-DC Joint Information Center, said in a statement. "Both ribbons are District-level decorations. Plans for their presentation are not yet final. Other federal decorations are also being considered."

Read Next: National Guard Won't Cut Ties with Contractor That Served Undercooked Food, Sickening Troops

While the Emergency Service Ribbon previously existed to honor Guard members who serve in support of a non-war emergency or crisis, the Presidential Inauguration Support Ribbon is new, designed specially for troops from D.C. and the other 53 states and territories who participated in the 2021 deployment.

Inside bands of blue, white and red, the new ribbon features a miniature of the D.C. flag, with three red stars on a bed of white.

The new D.C. Inauguration Support Ribbon features blue, white and red bands and a miniature of the Washington, D.C. flag in the center (Photo courtesy D.C. National Guard)

It's not clear yet what federal awards might be considered in addition to these state-level ribbons from the D.C. Guard.

Unlike troops in the active-duty ranks who have a standardized set of awards, the Guard maintains a roster of state-specific ribbons and medals. Some commemorate state-level response operations; others honor heroism or mark the completion of a specific duty or achievement.

This creates an added level of complexity for Guard members, who sometimes must maintain two ribbon racks: one for federal-level awards, and another for state-level ones. When activated on Title 10 federal orders, used for combat deployments and other missions in active-duty status, the former rack is authorized; when on Title 32 orders, used for state-level missions, the latter is.

Members can wear ribbons authorized by other states' Guards. When wearing them, Guard troops are supposed to position their home state's awards first; then any presented by the District of Columbia; then any given by other states, in the order that those states joined the union.

In all, some 26,000 National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., to support President Joe Biden's inauguration, representing every state and territory. The mass deployment came in the wake of a Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump protesters. During the siege, Capitol Police were quickly overwhelmed, and lawmakers were forced to shelter in place for hours.

By comparison, some 7,800 Guard personnel supported President Donald Trump's inauguration in 2016.

The 59th presidential inauguration on Jan. 20 was uneventful, with Guard troops positioned at fencing around the entire perimeter of the Capitol complex and throughout Washington, D.C.

While thousands of Guard members returned home immediately following the event, more than 5,000 remain on duty in D.C. and are expected to remain there at least through mid-March. On March 4, Capitol Police called for a further 60-day extension of the National Guard presence amid threats including another "possible plot" to invade the Capitol building again.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.

Related: Military Reviewing Request to Keep Guard Troops in DC Another 2 Months
Dermot O'Leary was left feeling a little emotional after chatting to his parents on Friday's This Morning.

The TV star, 47, spoke to Sean and Maria, who videoed in from their home in Wexford in Ireland, and could not stop smiling as they told his cheeky childhood stories.

However Dermot left some viewers baffled as he kept referring to his entertaining mum and dad as 'lads' in the heartwarming family segment.

Call from home: Dermot O'Leary was left feeling a little emotional after chatting to his parents on Friday's This Morning, while viewers were baffled at him cheekily calling them 'lads'

During their chat, Alison asked Maria what Dermot was like as a child after the star introduced his parents as 'lads'.

Maria gushed: 'He was very loving and mischievous. He loved to entertain and would always get up and sing an Irish song when we were with friends.

'He was also a big fan of Brendan Shine. When he was seven we took him to watch Brendan and just as he came on stage Dermot found two hard seats and slept through the whole performance!'

Dermot laughed at the cheeky story, with Alison adding that he still sleeps through things as she said: 'He does that now and we wake him up in the TV breaks!'

Proud parents: Sean and Maria videoed in from their home in Wexford in Ireland and could not stop smiling as they told stories about Dermot's childhood

Elsewhere, Dermot explained he was once asked to appear on Who Do You Think You Are but didn't make the show in the end as his family history wasn't that interesting.

Not impressed by this outcome, he said his parents had been looking into their past with Sean saying on the show the family had a very colourful history.

Dermot's dad - who had a very strong Irish accent- claimed the O'Leary's were actually related to kings of Ireland and even linked to murders by the mafia in the US.

Co-host Alison Hammond was rather taken with this idea and joked that perhaps the show decided to go with someone else who had a similar story.

Dermot then ended the sweet segment by telling his parents to stay safe and to get the vaccine in Ireland as soon as they can.

Sweet: Dermot then ended the endearing segment by telling his parents to stay safe and to get the vaccine in Ireland as soon as they can

Reaction: Viewers flocked to Twitter to share their thoughts, with many being baffled at Dermot calling his mum and dad 'lads'

He also joked that this call was the first time he'd seen his parents in clothes for a while as he usually video calls them early in the morning with his baby Kasper.

After waving goodbye to them, Dermot turned to his co-host and said: 'How am I supposed to do the menu now?'

Alison sweetly replied: 'Don't get emotional. Do you want me to start it?'

After the O'Leary's appearance several fans took to Twitter to share their delight in the appearance and question why Dermot was calling them 'lads'.

One person wrote: 'Apparently Dermot calling his parents 'lads' is an Irish thing'.

Show: Producers for Who Do You Think You Are? spent months researching the TV presenter's family but weren't impressed with what they found (pictured with wife Dee Koppang O'Leary)

While another penned: 'Dermot's parents are so sweet!'

Dermot revealed his family history was deemed too uninteresting for Who Do You Think You Are? earlier this week.

Producers for the popular series spent months researching the TV presenter's family with the hopes he could take part in an episode but weren't impressed with what they found.

Speaking on the Snot, Sweat & Tears motherhood podcast, Dermot said: 'They actually researched my family for about three months. They came back and said, "There's just not enough interesting stuff about your family".

'Wexford is a port town, and my family are all seafaring folk. I have it on good authority that two of them went to America.

'One of them was a police officer and the other was a judge and they both got killed by the Mafia in the 30s. They couldn't find any record of this. I was like, 'What are you on about?' We've been everywhere, we're a family of sailors.'

'I just don't think they were trying hard enough. It's awful isn't it? Absolutely awful.'

Dermot married his wife Dee Koppang in 2012 after ten years together at St Mary's Church in Chiddingstone, Kent.

The couple had first met in 2002 when they worked for the same TV production company and got engaged in New York in December 2011.

They welcomed their son Kasper in June, confirming the birth with a sweet snap shared to Instagram of a babygrow and toy rabbit that had been brought for the tot.

Updated 12:02 p.m. Friday, Mar. 5, 2021 - California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law on friday that is aimed at returned public school students to their classrooms. The California Legislature passed the bill Thursday by a wide margin.

The bill provides $2 billion to school districts that provide in-person instruction by the end of Marh.

It also offers another $4.6 billion for all schools to help students catch up on what they have missed during virtual instruction.

At least 85% of that $4.6 billion must be spend on in-person learning.

---

CHICO, Calif. - Gov. Gavin Newsom will sign legislation to accelerate a safe return to get students back into the classroom on Friday morning, according to the Office of the Governor.

Earlier Thursday, the California legislature approved the $6.6 billion plan to help students return to the classroom.

The state will give school districts $2 billion if they offer in-person instruction by the end of March.

I'm happy about it because then that way maybe they can get more help for the students, Biana Alvarado, a parent, said. Maybe tutoring or help with any type of classes they need help with classes that they aren't doing so well in.

The remaining $4.6 billion will go towards helping students catch up from the learning loss over the past year.

We are going to be able to really develop programs using this and other funds that we can develop over a couple years to really support our kids, Tom Taylor, superintendent of Paradise Unified School District, said. So, I was happy to see that. Of course, I'm always happy to see money coming into school districts anywhere."

In order for middle and high schools to receive a part of the state money, they must offer in-person classes if the county has an average of seven or fewer COVID-19 cases per 100,000.

As of Tuesday, Butte County has 7.3 cases per 100,000. To view your county, click here.

Gov. Newsom will be doing a virtual bill signing on Friday at approximately 9:30 a.m. That can be watched here.
MARQUETTE, MI -- Michigan State Police are investigating a pair of stabbings that have occurred in the last week at the Marquette Branch Prison. According to WLUC 6, both stabbings have involved inmates attacking staff members of the prison and both attacks have led to the staff member needing treatment at a hospital.

On Wednesday, a male counselor was suffered minor injuries after being attacked by an inmate who was actually in his cell.

The prisoner reached out through the cell bars and tried to stab at the prison counselor, said Chris Gautz, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections.

That attacked just a few days after a female guard was stabbed and punched by a male inmate while she was releasing the prisoners to the yard. In that incident, the guard was able to defend herself until other officers could respond and subdue the prisoner.

Gautz said the MDOC is concerned about what these attacks mean to staff and that he understands staff should not have to expect these sorts of attacks from the inmates.

We understand trauma much better now as a department, Gautz said. Its not just, Get back to your shift. We understand that this can take a toll, and it could be weeks or months. We want to make sure the staff have everything that they need to feel comfortable and safe working in that environment.

Both incidents will be investigated and findings will be turned over for consideration of possible charges against the prisoners.

READ MORE:

5-week-old girl missing from Albion, believed to be in danger, police say

Teen charged with murder of 3 Michigan men found dead in Indiana apartment

Holland restaurant owner vows to stay open even after bench warrant issued for COVID-19 violations
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meet with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven on Friday (March 5) where the two leaders discussed bilateral ties, climate change and COVID-19 pandemic.

The two Prime Ministers discussed the possibility of the two nations, India and Sweden, deepening their partnership in several sectors and projects, including smart cities, e-mobility, smart grids and waste management, as also on key priority areas like the important issue of climate change.

Prime Minister Modi in his opening remarks at a virtual summit with Swedish premier Stefan Lofven, Modi said, "We can further our relationship in innovation, technology, investment, start-ups and research."

The Indian PM also pointed out the shared values of the two countries such as democracy, human rights, rule of law, equality, freedom and justice strengthen the relations and mutual cooperation between the two.

"Smart cities, water treatment, waste management, circular economy, smart grids, e-mobility, digital transformation and several other sectors have potential where we can deepen our partnership," Narendra Modi added.

The leaders also hailed Indias role in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also provided 'Made in India' vaccines to about 50 countries so far, he said in his address at the summit. He also added that India is committed to supply more vaccine doses to countries in the coming days.

PM Narendra Modi also expressed solidarity with the people of Sweden on behalf of all Indian citizens for the recent violent attacks in Sweden and wished for a speedy recovery of those injured. Additionally, He also expressed condolences for the loss of lives due to COVID-19 pandemic in the nation.

Leading the conversation, Modi further said that the two nations will be moving towards more pressing issues like climate change.

"India's culture has always stressed the importance of living in harmony with nature. We are moving ahead on our commitments made under the Paris Agreement. We will not just achieve these targets, but even exceed them. Amongst G20 countries, India has progressed well on its targets. In the last five years, our renewable power capacity has increased by 162 per cent," he said.

Live TV
Two junior high students are facing felony charges after authorities uncovered a shooters list.

The Northridge Middle School students names and ages have not been released but Tuscaloosa police spokeswoman Stephanie Taylor said they are charged with criminal conspiracy.

The investigation began Wednesday when school officials were made aware of a list with names on it. No additional details have yet been released. The probe is ongoing.

The students were booked into the Tuscaloosa County Juvenile Detention Facility.
At least 10 rockets slammed into a military base in western Iraq hosting US-led coalition troops on Wednesday, security sources said, leaving one civilian contractor dead.

A US contractor died of cardiac failure after rocket fire hit an Iraqi base hosting coalition troops Wednesday, the Pentagon said, just two days ahead of Pope Francis' visit to the country.

Around 10 rockets slammed into the sprawling Ain al-Assad military base in Iraq's western desert after several weeks of escalating US-Iran tensions on Iraqi soil.

"A US civilian contractor suffered a cardiac episode while sheltering and sadly passed away shortly after," the US Defense Department said, noting there were no current reports of injuries among US service personnel.

Francis was quick to say he would go ahead with the first-ever papal visit to the war-scarred country so as not to "disappoint" the Iraqi people.

"The day after tomorrow, God willing, I will go to Iraq for a three-day pilgrimage," the 84-year-old pontiff said in his Wednesday address. "For a long time I have wanted to meet these people who have suffered so much."

There has been a flurry of rocket attacks in the past three weeks on Iraqi bases used by US-led coalition troops, including this one in the Kurdish regional capital Arabil last month /  KURDISTAN 24 CHANNEL/AFP/File

Ain al-Assad hosts Iraqi forces and US-led coalition troops helping fight the Islamic State group. It is also a base for drones the coalition uses to surveil jihadist sleeper cells.

The base's rocket system was "engaged in defense of our forces," said the Pentagon, noting Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been briefed and was closely monitoring the situation.

Iraqi security forces were on the scene and investigating, but it was too early to attribute responsibility, it added.

The coalition's spokesman said 10 rockets hit the base at 7:20 am (0420 GMT) and Iraqi security forces said they had found the platform from which 10 "Grad-type rockets" were fired.

Western security sources told AFP the rockets were Iranian-made Arash models, which are 122mm artillery rockets and heavier than those seen in similar attacks.

The Iranian Tasnim news agency reported last year that the country's Revolutionary Guards had developed the Arash because it was more precise than other models.

- Probe implicates Hashed -

The Ain al-Assad base in western Iraq was the target of an Iranian missile attack in January last year carried out in retaliation for the US killing of top general Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad /  AFP/File

The US contractor's death marked the third fatality in recent rocket strikes, after an attack targeting US-led troops in the Kurdish regional capital of Arbil left two people dead.

On Wednesday, Arbil's counter-terror service said its investigation found members of the Hashed al-Shaabi, an Iraqi state-sponsored security force, were involved in that attack.

The Hashed includes hardline pro-Iran factions accused by both US and Iraqi officials of conducting previous rocket attacks on Western interests.

The attacks are typically claimed by shadowy groups that officials say were established to deflect blame from the real perpetrators.

One of these "front groups" claimed responsibility for the Arbil rockets, but Arbil's counter-terror service published a "confession" by a man it said was one of four people involved and who implicated the Hashed.

Days after that attack, more rockets hit a US military contracting company north of the capital and the US embassy in Baghdad.

In response, the US conducted an air strike on February 26 against Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Hashed unit stationed along the Iraqi-Syrian border, killing one fighter.

Analysts say hardline factions want to ramp up pressure on Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi following his pledges to rein in rogue militias.

Kadhemi tweeted after Wednesday's attack that "any party that thinks it is above the state or can impose its agenda on Iraq and the future of its people is delusional".

Observers also say the rockets may be Tehran's way of pressuring Washington, which under President Joe Biden is offering to revive the Iran nuclear deal abandoned by his predecessor Donald Trump in 2018.

- Iraq 'waiting for us' -

Despite boiling Iran-US tensions in Iraq, Pope Francis said he will go ahead on Friday with a first-ever papal visit /  AFP/File

Tensions between the two arch-rivals peaked in January 2020 after a US drone strike on Baghdad killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and top Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles on Ain al-Assad and Arbil, wounding dozens.

Over the next 10 months, dozens of rockets and roadside bombs targeted Western security, military and diplomatic sites across Iraq -- some of them deadly.

Last year's attacks came to a near-complete halt in October following a truce with the hardliners, but they have resumed at a quickening pace over the past three weeks.

Despite the attack and the Covid-19 pandemic, Francis said he would go ahead with his visit, which includes a meeting with top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.

"The Iraqi people are waiting for us, they were waiting for Saint John Paul II, who was forbidden to go," said the pontiff, who is not set to visit west Iraq.

"One cannot disappoint a people for the second time. Let us pray that this journey will be successful."

To control the crowds during the pope's visit, Iraq is set to extend weekend lockdowns to cover the entire papal visit from March 5-8.
On Monday morning the school bells will ring once more and pupils in P1 to P3 will be welcomed back through the gates and into face-to-face teaching.

By March 22, Years 12-14 will also be back in the classroom. If everything goes to plan, the Executive hopes all pupils will be back after the Easter holidays.

But they return with a warning from two educational psychologists that the narrative of "lost learning" and "catch up" must be avoided.

Dr John McMullen, a senior lecturer at Stranmillis University College and Queen's University, said concerns remain about the effect that extended school closures have had on children.

"Much of the debate has focused on how to help pupils catch up on their 'lost learning'," he said.

"This narrative is profoundly unhelpful and potentially damaging, due to the psychological pressure it places on children and young people."

He said there was an obsession with summative assessment - the benchmarking of pupils with final exams, essays or presentations at the end of an instructional unit - that makes children feel they have "fallen behind" if they haven't learned certain things at certain times.

"But in every year group, pupils are at various stages of development. There is no such thing as 'behind', there is only where children are at," he added.

Writing in The Guardian this week, Dr McMullen said the thinking should be the exact opposite, to measures promoting extended school days, tutoring and summer schools.

"Educators and Government should focus on what interventions will help children most in the long-term," he said.

"Emotional wellbeing is fundamental and foundational for academic attainment.

"A stressed, anxious child will have difficulty learning anything. On the flip side, promoting wellbeing can boost academic outcomes."

It is vital that long-term planning includes improving the availability and accessibility of therapeutic support for those who need it, he added.

"Right now, we need to emotionally regulate before we educate," he said.

"Our children are so much more than the pandemic they have lived through. It's important to remain hopeful for our young people and to help them to hope. Put simply: if our kids keep being told that they are the 'Covid generation', helpless victims in a 'tsunami' of mental illness, at some point they are going to believe it. Alternatively, if we reassure them that it's really hard, but it will pass, it's going to be OK - maybe they will believe that instead."

Dr McMullen said the majority of pupils won't need counselling post-lockdown and instead will benefit from getting back to the structure, stability, predictable routine and clear expectations of school.

"Then they will need space to play. There is growing evidence of long-term negative impacts of play deprivation. The experience of play enhances children's social, emotional, physical, and creative skills, while also supporting the development of early literacy and numeracy ability in an integrated manner.

"If we really want to boost long-term academic attainment, then we need to let the kids reconnect and play together again. A summer of play should be part of that process.

"Recovery must involve re-establishing human connections. A 'recovery curriculum' may help in this regard by supporting a relationships-based approach to teaching and learning post-lockdown.

"But before 'catching up' on learning, let's allow pupils to catch up with each other and with staff. Resilience resides in these relationships."

Dr McMullen's views are echoed by Dr Marie J Hill, chair of the British Psychological Society's Division of Educational Child Psychology (NI).

"We need to ensure that children are emotionally ready to learn and adults are emotionally ready to teach," she said.

"The education system has faced a lack of clarity in being able to plan and prepare for any changes to returning to school.

"When we are feeling significant amounts of change, we seek routine and structure to decrease overwhelming feelings of stress.

"Children look to the adults for safety and security. If the adults they look to are feeling high levels of stress, they themselves can absorb this stress unintentionally. It is vital that the Government communicates clearly and concisely, and with a consistent message.

"Sudden changes in decisions should be avoided as this can increase feelings of stress and have a negative impact upon the psychological wellbeing of educational staff, care-givers and children."

Dr Hill said the focus needs to be about the readiness of our children returning to schools rather than the teachers.

"The gradual reopening of schools will require a high level of planning," she added.

"Therefore, we urge the Government to make contingency plans for the 2021-2022 examinations and the transfer of primary children to post-primary in NI.

"These decisions should be made by the end of the current academic year. Advanced planning and preparation will help lower the stresses felt by educational staff, care-givers and children.

"Play and social experiences should be prioritised over academics.

"Children use play to make sense of the world around them and what is going on. It allows them to express their emotions in a different 'language' in which they can process their feelings.

"Play encourages the release of positive chemicals in the brain, which has a positive impact on our psychological wellbeing, immune system and our readiness to learn.

"Increased experiences of play have also shown to improve academic performance."

New Delhi, March 5 : The senior citizens continued to turn out in large numbers for the inoculation at various sites across the country.

The trend continued for the 49th day of the immunization drive, on Friday.

The enthusiasm witnessed among those aged above 60 years of age has given a much needed push to the vaccination target as well.

Around 10,34,672 people including healthcare workers, frontline workers, senior citizens and those above 45 years of age with specified comorbid conditions received jabs in a day pushing the cumulative tally of vaccination over 1.9 crore, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As many as 8,25,537 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 2,09,135 heatlhcare workers and frontline workers received a second dose of vaccine as per the provisional report. Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight, the Ministry said.

The major share of the vaccination recorded on Friday was contributed by senior citizens with over 48 per cent of participation.

5,00,942 doses were administered to people above 60 years of age, the Union Health Ministry's data showed.

A day ago, the senior citizens contributed to 45 per cent of the total vaccination in a day by receiving 4,93,999 doses.

As per the data released by the Union Health Ministry, more than 60 per cent recipients during the third phase of vaccination which began on March 1 are senior citizens.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,90,40,175 vaccine doses have been given, as per the provisional report till 7 p.m. on Friday. These include 68,96,529 healthcare workers who took the first dose and 32,94,612 who took the second dose; 62,94,755 frontline workers who took the first dose and 1,23,191 who took the second dose; 21,17,862 beneficiaries more than 60 years of age and 3,13,226 beneficiaries aged 45 years and above with specific co-morbidities, the ministry added.

Vaccines are being provided free of cost at the government health facilities and on a payment basis in the private health facilities.

All the private hospitals can charge Rs 150 for a vaccine shot and Rs 100 as service charge, as fixed by the Centre.
CBC

Michael Megenbir was someone who generally kept his personal life separate from work. That is, until one June day in 2017. Sitting among his fellow educators in the library of the Regina school where he worked at the time, the intensive support teacher rose at the year-end staff meeting to announce to his colleagues that he's transgender. "I really love and respect all of you, and I think you all feel the same way about me," Megenbir, now 37, remembered saying. He went on to tell them that when they return to work in the fall, he'd be changing his name to Michael and using he/him pronouns. Megenbir's palms were sweaty as he assessed the room. "I remember looking out and seeing the faces, focusing in on a couple of the staff who I had become really close with and just watching them smile," he said. Then came the applause. "It was honestly a little overwhelming, but in a good way," Megenbir said. "It gave me that little boost of confidence and it just let me know that I was doing the right thing." In 2018, Megenbir had his long-awaited top surgery, marking the first time in decades he says he felt 'comfortable in my own skin.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Allison Boulanger, who knew Megenbir as a friend and colleague for years before his transition, remembers smiling and clapping in the crowd. "When he got up to tell the staff, you could tell this was something that was right for him and it was how he needed to live his life  and live his life truthfully," she remembered thinking. Megenbir was reassured he had the support of his co-workers and school administration; what he couldn't predict was how his openness about his identity would inspire his students and colleagues to live their truths, and pave the way for more conversations around inclusion in schools. 'Business as usual' Fast forward to the new school year that fall, and Megenbir said it was a welcome surprise to notice there was "very little change" in how people treated him. He joked it was almost as though his colleagues practised over the summer. "It was kind of business as usual," he said with a chuckle. Megenbir noted that seemingly little things, like the use of his pronouns and new name, made the biggest impact on feeling accepted. And on the off-chance people messed up, they were quick to correct themselves and didn't draw attention to it. "It was the happiest he'd been," Boulanger remembered noticing. "You could tell that he felt like himself." The next year, Megenbir had long-awaited top surgery  a mastectomy and chest-sculpting procedure. "It was the first time in my life since I was probably nine or 10 years old that I felt comfortable in my own skin," he said. Megenbir dressed up as Kenny Rogers for Halloween in 2019 while his friend and colleague, Allison Boulanger, dressed up as Dolly Parton.(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Making students feel 'a little bit more understood' When the opportunity arose for Megenbir to help start a gay-straight alliance (GSA) at the school, it naturally sparked conversations about his gender identity with students. On the first day of the GSA, when he got everyone to introduce themselves, he said, "I'm excited to be here and to be a part of the GSA because I am transgender"  something that surprised a few students. All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are.  Michael Megenbir Some kids told Megenbir he was the first person in the LGBTQ community they had ever met. That's the moment he knew sharing a piece of who he was added a layer of support for those children who needed it. "All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are," he said. "As an educator, if that's the only thing I ever teach a student, I will have felt like I did my job." Megenbir and his former student, Rylan Moir, show off their matching moustaches at the Regina Pride festival in 2018. Megenbir said the support he received during his transition from his students and their parents was 'overwhelmingly positive.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) As a teacher outside the LGBTQ community, Boulanger said having Megenbir as a resource for students across the entire school proved invaluable. "I'd always tell students, 'I'm here if you want to talk to me,' but Mike was just the person they gravitated towards because he just knows what's going on and how they're feeling," she said. "He just has a way of making them feel a little bit more understood." Looking back on his childhood in rural Saskatchewan, Megenbir wonders how different his gender identity journey might have been had he had a teacher who was open about being queer, or resources like a GSA. He thinks it might not have taken him until he was 30 to live out his truth had he had those positive influences. "It was really hard to feel that you were different, and also be made to feel like there was something wrong with you because of that," he said. He points to a picture of himself in a dress at his parents' wedding as an example. When he looks at his childhood photos, Michael Megenbir says he doesn't recognize who he used to be on the outside; however, on the inside, he said he's 'the exact same now, just in different packaging.'(Jessie Anton/CBC) "As a kid, I never liked dressing up, especially in dresses," he said. "This picture is how my family explains who I am and have always been: a little goofy, dancing to my own drum and not caring what anyone else thinks about me. "I'm the exact same now, just in different packaging." LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom Talking about LGBTQ representation among teachers is important, too, said Raylee Perkins, a teacher-librarian at another Regina school. "Whatever a person's coming out story is, it's often sad and steeped in trauma," said Perkins. "Seeing someone like Mike, who's happy and radiates this love and joy, it demonstrates that you can also have that joy in your future  and you don't always see that in books or on TV." Raylee Perkins, a Regina teacher-librarian who openly identifies as queer at school, says it's important for teachers and students to see LGBTQ role models with positive experiences.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) That's in part why Perkins is open about identifying as queer at school. But that also means the advocacy work to promote LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom tends to fall on her shoulders, despite the best efforts of allies around her. "Sometimes, it's felt like I was the only queer voice in the room or queer voice in the conversation, and that can be really tiring," she said. According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education's website, the government "is committed to ensuring schools are safe and inclusive environments for all students, including those who identify as gender and/or sexually diverse." That includes encouraging school divisions to develop policies specifically to include groups, like GSAs, to create safe spaces for LGBTQ students and their allies. The province's Deepening the Discussion: Gender and Sexual Diversity framework from 2015 also contains curriculum for teachers and school administrators. Regina's public school board also recently unanimously approved training for teachers and staff about gender and sexual diversity. While LGBTQ inclusion exists under the curriculum, Boulanger said there are still some teachers who don't cover it in their classrooms. "If they can start talking about it and talk to people who identify as LGBTQ, that might help them to realize that it's not something to fear; it's something to learn about and to grow," she said. Creating more transgender inclusive spaces To make sure her classroom or library is visibly inclusive to transgender people, Perkins hangs posters that delineate the room as a safe space, and she wears rainbow pins and pronoun buttons. "For some kids, they'll never notice those little details, but for the kids who need it, they will notice even the smallest detail," she said. Perkins also makes a point of not shying away from answering tough questions and having more complex talks with her students. Allison Boulanger, Megenbir's friend and former colleague, says having openly LGBTQ teachers can give students a sense of belonging.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) Boulanger agreed, saying that on top of the curriculum around diversity and identity, she finds informal chats with her students to be the most impactful. Looking back on Megenbir's positive "coming out story" at work, Perkins said it has created a safe place for other LGBTQ people to do the same. "Both [students and teachers] can look to him as a role model or for hope  whatever that is for them," she said. "The more we can see it and talk about it and not be afraid of those conversations and face them head-on, I think the more progress we'll make."
BEIJING, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AWE2021 is rescheduled to take place at National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Hongqiao, Shanghai, China on March 23-25, covering six exhibition halls, according to the announcement made by AWE Organizing Committee on March 5 (Beijing Time), 2021.

To cooperate with the epidemic prevention management policy of Shanghai, AWE Organizing Committee spared no effort to communicate with relevant Shanghai authorities and exhibition halls to confirm its new venue and dates in shortest time possible. Despite the changes of venue and dates, AWE will still be full of highlights. Home appliance and consumer electronics giants including Haier, Hisense, TCL, Sony and Bosch will still be with AWE2021, which fully reflects their recognition of the value of AWE as a platform and their confidence in the prospects of AWE.

With AWE2020 postponed to combine with AWE2021, this year's show will present innovative products and technical solutions developed in the past two years, covering traditional home appliances, consumer electronics, smart home, smart technology, 3C digital devices, and core components.

At AWE2021, innovations of AI applications, IoT technology, 5G technologies and more will be displayed, and home appliance manufacturers will present scenario-based smart home solutions instead of individual products. Plus, fashion elements will be incorporated into home appliances to meet the ultimate aesthetics of millennials and the Generation Z. At AWE2021, the vision for smart life in the new decade will be waiting for everyone to experience.

On the evening of March 23, AWE Livestream Night Show will be launched to further stimulate the consumption after Spring Festival and fuel home appliance and consumer electronics industry to grow. As the first of the industry, the live stream show will bring together hundreds of leading home appliance and consumer electronics enterprises to live stream simultaneously on multiple platforms including JD.com, Tmall.com and Kuaishou. During AWE2021, presidents of enterprises will endorse home appliances of the year to consumers in an immersive way along with celebrities, online celebrities as well as livestreaming celebrities.

As the first international heavyweight show of the field that comes back offline amid the pandemic, AWE2021 is expected to send a signal to the technical trends and consumption trends of the industry after the pandemic, and make an impact on the life philosophy and lifestyles of consumers.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1449749/AWE2021.jpg
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 05th Mar, 2021) Muslim Council of Elders has said His Holiness Pope Francis', Head of the Catholic Church, visit to Iraq serves as a great opportunity to promote peace and is a message of solidarity with victims of violence in the region and around the world.

In a statement on Pope Francis' landmark visit to Iraq, the Council said, "After years of destruction and war, we believe that the historic visit will help heal the wounds of the Iraqi people, while offering hope for a brighter future for Iraq and the region, one which will be filled with tolerance and coexistence.

"Pope Francis insistence on conducting the visit, despite the many challenges, is a reflection of his complete faith in human fraternity as well as his willingness to uphold equality in the face of hatred, sectarianism and conflict.

"

"Pope Francis continued efforts in promoting peace are consistent with the Muslim Council Elders vision and goals of spreading peace, coexistence and communal respect while countering hate and extremism," the statement concluded.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Dr. Sultan Al Remeithi said, "Pope Francis various visits in the Muslim world have only served to strengthen dialogue and friendship between East and West. Similarly, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, has tirelessly travelled the globe for the same noble purpose. Both these great men and religious symbols would go on to meet in the United Arab Emirates in February 2019 to sign the Human Fraternity Document."
[March 05, 2021] Coursera Files Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering

Coursera, Inc. today announced that it has publicly filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Coursera has applied to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "COUR". Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC will act as lead book-running managers for the proposed offering. Citigroup and UBS Investment Bank will act as additional bookrunners, and KeyBanc Capital Markets, Raymond James, Stifel, Truist Securities, William Blair, D.A. Davidson & Co., Needham & Company, Loop Capital Markets, and Telsey Advisory Group will act as co-managers for the proposed offering. The proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus, when available, may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York10014, by telephone at (866) 718-1649; or Goldman, Sachs & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, by telephone at (866) 471-2526, by facsimile at (212) 902-9316, or by email at prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com.



A registration statement relating to the proposed sale of these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Coursera

Coursera was launched in 2012 by two Stanford Computer Science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, with a mission to provide universal access to world-class learning. It is now one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 77 million registered learners. Coursera partners with over 200 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including Guided Projects, courses, Specializations, certificates, and bachelor's and master's degrees. More than 6,000 institutions have used Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, citizens, and students, including in high-demand fields such as data science, technology, and business. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005599/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
EU-Backed Block on Vaccine Shipment Wont Affect Australias Rollout: Minister

Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has said that Italys and the European Unions (EU) block on a shipment of 250,000 AstraZeneca doses of the CCP virus vaccine will not affect the countrys immunisation rollout.

Worried about suffering from a shortage of the vaccine supply, the Italian government stopped the shipment to Australia, noting that the country did not have a high prevalence of the virus, with lower infection and death rates than others.

The EU backed Italys decision.

The ban comes as the first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were administered on March 5.

This 250,000-dose issue is not going to affect the rollout, Dutton told the Nine Network.

The Australian reported that Dutton urged Australians in the category 1A and 1B phase to get their vaccinations early. Make sure you engage with your doctor and have this safe vaccine, he said.

Frontline workers at Murray Bridge Hospital in Adelaide in the state of South Australia were the first to get the AstraZeneca jab, where 1,000 doses were administered on March 4.

South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said the state is ready to start the rollout.

This is an historic day for Australia with the first administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Marshall told reporters on March 5.

We know that this is a very important program for our nation and we are super pleased in South Australia to be the first place in the nation, he said. We are doing everything we can to make sure its going to be a very, very successful vaccination program for our state.

Vaccines will be a key topic for Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory leaders at the national cabinet meeting on March 5, along with international arrival caps and ways to tackle the new strains of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.

The export block is believed to be the first time the EU stopped a vaccine shipment to a non-EU country after the tightening of vaccine export rules in January.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state health officials have come under scrutiny after it emerged seniors in a wealthy enclave in Key Largo received hundreds of life-saving vaccinations as early as mid -January as other over-65s in the state struggled to secure doses.

DeSantis pushed back Thursday, saying a local hospital - not the state - was behind the vaccinations of more than 1,200 residents of the exclusive Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida, and that the state 'wasn't involved in it in any shape or form.'

Despite the governor's denials of quid pro quos, the charges of favoritism were amplified by money pouring into the governor's campaign coffers from wealthy benefactors with ties to communities awarded vaccination sites - like the one in Key Largo.

One resident of Ocean Reef, Republican former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, last week gave the Florida governor's campaign committee $250,000.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state health officials came under deeper scrutiny amid revelations that seniors in a wealthy enclave in Key Largo received hundreds of life-saving vaccinations as early as mid -January

More than 1,200 residents of the exclusive Ocean Reef Club received both doses of their vaccines as early as mid-January

Despite the governor's denials of quid pro quos, the charges of favoritism were amplified by money pouring into the governor's campaign coffers from wealthy benefactors with ties to communities awarded vaccination sites - like the one in Key Largo. One resident of Ocean Reef, Republican former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, last week gave the Florida governor's campaign committee $250,000

The only other people from Key Largo who donated to DeSantis' political committee live in Ocean Reef, with all 17 of them giving the governor $5,000 each through December 2020, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

The super exclusive neighborhood has some 2,100 members who live either full or part time in the community, which is one of the highest-security private communities in the nation.

President Joe Biden stays in the neighborhood when he visits the Florida Keys.

The club has a vaccination rate of approximately 75 percent, compared to just 8.5 percent for the state, according to Patch.com.

Revelations about Ocean Reef residents getting vaccinated were first reported by the Miami Herald.

In Monroe County, where Ocean Reef is located, more than 12,000 (12,460) people have either received their first dose or both - according to data from the state. The county has a population of just over 74,000, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows.

Residents at Ocean Reef who have been vaccinated make up approximately 9.6 percent of all who have been vaccinated in the county.

Along the lines of race, close to 71.6 percent of those who have been vaccinated in the county are white. Only 275 Black people in the county have been vaccinated or gotten at least one dose, just around 2 percent of doses given. The community makes up roughly 7 percent of the county's population.

President Joseph Biden stays in the neighborhood when he visits the Florida Keys

In Monroe County, where Ocean Reef is located, more than 12,000 (12,460) people have either received their first dose or both - according to data from the state. The county has a population of just over 74,000, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows

Some 805 people identifying as Latinos have gotten both or at least one shot, accounting for approximately 6.4 percent of all administered. The community makes up 25.3 percent of the county's population, census data shows.

The inequitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines is becoming a public relations challenge for the governor. As of Wednesday, nearly 3.3 million Floridians had received at least one shot of the two-step vaccination process, about three-quarters of them 65 or older.

Wealthy white Floridians have been snatching up vaccines otherwise designated for underserved minority communities. In Palm Beach County, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos account for 23.4 percent of all county residents and African American account for 19.8 percent.

However, as of Wednesday, just five percent of all vaccines have gone to Hispanics and four percent have gone to Black residents, data from the Florida Department of Health shows. People over the age of 65 make up roughly 78.7 percent of all those in the county who have been vaccinated.

What's more, white-only residents make up just 53.5 percent of Palm Beach County, but have received 67.8 percent of COVID-19 shots.

This pattern is also playing out across the country.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black people account for 13 percent of the national population and Latinos for 18 percent.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried joined Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in calling for federal officials to probe the DeSantis administration's vaccine distribution programs

But just 6.8 percent of Latinos and 8.5 percent of African Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to figures from the CDC, of the more than 54million people who have received the first dose, roughly 27.7 percent of people ages 65-74. Roughly 27.2 percent of people over the age of 75 have received the first dose, according to the data.

Of the close to 28 million people who have gotten the second dose, some 22.1 percent of people ages 65-74 have received their shot. 27.6 percent of people over the age of 75 have gotten their second dose.

Both Crist (pictured) and Fried are considering campaigns to oppose DeSantis in next year's gubernatorial election

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried joined Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist in calling for federal officials to probe the DeSantis administration's vaccine distribution programs.

'If this isn't public corruption, I don't know what is,' Fried said Thursday at a press conference in the Florida Capitol, calling on the FBI's public corruption to launch an investigation.

'Give campaign contributions big dollars, get special access to vaccines - ahead of seniors, ahead of our teachers, ahead of our farmworkers and so many of our residents here in our state of Florida who are scared and who are wanting these vaccines.'

Citing reporting from the Herald, Fried noted that DeSantis in February had his biggest fundraising haul since 2018, when he was running for governor. That haul came in at a staggering $2.7million dollars.

In asking the U.S. Department of Justice to look into matter, Crist, a former Florida governor, asserted last week that DeSantis was benefiting 'political allies and donors, over the needs of higher-risk communities and existing county waitlists.'

Both Crist and Fried are considering campaigns to oppose DeSantis in next year's gubernatorial election.

Other Florida Democrats, including the top Democrat in the state Senate, Gary Farmer, joined in the call for a federal investigation.

'The exchange of hard-to-get vaccines for political contributions is nothing short of criminal,' Farmer said in a letter dashed off to acting U.S. Attorney General Monty Wilkinson.

During a Thursday news conference, DeSantis expressed no misgivings about the early vaccinations at the exclusive Key Largo community.

'If you are 65 and up, I am not worried about your income bracket,' he said. 'I am worried about your age bracket because it's the age, not the income, that shows the risk.'

A spokesperson for the governor called the controversy 'a manufactured narrative with political motivations.'

Residents at Ocean Reef who have been vaccinated make up approximately 9.6 percent of all who have been vaccinated in Monroe County

'Leadership matters and because of Governor Ron DeSantis commitment to ensuring vaccine access to all seniors - regardless of background, income or zip code - millions of seniors have received the vaccine, resulting in over 50 percent of our state's senior population being vaccinated, the highest in the nation,' said the spokesperson, Meredith Beatrice.

The Republican Party of Florida came to the governor's defense, calling the controversy 'another bogus conspiracy theory.'

'It doesn't matter what party you belong to, whether you are rich or poor, if you qualify for the vaccine, you can get a vaccine,' said Helen Aguirre Ferre, the state party's executive director.

The Ocean Reef Club, a senior community in Key Largo, had more than 1,200 homeowners vaccinated through their second dose by late January, according to a message to community members by the management obtained by the Miami Herald.

'Over the course of the last two weeks, the Medical Center has vaccinated over 1,200 homeowners who qualify under the State of Florida's Governor's current Order for those individuals who are 65 years of age or older,' the message reads.

'We are fortunate to have received enough vaccines to ensure both the first and second for those vaccinated. At this time, however, the majority of the State has not received an allocation of first doses of vaccines for this week and beyond, and the timing of any subsequent deliveries remains unclear.'

Officials from Monroe County, home to Key Largo, said the affluent club's medical center received the vaccines through the Baptist Health hospital as part of the governor's program to vaccinate communities with a populations of people 65 and older. County spokeswoman Kristen Livengood said the allocations were coordinated through Baptist and the state of Florida.

During a Thursday news conference, DeSantis expressed no misgivings about the early vaccinations at the exclusive Key Largo community. DeSantis pictured on Tuesday

In recent weeks, other reports have surfaced of wealthy retirement communities getting exclusive access to vaccine doses through pop-up vaccine sites. Democrats have criticized him for choosing those places, but the governor's office has noted that more than half of them have been in Democratic stronghold counties of Broward and Palm Beach. Supporters of DeSantis say he has also coordinated clinics with faith-based groups in underserved areas.

Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat and the state's director of the Division of Emergency Management, said the administration is working 'diligently' to increase vaccine access in underserved communities.

After Publix was made the sole distributor of vaccines in Palm Beach County in late January, the mayors of predominately Black farming communities in the area urged the governor to reconsider, and the state set up a vaccine station shortly after.

While critics point to disparities in vaccine distributions as a call for more outreach into underserved areas of the state, including in communities of color and impoverished neighborhoods, DeSantis noted that 'demand was relatively tepid in FEMA sites in Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville. The governor said the four sites had the capacity to administer 12,000 doses but only vaccinated 6,500 people.

Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat and the state's director of the Division of Emergency Management, said the administration is working 'diligently' to increase vaccine access in underserved communities

Of course, Florida is not the only place where stark contrasts are occurring between races and/or ethnicities.

State health department data in California revealed that Black and Hispanic people have received just 20 percent of doses administered despite making up 45 percent of California's population.

Specifically, Latinos make up 39 percent of the population of California, but account for just 17 percent of people who have received one or more vaccine doses.

African-Americans make up six percent of the population and have been given just 2.9 percent of all vaccines.

Latinos have also been hard-hit by COVID-19, accounting for more than half of all cases in California, and 46 percent of all deaths. Black Californians account for four percent of the state's cases and six percent of deaths.

There have also been shocking disparities when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination rates between New York City neighborhoods.

Last month, the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released coronavirus immunization rates by ZIP code.

In wealthier, white neighborhoods such as the Upper East, Douglaston and City Island, as many as 25 percent of all adults have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Many of these areas have reported relatively low coronavirus death rates at around 163 deaths per 100,000, according to city data.

But in low-income and minority neighborhoods - which have been hit the hardest when it comes to cases and deaths - vaccination rates are lagging.

Areas such as The South Bronx, parts of central Queens and central Brooklyn have among the lowest rates in New York City with just two percent of all adults fully inoculated against the virus.

COVID-19 death rates in these ZIP codes have been much higher with as many as 343 of every 100.000 people dying from the disease.
(JTA)  A school board member in Lowell, Massachusetts, called a former school district leader a kike on live television, spurring calls for his resignation.

Bob Hoey should step down from the Lowell School Committee, the mayor of the Boston suburb said.

We lost the kike, oh, I mean, the Jewish guy, Hoey said Wednesday morning on City Life, a news opinion show, according to video posted by the local Jewish Journal. I hate to say it, but thats what people used to say behind his back.

Hoey, an elected official in the city of 111,000, was referring to Gary Frisch,...
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
During the past week, the Icelandic Meteorological Office has recorded around 17,000 earthquakes on the volcanic island, according to reports.

A CNN report said that, although accustomed to the occasional tremor, this has been an unusual week for Iceland, centered in the southwestern region of Reykjanes.

On the morning of February 24, the largest and loudest quake occurred, a magnitude 5.6 on the Richter scale, CNN reported.

That quake was followed by a swarm that continues to rattle residents in the nearby capital city of Reykjavik and surrounding municipalities, an area occupied by two-thirds of the Icelandic population. Two larger earthquakes hit, measuring more than magnitude 5.0, on Feb. 27 and March 1.

So far, the report said there has been little damage, with the exception of small cracks in the areas roads, as well as rockfalls on steep slopes near the epicenter of the swarm, that were reported by Icelands Road and Coastal Administration.

I have experienced earthquakes before but never so many in a row, Reykjavik resident Auur Alfa Olafsdottir told CNN. It is very unusual to feel the Earth shake 24 hours a day for a whole week. It makes you feel very small and powerless against nature.

CNN cited a resident in the fishing town of Grindavik, where locals have had a front-row seat to the tremors. Pall Valur Bjornsson, who teaches at the local College of Fisheries and sits as a deputy member of Parliament, said: Ive not experienced anything like this before.

He added, We are used to it; it started one year ago. But it is much more now -- very unsettling. Im not afraid but this is uncomfortable. I woke up twice last night because of [tremors]. There was a very big one when I went to sleep, and I woke up with one. It is difficult but you have to learn to live with it.

Why are there so many quakes?

The reason there are occasional stronger tremors in the area is something scientists can explain, but why they are now lasting so long is something that scientists are battling with, the report said.

CNN shared this explanation about the cause of Icelands occasional seismic activity. Iceland sits on a tectonic plate boundary that continually splits apart, pushing North America and Eurasia away from each other along the line of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Most seismic activity here is only picked up by sensitive scientific equipment. Occasional stronger tremors are an inevitable part of living in an active seismic region.

Only this time, the rumble under the ground seems to have no end, CNN said.

CNN cited orvaldur orarson, a professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland, who said that concerns over the recent activity are understandable. Of course it worries people. For this region, this is actually fairly unusual, not because of the type of earthquakes or their intensity, but for their duration. Its been going for more than a week now.

We are battling with the why at the moment. Why is this happening? It is very likely that we have an intrusion of magma into the [Earths] crust there. It has definitely moved closer to the surface, but we are trying to figure out if its moving even closer to it, he said.

An eruption could be imminent.

CNN stated that given the areas multiple volcanoes, local officials have warned that an eruption could be imminent.

Elisabet Palmadottir, specialist in natural hazards at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, told CNN that surveillance equipment is being deployed by authorities in the area, from GPS and earthquake monitors to web cameras and gas detectors, and warns that the area could experience a magnitude 6 earthquake or above.

Should a volcanic eruption occur, it appears no towns would be at risk from lava flows, according to the latest modeling by the University of Icelands Volcanology and Natural Hazard Group, which released maps of potential flows on Wednesday, CNN said.

Just 20 miles south of the capital, a tremor close to the Keilir volcano prompted authorities to ban traffic in the area on Wednesday afternoon. The Icelandic MET Office noted on its webpage that similar activity has previously preceded eruptions, CNN said.

Viir Reynisson, chief superintendent at Icelands Department for Civil Protection and Emergency Management, told a news conference on Wednesday that should an eruption occur, which was more likely than not within the next few hours, it would be the first in the area since the 12th century.

A video camera pointed at Keilir, has been installed by Vikurfrettir, a local news service, which will start livestreaming when an eruption occurs, while residents wait -- some with excitement, others with anxiety.

READ MORE:



Wellington: One of the strongest earthquakes to hit the South Pacific in modern history triggered tsunami warnings across the ocean and forced thousands of people in New Zealand to evacuate coastal areas Friday. Small tsunami waves were seen, but little damage was apparent hours later.

The 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck 147 miles northeast of Gisborne, New Zealand, at 2:27 AM on Friday (8:27 a.m. EST), according to the US Geological Survey. The quake was the largest in a series of tremors over several hours, including two earlier quakes that registered magnitude 7.4 and magnitude 7.3.

The tsunami threat caused traffic jams and some chaos in New Zealand as people scrambled to get to higher ground. Residents recorded videos of small wave surges in some places, including at Tokomaru Bay near Gisborne.

New Zealands National Emergency Management Agency had issued a tsunami warning shortly after the earthquake. About 5 AM, the agency said in an update, "Based on current scientific advice and information from coastal tsunami gauges there is no longer a threat to land areas. People who have evacuated can now return home."

One of the earlier quakes hit much closer to New Zealand and awoke many people as they felt a long, rumbling shaking. "Hope everyone is ok out there," New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wrote on Facebook during the night.

After the largest quake, civil defense authorities in New Zealand told people in some coastal areas to immediately get to higher ground. They said a damaging tsunami was possible, and waves could reach up to 3 metres.

Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan told reporters that people had followed the advisory. "They felt the long or strong earthquakes and they knew to grab their bag and head into the highlands," she said. "I can only thank and acknowledge the tireless efforts of the men and women from up and down the coast who knew how to act, when to act, and what to do."

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre cautioned the quake could cause tsunami waves of up to 3 metres in Vanuatu and up to 1 metre in Fiji, French Polynesia and as far away as Mexico and Peru. Waves of 30 centimeters were measured by ocean gauges in Vanuatu, New Zealand and islands off Australia. The US Geological Survey said the strongest quake was centred near the remote Kermadec Islands at a depth of 19 kilometers.

The agency said in a report that the quake occurred at the intersection of the Pacific and Australia tectonic plates and eclipsed the largest quake previously recorded in the region, a magnitude 8.0 in 1976. It said the interaction between the plates creates one of the most seismically active regions in the world, and it has recorded 215 quakes there above magnitude 6.0 over the past century.

Jennifer Eccles, an earthquake expert at the University of Auckland, said the quake was at the top end of the scale for those involving only the Earth's ocean crust.

"This is about as big as it gets," she said.

She said most quakes larger than magnitude 8.0 tend to occur when a section of more robust continental crust is involved. The US Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.4 quake was likely a "foreshock" that contributed to the larger quake but that the first quake that hit closer to New Zealand was too far away in time and distance to have directly contributed.

The first quake was centred at a depth of 21 kilometers under the ocean about 174 kilometers northeast of the city of Gisborne. It was widely felt in New Zealand, and residents in the major cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch reported being shaken awake. In 2011, a magnitude 6.3 quake hit the city of Christchurch, killing 185 people and destroying much of its downtown.

(With Agency inputs)

Live TV
Every investor in Murray Cod Australia Limited (ASX:MCA) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones. I generally like to see some degree of insider ownership, even if only a little. As Nassim Nicholas Taleb said, 'Dont tell me what you think, tell me what you have in your portfolio.

Murray Cod Australia is a smaller company with a market capitalization of AU$138m, so it may still be flying under the radar of many institutional investors. Our analysis of the ownership of the company, below, shows that institutional investors have bought into the company. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Murray Cod Australia.

Check out our latest analysis for Murray Cod Australia

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Murray Cod Australia?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that Murray Cod Australia does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Murray Cod Australia's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Murray Cod Australia. With a 16% stake, CEO Matthew Ryan is the largest shareholder. With 7.4% and 5.6% of the shares outstanding respectively, Saville Capital Pty Ltd and George Commins are the second and third largest shareholders. Interestingly, the third-largest shareholder, George Commins is also a Member of the Board of Directors, again, indicating strong insider ownership amongst the company's top shareholders.

Story continues

After doing some more digging, we found that the top 23 have the combined ownership of 50% in the company, suggesting that no single shareholder has significant control over the company.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There is some analyst coverage of the stock, but it could still become more well known, with time.

Insider Ownership Of Murray Cod Australia

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of Murray Cod Australia Limited. Insiders own AU$47m worth of shares in the AU$138m company. This may suggest that the founders still own a lot of shares. You can click here to see if they have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 50% ownership, the general public have some degree of sway over Murray Cod Australia. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 9.1%, of the Murray Cod Australia stock. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Murray Cod Australia better, we need to consider many other factors. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Murray Cod Australia (of which 1 doesn't sit too well with us!) you should know about.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
Approved: The former Sheddings pub which will be the New Dawn Evangelical church

The prayers of a Christian group have been answered after they were granted permission for a very different kind of conversion - to turn a former east Antrim pub into a church.

The Sheddings, located between Broughshane and Carnlough, has been purchased by the New Dawn Church, which met previously at Broughshane Community Centre. Planning permission for the conversion was approved at a planning committee meeting of Mid and East Antrim council.

The change of use will see an investment of 200,000 in the building, which will have a capacity to accommodate a congregation of 100 worshippers.

Architect Gary Lamont, who is an elder of New Dawn Evangelical Fellowship, told the meeting that the church is currently 40 people strong, with approximately 70% from the Carnalbanagh area. It has been operating for eight years.

He told the meeting that "God has opened the door" to enable the church to restore the building and "give it back to the rural community for the spiritual well-being of people in the area".

Planning officer Gary McGuinness said that one objection to the application relates to noise and parking arrangements.

However, he reported that Transport NI is "content with the parking arrangements".

Mr Lamont noted plans for the installations of triple glazing.

Bannside TUV councillor Timothy Gaston said that the existing Sheddings pub building has become "run down" and an "eyesore on an important arterial route" since it closed.

Previously it had once been "a hive of activity" with farmers travelling miles to The Sheddings sheep sales.

He went on to say that 35 car parking bays was "sufficient" for the church.

Mr Gaston added that the building was located on "an important tourist route" between the "east Antrim coast" and Ballymena, which he described as the "shopping capital of east Antrim".

Mr Lamont emphasised the church's intention to form good relations with its neighbours and would seek to talk to people if larger events such as a wedding or a funeral were to be held.

Alliance councillor Robert Logan noted that Mr Lamont had indicated that triple glazing was to be used and noise is "not a concern".

The application was subsequently approved.

Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee celebrated Read Across America Day at Paragon Mills Elementary School in Nashville and highlighted the Administration's efforts to boost literacy in K-12 schools.

On this Read Across America Day, we celebrate the potential for every student in Tennessee to be a strong reader and succeed in life beyond the classroom, said Gov. Lee. In partnership with members of the General Assembly, superintendents and educators, we have implemented policies that put students first and ensure they are reading on grade-level.

"Reading is the foundation for all learning, and focusing on developing strong reading skills in a student's early years is essential for their education and success in life after high school," said Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. "I am so proud that Tennessee is rightfully prioritizing this critical issue to ensure all of our students can get strong, phonics-based literacy instruction and be prepared for life beyond the classroom."

Lee Administration Prioritizes Literacy

Raising Literacy Standards and Introducing Phonics-Based Instruction

Currently, only 1/3 of third graders in Tennessee are reading on grade level, which leads to nearly three out of four students who struggle to read on grade level when they reach high school. To combat this challenge, Gov. Lee introduced a third-grade reading gate and phonics-based instruction, to ensure strong reading skills before the critical third-grade milestone.

Launching the Reading 360 Initiative



Launched in January 2021, Reading 360 tackles Tennessees literacy crisis by offering optional grants and resources tailored to the needs of individual districts while providing supports for teachers and families to help students develop strong phonics-based reading skills.

Offering In-Person Learning in Every School District

Data shows that there has been significant learning loss after time away from the classroom. Governor Lee prioritized a plan to get kids back to school safely, and as of March 1st, every school district across the state is offering an in-person learning option.

###
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list

Prime Minister spent much of his election campaign in 2018 denying he was a military stooge. Yet after suffering a shocking loss in parliament this week, he turned to the nations powerful army chief.

Khan met army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa along with the head of the militarys spy agency on Thursday after his finance minister lost a tightly fought battle for a seat in the Senate, or the upper house. The conversation with the head of the institution that has conducted numerous coups, and retains tremendous sway over policy, is likely to send a strong message to lawmakers as Khan seeks a confidence vote in parliament Saturday.

For the army, which has ruled the nation for about half of its existence since independence in 1947, Khan represents stability as the economy recovers from the pandemic-induced contraction. Bajwa is keen to maintain continuity and show that all is well, said Burzine Waghmar of the Centre for the Study of at SOAS University of London. The army is also keen to start on a good footing with the Joe Biden administration as well.



Khans meeting with Bajwa rankled the opposition. It gives a wrong message, opposition leader Maryam Nawaz said at a briefing on Thursday.

There was no comment from the governments spokesman or the army.

Khan needs the support of 172 of the lawmakers to win the confidence vote. Khans Tehreek-e-Insaf party and allies have 178 seats in the 342-member National Assembly or lower house of parliament. However, the party-backed Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh got 164 votes in the election on Wednesday. The members of the National Assembly vote in the Senate and the defeat prompted Khan to seek a vote of confidence.

To ensure Khan has support of at least his lawmakers, Pakistans spy agency has been asked to monitor their movement and secure their presence in parliament on Saturday, officials said.

No party can remain in power without institutional support from the army, said Amit Ranjan, research fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore.

NEW YORK, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Ratings said today that Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (APUC) scored 79 on its ESG Evaluation. On our scale, 100 indicates the lowest risk and 0 the highest. The company's ESG Evaluation score is the result of an ESG profile of 71 combined with strong preparedness.

APUC's ESG Evaluation reflects its deep commitment to sustainability, robust governance structure, and strong preparedness for disruptions from the energy transition. "Our assessment also reflects APUC's comprehensive plan to expand its renewables footprint, leading to better than industry average GHG emissions and lower waste generation, its above-average customer engagement, and proactive safety management," said Lori Shapiro, the primary contact for the evaluation. "We believe APUC continues to demonstrate excellent awareness of disruptive trends, including climate change, technology risk, and changing customer demands, effectively prioritizes the materiality of risks, and has a resilient strategy linked to sustainability objectives."

APUC is a diversified generation, transmission, and distribution utility with assets in the U.S., Canada, Chile, and Bermuda and generated about $1.6 billion in revenue in 2019. APUC organizes operations into two units. The Regulated Services Group primarily owns and operates electric, natural gas, and waste and wastewater regulated utility systems throughout the U.S., Canada, Chile, and Bermuda, serving approximately one million customer connections. The Renewable Energy Group generates and sells electrical energy produced by its portfolio of renewable power generation and clean power generation facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada.

Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC or its affiliates (collectively, S&P) receives compensation for the provision of the S&P Global Ratings ESG Evaluation product, including the report (Product). S&P may also receive compensation for rating the entity covered by the Product or for rating transactions involving and/or securities issued by the entity covered by the Product.

The Product is not a credit rating, and is not indicative of, nor related to, any credit rating or future credit rating of an entity. The Product provides a cross-sector, relative analysis of an entity's capacity to operate successfully in the future and is grounded in how ESG factors could affect stakeholders and potentially lead to a material direct or indirect financial impact on the entity. ESG factors typically assess the impact of the entity on the natural and social environment and the quality of its governance. The Product is not a research report and is not intended as such.

S&P's credit ratings, opinions, analyses, rating acknowledgment decisions, any views reflected in the Product and the output of the Product are not investment advice, recommendations regarding credit decisions, recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or to make any investment decisions, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, endorsements of the suitability of any security, endorsements of the accuracy of any data or conclusions provided in the Product, or independent verification of any information relied upon in the credit rating process. The Product and any associated presentations do not take into account any user's financial objectives, financial situation, needs or means, and should not be relied upon by users for making any investment decisions. The output of the Product is not a substitute for a user's independent judgment and expertise. The output of the Product is not professional financial, tax or legal advice, and users should obtain independent, professional advice as it is determined necessary by users.

While S&P has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, S&P does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives.

S&P and any third-party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively S&P Parties) do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or availability of the Product. S&P Parties are not responsible for any errors or omissions (negligent or otherwise), regardless of the cause, for reliance of use of information in the Product, or for the security or maintenance of any information transmitted via the Internet, or for the accuracy of the information in the Product. The Product is provided on an "AS IS" basis. S&P PARTIES MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDED BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE ACCURACY, RESULTS, TIMLINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT, OR FOR THE SECURITY OF THE WEBSITE FROM WHICH THE PRODUCT IS ACCESSED. S&P Parties have no responsibility to maintain or update the Product or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. S&P Parties have no liability for the accuracy, timeliness, reliability, performance, continued availability, completeness or delays, omissions, or interruptions in the delivery of the Product.

To the extent permitted by law, in no event shall the S&P Parties be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs or losses caused by negligence, loss of data, cost of substitute materials, cost of capital, or claims of any third party) in connection with any use of the Product even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

S&P maintains a separation between commercial and analytic activities. S&P keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of their respective activities. As a result, certain business units of S&P may have information that is not available to other S&P business units. S&P has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain nonpublic information received in connection with each analytical process.

Copyright  2021 by Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC. All rights reserved.

The report is available to subscribers of RatingsDirect at www.capitaliq.com. If you are not a RatingsDirect subscriber, you may purchase a copy of the report by calling (1) 212-438-7280 or sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Ratings information can also be found on S&P Global Ratings' public website by using the Ratings search box located in the left column at www.standardandpoors.com. Members of the media may request a copy of this report by contacting the media representative provided.

This report does not constitute a rating action.

No content (including ratings, credit-related analyses and data, valuations, model, software or other application or output therefrom) or any part thereof (Content) may be modified, reverse engineered, reproduced or distributed in any form by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC or its affiliates (collectively, S&P). The Content shall not be used for any unlawful or unauthorized purposes. S&P and any third-party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively S&P Parties) do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or availability of the Content. S&P Parties are not responsible for any errors or omissions (negligent or otherwise), regardless of the cause, for the results obtained from the use of the Content, or for the security or maintenance of any data input by the user. The Content is provided on an "as is" basis. S&P PARTIES DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, FREEDOM FROM BUGS, SOFTWARE ERRORS OR DEFECTS, THAT THE CONTENT'S FUNCTIONING WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR THAT THE CONTENT WILL OPERATE WITH ANY SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE CONFIGURATION. In no event shall S&P Parties be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs or losses caused by negligence) in connection with any use of the Content even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Credit-related and other analyses, including ratings, and statements in the Content are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact. S&P's opinions, analyses and rating acknowledgment decisions (described below) are not recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or to make any investment decisions, and do not address the suitability of any security. S&P assumes no obligation to update the Content following publication in any form or format. The Content should not be relied on and is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment and other business decisions. S&P does not act as a fiduciary or an investment advisor except where registered as such. While S&P has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, S&P does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives. Rating-related publications may be published for a variety of reasons that are not necessarily dependent on action by rating committees, including, but not limited to, the publication of a periodic update on a credit rating and related analyses.

To the extent that regulatory authorities allow a rating agency to acknowledge in one jurisdiction a rating issued in another jurisdiction for certain regulatory purposes, S&P reserves the right to assign, withdraw or suspend such acknowledgment at any time and in its sole discretion. S&P Parties disclaim any duty whatsoever arising out of the assignment, withdrawal or suspension of an acknowledgment as well as any liability for any damage alleged to have been suffered on account thereof.

S&P keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of their respective activities. As a result, certain business units of S&P may have information that is not available to other S&P business units. S&P has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process.

S&P may receive compensation for its ratings and certain analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of securities or from obligors. S&P reserves the right to disseminate its opinions and analyses. S&P's public ratings and analyses are made available on its Web sites, www.standardandpoors.com (free of charge), and www.ratingsdirect.com (subscription), and may be distributed through other means, including via S&P publications and third-party redistributors. Additional information about our ratings fees is available at www.standardandpoors.com/usratingsfees.

STANDARD & POOR'S, S&P and RATINGSDIRECT are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC.

SOURCE S&P Global Ratings
A former State Department aide has become the first member of the Trump administration to be arrested over the Capitol riot after he was allegedly caught on camera assaulting cops with a stolen riot shield among the violent MAGA mob.

Federico Klein, who worked on Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign before being appointed by the ex-president to the State Department the following year, was taken into custody by federal agents in Virginia.

The FBI said Klein, 42, was seen in video footage taken during the January 6 riot that left five - including a Capitol cop - dead and sent lawmakers running for their lives.

He is facing charges including unlawful entry, violent and disorderly conduct, obstructing Congress and law enforcement, and assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, according to the New York Times.

Klein's arrest and strong ties to the former president makes him the first Trump appointee facing charges over the riots and the first one confirmed by authorities to have been inside the Capitol as part of the mob.

A former State Department aide has become the first member of the Trump administration to be arrested over the Capitol riot after he was caught on camera assaulting cops with a stolen riot shield among the violent MAGA mob. Federico Klein (pictured)

Surveillance footage from a tunnel leading into the Capitol which the FBI says shows Klein, circled, entering the building at 2.43pm on the day of the riot

The FBI said Klein was at the Capitol on January 6, at one point wearing a MAGA cap and at other times wearing a US Marine Corps hat

This body-cam footage allegedly shows Klein trying to breach a police line before he was eventually forced away with a chemical irritant

The FBI said it had received several tips identifying Klein after he was featured in one of the agency's posters (circled) asking the public's help in tracking down the perpetrators

In the footage viewed by the FBI, Klein is reportedly seen assaulting members of law enforcement with a riot shield in and around the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol building, resisting officers and trying to take items from them while wearing a 'Make America Great Again' hat.

Klein was also seen on the footage wearing a red US Marine Corps hat, the agency said.

The FBI said it had received several tips identifying Klein after he was featured in one of the agency's posters asking for the public's help in tracking down the perpetrators of the violent insurrection.

The agency first received a tip off about a 'Freddie Klein' back on January 21 - the day after the poster was released, according to FBI documents.

Several more people also came forward identifying Klein, an avid Trump supporter, as the man in the photo.

The FBI said it had identified Klein in surveillance footage showing him entering a Capitol tunnel at 2.43pm, before police body-cam footage allegedly showed him 'physically and verbally engaging' with officers trying to keep the mob at bay.

An FBI agent said Klein had used a riot shield as a wedge to prevent cops from closing the doors before trying 'for several minutes' to breach the police line.

Fifteen minutes later, Klein was still 'fighting the officers in the tunnel', it is alleged, before he 'violently shoved the shield into an officer's body'.

He was finally fended off when a police sergeant 'deployed a chemical irritant spray that forced Klein move to a new area,' an FBI affidavit says.

Another video allegedly shows him 'aggressively struggling with and pushing against the riot shields'.

The FBI said Klein was still employed by Trump's State Department and held a Top Secret security clearance at the time of his alleged attack on the Capitol to stop the certification of Biden's victory, reported the Times.

It is not clear how close Klein was to Trump during his 2016 White House campaign and subsequent mid-level appointment to the State Department or whether they are in contact.

Records show Klein earned $15,000 working as a tech analyst on Trump's first bid for the White House.

Klein is accused of pushing his way to the front of the crowd after joining the Capitol mob

The FBI says it spotted Klein on body-worn camera footage pushing his way towards the doorway to the Capitol building where he 'physically and verbally engaged' with cops

Klein was identified by the FBI as the circled man in this live-streamed video of the insurrection at the Capitol

The FBI also identified Klein on this YouTube video after reviewing footage from January 6

Federico Klein (left and on far right on right), who worked on Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign before being appointed by the ex-president to the State Department the following year, was taken into custody by federal agents in Virginia

The FBI said Klein was still employed by Trump's State Department and held a Top Secret security clearance at the time of his alleged attack on the Capitol

The avid Trump supporter was seen in video footage taken during the January 6 assaulting members of law enforcement with a riot shield, resisting officers and trying to take items from them while wearing a 'Make America Great Again' hat. Pictured a 2017 Facebook post

He was then appointed to the State Department in January 2017, just days after the inauguration when Trump handed several campaign aides jobs in his administration.

During his time there, he worked in the Departments Office of Brazilian and Southern Cone Affairs before moving onto Freedom of Information Act requests, reported Politico, which first reported his arrest.

Records show he was working as a special assistant in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs and was designated as a 'Schedule C' political appointment - where he earned $66,510 - as recently as summer 2020.

Klein's mother Cecilia told Politico her son told her he had been in DC on the day of the riot but that she believed he had not entered the Capitol building.

'As far as I know, he was on the Mall. That's what he told me,' she said.

'While I believe, as he said, he was on the Mall that day, I don't have any evidence, nor will I ever ask him, unless he tells me, where he was after he was on the Mall.'

Klein is one of more than 300 people facing federal charges for their part in the violent riot that claimed five lives on January 6

Several rioters claim they believed they were acting on the request of the then-president

Trump was impeached by the House in January for inciting the riot after he told supporters to 'fight' (above) and pushed false claims the election was 'rigged' during a rally moments before the mob stormed the Capitol

Cecelia admitted she thought her son's politics 'burn a little hot' but said she had 'never known him to violate the law'.

Before joining the Trump campaign, Klein worked as a researcher for the conservative Family Research Council and as a Republican state convention delegate in Virginia.

His mother told Politico he is also a veteran who served as a Marine in Iraq.

Klein is one of more than 300 people facing federal charges for their part in the violent riot that claimed five lives on January 6.

Trump was impeached by the House in January for inciting the riot after he told supporters to 'fight' and pushed false claims the election was 'rigged' during a rally moments before the mob stormed the Capitol.

He was acquitted by the Senate but several rioters such as the QAnon Shaman claim they believed they were acting on the request of the then-president.

Gardai in Wicklow have issued an appeal for people living in rural communities to be on the alert for suspicious movements after new figures revealed the shocking scale of sheep stealing.

The Gardai said they have had reports of thefts of 176 sheep in Co Wicklow for 2020, which were all taken in six different incidents. There has already been one reported theft this year in West Wicklow.

In an effort to highlight this situation, Detective Sergeant Barry Turner in Wicklow has been in regular, ongoing contact with the IFA in Co Wicklow to raise Garda concerns with this type of theft, especially in the lead up to the Easter Lamb market.

The starting point, he says in a post on the Wicklow Garda Facebook page, is target hardening and encouraging farmers to use heavy duty locks and chains on their gates which would make the theft of sheep more difficult.

"Farmers should also count their flock as often as possible and immediately report any losses to An Garda Siochana.

Detective Sergeant Turner is also proposing modifications to systems currently being employed for tagging flocks. This will allow identification of animals at all phases of their life cycle, including the factory stage.

Superintendent Anthony Farrell, Baltinglass, is also backing the the proposal in Wicklow.

Superintendent Farrell said farmers can also do small things to make this type of theft more difficult, such as for example, branding each flock, with clearly identifiable markings.

I would ask people living in rural communities to be alert to this type of crime and if they see something unusual or suspicious, please advise the local farmer and indeed An Garda Siochana, he said.

Unusual or suspicious could be as simple as a trailer on farmland they dont recognise. This is a particular type of crime where the culprit has a specific knowledge of animals but also access to transport to move them from fields.

An Garda Siochana in parts affected by these thefts in Co Wicklow are monitoring the movement of all animals, especially sheep. Please be vigilant.
Burma US Ambassador Asks Myanmars Military Deputy Chief to Stop Violence Against Protesters

PIC: Anti-regime protesters at the US Embassy in Yangon last month. / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  In the wake of the regimes deadly crackdowns on protesters  that saw at least 49 people killed  the US ambassador to Myanmar has urged the militarys second-in-command to stop all violence.

During a phone call with Deputy Commander-in-Chief Vice Senior General Soe Win on Friday, Thomas Vajda called for the release of all detainees, according to the US Embassy in Yangon.

The military staged a coup on Feb 1, claiming the November general election was marred by fraud and detained President U Win Myint and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Anti-regime protests have erupted across the country, demanding the release of the elected leaders and restoration of democracy.

However, the junta has ordered shooting into largely unarmed protesters with live ammunition and blocked the internet.

At least 49 protesters have been killed since protests broke out on Feb. 6 and more than 1,500 people have been detained.

Vajda mentioned the widespread domestic opposition to the militarys actions and the economic damage and international isolation caused by the coup, urging the military to reverse course.

The embassy said the ambassador called for an end to detentions, communication blackouts and the restoration of the democratically elected government.

Protests were held at the US Embassy, urging Washington not to turn a blind eye to events.

After numerous civilian deaths on Sunday,, the US Embassy said its staff were heartbroken to see the loss of so many lives and that people should not face violence for opposing the coup.

Targeting of civilians is abhorrent, said Sundays statement.

You may also like these stories:

Anger in Myanmar But Crisis Distant to Singaporeans

More Than 600 Police Join Myanmars Anti-Regime Protest Movement

Myanmar Military Detains More Than 1,500 Since Coup
By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump intensified his war with the Republican establishment on Thursday by attacking Karl Rove, a longtime Republican strategist who criticized Trump's first speech since leaving office for being long on grievances but short on vision.

"Hes a pompous fool with bad advice and always has an agenda," Trump complained in a statement issued by his office in Palm Beach, Florida.

Rove, the architect of Republican George W. Bush's presidential victories in 2000 and 2004, wrote in an opinion article in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday that Trump's speech last Sunday to the Conservative Political Action Conference was wanting.

Rove noted that in a straw poll of CPAC participants, only 68% wanted Trump to run for president again in 2024, while 32% did not want him to run or had no opinion.

Trump's CPAC speech was noteworthy for rehashing his unfounded claims of election fraud in his November loss to Democrat Joe Biden, despite advice from his team not to do so.

Rove wrote of the 90-minute speech: "There was no forward-looking agenda, simply a recitation of his greatest hits. People like fresh material. Repetition is useful to a point, but it grows stale."

The spat was the latest round in the civil war that has erupted within the Republican Party, with establishment figures such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell eager to put Trump in the rearview mirror, and others, like Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham, believing the partys future depends on the energy of the pro-Trump base.

But Trump retains strong influence within the party. McConnell, for instance, voted to acquit Trump on impeachment charges, then turned around and called Trump "practically and morally responsible" for his supporters' deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol last month, only to then say he would vote for Trump if he is the Republican nominee in 2024.

Story continues

Trump called Rove  a familiar figure on the Fox News Channel who writes his points on an erasable whiteboard  a "RINO," or Republican In Name Only, and said Rove had lobbied him in support of 5G telecommunications.

"Karl Rove has been losing for years, except for himself. Hes a RINO of the highest order, who came to the Oval Office lobbying for 5G for him and a group," Trump said.

Trump said Rove had called him on the night of the Nov. 3 election to congratulate him on a "great victory," which was before Biden was declared the winner.

Rove, in a statement to Reuters, dismissed Trump's criticism.

"Ive been called a lot of things in my career, but never a RINO. Ive voted for every Republican presidential candidate since I turned 18 and have labored only for GOP (Republican) candidates since then," said the 70-year-old Rove. "I have a different recollection of Mr. Trumps views on 5G and our conversation election night. Ill continue to use my whiteboard and voice to call balls and strikes."

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Leslie Adler)
photo: Melina Hammer

Julia Turshen is a home cook and food writer, author of the cookbooks Now & Again, Feed the Resistance and Small Victories, among others. The founder of Equity at the Table and host of the podcast Keep Calm and Cook On, Turshen lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her wife, Grace, and their pets. Her latest book, Simply Julia: 100 Easy Recipes for Healthy Comfort Food (Harper Wave, $32.50; reviewed below), offers recipes featuring a healthier take on the simple, satisfying comfort food for which Turshen is known.

Did Simply Julia feel more personal to you than your previous cookbooks?

There are a few really interesting elements in Simply Julia that I just haven't done before. One was including personal essays throughout. I usually write pretty long headnotes, including stories behind the recipes; to me that's the most exciting part of any cookbook. Here, there were certain things I wanted to address that just didn't quite fit with any one recipe, or were longer than a headnote paragraph, and those became the essays in the book. Then in addition to the amazing photos that Melina Hammer took, there are a lot of family photos throughout; it feels really special to share those here. There's also the decision to use my handwriting throughout the book.

Those are the details that help bring the stories to life. I am giving you a recipe so you can make this in your kitchen; I am giving you the story behind a dish so you can understand what it means. I feel strongly that my work is coming from my kitchen to yours, and all those touches help make that true.

How does your work starting Equity at the Table and hosting your podcast, Keep Calm and Cook On, shape your work as a cookbook author?

What ties all these things together is a commitment to equitable storytelling. That happens in my own book; I bring my full self to it as a very proud, openly gay woman. There's a lot of stories about my wife, Grace, and I think stories have this incredible power to normalize things that have often been othered.

I know what it feels like to put myself out there and have my stories, my voice, heard and paid attention to. I feel strongly about making that experience available to as many people as possible. Maybe it's connecting someone to Equity at the Table, or interviewing someone on the podcast, or doing more behind-the-scenes work like talking to people who want to get into the cookbook industry. I love being able to talk to as many people as I can, because ultimately I want my book to exist on a shelf with lots of other books that feel really exciting to me.

You call your recipes "suggestions, not prescriptions," but to me, they almost feel like invitations: to a dish, to a story, to the experience of cooking.

I love that the word "invitation" came up for you. A big goal in my work is making it feel as welcoming as possible, as inviting as possible.

There's an old cliche, "food brings people together," but it's cliche for the same reason all things are cliche--because it's true. In this extended moment [of the pandemic], there are other ways that cooking can remind us of that truth. That warm invitation can come through dropping off an extra loaf of date-nut bread for a neighbor, or making an extra pot of soup for someone, or mailing someone a baked good or ingredient or cookbook, or e-mailing someone a recipe or a story that reminded you of them.

When I think of an invitation, I think of one person reaching out to another. Food can help us do that, and that is a really important part of maintaining relationships and culture and humanity. We always need that, but we need that right now more than ever.

How do you see a cookbook like Simply Julia fitting into the larger conversation about food systems?

We cannot look at food as a whole and understand it without also thinking about issues like the environment and class and race, and all of these things that are really threatened, right now and always. Food shows us where a lot of these problems are, and also offers a lot of opportunities for solutions.

When I am working on a cookbook and thinking about the people who might read it or buy it or use it, I'm thinking about a group of people who are invested in cooking at home. They have the time and money not only to do that, but to also buy a cookbook and think about food from a place of assumed comfort.

Given that, it's really important not to underestimate those readers, and to remind them of all of the power they have. Every time we buy an ingredient, we're making a political decision. Every time we decide where to spend our money, we're deciding who to invest in. These are decisions we get to make, even with so many variables: time, budgets, accessibility, household size, geography, all these things.

There's no one right answer. If there was, there wouldn't be so many issues. There are so many different answers, and it's important to remember that we can be part of those answers. A cookbook that is about home cooking, by a home cook, for other home cooks is exactly the place these things should be discussed.

It's not all or nothing, either--every bit makes a difference.

A big lesson I've continued to learn, and part of the ethos of Simply Julia, is this sense of being able to hold opposing things at the same time, knowing that things aren't black and white. For example, there's a chapter of chicken recipes and a chapter of vegan recipes here--one book can have both of those things, and that's okay!

That kind of all or nothingness, that extremeness, is such a big part of our consumer culture, our diet culture, and in general a culture that seeks to label everything. I'm not a vegan, but some of my meals are vegan. I hope that this book is a resource for a lot of people.

This idea comes up in your essay about "healthy" eating as well.

There's a picture of me on the cover of the book, my likeness is sitting under the words "healthy." I'm not a super-thin, straight, blonde woman, and I'm just really excited to show in this book a very open and honest conversation about body image, and the various definitions of healthy.

It feels like a tremendous opportunity to put Simply Julia on the shelf in the bookstore where "healthy cookbooks" exist, as a cookbook that's a little different from the others. Simply Julia doesn't equate healthy with skinny, which is something I wish I'd understood much earlier on.

Because the pandemic is still limiting in-person events, I'm assuming you'll be celebrating this book at home. What's your go-to celebratory meal?

It would definitely have to end with cake of some kind. I love the carrot cake recipe in this book that Grace made me for my birthday this past summer. So I'd end with the carrot cake. And for the meal itself, assuming we have a bunch of vegetables from our winter CSA, I think we'd do something like spaghetti with super garlicky greens. Like the Green Pasta in Simply Julia. --Kerry McHugh, blogger at Entomology of a Bookworm
Refinery29

June is a major astrological month filled with thrills, chills, drama, big love  and every feeling in between. Lovely Venus enters Cancer on June 2, softening up our hearts and tightening up our wallets. The solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 is a time of reflection, change, and implanting new desires into our lives. Action planet Mars enters Leo on June 11, motivating us to fight for what we love. Soon after, on June 14, austere Saturn and rebellious Uranus square off for the second of three times in 2021. (The first time was February 17 and the third connection will be December 24.) This is a very fraught and intense energy that will create shakeups, breakups, and breakdowns. We are knocking down old structures or beliefs and building new ones then. Be kind to others and yourselves around this time, as this energy can be argumentative. Lucky planet Jupiter commences its retrograde journey in Pisces and Aquarius from June 20 to October 18, urging us to reflect on our spiritual and philosophical development. The summer solstice begins on June 20, the same day Gemini season ends and Cancer season starts, kicking off our beachy plans and festivities. Also, making us more emotional and tender. Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 in Gemini (yay!). But dont take a sigh of relief quite yet. The retroshade period officially ends the retrograde on July 7. Then, all Mercurial mishaps such as technological meltdowns, miscommunications, and our pesky exes will be truly gone  until next time. The Capricorn full moon occurs on June 24, urging us work hard for attention and affection. Elusive Neptune begins its retrograde journey in Pisces from June 25 to December 1. This will allow us to align with our subconscious dreams. Romantic planet Venus enters Leo on June 27, adding passion to love and flamboyance to how we spend our money.AriesLately youve been feeling as though your friends and bosses have been acting kinda shady, which is impacting your romantic relationships. The solar eclipse on June 10 is making you wish that you didnt stir the pot with your squad by rehashing past drama. Marss movement into Leo on June 11 will push you to fight for the relationships that you want to keep in your life and the people that you love, but with a cost. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will end friendships, much to your sadness. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 can be a reset button at work; however, it's more likely a time for you to step away from a current professional partnership.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoTaurusJune is an intense month for you, Taurus. An argument stemming from a financial loss during the solar eclipse on June 10 will escalate on June 14 (when Saturn and Uranus square off). The following few days will require you to relax, which makes the summer solstice on June 20 a sweet time to simmer down. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 is a moment for you to find reprieve and think about the recent events from a higher minded perspective. Jupiter's and Neptunes planetary backstrokes on June 20 and 25, respectively, will help in healing and mending all the messy drama that began on June 14  but only if you tone down your frustrations and choose not to say unforgivable things that you will certainly regret.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoGeminiNormally, your attention is on point and youre able to take on all of the tasks that you have to do, Gemini. But Mercury retrograde is making you too exhausted to keep up with your workload. The low energy youre feeling, compounded with the solar eclipse on June 10, is going to make you want to curl up in bed and watch The Hills reruns nonstop. Lean in to that urge and take time to chill this month. Dont fight the cosmos and take on more than you can chew. Yes, youve had an amazing run recently, but that can change during Jupiter's and Neptunes retrogrades on June 20 and 25. To avoid issues that may be coming your way, dont try to push your luck before Mercury retrograde ends on June 22.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCancerFor the past few months, youve been in duck-and-cover mode when the monthly credit card statements arrive in your inbox. But the tides are changing for the better. Venuss ingress into Cancer on June 2 and Leo on June 27 will procure extra cash for your bank account. The infamous Saturn and Uranus square that occurs on June 14 will give you a windfall of money from an unexpected payback on a former creative venture too. The only setback is that Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which ends June 22) could delay the repayment of these funds. Be patient! The cash will come during June 24s Capricorn full moon, if dont stress it so hard.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLeoCommitment takes a lot of work and time  all of which youre happy to give to those you care about. You have become a creature or comfort, knowing that you can always rely on certain people. All of that is about to get shaken up. You will feel as though the foundation youve built with friends, a crush, or your SO is shifting on June 14 (an effect of the Saturn and Uranus square) and you dont like that. Remember: Relationships and situations cant stay the same forever. Everything is subject to evolution. Change is the one constant in life, and its something you need to get used to (especially when Venus enters Leo on June 27, setting off the fraught vibe from June 14).Illustration by Stefhany LozanoVirgoYouve recently spent a lot of time burning the midnight oil at work. Now, the time has come for you to ask for a raise. (Considering how much extra time you put in, you should!) Venuss movement into Cancer on June 2 is an auspicious time to get the ball rolling in accelerating your income. The caveat is that the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will scare you into not asserting your voice when it comes to asking for a raise, which means that youll opt to hold back. When Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 and Neptune begins its planetary moonwalk on June 25, youll begin to speak up and make sure you get paid what youre worth  and then some!Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLibraLets start with the positives of June: Work will be plentiful and fulfilling as the month starts off, especially when graceful Venus enters the career sector of your chart on June 2. The solar eclipse on June 10 in Gemini will make you stop and think about the next professional direction you want to take. You dont have to make decisions, as Mercury is retrograde. Therefore, plans can change. The downfall is that youll feel creatively blocked when Saturn and Uranus square off on June 14, as well as on June 24s Capricorn Full Moon. When Neptune turns retrograde on June 25 and Venus enters Leo on June 27, itll be wise to consider taking time off from work to rejuvenate your artistic talents.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoScorpioYour intuition is always lit. However, this month you will be second guessing your gut feelings during Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which started on May 29) and the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Reality will come crashing down hard on June 14 during the Saturn and Uranus square, making you wish that youd listened to the voice within the week before. The good news is that Jupiter and Neptunes backsplash will boost your confidence in listening to your inner sentiments. June 24s full moon will make you see that you should never doubt yourself again. This will allow you to head into July on a high note and feeling yourself. Words to the wise: Never doubt yourself again. You know the score, try to use it to your advantage.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoSagittariusYour wanderlust sentiments are making you thirst for adventure and excitement. While you may not feel like traveling far, youll be able to find thrills in your local neighborhood during June 14s Saturn and Uranus square. If youre wanting to head out of town, the full moon on June 24 is a great time for an economical mini road trip. The caveat is that you may get swept away in the moment and temporarily forget about your friends and family. Its okay to get lost in your own world, Sag. Just dont live too much with your head in the clouds. Come down for air every now and again  especially on June 20 and 25 when Jupiter and Neptune, respectively, begin their planetary retrogrades.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCapricornDont be afraid to walk away from a proposition that doesn't seem worth the trouble. A business arrangement may lose its appeal on June 2, when Venus enters Cancer. If youre not wanting to continue the partnership, then the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will set you free. TBH, you are seeing that the gig isnt offering up the cash that they promised, which is frustrating to you considering all the time and work youve put into it. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will remind you that its better to cut your losses ASAP before matters get worse. Youll be proud of yourself during June 24s full moon for letting go of the situation and moving onto the next project with ease and no additional drama.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoAquariusIts been a minute since youve spoken to old flames. But Mercurys backspin is bringing all of your exes out of the woodwork. Unlike past retrogrades, youre wanting to connect with them when Mars enters Leo on June 11. Although youre intrigued by what they have to say, the conversation may not go as planned on the 14th, when Saturn and Uranus square off, and youll be reminded as to why you broke up with them in the first place. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. Be sure that you're open and willing to hear their feedback before responding. If you take the conversations at face value, you can create a new foundation with them on June 27, during the Venusian shift into Leo.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoPiscesAll work and no play isnt good for your imagination, Pisces. In fact, it can make you feel as though youre stuck behind a desk and not integrating your soulful sentiments into the world. Junes celestial energies urge you to take a step back from your career and have fun. Venuss entrance into Cancer on June 2 and the summer solstice on June 20 offer you a chance to laugh off the stresses brought on by the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Just dont overdo the celebrating, as the Saturn and Uranus square on June 14, as well as Jupiter and Neptunes planetary moonwalk on your Sun which begin on June 20 and 25, respectively, can exhaust your spirited vibe while depleting your energies.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Is Jupiter In Pisces The Best Transit Of 2021?Black & Brown Women Are Reviving Tarot & AstrologyObsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok  & COVID
Vietnam recently approved the fourth protocol amending the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement.

The ASEAN Comprehensive Agreement is a negotiation between ASEAN member states, focusing on enhancing protection, promotion, facilitation, and liberalization for regional investment.

The fourth amendment aims to promote further investment and integration in the region, moving closer towards the objective of establishing a fair and transparent investment environment.

Vietnam on February 20, 2021, approved the fourth protocol amending the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA); the Vietnamese Government issued Resolution No. 20/NQ-CP to this effect.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) is assigned prime responsibility and will coordinate with associated ministries and agencies to implement the above protocol. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will execute foreign affair procedures according to the appropriate regulations.

What is the fourth protocol amendment? 2 guiding explanations

Firstly, the fourth protocol to amend the ACIA mentioned a prohibition of performance requirements and fundamentals in the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs) that were agreed by all members of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This means that no member state is allowed to enforce regulations that discriminate against foreign goods from other member states or implement any measure that might provoke obstructions for other member states to invest or conduct trade in the region. More specifically, member states are prohibited to:

Apply quantitative restrictions on the number of goods exported or imported for investors of other member states;

Impose regulations to discriminate against imported goods in favor of domestic goods;

Purchase, use, or grant unfair privileges for domestic goods;

Enforce local content requirements on other member states investors, requiring them to achieve a certain amount or percentage of domestic goods or services;

Restrict sales of other member states products in their country;

Distribute their domestic products exclusively to specific markets; or

Require investors of other member states to distribute products exclusively to certain markets.

Secondly, the amendment also includes an alteration in the current reservation list. A reservation list is a list of exceptions that do not conform to the other relevant chapters and commitments on liberalization.

There are two types of approaches to a reservation list: a positive-list approach and a negative-list approach. In this case, through the amendment, the current reservation list is switched from a single annex to a two-annex negative-list approach.

To elaborate, the first annex explicitly lists certain measures under National Treatment (no discrimination against foreign products), Prohibition on Performance Requirements, and Senior Management and Board of Directors, which is non-applicable.

The second annex dictates the sectors or sub-sectors, industries, products, or activities that are eligible for the exceptions mentioned in the first annex. In other words, these sectors are not obliged to a full commitment, and do not conform to certain measures of the regulations on liberalization.

This is because the listed measures are considered to act in opposition to the general liberalization principles, or also because a fully liberalized agreement among all member states cannot be reached.

How will Vietnam and ASEAN benefit from the fourth protocol?

Through the fourth protocol amendment, the ACIA takes a strong stance in establishing a more stable and fair investment environment for regional trade and integration. The amendment fortifies prohibitions on discrimination against foreign goods, enhancing equality between investors and domestic enterprises, and thus will encourage more investors to do business in the region.

Moreover, the prohibition on quantitative restrictions in the amendment is expected to improve exports and imports in ASEAN. Besides, the regulation of prohibiting exclusive delivery to certain markets eliminates the most-favored-nation treatment, offering the same service and products to all member states, and therefore improving trade activities in the region as a whole.

Further, the amendment on the reservation list offers a more transparent and predictable climate for trade and investment in ASEAN. Also, not every country will agree to a full commitment to liberalization. Thus, this amendment offers a compromise that is fair, transparent, and reasonable. With this in effect, every country in ASEAN will be satisfied with the terms and agreement, and as a result, will likely engage in further trade activities.

Being one of ASEANs member states, Vietnam sees a significant opportunity to benefit from enhanced trade activities in the region. Without restrictions or discrimination, other member states will be more willing to participate in trade in Vietnam, and vice versa.

In addition, the ACIA focuses on five major sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, forestry, mining, and quarrying, all of which are potential developing sectors in Vietnam. Thus, Vietnams trade and investment activities are expected to benefit as a result of the ACIA and the fourth amendment.

Signing of protocols underlines importance of free and fair trade in ASEAN

Since 2012 ASEAN member nations have signed a total of four protocols to amend the ACIA. Specifically, the first protocol in 2014 was signed to establish the process of amending the agreement and its reservations lists, aiming at further liberalization and facilitation of the investment environment.

The second protocol, signed in 2017, modified the definition of an investor as a natural person in the ACIA.

The third protocol to amend the ACIA, also signed in 2017, discarded paragraph 8 in the guidance on the application of the ACIAs reservation list, providing fair treatment for all investors of ASEAN member nations.

The most recently approved fourth protocol aims to amend the agreement to further bolster regional integration and attract more foreign investors.

Positive signal for foreign investors

Overall, the fourth protocol amending the ACIA proves to bring considerable positive effects on promoting trade in Vietnam as well as the wider ASEAN area, to attract more foreign investors.

Moreover, the common ground and effective negotiation demonstrated in this revised agreement indicates a political will among all ASEAN members, presenting a positive indication for the future of trade and investment in Vietnam and ASEAN.

In the near term, the ACIA is expected to enhance liberalization provisions and equality, moving closer towards the objective of presenting the ASEAN region as a single market, and an attractive destination for foreign trade and investment.

The ACIA

The ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) is an ASEAN major economic tool, established as an approach to a liberate and transparent investment regime. The ACIA deliberately outlines the obligations of ASEAN countries to protect ASEAN investors and their investment activities in both absolute and relative terms.

According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the agreements pillar goals are focused on liberalization, protection, facilitation, and promotion in regional trade and integration.

With that in mind, the ACIA aims to carry out one of ASEAN Economic Communitys most significant objectives: to become a single investment destination and production base, focusing on five core fundamentals: the free flow of goods, capital, services, investment, and labor.

The agreement is expected to create a more conducive business environment, attract investors outside of ASEAN to establish a business in the region, encourage confidence among current investors to sustain and expand their investments, and enhance intra-ASEAN investment.

The ACIA came into effect on March 29, 2012, and has efficiently boosted ASEAN trade and investment ever since. This was done by building a free, open, and integrated investment system for both domestic and international investors throughout the ASEAN member nations.

GREENWICH  The State Elections Enforcement Commission has launched an investigation into Rep. Harry Arora after a town resident filed a complaint accusing his campaign of misusing funds in his past two races for the state legislature.

The complaint alleges that Arora, R-151, and his campaign violated regulations for candidates who use the Citizens Elections Program. The alleged violations include making payments to a family members business; reimbursing a family member for services provided; failing to report expenditures on use of a candidates business office as a campaign office; and coordinating expenses with the state Republican Party.

Arora denied the allegations when contacted by Greenwich Time.

This administrative complaint was filed by a political adversary, Arora said in an email Thursday. The expenses mentioned in the complaint are all for legitimate payments made to other entities, including Google, USPS, etc. through a family-owned entity that did not retain any of the funds. To the extent this needs to be clarified in the fillings, our campaign treasurer will work with the SEEC to do so.

There was no further comment from Arora, who was first elected in a special election in January 2020 to fill the remainder of Fred Camillos term in the state House of Representatives and reelected to a full term in November.

The SEEC voted unanimously at its March 3 meeting to launch the investigation.

The complaint was filed by Lucy von Brachel, a member of the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee who said she was acting as an individual.

The complaint was filed against Arora and town residents John Salib and Maxwell Hawkins and also names former Connecticut Republican Party chair JR Romano as an additional respondent along with Warner Pyne III, treasurer of the state GOP.

Harry Arora showed a blatant disregard for the law by flouting those requirements for his own political gain, von Brachel said in a statement Thursday. His misuse of public funds gave him a financial advantage in two elections that should have had both candidates on an even playing field. Mr. Arora needs to be held accountable.

von Brachel called for Arora to respond to the allegations.

The SEECs investigation into this complaint will likely take some time, but the community deserves to hear from Mr. Arora now, she said. If he and his campaign knowingly violated state election laws, I would expect Mr. Arora to resign his seat in the state House. We need to know that our elected officials will put their communitys best interests ahead of their own self-interest.

Candidates participating in the CEP, which provides public money for political campaigns, cannot pay family members or businesses owned by family members, von Brachel said.

Her complaint alleges that the campaign made three payments to a business called RedStrat for consulting services, including mailers and digital marketing. She said the company was registered a month before Novembers election in the name of Nisha Arora, who is Harry Aroras wife, and said it has the same address on Greenwich Avenue as the Arora campaign office, which is also where Arora operates his business.

In addition to Nisha Arora, the complaint states that Jagjit Singh is a principal for RedStrat. The complaint speculates that Singh is a relative of Aroras with a business address listed as the same address the Aroras used for the campaign and a personal address in Stamford.

If Mr. Singh is a family member, this is also a violation of state regulations prohibiting CEP candidates from using grant funds to pay family members or entities owned by family members, the complaint states.

Arora did not offer comment on his relationship to Singh.

von Brachel is also alleging that the campaign committee reimbursed Nisha Arora $2,889 for expenses that appear to be services Mrs. Arora herself provided or for which secondary payees should have been reported. Under state law, candidates using the CEP program are not allowed to pay family members for services and must report any secondary payees.

Additionally, von Brachels complaint alleges that Arora benefited from $7,610 spent by the Connecticut Republican Party to support his candidacy in the special election in January 2020.

The filings indicate that these were coordinated expenditures for which reimbursement would be sought, von Brachel said. CEP-participating candidates cannot accept contributions like this, and there is no evidence that Mr. Aroras campaign reimbursed the state party.

Romano, then chair of the state GOP, did not return a request for comment. Pyne said that it was a mistake that has been corrected. He did not comment on any of the other allegations against Arora, just the one involving the state party.

It was a clerical error and we have already reached out to the SEEC on that, Pyne said on Friday. We are refiling. Its as simple as it can be.

Under state law, after receiving a CEP grant, a candidate and their treasurer cannot spend funds on personal use or personal expenses or make payments to the participating candidate or the participating candidates family members unless they are seeking reimbursement for a permissible expenditure for which he/she received authorization from the campaign treasurer to make such expenditure.

In those cases, the candidate or worker would provide the campaign treasurer with a receipt or other documentary evidence from the vendor proving payment.

Salib served as the treasurer for Aroras special election campaign in January 2020. Hawkins was treasurer for the campaign in the November general election.

Hawkins said he shared Aroras and Salibs response, which he said is the campaigns response to the complaint.

We have no issue working with the SEEC to resolve any complaints and look forward to resolving the matter, Hawkins said.

Salib added, I am confident all the expenses are legitimate, and we can provide all the necessary transparency the SEEC may require.

von Brachel said the complaint was not about partisan politics.

Candidates that accept public funding for their campaigns through the Citizens Election Program are rightly held to a high standard, she said in her statement. The program has helped remove special interest money from Connecticut political campaigns and gain the publics trust in our elections process. To violate this trust by ignoring the rules is not acceptable.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
As COVID-19 outbreaks ravaged workplaces, schools and communities last year, the number of federal workplace safety inspections declined sharply, according to a recent US Labor Department Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which monitors US workplace safety, carried out 50 percent fewer on-site inspections last year, despite a 15 percent increase in the number of complaints spurred by concerns over COVID-19.

In this April 9, 2020 file photo employees and family members protest outside a Smithfield Foods processing plant in Sioux Falls, S.D. The plant has had an outbreak of coronavirus cases according to Gov. Kristi Noem. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves File)

The OIG reported that between February 1, 2020, and October 26, 2020, OSHA received 23,447 complaints, compared to 20,391 during the same period in 2019. However, OSHA performed just over 13,000 inspections during that same timeframe, compared to 26,174 over the same period the previous year.

In understated, bureaucratic language, the report noted, Given the increase in complaints, OSHAs reduction in total inspections, and its significant reduction in onsite inspections, there is an increased risk that OSHA has not been providing the level of protection that workers need at various job sites.

The precipitous drop in inspections underscores the fraud of OSHAs purported role as a neutral overseer and guarantor of workplace safety. At a time when tens of thousands of meatpacking workers, health care workers, autoworkers, Amazon workers and others were being infected with COVID-19 through transmission in their workplaces, OSHA sharply reduced its already notoriously lax enforcement.

The response of OSHA to the findings by the OIG expressed the venal character of this agency. Brushing aside the mass death which took place over the past year, OSHA complacently declared, Since the beginning of the pandemic, OSHA has employed all inspection protocols available to support the mission of protecting worker safety and health.

The drop-off in inspections corresponded to a decline in citations and fines. During the same February to October period, OSHA issued less than 300 violations related to COVID-19. At the same time, state workplace safety agencies, operating under federal mandate in 21 states and Puerto Rico, issued about five times as many citations.

During the pandemic the oversight exercised by OSHA showed criminal indifference to the fate of workers. For example, it issued its COVID-19 Guidance for the Package Delivery Workforce, which contained tips [to] help reduce the risk of exposure. This included such insight as suggestions to Allow workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent them from spreading the virus and Discourage workers from using other workers tools and equipment.

Even where OSHA issues citations, the impact is negligible. The largest fine levied by OSHA so far during the pandemic was $13,494 against Smithfield Foods in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, even after 1,300 workers at the meatpacking plant had tested positive for the virus and four died.

Tyson Foods processing plant. (Image Credit: Tyson Foods Inc)

In the face of this atrocious record, which should surprise no one familiar with the enormous indulgence toward employers manifested by government oversight agencies, the Biden administration has made a token show of concern over worker safety.

On his second day in office, President Biden issued an executive order directing OSHA to produce updated safety guidelines for COVID-19. About a week later, OSHA issued new guidance on COVID-19 mitigation in the workplace. The new rules were in fact merely suggestions and do not carry the force of law. In any event, they differed little from what was in place under the Trump administration.

Biden also authorized OSHA to issue new emergency temporary standards (ETS) on COVID-19 if it feels these are needed, setting a March 15 deadline for such an order. Unlike the COVID-19 guidelines, an ETS has the force of law. But Biden merely suggested that an ETS might include such minimal and largely cosmetic rules such as a mask mandate.

It virtually goes without saying that a shutdown of in-person education and non-essential industries, critical to contain the spread of the virus under conditions of new deadly and contagious variants, will not be considered.

Even if OSHA issues an ETS, its impact will likely be minimal. The last successful ETS was issued in 1978. The courts invalidated an ETS issued in 1984 relating to asbestos exposure.

Predictably, the OIG findings concerning OSHA elicited a hypocritical response from various union officials, including Marc Perrone, international president of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, who said, OSHA was asleep at the switch.

In fact, the role of the unions during the COVID-19 pandemic has been no less criminal than that of OSHA. Not just asleep at the switch, the UFCW and other unions such as the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and United Auto Workers have sought to downplay the risks to workers on the job in the name of enforcing the back-to-work policy of the government and big business. This treachery includes the support by AFT President Randi Weingarten for the forced return to classrooms by teachers, despite massive opposition on the part of educators and parents and clear evidence that this will lead to a resurgence of cases.

For its part, the UFCW has not criticized the failure of the Biden administration to rescind the designation of the meatpacking industry as critical infrastructure by the Trump administration. The designation was used to force workers to continue in unsafe conditions as infections and deaths spread in food processing plants. According to the Food and Environmental Reporting Network, there have been at least 270 deaths in meatpacking plants, and over 56,000 meatpacking workers have so far tested positive for COVID-19.

OSHA was established in 1971 as a reformist gesture in the face of a rising tide of workers struggles. Never adequately funded, the agency has been under continuous attack since the Reagan years, as big business increasingly viewed workplace safety standards as an intolerable drain on profits.

According to the National Employment Law Project, there were just 862 federal OSHA inspectors as of January 1, 2020, compared with 1,006 in 2012. (About 25 states have OSHA-approved safety agencies that are staffed separately.) With this level of staffing, it would take OSHA 167 years to visit every worksite under its jurisdiction.

While nominally required to report all workplace-related deaths and injuries to OSHA within 24 hours, employers have universally sought to declare COVID-19 cases among workers unrelated to their jobs, claiming virtually all cases have been contracted off site. Companies have persisted in this even in the midst of well-documented and blatant workplace outbreaks.

In a further brutal manifestation of employer hostility to workers health, companies have been vigorously opposing workers compensation claims related to COVID-19.

Chicago attorney Jose Rivero filed more than 30 workers compensation claims on behalf of workers who say they contracted COVID-19 on the job, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. This included 10 cases where workers died, including one involving an employee at a meatpacking plant. All were rejected.

National data on workers comp claims are not available, but in Texas, according to the Journal, 45 percent of workers comp claims in which workers had a positive COVID-19 test result were denied through December 6, 2020. In California, which has a less stringent burden of proof, there were 93,470 claims related to workplace COVID-19 infection through the end of December, but 26 percent were denied.

Workers can place absolutely no confidence in OSHA, the Biden administration or the pro-company unions to protect their lives. The indifference to health and human life manifested at all levels of the government-corporate establishment underscores the importance of the initiative taken by workers with the support of the Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site to build rank-and-file safety committees at their workplaces. We encourage workers interested in joining or finding out more to contact us today.
MMA star Conor McGregor will not be fined for failing to wear a face mask in a Kildare shop - becauuse gardai have not received a formal complaint.

Gardai have said they have not received any reports of incidents in relation to the non-wearing of masks in a Gala store in Straffan in Co Kildare yesterday.

Conor McGregor was slammed on social media yesterday after he shared a video of himself buying a bottle of his own Proper 12 whisky in a Gala store in the Co Kildare town without wearing a mask.

The Notorious posted the clip on his Instagram page which shows him brandishing the bottle in the local shop in Straffan while asking staff on how well the whiskey has been selling.

He captions the post: "Shop Local."

Due to laws making the wearing of a mask mandatory in shops in Ireland, McGregor risks being fined 80 and could face a potential punishments of a further 1,000 fine or a months imprisonment

The 32-year-old former two-weight world champion has been slammed on social media for not following Covid rules.

"Ya selling number 12 and how's sales going," he asks a masked member of staff. "Is this the second last bottle," he adds after being told it's selling well.

He offers to buy it, adding his thanks and appreciation "as it means a lot to me to see the support."

He jokes about the price before asking for a receipt.

He then promises to get a display into the shop to help sales.

However, in the comments section not everyone is impressed.

"Where is you mask," asks one person.

Another adds: Show some respect and wear a mask FFs," adds another.

"You sure are a champ but you must wear your damn mask, man, adds another.

In response, to queries asking if Gardai had received any reports relating to an incident regarding non-wearing of masks in a store in Straffan in Co Kildare, specifically the Gala shop, they said: An Garda Siochana has not received any reports of incidents matching the below description at this time.

Gardai added: The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A  Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (Face coverings in certain premises and businesses) Regulations 2020, as amended, refer.

These regulations inter alia require that A responsible person shall take reasonable steps to engage with persons entering or in the relevant premises to inform them of the requirements of paragraph (1) and to promote compliance with those requirements. A member of An Garda Siochana is not a responsible person.

The COVID-19 Pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to all citizens to demonstrate personal and social responsibility to comply with Public Health Guidelines and Regulations, in particular essential journeys, in order to continue to save lives.
Creating one of the leading cannabis consumer packaged goods platforms in Canada



Integration already gaining traction with launch of soft chews in partnership with A1 Cannabis and Verse Cannabis

KELOWNA, BC, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - The Valens Company Inc. (TSX: VLNS) (OTCQX: VLNCF) (the "Company," "The Valens Company" or "Valens"), a leading manufacturer of cannabis products, is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of LYF Food Technologies Inc. ("LYF"). The cash and share transaction ("LYF Acquisition") totaled CDN$24.9 million payable on closing, plus approximately CDN$17.5 million in post-closing consideration subject to achieving certain earn-out EBITDA milestones. With this acquisition of LYF, Valens has accelerated its footprint in the edibles category, which is one of the fastest-growing segments of the Cannabis 2.0 and 3.0 markets.

Tyler Robson, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder and Chair of The Valens Company, said: "We are incredibly excited to officially welcome LYF to the Valens family, which will undoubtedly strengthen our manufacturing leadership position given their confectionary expertise and broad network of partners and retailers. The closing of the LYF acquisition, and the addition of their leading edibles platform, signifies the completion of a key milestone in our strategy to drive SKU growth in new product categories and maximize market share gains across the country. We have already begun diversifying our product offering with the launch of various soft chews manufactured in LYF's facility, and we have a strong pipeline of new innovative edible products we believe will increase both quality and variety in the existing edibles segment in Canada today."

Paolo Pero and Matthew Amado, Co-Founders of LYF, said: "We are ready to hit the ground running with the Valens team as a unified manufacturing force in the Canadian recreational market. Our shared passion for putting consumers at the forefront of product development, formulation and commercialization will be demonstrated as we begin rolling out various edible products that the Canadian market has never seen before."

With the addition of the LYF facility, the Company now has the capability to produce a wide range of edible products in various formats and dosages as part of its central platform. The added product development and manufacturing flexibility makes the platform easily adaptable to evolving consumer preferences and changing market regulations around edible products as Valens looks to expand both in Canada and globally. Additionally, Valens welcomes several new team members who have gained valuable experience working in the confectionary, commercial-scale food manufacturing and cannabis industries, and bring with them the knowledge to produce unique and expected higher-margin products such as honey, granola balls, baked goods, and various gourmet gummy and chocolate formats. Vegan, sugar-free and low-sugar formats are available and will be especially complementary to the development of Valens' health and wellness product suite.

In the first quarter of 2021, Valens and LYF launched edible products with shared partners A1 Cannabis Co. ("A1 Cannabis") and Verse Cannabis ("Verse"). In partnership with A1 Cannabis, LYF launched the Summit Wild Berry Soft Chews, made with real-fruit juice, no added colours or flavours and 5mg of THC per soft chew. Additionally, The Valens Company and Verse Cannabis launched Verse Soft Chews  a new line of edible formulations and unique flavors at a great value. The new product lineup includes Verse Baked Apple Soft Chews, infused with flavours of green apple and cinnamon offering a tart-meets-sweet flavour bite, and Verse Sour Medley Soft Chews, a variety pack of five sweet and sour flavours, including green apple, raspberry, watermelon, pineapple, and cherry. Each pouch contains five soft chews each with approximately 2mg of THC and formulated with Valens' premium cannabis distillate. The Verse Baked Apple Soft Chews are now available in Alberta and are expected to be available shortly in British Columbia and Ontario, while the Verse Sour Medley Soft Chews will be available in the coming weeks in Alberta and British Columbia.

The Valens Company expects to ramp up shipments of edible products to provincial retailers in the coming weeks, including existing SKUs such as Citizen Stash Strawberry Mac gummies from LYF's white label agreement with Experion Biotechnologies Inc. In the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company intends to launch an assortment of unique, consumer-driven edible products into the market.

At Valens, it's Personal.

About The Valens Company

The Valens Company is a leading manufacturer of cannabis derivative products with a mission to bring the benefits of cannabis to the world. The Company provides proprietary cannabis processing services across five core technologies, in addition to best-in-class product development, formulation and manufacturing of cannabis consumer packaged goods. The Valens Company's high-quality products are exclusively formulated for the medical, therapeutic, health and wellness, and recreational consumer segments, and are offered across numerous product formats, including oils, vapes, concentrates, edibles and topicals, as well as pre-rolls, with a focus on next-generation product development and innovation. Its breakthrough patented emulsification technology, SoRSE by Valens, converts cannabis oil into water-soluble emulsions for seamless integration into a variety of product formats, allowing for near-perfect dosing, stability, and taste. In partnership with brand houses, consumer packaged goods companies and licensed cannabis producers around the globe, the Company continues to grow its diverse product portfolio in alignment with evolving cannabis consumer preferences in key markets. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Valens Labs Ltd., the Company is setting the standard in cannabis testing and research and development with Canada's only ISO17025 accredited analytical services lab, named The Centre of Excellence in Plant-Based Science by partner and scientific world leader Thermo Fisher Scientific. Discover more on The Valens Company and its subsidiaries at http://www.thevalenscompany.com.

Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements

All information included in this press release, including any information as to the future financial or operating performance and other statements of The Valens Company that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are included for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects", "scheduled", "trends", "forecasts", "future", "indications", "potential", "estimates", "predicts", "anticipate", "to establish", "believe", "intend", "ability to", or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "should", "could", "would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of these words or other variations thereof, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all disclosure regarding future results of operations, future outcomes of transactions, economic conditions, and anticipated courses of action. Investors and other parties are advised that there is not necessarily any correlation between the number of SKUs manufactured and shipped and revenue and profit, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information.

The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others, Canadian regulatory risk, Australian regulatory risk, U.S. regulatory risk, U.S. border crossing and travel bans, the uncertainties, effects of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, reliance on licenses, expansion of facilities, competition, dependence on supply of cannabis and reliance on other key inputs, dependence on senior management and key personnel, general business risk and liability, regulation of the cannabis industry, change in laws, regulations and guidelines, compliance with laws, limited operating history, vulnerability to rising energy costs, unfavourable publicity or consumer perception, product liability, risks related to intellectual property, product recalls, difficulties with forecasts, management of growth and litigation, many of which are beyond the control of The Valens Company. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risks faced by The Valens Company, and which may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of The Valens Company to be materially different from estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, please refer to The Valens Company's latest Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com or on The Valens Company's website at www.thevalenscompany.com. The risks described in such Annual Information Form are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current beliefs and reasonable assumptions based upon information available to management as of the date hereof, The Valens Company cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. The Valens Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The Valens Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Nothing herein should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell securities of The Valens Company.

SOURCE The Valens Company Inc.

Related Links

https://thevalenscompany.com/


Mainstream historians have 'no doubts at all' about Jesus being a historical figure: scholar

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Secular mainstream historical academia has no doubts at all that Jesus of Nazareth was an actual historical figure, according to an Australian scholar and Anglican priest.

A recent episode of the Dallas Theological Seminary podcast The Table, posted to YouTube last week, focused on the question of the historicity of Jesus.

John Dickson, a religion historian who specializes in early Christianity and is the director of the Centre for Public Christianity in Australia, was one of two experts interviewed on the podcast.

Dickson commented that secular historical scholarship has no doubts at all about whether Jesus of Nazareth lived, citing multiple published examples to back up this claim.

You pick up the Oxford Classical Dictionary, which is just up there on my shelf here, 1,600 pages compendium of all things Greek and Roman, said Dickson.

You turn to the section on Christianity, and you will find several paragraphs that begin to just outline what we know of the historical Jesus, and zero doubt is raised. Zero doubt is raised about whether this figure really lived.

You could do it again with  volume 10 of The Cambridge Ancient History, he added. Turn to the section on the birth of Christianity and there are several pages written by a famous classicist about what we know of the historical Jesus. We could go on and on with this.

Dickson recounted to podcast host Mikel Del Rosario how, in 2014, he issued a public challenge that if any person could name one professor of classics, ancient history, or New Testament based in a secular university who argued Jesus never lived, he would eat a page from his Bible.

When I did that Twitter exploded, as it does for a little while, and people were throwing professor names at me, Dickson recalled, saying none of the professors named actually specialized in the three fields he mentioned.

I was talking about people who have actually got what we call in the British and Australian tradition, tenured professorship. And then there are thousands of them, right? It's not like this is too narrow. Thousands of these characters, who argues Jesus didn't live? Find me one. Well, they are still looking.

Darrell L. Bock, an author and scholar who is a professor at DTS, who was also part of the podcast episode, commented on the use of Josephus as a first century non-Christian historian who wrote about Jesus.

Bock defended using Josephus as evidence, acknowledging that some of his comments about Jesus were later doctored, but nevertheless some of the core elements of what the New Testament shows are there.

You strip [the doctored sentences] away, and you have what's left: a declaration that Jesus existed, that He did unusual works, that He is responsible for the origins of Christianity, said Bock.

The podcast episode was named after the 2019 book by John Dickson, titled, Is Jesus History?, which argued for the historical existence of Jesus of Nazareth and the significance of this issue today.

In this timely book, historian John Dickson unpacks how history works so that we have the tools to evaluate what we can confidently say about figures like Emperor Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, High Priest Caiaphas, and, of course, Jesus of Nazareth, read its Amazon description. He presents the evidence and the conclusions of the vast majority of scholars both Christian and not in this area. But more than that, he asks some more pertinent questions: If Jesus really did exist, was he who he claimed to be and if so, what does that mean for you today?

Some have argued that the evidence that Jesus of Nazareth was an actual historical figure is too scant, especially when not including the Gospel accounts of the Bible.

In a recent book, the French philosopher Michel Onfray talks of Jesus as a mere hypothesis, his existence as an idea rather than as a historical figure, wrote Simon Gathercole of the University of Cambridge in a 2017 piece for the Guardian.

Some authors have even argued that Jesus of Nazareth was doubly non-existent, contending that both Jesus and Nazareth are Christian inventions.

As with Bock and Dickson, Gathercole accepted the historicity of Jesus, adding that abundant historical references leave us with little reasonable doubt that Jesus lived and died.

The more interesting question  which goes beyond history and objective fact  is whether Jesus died and lived, he concluded.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
The Andean condor is the worlds largest soaring bird by combined measurement of weight and wingspan. Found in mountainous regions and adjacent Pacific coasts of western South America, the Andean condor, with an enormous 10-foot wingspan, can soar for up to five hours. Once aloft, these long-lived birds can cover up to 100 miles, soaring, without flapping their wings once.

In life, it is the wind of the Spirit of God that can give us power to soar. But those who wait for the LORD will receive new strength. They will lift up their wings and soar like eagles. They will run and not become weary. They will walk and not become tired. (Isaiah 40:31)

God can take a hopeless situation and do remarkable things if we obey, trust and believe. God will always bring about a greater good, when we have unwavering faith in Him and His sovereign plan, leading us in the right direction.

In the Bible, I read about the life of Joseph, which tells that the path to victory is not easy. Within the book of Genesis, it conveys the many trials Joseph endured. His brothers conspired against him, cast him into a pit, and then sold him for 20 pieces of silver to slave traders. And, subsequently, while a servant, false accusations resulted in Josephs imprisonment.

But God was always with him. And through his courage, fine character and reliance on God, Joseph surrendered himself to the Lords mighty hand. Joseph knew God had a plan for his life, thus, he persisted with faith and confidence, and went on to become viceroy over all of Egypt.

Everyone goes through difficulties. But the key words here are go through. You may go through adversity; nevertheless, your time of trouble shall pass. The tide will change, and you will prevail over tough situations. Remember, God is greater than the mountains you are climbing, the burdens youre carrying or the giants you have faced in your life.

Here is a little poem that a dear reader sent to me that I liked:

Your sorrows may linger,

throughout the night,

but suddenly vanish,

by dawns early light ....

Maybe you are undergoing a challenging circumstance, experiencing an unforeseen problem or are being unfairly treated. And perhaps you are asking yourself, How can I achieve my dreams now? Then, you could be declaring, Ill never overcome that obstacle, I dont have the ability or I have waited so long already.

We all struggle with areas of weakness, yet be assured when we follow Gods plan, He will give us the ability or means we lack to perform His will. Scripture says, The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27:1). Theres no limit to where God wants to take you. And He has placed within you and within your path, all of the resources you need to bring His plan to completion.

So, dont hold back and wait for conditions to be perfect. Pursue that dream today. Set high standards. Search for possibilities. Maintain an optimistic attitude. Sharpen your skills. Try another avenue. Seize that opportunity. Be persistent, with your head held high and heart humbled. Consider though, that Gods timing may not coincide with your timing. Still  His timing is always best. Therefore, be prepared, even though your dream may be delayed. For the day will come when God opens the door and you will need to be ready to walk through it.

Gods unlimited supply can come in the most unexpected ways to meet your needs. In a moment, you can go from a seemingly failure to great success, from sickness to complete health, from shortage to abundance. Trust God, praise Him and take the initiative. He will be with you as you take that first step. And keep walking with Him, regardless of what you may encounter. A reader wrote via email, Our God never fails to show us the way.

Take into account, in any endeavor there will be problems and setbacks. Possibly, you will encounter naysayers who unjustly criticize you, and now and then you may come across those who deliberately put obstacles in your way and try to tear you down. But let me ask you: Are you going to let cynics or unjust situations stop you from becoming all that God intended for you to be?

God will, by no means, allow His plans for us to be sabotaged by unfair obstructions, someone elses negativity, resentment or poor actions. So, let us be at peace and carry on in faith. Lets concentrate our thoughts positively in the proper channels; on the joy of this day, on our family, upon the good we aspire to do for others, and the ideas we desire to execute. We must radiate what we would like to attract. Our thoughts are powerful creative forces, and when positively directed, they are ready to accomplish their purpose.

God is grooming you for special work and is leading you to greater blessings and achievements. No matter where you are, who you are or what has happened in the past, never lose hold of your dreams.

Like the Andean condor, you have the power to soar to success, joy and achievement. Hence, take Gods hand, and one day, you will stand in wonder to see what a stunning victory He has made of your life, as He did with Joseph.

Email Catherine Galasso-Vigorito at cgv@anewyouworldwide.com. To order a copy of her new book, The Open Window, 8 Weeks to Creating an Extraordinary Life, visit www.anewyouworldwide.com or bookstores nationwide. Like me on Facebook! Follow Catherine on Instagram @Catherinegalassovigorito.
Study authors Evangelos Panos (left) and Tom Kober know: Electromobility will play an important role in the energy transition. Credit: Paul Scherrer Institute/Mahir Dzambegovic

Can Switzerland, as planned, cut its CO 2 emissions to zero by 2050? In a study, researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have investigated what measures would be necessary to achieve this reduction and how much it might cost per person.

In August 2019, the Swiss Federal Council decided on an ambitious target to limit climate change: From the year 2050 onward Switzerland should, on balance, discharge no further greenhouse gas emissions. With this commitment, Switzerland meets the internationally agreed goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 C compared to the pre-industrial era.

Now a study by the Paul Scherrer Institute, conducted within the Joint Activity "Scenarios and Modelling" of the eight Swiss Competence Centres for Energy Research (SCCER), probes what options for achieving this goal exist in the energy sector. "The goal of achieving net zero CO 2 emissions by 2050 requires drastic transformations in the provision and consumption of energy in nearly all areas," concludes Tom Kober, head of the PSI Energy Economics Group and one of the study's main authors.

In their analyses, the researchers considered energy-related CO 2 emissions as well as CO 2 emissions from industrial processes. Today these emissions represent around 80% of the entire Swiss greenhouse gas inventory. Not included in the study's calculations are emissions from international aviation, agriculturewith the exception of emissions from fuel combustionland use, changes in land use, and forestry, as well as wasteexcept for emissions from waste incineration. Also, emissions in other countries that are associated with consumption of goods in Switzerland were not a subject of the study.

Electricity from photovoltaics must at least double every decade

The central conclusions of the study are: Between now and 2050, the installed capacity of photovoltaic systems must at least double every decade. With 26 terawatt hours of production envisioned in 2050, photovoltaic systems will be the second largest generation technology group behind hydropower (approx. 38 terawatt hours in 2050). Furthermore, power plants with cogeneration of heat and power, as well as wind power plants, hydrogen fuel cells, and electricity imports, all contribute to meeting the demand for electricity. In the main scenario for achieving the net zero emissions target, overall electricity generation from power plants and storage facilities in Switzerland will increase by around one-fifth, to 83 terawatt hours in 2050. The study assumes that Swiss nuclear power plants will be decommissioned by 2045. The private car fleet would have to be largely based on electric motors by 2050, meaning that by 2030 every third new car registered would have to be fully electric. In addition, the use of heat pumps in service and living areas would have to be significantly accelerated, so that by 2050 they could cover almost three-quarters of the demand for heating and hot water. At the same time, it would be necessary to achieve significant energy savings through accelerated renovation of residential buildings.

If Switzerland wants to achieve the net zero emissions target, a significant increase in electricity consumption must be expected. Thus in 2050, electricity consumption might be around 20 terawatt hours above today's level. A fundamental driver of this growth is the use of electricity to power cars, buses, and trucks, either directly in battery-electric vehicles or indirectly through hydrogen or so-called e-fuelsthat is, synthetic fuels, which are produced by means of electricity from hydrogen and CO 2 . In the stationary sectors, the proliferation of installed heat pumps will increase consumption of electricity. If the necessary efficiency gains in heating and hot water supply are achieved, however, these could compensate for the increased electricity consumption. The study results show that stationary sectors could achieve an almost constant level of electricity consumption.

Besides electrical energy, other forms of energy will play a role. For example, long-distance and freight transport as well as energy-intensive industry offer prospects for new hydrogen applications. To produce such low or zero emission hydrogen requires a substantial amount of sustainably generated electricity would be necessary9 terawatt hours in 2050.

It probably won't work without CO 2 capture

"If Switzerland wants to achieve the zero emissions target by 2050, then in the future CO 2 emissions will have to be reduced every year by an average of one to one and a half million tons compared to the previous year," says Evangelos Panos, lead author of the study. "We saw changes in CO 2 emissions of this magnitude between 1950 and 1980albeit in the opposite directionback then they increased massively." Though it has limitations, CO 2 capture was shown to be necessary to implement the emissions reduction cost-effectively. In some subsectors, it might even be possible to reach a negative balance in terms of CO 2 emissions. This would be the case, for example, if biomass is used as an energy source and the CO 2 produced during energy generation is not emitted, but rather is captured and stored underground. In the event that this should not be possible in Switzerlandfor example due to rejection by the population or because of limited sites for CO 2 storagecross-national transport of captured CO 2 and storage in other countries could offer aa alternative. In their study the researchers assume, for the year 2050, a total of almost 9 million tons of CO 2 would be captured in Switzerland.

"More than two-thirds of the emission reductions required for the net zero emissions target can be achieved with technologies that are already commercially available or are in the demonstration phase," Panos explains. The decarbonised energy system of the future is achievable but would require carbon-free energy sources, for example appropriately generated electricity, biofuels and e-fuels, access to the corresponding transport and distribution infrastructures, and the possibility of importing clean fuels and electricity.

Costs are hard to estimate

With regard to costs, the energy system researchers are cautious. "The costs are very difficult to estimate, because an enormous number of components play a role," Kober says. In the net zero main scenario assumed in the study, the average discounted additional costs of the climate protection scenario compared to the reference scenario with moderate climate protection (40% CO 2 reduction in 2050 compared to 1990) in Switzerland would amount to around 330 CHF per person per year (basis 2010) for the period up to 2050. Looking at all of the scenarios examined, one can see a range of average costs between 200 and 860 CHF2010 per person per year, which ultimately reflects different developments in energy technologies, resource availability, and market integration, in the acceptance of technologies, and in preferences regarding supply security. The trend in costs shows, above all, a long-term increase, so comparatively high costs can also be expected after 2050.

The study is based on calculations made with the Swiss TIMES Energy System Model (STEM) of PSI, which maps the entire energy system of Switzerland including the various interactions between technologies and sectors. STEM combines a long-term time horizon with high intra-year temporal resolution and calculates, for various future framework assumptions, the cost-minimal configurations of the energy system and the attainment of different energy and climate policy goals. The model was significantly further developed as part of this research project, especially with regard to the options for realizing net zero CO 2 emissions scenarios. The model is used to calculate scenarios, not to make predictions, but rather give insights into the diverse interactions in the energy system and thus to make a contribution to decision-making support in politics, industry, and society. Specifically, three main scenarios were examined in this study: A reference scenario, a net zero CO 2 emissions reduction scenario, and a scenario that assumes the goals of the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050 without explicitly specifying a CO 2 reduction target. In addition, seven different variants of the main scenarios were analyzed, such as one variant with high technological innovation potential and another variant oriented towards reducing dependence on energy imports.

Explore further The energy system of the future and Power-to-X

More information: Long-Term Energy Transformation Pathways  Integrated Scenario Analysis with the Swiss TIMES Energy systems Model; Report of the Joint Activity Scenarios and Modelling of the Swiss Competence Centers for Energy Research. Long-Term Energy Transformation Pathways  Integrated Scenario Analysis with the Swiss TIMES Energy systems Model; Report of the Joint Activity Scenarios and Modelling of the Swiss Competence Centers for Energy Research. sccer-jasm.ch/JASMpapers/JASM_results_stem.pdf
World food prices continued to climb for the ninth consecutive month in February, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported Thursday.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the global prices of food commodities, rose 2.4 percent higher in February from the previous month, and 26.5 percent higher from a year ago. The overall index is at its highest level since July 2014, led by big gains in prices for vegetable oil and sugar.

The cereal price index rose an average 1.2-percent from January. Sorghum prices rose the most in February, climbing 17.4 percent during the month and up 82.1 percent over last year. FAO said the biggest factor behind the rise was strong demand from China.

Corn prices rose just 0.9 percent in February but were still up 45.5 percent from the previous year. Wheat prices were stable in February, FAO said.

The dairy price index climbed 1.7 percent for the month, pushed by limited supply from Europe and higher imports from China.

The meat price index saw the smallest gain for the month, rising 0.6 percent, remaining 4.0 percent below its level from a year earlier.

Vegetable oil and sugar were the big movers in the index.

FAO said vegetable oil price index gained 6.2 percent for the month fueled by speculation over falling supplies. The most pressure came from rapeseed and sunflower seed oils, pushed by supply worries from Europe and South America. With the latest gains, prices reached their highest point since April 2012.

Sugar, meanwhile, gained 6.4 percent to its highest levels since April 2017. Greater demand from Asian countries combined with continued supply worries -- especially from Brazil, which is using more of its sugar crop to produce ethanol. But the gains were tempered by expected increases in production from Thailand and India, FAO said.

The monthly FAO Food Price Index is based on worldwide prices for 23 food commodity categories covering prices for 73 different products compared to a baseline year. The next index is scheduled for release on April 8, 2021.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- You might want to double-check the brand next time youre shopping for baby food.

In February, the U.S. House of Representatives released a new report detailing dangerous levels of heavy metals -- like arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury -- found in popular baby food products.

The Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization have declared them [the heavy metals] dangerous to human health, particularly to babies and children, who are most vulnerable to their neurotoxic effects. Even low levels of exposure can cause serious and often irreversible damage to brain development, according to the report.

Earlier this month, a Staten Island mom sued five of the companies that appeared on the reports list.

Michelle Walls filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Eastern District of New York against Beech-Nut, Hain, Nurture, Gerber and Campbell after the findings of the report claimed that they were producing foods with high levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, the complaint indicated.

The new report, commissioned in response to a 2019 study that found heavy metals in 95% of popular U.S. baby food products, analyzed internal documents and test results from some of the countrys largest baby food manufacturers to determine whether unsafe levels of these heavy metals were, in fact, present in their products.

High concentrations of these heavy metals have been found to have serious detrimental effects on a childs development.

Exposure to toxic heavy metals causes permanent decreases in IQ, diminished future economic productivity, and increased risk of future criminal and antisocial behavior in children. Toxic heavy metals endanger infant neurological development and long-term brain function, according to the report.

In total, the House requested documents from seven companies, though just four agreed to provide the information: Nurture, Beech-Nut, Hain and Gerber.

Meanwhile, Walmart, Campbell and Sprout Organic Foods refused to provide the requested documents, prompting additional concerns.

The Subcommittee is greatly concerned that their lack of cooperation might be obscuring the presence of even higher levels of toxic heavy metals in their baby food products than their competitors products, according to the report.

In reviewing documents from the four companies that willingly provided them, researchers determined that various baby food products far exceeded the maximum allowances for these heavy metals.

The Food and Drug Administration has set the maximum allowable levels in bottled water at 10 parts-per-billion (ppb) inorganic arsenic, 5 ppb lead, and 5 ppb cadmium, and the Environmental Protection Agency has capped the allowable level of mercury in drinking water at 2 ppb, according to the report.

The test results of baby foods and their ingredients eclipse those levels: including results up to 91 times the arsenic level, up to 177 times the lead level, up to 69 times the cadmium level, and up to 5 times the mercury level, the report continued.

ARSENIC

In regard to inorganic arsenic, all four responding companies were found to have sold baby food products with concentrations well above the FDAs maximum allowance of 10 ppb, according to the report.

Nurture, manufacturer of the brand HappyBABY, regularly sold products with 60 ppb inorganic arsenic, six times the maximum allowance. In some cases, products contained as much as 180 ppb arsenic.

Gerber was found to use ingredients, such as rice flour, that tested as high as 90 ppb arsenic.

Hain, manufacturer of the brand Earths Best Organic, was found to have sold finished products with arsenic levels as high as 129 ppb, while using ingredients that tested as high as 309 ppb.

Beech-Nut was found to be the most egregious offender in regards to arsenic, with some ingredients testing as high as 913.4 ppb arsenic, more than 91x the maximum allowance.

LEAD

In regard to lead, all four companies were found to have used ingredients exceeding the FDAs maximum allowance of 5 ppb, according to the report.

Gerber was found to use multiple ingredients exceeding 20 ppb lead, with some reaching up to 48 ppb.

Nearly 20% of all Nurture products contained over 10 ppb lead, more than twice the limit, with some testing as high as 641 ppb.

Hain was found to have used 88 different ingredients that exceeded 20 ppb lead, with some showing concentrations as high as 352 ppb.

Again Beech-Nut was found to be the greatest offender, using hundreds of ingredients that exceeded the maximum allowance, in some cases reaching as high as 886.9 ppb lead, approximately 177x the maximum allowance.

CADMIUM

In regard to cadmium, all four companies were found to be selling finished products exceeding the FDAs maximum allowance of 5 ppb, according to the report.

Researchers found that 65% of Nurtures finished baby food products exceeded the maximum cadmium allowance.

For Gerber, 75% of carrots sold by the company were found to exceed the 5 ppb cadmium limit, with some showing concentrations as high as 87 ppb.

However, Hain and Beech-Nut were found to be the main culprits, each using over 100 ingredients that exceeded 20 ppb cadmium, more than four times the limit.

For Hain, some ingredients tested as high as 260 ppb cadmium, while Beech-Nut saw results as high as 344.55 ppb.

MERCURY

In regard to mercury, the heavy metal was detected in the only company that actually tested for it, according to the report.

Nurture was found to have sold baby products with mercury levels exceeding 10 ppb, more than five times the maximum allowance.

Meanwhile, Beech-Nut and Hain dont even test for mercury in their products, and Gerber tests for the metal too infrequently to provide meaningful data.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The report included a host of recommendations made by the Houses Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy designed to ensure that baby food manufacturers do not continue to include these dangerous substances in their products.

Baby food manufacturers hold a special position of public trust. Consumers believe that they would not sell products that are unsafe. Consumers also believe that the federal government would not knowingly permit the sale of unsafe baby food, according to the report.

The report recommended a universal FDA standard for the amount of toxic metals that are permissible within baby foods and called for mandatory testing of all finished products, not just testing of ingredients, as is currently required.

Additionally, lawmakers recommend that the FDA require all companies to clearly label any food products that may contain elevated levels of heavy metals.

These companies are encouraged to voluntarily phase out the use of ingredients found to have high concentrations of the dangerous metals and find safer substitutes that dont put youngest Americans at risk.

STATEN ISLAND MOMS LAWSUIT

Walls had been almost exclusively feeding her son, identified in court documents as N.W., with baby products from the five companies she is suing from July 2020 to February 2021 as she believed that Defendants baby foods were safe, according to the complaint.

Walls is a dedicated and loving mother who places a premium on ensuring her son is healthy, and consumes food that will keep him healthy, growing, and developing, states the complaint.

Walls, however, began to grow concerned as her son was not hitting certain developmental benchmarks, including but not limited to: walking, imitating others, verbalization, and pointing. N.W. also has outbursts where he wildly thrashes, according to the complaint.

She had no reason to believe the organic baby food products she had been purchasing from Defendants could be the cause, having paid a premium to buy baby food she believed to be safer and healthier than their competitors, her lawyer wrote.

On Feb. 11, Walls asked her sons doctors to run a heavy metals blood tests, which would detect levels of the Toxic Heavy Metals in his blood.

Walls is also arranging for [her son] to receive early intervention special education services, as she tries to understand what [he] will need as far as educational, social, and medical services in order to help close the gaps of his developmental delays, and any other delays or conditions that may arise as a result of his consumption of elevated levels of Toxic Heavy Metals in the Tainted Baby Food Products, according to the complaint.

The complaint went on to allege that the companies conducted false advertising because despite the disturbing results of these product and ingredient tests for Defendants baby food products, Defendants published advertisements, communications, and product labeling that present the Tainted Baby Food Products as healthy, safe, suitable for babies, and that they help in childrens development.

Walls is currently the only plaintiff, but the lawsuit has been filed with the possibility of making it a class action lawsuit on behalf of all others similarly situated.

Were continuing to hear from more concerned parents, that plaintiff Michelle Walls experience is not unique, and were looking forward to having our claims heard before the Court, Christopher Leung, who is representing Walls, said in a statement to the Advance/SILive.com. These defendant baby food companies hold a position of trust with parents and infants alike, and they must ensure that their products are safe.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2021 - 04:18 | World, All, Coronavirus

Cambodia, host of the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting scheduled for early June, has postponed the political forum's biennial summit until later this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

"The retreat unanimously supported Cambodia to reschedule ASEM13 to the last quarter of 2021 due to the unabated risks posed by COVID-19," the ministry said in a statement.

Cambodia proposed that the date be either late October or early November.

"The postponement is to ensure not only the safety of ASEM leaders attending the summit but also their meaningful interactions as well as a frank and constructive exchange of views on regional and global issues of common interest that can only be done in a physical setting," the statement said.

The summit was initially slated to be held in November 2020, but Cambodia decided last July to postpone it until this spring due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

ASEM brings together 51 countries from across Europe and Asia -- 30 from Europe and 21 from Asia -- which collectively account for 60 percent of the global population as well as the same percentage of the global economy and international trade.

The United States is not a member of the framework. The last biennial ASEM summit took place in Brussels in October 2018, with leaders from Japan, China and Russia taking part.
Late Late Toy Show hero Adam King has raised 250,000 through his A Hug for You Valentines cards, he confirmed in a special appearance on the Late Late Show.

Adam was joined on tonights show by Toy Show co-star Saoirse Ruane and teenage songwriter Michael Moloney as they celebrated the whopping 6.6m raised for charity through the shows appeal for donations.

Saoirse shared with Ryan how she has learned to cycle her bike again after her amputation operation and showed off her unicorn design on her prosthetic leg. She also told the host she wants to record an album of songs.

Since 6-year-old Adam King stole the nations hearts when he appeared on the Late Late Toy Show last year, he has spread further cheer across Ireland with his very special A Hug for You card.

Read More

With his special rabbit friend Bubby in one hand and a A Hug for You card in the other, Adam told Ryan Tubridy how he met Astronaut Chris Hadfield over Zoom and he still intends to be a CAPCOM (an astronaut on the ground communicating with colleagues in space).

Hearing what his efforts have achieved, six-year-old Adam King was thrilled and said: It makes me really happy to raise so much money for the hospitals. I love going to CUH and Temple Street. Everyone one there is so kind, and I have lots of friends there

Adam teamed up with Irish company Garlanna Cards to produce his cards and bring them to SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide to raise much needed funds for Cork University Hospital Charity and Childrens Health Foundation Temple Street.

Expand Close Saoirse Ruane (9) with her mum Roseanna on the set of The Late Late Show (Photo: Andres Poveda) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Saoirse Ruane (9) with her mum Roseanna on the set of The Late Late Show (Photo: Andres Poveda)

Speaking about the success and importance of the campaign, David King, Adams father said: On behalf of our family, Fiona and I would like to express our deepest thanks to everyone who went out and bought a virtual hug card, as part of the Valentines Day initiative for the hospitals.

Both these charities are very close to our hearts, and for a long time we have wanted to do something for them for a long time. They have supported Adam since the moment he opened his eyes and will continue to do so throughout his life.

Both hospitals are like a second family to us all and the amount of money raised is just such a clear sign of how much support there is out there for Adams message and the work of the hospitals.

Everyone involved in driving this campaign is a real hero, everyones work has been a real testament to the value of choosing Irish, investing in Irish and supporting Irish companies.

Expand Close Saoirse Ruane (9) with her mum Roseanna on the set of The Late Late Show (Photo: Andres Poveda) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Saoirse Ruane (9) with her mum Roseanna on the set of The Late Late Show (Photo: Andres Poveda)

Reacting to the announcement, Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Childrens Health Foundation commented, On behalf of all the children, families and staff in CHI at Temple Street and all of us in Childrens Health Foundation, wed like to send our virtual hugs and thanks to Adam and his family for their incredible support with Adams Virtual Hug Valentines card fundraiser.

Adams beautiful drawing is the magic we all need at the moment and his virtual hug cards have touched the hearts of the entire nation and brought joy and smiles to so many who have sent and received it.

Adams father was delighted to announce that Adams cards will continue to sell in stores around the country. The proceeds of the cards will go towards funding Adams complex medical needs while the Kings will also continue to support charities going forward, with a percentage of sales being set aside from each card.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 4, 2021 / The Limestone Boat Company Limited (TSXV:LLO) (formerly LL One Inc.) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. David Grandin has been appointed to the board of directors of the Company (the "Board").

Mr. Grandin has over 20 years of experience building teams and growing businesses. Mr. Grandin has founded four companies and combines a strong entrepreneurial skill set with an extensive background in software and integrated system development, digital media solutions and sports-related technology. Mr. Grandin has a Bachelor's of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA in High Technology from Northeastern University.

The Company is also pleased to announce that, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), it has entered into a consulting agreement with Venture North Capital Inc. ("Venture North") to provide strategic marketing, investor relations and business consulting services. Venture North is a Toronto based capital markets consulting firm specializing in executing strategic investor outreach campaigns.

The agreement with Venture North has an initial term of 3-months and, if renewed, will be automatically renewed for 3-month terms until such time as it is terminated on 60 days' notice. Pursuant to the terms of the consulting agreement, the Company will pay a monthly cash fee and has agreed to issue 400,000 options to purchase common shares in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares"), with an exercise price at $0.30. Of the options issued to Venture North, 100,000 vest immediately and an additional 100,000 options will vest on each of September 1, 2021, March 1, 2022, and September 1, 2022.

Additionally, the Company announces the Board has approved the grant of 1,000,000 options to purchase Common Shares to certain directors. The options have an exercise price of $0.30 and expire in 5 years, with 25% vesting on issuance, and an additional 25% vesting on each of September 1, 2021, March 1, 2022 and September 1, 2022. The grant of options is subject to Exchange approval.

Early Warning Requirements - Taylor Hanson

Taylor Hanson announces his intention to file an early warning report in accordance with Multilateral Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids and National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issuers for securities of the Company.

Mr. Hanson intends to file an early warning report in connection with the acquisition of 10,000,000 Common Shares in connection with the Qualifying Transaction. Mr. Hanson is the Chief Operating Officer of the Company.

Immediately prior to the closing of the Qualifying Transaction, Mr. Hanson did not, directly or indirectly, hold any shares of the Company. Immediately following the closing of the Qualifying Transaction, Mr. Hanson holds, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 10,000,000 Common Shares (representing 10.21% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares).

The Common Shares held by Mr. Hanson, directly or indirectly, are subject to an applicable Exchange escrow time based release schedule, as more particularly described in the Filing Statement.

In accordance with applicable securities laws, Mr. Hanson may, from time to time and at any time, acquire additional Common Shares and/or other equity, debt or other securities or instruments (collectively, "Securities") of the Company in the open market or otherwise, and reserves the right to dispose of any or all of his Securities in the open market or otherwise at any time and from time to time, and to engage in similar transactions with respect to the Securities, the whole depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of the Company and other relevant factors, subject to applicable escrow restrictions. A copy of the early warning report will be filed by Mr. Hanson in connection with the Qualifying Transaction and will be available on SEDAR under the Company's profile.

About Limestone

The Limestone Boat Company Limited is a North American designer and manufacturer of recreational and commercial powerboats. Limestone is a heritage brand with a 35-year legacy, renowned for its timeless design, big water performance, quality manufacturing and durability. Crafted in a centrally-located manufacturing facility in Tennessee, Limestone features an evolved and expanded product line that will appeal to a growing number of boaters coast to coast. The Company's head office is located at 65 A Hurontario St., Collingwood, Ontario L9Y 2L7.

For more information, contact:

Investor Relations

Bill Mitoulas

800-720-2395

bill@limestoneboats.com

Website: limestoneboats.com

Cautionary Statements

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) has in any way passed upon the merits of the contents of this press release and neither of the foregoing entities accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release or has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the parties' current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the parties are not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

SOURCE: The Limestone Boat Company Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/633626/Limestone-Announces-Appointment-of-Director-Engagement-of-Investor-Relations-Firm-and-Grant-of-Options
Wyoming State Lawmaker to Challenge Rep. Liz Cheney in 2022 GOP Primary

A Wyoming state lawmaker announced he will challenge Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), the No. 3 Republican in the House, during the 2022 GOP primary for her seat.

Wyoming state Rep. Chuck Gray, a Republican, made the announcement on social media.

Its time for a leader who actually listens to the hard-working people of Wyoming, and not to the D.C elitists, he wrote in a tweet. Join me on my journey as I seek the Republican nomination for the United States Congress.

In his announcement, Gray criticized Cheney after she joined House Democrats in impeaching former President Donald Trump in January. Following her vote, several Republican lawmakers, Trump surrogates, and the former president himself suggested she be primaried.

It is abundantly clear to those of us who actually live in Wyoming that Liz Cheney views her positions as nothing more than a stepping stone, and were just supposed to go along with it. Well, not anymore. Wyoming agrees with President Trump  it is time to get rid of Liz Cheney, Gray said in a statement. My proven record of leadership for the people of Wyoming is the polar opposite of hers, and it is why I am proud to announce my intent to seek the Republican Partys nomination to serve the citizens of Wyoming in the United States House of Representatives.

Gray, meanwhile, has called for either her resignation or her to be censured.

Cheney said on Jan. 12 that she voted to impeach Trump because he allegedly summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack on Jan. 6 during the Joint Session of Congress. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the President.

In remarks to reporters last month, Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, clashed with House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) about Trumps status in the Republican Party. While McCarthy said Trump should give remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Cheney disagreed, saying, I dont believe that he should be playing a role in the future of the party or the country.

Trump, during his Sunday speech, named all the Republicans who either voted to impeach or convict him, ending with Cheney. Hopefully theyll get rid of her, he said. Get rid of them all.

I will be actively working to elect strong, tough, and smart Republican leaders, Trump declared. RINOs will destroy the Republican Party  and the American workers, he also told the crowd, using the acronym for Republicans in Name Only, a pejorative used for Republican elected officials who are believed to govern and legislate like Democrats.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Cheneys office for comment.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Italy's health minister announced Friday that another region would be subject to lockdown measures due to worsening pandemic numbers fuelled by the spread of more contagious coronavirus variants.

The new clampdown came after the ISS health institute said the R numberwhich measures the rate at which the virus is spreadinghad risen above one, to 1.06, for the first time in seven weeks.

As of Monday, the southern region of Campania, which includes Naples, will be classified as a "red" zone, joining the regions of Basilicata and Molise in the highest-risk level, announced Health Minister Roberto Speranza.

In red zones, bars and restaurants are closed as well as all schools including nurseries and museums.

Two other regions, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto were to become medium-risk "orange" zones, from their earlier "yellow" category.

Sardinia remains the sole low-risk "white" region.

On Thursday the GIMBE health think tank warned that Italy had entered the third wave of the coronavirus, as it reported a sharp increase in infection numbers.

In the February 24-March 2 period coronavirus cases rose by a third from the previous week to more than 123,000, the highest figure since early December, GIMBE said.

The jump has coincided with the spread of the so-called British variant of the coronavirus, which has become "overwhelmingly dominant", ISS President Silvio Brusaferro said.

But the other variants, the so-called Brazilian, South African and others are also worrying, he added.

Italy's new Prime Minister Mario Draghi, sworn in last month, has promised to use "all means" to fight a pandemic that has killed almost 100,000 people, starting with a faster rollout of vaccines.

To date, Italy has administered around five million doses and fully vaccinated 1.56 million people, out of a total population of some 60 million, the health ministry said Friday.

"We need to get to 300,000 doses administered per day" from current levels of around 180,000, a top health ministry official, Giovanni Rezza, told reporters.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
The Permian Basin Coalition of Land and Royalty Owners and Operators released an official statement in response to Texas State Representative Brooks Landgraf's filing of HB 2692. The bill seeks to ban the storage and disposal of high-level nuclear waste in Texas.

"The Permian Basin Land and Royalty Owners and Operators, together with Fasken Oil and Ranch, Ltd. (the Coalition), are encouraged by the filing of State Representative Brooks Landgrafs HB 2692 that ultimately seeks to ban the storage and disposal of high-level nuclear waste (HLW) away from civilian nuclear power plants or university research reactors in Texas.

As written, the ban applies solely to the holder of a license to store low-level waste. While this is a start, the Coalition believes it does not go far enough. The Coalition is seeking a total ban that prohibits the transport and storage of anything greater than Class C waste in Texas. What we are seeking is an effective and valid ban on the practice, not a ban on a particular person or entity, said Monica Perales, the attorney for the Coalition. As written, the bill only applies to Waste Control Specialists (WCS), or any holder of a low-level license. It just doesnt go far enough to protect the people of Texas.

The Coalition goes on to report that, as filed, the bill proposes to eliminate fees paid to the State of Texas and Andrews County which may alter conformity with original legislative intent. It also eliminates contractual requirements when discussing disposal with waste generators such as language that requires negotiating in good faith, conforming with applicable antitrust statues and requirements that negotiations be nondiscriminatory.

The Coalition is looking forward to working with Rep. Landgraf to ensure that a state-wide ban on the consolidated storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and other high-level waste from reactors around the country will stand as a bulwark against the end-run the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is making around the federal laws governing this activity.

The proposed massive, national-level facility would transport and store up to 40,000 metric tons of high-level nuclear waste in Andrews, Texas under an initial 40-year license in eight phases.

Our Coalition agrees with Governor Abbott, who argued the wastes storage could imperil oil and gas production in the Permian Basin  one of the worlds largest oilfields that straddles the Texas-New Mexico border.

The Coalition remains optimistic that a bill that focuses on the actual practice and not on particular persons will send a final and unmistakable message to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that both the Governor and Legislature of Texas are united in their determination that the NRCs federal overreach will not be tolerated.

We also remain confident that the additional provisions in HB2692 removing numerous barriers to a successful and profitable enterprise at the Texas Compact Waste Facility in Andrews, County will allow the operator of that facility to refocus their efforts on the low level radioactive waste disposal business that the Permian Basin communities have supported in the past and stop the pursuit of activities that would imperil the core enterprises that are the lifeblood of the families and businesses in the Permian Basin."
After crossing the grim milestone of 250,000 deaths and 10 million COVID-19 cases last week, Brazil has faced a sharp escalation of the pandemic in recent days.

This week, the country has seen two record death tolls in a row, with a total of 1,726 on Tuesday, and 1,840 on Wednesday. As another 1,699 deaths were registered on Thursday, the death toll in Brazil reached 260,970. The country also recorded the highest number of new infections in the world on Wednesday, 74,376 in total, which was even larger on Thursday, surpassing 75,000.

Bolsonaro speaking at a meeting with members of the Industrial Federation of Sao Paulo (FIESP), Friday, July 3. (Credit: Marcos Correa/ Planalto)

As Brazil rapidly emerges as the world epicenter of the pandemic, the countrys ruling class and all its political parties are clashing ever more directly with the scientific prescriptions for combating the coronavirus.

Major Brazilian scientific authorities point to the catastrophic risks posed by the rampant growth of the virus in Brazil, not only to the countrys population, but to all of humanity. In an article published by in the Guardian on Wednesday, neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis described Brazil as an open-air laboratory for the virus to proliferate and eventually create more lethal mutations. He added: This is about the world. Its global.

This open-air laboratory for the ruling class anti-scientific policy of herd immunity has already been responsible for the creation of a dangerous mutation of the coronavirus in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. A new study published in the scientific journal The Lancet suggests that this Brazilian variant, known as P.1, might escape from neutralizing antibodies induced by an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, as is the case with the main vaccine being distributed in Brazil, Coronavac. The study also indicates that the new strain is able to escape from responses generated by prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, and thus, reinfection may be plausible.

In another interview, conducted by El Pais just hours before the report of Wednesdays record deaths, Nicolelis made a serious warning: The possibility of crossing 2,000 daily deaths in the coming days is absolutely real. The possibility of crossing 3,000 deaths daily in the next few weeks is now real. If you have 2,000 deaths per day in 90 days, or 3,000 deaths in 90 days, we are talking about 180,000 to 270,000 people killed in three months. We would double the number of deaths. Thats already a genocide, its just that no one has used the term yet. Faced with this prognosis, Nicolelis argues that we need to enact lockdowns of at least 21 days and pay financial aid so that people stay home.

The most open enemy of this policy is Brazils fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro, who since May of last year has decreed a war on lockdowns. Responding to the soaring death toll of the last week, Bolsonaro denounced the spread of panic over the pandemic. The problem is there, we are sorry. But you cannot live in panic, he told his supporters and the far-right press on Wednesday. As far as Im concerned, we will never have a lockdown. Never, he added.

Expressing his intention to smash any policy of social isolation that is implemented in Brazil, the president tweeted on Thursday: ESSENTIAL ACTIVITY IS EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR A HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD TO BRING BREAD INSIDE HIS HOME! The true meaning of this grotesque statement is: essential activity is everything necessary for the financial oligarchy to pour exorbitant profits into their accounts!

Although Bolsonaro expresses it most nakedly, the policy of social murder is being widely adopted by governments all over Brazil. In an article entitled Catarinenses are being sent to death row in the name of the economy, journalist Dagmara Spautz of NSC Total compared the situation in Santa Catarina, one of the most severe in the country, to the health care collapse in Bergamo, Italy, in March of last year:

There are no army trucks carrying our dead. But we have an army of people circulating from Monday to Friday, with few restrictions and high risk of infection. Meanwhile, the waiting line for ICU beds has already reached 260 people. ...

Just as in Italy, the corporate organizations in Santa Catarina repudiate the lockdown, pointed out by experts as the most effective way to reduce the pressure on the health system. The manifestos came from commerce, transportation and even industry, which has never stopped in Santa Catarina. ...

Without political representation and without a voice, Santa Catarina citizens are being sent to death row. Silenced by shortness of breath, many will never return home. Later, as the Italian example shows, perhaps only apologies will be sent.

This socially sensitive analysis is rare in the media, but provides an extremely accurate portrayal of what is happening throughout Brazil. In Sao Paulo, the state hardest hit by COVID-19, which on Monday reported a record 468 deaths in a single day, Governor Joao Doria of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB) has adopted a policy that differs only superficially from that of Bolsonaro.

Despite stating on Wednesday that Sao Paulo is on the verge of a health care collapse and that urgent, collective measures are needed, the governor decreed a partial closure of activities that permits, for example, the operation of churches and religious temples. And, most importantly, he doesnt back down an inch from his criminal policy of reopening the largest school district in Brazil.

Secretary of Education of Sao Paulo Rossieli Soares, a fanatical defender of school reopenings, declared this week that schools should be available to those who need them most. Questioned by O Estado de Sao Paulo about to whom he is referring as those most in need, he replied: It is the family that will decide. If the family wants it, the school will have to offer it.

Nor are there any essential political differences posed by the governments of the self-declared left opposition to Bolsonaro, headed by the Workers Party (PT). Until last week, the aforementioned neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis held the position of coordinator of the scientific committee to fight the pandemic of the Northeast Consortium. Of the nine governments that constitute the Consortium, four are run by the PT, two by the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) and one by the Maoist Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB).

Without openly criticizing these governments, Nicolelis departure from the Consortiums scientific committee laid bare the immense chasm between the capitalist policies that they have adopted and the determinations of science. This was made even more explicit by the measures taken by them this week in face of the advance of COVID-19.

The governor of Piaui and also president of the Northeast Consortium, Wellington Dias of the PT, announced this week that he will maintain restrictive measures until March 15. Wednesdays epidemiological bulletin of the state health secretariat indicated a 71 percent rise in the moving average of deaths. Like the PSDB in Sao Paulo, Dias defended the reopening of classrooms in the state: We kept the schools open because we noticed that the number of infections happening in schools was considered low and this means that the protocols were followed.

A similar attitude was taken by the governor of Ceara, Camilo Santana of the PT, in a state that in February registered the highest number of COVID-19 deaths since August last year, 573 in total. Rephrasing a school closure decree from February 17, the Ceara government has defined the operation of schools for children up to the age of three as an essential activitywith the clear intention of ensuring that parents have somewhere to leave their young children while going into potentially deadly workplaces.

The course of the past year has proven that no force linked to the capitalist state offers a genuine basis for a scientific policy to combat the pandemic. The accomplishment of this task necessarily depends on a struggle against capitalism and its reactionary national state system.

As the Brazilian researcher Ester Sabino from the University of Sao Paulo, coordinator of the group responsible for the genomic mapping of the P.1 COVID-19 variant, correctly stated to the New York Times: You can vaccinate your entire population and control the problem only for a short period if, elsewhere in the world, a new variant appears. It will arrive in your country one day.

The warnings made by these progressive scientists can find an effective response only through the intervention of the sole social force capable of transforming their fundamental discoveries into concrete policies: the international working class, mobilized on the basis of a socialist program for the rational planning of the global economy.
Fredericton, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - Further to its press releases dated February 16, 2021 and March 1, 2021, TRU Precious Metals Corp. (TSXV: TRU) (OTCQB: TRUIF) ("TRU" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of $3,500,211.66, with a lead order from Palisades Goldcorp Ltd. ("Palisades"). Pursuant to the Offering, TRU issued 15,910,053 subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") at a price of $0.22 per Subscription Receipt. The Offering is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

TRU Co-Founder and CEO Joel Freudman commented, "By successfully completing this Offering, we have secured the funds to finance our comprehensive exploration program in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt on our Golden Rose Project as well as a defined phase 1 drilling program at our 100 percent owned Twilite Gold Project. Notwithstanding some headwinds from a consolidating gold market, this Offering was considerably oversubscribed with the lead order from Palisades Goldcorp Ltd. and orders from several institutions both in Canada and the US and from existing long-term shareholders. We are well-positioned to enhance our growth and are excited to continue to build value for our enlarged shareholder base."

Each Subscription Receipt will, upon completion of the Company's Change of Business (as defined below) and certain other customary conditions for a transaction of this nature, be automatically exercised into one unit of the Company (each, a "Unit"). Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one (1) Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.35 for a period of 36 months following the date of closing of the Offering (the "Closing Date").

Subscriptions by insiders of the Company accounted for $104,699.98 of the gross proceeds of the Offering. Participation by insiders in the Offering is exempt from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions by virtue of the exemptions contained in Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(b).

As previously announced by TRU on February 24, 2021, the Company has entered into an option agreement dated February 23, 2021 with a subsidiary of TSX-listed Altius Minerals Corporation ("Altius") for the option to purchase the Golden Rose Project located in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt, which transaction will constitute a Change of Business (the "Change of Business") under the policies of the Exchange.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company to fund its comprehensive exploration program on the Golden Rose Project; a limited phase one drilling program at the Company's 100%-owned Twilite Gold Project, also in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt; for general corporate and public company purposes, including hiring additional technical personnel and conducting various marketing initiatives; and to add to working capital for the operations of the Company.

The Subscription Receipts issued in the Offering, and the underlying Units, Shares, and Warrants, will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring July 5, 2021.

Upon completion of the Change of Business, eligible finders will receive, on account of gross proceeds raised from subscribers to the Offering who were introduced by such finders, (a) a cash commission equal to an aggregate of $112,696.61, and (b) an aggregate of 526,257 non-transferrable finder warrants, each of which will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.22 for a period of 36 months following the Closing Date.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirement of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, such securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About TRU Precious Metals Corp.

TRU has assembled a portfolio of 5 gold exploration properties in the highly prospective Central Newfoundland Gold Belt. The Company has entered into a definitive option agreement with a subsidiary of TSX-listed Altius Minerals Corporation for the option to purchase 100% of the Golden Rose Project, located along the deposit-bearing Cape Ray - Valentine Lake Shear Zone. TRU also owns 100% of the Twilite Gold Project, located along the same Shear Zone, and 3 under-explored properties including its Rolling Pond Property (under option) bordering New Found Gold Corp.'s high-grade Queensway Project. TRU's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "TRU" and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "TRUIF".

TRU is a portfolio company of Resurgent Capital Corp. ("Resurgent"), a merchant bank providing venture capital markets advisory services and proprietary financing. Resurgent works with promising public and pre-public micro-capitalization Canadian companies. For more information on Resurgent and its portfolio companies, please visit Resurgent's LinkedIn profile at https://ca.linkedin.com/company/resurgent-capital-corp.

About Palisades Goldcorp Ltd.

Palisades Goldcorp is Canada's resource focused merchant bank. Palisades' management team has a demonstrated track record of making money and is backed by many of the industry's most notable financiers. With junior resource equities valued at generational lows, management believes the sector is on the cusp of a major bull market move. Palisades is positioning itself with significant stakes in undervalued companies and assets with the goal of generating superior returns.

For further information about TRU, please contact:

Joel Freudman

Co-Founder, President & CEO

TRU Precious Metals Corp.

Phone: (647) 880-6414

Email: info@trupreciousmetals.com

Website: www.trupreciousmetals.com

To connect with TRU via social media, below are links:

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TRU-Precious-Metals-Corp-100919195193616

Twitter

https://twitter.com/corp_tru

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tru-precious-metals-corp

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHghHMDQaYgS1rDHiZIeLUg/

Cautionary Statements

Completion of the transactions contemplated herein is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to Exchange acceptance and, if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the transactions cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the transactions will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Change of Business may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The links included in this press release are included as inactive textual reference for reference purposes only and the information on or connected to those websites are not part of, or incorporated by reference into, this press release.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including those relating to the Offering and the anticipated use of proceeds thereof, the Change of Business, the Company's transaction with Altius for the Golden Rose Project and the Company's plans regarding acquiring, exploring, and monetizing the Golden Rose Project and the Company's other mineral exploration properties. These statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Offering, the Golden Rose Project, the transaction with Altius and the Change of Business that are believed by management to be reasonable in the circumstances, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation: risks related to the ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions of the Change of Business, and to close the Change of Business; the ability of the Company to accomplish its plans and objectives with respect to its exploration projects, within the expected timing or at all; challenges in identifying, structuring, and executing transactions on favourable terms or at all; risks inherent in mineral exploration activities; volatility in financial markets, economic conditions, and precious metals prices; and those other risks described in the Company's continuous disclosure documents. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements herein. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements herein except as required by applicable securities laws.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76173
Egypts Journalists' Syndicate has postponed its midterm elections to 19 March after the general assembly failed on Friday to meet the necessary quorum to hold the vote over the president and six board seats.

Only 157 journalists out of 8,861 eligible voting members registered attendance earlier on Friday for the general assembly.

The quorum for holding the syndicate's elections is 50 percent plus one member of the general assembly. The quorum for a repeat general assembly is 25 percent plus one member.

Members vote in the midterm elections - held every two years - for half of the board seats (six out of 12) in addition to a new head.

Six candidates are vying for the post of syndicate head, which is currently held by Diaa Rashwan, while 55 candidates are competing for board seats.

The planned elections have been sparking debates in the past few weeks, facing several lawsuits calling for the suspension of the elections over coronavirus concerns among other allegations.

One of the lawsuits called for suspending the election over a fear of the coronavirus outbreak, while another was filed by a journalist who accused the committee, supervising the election, of violating bylaws in rejecting his candidacy for a syndicate post.

However, Egypts state council rejected earlier this week the two lawsuits that sought to stop the elections from being held on 5 March as scheduled.

Short link:


Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: SkyBridge Capital's SALT Conference is returning as an in-person event in 2021, with a venue change. The event will be held September 13-15 at the Javitz Center in New York City. SkyBridge says the change is in support of New York as the city works through its recovery. Having the event in New York will also make it local for most of SALT's typical audience, limiting the need for business travel during the pandemic. The Javitz Center recently completed an update and expansion and has installed a new ventilation system in response to COVID-19. SALT also plans to cap in-person attendance and require all attendees to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test before entering the venue. Other events will take place at the nearby Hudson Yards complex. A significant portion of the event will also be available for remote viewing and remote networking. SkyBridge's John Darsie, who heads up the effort for the SALT Conference, tells Opalesque that SALT is working with New York Forward, an organization set up by New York state to provide rapid testing and monitoring at the event. He adds that the hybrid format will allow them to make tweaks to what happens in person in order to maintain safety as conditions around the pandemic continue to evolve throughout the summer. Looking ahead, SkyBridge is also considering an in-person reboot of SALT Abu Dhabi in December. SkyBridge anticipates that tickets for the New York event will...................... To view our full article Click here
Adrian Dunbar on the set of the sixth series of Line of Duty (Liam McBurney/PA)

The opening episode of the new series of Line of Duty will be a head-wreck for the audience, according to Adrian Dunbar.

The Co Fermanagh actor, who plays Superintendent Ted Hastings in the BBC crime drama, tells an episode of the Graham Norton Show, to be shown tonight, that the initial instalment of the sixth series would have fans on the edge of their seats.

The action picks up a year-and-a-half after the events of the fifth season, with the anti-corruption unit AC-12 having picked up a new recruit in DC Chloe Bishop, played by Shalom Brune-Franklin.

Dunbar, who appears on the Graham Norton Show with co-star Vicky McClure, explains: Eighteen months have passed, so the landscape has completely changed. Were starting from a place the audience will probably find a bit shocking at first.

Things and people have been moved around, so the first episode is going to be one of those head-wrecks for the audience.

While McClure tells Norton that the success of the cult show has been mad, Dunbar adds: It was a slow-burn. The first series was great, but we didnt know we would get a second one.

Then we got a second one. Halfway through that, the numbers built and since then its just taken off. Its big and the anticipation is massive. Its intense.

McClure, who put off booking her wedding because of the pandemic, also talks about being in a bubble with her co-stars while filming in Belfast.

She says that if she could choose anyone to be holed up with, it would be Dunbar and their Line of Duty colleague Martin Compston, both of whom she describes as like family.

McClure and Compston also discussed the show in the latest episode of That Gaby Roslin Podcast, released last Monday.

Expand Close Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston on the set of the sixth series of Line of Duty (Liam McBurney/PA) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston on the set of the sixth series of Line of Duty (Liam McBurney/PA)

Compston said there was a lot of corpsing (laughing while filming) on set, particularly in the huge interview scenes.

Theres always a point (where) somebody says something and were gone, he added.

It takes a good 20 minutes and we just laugh it out and then get back to it.

He told Roslin that the righteous rants of Adrians character usually set them off.

Dunbar (once) shouted Theres a herd of elephants coming for you, (but) it wasnt in the script, he said.

It came out when he was on a rant. We all tried to keep it together and then somebody went and we were all gone. Its a release. Whats funny is people trying to hold it together. 

The Graham Norton Show is on BBC One on Friday at 10.45pm. It will also be available on the iPlayer. Line of Duty returns on March 21.

Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 76F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
[Read more on Teen Vogue editor resigning]

Alexi McCammond, a political reporter at Axios, will be the next editor in chief of Teen Vogue, Conde Nast announced Friday.

Ms. McCammond, 27, made her name covering the 2018 midterm elections and Joseph R. Bidens presidential campaign for Axios, a site known for its punchy Beltway coverage. She has also been a frequent contributor to NBC and MSNBC. In her new role, she will lead the Teen Vogue team across digital, video and social media. She starts on March 24.

The appointment of Ms. McCammond to the top Teen Vogue job suggests that the publication, which stopped publishing regular print issues in 2017, will continue to be a venue for political reporting and commentary, in addition to its coverage of fashion, beauty and culture. Teen Vogue expanded its purview during the political rise of Donald J. Trump, winning plaudits for essays like Lauren Ducas Donald Trump Is Gaslighting America in 2016.

Ms. McCammond succeeds Lindsay Peoples Wagner, the editor in chief of Teen Vogue since 2018, who in January was appointed to the top job at New York Magazines style website, The Cut. Anna Wintour, the global editorial director of Vogue and Conde Nasts chief content officer, said in a statement that Ms. McCammond had the powerful curiosity and confidence that embodies the best of our next generation of leaders.
(Natural News) Isaac Legareta, an officer who was fired from working at the Dona Ana County Detention Center in New Mexico for refusing a Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, is suing the county manager for imposing the illegal and unconstitutional vaccine mandate.

The complaint addresses an illicit directive issued by Fernando Macias, the county manager in question, which orders all county-employed first responders, sheriffs deputies, firefighters and detention center officers to be vaccinated with either the Pfizer-BioNTech China virus jab or the Moderna China virus jab.

Legareta maintains that requiring anyone to take a vaccine that is not yet fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) violates the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. In the case of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, none of them have received formal approval and all of them are being administered under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

WuFlu vaccines from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, along with a third from Johnson & Johnson (J&J) that was just given emergency approval over the weekend, are all undergoing the clinical trial process, which typically takes several years to complete.

Federal law requires that full disclosures be given to individuals about unapproved drug products such as these explaining the option to accept or refuse administration of the product, of the consequences, if any, of refusing administration of the product, and of the alternatives to the product that are available and of their benefits and risks.

In other words, nobody can be forced to take an EUA-designated Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. Anyone who tries to force it is guilty of violating federal law.

CDC advisory committee noted that EUA vaccines cannot be mandated

Last summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) advisory committee on immunization practices announced that vaccines released under EUA provisions cannot be mandated. This includes Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.

In a memo, Macias tried to claim that unless employees of the county were granted an accommodation, being vaccinated is a requirement and a condition of on-going employment with the County due to the significant health and safety risks posed by contracting or spreading COVID-19.

This memo is a violation of county employees rights, Legaretas lawsuit explains. Legareta also says he was written up at work and threatened with losing his job for refusing the jab, which is also illegal.

Legareta attached to his legal filing a personal memo issued by his superiors and dated Feb. 17 that demands he provide proof of receiving the shot within five days or else face termination.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction against termination by the county, or reinstatement should he be fired before the court issues its ruling. Legareta is barred under New Mexico state law from seeking any monetary damages for retaliatory discharge, should this occur.

Legareta is also requesting a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against any further enforcement or disciplinary action, including possible termination, in response to his refusal of the vaccine.

Nancy Ana Garner, his Santa Fe-based attorney, had previously sent the county a cease-and-desist letter, along with a notice of impending litigation. Garner wrote this letter on behalf of New Mexico Stands Up, a group that opposes the states draconian Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency directives.

Also named in Legaretas suit are Bryan Baker, the detention centers director and Capt. Ben Mendoza.

As of this writing, most of Dona Ana Countys first responders had reportedly received at least one dose of China virus vaccine or a waiver. This includes 195 out of the 203 staff members who work at the detention center.

Should any of these county workers end up falling ill or dying as a result of the jabs, there could be more lawsuits soon to follow.

For more related news about Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) tyranny, check out Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

MSN.com

NaturalNews.com
(JTA)  During this time of Purim, I am busy writing jokes that poke fun at the stuff we do and obsess about as Jews without offending too many people. Not always easy, and thats when I am writing for an audience that I know extremely well.

Now imagine writing Jewish jokes outside the bubble. Saturday Night Live found out the hard way after a joke about Israel went viral for the wrong reasons. Heres the joke Michael Che told on the Feb. 20 show: Israel is reporting that theyve vaccinated half of their population, and Im going to guess its the Jewish half.

David...
India's resolute response on its borders has helped in positive and peaceful resolution of certain significant issues and the country has nurtured close relations with like-minded nations to further common security interests, Defence Minister said on Friday.

Last month, India and Pakistan had announced that they have agreed to observe all ceasefire agreements along the Line of Control (LoC). Moreover, India and China last month withdrew their troops from the north and south banks of Pangong lake even as the standoff continues in the other border areas of eastern Ladakh.

Our ability to secure India's territorial integrity and sovereignty from external threats and internal challenges have been strengthened in the recent years, he said on Twitter, adding that the Indian armed forces today are proactive and more resolute in their responses.

Earlier during the day, Singh addressed Combined Commanders' Conference, a premier brainstorming event of the military officials, at Kevadia inGujarat.

"India's resolute response on the borders has helped in positive and peaceful resolution of certain significant issues. I salute the selfless courage displayed by the soldiers during the recent eastern Ladakh standoff," he mentioned.

We are working towards increasing jointness in the armed forces, he stated.

"The optimal utilisation of our resources and rationalisation of manpower holds the key to jointness and better coordination between the forces," he added.

India has nurtured close relations and partnerships with like-minded countries to further the common security interests, he stated.

"We as a country are looking to strengthen our ability to create secure and stable environment that can facilitate India's economic growth. Our enhanced defence capabilities will allow us to be better prepared for contingencies," Singh noted.

"Our interests are defined by the elements of integration, sovereignty, sociology-economic development, conservation of our values and peaceful and harmonious region and world. We are committed to protect the territorial integrity and ensure peace in the region," Singh tweeted.

India and Pakistan had announced last month that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.

Moreover, India and China last month withdrew their troops and weapons from the north and south banks of Pangong lake, even as high-level military talks continue between the two countries to take forward the disengagement process in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang in eastern Ladakh.

A total of 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action in fierce hand-to-hand combat with the Chinese forces in Galwan Valley in June last year. China last month admitted for the first time that four of its soldiers were also killed in the June 2020 clash.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman stands and raises her hand as Reverend Al Sharpton gives the eulogy during the memorial service for Andre Hill inside the First Church of God sanctuary in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 5, 2021. (Stephen Zenner/AFP via Getty Images)

Oklahoma House Passes Bill That Would Prohibit Closing Places of Worship in 80-18 Vote

The Oklahoma House overwhelmingly passed a bill Wednesday that would ban the government from closing churches and places of worship in scenarios like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act passed the states House of Representatives 80-18 and now heads to the states Senate.

People came to this continent seeking religious freedom and to escape a tyrannical government, and our countrys founders had the wisdom to specifically outline the freedom to worship in one of our founding documents, Oklahoma state Republican Rep. Brian Hill, who sponsored the bill, said Wednesday, KOCO 5 News reported.

My faith, like many Oklahomans, is at the core of who I am, and this bill further protects our God-given right to worship, Hill added. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The bill defines the phrase substantially burden to mean to inhibit or curtail religiously motivated practice, declaring that closing places of worship is a substantial burden on Oklahoma citizens freedom of religion.

This country was founded by individuals seeking freedom to worship in the manner they so choose without persecution, Oklahoma state Republican Rep. Jon Echols said, KOCO 5 News reported. I can think of nothing more patriotic than protecting those rights for future generations.

At the beginning of the pandemic Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter promised Oklahomans in March 2020 that the state would not cancel church services at that time.

If the situation were to ever become so dire that church services needed to be canceled by the government all other similarly-sized and situated gatherings would also need to be canceled as well, Hunter said at the time, News On 6 reported.

The state ultimately issued an order banning groups of 10 or more people, which effectively curtailed religious services in spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who reopened the state in June 2020, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.

Statewide mask mandates have done little to flatten the curve and keeping businesses locked down kills jobs and hurts the state long-term, Stitt wrote in a Daily Caller op-ed. Thats why Oklahoma has been open since last June and Ive trusted Oklahomans over mask mandates.

In America, the standard for normal is freedom, he added. It always has been, and it always should be.

By Mary Margaret Olohan

From The Daily Caller News Foundation
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In .

Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In.

The Principal of Jackson College of Education (JCE), Theodosia Jackson, has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take a firm decision to permanently ban activities of the LGBTQI in Ghana.



She said it is not enough for the President to declare that the legalization of LGBTQI would not happen under his watch.



Mrs. Jackson wants the President to go a step further by initiating legislation to completely ban the practice now and in the future.



"The President's declaration that it won't happen while he is the President suggests that it could happen after he has left office so he must save us the trouble of going back to this issue once and for all", she told the media in an interview.



She said the LGBTQI is an abomination that must not be countenance as a people, especially when all our religious groups and traditional authorities frown upon it.



The renowned counselor said it is shameful for some people to advocate for this satanic practice on the grounds of human rights.



She said those who perpetrate crimes such as prostitution, defilement, robbery, and drug abuse also have rights but the police still go after them.



She appealed to the President to address the root cause of the problem to save the present generation and posterity from the dangers associated with the LGBTQI







Watch Video Below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - MYM Nutraceuticals Inc., (CSE: MYM) (OTCQB: MYMMF) ("MYM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its wholly owned subsidiary and Health Canada licensed cannabis producer, Highland Grow Inc., ("Highland Grow"), has received authorization from the Government of Nunavut to supply Highland Grow cannabis products throughout Nunavut.

"We are thrilled at the opportunity to work with the Government of Nunavut and share Highland Grow and Coastal Connection branded cannabis products for the benefit of Nunavut and its people," said Michael Wiener, CEO of MYM. "Nunavut marks our twelfth province/territory and demonstrates our continued commitment to bring high quality cannabis to consumers across Canada."

With the addition of Nunavut, and sole exception of Quebec, MYM nears another key milestone: national distribution.

About MYM Nutraceuticals Inc.

MYM is a Canadian cultivator, processor, and distributor of premium cannabis via its two wholly owned subsidiaries - SublimeCulture Inc., in Laval, QC and Highland Grow Inc., in Antigonish, NS.

MYM shares trade in Canada, Germany and the United States under the following symbols: (CSE: MYM) (OTCQB: MYMMF) (FSE: 0MY) (DEU: 0MY) (MUN: 0MY) (STU: 0MY).

ON BEHALF OF THE MYM BOARD

Michael Wiener, CEO

MYM Nutraceuticals Inc.

www.mym.ca

Investor Relations

investors@mym.ca

Keep up to date with MYM on our social media channels:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mymnutra

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mymnutra

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mym.ca/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mymnutra/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76178
The tenets of journalism hold that writers are not supposed to have a vested interest in the topics they cover - but that if they do, they need to disclose it to the public.

David Brooks appears to have fallen short of those principles.

The veteran New York Times opinion columnist did not mention to his readers that he has had a side gig writing for a project funded by Facebook and other donors. Brooks has written favorably about the project, and about Facebook, without disclosing his personal financial connection.

According to BuzzFeed News, Brooks has drawn a salary from the Aspen Institute think tank for his work on an initiative called Weave, which combats social isolation and seeks to build community relationships. The project, which Brooks started, is funded by Facebook and other large donors, including the father of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns The Washington Post.

Times readers know about Brooks's work for Weave because he has repeatedly written about it in his column. The problem of social isolation, he wrote in The Times in early 2019, "is being solved by people around the country, at the local level, who are building community and weaving the social fabric."

But Brooks left out a few important details - namely, that his involvement with Weave is more than just as a volunteer. Facebook funded the project with a grant of $250,000, according to BuzzFeed, and Brooks received a salary from Aspen for his work on it, though it is unclear how much.

Separately, Brooks has penned some supportive words on behalf of Facebook, posted on its corporate site. "Facebook Groups has 1.8 billion users, and more than half of them are in five or more groups," he wrote in a "guest blog" for Facebook last month. "Clearly people have come to really value the communities they are building online."

Mainstream news organizations, including The Times, typically require their employees to recuse themselves from writing about or covering entities or people with whom they have a financial or personal connection. Financial reporters, for example, are not supposed to cover companies or businesses in which they've invested; doing so would probably raise suspicions among readers that the reporting was tainted by self-interest.

When a conflict of interest is unavoidable, news organizations tend to disclose them in the course of their reporting or commentary. The basic obligation is to be "aboveboard" with readers so they can fairly judge a journalist's possible motivations and outside influences, said Patrick Lee Plaisance, a communications professor at Penn State and editor of the Journal of Media Ethics.

"His failure to disclose [his compensation] undermines a reader's ability to assess his claims," he said. It also damages the overall credibility of The Times, which readers expect to act in transparent fashion: "Readers have a right not to feel deceived," said Plaisance.

People at The Times said Brooks informed at least some of his previous bosses about the details of the Weave project. But last summer saw the departure of the top editorial page editors, and Brooks's current editors were unaware of the arrangement. Officially, The Times has declined to say whether it knew about Brooks's outside employment.

In response to a request for comment, a Times spokeswoman, Eileen Murphy, reissued a statement the company gave to BuzzFeed on Wednesday: "We're in the process of reviewing David's relationship with the Weave Project and the Aspen Institute, and what disclosures, if any, should be added to David's columns going forward."

She declined to answer follow-up questions. Brooks did not respond to a request for comment.

The questions surrounding Brooks follow a string of recent episodes involving Times journalists. Last summer, James Bennet, then the editorial page editor, resigned under pressure, and James Dao, his deputy was reassigned over the publication of an opinion article by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., that led to staff objections. Another staffer, columnist Bari Weiss, quit the paper a short time later, saying in a lengthy resignation letter to publisher A.G. Sulzberger that she had been "bullied" by people inside and outside The Times.

In recent weeks, two Times journalists, Donald McNeil Jr. and Andy Mills, have left the paper amid an uproar over their personal behavior. Separately, The Times cut ties with a freelance editor, Lauren Wolfe, after her tweet about Joe Biden's inauguration set off a frenzy of conservative criticism on social media.

For decades, many journalists who are associated with a news organization have had secondary sources of income - from writing books to making speeches to appearing on TV-news programs. In addition to writing for The Times, Brooks is a pundit on "PBS NewsHour."

But none of those outside roles necessarily pose a conflict of interest. A "NewsHour" spokesman, Nick Massella, said Thursday that the program was aware of Brooks's work for the Aspen Institute but not of its funding sources. He said the segments the program has aired about the project and the Aspen Institute do not warrant further disclosure.

Brooks has written about the Weave project multiple times in The Times. He promoted one of its first events in a May 2019 column, then reported on the event in another column, which was complemented by photographs taken by a Times photographer. "The people at this gathering are some of the most compelling people I've ever met," he wrote.

At no point, however, has he disclosed Weave's funders or that he has been compensated by the Aspen Institute. In addition to Facebook, the project's backers include Miguel Bezos, an Aspen trustee and the father of Jeff Bezos, who donated $300,000 to it, according to BuzzFeed.

Brooks's guest-blogging on Facebook's corporate website did not mention his financial connections to the company. One posting seemed to absolve the social network of complicity in fostering Russian election disinformation, antisemitism, medical misinformation and hoaxes.

"My takeaway from all this research is that it's not social media that's the problem, it's the ideas and behavior of the people who use it," he wrote last month in his Facebook guest blog.
Ukraine is interested in strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations and increasing export supplies of agricultural products to the Tajik market.

These issues were discussed during a meeting of Minister for Economy, Trade and Agriculture Development of Ukraine Ihor Petrashko with Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to Ukraine Nazrizoda Davlatali, Ukrinform reports referring to the press service of the Economy Ministry.

"Ukraine views Tajikistan as an important partner in the Central Asian region. We are interested in increasing bilateral trade turnover between our countries, implementing joint projects in various fields, updating the bilateral intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of standardization, metrology and certification, and strengthening work within the intergovernmental commission," Petrashko said.

He noted that Ukraine has a significant potential for increasing bilateral trade in agricultural products with the Republic of Tajikistan. In particular, Ukrainian products of processing, confectionery and oil and fat industries have high competitive advantages. Ukraine is ready for an in-depth dialogue on expanding the range of supplies of Ukrainian food products to the Tajik market.

The minister stressed the importance of maintaining business contacts, namely, joint business forums, round tables, seminars, trade missions, exhibitions, fairs and more.

As reported, trade turnover between Ukraine and the Republic of Tajikistan in 2020 amounted to USD 24.9 million. Ukraine's exports to Tajikistan reached USD 24.1 million last year.

ish

WASHINGTON (JTA)  Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. House of Representatives speaker, spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israels COVID-19 response at a time that Israel is under pressure to extend its vaccination program to Palestinians in the West Bank.

Today, I spoke with [the Israeli prime minister] to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between our nations and Congresss unwavering support for a safe and secure Israel, Pelosi said Wednesday on Twitter. We discussed COVID response and our shared hope for regional peace, including a just, stable and enduring two-st...
President Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Sept. 24, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Judge Sets June Hearing in Trumps Effort to Keep Tax Returns Private From House Democrats

A federal judge on Thursday set a hearing date to allow attorneys to present oral arguments over whether former President Donald Trumps financial records should be handed over to the House Oversight Committee.

This comes after attorneys for each party in the case informed U.S District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Amit Mehta that the Democrat-controlled House panel had reissued a subpoena to Trumps accounting firm Mazars USA to hand over eight years of financial records involving the former president and his businesses.

Following a hearing on Thursday, Mehta set dates for legal briefs and a June 18 hearing date for oral arguments. The case now is likely to focus on whether a Supreme Court legal test that required the lower courts to perform a careful analysis on separation of powers issues would still apply now that Trump is no longer in office.

During the hearing, Mehta asked the parties whether the Supreme Court ruling from 2020 was still relevant, according to the Washington Examiner. Trump lawyers argued that the separation of powers issues remain, while House lawyers say a lower standard for the subpoena enforcement should now be applied since Trump is no longer president.

The case could possibly return to the Supreme Court for another review now that circumstances have changed.

Trumps lawyers did not respond to The Epoch Times previous request to comment on the subpoena.

The case went through months of litigation before it arrived at the Supreme Court in 2020. It was combined with a separate case in which Trump was challenging a different subpoena issued by the Financial Services and Intelligence committees seeking financial records from two of his banks.

In both cases, the district courts denied his requests to block the subpoenas, and the decisions were upheld on appeal. Trump then asked the Supreme Court to review the cases.

The high court in July 2020 sent the pair of cases back to lower courts for another review because those courts hadnt taken into account the special concerns regarding the separation of powers.

Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion, said the lower courts should perform a careful analysis that takes adequate account of the separation of powers principles at stake, including both the significant legislative interests of Congress and the unique position of the President.

House Democrats in the committee have been seeking Trumps financial records since April 2019. Trump went to the federal court to challenge the original subpoena to block its enforcement shortly after it was issued. That subpoena expired in January when new lawmakers took office.

In reissuing the subpoena, Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) said in a memo on Feb. 23 that the committee during the 117th Congress will continue targeting Trump for its investigation into alleged presidential conflicts of interest. She said that his financial documents are crucial to verify key facts and tailor legislative reforms to be as effective and efficient as possible.

Donald Trumps unprecedented actions as Presidentincluding his refusal to divest from his complex and opaque financial holdingshave laid bare several apparent weaknesses and gaps in the laws and regulations governing presidential financial disclosure, conflicts of interest, and emoluments, Maloney wrote.

Trump has repeatedly called the investigations seeking his financial records a continuation of a political witch hunt, while his lawyers and former Solicitor General Noel Francisco have raised questions in court about whether there are any legitimate legislative purposes for issuing the subpoenas. Instead, the lawyers said the House sought the records to harass the president, expose personal matters, and conduct law enforcement activities beyond its authority.

In a separate case, the Supreme Court ruled that it would not block the release of Trumps financial records requested by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. The documents have since been handed over to Vances office. The prosecutor had sought the documents as part of a grand jury probe.

It was widely believed that Vance was investigating hush money paid to two women during the 2016 presidential campaign: adult film performer Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. But court filings suggest that the scope of the Manhattan DAs probe might be broader than what was previously known.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: After a brief slump in Covid-19 figures, Maharashtra yesterday reported a record surge of infections  10,000 cases  a number last reached months ago. Maharashtra is among the few states contributing to the nations major Covid-19 load. Last month, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had alleviated fears of another state-wide lockdown but issued a stern warning to citizens to follow all precautions like wearing masks and social distancing. On October 17, the state had reported 10,259 cases, after which the graph had declined. Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 9,855 new COVID-19 cases on, taking the tally of infections in the state to 21,79,185, a health department official said. While the state recorded more than 9,000 cases after a long time, the death toll rose to 52,280 with 42 fresh fatalities, he said.

As many as 6,559 patients were discharged from hospitals since Tuesday evening, taking the number of recovered patients to 20,43,349. Maharashtras recovery rate of COVID-19 cases is 93.77 per cent, while the fatality rate is 2.40 per cent, the official said. As many as 87,627 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the number of samples tested for coronavirus in the state to 1,65,09,506. Out of these, 21,79,185 samples have tested positive which meant the positivity rate is 13.20 per cent.

Currently 3,60,500 people are in home quarantine and 3,701 are in institutional quarantine, whereas there are 82,343 active COVID-19 patients in the state. Mumbai reported 1,121 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally in the state capital to 3,28,742, and the death toll increased to 11,487 with six fresh fatalities in the city.

As many as 857 new cases were detected in Pune municipal limits, taking the tally to 2,11,256, while one new death took the death toll there to 4,579. Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad and Amravati municipal corporation areas reported 924, 593, 449 and 483 new COVID-19 cases, respectively.

Coronavirus figures for Maharashtra are as follows: Total cases 21,79,185, New cases 9,855, Total deaths 52,280, Total recoveries 20,43,349, Active cases 82,343, Total tests conducted 1,65,09,506.

A report revealed that coronavirus pandemic has intensified abuse on Christian women behind closed doors.

Open Doors International has published a report, 2021 Gender-Specific Religious Persecution (GSRP), stating that COVID-19 has increased the 'hidden pandemic' of "gender-based violence, abduction and trafficking towards Christian women and girls across Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America."

The report showed that the abuse on Christian women has risen by 31% since last year. Given the lengthy lockdowns in 2020, it has indicated that domestic violence has become a way to control women.

The report has presented five findings.

First, the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has worsened "existing vulnerabilities." Abuse against women such as physical attacks, deadly violence and targeted seduction has increased. In homes, lockdowns have resulted to increased physical attacks of Christian converts by family members who are against their faith. In sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, rebel groups exploited "COVID-related vulnerabilities" and increased their criminal activities to persecute Christians.

Second, cases of GSRP appears to be higher in countries experiencing conflict. The risk of Christian men being put to death, abducted, and forced to join the military of rebel groups, has risen. On the other hand, women have become more vulnerable to trafficking, being seduced or forced to flee the country, as well as being abducted.

Third, reports of women experiencing "psychological violence" and "trafficking" have risen. The increase in psychological violence affects women. They usually struggle in overcoming traumas caused by physical and sexual assaults they have experienced. Cases of human trafficking on women have also risen.

Fourth, "shame dynamics" are being used to inflict Christian men and women with GSRP. Christian men are reportedly shamed when they are in detention, physically beaten or discriminated in their workplace. Christian women are shamed and controlled through sexual violence and forced marriage, considering society's high regard for sexual purity.

Finally, individual attacks target family and Christian community. Attacks are targeted on areas that are vulnerable to individuals, in accordance to a person's role or value in the society. Christian men are targeted due to their role as financial providers, family and church leaders, seeking to endanger the Christian family and community. Women are targeted using their bodies as tools to harm their Christian community and limit the growth of the church.

Violence on women usually occurs behind closed doors. Forced marriage and domestic violence have become "culturally accepted" in many countries that perpetrators are no longer afraid of consequences.

An example of this is the daughter of a South East Asian evangelist who was abducted, assaulted and thrown into a forced marriage by the enemies of his father, due to the evangelist's unrelenting sharing of the gospel in the community. She was found after three months, pregnant and traumatized by the incident.

To combat persecution, Open Doors has started a program called "Restorations." It aims to train and equip Christian leaders to fight persecution and provide socio-economic assistance. In addition, the program helps the victims of abuse heal from their traumas and reintegrate into the community, such as the evangelist's daughter.

Restorations program is based on biblical principles and character of Jesus, helping the families and community in responding to persecution with love and solidarity.
As for Pratt, who has since returned to Los Angeles, he was a little more difficult to monitor. Apart from a tete a tete with Aussies Joel and Nash Edgerton, he was not seen much outside the Thor set. Perhaps the avowed devotee of the Sydney-based Hillsong church was busy catching up with its celebrity preacher and founder Brian Houston? Actress Julia Roberts is rumoured to be in Sydney. Credit:AP Heartthrob Zac Efron has gone back into quarantine at his eastern suburbs home, apparently the price he was willing to pay after jetting off to Dubai for a week. Efron has been well looked after though, with several senior ranking eastern suburbs police officers paying him daily visits. Comic superstar Melissa McCarthy has managed to fly completely under the radar since relocating from Byron Bay to Sydney for another project she is working on after wrapping filming with Nicole Kidman on Nine Perfect Strangers. Kidman and her husband Keith Urban remain in town with their daughters while she finishes post production on the series. No doubt Our Nic will be able to show her good buddy Julia Roberts around town, with rumours sweeping Sydney that the star has already arrived in town for the Watergate project she is about to shoot with Sean Penn. However verifying Roberts movements this week has proven to be a fruitless task  the actor is keeping a much lower profile than the likes of Chris Hemsworth, who along with wife Elsa Pataky has been flooding social media with party shots.

Hemsworth and his brood are renting the Woollahra mansion of James Packers former lieutenant Rob Rankin for their stay in Sydney. Its the same luxury property in which Elton John set up house during his last extended tour of Australia. Just out of town, Toni Collettes huge Netflix production has been causing a stir around the Central Coast, not in the least in sleepy holiday hamlet of MacMasters Beach, which was transformed into the Deep South of Belle Island in Georgia last week, replete with American cop cars and plenty of Southern charm. American style police cars on the mean streets of MacMasters Beach. Credit:Andrew Hornery Though that charm was wearing a little thin when a huge spotlight was illuminated throughout the evening as shooting rolled on, with a few grumbles coming from across Cockrone Lagoon where star-struck locals at neighbouring beachside enclave of Copacabana were literally blinded by the light. Collettes production moved on to Umina, where local cocktail bar Margarita Daze was transformed into the Crab Shack, the scene of a bloody massacre.

The chance of being discovered proved too much for some of the locals, with Umina socialite Lisa Masters among those who tried out for an extras role. Sadly the vivacious brunette missed out, presumably too lively to play a corpse. Umina socialite Lisa Masters was unsuccessful in her bid to become an extra in Toni Collettes Netflix production. Armytages professional kamikaze Last Sunday Sunrise co-host Samantha Armytage declared to the nation  via the Murdoch press  that breakfast television is full of sociopaths and narcissists  it can be a dangerous environment, let me tell you. She also suggested that as an unwed, childless woman she had been discriminated against, claiming: Bosses dont ask as much of you if youre a wife or mother.

This came as news to several hard-working wives and mothers at Sevens Martin Place bunker. To say her comments went down like a lead balloon would be an understatement, and it was probably a good thing she was unable to attend a star-studded house party hosted by her former bestie, Sunrise producer Michael Pell, on Saturday night. The Sunrise family: Natalie Barr, Samantha Armytage, David Koch, Mark Beretta and Edwina Bartholomew. Credit:Seven However PS hears she was the topic of much conversation among several guests. Back at Martin Place one senior Seven executive described Armytages comments as professional kamikaze, while several other colleagues who spoke to PS were fuming, revealing  on the grounds of anonymity  that working mums had been treated just the same as anyone else.

Look at Natalie Barr, she regularly drops everything to cover a story with no complaints, and shes got two teenage boys at home. Sams got a dog, one bluntly informed PS. None of this bodes well for Armytages contract negotiations with Seven, which are being handled by celebrity accountant Anthony Bell. He also looks after fellow Seven star Larry Emdur, and is the latest in a long line of talent agents in Sydney to take charge of Armytages career. Venutis birthday extravaganza Its been nearly five years since showbiz legend Maria Venuti suffered a catastrophic stroke, but tomorrow some 200 of her nearest and dearest will descend on The Star where she is the guest of honour at her 80th birthday extravaganza. Sydney cabaret star Trevor Ashley has worked tirelessly to put the celebration together which will double as a fundraiser for the Stroke Foundation. He will take to the stage along with Carlotta, Nathan Foley, Emma Pask and even Pauly from Fat Pizza to pay tribute to the Goddess of Gladesville on her big day.

Bianca Venuti-Hughes and her mum, showbiz legend Maria Venuti. But tomorrows celebrations would not be happening if not for the devotion of Marias daughter Bianca Venuti-Hughes, who has navigated the labyrinth of carers, doctors and hospitals who fought tooth and nail to bring her famous mum back from the brink. She is such a special woman and still so full of life and energy. There was no way I was going to let that flame go out, no way. I just couldnt put her in a nursing home ... it wasnt right, Bianca tells PS, adding that she now lives with her mother, who has made great progress in her rehabilitation. While she remains dependent on her leopard-print scooter and has difficulty with her speech, Maria still loves to sing. And there is no way we will be able to keep her off that stage on Sunday, Bianca says. Look, she might not hit every note but its not about that, its about getting her back on the stage and in front of the people she loves.

Luxury on offer, with prices to match While the freeloaders and social media influencers have been busy hogging the sun beds around the pool at James Packers swanky new Crown complex at Barangaroo, there is no denying the gleaming new destination has every luxury conceivable on offer ... and the prices to match (PS spotted a wine by the glass selling at one restaurant for $60). This week the hotel lobby was a hive of activity, unlike the adjacent high rollers casino that remains shuttered. Luxury with prices to match: Sydneys new Crown resort at Barangaroo. Credit:Nick Moir Spotted on her way to lunch was Amber Symond, wife of millionaire Aussie John. So too was Matt Damons wife Luciana Barroso, while coming out of the lift Melbourne PR queen Judy Romano looked right at home in the midst of her reccy.
IFA will be holding an online meeting next Tuesday, March 9, at 8.30pm for beef farmers, highlighting the seriousness of the situation on beef farms.



IFA President Tim Cullinan said: Our beef processors must increase prices in line with the positive market conditions that exist for beef as clearly shown in the Export Benchmark Price which reflects the market prices in our key UK and EU markets for beef.

[March 05, 2021] ICE Benchmark Administration Publishes Feedback Statement for the Consultation on Its Intention to Cease the Publication of LIBOR Settings

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a leading operator of global exchanges and clearing houses and provider of mortgage technology, data and listings services, announced that ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (IBA), the authorized and regulated administrator of LIBOR, has today published a feedback statement for the consultation on its intention to cease the publication of LIBOR settings. On December 4, 2020, following discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other official sector bodies, and in accordance with procedures adopted pursuant to the UK Benchmarks Regulation, IBA published a consultation on its intention to cease the publication of: (i) all GBP, EUR, CHF and JPY LIBOR settings, and the 1 Week and 2 Month USD LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on December 31, 2021; and (ii) the Overnight and 1, 3, 6 and 12 Month USD LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on June 30, 2023. IBA consulted on these intended cessation dates because a majority of LIBOR panel banks had communicated to IBA that they would not be willing to continue contributing to the relevant LIBOR settings after such dates. As a result, IBA considered that it would be unable to publish the relevant LIBOR settings on a representative basis after such dates. IBA received a broad of range of feedback from multiple stakeholders, both on the dates specified above and on the LIBOR transition process generally, including on matters beyond IBA's remit as administrator of LIBOR. IBA has shared and discussed this feedback with the FCA. Further information on the feedback received is available in IBA's consultation feedback statement. In the absence of sufficient panel bank support and without the intervention of the FCA to compel continued panel bank contributions to LIBOR, it is not possible for IBA to publish the relevant LIBOR settings on a representative basis beyond the dates specified above for such settings. As a result of IBA not having access to input data necessary to calculate LIBOR settings on a representative basis beyond the dates specified above for such settings, IBA has to cease the publication of th relevant LIBOR settings on such dates, unless the FCA exercises its proposed new powers (which are included in the current Financial Services Bill as proposed amendments to the UK Benchmarks Regulation) to require IBA to continue publishing such LIBOR settings using a changed methodology (also known as a "synthetic" basis).



The FCA has advised IBA that it has no intention of using its proposed new powers to require IBA to continue the publication of any EUR or CHF LIBOR settings, or the Overnight/Spot Next, 1 Week, 2 Month and 12 Month LIBOR settings in any other currency, beyond the above intended cessation dates for such settings. The FCA has also advised IBA that it will consult on using these proposed new powers to require IBA to continue the publication on a "synthetic" basis of the 1 Month, 3 Month and 6 Month GBP and JPY LIBOR settings beyond such dates, and will continue to consider the case for using these proposed powers in respect of the 1 Month, 3 Month and 6 Month USD LIBOR settings. The FCA has confirmed to IBA that, based on undertakings received from the panel banks, it does not expect that any LIBOR settings will become unrepresentative before the above intended cessation dates for such settings.

Stakeholders who are interested as to statements relating to the cessation or unrepresentativeness of LIBOR for the purpose of contractual triggers for fallback rate arrangements should see the FCA statement issued earlier today. About ICE Benchmark Administration ICE Benchmark Administration is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the regulated activity of administering a benchmark, and is authorized as a benchmark administrator under the UK Benchmarks Regulation. ICE LIBOR, LIBOR and ICE Benchmark Administration are registered trademarks of IBA and/or its affiliates. About Intercontinental Exchange Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company and provider of marketplace infrastructure, data services and technology solutions to a broad range of customers including financial institutions, corporations and government entities. We operate regulated marketplaces, including the New York Stock Exchange, for the listing, trading and clearing of a broad array of derivatives contracts and financial securities across major asset classes. Our comprehensive data services offering supports the trading, investment, risk management and connectivity needs of customers around the world and across asset classes. As a leading technology provider for the U.S. residential mortgage industry, ICE Mortgage Technology provides the technology and infrastructure to transform and digitize U.S. residential mortgages, from application and loan origination through to final settlement. Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading "Key Information Documents (KIDS)." Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC (News - Alert) ) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on February 4, 2021. Source (News - Alert) : Intercontinental Exchange ICE-CORP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210304006215/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
A New Jersey lawmaker was arrested Thursday morning and charged for driving while intoxicated after hitting two parked cars near her Jersey City home, according to authorities.

State Sen. Sandra Cunningham, D-Hudson, was charged after she sideswiped the cars at about 9:30 a.m., according to a crash report obtained by NJ Advance Media. She was given a blood alcohol test and the results are pending.

Cunningham reportedly told police I was coming down the street when I was about to make a turn and instead turned into a snowbank, police said in the report.

She crashed her Infiniti G35X SUV into a parked Nissan Altima and a Ford Focus. Both vehicles were unoccupied. Cunningham did not respond to a message seeking comment.

Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, who picked Cunningham up from Jersey Citys municipal court and police station Thursday afternoon said Friday the lawmaker is resting and recovering at her home.

Obviously it was a difficult circumstance and somewhat traumatizing, McGreevey, a friend of the lawmaker, told NJ Advance Media. He said he didnt think alcohol was involved.

My sense is that it was a reaction to medication and not in any way connected with alcohol, he said.

In 2006, she pled guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol and paid a $708 fine after she was ticketed in November 2005 with a DWI with a blood alcohol reading of .18, according to public records.

This is out of character for me, and a mistake, she said at the time, according to the Hudson Reporter.

Cunningham was first elected as a senator in 2007, three years after her husband, Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham, died while in office.

She is the deputy majority leader and chairwoman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, vice chairwoman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and a member of the Education Committee and the Select Committee on New Jersey Transit, according to her bio on New Jersey Legislature.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.
Steven Bajek brought his parents groceries on Tuesdays during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ronald and Aracy Bajek, married for 54 years, had reservations about going out in public, running errands or even seeing family.

My parents were very vigilant about staying inside the house, Steven Bajek said.

Stevens sister, Louise Lindinger, saw her parents in September when visiting Connecticut. Lindingers son had spaced out pumpkins on his property for kids to come by and pick out.

That was the first time, I think, my parents had been out since COVID, Lindinger, who now lives in Alabama, said. They both seemed very well at that point. That was physically the last time I spoke to them.

It was a month later, on Halloween, that Ronald Bajek fell and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. The 76-year-old suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a lung disease that can cause breathing problems and affect balance.

Steven drove his father home after recovery, but afterward tested positive for COVID-19, suffering from flu-like symptoms. He stayed home and away from his parents.

Contributed Photo /

Once Steven was no longer contagious, he visited his parents and found them in a horrible state. His father was fragile and had trouble breathing, so he took Ronald Bajek to Hartford Hospital, where he too tested positive for the virus. His son is convinced the father got it from the first trip to the hospital.

The next day, Steven Bajek contacted his moms doctor, who ordered her to go to the hospital. She said she felt fine, so he had to pressure her to go.

Even at the time, I wasnt that scared, Steven Bajek said. I was thinking, theyll take care of her, fix her.

The Bajeks, admitted to the hospital a day apart, would soon die  Ronald Bajek on Nov. 20 and his wife, Aracy on Dec. 4.

The couple is among more than 500,000 Americans and over 7,650 Connecticut residents to die due to COVID over the past year. Now, as vaccine distribution continues to those around the state with more than 1 million having received at least their first shot according to Gov. Ned Lamont, Steven Bajek insists his parents would have signed up to receive the doses.

Contributed Photo /

He also blames those who refused to wear masks and questions the handling of the pandemic by former President Donald Trump.

Maybe it wouldnt have spread and they wouldnt have gotten it, Steven Bajek said.

The Bajeks two children, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren are reeling from losing both of them at once.

You dont expect to lose to this monster so quick, Lindinger said.

You look up to a couple like that

The couple lived in Enfield for decades, but met in Aracy Bajeks home country of Brazil. They met in Sao Paulo when Ronald Bajek was stationed there in the Air Force in the 1960s.

He comes from a line of people that served, Lindinger said. I think that was just his way of getting out and seeing the world and following in the footsteps of his father and his brothers, uncles.

Their children said they do not know the details of how their parents met and fell in love. But after they married, they lived in an apartment and then assisted housing, saving up to buy a house in Enfield, where Ronald Bajek grew up, their son said.

Aracy Bajek did not speak English when she came to Connecticut. She studied at night school, eventually becoming a nurses aid at a senior facility and later private care. She worked third shift and slept during the day, her daughter said.

She had a big heart, a big heart, always wanted to help other people out, said Lindinger, who lived five houses from her parents with her three three sons, who grew up running to their grandparents house and playing in their backyard with friends. Her sons are 32, 31 and 27.

Contributed Photo

Ronald Bajek retired from the Air Force after getting married and worked at Hamilton Standard and then Pratt and Whitney as a photographer, shooting art from helicopters for promotional leaflets and videos, his son said.

The parents adjusted their schedules for their daughters gymnastics and their sons guitar lessons.

All their spare time was concentrated on us, Lindinger said.

They were like parents to other children in the neighborhood, like Tara Sadoski, Lindingers friend, who spent part of her Christmases with them.

I never called them Mr. and Mrs. Bajek, she said. They were mom and pop to me.

She described the couple as inseparable.

You look up to a couple like that, Sadoski said.

Contributed Photo

Lindinger described her parents as quiet. Her mom enjoyed crafts, crocheting and knitting, while her dad played the drums with his friends. He had been in a polka band as teenager.

He was a gun instructor and taught people how to be certified, his son said. She enjoyed gambling at the casino.

They definitely had a bond, a very strong bond, said their daughter, Louise Lindinger. They couldnt do anything without each other, grocery shopping together, grabbing gas together.

They both needed each other

When the couple was admitted to the hospital, they were placed on the same floor but couldnt see each other. Ronald Bajek was put on 100 percent oxygen, while Aracy Bajek was given a lesser amount, Lindinger said.

Lindinger packed her bags and drove from Alabama to Connecticut as soon as her father tested positive. She, her brother and husband video chatted with her dad while he was in the hospital.

We knew he wasnt going to make it, said Lindinger as she started to cry. He said goodbye to us like he knew. He just said he was done.

She described how he brought his mask down to say I love you.

You could see he was just so frustrated because he couldnt breathe, she said.

Contributed Photo

Their father had a do-not-resuscitate order, so the doctors gave him medication to make him comfortable, and he died soon after, his son said.

But their mother went into a coma soon after going to the hospital. She did not have a do-not-resuscitate order, so Steve Bajek said he waited until recovery was no longer an option before taking her off life support. The siblings visited their mother in the hospital before she died.

The family had a small, graveside funeral the Saturday before Christmas.

Of course, Christmas was awful, Lindinger said.

Normally, the family spends Christmas Eve at their parents house, Steven Bajek said. He went to his nephews house for Christmas dinner, but the family members kept away from each other to avoid spreading the virus.

Next year, it will probably be whoever has the biggest house, well all go over there, he said. But it wont be the same.

Yet, Steven Bajek is trying to see the silver lining.

They would have been horrible without each other, he said. They both needed each other.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 22:40:44|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MUSCAT, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Omani health authorities announced on Friday that the second doses of COVID-19 vaccines will start to be administered from Sunday, the official Oman News Agency reported.

The latest COVID-19 statistics showed that the total number of coronavirus cases in Oman has increased to 142,896, including 133,491 recoveries and 1,583 deaths.

The health ministry urged everyone to adhere to social distancing instructions issued by the Supreme Committee responsible for handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem
Taco Bell's entrant into the chicken sandwich wars may sound familiar to San Antonio foodies.

The Crispy Chicken Sandwich Taco features white chicken, marinated in jalapeno buttermilk and seasoned with Mexican spices. The chicken is served in a "puffy bread, shaped in an iconic taco form," according to the fast food chain.

Puffy, you say?

Jaime Lopez hadn't heard of Taco Bell's new concoction, but he knows puffy tacos. His father, Henry, launched Henry's Puffy Tacos in 1978. Nearly two decades before that, his relatives were serving the deep-fried masa dish at Rays Drive Inn. They still hold the trademark for the "puffy taco" term.

That trademark might have been why Taco Bell avoided the puffy moniker for its new product, Lopez suggested, but he's not worried about competition from a massive chain. Henry's Puffy Tacos makes their tortillas fresh to order.

READ ALSO: San Antonio is having a big fried chicken sandwich moment. Heres why and where to eat them

Taco Bell headed off any questions about categorizing its new product. "Is the Crispy Chicken Sandwich Taco a sandwich or a taco, you ask? Well, its a sandwich AND a taco," a spokesperson wrote. "And it doesnt have to explain itself to be this delicious."

Lopez wouldn't have taken issue with the taco branding anyway. His wide interpretation  "If you can hold it in your hand and take it with you, that's pretty much what I would consider a taco"  has room for new experiments.

The same holds true for Diego Ramirez, manager of The Original Donut Shop. The Fredericksburg Road favorite serves a crispy chicken taco of their own, and Ramirez said he's open to customers pushing the familiar dish to new places.

"Whatever you could possibly want in a crispy shell, I'll put it in there," Ramirez said.

Popeyes kicked off the current chicken sandwich craze in 2019. Their sandwich soon sold out across the country, so competitors from Chick-fil-A to McDonald's to Burger King stepped into the fray with social media digs and revamped dishes.

Taco Bell's twist on the sandwich will be priced at $2.49. The day after the chain announced the new menu item, Popeyes posted a TikTok showing customers how to fold their chicken sandwiches into a taco.

Henry's Puffy Tacos, for its part, has no plans to enter the chicken sandwich wars.

"We've got our hands full as it is just selling puffy tacos," Lopez said. "So I don't see us jumping onto that craze."

Neither does The Original Donut Shop.

"We just focus on authentic Mexican food," Ramirez said.
The letter to Boris Johnson from the organisation representing the views of loyalist paramilitaries covers familiar ground in demanding the removal of the Irish Sea border.

But let's cut to the chase. If the Prime Minister doesn't do what the UDA, UVF, and Red Hand Commando want, will there eventually be dead bodies in the streets of Northern Ireland in protest?

Michael Gove's name and address may be painted on the walls in Sandy Row, but if loyalist paramilitaries do return to violence over the protocol, it's unlikely to be Tory ministers paying the price.

This isn't the first time that the shadow of the gunman has fallen over Brexit.

The possibility of dissident republican violence in the event of a hard border in Ireland has been raised countless times over the past four years.

The idea that peace was in danger was allowed to take hold. The suggestion that north-south customs checks could lead to a return to the Troubles was irresponsibly deployed and set a dangerous precedent.

Yet there are significant differences. Dissident republicans never signed up to the Good Friday Agreement.

Indeed, the Provisional IRA split over events that paved the way for the 1998 peace deal, with quartermaster general Mickey McKevitt heading the opposition to the Adams-McGuinness leadership.

Dissident republicans aren't involved in mainstream nationalist debate. There is no equivalent of the Loyalist Communities Council writing letters to the Prime Minister airing their views.

A masked New IRA man delivered the paramilitary group's message when he told Channel 4 some 18 months ago that it would regard border infrastructure and those staffing it as "a legitimate target for attack".

In its letter, the LCC says it's determined that unionist opposition to the protocol should be "peaceful and democratic".

A key paragraph reads: "The protocol gives effect to the Irish nationalist position at the expense of the unionist position. This renders it in variance with the agreement it purports to uphold and undermines the basis on which the Combined Loyalist Military Command agreed their 1994 ceasefire and subsequent support for the Belfast Agreement."

Jude Whyte, whose mother Peggy was murdered by the UVF, believes that by withdrawing support for the Good Friday Agreement, loyalist paramilitaries are effectively making a veiled threat - a viewed widely shared by nationalism.

The UDA, UVF, and Red Hand Commando are seen to be adding their military muscle to the political campaign against the Irish Sea border.

However, it's important to note that the Chief Constable doesn't believe there is currently a prospect for a return to violence, and the PSNI had assesses the letter as a "political move".

Yet without the threat of violence, what political clout would loyalist paramilitaries have?

Boris Johnson may not even reply to the LCC, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking that it doesn't have the ear of government. In January, it held a 90-minute Zoom meeting with Northern Ireland Office officials. But the problem for loyalists is that there are significantly more powerful actors, including the White House, supporting the protocol.
An Indian national was allegedly shot dead by the Nepalese police near the international border in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district, about 300 kilometres from Lucknow.

According to the police sources, three Indian nationals who were residents of Raghavpuri area in the district had crossed over to Nepal to attend a fair at Kanchanpur on Thursday.

The youths had an argument with the Nepalese police, following which the cops fired at them. One of the youths, identified as Govinda Singh, suffered serious injuries in the firing. He was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, sources said. It was not clear as to why the police opened fire at the youths.

Read | Hit by Covid-19 curbs, Nepal's economy contracts for first time in decades

The other two managed to save themselves by returning to Indian territory but sources said one of them was stated to be missing.

The body of the deceased Indian national was kept at the Belori health centre in Kanchanpur in Nepal, sources said adding that authorities were trying to get the dead body back to hand it over to the family.

Tension prevailed at the border and the Shastra Seema Bal (SSB) was put on alert.

''We are trying to verify the facts....we are in touch with the officials across the border,'' a senior police official said in Pilibhit.
WASHINGTON - Pressure is building on President Joe Biden, a longtime backer of traditional Washington rules, to do away with the filibuster and other procedures as Democrats press him to seize what could be a fleeting moment of power to enact his agenda.

Liberals have long pushed for sweeping changes such as expanding the Supreme Court, ending the electoral college and banning gerrymandering. But as Biden faces a critical stretch of his presidency, even moderate Democrats are urging more-immediate changes - particularly rewriting the filibuster so that at the very least fewer bills need 60 votes to pass the Senate.

Democrats increasingly worry that popular pieces of Biden's agenda will hit a wall in the Senate, including his plans for climate change, immigration, gun control, voting rights and LGBT protections. Failing to enact them, they fear, could be a political disaster for Democrats.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a centrist, said Wednesday she wants to "get rid of the filibuster," her toughest comments to date on the matter. By Thursday, Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., announced via social media that she, too, now wants to abolish the filibuster, because "the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the filibuster has long been the enemy of progress."

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., also a moderate, told The Washington Post he could envision the Senate changing the filibuster if bills are floundering. "We've got to figure out whether leadership on both sides wants to have obstruction or if they want to come together and try to get some things done," Tester said.

For the moment, Democrats do not have the votes to fully abolish the filibuster, which allows a senator to block a bill by refusing to yield the floor unless at least 60 senators overrule the speaker. Some Democrats, such as Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), oppose repeal. ("Never!" he shouted recently at a journalist who asked.) So advocates are looking for ways to limit the filibuster instead of ending it - and hoping Biden weighs in.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., warned that if Democrats fail to pass a popular agenda because of arcane Senate rules, the party will suffer in the midterm elections. "It will be a Democratic Party Armageddon in 2022 if we sit here on our butts and say, 'Oh, we're sorry, we're not as determined to get our agenda passed as Republicans were,' " said Merkley, who is spearheading an overhaul effort.

Republicans say such changes would create a free-for-all in the Senate and contend Democrats are threatening to toss the rules to gain an unearned political advantage.

"The same party that wants to change Senate rules when they lose a vote, pack the Supreme Court when they lose a case and throw out the electoral college every time they lose the White House now wants to forcibly rewrite 50 states' election laws from Washington," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said recently on the Senate floor, speaking in opposition to a Democratic election bill.

He added, "Millions of American voters elected 50 Republican senators and a whole lot of House Republicans to make sure that Democrats play by the rules, not rewrite the rules."

As the presidential campaign unfolded and the depth of many Democrats' dissatisfaction became clear, Biden softened his vociferous opposition to changing Washington's rules. In July, he conceded that his approach to the filibuster would "depend on how obstreperous [Republicans] become." After resisting proposals to expand the Supreme Court, he promised a commission to look into changes of the court's structure.

Now that Biden is president, such middle positions could be harder to sustain. Biden faces a choice, some activists say, between ruling mostly via executive fiat - which permits modest accomplishments at best - and pulling down the structural obstacles.

For now, the White House is keeping its options on the table.

"One thing that is nonnegotiable is him delivering for the American people," said Emmy Ruiz, the White House political director. "The number-one priority here is to get this agenda, this bold agenda, passed through Congress."

A White House official, not authorized the discuss the administration's legislative approach and speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the "strategy is adjusting every single day," reiterating Biden's position that the filibuster is not sacrosanct, while the agenda is.

But with Democrats potentially losing their narrow House or Senate majorities in 2022 - a president's party usually fares poorly in midterms - the Democrats' window for change may be short-lived.

The vulnerability of Biden's agenda became clear last week when a proposed minimum-wage increase ran into a procedural hurdle and was removed from his coronavirus relief package. Some Democrats, and many activists, saw that as a warning sign for the rest of Biden's agenda.

And while Biden hopes to soon pass a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, the second-largest stimulus bill ever to go through Congress, he may struggle to repeat that feat with measures that do not fit as easily into "reconciliation," a maneuver allowing a bill to pass the Senate with a simple majority instead of 60 votes.

Biden will have just two more opportunities to use reconciliation before the midterms, and only budget-related bills qualify. It is the Senate parliamentarian who decides whether a bill fits under reconciliation, and while her advice can be ignored, Democrats have chosen to abide by her rulings.

"It's not an ideal procedure to get things done, but politically this is the only palatable path right now to progress on key issues," said Ben LaBolt, an aide in the Obama administration.

Some liberals in Congress sent a letter this week to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris urging them to sidestep the parliamentarian's decision on the minium wage, a move that has historical precedent.

"There is an institutional deference that maybe would have been fine in times past, but a defense of the status quo is inadequate to the challenges of our time," said Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. "We have to follow the rule of law, but we don't have to defer to traditions and norms."

Without such changes, Senate rules force advocates into a tortuous process of making sometimes circuitous arguments for why their bills fit reconciliation.

Kerri Talbot, deputy director of the Immigration Hub, a pro-immigrant organization, said reconciliation may be the best hope for passing a citizenship measure for at least some of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. "We think we can qualify, due to the economic impact of providing a path to citizenship," Talbot said. "Ultimately it's a big boon for the economy, but in the short run there are some costs involved as well."

Advocates and 100 lawmakers have asked Biden to consider legalizing at least 5 million undocumented immigrants via budget reconciliation. Three people with detailed understanding of Senate rules, however, said it is unlikely that a broad immigration plan would pass the parliamentarian's muster.

Immigration activists are preparing for that eventuality. "We have to understand that the ruling of the Senate parliamentarian is not the end of the story," said Carlos Rojas Rodriguez, who was among 150 supporters and ex-staffers of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who wrote Sanders last week urging him to use reconciliation.

If the Senate parliamentarian disagrees, Rojas Rodriguez said, Democrats should overrule her.

Merkley said he is seeing steadily more receptiveness from his colleagues for ending the filibuster. In 2009 when he first joined the Senate, the push for change was "a very lonely journey," he said, but now "there's been a massive shift."

Proponents are casting about for proposals that could win over the last few votes for change. For example, a current Democratic bill to overhaul elections is expected to attract no Republican support, prompting some Democrats to suggest an exception to the filibuster for civil rights and voting matters.

Biden's climate agenda, a top priority for the party's liberal wing and many young voters, also would probably struggle to attract 60 Senate votes, nor would it easily qualify for reconciliation. One lobbyist familiar with Biden's plan said "the whole thing, basically," would be unlikely to meet the reconciliation test without being "substantially redrafted."

Some lawmakers believe that if a stack of popular bills passes the House but cannot get through the Senate, it would put critical pressure on Senate Democrats to consider revamping their system.

"The longer the Senate doesn't function as it used to, pressure will keep building for changes that would allow overwhelmingly popular policies to move forward," said Phil Schiliro, who headed legislative affairs in the Obama White House.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has sidestepped questions about how Biden's agenda could make it through the currently configured Senate.

"The bottom line is we're going to come together as a caucus and figure out a way to get the bold action that the American people demand," Schumer said recently. "We will put bills on the floor. We're not going to be the legislative graveyard."

Biden is uniquely situated to push for a major change to the Senate proceedings, some Democrats say, because of his credibility as a Senate institutionalist. He served in the chamber for more than three decades and frequently speaks of it with affection.

In his previous stint in the executive branch, Biden showed flexibility. As vice president he supported the Obama administration's push to end the filibuster on most judicial nominations, lobbying his former colleagues to make the change, said Ed Pagano, a legislative-affairs aide in the White House at the time.

But Biden is also on the record defending Senate traditions such as the parliamentarian's rulings, saying in a 2005 floor speech that heeding them had "been the practice for 218 years."

As for killing the filibuster - that, he warned at the time, would be "a fundamental power grab by the majority party."

- - -

The Washington Post's Erica Werner, Alice Crites and Juliet Eilperin contributed to this report.
McCracken Rape Suspect Appears in Court

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - A man charged with the rape and assault of an elderly woman appeared in court Friday.The McCracken Circuit Court Clerk said Gary Pugh appeared for a motion hour where the court and the defense agreed that he was competent to stand trial. A pretrial conference was scheduled for March 15 at 1 pm.He was arrested on July 20 after an 80-year-old woman told police he had come to her home and asked to pray with her. Authorities say he then forced the woman into a bathroom where he physically and sexually assaulted her.Pugh is facing charges of first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, and second-degree assault.
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  A hospital in central Greece said Friday a far-left militant convicted of 11 murders is in critical condition after suffering kidney failure following 56 days of hunger strike.

Dimitris Koufodinas, who is serving 11 life sentences for his role in the November 17 group, began the protest on Jan. 8, arguing that a prison transfer in December occurred in violation of his rights as an inmate.

November 17, which mixed Marxism with nationalism, killed 23 people, including U.S., British and Turkish diplomats, between 1975 and 2000. It was eradicated following a string of arrests in 2002 and subsequent convictions.

Authorities earlier this week increased security at police department buildings and other potential targets, in preparation for possible violent reprisals if Koufodinas dies. Several buildings housing government departments and offices of politicians have already been recently vandalized and targeted in arson attacks by supporters of Koufodinas.

The 63-year-old is being treated in intensive care at a hospital in Lamia, some 215 kilometers (130 miles) north of Athens.

The government has denied Koufodinas request, which was being heard in a renewed petition from his lawyers in a regional court Friday.

Koufodinas demands have been backed by near-daily public protests in Athens and other cities, but a recent opinion poll suggests that nearly 70% of Greeks oppose his demand.
18+

FOR.kg search news service (news aggregator, media aggregator)

Read first Agreement on the use of the FOR.kg search site

When using materials from the FOR.kg - reference to the source is required

For all questions please contact customer support
New Delhi, March 5 : Boosting the morale of those who are still sceptical about getting the vaccine shot against Covid-19, a 101-year-old woman on Friday received her first vaccine dose at a municipal hospital here, officials told IANS.

The woman, Sumitra Dhandia, received the Covid jab at New Delhi Municipal Council's (NDMC) Charak Palika Hospital in the Motibagh area.

Doctors told IANS that the woman came for the inoculation all by herself from Jorbagh, which is around 7 km from the hospital. "She was upbeat about getting vaccinated," said C.K. Bakshi, Chief Medical Officer at the hospital.

The hospital staff said that the woman received the vaccine well and did not report any side-effects in the 30-minute observation period post vaccination.

"She chatted for a while with other people, thanked us and then left for her home," Bakshi said.

The staff further said that Dhandia could possibly be the oldest citizen to receive the vaccine so far in the immunisation drive.

The NDMC even featured Dhandia on its Twitter account.

"It needs the courage to move alone at this age. She deserves special praise and mention for this act. It will help in removing doubts amid the minds of those who are hesitant to take up the vaccine shots," tweeted Om Prakash, Director, NDMC.

In the third phase of vaccination, which is covering around 27 crore people above the age of 60 years or between 45 and 59 with specified comorbid conditions, the senior citizens seem to be leading the way.

As per the data released by the Union Health Ministry, more than 60 per cent recipients during the third phase of vaccination which began on March 1 are senior citizens.

Vaccines are being provided free of cost at the government health facilities and on a payment basis in the private health facilities.

All private hospitals can charge Rs 150 for a vaccine shot and Rs 100 as service charge, as fixed by the Centre.

So far, 1,80,05,503 doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country since the drive began on January 16.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
I couldnt be more proud of my team for digging in and not losing faith in their creativity, even facing formidable barriers this past year.

Dunn&Co., a leading branding, advertising and production company, today announced it won 55 total ADDY awards, a record for the agency, at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Tampa Bay 2021 ADDY Awards, held virtually on February 26. The agencys dramatic showingwinning six times more awards than any other agencymarked the fifth time in six years that Dunn&Co. has led the awards count among all participating agencies.

Of the 55 awards, 33 were awarded Gold or Best in Show in their respective categories.



Overall Best in Show award for its Be the Distant Thunder campaign for Tampa Bay Lightning

Six Best of Bay (category) awards

o Cross-platform category for its Be the Distant Thunder campaign for the Tampa Bay Lightning

o Online/Interactive category for its website design/build for Harleston Green scotch whisky

o Out-of_home category for its Distant Thunder Glass Installs for Tampa Bay Lightning

o Elements of Advertising category for its copywriting of its Stanley Cup poster, 23 Men, for Tampa Bay Lightning

o Corporate Service Responsibility category for its own Creative Carryout initiative during the pandemic

o Industry Self-Promotion category for its pitch book to CrossBorder Solutions



Three Judges Choice awards

o Cinematography for Distant Thunder: Bali for Tampa Bay Lightning

o Stanley Cup digital wallpaper campaign for Tampa Bay Lightning

o Pitch package for CrossBorder Solutions

Dunn&Co.s award-winning work was recognized in a variety of categories, including integrated campaigns, TV broadcast, digital/web, print, outdoor, radio, video, brand identity, events, art direction, illustration, copywriting, video editing and cinematography. The ADDYs recognized the agencys work on behalf of seven different clientsTampa Bay Lightning, Grow Financial, the State of Florida, CrossBorder Solutions, Harleston Green scotch whisky, the Florida Aquarium, and Smokey Bones restaurants.

Creating this sort of work, in the face of a pandemic, was more challenging than ever before, said Troy Dunn, President and Chief Creative Officer. But it was the pandemic itself that caused the challenges that forced us to re-evaulate how our clients customers were being affected, and resulted in breakthrough work. I couldnt be more proud of my team for digging in and not losing faith in their creativity, even facing formidable barriers this past year.

The AAF ADDY Awards is the nations largest advertising competition, with more than 30,000 entries annually. The ADDY Awards is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry for the industry. AAF Tampa Bay serves advertising professionals from the Tampa Bay community, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus and Hernando Counties.

Dunn&Co.s winning pieces will move on to compete at the district level competition (Florida and Carribean) for a chance to be forwarded to the national stage of the American Advertising Federation Awards, held virtually in June 2021.

About Dunn&Co.

Dunn&Co. (http://www.dunn-co.com) is a branding, advertising and marketing communications firm with offices in Tampa and the United Kingdom. They provide award-winning creative solutions for clients worldwide, including GE Healthcare, Tampa Bay Lightning, Trivago, Baxter Healthcare, Checkers, Grow Financial, State of Florida, Abbvie, Smokey Bones, The Florida Aquarium, Edgewater Spirits, World of Beer, Sabal Trust, Arrmaz, Connectwise, CrossBorder and AmCap.

About AAF  Tampa Bay

The American Advertising Federation  Tampa Bay exists to support its members, the community and the advertising industry. Its mission is to promote fellowship, education and career enhancement among members of the advertising community; foster and recognize excellence in advertising; champion public service causes; build an understanding of the role and benefits of advertising at all levels; and encourage advertising self-regulation and continuous improvement to raise industry benchmarks.
[March 05, 2021] Ouster and Strategic Manufacturing Partner Benchmark Electronics Accelerate Capacity Expansion to Meet Anticipated 2021 Demand

Ouster, Inc. ("Ouster"), a leading provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors for the industrial automation, smart infrastructure, robotics, and automotive industries, is scaling production and achieving major automotive milestones through its partnership with Benchmark Electronics (News - Alert) , a strategic contract manufacturer. Benchmark's global expertise in microelectronics, optics, printed circuit board assembly, and automated testing has enabled Ouster to increase production capabilities, shipping over 2,000 sensors in 2020. Ouster has shifted the majority of its sensor production to Benchmark's facility in Thailand, located in a region known for its photonics expertise and highly-skilled labor. Production has already scaled substantially; in Q4 2020 alone, total sensor output increased by over 60% compared to the previous quarter. With Benchmark's custom microelectronics line, a full-sensor assembly line, and an end-of-line test room within a single facility, Ouster expects Benchmark's capabilities will result in continued acceleration of production capacity to over thousands of units per month while maintaining quality and costs. Benchmark's Thailand facility complies with international standards that govern quality and environmental requirements for the industry, including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and automotive IATF 16949. Major automotive OEMs completed audits of Ouster's facility on Benchmark's Thailand campus in 2019, confirming compliance with quality standards and volume production capacity. This is a critical milestone for any lidar manufacturer in their quest to meet automotive-grade specifications. "We believe our contract manufacturing capabilities with Benchmark Electronics uniquely position us to achieve our future goal of automotive-grade quality at scale and low cost," said Darien Spencer, Executive Vice President of Operations at Ouster. "This partnership with Benchmark has enabled us to scale quickly to meet current needs across our four market segments. It also accelerates our capacity to meet the anticipated high volume demands of our automotive customers as they prepare for commercial deployment in the coming years." Benchmark's Thailand facility is expected to support the high volume, low-cost production of Ouster sensors while meeting major industrial quality requirements and future automotive-grade qualifications. Ouster's San Francisco facility will continue to be utilized for introducing new products and fulfilling select U.S. customer contracts. In December, Ouster entered into a definitive merger agreement with Colonnade Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: CLA)("CLA") in a transaction that would result in Ouster being listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "OUST". CLA has scheduled the extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders for March 9, 2021 to approve the proposed business combination. The closing of the Business Combination is subject to approval by CLA's shareholders and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions and is expected to close as soon as practicable following the extraordinary general meeting. About Ouster Ouster invented its digital lidar in 2015 and is a leading manufacturer of high-resolution digital lidar sensors used throughout the industrial automation, smart infrastructure, robotics, and automotive industries. Ouster's sensors are reliable, compact, affordable and highly customizable, laying the foundation for digital lidar ubiquity across endless applications and industries. Already hundreds of customers have incorporated Ouster lidar sensors in current products or those in development for imminent commercial release. For more information, visit www.ouster.com, or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.



Additional Information and Where to Find It This document relates to a proposed business combination (the "Business Combination") between CLA and Ouster. This document does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed Business Combination and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Business Combination. In connection with the proposed Business Combination, CLA filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") on December 22, 2020, which included a proxy statement/prospectus of CLA. CLA's shareholders, Ouster's stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed in connection with the proposed Business Combination, as these materials contain important information about Ouster, CLA and the Business Combination. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials for the proposed Business Combination have been mailed to stockholders of Ouster and shareholders of CLA as of a record date for voting on the proposed Business Combination. CLA shareholders and Ouster stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to CLA's secretary at 1400 Centrepark Blvd, Suite 810, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, (561) 712-7860.

Participants in the Solicitation CLA and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from CLA's shareholders with respect to the proposed Business Combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in CLA is contained in CLA's definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on February 18, 2021, which is available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. To the extent such holdings of CLA's securities may have changed since that time, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Ouster and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of CLA in connection with the proposed Business Combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed Business Combination is contained in CLA's definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on February 18, 2021, which is available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Forward-Looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the anticipated timing of the Business Combination and Ouster's anticipated production capacity. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the Business Combination may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, (ii) the risk that the Business Combination may not be completed by CLA's business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by CLA, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination, including the adoption of the agreement and plan of merger by the shareholders of CLA and Ouster, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by CLA's public shareholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) the lack of a third-party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed Business Combination, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the agreement and plan of merger, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Business Combination on Ouster's business relationships, performance and business generally, (vii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts and other expectations after the completion of the proposed Business Combination and (viii) the risk of downturns in the highly competitive lidar technology and related industries. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of CLA's definitive proxy statement/prospectus discussed above and other documents filed by CLA from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ouster and CLA assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither Ouster nor CLA gives any assurance that either Ouster or CLA will achieve its expectations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005196/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]

COLUMBIA  Gov. Henry McMaster is lifting his mask mandate for state buildings and restaurants and telling state employees still working from home to come back to their office.

McMaster's March 5 update means the Republican governor is no longer requiring face coverings to be worn in state buildings, by restaurant employees or by diners, who were previously ordered to cover up while not eating or drinking. But that doesn't mean people can ditch their masks, as local ordinances and businesses' own policies still apply.

He also directed all state agency leaders to quickly transition to normal operations. Each must submit a plan to the Department of Administration to "expeditiously return" all employees to their workplace full time. It's unclear how many still work from home.

"Now that the majority of South Carolinians are eligible to receive the vaccine and infections and hospitalizations have dropped significantly, state agency heads may safely bring back the last group of state employees working remotely," McMaster said.

Starting March 8, an additional 2.7 million South Carolinians become eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, newly including people ages 55 to 64, those with certain underlying health problems and disabilities, and employees who must work in person and can't socially distance while on the job. That will bring the total eligible to about 4 million in a state of roughly 5 million people.

So far, about 792,000 South Carolinians have received at least the first of two necessary shots; 54 percent of them have received both doses, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

McMaster's latest executive order removes some of the state's last COVID-19 restrictions, a week after he announced late-night alcohol sales could resume and gatherings of more than 250 people no longer need special permission.

It also comes days after the GOP governors of Texas and Mississippi announced ends to their statewide mask mandates  moves blasted by President Joe Biden as "Neanderthal thinking."

Similarly, state Senate Democrats called it reckless for McMaster to rescind mask requirements in restaurants.

"In order to score political points, he is racing to strip away what few safeguards were in place to protect our state," reads the statement by the Senate Democratic Caucus. "Under the false guise of protecting personal liberties, which were never being violated, he is making reckless decisions. This is no way to lead in a time of crisis."

The Democrats accused the GOP governor of continuing to "ignore scientific evidence" as South Carolinians continue to die.

Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email

Sign Up!

Nearly 8,700 South Carolinians have died with COVID-19 over the past year; 94 percent of them were 55 and older, according to DHEC data.

McMaster never did issue a statewide mask mandate, calling it unenforceable, even though he frequently pleaded with South Carolinians to wear masks to protect themselves and others. His repeated refusal drew criticism from people in both parties.

Despite mounting pressure, he didn't even require face coverings in state offices until Aug. 5, after he called on more city and county governments to pass their own rules, which marked a change from him passively saying they could.

His latest order strikes that encouragement altogether. Language in previous orders that urged local governments to enact "narrowly tailored" mask mandates doesn't exist in the update.

It comes a day after DHEC Director Edward Simmer told reporters the state's still a long way from getting enough South Carolinians vaccinated to return to a pre-pandemic normalcy without masks and social distancing.

That will require at least 70 percent of residents 16 and older being immunized. The goal will grow to 3 million to 4 million people  roughly the number of adults in the state  once vaccines are authorized for children under 16, his office clarified March 5.

Supply shortages remain the biggest obstacle for vaccinations. DHEC officials said next week's shipments should help speed things up, as they'll include 41,400 doses of the newly authorized Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires just one shot.

Simmer said he agreed with McMaster's timing to let bars serve past 11 p.m. again and no longer require a special permit for gatherings exceeding 250 people. But he stressed that people still need to wear masks, avoid crowds and socially distance.

"Those make sense to do now," when looking at decreasing hospitalizations and case counts, but only if people behave responsibly, he said.

"If people look at those changes as an opportunity to go to the bars and not wear their masks and not take precautions, then we're going to have problems," he told reporters.
One small county in Arizona has so many coronavirus vaccines doses available that it is offering them to anybody over the age of 18.

Officials in Gila County - 120 miles east of Phoenix - said they were having trouble finding senior citizens and essential workers to offer the jabs too.

So, last month, the county's Health and Emergency Management (HEM) changed the requirements for vaccine eligibility in hopes of encouraging more residents to make appointments.

As of Friday, more than 17,000 doses have been administered, meaning almost 40 percent of Gila County's population of 52,000 is vaccinated.

This is ahead of the state of Arizona, where 26.9 percent of the population is vaccinated, and the national average of 25 percent receiving one or both doses.

As of Friday, Gila county has vaccinated 38% of its residents, the best in the state, and ahead of the state-wide percentage in Arizona's at 26.9%

Gila County in Arizona is the first county in the state to offer its coronavirus vaccine doses to anyone over age 18

Officials say they had trouble finding senior citizens and essential workers to immunize within the last month, so they opened eligibility, faster than what is occurring in Arizona

It comes as the U.S. reached a seven-day rolling average of two million daily vaccinations for the first time on Thursday

'We were struggling to find folks within the 65 plus category to sign up for the vaccine,' Michael O'Driscoll, director of Gila's HEM told CNN.

So, in early February, O'Driscoll made a request to the state to move into Phase 1C for COVID-19 vaccinations, meaning opening up the shot to everyone.

On February 17, the request was granted and Gila County became the first in Arizona to offer immunizations to all residents.

When the request was granted, healthcare professionals had vaccinated 21 percent of the population. Three weeks later, 38 percent are vaccinated.

Gila County currently has the best average in the state, which officials says is because counties determine which essential workers should receive the shot and in what order.

In nearby Pinal County, only 17.6 percent of the state's 462,000 residents have been vaccinated because only essential workers and the elderly have been vaccinated

And in Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, only about 17.2 percent have been vaccinated because eligibility was just expanded to include more essential workers and adults aged 55 and older.

O'Driscoll told CNN that the key to the county's success was as strong communications campaign, making sure that all eligible groups knew when it was their turn.

'What we did was we set up the pandemic exactly like what we would do during our fire season,' O'Driscoll said.

'We set up our incident command very similar to that.'

The incident command center partnered up different healthcare centers, including hospitals and physicians to meet targets for vaccinating high-risk groups such as senior citizens,

Because the rollout went so well, Arizona state officials began allocating a larger number of doses to the county.

Currently, there are more than 52.8 million people - 15.9% of the population - have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 26.9 million - 8.1% of the population - are fully inoculated

Josh Beck, lead for the county's pandemic response, told Payson Roundup that these partners have been

Beck told Payson Roundup that, soon enough, the county will have to beg people to be vaccinated.

'You've really got three groups,' he said.

He said the first group is the 'more panicked' groups that gets the vaccine as soon as it become available.

The second group is the group acts like the COVID-19 vaccine is the flu shot and say they'll get it and the third group is the 'I'll get it when it happens' group.

'Like your dentist appointment, if it's due June 1st, that's when they'll schedule it,' Beck told Payson Roundup.

'It's not that they don't want to get the vaccine, but they are not going to go out of their way to do it,' he said.

Gila officials say key to the county's success was a strong communications campaign, making sure that all eligible groups knew when it was their turn. Pictured: A drive-thur vaccination clinic in the county's town of Globe, February 2021

Officials believe now that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been approved for emergency use, the vaccination numbers will be drive up even further. Pictured: A drive-thru vaccination site in Gila, date unknown

Beck told Fox 10 Phoenix that he believe the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which doesn't need to be frozen, will drive up the vaccination numbers even further.

'I think having the option, those extra options are going to help get from that 40%, 50 percent to 60 percent to 70 percent or higher,' he said.

According to The New York Times, there are very few states where vaccine eligibility even comes close to matching.

West Virginia is vaccinating residents aged 50 and older.

Kentucky and Indiana are immunizing residents over 60 can get vaccinated, with most other states having a threshold of 65 to 70 years old.

The newspaper's tracker indicates that only 32 states are vaccinating teachers and 18 are vaccinating grocery store workers.

Most states haven't even opened up eligibility

Across the U.S. as a whole, the vaccination rollout seems to have finally picked up speed.

Currently, there are more than 52.8 million people - 15.9 percent of the population - have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 26.9 million - 8.1 percent of the population - are fully inoculated.

On Thursday, the U.S. reached a seven-day rolling average of two million daily vaccinations for the first time.

President Joe Biden said he U.S. expects to have of enough coronavirus vaccine for all adults by the end of May, two months earlier than anticipated.

Biden said he doesn't know when life will return to tomorrow but said he hoped it would be sometime before 'this time next year.'
The Georgian government announced that citizens and residents of four Central Asian countries - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will be able to fly to Georgia based on negative PCR test results conducted within 72 hours starting from March 5.

Visitors will have to conduct a follow-up PCR test on the third day after entering the country. The aforementioned lifting of restrictions applies only to passengers arriving by air, land border restrictions currently remain in force, Georgian Journal reported.

In February, the similar travel restrictions were lifted for citizens and residents of the EU, the U.S., Israel, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. More recently, starting from March 1, restrictions were lifted for nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier, Georgia fully removed entry restrictions for vaccinated passengers arriving by air (regardless of their nationality), which means - no testing pre-departure, no testing on arrival and no quarantine.
Futures: at least a 10 minute delay. Information is provided 'as is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice. To see all exchange delays and terms of use, please see disclaimer
Police divers have combed through thousands of square metres off Dover Heights in a bid to narrow down what may have happened to missing Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick.

They have been assessing ocean conditions each morning since Wednesday, but Friday was the first time they were able to enter the water.

NSW Police divers at Dover Heights on Wednesday inspecting ocean conditions. Credit:Nine News

On Friday, the divers conducted an underwater search spanning 6000 square metres but nothing of interest was found, a police spokesperson said.

At this stage, police wont be conducting further searches in the area, the spokesperson said.
New Delhi, March 5 : The Chairman of The Muthoot Group, M G George Muthoot passed away in the national capital on Friday evening.

Under his leadership, the Muthoot Group has widened the scope of its operations and is currently a business conglomerate comprising 20 diversified divisions with presence pan India and overseas.

Muthoot Finance, the group's flagship company became the largest gold financing company in India and the first-ever NBFC to join the 'Rs 1000 crore net profit club' also under the leadership of M G George Muthoot. Under him, The Muthoot Group expanded to over 5,500 branches across the world and over 20 different businesses.

He was named as the 50h richest Indian in 2011 by Forbes Asia Magazine and reached the 44th spot in 2019.

The Kochi-based Muthoot Finance offers loans using gold as collateral. Muthoot Finance provides gold loans on extremely easy terms and conditions to people of each segment of the society.

M G George Muthoot was a graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology and has attended various Executive Management Courses at the Harvard Business School. He joined the family business, The Muthoot Group, at a young age and became its Managing Director in 1979.

He took over as the Chairman of the group in 1993 and was conferred with numerous national and international during his lifetime.

Further, he was the National Executive Committee Member of FICCI and also held the position of Chairman in the Kerala State Council.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture in Santa Fe is closed to the public through May.

According to the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the closure comes as a precaution for the publics safety for the installation of several new exhibitions.

Cisco Tapia, a DCA spokesman, says that during the temporary closure, the public can still explore MIAC online through online exhibitions and virtual tours and stay connected with the museum by following MIAC on Facebook and YouTube.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

When the museum reopens, visitors will be welcomed to A Place in Clay.

This exhibition will showcase the work of artist Kathleen Wall (Jemez Pueblo), the museums 2020 Native Treasures Living Treasure, Tapia says. With techniques passed on from generation to generation, Walls art exemplifies the style and beauty of her familys heritage through her creations.

Wall has always considered Pueblo pottery to be an essential ingredient in her life.

Over the last 30 years, I have begun my creative process with the same actions as my mother, my grandmother, and my great grandmother before her, Wall says. I dig clay and volcanic ash in the same places that my mother showed me as a young girl. I have created most of my clay figures using traditionally processed clay from here in Jemez Pueblo  where I began.

Another exhibit, Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass, will be the first exhibition of its kind in the country that presents the evolution of glass as a new art form for Indigenous artists.

The two-pronged exhibition of more than 100 glass sculptures will focus on how Native artists have melded ancestral ways with new methods and materials in glass.

The exhibit will feature work from 29 Native American artists and four Pacific Rim artists from New Zealand and Australia, as well as seminal glass artist Dale Chihuly.

MIAC will also reopen the Buchsbaum Pottery Gallery of the Southwest, along with a new traveling exhibition called Why We Serve: Native Americans in the Armed Forces.

The exhibition will come directly to MIAC from the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Why We Serve honors the generations of Native Americans who have served in the U.S. armed forces  often in extraordinary numbers  since the American Revolution.

The popular Here, Now and Always exhibition continues to be closed for construction through summer 2022.

Online

Exhibits at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture in Santa Fe can be viewed at indianartsandculture.org
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

TOKYO  Myanmars security forces have killed scores of demonstrators protesting a coup. The new junta has jailed journalists  and anyone else capable of exposing the violence. It has done away with even limited legal protections. The outside world has responded so far with tough words, a smattering of sanctions and little else.

The slide from a nascent democracy to yet another coup, as rapid as it has been brutal, opens up a grim possibility: As bad as it looks in Myanmar now, if the countrys long history of violent military rule is any guide, things could get worse.

Protesters have continued to fill the streets despite violence that left 38 people dead one day this week  though they have turned out in smaller numbers than the weeks right after the Feb. 1 coup. They have used smartphones to capture the brutality. Recent videos show security forces shooting a person at point-blank range and chasing down and savagely beating demonstrators.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

The military, however, has the clear upper hand, with sophisticated weapons, a large network of spies, the ability to cut telecoms, and decades of fighting experience from civil conflicts in the countrys borderlands.

We are at a crisis point, Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations with long experience working with Myanmar, told The Associated Press, pointing to the arrests of journalists, including APs Thein Zaw, and the indiscriminate killing of protesters. The international community needs to respond much more forcefully, or this situation will degenerate into complete anarchy and violence.

So, will it?

Governments around the world, including the United States, have condemned the coup, which reversed years of slow progress toward democracy. Before that opening up began, Myanmar had languished under a strict military rule for five decades that led to international isolation and crippling sanctions. As the generals loosened their grip in the past decade, the international community lifted most sanctions and poured in investment.

Despite the flurry of recent global criticism, however, theres not much hope that pressure from outside will change the course of events inside the country. For one thing, coordinated action at the U.N.  like a global arms embargo that the world bodys independent expert on human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, called for  is unlikely. Russia and China, Myanmars most powerful supporter, are still selling arms to the military  and they each have a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council and thus could veto any such measure. The Security Council will take up the crisis in Myanmar on Friday.

Myanmars neighbors, the countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, are generally loath to interfere in one anothers affairs  a policy that means they are unlikely to do anything more than call for talks between the junta and the ousted government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

That leaves sanctions from the United States and other Western countries. Washington imposed sanctions on Myanmars top military leaders after the Feb. 1 coup. More pressure came after a U.N. envoy said security forces killed 38 people on Wednesday. Britain imposed sanctions on three generals and six members of the junta in response to the coup and the crackdown. The European Union is drawing up measures to respond to the coup.

But even tough sanctions from those countries are unlikely to yield anything, though they may weigh heavily on ordinary people. Myanmar has ridden out decades of such measures before, and the military is already talking about plans for self-reliance.

U.N. special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, told reporters this week that she had warned the military that tough sanctions may be coming  and the response was that the generals knew how to walk with only a few friends.'

Myanmars history suggests the military will use ever increasing brutality and violence in an attempt to put down the protest movement, said Ronan Lee, a visiting scholar at the International State Crime Initiative at Queen Mary University of London. In the past, the military has been prepared to murder thousands to quell civil unrest or to meet its goals.

In the face of such determination, some observers question how long the protest movement can last.

While it may appear at first glance to be a battle of wills, the military has a substantial resource advantage over the average protester and has demonstrated that its willing to engage in extreme acts of violence and brutality to try to force compliance, said John Lichtefeld, vice president of The Asia Group, a consulting firm.

It may get much worse, he said. The military is an organization with tremendous institutional pride, and its possible that hardliners within the military who have been pushing for a more aggressive response are beginning to gain influence.

The military has also gotten away with past abuse. In 2017 the army slaughtered thousands of minority Rohingya Muslims in massacres that U.N. officials have said bear the hallmarks of genocide with few consequences so far.

In a sign of how limited the options are to influence the junta, when asked what more Britain and other countries could do, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab responded: We will continue to look at how we hold individual members of the regime to account.

Myanmars military is banking on the world going no further than harsh words, some economic sanctions and travel bans, Lee, the scholar at Queen Mary University, said. In order to ensure that, it may exercise some restraint in its crackdown  to try to keep violence below a threshold that would compel action  or at least keep it hidden.

This is why, he said, authorities are targeting journalists. It suggests they understand the value of international exposure to the protesters and are aggressively working to limit it.

___

Milko reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London, Jamey Keaton in Geneva, Frances DEmilio in Rome and Raf Casert in Brussels contributed to this report.
Scores of Lebanese protesters, on March 4, burned tires and closed major roads as severe economic crisis gripping the country continued to spiral out of control with no progress made even on the appointment of the new cabinet. On Thursday, the Lebanese pound hit a new low after its value depleted to nearly $10,000 in the black market. While the official value of Lebanese currency remains equivalent to the $1520, residents have now taken to violent protests in an attempt to voice their ire towards the administration. And its handling of the economic fallout.

According to the Associated Press, a fistfight broke inside a supermarket in Beirut after the branch manager restricted a shopper from purchasing subsided milk in large quantities. They are humiliating people with a bag of milk, shouted one protester at a rally on a main highway north of Beirut. The ruling class must go. Despite prices of goods witnessing astronomical high, people across the state are now stockpiling groceries and other items amid the fear of another catastrophic lockdown resulting crisis.

The country has been gripped by robust demonstrations since March 2 but the condition worsened on Thursday after scores of protesters closed the main Martyrs Square in central Beirut while others blocked the main highway linking the capital with the north and south. While groups of other people blocked other key roads and highways prompting military intervention.

Multiple crisis

Lebanon, at present, is battling multiple crises-a constant war with Israel, new coronavirus variants, political instability, and debt crisis- all while trying to revive itself from the horrendous explosion that jolted Beirut in August last year. The current economic crisis in the country has thrown more people into poverty as tens of thousands have lost their jobs since anti-government protests first erupted in late 2019. As per the world bank, the countrys economy contracted 19 per cent in 2020 and is expected to shrink again this year.

Read: Lebanon Currency Hits Record Low As Country's Crises Worsen

Read: Feds: Businessman Illegally Exported Vehicles To Lebanon

This comes as the World Bank threatened to suspend its multi-million-dollar aid for Lebanons coronavirus vaccine programme over what it said were violations by politicians who were inoculated with registering in advance. According to the Associated Press, the officials in Lebanon have claimed that several lawmakers jumped the line for the coronavirus vaccines by getting shots in parliament.

Read: World Bank Threatens To Suspend Lebanon's Funding For COVID-19 Vaccine Over Violations

Read: World Bank Might Suspend Financing Of Vaccines To Lebanon

(Image: AP)
Shes the stunningly beautiful Colombian-American actress who starred in one of the most successful television shows of the last 20 years.

And on Thursday, Sofia Vergara again showcased her unparalleled good looks in a duo of throwback shots, posted to her Instagram.

The Modern Family star, 48, shared two vanity shots that she specified in the caption were taken in Los Angeles in the 2000s.

The first saw the beauty in a subtle and gorgeous floral decorated brown bikini, with string ties at the hips.

Vergara accessorized the look with beautiful stone necklaces layered at her breasts.

Her luscious and rich brown hair cascaded down over her shoulders.

Strong Insta-presence: Sofia Vergara again showcased her unparalleled good looks in a duo of throwback shots, posted to her Instagram; seen here in a previous post

The second shot featured Sofia in a diaphanous and sheer orange and violet top.

She wore a different statement necklace, along with ornate earrings.

It was the second 'throwback Thursday' post from the star in as many weeks, as last Thursday she posted another dynamite bikini shot from even further back, in the '90s.

It was the second 'throwback Thursday' post from the star in as many weeks: Last Thursday, Sofia posted another dynamite bikini shot from even further back, in the '90s

The sexy posts come as the Hot Pursuit actress recently won a decisive court victory against her ex-fiance Nick Loeb.

Earlier this week, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge granted a permanent injunction stating that Loeb could not use Vergara's frozen embryos without her consent, a blow to his case where he tried to establish rights by going as far as even naming the embryos.

Loeb even attempted to establish trusts for the embryos, according to TMZ, as he fought 'tooth and nail for permission to bring the embryos to term.'

And in January, Loeb lost yet another legal battle in his fight to obtain legal custody over their frozen embryos, after a Louisiana appeals court ruled in favor of the TV star.

Actress, model and entrepreneur: The sexy posts come as the Hot Pursuit actress recently won a decisive court victory against her ex-fiance Nick Loeb

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal in Louisiana upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit Loeb had filed in an attempt to claim custody of two embryos they froze seven years ago.

In the ruling dated January 27, the appeals court ruled that Loeb's lawsuit, which it declared as 'abhorrent', should be thrown out because it made a 'mockery' of Louisiana's legal system. The appeals court also ruled that all documents related to the case should be unsealed.

The former couple called off their engagement in 2014 after dating for four years.

Vergara, who has an adult son, Manolo, from a previous relationship, has been married to Joe Manganiello since in November 2015.

Loeb's legal team say they are now planning to appeal to Louisiana's Supreme Court.
Lincoln is, both as a citizen and as a president, a complicated figure, Green said. At the same time that Lincoln was engaged in the policies that he followed as president in relation to the institution of slavery and its eventual impact on African Americans, Lincoln was also someone who was very committed to the policy of Indian removal.
Adding to the feverish anticipation of Republic Banglas launch, Republic Media Network announced that Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami will anchor a debate show on the upcoming Bengali channel. With this announcement, Arnab Goswami becomes the first-ever news anchor to host daily shows in 3 different languages on 3 different channels.

Republic Media Networks Managing Director and Editor-in-Chiefs will anchor Jabab Chay Bangla on R. Bangla. The show will follow Arnab Goswamis signature debate format with breakaway innovations and additions. Indias most-watched news anchor will be breaking into the Bangla broadcast news genre with his debate show right from the day of the R. Bangla launch

The official announcement was made on the social media handles of the Network on Thursday. Shortly after, Arnab Goswami said, I started my career in Bengal. In the 25th year of my career as a journalist, I feel so overwhelmed and grateful for getting a chance to speak to my audience in Bangla. Life is coming a full circle.

I cant wait to anchor Jabab Chay Bangla on Republic Bangla. I feel truly blessed at the support that I have received and the love that I continue to get from our dear viewers, Goswami added.

Jabab Chay Bangla will become the third daily debate show that Arnab Goswami hosts on Republic Media Network. Goswamis The Debate on Republic TV and Poochta Hai Bharat on R. Bharat are already the most watched shows in the English and Hindi news genre respectively. In addition, Goswami also hosts a weekly Sunday Debate on Republic TV.

Republic Bangla has already received a Tsunami of support from viewers, icons, and well-wishers. The R. Bangla tagline Kotha Hobey Chokhe Chokh Rekhe has gained instant virality not just in Bengal but amongst Bengali speakers and personalities across the world. From residents in rural Bengal to Bengali speakers in Melbourne, from the shop-keepers in the lanes of Bengal to icons like Sourav Ganguly and Baba Ramdev-- Kotha Hobey Chokhe Chokh Rekhe has become an unmissable and roaring chorus ahead of the R. Bangla launch.

The excitement on the ground for R. Bangla is matched with the fact that over 35 brands have already come onboard even before the channels launch.

With the launch of Republic Bangla, Republic Media Network is set to reiterate its position as Indias biggest and most impactful news Network. The Network already has over 300 million viewers across the country, in addition to its large viewership across the world including in the UK, the Middle East, the North Africa Region, Canada, Singapore and Australia.

With the largest deployment of resources and news crews in Bengal and reporters in every district, Republic Media Network will have the widest news gathering presence on the ground in Bengal.

As the countdown to launch is set to begin, Republic Media Network is set to disrupt news television once again-- this time, with R. Bangla being the biggest disrupter in the Bengali news genre.
Its unwise to mandate a vaccine while its under an emergency use authorization, as the three vaccines in use in the United States are, said Lawrence Gostin, a law professor at Georgetown University. Because mandates during an E.U.A. could bring legal challenges, he advised waiting for full Food and Drug Administration approval.

That could come as early as next month for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. After that, I would expect state or local governments might mandate that people working in health care be vaccinated, said Mr. Gostin, who directs a World Health Organization center on health law. Theyd have the right to do that.

Ethically, he added, its entirely justified. People have the right to take chances with their own health, but they absolutely do not have the right to endanger others.

Other public health specialists argue for incentives  carrots instead of sticks. With long-term care chronically understaffed, I dont think we want to do anything right now to push people out of those settings, said David Grabowski, a health policy researcher at Harvard Medical School.

He suggests far more substantial rewards than the gift cards or free meals some facilities are offering, as well as paid time off, so that employees can get inoculated and afford to miss a days work or two if they have reactions.

There are worse things than putting $500 to $1,000 into the pockets of workers whove been the backbone of long-term care before the epidemic and have had a terrible time since, he said. Its the most dangerous job in America right now.

Paying employees to get vaccinated raises ethical issues, however, said Emily Largent, a bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania and author of a recent JAMA editorial.
Production in Russia has continued apace throughout much of the coronavirus pandemic, and a broad slate of titles launching at the virtual edition of this years European Film Market  from high-concept period dramas to psychological thrillers to horror pics  will look to tap into international interest in the fast-growing industry. For us, its business as usual  boosting that potential, says Vadim Vereshchagin, CEO of Central Partnership.

During EFM, Vereshchagins production and distribution outfit will launch sales on a raft of titles including The World Champion, a drama based on the legendary 1978 chess match between Soviet world champion Anatoly Karpov and the dissident Viktor Korchnoi. The co-production with Nikita Mikhalkovs Studio TriTe and pubcaster Russia-1 is directed by Alexey Sidorov, who helmed the WWII blockbuster T-34.

More from Variety

Set in the noir atmosphere of 1920s Russia, December follows the last days of Sergey Yesenin, a famous Russian poet and lover of the American dancer Isadora Duncan. Pic is co-produced by Yellow, Black and White and START. The WWII survival drama The Pilot. A Battle for Survival centers on a fighter pilot who crash lands in a remote forest clearing after a daring air battle and has to find his way back to friendly territory. The film is set to premiere in May 2021.

Following on the worldwide success of their Netflix original series To the Lake, 1-2-3 Production will offer market screenings of two episodes of The Big Game, a hit survival drama co-produced with Amedia Production and slated for an August 2021 release. Also in the companys EFM line-up is Dreams of Alice, a teen drama with supernatural elements centered on a young protagonist plotting her escape from a mysterious northern town. Its one of 12 titles to receive the newly created Berlinale Series Market Selects label, highlighting series with high commercial potential.

Story continues

The selection points to a wider appetite for Russian content, according to Artem Vasilyev, of Metrafilms. The demand for quality films and quality series is there, he says. Metrafilms arrives at EFM with No Looking Back (pictured), a black comedy about a family of three generations of warring women, from director Kirill Sokolov (Why Dont You Just Die!). Also on the companys slate is Convenience Store, a debut feature about modern-day slavery from Michael Borodin, whose short Normal screened in Cannes Critics Week.

Metrafilms is also prepping Aspiration, the English-language debut of Michael Idov (The Humorist), about four middle-aged American rockers holed up in an Ontario farmhouse to record their final album. The co-production with Outrageous Films & Vortex Media (Canada) and The Media Company (France) is slated to shoot in Canada later this year.

Distribution powerhouse Planeta Inform is presenting The Ex, a new horror film from the producers of the smash hit The Bride, slated for a March release, and We, a sci-fi movie based on the worlds first dystopian novel, which comes from the producers of international hits Guardians and Coma. The company will also be presenting Wings Over Berlin, a WWII actioner about the first air assault of Berlin conducted by the Soviet air forces in 1941, which is currently in production.

All Media is launching sales on Fib the Truth, a psychological thriller slated for a fall 2021 release about a couple whose romantic weekend turns into a cruel and deadly game after an unexpected interruption. The company will also be selling Renata Litvinovas fantasy drama The North Wind, fresh off its Rotterdam world premiere, and The Nose or the Conspiracy of Mavericks, a stop-motion animated feature that will be released locally in March.

Mirsand is selling producer-director Timur Bekmambetovs WWII feature, V2. Escape From Hell, which will be released in Russian cinemas by Sony Pictures in April, while a vertical, smartphone-ready format will be released digitally. Bekmambetovs new thriller, Blue Whale, is also available in both feature film and series format.

Lastly, Bubble Studios will continue to sell Major Grom and the Plague Doctor, a $10 million adaptation of the hit comic-book franchise from Bubble Comics, to be released by Disney Studios in Russia on April 1.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Advertisement

Health Secretary Matt Hancock was today ridiculed for jumping over a park fence and doing press-ups amid growing fury over the Government proposing a 1 per cent pay rise for NHS staff.

The 42-year-old politician was pictured exercising in a park in London as he performed a dramatic leap over a low fence, with the moment captured by a photographer who was said to have been passing.

Social media users were quick to make fun of Mr Hancock, with some comparing him to Alan Partridge, and the scene where Steve Coogan's comedy character runs away from an obsessed fan and jumps over a stile.

Others joked that the picture of Mr Hancock - who is leading today's Government press conference - jumping over the fence looked like it could be used in 'What Happened Next' in the BBC quiz show A Question of Sport.

One Twitter user, George Cooper, said: 'I keep seeing this photo and I need context. Why is he jumping over this fence? Why was he on the grass? Why the exaggerated form? Why is Matt Hancock like this?'

Health Secretary Matt Hancock jumps over a small fence today as he goes out for exercise at a park in London

Mr Hancock is spotted exercising in the park today by photographer Jeremy Selwyn who was said to have been passing by

The 42-year-old Health Secretary smiles after jumping over the fence while exercising at a park in London today

Another, Lester Buxton, tweeted: 'Genuine credit to Matt Hancock for attempting to jump that fence. I'm 25 and I wouldn't try it. I would give NHS workers an actual pay rise though.'

Further social media users said Mr Hancock was 'clearly not on the fence about NHS pay' and that he was 'trying to hurdle a 2ft fence like some sort of Titan.'

Speaking about Mr Hancock exercising today, Evening Standard photographer Jeremy Selwyn tweeted: 'Wish all the politicians were as nice to photographers as Matt Hancock.'

And the newspaper's head of pictures Elliot Wagland added: 'Very impressed with Matt Hancock's leap over a fence today, over to you Boris! Luckily, Jeremy Selwyn was passing at the time.'

The Health Secretary is also photographed doing a press up during his time exercising in the park in London today

Mr Hancock was exercising in a park today ahead of leading the Government's press conference this afternoon

The Health Secretary smiles as he does a press up during his time exercising in a park in London today

It comes as a Government recommendation to increase pay for nurses and other healthcare staff by 1 per cent was branded an 'insult' and 'hypocrisy in its greatest form' by NHS workers.

The Unite union has warned of industrial action amid growing anger at the proposals, while the Royal College of Nursing announced it will set up a 35million industrial action fund in response.

Health minister Nadine Dorries today defended the Government's position, saying nurses have received a 12 per cent increase in pay over the last three years and the average nurse's salary is around 34,000.

Meanwhile the mystery person infected with the Manaus variant of coronavirus has been found. Officials have been hunting for the unknown individual after cases of the variant of concern were detected in the UK.

Six cases of the P1 variant, first identified in the Brazilian city of Manaus, have been found - three in Scotland and three in England.

A public appeal was made for one of those people in England to come forward after they took a test in February but left no contact details.

Earlier this week, Mr Hancock said the hunt for the infected person had been narrowed down to 379 households in South East England. Public health officials have now found the unnamed person and traced all of their contacts.

The P1 variant, which was also detected in travellers from Brazil to Japan, was associated with a surge of cases in Manaus late last year. It is among a total of four variants of concern being tracked by scientists in the UK.
The State Department sanctioned one of Ukraine's most powerful tycoons, Ihor Kolomoisky, as U.S. authorities also pursue a civil case alleging he stole billions of dollars from a Ukrainian bank he once owned and laundered the funds into the United States and other places.

Kolomoisky and members of his family were sanctioned under a U.S. law that allows the State Department to designate officials of foreign governments involved in human rights violations and corruption. Designation under the law prevents individuals from entering the United States, but doesn't result in the imposition of financial sanctions, according to a State Department official.

The tycoon was involved in "significant corruption" during his stint as governor of Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region from 2014 to 2015, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Friday, alleging that the tycoon's acts while in office "undermined rule of law and the Ukrainian public's faith in their government's democratic institutions and public processes."

Neither Kolomoisky nor a lawyer representing him in the United States responded to requests for comment.

In the civil case, Kolomoisky has denied the allegations the Justice Department has made against him, saying the real estate he held in the United States was purchased using personal funds he received through a deal he made with a mining company.

By sanctioning Kolomoisky, the Biden administration is backing up U.S. exhortations for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who previously starred in a television show on Kolomoisky's network and has operated under the suspicion that he was subject to the tycoon's influence, to take aggressive steps to reform Ukraine's economy and political system. The country has been dominated by oligarchs since the Soviet Union's collapse.

"This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to supporting political, economic, and justice sector reforms that are key to Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic path," Blinken said. "The United States continues to stand with all Ukrainians whose work drives reforms forward. The Department will continue to use authorities like this to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally."

Zelensky's office released a statement that didn't mention Kolomoisky by name but said Ukraine must overcome its oligarch system.

"Ukraine is grateful to all its partners for support on this path," the statement said. "The battle with the oligarchs lies not only in the realm of criminal responsibility. It is also about creating the conditions in Ukraine, in which business can grow in a transparent and competitive environment, and large financial groups will not be able to dominate the market or influence the media and political decisions."

Zelensky is hoping to re-engage with the United States as a key partner after his phone call with President Donald Trump led to impeachment proceedings against Trump and soured U.S.-Ukraine relations.

Kolomoisky has long cut an influential figure in Ukraine, making a fortune during the savage capitalism of the 1990s and cobbling together a business empire that has included airlines, television networks, banks and energy companies. Often referred to in the Ukrainian press as "Benya" - a reference to a gangster from Ukrainian literature - he has cultivated a puppeteer-like image, regularly asserting himself, often behind the scenes, at Ukraine's biggest political and economic moments.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, Kolomoisky increased his domestic power by becoming governor of his native Dnipropetrovsk region and funding a private army to fight Russian-backed separatists in nearby Donbas, assailing Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "schizophrenic of short stature."

But Ukraine's last president eventually nationalized his PrivatBank - Ukraine's largest bank - and alleged that Kolomoisky and one of his business partners had defrauded the bank, and its depositors, of billions of dollars, prompting him to leave the country for Israel, where he also holds citizenship.

Zelensky's election in 2019 appeared to reverse Kolomoisky's fortunes, as the newly elected president and the tycoon had a history of business together. Kolomoisky returned to Ukraine, while Zelensky invited individuals with links to the oligarch into the new administration.

Last year, the Justice Department filed civil forfeiture complaints alleging Kolomoisky and his associates used stolen money to scoop up real estate and infrastructure in the United States. Among their purchases were more than 5 million square feet of commercial real estate in Ohio; steel plants in Kentucky, West Virginia and Michigan; a cellphone manufacturing plant in Illinois; and commercial real estate in Texas. The complaints seek to seize an office park in Dallas and the PNC Plaza building in Louisville.

Kolomoisky also has long been facing a criminal probe by the U.S. attorney's office in Cleveland for possible money laundering - though he has not been charged with any crimes. He has denied any wrongdoing and said the U.S. purchases were made with legitimately earned funds.

As U.S. authorities began to zero in on his U.S. property interests, Kolomoisky started calling for Kyiv to patch up relations with Moscow and was increasingly seen to be taking actions to undermine Zelensky's political position.

Blinken appeared to make an implicit reference to that in his statement Friday. The secretary of state expressed concern about what he called Kolomoisky's "current and ongoing efforts to undermine Ukraine's democratic processes and institutions, which pose a serious threat to its future."

Daniel Fried, a fellow at the Atlantic Council and a former top U.S. diplomat, said Zelensky's efforts to go after Ukraine's oligarchs as promised have been uneven, and the sanctioning of Kolomoisky is a signal from the U.S. government to "do it."

"If Ukraine succeeds in maintaining its external independence from the Kremlin and advances its domestic transformation like the Balts and like the Poles did a generation ago, that is a huge deal," Fried said. "That will demonstrate to Russians that there is an alternative to Putinism."

- - -

Stern reported from Kyiv, Ukraine.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  President Rodrigo Duterte dangled free house and lots for communist rebels who will surrender to the government, including the choice of province they wish to settle in.

"Mo surrender ka ihatag ko na ang balay. Naa na [If you surrender, I will give you the house. It is already there]. Ready na. Daghang ko gipanghimong balay [I built a lot of houses] all throughout the Philippines," Duterte said during a speech at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan De Oro City. "If you want to transfer to another province maybe, there is always a room available for you to seek shelter."

But for those who will not surrender, Duterte again ordered the police and military to "shoot and kill" rebels during encounters if they see them with firearms.

"Akong giingnan ang militar ug police, mag engkwentro gani mo unya nag gunit ug armas, patya! Patya gyud. Tiwasi. [I told the military and police if there is confrontation and they are holding firearms, kill them! Make sure to kill them]... Ako nang sugo. Ako'y ma priso. Walay problema na [I ordered that. I alone will be imprisoned. No problem]," Duterte added.

The President was in the area to preside a meeting of the anti-communist task force's national and regional officials.

Duterte also promised to provide jobs to surrenderers and even rice sacks while they are looking for employment. He said the Technical Skills Development Agency or TESDA will help them with job training.

The President mentioned that 160,000 hectares have already been subjected to agrarian reform and he is targeting up to 400,000 hectares before the end of his term. He warned landlords who refuse to cooperate that he will be the one who will go to them to make sure they would agree.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV:OSI) (FSE:RSR1) (OTCQB:OSIIF) (Osino or the Company) is pleased to provide the following corporate updates.



New CFO Appointment

The Company is pleased to announce the promotion and appointment of Tony da Silva as the Company's new Chief Financial Officer. He is a qualified CA(SA) and has 20 years of audit and finance experience, having previously served as the Finance Director of Osinos operating subsidiaries since 2017.

After graduating from the University of Natal he completed his articles with Nexia in Cape Town, South Africa and stayed on as an Audit Manager after qualifying as a chartered accountant. In 2008 Tony joined Blue Alpha Investment Management as an equity analyst, later becoming a portfolio manager managing both local South African and offshore investment funds. In 2017 Tony joined Osino and has since been the Financial Director of Osinos operating subsidiaries in Namibia, whilst assisting the former CFO with Osinos corporate and financial reporting responsibilities.

The Company would like to thank the Company's former Chief Financial Officer, Alan Rootenberg, for his service and dedication to the Company and wishes him well with his future endeavors.

RSU and Stock Options Grant

The Company has granted of an aggregate of 136,800 restricted share units (each, an RSU) to certain key executives of the Company under the Companys RSU Plan pursuant to the policies of the Exchange. Each RSU represents the right to receive, once vested, one common share in the capital of the Company for every RSU held, or the cash equivalent thereof based on the fair market value of the shares of the Company calculated in accordance with the terms of the RSU Plan.

Additionally, the Company has granted stock options under its Stock Option Plan to purchase an aggregate of 1,510,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $1.25 per share for a five-year term. The stock options were granted to directors, officers and consultants of the Company pursuant to the Osino Stock Option Plan and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") and vest over two years.

The granting of options and RSUs are subject to any necessary regulatory approvals and requirements of the Exchange.

The Company also announces that it has engaged Winning Media Ltd. (Winning Media) to provide targeted digital media and corporate brand recognition initiatives. The Company has agreed to pay Winning Media US$80,000 in consideration for providing the marketing program. Winning Media will not receive any securities of the Company as compensation for their services.

About Osino Resources

Osino is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on fast-tracking the development of our Twin Hills gold project in north-central Namibia, whilst making new discoveries elsewhere along the belt.

Osino is advancing a range of prospects and targets across our 7,000km2 license position located within Namibias prospective Damara sedimentary mineral belt, mostly in proximity to and along strike of the producing Navachab and Otjikoto Gold Mines. Osino is targeting gold mineralization that fits the broad orogenic gold model and we continue to evaluate new ground with a view to expanding our Namibian portfolio.

Our core projects are favorably located north and north-west of Namibias capital city Windhoek. By virtue of their location, the projects benefit significantly from Namibias well-established infrastructure with paved highways, railway, power and water in close proximity. Namibia is mining-friendly and lauded as one of the continents most politically and socially stable jurisdictions.

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://osinoresources.com/

CONTACT INFORMATION

Osino Resources Corp.

Julia Becker: Investor Relations Manager

Tel: +1 (604) 785 0850

jbecker@osinoresources.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings, and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Several leading health systems got together recently to announce the formation of Truveta, an independent company that will pool patient medical records from the participating health systems and analyze them for insights to drive healthcare outcomes. The announcement highlighted the benefits of sharing de-identified data for driving research, new therapies, and improved health outcomes.

In an initiative launched last year, UC San Francisco (UCSF) has created a data platform titled the UCSF Health Atlas that leverages over 150 social determinants of healthcare variables. The data, which comes from public sources, covers California residents and attempts to correlate health outcomes with highly granular data on where individuals live. The data is layered on EHR data and intends to provide researchers and clinicians invaluable insights into the nexus of social factors and health, especially for vulnerable and low-income populations.

The two initiatives described above are at different ends of the spectrum of data collaboration initiatives. However, their approach is the same: harnessing data from a wide range of sources and applying advanced analytics for insights to drive healthcare outcomes. There is also an underlying goal of monetizing the data and the insights, at least for some of them.

The data challenge for healthcare data consortiums

Data-sharing initiatives by health systems are not new. Mercy Technology Services, the IT arm of Mercy Health, launched an initiative in 2019 in partnership with device maker Medtronic and tech firm SAP as a data orchestration and insights network for better insights into costs and outcomes for Mercy Healths patient population. Mercy claimed savings of $33 million in device and medical supplies costs in the previous three years through the use of real-world evidence (RWE). In France, pharma company Sanofi launched a collaborative initiative early this year to pool technology expertise and data to develop new digital solutions.

Over the past couple of years, health systems such as Mayo Clinic and Ascension Health have been in the news for entering into data-sharing partnerships with cloud providers, notably Google. The objectives are familiar: improving consumer engagement, applying AI/ML tools for advanced insights to drive health outcomes, and improving technology operations through cloud migration.

Relative to other sectors of the economy, healthcare has struggled with a balkanized landscape of data and remains mired in a thicket of regulatory constraints, interoperability challenges, and mistrust among participants. Katherine Lusk, Board Chair for AHIMA, an industry organization for health informatics professionals, states that we are still in the very early stages of harnessing data comprehensively. She believes that one of the biggest challenges for healthcare is the normalization of datasets using industry standards such as SNOMED to translate diverse, nuanced clinical data into clinical language and classification systems. While electronic health record (EHR) vendors have tried to normalize data within their platforms, their customers often set up their data dictionaries in enterprise-specific ways that make it challenging to exchange data across health systems seamlessly. Katherine points to Industry initiatives such as Carequality that are pushing for data normalization on a much broader scale as an encouraging development.

The monetization challenge for data consortiums

All data sharing consortiums will need to answer a fundamental question: How will the data and insights be monetized? I discuss three monetization options here for data-sharing collaborations.

Licensing of the data analytics platform: Health systems have struggled to stand up internal data lakes that can ingest, normalize and standardize large amounts of data from diverse sources. Even where we have seen success, such as with CRM or population health management programs, limited datasets sitting in silos are accessed via APIs with core transaction systems such as EHR. Mona Baset, VP of Digital Services at SCL Health, points out that in any patient engagement initiative, the data piece often takes the longest to get right. Several newly launched initiatives have targeted this problem. Notable among these is the recently announced Amazon Health Lake that has outlined a grand vision of enabling healthcare providers, health plans, and pharma companies to aggregate, organize and analyze health data at a petabyte scale. Others include Innovaccer, a startup that has raised venture capital from Microsoft and recently acquired unicorn status. Amazons vision may be a comprehensive approach to aggregating data across healthcare segments; however, in practice, it has also been the most challenging to achieve in the past.

Licensing of analytical insights: The Truveta consortium aims to generate insights that can drive improved healthcare outcomes through advanced analytics and AI. Even as Google doubles down on its relationship with Mayo and other health systems, news reports indicating that IBM was throwing in the towel and exploring a sale of their troubled Watson Health business have raised questions about the broader struggles for AI in healthcare. Even if these data collaborations succeed in applying AI to drive new insights, who gets to benefit? While the Mayo and Ascension relationships with Google imply that the datasets and the insights are for the exclusive use of the sponsoring entity, organizations such as Truveta may or may not have such limitations. Smaller health systems that cannot invest in advanced data and analytics programs could see an opportunity to leverage insights and benchmarks developed by a Truveta or by an Amazon data Lake (assuming that AI/ML algorithms trained on one patient population dataset can be extended to other population groups).

Licensing of de-identified patient data: Data aggregation and monetization in consumer finance and other sectors have been in practice for a very long time by Equifax, Experian, and others. IQVIA and others have aggregated data on drug prescriptions in the life sciences space and sold the data to pharma companies for sales planning and clinical research. However, when it comes to patient medical information, there has always been a sensitivity to selling de-identified patient data in addition to all the regulatory compliance requirements such as HIPAA. The absence of a national patient identifier and the challenges of creating master data repositories due to data normalization and interoperability issues make it challenging to harness standardized and normalized data for all aspects of healthcare operations. Given that, there is likely a significant demand for a service such as Truveta that can deliver clean patient datasets to consortium members.

There are multiple avenues to make money from aggregated and de-identified data. Given that healthcare data belongs to patients, it raises questions about who stands to gain monetarily from these initiatives and how they will be passed on to consumers. The Mayo and Ascension agreements came under scrutiny last year over questions about who was gaining access to the data and how the data was being used besides population health insights. That might explain why the Truveta announcement takes pains to assure us about careful protection of patient privacy and security and why the word ethics appears several times in the statement (including a quote from a VP of Ethics at one of the health systems for added emphasis.)

The monetization of healthcare data has been a long-pursued goal for tech firms and healthcare enterprises. It may be too soon to tell if that elusive goal is within reach.

The business empire headed by steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta has stopped making payments to troubled lender Greensill Capital as it tries to hold onto its cash.

GFG Alliance, a web of Gupta-backed firms which includes Liberty Steel, has been reliant on Greensill in a relationship which has raised the suspicions of regulators in the UK and Germany.

But Gupta told senior colleagues that he would no longer be repaying money owed to Greensill, according to the FT.

Cash crisis: Steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance has been reliant on Greensill in a relationship which has raised the suspicions of regulators in the UK and Germany

The chaos at Greensill has piled pressure on GFG, raising fears over thousands of jobs in the UK steel industry.

Gupta was the saviour of UK steel after a spending spree that saw him buy up plants in Rotherham, Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire, Newport and Hartlepool.

Greensill was plunged into crisis this week after several of its major backers walked away.

It is now in talks with private equity giant Apollo Global  but any rescue deal will not include the loans connected to Gupta or the German subsidiary Greensill Bank, according to a source close to the talks.

This would leave Guptas empire desperate for cash. GFG relies on supply-chain financing from Greensill to pay its suppliers and without that money it could struggle to pay its bills.

Separate efforts by Gupta to get a loan from Canadian asset manager Brookfield fell through this week.

GFGs decision to halt payments to Greensill shows signs of a growing rift between Gupta and the lender which has funded his vast empire.

German regulator BaFin had been closely watching Greensills subsidiary in the country, over fears it was too heavily exposed to Guptas businesses.

Earlier this week BaFin banned the subsidiary from doing business and filed a criminal complaint, accusing the bank of manipulating its balance sheet.

In the UK, concerns over the future of Guptas empire have also prompted action from regulators at the Bank of England.

They ordered Wyelands Bank, a firm which is part of the GFG group, to pay back depositors amid fears it was too closely connected with Greensill and Gupta.

A spokesman for the GFG Alliance said: GFG Alliance has adequate funding for its current needs-and its refinancing plans to broaden its capital base and obtain longer-term funding are progressing well.

Our global efficiency drive means that our core businesses are operationally strong.
Four baby food makers have been accused in Nevada state court of producing baby food tainted with toxic metals and harming at least seven Las Vegas children who were diagnosed with autism.

Attorneys Will Kemp and Robert Eglet said the basis for their lawsuit was a Feb. 4 congressional report alleging the makers of Gerber, Beech-Nut, Earths Best Organic and Happy Baby products knowingly sell tainted baby foods to unsuspecting parents. The attorneys said other families and children in Nevada could be affected.

In a statement, Beech-Nut declined to comment about the lawsuit. We want to assure parents that Beech-Nut products are, and have always been, safe and nutritious, company spokeswoman Katie Whitmore said.

Representatives of the other manufacturers and the owners of three Hispanic community grocery markets named in the lawsuit did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages about the case.

Eglet and Kemp said they represent parents of the autistic children, now ages 6 to 16, who were fed baby food containing the toxic metals years ago, when they were infants and toddlers.

They said their clients shopped at the three Hispanic businesses: Marianas, Latino Mercado and La Bonita. Kemp said it was not clear if the stores knew dangers of the products being sold.

Health officials say high amounts of metals can affect developing babies brains, causing symptoms including behavioral problems that show up as the children become older.

Parent Andre Haynes, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, told reporters that as his son has grown, he has become less able to focus on tasks and understand people speaking to him, and the boys frustration level is higher.

The 26-page complaint filed in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas seeks unspecified monetary damages and the costs of ongoing medical monitoring under a Nevada law that entitles people exposed to a toxic substance to periodic testing for their conditions.

The lawsuit is not the first in the U.S. based on a 59-page report by staff of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy.

A class-action complaint was filed Feb. 18 against Beech-Nut in federal court in New York state on behalf of a woman from Yorba Linda, California, who said she bought baby food containing harmful levels of heavy metals for her two children at a grocery store in Ramsey, New Jersey.

In Las Vegas, Eglet and Kemp have had notable courtroom success in other complex lawsuits.

They won hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements against pharmaceutical firms and health care companies after a Las Vegas hepatitis C outbreak in 2007. Eglet is handling Nevadas largest lawsuits against drug manufacturers accused of fueling the nations opioid addiction crisis.

Eglet headed a case that led to an $800 million settlement involving casino-hotel owner MGM Resorts International and more than 4,400 relatives and victims of the 2017 Las Vegas Strip shooting that was the deadliest in recent U.S. history.

Last month, Eglet filed a civil complaint in Nevada state court accusing 10 big U.S. auto insurance companies of overcharging customers during the coronavirus pandemic by failing to account for a drop in driving and a decrease in crashes.

However, Eglet had little success with a bid to get the Peoples Republic of China to answer a federal lawsuit filed in Nevada almost a year ago blaming Chinas government for the pandemic and seeking damages for U.S. small businesses. That case was dismissed Jan. 25.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Nevada

Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
A man caught up in the New Zealand earthquake scare has left viewers in hysterics after explaining his reaction to the first tremor on live TV.

Four quakes hit near the Kermadec Islands region to the country's north-east on Friday morning, prompting thousands of Kiwis on the North Island to evacuate to higher ground.

But one man told New Zealand television he had mistaken the tremors for a person shaking his van, and said he got out looking for the culprit.

This man told New Zealand television he had mistaken the tremors for a person shaking his van, and said he got out looking for the culprit

'I thought someone was shaking my van, so I'm out there running around starkers in the bush looking for who was shaking my van,' he told NewsHub.

'It was an earthquake.'

'So that was pretty funny!'

One amused viewers described the man's reaction as the 'best laugh I had today!'

Another said: 'That's funny. If he's never felt an earthquake before it's reasonable for him to think that. At least he's safe.'

In New Zealand, workers, students and residents in areas like Northland and Bay of Plenty were being assisted by civil defence officials after authorities warned tsunami waves could reach three metres above tide levels.

Coastal areas under threat extended from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei and from Matata to Tolaga Bay, as well as Great Barrier Island.

Kiwis have since returned to their homes, with the threat passed.

Elsewhere, tsunami waves penetrated almost 30 metres inland at New Caledonia's Isle of Pines, while small tsunamis were recorded in Vanuatu, Fiji, the Cook Islands and Tonga.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
New Delhi:

Veteran leader Shankarsinh Vaghela on Wednesday resigned as a member of Gujarat legislative assembly. Vaghela had already revolted against Congress party earlier. He resigned from the Congress party on July 21.

Two days after quitting the Congress, veteran leader and former Chief Minister of Gujarat Shankarsinh Vaghela resigned as the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly. Vaghela send his resignation letter to party president Sonia Gandhi.

Vaghela, in his resignation letter alleged that some party leaders were conspiring against him ahead of the Assembly polls and this forced him to take such a decision. The elections are expected to take place in the state in December.

The former Chief Minister had quit the party at a public gathering of his supporters on his 77th birthday on July 21. He joined the Congress in 1998 and claimed that just like some party leaders conspired against him in 2009, when he lost Godhara (Panchmahal) Lok Sabha seat, similar attempts were made to oust him from the party in recent times.

Vaghela had been at loggerheads with the Congress leadership for quite some time over his demand that he be projected as the chief ministerial face in the poll-bound state. He had been contending that if he was projected as the CM candidate in the polls, the party would be able to take on the BJP effectively in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Shoppers, some wearing face masks, walk along Oxford Street in London, England. Photo by David Cliff/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Retail footfall in the UK decreased by 73.5% year-on-year in February as people were forced to stay at home to curb the spread of COVID-19.

This represented only a 3.4 percentage point improvement from the month before, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed, and was the second largest drop in UK footfall since May 2020, which declined 81.6%.

The number of people shopping on the high street in particular declined by 68.3% year-on-year. After January, this was the deepest decline since May last year and worse than both the 3- and 12-month average declines of 60.6% and 55.7%, respectively.

Retail parks saw footfall decrease by just 34.5% last month, benefitting from the presence of large essential retailers such as supermarkets and health stores, while shopping centre footfall declined by 75.7% year-on-year due to their high proportion of non-essential retailing.

Northern Ireland saw the shallowest footfall decline of all regions at -65.6% for the sixth consecutive month, followed by Scotland at -69.2% and the East of England (-70.1%). Wales saw the deepest decline at -75.4%.

Retail footfall in the UK decreased by 73.5% year-on-year in February as people were forced to stay at home to curb the spread of COVID-19. Chart: BRC

While footfall improved slightly due to slowing COVID infections boosting consumer confidence, it will be a difficult time for retail until businesses are permitted to reopen in April, said Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of British Retail Consortium.

She added: Retailers welcomed the chancellors extension of key business funding schemes in Wednesdays Budget. Nonetheless, the real challenge will arise in April, as tens of thousands of non-essential retailers hold their breath to see if demand returns to stores.

Despite the support offered by the chancellor, the retail industry is not out of the woods yet. In order to support a much needed recovery in the industry and the three million jobs it supports, the government must ensure the UKs state aid rules allow businesses to fully access the grants and loans that have been announced."

Story continues

READ MORE: UK retail footfall plummets to lowest point since May

It comes as UK retail sales fell sharply in January as a return to lockdown stopped people spending.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), published on Friday, showed sales fell by -8.2% in January. Economists had forecast a -2.5% month-on-month decline.

The ONS said the data showed "a steep decline in the sector, as it was again affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions."

"Feedback from retailers suggested that these enforced closures affected sales, although not to the same extent as witnessed in April 2020 (the first full month of restrictions on the retail sector) when total retail fell by 22.2%," the ONS said.

January's decline followed near-flat sales in December. November's month-long lockdown had sent retail sales into contraction for the first time in six months. Sales are currently 5.5% below pre-pandemic levels, the ONS said.

WATCH: How to save money on a low income
The US House of Representatives canceled a session scheduled for Thursday morning, March 4, and adjourned for the weekend, after security agencies reported credible threats of right-wing violence against the Capitol set for that day.

March 4 has been widely cited on right-wing social media as the day for an attack on the Capitol, similar to what took place on January 6, 2021. In the latest convoluted conspiracy theory promoted in QAnon circles, March 4 was the day that former president Trump would return to power, displacing the illegitimate Joe Biden.

National Guard walk near the Capitol, Thursday, March 4, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The date was chosen for its historical antecedents, since US presidents were inaugurated on March 4 until Franklin Roosevelt, whose second inaugural was set for January 20 under the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, adopted in 1933.

In an effort to downplay the extraordinary character of this surrender to fascist terrorism, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi held her regular Thursday morning news conference and repeatedly described the QAnon threats of a March 4 attack as silly.

She said that the House had always planned to adjourn at noon after a brief morning session, to allow House Republicans to hold an issues conference scheduled for later that day. The votes planned for Thursday morning were held on Wednesday evening instead, which Pelosi described as a convenience rather than a capitulation to threats of right-wing violence.

At the same time, Pelosi announced that retired General Russell Honore would be submitting his review of Capitol Hill security later in the month, which would include an assessment of such issues as a permanent guarded perimeter around the Capitol and more aggressive use of Capitol Police to guard members both in the Capitol and its adjacent office buildings and in their home districts.

Meanwhile, the Capitol Police have requested a 60-day extension of the deployment of some of the 5,200 National Guard troops activated in Washington in response to the January 6 attack and subsequent security threats. Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman told a House hearing Wednesday that threats against individual members of Congress were up 94 percent compared to previous years.

The troop deployment was initially set to end on March 12, but the planned address by President Joe Biden to a joint session of Congress has been pushed back at least until mid-March, and that event is viewed as the next likely flashpoint for threats of fascist violence at the Capitol.

The Capitol Police had warned March 3 of a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an unidentified militia group, and National Guard troops were deployed more in larger numbers around the Capitol complex Thursday morning. The day ultimately passed without incident.

These actions follow the extraordinary testimony Wednesday at a joint hearing of the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee by General William Walker, commander of the D.C. National Guard. Walker described the three hour and 19 minute gap between his first request for authority to deploy the guard at the capital, at 1:49 p.m. on January 6, and approval by the Pentagon, which was communicated to him at 5:08 p.m.

These three-plus hours were the time when the rioters were rampaging through the Capitol, threatening to hang Vice President Mike Pence and kill Speaker Pelosi, all in the name of stopping the certification of electoral votes showing that Joe Biden had defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

While the media has largely ignored Walkers testimony, the Washington Post published an editorial Thursday demanding to know the reasons for this delay, as well as why the Pentagon had imposed unusual restrictions on Walkers ability to act on his own authority in the event of an obvious emergency like the televised storming of the Capitol by the fascist mob. The editorial noted that the Pentagon witness at the hearing for General Walker had no role in the January 6 discussions, suggesting that those who did participate should be summoned to testify.

Post columnist Dana Milbank put the case more bluntly: At worst, political appointees and Trump loyalists at the Defense Department deliberately prevented the National Guard from defending the Capitol against a seditious mob. The man ultimately responsible for the delay, Christopher Miller, had been a White House aide before Donald Trump installed him as acting defense secretary in November, as the president began his attempt to overturn his election defeat.

Milbank noted that Miller, the acting defense secretary, did not approve deployment of the National Guard until 4:32 p.m. on January 6, 15 minutes after Trump issued a video urging the insurrectionists to go home. Was Miller waiting for Trumps blessing before defending the Capitol? the columnist asked.

Even one of the Republicans on the Senate committee, Roy Blunt of Missouri, expressed incredulity over the Pentagon response, telling reporters afterwards, Certainly well have questions for Secretary McCarthy and for acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller. He added, Its definitely going to require an opportunity to ask them questions about their view from their perspective of why this decision-making process went so horribly wrong.

The Democratic chairs of the two committees, Amy Klobuchar and Gary Peters, indicated that further witness testimony on the events of January 6 would be required. Up to now, congressional Democrats have not sought the testimony of the top officials responsible for the delay in sending troops, including Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, acting Secretary of Defense Miller, and two generals who were involved in the decision-making, Walter Piatt and Charles Flynn.

Flynn is the brother of retired General Michael Flynn, a top Trump ally who urged Trump to declare martial law and re-run the election in the battleground states under military supervision.

Neither Flynn nor Piatt was in the chain of command in relation to the National Guard deployment. Because the District of Columbia is not a state, control of the National Guard there is vested in the presidentwhose supporters were attacking the Capitoland delegated by the president to the Army secretary and the secretary of defense.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.



remaining of

Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe.

Already have a paid subscription? Sign in
Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has filed a police complaint against a production company at Versova Police Station in Mumbai for misusing his picture in a fake film poster titled Vineeta. The actor accused the film producers of using his picture without permission and lying about him playing the lead role in the film. Suniel further stated that the company in question has been contacting people and asking for money in his name, and termed the act as 'fraud'.

The incident came into the limelight after one of Suniel's friend came across the poster on social media and informed him. Meanwhile, Siraj Inamdar, Senior Inspector of Versova Police station has said that no FIR has been filed yet.

On the other hand, Suniel in an interview with ETimes, blasted the production house over the fake poster row and said, "I want to send these frauds to freaking jail. My face is being wrongly propagated to lure finance and youth both to make a film which perhaps never exists. These guys call them Balaji Media Films Pvt Ltd and we all know Balaji belongs to whom. Indirectly, they are also wrongly using Ekta Kapoor's name to swindle the gullible."

He further continued, "These guys are nothing but dangerous elements in society. Thanks to a friend of mine, Hanif, I was told (yesterday) that someone has put a post of such film and he wondered if I was doing it. Leave aside doing it, nobody has even approached me for it. And do you think I would do such a film where the intention clearly looks not honourable?"

Further, the actor told the tabloid that the police should take the help of Cyber Crime Cell to get to the bottom of this matter.

"This is the height of audacity. If they were clean, why would they have blocked my team's numbers when we started calling them and why would they have removed the post in question. The police should take the help of Cyber Crime Cell and get to the bottom of this," ETimes quoted Suniel as saying.

The actor further added, "I feel very responsible towards the young who want to enter the industry. It is because of such cheats that we hear youngster getting desperate and ending their lives. I have about 3,25,000 youngsters on FTC (the actor's Made In India talent app which connects talent with producers) and I am very, very careful about them. And of course, till date, I monitor who my daughter Athiya and son Ahan are meeting and signing up with."

ALSO READ: Suniel Shetty Worries About His Kids Athiya-Ahan's Image: Every Industry Kid Is Called A 'Druggie'

ALSO READ: Dhadkan Reunion: 'Anjali' Shilpa Shetty Chills With 'Dev' Suniel Shetty; Fans Say 'We Miss Akshay Sir'
International

4 IS militants killed in Iraq

BAGHDAD, MAR 4 (IANS) | Publish Date: 3/4/2021 1:05:46 PM IST

Four militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group were killed on Wednesday in an airstrike in Iraqs eastern province of Diyala, a provincial police source said. Based on intelligence reports, the Iraqi armys helicopter gunships bombed an IS hideout near the city of Jalawla, some 135 km northeast of Baghdad, leaving four IS militants killed, Alaa al-Saadi from the provincial police told the Xinhua news.

Despite repeated military operations in Diyala, remnants of IS militants are still hiding in some rugged areas near the border with Iran, and in the vast areas extending from the western part of the province to the Hamreen mountain range in the north of the provincial capital Baquba, about 65 km northeast of Baghdad.

The security situation has been relatively improved in Iraq since the Iraqi security forces fully defeated IS militants across the country late in 2017. However, sporadic deadly incidents still occurred in the war-ravaged country as IS remnants have since melted into urban areas or deserts and rugged areas, waging frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians.
NASA's Mars rover, Perseverance, is finally set to land on the surface of Mars almost seven months after it blasted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This has been one of the most ambitious missions for the American space agency and it will focus on searching for evidence of ancient microbial life while also understanding how habitable the planet was in the past. But, before that happens, the rover will look to make a brave seven-minute landing on the Red Planet, which will be one of the most challenging parts of the upcoming mission.

Also Read | Moon Landing: NASA Intern Uncovers Hidden Messages From Apollo 11 Mission

What is Seven Minutes of Terror?

In Mars missions, the 'seven minutes of terror' is actually referred to the entry, descent and landing (EDL) phase of the rover as the events take place much quicker than the radio signals can reach Earth from Mars for communication. The Perseverance rover will get into its landing phase starting at 3:48 PM EST. This is when the Mars Seven Minutes of Terror sequence will begin for the engineers. The engineers overlooking the event won't be able to guide or direct the Perseverance landing as it takes a while to establish or send any communication from Earth to Mars. Hence, the rover will have to perform a landing itself, with no human guidance involved. In other words, the experts wouldn't be sure if the Perseverance has safely landed during that period.

Also Read | 'Tie-die Appearance': NASA Shares 'colourful' Imagery Of Moroccos Anti-Atlas Mountains

How to watch Mars rover landing live?

The Perseverance rover is expected to land on the Red Planet on Thursday at around 3:55 PM EST, which is 7 minutes from when it enters the 'seven minutes of terror' sequence at 3:48 PM EST. NASA has also started the live streaming broadcast for the event on its official YouTube channel. You can watch Perseverance's entry, descent, and landing on Mars by playing the video embedded below.

Also Read | NASA Shares Stunning 'pulsar SXP 1062' Imagery Embedded In Supernova Remnant

The Perseverance rover will also carry a helicopter to Mars which has been called 'Ingenuity'. It is a drone which has been designed to fly on the Red Planet for the first time.

Also Read | Why Is Mars Rover Named Perseverance? Where Did Perseverance Get Its Name From?

Image credits: NASA




By Ravindran Raman Kutty



A friend of mine believed our national unity is in shambles and blamed the existence of vernacular schools as the cause of this disunity.

Surprised by his views, I conducted a quick dipstick survey with a few of my friends who were headmasters, teachers, ministers and several community leaders and workers. The results of this survey, hence, convinced me otherwise.

A senior officer from the Ministry of Education confirmed that in 2020, over 15.3% of the total population at Chinese primary schools were Malays, an increase from 9.5% in 2012. The Indian students attending Chinese schools also increased to 2.75% of the total student population in 2020 as compared to 1.67% ten years ago.

The increasing intake of Malay and Indian students in Chinese schools fascinated me.

Using the increase in the number of Chinese and Indian students in Chinese and Tamil schools respectively, one important fact that remains to be carefully studied is the Malaysian history, in the right perspective.

When the Indians migrated to and settled in Malaysia, they were in the rural areas. There were hardly any schools in rural areas those days. Many of the Indians were poor and mostly employed by the British, so they improvised and built little school huts to conduct classes in, with the highest educated among them taking on the role of teachers.

The Chinese folk in the urban settings were better off as most of them were employed by Chinese entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs built small schools with teachers brought in from China.

Both the Indian and Chinese communities realized the need for education to be taught in their mother tongues, i.e. vernacular.

The government, too, built Tamil and Chinese schools in urban and rural areas.

When Mandarin was made mandatory in China, and when Singapore enforced it, the Malaysian Chinese leaders also accepted Mandarin as the medium of instruction.

There are 1,200 Chinese and 523 Tamil schools in Malaysian that use Mandarin and Tamil respectively as the medium of instruction.

While this is the quick landscape of the vernacular school history, the then government's policy of English education was not well received by both the communities, as they were comfortable in learning in the languages that they could understand.

Both the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) were successful in ensuring the Razak Report recognized the importance of vernacular schools by giving them the choice of opting for large funding for the schools and equal pay as government schoolteachers according to their academic and professional qualifications.

This was done on a clear purpose to bring about unity and equality, especially for the teaching staff and even the overall maintenance of the school structures.

According to a retired secondary school headmaster, "If there was disunity, I doubt Barisan Nasional (BN) could have ruled the country for 60 years without any issues in regard to power or even power sharing."

There are no studies so far to claim that vernacular schools are a cause for disunity among the races.

According to the curriculum development center, the syllabus for both national (Sekolah Kebangsaan) and national type (Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan) are the same except for the medium of instruction applied, where one is in Bahasa Melayu and others in Mandarin and Tamil, respectively.

The world is looking into diversity and at how to make their education diverse. In Malaysia, we are very lucky to have an education system that is diverse and colorful. This is a strength rather than a weakness. This will certainly bring about greater understanding of the races and assimilation, too.

A study by Professor Jim Cummins, University of Toronto, says that children who develop skills in two or more languages grow up with a deeper understanding of forming sentences and expressing themselves easily, are more advanced in critical thinking, and are better at picking up an additional language with a strong foundation of their mother tongue, thus developing their literacy skills.

In comparison, children who spoke only one language had a fixed mind set on communicating about what they wanted and needed and lacked the knowledge and skill of using the language in the same depth as children using two or more languages.

A former senior assistant of a secondary school said that vernacular schools generally instill and enhance human, religious, and cultural values, and are equally patriotic.

They link the cultural heritage of their communities, hence are deemed instrumental in embodying a multi-cultural Malaysia.

This was further supported by a Malay teacher from a national primary school who added that it is the national school students who have created much damage to the Malaysian political fabric and the current political tsunami, with the formation of several Malay political parties, as witnessed since the 2015 elections.

The elephant in the room must be addressed than doing window dressing for this issue.

Proper studies must be carried out to weigh its pros and cons. If we take a political standpoint, we may lose out our fundamental premise of being the cradle of a multi-lingual, multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural nation that we are known for.

While the whole world is into learning about other races and other languages, in Malaysia we are fortunate to already have such a scenario with the communities of the two economic giants of Asia living side by side.

During the launch of the Multimedia Asia on Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) at PWTC in 01/09/1996, Tun Dr Mahathir in his speech said, "Malaysia's physical location at the center of ASEAN and its multicultural links with the biggest Asian markets is unique. We have language skills and cultural knowledge that can be very helpful. Most people speak English as well as one of or more languages such as different Chinese or Indian dialects or Malay. How come we have forgotten the unequable economic value that Chinese and Indian languages bring to our nation?"

Perhaps this economic condition may be one reason for the sudden rise of Malays enrolling in the Chinese schools.

If we continuously pretend to place importance to vernacular schools only during election season, we are just evading the issue.

To give greater importance and recognition of having additional languages in our country, let us convert the partial funding of Tamil and Chinese school into fully aided schools. This will certainly ease the financial security fear of both the Tamil and Chinese schools, thus disallowing any politicians to use this a weapon during any election.

Recently Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had served as education minister during the premiership of Tun Razak and Tun Hussein Onn, said that there is an overemphasis of Islam in schools at the expense of the kind of education needed in an increasingly demanding world. It is almost as if every student is going to be an ulama, he said.

This is a serious concern raised by the former prime minister, which must be viewed critically.

Education is critical for a young nation like ours, be it through our national or vernacular schools. We must move forward, harnessing the impeccable values that education brings into our culture and moral fiber.

No child is taught by any teacher to hate. Education begins at home. If parents always criticize other races and religions in front of their children, the children will pick up the habit and follow suit.

None of our educational systems teach hatred. Our education system is harmonious. Every child is first molded at home, not in school.

We have had many Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist children who have attended Christian Missionary schools, done well for themselves, and have remained with their respective religions and beliefs.

We need a concrete initiative like teaching three months of "National Unity" in Form One for every secondary school child. We teach them basic tenets of every religion and practice, every festival and culture, every type of food, success stories, roles in national history, economy and sports. This will bring about greater understanding, love for one another and integration.

It is pointless to say that we have failed without trying new ways to bring our national unity to greater heights. Education is the foundation of National Unity. Our well-organized education system, policy, teacher training colleges, teachers, teaching aids and the great infrastructure can be put to greater use to bring about a formidable change.

A child's mind and heart start growing at home and are further nurtured in school. Let us focus on building a holistic nation by starting with our children, right from our homes.

(Ravindran Raman Kutty is an active social worker.)
Two magnet schools in Hamilton County Schools were awarded Magnet School Merit Awards from Magnet Schools of America. Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts (CCA) received the top recognition as 2020 Magnet School of Excellence and Chattanooga School for Liberal Arts (CSLA) has been named a 2020 Magnet School of Distinction, the second highest award of recognition. Each school was the only one from Tennessee recognized in their respective categories.

The Magnet School of Merit Awards recognizes member magnet schools and programs that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to academic standards, curriculum innovation, desegregation/diversity efforts, specialized teaching staff, and parent and community involvement. CCA and CSLA will be presented with their awards during a national conference in April.



Founded in 1998, CCA delivers a rigorous academic program with a fine arts magnet theme to over 600 public school students in grades 6-12. Fine arts coursework is tailored to the students chosen major, and those include acting, technical theatre, communications, dance, instrumental music, musical theatre, vocal music, or visual arts. Expectations for the performance of students in the artistic and academic programs are equally high, with every high school English, math, science, and social studies course classified as Honors, Advanced Placement, or Dual Enrollment.



This recognition is reflective of our committed staff and families that recognize and appreciate the role arts education plays in the lives of school community, said Debbie Smith, Principal of CCA. We are proud and honored to be able to share the importance of the arts with our emerging artists.



CSLA opened its doors in 1991, and serves a diverse group of K-8 students with varying backgrounds of race, culture, and socio-economic status. Students participate in learning-rich field studies throughout the year and tie their experiences into the curriculum and Tennessee state standards. Every child benefits from a robust curriculum including foreign language, music, P.E., technology, and art. Middle school students are also offered the option to take choir, guitar, strings, or band. CSLA will be adding 9th grade to its grade bands in the 2021-2022 school year and is accepting lottery applications for 9th grade through March 15.



This award recognizes us among the top magnet schools in the nation and celebrates the work of our teachers, students and parents, said Krystal Scarbrough, Principal at CSLA. Once again, I am proud to be among this great community of learners.
The Belarusian Prosecutor General's Office said on Friday it had submitted an official request to Lithuania to extradite Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Belarusian opposition leader and ex-presidential candidate, for prosecuting her on criminal charges for crimes against the state and public safety

MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) The Belarusian Prosecutor General's Office said on Friday it had submitted an official request to Lithuania to extradite Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Belarusian opposition leader and ex-presidential candidate, for prosecuting her on criminal charges for crimes against the state and public safety.

Earlier this week, the Belarusian Investigative Committee said it was initiating the extradition of Tikhanovskaya, who fled to Lithuania after the August presidential election.

However, Lithuania's foreign ministry told Sputnik it had turned down the extradition request, saying that it "does not extradite people who suffer political persecution."

"The Prosecutor General's Office of the republic of Belarus ... has sent a request to the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Lithuania to extradite Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to institute criminal proceedings against her for the crimes against the government procedures, public safety and the state," the prosecutor general's office said.
Half or more of Black, Asian, Hispanic and Native American caregivers said they have experienced discrimination while providing care. According to the report, the most common complaint was that health care providers or staff do not listen to them because of their race, color or ethnicity  a feeling that was especially true for Black caregivers (42 percent). About a quarter also said they were treated with less courtesy and respect than other caregivers.

Half of Blacks said that they had personally experienced discrimination in health care, although most (41 percent) said it occurred only from time to time. Just 9 percent said it happened regularly. The percentages for Native Americans were 33 percent occasionally and 9 percent regularly; for Asians, 31 percent occasionally and 3 percent regularly; for Hispanics, 27 percent occasionally and 6 percent regularly; and for whites, 8 percent occasionally and 1 percent regularly.

Varying perceptions of Alzheimer's

Differing perceptions of Alzheimer's disease among racial and ethnic groups also pose roadblocks to quality care and support, according to the report. Nearly half (48 percent) of whites are concerned about developing Alzheimer's, compared to just 25 percent of Native Americans, 35 percent of Blacks, 41 percent of Hispanics and 46 percent of Asians.

The report suggests that personal experience may be influencing those varying levels of concern. Eighty percent of whites say they know someone with dementia compared to 65 percent of Blacks, 65 percent of Native Americans, 64 percent of Hispanics and 59 percent of Asians.

The report also found that a majority of Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans view memory loss and cognitive decline as a natural part of aging rather than a sign of disease requiring medical attention. Whites were twice as likely as Hispanic, Black and Native Americans to say they would go to a doctor if they were experiencing such problems.

Medical research

Although Blacks are disproportionately more likely to have Alzheimer's and other dementias, they are more reluctant than other Americans to participate in clinical research trials aimed at preventing or slowing the progression of the disease. Eighty-two percent of whites expressed interest in such trials compared to 67 percent of Blacks, 73 percent of Asians, 78 percent of Hispanics and 81 percent of Native Americans.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday released the list of Trinamool Congress candidates for the upcoming assembly polls for 291 seats with emphasis on youths, minority, women and backward communities.

Three candidates of the Bimal Gurung faction of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), an ally of the TMC, will be contesting from the remaining three seats in Darjeeling.

Mamata Banerjee

"This time we have stressed on more youths and women candidates. Around 23-24 sitting MLAs have been dropped and there are names of about 50 women, 42 muslims, 79 SC and 17 ST candidates in the list," Banerjee said.

Exuding confidence of returning to power for the third consecutive time, Banerjee termed it as the "easiest" election the TMC has ever faced.

"After we come to power we will create Vidhan Parishad to accomodate senior and experienced leaders. We could not accommodate everybody especially those above the age of 80 years," she said.

Photo

"I will be contesting from Nandigram, my party colleague Sovandeb Chattopadhyay will be contesting from Bhawanipore seat," she said.

Banerjee also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to deploy as much central force as it wants but the TMC will still emerge victorious.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 01:10:21|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HELSINKI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish government on Friday submitted decrees to the parliament for activating some sections of the Act of Emergency Powers, in a bid to blunt the worsening coronavirus situation.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin told a press conference that the activation would give the government the right to decide which authority in the civil service is responsible for a matter if there is ambiguity.

Government-level information service about the ongoing epidemic would also be concentrated in the Prime Ministers' office. Marin stressed the need to avoid conflicting messages sent from different parts of the government.

Besides, the powers to be adopted through the decrees also included lifting some of the norms in health services to make space for the need to treat COVID-19 patients.

The decrees came after the Finnish government declared a state of emergency on Monday due to worsening COVID-19 indicators.

According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the country on Friday registered 704 new coronavirus cases within one day, bringing the national tally to 60,904.

"Over the past two weeks, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Finland has been significantly higher than before... In fact, during the latest reporting period (Feb. 22-28), Finland recorded the highest number of new cases since the start of the epidemic," THL said.

The Emergency Powers Act states that "a widespread outbreak of a serious infectious disease, the effect of which is comparable to a major disaster, meets the definition of a state of emergency." Enditem
In the era of social distancing, using robots for some health care interactions is a promising way to reduce in-person contact between health care workers and sick patients. However, a key question that needs to be answered is how patients will react to a robot entering the exam room.

Researchers from MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital recently set out to answer that question. In a study performed in the emergency department at Brigham and Women's, the team found that a large majority of patients reported that interacting with a health care provider via a video screen mounted on a robot was similar to an in-person interaction with a health care worker.

"We're actively working on robots that can help provide care to maximize the safety of both the patient and the health care workforce. The results of this study give us some confidence that people are ready and willing to engage with us on those fronts," says Giovanni Traverso, an MIT assistant professor of mechanical engineering, a gastroenterologist at Brigham, and Women's Hospital, and the senior author of the study.

In a larger online survey conducted nationwide, the researchers also found that a majority of respondents were open to having robots not only assist with patient triage but also perform minor procedures such as taking a nose swab.

Peter Chai, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a research affiliate in Traverso's lab, is the lead author of the study, which appears today in JAMA Network Open.

Triage by robot

After the COVID-19 pandemic began early last year, Traverso and his colleagues turned their attention toward new strategies to minimize interactions between potentially sick patients and health care workers. To that end, they worked with Boston Dynamics to create a mobile robot that could interact with patients as they waited in the emergency department.

The robots were equipped with sensors that allow them to measure vital signs, including skin temperature, breathing rate, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation. The robots also carried an iPad that allowed for remote video communication with a health care provider.

This kind of robot could reduce health care workers' risk of exposure to COVID-19 and help to conserve the personal protective equipment that is needed for each interaction. However, the question still remained whether patients would be receptive to this type of interaction.

Often as engineers, we think about different solutions, but sometimes they may not be adopted because people are not fully accepting of them. So, in this study, we were trying to tease that out and understand if the population is receptive to a solution like this one." Giovanni Traverso, Study Senior Author and Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Gastroenterologist at Brigham, and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The researchers first conducted a nationwide survey of about 1,000 people, working with a market research company called YouGov.

They asked questions regarding the acceptability of robots in health care, including whether people would be comfortable with robots performing not only triage but also other tasks such as performing nasal swabs, inserting a catheter, or turning a patient over in bed.

On average, the respondents stated that they were open to these types of interactions.

The researchers then tested one of their robots in the emergency department at Brigham and Women's Hospital last spring, when COVID-19 cases were surging in Massachusetts. Fifty-one patients were approached in the waiting room or a triage tent and asked if they would be willing to participate in the study, and 41 agreed.

These patients were interviewed about their symptoms via video connection, using an iPad carried by a quadruped, dog-like robot developed by Boston Dynamics. More than 90 percent of the participants reported that they were satisfied with the robotic system.

"For the purposes of gathering quick triage information, the patients found the experience to be similar to what they would have experienced talking to a person," Chai says.

Robotic assistants

The numbers from the study suggest that it could be worthwhile to try to develop robots that can perform procedures that currently require a lot of human efforts, such as turning a patient over in bed, the researchers say.

Turning COVID-19 patients onto their stomachs, also known as "proning," has been shown to boost their blood oxygen levels and make breathing easier. Currently, the process requires several people to perform.

Administering COVID-19 tests is another task that requires a lot of time and effort from health care workers, who could be deployed for other tasks if robots could help perform swabs.

"Surprisingly, people were pretty accepting of the idea of having a robot do a nasal swab, which suggests that potential engineering efforts could go into thinking about building some of these systems," Chai says.

The MIT team is continuing to develop sensors that can obtain vital sign data from patients remotely, and they are working on integrating these systems into smaller robots that could operate in a variety of environments, such as field hospitals or ambulances.
Georgia Love and Lee Elliott were married on Friday, and wedding guests have provided a first glimpse at their dreamy wedding venue.

Using the hashtag, '#aloveleewedding', guests at the nuptials shared a series of photos from Frogmore Creek Winery in Tasmania on Instagram.

The couple, who met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, were wed outdoors on the grounds in front of a floral arbour.

Just married: Georgia Love and Lee Elliott were married on Friday, and wedding guests have provided a first glimpse at their dreamy wedding venue. Both pictured

White chairs adorned the lawn, with pink and white floral arrangements placed on the ground alongside every second row.

They were married alongside the vineyard, with stunning views of the sprawling mountains in the background.

Guests arrived for the wedding ceremony on London-style red double-decker buses.

Stunning: Using the hashtag, '#aloveleewedding', guests at the nuptials shared a series of photos from Frogmore Creek Winery in Tasmania on Instagram. Pictured, a guest at the their wedding

Rustic charm: After the ceremony, they enjoyed an outdoor wedding reception at Shene Distillery, with barn doors opening out onto a long table. Pictured, guests at the their wedding

Frogmore Creek Winery is located in Cambridge, just 20 minutes outside of Hobart's city centre.

According to their website, it costs $150 per person, which includes an 'onsite ceremony, three-course menu, 3.5 hour beverage package, exclusive use of the Frogmore Creek Deck and table setting and menu'.

After the ceremony, they enjoyed an outdoor wedding reception at Shene Distillery, with barn doors opening out onto a long table.

Enjoying the view: They were married alongside the vineyard, with stunning views of the sprawling mountains in the background

Kiss the bride: The couple, who met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, were married outdoors on the grounds in front of a floral arbour

In keeping with the theme, pink and white floral arrangements and candles extended the length of the table, with festoon lights hanging overhead.

A leaked photo revealed a menu of sourdough bread with sesame butter, octopus, wallaby tartare with wattleseed and macadamia, and grilled quail with pear jus and walnuts.

Both Georgia, 32, and Lee are yet to share photos from their big day on Instagram, but the TV journalist looked stunning in a strapless white gown.

Close by: Frogmore Creek Winery is located in Cambridge, just 20 minutes outside of Hobart's city centre

The dress featured a plunging V-neckline with a tulle insert and a full skirt, and she wore her hair is a chignon with loose layers framing her face.

Meanwhile, Lee, 39, looked dashing in a tuxedo with a white jacket, black trousers and a black bowtie.

The couple was due to marry in Italy last year, but they were forced to cancel their wedding because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now and then: Both Georgia (left) and Lee (right) shared photos of themselves as children dressed up as a bride and groom ahead of the nuptials

Sharing a photo of herself as a little girl dressed up as a bride on Instagram on Friday, Georgia admitted her wedding day had been a long time coming.

'I don't know what you're talking about, I totally wasn't one of those girls who started planning her wedding at age five... LET'S DO THIS!!!' she captioned the post.

Meanwhile, Lee shared a photo of himself as a little boy in a white suit and wrote: 'I started trialing suits for this very day quite some time ago now just to make sure it's perfect!'
The letter to Boris Johnson from the organisation representing the views of loyalist paramilitaries covers familiar ground in demanding the removal of the Irish Sea border.

But lets cut to the chase. If the prime minister doesnt do what the UDA, UVF, and Red Hand Commando want, will there eventually be dead bodies in the streets of Northern Ireland in protest? Michael Goves name and address may be painted on the walls in Sandy Row but, if loyalist paramilitaries do return to violence over the protocol, its unlikely to be Tory ministers paying the price.

This isnt the first time that the shadow of the gunman has fallen over Brexit. The possibility of dissident republican violence in the event of a hard Border in Ireland has been raised countless times over the past four years.
How to participate

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Supervisors meeting isn't physically open to the public.

Watch the meeting on cable TV or see the livestream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/KGOVTV or at this link, which includes access to the agenda and documents for each agenda item while viewing the meeting: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/board-of-supervisors/board-agenda-minutes-and-video

You can provide testimony or public comment by:

 For a specific item on the agenda or to give general public comment under Public Presentations, submit comment via email to publiccomment@kerncounty.com no later than 4 p.m. the Monday before the meeting. Include your name and clearly indicate the agenda item number you wish to address, with a.m. or p.m. session identified.

 Call 661-868-3640 and leave comments up to two minutes in length by 4 p.m. Monday before the meeting. Spell your name at the beginning of your message and say which item you are addressing.

 To provide comments via teleconference during the live meeting, callers must first register with the Clerk of the Board at 661-868-3585 before the meeting begins to receive instructions and the call-in number and code. Call by 5 p.m. on the Monday before the board meeting to sign up. You will need to give your name, phone number and the item number you wish to address.

 Send written comments to Clerk of the Board, 1115 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301. Specify the item you're addressing.
This photo provided by NASA shows US astronaut Kate Rubins outside the International Space Station during a space walk on Friday, March 5, 2021. Rubins and Japans Soichi Noguchi floated outside to complete unfinished work from Sundays spacewalk. More mounting brackets and struts need to be installed for new and improved solar panels due to arrive in June. (NASA via AP)

Spacewalking astronauts have completed the first round of preparation work for new solar panels, part of a major power upgrade at the International Space Station.

Nasas Kate Rubins and Japans Soichi Noguchi installed mounting brackets and struts for the improved solar wings due to arrive in June.

They also tightened some sticky bolts that hampered Sundays spacewalk and left some duties undone.

Kate Rubins and @Astro_Soichi continue making progress on the @Space_Station's new solar array modification kits for today's spacewalk. Here's the view from Rubins' helmet cam. pic.twitter.com/SnIb1UvxM4  NASA (@NASA) March 5, 2021

Towards the end of the seven-hour spacewalk, Ms Rubins reported a mark on the index finger of her right glove, where she had earlier said there was some peeling.

I dont know what to think about the glove. But its just kind of a pinpoint hole, she told Mission Control.

Ms Rubins said she was mildly concerned about going too far from Mr Noguchi because of her glove, and he accompanied her back to the hatch. Mission Control called it quits at that point and told the astronauts to skip extra chores.

A Nasa spokesman at Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Rob Navias, said Ms Rubins suit pressure held perfectly throughout the spacewalk.

At no time was she in any danger, he said in an email.

Nasa is enhancing the space stations power grid to accommodate more astronauts and experiments, now that SpaceX is launching crews and Boeing should be too by years end.

The eight solar panels have degraded over time; the oldest were launched 20 years ago.

The six new solar wings  smaller but more efficient  will fit over the older ones and boost the stations power capability by up to 30%.

Boeing is supplying the panels, which will be launched in pairs by SpaceX over the next year.

On Sunday, a number of stubborn bolts prevented Ms Rubins and Nasa astronaut Victor Glover from completing the support setup.

As the spacewalk ended, Mission Control congratulated Mr Noguchi for having the longest gap between spacewalks: fifteen-and-a-half years.

His previous three spacewalks occurred in 2005, during the first shuttle flight following the 2003 Columbia disaster.

This should be the last spacewalk for the stations current residents, whose half-year missions are coming to a close.

Ms Rubins will return to Earth in mid-April in a Russian capsule, along with two Russians. Mr Noguchi, Mr Glover and two other Nasa astronauts will fly SpaceX back in late April or May.
Of the companys recent expansion, Mosquito Shield VP Michael Moorhouse said, Residential mosquito and tick control is a fast-growing business sector, and as the first company in this space over 20 years ago, we have the foundation to be extremely well-positioned for growth.

Mosquito Shield Franchise Corporation, a leading residential mosquito and tick control service with over 80 locations across the United States, is expanding its presence in Florida with the launch of two new locations: Miami Beach and South Miami.

Of the companys recent expansion, Mosquito Shield VP Michael Moorhouse said, Residential mosquito and tick control is a fast-growing business sector, and as the first company in this space over 20 years ago, we have the foundation to be extremely well-positioned for growth.

Mosquito Shield spent over a decade refining its formulas and application methods from its Massachusetts headquarters before introducing a franchise model for local entrepreneurs in 2013.

Our methodical approach to growth has set us up well for the impact of the COVID pandemic, said Moorhouse, While many businesses have struggled because of stay-at-home orders, such conditions have created a booming market for our services because people are left to enjoy the outdoors from their own backyards, rather than on vacation or at restaurants or large gatherings. With folks investing more to make their yards leisure-time destinations, the opportunity for Mosquito Shield to expand into new markets has exploded and we are experiencing an active period of growth as a result. The Miami area is an obvious area to focus on given its population and the desire of residents to get outdoors and take advantage of the regions gorgeous weather as much as possible.

Mosquito Shield of South Miami

The South Miami location is owned by Robert Fernandez and will service a large territory that includes South Miami, Kendall Lakes, The Crossings and Richmond Heights. Fernandez is a 35 year resident of the area, a military veteran and the current fire captain.

Fernandez says, As a military veteran and current first responder I have dedicated my professional career to proudly but humbly assist my community. I was pleased and enthusiastically eager to start Mosquito Shield as I will continue to service the community by bringing safety to their homes; and more memories in their own backyards.

Mosquito Shield of Miami Beach

The Miami Beach location is owned by Kim Haber and Roy Billesbach and will service a large territory that includes Downtown Miami north to Miami Shores, North Miami and Golden Beach.

Haber and Billesbach are longtime family friends and Miami residents with extensive business backgrounds. They say, it was important to us to find a business that has a positive impact on the lives of the residents in our community. We are both active outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy entertaining in the beautiful Florida weather. Mosquito Shield offers us a way to improve our customers daily lives and to ensure that their valuable time with friends and family is pest free.

Owners of both locations are committed to meeting and exceeding customers expectations and becoming the most trusted and recognized solution for mosquito and tick control in the area.

To book service through Mosquito Shield of South Miami contact Robert Fernandez via email at info@mosquitoshieldsmfl.com. To book service through Mosquito Shield of Miami Beach contact Kim Haber and Roy Billesbach via email at info@mosquitoshieldmbfl.com.

About Mosquito Shield

Mosquito Shield, Americas leading residential mosquito and tick control service, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Mosquito Shield addresses the need for an effective and affordable residential mosquito and tick control service. The company, listed in Franchise Gators Top 100 Franchise Opportunities for several years in a row, developed Mosquito Protection Barrier (MPB), a patent pending spray that rids properties of the existing mosquito population and builds a barrier around that property for a virtually mosquito-free environment. MPB includes FlexBlend, the industrys only intelligent spray-blend technology. Mosquito Shield also offers a proprietary tick control service, Tick Shield, and special event service Event Shield.

For more information on residential service or participating in a Mosquito Shield franchise, visit http://www.moshield.com or email Michael Moorhouse at Michael@moshield.com.
New Delhi:

The Parsi community is celebrating Jamshedi Navroz or Pateti on Thursday. The Persian or Iranian New Year or popularly called Nowruz is usually celebrated on March 21. The significance behind the festival is that it is celebrated around the time when the days start getting longer. This phenomenon is termed as vernal equinox.

The vibrant festival was started 3,000 years back by emperor Jamshed, who introduced the new calendar in Persia.The auspicious day falls on the spring equinox  the day when both North and South pole have sunlight making day and night of equal duration.

Geographically, Nowruz marks the commencement of spring in the northern hemisphere of the globe. Every year Parsi families gather together to celebrate and observe the rituals. Technically, the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalises day and night exactly, New Year is celebrated.

Predominantly celebrated in Central and Western and Middle Eastern part of Asia, Nowruz is generally declared a public holiday in countries like Iraq, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Showcasing the importance of Nowruz, Iran offers a 14-day long vacation for school children and university goers. Canada has also included Nowroz in the countrys national calendar in 2009.

In India too, Nowruz is celebrated with great fun fare and enthusiasm by the Parsi community.

Pateti is celebrated to gain health, wealth, prosperity, and productivity. Four Fs  Fire, Fragrance, Food, and Friendship  play an important role in the celebration. It is the day to relish Parsi cuisine, greet each other and exchange gifts.

Also Read: Odisha: Leprosy patient denied proper cremation by relatives

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A post of a Twitter user about the FSD (Full-Self Driving) capability of Tesla sparked a debate among many people, and one of them is Tesla's CEO Elon Musk, who happened to stumble upon the post.

Musk took the discussion in a lighter context, but many people were immediately triggered by the post.

What Did Elon Musk Comment on the Post?

Tesla AI, both hardware & software, is deeply underestimated  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2021

A Twitter user named Daniel Toloko said that he was curious about the next update regarding the research and development spending of a company he chose not to name. In addition, Toloko stated that he was not expecting anything from the 'unnamed' company.' It will only be possible if the said firm will seriously invest in their technology.

The last sentence in Toloko's statement suggested that this anonymous company has been overtaken already by Honda, a famous Japanese automobile manufacturer in terms of FSD.

The next thing that happened was when Whole Mars Catalog, another user, told the Tesla exec that Toloko's post is for those people who are misinformed on the subject.

"Tesla AI, both hardware & software, is deeply underestimated," Musk responded to Whole Mars Catalog. Several social media users have flocked in the thread and they shared their opinions regarding the controversial post.

Tesla AI, both hardware & software, is deeply underestimated  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2021

One user said it was different the way Tesla does the FSD concept. The difference between Tesla and Honda is that the latter is used in advertising their products, so a vast population will be informed. Another user who has a 'dog' icon mentioned that what happens is some balance. He clarified that since a product is inferior, it needs to reach out to the people through ads.

The UX designed based on the Bay Area revealed that the public is undergoing misinformation when it comes to artificial intelligence. Enoch Wu, the commenter, admitted that he was not an expert in that field, but the online course he took helped him impose an assumption. He ended that it is common knowledge for those who have expertise in the business standpoint.

Read Also:Tesla CEO Elon Musk Not the Richest Man Anymore After Bitcoin Tweet Cost Him $15 Billion Loss

Several users found the main post hilarious, but some said that Toloko needs further review. Peter Bergius, an entrepreneur by profession, commented that people will only realize FSD when the feature will be made accessible to many. He specifically referred to the start of the service of Tesla's RoboTaxi.

Tesla FSD Beta Underwent Real-World Test

According to a report by Teslarati, Tesla recently ran an FSD suite to see if it can catch up with the leading technology in the autonomous driving race, the Waymo of the Alphabet Inc. A test was conducted for the self-driving systems two times, and the results revealed a shocking conclusion.

Whole Mars Blog, the user a while ago, was able to test-drive Alphabet's Waymo. The owner of the Tesla Model 3 saw how the FSD software went on the experiment compared to the driverless taxi of Waymo. He also found out that the AI approach of Tesla's camera is close to Waymo, but it is deemed more efficient than Alphabet's autonomous driving approach.

Related Article: Elon Musk: Tesla FSD Q2 Release 'For Sure,' Says Buying Is Better Than Subscription Service!

This article is owned by Tech Times.

Written by Joen Coronel

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Update: Jamesville teen killed in police shooting IDed

Jamesville, N.Y.  Police agencies responding to a mental health check of a 17-year-old Jamesville boy Thursday afternoon were warned that he may have an airsoft gun and had considered suicide by cop in the past.

At some point, police say, the teenager pulled out what appeared to be a handgun and pointed it at officers. The teen was killed after multiple officers from different agencies opened fire.

RELATED: 17-year-old fatally shot near Jamesville after pointing what police say appeared to be a gun at officers

The first police sent to the Apulia Road scene in Jamesville were told by a dispatcher that the teen was emotionally disturbed. The dispatchers told officers they didnt know if he was armed, but that he might have an airgun.

He does own an airsoft gun, unknown if its with him, a 911 dispatcher said over the police radio at the time of the 12:25 p.m. incident. He has threatened suicide by cops in the past.

An airsoft gun, also called an airgun or a pellet gun, is used in simulated shooting sports. It often mimics the size and shape of a real gun. The exact make and model of the teens airsoft gun was not described in public police dispatch records.

Police have only said the teen was armed with what appeared to be a handgun.

Its unclear what exactly police officers knew about the teens airgun at the time of the deadly encounter. Additional police kept arriving at the scene as the situation became more tense.

Personnel from three local agencies -- state police, county sheriffs deputies and DeWitt police -- were all present at the time of the shooting itself. Its unclear how many shots were fired, or by whom. Dozens of police officers responded to the incident.

The exact time of the shooting has also not been released. The first call about the incident was at about 12:25 p.m. A shooting was reported on the 911 center online records at 1:28 p.m., dispatching firefighters and an ambulance to the scene.

None of the police agencies involved have commented on the case Friday. Onondaga County Emergency Communications Commissioner Julie Corn, who oversees the 911 center, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The vague police account so far, paired with police scanner recordings, paint a picture of an incident that started off routine before escalating into a deadly encounter.

At 12:25 p.m. Thursday, an Onondaga County 911 dispatcher took a call for an emotionally disturbed person at 4372 Apulia Road, according to a recording of the dispatch.

A mother was asking for state police to help with her 17-year-old son who had driven off in a Ford Fusion and crashed into the mothers car on the way out.

Members of an emergency psychiatric team from St. Josephs Hospital Health Center had been at the house to help the teen, the mother told 911. But the teen took off.

He was last seen driving south on Apulia Road toward LaFayette, his mother told dispatchers.

As per protocol, the 911 dispatcher noted that there was no information on the teens intoxication or weapons. But, the dispatcher added, the teen owned the airsoft gun and had threatened suicide by cop in the past.

The dispatcher also told officers that the teen had a history of being armed and emotionally disturbed.

At some point, police say, the teen ran on foot after being confronted by officers.

What happened next has not been disclosed. A news release from all three police agencies jumps straight to the fatal moment:

As officers approached the suspect, the suspect raised and pointed the weapon at the officers, the release states. The officers discharged their service weapons, striking the suspect, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The teens alleged weapon will be key to the investigation going forward.

If the teen was considered armed, then that Onondaga County District Attorneys Office would investigate his death. If the teen was unarmed -- or there was a significant question about whether he was armed -- then the state Attorney Generals Office would investigate.

A full day after the shooting, authorities still arent sure which way the case will go, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard at noon Friday. The DA declined further comment until the AG office decides whether its taking over the probe.

The AG confirmed that it is still looking into the case and hasnt made a decision yet.

A prior police shooting in Syracuse in 2019 involved a 74-year-old man who pointed a BB gun at officers. The state Attorney Generals Office took over that case, finding the officers justified in their use of deadly force against Dwayne Watkins.

But the AGs probe did fault the 911 center for rules that delayed getting crucial information to responding officers, including the fact that Watkins appeared to have a gun, until after officers arrived for what had appeared to be a medical call. (The root cause of the problems in the Watkins case were not present in the current Jamesville case.)

A Washington Post investigation in 2016 found that over a two-year period, police across the country had killed 86 people who appeared to be brandishing real guns -- but werent.

Staff writers Julie McMahon and Chris Libonati contributed to this report.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
St John Ambulance reactivates prescription delivery service

St John Ambulance has announced it is reactivating its work with pharmacists Island-wide, to provide a prescription delivery service for those in need, as a result of the recent measures put in place, in relation to Covid-19.

In addition, they will be delivering medications from the Nobles Hospital Pharmacy to the extremely vulnerable members of the community who are shielding.

Community First Responders and Ambulance Crews are standing by in readiness for any additional support the Isle of Man Ambulance Service may require.

The Charity has confirmed that the current circuit breaker lockdown has resulted in a temporary freeze on scheduled public courses. Those who have booked a place, will be able to transfer to another course, later in the year.

The prescription delivery service has already commenced and anyone in need of this service should contact their local Pharmacy direct, not St John Ambulance.
Andrew Cuomo 'propositioned' a 25-year-old advisor in his office, after quizzing her on her sex life and asking whether she had sex with older men, she has claimed.

Charlotte Bennett, 25, spoke out on Thursday night in her first televised interview.

One of three women to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment, she said the powerful three-term governor, who was giving daily televised briefings in the midst of the pandemic and was receiving a rapturous reception, 'felt like he was untouchable in a lot of ways' when he 'propositioned' her.

He asked probing questions such as whether, as a survivor of rape, she was 'able to enjoy being intimate' with men.

Bennett worked as a health policy adviser in the New York governor's administration, hired in the spring of 2019 and swiftly promoted to senior briefer and executive assistant only a few months later.

Bennett had a friendly relationship with Cuomo due to their mutual ties to Westchester County, and saw him as a mentor.

Charlotte Bennett, 25, spoke to CBS's Norah O'Donnell on Thursday evening

Charlotte Bennett told us she felt shame after Gov. Cuomo asked her sexually explicit questions.



I feel like people put the onus on the woman to shut that conversation down. And by answering, I was somehow engaging in that...when in fact, I was just terrified, Bennett said. pic.twitter.com/LEtgUYwMB3  Norah O'Donnell  (@NorahODonnell) March 4, 2021

She claimed that, in the spring of 2020, when she moved to Albany, he began quizzing her on her sex life and whether she dated older men.

She told Norah O'Donnell that the first awkward conversation was on May 15.

She revealed that she had been raped, and Cuomo seemed fascinated by her story.

Charlotte Bennett spoke out on Thursday

On June 5, she was asked to take a dictation and at the end he asked her to turn off the tape.

'He asked if I had trouble enjoying being with someone, because of my drama,' she said.

'The governor asked if I was sensitive to intimacy.'

Bennett claimed Cuomo, 63, told her he would consider dating 'anyone above the age of 22'.

She felt it was clear the he was propositioning her.

'I thought he's trying to sleep with me.

'The governor's trying to sleep with me. And I'm deeply uncomfortable and I have to get out of this room as soon as possible.'

Bennett opened up about the allegations against Cuomo in her first TV interview on Thursday

Asked by O'Donnell why she thought that, Bennett replied: 'Without explicitly saying it, he implied to me that I was old enough for him and he was lonely.'

Bennett texted her friend, detailing the encounter.

She told her friend: 'It was like the most explicit it could be.'

Asked by O'Donnell how she responded to Cuomo's deeply personal questions, in his office during a working day, she replied: 'I responded honestly.'

Bennett is one of three women who have now accused the governor of sexual harassment

The pair initially had a good relationship, with shared connections to Westchester County

Bennett and Cuomo's relationship took a turn in May when he began asking intimate questions

Bennett, becoming emotional, said that, on reflection, her answering his questions left the most pain.

'And when I was thinking of coming forward, that's where I held the most shame,' she said. 'That was where I was most uncomfortable.

'I think people put the onus on women to shut the conversation down, yet by answering, I was somehow engaging in that, or enabling it, when in fact, I was just terrified.'

Asked why she didn't walk away, she replied: 'It didn't feel like I had a choice. He was my boss. He was everyone's boss.'

O'Donnell asked whether she could have misunderstood Cuomo, Bennett said: 'I understood him loud and clear. It just didn't go the way he had planned.'

When Bennett first made her allegations, in The New York Times, she told a similar story.

'I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,' Bennett told the paper.

'And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.'

Bennett said Cuomo also told her he wanted a girlfriend, 'preferably in the Albany area,' and he was lonely since breaking up with Sandra Lee, a chef and TV personality.

She also said she tried to change the subject when Cuomo's comments were making her uncomfortable, telling him she was thinking of getting a tattoo.

Bennett said Cuomo responded by suggesting she put the tattoo on her buttocks.

Bennett, pictured at work, told Cuomo's team about her incidents with him

Protesters staged an 'I Believe Women' rally outside Cuomo's Manhattan office on Thursday

A protester in a Donald Trump mask lies on the sidewalk outside Cuomo's office on Thursday

Bennett said she informed Cuomo's chief of staff, Jill DesRosiers, about the interaction less than a week later. She said she was transferred to another job on the opposite side of the Capitol. At the end of June she also gave a statement to a special counsel for Cuomo.

Cuomo's special counsel, Beth Garvey, has acknowledged that the complaint had been made and that Bennett was transferred as a result to a position in which she had already been interested.

Garvey said in a statement that Bennett's allegations 'did not include a claim of physical contact or inappropriate sexual conduct' and Bennett 'was consulted regarding the resolution, and expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the way in which it was handled.'

'The determination reached based on the information Ms Bennett provided was that no further action was required which was consistent with Ms Bennett's wishes,' Garvey said.

Bennett said she decided not to push for any further action by the administration. She said she liked her new job and 'wanted to move on.'

Bennett spoke out several days after Lindsey Boylan, now 36, accused Cuomo of sexual harassment. A third woman, Anna Ruch, 33, came forward on Monday.

Anna Ruch, 33, (left) claimed Cuomo behaved inappropriately at a Manhattan wedding in September 2019. Lindsey Boylan, 36, (right) claims Cuomo commented on her appearance inappropriately, kissed her without her consent and went out of his way to touch her on her lower back, arms and legs

Boylan opened about her sexual harassment claims against Cuomo in an interview with Harper's Bazaar published on Thursday.

Who is Lindsey Boylan? Lindsey Boylan, 36, was deputy secretary for economic development and housing in the Cuomo administration from 2015-18. She is now running for Manhattan borough president. Boylan on February 24 became the first woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment: two others have since done so. She said that, from January 2016, Cuomo 'would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs.' She claims that Cuomo suggested playing strip poker while they traveled on a private jet in October 2017. Boylan also alleged that Cuomo kissed her on the lips in 2018 as she was walking out of a briefing. Cuomo has denied all of her allegations. Advertisement

She revealed she came forward after the Democratic governor's name started being floated as a potential nominee for a cabinet position in Biden's administration.

'I woke up the next day, and the governor was being floated for attorney general, the highest law enforcement position in the U.S.,' Boylan said. 'And I didn't think about it at all... I began tweeting about my experience.'

'After I initially came forward, it felt like I had intentionally blown up my own body into pieces all over the world, and people were looking at them. It almost felt like I had done this to myself. I had made that choice.'

Boylan claims Cuomo commented on her appearance inappropriately, kissed her without her consent and went out of his way to touch her on her lower back, arms and legs.

She also alleges that he once suggested a game of strip poker aboard his state-owned jet.

Meanwhile, a third woman - Anna Ruch - told The New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her just moments after they met at a September 2019 wedding in Manhattan.

Boylan said in her magazine interview that she has been in touch with Bennett but not Ruch, adding that Ruch's story made her feel 'nauseous'.

Cuomo on Wednesday rejected calls for his resignation in the face of harassment allegations

Anna Ruch told The New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her just moments after they met at a September 2019 wedding in Manhattan

Boylan, who worked for Cuomo's team from March 2015 to October 2018, first tweeted about an abusive workplace environment in the administration in December.

She elaborated on her accusations in a February 24 Medium post in which she said Cuomo once suggested a game of strip poker and on another occasion kissed her without her consent.

Ex and current Cuomo staffers say they're 'waking up to the fact they were in a cult' Nearly a dozen former and current staffers have detailed to Gothamist/WNYC the working culture inside Gov Cuomo's office after he was accused of sexual harassment. Some of the staffers say they weren't surprised by the allegations given what they claim is a bullying environment and intense work culture inside Cuomo's office. Former staffers have described working there as having 'Stockholm syndrome', while others said they're 'kind of waking up to the fact that we were in a cult'. Some said Cuomo was a 'micromanager to the 100th degree' and had a tough management style. One staffer who had a fellowship when she was in her 20s in 2013 described how she was quickly set up near Cuomo's office, with staffers later telling her the governor liked blondes. She was also told to wear stilettos when in the Albany office. Some staffers, however, refuted the toxic workplace notions. 'I think everyone there wants to do the best work they can. Sometimes that work-life balance is sacrificed. I was definitely burned out by the end of my time there. I didn't take it personally,' the staffer said. Advertisement

Cuomo has previously denied Boylan's allegations.

'I just want the abuse to stop. I'm really not focused on punishment. I'm focused on accountability. And I think we're seeing somewhat the way the governor (and his administration) operates, the way that they are, and it's being seen in real time. And I think that's really unfortunate, but probably necessary,' Boylan said.

Cuomo on Wednesday rejected calls for his resignation in the face of the harassment allegations.

He apologized and said that he had 'learned an important lesson' about his behavior around women.

Cuomo initially said he was apologizing to 'people' who were uncomfortable with his conduct. At one point, he said he was apologizing to 'the young woman who worked here who said that I made her feel uncomfortable in the workplace'.

'I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable,' Cuomo said. 'It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it.

'I'm embarrassed by what happened... I'm embarrassed that someone felt that way in my administration. I'm embarrassed and hurt and I apologize that somebody who interacted with me felt that way.'

Asked about calls for him to step aside, the third-term governor said: 'I wasn't elected by politicians, I was elected by the people of the state of New York. Im not going to resign.'

Cuomo acknowledged 'sensitivities have changed and behavior has changed' and that what he considers his 'customary greeting' - an old-world approach that often involves kisses and hugs - is not acceptable.

Cuomo said he inherited his gregarious way of greeting people from his father, the late former Gov. Mario Cuomo, and that he intended to be welcoming and make people feel comfortable.

He said he will 'fully cooperate' with an investigation into the allegations overseen by the state's independently elected attorney general. Attorney General Letitia James, also a Democrat, is selecting an outside law firm to conduct the probe and document its findings in a public report.

Bennett's lawyer, Debra Katz, said the governor's news conference 'was full of falsehoods and inaccurate information.'

She said Cuomo's claim that he was unaware he had made women uncomfortable was disingenuous, considering that Bennett had reported his behavior to her boss and one of Cuomo's lawyers.

'We are confident that they made him aware of her complaint and we fully expect that the Attorney General's investigation will demonstrate that Cuomo administration officials failed to act on Ms Bennett's serious allegations or to ensure that corrective measures were taken, in violation of their legal requirements,' Katz said.

The harassment allegations represent a deepening crisis for Cuomo, who just months ago was at the height of his popularity for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent weeks, he has been assailed over revelations that his administration had underreported COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.
As the premier supplier of corporate recognition products in the United States, today EDCO Awards & Specialties proudly wishes employers and their subordinates a happy Employee Appreciation Day on March 5th. As a company of over 65 individuals itself, EDCO considers it vital to provide gratitude and support to employees at all levels for their efforts in helping a business achieve its ultimate goals.

While many businesses opt to reward their workers with employee appreciation day perks such as free lunch or a leave-early day, the pandemic has made the act of recognizing achievements in the workplace more challenging. Fortunately, many companies have found sending awards to their employees and hosting recognition events over video conferencing can work as an excellent alternative to an in-person event.

EDCO can support this strategy thanks to its range of custom employee recognition awards and multi-location shipping ability. The company offers a host of awards honoring corporate categories such as achievement, leadership, retirement, years of service, and many others. After choosing an award, businesses can rest easy knowing that EDCO will handle distribution, as each employee will have their awards drop-shipped directly to their address.

Employee Appreciation Day is widely observed in the United States and Canada alike. EDCO encourages all business owners to take advantage of this opportunity to recognize their employees for their accomplishments and contributions to success. For ideas on how to reward employees or set up an Employee Appreciation Day for your business, EDCOs blog can help.

More About EDCO Awards & Specialties

EDCO Awards & Specialties is a premier supplier of Corporate Recognition Awards, custom trophies and employee awards online. They specialize in providing high-quality products with free customization options and fast, multi-location shipping.

EDCO is experienced in many types of engraving or imprinting including:



UV printing

CNC

Sublimation

Laser engraving

Abrasive etching

For more information about EDCOs employee recognition awards, executive gifts, service awards, and other personalized specialties, visit their website at http://www.edco.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-04 11:45:27|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. (Source: CDC)

"These latest pieces of research add to evidence that the virus, called SARS-CoV-2, likely originated in bats and then evolved naturally to infect humans, possibly through an intermediary animal," read a news report by Wall Street Journal.

NEW YORK, March 4 (Xinhua) -- New studies have suggested that COVID-19 evolved naturally and is far more widespread than previously believed, a U.S. newspaper has reported.

"At least four recent studies have identified coronaviruses closely related to the pandemic strain in bats and pangolins in Southeast Asia and Japan, a sign that these pathogens are more widespread than previously known and that there was ample opportunity for the virus to evolve," The Wall Street Journal said Monday.

Another study has found that a change in one amino acid -- an organic compound to form proteins -- on the spike protein of the virus can allow the virus to infect human cells, the newspaper added.

"These latest pieces of research add to evidence that the virus, called SARS-CoV-2, likely originated in bats and then evolved naturally to infect humans, possibly through an intermediary animal," it said.

The studies also make clear why a team of experts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) who finished their field study in the central Chinese city of Wuhan last month urged looking further afield for data and evidence in other countries, it said.

The WHO expert team, comprising experts from Australia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Britain, the United States and Vietnam, arrived in China's Wuhan on Jan. 14 to work with Chinese scientists on origin-tracing of the novel coronavirus.

In early February, the international team concluded their month-long research and presented their initial findings at a press conference in China, ruling out the hypothesis that the virus escaped from a laboratory, and calling for science-based approaches. 
Students in U.S. high schools can get free digital access to The New York Times until Sept. 1, 2021.

Have you found a way to volunteer this past year, even in the midst of a global pandemic? If so, what did you do, and how did you find your job? Have you enjoyed it?

If you havent volunteered this past year, perhaps youve done this kind of work before. If so, what has been your favorite volunteer job? Why?

And if youve never volunteered, maybe reading about these five young people will inspire you. What skills and interests do you have that might be well-suited for a volunteer role, either now or when it is safer to volunteer in person?

In These 5 Teenagers Managed to Volunteer This Year. Heres How., Kaya Laterman writes about some young people in New York City who worked for a phone bank, painted murals, tutored and more:

Volunteering during a pandemic isnt easy. Programs have closed or minimized operations, limiting opportunities to help, while many volunteers stay home rather than risk spreading the virus. But a few resilient high school students  motivated in part by idealism and a need to fulfill graduation requirements or to perfect college applications  have not given up. From starting community fridges to checking in with older people on the phone, heres how several of them have helped their fellow New Yorkers this school year.

Here are excerpts about three of the teenagers:

Amanda Cui, 17, Woodside, Queens This year Amanda, a senior at Hunter College High School, had to go virtual with youth advocacy conferences, which she coordinated regularly for organizations like the Minkwon Center for Community Action and Chinatown Youth Initiatives. She also started discussions on organizing through TikTok and Instagram. But she hit the streets, too. As part of a door-knocking campaign last summer in Flushing, Queens, that focused on tenants rights, Amanda collected testimony from residents to present at a community board meeting. Amelia Jackson, 16, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn Amelia, a junior at the Beacon School in Manhattan, used to volunteer as a teachers assistant at Cassidys Place, a Manhattan preschool for vulnerable children. But when schools closed last spring, she shifted her focus to a different demographic. Now, she is working with the Neighbor Network, which connects volunteers with older New Yorkers to check if they have enough food or need any urgent help. Amelia speaks regularly on the phone with a septuagenarian who lives alone in upstate New York. She talks about her mental health and what shes doing to distract herself, while I talk about the classes and high school life, or whats left of it, said Amelia, who also volunteers with Be My Eyes, an app that connects individuals who are blind with people who can see and are willing to help them with everyday tasks. Lucky Ahmed, 15, Elmhurst, Queens Lucky, a sophomore at the High School of Hospitality Management in Manhattan, admitted that he started volunteering because its a high school graduation requirement. But after spending some time with elementary students at a YMCA after-school program, he realized he enjoyed it. Now I like to volunteer when I can because its actually fun, he said. Last summer, Lucky also helped with a mural project through the South Asian Youth Action, a nonprofit, in an attempt to spruce up a pedestrian area in Jackson Heights, Queens. Mr. Ahmed said he focused all day on painting within the lines on his assigned portion of the piece.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

What is your own history with volunteer work? Have you volunteered in the past? Are you volunteering now? How did you find these roles, and which did you enjoy most?

Which of the volunteer jobs described in this piece are most appealing to you? Why? Did any of them give you ideas for work you might like to do?

Dream big: If you could invent a perfect volunteer role for yourself, what would it be? How might your unique set of skills, experiences and interests come into play? How might you figure out how to match those interests to an organization in your community? Or would you like to start your own organization, as Sehajpreet Singh did?

Or, instead of thinking about what you could offer, consider a community you care about and work backward from there. What special needs does this community have? How might you  or you along with friends or family  creatively address one of those needs?

Does your school require service work of some kind for graduation? What do you think of that requirement? Are you glad youre being encouraged to volunteer? Or, do you resent it? Do you think all schools should require it, or do you agree with those who say that making volunteer work mandatory for students means its not really volunteer work at all and thus defeats the purpose?

If youve ever had a volunteer role you enjoyed, what advice would you offer other teenagers about finding a service job they will like? Why?

About Student Opinion

 Find all of our Student Opinion questions in this column.

 Have an idea for a Student Opinion question? Tell us about it.

 Learn more about how to use our free daily writing prompts for remote learning.

Students 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.
The defence lawyers for two Nigerians standing trial for the murder of the four missing Takoradi girls yesterday failed to appear before the Sekondi High Court without prior notice.



At the last adjournment, the court ordered the prosecution to file its written address by February 17, 2021, while the defence counsels for Samuel Udoetuk-Wills and John Oji were to file their written addresses by February 24, 2021, for oral submissions to be heard yesterday.



However, both counsels failed to file their written addresses as directed by the court, and did not show up in court at all yesterday, with no explanation.



The court, presided over by Justice Richard Adjei-Frimpong, a Justice of the court of Appeal, with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, said the verdict of the jury, fixed for tomorrow, would be delivered as scheduled.



The court, however, adjourned proceedings to today to enable counsels to address the jury before tomorrows verdict is announced.



During cross-examination of the second accused, John Oji, he told the court that the purported social media conversation between him and the first accused, Samuel Udoetuk-Wills, did not come from his phone.



He explained that the phone he was using did not support social media apps (WhatsApp and Facebook), and that the comments on Udoetuk-Wills' phone could not be his.



He said he was told about the missing Takoradi girls after he had been lured into Togo and Ghana by the investigators who arrested him without a warrant.



Oji said he was informed about the missing Takoradi girls by the investigators after his arrest, and denied everything, including his own statements and the dates.





Cross-examination



For his part, Udoetuk-Wills told the court during cross-examination by his counsel, Mr George Essiful-Ansah, that: I have never kidnapped before, and I am not a kidnaper; when I heard of the kidnapping I was shocked myself. Out of the four missing girls, he said he knew only two  Priscilla Blessing Bentum and Priscilla Mantebea Koranchie, but I dont know Ruthlove Quayson and Ruth Abaka.



The accused explained that he first met Priscilla Bentum at Effiekuma Methodist Church, and they became friends in 2017 while he and Koranchie met in an area called Phastor Block Factory in 2018.



I was a casual friend to both girls and I exchanged contacts with each of them. I got to know they were missing when my girlfriend called to inform me while I was far away in Koforidua, he said. Udoetuk-Wills said at the police station, he was asked if he knew the girls. I told the police yes and that I knew only two. He said he got to know about the other two girls while in police custody.



He said after his first arrest, he escaped from lawful custody, saying, I did not run home or sleep at home because I was scared. And I did not also run to Nigeria because I know I did not commit any crime or kidnapped my two friends and two others as alleged.



Torture



The accused also said while in the custody of the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) he was tortured to say things that were not true.



He said the NIB operatives did not believe him, and that he was forced to say things under duress, including saying he knew the whereabouts of the girls just to be free.



He said due to the severity of the torture, he was forced to mention his childhood friend John Oji and some of his friends in Koforidua as his collaborators, which in actual fact was not true.



The NIB officers made me call John in Nigeria. I was directed to ask John the whereabouts of the girls. Then I gave them Johns number, and they called and put the phone to one loud speaker, he said.



I asked John the whereabouts of the girls, and John was puzzled and asked me which girls and that he didn't know what I was talking about and asked me to call later since he was busy at the market place, he said.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A new foundation toward achieving the next generation of artificial intelligence

Human beings are living inside an ocean of signals. These signals enable human beings to demonstrate intelligence. Similarly, machines are also surrounded by signals. Artificial intelligence (AI) or machine intelligence has become a hot topic for many decades due to the high expectation of the public on the emergence of smart machines and smart products.

However, the AI research community is still struggling to determine the foci of machine intelligence. For instance, the low-level focus of AI is to advocate computer-aided human intelligence. We believe that the more challenging focus should aim at creating machines that can achieve human-like self-intelligence by themselves.

The development of machine's self-intelligence faces two fundamental issues. The first one is to discover, or formulate, the physical principles behind the transformation of visual signals to cognitive states of knowing the meanings of these visual signals. The second one is to discover, or formulate, the physical principles behind the transformation of audio signals to cognitive states of knowing the meanings of these audio signals.

New Foundation of Artificial Intelligence lays out the new foundation of AI with two objectives in mind. The first objective is to shed light on this new direction which is founded on the use of human languages together with an extension into a technical language (i.e. mathematics) and programming languages. In this way, the answer to the question of knowledge representation becomes obvious to all researchers in the AI community. The second objective is to provide the teaching materials which will guide students in AI to master the fundamentals of achieving computer-aided human intelligence, as well as to prepare students to venture into the achievements of machine's self-intelligence.

New Foundation of Artificial Intelligence retails for US$88 / 73 (hardcover) and is also available in electronic formats. To order or know more about the book, visit http://www. worldscientific. com/ worldscibooks/ 10. 1142/ 7264 .

###

About the Authors

Xie Ming received his B.Eng. degree in control and automation engineering from the East-China Institute of Textile Technology (now Donghua University, Shanghai, China). Subsequently, under the prestigious overseas scholarship of the Chinese government, he completed both postgraduate studies and doctorate research works, and has received his Master degree from the University of Valenciennes, France in 1986 as well as his Ph.D. degree from University of Rennes, France in 1989. Since 1986, he has worked as Research Assistant at IRISA-INRIA Rennes, Expert Engineer (1990-1993) at INRIA Sophia-Antipolis, Lecturer (1996-1997)/Senior Lecturer (1998)/Associate Professor (since 1999) of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is also Fellow (2000-2002) of the Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA) (Affiliated with Innovation in Manufacturing Systems and Technology Program), Guest Professor of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (2002, 2006), University Professor (awarded by China's Jiangsu Provincial Government) (2014), Entrepreneurship Professor (awarded by China's Jiangsu Provincial Government) (2020-2022), and Dean of the College of Electrical Engineering and Control Science at Nanjing Tech University, China (2014-2016). In terms of social services, Ming XIE is a member of the People's Action Party (PAP), Singapore the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Humanoid Robotics (IJHR which is SCI/SCIE indexed), the Founding President of the Robotics Society of Singapore (RSS), Founding President of the Science-Technology Alliance between Singapore and China (STASC), Founding Member of GD-HK-MC Greater Bay Area International Chamber of Commerce (Macau) (GHMBIC), and was the General Chair of the 2007 International Conference on Climbing and Walking Robots (CLAWAR), and the General Chair of the 2009 International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Applications (ICIRA). When he was at the College of Electrical Engineering and Control Science of Nanjing Tech University, he undertook a holistic reform of the undergraduate education program as well as postgraduate education program. In addition, he has also reformed the governance and reward systems at the same college. In terms of industrial services, he has worked as Assistant Engineer (internship) at Renault Automation in Paris, Application Engineer attached to Development Center of Renault Automobile in Paris, Technical Consultant for projects of Asia Electronics Pte Ltd, Technical Consultant for projects of the Port of Singapore Authority, Technical Consultant for the training of engineers of Delphi Automotive Systems Pte Ltd, Technical Consultant for the training of engineers of ST Aerospace Ltd, Technical Consultant for the training of engineers of MuRata Electronics Pte Ltd, Technical Consultant for projects of Sony Electronics Pte Ltd, and Technical Consultant of Singapore Power Ltd. In terms of high education, he has taught courses such as Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Machine Vision, Measurement and Sensing Systems, Microprocessor Systems, and University Physics. In terms of scientific research, Ming XIE has published two authored books, two edited books, several book chapters, over 10 patents of invention, over 30 research papers in scientific journals and over 100 research papers in international conferences. Ming XIE has been a recipient of the best conference paper award from World Automation Congress, the best conference paper award from CLAWAR, the outstanding paper award from International Journal of Industrial Robot, the Gold Prize (S$8K) from CrayQuest, the Grand Champion Prize (S$15K) from CrayQuest, A-Star's Best Research Idea Prize (S$5K), and the Silver Medal from Dragon Design Foundation. Ming XIE was the lead co-founder of the Laboratory of Intelligent Vehicle (now known as the Intelligent Systems Center) at Nanyang Technological University, and the lead co-founder of the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics at Nanjing Tech University. Ming XIE's research interests include machine intelligence (cognitive vision, natural language understanding), humanoid robotics (design, control, biped walking, mobile manipulation) and autonomous vehicles (perception, planning, and control). In terms of techno-entrepreneurship, Ming XIE was the founder of iCar Electronics Co. Ltd., the founder of Humanoid Robotics Pte. Ltd., and the founder of SMAROBOT Co. Ltd. Ming XIE was one of recipients of the Second Prize from the 2009 Spring Techno-entrepreneurship Competition organized by the Chinese Ministry of Education, one of the recipients of the First Prize from the 2010 Spring Techno-entrepreneurship Competition organized by the Chinese Ministry of Education, and one of recipients of the Thousand Elite Plan's Expert Title awarded by Shanghai's Municipal Government.

Hui Chen is Director of China Society of Automotive Engineering, Secretary-General of the Automobile Intelligent Transportation Branch, Member of the Steering Technology Branch, Member of the National Automotive Standardization Technical Committee Steering System Subcommittee, and Member of SAE International, the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE), and IEEE.

In 1985, he graduated from the Automation Department of China Textile University (now Donghua University, Shanghai, China) with a bachelor's degree. After obtaining a master's degree in automation from the university in 1988, he stayed on as a teaching assistant.

In 1993, he went to Yokohama National University, Japan to study for a doctorate degree. In 1996, he received a doctorate degree in electronics and information engineering from Yokohama National University.

In 1996, he joined NSK Co., Ltd. (NSK) and served as Assistant Manager of the Research and Development Center of the Electric Power Steering System (EPS) Division.

In 2002, he returned to China and served as a professor and director of the Chassis Electronic Control System Research Office of Tongji University. In 2005, he was selected as the "New Century Excellent Talent Support Program" by the Ministry of Education. In 2010, he established "Tongji University Automobile College-JTEKT Automotive Active Safety Technology Joint Laboratory" and served as the laboratory leader. In 2013, he won the "Good Tutor in My Mind" Spring Weather Award from Tongji University and the first prize of Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award "Key Technologies and Application of Integrated Control of Automobile Multi-source Powertrain".

Zhencheng Hu is Founder and CEO of Edge Perception Technology in Shanghai, China. Dr Hu successfully founded WiSSEN Intelligent Sensing Technology in 2011, which has grown into an important worldwide supplier of automotive camera modules. Dr Hu has been working in Kumamoto University, Japan for 13 years as an Associate Professor. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Kumamoto University in 2001 and held different positions in the image processing frontier industry before he joined the faculty team in ITS Lab in Kumamoto University.

Dr Hu has been involved over the last 22 years in the field of computer vision, intelligent vehicles, sensor fusion and augmented reality, and have published more than 100 technical papers in relative journals and conferences since 1996. Dr. Hu holds more than 20 patents (pending included) in Japan, US, and Europe.

About World Scientific Publishing Co.

World Scientific Publishing is a leading international independent publisher of books and journals for the scholarly, research and professional communities. World Scientific collaborates with prestigious organisations like the Nobel Foundation and US National Academies Press to bring high quality academic and professional content to researchers and academics worldwide. The company publishes about 600 books and over 140 journals in various fields annually. To find out more about World Scientific, please visit http://www. worldscientific. com .

For more information, contact Amanda at heyun@wspc.com.

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)  With limited COVID-19 vaccines available, an epidemiologist urged the public to continue wearing both face mask and face shield, saying having them on is as good as getting inoculated.

Dr. John Wong of the Inter-Agency Task Forces sub-technical working group on data analytics said a population that effectively wears face shields on top of masks is 89.9% protected against the coronavirus.

Since it will take time for non-priority groups to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, the best thing to do is to continue to wear your face masks and face shields, Wong said in an online media briefing of the Department of Health on Friday.

Theyre as effective as vaccines, Wong added.

The government requires the wearing of face masks and face shields in public areas, but there have been questions on the need for the latter considering that other countries managed to arrest the spread of COVID-19 without it.

Wong, as well as Dr. Rodley Desmond Carza of the DOHs health promotion bureau stressed that face shields can prevent further transmission of the virus, which is spread mainly through respiratory droplets from an infected individual.

The country has been seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases after the holiday season. Experts like Wong say that aside from the holidays, the spike now could possibly be driven by the new variants detected in the country. The variants, first discovered in the United Kingdom and South Africa, are believed to be more transmissible and lower the efficacy rate of some vaccines.

Two vaccine brands have officially reached the country  600,000 doses from Chinese firm Sinovac and nearly half a million shots from the UK-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. These were secured by the country through donations from China and the global COVAX facility.

Malacanang earlier said that since health care workers are top priority in the vaccination program, senior citizens and law enforcers may get their shots by the second quarter when more doses are available.
Chandigarh, March 6 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday trashed the Bharatiya Janata Party's allegation of Congress-ruled states rejecting Covaxin as a complete lie and part of the ruling party's false and politically motivated propaganda.

The Chief Minister was responding to a question during an informal media interaction after taking the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine at the Civil Hospital in Mohali, near here.

When asked how he was feeling after the Covid jab, the Chief Minister said he was in 'Chardi Kalan' and was feeling absolutely fine. The dose was administered to him by ANM (Auxilary Nurse and Midwife) Manpreet.

Categorically denying the charge on Covaxin, the Chief Minister slammed BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra's claim that Punjab, along with other Opposition-ruled states, had expressed doubts and refused to accept vaccination.

"It is not at all true," he said.

An official from the state Health Ministry later disclosed that Punjab had received 1.34 lakh Covaxin doses, of which 2,500 have already been administered.

The Chief Minister, in response to another question on the slow pace of vaccination in the state, said the media is contributing to scaring the people. He urged the media to spread awareness about the importance and efficacy of vaccines.

Admitting that Covid cases in Punjab are on the rise, having crossed 1,000 after more than a month, Amarinder Singh said it is a matter of concern.

The government is keeping a close watch on the situation, the Chief Minister said, as he blamed the casual and carefree attitude of Punjabis for the resurgence in cases.

He appealed to the people to strictly adhere to all Covid safety norms, including wearing masks and social distancing, and not let their guard down.
Adam Vandermyde, President and CEO of Petro West, Inc., was recently interviewed on the Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres.

Adam Vandermyde was interviewed on the Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres

Adam Vandermyde, President and CEO of Petro West, Inc., was recently interviewed on the Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres.

Adam Vandermyde, President and CEO of Petro West, Inc., was recently interviewed on the Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres.

Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres

Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres

Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres

Beverly Hills, California, March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holding ownership of a firm is a challenging affair that requires the utmost sincerity and dedication. That spirit can be seen clearly in this interview with Adam Vandermyde, President and CEO at Petro West Inc. While talking about transitions in his career path, Adam highlights aspects of his entrepreneurial journey so far.

Listen to the full interview of Adam Vandermyde with Adam Torres on Mission Matters.

The Start

Adam was fortunate to get exposure from multiple areas early in his career. After serving as a Plant Manager at a reputed corporation, Adam decided to return to school and complete his MBA at Brigham Young University. After graduation, Adam started a nine-year career in consulting with Deloitte and PwC Consulting. Recalling his time in consulting, Adam states, "It was a great career choice."

Adam then went on to work on the executive team for a portfolio company owned by a well-known private equity firm for the next three years, which added new skills and experience to his journey. At this point, he decided to take a leap and opt for entrepreneurship, becoming the President and CEO of Petro West Inc.

The Entrepreneurial Life

The acquisition of the fuel business guided Adam to step into entrepreneur's shoes and lead the workflow. In his words, buying the company had been an uncertain decision if viewed at a macro level. According to Adam, considering the micro insights, this was the best time for him and the company to welcome the new establishments. "I brought what they needed!"

Story continues

Adam had been looking for an opportunity to add value with his skill set and passion but wasn't inclined to starting something from scratch. This made Petro West Inc. the best place for him and pushed Adam to take risks.

The Industry Dynamics

Talking about competition in the fuel industry, Adam expresses his desire to serve his customers with an astounding experience, "We want to be whom you want to work with." He also shares his vision to have satisfied customers who come back for more work. "We are in this for the long run," says Adam.

Adam highlights the company's challenges during managerial transitions and credits his dedicated team for quickly absorbing the change in a positive way. He is also happy to resonate with the company's vision of serving their customers with a seamless experience with the aim of making the journey easy for customers.

Advice

Adam advises young people in the industry to focus on extensive problem-solving rather than just executing tasks. For the people already in the field, he urges them to create (and then use) political capital to drive their growth and performance.

Moving forward, Adam foresees 2021 to be an excellent year for the company and states his plans, saying, "We wish to maintain our core business but also adapt to the changing industry landscape."

About

Petro West Inc. specializes in sales, service, installation, and distribution of petroleum storage, dispensing, and monitoring systems. Petro West's offices are located in Southern Utah, Northern Utah, Flagstaff, Reno, and Las Vegas. Its construction division includes new construction and renovation of retail and commercial fueling sites, government and industrial fuel storage and transfer facilities across the Western 22 states.

To learn more about the organization, visit Petro West Inc. here and get in touch!

Media Communications

Press Inquiries: adamtorres@missionmatters.com

Book Podcast Interview >> Adam Torres and Mission Matters Media



KISS PR Brand Story PressWire for>> Mission Matters Business Podcast









This news has been published for the above source. Mission Matters Business Podcast [ID=17174]

Disclaimer: The information does not constitute advice or an offer to buy. Any purchase made from this story is made at your own risk. Consult an expert advisor/health professional before any such purchase. Any purchase made from this link is subject to the final terms and conditions of the website's selling. The content publisher and its distribution partners do not take any responsibility directly or indirectly. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the company this news is about.





Attachments




INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTHI) - People began driving into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Friday morning to get their COVID-19 shot. At the front of the list was Governor Eric Holcomb. The governor made his way through gasoline alley just after seven-thirty Friday morning.

After the governor got his shot, the clinic at the motor speedway was open for business. 4,200 people are expected to get their shot Friday. The state expects to give out 16,800 shots through Monday. Health officials say registration filled up quickly.

Friday's clinic was possible thanks to the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine. The state department of health also cites increases in the availability of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

There are two more planned mass vaccinations planned in Sellersburg and at Notre Dame. Governor Holcomb says the state is carefully planning what comes next.

Holcomb explains, "It's supply driven. We want to make sure that we're methodically. We don't ever want to out kick our coverage. So we'll continue to cover it week by week by week.


DEARBORN (dpa-AFX) - Volkswagen (VKW.L, VLKAF.PK, VOW.BE) said Friday that it plans to rapidly accelerate the global e-campaign once again. By 2030, the brand will increase its market share to over 70 percent of deliveries of all-electric cars in Europe - double the previous planning target of 35 percent.



In the United States and China, the brand is targeting an EV market share of more than 50 percent By 2030.



The company said that, to achieve the target, it will bring out at least one new BEV model every year. The all-wheel-drive ID.4 GTX will kick things off in the first half of 2021, followed by the sporty ID.5 in the second half of the year. The ID.6 X / CROZZ, a seven-seater electric SUV for the Chinese market, will be launched in autumn. Plans for an electric car under the ID.3 are pushed up by two years to 2025.



Volkswagen will make autonomous driving widely available by 2030.



Volkswagen said it will invest about 16 billion euros in the future trends of e-mobility, hybridization and digitalization up to 2025.



The company confirmed financial targets. The targeted operating margin of at least 6 percent is expected to be achieved by 2023 and also secured long term. The company is seeking to trim its fixed costs by 5 percent before 2023, increase factory productivity by 5 percent per year, optimize material costs by 7 percent and bring all regions into the black in the long term.



In February, Ford said it would invest $1 billion to modernize its vehicle assembly facility in Cologne, Germany, as part of its pledge to sell only electric cars in Europe by 2030.



Ford had noted that it would invest at least $22 billion globally in electrification through 2025, nearly twice the company's previous EV investment plans.



In January, GM said it would invest $27 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles in the next five years, which is up from the $20 billion planned before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.



GM would offer 30 all-electric models globally by mid-decade and 40 percent of the company's U.S. models offered would be battery electric vehicles by the end of 2025. The company plans to include crossovers, SUVs, sedans and trucks in its electric vehicle lineup.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

VOLKSWAGEN-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
ADVERTISEMENT

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the new service chiefs to secure the country before the beginning of rainy season.

The president stated this on Friday when he decorated the service chiefs with their new ranks.

He decorated the new Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, as a full general.

Others decorated are Ibrahim Attahiru the Chief of Army Staff as lieutenant general, Chief of Naval Staff Awwal Gambo as vice admiral and Isiaka Amao, the Chief of Air Staff, Isiaka Amao, as air marshal.

Their elevation comes about a month after they were appointed by the president and few weeks after they were confirmed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Speaking at the event, Mr Buhari asked the service chiefs to speed up their actions in freeing the country from the current state of insecurity.

Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, quoted the president as saying securing the country before the rainy season would give farmers the confidence to go back to the farm.

During our four-hour security meeting, on Tuesday, I had taken the responsibility as Commander-in-Chief for you to go out into the field and secure the country.

You have got a few weeks to do that because by the rainy season, we expect people to develop confidence and go back to the land, so that we dont get into trouble by being away from the field and therefore unable to produce enough food for the nation, the president said.

ALSO READ: Senate confirms new Service Chiefs

He told the service chiefs to see their appointment, clearance and decoration as a vote of confidence on them.

For those (of you) that have been confirmed by this ceremony, the decoration, in front of your spouses, is a further confidence loudly expressed on you on behalf of the nation, to respond to the insecurity the country is in, and the nation looks up to you for rapid relief.

Mr Buhari urged them to deploy their best hands in order to win the fight against insecurity.

I have accepted responsibility for your actions in the field; it is up to you to identify your competent officers irrespective of seniority and paper qualification and deploy them to make sure that we secure this country.

We all look forward to you to perform and I as the Commander-in- Chief, I am backing you hundred per cent, and I expect you to effectively deploy your officers and men to secure the country, the president said.

Responding on behalf of the other service chiefs, Mr Irabor assured the president that they would not fail in their responsibilities as the mandate was clear.

Nigeria will have peace again. Based on the mandate, we will address all issues, working with all other security organisations, he said.
MANSFIELD, Ohio  A man suspected of kidnapping a Shelby, Ohio, woman has been taken into custody by U.S. Marshals, but the woman remains missing.

John Henry Mack Jr., 43, was arrested Thursday evening without incident in the area of East First Street and South Adams Street in Mansfield, according to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Ohio. The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, Mansfield police, and Richmond County Sheriffs Office assisted in the arrest.

Mack was wanted by the Richland County Sheriffs Office for the kidnapping is ex-girlfriend, 33-year-old Melinda Kay Davis.

According to the Shelby Police Department, Davis was last seen early in the morning on Feb. 25 driving her black 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. Police believe she was going to Mansfield to meet Mack.

Mack is 5 feet tall and about 145 pounds, police say. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white shirt, gray sweat pants and pink flip flops. She has tattoos on both arms and wrists, as well as on her right and left shoulders.

Anyone with information can contact the Shelby Police Department at 419-347-2242.

More crime-related content on cleveland.com:

Man jumps counter, robs 3 tellers at Shaker Heights bank

Man armed with handgun robs Akron Walgreens

Cleveland police officer resigns amid accusations of sharing info with drug-crime suspects


remaining of

Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe.

Already have a paid subscription? Sign in
Jaipur, March 5 : As the camel population in Rajasthan witnesses a sharp decline, there are apprehensions whether the ship the of desert can weather the challenges it is facing and survive for the next five years.

Hanwant Singh Rathore, director of Lokhit Pashu Palak Sansthan, told IANS: "If the government does not do anything in the next five years, camels will be finished in the desert state. There are many villages near Bikaner where there were 500 camels a few years ago. Today, there isn't even a single camel around." As per the 20th livestock census announced by Rajasthan government, camels, which once stood at 3,25,713 in number in 2012, were reduced to 2,12,739.

Earlier in 2007, camel numbers stood at 4,21,836, against 3,25,713 in 2012 in Rajasthan recording a negative per cent change of -22.79.

In fact, till 1991, there were more than 10 lakh camels in the country, a number that has now declined to 2.5 lakh as of now, out of which the maximum number exists in Rajasthan.

Rathore listed multiple reasons for the decline in camel numbers. "First, the youth are disinterested in caring for these animals as they see no profit in it. Secondly, newer modes of transport such as cars, jeeps etc have replaced the camel as the preferred mode of transport. Thirdly, the government doesn't seem to be interested in boosting the growth of this animal," he added.

Rathore says at a time when petrol and diesel prices are soaring, why can't the government promote the animal for the purposes of ploughing and transportation. "It seems that the government has no policy to save the animal," he added.

The Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan (LPPS) was founded in 1996 by Rathore in response to requests for support by Raika camel breeders in Pali District.

Rathore said, "When the camel was declared the state animal in 2014, we became hopeful that traditional breeders and caretaker communities and our animals would benefit. However, these hopes were dashed in 2015, when the Rajasthan Camel Prohibition of Export Act was passed. This has had a negative effect, which affected the camel population," he added.

"The ban in the Act prohibits camel sales to any other state or country and was pushed arguing that camels were being sent to be slaughtered in Bangladesh. Camels were also sold to Haryana and neighbouring states, but now that has stopped. Now, camels taking goods across the state border have also stopped," explains Rathore.

"We need to be able to sell our male camels freely, including to Arab countries where there is a demand for racing camels. So, remove the export ban for male camels immediately, although it can stay in place for female camels," he added further.

Rathore says there needs to be a policy to sustain camels. "We have suggested to the concerned department marketing of camel milk and camel dung paper and asked officials to connect camels with the state's heritage and culture or promote camel safaris through tourism. But the government, it seems, is not interested," he alleged.

A senior government officer told IANS, "The livestock sector is facing new challenges like increased incidence of emerging and re-emerging animal diseases, vulnerability to exotic diseases and shortage of feed and fodder. There is a need to increase production to meet the demand for animal products. To meet the challenges specific to the state and to avail the innovative opportunities available for the growth of the sector, a planned approach is required and we are working in that direction," he added.

Goats, sheep, horses and ponies have all been witnessing a decline in numbers. Sheep, which stood at 90,79,702 in 2012 declined to 79,03,857 in 2019. The goat count in 2012 was 216,65,939 which declined to 208,40,203 in the same period. Horse and ponies in 2012 were 37776 while in 2019 they dwindled to 33679.
The Oswego County Health Department will host two more COVID-19 vaccination clinics this weekend for eligible essential workers, those with qualifying comorbidities and people who are aged 65 and older. The clinics are scheduled to run on Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7 at the G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton. Appointments are required for all COVID-19 vaccination clinics and can be made online at https://health.oswegocounty.com/ by clicking on the link for Local Information About the COVID-19 Vaccination.

"I think it was because of my critical skills that I gravitated towards audit. In Barbados we push a lot of the technical stuff, but not the long answer, and I think thats why a lot of people gravitate towards financial accounting - but I was the opposite."

A summer internship at PwC underlined the appeal: I really loved the environment, because I get bored really fast. I need something new every day and audit gave me that. She was particularly drawn to manufacturing companies.

"I loved going to see how things worked, how things were made. And I think audit made me come out of my shell, because I was fairly shy before then. But if you are on audit you cant be shy anymore because you are dealing with the top-level people in the organisation."

After school her first job was with Deloitte, and she also began studying for her ACCA Qualification, which she describes as a humbling, humbling experience.

"It was a real transition coming from the school environment, where I was fairly at the top of the class. Studying and working at the same time, it was very hard."

Nevertheless, she soon qualified and shortly afterwards took a job as financial controller with an off-shore company.

"I wanted the experience on the other side, and an opportunity came up at an offshore company, and it was paying a bit better, so I left. My audit partner told me I give you six months. I didnt believe him, but after month two or three I knew the entire cycle and everything that was done."

She decided to go back to her first love, but this time as an internal auditor with a cement company.

"That was my favourite job. Every day was a challenge, there are so many things you have to investigate, so many processes and sub-processes. It was like heaven, I had to learn so much."

A lot of this was non-financial.

"Sometimes you have to walk the entire plant to do an environmental check, to see if people are disposing of the garbage properly. I could tell you how to make cement from beginning to end. And then I could tell you how to market it. And how HR [human resources] operates. I could tell you how all the individual departments are working because I have audited them."

But Dawn realised that she would have to set up her own business. Two chronic illnesses meant she had to spend a lot of time out of the office, and even though she was delivering her work on, or ahead of time, she found it taxing.

"In Barbados our culture often rewards attendance more than productivity. And though persons were not saying it directly to me, I felt the pressure of this presenteeism."

And so Resilia Accounting was born. Originally designed to be a payroll company for small businesses, Dawn quickly found herself drawn into accountancy through the network she had built up during her career, and she was also able to draw on the holistic approach to business she had learned as an internal auditor. Before becoming a financial controller, she had taught herself QuickBooks, and this has stood her in good stead in the era of cloud accounting. Rather than take on fixed overheads, she works remotely and uses the flexibility to work around any recurring health issues. She works mainly with small businesses and keeps costs low by partnering with the university Accounting Students Association and offering work assignments to students, who otherwise find it hard to gain work experience and face a very competitive job market. As well as giving free seminars at the university, she also offers a lot of tips to fledgling businesses. COVID-19 has accelerated the digital transformation and, as well as helping her customers make the transition, she is seeing a new wave of younger entrepreneurs who are starting their own businesses after losing their jobs in the pandemic.
| By Laura Lee

The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law has received a $5 million gift from biotech entrepreneurs Marco and Debbie Chacon to establish the Chacon Center for Immigrant Justice.

(l-r) Chacon Center Faculty Director Maureen Sweeney, JD, and Staff Attorney Gabriela Kahrl, JD, were all smiles as they announced the news about the Chacon Center for Immigrant Justice on a recent Zoom call.

The new center will be dedicated to improving the lives of immigrants and their families while providing invaluable training for future lawyers.

Building on the recognized success of the Maryland Carey Law Immigration Clinic, the Chacon Center will establish a permanent immigration law center at the law school, ensuring that Marylands immigrant community will always have a place to turn for high-quality legal representation.

The funding will continue critical pro bono clinic representation in deportation cases while simultaneously broadening its reach by creating a new Federal Appellate Clinic, launching a citizenship initiative, and expanding legislative efforts to promote critical law reform advocacy. The gift will also endow a faculty position as well as a permanent managing director for the new center.

In addition to providing vital legal services, the donation will also create the Chacon Scholarship, which will allow Maryland Carey Law to recruit the best and brightest students interested in immigration law.

We are deeply grateful to Marco and Debbie Chacon for their generous and transformative gift, said Maryland Carey Law Dean Donald B. Tobin, JD. Their generosity will have a lasting impact on the immigrant community by providing access to free legal services while also training new generations of lawyers to represent immigrants and their interests. We are humbled and honored that the Chacons have entrusted us with this important mission.

Marco A. Chacon, PhD, founder and former CEO of Paragon Bioservices, Inc.  which became Paragon Gene Therapy after it was acquired by Catalent Pharma for $1.2 billion in 2019  is the embodiment of the American dream. Born in the Central American country of Costa Rica, he came to the United States in the late '60s to pursue an education. Through determination and hard work, he became a successful biopharmaceutical entrepreneur, dedicated to improving lives through science. He credits his wife, Debbie, who served as vice president of Paragon Bioservices, Inc., with the bulk of their success. He is currently the founder and CEO of Irazu Bio, a drug development company headquartered in the University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore.

Concerned by the inequities faced by immigrants in the justice system  including marginal representation, forced deportations, and family separations  the Chacons felt compelled to act.

The couple, impressed by the humanity, dedication, and passion of the faculty and students working in the Immigration Clinic, decided Maryland Carey Law was the right place for their investment.

By endowing a center dedicated to promoting immigrant justice, they said in a joint statement, new generations of students, jurists, and advocates will help to restore the promise of equal justice for all and encourage the full participation of new immigrants in society who are following in the footsteps of previous waves of immigrants seeking the American dream.

Center Faculty Director Maureen Sweeney, JD, has been on a mission to improve the lives of immigrants through legal representation since she arrived at Maryland Carey Law in 2004. She watched with alarm the increasing legal needs of a vulnerable client population as immigration became a battleground for civil rights in recent years. The Chacons' gift is coming at the right time, Sweeney noted.

This extraordinary gift to endow the center will guarantee that the voice of Marylands immigrants will be heard and protected far into the future and allow us to focus on building a just society by training future generations of advocates, she said.
The State Courts building on 21 April 2020. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE  A man who allegedly met his wife while serving his Stay-Home Notice (SHN), and spent hours in the car with her, was charged in the State Courts on Friday (5 March).

Bai Fan, a 38-year-old United States citizen and Singapore permanent resident, had arrived in Singapore on 19 September last year from China after transiting in Hong Kong, according to an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) release.

He was brought to a hotel in the City Hall area to serve an SHN from 19 September to 3 October. However, he left the hotel on 19 and 20 September to meet his wife, who is also a Singapore permanent resident but was not on SHN, according to the ICA.

On 19 September, Bai's wife allegedly picked him up from the hotel and the couple spent about 1hr 40min together in the car in the vicinity. He was charged with one count of breaching the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19  Stay Orders) Regulations 2020 from 7.46pm to 9.26pm on this day.

The next day, his wife again picked him up and they spent about five hours in the car, first in the vicinity and later in a carpark nearby, said the ICA.

For this alleged incident, he was charged with another count of the same breach from 7.05pm on 20 September to 12.08am on 21 September.

Bai will return to court on 26 March.

The ICA said that those who fail to comply with the SHN, including those who tamper with and/or remove the electronic monitoring device during the SHN period, will be liable to prosecution.

If convicted, Bai may be jailed up to six months and/or fined up to $10,000. ICA added that foreigners may face further administrative actions by ICA and/or Ministry of Manpower, such as revoking, or shortening the validity of permits and passes to remain/work in Singapore.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Other Singapore stories:

Orchard Towers death: 4 years 9 months' jail for last man facing non-capital charge

Story continues

Woman, 73, jailed 7 months for repeatedly helping scammers receive money

Singapore to launch studies on protection of its coastlines

Singapore advises citizens to consider leaving Myanmar
ALBANY  A co-conspirator in a scheme to steer lucrative state business to a New Jersey-based consulting agency that then hired unqualified computer programmers to help update New Yorks State and Local Retirement System pleaded guilty in federal court Friday.

New Jersey resident and business owner Lakshimikanth R. Sripuram, 37, admitted to conspiring with Srinivas Kancha, a 52-year-old former state comptroller's office employee, to steer state business to PIntegra LLC  an information technology consulting agency  while Kancha led the comptrollers offices efforts to redesign the states retirement system.

Sripuram was president and a member of the limited liability corporation when he worked with Selkirk resident Kancha  who was part of the comptrollers Application Development Team responsible for interviewing programmer applicants  to allegedly hired 17 consultants through PIntegra who did not meet the necessary qualifications for the work, according to the original federal complaint.

The New York State and Local Retirement System has over 1 million members, retirees and beneficiaries, and supports over 3,000 employers. The project that Kancha worked on aimed to redesign the information technology system.

The consultants hired were later found to have doctored backgrounds and lacked the necessary qualifications. The majority hired also had the "same state of India as (Kancha) and spoke the same dialect," the complaint states. The programmers, hired between January 2015 and October 2016, were paid between $80 and $120 per hour.

The scheme resulted in $840,000 fraudulently paid to PIntegra for programmers salaries, which Sripuram was then paid a percentage of the hourly rate paid to the programmers. In turn he paid a portion of that compensation to Kancha, according to the complaint.

Sripuram pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to commit wire fraud during a virtual plea hearing before U.S. District Judge Mae D'Agostino. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, federal authorities noted, however sentencing guidelines estimate incarceration for 37 to 46 months.

Sripuram, who is a citizen of India living in New Jersey with his wife and two children, could face deportation and was asked by DAgostino to turn over his passport Friday. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 6.

MONTREAL - The Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and DP World have signed a US$1.2-billion deal to start the construction of an international container port and industrial logistics park in Indonesia.

The logo of Quebec's Caisse de Depot pension fund is seen Thursday, February 25, 2021 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

MONTREAL - The Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and DP World have signed a US$1.2-billion deal to start the construction of an international container port and industrial logistics park in Indonesia.

Under the agreement with Indonesia's Maspion Group, CDPQ and DP World said DP World Maspion East Java will become the sole operator of a modern international container port with design capacity of up to three million 20-foot equivalent units.

DP World and CDPQ will also work with Maspion Group to develop an integrated industrial and logistics park, next to the container terminal.

Groundbreaking on the container terminal in Gresik is expected to take place later this year.

Commercial operations expected to begin in 2023.

Since creating their joint venture four years ago, DP World and CDPQ have invested in 10 port terminals.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2021.
With the last year witnessing heavy traffic on the UKs rural footpaths, we take a look at some of the issues farmers face surrounding rights of way.

Lockdowns have seen more people turning to the countryside for fresh air and exercise, but for farmers this has resulted in an influx of walkers taking to their land.

The vast majority of farms will contain some form of footpath, bridleway, or byway.

According to the World Bank, over 70% of the UKs land is in agricultural use, and so inevitably much of this area is crossed by the UKs 140,000 miles of public rights of way.

With lockdowns curtailing other activities, footfall has rapidly increased on these routes, throwing up new problems for landowners.

In February new figures from NFU Mutual showed that the cost of dog attacks on livestock had increased by over 10%, whilst the new year brought wet weather that led to concerns from arable farmers regarding the strain their footpaths were under.

One such farmer was Olly Harrison, who had difficulties with walkers straying from the legal line of the footpaths on his Merseyside farm, resulting in a muddy expanse across the field.

Mr Harrison said: It is good to see more people making the most of the countryside and taking an interest in what we are doing.

"But unfortunately, a lot of people did not have the right footwear on and so they walked away from the paths trampling the crops.

Understanding

Mr Harrison believes that one key area is in improving public understanding around the use of the countryside and he has been using social media to try and spread that message.

A lot of people do not actually realise that they are doing anything wrong, he explained.

I think it is best to try and educate people before they leave the house, we find that people can be quite defensive if you try speaking to them and signs tend to get knocked down.

As a result of the issues that have arisen during the pandemic, Natural England are currently refreshing the Countryside Code to make it better suited for communication with the wider public.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lord Gardiner is hoping that it will be complete in time for Easter, and the revamped code is also likely to be taken up in Wales once it is finished.

Sophie Dwerryhouse from the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said: Revamping the code should increase wider understanding around using the countryside.

"Instead of just telling people not to do things, it is about explaining why the legal routes are as they are.

Sophie also explained that farmers who are concerned about a particular right of way can offer an alternative route around it, however farmers are not allowed to close the legal route.

Farmers concerned about a particular right of way could offer an alternative route around it

If the footpath is extremely muddy I think the majority of people would prefer to take the cleaner route around the edge.

"However, any landowners who do offer an alternative route must let their insurers know as there is increased liability.

New routes

Whilst the increased use of footpaths has created fresh concerns, there are already existing challenges that farmers face surrounding rights of way.

Footpaths and bridleways can be created by people walking or riding across otherwise private land for a considerable length of time, usually at least 20 years.

This is a worry for landowners as it can result in new rights of way that could have a negative impact on the value of their property and potentially cause difficulties should they have aspirations to use the land differently in the future.

However, there are legal means by which farmers can avoid this becoming a problem.

Molly Dickson, of property consultants Fisher German, explained: Landowners can help protect themselves by making a deposit under Section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980.

"This measure confirms what rights of way are on the land and protects against the public gaining legal rights to the land through long-term usage.

"Whilst this does not affect those rights of way already in place, or those accrued historically, it does stop the clock ticking on new ones being acquired.

I have recently seen high levels of interest in such applications and have submitted several on behalf of landowning clients.

What are the rules?

Responsibility for public rights of way in England and Wales is shared between the landowner and the highways authority.

In Northern Ireland full responsibility lies with local councils, whilst in Scotland there is no definitive list of rights of way as the Land Reform Act of 2003 created universal access to land providing that the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is kept to.

Responsibility for public rights of way is shared between the landowner and the highways authority

In England and Wales landowners are legally obliged to keep rights of way open and useable, this includes maintaining gates and stiles as well as clearing any vegetation that could obstruct the route.

Farmers must meet these requirements to claim Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.

The Highways Agency are responsible for maintaining the surface of paths, but field edge paths must not be cultivated or ploughed.

Paths that run across fields can be disturbed for cultivations, but a good surface should be reinstated within 14 days of disturbance if a crop is being sown.

The width of bridleways must be at least 3 m wide and footpaths at least 1.5 m. This is narrower for rights of way that cross fields, with 2m required for a bridleway and 1m for footpaths.

There is also a strict set of rules around keeping bulls in fields that contain a right of way.

Bulls of recognised dairy breeds over the age of 10 months are banned from fields with public access, whilst bulls over the age of 10 months of any other breed must be accompanied by cows or heifers.

Landowners can be prosecuted for keeping any potentially dangerous animal on land crossed by a right of way.

An in depth list of landowners rights and responsibilities can be found at the gov.uk website.
Ireland is to administer some 84,000 Covid-19 vaccines next week, falling short of its weekly target because of ongoing supply issues.

The health service has struggled to ramp up its rollout of the vaccine after manufacturer AstraZeneca said there will be a shortfall of 75,000 doses of the vaccine over two weeks.

The company told HSE bosses that supplies will be made up by the end of the month.

The Government said that 100,000 vaccines would be delivered each week but those figures have been revised downwards to around 82,000 weekly.

Expand Close A vial of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine (PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A vial of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine (PA)

HSE Chief Clinical Officer Colm Henry said that the vast majority of over 85-year-olds will be vaccinated by Sunday.

He said between 600 and 800 will be completed next week.

Mr Henry told RTE News At One that some GPs had experienced supply issues, but that 1,300 practices received the expected supply.

One of the features of this programme is that we are completely reliant on supplies, Mr Henry said.

We are hopeful we will be able to catch up in any shortfall of distribution and administration by then Colm Henry

In any one week we distributed vaccines in the order of 99% of what we received in that week. We have to keep some back for buffer stock.

We got a fairly short notice from AstraZeneca of a shortfall of supplies of the order of 75,000 over a two-week interval, but that will be made up, we are told, by the end of quarter one which is the end of March.

We are hopeful we will be able to catch up in any shortfall of distribution and administration by then.

He said that 84,000 vaccines would be delivered next week and some 37,000 over-70s will receive their first dose of the vaccine.

Around 10,000 people with underlying conditions will also receive their first dose.

The Cohort 4 group includes people aged 16-69 with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk of severe disease and death.

Hospitals will be working to identify the 84,000 people who will be included in the revised vaccine priority list.

Meanwhile, pregnant women are being urged to continue attending healthcare appointments following a Covid-19 infection.

It follows preliminary reports of four stillbirths that could be linked to the virus in Ireland.

Professor Keelin ODonoghue, a consultant obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital, said the cases appeared to be a rare complication of Covid-19, but she acknowledged that it was pretty scary for pregnant women hearing this information.

Women shouldn't be afraid to attend hospital, and they should speak up if there's any concerns about foetal wellbeing or if they experience reduced movements Professor Keelin O'Donoghue

Were still investigating, she told RTE Radio 1s Morning Ireland programme.

What we could have here is a cluster by complete chance.

She said the advice for pregnant women at a simple level was to try not to get Covid, and to get the coronavirus vaccination when it becomes available.

For those who have Covid its really important that their healthcare providers know, and that women attend their visits as normal, she said.

We all have Covid pathways now in the hospitals.

Women shouldnt be afraid to attend hospital, and they should speak up if theres any concerns about foetal wellbeing or if they experience reduced movements.

We should assess women whove had Covid, a minimum of 14 days after their infection, and undertake an ultrasound to check foetal wellbeing, and women should certainly not ignore any signs or concerns that they might have, and should be listened to when they present to the maternity hospitals.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said on Thursday that public health officials had been made aware of four preliminary reports of stillbirths potentially associated with a condition called Covid placentitis.

At least two of the cases have been this year.

He said he had to wait for the full data to come through and was awaiting full details from coroners.

Dr Glynn warned the reports should be interpreted with caution as the coroners had not yet concluded their findings and that the HSEs National Women and Infants Programme was monitoring the situation.

Prof ODonoghue said all four cases of stillbirth being investigated were from 24 weeks onwards and where women were symptomatic in three of the four cases, but not critically unwell.

She said: They had all had recent Covid within two to three weeks, and in some cases presented feeling a change in foetal movements.

These babies, as far from what we know, were normally grown and the pathologists have found evidence of very similar placental disease in all four that can be linked to the direct effects of Sars-Cov-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 infection.

There have been nine further deaths of people with Covid-19 in Ireland, National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said.

Another 522 infections have been confirmed.

Some 426 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised at 8am today, of which 102 were in intensive care units.

A further 34 additional hospitalisations had been recorded in the previous 24 hours.
Emma Willis has said that she will never stop her son Ace from wearing a pink top and that she just lets the nine-year-old 'be him'.

The TV presenter, 44, received an outpouring of support from social media users last year after she shared a photo of Ace wearing a pink T-shirt and sporting longer hair.

Speaking in a new interview, Emma insisted that it is important to let children 'explore' with colour, clothes and hair.

'I just let him be him': Emma Willis has said that she will never stop her son Ace from wearing a pink top and that she just lets the nine-year-old 'be him' (Emma pictured in January)

The Voice UK presenter told The Sun: 'I think it's a really individual, personal thing. You know, my son likes what he likes, and far be it for me to stop him expressing himself or experimenting however he likes with clothes.

'I see it as hair is hair, clothes are clothes and colour is colour. And, you know, if my son wants to wear a pink top, I'm certainly not going to stop him.

'Let kids explore. Kids love exploring. And they don't just have to explore in the dirt with worms and spiders, they can explore with colour and clothes and hair. I just let him be him.'

Emma is also mother to Isabelle, 11, and Trixie, four, with husband Matt Willis, with the couple keeping their children's faces hidden on social media to protect their privacy.

Snap: The TV presenter, 44, received an outpouring of support from social media users last year after she shared a photo of Ace wearing a pink T-shirt and sporting longer hair

It comes after the presenter revealed last month that she would never try and 'suppress' the way her son Ace dresses as it's his way of 'expressing himself'.

Emma admitted that she was surprised to receive comments saying that a boy shouldn't wear pink and told Fabulous magazine she is 'so protective' of her kids.

She said: 'Say what you want about me, I'm big enough to take it on the chin. But when you get comments like that regarding your children, it just makes the Hulk want to come out and scream at the world.

'I'm so protective of my kids and this was just a young boy expressing himself the way he wants to. I thought: "Did you not watch '80s dance movies? All the boys wore crop tops and it was cool!"

Important: Speaking in a new interview, Emma insisted that it is important to let children 'explore' with colour, clothes and hair (Emma's three children Isabelle, 11, Ace, nine, and Trixie, four, pictured)

'He is very individual, he dresses the way he wants and he's really happy doing that. Why would I try to suppress that?'

The former Big Brother host told how the reaction to the photo of Ace made her think about gender norms, noting she had never given a second thought to the way her son dressed before.

Emma has started following Instagram accounts like @notonlypinkandblue and @lettoysbetoys to 'educate' herself on how other people see gender roles in children.

The Voice UK host said Ace gets called a girl 'quite often' and it's 'obvious' he does not dress like his other friends, but she loves how unique he is.

The Voice UK presenter told The Sun: 'If my son wants to wear a pink top, I'm certainly not going to stop him.' (Emma pictured in January)

Emma also noted that the majority of comments on the photo of Ace were positive, but she thinks this may also be a part of the problem.

The star said she wondered why a boy wearing pink was 'a thing that people wanted to comment on at all'.

Emma noted that none of her children are on social media, but they know she uses it as part of her work.

Earlier this year, the star praised her three children for openly 'expressing themselves' in a post shared to mark Children's Mental Health Week.

Doting parents: Emma is also mother to Isabelle, 11, and Trixie, four, with husband Matt Willis, with the couple keeping their children's faces hidden on social media to protect their privacy (pictured in 2015)

The Birmingham native took to Instagram to share a snap of her offspring showcasing their eclectic styles as she commended them.

Captioning the image which showed the children with their backs to the camera, she wrote: 'Expressing themselves for #childrensmentalhealthweek. Raised in exactly the same way, yet all completely unique.'

Listing each one of their attributes she has come to admire, she continued: 'My teenager before her time, my boss lady baby and my rainbow boy .

'This week Ive watched them discuss and explore their own mental health with their teachers and class mates and I couldnt be prouder.

'Unique': Earlier this year, the star praised her three children for openly 'expressing themselves' in a post shared to mark Children's Mental Health Week

'I dont remember experiencing anything like this when I was at school but its so obviously necessary for our kids, so their little minds can start to understand their thoughts, feeling, and emotions and that they feel comfortable expressing them.'

Appearing on Good Morning Britain back in October to discuss the snap of her son Ace, the presenter said she was 'overwhelmed' by the reaction, sweetly saying: 'He's just my son in a pink top.'

She continued: 'For me thats normality. He loves colour, hes always had long hair, hes a free and able-minded boy.

'Hes like, "Why do I have to dress in green and blue and grey, when I love red and pink and purple?" Hes always been that way.'

Love: A few of Emma's pals also commented on the sweet snap of Ace last year, including pal Emma Bunton, who wrote, 'Just gorgeous! We [heart] Ace! X'

She continued: 'Were trying to raise him as an open-minded, inclusive individual. There were some negative bits, but thats where the block button is great!'

Meanwhile, Emma's good friend Fearne Cotton, 39, asked Ace to make her a dress.

The presenter took to Instagram to leave a playful comment under Emma's post, which saw her hail her son as her biggest style inspiration, earning a sea of praise from her fans.

Fearne was among a slew of stars who shared sweet comments for Emma's son, writing: 'I miss Ace! When is he making me that dress?'

Reaction: Fans praised the presenter for posting the photo, with one saying: 'Just shows how far we have to go in breaking down gender stereotypes'

Fans praised the presenter for posting the photo at the time, with one saying: 'Just shows how far we have to go in breaking down gender stereotypes. Pink is simply a colour. Hair grows. Let kids (or adults) wear whatever they want!'

Another added: 'So what if this boy has beautiful long blond hair and wears a pink T-shirt ! Jesus! I bet he smiles a million more time's a day then you miserable judgey ADULTS commenting on this child! #getalife.'

A third said: 'Your son is an inspiration. Coming from a mummy of a son who loves pink, Rainbows and his Elsa dress. He is following his own story and not bound by stupid society stereotypes. .'

Another wrote: 'Omg this could be my little boy! He's totally alternative... bracelets, ear cuffs, pink, teeny shorts when it's freezing, pink leopard and hair bands and buns! Makes me beam with pride that he's so individual & clear on what he likes.'
In April 2020, U.S. military personnel were deployed to a New York City field hospital to care for COVID-19 patients. A robust infection control plan was implemented and enforced. Among 336 soldiers participating in an infection risk study, the overall infection rate was 1.7%; the rate among those involved in direct patient care was 0.9%.

Protecting health care workers from COVID-19 remains a priority during the ongoing pandemic. Accurate assessment of the risk for infection among health care workers is important in determining the effectiveness of infection control plans. In late March 2020, a total of 591 U.S. Army personnel from three units were deployed from areas in which COVID-19 incidence was low to the Javits New York Medical Station (JMS), a 452-bed Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Medical Station in New York City (NYC), to provide care to COVID-19 patients. Army personnel followed a rigorous infection control plan and remained largely isolated from the surrounding community while in NYC. During April 325, a total of 1,095 COVID-19 patients were admitted from NYC area hospitals to the JMS ward or intensive care unit (ICU). A cross-sectional study of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among 336 active duty soldiers enrolled in a prevalence study identified an infection rate of 1.7% overall and 0.9% in the 223 (66.4%) enrolled soldiers who provided direct care to COVID-19 patients. A well-designed and well-implemented infection control plan can mitigate the risk for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infection in health care settings, including nontraditional settings.

All patients transferred to JMS had received a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result or a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 when evaluated at the transferring hospital, were clinically stable or improving, and did not have other complex medical conditions. Upon arrival, patients were admitted to a 452-bed patient care area converted from an exhibition space. The ventilation in the JMS patient care area was adjusted to create a negative pressure differential related to all other JMS spaces. Beds were contained within 8-foot square pods separated by temporary dividers with open ceilings and cloth doorways, and pods were supplied with oxygen by concentrators or portable tanks. Patients whose clinical condition deteriorated after admission were transferred to the ICU within JMS or to a local hospital.

Active duty soldiers from three army units, the 9th Hospital Center (Fort Hood, Texas), 531st Hospital Center (Fort Campbell, Kentucky), and the 44th Medical Brigade (Fort Bragg, North Carolina), were deployed to JMS to care for COVID-19 patients. These soldiers were not routinely tested for SARS-CoV-2 before deployment to NYC, and none had previously received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result.

A multidisciplinary team of infection control specialists proactively designed and implemented infection control procedures to protect health care personnel. All personnel were screened for COVID-19associated symptoms and fever upon each entry to JMS. The patient care area had one entry point for health care personnel where personal protective equipment (PPE) donning was continually observed, with assistance provided. All personnel working within 6 ft of COVID-19 patients were fit-tested and wore N95 respirators, eye protection, gloves, disposable gowns, and single-use scrubs. All personnel were required to completely doff PPE, with assistance, at the doffing station before exiting the patient care area for breaks and were required to repeat the observed donning process to reenter.

Military personnel were the sole occupants of local hotels and were housed in single-occupancy rooms. The military chain of command encouraged deployed personnel to stay in their hotel rooms as much as possible when off duty; meals were available at JMS, through food delivery services, or by take-out from restaurants within short walking distances of the hotels. The chain of command enforced mask wearing and physical distancing at all times. Personnel were placed in command-directed isolation if they reported experiencing any COVID-19associated symptoms.

To assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among active duty soldiers deployed to JMS, researchers recruited soldiers for the study in late April. Among 591 eligible soldiers who deployed to NYC beginning on March 24, a total of 336 (56.8%) consented to participate in the prevalence study during April 2830. Among the enrolled soldiers, 298 (88.7%) originated from an area where the 3-day average COVID-19 incidence was <10 cases per 100,000 persons; in contrast, the 3-day average incidence in NYC during March 30April 1, 2020, was 519 per 100,000.* All enrolled soldiers completed an anonymous study questionnaire that asked about demographic characteristics, duties at JMS, and history of COVID-19 symptoms, isolation, and testing. During April 2830, 2020, nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from all enrolled participants and were tested using the TaqPathTM COVID-19 Combo Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific). All participants also received enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and multiplex microsphere-based immunoassay (MMIA) IgG and immunoglobulin M (IgM) testing. Although not authorized for clinical diagnostic purposes at the time, MMIA can test simultaneously for antibodies to multiple antigens using an extremely small sample volume, in this case, <2 L. SARS-CoV-2 antibody presence and titer were ascertained by using ELISA and MMIA (1).

Enrolled soldiers were considered to have been infected if SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected on nasopharyngeal PCR tests or if SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA. MMIA serologic testing was used to improve the sensitivity of antibody detection. Medians were compared by Wilcoxon-rank sum test using SPSS Statistics (version 22.0; IBM).

This study was approved by the Uniformed Services University Institutional Review Board. The activities were reviewed by CDC and were conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy.

Among the 336 soldiers who participated in the study, 304 (90.5%) had arrived in NYC before the first COVID-19 patient was admitted to JMS (Figure). During April 325, a total of 1,095 COVID-19 patients were admitted to JMS. Throughout that time, 77 (13.0%) of 591 soldiers were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR because of reported COVID-19compatible symptoms, including four who received positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results. Among the 336 soldiers enrolled in the study, 45 (13.3%) were tested because of symptoms; two had a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result.

The 336 solders enrolled in the SARS-CoV-2 prevalence study included 100 registered nurses (29.7%), 99 medical support staff members (27.9%), 25 physicians and physician assistants (7.4%), and 117 other staff members (34.7%) (Table 1). Direct contact with COVID-19 patients was reported by 223 (66.4%) enrolled soldiers, for a self-estimated median of 240 hours at the time of enrollment and testing.

During the SARS-CoV-2 prevalence study, six of 336 (1.7%) soldiers received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result, either by nasopharyngeal swab PCR (two), ELISA (five), or both (one) (Table 2). The five soldiers with positive IgG test results had titers of 1:80 (three), 1:160 (one), and 1:2,880 (one). Two (0.6%) soldiers had detectable IgG antibodies to the spike protein and receptor binding domain by MMIA testing; both soldiers also had positive ELISA test results (titers = 1:160 and 1:2880). The three soldiers with ELISA titers of 1:80 had negative MMIA results. Both soldiers with positive MMIA IgG results also had detectable IgM to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein; all other IgM results were negative.

The median age of the soldiers with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results (22 years) was significantly younger than that of all enrolled soldiers (32 years) (p = 0.02). Among the six soldiers with positive PCR or ELISA test results, two reported directly caring for COVID-19 patients, four reported having COVID-19 symptoms, and two were isolated for symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection that was previously detected by PCR while the soldiers were at JMS. The SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among those who provided direct care to COVID-19 patients was 0.9% (two of 223).
On the eve of Pope Francis' apostolic visit to Iraq, the secretary-general of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity underscores the values of solidarity and coexistence emphasized by the Pope in his encyclical Fratelli tutti.

Vatican News

His Holiness Pope Franciss historic trip to ailing Iraq that has been suffering from wars, divisions, and terrorism for years, and the Popes insistence to support the Iraqi people despite the pandemic, constitute a clear sign of the humanitarian approach the Pope has adopted and to which he has dedicated his entire life. This is the sentiment that Judge Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel Salam, the secretary-general of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, expresses in a statement he released on Thursday. He makes his observation on the eve of the Popes 4-day apostolic journey to Iraq. According to Abdel Salem, it is a visit that represents a real incarnation of the principles included in the Document of Human Brotherhood and in the Encyclical Fratelli tutti"



A significant visit for the entire Arab region

The secretary-general of the High Committee points out that the entire programme of the Pope's visit and the list of places and cities he will go to, reflect his desire to communicate with all the Iraqi people. It is undoubtedly a significant visit for our Arab region, Abdel Salam points out, adding, It carries several massages of solidarity with the victims of violence and terrorism and the promotion of values of fraternity and citizenship in Iraq and beyond.

He notes that for a great figure of peace and a leader who leads the world on the path to peace and coexistence such as Pope Francis, such gestures are not unusual
Di Keller: So let me get this right, it is as shocking as you thought it would be and yet you, Scott Morrison, decided to do nothing at all with the urgent interim recommendations. Shame on you!! Some readers were concerned that the reports findings were a reflection of how little modern society values the elderly. Credit:Virginia Star Brave New World: If its as shocking as he thought it would be, why wasnt he proactive in doing something about it? The reality is that like all the other commissions and inquiries, itll end up shoved under the carpet. The Howard government came under marked criticism for its 1997 changes, which opened up the sector to privatisation. Its Howards shame, one reader wrote. KPN: The simple fact, which the government will keep ignoring is that some sectors are best served by the not-for-profit/public sectors. Aged care falls into this bucket. When you privatise aged care, its a given that quality will come down (eg lower staff ratios, less qualified staff, poorer quality food/facilities etc) in order to make higher profits. Thats why aged care should never have been privatised.

While subsequent Coalition governments were also blamed, other readers remarked that Labor was also in power for six years and are at at least equally responsible. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Reader M_k said: The partisan comments here are part of the problem. This has been a train wreck decades in the making and no-one in any party has stood up to deal with it. What appals me is how individuals in the sector (I am not) can let this happen. Yes, surely there are a percentage of providers who provide really good care but there are clearly others who dont. As a society weve lost our humanity. Whatever happened to treat others as you would want to be treated? Federal political reporter Rachel Clun, who covers health from The Age and the Heralds Parliament House bureau, this week reported on the royal commissions findings, and political and industry reaction to their release. She says its clear the many stories of neglect have outraged readers.

Loading Ive spoken to care workers and nurses, who all try to do their best, but the system often lets them down, she says. Many of the issues, as readers pointed out, stem from the Howard governments Aged Care Act of 1997. Billions of dollars will be needed to fix this. Several readers have also rightly highlighted that it will take more than just a massive injection of funding - the sector needs better regulation, better workplace standards and it needs to focus on the fundamental principle of actually caring for our older Australians. The actions of some private aged care providers - and reports of their wealth - drew the ire of many readers, who argued the central problem with aged care in Australia was that it was profit-driven.

Barraba Boy: Every dollar spent on mansions, luxury cars and first class holidays by the private providers, was a dollar taken from the mouths of our elderly. No more weasel words - urgent action is demanded! WJC: Its an outrage ... aged care must not be left in the hands of private operators as their only interest is PROFIT not CARE. Some readers were concerned that the findings were a reflection of society and how little they value the elderly. Saffron: Its been a mess for decades under all governments because this society doesnt care about elderly people. I know people working in that system and they see that very clearly. It is a societys failure, and for that reason, it will continue to be the same. Blueblue: The aged in our country are a case of out of sight out of mind. The problem is apathy. And this extends from the press all the way down to the children of many aged care residents. 

Lester: How have we as a nation allowed our aged population to be treated as a commercial commodity? The mark of a nation is how it treats those who are vulnerable, for whatever reason, all the more so in relation to the way it treats its senior citizens. We can and must do better. While readers accepted that an immediate $450 million cash injection by government wasnt going to be enough, there was little support for a Medicare levy increase. Loading Even those readers who were willing to contribute more said billionaire owners and shareholders should lower their profits first. Some had other suggestions of where the money could be found. Chris ONeill: As always come to the people for more money but never look to fix the leaks in our budgets to find money. These aged care companies are pulling hundreds of millions of dollars profit from not feeding their customers right. Millions in government rebates. And millions in executive salaries and bonuses. How about we fix where the money is going first before where it comes from.
(CNN)  Hong Kong has been booted off an index of economic freedom that it used to lead, dealing another blow to the city's standing as a global business hub.

On Wednesday, the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank, revealed its annual ranking of the world's freest economies, leaving the former British colony off the list.

The organization said that it was counting the city, as well as Macao  another Chinese-controlled special administrative region  as part of China, following a change in its methodology that means the index will only rank "independent countries where governments exercise sovereign control of economic policies."

"No doubt both Hong Kong and Macao, as special administrative regions, enjoy economic policies that in many respects offer their citizens more economic freedom than is available to the average citizen of China, but developments in recent years have demonstrated unambiguously that those policies are ultimately controlled from Beijing," the foundation's researchers said in a statement.

It's the latest sign of Hong Kong's evolving international image after a controversial national security law was enacted in the city last year, exacerbating a political crisis that had engulfed the city with mass protests.

Prior to last year, Hong Kong had dominated the list for over a quarter of a century since its inception. But it was unseated by Singapore in 2020, "primarily due to a decline in the investment freedom score for Hong Kong," according to the Heritage Foundation.

Singapore remains the top-rated economy on the list this year, followed by New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland and Ireland. China is in the bottom half, in 107th place out of 184 countries.

The top five countries "earned very high economic freedom scores of 80 or more," researchers from the foundation wrote. The score is assessed by several criteria, including how open the markets are considered in each territory, how efficient regulators are in encouraging business and labor freedom, and how stringent the rule of law is in protecting property rights.

Paul Chan, Hong Kong's top finance official, blasted the Heritage Foundation for excluding the city from the index Thursday.

"I do not agree that our economic policy has been taken over by the central government," he said during a webinar held by the South China Morning Post. "It seems to me when they arrived at that decision, it must have been clouded by their ideological inclination and political bias."

A spokesperson for the Hong Kong government said in a statement that excluding the territory from the ranking was "neither warranted nor justified." Hong Kong is a member of the World Trade Organization, the spokesperson noted, and enters into trade, taxation and investment agreements as an individual economy.

"Hong Kong is and will always remain an open, safe, vibrant and pluralistic international financial and business hub, underpinned by economic freedom, the rule of law and judicial independence," the spokesperson added.

Hong Kong has long been seen as a vital business hub connecting East and West. Even after the city's handover from Britain to China in 1997, it retained its image for decades as an international gateway to the mainland, helped by a pledge from Beijing to maintain its semi-autonomous status.

Since 2019, however, experts have warned that its unique differences could be in jeopardy as Chinese authorities seek to take a firmer hand in Hong Kong affairs. That was when huge protests erupted in the city over a divisive extradition bill, which ultimately evolved into a movement calling for full democracy. Turmoil from the demonstrations at the time forced stores to close, disrupted some public transportation and hurt the city's economic growth.

Last summer, Hong Kong faced another test as China passed a sweeping national security measure for the city. The law banned sedition, secession and subversion against Beijing, and allowed Chinese state security to operate in the territory.

The move raised questions on whether the city's reputation  and ability to attract businesses  would be eroded. Top local officials, however, have argued that it helps the city restore calm and order.

Tensions between pro-democracy activists and authorities remain. Earlier this week, hundreds of protesters risked arrest to demonstrate outside a Hong Kong court as 47 pro-democracy activists charged with subversion under the national security law appeared.

There are also signs that the city's role in international finance is changing. Over the last year, Hong Kong has become a popular venue for Chinese tech companies to list their shares, particularly as tensions remain over Chinese companies that trade publicly in the United States.

 Eric Cheung and CNN staff contributed to this report.

This story was first published on CNN.com Hong Kong used to be the poster child for economic freedom. Not anymore
Even as the United Kingdoms parliament is likely to discuss the issue on March 8 next, the new British High Commissioner in New Delhi, Alex Ellis, on Friday said that the protest against the new agricultural laws was an internal matter of India.

This is something we (the UK) look at, but it is something for India to resolve, said Ellis, who took over as Londons envoy to New Delhi last month.

The protest by farmers in India is likely to be taken up in the UK parliament on March 8 as an e-petition asking the lawmakers to discuss it had crossed the 1,00,000-signature threshold required for such a debate.

Ellis told journalists in New Delhi that what happened in India often created ripples in the UK, which was now home to a large Indian Diaspora.

I think the (UK) Foreign Secretary (Dominic Raab) said it when he was here. Your politics is our politics. In other words, things that happen in India have ripples in the UK partly because you have such a big diaspora community in the UK, so these things get debated, the British High Commissioner to India said. Our Prime Minister (Boris Johnson) was asked about it actually in the Prime Minister's Question Time (in Parliament).

Read more: Farmers to campaign for MSP in Karnataka from Friday

This is something that is done by Parliament, the Government has to participate, it has to answer, but it is the parliamentarians, as you expect, raising issues that are a concern to them in their constituencies, he said, responding to a question on the impact such a discussion in the UK parliament on an internal matter of India could have on New Delhis ties with London.

Coming back to the point about your politics is our politics to an extent. My observation more generally is that as the Indian diaspora grows and is very successful in many countries of the world you are going to see more of this, he said, adding: I think that as India grows and becomes more international and ever more significant in the world, there will be more debate about Indian issues.

The agitating farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at the entry points of the national capital since November 8, demanding the repeal of the three new agricultural laws introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government and a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

Thirty-six members of the UK parliament in early December wrote to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and asked him to take up with the Modi Government the issue of protest by the farmers in India.

The UK MPs, who signed the letter, are mostly from the Labour Party but included some from the Conservative Party and the Scottish National Party. The move was coordinated by Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, a Sikh representing Slough in Berkshire at the UK House of Commons.

They wrote to the British Foreign Secretary that the new laws introduced by the Modi Government had triggered widespread protests across India as the new legislations failed to ensure protection of the farmers from exploitation and fair prices for their produce.

Dhesi and Preet Kaur Gill, another Sikh member of the UK House of Commons, earlier took to Twitter, criticizing police actions on the agitating farmers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exhorted Indian industry to make use of the goodwill the country has created through its leading role in Covid-19 vaccine supplies across the world and create global brands across sectors.

Addressing a webinar organised by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, Modi said the government is expecting the scheme to result in production worth $520 billion across sectors in the next five years in India.

"Vaccines will create an India brand that will go beyond vaccines and pharmaceuticals. We have to capitalise on this goodwill. This should help all sectors. PLI scheme's success will support this," the Prime Minister said.

The 13 sectors for which PLI schemes have been announced will create double the job opportunities in those sectors, he said, adding that increased production and exports will also generate demand in the economy. The response from sectors that are already operational is encouraging, he said. IT hardware, telecom equipment, etc. were some of the sectors that found mention in his speech.

Also read: Reliance to bear COVID-19 vaccine cost of employees; urges staff to get vaccinated

According to Modi, PLI will result in the setting up of anchor units that can help develop MSME ecosystem to meet the supply chain requirements. The changes in the definition of MSME sector will help companies invest to develop such ancillary systems he said. The prime minister wants the industry to invest and focus on research and development to become globally competitive. "Brand India is already here, work on quality products, make in India, make for the world," he said.

Speaking at the function, Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog said PLI scheme is not to be seen as a subsidy scheme as its key objective is to create size and scale for industries in chosen sectors. India can become a global manufacturer in sectors like pharma, IT and electronics, he said.

Also read: WHO chief Tedros thanks India, PM Modi for supporting 'COVID-19 vaccine equity'

"The scheme has been transparent. The companies have been chosen through a competitive process. We have set very tight targets for implementation. The key challenge is to make it happen. The chosen companies should be cracking at ground very quickly. We will handhold the industry. Help solve all the problems that may arise," Kant said.

The webinar was attended by the ministers of all stakeholder industries like textiles, electronics and IT. Ministers in charge of commerce, steel, renewable energy were also present. Over 40 key industrialists participated in the webinar.

Also read: India 'partly free', moving towards authoritarianism: Freedom House

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine: 'We see entire world as our family', PM Modi tells ex-cricketer Kevin Pieterson

Joe Biden maintains unequivocal support for the Belfast Agreement, a White House spokeswoman said.

The 1998 deal, which largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland, also enshrined cooperation with the Republic of Ireland.

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said the UK cannot be trusted over the Northern Ireland Protocol, which ensures the Irish border remains open and free-flowing.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: President Biden has been unequivocal about his support for the Good Friday Agreement.

It has been the bedrock of peace, stability and prosperity for all the people of Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson for US President Joe Biden said he has been unequivocal in his support for the Good Friday Agreement and that this remains the case. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked a question about plans for a US-UK trade deal. | Read more: https://t.co/2Y8GBJbFOJ pic.twitter.com/ZtmRdof3fS  RTA News (@rtenews) March 4, 2021

The UK has unilaterally extended some grace periods of light-touch regulation on goods crossing the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland following lobbying by businesses.

Ms Psaki added: We also welcome cooperation between our British and Irish partners on the Northern Irish protocol and the recent strong statements on these governments full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement.

Before his election, the US president said the Agreement cannot become a casualty of Brexit.

The UK is seeking a bilateral trade deal with the US.

The US has agreed to suspend millions of pounds worth of tariffs on UK exports as part of an effort to resolve a transatlantic trade dispute over aerospace subsidies.

Washington will temporarily suspend tariffs on a range of goods, cutting the 25% tariff rate on Scotch whisky to zero per cent for four months, according to the Department for International Trade.

Following a conversation last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson sought to reassure Mr Biden  who is fiercely proud of his Irish roots  that he remained firmly committed to the Northern Ireland peace process.

Mr Johnson said then: This is fundamental for us, the Anglo-Irish Agreement, the peace agreement, the Good Friday process, the Belfast Agreement, these agreements are absolutely crucial.

Pressed on his support for the Northern Ireland protocol in the Brexit Withdrawal agreement following the recent row with the EU over vaccines, he replied: We want to make sure that theres free movement, north-south, free movement east-west, and we guarantee the rights of the people of Northern Ireland, of course.

President Bidens ancestral homes on the west and east coast of Ireland have celebrated his inauguration with champagne and cake while waving Irish and American flags.

The US presidents proud links to Ireland are well known and often spoken about by the Democrat.

He is seen by many as the most Irish American president to date, with his heritage tracing back to Ballina in Co Mayo and the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.

Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Very hot. High around 105F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 74F. N winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
(PHOTO: Google Street View)

SINGAPORE  A senior teacher who was convicted after trial of misappropriating student funds over two years was sentenced to one-and-a-half years' jail on Friday (5 March).

Maslinda Zainal, 46, who had been suspended as HOD for English Language and Literature at Woodgrove Secondary School, oversaw the collection of student monies by the teachers in the English department for learning materials. Her role in this area was to coordinate with the bookshop that printed learning materials for students.

However, she siphoned the money meant for the printing of the material in 2016 and 2017. She claimed trial to both charges of criminal breach of trust as a servant but was convicted.

Her lawyer, Singa Retnam, asked for a stay of the jail term as Maslinda will be filing an appeal against both her conviction and sentence.

The prosecution had earlier sought two years' jail for Maslinda, whom it said had betrayed a "position of great trust as a senior public servant".

"As Head of Department for the English Department at Woodgrove Secondary School, she was entrusted with substantial responsibility and given a wide remit to conduct the affairs of the department as she saw fit.

"In such capacity, she supervised the collection of substantial monies for educational packages. The teachers who worked under her charge trusted her to the degree that they unquestioningly handed her substantial sums of money, believing that the entire sum was being used to purchase educational packages for students," said Deputy Public Prosecutors David Koh and Stephanie Chew.

Motivated by greed, said the DPPs, Maslinda misappropriated a sum of over $40,000 over two years from almost 1,000 students in each school year. Maslinda's actions will affect public confidence in the teaching service, said the DPPs.

Maslinda's lawyer Singa Retnam had left the sentence to court. He pointed out that Maslinda was an "outstanding" teacher who had been given awards.

Story continues

"Unfortunately circumstances have come where monies are missing and she has been unable to explain and she has been convicted," said Singa.

"In my years of practice, we have principles of sentencing...You listen to the case, you hear the evidence, you look at mitigating factors and you arrive at a sentence....Sentencing is the discretion of the judge," he added.

As for Maslinda's sentence, the lawyer said that the term "should not be crushing" given that Maslinda had made restitution in the first instance when asked by an investigating officer. No loss to school or public funds was sustained, he added.

For criminal breach of trust as a public servant, Maslinda could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined on each charge.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Related stories

Teacher convicted of misappropriating above $40,000 in student monies

Ex-HOD at Woodgrove Secondary accused of pocketing $40,000 from students

Teacher accused of embezzling student monies said she didn't keep record of funds


Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute.

Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno.

Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi.
Figure: The transformation process towards zero-emission and networked mobility is a central topic of ICM. (Photo: Sandra Kauffmann-Wei)

Future mobility will be environmentally friendly, networked, and automated. This will require groundbreaking technologies - from new services to innovative drives and components, to new production methods. Pushing this transformation process is the goal of the Innovation Campus Future Mobility (ICM) that pools the research and innovation competencies of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the University of Stuttgart. The State of Baden-Wurttemberg now plans to largely extend the ICM and will provide another 50 million euros in two packages during the next four years. For the years 2021 and 2022, the ICM will be given the first funding package in the amount of EUR 22.35 million.

It is our goal to model the Innovation Campus Future Mobility on the Cybervalley and make it a center for research into mobility and production technologies that is visible throughout Europe. Our major concern is to promote our state in these decisive future fields. We use the crisis situation and the conditions on the labor market to push innovation projects with excellent graduates and scientists, says State Science Minister Theresia Bauer. At KIT and the University of Stuttgart, a change is taking place towards the integration of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and informatics. This change must be pushed, as merging of these areas is crucial to the viability of the key technology sectors in Baden-Wurttemberg, Bauer continues.

Considering the climate goals, we will quickly need sustainable mobility concepts. At the same time, we have high expectations in connection with further automation, digitalization, and networking. This will require profound changes of future mobility solutions, says the President of KIT, Professor Holger Hanselka. The partners of the Innovation Campus address these big challenges. The Innovation Campus can give decisive impetus to the mobility transition.

The Innovation Campus Future Mobility stands for innovative cutting-edge research from Baden-Wurttemberg with international reach. With state funding, we will continue to pursue our goal and develop smart systems for sustainable mobility and, hence, for the future of our society, says the Rector of the University of Stuttgart, Professor Wolfram Ressel.



The Innovation Campus will not only accompany the transformation process in the mobility sector, but push it decisively. We will rely on excellent interdisciplinary research as well as on innovation processes in production and vehicle technologies, says the KIT Vice-President for Innovation and International Affairs, Professor Thomas Hirth.

KIT, the University of Stuttgart, and the State of Baden-Wurttemberg are jointly aiming for zero-emission mobility in future. Research and innovations are the basis for developing pioneer drive systems and production technologies and establishing them in application, says the Vice Rector for Knowledge and Technology Transfer of the University of Stuttgart, Professor Peter Middendorf.

Scientific Dynamics and International Cutting-edge Research

The State will provide first funding in the amount of EUR 18 million for activities to increase scientific dynamics and international cutting-edge research. Among others, a joint professorship at the interface of IT and mechanical/automotive engineering will be established by KIT and the University of Stuttgart. In addition, six new cross-university junior professorships will be set up. Their junior research groups will bring together young researchers in engineering sciences, software engineering, natural and materials sciences. Through international excellence grants, outstanding researchers from abroad will be given the opportunity to work at the Innovation Campus. Not least, 80 graduates will be invited to work on short research or close-to-industry projects. Moreover, KIT and the University of Stuttgart will further develop academic education in engineering sciences. The package of measures will start this year and is scheduled for a duration of four years.

Data- and Software-controlled Vehicles and Production

In a second package, the State will fund innovative research, implementation, and startup projects with EUR 32 million. Main topics will be digitalized mobility and production (software-defined mobility, software-defined manufacturing) as well as zero-emission mobility and hydrogen-based technologies. Researchers from universities and universities of applied sciences as well as from close-to-industry research in Baden-Wurttemberg are invited to take part in the competition of best ideas. Future Laboratories and an Innovation Challenge are expected to strengthen cooperation with companies in Baden-Wurttemberg.

The Innovation Campus Future Mobility

The ICM is aimed at developing new, pioneer technologies. It started in July 2019 and has been funded by the State of Baden-Wurttemberg with EUR 10 million so far. Work of ICM focuses on zero-emission drives, digitalized production, and networking of mobility. At the same time, ICM wishes to attract young researchers and promotes startups from science.

More information in German: www.icm-bw.de



About the University of Stuttgart

The University of Stuttgart was established in 1829 and has about 26,000 students. Its vision Intelligent Systems for a Sustainable Society and its special profile Stuttgarter Weg (Stuttgart Way) stand for consistent interdisciplinary interconnection of complementary disciplines and integration of engineering, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Its outstanding position as a globally networked research university is reflected, among others, by the two Clusters of Excellence Data-integrated Simulation Sciences and Integrated Computational Design and Construction for Architecture, the ARENA 2036 research campus, participation in the Cybervalley network, and numerous collaborative research centers and research training groups.

More about the KIT Mobility Systems Center http://www.mobilitaetssysteme.kit.edu/

Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 9,600 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 23,300 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.
U.S. grocery delivery app Instacart is considering going public through a direct listing, concerned that it could leave money on the table through a traditional initial public offering (IPO), according to people familiar with the matter.

The move would make Instacart the latest company to snub an IPO, for decades the primary path to a stock market debut, because it risks pricing its offering too low compared to where its shares end up trading. In a direct listing, go public without raising money through a stock sale.

Shares of newly listed U.S. that went public through an IPO ended trading up 36.2% on average on their first day last year, compared to 17.2% in 2019, according to data firm Dealogic.

Investment bankers say they often struggle to price in the impact of huge investor demand for popular consumer names, such as home-sharing start-up Airbnb Inc and food delivery app DoorDash Inc, given the limited initial stock float of these Some venture capital investors, such as Benchmark general partner Bill Gurley, say bankers keep IPO prices low to favor their Wall Street clients.

Instacart has no short-term need for cash after raising $265 million in a private fundraising round earlier this week. The company's business has benefited from more consumers shopping groceries online more to cook at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investment bankers working on Instacart's listing have estimated that it could be valued by the stock market at more than $50 billion, two of the sources said. Instacart said earlier this week its latest fundraising round valued it at $39 billion.

The San Francisco-based company has yet to make a final decision on how it will go public, the sources cautioned, requesting anonymity as the discussions are confidential.

Instacart declined to comment.

IPOs have been on a tear since last summer as markets rallied following the Federal Reserve's moves to support the U.S. economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet their popularity has been eroding as more companies choose to go public through mergers with special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) or direct listings.

There were 208 IPOs excluding SPACs last year, the most since 2015, according to Dealogic. By comparison, 249 SPACs went public through IPOs. Two prominent direct listings last year were those of technology firms Palantir Technologies Inc and Asana Inc.

IN SPOTIFY'S STEPS

Only a handful of companies have gone public through a direct listing since it was pioneered in 2018 by music streaming platform Spotify Technology SA.

U.S. gaming platform Roblox Corp abandoned plans for an IPO earlier this year because it did not want to leave money on the table. It is slated to debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) next week through a direct listing.

U.S. cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global Inc has said it is looking to go public through a direct listing. Online broker Robinhood and robotic software startup UiPath Inc also considering choosing a direct listing over an IPO, according to people familiar with the matter.

Robinhood and UiPath declined to comment.

Once a company goes public through a direct listing, insiders can typically sell their shares immediately rather than be restricted for months, as is the case with IPOs.

A company can also sell its shares in the open market to raise capital following a direct listing without restrictions, typically after it has reported quarterly earnings. Some companies opting for direct listings also choose to raise money before they go public through private fundraising rounds.

The NYSE now offers companies the option to raise money in a direct listing after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved it in December.

Under the NYSE's new model, new shares being sold in the newly listed company have to trade within a pre-set range for money to be raised, or the listing has to be postponed. No company has taken up this option so far, though dozens have contacted the NYSE to express interest in it and several are actively pursuing it, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The NYSE declined to comment.

(Reporting by Joshua Franklin in Boston, Anirban Sen in Bangalore and Krystal Hu in New York; Editing by Greg Roumeliotis and Grant McCool)

Parliament has by consensus, approved an additional 16 ministerial nominees.

This brings to a total of 29 ministerial nominees by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who have been approved by Parliament for his second term in office.



The approval of the additional 16 on Thursday night came after a unanimous voice vote from both sides of the House.



The nominees are Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu for Health; Mr Alan Kyerematen for Trade and Industry; Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame for Attorney-General and Minister of Justice designate; Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful for Communications and Digitisation; Samuel Abu Jinapor for Lands and Natural Resources and Mr Francis Asenso Boakye for Works and Housing.



The others are Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta for Roads and Highways; Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah for Transport; Mr John Peter Amewu for Railway Development; Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah for Sanitation and Water Resources and Mr Mohammed Ibrahim Awal for Tourism, Arts and Culture.



The rest are Mr Ebenezer Kojo Kum for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; Dr Kwaku Afriyie for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Mr Mustapha Ussif for Youth and Sports; Mr Joseph Cudjoe as a Minister of State in the Office of the President in charge of Public Enterprises and also Mrs Freda Prempeh as a Minister of State for Works and Housing.



Suspension of House



The approval of the 16 appointees came after the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, had presented the second report of the committee on the President's nominees and moved a motion for the House to adopt and approve the committees report.



Prior to the approval of the 16 nominees, some of the Minority Members of Parliament drew the Speakers attention to the fact that the they had not received copies of the Appointments Committees report.



The Speaker, Mr Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin consequently suspended sitting for 30 minutes to allow the Table Office to distribute copies of the report to the National Democratic Congress (NDC0 MPs.



The House, after almost over an hour, resumed to debate the observations and recommendations made by the Appointments Committee.





Reversed position



The Minority had earlier on Wednesday expressed their reservation against the approval of five of the nominees - Peter Amewu, Godfred Yeboah Dame, Kwasi Amoako Atta, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful and Kwaku Agyeman Manu.



Unsatisfied with some of the answers the nominees provided the committee during their vetting, the Minority had signaled their readiness to withdraw their approval for them.



However, the committee, by consensus, cleared all the five and recommended them for approval by the plenary after an in-camera meeting with five appointees on Wednesday.



Approval by consensus



Moving the motion for the House to adopt the second report of the committee on the second batch of 16 nominees, Mr Osei-Owusu told the House that the 26-member committee, by consensus, had endorsed the approval all the appointees after they had been vetted.



The Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, who is also a Ranking Member of the committee, rose to second and support the motion.



After a lengthy debate, the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who was presiding over the sitting, put the question for a voice vote on the committees report.



Earlier approval



Read also: Hawa Koomson, Oppong Nkrumah, Akoto 10 other ministerial nominees approved



The 16 are part of the 30 ministers of state who have been duly vetted by the committee. The committee submitted its first report of the 13 nominees in its first report Tuesday.



The following day, the House debated the observations and recommendation by the committee before approving the appointees.



One more nominee, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta for Finance is yet to be vetted by the Appointments Committee. This is due to his travel outside of Ghana for medical review in the United States of America,



Related:

Ken Ofori-Atta in USA for post COVID-19 treatment

Charles Adu-Boahen acting in Ken Ofori-Attas absence

Ken Ofori-Atta arrives in US for medical care

Among the 13, those who were approved via voting per majority decision were the Minister-designate for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson; the Minister-designate for Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, and the Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto.



The 10 who were approved by consensus were the Minister-designate for National Security, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah; the Minister-designate for Defence, Mr Dominic Nitiwul; the Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and the Minister-designate for Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum.



The others were the Minister-designate for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu; the Minister-designate for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh; the Minister-designate for Local Government and Decentralisation and Rural Development, Mr Dan Botwe; the Minister-designate for Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery for Interior; the Minister-designate for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Ignatius Baffuor Awuah, and the Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection Sarah Adwoa Safo.









Source: Graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
MIDDLETOWN  City police have charged an Alabama woman in connection with a shooting Monday night that left a man dead and the suspect injured, authorities said.

Middletown detectives arrested Melody Jean Christensen, 44, of Centre, Ala., late Thursday on charges of murder and illegal discharge of a firearm, according to a statement.

Police said they found Christensen at a hotel in East Hartford. She is being held in lieu of $1.5 million bail and was arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court Friday. The case is continued to April 20.

The arrest warrant is sealed by the court.

Christensens arrest stemmed from an incident that occurred Monday just before 11 p.m., when police were called to the area of South Main Street and Glynn Avenu on the report of gunshots. Upon arrival, they discovered two people had been shot, including Christensen, police said.

The man was found inside the home with gunshot wounds, the statement said. The victim was taken to Middlesex Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Christensen was hospitalized with a gunshot wound, authorities said.

The identity of the victim is not being released at this time, the statement said. This is an isolated incident, and there is no risk to the public, it said.

The two individuals moved into the apartment within the two weeks prior to the shooting, according to Capt. Richard Davis.

The Middletown Police Departments Major Investigations Division and Middlesex States Attorney Office are continuing the investigation.

Anyone with information aisre asked to contact Detective Spedding of the Middletown Police Departments Major Investigations Division at DSpedding@Middletownctpolice.com or 860-638-4153.
Oh Se-hoon, second from right, is congratulated by main opposition People Power Party (PPP) interim head Kim Chong-in, right, at the PPP's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday, after winning a party primary to choose the candidate for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election. Yonhap





By Yi Whan-woo







The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is failing to capitalize on its advantage over the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections taking place on April 7.







The by-elections in the nation's two largest cities are being held to choose the successors of two former disgraced mayors  Park Won-soon of Seoul and Oh Keo-don of Busan  who both belonged to the DPK.







Oh stepped down over sexual harassment allegations in April 2020, and Park committed suicide after learning that sexual harassment allegations were about to be raised against him in July of the same year.







The DPK drew criticism months later as it decided to revise its internal regulation and field candidates in both cities. The previous regulation banned the party from fielding a candidate for the post of a municipal head or a legislator in a by-election held due to a party member's own wrongdoing.







After trailing behind the DPK for years in approval ratings, the PPP has yet to achieve a dramatic turnaround in winning voter sentiment.







Park Young-sun, right, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul mayoral candidate in the April 7 by-elections, visits an art exhibition at COEX in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap





In Seoul, none of the PPP's four hopefuls in the primary for its mayoral candidate had beaten the DPK's highly decorated contender Park Young-sun in one-on-one approval rating polls.







On Thursday, the PPP selected as its Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon, who already served as mayor of the capital from 2006 to 2011. Oh beat his rival Na Kyung-won, a former four-term lawmaker. But the DPK's Park, formerly a four-term legislator and also ex-minister of SMEs and startups, led Oh by more than the margin of error in multiple surveys on who should be elected as the next Seoul mayor.







The low popularity of Oh and Na consistently prompted a need for the PPP to merge with rival candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, who leads the minor opposition People's Party.







Also a 2017 presidential contender, Ahn has led Park or has been neck and neck with her in several surveys conducted under the premise that the two were the only Seoul mayoral candidates.







"The PPP had months to recruit new faces who could refresh the party's image ahead of the April 7 by-election in Seoul. And it appears the party's only winning strategy is to merge with Ahn," a political analyst said on condition of anonymity. "It's pretty pathetic."







The analyst forecast a tight race for Ahn, even if he manages to beat Park after becoming a single unified candidate for the opposition bloc.







"The PPP should be ashamed of itself because all it can do is to rely on a candidate from a far smaller party," he said, noting the PPP has 102 of the 300 National Assembly seats while the People's Party has only three.







Park Heong-joon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) gives a speech at the party headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday, after winning the party's primary for the Busan mayoral by-election. Yonhap





The ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) hopefuls for the Busan mayoral by-election candidacy join an open discussion in Busan, Tuesday. Yonhap




Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on March 4, said that India was honoured to be at the forefront of popularizing Millets as a food grain that not only is a great nutritional source but also ensures food security and farmer wellness. His remarks came after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on March 3 adopted a resolution, tabled by India, to announce the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. In his Twitter statement, PM also expressed gratitude to other nations including Rusia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal amongst others for co-sponsoring the resolution.

PM Modi, in his tweet, also highlighted that all the esteemed delegates at the UNGA were served with Millet Murukku in an attempt to present the taste as well as benefits of the cereal crop. The leader admitted that Millet Murukku, a dish served in Southern India was one of his favourites and urged everyone to try it.

Read: PM Modi Meets Amit Shah Ahead Of BJP CEC To Finalise Party's Strategy For Assembly Polls

Read EC Directs Petrol Pumps To Take Down PM Modi Hoardings Within 72 Hrs After TMC Complaint

Gratitude to all the nations who initiated and co-sponsored the resolution on International Year of Millets at the @UN.



Distinguished delegates were also served delicious Millet Murukku! This is one snack I also relish and urge all of you to try it as well. pic.twitter.com/j84PyWN5l5  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2021

'Thank you co-sponsors'

PM Modis sentiments were replicated by TS Tirumurti, Indias permanent representative to the UN who also expressed his gratitude to all the countries that furthered the Indian initiative. "Delighted that Indian sponsored UN resolution on International Year of Millets 2023 was adopted by consensus in #UNGA this morning. Big step to promote nutritional & ecological benefits of #millets to the as a key component of food basket & effect policy changes," he wrote. He also offered his thanks to the cosponsors of the resolution "especially Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia & Senegal, and all Member States of UN" for their strong support." Glad that all Member States enjoyed the delicious millet "murukku" distributed by our Mission," the top diplomat quipped.

@narendramodi I thank Honble Prime Minister for this great initiative and for his support and guidance to make this International Year of Millets 2023 a reality.  @MEAIndia @nstomar @harshvshringla https://t.co/sO5NbI0VrG  PR UN Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) March 4, 2021

Read: Ghulam Nabi Azad Camp Decries Congress' Anti-G23 Protests; Defends Praise For PM Modi

Read: PM Modi To Hold Virtual Summit With Swedish Counterpart On Friday

Millets are widely consumed in developing countries throughout Africa and Asia. While it may look like a seed, millets nutritional profile is similar to that of sorghum and other cereals. Pearl millet is the most widely produced variety intended for human consumption. Still, all types are renowned for their high nutritional value and health benefits.
Salt Lake Potash Ltd - Western Australia focused organic sulphate of potash miner - Successfully syndicates USD138 million senior debt facility by adding Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia to the facility.

Sequoia and CBA will invest USD39 million and USD25 million, respectively, into the facility, adding to existing investments led and arranged by Taurus Mining Finance Fund No. 2 L.P and the Australian government's Clean Energy Finance Corp.

Following the syndication, the Taurus investment will be reduced to USD35 million, from USD91 million, and CEFC to USD39 million, from USD47 million.

Salt Lake Chief Executive Tony Swiericzuk says: "I am extremely pleased to welcome SEQI, an experienced global debt investor, and leading Australian bank CBA, into our senior debt facility.

"The breadth and quality of investors that have been attracted to this facility is testament to the robust financial characteristics and positive environmental credentials of the project and its proficient execution by the Salt Lake team. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Sequoia and CBA as we pursue our vision of a multi-lake SOP province in WA."

Current stock price: 24.62 pence

Year-to-date change: up 4.8%

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - Meghan, Britain's Duchess of Sussex, said she had given an in-depth interview to U.S. chat show host Oprah Winfrey to be aired on Sunday because she was now free speak for herself, adding that being a royal was "not what people imagine it to be".

Meghan, 39, and her husband Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, stunned the royal family in January last year by announcing they would step down from their official royal roles to forge a new, independent life in California.

The split was confirmed last month, and, in the last week, the couple and Buckingham Palace have engaged in an increasingly bitter war of words, amid claims of lies, bullying and smears.

"I'm ready to talk," Meghan, a former American actress, told Winfrey in an excerpt shown on U.S. station CBS on Friday ahead of Sunday's broadcast, as she explained why she had agreed to the interview.

"As an adult who lived a really independent life to then go into this construct that is different than I think what people imagine it to be, it's really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege in some ways to be able to say yes."

Harry and Meghan married in May, 2018, becoming global celebrities combining British royalty and Hollywood glamour.

But less than two years later, they stepped away from official duties, saying the media intrusion was overbearing. Meghan later revealed she felt "unprotected" by the monarchy while pregnant with son Archie.

Their decision to give the interview to Winfrey has been criticised by some newspapers as hypocrisy, flying in the face of their stated desire for privacy.

'LIBERATING'

"We have the ability to make our own choices in a way that I couldn't have said yes (to a previous request for an interview). That wasn't my choice to make," Meghan told Winfrey, a guest at their wedding, in Friday's excerpt.

Story continues

Winfrey said she had first asked Meghan for an interview in early 2018.

In a previous excerpt, the duchess told Winfrey that Buckingham Palace had been guilty of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and her spouse.

Earlier this week, the Palace said it would be investigating allegations that Meghan had bullied former members of staff, saying it was very concerned about the claims following a report in the Times newspaper.

Another preview clip has shown Harry saying he feared "history repeating itself", an apparent reference to his mother Princess Diana, who died aged 36 in a crash in Paris as her car fled chasing paparazzi.

The interview comes as Harry's 99-year-old grandfather, Prince Philip, is in hospital, where he has undergone a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition, prompting some criticism of the timing of the Winfrey broadcast.

"There's absolutely no doubt whatsoever that the situation is toxic," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Reuters. "All of this will define their relations with the royal family for the foreseeable future. It's extremely perilous."

(Additional reporting by Sarah Young and Paul Sandle; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
Thanks to warming temperatures and the weekends rain, ice on the lake at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area at Kleinfeltersville is disappearing fast and numbers of snow geese at lake are booming and may be nearing peak migration numbers.

Lauren Ferreri, manager at Middle Creek, counted about 70,000 geese there on Thursday, up from about 40,000 snow geese on Monday. That was the largest number this year and the first time this year that snow goose numbers surpassed 10,000.

A winter-imposed delay in the start of the northward migration by snow geese appears to have put the birds on a later schedule than they follow in most other recent years.

The record for the Pennsylvania Game Commission site on the Lancaster-Lebanon county line was set at 200,000 on February 21, 2018. Other recent peaks were 125,000 on February 21, 2020; 150,000 on March 12, 2019; more than 70,000 on February 22, 2017; and more than 65,000 on February 29, 2016.

Many of the snow geese and tundra swans that gather in incredible numbers at Middle Creek have wintered south of Pennsylvania and are beginning their migration north to their breeding grounds, following the spring thaw.

Their stop-over at Middle Creek varies with winter/spring conditions. In a year with an extremely late thaw, the big waterfowl might pass right by Middle Creek, pushing themselves to meet the critical time for nesting in the north.

The snow goose is one of the worlds most abundant waterfowl species.

Acknowledging that the build-up in snow goose numbers at Middle Creek will attract large numbers of people wanting to witness the spectacle, Ferreri urged potential viewers to view the 2021 Migration Overview video here for closures and safe viewing tips.

She also suggested, Try visiting during the week, in the morning, or check out other viewing areas besides the ever-popular Willow Point Trail.

A regularly updated Waterfowl Migration Update is available through the Middle Creek website.

NEW YORK, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clayton, Dubilier & Rice announced today an agreement under which its portfolio company Capco, a global management and technology consultancy, will be acquired by Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. The transaction, expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, is valued at $1.45 billion.

London-headquartered Capco provides digital, consulting and technology services to financial institutions in the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific. The company has worked closely with key business and operational leaders in the banking, capital markets, wealth, asset management and insurance sectors and is widely acknowledged for its domain and digital consulting expertise, risk and regulatory offerings and thought leadership around key industry technology challenges and opportunities. In addition, Capco services clients in the energy and commodities trading sector. Capco has an experienced executive team and over 5,000 business and technology consultants based across more than 30 global locations supporting clients through their expert insights, entrepreneurial approach and focus on delivery excellence.

CD&R funds acquired a 60% stake in Capco in July 2017 in a partnership transaction with the seller, FIS, which retained a 40% ownership interest in the company. CD&R Operating Partner Russ Fradin, who previously served as CEO of SunGard Data Systems (sold to FIS in 2015), has served as Chairman of Capco since CD&R's initial investment. Under CD&R's ownership, Capco invested in organic and inorganic expansion opportunities and added capabilities to further accelerate growth, including in high-growth areas like digital consulting,

"We believe Capco is representative of our strategy in technology-related professional services, which tends to focus on businesses serving complex markets where we believe CD&R can bring operational and strategic experience," said CD&R Partner Stephen Shapiro. "We would like to thank the entire Capco team, led by Lance Levy, for its significant effort in building a consulting organization with a dynamic culture and compelling service offering, and we wish them great success in the future."

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as lead financial advisor, and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP provided legal counsel to Capco. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. also acted as financial advisor to Capco.

About Clayton, Dubilier & Rice

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a private investment firm with a strategy predicated on building stronger, more profitable businesses. Since inception, CD&R has managed the investment of $30 billion in 96 businesses representing a broad range of industries with an aggregate transaction value of more than $150 billion. The Firm has offices in New York and London. For more information, please visit www.cdr-inc.com.

About Capco

Capco is a global technology and management consultancy specializing in driving digital transformation in the financial services industry. With a growing client portfolio comprising of over 100 global organizations, Capco operates at the intersection of business and technology by combining innovative thinking with unrivalled industry knowledge to fast-track transformation initiatives for the banking and payments, capital markets, wealth and asset management, insurance, and the energy sector. Capco's ingenuity is brought to life through its Innovation Labs, and award-winning Be Yourself at Work culture and diverse talent. To learn more, visit www.Capco.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn Instagram, and Xing.

Contact:

Daniel G. Jacobs

+1 (212) 407 5218

[email protected]

SOURCE Clayton, Dubilier & Rice

Related Links

http://www.cdr-inc.com


Advertisement

Minneapolis has launched a massive security effort including putting 2,000 National Guard members and 1,100 cops on the streets while businesses and government buildings have boarded up as the city braces for the start of Derek Chauvin's trial.

Barbed wire and metal barricades have already been erected around the Hennepin County Courthouse where Chauvin's murder trial is set to start Monday with the jury selection.

A coalition of 17 activist groups have vowed to stage a large peaceful protest Monday and throughout the trial but some city officials are concerned the heavy police presence - during a trial that centers on police brutality - may exacerbate rather than diffuse tensions.

The former white Minneapolis police officer is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter over the killing of George Floyd after he knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes as the black man begged for air and said 'I can't breathe'.

The three other fired officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng involved in his death face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter and will stand trial separately in August.

Floyd's death sparked protests in the streets of Minneapolis - and worldwide - as people demanded an end to police brutality and systemic racism in the wake of multiple cop killings of black people in police custody.

Around $1 billion worth of damage was caused and 1,500 businesses in Minneapolis alone were impacted by rioters and looters last summer, and city officials and business owners are hoping to prevent a repeat of the unrest.

Barbed wire and metal barricades have already been erected around the Hennepin County Courthouse where Chauvin's murder trial is set to start Monday with the jury selection

A worker installs security fencing at the Hennepin County Government Headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Wednesday

Workers erect fencing at the government HQ Wednesday. Businesses and government buildings have boarded up as the city braces for the start of Derek Chauvin's trial

: A security guard crosses his arms as he stands at the end of barbed wire setup in preparation of Chauvin's trial, scheduled to commence next Monday

A government building in downtown Minneapolis has been boarded up in anticipation of violence ahead of the commencement of Chauvin's trial

Boarded windows at the Hennepin County Government Headquarters in Minneapolis. Minneapolis has launched a massive security effort including putting 2,000 National Guard members and 1,100 cops on the streets

Behind two layers of fencing with barbed wire in between, a board that was put over windows at this government building

Plexiglass was put over holes in wooden boards so employees in this building could see out from inside

Former white Minneapolis police officer Chauvin (left) is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter over the killing of George Floyd (right) after he knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes

George Floyd died on Memorial Day as he was arrested by four police officers over allegedly trying to buy cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill. He was seen in a video pleading that he couldn't breathe as Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against his neck

Around $1 billion worth of damage was caused and 1,500 businesses in Minneapolis alone were impacted by rioters and looters last summer

The riots that ensued following Floyd's death became the second-most destructive period of local unrest in United States history, after the 1992 Los Angeles riots

City, state and federal leaders held their last security briefings Thursday just days before what will be one of the most high-profile and most closely watched trials the US has ever seen kicks off.

Dubbed 'Operation Safety Net' (ONS), the multi-agency security plan includes closures of certain public buildings and streets, extra security from law enforcement and National Guard troops and the launch of a city website to keep residents up to date.

Government buildings including the Hennepin County Government Center where Chauvin will stand trial have already been cordoned off with barbed wire, concrete barriers and chain link fencing.

The beefed up security is costing Minneapolis and Hennepin County officials at least $1 million including $420,000 on the courthouse alone, reported the Star Tribune.

The intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, where Floyd died, will also be closed off for the duration of the trial.

Officials said preparations had been months in the making with a total of 2,000 guard members and 1,100 police officers, many from other jurisdictions, ready to be deployed - after the city was caught off guard last summer and was forced to call in emergency help from the National Guard.

Any use of tear gas or other nonlethal methods of crowd dispersal will be required to be approved directly by the police chief under a court order, after shocking footage emerged last summer of some cops and federal agents using violent tactics against demonstrators.

DPS Commissioner John Harrington said Monday law enforcement agencies are also monitoring online activity for potential threats from extremist groups but said there was no intel of an imminent threat.

The multi-agency group operating ONS is anticipating the most critical time of the trial to come in mid-to-late April when the jury starts deliberating before ultimately deciding whether to convict Chauvin of Floyd's murder.

A gate allowing visitors to access the US District Court Barriers near Minneapolis City Hall at the Government Center

Law enforcement officers open a gate on a fenced perimeter outside the Hennepin County Government Center on Thursday

A man walks past layers of barbed wire fence and razor wire in front of the Hennepin County Government Headquarters. Barbed wire and metal barricades have already been erected around the Hennepin County Courthouse where Chauvin's murder trial is set to start Monday with the jury selection

Activists have plastered the wire fencing with Black Lives Matter signs ahead of Chauvin's trial

A coalition of 17 activist groups have vowed to stage a large peaceful protest Monday and throughout the trial

Some city officials are concerned the heavy police presence - during a trial that centers on police brutality - may exacerbate rather than diffuse tensions

City, state and federal leaders held their last security briefings Thursday just days before what will be one of the most high-profile and most closely watched trials the US has ever seen kicks off

Small business owners started boarding up their windows, erecting fencing around their property and moving important documents or items off-site last week in anticipation of potential unrest during the trial.

Tawfiq Wazwaz, manager of grocery and tobacco store AM Gift Shop, told the Wall Street Journal he was 'nervous' after having spent tens of thousands of dollars repairing damage and hiring security to protect his business last summer.

'We don't want what happened in the past to happen again,' he said.

Jay Chau, the owner of a family-owned hair salon near the Minneapolis fifth police precinct, told Fox News it took months to rebuild his business after it was looted and flooded in the summer.

'A lot of the suffering were minority business owners too, you know, and a lot of us start from scratch and it just takes time to heal. Hopefully we can all work together,' Chau said.

Some business owners, however, are refusing to board up their businesses and say they are relying on police and other government officials to offer protections.



'We're going to operate six days a week as normal," one local restaurant manager in the downtown area told KARE 11.

Others even believe that the trial could boost business, given that there will be a flurry of activity around the downtown area.

Were planning on being open because people got to work, and theres a lot of security guards that need to eat, news people need to eat and people who are just downtown for whatever reason, a cafe owner told CBS Local.

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said 'over communication' with the public is a key aspect of the plan and promised that security measures put in place will protect the constitutional rights of people wanting to protest Floyd's death.

'I'm a firm believer that you can never over communicate in matters such as this that impacts our city,' Arradondo said in a briefing Monday.

A construction worker puts together the fencing around the Minneapolis City Hall in preparation for the legal proceedings

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also explained the heightened security by saying 'safety is a top priority through this very difficult time in our city'

City Council member Phillipe Cunningham added that the 'heavy-handed' presence is making 'folks feel unsafe in a different kind of way'

Several city leaders and activist groups have been critical of the level of security measures going up around the city which is sparking concerns officials are gearing up for a 'not guilty' verdict

An officer with the Sheriffs Department stands guard over the Hennepin County Government Center as he patrols the grounds with a dog in preparation for the trial

The officer converses with members of the public from behind the newly-erected fence on Thursday

'We want peaceful protest. We want to make sure that people are supported [and] we're ensuring their first amendment rights.

'But we have seen sadly last year, and across this nation of ours, that you will at times get individuals who will want to hijack that moment and make it something more criminal and destructive.'

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also explained the heightened security by saying 'safety is a top priority through this very difficult time in our city'.

'We're hearing several common themes. One of them is concern over this question of additional law enforcement and mutual aid,' he said Wednesday.

'How those additional law enforcement and mutual aid will be interfacing with peaceful protestors.'

Despite buildings being fenced off and boarded up, he insisted that the city is still functioning as normal.

In Minneapolis, we are open for business. People should go about their normal day-to-day activities as usual, he told the Biz Journal.

However several city leaders and activist groups have been critical of the level of security measures going up around the city which is sparking concerns officials are gearing up for a 'not guilty' verdict.

City Council President Lisa Bender warned that a heavy police and National Guard presence could create a more hostile environment between law enforcement and demonstrators at a time of increased tensions between law enforcement and the community.

'I don't think that we can police our way out of police violence,' Bender said in a public hearing Monday.

City Council member Phillipe Cunningham added that the 'heavy-handed' presence is making 'folks feel unsafe in a different kind of way'.

People wait to conduct business at the Hennepin County Government Center on Thursday. A law enforcement officer is pictured speaking with one man from the inside a fenced perimeter

Dubbed 'Operation Safety Net' (ONS), the multi-agency security plan includes closures of certain public buildings and streets, extra security and the launch of a city website to keep residents up to date

Government buildings including the courthouse where Chauvin will stand trial and the Hennepin County Government Center (above) have already been cordoned off with barbed wire, concrete barriers and chain link fencing

Security is costing the city an estimated $645,000, reported ABC 5 with the multi-agency group operating ONS is anticipating the most critical time of the trial to come in mid-to-late April when the jury starts deliberating

Metal scaffolding poles sit ready to be used for construction on the Minneapolis City Hall

Fencing sits around the Hennepin County Government Center in preparation for the Minnesota v Derek Chauvin trial

The Minnesota branch of Black Lives Matter told the Wall Street Journal that the organization plans to hold peaceful protests throughout the trial but could not rule out the possibility of unrest if Chauvin walks free.

Billy Brigs, a neighborhood resident and evening caretaker at the George Floyd Square tends to the site where George Floyd was killed

Angela Rose Myers, president of the Minneapolis branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said the ramped-up security measures are hampering protesters' First Amendment rights to protest for justice for Floyd.

'Their justice, their safety is putting up barricades and hindering our First Amendment right for public assembly and protest,' she told WSJ.

'We are not here to hinder justice, we are here to deliver justice.'

The Minnesota branch of Black Lives Matter told the outlet the organization plans to hold peaceful protests throughout the trial but could not rule out the possibility of unrest if Chauvin walks free.

'The whole country is watching right now,' said Trahern Crews, founder and lead organizer of the branch.

'And I believe the majority of the country wants to see justice for George Floyd.'

A coalition of social justice and community groups has planned a mass protest on March 8 outside the courthouse demanding justice for Floyd on the first day of the trial.

Following Floyd's death on May 25, protests spiraled out of control. Over the course of the next week, two people were killed in ensuing violence, 604 people were arrested, and 1,500 properties were either looted, destroyed or damaged.

The damage bill for that week alone was upward of $500 million - and marked the second-most destructive period of local unrest in United States history, after the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

The total damage bill is now reported to be closer to $1 billion.

A construction site burns in a large fire near the Third Police Precinct on May 27, 2020 following Floyd's death

Hundreds of stores were ransacked and torched as George Floyd protests spiraled out of control last May

The damage bill from the riots reportedly neared $1 billion. Officials are eager to prevent similar destruction from playing out amid Chauvin's trial

Protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis in the weeks following Floyd's death. Hundreds were arrested following clashes with cops. Pictured: Police react with pepper spray as protesters outside the Minneapolis police 3rd Precinct on May 27

Pictured (left to right): Former officers Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao in their mugshots. The three other cops have been charged with aiding and abetting and will stand trial August

George Floyd bill to ban police chokeholds hits resistance in the Senate A bill seeking to ban chokeholds that passed the House Wednesday night is already facing obstacles in the Senate  and the lone Republican who backed it in the House said he did so in error. The House passed the bill, designated the 'George Floyd Justice in Policing Act' in one of the last votes of the week amid an ongoing security threat to the Capitol. It seeks to stop 'choke-holds' by tying federal funds to police tactics and passed the House on a 220-212 vote. Rep. Lance Gooden, a Texas Republican, announced late Wednesday he didn't vote as he intended. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it would be subject to a 60-vote filibuster. Sen. Tim Scott, the lone black Republican senator, has his own bill, and labeled the House bill 'partisan.' 'I hope my friends on the other side of the aisle will come to the table to find common ground where we can make meaningful changes that will bring us closer to the goal of a more just country,' he said. Sen. Rand Paul, whose state was home to Breonna Taylor, who died in a nighttime police raid, has his own bill on 'no-knock' warrants. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at a Thursday press conference cheered passage of the bill. 'It was pretty exciting to have a big strong Democratic vote for that. We had wished it would be bipartisan,' she said. 'It is something we all take great pride in. Millions of people worldwide marched, came out, peacefully demonstrated to say: Enough. When they saw George Floyd lynched before their very eyes, for eight minutes and 48 seconds,' she said. The bill restricts some funds to local governments that allow choke holds and other techniques, bans 'no-knock warrants' by police, and modifies 'qualified immunity' for police. Advertisement

The organizations include: the Anti-War Committee, Black Lives Matter MN, CAIR-MN, CAIR-MN, Climate Justice Committee, Communities United Against Police Brutality, Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence, Freedom Road Socialist Organization - Twin Cities, Good Trouble for Justice, MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee, MN Uprising Arrestee Support, MN Workers United, Native Lives Matter, On Site Public Media, Racial Justice Network, Students for Democratic Society at UMN, Twin Cities Coalition 4 Justice 4 Jamar, and Women Against Military Madness.

Jury selection for Chauvin's trial could take up to three weeks starting Monday with opening arguments not expected to be heard until the end of March.

If convicted of his two counts of murder and manslaughter, Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder and 10 years for manslaughter.

Prosecutors say Chauvin murdered Floyd with the county medical examiner ruling his death a homicide from 'cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression.'

The defense says Floyd died from the drugs found in his system and his pre-existing heart disease.

Chauvin was arrested back in May after footage surfaced online of Floyd's Memorial Day killing in the streets of Minneapolis.

Chauvin is accused of murdering Floyd, 46, during his arrest on May 25 for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store.

The white cop was caught on camera kneeling on the black man's neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd begged for his life and said 'I can't breathe' and onlookers pleaded with the officers to stop.

Chauvin, Thao, Lane and Kueng were all fired the next day and the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launched an investigation.

Chauvin, who it transpired had been subject to at least 12 conduct reports with Minneapolis Police Department since 2001, was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter at the end of May.

Floyd's family called for the charges to be upgraded to murder in the first degree.

In June Chauvin was handed another charge of second-degree murder.

A judge then dismissed the third-degree murder charge against Chauvin in October saying prosecutors did not have probable cause for the charge because they did not prove that Chauvin's actions were a danger to anyone other than Floyd.

Under Minnesota law, a person is guilty of third-degree murder if 'without intent to effect the death of any person, [the defendant] causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life'.

The charge is rarely used in Minnesota and carries a maximum prison sentence of 25 years.

Thao, Lane and Kueng were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. They each face up to 40 years in prison.
Labor transfers within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and to other parts of China meet the definition of forced labor and could be classified as crimes against humanity in an international court of law, according to a new report by German researcher Adrian Zenz.

Entitled Coercive Labor and Forced Displacement in Xinjiangs Cross-Regional Labor Transfer Program, the report published Tuesday by the Washington-based Jamestown Foundation cited new evidence from Chinese sources as showing that the scheme not only serves economic purposes but is intended to forcibly displace ethnic minority populations from their heartlands.

It said that the system is aimed at intentionally reducing  population density in ethnic minority regions and cites several experts in international criminal law as saying that there are credible grounds for concluding that it meets the criteria for crimes against humanity.

Zenz, a senior fellow with the Washington-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, reviewed numerous public and non-public Chinese government and academic sources that detailed what his report says is part of a state-run scheme to forcibly uproot [minorities in the XUAR], assimilate them and reduce their population density.

Among the sources was a previously untranslated document published in December 2019 by the China Institute of Wealth and Economics at Nankai University on poverty alleviation work in the XUARs Hotan (in Chinese, Hetian) prefecture. Deleted from the Chinese internet in mid-2020, the Nankai Report gives strong and authoritative evidence for large-scale, coercive stated-driven recruitments into labor transfers and for the securitized nature of such transfers to other provinces, Zenzs report said.

While the Nankai Report notes that such transfers are intended to reduce labor costs for companies, it also describes several phases through which authorities can effectively thin out ethnic minority populations in the XUAR.

It notes that authorities took the drastic short-term measure of placing many Uyghurs into Education and Training Centersa euphemism for the vast network of internment camps where authorities in the XUAR are believed to have held up to 1.8 million people since early 2017.

But it adds that labor transfers can be used to promote assimilation and reduce Uyghur population density, while advising that such a policy be downplayed to avoid international scrutiny.

Other publications refer to the labor transfer scheme as a way to mitigate the influence of religion in the Uyghur community and blame lax family planning policies for an excess number of Uyghur surplus laborers that pose a threat to Beijings rule.

Meanwhile, campaigns are under way to liberate hundreds of thousands of ethnic minority farmers into industrial labor and to settle 300,000 additional Han Chinese in Uyghur heartland regions by 2022, Zenz said.

Citing Chinese academic research and government figures, Zenz estimated that up to 1.6 million transferred laborers are generally at risk of being subjected to forced labor as a result of the scheme.

Officials meet with workers at the Zhuowan factory in Ghulja county, in the XUAR's Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, in an undated photo. RFA listener

Moral imperative to fully divest

Zenz said that legal analysis shows that the scale and intent of the labor transfer scheme could constitute Crimes Against Humanity of Forcible Transfer and Persecution, as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Consequently, the global community is faced with a strong moral imperative to fully divest its supply chains from any product that is made in whole or in part with raw materials or forced labor from Xinjiang, the report said.

While China asserts that the creation of the ICC was a positive addition to the legal structure of global governance, it has refused to join the court and does not recognize its jurisdiction. Beijing maintains that its policies in the XUAR are preventative in nature, citing the pretext of terrorism and religious extremism, and asserts that its policies in the region are purely internal affairs.

In a written statement, Chinas foreign ministry said that Zenzs report reflects only the authors personal view and much of its contents are not in line with the facts.

We hope that journalists will use the authoritative information released by the Chinese government as the basis for reporting on Xinjiang, the statement said.

On Wednesday, the Washington-based Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) advocacy group welcomed the report, saying it clearly indicated the intricacies of the forced labor system, the realities of what global brands are complicit in, and the specifics of the Chinese political environment of repression

These transfers are not only about boosting the economy, but rather are deliberately seeking to displace and reduce the Uyghur population density to rip them from their culture as part of this genocide, the group said in a statement.

CFU echoed Zenzs concerns that all products produced in the region must be presumed tainted, and called on brands and corporations to exit the region.

A facility believed to be an internment camp located north of Kashgar, in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2019. AFP

BBC analysis

An analysis of the Nankai Report was also published on Wednesday by the BBC which also said it shows that, despite claims by the Chinese government that the labor transfer scheme is designed to raise incomes and alleviate poverty, the policy involves a high risk of coercion and is similarly designed to assimilate minorities by changing their lifestyles and thinking.

The BBC included a state media television broadcast from 2017 in which Han Chinese village officials pressure Uyghur residents of southern Xinjiang into accepting jobs in Anhui province 4,000 kilometers away. Laura Murphy, an expert in human rights and contemporary slavery at the U.K.s Sheffield Hallam University, said the video absolutely reveals that this is a system of coercion that people are not allowed to resist.

According to the BBC, while the Nankai Report authors write of voluntary work placements, with factories allowing workers to come and go as they please, they also detail targets to be met by local officials with recruiting stations set up in every village.

The report also describes recruits being put through political thought education, and then transported to the factories in groups led and accompanied by political cadres in order to implement security and management. Once they arrive, the BBC said, workers themselves are put under the centralized management of officials who eat and live with them.

Speaking to RFAs Uyghur Service, Amelia Pang, an investigative journalist who authored the book Made In China: A Prisoner, An SOS Letter, And The Hidden Cost Of America's Cheap Goods, said it was clear from the state media video featured in the BBC report that these are not happy people who are glad to get vocational training.

They're saying they don't want to go; they don't want to leave their communities; they don't want to leave their families and friends and be separated, said Pang, who is of Chinese and Uyghur descent.

The Uyghurs who do get transferred out of their communities and forced to work at these Han majority regions, their future descendants are going to lose that Uyghur heritage and culture and that Uyghur identity. I think that's the ultimate purpose.

Pang said that more nations should work together to stand up to China and pressure the Asian superpower to reverse its policies in the region.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva via video link, Feb. 24, 2021. AFP

International action

Last week, the Dutch House of Representatives voted to recognize Chinas abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the XUAR as genocide, becoming the first parliament in Europe to do so.

The non-binding motion followed a similar resolution passed by Canadas House of Commons last month and an official designation of the situation in the region as genocide by the U.S. in January.

In addition to the U.S. State Departments designation under former President Donald Trump, which the new administration of President Joe Biden has endorsed, Washington has taken several steps to address rights abuses in the XUAR.

Trump slapped sanctions on several top Chinese officials deemed responsible for the situation, including regional party secretary Chen Quanguo, under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

The move, which marked the first time Washington has sanctioned a member of Chinas powerful Politburo, followed Trumps enactment in June of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 (UHRPA). The legislation enjoyed broad bipartisan support in Congress, and highlights arbitrary incarceration, forced labor, and other abuses in the XUAR and provides for sanctions against the Chinese officials who enforce them.

Another proposed billUyghur Forced Labor Prevention Actwas reintroduced in February in the House of Representatives. The act, which was passed by the House last year but never brought to the floor by the Senate, would block imports from the region unless proof can be shown that they are not linked to forced labor.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a speech outlining plans for U.S. foreign policy under the new administration that ties between Washington and Beijing represent the biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century.

China is the only country with the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to seriously challenge the stable and open international systemall the rules, values, and relationships that make the world work the way we want it to, because it ultimately serves the interests and reflects the values of the American people, he said.

Blinken said the Biden administration will prioritize a multilateral approach to Beijing on issues such as the XUAR because our combined weight is much harder for China to ignore.

It requires standing up for our values when human rights are abused in Xinjiang  because if we dont, China will act with even greater impunity, he said.

Reported by Nuriman Abdurashid for RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.

A man was shot in a lower extremity on Thursday evening in Harrisburg, according to police

The injury is described as being non-life-threatening, Sgt. Kyle Gautsch said.

The shooting occurred at Evergreen and Haehnlen streets around 5 p.m., but the man arrived at the hospital before the police were notified.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Harrisburg police at (717) 558-6900.

Read more on PennLive:
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Gov. Gavin Newsom advocated for Californians to double mask  and denounced Texas and Alabama legislators' thinking over masks  during a Thursday press conference.

We also put out  updates on mask wearing encouraging people, particularly those that use cloth masks to consider using an additional mask and double masking, Newsom said in the presser, per video shared by KCRA.

Its not a mandate or a strict regulation, he pointed out. But he did encourage Californians to double down on mask wearing, he said, particularly in light of all of what I would argue is bad information coming from at least four states in this country.

Hes alluding to the governors of Texas, Mississippi and other states that have lifted mask mandates in their states despite vaccinations being distributed to limited groups of people so far.

President Joe Biden condemned these states leaders for their Neanderthal thinking earlier this week.

Ill just note, without belaboring the point that the positivity rate in those states is substantially higher than even here in the state of California, Newsom added.

Californias positivity rate reached record lows this week. In Texas, however, the COVID-19 positivity rate is higher than in October  when Gov. Greg Abbott, noted KTRK in Texas, initially enacted COVID-19 restrictions.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who previously considered loosening mask restrictions, opted to extend the state's mask mandate for another month Thursday, separating from other Republican-led states.

We will not be walking down their path, Newsom said. We're mindful of your health and our future.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove attends OZY Fusion Fest 2016 at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park on July 23, 2016 in New York City. (Brad Barket/Getty Images for Ozy Fusion Fest)

Trump Brands Former Campaign Advisor Karl Rove a RINO After Strategist Criticized Him

Donald Trump issued a lengthy statement on March. 4 returning criticism to Republican strategist Karl Rove after the adviser offered criticism of Trumps first formal speech since leaving office.

Rove, who served as George W. Bushs chief strategist, penned an opinion article in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday in which he said that Trumps speech last Sunday to the Conservative Political Action Conference was wanting.

The former Trump 2020 campaign adviser also wrote of so-called muted enthusiasm for the former president, noting that in a straw poll of CPAC participants, only 68 percent wanted Trump to run for president again in 2024, while 32 percent did not want him to run or had no opinion.

In a lengthy statement issued by Trumps office in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday, Trump branded Rove a RinoRepublican In Name Only.

Karl Rove has been losing for years now, except for himself, Trump wrote.

Never had much of a feeling for Karl, in that I disagreed with so many of the things he says. Hes a pompous fool with bad advice and always has an agenda, Trump continued.

Hes a RINO of the highest order Karl Roves voice on Fox is always negative for those who know how to win. He certainly hasnt helped Fox in the ratings department, has he?

Trump also accused Rove of being responsible for the Republican Partys defeat in the January Senate runoff election and said the party should just let him float away.

Should have been an easy win but he and his friend Mitch blew it, Trump added.

He went on to say that Rove had called him on election night to congratulate him for his great win and also said that Rove had come to the Oval Office lobbying for 5G.

Speaking of his recent CPAC speech, Trump wrote that he had the largest television audience of the week.

The former president wrote 31 million people listened to my CPAC speech online, and it had among the largest television audience of the week, even though it was on cable at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

In his Wall Street Journal criticism of Trump, Rove claimed that the 90-minute speech had no forward-looking agenda, and was simply a recitation of his greatest hits. People like fresh material. Repetition is useful to a point but it grows stale.

Rove dismissed Trumps criticism in a statement to Reuters.

Ive been called a lot of things in my career, but never a RINO. Ive voted for every Republican presidential candidate since I turned 18 and have labored only for GOP (Republican) candidates since then, Rove said.

I have a different recollection of Mr. Trumps views on 5G and our conversation election night. Ill continue to use my whiteboard and voice to call balls and strikes.

In a second statement released on Thursday, Trump also criticised the Wall Street Journal editorial board for calling on Republicans to abandon him and also blamed Georgias Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and other GOP officials in the state for his election losses.

Trump said Republicans had failed to turn out to vote because they were so angry and disappointed with Georgia Republican leadership and Gov. Kemp for failing to stand up to Stacey Abrams and the disastrous Consent Decree that virtually eliminated signature verification requirements across the state (and much worse), and was not approved by the State Legislature as required by the Constitutionhaving a major impact on the result, a rigged election.

Trump also blamed the Senate losses on then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells (R-Ky.) refusal to push through a COVID-19 relief package that included $2,000 individual payments to most Americans.

He also accused the papers opinion section of supporting globalist policies such as bad trade deals, open borders, and endless wars.

The Wall Street Journal editorial page continues, knowingly, to fight for globalist policies such as bad trade deals, open borders, and endless wars that favor other countries and sell out our great American workers, and they fight for RINOS that have so badly hurt the Republican Party, Trump wrote.

Thats where they are and thats where they will always be. Fortunately, nobody cares much about The Wall Street Journal editorial anymore. They have lost great credibility.

The Epoch Times has contacted Karl Rove for comment.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2021 / Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXv:CCE)(FSE:D7H0)(OTCQX:CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to announce a donation of five (5) whole rock hand samples from the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit to the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, ON.

The donation is in response to a request by the Canadian Museum of Nature who are developing a display/edukit that will be used at various schools, launching in September 2021. The focus of the edukit is minerals and natural resources in our daily lives. This includes the mining of rare earth elements ("REEs") and specifically, an illustration of the key components of the REE value chain. The overarching objective is show students how raw materials in the ground are extracted, processed, and end up being used in everyday technologies such as cell phones, tablets, headphones, etc.

Company President Chris Grove comments, "We are very happy to support REE education initiatives such as those being advanced by the Canadian Museum of Nature. The criticality of REEs is often overlooked due to their use in relatively small amounts per application; however, they are indispensable to our everyday way of life through their uses in high-tech and clean technologies. Education is a principal way to bridge this gap in understanding and provides the opportunity to further highlight the complexity in the relationships of industry supply chains and the products we rely on every day."

The Company continues to collaborate with the Canadian Museum of Nature to offer its expertise on the REE industry and looks forward to any further support it can provide to the institution's education initiatives. The donation to the Museum follows similar donations of rocks samples by the Company to the University of Alberta in 2010 and the Royal Ontario Museum in 2009, which were collected from the Blue River Tantalum and Niobium Project's Upper Fir Deposit located in British Columbia.

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 1,800,000 stock options (each, an "Option") to certain directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company for the purchase of up to 1,800,000 common shares of the Company pursuant to its Stock Option Plan. Each Option is exercisable for a period of two (2) years at a price of $0.38 per common share. Of these Options, 200,000 are being granted to persons providing investor relations to the Company and, pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, must vest over 12 months from the issuance date, with 25% vesting in each three (3) month period after the grant of the Options.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo., Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a Permit holder with the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

About Commerce Resources Corp.

Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide to the global market. The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonnage resource at favourable grade, and has demonstrated the production of high-grade (>45% REO) mineral concentrates at high recovery (>70%) in line with active global producers. In addition to being one of the largest rare earth deposits globally, Ashram is also one of the largest fluorspar deposits globally and has the potential to be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.

"Chris Grove"

Chris Grove

President and Director

Tel: 604.484.2700

Email: cgrove@commerceresources.com

Web: http://www.commerceresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this press release include that Ashram has the potential to be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include that the methods proposed don't work as well as expected, the leach residue may not be usable, we may experience difficulties producing concentrate or achieving an upgrade to the concentrate; changing costs for mining and processing; increased capital costs; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that with further test work may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful and even it tests are successful, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, conditions changing such that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine can be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Commerce Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/633787/Commerce-Resources-Corp-Donates-Samples-from-the-Ashram-Rare-Earth-and-Fluorspar-Deposit-to-the-Canadian-Museum-of-Nature-and-Announces-Grant-of-Stock-Options
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
NEW YORK, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) has received a $150,000 grant from the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation to support the education of New York City children in foster care. The grant will fund AFC's Foster Care Agency Education Collaborative, which coordinates a network of 22 foster care agencies in New York City. The Education Collaborative was launched two years ago by AFC and is funded by the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, which has given over $300,000 to this initiative.

"Students in foster care face tremendous barriers to educational success, due to factors like frequent school changes and trauma associated with their placement in care. We are very grateful to the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation for partnering with us to protect the education rights of these students, particularly during this difficult time," said Advocates for Children of New York Executive Director Kim Sweet.

More than 8,300 New York City children live in foster care. Frequent moves due to foster care placement or other crises often lead to school disruptions, causing academic difficulties for students who are already struggling. Case handlers typically receive little-to-no training from their agencies in how to navigate the education system, and parents encounter hurdles to advocating for their children while in care. Without appropriate interventions, these students are more likely to drop out, or be pushed out, of school. Youth who age out of foster care are at higher risk of becoming unemployed, homeless, or entangled in the criminal justice system.

The Education Collaborative's advocacy and services have become even more urgent as the COVID pandemic has exacerbated inequities for children and youth living in foster care.

Over the past year, the Education Collaborative has successfully helped hundreds of New York City children in foster care and their families with their education needs including obtaining critically important therapies for infants and toddlers with disabilities, securing special education services, resolving enrollment and transportation issues to allow children to attend school, and obtaining devices for remote learning.

Oren Eisner, the President of Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, stated: "Advocates for Children of New York works tirelessly to advance education opportunities for children in foster care. In the face of the unprecedented challenges of the past year, AFC stepped up and delivered remarkable achievements. Kim and her team are an inspiration, and we are grateful to them for everything they do for New York City's children."

SOURCE Advocates For Children of New York, Inc

Related Links

https://www.advocatesforchildren.org


A federal judge has ordered Exxon Mobil to pay a $14.25 million civil penalty in an 11-year-old lawsuit alleging it violated the Clean Air Act for eight years at its flagship Baytown, Texas, refinery.

In setting the penalty, which would go to the U.S. Treasury, U.S. District Judge David Hittner of Houston reduced a previous award he handed down in 2017 of almost $20 million. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that ruling on Exxons appeal last July and remanded the case to Hittner.

In a statement, Exxon Mobil spokesman Todd Spitler said the company is currently reviewing the decision and considering next steps.

Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas, the nonprofit advocacy group that filed the suit in 2010, said he expected further appeals.

The group Environment Texas sued the Irving, Texas-based company in 2010. After a trial of almost three weeks in 2014, Hittner ruled against the company and ordered the larger penalty two years later. The appeals court remanded the case to Hittner last July.

Exxon has been fighting this case for 11 years now, refusing to take any responsibility for spewing millions of pounds of illegal pollution into Texas communities, Metzger said in a statement. We call on Exxon to finally stop its scorched-earth litigation tactics, pay its penalty and drop these endless appeals.

In his latest opinion, Hittner said Environment Texas, the Sierra Club and the National Environmental Law Center had proved thousands of instances of illegal flaring and unauthorized releases of pollutants causing smoke, chemical odors, ground-level ozone, and respiratory problems.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Pollution
[March 04, 2021] Leading Italian Shipping Company Moby S.p.A. Files Lawsuit Against Asset Management Firms

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 22, 2021, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, on behalf of Moby S.p.A. ("Moby" or the "Company"), a leading Italian shipping company, filed a lawsuit in New York State Court in Manhattan against a group of U.S. and European asset management firms and their subsidiaries and affiliates ("Ad Hoc Group") and their representatives (collectively, "Defendants"). The Ad Hoc Group includes New York-based Sound Point Capital Management, LP, as well as UK-based Aptior Capital LLP, BlueBay Asset Management LLP and Cheyne Capital Management (UK) LLP. Lawsuit Details How Defendants Engaged in an Unlawful Campaign to Take Over Moby. Moby and its group of companies ("Moby Group") own a fleet of passenger and freight vessels that is one of the most modern and largest in Europe and is the largest in terms of passenger, bed and vehicle capacity globally. The Moby Group, which has more than 5,800 employees worldwide, operates key passenger and freight routes in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas, as well as ofers critical rescue services in the Mediterranean. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Moby Group's fleet had a market value of approximately 1 billion. Moby was founded in 1982 by Vincenzo Onorato, whose family has played a leading role in the Italian shipping industry for five generations.



As detailed in the lawsuit, over a period of 20 months, the Defendants have engaged in a campaign aimed at unlawfully assuming control over the nearly 40-year old Company and, with it, a business the Onorato family has been running for about 140 years. In so doing, Defendants have, among other things, filed a baseless petition seeking Moby's involuntary bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Court in Milan summarily dismissed this petition as being without merit. The Defendants also prevented Moby from consummating a deal with a leading Danish shipping company that would have netted approximately 75 million in revenues, which would have allowed Moby to substantially reduce its debt. In addition, the Defendants have lodged false allegations against Moby and its management (including regarding alleged mismanagement of the Company), thereby impugning a storied name in Italian shipping. In or around mid-2019, the Ad Hoc Group bought, together with certain other investors, approximately 125.43 million worth of bonds for approximately 37.6 million. The Ad Hoc Group's bonds were guaranteed by 900 million worth of assets belonging to Moby and Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione S.p.A., Moby's main subsidiary.

The Defendants' motivation is clear: to assume control of Moby's assets, worth over 918 million, for approximately 37.6 million. The Ad Hoc Group's unlawful conduct ultimately forced Moby to file, in June 2020, a petition for a court-supervised restructuring procedure with the Bankruptcy Court in Milan. The Defendants continue to prevent Moby's restructuring, including by repeatedly rejecting proposals that have offered up to a five-fold return on the Ad Hoc Group's original investment. Certain Defendants traded Moby's bonds despite being prohibited from doing so because the Ad Hoc Group obtained from Moby confidential, non-public information regarding Moby's finances and operations.

The Ad Hoc Group's unlawful conduct  in the middle of a pandemic  is causing Moby's employees, customers and partners wholly unnecessary, added uncertainty. Through the lawsuit, Moby seeks to obtain recompense for the hundreds of millions of dollars in losses it has suffered (and continues to suffer), as well as punitive damages, as a result of the Defendants' unlawful conduct. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-italian-shipping-company-moby-spa-files-lawsuit-against-asset-management-firms-301241134.html SOURCE Moby S.p.A.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
"This isn't just a show, it's an opportunity to hear and be heard, and re-discover our Catholic voice together."

In discussing the show's purpose, Michael Warsaw, EWTN's CEO and Chairman of the Board, said: "My hope is that EWTN News In Depth becomes a resource for people around the globe that they can turn to have a better understanding of the most important, most significant issues that are impacting them today, but also impacting us for generations to come."

Host Montse Alvarado added, "The Catholic Church is fundamentally about community. It's about where you are and what matters to you. And after a year of global suffering, we really need it. This isn't just a show, it's an opportunity to hear and be heard, and re-discover our Catholic voice together."

Facing the current moment, at home and around the world, is something Catholics can and should do with faith and confidence. EWTN News In Depth is the robust discussion that will empower Catholics with engaged and informed context that pays attention to their local narratives so that they may confidently live their faith in the world.

The inaugural show of EWTN News In Depth debuts this Friday, March 5th, at 8pm ET. This week's distinguished guests include Cardinal Timothy Dolan (Archbishop of New York), Ramesh Ponnuru (American political pundit and journalist), and Erika Bachiochi (pro-life feminist legal scholar).

The show can be viewed each week on Fridays at 8pm ET or at one's leisure online at https://www.ewtn.com/tv.

To sign up for EWTN News In Depth's weekly newsletter, click here.

For more information, please follow @EWTNNewsInDepth on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About the host:

Montse Alvarado has defended religious freedom for people of all faiths at Becket Fund for Religious Liberty for over a decade. As Becket's Vice President & Executive Director, she was profiled by the Wall Street Journal's Weekend Edition with the following introduction: "A defender of all religion, on the front lines of America's culture wars."

Montse has a Masters from the George Washington University and a B.A. from Florida International University and has served on various boards dedicated to women's rights, protecting vulnerable minorities, and in service to Catholic ministries and educational institutions. Although not an attorney, she "plays one on TV" advocating for Becket clients on major television and radio networks including Univision, CNN en Espanol, Telemundo, Fox Business, and EWTN. Born in Mexico City, she is fluent in Spanish and French.

About EWTN:

EWTN News is a service of EWTN Global Catholic Network. In its 40th year, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world. EWTN's 11 TV channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 300 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories. EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 500 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; one of the largest Catholic websites in the U.S.; electronic and print news services, including Catholic News Agency, "The National Catholic Register" newspaper, and several global news wire services; as well as EWTN Publishing, its book publishing division.

SOURCE EWTN Global Catholic Network

Related Links

ewtn.com


Gradeup  One of the most trusted brands for competitive exam preparation has recently announced the release of its first brand campaign  Sahi Prep Hai, Toh Life Set Hai featuring youth icon Kartik Aaryan.

Conceptualized by Mirchi Brewery and directed by VibhuPuri, Gradeup plans to launch a series of five brand films across all digital platforms and social media channels. Three films are being launched now with this campaign, and the other two will be released in the coming months. The brand films focus on enabling opportunities for students preparing for various competitive exams and establish Gradeup as a preferred platform for exam preparation. As Indians, we understand that most of us need a good job or a degree to get settled in life. The campaign leverages this insight in a simple yet effective way fortifying the importance of the right preparation strategy with Sahi Prep Hai, Toh Life Set Hai. With this campaign, we aim to make students more confident in their preparation journey with us. said Ankit Gautam, AVP Marketing at Gradeup.

The brand films focus on how every student has a unique way of studying and yet he or she is uncertain if their preferred method is the right one. The first Brand Film is around Rohan Data Shankar, a boy who is from a small town of West Bengal and claims to be an expert in making the perfect study plan for his exam preparation but when asked if this will help him clear the exam, he is not very confident. The campaign then delivers the message that students should not spend their precious time devising multiple study plans, rather use Gradeup, that has a very well structured and adequate plan for live classes, mock tests and revision to help you do your best.

Another Brand Film features Aarti Jasoos, which is around a girl from Dehradun who has found the right preparation strategy by combining various sections of videos by multiple educators. She thinks her forte is finding the right teacher for the right topic and right content type, however eventually this strategy also takes up a lot of crucial preparation time leaving Aarti underconfident. The film then talks about how Gradeup has expert faculty, and one doesn't need to scan the complex universe of online tutoring.

The protagonist of the 3rd film is Mr. Ph.D. from Lucknow, who has collected a lot more than the required study material and practice tests from various websites, discussion groups, and channels. Even with all this, he is still not sure if he would be able to do well in the exam. The film then projects Gradeup as the one-stop solution for all in-depth and well-designed study and practice material.

Gradeups live courses with a daily study plan, expert faculty, and best practice and study material help aspirants with end-to-end preparation. Since its inception in 2015, the platform has gained over 3 Crore registered users with 35 Lakh monthly active users and helps students preparing for various exams like GATE, UPSC, CAT & MBA, NET, LAW - CLAT, Defence - NDA and CDS, JEE, NEET, Bank & Insurance, SSC and Railways, BBA & Hotel Management, Teaching, AE & JE Exams, State PCS. It has raised $10 Million from Times Internet in 2019 and is looking forward to raising the next round this year. The startup is also eyeing 5 Crore users by the end of 2021.
Andhra Pradesh Police Officers' Association (APPOA) representatives on Friday threatened to drag former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu to court if he doesn't stop making 'unfounded' statements against the dep Image Source: IANS News

Andhra Pradesh Police Officers' Association (APPOA) representatives on Friday threatened to drag former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu to court if he doesn't stop making 'unfounded' statements against the dep Image Source: IANS News

Andhra Pradesh Police Officers' Association (APPOA) representatives on Friday threatened to drag former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu to court if he doesn't stop making 'unfounded' statements against the dep Image Source: IANS News

Amaravati, March 5 : Andhra Pradesh Police Officers' Association (APPOA) representatives on Friday threatened to drag former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu to court if he doesn't stop making 'unfounded' statements against the department as well as its Chief.

"If you do not stop making these unfounded statements, we will take you to court under the relevant rules," threatened APPOA representatives.

Representing thousands of policemen, the police reps have condemned Naidu's allegations levelled against the Director General of Police (DGP) Gautam Sawang.

The police body questioned Naidu if he was making such remarks in the light of the state panchayat elections results and told him that they could understand why.

The policemen alleged that there was nothing new in Naidu's opposition to the police force.

"You cannot demoralize police and the DGP with your threats laced with casteism and regionalism," the policemen said.

The APPOA representatives asked Naidu if the police department and the DGP were responsible for TDP's losses in the recent rural local body polls.

Saying the TDP supremo's statements reflect his personality, the policemen highlighted that they could comprehend why he is making allegations against Sawang laced with casteism and regionalism despite 40 years of political experience and 14 years as Chief Minister.

Standing behind the seniormost Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the state, the policemen said the DGP has been serving the state and the country for 35 years and called it a heinous development to ascribe caste, religion and regional motives.

"Didn't you remember region and caste when the DGP handled key responsibilities during your government," the police body asked the former Chief Minister.

Sawang worked as Vijayawada Police Commissioner during the TDP dispensation under Naidu.

The policemen warned Naidu that his statements violate the law and reminded him that he was not above the law.

This open letter to Naidu from junior police officers assumes significance as it is not the first one and was in response to Naidu's speech in Kurnool on Thursday.

Naidu had alleged that the Andhra police are 'shameless' and are hounding the TDP which is known for its integrity and observed that they (police) are also from the state.

"They (police) are also from this state. Your children also have to stay here, do remember that. They have to live here. All have to live and die here," said Naidu while addressing a crowd from an open top vehicle in the run-up to the urban local body polls in Rayalaseema town.

Naidu went on to claim that the state's future is allegedly being pushed into darkness and what could he say if the police cooperate with people responsible for it along with criminals.

"I am raising my folded hands with Namaste (respect), please do not do such wrongful deeds. Your DGP will leave in a few days. He will leave for Hyderabad or to his village in the north-east but you and I will be here. Your children and our children will live here. A situation is arising in which the state may become an orphan, I request you all to be careful," said Naidu.
U.S. President Joe Biden will send a team composed of his senior members to borders as a preemptive measure in the issue of escalating migrant children from nearby countries as asylum seekers. Fox News reported that the team Biden established will be visiting the Southern borders of the United States. He required this team to report to him the situation and advise how the arrival of the migrant children should be handled.

US First News mentioned a spokesman from the White House, saying that the team will also assess and discover any additional SOPs and steps to be taken to assure the safety and care of the children when they are being admitted in the country.

ALSO READ: DHS Nominee Alejandro Mayorkas Vows to Help Pass Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants

Biden on Immigrants

Fox News noted that the White House spokesperson also confirmed with them that the visitation time and date will be private for the safety and security of the team that will lead the investigation and assessment on the borders. However, the spokesperson added that there will be an official address once the trip or visit has concluded.

The Biden administration had received backlash about how they treat migrant children when they announced that a facility in Texas will be used as the children's detention center. The issue gained an uproar and fractioned opinions from the masses. According to US First News, this issue was compared to the way how the Trump administration put the kids in detention, which was denounced by the current president.

U.S. News and World Report added that the current administration who is in the office is facing criticism from Democrats and activists as they point out unaccompanied migrant children and families are taking so much time in the facilities or detention centers instead of being released while waiting for the approval of their asylum application.

Biden administration and Surge on migrant children

With the reformation of the Immigrant policies with the help of ICE, Axios shared that there is a significant increase in the arrival of migrant children, which is evident in the documents from the Department of Health and Human Services. According to the documents, number of migrant children crossing the border is stretching the resources of the current administration, which is intended to be spent on immigrant issues. The documents also showed that an average of 321 migrant children per day is referred by the Border Patrol to the Health and Human Services.

On the other hand, Fox News noted that the family detention centers situated in Texas will be reassigned to be the rapid-processing hubs and the Homeland Security Department will screen families in the United States in about 72 hours.

RELATED ARTICLE: ICE Cancels Operations Targeting Illegal Immigrants with Sex Crime Cases

WATCH: Biden administration faces challenges at U.S.-Mexico border - from CBS News
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken announces sanctions against Kolomoisky for his activities as head of Dnipropetrovsk region  embassy

The United States imposed sanctions on a businessman, former head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration Ihor Kolomoisky due to his activities as head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, which he held from 2014 to 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine said.

"U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the public designation of Ihor Kolomoisky and members of his immediate family under Section 7031 (c) due to his involvement in significant corruption during his term as Governor of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration from 2014 to 2015," the embassy said on Twitter.

At the same time, the embassy said that while this designation is based on acts his time in office, Kolomiysky's current and ongoing efforts to undermine Ukraine's democratic processes and institutions pose a serious threat to its future."

"This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to supporting political, economic, and justice sector reforms that are key to Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic path. The United States continues to stand with all Ukrainians whose work drives reforms forward," the embassy said.
Singapore will raise penalties for some sex offences following an outcry over the sentencing of elite students

Singapore will increase penalties for some sex crimes, officials said Friday, after an outcry over students at elite universities being given punishments criticised as too lenient for attacks on women.

Last year, a dentistry student at the National University of Singapore spent just 12 days behind bars for trying to strangle his ex-girlfriend. Another student from the same university was initially sentenced to probation for molesting a woman on a train.

Many were outraged at what they saw as light sentences and expressed concern the offenders were given lenient punishments because of their academic potential.

On Friday, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam told parliament that "you shouldn't be able to come to court to say you have a bright future, you will go far and so on."

"An offender will not receive a lighter sentence simply because he has higher educational qualifications, or has better prospects in life," he added, announcing tougher penalties for some sex offences.

The maximum prison term for molestation will be raised from two to three years.

Such cases rose about 24 percent in the past five years compared with the previous five-year period, Shanmugam said.

For sexual activities in the presence of a minor between 14 and 16, including showing them a sexual image, or similar acts done in front of a minor between 16 and 18, the maximum sentence will be raised from one year to two years' imprisonment.

The government will also set up a panel to issue sentencing guidelines, and prosecutors will generally object to rehabilitative sentences such as probation for adults committing certain kinds of sex crimes and assaults, Shanmugam said.

But Singapore women's rights charity AWARE cautioned against focusing too much on harsher penalities, saying research showed there was no link between tougher punishments and reduced rates of sex crime.

"Instead, we continue to urge increased survivor support and measures to make the reporting and prosecution process more accessible and less arduous to complainants," it said in a statement.

cla/sr/am/oho/axn
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging Kyrgyzstan to withdraw a draft constitution submitted to lawmakers last month, saying it undermines human rights norms and weakens the checks and balances necessary to prevent abuses of power.

The current draft constitution does not reflect the high human rights standards Kyrgyzstan says it aspires to, Syinat Sultanalieva, Central Asia researcher at the New York-based human rights watchdog, said in a statement on March 5.

Kyrgyzstan has been in political crisis since parliamentary elections in October led to protests that triggered the toppling of the government and the resignation of then-President Sooronbai Jeenbekov.

President Sadyr Japarov was among several prominent politicians freed from prison by protesters during the unrest. He had been serving a 10-year prison sentence for hostage-taking during a protest against a mining operation in northeast Kyrgyzstan in October 2013. He has denied the charge.

Since winning a presidential election in January, Japarov has advanced the draft constitution.

Votes of at least 80 members of the caretaker parliament, or a two-thirds majority, are required to adopt the proposed constitution before it is put to a national referendum.

HRW said the legislature should postpone consideration of the text until after a new parliament has been elected to allow for a full deliberative and consultative constitutional reform process.

The government should also refer the draft to the Council of Europes Venice Commission of constitutional experts.

President Japarov has pledged to uphold and respect human rights, Sultanalieva said, adding: A new constitution lays the foundation for these actions, so it is vitally important for this document, and the process of preparing it, to uphold beyond all doubt the highest standards of human rights and the rule of law.

In its annual report released earlier this week, the Washington-based human rights watchdog Freedom House said the draft constitution could reshape Kyrgyzstans political system in the mold of its authoritarian neighbors.

HRW said provisions in the draft regarding the role of the executive and parliament erode the constitutions current system of checks and balances. It cited a proposed article providing the president with powers previously exclusive to the parliament, such as initiating new laws and referendums, in addition to the existing power of veto.

The group said two other articles would allow the president to indirectly recall the mandates of members of parliament. If the president obtains the support of a majority of lawmakers, the head of state can strip a parliament members immunity from criminal prosecution, which HRW said would create the conditions for political pressure on members who are critical of the ruling party or the president.

Other problematic provisions would transfer power from the parliament to the president to appoint members of the cabinet, and appoint and dismiss judges, the prosecutor-general, the chairman of the central bank, as well as nominate and dismiss half of the Central Election Committee.

HRW noted that several proposed articles directly violate international human rights standards, including one that would prohibit activities, public events, and dissemination of information contrary to the moral values and the public consciousness of the people of Kyrgyzstan.

The draft constitution also excludes an article guaranteeing freedom of identification of ethnic identity, a move that would create a dangerous potential for ethnic profiling and discrimination against ethnic minorities.

The draft also includes a provision imposing unnecessary, burdensome financial reporting requirements on nongovernmental organizations, trade unions, and political parties.

Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

Home Regional News East
New Delhi, March 5 : Fintech start-up Rewire has raised $20 million in its Series B funding and plans to add more products along with expanding its network geographically with the latest fundraise.

The round, led by OurCrowd, included new key investors Renegade Partners, Glilot Capital Partners, through its early growth fund 'Glilot+' and Jerry Yang, former Yahoo CEO and Director at Alibaba, through AME Cloud Ventures.

They were joined by current investors including Viola Fintech, BNP Paribas through their venture capital fund Opera Tech Ventures, Moneta Capital, and private angel investors.

Rewire CEO, Guy Kashtan said: "This investment and licenses are major steps towards fulfilling our company's vision and will be used for additional expansion of geographies and products." "At our core, we aim to create financial inclusion. Everything that we do at Rewire is aimed to help migrants to build a more financially secure future for themselves and their families," he said.

The company aims to provide services that go beyond traditional banking services such as insurance payments in the migrant's home country and savings accounts.

The statement said that the funding round further builds on the firm's growth in Southeast Asia. Since launching its services in the region in 2016, Rewire has seen users remit hundreds of millions per year to Asia, and has acquired over 2.30 lakh users from China, the Philippines, India and Thailand.
Ponciano Sanchez gives a thumbs-up sign as he receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a pop-up site in Pacoima. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

More Americans are warming up to COVID-19 vaccines, with 19% saying theyve already received at least one dose and 49% expressing intent to do so when they get the chance, according to new poll results.

Altogether, 69% of U.S. adults surveyed by the Pew Research Center now intend to become vaccinated. Thats up from 60% in November and 52% in September.

Still, 15% of respondents said they definitely wouldnt get a COVID-19 vaccine and another 15% said they would probably pass up the shots.

Epidemiologists estimate that up to 85% of the country will need to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus. At that point, the virus will have difficulty finding new hosts to infect, and the outbreak will come to an end.

Nearly 29 million Americans have had coronavirus infections, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. But experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say even those who have recovered from an infection should get vaccinated because the protection is likely to be more long-lasting.

More than half of those surveyed  58%  said that the emergence of new coronavirus variants has increased the urgency for Americans to get vaccinated. Strains from South Africa and Brazil were less susceptible to vaccines in clinical trials, and others  including one that emerged in California  have shown signs of vaccine resistance in laboratory tests. Health officials have also urged vaccination as a way to get ahead of more transmissible strains, such as the one from the United Kingdom.

Black Americans in particular said they were concerned about the possibility that new variants will hinder the countrys ability to beat back the outbreak. The survey found that 68% of Black adults agreed that the variants will lead to a major setback for efforts to contain the disease. That view was shared by just 51% of American adults overall.

Indeed, the survey revealed that Black Americans are more likely to feel personally threatened by the pandemic. For instance, 35% said they were very concerned that they would become sick with COVID-19 and wind up needing hospital care; 21% of adults overall said they felt that way. In addition, 42% of Black adults said they were very concerned that they might spread the virus to someone else without even realizing they were infected; 30% of adults overall had this fear.

Story continues

Theres a basis for this heightened concern. Black Americans are significantly more likely than Americans as a whole to know someone who has died of COVID-19 or been sick enough to require hospitalization, by a margin of 78% to 67%. A report last month from the CDCs National Center for Health Statistics found that life expectancy for Black Americans fell by 2.7 years in the first half of 2020. (It also fell by 1.9 years for Latinos and 0.8 years for whites.)

This may help explain the sharp increase in the percentage of Black Americans who see COVID-19 vaccines as part of the solution. As of February, 15% of Black adults surveyed said they had received at least one dose of vaccine, and another 47% said they definitely or probably would get vaccinated. That adds up to 62% embracing the vaccine  way up from 42% in November.

Although support for COVID-19 vaccines is still lower among Black Americans than other racial or ethnic groups, the gap is now much narrower than it used to be.

In May, the proportion of Black adults who said theyd get vaccinated was 20 percentage points lower than for white or Latino adults, and 37 percentage points lower than for Asian Americans. By February, those gaps had narrowed to 8 percentage points compared with white adults, 9 percentage points compared with Latinos and 30 percentage points compared with Asian Americans.

Though Americans views on vaccines may be converging along racial and ethnic lines, theyre moving farther apart politically. In February, 83% of Democrats and those who lean toward the party said theyd received at least one dose of vaccine or intended to get it. That compares with 56% of Republicans and those who lean toward the GOP  a difference of 27 percentage points. In November, 69% of those on the left and 50% of those on the right said they intended to get vaccinated  a 19 percentage-point gap.

That partisan gap is also reflected in Americans views on the health threat posed by the coronavirus in general: 82% of those on the left said the pandemic is a major threat to the U.S. population, compared with 41% of those on the right.

Despite this, 66% of Republicans and Republican leaners agreed that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 would help get the U.S. economy back on track. That view was shared by 87% of Democrats and Democratic leaners, the survey found. Overall, 51% of American adults said vaccination would help a lot and 25% said it would help a little.

The findings are based on surveys conducted with 10,121 adults during the third week of February.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Boulder, Colo., USA: The Geological Society of America's Northeastern Section will meet online on 14-15 March. The meeting's theme is "Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Anthroposphere," which reflects interrelated components of planet Earth. In particular, over the past several decades, we have become more aware of the impact of humans on the planet. Organizers intend for this meeting to be a venue to communicate not only our recent advances in understanding our planet but also the role of humans in transforming it.

The featured symposia are "Stories in Stone: The Legacy of Jelle Zeilinga de Boer," and "Magma Ascent to Magma Mingling, Volatility, and Volcanism: A Session in Honor of Sheila J. Seaman." Technical sessions cover a range of topics, including urban hydrology, technology-driven active learning, environmental quality and infrastructure, and private wells.

Learn more about the meeting at http://www. geosociety. org/ ne-mtg .

Interested media are invited to receive complimentary registration. Contact William Cox at wcox@geosociety.org to access the meeting.

###

The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society with more than 20,000 members around the world from academia, government, and industry. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of its members and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, GSA encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and supports all levels of earth science education.

https:/ / www. geosociety. org

Contact: Kea Giles

+1-303-357-1057

kgiles@geosociety.org
STAMFORD  Officers responded to an affluent neighborhood on reports of domestic violence Thursday, but what they discovered was a sophisticated drug lab being operated out of a garage, according to police.

Francisco Tineo, 42, of Stamford, was charged with operating a drug factory, possession of over one kilogram of marijuana, possession of over 4 ounces of marijuana with intent to sell, five counts of second-degree threatening and five counts of disorderly conduct.

Capt. Richard Conklin said Tineo was running a very substantial operation where he produced marijuana wax cartridges out of a lab in the garage of his rental home in Stamfords Cove neighborhood.

Conklin said officers made the discovery when they responded to Tineos home around 11 a.m. Thursday on reports that he was threatening other members of the household.

Tineo was arrested for the alleged domestic incident at the time, but during that investigation officers noticed telltale signs of a narcotics nexus being operated from the home, Conklin said.

The patrol division that responded to this domestic-related call did a great job of remaining alert and prudent and noticing these things that pointed to there being a narcotics operation on site, Conklin said.

Investigators uncovered the drug lab after obtaining a search warrant for the home later that day.

Conklin said the lab was outfitted with equipment that helped convert marijuana into wax, which was then being packaged into THC vape cartridges. In addition to the equipment, Conklin said they seized several money counters, $74,000 in cash, over 8 pounds of marijuana, large, large amounts of THC wax, hundreds of vape cartridges and a professional pill press  which is illegal.

Criminal defense attorney Mark Sherman, who represents Tineo, said it was premature to discuss case specifics, but denied that his client was operating any kind of drug distribution factory.

Much of the seized oils and items were in fact legal to possess. This area of marijuana law is evolving quickly so we are hopeful for a fair and quick resolution in court, Sherman said.

The Drug Enforcement Agency has since been called in to help police investigate the operation.

This is very much still an ongoing investigation, Conklin said.

Tineo was released Friday morning after posting the $15,000 bond for the domestic-related charges and the $150,000 bond related to the drug charges.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on May 4.

This isnt the first time Tineo has had a run-in with the law.

In 2012, the former stockbroker was convicted of securities fraud and wire fraud, according to court records from the Southern District of New York. He was sentenced to 18 months and ordered to pay $420,000 in restitution.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) ("Red Light Holland" or the "Company"), an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce that it has engaged Glenn Cowan, a Veteran of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM,) to the Red Light Holland Advisory Board joining Chair, Bruce Linton, and a team of talented and experienced Advisors. Cowan is also the founder of One 9 Investments Inc. which he started in 2013 while serving as a Squadron Commander in the Armed Forces. Having operated on multiple combat deployments in Afghanistan, sensitive information operations in the Middle East, and Hostage Recovery operations in Africa, Cowan brings his strategic planning and tactical command experience coupled with his progressive stance for supporting Veterans plus his investment expertise to the Red Light Holland team.

"Having served in Special Operations Forces for most of my adult life, I'm intimately aware of the physical and psychological stressors that our service men and women face on a daily basis and in retirement. When mission planning we prided ourselves on 'out of the box' thinking, and it's time we apply this same creative through process to the manner in which we support our Veterans and society as a whole especially given the increase attention to mental health awareness," said Cowan, Founder of One 9 Investments Inc. "I was introduced to the, in my opinion, positive benefits of psychedelics and microdosing during my own journey of adapting to life after the military and now as a tech investor in venture capital, I've come to appreciate some of the best technological innovation is naturally occurring."

"Adding Glenn Cowan to the Red Light Holland Advisory Board is an honour for the Company. I have the utmost respect for our Armed Forces, past and present, and we appreciate Glenn's transparency and mission in supporting those who have served through his personal investments into their well-being and through his financial investments into companies who produce military technology. We look forward to his expertise and his empathetic and huge heart to continue to help support our Military men and women and our Veterans on all levels," said Todd Shapiro, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Red Light Holland.

In 2020, Mr. Cowan founded One 9 Venture Partners which invests primarily in dual-use technology companies validated by special operations units and national security intelligence partners including O2 Industries, a Kitchener based respiratory technology company and leading manufacturer of reusable respirators. O2 recently partnered with the UFC, to provide UFC athletes with respiratory products for every UFC event, and has strong product ambassadors with some of the top fighters in the promotion. One 9 has a global reach and has an extensive network in Canada, the Five-Eyes military communities, Washington DC, Austin TX and Abu Dhabi.

In consideration for Cowan's services as an Advisor, and subject to all applicable laws (including the rules and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) ("Applicable Laws") and the approval of the board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), the Company has granted to Mr. Cowan up to 200,000 incentive stock options at $0.32 (the "Options" and each individually, the "Option"). Each Option will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share in the capital of Company for a period of three years from the date of issuance, at an exercise price to be approved by the Board. The Options shall be subject to Applicable Laws and the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan of the Company, and will be subject to a hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance.

About Red Light Holland Corp.

The Company is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws.

For additional information on the Company:

Todd Shapiro

Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and Director

Tel: 647-204-7129

Email: todd@redlighttruffles.com

Website: https://redlighttruffles.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76195
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener urged the UN Security Council on Friday to be robust in pushing on the Myanmar military to stop its violent crackdown on peaceful protesters

UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener urged the UN Security Council on Friday to be robust in pushing on the Myanmar military to stop its violent crackdown on peaceful protesters.

"We must be robust and timely in pushing for a stop to the violence and the restoration of Myanmar's democratic institutions," Schraner Burgener said during closed Security Council consultations. "We must denounce the actions by the military, which continues to severely undermine the principles of this Organization and ignores our clear signals to uphold them."

According to the special envoy, since the coup on February 1, the military has killed a total of around 50 peaceful protesters.
WINCHESTER  Winchester Elementary school principal Andy Stumpf has been named 2021 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year.

Stumpf was selected from among 21 middle school principals statewide.

You dont find me speechless often, Stumpf said of the announcement that came Thursday during a staff meeting hosted by the Illinois Principals Association. Everyone who knows me knows I dont mince words and I like to talk, and I still dont know what to say. I still have goosebumps.

Stumpf has been a principal in Winchester for five years and has been working as an educator for 15 years.

The Illinois Principals Association has 21 regions, and each region submits a candidate to the competition.

There is no better feeling in the world than when people recognize the work of you and your school, Stumpf said.

Dan Kaiser, IPA field service specialist, said Stumpf was selected based on five criteria  building culture, advocacy for children, community relations, collaboration with co-workers, and service to the association.

Ive only known Andy for six months or so, but you can see his dedication to education, Kaiser said.

District superintendent Kevin Blankenship said he is proud to have Stumpf as one of his administrators.

He is a great leader who takes the kids best interest to heart and communicates what their needs are, Blankenship said. Im happy hes been recognized by his colleagues and peers for all the hard work hes done.

Stumpf said he couldnt have done it without the support of his staff.

You are only as good as the people you work with, and this type of honor doesnt happen without the support of a great staff, Stumpf said. This award is not only a compliment to me, but to our staff and students as well.

Stumpf will be honored in October during the associations Education Leaders annual conference.
Bengaluru, March 5 : A Japanese student has been sent to a detention centre on the citys outskirts for overstaying in the country after his visa expired and an exit permit lapsed, a police official said on Friday.

"Japanese national Hirotoshi Tanaka, 31, has been sent to detention centre for deportation soon, as he has been overstaying in the city after his 1-year visa expired in March 2020 and his exit permit on January 28, 2021," Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) D.K. Meena told IANS here.

After the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office (FRRO) refused to extend Tanaka's exit permit, as he claimed he had no money to buy an air ticket to fly to his country, police told the Japanese consulate in the city to arrange for his deportation at the earliest.

"In fact, Tanaka stole a chair on February 27 in our assistant commissioner of police (ACP) office in the northern suburb, assuming he would be arrested and kept in jail till his theft case was heard and convicted, as he did not want to go back to his home country, fearing retribution," said Meena.

Interestingly, Tanaka flew to this tech city on a student visa in January 2019 to learn English at the private-run QuickStep English centre, but stopped going to class after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting the centre's principal and jailed, pending trial and conviction.

"Though Tanaka came out of jail on bail and FERRO gave him an exit permit to leave the city, he thought of committing petty offences like stealing or cheating so that he could stay back in the city till the case was disposed of he was released after serving the sentence," Meena noted.

As stealing a chair from the ACP's office was a minor offence, the jurisdiction police station did not file a theft complaint against the Japanese and instead sent him to the detention centre to stay till he is deported to Tokyo.

"We have told the Japanese consulate to ensure Tanaka leaves the city at the earliest and avoids overstaying further in the country illegally," Meena added.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 17:02:33|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KATHMANDU -- Nepal's economy contracted for the first time in the last fiscal year 2019-20 in nearly four decades due to the slumped economic activities amid lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a government agency said on Thursday.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the central statistics body of the Nepali government, said its revised estimate showed that Nepali economy contracted by 1.99 percent in fiscal year 2019-20 that ended in mid-July last year. (Nepal-Economy)

- - - -

BUDAPEST-- The Hungarian trade surplus rose in 2020 to 5.8 billion euros (6.98 billion U.S. dollars), after reaching 4.3 billion euros in 2019, according to the report of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) released on Thursday.

"In January-December 2020, the surplus on the balance of external trade in goods increased by 1.5 billion euros and amounted to 5.8 billion euros," KSH said. (Hungary-Trade Surplus)

- - - -

LONDON -- British business leaders on Thursday gave positive feedbacks about Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak's new Budget, unveiled Wednesday, while calling for more incentives and detailed measures from the British government.

Mike Hawes, chief executive officer at the British Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) which is a trade association for Britain's motor industry, said the new budget provided some encouragement but "falls short of the support needed to transform the industry and market to the net zero future to which both the government and industry aspires." (UK-Business-Budget)

- - - -

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senate voted to start debate on the 1.9-trillion-dollar COVID-19 relief package amid Republican opposition, as Democrats hope to send the bill to President Joe Biden's desk before unemployment benefits expire in mid-March.

The upper chamber approved a procedural step in a 50-50 vote along party line, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking a tie. (US-Senate-Relief-Debate) Enditem
Prince Charles has penned an article for Waitrose's weekly newspaper claiming the 'fundamental value of nature is increasingly at stake' as he praised the John Lewis Partnership for becoming the first retailer to sign up to his ambitious Terra Carta.

Writing in the supermarket's free Waitrose Weekend publication, the Prince of Wales, 72, said the world is 'at a tipping point' as it faces 'the triple threat of climate change, catastrophic biodiversity loss and now coronavirus'.

He addressed the 'fierce and urgent need' to secure a sustainable future, which is why he launched his Terra Carta.

Charles's Earth Charter initiative, which has parallels with the Magna Carta, aims to encourage the private sector to safeguard the planet by adopting sustainability and to invest 7.3billion in 'natural capital' by 2022.

Prince Charles has penned an article for Waitrose's weekly newspaper claiming the 'fundamental value of nature is increasingly at stake' as he praised the John Lewis Partnership for becoming the first retailer to sign up to his ambitious Terra Carta (pictured while on a visit to a sustainable salmon farm on Loch Leven at Onich, by Fort William, in 2016)

He described his call to action as a 'very practical recovery plan' which strives to 'defend, strengthen and work with the power of nature for the benefit of every man, woman and child in the world'.

Charles shared his delight that the supermarket, whose organic range Waitrose Duchy Organic was originally founded by the prince as Duchy Originals in 1990, had become involved.

'I have been so encouraged by the enthusiastic global corporate response to this call to action - there seems to be a real sense of the fierce and urgent necessity to act before it is literally too late,' the prince said.

'When I heard the John Lewis Partnership was to become the first retailer to sign up, I was particularly delighted.

Charles shared his delight that the supermarket, whose organic range Waitrose Duchy Organic was originally founded by the prince as Duchy Originals in 1990, had become involved in his Terra Carta

'Not only are John Lewis and Waitrose Royal Warrant holders but, of course, Waitrose is home to Duchy Organic, the company I started more than 30 years ago to show it was possible to produce high quality food working in harmony with nature, one of the principles that lies at the heart of the Terra Carta.'

The prince was pictured in the publication in an orange life jacket while on a visit to a sustainable salmon farm on Loch Leven at Onich, by Fort William, in 2016.

The John Lewis Partnership has pledged to become net zero carbon across its operations by 2035, and to stop using fossil fuels throughout its transport fleet by 2030.

Charles wrote: 'It is that sort of step change in approach that will make the difference.

'It is also what consumers increasingly expect, particularly in the area of packaging, where I know the Partnership is always striving for new solutions.'

The 17-page, 85-point Terra Carta, designed by Sir Jony, sets out an immediate ten-point action plan for businesses which will provide a roadmap to a more sustainable future for the private sector

The prince added: 'To guarantee our future, we have no other choice but to make each day count - and it must start today.'

The Duchess of Cambridge's sister Pippa Matthews has regularly written for Waitrose Weekend, announcing she was pregnant with her first child in a fitness column in 2018.

Charles unveiled his Terra Carta via video link at the One Planet Summit in Paris back in January, urging business leaders to support his Earth Charter and 'bring prosperity into harmony with nature, people and planet' over the next decade.

He told delegates: 'I am making an urgent appeal to leaders, from all sectors and from around the world, to give their support to this Terra Carta, to bring prosperity into harmony with nature, people and planet over the coming decade.'

The prince hopes it will put an end to decades of unfulfilled agreements on the environment and give 'our children and grandchildren the future they deserve'.

The Prince of Wales launched his ambitious 7.3billion recovery plan in January to right a string of 'broken promises' over the environment

He believes harnessing the private sector and big business is the way to do it.

The prince has spent the past year meeting world leaders from industry, government, philanthropy and technology to convene a 'coalition of the willing', who have vowed to bring sustainability 'to the heart' of their work.

Those that have signed up include Bank of America, AstraZeneca, Schroders, HSBC, Heathrow Airport, Coutts, BP and Sir Jony Ive, the British-born former chief design officer at Apple.

The launch of Charles' project came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK will spend at least 3billion of its international funding for climate action on efforts to protect nature over the next five years.

The move is in response to the close connection between climate and nature, which has seen 68 per cent declines in populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians since 1970 and massive deforestation.

Charles' global project complements the Duke of Cambridge's international Earthshot Prize, which has 50 million in prize money to award to ideas and technologies that safeguard the environment over the decade.
Republic of Korea Air Force's C-130 carrier carrying a bulk of COVID-19 vaccines takes off Seoul Airport in Seongnam to depart for Jeju Island on Mar. 5. Yonhap



South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases continued to hover around 400 on Friday amid the country's vaccination push, with a potential resurgence in spring still worrisome amid prolonged pandemic fatigue and an increase in more contagious COVID-19 variants.



The country reported 398 more COVID-19 cases, including 381 local infections, raising the total caseload to 91,638, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.



The daily caseload was down from 444 cases recorded Wednesday and 424 cases Thursday.



The country added eight more deaths from COVID-19, raising the total to 1,627. The fatality rate was 1.78 percent.



South Korea reported more than 1,000 daily cases in late December before it saw a downward trend. The daily tally has been largely stagnant recently, staying around 300 and 400.



The country has administered vaccinations to a total of 225,853 people since launching a mass vaccination campaign last Friday, with an additional 67,153 getting the shots Thursday, according to the KDCA.



AstraZeneca's vaccine accounted for 221,944, while Pfizer's took up 3,909.



The vaccination campaign is expected to pick up pace as more people in COVID-19 vaccination priority groups, including medical workers and patients at nursing homes, get the shots. The country aims to achieve herd immunity by November.



A total of 1,578 cases of side effects after vaccinations has been reported so far, up 860 from a day earlier, although 1,558 of them were mild symptoms.



An additional six suspected cases of anaphylactoid reaction, which has similar symptoms to anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction after immunization, have been reported, raising the total of such cases to 13.









Health authorities are looking into six cases of deaths reported after vaccinations, adding that a potential causal relationship between the vaccinations and the deaths will be investigated.





Doctors and nurses at Seoul Asan Hospital in Songpa District get inoculated with AstraZeneca vaccines on Mar. 5. Courtesy of Seoul Asan Hospital

She's set to welcome a baby girl with husband Iain Stirling later this year.

And Laura Whitmore highlighted her growing bump in a cosy cream jumper ahead of an appearance on Ireland's The Late Late Show on Friday.

The Love Island presenter, 35, took to Instagram to share a collection of snaps of her glamorous look as she prepared to chat to host Ryan Tubridy about her new book.

Glowing: Laura Whitmore, 35, highlighted her growing bump in a cosy cream jumper ahead of an appearance on Ireland's The Late Late Show on Friday

Laura looked effortlessly stylish in the loose-fitting chunky knit jumper with pearl-studded neckline from Simone Rocha's new collection with H&M.

The presenter opted for a statement red lip and pulled her glossy blonde tresses back with a black ribbon.

Laura shared the snaps with fans as she prepared to speak to Ryan about the release of her new book, as well as the much-anticipated return of Love Island this summer.

Pretty: The Love Island presenter took to Instagram to share a collection of snaps of her glamorous look as she prepared to chat to host Ryan Tubridy about her new book

Stylish: The presenter opted for a statement red lip and pulled her glossy blonde tresses back with a black ribbon

Special moment: It comes as Laura confirmed that she is expecting a baby girl on Thursday, after Lorraine Kelly 'dropped a clanger' by letting slip the gender during her show

It comes as Laura confirmed that she and husband Iain are expecting a baby girl on Thursday, after Lorraine Kelly 'dropped a clanger' by letting slip the gender during her show.

She confirmed her baby's gender in an excerpt from her new self-help title, No One Can Change Your Life Except for You.

This came after Lorraine let slip that Laura was set to welcome a daughter,noting that the mother-to-be will likely want to pass advice on to her 'baby girl'.

To which Laura, slightly taken aback, replied: 'Well, my baby... yes,' as she and husband Iain had been yet to confirm the gender of their unborn child.

Exciting: She confirmed her baby's gender in an excerpt from her new self-help title, No One Can Change Your Life Except for You

Clanger: This comes after Lorraine Kelly let slip that Laura was set to welcome a daughter, noting that the mother-to-be will likely want to pass advice on to her 'baby girl'

Laura has documented her pregnancy on social media and previously said she is due in 'early 2021'.

The star is hoping to be back at work this summer for the next series of Love Island which was pulled off air last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Late last year, it was revealed Laura and Iain had secretly tied the knot in a Humanist ceremony at Dublin's City Hall on November 11.

Taking to Instagram to celebrate the start of 2021, Laura finally confirmed the nuptials while sharing a beautiful snap from the pair's big day.

The couple have been together since the summer of 2017 and Iain is believed to have proposed in South Africa in early 2020 when they were filming the winter series of Love Island.
John Fitzgerald, left, on holidays with his wife Rita and friends, scans the horizon from high ground for any sign of a tsunami near Waitangi, New Zealand, Friday, March 5, 2021. AP



One of the strongest earthquakes to hit the South Pacific in modern history triggered tsunami warnings across the ocean and forced thousands of people in New Zealand to evacuate coastal areas Friday. Small tsunami waves were seen but little damage was apparent hours later.



The magnitude 8.1 quake in the Kermadec Islands region about 1,000 kilometers from New Zealand was the largest in a series of tremors, including two earlier quakes that registered magnitude 7.4 and magnitude 7.3.



The tsunami threat caused traffic jams and some chaos in New Zealand as people scrambled to get to higher ground.



Residents recorded videos of small wave surges in some places, including at Tokomaru Bay near Gisborne. In the afternoon, the National Emergency Management Agency said the threat had passed and people could return to their homes, although they should continue avoiding beaches.



The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said ocean gauges had measured tsunami waves of 30 centimeters (1 foot) in Vanuatu and said waves of similar size could cross the Pacific to Latin American coasts.



One of the biggest earthquakes to hit the South Pacific in modern history forced thousands of people in New Zealand to evacuate and triggered tsunami warnings across the world Friday, but it did not appear to cause injuries or major damage because it struck in remote ocean.



The magnitude 8.1 quake was the largest in a series of tremors that hit the region over several hours, including two earlier quakes that registered magnitude 7.4 and magnitude 7.3.





Traffic slowly works up to high ground at Whangarei, New Zealand, as a tsunami warning is issued Friday, March 5, 2021. AP-Yonhap



The earthquakes triggered warning systems and caused traffic jams and some chaos in New Zealand as people scrambled to get to higher ground, but their remoteness meant they did not appear to pose a widespread threat to lives or infrastructure.



The largest quake struck about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the coast of New Zealand. One of the earlier quakes hit much closer to New Zealand and awoke many people as they felt a long, rumbling shaking.



''Hope everyone is ok out there,'' New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wrote on Facebook during the night.



After the largest quake, civil defense authorities in New Zealand told people in some coastal areas to immediately get to higher ground. They said a damaging tsunami was possible, and waves could reach up to 3 meters.



Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan told reporters that people had followed the advisory.



''They felt the long or strong earthquakes and they knew to grab their bag and head into the highlands,'' she said. ''I can only thank and acknowledge the tireless efforts of the men and women from up and down the coast who knew how to act, when to act, and what to do.''



She warned that the threat could remain throughout much of the afternoon and people should not return home until authorities gave the all-clear. Allan said evacuations took precedence over coronavirus distancing measures.





People watch for signs of a tsunami from a hill above Papamoa Beach, New Zealand, as a tsunami warning is issued Friday, March 5, 2021. AP



The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also cautioned the quake could cause tsunami waves of up to 3 meters in Vanuatu and up to 1 meter in Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia and as far away as Mexico and Peru.



The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered near the remote Kermadec Islands at a depth of 19 kilometers.



The agency said in a report that the quake occurred at the intersection of the Pacific and Australia tectonic plates and eclipsed the largest quake previously recorded in the region, a magnitude 8.0 in 1976.



It said the interaction between the plates creates one of the most seismically active regions in the world, and it has recorded 215 quakes there above magnitude 6.0 over the past century.



Jennifer Eccles, an earthquake expert at the University of Auckland, said the quake was at the top end of the scale for those involving only the Earth's ocean crust.



''This is about as big as it gets,'' she said.





Bill Fry, right, a seismologist for GNS Science, gestures as he speaks during a press conference as Roger Ball, director of New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency, looks on in Wellington on March 5, 2021, after a series of large earthquakes hit off east coast of the country sparking a tsunami warning. AFP-Yonhap

" " Velociraptor had a big sickle claw on the second toe of each foot that was likely used to pierce the skin and grip the flesh of prey. Daniel Eskridge/Stocktrek Images

Velociraptor is linked to two of the most intriguing figures in paleontology: Roy Chapman Andrews and Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska.

Often compared to Indiana Jones, Andrews was an American explorer known for his vivid field stories. The man's writings describe "narrow escapes from death" at the hands of wild dogs, injured whales and typhoons. (To say nothing of his cliff-related mishaps.)

Andrews became a bit of a celebrity in the 1920s and 1930s, when he led a series of fossil-hunting expeditions through the Mongolian Gobi Desert.

Helped by a combination of motor vehicles and camel caravans, his teams found the remains of many prehistoric beasts unknown to science at the time.

One was a small dinosaur with a long snout and grasping claws. In 1924, paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn named it Velociraptor mongoliensis.

But while Andrews' crews discovered Velociraptor, and Osborn named it, we have Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska to thank for the most amazing specimen ever unearthed. A renowned paleobiologist, she oversaw the once-in-a-lifetime discovery of a Velociraptor who may have literally died in combat.

Advertisement

Dinosaurs Then and Now

Birdwatchers might as well be called "theropod-watchers." Dinosaurs are split into five major subgroups, with the most successful being the theropoda, or the "theropods."

You can already name at least one species: the late, great Tyrannosaurus rex. Other iconic theropods include carnivores like Spinosaurus, Giganotosaurus and Archaeopteryx.

While these aforementioned beasts were all meat-eaters, a few theropods  such as the pot-bellied Therizinosaurus  fed on plants. Unlike the rest of the dinosaurs, the theropoda lineage didn't completely die out. Because you see, birds are theropods, too. And if that doesn't give you an incentive to grab some binoculars and go birding sometime, nothing will.

Velociraptor had a big old sickle claw on the second toe of each foot. Also, there was a series of bony rods running down the creature's tail vertebrae. These and (many) other traits flag Velociraptor as a dromaeosaur.

A theropod group that lasted from about 167 to 66 million years ago, the dromaeosaurs are kind of famous thanks to Hollywood. Velociraptor is one of the few dinosaurs that's appeared in all five "Jurassic Park" movies, and it played a major role in the Michael Crichton novels they're based on.

Unfortunately, from the very beginning, this franchise has misrepresented poor Velociraptor.

" " While movies like "Jurassic Park" have portrayed Velociraptor as large and scary, in reality they weren't much bigger than today's wild turkey. Matt Martyniuk /(CC BY 2.5)

Advertisement

Sizing It Up

The Velociraptors in "Jurassic Park" are roughly human-sized. That's way too big. While researching his novel, Crichton may have read the 1988 book "Predatory Dinosaurs of the World: A Complete Illustrated Guide" by Gregory S. Paul.

Paul's text refers to Deinonychus antirrhopus, a larger dromaeosaur, as "Velociraptor antirrhopus." This decision was criticized because the two animals clearly didn't belong to the same genus. (A fact acknowledged in Paul's later books.)

When push came to shove, it was obviously Deinonychus  and not Velociraptor  that inspired the so-called "raptors" of "Jurassic Park," "Jurassic World" and their spinoffs.

You'd have no trouble telling one theropod from the other. The 11-foot (3.3-meter) Deinonychus was almost twice the length of Velociraptor, which measured 6 to 8.7 feet (1.85 to 2.65 meters) long. Besides, at 84 pounds (38 kilograms) or so, Velociraptor was a relative featherweight.

And it was short. Velociraptor had a hip height of just 28 inches (72 centimeters) at the most. To put that in perspective, paleontologist Mark Witton recently posed a replica Velociraptor skeleton next to his greyhound, Beau. The dog had a definite height advantage  in Witton's photo, she towers over the theropod.

Advertisement

Cretaceous Killers

Size wasn't the only thing that set Deinonychus and Velociraptor apart. They lived in opposite hemispheres; the former was a North American predator, but skeletons of the Velociraptor are only found in Chinese and Mongolian fossil deposits.

Time separated the two dromaeosaurs as well. Deinonychus evolved around 115 million years ago, placing it in the early Cretaceous Period of Earth's history. Yet Velociraptor was a late Cretaceous dinosaur that lived between 74 and 70 million years ago.

Keen senses helped Velociraptor navigate prehistoric Asia, according to new research.

A 2020 study published in The Journal of Anatomy examined Velociraptor's ears and cranium with X-ray technology. The layout of its inner skull indicates this dinosaur had a good sense of balance. Beyond that, it appears Velociraptor was sensitive to a wide range of sounds.

Also, the theropod's vestibulo-ocular reflex  which stabilizes an animal's gaze as the creature moves its head  may have been quite acute.

"It is likely," wrote the study's co-authors, "that [Velociraptor mongoliensis] was an active predator that would readily rely on carrion in the event that a ready source of prey items was not available."

Advertisement

Tails, Toes and Feathers

Other regions of the body can tell us more about the dinosaur's lifestyle.

Velociraptor was clearly flightless. Yet in 2007, a set of tiny bumps was discovered on the forearm of one specimen from Mongolia. Turkey vultures have these bony knobs as well; they're feather attachment points.

So that all but confirms Velociraptor had some arm plumage. Maybe the feathers helped it attract mates.

No one knows what those distinctive dromaeosaur tail rods were for. The bony extensions could've been more flexible than we once assumed; a 1999 report for the American Museum of Natural History describes a Velociraptor skeleton with a gently curving tail.

Our outlook on their talons is also evolving. Go re-watch the famous kitchen scene from the original "Jurassic Park" movie. Notice how Spielberg's raptors can pull their big toe claws backward while walking or standing.

Anatomists have a word for that talent: hyperextensibility. Real dromaeosaurs could hold each foot's second toe  the one with the extra-large talon  at an upright angle. And by the same token, they could swing the claws downward.

But to what end? Experiments involving computer models and robotic raptor legs (yes, really) tell us said claws were great at piercing skin and gripping flesh. Dromaeosaurs like Velociraptor probably used these notorious weapons to help pin and subdue their prey.

" " The 1971 discovery of the "Fighting Dinosaurs" specimen, which is a Velociraptor and Protoceratops locked in mortal combat, provided the idea that Velociraptor was predatory. Raul Martin/(CC BY 2.5)

Advertisement

A Fight to the Death

When hunger struck, Velociraptor wasn't picky. One individual was found with the bones from a late Cretaceous flying reptile (a pterosaur, to be exact) lodged inside its skeleton. This might be evidence of scavenging behavior on Velociraptor's part.

During the Cold War, however, Kielan-Jaworowska found evidence of something rather more dramatic.

A native of east-central Poland, she was born in 1925. As World War II unfolded, she became a medic for the Polish Resistance movement. Kielan-Jaworowska went on to direct the Institute of Paleobiology at the Polish Academy of Sciences.

In 1962, she co-organized the first of several joint Polish-Mongolian expeditions into the Gobi.

During one of these campaigns, in the year 1971, Kielan-Jaworowska and her colleagues unearthed two intertwined dinosaur skeletons. One belonged to a Velociraptor. The other represents a frilled plant-eater called Protoceratops.

The dromaeosaur was found with its left hand grasping the Protoceratops' skull  and its (broken) right arm trapped between the creature's jaws. Also, this Velociraptor had a foot pressed against the herbivore's neck.

Most paleontologists think the animals somehow died while fighting each other. Experts also suspect the pair was abruptly buried under a collapsing sand dune.

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING Another scary moment in the first "Jurassic Park" movie comes when a raptor tackles Robert Muldoon (Bob Peck). True story: The angry dinosaur hisses you hear in that scene were provided by a goose.

Originally Published: Mar 20, 2008
By Rodrigo Viga Gaier

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Preliminary data from a study conducted at the University of Oxford indicates that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca PLC is effective against the P1, or Brazilian, variant, a source with knowledge of the study told Reuters on Friday.

The data indicates that the vaccine will not need to be modified in order to protect against the variant, which is believed to have originated in the Amazonian city of Manaus, said the source, who requested anonymity as the results have not yet been made public.

The source did not provide the exact efficacy of the vaccine against the variant. They said the full results of the study should be released soon, possibly in March.

Early results indicated the AstraZeneca vaccine was significantly less effective against the South African variant, which is similar to P1. South Africa subsequently paused the use of the vaccine in the country.

The information comes as a plasma study published ahead of peer review on Monday (https://bit.ly/3bX3LBa) suggested the CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech may not work effectively against the Brazilian variant.

Responding to a request for comment, Fiocruz, which sent the samples that formed the basis of the AstraZeneca vaccine study, told Reuters it did not have any information on the study, as it was being led by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.

Representatives for AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Brazil is currently confronting a brutal and long-lasting second wave of the coronavirus, hitting a daily record of 1,910 deaths on Wednesday.

The P1 variant (also known as 20J/501Y.V3) is among the factors that epidemiologists believe is contributing to a rise in cases and deaths, and there has been concern in the scientific community about the variant's resistance to vaccines.
YEREVAN.  When you say that the authorities see a connection between SJC [(Supreme Judicial Council)] chairman Ruben Vardazaryan and [opposition Homeland Party leader] Artur Vanetsyan, the cooked chicken will laugh at it. Its not that they see a connection, but those people have publicly announced that they are friends. Edmon Marukyan, chairman of the opposition Bright Armenia Party and head of its faction in the National Assembly (NA), stated this at Fridays briefing of the NA.

As for the SJC chairman's statement on November 15 of last year, Marukyan said: "Which MP from the ruling faction condemned the prime minister's statement about 'whining judges?' They did not condemn. And the chairman of the SJC turned that statement against them. Do not make such a statement that others would not cite that statement! If their leader did it, it is normal, [but] if the chairman of the SJC did itwith a different nuance, it is condemnable? You reap what you sow.

Referring to the criminal case on the assassination attempt on PM Nikol Pashinyan, Marukyan said: "If the evidence in that case were overwhelming, the judges would not have gone under that burden and would not have selected arrest as a pretrial measure against the accused. Raw cases should not be sent to court and expect the court to make decisions on those raw cases that it will later have problems with the decision it has made."

As for the possible ties of the judges with the former authorities, Marukyan says that Armenia has become a country of talks in the air. "If there is a fact that a judge took a bribe, if there is a fact that someone called and instructed the judge, [then] arrest, detain, try, [and] we will applaud, say, this judge is not independent because he is carrying out an order. Its not by saying so. If there is no fact, who needs the fairy tale?," he added.
NORTH CHARLESTON  Federal authorities are offering up to $10,000 for information on a suspect in the January robbery of an armored bank truck in North Charleston.

FBI investigators believe Quantavius Deshawn Murphy, 20, joined an armed squad of Folk Nation gang members to empty the contents of a truck carrying Bank of America funds at an ATM on Core Road on the morning of Jan. 16.

Murphy faces charges of bank larceny and conspiracy to commit bank larceny. But nearly a month after a federal court issued a warrant for his arrest Feb. 8, authorities haven't found him.

Bank larceny carries a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison and the conspiracy count carries up to five years, according to sentencing guidelines.

FBI investigators believe Murphy, a Georgia native, is currently living in Atlanta. However, agents at the Columbia bureau hope that South Carolinians may have information about his whereabouts, and said Murphy may still be in the Palmetto State.

Federal court records containing details of the case haven't been released to the public, as attorneys for the state argued that publicity would give suspects a chance to tamper with evidence before their arrests.

In the meantime, they're offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to Murphy's arrest.

Anyone with information can contact the FBI's Columbia office at 803-551-4200, or submit a tip online at tips.fib.gov. Murphy should be considered armed and dangerous, investigators said.

Gregory Yee contributed to this report.
The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Awakening of Insects (Chinese: ) falls on March 5 and ends on March 19 this year. Awakening of Insects signals a rise in temperature and increased rainfall. As the third solar term in the lunar year, its name alludes to the fact that animals sleeping in winter are awakened by spring thunder and that the earth begins to come back to life. It is the key time for spring agricultural activities. Here are 6 things you may not know about Awakening of Insects. Spring thunder cracks the sky The spring thunder is most noticeable during the Awakening of Insects solar term. An old Chinese saying goes: "If the first spring thunder crashes before the Awakening of Insects solar term, there will be abnormal weather that year." The Awakening of Insects falls after the end of winter and before the beginning of spring. Wind during this period is an important factor in weather forecasting. Modern meteorological science shows that around the Awakening of Insects, the earth becomes humid and the hot air near the surface rises; meanwhile, the hot humid air from the north is strong and creates frequent winds. For this reason, thunder occurs in this period. China covers a large range of latitudes from north to south, so the first spring thunder appears at different times in different areas. Spring ploughing The Awakening of Insects is an extremely important time for farmers and is widely seen as the beginning of the busiest time for agricultural work. During this period, most parts of China experience the quickest rise in temperatures, with the average level reaching above 10 degrees Celsius, and there is a marked increase in sunshine, which provides good natural conditions for farming. Old Chinese sayings such as "once the Awakening of Insects comes, spring ploughing never rests" reveal the importance of this term to farmers. Offering sacrifices to the white tiger According to ancient Chinese folklore, a white tiger is the creature that brings quarrels and disputes. It always begins hunting during the Awakening of Insects, and sometimes bites people. It is said that those bitten by a white tiger will encounter evil villains in their life that bring obstructions and bad luck. Therefore people offer sacrifices to the white tiger during the Awakening of Insects to protect themselves. When practicing this old custom, people draw the white tiger on paper, and then smear pig's blood and pork on its mouth. This means the tiger is fed so that it would not bite people, avoiding bad luck and conflict. Beating 'villains' "Villain" hitting originated in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and it's a folk ritual popular in Guangdong and Hong Kong. The custom is practiced during the Awakening of Insects to expel the "villain" and to bring good luck. People often assign a specific "witch" (usually an elderly woman) to "beat the villains". They use paper cut in the shape of humans to represent "villains" in their lives and the "witch" would use shoes or other tools to hit the paper to expel bad luck. In Hong Kong, the Swan neck bridge between Causeway Bay and Wan Chai has become a popular place for people to beat villains. A good time for fishing Around the Awakening of Insects, hibernating animals wake up, and so do fish. They swim from deep water to shallow water in search of food, mating and bearing young. It is a good time for fishing. Fishing can provide mental and physical relaxation, especially for people living in the city. Driving to the suburbs, fishing in a lake, bathing in the sunlight, enjoying the singing birds, fragrant flowers and waving willows make for a perfect weekend in spring. Eating pears Eating pears around the Awakening of Insects is a widely-practiced custom in China. As the weather gets warmer and the air becomes dry, people tend to feel their mouths are parched and tongues dry, which can cause colds or coughs. A pear is sweet, juicy and cold, moistening the lungs to arrest a cough. Therefore, pears are highly recommended during the Awakening of Insect


FILE - In this May 3, 2020 file photo, Veneuzuelan security forces guard the shore and a boat in which authorities claim a group of armed men landed in the port city of La Guaira, Venezuela, calling it an armed maritime incursion from neighboring Colombia. Yacsy Alvarez, a woman who was charged in Colombia with helping organize the attempted armed invasion to overthrow Venezuelas socialist government, says Colombian authorities were aware of the plotters movements and did nothing to stop them and that shes being made a scapegoat for the sins of others who abandoned the would be rebels. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)

MIAMI (AP)  Three Venezuelan men pleaded guilty to helping organize an ill-conceived invasion last year to remove President Nicolas Maduro.

In Fridays hearing before a Colombian court, the men acknowledged their role alongside Jordan Goudreau, a former American Green Beret and Iraq war veteran, in organizing a rag tag army of a few dozen Venezuelan military deserters intent on overthrowing Venezuelas socialist leadership. Plans included raiding military installations as well as the presidential palace.

I apologize to the Colombian government, one of the men, National Guard Maj. Juvenal Sequea, told a judge in Bogota on Friday as he and two other accepted lighter charges of providing advice and logistical support to illegal armed groups. I accept responsibility for my actions but want people to understand that this is all the result of the consequences of what we Venezuelans are living through.

The so-called Operation Gideon  or the Bay of Piglets, as the bloody fiasco came to be known  ended in disaster, with six insurgents dead and two of Goudreaus former Special Forces buddies behind bars in Caracas. But the plot really never stood a chance of succeeding against Maduros loyal and heavily armed military after having been thoroughly infiltrated months earlier.

Sequea and his co-defendant Capt. Juven Sequea are the older brothers of the confessed commander of the failed May 3 incursion, Capt. Antonio Sequea, who is jailed in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. The third person pleading guilty, Rayder Russo, is a civilian who has long sought Maduros armed overthrow.

As part of the plea bargain agreement  which the judge is expected to ratify later this month  the men have accepted a single charge that is punishable from 6 to 10 years in prison. But under Colombian law they can be released on parole or placed under house arrest if sentenced to lesser than 8 years, meaning the men could be freed in exchange for cooperation. Previously the men, who have been jailed since their arrest six months ago, had been charged with providing military training to illegal armed groups, a more serious offense punishable of up to 30 years in jail.

Story continues

None of the men participated in the failed raid, having abandoned the secret camps in northern Colombia where the rebels were gathering, in some cases months before it was launched. Testimony from other Venezuelan deserters, one of whom was arrested transporting a weapon and a large number of cellular phones, nonetheless placed each of the men in leadership positions of the plot alongside Goudreau and the plot's ringleader, retired Venezuelan Army Gen. Cliver Alcala.

A fourth defendant in the Colombian investigation, Yacsy Alvarez, has repeatedly professed her innocence and accused Colombian authorities of being in constant contact with Alcala. But she faces an additional charge of arms trafficking for allegedly helping smuggle weapons to the volunteer army.

Alvarez served as Goudreaus translator during his visits to Colombia and the two opened an affiliate of his small Florida security firm Silvercorp, in mid-2019. It listed its address at an upscale hotel in Barranquilla, according to Colombian public records.

She also flew with Goudreau and the two other former Green Berets  Luke Denman and Airan Berry  to Barranquilla aboard a Cessna jet belonging to her boss, businessman Franklin Duran, who has a long history of deal-making with the Venezuelan government. At the time, Alvarez was living in the Caribbean coastal city and working as a director in a unit of Durans auto lubricants company.

According to the plea agreement read by prosecutors in court, the Colombian investigation was prompted by the March 23, 2020 seizure of a cache of 26 assault rifles and tactical equipment it was later revealed were dispatched by Alvarez and destined for the rebels in the desert-like La Guajira peninsula that Colombia shares with Venezuela.

The man coordinating the clandestine effort, Alcala, took responsibility for the weapons hours before turning himself in on March 26 to face U.S. drug charges.

Alcala, who is now awaiting trial in New York, said the weapons belonged to the Venezuelan people. He also lashed out against opposition leader Juan Guaido, accusing him of betraying a contract he had signed with American advisers to remove Maduro.

The U.S. has denied any direct role in the attempted raid just as Venezuelas opposition has taken distance from Goudreau, despite having previously signed with him an agreement to conduct a snatch and grab operation inside Venezuela.

Other than a $50,000 payment for expenses Silvercorp was never paid. And Goudreau during the raid acknowledged going ahead with the invasion without Guaido's support even though he later sued one of Guaidos aides, Miami-based political analyst J.J. Rendon, for breach of contract.

___

Follow Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman
Guwahati, March 6 : The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, which on Friday announced its first list of 70 candidates for the first two phases of Assembly elections in the state, has given tickets to two former Congress ministers, 11 new faces and three Muslim candidates.

Former Congress ministers Ajanta Neog and Gautam Roy got BJP tickets to contest from their old seats of Golaghat and Katighora, respectively. Neog and Gowala had joined the saffron party in December last year.

Former Congress legislator Rajdeep Gowala, who was elected to the Assembly after winning in the 2016 elections from Lakhipur, has been denied a ticket by the BJP this time.

Deputy Speaker Aminul Haq Laskar, Kojrujaman Jinnah and Nazir Hussain are the three Muslim candidates in the first list of 70 nominees. Laskar would contest from his old seat Sonai while Jinnah and Hussain would fight from Lahorighat and Rupohihat, respectively.

Besides Neog, Surabhi Rajkonwar from Sibsagar, Nandita Garlosa from Haflong (ST) and Angoorlata Deka from Batadrova are the other women candidates in the BJP first list.

Among the top BJP leaders, state unit chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass, who was earlier elected to the Assembly from Sorbhog, has been nominated to contest from Patacharkuchi this time.

Senior minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Dass has been shifted to a new constituency following demand from the party workers.

The 126-member Assam Assembly will go to the polls in three phases on March 27 (47 seats), April 1 (39 seats) and April 6 (40 seats). The results will be declared on May 2.

BJP national General Secretary Arun Singh told the media that of the 126 seats in Assam, the saffron party would contest in 92 seats, giving 26 seats to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and 8 seats to the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL).

Sarma, the convener of the BJP-backed regional body Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA), said that one seat will be contested by the Rabha Joutho Mancha, but under the BJP symbol.

A total of 11 sitting legislators have been dropped from the BJP first list, from Silchar, Howraghat, Katigora, Diphu, Baithalangso, Lahowal, Bihpuria, Sonari, Nalbari, Halflong and Barkhola.

In another significant development, the AGP has dropped one of the founding leaders of the party and former president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, a two-time Chief Minister who has been elected to the Assembly since 1985. BJP candidate Jitu Goswami would contest from Mahanta's seat in Barhampur.

According to party sources, Mahanta, who had opposed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, is now in touch with some opposition parties.

In another turn of events, BJP leader from Golaghat, Bitupon Saikia, and youth leader Padmalochan Doley have joined the Congress in Assam, according to media reports.

The latest development emerged on Friday evening when the BJP was finalising the list of candidates in Delhi.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will contest from Majuli (ST), while Sarma has been fielded from Jalukbari, constituencies from where they had won the last time.
Refinery29

June is a major astrological month filled with thrills, chills, drama, big love  and every feeling in between. Lovely Venus enters Cancer on June 2, softening up our hearts and tightening up our wallets. The solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 is a time of reflection, change, and implanting new desires into our lives. Action planet Mars enters Leo on June 11, motivating us to fight for what we love. Soon after, on June 14, austere Saturn and rebellious Uranus square off for the second of three times in 2021. (The first time was February 17 and the third connection will be December 24.) This is a very fraught and intense energy that will create shakeups, breakups, and breakdowns. We are knocking down old structures or beliefs and building new ones then. Be kind to others and yourselves around this time, as this energy can be argumentative. Lucky planet Jupiter commences its retrograde journey in Pisces and Aquarius from June 20 to October 18, urging us to reflect on our spiritual and philosophical development. The summer solstice begins on June 20, the same day Gemini season ends and Cancer season starts, kicking off our beachy plans and festivities. Also, making us more emotional and tender. Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 in Gemini (yay!). But dont take a sigh of relief quite yet. The retroshade period officially ends the retrograde on July 7. Then, all Mercurial mishaps such as technological meltdowns, miscommunications, and our pesky exes will be truly gone  until next time. The Capricorn full moon occurs on June 24, urging us work hard for attention and affection. Elusive Neptune begins its retrograde journey in Pisces from June 25 to December 1. This will allow us to align with our subconscious dreams. Romantic planet Venus enters Leo on June 27, adding passion to love and flamboyance to how we spend our money.AriesLately youve been feeling as though your friends and bosses have been acting kinda shady, which is impacting your romantic relationships. The solar eclipse on June 10 is making you wish that you didnt stir the pot with your squad by rehashing past drama. Marss movement into Leo on June 11 will push you to fight for the relationships that you want to keep in your life and the people that you love, but with a cost. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will end friendships, much to your sadness. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 can be a reset button at work; however, it's more likely a time for you to step away from a current professional partnership.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoTaurusJune is an intense month for you, Taurus. An argument stemming from a financial loss during the solar eclipse on June 10 will escalate on June 14 (when Saturn and Uranus square off). The following few days will require you to relax, which makes the summer solstice on June 20 a sweet time to simmer down. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 is a moment for you to find reprieve and think about the recent events from a higher minded perspective. Jupiter's and Neptunes planetary backstrokes on June 20 and 25, respectively, will help in healing and mending all the messy drama that began on June 14  but only if you tone down your frustrations and choose not to say unforgivable things that you will certainly regret.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoGeminiNormally, your attention is on point and youre able to take on all of the tasks that you have to do, Gemini. But Mercury retrograde is making you too exhausted to keep up with your workload. The low energy youre feeling, compounded with the solar eclipse on June 10, is going to make you want to curl up in bed and watch The Hills reruns nonstop. Lean in to that urge and take time to chill this month. Dont fight the cosmos and take on more than you can chew. Yes, youve had an amazing run recently, but that can change during Jupiter's and Neptunes retrogrades on June 20 and 25. To avoid issues that may be coming your way, dont try to push your luck before Mercury retrograde ends on June 22.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCancerFor the past few months, youve been in duck-and-cover mode when the monthly credit card statements arrive in your inbox. But the tides are changing for the better. Venuss ingress into Cancer on June 2 and Leo on June 27 will procure extra cash for your bank account. The infamous Saturn and Uranus square that occurs on June 14 will give you a windfall of money from an unexpected payback on a former creative venture too. The only setback is that Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which ends June 22) could delay the repayment of these funds. Be patient! The cash will come during June 24s Capricorn full moon, if dont stress it so hard.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLeoCommitment takes a lot of work and time  all of which youre happy to give to those you care about. You have become a creature or comfort, knowing that you can always rely on certain people. All of that is about to get shaken up. You will feel as though the foundation youve built with friends, a crush, or your SO is shifting on June 14 (an effect of the Saturn and Uranus square) and you dont like that. Remember: Relationships and situations cant stay the same forever. Everything is subject to evolution. Change is the one constant in life, and its something you need to get used to (especially when Venus enters Leo on June 27, setting off the fraught vibe from June 14).Illustration by Stefhany LozanoVirgoYouve recently spent a lot of time burning the midnight oil at work. Now, the time has come for you to ask for a raise. (Considering how much extra time you put in, you should!) Venuss movement into Cancer on June 2 is an auspicious time to get the ball rolling in accelerating your income. The caveat is that the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will scare you into not asserting your voice when it comes to asking for a raise, which means that youll opt to hold back. When Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 and Neptune begins its planetary moonwalk on June 25, youll begin to speak up and make sure you get paid what youre worth  and then some!Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLibraLets start with the positives of June: Work will be plentiful and fulfilling as the month starts off, especially when graceful Venus enters the career sector of your chart on June 2. The solar eclipse on June 10 in Gemini will make you stop and think about the next professional direction you want to take. You dont have to make decisions, as Mercury is retrograde. Therefore, plans can change. The downfall is that youll feel creatively blocked when Saturn and Uranus square off on June 14, as well as on June 24s Capricorn Full Moon. When Neptune turns retrograde on June 25 and Venus enters Leo on June 27, itll be wise to consider taking time off from work to rejuvenate your artistic talents.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoScorpioYour intuition is always lit. However, this month you will be second guessing your gut feelings during Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which started on May 29) and the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Reality will come crashing down hard on June 14 during the Saturn and Uranus square, making you wish that youd listened to the voice within the week before. The good news is that Jupiter and Neptunes backsplash will boost your confidence in listening to your inner sentiments. June 24s full moon will make you see that you should never doubt yourself again. This will allow you to head into July on a high note and feeling yourself. Words to the wise: Never doubt yourself again. You know the score, try to use it to your advantage.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoSagittariusYour wanderlust sentiments are making you thirst for adventure and excitement. While you may not feel like traveling far, youll be able to find thrills in your local neighborhood during June 14s Saturn and Uranus square. If youre wanting to head out of town, the full moon on June 24 is a great time for an economical mini road trip. The caveat is that you may get swept away in the moment and temporarily forget about your friends and family. Its okay to get lost in your own world, Sag. Just dont live too much with your head in the clouds. Come down for air every now and again  especially on June 20 and 25 when Jupiter and Neptune, respectively, begin their planetary retrogrades.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCapricornDont be afraid to walk away from a proposition that doesn't seem worth the trouble. A business arrangement may lose its appeal on June 2, when Venus enters Cancer. If youre not wanting to continue the partnership, then the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will set you free. TBH, you are seeing that the gig isnt offering up the cash that they promised, which is frustrating to you considering all the time and work youve put into it. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will remind you that its better to cut your losses ASAP before matters get worse. Youll be proud of yourself during June 24s full moon for letting go of the situation and moving onto the next project with ease and no additional drama.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoAquariusIts been a minute since youve spoken to old flames. But Mercurys backspin is bringing all of your exes out of the woodwork. Unlike past retrogrades, youre wanting to connect with them when Mars enters Leo on June 11. Although youre intrigued by what they have to say, the conversation may not go as planned on the 14th, when Saturn and Uranus square off, and youll be reminded as to why you broke up with them in the first place. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. Be sure that you're open and willing to hear their feedback before responding. If you take the conversations at face value, you can create a new foundation with them on June 27, during the Venusian shift into Leo.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoPiscesAll work and no play isnt good for your imagination, Pisces. In fact, it can make you feel as though youre stuck behind a desk and not integrating your soulful sentiments into the world. Junes celestial energies urge you to take a step back from your career and have fun. Venuss entrance into Cancer on June 2 and the summer solstice on June 20 offer you a chance to laugh off the stresses brought on by the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Just dont overdo the celebrating, as the Saturn and Uranus square on June 14, as well as Jupiter and Neptunes planetary moonwalk on your Sun which begin on June 20 and 25, respectively, can exhaust your spirited vibe while depleting your energies.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Is Jupiter In Pisces The Best Transit Of 2021?Black & Brown Women Are Reviving Tarot & AstrologyObsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok  & COVID
Untruths: Meghan Markle has said Buckingham Palace could not expect her and prince Harry to be silent. Photo: PA

Meghan Markle has accused Buckingham Palace of perpetuating falsehoods, alluding to her belief that royal aides leaked stories about her and Prince Harry and failed to defend them from untruths.

In a preview clip from her interview with Oprah Winfrey, to be broadcast in the US on Sunday, the Duchess referred to the Royal family as the Firm.

She acknowledged that speaking out came with risk but said a lot had been lost already and that they should not be expected to remain silent.

It was the second excerpt of the interview released by US network CBS ahead of the two-hour special, which will be broadcast in the UK and Ireland on Monday on ITV.

The 30-second clip was the first time the Duchess has been heard giving a full answer to one of Winfreys questions.

It is thought to have been released in reaction to this weeks revelations that the Duchess had been accused of bullying staff, although the interview was recorded before the allegations became public knowledge.

They obviously want to maximise their content, a source close to the Duchess said of CBS. They are very clever at making intoxicating TV.

The interview has caused consternation in palace quarters, not least as it coincides with the Duke of Edinburghs longest ever hospital stay.

Aides have signalled their intention to distance themselves from the programme.

One said: We are trying to maintain a dignified silence. Its a media circus and we do not want to be drawn into it.

Members of the Royal family have not requested, and have not been offered, advanced sight of the recording or a transcript and are expecting to watch it like everybody else.

The rights to the two-hour programme, which was extended by 30 minutes after the interview was conducted, have been sold in more than 17 countries from Australia to Norway as well as Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Sussexes are not being paid for the interview, which will net a fortune for CBS and Winfreys production company Harpo.

In the latest clip, Winfrey asks: How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth today?

Meghan replies: I dont know how they could expect that after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that the Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.

And if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, Ive... theres a lot thats been lost already.

Meanwhile, it understood that Harry and Meghan expect to be notified if formal allegations of bullying are made against them by Buckingham Palace.

The couple have not been contacted about the investigation into claims that their staff were bullied and left broken, terrified and shaking.

The unprecedented inquiry will be headed by an HR manager from the royal household, who will invite their employees past and present to be interviewed about their experiences in a bid to improve policies and ensure lessons have been learnt.

( Telegraph Media Group Ltd 2021)

Read More

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
The Telegraph

Newly diagnosed cancer patients are being forced to speak to their specialist over the phone or via video call rather than in person, experts have warned. New findings show the proportion of those told they have prostate cancer who do not then get an initial face-to-face consultation has risen eight-fold since the start of the pandemic. In a survey by the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR), patients said they felt inhibited from asking all their questions by the remote format, and were worri
By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Nine great apes at the San Diego Zoo - four orangutans and five bonobos - made veterinary history in recent weeks as the world's first non-human primates known to be vaccinated against COVID-19, zoo officials said on Thursday.

One of the recipients was a 28-year-old female Sumatran orangutan named Karen who had garnered headlines at the zoo when she became the first ape to undergo open-heart surgery in 1994.

Each of the nine animals received two doses of an experimental vaccine originally designed for dogs and cats, with the apes exhibiting no adverse reactions, and are all doing well, zoo spokeswoman Darla Davis said in an email to Reuters.

Zoo officials went ahead with the shots over concerns about the animals' wellbeing after a troop of eight gorillas at the affiliated San Diego Zoo Safari Park fell ill with COVID-19 in January, marking the first known transmission of the virus to great apes.

The eight gorillas, including a 48-year-old male "silverback" named Winston who suffered from pneumonia and heart disease, have since improved and appear to be on their way to a full recovery, Davis said.

Winston was treated with a variety of medications, including a coronavirus antibody therapy for non-humans.

The gorillas were not vaccinated because veterinarians assumed their immune systems had already developed antibodies to the virus. They were thought to have caught the illness from an asymptomatic staff member.

The orangutans and bonobos selected for immunization were among the great apes at the zoo considered the most at risk of catching the virus and among the easiest to inoculate. Staff vaccinated the animals by distracting them from the needle with treats.

Zoo staff began administering the shots to some of the animals in January and continued through February, with the last few given in March, Davis said.

The vaccine developed by veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis was not tested on apes. But cross-species use of vaccines is not uncommon, and apes at the zoo get human flu and measles vaccines, according to Nadine Lamberski, chief conservation and wildlife officer for the San Diego Wildlife Alliance, the entity that owns the zoo and safari park.

She said the nine great apes were the first non-human primates known to have received a COVID-19 vaccine of any kind.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
The paintings of Joan Miro

The most Surrealist of us all, as Andre Breton called him, worked in various media over eight decades and produced more than 2,000 paintings  leaving an indelible mark on the very idea of art. Illustrated with works from The Art of the Surreal

An eight-decade career Despite an early flirtation with accountancy, Joan Miro (1893-1983) devoted himself to a career in art. Across eight decades, he produced prints, sculptures, tapestries, ceramics and, most famously, paintings, as well as works on paper. Miro claimed that the act of painting was an exchange of blood, a total embrace [undertaken] without caution, without thought of protecting yourself. He produced more than 2,000 paintings in all, reinventing himself regularly, from the early period in his native Barcelona to his final years spent on the island of Mallorca. Hes probably best known for the works he created in Paris in the 1920s, in connection with the Surrealists. Whats interesting, though, is that Miro works from throughout his career do well on the market, says Olivier Camu, deputy chairman and international director of Impressionist & Modern Art at Christies. He was a poet of the visual, Camu adds, his art is easy on the eye, very playful and colourful, yet technically excellent. Miro loved painting and kept looking for new ways of doing it. Whether youre seven years old or 97, his art will appeal. Escape to Paris Miro showed his first painting while still a teenager  at 1911s Exposicion Internacional de Arte in Barcelona. His debut solo exhibition came seven years later, at Galeries Dalmau in the same city. It featured almost 200 works, including landscapes indebted to Cezanne and the Fauves. Not a single work sold  a failure that hastened Miros departure for Paris in 1920. Around this time, he said his artistic aim was to use reality as a point of departure, never as a stopping place. The Hunter (today found in New Yorks Museum of Modern Art) is a fine example: this is no naturalistic depiction of a hunting scene, but an agglomeration of isolated forms, such as a smoking gun and a freshly killed rabbit, which float about the picture plane and which the viewer is asked to make sense of. In Paris, Miro made friends with a number of Surrealist poets  Louis Aragon and Paul Eluard among them  and before long these friendships starting having an impact on his art. In short, it moved even further away from figuration.

Joan Miro (1893-1983), Peinture, 1925. Oil on canvas. 57 x 45 in (146 x 114.3 cm). Estimate: 9,000,000-14,000,000. Offered in The Art of the Surreal on 23 March at Christies in London

With works such as 1925s Peinture (above), he transformed the ground of the canvas into a translucent, cloudy, infinite plane, which he filled with a host of enigmatic, often biomorphic, shapes and signs. These are said to have come to him automatically, without the intervention of rational thought  in the same way that Eluard and his fellow Surrealists created their verse. Occasionally Miro even included snatches of text in his imagery, as he did in Painting-Poem (Le corps de ma brune), which set an auction record for the artist when it fetched 16.8 million ($26.8 million) at Christies in 2012.

Picasso told Miro, After me, you are the one whos opening a new door

Miro never officially joined the Surrealist movement, yet that didnt stop its founder Andre Breton declaring him in 1928 the most Surrealist of us all. Picasso was similarly full of praise, telling his compatriot around the same time that after me, you are the one whos opening a new door. Two of the top three prices for Miro works at auction  and three of the top 10  are for works painted in the mid-to-late 1920s. From anti-painting to the Constellations By the end of the decade, Miros aims had changed. He now said he wanted to assassinate painting. This resulted in a type of work sometimes referred to as anti-painting: collages and paintings made with unusual artistic materials such as sand, tar and feathers. It wasnt long, though, before the Spaniard was putting pigment to canvas again. Much of his work in the 1930s took inspiration from political events, above all the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War. For the Paris Worlds Fair of 1937, he painted a (now lost) mural called The Reaper in the Spanish Pavilion, where it showed alongside Picassos Guernica. Strongly pro-Republican in sentiment, it depicted a Catalan peasant in revolt against the horrors being carried out by General Francos army.

Joan Miro (1893-1983), La caresse des etoiles, 1938. Oil on canvas. 23 x 28 in (60.3 x 69.3 cm). Sold for $17,065,000 on 6 May 2008 at Christie's in New York. Artwork:  Successio Miro / ADAGP, Paris and DACS London 2021

The peasant reappeared in the 1938 canvas La caresse des etoiles (above), wearing the same black smock and red barretina hat, with a blue star hovering above him (a symbol of his revolutionary ideals). The culmination of this period  and, for many critics, the summit of Miros entire career  was his Constellations series of 1940-1. These 23 small gouache paintings on paper were created during a period of great upheaval.

The Constellations are something of a holy grail. They come to market very rarely. Theyre in high demand and worth north of $25 million each  specialist Olivier Camu

With Franco emerging victorious in the Spanish Civil War  and his allies, the Nazis, cutting a swathe through Europe  Miro, his wife and daughter constantly had to flee for safety: first to Normandy, then Paris, Perpignan, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and finally the artists familys farm in Mont-roig, Catalonia. Miro was working on his Constellations throughout, packing the gouaches into a satchel and carrying them with him on every move. The works represent a marvellous cosmic vision, in which brightly coloured celestial bodies seem to dance gaily before us. When I was painting [them] it was a liberation, Miro said in later life. I ceased thinking about the tragedy all around me. According to Camu, The Constellations are something of a holy grail. Some of the works are still in private hands, but they only come to the market very rarely. Theyre in high demand and worth north of $25 million each. Miro and the Abstract Expressionists Thanks to Pierre Matisse, his dealer in New York, the American public got to see many Miro paintings in the 1930s. The Spaniard was also granted a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in 1941. After the Second World War, the Abstract Expressionist movement came to reign supreme  and Miros influence on it was vast. He was synonymous with an automatist approach to painting that many of the movements key figures adopted.

Joan Miro (1893-1983), L'oiseau au plumage deploye vole vers l'arbre argente, 1953. Oil on canvas. 35 x 45 in (90 x 116 cm). Sold for 9,154,500 ($13,923,194) on 4 February 2015 at Christie's in London. Artwork:  Successio Miro / ADAGP, Paris and DACS London 2021

In the 1950s, Miro settled on Mallorca, where he would remain for the rest of his life. For much of the decade he didnt do any oil painting, preferring to make ceramics and prints instead. The canvases that he did make in the 1950s show another shift in his work: one that his friend and biographer, Jacques Dupin, called an expansion tendency. In part, this meant simply that his canvases became bigger. It also acknowledged the large individual forms that came to dominate Miros scenes  in contrast to the small, finely detailed elements of old (particularly in the Constellations). Witness, for example, the eponymous bird and tree in 1953s LOiseau au plumage deploye vole vers larbre argente (above).

Joan Miro (1893-1983), Goutte d'eau sur la neige rose, 1968. Oil on canvas. 76 x 51 in (195.1 x 130.2 cm). Estimate: 3,000,000-5,000,000. Offered in The Art of the Surreal on 23 March at Christies in London

Interestingly, the expansion tendency seems to have been inspired in part by the Abstract Expressionists. They operated on a large scale, duly influencing Miro, who  as already noted  had years earlier been a formative influence on them. The Spaniards paintings of the 1960s show an even deeper engagement with Abstract Expressionism. In 1968s Goutte deau sur la neige rose (above), for example, the two broad, emphatic black brushstrokes call to mind Franz Kline, while the saturated field of orange ground exudes the purity of Rothko. All fired-up: the later works Miro continued to innovate even in old age. In the mid-1970s, as an octogenarian, he doused a bunch of paintings in petrol, set them partially on fire and exhibited the remains  suspended from the ceiling  in a show at Pariss Grand Palais. The works I burned were of great beauty, but so was the colour of the fire, he said.

Joan Miro (1893-1983), Le piege 1924. Oil, charcoal and graphite on canvas. 36 x 29 in (92.4 x 73.5 cm). Estimate: 3,000,000-5,000,000. Offered in The Art of the Surreal on 23 March at Christies in London

Having lived long enough to see democracy return to Spain  after Francos demise in 1975  Miro himself died in 1983, aged 90. Twenty-three of his works have sold for more than $10 million at auction. These all date from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s or 1950s, and even include two anti-paintings.

Sign up today Christie's Online Magazine delivers our best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Friday voted in support of President Joe Biden's nominee for Interior Secretary - Deb Haaland, Committee Chairman Joe Machin said in a press release on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th March, 2021) The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Friday voted in support of President Joe Biden's nominee for Interior Secretary - Deb Haaland, Committee Chairman Joe Machin said in a press release on Thursday.

"Today, the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a business meeting to consider the pending nomination of U.S. Representative Debra Haaland (D-NM) to be the Secretary of the Interior. ... she passed out of Committee by a recorded vote of 11-9," the release said.

Manchin pointed out in the release that he does not personally agree with some of Haaland's previous statements and policy stances, but will serve Biden's agenda as Interior Secretary.

"And, as a former Governor, I understand the importance of having one's own team in place. It is especially important that President Biden has the department heads he wants, since they make up his Cabinet," he said.

Manchin underscored that he supports Haaland's nomination and anticipates working with her "to protect our public lands and ensure the responsible use of all our natural resources in a bipartisan manner."
Leaders and businesses across the United States are pushing back against states lifting mask mandates by doubling down on their commitment to enforcing Covid-19 precautions as variants continue to cause concern.

This week, Texas and Mississippi joined the list of states expanding business capacity and lifting the mandates for residents to wear masks. In Texas, the mandates are no longer necessary and a restoration of normalcy is urgent, a representative for Gov. Greg Abbott said.

During a Friday press conference, Abbott reiterated that Texas is "in a situation where it is safe to open up 100%," and that every Texan has "learned for the past year the safe strategies to use to make sure they remain safe."

Abbott added: "We do encourage people to continue to wear a face mask, to continue to practice the safe practices that will ensure we will be able to get everybody back to work with Texas continuing to lead the United States of America in economic growth and job creation."

Though the rates of infections, hospitalizations and deaths have decreased in many states since January, tens of thousands of Americans are still being infected daily, and more transmissible variants have been spreading, threatening another surge.

"Please continue to wear a mask. What some other states are doing is reckless," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said. "We've seen them do it before. They paid the price."

And in Texas, many businesses are still encouraging mask use. The grocery store chain H-E-B said Thursday that employees will still be required and guests will be asked to wear masks. The Texas Restaurant Association also will continue to encourage mask use.

In Mississippi, Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons called Gov. Tate Reeves' decision to loosen restrictions "premature and reckless."

"We are at a crucial moment in the fight against this disease, and the path is unclear," Simmons told CNN. "We cannot let our guards down."

In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice said Friday that restaurants, bars and other businesses including gyms, fitness centers and museums may open with 100% seating capacity with social distancing.

Justice urged all people to comply with the mask mandate unless eating or drinking.

"We've got over half, well over half, of our total population in this state that's above 65 years of age and older that have gotten shots and that are protected," Justice said.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Friday defended his decision to reopen some businesses at full capacity with a mask mandate.

"So many of our people -- well over 20% -- have been vaccinated, the vast majority of whom are over 55, where you're most likely to suffer complications. Our hospitalization is down. So, we thought, this is something we know we can do safely," Lamont said.

About 70% to 85% of people must achieve immunity, either by surviving Covid-19 or receiving a vaccine, to reach herd immunity, the point at which enough people are protected against a disease that it cannot spread through the population.

Lamont announced Thursday that Connecticut will reopen restaurants, retail, libraries, personal services and indoor recreation at full capacity on March 19.

CDC guidance coming soon for the vaccinated

Covid-19 cases and death rates slow down in counties where states require masks, according to data released Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in counties where states allow on-site restaurant dining, illness and death rates appear to speed up.

"This report is a critical reminder that with the current levels of Covid-19 in communities and the continued spread of more transmissible coronavirus variants -- which have now been detected in 48 states -- strictly following prevention measures remains essential for putting an end to this pandemic," said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. "It also serves as a warning about premature lifting of these prevention measures."

Meantime, CDC guidance for people who have been vaccinated is coming soon, Walensky said. The guidance had been expected to release this week.

"Our goal and what is most important is that people who have been vaccinated and those not yet vaccinated are able to understand the steps they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones," she said.

Fauci says it's still too soon

Dr. Anthony Fauci said the decision by some states to do away with mask mandates and allow businesses to open at full capacity was "inexplicable."

The US shouldn't ease restrictions in place to prevent Covid-19 before the number of new cases falls below 10,000 daily, "and maybe even considerably less than that," the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said Thursday.

The last time the US saw fewer than 10,000 new daily cases was almost a year ago, on March 22.

"We're now up to about 2 million vaccinations per day," Fauci said. "That means every day that goes by, every week that goes by, you have more and more people protected."

Push to vaccinate teachers and reopen schools

Many states are putting a priority on vaccinating teachers and school staff to reopen campuses as soon as possible.

Thirty-eight states and Washington, DC, allow teachers to receive the vaccine. And two more may soon be added to the list.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said those who work in education and child care will be among the 300,000 to 400,000 additional residents eligible for the vaccine next week.

And Rhode Island officials likely will announce a plan next week to "get shots in the arm of all teachers and school staff," Gov. Daniel McKee said.

California, meanwhile, will invest billions of dollars in reopening schools, with Gov. Gavin Newsom signing the funding into law on Friday.

The state is home more that 1,000 school districts that will be eligible to receive up to $2 billion in incentives if they reopen by the end of March. Another $4.6 billion will go toward addressing learning loss induced by a year of online learning.

The law, which garnered bipartisan support, will also fund personal protective equipment, ventilation improvements, testing and contact tracing.
Photo: The Canadian Press

British Columbia's top doctor says the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be given to first responders and essential workers, but the province still needs to determine which industries will be included.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said the first shipments of the recently approved vaccine are expected in the province next week and they represent an "added bonus" that will allow B.C. to run a parallel program to its age-based vaccination strategy.

However, she noted essential workers and first responders are a "very broad group," and the B.C. Immunization Committee is now reviewing who should be prioritized to receive the vaccine and when.

"We've come to recognize through this pandemic how many people absolutely are essential workers, are people who cannot work from home," she said at a COVID-19 briefing on Thursday.

The committee is the provincial equivalent to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and uses public health principles, vaccine science and an ethical framework to reach decisions on vaccine distribution, she said.

Henry said she expects the plan will be finalized around March 18, and in the meantime, the initial supply will be used to address ongoing outbreaks that are leading to rapidly increasing case numbers in some communities.

She also apologized to long-term care residents and health-care workers whose second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was suddenly postponed this week after B.C. decided to extend the gap between the first and second shots to four months.

"I know that came as a shock for many people. I regret that our communications weren't able to keep up as fast as the decision-making," she said.

Henry said the decision was not taken lightly, but it needed to be made quickly last weekend because the province was approaching a time when tens of thousands of second doses were scheduled to be given.

That would have left the province with very little vaccine to protect other community members, she said.

That dose you didnt receive on Tuesday, or Wednesday, or today, is now being administered to a community member, to another member of our family," Henry said. "Ultimately it will bring us all closer to getting to our post-pandemic world."

Henry reported 564 new COVID-19 cases and four additional deaths, pushing the death toll linked to the virus to 1,376. Two of those who died had variants of concern.

There were 46 new confirmed cases of variants of concern, bringing the total to 246. The majority of those cases, a total of 218, are the variant first found in the United Kingdom, while 28 are the strain first detected in South Africa.

Public health officials can't identify transmission chains for 25 per cent of the cases involving variants, Henry said.

A private school in Port Coquitlam has shut down for three weeks after exposure to a variant. Fraser Health said it was working closely with Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School and it will reopen March 29.

The province also released Thursday a written strategy on rapid testing, which says the tests will continue to be used in community settings, in situations where quick results are needed to guide immediate public health action and in areas with increased risk of transmission or outbreaks.

Henry said B.C. started to receive rapid tests in October, but it needed to do quality assurance in November and December before starting to use them. Since then, the province has done 39 pilot projects, including in long-term care facilities and rural and remote locations, she said.

Rapid tests have also been used to supplement the gold-standard polymerase chain reaction tests in schools, for example when a variant of concern was detected in Garibaldi High School in Maple Ridge, she said.

She said health officials have learned that rapid tests are less useful for screening people without symptoms, and more useful in areas where there is an outbreak or community transmission is higher.

The rapid tests are low-cost, but they need to be done in a health-care environment and are also less accurate than the gold-standard tests, she said.

As the province moves into a time when it is vaccinating more people and starting to open things up, it's looking at which industries might benefit from having rapid tests available, such as food processing plants where outbreaks have happened, Henry said.

"We are in a new place right now in our COVID-19 pandemic," she said. "We're getting our regular supply of vaccines and more vaccines are on the way."
After the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) released a new circular on the appointment of cadres, promotions and salaries, teachers began applying to attend training courses for certificates which would help them get promotions.

The Quang Tri province education department on February 26 had to release an urgent dispatch, emphasizing that teachers need to determine which professional titles they are holding in order to choose the training courses suitable for them.

As there has been no document with detailed guidance from MOET and relevant branches, the local education department said teachers need to be cautious when registering for refresher courses and choose the courses suitable to their current ranks.

Mai Huy Phuong, deputy director of the Quang Tri provincial Education and Training Department, who signed the document, said there is no unit in the province which has the right to grant career certificates, but there are units which have the right to join forces with other licensed units to provide refresher courses and grant certificates.

These include the provincial center for continuing education in foreign languages and informatics, and the Quang Tri Teacher Training College.

Explaining the reasons behind the issuance of the document, he said many teachers still dont understand the content of the new circular. Many teachers try to obtain certificates, though they do not have requirements for professional title promotion.

Some teachers are trying to attend training courses to obtain certificates for second-class professional title though they have been working for only four or five years. Under current regulations, they can only get a rank promotion after nine years.

He said that the document will help schools decide whom to send to training courses and arrange schools activities. The teachers without necessary conditions to get a promotion should attend training courses later.

In my opinion, MOETs decision to heighten the requirements on first- and second-class teachers is just a part of the program on upgrading teacher quality. In fact, the quality of teachers depends on many other factors as well, including dedication. They go to training courses to improve their qualification, not to obtain certificates, he said.

Commenting about the newly released circular, Thai Van Thanh, director of the Nghe An Education and Training Department, said that teachers can get higher benefits from the document. Under new regulations, most preschool, primary school and secondary school teachers would receive a higher rank.

Ngan Anh - Thanh Hung

Teacher in remote area honored for dedication to improve educational facilities For the last 26 years working as an upland teacher, Truong Thi Nhuong, a teacher at Tan Thanh Primary and Secondary School in Ha Giang province, spent 23 years working in remote branches.
Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

24 Hour Access
According to a state tracker, there are 14,200 Cayuga County residents  more than 18% of the county's population  who have received at least one dose of the vaccine. As of Thursday, 7,429 residents are fully vaccinated.

The health department has provided 7,201 total doses of the Moderna vaccine. The state's tracker doesn't have data on how many doses have been administered at other locations in Cayuga County, including Auburn Community Hospital and local pharmacies.

A third vaccine could accelerate the process to get more residents inoculated. Federal regulators approved the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine over the weekend. New York received more than 164,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week.

The county health department wasn't sure when it would receive doses of the new vaccine. Its shipment for the week contained 500 doses of the Moderna vaccine, which is one of the two-dose vaccinations. (Pfizer is the other.)

Ryan said the addition of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, once it arrives in Cayuga County, will give residents more options and it could help the health department increase access to the vaccinations.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 04:58:50|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

RABAT, March 5 (Xinhua)-- Morocco on Friday suspended all flights to and from Algeria and Egypt as part of its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The suspension is temporary, and will run until March 21, the Moroccan National Airport Office (ONDA) said in a statement posted on its website.

The ban also concerns the entry of Egyptian and Algerian passengers arriving through other countries, it added.

Morocco has so far suspended air connections with 20 countries to curb the spread of coronavirus and the more contagious COVID-19 variants.

As of Friday, the tally of COVID-19 infections in Morocco reached 485,567, with 8,673 deaths. The country has recently announced the detection of 21 new COVID-19 variant cases.

Meanwhile, 3,877,687 people have so far received the first shot of vaccine against COVID-19 in the country, and 499,942 people have received the second dose.

The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccines. Enditem
Belle Schwartz of Succasunna, an avid crafter for years, has been named one of the winners in the Joanns Fabrics Handmade Heroes contest in recognition of her creation and donation of hundreds of handmade pieces over the last year.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Schwartz, a life-member of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), West Morris Section, has been knitting and sewing as a way to help others. Schwartz said, My knitting needles and sewing have been keeping me busy and sane during these challenging times, and I have truly enjoyed making these pieces and giving them away.

During the pandemic Schwartz has:

Sewn several hundred fabric face masks, which she donated to the Roxbury Public Library for distribution to seniors in the township and others in the community. In addition, she has sewn and donated masks for an elementary school in Millburn and for the school where her daughter teaches in Lawrenceville.

Made elastic extenders for the staff at Merry Heart Nursing Home in Succasunna, and she gives them out to staff at medical offices whenever she or her daughter has a doctors appointment. She also offers them to schools for teachers to take, as needed.

Made 250-plus small, hand-sewn, stuffed, fleece feelie hearts (an NCJW, West Morris community service project) that shes donated to Jersey Battered Womens Service and the Morristown Soup Kitchen (which includes one in each box of meals delivered to someone in need).

Made pillowcases that shes planning to donate to the Morristown Medical Center Cancer Center, to be given to children who are hospitalized.

Knit preemie hats for Capital Health in Hopewell (her grandson was born there and he was a premature baby, who came home with a donated hat), and St. Clares Hospital in Denville.

She knit purple hats for Click for Babies.

She is currently making ditty bags for the Seamens Institute. These bags each include a handmade hat, a scarf (which she has also made to be included in the bags), and sample-size toiletries. So far, shes made 26 sets.

NCJW, West Morris co-president Diana Grayson, who nominated Schwartz for the award, said, Belle is an exemplary volunteer who uses her talent and creativity to enhance the lives of others. Whenever theres a need in the community for something like fabric face masks or knit hats, she always comes forward to help meet that need. We are very proud of Belle, and hope that this recognition inspires others to follow her example.
Ambassador Jeong Eun-bo from South Korea arrives at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia, the United States, Mar. 5, to negotiate with the U.S. government on defense costs for U.S. military forces in South Korea. Yonhap



South Korea will work to quickly conclude its prolonged negotiations with the United States to set Seoul's share of the cost in maintaining U.S. forces on the Korean Peninsula, although some issues remain, Seoul's chief negotiator said Thursday.



"(There) are many issues and so we plan to resolve them as much as possible through a face-to-face meeting," Ambassador Jeong Eun-bo said upon arrival in Washington for a new round of talks with his U.S. counterpart, Donna Welton.



The meeting, set for Friday, will mark the ninth round of negotiations to renew the countries' Special Measures Agreement but the first in-person talks since President Joe Biden took office on Jan. 20. Jeong and Welton last spoke last month via a video link.



The South Korean negotiator refused to identify the remaining issues, only saying SMA negotiations often have to consider special circumstances.



"(The countries) renew detailed SMA every five years or three years and so discuss various issues that surface in the process of implementing the agreement to reflect such issues," he told reporters after arriving in Washington.



The allied countries launched their negotiations before the last SMA expired at the end of 2019, but have been unable to reach an agreement.











United States Forces Korea's Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Yonhap
PHILIPSBURG:--- It is no mystery that when a nation wants to measure its growth and development as a nation, it looks at the outputs of its education system to see if the investments in education have yielded the expected returns. This should be no different for St. Martin.

Considering the investments in education in St. Martin over the years (from 1849 in the North and 1850 in the South) and with the recent announcement by The Hague that it will move to centralize education, among other areas, in St. Martin, I believe this is an opportune time for us to more closely examine the efforts and outputs of our education system(s). Such an examination would permit us to see how the latest attempts by Europe will impact the growth of the St. Martin nation and the full development of the people.

It has been observed that the main channel through which investment in education can influence growth and, hence, development in developing countries consists of activities that lead to catching up with foreign technological progress, state University of the West Indies lecturers Brian Francis and Sunday Iyare in their paper Education and Development in the Caribbean: A Cointegration and Causality Approach.

In St. Martin, it is indisputable that early investments in education on the island were done in the interest of the colonizers, certainly after Emancipation. And with over 170 years of investments made in education, today we cannot claim to have developed as an island-nation to the point of having produced the human capital to effectively manage this 37-square-mile gem in the Caribbean Sea, let alone having caught up with foreign technological progress.

In 1934, the US philosopher and education reformer wrote, any education is, in its forms and methods, an outgrowth of the needs of the society in which it exists. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. told us that Intelligence plus characterthat is the goal of true education.

According to the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development in the USA, our aim in education ought to be to empower people to reach their fullest possible level of development to live morally, creatively, and productively in a democratic society.

In other words, when, as a self-respecting society, St. Martin invests in education, it should be to prepare its people with the tools to become fully developed and positively contributing members of society, provide graduates with upward mobility options, and foster national development and social cohesion.

As we move forward, what then should be our approach to viable education in St. Martin, North, and South?

I will attempt to answer this question in a series of articles on education over the next few months, in the hopes of further highlighting some of the challenges in our education system and offering proposals on how to address these challenges adequately in order for St. Martin to reap the maximum returns on investment.

I hope readers of these articles will send me their invaluable feedback as, together, we work to create a more just and equitable society for all of our people.
The husband of missing Colorado mom Suzanne Morphew has sold the home they shared together for $1.62 million - 10 months after her mysterious disappearance.

Barry Morphew finalized the sale of the three-bedroom residence in rural Salida on Thursday, according to a copy of the sales deed, which was obtained by FOX 21.

The buyer is listed as 'Mountain Renewal' - a Limited Liability Company from Nevada.

Barry and Suzanne's names both appear as the sellers on the deed - meaning money from the sale is likely to be transferred into a joint account.

Barry, 52, raised eyebrows last October when he first put the home on the market for $1.75 million - just five months after Suzanne, 50, went missing.

Suzanne reportedly set off from the home on a bike ride on Mother's Day, May 10, and has not been seen since. The FBI searched the home twice in the weeks following her disappearance, seizing several items for forensic examination.

The couple had lived at the home with their adult daughters, Mallory and Macy, since April 2018.

Barry previously told CBS4 that he decided to sell of the home because Mallory and Macy are too scared to stay there because they believe it was the site of Suzanne's abduction.

But the family home is not the only property Barry has offloaded in recent months.

Back in February, he also sold a two-acre plot of land in Salida back for $150,000.

Barry had only purchased that plot of land in June of last year - just weeks after Suzanne disappeared.

Last September, DailyMail.com reported that cadaver dogs picked up the scent of human remains during a search of the estate where that plot of land was located.

Barry Morphew, the husband of missing Colorado mom Suzanne Morphew, has sold the home they shared together for $1.62 million - 10 months after her mysterious disappearance. The pair are pictured together in a social media snap taken several years ago

Barry, 52, raised eyebrows last October when he first put the home on the market for $1.75 million - just five months after Suzanne, 50, went missing

The Morphews had owned the home since April 2018. Barry Morphew finalized the sale of the three-bedroom residence in rural Salida on Thursday, according to a copy of the sales deed, which was obtained by FOX 21

Suzanne reportedly set off from the home on a bike ride on Mother's Day, May 10, and has not been seen since. The FBI searched the home twice in the weeks following her disappearance, seizing several items for forensic examination

The search for Suzanne is still ongoing.

Late last year, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office said they were still working 'closely and tirelessly' with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the 11th Judicial District to find the mom-of-two.

However, her family appear to have given up home that she will be found alive.

She was listed as 'presumed dead' in her father's obituary following his death back in November.

Suzanne was last seen by Barry, on the morning of Mother's Day, May 10 before he left their home and traveled to Denver for a landscaping job.

It's theorized Suzanne set out on a bike ride some time after Barry's departure, but no eyewitnesses saw her out. Her bike was later discovered abandoned on a rural track a short distance from her home.

Suzanne was reported missing after daughters Mallory and Macy were unable to contact her when they returned from an out-of-state camping trip. Her bicycle was later discovered abandoned on a rural track a short distance from the home.

Last September, DailyMail.com reported that cadaver dogs picked up the scent of human remains during a search of the estate where Barry owned a plot of vacant land. He sold the land in February

Barry previously told CBS4 that he decided to sell of the home because Mallory and Macy are too scared to stay there because they believe it was the site of Suzanne's abduction. The family are pictured together in a social media snap taken several years ago

Suzanne was last seen by Barry, on the morning of Mother's Day, May 10 before he left their home and traveled to Denver for a landscaping job

Last September, DailyMail.com exclusively reported that the scent of human remains was discovered near the plot of land owned by Barry, which he sold off in February.

That same month, a co-worker exclusively told DailyMail.com that a hotel room that Barry had booked out in Denver for the night of May 10 stank of bleach and was littered with wet towels.

Barry - who has offered a $100,000 reward for Suzanne's safe return - previously theorized that his wife may have been taken by a wild animal. He now says he believes she was abducted.

Suzanne's brother, Andy Moorman, has blasted Barry for his behavior following Suzanne's mysterious vanishing, implicating him in her disappearance.

'I don't think she ever got on her bike. I think she probably died on May 9 and she was hidden somewhere that night... I'm afraid this is domestic abuse,' Moorman previously told FOX31.

But Barry blasted back in his interview with CBS 4 late last year, alleging that Andy had been a bad brother to Suzanne and had never shown any interest in her prior to her headline-hitting disappearance.

'I've spent many nights... [with] Suzanne crying on my shoulder, asking why her siblings refuse to show her love,' Barry claimed.

Police have asked anyone who may have engaged with Suzanne on Facebook, Instagram, Voxer, FaceTime or WhatsApp to come forward and call the tip line on 719-312-7530.
Former US Presidents son-in-law, Jared Kushner who was widely seen in the forefront during some of the key negotiations and agreements including the Abraham Accords during the Trump era has notably disappeared from the political inner circle lately. The White House key political adviser who had accomplished great responsibilities in Trumps cabinet has checked out of the politics, according to the sources close to the Trump administration and officials that spoke to CNN network on condition of anonymity. Senior' advisor for Trump was also absent from the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last week. Aides familiar with the former White House adviser who faced several power struggles in the previous administration told the network that the 37-year-old has gone MIA from the politics, while his wife Ivanka Trump insists that her colleague shouldnt as much utter politics terms, including Washington.

In a segment aired on CNN, reporters speculated after speaking with various former White House officials that one of the reasons for Kushners disappearance could be his father-in-laws callous attitude towards him. Sources told the network that the former chief adviser and the ex-45th leader of the United States might not be on good terms. While Trump scrambled to re-establish his political presence by making a comeback at the Conservative Political Action Conference last week, Kushner, opting a different path, hazed out. Sources familiar with both Trump and Kushner told US TV stations in the background to avoid dismantling relationships that Trump has been telling his inner circle that he had been immensely furious at his son-in-law for the election loss. This could have been a major driver in Kushner maintaining his distance from the former US president. The drama of politics wore him down. Eventually, Trump wears everyone down, CNN quoted a source close to Kushner as saying.

Read: Donald Trump Might Pick THIS Person As Running Mate If Republicans Nominate Him In 2024

Read: YouTube CEO Says Donald Trump's Account Will Be Restored 'only When Violence Risk Recedes'

Nominated for Nobel Price

Kushner was earlier nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating peace deals for his father in law Donald Trump. He was selected by US attorney Alan Dershowitz for his efforts in brokering peace among the Gulf nations and normalizing ties between the UAE and Israel with the Abraham Accords agreement. According to sources of Fox News, Kushner, the enabler of peace agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco told the network that peace deals were extremely hard and there were people in Washington who were never able to work on foreign transactions for over 30 to 40 years.

Read: Psaki Won't Give Trump WH Credit For Vaccine Plan

Read: Georgia GOP Leaders Who Stood Up To Trump Back Voting Bills
Strong Quake Near New Zealand Prompts Evacuations

By The Associated Press

NEW ZEALAND - A powerful magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck Friday in the ocean off New Zealand, prompting thousands of people to evacuate and triggering tsunami warnings across the South Pacific.The quake was the largest in a series of tremors over several hours. Two earlier quakes registered magnitude 7.4 and magnitude 7.3.After the largest quake, civil defense authorities in New Zealand told people in certain areas on the East Coast of the North Island that they should move immediately to higher ground and not stay in their homes. They said a damaging tsunami was possible.The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also cautioned that it could cause tsunami waves of up to 10 feet in Vanuatu and 3 feet in Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia and as far away as Mexico and Peru. It placed a watch on Hawaii.The agency said in a report that the quake occurred at the intersection of the Pacific and Australia tectonic plates and eclipsed the largest quake previously recorded in the region, a magnitude 8.0 in 1976.It said the interaction between the plates creates one of the most seismically active regions in the world, and it has recorded 215 quakes there above magnitude 6.0 over the past century.In 2011, a magnitude 6.3 quake hit the city of Christchurch, killing 185 people and destroying much of its downtown.

The Telegraph

Newly diagnosed cancer patients are being forced to speak to their specialist over the phone or via video call rather than in person, experts have warned. New findings show the proportion of those told they have prostate cancer who do not then get an initial face-to-face consultation has risen eight-fold since the start of the pandemic. In a survey by the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR), patients said they felt inhibited from asking all their questions by the remote format, and were worri
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
WASHINGTON, March 5, 2021  The American Chemical Society (ACS) announced a reorganization to better serve its membership, employees and the broader chemistry enterprise.

Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., to lead new Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Respect

Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., was promoted to Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Respect (DEIR) and will lead the new ACS Office of DEIR. She will report to ACS CEO Thomas Connelly Jr., Ph.D.

Creation of this new office will support DEIR efforts across ACS  supporting both internal and external activities. The existing Department of Diversity Programs will become part of the new ACS Office of DEIR.

Establishing a hub for DEIR will ensure that the ACS core value of DEIR permeates all ACS actions, both internally and externally. It will also help coordinate efforts toward the new ACS Strategic Plan Goal, Embrace and Advance Inclusion in Chemistry.

Mukhopadhyay originally joined ACS in 2004 as a Senior Associate Editor with ACS Publications. She joined the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2011 for a little over five years; there, she most recently served as the Managing Editor of ASBMB Today. During her time as a reporter and writer at ASBMB Today, Mukhopadhyay covered issues of diversity and inclusion, such as discrimination faced by female applicants for academic tenure-track positions and visa hurdles that international scientists have to overcome while working in the U.S.

Mukhopadhyay rejoined ACS in 2017 as the Executive Editor of C&EN BrandLab. A key accomplishment as the leader of the custom content studio was a partnership with Pfizer to celebrate the contributions of women chemists and Black chemists to science.

Mukhopadhyay received her B.Sc. (honors) in biochemistry from McGill University and her Ph.D. in biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology from the Johns Hopkins University. She is an ACS member and a graduate of the Poynter Leadership Academy for Women in Media.

Susan R. Morrissey, Ph. D., to lead new Communications Division

Susan R. Morrissey, Ph.D., was promoted to lead a new consolidated Communications Division as Vice President for Communications and Publisher of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN). The consolidation will bring together the communication elements of External Affairs & Communications, the weekly news magazine C&EN, ACS Advertising Sales & C&EN Marketing team, ACS Web Strategy & Operations and ACS Webinars.

The new consolidated division recognizes the growing need for ACS to have stronger alignment on the messages it delivers externally and internally. Centralizing communications in a single unit will help ensure alignment across the ACS enterprise and provide common messaging that can be directly distributed to the Societys various constituencies. Morrissey will report to Connelly.

Morrissey, with 21 years at ACS, started her career with C&EN as a Production Editor. Over a period of 14 years at C&EN she progressed through various positions, becoming Assistant Managing Editor, Government & Policy. In 2014 she joined External Affairs & Communications as Assistant Director, Science Communications, and most recently served as Director, Communications.

Morrissey received her A.B. in chemistry from Franklin & Marshall College and her Ph.D. in chemistry from Texas A&M University. She is a member of ACS.

LaTrease E. Garrison assumes dual division leadership

LaTrease E. Garrison, currently Executive Vice President, Education, was promoted to assume the additional role of Executive Vice President, Membership, in the wake of the resignation of Kate Fryer, who is transitioning to the Endocrine Society as CEO.

Between the two divisions, Garrison will lead a team with focuses on science outreach; K-12, undergraduate and graduate education within the chemical sciences; student chapters; and professional training and career development for chemical scientists. With her new portfolio, she will add oversight of ACS membership recruitment and retention, regional and national meetings, and ACS component groups globally. Garrison will continue to serve on the ACS Executive Leadership Team and report to Connelly.

Garrison, with over 25 years at ACS, started her career with C&EN as a Program Assistant in 1992. Over the succeeding years, she assumed management positions with increasing responsibilities, leading up to her present position.

Garrison received her B.S. in chemistry from Howard University and M.B.A. in business administration from Strayer University. She is a member of ACS; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; the American Society for Association Executives and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.
An unnamed Chinese hacker using his computer at their office in Dongguan in China's southern Guangdong province on Aug. 4, 2020. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

Cybersecurity Group Says Chinese Regime-Linked Hackers Hit Multiple US Targets

Cybersecurity group FireEye said Thursday it found evidence that hackers linked to the Chinese regime exploited a flaw in a Microsoft email application to go after a number of American targets, including a university and local governments.

FireEye analysts wrote in a blog post that the company built higher-fidelity detections and launched multiple threat hunting campaigns after Microsoft confirmed earlier this week that a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as Hafnium had exploited vulnerabilities in Microsofts Exchange Server email program.

Using its array of detection methods and tools, FireEye found that the activity reported by Microsoft aligns with our observations and said that the Hafnium hackers targeted a range of victims, including U.S.-based retailers, local governments, a university, and an engineering firm, as well as a Southeast Asian government and a Central Asian telecom.

FireEye said Hafnium hackers earlier targeted U.S.-based universities, defense contractors, and infectious disease researchers.

The analysts said FireEye is currently tracking the malicious activity in three clusters, but warned that they expect to find additional clusters as they respond to intrusions.

We recommend following Microsofts guidance and patching Exchange Server immediately to mitigate this activity, the analysts said.

For those looking for potential evidence of compromise, FireEye recommends checking for files written to the system by w3wp.exe or UMWorkerProcess.exe, non-existent resources, and suspicious or spoofed HTTP User-Agents.

In our investigations to date, the web shells placed on Exchange Servers have been named differently in each intrusion, and thus the file name alone is not a high-fidelity indicator of compromise, the analysts said.

It comes days after Microsoft said in a blog post that the Chinese regime-linked hacking campaign made use of four previously undetected vulnerabilities in different versions of the Exchange Server software.

The Microsoft sign is shown on top of the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 19, 2018. (Mike Blake/File/AP)

Microsofts suite of products has been under scrutiny since the hack of SolarWinds, the Texas-based software firm that served as a springboard for several intrusions across government and the private sector. In other cases, hackers took advantage of the way customers had set up their Microsoft services to compromise their targets or dive further into affected networks.

Hackers who went after SolarWinds also breached Microsoft itself, accessing and downloading source codeincluding elements of Exchange, the companys email, and calendaring product.

Ahead of the Microsoft announcement, the hackers increasingly aggressive moves began to attract attention across the cybersecurity community.

Mike McLellan, director of intelligence for Dell Technologies Incs Secureworks, said ahead of the Microsoft announcement that he had noticed a sudden spike in activity touching Exchange servers overnight on Sunday, with around 10 customers affected at his firm.

McLellan said that for now, the hacking activity he had seen appeared focused on seeding malicious software and setting the stage for a potentially deeper intrusion rather than aggressively moving into networks right away.

We havent seen any follow-on activity yet, he said. Were going to find a lot of companies affected but a smaller number of companies actually exploited.

Microsoft said targets included infectious disease researchers, law firms, higher education institutions, defense contractors, policy think tanks, and non-governmental groups.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Canadian church fined $83K for holding in-person worship service with over 10 people

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A church in Canada has been fined $83,000 for holding an in-person worship service attended by more than 10 people and has continued to resist the restrictions imposed by the Reopening Ontario Act that places strict limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Trinity Bible Chapel of Waterloo, Ontario, was fined by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for holding the service, according to a blog post published last week by Pastor Jacob Reaume.

At issue was the churchs refusal to stop holding services in January, even after being ordered by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to halt gatherings of more than 10 people in adherence to a COVID-19 ordinance limiting in-person gatherings.

According to Reaume, the fine was broken down to him and another pastor each owing $5,000, a third pastor owing $4,000, church elders each owing $3,000, the church itself owing $15,000, and $45,000 in legal fees.

On January 24, we worshipped Christ extravagantly at the price of $83,000. He is worth that and so much more, wrote Reaume.

Our fine is nothing near what Mary spent on Jesus for her one quick extravagant act of worship. And we cannot compare it to the price of blood He paid so that we would worship Him.

In advance of the decision, a member of the church set up a Go Fund Me page for donations to help pay for any legal expenses. As of Wednesday afternoon, the page had raised more than $44,700.

Any money raised above and beyond the amount needed to cover these expenses will go to Trinity Bible Chapel, explained the page.

Thank you for your generosity, and may God bless you as you run the race and remain faithful to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ!

Last year, all six elders of Trinity Bible were charged with violating provincial restrictions on in-person gatherings, tied to the churchs decision to hold a worship service on Dec. 27.

They were accused of violating Section 10.1 of the Reopening Ontario Act, which limits the number of people allowed to attend in-person services 10 people, either indoors or outdoors.

In a document titled COVID-19 Guidance for Places of Worship, the Toronto city government outlined what houses of worship must do to comply with the Act.

Toronto Public Health strongly encourages virtual services at this time to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and to ensure that everyone can participate safely, stated the document, in part. If gatherings are necessary, keep services short, and plan for very small groups of people.

Indoor group singing, dancing and use of wind instruments has been linked to numerous outbreaks in multiple countries. Consider avoiding risks, with alternative options.

The standards permit drive-in worship services, as long as participants remain inside of their vehicles, have only one household per automobile, and are parked at least 6 feet apart.

Trinity Bible is one of several churches filing litigation against restrictions on in-person worship gatherings, both in Ontario and other provinces of Canada.
The U.S. must upgrade defensive systems in Guam to protect Americans -- including a growing number of troops and military equipment there -- from the threat of Chinese missiles, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said this week.

Adm. Phil Davidson said installing a new 360-degree air-defense system in Guam would allow at least three Navy ships to take on other missions in the region. Navy destroyers equipped with a system that can search for and track incoming threats currently operate nearby to protect the U.S. territory.

"We need to free up those guided-missile destroyers that have multi-mission capabilities to detect threats -- and finish threats -- under the sea, on the sea, and above the sea," Davidson said Thursday during a virtual event hosted by the American Enterprise Institute.

Read Next: Republicans Call on Biden to Boost Pentagon Spending to Combat China

The admiral delivered to Congress this week an investment plan for the massive region in which he oversees military operations. That plan includes a pitch for a $1.6 billion investment for a new Guam defense system. That includes spending $350 million to start the project in fiscal 2022, according to the report's executive summary.

Davidson called funding for the air-and-missile defense of Guam his No. 1 priority. Even with Navy destroyers combined with the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system in Guam now, the systems are no match for missile threats from China, he said.

They don't provide 360-degree defense, he explained, leaving them more suited for defending against a rogue shot from North Korea than the more advanced missile threats from China.

"There are 170,000 Americans living in Guam, and their defense is homeland defense," he said, adding that about 22,000 service members, civilian contractors and military family members are based on the tiny island in the Western Pacific.

The number of personnel will only increase, he added. The U.S. is investing billions to make Guam a major hub for military operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Marine Corps in October activated Camp Blaz in Guam, the first new base for the service in the Pacific since the 1950s. About 5,000 Marines are slated to relocate there from Japan in the next five years.

Now, Davidson said, the military needs to protect those assets.

"We must evolve the critical defense of our people, our platforms and our posture initiatives, and it begins in Guam," he said.

Putting a new air-defense system in Guam won't make the island a target, Davidson said, because it already is one. He cited a video the Chinese air force released in September depicting one of its long-range bombers carrying out a simulated missile strike in Guam.

"What the Chinese are showing you, not only in video, but in deployments in the region with circumnavigations of Guam and the commonwealth and the Northern Marianas with surface ships, with bomber runs in the Philippines Sea, and submarines ... around those areas means there's a 360-degree threat," Davidson said.

China seeks a new world order, he added -- one in which "Chinese national power is more important than international law."

Military leaders have warned that the investments China has pumped into building up its military in recent years could leave the U.S. outmatched in the region within a decade. Former Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite described his concerns over China this way in October: "What we are seeing emerging is a threat beyond any comparison ever in the history of our country."

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a memo issued to the force Thursday, lists developing plans and capabilities to deter China as a top military priority.

Davidson said China could "achieve overmatch" in the region as soon as 2026.

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

Related: SecNav Says China Poses 'Threat Beyond Any Comparison' to American Way of Life

Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
New Delhi:

Manipurs iconic civil rights activist Irom Sharmila married her long-time partner British citizen Desmond Coutinho, a British national, in Tamil Nadus Kodaikanal under the Special Marriage Act on Thursday. The wedding was held in the presence of Sub-Registrar Radhakrishnan with Coutinho putting the ring on Sharmilas finger.

It was a simple function and the families of the bride and groom were absent. However, some close friends of the couple were present at the occasion. Earlier, the couple married under the Hindu Marriage Act and were asked by the Sub-Registrar to register it under the Special Marriage Act as their wedding was an inter-religious one. Sharmila told reporters that Kodaikanal was a peaceful place and her search for peace had ended here.

The rights activist said she would raise her voice for the welfare of tribals in Kodaikanal hills. The wedding was objected to by a local activist V Mahendran, who contended that if the couple stayed in the hills, tribals in the area would face law and order problems.

However, the sub-registrar rejected the objection, clearing the decks for Sharmilas wedding with Coutinho. The couple had submitted their application for marriage registration under the Special Marriage Act on July 12 and the Sub-Registrar had called for objections, if any, within 30 days time. A group of tribals in the area, including Palani Malai Pulaiyan and Paliyar had submitted a memorandum to the Sub-Registrar in support of the Sharmila-Coutinho wedding.

ALSO READ: Local activist files objection against Irom Sharmila's marriage

Sharmila had moved to this hill town with Coutinho following her defeat in the Manipur Assembly elections in March last in which her party Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance had been routed.

The 44-year-old activist had shot to fame after launching an indefinite fast on November 4, 2000, demanding withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur. Sharmila, also known as the Iron Lady, broke her 16-year-long fast, the worlds longest, on August 9, 2016 and declared that she wanted to become the chief minister so she could repeal the contentious AFSPA.

READ: Irom Sharmila to live among Kerala tribals after poll debacle

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, says the deradicalisation of repentant Boko Haram members is not working. The military in 201...

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, says the deradicalisation of repentant Boko Haram members is not working.





The military in 2016 launched Operation Safe Corridor, an initiative for the deradicalisation and rehabilitation of ex-Boko Haram members.

The aim of the operation, the military said, is to reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members into society. More than 500 ex-Boko Haram members have already completed the programme.

But while speaking at the North-East Governors Forum meeting in Bauchi on Thursday, Zulum said the initiative needs to be reviewed because some of the ex-Boko Haram members only come to spy on communities and then return to join the group.

Another aspect of the war against the insurgency that needs to be urgently reviewed or modified, is the issue of deradicalisation of Boko Haram terrorists, who have been captured or have willingly surrendered themselves to the authorities, he said.

It has been confirmed that the concept of deradicalisation or Safe Corridor is not working as expected. Quite often, those who have passed through the Safe Corridor initiative, or have been deradicalised, usually go back and rejoin the terror group after carefully studying the various security arrangements in their host communities, during the reintegration process.

In addition, the host communities where the reintegration process is going on usually resent the presence of Boko Haram terrorists, even if they have been deradicalised, because of the despicable and atrocious activities they have committed in the past.





So the idea of deradicalisation, as currently being implemented, needs to be reviewed because the main goals and the underlying objectives behind the initiative are not being achieved.

The governor advised that the best option is to immediately prosecute the insurgents in accordance with the terrorism Act.

He said those people who were forcefully recruited but have been rescued or have escaped from the group, should be the ones to undergo the deradicalisation.

The governor lamented the delay on the prosecution of insurgents. He said prosecutorial powers should be devolved to the state attorneys-general to make the process faster.





On the prosecution of terrorists, we must make efforts to avoid the current encumbrances and intricacies associated with the process, which usually takes considerable time, by urging the appropriate federal authorities to devolve the powers of the minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation to state attorneys-general in order to facilitate the prosecution process, he said.

In July 2020, some residents of Borno kicked against the reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members into their communities, asking the federal government to take them to Aso Rock.

Soldiers at the war front in the north-east had also expressed disappointment over the release of repentant Boko Haram suspects.
Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department Director Julie Pryde gives Illinois Governor JB Pritzker a tour of the I-Hotel Conference Center vaccine distribution site at the I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. they stopped to talk to Nurse Carla Kurtz from McKinley Health Center.
Acuity Insurance headquarters

Acuity Insurance's headquarters. Credit - Acuity Insurance

In listing the benefits of working at Acuity, a relatively small midwestern insurance firm with 1,500 employees, CEO Ben Salzmann sounds less like an executive and more like some kind of benevolent adult daycare provider. We give out a lot of chocolate, says Salzmann, 64. Our employees get chocolate at least once every two weeks. Then theres the 40-foot climbing wall at the companys Sheboygan, Wisconsin headquartersnot to mention the carnival-sized indoor ferris wheel.

After more than a year of working from home, Acuitys employees may be missing their climbing wall and ferris wheel, but theyre still getting gourmet chocolate sent to their homes. As workers across the country and the world deal with COVID-19-related burnout, that little gesture may be a tiny reason why, in an Oct. 2020 Glassdoor ranking of the best employers for work-life balance during the pandemic, Acuity came in at number one, beating out powerhouse technology firms like Zoom and Slack.

Of course, its taken more than a little chocolate for Acuity and Salzmann to get that kind of response from Acuitys employees. Workers have also received a $100 gift card every month since work-from-home life began, which can help cover smaller pandemic-related expenses. They can also choose which hours they workmaking it easier for working parents to manage their kids Zoom school time, for instanceor work extra hours earlier in the week and take Friday off to spend more time with family or just relax. Some of Acuitys most striking benefits precede the pandemic but nonetheless boost workers sense of stability in this uncertain time, like the mind-boggling 10.5% 401(k) employer contribution it offers, no match required.

In speaking with Salzmann, it quickly becomes clear hes the driving force behind these benefits. Hes been referred to as a kind of insurance industry Willy Wonka, but his eccentricities go far beyond free chocolate. He thought it would be hilarious, for instance, to create a torture chamber with medieval props in the companys offices (its where employees can get their annual flu shots). Hes known to wear a special cologne for his most serious meetings. He loves giving gifts, and has cried in front of his employees. Magical is one word an employee used to describe him. Crazy is another. In conversation, he shoots from the hip and jumps between topicsdisarming for a reporter accustomed to dueling for quotes from executives that dont sound straight out of a public relations handbook. Im a loner among the CEOs, Salzmann says. They think Im nuts.

Story continues

Growing up in Wausau, Wis., Salzmann watched his father struggle through years of backbreaking labor on a loading dockan experience that today motivates him to ensure his workers are happy and healthy. He also witnessed firsthand how badly things went under Acuitys previous CEO, who used bells to enforce strict 27-minute lunches followed by three-minute daily bathroom breaks. More than one in four employees quit the company or were fired every year.

It was a very rigid, very tightly run organization, says Joan Ravanelli Miller, Acuitys head of human resources and general counsel. There was no individuality at all, and you were expected to really toe the line.

Things transformed radically after Salzmann, who was formerly the chief technology officer, took over 20 years ago. But the changes he brought were often more subtle than a giant indoor ferris wheel. Rikki Mason, an Acuity communications specialist, recalls how Salzmann once bent over to touch his toes after shooting a video. When Mason commented on the maneuver, Salzmann cheerfully told her about his daily stretching regimen and the importance of all-around fitness.

Hes just quirky like that, Mason says. I think that personality makes you feel more at ease. You dont feel like this pressure when youre in front of your CEO. You can be yourself because hes being himself.

Salzmanns comfort with standing out has informed the broader company culture, often in positive ways. This is the first place that Ive worked that I felt truly safe to be open about being gay, says Kallyn Vandenack, who also works in Acuitys communications department. [Ben] almost likes you more if youre a little different, because those differences in background experience, they create a better whole when they come together.

Work-life balance can often seem like another misleading business-ism forced into the lexicon of everyday life. Does your life cease during your time on the job? And since when should it be balanced with anything? In that sense, Salzmann and Acuity Insurance may illustrate less about how employers can promote work-life balance than whats wrong with the concept in general. The strange little companys employees appear to be satisfied not only because their employer makes room for a life beyond the workplace, but also because they feel respected and fulfilled even when theyre clocked in.

You could talk forever about benefits and those tangible things, says Vandenack. But at the end of the day, the thing that really matters to me is having the ability to live authentically at work.

While flexible hours and generous 401(k) contributions are welcome, what allowed a nondescript midwest insurer to balance work and life better than any other company last year might simply be a culture that lets employees be themselves, and live while at workespecially as the pandemic has meant that many of us are working where we live, too. Just relax, let your hair down, enjoy life, says Salzmann, speaking on the companys ethos. Work has to be more than something that youre responsible to do. Its something you have to embrace and just celebrate.

Correction, March 8 The original version of this story misstated Joan Ravanelli Millers name. Her last name is Ravanelli Miller, not Miller.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
WASHINGTON  As some states, most notably Texas, begin to lift mask mandates, the Biden administration is launching an informal but energetic campaign to prevent others from following suit. Top doctors in the White House coronavirus task force are arguing that even with 2 million Americans now being vaccinated daily, thinking the pandemic is all but over is the surest way to extend that pandemics length.

Wear a mask, White House coronavirus senior adviser Andy Slavitt said during a briefing with reporters on Friday. Not forever, but for now.

That warning comes just days after Gov. Greg Abbott made Texas the largest state in the nation without a mask mandate. Abbott appears to have made that decision without consulting his own scientific advisers. Texas has been making some real progress, but its too soon for full reopening and to stop masking around others, one of those advisers told the Dallas Morning News.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves also canceled his states mask mandate this week.

More than a dozen other states are preparing to lift their own orders this spring, NBC News reported earlier this week, even though the country is recording some 60,000 new infections per day. Without launching the kind of full-scale culture war that former President Donald Trump relished, the Biden administration has been pushing back against such moves.

Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, President Biden said Texas had made a big mistake, adding that the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking on masks.

A sign in Austin, Texas. (Montinique Monroe/Getty Images)

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has also spent much of the week urging Americans not to toss their face masks into the dustbin just yet.

I know the idea of relaxing mask wearing and getting back to everyday activities is appealing, Walensky said on Friday, but were not there yet.

She added that we have seen this movie before, a reference to increased community spread when public health restrictions were lifted.

Story continues

Biden has promised to have enough doses of the coronavirus vaccine to inoculate every American by the end of May. The more the virus is allowed to spread until then, the more likely it is that a vaccine-resistant strain develops. At Fridays briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci displayed a graphic that showed new cases have reached a plateau in recent days, after a precipitous drop that followed the winter holiday surge.

A virus cannot mutate if it doesnt replicate, and it replicates in infected individuals, Fauci explained in what he said was a minicourse in basic virology. A high baseline level of community spread of the virus favors mutation and the evolution of variants. Those variants evolve, Fauci went on to say, according to the principle of natural selection, which necessarily means they could be more difficult to contain with current vaccines.

The point was clear: To keep those new variants from emerging, and potentially prolonging the pandemic, people should continue wearing face masks, limiting community spread.

Walensky said on Friday that new variants of the coronavirus have been found in 48 states. In general, vaccines are still highly effective against them, but there are concerns that vaccine-resistant strains could emerge.

Fridays briefing was accompanied by a new study from the CDC that found mandates were associated with decreases in daily COVID-19 case and death growth rates. That same study found that allowing indoor dining in restaurants caused the virus to proliferate at a greater rate.

Maskless revelers at an outdoor bar in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (mpi04/MediaPunch/IPX via AP)

The scientific justification for masks has become increasingly clear over the course of the pandemic. It was almost a year ago that public health officials in the Trump administration advised people against wearing masks, in large part because they feared that a run on facial coverings would leave hospital workers without protection.

There was also an emphasis on cleaning surfaces and washing hands, and while both are sound public health measures, researchers eventually confirmed that the virus spreads almost exclusively through airborne particles.

Opponents of facial coverings have used early conflicting medical claims, issued when data was sparse, to mount their case against masks. Some of that opposition has gone away, especially as Trump has receded from public view. But opposition remains, especially as Americans of all political persuasions succumb to pandemic fatigue.

The Biden administration has tried to dispel that opposition without engaging in the kind of acrimonious back-and-forth that marked Trumps handling of the pandemic, especially when he disagreed with Democratic governors. At the same time, the new administration is working against a weary public plainly eager to declare the battle against the coronavirus over and done with.

There is a light at the end of this tunnel, Walensky said on Friday, but we must be prepared for the fact that the road ahead may not be smooth.

____

Read more from Yahoo News:
An Alaska Native cultural organization and the luxury department store Nieman Marcus have settled a lawsuit over the sale of a coat with a copyrighted, geometric design borrowed from Indigenous culture.

The Sealaska Heritage Institute said in a statement on Wednesday that both sides, including 11 other defendants besides Nieman Marcus, agreed to terms to resolve all disputes between them under U.S. and Tlingit law," Juneau Public Media reported.

The Juneau-based institute is the cultural arm of the Sealaska Corp., the Alaska Native corporation for the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people of southeast Alaska.

In a federal lawsuit filed in April 2020, the institute maintained that the Dallas-based retailer falsely linked the $2,555 Ravenstail coat to northwest coast native artists from California to Alaska through the design and use of the term Ravenstail. Sealaska said it discovered that the retailer was selling the coat in 2019.

The institute in its lawsuit said the Ravenstail term and style has been associated for hundreds of years with Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes. According to the lawsuit, the coat also mimics a Ravenstail coat created by a Tlingit weaver nearly a quarter century ago.

According to the lawsuit, Neiman Marcus violated the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act requiring that products marketed as Indian are actually made by Indigenous people.

Sealaska also said that the Neiman Marcus robe violates the copyright of Clarissa Rizal, a master weaver who created the Ravenstail robe in 1996. When she died in 2016, her family obtained the rights to the robe, Adams said.

In 2019, Rizals heirs registered the robe with the U.S. copyright office, the lawsuit said. The copyright was then exclusively licensed to Sealaska.

Sealaskas lawyer, Jacob Adams, told the Juneau public radio station that the terms of the settlement were confidential but that some effects of it may become public.

There are conditions that are being met to meet the Tlingit law aspect and cultural requirement aspect, Adams said. So, in the future, some things may be seen as a result of the settlement.

Neither Nieman Marcus nor its Alaska-based attorneys in the lawsuit immediately responded to emails from The Associated Press seeking comment.
-SATIRE-

Years ago, the first printers were dot-matrix monsters that sounded like a machine gun and ate boxes of form-fed paper. Later came inkjet, thermal, laser, multi-purpose printers, all-in-one copiers, scanners and FAX machines. These amazing devices became faster, cheaper, more reliable and suddenly, deadlier.

In 1983, the concept of stereolithography (creating three dimensional objects from computer files) came to life when Chuck Hull, focused a beam of ultraviolet light into a jar filled with a liquid photopolymer. As the computer-controlled beam struck the liquid it cross linked the molecules, microscopically changing them into a thin strand and, as layers were added, a surface. The formation of that plastic filament is recognized as the Kitty-Hawk-moment when 3D printing took flight.

Mr. Hull was a 2014 inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and is currently the CEO of 3D Systems Corporation. The technology he launched has been used to create thousands of prototypes, aeronautical designs, musical instruments, clothing, tools, homes, food and toys. In 1999, scaffolding for body parts were successfully implanted at Wake Forest University by urologist, Dr. Anthony Atala, becoming the worlds first 3D bio-printed, fully functional human bladder.

Ive learned the hard way that bleeding-edge technology is expensive. In 1989 I fell deeply in love with a new-fangled Apple LaserWriter NTX (300 DPI, non-color) printer. That affair cost me $999 and ended 3 years later at the Salvation Army. First-generation medical/industrial 3D printers were no different, ranging between $250k to $3M, with primitive home-versions available for around $10K. According to AllThat3D(.)com, some the best home 3D printers can now be purchased for under $600.

The disturbing news about 3D printers is precisely that theyre now very cheap, readily available and are, potentially, just as deadly as the infamous Saturday Night Special. These are not your grandpas printers. They are capable of generating everything from sex toys and banned Confederate statues, to EBW detonators, chimney sleeves, neutron reflectors, cone-shaped tamper spheres and timing-device casings components necessary to build, not just an aorta, femur or skull plate, but a nuclear weapon.

3-D printer

Photo credit: Peabodybore CC BY-1.0 public domain license

There are college groups petitioning university presidents and chancellors to ban the use of 3D printers on campus. Anonymous sources indicate that right-wing extremist cults (Trumpsters) are using 3D printers to reconstruct or replace religious symbols and statues destroyed during the January 6th insurrection. Unfortunately, banning access to things (alcohol/drugs/prostitution/guns/hateful literature) doesnt necessarily keep them out of the wrong hands. Worldwide black markets on street corners and the Internet, guarantee that any fraternity (or cult) with $600 will still be able to purchase a 3D printer and start building an arsenal. Vendors with illegal products or services, whether Amazon, MS13, Tender, disgruntled Russian Generals, political zealots or Wall Street insiders, always manage to find a buyer. One company in Texas (of course) makes an ominous-looking solid black 3D printer, easily qualifying it as an assault printer. Few investigative reporters realize that millions of Poly80, ghost guns, non-metallic daggers and exploding sex toys are already being printed in attics and garages across America. In other words, it may be too late to prevent the spread of unregistered firearms.

Never tired of trying to catch smoke, bureaucrats are eager to make things better or safer by conjuring up the Good Idea Fairy. Here are some suggestions from the edge we hope will produce a nervous chuckle or a gasp of common sense.

Our organization offers the following suggestions to restrict, prohibit, control, and regulate the spread, and nefarious use, of potentially lethal 3D printers:

1. A series of public services messages to parents warning of 3D danger.

2. Mandatory background checks before purchasing any 3D printer.

3. Professional mental evaluations linking terrorist-printer tendencies.

4. Polygraph testing to determine buyers intentions of creating a 3D pressure cooker.

5. Neighborhood consent and lockdown before a 3D printer is delivered.

6. Prohibiting 3D use by juvenile males (14-19) living in Atlanta, LA or Chicago.

7. A 1000% dangerous object tax on all companies manufacturing 3D devices.

8. Felony charges for family members failing to report suspicious printing.

9. 1-800 number or those forced to watch or engage in 3D printing.

Google Security Monitors (SM) and Truth Investigators (TI) will be responsible purging dangerous websites/data/books/video/e-mails and Tweets. SM and TI agents should be authorized to use deadly force in order to preserve international safety and promote tolerance. Its important to identify and re-educate unstable individuals conducting suspicious web searches, distributing, endorsing, tolerating and buying (or selling) dangerous information including, but not limited to:

1. How to print a 3D gun

2. Where to purchase a copy of The Gun Printers Guide to Free Thinking

3. Clicking any of 532,000 sites with free copies of The Anarchists Cookbook

4. How to print a polymer knife, sword or toothpick.

5. Where to purchase sulphur, charcoal and nitrogen fertilizer.

6. Visiting websites offering FREE PDF copies of Henleys Book of Formulas

7. Incendiary documentaries-- Created Equal by Justice Clarence Thomas

8. Reading banned books-- When Harry Became Sally

9. Training Roosters To Kill using a plastic knife (or fork) from a 3D printer

In addition, the Google SM & TI Teams must have the ability to instantly remove or modify all publications, PDFs, containing references, or historical links to; 3D printers, atomic weapons, improvised explosive devices, home defense, gunpowder, Vyacheslav Molotov, survivalist schools, racism, white supremacy, ambush techniques, insurrectionist movements, unclean thoughts and violent science fiction novels.

Cautiously revealing potentially dangerous knowledge found online and the unintended consequences secretly embedded inside deadly 3D printers.

Dale Lowdermilk is the Founder of NOTSAFE(.)ORG, Santa Barbara, CA USA
BAY CITY, MI - A large, multi-county vaccination clinic will be held this weekend at Delta College in an attempt to vaccinate approximately 3,000 mid-Michigan residents.

The Michigan National Guard will operate the vaccination clinic at Delta College on Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7. Residents from Bay, Saginaw and Midland counties will be contacted to attend the clinic on an appointment-only basis.

Registration lists from all three county health departments are being used to schedule appointments for 1,000 residents from each county. The clinic will offer both drive-thru and indoor vaccination stations using Michigan National Guard medics and Delta College nursing students to administer the vaccines, said a statement from Delta College.

Those with appointments are asked to enter the campus via the Delta Road entrance, said the college, and all residents attending must be pre-registered through their local health department and will have been identified by those agencies as being eligible to receive the vaccine.

Since the National Guard will only allow authorized personnel on campus during the clinic, Delta Colleges main campus will be closed from Saturday, March 6 at 7 a.m.  Sunday, March 7 at 10 p.m. for the duration of the event.

Local health departments are urging adults 65+ and older who have registered for the vaccine to check their voicemail to see if health officials and organizations have been trying to reach them to schedule them for a vaccine, particularly for this clinic.

The Michigan National Guard, the State of Michigan and the Bay County Health Department are currently attempting to schedule persons to be vaccinated for a special clinic this Saturday and Sunday at Delta College, said a statement from the Bay County Health Department. If you receive a call from the State of Michigan and would like to receive a vaccine appointment, please answer the phone and return the message so that you can promptly receive your vaccine.

Health officer Joel Strasz of the Bay County Health Department also emphasized the importance of keeping an eye on your phone.

If you really want the COVID-19 vaccine and you see the state of Michigan or 517 number calling you, please pick up your phone, he said.

According to Strasz, the clinic will be split up into three separate timeframes for those with appointments throughout the weekend. Bay County slots are going to be from 10 am - 12:30 p.m. each day. Then 12:30 - 6 p.m. on Saturday will be reserved for Midland County residents and the same time frame on Sunday will be reserved for Saginaw County.

More from MLive

Got the COVID-19 vaccine somewhere else? Remove your name from the registration list, says Bay County Health Department

Over 50,000 COVID-19 vaccines distributed in Saginaw County so far

Michigan residents can schedule COVID-19 vaccinations at local Rite-Aid stores

Nearly 1.5M Michiganders have received their first coronavirus vaccine dose

Disabled Michiganders, caretakers and advocates take issue with low vaccine priority

6 things you need to know about new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Gov. Whitmer balks at notion severance pay to former health director was hush money
This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Read about others here.

When a candidate for states attorney in Cook County, Ill., held a lunchtime fund-raiser in downtown Chicago in 2016, the campaign hired a local comedian and television personality named Erica Faye Watson to warm up the crowd.

Ms. Watson had never met the candidate, Kim Foxx, but that didnt keep her from diving into an extended riff about Ms. Foxxs hair. I had never been publicly roasted before, Ms. Foxx said in an interview. I was like, who is this woman?

But the jokes were just a setup for Ms. Watsons real point: what it would mean to have a Black woman as the countys chief prosecutor, and how proud she would be to see Ms. Foxx in that role. The two became fast friends.
Police in Myanmar on Friday opened fired on protesters against last months military coup, killing one man, as international condemnation rained down on the junta, with the United Nations Security Council set to discuss the crisis.

The violence came as the junta lost a tug of war over leadership of its UN mission in New York and the United States unveiled new sanctions targeting military conglomerates after the deaths of dozens of civilian protesters.

Anti-coup protesters hold up images of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi as they gather in Yangon, Myanmar, on Friday. Credit:AP

Activists demanding the restoration of the elected government of veteran democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi held more demonstrations in several towns and cities on Friday, with a crowd of thousands marching peacefully through the second city of Mandalay.

The stone age is over, were not scared because you threaten us, the crowd chanted.
AREA 2071, Dubai Future Foundations (DFF) innovation ecosystem, and Emirates have announced the winner of the Aviation X Lab Accelerate Traveler Wellbeing Challenge - Nanoksi from Finland.

The winning company impressed the judges of the virtual competition with its active self-disinfecting coating solution that leverages photocatalysis to eradicate 98 percent of microbes within two hours, said a Wam news agency report.

The solution, based on titanium dioxide (TiO2), can be used across a wide spectrum of sectors  from travel to healthcare  and needs to be reapplied only once a year.

Aviation X Lab is a bold and ambitious initiative by five global aviation giants  Emirates, Thales, Collins Aerospace, GE Aviation, and Airbus  that seeks to disrupt the aviation sector. The latest Aviation X Lab Accelerate virtual competition, hosted in partnership with AREA 2071, invited companies of all sizes from across the globe to submit impactful and ready-for-market COVID-19-related products and solutions aimed at ensuring travelers' wellbeing throughout their journey.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF, said: "The Aviation X Lab Accelerate Traveler Wellbeing Challenge aligns with the mission of AREA 2071 to bring together the brightest minds from around the world to create positive global impact. Furthermore, it addresses the need to accelerate the development of innovative services, products, and solutions that strengthen the resilience of key sectors, highlighted by the COVID-19 outbreak."

He added: "The competition recorded a high uptake, testifying to its deeply relevant theme and a strong interest among the worlds innovators in tackling the pressing challenges faced by the travel sector due to the pandemic. We look forward to witnessing great success as a result of this collaboration between Nanoksi, Emirates and AREA 2071, and hope to further strengthen the aviation industry in Dubai and the UAE."

Adel Al Redha, Emirates Chief Operating Officer and member of Dubai Future Foundations board of trustees, said: "Emirates has always championed innovation and that is why we have actively engaged with the Aviation X Lab and Dubai Future Foundation from the start. We are pleased to see the quality of submissions and interest in the Aviation X-Lab grow over the years, and we are proud to support innovation in the UAE, particularly the utilization of evolving technology to benefit the aviation industry."

The Aviation X Lab Accelerate Traveler Wellbeing Challenge received 107 submissions from 30 countries. Based on the likelihood of implementation of the proposed solutions, and their potential to improve health and safety standards in consumer travel, a jury comprising industry and innovation experts selected six finalists that proceeded to the virtual pitch stage.

In addition to Nanoksi, the shortlist featured Sanitizexperts, HealthCheck, EOD Sanitizer, TeraSights, and Waire.
Scottish farmers are being urged to support pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programmes to steer young people onto the industry's career path.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which started on Monday (1 March), shines a spotlight on how apprenticeships help businesses, individuals and the economy.

For the farming industry, initiatives such as LANTRAs Modern Apprenticeship programme and the Land Based Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot programme gives young people the chance to work on farms.

Andrew Rodger, who runs a mixed farm in the Scottish Borders producing Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI, has taken on two pre-apprentices so far.

Its really difficult to get staff and youre always hearing that no one young wants to come into the industry," he said.

"But there are young people out there that do, they need a chance to develop and that can only happen if there are farms willing to take them.

"Having an apprentice makes you think about farming practices, especially why you do what you are doing, as you have to explain your reasoning, particularly if theyre from a non-farming background."

Mr Roger said it was 'extremely rewarding' to pass on farming knowledge to apprentices: "We had our early lambing in the first week of February," he recalled.

"I didnt think our apprentice would be that interested, but he was really keen and it was nice to see him learning.

Demonstrating the benefits of the industry operating in some of the worlds highest standards could help invigorate interest in farming as a career, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) says.

Kate Rowell, chair of the red meat industry body, said that bringing in a young person onto the farm could help provide farmers with a fresh perspective.

By training the next generation of farm workers, youre benefiting the Scottish red meat industry as a whole, and if you enjoy working alongside a young person, then taking on a pre-apprentice or apprentice is absolutely for you.

By welcoming a young person onto a Scotch Assured farm, they also get an understanding of the important role of Scotlands whole chain assurance."

In 2019, the Land-Based Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot Programme (LBPAPP) was launched nationally, involving three Machinery Rings (Ringlink Scotland, Tarff Valley Services and Borders Machinery Ring) covering the South West, North East and South East Scotland.

The programme is delivered with other partners including the Scottish Rural College (SRUC) and Borders College.

Recruitment for the 2021 Land-based Pre-Apprenticeship programme is underway, with a target of recruiting up to 60 pre-apprentices throughout Scotland.
YPSILANTI, MI  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Friday that Chad Newton, CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority, has been appointed to the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents.

Newton replaces Rich Baird, who resigned from his position on the board in January after being one of several individuals charged in the Flint water case.

Rich Baird resigns from Eastern Michigan University post after Flint water charges

Newton graduated from EMU in 1996 with a bachelors degree in criminology and criminal justice and earned his masters degree from EMU in technology studies with a law enforcement specialty in 2010, according to a university news release. Newton also graduated from EMUs School of Police Staff and Command in 2015, the release states.

It is a huge honor to be selected by (Gov.) Whitmer to serve on the Eastern Michigan Board of Regents, Newton said in a statement. As a long-time alumnus, I am aware of the significant impact EMU has had in our region. I am excited for the opportunity to be part of the continued progress that EMU has achieved in its long history.

As CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority, Newton oversees the entity tasked with managing and operating of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Willow Run Airport, according to the release. He has more than 21 years of airport experience and almost 30 years as a law enforcement professional, the release states.

Newton brings a distinct perspective and exceptional skill set to the board, Board Chairwoman Eunice Jeffries said.

I have great respect for his distinguished background in law enforcement and service to the country, Jeffries said. I look forward to working with Chad as we continue our efforts to support our students, faculty and staff and serve our community.

Newton will fulfill the rest of Bairds term, which expires in December 2026.

READ MORE:

Eastern Michigan University one of nations most military friendly universities, report shows

EMU renames engineering, technology college for alumni group thats donated $20M

Testing, telehealth, teamwork: How Eastern Michigan University kept COVID-19 cases low
Matt Damon has been in Australia since the start of the year, as he shoots his role in Marvel's Thor: Love and Thunder, currently being filmed in Sydney.

While the Hollywood superstar, 50, and his family have based themselves in the seaside town of Byron Bay, NSW, on Friday they ventured to Sydney for a visit to Taronga Zoo.

Matt, his wife Luciana, 45, and their daughters, Isabella, 14, Gia, 12, Stella, 10, travelled to the zoo by boat and visited various animal enclosures.

Family time: Matt Damon and his family ventured to Sydney for a visit to Taronga Zoo. Pictured with daughters Alexia and Stella

Matt looked relaxed as he accompanied his family to the iconic zoo, which sits on Sydney Harbour, with the five blending in with the other tourists.

The Bourne Identity actor wore a simple navy blue shirt with a pair of olive cargo pants.

He covered up his famous face with a pair of sunglasses, and wore a blue cap on his head.

Fun: Matt, his wife Luciana, 45, and their daughters, Isabella, 14, Gia, 12, Stella, 10, travelled to the zoo by boat and visited various animal enclosures

Cool: Luciana looked chic in a pair of white overalls under which she had on a black tank bodysuit

Casual: The Bourne Identity actor wore a simple navy blue shirt with a pair of olive cargo pants

Spot him: He covered up his famous face with a pair of sunglasses, and wore a blue cap

Luciana looked chic in a pair of white overalls under which she had on a black bodysuit.

She too opted for sunglasses, as well as a black cap, tasseled cross-body bag and white sneakers.

Surrounded by his amused family, Matt appeared to have a fantastic time getting up close and personal with a giraffe.

Loves it! Surrounded by his amused family, Matt appeared to have a fantastic time getting up close and personal with a giraffe

Fun! The Elysium actor grinned as he held out a carrot for the long-necked animal to graze on

Impressed! His daughters and wife looking on and snapping away with their cameras, Matt smiled as he giraffe ate the treat it had grabbed from him

Snap! The A-lister picked up his camera to take some photographs of his own

Smile! At one stage he appeared to be taking a selfie with the giraffe in the background

The Elysium actor grinned as he held out a carrot for the long-necked animal to graze on.

His daughters and wife looking on and snapping away with their cameras, Matt make quite a spectacle of himself, giggling as he giraffe grabbed the treat.

The A-lister picked up his own camera to take some photographs of the animals, and appeared to be enjoying his day out just like any other visitor to the zoo.

Snack time: Luciana spent some time in the gift shop, where she withdrew a stack of $50 bills that Matt later handed out to staff

At fan: His daughters grabbed bottles of water and iced treats, while Matt picked up a nature print to hang at home

Busy working? Matt, who was wearing flip flops on what was a warm and sunny day, stopped to check his phone outside the gift shop

Like anyone else! Matt looked relaxed as he accompanied his family to the iconic zoo, which sits on Sydney Harbour, with the five blending in with the other tourists

As well as the giraffes, Matt and his brood also visited the gorillas, and spent some time in the gift shop.

His daughters grabbed bottles of water and iced treats, while Matt picked up a nature print to hang at home.

Luciana spent a stack of $50 bills from the ATM to buy items from the gift shop, before they all boarded a boat back to the city.

What a guy! Matt also went out of his way to help others aboard the boat safely

Superhero: He reached out his hand to assist passengers as the waves rocked the vessel

Generous: Before they all boarded a boat back to the city

What a gent! The actor helped his wife board safely, too, before they sped off across the harbour back to Sydney city

He also went out of his way to help others aboard the boat safely, reaching out his hand to assist as the waves rocked the vessel, which then sped off across Sydney Harbour back to Sydney city.

Matt is in Australia reprising his comedic cameo from the 2017 Thor installment, Thor: Ragnarok.

He portrayed an Asgardian actor who is portraying the character Loki, normally played by Tom Hiddleston, in a theatrical production which takes place within the film.

In town: Matt is in Australia reprising his comedic cameo from the 2017 Thor installment, Thor: Ragnarok

Complex! He portrayed an Asgardian actor who is portraying the character Loki, normally played by Tom Hiddleston, in a theatrical production which takes place within the film

Thor: Love and Thunder, features a similar play scene, which the Downsizing actor filmed this week in Sydney's Little Bay.

Matt and his family have been living in the idyllic town Bryon Bay, which has become a favourite for Hollywood celebrities visiting Down Under.

The Martian actor has been travelling between Bryon Bay and Sydney by private jet to film scenes for Thor: Love and Thunder over the past month.
Republican lawmakers on Thursday dug into Colin Kahl, President Joe Bidens pick to become the Pentagons top policy official  a role akin to the defense secretarys right-hand with responsibility in broad swaths of US national security policy.

It was the second contentious nomination hearing in two days as Republicans jockey for leverage in opposition to the White Houses plans to reenter into negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.

GOP members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday pressed Kahl on Iran policy, the Abraham Accords and  taking a cue from the scuttled hearing of his would-be predecessor Anthony Tata last year  a handful of strident tweets criticizing the Trump administration and the Republican Party.

Oklahoma Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe, the committees former chairman and current ranking member, lambasted Kahl for an alleged leak of details in a private phone call between the two to the press. Inhofe concluded by emphasizing his reservations about Kahl, but did not say he would vote against Biden's choice for undersecretary of defense for policy.

Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst slammed Kahl for a 2018 tweet in which he wrote were all going to die if John Bolton were to succeed H.R. McMaster as President Donald Trumps national security adviser. Lawmakers also tore into the Pentagon nominee for referring to the GOP in 2019 as the party of ethnic cleansing after Trump pulled US forces back to allow Turkey to assault Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria.

Ernst was joined by Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who called Kahls comments intemperate, and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who said Kahl's inflammatory rhetoric was not representative of the way a top policy official at the Pentagon should write about policy. All three have said they will vote against Kahls confirmation.

Kahl, who previously served as national security adviser to Biden when he was vice president and who had a lead role in forming the 2015 nuclear deal, took a conciliatory tone during the hearing, at one point apologizing for what he called his disrespectful choice of words in the past.

His hearing follows Wednesdays grilling of Wendy Sherman, the White Houses pick to become the State Departments No. 2 official. Sherman previously served as the lead negotiator in the Obama administration's talks with Iran  a role which likewise drew the scrutiny from hawkish senators.

Both Sherman and Kahl acknowledged during their hearings that Irans stance in the Middle East has changed since 2015 and that a pivot back to the deal, while necessary, would not be a panacea.

I remain clear-eyed about the threat Iran poses to our interests and those of our allies, Sherman said Wednesday.

Kahl on Thursday relied in part on his history of support for the United Staates strategic partnership with Israel, including collaboration on defense systems such as the Iron Dome.

I think dynamics in the Middle East have changed. I support the Abraham Accords and I wouldnt move the embassy  away from Jerusalem, he said, also noting that he supports Israels airstrike campaign in Syria.

Pressed on Iran, the nominee acknowledged his past objections to the Trump administrations killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, but said he did not shed a tear over the spymasters death. I was concerned about the escalatory dynamics, Kahl said.

Kahl also leaned on his prior prediction that Iran would increase nuclear enrichment if the Trump administration abandoned the 2015 deal, but insisted the United States should not release Iran from sanctions for terrorism or humanitarian-related issues or on nuclear matters until Iran is in complete compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

When pressed by Inhofe to say he would oppose lifting any sanctions on Iran as long as Tehran continues violent attacks in the region, Kahl said, We need to get the nuclear program in a box. He added, As troubling as Irans behavior is  and it is very troubling  it would be exponentially more dangerous if Iran acquired a nuclear weapon.

Kahl said that he does not believe sanctions should be lifted on Iran's ballistic missile program, and that the Biden administration should work to reduce Tehrans conventional stockpiles through diplomacy.

His support for the White Houses stated intent to recalibrate US relations with Saudi Arabia following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the catastrophic war in Yemen drew little objection among lawmakers.

Echoing the Biden administration on arms sales, Kahl said foreign transfers "need to be aligned not just with our national interests, but with our values."

Despite substantial attention to Middle East policy during Thursday's hearing, the Biden administration is seeking to focus US leverage elsewhere in the world.

Kahl on Thursday suggested the United States should prioritize the Indo-Pacific region, Europe and the Western Hemisphere in the coming years as China moves toward military modernization and Russia seeks to pick up influence abroad.

I think we need to right-size our presence in the Middle East and Central Asia, Kahl said. If confirmed, he will likely be in a position to recommend if, and how, that should be done.
Raebareli: A 98-year-old man who was spotted on the streets of Raebareli selling chana has now been rewarded by the district administration for his determination to remain self-reliant even at this ripe age.

According to reports, the old man who goes by the name of Vijay Pal Singh, use to sell chana to earn his living. However, the old man doesnt want to be a burden on his children.

Singh was recently spotted selling chana on the streets of Raebareli by the district magistrate Vaibhav Srivastava who immediately came to his rescue. The District Magistrate called him to his office the next day and felicitated the 98-year-old for his self-reliance at this age. As soon as he arrived, the District Magistrate summoned the officials, including Deputy Collector Anshika Dixit, to the office and instructed them to complete the process at the earliest.

The District Magistrate also handed over Rs 11,000 cash, stick, shawl and a ration card to the old man. The Raebareli district magistrate also ensured that he gets other benefits of various government schemes with immediate effect.

Overwhelmed by this gesture, Singh, who is also fondly known as Baba thanked the states Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the District Magistrate for coming to his rescue. He also blessed all those present there.

Vijay Pal Singh lives in the Harchandpur town of Raebareli district. Baba has two sons and both are earning a living for their families. Vijay Pal Singh started selling chana so that his children are not burdened.

A video of the old man selling chana also went viral on social media and the Chief Minister's Office also took note of it. Baba is truly a source of inspiration for all of us. The old man does not set up a chana shop under any compulsion but because he wanted to remain self-reliant.

Live TV
SHENZHEN, China, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, today has released the Precise RAN Solution White Paper for the upgrade of digital economy, and the NodeEngine Technology White Paper together with China Mobile for digital transformation of the industrial park, as well as the industry-first NodeEngine commercial case.

With the theme of precise industry empowerment, the release conference of ZTE Precise RAN & NodeEngine has been held online. At this conference, representatives from industry-leading enterprises, such as Xinfengming Group (one of the biggest manufactures in polyester industry) and China Southern Power Grid, have shared the latest achievements in 5G-assisted digital upgrades in industrial internet and power industry, focusing on the digital transformation, 5G application development, and industrial ecology.

Precise RAN Helps Build the Foundation of Digital Economy

Digital economy is now leading the trend. The construction of new infrastructure is the core driver of the continuous development of digital economy. 5G has become an important engine of new infrastructure. As a road builder of digital economy, ZTE focuses on three technological fields: ultimate network, precision cloud and network and platform empowerment, and paves the way for industrial upgrades with innovation, ingenuity, and patience, to empower all industries to accelerate their digital transformation and inject 5G into the industry as a road builder of digital economy.

Applications in vertical industries have diverse requirements, involving the media, power, mining, transportation, medical care, education, and so many other fields. Telecommunications networks need to provide differentiated and deterministic service experiences, and provide ultimate performance guarantee in terms of latency, reliability and speed. Under this background, ZTE has proposed the Precise RAN Solution. Through precision planning, precision slicing, precision identification, precision scheduling, precision measurement, and precision O&M, Precise RAN allocates the most reasonable wireless resources and the most suitable wireless functions for 5G applications in the vertical industries, thus providing accurate service guarantee and efficient utilization of wireless resource, and providing a solid foundation for 5G services in various industries.

NodeEngine Accelerates Park Digital Transformation

Facing the future wave of large-scale digital transformation of enterprises, accelerating the construction of smart parks becomes a top priority. ZTE has released NodeEngine solution, expecting to help enterprises to localize digital applications with possible minimum costs and time by providing service isolation and protection, streamline QoS, high-precision positioning and self-service management capabilities.

In addition, the solution ensures the security of enterprise production information, and creates a local intelligent and on-demand network oriented to vertical applications for operators and enterprises, thus accelerating the incubation of 5G applications in industrial park, and promoting the digital transformation and upgrade process of industrial parks.

In 2019, ZTE, Xinfengming Group and China Mobile jointly deployed an all-round 5G digital solution in a 5G smart factory in Zhejiang Province, China, including applications such as 5G inspection robot with AI-based 8K machine vision, unmanned 5G AGV, panoramic HD video surveillance, etc.

Moreover, the three parties have accomplished industry-first NodeEngine commercial use recently to realize rapid deployment of private network with low-cost, while ensuring data security. At the same time, the local O&M portal of NodeEngine can be used to view the network quality in real time, so as to achieve flexible management and control. This enhances the production management capability for the enterprise, and improves the production efficiency and product quality management and control.

This 5G smart factory has won the first prize in China's largest 5G application contest "Blooming Cup" from among 3731 projects. The Xinfengming Group, empowered by 5G, has fully built an ecosystem, made up of Internet, chemical fiber and four-chain coordination (industry chain, supply chain, service chain and value chain). This rapidly supports the implementation of the enterprise capacity multiplication plan. In the last three years, the total capacity has doubled to 10 million tons per year. In 2025, the comprehensive capacity will increase to 20 million tons per year.

At present, 5G has entered into the key stage of integration and innovation. The collaboration trend of multiple parties, including telecom operators, equipment vendors, and vertical industries, has come into being. ZTE is committed to being a road builder of the digital economy and will continue to consolidate the path of industrial upgrading for all industry partners, and work with its partners to embrace a new era of comprehensive digital transformation of the economy and society.

The following is the link to access the NodeEngine White Paper :

https://res-www.zte.com.cn/mediares/zte/Files/PDF/white_book/202102251538.pdf

The following is the link to access the Precise RAN Solution White Paper:

https://res-www.zte.com.cn/mediares/zte/Files/PDF/white_book/202103050922.pdf

Media Contacts:

Margaret Ma

ZTE Corporation

Tel: +86 755 26775189

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE ZTE Corporation

Related Links

www.zte.com.cn


The State Department has imposed visa restrictions on an additional 43 individuals responsible for undermining Belarusian democracy, making them generally ineligible for entry into the United States. These individuals include high-ranking justice sector officials, law enforcement personnel who detained and abused peaceful demonstrators, judges and prosecutors involved in sentencing peaceful protesters and journalists to prison, and academic administrators who threatened students for participating in peaceful protests.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States remains alarmed by the [Alyaksandr] Lukashenka regimes continuing violent crackdown on peaceful protesters, pro-democracy activists, and journalists. Other concerning actions include the recent raids on the human rights organization Vyasna, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, and independent trade union workers. Moreover, on February 18, a Belarusian judge found journalists Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova guilty of "organizing public events aimed at disrupting civil order." In their final courtroom statement, Andreyeva and Chultsova rejected the charges against them, calling them politically motivated.

In two previous rounds of designations, the U.S. placed visa restrictions on 66 individuals who were determined to be responsible for undermining democracy in Belarus. Those individuals included high-ranking Lukashenka regime officials, as well as Russian and Belarusian nationals complicit in hindering the work of independent media and otherwise undermining the integrity of media freedom in Belarus. In total, 109 individuals have been designated for visa restrictions.

Upwards of tens of thousands of Belarusians took to the streets immediately after the August 9 fraudulent presidential election, and peaceful protesters have gathered weekly since then. Demonstrators are demanding that Lukashenka step down and new elections be held, but so far, he has been defiant. Security officials have arrested tens of thousands and forcefully expelled, detained, and threatened top opposition figures. Several protesters have been killed in the violence, and according to rights organizations there is credible evidence of torture being used against detainees.

The United States continues to support international efforts to independently investigate electoral irregularities in Belarus, the human rights abuses surrounding the election, and the crackdown that has followed, declared Secretary Blinken. We stand with the brave people of Belarus and support their right to free and fair elections.




By Lee Hyo-jin







The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to encourage foreign residents to get tested for COVID-19, as part of the city's efforts to contain the spread of the virus in the capital area.







The city announced a set a measures, Friday, to strengthen monitoring at workplaces involving foreign workers and to encourage some 240,000 expatriates in the greater Seoul area to undergo preemptive virus testing.







The preventive measure follows infection clusters detected recently among foreign workers in Dongducheon and Namyangju in Gyeonggi Province.







Foreign residents in Seoul will be able to be tested free of charge and living expenses will be offered for those placed under self-quarantine.







Undocumented foreigners will be able to be tested without the risk of being arrested or deported, because they will not be required to submit information about their immigration status.







The operating hours of makeshift testing sites in the Guro, Geumcheon, and Yeongdeungpo districts, which have large foreign populations, will be extended by four hours. The sites will be open Sunday morning for those who are unavailable to visit during weekdays.







Also, city officials will visit 3,000 businesses and factories with migrant workers to check for violations of social distancing rules and to inform foreign employees of the free tests.







According to data from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, in Seoul, 6,858 foreign nationals have been hired under the employment permit system to work at 3,796 workplaces in various sectors including the manufacturing, construction and hospitality industries.


NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned against any attempts to divide Europe from North America and said that the European Union cannot defend the continent alone amid the threat of terrorism and Russia's "destabilizing behavior."

Any attempt to divide Europe from North America will not only weaken NATO, it will also divide Europe, he said in a speech at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, on March 4.

So I do not believe in Europe alone, or North America alone. I believe in North America and Europe together, in NATO, in strategic solidarity. Whatever challenges we face, we are stronger together, he added.

Stoltenberg, in a separate interview with AFP, added that while he welcomed Brussels' efforts to boost spending and streamline its defense industry, he was dubious about calls for Europe to develop "strategic autonomy" of the type being pushed by French President Emmanuel Macron.

"I support EU efforts on defense, because more defense spending, new military capabilities, and addressing the fragmentation of the European defense industry -- all of that will be good for European security, for transatlantic security, for all of us," he told AFP.

"So all these efforts -- as long as they complement NATO -- we welcome them, but the EU cannot defend Europe."

In his speech, he said a strong transatlantic bond is the bedrock of Europes security.

For more than 70 years, NATO has embodied this unique relationship. Our alliance is the only place that brings North America and Europe together every day to discuss common security challenges, he said.



"More than 90 percent of the people in the European Union, they live in a NATO country. But only 20 percent of NATO's defense spending comes from NATO EU members," Stoltenberg said.

Previous U.S. President Donald Trump had strained relations with NATOs European members, claiming they were not contributing enough to their own defense, leaving it to U.S. taxpayers to pick up the bill, and at times questioning the relevance of the long-standing alliance.

However, President Joe Biden has called for closer cooperation with NATO allies and is seen as a much friendlier partner for Europe, although he, too, has expressed the need for Europe to meet spending commitments. Biden is expected to attend a summit of NATO nations later this year.

Stoltenberg cited NATOs renewed importance in the face brutal forms of terrorism and of Russias "destabilizing behavior."

Through the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS (Islamic State), we have helped liberate vast territory and millions of people in Iraq and Syria.

Following Russias illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO has implemented the largest reinforcement of our collective defense in a generation. Deploying combat-ready troops in the east of our alliance, to deter any aggression, he said.

This attempt to redraw borders by force, as we saw in Ukraine and Crimea, happened only a few years ago, rendering the need to prevent conflict and to defend Europe very real, he said.

With reporting by AFP
WASHINGTON, March 5 (Reuters) - A bipartisan pair of U.S. congressmen is writing a bill that would expedite refugee applications from Uighurs, the first such legislative effort to support immigration of the largely Muslim ethnic group facing persecution in China.

The Florida congressmen, Democrat Ted Deutch and Republican Mario Diaz-Balart, aim to introduce the Uighur Human Rights Protection Act as soon as next week, which if passed would raise Uighurs' applications to "Priority 2" in the U.S. refugee system.

It is unclear how much Republican backing the bill will get, but its drafters say they believe they have support of moderate Republicans in Congress who are eager to confront China.

The upgrade would allow applicants to forego a United Nations referral and apply directly as refugees to the U.S. government, reducing concerns that Beijing could be notified by a third country and seek their deportation back to China.

In recent years, China has successfully sought the return of Uighurs from countries on its periphery despite criticism from human rights groups and other governments that they could be subjected to further persecution.

Deutch told Reuters in an email that the effort was "a continuation of the best traditions of U.S. foreign policy and humanitarianism."

According to a draft of the bill, it would apply to Uighurs in China, and also those "not firmly resettled in third countries," such as Turkey, where thousands of Uighurs now reside after having left China.

U.N. experts and human rights groups estimate that more than 1 million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in harsh conditions in China's Xinjiang region as part of what Beijing calls a vocational training campaign to combat terrorism.

China denies abuses, but the United States under the Trump Administration declared that Beijing was perpetrating a genocide, a designation upheld by President Joe Biden's administration.

Story continues

Omer Kanat, the executive director of the Washington-based Uighur Human Rights Project, welcomed the bill, noting that Uighurs were "very hesitant" to apply through the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

"If they apply through UNHCR, it has to inform the government of the state that they are in, and if they have strong relations with China, they fear these governments will inform the Chinese authorities," Kanat said.

Biden plans to raise the refugee cap for the current fiscal year to 62,500, a sharp increase from the 15,000 set by former President Donald Trump, Reuters reported in February, but has not yet taken that step. His refugee proposal sent to Congress mentioned Uighurs as a group that could be prioritized.

"It encourages the administration to do it, and if they don't do it, we have the ability to do it ourselves in Congress," said a House aide who helped draft the bill. (Reporting by Michael Martina and Ted Hesson; Editing by Dan Grebler)
Members of the National Guard wear protective masks on duty outside of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 4, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Capitol Police Asks for National Guard Troop Extension to Beyond March 12

The U.S. Capitol Police announced on Thursday that it has requested the Department of Defense to have the National Guards support at the Capitol extended beyond March 12.

The formal request came from Yogananda Pittman, the Capitol Police acting chief.

The Department takes its mission seriously and will do whatever is necessary to achieve that mission, an announcement from the Capitol Police reads. The USCP is extremely grateful for the Department of Defense and the National Guard support provided since January 6th. We understand the Guard has a tremendous service need back home responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), a former Pentagon official and member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced on Twitter on Thursday, I am hearing from contacts at the National Guard that the U.S. Capitol Police have asked for a 60-day extension of the Guards mission in and around the Capitol, and that the Guard is soliciting states to send contributions.

The current mission is scheduled to end on March 12, and the Michigan National Guard, along with many others, will get to return home, she continued. No one likes seeing the fortress-like security around the Capitol. And no one wants to again have a security problem in and around this symbolic place.

But whether an extension has been requested or the mission is indeed terminating on March 12, its critical that members of Congress get a briefing on whats behind these decisions. We all have the same goal: to get back to the point where Capitol Police is capable of protecting us without the Guards help, and all parties feel confident we can protect the peoples business.

The Capitol Police did not immediately respond The Epoch Times request for comment on Slotkins statement.

Pittman on Wednesday told the House Legislative Branch Subcommittee in her prepared testimony (pdf) that threats to members have nearly doubledup by 93.5 percent during the first two months of 2021, compared to 2020.

Members of the National Guard are seen on the east front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 2, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

The department announced on Wednesday that it would step up its security measures on Capitol grounds owing to concerning information and intelligence pertaining to March 4th. In a later statement, the department said it had obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4.

Conspiracy theories were circulating on social media platforms prior to the day suggesting that former President Donald Trump would return as the president on Thursday to reclaim power.

Inauguration Day used to be March 4 under the U.S. Constitution, until the passage of the 20th Amendment in 1933, which moved the date to Jan. 20.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Thursday that the House moved its schedule a few hours on Thursday.

She also said that the National Guard troops at the U.S. Capitol may remain as long as they are needed, following a report that said the Capitol Police requested the Guard to stay in place for two more months.

Thousands of National Guard members remain stationed at the Capitol. They were deployed after the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, and more than 20,000 were reportedly on hand during the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Joe Biden.

At the same time, officials also set up a non-scalable fence topped with razor wire around the Capitol facility.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.

Correction: A previous version of the article wrongly stated the time frame for the Capitol polices extension request. The Capitol Police has requested an extension of troops for beyond March 12. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Amid interests shown by Swedish company to manufacture its Gripen fighter aircraft in India, prime ministers of the two countries on Friday noted defence is an important area of a long-standing collaboration.

Saab, a global defence and security giant, has been eyeing the Indian market for its Gripen fighter aircraft for a long time and has made a strong pitch on multiple occasions in the recent past that it is completely aligned with the 'Make in India' policy of the government here and "is ready to build products and solutions here in India, by Indians, for India and for export".

At a media briefing after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's online bilateral summit with Swedish premier Stefan Lofven, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Vikas Swarup was asked whether the fighter aircraft tender and the company's interest in manufacturing the jet was discussed.

"Both prime ministers noted that defence is an important area of the long-standing collaboration between India and Sweden. Also, we are aware of Swedish interest in Gripen aircraft being manufacturing in India and so this was reiterated," Swarup said.

In its offer for the Indian Air Force's tender for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, had earlier proposed to develop and assemble the first 18 aircraft in Sweden and the remaining 96 to be made in India.

Noting that Gripen is already operational in Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Thailand and South Africa among other countries, Saab had said its offer was moulded to meet all the requirements of the Indian Air Force and the defence and security needs of the country in general.

Saab's portfolio includes combat aircraft, surveillance solutions, electronic warfare, avionics, weapon systems, sensors, commercial aeronautics, training, service and support.

Gripen is presented by the company as a multi-role fighter aircraft capable of performing an extensive range of air-to-air, air-to-surface and reconnaissance missions employing the latest technology and weapons.

According to Saab, its Gripen offer to India is "well beyond just setting up assembly lines in the country" and the 'Make in India' proposal focuses extensively on establishing the world's most modern fighter aircraft manufacturing capability in India.

"This will be achieved mainly through technology and capability transfer which Saab has offered to other countries as well in the past," the company has said on its website.

Also, Saab's Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) has been selected by HAL as the electronic warfare self-protection system for the Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv).

IDAS provides self-protection for airborne platforms in sophisticated, diverse and dense threat environments and is a fully integrated multi-spectral system that can be configured for radar warning, laser-warning and missile-approach-warning.

Saab is also a subcontractor to Boeing and Airbus, supplying cargo doors, wing spars and avionics, system integration and support and maintenance solutions for a number of different aircraft types.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In his State of the State last year, Gov. Jared Polis said Colorado "can solve any problem. He wasn't counting on COVID-19. Now he's counting his pennies in the state budget and might have to count on a second term to accomplish his ambitious agenda.

The pandemic has consumed half of his first term, and it aint over yet. I barely remember those wonderful days before COVID, said the leader from Boulder.

Its not what any governor would want to focus on, he said, putting it lightly. We want to focus on the future, building Colorado stronger, improving schools  all the things I ran on.

Its easy to identify the gaps our country had, Polis told the Gazettes editorial board recently.

Polis first year, aided by Democratic control of the General Assembly, was a hit parade, with wins on his signature issues: education and healthcare. State-paid full-day kindergarten and a reinsurance program that lowered health insurance premiums in the individual market were among his first-year accomplishments. His second year looked to be a continuation.

As his third legislative session atop the states power pyramid begins, with his reelection campaign looming next year, COVID-19 could again prove to be a time killer this year, and a silent killer, if Polis stumbles gravely.

It begins: a year under COVID

In addition to figuring out how to help Coloradans struggling financially from the recession, he now has to make up for lost time. His campaign promise to lower the cost of health care was derailed last year when sponsors pulled a bill that would have created a public option health policy, to create competition with private insurers by imposing price caps to back the government insurance.

This year, and 2022, the bill will back, leading the opportunities for Polis to get his agenda back on track.

On March 4, 2020, Polis spent part of the day on a bill signing in his office, a weekly meeting with Democratic leadership and another with a tax reform study group at the Carriage House at the governors mansion.

The next day, the world changed and took Colorado down with it.

March 5 started like most days. By 9 a.m. he was in Loveland, speaking at a BizWest meeting, and by noon was back in his office at the Capitol signing more bills.

His agenda for the foreseeable future officially blew up at 4:30 p.m., when he convened a press conference and broke the news to an anxious state: the first case of COVID-19 had made landfall in Colorado.

He didnt take a full day off after that for more than three months, including working every day during Passover, an important holiday to the state's first Jewish governor. Things that normally filled his daily calendar vanished, replaced by daily COVID updates and constant contact with health care providers, hospital CEOs and emergency operations and federal sources of assistance. Requests were made for life-saving protective gear for health care workers and ventilators for the gravely ill.

On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. On March 25, Polis asked the White House for a disaster declaration. He signed an order that amounted to a request that Coloradans stay home, taking down the robust economy he had hoped would serve him well when he ran for another term.

He set up a makeshift hospital for a predicted overflow of patients at the Colorado Convention Center and The Ranch in Northern Colorado, venues that were ultimately unneeded.

Since then, more than 500,000 Americans have died, including more than 5,900 Coloradans.

Go time

Colorados first coronavirus diagnosis was a 30-something skier who landed at Denver International Airport and headed to the mountains, like millions of others might have done last year, if not for the virus.

Polis gave him a call when the man was quarantined in a Summit County hotel. Authorities never publicly named the states history maker. By the time March 2021 dawned, Colorado had eclipsed 431,000 cases.

Polis wasnt surprised, as the virus spread across the planet.

It was like a time bomb waiting to go off," he said. That first case was go time.

We had been waiting and getting ready, and one case wasnt likely to be the only case, said the governor. It was the dam ready to burst.

Those gaps, in the early days, included the lack of coordination and national strategy from the Trump administration, even to get personal protective equipment. Every state was on its own, he indicated. It was a national embarrassment on how [COVID-19] was handled, he said. Polis plan was to bring in people from the private sector and attempt to shorten supply chains for things that turned controversial, such as face masks and testing kits.

What made it hard was the newness of the novel coronavirus. At the time, we knew very little about it, and that was frustrating, he said, having to make important decisions with the information that he had at the time rather than what he learned three or four months down the road.

The biggest failure at the national level was on messaging, Polis said. President Trump had a soapbox for mask-wearing and social distancing, and had he used that soapbox it would have saved tens of thousands of lives, Polis said. He did, however, applaud the former administration on Operation Warp Speed and expedited approval of vaccines.

Time in the spotlight

These days, Polis is looking to complete a political inside straight. And the missing card is Joe Biden. Biden's time as vice president aligns with first six of the eight years Polis spent in Congress.

Biden was Obamas steady, experienced hand on legislative matters, having served in the Senate from 1973 to 2009.

Polis found Biden to be a regular companion in Democratic caucus meetings and negotiations then.

More importantly, Polis said he knows a lot of members of Bidens key staff, including former colleagues from the Hill. Thats leading to good operational relationships at almost every agency.

Early on in the national crisis last year, Polis rose as a national gubernatorial star of the left, while his criticism of the White House made him a target for Colorado conservatives, small businesses and workers sidelined from their jobs.

In May, Polis was summoned to the White House by the Republican commander-in-chief.

The president and I have had our differences on different policies," Polis said then, Trump at his side. "This is not a time to air differences on unrelated policies. This is a time for all Americans to work together because we all have a common foe.

Trump met with Polis and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum that day in May, with Trump referring to the duo as "two governors who are working much harder than they thought they would have to work."

Closing time

Polis is steeped in what didnt work, but more importantly, what did.

Absolutely, we could have handled it better in the early days, he concedes.

One move he doesnt regret: moving his partner, Marlon Reis, up on the vaccine list, a move that generated a lot of controversy and criticism last month. Reis, young and healthy, had the virus just weeks earlier, and critics scoffed at the suggestion the first gentleman was an essential worker for the state.

It was about sending a message, Polis said.

My messaging around vaccines is not geared toward the several percent of people who want them, Polis said.

The incident is bound to be used against him next year, when he's out to again close the deal with voters, who will weigh his decisions under fire.

The governor said he wants to inspire confidence in people who are what he calls casually hesitant, around 20% to 30% who will probably get the vaccine but not right away.

I can say firsthand, I got it, its no big deal ... . The more we can familiarize people with it, the better.

That will be the challenge of this summer, Polis added: ending the pandemic and getting to herd immunity, at 70% to 75% of the population vaccinated.

Time to learn

Among the biggest challenges: closing schools. Polis said it wasn't a mistake at the time  it was the right thing to do  but its been so darn hard to get them open again.

That was something Polis didnt see coming. We probably could have closed for a month to get safety protocols in place ... . Were still better than some states and almost back to normal with K-8. But that was frustrating, he said.

Whats worked well: mask wearing and other COVID-19 safety protocols. Polis said his constant messaging on masks is not to those who wear them but to those who are what he calls mask hesitant. He also attributed some of that success to the business community, who saw mask-wearing as a path to reopening and a return to normal.

Polis said he wished the 5-Star Variance Protection program, started by Mesa County in December, had begun sooner statewide. That program allows for more capacity at businesses, despite where the county sits on the states COVID-19 dial. Businesses in the program apply for certification from the local public health agency, contingent on 100% mask wearing by employees and customers, daily symptom checks, an effort to promote the states Exposure Notifications app, recording customer info for contact tracing purposes and following industry-specific social-distancing protocols.

I wish wed thought of it, Polis said. It just took us a while to line that up.

He calmed the turbulent waters of oil and gas, successfully convincing both sides of the debate over climate change to give Senate Bill 181 and the Houses Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions time to work. That didn't stop Polis from trotting out his own greenhouse gas reduction roadmap in January, rankling the oil and gas advocates.

Grieving time

Whats been hardest in dealing with the pandemic has been the loss of life, the governor said. Hes lost two friends, one in their 60s and one in their 70s, both previously in good health.

They should have been with us for many years to come, Polis grieved.

Then theres his own situation: he and Reis both tested positive for the virus in November, and Reis was hospitalized for two days with it, leading to a couple of days without child care.

But theres nothing to compare to losing loved ones, Polis said, pointing Sen. Julie Gonzales of Denver and her husband, who lost her mother-in-law, her husband's uncle and her husband's grandfather in a matter of days.

Time to focus

COVID has also changed how the state government does business, the governor explained.

Me and my senior team are not able to just focus on a pandemic; theres a million other things, education, fixing potholes, higher ed, filing taxes and getting relief out  all the things the state does. Its meant keeping the state as efficient and productive as possible and keeping it on track.

Polis calls it a matter of prioritization, including keeping his cabinet members focused, given that the pandemic has touched them, their employees and constituents, as well.

Ever the optimist, Polis sees some good coming out of the pandemic for state government operations. The state will be able to reduce building use by a million square feet, given that many state employees do like working from home, Polis said. It wont be at the levels in place now, which he said is around 60% to 70% of employees working from home. He estimates that eventually about 20% to 30% of state employees will continue to work from home.

It will be better for productivity, employee morale, getting traffic off the roads and saving the state money on overhead. Those are things that would have likely taken 10 years to get to, instead of one. Thats making lemonade out of lemons, he added.

Polis says Colorado has handled the pandemic better than most, but the nation as a whole hasnt done well. Whatever decisions we made were secondary to individual decisions that Coloradans make. His job has been to help Coloradans make the right choices in their daily lives, including masks and social distancing.

Better times ahead

What gives Polis hope for the state as it begins to move out of the pandemic is that weve come to value whats important to us, such as family, school and work. "Well be stronger for it.

What the future holds: Polis is headed into the re-election campaign season later this year for his second run for governor. That wont look the same as 2018, both because of the pandemic as well as what hes campaigning on.

Many people who I know who ran in 2020 missed the retail aspect of politics, Polis said, adding that people who go into this field are social and like people, and miss the human contact.

His campaign will likely be much like it was for people running last year: more virtual but not completely replacing the physical presence, he said.

While Polis urged others to stay home, he traveled the state during the pandemic but a lot less than he could have. I look forward to being around the state more; I love this state. I cant wait to get back to that, he said.

Polis quickly dismissed the rumors that hes got an interest in the White House. Definitely not, he said.

If he continues to serve the rest of this term and win re-election, he indicated his path after elected office might be back to the business world.

I look forward to spending time with family and kids and pursuing different opportunities in the entrepreneurial sector. It can be a fun job to be a former governor, too, he added.

Time to reflect and project

Another thing Polis said in his 2020 State of the State address was to look to the future, advice that still holds amid all that has changed.

And so we stand here today on the cusp of a new decade: the 2020s  Wow! The future!  with a renewed spirit to build on the progress we have made, he said at the time.

The governor was prophetic about what was around the corner, that too many of our fellow Coloradans are anxious that one hardship  a job loss, a medical emergency, a recession, a natural disaster, or some other unforeseen challenge  will send them into a financial tailspin.

No one would have guessed that just two months later that all of those things: job loss, medical emergency, recession, natural disaster, would happen all at the same time.

Polis legacy will likely be measured not on full-day kindergarten, health insurance or climate change, but on how Colorado weathers the perfect storm it finds itself in for the next couple of years. Thats not what Polis ran on in 2018, but its a pretty sure bet that the states recovery will play the biggest role of all for Polis and his challengers in the 2022 campaign.

Time might or might not be on the side of Jared Polis. Though hes surrendered half his term to a deadly virus, the agenda that he promised would be bold needs time to mature.

But time will tell.
New Delhi: Chinese tech major Xiaomi will soon introduce smart TVs under the 'Redmi' brand in India as it looks to further expand its position in the burgeoning smart TV segment in the country.

Speaking to PTI, Xiaomi India Category Lead (Smart TV) Eshwar Nilakantan said when the company had introduced its smart TVs in 2018, its aim was to increase the smart TV penetration in the country and "democratise" the segment.

"In 2018, the penetration was 18 per cent, less than one-fifth of the TVs sold were smart and we wanted to democratise the segment like we had done for smartphones. Since then, the 18 per cent has grown to a little over 55 per cent. We have grown with the market and sold over 5 million smart TVs," he said.

Nilakantan explained that India has over 200 million households, of which 170 million have a TV - 100 million of those are CRT TV and 70 million have a flat monitor. "Smart TV penetration is only 20 million. So if you look at this overall market, there are 50 million people who would be coming and buying a smart TV, and even the 100 million households who have a CRT will be upgrading directly to a smart TV, that is a massive opportunity," he added.

A number of smartphone players such as Samsung, LG, Micromax, OnePlus, Infinix and Motorola have smart TVs in their product portfolio in India.

According to Counterpoint Research, shipments of TVs in India grew 15 per cent annually to reach the highest-ever 15 million units in 2019, and the growth was mainly driven by budget smart TVs, with 32-inch TVs the leading segment.

Industry watchers said the sales of smart TVs have seen strong growth amid the pandemic as people spent more time indoors, coupled with a sharp rise in consumption of content on OTT platforms.

While Nilakantan did not comment on the specifications and pricing of smart TVs that will be introduced under the Redmi brand, he said the 'Made in India' devices would be rolled out soon.

Xiaomi had recently announced a partnership with Radiant to further augment its capacity of smart TVs in India. It also works with Dixon for local manufacturing of its smart TVs.

Nilakantan said of the five million TVs sold by Xiaomi, 3 million were Made in India TVs and added that Redmi TVs would be made by Dixon. "The market is massive and there is space for a new brand to come in. We believe the new audience who are going to come in is going to be slightly different from let's say the audience that we are catering to currently, which means that there is a need to have a different positioning and that is why we are entering with the Redmi brand," he added.

Nilakantan said the target audience with Redmi's smart TV is "much younger" compared to that served by Xiaomi, and that the brand aims to make smart TVs accessible to more consumers.

Previously, Xiaomi had said its Redmi franchise will be a more mass-market brand, while Mi devices will focus on a more premium lineup. Xiaomi has about 9 models of TVs in the Indian market priced between Rs 14,499 to Rs 54,999 in the 32-inch to 65-inch screen sizes.

The company has also unveiled its Redmi Note 10 series (Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10) smartphone in India that includes flagship features like 120Hz Super AMOLED display and 108MP camera, and is priced Rs 11,999 onwards.

Live TV
Raya and The Last Dragon released across theatres internationally on March 5, 2021. It will be available for viewers to stream on Star's digital platform Disney+Hotstar. The film will release on the platform on June 4, 2021, three months after its theatrical release, according to Gadgets 360. In some markets, the movie is available on Disney+ Premier Access.

The option is unavailable on Disney+Hotstar. The availability of Raya and The Last Dragon on Disney+ Hotstar will be possible once the movie leaves the Disney+ Premier access i.e. on June 4, 2021. The same services will be applied to markets in other countries Germany, Spain, Singapore and Japan where Disney's shows and movies are streamed through Disney's partners, Telekom, Docomo, StarHub and Movistar+. Disney has been in talks regarding entering other markets like Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

Also Read | 'Crazy Rich Asians' Writer Adele Lim Talks About 'Raya And The Last Dragon' Story

Whom does the Raya and The Last Dragon cast feature?

The film Raya and The Last Dragon features Kelly Marie Tran as Raya. The roles of Sisu, Namaari, and Chief Benja are played by Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, and Daniel Dae Kim, respectively. Sandra Oh of Grey's Anatomy fame will voice the character Virana. Benedict Wong who played Wong in Marvel's Doctor Strange will voice the character of Tong. The movie will introduce the newcomer Isaac Wang for the character of Boun. The characters Noi, Tuk Tuk, and Dang Hu will be voiced by Thali Tran, Alan Tudyk, and Lucille Soong. The movie also features Patti Harrison of Shrill fame and Ross Butler from 13 Reason Why.

Also Read | 'Raya And The Last Dragon' New BTS Video Gives A Sneak Peek Into Kelly Marie Tran Starrer

Disney described the movie as an "exciting, epic journey to the fantasy world of Kumandra". They further said that Kumandra was a place where humans and dragons used to live together in peace. In a strange turn of events, "an evil force" threatened to take over the land which led to the dragons sacrificing their lives in order to save the humans. When the evil returns 500 years, Raya takes the mission upon herself to drive the evil force away. She must track the "legendary last dragon" to restore the peace in her land.

Also Read | 'Raya And The Last Dragon' Release Date Announced, Here Are More Details

Also Read | Raya And The Last Dragon Review: This Disney Film Is 'absolutely Phenomenal' Say Netizens

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.
Several states are plowing forward with their efforts to import prescription drugs from Canada to their state, despite no clear indication from the Biden Administration whether such efforts will be supported. The states  including Florida and Colorado  were given the green light under the Trump Administration to outline a process to import drugs from Canada to help Americans get lower-priced prescription medication.

While President Biden supported the idea during the presidential campaign, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) filed a lawsuit in November 2020 to stop the drug-purchasing initiatives, complicating the process for both the states and the federal government.

Florida has hired LifeScience Logistics to help with its implementation. LifeScience is a Dallas-based company that stores prescription drugs in warehouses in Indiana, Maryland, and Texas. The state originally sought bids for $30 million, but after no bids were received, Florida entered into a contract paying as much as $39 million over 2  years, exclusive of the cost of the drugs. Under the Florida plan, the state will purchase drugs for state agencies (including for the Medicaid program and the corrections and health departments) and it is expected to save the state between $80 and $150 million in the first year alone. In addition to hiring LifeScience with implementation assistance, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis included $15 million in his proposed 2021-2022 budget for an importation program.

In Colorado, on January 25, 2021, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing issued a request for companies to bid on its own plan to import drugs from Canada. Different from Florida, Colorado hopes for the plan to initially help individuals buy imported medications at their local pharmacies and would also allow for health insurance plans to include imported drugs in their benefit designs. Colorado plans to work with both a private company in Canada to export medications and a United States importer and to have the program in operation by mid-2022.

When he was in Congress, Bidens nominee to lead the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Xavier Becerra, voted in support of a 2003 drug importation law that would allow for certain drugs to be imported from Canada if the HHS Secretary agreed it could be done safely. Whether that is an indication of the support the current Administration has for the policy, though, has yet to be seen.

New Delhi, March 5 : The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of Najma Akhtar as the Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia.

Justice V. Kameswar Rao junked the plea filed by Jamia alumnus M. Ehtesham-ul-Haque against the appointment of Akhtar. The petitioner had contended that the appointment was made through a tainted process and the recommendation by the search committee was irregular and illegal.

The court noted that Akhtar's appointment is justified and that the court could not sit on an appeal over a decision taken by a search committee.

"The scope is limited to judicial review of the decision whereby the court is only concerned with whether the incumbent possessed qualifications for appointment and the manner in which the appointment came to be made or whether the procedure adopted was fair, just and reasonable," the order stated.

The petitioner said that the appointment of Akhtar was done through a tainted process and her consideration and recommendation by the purported search committee "subject to vigilance clearance" was in itself irregular and illegal and vitiates the entire process.

Ehtesham-ul-Haque said that Akhtar's appointment was a flagrant violation, contravention and total non-compliance of the statutory provisions and regulations of the Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988 read with the UGC Regulations, 2010 as amended from time to time, and thus it was illegal and arbitrary.

Akhtar was represented by ASG Vikramjit Banerjee with standing counsel Fuzail Ayyubi, while senior advocate Akhil Sibal appeared for the petitioner.
Fastmarkets calculated its steel scrap, shredded, index, import, cfr Nhava Sheva, India , at $460.86 per tonne on Friday, only slightly up from $459.75 per tonne one week earlier.A deal was heard at $455 per tonne this week, while offers went as high as $470 per tonne, compared with offers of $470-480 per tonne the week before.A deal was also heard at $478 per tonne this week but this could not be confirmed by any other market participants.Trading activity on the Indian market remained subdued this week, with many buyers showing little interest in offers and instead opting for domestic scrap or other materials to meet their requirements.The import market is very quiet. The prices are much higher than domestic scrap or [direct-reduced iron]. The mills are not interested, a seller said.There are no trades happening, a buyer said. Its not just the price, but delays in shipments and uncertainty. These kind of delays create opportunities to look at other markets, and look domestically to replace imported scrap.One mill source said that Indian prices were not workable because Pakistan was again giving higher prices, while another market participant said that the Indian market was in wait and watch mode.Fastmarkets weekly price assessment for steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), import, cfr Nhava Sheva, India , was $400-420 per tonne on Friday, up from $390-410 per tonne one week before.Offers were heard for UK material at $400 per tonne, while material from the United Arab Emirates was heard at $420 per tonne cfr.Material supplies remained tight, with South African offers still restricted, while UK domestic supply continued to be limited by the Covid-19 pandemic.These prices are not workable. I could not sell. Mills will either buy, or there will be a drop in price, a trader said.Another trader told Fastmarkets on March 5 that the current tightness in freight availability would not be resolved until June , and that another freight increase of $300 per container could be imminent.On the Pakistan market, scrap prices were largely unchanged this week because sellers were unsuccessful in increasing prices, despite an uptrend in finished steel prices.This week mills increased their rebar prices by 2,000-2,500 Pakistan rupees ($13-16) per tonne.Fastmarkets calculated its weekly steel scrap, shredded, index, import, cfr Port Qasim, Pakistan , at $468.27 per tonne on Friday, down by less than $1 per tonne from $469.17 per tonne one week earlier.Deals were heard at $465, $470 and $472 per tonne this week, while offers were reported as high as $480 per tonne, on a par with last weeks offer level.Customers have hesitated to accept such prices, and yards have been asking higher numbers based on the latest Turkish numbers. [Mills] are resisting and holding onto this $465 per tonne level, a trader said.Fastmarkets daily index for steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix) North Europe origin, cfr Turkey , was $453.38 per tonne on March 5, up by $1.21 per tonne from $452.17 per tonne one week earlier.Pakistan is showing resistance against offers above $465 per tonne, a seller said.

If youre looking for a job, The Original Oyster House in Mobile might be the place for you.

The seafood restaurant, located on the Mobile Causeway at 3733 Battleship Parkway, is hosting a job next Thursday, March 11, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

They are hiring for part-time and full-time staff, according to a press release.

The full list of positions they are looking to hire for are:

Cooks

Expediters

Prep cooks

Dishwashers

Bussers

Hosts

The job fair will take place underneath CDC COVID-19 guidelines. Masks and social distancing will be in place, according to the release.

If you cant attend Thursdays job fair, information about the positions can be learned on their website or by calling 251-928-2620 x 109.
An Australian beauty brand has created a fake tan that 'doesn't stain bed sheets', a development that could revolutionise the sunless tanning industry forever.

The 'game-changing' formula behind Bali Body's Clear Self Tanning Water is chemical-free and transparent, meaning it won't leave grubby marks on light-coloured linen, underwear or clothing.

The $28.95 tan is made with natural DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the main ingredient responsible for creating a sunless tan, which is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.

A blogger wears Bali Body's new $28.95 Clear Tanning Water, which promises to bring an end to stained clothing and bed sheets forever

A transformation photo shows the difference before and after applying the tan

However the vast majority of false tanners contain a synthetic DHA combined with other chemicals that critics claim are damaging to skin.

That's what sets Bali Body's latest release apart from others on the market, along with a rich blend of antioxidants and oils that help to smooth, tighten and hydrate skin which is mixed into the water.

The water - which can be ordered from the brand's website - comes in one shade rather than graded versions of light, medium and dark, with a deeper tan developing the longer you leave it on without showering.

Photos of bloggers and customers wearing the tan on Instagram have drawn delighted responses from fake tan fans, with one woman hailing it 'a game-changer for white dresses'.

The water (pictured) contains a rich blend of antioxidants and oils that help to smooth, tighten and hydrate skin

Photos of bloggers and customers wearing the tan on Instagram have drawn delighted responses from fake tan fans

'Ordering right now,' said a second, while a third wrote: 'I need this in my life.'

Bali Body managing director Laura Oosterloo, who co-founded the brand with her husband David in 2014, said she is confident the latest release will be a hit with anyone who is sick of ruining sheets just to look bronzed.

'One thing we're absolutely passionate about is creating products that we know our customers will love, and it's no secret that tan transfer can be a hindrance for some,' she said.

Ms Oosterloo said the transparent water offers the best of both worlds  tan without transfer.

Seven years since launching, Bali Body is now one of the most popular tanning brands on earth, with one product sold every 45 seconds.

Its range of self-tan, skincare and cosmetics, which boast a slew of five-star reviews, is shipped from Australia to 150 countries worldwide.
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
The Telegraph

Newly diagnosed cancer patients are being forced to speak to their specialist over the phone or via video call rather than in person, experts have warned. New findings show the proportion of those told they have prostate cancer who do not then get an initial face-to-face consultation has risen eight-fold since the start of the pandemic. In a survey by the charity Prostate Cancer Research (PCR), patients said they felt inhibited from asking all their questions by the remote format, and were worri
Drake is adding fuel to the Kim and Kanye flames.

The 34-year-old rapper got fans talking about a rumored affair with Kim Kardashian after releasing his new song Wants and Needs on Friday.

He namechecked Kanye West on the track: 'Yeah, I probably should go link with Yeezy, I need me some Jesus / But soon as I started confessin my sins, he wouldnt believe us.'

Rumor mill: Drake got fans talking about a rumored affair with Kim Kardashian after releasing his new song Wants and Needs on Friday

Called out: The 34-year-old rapper namechecked Kanye West on the track: 'Yeah, I probably should go link with Yeezy, I need me some Jesus / But soon as I started confessin my sins, he wouldnt believe us'

The song, released as one of the three tracks on his new EP Scary Hours 2, is the latest chapter in Drake's long-standing beef with the 43-year-old rapper.

Although Drake never mentions Kim by name on the record, social media immediately started buzzing that the Canadian artist was referring to a possible liaison with the 40-year-old reality star.

'Lmaoo, I know @kanyewest just heard that verse on @Drake new song bruh. @KimKardashian had a lil entanglement,' one fan Tweeted.

'Drake basically admit he smashed Kim and told kanye,' added another.

Beef: The song, released as one of the three tracks on his new EP Scary Hours 2, is the latest chapter in Drake's long-standing beef with the 43-year-old rapper

Speculation: Although Drake never mentions Kim by name on the record, social media immediately started buzzing that the Canadian artist was referring to a possible liaison with the 40-year-old reality star

The track comes after it was widely speculated that Drake suggested he and the Keeping Up With the Kardashians starlet had a fling on his 2018 track In My Feelings.

He famously repeats the line 'Kiki, do you love me?' on the hit song, leading fans to point out that Kiki is a nickname Kim's sisters sometimes use for her.

Drake also spit bars the 2018 song Cant Take a Joke about taking an 'UberX to Hidden Hills' to 'give me somethin I can feel. He was poking fun at the fact that he was neighbors with the estranged couple in the same Calabasas enclave.

Tweets: 'Lmaoo, I know @kanyewest just heard that verse on @Drake new song bruh. @KimKardashian had a lil entanglement,' one fan Tweeted. 'Drake basically admit he smashed Kim and told kanye,' added another

Past rumors: The track comes after it was widely speculated that Drake suggested he and the Keeping Up With the Kardashians starlet had a fling on his 2018 track In My Feelings

The Yeezy star addressed Drake at the time in a video on his Instagram account.

'The fact that theres people making rumors or thinking you fked my wife and youre not saying nothing and youre carrying it like that, that dont sit well with my spirit,' he said.

Kim filed for divorce from Kanye last month, after almost seven years of marriage. The former couple have yet to comment on the new song.

The mogul remained unbothered, showing off her wedding ring free hand as she took to Instagram on Thursday to share a slew of snaps from a girls' night out with BFF Lala Anthony.
Williamstown Finance Committee Hears from Mount Greylock Officials

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Mount Greylock Regional School District is in a healthy financial position, but officials are wary of unknowns that could bring new challenges in fiscal 2022.

Those were two of the takeaways from a presentation to the town's Finance Committee on Wednesday.

Mount Greylock Superintendent Jason McCandless and Business Manager Joe Bergeron met virtually with the town panel  not to discuss specifics of the FY22 budget the district is formulating but to discuss some of the inputs that help build that budget.

Bergeron did not provide any specifics about the planned budget for the three-school district or its impact to property taxpayers in Lanesborough and Williamstown. He said those numbers would not be finalized until next week when the School Committee holds its annual public hearing on the budget.

"We're definitely in a time crunch here," Bergeron said. "In terms of proposed expenditures and what forms those take  those are numbers that will start to come out in a lot of detail next week."

That public hearing is scheduled for March 11. The district then will make presentations to the Finance Committees in both its member towns in advance of the town meeting votes on the assessments to those towns.

Those assessments will be based on formulas written into the regional agreement that divide the operating expenses above the state's "minimum local contribution" between the two towns based on a rolling five-year average of enrollment from each town.

"Minimum local contributions are not our formulas to use," Bergeron said. "They are the state's way of trying to indicate each town's ability to pay for education. The state dictates the minimum local contribution each town needs to make [through property taxes] to the regional school district.

"Both of our towns have, for many years, gone well above the minimum local contribution. We're incredibly grateful for that. But the minimum local contributions are inputs we need to factor in as we push these numbers to the end."

The assessment above MLC is what gets split on the five-year enrollment average. In FY21, the current fiscal year, Williamstown is paying 66.76 percent and Lanesborough 33.24 percent. For FY22, that shifts slightly, with Williamstown's contribution dropping to 66.47 percent.

Part of the drop is explained by "a pretty significant number" of Williamstown students who are homeschooling this year, Bergeron said. The district is not sure but anticipates a number of those students will return to the schools for the 2021-22 academic year if the pandemic subsides. Bergeron noted that the use of a five-year rolling enrollment average for apportionment protects the district from wild fluctuations of the kind that would have occurred using a one-year snapshot in a year when a pandemic causes an enrollment blip.

Local property taxes are just one part of the school district's revenue picture.

Its grant revenue prospects are, typically, somewhat murkier at this point.

Bergeron said the district is budgeting for slightly lower grant amounts from a number of federal sources, following a conservative budgeting approach the district has used in the past.

It does have certainty on two grant sources, though, a repeating $190,000 grant from Williams College to the middle-high school and nearly $412,000 from the Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund 2.

"[ESSER 2] is the first COVID relief funding that we've seen that is new for FY22," Bergeron said. "Those funds do have certain restrictions as far as how we can use them, but they are broad enough that pretty much every area where we could see needing to implement things that go beyond our norms as well as bolstering our existing academic programs can fall within that umbrella of ESSER2."

Bergeron said the district can start drawing on the ESSER 2 funds next year, and what it does not use would be available in FY23, so it plans to be prudent to ensure some funding remains to smooth out any bumps in the next fiscal year's budget.

On the subject of "bolstering existing academic programs," McCandless told the Fin Comm that a portion of the FY22 budget will be dedicated to summer programs and expanded programming through at least January to help students recover from learning gaps created by the pandemic.

"We are building a budget that is, to some degree, centered around summer programming and additional learning opportunities through fall and winter for all students with a special eye on students with special needs who are particularly susceptible to losing learning," McCandless said.

"Some of it will look quite a bit like traditional school. Some of it wearing the disguise of more of a summer camp and a fun experience where learning is at the core of the fun activities and the social activities."

In answer to a question from the "floor" of the virtual meeting, McCandless said the budget unveiled next week will include funds dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging work. But he stopped short of saying that will mean a new position for a diversity officer in the district.

"You will see, I think, a sizable amount of money appear in the budget toward the ends of becoming a more culturally competent school system so we make sure every student, every staff member knows they belong," McCandless said. "It remains to be seen if that takes the form of a position or a process that could ultimately lead to what I think would be a more powerful, ready-to-hit-the-ground position."

Bergeron's presentation touched on a couple of wild cards that could impact the district's financial picture in a positive or negative direction.

On the plus side, like school districts across the country it is looking at the prospect of more federal aid flowing from Washington, D.C., to the states.

On the other hand, the Mount Greylock district is currently negotiating contract renewals with its union employees. And it is watching a bill on Beacon Hill that would create an economic incentive for teachers to take early retirement.

"We understand why people are pushing for it, but we'd also like some stability as we move into FY22 if at all possible," Bergeron said.

"That kind of statewide modification could have financial and operational modifications. We have a very experienced, capable group of teachers that we want to help carry us through the next year. Attempting to replace a larger number than would normally, organically happen would be challenging.

"It would also lead us down a path of trying to figure out a different way financially to address the needs that would come up if we did need to hire significantly more teachers than we'd be prepared to do in a typical year. So the shock to the system would be a shock operationally as well as financially."
Hindustan Unilever Ltd is quoting at Rs 2201.35, up 0.2% on the day as on 12:44 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 0.57% in last one year as compared to a 36.81% jump in NIFTY and a 15.53% jump in the Nifty FMCG.

Hindustan Unilever Ltd is up for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 2201.35, up 0.2% on the day as on 12:44 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.31% on the day, quoting at 15034.3. The Sensex is at 50721.96, down 0.24%. Hindustan Unilever Ltd has slipped around 1.58% in last one month.

Meanwhile, Nifty FMCG index of which Hindustan Unilever Ltd is a constituent, has slipped around 2.96% in last one month and is currently quoting at 33443.8, down 0.03% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 11.05 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 23 lakh shares in last one month.

The benchmark March futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 2208.8, up 0.3% on the day. Hindustan Unilever Ltd is up 0.57% in last one year as compared to a 36.81% jump in NIFTY and a 15.53% jump in the Nifty FMCG index.

The PE of the stock is 68.31 based on TTM earnings ending December 20.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
POTTSVILLE  A Pottsville man will spend more time behind state prison bars after admitting Thursday to a Schuylkill County judge that he drove under the influence of drugs in August 2019 and possessed drug paraphernalia in December 2019.

Edward T. Markey, 41, pleaded guilty to DUI and stop sign violation in the first case and possession of drug paraphernalia in the second. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana, driving unregistered vehicle and improper driving without headlights.

Judge Charles M. Miller accepted the plea and sentenced Markey to serve one to seven years in a state correctional institution and pay costs, a $2,500 fine and $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund.

Pottsville police alleged Markey was DUI when he ran a stop sign at North Centre and Nichols streets on Aug. 25, 2019.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Markey possessed a multicolored smoking pipe on Dec. 22, 2019, in Pottsville.

Markey already is an inmate at SCI/Houtzdale in Clearfield County, and Miller conducted Thursdays hearing by videoconference.

In a Monday case, Daniel Goepfert, 24, of Tamaqua, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and operating vehicle without valid inspection.

Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted the plea, sentenced Goepfert to serve 36 days to 12 months in prison and granted him immediate parole.

Dolbin also sentenced Goepfert to pay costs, a $25 fine, a $100 SAEF payment, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and a $50 bench warrant fee.

Tamaqua police charged Goepfert with committing his crimes on Jan. 8, 2020, in the borough.

Also on Monday, Steven P. Campbell, 51, of Tamaqua, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dolbin placed Campbell on probation for three years, and also sentenced him to pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment, a $50 CJEA payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Tamaqua police charged Campbell with possessing drugs on May 21, 2020, in the borough.

In other recent court action, a Pottsville man sits in Schuylkill County Prison after a judge sent him there following his refusal to follow a presentencing direction in his case.

Richard J. Lee, 30, must stay behind bars until he schedules his state Court Reporting Network report before being sentenced in his driving under the influence case, President Judge William E. Baldwin ruled.

Baldwin revoked Lees bail $10,000 percentage bail before sending him to prison for not getting the report done. The state requires such a report in every DUI case, but Baldwin said Lee had not obeyed his order to do so.

How am I supposed to get my CRN (report) done if Im in jail? Lee asked Baldwin.

Theyll do it there, Baldwin said, referring to counselors and probation officers.

Lee pleaded guilty Jan. 5 to DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving without a license and obstructed window. State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Lee was DUI on March 14, 2020, in Pottsville.

Also on Wednesday, Baldwin sentenced Matthew Galarza, of Minersville, to spend 15 days on house arrest with electronic monitoring, and 5 1/2 months on probation.

Baldwin also sentenced Galarza to pay costs, a $200 fine and $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, and perform 10 hours community service.

Galarza pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 to DUI, possession of a small amount of marijuana and driving under suspension. Pottsville police alleged he was DUI with a suspended license on Oct. 15, 2018, in the city.
Mai-Aini Refugee camp in Ethiopia: There are also reports of killings, targeted abductions and forced return of Eritrean refugees. (AFP or licensors)

Doctors with Africa, CUAMM, has announced that it is finalising its response to the still-unfolding humanitarian emergency in Tigray, Ethiopia.

Paul Samasumo  Vatican City

Don Dante Carraro, Director of the Italian-based non-governmental organisation focused on healthcare, CUAMM, has said the organisations decision to intervene results from an appeal made by Ethiopias Bishop Tesfasellassie Medhin of the Diocese of Adigrat. The city of Adigrat is in the Tigray Region.

The situation in Tigray is very serious. The little information we have received tells of desperate people fleeing because they are afraid of massacres and violence, said Don Carraro, adding, How can we remain indifferent to such a dramatic request, to such extreme need? When the Bishop asked us to intervene, telling us about the situation, we decided that we had to do something. We have been working in Ethiopia since 1980, said the CUAMM Director.

The war

On 4 November 2020, Ethiopian troops launched an attack on the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, the regions ruling party. The attack was preceded by months of tension between the federal government and the TPLFs regional leaders.

The governments military offensive is said to have been provoked by an attack on a regional government military base by T.P.L.F rebels. Since then, the war has led to thousands of deaths, destruction of infrastructure and tens of thousands of civilians that have fled Tigray and sought refuge in neighbouring Sudan.

The Tigray region was placed off-limits to most media since fighting began in early November. Relief agencies also struggled for access. Communications were disrupted.

UN and rights agencies want more access to Tigray

CUAMMs intervention comes amidst alleged atrocities committed by Eritrean forces in this mountainous region of about 5 million people.

On Thursday, the United Nations human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, asked Ethiopian authorities to allow monitors into Tigray to investigate reports of atrocities that may amount to war crimes.

Amnesty International last week accused Eritrean forces of killing hundreds of civilians over 24 hours in Axum city. Notwithstanding several reports, the Eritrean government denies participating in the conflict.

CUAMM collaborating with the Ethiopian Catholic Church

Thanks to funds allocated by the Italian Episcopal Conference, through Caritas Italiana, and in collaboration with the Ethiopian Catholic Church, Doctors with Africa CUAMM will launch an intervention in the next few weeks in the area between Adigrat and Makelle, the main towns in the region. CUAMM has also acknowledged continued collaboration with Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Rehabilitation of health centres and life-saving medicines

CUAMM support will focus on three Tigrayan health centres, run by several religious congregations, which have been heavily damaged.

These include the Idaga Hamus centre, not far from Adigrat, which was partially destroyed during the conflict. Shire and Alitena health centres in the central region near Adua suffered a similar fate.

Life-saving medicines, medical supplies, equipment, clean water and electricity are also in short supply. In addition to these, CUAMM will provide drugs and medical supplies to the government hospital Ayder in Makelle, which is also badly affected.

It is also necessary to re-motivate the health personnel to return to providing assistance to the population, contends CUAMM.

(paul.samasumo@spc.va)
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Thursday congratulated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for emerging victorious in the Election 2020 Petition trial.



This follows the Supreme Court's unanimous dismissal of the Election 2020 Petition action brought by former President John Dramani Mahama, saying it was without merit.



The Court said President Akufo-Addo indeed obtained the 50 per cent plus one threshold, re-affirming him as the validly elected President of the Republic of Ghana.



The President and his Vice were seen in a brief video, keenly watching the Supreme Court's proceedings at the Jubilee House in Accra.



The first and second gentlemen of the land reacted with excitement after the final ruling by the Apex Court.



Vice President Bawumia momentarily got up from his seat and moved towards the President, with his hands close to his chest, and bowed gently before him, beaming with smiles.



Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah read the over two-hour verdict of the seven-member panel, with the key point being: The petition has no merit and, thus, dismiss it.



He said the Electoral Commissions error cannot void the results declared by the Chairperson of the Commission, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa.



The Court said the Petitioner, Mr John Dramani Mahama, could not demonstrate how the alleged errors affected the declaration of the presidential election results.



The Presidential Election results announced by the EC gave the then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo 6,730,413 of the valid votes cast, representing 51.295 per cent, which is above the 50 per cent plus one vote threshold.



The declaration of the result did not violate Article 63(3) of the 1992 Constitution and the allegations of vote padding was not proven by credible evidence, the Court said.



Therefore, there was no reason to order a re-run of the 2020 Presidential Election as requested by Former President John Mahama, the Petitioner.



On December 30, 2020, lawyers of Former President John Mahama filed a petition at the Apex Court challenging the validity of the presidential election results that declared President Akufo-Addo as the winner on December 9, saying it breached the 1992 Constitution.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
With the of public sector undertakings underway, the sale and disinvestment should not distort the principles of competition, Chairman said on Friday, while calling for strengthening the Competition Act to evolve the role of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) as an overarching regulator.

Stressing that competition policy is critical for economic framework as the markets are imperfect, Singh said, It may not be appropriate to have an overarching regulator or override sector regulator, but what about on issues of competition? Who should be the final arbitrator?

Singh was addressing the sixth edition of the national conference on economics of competition law. The disinvestment and programme, Singh said, would free valuable financial resources, creating fiscal space for the government for its priority capital expenditure  both physical and social infrastructure  while also generating enhanced competition. On the issue of a handful of companies acquiring most of the stressed assets, Singh said addressing this requires a coherent coordinated approach and the CCI alone cannot do it.

The Ministry of Finance, which lays down the policy framework, has to be brought in the picture along with financial regulators such as RBI and Sebi.

CCI Chairman Ashok Gupta said the anti-trust regulator has recently taken up the task of assisting policies laws and regulations relating to different sectors of the economy from a competition perspective.
Orange County and the city of Port Arthur have joined others in the region lifting restrictions on COVID-19 vaccines.

Orange County Judge John Gothia announced the move midday Friday, making way for people to get vaccinated regardless of where they might rank in state guidelines. Residents 65 and older will still have priority in scheduling, and all must have an appointment to get a vaccination, he said in a news release announcing the change.

Hardin County, whose health department serves both counties, had earlier lifted the restrictions.

Citing an extremely low turnout for vaccine appointments, Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel said he urged Gothia to likewise drop the restrictions. Vaccine appointments filled up for at least a week in advance in Hardin County after the policy change was announced.

Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox

Earlier this week, Gothia noted that he and other counties would be considering formally opening eligibility. At that time, he said he thought they would be deciding between lowering the age limit to individuals 45 and older or opening vaccinations to all.

The city of Port Arthur didnt formally announce a policy change, but Public Health Director Judith Smith said over the past two weeks, the city largely opened up its vaccinations without even requiring an appointment.

She said if an individual younger than 65 shows up at the vaccine clinic with their registration number and proof that they registered to get the vaccine in Port Arthur, they will be served. People 65 and older can get a vaccine without even being registered.

Like Orange County, the city still is prioritizing residents 65 and older.

Related: Southeast Texas may broaden vaccine eligibility

We were going to do the appointment thing, but my staff was overwhelmed with trying to help the elderly and those that didnt have access to computers. It was taking up a lot of time, she said.

Working outside the appointment system also has helped the city catch up on appointments after losing several days as a result of last months ice storm, she added. This way, its working. Monday and Tuesday of this week, we saw over 900 people.

She said it takes vaccine clinic attendees about 45 minutes to get through the process.

Jasper County has not removed restrictions from the appointment portal, but it is taking some walk-in appointments from individuals who dont qualify under the states guidelines.

Beaumont Mayor Becky Ames said her city does not yet have plans to lift the restrictions as staff prefers to remain under the guidelines set forth by the state and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A representative from Newton County, which also is a part of the regionwide vaccination hub, did not return a request for comment regarding vaccine eligibility in that county.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/KaitlinBain
Local author and science teacher John V. Suter of Sale Creek will debut his action adventure series Brett Wilson and Coronados Door June 1 through CrossLink Publishing.

Mr. Suter, a science teacher at Berean Academy, has been working toward publication for 22 years. In addition, he operates a small hobby farm with his wife and two children.

Review for Brett Wilson and Coronado's Door:

Brett Wilsons father disappears in front of her eyes as they are searching for the lost cities of gold in the deep canyons of New Mexico. When the authorities classify the disappearance as a tragic accident, Brett decides that she will find the truth and prove that he is still alive.

Brett gains the assistance of her best friend Natalie, her grandpa Jake, and Natalies mom Dr. Brown to help her solve the mystery of her fathers disappearance. In the process, they encounter a cast of villains that want the same thing that they do, the entrance to Coronados door, and the location of the golden cities.

For more information contact Mr. Suter at Jsuter31@gmail.com.
In addition to being a superstar, Deepika Padukone is a style icon. Her style sense has only been soaring ever since she made herself seen in the film industry and we are all enamoured by her grace and beauty. One of the common things that we have spotted in her fashion game is that the diva loves her black outfits. From red carpets to movie promotions to celebrity weddings - Deepika has worn a black-hued outfit for every occasion and nailed every look. Here we list the top 10 looks of the diva in some of the most stylish black outfits she has sported.





Black Cape bodycon dress

This Alex Perry one-shouldered gown was as elegant as it gets. Deepika proved how a simple classic black outfit without any intricate details or embellishments can also make a stylish statement. The Cape-like long sleeve on one side that formed a trail below looked extremely dreamy and Deepika looked every bit of a stunner in this attire. One of her best black outfits so far.





Black Formal Maxi Dress

This is one of her black outfits looks from her Chhapaak promotions. Simple yet elegant as usual, she was wearing Emilia Wickstead's black formal Maxi dress. She rounded off her look with matching black stilettos and a pair of diamond stud earrings that added the necessary bling to her overall ensemble. Perfectly dressed for the occasion, she aced her black outfit obsession with style and glamour.





Classic Black Blouse

Deepika Padukone is Sabyasachis favourite muse and that has been well established by now. The diva is often dressed in ethnic wear by the ace designer. Her outfit for Priyanka Chopra's wedding reception was a vision to behold. The lehenga skirt had detailed golden embroidery which she paired up with a classic black blouse that had a plunging neckline and a matching dupatta with golden details. She wore a statement green and golden emerald choker and studs to balance out her look.





Black Bodysuit and Blazer

Giving a much-admired contemporary twist to her black outfit by Balmain this time, she opted for a black Bodysuit and a blazer look. Her outfit screamed of boss lady vibes and suited her personality effortlessly. She was trolled mercilessly on social media for this look, however, this is an all-time favourite black outfit look of hers. She is known for taking risks when it comes to dressing up and stepping out for events and this time it was no different.





Dramatic Black Sleeves

Another sartorial black attire of hers is when she donned a black off-shoulder bodycon gown by Yanina Couture. The most interesting aspect was the voluminous feather ruffled sleeves that went with her outfit. She picked diamond accessories to further accentuate the look. Other than the extremely deep plunging neck silhouette, the oomph factor of the black ensemble was amplified by the dramatic sleeves and was perfect for the diva in her.





Black Pantsuit

This black ensemble was for when she attended the World Economic Forum back in January 2020. She opted for a classic tailored black Pantsuit by Gauchere Paris, a French label. She was dressed all in black - this 3 piece outfit had a blazer, pants with a straight-legged silhouette, and a winter coat to layer it all up. She rounded off her look with an elegant diamond necklace, drop earrings, and Black heels.





Black Co-ords

Simple yet oh-so-chic! Deepika kept her look minimal and comfy with this black co-ords set. An amalgamation of creations by Alexander McQueen and Azzedine Alaia separates. Perfect for a casual fashion outing, Deepika gives you cues that you can rock a simple ensemble in a classic black shade even when you don't go overboard with it. She kept the accessories simple too, opting for golden metal hoop studs.





Black Tulle Dress

Out of all the stylish ensembles she has sported at Cannes, her black Tulle dress was highly impressive. This ensemble had a plunging neckline too. What was interesting in this outfit by Off - white is the neon green neckline on one side that had a snakeskin texture. She even took a matching snakeskin-patterned handbag and green sunnies that added the necessary quirk to her overall look.





Black Strapless Gown

This Amit Aggarwal creation was a mix of gothic and modern. Deepika made heads turn as stepped out in this black gown that had extravagant ruffles all across the bodice of the ensemble. It had a cinched waist silhouette and a trail that made her look extremely glamorous. She rounded off her look with drop diamond earrings and bold eye makeup.





Black Leather and Sweatshirt

Only Deepika can look as glamorous in a sweatshirt and leather pants as she does in those OTT gowns. For her birthday this year, she wore a super classy all-black outfit. With dark Kohled eyes and a matching black mask, she still looked as alluring as she always does. Sticking to her all-black monochromatic look, she kept her birthday look fairly fuss-free but chic nevertheless.





In addition to being a superstar, Deepika Padukone is a style icon. Her style sense has only been soaring ever since she made herself seen in the film industry and we are all enamoured by her grace and beauty. One of the common things that we have spotted in her fashion game is that the diva loves her black outfits. From red carpets to movie promotions to celebrity weddings - Deepika has worn a black-hued outfit for every occasion and nailed every look. Here we list the top 10 looks of the diva in some of the most stylish black outfits she has sported.





Black Cape bodycon dress

This Alex Perry one-shouldered gown was as elegant as it gets. Deepika proved how a simple classic black outfit without any intricate details or embellishments can also make a stylish statement. The Cape-like long sleeve on one side that formed a trail below looked extremely dreamy and Deepika looked every bit of a stunner in this attire. One of her best black outfits so far.
The body of John Pennington is believed to have found at Grand Canyon National Park

A body has been found in Grand Canyon National Park during the search for a Kentucky man who had been missing for more than a week.

The National Park Service said in a statement that the body found on Wednesday alongside a motorcycle is believed to be John Pennington, a 40-year-old man from Walton, Kentucky.

Park rangers found the body approximately 465 feet below the rim of the South Kaibab Trailhead after multiple days of search and rescue operations.

Pennington had been considered missing since Sunday, when the National Park Service announced the start of their search.

He entered the park around February 23 and abandoned his motorcycle at Yaki Point.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the motorcycle may have been a yellow 2005 Suzuki GSX-R600 with Ohio plates.

No further information was available on the cause of his death.

Search efforts for Pennington began on Sunday, but didn't find the man until Wednesday (stock image)

Pictured: A rescuer seen during search operations conducted through March 3

The National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner are launching an investigation into Pennington's death.

The body was transported via helicopter up to the top of the rim, then to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office.

National Parks Traveler reports that officials struggled to remove the motorcycle from the canyon on Thursday due to bad weather - it's not clear if the bike is still there.

Pennington, who went by Mister Collagen on social media, posted motivational quotes and weight loss tips often on his Facebook page.

The body was found 465 feet below the South Kaibab Trailhead in Grand Canyon National Park

The body was found 465 feet below the South Kaibab Trailhead, along with his motorcycle

In December, a 23-year-old hiker, Jaiquan Carter, died after he fell 80 feet from the same South Kaibab Trail and landed above the Black Bridge.

According to MyGrandCanyonPark.com, around 12 deaths happen in the Grand Canyon annually, with two or three of those coming due to falling over the rim.

Heat or dehydration, however, are more likely causes of death at the Grand Canyon then fall deaths.
Advertisement

She once dominated the skies above war-torn Europe but this B-17 Flying Fortress is still capturing attention as she rests 200ft below the surface of the Adriatic Sea.

These stunning new images show how the giant World War Two bomber, serial number 44-6630, remains one of the best preserved wrecks of a B-17.

The Boeing-made aircraft was on a bombing mission to Vienna as part of the Allied push to free Europe of the Nazis when it made its final, fateful journey on November 6, 1944.

Under heavy anti-aircraft fire, the plane crash-landed in the Adriatic Sea - 31 miles (50km) from the Croatian coast near the village of Rukavac. All but one of her crew survived the landing.

The wreckage of the Boeing B-17 remains largely in one piece after the pilot crashed landed the aircraft in the Adriatic Sea on November 6 1944. The fighter plane was on a doomed bombing mission to Vienna when it was met with German air missiles

The nose of the plane was crushed as it's thought the plane landed on its landing gear. The cockpit of the plane is visible and a boot was found by diver Martin Strmiska

The plane was renowned for its defensive capabilities. Machine guns were fitted on the tail. A B-17 aircraft could carry bomb loads of up to 3,600kg on shorter distance missions

A diver swims past part of the wreckage of another plane on the seabed. A fallen B-24 Liberator, nicknamed 'Tulamerican' was discovered in 2009

She is now an attraction for divers, who witness the B-17 in almost all of her glory.

Its nose is crushed but the pilots cockpit is visible as the windscreen has shattered.

The planes wheels are starting to sink into the seabed  raising questions of how long the wreckage will remain before disintegrating.

Its engines and wings are covered with algae, sand and dead crustaceans.

The plane was renowned for its defensive capabilities and a turret with two machine guns was positioned on the tail.

The sturdy four-engine aircraft were built for the United States Air Army Corps (USAAC) during a period when twin engines were the norm.

Pictured: a close up of the B-17 bomber wreckage. The Boeing B-17 aircraft was built in the 1930s for the US Air Army Corps

Pictured is a diver going through the wreckage. It's not recommended that recreational divers tackle the challenging mission located off the coast of Vis Island due to the depth of the site.

It's thought that the pilot landed on the sea so the crew could escape on life rafts. The co-pilot US Army Air Force Second Lieutenant Ernest Vinneau died in the crash as he couldn't be rescued before the plane sank

The plane was gunned down over the Adriatic before sinking to the seabed hours later on that fateful November 6 day

The aircraft had only arrived at its base in Amendola, Italy three days before she was shot down.

With his plane heavily damaged by air defences over what is now Slovenia, the pilot veered towards Vis Island (now part of Croatia), which was the closest Allied airbase.

However he had to land on the sea, although that did allow the crew to evacuate on inflatable rafts.

The plane received a barrage of German artillery after unloading its cargo. The aircraft was hit while travelling in Yugoslav airspace

The plane was en-route to Vis Island - the only island that the Nazis didn't occupy by 1944. The Adriatic campaign was a minor campaign during World War II but resulted in an Allied victory

Photographer and diver Martin Strimiska, 40, of Vietnamska, Slovakia captured the stunning footage. He was fascinated by the wreckage. 'You constantly want to see whats behind the next corner, he said.

The plane was en-route to Vienna on a bombing mission before veering towards Vis Island - the nearest Allied airport. Vis is located off the Dalmatian coast.

Co-pilot US Army Air Force Second Lieutenant Ernest Vinneau died at the scene as the crew couldnt rescue him in time before the aircraft filled with water and sank.

He was just 25 and grew up in Millinocket, Maine and served with the 340th Bomber Squadron, part of the 97th Bomber Group.

The remains of the B-17 on the Adriatic seabed is one of the best preserved World War II plane wrecks due to its depth of over 60m, making it difficult for divers to reach.

Pictured: a close up of the tail of the Boeing B-17 Bomber. The tail fin remains visible as small fish circle it and algae grow

The remains of the B-17 is one of the best preserved World War II plane wrecks due to its depth of over 60m, making it difficult for divers to reach

A diver (pictured) close to the cockpit of the 'Flying Fortress'. The cockpit remains visible but the windshield has shattered

Pictured: a sunken ship on the Adriatic Sea. Vessels carrying supplies were often torpedoed by the enemy during World War II as they made fateful journeys

Photographer and diver Martin Strmiska, 40, of Vietnamska, Slovakia captured the stunning images during a visit to Vis last year.

Its (the wreckage) is basically untouched, the feeling of being under there is quite overwhelming. You constantly want to see whats behind the next corner, he said.

At some point it will be gone so Im thrilled to be able to show these images and talk about the history behind it, he added.

Along with the B-17, Mr Strmiska also photographed a fallen B-24 Liberator, nicknamed 'Tulamerican' which was discovered in 2009.

Mr Strmiska said he felt 'overwhelmed' when he came face-to-face with the wreckage. Pictured is a diver investigating the remains of the historic World War II plane

The aircraft sunk just three days after arriving at its base in Amendola, Italy. Crew members managed to evacuate the plane on life rafts but their stories remain a mystery

Pictured: The propeller engines of the World War 2 fighter plane. They are coated in algae, sand and dead crustaceans. The plane was designed during a period when twin engines were the norm

Mr Strmiska was thrilled that he had the opportunity to capture the stunning footage before the wreckage disintegrates
Republicans responded negatively to President Joseph Biden, Jr.'s remarks over some governors' decision to reopen their states.

Biden declared during a White House meeting last Wednesday that the Texas and Mississippi lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates are nothing but "Neanderthal thinking."

According to The Blaze, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves quickly responded that Americans should be "trusted" not "insulted."

"President Biden said allowing Mississippians to decide how to protect themselves is 'neanderthal thinking.' Mississippians don't need handlers. As numbers drop, they can assess their choices and listen to experts. I guess I just think we should trust Americans, not insult them," he said through a tweet on Thursday.

President Biden said allowing Mississippians to decide how to protect themselves is neanderthal thinking.



Mississippians dont need handlers. As numbers drop, they can assess their choices and listen to experts. I guess I just think we should trust Americans, not insult them.  Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 3, 2021

While Former White House Press Secretary and now Fox analyst Kayleigh McEnany sarcastically called Biden as "the great uniter" following the footsteps of former Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton.

"Simply giving freedoms causes Joe Biden, the great uniter, to call us Neanderthals, among other words, that his predecessor Hillary Clinton did, as well," she said in Fox News' Fox & Friends.

The Washington Examiner explained that McEnany meant the incident where Clinton referred to the supporters of then-candidate and former President Donald Trump as "deplorables" during the 2015 presidential race.

Meanwhile, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick called Biden a "hypocrite" for zoning in on Republicans as having "Neanderthal thinking" during an interview at Fox News' The Faulkner Focus on Thursday. Patrick pointed out that there are 15 other states--Democrat-Governed states included--who did the same or do not even have a mask mandate in the first place.

"How dare him attack Texas for our policies when he is allowing the border to be overrun by people coming in here by the hundreds, by the thousands and testing positive and coming on a bus to your state wherever you happen to live in the United States of America. What a hypocrite," he sternly said.

Patrick said Biden "didn't look at the facts" because Texas "didn't do anything new" since the states of Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, South Carolina, and Tennessee don't even have a mask mandate. He pointed out that they are not telling people in Texas to stop wearing masks, but giving them the freedom and the responsibility to do so.

As per Patrick during his interview with Fox News, what's "Neanderthal thinking" is actually that of California Governor Gavin Newsom who told his constituents "not to come out of their cave for a year" and that of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who "covered up 12,000 people dying" after sending COVID-19 patients to nursing homes.

The Blaze highlighted that White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki denying Biden saying "Neanderthal thinking." She corrected a reporter who asked about it during Thursday's press briefing as a mere comparison to "the behavior of a Neanderthal" and justified it as a "reflection" of Biden's "frustration and exasperation."

Psaki said people in Mississippi, Texas, Ohio, and Florida, which are all Republican-governed states; "haven't had the information they need from the federal government" regarding the pandemic, which is the cause of Biden's "frustration and exasperation" that led to the "Neanderthal" comment.

"What everybody saw yesterday was a reflection of his frustration and exasperation which I think many American people have. For almost a year now, people across the country have sacrificed, many times they haven't had the information they need from the federal government, they haven't had access to greater understanding of what the public health guidelines should look like. And those include many people in Mississippi, in Texas, in Ohio, Florida, in every state across the country," she claimed.
When Paul McVeigh was growing up in Belfast, the library was a refuge  from the febrile atmosphere on the streets, a difficult home life and "the kind of trouble being an effeminate boy got you". However, even in that safe space, he struggled to find stories that represented his life and experience, especially from an Irish perspective.

When the author was invited by Pat Cotter of Cork-based press Southword Editions to edit Queer Love: An Anthology of Irish Fiction, he saw an opportunity to redress this imbalance.

Pat said there had been an anthology [The Irish Eros, published in 1996] which had featured just two pieces on Irish gay life and one was a poem by a straight man. This anthology is just a small attempt at saying here we are and heres the way we love. There arent many books that focus on gay people and there are even fewer on the love lives of gay people. Its the same thing as I dont really mind gay people but I dont really want to talk or hear about what they do in bed. Even in films or on TV, the depiction of the gay person is often of the camp, funny best friend. We very rarely see them in bed with their lover, says McVeigh.

The author says the lack of representation of gay lives and perspectives was also recently brought home to him when he watched Its A Sin, the acclaimed drama from Russell T Davies centred on the lives of gay people in 1980s London during the AIDS crisis.

We rarely see ourselves like that on screen. I went to London every summer to work from when I was 17 until I left uni, then I moved over there for 15 years. All those places, bars and clubs, that was my life. It was incredibly emotional to see that and see your story on television. It was something that straight people had every day, on every channel  their lives were shown to them and validated, analysed and celebrated, he says.

The anthology features the work of best-selling writers such as Colm Toibin, Emma Donoghue and John Boyne along with published, emerging and new writers, including Neil Hegarty, Shannon Yee  who took legal action to bring same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland  and Emer Lyons, a lesbian writer from West Cork now based in New Zealand. There is also a piece by the legendary gay rights activist and Aosdana member Mary Dorcey.

Choosing who is to be included in an anthology is never an easy task and McVeigh says he was challenged by people who wanted to know why the book wasnt longer and why it couldnt showcase solely new writers. However, he says the anthology was not intended to be an exhaustive survey of LGBTQI+ writing.

This was never going to be covering 150 years of writing or whatever, it is more like a little collection of love letters to gay fiction from Irish writers, he says. I wanted a range of stories to show that we are various, we have many different points of view but we live for love as anyone else does. I want people to pick it up and see what an amazing array of talent there is coming out of Ireland  LGBTQI+ writers who have faced, in most cases, a lot of disadvantages because of that in terms of getting published and having their story seen as relevant and sellable. McVeigh says there is still resistance among many people to reading books that offer an LGBTQI+ perspective.

I dont pick up a book and go, oh my God, thats a straight book, it doesnt talk to me about my life, Im not going to read straight books, but I think a lot of people do that about gay books. They think, why would I read a book about gay people, it doesnt reflect my life and Im not really interested. If you are interested in humanity and curious about life  how are we different, and how does that impact on us as people  you should be interested in this book. McVeigh says he is thankful that there are a lot more avenues of information and representation available to young people in the LGBTQI+ community today.

Gay people of my generation often led lonely lives  they were very isolated because they were rejected by society, schoolmates and sometimes their family. Now young people have a hugely different experience, but not always. There is a lot of acceptance and representation online and more laws to protect us. It is a very different world. Ultimately, he says the stories in the anthology are like a trail of breadcrumbs to say: look at how many are out therethere is a place for you and your stories  be true to yourself and write them.
(Newser)  Pope Francis heads to Iraq on Friday to urge the countrys dwindling number of Christians to stay put and help rebuild the country after years of war and persecution, brushing aside the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns to make the first-ever papal visit to the country. Iraqis were keen to welcome him and the global attention his visit will bring, with banners and posters hanging high in central Baghdad, and billboards depicting Francis with the slogan We are all Brothers decorating the main thoroughfare. In central Tahrir square, a mock tree was erected emblazoned with the Vatican emblem, while Iraqi and Vatican flags lined empty streets, the AP reports

story continues below

Francis is breaking his year-long COVID-19 lockdown to refocus the worlds attention on a largely neglected people whose northern Christian communities, which date from the time of Christ, were largely emptied during the violent Islamic State reign in the area from 2014-2017. "The Popes visit is to support the Christians in Iraq to stay, and to say that they are not forgotten," the Chaldean patriarch, Cardinal Luis Sako, told reporters in Baghdad this week. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Iraqis were eager to welcome Francis "message of peace and tolerance and described the visit as a historic meeting between the "minaret and the bells." Among the highlights of the three-day visit is Francis' private meeting Saturday with the country's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

(Read more Pope Francis stories.)


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
ROME, MAR 5 - Italy's average COVID-19 Rt reproduction number has risen to 1.06, according to a draft of the weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS). It means that Rt has gone back above the crucial threshold of 1 one after seven weeks. The Rt was 0.99 in last week's monitoring report. COVID-19 contagion has been rising sharply in Italy after the arrival of new, more contagious variants of the virus, including the British one, which has become the predominant form. The final version of the monitoring report will be presented later on Friday. A separate report on the impact of the pandemic complied by the ISS and statistics agency ISTAT said that Italy registered 108,178 more deaths between March and December 2020 than it did on average in the same period in the years 2015-2019. Italy's COVID mortality rates were 14.5% in the north, 6.8% in the centre, and 5.2% in the south of the country last year, that report said. By age group, the rates were 4.6% in the 0-49 bracket, 9.2% in the 50-64 one, 12.4% in the 65-79 group and 9.6% in the over 80s. ISS and ISTAT added that there were 52,000 more deaths in the second COVID wave from October to December, with respect to previous years. The most deaths were in the over-80s, 486,255, up 76,708 on the previous five-year period. Deaths in Lombardy, the region most affected by the coronavirus, were up 11.8% from March to May 2020, while deaths in Marche were up 27.7% (ANSA).
The 13 organisations and people charged with exposing their people to death or serious injury in the 2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption could face fines of up to $1.5 million if convicted.

Lawyers for prosecutor Worksafe, the 10 organisations and the three individuals appeared at the Auckland District Court today after charges were laid in November.

The charges relate to the period leading up to the eruption, not the rescue operations that followed.

Whakaari erupted on December 9, 2019, while 47 people were ashore. Twenty-two people were killed. Almost all the survivors suffered severe or critical injuries.

Judge Evangelos Thomas began the hearing by commemorating the victims of the eruption.

We remember and honour those that lost their lives in the Whakaari eruption, their families and whanau. We acknowledge all those that suffered and continue to suffer pain and hardship.

Whakaari/White Island is owned by a trust managed by Whakaari Management Limited. The company faces charges, as do its three directors Andrew, James and Peter Buttle.

Touring companies have also been charged. They are White Island Tours Limited, Volcanic Air Safaris, Aerius Limited, Kahu NZ Limited, Inflite Charters Limited, I D Tours New Zealand Limited, and Tauranga Tourism Services Limited.

The Government entities GNS Science and the National Emergency Management Agency, formerly Civil Defence also face charges.

Some charges carry a maximum fine of $1.5 million.

Judge Evangelos Thomas paid tribute to the victims of the eruption. Abigail Dougherty/Stuff.

Worksafe lawyer Steve Symon said the prosecutors had disclosed some documents to lawyers for the accused but there were more to come.

Some of the lawyers for the accused wished to have the case heard in Whakatane, as that was the closest court to the alleged offending.

Symon said that could cause psychological issues for the victims if they wished to attend. He also added some of the survivors have complex medical conditions, and it was unclear if Whakatane could cater for them.

Judge Thomas said he wanted a lawyer appointed for the victims and their families, so their interests could be part of the proceedings. He said there would also be provision for an audio-visual link for them to watch the proceeding if they were unable to travel to Whakatane.

The matter will next be called in the Whakatane District Court on June 3.

At the time the charges were laid, WorkSafe chief executive Phil Parkes said an investigation into the parties found they did not meet their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 when taking tourists to the island.

As a nation we need to look at this tragedy and ask if we are truly doing enough to ensure our mothers, fathers, children and friends come home to us healthy and safe at the end of each day.

It is now up to the judicial system to determine whether they did or not.

Since the charges were filed, a Change.org petition calling for the charges against two rescue pilots to be dropped has been signed by more than 125,000 people.

Helicopters and Floatplanes director and chief pilot Tim Barrow, along with Kahu NZ chief executive Mark Law, saved multiple lives after the volcano erupted.

The petition asks Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to recognise the extraordinary efforts of Law and Barrow.

Edward Gay/Stuff.
In December 2020, Netflix first discovered that it could add a video format feature similar to TikTok. The users in his feature can view short clips on their mobile devices. Now, "Fast Laughs" became an official addition to Netflix, which works like a collection of funny videos.

Netflix Launches 'Fast Laughs'

At the moment, the app is only limited to iOS devices, but users can expect that it will roll out in Android in the future. USA Today reported that users can use the features like the one in TikTok where they can view, react, and share the short videos in their feeds.

Since Netflix is focused more on media viewing, you can also add your favorite movie to your watchlist. To watch a program, simply click the "Play" button.

If you are using iOS devices, you can now watch Netflix films like "Murder Mystery." If you feel that you want to relax while watching sitcom movies, "The Crew" is already available for viewing.

There are also snippets of some stand-up comedians such as Ali Wong and Kevin Hart. To access the feature, go to the bottom menu, located next to the "Coming Soon" tab.

Read Also: TikTok Silhouette Challenge No Filter Tutorial: How to Remove Red Filter

Similar Feature to 'Fast Laughs'

Netflix told TechCrunch that the "Fast Laughs" feature is not the first short-video update that Netflix introduced. A feature called "Previews'' is the first one that the video-viewing platform launched. The new feature looks appealing since it popularizes its vertical design, which is borrowed from TikTok.

The format is the same as the Chinese video-sharing service as users can swipe the screen vertically. They can use emojis in "Fast Laughs", the same feature in other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

When Netflix ran an app test for "Fast Laughs," they found out that the short videos can only last from 15 to 45 seconds. Since the company wants a longer time bonding through these funny clips, they remove the limitation when it comes to the video length.

Netflix said that even though the feature is now available for some users, they still needed to restrict the audience who uses it since children could access the platform.

Of course, sensitive content not appropriate for the children will not be shown in the profiles for kids. For a much secure and safer viewing, contents can be filtered according to the viewers' maturity rating levels.

For Kim Ho, the product designer of Netflix, the company aims to immerse its users in an intuitive discovery through comedic clips across all mobile platforms. Ho, who also helped design Facebook and Instacart, added that they will work hard to give what is best for the users through the user interface's minimalist design.

Even though the latest feature was not directly addressed to compete with TikTok, the fact that its design closely resembles the platform sparks a healthy competition between these two video-sharing companies.

People always look for an app that could give them happiness by viewing clips for a short period of time. They can see those contents in TikTok. Now, they could test it via "Fast Laughs" for a more diverse environment.

In the upcoming months, it is expected that Netflix will launch the feature for Android devices.

This article is owned by Tech Times.

Written by Joen Coronel

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

As new revelations about the handling of the states power crisis continue to come to light, critics are accusing Gov. Greg Abbott of holding irrelevant  but headline-grabbing  news conferences to distract from the states failure to manage the grid.

First came Abbotts Tuesday press conference in Lubbock  an area that was not affected by the power outages  to announce that he would open Texas 100 percent, and also end the states mask mandate. That announcement has made waves both in Texas and across the nation, as conservatives cheered but President Joe Biden accused Abbott of Neanderthal thinking.

Then, on Friday, the governor traveled more than 200 miles to Tyler to announce a new bill to prevent social media companies from censoring Texans based on the viewpoints they express  a hot-button issue for conservatives who say they are unfairly targeted by those outlets.

But Democrats and other political observers say Abbott is only indulging his supporters to try and steer the conversation away from the power crisis, which left millions without heat and electricity for days in sub-freezing temperatures, and is linked to dozens of deaths statewide.

POWER CRISIS: Muzzled and eviscerated: Critics say Abbott appointees gutted enforcement of Texas grid rules

Justin Rex, MBR / Associated Press

Unfortunately, Governor Abbott is desperate to distract from his recent failures during the winter storm and is trying to change the subject, State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie and the head of the House Democratic Caucus, said after Abbotts mask announcement Tuesday.

The governors move to highlight the social media bill met with a similar response Friday from Democrats.

Governor Abbott and his allies are attempting to distract from the fact that Texans are dead because of his catastrophic failure in leadership, said Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa.

The power emergency has dominated the news cycle for three weeks, with state legislators holding hearings on the subject and those involved tendering resignations. In one of the most recent developments, the states independent market monitor estimated on Thursday that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, overcharged the states electricity market by $16 billion by leaving sky-high emergency prices in effect for two days too long.

On Wednesday, a U.S. House subcommittee said it would investigate ERCOT for its role in the crisis.

But this week, Abbotts unrelated news conferences have earned praise from GOP lawmakers who previously denounced the mask mandate as government overreach, and those who have taken issue with social media companies for their banning policies.

The social media bill is one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks legislative priorities this session, and he lauded the COVID restriction rollback as a step toward normalcy.

Ive never been in favor of mandates, I believe, Patrick said in an interview with CBS Dallas-Fort Worth station. You give people information and let them make their decisions.

No apologies from Abbott

The power debacle led to the ouster of ERCOTs CEO and the resignations of multiple board members. ERCOT is overseen by the Public Utility Commission, an agency led by three Abbott appointees.

Facing intense criticism, former PUC Chair DeAnn Walker also stepped down this week.

But while Abbott has called for the resignations of ERCOT members, he has not acknowledged his own appointees roles in the crisis or taken any personal blame.

A spokeswoman for Abbott did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday, but the governor said in a Thursday interview with Austins KVUE that he had planned to lift COVID restrictions earlier but was forced to wait until after the winter weather passed.

The original strategy was going to be to make this announcement on the last Monday in February, Abbott said. That got delayed because shipments of vaccines got delayed (during the storm).

The governors critics dont buy it. After the repeal of the mask mandate was announced on Tuesday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a Democrat, said the move was wishful thinking at best, and, at worst, a cynical attempt to distract Texans from the failures of state oversight of our power grid.

The next day, Fort Bend County Judge KP George, a Democrat, joked on Twitter: Will Gov. Abbott make a surprise announcement to end the no shirt, no shoes, no service policy today? Itll be a great way to distract from the state-led ERCOT and energy failure.

Instead, the governor introduced a bill that would punish social media sites for banning users because of their viewpoint or geographic location in this state or any part of this state.

Blame game at the border

Too many social media sites silence conservative speech and ideas and trample free speech, Abbott tweeted ahead of the press conference. Its un-American, Un-Texan, & soon to be illegal.

The legislation follows former President Donald Trumps removal from multiple social media sites  including Twitter, his outlet of choice  earlier this year. The companies shut down his account after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in early January. Executives at Twitter said they feared the presidents posts could spur more violence.

The presidents backers have condemned the ban as a violation of the First Amendment, though the technology companies are privately owned and operated. Its unclear exactly how much authority Texas would have  if any  to regulate them.

We see that the First Amendment is under assault by these social media companies, and that is not going to be tolerated in Texas, Abbott said at a news conference. There is a dangerous movement that is spreading across the country that is trying to silence conservative ideas.

Meanwhile, critics are accusing the governor of distracting from the power crisis not only in the policies he announces, but also the rhetoric he uses. In response to the presidents Neanderthal thinking comment, Abbott has pivoted to immigration, saying that Biden is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities.

That narrative stems from media reports this week that 108 of about 1,700 migrants in Brownsville have tested positive for the virus. On Thursday, Texas reported nearly 6,000 new COVID-19 cases statewide.

Stop with the blame games, Governor Abbott, said U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth. Texans need help with power, water and vaccines, not your constant race-baiting.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
ARMYANSK, Ukraine -- Russia has barred long-time Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev from entering Crimea for the next 13 years.

Russian authorities initially barred Dzhemilev from entering Crimea for five years in March 2014 after Moscow illegally annexed Crimea.

However, a decision by the Federal Security Service (FSB) in 2019 to extend the ban became public on March 5 during Dzhemilev's ongoing trial -- being held in absentia -- in Russian-controlled Crimea.

Prosecutors at the ongoing trial in the Crimean city of Armyansk have accused Dzhemilev of attempting to illegally enter Crimea, negligent possession of a firearm, and the illegal possession of ammunition.

The 77-year-old Ukrainian lawmaker has rejected all of the charges, calling them politically motivated and linked to his official rejection of Russia's control over Crimea.

Dzhemilev was the chairman of the Crimean Tatar's self-governing assembly -- the Mejlis -- which was banned by pro-Moscow representatives in Crimea after the annexation.

Dzhemilev was a leading human rights activist during the Soviet era and served six jail sentences in Soviet prison camps from 1966 to 1986.

He is also known for going on a 303-day hunger strike -- the longest in the history of the Soviet human rights movement.

Rights groups and Western governments have denounced what they call a campaign of oppression targeting members of the Turkic-speaking Crimean Tatar minority and others who opposed Moscow's rule.

The majority of Crimean Tatars opposed the Russian takeover of their historic homeland.
An Army general accused of swindling nearly 50,000 in private school fees was reported by a colonel concerned he was never at home, a court martial heard today.

Major General Nick Welch, 54, allegedly claimed his wife Charlotte was living at the London residence he moved into upon staring a top job at the Ministry of Defence.

It meant he was eligible for an Army allowance towards his children's education that is given to servicemen on remote assignments, provided that the family is living with them.

But Col Jeremy Lamb, who lived on the same street in Putney, told the court he hardly ever saw the family at the home.

Prosecutors say Ms Welsh instead spent most of her time at their 800,000 Dorset home while their children went to nearby boarding schools.

Maj Gen Welsh is the most senior officer to face a court martial since 1815 when a Lieutenant General was convicted during the Napoleonic wars.

He denies one count of fraud relating to 48,000 in education allowance over a period of 15 months from December 2015 to February 2017.

Major General Nick Welch, 54, allegedly claimed his wife Charlotte was living at the new London residence he got upon staring a job at the Ministry of Defence

At Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire today, Col Lamb said he became 'frustrated' that the four-bedroom London property appeared to be empty while other families were living in smaller flats.

Col Lamb, the Commanding Officer of the First Fusiliers, lived in the street in Putney with his Army doctor wife while working as the military assistant to the armed forces minister.

He described the street's residents as sociable military families who often met for dinner parties and Friday afternoon drinks outside in the sun.

But of Maj Gen Welch's house, he said : 'I never saw the two adults that lived there.

'I only found out it was Maj Gen Welch in the run up to my interview for my statement, I never met his wife.'

Col Lamb, having had conversations with other neighbours, who he described as 'irate', raised concerns with an officer who he knew and worked within Army housing in February 2016, three months after Maj Gen Welch and his wife were supposed to have moved in.

Maj Gen Welsh is the most senior officer to face a court martial since 1815 when a Lieutenant General was convicted during the Napoleonic wars

Col Lamb also raised concerns about another house, but that property was lived in by an officer serving unaccompanied and they moved out shortly after.

Col Lamb said: 'It was obvious that two of the houses were only being occupied during the week. They were clearly not occupied at weekends.

'It was frustrating as some of my neighbours were people living with their children in flats and then there were the people in these houses who could have had more appropriate housing.

'I thought it was really odd because the way in which the houses were allocated was that there was single weekly commuters living in houses and families with children in flats.'

He also said: 'I didn't know when they [Maj Gen Welch and Mrs Welch] moved in, normally there are big trucks moving people in but that didn't happen. To be fair, I didn't see it happen.. other people didn't see it.'

In an email to the Army officer, he said: 'I have never seen them, the lights are on from Monday to Thursday, but that's it.

'I don't have anything on them [information about them], but that's kind of the point, if they actually lived there I would know more.'

Col Lamb said after he raised concerns initially, lights were on a 'bit more frequently' and sometimes a car was left on the drive over the weekend.

He also said a lava lamp was put in the window of one of it's single-bedrooms, which faced the street.

Lieutenant Colonel Julian Lentaigne, an Army doctor, lived opposite Maj Gen Welch with his pregnant spouse and their two children.

Lt Col Lentaigne said: 'I was aware that we had a high-ranking general on the patch.'

The officer said he exchanged pleasantries with Mrs Welch after she and her husband moved in.

He added: 'I saw Maj Gen Welch on a few occasions, he was often getting in and out of a staff car with a driver present.

'My recollection is that I saw him half a dozen times. I had exchanged pleasantries with him, shook his hand a few times and made small talk.'

Maj Gen Welch and his family had been living in Gloucestershire in 2015 when he was appointed Assistant Chief of the General Staff.

As part of the 120,000 role, the father-of-three became the most senior officer at MoD HQ and had to relocate to the four-bed family quarters home in Putney.

Speaking at court, Lt Col Lentaigne said he noticed 'less activity' at the house a short time after Maj Gen Welch and Mrs Welch moved in.

He also said: 'It is one of the nicest patches in London. That's because of its location to the main building for commuting, it had nice houses that are well-appointed and maintained, and it has a good social life too.'

Lt Col Lentaigne said he was 'not particularly mindful' to enquire about the occupancy situation of a high-ranking General and was not concerned about it, but said that he was not familiar with CEA rules.

Maj Gen Welch, who has now retired, denies one count of fraud.

Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is offered to soldiers to help fund 90 per cent of their child's education when they relocate on assignment, as long as their family live with them, a practice known as 'serving accompanied'.

One child was sent to the 37,000 a year Clayesmore School while another went to the 22,500 Hanford School.

The trial continues.
Tony Hawks first memory of Jeff Grosso is from when they were about 11 years old. It was at an amateur skateboarding event in Southern California. And Hawk was intimidated.

This was in the late 1970s, long before either Hawk, one of the most famous skateboarders of all-time, or Grosso, the skating icon who died last March, reached the heights of their professional careers.

Back then, they skated for nothing more than the love of their sport. And on this day, they were competing against each other  Hawk with his Oasis Skate Park team from San Diego and Grosso with his squad from the old Skate City Skate Park in Whittier.

Whittier, to me, was always intimidating, Hawks said in an interview with The Times. The locals were very boisterous and funny and fiery. And if you came as an out-of-towner, you kind of got hazed. Jeff was a big part of that.

But also, Hawk continued, I envied that crew. Because they were really creative.

For the rest of their lives, Hawks and Grossos paths would cross, diverge, then cross again. Each of their careers helps tell important parts of skateboarding history. And after Grossos unexpected death a year ago from an accidental drug overdose, Hawk gave some of the most effusive praise for his friends importance to the sport.

One of the last times we spoke, we talked about how ridiculous it is that we still get to do this for a living and that anyone even cares what we do or think in terms of skateboarding at our age, Hawk wrote in an Instagram post after Grosso's death. I believe Jeff is a big reason that anyone truly cares, and skateboarding was lucky to have him as an ambassador and gatekeeper to its history.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Like Grosso, Hawk began skateboarding when the sport was suffering from declining popularity in the late 1970s and early 80s. He remembered how, as a kid, he hid his skateboard at school to escape ridicule. His only reprieve came when he was at a skatepark, either with his own crew in San Diego or when meeting other skaters such as Grosso from around Southern California.

Story continues

Neither expected the sport to bring them fame or status. But right at the start of their professional careers in the late 80s  which, as was typical in skateboarding, began before they were even out of high school  skateboardings popularity boomed.

We found ourselves in the strange position of being well known, and making money at a very young age, Hawk said. It was strange, but we navigated it. We had fun. It was crazy. We were traveling the world and still in high school.

Hawk recalled one weeklong trip to Japan with Grosso, long known in the skateboarding community for his carefree disposition and off-the-cuff conversations.

Tony Hawk at his warehouse in Vista, Calif., in 2020. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)

To be in such a foreign place with someone of his nature, of his personality, made it so much more fun, Hawk said. When I think of some of the most fun trips, that one was one of the most fun just because Jeff was there.

By the time they reached their early 20s, however, skateboarding had shifted again. Their vertical skating style, making use of half-pipes and empty swimming pools, was overtaken in popularity in the early 90s by street skating, a new discipline defined by tricks off urban obstacles such as staircases and handrails. Hawk, Grosso and most other skaters of their generation saw their careers come to a screeching halt.

We all went through a downturn in the late 80s, early 90s, Hawk said. Skating was starting to lose popularity, but more so our style of skating  was dying even quicker. So we all kind of found ourselves with no jobs very quickly.

For much of the 90s, Hawk and Grosso fell out of touch. Grosso battled drug addiction and depression. Hawk struggled to keep his competitive career alive.

But then their fortunes changed again. First, skating experienced another popularity spike, thanks in part to Hawks famous 900-degree spin at the 1999 X-Games. Then in 2005 Grosso got his life back together, announcing hed achieved sobriety and reemerging as an influential figure in the sport  both by openly discussing his personal struggles and by bringing renewed attention to skateboardings culture through his popular Loveletters to Skateboarding YouTube show.

He was definitely an inspiration for a new generation, in terms of how to respect your culture, Hawk said. The fact that he got clean, he was in recovery, people saw that as hope, especially people struggling with the same issues. But I liked that he wasn't preaching only that. He weaved that into his narrative, but it wasnt all he represented.

One of Hawks favorite memories of Grosso is a more recent one, when Grosso skated at Vans iconic Combi Bowl at a 2014 event. Hundreds of fans gathered around the concrete pit to watch Grosso grind on the top rail, go airborne off the end of ramps and pull off some of the memorable tricks that made him a star in the first place.

He got the absolute best applause, best reaction, Hawk said. It was like the whole skateboard community came together to celebrate him. If they could have hoisted him up above them, they would have.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian foreign ministry responded to Azeri leader Ilham Aliyevs latest statement where he described Zangezur as historical territory of his country and claimed to have resolved the NK conflict and realized the UNSC resolutions.

The foreign ministry issued the following comments to the media attributed to spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan.

Question: Speaking at the conference of Economic Cooperation Organizations, the President of Azerbaijan noted that the new transport corridor will pass through the historical territories of Azerbaijan, Zangezur, connecting the main part of Azerbaijan with its integral part, Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, and Turkey. Can you comment on this statement?



Anna Naghdalyan: I stress once again that the Article 9 of the November 9 trilateral statement does not mention the establishment of a corridor.

With such a provocative statement, calling Zangezur an Azerbaijani historical land and making reference to an imaginary corridor, the President of Azerbaijan deliberately undermines the implementation of the November 9 and January 11 trilateral statements. Such rhetoric contradicts Azerbaijan's obligations; it is a blatant challenge to international law, it in no way contributes to the stability of the region and threatens all states in the region.

Question: The President of Azerbaijan reiterated that the conflict has been resolved and the UN Security Council resolutions have been implemented. How would you comment on that?

Anna Naghdalyan: The statements of the President of Azerbaijan that Azerbaijan has resolved the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by the use of force once again demonstrates who unleashed the war and who is leading the region through new challenges and further destabilization. As always, Azerbaijan distorts the provisions of the UN Security Council resolutions, while these same resolutions express their support for the Minsk Group peace process, headed by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

With his statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the President of Azerbaijan contradicts the position of the international community, and first of all, the position of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship and Co-Chair countries, which clearly emphasizes the imperative of comprehensive settlement of the conflict. It is obvious to us that the attempt to suppress the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination through the use of force cannot create grounds for the settlement of the conflict. The realization of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and the elimination of the consequences of the war are the core elements of the peace process.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
G uido Terreni is running out of time. And he knows it. Terreni, who is in his mid-50s, left a comfortable and prestigious job as presid...
Bionaut Labs proved that there is a solution to eradicate brain tumors without undergoing surgical drilling. Now, the startup invested their effort to build tiny robots that a remote can control. These small devices carry a dose of medicine which will

Robots That Can Attack Brain Tumors

According to a report by Los Angeles Times, these robots are assigned to transport a chemical that can kill cancer cells. The chemicals will now enter the body to attack the malignant tumor before they are flushed out of the body.

The tiny robots are described to be mobile through their highly-designed parts. They are even tinier than a millimeter when it comes to their size. Moreover, these devices will travel the tissues to access the places that cannot be penetrated by a surgeon, such as cancers that cannot be reached easily, unless equipment or tool will be used.

For CEO Michael Shpigelmacher, his team's success is a great, futuristic initiative, which can only be imagined in science fiction movies. Shpigelmacher added that what they discovered is 'eminently' practical.

The startup founder continued that the revolution of surgical robots happened two decades ago. At first, the idea was too complicated to imagine, but companies have gained more freedom in creating free-moving robotic arms as the industrial evolution progresses.

Shpigelmacher gave an instance in the place of a small screw that makes its way to the body until it hits the innermost part. Like the robots, the idea works the same with the tiny devices. From there, the robots dig their way to the body, and once they reach the end, they will now release the chemical before exiting.

The company head explained that traditional brain surgeries produce less accurate results in terms of making trajectory. This is because the tools have limitations in making their linear paths. An example of this is the way that a biopsy procedure occurs using a wide needle.

The Bionauts, on the other hand, just take samples from the brain. They also travel straight to the part where a tumor lives, so the procedure is much more efficient than a normal one.

Read Also: Hybrid Robot Can Now Hear Using Dead Locust's Ear, Can Move Upon Interpreting Sounds

Exploring Neurodegenerative Diseases Can be an Extension of the Robots' Capabilities

In a report by FierceBiotech, Bionauts can be promising tools in diving deeper into several brain disorders. They could extend help to the diseases that require limited therapies. This gives light to the experts that its usefulness cannot be limited to suppressing brain tumors.

Huntington's disease, a type of neurodegenerative disease, can be a potential subject to test whether the robots could thrive and deliver the drug to the body.

Before doing clinical trials for humans in 2023, Bionaut Labs has already tested tiny robots for small and huge animals. The startup said that the trials showed no damage that the Bionauts could have afflicted.

Now, the company has already collected $20 million that they could use to innovate the design and technology of these small devices. In doing so, the clinical trials can be successfully accomplished for the human subjects.

If you want to know more about Bionaut Labs, visit their website here.

This article is owned by Tech Times.

Written by Joen Coronel

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Making a bold statement this summer, Slice is encouraging consumers to take the Sabse Thick Sabse Tasty challenge thereby reaffirming its position as the thickest and tastiest mango drink in India. This claim is substantiated by an independent research conducted by Nielsen where Slice has been rated as thickest and tastiest mango drink under a blind tasting set up with the leading mango drinks. In line with this, the brand has unveiled its Sabse Thick Sabse Tasty campaign accompanied by a fun new TVC featuring eminent actor and brand ambassador Katrina Kaif.

The new TVC film, set against the beautiful backdrop of a beach, shows brand ambassador Katrina Kaif posing the ultimate taste challenge to a fan thereby affirming that Slice is Indias tastiest mango drink. The blind taste challenge set off by Katrina urges him to make a choice between Slice and another mango-flavored drink. The results of the taste challenge help establish Slice as the thickest and tastiest mango drink in India as the co-star ultimately chooses Slice as his preferred choice. Katrina also engages with consumers at the end of the TVC by urging them to take the Slice taste challenge and try Sabse Thick and Tasty Slice for themselves.

Speaking on the new campaign, Anuj Goyal, Associate Director, Tropicana and Slice, PepsiCo India said, Consumers have expressed immense love for Slice which is a testament to our confidence in the product. However, we wanted to take a step further and encourage our consumers to take the new Sabse Thick Sabse Tasty blind taste challenge to bolster Slices position as the tastiest and thickest mango drink in India. We are excited to reach out to our consumers this summer through this campaign featuring the incomparable Katrina Kaif.

Speaking on the new TVC, Katrina Kaif, Brand Ambassador, Slice said, "My association with Slice goes back a long time and its a pleasure to bring forth my personal belief in Slice being the tastiest mango drink in India. I am beyond excited to launch the new Sabse Thick Sabse Tasty campaign that exudes my confidence in the brand. I cannot wait for my fans to take the taste challenge and discover the pure, indulgent joy of drinking the thick and tasty Slice themselves.

The new Slice TVC will be amplified across TV, digital, outdoor and social media with a 360-degree campaign. Slice is available in single and multiple serve packs across all modern and traditional retail outlets in India, as well as on leading e-commerce platforms.
Some provinces are setting out on ambitious accelerations of their vaccine rollouts as Canada expands its stockpile of shots to protect against COVID-19.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

A vial of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is displayed at South Shore University Hospital, Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Bay Shore, N.Y. Janssen Pharmaceuticals is a division of Johnson & Johnson. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Mark Lennihan

Some provinces are setting out on ambitious accelerations of their vaccine rollouts as Canada expands its stockpile of shots to protect against COVID-19.

Health Canada approved the COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson on Friday, as federal officials announced that the manufacturer of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was expediting shipments of 3.5 million doses to arrive before the summer.

As the country's vaccination campaign continues to gain steam, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured Canadians that a growing share of the population would soon be immunized.

"The people watching at home right now who are looking forward to getting their shot: Your turn is coming," Trudeau told a news conference Friday.

"We will continue to work around the clock to make sure Canadians get vaccinated as quickly as possible."

Several provinces readjusted their vaccine targets Friday to account for the flurry of promising developments over the past week, including two additions to Canada's vaccine portfolio and an expert panel's endorsement of a strategy to delay a second vaccine dose and at least partially inoculate as many people as quickly as possible.

The man in charge of Ontario's immunization plan expressed optimism that all adults could receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by June 20.

"We've had a seismic shift in our vaccination opportunities and the program to roll it out,'' said retired general Rick Hillier, the head of the province's vaccine task force.

The government said under the next phase of its plan, seniors aged 75 and older will start getting the shot in April, while everyone 60 and older will receive the first dose by the end of May or early June, if not earlier.

Officials noted that the updated timeline revealed on Friday didn't factor in the approval of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or the additional Pfizer-BioNtech shipments, and these increases in supply could further accelerate the rollout.

Meanwhile, the Manitoba government is now predicting it will be able to offer all eligible adults the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine this spring  months ahead of its previous plan to have everyone immunized by late summer to late fall.

The province has decided to delay second doses by up to four months, saying this strategy shift has put it on track to ensure all eligible Manitobans receive their first dose sometime between mid-May and the end of June.

Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin called the federal go-ahead for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine a "positive step forward" Friday, as health officials geared up for the opening of the first of 10 community inoculation clinics across the province next week.

Rankin confirmed that the province would be adopting a 16-week interval between the first and second doses so all Nova Scotians who want to be vaccinated will get one shot by the end of June.

Alberta's Health Minister Tyler Shandro said he expects the approval of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine will speed up the province's rollout, but he's still awaiting word on how many doses will be available.

"We look forward to getting that information from the federal government so we can plan accordingly and understand how many more vaccines we'll be able to provide to Albertans," Shandro said at a news conference.

Earlier this week, Shandro announced that the province expects it will be able to offer all Albertans aged 18 and older a first dose of the vaccine by the end of June.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the fourth shot to get the green light for use in Canada and the only one to require just a single dose.

Canada has pre-purchased 10 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and has options to buy another 28 million doses.

Authorities announced Friday that the manufacturer of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has pushed up its shipment schedule to send an extra 1.5 million doses this month, and another two million doses in April and May.

Shipments of the two-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which Health Canada approved last Friday, are expected to be distributed across the country in coming weeks.

On Wednesday, a national panel of vaccine experts recommended that provinces extend the interval between the two doses of a COVID-19 shot to up to four months when faced with a limited supply, saying it will create opportunities to protect the entire adult population against the virus within a short timeframe.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2021.
Claire McKeegan admits to being in and out of police stations a lot, but this is no career criminal we are talking about.

Instead, its her reputation as a tireless human rights lawyer that has made her familiar to the forces of law and order.

Every day she deals with victims of serious crime; her clients include the family of murdered German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser and victims of institutional abuse in Northern Ireland.

Rarely does someone go to see a solicitor to discuss something great, the 34-year-old Co Antrim woman told the Belfast Telegraph.

Usually theyre highly stressed, and as a last resort they come to me.

The inclusion of Inga Marias relatives on that client list  almost 33 years after the teenagers brutal murder near where Claire went to school  is indicative of the faith the Cushendun native has generated.

Inga Maria, an 18-year-old student, was last seen alive on a Larne-bound ferry in April 1988.

Her battered, lifeless body was found in Ballypatrick Forest two weeks later.

The savagery inflicted on the young victim shocked a 1980s Northern Ireland that, back then, was unfortunately well used to violent killings on our troubled streets, while the tranquil beauty of the scene brought a macabre juxtaposition to it all.

Despite numerous pleas for people with crucial information to come forward, the crime remains unsolved.

I got instructed by Viktor Leibl (Ingas nephew), said Claire.

That family has never had a legal team because they were told that it would be too expensive.

They had very limited means and simply couldnt afford it.

Its another travesty that they werent advised correctly at the time.

The family has instructed us to seek an inquest  and Im now asking the coroner for that.

The past pupil of Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle, described it as a cold-blooded murder.

She was so young, talented, beautiful, intelligent and had so much life to live, she said.

Its important for people to realise the really cruel and violent way she was murdered.

She mustve been lonely and terrified.

Her murderer left her in that forest, faced down with her belongings all strewn around her, its something that would touch anyone. Its harrowing.

I care deeply about that case and find it so distressing.

It didnt happen too far away from where Im from.

Its something that local people have always been touched by, but they talk about the Inga case right across the world.

Since the murder their lives have been ruined.

Frederika [her sister] is now in poor health and her mother and father died without seeing any element of justice for this beautiful, talented young girl.

Ms McKeegan revealed that she had formally contacted the corner this week to request a first ever inquest.

It should be provided with full police papers to establish what went wrong and what investigative steps need to be taken, she said.

But she admitted: The only chance is if somebody comes forward with critical evidence to the police.

A first generation solicitor, Claire has now been in the profession for 11 years.

She is currently a director of Phoenix Law  a company she co-founded in 2018 with three other partners, Darragh Mackin, Ciaran Moynagh and Peter Corrigan.

Her familiarity with police stations is a legacy of the firm being on the Belfast Duty Solicitors rota.

To date, she has successfully handled a series of high-profile abuse cases  including that of notorious paedophile priest Fr Malachy Finnegan.

The former St Colemans College Newry teacher and president, who died in 2002, sexually abused dozens of children over a 10-year period.

It was my case that exposed his crimes, said Claire.

Id worked on that for four years; it ultimately went public in February 2018 [four months after the Church agreed a landmark financial settlement with one of his victims] and resulted in 35 survivors coming forward to tell their story.

It also was the reason that former Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey stepped aside, she said.

Dr McAreavey stood down from his post on March 1 2018 after coming under fire for his handling of the case.

It had emerged that he said Mass with Finnegan in 2000 and officiated over his funeral Mass two years later, despite being aware of allegations that had been made against the depraved priest.

He later apologised for what he called an error of judgment.

Claire, who is engaged, says she loves her work but acknowledged that it is not for the faint-hearted.

Describing law as being previously a profession that was very male dominated, she said its very good to see there has been some change.

There are now a lot more female partners, like myself, in offices and women in more senior roles in the law, but its happening very slowly and more must be done.

Its important that we all take initiatives to try and empower others and I look forward to speaking at International Womens Day (March 8).

Ive been asked to talk about social campaigning and my work on campaign litigation at a Women in the Media event in Belfast.

Claire is currently campaigning for an independent investigation into clerical abuse in Northern Ireland, adding: Its something that hasnt been examined here, yet there have been six inquiries in the south.

Her work with lobby group Savia (Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse) has also been a success, specifically a case brought on behalf of an abuse victim and identified only as JR80.

In November 2019, Parliament approved a bill offering redress to victims of historic abuse at residential institutions in Northern Ireland, including the notorious Kincora boys home in east Belfast.

Survivors had campaigned for years for a public apology and compensation and an inquiry, led by the late Sir Anthony Hart, looked into allegations of abuse in various homes from 1922 until 1995.

It subsequently found, in 2017, that the abuse was widespread, with Sir Anthony saying that victims should receive compensation and an apology.

But the laws necessary for such a redress scheme had never been introduced and, with no power-sharing government at Stormont, the victims were forced to look to Westminster for action.

After MPs approved the bill, Savia leader Margaret McGuckin said: We have to commend Claire McKeegan and Phoenix Law for standing by us and JR80, a Savia member, who put himself forward as an elderly gentleman.

For Claire, however, it has not ended there.

Why has there not been a public apology for these survivors and victims? she asked.

Why do they have to ask for that? Sir Anthony Harts report was published in January 2017.

I started working on that case in 2012 and it took until 2019 for that bill to get through.

Im still pushing for the public apology that still hasnt been done and calling on government and church officials to do that.

The redress judicial review was a wonderful victory for all of those campaigners, and I must mention the tireless campaigners of Savia and Margaret McGuckin who didnt stop campaigning for what they were all entitled to.

Hundreds of people who felt the obvious injustice that they havent been believed or that they didnt deserve the recognition that they were promised, she added.

Referring to the vile abuse exposed at Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Co Antrim, it was Claires work, in conjunction with the group Action for Muckamore, that resulted in Health Minister Robin Swann calling for a public inquiry in September of last year.

Allegations of physical and mental abuse of patients began to emerge in 2017 and Mr Swann said there had been a sustained failure of care at the hospital, which provides facilities for adults with severe learning disabilities and mental health needs and is run by the Belfast Health Trust.

The first arrests were made in October 2019 and there have been over 60 precautionary suspensions of staff.

Police have also reviewed thousands of hours of CCTV footage as part of their ongoing investigation.

The individuals in that hospital are amongst the most vulnerable in society and theyve suffered systemic abuse and brutality in a hospital setting when they should have been protected, said Claire.

Its difficult to imagine having to receive that phone call that your child has been physically abused on hundreds of occasions in the hospital thats allegedly looking after them.

It was only after hundreds of FOIs (Freedom of Information requests) and correspondence with the Trust and the hospital did they finally admit that there was CCTV footage, which of course resulted in the original Trust investigation and then ultimately the current ongoing police investigation.

I was instructed to seek a public inquiry, we initiated judicial review proceedings on the failure of the Department to implement that, and the Health Minister did indeed call for a public inquiry after several years of work.

Inga Maria Hauser, victims of historical, institutional abuse, inquiries, ongoing campaigns... its clear that Claire has a lot on her plate at the moment.

Im dealing with issues that I feel strongly about every day and I have a real opportunity to make a positive change for people, she said.

Claire is currently working alongside Birth Mothers and their Children for Justice NI group, which has come to the fore after the recent 500-page report on mother and baby homes and Magdalene Laundries

The shocking report depicted the experiences of women, children and staff from 1922-1990 and was peppered with accounts of abuse, labour and forced adoptions.

At least 10,500 women and girls were admitted to the homes in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1990, and an alarming number of babies born to these mothers died in infancy.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has described fresh revelations about illegal adoptions in Ireland as shocking.

He said what happened was wrong and completely unacceptable, after an RTE documentary reported that for decades thousands of babies born to unmarried mothers were illegally adopted.

Many only recently found out they were adopted, believing until then that the mother and father they grew up with were their natural parents.

Some also discovered they had been celebrating their birthday on the wrong date for decades, because their birth certificates had been falsified.

Claire described it as a project Im involved in and feel very strongly about also. Its something that impacts one in five families here.

Despite her massive in-tray, Claire still finds some time to relax.

I enjoy getting out of the city and getting home to see my family, she said.

I love the coast and I do a bit of sea swimming.

A bit like her day job  often swimming against the tide in the fight for justice for some of societys forgotten souls.
English French

Soitec reinforces its commitments to the France Relance plan

Bernin (Grenoble), France, March 4, 2021.  The French Minister of Industry, Agnes Pannier-Runacher, and the electronics industries, including Soitec, reinforced their commitments to the countrys economic recovery plan, "France Relance", in a meeting at Soitec's headquarters today.

The Minister Delegate to the French Minister of the Economy, Finance and Economic Recovery, in charge of Industry, and the Strategic Industry Committee (CSF) of the Electronics Industries, represented by its Chairman Thierry Tingaud, signed an amendment to the support contract for the Electronics Industry.

The addendum updates a contract initially signed for the sector on March 15, 2019, and introduces new axes structuring the priorities of the "France Relance" plan. Soitec is one of the six industrial leaders of the Nano 2022 plan, along with STMicroelectronics, Lynred, Murata France, X-Fab France and UMS.

Agnes Pannier-Runacher said: "Our ambition for electronics rests on two pillars: the technological leadership to guarantee our sovereignty, and the development of a key sector that generates added value and jobs. We are taking the lead today to boost our development and invest in building our countrys future and our vision for France in 2030.

On the occasion of the signing, the Minister visited Soitec's premises to assess the progress of the work carried out as part of the Nano 2022 program and look at the development of Soitecs site in Bernin, which was supported by public funding. Since 2018, Soitec has transformed a production unit and dedicated it to the production of its new generation of 300mm substrates; a second unit dedicated to filter applications for smartphones has been developed since 2020. Soitec's objective over the entire duration of the Nano 2022 plan is to create 700 new jobs; at present, 500 jobs have already been set up at the Bernin site.

During her visit, Agnes Pannier-Runacher also announced 105 winners of the call for projects to support critical sectors, including some 20 new projects from electronics and photonics companies.

"The support of the French government, the European Union and local authorities over more than ten years has enabled us to develop new products that give us a strategic position in the sector of radio frequency and smartphones," said Paul Boudre, Soitec's Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to continuing this path of innovation and industrialization in France, reinforcing this winning model of cooperation with the public authorities and major laboratories such as CEA-Leti, our historical partner. We are currently deploying the Nano 2022 plan at full speed, supported by the French government, the Communaute de Communes Le Gresivaudan, the Auvergne Rhone-Alpes Region, the Grenoble Metropolitan Council and the Isere departement, to whom all I would like to extend my warmest thanks. 

# # #

Click here to view the video of Paul Boudre, Soitec's Chief Executive Officer

(French version only)

# # #

About Soitec

Soitec (Euronext, Tech 40 Paris) is a world leader in designing and manufacturing innovative semiconductor materials. The company uses its unique technologies and semiconductor expertise to serve the electronics markets. With more than 3,300 patents worldwide, Soitecs strategy is based on disruptive innovation to answer its customers needs for high performance, energy efficiency and cost competitiveness. Soitec has manufacturing facilities, R&D centers and offices in Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

Soitec and Smart Cut are registered trademarks of Soitec.

For more information, please visit www.soitec.com and follow us on Twitter: @Soitec_EN

Investor Relations:



Steve Babureck

+33 6 16 38 56 27

+65 9231 9735

steve.babureck@soitec.com







Media contact:



Markus Payer

+33 7 85 54 90 84

markus.payer-ext@soitec.com







Isabelle Laurent

+33 1 53 32 61 51 isabelle.laurent@oprgfinancial.fr







Fabrice Baron

+33 1 53 32 61 27

fabrice.baron@oprgfinancial.fr

# # #

Soitec is a French joint-stock corporation with a Board of Directors (Societe Anonyme a Conseil dadministration) with a share capital of  66,557,802.00, having its registered office located at Parc Technologique des Fontaines - Chemin des Franques - 38190 Bernin (France), and registered with the Grenoble Trade and Companies Register under number 384 711 909.

# # #

Attachment
Two Manx photographers each bag top award

Two photographers from the Isle of Man have each won an award for their skills.

Sue Blythe won Travel Photographer of Year at The Societies of Photographers Annual Convention in London.

Sue's award-winning image was of a novice monk in Myanmar in late 2019.

Keith Burns also from the Island won Documentary Photographer of Year. Keith's image was of the Island's prison officers conducting riot control training.

There were over 9,000 entries in the competition, and the winners were chosen by a panel of judges with many years of experience.

The event was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Photos
(Natural News) The Michigan Republican Party is calling on the states attorney general to launch an investigation into Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over a secret deal she made with Robert Gordon, her former state health department director.

The Michigan GOP issued a statement this week calling on Whitmer to release all information about the deal, in which Whitmer agreed to a $155,506 payout after Gordons abrupt resignation back in January.

Details about why Gordon left the position have not been made public due to a confidentiality agreement, which is why Republicans want Michigan AG Dana Nessels office to immediately open up an investigation into the matter.

Michigan Republicans are also calling on the state legislature to issue subpoenas and hold hearings to answer a very simple question  Why is Gov. Whitmer buying the silence of a former government employee, the states top public health official, in the middle of a global pandemic?

The fact that a confidentiality agreement was made at all just adds another wrinkle to the problem, says Sen. Jim Runestad, a Republican.

The administration has not been forthcoming with the data or the information surrounding their Covid policies, he added. The continued secrecy is troubling, and even more reason to investigate the Whitmer administrations Covid policies.

According to Ted Goodman, communications director for the Michigan Republican Party, the deal between Whitmer and Gordon doesnt pass the smell test and Michiganders deserve answers.

Republicans also want Whitmer to be held accountable for nursing home debacle

There are also concerns being raised about Whitmers refusal to release data about deaths associated with the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) at nursing homes. Critics say Whitmer is withholding crucial data from the public that more than likely incriminates her for lying or fudging the data.

Since the state of Michigan was locked down for months on end to supposedly protect the elderly, many of whom live in nursing homes, Whitmer owes it to the people of Michigan to explain how many seniors died during this time in spite of her restrictions.

Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Charlie LeDuff says he is preparing a lawsuit to force Whitmer to come clean with the data. He believes the truth should come out, as does the Republican Party of Michigan.

The public has a right to know, LeDuff wrote in an email to Fox News. Above all, the public has a need to know. We shut down the entire economy, we interrupted our childrens lives, all in the name of protecting the most vulnerable.

We now know this was the institutionalized elderly, LeDuff added. If we could not protect them, at the very least we deserve an explanation from Madam Governor.

Whether due to gross incompetence, gross negligence, or gross press conferences designed to cover the facts, as LeDuff puts it, Whitmers secrecy and resistance against transparency cannot be allowed to stand because she answers to We the People  not the other way around as politicians would prefer things to be.

Whitmer, in case you forgot, hates President Donald Trump and made a veiled threat against him during an interview with MSNBC.

There should be no such thing as a non-disclosure agreement regarding the expenditure of public money, a Fox News commenter chimed in to say. Too often our elected officials, including those at the federal level, use taxpayer funds coupled with non-disclosure agreements to pay for silence when they have violated ethical and legal boundaries.

This system needs to be halted at all levels of government immediately and elected officials held accountable  Ethics reviews should be conducted by panels of private citizens, not groups of elected or elected appointed officials, just like a grand jury.

More news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) corruption can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

FoxNews.com

NaturalNews.com
CBC

Michael Megenbir was someone who generally kept his personal life separate from work. That is, until one June day in 2017. Sitting among his fellow educators in the library of the Regina school where he worked at the time, the intensive support teacher rose at the year-end staff meeting to announce to his colleagues that he's transgender. "I really love and respect all of you, and I think you all feel the same way about me," Megenbir, now 37, remembered saying. He went on to tell them that when they return to work in the fall, he'd be changing his name to Michael and using he/him pronouns. Megenbir's palms were sweaty as he assessed the room. "I remember looking out and seeing the faces, focusing in on a couple of the staff who I had become really close with and just watching them smile," he said. Then came the applause. "It was honestly a little overwhelming, but in a good way," Megenbir said. "It gave me that little boost of confidence and it just let me know that I was doing the right thing." In 2018, Megenbir had his long-awaited top surgery, marking the first time in decades he says he felt 'comfortable in my own skin.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Allison Boulanger, who knew Megenbir as a friend and colleague for years before his transition, remembers smiling and clapping in the crowd. "When he got up to tell the staff, you could tell this was something that was right for him and it was how he needed to live his life  and live his life truthfully," she remembered thinking. Megenbir was reassured he had the support of his co-workers and school administration; what he couldn't predict was how his openness about his identity would inspire his students and colleagues to live their truths, and pave the way for more conversations around inclusion in schools. 'Business as usual' Fast forward to the new school year that fall, and Megenbir said it was a welcome surprise to notice there was "very little change" in how people treated him. He joked it was almost as though his colleagues practised over the summer. "It was kind of business as usual," he said with a chuckle. Megenbir noted that seemingly little things, like the use of his pronouns and new name, made the biggest impact on feeling accepted. And on the off-chance people messed up, they were quick to correct themselves and didn't draw attention to it. "It was the happiest he'd been," Boulanger remembered noticing. "You could tell that he felt like himself." The next year, Megenbir had long-awaited top surgery  a mastectomy and chest-sculpting procedure. "It was the first time in my life since I was probably nine or 10 years old that I felt comfortable in my own skin," he said. Megenbir dressed up as Kenny Rogers for Halloween in 2019 while his friend and colleague, Allison Boulanger, dressed up as Dolly Parton.(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Making students feel 'a little bit more understood' When the opportunity arose for Megenbir to help start a gay-straight alliance (GSA) at the school, it naturally sparked conversations about his gender identity with students. On the first day of the GSA, when he got everyone to introduce themselves, he said, "I'm excited to be here and to be a part of the GSA because I am transgender"  something that surprised a few students. All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are.  Michael Megenbir Some kids told Megenbir he was the first person in the LGBTQ community they had ever met. That's the moment he knew sharing a piece of who he was added a layer of support for those children who needed it. "All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are," he said. "As an educator, if that's the only thing I ever teach a student, I will have felt like I did my job." Megenbir and his former student, Rylan Moir, show off their matching moustaches at the Regina Pride festival in 2018. Megenbir said the support he received during his transition from his students and their parents was 'overwhelmingly positive.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) As a teacher outside the LGBTQ community, Boulanger said having Megenbir as a resource for students across the entire school proved invaluable. "I'd always tell students, 'I'm here if you want to talk to me,' but Mike was just the person they gravitated towards because he just knows what's going on and how they're feeling," she said. "He just has a way of making them feel a little bit more understood." Looking back on his childhood in rural Saskatchewan, Megenbir wonders how different his gender identity journey might have been had he had a teacher who was open about being queer, or resources like a GSA. He thinks it might not have taken him until he was 30 to live out his truth had he had those positive influences. "It was really hard to feel that you were different, and also be made to feel like there was something wrong with you because of that," he said. He points to a picture of himself in a dress at his parents' wedding as an example. When he looks at his childhood photos, Michael Megenbir says he doesn't recognize who he used to be on the outside; however, on the inside, he said he's 'the exact same now, just in different packaging.'(Jessie Anton/CBC) "As a kid, I never liked dressing up, especially in dresses," he said. "This picture is how my family explains who I am and have always been: a little goofy, dancing to my own drum and not caring what anyone else thinks about me. "I'm the exact same now, just in different packaging." LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom Talking about LGBTQ representation among teachers is important, too, said Raylee Perkins, a teacher-librarian at another Regina school. "Whatever a person's coming out story is, it's often sad and steeped in trauma," said Perkins. "Seeing someone like Mike, who's happy and radiates this love and joy, it demonstrates that you can also have that joy in your future  and you don't always see that in books or on TV." Raylee Perkins, a Regina teacher-librarian who openly identifies as queer at school, says it's important for teachers and students to see LGBTQ role models with positive experiences.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) That's in part why Perkins is open about identifying as queer at school. But that also means the advocacy work to promote LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom tends to fall on her shoulders, despite the best efforts of allies around her. "Sometimes, it's felt like I was the only queer voice in the room or queer voice in the conversation, and that can be really tiring," she said. According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education's website, the government "is committed to ensuring schools are safe and inclusive environments for all students, including those who identify as gender and/or sexually diverse." That includes encouraging school divisions to develop policies specifically to include groups, like GSAs, to create safe spaces for LGBTQ students and their allies. The province's Deepening the Discussion: Gender and Sexual Diversity framework from 2015 also contains curriculum for teachers and school administrators. Regina's public school board also recently unanimously approved training for teachers and staff about gender and sexual diversity. While LGBTQ inclusion exists under the curriculum, Boulanger said there are still some teachers who don't cover it in their classrooms. "If they can start talking about it and talk to people who identify as LGBTQ, that might help them to realize that it's not something to fear; it's something to learn about and to grow," she said. Creating more transgender inclusive spaces To make sure her classroom or library is visibly inclusive to transgender people, Perkins hangs posters that delineate the room as a safe space, and she wears rainbow pins and pronoun buttons. "For some kids, they'll never notice those little details, but for the kids who need it, they will notice even the smallest detail," she said. Perkins also makes a point of not shying away from answering tough questions and having more complex talks with her students. Allison Boulanger, Megenbir's friend and former colleague, says having openly LGBTQ teachers can give students a sense of belonging.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) Boulanger agreed, saying that on top of the curriculum around diversity and identity, she finds informal chats with her students to be the most impactful. Looking back on Megenbir's positive "coming out story" at work, Perkins said it has created a safe place for other LGBTQ people to do the same. "Both [students and teachers] can look to him as a role model or for hope  whatever that is for them," she said. "The more we can see it and talk about it and not be afraid of those conversations and face them head-on, I think the more progress we'll make."
Italy said Thursday it has blocked a shipment to Australia of AstraZenecas Covid-19 vaccine in the first such export ban under an EU vaccine monitoring scheme.

Romes order blocking the dispatch of more than 250,000 doses was accepted by the European Commission, which has fiercely criticised the Anglo-Swedish company this year for supplying just a fraction of the vaccine doses it had promised to deliver to the bloc.

The shipment was stopped because of the continuing shortage of vaccines in the EU and in Italy and delays in supplies from AstraZeneca to the EU and Italy, the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement.

It was also blocked because Australia is not considered a vulnerable country in the context of the pandemic, and because of the high number of doses requested.

The ministry said AstraZeneca requested an export permit on February 24, and Rome forwarded the request to the European Commission two days later, proposing its rejection.

The EU executive body agreed, and the Italian government  whose new Prime Minister Mario Draghi has pledged to ramp up national vaccination efforts  notified AstraZeneca of its decision on March 2.

The ministry said Italy had previously authorised the export of AstraZeneca vaccine samples, but only in modest quantities  for scientific research purposes.

The doses came from a plant in Italy operated by AstraZeneca to produce some of its vaccine, one of three authorised for use in the EU alongside the BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna versions.

Under the commissions transparency and authorisation mechanism EU member states vet planned exports out of the bloc of authorised Covid-19 vaccines.

The scheme started on January 30 and is to run until at least the end of March.

That period corresponds to a sharp shortfall in the first three months of this year of deliveries the EU had been counting on to kickstart its vaccine roll-out.

Most the shortfall is because AstraZeneca has pledged best reasonable efforts to deliver around 100 million doses in that time, but is now on track to supply just 40 percent of that.

At the same time, the UK-based company is fully supplying former EU member Britain with doses for its world-leading vaccination programme.

 Australia starts jabs 

Australia started its inoculation rollout last week using the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine. It is scheduled to start jabs with the AstraZeneca vaccine from Friday.

The World Health Organization in January said the EU export vetting scheme is part of a very worrying trend that could jeopardise global supply chains for vaccines. The EU is one of the worlds vaccine-producing powerhouses.

Under the EU scheme, a company wanting to export doses out of the bloc needs to apply to the member state government to do so.

That government then notifies the commission, which looks to see if the company is respecting its contracts, including with the EU, and if any production shortages are equally spread out between the EU and the export destination.

The member state can authorise or refuse the export in line with the commissions opinion.

The commission and Italys government have come in for sharp criticism by Italians for a slow vaccination rollout, which started in December but has been held up by a lack of doses.

So far, 1.5 million adults, mainly the elderly and health workers, have been fully vaccinated in the country of 60 million  one of the worst-hit by the pandemic, with almost 100,000 deaths from Covid-19.

SOURCE: AFP



CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Canadian dollar advanced against its major counterparts in the Asian session on Friday, as crude oil prices jumped after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies decided to keep output unchanged in April.



Crude for April delivery rose $0.96 to $64.79 per barrel.



During a virtual gathering on Thursday, the OPEC+ decided to maintain the current supply cuts for April amid fears that coronavirus restrictions could hurt demand.



Saudi Arabia will retain its 1 million barrel-a-day voluntary production cut in order to support crude prices.



Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman cautioned about raising production, but said that cuts will be withdrawn over the next few months depending upon the market conditions.



Non-OPEC countries such as Russia and Kazakstan were allowed to make modest increases.



The loonie strengthened to 85.62 against the yen, its highest level since December 2018. If the loonie extends rise, 88.00 is possibly seen as its next resistance level.



The loonie recovered to 1.2651 against the greenback, from a 3-day low of 1.2695 seen at 8:15 pm ET. The loonie is likely to find resistance around the 1.21 level.



The loonie approached 1.5126 against the euro, a level unseen since June 2020. On the upside, 1.50 is possibly seen as its next resistance level.



The loonie climbed to a 4-week high of 0.9756 against the aussie from Thursday's close of 0.9779. The next possible resistance for the loonie is seen around the 0.96 level.



Looking ahead, UK Halifax house price data is due in the European session.



U.S. jobs data and and Canada Ivey PMI for February, as well as U.S. and Canadian trade data and U.S. consumer credit, all for January, are due in the New York session.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
YouTuber and content creator Kangmin Lee, during an interview with the "American Thought Leaders" program, at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 28, 2021. (The Epoch Times)

Wokeism Is the Next or the New Secular Religion: Young Asian-American Conservative

Asian-American conservative Kangmin Lee said on Sunday that wokeism is becoming a new secular religion that gives people a sense of purpose in the absence of traditional religious belief.

Wokeism is the next or the new secular religion. Kangmin Lee told Jan Jekielek, host of The Epoch Times American Thought Leaders at CPAC 2021 on Feb. 28.

Most people worship something whether they are religious or not. And so this wokeness is this way for a lot of people who do not have a sense of purpose.

I think deep inside the human spirit, a lot of us are longing to fight for something and find meaning and purpose in life.  If you strip away religion from those people, and they dont have anything to fight for, theyre going to look for something to fight for which is many times causes that have been fabricated  from the left and the narrative thats been crafted by the media, Lee added.

Lee, a recent college graduate who experienced the ideological climate there, said that the fabricated causes driving wokeness, such as the United States being systemically racist, are completely debunked by the success of Asian Americans, and the narrative being crafted around dark skin-targeted police brutality is simply not true.

If you look at the data, there are so many more white people who die than black people by police every single year, Lee said.

Growing up in a Democrat-dominated state, Lee said hes been surrounded by very left-leaning individuals. Hed been told constantly that President Trump was a racist and conservatives were terrible, and as an Asian, he must vote Democrat.

But Lee said he found it conflicting since as a devout Christian his values should align with conservatism because it stems from Judeo-Christian values.

Lee said he was really quiet after he first experienced a change in his ideology. But felt he needed to speak up when the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement came up after George Floyds death. As a result, he was denounced by all his college friends when he tried to offer them some facts on the issue.

All my friends who I shared food with, ate with, hung out, grabbed tacos, had late-night study sessions with, all said the nastiest things to me  and these are Christians.

The nastiest people to me were these woke Christians who thought they were an ally to BLM and those who are oppressed and they were saying the nastiest things to me, saying: I shouldnt even call myself a Christian. I shouldnt even call myself a human being. Im a race traitor, Lee said.

But Lee urged others not to be afraid, because even if people cancel you, others will accept you.

Ive been able to share, as an Asian, as a non-white person whos young and in his early 20s, that you dont need to conform to the left. And conservatism is the way to go. And we must go back to the values, the American values that made this country so great to begin with, if you want to see progress and a better future for this country, Lee said.
Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday broke a 50-50 tie to begin Senate debate on President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus plan.

Kamala Harris was forced to cast a tie-breaking 51st vote after the Senate deadlocked over whether to take up Biden's stimulus package.

The debate on the stimulus bill, which includes $1,400 stimulus checks to eligible Americans, is expected to drag into the weekend before lawmakers reach a final vote.

"On this vote the yays are 50, the nays are 50. The Senate being equally divided, the vice president votes in the affirmative and the motion to proceed is agreed to," Kamala Harris said in a New York Post report.

This marks Kamala Harris' second tie-breaking vote. The vice president broke a tie last month when Senate approved preliminary guidance to a committee drafting the bill.

Sen. Ron Johnson wanted the entire stimulus bill read aloud, which could delay the debate as the reading alone is seen to take about 10 hours. The Senate is expected to begin debate once the bill has been read.

Democrats adopted a legislative tool called budget reconciliation in order to advance Biden's stimulus package by a simple majority, in contrast to the usual 60-vote threshold.

The bill passed the House last week, and Senate Democrats developed a set of changes before the debate began. This includes lowering the income cap for stimulus checks from $100,000 to $80,000.

Republicans in Congress claimed Biden's stimulus package is overly expensive and unrelated to the pandemic. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said before Kamala Harris broke the tie that the time for bipartisan cooperation on the COVID-19 relief is over. Schumer noted that they would not repeat the mistakes in the past, and they are not going to be timid.

"In the face of a great challenge, we are not going to delay. When urgent action is called for, we are not going to quit before the race is won," Schumer said in a New York Daily News report.

READ NEXT: Kamala Harris Makes History as First Woman of Color Elected VP

Biden's Stimulus Package

One of the recent developments in the stimulus package is the set price cap for eligibility. The Senate parliamentarian also removed some items from the House-passed bill, including a ruling that budget reconciliation rules mean the Senate cannot use the measure to hike the minimum wage to $15 an hour, Business Insider reported.

The new stimulus package currently contains $1,400 stimulus checks, $400 federal unemployment benefits through August, and $350 billion in state and local government aid. The package also provides additional funds for virus testing and vaccines. However, no House Republican voted for the legislation.

Earlier, a group of 10 Republican lawmakers revealed an alternative stimulus plan that would scale back the checks to $1,000 per adult with a lower income cap for receivers' eligibility, according to a CBS News report. The plan would cut the cost of a third stimulus check to $220 billion compared with $600 billion under Biden's package.

Hunter Hammond, an analyst with Heights Securities, said in a Feb. 5 research note that Congress is pushing on a Democrat-only $1.9 trillion stimulus bill "in an attempt to strike while the iron is hot."

"And we expect this effort to succeed," Hammond added.

Biden has expressed willingness to negotiate, saying that he would insist on $1,400 stimulus checks and open to targeting the stimulus payments to those who most need it.

READ MORE: Biden's VP Pick Senator Kamala Harris is Making Political Party History

WATCH: Kamala Harris Breaks Senate Tie to Begin Debate on Stimulus - From Stream News
A group of four senators is calling on the Federal Communications Commission to change its definition of high-speed broadband in order to significantly increase base speeds.

Under the current FCC policy, created in 2015, 25 Mbps down/3 Mbps up is the minimum standard for broadband. In their letter, Senators Joe Manchin, Rob Portman, Michael Bennet and Angus King make the case that those speeds are no longer cutting it, particularly during a pandemic when many Americans are working and attending school remotely. They propose that there should be a new standard of 100 Mbps for both download and upload speeds, and that this should be a consistent definition across the federal government.

Ask any senior who connects with their physician via telemedicine, any farmer hoping to unlock the benefits of precision agriculture, any student who receives livestreamed instruction, or any family where both parents telework and multiple children are remote learning, and they will tell you that many networks fail to come close to high-speed in the year 2021, they write. For any of these functions, upload speeds far greater than 3 Mbps are particularly critical.

The letter was sent to the FCCs acting chair, Jessica Rosenworcel. As ArsTechnica points out, Rosenworcel has previously supported updating broadband standards to higher speeds, so theres at least some reason to believe the issue may get more attention under the current administration.
Dr. Corless, who trained at MIT and the University of Cambridge, is an experienced leader of cutting-edge enterprises that aim to make agriculture more efficient and sustainable. Her work has received international awards and honours. From a start in astrophysics, she worked on clean energy technologies for the US Senate, built food-energy-water nexus solutions at the Sahara Forest Project, and most recently, served as the Chief Growth Officer of Novihum Technologies, a leading German AgTech company dedicated to improving agricultural soils.

Farmers are facing an increasingly difficult challenge: to increase food production while defending their crops in a sustainable manner. Effective weed control plays a crucial role in being able to achieve sufficient food production for a growing global population. However, similar to the antibiotic resistance crisis affecting healthcare, there have been no major new herbicides introduced to the market with a novel mode of action in the last thirty years. This has forced overreliance on a small number of similar products that, in turn, has led to the rapid growth of weed resistance.

MoA Technology took up this challenge in 2018. Spun out of Oxford University, the company has developed its own discovery platforms and is focused on the discovery of the next generation of sustainable herbicides with new modes of action from both natural and synthetic chemistry.

MoA Technology has developed three proprietary platforms: Galaxy TM, Target TM and Select TM. These three distinct in vivo platforms allow a rapid identification of novel potent herbicidal activity, precise determination of the novel model of action, and rapid improvement of the original lead, while also allowing early-stage filtering for environmentally benign compounds. The combination of platforms offers the opportunity to revolutionise the herbicide discovery process and critically identify new, effective and environmentally sustainable herbicides. The platforms are based upon a unique combination of genetics, trait analysis and data analytics.

Dr Virginia Corless said:

"I am thrilled to join MoA Technology as it embarks on this next stage of its growth. With break-through science addressing a vital market need, MoA is poised to deliver sustainable crop protection solutions that support farmers and rural communities while contributing to a healthier and more sustainable food supply."

Hadyn Parry, Chairman at MoA Technology, added:

"We are delighted that Virginia has joined the company at such an exciting time in the company's development. We have shown that our approach is not only fully validated but also prolific in uncovering new biological herbicidal activity and identifying novel lead candidates. The first of these will go into field trials this year. "

http://www.moa-technology.com/

SOURCE MoA Technology

Related Links

http://www.moa-technology.com/


Frontline workers have faced shortages of essential supplies such as N95 masks, adding to their stress levels. (Joe Cicak / Getty Images)

COVID-19 has hit our already burdened healthcare workforce like a sledgehammer. More than a year into the pandemic, an immediate, full-scale effort to support healthcare workers and help them stay in the workforce is necessary if the U.S. healthcare system is to survive.

Before the onset of COVID-19, one-third to one-half of health professionals were experiencing burnout and distress  a rate higher than whats seen in other demanding fields such as law and academia. Burnout can lead to anxiety, depression, even suicide. It can affect health workers job performance and propel them to leave the workforce. Ultimately, high rates of burnout may compromise the function of the health system and threaten access to high-quality care.

That is why we need a national strategy, not only to help healthcare workers recover from the pandemic, but also to mitigate preexisting drivers of burnout. An essential first step is a tracking system to monitor their physical and mental health.

This system would be managed by the federal government and establish standards for what health data should be routinely collected and reported by employers. Ideally, this information would be aggregated in an online database, where researchers, policymakers and the public could view national and regional trends in health workers well-being. Negative trends would signal the need for intervention. Crucially, this system would direct the commitment of federal funds to provide long-term physical and mental healthcare for affected individuals.

Anecdotes and statistics demonstrate the need for such a system.

Last year, a physician reported for duty at a Houston hospital 268 days in a row. The Mayo Clinic reported in November that more than 1,000 of its staff members were on leave because of infection, exposure or caregiving responsibilities. And to cope with the onslaught of COVID-19 patients, California relaxed nurse-to-patient ratios in telemetry units that electronically monitor critically ill patients, increasing workloads by as much as 50%.

Story continues

Front-line workers have faced shortages of essential supplies such as N95 masks, ventilators and cardiac monitors. In the many months before they could get vaccinated, many worried about getting COVID-19 and transmitting the virus to loved ones. Tens of thousands of healthcare workers did become ill, and more than 2,900 died of COVID-19 last year, according to one analysis.

Of course, patients are also dying, more than 517,000 so far. Since hospitals have restricted visitation during the pandemic, many doctors and nurses have been forced into an emotional and heartbreaking role  offering comfort, facilitating anguished goodbyes via FaceTime and bearing lone witness to a patients final moments.

The scars of these experiences will be deep, and they are bound to exacerbate burnout. There are already worrying signs. In a survey of more than 12,000 U.S. physicians published in January, only 49% reported being happy at work, compared with 69% before the pandemic.

The problem goes beyond physicians. A survey conducted in the summer revealed a concerning trend across all health professionals, with 76% reporting burnout and exhaustion amid the pandemic. Nurses appeared particularly vulnerable in this study, reporting higher levels of COVID-19 exposure risk, greater exhaustion and less access to emotional support than other members of the healthcare team.

We know that the health consequences of disasters and traumatic events can last for years. Yet disasters of the past have largely been concentrated in terms of their duration and geography  whether that means a powerful hurricane, a mass shooting or a building collapse. As resources flow in from across the nation, providing support for health workers and other first responders after comparatively isolated incidents is relatively straightforward, though far from easy.

There is no cavalry riding to the rescue after COVID-19. The pandemic has been the largest, and the longest, strain on the well-being of U.S. health workers in modern history. The solution must match the scale of the challenge.

In order to allocate adequate resources for the necessary long-term support, we need to fully understand the scope of the need. And consistent surveillance will tell us whether well-being is improving in response to interventions. We must have a reliable barometer for the health of our healthcare workforce.

There is ample precedent for such a system. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, an agency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tracks the presence of health hazards and incidence of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. These data make it possible for affected individuals to access federal resources and compensation.

NIOSH is home to the World Trade Center Health Program, perhaps the most instructive example for a surveillance system to track the well-being of health workers. It provides long-term medical monitoring and treatment for first responders and survivors of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and publishes data annually about member demographics and health conditions. The program was recently reauthorized until 2090.

The $1.9-trillion pandemic relief bill under consideration by the Senate contains some provisions for immediate support of the healthcare workforce. But short-term support, though welcome, will not be enough. The federal government must commit to a long-term program, akin to the World Trade Center program, which provides ongoing health surveillance for all health professionals as well as care for those who experience pandemic-related health consequences.

Helping front=line healthcare workers, who have given so much of themselves to care for others, is the right thing to do. As we prepare to rebuild our society in the wake of COVID-19, it would also be a strategic investment in what has become a weakened national resource.

Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president of the National Academy of Medicine and chair of its Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
As the election returns rolled in showing President Donald J. Trump winning strong support from blue-collar voters in November while suffering historic losses in suburbs across the country, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, a Republican, declared on Twitter: We are a working class party now. Thats the future.

And with further results revealing that Mr. Trump had carried 40 percent of union households and made unexpected inroads with Latinos, other Republican leaders, including Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, trumpeted a political realignment. Republicans, they said, were accelerating their transformation into the party of Sams Club rather than the country club.

But since then, Republicans have offered very little to advance the economic interests of blue-collar workers. Two major opportunities for party leaders to showcase their priorities have unfolded recently without a nod to working Americans.

In Washington, as Democrats advance a nearly $2 trillion economic stimulus bill, they are facing universal opposition from congressional Republicans to the package, which is chock-full of measures to benefit struggling workers a full year into the coronavirus pandemic. The bill includes $1,400 checks to middle-income Americans and extended unemployment benefits, which are set to lapse on March 14.

Advertisement

Their faces stretched into horrific grins, members of Hitler's murderous SS are seen smiling and holding glasses of beer at a Nazi death camp in occupied Poland.

The image was taken in the summer of 1942 at the Chelmno camp - where up to 200,000 Jewish men, women and children were murdered.

The rare photograph was revealed in the recently-published book Hitler's Death Camps in Occupied Poland, written by military historian Ian Baxter and published by Pen & Sword.

Also among the photographs is that of a pair of uniformed and jackbooted SS camp personnel at Chelmno seen with their arms draped around each other as they laugh together.

Another image shows senior SS officials posing with an accordion for a group photograph at Sobibor death camp, where an estimated 200,000 Jews were killed.

Guards are also seen smiling while posing for a group photo at the Belzec death camp, where between 430,000 and 500,000 Jews were killed.

Members of the SS (Schutzstaffel) were responsible for running the network of concentration and extermination camps which existed across occupied Poland.

The extermination camps were partly where an estimated six million Jews were slaughtered in the Holocaust between 1941 and 1945.

Taking a break from murdering at Sobibor, SS members are seen chatting and enjoying a beer. Pictured from left to right: Arthur Dachsel, possibly Erich Schulze, Johann Niemann, camp commandant Franz Reichleitner, an unidentified member of the border guard, and Erich Bauer, on the terrace on the officers' dining room, the Kasino

Their faces stretched into horrific grins, members of Hitler's murderous SS are seen laughing and swigging from bottles at Chelmno, the Nazi death camp in occupied Poland. The image was taken in the summer of 1942 and is revealed in the recently-published book Hitler's Death Camps in Occupied Poland, written by military historian Ian Baxter

Another image shows senior SS officials posing with an accordion for a group photograph at Sobibor death camp, where an estimated 200,000 Jews were killed. Seen from left to right: SS officers Rudolf Kamm, Willi Wendland, Heinrich Unverhau with an accordion, possibly Fritz Konrad, and Johann Klier stand in the Vorlager at Sobibor, early summer 1943

After the invasion of Poland in September 1939, Adolf Hitler's Germany had gained dominion over 20million people.

In the years that followed, Nazi forced unleashed unrestrained terror across the country.

New concentration camps were established in Poland to house enemies of the state who were forced to work as slave labourers.

Jewish people were at first imprisoned in ghettos but as the Nazis gained more territory following the invasion of the Soviet Union, thousands more people deemed 'subhuman' fell under their control.

Whilst the Nazis at first shot many people deemed to be expendable, this method of killing was deemed to be too slow and it was recognised that it was distressing for the soldiers carrying out the killings.

Mr Baxter notes how Heinrich Himmler, the main architect of the Holocaust, 'nearly fainted' after witnessing a mass killing in August 1941.

He therefore made it clear that a more effective way of killing was required.

Killing methods such as the use of gas vans were experimented with at Chelmno camp in 1941.

Also among the photographs is an image of a pair of uniformed and jackbooted SS camp personnel at Chelmno seen with their arms draped around each other as they laugh together. Mr Baxter writes in his book: 'For many of the staff working inside these camps, the prestige of the uniform, elitism, toughness, and comradeship often outweighed any morale scruples they had for their hapless inmates. Some almost enjoyed meting out harsh and often brutal punishments for the slightest infractions of camp rules'

Former Russian prisoners of war who were recruited by the Nazis and known as Trawniki men - after the camp they were trained in - are seen above posing for a group photo at the Belzec death camp, in occupied Poland, in 1942. Trawniki men played a major role in the extermination of the Jews

A group of Sobibor SS personnel can be seen chatting. Two of them have smiles on their face. Jews from Poland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Soviet Union were killed at Sobibor in three gas chambers fed by the deadly fumes of a large petrol engine taken from a tank. An estimated 200,000 people were killed in the camp. Some estimations put the figure at 250,000

Thoroughly enjoying themselves with bottles of beer are a group of SS men who served at both Sobibor and Treblinka. Unlike at other camps, where some Jews were assigned to forced labor before being killed, nearly all Jews brought to Treblinka were immediately gassed to death. Only a select few - mostly young, strong men, were spared from immediate death and assigned to maintenance work instead

SS officials Willi Wendland (left) and Franz Wolf are seen playing chess in front of the new officers' dining room at Sobibor in 1943. Franz Wolf came to the camp in the spring of that year

SS Unterscharfuhrer (junior squad leader) Rudolf Kamm is seen sitting with a German shepherd dog at Sobibor in the summer of 1943. Kamm was originally recruited from the Sonnenstein euthanasia centre, in eastern Germany, where he burned corpses. In the autumn of 1942 he came to Sobibor from Belzec where he was put in charge of the sorting barracks

The commander of Sobibor, Franz Reichleitner, is seen standing smiling next to an unidentified woman who has her hand on his chest. They are standing on the dining room terrace in the officers' quarters at Sobibor. On the right are fellow SS officers Erich Bauer and Johann Niemann Reichleitner had been camp commandant since September 1942

SS official Johann Niemann (right) is seen at Sobibor with an unidentified colleague and two German Shepherd dogs. The picture was taken at Sobibor's officers' quarters. The dogs were used to spread terror among Jews when they arrived at the camp

Later, in 1942, death camps with purpose-built gas chambers were established as part of Operation Reinhard  the codename for the plan to exterminate Polish Jews.

The most notorious facility, Auschwitz-Birkenau, had existed as a concentration camp since May 1940 before it was extended to house killing facilities and crematoria.

An estimated 1.2million men, women and children were murdered there.

The Chelmno site was based on the estate of an empty manor house in northern Poland.

Killing operations began in December 1941. Jews were stripped of their possessions before being herded into mobile gas vans.

The van driver would then connect the exhaust pipe to the van's chamber. Once the occupants were dead, the driver took their bodies to be burnt and buried in the nearby Rzuchow Forest.

The camp commandant was SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Herbert Lange

Mr Baxter writes: 'The camp got through six to nine van-loads per day and over a few weeks 3,830 Koo Jews and 4,000 Romani people were killed this way.

'One of the largest communities to be murdered at the Chemno killing centre were the residents of the odz ghetto.

'Deportations began on 16 January 1942 and proceeded in phases until 15 May 1942. Some 55,000 Jews from the odz ghetto were gassed at Chemno.'

Chelmno operated until it was closed in March 1943, when it was decided that other camps, such as Treblinka, Sobibor and Belzec had more efficient ways of killing people and disposing of their remains.

The SS sent an order for peoples' remains at Chelmno to be exhumed and burned in open-air crematoria.

Their bones were then crushed by a machine before being dumped in a river. The manor house at the site was demolished.

In June 1944, after the remainder of the Lodz ghetto was liquidated, a small camp was set up once more at the site to kill ghetto inhabitants using mobile gas vans.

Mr Baxter says around 25,000 victims were murdered before it was decided that the remaining Jews would be taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau to be killed.

SS official Heinrich Unverhau (left) is seen playing the violin on the terrace of the officers' dining room at Sobibor in the early summer of 1943. Playing the accordion is Willi Wendland. Sobibor was located about 50 miles from the provincial Polish capital of Brest-on-the-Bug. Its official German name was SS-Sonderkommando Sobibor

SS officials Arthur Dachsel (left), Johann Niemann, Franz Reichleitner, and Erich Bauer are seen enjoying the summer day on the terrace of the new officers dining room at Sobibor. Prisoners launched a heroic escape at the camp on October 14, 1943 in which 600 men, women and children succeeded in crossing the camp's perimeter fence. Of those, only 50 managed to evade capture. It is unclear how many crossed into allied territory

Johann Niemann (left) stands with SS-Unterscharfuhrer Adolf Muller in front of a well at the farm at Sobibor in the summer of 1943. On the farm, Jewish prisoners were forced to raise chickens, pigs and geese and grow fruit and vegetables, all of which were enjoyed by the SS men

SS officers at Sobibor are seen grouped together as they discuss camp operations. After the revolt at Sobibor, the Nazis demolished the camp and planted pine trees on the site. The above image was most likely taken in 1942

Belzec was one of the three death camps  along with Sobibor and Treblinka  which was set up after the Wannsee conference in January 1942.

The conference saw Nazi officials discuss the implementation of the plan to kill the Jews.

They decided that, rather than transporting Jewish people to Russia to kill them, it would be more practical to send German and Polish Jews to new death camps in Poland.

Belzec, the first of the Reinhard camps, was located in the Lublin district of occupied Poland.

The first part of the camp  Camp 1  was the site of barracks where new inmates undressed and women had their hair shorn.

The second part  Camp II  was where the gas chambers were based, along with a large area for mass graves.

The camp was guarded by Ukrainian guards  known as Trawniki Men - who had formerly been prisoners of war.

They were all trained at Trawniki, a camp set up for that specific purpose.

Camp commandant Christian Wirth had arrived in 1941 with euthanasia specialists who were tasked with building the gassing facility.

Gassing tests were then carried out with Zyklon B (cyanide) gas, as well as with bottled carbon monoxide.

A unit of deportation police pose at the Lodz ghetto in occupied Poland. They were preparing to send Jews from the ghetto to Chelmno death camp. The ghetto housed Polish Jews and Roma people after Poland was invaded by the Nazis. It was the second-largest ghetto after the better-known Warsaw Ghetto

Seen left is SS official Rudolf 'Rudi' Kamm outside the barracks at Belzec death camp. after he has emerged from the administration office at Belzec. Belzec operated from March 1942 until the end of June 1943. It was built specifically as an extermination camp as part of Operation Reinhard - the plan to exterminate the Jews. Right: An SS man poses at Belzec in front of the flour mill

A Soviet tank engine was also installed to produce carbon monoxide and was deemed a complete success.

The camp began operations in March 1942 and by the end of April, thousands of Jews had been murdered.

Mr Baxter writes: 'Himmler sent his congratulations to Wirth who had finally built a killing factory capable of murdering many hundreds of thousands of people in one place.

The images of are revealed in upcoming book Hitler's Death Camps in Occupied Poland - Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives, written by military historian Ian Baxter and published by Pen & Sword

'Wirth looked upon the operation as a factory to which raw goods were delivered, processed and then stored.

'Wirth was helping to realize his Fuhrers dream of the annihilation of the Jewish race.'

The commandant of Sobibor was SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer (Captain) Franz Stangl.

The camp became operational in mid-May 1942. Within the first two months, 100,000 people were killed there.

Mr Baxter says that Stangl would often appear at the ramps where Jews were being unloaded.

Dressed in white riding clothes, he would watch as 'Ukrainian guards flung open the doors and chased the people out of the wagons with their leather whips.

'Instructions came from a loudspeaker: "undress completely, including artificial limbs and spectacles. Give your valuables up at the counter. Tie your shoes together carefully."

Women and girls were then taken to have their heads shaved. Deportees were then sent to their deaths.

After they had been murdered, their bodies were driven to the pit at the camp and dumped.

Before they were covered with soil, powdered lime was thrown over the bodies to break them down.

However, Mr Baxter describes in horrifying detail how the summer of 1942 was 'particularly hot and dry', making the smell of rotting bodies spread across the camp.

But he adds: 'By the summer of 1942, both Sobibor and Belzec were in operation, and despite the problems, the 'Reinhard' camps were achieving what they had been intended for, the mass extermination of the Jews.'
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

US President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to stop the tariffs related to the aircraft trade disputes for four months, the White House said in a readout on Friday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2021) US President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to stop the tariffs related to the aircraft trade disputes for four months, the White House said in a readout on Friday.

"Noting our shared values and the world's largest trade and investment relationship, the leaders agreed to suspend the tariffs related to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Aircraft disputes for four months and to work toward resolving these long running disputes at the WTO," the readout said.

Average rural power supply duration increased from 12.5 hours in 2014-15 to 18.5 hours in 2019-20, Power Minister R K Singh has said. The minster was addressing the Power Ministry Parliamentary Consultative Committee in a meeting on Wednesday, a statement said.

"R.K Singh, Minister of State (Independent charge), Ministry of Power has informed that the average rural power supply duration has increased from 12.5 hours in 2014-15 to 18.5 hours in 2019-20," it said. He mentioned that the 100 per cent village electrification has been achieved 13 days before target while 100 per cent household electrification has been achieved under Saubhagya scheme.

He also informed about the steps taken by the ministry for the empowerment of consumers. The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules were rolled out by Power Ministry in December, 2020, with emphasis that power system exists to serve consumers with mandated service standards and mandatory round the clock call center.

The power minister stated that the country has been transformed from a Power Deficit to Power Surplus Nation as at present the total installed capacity in country is 3.77 lakh MW as compared to Peak Demand of 1.89 lakh MW. "We have achieved the target of One Nation-One Grid- One Frequency with the addition of Transmission Lines of 1.42 lakh ckm (circuit km) and Transformation Capacity of 437 MVA in FY 15-20", he informed.

He provided details of the steps taken by the government for reliable, quality and sustainable power supply like flexibility in coal utilization amongst the generation stations leading to savings of Rs.1,447 Cr/ year in NTPC Ltd, introduction of new products in power exchange( Real Time Market and Green Term Ahead Market) and Payment Security through letter of credit mechanism to tackle the issue of outstanding dues of power generation companies.

Singh explained the provisions on distribution competition in Proposed Electricity(Amendment) Bill, 2021. Under the 2021 bill multiple distribution companies will be allowed to operate in the area of supply. The consumers may choose any distribution company. It will lead to improved services, responsiveness, service innovation and enhanced billing and collection efficiency.

The Minister informed that as regards the promotion of renewable energy, efforts are on towards working for renewable energy target of 175 GW by 2022 under Paris Climate Agreement. Various steps have been taken to promote green and renewable energy such as waiver of ISTS Charges for Solar and Wind and competitive bidding guidelines for procurements of Wind, Solar, Hybrid, Round The Clock(RTC) power. Stalled hydropower projects of 3470 MW have been revived.

Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) have been involved for small hydro construction. The MPs made suggestions about improvement in regulatory mechanism, strengthening of power infrastructure in states, conducting survey to analyse increase in power demand in the coming 10-15 years for the Power Generating states etc, it stated.

Also read: India's power consumption grows by 0.88% to 104.73 billion units in Feb

Also read: Discoms' outstanding dues to power producers rise 24% to Rs 1.36 lakh crore in Dec
The Delaware Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that RSUI Indemnity Co. must pay $12,321,096 to Dole Corp. toward the cost of a legal settlement with former shareholders who alleged they were cheated out of potential profits when executives manipulated the stock price before taking the company private.

The high court rejected RSUIs argument that coverage is not owed because public policy demands that corporate executives should not be allowed to profit from fraudulent acts by passing the cost along to their companys directors and officers insurer.

The court said, in fact, Delaware insurances statute specifically allows corporations to purchase D&O insurance for liabilities arising from bad-faith conduct. That does not mean the state condones fraud, the high court said in a 5-0 decision written by Justice Gary F. Traynor.

But concluding certain conduct, including a directors breach of loyalty sounding in fraud, is not uninsurable on public-policy grounds is notably different than placing a stamp of approval on that conduct, the high court said. Hence, in the absence of clear guidance from the General Assembly to the contrary, we must reject RSUIs invitation to void its contractual obligations on public-policy grounds.

The dispute stems from Dole Chief Executive Officer David H . Murdocks and President Michael Carters actions when they converted the company from public ownership to private as part of a merger agreement. Murdock, who already owned about 40% of the shares of the company, purchased the remainder from investors for $13.50 per share.

After the transaction closed in November 2013, Dole stockholders filed lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery alleging that Murdock and Carter manipulated the value of Dole stock before the sale in order to purchase the outstanding shares at an artificially low price. After a nine-day trial, the court ruled that Murdock and Carter had breached their duty of loyalty to shareholders through a series of unfair and fraudulent actions. The judge ordered them to pay the plaintiffs damages of $148,190,590  equivalent to an additional $2.74 per share.

Some issues were unresolved by the ruling, but Murdock and Carter settled the lawsuit by agreeing to pay the former shareholders the amount of damages that the court ordered.

Investors who sold their Dole stock before the merger was completed filed a separate lawsuit, alleging that Murdocks and Carters actions had deflated the value of their shares as well. Dole negotiated a settlement, agreeing to pay $74 million plus interest to those investors.

RSUI, headquartered in Atlanta, held the eighth layer of coverage in Doles D&O insurance tower. It joined five other excess carriers that refused to pay for Doles settlement costs, instead filing a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment that no coverage was owed.

In a series of decisions, the Delaware Superior Court rejected the insurers claims and entered judgment in favor ofDole. By the time RSIU filed an appeal last March, it was the only carrier left that had not settled with Dole or paid its policy limits.

RSUI argued that the case should be decided under California law because Doles headquarters is located in the Los Angeles suburb of Westlake Village. The Supreme Court, however, said that argument underrates the significance of Doles status as a Delaware corporation.

The carrier argued that even under Delaware law, Doles settlement with the former stockholders was not insured because of a fraud/profit exclusion in the policy. The Supreme Court found, however, that the Superior Courts memorandum opinion was not a final, non-appealable ruling that barred coverage.

RSUI argued that even if the policy did not specifically exclude coverage, public policy in Delaware demands that the court conclude that fraudulent acts are uninsurable.

The Supreme Court noted that more than 50% of public corporations and 63% of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware. The state legislature in Delaware, as well as state lawmakers in other states, have passed laws that allow corporations to purchase insurance to indemnify their directors and officers even from actions that the corporations themselves would not be allowed to indemnify.

The Supreme Court said in the high-stakes arena of stockholder litigation, a blanket prohibition, on public-policy grounds, against insuring for losses arising from a directors or officers misstatements, misleading statements, or breaches of the duty of loyalty (when based on fraud) would leave many injured parties without a means of recovery.

The court affirmed the ruling of the Superior Court, which requires RSUI to pay the $10 million policy limit plus $2,321,096 in pre-judgment interest.

Photo courtesy of Dole Foods Co.
Schematic illustration of how light affects the nucleation (birth) of dislocations (slippages of crystal planes) and dislocation motion, when the sample is also placed under mechanical loading. The Nagoya University/Technical University of Darmstadt research collaboration has found clear evidence that propagation of dislocations in semiconductors is suppressed by light. The likely cause is interaction between dislocations and electrons and holes excited by the light. Credit: Atsutomo Nakamura

Semiconductor materials play an indispensable role in our modern information-oriented society. For reliable performance of semiconductor devices, these materials need to have superior mechanical properties: they must be strong as well as resistant to fracture, despite being rich in nanoscale structures.

Recently, it has become increasingly clear that the optical environment affects the structural strength of semiconductor materials. The effect can be much more significant than expected, especially in light-sensitive semiconductors, and particularly since due to technological constraints or fabrication cost many semiconductors can only be mass-produced in very small and thin sizes. Moreover, laboratory testing of their strength has generally been performed on large samples. In the light of the recent explosion in emerging nanoscale applications, all of this suggests that there is an urgent need for the strength of semiconductor materials to be reappraised under controlled illumination conditions and thin sample sizes.

To this end, Professor Atsutomo Nakamura's group at Nagoya University, Japan, and Dr. Xufei Fang's group at the Technical University of Darmstadt have developed a technique for quantitatively studying the effect of light on nanoscale mechanical properties of thin wafers of semiconductors or any other crystalline material. They call it a 'photoindentation' method. Essentially, a tiny, pointy probe indents the material while it is illuminated by light under controlled conditions, and the depth and rate at which the probe indents the surface can be measured. The probe creates dislocationsslippages of crystal planesnear the surface, and using a transmission electron microscope the researchers observe the effect of light at a range of wavelengths on dislocation nucleation (the birth of new dislocations) and dislocation mobility (the dislocations' gliding or sliding away from the point where they were created). The nucleation and mobility are measured separately for the first time and is one of the novelties of the photoindentation technique.

The researchers have discovered that while light has a marginal effect on the generation of dislocations under mechanical loading, it has a much stronger effect on the motion of dislocations. When a dislocation occurs, it is energetically favorable for it to expand and join up (nucleate) with others, and the imperfection gets bigger. Illumination by light does not affect this: the electrons and holes excited in the semiconductor by the light (the photo-excited carriers) do not affect the strain energy of the dislocation, and it is this energy that determines the "line tension" of the dislocation that controls the nucleation process.

On the other hand, dislocations can also move in a so-called 'glide motion', during which photo-excited carriers are dragged by dislocations via electrostatic interaction. The effect of photo-excited carriers on this dislocation motion is much more pronounced: if enough carriers are produced, the material becomes much stronger.

This effect is strikingly demonstrated when the same experiment is carried out in complete darkness and then under illumination with light at a wavelength that matches the semiconductor band gap (which produces an increased number of photo-excited carriers). When indented, any solid material initially undergoes "plastic deformation"changing shape without springing back, somewhat like puttyuntil the load becomes too great, upon which it cracks. The Nagoya University research group demonstrated that the inorganic semiconductor zinc sulfide (ZnS) in total darkness behaves somewhat like putty, deforming by a huge 45% under shear strain without cracking or falling apart. However, when illuminated at the correct wavelength, it becomes quite hard. At other wavelengths it becomes not quite as hard.

The new findings demonstrate that purely plastic deformation without crack formation in semiconductor materials occurs at the nanoscale. With regards to mechanical behavior, these semiconductors therefore resemble metallic materials. This newly established, robust experimental protocol makes it possible to evaluate the effect of light on the strength of even non-semiconducting materials that are very thin. Professor Nakamura notes: "One particularly important aspect is that non-semiconductors can exhibit semiconducting properties near the surface, due to oxidation, for instance, and since the starting point of deformation or fracture is often the surface, it is of great significance to establish a method for accurately measuring the strength of materials under controlled illumination conditions at the very surface, on a nanoscale."

The hardening effect that electron-hole pairs freed by light illumination have on material strengthby suppressing the propagation of dislocations, particularly near the surfaceis part of a paradigm shift in the science of material strength. Conventionally, when considering the strength of a material, the atomic arrangement was the smallest unit. In other words, there was a premise that the strength of the material could be understood from the atomic arrangement and elasticity theory. However, recent studies have reported that the strength characteristics of materials change significantly due to external influences such as light and an electric field. Therefore, Professor Nakamura notes, "it is becoming more and more accepted that other viewpoints must be added to the theory of material strength which include the motion of electrons and holes that are smaller than atoms."

"This study reaffirms the quantum-level effect on the strength of such materials. In this respect, it can be said that this research has achieved one milestone in the paradigm shift in the field of material strength that is currently occurring."

Dr. Xufei Fang adds: "Now that the creation of devices on the true nanoscale is becoming a reality, the impact of light on the structural strength of various inorganic semiconductors is an issue to be considered."

Explore further Keep the light off: A material with improved mechanical performance in the dark

More information: Atsutomo Nakamura et al, Photoindentation: A New Route to Understanding Dislocation Behavior in Light, Nano Letters (2021). Journal information: Nano Letters Atsutomo Nakamura et al, Photoindentation: A New Route to Understanding Dislocation Behavior in Light,(2021). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c04337
In an episode of the humorous television show Family Guy, an unusual short discussion takes place:

Hey! Youre not in uniform. Are you guys cops?

Are you guys cops?

They know were not cops!

Todays report is not about police, criminals, or funny shows. Instead, it is about pronouns. In this Everyday Grammar, we will explore second-person plural pronouns in American English and other kinds of English.

Pronouns

Personal pronouns are among the first pronouns you learn in English. Think of words such as I, you, we, and they.

In English grammar, we often describe pronouns in terms of person and number.

The person can be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. The number can be singular or plural.

Take the pronoun I. It is the first-person singular pronoun. The first-person plural pronoun is we. The third-person pronoun also has its singular and plural forms.

But the second-person pronouns are a little unusual. You is both the singular and plural form.

You might wonder how English speakers deal with speaking to others. How do they show if they are already speaking to one person or more than one person, especially in everyday discussions?

English speakers around the world have different ways that they deal with this problem, as we will see.

American English

Speakers of American English have many ways to show the difference between second-person singular and second-person plural. Sometimes they use both of you when speaking to two people; sometimes they use all of you or some of you when speaking to groups.

Imagine a lawyer needs two people to sign a document. The lawyer might say:

I need both of you to sign this document.

If the same lawyer were speaking to a group of people, he or she might say:

I need all of you to sign this document.

Or:

Some of you need to sign this document.

In everyday speech, Americans have several other ways they show the difference between the second-person singular and the second-person plural.

Think back to the words you heard at the beginning of this report:

Hey! Youre not in uniform. Are you guys cops?

Are you guys cops?

They know were not cops!

Note that both speakers used the term you guys to show that they were speaking to several people.

Imagine this situation. Schoolchildren are getting out of control. One student might tell two or more other students:

You guys need to calm down!

In some parts of the United States, speakers use the term yall as the second-person plural. A video called The Many Meanings of Yall explores the many uses of the term.

The video notes that a speaker might greet two or more people by saying the following:

Hey yall!

But please note that the video also makes fun of the difference between yall and you guys, which we will explore in detail in a future report.

Hey you guys, what are you all looking at?

Another second-person plural pronoun, youse, is also used in America, but such usage is growing increasingly rare, a 2017 opinion story in the Chicago Tribune suggests.

The opinion story described the decline of youse in America and noted that you guys and yall have risen to take the place of youse.

Different kinds of English

When you listen to English speakers from around the world, you will hear slightly different second-person plural pronoun usage.

In a paper on New Zealand English, Laurie Bauer notes that some speakers use a second-person plural form youse, as well as other forms such as youse guys and you guys. Bauer suggests that youse likely comes from Ireland, although it is also found in parts of Scotland and the north of England.

He adds that you guys likely comes from America.

Closing thoughts

For now, you should be very careful about using any pronouns other than you. On writing tests, for example, you would probably not want to use yall or you guys. The next time you are watching films or listening to everyday discussions in English, pay careful attention to how speakers use the second-person plural pronouns. Over time, you will build a strong understanding of when and how to use different pronouns.

Im John Russell.

John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

episode  n. a television show, radio show, etc., that is one part of a series

uniform  n. a special kind of clothing that is worn by all the members of a group or organization (such as an army or team)

singular  adj. grammar : showing or indicating no more than one thing

plural  adj. grammar : relating to a form of a word that refers to more than one person or thing

greet -- v. to meet (someone who has just arrived) with usually friendly and polite words and actions
From Delish

Summer 2021 is about to become the most hyped over summer in human history. With these first hints of sunshine peeping through grizzly March's cloud, were already beginning to *smell* the immaculate vibes ahead. And, thanks to some very exciting new ice lolly releases from the marvels at Iceland, the anticipation is almost too much to bear.

Iceland has released some brand-new ice lollies based on sweet shop classics such as Cola Bottles, Parma Violets, Squashies bubblegum and Nougat. PUMPED.

From what we can tell, the first three lollies will be classic fruity ice lollies based on their designated sweeties flavours, while Nougats will be a two-tone ice cream stick made from raspberry and vanilla nougat ice creams, featuring peanuts. Why does an ice lolly thats based on a retro sweet shop classic sound so classy?! Someone please explain immediately.

The ice lollies will join Icelands existing range of Barratt and Swizzels frozen lollies, already featuring the likes of Flumps, regular Squashies Fruit Salads and Black Jacks (which are, by the way, an absolute no-no for us but each to their own)

To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so.

News of the new releases appears to have been broken exclusively through New Foods UK: one of our favourite sources when it comes to discovering all of the newest and most exciting food launches coming our way.

In the Instagram post which breaks the news, New Foods UK writes:  YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST 

New Ice Lollies coming to @icelandfoods in a few weeks!  This has literally made our day!

Although were not 100% sure when these sweetie shop marvels will be hitting stores, we do know that A) the vibes are immaculate, B) Iceland smashed it yet again, and C) were about two cans of Strongbow Dark Fruits and a bottle of Nivea Sun SPF30 from declaring that summer 2021 starts right this second.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

SIGN UP






Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Seanad Eireann will mark International Womens Day next Monday, 8 March 2021, by unveiling a painting entitled Her Surrender by Leitrim artist Sinead Guckian.

The Drumsna artist (and former county councillor) painted this having discovered that Elizabeth OFarrell, the woman Patrick Pearse selected to carry his message seeking to open negotiations for the cessation of hostilities at the end of Easter Week, was airbrushed from the photograph of Pearse delivering the surrender to Brigadier General William Lowe.

Cathaoirleach Senator Mark Daly said: International Womens Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. By displaying this painting in the Seanad we remember someone who has come to symbolise the airbrushing of women from Irish history  Elizabeth OFarrell. She is remembered for being forgotten. I also believe that there is room to improve the representation of women in the display of artworks in Leinster House and I have therefore proposed the re-establishment of the Joint Sub-Committee on Art and Portraiture so that progress can be made on this.

It is particularly appropriate that the painting will be unveiled by the Leader of the House, Senator Regina Doherty, before the Order of Business during the sitting of the Seanad on Monday, 8th March.
By Rania El Gamal and Olesya Astakhova

DUBAI/MOSCOW (Reuters) - and its allies agreed to extend most oil output cuts into April, offering small exemptions to Russia and Kazakhstan, after deciding that the demand recovery from the coronavirus pandemic was still fragile despite a recent oil price rally.

OPEC's leader Saudi Arabia said it would extend its voluntary oil output cut of 1 million barrels per day (bpd), and would decide in coming months when to gradually phase it out.

The news pushed oil prices back towards their highest levels in more than a year with Brent trading up 5% above $67 a barrel as the market had expected OPEC+ to release more barrels. [O/R]

OPEC+ had cut output by a record 9.7 million bpd last year as demand collapsed due to the pandemic. As of March, it is still withholding about 7 million bpd, or 7% of world demand. The voluntary Saudi cut brings the total to about 8 million bpd.

Under Thursday's deal, Russia was allowed to raise output by 130,000 bpd in April and Kazakhstan by another 20,000 bpd to meet domestic needs.

"Everybody (else) is going to maintain the freeze," Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told a news conference to outline the deal.

He said Saudi Arabia would decide in the next few months when to gradually phase out its 1 million bpd voluntary cut "at our time, at our convenience".

"We are not in a hurry to bring it forward," he said.

The Saudi minister and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, lynchpins in the OPEC+ group, had earlier told OPEC+ ministers the recovery in demand was fragile.

Graphic: OPEC+ Supply Balances (Base Case), https://graphics.reuters.com/GLOBAL-OIL/xklvyoywbvg/chart.png

Novak said after the meeting that OPEC+ had to tread cautiously to avoid overheating the market

Russia has been insisting on raising output to avoid prices spiking any further and lending support to shale oil output from the United States, which is not part of OPEC+.

But in February Moscow failed to raise output, despite being allowed to do so by OPEC+, because harsh winter weather hit its production at mature fields. Novak said Moscow needed extra barrels to meet recovering demand at home.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump regularly communicated with OPEC+ via Twitter and phone calls asking to pump more to avoid price spikes or less to prevent prices from collapsing.

With U.S. President Joe Biden now in office, analysts have said Washington will play a much less active role in trying to influence OPEC's policies.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki made no direct comment about the decision when asked on Thursday and instead said the United States was focused on helping Americans through the U.S. economic stimulus package.

Large oil consuming nations, such as India, have already expressed concerned about the recent oil price rally.

The Saudi minister responded on Thursday by saying India should start using oil it had in its inventory bought cheaply during the price collapse last year.

Graphic: OPEC+ compliance with oil production cuts, https://graphics.reuters.com/GLOBAL-OIL/rlgvdezdjpo/chart.png

Graphic: OECD Commercial Oil Stocks, https://graphics.reuters.com/GLOBAL-OIL/nmovazaggpa/chart.png

(Reporting by Rania El Gamal in Dubai, Ahmad Ghaddar and Alex Lawler in London, Olesya Astakhova and Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow; Additional reporting by Timothy Gardner in Washington; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by David Goodman and Edmund Blair)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


The number of foreign criminals released from prison on to Britains streets instead of being deported has topped 10,000 for the first time.

Official figures showed there were 10,373 foreign national offenders living in the community at the end of last year.

This was up more than 160 per cent on 2012, when it was less than 4,000.

Libyan Khairi Saadallah, who killed three people in a knife rampage in Reading last June, had been released from jail 16 days before the terror attack

Just under 2,600 foreign criminals were freed from jail but not deported during 2020  an average of seven a day.

Instead of staying locked up until they are thrown out, many are released to be managed in the community. Some then abscond, potentially putting the public in danger.

For example, Libyan Khairi Saadallah, who killed three people in a knife rampage in Reading last June, had been released from jail 16 days before the terror attack.

There has been widespread opposition to deportations to some countries, such as a charter flight to Jamaica in December that triggered a campaign by celebrities including supermodel Naomi Campbell.

Instead of staying locked up until they are thrown out, many are released to be managed in the community. Some then abscond, potentially putting the public in danger [File photo]

Home Secretary Priti Patel blasted critics who compared the removal of serious offenders including killers and rapists to victims of the Windrush scandal, which targeted entirely innocent legal migrants.

Lawyers for 23 Jamaican criminals including a murderer blocked their removal at the last minute.

Figures emerged last month showing the number of foreign criminals deported from Britain plummeted to the lowest level on record last year.

Just 3,374 foreign offenders were removed from the country, a staggering 34 per cent fall year on year.

The decline cannot be blamed entirely on the pandemic because numbers have been falling for four years.

David Spencer, of the Centre for Crime Prevention, said: It is an outrage that so many convicted foreign criminals have been left free to roam our streets.

The Home Secretary needs to ensure that, where possible, all foreign criminals are returned to their home country once they have served their time.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press conference before the opening of a mass vaccination site in the Queens borough of New York on Feb. 24, 2021. (Seth Wenig/Pool via Reuters)

New York Officials Acknowledge Leaving Data Out of COVID-19 Nursing Home Death Report

New York officials on Thursday confirmed they omitted nursing home resident death data from a report on COVID-19 last year.

The report was released by the New York State Department of Health. It claimed that a March 2020 order from state officials wasnt to blame for thousands of nursing home residents dying from COVID-19. The report received criticism, with one lawmaker saying it contained numerous flaws.

The figures withheld from the report were of deaths among residents who were transferred to hospitals.

On Thursday, Beth Garvey, a senior adviser to Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said the withholding was done because the state Department of Health could not confirm it had been adequately verified.

This did not change the conclusion of the report, which was and is that the March 25 order was not a driver of nursing home infections or fatalities,' she added.

In another statement released by Cuomos office, New York Department of Health spokesman Gary Holmes said that the report established the March 2020 memo was not a driver of nursing home deaths.

Emergency medical workers are seen unloading a patient outside a nursing home in Brooklyn, New York, on April 18, 2020. (Justin Heiman/Getty Images)

The reports purpose was to ensure the public had a clear non-political evaluation for how COVID entered nursing homes at the height of the pandemic. All data sets reviewed came to a common conclusionthat spread from staff was likely the primary driver that introduced COVID into these nursing homes. While early versions of the report included out of facility deaths, the COVID task force was not satisfied that the data had been verified against hospital data and so the final report used only data for in facility deaths, which was disclosed in the report. While the out of facility deaths were held aside for verification, the conclusions were supported by both data sets, he wrote.

The decision was made to initially release the report without the out of facility data and to later update the report to include the out of facility deaths. This was done in February.

The statements came in response to a Wall Street Journal article that alleged Cuomos top advisers pushed state health officials to leave out the numbers in question from the report.

Citing people with knowledge of the reports production, who were not named, the article said the initial version of the report did include the number of deaths of nursing home residents outside of nursing homes.

The article drew criticism from state lawmakers, including Assemblyman Ron Kim, a Democrat.

This is criminal, Kim wrote in a tweet. The Govs top advisors pushed state health officials to strip a public report of the data showing more nursing home deaths. The changes Cuomos aides made to the report reveal that they had the fuller accounting of NH deaths as early as the summer of 2020.

The March 2020 directive stated that nursing home operators couldnt refuse to accept residents even if they tested positive for COVID-19.

No resident shall be denied readmission or admission to a nursing home solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19, it said.

Stickers are seen decorating the windows of the Sapphire Center nursing home after reports of a number of deaths there came to light during an ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 in the Brooklyn borough of New York on April 17, 2020. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Advocacy groups criticized the order.

This approach will introduce the highly contagious virus into more nursing homes, Mark Parkinson, president of the American Health Care Association, and Dr. David Gifford, the groups chief medical officer, warned days after the order was issued. There will be more hospitalizations for nursing home residents who need ventilator care and ultimately, a higher number of deaths.

Cuomos administration rescinded the policy in May, but has insisted it did not lead to more deaths involving COVID-19.

Health officials only released how many nursing home residents died outside of hospitals after New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, accused the state of underreporting the number of nursing home deaths by as much as 50 percent.

A top aide to Cuomo told state lawmakers in February that the data was withheld because of fears it would be used against us by critics, noting that former President Donald Trump had urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to probe the states COVID-19 policies.

The DOJ is investigating those policies, Cuomos administration has said. Officials said the administration is cooperating with the probe. Cuomo this week said he was not resigning.
Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-Category
A visit of Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Sentop to Ukraine, scheduled for March 5-6, has been postponed due to the death of 11 soldiers in an army helicopter crash in eastern Turkey.

Ukrinform reported this with reference to Turkeys Anadolu Agency.

"Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop postponed his official visit to Ukraine due to the crash of an army helicopter in Tatvan district of Bitlis province, which killed 11 military personnel," the statement reads. Sentop will attend the funeral of the fallen soldiers.

The official visit to Ukraine will be postponed to another date.

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov, at whose invitation Sentop was supposed to come to Ukraine, expressed his condolences over the death of the military.

President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed his condolences over the tragedy.

Deepest condolences to the people of Turkey for the loss of military personnel as a result of a helicopter crash in Bitlis province. We wish the relatives of those who lost their loved ones strength, and rapid recovery to the wounded, the president tweeted.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba also extended his condolences. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu thanked him for his words of sympathy and condolences, and appreciated Ukraines solidarity.

On Thursday, March 4, an army helicopter crashed in eastern Turkey, killing 11 military personnel on board and injuring two others.

As reported, the visit of a Turkish delegation led by Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Sentop was to take place on March 5-6 at the invitation of Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov. The program of the visit included meetings with the president, the prime minister, the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, the foreign minister, and representatives of business and the diaspora.

ish

Two ministers in the current Scott Morrison government were reportedly present at the debating tournament, at which Attorney-General Christian Porter allegedly sexually assaulted a woman. According to The Guardian, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt and Communications Minister Paul Fletcher attended the university debating competition in January 1988, where Porter is said to have sexually assaulted a woman, who killed herself last year after complaining about the alleged "rape" to police in 2019.

Read: Australia PM Backs Attorney-general Accused Of Rape

Porter denies raping the woman

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended his Attorney-General, dismissing calls for an independent inquiry into the matter as he cited NSW police's investigation, who closed the case due to lack of "admissible evidence". On Wednesday, Porter denied sexual assault allegations but did not rule out meeting the woman and going out with her. Porter said that it is possible they might have gone out together for a "dance".

Read: UKs Sonnenkrieg Division To Be 1st Right-wing Terrorist Group Listed In Australia: Report

Meanwhile, Hunt's spokesperson said the minister did attend the event in 1988 but denied any meeting between him and the woman or him and Porter. The spokesperson added that Hunt went as a member of the University of Melbourne team and that he doesn't remember meeting Porter before he entered the parliament. According to The Guardian, Fletcher attended the event as an adjudicator as he was one of the finalists of the 1986 tournament. Hunt was reportedly ranked 77th out of the 180 participants in 1988.

Read: Australia PM Dismisses Calls For Inquiry Into Rape Allegation Against Christian Porter

Numerous people, including the family members of the woman, are demanding a probe into the matter. The dead woman's lawyer called on the Prime Minister to launch an investigation and not solely rely on Porter's denial. "This is not mob process, this is not the tribe-has-spoken process, that's not how we run the rule of law in Australia," PM Morrison said Wednesday.

Read: Australia Slams Italy For Blocking COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment Using New EU Law
Britain's Prince Philip has undergone successful heart surgery - just three months before his 100th birthday.

Buckingham Palace said Philip had the procedure for his pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London on Wednesday.

The palace said the 99-year-old will remain in hospital for "treatment, rest and recuperation" for a number of days.

The news was announced amid growing tensions within the British royal family ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's controversial televised Oprah interview.

Read More

Harry and Meghan have faced calls for the broadcast on Sunday to be postponed out of respect for Philip.

But a source close to the couple said American network CBS is not believed to have any intention of changing the date.

Philip has been treated for heart problems in the past.

The prince was admitted to a private hospital on February 16 after feeling unwell, before being transferred to a specialist hospital by ambulance on Monday.

He has now spent 16 nights in hospital - his longest ever stay.

"The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew's Hospital," Buckingham Palace said.

"His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days".

The British monarchy's troubled times hit a new low on the day Philip was facing surgery as the fallout from 'Megxit' worsened.

Meghan was accused of bullying former royal staff, with The Times newspaper alleging she drove out two personal assistants and "humiliated" employees.

The palace responded by launching an investigation into the claims, saying it is "very concerned".

It also said it would invite past and present staff to speak in confidence about their experiences of working for Meghan.

A spokesman for the duchess said she was "saddened by this latest attack on her character".

Harry and Meghan quit as senior royals in March last year, amid struggles with their roles and intense press attention.

When their departure became permanent last month, Queen Elizabeth stripped the couple of their royal patronages, and Harry of his honorary military roles.
Activists at the University of the Philippines in Manila protest against the nations new anti-terrorism law, July 27, 2020.

The Duterte administration on Thursday condemned a knife attack on an attorney and ordered an investigation into the incident, which a lawyers group alleged was connected to the victims criticism of an anti-terrorism law adopted last year.

Two men wearing face masks attacked attorney Angelo Karlo Guillen in the central city of Bacolod on Wednesday night. Guillen, who suffered stab wounds to his head and shoulder, was rushed to a nearby hospital, according to his group, the National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL). He was reported to be in stable condition Thursday afternoon.

We condemn that attack in the same manner that we condemn any attack that seeks to violate the right to life, said Harry Roque, spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte. We consider this attack on a lawyer as condemnable because our rule of law is also being attacked.

Roque said Duterte had ordered an investigation.

In a preliminary incident report, local police chief Maj. Mark Evan Salvo said the attack could be a simple robbery gone awry, noting that the lawyers bag containing his belongings, including his laptops and documents, was stolen.

The government, Salvo said, had ordered the police, as well as the justice department to get to the bottom of the incident and arrest those responsible for the crime.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, although Guillens peers, who call him A.K., said it could be linked to his work.

Anti-terror law challenged

Guillen is the local chapter leader of the NUPL, a group that has been at the forefront of questioning Dutertes anti-terror law. The military has accused the NUPL of having links to communist rebels, a practice called red-tagging and widely condemned in the Philippines.

As a human rights lawyer, Guillen represents some people involved in 37 petitions questioning the constitutionality of the anti-terrorism law.

Passed last year, the law was hailed by security forces desperate to curb militant groups three years after extremists linked to the Islamic State group laid siege to the southern city of Marawi. Months of fighting left an estimated 1,200 militants, soldiers, police and civilians dead.

But local and international groups have rejected the law and asked the Supreme Court to strike it down, claiming it gave security forces sweeping powers to arrest people on mere suspicion. They also accused the government of weaponizing the law to stifle legitimate dissent.

The attack is the latest in a string targeting lawyers since Duterte took office in July 2016. At least 56 judges, prosecutors and lawyers have been attacked and killed across the nation as of January, the NUPL said.

The message we get is we are watching you and if you dont shape up or toe the line, we will get you, NUPL Secretary General Edre Olalia told BenarNews.

It is self-evident for us that A.K. was attacked because of his work, beliefs and advocacy, he said. To discount this and put the robbery angle on the front burner is precisely the reason why there is no justice even for lawyers who seek justice.
Cafes, bars and restaurants reopened in Gibraltar on Monday after several weeks of being closed as part of the Covid-19 restrictions. All staff in catering establishments are having to wear double masks for the month of March, the maximum number of people who can sit at a table is six and no alcohol can be served between 3pm and 7pm, but a a feeling of normality has finally began to return to the town centre.

The hours of the curfew also changed on Monday, from midnight to 6am instead of beginning at 10pm, and this will be the case at least until the middle of the month, when it will be reviewed together with the licensing hours.

The Gibraltar government has been easing its restrictions in stages, with a gap between each to enable the authorities to monitor the evolution of Covid-19 cases. Schools reopened on 22 February and in the first week one positive case of the coronavirus was detected at Bayside School, and 27 pupils were required to self-isolate as a result. In general, however, positive cases have plummeted in Gibraltar recently. On Wednesday there were 18 active cases and 84 people in self-isolation.

39,322 doses of the vaccine had been administered by mid-week. Gibraltar is now vaccinating residents in their 20s and has started to assign appointments for the cross-border workers who are not employed in essential services.

People from Gibraltar are able to cross the border into Spain, and vice versa, although the government has warned that although the coronavirus situation there has improved somewhat it is still serious and people should only go if they have to. The Andalusian government has maintained its restriction on movement between provinces, so it is not permitted to travel into Malaga province to go shopping, for example.

The government also issued a reminder on Thursday that the Spanish authorities have banned arrivals by air from the UK unless the passenger can prove that they are a resident of Spain. This could affect people planning to fly into Spain and travel onward to Gibraltar. Some British passport holders have been refused permission to board flights.



Senior AR Applications Engineer Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Software and Services Summary

Posted: Mar 4, 2021 Role Number: 200228486 The Technology Development Group (TDG) is looking for a Senior AR Applications Engineer to help us push the limits on the next generation of interactive computing for our platform. This team is working with some of Apple's most advanced technologies including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), machine learning (ML) and computer vision (CV). As a senior member of our organization you will drive exploration of future products that will delight, inspire and empower millions of people. Key Qualifications 5+ years of experience in software development.

Attention to detail, creativity and passion.

Proficiency in a programming language such as C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift, etc.

Experience doing rapid prototyping.

Good intuition in making time vs. complexity tradeoffs. Description Apple makes the newest technologies accessible to create amazing user experiences. You will have the opportunity to develop prototypes at the bleeding edge of technology to find the best experiences for our products. We work closely with Apple's Human Interface design team to define the next generation of computing. The ideal candidate for this role is comfortable working in a dynamic and creative environment. Engineers are expected to work quickly and smartly to help determine the viability of ideas and technologies. You will need a keen understanding of 3D applications and an ambition to explore a new world of uncharted possibilities. You will work closely with artists, designers and engineers to define and prove new application concepts and UX paradigms, and solve incredibly challenging and interesting problems in the AR/VR space. Education & Experience BS / MS / PhD in Computer Science OR equivalent degree OR equivalent experience Additional Requirements Experience developing 3D or AR/VR applications or games.

Experience with iOS frameworks such as ARKit, UIKit, Metal, Core Motion, etc.

Familiarity with other AR SDKs such as ARCore, Vuforia or similar tools.

Proficiency with Unity, Unreal, or similar 3D engines.

Familiarity with game or peer-to-peer networking.

Experience working with 3D content and content creation tools like Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, etc.

Excellent understanding of the practical applications of 3D math and linear algebra








-- This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, as well as the starting point on a new journey to fully building a modern socialist China -- Premier Li Keqiang is expected to deliver a government work report, which will be closely watched as China has emerged among the first countries to restore economic growth. -- This year's two sessions are expected to garner more attention from home and abroad as lawmakers will deliberate a blueprint for China's development in the next five to 15 years. -- Topics including high-quality economic development, sci-tech innovation, rural vitalization, eco-protection and "dual circulation" development paradigm will draw much attention. -- The two sessions returning to its traditional March schedule is an embodiment of China's success in effectively containing the COVID-19 epidemic. China's top political advisory body started its annual session Thursday in Beijing, kicking off the country's major political season of the year that will pool the strength for fully building a modern socialist country. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the session at the Great Hall of the People. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attend the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) "This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), as well as the starting point on a new journey to fully building a modern socialist China," Wang Yang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told a gathering of more than 2,000 political advisors. Wang called on political advisors to devote their wisdom and strength to the construction of a modern socialist country. The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will begin its annual session on Friday. The dual meetings, also known as the "two sessions," will set the general national agenda for the whole year and beyond. Premier Li Keqiang is expected to deliver a government work report, which will be closely watched as China has emerged among the first countries to effectively contain the COVID-19 pandemic, reopen the economy safely, and restore economic growth. The country's development goals and plan for 2021 are expected to be unveiled in the report. China's GDP grew 2.3 percent year on year to hit 101.6 trillion yuan (about 15.7 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2020. The fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Zhang Liqun, a research fellow with the Development Research Center of the State Council, said China's economy is resilient, has potential and will maintain sustained growth in 2021. Zhang, however, noted that the primary goal of economic development is not to seek a nice-looking GDP figure but to raise the quality of the growth and ensure people's well-being. This year's two sessions are expected to garner more attention from home and abroad as lawmakers will deliberate a blueprint for China's development in the next five to 15 years -- the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the long-range objectives through the year 2035. "This year's two sessions do not just serve for the work in 2021, but also the goals and tasks set by the 14th Five-Year Plan. We must fulfill the great mission of our times," said Bai Chongen, a CPPCC National Committee member and dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University. The draft outline will be under the spotlight for its comprehensive and targeted measures echoing China's new development philosophy, said Xin Ming, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance). Workers are busy at the factory of Zhuolang Intelligent Machinery Co., Ltd. in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 22, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Fei) Topics including high-quality economic development, sci-tech innovation, rural vitalization and eco-protection will also draw much attention, Xin said, adding that "dual circulation" development paradigm will be another highlight, in which domestic and overseas markets reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay. The 14th Five-Year Plan will further clarify how China will implement the dual circulation strategy and achieve high-quality development, observers say, noting that unleashing domestic demand is crucial to driving China's growth, but this new development paradigm does not mean China will backpedal on its opening-up drive. China's pursuit of self-reliance "is never to close its doors but to build a new development paradigm based on wider and higher-level opening-up," explained Wang Yiming, a member of the CPPCC National Committee. Photo shows a China-Europe freight train bound for Helsinki, Finland, departing from Putian Station of Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan) During the past year, China had actively cooperated with other countries and regions. It signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement in November and completed investment agreement negotiations with the European Union in December. "China's economy has been deeply integrated into the global economy. As China enters the new stage of development, its ties with the world economy will get even closer," said Ji Zhiye, former head of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations who is also a member of the CPPCC National Committee. Ji said the international capitals are optimistic about the Chinese market thanks to the country's business environment and economic resilience. The two sessions returning to its traditional March schedule is an embodiment of China's success in effectively containing the COVID-19 epidemic. The arrangement reconfirms that China's political, economic and social life is returning to normal, injecting confidence into the world amid the fight against the virus. Zhang Wenhong, head of the Center for Infectious Diseases at the Shanghai-based Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, said he is hopeful that China will not have any major COVID-19 resurgence this year thanks to its anti-epidemic experience and strong control measures. Promoting vaccination across the country is the focus of the next stage of epidemic control, according to Zhang, who also heads Shanghai's COVID-19 clinical expert team. As of the end of February, more than 52 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across China. The world today is caught between a pandemic of the century and momentous changes never seen over the past one hundred years, bringing about many risks and challenges for China on its way ahead. Members of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference attend the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) China's nationwide unity is the most solid support for overcoming all kinds of difficulties, and the two sessions are an important platform to pool the country's strength, said Luo Jie, an NPC deputy and head of the Taihe Hospital in Shiyan, central China's Hubei Province. Embarking on the new journey, this year's two sessions will unite the people to concertedly strive toward a brighter future with great opportunities, said another NPC deputy Cui Genliang. (Video editor: Zhang Xinyi)
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The climate transition presents a historic investment opportunity, says BlackRock CEO Larry Fink. What the financiers, the big banks, the asset managers, private investors, venture capital are all discovering is: Theres a lot of money to be made in the creation of these new [green] jobs, chimes in presidential climate envoy John Kerry. Fink concedes that the economy remains highly dependent on fossil fuels. He also asserts that BlackRock is carbon neutral today in our own operations. Its a claim open to challenge. If a company or individual says to me they are net-zero, I know it is complete crap, tweeted Glen Peters, research director of the Oslo-based Center for International Climate Research.

Peters was taking to task former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, who had claimed that investments in renewable energy offset emissions from fossil-fuel investments. Carney quickly backed down, but the spat reveals the fissure in the climate movement that first became visible with Michael Moores 2020 movie Planet of the Humans, which pitted true believers on one side against those positioning themselves to reap profits from the climate money pouring into decarbonization.

Carney is a leading light of the climate-finance oligarchy, positioned at the nexus of politics and finance. He is a climate adviser to British prime minister Boris Johnson and serves as UN secretary-general Antonio Guterress special envoy on finance and climate action. He is also vice-chair of Canadian alternative asset manager Brookfield, heading its ESG and impact-investing business. One privilege of being a climate savior: any concerns over conflicts of interest dont apply when the interests of the planet are at stake.

Carney has written a book, Value(s): Building a Better World for All, and the BBC gave Carney the prestigious platform of the 2020 Reith Lectures. Net-zero investments are turning an existential risk into one of the greatest commercial opportunities of our time, Carney declared in his Reith lecture on climate. Theres little doubt who will do best out of building this better world. If youre solving an existential risk, Carney told the World Economic Forums Radio Davos in January, it becomes a tremendous opportunity that turns into the greed, or the opportunity part of the equation.

In normal times, before the Climate Emergency, it would be up to financiers and investors to ask the tough, unsentimental questions, such as: Whats the return on investment? How long is the payback period? But not when it comes to climate change. In its 2018 1.5 Special Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) declined to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the net-zero target. The target, the IPCC declared, implies risk assessments and value judgments  as if this nullified the need to assess whether the benefits of net-zero outweigh the costs.

At the end of his Reith lecture, Carney was asked by historian Niall Ferguson if hed read Bjorn Lomborgs most recent book, False Alarm. Lomborg calculates that each $1 spent on cutting greenhouse gas emissions yields only 11 cents of future climate benefits. With trillions being spent on climate change, this estimate implies that a colossal burden is being placed on the current generation  especially those who can least afford to bear it  for little climate gain. Ignorance is no defense; nonetheless, Carney tried it. No, he hadnt read Lomborgs book, Carney answered Ferguson. He dismissed Lomborgs as a classic economic approach, though he offered no data or evidence to show why Lomborg was wrong. I want to say its 15 or 20 years ago when he first came out with his Dont worry about the climate. Hows that working out for us?

Twenty years is a significant number. A February 2021 paper by David Rode and Paul Fischbeck of Carnegie Mellon University examines the pervasiveness of apocalyptic forecasts of climate change. The only observations we have of prior apocalyptic forecasts are of forecast failures, they note. There is no rational model of decision making that attributes increasing credibility to forecasts upon successive failures. By the end of 2020, 61% of the predictions had already expired. The average time horizon before a climate apocalypse for the predictions made before 2000 was 22 years; for those made since 2000, it was 21 years. Across half a century of forecasts, the apocalypse is always around 20 years out.

All too predictably, Carney indulges his own taste for the apocalyptic. We wont have a financial system if we dont have a planet, he said in his Reith lecture. Last month, he made a 30-year forecast of annual climate deaths equalling total Covid-19 deaths by 2050  the international deadline for net-zero  unless action is taken. Still, this is progress, of a sort. The Toronto climate conference, 33 years ago, compared the effects of climate change to nuclear war. How did that forecast work out?

Carney uses his position to advocate mandatory climate disclosures for all large companies and argues that they should develop and publish plans to transition to net-zero. What gets measured gets managed, he says. At the same time, Carney is involved in setting up a carbon offset market  a market worth $50 billion to $100 billion a year, he anticipates. Like Glen Peters, Carney knows that corporate claims of net-zero are crap, but he expresses this awareness in the circumlocutory language of the central banker that he once was.

Companies will be looking to reduce emissions, he says, but for a period of time, they will also need the net in net-zero, and they can only get that from a credible global market. Having forced companies into emissions disclosures and net-zero plans, Carney then offers them a get-out-of-jail card  in effect, a toll on economic activity, paid by everyone, that will line the pockets of the green financial oligarchy.

For climate true believers, however, offset markets are a sham and no substitute for genuine emissions cuts. In his September 2020 RealClear Energy essay on an Ecotopian Future, Joel Kotkin warned that green funders from Wall Street, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley could find themselves under attack like the liberal aristocrats during the French Revolution. The green sans culottes will see through the likes of Carneys phony climate action and how it enriches the privileged few. Then the forecasters of apocalypse might suddenly find that they were right after all  but not in the way they meant.

Rupert Darwall is a senior fellow of the RealClear Foundation and author of Green Tyranny.
Rockefeller Capital Management Extends Private Wealth Business Across Central Division, Welcomes Team of Six in San Antonio

Rockefeller Capital Management ("Rockefeller" or the "Firm") is continuing deliberate growth across the Private Wealth Business, having today announced the firm's first San Antonio-based team to join in the Central Division.

Martin Lawyer Daniels is led by Elmer Martin, Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor, Patty Lawyer, CRPC, Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor and Brett Daniels, CPWA, First Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor. The team also includes Associate Vice Presidents and Senior Client Associates Judith Fernandez and Sylvia Hydrick, as well as Client Associate Terry Pawelek. The team comes to Rockefeller from Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and will report to Divisional Director Michael Armondo.

"Texas continues to be a significant market for clients seeking highly personalized advice coupled with the holistic approach to wealth management services we are able to offer in tandem with our Global Family Office," said Armondo. "Martin Lawyer Daniels is perfectly matched to our culture and solution-driven approach, and we are very excited to welcome them to Rockefeller."

Rockefeller has pursued consistent and competitive expanions across the United States, most recently in new markets including Newport Beach, California and Denver, Colorado in 2021. With the addition of Martin Lawyer Daniels, Rockefeller's Private Wealth Business now includes 47 teams across the nation, and marks Rockefeller's fourth location in the Central Division.







More about the new team can be found at: rcm.rockco.com/martinlawyerdaniels/

About Rockefeller Capital Management

Rockefeller Capital Management is a leading independent, privately-owned financial services firm offering global family office, asset management and strategic advisory services to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, institutions, and corporations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005519/en/
We dont associate government initiatives on the City with speed, as anyone who has followed the audit reform saga would testify.

So it is terrific to see Deliveroo unveil its intention to float in London just hours after Rishi Sunaks budget.

The report by Lord Hill on bringing tech-based initial public offerings to the London Stock Exchange looks to have galvanised those involved to act smartly.

London calling: The key for Deliveroo in choosing the City was gaining an easing of listing rules for dual class of shares

Founder Will Shu is anxious to capture the moment. The pandemic has been a boon to online hospitality and similar listings in New York, such as Door Dash, have attracted generous premiums.

Indeed, Shu was under strong pressure from investment bankers pitching for the mandates to choose New York over London.

The success of the standard listing for beauty and fitness site The Hut Group (THG), now valued at close to 7billion, and online cards and gifts firm Moonpig, shows what can be achieved.

In Deliveroo territory, Just Eat Takeaway, based in the Netherlands but quoted in London, has attained a valuation of a shade under 10billion and has been able to use its quoted base to grow globally.

Deliveroo was valued at 5billion at its last fund raising but the latest price projections suggest as much as 7billion.

The key for Deliveroo in choosing London was gaining an easing of listing rules for dual class of shares. Shu can continue to innovate and expand without fear of premature takeover.

The authorities are keen to capture Deliveroo for the City after a woeful IPO experience as a result of post-referendum uncertainty.

The path is being cleared with a sunset clause which would fade the two-tier shareholding structure after three years.

The food-to-your-door concern could disarm governance mavens by making its offer more accessible to shareholders other than privileged investment banks and key clients.

As a company with consumer name recognition, it should make provision for private investors using technology championed by London based start-up Primary Bid.

It also needs to make sure that all potential investors have sight of the prospectus. Too often in the recent past, release of these treasure troves of information is held back until the eve of the first trades.

That cannot be acceptable.

Blanc cheque

Amanda Blanc is tunnelling out of the EU more smoothly than the UKs exit from the grasp of Brussels.

There is an important difference: Aviva is a tiddler among insurance giants on the Continent, and Britain a top-five country among a long tail of smaller nations.

Along the way, the newish Aviva chief executive is picking up lashings of cash. She has scooped 2.8billion from its Frexit and 1billion or so from three separate Italian disposals.

Blancs strategy is to narrow Avivas focus by concentrating on core markets in the UK, Ireland and Canada.

There is indecision about what to do in China. The impressive expansion of Prudential in the Pacific tells of the huge opportunity that could still offer.

The likelihood that some of the cash harvested could be returned to investors has cheered up the insurers share price.

Moreover, there is room for Blanc to carry on the work begun by her predecessor but one, Mark Wilson, in embracing technology.

The march of upstart fintech potentially is the biggest competition threat in all areas of finance, from payment systems to asset management.

The contactless 100 cash limit in the Budget is part of a journey likely to undermine traditional banking.

The real issue for Blanc is how sensible is it for Aviva to put most of its eggs in the UK basket. Once the excitement of disposals is past, and new platforms embraced, the opportunities to grow become limited.

Britain has been a home to insurance for centuries, but what has been built over time can be dismantled in hours, as when Stephen Hester sold Royal Sun Alliance (RSA) in the middle of the pandemic.

Closing in on itself cannot be the right option for Aviva. It needs to embrace the Asian opportunity.

Whisky galore

Diageo boss Ivan Menezes was quickly on hand to applaud the end of the Scotch whisky war with Washington, a legacy of Trump-era trade aggression.

The trans-Atlantic truce was made possible by Britains newly independent trade policy potentially paving the way for the UK-US trade deal before fast-track Congressional authority runs out in July.

Next on our supermarket shelves? Chlorinated chicken.
New Delhi, March 5 : The Delhi Assembly Budget session for 2021-22 scheduled to commence from Monday, will not have its usual Question Hour due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sources told IANS.

The Budget session of the 7th Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi will begin with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's address at 11 a.m. on March 8.

The session will end on March 16.

Senior BJP MLA Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, has slammed the AAP government for not including Question Hour in the session.

Terming it as an assault on democracy, Bidhuri said, "Question Hour is an important component of business of the Delhi Assembly proceedings and by doing away with this crucial instrument, the government is clearly running away from its responsibility of answering to the issues raised during this time concerning the people of the national capital." The Badarpur BJP MLA added that as per the norms, MLAs are informed about convening the Assembly session 15 days in advance so that they can raise important issues concerning the people.

However, the AAP government has informed the legislators about the session only four days in advance on March 4, Bidhuri alleged.

He asserted that MLAs need time to prepare for raising issues during the session and such a short notice was given by the government only to escape from answering for their misdeeds and misrule.

"This is a clear violation of the rights of the elected representatives and they have been denied the right to ask questions of the government," he added.

The Budget this year will likely focus on health, education and infrastructure including water supply, sources added.

The AAP is also likely to highlight its new excise policy during the session along with many other policies proposed by the party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

Last year, the Delhi government had presented a Rs 65,000 crore Budget for 2020-2021 that was around 10 per cent more than that in 2019-20.
MUMBAI: In more worrying signs for the state of Maharashtra, at least 80 workers of the Amravati Municipal Corporation have now tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. So far, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of at least five municipal workers.

Among those infected with the virus are an engineer, system manager, legal officer, deputy engineer, doctor and some clerical staff, according to Municipal Commissioner Prashant Rode. Around 3000 employees work in various departments of the Amravati Municipal Corporation and a large number of them are contractual employees.

In the District Collectors Office, around 60-65 employees have been found Corona positive. The total number of employees working in the District Magistrate's office is 200.

Besides this, around 56 employees working at Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University have been found to be corona positive. In the last 24 hours, nearly 673 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Amravati district and 9 of them died during treatment at various hospitals.

The district administration is making serious attempts to bring the coronavirus situation under control in Amravati. But the rising numbers are extremely worrying.

Various places and offices in Amravati city have currently become coronavirus hotspots. Sainagar, Rajapeth, Dastur Nagar, Arjun Nagar, Shyam Nagar, Camp, Rukmini Nagar, Ambapeth have become the new coronavirus hotspots in the district.

All this is happening despite the state government announcing a lockdown and later extending it till March 8 to control the outbreak of the virus in the district. As per the state government figures, nearly 30,067 patients have fully recovered from the coronavirus and currently, 7002 patients are undergoing treatment at various Covid hospitals in the Amravati district.

Maharashtra reported 8,998 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, taking the infection tally to 21,88,183, while the death toll reached 52,340 as 60 patients succumbed to the infection.

A state health official said the number of single-day cases was down as compared to Wednesday, although the per-day fatality count increased. The state had reported 9,855 new COVID-19 cases and 42 fatalities on Wednesday.

A total of 6,135 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, which took the overall recovery count to 20,49,484. The number of active cases is 85,144 at present. The state's COVID-19 recovery rate is 93.66 per cent, while the fatality rate is 2.39 per cent, the officials said.

With 86,794 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the state's total test count has risen to 1,65,96,300. Currently, 3,91,288 people are in-home quarantine and 4,109 others in institutional quarantine. In Mumbai, 1,104 new cases were reported during the day, which took its tally to 3,29,846, while the death toll went up to 11,492 with five fresh fatalities.

A total of 933 people tested positive in Pune city, which took its total count to 2,12,189. With four new deaths, its toll went up to 4,583. According to the officials, the new infection cases reported in Nagpur, Pimpri Chinchwad, Nashik, Aurangabad and Amravati municipal corporation limits were 904, 492, 224, 276 and 389 respectively.

Live TV
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien TD, today announced 430 million in funding for eight regeneration projects in Dublin. The projects are being funded under Call 2 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).

The URDF part-funds projects aimed at enhancing urban areas to make them more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest. Dublins four local authorities, which will deliver these multi-annual projects, will receive this funding.



The projects announced today will augment the existing pipeline of 87 URDF-supported projects for which just under 300 million has been allocated. Details of the provisional funding allocations for URDF projects in the eight other Project Ireland 2040 investment regions will be announced in the coming weeks.



The eight projects for which URDF support has been approved are:

 North Inner City Concept Area 1 (Dublin City Council) - 121.3 million

 South Inner City Concept Area 2 (Dublin City Council) - 53 million

 Cherrywood Public Access, Permeability and Amenity (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council) - 40.4 million

 Dundrum Community, Cultural and Civic Hub (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council) - 4 million

 Balbriggan Rejuvenation (Fingal County Council) - 25.4 million

 Dunsink Feasibility Study - Transportation and Surface Water Assessments (Fingal County Council) - 41,250

 Clonburris - supplementary strategic infrastructure for the Strategic Development Zone (South Dublin County Council) - 176.6 million

 Adamstown - supplementary strategic infrastructure for the Strategic Development Zone (South Dublin County Council) - 9.7 million



Announcing the provisional allocations this morning, Minister OBrien said, "This funding will support projects that will enhance the quality of life for many people. The projects are all about making these areas more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest. In that context, this funding will be a catalyst for regeneration, development and growth. The funding I am announcing today will also provide much-needed economic stimulus and job creation as our economy emerges from the depths of the pandemic."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Society

-- Vietnam reported zero new COVID-19 cases on Friday morning, with the tally standing at 2,488 and 1,920 recoveries, according to the Ministry of Health

-- Diageo Vietnam Limited on Thursday donated VND3 billion (US$129,500) to an initiative launched by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper to help the Southeast Asian country buy COVID-19 vaccines.

-- Police in Hanoi are investigating accusations by four foreign women that they were sexually assaulted by young locals, aged 16-20, around Ho Tay (West Lake) in Tay Ho District.

-- Hanoi plans to vaccinate both residents and non-residents against COVID-19, Khong Minh Tuan, deputy director of the municipal Center for Disease Control said on Thursday.

-- A three-year-old girl who survived a fall from the 12th floor of an apartment building in Hanoi on February 28 was discharged from the hospital after five days of treatment on Friday morning.

Business

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has filed a proposal to the People's Committee asking for permission for tourism and dining services to continue being offered at Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 till the end of 2022.

-- Women own 26.5 percent of companies in Vietnam, ranking ninth out of the 58 economies surveyed in the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs 2020.

Sports

-- "Chelsea moved into the Premier League's top four as Mason Mount's superb first-half goal earned them a 1-0 win at champions Liverpool who suffered a club-record fifth straight home league defeat on Thursday," Reuters reported.

World News

-- "A strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the east of New Zealands North Island on Friday, prompting a tsunami warning that was later withdrawn, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said, although residents were asked to stay alert," Reuters reported.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
L.A. City Council Approves Motions To Expand Project Roomkey

The Los Angeles City Council today approved a motion that would expand Project Roomkey and explore commandeering non- cooperating hotels and motels to house homeless people through the program.The vote was 14-0, with one member absent.

The Los Angeles Business Council, which represents 500 businesses and civic leaders, voiced its support for the motion in a statement Tuesday, thanking City Council President Nury Martinez and Councilman Paul Krekorian for demonstrating the leadership that is needed to bring people indoors and provide the relief they so desperately need.

The motion before the City Council  on Project Roomkey sets an important goal of 10,000 rooms for a period of six months to get thousands of unsheltered Angelenos off the streets, the statement reads. We support the motions call for the city to formally request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency provide $150 million upfront to ensure we can move quickly and aggressively while COVID-19 rages on.

On top of seeking $150 million as an advance for the programs expansion, the motion instructs the city attorney to report on whether commandeering hotels would endanger the availability of 100% FEMA reimbursement.

ADVERTISEMENT

The City Council also on a 14-0 vote, approved a motion to have the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and the city administrative officer report on opportunities to renew and expand Project Roomkey. The city attorney was directed to report back to the council on steps that need to be taken to begin commandeering hotels and motels for homeless housing.

In February, City Attorney Mike Feuer said in a report to the council that Mayor Eric Garcetti has the authority to commandeer hotel rooms to house the homeless and protect peoples lives during a local emergency like the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Los Angeles already houses people in hotel rooms through the Project Roomkey program, but hotels have to opt in and are not forced to participate. On Feb. 20, Garcetti authorized upfront funding to extend Los Angeles leases for Project Roomkey hotels through Sept. 30, but at that time the city reported only leasing three hotels with a total of about 1,200 rooms.

The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that the city has not requested reimbursement for portions of the $59 million it has spent on Project Roomkey. During a Budget and Finance Committee meeting last week, City Administrative Officer Richard Llewellyn said the billing department needs assistance to apply for reimbursements. The city previously had one staff member working on reimbursement applications, but now has three, The Times reported.

Patty Huber, assistant city administrative officer, told The Times that city officials plan to soon request about $14.5 million in reimbursement for Project Roomkey costs.

Los Angeles County officials have requested about $80 million for hotel rooms, and about $40 million was given upfront through an expedited program that allows municipalities to receive half the funding in advance, according to The Times.

The county has so far received about $12.4 million in reimbursements for Project Roomkey costs, The Times reported. In total, the county received about $119 million in reimbursements from FEMA out of $400 million requested for its broader pandemic response.


Kurbanjan Abdukerim had lost more than 100 pounds while detained over a three-year period.

A Uyghur textile trader and entrepreneur has died days after being freed from an internment camp in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), where he lost more than 100 pounds of weight over his three years in detention, according to sources.

Kurbanjan Abdukerim, 54, passed away four days after his Feb. 23 release from one of the facilities in the XUARs vast network of camps, where authorities are believed to have held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities since early 2017, his former neighbor Zibibulla told RFAs Uyghur Service, speaking from exile in an undisclosed location in Europe.

He died as soon as he got out, Zibibulla said, adding that he had learned of Abdukerims passing on Feb. 27.

The well-known businessman was detained in early 2018 from his home township of Azaq, in Atush (in Chinese, Atushi), a county-level city of around 270,000 people that is the capital of Kizilsu Kirghiz (Kezileisu Keerkezi) Autonomous Prefecture in the cotton- and grape-growing region of southwestern XUAR.

At the time of his detention, Abdukerim was reportedly healthy and weighed around 100 kilograms (220 pounds), said Zibibulla, who declined to provide his family name for fear of reprisal against relatives still in the XUAR. But by the time he was released three years later, Abdukerim was down to 53 kilograms (117 pounds).

In the 1990s, Abdukerim was the first textile trader in Atush to build a factory, which produced scarves, according to Zibibulla. His family regularly traded Chinese fabrics in Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia.

Zibibulla told RFA he believes Abdulkerim was detained in 2018 for taking part in the holy Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia some three years earlier.

I told him not to go, he said, noting that such actions are routinely viewed as signs of religious extremism by authorities in the XUAR.

Abdukerim is survived by a wife and four children.

Death confirmed

RFA spoke with an official from Azaq township to confirm Abdukerims death, but he denied any knowledge of the man or his family.

A young woman who answered the phone at the home of the chief of the police station in Abdukerims home village of Boger said her parents were attending a nezir, or a Uyghur mourning ceremony that occurs three days, seven days, 40 days, and one year after a death.

In the morning they asked me to watch my younger siblings and went off to a nezir, she said.

When asked whether the ceremony was being held for Abdukerim, the young woman confirmed that it was. Local authorities had reportedly placed restrictions on the wake, requiring that the number of participants not exceed 20, she added.

An employee overseeing the neighborhood committee in Boger, where the office of the village Party Secretary is located, confirmed that a man named Kurbanjan Abdukerim had been released from detention last week weighing only 53 kilograms.

He passed away, although his wife is still there and also his children, she said, adding that he had died only days earlier and was buried under the supervision of local police.

The employee said that she was unaware of the reason for Abdukerims detention because I only recently became the neighborhood head and didnt pay close attention to it at the time.

She said that several comradesa euphemism for Han officialshad brought Abdukerims body for burial.

Questions remain

RFA was unable to independently confirm details about Abdukerims health at the time of his passing or the cause of his death.

However, questions remain about the cause of his drastic weight loss in detention, including whether it was the result of malnutrition or an infectious disease he might have contracted in the camp. It was also unclear to what extent his weight loss contributed to his death.

Chinese officials have said the camps are centers for vocational training, but reporting by RFAs Uyghur Service and other media outlets shows that detainees are mostly held against their will in cramped and unsanitary conditions, where they are forced to endure inhumane treatmentincluding systematic rapeand political indoctrination.

Amid increasing international scrutiny, authorities in the region have begun to send detainees to work at factories as part of an effort to label internment camps vocational centers, although those held in the facilities regularly toil under forced or coerced labor conditions.

Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by the Uyghur Service, Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Very hot. High around 105F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 74F. N winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
FLINT, MI -- Bishop Airports most requested destination is back on its route map.

Allegiant started its new nonstop flights from Flint to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas on Friday, March 5, offering one-way fares for as little as $47.

This is the day our community has been looking forward to for years ..., Bishop Airport Director Nino Sapone said in a news release announcing the first flight Friday. Thank you to Allegiant for bringing this amazing flight to our region. We look forward to seeing all of the passengers heading out to Nevada.

Las Vegas has been a sought-after target for Bishop officials since losing that service from Southwest Airlines in 2016, and in April 2019, a consultant identified the destination as one of three cities that appeared to be the best bets for expanded air service in Flint. Dallas and Denver were also considered strong near-term opportunities for the airport.

The new service comes at a good time for Bishop, which like other airports in the nation, suffered big losses of passengers in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Passenger traffic was down nearly 42% at Bishop in 2020, and Flint lost -- at least temporarily -- service from Delta Airlines.

Allegiant Las Vegas flights will depart from Flint at 7:10 a.m. on Fridays and return from McCarran at 11:30 p.m. Sundays.

Allegiant Senior Vice President of Revenue Drew Wells said in the Bishop announcement that the airline, which accounted for nearly 50% of all flights from Flint last year, is excited to restore the service.

We think Flint residents will enjoy this new route to Las Vegas, the statement says.

Related:

Flint hits jackpot with new Allegiant flights to Las Vegas

Flint Bishop Airport consultant sees Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas as expansion opportunities

Flint Bishop Airport gets service to Nashville, starting at $55 one way
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
ADVERTISEMENT

The Government of Finland has formally announced Bankole Oloruntoba, a climate innovation expert, as its new Honorary Consul to Lagos.

This was disclosed by the Finland ambassador to Nigeria, Jyrki Pulkkinen, in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the emergence of the new consul was not only informed by his age demographic but also because of his existing expertise in areas of climate change innovation for a circular economy.

Our biggest expectation is that our businesses here have local partners. We have lots of local expertises but not particularly in this area, he said.

Mr Pulkkinen noted that oftentimes, the honorary consuls are aged individuals and retirees, but that there is a need to bring in more young individuals that are vibrant, rigorous, passionate and ambitious.

We didnt look at gender this time. We look at a young generation who is eager to change the world and save the world at the same time, he said.

It was gathered that Mr Oloruntoba, 41, is the first youngest individual to occupy such a position in the Finland embassy since its creation in 2012.

Unlike Nigeria, Finland runs a circular economy where almost all its wastes (both solid and liquid) are adequately recycled to serve other significant purposes, making it one of the leading countries with well established climate change policies in the world.

However, effective and sustainable waste management has been a major concern in Nigeria, where some individuals are constantly in the quest to convert waste to wealth.

Environmental experts believe that improper waste disposal is an unsustainable environmental practice that poses huge threats to biotic and abiotic ecosystems.

In an interview with this newspaper, elated Mr Oloruntoba explained that his long drive for climate innovations is what landed him his new role with the Finnish government.

Mr Oloruntoba is one of the young Nigerians blessed with innovative ideas on how waste can be effectively and efficiently collected, transferred, processed, treated and properly disposed in an environmentally friendly manner.

All I did was to network hubs, startups, technology innovations with other systems. That is what brought me here, he said cheerfully.

He said overtime, knowing that the role of innovation cuts across everything, so when the need for a Climate Innovation Center(CIC) came up, the office of the Vice President through the SA made a recommendation that they need to talk to someone like me.

That was how the whole climate innovation thing came up.

Mr Oloruntoba stated that the climate innovation part showed him the possibilities of what could happen between Nigeria and other Nordic countries.

So I basically focused my energy on how we can create that kind of linkage between the businesses we can find over there which would be interested in the kind of resources we have over here, he said.
This week: Pitkin Countys front line workers are eligible for the COVID19 vaccine, but can your employer require you to get vaccinated? Also a look at the two back-to-back worldwide ski events Aspen is hosting beginning March 10. Host Alycin Bektesh is joined by Madeleine Osberger, Erica 
JACKSON, MI  What began as a simple recommendation from Facebook, suggesting a combat veteran check out a group page for an organization known as the Wolverine Watchmen, quickly escalated into him becoming an FBI informant for seven months reporting on the groups activities.

Those activities, according to the informant and the FBI, were the planned killing of police officers in their homes at night, as well as kidnaping Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and killing her.

The informant, identified only as Dan for his protection, took the witness stand Friday, March 5, during the third and final day of the preliminary examination for Joseph M. Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar before Jackson County District Judge Michael Klaeren, which was broadcast live on YouTube.

The broadcast was audio only as Dan is currently in the FBIs witness protection program.

The ties that bind the men behind the plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

With the exam concluded, all that remains is arguments to determine if the case will be bound over to trial. Those arguments are scheduled for March 29.

Dan, an Iraq combat veteran, said he discovered the group in early March, 2020, as a recommended page on Facebook. He was unaware of the group and thought, after reading its description, it was a group of veterans who like to train with firearms.

He quickly discovered that was not the case.

The post I saw was for training. This was not training. This was wanting to do violence, he said. I had no idea this group was about this.

Shortly after joining the group and being directed to use the application Wire to talk with them, he saw a number of posts referring to killing police.

This led him to contact a friend who was a law enforcement officer to ask his advice. His friend told him he would let the FBI know what was going on.

Dan said he thought that would be the end of it. Instead, he got text from an FBI agent asking to speak with him.

I had no intention of becoming an informant, but I did agree to it, Dan said.

Testimony throughout the three days of exam presented the group as an organization preparing for the Boogaloo, which has been identified by the FBI as a far-right, domestic terrorist movement centered on plans for a sequel to the Civil War.

Before ever meeting with anyone from the group, Dan was serving as a listening post for the FBI, which was now investigating the previously unknown militia group.

Militias memes take center stage in Whitmer kidnap plot court case

Dan attended his first training event with the group at Morrisons home in Munith, north of Jackson, where he watched members practice low crawling and shooting at paper targets.

Dan described the event as a stumbling safety hazard not well put together, stating they were as likely to hurt themselves as they were others.

The plot to kidnap Whitmer did not originate out of the group, but it supported it, he said.

The kidnap plot was primary coming from Adam Fox, a member of a different militia group who was introduced to the watchmen by Morrison after they met at a lockdown protest in Lansing in April.

Fox was indicted on a federal kidnapping-conspiracy charges in connection with the plot.

Defense attorneys argue men accused in Whitmer kidnap plot never had a plan

(Fox) wanted to hog tie her on a table and have her laid out like a DEA presentation, Dan said.

From March, 2020, until the FBI began arresting accused conspirators in the alleged plot in October, Dan wore a live wire, recording various interactions within the group, warning agents listening when things appeared to be getting too dangerous.

In April, Dan warned the FBI about a possible storming of the state Capitol during an armed protest. The storming never occurred as, according to Dan, the group saw state police were letting protestors inside as long as they took their temperatures first.

All they said was we couldnt bring signs into the building. We could being our guns in though, Dan said.

Defense attorneys for the three men -- Andrew Kirkpatrick, Nicholas Somberg and Kareem Johnson  argued their clients had no role in any alleged plot to kidnap Whitmer and there was no direct stated threats being made about killing officers.

Morrison, 26, and Musico, 42, cofounders of the Wolverine Watchmen militia group, are accused of providing materials and assistance to group members by conducting tactical training on Morrisons Munith property.

The pair are charged with one felony count each of threat of terrorism, gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts and felony firearms.

Bellar, 22, a member of the group, is charged with one felony count each of providing materials to support terrorist acts, attempt to commit felony as an associate or member of gang and felony firearms.

After wrapping for the day Friday, bond was addressed for Morrison who remains the only man of the three still in jail with bond set at $150,000. Klaeren, stating he sees Morrison as more of a threat to the public now after hearing testimony, declined to reduce bond.

For more information about the alleged kidnap plot, click here.

More from MLive:

Michigan reports 1,486 new coronavirus cases, 10 deaths Friday, March 5

Party bus prompts call to police, leads to Michigan liquor license suspension

Ann Arbors unique 2020 election I voted stickers earn national recognition
Oregon pays state employees highly competitive salaries and benefits compared with key areas of the Pacific Northwest market, a new analysis by the states human resources office has found.

State workers average compensation as of July 1, 2020, was more competitive than two years ago: 100.2% of market, up from 97.5% of market in 2018.

The salary and benefit packages looked richer when contrasted with the private sector in Oregon and neighboring states: 103.8% on average of what similar workers in the private sector earn, the state analysis found.

Gov. Kate Browns administration conducts the analyses every two years to inform the governor as she negotiates pay and certain benefits in new contracts with public employee unions. Brown is now bargaining with nearly a dozen unions and the outcome can significantly impact the $24 billion state budget. In 2019, Brown negotiated $200 million in salary increases and has suggested the Legislature should plan for $190 million in salary and other compensation increases in the 2021-2023 budget.

The governor seeks to keep state employee compensation between 95% to 105% of the compensation earned by similarly situated employees in comparable markets but her 2017 executive order identifying that goal did not specify if that means total compensation or only salary. Through a spokesperson, Brown declined repeated requests by The Oregonian/OregonLive to say by deadline Friday if she bases her market employer range on total compensation  salaries and benefits  or salaries only. On Monday, press secretary Liz Merah wrote in an email that the governor looks at salaries plus benefits when determining whether the state is a market employer and when negotiating labor contracts.

The state has approximately 35,000 employees, not including the university system, Legislature, judiciary and Oregon Lottery.

Human resources employees analyzed the states competitiveness as an employer by comparing state workers salaries and benefits with the salaries and benefits paid to people in similar jobs with different employers.

Highly paid county workers reduced Oregons competitiveness in the overall ranking. The analysis compared Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Marion, Lane, Deschutes and Jackson in Oregon and Clark, Thurston and King in Washington, finding those counties paid workers 9% more than the state for similar jobs.

Ben Morris, communications director for Service Employees International Union which represents approximately 30% of the state workforce, said the union views the county comparison as particularly important because we see our members go to county jobs a lot.

If a state employee leaves for a government job in an Oregon county, their years of service carry over and they retain the same generous pension and health care benefits. Public employees in Oregon receive both a defined benefit public pension and a defined contribution retirement plan similar to a 401(k), in addition to Social Security. Public employers in many other states do not pay into Social Security.

Adding the value of employee benefits to wages has a significant impact on the monthly total compensation costs for state employees, human resources staff wrote in the report.

State employees also receive significant paid leave time, more than five weeks  or 208 hours  in the first year for non-management workers and slightly more  232 hours  for managers, which represents 68 and 92 hours of additional leave over the market average for represented and management employees, respectively, human resources employees wrote in the report.

To calculate the competitiveness of the states healthcare benefit, Oregon human resources staff only considered the employers contribution rates  not how employees out-of-pocket costs compare. That is significant because state employees pay relatively tiny monthly premiums, $19.35 per month for family coverage under the most popular plan, Providence Choice, versus a market average of $565.59 per month to insure a family.

A state employee at the employee and family rate will pay $546.24 less for monthly medical benefits, according to the report. Over the course of a year, this is an average savings of $6,554.88, which equates to more than the average monthly salary for a state worker compared to what an employee would pay for their medical benefits in the labor market.

Many employees are well-aware of the generous benefits and choose to work for the state because of them. That became clear in 2019 when lawmakers decided to reverse a decision to eliminate the option for households with more than one public employee to sign up for double health insurance coverage.

Still, Melissa Unger, executive director of Service Employees International Union 503, zeroed in on state employees salaries which the report found to be on average 96.6% of the market last year.

The multiple crises of 2020 taught us a hard lesson about the readiness of Oregons essential services, Unger wrote in an emailed statement. Years of understaffing, turnover, and a lack of investment in infrastructure left us unprepared for the pandemic and wildfires. Our goal in negotiating our next contract with the state is to make sure our essential services are ready for the future. The compensation report is one piece of that puzzle. It shows that state salaries are below the overall market and far below one of the most direct competitors  county governments. In order to disaster-proof our essential services for the future, we need to address that gap so we can retain the most talented workers in these critical programs.

As a snapshot in time, the report does not reflect state employees current compensation nor changes in the broader market. Since July 1, state employees received a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, the largest in a decade, and a periodic increase in pay rates known as a step increase that on average boosted pay by 4.8%, The Oregonian/Oregon has reported.

In the past, critics have pointed out that in addition to ignoring state employees lower health insurance costs, the compensation report doesnt factor in that public pension costs are picked up by taxpayers with the financing of public pension debt. The state did not change its methodology for calculating compensation from 2018, when The Oregonian/OregonLive described its analysis of the value of state pensions as anemic and potentially misleading because it only looked at the net pension contribution rates for employees hired after Aug. 28, 2003, or Tier 3. Excluded from consideration were the cost of pension benefits for older  more expensive  Tier 1 and Tier 2 employees.

John Tapogna, president of the economic consulting firm ECONorthwest, said the states analysis only captures one part of the compensation equation since it focuses on matching state jobs with positions in other sectors and comparing the pay for each. It does not examine what workers with similar qualifications are earning across the market, Tapogna said, which can also provide insight into an employers competitiveness.

Those occupations probably are never identical, Tapogna said. Youre going to get some pretty specific types of work in state government that you just dont have comparable occupations in the private sector  You dont know exactly whos going into that position, what kind of occupational background they have and what type of work experience they have.

-- Hillary Borrud: hborrud@oregonian.com; @hborrud

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 16:31:26|Editor: Xiang Bo

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The crewmembers who will participate in the construction of China's space station have been selected and are being trained for their missions, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The construction of the space station has entered a crucial stage, said the CMSA, noting that this year will see several space missions including the launch of the station's core module, cargo replenishment, and a manned flight, which will be carried out one after another.

China aims to complete the construction of its space station by around 2022. During the construction, China plans to launch four Shenzhou manned spaceships and four Tianzhou cargo spacecraft to transport astronauts and supplement materials.

The Long March-5B Y2 rocket, which will launch the core module, has been safely transported to the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province. The core module is scheduled to be launched in the first half of this year. Enditem
Dr. Joseph Stothert, husband of Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, was found dead Friday afternoon in the family's southwest Omaha home.

Police were called to the home in the St. Andrews Pointe community at 1:54 p.m. for a shooting. That's a gated community near Oak Hills Country Club in southwest Omaha.

Police dispatchers told sister station KETV the shooting appeared to be self-inflicted.

The Stothert family released the following statement:

"It is with great sadness today that we share the tragic loss of Joe Stothert with family, friends and our loving community. Joes dedication and affection for everyone he cared for serve as a bright light of human kindness for all of us to follow. Our family asks for your prayers at this very difficult time. We will need them. We also ask for privacy so our family may grieve and remember an extraordinary and caring husband, father and grandfather."

Dr. Stothert was a critical care surgery specialist associated with the Nebraska Medical Center. He has been a practicing physician for more than 47 years.

Stothert, 72, attended medical schools in St. Louis and Washington State. He married his wife in 1981, and the Stothert family moved to Omaha in 1992.

Dr. Stothert served for 18 years as medical director for the Omaha Fire Department's emergency medical service, stepping down from that role in 2013.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement regarding Stothert's death:

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mayor Stothert and her family during this very sad time.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers help at any time. Call 1-800-273-8255 to talk to a counselor. There is always someone available to listen.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hoy, el Ministerio de Salud empezo la aplicacion de la segunda dosis de la vacuna contra la COVID-19 en los hospitales de Lima Metropolitana. #PongoElHombro ???? pic.twitter.com/se8TD7aTAd
Washington County will host a first-dose vaccination event Monday for essential workers who register for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Starting at 1 p.m. Friday, individuals can register for the event on the county website at washingtoncountyny.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals must be essential workers who qualify for vaccine under the states 1B phase of vaccine distribution. This includes those who work in fire, police, public safety communications, corrections, P-12 schools, in-person higher education, child care, public transit, public facing grocery store workers, and those who work for food banks and food pantries.

A full list of eligible essential workers is available here.

Mondays event wont be open to those 65 and older and people with underlying health conditions, the county warned, unless they also classify as an essential worker according to the states criteria. Proof of eligibility will be required when the person arrives for their vaccine, the county said.

The county didn't specify how many slots would be available for Monday's event, but it has administered anywhere from 44 to 440 doses at recent clinics, according to its website. Events fill up extremely fast and supply remains limited, they warn.

The county also recently launched a vaccine interest registry for residents who are eligible for vaccine under any of the state criteria. Those individuals can submit their information to an online form, available at bit.ly/WashCoNYVaxInterest, and receive information and updates related to vaccine distribution events they may be eligible for.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Woman to be cited in Pottsville crash

POTTSVILLE  Pottsville police investigated a crash that happened around 8:30 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Route 61 and East Norwegian Street.

Police said Patrolman Grant Yoder determined that Camille Skripnek, 25, of New Philadelphia, was driving a Dodge Avenger west on East Norwegian Street when she went through a red light and was struck by a Toyota 4Runner being driven south on Route 61 by a Saint Clair woman.

No injuries were reported and Yoder will be citing Skripnek for a violation of traffic control signals.

Pitman man not injured in crash

PITMAN  State police at Schuylkill Haven investigated a crash that happened on Ridge Road in Eldred Township around 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22.

Police said Cody Glosek, 25, of Pitman, was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado east when he went off the road and hit a shrub and a tree.

Glosek was not hurt, but police said he was cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Man charged with carrying weapon

FREIDENSBURG  A Pine Grove man was charged by state police at Schuylkill Haven with carrying a concealed weapon after an incident at Chestnut Street and Sweet Arrow Lake Road in North Manheim Township around midnight Feb. 21.

Police said Cody Stahley, 22, was driving a vehicle while under the influence and had a firearm and drug paraphernalia inside.

Police said the appropriate charges against Stahley were filed with Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier, Orwigsburg.

Man escapes injury in 1-vehicle crash

DREHERSVILLE  An Orwigsburg man escaped injury when the 2014 Kia Sorento he was driving crashed in the area of 288 Drehersville Road in West Brunswick Township around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said William Ramirez was driving east when he failed to negotiate a left curve while driving too fast, went off the road and struck a tree.

The vehicle continued uncontrolled across the road where it hit an embankment and overturned before coming to a stop, police said.

As a result of the crash, police said Ramirez was cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

No injuries reported

in crash on I-81

LICKDALE  State police at Jonestown investigated a crash that happened in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81, in the area of mile marker 93, in Swatara Township, Lebanon County, around 6 a.m. Saturday.

Police said Juan Sajbin-Osorio, 34, of Shenandoah, was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Venture south in the left lane when he lost control, went off the road and drove into the median.

The vehicle came to a stop facing northwest off the left shoulder of the southbound lane, police said.

Sajbin-Osorio and his passengers  Alexander Herrera-Yat, 18, a 17-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl, all from Shenandoah  escaped injury.

As a result of the crash, police said Sajbin-Osorio will be cited for not driving on roadways laned for traffic.

Man drives into downed tree

HAMBURG  A Hamburg man escaped injury when the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox he was driving ran into a downed tree around 1 a.m. Tuesday in the 100 block of Moslem Springs Road in Perry Township, Berks County.

State police at Hamburg said Steven Lesher, 29, was driving west and did not see a tree that had fallen blocking both lanes of the road.

The mans vehicle struck the tree, traveled across the westbound lane and went off the road coming to a stop on the shoulder, police said.

Leshers vehicle was towed from the scene, troopers said.
LONDON, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Platts ("Platts"), the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, today announced it will begin publishing new low-carbon aluminum price assessments for the European markets, effective April 6, 2021.

The new daily assessments will include a Low-Carbon Aluminum Price (LCAP), and a Zero-Carbon Aluminum Price (ZCAP) and complement existing Platts European price offerings for high-grade primary aluminum (P1020).

Ian Dudden, Global Pricing Director for Metals and Agriculture, S&P Global Platts, said: "The launch of our green aluminum assessments follows extensive engagement with market participants throughout the aluminum value chain. These new prices align with S&P Global Platts' strategic focus on offering ESG-related commodities pricing, and are in response to requests from market participants for new pricing transparency to help them quantify cost and manage risks and opportunities associated with a growing focus on carbon-reduction strategies and increasing global regulation."

Low-Carbon Aluminum Price (LCAP):

The Platts LCAP, which will be assessed as a premium to the LME cash-settlement price, will apply to primary aluminum with a maximum emissions level of 4 metric tons (mt) of CO2 per mt of aluminum at the smelter. Other quantities and emission levels will be normalized to this basis. Platts will only include aluminum in this assessment which has had its smelter Scope 1 and 2 emissions certified by an internationally accepted, independent organization.

Zero-Carbon Aluminum Price (ZCAP):

The Platts ZCAP for primary aluminum will leverage Platts' existing CORSIA-eligible carbon-credit price assessments (Platts CEC) to calculate the voluntary cost of offsetting the carbon emissions of the LCAP assessment to zero.

While ESG is fast becoming a core strategy for metals and mining companies around the world, a vacuum of standards has prevented market participants from defining, quantifying and understanding the market value of low-carbon aluminum.

S&P Global Platts is responding directly to market participants' desire for greater transparency in the low-carbon metals space. These entities range from producers seeking acknowledgement of the advances made in reducing carbon at the smelting stage to end-users increasingly demanding that suppliers certify the material they provide has been made with renewable energy or comes from low-carbon energy sources.

The initial launch in Europe reflects that market participants are embracing carbon emissions reduction strategies across supply chains.

The new daily assessments for primary (P1020) aluminum reflect Good Western-origin, minimum 99.7% aluminum ingot meeting London Metal Exchange high-grade specifications. Both LCAP and ZCAP assessments will reflect typical shipments of 100-1,000 mt, in-warehouse Rotterdam, on a duty-paid and duty-unpaid basis, net-30 day payment terms, in US$/mt.

"While Platts is initially providing new low-carbon pricing focused on aluminum, we also plan to launch additional price and cost references throughout the metals and raw materials value chains and we welcome feedback on our plans for expanding low-carbon pricing offerings," added Dudden. "What sets Platts low-carbon price assessments apart is their daily frequency, as well as the ability of Platts to leverage expertise and price assessing capabilities across commodities and voluntary carbon sectors, which help market participants navigate the emerging global energy transition."

Editor's Note:

The Platts CEC reflects the daily value of CORSIA-eligible carbon credits providing a transparent view of the rapidly growing voluntary carbon markets, which are a core part of the world's efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. It represents the first of a planned suite of benchmark voluntary carbon prices covering the full range of projects including removal, reduction and avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions.

CORSIA is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. CORSIA is referenced by a wide range of non-aviation industries as an acceptable approach for voluntarily curbing carbon's impact on climate change. It reflects credits from projects certified by the following groups: The Gold Standard, Climate Action Reserve (CAR), Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Architecture for REDD+ Transactions, and American Carbon Registry. Platts reflects the methodologies for the above standards for the relevant types of carbon credit projects as specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Carbon credits are generated by specific projects that avoid, reduce or remove GHG emissions, and are verified and validated by a set of independent standards that have been created by coalitions of NGOs and market participants over the last few decades.

The voluntary carbon markets have evolved and encompass a large range of project types, geographies and standards, ranging from renewables in India, to forestry in Brazil. Voluntary carbon credits have been embraced by investors and corporations as a tool for financing the reduction of emissions, best currently implemented at the industry level by the International Civil Aviation Organization's CORSIA program, which has created the mechanism to allow airlines to credibly offset their GHG emissions.

Under the ICAO, airlines have committed to reducing their Carbon footprint through an initial voluntary period (2021-2023) and a subsequent mandatory reduction period (2024 onwards), per the registry and methodology limits set out here: https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CORSIA/Pages/default.aspx

Media Contacts:

Americas: Kathleen Tanzy + 1 917-331-4607, [email protected]

SOURCE S&P Global Platts

Related Links

http://www.platts.com


The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
As state lawmakers in Austin wrap up the latest legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday threatened to withhold their pay by vetoing a line item in the states budget because a Democratic walkout killed his priority elections bill. No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities, Abbott tweeted. Should the governor veto Legislature funding?

You voted:

Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Very hot. High around 105F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 74F. N winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
Barricades will be broken during next 'andolan': Rakesh Tikait warns Centre

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Mar 05: Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday threatened to break the barricades if they are put in place during the next 'andolan' of the protesting kisans.

"There should be no barricading during the next 'andolan' of farmers and if it is placed it will be broken," Tikait tweeted in Hindi.

Divulging details of the future course of action in order to continue the protest against the three farm laws, Tikait said the tractors are the tanks of the farmers. "For the long haul, a strategy that would include 1 village, 1 tractor and 15 farmers, have been chalked out to prepare for the indefinite protest," he said.

Its Mamata Banerjee vs Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal; PM Modi likely to take a call

The farmer union leader accused the Modi government of behaving like a puppet of the corporates. The government is doing exactly what the businessmen are telling it to do, the BJP leader said.

The BKU leader's comments come days after he said that the government's silence indicates it is planning steps against farmers' stir. The BKU leader said that the central government will have to come forward with a proposal for talks to resume with the protesting farmers.

Tikait alleged the government created the trouble during the farmers' tractor parade on the Republic Day in New Delhi.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

Hundreds of farmers are protesting since November 20 at Ghazipur, Singh and Tikri borders demanding the withdrawal of The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, which were passed by Parliament in September 2020.
The map was engraved by a female citizen of the Russian Federation.

Ukraine's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzhaparova (Dzheppar) has said a map of the Russian Federation with Ukraine's Crimean peninsula seized by Russia in 2014, which was engraved on a sculpture on display at an international art festival in Turkey, has been erased.

The author of the map was a female citizen of the Russian Federation, the official said on Facebook.

Read alsoSlovak PM apologizes for inappropriate joke about Zakarpattia regionHaving learnt about the map, Ukraine's Consul in Antalya Emir Rustamov asked Alanya Mayor Adem Murat Yucel to help with removing the incorrect map.

"We are grateful to the Turkish partners for the immediate reaction. Now art has stopped being used as a political tool of influence and no longer misleads local residents and guests of the wonderful city of Alanya about the territory of the Russian Federation. Crimea is Ukraine!" Dzhaparova said.

Russian occupation of Crimea

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held amid the aggressive takeover on the issue of the peninsula's accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities claimed that 96.77% of the Crimean population had allegedly supported the move.

On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to the Russian Federation was signed off in the Kremlin.

Western powers never recognized the Crimea annexation attempt and imposed sanctions on Russia over aggression against Ukraine.

Ukraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date for the start of the temporary occupation of Crimea.

Reporting by UNIAN
Pictured from left are Bruce J. Parker, Jenn Kjellman, Danielle Simpson and Aaron Lyman. "We appreciate the accolades from our industry peers and we encourage everyone to visit our community, learn more about living at Beacon Lake and join the hundreds of families that love living here. Bruce J. Parker, Managing Director of BBX Capital Real Estate

The Northeast Florida Builders Associations Sales and Marketing Council recently honored BBX Capital Real Estate with a gold Laurel Award for Best Community Website for Beacon Lake.

We are honored to receive this recognition for Beacon Lakes website, said Bruce J. Parker, managing director for BBX Capital Real Estate, Beacon Lakes master developer. Our website effectively communicates the communitys upscale, coastal lifestyle. We appreciate the accolades from our industry peers and we encourage everyone to visit our community, learn more about living at Beacon Lake and join the hundreds of families that love living here.

The recently redesigned website presents a new look with video enhancements and other improvements that provide a better user experience. It includes a community portal for residents to keep up-to-date on Beacon Lake events and activities. The website attracts thousands of potential new residents each month and is the largest lead generator for the community.

At Beacon Lake, Dream Finders Homes and Toll Brothers are building coastal-inspired single-family homes featuring front porches and open floor plans. Dream Finders also is building luxury townhomes in Harborside at Beacon Lake. Seven model homes are currently open for tours. Homes are priced starting from the mid $200,000s.

The heart of the Beacon Lake community is Lake House, the 8,200-square-foot amenity and fitness center. It is anchored by a 43-acre lake and located within 358 acres of nature preserve.

For more information about Beacon Lake, go to http://www.BeaconLake.com.

About BBX Capital Real Estate:

BBX Capital Real Estate, a division of BBX Capital Corporation, is involved in the development, operation, management, and investment in residential and commercial real estate including investments, directly and indirectly through joint ventures, in master planned communities, multifamily rental communities, single family for sale communities and commercial properties located primarily in Florida. For more information, please visit http://www.BBXCapitalRealEstate.com, or contact at Bruce J. Parker at 954-940-4941 or BParker@BBXCapital.com.
Armed Michigan militia members, some who are accused in the alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, attended a May 30 Black Lives Matter rally in Detroit. They were on the protesters side, the FBI says.

While right-wing, anti-government movements are often accused of exhibiting racist tendencies, court testimony on three Wolverine Watchmen members charged with terrorism in the Whitmer case exhibited support for multiracial causes.

FBI Special Agent Henrik Impola, whos testified over the last two days in a Jackson County preliminary hearing, questioned whether the motive was to defend protesters or to attack police if violence erupted.

On the first day of testimony, Assistant Attorney General Sunita Doddamani presented various internet memes that the FBI called propaganda used by Wolverine Watchmen to recruit like-minded people online.

They sometimes contradicted themselves.

Among the memes was a pro-Second Amendment image depicting a Confederate flag and another expressing support for Black victims of police violence, including Breonna Taylor and Eric Garner.

An example of the Boogaloo Boys meme that was shared on the Wolverine Watchmen Facebook group page, according to the FBI.

The topic of the BLM rally in Detroit came up during the cross-examination of Impola by Attorney Kareem Johnson, who is representing Pete Musico, 42.

Impola said several members of the group drove to Detroit to attend the rally organized in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

An FBI informant, kidnap plot suspects Paul Bellar and Ty Garbin, as well as others who were openly carrying firearms, attended the rally as a group described by Impola as a QRF, a military abbreviation that means quick reaction force. It refers to a group of armed personnel who respond to offer support in volatile situations.

Was it: We need a quick-response team to shoot law enforcement, or was it: We need this team to respond and shoot law enforcement if they shoot on our peaceful Black Lives Matter protests, Johnson asked the FBI agent.

In this particular instance, the QRF team was going to shoot at law enforcement if law enforcement shot at BLM protesters or anybody out there, Impola said.

Thats a tough one, Impola said when a follow-up question suggested the men were there for defensive purposes.

Well, lets break it down, because this is what its all about, Johnson said. Police officers, law enforcement, monitor citizens while carrying arms ... and generally speaking, law enforcement does not like it when people with guns are watching them.

Impola responded that the armed men didnt have authority to be there for defensive purposes so just being there is a violation of the law.

Johnson pushed back on that statement, questioning how legally carrying firearms and observing a protest violated the law.

Theres Michigan state law that prohibits militia activity from infringing on the right of freedom of speech if its not sponsored or on behalf of the government, the FBI agent said. " ... They didnt have the authority to step in a act as police officers, to police the police...

Theyre certainly acting outside the bounds of a legal militia.

Michigan law explicitly states militias must follow the governors orders, and private civilian militias have no right to exist under Michigan law or the U.S. Constitution.

The defense attorney noted that the men didnt actually enforce anything during the Detroit protest, which began peacefully but didnt end that way. Eventually, protesters and police clashed. Protesters threw projectiles and shot fireworks at officers while police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the the crowd. No live ammunition was ever fired by police or protesters.

Impola said the crux of his job is to determine whether speech by individuals and groups rise to the level of extremism with violent intent.

The FBI agents testimony was provided during the preliminary hearing before Jackson County District Judge Michael J. Klaeren for Musico, Joseph Morrison and Paul Bellar, 21, who are three of 14 men suspected in the Whitmer kidnap plot.

Bellar, according to the FBI, is the founder of the Wolverine Watchmen, a militia-type organization that started as a Facebook group. Musico and Morrison were also co-founders.

The trio of defendants later linked up with other members of the alleged plot and conducted armed training exercises and surveillance of Whitmers vacation home in preparation for her abduction, investigators say.

The hearing, which is set to resume at 8:30 a.m. Friday, is to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to take the case to trial court.

Closing statements for the preliminary hearing and a ruling are expected later this month.

More on MLive:

Accused kidnap plotters never had a plan, attorneys claim

Militia memes take center stage

Boogaloo Boys not as light hearted as their flowery Hawaiian shirts, FBI agent testifies

The ties that bind the suspects in alleged plot

Alleged kidnapping plot photos, video released

Liberate Michigan, Trump tweets

Whitmer said Trump is inciting domestic terrorism

Town alarmed by presence of militia plot

Men trained with guns, explosives, neighbors say

Feds want to share grand jury testimony

He cant believe he got involved
Teetering financial services house Greensill Capital has capped off an extraordinary week of bad news with revelations that it waited until only recently to tell its financial backer Credit Suisse it had no insurance for over $US4.6 billion ($5.9bn) worth of assets.

A senior source at Credit Suisse told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald the bank had not been told by Greensill about its long running insurance issues despite the Swiss lender running a series of funds covering $10 billion of the supply chain groups assets.

Lex Greensills financial empire has imploded spectacularly in the space of a week. Credit:Peter Braig

Credit Suisse assured investors in the fund that the assets were fully insured by A-grade insurers as recently as January 29, according to fund documents seen by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

The underlying credit risk of the notes is insured by highly rated insurance companies, the updated investor note for the CS (Lux) Supply Chain Finance Fund states.

 "The Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Some Valedictory Reflections Twenty Years After Apprendi" | Main | Rounding up lots of good recent criminal justice reads 

March 5, 2021

Did a Sixth Circuit panel largely decimate the federal sentencing fraud guidelines (and perhaps many others)?

A helpful colleague made sure I found some time in a busy week to think about the Sixth Circuit's panel decision on Wednesday in US v. Riccardi, No. 19-4232 (6th Cir. Mar. 3, 2021) (available here). The Riccardi decision is the latest in a series of relatively new circuit rulings in which courts are declaring it improper and impermissible for the commentary to the federal sentencing guidelines to be applied in ways that expand the meaning of the actual guidelines (prior Sixth Circuit en banc example flagged here).

Riccardi seems like an especially big deal because it is focused on the commentary to the fraud guidelines, USSG  2B1.1, which has an extensive accounting of how courts should account for the key factor of "loss" in the main guideline. Here is how panel's majority opinion gets started:

Jennifer Riccardi, a postal employee, pleaded guilty to stealing 1,505 gift cards from the mail. Most of these gift cards had an average value of about $35 for a total value of about $47,000. The Sentencing Guidelines directed the district court to increase Riccardis guidelines range based on the amount of the loss. U.S.S.G.  2B1.1(b)(1). Yet  2B1.1 does not define the word loss. A search for its ordinary meaning might produce definitions such as [t]he amount of something lost or [t]he harm or suffering caused by losing or being lost. American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 1063 (3d ed. 1992). Perhaps, then, the word is ambiguous on the margins. Does it, for example, cover only financial harms or emotional ones too? But one definition of loss that you will not find in any dictionary is the rule that the district court used for Riccardis stolen gift cards: a $500 minimum loss amount for each gift card no matter its actual value or the victims actual harm (which, for Riccardi, amounted to a total loss amount of $752,500). Riccardi challenges the use of this $500 minimum loss amount, which comes from the Sentencing Commissions commentary to  2B1.1. The commentary instructs that the loss shall be not less than $500 for each unauthorized access device, a phrase that Riccardi concedes covers stolen gift cards. U.S.S.G.  2B1.1 cmt. n.3(F)(i). But guidelines commentary may only interpret, not add to, the guidelines themselves. United States v. Havis, 927 F.3d 382, 386 (6th Cir. 2019) (en banc) (per curiam). And even if there is some ambiguity in  2B1.1s use of the word loss, the commentarys bright-line rule requiring a $500 loss amount for every gift card does not fall within the zone of ambiguity that exists. Kisor v. Wilkie, 139 S. Ct. 2400, 2416 (2019). So this bright-line rule cannot be considered a reasonable interpretation of  as opposed to an improper expansion beyond   2B1.1s text. We thus reverse Riccardis sentence and remand for resentencing without the use of the commentarys automatic $500 minimum loss amount for every gift card.

Though the part of the loss commentary found to be an "improper expansion" of the 2B1.1 guideline in Riccardi might seem like a quirky example, I suspect a good many fraud cases involve commentary that could be considered an "improper expansion" of the guideline term "loss." For example, the commentary states that "loss is the greater of actual loss or intended loss," but can see a good argument that "intended loss"  which is loss that did not actually happen, but was part of the design of an offense  is not a reasonable interpretation of "loss." Similarly, the commentary states sentencing judges "shall use the gain that resulted from the offense as an alternative measure of loss only if there is a loss but it reasonably cannot be determined." I feel pretty confident that "gain" is not really an interpretation of "loss."

Critically, the fraud guideline is not the only one important part of the federal sentencing guideline with an intricate set of commentary instructions that might be challenged as full of "improper expansions." I sense a growing number of litigants and courts are starting to hone on potentially problematical guideline commentary and that some variation of this issue with be getting to the US Supreme Court before too long. In the meantime, defense attorneys would be wise to challenge (and preserve arguments around) any application of guideline commentary that even might be viewed as "expansionary."

March 5, 2021 at 09:58 AM | Permalink

Comments

Post a comment
Since 29 January, people arriving in Luxembourg by plane have to comply with special health measures. They have now been extended until at least the end of March.

Any person over six years of age who arrives at Luxembourg Airport must be able to present a negative Covid-19 test carried out less than 72 hours prior to the flight. The test result must be presented in one of the three administrative languages of the Grand Duchy (Luxembourgish, German, or French), or in English. In addition, it was recently announced that test results in Portuguese, Italian, or Spanish will also be accepted from now on.

Travellers arriving from countries outside the European Union or the Schengen area must also take a rapid test at Luxembourg Airport. If they refuse the test, a 14-day quarantine is imposed, which can be lifted with a negative test result.
Belarus said on Friday it had requested the extradition of exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was forced from the country during a crackdown on critics of leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Tikhanovskaya, who challenged Lukashenko in last year's presidential vote that the opposition said was rigged, sought refuge in EU member Lithuania as the crackdown intensified on anti-government demonstrations in her home country.

The Belarus General Prosecutor's Office said on Friday it had requested that Lithuania extradite her "to face prosecution for crimes against the governing order, public safety and the state".

Investigators said this week that Tikhanovskaya, who stood in the August vote in place of her jailed husband, had planned with associates to instigate riots and capture government buildings in the second city Gomel.

Tikhanovskaya has dismissed the claims.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis responded that his country "has been and will be a brick wall behind which all democratic forces persecuted by regimes will find refugee".

"We can say only one thing to the Belarusian regime: hell will first have to freeze over before we consider your requests," he said.

In a post on Twitter, Tikhanovskaya thanked Landsbergis "for not only standing up against Lukashenko's regime but also sending a clear message that Lithuania strongly supports Belarusians".

- EU sanctions -

Journalists and rights defenders are facing a slew of legal cases, which have been condemned by international advocacy groups.

Dozens of media and rights workers had their homes and offices searched last month and several journalists were recently handed jail terms after reporting on the protests and the opposition crackdown.

Thousands were detained at spontaneous protests that followed Lukashenko's claim to a landslide victory and a sixth term in the August vote.

In exile, Tikhanovskaya been meeting EU leaders and representatives of Western countries. She was expected in Geneva this weekend.

The European Union has slapped sanctions on Lukashenko and his allies but the long-standing Belarus leader has strong support from Moscow and has refused to step down.

burs-emg/jbr/jxb
President Joe Biden was criticized for calling Republican governors "Neanderthals" for not falling in line with Democrat states. Most DEM states have the worst coronavirus cases, and in New York, the governor is facing sexual harassment charges.

The former Trump press secretary Kayleigh McEnany called Biden's insult indelicate. She compared it to the 'deplorables' remark against Trump supporters, revealing the Democrats' disdain against Republicans.

GOPS are not letting off the president easy, as Psaki issued excuses for his outburst. Reports say that Biden made his usual indelicate remarks after two Republican governors removed COVID-19 restrictions. Making these decisions to remove mask mandates and kickstarted their state's economies, said the Epoch Times.

These governors choose to ignore what Democrats are doing, as vaccinations rise and hospitalizations fall with vaccines. They don't want to let an already festering economy worsen the condition of their states. Many Democratic states follow the mandates of Fauci, and the government is not getting better.

Last Wednesday, Biden had something to say about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R), who are not getting in line with the administration policies. He remarked they are wrong and said that it was Neanderthal thinking it was okay. The White House wants everyone to hide from the coronavirus, even with COVID-19 vaccines.

Reeves did not let President Joe Biden off the hook for the uncalled-for remark and shot back. He said that Mississippians don't need anyone to decide for them. He added that the President does not decide for all Americans, nor even insult them.

Also read: Lone Democrat Explains Vote Against Bill Expanding Americans' Access to the Ballot Box

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), another Republican, tore into Biden's off remarks. He said that it was 'Neanderthal thinking' for Governor Newsom, another Democrat in California, to keep everyone in their caves for a year.

Patrick added it is 'Neanderthal thinking,' when Democrat Governor [Andrew] Cuomo of New York sent many old people to their deaths. About 12,000 people died, and the Democrat governor lied to everyone, and the biased media kept silent.

Biden calls Republican governors Neanderthals who wanted the best for their states. Compared to Cuomo and Newsom, his reaction was selective. He avoided saying any about the DEMS governors' failures.

McEnany, an analyst at Fox network, on "Fox & Friends" said that Joe Biden is not keen on giving freedom and is not really the uniter but the opposite. He called the conservatives Neanderthals, which Hillary Clinton did when she insulted Trump supporters. She called every supporter of Trump a deplorable in 2015.

Last Thursday, the White House press secretary Jen Psaki had to damage Biden's indelicacies. When asked if he thinks it could have been better handled and if calling anyone names help get the White House agenda, she sidestepped the issue of the aggrieved insult and pushed it aside. She said it was the behavior of Neanderthals, nothing else more.

Biden calls himself the uniter, which puts his remark in direct contrast to his goals. The Biden White House has many missteps of late, and Psaki has been doing PR to obliviate them.

She defended President Joe Biden from his remark that put him in a difficult place. He uses the pandemic as alleged by his critics to avoid being questioned.

Related article: Migrants at the US-Mexico Border Wear Shirts Pleading Biden to Allow Entry into the US

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Document Solutions Website by Digital Silk

A creative digital agency Digital Silk has announced the launch of a new corporate website for New Jersey-based office solutions and technology services company, Document Solutions.

With its easy navigation and user-friendly layout, the new website mirrors Document Solutions tagline Business Life Simplified and their mission to provide a seamless office technology experience.

Digital Silks main objective was to create a website that represents Document Solutions commitment to providing unparalleled support and services to local businesses. The new UX and UI designs, along with the improved messaging, communicates the companys offering and dedication to tailoring their services to meet their clients evolving needs. These elements also serve to reduce the bounce rates and increase time on site  two important signals that contribute to the search engine rankings.

Design Silk developed detailed user journey guided by strategically placed calls to action (CTAs). The CTAs propel visitors down the funnel to the conversion points to increase on-site brand engagement including newsletter subscriptions and quote requests.

The new website also integrates the companys online payment suite to facilitate contactless bill settlement for Document Solutions services, further enhancing not only the users on-site experience, but also their existing clients satisfaction.

About Digital Silk:

Digital Silk is a creative digital agency focused on growing brands online. From custom websites to digital marketing, Digital Silk creates SUPERIOR digital experiences to drive higher conversions, greater brand engagement and measurable results.

About DS BLS:

DS BLS is an office technology and IT solutions company providing services to mid-size companies in New York and New Jersey. The companys mission is to provide superior technology solutions for respective clients office support needs and keep it running seamlessly. DS BLS aims to drive business growth while fostering a positive impact on clients goals and the well-being of the community.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Indonesia becomes the first country in the world to have decreed mandatory vaccinations on its citizens.

LifeSite News reported that the country's presidential order demands forced vaccinations on 181 million Indonesians. The order also stipulates that it would impose fines and would deny social aid to its citizens for non-compliance.

The country's capital, Jakarta, became the first region to implement the president's vaccination campaign. It has imposed fines of 5 million Indonesian Rupiah for those who would not comply, as well as a warning that government benefits would be denied. The other 33 provinces have yet to carry out the order.

Ahmad Riza Patria, the deputy governor of Jakarta, warned those who would not take the vaccine.

"If you reject it, there are two things, social aid will not be given, (and a) fine," Patria said.

However, Dr. Febi Dwirahmadi of Australia's Griffith University articulated her doubt on the vaccine.

"Social trust is absent. People are still questioning whether this is safe for the elderly, or pregnant women," Dwirahmadi said.

In addition, Usman Hamid, director of Amnesty International Indonesia, also criticized the government for its strict implementation of the order.

"A blanket mandate on vaccination, especially one that includes criminal penalties, is a clear violation of human rights," Hamid stated.

The country's vaccination program will run in four phases. Deutsche Welle said that the first two phases already started on Jan. 13. The first batch comprised the health workers and support staff. Public workforce would form the second phase, including public workers at ports and stations, electric and water companies, banks and other employees providing community services.

Critics of the country's forced vaccination program may have a sensible reason for their concern.

The health ministry of Israel, through the data released by Dr. Herve Seligmann and engineer Haim Yativ, revealed that during a five-week vaccination period, Pfizer's mRNA experimental vaccine has killed 40 times more elderly people "than the disease itself would have killed." On the younger group, the number reportedly constitutes to death rates of 260 times than the virus would have killed in a given period.

The Israeli data also showed that "those vaccinated and above 65, 0.2 percent ... died during the three-week period between doses, hence about 200 among 100,000 vaccinated. This is to be compared to the 4.91 dead among 100,000 dying from COVID-19 without vaccination."

Further, Seligmann and Yativ also stated that the "estimated numbers of deaths from the vaccine are probably much lower than actual numbers as it accounts only for those defined as COVID-19 deaths for that short time period and does not include AVC and cardiac (and other) events resulting from the inflammatory reactions."

As of March 3, Indonesia has vaccinated 2,104,967 of its citizens. While 1,076,409 have already taken their second vaccinations.

President Joko Widodo himself received the first shot of the Sinovac Biotech Ltd. vaccine on the first day of the country's vaccination program.

"We need to do the vaccination to stop the chain spread of COVID-19 and give health protection to us and the safety to all Indonesian people. It will also help accelerate economic improvement," Widodo stated.
A Quiet Place Part II has a new release date after being delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The sequel to 2018s A Quiet Place will be released on May 28, 2021, in theaters. A Quiet Place Part II will also be available for streaming on Paramount+ 30-45 days after the theatrical release.

They always say good things come to those who wait, director John Krasinski wrote on Twitter. Well... I think weve waited long enough. A QUIET PLACE PART II. MEMORIAL DAY.

They always say good things come to those who wait. Well... I think weve waited long enough.

A QUIET PLACE PART II

MEMORIAL DAY pic.twitter.com/hqkE0YcUj8  John Krasinski (@johnkrasinski) March 5, 2021

Both A Quiet Place and Part II were filmed in Upstate New York. The first movie included scenes in Little Falls (near Utica), Pawling, New Paltz and Beacon; the sequel invested nearly $10 million in Western NY, including locations in Olcott, Akron, Barcelona Harbor on Lake Erie, and the South Grand Island Bridge in Tonawanda.

A Quiet Place was one of the best-reviewed and top-grossing movies of 2018, earning $340 million worldwide on a $17 million budget. The film followed a family forced to live in silence, using sign language to communicate while hiding from extraterrestrial monsters with ultra-sensitive hearing.

A Quiet Place Part II will show the first day that aliens began attacking Earth, as well as where the surviving Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe) left off in the first movie, venturing into the post-apocalyptic world and finding new monsters: People.

The people that are left, theyre not the kind of people worth saving, new addition Cillian Murphy (Inception, The Dark Knight) ominously says.

Its unclear if Krasinski, whose credits include The Office and Tom Clancys Jack Ryan, will also make an appearance alongside his wife, Blunt, and their onscreen children in the sequel. The new cast also includes Guardians of the Galaxy actor Djimon Hounsou.

Blunt won a Screen Actors Guild Award for best supporting actress for her role in the 2018 horror film. A Quiet Place was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Achievement in Sound Editing.

A Quiet Place Part II was originally scheduled for a March 20, 2020, release, but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Movie theaters were closed in New York state for more than six months, but are now open in Upstate New York and NYC with limited capacity. Some theaters remain closed; Regal Cinemas has not said yet when it plans to reopen.
New Delhi, March 5 : The farmers protesting against the three Central laws at Delhi borders are also making strategies for future. They have announced series of Mahapanchayats to be held across the country including poll bound states as one of the strategies to spread awareness about the protest.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader Rakesh Tikait will be visiting West Bengal and attend one of the Mahapanchayats there on March 13, just 14 days ahead of the polls.

Polling to 294 Assembly seats will be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29.

Source said that other farmers' leaders Dr Darshan Pal, Yogendra Yadav, Balbir Singh Rajewal etc. will also attend the Mahanpanchayat on March 12 while Tikait will address it on March 13.

Tikait's visit to West Bengal holds significance as the SKM recently announced that it will appeal to the people of the poll bound states to teach a lesson to the BJP against its anti-farmer and anti-poor policies.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Beth Moore was left in tears after she didn't feel a spark with new 'husband' Russell Duance at their wedding.

The Married At First Sight bride, 39, has been open about wanting children as soon as possible - and she shared her fears that she may not become a mother in an audition tape for the show.

In footage shared by 9now, Beth explained that her fears that 'it might not happen' given her age.

Honest: Married At First Sight bride Beth Moore (pictured) admitted in her audition tape for the show that feared never becoming a mother

'There's a part of me that's like, I have to accept that it might not happen at my age,' she said.

'But I've always really felt sad about the thought of not having a child, because I feel like I do have a lot of love to give and I want to be a mum.'

The bubbly blonde also revealed in the video that she puts family and friends first and puts importance on 'living a life of purpose and passion'.

Fears: 'There's a part of me that's like, I have to accept that it might not happen at my age,' she said. 'But I've always really felt sad about the thought of not having a child'

On Sunday's episode of the show, Beth was left sobbing when she didn't feel a spark with new 'husband' Russell at their wedding.

According to The Wash, the newlywed's romance goes pear shaped just a few weeks into the experiment.

The website claimed that Dan Andrews lookalike Russell, 37, allegedly spilled the details of his split with Beth to a woman at a Sydney bar in December.

Over: On Sunday's episode, bride Beth was left sobbing when she didn't feel a spark with new 'husband' Russell Duance (pictured)

During conversation, Russell, who was visiting Sydney from his native Adelaide to do some promotional work, reportedly said the couple were done.

The woman alleged to the website: 'He kept showing his empty ring finger when everyone asked if he was still together.

'I think he told me he made it to about week six from memory,' she added.

Married At First Sight continues Sunday from 7pm on Channel Nine
Labourers walk along a street next to a Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. manufacturing plant in Manesar in the northern state of Haryana

By Sankalp Phartiyal and Aditi Shah

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's northern state of Haryana, where several automakers, component suppliers and big tech firms are based, faces an investment and development crisis from a new hiring rule to tackle high unemployment, lobby groups warned on Thursday.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said the policy, which requires 75% of all low to mid-paying private sector jobs to go to locals, would spell disaster for Haryana's "industrial development and private investment".

The 10-year rule, applicable to jobs paying up to 50,000 rupees ($690) a month, came into effect this week in the state as it faces worsening unemployment as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Haryana's rule affects firms including India's biggest carmaker Maruti Suzuki and business process outsourcing firms such as Genpact.

Apple, Facebook and Alphabet's Google also have their corporate offices in the state, which is ruled by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party.

"Investors and entrepreneurs need to source the best human resources available in (the) country to be competitive and successful," FICCI President Uday Shankar, who formerly headed Disney's India unit, said in a statement.

"To force them in such a regressive straight-jacket will force them to look beyond Haryana and this will ultimately hurt the interests of the state."

The auto industry said it hired workers based on merit.

"Such a move would not only adversely impact the 'ease of doing business' in the state, but also be detrimental to Haryana's image of an industry friendly destination," said Deepak Jain, president of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India.

The auto industry has invested over 400 billion rupees in the state, creates employment for 1 million people and accounts for more than 25% of its GDP, according to ACMA.

Story continues

Nasscom, the tech lobby group whose member companies such as Tata Consultancy Services contribute roughly 8 percent to India's GDP, said the state's plan will harm the growth of Gurugram, a city in the state. Haryana borders Indian capital New Delhi and has over time become a hub for IT and BPO firms.

The growth of the tech sector depends on skilled talent and "such restrictions will be limiting for the industry," Nasscom said, urging the state government to consult the industry.

The Haryana government did not comment, but directed Reuters to comments made by Haryana's deputy premier Dushyant Chautala.

"Exemptions will be given if a specific skill set is not available in our state," Chautala said on Wednesday, adding that some other states had already enacted such local hiring laws.

Haryana's unemployment rate https://unemploymentinindia.cmie.com hit 26.4% in February, the highest in India and more than three times the national figure, data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy showed.

Other states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have also moved to preserve jobs for locals as unemployment surged.

($1 = 72.6375 rupees)

(Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal and Aditi Shah; Editing by Alexander Smith, William Maclean)
The U.S. government publicly identified Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia as the murderer of an American resident, then President Joe Biden choked.

Instead of imposing sanctions on MBS, Biden appears ready to let the murderer walk. The weak message to other thuggish dictators considering such a murder is: Please dont do it, but well still work with you if we have to. The message to Saudi Arabia is: Go ahead and elevate MBS to be the countrys next king if you must.

All this is a betrayal of my friend Jamal Khashoggi and of his values and ours. But even through the lens of realpolitik its a missed opportunity to help Saudi Arabia understand that its own interest lies in finding a new crown prince who isnt reckless and doesnt kill and dismember journalists.

What should Biden have done? As a matter of consistency he should have imposed the same sanctions on MBS, including asset freezes and travel bans, that the United States imposed in 2018 on lower-level figures who carried out the murder. These sanctions also should apply to the stooges and front companies that MBS has used to accumulate assets around the world.

The key message that should be sent not only to MBS, and others in the Saudi court and government, but also to other would-be killers of journalists around the world, is that there is a heavy price to pay for such crimes and nowhere to hide, Agnes Callamard, who as a U.N. official investigated Jamals killing, told me.

The United States also should have suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia. U.S. law bars military assistance to security units involved in gross human rights abuses, and that is true of security forces under MBS, who also serves as defense minister.

Biden reportedly feared that sanctions on MBS would poison relations with Saudi Arabia. Yes, thats a legitimate concern, and I agree that its often necessary to engage even rulers with blood on their hands. But in this great balancing of values and interests, the towering risk is that MBS, who is just 35, will become king upon the death of his aging father and rule recklessly for many years, creating chaos in the Persian Gulf and a rupture in Saudi-U.S. relations that would last decades.

Its precisely because Saudi Arabia is so important that Biden should stand strong and send signals  now, while there is a window for change  that the kingdom is better off with a new crown prince who doesnt dismember journalists.

MBS is the sixth crown prince Saudi Arabia has had over the last decade, and only one of them (King Salman) rose to become king. Two died, and two were deposed. If it becomes clear that Saudi Arabia will not have a workable relationship with the West if MBS becomes king, perhaps well see a seventh crown prince. Thats not the U.S. dictating to Saudi Arabia, but pointing out reality.

King Salman and any independent advisers he may still have would be well-advised to consider how unsustainable it will be for the kingdom to retain MBS as crown prince, said Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Democracy for the Arab World Now. MBS has proven time and again to be a liability and a danger for the kingdom, reviled and avoided by the international community.

U.S. officials sometimes say that if we dont sell weapons to Saudi Arabia, then France or Russia will. But what Saudi Arabia gets from America is not only high-tech weaponry but an implicit promise of defense from Iran or other countries. France and Russia cant provide that.

Some Saudis tell me that its a foregone conclusion that MBS will become king. Maybe. But the fact that MBS has detained rivals, like Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz (who is broadly admired in Saudi society) and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, suggests that he doesnt think its a done deal.

Its not a given that if youre crown prince, youre going to become king, noted Dr. Khalid Aljabri, who is in the United States but has close ties to senior Saudi royals, and whose father allegedly was targeted for murder by MBS. Just apply the law. Sanction MBS! If they sanction MBS, the whole country would come to a standstill, and King Salman would have no choice but to remove his son, even if he doesnt want to.

Perhaps Im biased because I knew Jamal. Some may think: Its too bad about the murder, but other leaders have killed people, too. True, but MBS poisons everything he touches. He kidnapped Lebanons prime minister. He oversaw a feud with Qatar. He caused the worlds worst humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen. He imprisoned womens rights activists. He has tarnished his countrys reputation far more effectively than Iran ever could.

So, Mr. Biden, its not a human rights gesture to sanction MBS. Jamal was a practical man who didnt believe in mushy gestures  but he did dream of a more democratic Arab world that would benefit Arabs and Americans alike. And by letting a murderer walk, you betray that vision.

NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF writes for The New York Times.

The IT major signed an agreement to acquire Capco, a global management and technology consultancy to banking and financial services industry, for $1.45 billion.

London-headquartered Capco is a global management and technology consultancy providing digital, consulting and technology servicesto financial institutions in the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific. Its clients include many marquee names in the global financial services industry. Over the past 20 years, the company has worked closely with business leaders, including Boards and C-Suites in the banking, capital markets, wealth, asset management and insurance sectors and is widely acknowledged for its deep domain and consulting expertise, risk and regulatory offerings and thought leadership around key industry technology challenges and opportunities. In addition, Capco services clients in the energy and commodities trading sector.

This acquisition will make Wipro one of the largest end-to-end global consulting, technology and transformation service providers to the banking and financial services industry. By combining Wipro's capabilities in strategic design, digital transformation, cloud, cybersecurity, IT and operations services with Capco's domain and consulting strength, clients will gain access to a partner who can deliver integrated, bespoke solutions to help fuel growth and achieve their transformation objectives.

Thierry Delaporte, CEO and managing director of Wipro, said, "We are very excited to welcome Capco's admirable leadership team and employees, and global clients, to Wipro. Together, we can deliver high-end consulting and technology transformations, and operations offerings to our clients."

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the quarter ending 30 June 2021.

Wipro is a global information technology, consulting and business process services company. It reported 20.37% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,968 crore on a 3.68% increase in revenue to Rs 15,670 crore in Q3 December 2020 over Q2 September 2020.

Shares of Wipro fell 1.57% to currently trade at Rs 431.95 on the BSE.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PARIS  Environmental groups and indigenous activists from the Amazon region filed a lawsuit Wednesday in a French court alleging that France-based supermarket chain Groupe Casino is violating human rights and environment rules by selling beef linked to deforestation and land grabs.

Casino, a big retailer in South America, would not immediately comment on the lawsuit. In a statement to The Associated Press, it said the company fights actively against deforestation linked to cattle raising in Brazil and Colombia and uses a systematic and rigorous policy to control the origin of beef delivered by its suppliers.

Related: Global Institutional Investors, Including Insurers, Urge Brazil to Control Deforestation Why Are Amazon Fires Potentially Sparking Global Climate Crisis?

The activist groups are seeking compensation for damages to indigenous lands and livelihoods in Brazil and Colombia attributed to Amazon deforestation for cattle raising.

They filed the lawsuit in the French city of Saint-Etienne, where Groupe Casino is based, using a 2017 French law requiring large companies to prevent any serious human rights and environmental violations in their businesses and supply chains. Violators must pay reparations for any damage caused by their inaction.

It is now up to the prosecutors office to decide whether to take up the case.

Latin America accounted for nearly half of Groupe Casinos 31.9 billion euros in sales last year, in part thanks to its Pao de Acucar stores in Brazil and Colombias Grupo Exito. The company reported 886 million euros in losses in 2020.

Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019 with pledges to unlock the riches of the vast Amazon and has sparked fierce backlash amid soaring deforestation. A group of investment firms, most based in Europe, have been ratcheting up the pressure on Bolsonaros administration, threatening to divest from Brazilian companies if the government doesnt act to curb illegal logging and prevent intentional burning of forest.

The governments ongoing military-led operation to curb illegal deforestation and fires in the Amazon rainforest will end April 30, Vice President Hamilton Mourao announced in January.

Photograph: In this Nov. 25, 2019 photo, highway BR-163 stretches between the Tapajos National Forest, left, and a soy field in Belterra, Para state, Brazil. Carved through jungle during Brazils military dictatorship in the 1970s, this highway and BR-230, known as the Trans-Amazon, were built to bend nature to mans will in the vast hinterland. Four decades later, theres development taking shape, but also worsening deforestation. Photo credit: AP Photo/Leo Correa.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Amazon France
China's top political advisory body started its annual session Thursday in Beijing, kicking off the country's major political season of the year that will pool the strength for fully building a modern socialist country.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the session at the Great Hall of the People.

"This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), as well as the starting point on a new journey to fully building a modern socialist China," Wang Yang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told a gathering of more than 2,000 political advisors.

Wang called on political advisors to devote their wisdom and strength to the construction of a modern socialist country.

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will begin its annual session on Friday. The dual meetings, also known as the "two sessions," will set the general national agenda for the whole year and beyond.

Premier Li Keqiang is expected to deliver a government work report, which will be closely watched as China has emerged among the first countries to effectively contain the COVID-19 pandemic, reopen the economy safely, and restore economic growth. The country's development goals and plan for 2021 are expected to be unveiled in the report.

China's GDP grew 2.3 percent year on year to hit 101.6 trillion yuan (about 15.7 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2020.

Zhang Liqun, a research fellow with the Development Research Center of the State Council, said China's economy is resilient, has potential and will maintain sustained growth in 2021.

Zhang, however, noted that the primary goal of economic development is not to seek a nice-looking GDP figure but to raise the quality of the growth and ensure people's well-being.

This year's two sessions are expected to garner more attention from home and abroad as lawmakers will deliberate a blueprint for China's development in the next five to 15 years -- the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the long-range objectives through the year 2035.

"This year's two sessions do not just serve for the work in 2021, but also the goals and tasks set by the 14th Five-Year Plan. We must fulfill the great mission of our times," said Bai Chongen, a CPPCC National Committee member and dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University.

The draft outline will be under the spotlight for its comprehensive and targeted measures echoing China's new development philosophy, said Xin Ming, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance).

Topics including high-quality economic development, sci-tech innovation, rural vitalization and eco-protection will also draw much attention, Xin said, adding that "dual circulation" development paradigm will be another highlight, in which domestic and overseas markets reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

The 14th Five-Year Plan will further clarify how China will implement the dual circulation strategy and achieve high-quality development, observers say, noting that unleashing domestic demand is crucial to driving China's growth, but this new development paradigm does not mean China will backpedal on its opening-up drive.

China's pursuit of self-reliance "is never to close its doors but to build a new development paradigm based on wider and higher-level opening-up," explained Wang Yiming, a member of the CPPCC National Committee.

During the past year, China had actively cooperated with other countries and regions. It signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement in November and completed investment agreement negotiations with the European Union in December.

"China's economy has been deeply integrated into the global economy. As China enters the new stage of development, its ties with the world economy will get even closer," said Ji Zhiye, former head of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations who is also a member of the CPPCC National Committee. Ji said the international capitals are optimistic about the Chinese market thanks to the country's business environment and economic resilience.

The two sessions returning to its traditional March schedule is an embodiment of China's success in effectively containing the COVID-19 epidemic. The arrangement reconfirms that China's political, economic and social life is returning to normal, injecting confidence into the world amid the fight against the virus.

Zhang Wenhong, head of the Center for Infectious Diseases at the Shanghai-based Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, said he is hopeful that China will not have any major COVID-19 resurgence this year thanks to its anti-epidemic experience and strong control measures.

Promoting vaccination across the country is the focus of the next stage of epidemic control, according to Zhang, who also heads Shanghai's COVID-19 clinical expert team. As of the end of February, more than 52 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across China.

The world today is caught between a pandemic of the century and momentous changes never seen over the past one hundred years, bringing about many risks and challenges for China on its way ahead.

China's nationwide unity is the most solid support for overcoming all kinds of difficulties, and the two sessions are an important platform to pool the country's strength, said Luo Jie, an NPC deputy and head of the Taihe Hospital in Shiyan, central China's Hubei Province.

Embarking on the new journey, this year's two sessions will unite the people to concertedly strive toward a brighter future with great opportunities, said another NPC deputy Cui Genliang.
There's little doubt that the pandemic has hit women-owned businesses harder. Women are more likely to own an operation in the harder-hit service sector and bear the burden of increased child care.

"There are only so many hours in a day. So do the math--that's less time to put toward their business," says Jill Sasso, vice president of human resources and governance programs at the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, a nonprofit for certification, resources, and advocacy for women-owned businesses.

Sasso was one of a group of seasoned entrepreneurs and experts who came together Thursday to discuss opportunities for women-owned businesses in an Inc. National Small Business Town Hall stream event. The panel was moderated by Inc. editor-at-large Kimberly Weisul.

Here's a roundup of takeaways from the session.

Networking

Virtual meetings can be easier to secure than in-person meetings since they're easier to schedule, so take advantage. Build your virtual relationships in "small bites," says Joanna Rees, managing partner at San Francisco-based West Ventures. Request a 15-minute conversation, for example. "All we need sometimes is a little wedge," she says. Hunt down a mutual LinkedIn connection to make an intro, she advises. She says she and other investors are more likely to respond to founders who take the time and are resourceful enough to make this effort.

When looking for new ways to network, Rees recommends going back to basics, with LinkedIn intros, or you can check newer platforms like Clubhouse. Look for specific groups where they flock online, like tech VCs to Twitter, says Brittany Davis, general partner at Los Angeles-based Backstage Capital, which funds underrepresented founders. She has met founders through the social network and then invested in their companies, she says. Hayes-Stalling says she relies on her network of business owners in group chats and email, plus groups with organizations like the Michigan Women's Foundation, Ernst & Young, and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

PPP and Pivots

If you can secure a Paycheck Protect Program loan, consider using it not to just survive but to expand your business, says Jessica Hayes-Stallings, founder and CEO of Royal Oak, Michigan-based Skinphorea Facial Bar & Acne Clinic. For example, when staffing became more difficult after Covid-19 hit, she was able to stabilize cash flow and make up the revenue by creating a monthly subscription for a high-margin service, laser hair removal. If you can persuade your customers to pay for something over and over as a necessity, "that will weather any storm," she says.

And, jump on the new window for smaller businesses and solopreneurs to apply for PPP, as long as you're sure you'll get it forgiven, says Sasso. If you're looking for funding, Davis recommends checking out iFundwomen and Black Girl Ventures.

Tell Your Story

When meeting with investors, focus on making an impression. It's the basis of success for early-stage funding, says Davis. "When I walk away from the meeting, I think about Jessica, first, before I think about the company," she says. You have to feel you have a right to be in those types of (virtual) rooms to attract support, Davis adds. For example, Hayes-Stalling says pitching her beauty bar to male investors on paper was an uphill battle, until she was able to get away from an on-paper plan to an in-person meeting, where her passion for the company came through, she says.

Fighting imposter syndrome? Head to the restroom, says Rees, who estimates that she has been on 40 boards where she was the only woman. "I would go into the ladies' room and look into the mirror and say, 'You deserve to be here.' "

EXPLORE MORE Female Founders COMPANIES
Quite satisfied with the Uttar Pradesh-style of police high-handedness that is increasingly being compared to the Gestapo of the Nazi Germany, Pawan Kumar Jaiswal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Dhaka constituency said the same style of policing was required in Bihar to get a grip on crime.

Bihar is in need of UP-like overturning of vehicles to get control over crime, Jaiswal said on Thursday referring to the death of notorious criminal Vikas Dubey who died when, while being transported to UP from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, the vehicle accidentally turned over and crashed killing Dubey on the spot.

His Clint Eastwood style of bravado, however, didnt go too well with the opposition that wasted no time in slamming him saying UP, under Yogi Adityanath whose real name is Ajay Mohan Bisht, had become a state without any rule of law where cops were running amok and people were being arrested for saying anything negative about the Modi or Yogi government.

Jaiswal wants to turn Bihar into a lawless state like UP where no one is safe any longer except for those who were strong Modi supporters. Nitish Kumar would be well advised to ignore Jaiswals suggestion, said Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Suresh Yadav.

Congress leaders in Bihar also condemned Jaiswals statement saying UP was not setting a good example for the rest of the nation and Bihar would be better off by not emulating its discriminatory and communal policies.

Meanwhile, Jaiswal nearly twisted himself into a pretzel trying to clarify what he said and what he meant.

What I really said was that governance in Bihar under Nitish Kumar was superb as it was focused on development and crime control. Sometimes vehicles going at a high-speed overturn and when the criminals are trying to flee the crime scene, their vehicles can also turn over, he said.
This is the nightmare from which women cant wake, said playwright Tom Wright at the Adelaide Writers Week last Thursday, addressing an audience that included friends of the dead woman who accused Attorney-General Christian Porter of rape.

Wright showed that he gets it  as indeed do many decent men. Having allegations of sex assault constantly in the headlines is traumatic for women in ways that are difficult to adequately convey.

There is so much that is unprecedented about the allegations concerning Porter. Not because these issues are new.

Attorney-General Christian Porter addressing the media on Wednesday. Credit:Getty

Rather, it is because for the first time in Australian history, the Canberra press gallery is dominated by talented, hard-nosed and courageous women journalists, and this alters the understanding of why these allegations matter, and how they should be treated. As well, there is a generation of male reporters who, in at least some cases, get it. The result is a new field in the ongoing journalistic job of interrogating power.

A 33-year-old man accused of decapitating his mother at her Louth home has been deemed fit to stand trial by a judge at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Justice Michael White said on Friday that he was satisfied that the Polish man could find his way around navigating a plea, follow the evidence and make a proper defence after two consultant psychiatrists had disagreed on whether the defendant was fit to stand trial.

Referring to the defendant, the judge said he was "highly sceptical" that he had planned his mother's death two years in advance or was "faking a psychiatric illness".

Tomasz Krzysztof Piotrowski, originally from Poland but with an address at Cherrybrook, Ardee, Co Louth, is charged with murdering his mother Elzbieta Piotrowska (57) on January 8, 2019 at her home in Clonmore, Ardee.

Ms Piotrowska's decapitated body was found in her home that morning. She had suffered a significant number of stab wounds and an axe and stanley knives were found close to her body.

Mr Piotrowski, of Cherrybrook, Ardee was arrested on the same day and was subsequently deemed unfit to be tried having been assessed by psychiatrists at the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) in Dundrum, Dublin.

Last December, Dominic McGinn SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions told Mr Justice White that Dr Mary Davoren had decided that Mr Piotrowski was now fit to stand trial. He said this came about following a consultation in November during which Mr Piotrowski accepted that he had lied to psychiatrists in order to get a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a lesser sentence.

In her evidence, Dr Davoren said she was satisfied that the accused was able to describe the various plea options available to him and had a good understanding of them. The doctor said Mr Piotrowski had told her that he had considered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity but said he did not want to spend a long time in the CMH and was instead considering a plea of diminished responsibility. In her view, Dr Davoren said this was a careful approach taken by the accused and demonstrated that he had not chosen a plea impulsively. Furthermore, the witness said that the accused had maintained good concentration and attention during their three interviews with no sign of any thought disorder. In her opinion, she said the accused met the criteria for fitness to stand trial.

However, consultant psychiatrist at the CMH Dr Conor O'Neill disagreed. He told counsel for Mr Piotrowski, Roisin Lacey SC, that he believed Mr Piotrowski was still suffering from delusional beliefs, that his symptoms are most likely the result of paranoid schizophrenia and that he was not fit to plead at his trial. He said the accused had an extensive history of multiple substance misuse, particularly cannabis and cocaine, and had tested positive when he was admitted to Cloverhill Prison in January 2019.

Dr O'Neill said the accused man continued to hold a range of delusional beliefs including that the deceased is not his real mother but a witch who used black magic to harm him. He addressed a suggestion that the psychotic symptoms could have been the result of drug use by saying that the symptoms persisted when Mr Piotrowski was treated for lengthy periods in different hospitals, including the CMH, where he did not have access to illegal drugs.

In cross-examination, Dr O'Neill agreed with Mr McGinn that the accused recognised that a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity would not be in his interest as it would delay his return to Poland, which the accused was anxious to avoid.

The doctor said he assessed Mr Piotrowski in September last year as being unfit to plead and having seen him several times since then and having viewed reports by other psychiatrists, his opinion had not changed. He said that while Mr Piotrowski had recently denied being mentally unwell he continued to describe beliefs that are delusional. In his opinion, Dr O'Neill said the accused was actively psychotic, did not have the capacity to instruct counsel and was not fit to be tried.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Mr Justice White said this was a "complex" case and an issue had arisen concerning the accused's fitness to be tried under the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006. There was a "strong prima facie case" that Mr Piotrowski had caused the death of his mother, said the judge, stressing that the court was "highly sceptical" that the defendant had been planning her death two years in advance or was "faking a psychiatric illness". Undoubtedly, the accused's mental health had improved and stabilised during his stay in the CMH but he had never resiled from his delusional beliefs about his mother even in his improved and stabilised state, said the judge.

Mr Justice White said that the man's consistent diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia seemed "very sound" to the court but this was ultimately a matter for the jury. He said that while it may be difficult he was satisfied that the accused could find his way around navigating a plea, follow the evidence and make a proper defence. "This can be kept under review by the trial judge and can be revisited if necessary," he added.

The defendant was remanded in custody to March 11, when his case is listed for mention.
Ms Edna O'Brien will have the award bestowed upon her in an online ceremony this Sunday. Photo: Tom Davies/Jack Mead.

Multiple award-winning author Edna OBrien will be named Commander in the French Ordre des Arts et Lettres by Mrs Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, French Minister of Culture.

The Order of Arts and Letters is awarded each year by the French Minister of Culture to significant figures in the arts and literature.

Ms OBrien will have the honour bestowed upon her on Sunday, during an online ceremony on the eve of International Womens Day.

Up to 20 people can receive the title of Commander each year, adding Edna OBrien to an exclusive list of cultural figures including other Irish recipients Bono and Seamus Heaney.

Read More

Figures such as Colum McCann and Gabriel Byrne will make testimonials and pay tribute to Ms OBrien during the online ceremony.

Vincent Guerend, Ambassador of France to Ireland, commented: The French government is delighted to present this distinction to Mrs Edna O'Brien, a great figure of Irish literature and to pay tribute to her literary work which has always been committed to denouncing injustices against women.

Minister of Culture Catherine Martin said: The Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres is one of Frances greatest honours and I am so pleased that Edna OBriens work and writing life is being recognised by France in this special way.

Edna OBrien is widely recognised in Ireland as a national treasure. In a career which spans an extraordinary six decades, her special use of words has gained a dedicated readership both in Ireland and abroad.

In the week when we celebrate International Womens Day, I would like to highlight Ednas work in championing womens rights and recognise the special influence on younger writers who followed her path.

Edna OBrien has built a special relationship with France and the French public both for the quality of her writing but also for her universal struggles which received a particular resonance in France.

In 2020, she opened the Avignon Theatre Festival in partnership with France Culture with the reading of her last novel Girl, a moving story about violence against women, one of her longlife concerns.

Born and raised in Tuamgraney Co. Clare, Edna OBrien has received numerous accolades.

She is the recipient of many awards including the Irish PEN Lifetime Achievement Award, the American National Arts Gold Medal, the Frank OConnor Prize, the PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature whose acclaimed work broke down social and sexual barriers for women in Ireland and beyond.

In 2019, she was awarded with the highly prestigious Prix Femina special, by an exclusively female jury, a special prize in honour of Edna OBriens entire body of work making her its first ever non-French recipient.

Her first novel The Country Girls, was banned and even incurred a burning when it was first published in 1960. Since then she has written over twenty novels (including most recently Girl), over five works of drama and four works of non-fiction including her memoir, Country Girl

Read More




African Americans and Latinos are dramatically underserved in California's administration of COVID-19 vaccinations, analysis from SFGATE shows.

The state reports vaccination data by race across all 58 counties, and analysis conducted by SFGATE shows that in most counties, the two racial groups do not receive even 50% of their expected doses.

By "expected doses," we mean the number of doses a racial group would be expected to receive given the demographic makeup of a county if vaccine distribution were equitable.

For example, Contra Costa County is 43% white, 26% Latino, 18% Asian and 10% Black, so we would expect that 43% of vaccinations would go to white residents, 25% would go to Latino residents and so forth. Vaccination data from the end of February found that white residents were receiving 40% of the doses  which is close to their expected value  but Latino residents received just 12% of the doses. If Latinos make up 26% of the population but receive only 12% of vaccine doses, they are receiving roughly 46% of their expected doses.

In addition to racial categories, the state vaccine data includes categories named "other" and "unknown." In many counties, those categories can make up a large proportion of those vaccinated, which explains how it is possible for all groups to be receiving less than 100% of expected doses.

You can explore the data in the interactive map below. All vaccination figures come from the California Department of Public Health's vaccine dashboard from the week of Feb. 22, and all population data comes from the United States Census Bureau.

There are three possible explanations for why Latino and Black Californians are receiving a smaller number of expected doses than their white and Asian counterparts: 1. The state has been prioritizing vaccinations for senior citizens, a group that typically skews whiter than the general population. 2. Minority communities do not have the same access to the health care system as other groups. 3. There is a greater distrust of vaccines and the medical community as a whole among Latinos and African Americans.

Public health experts told SFGATE that the barriers to entry for vaccination are large and rooted in history. But there are also many current factors, both within the vaccine rollout system and from external influences, that have posed challenges for vaccine equity.

Perhaps the most-reported challenge is the mistrust of the medical establishment by people of color. Theres a historical component to this  namely, tragedies such as the Tuskegee experiment, in which Black men with syphilis were intentionally not given treatment over a period of decades, and the Guatemala experiment, in which Guatemalan soldiers, sex workers and others were intentionally infected with gonorrhea and syphilis by American physicians years later.

In addition, a 2020 poll by the Undefeated and the Kaiser Family Foundation found that Black and Hispanic Americans have faced more difficulties than their white counterparts in finding doctors that treat them with dignity and respect.

And as the vaccine rollout takes place, issues of accessibility become more apparent, said Jorge Moreno, an assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine.

For instance, a Pew study found Black and Hispanic Americans, especially older ones, are less likely to have broadband internet at home.

If you're telling a 90-year-old abuelita to sign up on the computer to get a vaccine, and ... they don't even have a phone that has internet access, you're asking a lot, Moreno said. Don't, don't expect, just because it's an internet link, that someone's going to be able to sign up. It can be very cumbersome.

Experts also pointed to difficulties in accessing clear-cut, quality information as another factor to vaccine inequities.

There is a lot of information on the social web, on social media, all the things that are out there," Moreno said, But it's not easily digestible. There's a lot of complexity to the information.

For Latino Americans, Moreno said, theres an added language barrier that complicates the search.

While California does provide information in Spanish and other languages on access to the vaccine and its safety, key concerns for most Americans, its not widely publicized on the states website.

You know there's more information on the CDC guidelines in Spanish, but it's still like you have to search for it, he said. "It's not obvious, right  You have to dig for it and then it's poorly translated. Its not great."

As a result, people end up turning to social media  which is rife with misinformation.

You're gonna have concerns when you really don't understand how something is created, and you don't have the facts, Bernard Macklin, a vaccination outreach coordinator, told SFGATE. He said that two of the more common pieces of misinformation hes heard in his outreach work is the presence of fetal eggs and live COVID-19 cells (none of the vaccines have either).

Moreno pointed to a widespread rumor in Texas that said undocumented individuals were prohibited from getting the vaccine. Hes also heard misinformation spread about fertility issues from the vaccine (There's no evidence whatsoever that the vaccine causes any fertility issues long term, he said).

The solutions to these issues will require much work, long after the pandemic ends. But, right now, as medical workers and public health officials work to vaccinate Americans en masse, the key solution that both Moreno and Macklin agreed on is making information more accessible.

Moreno gained national attention after posting a video in Spanish discussing his experiences with the vaccine.

I think it has to do a lot with communicating, he said, Like, I think a big thing is that if you have the right message that goes to the right venues, the right people, the message will be clarified and people will be informed."

We have to give people the best information possible to help them to understand what they need to do to protect themselves and their family members and everyone that they're going to be in contact with, Macklin added.
A Hong Kong delegate to Beijing's political meetings on Friday said the upcoming reforms to the territory's election system will reduce "radical" and "unconstitutional" members from playing a role in Hong Kong's governance.

Hong Kong's former Secretary for Food and Health, Ko Wing-man, spoke to the Associated Press in Beijing. He is a member of the National Committee of the People's Political Consultative Committee.

Ko said lawmakers who were supportive of or participated in pro-democracy movements that sparked violent protests in the territory in 2019 "will certainly find themselves playing a much less important role" in the future.

The changes are being made ahead of a scheduled general election of the Hong Kong's legislature to be held in September.

Though the elections were originally planned for September 2020, the Hong Kong government last July announced its postponement on public safety grounds.

Earlier Friday, an NPC deputy chairman, Wang Chen, said a Hong Kong election committee controlled by businesspeople and other pro-Beijing figures will be given a bigger role in choosing the territory's leader.

With the largely pro-Beijing election committee nominating all candidates for the legislature, opposition figures could be barred from running in the elections.

The opposition camps were already dealt a heavy blow when four lawmakers were dismissed by the government last year, prompting another 15 to resign in protest.

Still, Ko denied the reforms would prevent opposition parties from participating in the territory's politics.

"For those who still embrace the "One Country, Two System" arrangement and who still embrace the fact that Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, I don't think they will be affected" he said.

Currently, half of the city's 70-member Legislative Council is directly elected by voters. The other half is elected by professional or special interest groups from sectors such as insurance, engineering and agriculture.

The draft changes came after the top Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong, Xia Baolong, declared that only Hong Kong must be governed by "patriots."

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
FILE PHOTO: A test tube labelled with the Vaccine is seen in front of an AstraZeneca logo in this illustration

By Colin Packham, Kiyoshi Takenaka and Sabine Siebold

CANBERRA/TOKYO/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Australia has asked the European Commission to review its decision to block a shipment of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, as countries importing EU-made shots fear a potential impact on supplies.

The EU executive backed Italy's decision to block a shipment of 250,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Australia, European officials said, in the first refusal of an export request since a mechanism to monitor vaccine flows was established in late January.

The move was a reaction to AstraZeneca's delays in delivering vaccines to the EU. The company has said it can supply only about 40 million doses by the end of this month compared to 90 million foreseen in its contract.

One official said the Anglo-Swedish firm had initially asked Rome to ship even more doses to Australia, but then cut its request to 250,000 after a first refusal by Italy, where some of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccines are bottled.

"Australia has raised the issue with the European Commission through multiple channels, and in particular we have asked the European Commission to review this decision," Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters in Melbourne.

A spokeswoman for the European Commission said on Friday that the EU executive had received no specific request from Australia's health minister on the vaccine block.

Hunt said Australia, which began its inoculation programme two weeks ago, had already received 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine, which would last until local production of the vaccine ramps up. He added the missing doses would not affect the rollout of Australia's inoculation programme.

When asked about the EU's export ban, Japan vaccine minister Taro Kono said: "We are asking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to thoroughly investigate. We want to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure the vaccines bound for Japan."

Story continues

AstraZeneca did not reply to a request for comment.

EXPORT CONTROLS

Apart from the decision to block the shipment to Australia, the EU has authorised all requests for export since the scheme's Jan. 30 debut to March 1, which amounted to 174 requests for millions of shots to 29 countries, including Australia, Japan, Britain, the United Arab Emirates and Canada, an EU Commission spokeswoman said.

Almost all vaccines exported from the EU since the end of January are made by Pfizer and BioNTech, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said last week, with much smaller amounts being exported by Moderna and AstraZeneca.

The EU set up the mechanism to monitor vaccine exports after drugmakers announced delays in their supplies to the 27-nation bloc. It is now planning to extend the scheme until the end of June after it expires on March 31, EU officials told Reuters.

When asked about Italy's move, French Health Minister Olivier Veran said that Paris could do the same, although at the moment it produces no COVID-19 vaccines.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn said that drug manufacturers must honour vaccine supply contracts to Europe, but said Germany had not yet had any reason to stop shipments of shots produced domestically to other countries.

While seeking the European Commission's intervention, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he could understand reasons for Italy's objection.

"In Italy people are dying at the rate of 300 a day. And so I can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many countries across Europe," Morrison told reporters in Sydney.

Italy's move came just days after Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who took office last month, told fellow EU leaders that the bloc needed to speed up vaccinations and crack down on pharma companies that failed to deliver on promised supplies.

EU countries started inoculations at the end of December, but are moving at a far slower pace than other rich nations, including former member Britain and the United States. Officials blame the slow progress in part on supply problems with manufacturers.

(Reporting by Colin Packham in Canberra, Rocky Swift and Kiyoshi Takenaka in Tokyo, Sabine Siebold in Brussels; writing by Colin Packham and Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Jane Wardell, Kenneth Maxwell and Nick Macfie)

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 23:21:22|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

GENEVA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Belarus on Friday delivered a joint speech on behalf of 70 countries at the ongoing 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, emphasizing that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs and should not be interfered by external forces.

"Non-interference in internal affairs of sovereign states is an important principle enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and a basic norm governing international relations. We support China's implementation of 'one country, two systems' in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," the joint statement said.

"Since the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region came into force, Hong Kong has got rid of turbulence and gradually restored stability," it said.

"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of China, and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs that brook no interference by any external forces," it added.

The joint statement urges the relevant sides to respect China's sovereignty and stop interfering in China's internal affairs, including those of Hong Kong. Enditem
Now that "Neanderthal Thinking" has become a popular meme, after President Biden criticized the governors of Texas and Mississippi for "Neanderthal thinking" in lifting all COVID-restrictions, two recent books by author Gini Graham Scott are especially relevant. They provide a glimpse into Neanderthal thinking and what modern humans think about this. One book is The Return of the Neanderthals, about what might happen if they were brought back by DNA cloning, grow up as children, and become adults in modern society. The other is Who Are the Neanderthals, Really?, which features a collection of illustrations and commentary about Neanderthals from Paleolithic times to today. Scott even has a website on Neanderthals at www.neanderthalworld.com.

The Return of the Neanderthals features a series of interconnected stories that begin when a paleontologist brings back some DNA from a Neanderthal burial ground discovered in an archeological dig in Northern Europe. He then works in secret with a scientist friend to bring back six Neanderthal babies using stem cell, cloning, and CRISPER techniques, along with the help of some surrogate mothers. After the Neanderthals are raised in a lab with the help of a nursery school teacher, they are placed in a group home, where an unexpected incident leads to their discovery and a media story about them.

In the next story, the owner of a robot factory learns about the success of the first group of Neanderthals and decides to create a workforce of Neanderthals to replace the robots in his factory and shipping facility. After that program proves successful and word of it spreads, some detectives think the Neanderthals could help them in crime fighting, because of their strength, aggressiveness, and hunting skills. So they recruit and train a team of six Neanderthals to help them find and capture elusive criminals. Once the Neanderthals prove their worth, the team tackles other assignments for the cops, and they face challenges and danger along the way.

In the third story, a criminal gang leader learns about the Neanderthals working for the cops, and he decides to create his own gang of Neanderthals to commit crimes for profit and revenge and to thwart the efforts of the Neanderthals helping the cops.

Who Are The Neanderthals, Really? consists of a collection of illustrations and commentary about Neanderthals from Paleolithic times to today. After an introduction describing how and where the Neanderthals lived, the book features about 100 illustrations divided into five sections:

- scientific discoveries

- reconstructions of the Neanderthal's appearance

- recreations of Neanderthal life and art

- cartoon images of Neanderthals

- images of Neanderthal's in today's high tech world.

Each section of photos and illustrations is introduced with some commentary.

These images present an intriguing picture of the Neanderthals from paleontologists, anthropologists, historians, social commentators, and artists. The book concludes with a short bibliography of books and articles about Neanderthals,

Given her study of Neanderthals, author Gini Graham Scott has even penned a letter and posted an article on Medium and Substack about "What's Wrong with Neanderthal Thinking?" pointing out that's it's wrong to use the term "Neanderthal thinking" to denigrate someone's thinking. That's because the Neanderthals lived very successfully for over 200,000 years with millions of them spread throughout Europe, the UK, the Middle East, and Asia, before they went extinct about 35,000 years ago in the face of attacks by Homo sapiens. Additionally, most of us have 1-4% Neanderthal genes, which probably includes President Biden. So this statement would be a dig at any of the many millions of people alive today who have a Neanderthal ancestry.

Additionally, Scott has criticized Biden's put-down of Neanderthals as a remark that flies in the face of his emphasis on treating everyone equally, including different minority and disability groups and immigrants to the U.S. This remark inappropriately disparages a particular group, and if the Neanderthals returned today, they would likely be discriminated against as a disadvantaged minority group, although they could contribute to modern society in their own way. For instance, they are believed to have had very superior vision and strength, making them especially suited to perform other jobs, where these qualities are highly valued, including helping out as essential workers in health and working in factories, farms, and the military. Thus, she thinks that Biden owes the Neanderthals an apology for this comment disparaging and demeaning them.

For more information and to set up interviews

Jana Collins

Jones & O'Malley

Toluca Lake, California

(818) 762-8353

jana@jonesomalley.com

Gini Graham Scott, Ph.D., J.D.

Author of The Return of the Neanderthals, Who Are the Neanderthals Really?

and other books about Neanderthals

www.neanderthalworld.com

www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com

Lafayette, California

(925) 385-0608

changemakers@pacbell.net
Driven by an increase in gain from change in fair value of biological assets and agricultural products, mainly due to rising global prices of agricultural produce, gross profit rose 70.3% yoy to S$14.6 million

Declares a final dividend of 1.157 Singapore cents per share (FY2019: 0.7 Singapore cents per share) to reward shareholders, representing a dividend payout ratio of 20%

SINGAPORE, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SGX-Listed Don Agro International Limited ("Don Agro") (SGX Ticker: GRQ) and its subsidiaries (collectively the "Group"), one of the largest agricultural companies based in the Rostov region of Russia, has announced its financial results for the full year ended 31 December 2020 ("FY2020"). Read the full press release here.

Financial Highlights (S$'000)

FY2020 FY2019 Change (%) Revenue

30,996 35,431 (12.5) Cost of Sales

(25,587) (33,354) (23.3) Gain from change in fair value of biological assets

and agricultural produce

9,217 6,512 41.5 Gross Profit

14,626 8,589 70.3 Gross Profit Margin (%)

47.2 24.2 23.0 pts Net Profit

8,696 5,223 66.5

The Group recognised a 41.5% yoy increase in gain from change in fair value of biological assets and agricultural produce to S$9.2 million for FY2020. The gain was mainly attributable to the trend of rising agricultural produce prices globally, especially for sunflower and wheat which the Group produces. As a result, gross profit grew 70.3% yoy to S$14.6 million for FY2020, while gross profit margin expanded 23.0 percentage points to 47.2% for the same period.

Overall, the Group delivered a 66.5% yoy increase in net profit to S$8.7 million for FY2020.

Mr. Evgeny Tugolukov, Executive Chairman of Don Agro said, "Due to changing consumer preferences favouring wheat-based products, we are optimistic that Don Agro will continue to be a beneficiary of higher export prices driven by robust global demand. At the same time, strong domestic demand and stable consumption of local agricultural produce will ensure that local prices remain well-supported. For our livestock business, we do not expect significant fluctuations for this segment and it continues to chart steady growth. Looking ahead, we will continue to execute our near-time initiatives including, among others, expanding our arable land bank and accelerating growth into new markets so as to drive earnings resiliency and maximise value for our shareholders."

In line with its IPO plans to expand its arable land bank, the Group recently acquired Volgo-Agro LLC ("Volgo-Agro"), an agricultural company based in the Volgograd region of Russia. Through the acquisition of Volgo-Agro, the Group's controlled land bank rose by 10,040 hectares or 18.9% to 63,240 hectares in total, allowing it to quickly raise production volume to capitalise on the burgeoning global demand for wheat and wheat-based products. Volgo-Agro's close proximity to important trading routes linked to the Middle East and Asia will offer attractive new opportunities to reach new markets and customers, so as to drive long-term sustainable growth for the Group.

For more information on Don Agro, please visit: http://donagroint.com/

Contact for Media & Enquiries:

[email protected]

Tel: (65) 6438 2990

SOURCE Don Agro International Limited

Related Links

http://donagroint.com/


Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Nikki Bella said she is 'actually thinking about having another baby' with fiance Artem Chigvintsev - but weighing it against the prospects of a return to the WWE roster.

'The thing is, I want to get back in the wrestling ring,' she told Us Weekly Thursday. 'There's so many things I want to do, and I feel bad  I just don't think I have time.'

'I have such a battle in my head, because I would want to wait and then I'm like, "OK, so I'm closer to 40. How's that going to be?,"' the Total Bellas star, 37, who welcomed seven-month-old son Matteo last summer with the dance pro, 38, told the outlet.

The latest: Nikki Bella, 37, said she is 'actually thinking about having another baby' with fiance Artem Chigvintsev, 38 - but weighing it against the prospects of a return to the WWE roster. She was snapped in LA in 2019

She continued: 'And then I'm like, "No, no, no. I'm just going to have Matteo" ... but it's like, now that I have Matteo, I want to give him a sibling.'

The Tampa, Florida native noted her son already has a set of de facto siblings in his cousin, Brie Bella's daughter Birdie, three, and son Buddy, seven months, with WWE star Daniel Bryan.

'When we see Buddy, and Buddy and Birdie, I'm like, "Oh, no matter what, he'll always be a sibling,"' she said. 'It just makes me feel bad that when he goes to bed at night though, he'll always be by himself.'

Bella said Chigvintsev wants another baby, adding, 'If I could have a girl up here  he'd be in heaven.'

Parenthood: The Total Bellas star, 37, who welcomed seven-month-old son Matteo last summer

The wrestling and reality star says she's eyeing a spot on the WWE roster

The wrestling and reality star said she felt like she would 'be prepped differently and emotionally' after welcoming her first child last July amid the early months of the coronavirus pandemic.

'I think I was so afraid of Mateo or anyone touching him, or this or that,' she said. 'I would be different right from the beginning, for sure.'

Bella and Chigvintsev initially came together on 2017's season, coming in seventh place in the year Jordan Fisher and dance pro Lindsay Arnold claimed the mirror-ball trophy.

Bella spoke with the outlet as she promoted her new baby haircare brand, Tearless.
By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman

A dozen graded stakes are slated to take place across the country this week, including five important races at Santa Anita.

The historic Santa Anita Handicap (G1) is the star of the show, but from a handicapping perspective, I'm more interested in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1). And from a purely sporting perspective, you can't beat the San Felipe (G2), which has drawn a deep field of Kentucky Derby contenders.

We'll make the San Felipe and the Kilroe Mile the focus of our attention this week:

San Felipe (G2)

This 1 1/16-mile event is arguably the toughest Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race held so far in 2021. Five of the seven runners are listed in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4, a testament to the talent they've already displayed this winter.

Handicapping the San Felipe essentially boils down to one simple questionis #1 Life Is Good (4-5) a superstar in the making? The flashy son of Into Mischief has gone 2-for-2 for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, wiring a maiden race at Del Mar before leading all the way to win Santa Anita's one-mile Sham (G3) by three-quarters of a length.

Some folks have taken a negative view of Life Is Good's Sham performance. After leading by daylight for most of the journey, Life Is Good seemed to weaken through the final furlong as stablemate #3 Medina Spirit (7-2) unleashed a determined rally to make the finish surprisingly close. Life Is Good isn't the most relaxed racehorse in training, so it's fair to question whether he can stretch his speed over 1 1/16 miles against a tough field in the San Felipe.

However, I'm inclined to take a more optimistic view of Life Is Good's Sham performance. Jockey Mike Smith didn't ride the son of Into Mischief particularly hard down the stretch, later telling Santa Anita that Life Is Good was unfocused in his two-turn debut and not really giving his best. Smith simply encouraged Life Is Good enough to get the job done, and the colt figures to benefit from the experience and race more professionally in the San Felipe. In any case, he's been training up a storm in preparation for his return from a two-month break, and drawing the rail sets the stage for a straightforward pacesetting journey.

I'll be the first to admit 4-5 is a short price to accept on Life Is Good, but I also believe he might be a truly special racehorse. I'll pick him on top and hope he contributes to my goal of picking 50% winners on Unlocking Winners in 2021.

For second place, I'll use Medina Spirit, who ran an extraordinarily gutsy race to win the 1 1/16-mile Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita five weeks ago. The son of Protonico had every reason to quit after carving out fast fractions over a slow track, but Medina Spirit refused to yield in the homestretch, holding off a pair of late runners to prevail by a neck. I expect Medina Spirit to revert to tracking tactics in the San Felipe, setting the stage for a more relaxed trip and another strong peformance.

Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1)

The local runners look formidable in this one-mile turf test, with multiple graded stakes winner #1 Smooth Like Strait (4-1) and Thunder Road (G3) winner #2 Hit the Road (4-1) looming as obvious contenders for victory. But I'll be surprised if the East Coast shipper #9 Ride a Comet (7-2) fails to get the job done for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.

A flashy winner of the 2018 Del Mar Derby (G2), Ride a Comet has been an unstoppable beast since returning from a 25-month layoff in October, producing powerful rallies to win three straight races. He was particularly impressive in the one-mile Tropical Turf (G3) at Gulfstream last time out. The early pace was modest, and Ride a Comet was hung wide throughout while chasing graded stakes winners Casa Creed and Lucullan.

This should have been a recipe for defeat, but apparently no one told this to Ride a Comet. Unleashing a relentless late charge, Ride a Comet dashed the final two furlongs in :11.23 and :11.17 (sensational times!) to beat Case Creed by half a length.

If early speed is dominant on dirt, then turn-of-foot is the secret weapon for success on turf. Ride a Comet's wicked acceleration is a perfect fit for high-class grass miles, and I don't think anyone will out-kick the son of Candy Ride down the homestretch of the Kilroe Mile. At 7-2, he's my best bet of the weekend.

Now it's your turn! Who do you like in the graded stakes this week?

*****

Want to test your handicapping skills against fellow Unlocking Winners readers? Check out the Unlocking Winners contests pagethere's a new challenge every week!

*****

The Road to the Kentucky Derby handicapping challenge is back for the seventh straight year! Check out the Road to the Kentucky Derby contest page for more details.



J. Keeler Johnson (also known as "Keelerman") is a writer, videographer, voice actor, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. He is the founder of the horse racing website www.theturfboard.com.
KEARNY, N.J., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Helix Wireless, Inc. is happy to announce their agreement with Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. to deploy Smart SIM technology for connecting their global front line employees. The Helix Wireless total solution allows for G&W rail inspectors to report field conditions in real time to short haul train operators. Through this agreement Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. will continue to transport products globally while reducing delays and increasing efficiency. With Helix's Smart SIM technology, devices, and configuration, G&W will gain global, seamless, and secure connectivity while reducing costs and centralizing billing.

"Helix made the deployment of this solution globally a reality. We were pleased with Helix's level of support as well as their ability to simplify this deployment," said Anthony Pacetti, Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Director of Transportation Technology.

"We believe that partnerships only work when it's win/win, and through our partners we were able to complete the deployment of our comprehensive solutions. G&W was a pleasure to work with and we look forward to what the future holds for this partnership," said Francis Gallic, Helix Wireless, Inc. COO.

About Helix Wireless, Inc.:

Helix Wireless, Inc. is a telecommunications company located at 78 John Miller Way, Kearny, New Jersey. They focus on providing efficient solutions to consumers and businesses with a focus on IoT. With over 40 years of combined experience in driving sales, satisfaction, and success for consumers and Fortune 50 Organizations, Helix provides top level insight and capabilities that enable their clients to reach their goals.

www.helixwireless.co

About Genesee & Wyoming, Inc.:

G&W owns or leases 119 freight railroads organized in locally managed operating regions with 8,000 employees serving 3,000 customers. G&W subsidiaries and joint ventures also provide rail service at more than 40 major ports, rail-ferry service between the U.S. Southeast and Mexico, transload services, contract coal loading, and industrial railcar switching and repair. For more information, please visit www.gwrr.com or LinkedIn .

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Helix Wireless

Celina Condo

(855) 945 1997

[email protected]

SOURCE Helix Wireless

Related Links

http://www.helixwireless.co


Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 08:43:37|Editor: Xiaoxia

Video Player Close

Deputies to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) are interviewed via video link before the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Some of the duplexes nearing completion at the Lowmans Bay site to which the Rose Place families will be located. (Photo Credit: API SVG)

Forty-Seven families who will be affected by the Port Project in Rose Place are expected to move into their new homes at Lowmans Bay, later this year.





The port modernization project, estimated to cost US$ 185 million, is funded by the Caribbean Development Bank through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund, and will take place in two phases.





The first phase involves the construction of a new cargo port that will also allocate land for expansion of the current cruise facility. The second phase will include construction of an inter-island and regional port.





Both phases are estimated to take two-and-a-half years to complete. Developers have stressed the work will be climate-resilient.





The housing project is a small component of the Port Development Project and makes up just EC$4.2 million of the US$185 million/EC$500 modernization plan. Housing units for 47 families are expected to finish by September this year.





The housing project is being executed by more than one contracting firm and will include one and two-bedroom duplexes and one, two and three- bedroom single houses.





Chairperson of the Port Modernization Project Steering Committee, Laura Anthony-Browne said that four of the homes are already completed, but the outside will remain unpainted for now as construction is still ongoing.





Tiling, painting and other inside works have already been completed. After the houses are completed they will be handed over to the government who will then decide when persons can move in.





Persons living on the beach in Rose Place were given until March 31st, 2019 to make themselves known to the government. Those who presented themselves are the ones expected to move into the new houses.





Those who had also own small businesses are expected to receive a housing unit which accommodate the continuing operations of their business.
(Newser)  Zamunda's Prince Akeem returns to Queens, New York, this time in search of an illegitimate son in Coming 2 America, the follow-up to Eddie Murphy's 1988 cult classic Coming to America. Does it live up to its predecessor? Not according to the 51% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a worse 44% audience score. Four takes on the movie, now airing on Amazon Prime and in select theaters:



The film offers up fun celebrity cameos, "eye-popping costumes" (from Black Panther's Ruth E. Carter), "elaborately choreographed dance numbers," and a new "strongly feminist theme," writes Frank Scheck at the Hollywood Reporter. But "less a sequel than a remake featuring a younger actor going through the same narrative paces as Murphy in the original, Coming 2 America includes so many nods to its predecessor that it feels like a feature-length Easter egg in search of a movie."

It "feels downright lazy" as "half the jokes are simply repeats of beloved gags from the original film," writes Peter Debruge at Variety. As for that feminist angle, challenging the idea that Akeem needs a male successor "hardly feels earth-shattering," Debruge writes. At least Leslie Jones "makes her presence felt in a way that the movie's other largely one-dimensional women don't dare, wresting some of the more retrograde gags away from the boys."

story continues below

It's not a great movie, but it's "great fun" and "surprisingly gorgeous," writes Ann Hornaday at the Washington Post, giving the film three stars out of four. It "aims squarely to serve its audience, with no apology and a surfeit of pleasures, both simple and wildly extravagant," she writes. She also praises the delightful images and Carter's all-out Afrocentric aesthetic.

Barry Hertz, however, was left wishing "for the sweet relief" of 2007s Norbit, which he argues is "easily the worst film of [Murphy's], or anyone else's, career." Whereas that film was "genuinely committed to its distasteful sensibility," Coming 2 America is "merely offensively forgettable," Hertz writes at the Globe and Mail. He does acknowledge humorous performances by Arsenio Hall and Wesley Snipes. "But otherwise, it is all pointless high-wattage cameos, time-eating musical performances and easy Wakanda jokes that you or I could have dreamt up."

(Read more movie review stories.)
Labor MP Anne Aly furiously criticised Scott Morrison and demanded an inquiry into a rape allegation against attorney-general Christian Porter in a tense episode of Q&A on Thursday night.

Dr Aly, who experienced domestic abuse at the hands of a former partner, said the prime minister has failed to take action by refusing to set up an independent inquiry.

Mr Porter has categorically denied raping a 16-year-old girl after a debating competition in Sydney in 1988.

Labor MP Anne Aly (pictured) furiously criticised Scott Morrison and demanded an inquiry into a rape allegation against Christian Porter in a tense episode of Q&A on Thursday night

His accuser came forward last year but withdrew her police complaint in June before taking her own life, prompting detectives to close the case without any charges due to a lack of evidence.

Labor is calling for Mr Morrison to set up some kind of independent inquiry to test the veracity of her claim - but the government has insisted that only the police are qualified to probe such serious allegations.

Coalition Senator Susan McDonald made this argument on Q&A, saying an independent inquiry was not necessary.

'We do have a system of justice in this country. We do have a police service that is well resourced and the most capable of understanding whether or not evidence needs to go to trial. And they have closed the matter,' she said.

'I don't think that this is an easy subject but we can't have a situation where allegations equate to guilt. And I think that the minister has made a full statement and I think that we need to some justice in the law and the rules of the land, because otherwise, you know, do we back a kangaroo court and a court of public opinion?'

At that point Dr Aly, who represents Cowan in WA, cut in and said: 'What about justice for the victim?'

Coalition Senator Susan McDonald (pictured) said an independent inquiry was not necessary

'We keep talking about justice for the accused. What about justice for the victim,' she said, provoking a thunderous applause and whooping from the audience.

Becoming increasingly fired up, Dr Aly continued: 'I am infuriated by this because I'm sick and tired of the lip service that we hear in parliament about hearing victims' voice, about listening to women, about respect for women, and right now is a moment.'

She slammed Mr Morrison for not setting up and independent probe to determine whether the attorney general is fit to hold office.

'What did he do? He came out and he said, ''Well, I have asked him if he did it and he said no, and that's enough for me.''

'And then suddenly you've got all of these men invoking justice, justice, justice,' she said after several ministers including the treasurer and home affairs minister dismissed calls for an inquiry.

Dr Aly was hopeful that some kind of inquiry could reach a determination on what happened.

'That inquiry will either exonerate Christian Porter and prove his innocence, as he is saying that he is innocent, or it will prove otherwise. Either way, this is a serious, serious allegation. It needs to be treated seriously,' she said.

Journalist Samantha Maiden, who went to school with the alleged victim, said 'there is a problem with setting up a quasi-judicial process to rule on criminal matters and there is an argument that that's a poor precedent.'

But she said a colonial inquest into the woman's death could potentially give Mr Porter a chance to tell his version of events.

In an extraordinary press briefing in Perth on Wednesday, a shattered and tearful Mr Porter said he had been subjected to a trial by media and has asked the Prime Minister to take some time off as a result of the accusation.

The 50-year-old former public prosecutor confirmed he attended a debating competition at Sydney University with his accuser when he was 17 and she was 16, but categorically denied ever sleeping with the woman who has since taken her own life.

Tearful: Christian Porter has outed himself as the cabinet minister accused of rape to categorically deny the accusation and has insist he will not stand down

'The things that have been claimed to happen did not happen,' he said through tears in the emotional conference.

'I did not sleep with the [alleged] victim. We didn't have anything of that nature happen between us,' he added.

By unveiling himself, Mr Porter ended six days of speculation over the accused's identity after the woman's allegation was published in the media without naming the cabinet minister.

Mr Porter admitted that he can't remember every single detail of the night in question but insisted that he would not have forgotten having sex with someone.

'The things I have read did not happen. And to suggest that they could be forgotten is ridiculous, they just never happened,' he said.

The woman, who struggled with her mental health for years, told police about her allegation in February last year but took her own life in June. Detectives closed their investigation on Tuesday due to a lack of evidence.

The accuser's allegation became public last week after Prime Minster Scott Morrison received a letter from a mystery sender which included a statement the woman had prepared for her lawyers in 2019.
US on Thursday asked the military in Myanmar to immediately release the detained journalists and protesters as it steeped up the condemnation against the human rights violation in the Southeast Asian country. In a statement released by US Secretary of state Antony Blinken, the Biden administration called the situation in Burma troubling and of great concern. Meanwhile, at a presser, the White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: The detainment of journalists, the targeting of journalists and dissidents is certainly something that is of great concern to the president, to the secretary of state, and to every member of our administration.

US spokesperson for the state department Ned Price said at a press conference that he was deeply saddened by the military coup and the crackdown against the pro-pro-democracy demonstrators, including the violence that killed dozens. This latest escalation in violence demonstrates the fact of the juntas complete disregard for their own people, for the people of Burma, he was quoted saying by AP. It is unacceptable, he said.

In response to shocking and deadly violence against protestors in Burma, @CommerceGov is announcing further restrictions to constrain the Burmese military regime's access to U.S. goods and technology. We call for the restoration of democracy in Burma.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 4, 2021

Read: TikTok Yet To Remove Threatening Videos Posted By Myanmar Military Personnel

Read: Myanmar Coup: Fleeing Military Orders, 12 Burmese Locals Take Refuge In Mizoram

Further, in a statement cited by the AP, Price said, We [Biden administration] are deeply concerned about the increasing attacks on and arrest of journalists. Calling on the military junta in Burma to release the detained he added, We call on the military to immediately release these individuals and to cease their intimidation and harassment of the media and others who are unjustly detained for doing nothing more than their job, for doing nothing more than exercising their universal rights.

The U.S. is taking action against those responsible for the coup in Burma. Today @CommerceGov announced further restrictions to impose costs on the Burmese military regime. We'll continue to take action against the junta and call for democracy in Burma. https://t.co/QBqEZfirC9  Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) March 4, 2021

US sanctions Myanmar

Biden administration asked the US Commerce Department to impose trade sanctions on Myanmars Ministry of Defense and Home Affairs, including two corporations linked with Myanmars armed forces. This comes after State Department spokesman Ned Price urged Myanmars armed forces to exercise maximum restraint as he cautioned against repercussions. Further, Price asked China to use its influence and bring the situation in Myanmar under control.US sanctions come a day after the Myanmar military forces killed dozens in one of the worst days of violence, which was condemned by the United Nations.

Commerce is reviewing potential additional measures as warranted by the militarys actions, the department warned in a press release Thursday afternoon. The U.S. government will continue to hold perpetrators of the coup responsible for their actions.

Read: Funeral Procession Of Protester Killed In Myanmar

Read: US Imposes Sanctions On Myanmar Military Chief Over Alleged Rohingya Atrocities
The Cambodian National Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a draft bill that empowers the government to impose restrictions to curb the spread of infectious diseases but also contains strict prison sentences of up to 20 years.

The draft legislation, called Law on Measures to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19 and other Serious, Dangerous and Contagious Diseases, was approved by a special cabinet meeting last Sunday and passed by 83 Cambodian Peoples Party lawmakers on Friday.

The draft bill allows the government to impose health measures, like wearing masks, social distancing and quarantine measures, to quell the spread of infectious and contagious diseases, including COVID-19.

Administrative powers in the bill allow the government to restrict travel, prohibit business activities and cordon off areas with COVID-19.

The legislation also places severe prison sentences and fines for violating these measures. Escaping from self-quarantine can be punishable with up to 3 years in prison and anyone caught evading treatment or escaping a medical facility will face up to 10 years in prison.

A person caught deliberately spreading COVID-19 can get up to 10 years in prison, but if this act is committed by an organized group then the prison sentence can be up to 20 years.

The law will also allow the government to suspend a business operations or a firms license.

While the legislations title puts other contagious diseases under its scope, all the articles are specifically related to COVID-19, and it is unclear how it can be used in other situations.

The draft legislation is the second law proposed by the government to control the spread of COVID-19. Last April, it hurriedly drafted and passed a state of emergency law giving it sweeping powers to curtail fundamental freedoms and rights.

That law was also intended for a pandemic and has some overlap with the COVID-19 draft legislation.

Prime Minister Hun Sen defended the draft legislation at a Thursday press conference. He justified the need for this legislation pointing to recent incidents of people flouting quarantine guidelines.

With the breach of quarantine at the Sokha Hotel by two Chinese women, who conspired with the hotels security guard to escape, how can we punish them when we do not have [relevant] laws? Hun Sen said.

The government arrested two security guards from Phnom Penhs Sokha Hotel, who allegedly accepted money to allow two foreign nationals to escape quarantine. The two foreigners were linked to the February 20 community transmission, which has continued to spread to other provinces.

Hun Sen had signed a sub-decree on February 18 allowing the government to impose increased fines for anyone who violates quarantine measures. He said stronger legislation was needed to punish offenders.

Thus, on one hand, we use educational measures and administrative measures, and on the other hand, we also need to use legal measures to assist the work to manage the spread of this virus, Hun Sen said on Thursday.

The two Sokha Hotel security guards, who finished their two-week quarantine at Chak Angre Health Center and another quarantine facility in Battambang province, were sent to the National Police headquarters on Friday for further processing, according to Deputy National Police Chief Dy Vichea.

Dy Vichea, who also heads the governments Sub-Commission on the Investigation and Monitoring of Individuals Suspected of Containing COVID-19, did not say what legal measures could be taken against the security guards and two foreign nationals.

Police officials are still conducting the questioning. So, the determination of the crime, whether to press any charges, and to process further procedures needs to wait until the judicial police finish the questioning and collecting sufficient evidence, Dy Vichea said Friday afternoon.

Kim Santepheap, a Justice Ministry secretary of state, said the new bill cannot be used in the Sokha Hotel quarantine breach.

The law could only be enforced on any activities taking place after its promulgation, Santepheap said. Any actions preceding the promulgation could be enforced with the existing legal instruments accordingly.

The February 18 sub-decree was used Friday morning against a Sihanoukville resident for allegedly breaking self-quarantine requirements, according to the provincial administrations Facebook page. The man, who had indirect contact with a person infected with COVID-19, was fined 2 million riels, around $500.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch strongly criticized the draft legislation in a statement released Friday, calling it draconian and disproportionate.

The bill contains overly broad and vague provisions that the authorities could easily abuse, and fails to provide any independent oversight or procedural safeguards, read the statement.

Phil Robertson, HRWs deputy Asia director, urged the government to scrap the legislation.

Cambodias leaders should be seeking cooperation from Cambodians in the fight against COVID-19, not threatening them with years behind bars for violating health measures, Robertson said.

Cambodia has registered 932 COVID-19 cases as of Friday morning, with 425 cases linked to the February 20 community transmission event. The cluster has spread from Phnom Penh and Kandal to Preah Sihanouk, Svay Rieng, and Koh Kong provinces.
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb said that Pope Francis' visit to Iraq sends a message of peace, solidarity and support to all Iraqi people.

"I pray to Almighty Allah to grant him success and that his trip achieves the desired outcome to continue on the path of human fraternity, Al-Tayeb added in a tweet on Friday.

His message comes as Pope Francis landed in Iraq on Friday after departing from Rome earlier this morning in his first foreign trip since the coronavirus pandemic outbreak last year.

Pope Francis' historic visit to Iraq is the first-ever papal visit and comes in defiance of security fears and the pandemic.

On the eve of his visit to Iraq - a country that has suffered years of violence - the pontiff paid tribute to those agonised by years of violence, quoting that he is a pilgrim of peace.

"I long to meet you, to see your faces and to visit your land; the ancient and extraordinary cradle of civilisation," he said.

"I come as a pilgrim, a penitent pilgrim to implore forgiveness and reconciliation from the Lord after years of war and terrorism, the pope added.

His visit, which shall continue till Sunday, saw central Baghdad to the Shiite shrine city of Najaf and was adorned with welcome banners featuring his image and his Arabic title "Baba Al-Vatican" in the streets, according to AFP.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Renowned international gospel artiste, Jojo Immanuel-Lawson, a British/Ghanaian with over 30-years ministry tenure, has released a new single and music video dubbed Spirit of Worship-Ghana. His first-ever single track sung fully in Twi, one of the main languages spoken in Ghana  West Africa.



The music and lyrics of this powerful worship song are designed to help usher in a deep, intense spiritual atmosphere. A reflection of the gospel foundations, unique style, depth and unction upon Jojo Immanuel-Lawson, that emanates whenever he sings, leads worship, or speaks; taking the listener into a place of true worship of God.



The Spirit of Worship-Ghana song and music video are launched less than a year after the release of Jojo Immanuel-Lawsons last video Let There Be, praying, in light of the global pandemic, for a desperate change in the atmosphere.



Spirit of Worship-Ghana, captures the heart and atmosphere of true worship. A place of total surrender to God, after which one enters into the surreal rest of God that lift us above every challenge.



Speaking about his new single Spirit of Worship-Ghana, Jojo Immanuel-Lawson said: The world is going through unprecedented times and many people are suffering. Its at times like this that we need to draw ever closer to our unchangeable God in a spirit of true worship.



The deep and intimate atmosphere of Spirit of Worship-Ghana song and music video were recorded by Jojo Immanuel-Lawson in Ghana. As Ghana celebrates its independence on 6th March, it is hoped that Ghana and the entire African continent, would be reminded of the need for a return to true worship; the only atmosphere under which the much needed divine intervention, for protection and provision is made available. The Spirit of Worship-Ghana reveals the rich historic roots of Ghanaian worship, which for generations formed a cloud of protection over the nation.



Jojo Immanuel-Lawson said: The beauty of this song is that it transcends the language. Whether or not you understand the words, you can connect with the atmosphere generated by the Spirit of God and enter into a deep worship experience, that will truly honour the Almighty God and transform you.



The music video of Spirit of Worship-Ghana is available to view now on Jojo Immanuel-Lawsons YouTube Channel, and you can download the track from major platforms such as; iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Amazon music, Deezer, Tidal etc.



Watch his video below:



Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Bhanu Jagasia, Neverfail Continuous Controls, Vice President, Security | Audit Logic We are delivering a future that transforms the way federal agencies and enterprise stakeholders manage IT compliance and risk assurance, in real time.

Neverfail Continuous Controls today announced that Bhanu Jagasia will join the company as Vice President of Audit Logic & Security. Jagasia will oversee the companys Audit Logic team that is responsible for architecting and engineering the Neverfail Continuous Controls platform. He will also play a key role in supporting internal security and compliance operations. Most recently, Mr. Jagasia was Director of Commercial and Federal Services at Emagine IT, a leading information technology services and cybersecurity consulting firm based in Washington, DC.

Mr. Jagasia has over 18 years of progressive technical hands-on information systems experience, specializing in cybersecurity and managing security operations with multi-site infrastructures and multi-platform environments. His extensive background includes consulting government agencies on information technology and security systems. Mr. Jagasia brings a deep blend of technology vision and business acumen which delivers significant results to cybersecurity and compliance initiatives.

We are fortunate to welcome Bhanu to our executive team, said Brian Hierholzer, Chief Executive Officer, Neverfail. Neverfail Continuous Controls is delivering a future that transforms the way federal agencies and enterprise stakeholders manage IT compliance and risk assurance in real time. Adding a recognized technical expert like Bhanu to our executive team will ensure our ability to deliver on our objective of becoming the global gold standard for continuous audit and compliance.

As both a hands-on practitioner and security professional with years of engineering and developing solutions for the most complex problems, I feel fortunate to join Neverfail Continuous Controls and their team, said Jagasia. Neverfail Continuous Controls brings a new level of excitement and innovation to a typically boring and mundane world of compliance. I am excited to contribute to this compliance automation revolution!

About Neverfail Continuous Controls

Neverfail delivers Continuous IT Controls and Availability solutions to some of the most highly recognizable brands in the world. More than 5,000 customers in over 60 countries depend on Neverfail to reduce risk through zero trust compliance automation and continuous availability solutions.

Founded in 2007, Neverfail is headquartered in Austin, Texas with offices in Scotland, England, Romania, and Costa Rica. To learn more, visit http://www.neverfail.com.

(Reuters) - Scotland flyhalf Adam Hastings will miss Six Nations games against Ireland and Italy after receiving a three-game ban for his red card in Sunday's PRO14 fixture between his Glasgow Warriors team and Leinster, the league said.

Hastings, 24, was sent off after his boot made contact with Leinster wing Cian Kelleher during Glasgow's 40-21 defeat.

A disciplinary committee reduced a six-week suspension by half due to mitigating factors, including his acceptance of foul play, remorse, and cooperation with disciplinary proceedings, the PRO14 said in a statement.

"The player is suspended from participating in the next 3 meaningful matches," it said.

Hastings missed Six Nations fixtures against England and Wales due to injury but was recalled to Gregor Townsend's squad for the game against France. However, the Paris match scheduled for last weekend was postponed after a coronavirus outbreak in France's camp.

Glasgow will be without Hastings for Saturday's PRO14 fixture against Zebre. His ban is due to end at midnight on March 21.

Scotland, who are second from bottom in the Six Nations standings with five points, host Ireland on March 14 and Italy six days later.

(Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru: Editing by Neil Fullick)
(Jerusalem Israel)  Gilda Radner is doing flips in her grave. If she were alive, the former star of Saturday Night Live who died in 1989, would be crying, but not from laughter.

Radner is one of many young comedians who got their start on SNL. She created and became famous for characters including Emily Litella, Roseanne Roseannadanna, Lisa Loopner, and Baba Wawa. Radner was also among a number of Jewish comics whose careers took off on and following SNL. Others include Billy Crystal, Jon Lovitz, Ben Stiller, and comedian-turned-Senator, Al Franken.

Today, NBCs Saturday Night L...
TN Polls: DMK concludes deal with CPI, Congress vows to fight for a respectable number of seats

India

oi-Deepika S

Chennai, Mar 05: The DMK on Friday allotted six seats to ally Communist Party of India for the April 6 Assembly polls while another partner Congress vowed to put up a fight for a respectable number of seats to keep the morale of the party workers high.

Including the CPI, the M K Stalin-led Dravidian party has concluded poll pacts with four of its allies so far and an understanding with the Marxist party is expected soon.

CPI State secretary R Mutharasan said it was not numbers, but the goal of ensuring the victory of DMK-led secular forces and defeat of 'divisive elements' that was important.

A tentative list of constituencies his party wished to contest has been given to the DMK, he said.

The Indian Union Muslim League and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi were allotted three and two seats respectively by the DMK and it gave six segments to the VCK.

Tamil Nadu assembly polls 2021: AIADMK releases first list of six candidates; CM to contest from Edappadi

A poll deal with allies, including MDMK and Congress is yet to be concluded with the DMK offering less than seven seats to the former and 22 segments to the national party, party sources told PTI.

Congress sources said the party is in no mood to accept ''less than 30 seats'' and the DMK would be the ''loser,'' if it did not yield.

MDMK chief Vaiko, when asked on the number of seats his party has sought from DMK, declined to disclose details.

Talks were on with the DMK, he said and to a question, ruled out scope for joining any third front formation.

A meeting would be held on Saturday here to deliberate on the DMK's offer, an MDMK office-bearer said.

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, who had earlier stated that there was no stalemate in the talks and that differences would be sorted out with the DMK, said his party was taking a firm stand on the matter.

Asked what was the hurdle faced by the Congress in the seat sharing exercise, the senior leader said ''negotiations are on. We will fight for a respectable number of seats to keep the morale of the Congress men very high.'' He told reporters here that the DMK would realise the need for consolidation of secular forces in Tamil Nadu.

''It is necessary to defeat the divisive forces represented by the BJP-led NDA and Tamil Nadu is a strong platform to keep up the spirit of federalism and nationalism,'' he said.

Earlier, Moily who was here to discuss the DMKs offer and way forward with the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee at the Congress headquarters Sathyamurthy Bhavan, had indicated that discussions with the DMK on sharing of seats would be resumed.

On Thursday, the DMK had urged the Congress to resume talks after AICC in-charge of Tamil Nadu Dinesh Gundu Rao met TNCC leaders here and discussed the DMK's offer of seats which was not agreeable to the national party.

The two rounds of discussions between DMK and Congress have remained inconclusive and party sources said Congress wanted a decent number of assembly seats.

TNCC Chief K S Alagiri dismissed speculation that the party would walk out of the DMK-led alliance, saying it was a 'making of the media.'' ''We don't have faith on the third front. At present we are consulting our party members,'' he told reporters after meeting his party leaders.

Confirming that discussions with DMK would resume, Moily said ''it (talks) have not yet reached a stalemate... The differences will be sorted out.'' To a query on the group of 23 dissenting Congress leaders holding a separate meeting recently, he said ''there is no such thing as G 23 or G 24.'' The Congress is totally united under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and she has always heard grievances and taken action on them, he said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, March 5, 2021, 22:10 [IST]

If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here

ROME, MAR 5 - Pope Francis arrived in Baghdad on Friday to start a historic four-day visit to Iraq. It is the first time a pontiff has visited the country. Francis told President Sergio Mattarella that he was travelling as a "pilgrim of peace" in a a telegram to the Italian head of State after taking off on Friday. The Argentine pontiff wanted to make the historic visit to the Middle Eastern country, ravaged by years of conflict, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Security will be extremely tight for Francis's 33rd apostolic trip. (ANSA).

Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
UN leaders on Thursday alleged possible crimes against humanity in Ethiopias Tigray region including by Eritrean troops as they urged a pullout by the neighboring country, which denies involvement.

The United Nations also warned of potentially catastrophic hunger as it pleaded for urgent humanitarian access, although divisions at the Security Council stopped it from showing an international common front.

A week after Amnesty International said that Eritrean troops massacred hundreds of people, the UN rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, joined calls for a probe and appealed for Ethiopia to let in investigators.

Her office said it had corroborated information about incidents including indiscriminate shelling in the regional capital of Mekele and towns of Humera and Adigrat in November when Ethiopia launched an offensive.

It had also verified reports of grave human rights violations and abuses including mass killings in Axum, and in Dengelat in central Tigray by Eritrean armed forces.

A preliminary analysis of the information indicated that serious violations of international law, possibly amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, may have been committed by multiple actors in the conflict, it said in a statement.

Without prompt, impartial and transparent investigations and holding those responsible accountable, I fear violations will continue to be committed with impunity, and the situation will remain volatile for a long time to come, she said.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office also lamented what it said were continuing abuses including sexual violence and extrajudicial killings.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered the offensive after accusing the local ruling party, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, of attacking federal army camps.

Abiy  who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019  declared victory after pro-government troops took Mekele in late November, although the TPLF vowed to fight on, and clashes have persisted in the region.

 Eritrea must leave 

The United Nations for the first time also publicly pointed the blame at Eritrea, Ethiopias onetime rival that has found common cause in Tigray. Both the Addis Ababa and Asmara governments have denied the Eritrean presence.

It is now abundantly clear to all, and openly acknowledged by officials of the government administration in Tigray, that Eritrean defense forces are operating throughout Tigray, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Mark Lowcock, told a Security Council session on the crisis.

Countless well-corroborated reports suggest their culpability for atrocities, he told the closed-door, virtual session in remarks seen by AFP.

Eritrean defense forces must leave Ethiopia, and they must not be enabled or permitted to continue their campaign of destruction before they do so.

Lowcock also called for assistance to be scaled up dramatically as he warned of the potential for catastrophic hunger in Tigray, with 4.5 million people in need of assistance.

Despite a UN agreement with Ethiopia, humanitarian access in Tigray remains minimal with the United Nations saying that hundreds of thousands of people in rural parts of the region have not been reached.

Ethiopian authorities provide regular updates on what theyre doing on the humanitarian front but then its, look here, theres nothing to see, one diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

The session called by Ireland ended without an agreement on a joint statement with Russia leading opposition along with China and India, arguing that they did not want to intervene in Ethiopias internal affairs, diplomats said.

The new US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the Security Council should have issued a statement as the crisis poses a direct threat to regional peace and security.

We need to address it immediately, to prevent further atrocities and human suffering, she said.

Diplomats said that the three African nations on the Security Council  Kenya, Niger and Tunisia  had supported a statement after reluctance a month ago when they preferred to defer to the African Union.

SOURCE: AFP
The re-opening plan announced Thursday by Gov. Ned Lamont gives the green light to a range of properties, including office buildings, to go back to full capacity on March 19.

But it is a development that is unlikely to significantly change the plans of many major employers. Even as the state makes progress with its COVID-19 vaccine distribution, companies are largely charting a slow return to office life  with a year of operating with work-from-home contingents underscoring their ability to function effectively in the meantime.

Were proud of our 10,000 employees globally for how theyve adjusted, how theyve been transparent and how weve communicated with them, Paul Wolfe, senior vice president of human resources at job-search giant Indeed, said in an interview Thursday before the announcement of the re-opening plan. They certainly all wouldnt choose remote working, but weve learned that our employees can be equally productive working at home, and flexible work options give us a better quality of life.

Indeed, which has more than 1,000 employees based in Stamford, became in March 2020 one of the first large companies in the state to temporarily close its offices and move all of its employees to remote setups in response to coronavirus spread.

While the state has allowed office buildings to operate at reduced capacity since last May, Indeed has maintained its work-from-home system. It will not require any of its staff to return to its offices until September at the earliest. COVID-19 caseloads and vaccine distribution in the companys respective locations are among the factors informing its decisions on office re-openings.

Were continuing to monitor a lot of things, to make sure that when we do say were coming back that it is safe for everybody, Wolfe said.

As a result of the popularity of remote working, many office buildings are still thinly populated.

For Building and Land Technology  whose portfolio includes several office buildings in Stamford and Norwalk  the office occupancy rate has averaged around 25 percent in the past few months, but it has not been evenly distributed, said BLT Co-President Mike Handler. He is hopeful that the widespread distribution of vaccines will spur more re-openings.

We are already seeing the impact with large corporate tenants preparing to return to their workspace in the coming weeks, Handler said. Tenants returning to the office will only continue to build as the rollout of vaccines gains momentum, which will overall have a positive impact for the city and its economy.

Even when office re-openings accelerate, remote working will not evaporate. Stamford-based Synchrony, the countrys largest private-label credit card provider, announced last year a new policy that allows employees to permanently work from home.

Our Synchrony team has proven we can make work at home work for our business, Synchrony spokeswoman Lisa Lanspery said Friday. We continue to take a slow, deliberate and data-driven approach to our return to office, with the safety of our teams in mind. At this time, we have no current plans for a full-capacity return in 2021. However, we are exploring potential pilots to bring small numbers of employees back to the office later this year.

Consumer-goods multinational Henkel  whose brands include Dial, Loctite, Persil, Right Guard, Schwarzkopf and Persil  is still encouraging employees to work from home if they are able to do so. In Connecticut, it has locations in Stamford, Rocky Hill, Trumbull and Darien.

Henkel is continuing to monitor the local situation very carefully, the company said in a statement. Employees at our offices are encouraged to work from home, until at least June 1.

Shipping-and-mailing provider Pitney Bowes  which has maintained its operations through the pandemic through an essential-business designation from the federal government  has kept its headquarters in Stamford and offices in Shelton open for approved essential work. But it has encouraged the vast majority of employees to work from home since March 2020.

Based on the guidance of our health, safety and medical advisers, business considerations and direct feedback from employees, we are planning a phased return-to-office for these locations beginning in July, said Pitney Bowes spokesman Bill Hughes. The governors announcement helps pave the way for our planned return to office this summer.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
On-campus learning will return to the Rowan College of South Jerseys Gloucester and Cumberland campuses in September, kicking off the fall semester with a choice of four academic delivery styles: on-campus, hybrid, live online and traditional online.

COVID-19 and concerns for safety made it necessary during the last academic year for colleges and universities to offer the majority of class instruction online. This September, RCSJ classes will be available both on campus and online, offering options and opportunities to fit different learning styles while still maintaining the colleges top priorities  safety, value and affordability.

As the cold days of winter come to an end and spring approaches, the anticipation of warm weather and vaccinations offers us hope for brighter days ahead, said RCSJ president Frederick Keating. I am excited at the prospect of bringing students back on campus this fall. Looking to the future with expectation and optimism provides us all with a much-needed boost, particularly as we look to return to normal, daily life.

For the summer months, RCSJ courses will remain online  live and traditional  as the Gloucester campus in Deptford continues to be host to one of the states mega vaccination sites.

The dedication of state, county, college and medical personnel over the past three months, as they tirelessly vaccinate thousands of New Jersey residents, makes it possible for us to bring our students back on campus in September, said Keating. Sunny days are coming. Yes, masks, social distancing and hand sanitizer will still be part of our world, at least for a little while longer, but we will once again be together learning on campus and in classrooms.

RCSJ is a two-year regional college serving full- and part-time students with degree and workforce development programs. The main campus in Gloucester County is located at 1400 Tanyard Road in Deptford. The Cumberland County campus is located at 3322 College Drive in Vineland.

For more information about RCSJ fall class offerings, programs and how to apply, visit rcsj.edu/enroll.

Send community news to south@njadvancemedia.com.

ORMOND BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2021 / Rooshine, Inc. (OTC PINK:RSAU) an importer, distributor and seller of premium alcoholic spirits, today announces it has acquired 150 barrels of premium 4-year-old whiskey at 68% ABV stored in premium Kentucky Bourbon Barrels. This brings the Company's barrel inventory to 211 barrels. The barrels are presently held in bond in both Scotland and Holland and have an aggregate insured value of $2,511,035.00 USD (inclusive of the spirit and the fixed asset of the barrel), and a significantly higher retail valuation.

The goal of this program is several-fold, but the primary and secondary intentions are (1) to strengthen the Company's balance sheet with an appreciable asset base and (2) to provide a potential secondary line of business in the fine spirits auction market.

About Rooshine, Inc. - The Company was formed under the laws of the State of Nevada in April 1998. The Company's business is currently focused on the importation, distribution and sale of high-end alcoholic spirits. The Company has a Brand Licensing Agreement with The International Spirit Vault Ltd (ISV), to be the exclusive worldwide distributor of ISV's Rooshine brand of spirits. Rooshine's proprietary processes allow spirits to taste like a smooth 20-year aged spirit after aging only a week.

Statement as to Forward-Looking Statements - Forward-Looking Statements certain statements in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified using words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "future," "may," "will," "would," "should," "plan," "projected, " "intend," and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company's future operating results are dependent upon many factors, including but not limited to the Company's ability to: (i) obtain sufficient capital or a strategic business arrangement to fund its expansion plans; (ii) build the management and human resources and infrastructure necessary to support the growth of its business; (iii) competitive factors and developments beyond the Company's control; and (iv) other risk factors. We assume no obligation to update the information contained in this news release.

Contact:

Max Gomez, CEO

Rooshine, Inc.

email: max@drinkrooshine.com

SOURCE: Rooshine Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/633713/Rooshine-Adds-150-Barrels-of-4-Year-Old-Whisky-to-Stockpile
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Refinery29

June is a major astrological month filled with thrills, chills, drama, big love  and every feeling in between. Lovely Venus enters Cancer on June 2, softening up our hearts and tightening up our wallets. The solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 is a time of reflection, change, and implanting new desires into our lives. Action planet Mars enters Leo on June 11, motivating us to fight for what we love. Soon after, on June 14, austere Saturn and rebellious Uranus square off for the second of three times in 2021. (The first time was February 17 and the third connection will be December 24.) This is a very fraught and intense energy that will create shakeups, breakups, and breakdowns. We are knocking down old structures or beliefs and building new ones then. Be kind to others and yourselves around this time, as this energy can be argumentative. Lucky planet Jupiter commences its retrograde journey in Pisces and Aquarius from June 20 to October 18, urging us to reflect on our spiritual and philosophical development. The summer solstice begins on June 20, the same day Gemini season ends and Cancer season starts, kicking off our beachy plans and festivities. Also, making us more emotional and tender. Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 in Gemini (yay!). But dont take a sigh of relief quite yet. The retroshade period officially ends the retrograde on July 7. Then, all Mercurial mishaps such as technological meltdowns, miscommunications, and our pesky exes will be truly gone  until next time. The Capricorn full moon occurs on June 24, urging us work hard for attention and affection. Elusive Neptune begins its retrograde journey in Pisces from June 25 to December 1. This will allow us to align with our subconscious dreams. Romantic planet Venus enters Leo on June 27, adding passion to love and flamboyance to how we spend our money.AriesLately youve been feeling as though your friends and bosses have been acting kinda shady, which is impacting your romantic relationships. The solar eclipse on June 10 is making you wish that you didnt stir the pot with your squad by rehashing past drama. Marss movement into Leo on June 11 will push you to fight for the relationships that you want to keep in your life and the people that you love, but with a cost. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will end friendships, much to your sadness. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 can be a reset button at work; however, it's more likely a time for you to step away from a current professional partnership.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoTaurusJune is an intense month for you, Taurus. An argument stemming from a financial loss during the solar eclipse on June 10 will escalate on June 14 (when Saturn and Uranus square off). The following few days will require you to relax, which makes the summer solstice on June 20 a sweet time to simmer down. The Capricorn full moon on June 24 is a moment for you to find reprieve and think about the recent events from a higher minded perspective. Jupiter's and Neptunes planetary backstrokes on June 20 and 25, respectively, will help in healing and mending all the messy drama that began on June 14  but only if you tone down your frustrations and choose not to say unforgivable things that you will certainly regret.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoGeminiNormally, your attention is on point and youre able to take on all of the tasks that you have to do, Gemini. But Mercury retrograde is making you too exhausted to keep up with your workload. The low energy youre feeling, compounded with the solar eclipse on June 10, is going to make you want to curl up in bed and watch The Hills reruns nonstop. Lean in to that urge and take time to chill this month. Dont fight the cosmos and take on more than you can chew. Yes, youve had an amazing run recently, but that can change during Jupiter's and Neptunes retrogrades on June 20 and 25. To avoid issues that may be coming your way, dont try to push your luck before Mercury retrograde ends on June 22.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCancerFor the past few months, youve been in duck-and-cover mode when the monthly credit card statements arrive in your inbox. But the tides are changing for the better. Venuss ingress into Cancer on June 2 and Leo on June 27 will procure extra cash for your bank account. The infamous Saturn and Uranus square that occurs on June 14 will give you a windfall of money from an unexpected payback on a former creative venture too. The only setback is that Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which ends June 22) could delay the repayment of these funds. Be patient! The cash will come during June 24s Capricorn full moon, if dont stress it so hard.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLeoCommitment takes a lot of work and time  all of which youre happy to give to those you care about. You have become a creature or comfort, knowing that you can always rely on certain people. All of that is about to get shaken up. You will feel as though the foundation youve built with friends, a crush, or your SO is shifting on June 14 (an effect of the Saturn and Uranus square) and you dont like that. Remember: Relationships and situations cant stay the same forever. Everything is subject to evolution. Change is the one constant in life, and its something you need to get used to (especially when Venus enters Leo on June 27, setting off the fraught vibe from June 14).Illustration by Stefhany LozanoVirgoYouve recently spent a lot of time burning the midnight oil at work. Now, the time has come for you to ask for a raise. (Considering how much extra time you put in, you should!) Venuss movement into Cancer on June 2 is an auspicious time to get the ball rolling in accelerating your income. The caveat is that the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will scare you into not asserting your voice when it comes to asking for a raise, which means that youll opt to hold back. When Mercury retrograde ends on June 22 and Neptune begins its planetary moonwalk on June 25, youll begin to speak up and make sure you get paid what youre worth  and then some!Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLibraLets start with the positives of June: Work will be plentiful and fulfilling as the month starts off, especially when graceful Venus enters the career sector of your chart on June 2. The solar eclipse on June 10 in Gemini will make you stop and think about the next professional direction you want to take. You dont have to make decisions, as Mercury is retrograde. Therefore, plans can change. The downfall is that youll feel creatively blocked when Saturn and Uranus square off on June 14, as well as on June 24s Capricorn Full Moon. When Neptune turns retrograde on June 25 and Venus enters Leo on June 27, itll be wise to consider taking time off from work to rejuvenate your artistic talents.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoScorpioYour intuition is always lit. However, this month you will be second guessing your gut feelings during Mercurys planetary moonwalk (which started on May 29) and the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Reality will come crashing down hard on June 14 during the Saturn and Uranus square, making you wish that youd listened to the voice within the week before. The good news is that Jupiter and Neptunes backsplash will boost your confidence in listening to your inner sentiments. June 24s full moon will make you see that you should never doubt yourself again. This will allow you to head into July on a high note and feeling yourself. Words to the wise: Never doubt yourself again. You know the score, try to use it to your advantage.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoSagittariusYour wanderlust sentiments are making you thirst for adventure and excitement. While you may not feel like traveling far, youll be able to find thrills in your local neighborhood during June 14s Saturn and Uranus square. If youre wanting to head out of town, the full moon on June 24 is a great time for an economical mini road trip. The caveat is that you may get swept away in the moment and temporarily forget about your friends and family. Its okay to get lost in your own world, Sag. Just dont live too much with your head in the clouds. Come down for air every now and again  especially on June 20 and 25 when Jupiter and Neptune, respectively, begin their planetary retrogrades.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoCapricornDont be afraid to walk away from a proposition that doesn't seem worth the trouble. A business arrangement may lose its appeal on June 2, when Venus enters Cancer. If youre not wanting to continue the partnership, then the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10 will set you free. TBH, you are seeing that the gig isnt offering up the cash that they promised, which is frustrating to you considering all the time and work youve put into it. The Saturn and Uranus square on June 14 will remind you that its better to cut your losses ASAP before matters get worse. Youll be proud of yourself during June 24s full moon for letting go of the situation and moving onto the next project with ease and no additional drama.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoAquariusIts been a minute since youve spoken to old flames. But Mercurys backspin is bringing all of your exes out of the woodwork. Unlike past retrogrades, youre wanting to connect with them when Mars enters Leo on June 11. Although youre intrigued by what they have to say, the conversation may not go as planned on the 14th, when Saturn and Uranus square off, and youll be reminded as to why you broke up with them in the first place. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. Be sure that you're open and willing to hear their feedback before responding. If you take the conversations at face value, you can create a new foundation with them on June 27, during the Venusian shift into Leo.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoPiscesAll work and no play isnt good for your imagination, Pisces. In fact, it can make you feel as though youre stuck behind a desk and not integrating your soulful sentiments into the world. Junes celestial energies urge you to take a step back from your career and have fun. Venuss entrance into Cancer on June 2 and the summer solstice on June 20 offer you a chance to laugh off the stresses brought on by the solar eclipse in Gemini on June 10. Just dont overdo the celebrating, as the Saturn and Uranus square on June 14, as well as Jupiter and Neptunes planetary moonwalk on your Sun which begin on June 20 and 25, respectively, can exhaust your spirited vibe while depleting your energies.Illustration by Stefhany LozanoLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Is Jupiter In Pisces The Best Transit Of 2021?Black & Brown Women Are Reviving Tarot & AstrologyObsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok  & COVID
Range Rover

Lavish homes and luxury shopping sprees at Neiman Marcus are just a few of the items listed in the Justice Department's investigation into an alleged Houston-based Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) scheme.

Houston native LaDonna Wiggins has been indicted for bank fraud, money laundering and making a false statement to a bank as part of a $3.6 million CARES Act scam, according to Justice Department U.S. Acting Attorney Jennifer Lowery. Wiggins appeared before a U.S. Magistrate on Tuesday.
Former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak, is advocating for a change in the leadership of the NDC in Parliament.



According to him, there is the need for a radical alternative that will not give in easily to the government.



He believes that a shake up in the leadership will help put the government in check and avoid the business as usual mantra of the lawmaking house.



Shell-shocked. A shake up in the leadership of the NDC in parliament will do a world of good. A radical alternative, he said in a post on Facebook.



His comments come on the back of the approval of three Ministers-designate through secret ballot on Wednesday night.



The three were Mavis Hawa Koomson, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Dr. Akoto Afriyie who were not given clearance for approval by the Minority in Parliament.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Subscriber content preview

WASHINGTON (AP)  U.S. long-term mortgage rates were steady to higher this week, as the benchmark 30-year loan breached the 3% mark for the first time since July 2020. Rates remain near historic lows as the economy strains toward recovery in the pandemic's wake.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate home loan rose to 3.02% from 2.97% last week. By contrast, the benchmark rate stood at 3.29% a year ago.





. . .

ROME - Italy will continue to block the export of COVID-19 vaccines from the European Union, as it did with a batch of 250,000 AstraZeneca jab shots to Australia a week ago, as long as there are delays in the supply chain, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Friday.



"The pharmaceutical companies are late with the supplies they have promised to the EU," Di Maio told a press conference after talks with French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Rome.



Di Maio stressed the export halt was "not a hostile act towards Australia.



"As long as there are delays we will continue to block (exports)", he said.



"There is a European regulation that foresees blocking exports to non-vulnerable countries in the case of delays. For this reason, in agreement with the European institutions, we decided to halt the exports".



Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday that he understands Italy after Rome halted the export of a batch of 250,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.



In halting the departure of the jabs, which came from a plant near Rome, Italy became the first EU country to use a new European mechanism on export controls.



The European Commission authorised the move in light of AstraZeneca's failure to supply the vaccines it had pledged to deliver in Europe and the fact that Australia is not a vulnerable country.



"In Italy, people are dying at the rate of 300 a day. So I can certainly understand the high level of anxiety that would exist in Italy and in many countries across Europe," AFP quoted Morrison as saying.



"They are in an unbridled crisis situation. That is not the situation in Australia".



Reuters, however, reported that Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt has asked the European Commission to revise the decision.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 74F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Advertisement

Footage has emerged of a Myanmar pro-democracy protester being shot dead at point-blank range amid a bloody crackdown by the military - whose soldiers are issuing threats on TikTok warning that 'I will shoot whoever I see'.

The video of a civilian being gunned down in the street has been condemned by a UN special envoy, who also decried separate footage of a medical crew being savagely beaten by police as the generals try to stamp out dissent.

The shooting video shows the protester being marched away from a building by riot police before falling to the ground after the gunshot rings out.

After the person briefly raises their head, two of the troops drag them down the street by the arms as security forces take control of the area.

'A protester was taken away by police and they shot him from very near, maybe only one metre. He didn't resist his arrest, and it seems that he died on the street,' said the UN's Myanmar envoy Christine Schraner Burgener.

More than 50 civilians have been killed since the military's February 1 coup, including 38 who died on the bloodiest day of clashes on Wednesday.

At least five children have been reportedly killed since the protests began, UNICEF said, with four severely wounded and 500 arbitrarily detained.

Digital rights group Myanmar ICT for Development says it has found more than 800 pro-military videos that threatened protesters with further violence.

One video shows a man in army fatigues aiming an assault rifle at the camera and addressing protesters: 'I will shoot in your f***ing faces... and I'm using real bullets.'

'I am going to patrol the whole city tonight and I will shoot whoever I see... If you want to become a martyr, I will fulfil your wish', he says.

TikTok vowed to 'promptly remove all content that incites violence or spreads misinformation' while Facebook has banned all pages linked to Myanmar's army.

tw // gunshots

Terrorists're shooting in North Okalapa. According to the update list, 13 civilians was killed and over 50 got injured. It's not DISPERSING anymore, it's obviously KILLING.

#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #Mar3Coup pic.twitter.com/dsvqEzPE8M  Travelkueen (@Travelkueen1) March 3, 2021

Footage has emerged of a Myanmar pro-democracy protester being shot at point-blank range (left, at the head of the crowd of people) before they are dragged away (right)

A mobile phone shows a picture of a Myanmar man in an army shirt threatening to shoot anti-coup protesters in the head

Horrific footage has emerged of three medics being surrounded by at least a dozen police officers who were kicking and punching them and even hitting them with their guns as they tried to cower away from the violence

Police were also filmed on Wednesday beating a volunteer ambulance crew in Myanmar's largest city and commercial hub of Yangon.

CCTV footage showed armed police stopping an ambulance at gunpoint and forcing three medics out before attacking them.

Six cops can be seen smashing the medics over the head with rifle butts, beating them with truncheons, kicking them in the head and blasting out the windows of their ambulance with shotguns.

Meanwhile Myanmar's military sent fighter jets on a menacing low pass over the country's second-largest city today in a show of force to accompany the violence.

The five low-flying warplanes buzzed over Mandalay in formation as the generals try to stamp out dissent more than a month since seizing power in the February 1 coup.

And more footage detailed how officers opened fire on crowds of demonstrators in cities around the country without warning, leaving the streets covered in blood.

One piece of footage from Monywa shows how officers were ordered to drag away the body of one protester who had been fatally shot, while graphic video from Myingyan showed a 14-year-old boy who was shot in the head.

Police and 77th LID soldiers broke up a protest at Yangon's North Okkalapa roundabout with teargas and rubber bullets at 10:30am. Frontier saw police beat protesters and arrest 10. From hiding, our reporter saw police kick and drag this wounded protester#WhatsHapppeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/TONAebV5a5  Frontier Myanmar (@FrontierMM) March 3, 2021

Footage taken in the city of Monywa in central Myanmar showed police dragging away the body of a protester after they had been fatally shot

Military jets buzzed over the city of Mandalay on Thursday in a show of strength as protesters returned to the streets to mourn their dead

The US called the images appalling, the UN human rights chief said it was time to 'end the military's stranglehold over democracy in Myanmar,' and the world body's independent expert on human rights in the country urged the Security Council to watch the videos before meeting Friday to discuss the crisis.

'I saw today very disturbing video clips,' said UN envoy to Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener told reporters on Thursday.

'One was police beating a volunteer medical crew,' Burgener said. 'They were not armed.

'Another video clip showed a protester was taken away by police and they shot him from very near, maybe only one meter. He didn't resist to his arrest, and it seems that he died on the street.'

Wednesday marked the bloodiest day yet in Myanmar after military leaders seized power, undoing the country's years-long experiment with democracy and drawing tens of thousands of protesters on to the streets.

Police aim their weapons as they chase after protesters during the demonstrations on Thursday in the city of Yangon

People gather around the coffin of Ma Kyal Sin during her funeral in Mandalay, a day after the 19-year-old was shot dead by police

A relative of Kyal Sin, also known as 'Angel', is visibly upset at the 19-year-old's funeral in Mandalay on Thursday

'Everything will be OK': Tears for protester called 'Angel' who was shot in the head A 19-year-old protester called Kyal Sin - also known as Angel - was shot in the head on the streets of Mandalay after joining the anti-coup protests on Wednesday. She was wearing a T-shirt that read: 'Everything will be OK', a slogan which has since been taken up by her allies and mourners. Angel was a taekwondo expert as well as a dancer at Mandalay's DA-Star Dance Club, posting videos of her latest moves on Facebook. Kyal Sin, also known as Angel Last year she had proudly voted for the first time in the country's tentative democracy. But she joined the protests after the election result was overturned by the generals' coup on February 1. After initially taking to the streets waving the flag of Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy movement, she kept going even as protests grew more dangerous and as the junta deployed combat troops with assault rifles alongside police. Despite her shirt, she had known it might not be OK - leaving details of her blood group, a contact number and a request to donate her body in the event of her death. She had been on the frontline of the barricades in Mandalay where a fellow protester said she had bravely kicked open a water pipe so that others could wash tear gas from their eyes. Before the police assault, Angel can be heard on video shouting, 'We won't run' and 'blood must not be shed'. 'When the police opened fire she told me 'Sit! Sit! Bullets will hit you. You look like you're on a stage',' recalled Myat Thu, 23. 'She cared for and protected others as a comrade. 'She was a happy girl, she loved her family and her father loved her so much too,' said Myat Thu, who is now in hiding. 'We are not in a war. There is no reason to use live bullets on people. If they are human, they will not do it.' Advertisement

As well as the 14-year-old boy killed in Myingyan, another 17-year-old was shot dead elsewhere in the country, Save The Children said.

Nineteen-year-old Kyal Sin, also known as 'Angel', was also killed after being shot in the neck in Mandalay, local media reported.

She was pictured wearing a t-shirt saying 'everything will be OK' just moments before being killed. Thousands gathered today at her funeral in Mandalay.

Deaths also occurred in the country's largest city of Yangon and the northern mining town of Hpakant.

Witnesses said police gave no warnings to protesters - who have been on the streets almost every day since the military seized power - before opening fire with live ammunition.

Dozens more were wounded by rubber bullets and slingshots fired by officers, according to local doctors.

As part of the crackdown, security forces have also arrested around 1,200 people, including journalists who are facing charges under security laws, according to UN envoy Schraner Burgener.

More than 500 children are estimated to be among those arbitrarily detained, UNICEF said Thursday.

The numbers of demonstrators flooding the streets of cities across the country has remained high even as security forces have repeatedly fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds to disperse the crowds, and arrested protesters en masse.

Myanmar has been in chaos since February 1 when the military launched a coup and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, ending the country's decade-long experiment with democracy and sparking daily mass protests.

Despite the violence they have endured, demonstrators returned to the streets on Thursday to mourn those who were killed.

International pressure is mounting - Western powers have repeatedly hit the generals with sanctions - and Britain has called for a United Nations meeting on Friday.

But the junta has ignored the global condemnation, responding to the uprising with escalating brutality.

'Only today, 38 people died,' UN envoy to Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener told reporters on Wednesday, adding that more than 50 people have died in total since the military takeover, with many more wounded.

'Today was the bloodiest day since the coup happened,' she added, without providing any further details, including a breakdown of the deaths.

Burgener called for the UN to take 'very strong measures' against the generals, adding that in her conversations with them, they had dismissed the threat of sanctions.

'I will keep going on, we will not give up,' she said.

Burgener added that she receives some 2,000 messages per day from people inside Myanmar, many 'who are really desperate to see action from the international community.'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday he was horrified by the recent violence in Myanmar and called for a restoration of democracy.

'I'm horrified by the escalation of violence in Myanmar and the killing of pro-democracy protesters,' Johnson said on Twitter.

'We stand with the people of Myanmar in calling for an immediate end to military repression, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and others, and the restoration of democracy,' said Johnson.

British foreign minister Dominic Raab said the UK would be convening the United Nations Security Council to discuss the issue on Friday.

'Terrible scenes in Myanmar. Targeting your own people with lethal force for simply exercising their right to peaceful protest is unacceptable,' Raab said on Twitter on Thursday.

'The ongoing violence and the intimidation must end. The UK & partners will be convening @UN Security Council on Friday.

The violence left the United States 'appalled and revulsed,' State Department spokesman Ned Price said, telling reporters: 'We call on all countries to speak with one voice to condemn the brutal violence by the Burmese military against its own people.'

He singled out China, a frequent US adversary that Myanmar's military has historically considered its main ally.

'China does have influence in the region. It does have influence with the military junta. We have called upon the Chinese to use that influence in a constructive way, in a way that advances the interests of the people of Burma,' Price said, using another name for Myanmar.

And he said the United States, which has imposed sanctions on junta leaders, was looking at further actions.

People flash a three-finger sign or resistance during the burial of anti-coup protester Kyal Sin in Mandalay, Myanmar

Hundreds of people accompany a hearse carrying the body of Kyal Sin, who was shot in the head by security forces, for burial in Mandalay on Thursday

Kyal (left) had been pictured wearing a t-shirt reading 'everything will be OK' before being shot, a slogan that protesters have now adopted

Anti-coup protesters wearing helmets and masks hide behind shields as police use tear gas during a march in Yangon on March 4

Police officers aim their guns towards people in nearby apartments as they stand off with anti-coup protesters in Yangon

An excavator moves a barricade made of tyres and set up by demonstrators during an anti-coup protest in Yangon on March 4

An anti-coup protester with a makeshift shield braves teargas during demonstration in Yangon on Thursday

Earlier, AFP recorded at least 17 deaths across Myanmar on Wednesday, with Monywa in the central Sagaing region registering at least seven, according to a doctor.

Medics also said they saw two other individuals being dragged away by security forces but could not confirm if they had died.

In Yangon protesters used makeshift tyre and barbed wire barricades to block major roads.

At least six demonstrators died in Yangon, according to a rescue worker and local journalist.

In downtown Pansodan Road, near the famed Sule pagoda intersection, protesters pasted print-outs of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing's face on the ground - a tactic aimed at slowing down security forces who will avoid standing on the portraits.

In San Chaung township, which has been the site of intense clashes in recent days, tear gas and fire extinguisher clouds filled the streets as riot police confronted protesters.

In Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, two demonstrators were killed, a doctor confirmed to AFP, adding that one of the victims aged 19 - now revealed to be Angel - was shot in the head.

Another 19-year-old protester died after being shot in Salin.

'They shouldn't have used such lethal force against the peaceful protesters,' said his friend Min Pyae Phyo, through tears. 'I won't forget and forgive them the rest of my life.'

A protest in the central city of Myingyan also turned deadly, as security forces confronted protesters in hard hats crouching behind red home-made shields emblazoned with the three-finger salute - a symbol of resistance for the anti-coup movement.

Demonstrators block a road with tyres, bins and pieces of wood during an anti-coup protest in Yangon whilst they hold makeshift shields on March 4

A pair of demonstrators carry shields to the frontlines as they face off against police in Yangon on March 4

Security forces carrying guns stand on a road during an anti-coup protest in Yangon, Myanmar on March 4

Medical students display flags of the National League for Democracy party during an anti-coup demonstration in Mandalay

Medical students display placards during an anti-coup demonstration in Mandalay on Thursday

Protesters stand on a makeshift barricade in Yangon on Thursday in an attempt to protect themselves from tear gas and bullets fired by police

'They fired tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds,' a volunteer medic on the scene told AFP, adding that at least 10 people were injured.

Thet Thet Swe, from Myingyan rescue clinic, confirmed a young man was shot in the head and died. Several medics confirmed this.

'Zin Ko Ko Zaw, a 20-year-old was shot dead on the spot and my team treated 17 injured people,' a second rescue team member told AFP.

There were also chaotic scenes at North Okkalapa - a civil society health clinic confirmed 19 injured people had arrived for medical treatment.

'Some got hit with rubber bullets, some fell down and some were beaten. We had to transfer one man to hospital for a operation because a rubber bullet hit his head. We do not have a surgeon here,' an official told AFP.

Local media in northern Kachin state also reported similar scenes of violence.

In Dawei, one gunshot victim from Sunday - when 18 people were killed across the country - was cremated on Wednesday.

Mourners held floral wreaths and portraits of Lwin Lwin Oo, 33, as coffin bearers were flanked by hundreds chanting: 'We are united... Democracy is our cause.'

UNICEF condemned the reported killings of at least five children since Wednesday, as well as the wounding of four others.

'In addition to those killed or seriously wounded, many children are being exposed to harm from tear gas and stun grenades, and are witnessing horrific scenes of violence, in some cases directed against parents or family members,' UNICEF said in a statement Thursday.

The intensifying standoff is unfortunately familiar in a country with a long history of peaceful resistance to military rule - and brutal crackdowns. The coup reversed years of slow progress toward democracy in the Southeast Asian nation after five decades of military rule.

People ride their motorbikes and flash the defiant three-finger salute as they attend the funeral of Ma Kyal Sin in Mandalay

Anti-coup protesters flash a three-fingered sign of resistance during a demonstration in Yangon on March 4

People flash a three-finger sign of resistance during the burial of anti-coup protester Kyal Sin in Mandalay

People build barricades to deter security personnel from entering a protest area in Mandalay on March 4

Medical students participate in an anti-coup demonstration in Mandalay on Thursday, March 4

Wednesday's violence came after the foreign ministers of Southeast Asian nations - including Myanmar's junta representative Wunna Maung Lwin - discussed the crisis at a virtual meeting.

After the talks Indonesia's Retno Marsudi expressed frustration over the junta's lack of cooperation, and Singapore condemned the use of lethal force.

The violence on Wednesday also came on the heels of news that six Myanmar journalists would be charged under a law prohibiting 'causing fear, spreading false news, or agitating directly or indirectly a government employee', according to their lawyer Tin Zar Oo.

Among them is Associated Press photographer Thein Zaw, who was arrested Saturday as he covered an anti-coup demonstration in Yangon. Video emerged on Wednesday of him being held in a chokehold by police as he was handcuffed.

The other five are from Myanmar Now, Myanmar Photo Agency, 7Day News, Zee Kwet Online News and a freelancer. They face up to three years in jail.

The junta amended the legislation last month, increasing the maximum sentence from two years to three years in jail.

The United States called for their release and was 'forcefully making clear' that their detention was 'unacceptable,' Price said.

Burgener said that the generals had told her they would hold elections in 'one year.'

But she also said she had not been able to speak directly with the leaders since February 15, communicating only in writing since then.

She said she sent a 'long letter' directly to the army's number two Soe Win on Sunday but had not yet heard back, though she did receive information from the army daily.

Protesters gather behind a makeshift blockade in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on Thursday

Protesters wearing helmets and masks take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on March 4

And she said she had not yet been granted permission to visit the country.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group, more than 1,200 people have been arrested since the coup, with about 900 still behind bars or facing charges.

But the real number is likely far higher - state-run media reported more than 1,300 people were arrested on Sunday alone.

State-broadcaster MRTV said Tuesday 511 detainees had been released in Yangon.

Myanmar nationals living in Bangkok, Thailand, hang posters with images of protesters in Myanmar and funeral wreaths in front of the United Nations building on Thursday

Grieving Myanmar nationals hold a candlelight vigil outside the UN Headquarters in Bangkok on Thursday

Pope Francis on Wednesday urged Myanmar's military authorities to prioritise dialogue over repression.

'We are still getting sad news from Myanmar of bloody clashes with losses of human lives,' Francis said during his weekly audience.

'I would like to draw the attention of the involved authorities so that dialogue may prevail over repression and harmony over discord,' the 84-year-old Catholic leader said.

The international community should 'work so that the aspirations of the people of Myanmar are not stifled by violence', Francis said.

The pope has already spoken out on at least two occasions to voice solidarity with the people of Myanmar following the February 1 coup, and to call for the release of detained leaders.
As the nations workforce continues going digital, education officials across the country are looking to prepare students for the IT careers of tomorrow and a growing demand for computer science majors leaving colleges and universities.Enter the Computer Science for Rhode Island (CS4RI) initiative, launched in 2016 by former Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to establish computer science courses in schools throughout the state. In her last State of the State address before being confirmed Tuesday as President Joe Biden's commerce secretary, Raimondo said the initiative made Rhode Island the first state in the U.S. to teach the subject in every public school.Technically, the program, now in its fifth year, provides computer science courses in all the state's comprehensive public schools  meaning, not charter schools  and 86 percent of its high schools altogether, including 60 public and charter districts. A majority of them have more than one computer science course.Spencer Sherman, chief for innovation of the Rhode Island Department of Education, said the program was launched to give the employees of tomorrow a head start in computer science and coding.I think whats really cool about the way we structured it is were doing the entire K-12 pipeline, he said. We have elementary school classes, middle school classes, high school classes and connections with colleges and employers who are all part of this pipeline.Sherman said the program largely centers on training computer science instructors, leveraging partnerships with institutions such as Brown University and the University of Rhode Island, as well as Microsofts Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) program. The state allocated $210,000 in annual funds for professional development, and over 1,000 educators have been trained since the initiative began five years ago.The way to actually make this system work and improve this system is to make sure all of the pieces are connected, and thats what weve done, Sherman said.CS4RI also recently awarded grants to 20 state high schools to establish computer science career courses that will involve work-based learning, or integrating the curriculum with workplace experience, to study how that impacts Advanced Placement exam scores. This aspect of the program, funded through a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, gave $20,000 to each participating school to establish computer science labs, free teacher training and three free student courses totaling 12 college credits. Ten of those 20 schools are now implementing new computer science courses this semester, which will include an 80-hour work-based learning requirement.According to a report last fall from the Code.org Advocacy Coalition, Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) and Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance, only 47 percent of schools in the U.S. teach computer science. Racial disparities in participation and access still exist across the board, with Rhode Island still working to close those gaps.The report noted that Hispanic/Latinx and Native American students were 1.6 times less likely than their white and Asian peers to attend a school that offers AP computer science courses. Black students were 1.3 times less likely than their white and Asian peers to attend a school that offers those courses, and 1.4 times less likely to take an AP computer science exam in schools that offer it.CSTA Executive Director Jake Baskin said states like Rhode Island, as well as Arkansas and others embracing similar computer science initiatives in public schools, are working to reverse these trends.Were seeing the impact of policies that made it a requirement for schools to offer computer science and combined that with real funding to support the development of teachers on the ground so they can actually teach those courses," he said. Computer science is the fastest-growing and most in-demand job area, and I think it is just an essential foundational skill for every student to learn, to be able to understand the world that theyre living in ... Its generally the No. 1 open field for positions in every state across the country at any given time.Sherman said CS4RI wants to increase enrollment among underrepresented students, from groups largely left out of the tech workforce . Out of 300 total 10th and 11th graders in the first of three courses in the work-based program, 35 percent are female, 60 percent are students of color and 62 percent are considered low-income. AP participation has also risen among female students, according to the state.Thats been a huge focus of the work, he said. A huge part of this work has been focusing on women in computer science and people of color in computer science, because they have been historically underrepresented.Nearly 3,000 students across the state have earned credit from the University of Rhode Island through enrollment courses since CS4RI began in 2016. AP computer science exam participation increased from 43 students in 2016 to nearly 740 in 2020. The state also noted a 55 percent increase in computer science post-secondary degrees at public higher education institutions since the beginning of the program, with 195 degrees awarded in 2020.As the economy is changing, our education system is changing ahead of time to make sure kids are prepared when they leave the system, Sherman said.Baskin said states like Rhode Island could serve as a model for others looking to bolster career IT development. States like Alabama, Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and a handful of others allow computer science to count toward core admission requirements in colleges and universities, but the vast majority of K-12 schools dont offer computer science courses to begin with.We still have a majority of high schools across the country that dont offer even a single computer science class, Baskin said.Digital equity remains a challenge for courses like those offered in Rhode Island. In order for programs such as CS4R1 to continue building IT skills, Sherman said students need access to the tech itself, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic that necessitated remote and hybrid learning.According to statistics from the consumer advocacy group BroadbandNow , 98.5 percent of Rhode Islanders have broadband connections with speeds of 25 Mbps or faster. About 10,000 residents are still without any wired Internet providers where they live, while nearly 40,000 have limited Internet reliability or connection speeds slower than 25 Mbps.Sherman said the state has worked to provide every student with an Internet device through its 1:1 program , similar to states like Connecticut , which utilized CARES Act funding for student devices and hot spots. In recent years, Sherman said Rhode Island has used a combination of state, federal and private funding mechanisms to close the digital divide and make CS4RI courses accessible during school closures.Theres an acceleration of the work that we were already planning on doing, and I think the good part about Rhode Island is, we are ready for that shift as it comes, he said. I think we knew computer science is going to be an essential part of the modern economy, and I think COVID pushed it up even further.Thats not to say we [completely] closed the equity gaps, he added. Those issues are deep, but I think we were a little ahead of the curve when [the pandemic] started up.
The Capitol Police have requested that members of the National Guard stay in Washington DC for another two months, after the unspecified 'threat' from right-wing militia failed to materialize on March 4.

US Capitol Police Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman released a statement Thursday revealing she had formally asked the Department of Defense to extend the support provided by the guard troops just days before their deployment was due to end on March 12.

Pittman has not publicly confirmed the length of the proposed extension but the Associated Press has learned it will be for a further 60 days through May 12 and will involve a reduced number of around 2,200 troops.

The request comes one day after Capitol Police said it had received intel of 'a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group' on March 4 - the same day supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory believed Donald Trump would become president again.

Security was beefed up around the Capitol and the House of Representatives canceled its scheduled votes for Thursday but the day passed by without major event.

Almost 5,000 troops remain in DC two months on from when more than 25,000 were first drafted in from all 50 states to protect the Capitol following the events of January 6 where a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building in a violent insurrection that left five - including a Capitol cop - dead.

All remaining troops were scheduled to return home to their respective states on March 12.

The Capitol Police have requested that members of the National Guard stay in Washington DC for another two months. Pictured troops on Thursday

US Capitol Police Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman released a statement Thursday revealing she had formally asked the Department of Defense to extend the support provided by the guard troops just days before their deployment was due to end on March 12

Defense officials said the new proposal to keep some guard members for another two months is being reviewed by the Pentagon, and negotiations between the department, the police and congressional authorities are ongoing.

The Guard has started checking states for availability of their troops, in an effort to be prepared if final Defense Department approval is given, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to a memo from the Capitol Police to congressional leaders, the new draft proposal asks to keep up to 2,200 Guard members in DC initially, before reducing the number 'incrementally and rationally' based on the threat.

As part of the plan, Capitol Police shall employ readily available technology and utilize mutual aid agreements to reduce the Guard footprint to a battalion size of approximately 900 soldiers, as recommended by the Department of Defense on February 22.

Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin said she learned that the request for a 60-day extension was made in the last 36 hours, and that the Guard is now seeking volunteers from states around the country to fill the need.

Pittman (pictured) has not publicly confirmed the length of the proposed extension but the Associated Press has learned it will be for a further 60 days through May 12 and will involve a reduced number of around 2,200 troops

Slotkin said some members of Congress have been concerned about whether there is a solid plan to provide security for members and staff going forward when the National Guard leave for good.

'We want to understand what the plan is,' she said.

'None of us like looking at the fencing, the gates, the uniformed presence around the Capitol. We can't depend on the National Guard for our security.'

The Democrat said there needs to be a plan where security for the buildings and personnel can be provided by the Capitol Police and local law enforcement.

She said it was telling that House members rushed to complete major votes Wednesday so they wouldn't have to be in the building that violent rioters besieged in January.

Slotkin said many lawmakers 'don't feel totally secure' in the Capitol but vowed that she was 'not going to let these guys scare me away

Capitol Police officials have also told congressional leaders the razor-wire-topped fencing around the Capitol should remain in place for several more months.

The request comes one day after Capitol Police said it had received intel of 'a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group' on March 4 - the same day supporters of the QAnon conspiracy theory believed Donald Trump would become president again

Security was beefed up around the Capitol and the House of Representatives canceled its scheduled votes for Thursday but the day passed by without major event

Pittman said Wednesday in her testimony to House lawmakers that the security posture at the Capitol right now 'is enhanced' as threats to members of Congress are 'through the roof'.

She said that threats to lawmakers have increased by 93.5 percent in the first two months of 2021 compared to the same period a year ago.

Capitol Police said there was a 'possible plot' by a militia group to breach the Capitol Thursday.

'The United States Capitol Police Department is aware of and prepared for any potential threats towards members of Congress or towards the Capitol complex,' the agency said in a statement Wednesday.

'We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4.'

Capitol Police did not name a specific group in its statement on Wednesday but there was chatter the militia group the Three Percenters is involved - the group were among the rioters accused of breaching the Capitol on January 6.

Despite concerns of ongoing threats, many are unhappy with the prospect of National Guard troops being forced to stay in DC for another two months.

Thousands of Guardsmen forced to sleep on the floor of the packed Thurgood Marshall Building parking garage and in a park outside (above)

An extension would mean a four-month deployment for some members of the guard amid conditions that have repeatedly been called out for being sub-par.

This week a group of bipartisan lawmakers demanded a new vendor be brought in to supply food to the troops after members of the Michigan National Guard shared photos of their rancid food including raw chicken, moldy bread and meals containing metal shavings.

The National Guard confirmed Wednesday that about 50 members were sick with 'gastrointestinal complaints' following whistleblower reports of undercooked and contaminated food.

The food saga came after thousands of Guardsmen were forced to sleep on the floor of a packed parking garage back in January when they were told to stop taking their rest breaks inside the Capitol by a Capitol officer.

Meanwhile, hundreds of guard members also tested positive for COVID-19 during their time protecting DC from attack with insiders describing a failure by the National Guard to implement coronavirus testing and social distancing protocols evenly across the board.

Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe blasted the request that the troops stay longer as 'outrageous'.

'That's not what they're supposed to be, that's not their mission. We have the Capitol Police, that is their mission,' he said.

Security was upped around the Capitol after a MAGA mob stormed the building on January 6, pictured
Around 1,141 citizens have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since Egypt began its vaccination rollout for priority groups on Thursday, the health ministry announced on Friday.

In an official statement, the health ministry said 1,141 citizens from eligible groups, which include the elderly and people with chronic diseases, have been administered the first shot of the vaccine on the first day of the campaign.

40 centers nationwide have been designated as vaccination centers for citizens, the statement said, with three in Cairo and four in Giza among others.

Egypt currently administers doses of the Chinese Sinopharm and the British-Swedish Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, both of which were granted emergency use authorisation by authorities earlier this year.

According to the health ministry, the Chinese vaccine is taken in two doses 21 days apart while, AstraZenecas injections are administered in two shots three months apart.

Egypt began its vaccine rollout for priority groups, as it concluded the vaccination of the countrys medical staff in the past few weeks.

The rollout comes days after Egypt opened on Sunday, online registration for the vaccine through a designated website, as part of expanding its immunisation program.

Over 150,000 citizens have already registered to receive the vaccine since Sunday.

The rollout comes as Egypt pushes - with high efforts - to secure vaccines for the over-populous nation.

Egypt eyes a near-delivery of 8.6 million doses from 40 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI), an international scheme aiming to ensure equal access to new and underused vaccines.

It has so far received 350,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and 50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine since December.

The Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine was also authorised for emergency use in February; yet has not yet been delivered to Egypt.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Lately, Twitter is testing out many new features, including a live video feature called Spaces. If there was one thing missing on Twitter, it is the undo or edit button. In other words, Twitter doesnt let you edit or undo published Tweets. Twitter is finally testing an Undo Send button that will let you retract the Tweet before it starts attracting attention.

Social Media analyst Jane Manchun Wong discovered the feature. It gives five seconds for users to retract a sent Tweet. Last year Twitter had conducted a survey, and the Undo Send button figured out in the top feature. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had hinted that Twitter is testing out a subscription model. However, the Undo Send button seems like a free feature available for all uses.

Twitter is working on Undo Send timer for tweets pic.twitter.com/nS0kuijPK0  Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) March 5, 2021

Twitter is trying hard to create additional sources of revenue. Last year, Twitter CEO asked how users would feel about a subscription model that offers features like Undo send, special badges for profiles and advanced analytics. In all likelihood, only some features might make it, while others could be scrapped.

Twitter recently rolled out support for Voice DM on iOS in India, Japan, and Brazil. The company says voice messages give give people a new way to express themselves and help them connect through the nuances, emotion, and empathy built by hearing someones voice. At its Annual Day event, Twitter announced Super Follow, a paid service for exclusive content and community access priced at $4.99. Furthermore, the social media giant also announced a Group feature. Other features included Auto blocking.

What do you think of Twitters Undo Send button? Let us know in the comments below.
Soldiers wearing full PPE in the form of face shields, gloves, face masks and bibs wait to assist CCP virus testing at a rapid testing centre in the Liverpool exhibition centre in Liverpool, England, on Nov. 11, 2020. (Paul Ellis / AFP via Getty Images)

Missing Case of Brazilian COVID-19 Variant Found in England

The UK health authorities have located the person who tested positive for the Brazilian COVID-19 variant but did not register their personal information, Public Health England (PHE) confirmed on Friday.

PHE said on Feb. 28 that six cases of the Brazilian P.1 variant had been detected in the UK, three in England, and three more in Scotland. But one of the cases in England could not be traced as they did not complete their test registration card.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on March 2 that the search for the missing case had narrowed down to just 379 households in southeast England.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock speaks during a COVID-19 press conference at Downing Street in London, on Jan. 25, 2021. (John Sibley  WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The government said on Friday that PHE and NHS Test and Trace teams had successfully located the missing individual in Croydon, South London.

The person had been in contact with an individual who travelled from Brazil in early February, authorities said.

PHE is now carrying out enhanced contact tracing with the person and the other members of their household.

The Brazilian P.1 variant carries several mutations that are seen in other variants of concern that are predicted to change the behaviour of the virus, said Nick Loman, professor of microbial genomics and bioinformatics at the University of Birmingham.

These include E484K, which is predicted to make existing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 less effective, as well as N501Y, which is potentially linked to increase transmissibility, he said.

Scientists are concerned that the P.1 variant can re-infect CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus patients more easily.

On Thursday, PHE revealed that 16 cases of a new CCP virus variant had been identified in the UK.

The new variant, VUI-202102/04 (lineage B.1.1.318), understood to have originated in the UK, was first identified on Feb. 15 through genomic horizon scanning.

The variant contains the E484K mutation, but does not feature the N501Y mutation, PHE said.

The UK government has adopted strict travel controls to prevent CCP virus variants from entering the country.

People arriving in England from 33 countries on the UKs red list, including southern Africa, South America, Portugal, and the United Arab Emirates, must enter the country through a designated port and have pre-booked a quarantine package to stay at one of the governments managed quarantine facilities.

In Scotland, the devolved administration is enforcing stricter measures than in England, requiring travellers from all countries except Ireland to quarantine in hotels.
We are constantly informed that it will be data, not dates, which determine how lockdown ends.

In principle, this is a sound idea, as long as the data are reliable, clear and extensive - not inaccurate, vague and selective, as has often been the case throughout the pandemic.

Yet the new Northern Ireland roadmap for exiting lockdown contains neither data nor dates. At least England and Scotland got a timetable of sorts.

Instead, the Executive has provided us with a rainbow of brightly-coloured arrows. These indicate the various stages at which one might, in theory, be permitted to "go to a community fun day" or "meet friends for food with a live musician playing" or even "get a takeaway after 11pm".

They have entitled the document "Moving Forward: The Executive's Pathway Out of Restrictions".

But in no possible sense does it steer a clear path toward the future.

For one thing, the arrows point both ways, somewhat ominously. It's a bit like a game of snakes and ladders, Covid-style. Land on a snake - a scare over a new "deadly variant", say - and we could slither all the way back to lockdown, vaccines or no vaccines.

The complete absence of a timetable means there is no indication of when the journey will start or finish.

Most glaringly of all, the map is devoid of detail about exactly how the Executive will measure when it is safe to reopen each sector of society.

Not surprisingly, business leaders have reacted with dismay. Glyn Roberts of Retail NI said that it "contains vague criteria for moving between the steps and gives no certainty for retailers to plan ahead for reopening".

Simon Hamilton, the former DUP health minister, now leader of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, said: "there is the real risk that no timetable will see many businesses calling it a day".

And that means more lost jobs, more lost livelihoods, more misery and despair.

It now seems to be taken on faith that lockdowns are the only possible answer to controlling Covid. Yet numerous international studies have shown such restrictions to be largely ineffective. Only a totalitarian regime like China - which a disturbing number of people seem to admire - might achieve the brutal suppression and surveillance necessary.

One thing we do know is that lockdowns kill, through untreated conditions, missed diagnoses, economic deprivation and suicides. The UK Government's own study into the effects of the first lockdown alone found it will cause 200,000 unnecessary deaths. Yet I do not detect any sense of urgency in the Stormont master-plan.

In their foreword, Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill announce that lifting restrictions will be guided by "four over-arching principles": decisions will be "evidence-based, necessary, proportionate and sustainable." They speak of a "gradual approach informed by a range of evidence and data".

They say that they "want to be honest and upfront" with people.

Noble aspirations; fine-sounding words.

But if Arlene and Michelle truly mean them, then why does the Executive not release "the range of evidence and data" so that it can be properly scrutinised, analysed and evaluated?

How can we tell if their decisions are sound if they won't reveal the basis on which they are making them?

I'd like to know, for instance, why driving lessons can resume in step two (the phase entitled 'cautious first steps'), yet the full return of pupils to the classroom does not appear until step three ('gradual easing').

We know that being kept away from school is destroying children's wellbeing, and risks leaving them with "permanent scarring", according to Professor Russell Viner, the president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

We also know that kids aren't major drivers of transmission, and that school closures have a limited impact on infections.

So why is learning how to do a three-point turn judged to be more important than getting all youngsters back to the classroom?

Caution may be necessary when unlocking a closed-down society, but excessive caution has a terrible cost.

Our politicians are asking us to trust them with our lives and our freedom. The stakes could not be higher. Yet that trust is not reciprocated, because we are not permitted to see the evidence. We are being treated like little children, told to take the medicine for our own good, by paternalistic doctors who will not tell us the reason why.

The 'Pathway Out of Restrictions' is clearly designed to allow the Executive maximum flexibility and minimum accountability.

But if it were a real road-map, we'd be circling the same nameless roundabout forever.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Detectives have charged a 15-year-old boy in a January shooting that left two women dead and a man injured at a apartment complex in Northeast Albuquerque.

Josef Toney is charged with two open counts of murder, and one count each armed robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse and tampering with evidence in the Jan. 27 deaths of Aerial Mallam, 21, and Jessica Lucero, 31. A warrant has been issued for Toneys arrest.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court:

Police responded around 10 p.m. to reports of gunfire and a child screaming at the Aztec Village Apartments, near Montgomery and Carlisle NE. They found Mallams body outside an upstairs apartment and Luceros body just inside the front door.

Downstairs, officers found Stephen Mitchell, a relative of Mallams, who had been shot three times. Officers learned that a neighbor was looking after Mallams daughter, who was in the apartment when the shooting occurred.

Police found a cellphone, a gun and three different types of shell casings at the scene.

At the hospital, Mitchell told police that Mallam, Lucero and Mallams daughter had just walked upstairs when he heard gunfire. Mitchell said a man came down the stairs, shot at him, tried to steal Mallams car and got into a shootout with Luceros boyfriend, who had been in the parking lot.

Mitchell later identified Toney as the person who shot him.

Soon after the shooting, Toneys father brought the teen into the University of New Mexico Hospital with gunshot wounds. Toney told his father he had been shot at Jefferson Crossing Apartments, which are beside Aztec Apartments, but told police conflicting stories before he asked for a lawyer.

Toney was later released from the hospital and it is unclear if he was ever detained by police.

When they searched the phone found at the scene, police discovered multiple videos of Toney holding guns and doing drugs. Police found Snapchat messages from Toney to Mallams boyfriend, apologizing and saying it was going to happen and was not a robbery but about the respect for his name and family.

Mallams boyfriend was upset about the situation and told police Toney was a friend of his who knew Mallam sold marijuana and had been to her apartment often.

Police tracked down Luceros boyfriend and he told a detective that he had exchanged gunfire with the shooter after Lucero and Mallam were shot. The boyfriend said he got Mallams daughter out of the apartment and left the scene because he had warrants.

A couple who live at the complex contacted police to report that they had given a young man, who had been shot, a ride after the incident. The couple said the man asked them not to call 911 and told them someone tried to rob him and he had shot a couple people. The wife identified Toney as the person they gave a ride to.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................
The Lincoln Memorial (L), Washington Monument (C) and U.S. Capitol (R) are seen on the National Mall in Washington on Oct. 17, 2012. (AFP/Saul Loeb/Getty Images)

Iranian Militia Groups Claim to Have Active Cells in Washington: Report

A Telegram channel affiliated with Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq posted in English a claim that Iraqi resistance cells have the capacity to target U.S. troops in Washington and other U.S. cities, according to a report.

The axis of resistance today is stronger than before. Resistance cells are rooted even in America and its capital, reads the social media post, according to the Middle East Media Research Institute, which posted a screenshot of the message.

The post, which includes a picture depicting caskets of U.S. troops, was made by the Kawtheryoon Electronic Team, a Telegram network said to be used by Iranian militia groups and supporters.

Officials at the Pentagon didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment about the claims.

The Telegram channel post also claimed that terror factions associated with Iran are growing stronger and gaining support, while it called on U.S. forces to withdraw from not only Iraq, but the Middle East entirely.

The group also appeared to threaten Israel, referring to it as the Zionist enemy, saying, I will summarize for you in words only the horror of the south, which is stronger than before, and we have thousands of men like Imad Mughniyeh. Mughniyeh is believed to have been the Iran-aligned Hezbollah chief of staff in Lebanon.

Do not think that you and the Americans, by killing Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, will survive the torment of the resistance, the post added, referring to the Iranian commander and the Iraqi militia commander who were killed in an airstrike last year. We lie in wait for you evil (sic) and the next thing is worse.

Last week, President Joe Biden warned that Iran cant act with impunity and warned the regime to be careful when asked what message he was sending the country with the U.S. airstrikes in Syria.

You cant act with impunity. Be careful, Biden told reporters in Texas.

The United States carried out airstrikes authorized by Biden against facilities belonging to Iranian-backed militia in eastern Syria on March 4, in response to rocket attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq.

Tehran has denied being behind recent attacks in Iraq, against shipping in the Gulf, or on Saudi installations by Yemens Iran-backed Houthis.

On March 3, rockets were again fired at an Iraqi base that hosts U.S. troops, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials. The Pentagon stated the missile defense system at the Al Asad airbase engaged in defense of our forces before adding, We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the individual who died.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 04:18:51|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CAIRO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Israel has surpassed 4.9 million, or 52.7 percent of its total population. Meanwhile, the Omani health authorities announced on Friday that the second doses of COVID-19 vaccines will start to be administered from Sunday.

Israel's Ministry of Health reported 3,779 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, raising the tally in the country to 796,465.

The death toll from the COVID-19 in Israel reached 5,834 after 13 new fatalities were added, while the number of patients in serious condition decreased from 699 to 690, out of 1,091 hospitalized patients.

In Oman, the latest COVID-19 statistics showed that the total number of coronavirus cases has increased to 142,896, including 133,491 recoveries and 1,583 deaths.

In Turkey, the tally of confirmed coronavirus cases climbed to 2,757,460 after 11,302 new infections, including 698 with symptoms, were detected, according to Turkish Health Ministry.

The COVID-19 death toll in Turkey surged by 62 to 28,901, while its total recoveries reached 2,608,848, the ministry said.

So far, over 7.5 million people in Turkey have been vaccinated, including 2.36 million who have received two doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine.

The Iranian health authorities registered 8,367 new COVID-19 infections, raising the country's total number of confirmed cases to 1,673,470.

Between Thursday and Friday, 81 new deaths related to the coronavirus were detected, pushing the death toll up to 60,512, spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education Sima Sadat Lari said at her daily briefing.

The Iraqi Ministry of Health reported on Friday 5,127 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total nationwide infections to 719,121.

It also announced 30 new deaths, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 13,537, while the total recoveries in the country climbed by 3,134 to 653,149.

Morocco registered 420 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally in the North African country to 485,567, the health ministry said in a statement.

The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Morocco increased to 471,410 after 477 new ones were added. The death toll rose to 8,673 with four new fatalities during the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, 3,877,687 people have received so far the first vaccine shot against COVID-19 in the country, and 499,942 people have received the second dose.

The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccines.

Lebanon registered on Friday 3,202 new COVID-19 cases, raising the tally of infections to 390,053, the Health Ministry reported. Meanwhile, the number of deaths went up by 52 to 4,971.

Kuwait reported on Friday 1,613 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 198,110.

The Kuwaiti Health Ministry also announced eight more deaths, taking the death toll to 1,113. The tally of recoveries nationwide rose by 918 to 184,239, while 12,758 coronavirus-related patients were receiving treatment.

The Qatari health ministry on Friday announced 469 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total confirmed number in the Gulf state to 166,015, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

Meanwhile, 337 more were recovered from the virus, bringing the overall recoveries to 155,407, while the death toll increased by one to 261.

Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said on Friday that Palestine has recorded a total of 218,628 COVID-19 cases including 2,333 deaths, after 1,826 new coronavirus cases and 19 more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Enditem
The Hanoi municipal Peoples Committee held a press conference on March 4

Hanoi Peoples Committee on March 4 held a press conference to review socioeconomic development in the first two months of 2021 and announce tasks for the next month to realise the dual tasks of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and boosting development.

Nguyen Anh Dung, Chief of Office of the municipal People's Committee, reviewed the citys socioeconomic performance between January and February. Accordingly, the citys total budget collection by the end of February was VND50.84 trillion($2.2 billion), equal to 95.6 per cent of the same period last year.

The index of industrial production (IIP) was estimated to have risen 7.5 per cent on-year in the first two months. The citys import and export saw strong recovery. Specifically, export turnover in February fell 0.1 per cent on-month but rose 10.7 per cent on-year, resulting in the two-month figure of $2.34 billion, up 12.7 per cent on-year.

Import turnover in February was down 0.2 per cent on-month but increased 29.1 per cent on-year, thus enabling the two-month figure to rise 25.7 per cent on-year to $5.4 billion.

Nguyen Anh Dung, Chief of Office of the municipal People's Committee, chaired the press briefing

Total retail sales and service revenues in February fell 17.4 per cent on-month, but was up 0.4 per cent on-year. In the first two months, the figure rose 4.9 per cent on-year.

During the reviewed period, tourism was seriously hit by the pandemic. International tourist arrivals in February fell 47.4 per cent on-month and 95.1 per cent on-year. In the first two months, the city was estimated to welcome 33,100 tourists, fell 94.2 per cent on-year.

Regarding investment attraction, in February, Hanoi licensed 22 foreign-invested projects with a total registered capital of $12.1 million. In the first two months, the citys total registered foreign investment of newly-licensed and added capital hit $58.9 million.

Regarding COVID-19 prevention and fight, since February 16, Hanoi has reported no new infections.

In March, the city continues to gear up efforts to fulfil the 2021 socioeconomic goals and ensure security and national defence. The Peoples Committee has asked heads of units to make more efforts in COVID-19 prevention and fight so as to realise the dual tasks set out by the government.

In particular, the city will promote exports and the attraction of high-quality foreign direct investment, while strengthening the role of the private sector and accelerating public investment, public investment disbursement, and intensifying support for businesses hit by COVID-19, among others. In the prevention and fight against COVID-19, vaccine purchases and vaccination will be a focus.

Moreover, the city will take action and launch programmes to ensure economic growth in the first quarter, thus creating growth momentum for the other three quarters of 2021, focusing on ensuring sustainable state budget collection, collection tax arrears, managing state budget collection and expenditure, allocation and disbursement of capital for key projects, and accelerating public investment.

The city will continue to support businesses and tax payers who have been hit by COVID-19, intensify administrative reforms, create a more favourable business environment, enhance sci-tech activities, while promoting investment, trade, and tourism.

Linkages in goods consumption as well as supply and demand between Hanoi and other cities and provinces will also be strengthened so as to help deal with problems in goods transportation, while promoting the consumption of farm produce.

Other activities will include intensifying the inspection of market activities, preventing and fighting trade fraud and smuggling, among others.
An airport worker inspects a batch of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines that arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport, HCMC, Feb. 24, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

Prioritized groups will be injected with the first batch of 117,600 AstraZeneca vaccines next Monday after quality checks had been passed, Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long says.

The move came following Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's order, requiring the poor, families under preferential treatment and some prioritized groups approved by the government to be inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine quickly.

The first batch of 30 million vaccines Vietnam ordered from AstraZeneca arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on a flight from Seoul last Wednesday. After working with South Korea to evaluate the quality of the batch, the health ministry said the vaccine is eligible for inoculation, Long told a Friday meeting.

On Saturday, the ministry will host a conference on the implementation of large-scale vaccination, nationwide training on receiving, using and preserving vaccines, as well as handling post-vaccination complications.

Two days later, those directly treating Covid-19 patients at 18 medical facilities and prioritized categories of people in 13 pandemic-hit localities, with Covid-19 epicenter Hai Duong given the highest priority, will be among the first to be vaccinated.

In April, Vietnam would receive an additional 1.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through Covax, a global mechanism for developing, manufacturing and procuring Covid-19 vaccines and supply for member countries.

Long said the vaccination does not guarantee 100 percent immunity against Covid-19.

According to AstraZeneca, the vaccine is 76 percent effective, with the second shot measured at 81 percent.

Therefore, Long stressed everyone continues complying with pandemic prevention measures.

Earlier, the government had approved a list of prioritized groups to be vaccinated against Covid-19, which included frontline medical workers, military, and police forces.

Others in the priority list are teachers, diplomatic personnel, customs and immigration officers, those working in essential services like transport, people aged 65 and above, and those with chronic diseases that make them more vulnerable to the disease.

Those seeking to study or work abroad or are living in pandemic-hit areas are also listed.

While the production of domestic vaccines is underway, the government has speeded up foreign procurement to inoculate prioritized groups.

The government has said it is stepping up negotiations with vaccine manufacturers in the U.S., Russia and some other countries to ensure it could obtain a total 150 million doses to cover 70 percent of its population.

It has also approved the use of Moderna and Sputnik V vaccines.

The email read: I cannot comprehend how killing unborn babies and using their tissue in medicine is obedience to Christ. Earlier in the email the writer acknowledged that I publicly state I am a Christian  then I see a huge problem with your characterization of (the new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as a Godsend.) Killing babies for their parts is not from God, it is evil and clearly from the enemy.

Well, dash me with a bucket of ice water. Please, any size of a jerk who wants to make folly of my deeply held Christian beliefs in order to tell me that the J&J vaccine is the first one (so far) to use aborted fetal cells in the vaccine itself should immediately grasp his own Bible and read, Exodus 20, verses 2 through 17. Pay close attention to the 12th verse where No. 9 of The Ten Commandments warns, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. In short, thats not to tell or spread a lie. And Im pointing my finger 

Guess what? There are absolutely no fetal cells in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. There are none in the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines either. That is nothing but religious hysteria and it is poppycock.

The truth is that scientists at J&J subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals used a stem cell line, one that was collected from an aborted fetus in the Netherlands almost 50 years ago, to help in the creation and testing of what is very much a Godsend in the United States. In the development of our two other vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, stem cell lines were also used in development. So far, 16.4 percent of Americans (82.5 million) have taken the first of two vaccinations.

Over half-million Americans have died in less than a year, but by the end of March, J&J will spread 4 million doses among us. And, by the end of the year? A billion. The J&J vaccine can be stored in regular refrigeration for about a year, and because it is a one-dose inoculation, its arrival is very much a Godsend to Third World countries. It will most assuredly save million upon millions of lives. I believe God wants all of his children to live. For an eternity, too!

At the time I wrote my Tuesday column ballyhooing the arrival of this third vaccine (J&J Vaccine A Godsend, Chattanoogan.com, 3-2-2021), I had no idea what was in the vial. Now that I have heard and read more, I couldnt care less. But yesterday, medical writer Claire Gillespie, writing on Health magazine www.health.com, said the J&J was a huge step toward:

* * *

YES, FETAL CELL LINES WERE USED TO MAKE THE J&J VACCINE

- - - Here's what the controversy is all about. - - -

By Claire Gillespie

(NOTE: This article appeared on the website www.health.com on March 04, 2021)

A few days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an emergency use authorization to Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine on February 27, the vaccine has become a controversial talking point.

Earlier this week, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans urged its parishioners to avoid the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, calling it "morally compromised" because it was developed and tested using cells derived from aborted fetal tissue, reported NBC News on March 2.

The stance conflicts with that of the Vatican, which said in December that it was "morally acceptable" for Roman Catholics to receive any COVID-19 vaccine, even one based on research that originally used cells derived from aborted fetuses.

If you don't have a solid grasp of human biology, this is where it gets pretty confusing. To be clear, there are no vaccines that involve stem cells from aborted fetuses.

"Stem cells are cells that can differentiate (develop) into many different types of other cells or tissues," Brianne Barker, PhD, associate professor of biology at Drew University in New Jersey, tells Health. "The first type of stem cells that were found were embryonic stem cells coming from embryos. Scientists have now figured out how to make other cells into stem cells (called iPS or 'induced pluripotent stem cells'), meaning that embryos do not have to be used."

However, some vaccines are developed with cells that came from fetuses, although those cells are not classified as stem cells. "These are known as cell lines, which can divide indefinitely in the lab," Barker says.

Johnson & Johnson confirmed in a statement released Tuesday that the vaccine formula itself includes no fetal tissue. So, what does make their COVID-19 vaccine so much more controversial than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines?

The particular cells that are involved in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are called PerC6 cells. "These are retinal cells that came from a fetus that was aborted in 1985 in the Netherlands, which were treated in the lab to allow them to reproduce in lab settings since that time," Barker explains.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are differentthey involve HEK293 cells, which also came from an aborted fetus in the Netherlands (in 1973). These cells have also been reproducing in lab settings since that time, Barker says.

The mRNA of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is not made in the HEK293 cells, but the cells are used for testing of these vaccines in early steps of studying the vaccines. "Specifically, the mRNAs are first put into these cells to ensure that the mRNA has no toxicity and is safe," Barker says. "The mRNAs are also put into these cells to make sure that it leads to the production of the correct protein (in this case, the Spike protein from SARS-CoV2)."

On the other hand, the PerC6 cells are used in making the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

"It's an inactivated virus vectored vaccine, which means that it is a disabled virus called adenovirus 26 that contains the DNA to make the Spike protein in addition to some portions of the adenovirus genome," Barker explains. "In order to make the vaccine, the scientists give PerC6 cells DNA so that they can make the parts of the virus and build that molecular machinebasically the PerC6 cells are the factories that make the vaccine for us."

Barker adds that viruses and viral vectors can't be made in a test tube (like the mRNA vaccines are), so they have to be made in some kind of cell. "PerC6 cells are the commonly used cells in the adenovirus vector field for making viruses and is known for being safe and reliable."

Also, human cells have to be used for this process, because they're the only ones that contain the correct sugars to add to the proteins.

A 2015 report from the Congressional Research Service explains that "cultured cells mimic many of the properties that they have in a living body, and therefore can be used as a model for researchers studying basic biological processes."

"These cells (especially HEK293 cells) have been used in the lab to make many different vaccines and many biologic drugs like drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and cystic fibrosis," Barker says.

As the moral debate around the Johnson & Johnson vaccine continues, David Doukas, MD, chair of humanities and ethics at the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, told NBC News that most Catholics will realize it's rare to be given a choice of one vaccine over anotherand that they should take what's available.

"If you need it now and you got one in front of you now, what do you take? The one you have in front of you now," Dr. Doukas told NBC News. However, he added that providers should make it clear what type of vaccine they're administering. "Since a lot of things we do in life are faith-based decisions, it would be prudent to at least let people know," he said.

- - -

DISCLAIMER: The information in this story is accurate as of press time (3-4-2021). However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health.com is trying to keep our stories as up to date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the State of Tennessee Coronavirus website page www.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html and the Hamilton County Dept. of Health www.http://health.hamiltontn.org/AllServices/Coronavirus(COVID-19)/Vaccine.aspxir.

* * *

THE JOHNS HOPKINS Coronavirus Dashboard was just named as the top invention in the world for year 2020 by Time Magazine. Ironically, as it was announced on Thursday, the website got its one billionth (with a b) hit during the news briefing. And again, this is still inside a year.

* * *

ON TUESDAY, quite out of step with the Pope in the Vatican, the Archdiocese of New Orleans decreed no Catholics should take the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Shortly thereafter, the Bishop Richard Stika announced, For the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we as a Church find it to be morally questionable. However, there are going to be situations where you are forced to accept it as the only choice. It would be different if your main intention is to seek out that particular type of vaccine, but at some point, you might not have a choice. God will understand that, Bishop Stika said.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City and Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend said, Pfizer and Modernas vaccines raised concerns because an abortion-derived cell line was used for testing them, but not in their production. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, was developed, tested, and is produced with abortion-derived cell lines raising additional moral concerns.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has judged that when ethically irreproachable Covid-19 vaccines are not available  it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process. the Catholic pronouncement read.

However, if one can choose among equally safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccine with the least connection to abortion-derived cell lines should be chosen. Therefore, if one has the ability to choose a vaccine, Pfizer or Modernas vaccines should be chosen over Johnson & Johnsons.

However, in Chattanooga, TN., Chattanoogan.com writer Roy Exum instead sided with what Dr. Paul Ofitt told CNN: One dose will keep you out of the hospital, keep you out of the intensive care unit, and keep you out of the morgue," said Dr. Ofitt.

He neednt sign such a prescription.

royexum@aol.com
Western Australia is set to remove further coronavirus restrictions, allowing Victorians to visit without quarantining.

Premier Mark McGowan has revealed a raft of changes scheduled to come into effect from 12.01am on Monday, March 15.

Most indoor and outdoor venues, including restaurants, bars and major stadiums, will have their capacity increased to 75 per cent.

The change will allow Optus Stadium to host 45,000 fans for West Coast's round one AFL clash with Gold Coast.

Victoria will transition to the 'very low risk' category under WA's controlled border system (Pictured: passengers arriving at Perth Airport)

A two-square metre rule will continue to apply to venues without fixed seating, including gyms and nightclubs, and at events such as festivals.

Victoria will meanwhile transition to the 'very low risk' category under WA's controlled border system if there are no further outbreaks.

It will be the first time WA has had no quarantine requirements for any state or territory since border restrictions were introduced last April.

'It's an incredible achievement, not just for Victoria but also for the whole nation,' the premier told reporters on Friday.

'No community transmission around Australia means lives and jobs have been saved. All Australians can be proud of this achievement.'

Travellers will still need to complete a G2G pass declaring any recent travel and to undergo health screening and a temperature check.

WA will gradually accept more international arrivals over coming weeks after halving its intake during last month's brief lockdown.

The state's weekly cap will return to 1025 from March 26, which Mr McGowan said would leave WA accepting the most returned Australians per capita.

Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) announced a further of easing restrictions for Western Australia

WA has received its first shipment of 21,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which will be administered from Sunday at a new central clinic at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Emergency service personnel will be invited to book appointments alongside the existing cohort of hotel quarantine and border workers.

WA Police and Department of Fire and Emergency Services staff will be first in line, with other high-risk workers invited to book appointments from Monday.

More than 5500 West Australians have had their first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, with Health Minister Roger Cook admitting it was unlikely the state would meet its aim of 10,000 jabs in the first two weeks.

'We were expecting to be able to distribute the Pfizer vaccine to regional areas more than we've been able to,' he said.

'That's why we've now got the opportunity to distribute the AstraZeneca vaccine.

'I've checked with my colleagues in other states. Western Australia is performing significantly better than most other states on a population basis.'

Mr Cook said regional clinics were due to open in major population centres including Esperance, Albany and Hedland from next week.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

New research indicates that tests of patients' kidney health may provide insights on their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The findings are published in an upcoming issue of JASN.

To calculate an individual's 10-year risk of having a cardiovascular problem, such as a heart attack or stroke, clinicians often use the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score, which is based on the person's age, sex, race, cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, blood pressure-lowering medications used, diabetes status, and smoking status. Experts have noted that additional (non-traditional) risk factors should also be considered when deciding whether patients should take preventive medications such as statins.

To evaluate whether measures of kidney functioncalled the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and the estimated glomerular filtration ratemight be useful, a team led by Guang Ning, MD, Ph.D. and Weiqing Wang, MD, Ph.D. (Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine) examined data from the China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort study, which is a large, nationwide, multicenter, prospective study of Chinese residents aged 40 years and older.

The team found that the addition of the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and the estimated glomerular filtration rate further improved estimates of future cardiovascular disease risk on top of the ASCVD risk score calculated by traditional risk factors.

"For the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, a comprehensive evaluation using both traditional and non-traditional risk factors is important," said Dr. Wang. "Evaluation using traditional risk factors such as glucose, blood pressure, and lipids could make a first stratification on your risk, and further evaluation using non-traditional risk factors related to kidney health could significantly refine the stratification and predict the risk more accurately."

Explore further Assessing risk of heart disease no different for individuals with obesity

More information: "Cardiovascular Risk Based on ASCVD and KDIGO Categories in Chinese Adults: A Nationwide, Population-based, Prospective Cohort Study," JASN, DOI: 10.1681/ASN.2020060856 "Cardiovascular Risk Based on ASCVD and KDIGO Categories in Chinese Adults: A Nationwide, Population-based, Prospective Cohort Study,"
With more and more Americans being vaccinated, American society is graduatly reopening. But not all the businesses survived from the pandemic . According to American resturants association, more than 400k restarants all over the country have been permanently closed by the impact of the pandemic.

The vaccination in CT goes smoothly and efficiently. As other states, the first group of people in CT got vaccination at the end of DEC, 2020, they were doctors and nurses. Given the limited vaccine doses, CT governor Lamont administraton set the vaccine prioritization rule. The rule was based on works, ages and health conditions of people. Back then, teachers were not listed as the essential workers, only school nurses were listed in the same group of health care workers and got vaccinated in JAN-FEB of 2021. Teachers and other school staffs are put behind. In a last month radio broadcast program, Governor and other health officials were invited to answer questions from listeners. A bounch of education-related listeners called in to express their desires of being vaccinated as early as possible. They expressed the grounds from their point of views. At that time, Governor praised the educators, he appreciated their dedication to students, but he said since the shortage of vaccines, teachers still cant be vaccinated ahead of essensial workers like restaurant workers and grocery store workers.

As time goes by, reopening school became the top priority in the whole socity reopening plan. more and more people admitted the bad outcome from school-closing. According to a national wide survey, in the past more than 6 months, the academy of American High school students who have been taking remote classes is in danger, they didnt meet the academic standards they should do, the improvement is minor.

Pfizer and Moderna are the first 2 vaccines being approved and used. Both are two doses vaccines. I asked people already being vaccinated how did they feel. None of them said they got severe reactions, most of them got very mild side effects which were totally tolerable. They are people age over 65. Last week, John& Johnsons one shot vaccine was approved by FDA, It will help speed up the vaccination. I cant wait to see schools go back to normal. Hopefully that can happen in Fall.

End of last month, governor Lamonts team changed the rule of vaccine prioritization. The new rule is based on age, not by works. Also all the people working in school will be vaccinated since March 1st. Same as other rules responsing to COVID-19 announced by Governor Lamont, I supported this new rule too. This Friday and next Friday are the days teachers and staffs getting their vaccination, all the students will do remote learning. I told my son at the dinner table, he said he knew. According to the district superintendent, the vaccination plan changed twice which caused a little bit chaos. Sicne there is not enough storage for Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, all the teachers will get John&Johnsons one shot vaccine.

3/4/2021
Its like a puzzle

When the Pregnancy Discrimination Act passed in 1978, it made it illegal for employers to consider pregnancy in hiring, firing and promotion decisions.

But the law also noted that pregnant women or those affected by pregnancy- and childbirth-related conditions should be treated the same as, and receive the same benefits as, others who are similar in their ability or inability to work.

If that last part sounds vague, thats because it is: It has been tripping up employers, employees and lawyers ever since it was passed, raising questions around what counts as similar and what kinds of benefits the employer should provide.

That provision has been litigated through the roof, said Dina Bakst, the co-director of A Better Balance, a national advocacy organization that provides free legal advice for pregnant women facing discrimination, and which helped Congress craft the PWFA. Pregnant workers literally need to jump through legal hoops to prove that theyre being treated worse than others similar in their ability or inability to work.

Recognizing a need, 30 states and several other local governments have enacted their own pregnancy accommodation laws, creating a patchwork of different laws. But this only intensified the confusion.

Theres no clear standard, said Alex Berke, an employment lawyer at the New York-based Berke-Weiss Law firm who specializes in pregnancy discrimination cases. Its like a puzzle.

In practice, if a pregnant woman needs to switch to lifting lighter loads during her shift, she not only has to have that difficult conversation with her manager but  if her request is denied  she needs to find out if others who are similar in their ability, per the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, are being treated differently. At this point, she can get a lawyer involved and file a lawsuit that could take years to litigate, far outlasting the pregnancy itself.


Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for once again exposing its "true colours" on the issue of the farm laws and the farmers' agitation by walking out of the House before the resolution seeking repeal of the legislations was put to vote. In a statement issued here, the Chief Minister said that the party had never been truly concerned about protecting the farmers or their interests, and its leadership again proved itself to be an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with whom AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was colluding against the agitating farmers. Amarinder Singh, who had earlier in the House shown to the members a copy of the Delhi gazette notification implementing one of the three farm laws, reiterated that the party was cheating the farmers with its false propaganda in their support. The fact is that they have repeatedly backstabbed the farmers, and have done so ago, he said, recalling AAP's earlier U-turns also on the issue in Punjab. In the House earlier, AAP members had rushed into the well before staging a walk-out, alleging that the Chief Minister was a member of the high-powered committee set up by the Centre on agricultural reforms and hence party to the decision on the farm laws. Even though the Chief Minister himself made it clear that he was not present at any meeting of the committee, where his minister Manpreet Badal had attended one meeting while another was participated by an officer and Manpreet also categorically stated that the state government was not aware of the Ordinances, the AAP chose to create a ruckus in the House on the issue. It was evident, Amarinder Singh said later, that the AAP was not interested in the truth but wanted to continue with its malicious agenda of spreading misinformation on the issue. As pointed out by Manpreet Singh in the House, the Chief Minister said that all the minutes of the committee meetings were available as the state government had placed them in the House. Further, at both the meetings held after Punjab was included in the committee following his letter to the Centre, his government had categorically cautioned the Centre against tinkering with the minimum support price (MSP) in any way, he added.




The growing stores of COVID-19 vaccines are widely regarded as a positive factor for foreign investment mobilisation this year as the world tries to move back to some kind of normality.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong talks about the solutions Vietnam will take to mobilise foreign investment and move forward.

While global supply chains continue to adjust to current restrictions, what can be done to mobilise high-quality investment?

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong

Trade conflicts among major economies worldwide and the severe consequences of the pandemic since last year have been accelerating the relocation of big corporations to avoid high tariffs and reduce risks. Of these, numerous countries have also promulgated attractive policies for foreign direct investment (FDI), while Vietnam has got its own advantages to welcome investment, as well as carried out some outstanding solutions and innovative measures to meet the demand of potential investors.

Vietnam has been ready to welcome new investors based on huge clean land areas, power sources for production, high-quality human resources, supporting industries, and simplified administrative procedures.

For large-scale projects which apply high technologies, generate a lot of added value, and maintain close links with local enterprises, special incentives have already been built, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) in collaboration with other ministries has drafted and submitted to the government.

Despite the pandemic, some online meetings, dialogues, and investment promotion conferences between Vietnamese authorities and overseas investors have been organised to update new policies, incentives, and feedback for their concerns, including some of largest technology corporations in the world.

Besides this, the MPI proactively works with diplomatic agencies, business associations, consultancies, banks, and investment funds to approach more investors that are already interested in this destination. Meanwhile, a task force responsible for FDI attraction led by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh and supported by MPI Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has been established to call for as many foreign-invested projects as possible.

The MPI has also created more favourable conditions for foreign experts and senior engineers to enter the country to work. Despite the pandemic, last year over 10,000 experts arrived in Vietnam to carry out various business. However, there remain some obstacles in Vietnam, including institutional issues, infrastructure, and human resources. Despite this, many solutions have been taken to improve the investment climate.

Vietnam has identified a number of prioritised sectors. Of these, in which sectors does Vietnam have the competitive advantage to foster FDI attraction?

In our research based on Vietnams advantages and discussions with some major investors, we see some priority given to mobilising FDI in processing and manufacturing (electronics, equipment, automobiles, steel, chemicals, textiles and garments, and footwear and leather); consumption goods and retail; e-commerce; and logistics due to the favourable location, abundant human resources, and large, accessible market thanks to new-generation free trade agreements signed in recent years.

Additionally, there are a lot of opportunities for Vietnam to lure relocating and restructuring projects in such sectors as IT, high technologies, and innovation, which can enable local businesses to join their supply chains in high-added-value phases, along with training human resources, investing into research and development, and contributing to the sustainable development of the country.

There are particular policies for every locality in addition to general policies. What solutions are to be put in place to avoid a race to the bottom in which localities jostle to attract or retain economic activity?

Some localities issued their own incentives to lure more investment but this was already addressed a long time ago. At present, there are only general policies issued by the government in terms of mobilising FDI in particular, and localities are not allowed to build their own. However, they can support investors in land clearance, administrative procedures, human resources supply, and connecting with local supporting businesses.

Besides this, localities can organise various investment promotion activities and show off their advantages and potential. These improve the investment climate of both the province and the country.

The MPI plays the role of central-level coordinator to manage all local investment promotion activities, ensure their efficiency, avoid duplication, and ensure they are in line with the relevant FDI attraction policies.

According to the prime ministers Decision No.03/2014/QD-TTg on the regulation of state management over investment promotion activities, the MPI reviews investment promotion programmes of every ministry, agency, and locality annually in order to manage the performance of all investment promotion activities, and call for much more reputable investors into Vietnam.

There remains risk of new outbreaks in Vietnam as international flights carry overseas experts into the country. How do you assess these risks and their impact on FDI attraction this year?

Tens of thousands of people, including overseas Vietnamese, have returned home and foreign experts arrived in the country to work. This has contributed to resuming operation of numerous businesses.

Of course, these flights carry some risks. During the last five months, the Ministry of Health and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention have done well to manage pandemic infection rates. Individual high-profile cases have also alerted Vietnam to strengthen some solutions. Since then, the prime minister has asked localities to re-test all foreign experts that had just entered the country. Newly-arrived vaccines will partially alleviate concerns of the outbreak or increasing infection rates, and raise expectations to welcome more foreign experts and investors.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investments Foreign Investment Agency, as of February 20, the countrys total newly-registered and added capital, as well as investment into capital contribution and share purchases amounted to $5.46 billion, equivalent to 84.4 per cent of the same period last year.

Of this, there were 126 newly-registered projects (down 74.8 per cent on-year) with the total investment of $3.31 billion, down 33.9 per cent on-year. The outstanding new project in these two months are the $1.3 billion O Mon II thermal power plant in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, developed by a joint venture between Vietnam Trading Engineering Construction JSC and Marubeni Corporation from Japan, which received its investment certificate at the end of January. Some 115 projects (down 23.8 per cent on-year) expanded capital with a total value of $1.61 billion, 2.5 times as much as last year, largely driven by the LG Display Haiphong project which increased capital by $750 million. There were 445 instances of capital contributions and share purchases (down 71.9 per cent on-year) with the total investment of $543.1 million (down 34.4 per cent).

The disbursement of foreign capital reached $2.5 billion in the first two months, up 2 per cent on-year.



VIR



Raya seeks the help of the legendary dragon, Sisu. Seeing what's become of Kumandra, Sisu commits to helping Raya fulfill her mission in reuniting the lands. Featuring Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of Raya and Awkwafina as the voice of Sisu. 'Raya and the Last Dragon' will be in theatres and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021. (Disney)

Disney is expanding its catalogue of Disney princesses, this time taking inspiration from Southeast Asian cultures in Raya and the Last Dragon (releasing on Disney+ for $34.99 in Canada, with a subscription).

She's the next iteration of the Disney princess," writer Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asian) said told Yahoo Canada."She is not just a princess in terms of the more like superficial qualities but she's a leader and she's a warrior, and I feel like that's a very new heroine that we can all sort of get behind.

You may be accustomed to seeing dragons as evil creatures but in the land of Kumandra, its quite the opposite. In this fantasy land, dragons and humans lived together until the Druun arrived, a force that turns living things to stone. The once unified land of Kumandra separates into five lands, Heart, Fang, Spine, Talon, and Tail, with their own resources and climate, leaving the dragons extinct.

Raya is the daughter of Benja, chief of Heart, guarding the magical dragon gem until conflict between the lands leads to the gem being broken. Raya ends up on a journey to find Sisu, the last dragon, and the gemstone pieces. Along the way, with her companion Tuk Tuk by her side, she forms a group to help her on her quest, including a baby con artist and some monkeys.

Actor Kelly Marie Tran takes on the voice of Raya and truly, she's a great fit. Tran brings forward a strength and sincerity to the character that's incredibly essential.

"I think what's unique about Raya is her character as a female warrior," head of story Fawn Veerasunthorn told Yahoo Canada."Growing up as a tomboy, I think I would have loved to see her character as a kid."

If you have been longing for another great comedic Disney character, reminiscent of Robin Williams as the Genie in Aladdin (lets face it, Will Smith didnt necessarily give us humorous substitute we we were hoping for), Awkwafina as Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon is just perfect.

Story continues

Sisu has the larger-than-life personality of Awkwafina and she will have you laughing out loud as she accompanies Raya on this journey. This should definitely be a role that goes down in Disney history as one of the most entertaining characters weve seen.

Aside from the characters, Raya and the Last Dragon is simply visually stunning. The richness and depth of colours, the details in the landscape, it's like you're having a full sensory experience, even though you're just watching a movie.

"The world building was to a degree I've never seen before," director Don Hall told Yahoo Canada. "I'm very proud of how the film was able to still accomplish all the humour, all the heart, really bad-ass action scenes...but it's all held together very cohesively."

Recovering a piece of her fractured Dragon Gem, Sisu discovers the ability to shape-change into human form. Featuring Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of Raya and Awkwafina as the voice of Sisu. (Disney)

'We didn't have a lot of other movies...to compare it'

This movie is led by strong, female characters, Raya, Sisu and Namaari (Gemma Chan), Raya's nemesis, although they did have a history of bonding as younger children. A core component of the story is working through the evolution of the friendships between the three characters.

When we sat in the story room and were working on this movie, we didn't have a lot of other movies, certainly not Hollywood movies, to compare it to, producer Osnat Shurer revealed to Yahoo Canada, adding that she hopes this film can open up the conversation in future story rooms as well.

Lim shared, while working on her first Disney production, that when she was taking the elevator from the parking garage to the Disney offices she saw several other young Asian women, something she has never seen at another Hollywood studio.

Veerasunthorn identified that it was one of the first times in meetings when she had to get clarification on which "she" someone was referring too when discussing the story.

"We were able to portray females, not only females but Asian characters, in many different lights," she said. "There's the good, the bad, the funny, the goofy and serious one, and I love that about this movie."

"I think it will kind of portray people as people."

The group that worked on the project took research trips throughout Southeast Asia, including Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore.

In terms of building these five worlds, director Carlos Lopez Estrada explained this was also a way to pull from the diversity of Southeast Asia. Even the architecture and the food available in each of the five lands in the film are meant to tap into different characteristics of different Southeast Asian cultures.

It was very empowering to be able to see things that come from my cultures, or cultures that are adjacent to mine, that are celebrated, writer Qui Nguyen told Yahoo Canada.

It was fun to see the different foods that were up there...like Malaysian cooking or Thai cooking or Vietnamese cooking,... an element of Filipino architecture or something like that that was just so fun to be able to just see your background celebrated in this way, it's very moving.

Nguyen actually ended up assisting to bring in culturally accurate Southeast Asian fighting styles for this bad-ass, action packed film. He had experience as a fight director and in doing martial arts himself, and this opportunity allowed for the celebration of the fighting styles he grew up with that arent often seen on the screen.

Unlike kung fu or karate, the shapes, the weapons that we use are very different, he explained.

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON - As an evil force threatens the kingdom of Kumandra, it is up to warrior Raya, and her trusty steed Tuk Tuk, to leave their Heart Lands home and track down the last dragon to help stop the villainous Druun. (Disney)

'I never got to see a Southeast Asian hero'

One thing is critically clear from everyone involved in front of and behind the camera: Everyone needs to be able to see themselves in movies and the absence of representation has significantly impacted people.

For someone like myself, growing up in the '70s and the '80s, I didn't see anything and I feel like that has been the same way, representation-wise, for a very long time, Canadian actor Sandra Oh who voices Virana, Namaari's mother, said at the virtual press conference for the movie.

Especially for the much younger generation, to have a space for them to be heard, it's an exhilarating change for someone like myself to be a part of and to witness.

We owe it to people like you, Thalia Tran, the voice of the con artist baby Little Noi said in response to Oh.

For Nguyen, he highlighted that he is now getting to create the superhero that he wanted to see his whole life.

Growing up in a small town in Arkansas, I never got to see a Southeast Asian hero, especially at a magnitude of a Disney animated film, Nguyen said.

This is a big Hollywood movie that I think kids that look like me, that have been longing to see a hero like this, get to celebrate. Not just for themselves but with their friends that maybe aren't of that race, I think that's a very empowering thing to feel."

Daniel Dae Kim, who voices chief Benja, added that its important to not undervalueand underestimate that these characters are in a Disney movie, which will largely be watched by families.

I'm also thinking about all the children who will be seeing Raya for the first time and seeing an Asian, strong female who kicks ass," Kim said. She's on the path to becoming a ruler and she's being groomed by her father to do that in a loving relationship."

Young Raya looks up to her beloved father Benja, Chief of the Heart Lands. Benja, the legendary Guardian of the Dragon Gem, is an idealistic and bold visionary who seeks to reunite the fractured kingdom of Kumandra and restore harmony. Featuring Daniel Dae Kim as the voice of Chief Benja. (Disney)

Message of trust

The core message of the film is trust, something that is especially important today, during a pandemic and in a world where many groups of people are living in a more fragmented society.

It's funny how a movie that has been worked on for so long really comes with a message that feels so, so timely Estrada said.

At a time when we continue to hear about anti-Asian hate crimes, Oh went on to say that she was extremely moved by the theme of trust throughout the movie.

Art is here to pose questions...and to potentially suggest possibilities, she said. I think even if we start with that question to see in oneself. Who do I trust? How am I not trusting? Can I trust? Can I trust that other side?

You have to be willing to have your heart broken again and again and again, just to keep it open. Because I think that we know hate is not finished by hate. It is only won over by love.

Tran revealed that there is a moment near the end of the movie where Raya gets angry and for her, seeing a woman feel that anger and having her friends pull her out of it felt so real.

You do get to that place sometimes where you feel like, 'oh this a very broken world and I'm feeling a lot of things right now' and recognizing, for me, gosh that moment felt so grounded in reality, she said. Acknowledging that there's a lot of pain that happens there and recognizing that...the only way to really get through it is to look for the bits of hope in your community.

I think everyone on this call is doing impossible things in a world that told us we couldn't. So I'm grateful to be part of that, to be making a movie with all of you guys about that same thing, with these characters who are also trying to fight for a world that feels impossible and hopeless sometimes.
The European Parliament has refused to fix a date for its vote on the post-Brexit trade deal with the UK, infuriated by the British governments decision to extend a grace period for checks on some food imports to Northern Ireland  something that Brussels perceives as a violation of the Brexit deal.

The UK decision to extend a grace period for checks on some goods heading to Northern Ireland, which is still in the EU single market, has met with furious backlash, with Brussels threatening to resort to infringement proceedings against the British government, reports the Financial Times.

The waiver from rules agreed upon by the two sides that allowed supermarkets and suppliers to dodge some of the bureaucratic hassle typically linked with the food trade was due to expire on 1 April, with the UK announcing on Thursday an extension until 1 October.

The decision was branded as a very negative surprise by Maros Sefcovic, the vice president of the European Commission.

Sefcovic, who is in charge of overseeing the post-Brexit trade deal hammered out between Brussels and London last year, was cited as saying that the European Commission regarded the developments as a breach of the 2019 divorce treaty.

The Northern Ireland protocol had been set in place to prevent a hard trade border on the island of Ireland after the UK exited the European Union in the wake of Brexit.

We are currently preparing it and it would be really something coming to our table very soon. The most precise term I can give you is really very soon, he was quoted by the FT as saying.

The vice president of the European Commission did not offer any further details regarding the possible legal options, or whether the matter might be considered in the European Court of Justice.

Britains divorce terms with the EU envisage a spate of options for resolving any disputes that might arise, and arbitration could potentially lead to penalties such as fines and tariffs.

The threat of legal action against the UK is not the first, as in October last year, the commission launched infringement proceedings against the British government for breaching its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement after the latter tabled the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill' on 9 September 2020.

If adopted, the internal market legislation, seen by Brussels as flagrantly violating the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland, would have allowed Britain to override elements of the 2019 Brexit divorce deal.

The legal action did not proceed as Johnson removed the offending clauses in December ahead of the signing of a landmark trade deal with Brussels.

Inflamed UK-EU Tensions

The current frustration in Brussels comes as David Frost, the Cabinet Office minister, and formerly Boris Johnsons Brexit negotiator, announced that the UK was extending a series of exemptions designed to ease trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain to allow for negotiations on permanent arrangements to continue.

The Northern Ireland protocol, as per the withdrawal agreement, means that Northern Ireland remains aligned to various EU rules, accordingly requiring checks on goods arriving into the region from Great Britain.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman on Thursday said that the EU had been informed about its decision at official level earlier in the week.

"We also informed the Irish government earlier this week, and then Lord Frost last night in his call with Sefcovic obviously discussed this at length and set out the rationale and reasons for it," said the spokesman, referring to discussions between David Frost, in charge of ties with the EU, and European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic, according to Reuters.

Rejecting EU's accusations, the spokesman added that such "types of operational measures are well-precedented and common in other international trade agreements and are entirely consistent with our intention to fulfil our obligations under the protocol in good faith."

Amid the row, UK officials have been reportedly saying that the EU was moving too slowly in negotiations to avoid potential supermarket shortages in Northern Ireland.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made an effort to placate Brussels, saying the government was taking temporary and technical measures to ensure an uninterrupted trade flow.

Im sure with a bit of goodwill and common sense all these technical problems are eminently solvable, he stated on Thursday.

Downing Street insisted that it remained committed to the Northern Ireland protocol.

EU officials, however, have lambasted the move by the UK, with MEPs warning that ratification of the two sides wider trade and cooperation agreement is currently at stake.

According to Sefcovic, the recent British move had very strong parallels with the row in relations last autum,n when Britain intended to breach international law by overwriting parts of the Withdrawal protocol.

It's a bit deja vu It fundamentally also calls into question the good faith of the UK in all the discussions on Northern Ireland these last months, an EU diplomat was cited as saying.

(SPUTNIK)
Science fiction and fantasy films offered a glimpse of holographic technology, from Princess Leias plea for help, to Tony Stark delivering parting words. More than keeping rebel efforts alive, or a grieving family finding closure, holograms can do so much more.

Think of a warehouse setting. Rows upon rows and pallets  that one can only hope are properly labeled  are all the eyes can see. Maintaining efficiency and order is a concert of time-consuming, error prone, manual tasks, making inventory management a mountain that could be a molehill.

Recently, visual technology provider IKIN announced Federated Wireless selected the firm to collaborate in order to provide the USMC improved materials management and efficiency while cutting necessary training time.

IKIN Chief Executive Officer Joe Ward explained in a recent interview, There is a huge amount of human error that occurs in controlling inventory. It is not uncommon to find the wrong inventory, as these warehouses are hundreds of thousands of square feet. Creating a digital twin using discreet AI and mapping out storage enables a team member to see exactly what is where  literally see.

The IKIN RYZ accessory attaches to the device  smartphone, tablet, PC  and even in ambient light, creates a holographic image.

Ward went on to highlight how when 5G hit the scenes there was, A big push by government to get 5G services, hungry looking for ways to benefit. 5G is bigger, stronger, faster, but we werent. Ward and Co-founder Taylor Scott went to work to create, some very unique software.

He continued, We are not producing an entirely new operating system that has to be learned. Both user and developers meet with a familiar interface and experience. Its all of the same 14 levels of code to create software on mobile, Ward stated.

Underscoring an importance on development partners, Scott and Ward decided to be an open platform. IKIN source code is available in Unity, and automatically work with the RYZ device. Competitive visual platforms like Magic Leap and Oculus are not only extraordinarily difficult to develop for, but Ward also noted, 40% of the population cant even use the goggles. 

In embracing an open approach, IKIN is looking for developer partners with a revenue share relationship to augment and extend the ecosystem of value-add solutions. This Summers ITEXPO showcases IKIN University on June 22nd, where #TechSuperShow will host the worlds first instructional program to empower software developers, and enhance emerging applications and services.

Ward explained, We already have relationships in terms of integrating holographic capabilities, and with a lot of pressure to be a gaming company, I want to be more than that. IKIN is galvanizing efforts to build out content partners and distribution channels, while delivering use cases  like the USMC  and keeping an eye to the opportunity in the B2B space.

Stay tuned. IKIN isnt sitting on laurels.

Well see you in Miami.

Edited by Maurice Nagle

Ex-Fleet Street editor Roy Greenslade should have been more honest over his 'obnoxious' lifelong support for the IRA, the former editor of the Guardian said yesterday.

Alan Rusbridger said Mr Greenslade, 74, who worked for him at the newspaper, ought to have been 'frank about his own political beliefs and attachments' when writing about Northern Ireland matters.

He urged his former newspaper to include disclaimers on articles which remain online.

Ex-Fleet Street editor Roy Greenslade (right) should have been more honest over his 'obnoxious' lifelong support for the IRA, the former editor of the Guardian Alan Rusbridger (left) said yesterday.

Mairia Cahill (pictured), who has waived her right to anonymity, said that after she was interviewed for a BBC Northern Ireland investigation, Mr Greenslade wrote an article in The Guardian attacking 'the lack of political balance' in the report

The Guardian is investigating a complaint made by Mairia Cahill, who was attacked in a 2014 article by Mr Greenslade after disclosing an alleged rape by an IRA member.

Mr Greenslade said the former Sinn Fein member should have disclosed that she was previously a 'member of a dissident republican organisation with an anti-Sinn Fein agenda' and accused a BBC documentary outlining her claims as 'lacking political balance'  while hiding his own support for the IRA and Sinn Fein.

In an article for the British Journalism Review, which emerged at the weekend, Mr Greenslade, a former editor of the Daily Mirror and journalism lecturer, described how he was a supporter of IRA violence and wrote for the republican newsletter An Phoblacht under a pseudonym.

While doing so, Mr Greenslade worked for newspapers which vociferously opposed IRA terrorism. He later became the Guardian's long-standing media columnist, but occasionally wrote about Ulster, before retiring last year.

The former professor of journalism at City, University of London, was a friend of suspected Hyde Park bomber (pictured: The scene after the 1982 attack) John Downey and from the 1980s wrote for the republican newsletter An Phoblacht

Last night Mr Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian from 1995 to 2015, said: 'All editors must wish he had been transparent at the time rather than leaving this until after he retired.

'The best route to trust is transparency and I suspect all the editors that Roy worked for, not to mention the readers, wish Roy had been more transparent about his own political beliefs.'

Referring to the piece attacking Miss Cahill, he added: 'I think it would have been better for Roy to have been frank about his own political beliefs and attachments.

'I think it would serve readers well to append ... the articles that remain online, noting what he has now made public about his beliefs and attachments.'

Mr Rusbridger stressed that Mr Greenslade had 'no input into any Guardian editorial line on Northern Ireland', adding: 'I find support for the IRA obnoxious.'

A Guardian spokesman said its independent readers' editor was investigating. Mr Greenslade could not be reached for comment.
13:02 | Lima, Mar. 5.

"A new batch of 50,000 (doses) is arriving next Thursday; therefore, it will be added to the 50,000 with which we are starting (the process); from there, every week 50,000 will arrive. So, by the end of March, we will have 250,000 doses from Pfizer, followed by 800,000 in April ," he said in remarks to America Noticias.
The Apple spring event 2020 was canceled because of the global pandemic. But it is not beyond the knowledge of Apple fans and tech-savvies that the company's event every fall is composed of exciting announcements regarding updates or even new technology that will be part of the company's premium roster handsets.

It has been five months since the iPhone 12 series was released in the market, and fans are happy about the new handheld phone the company has offered. BGR noted that this year, signs are pointing that company might release new products this fall with or without Spring event 2021.

READ MORE: 'Wakeout' by Two Guatemalans Named as Apple's Top App of 2020

Products Worth Looking Forward to by Apple

Aside from the interesting announcement, TechiAzi reported that the usual spring event also had announcements on the new technology that the company will release in the market. This is one of the highlights in every Apple spring event. To give you an idea of what to look forward to, here are the gadgets rumored to be announced by Apple at some point.

New iPad Pro

With a great display and maneuver, this tablet PC from the company was loved by graphic designers and artists in making their digital arts. Released in 2015 with their 12.9-inch version, BGR reported that the device is one of Apple devices' lines due for a refresh. Rumors have circulated that the company is preparing to launch a version of the device with a mini-LED display. However, the soon-to-be featured version will only match the chipset of the iPhone 12.

New iPad Mini

9to5 Mac shared that Apple is also working on a new version of the iPad Mini to be released this month. The update of the said device will feature a display the size of 8.4 inches with smaller bezels. Unfortunately, the new design will not feature a similar design to the iPad 4 and iPad Pro and will retain the top and bottom bezels, Touch ID, and home button.

AirPods 3

According to Gear Patrol, reports have been circulating that Apple is working on a new design of AirPods with a new look that features a shorter stem and swappable silicone ear tips similar to the AirPods Pro. The charging case is also set for a redesign as photos leaked showed a more compact design.

Apple TV

9to5 Mac also mentioned that a new Apple TV might also be released this year. Reports said the device is still on track for sometime in 2021, but details are still unclear. Thus, recent rumors could not confirm if the new version of the streaming device will be released this fall.

Even with or without the Apple spring event 2021, these are the roster of devices that might come out soon or probably later this year. We can't wait to get a hold of these devices.

RELATED ARTICLE: World Emoji Day 2020: Coming Apple iOS Emojis, Most Used Coronavirus Emojis Revealed

WATCH: Apple's March Event (2021) Will Be PACKED - New iPad Pro, AirPods 3, iPhone SE Plus & More! - From GregsGadgets
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
A sign is seen at a McDonald's restaurant in Queens, New York, on March 17, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

McDonalds to Keep Dining Rooms Closed in Texas, Mississippi

McDonalds Corp will keep dining rooms in its Texas and Mississippi restaurants closed, even as the two U.S. states lifted coronavirus curbs allowing businesses to reopen at full capacity.

The fast-food chain told Reuters on Thursday it was not planning to make any changes to its COVID-19 protocols right away.

The decline in the new number of daily COVID-19 cases and the rollout of vaccines prompted state and local governments to ease business restrictions in recent weeks, reopening movie theaters at limited capacity and resuming indoor dining in some parts of the country.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and Texas Governor Greg Abbott lifted their states mask order and removed all restrictions on businesses earlier this week.

Several quick-service restaurants have resorted to drive-thru, delivery, and pick-up services to limit contact and reduce the chances of its customers contracting the virus, even after lockdowns were lifted.

McDonalds will look at state- and country-level data, assess case rates to make any decision on reopening dining rooms in the future, it confirmed.

General Motors, Toyota Motor, Target Corp., Macys Inc., and Kroger have also not made any changes to their mask policies.

By Nivedita Balu and Hilary Russ
Anissa Weier, 19, is appearing before a judge on Wednesday and asking for her conditional release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh, where she was sentenced to 25 years in 2017. Pictured: Weier at her sentencing hearing, December 2017

One of the two Wisconsin teenagers convicted of stabbing a classmate to please the fictional internet horror character Slender Man is expected to ask for her release from a mental health facility.

Anissa Weier was 12 years old when she and her friend Morgan Geyser attacked classmate Payton Leutner in a Milwaukee suburb in 2014, nearly killing her.

Weier pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide, but a jury found her not criminally responsible due to a mental disease.

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren sentenced her to 25 years at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh in 2017.

But on Wednesday, Weier, now 19, is scheduled to appear before the same judge and ask for her conditional release, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

At the hearing, Bohren will determine whether Weier still poses 'a significant risk' of bodily harm to herself or others or of seriously damaging property if conditionally released.

Weier (left) was 12 years old when she and her friend, Morgan Geyser (right), stabbed classmate Payton Leutner in 2014 and left her for dead

Leutner (pictured) managed to survive by crawling out of the woods an onto a path where a passing bicyclist found her

During the hearing, Bohren will listen to medical professionals who evaluated Weier in recent months.

Her father claims she suffered from no mental illness but psychologists said Weier suffers from shared delusional disorder - a delusion among two or more people who are in a close relationship - due to Geyer's undiagnosed schizophrenia, according to the Journal Sentinel.

Other professionals says she has schizotypal personality disorder, in which people tend to hold strange beliefs and cannot pick up social cues.

If Bohren finds 'clear and convincing evidence' that Weier is still a danger to herself and others, he will deny her request.

If that occurs, Weier will likely return to a secure mental health facility, and can petition for her conditional release every six months.

The girls claimed they carried out the attack to become servants for the fictional horror character Slender Man (above)

This is the first time she is requesting her release because, under the terms of her plea deal, she agreed to not do so for at least three years.

However, if she is released, case managers would be assigned to her so she can become 'successful and productive' in society, the Journal Sentinel reports.

She will be monitored until she is 37 and if she violated any of the terms of her release, it will be revoked.

Court documents reveal that the girls became fascinated with Slender Man through the Creepypasta Wiki website and planned for months to kill Leutner.

Both Geyser and Weier told investigators they felt they had to kill Leutner to become Slender Man's 'proxies,' or servants.

They said that the character would kill their families if they didn't follow through with the plan.

In May 2014, during a sleepover for Geyser's birthday, they lured Leutner into woods at a Waukesha park .

Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times, as Weier encouraged her, leaving the girl to die. All three girls were 12 years old at the time.

The Journal Sentinel reports that they pinned Leutner down and Weier told Geyser: 'Go ballistic, go crazy.'

If her request is denied, she will return to the mental health facility and can petition for her conditional release every six months, but, if approved, she will have case managers assigned to help her integrate into society and she will be monitored until she is 37. Pictured: Weier listens during the jury selection in the trial to determine her competency, September 2017

Geyser pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted homicide and in 2017 was found not guilty by reason of insanity, and was sentenced to 40 years in a mental health institution. Pictured: Geyser at a status hearing in court, September 2017

Leutner managed to survive by crawling out of the woods an onto a path where a passing bicyclist found her.

Weier received the maximum sentence in December 2017 after more than three years of mental evaluations and failed attempts to get the case moved to juvenile court.

At Weier's sentencing hearing, Bohren said he saw her as remorseful and mature but ther behavior was still concerning.

According to the Journal Sentinel, a report emerged of Weier talking about making a Ouija board at the West Bend Juvenile Detention Center and unleashing spirits - which Bohren described as 'startling.'

'It was a planned murder by kids. We can't forget the goal was to kill,' Bohren was quoted as saying.

Geyser pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted homicide and in 2017 was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

She was sentenced to 40 years in a mental health institution and will be 55 when she is released.

Last year, she lost an appeal in which her attorney, Matthew Pinix, argued that Geyser should have been charged with second-degree intentional homicide, which would have placed the case in juvenile court rather than adult court.

However, Wisconsin's 2nd District Court of Appeals ruled that the Waukesha County Circuit Court was correct in keeping the case in adult court.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
REDDING, Calif. - One person was sent to the hospital in a DUI collision on Thursday near Churn Creek Road and Presidio Street intersection, Redding Police Department said.

Micheal Laemmlein, 58, was driving a 2019 Chevy Corvette northbound on Churn Creek Road when he crossed double yellow lines and hit a Toyota Pickup.

The Toyota then hit a red Ford F-150 as the Corvette continued to shear off a light pole before coming to rest after hitting a Sportsman's Warehouse sign.

Laemmlein had a passenger in his Corvette when the collision caused the airbags to deploy.

Terry Bagley, a 53-year-old Redding resident, was transported to the hospital after making a complaint of pain. No other injuries were reported.

Lammlein was arrested for a DUI and was booked into the Shasta County Jail.

The collision is under investigation by the Redding Police Department Traffic Unit.
From the biggest snowfall in a century and an exceptional cold snap, to unseasonable highs, this winter has gone from one extreme to another in Spain, swinging within a temperature range of 50C and keeping everyone in a constant state of surprise.

During this past season, which for meteorological purposes started on December 1 and ended on February 28 (as opposed to the astronomical winter, from December 21 to March 20), Spain experienced the entire spectrum of possibilities, many extreme, some very adverse and several completely unusual, says Ruben del Campo, the spokesman for the AEMET national weather agency.

Del Campo explains that a storm in late December holds the key to the chain of atypical meteorological episodes that followed. Its intense northerly winds brought an arctic air mass to the peninsula, which became stagnant and continued to cool. The interaction between this mass and Storm Filomenas air flow, which was very humid and relatively warm, caused a massive snowfall, the scale of which had not been seen in Madrid since 1904.

Madrid's Cibeles Fountain was covered in snow by Storm Filomena in early January. Irina R.H. / Europa Press

A second cold snap followed in the wake of Filomena, breaking five records for the lowest minimum temperature. But it wasnt only the minimum temperatures that were below freezing: the thermometer barely rose during daylight hours either, so two records for the lowest maximum temperatures were also broken. Within scarcely 10 days, the pendulum had swung in the opposite direction, with unusually high temperatures that broke 20 records. On January 29, readings on thermometers reached almost 30C in Alicante, the highest temperature ever recorded in January by AEMET. Between the -25.2C felt that day in Molina, in Castilla-La Mancha, and the 29.8C reading in Alicante, there was a difference of 55C, an unprecedented temperature range in Spain.

Meanwhile, Storm Hortense triggered a bizarre meteorological episode on January 22. There might normally be a storm in January every 10 or 15 years in the central zone of Spain, says Del Campo, who contrasts this fact with this winters series of squalls, which he qualifies as an unusual touch in an already unusual situation. Even more staggering is the fact that the phenomenon was repeated on February 5. If it is already unusual to have one [storm of this nature] in winter, two is really exceptional, he says. And, to cap it all, there were two very intense episodes of suspended dust in February, which he describes as quite unusual. The first one caused a muddy downpour that reached as far as the Pyrenees, where it turned the snow a deep shade of ochre in a weather event not seen for 30 years.

So has the weather gone crazy this winter? It has been a season of extremes and almost nothing that happened was usual, says Del Campo. I dont know if the weather has gone mad, but its certainly more so than in other winters.

Energized atmosphere

Storm Hortense triggered large waves and gale-force winds in Mahon, on the island of Menorca, on January 22. David Arquimbau Sintes / EFE

The veteran meteorologist Angel Rivera prefers to describe the weather as energized. In his opinion, what happened is the expression of an atmosphere with more energy caused by the arrival of relatively warm and very humid air from tropical areas. Researching the reasons for this should be given top priority, he adds, as it is a pattern that is becoming increasingly frequent and has consequences for Spain.

But where does the extra energy come from? From the oceans, the great repository where 90% of the heat retained by greenhouse gases accumulates, says Rivera. It is the oceans, especially in tropical and subtropical areas, that release this into the atmosphere, heating the air and producing the water that evaporates and collects as vapor, which generates even more energy as it rises and condenses.

Jose Miguel Vinas, of the weather service Meteored, points out that although the crazy winter weather is not extraordinary, it has departed from what we would consider normal. Vinas attributes this to a jet stream  a kind of aerial highway that circulates from west to east with intense winds, separating the cold air masses of the north from the warm ones of the south  with greater fluctuations. These fluctuations interact with warmer air masses from more southerly latitudes, giving rise to storm trains that generate a succession of adverse weather conditions.

The increased frequency of heatwaves does not mean that cold snaps will disappear. And the cold is just as big a risk to human health

Is there something linking these weather events? In recent years, a large number of adverse phenomena have been occurring in Spain, with twice as many heatwaves as in the previous decade, and increasingly intense torrential rains, says Del Campo. All this fits in with the climate change scenarios in which the average temperature rises and the variance increases, i.e., the climate becomes more extreme, with more frequent and longer periods of drought and rain. Like Rivera, Del Campo reminds us, however, that it is necessary to analyze each phenomenon to confirm the connection.

The increased frequency of heatwaves does not mean that cold snaps will disappear. And the cold is just as big a risk to human health. The researcher Julio Diaz Jimenez, from the Carlos III Health Institute, points out that an average of 1,300 people died each year between 2001 and 2010 in Spain when their various health conditions were aggravated by heat, while 1,100 died from the cold during the same period, with a higher daily average  and there are no national prevention plans or specific health alerts for cold, as there are for heat, he adds.

In his opinion, cold snaps are viewed as being of less concern because the effects are diluted, with deaths occurring seven to 14 days after temperatures plummet. The more we adapt to the heat, the more we become unadapted to the cold, he warns. In fact, the death rate for each degree increase rose by 14% between 1983 and 2003 but now rises by barely 2%, while for each degree drop it remains at a constant 5%. The biologist Francisco Heras, from the Climate Change Information Office at the Environment Ministry, stresses that the health authorities are working on a plan to help deal with the impact from the cold, and are also considering plans for other adverse weather conditions such as floods and storms. The risks may become increasingly important, but the impact can be limited and reduced, he says.

But what are the repercussions on the environment? Manuel Morales Prieto, who teaches ecology at Madrids Autonomous University, explains that the frost has proved more harmful to plants than the snowfall as the cold damages the plants tissue. As far as wildlife is concerned, he states that any species in equilibrium is quite resilient to isolated extreme episodes, which can even be beneficial in evolutionary terms. However, natural equilibrium barely exists anymore as most habitats have been modified by humans, so it is reasonable to assume that this has caused an enormous direct impact on mortality and a sharp drop in reproduction, according to Morales.

When it comes to birds, Morales fears serious consequences for those that winter here and for non-migratory species. The effect is really disastrous in small populations, as it can trigger their decline, he says. If, as predicted, extreme weather is repeated frequently, there will be a devastating cumulative effect on endangered species and entire populations may be wiped out on a large scale.

English version by Heather Galloway.
Penn and McEwans enthusiasm for remote working may not be equally shared by all of the blue-chip clients of office landlords, a point Kevin George, head of Dexus $22.5 billion office portfolio, is taking some solace from. Loading According to George, the impact of working from home on both near-term and longer-term leasing demand is still not clear. The uncertainty created by COVID-19 is delaying some customers decision-making, particularly in Melbourne. As a result, we expect that the Melbourne office market will be challenging over the short term, he says. Melbournes woes are of particular concern for GPT, which has 38 per cent of its real estate in the capital hit hardest from extended lockdowns. It is finding it difficult to lease vacant buildings in the city like 550 Bourke Street, a 12-year old A-grade tower left empty when Deloitte jumped ship to become the anchor tenant in Mirvacs new office at 477 Collins Street.

The timing of COVID was a headwind for our 550 Bourke Street leasing campaign, GPTs head of office and logistics Matthew Faddy says. Theres no doubt weve got work to do to be able to get that leased well and quickly. Nonetheless, GPT remains a big believer in Melbourne, though Johnston concedes that it will take longer for the market there to recover compared to Sydney. The pleasing thing in Sydney is were starting to see people back, the roads are busy, activity is happening. GPT boss Bob Johnston We expect it will take a little bit longer to recover ... but the pleasing thing here in Sydney is were starting to see people back, the roads are busy, activity is happening. Dexus is also hoping for the best, with George saying workers will slowly but surely drift back into the city and offices. I think that the reality has set in that they really do want to be back together in the office, he says.

In the lead up to Christmas last year, corporate Sydney dusted off the virus and focused on the future, he says. Were hoping to see a similar thing in Melbourne. However figures released by the Property Council of Australia this week, show occupancy still has a long way to go. Returning workers pushed occupancy in Sydneys towers to 48 per cent in February, but Melbournes most recent lockdown saw occupancy rates in the city slide to 24 per cent. Big landlords are shielded from immediate flight risk by long 10-year leases locking in blue-chip tenants, but they face an existential threat of their glass towers losing relevance to a modern dispersed workforce. Faced with a seismic shift in behavior GPT, Dexus and other office landlords are getting their head around the buzzword dominating the market - flexibility. Dexus George says while the idea has been on the radar of landlords for some time now, the trend has been propelled to new heights by the pandemic. Now property owners are scrambling to ramp up solutions.

We knew the future of office was going to involve more flexibility. Whats changed is the quantum shift in organisations moving to provide more flexible work practices, he says. The landlord, which owns buildings such as the MLC Centre in Sydneys Martin Place and 80 Collins Street in Melbourne, is planning to expand its Dexus Place and SuiteX flexible tenancy offerings, which give its tenants the option of leasing extra space for just one hour, or anything up to 10 years. Offerings of that sort may well become more common as the need for flexible space starts to ramp up across the sector. The feedback from a lot of our big customers is that there is likely to be a greater demand for flexibility, but not likely to change in direct proportion to the space that they will need, says AMP Capitals head of real estate Kylie OConnor. Loading

But the trend may exert significant pressure on landlords reliant on rental income, which is under attack on multiple fronts. Incentives, the sweeteners (like rent-free periods and office fitouts) that landlords offer tenants to coax them into signing a lease, are rising fast, eating into the books of real estate trusts. Over the next year, they are expected to hit 30 per cent in Sydney and Melbourne, and rise even higher in Brisbane. REIT analyst with investment bank Jefferies, Sholto Maconochie, says research points to companies shedding up to 20 per cent of their office space, a fall that will be partially offset by COVID-19 density requirements. All up, about 10 per cent less space will be required in city centres, he estimates.

This is before new supply comes online, says Maconochie, in an ominous nod to the wave of gleaming glass towers currently under construction in Melbourne. Our view is there is a flight to quality space, but at reduced rents, he says. That will put significant pressure on the owners of B, C and D grade offices who cant match the incentives offered by big landlords. Businesses renegotiating rents will need more flexibility, although not necessarily less space. Even if staff work just three days out of five in the office, the space they need is broadly unchanged, he says. Another post-pandemic workplace scenario being considered is the hub and spoke model, where staff are devolved from CBD headquarters to new office digs in the suburbs. Its a script Maconochie dismisses. Hub and spoke is just a buzzword, he says. Hub and home will be the new norm. Meanwhile, investors, shaken by the pandemic, have marked down office and retail REIT shares across the ASX.

Pre-pandemic Dexus shares were around $13, now they are marking time at $9. GPTs shares are trading at two thirds of their pre-COVID value. GPT, historically reluctant under Johnstons leadership to buy back shares, has announced it will acquire 5 per cent of its stock, roughly $443 million at todays market price. Given the sustained, I guess, weakness that weve seen in the share price, it is pretty compelling buying, says Johnston. We are trading at around a 25 per cent discount to net tangible assets and an even wider discount to net asset value. We have ample capacity to fund that [buyback] as well as continue investing in growth opportunities. The financial pain may persist for a little while longer but not everyone in the industry believes that flexible workplaces will necessarily translate to lower occupancy and lower income.

Dexus chief executive Darren Steinberg doesnt subscribe to the theory that large corporations need for more flexibility will result in them using less office space. Darren Steinberg is confident CBD office occupancy will steadily rise. Credit:Rhett Wyman Flexibility doesnt necessarily mean less value. In fact, it means potentially more value and opportunity. If you think about what smaller tenants or even larger tenants are paying for flexibility. Theyre willing to pay a premium for it. Its a little bit like an airline ticket. The cheapest airline ticket is the one that has the least options and the least flex, but the most expensive airline ticket is the one that has the most flex, he says. We are confident that the office will remain a core part of our customers needs. And well continue to deliver solid long-term returns for investors.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

SANTA FE  Is the timing right to do away with New Mexicos twice-per-year clock changes?

A bill aimed at keeping the state on daylight saving time year round narrowly passed the Senate on Friday, but could face a race against the hourglass in the House with two weeks remaining in this years 60-day session.

Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell, said hes optimistic about the bills chances despite the failures of similar measures in past years.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

I think people are ready to follow in the steps of  other states, Pirtle said in an interview after Fridays vote.

This years bill, Senate Bill 102, passed the Senate via a 22-18 vote with backers saying the twice-per-year time changes are hard on families with young children and have negative health affects.

The reality is changing time kills people, said Pirtle, citing reports showing higher rates of heart attacks and car changes after time changes.

But opponents said the proposal would hurt southern New Mexico, especially communities like Anthony and Santa Teresa that border, and in some cases straddle, Texas and Mexico.

Were going to have a massive economic disruption, said Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces.

And Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, said the time change proposal could be a nightmare for military bases that have personnel who live in multiple states.

But Pirtle dismissed such concerns as overblown, saying,  Its not that confusing  humans will adapt.

And he opposed an attempted amendment to the bill that would have kept New Mexico on standard time  not daylight saving time  year round.

The debate also featured lighter moments, include several senators ruminations about how time changes affect cows.

Under federal law, states are allowed to opt out of daylight saving time, though such changes require congressional approval. Hawaii and most of Arizona dont observe daylight saving time, though the Navajo Nation within Arizona does change its clocks.

Daylight saving time was first established in the United States in 1918 as a wartime measure to conserve electricity by providing an extra hour of daylight in the evenings during summer months.

This years change to daylight saving time is scheduled for March 14  just six days before the end of the 60-day legislative session.
Brussels has warned it will launch legal action very soon following a move by the UK to unilaterally delay implementation of part of the Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland.

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said the announcement by Government on Wednesday had come as a very negative surprise.

The Cabinet Office Minister Lord Frost said the UK was extending a series of grace periods designed to ease trade between Northern Ireland  which remains in the EU single market for goods  and Great Britain while permanent arrangements are worked out.

Watch: Michelle ONeill criticises UK govt action over Northern Ireland Protocol

It provoked a furious response in Brussels, with the EU accusing Britain of going back on its treaty obligations in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement intended to ensure there is no return of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has downplayed the dispute (House of Commons/PA)

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Sefcovic  who is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the agreement  said the European Commission was now working on infringement proceedings against the UK.

We are currently preparing it and it would be really something coming to our table very soon. The most precise term I can give you is really very soon, he said.

His warning came after Boris Johnson had sought to play down the dispute, saying the Government was simply taking some temporary and technical measures to ensure that trade kept flowing.

Im sure with a bit of goodwill and common sense all these technical problems are eminently solvable, he said on Thursday.

However MEPs in the European Parliament have already taken steps to delay formal ratification of the wider trade and co-operation agreement between Britain and the EU pending the outcome of the latest row.

US President Joe Biden has been vocal in his support of the Good Friday Agreement (Niall Carson/PA)

The Northern Ireland protocol in the Withdrawal Agreement was designed by the EU and UK to avoid a hardening of the border on the island of Ireland.

It means keeping Northern Ireland aligned to various EU rules, requiring checks on goods arriving into the region from Great Britain.

Story continues

Meanwhile the White House has again stressed the support of new US President Joe Biden for the Good Friday Agreement which the protocol is intended to protect.

Press secretary Jen Psaki said: President Biden has been unequivocal about his support for the Good Friday Agreement.

It has been the bedrock of peace, stability and prosperity for all the people of Northern Ireland.

Prior to last years election, Mr Biden  who is intensely proud of his Irish roots  warned the agreement must not become a casualty of Brexit.

Watch: Do coronavirus vaccines affect fertility?
A World Health Organization (WHO) team investigating the source of COVID-19 is preparing to drop an interim report on its recent mission to China. This despite mounting tensions between Beijing and Washington over the investigation. And an appeal by one foreign group of scientists for a new investigation to be conducted.

WHO to drop interim report of COVID-19 origin

On Thursday, a group of two dozen scientists sent an open letter asking for a new international investigation. They say that the WHO team that just returned from Wuhan, China, where the first identified cases were discovered, did not have enough access to properly examine potential origins of the latest COVID-19, such as if it escaped from a laboratory.

Their appeal comes as the United States, which recently reversed a decision to leave the WHO, calls for more clarity in the investigation, stating that it is awaiting the Wuhan mission report. It urged China to release all related details, including information on the first reported infections in December 2019 and possible earlier infections. Meanwhile, Beijing is pushing for WHO-led missions to other nations, including the United States, to investigate if the virus originated outside of China and spread to Wuhan through frozen food packaging, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Read also: South Korea Investigates Deaths of Two Patients who Received AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

On February 12, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the team would issue an interim report summarizing the Wuhan mission next week, with a final report to follow weeks later. However, since the summary report has yet to be released, the WHO team has decided to abandon the proposal, according to Peter Ben Embarek, the team's lead food-safety scientist. According to him, the WHO team intends to issue a review alongside the entire final report.

The delay in releasing the Wuhan mission's recommendations, undertaken in cooperation with Chinese scientists and officials who would have to accept any research, comes amid ongoing political and scientific debate about the pandemic's sources.

According to China's foreign ministry, the open letter was "old wine in new bottles" that inferred blame and lacked scientific credibility. The Wuhan mission concluded that a laboratory root was extremely unlikely and not worth further investigation. Requests for comment on the Wuhan mission study were not answered by the foreign ministry or China's national health commission.

Read also: REPORT: CDC Claims Americans Who Get COVID-19 Vaccine Can Gather Indoors Without Masks

WHO Report on COVID-19 origins lacked transparency

On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal announced that a multinational association of scientists released an open letter urging a new and unbiased investigation into the virus's origins. "We cannot afford anything other than an entirely comprehensive and reliable investigation into the origins of the pandemic," the group said, adding that "efforts to date may not constitute a thorough, credible, and open investigation" due to the WHO's need to consult with member states and China's failure to allow the types of access needed for this type of work.

COVID-19 origins are still a mystery, and it has become a political and health problem. It is thought to have spread from animals to humans in the latter months of 2019 and was first discovered in China, where it is believed to have originated. China denies this origin myth and has been promoting the idea that it was brought into the country on frozen rice, boosted with the WHO team's help. Former President Donald Trump and his officials repeatedly promoted the theory that the virus had leaked from a lab in Wuhan, despite the lack of evidence, as per Forbes.

Read also: Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine May Not Work Well on Obese People, Study Claims

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The United States has funded a number of Chinese entities using taxpayer money through the National Institutes for Health (NIH) in the name of health research for quite some time, a report reveals.

A shocking report from The Sun revealed that research institutions, laboratories, and universities have been partaking in America's yearly budget of $40 billion to fund "various different experiments and research projects." Millions of U.S. taxpayer money --amounting to a total $27M-- is now revealed to have been sent by the NIH to China and it has been happening since 2010.

The news comes in the heels of major backlash hurled at NIH by critics after the institution was fund to have released funds that were funneled to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), the laboratory that is at the center of the COVID-19 pandemic and the alleged source of the coronavirus that has taken millions of lives across the world.

NIH data revealed that several Chinese institutions received up to $2 million from U.S. taxpayer money annually through multiple grants. This information comes from the "publicly available data filed on the department's Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools system."

The NIH sent millions of U.S. taxpayer money to China to fund its research institutions and these were funneled into smaller amounts such as $88,686 and $93,316 for the investigation of drug use among female Chinese prostitutes. Another $50,066 was spent on "human fear" studies conducted by the Peking University in which study subjects were showed scary images, while $53,460 was spent to study depression among Chinese care home residents.

Among other institutions that received U.S. taxpayer money via the NIH are Peking University, Fudan University and Wuhan University. The report found that the NIH sent millions of U.S. taxpayer money to China in 2010 to 2011, amounting to $4.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively. In addition, communist China continued to receive $1 million in 2020 despite the friction between them and the U.S. that was caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the report, the Wuhan lab at the center of the coronavirus pandemic investigation was funded with U.S. taxpayer money by a larger grant that was given to the U.S.-based EcoHealth Alliance, a sum that was not included in the $27 million figure that was uncovered in the investigation. EcoHealth Alliance is headed by Peter Daszak, which is also the only American member of the World Health Organization (WHO) team that conducted an investigation as to whether the Wuhan lab was indeed the source of the coronavirus.

According to The New York Post, this Wuhan virology lab has been "authorized" to receive millions of U.S. taxpayer money "for animal research through 2024," a fact that leaders are now strongly opposed to. White Coat Waste, a taxpayer watchdog group headed by Anthony Bellotti, has rallied for the defunding EcoHealth Alliance.

"Shipping millions of US tax dollars to the dangerous Wuhan animal lab and other facilities in China where there's no real transparency and accountability about how the money is spent is a recipe for disaster," Belotti said. Republican Representative Guy Reschenthaler agreed.

"It is unconscionable that the National Institutes of Health sent US taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a facility linked to military biological research and the Chinese Communist Party," Rep. Reschenthaler said. He further requested an investigation into the "NIH's disturbing relationship with WIV."
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  In the final online meet-up for Albuquerque Public Schools superintendent search, Bolgen Vargas, a self-employed consultant and former superintendent of Rochester City School District in New York, told the community his story.

My trajectory that led me to qualify to serve as your superintendent is a very unique one, he said.

He said he was born in the Dominican Republic and started working on a farm when he was six years old. His parents didnt know how to read or write, Vargas said.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

But his life changed when he moved to New York, went to high school and eventually went on to college.

Vargas application for the APS leadership position shows experience as a school counselor, superintendent and school board member.

I want to thank the entire community of Albuquerque for the opportunity to allow me to express my interest to serve you as your next superintendent, Vargas said.

When asked about equity and supporting students from diverse backgrounds, Vargas said he would examine the district to ensure equity is part of the work thats being done and to build on efforts in place.

For example, if the board or the administration in recent years, if they havent done (an) equity audit, I would work with the board and the community to do that, he said.

To foster a diverse administrative team, Vargas said hed approach that through retention, recruitment and developing internal staff.

He added that representation needs to occur throughout all levels at the district, not just at the top.

You have to create a culture that is supportive for diversity, he said.

Analyzing the culture and organization is necessary, he added.

Malik Evans, city council member in Rochester and former school board president there, told the Journal that he was responsible for recruiting Vargas to lead the Rochester school district.

Evans described Vargas as a collaborative leader, passionate and intelligent.

The man is battle tested, Evans said.

The APS Board of Education is slated to announce their superintendent choice on Friday, which would wrap up a lengthy hunt.

Vargas is one of three finalists vying for the job, along with Ignacio Ruiz, assistant superintendent for the Clark County School District in Nevada, and APS Interim Superintendent Scott Elder.

Ruiz and Elder went before the community and the board earlier in the week.

Recordings of the three finalists forums and interviews will be posted on APS.edu.

The school board has been garnering community feedback on the candidates through online forms.
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.

A UN report mentions tens of thousands of civilian victims of violence, abducted and abused by government and jihadi groups with unimaginable suffering committed by all sides. For the Bishop of Aleppo, there are too many interests to be able to shed light on abuses. From Christians comes a vocation to peace, respect and dignity.

Aleppo (AsiaNews)  Tens of thousands of civilians have gone missing, kidnapped or arbitrarily detained during Syria's 10-year conflict, this according to a United Nations report.

Thousands more have been tortured or killed while in custody, in what could be classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all sides.

Victims and witnesses speak of unimaginable suffering, including the rape of girls and boys as young as 11. Such a national trauma must be addressed.

In the country there is a tendency to remain silent, not to talk about this violence by whatever side, because it is a very delicate issue and if someone talks about it, they risk their lives, said Chaldean Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo, speaking to AsiaNews.

It is also very difficult to find evidence of acts of violence, explained the prelate, who is a former chairman of Caritas Syria; yet they are used as political and propaganda tools.

Syrias civil war began in March 2011 as a series of popular protests at the start of the Arab Spring, which affected several countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

From a domestic problem, the conflict morphed into the worst proxy war of the 21st century, attracting jihadis and causing even more bloodshed.

In 10 years more than 400,000 people have been killed, dozens of cities have been devastated and half of the population has been displaced at home or abroad.

The report by the UN Human Rights Council's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria is based on more than 2,650 interviews and investigations into more than 100 detention facilities controlled by the government or jihadi groups.

According to the findings, political opponents, journalists, human rights activists and protesters were subjected to arbitrary detention in government prisons.

Armed militias and jihadi groups like the Islamic State group and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have been responsible for kidnappings, violations, arbitrary detention, and torture.

The UN report mentions an unspecified number of people who died in detention centres, tens of thousands in government prisons alone, according to some conservative estimates, later buried in mass graves.

For Bishop Audo, There are too many interests at the regional and international levels to be able to really shed light on violations and abuses. A mindset based on violence and revenge is widespread in the region. This is a wider problem and the events must be analysed in their entirety and in the right context.

One person who was able to tell his story first hand is Fr Jacques Mourad, a Syro-Catholic priest, who, despite the physical and psychological violence he endured, claims to have felt compassion for his kidnappers.

For the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo compassion, which comes from education and respect for human dignity, is the only way to counter this logic of violence.

When people in power, or powerful people think they can act with impunity and others must obey, true freedom of conscience and speech cannot develop.

This is where the deepest evil comes from, the prelate explains. We Christians have the vocation to tell the truth in a spirit of peace, respect and dignity.

Such a mission can be implemented in schools, culture and group meetings, at the basis of social relations.

As Pope Francis notes insistently, change can come through personal relations and must embrace the whole Arab and Muslim world, which needs such meetings based on respect and truth, while the world seems to be interested only in business and exploitation.

In this sense, the Church must help the Arab world interact with modernity, because being a man of faith today means first of all knowing how to accept others.

Arrow, which is part of Arrow Resources, based at Steinhausen in Switzerland, has entered into a tolling agreement to supply Hellenic Minerals with the laterite raw materials needed to produce battery-ready sulfate containing 10,000 tonnes of nickel (around 45,000 tonnes of nickel sufate), the company said in a press release on Tuesday March 2.With commercial production of sulfate commencing as early as the third quarter of 2021, ArrowMetals is in advanced negotiations to supply various battery and precursor manufacturers in Asia and Europe, it said.The deal comes at a time when car makers are searching the world to secure supplies of nickel sulfate, prices of which have shot up in the main production area, China.The price of nickel sulfate, min 21%, max 22.5%; cobalt 10ppm max, exw China , was assessed at 35,000-36,000 yuan ($5,402-5,556) per tonne on March 5. This price narrowed downward slightly from 35,000-38,000 yuan per tonne on February 26, which was the highest since Fastmarkets began pricing the market in July 2018.Fastmarkets is currently proposing to launch a series of reference prices for nickel sulfate sold into the China, Japan and South Korean markets.ArrowMetals is a nickel- and oil-focused trading house, and accounts for 15% of the global supply of ferronickel, according to its website.
 Close Prince William issues scathing criticism of BBC after Bashir-Diana interview inquiry

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is very concerned by Lord Dysons report finding major failings in the BBCs handling of Martin Bashirs explosive 1995 Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales.

The PM said he hopes the BBC will be taking every possible step to ensure that such a scandal never ever happens again.

His comments come as Scotland Yard has vowed to assess the contents of the report, which accused the BBC of covering up deceitful behaviour by Mr Bashir, who had fake bank statements created to mislead Dianas brother, Earl Spencer, and gain access to the princess of Wales.

Previously, police had decided against pursuing a criminal investigation into the controversy. However, now they say they will review the report to ensure there is no significant new evidence.

Meanwhile, both Prince William and Harry have condemned the BBC over the independent inquirys findings, with the elder brother saying he believed the interview fed directly into the fear, paranoia and isolation his mother endured in her final years, while, Harry said that he believed it was the ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices that ultimately took Dianas life.
1. Two million shots a day.

Thats what the U.S. average has reached. More mass vaccination sites are opening up as Pfizer and Moderna ramp up production and Johnson & Johnson begins shipments. Above, a vaccine line today at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Some health officials had worried that Johnson & Johnsons one-shot vaccine might be viewed as inferior, but many now see it as the solution for vulnerable communities like homeless people, and plenty of Americans are clamoring for the convenience of a single shot.

The vaccines lower official efficacy rate of 72 percent, compared with 95 percent for the other two, may simply reflect that its clinical trials occurred later in the pandemic, when transmission rates were soaring.
HONG KONG, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Connected Impact was the theme of MWC Shanghai 2021 and the GSMA has just revealed that the event held in February attracted around 25,000 attendees from 114 countries and territories. In a Covid era with extensive travel restrictions, this is an outstanding result. The My MWCS Online portal transformed the three-day event into a truly global affair which accounted for approximately 30 per cent of attendee turnout. Another 175,000 people viewed presentations, keynotes, and other program components via the event's official media partner, C114. Content from the event remains available over the next few weeks and can be accessed here: https://mwc2021-login.gotin.online/login_page?lang=en.

As Asia's leading exhibition and conference for the mobile ecosystem, MWC Shanghai attracted leaders across mobile and adjacent industries. With 350 speakers and senior-level executives making up around 58% of the conference crowd, including 576 CEO's, the event spanned 50,000 sqm across the Shanghai New International Expo Centre and Kerry Hotel Pudong. Playing host to 220 exhibitors and sponsors, the event was once again carbon-neutral and included discussion of the mobile industry's actions on reducing carbon footprints.

"MWC Shanghai 2021 was a resounding success, safely held with enhanced Covid precautions, and despite extensive domestic and international travel and capacity restrictions triggered by the global pandemic. The event went ahead as a positive signal of our industry's determination to connect people, industry and society and contributing to global recovery," said CEO GSMA Ltd., John Hoffman. "China has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to growing the 5G landscape and was the perfect choice to launch our MWC series for 2021. I sincerely thank the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Cyberspace Administration of China, Shanghai Municipal People's Government and Pudong New District Municipal Government, our Board, Partners, Exhibitors, Sponsors, Speakers, the Press and all involved in this event that make MWC Shanghai 2021 a reality."

The place to launch new products

MWC Shanghai 2021 was also a platform for product innovation, including a range of pioneering devices from leading players. Amongst the line-up was ZTE's Axon 30 smartphone, its latest endeavour to design a phone with a selfie camera hidden under the display. Oppo showed a 125-watt flash charger, which can fully recharge a smartphone in 20 minutes. Huawei, meanwhile, presented its folding Mate X2 handset, which the company proclaimed can be closed without there being a gap around the hinge, an issue that has plagued similar designs.

The IN crowd

Our new 5G Innovation Zone gave start-ups and entrepreneurs a platform to connect with investors and become future disruptors.

The zone included 80 exhibitors, displaying immersive 5G experiences that leveraged China Telecom's 5G, Cloud XR and Digital Twin technologies, creating a unique experience for participants by moving them from the physical space into the virtual dimension. It removed physical constraint and greatly enriched the quality of the exhibition.

It also showcased how the most cutting-edge 5G thinking and technology is already serving society, providing in-person and virtual guests with the opportunity to explore the best examples.

2021 AMOs Success

The Asia Mobile Awards are always a highlight of MWC Shanghai, and this year was no exception. The Outstanding Contribution to the Asia Mobile Industry Award recognises sustained or extraordinary contributions by individuals, organisations or collaborative achievements that advance the value and benefits of mobile communications for people, business and societies in Asia. This year, Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, was proud to announce joint winners, Wang Xiaochu, chairman and CEO of China Unicom and Ke Ruiwen, chairman and CEO China Telecom, for the world's largest 5G commercial network sharing project.

The second honour, Smartphone of the Year, is awarded for outstanding performance, innovation and leadership as determined by assessing smartphones on the market during the last 18 months. John Hoffman announced the 2021 award went to Apple for the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Series. The judges also gave a special commendation to the Samsung Galaxy Z-Flip for continued innovation and development in the flexible display field.

Our thanks

In the most challenging circumstances, people came together. They demonstrated the ecosystem's strength, commitment to innovation, and firm belief that mobile technology must play a vital role in the global recovery. Our sincere thanks to our Board, Partners, Exhibitors, Sponsors, Speakers, the Press and all involved in this event. Your resilience, commitment, and generosity were felt by participants worldwide and created hope, sending a positive signal about what 2021 has in store.

Looking to Barcelona

"The next platform for the mobile communications industry is MWC Barcelona in June," said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. "The lessons learnt in Shanghai and the momentum gained will enable us to deliver another world-class event. The global recovery from the pandemic will continue to rely on our industry's technology. The prospects for wireless connectivity have never been greater. Barcelona will be the place to be for anyone wanting to maximise those opportunities."

For information about how to attend and pass types for MWC Barcelona, please visit: www.mwcbarcelona.com/attend/register-your-interest

About GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Africa, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Thrive Series of regional conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

SOURCE GSMA

Related Links

http://www.gsma.com


ADVERTISEMENT

The Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has provided the details of the bandits attacks on Ruwan Tofa and a neighbouring village in Maru Local Government Area of the state.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on Thursday how many residents, including women and children, were abducted in the attacks.

Speaking on the incident, Mr Matawalle, at a press briefing on Friday, refuted some reports in the media that 40 persons were killed and 60 abducted in the attacks.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy chief of staff, Bashir Maru, said residents of Ruwan Tofa, earlier resisted the bandits and killed many of them.

He said the bandits first attacked Tungar Baushe on Tuesday when they robbed many residents and stole fuel for their motorcycles. He, however, said that incident did not record any casualty.

As they moved out of the village towards the next village of Ruwan Tofa, information reached residents of Ruwan Tofa community and they prepared for the defence of their territory.

In the ensuing melee, the suspected armed bandits were resisted and ambushed and many of them were killed but others escaped with different degrees of injury, Mr Maru said.

However, two persons from Ruwan Tofa sustained gunshots injuries and are recuperating in an undisclosed hospital for reason of security, the official added.

Mr Maru said the following day, on Wednesday, the bandits returned to Tungar Baushe and burnt down two vehicles loaded with grains and other valuables. However, he said no life was lost.

Unfortunately, they abducted a number of persons, including women and children. Even as we speak, most of the abductees have since returned safely to their village.

Concerted effort are well underway by the Zamfara State Police command surveillance unit to ascertain the exact number of those still in captivity, the official added.

The good people of Zamfara State woke up yesterday with stunning news as carried by some media organisations, both electronic and online that bandits have attacked Ruwan Tofa village of Maru Local Government Area and abducted 60 people.

A certain online newspaper went further to report that the bandits also killed 40 people in the said attack. Gentlemen of the Press, nothing could be farther from the truth than this fabricated information.

It is worthy to ask yourselves as media practitioners why those who gave you the false information of 40 people killed by the bandits (which in itself is blatantly false) refused to give you the information of the bandits killed by sheer efforts of the resilient people of Ruwan Tofa (which in itself is the truth)? the official said.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
5 March 2021

FORBES VENTURES

("Forbes" or the "Company")

Update on Litigation Funding Securitisation

Forbes Ventures is pleased to announce a further update on its first Litigation Funding Securitisation.

The Company has been advised by its Maltese Corporate Advisors that the listing of the GBP 40 million two-year notes (the "First Issue"), for which Forbes Ventures' wholly owned subsidiary Forbes Ventures Investment Management Limited ("FVIM") acts as collateral agent, is expected to take place during the week commencing 15 March 2021.

The previously announced second Litigation Funding Securitisation of GBP 60 million two-year notes is expected to be listed within 60 days of the First Issue.

As previously announced, FVIM will receive a one-off fee of 2% of funds raised in each issue.

The Company is in ongoing discussions with originators of assets, of various types, for whom it intends to use its infrastructure to facilitate securitisation. Further announcements will be made upon the Company entering into any such arrangements.

The Directors of Forbes accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Forbes Ventures

Peter Moss, Chairman

Rob Cooper, Chief Executive Officer

01625 568 767

020 3687 0498 AQSE Corporate Adviser

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Mark Anwyl

Allie Feuerlein

020 7469 0930

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation EU 596/2014 as it forms part of retained EU law (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).
Brandon Dell'Orto listened to the comments and complaints as the school board meeting dragged on hour after hour. Many parents were angry. Their kids were sad, bored, borderline depressed, fed up with a school model that didn't allow them to be on campus every day. The parents wanted schools open. They demanded it.

Dell'Orto, a history teacher and teachers union leader in the Roseville Joint Union High School District near Sacramento, knew it wasn't so simple. Many of the district's classrooms couldn't meet new state guidelines for resuming safe on-campus instruction. Further, 4 in 5 teachers in his union, the Roseville Secondary Education Association, opposed a full return to the physical classroom. They feared for their safety and that of some students, and many preferred to wait to be vaccinated before once again teaching in person.

Dell'Orto also knew that the protocols and opinions were unlikely to affect the ultimate decision. In the most recent election, Roseville voters had chosen three school board members who campaigned primarily on a message of reopening classrooms full time. It was clear, Dell'Orto said, that the new members were going to do exactly that.

California has 1,037 public school districts, each empowered to make its own decision about reopening schools during the covid-19 pandemic. Politics and public health are at war in many districts, including this one. So, while classrooms had been closed nearly a year in neighboring Sacramento County, the Roseville schools were going the other way.

The night of the meeting, Jan. 26, the school board rushed out an online survey to parents. Within three days, 94% of those households had responded, and the results were clear: They overwhelmingly wanted the schools to reopen five days a week for in-person instruction. On Jan. 31, the board approved such a reopening, effective immediately.

"We are not going to move backwards," Lisa Mendenhall, parent of a student at Oakmont High School, had declared at the board meeting.

For years, Dell'Orto said, Roseville's teachers have enjoyed a good relationship with the district, its families and the school board. But when it came to discussing the continuation of a hybrid model versus a full return to campus, the teachers union, which had proposed the hybrid, was largely ignored. During the 5 -hour meeting on Jan. 26, Dell'Orto said he was allotted 90 seconds to weigh in.

"We really try to be a pragmatic, productive partner," he told California Healthline. "Lately, though, everything has gone to 'Pick a side.'"

"This is why the country is in this situation," Dell'Orto told the board. "Because people don't want to follow guidelines."

The board approved a back-to-school order even though three of the six high schools in the district had been unable to meet guidelines for keeping the recommended distance between students. In a previous attempt at reopening, following winter vacation, one of the schools, Roseville High, had to quickly shut down after a covid outbreak forced hundreds of students and staff members into quarantine.

Jess Borjon, the district's interim superintendent, told California Healthline that administrators were "confident that we can arrive at the minimum distance" of 4 feet between desks allowed under new California Department of Public Health guidelines issued in mid-January. The Roseville High outbreak, he said, "was a reminder of how diligent we have to be to stay open."

Roseville, with a population of about 141,500, is a mostly suburban city northeast of Sacramento. Unlike Sacramento, though, it's in largely rural Placer County, which sprawls all the way to Lake Tahoe and has voted for the Republican candidate in five straight presidential elections.

Placer County, with nearly 400,000 people, has tended to resist health and safety protocols during the pandemic, with many businesses and churches defying orders to close.

Last summer, the county supervisors, unhappy with their public health officer's reluctance to arbitrarily terminate covid emergency declarations, stripped her of that authority, then lifted the emergency themselves. The officer, Dr. Aimee Sisson, promptly resigned and was hired to the same position in nearby Yolo County, whose supervisors have closely followed her guidance and kept schools closed.

In fall's Roseville school board election, one returning member and two new candidates were elected on the promise that they would reopen schools. Newly elected Heidi Hall is listed as a Placer county coordinator of the statewide petition to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Hall blamed the Democratic governor for the confusing and shifting state guidelines for reopening schools. At the Jan. 26 meeting, she declared that California's distancing recommendations were "not making a difference in these positivity rates" and that it was "irresponsible to listen to this guideline coming down that is not based in any science."

In fact, the CDPH guidelines on reopening schools closely follow protocols produced recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That set of guidelines stirred vigorous debate among experts, some of whom said it would be impossible to reopen schools while following them. President Joe Biden has repeatedly said he wants most U.S. schools open by the end of April. While children rarely get seriously ill from covid, their ability to transmit the disease remains a subject of intense interest, and the CDC recently found that teachers and staffers may act as vectors of covid in schools where distancing recommendations aren't followed and masks are not worn.

None of it mattered in Roseville. The three newly elected board members voted against a motion that would have opened elementary schools (where children are easier to manage) and kept the high schools in the hybrid model, with some students coming to campus on selected days. That would have allowed its six high schools, with a combined enrollment of more than 10,000, to more closely follow the CDPH guidelines. Their votes defeated that motion, 3-2. They later voted to return to full on-campus learning. (None of the three responded to questions posed by KHN.)

The health department's memo calls for a distance of 6 feet between students' desks unless, after a "good-faith effort," such a distance is determined to be impossible. In that case, 4 feet is allowed as the absolute minimum. Three of the Roseville district's schools were not able to meet the 4-foot requirement, either. They opened anyway.

Doug Ginn, who teaches science at Oakmont, noted that the heating system in his lab "only brings in 10% fresh air" for classes that often have 40 students or more. Ginn's solution on a recent day was to open the front and back windows and turn on a fan to keep fresh air moving through. It was 35 degrees outside when school began, he said.

"I've already lost two students [who returned to remote learning] because they don't feel safe," said Ginn. "We do everything we can, but for classes like labs where being there in person is so critical, there are only so many ways to modify a crowded room."

As the district scrambled to redesign classrooms to meet safety mandates, students were already back on campus. Jennifer Leighton, principal at Granite Bay High School, told families in an email shared with The Sacramento Bee that "any form of distancing will not happen  sorry  classes have been large and could likely grow since 300 more than we've had are planning to return."

Borjon said the suggested distancing guidelines weren't practicable if all the students were on campus for all their classes.

"The spacing issue in full classrooms is a real concern for us, and is at the forefront of our thinking," the superintendent told KHN. "We share the concerns of teachers, students, parents and staff regarding classroom safety."

But most parents remain viscerally opposed to the hybrid model. "It does not work. It's a failure," said Mark Anderson, whose son attends Oakmont. Added Jennifer Scott, parent of a Granite Bay student, "It makes no sense, as this pandemic is coming to a tail end, that we would go backwards."

With Roseville schools open, teachers have had to adjust. The schools continue to offer a Zoom option for students to remotely monitor instruction if they don't feel safe returning to their campuses. So far, though, school officials said they are gaining students on campus with each passing week, which further strains their ability to even approach the state guidelines for a covid-safe environment.

"We're professionals. We were asked to try to make this work, and so we're trying to make it work," said Ginn, whose science classes had to be moved to larger areas, including the library. "It's not in a teacher to just say no. These are our students you're talking about."

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) which registered two cases in connection with the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput after a letter from Enforcement Directorate (ED) is likely to file a charge sheet against 33 people, including his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik in a court here, sources said.

According to senior NCB sources, related with the probe, the drug law enforcement agency will be filing first charge sheet running in over 12,000 pages in the case against 33 people.

NCB sources said that names of Sushant's girlfriend Rhea, Showik, Sushant's former manager Samuel Miranda, Sushant's house help Dipesh Sawant, drug peddler Anuj Keshwani, from whom commercial quantity of drugs (LSD sheets and marijuana) was first recovered, two college students who are allegedly last mile peddlers, two foreign nationals including Agisilaos Demetriades, brother of Arjun Rampal's South African model Gabriella Demetriades and Kshitij Prasad, former executive producer associated with Dharma Productions are said to figure in the charge sheet.

However, senior officials remained tight-lipped on the issue.

The NCB had in August last year registered two cases related to drugs in connection with the death of Rajput. The NCB had arrested Rhea and Showik in connection with the case besides several other persons in September last year. They are currently out on bail.

On June 14, 2020, the 34-year-old actor was found hanging at his rented duplex flat in a posh society in Bandra, triggering a massive furore in Bollywood and political circles.

The NCB also questioned several celebrities, including Sara Ali Khan, Shraddha Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Rakul Preet Singh, Karishma Prakash and others in connection with the case.

Besides NCB, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the ED are investigating the death and financial angle of the case.
ALLENDALE, MI  When Rayna Johnson received an email from Grand Valley State University on Wednesday afternoon, she was so shocked she had to read it three times.

The email, sent by the GVSU Virus Action Team, said there were extra COVID-19 vaccines available in downtown Grand Rapids, and all students, faculty and staff were invited to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated.

I was super shocked, said Johnson, a GVSU senior from Grand Rapids. I called (the vaccination clinic) immediately, I didnt want to let this opportunity slip by.

Within an hour, she secured an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine that same March 3rd evening at the West Michigan large-scale vaccination clinic at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. As someone who wasnt eligible to receive the vaccine yet, Johnson was thrilled.

I myself am not necessarily at risk, but my brother is asthmatic, and my grandpa is recovering from cancer, so I am very close to people at risk, Johnson said.

The opportunity seemed too good to be true, Johnson recalled. She soon found out it was.

The next day, the Virus Action Team sent another message to the university community, this time announcing that the previous email had been a miscommunication.

The vaccine invitation was intended to be sent only to students and faculty in clinical roles, administrators wrote in the emailed apology Thursday, March 4.

Instead, it was sent campus wide.

We apologize for any frustration or confusion this may have caused for our community, but rest assured we were acting in good faith, Thursdays email said.

We are doing everything we can to get the vaccine to our entire campus community as soon as we can. Our hope is that vaccine supply increases in the coming weeks so more of our community can be vaccinated as soon as possible.

RELATED: GVSU apologizes after mistakenly sending students, staff to get COVID-19 vaccines

Administrators reportedly received a robust response to the vaccine invitation from the university community, according to the email.

Johnson said four of her friends were able to get vaccinated before health officials realized the mix-up. But unfortunately, Johnsons appointment was canceled before she had the chance.

Grand Valley said anyone who received the first dose of the vaccine will get a second one, but any other GVSU appointments that were scheduled Wednesday will be canceled, unless they fit the prioritization guidelines for the vaccine.

In Michigan, vaccines are currently limited to health care workers, long-term care workers and residents, first responders, corrections workers, childcare and school staff, staff in congregate care facilities, mortuary service workers, workers in food processing and agricultural settings, and residents 65 years and older.

For GVSU senior Mary Fleming, being invited to get the vaccine early on Wednesday was a huge relief. She said she works in customer service, so getting vaccinated now would lift a weight off her shoulders.

When she received a call from health officials canceling her appointment the next day, Fleming was devastated.

I felt really disappointed to the point of tears after my appointment was cancelled, said Fleming, from Grand Rapids. This whole experience was quite an emotional roller coaster for me. I feel helpless.

Davia Downey, who teaches public administration at GVSU, said she was skeptical when she received Wednesdays email invitation. So when she found out it was sent in error, she hadnt gotten her hopes up too much.

I was disappointed, but I also was kind of expecting to be disappointed, she said. Its one of those things where I felt like, well, this seems a little too good to be true.

But as someone who studies political communication and policies, Downey said she is mostly concerned about the repercussions of the university sending out an error like that, even if it was an honest mistake.

When you are making communications around policies, the information has to be accurate, it has to be timely and it has to be correct, and in this case all three of those things werent really there, Downey said.

Downey said when a public body gives out incorrect information, it can result in declining trust in that organization.

I hope that it doesnt lead to that, because I dont think it was intentional, but that is a particular problem with policy communication, is that you have to be right, she said.

You have to be as accurate as you can before you put information out for the public to use, because youre giving instruction, essentially, and it was very clear in the retraction that the instruction was not correct.

To help you navigate this complicated school year, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.

More on MLive:

Michiganders 50 and older will soon be eligible for coronavirus vaccine

Michigan opens vaccines to more people, but frustration grows for those still struggling to book appointments

Nearly 1.5M Michiganders have received their first coronavirus vaccine dose
HOUSTON - (March 5, 2021) - Rice University computational astroparticle physicist Christopher Tunnell is getting help in his search for the nature of the universe through a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award.

The five-year grant is awarded each year to fewer than 400 early career scientists and engineers expected to make significant impacts in their fields of study. The award to Tunnell is for $400,000.

Tunnell, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy and of computer science, joined Rice in 2018 and has drawn international attention for his participation in the search for dark matter. He is a principal investigator on the XENON1T (soon to be the XENONnT) project, which operates an ultrasensitive instrument under a mountain in Italy to capture traces of elemental particles that fly to, and sometimes through, Earth.

The XENON detectors are able to pick up faint evidence of cosmic travelers whether they involve dark matter or not. Among them are interactions with neutrinos that have magnetic moments, a topic of Tunnell's current work.

Two years ago, the instrument caught evidence of the radioactive decay of xenon 124 showing the element has a half-life longer than the age of the universe. Last year, it may have turned up hints of another long-sought cosmic particle, axions, hypothetical particles thought to originate in the sun. That discovery triggered a flurry of hundreds of theoretical papers trying to explain the observations.

"There are two core activities in my group: One is pure astroparticle physics, building dark matter detectors," Tunnell said. "That's sort of our day job. The other is data science and machine learning research and development. The goal of our CAREER proposal is to link these two activities to apply our data science R&D to hard physics problems.

"In this case, part of it is called neutrino-less double-beta decay, a hard measurement that is very interesting to physicists and beyond," he said. An earlier $1 million NSF grant helped develop the methods that will be used by the new study to reveal the nature of neutrino mass.

All that support will help Tunnell find people with the unique combination of talents required by his lab. "There's a deficit of people like me in physics who are just as interested in computational science research as the physics and can do both," he said. "So I'm always looking for postdocs and students I can train, and the educational part of the CAREER Award will help address this."

Tunnell is grateful the panel of physicists who chose him for the award appreciate his data science chops. "It's good to know the research ideas we're pitching are not only interesting on the on the data science, machine-learning side, but that they're just good physics projects, period," he said.

###

Read the abstract at https:/ / www. nsf. gov/ awardsearch/ showAward?AWD_ID= 2046549&HistoricalAwards= false

This news release can be found online at https:/ / news. rice. edu/ 2021/ 03/ 05/ christopher-tunnell-wins-nsf-career-award/

Additional Media Contact:

Mike Williams

713-348-6728

mikewilliams@rice.edu

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Related materials:

Dark matter search turns up hint of mysterious particle:

http://news. rice. edu/ 2020/ 06/ 17/ dark-matter-search-turns-up-another-mysterious-particle/

Elemental old-timer makes the universe look like a toddler:

http://news. rice. edu/ 2019/ 04/ 24/ elemental-old-timer-makes-the-universe-look-like-a-toddler-2/

Rice Astroparticle Group:

http://astroparticle. web. rice. edu

Department of Physics and Astronomy:

https:/ / physics. rice. edu

Rice Computer Science:

https:/ / csweb. rice. edu

Wiess School of Natural Sciences:

https:/ / naturalsciences. rice. edu

Images for download:

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 03/ 0308_CAREER-1-WEB. jpg

CAPTION: Christopher Tunnell. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 03/ 0308_CAREER-2-WEB. jpg

Rice particle physicist and computer scientist Christopher Tunnell at the XENON1T experiment in Italy. Tunnell has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for early career scientists and engineers to advance his search for dark matter and other phenomena. (Credit: Courtesy of Christopher Tunnell/Rice University)

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,978 undergraduates and 3,192 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
The US will suspend tariffs on UK agri-food goods such as pork and dairy that were imposed as part of a row with the EU over subsidies to Boeing and Airbus.

Tariffs will temporarily be suspended for four months on goods such as UK cheese and particularly Scotch whisky, as the US is a key export market.

The measures will come into force on Monday 8 March, and have been agreed in an effort to reach a negotiated solution to the 17-year long dispute.

The US, which manufacturers Boeing, and four EU countries that make Airbus aircraft and parts, claimed each others aeroplane manufacturer was unfairly subsidised.

The US imposed 25% tariffs in autumn 2019, which affected UK pork exports worth approximately 38 million in 2018, according to the the National Pig Association (NPA).

In January, following the end of the Brexit transition period, the UK decided to suspend Boeing tariffs against the US, which the government said was 'a show of good faith'.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "From Scotch Whisky distillers to Stilton-makers, businesses across the UK will benefit from the US decision today to suspend tariffs in this dispute.

"It shows what the UK can do as an independent trading nation, striking deals that back our businesses and support free and fair trade.

"I now look forward to strengthening the UK-US relationship, as we drive economic growth and build back better together."

The NPA hailed the development, adding that it would help UK pork processors sell more product to the United States.

"The tariffs have made it very costly to send pork to the US and we hope this temporary measure becomes permanent," chief executive Zoe Davies said.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) added that the tariffs had done 'severe damage' to distillers in Scotland.

Today, everyone in our industry  from small companies to large  is breathing a sigh of relief, said the SWA chief executive, Karen Betts.

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
The latest Australian national accounts figures, showing a record rise in gross domestic product (GDP) over the last two quarters of 2020, have been hailed as sign that the economy has turned the corner and is now powering out of the recession induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But closer analysis of the data, when combined with the significant slowing of the economy before the pandemic struck, shows this to be far from the case. Moreover, remarks by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on the figures indicate they will be used as the justification for eliminating even the limited support measures introduced by the federal government.

Frydenberg in conference with the Business Council of Australia last August (Credit: @JoshFrydenberg, Twitter)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that the economy grew by 3.1 percent in the December quarter, following a 3.4 percent expansion in the September quarter. The six-month increase was the largest since quarterly national accounts figures began to be tabulated more than 60 years ago.

The general prediction had been that there would be a 2.5 percent rise in the December quarter, but the figure came in higher than expectations. One of the chief reasons was the marked increase in consumption spending in Victoriaup by more than 10 percentas a result of the lifting of lockdowns. Overall, household consumption nationally was up by 4.3 percent, the second largest increase since quarterly records were kept.

Another factor in the increase was the ending of drought in rural areas which contributed to a large grain harvest, lifting the gross value added by the farming sector by 26.8 percent.

Private investment increased by 3.9 percent in the quarter, largely as a result of tax and depreciation concessions. Investment allowances introduced by the government last year at a cost of $26.7 billion over two years were described by Frydenberg at the time as the largest set of investment incentives any Australian government has ever provided.

But despite the recovery, the last quarter of 2020 saw a fall of 1.1 percent in output compared to the final quarter of 2019. Overall, total Australian economic output in 2020 was 2.5 percent lower than in 2019.

The quarterly figures were eagerly seized on by various finance economists. AMP Capital senior economist Diana Mousina said GDP could get back to its pre-COVID level a lot sooner than expected, possibly as early as the March quarter of this year.

The chief economist at accounting and financial firm KPMG, Brendan Rynne, said the results were an extraordinary comeback from the depths of mid-2020, while others gave the same upbeat assessment.

Australian Financial Review journalist John Kehoe struck a somewhat different tone. He wrote that a V-shaped recovery seemed assured due to the subsidies provided by the government, But the economy will not coast to a post-virus nirvana, because the pre-COVID challenges of lacklustre business investment, subdued wages and low productivity will likely linger.

The chief economist at JPMorgan Australia, Ben Jarman, warned that the economy would hit a soft patch as government support was withdrawn. Recent momentum in activity data have been positive, he said, but extrapolation was inappropriate because of the scheduled withdrawal of government support at the end of March.

The ending of the JobKeeper wage subsidy program potentially threatens more than one million workers with unemployment. Another 1.6 million are being cast into dire poverty by the withdrawal of the Coronavirus Supplement on JobSeeker unemployment payments.

The impact of government reductions in payments so far was reflected in a significant, but little reported, figure in the national accounts. The ABS reported that gross disposable income fell 3.1 percent in the quarter, reflecting a decline in government support payments.

Another set of data produced by the ABS, not included in the national accounts, shows the level of wages. Last month, the bureau reported that wage growth in December had slowed to just 1.4 percent. A contributing factor was the rise in unemployment, which had increased to 6.6 percent.

But as Guardian journalist Greg Jericho noted, up until 2012 a jobless rate of that size would have been associated with wage growth of around 3 percent. Now it is only 1.4 percent. In other words, the fall in wage growth is not simply a product of COVID-19 but the pandemic has accelerated a long-term trend.

And the government intends to intensify this tendency. It has announced that it will only increase the JobSeeker allowance by $50 a fortnight, a rise of just $3.50 per day, in order to force unemployed workers into low-paid jobs which have become a central component of the growing gig economy. And in a particularly vicious move, it has set up a hotline for employers to call in and report to authorities any person who refuses a job they may be offered when they discover the wages and working conditions. Anyone refusing a job can be breached and lose benefit payments for six weeks.

The future direction of government policy was set out by Treasurer Frydenberg in his remarks on the national accounts figures in which he made clear that government subsidies would be wound back.

Frydenberg said the recovery was made even more genuine because it was the first quarter in which the JobKeeper program had started to be withdrawn. In the December quarter, he said, government assistance had halved, yet at the same time the economy had grown by 3.1 percent and 320,000 new jobs had been added.

In an interview with the Financial Times this week, he said government stimulus had helped stabilise the economy, but the JobKeeper program was no longer needed as economy recovery would be supported by the governments tax cuts announced last year.

Last July, at the depth of the recession provoked by the pandemic, Frydenberg said he was inspired by Reagan and Thatcher and their so-called supply side economics which provided major concessions for business while launching deepening attacks on the working class. Frydenberg did not acknowledge at the time, nor has he since, that the Reagan-Thatcher agenda was carried out in Australia by the Hawke-Keating Labor governments.

In a warning as to what the working class can expect, he did not step away from his support for the policies of Reagan and Thatcher in his FT interview. Asked if he thought their economic policies were still relevant, Frydenberg said they had achieved a lot when in office. They were dedicated to lower taxes and cutting regulation and thats what I am committed to as well.

These remarks indicate that the so-called recovery in the Australian economythe vast bulk of which will enhance the profits of major corporations as the slide in wages continueswill be followed by intensified attacks on the working class as the restructuring of wages, the destruction of jobs and the demolition of previous working conditions triggered by the pandemic is continued and deepened.
Who will be the next CM of Assam? Sarbananda Sonowal or Himanta Biswa Sarma?

Assam polls 2021: BJP releases list of 70 candidates, CM Sonowal to contest from Majuli seat

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Mar 05: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday released the first list of 70 candidates for the Assam elections. The BJP in the first list has replaced 11 sitting MLAs with new faces.

Party general secretary Arun Singh told a press conference that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will contest from Majuli and minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from Jalukbari, constituencies these two top BJP state leaders currently represent in the 126-member assembly.

Besides Sonowal and Sarma, leaders of the Asom Gana Parishad and the United People''s Party Liberal were also present at the press conference.

The BJP and its two alliance partners in Assam -- the AGP and UPPL -- have finalised their seat-sharing arrangements in 86 Assembly segments where polling will be held mostly in the first and second phase.

Assam assembly elections 2021: BJP, allies finalise sharing of 86 out of 126 seats

However, the party has not finalised candidates in 12 seats for the time being and has kept them pending.

Assam has 126 assembly constituencies where elections will be held in three phases, on March 27, April 1 and April 6.

In the first of the three phases, 47 constituencies will go for polls. In the second phase, polling will be held in 39 constituencies and in the third phase, 40 constituencies.

The last date for filing of nomination for the first phase is March 9, for the second phase it is March 12 and for the third phase, the last date of submitting nomination papers is March 19.

The saffron party is pulling out all the stops to retain power in the state where it had formed government for the first time in 2016.
Prison officers enter the Southern Ohio Correctional Institute in front of Cellblock L, as prisoners inside continue to hold eight guards hostage, Lucasville, on April 13, 199. (Eugene Garcia/AFP via Getty Images)

A Private Prison Is Expected to Lose Its Federal Contract. No One Can Find Where Its Nearly 800 Inmates Can Go

A private prison is struggling to find facilities to take in nearly 800 inmates before its contract with the federal government expires in three months, Cleveland.com reported.

CoreCivic operates the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown, Ohio, through a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service that expired Sunday, Cleveland.com reported. The company received a three-month extension while it weighs options for current detainees, but it doesnt expect the contract to be renewed beyond then.

There are no safe or logistically viable alternatives for the Marshals Service, CoreCivic said in a statement, Cleveland.com reported.

Private prison company CoreCivic says its contract to hold people in Ohio on behalf of US Marshals Service is extended 90-days, but doesnt expect the contract to be extended beyond that. Blames Biden ordering Justice Dept to cut ties with industry. https://t.co/Gwlw2MKci8 pic.twitter.com/XTU4222Xfq  Cesar (@crimmigration) February 25, 2021

Since the early 2000s, CoreCivic has contracted with the U.S. Marshals Service to house inmates awaiting trial or sentencing in Youngstown, Akron and Cleveland, Cleveland.com reported.

Inmates were previously held at county and city jails that received federal funding through local budgets, according to Cleveland.com.

The Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, a private prison facility, has performed a majority of the pretrial detention services for federal courts in the area and is one of three private facilities that contracts with the state government, Cleveland.com reported.

The Presidents Executive Order of Jan. 26, 2021, regarding the use of private prisons, is currently under review by the U.S. Marshals Service, in close coordination with the Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals Spokesperson Lynzey Donahue told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The marshals service declined to answer any specific questions related to the executive order.

President Joe Biden directed the Department of Justice to phase out contracts with privately-operated prisons on Jan. 26, the Associated Press reported. Over 14,000 inmates of the 152,000 who are federally incarcerated are being held in private detention facilities.

This is a first step to stop corporations from profiting off of incarceration, Biden said, the AP reported.

Officials are reportedly concerned that there may not be enough detention beds available to relocate inmates in northeast Ohio, according to Cleveland.com. The Northeast Ohio Correctional Center also holds around 850 people from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

There are concerns about our ability to effectively represent our clients if they are moved outside the district, the federal public defender for northern Ohio, Stephen Newman, said, Cleveland.com reported. Access to our clients is very important.

Cleveland criminal defense and civil rights attorney Terry Gilbert said if you dont have a substitute plan, then you have a problem, Cleveland.com reported. If they are going to terminate the contract, they better have some place that is safewith health care, mental health and other programs, as well as access to private attorney visitation rooms.

By Kaylee Greenlee

From The Daily Caller News Foundation
The search for missing conwoman Melissa Caddick has been called off by police after her foot was found on a beach six hours south of her Sydney home.

Divers stopped looking for the remains of the 49-year-old financial adviser after searching over 6,000sq/m in the water off Dover Heights in Sydney's east on Friday.

Bad weather hampered search efforts earlier this week, but now the mystery of whether the conwoman's deceased body is at sea may never be fully resolved.

NSW Police have now confirmed they will stop looking for Ms Caddick in Sydneys east.

Police have called off the search for the remains of missing fraudster Melissa Caddick (pictured right with husband Anthony left) in Sydney's eastern suburbs

Divers (pictured) have stopped looking for the body of the missing woman after searching over 6,000sq/m in the water off Dover Heights in Sydney's east on Friday

Pictured: Ulladulla SES search for remains

'Nothing was found and at this stage police won't be conducting further searches in the area,' a NSW Police spokesperson told NCA NewsWire.

A decomposed foot in a rare Asic shoe was found 400km away from Ms Caddick's home on Bournda Beach and testing confirmed the remains belonged to the missing Sydney woman.

Ms Caddick vanished the day after corporate watchdog ASIC executed a search warrant at her luxury Dover Heights home on November 11.

Bad weather hampered search efforts earlier this week, but now the mystery of whether the body of the conwoman (pictured left) is at sea may never be fully resolved

Ms Caddick vanished from her Dover Heights home in November last year. Pictured: Searchers in Ulladulla

A decomposed foot in a rare Asic shoe was found 400km away from Ms Caddick's home on Bournda Beach

Liquidators say the 49-year-old mother 'meticulously and systematically' deceived those who entrusted millions of investment dollars to her over seven years, then used the money to fund her lavish lifestyle.

The update on Ms Caddick's search comes after after police confirmed a chunk of stomach flesh found at Mollymook on the NSW south coast does not belong to Ms Caddick, but an unnamed man last seen on February 1.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Remains found at two other south coast beaches have also since been confirmed to be animal.

So far police have only found Ms Caddick's badly decayed foot, which washed up south of Tathra on February 21.

The Dover Heights cliffs (pictured )near Caddick's mansion where she is suspected to have died

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing last week told reporters foul play against Ms Caddick was possible but suicide was more likely.

Modelling by NSW Police marine rescue teams, taking tides and drift patterns into account, has explored the possibility that Ms Caddick entered the water near Dover Heights, where she lived, around November 12.

The modelling deemed it possible that her foot could have drifted to Bournda Beach, where it was discovered by a group of campers.
This news release is not for distribution or dissemination in the United States of America

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2021 / GreenBank Capital Inc. (CSE:GBC)(OTC Pink:GRNBF)(FRA:2TL) ("GreenBank" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that its portfolio company Staminier Limited ("Staminier"), with respect to its option to acquire 13 acres of land near Gatwick Airport, has recently seen market comparable land sales that would value the optioned land at 19.50m (C$34m), if the land is allocated as Strategic Employment Land and up to 39m (C$68m) if and when formal planning/zoning consent is obtained.

The 13-acre parcel of land is surrounded on three sides by 64 acres (see diagram below) which has been included as Strategic Employment Land in the proposed Local Government Plan, of which there have been recent sales for circa 3 million per acre of equivalent land with consented permission.

Staminier intends to apply for the 13 acres to be allocated as Strategic Employment Land and expects the process to be completed by Q1 2022. Given the surrounding land which envelopes the 13 acres has already received this allocation to the Local Government Plan, it is reasonable to expect that the 13 acres would be treated in a similar manner. If such allocation were made, estimating the land value to be a minimum of 19.50m (C$34m) would be conservative by only forecasting 50% of recent sale comparables.

On the basis that Staminier continues to own the option and successfully applies for planning permission, the value could potentially increase to 39m (C$68m).

Staminier acquired the 3-year option on August 27, 2019 to purchase the 13 acres of land for a price of 6 million.

Originally the intent had been to build a car park for Gatwick Airport, but given the exponential growth in Online Purchasing accelerated by COVID-19, the best use will likely be as a Distribution Center for one of the major online retailers or shipment companies to help meet their burgeoning demand for warehousing and storage space and creating significant employment in the area.

Separately on 17th November 2020, Staminier obtained a three-year option to acquire an additional 15 acres of land also near London Gatwick Airport. The option, which expires on 30th November 2023, enables Staminier to buy the land for 3m (C$5.25m). Were Staminier also to obtain similar planning/zoning permissions, this land would be expected to achieve a value per acre of between 1.5m (C$2.63m) and 3m (C$5.25m).

David M. Lonsdale, the CEO of GreenBank Capital, "We are delighted to hear this update on the potential value of the land and congratulate our colleagues at Staminier. The profit potential validates our strategic plan to establish Large Impact Property and Planning Gain as one of "six key drivers of value" for the Company. Defined as: Acquiring options over tracts of land which, with planning permission, would be worth a large multiple of the option price -and then applying for and obtaining planning permission using our highly experienced team." (Reference our Investor Presentation: https://greenbankcapitalinc.com/investors/investor-presentations/ )

Steve O'Carroll, director of Staminier said "The recent sales activity which supports the potential value of our 13-acre site, is one of the reasons we entered into a further option over the additional 15 acres of land, also close to Gatwick Airport. The need for distribution and Strategic Employment Land centers to support the burgeoning growth of online shopping has never been greater and the location of the land at Gatwick Airport is ideal for this purpose." (Reference our Press Release: https://greenbankcapitalinc.com/greenbank-capital-portfolio-company-staminier-acquires-option-over-15-acres-of-land-near-london-gatwick-airport-with-the-potential-to-help-meet-burgeoning-storage-demand-from-online-retailers/ )

As previously disclosed, GreenBank currently owns 19% of Staminier Limited and possesses an option to acquire the remaining 81% of the Staminier until April 14, 2021 subject to regulatory approval.



Staminier 13 Acres

About GreenBank

GreenBank is a next generation merchant banking business that has a flexible low-cost overhead structure designed to maximize profitability. Our management are based in Toronto, Dallas, New York and London and are used to working across borders remotely. Our model of remote working, dynamic space and flexible contracts -rather than expensive offices, full time employees and large fixed costs - establishes GreenBank as a global merchant bank for the future, both during and after COVID19.

GreenBank is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Frankfurt Boerse and on the OTC Markets in the USA. GreenBank invests in undervalued exponential growth companies focused on building consistent capital appreciation for its shareholders.

For details of our "6 Key Drivers of Value" please see our latest Investor Presentation:

https://greenbankcapitalinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/03.11.20_Greenbank-Deck-compressed.pdf

For more information please visit our website

www.GreenBankCapitalInc.com

or contact Mark Wettreich at +1 (647) 693 9411 or by email Mark@GreenBankCapitalinc.com

SOURCE: GreenBank Capital Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/633704/GreenBank-Capital-Portfolio-Company-Staminier-Announces-a-Potential-Land-Value-of-Between-C34-Million-and-C64-Million-Relating-to-Its-Option-Over-13-Acres-of-Land-Near-Gatwick-Airport
Fossegrenda, Norway, March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the young age of sixteen years, Fariba Rahimi moved from her home country Iran to follow her dreams in Norway. At that time, no one knew that this teenager was on her way to becoming a top international model, a successful entrepreneur and an inspiring entrepreneur.

The popular model is a woman of many talents and one of her achievements include Trndervask, Norways leading real estate, construction and building maintenance company. Ten years ago, Fariba built her business from the ground up, all by herself and today, it is now a six-figure business. Thanks to the exponential growth of her business, Fariba Rahimi is now also a member of Forbes Business Council, a prestigious platform where major people from all over the world share their success stories.

But how did a teenager who fled her country go on to become a top model and entrepreneur? We got in touch with the star herself to share her insights about turning a startup into a six-figure business. Trust us, she would know!

So without further ado, lets begin.

Embrace Your Failures

According to Fariba, every single startup faces a setback atleast once in its tenure. And the only ones who survive are those who embrace their failures and learn their mistakes, rather than giving up. Fariba says that the key to every successful business is learning from their mistakes and applying the findings towards your growth. Fariba says that failures are blessings in disguise because they show you where you lack, so that you can critically analyze the situation and avoid it the next time. If your business is facing obstacles, it means that it is on the right track. The only thing left to turn it into a successful business is to correcting those mistakes.

Keep Up With The Trends

Stay updated with the latest technology. Keep learning everyday about whats new and update your business production with the latest machinery and equipment. Always stay aware of the modern practices as it will help you cater to the dynamic needs of the market.

According to Fariba, the most important and crucial step for businesses today is to adapt digital marketing practices. This is the trend that is here to stay and if any business fails to connect with the wider market on social media, it fails on every level. Businesses need to adapt to the internet platforms and use all of the relevant social media to cater to a wide segment of the market.

Know The Right People

Have you ever heard of a successful entrepreneur with 0 social links? Neither have I! According to Fariba, entrepreneurs need to create links with the important people in their industry. Knowing the right people is all it takes to save a failing business and turn it into a growing one.

But you need to start networking from even before you launch your business. In fact, start spending your early twenties getting to know successful people. Being in their company would motivate you a lot. Create a wide circle of only genuine and successful people who would help you grow both personally and professionally.

Believe In Yourself

According to Fariba, this goes without saying but self-belief from an early age is what separates successful people from the rest. You need to be confident in yourself and your abilities to fulfill your dreams.

If you follow these steps, your success is guaranteed and you are on the right track to growing a six-figure business, according to Fariba. Fariba now lives in Trondheim, Norway, and runs her business while partnering with famous brands such as Versace for their advertising campaigns. Apart from being an entrepreneur, Fariba is a very popular international model and influencer. She has appeared in the covers of various top magazines as a very inspiring

Fariba Rahimi

+4747711552





This news has been published for the above source. Fariba Rahimi [ID=17181]

Disclaimer: The information does not constitute advice or an offer to buy. Any purchase made from this story is made at your own risk. Consult an expert advisor/health professional before any such purchase. Any purchase made from this link is subject to the final terms and conditions of the website's selling. The content publisher and its distribution partners do not take any responsibility directly or indirectly. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the company this news is about.





Attachment
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
MEDFORD, Ore.  With federal shipments of coronavirus vaccine expected to ramp up over the next several months and a third vaccine now approved by the FDA, the largest vaccine providers in Jackson County have partnered up to establish a consolidated and ongoing clinic to serve people who are eligible under Oregon's plan.

Jackson County Public Health indicated earlier this week that it would be partnering with Asante and Providence on the centralized clinic, effectively replacing mass vaccination drives like previous events at the Expo. The group held a press briefing on Friday to address more details about the initiative.

Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic People eligible to receive the vaccine can call (541) 789-2813, Option 2 (Opcion 3 en Espanol) to make an appointment, and the address will be provided at the time the appointment is made.

Creating this clinic means the people in our community no longer need to worry about how or where they can get vaccinated, said Dr. Jim Shames, medical director for Jackson County Public Health. Once theyre eligible, it will simply be a matter of scheduling an appointment.

Jackson County, Asante and Providence have been working on the joint clinic idea since early February, as it became increasingly clear that access to the limited vaccine supply needed to be optimized.

RELATED: Jackson County has received doses of third COVID-19 vaccine, health officials say

Pulling together the clinics operational and logistical components such as location, a centralized phone number and enough staff to answer phone calls takes time, said Doug Ward, vice president of Operations at Asante Physician Partners. We want to ensure the persons experience with the process is positive and that their access to care is streamlined.

Even for people who have been eligible for weeks under Oregon's schedule, securing an opportunity to receive the vaccine has been difficult and confusing. The state's vaccine supply spread is out among a variety of providers and there has been no truly centralized method of making an appointment outside of the Portland metro area.

According to the clinic partners, all three organizations field hundreds of phone calls and emails each week from people wanting to know how and where can they can vaccinated.

"Its incredibly inspiring that so many people want to help stop the spread of this disease through vaccination, said Amy Bronson, director of clinical operations for Providence Medical Group. Partnering on this vaccination clinic reflects how we can collaborate for the benefit of all people in our community  to help meet the urgent demand for vaccinations and get more people vaccinated quickly.

Even though the new community clinic is now in place, there will still be other venues for receiving the vaccine, including some retail pharmacies and independent medical clinics.

"In addition to the community vaccination clinic, well continue to support smaller points of distribution to help address access and equity barriers for our residents, said Dr. Shames.

Josephine County is also working on a similar centralized process, with an online application form for vaccine appointments now available.

The Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

Jackson County's community clinic will be run out of an Asante site that is already being used as a vaccination clinic, but it will be open to anyone eligible under Oregon's plan  not exclusively for Asante or Providence patients.

The clinic will not be open to walk-ins, and the partnership isn't releasing a precise address for that reason. People eligible to receive the vaccine can call (541) 789-2813, Option 2 (Opcion 3 en Espanol) to make an appointment, and the address will be provided at the time the appointment is made.

Availability of appointments will still heavily depend on the supply of vaccine doses in Jackson County, which may fluctuate by week.

There is no out-of-pocket cost for people getting vaccinated. Those with insurance will have their insurance billed with no co-pay collected. Those without insurance will not be charged.

Oregon's eligibility schedule

As of March 1, the following groups are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon:

Phase 1a - Healthcare workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, correctional staff and inmates, first responders.

Phase 1b - Childcare providers, K-12 educators and staff, people 65 and older.

By March 29, Oregon's plan opens up eligibility to adults 45 and over with underlying health conditions, migrant and seasonal farm workers, seafood and agricultural workers, those living in low-income senior housing or congregate and independent living, those experiencing houselessness, those currently displaced by wildfires, and wildland firefighters.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021

Defining Moment: Paradigm of Collaboration, or Pandemic, Famine and War

March 4 , 2021 (EIRNS)Two contrasting strategic initiatives came from the United States this week. On March 3 Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave a formal presentation, A Foreign Policy for the American People, in which he singled out China for being the biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century for the U.S., as a threat to democracy. In contrast, on March 2, legislators from seven U.S. states and seven Chinese provinces met online, for discussions of mutual economic benefit, which Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai addressed, saying, A China-U.S. relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability is both in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and meets the shared aspiration of the international community.

The latter gathering, officially titled, 5th China-U.S. Sub-national Legislatures Cooperation Forum, shows the capacity for deliberating on reality, fortunately still alive in the United States; favoring economic progress, cultural optimism, and respect; and discussion and collaboration on potential concrete projects for infrastructure, power, health care, transportation, agriculture, and food. The extremist, pre-war style demonization of China is not all-pervasive. The U.S. states represented were Alabama, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, and Tennessee. The Chinese provinces and municipalities were Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Hubei, Guangdong, and Yunnan.

In opposition to such a spirit of collaboration, Secretary Blinken asserted yesterday that China is a menace to the stability of the world order, which order, he said, is based on American values, so China must be contained. He spoke of standing up for our values when human rights are abused in Xinjiang or when democracy is trampled in Hong Kong, because if we dont, China will act with even greater impunity. Elaborating more on this, the White House the same day released its 20-page Interim National Security Strategic Guidance.

What this geopolitics means in action was seen yesterday in the threat for another U.S. bombing strike on a target in Syria or elsewhere in the region, which was made not only by Secretary Blinken, but by President Biden, as well as John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary. Their prospective strike is discussed as retaliation for another terrorist hit on a U.S. base inside Iraq this week, as was the U.S. retaliatory strike Feb. 25. This chain of events has nowhere to go but toward all-out war, if it is not stopped. The only solution is to not only end the strife, but to combat the pandemic and famine in the region with emergency measures, and to initiate the essential regional development programs, along with the international collaboration that goes with them. The famine situation in Yemen is acute, and urgent in Syria.

Schiller Institute President Helga Zepp-LaRouche today in her weekly strategic webcast, As War Danger Grows, There is No Alternative to U.S.-China Cooperation, denounced the hypocritical talk of democracy while nations are being destroyed. She said,

I dont want to hear the words democracy and human rights from anybody who is not mobilizing to change the fate of the Yemen people. It would be so easy to bring in ships to the ports for Sanaa and basically say, this food will be delivered, and there is no resistance permitted by Saudi Arabia. There would be means to pressure Saudi Arabia to allow this food to go through. The fact that this is not being done cries to Heaven. I think that this is a complete bankruptcy declaration for Europetheyre not doing anything about itand for the whole so-called West.

Zepp-LaRouche described more of the situation in the region, for example, that in Syria, one-third of the population is suffering from hunger as well as the pandemic. She stressed her call for action. She spoke of the China-USA legislators meeting in this context, describing it as one of a very few tiny signs of hope. She said,

There was the Fifth China-USA Sub-national Cooperation Forum, and that included legislators from many Chinese provinces and state legislative leaders... [from seven states] and the Ambassador of China to the United States, Cui Tiankai. He pointed to the fact that, all of humanity is, really, sitting in one boat. The two most important economies in the world have everything to gain from cooperating with each other, and absolutely nothing to gain from having a policy of confrontation. So one would hope that on that level there is a return to a different approach of cooperation.

We have so many problems in the world right now. If you think of the unbelievable misery in many countries. If people dont change, and have an agapic approach, that we are one human species; it would be so easy to get rid of famine. Most diseases are absolutely containable. If there would be common research, we could make crash programs, as it was done for the vaccine for COVID-19, where some researchers developed a new technology in less than a year.... And this you could do, and find a cure for all the many diseases which cause incredible suffering for millions of people. So, why not shift? Can we not shift the orientation? Stop geopolitical confrontation, which is really the method which led to two world wars in the 20th century and will lead to annihilation in the 21st century because of thermonuclear weapons, if it is not stopped. So I think this effort to contain China with the Indo-Pacific policy is definitely the biggest danger right now. And I think that the idea to really make a step in a different direction and define the common aims of mankind ... we have to absolutely make this jump.

Zepp-LaRouche, after then discussing this further, including with reference to the great potential shown in the successes of three Mars missions right now, asked, Why not really go and make a huge leap, go to a new paradigm in thinking? And rather than destroying each other on Earth, that we find a new paradigm of tackling the challenges which confront all of civilization? I think that here is hope, absolutely, but I think it requires a major shift in policy.
Spain and Greece look set to strike a holiday deal with Britain even without vaccine passports, according to press reports today.

According to the Daily Express "amid uncertainty over the European Unions failing vaccine strategy, Spain and Greece have made it clear they want to do a deal direct with the UK. Spain's tourism minister Fernando Valdes has said the country is considering opening a "green corridor" for vaccinated Britons.

His Greek counterpart, Haris Theoharis, also confirmed that UK holidaymakers will be welcomed with or without a Europe-wide vaccine passport. Mr Valdes said: "Right now we have discussions with our colleagues in the UK.

The announcement is fantastic news for the Mallorcan tourist industry. If all goes according to plan British tourists should be able to start travelling after May 17.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Given the persistent reports of serious human rights violations and abuses in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the UN rights chief on Thursday stressed the urgent need for an objective, independent assessment of the facts on the ground
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 23:21:22|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

NICOSIA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) is strongly committed to supporting the upcoming talks on the Cyprus issue, said Josep Borrell, the bloc's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Friday during a visit to Cyprus.

In a tweet after a meeting with the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar, Borrel said "the UN work on the ground is essential for confidence building."

"The upcoming UN informal 5+1 talks provide an opportunity towards an urgently needed resumption of talks. The EU is strongly committed to support these efforts," he added.

Borrell was referring to an informal UN-led conference convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 27 to 29, aimed at deciding the terms and modalities of renewed Cyprus negotiations.

Participants will be leaders of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities and representatives of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom, the three "guarantor powers" that signed a 1960 treaty that led to the independence of Cyprus and the establishment of the Cypriot state.

Borrell has said that the EU remains an observer to the Conference on Cyprus so as to provide whatever assistance necessary.

The EU official had held talks with the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

"Engaging in @UN 5+1 talks is essential, for the benefit of all Cypriots, the region and the EU. There is a real opportunity that needs to be seized," he tweeted after meeting Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

Borrell said the EU supports a settlement to the Cyprus issue in line with UN resolutions and above all in line with EU practices.

"For the EU, it is of utmost importance that the settlement solution safeguards the integrity and decision-making capacities of the EU. It is also for this reason that the sooner the EU is involved in the renewed settlement process, the better," he told the English language Cyprus Mail newspaper in an interview. Enditem
BAGHDAD  At least 10 rockets targeted a military base in western Iraq that hosts U.S.-led coalition troops on Wednesday, the coalition and the Iraqi military said. It was not immediately known if there were any casualties.

The rockets struck Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar province at 7:20 a.m., spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto said.

Later, the Iraqi military released a statement saying the attack did not cause significant losses and that security forces had found the launch pad used for the missiles. An Iraqi military official said they had been found in the al-Baghdadi area of Anbar, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to brief media.

It was the first attack since the U.S. struck Iran-aligned militia targets along the Iraq-Syria border last week that killed one militiaman, stoking fears of a possible repeat of a series of tit-for-tat attacks that escalated last year, culminating in the U.S.-directed drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani outside the Baghdad airport.

Wednesdays attack targeted the same base where Iran struck with a barrage of missiles in January last year in retaliation for the killing of Soleimani. Dozens of U.S. service members were injured, suffering concussions in that strike

Wednesdays attack comes two days before Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Iraq in a much anticipated trip that will include Baghdad, southern Iraq and in the northern city of Irbil.

Last weeks U.S. strike along the border had been in response to a spate of rocket attacks that targeted the American presence, including one that killed a coalition contractor from the Philippines outside the Irbil airport.

After that attack, the Pentagon said the strike was a proportionate military response taken after consulting coalition partners.

Marotto said the Iraqi security forces were leading an investigation into the attack on Ain al-Asad.

U.S. troops in Iraq significantly decreased their presence in the country last year under the Trump administration. The forces withdrew from several Iraqi based across the country to consolidate chiefly in Ain al-Asad and Baghad.

Frequent rocket attacks targeting the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses the U.S. Embassy, during President Donald Trumps time in office frustrated the administration, leading to threats of embassy closure and escalatory strikes.
CRANSTON, R.I., March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT), SheWorks! , a social impact company focused on empowering women by connecting them with some of the world's most exciting remote work opportunities, and Polaris MEP, a non-profit which provides business improvement services to grow Rhode Island's manufacturing industry announced a new partnership today to train women in Rhode Island. The program will provide them with free virtual training in remote-readiness and digital marketing skills for global employability through the SheWorks! platform. Participants also will be connected to local and international remote job opportunities with companies that are part of the SheWorks! global marketplace, and they will have access to Polaris MEP's workforce services, including recruitment and placement.

Silvina Moschini, CEO of SheWorks and Chairwoman of TransparentBusiness

"Women have been disproportionately impacted by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The industries hit hardest by the pandemic are predominantly female-dominated, and distance learning has forced many women to leave the workforce to care for their children," said Matthew Weldon, DLT Acting Director. "We're excited to be partnering with SheWorks! to create pathways to competitive jobs for women who have faced barriers to employment."

Through the Back to Work RI initiative, Rhode Island is rebuilding a more equal and resilient economy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and so-called "she-cession." Many women have downshifted their careers or left the workforce altogether amid the pandemic. In Rhode Island, more than 16,000 women have left the workforce since March 2020. By contrast, male labor force participation has increased by 2,800 in the same period. As we look beyond the pandemic, remote work offers a clear path to employment as it allows women to pursue flexible opportunities without having to commute long distances or travel.

"SheWorks! is committed to hacking female unemployment, because we know it is the key to the post-pandemic economic recovery," said Silvina Moschini, Founder and CEO, SheWorks! "We empower women around the world by connecting them with remote opportunities and providing remote-readiness training, and we are proud to partner with the DLT to now help women in Rhode Island get back to work in highly-competitive fields."

"Manufacturing helps drive Rhode Island's economy. The sector offers quality jobs with good wages and opportunities for growth, however women are underrepresented in the industry," noted Lindsey Brickle, Workforce Manager, Polaris MEP. "Polaris MEP believes remote work can make manufacturing careers more attractive to women, especially those facing barriers to traditional work environments. Skills training and the SheWorks! platform will make it easier for women to enter manufacturing careers and advance."

The application process is open now through March 31st. Women are encouraged to apply early as only 500 will be selected to participate in the free online six week program, which consists of independent coursework and live virtual group classes for engaging and interactive learning. Each program track requires a commitment of at least three hours per week. Upon successful completion of the training, participants will receive a certification and be featured on the SheWorks! talent marketplace platform, connecting with a network of global companies seeking certified remote-ready talent.

Program certification tracks include:

Facebook Certified Digital Marketing Associate, which covers foundational advertising concepts on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. This track prepares women to take the exam to become Facebook Certified Digital Marketing associates.

Remote Work Certification, which covers the essential skills, mindsets, methodologies and tools needed to thrive in the new digital job market, preparing them to be successful remote workers.

To learn more or to apply for the program please visit www.wheresheworks.com/rhodeisland .

Natalya Spicker

Vice President of Growth and Strategic Partnerships

(305) 942-7284

[email protected]

SOURCE SheWorks!, a TransparentBusiness company
Tripoli, March 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :Libya's interim prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Thursday submitted his proposed government for approval by parliament, his office said, a key step towards unifying the war-ravaged nation.

"In accordance with the roadmap of the political agreement... (Dbeibah) handed over to the speaker of the elected parliament his proposals for ministerial portfolios," his office said in a statement.
Schools across the Isle of Man will be forced to shut down in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus - particularly among the island's young people.

The move, which will see all schools and childcare facilities close from Friday, comes just days after a circuit break lockdown came into force on the island following a rise in coronavirus cases after a ferry crew member tested positive.

The island had come out of lockdown on February 1, with schools and businesses reopening after no reports of unexplained community cases of coronavirus for 17 consecutive days.

But, on Tuesday, Chief Minister Howard Quayle announced a new lockdown of 21 days as a result of a 'transmission in our community that we cannot see and that we do not understand'.

He confirmed that the Isle of Man had seen 'a strong level of transmission between its young people' and 'every opportunity' needed to be taken to interrupt this.

All schools and childcare facilities on the Isle of Man will be forced to shut down in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus . (Stock image)

Mr Quayle said: 'As we know, the Kent variant of COVID-19 is particularly virulent and we are seeing it spreading rapidly amongst our community.

'The virus spreads when people mix and so we need to do all we can to minimise that mixing.

'We are currently seeing a strong level of transmission between our young people and we need to take every opportunity we have to interrupt this.

'Whilst much of the opportunity for transmission has been minimised through the circuit break, there are still a number of settings where children are moving around outside of the home.

'In the interests of children and broader society, we need to prevent children from mixing.

'The closure of schools and childcare facilities on Friday will create a firebreak, and the message is simple, if you have children, they must not mix with children from other households and should stay at home on Friday.

'This decision has not been taken lightly and is on the advice of Public Health and other professionals managing our response to this pandemic.

'I appreciate that it will present a challenge to our children and for a number of people who provide essential and indeed critical services for our Island but at the moment we feel this action is in the best interests of our young people and our community.'

Chief Minister Howard Quayle announced a new lockdown of 21 days as a result of 'transmission in our community that we cannot see and that we do not understand'

The island currently has 58 cases of coronavirus, three of which have no immediate link to identified clusters of the virus.

On February 18, Mr Quayle announced there were cases of Covid-19 on the Isle of Man which were not among people who had travelled there and entered self isolation.

All leisure and hospitality venues closed but takeaway and delivery services will be permitted.

All lifestyle business such as hairdressers also closed and non-essential retail businesses were also forced to shut although they are allowed to operate click and collect and delivery services.

They were linked back to a member of staff working for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which runs ferries to and from Liverpool, Belfast, Dublin and Heysham, in Lancashire.

At the time, the company said the crew member, who was not in a passenger-facing role, had a test while off-duty and was placed in immediate isolation, with contact tracing underway.

Under the new measures, which came into force just after midnight on Wednesday, schools and businesses will close and residents are urged to stay at home.

Mr Quayle said the island's vaccination programme was on track to deliver first doses to all over 50s and clinically vulnerable adults during April.

The Chief Minister Mr Quayle made the official announcement by a formal address given on Tuesday and said the measures will be reviewed constantly and kept in place only as long as necessary.

Mr Qualye said: 'From Wednesday we will be reactivating the financial support measures including MERA, Salary Support and the Business Support Scheme. The Treasury Minister will provide a statement in the House of Keys later today.

'I know this will be far from easy this time for so many.

'I know there is a great cost in locking down our Island and your lives. But we believe the alternative is now even more costly.

'I know we have asked you so much in the past and are I know asking you so much again.

Residents on the Isle of Man gathered in their hundreds in November for annual light switch on

'And I am truly sorry that this is happening.

'But our collective judgement throughout yesterday and last night, as more information became clearer, was that this, is what we need to do.

'I have always said that we will do what is right for the Island. And this is what we are doing. The right thing.'

The lockdown was lifted on January 31 - 19 days after the last coronavirus case was detected before this latest outbreak.

Schools and businesses reopened and the island's 50 bars and pubs welcomed revellers over Christmas when they were allowed to welcome back customers.

Social distancing measures and mask-wearing rules were also scrapped, but strict border controls - banning all but residents and key workers from entering - remained in place.

The island was the only place in the British Isles to be able to celebrate a normal Christmas

The island, which is a crown dependency and has its own government, was plunged into a similar 25-day circuit breaker lockdown after a Covid outbreak at the turn of the new year.

But pubs, bars and restaurants were finally allowed to reopen at the end of January after officials announced the outbreak had been brought under control.

A vaccine roll-out on the island has begun with Health Minister David Ashford saying everyone on the island will be offered a coronavirus jab by the end of September.

Those aged 50 and over would receive the jabs by the end of May.

With its strict border controls, the Isle of Man remained restriction free for almost seven months last year.

It closed its borders in March, before allowing residents and essential workers back into the country from July.

With the latest lockdown, Mr Quayle says he hopes the virus will be stamped out for good, adding: 'This is tough. I know it will be hard on families and on our businesses.

'It will be hard on our health and wellbeing and it will be hard on our children.

'I do believe though that if we get this right one more time  if we stamp out once and for all the transmission that has been sitting under the surface for some time now - and in parallel if we protect our vaccination programme  this could hopefully be the last time.

'If all is well, as we progress over the next 21 days, I sincerely hope that we will not have to tighten up further. It has worked before. We know what to do.'
'The biggest defender': Why Wolf's legacy matters in 2022

Gov. Tom Wolf's veto pen has frequently been the only thing to stop legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature from becoming law.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:


Burma More Than 600 Police Join Myanmars Anti-Regime Protest Movement

Police attempt to disperse anti-military regime protesters. / The Irrawaddy

Yangon  More than 600 police officers have joined Myanmars civil disobedience movement (CDM) against the military regime with only Rakhine State reporting no protests by officers.

The numbers of police resignations have risen sharply since the violent crackdown in late February.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Branch, Tourist Security Police, Security Police and training depots have left their duties to resist the military regime, according to an officer in Naypyitaw.

There were over 500 police participating in the CDM by Thursday and 100 more joined the movement on Friday. The officer said no police protests have been reported in Rakhine State.

He said Special Branch Major Tin Min Tuns participation in the CDM has had a great impact in police circles.

The major posted on Facebook this week: I no longer want to serve under the military regime. I have joined the civil servants participating in the CDM.

He expressed respect for younger protesters who are leading the movement against the regime.

A senior officer, who asked for anonymity, told The Irrawaddy: There is still no order to take action against the police who have joined the CDM. The commanders only ask to bring them back, talk them into going back to their duties and solve their problems.

None of the officers who joined the CDM have returned to work and none have been detained, according to police sources.

A policeman in Yangon, who joined the CDM, said: I cant stand seeing many people having trouble so a few individuals can be prosperous. I know a seed of sesame cannot make oil but I chose to leave, telling myself they will at least lose an officer to suppress protesters if I quit.

Police participating in the CDM said they would only accept an elected government. Some said they would offer their service if the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, representing elected members of the Union Parliament from the National League for Democracy, forms an army to fight the military regime.

The majority of the officers who have joined the CDM submitted resignations while some just informed their superiors that they were joining the movement, said the officer in Naypyitaw.

Some resignation letters said they had no will to carry out the military councils orders and were resigning to stand with the people.

Reuters reported on Thursday that at least 19 officers have fled to Mizoram in India through Chin State and requested political asylum.

Some of the striking officers have many years of experience and have won outstanding performance awards.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Military Detains More Than 1,500 Since Coup

Myanmars CRPH Calls for Halt in Tax Collection

More Than 10 Myanmar Diplomats Refuse to Work for Military Regime
Automatic weapons sold legally in the US are flowing over the border into Mexico to arm narco terrorists who control the drug supply that floods back.

Deadly drug cartels are using 50-calibre rifles - used to rip through armoured vehicles - against police and the military along with AK-47s and AR-15s in gang wars that are claiming tens of thousands of lives.

Yet the firepower, illegal to buy in Mexico, can be purchased in shops just over the border where the powerful gun lobby make sure the US constitution of the 'right to bear arms' is protected.

Journalist Ioan Grillo, who has reported for more than 20 years from Mexico on cartels and narco wars, says an iron river flowing from the US is arming violent drug gangs wreaking death and destruction.

Half a century since former US President Richard Nixon declared his war on drugs, Grillo's new book Blood, Gun, Money paints a picture of the ridiculous amid a sea of pain and suffering.

Expand Close Author Ioan Grillo / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Author Ioan Grillo

"In 1971, Richard Nixon gave this very famous speech and said we are gong to declare a war on public enemy number one - i.e drugs - and after that the DEA (Drugs Enforcement Authority) was created and came into action in 1973. He declared war in absolutist terms and it was that heroin should be banished from American lives.

"There had been massive increases in heroin use and he said he could get rid of it totally, that there would be no more heroin. So the DEA began this long campaign.

They couldn't just go after people selling it on the street corner, they had to go after their bosses and then on to those who traffick it. Fifty years of this long war on drugs has played out," he said.

In the last year, Mexico counted more than 35,000 drug-related murders, while 72,000 US citizens died from overdoses, proving that Nixon's policy is firmly not working.

In his book, Grillo concentrates on the gun, the sale of which is heavily controlled in Mexico where just one legal gun shop is operated by the army and where buyers need seven pieces of ID.

Across the border in the US, more than 393 million guns are legally in the hands of civilians while a massive black market operating due to loopholes in the legislation means that criminals and narcos can buy them too.

"In the last 11 years, around 164,000 guns taken from criminals in Mexico have been traced directly back to American gun shops and factories - but this is only the tip of the iceberg. Authorities here believe the real number is likely north of two million.

"In the US, guns cannot be bought in shops by criminals or with felony offences, but they can easily buy guns on the black markets. In fact, I discovered that once they are being bought from a 'private collector' there is no ID required," says Grillo.

In his book, he details how America is the biggest drug market in the world, spending more than $150 billion a year on heroin, cocaine, crystal meth and marijuana.

It has the biggest prison population in the world with two million people behind bars, the highest level of police shootings in the industrialised world and also a hard stance against organised crime.

Over the border in Mexico, institutions are weak and corrupt and the drugs war is no longer gangsters fighting but paramilitary groups taking on the military, and at times, overwhelming the country.

In an interview on this week's Crime World podcast, Grillo says that a third of Mexico's two million square kilometres and population of 130 million people are living under serious narco cartel problems. Another third has a cartel presence, while other parts of the country are only as violent as Belgium. But it is the level of firepower in the hands of the narcos that causes the real casualties.

"I have come across lots of murders over 20 years covering the violence and there are many scenes where victims have been ambushed with AK-47s and AR-15s. These are weapons bought legally in the US and converted to fully automatic once they are smuggled into Mexico.

"At crime scenes you will see how a group of people might have stopped at traffic lights and unleashed 500 bullets. These weapons can release 10 bullets a second when fully automatic.

They just kill everyone, the targets, the people in the cars around, the guy selling tacos. That is one of the reasons many regular people have been dying in this war," he says.

"A lot of people have an idea that weapons in the US can be bought by anyone, but there is a complicated mosaic of legislation around them. The second amendment recognises the right to bear arms but that doesn't mean anyone can have a gun; for example a criminal or a mentally ill person cannot.

But different states and cites have their own regulations and laws. The basic rule is you fill out a form and there is an ID check and you buy a gun but the reality is that there are private sellers who can legally sell to someone who claims to be a collector without even looking for ID."

In his wide-ranging interview, Grillo describes visiting the Mexican army site where some of the seized assets of cartel bosses are kept, including a stuffed lion and tiger once used to eat victims.

He describes the sicario who told him how he learned to behead humans while they were still alive and he describes a visit to Baltimore, Maryland - one of the most violent cities in the US, where life is cheap.

Read More

"It is very frustrating in some ways, covering all this. When I started out 20 years ago, it was exciting and glamorous and then you just see so much pain and suffering that you can't just talk about the bad stuff, you also have to look for solutions."

He believes closure of a number of loopholes in the US gun laws, more rehabilitation for those who need it and small changes could have a great effect on the problem.

"Mexico has a huge challenge in reducing organised crime, and guns are part of that equation. The country has huge problems to deal with, huge issues with young people being recruited in neighbourhoods.

You have to look at a comprehensive solution and reducing the flow of guns is part of that.

"Imagine Ireland, if every young guy out of control had grenades and an AK-47 fully automatic slung around their shoulders. Just imagine what that would look like. Because that's what Mexico is like."

Ioan Grillo is this weeks guest on Crime World. His book Blood, Guns, Money is available online and in stores nationwide.
An 18-year-old Windsor Locks resident  wounded in a police-involved shooting in New Britain several years ago  was arrested this week on robbery charges, police said.

Authorities said they have been looking for the teen since he missed court dates in October 2020.

Caleb Tisdol was taken into custody Monday by New Britain police. He is being held at Hartford Correctional Center, according to state Department of Correction records.

New Britain police did not respond to request for additional information on Tisdols arrest, but Windsor Locks police said on Wednesday that the search for Tisdol went on for quite a while. Windsor Locks police said he was taken into custody without incident.

Court records show he is being held in lieu of a combined $2.2 million bond.

Tisdol was the front-seat passenger in a vehicle being driven by Zoe Dowdell on Dec. 14, 2017. Officers fired at the vehicle as it tried to flee from police, according to a report about the incident. Dowdell was killed in the shooting. Tisdol suffered gunshot wounds to both legs.

After the December 2017 shooting, Tisdol was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle and possession with intent to sell narcotics. He has pleaded not guilty to the felony charges. A first-degree failure to appear charge has been added to this case, court records show, for a missed appearance on Oct. 8, 2020.

Court records show Tisdol was charged Monday with two counts of first-degree robbery, stemming from a Jan. 25 incident.

He has several other cases pending involving robbery and larceny offenses, court records indicate.

His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.
A "chivalry" assignment given to students at Shallowater High School in Texas instructed girls to "dress in a feminine manner" to please men, "walk behind men daintily as if their feet were bound," and "not complain or whine."

The assignment was shared in a private Facebook group, according to CBS affiliate KLBK/EverythingLubbock.com. A photo of the assignment was also tweeted by local journalist Brandi D. Addison, an Allen and Frisco city writer for the Dallas Morning News.

Heres a really ... interesting ... assignment on chivalry from @shallowaterisd. They are requiring the female students to lower their heads and curtsy for men; clean up after men; cook for and bring a drink to the mens class. This goes on for the entire day ... even at home. pic.twitter.com/i81Zr2iAva

 Brandi D. Addison Davis  (@BrandiDAddison) March 3, 2021

The assignment asked girls to "demonstrate to the school how the code of chivalry and standards set in the medieval concept of courtly love carries over into the modern day." A set of "rules" was listed, with a line for an "adult witness signature" next to each.

The assignment said "all ladies deemed worthy of the honor by the gentlemen" would get 10 points for every witness signature.

The list states, "Ladies must address all men respectfully by title, with a lowered head and curtsy," and "Ladies must never criticize a male." It also says "ladies" must not initiate conversations with males, or "show intellectual superiority" outside the classroom "if it would offend the men around them." It also says they must cook for the "gentlemen in their class" and should clean up after the men.

"Ladies must obey any reasonable request of a male. If not sure if it is considered reasonable, ladies can check with their teachers," one of the rules reads.

Story continues

Someone in the private Facebook group where the assignment was shared said there was also an assignment for boys, instructing them to "have manners towards the ladies and treat them politely in some situations," according to EverythingLubbock.com.

In a statement to CBS News, the public relations director for Shallowater High School said: "This assignment has been reviewed, and despite its historical context, it does not reflect our district and community values. The matter has been addressed with the teacher, and the assignment was removed."

Parents in the private Facebook group said the assignment was replaced after complaints, EverythingLubbock.com reports, but it had already received widespread attention on Twitter, with many criticizing the assignment.

"QAnon Shaman" still feels "sympathy" for former President Donald Trump

Nurse practitioner discusses expected CDC guidance for people who've been vaccinated

Chinese restaurants struggle with race-related attacks
Sen. Bernie Sanders' attempt to add a $15 per hour minimum wage to the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill failed as eight Democrats voted against his effort.

It was a long shot bid by Sanders to get the wage hike into the legislation after the Senate parliamentarian ruled it could not be included.

'This legislation is the most consequential and significant legislation for working families that Congress has debated for many, many decades,' Sanders said on the Senate floor Friday.

In pushing the amendment, Sanders forced his fellow Democrats to take a stand on the issue, which has divided the moderate and progressive wings of the party.

The Democrats going against Sanders were moderates, many from swing states: Jon Tester, Joe Manchin, Jeanne Shaheen, Angus King, Kyrsten Sinema, Tom Carper, Chris Coons, and Maggie Hassan.

The White House made clear Friday it that President Joe Biden supports Sanders' drive to raise the wage.

Press secretary Jen Psaki said to be clear the administration is 'not engaged in conversations or negotiations about lowering the threshold for the minimum wage, just to be crystal clear on that.'

Some Republican senators are pushing a bill to have an $11 per hour minimum wage.

Sen. Bernie Sanders' attempt to add a $15 per hour minimum wage to the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill failed

Democratic Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona voted against Sanders' move

Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough dealt the death blow to the wage hike when she ruled last week that the provision was not compliant with the rules governing the budget process that Congress is using to pass the bill with simple majorities.

Her ruling outraged liberals, who called for Democratic leadership to overrule it. Sanders roasted MacDonough in a speech on the Senate floor Friday morning.

'It is an absurd process that we allow an unelected staffer, somebody who works for the Senate not elected by anybody. to make a decision as to whether 30 million Americans get a pay raise or not,' the Vermont senator said.

'If people here want to vote against raising the minimum wage, you have that right. If you want to vote for it, and I hope you do, you have that right. But we should not shovel off that responsibility to an unelected staffer. That's wrong,' he added.

Given the parliamentarian's ruling that the wage hike could not be included, it would take a super majority of 60 senators to overrule that finding so Sanders' amendment could be added to the COVID relief package.

Even if all Democrats supported Sanders, his move to include it would have failed given the Republican opposition to it.

Democrats pushed to have the COVID relief bill passed through a process called reconciliation, which would keep the GOP from filibustering it and allow it to pass with a simple majority.

Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough (pictured) ruled their $15 minimum wage could not be included in the $1.9trillion COVID-19 relief bill

But, by invoking reconciliation, they also invoked what is called the 'Byrd rule' - which limits acceptable provisions in the reconciliation process to taxing and spending.

MacDonough, the Senate's nonpartisan arbiter of its rules, ruled last week the wage hike does not meet those standards.

Her ruling was not a surprise. Even President Joe Biden predicted the wage hike was likely not to meet the reconciliation requirements for inclusion.

The existing federal minimum wage, at $7.25 an hour, has not been changed since 2009.

The House version of the COVID relief bill contained the wage hike.

But the House, which passed its version last week, will have to vote on the Senate version once it passes the upper chamber. Once both chambers of Congress approve the same bill, Biden can sign it into law.

After the vote on Sanders' proposal, the Senate will begin a massive vote-a-rama on amendments to Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan as Republicans look to delay a final vote on the legislation.

'There'll be a lengthy amendment process, as the rules of the Senate require. The Senate is going to take a lot of votes. But we are going to power through and finish this bill, however long it takes,' Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Friday morning.

Republican senators are expected to offer multiple amendments to the bill, which Democrats claim is necessary to help the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The GOP protests the bill's cost and claim it's filled with progressive priorities.

'Votearama is upon us,' said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. 'Stay hydrated. Try to keep good cheer. We're going to have lots of amendments today and kind of talk about where we differ on certain things, which will be good for the country.'

'It's going to be a long day,' he added.

As part of their objections they are using the legislative process to delay a final vote as long as possible. On Thursday, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin demanded clerks read the entire 628 page bill aloud.

Schumer thanked the clerks and staff for working such long hours to read the bill.

And, he added, of Johnson: 'As for our friend from Wisconsin, I hope he enjoyed his Thursday night.'

The process - in which three clerks took turns reading the text aloud in a monotone that threatened to put lawmakers to sleep - took 10 hours and 44 minutes. It began at 3:20 p.m. on Thursday and ended at 2:04 a.m. in the early hours of Friday morning.

Now senators can proceed to debating the legislation, which includes the vote-a-rama, a series of votes on blocks of amendments that could last well into Friday night.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of 'ramming through an ideological spending spree packed with non COVID related policies.'

The Senate on Friday will begin a massive vote-a-rama on amendments from Republicans, led by GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell that will challenge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's to keep Democrats together

Amendments come after Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin demanded clerks read the entire 628 page bill aloud - it took them 10 hours and 44 minutes, beginning at 3:20 p.m. on Thursday and ended at 2:04 a.m. early Friday morning

Republicans plan to use their amendments to put Democrats in a tough spot, forcing them to vote on-the-record on a series of issues and challenging the party to stay united throughout the votes.

Asked how long the vote-a-rama could take, Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota said: 'It's indefinite. You've got lots of people who want to offer lots of amendments.'

Additionally, moderate Democrats are expected to offer an amendment lowering weekly federal unemployment benefits to $300 from $400 but will extend the payments from August until October.

The vote-a-rama is the last hurdle lawmakers face before a final vote on Biden's sweeping legislation. The final vote is likely to occur sometime this weekend.

Democrats are under pressure to stick together in the evenly-divided 50-50 Senate, where the party cannot afford to lose a single vote and Vice President Kamala Harris will have to break any tie. Harris had to rush up to the Capitol on Thursday afternoon to break a tie vote to allow the Senate to start debate on the relief package.

After she cast her vote, Johnson made his motion to have the bill read aloud.

Bill readings are almost always dispensed with at the start to allow for debate, but Johnson saw it as way to register his frustration over the massive outlay of federal spending.

'I feel bad for the clerks that are going to have to read it, but it's just important,' said Johnson, who has already faced criticism this week for suggesting the deadly January 6 US Capitol riot was not an 'armed insurrection.'

'Why are we authorizing another $1.9 trillion when we still have a trillion dollars sitting on the sidelines' unspent from the previous pandemic relief bills? he told reporters.

'It's actually hard to spend this much money.'

VP Harris' vote may be needed several more times as senators debate amendments and then hold a final vote on the relief package, which is not expected to get any Republican support

The final version of the $1.9 trillion plan could look different after the amendment process wraps up - or not. In a legislative catch, Schumer, at the end of the amendment vote, can offer an amendment that would revert the bill back to its original form.

There have already been some changes, which President Biden agreed to, including cutting off stimulus checks to Americans who make more than $80,000 a year.

He told reporters in the White House on Thursday he was comfortable with his decision cap the limit on those receiving checks.

Biden made the move to sooth Senate moderates, who worried about the cost of the legislation. But the change infuriated progressives - although they are expected to still support the bill.

The compromise means that 9 million fewer households would receive a stimulus payment than in the last tranche of payouts, which came out from President Donald Trump. It also lowers the cost of the legislation by $12 billion, according to Senate Democrats.

Democrats also increased minimum payments to states with smaller rural populations to match the $1.25 billion minimum contained in last year's CARES Act.

And they added $10 billion for infrastructure, $8.5 billion for health providers and expanded health-care subsidies for those who lose their jobs.

The relief package contains several provisions that have made it popular in opinion polls, even while attracting virtually no Republican support in Congress.

The House passed the COVID relief bill last week with no GOP support. Senate Republicans also are not expected to vote for it. Not a single Republican senator voted to proceed to debate on the legislation Thursday, indicating Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is keeping his senators in line in objecting to the legislation.

After the Senate passes its final, amended version of the legislation, the House will have to vote on it before Biden can sign it into law.
When the McHale family walked into House of Prime Rib on the fabled restaurant's first night of indoor dining since a brief reopening in October, bartender Frank Marcello greeted them by name.

Itd been a year since Marcello has served a cocktail in the beloved San Francisco restaurant, but he hasnt lost a step, joyously shaking up Manhattans behind a plexiglass barrier at the bar and welcoming regulars like the McHales.

I think they picked up right where they left off, says Bart McHale, who just polished off the English Cut of prime rib, with mashed potato and creamed corn. Weve been coming here for 40 years; its like they never missed a beat.

Its like eating at your home, adds his wife, Josie. They make you feel like you're coming into your home.

Patricia Chang/Special to SFGATE

The hospitality and the food havent changed, but the environment does feel different. Carving now takes place in stations at the center of the room as opposed to tableside. The dining rooms are quieter and you wont bump elbows while walking through the narrow hallway leading to the bathroom, or while jockeying for a bar seat. Regulations restrict them to 25% capacity and parties of four. As a result, many tables are roped off, and it feels like the layout errs on the side of caution with regards to spacing, as opposed to the creative interpretation of six feet used when designing many parklets. Temperature checks are required at the door, and masks must be worn on entry, although many diners removed them once seated.

Youre not making it through these doors without getting your temperature taken, says co-owner Steven Betz, speaking outside the restaurant.

Patricia Chang/Special to SFGATE

Servers and cutters are all masked, with roughly 75% of them vaccinated and all of them having received their first shot by next week. A hospital-grade ventilation system was installed shortly after the initial restaurant shutdown last year, and every night, the restaurant is fogged out for sterilization, in what co-owner Steven Betz describes as a several hour process.

When asked how it feels to reopen, Betz has a jubilant energy.

Its a dream come true. Its been a while, and its about time. I can see it on our customers faces; theyre more happy than we are.

Historically, HOPR has been one of the more difficult reservations in town to acquire and that hasnt changed. Tables are booked for the next three months and walk-ins are not recommended, although it does accept takeout orders. Those who did score a table looked very, very happy to be there, and the bartender remarked on a significantly high volume of cocktail orders.

Theres a lot of people smiling, says Betz. I havent seen this in a while. It makes it kind of worth it right now.

House of Prime Rib, located at 1906 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco, is open for indoor dining starting Wednesday, March 3. Its hours of operation are Wednesday to Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Google parent company Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Googles (GOOG, GOOGL) Chrome browser said this week that it won't deploy other web-tracking tools after phasing out third-party cookies in 2022. But that wont transform your online experience, or stop you from seeing ads for whiskey if youve just looked up how to mix a Manhattan.

Youre 100% still being targeted, Elizabeth Renieris, an affiliate of Harvard Universitys Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, told Yahoo Finance. Even though Google won't replace cookies with other tools that track you individually, it is looking at alternatives that will place users into larger groups with similar interests, which advertisers can buy ads against.

And while that might not be what hardline privacy advocates want to hear, the truth is advertisements sustain most of the websites you visit every day. Without them, wed be looking at a very different internet where websites charge you directly for the content they offer.

What this means for your browsing habits

To set the table here, there are two forms of web browser cookies. First-party cookies come from the site that youre actively visiting, and are generally helpful. Say, for example, you visit Yahoofinance.com. Your computer will then download a cookie from the site that will store your preferences so you dont have to constantly log in to your account or rearrange the page the way you like.

On the other hand, advertising firms place third-party cookies on websites to track your online activities. These advertisers use the information gleaned from those cookies to follow your activities across the web and feed you ads that line up with your general interests  a practice known as targeted advertising. These cookies can, in theory, be useful too, as theyll serve ads for products you might actually want to buy.

So why the change? According to Bennett Cyphers, staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Google is eliminating third-party cookies, in part, to comply with the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation.

Story continues

Third-party cookies are going away, but Google is cooking up new ways to target ads to users. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

What does this mean for you? If you want an idea of what Chrome will be like when it dumps third-party cookies, go check out Mozillas Firefox browser or Apples Safari, which have blocked third-party cookies since 2019 and 2020, respectively. Its not exactly all that different.

But getting rid of third-party cookies does provide certain privacy benefits that are harder to see.

While third-party cookies are ostensibly meant to allow advertisers to get a better sense of your interests, opponents say they can be used by data brokers to determine your exact identity. They do this by combining your browsing habits with unique identifiers like your IP address, email, or name, to figure out who you are, and fire off ever more targeted ads.

Without those cookies, youll end up with better overall online privacy.

Whats going to replace those cookies?

Google is experimenting with several alternatives to replace third-party cookies including a new mechanism called Federated Learning of Cohorts, or FLoC. FLoC, according to the company, is a new way for businesses to reach people with relevant content and ads by clustering large groups of people with similar interests.

FLoC will essentially place you into a group of other Chrome users who seemingly have the same kind of interests. Advertisers will then be able to target you through a group rather than as an individual. So youre not getting away from targeted ads with Googles decision to leave third-party cookies in the dust, but you are gaining some privacy benefits.

There are, however, concerns with FLoCs, chief among them that they could lead to discriminatory advertising practices.

There are certainly huge concerns around discrimination and how these cohorts are being formed and how much transparency we'll have into that and what that means for how were targeted, Renieris said.

The fear is that if an advertiser wanted to target a specific race, religion, or ethnic group with ads, it would simply have to pick a specific FLoC identifier.

While the easy answer may be to eliminate advertising from the web altogether, Garrett Johnson, assistant professor at Boston Universitys Questrom School of Business, says that would mean the end of the web as we know it.

By eliminating a means to effectively monetize their sites through ads, website owners will have to find other revenue streams, which could mean charging users. Even eliminating targeted advertising would be a problem.

Modern digital advertising is built on the basis of cross site identity using cookies, Johnson said. And if you get rid of that...our research shows that websites earn two or three times less revenue. So, this hurts websites, that hurts the open web.

However Johnson, who is part of the Worldwide Web Consortiums Improving Web Advertising Business Group, says that Googles third-party cookie alternatives will likely offer consumers and advertisers some kind of middle ground.

User[s] would have better privacy guarantees, because they're being targeted as a group, rather than having their individual information shared, he explained. Consumers would also see more personalized ads rather than those for things like earwax removal tools and teeth whitening services.

Googles changes arent set to kick in for another year. And the final result might not mean much of a change for most users. But behind the scenes, it will likely afford more privacy, without having to pay up for it.



Sign up for Yahoo Finance Tech newsletter

Got a tip? Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com over via encrypted mail at danielphowley@protonmail.com, and follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.

More from Dan:

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. Find live stock market quotes and the latest business and finance newsFor tutorials and information on investing and trading stocks, check out Cashay.
The White House is 'protecting' President Joe Biden by not scheduling press conferences in a bid to avoid a drop in his approval ratings, Fox News contributor Karl Rove has claimed.

Rove made the comments during a discussion on 'Outnumbered' on Thursday.

Rove, 70, served as George W. Bush's chief strategist and advised Donald Trump during his 2020 campaign.

It comes as Biden is yet to make a press conference since taking office six weeks ago.

The White House is 'protecting' President Joe Biden by not scheduling press conferences in a bid to avoid a drop in his approval ratings, Fox News contributor Karl Rove has claimed

The US President has answered questions from reporters briefly before boarding the presidential aircraft and has made statements about the coronavirus pandemic and other issues, but is yet to do a solo press conference.

In comparison Trump took questions 27 days into the job while Barack Obama held one 20 days after his inauguration.

Rove claimed that the White House is 'protecting' Biden from scrutiny over his coronavirus relief measure.

'I think his ratings are likely to be going down more because people are looking at the COVID relief bill and saying, what's all that pork in there about?' Rove said.

Rove, widely seen as the architect of George W. Bush's two victories, was attacked by Trump

'Maybe it's that they haven't heard from them ... I think the White House view is if they do hear from the president, it might go down a little bit more.'

He claimed that it was the same tactic used on the campaign trail: 'They wisely made a decision that let the focus remain on Donald Trump, hide Joe Biden in the basement in Delaware. And it worked.

'I think they've seen since the campaign ended that he's not good at the end of the day and he's not really good on his feet.

'And they may be protecting him, hoping to stave off a further decline in his numbers.'

Trump took aim at Rove on Thursday after Rove wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, criticizing Trump's CPAC performance on Sunday and calling on him not to run in 2024.

Trump hit back the next day, calling Rove a 'RINO' - Republican In Name Only.

Trump lashed out at Rove on Thursday, describing him as a 'pompous fool' and a loser

Rove frequently appears on Fox News - often with a whiteboard covered in hand drawn statistics, facts and figures to prove his point.

Trump urged the network to drop him.

'Karl Rove's voice on Fox is always negative for those who know how to win,' the former president said.

'He certainly hasn't helped Fox in the ratings department, has he? Never had much of a feeling for Karl. He's a pompous fool.'
Children across China participated in various themed activities, including sports challenges and parent-child games, over the last few days to celebrate the International Childrens Day, which falls on Tuesday this year. China established the day in 1949 and made it a full-day holiday for children under 14 in 1956 as an occasion to celebrate the spirit of youth

Jun 01, 2021 05:38 PM


SAN RAMON (dpa-AFX) - Chevron Corp. (CVX) said that the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed multiple findings of civil contempt against disbarred attorney Steven Donziger, effectively bringing to a close his campaign to profit from the fraudulent Ecuadorian judgment he procured in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations or 'RICO' Act.



As the Second Circuit today observed, it has been finally adjudicated that Donziger 'fraudulently procured the Ecuadorian Judgment against Chevron through a pattern of racketeering activity,' Chevron said.



The court also noted 'Donziger, among other things, bribed the presiding judge to enter a judgment in his clients' favor in exchange for $500,000 of the judgment's proceeds; coerced the court to appoint a hand-picked expert whom Donziger paid for favorable testimony; and ghost-wrote the Ecuadorian Judgment.'



In 2020, the New York Appellate Division, First Department, disbarred Donziger for 'egregious professional misconduct, namely, corruption of a court expert and ghostwriting his report, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and judicial coercion.'



According to Chevron, U.S. courts are not alone in condemning the Ecuadorian litigation against Chevron. In a separate proceeding, an international tribunal in The Hague previously ruled that the Ecuadorian judgment was procured by the plaintiffs' legal team through egregious fraud and corruption and is therefore unenforceable under international law.



Chevron noted that the international tribunal further rejected the environmental allegations against Chevron, holding that the corrupt Ecuadorian judgment was based on environmental claims that had been already settled and released by the Republic of Ecuador years earlier following the successful completion of an environmental remediation carried out under the supervision and with the approval of the Republic of Ecuador.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

CHEVRON-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de


Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, says COVID-19 is not the business of people in his state, adding that they have more pertinent issues to...

Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, says COVID-19 is not the business of people in his state, adding that they have more pertinent issues to tackle.

Bello stated this on Friday, when he featured on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.

The governor, who has repeatedly denied the existence of the virus in his state, said COVID-19 is the minute aspect of what the state is currently addressing, adding that Kogi is tackling diseases like Yellow Fever and Lassa Fever, without much noise about its efforts.

COVID-19 is not our business in Kogi state. We have more prominent issues, more pertinent issues, more serious matters that we are attending to in Kogi state, he said.

Insecurity that we met, weve tackled it and several others. Disunity, we met it on ground and we have united Kogi state, not COVID-19.

COVID-19 is just a minute aspect of what were treating in Kogi state or handling in Kogi state. There have been outbreaks of Lassa Fever, Yellow Fever  those we handled without making noise about it.

He noted that if the federal government makes vaccine available to the state, he will ensure that those who want it get vaccinated.





If the federal government is gracious enough and gives us COVID-19 vaccine, we will equally sensitise our people, who wish to take it to come forward and take the vaccine, he said.

But Im not going to subject the people of Kogi state to vaccination, or I will not make them guinea pigs.

When asked if he is going to take the vaccine publicly like his counterparts, he said: I dont need the vaccine; nothing is wrong with me. Im hale and hearty  100 percent hearty.
MOUNT STERLING  A Brown County resident is advocating for easier access to medical marijuana in the state, saying Illinois legalization of marijuana for recreational use has hurt patients who use it to treat medical conditions.

David Kurfman, 43, has had epilepsy since he was 12. As a participant in the states Illinois Medical Cannabis Program, Kurfman was able to stop taking epilepsy medications, he said, adding that he remains an active patient in the program.

Pharmaceutical epilepsy medications can come with side effects including dizziness, vomiting, depression and a reduced attention span, among others.

Kurfman, one of the first patients in the medical cannabis program in 2015, wants medical cannabis patients to be prioritized, he said.

Kurfman acknowledges he now grows his own cannabis but said he would rather get what he needs from the medical cannabis program.

Thats impossible at this point, he said.

Kurfman worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for 13 years and also has worked at the Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility. He comes from a military family and would have joined himself, if not for his epilepsy, he said.

Im a very patriotic person, he said.

Calling himself a Canna Patriot, Kurfman said he wants to bring a conservative outlook to the cannabis scene.

I like to portray things truthfully and educationally, he said. My main thing is medical cannabis education.

He has a heavy online presence as an advocate and has visited the Capitol in Springfield more than a dozen times during the past year, discussing medical cannabis reform with legislators, he said.

Kurfman said he is hoping his efforts get things on track and away from the shortages, higher prices and decreased quality hes seen in available cannabis during the past year.

To that end, he wants to get a cultivation license opened for patients in Illinois State Police District 15, which, he said, would improve supply and demand in Illinois.

Its the only cultivation license in the state of Illinois for IMC patients, Kurfman said.

The other focus for Kurfman is quality control, he said, noting that dispensaries around in the state are for recreational use, not patients.

The Senate bill which weve been advocating for all last year, along with other patient needs, is Senate Bill 2295 by Sen. Mattie Hunter, Kurfman said. This legislation is needed because the Pritzker administration refuses to open ISP 15 for patients.

SB 2295 is about opening up ISP District 15 for a medical cannabis cultivation license.

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, it continues to be the regulatory entity for medicinal cannabis cultivation centers and was given similar authority for regulating certain adult-use cannabis business establishments by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

One major hurdle is that, of 55 medical cannabis dispensaries in Illinois, the vast majority are in the Chicago area, which makes access difficult for those living downstate.

Chris Slaby, public information officer for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act allows his department to license up to 60 medical cannabis dispensing organizations in Illinois.

A cultivation license in ISP District 15 would help patients get back into the program, Kurfman said.

Kurfman said he will be visiting Springfield in coming weeks to speak to various legislators in hopes of setting in motion a path for ISP15 to be opened up and a medical cannabis license to be granted.

MOUNT STERLING  A Brown County resident is advocating for easier access to medical marijuana in the state, saying Illinois legalization of marijuana for recreational use has hurt patients who use it to treat medical conditions.

David Kurfman, 43, has had epilepsy since he was 12. As a participant in the states Illinois Medical Cannabis Program, Kurfman was able to stop taking epilepsy medications, he said, adding that he remains an active patient in the program.

Pharmaceutical epilepsy medications can come with side effects including dizziness, vomiting, depression and a reduced attention span, among others.

Kurfman, one of the first patients in the medical cannabis program in 2015, wants medical cannabis patients to be prioritized, he said.

Kurfman acknowledges he now grows his own cannabis but said he would rather get what he needs from the medical cannabis program.

Thats impossible at this point, he said.

Kurfman worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for 13 years and also has worked at the Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility. He comes from a military family and would have joined himself, if not for his epilepsy, he said.

Im a very patriotic person, he said.

Calling himself a Canna Patriot, Kurfman said he wants to bring a conservative outlook to the cannabis scene.

I like to portray things truthfully and educationally, he said. My main thing is medical cannabis education.

He has a heavy online presence as an advocate and has visited the Capitol in Springfield more than a dozen times during the past year, discussing medical cannabis reform with legislators, he said.

Kurfman said he is hoping his efforts get things on track and away from the shortages, higher prices and decreased quality hes seen in available cannabis during the past year.

To that end, he wants to get a cultivation license opened for patients in Illinois State Police District 15, which, he said, would improve supply and demand in Illinois.

Its the only cultivation license in the state of Illinois for IMC patients, Kurfman said.

The other focus for Kurfman is quality control, he said, noting that dispensaries around in the state are for recreational use, not patients.

The Senate bill which weve been advocating for all last year, along with other patient needs, is Senate Bill 2295 by Sen. Mattie Hunter, Kurfman said. This legislation is needed because the Pritzker administration refuses to open ISP 15 for patients.

SB 2295 is about opening up ISP District 15 for a medical cannabis cultivation license.

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, it continues to be the regulatory entity for medicinal cannabis cultivation centers and was given similar authority for regulating certain adult-use cannabis business establishments by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

One major hurdle is that, of 55 medical cannabis dispensaries in Illinois, the vast majority are in the Chicago area, which makes access difficult for those living downstate.

Chris Slaby, public information officer for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act allows his department to license up to 60 medical cannabis dispensing organizations in Illinois.

A cultivation license in ISP District 15 would help patients get back into the program, Kurfman said.

Kurfman said he will be visiting Springfield in coming weeks to speak to various legislators in hopes of setting in motion a path for ISP15 to be opened up and a medical cannabis license to be granted.
Salesmsg: Team Texting From Web, Mobile, & Landlines We were calling, but no one was picking up. We were sending emails yet getting minimal replies. But like magic, when we sent text messages, we got instant responses, booked more meetings, and made sales faster! - Chris Brisson CEO

Salesmsg, a Delray Beach-based tech business texting startup, was honored as one of fifty top Florida Companies to Watch in 2020. Salesmsg, founded by Florida native and entrepreneur Chris Brisson, earned the distinguished award after just three years in business.

The statewide competition garnered nearly 500 entries from across the state of Florida. Entrants were measured based on a stringent requirements including innovation, performance, and community involvement. Founders and entrepreneurs were assessed based on their leadership, philanthropy, and perseverance.

GrowFL, the award foundation, has been recognizing high-impact companies like Salesmsg for ten years. Dr. Tom ONeal, GrowFL founder explains These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated not only their willingness to grow, but their capacity to do it successfully.

Serial entrepreneur and CEO of Salesmsg Chris Brisson is no stranger to the concept of do it successfully, having bootstrapped more than one SMS based startup. He explained the genesis of Salesmsg as a pivot towards what his other start up CallLoop didnt provide: two way business texting.

Chris Brisson explained, We were calling, but no one was picking up. We were sending emails yet getting minimal replies. But like magic, when we sent text messages, we got instant responses, booked more meetings, and made sales faster!

Salesmsg solves this modern problem by giving companies and teams a texting solution designed to overcome declining email open rates, non-existent voicemail call backs, and consumer demand for SMS engagement.

Business texting has been around for years, but many businesses did not recognize its importance to customers or lacked the technical knowledge to implement it. To support the needs of business texting community, Salesmsg innovated texting for landline numbers, shared team SMS inboxes, integrations for popular CRMs like HubSpot and hundreds more using Zapier. In addition, Salesmsg offers a public SMS API, a Chrome browser extension, and mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Were grateful. Were honored. And receiving this award is a sign Salesmsg is on the right track, Brisson remarked. And even with increased regulation of A2P 10 DLC by the industrys main mobile carriers, we are ready to stay ahead of the curve and hopefully win a Florida Companies to Watch 2021 award too.

About Salesmsg

Founded on the belief that "conversations are good for business" Salesmsg recognized the response rate of email, phone calls, and voicemail decline, while text messaging increased. It became clear based on how leads and customers wanted to communicate; sales, marketing, and support professionals needed SMS as the better way to connect. Since 2017 Salesmsg has supported these professionals through the development of CRM integrations with HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, Infusionsoft, Pipedrive and new features that improve lead conversion and sales, decrease appointment no-shows, and the eliminate technical complexity and management of managing multiple platforms. Free 14 day trial available to new customers.

About GrowFL

GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch celebrates growing second-stage companies headquartered in Florida. Companies to Watch was developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation as a unique way to recognize and honor second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace with innovative strategies and processes, making them worth watching.
Beyond our business growth, we are truly excited to be able to offer both teams more opportunities to grow and expand the family-like culture that both Field Pros Direct and Bridgewater Group, Inc. were built on." Matthew Anderson, Field Pros Direct

Field Pros Direct, a 4-year-old insurtech company founded on simplifying property claims processes, announced the acquisition of Bridgewater Group, Inc., with their 25+ year track record of success as a third-party administrator (TPA) in the claims space. This acquisition brings together Field Pros Directs technology-based claims solutions and Bridgewaters 25+ years of service-based knowledge, expanding opportunities for both companies, their teams and their stakeholders.

With this new relationship comes opportunities for both companies to accelerate their property, liability, catastrophe (CAT) and TPA claims services by leveraging simple technology and their collective industry expertise. For Insurance Carriers, this relationship will expand the lines of insurance in which Field Pros Direct can offer technology-enabled solutions to streamline the claims process. For adjusters and team members, this will significantly expand opportunities for professional growth.

Field Pros Direct is an experience-focused technology company that helps Insurance Carriers, Adjusters and Service Providers innovate their claims process, simply. Field Pros Directs CEO, Matthew Anderson, was drawn to Bridgewater Group, Inc. partly due to their outstanding track record of success in the London markets over the past 25+ years.

Bridgewater Group, Inc. is well-established in the London market which complimented our history of innovating through Lloyds Lab. Between both companies we can offer a wider variety of innovative solutions to the claims ecosystem in both Domestic and London markets, including robust technology-enabled solutions for Property, Casualty and CAT programs and more, said Matthew Anderson, CEO of Field Pros Direct. Beyond our business growth, we are truly excited to be able to offer both teams more opportunities to grow and expand the family-like culture that both Field Pros Direct and Bridgewater Group, Inc. were built on.

What brought us to Matt Anderson and Field Pros Direct was the level of comfort in knowing that he would take Bridgewater into the future while sharing so many of our values, said Bridgewater Groups co-founder, Barry Kriegel. The potential that I saw with Matt Anderson was far greater than the sum of both parts.

This acquisition enables both companies to drive further innovation across the Insurance industry through simple technology backed with deep industry expertise.

For more information:

Ally Momot

Marketing Project Manager

amomot@fieldprosdirect.com

(844) 973-4732 ext. 774

ABOUT FIELD PROS DIRECT:

Field Pros Direct helps Insurance Carriers, Adjusters and Service providers innovate their claims process, simply. A combination of our proprietary technology and dedication to customer service has established a new standard for claims. Our platform helps carriers eliminate unnecessary fines and efficiencies, while creating a community of dedicated adjusters and service providers to provide the best experience possible. For more information about Field Pros Direct, visit http://www.fieldprosdirect.com

ABOUT BRIDGEWATER GROUP, LLC

Bridgewater Group is an 25+ year-old independent adjusting company specializing in third-party administration (TPA) of claims while servicing both Domestic and London-based insurance companies. For more information about Bridgewater Group, visit http://www.bridgewatergroup.net
Los Angeles, March 5 : Hollywood star Elizabeth Olsen, who is part of the show WandaVision, says that for years her mother has referred to her by the wrong character name.

The actress plays Scarlet Witch in the show. Her mother invariably calls her Red Witch! "My mom just told me the other day that she's been calling me the 'Red Witch' for the last-she said four years, but I think I've been doing this for like six or seven. And she just learned that I was called the Scarlet Witch last week," Olsen said in an interview on the The Tonight Show, reported eonline.com.

Directed by Matt Shakman, WandaVision also stars actor Paul Bettany.

Olsen shot to global popularity playing Wanda Maximoff and her superhero alter ego Scarlet Witch in the Avengers film franchise. The actress is also known for her roles in films such as Martha Marcy May Marlene, Silent House, Liberal Arts and Ingrid Goes West. She was appreciated for her performance in the series Sorry for Your Loss.
The oak tree and rainbow mural made from bottle tops by the secondary students of St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon

When the world as they knew it was collapsing around them, an oak-inspired art project became a symbol of the resilience of students and teachers at St Nathys College.

Now the colourful mural is displayed on a school wall as a permanent reminder of the hard work and creativity of pupils at the Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon school in the year that Covid hit.

It is also one of the entries in the annual Creative Engagement Exhibition hosted by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), to showcase the artistic talent and innovation among second-level students.

The annual exhibition, which was opened by Arts Minister Catherine Martin, runs online until Saturday. It is all the more impressive this year with students challenged to complete the project during the pandemic.

Work on the St Nathys mural depicting the mighty oak and a rainbow, and made of bottle tops, had started well before the pandemic closed the school last March.

Pupils had collected thousands of bottletops, mainly from strategically placed baskets in the school and community settings, such as nursing homes, for their: Bringing Plastic to Life  Out of Waste Grows Beauty mural.

Read More

Local artist Mo Robertson was a guiding hand and the project started with one group of Transition Year (TY) pupils, but the sudden interruption to in-school teaching last spring disrupted the work.

That might have been the end of it, but Karen Munnelly the schools Creative Engagement co-ordinator said: When we came back in September, the new TY picked up the mantle and we finished it.

You could easily have given up on it because of the closure, but we pushed through with the project and we were determined to see it through to the end.

We showed resilience, just like the oak shows resilience. Ballaghaderreen is the town of the little oak, the oak is also on the school crest and students used this as a motivation to finish the artwork despite interruptions to class time.

A cross-curricular approach also involved woodwork students, who made benches, complete with planters, designed to sit in front of the mural and to be filled by the horticulture class.

At Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School in west Dublin, Covid-related restrictions in schools saw art teacher Elaine Stephens, and visual artist Mona Atkinson come up with a contingency to ensure they saw their collaboration through.

I had planned for her to come into the school said Ms Stephens but the artist prepared material for the students in advance and using her mobile phone, the art teacher got her on Zoom calls and I carried her around the classroom.

Their Drawing with Light project explores the interaction between chemistry, art, and physics.

It is based on cyanotype and involved treating a paper with chemicals, drawing, painting or placing objects on it and putting it in sunlight. The sun reacts to the chemicals and then the objects are removed.

We got the students drawing and painting on acetate. The sun would pop up and all the students would rush over to put their stuff in the window and then to the sink to wash it off.

The image that is left is like an imprint, that is why we called it Drawing with Light, said Ms Stephens.

At Chanel College, Coolock, Dublin, students produced a dazzling neon-glass installation with the help of neon artist Sean ODuigeannain, which has pride of place in the schools hallway, brightening up a previously dark space.

Neon Wellness  Creative Voice project started with research involving photos of neon art/street art, abstract art and talking to peers about art and the school.

Art teacher Emma Reilly said students worked with the artist over email, video calls and phone to learn the skills and techniques involved in designing and making neon art.

Student Luke Talbot said the abstract piece can mean different things for everyone.

" But the main point of it is how we are all connected and the lines represent everyone's voice and creativity. The piece shows how we all come together in an environment like school and work together, he said.
(JNS)  Many people who have never heard of the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) might reasonably ask why this body has the name that it does, upon learning that one of its members, China, is currently engaged in genocide against its Uyghur Muslim minority.

Other nuggets of truth about the council  that the majority of its member states are illiberal autocracies, that the only country to have its record scrutinized as a fixed agenda item is Israel  would surely provoke similar questions among those blissfully unaware of the UNHRCs existence until now, most of all whether a bod...
The majority of National Flood Insurance Program claims in Louisiana stemming from Hurricane Laura, which hit the state in August 2020, have been closed.

FEMA says the NFIP has closed 87% of the 1,227 claims submitted and paid more than $45 million.

NFIP flood insurance specialists contacted over 3,000 insurance agents and over 600 real estate professionals in the Hurricane Laura-impacted area with flood-insurance and flood-risk information, claims and marketing support, FEMA said in a media release.

More than 12,900 structures in Louisiana were inspected to see if they were substantially damaged. Substantial damage applies to a structure in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or a 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain for which the total cost of restoring a structure to its pre-damaged condition is 50 percent or more of the structures market value before the disaster occurred, regardless of the cause of damage.

Hurricane Laura struck Southwest Louisiana on Aug. 27, 2020, as a Category 4 storm. The Louisiana Department of Insurance has said that Calcasieu, Rapides, Beauregard, Ouachita and Vernon parishes had the most claims of all kinds from the storm.

The LDI reported in late January 2021 that as of Dec. 31, 2020, insurers had closed 77% of non-NFIP claims from Hurricane Laura, 59% of which were closed with payment. Total paid losses, plus reserves, on reported claims from all surveyed lines of insurance for Hurricane Laura at the end of 2020 came to $6.6 billion, representing the overwhelming majority of damage in Louisiana from the record 2020 hurricane season. That figure does not include NFIP claims, the department said.

FEMA said that as of Feb 28, more than 230,000 families and hundreds of businesses have been assisted in Louisiana in the form of Individual Assistance grants, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and National Flood Insurance (NFIP) disbursements. More than 226,860 households have registered with FEMA for individual assistance.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Claims Louisiana Hurricane Flood
Timeless Wisdom: Better Than Gold

There are few things our world needs more right now than wisdom.

But what is it exactly?

Let me begin by observing that we humans can know things on three different levels.

The first and lowest level is mere data, consisting of isolated facts, figures, dates, people, and observations. This is the lowest form of knowing.

The second level is knowledge, which organizes and systematizes the data we perceive such that we understand their cause and end.

The third and highest level is wisdom.

Great minds throughout history have given different but, I would argue, mutually compatible definitions of wisdom.

Lets begin with Socrates. In the Apology of Plato, his student, we are told that Socrates friend Chaerephon inquired of the Oracle at Delphi whether there was any man wiser than Socrates. The Oracle said there was not. Socrates was puzzled by this, and after pondering the Oracles answer concluded that what it meant was This man among you, mortals, is wisest who, like Socrates, understands that his wisdom is worthless. From Socrates, therefore, we see that wisdom involves a sense of ones own limitations, a sense of humility.

In his Nicomachean Ethics, Platos student, Aristotle, distinguished between two types of wisdom: theoretical and practical. Theoretical wisdom essentially amounted to a deep knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. Practical wisdom, on the other hand, was knowledge of how to live well, for according to Aristotle, It is evident that it is impossible to be practically wise without being good. Thus, for Aristotle, wisdom was both deep knowledge and living a virtuous life.

Xunzi, a Chinese philosopher who lived just after Aristotle, affirmed that the wise man is he who first orders himself, and from there orders his surroundingshis family, workplace, or if he is a ruler, the state.

For the gentlemans cultivation of his heart, he declared, nothing is better than integrity. With this personal integrity, the wise man could then adapt to the world around him: If you are well-ordered, then you will become enlightened. When you are enlightened, then you can adapt to things. To transform and adapt in succession is called Heavenly virtue. We thus see that Xunzi believed that the Heavenly virtue of wisdom included the ability to adapt to the world around us.

Likewise, some of the books in the Bible are almost exclusively focused on wisdom. For example, King Solomon identified God as the ultimate source of wisdom. In the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, who himself was quoting Aristotle, it belongs to wisdom to consider the highest cause, which St. Thomas identified with God, who providentially orders all things.

And as wisdom is ultimately identified with God, the Bible is full of advice to listen to those in authority over us, the wise, and the experienced. Its wisdom books also insist that to be wise, we must also listen to criticism, and accept rebuke from the wise. Scripture likewise affirms what was said by Aristotle, Xunzi, and many others, namely that being wise means living virtuously.

Thus, wisdom far exceeds data and knowledge in multiple ways.

First, while data and knowledge can be oriented around a variety of lower causes (beauty in art, design in engineering, law in jurisprudence, etc.), wisdom is ultimately oriented to the highest cause, namely God. As such, it applies to and orients everything else in life, for life proceeds from God.

Second, wisdom requires humility, and a willingness to accept advice and even rebukeneither of which are necessary to acquiring data or knowledge.

Third, wisdom is intrinsically connected to virtue, and thus not just what we think about life, but how we live it. Data and knowledge can remain abstractions in the mind. But wisdom must necessarily become incarnate. It is a state of being. It sees beyond the horizon, and understands that which data and knowledge can never fully grasp, but only describe.

Finally, wisdom must be animated by loveof learning, of life, of human beings, and ultimately of God. Many people have accurate data and knowledge in their heads, but if they lack wisdom, they are liable to misuse it because they are not anchored by love of anything greater than themselves, for as St. Paul observed, Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Possessing data and knowledge can, and often does lead to arrogance. Possessing wisdom leads to the opposite.

While this is not an exhaustive treatment of wisdom, it gives us enough to broadly identify what characterizes a wise person according to many great minds throughout history. To be a wise person, one mustat a minimumbe someone who:

1. Fears and respects God;

2. Humbly acknowledges their imperfections and limitations;

3. Listens to the correction and counsel of authorities, elders, and those with more experience; and

4. Adapts all this toward the purpose of living a virtuous life.

These are the four principles underlying the Timeless Wisdom column, whose purpose is to bring the wisdom of great minds throughout the world and human history to bear on modern lifeeven if, or perhaps especially when, it contradicts our own views and assumptions.

The reason is simple, and was perfectly articulated 3,000 years ago by King Solomon: Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding, for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold.

Joshua Charles is a former White House speechwriter for Vice President Mike Pence, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, a historian, writer/ghostwriter, and public speaker. Hes been a historical adviser for several documentaries and published books on topics ranging from the Founding Fathers, to Israel, to the role of faith in American history, to the impact of the Bible on human civilization. He was the senior editor and concept developer of the Global Impact Bible, published by the D.C.-based Museum of the Bible in 2017, and is an affiliated scholar of the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center in Philadelphia. He is a Tikvah and Philos Fellow and has spoken around the country on topics such as history, politics, faith, and worldview. He is a concert pianist and holds a masters in government and a law degree. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaTCharles or see JoshuaTCharles.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 08:09:20|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on July 14, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square in south China's Hong Kong, July 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), will deliberate a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) during its annual session that is scheduled to open on Friday, according to the newly-released agenda.

The NPC, as the highest organ of state power in China, has the power and responsibility to make the decision at the constitutional level to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR, said Zhang Yesui, spokesperson for the fourth annual session of the 13th NPC, at a press conference on Thursday night.

The move bears profound significance in plugging the loopholes in Hong Kong's electoral system, implementing the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong," safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests, advancing "one country, two systems," and ensuring long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

The electoral system is an important component of the political system, as the elected public officers concern the rise and fall of a country or a region.

After Hong Kong's return to the motherland, a group of disruptors who entered the governance architecture of Hong Kong under the pretense of public officers have in recent years been acting openly and unlawfully against China.

One direct reason behind the chaos in Hong Kong is that the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" has yet to be fully implemented.

To implement "the people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong," the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" must be upheld. It is a universal practice to enforce strict requirements on governing personnel's patriotic stance as well as their political qualifications.

For years, anti-China forces seeking to disrupt Hong Kong have been colluding with external forces in an attempt to seize the jurisdiction over Hong Kong, with clear goals and concrete actions.

Effective measures must be taken to block these pawns of anti-China forces from being elected to HKSAR's governance architecture, and knock them out once and for all.

The best electoral system for Hong Kong is the one that suits its conditions and helps safeguard national security and maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

The Hong Kong society should build consensus to support the improvement of the region's electoral system and ensure that the jurisdiction over Hong Kong must stay in the hands of those who love the country and Hong Kong. 
CBC

Michael Megenbir was someone who generally kept his personal life separate from work. That is, until one June day in 2017. Sitting among his fellow educators in the library of the Regina school where he worked at the time, the intensive support teacher rose at the year-end staff meeting to announce to his colleagues that he's transgender. "I really love and respect all of you, and I think you all feel the same way about me," Megenbir, now 37, remembered saying. He went on to tell them that when they return to work in the fall, he'd be changing his name to Michael and using he/him pronouns. Megenbir's palms were sweaty as he assessed the room. "I remember looking out and seeing the faces, focusing in on a couple of the staff who I had become really close with and just watching them smile," he said. Then came the applause. "It was honestly a little overwhelming, but in a good way," Megenbir said. "It gave me that little boost of confidence and it just let me know that I was doing the right thing." In 2018, Megenbir had his long-awaited top surgery, marking the first time in decades he says he felt 'comfortable in my own skin.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Allison Boulanger, who knew Megenbir as a friend and colleague for years before his transition, remembers smiling and clapping in the crowd. "When he got up to tell the staff, you could tell this was something that was right for him and it was how he needed to live his life  and live his life truthfully," she remembered thinking. Megenbir was reassured he had the support of his co-workers and school administration; what he couldn't predict was how his openness about his identity would inspire his students and colleagues to live their truths, and pave the way for more conversations around inclusion in schools. 'Business as usual' Fast forward to the new school year that fall, and Megenbir said it was a welcome surprise to notice there was "very little change" in how people treated him. He joked it was almost as though his colleagues practised over the summer. "It was kind of business as usual," he said with a chuckle. Megenbir noted that seemingly little things, like the use of his pronouns and new name, made the biggest impact on feeling accepted. And on the off-chance people messed up, they were quick to correct themselves and didn't draw attention to it. "It was the happiest he'd been," Boulanger remembered noticing. "You could tell that he felt like himself." The next year, Megenbir had long-awaited top surgery  a mastectomy and chest-sculpting procedure. "It was the first time in my life since I was probably nine or 10 years old that I felt comfortable in my own skin," he said. Megenbir dressed up as Kenny Rogers for Halloween in 2019 while his friend and colleague, Allison Boulanger, dressed up as Dolly Parton.(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Making students feel 'a little bit more understood' When the opportunity arose for Megenbir to help start a gay-straight alliance (GSA) at the school, it naturally sparked conversations about his gender identity with students. On the first day of the GSA, when he got everyone to introduce themselves, he said, "I'm excited to be here and to be a part of the GSA because I am transgender"  something that surprised a few students. All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are.  Michael Megenbir Some kids told Megenbir he was the first person in the LGBTQ community they had ever met. That's the moment he knew sharing a piece of who he was added a layer of support for those children who needed it. "All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are," he said. "As an educator, if that's the only thing I ever teach a student, I will have felt like I did my job." Megenbir and his former student, Rylan Moir, show off their matching moustaches at the Regina Pride festival in 2018. Megenbir said the support he received during his transition from his students and their parents was 'overwhelmingly positive.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) As a teacher outside the LGBTQ community, Boulanger said having Megenbir as a resource for students across the entire school proved invaluable. "I'd always tell students, 'I'm here if you want to talk to me,' but Mike was just the person they gravitated towards because he just knows what's going on and how they're feeling," she said. "He just has a way of making them feel a little bit more understood." Looking back on his childhood in rural Saskatchewan, Megenbir wonders how different his gender identity journey might have been had he had a teacher who was open about being queer, or resources like a GSA. He thinks it might not have taken him until he was 30 to live out his truth had he had those positive influences. "It was really hard to feel that you were different, and also be made to feel like there was something wrong with you because of that," he said. He points to a picture of himself in a dress at his parents' wedding as an example. When he looks at his childhood photos, Michael Megenbir says he doesn't recognize who he used to be on the outside; however, on the inside, he said he's 'the exact same now, just in different packaging.'(Jessie Anton/CBC) "As a kid, I never liked dressing up, especially in dresses," he said. "This picture is how my family explains who I am and have always been: a little goofy, dancing to my own drum and not caring what anyone else thinks about me. "I'm the exact same now, just in different packaging." LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom Talking about LGBTQ representation among teachers is important, too, said Raylee Perkins, a teacher-librarian at another Regina school. "Whatever a person's coming out story is, it's often sad and steeped in trauma," said Perkins. "Seeing someone like Mike, who's happy and radiates this love and joy, it demonstrates that you can also have that joy in your future  and you don't always see that in books or on TV." Raylee Perkins, a Regina teacher-librarian who openly identifies as queer at school, says it's important for teachers and students to see LGBTQ role models with positive experiences.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) That's in part why Perkins is open about identifying as queer at school. But that also means the advocacy work to promote LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom tends to fall on her shoulders, despite the best efforts of allies around her. "Sometimes, it's felt like I was the only queer voice in the room or queer voice in the conversation, and that can be really tiring," she said. According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education's website, the government "is committed to ensuring schools are safe and inclusive environments for all students, including those who identify as gender and/or sexually diverse." That includes encouraging school divisions to develop policies specifically to include groups, like GSAs, to create safe spaces for LGBTQ students and their allies. The province's Deepening the Discussion: Gender and Sexual Diversity framework from 2015 also contains curriculum for teachers and school administrators. Regina's public school board also recently unanimously approved training for teachers and staff about gender and sexual diversity. While LGBTQ inclusion exists under the curriculum, Boulanger said there are still some teachers who don't cover it in their classrooms. "If they can start talking about it and talk to people who identify as LGBTQ, that might help them to realize that it's not something to fear; it's something to learn about and to grow," she said. Creating more transgender inclusive spaces To make sure her classroom or library is visibly inclusive to transgender people, Perkins hangs posters that delineate the room as a safe space, and she wears rainbow pins and pronoun buttons. "For some kids, they'll never notice those little details, but for the kids who need it, they will notice even the smallest detail," she said. Perkins also makes a point of not shying away from answering tough questions and having more complex talks with her students. Allison Boulanger, Megenbir's friend and former colleague, says having openly LGBTQ teachers can give students a sense of belonging.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) Boulanger agreed, saying that on top of the curriculum around diversity and identity, she finds informal chats with her students to be the most impactful. Looking back on Megenbir's positive "coming out story" at work, Perkins said it has created a safe place for other LGBTQ people to do the same. "Both [students and teachers] can look to him as a role model or for hope  whatever that is for them," she said. "The more we can see it and talk about it and not be afraid of those conversations and face them head-on, I think the more progress we'll make."
Victoria has recorded no new local cases of coronavirus for the eighth consecutive day and one new case in hotel quarantine, after staff in the states hotel quarantine system were told international flights could resume next weekend.

With the new case reported in hotel quarantine, active cases in Victoria rose to six. There were 14,814 test results returned across the state on Friday.

Coronavirus testing sites, like this one in South Melbourne photographed on Thursday, have remained busy with tens of thousands of tests completed across Victoria this week. Credit:Joe Armao

The positive case recorded on Saturday is an airline crew member and will spend 14 days in quarantine.

Airline crews are still arriving in Melbourne on freight flights and outbound flights. Incoming international passenger flights have been halted since mid-February due to the Holiday Inn outbreak.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A man killed in his Cuyahoga County Jail cell died from a combination of an attack by a cellmate and heart disease, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner said.

The medical examiner on Friday ruled Shone Trawicks Nov. 9 death a homicide. Trawick is one of three inmates to die in the jail in 2020 and believed to be the first homicide at the jail in at least 25 years.

His cellmate, Edmond Hightower, 31, is charged with murder and felonious assault. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial date has not yet been set.

Hightower had a documented history of mental illness and attacking inmates, but was not placed in an area of the jail to keep him separate from other inmates. Inmates with a documented history of mental illness or behavioral issues are often placed in cells by themselves.

The jail also has designated areas for inmates with mental illness so that healthcare officials can give them more specific attention and treatment.

Hightower, who is 6-feet 7-inches and weighs about 230 pounds, attacked Trawick, who was 5-feet 8-inches and weighed about 140 pounds.

Trawick, 48, also had a documented history of mental illness, including depression, his wife Dionne Brown, previously told cleveland.com. Brown on Feb. 18 filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Cuyahoga County and jail administrators.

Trawick, a car mechanic and grandfather of seven, died serving a six-month sentence on two misdemeanor convictions for disorderly conduct and assault, He also faced a pending charge of felony gun possession.

Hightower was being held in the jail on $10,000 bond after he was charged with felonious assault. He was accused of breaking his mothers boyfriends wrist and arm after slamming him to the ground for no reason, according to police and court records.

Read more from cleveland.com:

Former U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman joins fight to free Ohio inmate convicted of three slayings

Autopsy reveals CMHA officer fatally shot 19-year-old Arthur Keith in the back

East Cleveland logged 66 police pursuits in the first 62 days of 2021 leaving at least one councilwoman eager for change
For many of us, the tentative road map out of lockdown and roll-out of the vaccine has got us thinking about one thing: going on holiday.

The pandemic has meant international travel has been pretty much off the menu for nearly a year, and many of us are itching to go abroad again.

Cyprus could very well be the hottest destination of 2021. Its opening its borders to vaccinated British tourists from the beginning of May  although restrictions on foreign travel are still in force at this time. The earliest date Brits will be allowed to go abroad is currently May 17.

So what do you need to know about Cyprus?

The food

The food in Cyprus is nothing short of delicious. Similar to Greek cuisine, theres a big focus on fresh ingredients, simple cooking and big flavours. Think stuffed vine leaves, souvlaki (skewers), moussaka and mezze plates full of olives, artichokes and fried halloumi.

The food of North Cyprus is similar, but with more of a Turkish influence  so expect to see lots of doner kebabs and pastries like baklava and borek.

The history

Cyprus history is rich and varied, as seen at its many archaeological sites. Over the centuries, Cyprus has found itself invaded by various forces  be it Greek, Roman or Ottoman  and theyve all left their mark.

Take the ancient city port of Paphos, said to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. See its castle (a Byzantine fort), visit the Tomb of the Kings  the necropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site  and marvel at mosaics in the House of Dionysos.

Other must-see historical sites include the Venetian Walls of Nicosia (dating back to the 1500s), the Kourion Archaeological Site (an ancient town built in the 2nd century BC) and the ruins at Amathus  where legend says Theseus fought the Minotaur.

The beaches

With white sand and crystal clear waters, theres a reason the island is known for its waterfronts. Looking for a party vibe? Head to Nissi Beach; Coral Bay is the place for watersports; while the beach at Episkopi offers peace and quiet.

The weather

No one wants their summer holiday to be rainy and grey. While we cant guarantee sunshine, Cyprus is known for its sunny weather and pleasant climate. Thomas Cook calls it one of the warmest parts of the Mediterranean, and says Cyprus is at its hottest during August, but enjoys warm weather from June until October.

The nature

If youre looking for a more active vacation, you can explore some areas of astounding natural beauty on foot. Check out the dramatic rocky canyon of Avakas Gorge, climb the grey sand dunes at Limassol, or wander through the forests of Cedar Valley.
Agartala/Shillong, March 5 : For developing a prosperous northeast India under the India-Japan collaboration, Tokyo is providing financial support to diverse the projects in all the eight states of the region, top officials, diplomats, experts and economists said on Friday.

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Japan Ambassador to India Suzuki Satoshi and many experts and economists, while hailing Japan's financial aid for varied projects in eight northeastern states, said that Indo-Japan collaboration would boost a secure and prosperous northeastern region in convergence of India's 'Act East Policy', 'Neighborhood First Policy', towards a vibrant Bay of Bengal region and realising a common vision of a "Free and open Indo-Pacific".

Participating in a day-long virtual dialogue, Shringla said quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi that northeast India is a gateway to southeast Asian countries.

"Prime Minister has said that the northeast region has the potentiality to be the growth engine of India as well as the mantra of peace, progress and prosperity is echoing in the northeast. We are giving push to three 'Cs' - connectivity, commerce and cultural commonalities with the southeast Asian countries," the Foreign Secretary said.

The virtual dialogue on the theme 'Development of North Eastern Indian Region: Indo-Japan Collaboration for Connectivity, Commerce, Capacity Building, Culture and Conservation' was organised on Friday by Shillong-based think-tank and research group Asian Confluence.

The Foreign Secretary said that the northeast today has a network of educational centres of excellence, new medical and technology colleges as well as livelihood and skilling institutes.

"The northeast connects us to a neighbour and to one of the most economically dynamic and political significance geographies of the world -- the ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region," he said.

Shringla, quoting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, said the the government's developmental agenda gives very high priority to the northeast region.

"The government is ensuring smooth access to financial assistance from multilateral and bilateral funding agencies to help introduce innovative and global best practices," Shringla said.

He said Japan is the only country with which India has an annual summit as well as the 2+2 foreign and defence ministerial dialogue.

"Japan is the fourth largest investor in India. The number of Japanese companies in India has been increasing steadily, more than 1,400 of them are present in India. Japanese ODA (Official Development Assistance) is deployed over sectors ranging from health care to sustainable development." He said that Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe established India Japan "Act East Forum" in 2017 to coordinate joint efforts for overall development in the region.

"The longest bridge in the country across the Brahmaputra in Assam's Dhubri is being constructed with Japanese support. Japan is also helping us in modernising Umiam hydroelectric power station in Meghalaya and the Guwahati water supply and Guwahati Sewerage Project." The Foreign Secretary said that the initiative aims to enhance connectivity between our northeast region and southeast Asia and Bangladesh.

"Five Meetings of the 'Act East Forum' have been held so far. I have had at its most recent meeting on January 28, the opportunity to discuss various ongoing projects with Ambassador Suzuki. Four road connectivity projects are underway in various northeastern states and roads are being augmented in Mizoram, Meghalaya and in Tripura," he stated.

Japan Ambassador to India Suzuki Satoshi while delivering his speech in the virtual dialogue, said that as the northeastern region of India situated in a strategic locations, enhancement of the connectivity of the region is imperative.

He said : "The Act East Forum embodies our commitment to the development of the North East, anchored on the trust and friendship that Japan and India have long nurtured.

On the ground, Japan has been actively promoting connectivity both within the northeast region and with the neighbouring countries. Our national highway projects, be it in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, or Tripura, will be extended to the border of Bangladesh." Satoshi said that Japan and India have been working road connection improvement projects in Bangladesh as well.

"With these road network projects, the northeast will find outlet to the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and to ASEAN, being able to utilise such ports as in Chittagong or Matabari (both in Bangladesh). The North East will no longer be a land-locked place," he added.

The Ambassador said that Japan is supporting the conservation of forests in Sikkim, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya and assisting better livelihood of farmers.

"I am proud to say that our project in Sikkim has led to the designation of Khangchendzonga National Park as the first UNESCO "Mixed Heritage" site of India. This example illustrates how Japan and India can cooperate to make "one plus one" produce "more than two", Satoshi added.

Japan's Rs 1,600 crore (231 billion yen) 15 ODA projects in eight northeastern states include, sustainable catchment forest management, community based forest management and livelihood improvement, biodiversity, water supply sewage, capacity enhancement for sustainable agriculture and irrigation development, construction of schools for the tribals, construction of vocational training centre for the poor women and northeast road network connectivity improvement Of the 15 projects, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is also providing Rs 315 for renovation and modernisation of 60 MW capacity Umiam-Umtru stage-III hydroelectric power project on the outskirts of Meghalaya capital Shillong.

"Asian Confluence's" Executive Director Sabyasachi Dutta said that the Friday's virtual dialogue dealt on various developmental issues and future opportunities for further India-Japan collaboration in northeast India.

"In the talk, academicians and policymakers from India and Japan also discussed the ways to increase cooperation in various areas such as people to people and cultural exchanges and the future of the 'Act East Forum'," Dutta told IANS.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in)
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he has no doubt Christian Porter would co-operate if the South Australian coroner decides to hold an inquest into the death of a woman who made an historical rape allegation against the Attorney-General.

Mr Porter has denied the womans claim he raped her in 1988 at a school debating event they attended as teenagers.

But long-time friends of the woman, who took her own life last year, are standing by their belief in the truth of her account, based on her demeanour when describing her claims in 2019. They have backed calls for an inquiry into the allegation from independent MPs and the Greens.

Lawyers for the womans family said on Thursday the family was supportive of any inquiry which would potentially shed light on the circumstances surrounding the deceaseds passing.
SACRAMENTO  A new law that aims to reopen California schools during the coronavirus pandemic could have only a limited effect on returning students to classrooms this spring, even in districts that take up the states offer of additional funding for in-person instruction.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill, AB86, on Friday, making a total of $2 billion available to schools that bring students back to campus at least part time by March 31. He said it was the right time to safely reopen for in-person instruction as virus case rates fall.

I have great confidence, great expectation, that well see that happening and taking shape all across the state, Newsom said at a virtual signing ceremony.

But the law does not mandate reopening, it only encourages it  flexibility that supporters said was necessary for hard-hit communities, where many families still fear sending their children to school. Negotiations now shift to the local level, and many districts, including San Francisco Unified, remain locked in contentious deliberations with their employee unions over timelines and safety requirements for a return.

Were going to take this as a first step and were going to go home to all our districts and beg all our districts to open up, use this money and do everything possible, said Assembly Member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco. I know Ive got a big hurdle with my own district in San Francisco.

To receive the money, schools in counties with fewer than 25 new daily coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents will have to bring back students in transitional kindergarten through second grade, along with foster youth, English language learners and other vulnerable students in all grades. If they do not reopen by April 1, schools will lose a portion of their share of the $2 billion every day they remain closed, or all of it if they have not reopened by May 15.

In counties such as San Francisco that have entered the states red tier, the second-most restrictive for reopening, schools will need to reopen for all elementary grades and at least one additional grade in middle or high school, as well as for students with special needs, to receive the state money.

Students will have the option to return or continue with remote instruction. The bill also includes $4.6 billion to help districts make up for lost learning.

Another shift in vaccination strategy this week by the Newsom administration could further set back reopening. The California Teachers Association, the states largest teachers union, criticized 11th-hour changes that will make it easier for some counties to enter the red tier, forcing their schools either to open more widely or forgo the state money.

They will likely trigger confusion, fear and anxiety when our communities are already worried about the safety of their families, E. Toby Boyd, president of the union, said in a statement Thursday.

Lawmakers at the virtual signing ceremony conceded the limitations of the bill, even as they praised a deal months in the making. Assembly Member Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, said he calculated there would be only 12 days of in-person instruction between mid-April and June if his childrens school reopens.

Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff


SMU Office of Research & Tech Transfer - Will a pandemic reverse the wave of protectionism that has swept across the globe in recent years? Such a prospect may seem incredible with global trade having fallen by over 30 percent this year, but the European Union (EU) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are determined to reach a different conclusion.

On 1 December 2020, the two multinational blocs achieved a diplomatic milestone after establishing a formal strategic partnership, paving the way for future cooperation on economic and security issues. Hopes are now rising for a crowning achievement which has remained elusive in recent years: solidifying a free trade agreement (FTA) between two organisations.

The numerous hurdles that remain to be overcome were discussed as part of the second ASEAN Law Conference held from 3 to 4 December 2020. The virtual conference, which examined the contours of a roadmap towards achieving an ASEAN-EU FTA, was organised by the Centre for Commercial Law in Asia (CCLA), which is a part of Singapore Management University's (SMU) School of Law.

Mr Igor Driesmans, the EU Ambassador to the Southeast Asian bloc, sounded an optimistic note on the prospects of a closer economic engagement between the two sides. The recent upgrading of ties into a strategic partnership was already a political statement in the face of growing geopolitical insecurity and challenges to multilateralism, he argued.

"The EU and ASEAN will form a stronger bond. We do so in the defense of ASEAN centrality and a shared rejection of spheres of influence," said Mr Driesmans, who hailed a shared commitment towards international cooperation via international rules and mechanisms.

"Future trade strategies of ASEAN and EU have profound global implications from both the legal and political perspective," said Professor Goh Yihan, Dean of SMU's School of Law, as he marked the start of the conference. With rising populism and protectionism - coupled with the current pandemic - a clear roadmap tapping on various disciplines like legal and political perspectives was now necessary to chart a way forward, he emphasised.

Rethinking trade negotiations

For Pasha Hsieh, Associate Professor at SMU's School of Law, the previous failure to find a breakthrough on a FTA in 2009 between the two blocs warrants a rethink of the traditional approach towards trade negotiations based on so-called "pure" inter-regionalism, consisting largely of talks between two inter-regional bodies such as ASEAN and the EU.

At the other extreme is trans-regionalism where individual countries dialogue with each other directly. Instead, the EU has now adopted a "hybrid" process recognising the ability of countries within each bloc to act as standalone countries with their own interests. This approach has proven more successful, with the recent signing of FTAs between the EU and ASEAN members like Vietnam and Singapore.

For Professor Hsieh, examining the devil in the details of the agreements between EU and specific countries has provided useful insights into what a broader trading framework applying to both regions can look like. The contrasts between the trading needs of a developed country like Singapore and a developing economy like Vietnam provides important practical frameworks to develop into a broader inter-regional strategic partnership, he explained.

In the instance of the EU-Vietnam FTA, recognising the unique needs of a developing country meant adding in provisions to allow Vietnamese businesses to import much-needed secondhand medical devices and auto parts from Europe, Professor Hsieh said.

This flexibility extends to other areas that have benefitted both Vietnam and Singapore, like relaxing cumulation rules that require firms to have produced or a certain part of their product within their country, he continued. In the case of the Singapore-EU FTA, at least 40 percent of a product can be processed within the greater-ASEAN countries, a boon to import-reliant Singapore. In Vietnam, where the fabric industry heavily relies on imports from other countries, the EU FTA follows a more liberal rule and allows the importation of fabric from Korea.

Such provisions are ideal for wider expansion into a potential agreement as other ASEAN countries seek to jump on the bandwagon of exporting to the EU, with a template to integrate and account for the unique trading strengths of each national economy, said Professor Hsieh. "ASEAN and EU are the best examples of the concept of inter-regionalism because they are natural partners, with so called a common DNA," he added.

Nudging mediation into the spotlight

But any prospects for further trade ties are moot without efficient mechanisms for resolving potential disputes between states and investors. Dorcas Quek Anderson, Assistant Professor of Law at SMU, hypothesised that new frameworks built on behavioral research can smooth out such conflicts before they escalate into potentially damaging and costly legal action or diplomatic bust-ups requiring third-party arbitration.

Studying the investment provisions of the EU-Singapore and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreements, she found that the agreements have gone further than other international agreements in laying out clear and comprehensive mediation mechanisms before further legal escalation. "It doesn't just give you a one liner to say 'try mediation', but it is supported by infrastructure contained in mediation mechanisms that include choice of mediator, timelines, what the mediator can do, as well as code of ethics for the mediators to comply with," she said.

Professor Quek Anderson argued though that building on greater understanding about cognitive biases and nudge theory, agreements like a potential EU-ASEAN FTA can go further, by incentivising parties to mediate rather than depend on tried-and-tested strategies of arbitration. From simplifying the mediation process, which can make it more favorable compared to complex legal processes, to recommending it as a default option for dispute resolution to opt-out of, such nudges can become the lasting foundation for an effective, regional trading framework, she said.

"By designing the dispute settlement mechanism such that future disputants, investors or state officials are nudged to use mediation early, mediation could become the default way of resolving disputes," Professor Quek Anderson concluded.

###

By Dexter Low
Manitoba has flagged another case of the highly communicable South African COVID-19 variant, public health officials announced today.

The third case of the B 1.351 variant, first identified in South Africa, was detected in the Winnipeg health region, Dr. Jazz Atwal said.

That brings the total number of variants of concern in Manitoba to nine, with six of B.1.1.7 first identified in the U.K. and three of the South African B.1.351 variant. Manitoba's deputy chief provincial public health officer said the case is under investigation but there is no threat to the public and unless there is, officials won't release further information.

"They are travel-related, to the best of my knowledge," Atwal said. "We aren't going through the details of every single case... If there is a risk to the public, we will provide that (information) as well." He said all the individuals who have tested positive for the variants of concern have been identified and "are doing what public health is asking them."

There is no indication there has been any community transmission of the variants, he said.

Atwal reported one additional COVID-19 death Friday: a woman in her 90s linked to the outbreak at Golden Links Lodge in Winnipeg.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is three per cent provincially and 2.4 per cent in Winnipeg. A total of 2,069 laboratory tests were performed Thursday.

Today, 54 new cases of the virus were announced, including two in the InterlakeEastern health region, 33 in the Northern health region, one in Prairie Mountain, four in Southern Health and 14 cases in the Winnipeg health region.

The province has 1,133 active cases and 171 hospitalizations. Fifty-five people were in hospital with active COVID-19; 116 people were in hospital with COVID-19, who are no longer infectious. Nine people remained in intensive care with active COVID-19 as well as 15 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care, for a total of 24 ICU patients;

Outbreaks have ended at Health Sciences Centre GA5 and St. Amant Health and Transition Services of Winnipeg, and at St. Pauls Personal Care Home in The Pas.

Atwal said communities in the Northern Health region, which has the highest number of new cases, are getting help to get them under control.

"Work is being done with all the communities to mitigate issues."

He said disadvantaged folks with crowded housing is a greater issue in the north. The hard-hit First Nations communities of Island Lake and Cross Lake are starting to see their COVID-19 case numbers improve.

"There's a whole team here to help reduce that risk and get it under control," said Atwal. "We should see these cases settle down." Meanwhile, Pukatawagan residents are in the early stages of an outbreak, he said.

Atwal offered words of encouragement, on a sunny warm day when Canada announced it had approved a fourth vaccine, and Manitoba eased some of its pandemic restrictions.

"It feels great," he said. "It's a promising moment. I think we're headed into a really good time here and Manitobans can get back to the things they love.. With the weather changing, it provides Manitobans with greater opportunities to do things outdoors."

They need to remain on guard, limit their interactions and get the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as it is offered, Atwal said.

"When your name gets called for a vaccine, go get that vaccine... Remain resilient a little longer and I think Manitobans won't be disappointed."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
A bottle of Hendricks gin may have helped end a vicious fight between two of the biggest companies in the world.

Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary, packed the spirit in her luggage last August when she flew to Washington to meet with her US counterpart Robert Lighthizer.

Trusss plan was to present the bottle to the US trade representative to show what American consumers were having to pay through the nose for as a trade row between Europe and the US escalated.

Whether Lighthizer got a taste for the drink - best served with a slice of cucumber - may never be known. But the charm offensive appears to have worked regardless.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.

IMF mission to resume work in Ukraine after ceiling gas tariffs expire  MP Korniyenko

The Fund also expects improvements in judicial reform and anti-corruption legislation in Ukraine.

Reporting by UNIAN

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter
Policemen and soldiers armed with guns and slingshots advance towards anti-coup protesters in Mandalay, Myanmar, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Demonstrators in Myanmar took to the streets again on Wednesday to protest last months seizure of power by the military. (AP Photo)

YouTube has removed five channels run by Myanmars military for violating guidelines, it announced, as demonstrators defied growing violence by security forces and staged more anti-coup protests ahead of a special UN Security Council meeting on the countrys political crisis.

YouTube said it is watching for any further content that might violate its rules. It earlier pulled dozens of channels as part of an investigation into content uploaded in a co-ordinated influence campaign.

The decision by YouTube to remove Myawaddy Media, MRTV, WD Online Broadcasting, MWD Variety and MWD Myanmar followed Facebooks earlier announcement that it had removed all Myanmar military-linked pages from its site and from Instagram, which it owns.

The escalation of violence by security forces has put pressure on the world community to act to restrain the junta, which seized power on February 1 by ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Expand Close Protesters hold the portrait of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Protesters hold the portrait of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi (AP)

Large protests against military rule have occurred daily in many cities and towns, and security forces escalated their crackdown this week with greater use of lethal force and mass arrests.

At least 18 protesters were shot dead on Sunday and 38 on Wednesday, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested, the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said.

Protests continued in the countrys biggest cities, Yangon and Mandalay, and elsewhere on Friday, and were again met with force by police. Gunfire was heard in some areas, and 26-year-old Zaw Myo was shot dead in Mandalay while he and other residents tried to protect a march by a group of engineers.

Many cases of targeted brutality have been captured in photos and videos that have circulated on social media. Videos have showed security forces shooting people at point-blank range and chasing and savagely beating demonstrators.

Expand Close The body of a protester arrives at a cemetery in Mandalay (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The body of a protester arrives at a cemetery in Mandalay (AP)

The US called the images appalling, the UN human rights chief said it was time to end the militarys stranglehold over democracy in Myanmar, and the world bodys independent expert on human rights in the country, Tom Andrews, urged Security Council members to watch the videos before their closed-door consultations on Friday.

While many abuses are committed by police, there is greater concern about military forces being deployed in cities across the country who are notorious for decades of brutal counter-insurgency tactics and human rights abuses.

In Yangon, members of the armys 77th Light Infantry Division have been deployed during anti-coup protests. The 77th was also deployed in Yangon in 2007 to suppress anti-junta protests, firing on protesters and ramming them with trucks, witnesses told Human Rights Watch.

The 99th Light Infantry Division has also been deployed, including in Mandalay. It is infamous for counter-insurgency campaigns against ethnic minorities across the country, including spearheading the response that led to a brutal crackdown that caused more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee from Rakhine state to Bangladesh.

It also has been accused of war crimes in Shan state, another ethnic minority area, in 2016 and early 2017.

Any kind of co-ordinated action at the UN will be difficult since two permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia, are likely to veto it.
Autoclave construction is now underway, with plans for fabrication of the rest of the plant well-advanced at the facilities of Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), which will construct and operate the plant.

R&D testing of the first concentrates is scheduled to commence in September 2021.

s ( ) (FRA:3MW) ( ) LieNA pilot plant has been given the green light, with the company preparing to test its unique LieNA spodumene conversion process.

Pilot concentrate is being prepared from spodumene-bearing drill chips and the construction of critical pilot-plant components has begun, with the order for the autoclave placed.

The LieNA test program is designed to:

Assess the veracity of the LieNA process on a semi-continuous basis;

Evaluate the quality of the lithium chemicals produced;

Produce LFP battery cells, which can then be tested to assess the electrochemical properties of the lithium chemicals produced;

Characterise the nature of the waste materials produced and their further application;

Establish performance criteria for further design studies, and

Provide the required inputs for a pre-feasibility study.

The initial pilot-plant test run is scheduled for September 2021 and the program will be completed with a pre-feasibility study of the LieNA process.

Designed to improve recovery

Currently, when spodumene ore is converted to commercial concentrates, somewhere between 25 and 50% of the lithium within the ore fed to the concentrator is lost.

The LieNA process is designed to remedy this loss and can reduce the mining costs associated with lithium chemical production.

Lithium Australia managing director Adrian Griffin said: Lithium Australias LieNA technology is the pinnacle for hydrometallurgical processing of spodumene, the principal hard-rock source of lithium.

LieNA is capable of recovering lithium from fine and/or contaminated spodumene that fails to meet the feed specifications of current converters.

It also provides the highest levels of impurity rejection.

It is these characteristics that set it apart.

LieNA, then, is designed to improve overall recovery and achieve better utilisation of existing resources: it's about cost reduction, sustainability and maximising the benefit of our critical (and finite) resources.

LieNA process benefits

The LieNA process can produce a range of lithium chemicals, including hydroxide, carbonate and phosphate.

Lithium phosphate is the preferred product, as it is easy to refine, commands a price premium over hydroxide or carbonate and is the ideal precursor to the production of lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) batteries  a safe, low-cost type of lithium-ion battery (LIB).

The aim of running a semi-continuous LieNA processing circuit and taking the product right through to the production of LFP coin cells for electrochemical testing is to demonstrate the ability to reduce the number of steps involved in the supply chain.

This would be a significant achievement, with success paving the way for better resource utilisation and a more direct route to the production of LFP LIBs, which would benefit consumers and the environment alike.

Pilot plant operations

A bulk sample of spodumene-bearing pegmatite was provided by Essential Metals Ltd (ASX:ESS) (OTCMKTS:PIONF) (FRA:PNL).

That sample will be processed by ALS Metallurgy Pty Ltd, to provide concentrate feed for at least one pilot-plant run of approximately seven days' duration.

Meanwhile, alternative sources of samples are being evaluated, in order to secure a broader range of feed materials.

ANSTO will construct and operate the LieNA pilot plant, with Murdoch University, Curtin University and Carnac Project Delivery Services offering specialised input into the project.

The lithium chemicals produced at the pilot plant will be sent to the company's wholly-owned subsidiary VSPC Ltd, where they will be used to generate cathode powders and LFP coin-cell LIBs.

These will be tested and their performance compared in relation to VSPC benchmarks, as well as that of other commercially available materials.

Government support

As announced on February 13, 2020, the company was awarded a grant under the Australian Federal Governments CRC-P (Co-operative Research Centre Projects) initiative, to support the next stage of its $3.6 million research and development (R&D) program for the recovery of lithium from spodumene using LieNA.

Much of the preparatory work has now been completed, including collection of an initial test sample recovered from drill chips and bench-scale test work to characterise the flotation conditions required for pilot-plant production of concentrates from the drill chip sample, optimise caustic conversion conditions and confirm the final autoclave design specification.

The advent of COVID-19 in 2020 made operation of the pilot plant impractical but with Australia's internal travel restrictions now lifted, the program has been reinvigorated.

R&D testing of the first concentrates is scheduled to commence in September 2021.

Housing Minister Darragh OBrien has admitted there are no guarantees that the construction sector will reopen on April 5 (Niall Carson/PA)

The Housing Minister has admitted there are no guarantees that the construction sector will reopen on April 5.

Irelands Level Five lockdown is set to continue until at least that date, with the construction sector being prioritised for reopening.

Darragh OBrien had pushed for building sites to return this week, but those hopes were dashed when Nphet advised the Government to focus instead on the phased reopening of schools.

While Taoiseach Micheal Martin has targeted April 5 for the return of the building sector, Mr OBrien conceded on Friday that he cannot guarantee that.

Good news for Dublin as Minister @DarraghOBrienTD announces a430m in Urban Regeneration and Development funding. The URDF part-funds projects aimed at enhancing urban areas to make them more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest. pic.twitter.com/XtGkBIjK75  Fianna FAil (@fiannafailparty) March 5, 2021

Speaking at the launch of a new 430 million euro Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for Dublin, he told reporters: There are no guarantees, I cant give that.

We understand the importance of getting the sector back open, but when its safe to do so.

If you look at the trends right now, thankfully hospitalisation is reducing, the numbers in ICU are reducing, the positivity rate is reduced.

But we can only make that decision when we come closer to the date, to be honest with you.

Im not going to speculate one way or the other, only to say that it is a priority for me and for Government.

However, a Department of Housing source said they are hopeful of a phased return next month, with home-building to resume first.

Mr OBrien said that for every week the construction sector is shut, it means 800 homes will not be delivered this year.

With construction sites closed from late December to at least early April, that amounts to around 10,000 houses.

But the minister said the sector will be able to make up some of the shortfall.

If you take last year, for example, when the sector was closed for a significant amount of time, we made up some of that lost ground. We actually have retained about 73% of our public housing targets for 2020, he said.

That was at 9% at the half-year. So we made up lost ground and the sector in general delivered just short of 21,000 homes.

We need to be building 33,000 homes a year, thats the challenge. Were a way off that. Theres no easy way of painting a positive picture on that.

We have people paying upwards of 2,000 euro a month to rent a home and they can't get a mortgage that would cost 1,000 euro a month. I want to help them do that Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien

Mr OBrien also defended the shared equity scheme, which, as part of the Affordable Housing Bill, will see the State take up to a 30% stake in newly-built homes in a bid to bridge the affordability gap.

It has come in for criticism from the Economic and Social Research Institute and Central Bank among others, with warnings that it will drive house prices higher.

Mr OBrien said: The reality is right now were seeing slight house price increases as well.

The measures that I will bring forward is my own scheme around regional price caps and a very targeted measure for about 2,000 homes per annum, thats what were looking at here.

Those who really are caught in a rental trap right now  we have people paying upwards of 2,000 euro a month to rent a home and they cant get a mortgage that would cost 1,000 euro a month. I want to help them do that.

Asked if he could guarantee that prices will not increase as a result, he replied: Can anyone give a guarantee on anything? Wait until you see the scheme itself.

The ministers comments came as he unveiled a new 430 million euro regeneration scheme for the Dublin region.

It includes 121.3 million euro for the North Inner City, 53 million euro for the South Inner City, 40.4 million euro for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, 25.4 million euro for Balbriggan and 176.6 million euro for Clonburris.

Today I am announcing a430 million in funding for eight regeneration projects in Dublin.



The projects are being funded under aCall 2a of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and include: pic.twitter.com/8VcykAJaT6  Darragh O'Brien (@DarraghOBrienTD) March 5, 2021

Mr OBrien said: It is a very significant day for Dublin. This will underpin thousands of jobs, its investment in our city and county.

Balbriggan here is our youngest and most diverse town. Its a vote of confidence here.

This is about our future and our future generations, making sure we have the facilities to match the housing growth that will be expected in this area.

He added that further announcements will follow for similar schemes across the country.

In the coming week Im in Cavan, Im in Longford, and then well be around other parts of the country, with very similar schemes, excellent schemes brought forward for regeneration of our regional cities and our larger towns under this fund, he said.

That is something that is to the forefront of my mind.

Government are committed to regeneration, to balance the regional development, and this fund is going to underpin that.

I will have further announcements now over the next two weeks.
After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at the end of February, questions poured into the inbox of Worcester Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh.

During Thursdays weekly COVID briefing Hirsh, the director of Trauma Services and surgeon-In-chief of the Childrens Medical Center at UMass Memorial Healthcare, spoke at length about the one-dose vaccine.

The vaccine received emergency use authorization later than both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, and has a lower efficacy rate against the virus.

However, Hirsh downplayed those numbers due to the time the vaccines were tested.

[Johnson & Johnson] was tested at a time when the situation was more dire with these variants out there. It probably is not that different at all, Hirsh said. If you have a chance to get any one of the three, you should take any one of the three.

The efficacy rate for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is roughly 72% in preventing a person from contracting the virus. The rates for Moderna and Pfizer are about 95%.

Hirsh said that translates to a 95% chance a person wont get COVID compared to 72%.

Hirsh, though, said both Moderna and Pfizer conducted their trials in the summer when caseloads of the virus were lower and variants had yet to emerge. Johnson and Johnsons clinical trials occurred later in the fall and winter when cases surged in the U.S. and variants, which are more resistant to the vaccines, emerged.

Johnson & Johnson also offers better protection against the virus beyond the simple efficacy rates, Hirsh said. The vaccine provides an efficacy rate of 86% of contracting serious cases of the virus and a 99% chance against hospitalization as a result of COVID.

It keeps you out of the hospital, Hirsh said. We dont want anyone to get COVID, but if you did get COVID, the last thing we want is for you to end up sick enough to go into the hospital.

Dr. Michael Hirsh, Worcester's Medical Director, help administer the first vaccines to first responders in the city on Monday.

Unlike the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, Johnson & Johnsons version requires a single dose to be fully effective.

Vaccine rollout has been slowed recently due to a lack of supply but also as people who are returning to get their second doses.

If we wanted to vaccinate a big swath of people, like 400,000 educators in the commonwealth, if we had the vaccine, everybody would be done with [one dose] Hirsh said.

On March 11, educators in Massachusetts are eligible to receive the vaccine. However, officials in Worcester said while the pool of eligible residents will grow, the supply isnt expected to increase.

Without more doses on the way, the congestion thats caused headaches for many looking to book appointments for the vaccine is expected to continue.

Gov. Charlie Baker said earlier this week that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could arrive in the state as early next week.

As more people become fully vaccinated, there will be fewer hosts for the virus to infect. When that happens, the vaccines in theory become even more effective.

The efficacy of this vaccine will definitely be affected by how much virus is out there, Hirsh said. If there are fewer and fewer hosts out there then we will see the vaccines have even more efficacy and have a better impact.

At this point, Hirsh said, the number of shots in arms far outweighs the efficacy number attached to each vaccine.

Rather than a single persons immunity, the state and country are focused on herd immunity to fully defeat the virus as variants continue to emerge.

People have been worrying. I want the 95%. I dont want the 72%, Hirsh said. I dont think that thats as important as making sure that everybody has a certain amount of immunity going into this potential third surge, which were not sure is going to happen, but the variants are very worrisome.

Related content:
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington on March 4, 2021. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Psaki Declines Setting Date for Solo Biden Press Conference Amid Mounting Pressure

Biden is the first president in at least a century not to hold a solo press briefing by day 43

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday declined to outline when President Joe Biden will hold his first solo press conference, despite mounting pressure and calls for him to do so.

More than 40 days into his presidency, Biden has come under increasing media spotlight for not holding a traditional open news conferencethe longest stretch of any president over the last century.

In contrast, his 15 predecessors held solo press briefings within 33 days of their respective presidencies. Former president Donald Trump took questions after 27 days in office, while Barack Obama held a formal press conference 20 days into his first term.

While Biden since Jan. 20 has held 38 short question-and-answer sessions with reporters, according to Martha Joynt Kumar, director of the White House Transition Project, his answers on a wide range of issues have so far been brief.

Biden came under fire on Wednesday at a virtual event with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), when the White House video feed cut without explanation, after the president said he was happy to take questions from Democratic lawmakers.

Brett Bruen, White House director of global engagement under Obama, suggested that Bidens lack of interaction with the media may be counterproductive.

He talks about the role of journalists as being a critical one, and yet, access to a president is really the barometer by which we judge the importance that a president assigns to the media, Bruen said.

The presidents approach so far may be counterproductive to the kind of connection that both the White House needs with journalists as well as the president needs with the people, he said.

Wheres Joe? asked Kayleigh McEnany, Trumps former press secretary, during an appearance on Fox News. Joe Biden needs to step up. We need to hear from him. He needs to engage in the transparency that he promised us.

The White House press secretary this week pushed back against criticism, without elaborating on when the president is likely hold a formal briefing.

We look forward to holding a full formal news conference, but in the meantime the President takes questions from the reporters covering the White House regularly, including this morning, Psaki told CNN late Wednesday. And his focus day in and day out is on getting the pandemic under control and putting people back to work. Thats what people elected him to do.

He will hold a solo press conference, but I dont have a date for you at this point in time, she told reporters last week.

The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 21:46:02|Editor: Yurou

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China will keep its fiscal policy basically stable and make no sharp turns in 2021, the finance minister said Friday.

The country will lower the deficit ratio and quota of the local government special bonds from last year, Minister of Finance Liu Kun told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual national legislative session.

However, compared with 2019, China's total deficit will increase by 810 billion yuan (about 124.8 billion U.S. dollars) to 3.57 trillion yuan this year. The quota of the newly-added special-purpose local government bonds for 2021 will stand at 3.65 trillion yuan, up by 1.5 trillion yuan from 2019.

The general expenditure of the central government has decreased for two consecutive years. The money saved was used to expand transfer payments to the local governments, Liu said.

Liu vowed that China will continue to improve management of government debt, keep the macro leverage ratio basically stable, maintain the necessary support for economic recovery, and leave policy space to cope with future risks and challenges. Enditem
Chennai: With just a month left in Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2021, cracks are appearing in the Congress-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alliance in the state.

Sources inside Congress told ANI, Tamil Nadu Congress president KS Alagiri broke down in front of party members after feeling humiliated by DMK during the seat-sharing discussion.

"KS Alagiri was addressing the executive committee members of Congress when he breakdown in tears and said DMK have shamed Congress in seat sharing. He said he had not felt such shame in his lifetime," the source said.

According to sources, DMK has offered 25 seats to Congress in the state. Tamil Nadu Congress state executive committee meeting was held in the party headquarters in Sathyamoorthy Bhavan, Chennai on Friday.

It was a closed-door meeting, presided by senior party leader Veerappa Moily, Tamil Nadu Congress in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao and Alagiri. After the closed-door meeting, Alagiri addressed the media and said the discussion with DMK on seat sharing is underway.

Meanwhile, DMK in a pre-poll alliance allotted three seats to IUML (Indian Union Muslim League) and six seats to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK). Tamil Nadu assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 6 and the counting of votes will be done on May 2.

The term of the fifteenth legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu is ending on May 2, 2021. As many as 6,28,23,749 electors will choose candidates for the sixteenth legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu. Ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is contesting the poll in a pre-poll alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while MK Stalins DMK has joined hands with Congress. This time actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassans party Makkal Neethi Maiam (MNM) is also in the fray.

In the last Assembly elections held in 2016, the DMK won 80, Congress won just eight, AIADMK won 134 seats, BJP won 4 seats and the rest were won by other parties and independent candidates.

The opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led front, which includes the Congress, had won 37 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu in 2019.

Live TV
An unidentified ute could help solve the mysterious disappearance of two elderly campers who vanished in rugged bushland without a trace.

Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, went camping in secret during a lurid decades-long affair on March 19 in the rugged bushland of the Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria's East Gippsland region.

On Friday, detectives from Victoria Police's Missing Persons Squad made the extraordinary public appeal in the hope of finding a white dual cab ute that was spotted in the area at about the time the campers vanished.

Victorian detectives have released a new map of an area where a mystery white ute was spotted on the day the campers went missing

Russell Hill (pictured, left) had been friendly with Carol Clay (right) for decades before they ad an affair

Mr Hill's white Toyota Landcruiser was found with minor fire damage at their burnt campsite near Dry River Creek Track in the valley on March 21

The vehicle has remained a mystery despite almost 12 months of meticulous checks by the squad.

Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said police had been able to identify all vehicles seen in the area near the doomed couple's campsite on March 20 last year except the white ute.

'It might seem like only a very small possibility that those in the white ute will have information about Russell and Carols disappearance but we cant afford to leave any stone unturned,' he said on Friday.

'We cannot leave any "what ifs" when it comes to an investigation like this.'

Mr Hill left his Drouin home in his white Toyota Landcruiser a day earlier and collected Ms Hill from her home in Pakenham.

He was last heard from on March 20 via HF radio, stating he was at Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps.

Ms Hill had told friends she was heading away and was expected to return home on March 28 or 29.

The exact make and model of the ute remains unknown.

Inspector Stamper said while he accepted the mystery vehicle was not especially uncommon, he hoped anyone who knows someone that owns a white dual cab ute and was in the Wonnangatta area at the time to come forward.

Mr Hill's $2,000 drone was missing the scorched scene, along with phones, car keys and bank cards

Russell Hill and Carol Clay were last heard from on March 20, with Mr Hill's wife unaware he was travelling with another woman

'Weve had people from a number of states come forward to provide their details and tell us they were in the area around that time, which is greatly appreciated and incredibly helpful,' he said.

'Ive been clear the whole time that its not about catching out people who shouldnt have been there for any reason  we just need to account for you.'

Inspector Stamper stressed there was nothing linking the vehicle to the pair's disappearance.

'So please do not be concerned about coming forward to assist,' he said.

'The grief that these families have had to deal with over the past year, coupled with immense public speculation, is immensely difficult to comprehend.

'We will not give up on the possibility that we can give those families the answers they need  but we cannot do this without the publics help.'

A new image of Mr Hill's white Toyota Landcruiser. It was found with minor fire damage at their burnt campsite near Dry River Creek Track in the valley on March 21

Mr Ashlin had been camping with Mr Hill (pictured) on a number of occasions, and described his friend as 'cautious'

The pair were in a secret relationship and didn't tell anyone where they were going. Ms Clay (pictured) just told friends she would be gone for a few days

Investigators have been told that Mr Hill took his DJI Mavic drone before going camping and the drone is still yet to be recovered.

Campers found Mr Hill's vehicle with signs of minor fire damage at their campsite, which was completely destroyed by fire, near Dry River Creek Track in the Wonnangatta Valley on March 21.

Detectives have also established that Mr Hill had been camping alone with his Landcruiser in the area of the King Billy and Bluff Track between 11-13 March.

Information was later received about sighting of an older person or pair in the Black Snake Creek, Eaglevale River crossing and the Ollies Jump area on March 22-23, but detectives have never been able to establish if it was the missing campers.

Detectives have called for anyone who was in that area or any older couple who may be these persons, to also come forward.

Policve have asked anyone who sights the couple to contact triple zero immediately.

Anyone with any other information regarding their disappearance or who can provide information about the white dual cab ute is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian stocks dropped and the ringgit weakened after the government imposed a two-week nationwide lockdown to curb a relentless surge in Covid-19 infections.The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index fell as much as 1.6% on Monday, before paring losses to 0.7% at the close in Kuala Lumpur. The ringgit slid as much as 0.4% to 4.1480 per dollar, while 10-year bond yields rose three basis points to 3.25%. The government said on Friday that most businesses will be shut from June 1 except for essential economic and service sectors.The government is finally biting the bullet, said Alexander Chia, an analyst at RHB Investment Bank Bhd. Clearly, there are downside risks to FY21 earnings growth, even if it is essentially a postponement of growth to FY22.Malaysias return to a hard lockdown comes in the wake of record daily infections that saw cases top 9,000 on Saturday. A resurgence in virus outbreaks in Asia has spurred some countries including Vietnam and Singapore to tighten restrictions. A similar lockdown in Malaysia last year cost the country an estimated 63 billion ringgit ($15 billion).Vietnam tightened social distancing measures in Ho Chi Minh City for 15 days from May 31, while Singapore this month reissued some lockdown-like conditions that it put in place a year ago.Recovery DimsMalaysias lockdown will drag on the countrys recovery, with a good chance that 2Q GDP growth will contract on a sequential basis, said Khoon Goh, head of Asia research at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. We will likely see the ringgit continuing to underperform in the region, but its weakness is being put in check by a soft U.S. dollar.READ: Covid Zero Havens Find Reopening Harder Than Taming VirusPrime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is due to announce an aid package at 9 p.m. local time Monday, according to his Facebook post.Still, Mondays market drop pales in comparison with last year when the KLCI plunged as much as 5% a day after a nationwide lockdown was announced then.Expectations of a mild reaction is due to the availability of vaccines and a government plan to ramp up daily vaccination rates in the second half of 2021, Ivy Ng Lee Fang, an analyst at CGS-CIMB Securities, said in a report. Strong export sales, robust market liquidity, and low interest rates have also helped limit the market drop, she said.GDP OutlookMalaysias gross domestic product shrank 0.5% in the first quarter from a year earlier, the central bank said earlier in May, adding that it expects growth to remain within the 6% to 7.5% forecast range for the full year.Banks including Public Bank Bhd. and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. dropped, while Maxis Bhd. and Supermax Corp. were among the biggest decliners in the benchmark gauge, falling more than 2%. Top Glove Corp. was the top gainer in the key stock gauge, up 1.8%.The Malaysian stock benchmark is down 6% from a December high as investor concerns about the impact of stricter curbs on movement weigh on riskier assets.The recovery plays in the cyclical sectors will require a longer term investment perspective with a focus on achieving a favorable entry price, said Chia of RHB Investment. The trading angle will remain an enduring theme in the coming quarters that continues to focus on small-mid caps with resilient growth attributes.(Updates with PMs broadcast in seventh paragraph)More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.2021 Bloomberg L.P.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
Islamabad:

Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday filed three separate appeals in the Supreme Court to review its verdict in the Panama Papers case that resulted in his disqualification. A five-member Supreme Court bench last month disqualified Sharif for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal, forcing the prime minister to quit.

Sharif's lawyer Khawaja Harris filed the three review appeals, in reply to the petitions filed by Imran Khan, Sheikh Rashid and Siraj ul Haq, in the Lahore registry of the apex court, giving 19 reasons on why he could not be disqualified. The decision to file the appeal against the verdict was taken before 67-year-old Sharif's road journey from Islamabad to Lahore but the legal team took the time to prepare the case. In the 34-page application, Sharif requested the court toreview its judgment. He also asked for an injunction to suspend the original verdict till the review petitions are decided. "As far as disqualification of Petitioner (Sharif) by way of declaration in terms of Section 99(f) of ROPA and Article62 (1)(f), for not disclosure of his un-withdrawn income from Capital FZE in his nomination papers for 2013 General Elections is concerned, it is submitted that this declaration also suffers from an error apparent on the face of the record," according to the petitioner.

The petitioner said that he did not conceal the documents in his nomination papers for the 2013 polls the reason for which the court termed him not honest and trustworthy. "It is also submitted that under the Income TaxOrdinance, 2001, 'salary' is to be declared as income onlyafter it is received," the petition read. The petitioner mentioned in the application that underArticle 188 of the Constitution it was against the law todisqualify him without a trial. The petitioner also contended that being the top court, the judgment by the Supreme Court deprived him of the right of appeal which was right of every citizen. Harris also submitted relevant documents concerning the iqama a United Arab Emirates work visa that led the judges to declare Sharif "unfit to hold office", Dawn reported. Sharif has argued that the July 28 decision should have been given by a three-member bench since Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Gulzar Ahmed's jurisdiction had expired after their dissenting judgment on April 20, the paper said. "By signing the the final order of the court" on July 28, Justice Ahmed and Justice Khosa "have actually passed two judgments in the same case, which is unprecedented in judicial history," reads the appeal petition, according to the paper.

Sharif also chaired a meeting of party leaders at his Raiwind estate in Lahore to prepare a strategy for his campaign to contact the masses over his disqualification. The meeting was attended by Hamza Shahbaz, ForeignMinister Khawaja Asif, Railways Minister Saad Rafique, and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, among others.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq told the media afterthe meeting that he still considers "Sharif his primeminister." Sadiq said that Sharif will fight for his rights but hewill not create any tension between the national institutions. Sharif's plan is to go to the public and garner supportfor his plan to bring changes in the country for "sanctity ofthe vote", the speaker added.

The ousted prime minister has repeatedly said that he will strive hard to replace Pakistan's old and "flawed" system with a new law which will put an end to the unceremonious ouster of the prime ministers. He also seeks accountability from military dictators andjudges who he said have been sending prime ministers packinghome in the last 70 years.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR)

SAHR demands the Government of Bangladesh to immediately conduct an independent, impartial and transparent investigation on the custodial death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed

March 5 2021 SAHR

South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, is deeply concerned of the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed while in detention and demands the Government of Bangladesh to immediately conduct an independent, impartial and transparent investigation over the circumstances of his death while in custody.

Mushtaq Ahmed who was arrested on 6 May 2020 under the Digital Security Act (DSA) was denied bail six times and died on 25 February 2021 in the high-security Kashimpur jail in Gazipur district after complaining of chest pains. Mushtaq was arrested for publishing an article criticising the shortage of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and had shared the cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishores cartoons about corruption and the governments response to the pandemic. Police charged Mushtaq Ahmed with spreading rumours on social media, tarnishing the image of the countrys founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and hurting the spirit of the 1971 liberation war. Under the draconian DSA these charges amount to propaganda, false or offensive information, and information that could destroy communal harmony and create unrest.

The circumstances of Mushtaqs death while in custody remain uncertain and SAHR is concerned on the allegations of torture that have been raised. Mushtaq was arrested with others including Kishore and on 3rd March, Kishore was granted 6 months bail by the high court. However, on 23 February, in court, Kishore informed his lawyers that he was being physically tortured in detention and that he was suffering from a leg and an inner ear infection. Kishores statement on torture raises serious concerns over the well-being of the others in detention as well as the circumstances of Mushtaqs death. Therefore, SAHR calls upon the Government of Bangladesh to immediately conduct an inquiry into the death of Mushtaq Ahmed.

SAHR also believes that the freedom of expression, a crucial element of a democratic society, is a right without which other rights are difficult to acquire and defend. We strongly condemn the manner in which journalists, writers, academics, and human rights defenders face severe repression and are vilified under the DSA and request the Government of Bangladesh to immediately release the others who were detained for merely exercising their freedom of speech and to provide necessary facilities for their safety and wellbeing in detention until released.

We further reiterate our concerns on the DSA which contravenes the fundamental rights of the citizenship enshrined in the constitution as well as the international human rights obligations to which the country is a state party and also call upon the Government to immediately repeal this draconian law and protect the fundamental rights of its citizens.

On behalf of the members of South Asians for Human Rights,

Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy

Chairperson

Dr. Roshmi Goswami

Co-Chairperson
Unlike most 29-year-olds, Haley Thomas is looking forward to turning 30.

For a long time, she didnt think shed live that long.

The Papamoa woman was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma in 2009 at age 17, two weeks before her 18th birthday.

You never think thats going to happen to you. It was a shock.

Her second round of chemo, after surgery to remove her entire right lung and four ribs, was a particularly difficult time.

All my friends were going to O-Week and having the time of their lives, and I was having chemo. I lost heaps of weight and became really depressed.

Thomas, who just passed her final 10-year check, is one of the lucky ones, but it appears a renewed effort in adolescent and young adult cancer has saved lives.

Haley Thomas, then 18, during treatment. Photo / Supplied

In 2009, five-year survival for people aged 12 to 24 in New Zealand with Ewings sarcoma was 44 per cent. New report from the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Network Aotearoa reveals that figure has jumped 20 per cent to 64 per cent.

Comparing data from its last report which covered 2000 to 2009 to data covering 2008 to 2017, the report, released on Monday, found cancer incidence was stable, and the incidence of melanoma had decreased.

Cancer survival was improving, particularly for Maori and Pacific peoples, 15 to 19-year-olds, men and those diagnosed with Acute Lymphoid Leukaemia and bone tumours.

Survival rates for Maori between 2008 and 2017 were 78 per cent, up 8 per cent, while the rate for Pacific peoples was 81 per cent, up 10 per cent.

The survival rate for non-Maori and non-Pacific peoples was 87 per cent, up two per cent, and the overall rate was 84 per cent, a four per cent increase over the last decade.

AYA Cancer Network national clinical lead Heidi Watson saya the survival increase was a cause for celebration but inequities and variation persisted particularly for Maori and Pasifika young people with cancer.

We need to continue to focus on ensuring that there is more targeted and accessible care for all young Kiwis regardless of where they live, their age or ethnicity. The most disadvantaged young people must be prioritised.

The report states AYA Cancer Networks position that improvements had been seen in large part due to increased funding for its support workers, of which there were six.

The report was released in tandem with the AYA cancer care networks 2020 to 2025 action plan, which includes recommendations on improving equity, reducing variation and improving young peoples access to AYA Cancer Network support worker support, clinical trials and fertility preservation.

Co-chair of the AYA cancer consumer advisory group Justin Waipouri says he hopes the government and wider sector would support the action steps in the report to make the journey of young people with cancer easier.

The plan captures the needs of rangatahi by considering the range of challenges we face to make sure we receive the right support, no matter where we live or where we come from.

Thomas, now a social worker, says while she was diagnosed at Tauranga Hospital her mother took time off work to take her over the hill to Waikato Hospital where she received treatment.

She says her parents shielded her from it, but it had a financial strain on the family, but she felt she was in a comparatively privileged position that other young cancer sufferers might not be so lucky to find themselves in.

Hayley says a lot of support has also come from CanTeen and the Cancer Society.

She didnt think that disparity was equitable and needed to be addressed.

Fellow survivor Lauren Wepa, originally from Rotorua, said the data married with her experiences as well.

Lauren Wepa during treatment with her partner James. Photo / Supplied.

While she hadnt encountered it personally, she said she knew of other young cancer sufferers who had experienced more challenges, particularly those living outside of the major cities.

Now 28, Wepa, a former John Paul College student, was diagnosed at age 20 with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Doctors believed she possibly had just days to live when a tumour was found near her oesophagus, putting pressure on her heart and restricting oxygen to her brain.

I possibly wouldnt have been here, she says.

She managed to get a last-minute appointment with a specialist after someone else cancelled - and it possibly made all the difference to her survival.

She had radiation therapy at Waikato Hospital and chemotherapy in Rotorua.

Wepa, who has completed remission and is technically cured, said she had struggled adapting back to normal life after treatment and there could be more support for that period for people like her.

Each year, about 190 young people are told they have cancer - of those, there are about nine in the Bay of Plenty region and four in the Rotorua Lakes region. Nationally, about 30 young people lose their lives due to the disease.

Lauren Wepa. Photo / Supplied.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
Nicola Sturgeon faced fury today as the SNP renewed its push for a Scottish independence referendum this year despite the coronavirus chaos and her public war with Alex Salmond.

The First Minister was lambasted by opposition parties after senior allies insisted they are still aiming to hold another vote within months.

The party's Westminster leader Ian Blackford reiterated the goal even though support for breaking up the union has been diving amid the brutal infighting with Mr Salmond.

Ms Sturgeon has also refused to give a date when the brutal lockdown will be lifted, branding Boris Johnson's June 21 schedule 'made up'.

The SNP insists that if it wins Holyrood elections in May it will have a mandate for a re-run of the 2014 referendum, even though both sides agreed at the time it was a 'once in a generation' decision.

Mr Johnson has said he will not give permission for the vote, leaving the nationalists threatening to hold a 'wildcat' version that would not have any legal standing.

However, nerves have been growing in SNP circles after a significant turnaround in the polls over recent weeks.

With Ms Sturgeon facing attacks from former friend Alex Salmond that she broke the ministerial code over handling of allegations against him and the UK government credited with a strong vaccine rollout, the consistent lead for independence has been whittled away.

Survation research last weekend found that the public is split 50-50 on the issue when 'don't knows' are exluded.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford (left) reiterated the goal of holding a referendum this year even though support for breaking up the union has been diving amid the brutal infighting between Nicola Sturgeon (right) and Alex Salmond

A Survation poll last week found Scots are now split evenly on whether to go for independence

In an interview with the PA news agency today, Mr Blackford said: 'I want to see that referendum happen as quickly as is practically possible, I think it's in everybody's interest that that is the case.

'But of course we've got to get the election out the way, we need to make sure that the SNP are elected back into government again, that we reinforce that mandate for a referendum.

'There's a Bill that will be published over the coming weeks and that can be enacted once we're on the other side of the election.'

Mr Blackford insisted that Scotland needed to get to a 'safe place' from coronavirus before the vote could take place.

He said Holyrood ministers have 'talked about a six-month period once the legislation is triggered which could be in June, so it could be the case we could face a referendum as early as late 2021'.

Ms Sturgeon seemed distinctly uncomfortable when asked about the timing of an independence vote at her coronavirus briefing.

'I am not getting into political questions right now,' she said, adding: 'This is a Covid briefing, I am going to stick to that today. My focus is on Covid and doing what is right around Covid for as long as it takes, that is what I am here to talk about today.'

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: 'There is nothing more reckless and wholly irresponsible than pushing for another referendum as early as this year, when all our efforts should be on tackling Covid-19 and protecting jobs.'

The Conservative leader said: 'We need to focus on the current crisis, not create a whole new one with another divisive referendum.

'The health crisis may soon be over thanks to the resounding success of Scotland and the UK's vaccine scheme but the next great challenge, the economic crisis, is still to come.'

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour spokesman Colin Smyth said: 'At a time of national crisis, the public want our politicians to focus on what unites our country  not more division.

'It is irresponsible and out of step for Ian Blackford to say the priority should be another referendum, not a Covid recovery plan to rebuild Scotland after the pandemic.'
Porterville, CA (93257)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. Record high temperatures expected. High near 105F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.


Last year has been a year with ups and downs for the seafood sector. While the consumption and export of basa fish stagnated mostly due to the global health crisis, shrimp farmers still saw a successful 2020.

With an array of newly-effective free trade agreements, local seafood providers are now looking towards a future of boosted sales and exports.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), by the end of 2020, the total value of Vietnams seafood exports reached $8.41 billion, down 1.9 per cent on year.

Of these, exports of basa fish was $1.49 billion, down by 26 per cent, and shrimp accounted for $3.73 billion, up 11 per cent on year.

Basa fish farmers in Vietnam, China, and India all have been affected to different degrees by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prices for basa from the Mekong Delta region fell below VND20,000 ($0.90) per kilogramme and its export value to some major markets like China, Hong Kong, the US, ASEAN, and the EU decreased compared to the previous year.

However, thanks to the governments pandemic prevention efforts, Vietnams shrimp production and export activities have stayed competitive against rival suppliers. Shrimp businesses tried to maintain production, flexibly adjust to the market, and take advantage of the given opportunities, and so export value to major markets grew positively, such as to the US (up 33 per cent), the EU (up 6 per cent), and South Korea (up 3 per cent), compared to 2019.

According to data from VietstockFinance, as of the beginning of February, there are 14 listed seafood enterprises that have generated nearly VND40 trillion ($1.7 billion) in revenue and more than VND1.7 trillion ($73 million) in net profit in 2020, down 10 and 48 per cent, respectively, compared to 2019.

Cuu Long An Giang Seafood JSC (ACL) saw the strongest net profit in 2020 yet also the strongest drop in the industry, down 80 per cent from the previous year. Compared to its business plan, the company only achieved 71 per cent of its revenue goal and 41 per cent of its targeted after-tax profit.

Similarly, due to the pandemic, the sales price and revenues of basa supplier Nam Viet (ANV)decreased simultaneously. The enterprises net profit in 2020 slid down to VND202 billion ($8.8 million). Last year, the company set targets relatively low compared to 2019, so the business exceeded its revenue and pre-tax profit plan by 15 and 20 per cent respectively, positioning Nam Viet as the only Vietnamese basa supplier exceeding initial targets.

For the same reason, leading basa processor Vinh Hoan Corporation (VHC) announced that 2020 net profits went down to 40 per cent, just reaching VND705 billion ($30.6 million). Compared to the plan, VHC only achieved 82 per cent of its revenue plan and 66 per cent of the after-tax profit target in 2020.

More dramatically, for the second year in a row, the accumulated loss of Ngo Quyen Processing Export JSC (NGC) amounted to VND31 billion ($1.3 million) as of December 31. According to the company, the reason is that its capital imbalance has not been overcome, causing a shortage in working capital for production.

In addition, due to the heavy influence of the pandemic, the companys trade with foreign customers was interrupted, with no export orders coming in. The production plans for both domestic and foreign customers have been cancelled, thus the company failed to meet its goal of gradually bringing production back on previous levels.

Blooming shrimp industry

Contrary to the gloomy atmosphere of the basa industry, shrimp businesses recorded an increase in revenue. Although its net profit reached a similar level of the previous year with nearly VND226 billion ($9.8 million), 2020 revenues of Sao Ta Food (FMC) reached VND4.4 trillion ($191 million)  a record high after 15 years of listing on the stock exchange.

According to Ho Quoc Luc, president of food processing group FMC, the pandemic has created good opportunities for Vietnamese shrimp farmers. Production of safely farmed shrimp increased compared to 2019, even if just by a mere one-digit figure. Meanwhile, other major shrimp farming countries were severely affected by COVID-19 and were seeing interrupted or broken supply chains in the likes of India, Ecuador, and Indonesia.

Along with shrimp, Camimex Group (CMX) is the only enterprise representing the seafood industry to report profit growth compared to the previous year. Net revenue and profit increased by 49 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively, over the same period. This is a positive result in the face of an uncontained pandemic which has changed the demand for imports in major markets and economic drivers.

The increased demand for shrimp at home is also a great opportunity for deeply processed shrimp products compared to fresh, raw, and frozen products.

As a result, while the total value of black tiger shrimp exports decreased by 14 per cent, processed tiger shrimp products alone rose by 34 per cent. The export value of processed vannamei shrimp also increased by 21 per cent.

According to Luc of FMC, consumer demand is increasingly high, and processing is becoming more intensive, geographically concentrated, vertically integrated, and linked with global supply chains.

These changes pose new food safety challenges to all the parties in the seafood business. Thus we have determined our main direction to be processed products with high value content and food safety. Thanks to this direction, our products are now available in most high-level markets, he said.

Minh Phu-Hau Giang Seafood JSC, a member of Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, also shipped over 22,000 tonnes of processed shrimp worth $240 million to the US, Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea, thereby contributing to its corporations overall revenue of $580 million from shrimp exports in 2020. This year, Minh Phu targets to export over 70,000 tons of shrimp, with an estimated revenue of $790 million.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked if shrimp exporters could strengthen cooperation with local companies to diversify markets, continue to increase the share of value-added products, and control the quality of raw material sources, as well as ensure traceability of origin.

FTAs boost growth

According to VASEP, the fishery sector has a lot of opportunities from new-generation free trade agreements (FTA) such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the EU-Vietnam FTA. These FTAs have a good impact on Vietnams seafood exports and contribute to improving the competitiveness in regional and global markets.

It is forecasted that Vietnams seafood export in 2021 will increase by 10 per cent, reaching over $9.4 billion. In which, shrimp export may grow the strongest at up to 15 per cent, reaching $4.4 billion. Meanwhile, the growth of basa fish farming is expected to increase by 5 per cent, reaching about $1.6 billion.

Tran Minh Canh, CFO of Nam Viet Corp (ANV), also agreed that the EVFTA and the RCEP will contribute to boosting the growth of Vietnamese exports due to the tax exemptions for some industries.

The RCEP allows its members to pool originating materials across the bloc, which is an advantage over the current FTA with ASEAN members, and is helping Vietnam to take advantage of the diversified input supplies throughout the bloc. The EVFTA, on the other hand, allows the tax for frozen basa to be gradually reduced to zero according to a 4-year schedule.

According to Ho Quoc Luc, the EVFTA has a huge impact on shrimp products and presents a golden opportunity for businesses that have prepared well.

On the contrary, Luc also forecasts several challenges that businesses may experience in 2021. The internal challenge for shrimp farmers is that authorities remain rather slow numbering and coding farming areas, ponds, as well as provide more open mechanisms to create large-scale farms that meet the standards required by export markets.

However, Vietnamese shrimp has decent opportunities to penetrate high-end consumption systems with good prices. Meanwhile, information about supply and demand of basa is a prerequisite for its success or failure.

VIR

Seafood industry expects to remain on growth path in 2021 Despite facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seafood exports last year were estimated at US$8.58 billion, the same as in 2019.
Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will be holding protests in all constituencies of the state on March 8 to demand an explanation from the Congress government for reneging on all promises made to the people.

The 'dharna' will be held under the banner of the 'Punjab Mangda Hisab' campaign of the SAD. On March 8, the Captain Amarinder Singh-led government will present the budget in the Vidhan Sabha.

It will not only expose the Congress government for betraying all sections of society but will also launch a sustained agitation to force the government to implement the promises made to the people, SAD informed in a media release on Friday.

SAD Senior Vice-President Daljit Singh Cheema said, "The party will demand an immediate reduction of VAT (Value-Added Tax) on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 per litre as well as the withdrawal of massive hike in the power tariff to provide relief to the common man."

Cheema further said that the party will also demand an immediate disbursal of Rs 2,500 per month as unemployment allowance promised to the youth."The promised enhanced old age pension of Rs 2,500 per month should also be released along with arrears to all the beneficiaries. Shagun scheme benefits of Rs 51,000 should also be released to all eligible beneficiaries in a similar manner," he added.

Speaking about the discrimination being meted out to the weaker sections, the SAD leader said, "The government should restore lakhs of blue cards and old age pension cards immediately. The promised tea leaves, sugar and cooking oil should be given to the disadvantaged as promised."

He further said that the dharnas would also call for the immediate repeal of the three central agricultural laws, besides asking Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to take up the issue for the repeal of the laws forcefully with the Centre."The 'dharnas' would also demand an immediate start of a scholarship scheme for scheduled caste students along with payment of arrears to them. The party would also demand the government to fulfil its promise for providing houses for the unfortunate," he added.

Cheema said, "SAD would also demand independent inquiries into all scams of the Congress government, including the Rs 6,500 crore excise scam, end to sand and liquor mafias and bringing the law and order situation under control."He mentioned that the party would also demand the immediate release of Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears to employees as well as the finalisation of the Sixth Pay Commission report and an end to recruitment on central pay scales.
The International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol announced on Wednesday that it had confiscated thousands of fake doses of COVID-19 vaccines from smugglers in South Africa and China.

Interpol's head issued a warning that the confiscated fake COVID-19 vaccines could just be the tip of the iceberg.

Around 400 vials, equivalent to around 2,400 doses of fake COVID-19 vaccines were seized from a warehouse outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. Authorities have also confiscated counterfeit 3M masks and arrested three Chinese nationals and a Zambian national during the operation, according to a Business Insider report.

Around the same time in China, law enforcement officials have arrested 80 people believed to be linked to the seized goods. Authorities have also uncovered additional 3,000 vials of fake COVID-19 vaccines made from a saline solution.

An "Orange Notice" from Interpol was issued earlier this year, cautioning police forces worldwide to prepare for organized crime networks targeting COVID-19 vaccines, both online and physically.

"Whilst we welcome this result, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine-related crime," Interpol secretary-general Juergen Stock said as ABC Net reported.

Interpol also cautioned that any COVID-19 vaccine being advertised on websites or the dark web would not be legitimate and might not be tested. The agency added that it could pose dangers and risks to its users.

Interpol, who supports national authorities working to protect the public, said it was also receiving reports of fake COVID-19 vaccine distribution and scam attempts targeting health facilities such as nursing homes.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Public Security said that the Chinese government placed great importance on the COVID-19 vaccine security.

"Chinese police are conducting a targeted campaign to prevent and crack down on crimes related to vaccines, proactively investigating and combating crimes related to vaccines in accordance with the law," the spokesperson said in a New York Daily News report.

The spokesperson added that China is cooperating with Interpol agents when it comes to the prevention of such crimes.

READ NEXT: COVID-19 Clinical Trials: The Difference Between Real and Fake

COVID-19 Vaccines

Meanwhile, a survey involving 14 countries showed that confidence in COVID-19 vaccines is growing, as well as people's willingness to have the shots, according to a Reuters report.

The survey, conducted by Imperial College London's Institute of Global Health Innovation and polling firm YouGov, found that people's trust in the vaccines has increased in nine out of 14 countries involved.

Some of the countries involved in the study were France, Japan, and Singapore. These countries had earlier expressed their doubts about the vaccine.

The survey also found that residents in the U.K. are the most willing to have the shots, with 77 percent saying that they would take a COVID-19 shot if one was available that week.

This is higher than the previous 55 percent in November or before the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine gained regulatory approval for use in the U.K.

Meanwhile, regulators in the U.K. and four other countries have announced their rules to fast-track the development of tweaked COVID-19 vaccines, ensuring that the vaccines can still be effective when it comes to the different variants of the disease.

Authorized COVID-19 vaccines that are modified to fight new variants of coronavirus would not require a new approval or lengthy clinical studies, according to an Associated Press report.

READ MORE: Deadly Ebola-like Virus Can Spread from Person-to-Person, CDC Reveals

WATCH: US Investigators Warn of COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud - From Associated Press
One of the worlds largest banking and financial services organizations, HSBC, last year introduced an employee-choice program enabling its workforce to choose to use a Mac as their primary work computer.

Sign of the times

Back in 2008, HSBC was among the first major businesses to dump BlackBerry and migrate to iPhones. More recently, it joined the trend to migrate workers to Macs as it freed employees to work from home during the pandemic.

Its the latest example of increasing adoption of Apples hardware within employee-choice schemes, which has helped the company seize a 23% share of the US enterprise PC market.

Jamf discussed the HSBC project briefly during a recent analyst call. It explained how HSBC worked with Jamf and Apple to enable the program, introducing Zero Touch configuration and deployment so employees could easily get their Macs up and running, enabling them to be remotely pre-configured by tech support, mitigating some of the endpoint risk associated with work from home (WFH).

This process allowed HSBC to efficiently upgrade devices for employees working from home and reduce deployment costs, said Jamf CEO Dean Hager.

He noted that the scale of the move to work remotely posed an additional challenge at the time:

Additionally, this project was completed during a very busy period for HSBC's IT department since COVID forced 98% of their employees to shift to remote working, including the employees supporting this project.

HSBC has 232,957 employees worldwide, and while it isnt known how many will now be using Macs (I have asked for more information), this is still likely to be a significant deployment of the platform.

More about Macs

He also noted that while other PC manufacturers had problems meeting demand for WFH computers, Apple was able to maintain supply. Thats particularly impressive given the operational and logistics problems that have beset the industry across the last year, and the huge scale of demand across enterprises for new Macs. (Dont forget that one of the first pandemic resilience acts engaged in by Starling Bank was to acquire all available MacBooks to equip staff as they moved to work remotely.)

Hager believes that Apples introduction of M-series processors in the newest Macs will accelerate the trend of enterprise adoption, noting that demand for these among employees at companies supporting them is already strong. We see the new Mac increasing demand, said Hager.

WFH means security at home

Of course, remote working also poses security problems, which has seen some companies fail to migrate to non-kext app development for their anti-malware apps for M1 Macs.

Remote work, we believe, actually created a greater demand for security solutions as well as those people working from those homes, all the more important to make sure that they are protected from threats, said Hager.

What comes next?

Theres a growing belief that working remotely will form part of the new normal once we emerge from the pandemic. HSBC certainly seems to agree. Not only has the company started its employee-focused tech choice scheme, but company COO John Hinshaw closed 2020 when he said the bank will use 40% less office space in future.

Jamf is thinking along the same lines. What we have told our employees is going forward we will continue to have facilities, and we will continue to have offices that employees will come in to work at, and we want to create a great environment where they want to come into work, said Hager.

However, our facilities will no longer be an expectation of our employees. It will be a service that we provide them.

The desire to avoid unnecessary contact during the pandemic also seems to be driving increased use of digital processes, HSBC has said. The company reported a 50% increase in the use of digital chat support services in June 2020 when it introduced support for Apple Business Chat, with similar experiences seen across all such services. Just look at Zendesk shares and how they grew across the last 12 months.

Weve been on a multi-year effort in the enterprise and have gained quite a bit of traction there, Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the most recent fiscal call. Were very optimistic about what we can do in that space.

Hager seems to agree. He told analysts: When you come off a year where you've had more employees working at home than any time in our history, we believe that will do nothing but fuel the consumerization of IT.

Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
Baghdad, the first destination of Pope Francis Apostolic Journey to Iraq, is not simply the capital city of modern Iraq. In the Middle Ages, it was the heart of the entire (Sunni) Islamic world. Even the Baldachin at St. Peters Basilica carries an etymological reminder of the glorious Abbasid capital.

By Emil Anton

Baghdad is a city laden with historical and religious significance. It was founded by Caliph Al-Mansour in 762 AD to be the new capital of the Abbasid empire, that is, of the entire Muslim world.

The caliphs were considered successors of the Prophet Muhammad. The Abbasids took their name from Muhammads uncle, named Abbas, and gave form to classical Sunni Islam.

However, the Shiites, followers of the party of Ali, Muhammads cousin and son-in-law, rejected the caliphs and held that the true successors of Muhammad were the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (Muhammads family and descendants, through Ali).

The sanctuary around Alis tomb in Najaf is a Shia center of the first rank, and it is also the home of the senior Shia leader Ayatollah Al-Sistani, whom Pope Francis is scheduled to meet on Saturday.

In other words, Iraq is not just another Muslim country, but a land central to both Sunni and Shia history. The fact that the Bishop of Rome intends to pay a visit to both Baghdad and Najaf is deeply symbolic, as well as potentially historic for Christian-Muslim and Sunni-Shia relations alike.

Successor to Babylon

Baghdads roots, however, go much further back in history than the Abbasid Caliphate.

The predecessor to Baghdad as an imperial capital was Seleucia-Ctesiphon (today known as Al-Madain in the suburbs of Baghdad). It was the royal capital of the Persian or Iranian empire under the Parthians and the Sassanids (2nd century BC to 7th century AD). Prior to that, Seleucia by the Tigris was the main city of the Greek Seleucids, successors to Alexander the Great, who died in the palace of King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon in 323 BC.

Indeed, Seleucia-Ctesiphon was preceded by that great city of biblical fame, Babylon (Babel), the center of both Hammurabis (18th century BC) and Nebuchadnezzars (6th century BC) empires, as well as the site of two of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Babylons ruins, reconstructed in part by Saddam Hussein, lie about an hour and a halfs drive south of todays Baghdad.

To put it briefly, the Mesopotamian capital moved from Babylon to Seleucia-Ctesiphon to Baghdad.

Baghdad can therefore be considered the successor to Babylon, though indirectly. As a matter of fact, the Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako, who resides in Baghdad, carries the title Patriarch of Babylon.

Though the title Patriarch of Babylon is of a more recent origin, the Bishops of the Persian capital were considered Patriarchs as early as the 5th century.

During the Abbasid period, the Patriarchs of Baghdad organized missions and appointed bishops to Central Asia and the Far East, including China.

House of Wisdom

Among the greatest cultural achievements of Abbasid Baghdad was the Bayt al-Hikma, or House of Wisdom.

Caliph Harun al-Rashid, of Arabian Nights fame, and his son al-Mamun, were true patrons of science and learning. They wished to gather all possible knowledge from their vast empire into their personal library, which became a center of study for scholars and translators.

What is less known is that it was the Syriac Christians  Nestorians and Jacobites  who transmitted the wisdom of the Greeks to the Arabs. Hunayn ibn Ishaq and other scholars translated hundreds of classics of philosophy and medicine, such as works by Aristotle and Galen, from Greek to Syriac and then to Arabic.

This ultimately gave rise to the Aristotelian renaissance, first in Islamic philosophy, and later also in the West (St. Thomas Aquinas).

In Abbasid Baghdad, the caliphs personal court physicians were also Syriac Christians. They were sometimes able to intervene for the good of the Christian community during times of oppression.

An interesting side effect of the power and glory of Abbasid Baghdad is seen in the adoption of a good number of Arabic loanwords in Western languages (examples include algebra and alcohol).

Connection with St. Peters Basilica

More relevant to the Pope, even St. Peters Baldachin comes from Baghdad, etymologically.

The word baldachin is derived from Baldac, a medieval Latin corruption of Baghdad, and it originally referred to a luxurious cloth from the Abbasid capital.

St. Peters Basilica has thus been connected to Baghdad for centuries, but today the connection is moving to a whole new level.
PULLMAN, Wash. - The ability to identify misinformation only benefits people who have some skepticism toward social media, according to a new study from Washington State University.

Researchers found that people with a strong trust in information found on social media sites were more likely to believe conspiracies, which falsely explain significant events as part of a secret evil plot, even if they could identify other types of misinformation. The study, published in the journal Public Understanding of Science on March 5, showed this held true for beliefs in older conspiracy theories as well as newer ones around COVID-19.

"There was some good and bad news in this study," said Porismita Borah, an associate professor in WSU's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and a corresponding author on the study. "The good news is that you are less susceptible to conspiracy theories if you have some media literacy skills, one of which is being able to identify misinformation. But if you blindly trust the information you find on social media, those skills might not be able to help."

Identifying misinformation is just one part of media literacy, Borah pointed out, and people may need a deeper education around social media to avoid falling for conspiracy theories.

For the study, the researchers surveyed 760 people recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing website. The participants were roughly split between male and female as well as Democrat and Republican. The majority, 63.1%, used Facebook and 47.3% used Twitter daily. They answered a range of questions related to the level of their social media news use and trust as well as ability to identify misinformation.

The participants were also asked to rate the truth of several COVID-19 conspiracy theories, such as the belief that the virus was a weapon of biological warfare developed by foreign countries. They also were presented with older conspiracies to rate, such as that the moon landing was a hoax and that Princess Diana was killed by a British intelligence agency.

The researchers found that a greater ability to identify misinformation lowered beliefs in all conspiracy theories--except for those who had high levels of trust in social media information. This is particularly problematic because other research has shown that once a conspiracy belief takes hold, it is very hard to convince the believer that it is false.

"The patterns around trust is one of the most important findings from our study," said Borah. "We need to go deeper into what this trust means."

Borah and her co-authors, recent WSU Ph.D. Xizhu Xiao and current doctoral student Yan Su, suggest that political ideology may play a role in this trust--that people want to believe the words of political figures they admire, whether what they say is actually true or not. Borah said more research is needed to understand why conspiracy theories appeal to people and how best to combat them as there can be serious consequences.

"There are different levels of danger with these theories, but one of the prominent conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 is that it isn't true, that the virus is a hoax and that can be really dangerous: you're putting yourself, your family members and your community at risk," said Borah.

The researchers advocate for making media literacy part of the educational system and starting it well before college. They argue that such education should include a better understanding of how information can be manipulated as well as social media environments, news production and dissemination.

"There's a long list of tasks to do to keep ourselves well informed," Borah said. "I think there is hope with media literacy and a better understanding of the information environment, but it is a complicated process."

###
Following completion of the initial infill drilling program and receipt of the deeper drilling RC and DD results, a systematic infill drill program will be planned in anticipation of the maiden resource estimate planned for mid-2021.

Metallurgical test-work is expected to begin in April 2021.

( ) has received results of additional reverse circulation (RC), diamond drill (DD) and auger holes at the Bankan Gold project in Guinea, West Africa, demonstrating that a large oxide gold zone is emerging.

Infill RC at NE Bankan has highlighted broad widths in fresh rock and excellent hole-to-hole continuity, as well as depth continuity.

Notable results include 34 metres at 1.4 g/t gold from 179 metres, 28 metres at 1.8 g/t from 218 metres, 18 metres at 2.2 g/t from 74 metres and 52 metres at 1.5 g/t from 3 metres.

Potential to improve economics

Managing director Paul Roberts said: We are highly encouraged by the results from the first two lines of infill drilling from the shallow oxide program across the central zone at NE Bankan.

This program has shown that the NE Bankan gold zone in this area is almost continuously gold mineralised over around 200 metres of horizontal width to depths of 50-70 metres.

What this indicates is a deep, broad zone of soft, deeply weathered bedrock material which has potential to substantially improve the projects economics.

Also, the step-out program drilling into the western margin of the NE Bankan gold deposit continues to intersect good grade gold in fresh rock.

With the main program of RC pre-collars now complete, we look forward to seeing further assays from the deeper DD 'tails'."

New drilling continues to successfully identify both broad and narrow zones of gold mineralisation with all holes mineralised in part.

Next steps

The initial oxide infill drill program is ongoing at NE Bankan and is expected to continue over the coming weeks.

Following completion of this program and receipt of the deeper drilling RC and DD results, a systematic infill drill program will be planned in anticipation of the maiden resource estimate planned for mid-2021.

In addition, RC and DD programs at Bankan Creek will target extensions to the gold mineralised system along strike and at depth, and a regional air-core program will test targets beneath anomalous gold-bearing auger intercepts at the NE Bankan, Bankan Creek and Bankan West gold prospects.

Metallurgical test-work is now expected to begin in April 2021.

Power auger drilling update

Power auger drilling has been in progress since October last year. Initial drilling was on an 80 metres x 80 metres grid after which drill density was changed to a 320 metres x 80 metres grid to expand coverage over the target area more cost-effectively.

The focus to date has been to search for gold mineralisation in the area between Bankan West, Bankan Creek and NE Bankan with some drilling directly to the north of NE Bankan.

Results have been received from 230 new auger holes totalling 4,484 metres.

In addition, new results are included for 66 previously reported shallow holes which were deepened to provide an effective test below cover.

Better results included 7 metres at 4.27 g/t gold from 8 metres, 16 metres at 1.15 g/t from 8 metres and 10 metres at 0.56 g/t from 8 metres.

Follow-up exploration will comprise additional infill auger drilling where warranted, as well as deeper aircore drilling where auger infill is complete.

New auger drill targets will be prioritised for follow-up once the new geophysical survey data becomes available.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
IN the space of one month, the families of 326 people were left in shock and heartbreak after losing their loved ones to the Covid-19 virus.

May 2021 was the deadliest month of the pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago and the month with the highest number of Covid-19 cases.

State senators today approved clawing back extraordinary powers that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has used during the Covid-19 pandemic to make law about crowd sizes, business reopenings and school closings.

Under the legislation passed today by the state Senate 43-20, Cuomo no longer can issue new orders that carry the weight of state law to deal with the coronavirus. The Assembly is expected to pass the legislation later this afternoon.

Cuomo indicated earlier this week he supports the changes, which were crafted by Democratic leaders in the Assembly and Senate.

Any current executive orders in place -- such as rules about dancing at weddings, wearing masks and crowds at indoor arenas -- will remain. Those expire automatically over the next 30 days unless additional action is taken.

Going forward, Cuomo would retain the power to edit the current orders, according to the legislation. But before changes are made, the governor is required to give lawmakers or local officials five days notice.

During those five days, the lawmakers and local officials can comment on Cuomos proposed changes.

We would be able to submit a comment weighing in, Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-Queens, said. He would be required to respond.

Cuomo ultimately retains the power to amend any current order, Gianaris added. At the same time, lawmakers still have the power to fully rescind any executive order Cuomo issues as part of extraordinary powers granted to him last year to respond to the pandemic.

It is clear that emergency executive authority to issue new directives is no longer needed or deserved, Sen. John Mannion, D-Geddes, said in a statement. There will no longer be unilateral actions without legislative oversight.

Republicans decried the proposal and instead argued for a full-scale repeal of all current directives. All 20 Republican senators, including Joseph Griffo of Rome and Patty Ritchie of Oswegatchie, voted against the bill.

The vote comes as Cuomo is faces accusations on two fronts: one, that his administration withheld data about Covid-19-related nursing home deaths, and, two, claims of sexual harassment and unwanted behavior from three women.

The latest blow came late Thursday, when news reports said key aides altered a summer report about the nursing home deaths. Cuomos staff has denied any wrongdoing.

Still, the pressure is building against the Democratic governor. His credibility is at an all-time low right now, Gianaris said. The anger that the Legislature holds right now is very intense.

Sen. Rachel May, D-Syracuse, today called on anyone found lying about the nursing home data to resign, including Cuomo.

Its worth noting New York had a strong executive branch even before Cuomo got extra authority. Hell continue to wield power over much of the government, including writing the budget and filling key roles across the state.

Hell also still have the power to declare emergencies, as hes done for snowstorms, tornados and other natural disasters. Those more traditional powers already allowed him to suspend activities, such as stopping truck traffic on highways during bad weather.

Got a story idea or news tip youd like to share with a Syracuse-area reporter? Please contact me through email, Twitter, Facebook or at 315-470-2274.
A close college friend of Meghan Markle's has defended the Duchess of Sussex amid backlash over claims of bullying.

Producer and author Lindsay Jill Roth posted a defense of Meghan on Instagram on Thursday evening as she claimed that 'goodwill runs in her bones' and branded her an 'altruistic, magnanimous friend'.

Roth, one of Meghan's best friends from her days at Northwestern University, shared a picture of her and the 39-year-old Duchess on their graduation, as well as one from the author's wedding day, alongside a passionate caption.

'Meg's M.O. has always been kindness; goodwill runs in her bones,' Roth wrote.

'I know this to be true after 22 years of very close friendship. I have seen firsthand how she treats her friends and their families, and her colleagues.'

Producer and author Lindsay Jill Roth (picture right) posted a defense of Meghan Meghan on Instagram on Thursday evening as she claimed that 'goodwill runs in her bones'

Roth is one of Meghan's best friends from her days at Northwestern University (pictured)

'Meg's M.O. has always been kindness; goodwill runs in her bones,' Roth wrote

'She's more than just a cover story,' Roth argued in the post.

Her comments come as Meghan hits headlines due to both the bullying scandal and her and Harry's upcoming tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey to be aired on Sunday.

'She's funny. Like, laugh out loud funny. And smart,' the caption continued.

'She was this woman when we were students together at Northwestern University; she was this woman in Los Angeles when her days were spent auditioning; she was this woman living in Toronto as Rachel Zane on Suits.

'She was this woman before you knew she was dating Harry; she was this woman after you knew was dating Harry; she was this woman when she became Duchess of Sussex and she is still - without a doubt - this very same woman today.'

Roth's caption was a passionate defense of the Duchess amid claims of bullying

Meghan and Lindsay (left) have been friends since they met in a Toni Morrison literature class during their freshman year at Northwestern, from which they graduated in 2003

Meghan served as maid of honor at Roth's wedding. They are pictured together

Roth (pictured with Meghan) branded the Duchess an 'altruistic, magnanimous friend'

Meghan and Lindsay have been friends since they met in a Toni Morrison literature class during their freshman year at Northwestern, from which they graduated in 2003.

They remained close as Meghan went on to pursue acting, eventually earning her high-profile role on Suits.

Lindsay also acted for a bit, appearing as an extra in Mona Lisa Smile alongside Julia Roberts and Kirsten Dunst, and Raise Your Voice, with Hilary Duff.

She has since gone on to work as a producer for Larry King Now, The Real Girl's Kitchen, and Queen Boss.

All the while, the two were in each other's lives. Though Meghan has deleted her personal Instagram account, Lindsay still has several photos of the star up and tagged on her page.

TV producer Roth married Englishman Gavin Jordan in 2016, with Meghan serving as maid of honor.

Actress Janina Gavankar, another close friend who attended Meghan and Harry's wedding, also rushed to the Duchess' defense in a tweet on Thursday.

Meghan Markle's close friend Janina Gavankar, 39, also rushed to her defense on Thursday

'Here's what she is: kind, strong, open. Here's what she's not: "a bully,"' the actress claimed

'I have known Meghan for 17 years,' the star of The Morning Show and True Blood wrote.

'Here's what she is: kind, strong, open. Here's what she's not: "a bully".

'ANY of us who know her, feel the same thing from her broken silence: Relief,' the 39-year-old added. 'The truth shall set you free.'

Gavankar's comments appeared to reference to a 30-second promo clip for Meghan and Harry's interview with Oprah which was released on Wednesday.

In the clip, the Duchess accuses the Royal Family of 'perpetuating falsehoods' about her and Prince Harry.

She adds in the interview that she couldn't stay 'silent' about the alleged falsehoods.

'I don't know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,' Meghan says in the clip.

'And if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, there's a lot that's been lost already.'

It comes ahead of Meghan and Harry's tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey to be aired Sunday

Meghan Markle spoke to Oprah Winfrey for the interview (as pictured above), which will air on Sunday, and accused the Royal Family of perpetuating falsehoods about us

It is not known what 'falsehoods' Meghan is talking about because the interview was recorded before she was accused of 'driving out' two PAs and shattering the confidence of another member of Kensington Palace staff - with one former aide branding Prince Harry and his wife 'outrageous bullies' earlier this week.

The clip was released after accusations of bullying were made against Meghan on Tuesday by British newspaper The Times.

Among the claims, it emerged that royal staff say they are members of the 'Sussex Survivors' Club' after working for the couple, with some claiming they have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety because of their treatment by Harry and Meghan.

Buckingham Palace has since announced that it is launching an investigation into the allegations.

On Wednesday night, the Palace confirmed that its HR team will 'look into' the allegations, saying it 'does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace'.

A spokesperson said: 'We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'Accordingly, our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article.

'Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.

'The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.'

There is no timetable to the investigation, but it is understood that any changes in policies and procedures will be shared publicly in an annual review expected later in the year.

However, Meghan and Harry have blasted the bullying claims as a 'calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation'.

'We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet,' they said of The Times report.

'It's no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining The Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and The Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.'

Meghan said The Times is being 'used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative based on misleading and harmful misinformation' about her treatment of staff after former aides accused her of 'emotional cruelty and manipulation', reducing them to tears and leaving them 'shaking' with fear.

Her lawyers said the former actress was 'saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma'.
The capacity at Perths major stadiums and other public areas will be increased by 25 per cent under significant changes to Western Australias COVID-19 restrictions.

On Friday WA Premier Mark McGowan announced that capacity at most venues including Optus Stadium, HBF Park, HBF Stadium and RAC Arena would be increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent from midnight on March 15.

Only around 5000 fans are expected to attend Thursday night's Sydney derby in Perth. Credit:Getty Images

Pending any new outbreak the new restrictions mean crowds at Optus Stadium this AFL season could be as large as 45,000.

In seated and entertainment venues such as cafes, bars, food courts and places of worship the 75 per cent capacity will override the existing 2-square-metre rule with preference given to which allows for more patrons.


Speakers:

Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission

Zhao Huan, chairman of China Development Bank

Gu Shu, chairman of the Agricultural Bank of China

Luo Xi, chairman of the People's Insurance Company of China

Song Shuguang, chairman of China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation

Chairperson:

Shou Xiaoli, deputy head of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

March 2, 2021

Shou Xiaoli:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the press conference of the State Council Information Office. The fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) made it clear that China will promote high-quality development. The high-quality development of the banking and insurance sectors is of great significance in achieving high-quality economic and social development. Today, we are pleased to invite Mr. Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, to brief you on issues regarding promoting the high-quality development of the banking and insurance sectors, and field questions. We also have with us Mr. Zhao Huan, chairman of China Development Bank; Mr. Gu Shu, chairman of the Agricultural Bank of China; Mr. Luo Xi, chairman of the People's Insurance Company of China; and Mr. Song Shuguang, chairman of China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation. Next, I will give the floor to Mr. Guo.

Guo Shuqing:

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends, good morning. First of all, on behalf of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), and all the chairmen present at today's press conference, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to friends from the media who have been supporting the reform and development of the banking and insurance sectors for a long time. I hope you all enjoyed the Chinese New Year and are doing well.

Faced with the severe and complex domestic and international situations in 2020, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the CBIRC and the entire banking and insurance sectors resolutely implemented the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. We have been enhancing the Party's political building as the overarching principle; strengthening our consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; staying confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; upholding General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the CPC as a whole, and upholding the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized and unified leadership. Under the command of the Financial Stability and Development Committee of the State Council, we have risen to the challenges and acted proactively, remained committed to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, pursued supply-side structural reform as our main task, resolutely worked to win the battle to forestall and defuse financial risks, and strived to advance the modernization of the financial governance system and capabilities. Solid progress has been made in various tasks.

First, we have contributed to the rapid recovery of the national economy which shifted from stagnation or decline to normal growth. Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, we have put people and life first and immediately formulated a series of policies and measures to ensure an overall victory in the battle against the virus, including issuing a total of 5.3 trillion yuan in special emergency credit bonds and completing relevant insurance payments of more than 500 million yuan. By the end of 2020, outstanding RMB loans rose by 19.6 trillion yuan from the beginning of the year, and we extended the repayment of principal and interest on loans of 6.6 trillion yuan in total. Emergency loans of 24.27 billion yuan were issued in five pilot provinces and cities. We have achieved the target of making interest concessions of 1.5 trillion yuan to boost the real economy throughout the year. Our actions have strongly supported the resumption of work and production, helping to ensure stability on the six fronts (employment, finance, foreign trade, inbound investment, domestic investment, and market expectations), and maintain security in the six areas (jobs, daily living needs, food and energy, industrial and supply chains, the interests of market players, and the smooth functioning of grassroots government). Manufacturing loans increased by 2.2 trillion yuan throughout the year, exceeding the total of the previous five years; 5.7 trillion yuan flowed into private enterprises, up 1.5 trillion yuan over the previous year; and health insurance spending stood at 292.1 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 24.2%. We have kept 1.57 trillion yuan as long-term health protection reserves stashed away against future risks. We also actively helped win the battle against poverty. Over the past three years, a total of 9.2 trillion yuan of targeted poverty alleviation loans have been issued nationwide, and a total of 3.5 trillion yuan has been provided via agricultural poverty alleviation insurance. We have actively participated in the battle against pollution, and the green credit balance of 21 major banks stood at 11.5 trillion yuan by the end of 2020.

General Assignment Reporter

Chris Mays is a general assignment reporter for the Brattleboro Reformer. He has been with New England Newspapers Inc. since 2012.
Montaignes entry for Eurovision 2021 Technicolour has now been released in full.

Montaigne co-wrote the song alongside Sydney-based songwriter and producer, Dave Hammer (Lime Cordiale, Thundamentals).

It will be performed at tomorrows Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Montaigne was selected for Eurovision 2020 but after the event was cancelled, SBS confirmed her return for 2021 -but all acts had to submit new songs.

At this stage all artists are expecting to attend Rotterdam in person in May under strict COVID restrictions.

and for those wondering the lyric is not time to take off your clothes but cloaks.

Montaigne said: I initially started writing the song after a catch-up call with my mum that was really emotional and had me crying on the floor thinking of that first line, I want to be close to my mother. I picked up my guitar and started improvising around that, trying to get the feelings out of my system. I had to put the song down then because we were having people over for dinner.

Later, I picked the idea up with songwriter and music producer, Dave Hammer, since we were working on trying to make a Eurovision song happen, and the song became about resilience and the courage that comes from being able to be vulnerable, being able to ask for help, and knowing that in solidarity and togetherness we are stronger as people.

SBS Commissioning Editor and Australian Head of Delegation Josh Martin said: We love this song! SBS has always celebrated the technicolour nature of Australia and the world, and Montaigne has written an anthem that encapsulates all that we stand for as a broadcaster and a country. Where better to premiere it, than one of the worlds most loved Pride events  the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras! The song is positive, purposeful  and lets face it  fun! It will be right at home at the worlds largest, inclusive technicolour song contest where, to borrow a line from the chorus  if we stand together, we can do whatever.

Creative Director of Eurovision: Australia Decides and Director of Blink TV Paul Clarke said: Technicolour begins by addressing the universal and personal challenges of the pandemic, then it empowers you to be a superhero and rise above. Its all done with Montaignes cheeky sense of humour, at once vulnerable and kinda fierce. Im expecting some deep and moving music this year at Eurovision, but we are flicking the switch to empowerment with Montaigne and turning the volume right up.

Eurovision will be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and broadcast on SBS from 19 to 23 May.

Related
Former President Donald Trump appointee to the United States Department of State, Federico Klein, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday after being implicated in the January 6 Capitol riot.

According to the FBI's Washington DC field office spokesperson, the 42-year-old Trump appointee was nabbed by federal agents in Virginia. However, details about his alleged role in the Capitol Hill riot were not released immediately.

First Known Member of Trump Administration Arrested

In addition, Aljazeera reported that Klein was charged with violent and disorderly conduct, unlawful entry, and obstruction of Congress and law enforcement. It was not stated, however, if Klein was able to obtain legal representation.

Based on the Federal directory, as of last summer, Klein served as a special assistant in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs in the U.S. Department of State since 2017. The directory also noted that his designation was as a "Schedule C" political appointee.

Politico, the first to report about the arrest of the Trump appointee, also reported that Klein has worked with Trump on his 2016 presidential campaign. Klein is the first member of the Trump administration to be charged in connection to the Capitol riot wherein Trump supporters stormed the building, aiming to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's election victory.

According to Federal investigators, several videos during the riot showed the Trump appointee assaulting officers using a stolen shield. The document also described some of the scenes and stated that Klein was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat while trying to push through officers in a tunnel near the Capitol building's west terrace.

The document also stated that Klein was involved in verbal and physical abuse of officers trying to hold down the fort.

Moreover, the FBI stated that during the time of the riot, Klein was still employed with the U.S. Department of State. He also reportedly had a top-secret security clearance.

Read also: President Joe Biden Insults Republican Governors by Calling Them 'Neanderthals'

The Capitol Riot

The insurrection of Capitol Hill on January 6 happened after supporters and allies of Trump mobilized in Washington DC to stop Congress from certifying the November presidential election results, wherein Trump lost to Biden. Trump promised that he would never concede and even encouraged his supporters to fight against Biden's victory, ABC News reported.

With Trump's words as their motivation, crowds of MAGA supporters marched to the Capitol's steps and pushed their way through barricades of officers who were in riot gear. They were also able to bypass other security measures that were placed as preparation for protests.

An angry mob then was able to push their way into the Capitol, forcing Congress to pause the certification. Lawmakers and their staff were then kept on lockdown inside the Capitol.

After the incident, it took hours before Capitol police and other law enforcement could clear the area and establish a perimeter. The riot resulted in the death of five people, including one Capitol police officer. Dozens were also injured during the riot.

The arrested Trump appointee has yet to give his statement regarding his alleged role in the riot.

Read also: Trump Will Not Run in 2024 Without Pence, According to Adviser

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
RTEs Baz Ashmawy has revealed that he is now a grandparent after stepdaughter Charlotte gave birth earlier this week.

Charlotte and her partner Brian Malone welcomed their baby girl on Thursday.

The television personality broke the news on Instagram, sharing an illustration by his stepdaughter followed by a photo of his grandchilds tiny hands.

Baz wrote: So, our little girl had a little girl Congratulations @charlottekingg and @brianbmalone... So proud of you both. You're going to be great parents. Trust me.

You've made us all so happy at a time when things are so tough. I could burst. I can't wait to squeeze you all but especially the new little lady in my life.

The 45-year-old couldnt resist a joke: On a side note... For a man that's done it all I'm going home to get some granny action tonight! First time for everything!

Friends and colleagues flocked to the comments to congratulate the 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy star.

Youre a granddad! Congratulations to you all, great news!! X, said Glenda Gilson, who recently celebrated her 40th birthday in lockdown.

Read More

Darren Kennedy commented: Brilliant news, congrats grandad Baz!

Broadcaster Suzanne Kane was also keen to show her support, writing: Congrats Baz, Tanja and family. Delighted baby arrived safe and sound. Enjoy x

50 ways not to be a granddad?!! she added, referencing Bazs Emmy Award-winning show.

Baz is father to daughters Hanna (10) and Mahy (7). He is also stepdad to his wife Tanja Evans kids Charlotte, Harry, Jake, and Amelia.





TMI! Nikki Bella exclusively told Us Weekly about her and Artem Chigvintsevs postpartum sex life on Thursday, March 4.

Read article

The Total Bellas star, 37, and the Dancing With the Stars pro, 38, were initially hot and heavy after their 7-month-old son Matteos birth  but now have super tired sex.

Courtesy of Nikki Bella/Instagram

When you have tired sex with each other, its like ones leaning onto someone too much, the former professional wrestler explained while promoting her and Brie Bellas Tearless haircare line for babies. And its like, OK, wait.  I need something else. Like, I need energy. Even for me, Ill be like, Lets see. Ill be on bottom. Its OK. Lets just do missionary.

Read article

The California native joked that she loves having missionary sex with the Russia native, explaining, When youre with a dancer and how they work, its bomb.

Courtesy of Nikki Bella/Instagram

The athlete previously explained how postpartum sex with the Strictly Come Dancing alum felt different.

I didnt even make it to the six-week point, I just started at five, the E! personality said during a September 2020 Total Bellas Podcast episode. I was like, Im healed, Im fine. Even though last night it didnt seem fine, but thats OK. It was a little different. I felt like organs were about to drop out. I was like, Shoot, did I mess up?

Her twin sister, also 37, replied at the time: Nicole, enough about all the gross stuff going on with our vaginas, especially yours.

Earlier that same month, Nikki wrote via Instagram that she was getting her groove back two months after giving birth to Matteo.

Read article

Postpartum panties out the door, boobies still off limits lol, but every day feeling more like me and my Daddy is getting his groove back, the new mom captioned a hidden cam Instagram video of herself dancing with the choreographer.

She explained this social media upload during the podcast episode, telling Brie: Im like, Oh, my God, I totally did make it like Artems throwing my panties out the door. I did not mean that. Like, Im not bleeding, theres nothing wrong. No more postpartum panties. Theyre out the door. But maybe I shouldve said like in the trash, away for good.

Becoming a mom inspired Nikki and Brie to add Tearless to their Nicole + Brizee line, they told Us on Thursday. Being a mom every day, youre surrounded by baby products using them, Brie explained. Youre constantly thinking about them. Nikki and I were like, This is our life now. So why dont we come up with our own baby line?'

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
New Delhi, March 5 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to field Assam Minister and senior party leader, Himanta Biswa Sarma, in the upcoming Assembly polls.

The BJP state leadership recommended Sarma's name to the Central Election Committee (CEC) for the party nomination. Assam BJP Chief, Ranjeet Kumar Dass, said Sarma would contest the upcoming state Assembly polls.

According to Dass, the BJP Assam unit has recommended Sarma's name along with a list of other probable candidates to the party's central leadership.

"We have sent Sarma's name to the Parliamentary Board for the party candidature. If the party decides to field Sarma in the upcoming polls then he will contest," Dass said.

Dass added, "Once you are a party worker, whatever decision the party takes, you have to follow. In 2019, he (Sarma) decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls but the party decided against his wish and he accepted the decision." "The party does not work on individual wishes, whether it is about contesting elections or not," he added.

Earlier, Sarma had said that he had communicated to the state leadership a year ago about his desire of not contesting the upcoming Assembly polls.

He will follow the party instructions if asked to contest the polls, Sarma added. At present, Sarma is representing the Jalukbari constituency in the Assam Assembly.

Sarma, an important political figure in Assam and the north-east, had played a crucial role in the BJP's expansion and electoral victory in the region. The polling for 126 seats of the Assam Assembly would be held in three phases on March 27, April 1 and 8. The counting of votes would take place on May 2. In the last Assembly polls in 2016, the BJP had formed the government in the state.
The Nerve Centre in Derry today announced the details of 11 individuals and groups who have won a share of the 20,000 Unlocking Creativity award fund, in memory of Sir Ken Robinson.

Mr Robinson led national and international projects on creative and cultural education across the world unlocking and igniting the creative energy of many people and organisations, including pioneering work in Northern Ireland.

He passed away in 2020 and the Unlocking Creativity Awards were set up to support inspirational individuals, organisations and schools who are empowering others through creative learning.

The awards are funded by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen.

This years winners include illustrator and educator Jacky Sheridan, sculptor Maurice Harron, arts groups Stendhal Festival and Sticky Fingers, and educational gaming company Kippie.

School awards went to Thornhill College in Derry and St Aidans High School in County Fermanagh.

Community awards went to Project Sparks in Derry, which trains disabled artists to teach music to children and Newtownabbey Arts and Cultural Network in Rathcoole, which skills up hard-to-reach young people in creative and digital technologies.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: Our collective experiences in 2020 have emphasised the importance of creativity and innovation in response to challenges and changing circumstances, and how digital creativity in particular can connect communities.

These awards promote creativity and inclusion across the spectrum of the arts, and I hope that many young people will be inspired to unlock their creativity as a result.

I am particularly encouraged to see the focus within the winning projects on removing barriers to participation, and ensuring that everyone across our communities has access to the arts and to creative careers, and I offer my congratulations to the winners.

Mr Robinson's work in Northern Ireland including the development of the Unlocking Creativity strategy which led to the establishment of Northern Irelands Creative Learning Centres.

The centres in Derry, Belfast and Armagh train thousands of teachers and young people in the creative use of digital technologies each year.

Announcing the awards, Pearse Moore, chief executive of the Nerve Centre, said: Ken Robinson was a stalwart supporter of the Nerve Centre and of our model for promoting the creative use of digital technologies in the classroom.

His wonderful legacy endures today and we are privileged to be part of it. Congratulations to all the winners of the Unlocking Creativity Awards.

These groups and organisations embody the work of Sir Ken through their inspirational work in creativity and education.

Mr Robinson's daughter Kate Robinson, said they were delighted to support the creation of the awards.

I think my dad would have been incredibly honoured, excited and enthusiastic about all of this. Not least because Northern Ireland holds a very special place in our hearts as a family.

Its incredible to see whats happening there in terms of the work dad did. To see these incredible recipients carrying the work forward has been very humbling. We look forward to seeing what they go on to do.

Richard Williams, CEO of Northern Ireland Screen, congratulated all the winners.

Sir Ken was a leader in creativity and education for young people, especially during the establishment of Northern Irelands Creative Learning Centres, and his support has enabled many to acquire essential digital skills, assist learning in schools and develop creative workforces.

The full list of winners of the Unlocking Creativity Awards 2021 is:

Company Award

Kippee

Community Award

Project Sparks, Derry

NACN Coole Studios, Rathcoole

Arts Awards

Sticky Fingers Arts, Newry

Stendhal Festival / ArtAbyss Childrens festival, Limavady

School Awards

Thornhill College, Derry

St Aidans HS, Derrylin, County Fermanagh

Individual Awards

Jacky Sheridan, Belfast

Ursula McHugh, Derry

Maurice Harron, Derry

Noelle McAlinden, Enniskillen

Prospect of end to lockdown means trophy-hunting industry is gearing up again

Many animals targeted by trophy hunters, like Cape buffalos, are under threat

Stalking through the savannah, Andrew Broggio was on the trail of a Cape buffalo  one of the Big Five African game alongside lion, elephant, rhino and leopard.

His team, including a driver and a tracker looking for footprints and droppings, had set off at 7am, when it was still cool enough to spend hours in the sub-Saharan bush.

Suddenly, at a distance of around 200 yards, they spotted the colossal beast.

Using a set of shooting sticks to steady his rifle, Mr Broggio eyed the scope, aiming for a heart-lung shot behind the left shoulder which is intended to ensure instantaneous death.

The first shot failed to fell the buffalo, which can weigh up to a ton. A second, close-range bullet finished it off, and the animal went down.

Target: Andrew Broggio with the buffalo he shot. He is the managing director of a Wiltshire-based firm which supplies the NHS with swabs, laboratory equipment and testing strips

Finally, the all-important photograph. Blood was wiped from the corpse, its limbs were rearranged and its face turned towards the camera, ready for a smiling Mr Broggio to pose with it.

Mr Broggio, 50, is the managing director of a Wiltshire-based firm which supplies the NHS with swabs, laboratory equipment and testing strips. He is one of a growing number of Britons who before the pandemic hit were heading abroad to kill exotic animals on trophy-hunting expeditions, which may appal animal lovers but are entirely legal.

Most of the trips combine hunting with luxury  five-star lodges, fireside barbecue feasts, unlimited alcohol  and arrangements for the dead animals to be skinned, preserved and stuffed so they can be shipped back to take pride of place in the tourists homes.

Many of the animals targeted by the trophy hunters are under threat. Cape buffalo, for example, were classed as near threatened on a list of endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2019, and with less than 400,000 in the world they number fewer than the African elephant (although, to be fair, Mr Broggio shot his beast five years earlier).

Yet the prospect of an end to lockdown means the trophy-hunting industry is gearing up again amid claims there are bountiful opportunities to kill animals because fewer have been shot during the pandemic.

Last month, Carl Knight a professional hunter from Epsom, Surrey, who now runs Take Aim Safaris in South Africa, sent out an email newsletter to 3,000 clients across the globe encouraging them to travel and take part in the blood sport.

Big elephant and trophy buffalo + hippo, croc are plentiful, he wrote in the email. The areas are well rested, the animal movement is fantastic.

And just before Christmas, Shropshire-based hunting-tour operator Mike Taylor promoted special offers including cut-price elephant bull hunts available in Namibia . . . when the travel ban has lifted. Discounted price $35,000 (26,000), normally $45,000 (33,000). One of the companies he offered packages with  Ndumo Hunting Safaris  shows clients on its website alongside dead cheetahs and leopards.

Deals from other firms include a ten-day polar bear hunt in Nunavut, Canada, reduced from more than 76,000 to 68,000, and other so-called corona specials to shoot zebra, warthog and antelope in South Africa, slashed from 14,000 to just under 6,000.

Umlilo Safaris, the South African company Mr Broggio had chosen to hunt with, closed during the pandemic but recently posted online that as soon as flights to South Africa re-open, we will start hunting again. It is expanding its premises and constructing a new hunting lodge to open later this year.

Mr Broggio travelled from his home in rural Devon to hunt the buffalo and paid up to 8,000 for the privilege.

Mr Broggio is one of a growing number of Britons who before the pandemic hit were heading abroad to kill exotic animals on trophy-hunting expeditions

He lives with his wife Hannah, 47, and their three teenage children in a sprawling, whitewashed cob-and-stone farmhouse.

Mr Broggio drives a classic blue Morgan convertible, and the family are well-known in the area, according to neighbours. The Broggios are thought to have bought a number of farms and created a large shooting estate, where they employ a gamekeeper who rears pheasants for other shoots. In 2019 they donated a 50-bird shooting day on their land for a rugby clubs charity auction.

Mrs Broggio is the company secretary of Medical Wire & Equipment Ltd (MWE), the firm her husband runs, as well as a champion racehorse owner whose thoroughbreds compete in point-to-point races which raise money for local hunts.

Although he was photographed with the Cape buffalo kill back in 2014, he has hunted a number of animals including wildebeest and antelope, and remains involved with the global trophy-hunting community. The full extent of his trophy collection remains unknown, but one room at his home features the heads of a springbok and an African oryx.

When approached for comment about his enthusiasm for trophy hunting, he declined to speak to the Mail.

The couple are Life Members of the Dallas Safari Club  the worlds largest hunting advocacy group, based in the gun-toting Texan oil town, which hosts the Greatest Hunters Convention on the Planet. It has chapters worldwide, including in Britain.

Life Member couples pay 1,290 to attend the annual five-day convention and auction  which was held online for the first time last month. Exhibitors sold trips where 320 types of animals, including hippos, polar bears and pumas, could be hunted.

A trip to tranquillise a black rhino  one of only 5,000 left in the world  was auctioned off for 18,300, while a pair of 50 elephant-skin earrings and a 36 hippo-hide necklace were also available.

All told, the event netted the club more than 2.5 million, which will be used to further the aims of the organisation which says it is dedicated to worldwide conservation of wildlife and wild places, promotion of sport hunting and fishing, and promoting outdoor education.

A swab kit made at Medical Wire & Equipment Ltd (MWE), the firm that Mr Broggio runs, for coronavirus testing

And this brings us to one of the core arguments of the trophy-hunting lobby: that the money raised from the industry is vital to help conservation efforts. One report last year claimed that trophy hunting contributes 140 million to economies across Africa every year.

Proponents argue this money is more important than ever given that the fall-off in tourist revenue across the continent during the pandemic has meant cuts in anti-poaching patrols and other conservation efforts on game reserves.

The Dallas Safari Club and other hunting groups such as Safari Club International and Conservation Force insist that hunting is a key tool in animal conservation. They claim that in certain circumstances culling is necessary to manage animal numbers and that money spent on trophy hunts goes towards helping impoverished African communities.

The Dallas Safari Club even has an awards scheme, with its top prize, the World Conservation Hunting Award, given to a hunter who has shot about 400 animals.

But animal-rights groups accuse them of hiding behind the conservation claim in order to continue an archaic, cruel, immoral sport which deserves to be in the history books.

If its so good for conservation, why are species who are trophy-hunted seeing their populations plummet? asks Eduardo Goncalves, founder of Campaign To Ban Trophy Hunting, whose forthcoming book Making A Killing details the exploits of Andrew Broggio and others like him.

People who go trophy-hunting in Africa dont do it because of conservation or because they want to help poor people, he adds. If they wanted to, they could give the huge amounts of money they splash out on killing animals for fun directly to [these causes] instead.

The World Wildlife Fund appears to agree. In July last year, it rescinded its support of trophy hunting, having previously accepted it.

Yet Mr Broggio is merely one of dozens of British trophy hunters who travel abroad to shoot exotic creatures. Another is Abigail Day, a Cambridge-educated lawyer who has won awards for shooting more than 200 animals, and founded the London chapter of Safari Club International. She won the clubs Diana award  named after the mythical goddess of hunting  as their top female hunter.

Then theres Asif Wattoo, a customer service manager for Thames Water who lives in Slough, Berkshire, and regularly posts images on Facebook of himself posing with his rifle beside dead animals.

Meanwhile, Paul Roberts, who owns J Roberts and Sons Gunmakers in West Sussex and features on a list of more than 500 of the worlds most notorious hunters, has previously claimed his trophy-hunting hobby is so addictive it is like mainlining on heroin.

A trip to tranquillise a black rhino (pictured above, file photo)  one of only 5,000 left in the world  was auctioned off for 18,300

But the killing sprees  or at least, the importation of the trophies  could soon be halted.

The Conservatives pledged to abolish the sport in their 2019 manifesto, while Boris Johnson has promised to end this barbaric practice.

And last year, on the fifth anniversary of the death of Cecil the lion  who was shot in Zimbabwe to global uproar by U.S. dentist Walter Palmer  nearly 70 cross-party MPs and peers demanded action without delay.

Added impetus for change will no doubt have come from Mr Johnsons fiancee Carrie Symonds, a passionate campaigner on animal welfare.

And now, following a public consultation by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) last year, there are suggestions that there could be a partial or even comprehensive ban on the import of animal trophies introduced via the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill currently passing slowly through the Commons.

One draft amendment puts forward the notion that an animal carcass should be permitted to the UK as a trophy if there is some conservation benefit shown from shooting it.

The clamour for tighter restrictions on trophy hunting is certainly growing. For while we may view our transatlantic cousins as a trigger-happy nation built upon the right to bear arms, even Americas laws are stricter than Britains.

At present it is legal for a Briton to go on a trophy safari trip and bring back a leopard for taxidermy and mounting, while an American cannot take such an animal across the U.S. border.

Opponents of trophy hunting say the UKs laws need to catch up. And they point out that, of all the animals currently being hunted for trophies, conservationists are most worried about the fate of the lion.

The official estimate of their numbers in the wild is just 20,000, while some groups estimate this total has fallen as low as 10,000, and the U.S. government has warned that the lion could be extinct in the wild by 2050. Campaigners agree, arguing we are on the cusp of witnessing the first big-cat extinction since the sabre-toothed tiger in the prehistoric era.

In trophy-hunting countries such as Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, almost all the lions shot are wild. In South Africa, however, out of the average of 1,000 lions shot every year, only around one per cent are wild.

That is because canned lions  lions bred in captivity in order to be shot  are a thriving part of South Africas large game industry. With these animals, a successful kill is all but guaranteed, unlike hunts in the wild.

Some argue that canned lions contribute to conservation by preserving wild numbers. But groups like the Dallas Safari Club are opposed to canned lions, saying that the practice is not consistent with the definition of responsible, sustainable, fair chase hunting.

In a joint statement with the International Union For Conservation Of Nature, they say that the shooting of lions bred in captivity damages the reputation of all hunters.

Many, however, argue that the reputation of trophy hunters is already damaged beyond repair  and the only solution is to ban them from enjoying their sport.

Additional reporting: Nick Constable
The PSNI is appealing for information following the attack in Portrush. (Niall Carson/PA)

The PSNI is investigating sinister graffiti in a loyalist area of Belfast referencing Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove.

The message painted on a wall in Sandy Row included Mr Gove's name and an address above the words "We don't forget, we don't forgive".

It is the latest example of anti-Northern Ireland Protocol graffiti that has appeared in loyalist areas here since the new Irish Sea trading arrangements came into operation. Mr Gove has co-chaired the joint EU/UK committee responsible for implementing the protocol.

Asked about the incident, the PSNI said: "We do not discuss the security of individuals and no inference should be drawn from this, however we would never ignore something that could put an individual at risk."

The South Belfast DUP MLA Christopher Stalford, who has a constituency office in the area, and the area's SDLP MP Claire Hanna have condemned the graffiti.
A horror multi-car crash on a Sydney highway has left one woman dead, a teenager in a critical condition and two children fighting for life.

Emergency services were called to the M1 Princes Motorway near Masters Road at Figtree in Wollongong when two vehicles collided at about 7.15pm on Friday.

A 47-year-old woman careered a Holden Statesman off the southbound lanes before crashing into a tree, carrying a 15-year-old girl and two boys aged five and 10 years old.

A horror multi-car crash on the M1 Motorway on Friday night (pictured) has left one woman dead, two children airlifted to hospital and teenager in a critical condition

The teenage girl sitting in the front passenger seat was critically injured and airlifted to Westmead hospital and the two children sitting in the back seat were taken Wollongong Hospital in stable conditions.

Police said the female driver of the Holden died at the scene.

'No words can describe the scene that we were faced [with] this evening,' NSW Ambulance acting inspector Nathan O'Brien said on Friday night.

'Going to a road accident when we know there are children involved is always difficult for first responders.'

A 47-year-old woman careered a Holden Statesman (pictured) off the southbound lanes before crashing into a tree, carrying a 15-year-old girl and two boys aged five and 10-years-old

Twelve ambulance crews and two helicopters were called to the scene and treated four patients

'Multiple patients with serious injuries can create a very challenging environment for paramedic crews. '

The other 29-year-old Nissan Juke driver and her 32-year-old passenger were left uninjured.

The driver was taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

Twelve ambulance crews and two helicopters were called to the scene and treated four patients.

The M1 Princes Motorway was closed in both directions at Figtree and the crash is being investigated by the Crash Investigation Unit.
New Delhi, March 5 : In a major exercise to streamline the functioning of the AYUSH units of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), the AYUSH Ministry on Friday promoted a panel of 78 AYUSH Physicians to the post of Chief Medical Officers in the Senior Administrative Grade.

These AYUSH Physicians belong to the Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani and Siddha disciplines, with the maximum number i.e., 39 officers being from Homoeopathy, the ministry said.

The Ayush units of CGHS play an important role in the Central government firmament, treating nearly six lakh patients in a year.

"These units are being visited by an increasing number of clients in recent years, seeking solutions for general health and well-being, apart from treatment for disease conditions," the statement added.

Career progression through the instant set of promotions at the senior level is expected to have a positive impact on the CGHS healthcare system through man-power utilisation.

This set of promotions of AYUSH Physicians, many of whom were in the pre-promotion level for many years, was made possible when new provisions of the DACP scheme were incorporated in the Recruitment Rules notified in June 2018.

A total of 78 AYUSH physicians in Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani and Siddha streams, who were eligible for promotion to the level of Senior Administrative Grade, were consequently considered in the DPC chaired by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary to Government of India (AYUSH), held on February 2.

The committee considered the eligibility of the candidates based on the guidelines of the Department of Personnel & Training, that "While merit has to be recognised and rewarded, advancement in an officer's career should not be regarded as a matter of course, but should be earned by dint of hard work, good conduct and result oriented performance".

The Ayush units of CGHS are seeing many steps of infrastructure upgradation in the recent years. There are also plans to induct the cloud based Ayush Health Management Information System (A-HMIS) across the board in these units, which will further improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

The current set of promotions is part of a set of HR initiatives which are being taken up to improve the functioning of the system, against the backdrop of the ambitions modernisation plans.
Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines are expected to host the defence systems. Spending on US Commando in the Indo-Pacific will reach 27.4 billion dollars. Admiral Davidson: The Chinese could try to retake Taiwan within 6 years. Regional nations unlikely to accept US proposal.

Washington (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The United States wants to build a precision missile system in East Asia to counter the advance of China.

Nikkei Asia reported that it had seen a proposal to that effect that was presented to Congress as part of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a $ 27.4 billion project commissioned by the US Commando in the Indo-Pacific.

The Biden administrations intent is to deploy conventional missile batteries (therefore without nuclear warheads) along the "first island chain", the line that ideally connects southern Japan with the island of Papua, and which also includes Taiwan and Philippines.

It should be remembered that China's strategic goal is to keep US military forces out of the South China Sea and the East China Sea, where Beijing has extensive territorial claims disputed by Japan, Taiwan and a number of Southeast Asian countries.

Washington aims to strengthen its missile deterrent in the Western Pacific because the massive deployment of Chinese missiles (nicknamed "aircraft carrier killers") threatens the naval and air operations of the US military units.

Speaking yesterday at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, Admiral Philip Davidson justified the missile plan with the need to counter China's expansionist ambitions. According to Davidson, head of the Indo-Pacific Commando, within the next 6 years the Chinese could acquire the military capabilities to try to "change the status quo" in the region, especially by trying to regain Taiwan, which Beijing considers a "rebel province.

For several observers, Washington will have trouble carrying out the missile deployment. Japan and Taiwan may be open to the idea, but they would face probable Chinese retaliation (at least economic-commercial). It is also difficult to think that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will agree to host US missiles in his country.

Andy Stanley 'embarrassed as a Christian' by churches that sparred with gov't over COVID lockdowns

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Pastor Andy Stanley of Atlanta's North Point Community Church said he is embarrassed by churches that engaged in spitting matches with state and local governments over COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, lamenting that far too many churches abandoned the mission for the sake of the model.

Stanley, who made headlines last year when he announced that his Atlanta-area multisite church would not resume in-person worship services until 2021, said during Expoentials Future of the Church event on Thursday that many churches across the country had the exact wrong approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The thing that has been concerning to me about the local church is how quickly so many local churches felt like, We've got to get back in our building, shoulder to shoulder, doing what we've always done, Stanley said.

It was the exact wrong response to COVID because we had an opportunity ... of a lifetime to do new things, try new things, experiment with new things because we couldn't do the old things. And instead of focusing on what we can't do, we should have been 100% ... focused on what we can do.

The megachurch pastor said he was embarrassed by the churches that sued and engaged in a spitting match with local governments over COVID-19 restrictions.

I thought, Wait a minute. We're the Body of Christ. We're not in it to win it. As you're in it to win it, you've abandoned our New Testament mandate. We're in it to serve, and there is more need than there's ever been. Everybody's experiencing the same thing, all at the same time  that's never happened before. Not just all over our communities, our country, but the whole world, he charged.

The pastor stressed hes not discounting the pain and suffering and the job loss and the death Atlanta experienced due to COVID-19, but said the pandemic presented the church with a tremendous opportunity to focus on external ministries and accelerate online programs.

[We were able to do] so much more in the community because the community had our undivided attention, he said, revealing that The Red Cross biggest blood drive was held at North Point.

I know it sounds like I'm bragging, but I'm so proud of our staff and our churches and the adults in our church who put up with me saying, No, we're not going to meet. I know the church down the street's meeting ... But we are intentionally re-deploying and refocusing our attention at this time because this is a unique opportunity, and it's going to come to an end, but we need to take full advantage of the opportunity.

The pastor said that North Point learned so much in the wake of COVID-19, adding: We're going to carry so much of what we've learned forward.

He stressed to other church leaders, You marry the mission, you date the model.

You inspire people to follow Jesus  that's our mission. You date the model: Shoulder to shoulder in a building, singing songs and worshiping and listening to sermons. I know I'm going to get in trouble for saying this  all that is, is a model.

He continued: During this season, you abandon the model for the sake of the mission. But the local churches that abandoned the mission for the sake of the model and rushed back into the model. ... I feel like we, in some cases, missed an extraordinary opportunity, especially the churches that got in a spitting match ... with local and state governments. That was just embarrassing to me as a Christian.

Churches across the U.S. have grappled with how to operate amid ever-changing circumstances presented by state government lockdowns in response to COVID-19.

Most notably, Pastor John MacArthurs Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, has been embroiled in a legal court battle with the county for months after the church openly defied public health restrictions amid COVID-19. MacArthur has held in-person services since July of last year amid the ongoing series of restrictions in California.

In a recent interview, Pastor Rick Warren of the California-based Saddleback Church said he rejects the notion that churches are being discriminated against. He posited that COVID-19 revealed a fundamental weakness in the Church, which was that most churches see worship as their sole purpose.

And if you take worship away, youve got nothing. Theyre in a hurry to get back to worship because thats all theyve got, he said.

But the 20,000-member Saddleback Church is built not on one purpose, but on five, Warren explained.

You take one circle out, weve still got four other circles. Weve got ministry going on. Weve got mission going on. Weve got fellowship going on. Weve got discipleship going on. Those all stand on their own.
The well-known K-drama "Princess Hours" has been confirmed to get a remake, 15 years after the original drama was broadcast and took over not only South Korea but the whole of Asia.

Originally written by Park So Hee as a manhwa (Korean comic) titled "Goong," the comics became famous back in the mid-2000s. The story was first made into a drama in 2006, with the lead actors being Yoon Eun Hye, Song Ji Hyo, Joo Ji Hoon, and Kim Jeong Hoon.

"Princess Hours" was massively successful that it became one of the pioneers that brought the Korean Wave (Hallyu) to neighboring countries.

"Princess Hours" Confirmed to Get a Remake

On March 5, Korean media outlets reported that Jae Dam Media, the management company that holds the right to the manhwa "Princess Hours," had recently signed a contract for a remake of 2006 hit K-drama with Group 8, to whom they worked with for the first drama adaptation of the Korean comic. Group 8 is also known to have produced famous dramas such as "Boys Over Flowers," "Let's Fight," "Hey Ghost," "My ID is Gangnam Beauty," and many more.

"Princess Hours" takes place in a virtual worldview that South Korea is a constitutional monarchy. It tells the story of a crown prince who found himself in an arranged marriage with an ordinary high school girl. T

he manhwa started in 2003 and was serialized for 10 years, enjoying great popularity not only in Korea but also in Japan. Not to mention, the Korean comic became a million-seller in both countries!

In addition, it has been published in more than 10 international countries including France, Thailand, and Taiwan.

On top of that, 2006 hit K-drama "Princess Hours" was also made into a musical and novel. In particular, the musical version was performed in Japan. It will even have new drama adaptations in other nations like China, Thailand, and Mexico.

Viewership Rating of the 2006 Hit K-drama "Princess Hours" + Comment of Jae Dam Media CEO

Meanwhile, the drama was so popular in Korea that it achieved the highest viewership rating, peaking 28.3% and so ending up as the tenth most popular television series in the country back in 2006. Due to its success, the K-drama had a spin-off series titled "Prince Hours" ("Goong S"), which aired the following year.

Also, through this drama, Yoon Eun Hye and Ju Ji Hoon who acted as the female and male protagonists of "Princess Hours" have established themselves as splendid actors.

Hwang Nam Yong, the CEO of Jae Dam Media, commented on the remake of "Princess Hours." He said that it's crucial to continue creating new projects, but it is also important from an intellectual property point of view to maintain their existing works.

"The new version of 'Princess Hours' will become a significant case in this new IP 'boom," he remarked.

Further details about the cast, filming schedule, and production are still kept under wraps.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Top 5 Old but Gold Favorite Korean Dramas of All Time That are Worth Your Time

Are you ready to see Prince Lee Shin and Shin Chae Gyeon on the small screen once again? Who would you like to take up the lead roles? Tell us in the comments!

For more news updates about other K-Pop news, always keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Owned by Kdramastars

Written by Mhaliya Scott

Cape Coast Guard crew helps save 31 Canadian fishermen

by Jimmy Bentley

March 05,2021 | Source: Patch

A U.S. Coast Guard crew from Cape Cod helped rescue 31 Canadian fishermen from a vessel that caught fire and sank about 130 miles off the Nova Scotia coast.



Around 7 p.m., Tuesday, the 143-foot Atlantic Destiny caught fire and began taking on water in high winds and rough seas, Coast Guard officials said.



The Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia received a distress signal and called the Coast Guard's 1st District Command Center in Boston for help, along with the Canadian Coast Guard and Air Force.



A plane and two helicopters from Air Station Cape Cod in Sandwich came to the rescue while facing 26-foot seas and 35 mph winds, Coast Guard officials said.



The two helicopters from Cape Cod hoisted 21 fishermen from the sinking ship, while a Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter rescued six people. Coast Guard officials said the other fishermen stayed on board to help two Canadian search and rescue technicians drain water from the vessel. They were taken to a Canadian Coast Guard ship the next morning.



"We have a strong connection with our Canadian partners," said Capt. Wes Hester, the 1st Coast Guard District chief of response. "We conduct joint training every year with our partners in Greenwood, and our crew's consistent training, coordinated responses and international partnership saved 31 lives yesterday. That monumental effort is a testament to the hard work and sacrifice of everyone involved."



U.S. Coast Guard officials said all the fishermen were taken to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for medical assessment. No injuries were reported.



The Atlantic Destiny sank just after 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, just two hours after the last crew members were rescued, according to the Coast Guard.

 2021 Patch Media. All Rights Reserved.

Theme(s): Others.
The Minister-designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Awal Mohammed, during his vetting by Parliaments Appointment Committee on February 26, 2021, was asked if he knows of the existence of the biggest tree in West Africa, which incidentally happens to be in Ghana. His response, which came as a surprise to some members of the Appointment Committee, was no. Apparently, the Minister-designate has never heard of the big tree nor visited the place. Mr Mohammed is not the only Ghanaian in this bracket. Many Ghanaians do not know or

have never heard about this tree.



I have decided to use this opportunity to invite the Minister-designate to Akyem Kotoku, the land that hosts this huge international asset.



The big tree

The Oda Big Tree, as it is commonly known, is believed to be the biggest tree in West Africa and the third biggest in Africa. The tree is of the Bako species and its botanical name is Tieghemela Heckle. However, the locals call the tree Abako.



It is located at Aprokumase in the Asene-Manso-Akroso District, approximately 18km from Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region. Although many believe the tree is located in the Essen- Apam Forest Reserve, documents at the Forestry Commission suggest that the tree stands in the Asubone Forest Reserve.



It has a diameter of 3.22 metres at 1.37 metres, 2.72 metres at 3.1 meters, making 12 metres in circumference and 66.5-90 metres tall. Its girth is 10.11 metres at 1.4 metres and 8.63 metres at 3.1 metres. The tree is located in about five minutes walk from the road side into the Asubone Forest Reserve. Oral history has it that the tree was discovered by a hunter called Yaw Andoh in 1606. According to historians, several attempts were made in the past to cut down the tree, but to no avail. Different people who tried using different tools such as axe and chain saw to

cut down the tree died in the process. The only branch of the tree, that has ever fallen, fell in 1962. It is said that the tree has fruits that fall once in every 10 months. Although it is the biggest, there are similar species of the

same tree in the Asubone forest. Locals and spiritualists depend on the tree for its medicinal value and spiritual prowess.



Tourism

In February 2005, the Ministry of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City mooted the idea of developing the forest where the Big Tree is located into a proper tourist site. A reception facility was built in about 20 minutes walk from where the tree is located.



In June 2018, Mr Kwadwo Antwi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), said that his outfit has put plans in place to take over the Big Tree from the Forestry Commission (FC). Mr Antwi disclosed that the GTDC is considering establishing a highway rest-stop with recreational facilities, accommodation, fuel station and properly managed lavatories for tourists and other visitors use.



The GTDC will, however, continue to negotiate with FC to take over total control of the Big Tree in order to develop the place into a proper tourist site, he is reported to have said.



In October 2018, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Asene-Manso-Akroso District, Alex Incoom, pleaded with the Forestry Commission to conserve the Asubone Forest Reserve which husbands the Oda Big Tree.



According to the DCE, The Assembly is scouting for strategic investors to develop the location of the Oda Big Tree into a proper tourist site and the continuous felling of the trees in the forest is making the job difficult for them.



Mr Incoom again stated that the assembly was looking forward to collaborating with the GTDC to enhance talks with the FC in order to get the Commission to fast-track the processes of releasing the Big Tree to the Ghana Tourism Authority and the assembly.



In May 2020, officials of the Asene-Manso-Akroso District Assembly (AMADA) and the GTDC visited the Benkumhene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area and Chief of Akyem Manso, Obrempong Sintim Poku III, to introduce a contractor who would be developing the area to the traditional authorities. The contractor, Malin Construction Limited, was expected to spend three months in developing the area into a full tourism space.



The project scope included a state-of-the-art entrance, a modern rest stop with restaurant attached, a well paved open space to host events, receptions like wedding, birthday, naming ceremonies and outdooring, church conventions, among others.



The DCE, Alex Incoom, said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was being signed between GTDC, AMADA, the Traditional Council and the Forestry Commission for the development.



Obrempong Sintim Poku III lauded the Akufo-Addo government for being faithful to the people of the area. He described the information about the development of the tree as good news.



During the erstwhile Kufuor era, the late Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey came to develop the place in a small way. Unfortunately, very little attention was given it after the Kufuor administration left power in 2008. I am happy that we are going back to it again under another NPP government, Obrempong told the media. He assured the contractor that the traditional council will do everything possible to assist him in developing the area.



The project, according to the GTDC, was in line with the governments vision of developing and upgrading tourist sites to improve the attractions and enhance the visitor experience.



Some five months later, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a campaign tour to the Eastern Region in October last year, inspected the ongoing re-development of the Big Tree Tourist site. Welcoming the President to the project site, the CEO of GTDC informed the President that the Receptive Facility which was initially developed by the late Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, the then Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City in 2004 was left to rot and that the GTDC had decided to re-develop the facility as a matter of priority given its impact on the local

community and economy.



Expressing his appreciation for the work done, the President commended the Board Chairperson, Martin Mireku, the CEO and his team at GTDC for a good job done and asked them to ensure that the project was completed on time.



Mr Minister, even though the project was supposed to be completed within three months, as promised by the contractor when he met with the traditional leaders, it is already 10 months and the project still remains uncompleted. So, you may want to take a critical look at that project and I believe it will go a long way to

boost the tourism revenue of the country. But even before you settle down in your office, you may want to pay a visit to this historic site.



Mr Minister, let me therefore welcome you, in advance, to Akyem Kotoku as you visit the Big Tree.



The author is the Deputy Executive Director (Operations of Corporate Affairs) of Centre for Policy Development

Source: By Kwasi Frimpong









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
New Delhi: Television host and Roadies fame Rannvijay Singha took to social media and announced the good news with fans. Rannvijay and wife Priyanka Singha are about to welcome their second child and with an adorable fam jam post, shared the happy news.

While Rannvijay Singha is in Mumbai, busy with Splitsvilla shoot, his gorgeous preggers wifey and little daughter are in London. The duo shared the news with a 'missing each other' caption. Take a look:

On the work front, Rannvijay shot to fame after winning the first season of the reality show Roadies. Later, he joined the show in different capacities - at times as a judge, mentor and host respectively.

Rannvijay Singha made his Bollywood debut in Toss: A Flip of Destiny in 2009. He acted in London Dreams and Action Replayy as well. The popular TV face made his Punjabi film debut in 2011 release Dharti starring Jimmy Sheirgill.

Rannvijay married Priyanka Vohra on April 10, 2014. The couple has a daughter named Kainaat who was born on January 17, 2017. The duo is now expecting their second child together.

Congratulations to the stunning couple!
(Natural News) Experts are raising the alarm about a certain family of chemicals that are found in several commercial cleaning products. Quaternary ammonium compounds, or quats, are charged chemicals that can kill bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. But though they are effective disinfectants, researchers found that quats can give rise to serious health and environmental problems, including antibiotic resistance, birth defects, fertility issues and marine toxicity.

Health and environmental hazards of quats

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for cleaning products such as Lysol wipes that use quats as active ingredients. The sales for Lysol wipes, for instance, jumped by nearly 50 percent in the spring of last year. Meanwhile, the annual sales of aerosol disinfectants  a large fraction of which contain quats  doubled.

Were in an era now where the concentration [of quats] is certainly higher than ever before, William Arnold, an environmental engineer at the University of Minnesota, told Environmental Health News.

In a study last year, Arnold and his colleagues found that increased concentrations of quats are likely piling up in wastewater plants, which had been unable to keep up with the increase in disinfectant use. Though quats are removed during the wastewater treatment process, according to Arnold and his team, they are still found in marine environments where they can disrupt aquatic food chains.

Quats can spur antibiotic resistance

Quats can also encourage the rise of antibiotic-resistant germs. Many kinds of bacteria are getting better at recognizing quats, said Kevin Minbiole, a Villanova University chemist who studies how quats affect bacteria and viruses.

Bacteria can also develop broad resistance that blocks attacks from other kinds of antiseptics. This cross-resistance happens when changes microbes make to survive one threat make them suited to survive other threats too.

Those changes make bacteria capable of surviving different compounds, different chemicals that it hasnt seen before, explained Beatriz Pereira, a recent graduate student in microbiology from the University of California, Davis.

In the lab, Pereira observed bacteria develop resistance to certain types of quats even when exposed to low concentrations. The microbes revamped their defenses to strengthen their outer membranes, which is a common way to develop cross-resistance. (Related: Research Shows Disinfectant Wipes Spread Superbugs in Hospitals.)

However, its not yet clear whether bacteria in the wild can develop antibiotic resistance with the current levels of quat pollution. But to Pereira, those lab experiments suggest that the best way to address antibiotic resistance is to consider whether to stop the use of these toxic chemicals.

Quat exposure is bad for health

Theresa Hrubec, a biologist at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, was carrying out research on mice when she observed that her animal subjects were developing birth defects. After ruling out any experiment mistakes on her part, she surmised that the mice might have been unintentionally being dosed with quats. The facility had just started to use quats for disinfection.

Since then, Hrubec conducted a few animal studies linking quats to birth defects and decreased fertility. For those studies, she and her team fed mice a mixture of two common quat disinfectants at high doses for several weeks before assessing them for either fetal birth defects or signs of decreased fertility.

The mice exposed to quats were found to be more likely to develop neural tube defects, an early-stage birth defect. Meanwhile, the number and size of litters born declined. (Related: Chemicals used in common household disinfectants significantly impair reproductive health.)

Quats may also inflame the lungs. A 2010 mice study shows that inhaling high concentrations of quats can increase levels of inflammation and cell death. Hrubec and her team also performed a study on humans and found that quat levels in the blood are associated with higher inflammation levels and decreased mitochondrial function. While their results are preliminary, the study is among the first to monitor quat levels in humans.

Taking action to reduce quat use

A few states are already probing the environmental and health impact of quats. California, for example, recently included these chemicals in its biomonitoring program. After reviewing data from researchers, the advisory panel for Biomonitoring California voted last year to add quats to the list of chemicals that can be considered for future studies.

Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute is also looking to conduct studies on quats. Liz Harriman, the institutes deputy director, said that they were compelled to examine these disinfectants more closely because people use them more frequently since the start of the pandemic.

While research is still underway, experts recommend using safer alternatives to reduce the use of quats. Samara Geller of the nonprofit organization Environmental Working Group recommends products whose main ingredient is citric acid, lactic acid or hydrogen peroxide. You can check a products ingredients by visiting the Environmental Protection Agencys directory of disinfectants, which lists products by active ingredient.

Learn more about the dangers posed by quats and other toxic chemicals at Chemicals.news.

Sources include:

EcoWatch.com

Pubs.ACS.org

EPA.gov

An Atlanta-based builder that assembles homes off-site to speed construction has set up shop in a Greenville warehouse.

It plans to stay as long as there is a market for its product within 100 miles.

BMarko builds repeatable units  typically apartments  in a warehouse and then transports them to a physical site, where they are stacked together like Legos. With construction tucked away indoors, BMarko cuts a low profile.

We will finish a project and a city will say they didnt even notice because we didnt have dumpsters, muddy roads, traffic congestion and noise complaints, said Antony Kountouris, who helped start BMarko in 2014. Its painless.

The modular construction market in the U.S. is estimated at $27.5 billion, according to Industry Analysts, Inc. It has been around for decades but is becoming more popular and could hit $130 billion by 2027 for new construction projects alone, according to a report by the consulting firm McKinsey and Company.

A key attraction for developers is time. Using the modular method can cut a projects timeline by 30 to 50 percent and could lead to annual savings of $22 billion across the U.S., according to the same report. BMarko, which does more than $4 million in sales a year, has never delivered a project late, Kountouris said. He signs off his emails with the phrase 100% on time.

The speed of modular building is what attracted AMS Construction president Matthew Summers, who brought BMarko to Greenville to build a 190-unit affordable housing development in Spartanburg. BMarkos strategy is to find warehouses near a project so it can easily use cranes to transport units for installation.

BMarko is building units in a warehouse now while AMS Construction grades the site and prepares utilities, roads and foundations, Summers said. In traditional on-site construction, a contractor cant begin building the units until a large portion of site work is complete.

Summers also used modular construction to build Robert Smalls at Midtowne Heights in Spartanburg, which is also 190 units. He estimates it condensed the schedule by six to eight months.

Were beating the old model because we are physically constructing the building in a factory and all we need to do is stack and connect the parts in the field, he said. Were executing the two biggest, most important construction activities simultaneously.

Summers said an important part of the assembly method is the heavy use of machinery, which cuts down on human error.

Machines are doing the measuring and cutting as opposed to a man in the field with a tape measure and a circular saw who may or may not be working in the rain, or a heat wave, or a snowstorm, he said.

Completing 90 percent of the work in a warehouse reduces weather delays. It also keeps the workers relatively comfortable and safe.

We want workers out there to know there are other ways to contribute to building homes, Kountouris said. It doesnt have to be that hard. You can use human toilets here and work with six inches of concrete under your feet.

Off-site building also allows for an assembly line approach. BMarkos Greenville warehouse is organized by function into 15 stations, which means up to 15 apartments can be worked on at one time.

The team finished its first apartment within 30 days of opening on December 16.

BMarko, which has worked with Marriott, Coca Cola and Georgia Tech, considers its location in Atlanta to be the mothership factory. For all projects outside of Atlanta, it will build a web of temporary warehouses.

The Greenville warehouse on Laurens Road currently has 30 to 40 workers and the company wants 80, said Tommy Rakes, President of BMarko Structures Wood Modular Division. Because projects are completed faster, there is an opportunity to make more money compared to on-site work. The team works on one project at a time. It estimates the current affordable housing project will be done in October and it has interest from six to seven other developers for the next job.

Working in modular construction requires a high-skill level because the inspection process is more strict, Rakes said.

If youre in modular building, you better make sure the Lego blocks line up, Rakes said.

Tim Sams of Sams Plumbing Service, based in Greenville, said he has seen the heightened quality control first hand, having worked on both modular construction projects and on-site. There is an inspector present at all times on modular projects, he said.

A lot of time contractors can cut corners but not in this environment, he said.

Modular building is more convenient, Sams said. The on-site inspectors are useful because they can answer any questions and approve changes immediately. They have all plumbing materials on site and the assembly method allows him to work without holding up other contractors.

Sams, who has been in plumbing for 20 years, said modular projects are still a small percentage of his work but he hopes they catch on.

I think companies havent realized the advantages of it, he said.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

In addition to this, we evaluate the data using Buy wow classic gold tatistical analysis. The data kept in the log file are not directly linked to users and their identities, and are for internal purposes only. They are not passed on to third parties. The data is not be used to personally identify visitors to our websites. The data is not collated or merged with any other data. Personally data means information that could be used to disclose your identity such as your name, your email address and country.

Comment: The Colts are just fine with a sacks by committee approach. Five different players chipped in with at least 4 last year, led by Denico Autry's career best 9. But Ballard's decision to sign Houston off the free agent market with a two year, $23 million was confirmation the defense needed a difference maker. Houston immediately represents an edge rusher offensive coordinators must account for. Yes, he's got to make the transition from stand up LB to hand on the ground end. But no one has to teach Houston how to chase QBs. His 78.5 career sacks are 9th among active players.

The roles of the corporation and GERTY become evident and the corrosive effects of madness, reality, isolation, deceit and illusion fuel paranoia then introspection in Sam (both of them). Questioning the importance and purpose of his own existence, Sam (and him too) struggles with a life and death resolution that takes Jones' space odyssey beyond the realms of smart sci fi and into the stratosphere of the great ruminations on the human condition.

His last appearance at the venue best known for hosting the annual Monterey Jazz Festival came back in 1964. That helps explain why Dylan's long overdue return, before a full house of 5,000 plus fans on Saturday night, made front page news in the area. It's the modern day equivalent to hearing William Faulkner read from one of his novels, watching Joe Louis box in a title match and witnessing Pablo Picasso paint a masterpiece. That's not hyperbole Dylan deserves to be ranked among the most significant figures (not just musicians) of the last 100 plus years.

Haven seen quite as much rain as other parts of the province and they have seen quite a bit of lightning, said Fraser. an area we will have to keep our eyes on, checking to see if any new lighting fires are popping up. the disastrous fire seasons in 2017 and 2018, the provincial government increased its firefighting budget by 58 per cent to $101 million a year.

Not about getting the sympathy reaction, they just happen to have their disabilities which makes them interesting and quirky as an act. the lyricist, penned songs including The Good and Bad in All of Us and Hard to Reach and says music is about songs and showing who I am Povey, the director of the Centre for Autism, said: is a social and communication difficulty and affects the way people interact with other people and the world around them.

Guys!Cheap wow classic gold with Up to $10 off on WOWclassicgp New Colleciton for Spring Until Mar.8 !Buy now from https://www.wowclassicgp.com/?

Code WGL3 to Save $3 Off for Order $40+!

Code WGL7 to Save $7 Off for Order $80+!
The first eight oak trees destined to replace the destroyed spire of Notre Dame cathedral have been selected from the Berce forest in the French Loire region, church officials said.

The 96-metre spire was completely destroyed in the fire that ravaged the Paris monument in 2019.

Expand Close Smoke pouring from Notre Dame Cathedral (Eve Millan/PA) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Smoke pouring from Notre Dame Cathedral (Eve Millan/PA)

It was designed by architect Viollet-le-Duc in 1859.

It is a source of pride for the foresters of the National Forestry Office to participate in the rebirth of Notre-Dame de Paris, said Forestry Office director Bertrand Munch.

The first oaks measure around one metre in diameter.

Officials said the 1,000 oaks that are needed to fully rebuild the spire are all scheduled to be cut by the end of March.
COVID-19 vaccines have been available for nearly three months, and 2.1 million Texans are now fully vaccinated.

But theres still so much scientists dont know about the virus, how it mutates and how the new vaccines work in the real world.

For this weeks COVID Help Desk, were talking about whether the vaccine can affect a mammogram screening; testing the vaccines efficacy on your own; and if your employer can share your vaccination status.

How do I know if the COVID-19 vaccine worked on me?

Antibodies have the ability to bind to the virus antigens, which blocks it from infecting us. A persons antibody level is one of the most direct indicators of a vaccines efficacy, said Dr. Pei-Yong Shi, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at UTMB.

The best way to know the protective level of a COVID-19 vaccine is to test for coronavirus antibodies in your immune system at least 14 days after full inoculation, Shi said. Antibodies can be present in a persons system regardless of whether they exhibited symptoms.

Antibody tests are available at CVSs Minute Clinic, Krogers pharmacy and for-profit laboratories like Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp and CareNow. Last June, the American Red Cross began testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies.

Shi said researchers still dont know how many antibodies we need for protection. But he imagines the level is probably very low based on the barely-detectable amount of antibodies in the system post-vaccination.

Is it true that having a mammogram after a COVID-19 vaccine shot may give a false positive result?

COVID-19 vaccines come with protection, but also side effects like fever, fatigue, headaches or nausea. Another side effect worrying women: swollen lymph nodes that could show up on a mammogram.

Swollen lymph nodes happen to be an uncommon, but possible, symptom in breast cancer, said Dr. Jessica Leung, professor of diagnostic radiology and deputy chair of breast imaging at MD Anderson Cancer Center. When lymph nodes swell, theyre a sign that your immune system is fighting off unwanted antigens. As far as lumps go, though, theyre benign.

On HoustonChronicle.com: COVID-19 vaccine registrations spike as Texas rolls back restrictions

If a patient has had a recent vaccine on the left side of their body, then had bigger lymph nodes in their underarm but the left breast feels fine, Leung said, you can be pretty sure its a reaction to the vaccine.

In Moderna clinical trials, approximately 16 percent of patients between the ages of 18 and 64 developed swollen lymph nodes within two to four days after either dose, according to CDC.

In an ideal scenario, Leung recommends scheduling a mammogram before you start the COVID-19 vaccine, or waiting four to six weeks after your second dose.

If you cant wait, let your radiologist and doctor know about when you received your vaccine, which arm was used and any swelling, so they can interpret the imaging correctly.

Is it a HR violation to talk about your employees or coworkers vaccination status? Also, can your boss make you get vaccinated?

Yes, your boss can require you to get a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. But there are a few exceptions.

The exceptions are for employees who have disabilities, have been advised by their doctors that they may have adverse health effects from a shot or who have sincerely held religious beliefs against receiving a vaccine, said Mike Muskat, a partner at the Houston employment law firm Muskat, Mahony & Devine.

What the federal government has said is the employer has an obligation to explore accommodation of the employees concerns, Muskat said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: After storm, officials brace for potential COVID spikes

What employers cant do is announce who has and hasnt been immunized, or whos had the virus. Thats considered confidential medical information, and can only be shared with people who need to know that information, such as a human resources department. Employers should try to quell any workplace discussion or rumors about who is sick.

But they can still alert their employees about COVID-19 exposure, Muskat said.

When doing contact tracing, you can provide information about where and when it may have occurred without identifying people, he said.

Can I choose my vaccine?

While there is currently no widespread picking and choosing of vaccine brands, Harris County Public Health is working on a system to allow patients to choose their vaccine, said Jennifer Kiger, COVID-19 incident commander for Harris County Public Health. But thats not here yet.

At end of the day getting a vaccine shot is better than not, we know its very effective against hospitalization, Kiger said.

Efficacy levels vary between vaccines. Moderna and Pfizer are in the 90 percent range, and Johnson & Johnson shows 60-70 percent against moderate-to-severe infections.

But that doesnt mean one vaccine works better than the other. Each will protect you from severe infection, hospitalization and death, scientists said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: From case No. 1 to case No. 539,861, here's how COVID has changed Houston

Herd immunity is needed to help stop variants, said Dr. James McDeavitt, senior vice president and dean of clinical affairs at Baylor College of Medicine. More people vaccinated  by any vaccine  makes it harder for the virus to pass along and mutate.

Houston-area Catholic leaders agree that the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine is morally compromised because it was developed by using abortion-derived cells. But if its the only option available, Catholics should still get it.

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston said it is permissible to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine when it is the only vaccine available in a given place, according to a statement. If a person has a choice somehow, the archdiocese said Catholics should choose the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

Russell Moore, spokesperson for the Southern Baptist Convention, said Baptists should not shun medical treatments that can save lives because (the treatment) was discovered through means of which we would not necessarily approve. He added people should not violate their consciences, and noted other vaccines are available.

Staff writer Robert Downen contributed to this story.

julie.garcia@chron.com

gwendolyn.wu@chron.com
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
CBC

Michael Megenbir was someone who generally kept his personal life separate from work. That is, until one June day in 2017. Sitting among his fellow educators in the library of the Regina school where he worked at the time, the intensive support teacher rose at the year-end staff meeting to announce to his colleagues that he's transgender. "I really love and respect all of you, and I think you all feel the same way about me," Megenbir, now 37, remembered saying. He went on to tell them that when they return to work in the fall, he'd be changing his name to Michael and using he/him pronouns. Megenbir's palms were sweaty as he assessed the room. "I remember looking out and seeing the faces, focusing in on a couple of the staff who I had become really close with and just watching them smile," he said. Then came the applause. "It was honestly a little overwhelming, but in a good way," Megenbir said. "It gave me that little boost of confidence and it just let me know that I was doing the right thing." In 2018, Megenbir had his long-awaited top surgery, marking the first time in decades he says he felt 'comfortable in my own skin.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Allison Boulanger, who knew Megenbir as a friend and colleague for years before his transition, remembers smiling and clapping in the crowd. "When he got up to tell the staff, you could tell this was something that was right for him and it was how he needed to live his life  and live his life truthfully," she remembered thinking. Megenbir was reassured he had the support of his co-workers and school administration; what he couldn't predict was how his openness about his identity would inspire his students and colleagues to live their truths, and pave the way for more conversations around inclusion in schools. 'Business as usual' Fast forward to the new school year that fall, and Megenbir said it was a welcome surprise to notice there was "very little change" in how people treated him. He joked it was almost as though his colleagues practised over the summer. "It was kind of business as usual," he said with a chuckle. Megenbir noted that seemingly little things, like the use of his pronouns and new name, made the biggest impact on feeling accepted. And on the off-chance people messed up, they were quick to correct themselves and didn't draw attention to it. "It was the happiest he'd been," Boulanger remembered noticing. "You could tell that he felt like himself." The next year, Megenbir had long-awaited top surgery  a mastectomy and chest-sculpting procedure. "It was the first time in my life since I was probably nine or 10 years old that I felt comfortable in my own skin," he said. Megenbir dressed up as Kenny Rogers for Halloween in 2019 while his friend and colleague, Allison Boulanger, dressed up as Dolly Parton.(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) Making students feel 'a little bit more understood' When the opportunity arose for Megenbir to help start a gay-straight alliance (GSA) at the school, it naturally sparked conversations about his gender identity with students. On the first day of the GSA, when he got everyone to introduce themselves, he said, "I'm excited to be here and to be a part of the GSA because I am transgender"  something that surprised a few students. All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are.  Michael Megenbir Some kids told Megenbir he was the first person in the LGBTQ community they had ever met. That's the moment he knew sharing a piece of who he was added a layer of support for those children who needed it. "All that I hope my students take away from any encounter with me personally is that it's OK to be who you are," he said. "As an educator, if that's the only thing I ever teach a student, I will have felt like I did my job." Megenbir and his former student, Rylan Moir, show off their matching moustaches at the Regina Pride festival in 2018. Megenbir said the support he received during his transition from his students and their parents was 'overwhelmingly positive.'(Submitted by Michael Megenbir) As a teacher outside the LGBTQ community, Boulanger said having Megenbir as a resource for students across the entire school proved invaluable. "I'd always tell students, 'I'm here if you want to talk to me,' but Mike was just the person they gravitated towards because he just knows what's going on and how they're feeling," she said. "He just has a way of making them feel a little bit more understood." Looking back on his childhood in rural Saskatchewan, Megenbir wonders how different his gender identity journey might have been had he had a teacher who was open about being queer, or resources like a GSA. He thinks it might not have taken him until he was 30 to live out his truth had he had those positive influences. "It was really hard to feel that you were different, and also be made to feel like there was something wrong with you because of that," he said. He points to a picture of himself in a dress at his parents' wedding as an example. When he looks at his childhood photos, Michael Megenbir says he doesn't recognize who he used to be on the outside; however, on the inside, he said he's 'the exact same now, just in different packaging.'(Jessie Anton/CBC) "As a kid, I never liked dressing up, especially in dresses," he said. "This picture is how my family explains who I am and have always been: a little goofy, dancing to my own drum and not caring what anyone else thinks about me. "I'm the exact same now, just in different packaging." LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom Talking about LGBTQ representation among teachers is important, too, said Raylee Perkins, a teacher-librarian at another Regina school. "Whatever a person's coming out story is, it's often sad and steeped in trauma," said Perkins. "Seeing someone like Mike, who's happy and radiates this love and joy, it demonstrates that you can also have that joy in your future  and you don't always see that in books or on TV." Raylee Perkins, a Regina teacher-librarian who openly identifies as queer at school, says it's important for teachers and students to see LGBTQ role models with positive experiences.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) That's in part why Perkins is open about identifying as queer at school. But that also means the advocacy work to promote LGBTQ inclusion in the classroom tends to fall on her shoulders, despite the best efforts of allies around her. "Sometimes, it's felt like I was the only queer voice in the room or queer voice in the conversation, and that can be really tiring," she said. According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education's website, the government "is committed to ensuring schools are safe and inclusive environments for all students, including those who identify as gender and/or sexually diverse." That includes encouraging school divisions to develop policies specifically to include groups, like GSAs, to create safe spaces for LGBTQ students and their allies. The province's Deepening the Discussion: Gender and Sexual Diversity framework from 2015 also contains curriculum for teachers and school administrators. Regina's public school board also recently unanimously approved training for teachers and staff about gender and sexual diversity. While LGBTQ inclusion exists under the curriculum, Boulanger said there are still some teachers who don't cover it in their classrooms. "If they can start talking about it and talk to people who identify as LGBTQ, that might help them to realize that it's not something to fear; it's something to learn about and to grow," she said. Creating more transgender inclusive spaces To make sure her classroom or library is visibly inclusive to transgender people, Perkins hangs posters that delineate the room as a safe space, and she wears rainbow pins and pronoun buttons. "For some kids, they'll never notice those little details, but for the kids who need it, they will notice even the smallest detail," she said. Perkins also makes a point of not shying away from answering tough questions and having more complex talks with her students. Allison Boulanger, Megenbir's friend and former colleague, says having openly LGBTQ teachers can give students a sense of belonging.(Richard Agecoutay/CBC) Boulanger agreed, saying that on top of the curriculum around diversity and identity, she finds informal chats with her students to be the most impactful. Looking back on Megenbir's positive "coming out story" at work, Perkins said it has created a safe place for other LGBTQ people to do the same. "Both [students and teachers] can look to him as a role model or for hope  whatever that is for them," she said. "The more we can see it and talk about it and not be afraid of those conversations and face them head-on, I think the more progress we'll make."
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 03:06:20|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ISTANBUL, March 5 (Xinhua ) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a video conference on Friday over the COVID-19 pandemic and regional issues, Turkey's Directorate of Communications said.

Erdogan told Merkel that Turkey continues its vaccination program against the coronavirus at a rapid pace, and a gradual and controlled normalization process has already started, the directorate said in a statement.

"President Erdogan stated that barrier-free and safe tourism would resume in April following positive developments," the statement noted.

Turkey launched its vaccination program in mid-January with China's Sinovac vaccine and a gradual normalization process at the beginning of this week.

The two leaders also addressed the latest developments in the region, according to the statement.

Erdogan urged the European Union to provide financial and technical support for Syrians who want to voluntarily leave Turkey to return home, it said.

Turkey is home to over 3.6 million Syrian refugees. Enditem

It is more than three decades since Eddie Murphy introduced Prince Akeem Joffer to the silver screen. And now the character is getting another outing, as a highly-anticipated sequel lands on Amazon Prime Video.

Once again set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, the new film, Coming 2 America, sees newly-crowned King Akeem and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall), make another hilarious trip to New York from their great African nation.

Many familiar faces from the original movie are returning, such as James Earl Jones and Shari Headley, but there are some new cast members too - Wesley Snipes, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Jermaine Fowler and Teyana Taylor to name a few.

For Florida-born Wesley Snipes, the role has been a long time coming.

"I auditioned for a part during the original and didn't get it - lost out to the great Eriq La Salle, who's also a friend of mine," says the 58-year-old, who plays General Izzi in Coming 2 America.

"I lamented over the fact that I wasn't cast but loved the movie, loved the regalia, loved the production, loved the acting, loved seeing Africa in that light, in that way. And, yeah, it was a wonderful thing.

"Never thought it would come around again, and I get a chance to make up for that. It all worked out wonderfully."

Back to the plot of Coming 2 America and, as King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones) nears the end of his life and talk turns to heirs to the throne, he reveals some shocking news to his son. It turns out Prince Akeem, who now has three beautiful daughters with his wife Lisa (Shari Headley), has a long-lost son in Queens.

And so, he must return to America.

It is always a treat to witness 59-year-old Murphy on screen.

He actually plays four characters in Coming 2 America - Prince Akeem/Clarence/Saul/Randy Watson - a film which, according to producer Kevin Misher, only came together when Murphy felt the time was right.

The actor rang up screenwriter Barry W Blaustein - who, along with his writing partner, David Sheffield, has collaborated with the actor since his early days on Saturday Night Live -and explained his idea to revisit Akeem as an older man.

"In Coming To America, an African prince travels to America to find a regular girl and he brings her back to make her his princess. It's a modern fairytale that a lot of people love and, also, it was the very first time they ever had a movie with black folks, where you had kings and queens," says Murphy.

"This film is a really cool continuation of that story and I want people to have a great experience while watching it."

Coming 2 America also shows a different side to Snipes - who is known for dramatic roles on Broadway, as well as films White Men Can't Jump, Demolition Man, and the Blade trilogy - as we see him flex his comedic muscles.

The Joffer family has a long-standing rivalry with neighbouring nation Nexdoria, since Akeem left General Izzi's sister, Imani, at the altar 30 years ago and jetted off to America to find his true love.

And the fearless general stirs the pot at each and every opportunity, with plenty of humorous moments.

"I'm such a fan of Eddie and have seen so much of his work that I have some familiarity of his tones and his paces," notes Snipes. "I tried to find some harmony with that and not laugh while we were shooting our scenes."

We are much more used to seeing comedy from New York-born Morgan (52), star of the award-winning sitcom 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, and his very own series, The Tracy Morgan Show. But still, he never expected the Coming 2 America opportunity to come his way.

The comic plays Uncle Reem, whose nephew, Lavelle Junson of Queens (Jermaine Fowler), is Akeem's long-lost son.

"I didn't audition for the first one [Coming To America], I was in ninth grade, I was young!

"I didn't think it was going to come around either, but to be a part of number 2? That's big in my life," quips Morgan.

"To be able to share a screen with all the greats from the first cast, the new people, Leslie (Jones) and Jermaine (Fowler), it was wonderful for me, very inspirational for me, to be a part of this. I can say, 'I was in part 2' - I'm happy."

When we revisit classic comedies with a 2021 perspective, things can look a little different through the lens. How do they think the 1988 film stands up now?

"I think it holds up pretty well," says Snipes. "I think there are still some relevant issues - themes that were expressed in the original film, that are relevant today."

He continues, thoughtfully: "I'm quite confident people know just as little about Africa now as they knew about it then. So, some things didn't change, unfortunately."

"But this will help," follows Morgan, smiling. "People still love fairytales, people still want to believe in a fairytale. It's the same fairytale."

Coming 2 America is available on Amazon Prime Video
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
ROME, MAR 5 - Pope Francis told President Sergio Mattarella that he was travelling as a "pilgrim of peace" in a a telegram to the Italian head of State after taking off for a four-day visit to Iraq on Friday. The Argentine pontiff wanted to make the historic visit to the Middle Eastern country, ravaged by years of conflict, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Security will be extremely tight for Francis's 33rd apostolic trip. (ANSA).
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during question period at the House of Commons in London, Britain March 3 - JESSICA TAYLOR/REUTERS

Brussels has warned it will launch legal action "very soon" after Britain unilaterally delayed implementation of part of the Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland.

Maros Sefcovic, the European Commission vice-president, said the announcement by the Government on Wednesday was a "very negative surprise".

Boris Johnson has plunged deeper into the bitter row with the EU by announcing fresh measures in Northern Ireland, and the bloc on Thursday has threatened to hit Britain with trade tariffs if it fails to back down.

Just hours after the UK moved to unilaterally extend grace periods for Northern Irish supermarkets by six months, the Government announced it would now seek to ease trade barriers on parcels.

It provoked a furious response in Brussels, with the EU accusing Britain of breaking its treaty obligations in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement which mandated no return of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Sefcovic said the European Commission was now working on "infringement proceedings" against the UK.

"We are currently preparing it and it would be really something coming to our table very soon. The most precise term I can give you is really very soon," he said.

Maros Sefcovic said the EU would begin legal proceedings against the UK - AP

The bloc has signalled that it will seek to suspend parts of the Brexit trade deal in retaliation.

Lord David Frost, the minister in charge of EU relations, has issued an indefinite relaxation of customs requirements on parcels being sent from British businesses to consumers in the province.

The move will prevent companies such as John Lewis and Amazon being hit by added red tape when delivering to Northern Ireland, with a six-month extension for business-to-business parcels also implemented until October.

On Thursday, Simon Coveney, Irelands foreign minister, said the EU would have no option but to resort to legal action because it was negotiating with a frustrating partner it simply couldnt trust.

Story continues

Despite the threat, requirements around the import of vegetables, plants and agricultural machinery which contain traces of British soil will also be eased unilaterally by the UK, following claims that imports are being blocked at ports due to an overzealous application of the rules.

While the EU claims the move is a breach of the protocol, which is overseen by a joint UK-EU joint committee, senior Government sources have rejected this claim and argue they are acting to protect Northern Irish businesses and consumers from avoidable trade disruption.

Writing for The Telegraph, Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, insisted the measures were lawful and consistent with a progressive and good faith implementation of the Protocol.

He also hit back at the EUs claims, pointing to the serious, ongoing consequences of its aborted attempt in January to erect a hard vaccines border on the island of Ireland.

In my discussions with Northern Ireland businesses and civic society, it was increasingly clear that decisions needed to be taken now to avoid significant immediate-term disruption to everyday life in Northern Ireland, he said.

Mr Johnson also insisted the UK was merely taking temporary and technical measures to ensure that there are no barriers in the Irish Sea, to make sure things flow freely, and would continue to work with the EU to find solutions.

However, Brussels is now mulling bringing lawsuits against the UK in the European Court of Justice, which retains jurisdiction over the Protocol, as well triggering enforcement measures in the Brexit deal.

The European Commission is considering triggering enforcement measures in the Withdrawal Agreement and the UK-EU trade deal.

If Britain ignores the ruling of an arbitration panel, Brussels could suspend parts of the newly minted trade agreement, leaving British exports to the EU potentially facing tariffs.

Such retaliation must be proportionate to the offence, which in the case of supermarket supplies to Northern Ireland, is likely to be limited.

Mairead McGuinness, the EU financial services commissioner, suggested the development could derail talks on regulatory equivalence to allow increased access of UK financial service firms to European markets.

Separately, the European Parliament has postponed setting a date for ratifying the trade deal, which must be done in order for it to come into full effect.

Read Brandon Lewis article: Our lawful steps are consistent with a good faith implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-06 05:16:55|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CAIRO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday exchanged views on the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

During a phone conversation, Shoukry voiced his concern over the stalled African Union-led negotiations on filling and operating the GERD, according to a statement.

Shoukry reviewed elements of Sudan's recent proposal, which was backed by Egypt, to develop the negotiation mechanism through forming an international quartet led by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the current chair of the African Union.

Under the Sudanese proposal, the international quartet will also comprise the United Nations, the European Union and the United States.

The Egyptian diplomat stressed the need to launch a serious and effective negotiation process that will result in a fair, balanced and legally binding agreement on filling and operating the dam.

He emphasized that the deal should be reached before the next flood season when Ethiopia will start the second phase of filling the mega dam's reservoir.

During the phone call, Guterres confirmed that the United Nations is available to support and participate in the African Union-led negotiation process on the dam, according to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres.

The UN chief expressed the hope that the process will count on the full engagement of the parties in a serious negotiation, said the spokesman.

Ethiopia started building the GERD in 2011, while Egypt is concerned that the dam might affect its 55.5-billion-cubic-meter annual share of the Nile water. Sudan has recently been raising similar concerns over the 4-billion-U.S.-dollar dam.

Over the past few years, tripartite talks on the rules of filling and operating the GERD, with a total capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, have been fruitless. Enditem

Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 13:41:04|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia, the host of the 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM13), has decided to further postpone the ASEM13 to the last quarter of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a foreign ministry statement on Thursday.

The statement was released after the ASEM Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) Retreat via videoconference on March 1-2, which was chaired by Foreign Ministry's Secretary of State Luy David, who is the ASEM SOM Leader for Cambodia, with the participation from SOM Leaders of all ASEM partners. (Cambodia-ASEM-Postponement)

- - - -

PYONGYANG -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Thursday urged local officials across the country to improve the work of the city and county Party committees, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday.

At the first course for chief secretaries of the city and county Party committees, Kim stressed that the overall work of the Party and the state can go well and the overall development of socialism can be promoted only when the city and county Party committees across the country fulfill their missions and role, the KCNA said. (DPRK-Top Leader-Local Officials)

- - - -

SYDNEY -- A tsunami warning for Australia' Norfolk Island remained in place on Friday afternoon, following a series of earthquakes northeast of New Zealand.

Norfolk Island is around 1,450 km east of the Australian mainland and roughly 1,100 km north west of New Zealand's northern tip. (Australia-Tsunami Warning)

- - - -

ROME -- Italy is the first country in the 27-member European Union (EU) to block the export of AstraZeneca anti-COVID-19 vaccines outside EU borders, Italian news agency ANSA reported Thursday.

"Italian authorities have notified the European Commission of their decision to block the export of a shipment of vaccines to Australia," ANSA wrote. (Italy-Vaccine-Block) Enditem
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
Former Nigeria president, Goodluck Jonathan, has addressed speculation that he will run again for the position during the 2023 general elect...

Former Nigeria president, Goodluck Jonathan, has addressed speculation that he will run again for the position during the 2023 general elections.

According to him, it is all a speculation.

Jonathan stated this when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the Government House in Asaba, over the recent death of Sir Okorie Okowa.

He pledged to continue to serve God, humanity, Africa to the best of his ability.

Jonathan said, On the rumour of my interest in the 2023 presidential election, it was mere speculation.

I will continue to serve God, humanity, Africa, and the world to the best of my ability and with all sense of commitment and sincerity.

Jonathan was president from 2010 to 2015, losing the presidential election in 2015 to the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
Bengaluru, March 5 : A government school in the eastern suburb of Bengaluru has been shut for 14 days after seven of its students and two teachers of Class X tested positive for Covid-19, a top official said on Friday.

"The Narayanapura government high school at K.R. Puram has been closed for 14 days from Saturday as seven students and two teachers have tested positive for coronavirus," Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) commissioner N. Manjunatha Prasad said in a statement.

Of the affected students, six have been shifted to the state-run hospital in the area, as their home isolation conditions were not satisfactory.

"All the affected students and teachers are asymptomatic and under quarantine for treatment," said Prasad.

As per the protocols, civic ward No. 55 where the school is located has been declared as a cluster. "After the two teachers turned positive on February 27, about 132 students in the school were tested of which 125 results returned negative," said Prasad.

According to the state health department data, the city has seven Covid clusters in view of the rising cases.

In the Bommanahalli cluster in the city's southern suburb, 19 infected cases have been reported from an apartment (Sai Kuteera) in which 108 people stay in 40 flats on five floors, with eight flats on each floor.

"We are investigating the function place in which parties were held, in violation of the Covid-induced guidelines. Of the 128 primary and secondary contacts, 12 turned positive when tested," added Prasad.

In a related development, 15 students in a state-run school at Kalaburagi in the state's norther region turned positive after about 20 students were tested randomly on March 1.

"As a result, throat swabs of 174 people, including students, teachers and cooks, were collected on Friday for testing. The results will be known on Saturday," a district health official told reporters.
A super-Earth is discovered which can be used to test planetary atmosphere models

During the past 25 years astronomers have discovered a wide variety of exoplanets, made of rock, ice and gas, thanks to the construction of astronomical instruments designed specifically for planet searches. Also, using a combination of different observing techniques they have been able to determine a large numher of masses, sizes, and hence densities of the planets, which helps them to estimate their internal composition and raising the number of planets which have been discovered outside the Solar System.

However, to study the atmospheres of the rocky planets, which would made it possible to characterize fully those exoplanets which are similar to Earth, is extremely difficult with currently available instruments. For that reason, the atmospheric models for rocky planets are still not tested.

So it is interesting that the astronomers in the CARMENES (Calar Alto high- Resolution search for M dwarfs with Exoearths with Near-infrared and optical echelle Spectrographs), consortium in which the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) is a partner, have recently published a study, led by Trifon Trifonov, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at Heidelberg (Germany), about the discovery of a hot super-Earth in orbit around a nearby red dwarf star Gliese 486, only 26 light years from the Sun.

To do this the scientists used the combined techniques of transit photometry and radial velocity spectroscopy, and used, among others, observations with the instrument MuSCAT2 (Multicolour Simultaneous Camera for studying Atmospheres of Transiting exoplanets) on the 1.52m Carlos Sanchez Telescope at the Teide Observatory. The results of this study have been published in the journal Science.

The planet they discovered, named Gliese 486b, has a mass 2.8 times that of the Earth, and is only 30% bigger. "Calculating its mean density from the measurements of its mass and radius we infer that its composition is similar to that of Venus or the Earth, which have metallic nuclei inside them", explains Enric Palle, an IAC researcher and a co-author of the article.

Gliese 486b orbits its host star on a circular path every 1.5 days, at a distance of 2.5 million kilometres. In spite of being so near to its star, the planet has probably conserved part of its original atmosphere (the star is much cooler than our Sun) so that it is a good candidate to observe in more detail with the next generation of space and ground telescopes.

For Trifonov, "the fact that this planet is so near the sun is exciting because it will be possible to study it in more detail using powerful telescopes such as the iminent James Webb Space Telescope and the ELT (Extremely Large Telescope) now being built".

Gliese 486b takes the same length of time to spin on its axis as to orbit its host star, so that it always has the same side facing the star. Although Gliese 486 is much fainter and cooler than the Sun, the radiation is so intense that the surface of the planet heats up to at least 700K (some 430 degrees C). Because of this, the suface of Gliese 486b is probably more like the surface of Venus that that of the Earth, with a hot dry landscape, with burning rivers of lava. However, unlike Venus, Gliese 486b may have a thin atmosphere.

Calculations made with existing models of planetary atmospheres can be consistent with both hot surface and thin atmosphere scenarios because stellar irradiation tends to evaporate the atmosphere, while the planet's gravity tends to hold it back. Determining the balance between the two contributions is difficult today.

"The discovery of Gliese 486b has been a stroke of luck. If it had been around a hundred degrees hotter all its surface would be lava, and its atmosphere would be vaporized rock", explains Jose Antonio Caballero, a researcher at the Astrobiology Centre (CAB, CSIC-INTA) and co-author of the article. "On the other hand, if Gliese 486b had been around a hundred degrees cooler, it would not have been suitable for the follow-up observations".

Future planned observations by the CARMENES team will try to determine its orbital inclination, which makes it possible for Gliese 486b to cross the line of sight between us and the surface of the star, oculting some of its light, and producing what are known as transits.

They will also make spectroscopic measurements, using "emission spectroscopy", when the areas of the hemisphere lit up by the star are visible as phases of the planet (analagous to the phases of our Moon), during the orbits of Gliese 486b, befor it disappears behind the star. The spectrum observed will contain information about the conditions on the illuminated hot surface of the planet.

"We can't wait until the new telescopes are available", admits Trifonov. "The results we may obtain with them will help us to get a better understanding of the atmospheres of rocky planets, their extension, their very high density, their composition, and their influence in distributing energy around the planets.

The CARMENES project, whose consortium is made up by 11 research institutions in Spain and Germany, has the aim of monitoring a set of 350 red dwarf stars to seek planets like the Earth, using a spectrograph on the 3.5 m telescope at the Calar Alto Observatory (Spain). The present study has also used spectroscopic measurements to infer the mass of Gliese 486b. Observations were made with the MAROON-X instrument on Gemini North (8.1m) in the USA, and archive data were taken from the Keck 10 m telescope (USA) and the 3.6m telescope of ESO, (Chile).

The photometric observations come from NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) space observatory, (USA), whose data were basic for obtaining the radius of the planet, from the MuSCAT2 instrument on the 1.52m Carlos Sanchez Telescope at the Teide Observatory (Spain) and from the LCOGT (Las Cumbres Observational Global Telescope) in Chile, among others.

###

Article:

T. Trifonov et al. "A nearby transiting rocky exoplanet that is suitable for atmospheric investigation", Science, March 4, 2021.

Links of interest:

- CARMENES consortium: https:/ / carmenes. caha. es

- MAROON-X instrument: https:/ / www. gemini. edu/ instrumentation/ maroon-x/

- TESS Exoplanet Mission: https:/ / www. nasa. gov/ tess-transiting-exoplanet-survey-satellite

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
SAN RAMON (dpa-AFX) - Integrated energy company Chevron Corp. (CVX) announced Friday that it has signed a definitive agreement to buy all remaining 33.925 million shares in Noble Midstream Partners, LP (NBLX), which it does not already own. As per the terms of the all-stock deal, each Noble Midstream unit holder will receive 0.1393 of Chevron shares. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021, subject to customary approvals. Citi is acting as the financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is acting as the legal advisor to Chevron in the deal. In pre-market trade, Chevron shares are up 1.75 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Bigg Boss Malayalam 3, the third season of the Mohanlal-hosted show, is making headlines these days due to all the wrong reasons. Sai Vishnu, one of the most popular contestants of Bigg Boss Malayalam 3 has deeply upset the audiences with his aggressive behavior and usage of foul language in the show.

To the unversed, Sai Vishnu had displayed aggressive behaviour during the luxury budget task of this week and got into an ugly fight with fellow contestant Sajna Firoz. The young actor allegedly hit Sajna, which led to a big showdown between the duo. When Sajna reacted to his actions, Sai Vishnu used foul language and raised baseless allegations against her.

This is not the first time Sai Vishnu is misbehaving with his Bigg Boss Malayalam 3 housemates. Earlier, he has verbally abused Dimpal Bhal and current captain Manikuttan during arguments over food and daily tasks. However, this harsh behaviour of Sai hasn't gone well with the audiences, and the actor is receiving severe backlash on social media.

The viewers of the show expressed their disappointment with Sai Vishnu in the live comments section dedicated to BB Cafe, the popular Asianet show that discusses the Bigg Boss Malayalam 3 episodes on a daily basis. The majority of the audience slammed Sai for his harsh behaviour and usage of foul language towards the fellow housemates and demanded his eviction.

A group of audiences does believe that Sajna exaggerated the incident and Sai Vishnu never really slapped her. But, all of them agree with the fact that the contestant's aggressive behaviour and choice of words are just intolerable. Most of the comments in the BB Cafe episode that aired on March 4, Thursday, pointed out Sai's violent nature and requested host Mohanlal to take the right action.

Also Read:

Bigg Boss Malayalam 3: Will Michelle Ann Daniel Bid Goodbye To The Show This Week?

Bigg Boss Malayalam 3: Sai Vishnu Injures Sajna Firoz; Luxury Budget Task Gets Cancelled
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

ANKARA, Turkey, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Civil Society Dialogue Programme (CSD), initiated in 2008 aims contribution of civil society to the Turkey's EU accession process; is one of the longest running EU grant programmes provided to the benefit of civil society for 10 years. Since 2008, programme has provided approximately 50 million euro to nearly 400 projects carried out in various fields within 5 different periods and supported more than 650 dialogue partnerships established by civil society organizations (CSO) in Turkey and the EU.

Sivil Toplum Diyalogu logo (PRNewsfoto/Sivil Toplum Diyalogu)

The success of the CSD which has now become a brand, will be marked by "10 Years of Dialogue" event with the participation of CSOs and those contributing to civil society together with a wide audience including EU institutions, media, academics, volunteers from Turkey and the EU. The "10 Years of Dialogue" event will be held on March 9, 2021 at 12:00 - 16:15 pm in EU time and 14:00 pm - 18:15 Turkey time (GMT +3) online format.

In the scope of event, a "Dialogue Square" panel will be organized with the participation of high level representatives from Turkey and the EU played an important role for implementation of CSD. The panel will be held from 12:40 to 13:30 pm EU time.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Faruk KAYMAKCI Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey Ambassador Nikolaus MEYER-LANDRUT The Chair of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund and Former Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey (2014) Stefano MANSERVISI TOBB and Economic Development Foundation (IKV) Brussels Representative Haluk NURAY will be the panelists.

Sessions will be organized with the participation of grant beneficiaries of CSD projects implemented in a wide range of thematic field since 2008. A virtual exhibition of photos from CSD projects, musical performances originating from Turkey and the EU, promotional films and cartoon shows will also be presented to the audience.

Story continues

English, French and sign language simultaneous interpretation is available during the event.

Registration and Event Broadcast: www.diyalogun10yili.com

Press Relase

www.civilsocietydialogue.org

www.siviltoplumdiyalogu.org

Twitter: DiyalogProjesi

Facebook: ABdiyalogu

Instagram: siviltoplumdiyalogu

YouTube: Sivil Toplum Diyalogu

Contact: Pnar Alkan

pinar.alkan@siviltoplumdiyalogu.org

00 90 532 294 19 07

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1449988/Sivil_Toplum_Diyalogu_Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1449989/Civil_Society_Dialogue_Infographic.jpg

10 YEARS OF DIALOGUE (PRNewsfoto/Sivil Toplum Diyalogu / Civil Society Dialogue)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/10th-anniversary-of-civil-society-dialogue-between-eu-and-turkey-programme-carried-out-by-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-directorate-for-eu-affairs-and-implemented-under-instrument-for-pre-accession-assitance-will-be-celebrated-in--301240888.html

SOURCE Sivil Toplum Diyalogu/ Civil Society Dialogue
(Newser)  Before President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill can be voted on by the Senate, all 628 pages had to be read aloud by clerks. That was Republican Sen. Ron Johnson's idea, USA Today reports. He said he doesn't like much of what's in the bill, so it's important to delay the vote so Americans can learn its contents. "So often we rush these massive bills," Johnson said. Polls show broad public support for the bill, so Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer said reading the provisions aloud, which began Thursday at 3:21pm, per the New York Times, was fine with him and that there would eventually be a vote. "No matter how long it takes, the Senate is going to stay in session to finish the bill this week," the majority leader said, per the Washington Post. The vote might not take place until the weekend. So how long did it take? Fox News reports the reading concluded at 2:05am Friday.

story continues below

Vice President Kamala Harris broke a tie vote to open debate on the legislation. Democrats had been negotiating among themselves and making changes to the package until just before it went to the floor, so most senators hadn't read the final version, per Politico. Still, the request by Johnsonwho's leading the GOP opposition to the legislation, per CNNimmediately cleared the chamber. "I'm not sitting here for reading the bill," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham told reporters outside. Soon, the only Republican left on the floor was Johnson, who sat at his desk and watched the clerk read. He or another Republican had to stay on the floor to keep Democrats from getting around his gambit. Sen. Mitt Romney was among the Republicans who supported Johnson's strategy, though Graham said the amendment process, which comes later, might be a better time to highlight the provisions Republicans oppose. "Good thing we have time during a national emergency to do this," Sen. Bernie Sanders said to a colleague as he left. (Read more economic stimulus package stories.)

The world is facing a growing sand shortage, though, with less than 1,000 sand and gravel mines across the US, experts warn.

After water, sand is the world's most consumed raw material  used to make glass, concrete, asphalt and even silicon microchips.

The construction industry alone uses up to 50 billion tons of sand a year, and demand is set to soar because the world is expected to need two billion excess glass vials in the next two years as COVID-19 vaccines are distributed.

An impending shortage could throttle production of everything from smartphones to office buildings.

It could delay production of the billions of glass vials needed to get the coronavirus vaccine to populations around the world.

Scroll down for video

There are less than 1,000 sand mines - which supply the raw material glass is made out of - across the US, and the world has been facing a glass shortage for years

There has been a shortage in sand, gravel and crushed rock for the better part of a decade, fueled by growing building development and demand for smartphones and other personal tech that uses screens.

'We just think that sand is everywhere,' Pascal Peduzzi, a climate scientist with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said during a recent webinar hosted by think tank Chatham House, CNBC reported.

Just three companies  Corning, Schott and Nipro Pharma Corporation  manufacture most of the pharmaceutical glass tubing needed for vaccine vials. Experts predict demand for glass vials will shoot up by one to two billion over the next two years, straining the glass shortage even further.

'We never thought we would run out of sand, but it is starting in some places,' Peduzzi added.

'It is about anticipating what can happen in the next decade or so because if we don't look forward, if we don't anticipate, we will have massive problems about sand supply but also about land planning.'

Peduzzi, the director of UNEP's Global Resource Information Database (GRID) in Geneva said panicking won't help, 'but it is time to take a look and change our perception about sand.'

Chatham House has described efforts to improve the management of sand resources as 'uneven.'

'This is partly due to unique geological features and geography, but also differences in local manifestations of the 'sand challenge,' national and regional demand for sand resources, as well as capacities to enforce or implement best practice assessment procedures, extractive practices, environmental management and restoration requirements,' the group said in a statement on its website.

According to the UNEP, approximately 40 to 50 billion metric tons of sand is used each year in the construction industry alone.

That's a 300 percent increase from just 20 years ago, and it would take every river on the planet two years to replace it.

'This trend is expected to continue as demand is still growing due to urbanization, population growth and infrastructure development trends,' according to GRID's Global Sand Observatory Initiative.

While deserts comprise a third of the planet, desert sand is too smooth and round for use in construction.

And, since no one wants a sand mine in their backyard, extraction efforts are focused on more fragile environments  rivers, coastlines and seabeds  often in places like India and China.

It's already having a severe impact on their ecosystems and, as demand continues to outpace the rate of natural replenishment from the weathering of rocks by water and wind, GRID warns of rising environmental and sustainability problems.

Advocates are calling on corporations and governments to address the sand shortfall  establishing global standards and viable alternatives while doing more to protect vulnerable habitats.

Researchers have also started looking at alternatives to sand, including volcanic ash, agricultural waste, and fly ash, a byproduct of burning coal.

There's also work being done with silica sand, made from tiny granules of quartz.

But 'the construction industry is very conservative,' Susan Bernal, a materials scientist at the University of Leeds, told The World. 'To utilize these new green alternative cements, or alternative aggregates, we need to comply with a great number of standards to make sure that, for instance, if we make a house its sufficiently safe for people to live in.'

Since sand is the chief component in glass, there's also been a global shortage of glass at least 2015, according to FiveThirtyEight.com.

Real estate developers sometimes have to wait months before they can install windows on bare skyscrapers.

Delays can be so significant and frustrating that the development company behind Hudson Yards got creative and built its own glass factory in Pennsylvania rather than wait

A lack of glass is of particular concern during the pandemic, given the billions of vials and syringes needed to get vaccines into arms around the globe.

The medical-glass industry was just beginning to catch up with demand in 2020, but the pandemic and subsequent vaccine rollout have set things back considerably.

Stevanato Group, an Italian manufacturer of vials, told Pharma Manufacturing that global demand for vials will rise by as much as 2 billion over the next two years.

Even if the vaccine is loaded into 10-dose vials, vaccine expert James Robinson told FiveThreeSix, that's still hundreds of millions of vials needed for this pandemic alone.

Just three companies  Corning, Schott and Nipro Pharma Corporation  manufacture most of the pharmaceutical glass tubing needed for vials and syringes.

New manufacturing facilities are expensive and there's high competition for the kind of angular sand needed to make glass.

Janssen, a division of Johnson & Johnson '[has] already preordered 250 million vials, and that might be all that's out there,' Robinson said. 'We're trying to procure another 200 million.'

Leaders from all three pharmaceutical glass companies say, in the midst of a global health crisis, they're working together to meet demand.

'The industry is putting aside the competitive spirit,' Corning general manager Brendan Mosher told Pharma Manufacturing. 'It feels like more than ever, that everyone is in this fight together.'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5) President Rodrigo Duterte wants the simultaneous deployment of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to give options to healthcare workers participating in the inoculation program, a task force official said on Friday.

Vince Dizon, testing czar and COVID-19 response deputy chief implementer, said he expects the rollout of the newly-arrived AstraZeneca vaccines to start immediately  per instructions of the chief executive.

The rollout will start immediately, as based on the instructions of our President that he wants the rollout to be simultaneous, so that also our healthcare workers are given a choice, Dizon said in an interview with CNN Philippines The Source.

As early as maybe today or in the next few days, the AstraZeneca doses will already be rolled out, and it will provide a choice to our healthcare workers, Dizon added.

While Sinovac's CoronaVac vaccine was the first to arrive in the country, groups of healthcare workers earlier expressed dismay that it will be given to them even after the Food and Drug Administration did not recommend it for medical frontliners. The FDA cited a clinical trial in Brazil which showed the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 50.4%. The Chinese companys general manager Helen Yang defended the data, saying the trials covered frontliners more exposed to the virus.

Nearly half a million doses of the vaccine developed by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm landed in the Philippines on Thursday evening, giving a push to the countrys delayed inoculation drive against the virus. The Philippines was among the last of countries in Southeast Asia to start its COVID-19 vaccination drive, even if it has the second highest count of cases in the region.

The 487,200-dose shipment that arrived was supplied by the COVAX facility, a global initiative that seeks to ensure nations' equitable access to coronavirus vaccines. The particular batch was developed in South Korea and donated by European nations.

In an earlier interview with CNN Philippines, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. confirmed the government was looking into the possible simultaneous rollout of the two vaccines, especially with the threats of the new variants, and the continuous spikes in virus infections.

For his part, Dizon said the arrival of the two shipments is a great start, but stressed the products wont be enough to cover the countrys over a million healthcare workers.

So the priority right now is to inoculate our 1.7 million healthcare workers, so every vaccine that comes in, regardless of brand, will be for them, Dizon said, expressing hope that all frontliners can be vaccinated by the end of March or April.

Waiting for recommendations on AstraZeneca use

Galvez earlier revealed that some doctors recommended that AstraZeneca shots be given to older healthcare workers, in order to offset the limitations of the Sinovac vaccine with regards to the age group.

But Dizon stressed officials are still waiting for the recommendations of National Immunization Technical Advisory Group for the final distribution list of the doses.

Aside from the earlier shipments, the country also expects to receive one million doses of the China-made Sinovac vaccine later this month, Galvez said. On top of this, Duterte also announced on Friday that China would be donating an additional 400,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines.

READ: UK helping PH in vax program, looks forward to delivery of 22M AstraZeneca shots
London: Italy has vowed to reject more vaccine exports and France has threatened to join the blockade, as European officials scramble to justify the decision to ban a shipment of 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Australia.

The Morrison government has claimed the export ban will not affect its immunisation rollout but behind the scenes, it is still working to have the 250,000 doses delivered.

Underscoring this point, Trade Minister Dan Tehan discussed the standoff with his Brussels counterpart Valdis Dombrovskis and with the World Trade Organisations new Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala overnight on Friday. The WTO chief said she shared Australias concern at the move by EU countries - particularly because of the need to ensure vaccines were distributed fairly across the globe.

World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala shares Australias concerns about the European blockade. Credit:Reuters

However, the European Commission has no plans to step back from its dispute with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
For the first time since the start of the pandemic, Pope Francis will be flying his first international trip in a while on Friday for his first papal visit to Iraq.

Pope Francis Visits Iraq

According to BBC News, the four-day trip aims to reassure the dwindling Christian community in Iraq and foster inter-religious dialogue. The Pope will also meet the country's most revered Shia Muslim cleric, say a prayer in Mosul and celebrate Mass at a stadium.

Despite the latest spike in coronavirus infections in Iraq and concerns regarding his security, the Pope has insisted on traveling to the country. Also, hours after a rocket attack on a base hosting US troops on Wednesday, the Pope shared that Iraqi Christians could not be let down for a second time.

What the head of the Roman Catholic Church meant is it will be the second time because of the canceled plans for a trip of Pope John Paul II at end of 1999 after talks with the government of then-President Saddam Hussein broke down. Two decades since then, despite being one of the world's Christian communities has seen its numbers dropped from 1.4 million to around 250,000.

Moreover, many Christians have fled abroad in order to escape the religiously motivated violence that has plagued the country since the United States invasion in 2003 that resulted to the ousting of Saddam. In 2014, tens of thousands were also displaced when the Islamic State militants overran northern Iraq which destroyed their historic churches, giving them the choice to pay tax, seizing their property, convert, leave or face death, Vatican News reported.

What Pope Francis hopes to achieve?

Based on the report of Mark Lowen, who is traveling with the Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church aims to call for peace in meetings with political and other religious leaders. He also aims to embolden persecuted Christians.

In addition, Pope Francis also addressed the people of Iraq in a video message on the eve of his trip by sharing that he was coming as a pilgrim, as a penitent pilgrim, to implore from the Lord forgiveness and reconciliation after numerous years of terrorism and war, to beg from God the consolation of hearts and the healing of wounds, The New York Times reported.

Read also: Pentagon Expresses Concern Over North Korea's Reported Nuclear Reprocessing

The Pope also added that he is coming among them also as a pilgrim of peace who weeks fraternity prompted by the desire to pray together and walk together along with brother and sisters from other religious traditions. In pursuit of the steps of Father Abraham, who joins in one family, Jews, Muslims, and Christians.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church also stated to Iraqi Christians that he wants to bring them the affectionate caress of the whole Church, which is close to them and to the war-torn Middle East. Pope Francis also encouraged them to keep moving forward.

On the other hand, due to the sudden rise of coronavirus infections, Pope Francis, who is currently 84 years of age will have limited public appearances to avoid any possible exposure of infection as there is still a threat that the trip could expose thousands. The Pope is set to arrive on Friday afternoon in Baghdad.

Related article: Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Receives Backlash from Church

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
CYBERSPACEOn the heels of International Sex Workers Rights Day on March 4, a conference next month aims to further the mission of decriminalizing sex work, providing mutual aid to sex work communities, and ending the stigma around the sex industry.

Informal, Criminalized, Precarious: Sex Workers Organizing Against Barriers is a webinar series that will run daily between April 3 and April 17. Described by organizer and veteran adult performer Lorelei Lee as organized by and for sex workers, the conference's daily panels will cover topics including "Sex Work as Work and Sex Work as Anti-Work," "Sexual Gentrification: An Internet Sex Workers Built" and "Sex Work and Migration."

Topics reflect both conversations that sex workers are already having and conversations that sex workers feel are urgently needed, Lee said.

The conference will offer both public-facing events to educate laypeople and closed community events to facilitate knowledge-sharing, collaboration and organizing among sex workers. While this project started as a few disparate events, I wanted to develop it into a conference in collaboration with other organizers because I've seen from past events not only how necessary it is to honor and platform sex worker knowledge, but also how the public urgently seeks this information, Lee explained.

While the loudest voices have strong opinions about sex work and policy, it's my experience that many civilians are just confused by arguments over questions of criminalization and worker delegitimization and stigma, she continued. Many civilians want to support workers but don't know how. I hope this collection of events will be a space where both sex workers and civilians can gain access to information.

Public-facing events will provide laypeople with sex worker experiences, data and perspectives. Attendees will learn how sex workers struggles for labor and human rights intersect with all struggles for social justice. Additionally, the conference seeks to illuminate how the criminalization and stigmatization sex workers and their clients face worldwide make working in the trade far less safe, and organizing far more difficultexisting as they do under constant surveillance by police, clients, corporations and anti-sex-worker organiztions.

Panels will cover topics like how internet services, platforms and economies exclude sex workers through discriminatory Terms of Use, whorephobic community standards, algorithmic profiling, and laws such as FOSTA/SESTA. Sex workers are also excluded from tech ethics and academia; panelists will discuss how to get regulators, ethicists, policy-makers and technologists to listen to sex workers about ideal community standards, technologies of violence, data privacy and online safety. Laypeople will learn about the consequences the aforementioned exclusionary practices carry for sex workers and for the community at large. Experts will offer advice on how sex workers can organize, build community, and find and offer social support. Panels will also cover the dangers of sex work stigma and criminalization such as stalking, doxxing and the threat of deportation.

Model, performer and activist Daisy Ducati, who is slated as one of the speakers, commented, The sex industry has always been at the forefront of changing technology and in this era of online culture, we remain pioneers.

Added Dr. Zahra Stardust, a Fellow at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society who will be moderating the panel "Sex Worker Activism: Barriers, Exclusion and Organizing" on Wednesday, April 7, "Sex workers have unique experiences that shape our world view and our understanding and analysis of tech, power, work and the state. And yet sex workers often face institutional barriers to participating in tertiary education, from discriminatory policies and stigmatizing syllabi to risks of sexual harassment, deportation and criminalization. We wanted to create a space where sex workers were recognized as experts who should be driving decisions on tech policy and leading international discussions on safety and ethics."

Other featured speakers and facilitators will include Lee, Sinnamon Love, Yin Q., Chibundo Egwuatu, Gabriella Garcia, Danielle Blunt, Melissa Gira Grant, Milcah, Maitresse Madeline and femi babylon.

Sex worker rights organization Hacking//Hustling and various organizations at Cornell Law are co-sponsoring. Lee said co-sponsors will provide honoraria to organizers who speak at the conference.

For more information, click here.
After a year of cancelled events, Australias two biggest cities will celebrate this weekend with two very different parties.

It may not bring the glam like Sydneys Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, but Melbournes more sedate Moomba festival is back by popular demand for the Labour Day long weekend.

Moomba monarchs Pravini Fernando and Drew Law try out a teacup ride. Credit:Wayne Taylor

Both events will be pared-back versions of themselves because of the pandemic. However, their return is another sign that life is returning to normal after a difficult 12 months.

In Sydney, that means wild and wacky costumes in a night of celebration for the LGBTQI+ community (albeit at the SCG rather than on Oxford Street). In Melbourne, its carnival rides and dagwood dogs next to the Yarra.
Megan Thee Stallion has partnered with U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to help rebuild her hometown of Houston in the wake of Winter Storm Uri.

After Texas' historic freeze left millions of Texas without power last month, the 26-year-old Grammy-nominated rapper (born Megan Pete) and Lee, 71, have plans to repair the homes of the 'most vulnerable' with the NACC Disaster Services.

'Seeing the devastation and hearing the heartbreaking stories that have surfaced, I knew I had to do something to help my hometown,' Megan said in a statement to People.

Helping hand: Megan Thee Stallion has partnered with U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to help rebuild her hometown of Houston in the wake of Winter Storm Uri; seen in 2019

She continued: 'I am so happy that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the NACC and I aligned on the goal of repairing the homes of the elderly and uninsured single moms who are the most vulnerable and often displaced by these kinds of devastating events.'

The record-breaking cold weather claimed at least 21 lives, including four family members who perished in a Houston-area house fire while using a fireplace to stay warm and a woman and a girl who died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning from a car running in a garage after their home in the city lost power.

Megan has previously spoken about studying online for a degree in health-care administration at Texas Southern University and her dream of opening an assisted living facility for the elderly in Houston.

Giving back: After Texas' historic freeze left millions of Texas without power last month, the 26-year-old Grammy-nominated rapper (born Megan Pete) and Lee, 71, have plans to repair the homes of the 'most vulnerable' with the NACC Disaster Services

Severe: The record-breaking cold weather claimed at least 21 lives, including four family members who perished in a Houston-area house fire while using a fireplace to stay warm and a woman and a girl who died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning from a car running in a garage after their home in the city lost power. A Houston man is seen February 15th above

'I never had a plan B; I always had two plan As. I knew I wanted to go to school, but I knew I wanted to pursue music,' she told Marie Claire in April.

She explained: 'When you really want to do something, you're really going to put your mind to doing it. And I really want to do both. I have to do both.'

While her fierce work ethic and ambition have gotten her far, Megan acknowledged the unique challenges that women have to face in the music industry and the double standards that come with the business.

'Seeing the devastation and hearing the heartbreaking stories that have surfaced, I knew I had to do something to help my hometown,' Megan said in a statement to People; seen in 2019

'A man can be as mediocre as he wants to be but still be praised,' she said of the hypocrisy.

'A man can talk about how he's about to do all of these drugs and then come and shoot your house up. But as soon as I say something about my vagina, it's the end of the world?

'What are you really mad about? You cannot be mad about me rapping about sex. Thats not what you're mad about.' Megan asked, suggesting that it's a deeper issue.

She continued: 'Not only am I rapping about sex, I'm rapping about you making me feel good. I'm not rapping about licking on you. No, you're going to do what I told you to do, and I feel like sometimes that can be a little intimidating... Sometimes it's overwhelming to some men. They can't handle it, they get a little shook, they get a little scared. But I'm not going nowhere, so get used to it.'

Big dreams: Megan has previously spoken about studying online for a degree in health-care administration at Texas Southern University and dreams of opening an assisted living facility for the elderly in Houston; seen on December 31, 2020

And the WAP hitmaker stands strong when it comes to representing women, hailing them as the superior sex.

'I know that women are powerful. I know that we are out here birthing people. I know that we are out here running s**t, so I cant even be mad at you for thinking that we should be held to a high standard,' she says.

'Were the ultimate beings. We are the superior beings.'




See Full Image Gallery >>



The upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid has been spotted in prototype form alongside other two-row test vehicles that have recently hit the streets all over the country. A plug-in hybrid variant of the three-row Grand Cherokee L (dubbed 4xe, as in the Wrangler PHEV) has already been announced; these photos confirm that it won't be reserved for the three-row.

While Stellantis has already confirmed plans to expand the 4xe range in Europe with some of its smaller models, the variant of that powertrain we're getting in the Wrangler is certainly potent enough to be a V8 replacement, or at the very minimum, an acceptable alternative. The 4xe makes a combined 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in the Wrangler, and while its accompanying battery pack will likely up its host's curb weight by a decent amount, keep in mind that Mopar V8s are all iron-block (yes, even the SRTs); the jump from the DOHC 3.6L Pentastar to the OHV 5.7L Hemi in a current Grand Cherokee is about 265 pounds.



See Full Image Gallery >>

Jeep has not yet confirmed much about the two-row beyond the basics, but we expect much of its underpinnings to match the L's. That would mean a 3.6-liter V6 making 290 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque would be standard, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque should be optional. However, we've been hearing rumors that Stellantis may be just about ready to introduce its next generation of gasoline ICEs, including a boosted inline-6 that may power some of the models that once housed Hemi V8s. A variant of the Wrangler's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is also reportedly being considered for the Grand Cherokee, likely only in the smaller two-row pictured here.

New Grand Cherokee prototypes have been popping up just about everywhere. A reader alerted us to a suspected Trailhawk model spotted in California in February, and the standard two-row model has been roaming the roads of Metro Detroit for the past week, hinting that Jeep is inching closer to showing us its redesigned SUV. If the rumors prove true, we should know more by mid-year.
NEW YORK, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global carbon fiber market is poised to grow by $ 2.01 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of about 10% during the forecast period.

Here is an Exclusive report talking about Market scenarios, Estimates, the impact of lockdown, and Customer Behaviour. Get FREE Sample Report in Minutes!

Carbon Fiber Market by Raw Material, End-user, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024

The report on the global carbon fiber market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by increasing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.

The global carbon fiber market analysis includes application segment and geography landscape. This study identifies the capacity expansions and emergence of new production plants as one of the prime reasons driving the global carbon fiber market growth during the next few years.

This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters.

The global carbon fiber market covers the following areas:

Global Carbon Fiber Market Sizing

Global Carbon Fiber Market Forecast

Global Carbon Fiber Market Analysis

Companies Mentioned

Formosa Plastics

Hexcel

Mitsubishi Chemical

SGL Group

TEIJIN

TORAY INDUSTRIES.

Related Reports on Consumer Discretionary Include:

Corporate Game-Based Learning Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024- The corporate game-based learning market size has the potential to grow by USD 73.90 million during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 6.46%. To get extensive research insights: Get FREE sample report in minutes



The corporate game-based learning market size has the potential to grow by during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 6.46%. To get extensive research insights: Automatic and Smart Pet Feeder Market by Product, End-user, Distribution channel, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024- The automatic and smart pet feeder market size has the potential to grow by USD 769.95 million during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 10.06%. To get extensive research insights: Get FREE sample report in minutes

Key Topics Covered:

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Market segmentation analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Global carbon fiber market by raw materials

Market sizing 2018

Market size and forecast 2018-2023

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION

Market segmentation by application

Comparison by application

Aerospace and defense - Market size and forecast 2018-2023

Sports and leisure - Market size and forecast 2018-2023

Wind energy - Market size and forecast 2018-2023

Automotive - Market size and forecast 2018-2023

Others - Market size and forecast 2018-2023

Market opportunity by application

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

Americas - Market size and forecast 2018-2023

EMEA - Market size and forecast 2018-2023

APAC - Market size and forecast 2018-2023

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market drivers

Increasing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles

Increasing use of carbon fibers in the aerospace and defense sector

Collaborations between carbon fiber manufacturers and end-use industries

Market challenges

High competition from substitutes

High cost of carbon fibers

Limitations of carbon fibers

PART 11: MARKET TRENDS

Capacity expansions and new plants

New product launches

Rise in the demand from the wind energy sector

PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Competitive scenario

Overview

Landscape disruption

PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Formosa Plastics

Hexcel

Mitsubishi Chemical

SGL Group

TEIJIN

TORAY INDUSTRIES

PART 14: APPENDIX

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.



Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/



SOURCE Technavio

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest real estate market with hundreds of projects in delay

Projects from many giant developers were on the list, including Novaland Group, Him Lam Land, Quoc Cuong Gia Lai, SonKim Land, SaigonRes, and Hung Loc Phat which have been in a prolonged deadlock for various reasons.

Novaland had the largest number of projects under discussion by the central and local authorities, with 10 of the 32 projects bearing their logo. These projects include Co Giang apartment building in District 1, the officetel and apartment building at 151 Ben Van Don Street in District 4, a 30 hectare project in Binh Khanh commune of District 2, and seven other projects in Phu Nhuan district.

The Co Giang apartment building in District 1 was handed over land by Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the local Department of Construction has granted a construction licence for the project.

The officetel and apartment building at 151 Ben Van Don Street in District 4 has already been approved for land use right taxation.

In the 30ha project in Binh Khanh commune of District 2, legal procedures are being reviewed together with the larger project of Thu Thiem New Urban Area (where this project is located). At the same time, the local authorities are looking for solutions to help achieve a breakthrough at the project.

Seven other projects are being reviewed by local authorities.

Him Lam Land's Him Lam residential project in District 9 (Thu Duc City) and Saigonres' two projects were also on the agenda for having legal difficulties. Le Thanh Construction-Trading Co., Ltd. and Phu Long Real Estate Corporation have two projects each.

According to Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association, the key problems of those projects are mainly related to the slow process of calculating land use rights. Because of this, developers cannot pay tax and be approved for construction and granting red books to buyers.

Representing the developers, Chau suggested Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to issue guidelines to pave the way for projects which include public land. These projects have been delayed for a long time as they consist of small land plots under the management of the state and they cannot get the whole project cleared for construction.

Local authorities should consider these projects case by case and submit their proposals to the committee to collect the public land plots and hand them over to developers, Chau said.

Other solutions proposed included removing administrative procedures, setting out a priority list to grant red books to end-users as soon as possible.

He also suggested the committee to set up City Architect Consultant Bureau which can help solve prolonged delays.

The committees chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong assigned local authorities to submit a report on each project, talking with developers to ensure their projects can recommence at the soonest.
Armenia acting MOD visits Border Guards Department of Russia Federal Security Service

Karabakh ex-Ombudsman appointed State Minister

Rapid reaction service set up ahead of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Armenia has new ambassador to Ukraine

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are ready to visit the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Armenia President appoints judges

Armenia police encircle stage placed at Republic Square (PHOTO)

7 EU countries start issuing vaccination certificates

Latest on scandal over improper storage of Armenian soldiers bodies, more on COVID-19, Jun. 1

Armenia Constitutional Court launches case proceedings based on President's application

Armenia acting emergency situations minister says he's concerned about situation in army

Armenia acting education, science, culture and sport minister receives ICRC Delegation

Armenia ex-President Sargsyan nephew acquitted

Armenia deputy police chief: No real cases of vote-buying reported to date

Armenia human rights activists: Nearly 10 protesters detained during protest in front of government building

Audit Chamber director: About half of Armenia state agencies, institutions were not audited in 2020

Robert Kocharyan: Acting PM is an unsuccessful, political Lilliput

Armenia 2nd President: Authorities shamelessly deceived people throughout the 44-day war

Acting emergency situations minister: Armenia's Seismic Protection Service is the best in the region

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Macron: France will work towards restoration of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Richard Ferrand: France stands with Armenia

Armenia 2nd President: Incumbent authorities failed to fulfill their promises

Armenia Diaspora Youth Ambassador Program is launched

Yerevan court rules to conditionally release man who attempted to assassinate ex-presidential candidate

People came to power in Armenia who consistently destroyed army combat-readiness, says ex-President Kocharyan

Armenia 2nd President rules out collaboration with Nikol Pashinyan

Central Bank chief: Armenia national debt exceeded 63% of GDP

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Turkey persistently crosses boundaries of permissibility

Finance ministry: Armenia 2020 economic growth forecasts are revised downwards

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: It is disgrace when law enforcement agencies are subject to PM himself

US sells oil seized from Iran

Robert Kocharyan: Government does not pay enough attention to security issues

Armenia 1st President spokesperson: Ter-Petrosyan has nothing to speak with the nation-destroying plague

Armenia acting PM orders internal investigation into case of storage conditions of fallen soldiers bodies, remains

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan gives interview to Russia newspaper

Armenia acting deputy PM on unblocking of roads with Azerbaijan: There will be no troops standing there

Nikkei: Toyota and Honda stop car production in Malaysia

Armenia official on deploying international observers at Azerbaijan border: You will hear reaction on this matter soon

USAID helps UN World Food Programme support displaced people in Armenia

Armenia official: Work of trilateral working group on roads unblocking has stopped after recent incidents

Russias Putin to Armenias Pashinyan: Relations between our countries are developing very successfully

Armenia health minister: Improper storage of fallen soldiers bodies, remains was my omission

108 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President to children: I believe that you will make our country much better

Armenia CEC publicizes complete lists of political forces registered to run in snap parliamentary elections

World oil prices going up

Queen Elizabeth turns down PM's offer to name new royal yacht after Prince Philip

Armenia parliament discusses 2020 state budget report

Newspaper: Armenia acting FM resigns after 3rd attempt

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor to leave office

Israel, UAE sign tax treaty

Newspaper: Even vagrants are persuaded, taken to Armenia acting PM Pashinyans rally in Vanadzor

Swedish defense minister demands explanation from Denmark over spy scandal

Acting Deputy PM: Armenia has not discussed and will not discuss issues within logic of "corridor"

Armenia Central Electoral Commission determines numbers of political parties for elections

Armenia 2nd President visits Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Gyumri (PHOTOS)

Opposition Armenia bloc representative: We're running in elections to win

Azerbaijan MFA comments on calls for release of Armenian POWs with infinite hypocrisy

EC: Vaccinated citizens should be exempted from tests, quarantine when traveling within EU

Armenia Ombudsman discusses rights of 6 captured Armenian servicemen with ICRC Delegation head

EU ready to use all the tools at its disposal to change Turkey's behavior

Yerevan court obliges to abolish violation of rights of Armenia Supreme Judicial Council ex-chairman

Greek and Turkish leaders to meet in June on sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Central Electoral Commission to set up 2,008 polling stations for snap parliamentary elections

Iranian companies to participate in reconstructing territories under Azerbaijan's control

Opposition Armenia bloc's representative on acting PM's invitation to debate with 1st and 2nd Presidents

Armenia acting FM dismissed upon presidential decree

Body of brother of Armenian criminal authority "Don Pipo" found under bridge

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation

Digest on Armenian local news, EU is ready to help Armenia, Azerbaijan with border issues, 31.05.21

Relatives of missing Armenian servicemen open Heratsi Street in Yerevan

Armenia acting PM to pay working visits to Paris and Brussels

Armenia bloc representative on FM's resignation and National Security Service

Armenia Investigative Committee: Fatal road accident, criminal case opened

Armenia deputy FM submits resignation

Chinese authorities allow families to have 3 children

Dollar devalues in Armenia

Stepanakert: Azerbaijan creates bridgeheads for pressure on Karabakh, expansion towards Armenia

Sergey Lavrov says Russia is ready to disconnect SWIFT

Armenia MFA spokesperson resigns

Republican Party of Armenia Vice-President: Our ratings are growing, but we have greater pretensions

Armenia acting PM's spokesperson responds to ex-FM

Armenia parliament majority leader: Refusing to debate with acting PM is manifestation of low self-confidence

Armenia State Revenue Committee, US Department of Justice sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Vardevanyan: Attempts made to create false grounds for obstructing Armenia bloc election offices legal activities

Lavrov says Russia is ready to resume dialogue with NATO

Armenia opposition MP on FM's resignation

India records lowest increase in COVID-19 cases in 50 days

Bright Armenia faction in parliament: No response to acting PM's proposal to deploy observers along Azerbaijan border

Ruling bloc MP: Acting premiers proposal does not limit Armenia in terms of cooperation with CSTO

Acting PM is proud of Armenian servicemens heroism, says parliament majority leader

Parliament majority leader: No border delimitation unless Azerbaijan army units leave Armenia territory

Outgoing Armenia acting FM opens brackets: My decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason

Harutyunyan, Shoygu discuss tension on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Iranian MFA says US has not imported oil from country since Clinton era

Court hearing on appeal against decision to drop March 2008 Yerevan tragedy case is rescheduled

Missing soldiers relatives block Yerevan street

Parliament majority leader: Armenia acting FM did not object, at Security Council meeting, to new document

Armenia Police: 2,581,093 people on voters list
[March 05, 2021] Recording Academy Partners With Berklee College of Music and Arizona State University to Conduct Study on Women's Representation Across the Music Industry

The Recording Academy, Berklee College of Music and Arizona State University announced today that they have partnered to conduct a study focused on women's representation spanning all sectors of the music industry. Expanding upon the important research already conducted in this space, this new partnership is one of many industry initiatives addressing women in music-one of the most urgent issues in the industry today. The study's primary goals are to further establish a baseline analysis on women's representation working in the American music industry, learn more about the available talent pool of women in music, and set priorities around music creators and aspects of mentorship. The data collected from the study will be utilized to develop and empower the next generation of women music creators by generating actionable items and solutions to help inform the Academy's diversity, equity and inclusion objectives amongst its membership and the greater music industry. With this partnership, the Academy, Berklee and ASU are committed to increasing the dialogue in this space and bringing further examination and exposure to this topic. The forthcoming study with Berklee and ASU is not the first initiative put in place by the Recording Academy addressing women's representation in music. In 2019, the organization launched Women In the Mix, which prompted hundreds of music professionals and organizations to pledge to consider at least two women in the selection process every time a producer or engineer is hired. Also in 2019, the Recording Academy pledged to double the number of women voters by 2025. To date, it has reached 33 percent of that goal by adding 831 new women voting members to its membership. "Two years ago, we started our Women in the Mix initiative with the primary goal of raising awareness and had an overwhelming initial response, garnering support from more than 650 of the most influential music people, executives and organizations," said Recording Academy Chair and Interim President/CEO, Harvey Mason jr. "While we are hopeful that we will still see benefit from that effort, we haven't seen enough progress to date. In order to accelerate our goals, we are excited to partner with the Berklee College of Music and Arizona State University on this study. The results of the research will serve as a guide for much-needed reforms in the industry at-large." As a first step in moving forward with the study, the Recording Academy completed an analysis of this year's GRAMMY nominees and is publicly reporting gender representation amongst nominees for the first time in the organization's 63-year history. Among the 853 nominees across all 84 GRAMMY categories, 198 identify as women, representing 23 percent of nominees. "Women are key drivers in the economy and across all business and creative sectors in music, globally, yet we reflect 2 percent of producers and engineers," said Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at the Recording Academy. "It's our responsibility at the Academy to be the change that we seek and inspire progress within the industry. We recognize the important work tht our industry colleagues have done in this area and are doubling-down on our commitment to play a more active role in providing solutions to increase the number of women working in this space. We look forward to banding together with others in the industry to work toward closing the gender gap and driving meaningful change."



"As the world's leading institution for the study of music, Berklee is continually finding ways to foster and encourage diversity in the music community," said Susan Whitehead, Chair of Berklee College of Music's Board of Trustees. "The music industry is in need of a broad gender study that examines women representation beyond today's popular music in order to help accurately identify key areas for growth and improvement. We look forward to working with the Recording Academy to develop strong methodology for this study and to authentically address the lack of women representation in the music industry." This new effort will build upon the baseline constructed by Berklee's 2019 study, "Women in the U.S. Music Industry: Obstacles And Opportunities," authored by Erin Barra, Director of Popular Music at Arizona State University and Executive Director of Beats By Girlz; Sharon Kramer, Dean of Institutional Research and Assessment at Berklee College of Music; and Becky Prior, Associate Director of Institutional Research at Berklee College of Music. Barra will lead the new study, which is expected to be completed and released in early 2022.

"Being able to continue this work in partnership with such powerful allies signals the importance and immediate need for this type of research and the stories the data will tell. We need to make visible and tangible the obstacles and opportunities we face as women navigating an industry that wasn't built by us or for us," remarks Barra. "Being able to bring the lens of inclusivity, innovation, and the depth of research experience that Arizona State is built upon to the continuation of this work excites me to no end." Barra will be working alongside Lisa M. Anderson, Associate Professor in the School of Social Transformation, and Mako Fitts Ward, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Transformation. On Monday, March 8, 2021, the Recording Academy will kick off GRAMMY Week with the inaugural Women in the Mix event that will spotlight women producers and engineers while encouraging and facilitating mentorship between established women in the industry and aspiring women music professionals. For more information about the Recording Academy's diversity, equity & inclusion efforts, please visit: https://www.grammy.com/recording-academy/inclusion. ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards-music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators. For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210305005441/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Hanoi plans to vaccinate both residents and non-residents against COVID-19, Khong Minh Tuan, deputy director of the municipal Center for Disease Control (CDC) said on Thursday.

Addressing reporters questions at a municipal meeting on the same day, Tuan said authorities in the capital have been very proactive in sourcing coronavirus vaccine doses.

On February 19, the municipal authorities sent a written petition to the Ministry of Health to ensure the citys access to the vaccine source, Tuan said.

The early request, according to him, is to secure adequate inoculation for all eligible citizens 18 years old and older in the capital.

The COVID-19 immunization will also cover non-residents, Tuan noted.

Vietnam currently has 117,600 doses of Oxford/AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine, which arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on February 24.

According to the priority order of the Ministry of Health, the shots will be distributed to 13 provinces and cities that have reported COVID-19 infections, including Hanoi, said the Hanoi CDC deputy director.

The top priority will be given to Hai Duong, now an epicenter in northern Vietnam, Tuan explained.

Therefore, the number of shots left for Hanoi will be limited, he said.

We will prioritize those in the anti-pandemic front line."

Funds for the vaccination, Tuan said, can come from three sources, including the state budget, donations by individuals and businesses, and self-pay vaccine users, in accordance with the resolution of the government.

As scheduled, the Ministry of Health will organize vaccination training for the entire preventive medicine system of 63 provinces and cities on March 6.

Vietnam had spent nearly two months detecting zero community cases before it found the first one on January 27 and confirmed it one day later, according to the health ministrys data.

A total of 879 local cases have been confirmed in 13 provinces and cities since then, making it the most serious wave to have struck Vietnam after the first-ever COVID-19 patient was announced in the country on January 23, 2020.

In this latest wave, 695 cases were registered in Hai Duong, 61 in Quang Ninh Province, 27 in Gia Lai Province, 35 in Hanoi, five in Bac Ninh Province, two in Bac Giang Province, 36 in Ho Chi Minh City, two in Hoa Binh Province, one in Ha Giang Province, three in Dien Bien Province, six in Binh Duong Province, four in Hai Phong, and two in Hung Yen Province.

The country has recorded 2,488 coronavirus cases as of Friday morning, including 1,572 local infections and 35 virus-related fatalities, according to the Ministry of Health.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
On March 20, voters in Louisianas Second Congressional District will choose a successor to former U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, who now works as a top aide to President Joe Biden. Voters in state House District 82, which encompasses Old Jefferson and other parts of Metairie, will likewise chose a new state representative. And in most parts of Jefferson Parish, voters will decide whether to renew a pair of property tax millages for improved water and sewer service.

Early voting in all those areas runs March 6-13. Turnout is expected to be low across the board, so we urge all our readers in those areas to make their voices heard. Sample ballot, polling locations and other voter information can be found at GeauxVote.com. We herewith offer our recommendations.

For Congress: Troy Carter

The Second Congressional District includes parts of 10 south Louisiana parishes, but almost 70% of its voters live in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Several of the 15 candidates in this race impressed us, most notably state Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson, activist Gary Chambers Jr., and business owner Desiree Ontiveros. We hope they all continue to serve their communities and will offer themselves for public service again. In this race, of course, voters can choose only one candidate. After examining their records and interviewing each of them on the issues, we recommend Troy Carter as Louisianas newest member of Congress.

Carter has served our area on several levels already  beginning in the state House of Representatives in the 1990s and then on the City Council. He lost a bid for mayor in 2002 and dropped out of public life, but he continued to serve the community in the private sector as a volunteer leader with several nonprofits and community groups. In 2016, he returned to the state Legislature as a senator representing both Orleans and Jefferson parishes on the West Bank.

As a senator, Carter has established a proven record of effectiveness by building coalitions to support (and in some cases, oppose) legislation affecting our region and its people. He has been on the forefront of advocating for a higher minimum wage, equal pay for women, ending wage discrimination and secrecy, LGBTQ rights, better health care for all (including mandatory insurance coverage for women recovering from breast cancer), criminal justice reform, expanded voting rights, affordable housing  and more. In Congress, he will work to pass President Bidens agenda for securing voting rights, addressing climate change, expanding and guaranteeing public health care, raising the minimum wage, and reforming the nations tax code.

Most important of all, Carter has shown that he can work with other lawmakers to move important legislation forward, particularly when it requires finding common ground with those who have opposing viewpoints. This is a critical skill set, one that Richmond displayed over the years. Louisiana needs someone with those skills more than ever. He is endorsed by the Alliance for Good Government, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng, New Orleans Councilmember Helena Moreno and more than 100 others  including Richmond. We add our name to that impressive list by urging our readers to elect Troy Carter as Louisianas next congressman.

House District 82: Eddie Connick

Voters in Old Jefferson and other parts of Metairie will choose a new state representative to replace former Rep. Charles Henry, who resigned after serving just one year in office. Three candidates are vying for the job. We recommend former medical and health services executive Eddie Connick.

Connick brings a strong business and medical background to the job. He spent more than two decades working for Medtronic, a leading medical technology firm. His experience there gives him uncommon insight into the challenges facing public health care, which he believes can be expanded via tightened audit procedures that will free up money for expanded care. He also will push for a top-to-bottom revision of Louisianas arcane tax code, including centralized sales tax collection, and for greater funding for early childhood education. He supports mandatory kindergarten and making it easier for citizens to vote legally, noting that fears of voter fraud are a red herring. He also will advocate for improved flood protection in his district. We recommend Eddie Connick for state representative in House District 82.

Jefferson Parish Tax Renewals: Yes

A pair of property tax renewals will appear on the ballot in parts of Jefferson Parish. These are existing taxes that support vital water and sewerage services in most but not all areas of the parish. Voters are being asked to renew them both for 10 years with a maximum millage (property tax) rate of 5 mills each. We recommend voters say YES to both propositions.

Both propositions are endorsed by the nonpartisan Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR), which examined them closely before making its recommendation. The taxes would provide revenue necessary to maintain and improve Jefferson Parishs water and sewer systems, BGR wrote in its analysis. The Parish has clear plans for implementing infrastructure projects that would address critical needs and reduce risks of system disruption and environmental hazards.

If approved by voters, the millage rates would increase nominally, but the total increase per $100,000 in a propertys value would be only about $33 a year  a paltry sum for improved water and sewer services. We urge our readers in the areas served by the water and sewer districts to vote YES on the two renewals.
Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH  A homeless man charged with a burglary in Mahanoy City on Jan. 28 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.

Isiah Kechula, 22, was arrested by Mahanoy City police Cpl. Charles Kovalewski and charged with two counts each of burglary, criminal trespass and receiving stolen property.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Kechula will now have to answer to all charges in Schuylkill County Court where he can plead guilty or plead not guilty and request a trial.

Kovalewski charged Kechula with breaking into a home at 131 E. Mahanoy Ave. and apparently living inside. Kechula also broke into a neighboring home at 129 W. Mahanoy Ave. and removed a sweatshirt and jacket, property of the owner of that building.

Other court cases included:

Karen M. Gregorio, 57, of 143 Lower Patch Road, Coal Township; held for court: stalking and harassment.

Michael C. Linkchorst, 40, of 4 Chunky Lane, Shenandoah; held for court: disorderly conduct.

Kyree T. Harris-Seabury, 20, of 2055 Alsace Road, Apt. 1B, Reading; withdrawn: aggravated assault, criminal trespass, unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person, intimidation of a witness or victim, strangulation, simple assault and terroristic threats.

Robert J. Hertzog Jr., 26, of 147 Merriam St., Mount Carmel; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, illegally operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock, careless driving, operation or permitting operation with unsafe equipment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christopher Brennan, 43, of 629 W. South St., Mahanoy City; withdrawn: driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Lisa Marie Neal, 28, of 321 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning; withdrawn: harassment.

Jason M. Ashfield, 44, of 53 Hazle St., Delano; withdrawn: aggravated assault, resisting arrest and harassment. Guilty plea: defiant trespass.

Tyler Dougherty, 22, of 27 W. South St., Mahanoy City; withdrawn: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Guilty plea: false identification to law enforcement.

Kevin J. Gordon, 35, of 307 W. Centre St., Shenandoah; dismissed: simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Austin Lee Creamer, 24, of 9 E. Pine St., Apt. A, Mahanoy City; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mateo J. Rivera, 22, of 135 Millers Road, Schuylkill Haven; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, too slow for conditions, violating hazard regulations, disregard for single traffic lane and careless driving.

Joseph R. Rush, 24, of 429 W. Pine St., Frackville; waived for court: making repairs to or selling offensive weapons.

Amzi Enos Smith, 41, of 428 Rolling Mill Ave., Tamaqua; withdrawn: theft by deception, receiving stolen property and deceptive business practices.

Larry C. Meier, 62, of 138 Main Blvd., Ringtown; waived for court: accidents involving damage to attended vehicles or property, duties at a stop sign, careless driving, failure to stop and give information or render aid and failure to notify police of an accident with damage to a vehicle.

Victor R. Santana, 31, of 305 W. Green St., West Hazleton; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Joseph A. Glowacki, 54, of 231 S. Second St., Frackville; waived for court; DUI, reckless driving and careless driving.

Anthony J. Klocek, 41, of 354 S. West St., Shenandoah; held for court: DUI-controlled substance, no rear lights, investigation by officer-duty of driver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Richard M. Catena, 42, of 259 Lafayette St., Apt. 2, Tamaqua; held for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gerald W. Blye Jr., 54, LKA 155 Sunbury St., Curran Hotel, Apt. 5, Minersville; withdrawn: criminal trespass. Waived for court: defiant trespass.

David A. Plachko

PORT CARBON  A man charged with threatening to kill his mother in Norwegian Township on Dec. 23 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.

Earl J. Davenport Jr., 34, of 803 Pinewood Drive, Pottsville, was arrested by state police Trooper Zachary Railing of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with one count each of terroristic threats, criminal mischief, harassment, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Davenport will now have to answer to all six charges in Schuylkill County Court, where he can plead guilty or enter a not guilty plea and request a trial.

Railing charged Davenport after an incident at his home where he became involved in an argument with Bernadette Davenport after she refused to give him a key to her vehicle.

Davenport grabbed his mother by her right cheek, pushed her into a chair and pulled her back when she tried to exit the home for help, Railing said.

The man then went outside where he grabbed a snow shovel and damaged his mothers vehicle and threatened to kill her if she called police, the trooper said.

Other court cases included:

Hugo Noel, 42, of 509 Howard Ave., Pottsville; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communications facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

James Lee Suggs, 25, of 42 Water St., Apt. 2, New Philadelphia; waived for court: simple assault and harassment.

Shanelle Lee Boyd, 31, of 103 Biddle St., Apt. 2L, Ashland; held for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tyler L. Rhein, 26, of Box 524, Kutztown; held for court: driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving a vehicle without a valid inspection, fraudulent possession, sale or use of display documents, fraudulent use or removal of a registration plate, driving without insurance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nicole Lin Ott, 31, of 506 Peacock St., Pottsville; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Justin T. Kanezo, 27, of 317 N. Third St., Port Carbon; waived for court: criminal trespass, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

William N. Dougherty, 44, of 313 W. Blaine St., McAdoo; held for court: receiving stolen property and retail theft.

Nathias D. Vengen II, 25, of 210 N. Second St., Apt. 1, Saint Clair; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, careless driving, disregard for single traffic lane, driving without insurance and failure to notify police of an accident with damage to a vehicle.

Wayne T. Lenosky, 39, of 139 Main St., Box 83, Seltzer; waived for court: driving an unregistered vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mark J. Omlor, 62, of 383 Manheim Road, Pottsville; waived for court: possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

James M. Reedy, 42, of 202 Wiconisco St., Lykens; waived for court: habitual offender, improperly displaying a plate and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

Brandon Lee Brill, 23, of 322 Laurel St., Minersville; held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeffrey M. Meyer, 51, of 309 Cherry St., Saint Clair; held for court: obedience to traffic control signals, exceeding the speed limit, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

David L. Huber Sr., 49, of 88 Hillside Ave., Palmerton; held for court: DUI-controlled substance, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, careeless driving, turning movements and required signals, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charles P. Hummel, 29, of 136 Pennsylvania Ave., Schuylkill Haven; waived for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kevin R. Gray, 31, of 1327 N. Seventh St., Apt. 3, Philadelphia; waived for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jeffrey S. Miller, 50, of 154 Country Club Road, Ashland; held for court: disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nathan K. Fisher, 34, of 300 Lewis St., Apt. 706, Minersville; held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Megan S. Garland, 42, of 662 Sunbury St., Minersville; waived for court: making repairs to or selling offensive weapons.

Allen Schrader, 27, of 484 Kutztown Road, Myerstown; waived for court: retail theft.

Lauren Kelly, 36, of 110 N. Nice St., Frackville; possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled susbstance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jury selection is one of the most difficult -- and crucial -- steps in any criminal trial. A veteran defense lawyer once told me, "Jury selection isn't just the most important thing; it's everything. As soon as the jury is chosen, the case is decided."

That process of choosing a jury is especially complicated in high-profile cases that have received wide media attention. And few if any trials in recent memory have been, and will be, the focus of a brighter spotlight than the trials of the four former Minneapolis police officers who are charged with the killing of George Floyd last May.

Judge Peter Cahill recently decided that the four charged defendants will be tried in two groups. First, Derek Chauvin, who pinned his knee on Floyd's neck for over eight minutes, will be tried alone, starting with jury selection on Monday. Then, the other three charged defendants will be tried together starting in August. This was a tactical setback for prosecutors, who objected to holding separate trials and asked the court to try all four defendants together. (Indeed, in my experience, it is advantageous for the prosecution to try all defendants at once, both for efficiency and to give the jury a full picture of the charged criminality).

The judge initially had ruled in favor of the prosecution, but then reversed course in January and ordered two separate trials because of concerns over courtroom crowding during the Covid crisis.

In both cases, the very first question will be this: how on earth do the parties select a jury in a case that virtually everybody has already heard about, and on which many already have strongly-held opinions? I've done trials that have received intense media coverage before -- though not on the scale of what we are about to see with the Chauvin trial -- and, in my experience, picking a fair jury will be difficult but not impossible.

The Minnesota rules of criminal procedure provide detailed instructions on the jury selection process. The pool of potential jurors must consist of "persons randomly selected from a fair cross-section of qualified county residents." Within that pool, each potential juror is then subjected to questioning -- called "voir dire" -- by the judge and the lawyers for the parties.

Following that questioning, potential jurors can be removed either "for cause" -- if the judge finds that the juror cannot be impartial -- or by the parties using "peremptory" strikes (not giving a reason) on potential jurors that they want to remove. In a second-degree murder case like the Chauvin trial, the defendant ordinarily has five peremptory strikes and the prosecutor has three. The parties can exercise those strikes for almost any reason, but not on the basis of a potential juror's race, gender or other Constitutionally protected factor.

Every or nearly every potential juror will have heard of Floyd's death before the trial begins. But that alone does not disqualify a potential juror. The key question is whether a juror can be impartial and can decide the case solely on the basis of the evidence at trial, and not on any pre-existing opinions or outside media coverage. If so, the potential juror can serve on the jury. And, if not, the judge and parties can prevent that person from sitting on the jury. The process is not perfect -- it is impossible to truly know whether a potential juror has a pre-existing bias, or has been or will be influenced by media coverage -- but it does build in vital safeguards intended to ensure an impartial jury.

Jury impartiality is a cornerstone of our legal system. Public confidence in a trial, and the verdict, largely depends on whether the jury is capable of ruling in an unbiased manner, based solely on the evidence produced in the courtroom. And that public confidence will never be more important than in the upcoming trials of Chauvin and the other former officers in Minnesota.

Now, your questions

James (Florida): Can Steve Bannon still be charged with state crimes, even though he was pardoned by former President Trump?

Yes, he can. Bannon and three others were charged in August 2020 by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York with fraud relating to a scheme to steal money donated to a group called "We Fund the Wall." (Bannon pleaded not guilty and said the charges were a "fiasco" intended to "stop people who want to build the wall.") On his final full day in office in January 2021, then-President Donald Trump pardoned Bannon.

A presidential pardon, however, can cover only federal charges, but not state-level charges. The Manhattan District Attorney (which can charge New York state crimes) reportedly has subpoenaed records relating to Bannon's involvement in the alleged "We Build the Wall" scam and there are New York state-level crimes that could apply to the conduct previously alleged by the SDNY. If the Manhattan DA's office finds sufficient evidence, it can charge Bannon, notwithstanding the pardon issued by Trump.

Gregory (Florida): Is there a way to require that presidential pardons first must be reviewed or approved by the Justice Department?

Probably not. For over 125 years, the Justice Department, through the Office of the Pardon Attorney, has provided presidents with advice and guidance relating to exercise of the pardon power. Typically, applicants submit a request for consideration to the Pardon Attorney, who then makes recommendations to the president. But the Pardon Attorney's recommendations are merely advisory, and not mandatory.

During his presidency, Trump largely ignored the Pardon Attorney. President Joe Biden is free to use the Pardon Attorney however he pleases; he can consider the Pardon Attorney's advice, follow it or ignore it altogether. While Congress theoretically could pass legislation making Pardon Attorney review and approval mandatory before a president grants any pardons, such legislation likely would violate Article II of the Constitution, which vests the pardon power solely in the president himself, unlimited by other governmental agencies or actors.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
The decision came into force on March 4, 2021.

The European Union has officially lifted sanctions off two allies of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych; these are former Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov and former Education Minister Dmytro Tabachnyk.

The relevant information has been posted in the Official Journal of the European Union.

"The Annex to Decision 2014/119/CFSP is amended as follows: (1) in section A ('List of persons, entities and bodies referred to in Article 1'), the entries for the following persons are deleted: Dmytro Volodymyrovych Tabachnyk; Serhiy Hennadiyovych Arbuzov," the EU Council said in its decision of March 4, 2021.

Read alsoEU Council extends sanctions against Yanukovych, his alliesAt the same time, sanctions remain in force against former President Viktor Yanukovych, former Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko, former Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka, former Deputy Interior Minister Viktor Ratushniak, former president's son Oleksandr Yanukovych, former prosecutor general's son Artem Pshonka, businessman Serhiy Kurchenko, and former Minister of Revenue and Taxes Oleksandr Klymenko.

In particular, sanctions against Yanukovych and his son, Pshonka and his son, Zakharchenko, Ratushniak, and Kurchenko are extended until March 6, 2022, while those against Klymenko are prolonged until September 6, 2021.

The decision came into force on March 4, 2021.

Background

The sanctions were initially introduced on March 6, 2014, against former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his government officials for misappropriation of budget funds and human rights violations.

The restrictions have been extended on a yearly basis since then.

In 2020, the EU decided to lift sanctions off former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and former Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Eduard Stavytskiy (also spelled Stavytskyi).

Reporting by UNIAN

Supreme Court Dismisses Sanctuary City Cases at Request of Bidens DOJ

The Supreme Court has dismissed three pending requests to hear challenges to the Trump administrations order to withhold millions of dollars in law enforcement funds from so-called sanctuary jurisdictionsstates and cities that refuse to cooperate with Department of Homeland Security efforts to deport people residing in the United States illegally.

After a request from the Biden administration yesterday, the Supreme Court just dismissed three pending cert petitions (requests to hear a case) about the Trump administrations effort to withhold money from so-called sanctuary cities, the SCOTUSblog Twitter account noted.

In 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that called on U.S. agencies to withhold federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions, many of which are governed by Democrats. Part of Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration, the order made federal money to state and local governments conditional upon their giving U.S. immigration officials access to their jails and advance notice when illegal immigrants were being released from custody. Lower courts were divided on whether the policy was lawful.

After taking office, Biden rescinded Trumps 2017 executive order, in another course reversal by the new administration on various Trump policies that had been challenged in court and were heading to the Supreme Court for consideration.

Given Bidens decision to revoke Trumps sanctuary city order, which effectively moots the associated policies, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed letters with the Supreme Court in all three related cases, seeking their dismissal and noting an agreement had been made with the parties that were challenging Trumps action.

The three cases involve New York City, San Francisco, and various states including California and New York, with lawyers representing the various jurisdictions in the three cases saying they agreed with Bidens DOJ that the cases should be tossed.

In a statement, New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed satisfaction with the move.

Were pleased that despite the Trump administrations attempts to exact revenge on cities and states through vindictive policies and continued litigation that we were able to work with the Biden administration to dismiss this case in the Supreme Court, James said. We look forward to continuing to work with the administration to ensure state and localities never have to choose between protecting their autonomy and protecting the publics safety.

Proponents of sanctuary city policies argue they improve public safety by increasing trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, while opponents say such policies pose a threat to public safety by making it more difficult to deport criminals who reside in the country illegally.

Last month, the Supreme Court canceled oral arguments in two other cases after Biden changed course from Trump. Both were appeals by the Trump administrationone defending funding of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and the other defending the remain in Mexico asylum policy.

The administration also has asked the court to cancel an upcoming argument on a policy introduced under Trump backing work requirements for people who receive healthcare under the Medicaid program for the poor.

The administration last month told the justices the Obamacare healthcare law should be upheld, reversing the position taken under Trump.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Gulf Shores has banned alcohol on its beaches for the past six years during Spring Break. Now Orange Beach is outright closing a beach during the break.

The city announced Friday that a large portion of Alabama Point East beach at Perdido Pass is closed to visitors starting today. The closure will last until further notice, and its reopening will depend on the parameters of the next Safer at Home health order. The current order expires on April 9.

According to city spokesman Marc Anderson, the section of state-owned beach underneath and near the Perdido Pass Bridge was closed last year and greatly helped the city and states efforts to reduce crowding on the beach during the pandemic.

People jumping from the base of the Perdido Pass bridge during Spring Break 2020.

But Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon said the beachs spring closures could become a springtime tradition in order to create a sanctuary city for families and to eliminate an MTV destination.

Weve eliminated that area so we dont have all of these spring breakers sowing mischief, said Kennon.

Kennon said the decision to close the beach is absolutely about Spring Break and less about the coronavirus pandemic.

He said, Well eliminate any place in town where they can congregate by the hundreds.

City Administrator Ken Grimes said the closure is a combination of both.

I think our recent history during Spring Break shows the amount of people, and especially young people, who gather in that spot, Grimes said. They like to jump off that bridge piling. They are near a bathroom. During Spring Break, they gather in such large numbers and they put a stress on our resources in managing that section of beach with the large amounts of what are typically underage kids.

Grimes said he could envision the beach closure lasting through April with a reopening considered for May, or around the same time the summer tourism starts.

My guess is all of April will be closed off, said Grimes.

At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last year, the beach drew large congregations of Spring Break activity, and was closed after outrage surfaced online from images of large congregations of youths underneath the bridge. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey then ordered the beaches closed for six weeks, and occupancy plummeted during the month of April as Spring Break plans were canceled throughout the coastal region.

As Anderson noted, the states Safer at Home health order requires people to maintain a constant 6-foot social distance. The beach remained closed until Labor Day weekend, which is typically the final weekend during the coastal areas peak summer travel season.

The beach closure is the largest effort by Orange Beach to curtail crowds during Spring Break. The city, which does not and operate any public beaches along the coast, cannot unilaterally stop people from drinking alcohol on the beaches, Kennon said. He said the effort to close Alabama Point East was done in conjunction with the state.

A representative with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was not immediately available for comment.

The Gulf Shores alcohol ban begins on Monday and will last through April 9, according to city spokesman Grant Brown. It applies for roughly the entire stretch of beaches within the city, extending from the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge to the east and Gulf State Park to the west.

A roadway that leads to Alabama Point East beach in Orange Beach, Ala. Much of the beach will be closed to the public starting on Friday, March 5, 2021, and continuing until further notice. (photo courtesy of the city of Orange Beach).

Orange Beach has, in the past, cracked down on past unruly Spring Break. Past efforts by police included releasing announcements banning specific activities such sleeping in cars, jumping off balconies or digging large holes with steel shovels into the beach sands.

Efforts pushing back against Spring Break misbehavior have continued since 2016, in which much of the activity -- including videos of college students jumping off of condominium balconies into swimming pools  were circulated by locals on social media.

Gulf Shores police logged 288 criminal charges during the March 12-18, 2016, spring break week. A majority of those arrests were underage drinking. Once the booze ban went into effect, the beaches quickly quieted.

The headline was clarified in this story to indicated that one of the beaches in Orange Beach had closed on Friday, March , 2021.
The small Swedish town of Vetlanda was in shock on Thursday, reeling from a stabbing attack that left seven injured, while police said it was too early to determine the motives of the suspected 22-year old Afghan assailant

Vetlanda, Sweden, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :The small Swedish town of Vetlanda was in shock on Thursday, reeling from a stabbing attack that left seven injured, while police said it was too early to determine the motives of the suspected 22-year old Afghan assailant.

Authorities said Thursday the case was being treated as attempted murder, while police said they were investigating "potential terror motives." "The motive is an important aspect of the investigation as it could affect the potential charge," regional police chief Malena Grann told a press conference, adding that the attacker seemed to have acted alone.

While stressing that the investigation is in its early stages, Grann said police had already questioned witnesses, collected evidence and searched the man's residence.

Police had informed the arrested man, identified only as a 22-year-old with Afghan citizenship, that he was a suspect but had yet to question about the actual act.

All the injured were men, born between 1945 and 1985.

"There is currently nothing that indicates any type of relation between the suspect and the plaintiffs," local police chief Jonas Lindell told reporters.

- 'Nightmare' - The suspect was taken to hospital after being shot in the leg by police following the attack in the town of 13,000 people in southern Sweden.

"Right now we are a municipality in shock and given what we are hearing from elsewhere the whole country is in shock," Vetlanda Mayor Henrik Tvarno told a press conference.

"There are so many questions that we are looking for answers to. What has happened, what is behind this? It is a nightmare," Tvarno added.

On Thursday, several police officers patrolled the area where the bloody attack occurred the day before.

A heart-shaped bouquet of red roses and candles was placed near the scene of one of the stabbings.

"It's a small town and we've never had something like this happen before and I think it's quite shocking," 54-year-old Vetlanda resident Ulrika Lovfor told AFP.

Three of those attacked were said to have suffered life-threatening injuries, but were in stable condition, while two others were in serious condition, according to the local health authority in Jonkoping where they were being treated in hospital.

Public prosecutor Adam Rullman also told AFP on Thursday that in the event of it being designated a terrorist crime it would be handled by a special unit within the Prosecution Authority.

"They have not deemed it necessary for them to take over the investigation at this stage," Rullman added.

The prosecution authority later said in a statement that they had requested the district court to remand the suspect in custody, with a hearing expected on Friday.

- 'Attack on innocent people' - According to media reports, the suspect arrived in Sweden in 2018 and was awaiting a decision on a residence permit.

Several thousand young Afghans have travelled to Sweden to seek asylum in recent years, with many arriving via Iran.

Initial reports said eight people hade been injured but a police statement early Thursday revised the number to seven.

The suspect was a resident of the area and previously known to police, but in the past had only been accused of "petty crimes", including small-scale cannabis use, according to local media reports.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven called it an "attack on innocent people" but he too noted the investigation remained an attempted murder probe.

"A lot is still unknown, but one thing is certain and that is that every attack against innocents will be met by the joint strength of all of Sweden," Lofven said.

Swedish intelligence services say the possibility of an Islamist extremist attack was considered high, with the Scandinavian country having been targeted twice in recent years.

In December 2010, a man carried out a suicide bomb attack in the centre of Stockholm. He died after only slightly injuring passers-by.

In April 2017, a radicalised Uzbek asylum seeker ran over pedestrians in Stockholm with a stolen truck, killing five people. He was sentenced to life in prison.

The country has also seen extremist violence linked to the far-right.

In 2015, a racially motivated attack at a school left three dead.

Advertisement

College students have descended on Florida for spring break with Fort Lauderdale beaches packed with maskless revelers, sparking fears that another surge in COVID-19 infections could be on the horizon.

Partygoers flocked to beaches and bars in the Sunshine State this week for the annual tradition after Governor Ron DeSantis said he welcomed more visitors to help the economic recovery from the pandemic.

The influx of people has fueled concerns among hospitality workers serving the raucous crowds as they are yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccines and the state does not have a mask mandate in place.

In the popular Miami Beach area, an official is urging spring breakers looking for an 'anything-goes party attitude' to head to Las Vegas instead and has implemented tighter COVID-19 safety restrictions to try to prevent a repeat of the post-Thanksgiving holiday surge.

Fears of a resurgence of the virus comes as deaths and hospitalizations continue to decline across the US with another 1,743 Americans dying in the last day - less than half the daily death toll recorded one month ago.

College students have descended on Florida for spring break with Fort Lauderdale beaches packed with maskless revelers, sparking fears that another surge in COVID-19 infections could be on the horizon

People flock to the beaches of Fort Lauderdale Thursday to celebrate spring break in the Sunshine State

Nationwide, the number of people hospitalized with the virus has also dropped dramatically in the last month with 44,172 patients in hospitals across the US Thursday, according to the COVID Tracking Project.

Just four states - New York, New Jersey, the District of Columbia and Georgia - are now recording more than 200 patients per million residents.

Back on February 4, more than half of all US states did and 12 had more than 300 patients per million residents.

The number of new cases remained static with 65,487 infections recorded Thursday, a slight dip from the 66,836 new cases reported the day before.

Though hospitalizations have fallen by more than half in several states and deaths are also in decline, Joe Biden and the CDC are urging Americans not to let down their guard as the nation continues to roll out the vaccine.

Several states are easing COVID-19 restrictions with the Republican governors of Texas and Mississippi lifting all rules and mask mandates this week before most residents receive the vaccine.

The president slammed their 'neanderthal' decisions, warning that a relaxation of rules now could undo the downward trend in cases, deaths and hospitalizations.

Fears have been mounting that Texas could see a growth in cases after people were forced to huddle in warming shelters when rolling power blackouts left 4.3 million people without power and more than 14.6 million were left without access to safe drinking water during the deadly winter storms last month.

Now, Florida is being eyed as another cause for concern as spring breakers have stuck with tradition and headed to the beaches and bars of the Sunshine State despite infections still topping 65,000 per day nationwide.

Hordes of college students were spotted baking in the sunny weather on beaches in Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach and partying in popular bars with no masks in sight this week.

Revelers flocked to the beaches and bars for the annual tradition after Governor Ron DeSantis said he welcomed more visitors to help the economic recovery from the pandemic

The influx of people has fueled concerns among hospitality workers serving the raucous crowds as they are yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccines and the state does not have a mask mandate in place

College students have long enjoyed the beaches and bars of Florida for their annual getaway.

But the frivolities were disrupted last year as spring break coincided with much of the nation being plunged into lockdown as the pandemic ground America to a halt.

This year, Mayor Dan Gelber of Miami Beach told WSVN 7 News the popular spot is bracing for a 'larger than typical spring break' as COVID-weary Americans head for the shores amid a fall in cases and hopes of vaccinations.

And partygoers have been given the blessing of Republican Governor DeSantis, who said in his State of the State speech in Tallahassee this week that he welcomes more visitors to come to Florida.

In the absence of statewide protocols, some areas are now enforcing their own stricter COVID-19 safety rules for the spring break period.

Miami Beach officials have introduced limits on the capacity of people on some public beaches and in parking garages, while drinking alcohol and setting up tents and coolers is banned on beaches.

Nationwide, the number of cases, deaths and hospitalisations has fallen since the start of the year, data shows

Just four states - New York, New Jersey, the District of Columbia and Georgia - are now recording more than 200 patients per million residents (left). Back on February 4, more than half of all US states did (right)

Fears of a resurgence of the virus comes as deaths and hospitalizations continue to decline across the US with another 1,743 Americans dying in the last day - less than half the daily death toll recorded one month ago

The rules are in place from February 22 through April 12 to cover the popular holiday season and there is a heavier police presence to enforce the rules.

Miami Beach's city manager Raul Aguila told partygoers not willing to respect the restrictions to stay away from Florida altogether and head to Sin City instead.

'If you are coming here with an anything-goes party attitude, change your flight reservation now and go to Vegas,' Aguila said in a city council meeting.

'Miami Beach is not going to tolerate anarchy.'

Aguila added in a press release that anyone not holidaying 'responsibly' will be arrested.

For the bar staff and waitresses working in the beach bars, the holiday season has led to fears of a sudden spike in cases.

A hostess at Kantina in Miami Beach told the Daily Beast the new visitors are not taking the virus seriously and may be posing a health risk to hospitality workers who are not yet eligible for the vaccine.

'I think Spring Break is going to be crazy and the cases are going to shoot up,' Candelaria Mesa said.

'People are out here partying and don't take precautions seriously.'

She added: 'I know people here who are older than me and one who has asthma that want [the vaccine]. And they should be able to get it.'

Hospitality workers are not yet able to get the vaccine in Florida where more than 31,000 people have died and 1.93 million have been infected.

Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and school staff aged 50 and older were added to the list of those who can now get the vaccine this week on top of frontline healthcare workers and seniors aged 65 and older already eligible.

DeSantis has not given a timeline for when restaurant and bar workers can get the shot.

In total, 15.8 percent of Floridians have had their first dose with 8.8 percent having had both their first and second.

Nationwide, more than 82 million doses have been administered with 16.3 percent of Americans now fully vaccinated and 8.4 percent having received their first dose.

Like much of the nation, COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations have been in decline since late January in Florida. Four Floridians died Wednesday from the virus compared to 172 one month ago on February 3.

However the virus is still present with 6,144 new cases Wednesday while University of Miami researchers have said the UK 'super-COVID' strain - which is more contagious - is responsible for around a quarter of new cases.

Across America, 28.8 million people have been infected and almost 520,000 have died since the start of the pandemic.
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has charged his representatives to the US, the UN and the EU to pursue economic diplomacy, re-engagement and re-affirm relations as the country is a friend to all and an enemy to none.

The President yesterday briefed the countrys Ambassador Designates Amon Mutembwa, who is going to the EU, Mr Stuart Comberbach, Switzerland UN, and Mr Tedeous Chifamba who will represent the country to the US in Washington on their respective missions.

The trio, who are veteran diplomats, pledged to pursue President Mnangagwa re-engagement policy and sell brand Zimbabwe as they embark on their new missions.

The deployment of the veteran diplomats comes at a time when Zimbabwe is reaching out to all nations including those that imposed economic sanctions on the country almost two decades ago as punishment for the land reform programme.

In an interview after a closed door meeting with the President, Ambassador Mutembwa, who will also cover Belgium and Luxembourg said he will pursue both bilateral and multilateral engagements.

He (the President) noted issues related to the renewal of sanctions, the specific areas that were covered by the European Union and also encouraged engagement so that we look into those issues to alleviate the challenges we are facing.

He also pointed at opportunities that are ripe in our conversation with the European Union. Obviously, conversations are going to go beyond bilateral dimensions to multilateral dimensions. We are looking at areas of convergence. We are looking at more favourable relations between Zimbabwe and Europe, he said.

Ambassador Chifamba, who comes in a few days after the Joe Biden administration renewed the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe, said he will use his time in Washington to make it clear that Zimbabwe is not an enemy to the US.

The President has said very clearly that we want to be a friend to all countries and an enemy to none. He has given us instructions to pursue economic diplomacy and look at ways that can benefit Zimbabwe and the US.

We are not really surprised that the US has renewed sanctions on Zimbabwe. The administration in Washington is new. Now we have an opportunity to work hard over the next two years to ensure that we bring our relations to new heights and that we refocus on mutually beneficial interests. We have a lot to offer to the US and we believe the US has a lot to offer to us, he said.

Ambassador Comberbach said he is on a mission to tell the world about the Second Republics commitment to reforms.

We were not really surprised by the renewal of sanctions by the US. The indications from Washington were that they had certain concerns. We didnt expect those sanctions to be removed at this stage.

The disappointment is that they have failed to acknowledge the extensive reforms that have been made by the Second Republic at an economic level, legislative level, a number of reforms have been made. We believe we have made a lot of progress. The President is absolutely committed to engagement, re-engagement and re-affirming existing relations. He is committed to the reform process, said Ambassador Comberbach.

While addressing the Zanu-PF Politburo meeting on Wednesday, the President made it clear that Zimbabwe will never compromise on national interests and principles of Pan-Africanism.

He said the country continues to advance its engagement and re-engagement Policy. The President added that the newly sworn-in Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Dr Fredrick Shava, will drive the countrys quest to embrace and be embraced by as many countries in the comity of nations as possible, while facilitating the attraction of global capital and promoting trade. Herald
During the second day of the workshop concerning the validation of China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement, Huawei Technologies showcased further objectives earmarked in the near future following the ambition of Shaping Future Economic Perspectives. The Free Trade Agreement will enable Huawei to collaborate with a multitude of companies at local and international levels. It will also expand Huaweis reach to not only businesses but also financial services, including numerous global banks from around the world.

The second day of the workshop was attended by various prestigious banking firms as well as Hon. Darsanand Balgobin, Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Hon. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Hon. Alan Ganoo, Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr. Harvesh Seegolam, Governor, Bank of Mauritius, along with Mr. Ian Valentine, Principal Consultant, Huawei Technologies.

The Hon. Darsanand Balgobin has highlighted that, Mauritius can serve as an ICT service base for the African market. Chinese and Mauritian ventures are most welcome to set up assembly plants in Mauritius for technological products like smart phones, smart TVs and target the African Continent.

Big Chinese multinationals, in the ICT sector, like Huawei, has brought in their contribution in the sector. He said, They have structured their HQ in Mauritius and employing more than 300 employees. Huawei is also contributing to create the talent to support Mauritius shift into a digital and service-based economy for example the Seeds for the Future programme where they provide local students training and exposure to cutting edge technology and know-how from China. Huawei has been a major partner in organizing various events likes the World AI Show, to shape the AI roadmap of Mauritius, the 5G seminar, Innovation for All Summit. 

Other big Chinese businesses like Alibaba could leverage Mauritius geographic position as a logistics hub and service the Eastern and Southern African region, Minister Balgobin also said.

Representing Huawei on the panel discussion The Trilateral Axis: China  Mauritius  Africa, Mr. Ian Valentine claims that, Mauritius can act as a bridge between the Western Clouds, and the Chinese Clouds which implies that Mauritius will be a gateway for China to the Western countries, and vice versa. During the panel discussion, the focus was on the exponential digitisation of the economy in the Financial Sector and its positive effect on revolutionizing Africa. Mr. Valentine also reveals that Mauritius can be a Catalyst for the unification of Africa as a force on the global economy.

Partager et informez vous aussi......

0 shares Share

Tweet

LinkedIn
All eyes were on Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday when he made his first public, in-person appearance responding to sexual harassment allegations against him that emerged this past week. City & State compiled a transcript of his comments, along with notes providing additional context, history and reactions to the statements he made apologizing for his actions and urging New Yorkers to withhold judgment until an investigation into the allegations is completed.

This transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Cuomo: I want to address the recent allegations that have been made against me. As you probably know, And I will fully cooperate with that review. Now the lawyers say, I shouldn't say anything  until that review is over. I understand that. I'm a lawyer, too. But I want New Yorkers to hear from me directly on this. First, I fully support a woman's right to come forward. And I think it should be encouraged in every way. I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional. And I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it. And frankly, I am embarrassed by it. And that's not easy to say, but that's the truth. But this is what I want you to know, and I want you to know this from me directly. I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never knew at the time, I was making anyone feel uncomfortable. And I certainly never, ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone any pain. That is the last thing I would ever want to do. I ask the people of this state to Get the facts please before forming an opinion. And the attorney general is doing that review. I will fully cooperate with it, and then you will have the facts and make a decision when you know the facts. I also want you to know that I have learned from what has been an incredibly difficult situation. For me, as well as other people. And I've learned an important lesson. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for whatever pain I caused anyone. I never intended it. And I will be better for this experience.

Q: First of all, I wonder if given the distractions of these two investigations, especially the one involving sexual harassment, you feel that you might want to step aside  that you should step aside  especially in negotiating the budget, which could be one of the most important budgets that the state has ever had to deal with. And my second question has to do with the pictures that have surfaced of you touching a female (unintelligible). The reason I'm asking the question is, I've also seen circulated pictures of you touching the faces of people all over this state, young and old, and I wonder what you make of those pictures.

Cuomo: You're right about the state budget. It is critically important. The state budget is going to turn the page to the rebuilding phase. We've been working very hard to get funding from Washington to fill the gap. And that has been going well. We have to see what we actually get, but we then have tremendous financial needs on top of that. People have to pay the rent, they need food, etc. You also have It's teetering to use a word. Crime is way up. Homelessness is way up. Many people have left New York City  Hamptons, mid-Hudson Valley, other states. We have to get New York City functional again and safe again and viable again and we have to do that quickly. We have a new mayor that's going to be selected basically in June. I guess something could happen in November, but basically in June. And that work has to start right away, so yes the budget is very important.

Q: Should you step aside and let someone else handle it?

Cuomo: Having said that, I'm going to cooperate with the attorney general's investigation and do the budget. Remember we did a budget last year. In the spring, in the heat of COVID, where it was the most intense period of my life, of this government's life, of this state's life. And we did both, and we'll do both here. On the pictures. Marsha, I understand the opinion of and feelings of Ms. (unintelligible). And you are right, you can find hundreds of pictures of me making the same gesture with hundreds of people: women, men, children, etc. You know that because you've watched me for, let's just say more years than we can remember. By the way, it was my father's way of greeting people. You're the governor of the state. You want people to feel comfortable. You want to reach out to them. I do it. I kiss and hug legislators. I was in an event in Queens the other day, hugged the pastors and the Assembly members were there. So that is my way to do that. However, what I also understand is, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter my intent. What matters is, if anybody was offended by it. And I could intend no offense. But if they were offended by it, then it was wrong. And if they were offended by it, I apologize. And if they were hurt by it, I apologize. And if they felt pain from it. I apologize, I apologize. I did not intend it. I didn't mean it that way. But, if that's how they felt, that's all that matters, and I apologize.

Q: I just wanted to ask you, with all these calls in the last couple of days, calling for your resignation from some Democrats  Is this your way of saying, I'm certainly not resigning?

Cuomo: Look, I wasn't elected by politicians. I was elected by the people of the state of New York. I'm not going to resign. I work for the people of the state of New York. They elected me, and I'm going to serve the people of the state of New York and by the way we have a full plate. We have COVID, we have recovery, we have rebuilding, we have a teetering New York City. We have a terrible financial picture. We have to do vaccines. So no. I'm going to do the job that people of the state elected me to do.

Q: Why did it take for you to go before the cameras when people have noted your absence for so many days? My second question is, what assurances can you provide New Yorkers that there are not other accusers?

I apologized I apologized today. I will apologize tomorrow. I will apologize the day after. And I want New Yorkers to understand because this is more  the facts will come out in the attorney general's review. But I want them to understand the emotion, because it's really, for me, it's as much about the emotion. I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable. I never ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone pain. I feel terrible that these people have felt uncomfortable, felt hurt, felt pain from the interactions. And I'm embarrassed by it, and I feel bad from it. I'm not in this business to make people feel uncomfortable. I'm here to help them, that's the essence of what I do. I do not believe I have ever done anything in my public career that I am ashamed of. I feel badly that I did. And I'm gonna learn from it, Marsha asked me about, you know  my usual custom is to kiss and to hug and make that gesture. I understand that sensitivities have changed, and behavior has changed. And I get it, and I'm going to learn from it.

Q: If a member of your administration had done what you are currently accused of and have admitted to, what would you tell them and what would be a satisfactory disposition for you?

Cuomo: Let's be clear on the facts first. We haven't gotten the facts. Let the attorney general, do a review and let's get the facts. And that's what I said in my statement to New Yorkers. I'm a former attorney general. I've been through the situation too many times where everybody has an opinion because they've read this, they read this and then, all of a sudden, the facts come out and it's a different situation. So wait for the facts before you form an opinion. And as I said, my, my behavior here. I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable. And if I ever did make people feel uncomfortable, which I now understand that I have, I apologize for it. But then let the attorney general's office actually review the facts.

Q: You apologized several times this afternoon. Who are you apologizing to?

Cuomo: I was apologizing to the

Q: Were you also speaking to New Yorkers?

Cuomo: To New York. I am saying that I'm embarrassed by what happened. I wear a pin that says, pride, integrity, performance. That's what it says on the pin, you can't read it: pride, integrity, performance. So I'm embarrassed that someone felt that way, in my administration. I'm embarrassed and hurt and I apologize that somebody who interacted with me felt that way. Again, I didn't know at the time, I was making her feel uncomfortable. I never meant to but that doesn't matter if the person feels uncomfortable, if a person feels pain, if a person is offended. I feel very badly about that and I apologize for it. There's no, but, you know. It's, I'm sorry.

Q: Have you yourself taken the sexual harassment training required by New York that all employers are to give to their employees?

Cuomo: The short answer is yes.

The governor's office did not respond to a request for comment for this story by publication time.


(Newser)  "All the deaths in the nursing homes and hospitals were always fully, publicly, and accurately reported," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said last month, insisting there had been no cover-up of nursing home deaths. Sources tell the Wall Street Journal, however, that Cuomo's aides pushed health officials to remove the deaths of thousands of nursing home residents from a July report, resulting in an undercount of around 50%. The report, issued amid controversy over a March 25 directive banning nursing homes from refusing new or returning residents who had tested positive for COVID-19, initially said more than 9,000 nursing home residents had died from the virus. After the Cuomo aides intervened to exclude deaths of residents who had died after being transferred to hospitals, the number given was 6,432.

story continues below

The aides involved included Melissa DeRosa, the Democratic governor's top aide, the New York Times reports. The true figures were finally released in February. The aides involved had no public health experience, but state officials argue that the changes were made for the sake of accuracy, not to protect Cuomo's reputation. "While early versions of the report included out-of-facility deaths, the COVID task force was not satisfied that the data had been verified against hospital data and so the final report used only data for in-facility deaths," New York Department of Health spokesperson Gary Holmes said Thursday, per the AP. In more bad news for the embattled governor, Charlotte Bennett and Lindsey Boylan, two of the three women accusing Cuomo of sexual harassment, have rejected the public apology he offered Wednesday, reports Reuters. (Read more Andrew Cuomo stories.)
Porterville, CA (93257)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. Record high temperatures expected. High near 105F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
If there is one person who became the living emblem of the incursion into the Capitol on January 6, it is the man dubbed the QAnon Shaman. Jacob Chansley showed up in several pictures with his face painted red, white, and blue; his body covered with shamanistic tattoos; and his head attired with a fur hat sporting large horns. This horror, the media told America, was the living emblem of the evil, racist Trump supporters who were committing a deadly, armed insurrection against the seat of the American government.

Interestingly, the best evidence that, as is often the case, Democrats narrative was a lie came from a video The New Yorker published. It shows that Chansley is an odd bird, but obviously was not acting violently. Instead, he engages very politely with a Capitol Hill police officer:

Because of Chansleys costume (which hes worn before  and more on that later), he was easy to identify and the government quickly arrested him. Hes been in solitary confinement ever since, with no bail. This is in stark contrast to the way in which BLM and Antifa protesters were treated last year. Despite their heinous acts of looting, property destruction, and attacks on police officers, they were usually released instantly, whether without bail or with monies from leftist celebrities who paid for their bail. And just yesterday, we learned that the Biden DOJ is dismissing Portland Antifa cases left and right -- or just left and left, I guess.

On Thursday, 60 Minutes+ put online an interview with Chansley. Without his rather magnificent costume, he seems very shrunken but, to his credit, hes not going to accept the reporters accusations against him. (And again, just try to imagine Laurie Segall taking that antagonistic tone with someone from BLM or Antifa. The media treated those peaceful protesters with something akin to reverence.)

Chansley denies completely having engaged in any violent or destructive acts  and theres no video footage showing anything to the contrary. Meanwhile, Segall lies right from the get-go, referring to one officer killed. In fact, theres no evidence at all that poor Officer Sicknick was killed. He died either from a stroke or, possibly, from an allergic reaction. Of course, the FBIs Christopher Wray refuses to say  despite Sicknick having already been subject to a coroners report and then cremated.

Chansley also calls her on her lie that he violently broke into the Senate chambers. In fact, he says, a police officer escorted him in. At every turn, Segall lies and Chansley corrects her. He may be loopy, but shes a leftist shill pushing a dishonest narrative. Thus, in another example of dishonesty, she says a mob broke through Capitol doors, but footage she doesnt show reveals that the police opened the doors from inside and invited people in.

What the media doesnt report is that Chansley may be a patriot and non-violent (and good for him on both those scores) but he hasnt always been a friend to Trump. Instead, less than two years ago, Chansley was an ardent Climate Change activist who opposed Trump. For copyright reasons, I cant reproduce the photos here, but you can see him in the first picture from the report about a September 2019 march on the Arizona State Capitol to protest Trumps policies. The sample caption says:

Jake Angeli [aka Chansley], shamanic practitioner, leads the crowd in a yell before the march in solidarity with climate activism groups across the country to the Arizona State Capitol Building Friday, September 20, 2019.

He shows up in another photo saying that he is in the march to demand action on climate change. And in another photo, in which hes in a bull costume and identified as Jake Chansley, hes holding this sign:

At some point, Chansley lost interest in climate change and found QAnon.

Chansley is a character; indeed, he's a lost soul. As he moves from one issue to another, his motives are always because he's always searching, never finding.

But as between a 60 Minutes talking head and Jake Angeli Chansley, the latter is more honest. Hes defending himself and shes spouting the leftist party line as if its the truth. Incidentally, I cannot find any evidence of Segall speaking out against BLM, Antifa, or the shrieking hysterics who invaded the Senate during the Kavanaugh hearings.

IMAGE: Jake Chansley. YouTube screengrab.
Harpers late husband, William, also worked as an actor and appeared in such films as The Fugitive and Home Alone II, according to a 1994 Chicago Tribune story. William Harper, who died in 1994 at age 73, also worked as a technician on the Manhattan Project for Enrico Fermi and was a jazz drummer known as Skin Willie, according to the Tribune.
Around 4,000 savers will have 210million in cash returned to them after Wyelands Bank was ordered, in an unprecedented move by the Bank of England, to repay all of its depositors in full.

Holders of its 35 and 95-day notice accounts, which have paid zero interest after a succession of cuts, will be paid until the end of the notice period and savers who held fixed-rate accounts will be paid up to the end of their term.

Wyelands Bank was launched in 2017 by British steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta and racked up a 433million loan book funded by 726million in deposits from more than 15,000 savers by the end of April 2019, according to its latest accounts.

Steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta founded Wyelands Bank in 2017

But less than two years later it has become the first bank since the Bank of England's PRA was launched in 2013 to be ordered to repay all its depositors.

The number of savers has fallen by 11,000 since 2019 and its deposits by 516million since 2019. However, the amount held currently in the bank suggests 52,500 on average per depositor.

Money raked in by Wyelands was described by the bank as 'helping to support industrial growth and SME-sized businesses.'

It stopped taking deposits last year, having previously offered notice and fixed-rate deals both through its own website and through savings platforms like Raisin UK.

It offered two, three, four and five-year fixed-rate bonds through Raisin but has not offered new deals on the platform for a long time.

Meanwhile, the last time its accounts were in the best buy tables was last spring, with the bank seemingly seeking to force out existing customers without attracting new deposits.

Wyelands will close all customer accounts by 24 March, it said on a statement on its website, with savers notified of the next steps on March 8.

'Depositors do not need to take any action at this stage. The Bank has been working closely with its regulators regarding this repayment to depositors', it said.

It insisted the bank was 'solvent and has sufficient financial resources to meet all of its obligations and repay all depositors', with Gupta announcing a 75million cash injection into the bank on Tuesday to help it pay back savers.

The bank, part of the 'saviour of steel's' GFG Alliance, has reportedly drawn scrutiny from regulators after a February 2020 investigation by the Financial Times suggested much of the bank's lending financed GFG companies.

Wyelands Bank said the closure of savers' accounts was 'a result of regulatory requirements applied by the PRA to Wyelands Bank', which appears to be an unprecedented move by the regulator.

It marks the first time the Bank of England's PRA has ordered a bank to repay savers in full

The Bank of England said in a statement: 'The PRA has been engaging closely with Wyelands Bank. The firm has the resources it needs to repay all depositors in full and we have required it to operationalise an orderly repayment of its deposits.'

The news also comes in a week in which Greensill Capital, an Australian firm advised by former Prime Minister David Cameron which helps finance GFG, has been plunged into financial difficulty and is seeking rescue funding.

A spokesman for the GFG Alliance told the Daily Mail on Thursday: 'GFG Alliance has adequate funding for its current needs-and its refinancing plans to broaden its capital base and obtain longer-term funding are progressing well.'

James Blower, a savings analyst and founder of The Savings Guru, said: 'Bank of England statement on Wyelands is incredibly short, which suggests to me there's almost certainly more to come from the Wyelands affair.

'For now, it's clear that the Bank of England are no longer happy for Wyelands to continue to accept deposits.'

The bank was given a licence to take in retail cash four years ago, and is covered under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme - although there is no indication that this safety net will be needed at present.

This protects savers' up to 85,000 per banking licence.

The best notice account available is a 95-day notice account offered by smartphone app Moneybox through Investec, which can be opened with 1.

Meanwhile the best one-year fixed-rate is offered by OakNorth and pays 0.58 per cent, the best two-year by Cynergy Bank paying 0.75 per cent, the best three-year from the same provider paying 0.9 per cent and the best five-year from Shawbrook Bank paying 1.25 per cent.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 66F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Subscriber content preview

INDEX, Snohomish County (AP)  A fish hatchery in Snohomish County has said it will stop importing steelhead trout from the Columbia River and instead rely on native fish.

State Department of Fish and Wildlife project coordinator Jim Scott said using fish from the region helps maintain genetic diversity of steelhead trout in the Skykomish River near the community of Index about 60 miles northeast of Seattle, The Daily Herald reported.





. . .
Virtual learning will soon become the exception rather than the rule in Oregons public schools.

Elementary schools should begin offering classroom instruction by March 29, Gov. Kate Brown said Friday. Three weeks later, on April 19, middle and high schools should do the same.

Whether or not public schools should return kids to the classroom this spring is no longer up for discussion, Brown said in a release.

The governor is ordering the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Education to revise their guidelines on how to operate schools during the pandemic by March 19.

Virtual learning will still be an option for families but districts must default to offering either full in-person instruction or a hybrid model based on community infection rates, Brown said.

The announcement came nearly one year after she initially ordered a two-week closure to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Districts that fail to meet Browns deadlines risk losing some state funding but spokesperson Charles Boyle told The Oregonian/OregonLive the governor doesnt believe that will happen based on conversations shes had with local leaders.

In many districts, understanding the urgency of returning students to schools, local conversations have already resulted in consensus and concrete plans to return to in-person instruction, Boyle said.

Fridays announcement comes 10 weeks since Brown relaxed the states role in school reopening decisions. On Dec. 23, the governor announced that individual districts, rather than state officials, would make the final decision in whether to offer in-person instruction.

Back then, about 50,000 students in public schools were regularly visiting classrooms and getting face time with teachers. By the end of last week, that number had risen to 136,000  about one in four of the states public school students.

Brown said the nearly $620 million in federal aid earmarked for Oregon schools should help that number grow. Districts have so far been able to tap into about $121 million.

Another $499 million will come online later this month.

Districts used most of the first round on virtual learning by purchasing laptops, internet hotspots and software. But state officials expect the next infusion will largely be spent on items that will aid in returning students to classrooms such as air filters, masks and cleaning supplies.

Still, it remains unclear whether and how Browns announcement will get more Portland-area students face-time with their teachers.

Oregon schools have spent the bulk of federal aid money so far on virtual learning supplies. The next infusion should largely go toward getting students back in classrooms, officials say.Photo by Eder Campuzano/Staff

Some districts still negotiating with unions

School reopening announcements by districts in the metro area have been met with fierce pushback from teachers unions over the last two months.

In Lake Oswego, Superintendent Lora De La Cruz walked back her initial plan to open elementary schools for in-person instruction in early February after the union issued a scathing letter saying its members want to live and not be responsible for killing their families or sickening their students.

Portland Public Schools faced backlash from its union, which insisted the district mount a comprehensive survey of Black, Indigenous and other families of color before pursuing in-person learning. The union bargaining team canceled a negotiation session with district officials last week.

Members said negotiating was a futile endeavor then but returned to the bargaining table Thursday.

The statewide teachers union, the Oregon Education Association, in a Friday release said it supported a spring timeline for reopening schools. Most Portland-area districts have announced plans to either begin hybrid instruction, or to offer more details on their plans by spring break.

We hear, understand, and share the frustration expressed by many in our communities about the uncertainty this pandemic has caused for our public education system, and the long-standing educational disparities that continue to be exacerbated by reopening plans that fail to truly center student equity, union leaders from more than 50 districts across the state said in a joint release. We urge our local school districts to continue to work in good faith with local educators to craft plans that will truly serve all of our students, and we are committed to expanding in-person instruction at our schools this spring.

Brown acknowledged the ongoing negotiations in some districts, saying, I also strongly support the right of employees to collectively bargain, especially when it comes to their own safe working conditions.

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero said he was confident the district would meet Browns deadline. He pointed to the districts late February announcement that schools would begin offering hybrid instruction by mid-April.

We always planned on a fourth quarter start, he said.

Brown has increasingly faced pressure from parent groups and some lawmakers to reopen the states public schools. Senate Republicans boycotted a Feb. 25 legislative session and demanded Brown immediately reopen schools.

Asked Friday if the walkout spurred Browns order or influenced the timing of the announcement, the governor said flatly: No.

The dates made sense. It seemed like a good time, she told reporters at North Portlands Sitton Elementary, noting that her deadline for districts to offer in-person instruction for younger children coincides with the end of spring break.

Brown described her latest order as yet another tool in her toolbox to compel a widescale reopening of Oregon schools.

Her decision to move educators to the front of the vaccination line in January was due, in part, to prompt districts to adopt reopening plans along across the state. But it did little to move the needle and the governor later faced a wave of criticism.

Gov. Kate Brown on Friday ordered Oregon's public schools to begin phasing into fully in-person or hybrid instruction for elementary students starting the week after spring break.Photo by Eder Campuzano/Staff

Infections declining statewide

Fridays school reopening order comes as coronavirus infections have steadily fallen throughout the state and in the Portland metro area in particular.

In December, Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties registered nearly 500 infections per 100,000 residents every two weeks  or 10 times higher than the Department of Education would allow for schools to offer in-person instruction.

Between Feb. 14 and Feb. 27, all three metro-area counties had infection rates below 100 per 100,000 residents.

A growing contingent of parents has been pushing for schools to make in-person instruction an option since the start of the academic year. Parents and their children began rallying for schools to reopen in Portland in December after mostly staging demonstrations in the suburbs and other cities.

On Feb. 27, a group protested in front of the Oregon Health Authoritys Portland headquarters calling for the agency to relax its rules covering distancing in school buildings and the number of people students may encounter over the course of a week.

School district officials say those mandates pose the tallest hurdles for a widescale return to high school classrooms.

State schools chief Colt Gill said those rules are among many under consideration for revision.

Were going to take a look at all of the guidelines, he said.

School district leaders, educators and families have long said that distance learning does not come close to serving students as well as the traditional classroom experience.

Gill added Friday that he believes schools are among the safest facilities to reopen during the pandemic due in large part to the limits on how many people are allowed inside a classroom at a time and the screening processes districts are required to employ before students are let inside.

Schools will be some of the lowest-risk environments, Gill said.

--Eder Campuzano | 503-221-4344 | @edercampuzano | Eder on Facebook

Eder is The Oregonians education reporter. Do you have a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email ecampuzano@oregonian.com.
Swarajya

On the day when West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay was asked to report to the 'Department of Personnel and Training' in New Delhi, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, confirming that the state is not going to release Bandopadhyay. "The latest order is also clearly in violation of applicable laws and against public interest: it is in any case ab initio void," the chief minister wrote.
The Government is aiming to reopen the construction sector on April 5.

Speaking this morning, Minister Darragh OBrien said that while he cannot guarantee construction sites will reopen on that date, Government looking at the construction sector specifically.

What were working towards is reopening of the sector from the 5th of April.

Were looking at construction specifically. We can only do that when its safe to do so.

Read More

He said that the sector has operated responsibly throughout the pandemic.

Theres no guarantees and it will obviously be based on public health advice.

The Nphet advice that we made our decision to extend the restrictions on was very stark, he added.

He said that for every week that the sector is closed, 800 homes are not delivered.

That is significant and that makes the challenges that I and the government have in delivering homes for people even more acute.

The Minister said that 73pc of the public housing target was met last year despite the sector being closed for a large part of the year.

He said that 21,000 homes were built, when the Government need to be building 33,000.

Were a way off that.

Theres no easy way of painting a positive picture on that, he said.

He said that he wants to expedite home building into 2022 and 2023.

The Minister was speaking at the launch of 430m funding for eight regeneration projects in Dublin.

The projects aim to enhance urban areas to make them more attractive areas to live, work, visit and invest.

176.6m will be allocated to Clonburris, 121.3m will be allocated to the north inner city and 53m will be given to the south inner city.

A rejuvenation project in Balbriggan will receive 25.4m, while Dundrum will receive 4m and Adamstown 9.7m.
Qualifications Wales confirms appeals process for GCSEs, AS levels or A levels exams

This article is old - Published: Friday, Mar 5th, 2021

Qualifications Wales has confirmed more details about the appeals process, as first outlined by the Minister for Education on 20 January 2021.

Provisional results will be handed out in June with final grades given out in August.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams has confirmed there will be no end of year exams for learners taking GCSEs, AS levels or A levels in Wales.

The announcement was made after considering detailed advice published by Qualifications Wales on the delivery options available as well as the interim findings of an independent review into this years exams process.





The exam regulator has now outlined how the three-stage process will work.

It begins with schools and colleges sharing provisional grades with learners in June.

A learner can ask their school or college to review provisional grades and/or check for any errors before they are submitted to WJEC.

Stage 2  After results day in August, a learner can appeal to WJEC that the grade judgement that their school or college has made is unreasonable and/or a procedural error has been made.

Stage 3 -Following completion of the Stage 2 appeal, learners can request an Exam Procedures Review Service (EPRS) review from Qualifications Wales to check whether WJEC has followed their procedures correctly.

Final qualification grades will not be issued to learners until the results days, which are 10 August for AS and A levels and 12 August for GCSEs.

Philip Blaker, Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales said: Weve been engaging with the Design and Delivery Advisory Group and WJEC to consider how we can implement an effective appeals process. 

We are also mindful of the recommendations of the independent review into summer 2020 and that we should ensure that the appeals process is fair and workable

As with all the decisions being taken for this summer, there are no easy answers. We are committed to putting the needs of the learner at the heart of our work.

Gareth Evans Director of Education Policy at the University of Wales said the move announced by Qualifications Wales is a very late decision and another change to the planned approach to GCSE and A levels.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Mr Evans said, I think there are going to be a number of very frustrated and disappointed teachers.

The announcement has come so very late in the day, we are in March, just a number of months now before grades were due to be awarded by teachers and they havent been given due notice.

What theyre going to have to do is make decisions on the awards of their pupils far earlier with perhaps less information and evidence available to them as they planned.

They are going to have to move everything forward by a couple of months, which isnt ideal given the return agenda, given that theyre trying to get their schools back open to face to face teaching and I think, I think this has all been done fairly late in the day.
The World Socialist Web Site is hosting an online meeting to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rosa Luxemburg on Sunday, March 7 at 1 pm US Eastern Time. Register here.

150 years ago today, on March 5, 1871, Rosa Luxemburg was born in the small Polish town of Zamosc. Despite her premature and violent death at the age of 47, she was, together with Lenin and Trotsky, one of the most important revolutionary Marxist leaders of the 20th century. Under conditions of deep capitalist crisis, her work contains vital lessons for today.

Rosa Luxemburg

Luxemburg combined personal courage, an unbreakable fighting spirit and unwavering principles with an outstanding intellect and extraordinary theoretical and rhetorical abilities. She was highly educated, spoke German, Polish, Russian and French fluently, and understood other languages. She was capable of tremendous passion and possessed a fascinating personality that attracted both workers and intellectuals.

She loved and was familiar with literature. At the age of six, she began writing for a childrens newspaper, began translating Russian poetry into Polish shortly thereafter, and wrote her own poems. She could recite pages of the Polish national poet, Adam Mickiewicz, by heart, as well as German poets like Goethe and Morike. Her love of nature is clearly shown in the pages of her letters. She initially studied biology before switching to law and economics. She obtained a doctorate at age 26 with summa cum laude.

Like all great progressive figures in world history, Luxemburg was either persecuted and slandered by her opponents, or embraced and falsified by false friends. Attempts have been made to co-opt her as a feminist, portray her as an advocate of a non-revolutionary road to socialism, and misuse her as a key witness against Bolshevism. Germanys Left Party, which embodies the exact opposite of Luxemburg in every aspect of its practical activity and every line of its program, even named its party foundation after the great revolutionary.

All of these attempts are exposed as frauds the moment one studies Luxemburgs biography and reads her writings. She committed herself unconditionally to the socialist revolution and uncompromisingly defended internationalism. Her struggle against Bernsteins revisionism and the conservatism of the trade unions, her unrelenting opposition to the First World War, and her leading role in the founding of the German Communist Party secure her place in the very first rank of revolutionary Marxism.

Luxemburg was firmly convinced that only the overthrow of capitalism by the working class could solve the great problems of humanityexploitation, oppression and warand that this required a struggle for socialist consciousness in the working class. The condescending ingratiation often adopted by left-wing intellectuals towards workers was totally foreign to her. She viewed it as her task to raise the consciousness of the workers, quench their thirst for knowledge and understanding, explain the social and political dynamics and elaborate the political tasks arising out of them. This made her incredibly popular among workers. When she spoke at election rallies for the Social Democrats (SPD), the venue was always packed to capacity.

Clara Zetkin and Rosa Luxemburg at the SPD congress in Magdeburg in 1910

Luxemburg always opposed bourgeois feminism. For her, the emancipation of women was inseparable from the liberation of the working class from capitalist exploitation and oppression. She did not struggle, like todays feminists and practitioners of identity politics, for the access of a few women to bourgeois privileges, but for the abolition of all privileges. When she spoke in 1912 at the second Social Democratic Womens Rally for universal, equal and direct suffrage for women, she justified this by saying that it would immensely advance and intensify the proletarian class struggle. By fighting for womens suffrage, she continued, we will also hasten the coming of the hour when the present society falls in ruins under the hammer strokes of the revolutionary proletariat.

Luxemburg had differences of opinion with Lenin. But these were based, irrespective of their temporary sharpness, on the common ground of revolutionary proletarian politics, as Trotsky once remarked. Lenin and Luxemburg were united in their struggle against the revisionist opponents of Marxism.

Luxemburgs work Reform or Revolution?, which consolidated her reputation as the leading voice of the revolutionary wing of Social Democracy when it was published in 1899, is one of the greatest polemics in Marxist literature. It is a devastating critique of the revisionism of Eduard Bernstein, who rejected the materialist basis of Marxist theory, severed socialism from the proletarian revolution, and transformed it into an ethically motivated liberalism.

Responding to Bernsteins infamous remark that the end goal did not matter to him, but the movement was everything, Luxemburg declared that the final goal of socialism is the decisive factor that transformed the entire labour movement from a vain effort to repair the capitalist order into a class struggle against this order, for the suppression of this order. She went on, In the controversy with Bernstein and his followers, everybody in the Party ought to understand clearly it is not a question of this or that method of struggle, or the use of this or that set of tactics, but of the very existence of the Social-Democratic movement.

Bernstein spoke for a layer of party officials, trade union bureaucrats and petty bourgeois who tied their own personal fate to the success of German imperialism. The economic upswing of the 1890s, the transformation of the SPD into a legal mass party, and the growth of the trade unions led to a rapid expansion of this layer.

The Russian Revolution of 1905 sharpened the conflicts within the SPD. The working class was the leading force of the revolution and produced two new achievements: the political mass strike and the soviet (workers council). Luxemburg went to Warsaw, which was under Tsarist rule at the time, and participated in the revolution. She was subsequently arrested and only avoided a lengthy prison sentence and possible death thanks to the strenuous intervention of the SPD leadership.

When she propagated the political mass strike in Germany after her return, the trade union leaders reacted with horror. General strike is general madness, was their response. The 1905 trade union congress in Cologne was held under the slogan, The trade unions require peace first and foremost. Luxemburg was banned from speaking at trade union events.

The trade union leaders could not have illustrated their hostility to the socialist revolution more clearly. The debate over the mass strike now became the central area of conflict between the opportunist and revolutionary wings of the SPD.

August Bebel in 1900

With the approach of the First World War, the SPD leadership around August Bebel, who died in 1913, and Karl Kautsky shifted ever further to the right. When the war began, the opportunists in the SPD gained the upper hand. They stood firmly on the side of German imperialism. On August 4, 1914, the SPDs deputies in parliament voted for war credits. Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht led the minority that resisted the wave of chauvinism.

Rosa Luxemburgs struggle against the war, which she conducted predominantly behind bars, was among the most heroic periods of her life. She tirelessly denounced the betrayal of the SPD, exposed the imperialist war crimes, and sought to rouse the masses. Already on the evening of August 4, 1914, she formed the International Group, which published The International and illegally circulated the Spartacus Letters, which led to the group being called the Spartacus League.

Karl Liebknecht

Luxemburgs first lead article in The International began with the words, On August 4th, 1914, German Social Democracy abdicated politically, and at the same time the Socialist International collapsed. All attempts at denying or concealing this fact, regardless of the motives on which they are based, tend objectively to perpetuate, and to justify, the disastrous self-deception of the socialist parties, the inner malady of the movement that led to the collapse, and in the long run to make the Socialist International a fiction, a hypocrisy.

Rosa Luxemburgs struggle against the war rested on an irreconcilable internationalism that remained throughout her life.

As a 22-year-old student, she intervened at the congress of the Socialist International in Zurich to attack the social patriotism of the Polish Socialist Party (PPS). The PPS advocated the reestablishment of the Polish national state, which was at the time divided up between Russian, German and Austrian rule. Luxemburg rejected this demand and called for a joint struggle by the working class in Russian Poland and Russia to bring down Tsarism. She warned that the advocacy of Polish independence would encourage nationalist tendencies in the Second International, raise parallel national questions in other countries and sanction the dissolution of the united struggle of all proletarians in every state into a series of fruitless national struggles.

Her refusal to accept the right to self-determination of nations in the program of Russian social democracy brought Luxemburg into conflict with Lenin, who advocated this right. But the difference here was less sharp than would later be claimed. For Lenin, the primary concern was the struggle against Great Russian chauvinism. For Luxemburg, it was the fight against Polish nationalism. Lenin also subordinated the national demands to the class struggle. He did not actively campaign for national separatism, but restricted himself to the negative demand, so to speak, of the recognition of the right to self-determination.

Irrespective of the differences with Lenin, Luxemburgs hostility to nationalism proved to be extremely far-sighted. With respect to Poland, Jozef Pisudski, the leader of the PPS, commanded the troops of the reconstituted independent Poland in the attack on the Red Army following the October Revolution. Between 1926 and 1935, he established an authoritarian dictatorship. Today, the nationalist right in Poland hails him as their hero.

The capitulation to nationalism was also the reason for the collapse of the Second and Third internationals, which resulted in terrible defeats for the working class. The Second International supported the first World War in the name of the defense of the fatherland, while the Third degenerated under the Stalinist perspective of socialism in one country.

The Stalinists, who trampled Lenins nationalities policy under foot and reverted to the worst practices of Great Russian chauvinism, never forgave Luxemburg for her internationalism. Under Stalins rule, the accusation of Luxemburgism had for a time no less fatal consequences than that of Trotskyism. Even after Stalins death, Georg Lukacs accused the great revolutionary Luxemburg of having represented national nihilism.

By the 1990s at the latest, the demand for the right of nations to self-determination lost all progressive and democratic significance. The globalization of the economy and the emergence of a working class in the most far-flung parts of the world left no room for even semi-democratic nation states. Imperialism used the slogan of self-determination to destroy and subordinate existing states. In these states, this demand enabled rival bourgeois cliques to split the working class and to serve imperialism. This was shown by the tragedy of Yugoslavia. In the name of national self-determination, the country and its separate parts were forced into a murderous fratricidal war that resulted in the establishment of seven economically unviable states governed by criminal cliques.

Luxemburg and the Spartacus League not only combatted the right-wing SPD leadership but also the Marxist Centre and its theoretical leader, Karl Kautsky, whom Luxemburg termed the theoretician of the swamp. The Centre made verbal concessions to the radical mood of the workers but opposed any revolutionary action in practice, and supported the pro-war course of the SPD leaders. After it was thrown out of the SPD in 1917 and willy-nilly formed the Independent Social Democrats (USPD), Luxemburg sharpened her criticism.

The USPD always trotted behind events and developments; it never took the lead, she wrote. It has never been able to draw a fundamental line between itself and the dependent ones. Any dazzling ambiguity that led to confusion among the masses: peace of understanding, the League of Nations, disarmament, the Wilson cult, all the phrases of bourgeois demagogy that spread the veils, that obscured the naked, craggy facts of the revolutionary alternative during the war, found their eager support. The whole attitude of the party circled helplessly around the cardinal contradiction that on the one hand it tried to continue to make the bourgeois governments as the appointed powers inclined to make peace, while on the other hand it spoke the word of the mass action of the proletariat. An accurate mirror of contradictory practice is eclectic theory: a hodgepodge of radical formulas with the hopeless abandonment of the socialist spirit.

Luxemburg was often condemned for her theory of spontaneity: for trusting in the independent uprising of the masses against the ossified apparatuses, for criticizing Lenins concept of the party, and for delaying her organizational break with the SPD. Leon Trotsky, who himself waged a struggle against centrist tendencies that falsely based themselves on Luxemburg prior to the formation of the Fourth International, made the most fundamental points on this issue in 1935.

The weak sides and inadequacies were by no means decisive in Rosa, he wrote. Luxemburgs counterposition of the spontaneity of mass actions to the conservative policy of the SPD had a thoroughly revolutionary and progressive character. Trotsky continued, At a much earlier date than Lenin, Rosa Luxemburg grasped the retarding character of the ossified party and trade-union apparatus and began a struggle against it.

Rosa herself never confined herself to the mere theory of spontaneity, but exerted herself to educate the revolutionary wing of the proletariat in advance and to bring it together organizationally as far as possible. In Poland, she built up a very rigid independent organization. The most that can be said is that in her historical-philosophical evaluation of the labor movement, the preparatory selection of the vanguard, in comparison with the mass actions that were to be expected, fell too short with Rosa; whereas Leninwithout consoling himself with the miracles of future actionstook the advanced workers and constantly and tirelessly welded them together into firm nuclei, illegally or legally, in the mass organizations or underground, by means of a sharply defined program.

When the Bolsheviks took power in Russia in October 1917, they met with Luxemburgs enthusiastic support. Her text On the Russian Revolution, which she wrote isolated in prison and which was only published three years after her death, has often been interpreted as a deep-going critique of Bolshevism. But that is incorrect. Luxemburg unconditionally defended the October Revolution and noted that the mistakes she criticized arose out of the impossible conditions the Bolsheviks confronted due to the betrayal by the Second International and German Social Democracy.

The Bolsheviks, she wrote, have shown that they are capable of everything that a genuine revolutionary party can contribute within the limits of historical possibilities What is necessary is to distinguish the essential from the non-essential, the kernel from the accidental excrescences in the politics of the Bolsheviks. In the present period, when we face decisive final struggles in all the world, the most important problem of socialism was and is the burning question of our time. It is not a matter of this or that secondary question of tactics, but of the capacity for action of the proletariat, the strength to act, the will to power of socialism as such. In this, Lenin and Trotsky and their friends were the first, those who went ahead as an example to the proletariat of the world; they are still the only ones up to now who can cry with Hutten: I have dared!

This is the essential and enduring in Bolshevik policy. In this sense theirs is the immortal historical service of having marched at the head of the international proletariat with the conquest of political power and the practical placing of the problem of the realization of socialism, and of having advanced mightily the settlement of the score between capital and labor in the entire world. In Russia, the problem could only be posed. It could not be solved in Russia. And in this sense, the future everywhere belongs to Bolshevism.

In November 1918, revolution also erupted in Germany. Initiated by a sailors uprising in Kiel, it spread like wildfire throughout the country. The Kaiser abdicated, and the ruling elites handed government power over to the SPD leader Friedrich Ebert, who plotted an alliance with the military high command to bloodily suppress the working class. The USPD also participated in the Ebert government with three ministers.

Amid the revolutionary struggles, the Spartacus League formed the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) in Berlin at the end of 1918. Rosa Luxemburg wrote the party program and presented it to the delegates. It explicitly formulated the goal of overthrowing bourgeois class rule. The alternative was not reform or revolution, the program stressed. Rather, The World War confronts society with the choice: either continuation of capitalism, new wars, and imminent decline into chaos and anarchy, or abolition of capitalist exploitationIn this hour, socialism is the only salvation for humanity. The words of the Communist Manifesto flare like a fiery menetekel above the crumbling bastions of capitalist society: socialism or barbarism.

The Ebert government was determined to prevent the socialist revolution. On January 15, 1919, Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were, on the explicit orders of Reichswehr Minister Gustav Noske (SPD), brutally murdered. The crime was carried out by the Freikorps Garde-Kavallerie-Schutzendivision, which had been brought to Berlin by Noske to militarily suppress the uprising. They kidnapped the pair and took them to their headquarters at the Hotel Eden, where they were interrogated and abused. Luxemburg was subsequently struck to the ground with rifle butts in the entrance to the hotel and bundled into a car, where she was shot. Her body was thrown into the Landwehr canal, where it was found only several weeks later. Karl Liebknecht was executed by three shots fired at close range in the Berlin Tiergarten.

The murders were fully endorsed by the state. The officers directly involved were acquitted by a military court in May 1919. Waldemar Pabst, who gave the order as head of the division, was able to continue his career under the Nazis and in the Federal Republic. He died in 1970 as a wealthy arms trader. Already by this point, the course had been set for the subsequent rise of the Nazis. Hitlers SA would go on to recruit from the soldiers mobilized by Noske and protected by the judiciary.

Funeral of Rosa Luxemburg on June 13, 1919 (Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1976-067-25A / CC-BY-SA 3.0)

The murder of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg was a heavy blow to the international workers movement. With Luxemburg leading the KPD, German and even world history would probably have turned out differently. There is much to suggest that the KPD would have taken power in October 1923 had it possessed an experienced leadership. Humanity may well have been spared Adolf Hitler, whose rise occurred above all thanks to the paralyzing of the working class by the disastrous social fascist policy of the Stalinized KPD. Stalins own rise would have faced bitter opposition from within the Communist International.

Rosa Luxemburgs heritageher internationalism, her orientation to the working class, her revolutionary socialismhas been defended and developed by the world Trotskyist movement, represented today by the International Committee of the Fourth International. It is a crucial weapon in the struggle for the socialist revolution.
Guidelines for OTT platforms do not have effective mechanism to take appropriate action: SC

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Mar 08: The Supreme Court has said that the new OTT guidelines do not provide an effective mechanism to screen content or take appropriate action against violations.

The government agreed in the SC to consider, further appropriate regulations/legislations in this regard. The court said that once the same is done it should be placed on record.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court today orally observed that there should be some screening of films and series shown on OTT platforms.

Justice Ashok Bhushan said that there should be screening. There is pornography in some films. Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta told the Bench that there are filthy abuses as well. The court asked the Centre to submit the guidelines on the regulations tomorrow.

Rules explained, OTT platforms will not need to register: Javadekar

The Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 for the first time prescribes how digital news organisations, OTTs and social media platforms will be regulated by the government.

Social media intermediaries have to appoint grievance officer, who shall register complaints in 24 hours, the minister also said. There will be 2 categories, intermediary which can be social media intermediary and significant social media intermediary, the minister also added.

Social media platforms upon being asked either by a court order or a govt authority will be required to disclose the first originator of mischievous tweet or message as the case may be. This should be only in relation to sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, public order, relations with foreign states, or rape, sexually explicit content etc, the minister said.

Sushant Singh Rajput case: NCB files chargesheet against Rhea Chakraborty and 32 years|Oneindia News

If there are complaints against dignity of users, particularly women - expose private parts of individuals or nudity or sexual act or impersonation etc, you'll be required to remove that within 24 hours after complaint made. This is designed to respect dignity of women, Prasad further added.
The University of South Alabama has put three professors on leave as protests were held over them being pictured with racist symbols.

Tony Waldrop, president of USA, made the announcement on Friday, along with the announcement that an independent investigation into the incident would be conducted by attorney, Suntrease Williams-Maynard.

Live at USA protest of three professors under fire for wearing insensitive outfits. Posted by al.com on Friday, March 5, 2021

The pictures were taken at an on-campus Halloween party in 2014, according to a petition created by USA students.

Then-Dean of the Mitchell College of Business and current USA finance professor Bob Wood was dressed in a Confederate soldiers uniform. Professors Alex Sharland and Teresa Weldy held nooses.

Wood, Sharland and Weldy were posted on the business schools Facebook page shortly after the party, but the pictures have since been removed.

According to Inside Higher Ed, both Wood and Sharland released statements about the image. Weldy has not at this time.

Seven years ago, I rented and wore a last-minute costume that was ill-conceived to a faculty and student Halloween costume contest, at which I served on a panel of judges to select the winners, Wood said in his statement, according to Inside Higher Ed. I sincerely apologize and am sorry for doing so, and ask for forgiveness for this error in judgment.

Sharland apologized as well.

In retrospect I can see why someone might find the image hurtful, and I regret this attempt at humor that clearly failed, Sharland said. It was not my intent to hurt or be offensive, and if anyone is offended by this picture I apologize.

USA students held two protests, one in the morning and another at noon, near the Bell Tower on campus Friday. At the noon protest, nearly 100 individuals were in attendance.

The petition for the firing of the professors has over 2,500 signatures, as of Friday.
Baghdad, March 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2021 ) :Pope Francis starts a historic trip to war-battered Iraq on Friday, defying security fears and the pandemic to comfort one of the world's oldest and most persecuted Christian communities.

The 84-year-old, who said he would make the first-ever papal visit to Iraq as a "pilgrim of peace," will also reach out to Shiite Muslims when he meets Iraq's top cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.

The four-day journey is the pope's first abroad since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which left the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics saying he felt "caged" inside the Vatican.

While Francis has been vaccinated, Iraq has been gripped by a second wave with a record of over 5,000 new cases a day, prompting authorities to impose full lockdowns during the pontiff's visit.

Security will be tight in Iraq, which has endured years of war and insurgency, is still hunting for Islamic State sleeper cells, and days ago saw a barrage of rockets plough into a military base.

Francis will preside over a half-dozen services in ravaged churches, refurbished stadiums and remote desert locations, where attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing.

Inside the country, he will travel more than 1,400 kilometres by plane and helicopter, flying over areas where security forces are still battling IS remnants.

For shorter trips, Francis will take an armoured car on freshly paved roads that will be lined with flowers and posters welcoming the leader known here as "Baba Al-Vatican".
Schools nationwide will pilot the teaching of Korean and German as first foreign languages under a decision freshly issued by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET).

Schools nationwide will pilot the teaching of Korean and German as first foreign languages under a decision freshly issued by the Ministry of Education and Training (Photo: VNA)

Many foreign languages have been taught in schools of Vietnam over the years, with those being mandatory including English, French, Chinese, Russian, and, later, Japanese.

Second languages, which are optional, included Korean and German.

The MoET explained that positive results have been seen in teaching Korean and German as second foreign languages in some provinces and cities and students' demand is also on the rise.

To help reduce the pressure on those who select Korean and German as their second foreign languages while also studying a first foreign language, the MoET has decided to temporarily elevate the two to the first foreign language category.

The move is also in keeping with framework agreements signed between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea and Germany on teaching their languages at Vietnamese schools.

The pilot programme will be rolled out in areas with great demand and which are able to ensure necessary conditions in terms of teachers, facilities, links between levels of education, and registration with the MoET.

For its part, the ministry will keep a close watch on the implementation of the programme to guarantee its efficiency and students rights.

It will assess its effectiveness and feasibility and afterwards consider whether to make the two languages official first foreign languages at schools./.VNA

Vietnamese language textbook samples for second graders does not meet requirements: appraisal To date, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has received applications for three samples of Vietnamese language textbooks for second graders under the new general education program.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen says its downed six armed drones fired by the Houthis on Friday, the latest in a surge of rebel attacks on the Gulf kingdom.

Joint Coalition Forces have intercepted and destroyed this afternoon [Friday] a bomb-laden UAV launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in Khamis Mushait, coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Malki said, referencing the southwestern Saudi city near the Yemen border.

In a statement carried by Saudi state news agency SPA, Malki added that the armed drone was the sixth thwarted by the coalition since Friday morning.

The Iran-aligned rebels have upped their attacks on neighboring Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, launching near-daily missiles and explosive drones across the border. The latest drone attacks come a day after the Houthis said they fired a winged Quds-2 missile at a Saudi oil plant in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

The Houthis have been battling Riyadh since 2015, when Saudi Arabia assembled a Western-backed coalition of Sunni Arab states to intervene in Yemen's war after the Houthis wrested control of the capital and expelled the internationally recognized government. Over half a decade of civil war has killed more than 100,000 people, pushed the country to the edge of famine and created what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The Houthi escalation follows President Joe Bidens announcement last month that he would be ending support for the coalitions offensive operations in Yemen and halting relevant arms sales. Biden also revoked the Donald Trump administrations terrorist designation of the Houthi rebels, citing concerns the blacklisting could interfere with the delivery of critical humanitarian aid.

But following a spate of Houthi cross-border attacks, the US Treasury on Tuesday announced new sanctions on two Houthi military leaders, Mansur al-Saadi, the head of the Houthis naval forces, and Ahmad Ali Ahsan al-Hamzi, head of the rebels air force.

Reuters reported that Bidens special envoy for Yemen, Timothy Lenderking, met with Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdul-Salam in Omans capital, Muscat, on Feb. 26. State Department spokesperson Ned Price declined to confirm the reports.

The rebels are meanwhile pressing ahead with an offensive on the gas-rich Yemeni province of Marib, which until now was mostly spared from the grueling conflict. The United Nations has warned of a looming humanitarian crisis if the Houthi offensive on Marib, the last major stronghold of the Saudi-backed government, is successful. Some 2 million internally displaced people live in the region and they will have nowhere safe to flee, aid groups warn.
Up-and-coming young star Darci Shaw was unfazed by the frightening goingson during the filming of Netflix's riveting supernatural thriller The Irregulars.

'You're working with people with blood all over their face,' she said of shooting the eight-part drama, which will stream from March 26.

'But then you also see them at the catering truck, eating a sausage butty, and it's not scary.' Nor did it affect her sleep. And then she watched it. And all bets were off.

'I had these crazy, vivid dreams about murders; and running away when someone was after me.'

Certainly the show made me jump  more than a few times  as I speedily clicked for each fresh episode, finding myself furious when it ended. So I watched it again.

Up-and -coming young star Darci Shaw (pictured) was unfazed by the frightening goingson during the filming of Netflix's riveting supernatural thriller The Irregulars

Writer Tom Bidwell has shaken up the world of Sherlock Holmes to fascinating effect.

The Irregulars, orphaned street urchins raised in a harsh workhouse and now living in the damp basement of a London pub, do the dirty work on the cases that frighten even Holmes (a marvellously strung-out Henry Lloyd-Hughes) and Watson (sinisterly realised by Royce Pierreson).

Shaw, 18, won through several rounds of auditions before landing the part of Jessie, initially seen as a frail, mystical girl 'terrified of these places she's visiting in her own mind', she explained as we chatted over Zoom.

The baddies include Game of Thrones' Rory McCann (aka The Hound) as The Birdman, and Sheila Atim, who is terrifying as the Tooth Fairy.

Shaw, 18, won through several rounds of auditions before landing the part of Jessie in The Ireegulars (pictured)

Jessie is joined in the battle against the shocking evil seeping across London by her elder sister Bea, played by a powerful Thaddea Graham (so good opposite Tom Hollander, Saskia Reeves and Tom Taylor  another star in the making  in BBC mini-series Us).

The rest of the gang is played by Jojo Macari, McKell David and Harrison Osterfield. The young misfits have a cool dynamic; and the dangers they encounter are savage and fierce. I found myself genuinely fearing for their safety.

The Irregulars was filmed in Liverpool, including one site just 15 minutes from Shaw's home in Mossley Hill, where she lives with mum Louise, a talent agent; retired fireman dad Pete; younger sister Claudia  and her beloved Cavalier King Charles spaniel Woody.

The Irregulars (above) was filmed in Liverpool, including one site just 15 minutes from Shaw's home in Mossley Hill

BAZ BAMIGBOYE: I first spotted her when she was 15, on the set of Judy, where she played the younger Judy Garland (pictured)

I first spotted her when she was 15, on the set of Judy, where she played the younger Judy Garland. Producer David Livingstone told me that it had been easier to cast Renee Zellweger than it had been to find a teenager to play Garland.

At the world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, admiring movie buffs wanted to know what part of the United States the 'Judy girl' was from.

They were stunned to find that the 'girl' was from Liverpool. Like the Beatles. And Jodie Comer. Indeed, Comer has been a treasured role model.

'There is some prejudice in terms of accents, but Jodie Comer has helped because she's so widely known now,' Shaw said. 'But when you're starting out, it's difficult for people to see past this accent.' And to be clear: she's not the next Jodie Comer. She's the first Darci Shaw.

Coming to America? You bet!

Nomzamo Mbatha was working in Abu Dhabi when she got the call to tape an audition for Eddie Murphy.

The South African-born actress, television personality  and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Refugees  decided: 'I'm going to be the one coming to America!'

So she flew to Los Angeles, auditioned and then headed home in time for her grandmother's birthday.

That same day she received another call; this time telling her she'd been cast in Coming 2 America (on Amazon Prime from today), the hilariously joyous sequel to Murphy's 1988 hit. Her role as Mirembe, a hairstylist at the palace of Murphy's Prince Akeem in Zamunda, is the film's secret weapon.

'She's an independent spirit and speaks to the sense of female empowerment that's spread throughout the film,' Mbatha told me during a Zoom call in which I confess I was dazzled by the many, many gold rings on her fingers.

She said filming in Atlanta  standing in for Zamunda and Queens in New York  felt like 'one out-of-body experience after another'. Like shooting her first scene with Murphy. 'It was time for me to say my line and Eddie jumps up and screams: 'Wait a minute . . . she has a real African accent?!' And the whole cast and crew started laughing.'

Nomzamo Mbatha (pictured during a Zoom call) was working in Abu Dhabi when she got the call to tape an audition for Eddie Murphy

Comedian Tracy Morgan is part of the film's Queens contingent, along with Leslie Jones and love interest Jermaine Fowler (pictured with Mbatha)

Mbatha (pictured in Coming 2 America) was born and raised in the KwaMashu township in Durban and is United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Refugees

Later, she said, they 'discussed Zulu words, and I didn't expect Eddie to know any  but he did, from watching Shaka Zulu films!'.

Comedian Tracy Morgan is part of the film's Queens contingent, along with Leslie Jones (priceless) and love interest Jermaine Fowler.

Soon Murphy and director Craig Brewer were turning to Mbatha for help. 'I added some African language textures in there, with the clicking sounds,' she admitted.

Mbatha was born and raised in the KwaMashu township in Durban. 'I'm literally the 1 per cent of the 1 per cent that makes it out,' she said, crediting her teacher parents but particularly her late grandmother Mamaoli Mildred Nxumalo for ensuring that she studied hard at school.

Coming 2 America, which is on Amazon Prime from today, is the hilariously joyous sequel to Murphy's (pictured in the movie) 1988 hit

When she addressed the United Nations last year it was a proud moment, but one tinged with sadness because by that time, both her father and grandmother had passed away.

At times, she said, she felt like an African queen on the set of Coming 2 America. When she works on productions in South Africa, she is used to a coffee and an energy bar. But in Atlanta there were 'tables and tables' piled with food, while Murphy's trailer was the size of her village.

She was surprised to get a trailer all to herself, 'and a double who blocked my scenes while they tested the lighting and I sat in my trailer reading lines'.

An abiding memory, though, is of Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter dressing her in wonderful Afro-centric clothes. One gown was so huge that a production assistant  a small one  'sat on a crate with wheels under the train of my gown, because it was so long!' So, now Mbatha's staying in America.

Newly crowned Golden Globe winner Emma Corrin (left) will morph into Gina McKee (right) in the new film My Policeman, about a married couple caught up in a polysexual love triangle

Newly crowned Golden Globe winner Emma Corrin will morph into Gina McKee in the new film My Policeman, about a married couple caught up in a polysexual love triangle.

This page broke the news last month that Corrin, honoured this week for her sizzling portrait of Diana in The Crown, will star with Harry Styles in the film adaptation of Bethan Roberts's 2012 novel about the sexual mores of the 1950s and the criminalisation of homosexuality.

Corrin will play Marion, with McKee (Bodyguard, Line Of Duty, Notting Hill) taking on the part 40 years later, when the story moves into the 1990s.

David Dawson (pictured), previously seen in Ripper Street and The Last Kingdom, will take on the part of the younger Patrick

Harry Styles (left) and Rupert Everett (right) will also star in the film adaptation of Bethan Roberts's 2012 novel about the sexual mores of the 1950s and the criminalisation of homosexuality

The Amazon Studios production, directed by Michael Grandage, will feature Styles as Marion's husband Tom Burgess, a police constable. Linus Roache (Homeland and The Vikings) will play the older Tom.

Rupert Everett has been cast as Tom's lover, Patrick Hazelwood. David Dawson (Ripper Street and The Last Kingdom) will take on the part of the younger Patrick.

The movie will shoot from April 12 on locations in London and the South-East coast. The more intimate moments will be filmed at one of the big film studios.
Largest Muslim population nation names evangelical Christian as head of police

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Indonesia has named an evangelical Christian as the new national police chief, marking the first time in nearly 50 years that a member of the religious minority has held the post in the Muslim-majority nation.

According to UCA News, Commissioner General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, 52, was sworn in on Jan. 27 as police chief, succeeding Gen. Idham Azis who retired on Feb.1. A Protestant, Listyo is the first Christian to hold the post in nearly 50 years and only the third since Indonesia declared independence in August 1945.

Despite opposition from Islamic groups, Listyo was the only candidate unanimously approved by the People's Representative Council, Indonesias lower house of parliament. Described as a close ally of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Listyo said that in his new role, he would try to promote diversity and would step up efforts to address issues like intolerance and radicalism.

He also vowed to support religious freedom and work to create a trustworthy and transparent police, to be the protector of all citizens of the nation."

The various experiences of the nation and the state so far will certainly be valuable lessons for all of us in the effort to continue police reform, he said, according to Evangelical Focus.

The national police chief also emphasized that under his leadership, the police will continue to carry out law enforcement efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure public safety.

In February, Listyo called for greater discretion when enforcing the country's controversial internet law, which regulates online activity including defamation and hate speech, Reuters reports.

Listyos appointment comes after a Muhyiddin Junaidi, a leading figure in the Indonesian Ulema Council, the countrys top Islamic clerical body, stated that the new police chief must be Muslim.

Even though Indonesia is a secular country, it would not be appropriate if the leader of the police had a non-Muslim background. It was natural for leaders of any country to have the same religion as that of the majority of the population, he said.

His appointment was applauded by Communion of Churches in Indonesia (CCI/PGI), which said Prabowo's religion did not play a role, what matters is his past achievements and successes, as well as his vision for the future of Indonesia as a democratic, free, but orderly country.

His appointment shows that every citizen has the same rights to reach a position of leadership," they added.

Father Paulus Christian Siswantoko, executive secretary of the Indonesian bishops' Commission for the Laity, said that by appointing a new chief from a religious minority, Widodo demonstrated that any Indonesian citizen has an equal right to become a leader.

"This is an affirmation that this nation chooses leaders not based on religion, not based on a minority or majority, but based on achievement, track record and vision," he told UCA News.

He also expressed hope Listyo would enforce the law fairly for all people without discrimination, adding: "The impression that the law is blunt upward and sharp downward must change.

Home to the worlds largest Muslim population, Indonesia ranks as the 47th worst country for Christian persecution on Open Doors USAs 2021 World Watch List.

The human rights group reports that the situation for Christians in the Southeast Asian country has deteriorated in recent years because the Indonesian society has taken on a more conservative Islamic character.

In 2017, Indonesian Muslims succeeded in pressuring the countrys judiciary into convicting former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama  a Chinese Indonesian Christian also known as Ahok  for blasphemy against Islam.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has advised the U.S. State Department to list Indonesia on its special watch list of countries that engage in or tolerate severe religious freedom violations.

In its 2020 annual report, USCIRF notes that Indonesia's religious freedom conditions are trending negatively since many religious minorities are prosecuted under blasphemy laws, and intolerant hardline groups continue to threaten religious minority houses of worship.

Reports from local nongovernmental organizations indicated that the provinces of West Java, Jakarta, and East Java had the highest number of incidents of religious intolerance  including discrimination, hate speech, acts of violence, and rejections of permits to build houses of worship for minority religious communities, the annual report states.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Former diplomat Barbara Bodine to discuss nations international challenges

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Barbara K. Bodine, the director for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, will share her thoughts on the international challenges facing the United States during a virtual discussion March 11 hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Bodine has more than 30 years diplomatic experience in the U.S. Foreign Service, including as the ambassador to Yemen from 1997 to 2001.

The discussion, part of the institutes Understanding Our New World series via Zoom, is at 10 a.m.

Bodine and John Shaw, Simon Institute director, will also discuss her diplomatic career. Bodine has been a diplomatic pioneer in the United States, Shaw said, noting that Bodines service included critical posts in the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf.

As the director of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, Ambassador Bodine is now helping to train and guide a new generation of American diplomats, he said.

In February, President Biden announced his administration is ending support for a regionalized civil war in Yemen, including some arms sales to Saudi Arabia. In a recent interview, Bodine said the war has been a humanitarian catastrophe for the people of Yemen.

A native of St. Louis, Bodine earned an undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a masters degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Registration is open

Registration for the free Zoom meeting is available in advance. After completing registration, participants will receive an email confirmation with information about joining the meeting, along with the meeting ID and password.

Participants can submit a question to Bodine by email at paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu or by including it in the Questions and Comments section on the registration form.

More information on the Simon Institutes events is available at paulsimoninstitute.siu.edu/event-information/.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday that his government had begun a gradual normalization process in the pandemic on March 2. In fact, it means removing almost all restrictions limiting the spread of COVID-19 as part of a herd immunity policy.

On the basis of an unscientific four-risk categorization (low, medium, high and very high) for cities, the government has removed restrictions without imposing an inter-city travel ban. Weekend curfews were fully lifted in low- and medium-risk cities, while restrictions on Sunday will continue in cities classified as high risk or very high risk.

Healthcare organizations oppose the easing restrictions and call for vaccination and lockdown on March 4, 2021, Ankara [Credit: The Turkish Medical Association (TTB)]

After Erdogan declared, Face-to-face education will start in low- and medium-risk provinces, including in middle and high schools, millions of students began returning to schools across Turkey. Predictably, there are already reports of positive cases detected in schools all over the country. While the government claimed it would vaccinate teachers, no vaccination campaign for teachers has begun yet.

While state employees have resumed normal working hours, restaurants and cafes are open at 50 percent capacity from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., except in very high-risk provinces. Erdogan also announced that general assemblies of organizations can be held in low-, medium- and high-risk cities with the participation of up to 300 people. However, many scientists have clearly showed that outbreaks in some cities came just after congresses or meetings organized by Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP).

These moves are part of a universal back-to-work and back-to-school drive in the interests of the ruling elites at the expense of workers health and lives. From the beginning, the Erdogan governments priority has been to maintain the flow of profits to the financial oligarchy not to save public health.

While he claims that his government produced financial aid packages for all affected sections of the public, 89 percent of these bailouts in 2020 went to big businesses, according to a report published early February by the DISK trade union confederation. The 11 percent, or 42 billion Turkish Liras (US$ 7.6 billion), spent on workers went to unemployment insurance. In fact, even these social aids are in support of the capitalist class, which in this period did not pay workers who were forced to take short-time work or unpaid leave allowances.

As a result of this herd immunity strategy, Turkey ranks ninth in the world in terms of total number of cases, with more than 2.7 million. According to the highly unreliable numbers of the Health Ministry, which admitted that it has lied about the real figures for a while, the death toll has reached 29,000, including at least 385 health care workers. Even then, these figures severely underestimate the true losses.

According to calculations by investigative filmmaker Guclu Yaman, there have been 98,000 excess deaths in Turkey since the pandemic began. The highly unreliable nature of official figures was shown in the graphic below produced by researcher Zeki Berk.

In this graph, daily COVID-19 deaths per 1 million people between December 1 and February 25 in 17 European countries including Turkey are shown. The graph is prepared over 7-day moving averages. (Source: Our World in Data website)

Commenting on this chart, Yaman criticized the reactionary collaboration of the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) with the governments response to the pandemic, Lets not forget the contribution of the CHP municipalities, which hid the real data of the pandemic from the public for a long time, like the government, to keep the red line below [above] this level.

However, Turkey reported 11,837 new cases in a day on Tuesday, the most since January 7, 2021. The daily official death toll is still above 60. Berk noted that total coronavirus cases in Istanbul rose by nearly 50 percent in a week.

Prof. Dr. Fatih Tank pointed out that half of the total official COVID-19 deaths in the country took place in the last three months, adding that the test positivity rate reached 8.75 percent on March 2, its highest level since December 24. The reproduction rate (R0) is 1.11, according to his calculations, indicating an exponential growth in infections.

Prof. Dr. Tugrul Erbaydar, a public health specialist from Ankara University, denounced the bourgeoisies policy of the malign neglect. The first wave was a surge that was difficult due to uncertainty over what to do against a new virus. The second wave came as cases got out of control, as necessary precautions were not taken adequately and numbers were hidden. The third wave is due to the blatant abandoning of existing precautions.

An international homicidal policy based only on the interests of the financial oligarchy is emerging. Governments are reopening schools for in-person education to get children out of their homes so their parents can be sent back to work to produce profits for the corporations, under conditions where social aid is largely denied to parents or children.

Moreover, despite enormous opposition among high school students against holding face-to-face exams in schools, Erdogan ordered that they return to in-person education and exams in so-called low- and medium-risk cities, making clear his governments contempt for youth. Throughout February, hundreds of thousands of students campaigned on social media against plans to hold face-to-face exams in schools.

These criminal, unscientific policies have faced no serious objections from bourgeois opposition parties or the trade unions. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality led by CHP Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu joined the campaign, opening restaurants and cafes starting on March 5, after students had to begin using subways and public transport in Istanbul, with its population of more than 16 million, packed like sardines.

Moreover, as the government eases limited restrictions, variants of the coronavirus are spreading. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca himself admitted this on Wednesday, stating, variants of the virus may be observed more commonly. As such, measures will be in effect for variants as well, before adding, High numbers of cases still pose a threat to our hope of having back our natural flow of life, and normalization will be possible only by abiding by the coronavirus measures.

Scientists and public health specialists have strongly opposed state policy, warning that ending the current limited restrictions will cause a public health disaster overshadowing even the massacre in November-December. Shortly after the government reopened schools for in-person education, Turkey saw over 30,000 infections and more than 250 deaths per day in the November-December period.

Calls by scientists and public health specialists denouncing a herd immunity policy and demanding full lockdown and vaccination policies, powerfully vindicate the response to the pandemic of the International Committee of the Fourth Internationals (ICFI) and its Turkish sympathizing group, Sosyalist Esitlik.

A coalition of health organizations, including the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), Health and Social Service Laborers Union (SES), Progressive Health Workers Union, Turkish Nurses Association (THD), All Radiology Technicians Association (Tum Rad-Der) and Social Service Specialists Association (SHU-Der), issued a joint statement on Thursday denouncing the premature reopening policies of the government.

It stated: This [opening] decision was taken too early. Vaccinations and precautions are mandatory for these controlled steps, adding that we need to spread the vaccination by supplying 120-150 million doses of vaccine rapidly, to ensure social immunity with fair access to vaccines, while providing financial aid to our citizens with the principles of the social state so that social mobility is reduced for 14-28 days.

However, vaccination is progressing slowly in Turkey and internationally. Moreover, within Turkey, serious regional inequalities are emerging. According to the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), as of March 1, only five percent of the population was vaccinated in 14 eastern and southeastern Kurdish-majority cities, while this figure was between 10 percent and 14.4 percent in 34 other cities.

The TTB has explained this difference by distrust in government policy and difficulties due to lack of access to health care services in the inhabitants mother tongue, Kurdish. The situation facing more than five million refugees and immigrants in Turkey is horrific. They are not even listed in the official vaccination schedule.

Against this global death policy by the ruling elites, there is no way forward besides the independent political intervention of the international working class and the launching of political general strikes. Workers must demand and struggle for a halt to all non-essential production and schools until the pandemic is contained, with full compensation to all affected workers and small businesses. This and other scientific social distancing and contact tracing measures must be combined with a rapid and broad international vaccination campaign, focusing on the most vulnerable sections of society.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 30 giorni fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Growth & Trends

The global medical affairs outsourcing market size is expected to reach USD 3.47 billion by 2028 registering a CAGR of 12.2%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Transformation in medical education and the rising number of orphan therapies for the treatment of rare diseases are some of the key factors propelling the market growth. The pharmaceutical companies are looking for assistance to systematically position the therapeutic outcomes of these therapies in the market. According to a report published by IQVIA in 2020, the U.S. FDA has approved 80 orphan indications in 2017 and about 57 in early 2020.

Changes in the reimbursement scenario and pricing pressure are expected to increase the adoption of cost-saving measures by the pharmaceutical and medical device companies. This is anticipated to promote off-shoring of medical affairs outsourcing in countries like India and China. Pharmaceutical companies are outsourcing medical affairs services to get high-quality documents, control the R&D cost, and reduce investment costs required to train the medical affairs team. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical and medical device companies are outsourcing their medical affairs services to diverge their business activities and manage product life cycles.

In addition, Contract Research Organizations (CROs) offer cost-efficient solutions and compliance with the health authority requirements, thereby propelling market growth. The bio/pharmaceutical outsourcing industry has seen a rise in R&D demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in demand, as well as other impacts from the pandemic, such as rising demand for clinical trials and its outsourcing services, have caused some CROs to shift focus and adjust their operations. The pandemic has pushed more pharmaceutical companies and regulators to use new technologies for remote quality audits and inspections, thus driving positive changes in the pharma industry.

Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Report

Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Report Highlights

The medical writing & publishing segment led the market in 2020 and is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period, owing to the increasing need for marketable written content to convey medical information to healthcare professionals and patients

North America dominated the global market with a share of 35.3% in 2020 owing to the presence of a large number of pharmaceutical and medical devices companies in the region

Moreover, the high cost of medical affairs services is a major challenge, which has encouraged various medical device companies in North America to outsource functions to third-party vendors in off-shore locations with a high level of expertise in the domain

However, Asia Pacific is anticipated to account for the largest revenue share by 2028 while growing at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, owing to cost-efficient service offering by the CROs in the region

In addition, improved regulatory framework and availability of a skilled workforce in APAC boosts the market growth

Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global medical affairs outsourcing market on the basis of services, industry, and region:

Medical Affairs Outsourcing Services Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2016 - 2028)

Medical Writing & Publishing

Medical Monitoring

Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs)

Medical Information

Others

Medical Affairs Outsourcing Industry Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2016 - 2028)

Pharmaceutical

Biopharmaceutical

Medical Devices Therapeutic Medical Devices Diagnostic Medical Devices



Medical Affairs Outsourcing Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2016 - 2028)

North America US. Canada

Europe UK. Germany France Italy Spain

Asia Pacific Japan China India Korea Australia

Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina

Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE



List of Key Players of Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market

ICON plc

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.

The Medical Affairs Company

Syneos Health, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC

Ashfield Healthcare Communications

Zeincro Group

Wuxi Clinical Development, Inc.

SGS S.A.

Indegene, Inc.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.
Nearly 300 abducted Nigerian schoolgirls released, reunited with families: 'We thank God'

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Nearly 300 abducted Nigerian schoolgirls were safely returned Tuesday after they were kidnapped Friday morning by armed militants.

State authorities said 279 girls were released, which is different from the original reports claiming 317 girls were kidnapped.

After 1 a.m. on Friday, gunmen kidnapped nearly 300 girls from a boarding school in northwest Nigeria following a wave of mass abductions. The kidnapped girls from Government Girls Science School in Jangebe are between 11 and 17 years old.

This abduction is the third mass kidnapping experienced in recent months in northwest Nigeria, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The Associated Press and Reuters released a video that showed the hundreds of the freed and barefoot schoolgirls in light blue hijabs waiting at a Zamfara state government building to be released.

After health examinations, the girls were reunited with their families.

I am elated. We thank God. We thank God, Habib Abdullahi, whose three daughters were kidnapped, was quoted as saying.

In the video, a reporter asked Yakubu Sani, the father of a released girl, how he felt. The smiling father said, Like just I was born just now, I feel very fine.

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari joined in celebrating the girls release.

I join the affected families and the people of Zamfara State in welcoming and celebrating the release of the abducted students of GGSS Jangebe, he tweeted. This news [brings] overwhelming joy. I am pleased that their ordeal has come to a happy end without any incident.

Buhari also the government is working to bring an end to these grim and heartbreaking incidents of kidnapping. The president stated that the military and police would continue to go after kidnappers and will need the help of communities for intelligence to quell criminal plans.

Zamfara Gov. Bello Matawalle also tweeted upon the girls return. He posted photos of the girls returning in vans.

Alhamdulillah! [God be praised!], he shared. It gladdens my heart to announce the release of the abducted students of GGSS Jangebe from captivity. This follows the scaling of several hurdles laid against our efforts. I enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians to rejoice with us as our daughters are now safe.

Activists worldwide have called on the Nigerian government to intervene to end the fatal trend of abductions and terror activity.

No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, which is the countrys largest-ever kidnapping of schoolgirls, according to the AP/Reuters video.

The kidnapping is under investigation. Though kidnapping for ransom has become a profitable industry for terrorist groups in Nigeria, authorities claim ransom was not paid for the girls release.

However, The Wall Street Journal notes that one of the girls reported that a ransom had been paid, and the kidnappers even fired shots in the middle of the night to celebrate the payments arrival.

Umma Abubakar, another one of the kidnapped girls, shared with reporters details of the abduction, according to CNN.

"Most of us got injured on our feet and we could not continue trekking, so they [the captors] said they will shoot anybody who did not continue to walk," Abubakar recalled. "We walked across a river and they hid us and let us sleep under shrubs in a forest."

Yusuf Idris, a spokesman Gov. Matawalle, shared with CNN that the girls said the kidnappers treated them fairly and gave them food. But they said it was the worst experience in their life.

[The girls] spent four days in captivity with a bandit group walking through the Rugu Forest in a choreography that now, unfortunately, has become all too familiar in northern Nigeria, Wall Street Journal Africa Bureau Chief Joe Parkinson said.

The Rugu Forest has become known as a hideout for Bandits that have terrorized northwest Nigeria.

Boko Haram, one of the deadliest terror groups in the world, kidnapped as many as 500 schoolboys in an attack on Kankara Government Science Secondary School in Katsina state on Dec. 11.

The terror group eventually freed 344 boys after security forces negotiated their release. Many of the boys, however, remain missing.

The recent wave of school kidnappings follows the abduction of the 276 Nigerian schoolgirls from a school in Chibok in 2014, which gained international attention with the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Over 112 of the Chibok schoolgirls remain missing.

The Global Terrorism Index ranks Nigeria as the country third most affected by terrorism globally, behind Iraq and Afghanistan. The index reports that from 2001 to 2019, there were over 22,000 killed by acts of terror. Nigeria also leads the world in the number of Christians killed, according to Open Doors USA.
As apparel retailers and brands scramble to try to disentangle their cotton supply chains from possible links to forced labour abuses in Xinjiang province, China is likely to be looking for alternative markets for its fibres  presenting new challenges for countries like South Africa.

Allegations that ethnic minority labourers in the Xinjiang region in China  which produces 85% of the countrys and 20% of the worlds cotton  are forced to pick cotton by hand through state-mandated schemes first surfaced more than a year ago.

The claims have potentially devastating consequences for global supply chains that use the regions cotton as a raw material.

In January, the British government indicated it was going to tighten up controls regarding imports from the Xinjiang region and that companies will have to publish supply chain transparency reports or face the risk of being fined. And Canada is also urging firms to review their supply chains for Xinjiang inputs.

The US has gone one step further, issuing a withhold release order (WRO) detaining imports of cotton products  including apparel and textiles  if theyre suspected of touching Xinjiang forced labour at any point in the supply chain.



But for countries like South Africa, which has a close and tight diplomatic relationship with China, the chances are slim that there will even be a mild rebuke regarding Chinas alleged human rights record or practices.

Forced-labour product to seek alternative markets

Given that the South African government has been unsuccessful in even addressing illegal, undervalued clothing imports from China over the last two decades, to expect them to control the origin of the cotton content of clothing originating from China is, I suspect, a rather forlorn hope, says Brian Brink, executive director of the Textile Federation (Texfed).

Furthermore, Brink believes a consequence of the USs embargo on cotton goods from Xinjiang is that increased volumes of forced-labour produced product will be seeking alternate markets throughout the world.

Thematic Reports Are you worried about the pace of innovation in your industry? GlobalData's TMT Themes 2021 Report tells you everything you need to know about disruptive tech themes and which companies are best placed to help you digitally transform your business. Find out more

This, of course, does not bode well for South Africa where illegal, undervalued clothing imports are already a big problem.

Paul Theron, acting executive director of the Apparel Manufacturers of South Africa (AMSA), says it is a complex issue with apparent allegations, but no proof  although the industry is highly suspicious of Chinas practices.

Local clothing retailers

South Africas prominent clothing retailers  including Woolworths, Mr Price Group, Pepkor, The Foschini Group and Truworths International  were approached for comment on the policies they have in place regarding the raw cotton used in their merchandise.

According to Woolworths spokesperson Silindile Gumede, the group has no supplier relationships in Chinas Xinjiang province and does not source finished garments made using slave labour from the region or from North Korea.

We audit our suppliers via independent third parties to ensure that the groups own Code of Business Practices is upheld and are committed to partnering with suppliers and industry stakeholders to protect and improve conditions and promote worker empowerment. Woolworths does not under any circumstances tolerate forced labour, and we will act quickly to address unjust labour practices should concerns arise within our supplier base.

Pepkor  the holding company of retailers like PEP and Ackermans  says its sourcing office in China follows a process that includes inspecting and rating compliance levels of suppliers on a bi-annual basis to ensure that the group complies with the necessary labour laws and regulations across its value chain. The group says none of its retailers source from Xinjiang province.

The Mr Price Group, The Foschini Group and Truworths International did not respond to the request for comment.

Cotton value chain is highly complex

One of the biggest challenges in identifying cotton originating from the Xinjiang region is that cotton is a generic fibre. And as China is also a major importer of cotton, it becomes even more problematic in identifying the source of fibre once blended and processed further, Theron says.

The cotton value chain is highly complex, with blending of the product happening as it makes its way through the value chain. This makes it difficult to identify the original source of the raw cotton picked on the farm, in the final manufactured product. This means that, for instance, a cotton T-shirt that says it is manufactured in China, Bangladesh, Eswatini or South Africa, can include raw cotton that has its origin in different cotton-growing regions and countries.

The blending of cotton happens at the spinning process, where lint is converted into yarn, at the knitter/weaver where the yarn is converted into greige fabric, and even at the manufacturing stage: for instance in the case of a pair of cotton trousers, where the inner lining of the pockets can be made from different cotton than the outer shell.

Even though cotton is grown in South Africa, the country lacks spinning capacity, meaning that most of the lint cotton is exported for processing and manufactured into clothing items, before being imported again.

Retailers can do more

Despite the difficulty in tracing the origins of cotton used in manufacturing the final product, Thomas Robbertse, founder and executive director at iQ Logistica  the agtech company that developed the cloud-based SCC Operations Visibility Platform that integrates local cotton supply chains  says retailers can do more regarding the visibility of their supply chains.

Technology like ours allows for greater visibility of supply chains right through, from the farm to the customer. However, in order to function optimally, it is essential that every role player in the supply chain commits to the process.

It is good and well to claim that there are no abusive labour practices, or for that matter also any sustainability shortcomings, in ones supply chain, but the only way to instil confidence, is to prove it, which traceability platforms like ours facilitates.

Offer full traceability

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)  the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world which locally includes Woolworths and Pick n Pay Clothing as its retail members  says legislation requiring businesses to demonstrate knowledge of their supply chains is becoming more common around the world.

Companies are not only being asked to know more about the origins of their materials but also about the conditions under which they are produced.

Increasing media and academic attention on geopolitical issues, including the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang area of China, has further demonstrated that production location and sustainability are crucially interlinked, says Amy Jackson, BCI director of membership & supply chain.

Up to now, the BCI has made use of its Chain of Custody (CoC) framework that incorporates the concept of mass balance  a widely-used volume-tracking system that allows Better Cotton to be substituted or mixed with conventional cotton provided equivalent volumes are sourced as Better Cotton.

However, it has halted all field-level activities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China after acknowledging an increasingly untenable operating environment. And work is underway on a new Chain of Custody (CoC) solution that will go beyond this mass balance chain of custody model and offer full traceability of its cotton by 2022.

As our world progresses, we recognise that it is time to explore going beyond this mass balance CoC model to offer full traceability and even more value to Better Cotton farmers and companies. For Better Cotton, this means that, at minimum, we seek to determine the region in which the seed cotton was produced and identify the businesses involved in its transformation to a finished good, Jackson adds.

Loss of capacity and skills in cotton value chain

While South Africas cotton industry has experienced solid growth in the last seven years, the country still lacks the capacity and skills within the value chain to take full advantage of local beneficiation.

This means that most of the lands lint cotton is exported for processing before the final product is imported again. This translates into an opportunity loss of about ZAR20.4bn (US$1.35bn) of beneficiation in the local cotton value chain based on the 2018/19 production years output of 51,000 tons of lint cotton.

The countrys cotton production has grown by almost 800% since 2013 following the establishment of the South African Sustainable Cotton Cluster (SCC), which was funded by an initial grant of ZAR200m from the Department of Trade and Industry.

84% of cotton lint exported

Although local cotton ginners have up to now been able to absorb the surge in cotton production, South Africa does not have the spinning capacity to convert the lint into yarn, meaning that around 84% of lint cotton has to be exported.

According to IQ Logisticas Robbertse, the set-up of a cotton spinner is very capital intensive, costing anything from ZAR1bn upwards to install.

Despite the number of ginners declining from 24 in the heyday of local cotton production to the present seven ginners, it is still able to accommodate the cotton that is currently farmed. However, South Africa lacks spinning capacity meaning that most of the lint cotton is exported for processing and manufactured into clothing items, before being imported again.

Employment opportunities lost

Robbertse says in 2019 cotton lint left South Africas shores at about ZAR24/kg, whilst the finished product was imported at around ZAR500/kg.

Based on the export of about 42,840 ton cotton lint and the concomitant value loss of ZAR476/kg (ZAR500/kg  ZAR24/kg), the opportunity loss in local beneficiation to the economy comes to roughly ZAR20.4 billion. Not to mention the many potential employment opportunities that have gone wasted.

But even if we were to build spinning capacity in South Africa, there would still be a huge skills shortage because of the demise of the clothing textile industry over the last 30 years brought on by trade liberalisation and global competition, which unfortunately also led to cheap imports.

This all means that were we to establish spinners in South Africa, we would still have to import skills from Asia that could then also train local labour in the trade.

But according to Robbertse, it is not all bad news as the export of cotton lint does earn the country important foreign exchange and helps farmers to offset some of their input costs like fertilizer, fuel and equipment that are all dollar-based.

About the author: iQ Logistica develops world-class business solutions for vertically integrated supply chains that are demand led/driven for entire value chains per product. This means end-to-end visibility and transparency, tracking the item-handling events during the entire process, resulting in custodianship of a products lifecycle of manufacturing, to ensure forensically secure information.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Sinn Fein is taking disciplinary action against councillor Paddy Holohan after he failed to remove a Facebook post supporting a salon owner who reopened in breach of Covid-19 restrictions.

Senior Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said there is a disciplinary procedure underway after Mr Holohan, who has previously been suspended from the party, failed to remove the post.

This fella made a comment, we told him that comment isnt in keeping with the partys view, we told him to withdraw it, he isnt doing so, theres a disciplinary procedure, the party will deal with that, Mr Doherty told Independent.ies The Floating Voter podcast.

In a post on his Facebook page last month, Mr Holohan described C&N Beauty Room owner Christine McTiernan as inspiring after she was arrested by gardai for opening her business during Level 5 restrictions.

Mr Holohan has previously been suspended from the party over derogatory comments about women and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar. Mr Doherty said on Friday that while there was huge frustration with restrictions there was consensus around the need for the public health measures.

Elsewhere in a wide-ranging discussion, Mr Doherty said that Sinn Fein is preparing itself for a general election, noting there is a lot of internal tension in the coalition parties.

Those things bring on elections, a leadership challenge in Fine Gael or indeed Fianna Fail can actually bring on an election. Do I believe it [the Government] will last? I dont know, all I know is that were getting ready, were selecting our candidates, were making sure we have enough candidates in the field," the party's finance spokesperson said.

He noted that the party had left a number of seats behind us in the last election because it did not run enough candidates in certain constituencies.

Read More

Mr Doherty also defended Sinn Feins role in failing to secure cross-border consensus on Covid-19 restrictions, insisting it was not possible because of the DUPs reluctance. He said criticism of Sinn Fein for this was like saying isnt it terrible that Sinn Fein cant convince the DUP that Brexit is bad.

The Donegal TD criticised the UK governments unilateral decision this week to extend post-Brexit grace periods for Northern Ireland without consultation with the EU, saying it was really, really bad faith.

He also said that the State had no option but to stop doing business with Davy Stockbrokers after it was hit with a record 4.1m fine by the Central Bank for regulatory breaches.
In a speech delivered Wednesday by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and an accompanying national security strategy document, the Biden administration has signaled the continuation, and escalation, of the Trump administrations great-power competition with Russia and China.

But to an extent even greater than its predecessor, the Biden administration is singling out China as the greatest US adversary and target for conflict. In his remarks on the interim strategy document, Blinken concluded, Several countries present us with serious challenges, including Russia, Iran, North Korea  but the challenge posed by China is different. China is the only country with the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to challenge the United States.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks on foreign policy at the State Department, Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Washington. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via AP)

Bidens focus on the US conflict with China includes the explicit threat to wage war. The United States will never hesitate to use force when required to defend our vital national interests, the national security strategy document states. We will ensure our armed forces are equipped to  defeat threats that emerge.

The Trump administrations realignment of US foreign policy toward conflict with China was widely viewed as its defining foreign policy stance. Trumps America first nationalisminvolving protectionism and mercantilist trade war policy, was inseparable from its orientation toward conflict with China.

Likewise, the Biden administration has made clear that it will continue Trumps trade war policies.

Some of us previously argued for free trade agreements because we believed  those deals would shape the global economy in ways that we wanted, Blinken said. Our approach now will be different. We will fight for every American job and for the rights, protections and interests of all American workers. Foreign Policy argued earlier this month that Bidens foreign policy is a Kinder, Gentler Spin on America First. This comparison is facile at best; many of the new administrations statements seem neither kinder nor gentler. Wherever the rules for international security and the global economy are being written, America will be there and the interest of the American people will be front and center, the Biden national security document states.

A central focus will be the attempt to recruit the American population into supporting this conflict. The document states that We must also demonstrate clearly to the American people that leading the world isnt an investment we make to feel good about ourselves. Its how we ensure the American people are able to live in peace, security, and prosperity. Its in our undeniable self-interest.

To this end, both parties have for years worked to demonize China. Trump declared that COVID-19 is the Chinese virus and kung flu, while the Biden administration has continued to claim that the disease may have been created in a Chinese lab, while accusing China of genocide.

These appeals have had an effect on public consciousness. Nine in 10 Americans now see China as a competitor or an enemy, rather than a partner, according to a Pew research poll conducted last month. And two-thirds of respondents have cold feelings toward Beijing, up from 46 percent just two years ago.

The fact that both Republican and Democrat administrations have framed the relationship as strategic competition and highlighted numerous threats that China has posed, its not surprising that more and more Americanswho are reading and hearing about this on a daily basisare more and more concerned, and have an unfavourable view of China, noted Bonnie Glaser, director of the China Power Project at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

In his book The Room Where It Happened, former Trump National Security Advisor John Bolton, who on most foreign policy questions lines up with the Democrats, made the following assessment of the Trump Administration:

Trump in some respects embodies the growing US concern about China. He appreciates the key truth that politico-military power rests on a strong economy. The stronger the economy, the greater the capacity to sustain large military and intelligence budgets to protect Americas worldwide interests and compete with multiple would-be regional hegemons. Trump frequently says explicitly that stopping Chinas unfair economic growth at US expense is the best way to defeat China militarily, which is fundamentally correct. These views, in an otherwise bitterly divided Washington, have contributed to significant changes in the terms of Americas own debate about these issues.

It was this viewpoint that guided the drafting of the 2018 national defense strategy under Secretary of Defense James Mattis, which concluded, Inter-state strategic competition, not terrorism, is now the primary concern in U.S. national security.

Under Trump, the corollary to this approach was not merely trade war, but preparations for full-scale nuclear war. The White Houses withdrawal from the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was aimed centrally at ringing China with nuclear missiles, and Trump accelerated a multi-trillion dollar build-up of US nuclear weapons. These preparations will continue under Biden.
The Guardian

The potential consequences of the origins of the virus are shattering  if they can be proved My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters There was a time when the Covid pandemic seemed to confirm so many of our assumptions. It cast down the people we regarded as villains. It raised up those we thought were heroes. It prospered people who could shift easily to working from home even as it problematized the lives of those Trump voters living in the old economy. Like all plagues, Covid often felt like the hand of God on earth, scourging the people for their sins against higher learning and visibly sorting the righteous from the unmasked wicked. Respect science, admonished our yard signs. And lo!, Covid came and forced us to do so, elevating our scientists to the highest seats of social authority, from where they banned assembly, commerce, and all the rest. We cast blame so innocently in those days. We scolded at will. We knew who was right and we shook our heads to behold those in the wrong playing in their swimming pools and on the beach. It made perfect sense to us that Donald Trump, a politician we despised, could not grasp the situation, that he suggested people inject bleach, and that he was personally responsible for more than one super-spreading event. Reality itself punished leaders like him who refused to bow to expertise. The prestige news media even figured out a way to blame the worst death tolls on a system of organized ignorance they called populism. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a cult out of the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general But these days the consensus doesnt consense quite as well as it used to. Now the media is filled with disturbing stories suggesting that Covid might have come  not from populism at all, but from a laboratory screw-up in Wuhan, China. You can feel the moral convulsions beginning as the question sets in: What if science itself is in some way culpable for all this? * I am no expert on epidemics. Like everyone else I know, I spent the pandemic doing as I was told. A few months ago I even tried to talk a Fox News viewer out of believing in the lab-leak theory of Covids origins. The reason I did that is because the newspapers I read and the TV shows I watched had assured me on many occasions that the lab-leak theory wasnt true, that it was a racist conspiracy theory, that only deluded Trumpists believed it, that it got infinite pants-on-fire ratings from the fact-checkers, and because (despite all my cynicism) I am the sort who has always trusted the mainstream news media. My own complacency on the matter was dynamited by the lab-leak essay that ran in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists earlier this month; a few weeks later everyone from Doctor Fauci to President Biden is acknowledging that the lab-accident hypothesis might have some merit. We dont know the real answer yet, and we probably will never know, but this is the moment to anticipate what such a finding might ultimately mean. What if this crazy story turns out to be true? The answer is that this is the kind of thing that could obliterate the faith of millions. The last global disaster, the financial crisis of 2008, smashed peoples trust in the institutions of capitalism, in the myths of free trade and the New Economy, and eventually in the elites who ran both American political parties. In the years since (and for complicated reasons), liberal leaders have labored to remake themselves into defenders of professional rectitude and established legitimacy in nearly every field. In reaction to the fool Trump, liberalism made a sort of cult out of science, expertise, the university system, executive-branch norms, the intelligence community, the State Department, NGOs, the legacy news media, and the hierarchy of credentialed achievement in general. Now here we are in the waning days of Disastrous Global Crisis #2. Covid is of course worse by many orders of magnitude than the mortgage meltdown  it has killed millions and ruined lives and disrupted the world economy far more extensively. Should it turn out that scientists and experts and NGOs, etc. are villains rather than heroes of this story, we may very well see the expert-worshiping values of modern liberalism go up in a fireball of public anger. Consider the details of the story as we have learned them in the last few weeks:  Lab leaks happen. They arent the result of conspiracies: a lab accident is an accident, as Nathan Robinson points out; they happen all the time, in this country and in others, and people die from them.  There is evidence that the lab in question, which studies bat coronaviruses, may have been conducting what is called gain of function research, a dangerous innovation in which diseases are deliberately made more virulent. By the way, right-wingers didnt dream up gain of function: all the cool virologists have been doing it (in this country and in others) even as the squares have been warning against it for years.  There are strong hints that some of the bat-virus research at the Wuhan lab was funded in part by the American national-medical establishment  which is to say, the lab-leak hypothesis doesnt implicate China alone.  There seem to have been astonishing conflicts of interest among the people assigned to get to the bottom of it all, and (as we know from Enron and the housing bubble) conflicts of interest are always what trip up the well-credentialed professionals whom liberals insist we must all heed, honor, and obey.  The news media, in its zealous policing of the boundaries of the permissible, insisted that Russiagate was ever so true but that the lab-leak hypothesis was false false false, and woe unto anyone who dared disagree. Reporters gulped down whatever line was most flattering to the experts they were quoting and then insisted that it was 100% right and absolutely incontrovertible  that anything else was only unhinged Trumpist folly, that democracy dies when unbelievers get to speak, and so on.  The social media monopolies actually censored posts about the lab-leak hypothesis. Of course they did! Because were at war with misinformation, you know, and people need to be brought back to the true and correct faith  as agreed upon by experts. * Let us pray, now, for science, intoned a New York Times columnist back at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. The title of his article laid down the foundational faith of Trump-era liberalism: Coronavirus is What You Get When You Ignore Science. Ten months later, at the end of a scary article about the history of gain of function research and its possible role in the still ongoing Covid pandemic, Nicholson Baker wrote as follows: This may be the great scientific meta-experiment of the 21st century. Could a world full of scientists do all kinds of reckless recombinant things with viral diseases for many years and successfully avoid a serious outbreak? The hypothesis was that, yes, it was doable. The risk was worth taking. There would be no pandemic. Except there was. If it does indeed turn out that the lab-leak hypothesis is the right explanation for how it began  that the common people of the world have been forced into a real-life lab experiment, at tremendous cost  there is a moral earthquake on the way. Because if the hypothesis is right, it will soon start to dawn on people that our mistake was not insufficient reverence for scientists, or inadequate respect for expertise, or not enough censorship on Facebook. It was a failure to think critically about all of the above, to understand that there is no such thing as absolute expertise. Think of all the disasters of recent years: economic neoliberalism, destructive trade policies, the Iraq War, the housing bubble, banks that are too big to fail, mortgage-backed securities, the Hillary Clinton campaign of 2016  all of these disasters brought to you by the total, self-assured unanimity of the highly educated people who are supposed to know what theyre doing, plus the total complacency of the highly educated people who are supposed to be supervising them. Then again, maybe I am wrong to roll out all this speculation. Maybe the lab-leak hypothesis will be convincingly disproven. I certainly hope it is. But even if it inches closer to being confirmed, we can guess what the next turn of the narrative will be. It was a perfect storm, the experts will say. Who coulda known? And besides (they will say), the origins of the pandemic dont matter any more. Go back to sleep. Thomas Frank is a Guardian US columnist. He is the author, most recently, of The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism
Late last night, the House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 on a party-line vote, with just two Democrats joining Republicans in opposing the measure. You can read the text of the bill here. It reflects the Democratic Partys view that there is really no such thing as crime, and the principal threat to our populace comes from violent, depraved police officers. In general, it puts the heavy thumb of the federal government on the scale in favor of criminals, and against law enforcement.

I wont try to summarize all of the laws many provisions, but will just note a few points. First, the bill requires an enormous amount of money to be shelled out. To whom will the money go? As always, the Democrats are assiduous in rewarding their constituencies. This is the bills definition of Community-Based Organizations to which funding will flow:

The term community-based organization means a grassroots organization that monitors the issue of police misconduct and that has a local or national presence and membership, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), UnidosUS, the National Urban League, the National Congress of American Indians, or the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium (NAPALC).

Second, the bill requires the collection of an enormous amount of data by state and local law enforcement agencies. The data, naturally, are organized by race, ethnicity, age, and gender of the officers of the agency and of members of the public involved in the practice. More than ever, racial nose-counting will be the order of the day.

Third, one of the acts most pernicious features is its declaration that any disparity in law enforcement constitutes racial profiling, and therefore is banned:

SEC. 311. PROHIBITION. No law enforcement agent or law enforcement agency shall engage in racial profiling.

***

(c) Nature Of Proof.Proof that the routine or spontaneous investigatory activities of law enforcement agents [Ed.: E.g., traffic stops] in a jurisdiction have had a disparate impact on individuals with a particular characteristic described in section 302(6) shall constitute prima facie evidence of a violation of this part.

So if police officers and highway patrolmen dont stop exact quotas of each racial group for speeding, it constitutes racial profiling and is prohibited. There is voluminous evidence that some ethnic groups commit traffic violations and other offenses at substantially greater rates than other ethnic groups, so police officers will have to let some traffic offenses, etc., go so they can meet their quotas. The analogy to the Democrats destruction of school discipline through racial quotas is obvious. The effect will be a more dangerous America.

But the Democrats dont care about that. When it comes to cops vs. robbers, they are on the side of the robbers.

This atrocity will become law unless we are saved by Joe Manchin or, perhaps, Kyrsten Sinema. This is how far gone the Democratic Party is.

A final observation: the bills name, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, is ironic in view of the fact that, based on the evidence we now have, the only thing police officers did in regard to George Floyd was to try to save his life by calling an ambulance after Floyd had, in effect, committed suicide with an overdose of fentanyl. But reality and Nancy Pelosi have little in common.
Fourth Generation Cannabis has received a Health Canada Licence for Delta 9's proprietary and turnkey Grow Pod systems

Delta 9 Cannabis says Fourth Generation Cannabis plans to expand their operations to include another 36 Grow Pods

Delta 9 Cannabis Inc ( ) ( ) (FRA:V5D1) said it has completed the final services milestone in its agreement with Alberta-based partner Fourth Generation Cannabis Ltd (4th Gen), which resulted in 4th Gen receiving its cannabis micro cultivation licenses from Health Canada.

Delta 9 said it has provided services to 4th Gen as part of a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) related to cannabis production, development of standard operating procedures and sanitation programs, consulting on Health Canada licensing, marketing services, brand development and other services supporting the acquisition of the Health Canada license.

We are delighted that Fourth Generation Cannabis has received a Health Canada License for 12 of our proprietary and turnkey Grow Pod systems and has future plans to apply for three more Health Canada licenses to expand their operations to include another 36 Grow Pods, Delta 9 Cannabis CEO John Arbuthnot said in a statement.

He added: Our turnkey platform for Grow Pods and services continues to prove one of the best options for cannabis industry entrepreneurs seeking licensing and support services.

Delta 9 noted that its cannabis production methodology is based around a modular, scalable, and stackable production unit called a "Grow Pod", which resemble retrofitted 40-foot shipping containers.

The company provides vertical growing units, integrated grow racks, and LED grow lights, part of non-proprietary products designed, engineered, and manufactured by third parties, such as air cleaning systems and automated fertigation and watering systems, which is developed using precision hardware and software grow applications for the indoor cannabis cultivation marketplace.

Delta 9 added that it plans to purchase cannabis products from 4th Gen for distribution through its established distribution network, and through Delta 9's branded retail stores.

Delta 9 said it has now successfully licensed more than 100 Grow Pods in third-party facilities across Canada.

Delta 9 Cannabis is a vertically-integrated cannabis company focused on bringing the highest quality cannabis products to market. The company sells cannabis products through its wholesale and retail sales channels and sells its cannabis 'Grow Pods' to other businesses.

The company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., is a licensed producer of medical and recreational cannabis and operates an 80,000 square foot production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Delta 9 also owns and operates a chain of retail stores under the Delta 9 Cannabis Store brand.

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will hold a meeting to finalize the Chief Minister and constituency distribution in the forthcoming elections in Pondicherry, in two days, said president V Saminathan on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at the headquarters, Saminathan said: "Union Minister McGowan had set up various working committees to expedite the work for the Pondicherry Assembly elections and that a 12-member committee headed by former minister Namasivayam had been set up to prepare the first phase election report."

He also informed that a committee of 11 people has been formed under his leadership.

He further said that the election report will be prepared based on the wishes and views of the public.

Asking whether the NR Congress was in the alliance or not, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said that the NR Congress was part of the NDA and that a meeting of the leaders of NDA would be held in two days on the Chief Minister and the constituency agreement.

Earlier, Union Minister McGowan and top officials were present and held consultations with executives.

The Congress-led government in the UT fell before completing its five-year term under Chief Minister V Naraynawamy.

Narayanasamy had resigned on February 22 ahead of a floor test in the 33-member House (including three nominated) following the resignations of five Congress and one Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) legislators.

On February 23, President Ram Nath Kovind accepted his resignation.

Kiran Bedi was replaced as state L-G with Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan being given the additional charge of the UT.

The Election Commission has issued a protocol for voting. All poll officials will be vaccinated against Covid-19 before elections for five assembly polls, the commission said.

Central Armed Police Forces would be deployed and also special observers from other states would be nominated for monitoring the expenses during the assembly elections.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Steady light rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 62F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy with a few showers. Low 47F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
LONDON (Reuters) - Students at Harris Academy in south London are happy to put up with regular COVID-19 testing if it means an end to two months of home schooling and a chance to see friends again.

Schools have been shut for most students during England's third national lockdown which began on Jan. 5, but are set to reopen on Monday.

"(I'm) looking forward to the interaction with both pupils and staff, and also it's easier to learn in school," student Tom Adams, 15, said on Friday, as he returned to school to be tested ahead of reopening next week. "I find it's harder at home."

The students will take three tests three to five days apart at the school before moving to home testing, and they can return to school after the first test if it is negative.

The government then plans to provide test kits to use twice weekly at home.

Although the rapid COVID-19 test kits are less reliable than PCR tests, which must be read in a lab, they throw up more false negatives than positives, meaning if someone returns a positive test result, it is likely to be accurate.

"I'm a lot more confident, as I know that people that have tested positive won't come in, and that will make it a lot more of a safe environment at school and allow school to stay open," Eddie Taylor, 15, said.

"I don't think anyone wants to go back to home-school."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that getting children back to school is a priority as the third lockdown eases, and officials have pointed out the costs of keeping them closed.

"I would say it's the most important thing for young people to be back in schools and continuing with their education," Ciara Warnock, principal of Harris Academy in Beckenham, south London, said.

"I think the loss to learning has been quite significant, but also really to support their well-being and their mental health. We know that within school they really thrive."

(Reporting by Will Russell and Helena Williams; writing by Alistair Smout; editing by Mike Collett-White)
A 1,000 minimum trading lot will limit the participation of small investors, while the stock market is moving towards fairness and equality.

The Vietnam Association of Securities Businesses (VASB) has expressed concern over a proposal of the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HOSE) in raising the minimum trading lot to 1,000 shares to ease the overload issue.

A 1,000 minimum trading lot could reduce 40-50% of the total transaction volume on HOSE. Photo: Cong Hung

The way out for such issue is to upgrade HOSEs trading system, and the state authorities should speed up the process as soon as possible, VASBs Vice Chairman Phan Quoc Huynh told tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn.

According to Huynh, a 1,000 minimum trading lot would limit the participation of small investors, while the stock market is moving towards fairness and equality.

Huynh referred to opinions from some securities firms as saying that the move would cause negative impacts on Vietnams stock market.

Meanwhile, a higher minimum trading lot may cause a sharp decline in the trading volume for stocks of firms with large market capitalization in the context of unchanged stock value, said Huynh.

With expensive stocks, investors may have to spend hundreds of million dong to buy the minimum 1,000 shares, he said.

Chairman of SSI Securities Corporation Nguyen Duy Hung on his social account gave a more positive view on HOSEs proposal, saying the trading system would be on the brink of collapse without appropriate measure.

Raising the minimum trading lot to 1,000 shares is necessary at the moment to keep the system running, he said, adding when the system upgrading process is completed, the minimum trading lot could be reverted to 10.

Hung said the overload of orders that forces the stock exchange to halt market trading is the result of a rapid-growing stock market that outpace the processing capacity of the stock market, as such, a long-term solution is a must, he suggested.

Newly-appointed General Director of HOSE Le Hai Tra previously said more developed markets such as Japan, Taiwan or Singapore had all risen the minimum trading lot.

He estimated a 1,000 minimum trading lot could reduce 40-50% of the total transaction volume, while taking the liquidity to a new level.

In another move, the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC), the country's stock market watchdog, has instructed the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) to process transactions of stocks from the HOSE as another solution to ease the latters overload issue.

However, an option to move to the HNX would not apply for stocks under the VN30 Index, comprising 30 largest stocks on the HOSE.

The new change was set to take effect from March 3, 2021 until further instruction from the SSC.

Both before and after the Tet holiday, the overload occurred repeatedly on HOSE whenever liquidity in a trading session hit around VND14-17 trillion (US$608-738 million).

The SSC attributed the overload issue on the HOSE to the transaction processing capacity of the stock exchange that limits the number of transactions per day, while a recent surge of orders has exceeded the expectation of the market.

Hanoitimes
Shares of Idea (Vi) slipped over 4 per cent to Rs 10.53 on the BSE in intra-day trade on Friday amid reports that the debt-laden telco's fund-raising plans have landed in a soup.

Vis talks with the Oak Hill consortium have not led to a binding agreement as there were unresolved issues around funding terms, guarantees and claims to the struggling telcos assets in case of a payment default, a report by Economic Times stated.

The report added that while talks between the two sides have not fallen through completely, the telecom JV between UKs Group and Group is already exploring other potential funding partners and is confident of securing funding by the end of this month, according to its sources.

The exclusive period for talks between the group of potential lenders consisting of Oak Hill, Pacific Investment Management Co, Sixth Street, Twin Point Capital and Varde Partners and Idea was extended by a month from January 30 to February 28 but no agreement could be signed, the report said.

Following this, the scrip slipped for the third day in a row. At 1.13 pm, the stock was down 3.27 per cent at Rs 10.64 per share as against a 0.24 per cent decline to 50,693 in the S&P BSE Sensex.

The company for the third quarter of FY21 had reported narrowing of consolidated loss to Rs 4,532.1 crore, mainly on account of a one-time gain from stake sale in Indus Towers. It had posted a loss of Rs 6,438.8 crore in the same quarter a year ago.

However, this had failed to enthuse analysts on the stock.

"While AGR dues payment extension was a short-term breather, its survival hinges on quick capital infusion and tariff hike implementation. The need for capitalisation is of paramount importance mainly due to its lagging spends on the network and relative market share loss. We will monitor triggers like fundraise, tariff hike, before changing our stance," analysts at ICICI Securities had said in an earning note.
Samsung has cut the microSD card slot from its new Galaxy S21 Ultra smartphone, distancing itself from the tech scene this year. Although a lot of smartphone users shrugged at the thought of phones not having microSDs, the others were outraged.

This is because microSDs help in adding more storage to phones, and the option to plug in external SD is a vital feature for people who like to take pictures and download films.

Samsung and Apple on eliminating microSD

However, Samsung and Apple are now making people wonder if microSDs are still important, especially now that cloud and growing internal storage are a thing, according to The Verge.

Both Samsung and Apple are adamant that smartphones no longer need microSDs in their external system. Analysts even predicted that phones in the future will be portless, and Samsung's decision to eliminate microSD card port early on can be another sign of a trend towards internal storage on phones.

Despite this, there are still phones that will let you up to your maximum storage with an extra memory card for now, but that might not be the case in the future, according to ScreenRant.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S21 Pre-order Promo: All the Best Bundle Deals Available

Importance of storage space

In principle, experts recommend using the in-built memory over an external microSD card because apps usually can't be installed on the card, and internal memory is faster and more reliable, according to SCMP.

But eliminating the additional SD card space is still difficult to apply to newer phones since the videos have quality as high as 4K and can cause 128GB to fill up easily.

This is why experts stated that photographers who like to take pictures in high resolutions and shoot videos should go for more internal storage, at least around 512GB of memory, according to LifeHack.

As for users of Apple, Google, or Microsoft cloud storage space, you can get by with just 64GB of storage space, as long as you regularly delete pictures that you have backed up to your cloud.

For those who love to listen to different types of music or those who love to watch films, you should go for at least 128GB of internal storage space, especially if you find yourself streaming films and songs regularly.

An hour's worth of streaming movies and music can max out 20GB. To be able to calculate your data needs, each song is around 6MB, and a film has to be between 500MB and 2GB.

It is important to note that the decreasing prices of internal memory hardware usually means that new phones will have more than enough memory so that you can get smartphone models with 128GB memory for less than $200.

Also, you may need to pay twice for a phone with twice the memory size. Only those who shell out $800 or more will be admitted to the storage heaven with no less than 1TB of space.

Keep in mind that the memory space that your phone promises you is not the memory space that you will get because a portion of it will already be used up by the phone's operating system, usually around 30GB. Once you start installing apps, it will take up your memory as well.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sieeka Khan

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Five-year-old Thai twins were married to fulfill a superstitious Buddhist belief that they were lovers in a past life.

Washirawit Bee Moosika and his sister Rinrada Breem had the wedding ceremony at home in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand on March 4.

Their parents, Weerasak, 31, and wife Rewadee, 30, follow Buddhist teachings which claim that all twins are born together because they have 'karma' from a past life in which they were lovers whose relationship ended before they could wed.

They believe that unless twins are married at the earliest chance, their lives will be haunted with bad luck lingering from previous incarnations.

Washirawit Bee Moosika and his sister Rinrada Breem Moosika (right) had their wedding ceremony at home. Their parents Weerasak and wife Rewadee (left) are Buddhist

Weerasak and his wife Rewadee invited friends and relatives to witness their son and daughter's marriage.

Proud mum Rewadee said: 'I feel so lucky to have twins but I'm concerned that there is something following them from their previous lives. Our belief is that they should be married in order to clear that karma.'

The twins' colourful wedding ceremony followed a traditional Thai wedding with parades, dancing, and offering of dowries from close relatives.

A Buddhist monk was also present to chant blessings during the toddlers' unusual union.

Five-year-old twins Washirawit Bee Moosika and his sister Rinrada Breem Moosika are wed at their home on March 4, 2021

After the ceremony, the parents, twins, and their guests had a dancing party while festive music played in the background.

Their father, Weerasak, said they had no choice but to marry off their children as Thai superstitious beliefs suggest that one of the twins will become sick unless they get married.

He said: 'We believe that if your children were born twins who have a different gender, they must be married or else one of them will fall ill later in their lives.'

Weerasak added that their twins were lovers in their previous lives so they need to fulfil their marriage wish so that their children grows up healthy.

However, the twin's marriage was not legally valid and was only done for ceremonial purposes.

The father added: 'We are only doing this to make sure our children are safe. We do not want them to be sick and there is nothing to lose if we follow this belief.'
BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was submitted Friday to the fourth annual session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) for deliberation.

Wang Chen, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, explained the draft to fellow lawmakers at the opening meeting of the session.

Please see the attachment for the translation of Wang's speech. Enditem

Full text

(Translation)

Explanations on the Draft Decision of the National Peoples Congress On Improving the Electoral System of

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Presented by Wang Chen

Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of

The National Peoples Congress

At the Fourth Session of t he 13th National Peoples Congress

5 March 2021

Deputies,

Entrusted by the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress (NPC), I hereby make the following explanations about the Draft Decision of the National Peoples Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

I. The imperative and importance of improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR

The return of Hong Kong to the motherland put the region once again under the overall governance system of the country. The Constitution of the Peoples Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China jointly form the constitutional basis of the Hong Kong SAR. The electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, which includes the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive and for the formation of the Legislative Council, is an important part of the political structure of the Hong Kong SAR. The electoral system should conform to the policy of One Country, Two Systems, meet the realities in the Hong Kong SAR and serve to ensure patriots administering Hong Kong. It should be conducive to safeguarding Chinas national sovereignty, security and development interests and help maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Since Hong Kongs return, the State has all along fully and faithfully implemented the policy of One Country, Two Systems under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, and has run Hong Kong affairs according to law, upheld the constitutional order in the Hong Kong SAR as established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, supported the development of democracy in the SAR and guaranteed the exercise of democratic rights by residents of the SAR in accordance with the law. However, it must be noted that in recent years, especially after the turbulence over the amendment bill in 2019, anti-China, destabilizing forces and radical localists in Hong Kong have openly called for Hong Kong independence. They used the electoral platforms of the Hong Kong SAR and the deliberation platforms of the Legislative Council and the District Councils or their position as public servants to blatantly carry out anti-China and destabilizing activities. They resorted to every possible means to paralyze the functioning of the Legislative Council and obstruct the law-based administration of the SAR government. They masterminded and perpetrated the so-called primary election, in an attempt to obtain a majority in the Legislative Council so that they could step further to grab the power to administer Hong Kong. Some foreign countries and external forces, by way of their own legislative bills or administrative means and through their consular agencies and NGOs in the Hong Kong SAR and other channels, blatantly meddled with Hong Kong affairs. They also grossly imposed so-called sanctions on the relevant Chinese personnel and flagrantly emboldened and covered those anti-China, destabilizing forces in Hong Kong. These activities seriously jeopardized the constitutional order and the order of rule of law in the Hong Kong SAR. They posed a grave challenge to the authority of the Constitution, the Basic Law and the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR. Such activities put Chinas national sovereignty, security and development interests into serious jeopardy and severely disrupted social stability of the Hong Kong SAR. They must be resolutely opposed, and forceful measures must be taken to prevent and defuse risks arising therefrom.

The rioting and turbulence that occurred in the Hong Kong society reveals that the existing electoral system in the Hong Kong SAR has clear loopholes and deficiencies, which the anti-China, destabilizing elements jumped on to take into their hands the power to administer the SAR. To remedy the situation, it is important to take necessary steps to improve the electoral system and remove existing institutional deficiencies and risks to ensure the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body. This in turn will ensure effective and law-based administration in the SAR and keep the implementation of One Country, Two Systems always on the right track.

Back in June 1984, Mr. Deng Xiaoping pointed out that there must be some requirements or qualifications with regard to the administration of Hong Kong affairs by the people of Hong Kong. It must be required that patriots form the main body of administrators. According to him, A patriot is one who respects the Chinese nation, sincerely supports the motherlands resumption of exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and wishes not to impair Hong Kongs prosperity and stability. Hong Kong has been a Chinese territory since ancient times. The Hong Kong SAR is an inalienable part of the Peoples Republic of China, a local administrative region with a high degree of autonomy that directly comes under the Central Peoples Government. Patriots administering Hong Kong is a necessary requirement of the One Country, Two Systems policy. All provisions in the Basic Law regarding Hong Kongs Chief Executive and those working in the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary reflect the principle of Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong with patriots as the main body. It is stipulated that the Chief Executive, principal officials, members of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Council, judges of the courts at all levels and other members of the judiciary in the Hong Kong SAR must uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR of the Peoples Republic of China. In a decision released in October 2019, the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee called for upholding and improving the system and institutions of One Country, Two Systems, improving the SARs institutions and mechanisms related to the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and upholding the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body. On 27 January 2021, when listening to a 2020 work report from Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, President Xi Jinping noted that Hong Kongs major shift from chaos to stability once again testifies to the unfailing truth that to ensure the steady practice of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong in the long run, we must always uphold the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong. This is a fundamental principle crucial to the sovereignty, security and development interests of our country and crucial to the sustained prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Only when the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong is observed can the Central Authorities overall jurisdiction over the SAR be effectively implemented, the constitutional order as established by the Constitution and the Basic Law be effectively maintained, and the various deep-seated problems be effectively resolved. Only in this way can Hong Kong achieve durable stability and make its due contributions to realizing national rejuvenation. The electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, including the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive and for the formation of the Legislative Council, must strictly follow and fully reflect the political principle and criterion of the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body and provide institutional safeguards for this purpose.

II. Overall requirements, important principles, basic approach, and the way to proceed for improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR

The overall requirements for improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR are: following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; fully implementing the guiding principles of the CPCs 19th National Congress and the second, third, fourth and fifth plenary sessions of its 19th Central Committee; upholding and improving the system and institutions of One Country, Two Systems; fully implementing, reflecting and carrying out the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong with proper mechanisms and institutions; keeping the power to administer firmly in the hands of those who love the country and love Hong Kong; and ensuring Hong Kongs long-term stability and prosperity.

In implementing these overall requirements, it is imperative to observe the following important principles. First, fully and accurately implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. It is imperative to uphold and improve the system and institutions of One Country, Two Systems, and ensure the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body. It is imperative to integrate adherence to the principle of One Country with respect for the differences of Two Systems, and combine upholding the Central Authorities overall jurisdiction over the SAR with safeguarding a high degree of autonomy in the SAR, so as to provide well-established systemic guarantee for patriots administering Hong Kong. Second, firmly upholding sovereignty, security and development interests of the State. It is imperative to ensure that the State takes firm control over the improvement of the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, fully implement the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, maintain overall social stability of the Hong Kong SAR, and resolutely prevent, stop and punish interference in Hong Kong affairs by foreign countries and external forces and their use of Hong Kong to conduct acts of secession, subversion, infiltration and sabotage. Third, administering Hong Kong in accordance with the law. It is imperative to maintain the constitutional order of the Hong Kong SAR enshrined in the Constitution and the Basic Law, improve the relevant electoral system and related mechanisms on the track of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and organize relevant elections in strict compliance with the Basic Law, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, relevant decisions of the National Peoples Congress and its Standing Committee as well as local laws of Hong Kong, so as to improve the ability and competence of governance in accordance with the law. Fourth, acting in line with the actual circumstances of Hong Kong. It is imperative to develop a system of democratic elections that fits Hong Kongs actual conditions and reflects the overall interests of the society. It is imperative to guarantee in accordance with the law the extensive and balanced political participation of the Hong Kong compatriots, and guarantee in accordance with the law the right to vote and the right to be elected which are lawfully enjoyed by Hong Kongs permanent residents. It is imperative to unite all that can be united, and build extensive, positive energy in the Hong Kong society. Fifth, improving the governance efficacy of the Hong Kong SAR. It is imperative to improve the system under which the Chief Executive is responsible to the Central Peoples Government, and maintain the executive-led governance structure and operational system of the Hong Kong SAR. It is imperative to support the Chief Executive, the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary in exercising power and performing duty in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the political and governance systems and mechanisms of the Hong Kong SAR.

The overarching approach for improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR is as follows: The overall design of the system will be centered around the reformation and greater empowerment of the Election Committee of the Hong Kong SAR. The size, composition and formation method of the Election Committee will be adjusted and improved. The Chief Executive will continue to be elected by the Election Committee. The Election Committee will be entrusted with the new function of electing a relatively large share of Legislative Council members and directly participating in the nomination of all candidates for the Legislative Council. Through the Election Committee, the balanced and orderly political participation will be expanded and broader representation ensured in the Hong Kong society. Relevant elements of the election will be adjusted as appropriate, and a mechanism of qualification review will be established throughout the entire process. This design is aimed to form a new democratic electoral system suited to Hong Kongs realities and with Hong Kong characteristics.

The existing electoral system in the Hong Kong SAR was established in accordance with relevant provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, interpretations and decisions of the NPC Standing Committee, and relevant provisions of local laws in Hong Kong. Provisions of the Basic Law, including Articles 45 and 68, lay out the principles concerning the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, and Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law as well as relevant amendments make specific and express stipulations. Based on comprehensive analysis and assessment, central and state authorities deem it necessary to revise and improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR at the State level, and mainly to revise the method for the selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR and the method for the formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR. At the same time, in order to maintain continuity and stability of relevant systems of the Hong Kong SAR, the revisions to be made this time in improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR may be limited to Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law, without revising the main body of the Basic Law. After serious consideration of various factors and discussions with relevant parties, central and state authorities propose a two-step approach, namely, decision plus amendment. In the first step, the NPC, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, makes the decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, which lays out the basic principles for revising and improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR as well as the core elements of such revision and improvement. Meanwhile, the NPC authorizes its Standing Committee to amend Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law in accordance with the decision. In the second step, in accordance with the Constitution, the Basic Law, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, and the NPC decision, the NPC Standing Committee amends Annex I: Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Annex II: Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. The amended Annex I and Annex II will contain specific and express provisions on the new democratic electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR. After the amendment of Annex I and Annex II at the State level is completed, the Hong Kong SAR will amend relevant local laws accordingly.

At its 26th session on 27-28 February 2021, the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC heard and deliberated on the Report of the State Council on Revising and Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Relevant Recommendations. It endorsed the Reports recommendations on revising and improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR. On this basis, in accordance with relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, and the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR as well as relevant decisions of the NPC and its Standing Committee, and in light of the actual conditions in the Hong Kong SAR, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee drew up the Draft Decision of the National Peoples Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which, after deliberation by the NPC Standing Committee, has been submitted to the Fourth Session of the 13th NPC for deliberation.

III. Overview of the draft decision

The Draft Decision of the National Peoples Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region consists of an introduction and the main body. The introduction briefly explains the purposes and legal basis of the decision. The relevant decision to be taken by the NPC is based on Article 31 and sub-paragraphs 2, 14 and 16 of Article 62 of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR and the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR. It takes into full consideration the practical need for improving the relevant electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR and of the reality in the Hong Kong SAR. It will make a new constitutional arrangement for a set of institutions to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR and advance the democratic political system that fits Hong Kongs actual conditions. Such an institutional arrangement is in line with the stipulations and principles of the Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, and holds solid political and legal ground. It will help ensure that patriots form the main body of administrators in Hong Kong, and guarantee the sound and sustained implementation of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong.

The main body of the draft decision lays out the basic principles for revising and improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR as well as the core elements of such revision and improvement. At the same time, it authorizes the NPC Standing Committee to amend Annex  and Annex II to the Basic Law in accordance with this decision. During deliberations on revising and improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, central and state authorities have thought through issues related to making this decision and then amending Annex  and Annex II to the Basic Law, and have made arrangements accordingly. After the adoption of this decision by the NPC, the NPC Standing Committee will work, pursuant to this decision and in coordination with other competent authorities, to promptly launch the procedure of amending Annex  and Annex II to the Basic Law. Upon the promulgation and entry into force of the amended Annex  and Annex II to the Basic Law, the previous Annex , Annex II and their amendments will be repealed simultaneously.
While the hiking opportunities already seem endless in Colorado, more trails are being built and improved throughout the state each year. Here are eight new trails to try this summer.

Pineries Open Space Trail (Photo) Credit Seth Boster Ouray Perimeter Trail (Photo) Credit Seth Boster Palisade Plunge (Photo) Credit Joey Early, Rocky Mounts Lake San Cristobal Island (Photo) Courtesy Friends of Lake San Cristobal The Lion Trail (Photo) courtesy Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Sandstone Ranch (Photo) Credit Seth Boster Mount Elbert (Photo) Credit Leslie James Fishers Peak State Park (Photo) Credit Forrest Czarnecki Columbines (Photo) Courtesy Bernie Nagy
10 new COVID-19-related deaths reported since last week

Ten new COVID-19-related deaths were reported by the South Dakota Department of Health Tuesday and during the holiday weekend.
Cyprus said it will open its borders to vaccinated Britons from the beginning of May  although UK government restrictions on foreign travel will still be in force.

Nearly a million people in the UK have received two doses of a Covid-19 jab, and the Cypriot government said those who had both jabs could travel without restrictions from May 1.

However, the date Cyprus has set to open its borders to Britons is still more than two weeks before the earliest people in England will be able to leave the country for holidays.

It comes as analysis found seaside accommodation prices have risen by an average of 35% this summer compared with last year, owing to a surge in demand for staycations.

The study by consumer group Which? indicated that prices have been hiked in 10 of the UKs most visited beach destinations, including St Ives, Whitby, Llandudno and Brighton.

Cypruss deputy tourism minister Savvas Perdios said the country would allow Britons who had been given vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency the right to enter without the need for a negative test or to quarantine.

Tourists would be required to have had their second dose at the latest seven days before travel, the minister added.

Covid-19 vaccine first doses in the UK (PA Graphics)

Cyprus has already struck a similar agreement allowing Israeli tourists to enter the country from April 1.

But foreign leisure travel will still be barred for people in England at the beginning of May, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying the earliest Britons could jet away is May 17.

This is dependant on various factors related to the coronavirus pandemic, such as vaccine rollouts and the prevalence of Covid-19 variants.

Staycations could begin more than a month earlier, with people in England potentially permitted to stay in self-contained accommodation such as holiday lets from April 12 under Mr Johnsons road map for easing lockdown restrictions.

This has led to many people opting to plan a holiday at home, resulting in them becoming more expensive.

Story continues

A property in Brighton had a large mark-up (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Researchers from Which? looked at prices for a total of 15 properties on accommodation booking platforms Airbnb and Vrbo.

The cost of stays in July and August is typically 35% higher now than if the equivalent dates last summer were booked during May and June 2020.

A one-bedroom maisonette in Brighton has the largest mark-up, increasing in price from 53 per night to 127 per night.

The cost of a one-week stay at a property in Llandudno has risen from 427 to 596, while seven nights in a property in St Ives has gone from 860 to 1,263.

Some price rises were more modest, with a one-bedroom cottage in Scarborough just 7% more expensive this summer.

Airbnb described the analysis as misleading and claimed research has shown guests feel the firm is more affordable than other accommodation options.

Vrbo said it does not set, change or influence the property prices a host chooses, adding that holidaymakers agree to prices before they book.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: Many holidaymakers are looking forward to finally going to the seaside this summer, so its perhaps not a surprise that high demand has seen prices for some destinations shoot up too.
'The biggest defender': Why Wolf's legacy matters in 2022

Gov. Tom Wolf's veto pen has frequently been the only thing to stop legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature from becoming law.
RTHK: New Zealand cancels tsunami warning after quake

New Zealand downgraded its tsunami threat level, as the largest waves have now passed, the National Emergency Management agency said on Friday in its latest update.

"All people who evacuated can now return," it said.

Thousands of New Zealanders on the east coast of the country's North Island were evacuated to higher ground after three offshore earthquakes triggered tsunami sirens and warnings.

The latest quake had a magnitude of 8.1 and struck the Kermadec Islands, northeast of New Zealand's North Island. This came shortly after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in the same region. Earlier, a large 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck about 900 kilometres away on the east of the North Island.

New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had said areas under threat from tsunami waves were from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay including Whakatane and Opotiki, and the Great Barrier Island.

"This has been a dynamic event;, it is constantly evolving," said Minister for Civil Defence Kiri Allan at a news conference.

Warnings were also issued for other Pacific islands like Tonga, American Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Hawaii and others.

Australia issued a marine tsunami threat for Norfolk Island, a tiny Australian territory with about 1,750 residents, but said there was no threat to the mainland.

Norfolk Island residents in areas threatened by land inundation or flooding were advised to go to higher ground or inland, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Residents were also told to get out of the water and move away from the water's edge at beaches, marinas, coastal estuaries and rock platforms.

Chile said it could experience a minor tsunami.

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck off the east of New Zealand's North Island was felt by more than 60,000 people across the country with many describing the shaking as "severe". Aftershocks were still being recorded in the area. (Reuters)

______________________________

Last updated: 2021-03-05 HKT 08:41

This story has been published on: 2021-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
MOSCOW  The United States placed sanctions Friday on a Ukrainian business tycoon seen as the most powerful figure in the country outside of the government, signaling an aggressive new approach by the Biden administration to dealing with corruption in Ukraine.

The businessman, Ihor Kolomoisky, an oil and media magnate, was already under investigation in the United States on accusations of embezzlement and fraud, and of using the proceeds to buy commercial real estate in Cleveland, Ohio.

At home in Ukraine, he is one of the most prominent of the ultrawealthy class of post-Soviet oligarchs and has been both an ally and a political albatross for President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukrainian oligarchs exercise outsized influence in the country, controlling the news media and at times financing entire factions in Parliament at odds with American and European efforts to strengthen Ukraines pro-Western geopolitical orientation. They have done so even as they kept money in Western banks and investments and sent their children to live or study in Europe and the United States.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began and restrictions were imposed on businesses, Karina Ceballos has removed eight of the tables from inside her small seafood eatery in Gulf Shores.

And though restrictions on the number of people seated at one table have been lifted in Alabama, Ceballos will enter the crucial Spring Break season without the normal seating inside King Neptunes Seafood Restaurant. She said shes fine with the arrangement as well as restaurants approach toward ensuring employees are wearing face masks and are sanitizing tables.

We dont mind doing it, said Ceballos, general manager of the eatery. That way people can feel safe and people are seeing that we want them to be here and that they are safe to eat here with us while we do right with the procedures.

In hottest hospitality market in Alabama, it will mostly be status quo until at least April 9, when the states existing health order and mask mandate expires. For the time being, some restaurant owners and operators in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach said they will continue adhering to the updated states Safer at Home health order which now allows them to seat as many as they can at one table. Prior to the Thursdays order, the state restricted no more than eight people seated at a table inside a restaurant or bar.

Its another small and important step for returning to whatever normal will soon be, said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.

Additionally, the new Safer at Home Order makes changes to areas concerning senior citizens, summer camps, restaurants as well as hospitals & nursing homes. View the graphic below. https://t.co/PzFX1rQSm9 #alpolitics 6/8 pic.twitter.com/jO3yBK9Oz0  Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) March 4, 2021

Limited seating woes

But that small change for coastal restaurants does very little in increasing capacity inside their eateries, restaurant owners say. The limited seating is coming at a time when crowds are starting to return to coastal Alabama for the spring and summer vacation seasons.

Weve had a lot of families upset when we cant put 10 to 11 people at one table, said Rosemary Steele, owner of DeSotos Seafood Kitchen in Gulf Shores. I guess that is helpful. But were still at reduced capacity without being able to put all of our tables where they belong.

Restaurants have been allowed to maintain the status quo with seating if they constructed partitions separating close-confined areas such as between booths.

Steele said that was difficult to do at her locally-owned and operated restaurant due to the difficulties in maneuvering around the restaurant.

She said that DeSotos has 10 fewer tables since before the pandemic began.

The customers are having to wait longer because we are at reduced capacity, she said.

Expectations from visitors, who travel to Alabama from states like Texas and Mississippi  where mask mandates were rescinded this week, and where COVID-19 restrictions are limited  do not match up with Alabamas requirements, said Steele. At the same time, she said that retirees from Michigan and other states with stricter restrictions are pleased that the dining room is even open, she added.

Most of our local customers have expressed that they are ready to be done with it and to get back to normal, Steele said. Some people are from a place with no restrictions and other are from places with a lot of restrictions. That is what is making this hard. There is no consistency.

The Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores had 21 more tables inside the restaurant before the pandemic began and, according to general manager Bud Morris, there are no plans to put them back into the restaurant. He said they would simply be too close together and would violate the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidelines to maintaining a safe social distance between parties from other households.

It might be something look at later down the road, but right now (the new state health order) doesnt change too much for us except we can seat (more people at one table), said Morris.

He said the restaurant had been enforcing the eight-person-per-table restriction and was getting pushback from visitors.

The customers, even though it was mandated at eight, they were not happy we were enforcing it, said Morris. Some didnt enforce it. (Customers) would say, we ate at so-and-so place and they did not make us separate. Id say, Im sorry, but I cant take that chance. I am happy (with the change) because we do have some big parties that come through here in Gulf Shores.

Vacation rentals

The revised health order comes right before Spring Break season starts for coastal Alabama. Local officials are unsure what to expect this year, since some colleges and universities  such as the University of Alabama and Auburn University  has removed traditional Spring Break from their 2021 calendars.

Another challenge is that a sizable number of rental properties have not yet reopened after they were damaged from Hurricane Sally in September.

Said Grant Brown, spokesman with the city of Gulf Shores, We dont anticipate there being as large of a Spring Break effect this year for a lot of reasons: About 40% of our units are damaged or are not being rented because of Hurricane Sallys damage. So even if we were at 100% occupancy, there is only about 60% of the units available to rent. That alone will reduce spring breakers from coming.

Kay Maghan, spokeswoman with Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, said the agency is projecting vacation rental occupancy from mid-March through Easter on April 4, ranging from 32%-38%. She said the figures are on par from Spring Break in 2019, which preceded a record-breaking summer season.

A look at U.S. 59 near Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, Ala., on Monday, March 30, 2020. Typically, this portion of U.S. 59 is bustling with activity during Spring Break. The coronavirus crisis has led to a widespread economic shutdown in the United States and has created concerns throughout Coastal Alabama. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Last years Spring Break was essentially canceled during the coronavirus lockdown and beach closure, with occupancy rates plummeting to below 10%. The area rebounded quickly, as occupancy levels soared in May and through most of the summer months.

Some rental agencies are planning on a strong Spring Break. Robert Kennedy, spokesman with Brett/Robinson Vacation Rentals, said they are projecting a spring season that is probably 20 to 30 points higher than what you are seeing elsewhere. The company owns 22 condo towers and manages 19 of them. None of them are currently closed due to hurricane damage, he said.

Our numbers are strong, said Kennedy. He said the company will continue to follow the states health orders and go above and beyond when it comes to sanitizing rooms and offices.

Randy Hall, president/owner of Liquid Life Vacation Rentals, said the cost of the hurricane remains a very real issue for his agency. Of the 340 condos they own and rent out, about 15% are still not repaired.

The cost of the hurricane has been significant and will continue to be a factor through March and April, he said. Building and condos that were supposed to be repaired, are delayed and we have to move guests around.

Still, he said occupancy is strong.

Our market fits the model of a safe vacation, said Hall. Small town, drive market, no airplanes or cruise ships. We are very fortunate.
oil prices rose after Opec and its allies ignored Indias plea to ease production control, with asking New Delhi to instead use oil it bought at rock bottom rates last year.



Indias Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had in the run-up to Thursdays Opec meeting urged the producers group to ease production curbs to fulfil their promise of stable oil prices. He felt rising oil prices were hurting economic recovery and demand.



Responding to a question on Indias pleas, Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman at a press conference after the Opec+ decision on Thursday said New Delhi should take some of the crude out of storage that they had purchased at very cheap rates last year.With regard to India, very simple. I would ask my friend that he withdraw some of the cheap oil that they bought in April, May and June (last year), the Saudi Minister said. There is an opportunity cost for not withdrawing it now. India had purchased 16.71 million barrels of crude in April-May, 2020 and filled all the three Strategic Petroleum Reserves created at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Mangalore and Padur in Karnataka. The average cost of that crude purchase was $19 per barrel, according to Pradhan's written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on September 21, 2020.Retail petrol and diesel prices, which already are at historic highs, should rise if the oil decide to pass on the surge in oil prices to consumers. Petrol and diesel prices have remained unchanged for the last five years and oil have in past not revised prices in the run to crucial assembly elections in 2017 and 2018 ahead of elections in states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry and Assam will go to the polls in the next few weeks.Earlier this week, Pradhan had said India, where fuel demand is recovering to pre-pandemic levels, wants reasonable and responsible oil prices.India, the worlds third-biggest oil importer and consumer, had supported the decision of Opec+ to cut production last year in view of the oil demand collapsing due to the spread of Covid-19.At that point in time, the producers especially Opec assured the global market, that by the beginning of the 2021 demand will be coming back and production will be as usual. But I am sorry to say the production is yet to be normal, he said.
BlakeDavidTaylor/iStockBy MARLENE LENTHANG, ABC News



(DALLAS) -- A Texas police officer was arrested Thursday on two counts of capital murder, authorities said.



Bryan Riser, a 13-year veteran of the Dallas police force, was taken into custody and transported to the Dallas County Jail for processing, Police Chief Eddie Garcia said at a press conference.



A man came forward in August 2019 and told investigators that Riser directed him to kidnap and kill two people in 2017, Garcia said. The murders took place when Riser was off-duty, Garcia added.



Officials said his arrest stems from a 2017 internal affairs investigation. A lawyer for Riser couldnt immediately be identified, Associated Press reported.



On March 10, 2017, officers found Liza Saenz, 31, with several bullet wounds in her body in the 200 block of Santa Fe Avenue.



The man stated that he had kidnapped and murdered Saenz at the direction of Riser, who also told him to kidnap a second victim, 61-year-old Albert Douglas, Garcia said.



Douglas was reported missing by his family in February 2017. His body was never found.



MORE: Former Maryland police chief facing dozens of attempted murder charges in alleged arsons

Garcia said Douglas was kidnapped and murdered on the same 200 block of Santa Fe Avenue.



The motive behind the murders is unknown. Garcia said the killings were not related to Risers police work and the investigation is ongoing.



Garcia said Riser had a relationship with at least one of the victims.



The actions that have been investigated in no way reflect the actions of the men and women who wear this uniform," Garcia said.



Riser's conduct as a police officer and his arrests will be investigated, Garcia said.



Riser had been patrolling the streets of Dallas up until his arrest and officials said they will expedite the process to have him removed from the department.



ABC News' Jenna Harrison contributed to this report.



Copyright  2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
ARCHIVED - Mediterranean regions of Spain determined to keep visitors out at Easter



Madrid seems isolated in opposing an Easter travel ban to avoid a fourth wave of the pandemic

It had been widely expected that the Spanish government would announce on Thursday that inter-regional travel will be prohibited over the Easter holidays in an effort to prevent a fourth wave of coronavirus infection, but having failed to gain the support of all 17 of the regional governments the decision has now been postponed for another week.

The main objector in the talks concerning Easter is the region of Madrid, where the regional authorities are doubtless aware that millions of the inhabitants traditionally take part in a mass exodus from the capital as madrilenos head for the Costas. But what does seem clear is that the Mediterranean coastal regions of Catalunya, the Comunidad Valenciana, the Balearics, Murcia and Andalucia are determined to remain closed, frustrating hopes that the tourism sector might be partially re-activated but at the same time guarding against consequences similar to those which were seen after the relaxation of pandemic restrictions during Christmas and the New Year.

It is worth remembering that at present the highest rate of infection in Spain is in Madrid, where a 14-day accumulated incidence rate of 261 makes it the only region still classified as being at extreme risk.

At the same time, it appears that the national government is keen to avoid a repeat of the Christmas holidays, when 17 different sets of rules were in force in the 17 Autonomous Communities of Spain, hence the decision to postpone any announcement in the hope of gaining the support of Madrid. The governments intention, though, has been made abundantly clear by Carolina Darias, the Minister for Health, who stated that the aim is to save lives, not to save weeks.

One of the most vocal supporters of maintaining the ban on inter-regional travel is Ximo Puig, the president of the regional government in the Comunidad Valenciana, and he has already contacted his counterparts in the neighbouring regions of Murcia, the Balearics, Castilla-La Mancha, Aragon and Catalunya to ensure their support. Sr Puig justifies his initiative on the grounds that no one region can be allowed to jeopardize the efforts which continue to be made by the inhabitants of the Comunidad Valenciana, and similar sentiments have been expressed by Fernando Lopez Miras in the Region of Murcia.

The incidence rate in Valencia has dipped below 100 for the first time in many months, but with the vaccination campaign progressing frustratingly slowly Sr Puig believes that it is not prudent to remove all restrictions on movement within Spain before the summer.

In all likelihood the Valencia president will get his way and visitors will not be permitted from other regions during Semana Santa, and if Madrid insists on being the only region not to ban travel it will theoretically make no difference as residents will be prohibited from entering other regions although they might be allowed to leave their own; the most likely outcome is that as Madrid's largest neighbour, Castilla La Mancha has already expressed its hope that Madrid will act responsibly and confine its citizens, the region of Madrid will find itself marooned as an island amidst a sea of closed borders, with its residents unable to enter any other region although theoretically, they can leave their own.

What is at stake, though, is the national governments ability to achieve a consensus among the 17 regional administrations, and in this sense the Madrid president, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, appears bent on making it as difficult as possible (as she has done throughout the crisis on several major issues).
New York, March 5 : Oil prices gained considerably after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies (OPEC+) agreed to extend most oil output cuts into April.

The West Texas Intermediate for April delivery added $2.55 to settle at $63.83 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for May delivery increased $2.67 to close at $66.74 a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

OPEC+ approved the continuation of current production levels for April, except that Russia and Kazakhstan will be allowed to increase production by 130,000 and 20,000 barrels per day, respectively, the group said in a statement on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, said it would extend its voluntary oil output cut of 1 million barrels per day, and would decide in coming months when to gradually phase it out.
The United States and European Union agreed to temporarily suspend tariffs levied on billions of dollars of each others aircraft, wine, food and other products as both sides try to find a negotiated settlement to a long-running dispute over the two leading airplane manufacturers.

President Biden and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, agreed in a phone call on Friday to suspend all tariffs imposed in the dispute over subsidies given to Boeing and Airbus for an initial period of four months, Ms. von der Leyen said in a statement.

This is excellent news for businesses and industries on both sides of the Atlantic and a very positive signal for our economic cooperation in the years to come, she said.

In a statement, the White House said Mr. Biden had underscored his support for the European Union and his commitment to repair and revitalize the U.S.-E.U. partnership.
By Leigh Thomas

PARIS (Reuters) - The French government on Thursday launched a new programme to relieve small and mid-sized firms' strained balance sheets with quasi-equity debt partially guaranteed by the state.

After months of negotiations between the finance ministry and EU state aid regulators, firms will be able to tap up to 20 billion euros ($24 billion) in loans and subordinate bonds from early next month, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said.

"This will be an unprecedented raising of capital for investment in Europe and it should be a model for other European countries," he said during a presentation of the programme.

French firms went into the COVID-19 crisis last year already with a record level of debt, and they took out an additional 130 billion euros in state-guaranteed loans from their banks as cashflow collapsed during France's worst post-war recession.

Under the new programme, the debt will be junior to all claims other than a firm's equity, it will have a longer maturity of eight years and must be used specifically for investment rather than refinancing existing debt.

The new debt is also more flexible, with a four-year grace period on principal repayments, but will also carry higher interest rates of 4-5.5% to cover the greater risk.

The scheme is innovative as banks will extend the loans to firms and then sell them on to institutional investors such as insurers through private investment vehicles, whose potential losses will be covered up to 30% by the state.

With many service sector firms still facing coronavirus restrictions, the CGPME smal-business association said it was important to help those companies that want to invest now. It urged banks to match each euro borrowed under the programme with a euro of traditional loans.

HELPING SMALLER FIRMS

While bigger companies have long had access to the high-yield debt markets, smaller firms in Europe have until now had to rely on shorter-term financing largely from banks, unlike in the United States where more flexible options have long existed.

Story continues

France has in the past struggled to get a market off the ground for small-firm financing and hopes are high that this time the state guarantee will give an extra boost.

European firms' heavy debt burden has fuelled concerns that they will lack the financial strength to undertake the investments needed for a strong recovery from the pandemic.

EU competition enforcers cleared the scheme on Thursday after tough negotiations to get the right risk-reward balance while not giving French firms an unfair advantage over their European rivals.

The onus will fall on banks to ensure that loans are extended to firms strong enough to make good use of the funds.

"By taking 10% of the loans on our balance sheets without a state guarantee, that implicates us in the quality of these instruments," said Credit Agricole Chief Executive Philippe Brassac, who also heads the French banking federation.

The state had originally planned to offer a guarantee of only 20% but had to increase that to 30% to attract institutional investors into the new market.

($1 = 0.8294 euros)

(Reporting by Leigh Thomas; additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels, Editing by Gareth Jones)

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the enactment of the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) dated February 26, 2021 on urgent measures to combat threats to national security in the field of citizenship.

As the presidential press service reported, according to the specified NSDC decision, the Cabinet of Ministers, together with the Central Election Commission and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), must, within two months, conduct an inspection and analyze the legislation of Ukraine on issues related to dual or multiple citizenship.

In particular, it is necessary to establish the presence or absence of legal certainty of the prohibition for citizens of Ukraine who have citizenship (or nationality) of a foreign state, to hold certain public and political positions or to perform the functions of the state or local self-government.

Based on the results of such an analysis, the government should, within six months, submit to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration draft laws that would prohibit citizens of Ukraine who have citizenship (nationality) of a foreign state or have submitted documents (or are undergoing a procedure) to acquire foreign citizenship, to perform the functions of the state or local government. In addition, it is envisaged that it is prohibited to apply for senior positions at strategic objects of state property, have access to state secrets, be a member of an election commission, an official observer or hold campaign in state and local elections, as well as be a member of a political party.

Reportedly, it is also necessary to draft and submit to parliament a procedure for confirming refusal and renunciation of citizenship of a foreign state for citizens of Ukraine who apply for the aforementioned positions.

In addition, at the legislative level, the procedure for submitting declarations of obtaining foreign citizenship by citizens of Ukraine should be provided. For residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk regions and Crimea, this procedure will be put into effect only after the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Liability should be established for the submission of false information in declarations of absence of foreign citizenship.

Also, according to the NSDC decision, the government should start an interstate dialogue to conclude bilateral agreements with interested states, except for the aggressor state, aimed at resolving problematic issues related to dual (multiple) citizenship.
Appearances can suggest we care less about things than we really do
Police officers have begun fleeing Myanmar into India after refusing to take part in an increasingly bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

Indian border guards say around 30 officers and their families have crossed into their country in the past few days, and are mostly seeking refuge in Mizoram state.

Locals say the men claimed to be police officers who had abandoned their posts after refusing to carry out orders to shoot civilians in western Chin state.

India says it has now closed the border with Myanmar and stepped up patrols to stop any more refugees from crossing. Officials are establishing the identities of the men who crossed, and determining whether they can settle as refugees.

The defections came amid the bloodiest week in Myanmar since military leaders seized power last month, with at least 40 activists shot dead and dozens wounded.

Video revealed the terrifying moment a solider took a potshot at a person in their apartment who was filming as the army went past.

The short clip shows a couple looking out of their apartment window before a soldier in uniform walks towards them, raises and shotgun, and blasts their window - forcing them to duck down to avoid being hit.

Terrifying video reveals the moment that a solider in Myanmar took a potshot at two civilians who happened to be filming soldiers walking past their apartment (bottom right)

A man aged in his 20s and named locally as Ko Zaw Myo was fatally shot in the neck by police in Myanmar on Friday while protesting in Mandalay

The fatal shooting comes after a week of bloody violence which has seen 40 people shot dead, bringing the total since the start of the coup to more than 50

Video also showed what appeared to be a police officer accompanied by two soldiers hauling away the limp body of a protester in Mandalay, but it could not be independently verified

Myanmar's armed forces and police officers have been steadily escalating their use of violence against protesters, before unleashing a bloody crackdown this week

Despite being targeted with live ammunition, tear gas, rubber bullets, and slingshots, tens of thousands of demonstrators have turned out for daily protests across the country

Protesters wearing basic safety gear and carrying home-made riot shields take part in a demonstration in Yangon, which police later used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up

Engineers and students take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay, before a protester was shot in the nec

#Mar5Coup A limp body is carried by a Myanmar police officer in Mandalay. Myanmar soldier accompanying. #WhatsHapppeningInMyanmar #Mandalay pic.twitter.com/Pjm1Q7UQmX  Shafiur Rahman (@shafiur) March 5, 2021

Photos also revealed how another an - named locally as Ko Zaw Myo, in his 20s - died on Friday after being shot in the throat during a march in the city of Mandalay.

The total death toll since the February 1 coup now stands at more than 50.

Video from Mandalay also showed a police officer escorted by soldiers carrying what appeared to be a protester's limp body off the streets on Friday, though the footage has not been independently verified.

Meanwhile officers in the largest city of Yangon opened fire with rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse thousands of activists who were joined on Friday by around 100 doctors wearing white coats.

Military-backed parties had been hammered at the election with Aung San Suu Kyi's party receiving some 80 per cent of the votes - a result that generals have claimed was fraudulent, without providing evidence.

They have announced a year-long emergency rule, pledging that fresh elections will eventually be held and the winner honoured, though few who lived through five decades of junta rule believe that will come to pass.

Near-daily protests have been taking place in the country since the coup as tens of thousands of people unite demand the return of democracy, despite increasing levels of violence.

After weeks of tense standoffs, police unleashed a bloodbath on Wednesday when officers in cities around the country opened fire on marchers largely without warning, leaving at least 38 dead.

It marked the single deadliest day since the coup, and raised fears that violence would intensify further.

On Thursday, the military saw fit to buzz the city of Mandalay with low-flying fighter jets in an attempt to intimidate marchers - who turned out none-the-less.

Faced with orders to open fire on their countrymen, it seems some officers decided to abandon their posts instead.

In India's Serchhip district, official Kumar Abhishek said eight people, including a woman and a child, had crossed the border and were being taken care of.

'We are anticipating that some more may come,' he said.

Authorities were making preparations to house between 30-40 people, he said.

A federal Indian security official said that police crossing over had said they did not wish to carry out orders from the military to quell the protests.

'They alleged that there are human rights violations and they were asked to shoot at civilians,' the official said, also requesting anonymity.

Anti-coup protesters maintain their position behind a barricade despite smoke from tear gas in San Chaung township in Yangon

The daughter of Zwee Htet Soe, a protester who died during a demonstration against the military coup on March 3, cries during her father's funeral in Yangon

Muslim men pray next to the body of Aung Myint Myat, 19, who was shot dead during the anti-coup protest, in Salin township, Magway region, Myanmar

A woman prays over the body of Aung Myint Myat, 19, who was shot dead by police during anti-coup demonstrations earlier this week

People raise defiant three-finger salutes during the funeral of a slain protester on Friday

More than 50 activists have now been killed opposing a coup which saw military leaders seize control of Myanmar's government on February 1

The influx of such refuge-seekers, particularly police, puts India in a quandary because of New Delhi's close ties with the Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw.

Over the last two years the Tatmadaw has mounted operations at India's request to flush out insurgents along the northeastern border. India, on its part, gifted Myanmar its first submarine last year.

'It's a little difficult situation for India because diplomatic balance is crucial,' the official said.

The violence came as the junta lost a tug of war over leadership of its U.N. mission in New York and the United States unveiled new sanctions targeting military conglomerates after the deaths of dozens of civilian protesters.

Activists demanding the restoration of the elected government of veteran democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi held more demonstrations in several towns and cities on Friday, with a crowd of thousands marching peacefully through the second city of Mandalay.

'The stone age is over, we're not scared because you threaten us,' the crowd chanted.

A crowd also gathered in the town of Pathein, to the west of Yangon, a witness said.

On Thursday, police broke up rallies with tear gas and gunfire in several cities but their crackdown was more restrained than on Wednesday, when the United Nations said 38 people were killed in the bloodiest day of protests.

U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet demanded the security forces halt what she called their 'vicious crackdown on peaceful protesters.' Bachelet said more than 1,700 people had been arrested, including 29 journalists.

Singapore has been the most outspoken of Myanmar's neighbours and its foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, said it was a 'national shame' for armed forces to use weapons against their people.

Anti-coup protesters wearing protective gear take positions as police gather in Yangon

Medical personnel and students take part in a demonstration against the coup in Yangon

Anti-coup protesters wearing helmets and masks take positions as police gather in Yangon

Armed police stand guard on a major street to prevent anti-coup demonstration in Yangon

He called on the military to seek a peaceful solution but acknowledged external pressure would have only a limited impact on the situation.

A spokesman for the ruling military council did not answer telephone calls seeking comment.

Adding to a sense of unease, electricity supplies were cut in many parts of the country on Friday. A utility official later said it was due to a system failure.

A clash over who represents Myanmar at the United Nations in New York was averted - for now - after the junta's replacement quit and the Myanmar U.N. mission confirmed that Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun remained in the job.

The junta fired Kyaw Moe Tun on Saturday after he urged countries at the U.N. General Assembly to use 'any means necessary' to reverse the Feb. 1 coup.

In Washington, it was unclear whether Myanmar's embassy was still representing the junta, after it issued a statement decrying the deaths of civilian protesters and called on authorities to 'fully exercise utmost restraint'.

One diplomat in the embassy resigned and at least three said in social media posts they were joining the civil disobedience movement of strikes against the military.

At least 19 Myanmar police officers have crossed into India fearing persecution for disobeying orders, an Indian police official told Reuters on Thursday.

Myanmar activists are calling for the release of Suu Kyi, 75, who was detained on the morning of the coup, and recognition of her Nov. 8 election victory. They also reject the junta's promise to hold new elections at an unspecified date.

Anti-coup protesters take cover behind makeshift shields as armed riot policemen gather in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Friday

A protester holds a sign with an image of leader Aung San Suu Kyi as they prepare to face off against security forces during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon

Anti-coup protesters take positions behind a makeshift barricade as armed riot policemen gather in Yangon

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won the election in a landslide but the military has refused to accept the result citing fraud. The election commission said the vote was fair.

Sources told Reuters that Myanmar's military rulers attempted to move about $1 billion held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York days after seizing power. U.S. officials froze those funds indefinitely, they said.

The U.S. Commerce Department designated trading curbs on Myanmar's defence and interior ministries and two military conglomerates that control swathes of the economy, with interests ranging from beer to real estate.

But the measures are expected to have limited impact as the entities are not major importers.

The U.N. human rights investigator on Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, urged the Security Council - which meets to discuss the situation later on Friday - to impose a global arms embargo and targeted economic sanctions on the junta.

The United States has told China, which has declined to condemn the coup, that it expects it to play a constructive role. China has said stability is a top priority in its strategic neighbour.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Photo of the new GM logo announced on Jan. 8, 2021. (GM/Handout via Reuters)

GM Looking to Build 2nd US Battery Factory, Tennessee Likely

DETROITGeneral Motors says its looking for a site to build a second U.S. battery factory with joint venture partner LG Chem of Korea.

The companies hope to have a decision on a site in the first half of the year, spokesman Dan Flores said Thursday.

Flores would not say where the company is looking but its likely to be near GMs Spring Hill, Tennessee, factory complex, which is one of three sites the company has designated to build electric vehicles.

A joint venture between GM and LG Chem currently is building a $2 billion battery factory in Lordstown, Ohio, near Cleveland, that will employ about 1,000 people. The site is fairly close to GMs two other designated electric vehicle plants, one in Detroit and the other north of the city in Orion Township, Michigan.

GM is likely to need far more battery capacity if its able to deliver on a goal of converting all of its new passenger vehicles from internal combustion engines to electricity by 2035.

LG Chem now has a battery cell plant in Holland, Michigan, that supplies power to the Chevrolet Bolt hatchback and the new Bolt electric SUV.

Industry analysts have said that automakers face a global shortage of batteries as the industry moves away from gasoline powered vehicles. Most of the worlds batteries are built in China and other countries.

The Wall Street Journal first reported that GM and LG Chem are pursuing a site in Tennessee to build a new battery plant.

GMs venture is risky, at least based on U.S. electric vehicle sales. Last year full battery electric vehicles accounted for only 2 percent of the U.S. market of 14.6 million in new vehicle sales. But automakers are set to roll out 22 new electric models this year and are baking on wider consumer acceptance.

The consulting firm LMC Automotive predicts that U.S. battery powered vehicle sales will hit over 1 million per year starting in 2023, reaching over 4 million by 2030.

Amidst sharpened interest from institutional investors, PlasmaSwap paves the way for a new generation of DeFi trading with improved UI, and the first ever fully decentralized implementation of limit trades.

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2021 / PlasmaPay, a global, digital payment platform enabling seamless entry into decentralized finance (DeFi), announces the launch of PlasmaSwap, a decentralized exchange (DEX) providing fast, secure and liquid trading with an industry-leading user-experience (UI) for professional traders.

The launch of PlasmaSwap fills a market gap in institutional trading, with an improved UI geared specifically towards professional traders. Pushing the boundaries of what it means to be fully distributed, PlasmaSwap will offer the first fully decentralized implementation of limit trades. At present all other DEX's use centralized order books, resulting in expensive gas fees. On PlasmaSwap, users save on gas fees and maximize profits in a truly decentralized manner, while also removing the reliance on centralized order books. Limit orders smart contracts will be interacting with Ethereum 2.0, and traders will be able to trade on swap without an ETH balance.

Ilia Maksimenka, CEO of PlasmaPay said, "Existing decentralized exchanges lack the streamlined user experience and intuitive ease of use of their centralized counterparts. They also tend to lack liquidity for most trading pairs. The launch of PlasmaSwap is an evolutionary leap towards making this exciting technology a reality for professional traders and institutions looking to enter the DeFi space. In this constant flux, where new and improved technologies are being introduced and accepted rapidly, the advancements brought by PlasmaSwap decentralized exchange will accelerate the process of unifying the old and new financial paradigm."

Professional arbitrage traders will be able to leverage PlasmaSwap's Flash Rebalancer tool to rebalance liquidity for one trading pair to many in one transaction, giving traders the benefit of saving vastly on gas fees. In addition, PlasmaSwap will introduce PlasmaVaults, a tool designed for institutional investors which provides a multisig account (wallet) that can be controlled by many people, enabling truly decentralized trading.

PlasmaSwap will be integrated into the Plasma.Finance platform, elevating the status quo of trading by providing the toolkit required for an intuitive trading experience. The DEX will also offer users industry-leading DeFi analytics from Binance and Kraken dashboards, including trading view, trading data and liquidity depth.

Providing fiat on/off ramp services to more than 100,000 cryptocurrency users from over 165 countries via mobile and desktop apps, PlasmaPay is building a blockchain ecosystem that will enable users to easily enter the cryptocurrency space and participate in DeFi activities across multiple chains from a single interface. PlasmaPay uses blockchain technology to allow users to securely store crypto and fiat currency, buy and exchange digital assets, send and receive cross-border payments, and build payment networks with zero transaction fees. Its mission is to create an open, intuitive financial platform allowing the world to unlock the full potential of blockchain technologies.

###

Ilia Maksimenka, CEO of PlasmaPay and Plasma.Finance, is available for an interview.

About PlasmaPay

PlasmaPayis a global digital payment platform enabling seamless entry into decentralized finance. PlasmaPay provides industry-leading UX, crypto/fiat wallets, and fiat on/off ramp services to more than 100,000 cryptocurrency users from over 160 countries via mobile and desktop apps. Headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, PlasmaPay uses blockchain technology to allow users to securely store crypto and fiat currency, buy and exchange digital assets, send and receive cross-border payments, and build payment networks with zero transaction fees.

The launch of native token PPAY will be the underlying utility of the upcoming Plasma Finance Dashboard, built to be the operating system for the entire DeFi ecosystem. CEO and Founder Illia Maksimenka, along with a highly talented team of 40+ cybersecurity developers, economists, and business professionals are deeply committed to their mission of creating an open, intuitive financial platform that will allow the world to unlock the full potential of blockchain technologies.

Follow PlasmaPay on Twitter

Visit the PlasmaPay Website: www,plasmapay.com/

Visit the Plasma.Finance Website: plasma.finance

Follow PlasmaPay on Medium

Join the Telegram Community

PR Contact

Masha Prusso - e:masha@plasmapay.com

SOURCE: Plasma.Finance

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/633660/PlasmaPay-Launches-PlasmaSwap-Decentralized-Exchange-For-Professional-Traders
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2021) - Sweet Earth Holdings Corp. (CSE: SE) (FSE: 1KZ1) (OTCQB: SEHCF) ("Sweet Earth" the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with an investment consortium (the "EU Investors") carrying on businesses in Spain and Germany. The EU Investors are associated with Spanish agricultural products for the European Union ("EU") market, German brands, and global consulting.

Under the agreement, which was signed on March 1, 2021, Sweet Earth and the EU Investors, (the "Partners") will create a joint venture (the "JV") to sell the Company's products online and through retail outlets. Work on a German online shopping portal has already commenced. In addition, the EU investors will sell Sweet Earth Products on its shopping portal, along with other CBD products.

According to the European Business1 review over the next five years, the global CBD industry is projected to accelerate to $23.6 billion, while the European CBD market is set to rise by 400 percent. However, there are also clear differences between acceptable EU and acceptable North American products.

In order to facilitate smooth importation into Germany, the Company will bulk manufacturer Sweet Earth Hemp Products in the United States. Upon importation into the EU, the Partners will bring the hemp products to its Hamburg facility, where products will be blended with EU-approved CBD, packaged, and sold under the Sweet Earth CBD brand online and through retail. The Partners will work towards garnering EU-based credit card acceptance for online purchases and developing websites in multiple languages and jurisdictions within the European Community.

Initial shipments of products will commence in lots of approximately 1000 products and will be the following:

Sweet Earth Organic CBD Hydration Cream

Sweet Earth Organic CBD Lip Balm

Sweet Earth CBD Muscle Recovery Rub

Sweet Earth Organic CBD Salve

The Company will continue to provide updates on the joint venture and launch of its European portals.

About Sweet Earth

Corporate Website:https://sweetearthcbdcorp.com.

Sweet Earth is a vertically integrated "farm to shelf" hemp grower with a farm in Applegate, Oregon, that maintains a full line of hemp and CBD products for the US and global market. Its products combine CBD with herbal and organic ingredients, all of which are selected for their beneficial properties to soothe, rejuvenate, and reduce inflammation. In addition to high-end finished products, Sweet Earth prides itself on sustainability by minimizing the use of plastics in both production and packaging. Sweet Earth's in-house genetics team has been working on its own proprietary hemp strain.

Sweet Earth maintains a portfolio of skin and body care products that includes facial products, men's, spa, hemp, and muscle products that are sold on its website, https://sweetearthskincare.com.

Sweet Earth operates a proprietary online shopping portal for discerning pet owners offering pet treats comprised of high-quality ingredients, which are further enriched with CBD and Vitamin E. The treats are sold on its website: https://www.sweetearthpets.com.

Sweet Earth has created a line of CBD that cigarettes are made from 100% naturally grown US hemp flower that is rich in non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD and cannabigerol ("CBG"). The cigarettes are completely free of tobacco, nicotine, or additives. The cigarettes are also rich in terpenes, like pinene, limonene and myrcene and are sold on its online portal, https://www.sweetearthsmooth.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Peter Espig"

Peter Espig

For additional information contact :

Peter Espig / CEO and Director

Telephone: (778) 385-1213

Email: info@sweetearthcbd.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

____________________

1 Source: https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/how-much-the-cbd-market-is-growing-in-the-eu/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/76109

A 33-year-old man accused of decapitating his mother at her Louth home has been deemed fit to stand trial by a judge at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Justice Michael White said today he was satisfied that the Polish man could find his way around navigating a plea, follow the evidence and make a proper defence after two consultant psychiatrists had disagreed on whether the defendant was fit to stand trial.

Referring to the defendant, the judge said he was "highly sceptical" that he had planned his mother's death two years in advance or was "faking a psychiatric illness".

Tomasz Krzysztof Piotrowski, originally from Poland but with an address at Cherrybrook, Ardee, Co Louth, is charged with murdering his mother Elzbieta Piotrowska (57) on January 8, 2019 at her home in Clonmore, Ardee.

Ms Piotrowska's decapitated body was found in her home that morning.

She had suffered a significant number of stab wounds and an axe and stanley knives were found close to her body.

Mr Piotrowski, of Cherrybrook, Ardee was arrested on the same day and was subsequently deemed unfit to be tried having been assessed by psychiatrists at the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) in Dundrum, Dublin.

Last December, Dominic McGinn SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions told Mr Justice White that Dr Mary Davoren had decided that Mr Piotrowski was now fit to stand trial.

He said this came about following a consultation in November during which Mr Piotrowski accepted that he had lied to psychiatrists in order to get a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a lesser sentence.

In her evidence, Dr Davoren said she was satisfied that the accused was able to describe the various plea options available to him and had a good understanding of them.

The doctor said Mr Piotrowski had told her that he had considered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity but said he did not want to spend a long time in the CMH and was instead considering a plea of diminished responsibility.

In her view, Dr Davoren said this was a careful approach taken by the accused and demonstrated that he had not chosen a plea impulsively.

Furthermore, the witness said that the accused had maintained good concentration and attention during their three interviews with no sign of any thought disorder. In her opinion, she said the accused met the criteria for fitness to stand trial.

However, consultant psychiatrist at the CMH Dr Conor O'Neill disagreed.

He told counsel for Mr Piotrowski, Roisin Lacey SC, that he believed Mr Piotrowski was still suffering from delusional beliefs, that his symptoms are most likely the result of paranoid schizophrenia and that he was not fit to plead at his trial.

He said the accused had an extensive history of multiple substance misuse, particularly cannabis and cocaine, and had tested positive when he was admitted to Cloverhill Prison in January 2019.

Dr O'Neill said the accused man continued to hold a range of delusional beliefs including that the deceased is not his real mother but a witch who used black magic to harm him.

He addressed a suggestion that the psychotic symptoms could have been the result of drug use by saying that the symptoms persisted when Mr Piotrowski was treated for lengthy periods in different hospitals, including the CMH, where he did not have access to illegal drugs.

In cross-examination, Dr O'Neill agreed with Mr McGinn that the accused recognised that a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity would not be in his interest as it would delay his return to Poland, which the accused was anxious to avoid.

The doctor said he assessed Mr Piotrowski in September last year as being unfit to plead and having seen him several times since then and having viewed reports by other psychiatrists, his opinion had not changed.

He said that while Mr Piotrowski had recently denied being mentally unwell he continued to describe beliefs that are delusional.

In his opinion, Dr O'Neill said the accused was actively psychotic, did not have the capacity to instruct counsel and was not fit to be tried.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Mr Justice White said this was a "complex" case and an issue had arisen concerning the accused's fitness to be tried under the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006.

There was a "strong prima facie case" that Mr Piotrowski had caused the death of his mother, said the judge, stressing that the court was "highly sceptical" that the defendant had been planning her death two years in advance or was "faking a psychiatric illness".

Undoubtedly, the accused's mental health had improved and stabilised during his stay in the CMH but he had never resiled from his delusional beliefs about his mother even in his improved and stabilised state, said the judge.

Mr Justice White said that the man's consistent diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia seemed "very sound" to the court but this was ultimately a matter for the jury.

He said that while it may be difficult he was satisfied that the accused could find his way around navigating a plea, follow the evidence and make a proper defence.

"This can be kept under review by the trial judge and can be revisited if necessary," he added.

The defendant was remanded in custody to March 11, when his case is listed for mention.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
In response to the government of Azerbaijans ongoing illegal detention of Armenian prisoners of war and Armenian civilians, the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC) and the Yerevan based Center for International and Comparative Law (CICL) joined forces recently in the effort to secure the release of the prisoners of war currently held in captivity by the government of Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian Cause central office of the Bureau of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party.

The collaborative effort between the two organizations, that began in January of 2021, will pursue damage claims for the harm and injuries suffered by both civilian and military personnel at the hands of the Azerbaijan armed forces and the foreign mercenaries Azerbaijan employed in their recent unprovoked aggression against Armenia and Artsakh. CICL and ALC will also pursue the return of the remains of Armenian soldiers and civilians missing in action since the end of the armed conflict on November 9, 2020. In furtherance of the undertaking to secure justice for the many victims of Azerbaijans human rights violations, CICL will also conduct comprehensive fact-finding investigations into the many reported incidents of torture and murder of Armenian soldiers and civilians while in the custody of the Azerbaijani military. The CICL, with the support and backing of the ALC, has already initiated dozens of legal proceedings in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on behalf of the identified Armenian captives in Azerbaijani custody.

The Azerbaijani government continues to engage in a pattern of gross and blatant human rights offenses for which they must be held accountable stated renowned human rights lawyer and CICL Executive Director Siranush Sahakyan, who is spearheading the ECHR lawsuits, Working closely with the ALC, we are committed to securing justice for the victims of Azerbaijani aggression and ultimately for the long overdue release of the Armenian captives concluded Sahakyan.

The continued detention, abuse and torture of Armenian soldiers and civilians by Azerbaijan are egregious human rights violations that can no longer be tolerated and must be resolved without further delay, stated Kenneth Hachikian, Chairman of the ALC, We are pleased to be partnering with our talented, experienced and dedicated colleagues at the CICL and will continue forward with this vital endeavor until justice is served and all the captives are returned home to their families, added Hachikian, Toward that goal, we call on all Armenians to generously contribute their efforts and resources to this crucial initiative concluded Hachikian.

To make a tax-deductible donation to the ALC to help secure the release of Armenian captives in the custody of the Azerbaijani government please visit here.



Location: San Jose - California

Location: Pune

Location: Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

Job Description We are seeking an experienced Senior Software Architect with a strong technical security background that can be applied to the development of cloud and industrial IoT applications. This candidate would be part of a cross-organization architecture team responsible for driving the software architectural vision and strategy for the company. The security software architect will provide architectural guidance and enablement across Rockwell Automation's software product and platform portfolio. The ideal candidate is a highly organized results driven team player with excellent communication skills. We are looking for proven track record in designing, configuring and implementing secure enterprise and industrial software solutions and security processes that span the design, operate and maintain phases of industrial automation. The candidate will be expected to acquire or possess a deep technical understanding of the relevant products, technology stacks and challenges that especially bridge IT and OT networks. The candidate will need to collaborate and communicate effectively with other professionals, strategic partners and with customers in a thought-leading capacity. The individual should possess the business acumen to outline and communicate practical long- and near-term security strategies. Responsibilities Serve as the cross-product architect for the software & cloud security domain in areas such as SDLC, Risk Modeling, Cloud Security architectures, Pen Testing, SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation and Response)

Develop and lead a cross-product Security Architecture working group.

Serve as a key security-centric technical advocate and advisor on relevant M&A activities (including technical evaluations) and partner engagements

Provide technical leadership and collaborate on key architectural decisions and design considerations with regards to secure software development and secure architectural/solution designs

Participate in application and cloud/edge infrastructure projects to provide security -planning guidance and governance

Coordinate with DevOps teams to advocate secure coding practices

Work with relevant product managers, product architects, and business managers to champion and help deliver and assess security-related initiatives

Serve as security liaison with corporate security IT teams

Maintain deep knowledge of security threats and vulnerabilities across product portfolio and helps drive remediation and resolution of potential high profile/critical security vulnerabilities

Mentor development teams globally (i.e. demonstrate good and secure coding practices and helping them architect code)

Contribute to and promote good software engineering practices across the team.

The base salary compensation range for this role in Colorado is $132,400 to $165,600 with an annual target bonus of 8% of base salary. Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree

Legal authorization to work in the US is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening Preferred Qualifications 10+ year's combined experience in agile software development & architecting with languages including Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, SCALA, C/C++/C# and Shell environments (Bash/PowerShell)

4+ years' experience in secure product/project engineering

3+ years of a hands-on Solution Architect/Software Architect/Technical Lead role

Understanding of software security architecture and design, SDLC and best practices in application security

Experience with security compliance process implementation and/or governance (e.g. SOC 2, ISO 27001)

Experienced with Application Security Testing Tools and Techniques such as Vulnerability Databases (NVD, CVE CWE), Software Composition Analysis (SCA), Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), Integration of Security tools in CI/CD environments, Application Threat Modelling

Experienced with Web Single Sign-on (SSO), specifically on Authentication Protocols, Authentication (authn) Methods, Federation Protocols, SSO Solutions (KeyCloak, PingFederate, Okta, ADFS) and Authorization (authz) Methods, Policy Management (OPA)

Experienced with Cryptographic Algorithms and Methods

Experienced with Identity Management (IdM) such as Active Directory, ADFS, Kerberos, LDAP

Experience with Microsoft Azure and related analytics and infrastructure services

Experience with industrial automation/OT communications protocols such as CIP and OPC-UA and their security implications.

Deep understanding of Internet Protocols and Security Implications

Familiarity with Cloud Infrastructure and Security Implications for Virtual Machines, Serverless Designs, Container technology (Docker/Kubernetes), Orchestration, Software Defined Networks

Familiarity with cyber security practices like Red Team/ Blue team and related Incident Management

Familiarity with Internet of Things Edge Hardware platforms, especially design for cloud connectivity

Familiarity with methods for securely storing secrets such as Credential vaults, Database encryption and Keystores

Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to break down complexity.

Ability to see multiple solutions to problems and choose the most appropriate one for the situation

Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability and patience to explain complex security concepts to non-technical audiences

Excellent team player #LI-MM1 We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. If you are an individual with a disability and you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our services team at +1 (see application details).


California Department of Education

News Release

California Department of Education

News Release

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces Model Continuation High Schools for 2021

SACRAMENTOState Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that 27 schools throughout the state were recognized as Model Continuation High Schools (MCHS) for 2021.

Student attendance and engagement in distance learning during the school closures has been difficultespecially for students who struggled with attendance issues before the pandemic, said Thurmond. These model schools have been able to keep at-risk students on track using social and emotional learning, mentorship programs, restorative justice practices, and other innovative methods. Through the work of dedicated teachers and administrators, model continuation schools provide the students they serve with new academic opportunities that can change the course of their lives in high school and beyond.

Each of the schools honored offer various opportunities for their students to pursue academic and social success. For example:

Delta Continuation High School in Santa Maria has established social/emotional learning elements, including a crisis intervention consultant and school psychologist that provide tiered-level intervention support. Students also have access to mental health group support and one-on-one counseling.

Desert Oasis Continuation High School in El Centro maintains a community mentor program comprised of local professionals, including many members from law enforcement. The law enforcement mentors participate in activities with students that focus on team building, collaboration, and trust.

George and Evelyn Stein Continuation High School in Tracy has a strong academic support system in place with an emphasis on creating a plan that meets a students individual needs and goals. Each student has an academic advisor who is with them during their entire time at the school and a teacher advisor who develops a plan for graduation and post-graduation.

There are over 400 continuation high schools serving 50,000 students throughout the state, ages sixteen through eighteen, who have not graduated from high school and who were at risk of not completing their education.

The MCHS Recognition Program is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA Plus). The program honors continuation high schools for the comprehensive services they provide at-risk youth through instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, guidance, and counseling. Not only does this involve operating and supporting their own exemplary program, but MCHS-recognized educators make a commitment to support and mentor their peers in other local educational agencies. The MCHS were selected based on a comprehensive application process that involved assessments and data. The process included a peer review panel and on-site visit. This years visits were conducted virtually due to the pandemic.

The 27 schools selected as MCHS retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the 2021 CCEA Plus State Conference in San Diego, September 1619, 2021. Individuals may attend the conference in person or virtually through an interactive portal with streaming and on-demand content. For more information, please visit the CDE Continuation Education web page or the CCEA Plus website .

List of 2021 Model Continuation High Schools

Angel's Gate Continuation High School, 3607 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA, 90731-6969, 310-221-4600, Paul Valanis, Principal

Aurora High School, 1391 Kloke Road, Calexico, CA, 92231-4228, 760-768-3940, Juan Moreno, Principal

Calico Continuation High School, 33525 Ponnay, Yermo, CA, 92327, 760-254-2715, Brice Scott, Principal

Chaparral High School, 121 West Allen Avenue, San Dimas, CA, 91773-1437, 909-971-8240, Christine Black, Principal

Del Puerto High School, 640 M Street, Patterson, CA, 95363-2215, 209-892-4720, Jose Sanchez, Principal

Del Valle Continuation High School, 2253 Fifth Street, Livermore, CA, 94550-4549, 925-606-4709, Erik Taylor, Principal

Delta High School, 4893 Bethany Lane, Santa Maria, CA, 93455-4880, 805-937-6356, Sal Reynoso, Principal

Desert Oasis High School, 1302 South Third Street, El Centro, CA, 92243-6604, 760-336-4555, Fernando O'campo, Administrator

Frontier High School, 9401 South Painter Avenue, Whittier, CA, 90605-2729, 562-698-8121, Margie Moriarty, Principal

George and Evelyn Stein Continuation High School, 650 West 10th Street, Tracy, CA, 95376, 209-830-3395, Traci Mitchell, Principal

Green Valley High School, 35948 Susan Street, Yucaipa, CA, 92399-5299, 909-790-8580, Frank Tucci, Principal

John R. Wooden High School, 18741 Elkwood Street, Reseda, CA, 91335-1802, 818-345-0203, Laura Novak, Principal

La Cuesta Continuation High School, 710 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101-2232, 805-966-0883, Lauren Berlin, Principal

La Vista High School, 909 North State College Boulevard, Fullerton, CA, 92831-3013, 714-447-7821, Sandi Layana, Principal

Major General Raymond Murray High School, 215 North Melrose Drive, Vista, CA, 92083-5720, 760-631-2502, Carol Barr, Principal

Mountain View High School, 1000 Ramona Boulevard, San Jacinto, CA, 92582-2576, 951-487-7710, Kenneth Swanson, Principal

Olympic Continuation High School, 2730 Salvio Street, Concord, CA, 94519-2599, 925-687-0363, Lynsie Castellano, Principal

Park West High School, 1460 West Holt Avenue, Suite 100, Pomona, CA, 91767-2832, 909-397-4900, Luis Rodriguez, Principal

Raincross Continuation High School, 6401 Lincoln Avenue, Riverside, CA, 92506-4424, 951-276-7670, Dennis Deets, Principal

Rancho Del Mar High School, 38 Crest Road West, Rolling Hills, CA, 90274-5058, 310-378-9966, Richard Licciardello, Principal

San Andreas High School, 3232 East Pacific Street, Highland, CA, 92346-2499, 909-388-6521, Dorie Stratton, Principal

San Andreas High School, 599 William Avenue, Larkspur, CA, 94939-1554, 415-945-3751, David Luongo, Principal

Sierra High School, 1040 East Gladstone Street, Azusa, CA, 91702-4837, 626-852-8300, Kent Stout, Principal

Vail Continuation High School, 1230 South Vail Avenue, Montebello, CA, 90640-6312, 323-728-1940, Horacio Perez, Principal

Valley View High School, 1801 East Sixth Street, Ontario, CA, 91764-1599, 909-985-0966, Julie Prestsater, Principal

Village Oaks High School, 1900 West Swain, Stockton, CA, 95207-3439, 209-953-8740, Josef Schallberger, Principal

Whitcomb Continuation High School, 350 West Mauna Loa Avenue, Glendora, CA, 91740-4399, 626-852-4550, Ron Letourneau, Principal

# # # #

Tony Thurmond  State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Last Reviewed: Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Press Release

5 March 2021

South East Asia accounts for 12% of the Accor network worldwide, with nearly 385 hotels and 88,000 rooms. This figure is sure to grow in the future, given that the region boasts 190 hotels in its pipeline. Among them, Mercure Ambassador Jeju, ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport, Mercure Ambassador Pyeongtaek, and Mercure Ambassador Mokpo will open in the next 5 years in South Korea.

Advertisements

Between modernity and ancestral cultural heritage, this country has been experiencing an impressive increase of its tourist attractiveness for more than 10 years. The Group is well aware of its strong potential, always seeking the best destinations for its clients, and will operate 33 hotels & resorts in South Korea by 2025. Fairmont actually made its debut in the region with the opening of Fairmont Ambassador Seoul on February 24.

"We are delighted with the continued expansion of our network in South Korea. This fast pace of development is the result of our successful joint partnership with the Ambassador Hotel Group. With local expertise and international marketing and distribution capabilities, we believe that we can provide an enhanced guest experience, giving travelers the opportunity to explore new destinations across the Accor network in South Korea," said Vincent Lelay, Vice President of Operations for Accor Ambassador South Korea.

Guided tour of Fairmont Ambassador Seoul and zoom on the 4 future additions to the Group's South Korean network mentioned above.

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul: a prestigious location

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul welcomes its guests on the capital's Yeouido Island. Located at the Parc.1 complex, the hotel offers stunning panoramic views of the city skyline and the Han River from its 326 spacious and contemporary rooms. With 3 restaurants, a rooftop bar, an indoor swimming pool, a spa, a fitness center, 10 meeting rooms and a Grand Ballroom, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul is the ideal destination for all occasions. The hotel joins a collection of over 80 remarkable Fairmont addresses around the world.

In the next 5 years...

Featuring 72 guest rooms, Mercure Ambassador Jeju is set to open in mid of 2021. Boasting an array of dining outlets, a pool, spa and indoor driving ranges, the resort is located 30 minutes from Jeju International Airport and 10 minutes to Jungmun Tourist Complex.

ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport is slated to open in 2022. Featuring quirky and creative design, the hotel is ideally located in International Business Complex II of Incheon International Airport.

Boasting 219-rooms, Mercure Ambassador Pyeongtaek is located in the high-tech industrial area nearby to residential district. Set to open in 2024, the hotel features a restaurant and bar, meeting room and business centre. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, spa and fitness centre.

As the first internationally branded hotel in the historic port city of Mokpo, the 235 room Mercure Ambassador Mokpo is located within walking distance to KTX station and surrounding tourist attractions. Opening in 2025, the hotel features a restaurant and bar, a 500-seat convention and meetings facility, fitness centre, pool and a kid's club.

Stay Tuned! Sofitel will also make its debut in South Korea this year and will arrive in Seoul.
Ryanair's return to George Best Belfast City Airport after more than a decade is another twist in chief executive Michael O'Leary's love-hate relationship with our two biggest airports.

The no-frills airline is to offer flights to six sunshine destinations in Spain and one each in Italy and Portugal.

It is great timing for the City Airport to land such a big prize - exactly one year ago, it was facing the collapse of regional airline Flybe, then its biggest customer.

But rather than a complete break-up with the International after five years in a steady relationship, Ryanair will maintain its base there in the short term at least.

A Ryanair spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph that it was offered very favourable terms to come back to the City Airport.

He implied that it is now down to the International to come up with the goods - in other words, better terms.

For now, the routes of Malaga, Alicante and Milan Bergamo are on sale at both airports, along with three Poland routes from the International.

The City Airport is also offering Mallorca, Faro, Barcelona, Ibiza and Valencia.

But the spokesman added that it is not so much falling in and out of love as in and out of discussions.

He explained: "I would always say, we fall in and fall out of discussions of airports but we never actually fall out long term, we're very pragmatic, always very open to discussions."

The move tells us that the Covid-19 crisis may work in the airlines' favour when it comes to negotiating with airports.

Airports will be so desperate to get going again after a year of virtually no international travel that extremely favourable conditions will be offered to airlines.

That will be to get people through the airport and spending money in the newsagents, coffee shops, souvenir shops and bars which are a huge part of an airport's commercial offer.

For years Ryanair's colourful boss O'Leary labelled Belfast International Airport "Lough Neagh Airport" in a disparaging reference to its out of town location.

His dealings with Belfast City were pretty turbulent, too. He announced its withdrawal from the airport after three years in 2010 after losing patience over a public inquiry on a planning application to extend its runway.

Turning the air blue with his usual flair, Mr O'Leary fumed: "If Belfast doesn't want (it) and the authorities up here don't recognise that Ryanair wants to invest in Belfast, wants to invest in Northern Ireland tourism, we're not going to beat our head against the bloody wall for more than three years to do it, then to hell with you." But back then, he wasn't ruling out a comeback - though probably did not imagine then that it would take 11 years.

He vowed that "we'll come back if somebody at some point in time up here makes a f****** decision and delivers us a very small, very modest runway extension to allow us to do nothing other than fly safely from Belfast City to continental Europe".

But there has been no runway extension since then, and instead the airline spokesman has said ways have been found around the runway size, and that the runway limitations do not affect all of the Ryanair routes.

Ryanair's gesture of confidence also puts the company at odds with Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill. Last week, as holiday bookings from England jumped six-fold after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his country's reopening dates, Ms O'Neill said: "I don't think I could stand here today and say to people it's okay, go and book your holiday."

But Ryanair feels that the success of the vaccine roll-out so far suggests we will be in an even better position to resume foreign holidays by June.

If not, you can change your flight at no extra cost - a useful insurance policy for even the most optimistic of sun-seekers these days.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 53F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 53F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Britannia Industries Ltd is quoting at Rs 3505.5, up 0.1% on the day as on 12:44 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 13.76% in last one year as compared to a 36.81% gain in NIFTY and a 15.53% gain in the Nifty FMCG.

Britannia Industries Ltd is up for a fifth straight session in a row. The stock is quoting at Rs 3505.5, up 0.1% on the day as on 12:44 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.31% on the day, quoting at 15034.3. The Sensex is at 50721.96, down 0.24%. Britannia Industries Ltd has added around 0.92% in last one month.

Meanwhile, Nifty FMCG index of which Britannia Industries Ltd is a constituent, has added around 2.96% in last one month and is currently quoting at 33443.8, down 0.03% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 3.29 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 7.31 lakh shares in last one month.

The benchmark March futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 3514.35, up 0.28% on the day. Britannia Industries Ltd is up 13.76% in last one year as compared to a 36.81% gain in NIFTY and a 15.53% gain in the Nifty FMCG index.

The PE of the stock is 47.17 based on TTM earnings ending December 20.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bangladeshi cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore was released on bail on Thursday after 10 months in prison, March 4, 2021.

Bangladeshi cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore was severely beaten in custody, he told BenarNews from a hospital bed on Thursday, after being released on bail amid an international outcry over his detention and the death of a writer in prison last week.

The beatings began after his arrest, which took place on May 2 and not May 6 as stated by police at the time, Kishore told BenarNews in Washington in a telephone interview.

They tortured me after the arrest. I was taken away on the 2nd of May 2020, but they documented it as a 6th of May arrest, he said.

I have huge pain in my left leg. They beat my legs a lot. My eardrum ruptured. I cant see properly. I have toothaches, too, Kishore said.

I cant distinguish right from left  They beat the soles of my feet very severely, he said.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday denied that Kishore had been beaten, and said a government probe into the sudden death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed on Feb. 25 found that he had no marks of torture on his body and had died of natural causes.

Both men were arrested under the Digital Security Act for publishing material critical of the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Neither Kishore nor Mushtaq was tortured. These are simply untrue allegations, Asaduzzaman Khan told BenarNews on Thursday.

Kishore mourned his friend Ahmeds death.

I will never forget Mushtaq Bhai. I pray for him, Kishore said.

Bangladeshi cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore is seen on a hospital bed after being released on bail, March 4, 2021. [Special to BenarNews]

Kishores diabetes not treated at jail

Ahmed died late last Thursday after suddenly falling ill at a high security prison in the central city of Gazipur. He had been refused bail six times since his arrest  the last time two days before his death.

Kishore was a little luckier.

After many international groups called for him to be freed, he was granted a six-month bail on Wednesday on his seventh attempt to get out of jail.

The court granted Kishore bail on health grounds and because two others accused in the same case were earlier granted bail, a deputy attorney-general said. The cartoonist is diabetic.

Kishore was released Thursday from Kashimpur jail. He called me after coming out of jail, Kishores lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua told BenarNews.

After his release, he was admitted at a hospital for a health check-up. He was not treated at the jail, so his diabetes worsened. Pus is coming out of his ears, the lawyer said.

Kishore tortured between May 2 and May 6

Kishore and Ahmed were arrested last year in early May by members of Bangladeshs elite paramilitary force, Rapid Action Battalion, or RAB, according to Bangladeshi media reports.

The reports said that RAB arrested Kishore and Ahmed late on May 5, or in the early hours of May 6, and handed them over to the Ramna police station in Dhaka.

On May 6, a RAB unit called RAB 3 confirmed the handover to The Daily Star, and Ramna police station did the same.

But Kishore told BenarNews he was arrested on May 2.

On Feb. 23, when Kishore appeared in court, he told his lawyer and brother that two RAB personnel had severely beaten him after they picked him up last May, according to the United Nations Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet and The New York Times.

Kishore told me that he had been tortured between May 2 and May 6, Kishores brother Ahsan Kabir told the Times.

On March 3, Kishores lawyer Barua appealed to a Dhaka court to accept a complaint against RAB for the alleged beating, The Daily Star reported.

When the court asked Barua why he wanted to file an appeal almost 10 months after the alleged beating, the lawyer said he had learned about it only recently as he had not been able to meet Kishore in person before that because of the pandemic-related lockdown.

Allegations of torture and ill-treatment by the Rapid Action Battalion have been a long-standing concern, the U.N. Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet said in a statement on Monday, referring to Kishores claims.

Nur Khan, a former executive director of Bangladesh rights body Ain-O-Salish Kendra, described to BenarNews what he believes is RABs modus operandi.

What police and RAB do is, as soon as they pick someone up, they beat them up mercilessly. They extract forceful confessions of their choice and then they show the person was arrested on a date later than when they were actually picked up, Nur Khan said.

This is because law enforcers have to produce them before the court within 24 hours after the arrest, he said, explaining why RAB might give a false date for when someone was arrested.

Not an unnatural death

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, meanwhile, said his ministrys team investigated writer Ahmeds death and submitted its findings on Wednesday.

I have seen the probe report. It concluded that Mushtaq Ahmed met a natural death. It was not an unnatural death. The inquest report said that there was no mark or sign of injury in any part of his body, the minister said

Yet, he said that a post-mortem report was not ready, and that would tell exactly how Ahmed died.

We are yet to get the post-mortem report. Upon receiving the post-mortem report, we can pinpoint the cause of his death. He [Ahmed] had been a chain smoker; he used to smoke 10 packets of cigarettes a day, said the home minister.

Rights activist Nur Khan said that the home minister cannot come to any conclusions about Ahmeds death without a post-mortem report.

The home minister should not have said anything about the probable cause of Mushtaq Ahmeds death without the post-mortem report. No one can come to conclusion on a death just looking at the inquest report, he told BenarNews.

It is unlikely that post-mortem report would be fair and impartial after the minister made these comments. Possibly, the post-mortem would now corroborate a natural death, said Khan.

Jail authorities had said that Ahmed was treated at the prison hospital because he suddenly fell ill. As his condition deteriorated, he was moved to another hospital and died there, they said.

Lipa Akhter, Ahmeds wife, said it was possible her husband died of a heart attack.

Mushtaqs brother is a doctor. He was present while the post-mortem was carried out. He told me Mushtaq may have died of a massive heart attack. His heart was enlarged, Akhter told BenarNews.

Akhter said the post-mortem report would make the cause of her husbands death clear.

What isnt clear is whether the jail authorities took him to hospital on time when he fell ill, she said.

Akhter saw her husband in court on Feb. 23 when he was refused bail  two days before his death.

If he had got bail then, he would have been with us. He would not have died in the jail, she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 19:38:30|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Troops take part in a military parade during the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's annual defense budget will maintain single-digit growth for a sixth consecutive year by increasing 6.8 percent in 2021, according to a draft budget report made public on Friday.

This year's planned defense spending will be about 1.35 trillion yuan (about 209 billion U.S. dollars), read the draft submitted to the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) for deliberation.

China's defense budget is about one quarter of the U.S. figure, which is 740.5 billion U.S. dollars for the 2021 fiscal year.

As the world's second largest economy and the most populous country, China's planned defense spending per capita in 2021 will be less than 1,000 yuan.

China applies strict mechanisms of fiscal allocation and budget management on its defense expenditure, which is mainly assigned to personnel, training and sustainment, and equipment.

China has voluntarily cut its armed forces by over 4 million troops since 1978, according to a white paper released in 2019.

Reporters attend a press conference of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) via video link in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

"In general, China's defense spending is commensurate with the overall level of economic development," said Zhang Yesui, spokesperson for the fourth session of the 13th NPC, at a press conference held on Thursday.

Maintaining appropriate and steady increase of the defense spending is needed to safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests, fulfill China's international responsibility and obligations, and promote the transformation of national defense with Chinese characteristics, Zhang said.

"China's efforts to strengthen national defense do not target or threaten any country. Whether a country poses a threat to others depends on what kind of defense policy it pursues," Zhang added.

Pointing out that China's defense budget is reviewed and approved by the NPC each year as part of the overall national budget, Zhang said that the country's defense expenditure is open and transparent. 
A Yorkshire mother who married a US prisoner serving a 75-year sentence for murder has revealed she had to wait a year after they wed before being allowed to kiss him.

Heike Phelan, 49, of Huddersfield, wed William Matthew Schiffert, also 49, in a prison ceremony in November 2012 after years of writing letters to him in his cell.

Schiffert is currently serving a life sentence in a Texas jail for stabbing someone to death in 2001, but Heike said she 'doesn't think about' whether her spouse is innocent or guilty.

Scroll down for video

Heike Phelan, 49, of Huddersfield, married William Matthew Schiffert (pictured together) in a prison ceremony in November 2012 after years of writing letters to him

Phelan (pictured at home in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire) said she 'doesn't think about' whether her spouse is innocent or guilty. She's currently banned from visiting the US for ten years after overstaying her visa

Appearing on This Morning today, the mum-of-two shared that it was years before she was able to hug her husband, because he spent the first year of their marriage in segregation and met her behind a perspex glass screen.

'We'd been together three years by the time we were married', she said, 'I'd started going out three or four times a year.

'But all those visits were all behind the perspex glass because he was in segregation at the time.

'So contact visits, we'd been married a year before we had a contact visit, which is just sitting opposite each other at a table, before we actually got to have a hug and a kiss.'

Heike met William through a Christmas card scheme on a prison support website and says that her husband has been completely open about his crimes

The Yorkshire mum went on to explain that she had been writing to William for 18 months before they met in person, and found she 'learned to trust him' as time went on

Heike met William through a Christmas card scheme on a prisoner support website and says that her husband had been completely open about his crimes from the start.

'In the very first letter he told me what he was in prison for', she said.

'Other things he'd done that he'd done time for, he said "you can Google me and see what I'm telling you is right".

'Every time he told me something, that's what I did, and every time it did turn out to be correct.'

The mother claimed that her husband was not directly involved in the murder, but was convicted under a Texas law that deems anyone involved with the crime equally responsible for the death.

'It's not that I think about whether he's guilty or innocent', she said. 'That's a crime that happened long before I knew him.

Schiffert (pictured with Ms Phelan on a prison visit) is currently serving a life sentence for stabbing someone to death in 2001

'So when he wrote to me and I said I'd write back as a friend, I said I won't sit in judgement but I won't be lied to, so you need to be honest with me and will get to know the person you are now, not judge you on things you've done before.

'So I started with a clean slate with him essentially.'

The mum went on to explain that she had been writing to William for 18 months before they met in person, and found she 'learned to trust him' as he told her more about himself.

She said: 'Over time he told me more and more and more and he became very open with me about himself and his background.

'As you learn to trust somebody more you become more invested in that person and that's essentially how it happened.'

'It was 18 months before I first went to visit him and I was quite nervous, I was worried, will the person on paper match in person? Fortunately it did.'

The mother claims her jailbird husband could be eligible for parole in just two years, and hopes they can live together one day.

Heike is currently unable to visit him in prison because of a 10-year ban on entering the US after she outstayed a visa when she got caught up in a car crash in Dallas, Texas and needed extended treatment.

'He's just become part of my life', she said. 'I still have my job and friends and my lifestyle, I go out and travel, I've written books about his life in prison. He's a benefit and addition to my life just like any other relationship.'
NORWALK  Three Danbury residents have been accused of beating a man they knew during a confrontation early Friday in South Norwalk, police said.

The driver of the suspect vehicle  Xavier Bryan, 19, of Alan Avenue  was charged with two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, two counts of criminal mischief, reckless driving, and two counts of second-degree assault causing serious physical injury.

Michael Garcia, 20, of High Ridge Road, was charged with two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and two counts of first-degree criminal mischief.

Juan Jimenez, 19, of Pembroke Road, was also charged with two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and two counts of first-degree criminal mischief.

All three Danbury residents were each held on a $50,000 bond.

Around 1:30 a.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to the area of Meadow Street for a report of a two-vehicle collision, according to Sgt. Sofia Gulino.

The victim was driving on Meadow Street when the other vehicle cut him off, causing him to spin out, Gulino said. The victim called a friend who reported the incident to police, Gulino said.

Gulino said the victim told officers he was involved in an accident and then robbed by the occupants of the other vehicle.

But Gulino said officers soon learned there was more to the story.

Gulino said the victim knew the other men, who ran after and assaulted him after the accident.

The victim was taken to Norwalk Hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, Gulino said.

Bryan, Garcia and Jimenez were taken into custody for the incident.
New Delhi:

After the massive success of Baahubali series, it was expected that Prabhas will now be considered as the superstar, not only in the South film industry but also in Bollywood. This has started reflecting in his fees as well. If reports are to be believed, Prabhas has increased his fees to Rs 30 crore. Yes, its true. The South superstar has demanded a sum of Rs 30 crore for his next flick Saaho.

The actor had charged Rs 20-25 crore for Baahubali: The Conclusion but now the reports have revealed that he is charging an amount close to what Khans in Bollywood charge.

ALSO READ | 'Saaho': Neil Nitin Mukesh excited to work with 'Baahubali' star Prabhas

According to a MidDay report, makers of Saaho approached the Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor, after facing rejection from several other actresses. She would be getting a whopping Rs 9 crore, which is three times less than that of Prabhas.

Despite getting lower fees than Prabhas, it may turn out to be a booster for her career in the film industry. As of now, no one has confirmed the authenticity of the news.

ALSO READ | Saaho: Not Anushka Shetty but Shraddha Kapoor to romance 'Baahubali' star Prabhas

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-05 09:53:58|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland reported no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the National Health Commission said Friday.

Nine new imported COVID-19 cases were reported on Thursday, said the commission in its daily report.

Two new suspected cases arriving from outside the mainland were reported in Shanghai, but no new deaths related to the disease were reported, it added.

On Thursday, eight COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals following their recovery.

By the end of Thursday, a total of 5,049 imported cases had been reported on the mainland. Among them, 4,882 had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, and 167 remained hospitalized. No deaths had been reported among the imported cases.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 89,952 by Thursday, including 178 patients still receiving treatment, one of whom was in severe condition.

A total of 85,138 patients had been discharged following recovery on the mainland, and 4,636 had died of the disease.

There were two suspected COVID-19 cases on the mainland by the end of Thursday, and 4,440 close contacts remained under medical observation.

Thursday also saw 12 asymptomatic cases newly reported, all arriving from outside the mainland. A total of 255 asymptomatic cases were under medical observation, of whom 253 arrived from outside the mainland.

By the end of Thursday, 11,055 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 201 deaths, had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), 48 cases had been reported in the Macao SAR, and 960 cases, including nine deaths, had been reported in Taiwan.

A total of 10,593 COVID-19 patients in the Hong Kong SAR had been discharged from hospitals after recovery, 47 had been discharged in the Macao SAR, and 928 had been discharged in Taiwan. Enditem


New Delhi, March 6 : The BJP will hold fewer rallies in poll-bound Assam as compared to West Bengal, which is also slated to go to the polls in March-April.

The BJP is planning to organise just around a dozen big election rallies of senior leaders, including rallies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP's Assam unit chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass said that the party will hold about 10 rallies, including rallies by Prime Minister Modi, BJP chief J.P. Nadda, Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh and other senior ministers and leaders.

"Our focus is micro managing the polls and we are working on it," Dass said.

According to BJP sources, in the high octane West Bengal Assembly polls, the party is going to hold a large number of rallies, including about 20 by Modi, and 50 each rally by Shah and Nadda.

The BJP is leaving no stone unturned to dislodge the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government in West Bengal. The party, however, is confident of winning people's support for a second consecutive term in Assam.

"Every state has different political requirements and decisions or strategies are drawn accordingly. The mumber of rallies or public meetings is decided as per the requirement. The state unit took a call on the number of rallies to be held," said a senior BJP leader.

A BJP leader from Assam said that apart from rallies by the Prime Minister and Union ministers, state leaders and ministers will also hold public meetings.

"State leaders will reach out to the people through small meetings," he said.

The BJP is more interested in reaching out to each household in Assam through its workers, talking about the works done in the last five years, the BJP leader said.

Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
GRONINGEN  New research suggests that the presence of textile microfibres in human lungs could make it difficult for the body to recover from respiratory infections and viruses, such as COVID-19.

Academics at Groningen University, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory exposed air sac organoids (serving as miniature lungs) to both nylon and polyester over two weeks, finding them to be detrimental to lung tissue regeneration.

It follows research published last year by Kings College London, which found that 92 per cent of all the microplastics collected on the roof of a nine-storey building contained fibrous material.

A virus damages the lungs so you need to repair, and if your lungs are filled with fibres that are inhibiting this repair then you are in for another problem in addition to COVID-19, explained Professor Barbro Melgert, a principal investigator in the study.

The air sac organoids used to simulate a lungs response when in contact with textile microfibres demonstrated that the materials could harm the development of airways, in younger people, or their recovery post-illness.

A study conducted at Rutgers University, in New Jersey, assessed the damage tiny nanoplastics, resemblant of textile microfibres, had on rats and found them to be rife in the rodents lungs, liver, heart and even the foetus of those which were pregnant.

Dr Phoebe Stapleton, who conducted the study, warned that this too could pose a threat to human health. She said: We need to get a better handle on human exposure overall initially.

Several studies have identified textile microfibres in the bodies of sea creatures, with the findings of a voyage by Londons Natural History Museum being the latest example of how pervasive such particles can be in the worlds oceans.

That said, research by Kings College London also identified textile microfibres to be rife within the air we breathe.

A paper published by the colleges research team said: Once airborne, they [microfibres] could remain suspended for days or weeks before being removed via precipitation; giant mineral dust particles are transported thousands of kilometres from their sources.

Thus, the atmosphere represents a diffuse source of microplastics, which may deposit into different environments, including oceans, where smaller microplastics may be re-aerosolised via wave breaks and bursting bubbles, and again transported.
Voting rights groups are calling on companies such as Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines to oppose efforts by Republican lawmakers in Georgia to enact sweeping new restrictions on voting access in the battleground state.

The organizations, including Black Voters Matter, the New Georgia Project and the Georgia NAACP, launched a campaign this week asking the corporations to take a stand against legislation they say aims to curb turnout from Democratic-leaning Black voters, who were crucial to helping elect Democrat President Joe Biden in the November election and two Democratic senators in a January run-off.

A once unthinkable scenario in the traditionally red state.

Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, a group focused on increasing Black Americans' voting access said: "Some of these companies have made beautiful statements for Black Lives Matter. Yet here, in the moment where it matters most, they have been silent."

Republicans in Georgia and across the country are using former President Donald Trump's false claims of voter fraud to back state-level voting changes they say are needed to restore election integrity.

A bill passed by the Republican-controlled Georgia House on Monday would restrict ballot drop boxes, tighten absentee voting requirements and limit early voting on Sundays, curtailing traditional "Souls to the Polls" voter turnout programs in Black churches.

Georgia will likely one of the biggest battlegrounds in the 2022 elections with a U.S. Senate seat and the governor's office on the ballot.

Video Transcript

- Voting rights groups are calling on companies such as Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines to oppose efforts by Republican lawmakers in Georgia to enact sweeping new restrictions on voting access in the battleground states. The organizations, including Black Voters Matter, the New Georgia Project, and the Georgia NAACP, launched a campaign this week against the corporations to take a stand against legislation they say aims to curb turnout from Democratic-leaning Black voters who were crucial to helping elect Democrat President Joe Biden in the November election and two Democratic senators in a January runoff, a once unthinkable scenario in the traditionally red state.

Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, a group focused on increasing Black Americans' voting access said, quote, "Some of these companies have made beautiful statements for Black Lives Matter. Yet here in the moment, where it matters most, they have been silent."

Republicans in Georgia and across the country are using former President Donald Trump's false claims of voter fraud to back state-level voting changes they say are needed to restore election integrity. A bill passed by the Republican-controlled Georgia House on Monday would restrict ballot drop boxes, tighten absentee voting requirements, and limit early voting on Sundays, curtailing traditional Souls to the Polls voter turnout programs in Black churches. Georgia will likely be one of the biggest battlegrounds in the 2022 elections with a US Senate seat and the governor's office on the ballot.
Brokerage websites will help drivers compare prices and select the best coverage options, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that explains the main advantages of using car insurance brokerage websites.

For more info, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/why-are-brokerage-websites-recommended-for-comparing-car-insurance-quotes/

Brokerage website provide a better view of the local and national insurance market. Users can check which companies are available at their location. This includes both big, nationwide insurers and their smaller, local or regional competitors. When accessing brokerage websites, online users gain the following advantages:



Quotes are available anywhere, anytime. Potential customers no longer have to visit a companys physical location, just to get price estimates. Drivers can find the best deals scrolling the offers while sitting in the comfort of their home. Plus, drivers are no longer dependent of an agencys schedule.

Get access to multiple offers on a single search page. Brokerage websites collaborate with multiple provides. After completing the online questionnaire, the user will be matched with all available carriers.

Accurate prices. Brokerage websites can provide very accurate quotes. The only conditions is to complete the questionnaires with accurate data, and to be honest when he/she has to share unpleasant data, like speeding tickets, DUI incidents, at-fault accidents, etc.

They will help drivers save money. It is possible to find offers that will save hundreds of dollars. Additionally, drivers can tweak the questionnaire by changing coverage parameters and deductibles limits to find the right amount of coverage at the lowest price possible. Brokerage websites can also list the new companies. Some of them have lower prices, but the same quality of services as the well-established insurers.

Will help drivers decide if they should switch carriers or not. Drivers should get quotes before the renewal date. When finding a better deal, the driver can choose to ask for a counteroffer from the current insurer or change the provider.

For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.